Brooke Christy
Tips for Navigating an Election Year as a ...

Navigating electoral advocacy as a 501(c)(3) is not always easy but we have some great tips for those that are interested.

Tips for Navigating an Election Year as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Meagan Niebler
Environmental Justice Advisory Boards - A ...

An Environmental Justice Advisory Board (EJAB) is a group that advises government agencies on issues related to environmental justice, ensuring that policies and actions address the needs and concerns of marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental harms. These boards play a crucial role in promoting fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in environmental decision-making processes. The importance of EJABs lies in their ability to bridge the gap between communities and policymakers, advocating for equitable solutions to environmental challenges. The goal of this document is to compare the strengths and weaknesses of different EJAB bylaws to provide informed recommendations for communities to advocate for strong Board structures that have the power to move their vision and needs forward.

Environmental Justice Advisory Boards - A Scorecard for States
Guest User
Update on the East Palestine Train Derailment
Update on the East Palestine Train Derailment
Brooke Christy
The landscape of environmental activism ...

We hope this blog can help shed some light on what Chevron was, why it was created, and how environmental advocates may be able to fill the gaps left in its place.  

The landscape of environmental activism post-Chevron
Meagan Niebler
Fair Shake's Earth Day Highlights
Fair Shake's Earth Day Highlights

Getting to the Bottom of Composting Toilets

Getting to the Bottom of Composting Toilets

As more people become aware of adverse impacts to local streams and groundwater, brought about by development, they are considering alternative technologies to reduce those impacts. One alternative gaining interest is the composting toilet to replace conventional flush toilets. However, composting toilets can present a challenge to those charged with approving permits and applying building codes. To unmuddy the waters, we offer some basic information about these cost- and environment-protecting products.

PRESS RELEASE: Court Rulings Restore Appeals of Compressor Station Air Permit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alex Bomstein, abomstein@cleanair.org 

Jared Stonesifer, 412-443-4466, stonesifer@pennfuture.org

Emily A. Collins, ecollins@fairshake-els.org 

Court Rulings Restore Appeals of Compressor Station Air Permit

(WEST ROCKHILL TOWNSHIP, PA - June 16, 2021) A pair of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court decisions yesterday restores the rights of neighbors to a pipeline compressor station and its host municipality to get a full hearing on their challenges to an air permit for the polluting facility. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection had issued the air quality permit for the Adelphia Gateway Pipeline project’s compressor station in West Rockhill Township, Bucks County. The Township and neighbors appealed the permit, but the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board (EHB) threw out their appeals, saying only the federal appellate courts could hear the cases. The Commonwealth Court disagreed, returning the cases to the EHB where they can proceed toward hearings.

Clean Air Council, PennFuture, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, and Mountain Watershed Association filed friend-of-the-court (amicus) briefs with the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in support of both appeals, arguing that state law gave appellants the right to a trial where they can put on evidence and have a judge weigh the new evidence. 

“We are delighted that West Rockhill Township and the neighbors will get their day in court,” said Joseph Otis Minott, Executive Director and Chief Counsel of Clean Air Council. “The Commonwealth Court preserved people's right to a full hearing where they can challenge dangerous projects like the Adelphia compressor station.”

“This is an access to justice win. This decision gives people potentially affected by compressor stations a place to seek full and critical review of each proposal and its impacts. Industry should expect Pennsylvanians to do just that.” Emily Collins, Executive Director and Managing Attorney, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services.

“Pennsylvania has entrusted the Environmental Hearing Board to give full review of environmental permitting actions. Today’s decision puts that authority back with the Board and ensures that Pennsylvanians who are harmed by these actions have their rightful day in court,” adds Abigail M. Jones, PennFuture’s Vice President of Legal & Policy.  

The opinion in the Cole case is here and the opinion in the West Rockhill Township case is here. The groups’ legal filing can be found here.

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