The Allegheny Front
Every week, our 29-minute podcast brings you all the environmental news and stories to keep you in the know in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Episode for March 27, 2026: Pushback against data centers
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On this week's episode: Pennsylvania regulators are deciding whether to give Shell's ethane cracker a new air pollution permit. Some residents say the plant is making the air there worse. An environmental group wants a moratorium on data center development in the state until stricter laws can be passed. A recently proposed settlement in a central Pennsylvania electric utility rate case aims to protect average residential customers from rising rates connected to new data centers. A Lackawanna County commissioner wants to protect residents' air quality from data centers that often use diesel-powered backup g...Episode for March 20, 2026: Climate and the food system
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On this week's episode: According to a new study by state regulators water that runs off of landfills which take fracking waste doesn't pose a threat to the public. Severe storms or drought caused by climate change affect not only farmers but many others in the local food system, like rstaurants. Rock hunting gives a woman in addiction recovery a new way to see the world. The Allegheny County board of health is looking at how it can reduce the impacts of fracking. A group of Pittsburgh high school students is raising money t...Episode for March 13, 2026: Women in farming & climate prep
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On this week's episode:A new initiative called Prepare PA is gearing up to help Pennsylvanians face the big challenges of the climate crisis, like more extreme weather and flooding. And 2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Women farmers in Pennsylvania talk about the growing diversity in agriculture. A sustainable farming group had a $59 million federal contract reinstated after the federal government tried to claw it back last year.
A state House committee is advancing measures meant to protect Pennsylvanians from negative effects of new data centers. The Allegheny...Episode for March 6, 2026: A colonial invasive species and youth climate action
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On this week's episode:Young people in Pittsburgh are practicing climate action close to home. An oil and gas company let over a million gallons of drilling fluid escape underground into an abandoned mine during pipeline construction in Washington County. Pennsylvania agencies are teaming up with a nonprofit to study ways to modernize the electric grid. An invasive species came to North America just when the United States was forming. Why Thomas Jefferson was obsessed with the Hessian fly.
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA...
Episode for February 27, 2026: A fight for clean drinking water
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On this week's episode: Safe drinking water is not a reality for many Americans. Residents of an Ohio town say their water tastes and smells bad, and leaves an oily sheen. But regulators say it's safe. Monarch butterflies and other species are waiting for official listing as the Fish and Wildlife Service makes changes to the Endangered Species Act. In towns where residents oppose building big data centers, zoning has become a way to control the narrative.The Trump administration announced it would rollback a Biden-era rule on power plant emissions of m...
Episode for February 20, 2026: Avian flu surge
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On this week's episode: How last year's fatal blast at the Clairton Coke Works has impacted the community there. A new study shows how many deaths can be attributed to air pollution in the Pittsburgh region. Opposition to data centers is growing as dozens of the facilities are proposed for the region and they could impact the water supply. State agriculture officials are trying to stem a spike in avian flu cases among Pennsylvania poultry flocks. Ski ballet is no longer an Olympic sport, but it's an art still being practiced on the s...Episode for February 13, 2026: Forever chemicals from the airport
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On this week's episode: How the Trump adminstration's move to rescind the the scientific basis for regulating greenhouse gases could impact states' climate initiatives. High levels of PFAS, known as forever chemicals, are being released into streams surrounding the Pittsburgh Internatiuonal Airport. The Conestoga in Lancaster County is Pennsylvania's River of the Year. The environmental watchdog group Three Rivers Waterkeeper intends to sue U.S. Steel over an oily sheen on the Monongahela River. State lawmakers are hoping to strengthen energy efficiency standards for appliances at the same time federal lawmakers are trying to...Episode for February 6, 2026: Where is the compensation for East Palestine residents?
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On this week's episode: Council members in an Ohio town were concerned when a company planned to store fracking wastewater deep underground near their source of drinking water. The industry says stopping the operation would be government overreach. Why some impacted by the East Palestine train derailment still haven't been compensated almost two years after a settlement with the railway company. A new symptom tracker for East Palestine residents is helping researchers document health changes stemming from the derailment. Federal regulators will no longer consider the economic costs of harm to human health w...Episode for January 30, 2026: Latest health research after East Palestine derailment
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This week, numerous health studies are ongoing following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio 3 years ago. When conventional oil and gas operators in Ohio started seeing fracking wastewater come up through their wells, they knew there was a bigger problem. January is national Radon Action Month, and that means it's time to test your home for the radioactive gas.
There is a relationship between heavy snowfall and global warming. The Nature Conservancy is working to help species adapt to climate change by acquiring land to serve as a critical rest s...Episode for January 23, 2026: Eastern wildfire, fracking waste and environmental news coverage
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This week, a new project will take on studying the risks of wildfire in Eastern states. Residents of an eastern Ohio town have concerns about fracking wastewater fouling their own water supply. As the Pittsburgh newspaper of record announces its closure, former employees look back and ahead at environmental coverage in the region. Pennsylvania lawmakers and consumer advocates blamed new data centers for rising home energy prices at policy hearing in the state Capitol. Researchers are trying to find new ways to remove microplastics and PFAS chemicals from drinking water. The arguments f...
Episode for January 16, 2026: Powering data centers
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This week, demand for electricity is growing, largely from data centers. Meanwhile the Trump administration is making it harder to produce more renewable energy. Meta wants to purchase nuclear power from a power plant in western Pennsylvania. An Ohio commission approved another oil and gas lease under a state-owned wildlife area. Climate change might be causing native wildflowers to bloom earlier in Pennsylvania.
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA, WPSU or any other radio station. So we must turn to you, our listeners, for support.<...
January 9, 2026 Tracking solid frack waste, making birds into bandmates
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This week, Inside Climate News tells us about their three-part investigation of solid fracking waste in Pennsylvania. We also look at the climate impacts of concrete, and talk with a couple that's taken their fascination with birds into the studio.
We have news about environmental groups objecting to an air quality permit for a natural gas plant at the site of the former coal plant in Homer City, Indiana County, and research shows that salt used for winter de-icing is being found in Pennsylvania waterways throughout the year.
...
Episode for January 2, 2026: Favorite stories of last year
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On this week's episode:
Some...
Episode for December 26, 2025: Here comes the sun
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On this week's show:
A former dairy farmer turned musician uses his story to get others in agriculture to talk about their fee...Episode for December 19, 2025: Bears!
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Become a member today. Our nonprofit newsroom is powered by our members. Now through December 31st, every donation up to $1,000 will be matched. One-time donations will be doubled and monthly donations matched 12 times. Another $1,000 will be unlocked if we gain 50 new members at any amount.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
On this week's show:
How nature-based learning inspires human creativity. Pennsylvania is among the states suing the Trump administration over funding for ele...Episode for December 12, 2025: A safe place for hellbender salamanders
It's our end-of-year membership drive!
Become a member today. Our nonprofit newsroom is powered by our members. Now through December 31st, every donation up to $1,000 will be matched. One-time donations will be doubled and monthly donations matched 12 times. Another $1,000 will be unlocked if we gain 50 new members at any amount.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
On this week's show:
A new nature preserve is dedicated to saving an ancient creature that lives in our region, the eastern hel...Episode for December 5, 2025: Fracking waste in landfills
It's our end-of-year membership drive!
Become a member today. Our nonprofit newsroom is powered by our members. Now through December 31st, every donation up to $1,000 will be matched. One-time donations will be doubled and monthly donations matched 12 times. Another $1,000 will be unlocked if we gain 50 new members at any amount.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
On this week's show:
Drilling for oil and gas creates waste that can contain heavy metals and radioactivity, and much of it...
Episode for November 28, 2025: Apples, chestnuts and eggs
It's our end-of-year membership drive!
Become a member today. Our nonprofit newsroom is powered by our members. Now through December 31st, every donation up to $1,000 will be matched. One-time donations will be doubled and monthly donations matched 12 times. Another $1,000 will be unlocked if we gain 50 new members at any amount.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
On this week's show:
An Allegheny County borough plans to vote next month on a plan to build a massive data cen...
Episode for November 21, 2025: Ohio River plan, trash instruments and Three Mile Island
It's our end-of-year membership drive!
Become a member today. Our nonprofit newsroom is powered by our members. Now through December 31st, every donation up to $1,000 will be matched. One-time donations will be doubled and monthly donations matched 12 times. Another $1,000 will be unlocked if we gain 50 new members at any amount.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
On this week's show:
The Ohio River Basin is poised for a multi-year ecological restoration after decades of industrial pollution, but onl...
Episode for November 14, 2025: Expanding coal mining in Pa.
It's our end-of-year membership drive!
Become a member today. Our nonprofit newsroom is powered by our members. Now through December 31st, every donation up to $1,000 will be matched. One-time donations will be doubled and monthly donations matched 12 times. Another $1,000 will be unlocked if we gain 50 new members at any amount.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
On this week's show:
The Trump administration is looking to boost coal production, and one company is planning to expand its coa...
Episode for November 7, 2025: Saving bats, hunting microplastics & "litterbugs"
It's our end-of-year membership drive!
Become a member today. Our nonprofit newsroom is powered by our members. Now through December 31st, every donation up to $1,000 will be matched. One-time donations will be doubled and monthly donations matched 12 times. Another $1,000 will be unlocked if we gain 50 new members at any amount.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
The Pennsylvania natural gas company CNX is suing a California-based news outlet for defamation in federal court over an article the news site pub...
Episode for October 31, 2025: Invasive fish exchange
We're asking our listeners to become members with a donation of any size. Your membership will help us keep the lights on and the environmental news flowing.
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA, WPSU or any other radio station. So we must turn to you, our listeners, for support.
Take action today so we can continue to keep you informed.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
On this week's episode:
The...
Episode for October 24, 2025: Fire as a conservation tool
We're asking our listeners to become members with a donation of any size. Your membership will help us keep the lights on and the environmental news flowing.
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA, WPSU or any other radio station. So we must turn to you, our listeners, for support.
Take action today so we can continue to keep you informed.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
On this week's episode:
Cons...
Episode for October 17, 2025: Chemical pollution along the Mon
We're asking our listeners to become members with a donation of any size. Your membership will help us keep the lights on and the environmental news flowing.
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA, WPSU or any other radio station. So we must turn to you, our listeners, for support.
Take action today so we can continue to keep you informed.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
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On this week's episode:
Our...
Episode for October 10, 2025: Swimming in the Mon, steel pollution regs & dam removals
We're asking our listeners to become members with a donation of any size. Your membership will help us keep the lights on and the environmental news flowing.
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA, WPSU or any other radio station. So we must turn to you, our listeners, for support.
Take action today so we can continue to keep you informed.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
On this week's episode:
The...
Episode for October 3, 2025: Fracking waste in the Mon
We're asking our listeners to become members with a donation of any size. Your membership will help us keep the lights on and the environmental news flowing.
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA, WPSU or any other radio station. So we must turn to you, our listeners, for support.
Take action today so we can continue to keep you informed.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And thanks!
On this week's episode:
Drilling for...Episode for September 26, 2025: How dirty is the Mon?
We're in the midst of our Fall Member Drive. We're asking our listeners to become members with a donation of any size. Your membership will help us keep the lights on and the environmental news flowing.
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA, WPSU or any other radio station. So we must turn to you, our listeners, for support.
Take action today so we can continue to keep you informed.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And than...
Episode for September 19, 2025: The Mighty Mon(ongahela River)
We're in the midst of our Fall Member Drive. We're asking our listeners to become members with a donation of any size. Your membership will help us keep the lights on and the environmental news flowing.
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA, WPSU or any other radio station. So we must turn to you, our listeners, for support.
Take action today so we can continue to keep you informed.
Donate today.
Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.
And tha...
Episode for September 12, 2025: Food waste solutions
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Food waste is a big climate problem. In Pittsburgh, you can drop off your food waste for composting at city-run farmers' markets. A startup is helping restaurants, schools and hospitals manage their food waste with a digester that fits into a shipping container. The easiest way to compost your food scraps might just be in your own backyard.
Dozens of schools in Pennsylvania are planning to build solar panels on their roofs despite federal tax credits ending early...
September 5, 2025 Episode: Health improved after coke plant closure; glass recycling and a cool tourist attraction
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This week on The Allegheny Front, we talk to a researcher who found that health improved for residents after the closure of a coke plant that processed coal for the steel industry. He said, "There was like a healing going on in the community as the cumulative impacts of the pollution were reduced."
We visit a glass recycling plant in Western Pennsylvania. Even though "glass is infinitely recyclable, which other systems can't necessarily tout," Pennsylvania is behind o...
Episode for August 29, 2025: PA farmers, steelworkers and elk
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Farmers at an agricultural summit voiced concerns over how new tariffs might affect their customers who buy locally. With air monitors, an environmental group is publishing real-time pollution data for people who live near the ethane cracker and other industries in Beaver County. A Pittsburgh-based environmental group has issued a formal notice of intent to sue companies for polluting the Allegheny River with oil. Several dozen steelworkers and supporters marched in Downtown Pittsburgh to call for safer workplaces. Pennsylvania's elk cam has started up again for the rutting season.
We're i...
Episode for August 22, 2025
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A computer scientist wanted to build a watch using a living organism. What ended up working was slime mold. An environmental history book about Pennsylvania aims to include multiple perspectives. A new study says schools across Pennsylvania aren't addressing environmental hazards in their buildings. The campgrounds at Raystown Lake closed because of a freeze on hiring workers are reopening on a phased schedule.
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA, WPSU or any other radio station. So we must turn to you, our listeners, for support.<...
Episode for August 15, 2025: Deadly explosion at U.S. Steel coke plant
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An explosion at a U.S. Steel coke plant outside of Pittsburgh killed two workers and sent 10 to the hospital. We'll hear a worker's first-hand account of the incident and what nearby residents in the Mon River valley are saying. The plant has a history of maintenance problems, explosions, and environmental violations. Climate change is making it harder to keep invasive plants away from recreational trails in Pennsylvania. Volunteers are working to make trail systems more climate resilient.
The Environmental Protection Agency has canceled a $7 billion Biden-era program to build...
Episode for August 8, 2025: Air pollution relief on hold
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The Trump administration has paused new rules that would have reduced air pollution from steel mills drifting into surrounding communities. What advocates and residents who live near U.S. Steel plants are saying. Wildfire smoke from Canada is contributing to home-grown air pollution, and what we can do about it. A Pittsburgh-area library is loaning gas-free cooktops for patrons to test out.
The families of four West Virginia children have sued a Pittsburgh-based gas producer over health effects from fracking. An annual road trip aimed at dispelling myths about electric...
Episode for August 1, 2025: Throwing out the Endangerment Finding
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Electricity prices are rising, and many are pointing the finger at the new energy demand created by data centers. An energy expert on where this is all heading. The Trump administration is moving to overturn the scientific finding that greenhouse gases are bad for public health. A Washington County gas company is facing criminal charges for a massive leak at a gas storage field. More than two years after the disaster in East Palestine, lawmakers are still trying to increase safety regulations on railroads. We tag along on a wildflower hike in...
Episode for July 25, 2025: What happens to solar now?
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Solar installations on homes have been booming because of tax breaks from the Inflation Reduction Act. Now, those incentives are going away. Pennsylvania could also lose $156 million meant to help low-income people reduce their energy bills through solar power. But seventy acres of a former steel slag heap is almost cleaned up and ready to transform into a sea of solar panels. The price for energy is rising at the region's electric grid operator. Companies that mine metallurgical coal are now in line to receive a 2.5 percent tax credit thanks to President...
Episode for July 18, 2025: Energy for data centers
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President Trump was in Pittsburgh whipping up support for building data centers and the gas infrastructure to power them. But many worry that electricity ratepayers will get stuck with higher bills as demand for energy grows. A new online tool helps people who live near industrial facilities learn more about the chemicals and pollutants they're being exposed to. Clean air quality advocates in Allegheny County held a virtual town hall meeting this week to push for increasing certain industrial operating fees.
Cleanup work at a contaminated former dishware factory site i...
Episode for July 11, 2025: AI's carbon footprint
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Business and industry leaders are talking a lot about the possibilities of AI, but the technology also comes with environmental costs. A longtime critic of the natural gas industry is leaving his post at an environmental nonprofit and recommends changing laws or making new ones. A book that asks what we can learn from going back millions of years into Earth's history that could help us survive the climate crisis. What do everyday people think about the climate-related extreme weather we've been experiencing?
We're independent and non-profit, and we don't g...
Episode for July 4, 2025: Swimmer's itch & fracking report anniversary
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Swimmer's itch is a rash you can get from swimming in lakes, so researchers working in the Great Lakes have tried to eradicate it by treating ducks that carry the parasite that causes it. Nothing has worked, and people have started thinking about the problem of swimmer's itch differently. It has been five years since a Pennsylvania grand jury report slammed state regulators for not protecting residents from the impacts of fracking. Advocates want Governor Josh Shapiro to do more. Environmental groups will soon be canvassing Southwestern Pennsylvania on foot, by car...
Episode for June 27, 2025: More energy, faster
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Pennsylvania leaders say the state needs more energy, so there's a plan to create a board to streamline the siting of new power projects. Environmental groups and others are split on the idea. Environmental groups in Western Pennsylvania want to meet with officials from Nippon Steel to discuss how it plans to clean up its newly acquired U.S. Steel plants in the region. Residents who live along the Mountain Valley gas pipeline are still worried a year later about their health and safety. A new exhibit at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden...
