Clean Air Ohio

Pennsylvania is taking an important step toward reducing methane pollution from oil and gas operations. 

Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that new methane standards are on the way for Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry, which will help protect public health, reduce climate pollution, and improve air quality for the more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians who live near oil and gas infrastructure.  

Once finalized, these highly anticipated methane standards will implement the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 methane rule while allowing Pennsylvania to tailor federal standards to serve Pennsylvania’s needs as the country’s second-largest producer of gas.  

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that also affects the air we breathe. Oil and gas operations that leak methane often release other harmful pollutants at the same time, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants contribute to smog and have been linked to asthma, respiratory disease, cancer, and other serious health impacts. 

Reducing methane pollution is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to slow climate change while improving air quality, especially for people living closest to oil and gas operations. 

The new standards are expected to strengthen methane leak detection and repair standards and expand protections to more well sites across the Commonwealth, regardless of size. This will help Pennsylvania dramatically lower air pollution and prevent the wasteful leakage of gas into our atmosphere. 

DEP will begin developing the proposed standards through Pennsylvania’s regulatory process. There will be opportunities for the public to review the proposal and submit comments. Clean Air Council will continue advocating for strong methane protections that reduce pollution, improve public health, and hold oil and gas companies accountable for preventable methane emissions.  

Alice Lu, Policy Analyst at Clean Air Council, issued the following statement: 

“For decades, Pennsylvanians have fought for safeguards from the oil and gas industry’s methane pollution. Today, Governor Shapiro and DEP are answering that call by taking a much-needed, commonsense action to protect our frontline communities. Reducing methane emissions is one of the most effective ways to tackle climate change and improve air quality.” 

Want to stay informed? As DEP develops these standards, there will be opportunities for Pennsylvanians to weigh in. Sign up for Clean Air Council’s Action Alerts to learn how you can help shape stronger methane protections across the Commonwealth. 
 

“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.

As exciting events continue in Philadelphia, learn how you can get around to major summer 2026 events without a car, or being stuck in traffic with GoPhillyGo: Car-Free Routes Map!

WHYY: Leave something on the train, bus or trolley? Here’s how to find it on SEPTA – Riders can look for lost items from SEPTA in the lost and found, but there’s more than one depending on where you left your item. For regional rail riders, the lost and found is in Suburban Station in Center City. Broad Street Line holds items at Fern Rock Transit Center and SEPTA headquarters on Market. Market-Frankford riders need to check the 69th Street Transit Center, and the depot holds unclaimed items from buses and trolleys.

WHYY: Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority takes a baby step toward resurrecting passenger rail between Philadelphia and Reading – Amtrak and the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) signed a formal commitment to attempt to bring back passenger rail service between Philadelphia, Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading. It’s been over 40 years since passenger rail trains stopped in Phoenixville. The agreement means SRPRA intends for Amtrak to operate the lines, and Amtrak is willing to see the project through to the next phase.

Philadelphia Today: Young Mechanics Take the Lead in FOX 29’s Look Inside Zummo Bike – A non-profit in Chester County, Zummo Bikes is collecting, repairing, selling, and donating refurbished bicycles. Zumme Bikes is also a workforce development program, training students to fix bicycles and other components, see inside a small business, and develop customer service skills. Visit Zummo Bike’s website here.

6ABC: Pep rally held for Philadelphia Cycling Classic

Safe Routes Partnership: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grants are Open!

BillyPenn: The Wissahickon’s 100 Steps connect a natural oasis to the city

WHYY: Philly-area police launch aggressive-driver campaign to reduce highway fatalities

Axios Philadelphia: SEPTA’s AI-powered cameras generated $14.5M in fines in the first year

Mass Transit Mag: Amtrak selects STV for static frequency converter replacement in Philadelphia

Farms.org: Why Rural Roads Account for 40% of U.S. Traffic Fatalities

“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.

As exciting events continue in Philadelphia, learn how you can get around to major summer 2026 events without a car, or being stuck in traffic with GoPhillyGo: Car-Free Routes Map!

Attention Lehigh Valley and Lancaster Transit Workers! Transit For All PA needs your help to improve public transit by taking these surveys. Link to the Lehigh Valley Survey and link to the Lancaster Survey.

WHYY: Pa. Gov. Shapiro signs ‘compromise’ state budget shortly after passage on Sunday – The 2026-2027 PA State Budget passed on Sunday, with Republicans and Democrats calling it a compromise. The budget comes two weeks after the state constitution-mandated deadline, late for the fifth year in a row. The $50.8 billion budget was signed by the Governor, with approval from 211 of the General Assembly’s 252 lawmakers. The budget leaves out several critical issues, such as transit, raising minimum wage, and affordable housing. Shapiro stated that there is still work to do, including addressing the lack of funding for mass transit that millions of Pennsylvanians rely on every day.

NBC Philadelphia: SEPTA is spending millions to stop fare evasion. Is it paying off? – Current fare evasion programs cost around $30 million a year, according to SEPTA. Some of the fare evasion measures include full-length gates at 10 stations, that cost around $400,000 each. The gates are intended to stop riders from jumping the turnstile. At the 10 stations with full-length gates, fare evasion has been cut in half, reducing it from one in two riders not paying to one in four. SEPTA expects the machines to pay for themselves over the next few years, and has plans to expand the fare-evasion programs at more stations over the next several years.

Philly Voice: Uber is offering free rides to older adults in West and Southwest Philly – ACHIEVEability, a Philadelphia social services organization, is running a program for older adults living in West and Southwest Philly. Codes are available for people aged 60+ for a one-time $50 voucher to access healthcare, buy groceries, or meet other critical needs. The program will run until the $10,000 budget is spent. For more information about the program, text ACHIEVEability at (215) 748-8817 or call (215) 879-6625. Clean Air Council also runs an Uber voucher program servicing the 110, 111, 114, & 117 SEPTA lines. Find more information or to register visit here.

The Inquirer: Here’s what’s in — and not in — Pennsylvania’s $50.8 billion state budget

NBC Philadelphia: Falls Bridge to close to cars on weekday overnights for inspection: Officials

BillyPenn: Westbound I-76 in West Philly to close at night for bridge construction

Philly Voice: Amtrak trains to run at reduced speeds due to heat wave

Mass Transit Magazine: SEPTA launches bike parking lockers at Fox Chase station

Philadelphia Today: Inside the Bitter Political Fight That Nearly Made the Ben Franklin Bridge Free

City of Philadelphia: The Streets Department of Transportation Announces Construction of New Pedestrian Refuge Islands Along Chestnut Street

PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 13, 2026) – Last night, Governor Shapiro signed Pennsylvania’s 2027 state budget, which was finalized over the weekend after negotiations across chambers and parties.  

The bills increased the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s general fund allocation by less than inflation and contained a handful of policy provisions both harmful and helpful to our health and natural environment. The budget lacked funding for transit. 

Alex Bomstein, Executive Director of Clean Air Council, issued the following statement: 

“The negotiations around the budget this summer were an opportunity to move ahead on important legislation such as a moratorium on new hyperscale data centers and removing barriers to clean and abundant renewable energy. And this budget should have secured critical funding for transit systems across rural and urban Pennsylvania communities. 

“Instead, legislators passed a state budget that doesn’t change much and left the Capitol without taking meaningful action on the issues that matter most to Pennsylvanians. While a status quo budget could be a lot worse, it is a missed opportunity. This will continue to force transit agencies across the state to cut services and increase fares. Big tech and fossil fuel interests will continue to pollute our air, raise our energy bills, and take advantage of our communities.” 

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“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.

As exciting events continue in Philadelphia, learn how you can get around to major summer 2026 events without a car, or being stuck in traffic with GoPhillyGo: Car-Free Routes Map!

Pennsylvania Capitol – Star: More than a week after the deadline, state budget negotiations appear to be taking place – After missing the June 30 budget deadline, for the fifth year in a row, lawmakers are set to return to the Capitol area over the weekend. Last year’s budget was delayed by 135 days and neither Republicans nor Democrats have shared their next steps with the public. Without a state budget many schools, libraries and other institutions that rely on state funding are unable to make key decisions to keep public services in operation. With transit agencies in all counties across the state heading towards fiscal cliffs, service cuts, and fare increases, a revenue source is absolutely necessary.

95.7 Ben FM: Philadelphia Extends Zero Fare Transit Program Through July 2027 – The Zero Fare Program has been extended through next July. The program has served more than 24,000 people in its first year and provided over 6.2 million SEPTA trips. This is the largest low-barrier transit initiative for low-income riders in the country. Transit advocates are pushing for this program to be permanently funded by the city, as it reduces financial strain and increased access to work, education, healthcare, and more.

Philadelphia Today: Philadelphia Named Most Walkable City to Visit for Fourth Year in a Row – For the fourth consecutive year, USA Today listed Philadelphia as the most walkable city to visit in the United States. Neighborhoods highlighted for their walkability include Old City, Rittenhouse Square, and Center City. The city as a whole utilizes urban planning elements conducive to increased walkability, such as compact street plans, short blocks, rowhouse corridors, and corner businesses.

Metro Philadelphia: SEPTA stories take center stage at ‘Doors Are Opening’ performance

City of Philadelphia: The City of Philadelphia Unlocks Federal SS4A Funding to Improve Market East Streetscapes

Philadelphia Today: Bucks County Travelers Get New Nonstop Options as Breeze Airways Comes to Trenton-Mercer

More than 350 gas-powered generators could soon be operating just outside Philadelphia as part of Amazon’s proposed data center in Fairless Hills, Bucks County. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is hosting a public meeting about this proposal July 14. 

Over the July 4 holiday heatwave, existing data centers were instructed to run their gas generators on already polluted days, severely endangering local public health. We need our elected officials to prevent this from happening again.  

On hot summer days, when the region is already struggling with unhealthy air quality, those generators could add significant pollution to the air we breathe. Unless elected officials act now, this proposal could become a model for future data center development across southeastern Pennsylvania. 

Meeting growing electricity demand doesn’t mean building more fossil fuel infrastructure.

Data centers rely on massive amounts of electricity, and how we meet that demand will shape Pennsylvania’s energy future. Electricity costs are rising in Philadelphia, but expanded solar deployment has helped moderate those increases. 

Rather than responding to growing electricity demand with more fossil fuel development, city residents should demand that new data center development bring more solar onto our grid, making it easier for homes and commercial spaces to electrify while reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. 

The City is already taking steps in this direction. A planned 1.5 megawatt solar farm near the Northeast Philadelphia Airport would give the City government a set electricity rate for 25 years, in addition to a 20-year contract with a solar farm in Clearfield County, PA, further locking in long-term electricity rates for municipal operations, but not for residents.  

This should be extended to include Pennsylvania households. Pennsylvanians are still waiting for the state legislature to pass House Bill 1155, which would allow households to benefit from community solar projects and see savings on their electric bills while supporting clean energy.   

We can’t allow data center growth to become an excuse for slowing the transition away from fossil fuels. 

Regardless of nearby industrial development, residents can take action on their own. Moving from gas cooking and heating appliances to electric devices will improve air quality inside your home and throughout the region.

In the middle of a polluted, summer heat wave, it doesn’t make much sense to heat a tank of water with an open flame so you can wash your hands. Tankless, electric water heaters that only heat the water you need could have a massive impact on the city’s public health while reducing energy bills.  

Nationwide, electricity consumption is increasing, yet new solar generation — not additional gas-fired power — is meeting much of that demand. Pennsylvania should follow that example.

Courts have affirmed that states have the right to set a standard for the air pollution that’s emitted by gas appliances in buildings. Transitioning away from your own household gas appliances is one way to remove gas pollution from your life. Contacting your elected officials to ask them to push back against the hundreds of gas generators proposed in the region is another. 

Click here to tell your state and local officials to support a three-year pause on data center development.

“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.

Happy Fourth of July! As we celebrate America’s 250th, learn how you can get around to major summer 2026 events without a car, or being stuck in traffic with GoPhillyGo: Car-Free Routes Map!

Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania’s budget is late for the fifth year in a row – Pennsylvania legislators missed the budget deadline of June 30, for the fifth year in a row. Republicans that lead the Senate have stated they expect the budget deal in the days after the fourth. Democrats that lead the House were less positive about passing a budget soon. Clashes over state spending, revenue sources, and other hot topics all delay budget deals. Without a set budget, many schools, libraries, non-profits, counties, and other recipients of state funds suffer. With transit agencies in all counties across the state heading towards fiscal cliffs, service cuts, and fare increases, a revenue source is absolutely necessary.

PhillyVoice: Here are the road closures and SEPTA detours for the Fourth of July concert and fireworks – Drivers can expect roads around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to be closed this week as the city prepares for the Fourth of July concert and celebration on Saturday. The concert begins on the 4th at 5pm, with doors opening at 3pm, and concluding with fireworks at around 11:30pm. Several roads will be closed from Friday to Monday morning, the full list posted here. Several SEPTA routes will also be adjusted to accommodate the event.

PhillyVoice: PPA starts issuing speeding tickets using traffic cameras along Route 13 after warning period ends – Six traffic cameras have been active on Route 13 since April of this year, and will begin authorizing tickets to drivers exceeding the 25 mph speed limit. The 60-day warning period in Northeast Philadelphia is ending, and fines begin at $100. This is the latest in partnerships between the city and the PPA, aimed to improve traffic safety, and revenue brought in to cover further safety measures.

Philadelphia Today: Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts Completes First Phase of $150 Million AveArts 2.0 Transformation

CBS Pittsburgh: PRT unveils “Spirit of ’76”-inspired “T” train ahead of Fourth of July weekend festivities

BillyPenn: Here’s how road closures for America 250 events may affect your commute

CBS Philadelphia: NJ Transit fares increase by 3% starting July 1

The Inquirer: Spanning 100 Years: See how the Benjamin Franklin Bridge was built a century ago