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
Senators Haywood, Killion and Santarsiero Offer Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Pennsylvania’s Renewable Energy Standards
HARRISBURG - March 13, 2019 --- State Senator Steven J. Santarsiero, Senator Art Haywood and Senator Thomas H. Killion issued a co-sponsorship memorandum detailing their proposed expansion of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS). AEPS was enacted in...
Brewster Ties Extraction Levy to Environmental Protection, Education, Security Initiatives
HARRISBURG – March 13, 2019 – A new plan to use revenue generated from an energy extraction tax to provide school funding, safety investments and environmental protection initiatives will soon be introduced by state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland). “The...
Senator Kearney Urges Moratorium On Mariner East Project Until Safety Protocols Provided
HARRISBURG - March 11, 2019 – Earlier today, Senator Tim Kearney (D-Chester/Delaware) joined lawmakers across Delaware County and Chester County in sending a letter to Governor Wolf urging a moratorium on the operation and transmission of Natural Gas Liquids and...
Senator Collett Addresses PFAS Crisis in Budget Hearing with Pa Secretary of Health
HARRISBURG - February 27, 2019 – Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee today. A major topic of conversation was our region’s PFAS crisis. Addressing this crisis from both an environmental and public...
Senator Collett Reacts to EPA PFAS Plan Announcement
NORTH WALES – February 14, 2019 – The acting administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Andrew Wheeler, today announced the EPA’s intended nationwide PFAS action plan. Addressing the urgent PFAS crisis is Senator Maria Collett’s (D-12) top...
Joint State Legislative Hearing in Clairton Focuses on Improving Air Quality
CLAIRTON, February 7, 2019 – With an overflow crowd of steel workers and concerned citizens in attendance at Clairton City Hall, a joint state Senate-House Democratic Policy Committee hearing was held today on ways to improve air quality, community notification...
State Legislative Hearing on Air Quality, Community Notification Issues Set for Clairton Next Week
In the wake of the Clairton Coke Works fire, the state Senate and House Democratic Policy committees will hold a joint public hearing on ways to improve air quality, community notification procedures and emergency response. The hearing is scheduled for noon on...
Dinniman, Killion Introduce Comprehensive Pipeline Legislative Package
WEST CHESTER, January 2, 2019 – State Senators Andy Dinniman and Tom Killion announced today that they have introduced a comprehensive legislative package aimed at reforming Pennsylvania’s pipeline regulatory process to improve safety at schools and in local...
State Senate Committee Holds Hearing in Pittsburgh on Climate Change
HARRISBURG– November 28, 2018 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing in Pittsburgh on local and state efforts to address climate change. The full policy hearing can be viewed...
Costa Endorses Report of Commission that Examined Fire and Emergency Services Issues
Harrisburg – Nov. 28, 2018 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Allegheny) released the following statement regarding the adoption of the report from a select commission that examined issues impacting fire and emergency services. Costa served as a member...
State Senate Committee to Hold Hearing in Pittsburgh on Global Warming
HARRISBURG, November 21, 2018 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold a hearing in Pittsburgh next week on local and state efforts to address climate change. “In the absence of federal leadership...
Senator Fontana Receives Dewey Award for Environmental Work
PITTSBURGH, September 27, 2018 – Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Pittsburgh) this evening received the Clean Water Action organization’s “Dewey Award.” The award is granted to individuals who are proven champions of the environment within their community. “Throughout my...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Submits Written Testimony to EPA on Fuel Economy Standards
PITTSBURGH, September 26, 2018 --- The Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting in Pittsburgh today regarding a proposal to eliminate fuel economy standards on vehicles; Senator Costa submitted written testimony in opposition as he was unable to...
Dinniman: Efforts Underway in Harrisburg to Silence Pipeline Critics
HARRISBURG - September 25, 2018 – There is an ongoing and organized effort in Harrisburg to marginalize and villainize any organizations who raises safety concerns or opposition to the growing network of natural gas pipelines crisscrossing Pennsylvania, state...
Dinniman Vows to Fight Appeal of Mariner East Shutdown
WEST CHESTER (May 29, 2018) – State Senator Andy Dinniman said he would fight Sunoco’s attempts to appeal a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) judge’s order to halt operation of the Mariner East 1 pipeline and prohibit construction of the Mariner East 2 and...