PennEnvironment: New Tool Shows Pennsylvania's Higher-Mileage Drivers Can Save $3,000 A Year By Switching To Electric Vehicles

With high gas prices facing consumers at the pump, the national nonprofit group Coltura released new state-level data for Pennsylvania showing drivers potentially saving thousands of dollars by making the switch to an electric vehicle.

The organization’s Weekly EV Cost Savings Index shows that the average Pennsylvanian that puts 15,000 miles per year on their automobile would save $1,800 annually on fuel and maintenance combined, and a high-mileage driver at 25,000 miles would save more than $3,000 every year. 

All told, the Savings Index shows that Pennsylvania drivers could save 12 cents per mile on fuel and maintenance savings by switching to an electric vehicle under current gas prices.

The Index shows savings per mile, per trip, and per month. Coltura updates the tool weekly, so the figures always reflect current local gas and electricity prices. 

“Transitioning Pennsylvania drivers to electric vehicles is key to reducing tailpipe pollution from cars and reducing the pain that Pennsylvanians are feeling at the gas pump," said David Masure, Executive Director, PennEnvironment. "These tools can help expedite Pennsylvania’s transition to cleaner, healthier, and more affordable transportation choices.” 

Janelle London, Co-Executive Director, Coltura, added-- “With gas prices rising, drivers are right to ask whether an EV could protect them from the volatility. The answer is yes — and the savings depend on how much you drive, what vehicle you drive, and where you live. 

"We built this tool so any driver can enter their own information and see exactly what they’d save, based on what they're actually paying right now.”

The savings from switching to an EV depends on the number of miles driven and whether the owner is driving a car or an SUV/truck. 

The Iran war has sent gasoline prices up more than 30 percent since late February, with experts warning prices will remain elevated for quite a while. The EV Cost Savings Index quantifies that advantage by state and driving habits.

The EV Cost Savings Index is free and available at data.coltura.org/ev-savings-index.

Resource Links:

-- April 29: PA Average AAA Gasoline Price Jumped Another 5 Cents A Gallon From Yesterday, Now $1.20/Gallon Higher To $4.31 Since Feb. 27  [Sullivan County, PA highest at $4.399]  https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=PA

-- April 29: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $4.22 Ohio- $4.22  PA- $4.31

-- Feb. 27: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $2.98  Ohio- $2.79  PA- $3.11

[Posted: April 28, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

South Mountain Partnership, Shippensburg University: Warehousing And Particulate Matter Pollution Study In The Cumberland Valley

The South Mountain Partnership recently announced the completion of the “Warehousing and Particulate Matter Pollution in the Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania” report published by the Department of Geography-Earth Science and Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University. 

Lead researchers were Grace Coffman, Timothy W. Hawkins, and Kurt Fuellhart. 

"This study reveals PM pollution to be higher in the Cumberland Valley due to the warehouses, highways, truck traffic, and mountains that trap the pollution. Citizens and decision makers should consider both the positive economic impacts and the negative health and environmental impacts of warehouses," according to Timothy W. Hawkins, Professor, Department of Geography and Earth Science at Shippensburg.

Some of the findings in the report include--

-- 200 warehouses were identified in the Cumberland Valley. Of these, 66% were established before 2003. Average warehouse size increased from 9.71 acres in 2003 to 20.25 acres in 2022.

-- Truck traffic: Truck traffic increased by 20.8% on I-76 and 43.5% on I-81 between 2001 and 2023.

-- PM2.5 concentrations are highest at night, with a secondary peak during the morning commute. Seasonally, PM2.5 [particulate] concentrations are highest in summer, followed by winter, and lowest in spring and fall. Annual PM2.5 concentrations declined by 45-51% between 2001-2024, with the largest decrease occurring in summer.

-- Average PM2.5 concentrations are 14% higher inside the Cumberland Valley than outside, with a maximum difference of 31% in winter and minimum of 3% in summer. 

-- Reductions in PM2.5 concentrations over time are greater inside the Cumberland Valley than outside.

This project represents an important collaboration between student researchers and faculty expertise to bring needed data to the South Mountain Region through the South Mountain Research Corps.

This research was conducted with financial assistance from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the South Mountain Partnership. 

Additional financial assistance came from the Shippensburg University Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) fund.

Click Here for a copy of the report. Click Here for a copy of the online StoryMap.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the South Mountain Partnership website.  Sign up for regular updates from the Partnership (bottom of the webpage).

Find out more about Friends of South Mountain Partnership.  The Partnership serves Cumberland, Adams, Franklin, and York counties.

            Visit DCNR’s Conservation Landscape Initiatives webpage for more on similar programs around Pennsylvania.

[Posted: April 29, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Pennsylvania Turnpike Releases Report On Award-Winning Pollinator Initiative

On April 28, with peak blooming right around the corner, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission released its annual report on the Pollinator Habitat Project, showcasing the continued success of its ongoing environmental initiative.

Since 2022, seven pollinator habitats have been developed with 32 different species of flowers, grasses and other plants that have become a thriving home for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. 

Locations include: the Central Administration Building (CAB) in Middletown, Hickory Run Service Plaza, Irwin Interchange, Harrisburg West Interchange, Bensalem Interchange, Allentown Service Plaza and T-168.4 Salt Shed Westbound. 

Each habitat service plaza location includes signage for a public education component.

“The PA Turnpike is committed to being good stewards to our environment and the Pollinator Initiative is achieving its goals of providing ecological and human benefits while also reducing the fuel required for mowing and its associated environmental impact,” said Brad Heigel, the PA Turnpike’s Chief Engineer. “This report supports the received industry recognition for this program, which creates more ecological roadsides, helps provide public awareness and education and reduces maintenance costs.”

Some of the highlights of the new report include:

-- Expanding support for 25-35 different species, proving PA Turnpike’s pollinator initiative is a scalable program

-- Escalating pollinator counts in 2025, providing significant benefits for wildlife, water, and air quality, as well as long-term management costs

-- Using new seed mixes that show strong establishment, increasing the likelihood of developing self-sustaining sites

-- Increasing benefits for wildlife, water, air quality and long-term maintenance costs in areas with low seed mix success compared to previous turf environments

-- Developing rapid monitoring protocols to focus on the control of undesirable species

The PA Turnpike won the 2024 Diamond Award in Environmental Engineering from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania, recognizing the PA Turnpike’s efforts of the pollinator program to preserve Pennsylvania’s beauty while also benefiting the environment.

The pollinator initiative reduces greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs while creating more aesthetically pleasing and higher functioning landscapes. 

In 2025, the PA Turnpike also piloted a scaled-down approach based on the pollinator sites for developing meadow habitats along the roadway called Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM). 

This pilot was launched at two maintenance sheds, Newville and Gibsonia. At the Newville Maintenance Shed, a reduction of 30.3 metric tons of CO2 was achieved between 2023 and 2025.

For those wishing to join the PA Turnpike by growing their own pollinator habitat, here are some tips based on our pollinator initiative:

-- Develop a site plan

    -- Does your site have adequate sunlight?

     -- What is your goal for nectar producing species?

     -- Get germinating species in your mixes that bloom throughout the year.

-- Don’t “set it and forget it”

     -- Early maintenance and vegetation control is crucial for long-term success.

     -- Have you identified pre-existing conditions that may be limiting factors (shade, soil, non-desired vegetation)?

-- Be patient

     -- Understand that not all seed species will germinate in the first year. For example, the PA Turnpike saw Blue False Indigo for the first time in 2025, at a site that was planted four years ago.

     -- Environmental conditions are important driving factors for successful plant germination, and a maturing habitat will show a revolving door of species year-to-year.

For more information on the PA Turnpike’s sustainability program and pollinator initiative, please visit: Pollinator Initiative | PA Turnpike.

Click Here for the Turnpike announcement.

“Responsibility Matters” is one of the six core values in the PA Turnpike’s strategic plan, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability. This extends to all its assets along its 565+ miles of roadway. 

The PA Turnpike created a Sustainability Committee in 2020, with a group of dedicated employees driving the strategy to ensure all projects are reviewed for economic, environmental, and social impacts in line with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. 

The PA Turnpike continues to excel in its goal of being a responsible steward for current and future generations across the Commonwealth by earning its fourth consecutive perfect score from the PA GreenGov Council in 2025.

Related Link:

-- Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Turnpike Plan To Carve A Massive, Miles-Long Open Gash Through The Allegheny Mountain Would Destroy One Of PA’s Most Pristine Ridgelines - By Randall Musser,  Citizens to Save Allegheny Mountain; Brian Fochtman, Chair of Somerset County Commissioners; Roger Latuch, Casselman River Watershed Assn.; Richard Berkley,  Somerset County Sportsmen’s League  [PaEN]

[Posted: April 29, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Gov. Shapiro Announces $267 Million Investment In 31 PA Industry Projects To Reduce Air Pollution, Cut Energy Costs, Create Jobs, And Combat Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 23 Counties; Next Grant Round Opens May 15

On April 28, Josh Shapiro and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley visited Gautier Steel Holdings with local officials, organized labor, and environmental protection leaders to announce a more than $267 million investment in 31 manufacturing projects in 23 counties to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, lower energy costs, and strengthen the Commonwealth’s industrial sector. 

These projects will save Pennsylvania businesses more than $3.1 million in annual energy costs and reduce more than 1.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent within their first year of implementation-- the equivalent of removing 320,614 cars from the road for one year, eliminating emissions from 154,666,592 gallons of gasoline, or recycling 116,843,239 trash bags instead of landfilling them.

Grants were awarded in Adams, Allegheny, Blair, Bradford, Cambria, Chester, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Greene, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lehigh, Lycoming, Monroe, Montgomery, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Snyder, Westmoreland, Wyoming, York counties.

“As energy costs continue to rise as a result of economic chaos across the country and around the world, my Administration is helping Pennsylvania businesses lower their energy bills, create jobs, and reduce harmful air pollution,” said Governor Shapiro. “Across the Commonwealth, I’ve heard from business owners who have told me that lowering emissions strengthens their operations, supports their workers and communities, and helps their bottom line — and my Administration is delivering hundreds of millions of dollars to support their efforts to invest in their operations. With these new RISE PA grants, businesses will be able to operate more efficiently, create more clean energy jobs, and strengthen our economy." 

This funding is awarded as part of the Medium-scale Award Track (MAT) and Large-scale Award Track (LAT) of the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) program.

In July 2024, the Governor announced his Administration had secured $396 million-- the second largest federal grant in Pennsylvania’s history-- for RISE PA projects to help Pennsylvania companies lower emissions while creating good-paying jobs and supporting the Commonwealth’s economy.

“RISE PA helps manufacturers and industry save money and grow their businesses in the Commonwealth, while doing it in a responsible, innovative, environmentally friendly way that reduces air pollution for communities across Pennsylvania,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “These projects will result in substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions while positioning Pennsylvania as a national climate leader and increasing our manufacturing competitiveness.” 

Gautier Steel Holdings

The announcement was held at Gautier Steel Holdings, an employee-owned steel manufacturer founded in Johnstown in 1852 that operates a bar mill, producing hot rolled carbon, and alloy flats and squares. 

The manufacturer also operates a plate mill producing plate products including tool steel and stainless steel. 

Gautier was awarded $1,886,529 in MAT grant funding through RISE PA and will use these funds to upgrade the steel plant's furnace and increase the plant's energy efficiency. 

The plant’s upgrades will reduce 7,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in its first year alone.

“This project will drive a vital investment in innovative technology that will modernize the reheat furnace that is at the forefront of our 14 inch bar mills production line while significantly reducing the carbon emissions generated by our facility,” said Dale Gray, President & CEO of Gautier Steel Holdings Inc. 

Currently, Gautier employs 100 people, including 75 steelworkers – members of United Steelworkers Local 2632 – and 25 administrative staff. 

“Governor Shapiro, thank you for your leadership and your relentless commitment to getting things done for Pennsylvania, and to Gautier Steel for having us here today--  including CEO Dale Gray and COO Ken Smith for the strong, ongoing relationship you’ve built with the workforce and our union. That kind of partnership matters,” said Bernie Hall, District 10 Director, United Steel Workers. “The Governor has been clear from the start — this is about growing jobs, lowering costs, and making Pennsylvania a leader again in manufacturing.”

“Here in Johnstown, manufacturing isn't just part of our history, it's a part of our future, and companies like Gautier Steel have been investing in this community for generations, supporting good paying jobs and helping to drive our local economy forward. That's why today's investment through the RISE PA program is so important,” said Johnstown Mayor Reverend Sylvia King. “This funding is exactly the kind of approach we need — growing our economy while being responsible stewards of the environment. I want to thank Governor Shapiro and his team for recognizing the importance of communities like Johnstown.”

The RISE PA grant program is a $396 million statewide industrial decarbonization initiative funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. It offers funding to industrial facilities for small-, medium-, and large-scale projects that demonstrate investment in a variety of energy-efficient upgrades.

The Small-scale Award Track’s (SAT) first round of awards was announced April 1, 2026, with additional funding rounds planned through 2028.  

“RISE PA puts Pennsylvania at the forefront of industrial innovation, offering a national model for how emissions reductions can support economic competitiveness and deliver benefits for communities,” said John Walliser, Senior VP of Legal & Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Environmental Council. “Our state is known the world over for its industrial heritage, and today we have reason to be even prouder about our stronger and cleaner industrial future.” 

Eligible projects reduce emissions caused by burning fuels, leaks from industrial equipment, or chemical reactions associated with industrial processes. 

The industrial sector is the highest-emitting sector statewide, accounting for more than 30 percent of Pennsylvania’s total annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

Projects may reduce emissions through electrification, efficiency improvements, low-carbon fuel switching, on-site renewable energy, carbon capture and storage technologies, and reducing fugitive emissions from natural gas, oil, and coal systems.  

“American steel is the best in the world and it's made here in Cambria County by the hardest-working union steelworkers anywhere,” said Rep. Frank Burns, PA’s 72nd House District. “As someone that has championed American Made steel initiatives, I was proud to support Governor Shapiro and the Trump administration to bring this grant funding home to make sure our steel mills are on the cutting edge of technology so we can create jobs, support local manufacturing like Gautier Steel, and grow our economy.”

Funding Awarded

The following businesses have been awarded RISE PA LAT grants:

Montgomery County

-- PECO Energy Company, $52,479,494: Replace a combustion turbine with an electrified compressor turbine at the natural gas transmission and distribution facility.  

-- Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, $31,270,000: Install a geothermal heating and cooling system and an electrified chiller at the pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.  

Lancaster County

-- Alouette Cheese USA, LLC, $44,989,040: Implement energy efficiency measures, install an anaerobic digester and wastewater treatment plant, implement truck refrigeration unit electrification, and fuel switching at the food manufacturing facility.  

The following businesses have been awarded RISE PA MAT grants:

Adams County

-- G&S Foods LLC, $3,439,442: Install a 4.07 MW solar system with 1.93 MW of battery storage at its food manufacturing facility.  

Allegheny County

-- Eurovia Atlantic Coast LLC, $2,371,030: Install a 0.44 MW solar system with 0.2 MW of battery storage, HVAC replacement, and equipment electrification at the Northeast Paving asphalt plant.  

Blair County

-- NPC, Inc., $1,915,960: Install a 1.9 MW solar system, replace the facility's HVAC and implement energy efficiency retrofits throughout the paper print manufacturing facility.  

Bradford County

-- Global Tungsten & Powders LLC, $4,654,880: Install a Mechanical Vapor Recompression Crystallizer that will increase the energy efficiency of the Tungsten manufacturing facility.  

Cambria County

-- Quaker Sales Corporation, $5,253,383: Replace its asphalt plant equipment for increased energy efficiency.  

-- Gautier Steel Holdings Inc, $1,886,529: Upgrade the steel plant's furnace and increase the plant's energy efficiency.  

Chester County

-- Kaolin RE Holdings Corporation, $4,185,729: Install a 3.8 MW solar system at the agricultural facility, South Mill Champs Mushroom Farm.  

-- Walmoore Holsteins Inc, $4,064,534: Install an anaerobic digester and combined heat and power system to generate power for the agricultural facility.  

Columbia County  

-- Sekisui Polymer Innovations LLC, $2,106,075: Install a 3.28 MW solar system with battery storage at its thermoplastics sheet metal facility.

Cumberland County

-- Nestle Purina Petcare Co, $4,780,860: Install advanced dryer control upgrades and a dryer heat recovery system at its pet food manufacturing facility.

Dauphin County  

-- Jubilee Dairy LLC, $971,006: Install an anaerobic digester with a 0.2 MW combined heat and power system at its dairy farm.  

Greene County

-- CNX Green Ventures LLC, $31,512,922: Install gob ventilation boreholes for the capture of coal mine methane at the Enlow Fork coal mine. The project will use a pipeline system to safely capture and transport the methane for offsite processing.  

-- Iron Senergy Holding LLC, $4,804,448: Install a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer to capture coal mine methane.  

Lancaster County

-- High Concrete Group LLC, $2,516,456: Install a 1.9 MW solar system at its concrete manufacturing facility.  

Lawrence County

-- Castle Builders Supply, LLC, $6,785,000: Replace the concrete manufacturing facility with more efficient equipment and implement carbon capture technology in the manufacturing process.  

Lehigh County

-- Nestle Purina Petcare Co, $26,370,289: Install an anaerobic digester and heat recovery system to generate clean power at its pet food manufacturing facility.  

Lycoming County

-- Wheeland Lumber Company, Inc., $3,769,057: Install a biomass steam boiler and combined heat and power system that will generate 0.275 MW of power at its lumber facility.  

-- Muncy Homes, Inc., $564,108: Install a 0.74 MW solar system and LED lighting retrofits at its modular housing unit manufacturing facility.  

Monroe County

-- Sanofi Pasteur Inc, $10,646,316: Replace the egg waste processing system for greater energy efficiency and reduced industrial process emissions at the vaccine manufacturing facility.  

Northumberland County

-- Furman Foods Inc Dba Furmano Foods, $2,628,919: Install a 1,267-kW solar system and implement energy efficiency upgrades at its food manufacturing facility. 

Philadelphia

-- Philadelphia Gas Works, $1,174,603: Implement a valve modernization project that will significantly reduce the natural gas facility's methane emissions.  

Schuylkill County

-- Keystone Potato Products LLC, $784,350: Install an anaerobic digester with a combined heat and power system to generate clean power at its food manufacturing facility.   

-- MBA Building Supplies NE Inc, $580,536: Install a solar system, electrified forklift, and lighting retrofit at the steel framing product manufacturing facility.   

Snyder County

-- Jason Sheaffer Dba A&L Wood Inc, $1,203,325: Install a 1.6 MW ground-mounted solar PV system at A&L Wood's facility, to reduce its Scope 2 emissions.   

Westmoreland County

-- Elliott Company, $1,996,800: Replacement of a test gas with a lower-emitting gas to be utilized in compressor performance testing at the compressor manufacturing facility.   

-- Cordia, LLC, $897,250: Install a combined heat and power system and a heat recovery steam generator to generate power for the ATI Steel Mill.  

Wyoming County

-- Kanin Energy, Inc., $1,451,605: Install a 3 MW waste heat-to-power system at the Wilcox Natural Gas Compressor Station facility.  

York County

-- Anax Holdings LLC, $5,771,226: Install four 500-kW turboexpander units that will generate 2 MW of power at the Texas Eastern Transmission station.

Visit DEP’s RISE PA MAT/LAT Grant Information Dashboard for more information on projects.

Next Grant Round Opens May 15. 

Today’s announcement totals $267,825,172 in funding and leaves $52 million for the next round of MAT and LAT grants. 

These applications will open on May 15, 2026.

Visit DEP’s RISE PA’s Grant Program webpage.

Click Here for a copy of the DEP announcement.

Reactions

Ohio River Valley Institute Industrial Decarbonization Program Manager Justine Hackimer issued the following statement:

“The overwhelming interest in RISE PA shows that Pennsylvanians are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work on the next chapter of our industrial economy-- one that honors our legacy while building a stronger, more competitive future. 

“Cutting industrial emissions isn’t just good for the climate. It’s about protecting good jobs, strengthening local businesses, and keeping our communities healthy. 

“Modernizing Pennsylvania’s historic steel industry is just one example of what’s possible. 

“For generations, places like the Mon Valley have powered this country, and provided family-sustaining jobs. 

“Our research shows how with the right investments, those same communities can lead again-- driving forward a new steelmaking renaissance that supports workers, cleans up the air, and ensures these industries are able to stay at home. 

“The demand for decarbonization speaks for itself. 

“While this first-of-its-kind program will deliver millions of dollars to Pennsylvania businesses, RISE PA received more than $500 million dollars in funding requests, representing more than $1 billion in shovel-ready projects. 

“Today’s announcement represents a meaningful step forward, but also highlights the scale of opportunity ahead. 

“That’s why Pennsylvania should secure a permanent funding source for RISE PA, which would provide the stability manufacturers need to plan, invest, and grow—without leaving communities behind. 

“It would help ensure that Pennsylvania continues to be a place where industry thrives, workers can build a future, and economic growth goes hand-in-hand with clean air and strong neighborhoods.”

In response to the Governor’s announcement, Carolyn Heckman, Associate Director of Pennsylvania Policy for Evangelical Environmental Action, the advocacy partner of the Evangelical Environmental Network, shared:

“Today's announcement on RISE PA and methane emission reduction is a huge step in the right direction for the over 200,000 children in Pennsylvania attending school within a half mile threat radius of oil and gas production. 

“However, the benefits of RISE PA must be considered together with recent actions: the decision to allow the Keystone and Conemaugh coal-fired plants–the state’s two largest polluting power plants–to continue to operate past their scheduled closing in 2028 without critical pollution controls following the removal of Pennsylvania from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), all the while failing to adequately include clean renewables in the PA Permit Fast Track Program and racing ahead with energy- and water-intensive data center development without proper public input.

“Taken together, these moves amount to “one step forward, four steps back” for Pennsylvania. The maintenance and upgrades required to keep coal plants running past their lifespan cost billions. 

“These costs are ultimately passed down to Pennsylvania’s taxpayers, making the Governor’s promised cost-savings unlikely.

“As a resident of Johnstown, I am concerned about the impact the Keystone and Conemaugh plants’ two-year Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) pollution pass will have on families like my own. I know firsthand the harms and risks of coal plant pollution. 

“Medical research links soot and mercury pollution to developmental delays and neurological issues such as AuDHD, the lifelong diagnosis my own nonverbal son has following exposure to pollution during pregnancy. 

“This research has proven time and again that coal plant pollution is detrimental to health at all stages of life. 

“With the rollback of federal pollution safeguards on soot, mercury, and other harmful pollutants, it is especially imperative for states like Pennsylvania to step up and do the right thing to defend the health of our children.

“EEN Action calls on the Governor to continue prioritizing the defense of children’s health when making decisions for a diverse, reliable, and affordable energy future. 

“We also call on the Pennsylvania Legislature to put aside their differences and get something done rather than repeating the mistakes of the past at the expense of children like mine suffering from health risks like autism, ADHD, asthma, or worse. 

“As we head into budget negotiations with an already passed House budget, let’s get to work together and do better for our children.”

 Stephen Herzenberg, Economist at the Keystone Research Center, issued this comment--

"These awards show what smart industrial policy looks like in practice.

“ RISE PA is helping Pennsylvania manufacturers cut pollution, cut energy costs, and stay competitive, all at the same time. 

“By pairing public investment with strong labor standards and community benefits, this program is creating good-paying jobs that workers can raise a family on, cleaning up the air in the neighborhoods nearest these facilities, and positioning Pennsylvania to lead the next generation of American manufacturing rather than watch it move to other states or overseas."

"Pennsylvania is showing that you do not have to choose between a strong manufacturing economy and clean air.

"The companies and communities benefiting from these awards are proof that climate action and economic competitiveness go hand in hand. 

“The next step is to pair this progress with policies that deliver cheaper, cleaner power across the grid so that Pennsylvania families and businesses see lower utility bills as well as cleaner air."

Molly Parzen, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, released the following statement--

“This $267 million investment is a win for our economy and our environment. 

“By helping our industrial sector transition to cleaner technologies, we are improving the air our families breathe and ensuring that Pennsylvania businesses can remain competitive and pay workers more by lowering costs.

“The 1.3 million metric tons of carbon pollution these projects are expected to eliminate in their first year represents real progress. 

“However, Pennsylvanians deserve a consistent, state-led energy policy that prioritizes clean energy and lowers costs for working families and local businesses every day of the year.

“It is difficult to fully celebrate a reduction in pollution today when, just last week, the Governor decided to allow two dirty coal plants to continue to operate that will continue to increase costs for ratepayers and pump millions of metric tons of pollution into our air. 

“Unfortunately, the 1.3 million metric tons of carbon pollution eliminated by these projects will be dwarfed by the estimated 7 million metric tons of pollution expected over the newly extended lifetime of these coal plants. 

“Our children and seniors, who suffer most from poor air quality, deserve state leadership that prioritizes air quality and pollution reduction consistently and sustainably. 

“We urge Harrisburg to match this investment of federal dollars with state-level leadership that finally moves us away from the fossil fuels of the past and toward a truly clean, low-cost energy future for all Pennsylvanians.”

Related Articles This Week:

-- Gov. Shapiro Announces $267 Million Investment In 31 PA Industry Projects To Reduce Air Pollution, Cut Energy Costs, Create Jobs, And Combat Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 23 Counties; Next Grant Round Opens May 15  [PaEN]

-- Senate Committee Hears Electric Grid Issues Getting Worse; PJM Has Attracted 220 GW Of New Generation Proposals; PJM ‘Backstop’ Procurement Critical To Making Data Centers Pay For New Generation [PaEN] 

-- Concerned Citizens Of Montour County: Data Center Developer Wants To Make It Harder For Citizens To Appeal Zoning, Permits; DCED Secretary Explains More On How They Want New GRID Principles To Work  [PaEN] 

-- Gov. Shapiro Appoints Mark Szybist New Special Counsel For Energy Affordability  [PaEN] 

-- Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Publishes Model A.I. Data Center Ordinance; Links To Other Model Ordinances  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR: Grid-Scale Solar Energy Installations Are Not Permitted On Any DCNR Lands Or On Lands That Have Received DCNR Grant Funds  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Scranton Times: Dedicated Eynon Jermyn Road A.I. Data Center Power Plant Proposal Scrutinized In Archbald

-- WNEP: Archbald’s Energy Debate Heats Up At Conditional Hearing For Proposed, Dedicated A.I. Data Center Power Plant

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: As A.I. Data Center Site Work Starts In Cumberland County, Neighbors Struggle With ‘The Monster Next Door:’ Blasting, Twp. Roads Failing, Failure To Communicate

-- ABC27: A.I. Data Centers Dominate Statewide Township Leaders Convention 

-- Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Publishes Model A.I. Data Center Ordinance; Links To Other Model Ordinances  [PaEN] 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader Guest Essay: Public Backlash Against A.I. Data Centers Creating A Buildability Crisis - By Peter Clark, InsideSources.com 

-- City & State PA Guest Essay: Choosing Electric, Natural Gas Suppliers Works For Pennsylvanians, Don’t Let New House Bill Take It Away [House Bill 2131 (Boyd-D-Delaware)] - By John Hanger, Former PUC Commissioner 

-- Utility Dive: Independent PJM Market Monitor Opposes 1.3 GW Natural Gas Power Plants Deal Taking Generation Out Of Capacity Auction Locking It Up To Serve A.I. Data Centers 

-- Utility Dive: PA Cong. Brian Fitzpatrick, Other Republican Members Of Congress Introduced Bill To Restore Renewable Energy Production, Investment Tax Credits For Much-Needed Generation Capacity 

-- Reuters: US Consumers Face Rising Electricity Prices Pushed By A.I. Data Center Demand, Rising Natural Gas Prices, Tariffs On Steel/Aluminum, While Benefits From Low-Cost Clean Power Capacity Emerge 

-- Financial Times: BP Warns Against Windfall Taxes As Iran War Helps Profits Hit 3-Year High

[Posted: April 28, 2026]  PA Environment Digest