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
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Senator Muth Calls for Mariner East Permits to be Withdrawn, Following Multiple Dangerous Spills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...
Senators Santarsiero and Yaw Ask Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to Include Funding for Well Plugging in Next Stimulus Bill
BUCKS COUNTY – August 6, 2020 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Gene Yaw (R-23), as chairs of the Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, sent a letter to all members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation requesting...
Senator Costa to Introduce Cap and Invest Bill For Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa. − July 30, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today introduced Senate Bill 15, creating a “Cap and Invest” program for the state’s electric power sector, along with the support of 17 cosponsors. “The federal government has...
Leach Proposes Constitutional Ban on Fracking
HARRISBURG – July 2, 2020 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today announced legislative language to create a constitutional amendment banning hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania. Leach’s announcement comes days after Attorney General Josh Shapiro...
Dinniman Issues Statement on Pipeline Fine, Settlement
HARRISBURG (January 3, 2020) – State Senator Andy Dinniman today issued the following statement in response to news that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a $30.6 million civil penalty to ETC Northeast Pipeline for violations related...
Senator Maria Collett Joined by More State Legislators Across the Country Committing to Protect Drinking Water
Harrisburg, Pa. – December 3, 2019 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has been joined by legislators in 20 states across the country in introducing legislation to address PFAS contamination in drinking water. PFAS, or "forever chemicals,” are found in...
Innamorato, Muth host briefing on SW PA childhood cancer
HARRISBURG, November 18, 2019 – Over the last decade at least 67 children in rural southwestern Pennsylvania have been diagnosed with rare childhood cancers, diagnoses that coincided with the rapid development of the Marcellus Shale gas fields across the Allegheny region.
FBI Investigation into Pipeline Permits Echoes Dinniman’s Repeated and Long-Standing Concerns
WEST CHESTER (November 15, 2019) – While news that the FBI is investigating how permits were issued for the Sunoco/ET Mariner East pipeline spread across Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the nation this week, for state Senator Andy Dinniman questions about the...
Legislators Introduce Local Solar Program in House and Senate
Harrisburg, Pa − October 22, 2019 − A bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators along with advocates and utility providers came together in Harrisburg today to announce plans for a local solar program. “In my district, I have seen a huge spike in folks interested in...
Climate Caucus Praises Governor’s Proposal to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
HARRISBURG − October 3, 2019 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representative Steve McCarter (D-154), co-chairs of the bipartisan, bicameral Climate Caucus, along with vice-chair state Representative Carolyn Comitta (D-156) offered praise for Governor...
Senator Costa Applauds Governor’s Move on Environmental Protection, Pledges to Continue the Fight in the Legislature
Pledges to Continue the Fight in the Legislature
Harrisburg, Pa. − October 3, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. applauded Governor Tom Wolf’s move today to instruct the PA Department of Environmental Protection to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
RGGI is a market-based collaboration among nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change while generating economic growth.
Leach Proposes Constitutional Ban on Fracking
HARRISBURG – October 1, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today announced legislation to create a constitutional amendment banning hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania. “My staff and I have toured fracking sites all over this commonwealth and...
Leach Statement re. Mariner East Pipeline
HARRISBURG, PA – August 23, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today issued the following statement regarding the Mariner East Pipeline following Governor Wolf’s Thursday visit to a part of the pipeline route: “Hearing from the...