Features – LWV DelCo Environmental Clearinghouse

Clean energy versus non-renewables: the fight goes on in Congress and the courts

The Trump administration’s anti-renewables policies have left gigawatts’ worth of new solar and wind projects strangled in red tape. So as Congress revisits energy-permitting reform, which it’s tried and failed to pass several times over the past few years, solar companies are taking a stand.

A Dec. 4 letter from 143 of those companies to congressional leaders takes aim at one Trump directive in particular: A July order from the Department of the Interior that requires its head, Doug Burgum, to personally approve every decision the agency makes on renewable energy. In the five months since that change, Burgum hasn’t signed off on any new solar projects on federal lands.

CRCQL: Ask Philadelphia City Council to pass the Stop Trashing Our Air Act

Chester Residents Concerned with Quality Living (CRCQL) is asking Philadelphia and Delaware County residents to call or email Philadelphia City Council members to urge them to vote for the Stop Trashing Our Air Act that would bar the city from sending its trash to the Reworld incinerator in Chester. The vote was postponed so there is still time to be heard. Reworld and the trash incinerator industry is fighting back with full page ads in the Inquirer.

Lower Marion is first in PA to ban gas-powered leaf blowers

Lower Marion Township in Montgomery County will be the first municipality in Pennsylvania to totally ban gas-powered leaf blowers, starting in 2029. Here in Delaware County, Transition Town Greater Media is building awareness and community support before seeking similar restrictions.

Learn about DEP environmental grants: Maybe your project qualifies

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection administers 50 grant programs for environmental projects. 2025 grants are winding down, but you can get a jump on 2026-2027 grant requirements and qualifications. If you want to do something big or small to help the environment and you can get some financial help for your project, why not apply.

DEP to hold hearings on pollution permitting for three Delco facilities Dec. 1 and 2

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is holding three hearings, one on Dec. 1 and two on Dec. 2, regarding permits for Monroe Energy, DELCORA and PQ LLC. All three hearings concern the issuance of continuing Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT III) permits for the control of air pollution released from the facilities.

Phila. City Council Committee OKs bill to stop sending city trash to Reworld incinerator

To watch the hearing before the Philadelphia City Council environmental committee on a proposed bill to stop sending its trash to the reworld incinerator in Chester, click on read more.

November, 2025 Newsletter

Delaware Riverkeeper Network Files Legal Challenge to Gibbstown LNG Permit

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN) has filed a legal challenge in the
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey of the decision by Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) to extend, for a second time, its approval for the construction of the proposed Gibbstown LNG Export Terminal project on the Delaware River in Gloucester County,
New Jersey.

PA budget deal kills RGGI, raises electric prices and hurts clean energy

The state budget Governor Shapiro announced today represents a devastating, self-inflicted setback in addressing affordability, clean energy and pollution by walking away from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative without establishing an alternative approach, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania said reacting to the new state budget deal.

Master Gardeners clean up plastic in Smedley Park to turn into benches

For those who take a seat on one of four benches that the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Delaware County have installed at Smedley Park, they’d likely never suspect that they’re sitting on thousands of pounds of recycled plastic bags, bubble wrap and stretchy plastic film.