Earth Day, the world’s largest environmental movement, is Monday, April 22, 2024. This year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics, which focuses on the bold goal of a 60% reduction of plastic production by 2040 for the sake of human and planetary health.
As we celebrate our planet this Earth Day, remember that it takes a team effort to build a healthier and brighter future for all. You play an important role in creating a more sustainable world and know that Pennsylvania Senate Democrats are working right alongside you.
We are committed to fighting for the future of our planet for generations to come. One of our key priorities as a caucus is clean air, water, and energy for every Pennsylvanian. That means our members are working to combat climate change, investing in clean, green, and safe energy, holding fossil fuel industries accountable, working to make sure every community has clean water, and much more.
You can learn more about our commitment to the environment here.
Effects of Climate Change
Rising temperatures
Rising sea levels
More frequent extreme weather events
Land degradation
Loss of wildlife and biodiversity
Get Involved, Go Green
Tell elected officials this issue matters to you
Say 'No' to fast fashion
Support energy efficiency at home
Plant trees
Buy local and seasonal food
Encourage others to take action
Pennsylvania Democrats will continue to fight for a healthy planet.
Our priorities include:
Energy efficiency and renewable energy
Addressing environmentally hazardous and destructive business practices
Environmental justice and equity
Reducing carbon emissions
Clean drinking water
Investment in jobs and infrastructure that support a sustainable future for Pennsylvania
Our Members at Work
Senator Collett Reiterates Need for Immediate Action to Set PFAS Standards Following DEP Sampling Results
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. − June 3, 2021 − Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the final results of their statewide Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) sampling efforts. “For decades, my constituents unknowingly...
Senators Santarsiero, Collett Announce Legislation to Give Attorney General Concurrent Jurisdiction in Environmental Crimes
BUCKS COUNTY – April 30, 2021 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Maria Collett (D-12) today announced legislation to allow the state Attorney General to more directly investigate and pursue polluters, and others who damage our land, waterways and...
Senators Santarsiero, Haywood, Comitta Announce Legislation to Expand Pennsylvanian’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Ahead of Earth Day
BUCKS COUNTY – April 21, 2021 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10), Art Haywood (D-4) and Carolyn Comitta (D-19) announced today during a virtual press conference that they will be introducing SB 300, a bill to expand the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio...
Senators Amanda M. Cappelletti, Katie Muth and State Representative Chris Rabb Announce Bold Step with #Go100PA Legislation for Climate Change
Harrisburg, PA − April 3, 2021 − Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D- Montgomery, Delaware) and Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks, Chester, Montgomery) announced companion legislation with State Representative Christopher Rabb (D-Philadelphia) that would put Pennsylvania on...
Senator Santarsiero Announces Democratic Lawmakers Motion Granted to Intervene in DRBC Lawsuit
BUCKS COUNTY – March 29, 2021 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) held a virtual press conference last week to announce the Democratic Senators’ motion to intervene in Yaw v. Delaware River Basin Commission was granted by the judge on Friday, March 19, 2021....
Senators Haywood and Laughlin Introduce Renewable Energy Legislation
HARRISBURG – March 26, 2021 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) and State Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) introduced legislation that will promote economic development efforts and generate jobs by supporting alternative energy production and...
Senator Santarsiero Voices Support for State Solar Energy Commitment, Calls for Modernization of Renewable Energy Standards
BUCKS COUNTY – March 22, 2021 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) today applauded Governor Wolf for the Commonwealth’s commitment to solar energy and called on the General Assembly to take up legislation to modernize the Alternative Energy Portfolio...
Pennsylvania Senate and House Elected Officials Strongly Urge Governor Wolf to Investigate Serious Health Impacts Associated with Fracking
Harrisburg, PA − March 17, 2021 − Earlier today, State Senator Katie Muth (D - 44th Senate District) and State Representative Sara Innamorato (D - 21st House District) along with 33 members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, publicly requested Governor Wolf direct...
Senator Muth Commends Action by taken by the DRBC to Protect Drinking Water
Chester, PA − February 25, 2021 − State Senator Katie Muth (D - Chester, Montgomery, Berks) was relieved that the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) voted to permanently prohibit unconventional oil and gas extraction in the 13,539 square-mile area of the Delaware...
Statement: Senator Santarsiero Applauds DRBC Vote to Ban Fracking
BUCKS COUNTY − February 25, 2021 − The following statement is attributable to Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in response to the Delaware River Basin Commission Special Meeting on February 25, 2021: “I applaud the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) on its...
Etna EcoDistrict Wins Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
Etna, PA — October 22, 2020 — On October 13, 2020, the Borough of Etna and the Etna Community Organization (ECO) jointly received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence from the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection on behalf of the Etna...
Senator Katie Muth Asks for Pause in all Drilling Near Marsh Creek Lake, Allow for Comprehensive, Independent Investigation
Royersford, Pa. − August 27, 2020 − Senator Katie Muth called for all drilling near the spill site at Marsh Creek Lake to be halted while the Department of Environmental Protection undergoes a comprehensive, independent investigation. Calls from residents in...
Legislators Call on Wolf Administration to Revoke Mariner East Pipeline Permits in Chester County
Harrisburg – August 2020 – State legislators representing five House districts and three Senatorial districts in Chester County have signed a letter to Secretary Patrick McDonnell of the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine of...
Muth, Innamorato Proposes Legislation to Protect Health, Environment
Bills would close the loophole allowing toxic drilling waste in Pennsylvania landfills Harrisburg, PA − August 13, 2020 − In the wake of a scathing Grand Jury report on the public health and environmental harms of fracking in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Sara Innamorato,...
Senator Muth Calls for Mariner East Permits to be Withdrawn, Following Multiple Dangerous Spills
Upper Uwchlan Township, Pa. − August 11, 2020 − Late yesterday afternoon, drilling fluid from a Mariner East horizontal directional drilling (HDD) site upstream of Marsh Creek State Park spilled into a tributary of Marsh Creek Lake and ultimately into the lake...