Home Care In Portland, PA

Listen here:

This summer was the hottest on record, globally.

Pennsylvania did not set records, but a new analysis shows it is still feeling the effects of climate change. And a separate analysis links the wildfire smoke that plagued Pennsylvania over the summer to climate change.

The state is getting warmer and wetter with climate change. Hot days and warm nights have been trending up since the 1970s.

“You’re absolutely seeing spans of days across this summer where the temperature was clearly made warmer by the influence of climate change,” said Peter Girard, vice president of communications for the science and communication group Climate Central.

Climate change and Pennsylvania

There’s overwhelming scientific evidence that human activity is warming Earth at an unprecedented rate. It’s already responsible for extreme weather, rising sea levels, and more severe droughts worldwide. Pennsylvania is on track for more intense heat waves and stronger storms in coming years, the Department of Environmental Protection says.

Scientists stress that rapid action is crucial to avoid the worst effects. Pa.’s most recent Climate Action Plan calls for an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, compared to 2005 levels.

Doing that will require hard choices by the nation’s fourth-largest carbon emitter: Pennsylvania must figure out how to cut emissions while planning for the future of people and communities that rely on the fossil fuel industry.

—Madison Goldberg, StateImpact Pennsylvania

Join the discussion about climate and Pa. at Climate Solutions.

The group’s Climate Shift Index compares daily temperatures with a model showing likely temperatures in a world without the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Climate Central’s latest analysis using the CSI shows Harrisburg had eight days this summer with an index score of 2 or higher. That means the hot temperatures were twice as likely under climate change.

Philadelphia had nine days between June 1 and Aug. 31 touched by climate change, Pittsburgh had three, and State College had six.

In Allentown, there were seven days with a score of 2 or greater. Wilkes-Barre had five days and Erie had one.

The report says 97% of the U.S. population experienced at least one summer day with temperatures made at least twice more likely due to human-caused climate change.

The South, Southwest, and Southeast regions saw the strongest climate fingerprints on summer daily average temperatures.

An analysis from World Weather Attribution, a group that quantifies how climate change influences the intensity and likelihood of an extreme weather event, shows the record-breaking July heat waves in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change.

WWA also found climate change more than doubled the likelihood of extreme fire weather conditions in Canada in May and June that sent smoke into the U.S., causing unhealthy air quality in many places, including Pennsylvania.

The proposed River Pointe Logistics Center in northern Northampton County will be the subject of a state environmental hearing next month.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said Monday it will hold the meeting to consider Bethlehem developer Lou Pektor’s applications to allow the discharge of water, known as a National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System permit, and a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Joint Permit.

The hearing will be 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at Bangor Area High School, 187 Five Points-Richmond Road, Upper Mount Bethel Township. Representatives from DEP, River Pointe and the Northampton County Conservation District will attend.

If completed, River Pointe, which is in Upper Mount Bethel just south of Portland near Route 611 and Interstate 80, would cover more than 800 acres and have 12 buildings totaling nearly 6 million square feet. The development includes eight in the main part of River Pointe, with proposed industrial buildings totaling nearly 4 million square feet, and two additional ones across River Road at the site of the former Portland Generating Station electric plant that total 1.5 million square feet.

The discharge permit application seeks to allow stormwater from construction activities at the site to run into an unknown tributary of the Delaware River; an unknown tributary of Allegheny Creek; and other “exceptional value wetlands,” and is subject to special protections under the federal Clean Water Act, according to a DEP news release.

The proposal, which has undergone extensive review in Upper Mount Bethel and before the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, has drawn sharp criticism from residents who worry about increased traffic and environmental degradation, among other concerns. Last week, Upper Mount Bethel supervisors approved several lot submissions for the project, Pektor said.

Anyone who wishes to testify Nov. 13 should submit a written notice to DEP Regional Communications Manager Colleen Connolly at [email protected]. Requests will be accepted up to the day of the hearing. The release said individuals attending the hearing will have the opportunity to testify; however, individuals who register ahead of time will be given priority on the agenda.

People with a disability who wish to testify and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation should also contact Connolly via email or the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at 800-654-5984.

The permit application documentation and conceptual plans are available for review at the Northampton County Conservation District Office, 14 Gracedale Ave., Upper Nazareth Township, phone number 610-829-6276; and at the DEP Northeast Regional Office in Wilkes-Barre, phone number 570-826-2511.

Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone can be reached at [email protected].

From the bustling streets of Philadelphia to the charming avenues of Lancaster, Pennsylvania offers a variety of cities that are perfect for those who prefer to navigate on foot.

In this Redfin article, we delve into the Keystone State’s most walkable cities, examining factors such as walk scores and housing prices. Join us as we explore the top ten walkable cities in Pennsylvania, providing insights that could help you decide your next move.

1. Lancaster, PA

Walk Score: 81 Median Sale Price: $275,000 Median Rent Price: $1,355

With a walk score of 81, Lancaster is the most walkable city in Pennsylvania. The region boasts several pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods like Chestnut Hill and West End. These areas contain a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions easily accessible on foot.

Find Lancaster, PA homes for sale and apartments for rent.

Your next home is just a tap away

Walk Score: 75 Median Sale Price: $245,000 Median Rent Price: $1,715

Philadelphia has a walk score of 75, making it the second most walkable city in the state. As the largest city in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is home to numerous walkable areas and historic neighborhoods, like Rittenhouse Square and Old City, helping make the city explorable without a car.

Discover Philadelphia, PA homes for sale and apartments for rent.

3. West Chester, PA

Walk Score: 74 Median Sale Price: $595,000 Median Rent Price: $2,379

West Chester, a suburb of Philadelphia, is the third most walkable city in the state. Particularly walkable areas in West Chester include Downtown West Chester and the West Chester University area. These places are home to amenities like the Chester County Historical Society, Iron Hill Brewery, and the Stroud Preserve.

Search for West Chester, PA homes for sale or apartments for rent.

4. Reading, PA

Walk Score: 72 Median Sale Price: $169,900 Median Rent Price: $1,140

Reading has plenty of amenities a resident might need well within walking distance. From Penn’s Common to the Reading Public Museum, there’s something for every lifestyle. The downtown area is particularly walkable, with numerous restaurants, shops, and attractions.

See Reading, PA homes for sale and apartments for rent.

5. York, PA

Walk Score: 71 Median Sale Price: $170,000 Median Rent Price: $1,028

As the fifth most walkable city in the state, York is known for its historic downtown and the York College area. Consider exploring the York County Heritage Rail Trail or getting a bite to eat at Central Market with friends. Or if you’re in the mood for a fun afternoon, visit the Agricultural and Industrial Museum.

Browse York, PA homes for sale and apartments for rent.

6. Harrisburg, PA

Walk Score: 68 Median Sale Price: $165,000 Median Rent Price: $1,256

With a walk score of 68, Harrisburg is the sixth most walkable city in Pennsylvania. The region boasts several pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods like Midtown and Uptown. These areas contain a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions easily accessible on foot.

Look for Harrisburg, PA homes for sale and apartments for rent.

7. State College, PA

Walk Score: 68 Median Sale Price: $365,000 Median Rent Price: $1,624

State College has a walk score of 68, making it the seventh most walkable city in the state. There are numerous walkable areas and neighborhoods throughout State College, like Downtown State College and the Penn State University area, helping make the city explorable without a car.

Find State College, PA homes for sale and apartments for rent.

8. Norristown, PA

Walk Score: 68 Median Sale Price: $215,000 Median Rent Price: $1,576

Norristown is the eighth most walkable city in the state. Particularly walkable areas in Norristown include the Norristown Arts Hill and the Elmwood Park Zoo area. The city is also home to amenities like the Montgomery County Courthouse, Taqueria La Michoacana, and the Schuylkill River Trail.

Peruse Norristown, PA homes for sale and apartments for rent.

9. Allentown, PA

Walk Score: 67 Median Sale Price: $215,000 Median Rent Price: $1,578

Allentown has plenty of amenities a resident might need well within walking distance. From the Allentown Art Museum to the PPL Center, there’s something for every lifestyle. The downtown area is particularly walkable, with numerous restaurants, shops, and attractions.

See Allentown, PA homes for sale and apartments for rent.

10. Easton, PA

Walk Score: 67 Median Sale Price: $221,000 Median Rent Price: $1,570

As the tenth most walkable city in the state, Easton is known for its historic downtown and the Lafayette College area. Consider exploring the Karl Stirner Arts Trail or getting a bite to eat at the Easton Public Market with friends. Or if you’re in the mood for an adventure, visit the Delaware Canal State Park.

Browse Easton, PA homes for sale or apartments for rent.

Methodology: Walk Score, a Redfin company, helps people find a walkable place to live, rating areas from least to most walkable on a scale from 0-100. To calculate a Walk Score for a city, Walk Score analyzes thousands of walking routes to nearby amenities, population density, and metrics such as block length and intersection density. Points are awarded based on the distance to amenities in each category.

If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.

Jamie is part of the content marketing team and is passtionate about climate change, housing affordability, and housing market trends. His dream home is a small, modern, and minimalist forested home where he can hear the wind blowing at night.

Connect with Jamie

If you think Philadelphia went nuts for the solar eclipse in 2017, wait until your (carefully shielded) eyes get a look at what’s coming in 2024.

Saturday is the start of a one-year countdown to the next total solar eclipse that will be visible in North America, and Pennsylvania will be a prime viewing location.

On April 8, 2024, the moon will block about 90% of the sun for viewers in the greater Philly area — all but a slender crescent. (The skies will still be fairly light — more on why, below — but noticeably dimmer than last time, when only three-quarters of the sun was obscured.)

In State College, the moon will block 95% of the sun. In Pittsburgh, the phenomenon will reach the high nineties.

And in Erie, shortly after 3 p.m., viewers will get the full celestial show — provided that clouds do not interfere. Total blockage of the sun.

Penn State Behrend, the university’s campus in Erie, already has ordered 50,000 pairs of protective glasses. And some area hotels already have sold out, according to Hotels.com.

At the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast, a few blocks from Presque Isle Bay, one hopeful customer has been on the waiting list for seven years, owner Steve Freysz said. The inn will not start booking rooms until later this month, but that customer gets first dibs, said Freysz, who owns the inn with his wife, Lisa.

“He calls every year to make sure he’s on the list,” he said.

In Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute will offer a variety of equipment for safe viewing of the eclipse, said chief astronomer Derrick Pitts.

That includes special filters to view it directly, and other gadgets to watch it indirectly — that is, projecting the crescent-shaped outline of visible sun onto a piece of paper.

Yet even that remaining one-tenth sliver of the sun will be quite bright — striking the Earth’s surface with the same level of radiant energy as it does on a very cloudy day, Pitts said.

“It’s one of the hardest things for people to understand,” he said. “That bright piece is so bright that the glare will overwhelm any effect the moon might have.”

That’s why special glasses or other forms of eye protection are needed.

As ophthalmologists warned in 2017, regular sunglasses are not enough. Also beware of cheap imitation eclipse glasses, which flooded online markets last time around.

Looking at the sun without adequate protection can burn the retina. That happened in 2017 to one New York woman, who burned a spot on the retina of her left eye — eerily, shaped just like the eclipse, like a cookie with a bite out of it.

Pitts advised purchasing protective glasses well in advance of April 2024, before any supply-chain issues or inflated prices.

“There’s not one thing wrong with getting your eye protection now,” he said.

The April 2024 total eclipse is not the only forthcoming solar show for North American viewers.

A different type of solar eclipse is on the horizon even sooner, on Oct. 14, called an annular eclipse.

As in a total solar eclipse, the moon will pass between the sun and Earth. But because the moon will be at its farthest point from Earth, it appears smaller than the sun and will not completely block it. The effect is of a black dot surrounded by a golden “ring of fire.”

To understand how that works, imagine holding your thumb in front of your face. If you hold it close enough to your eyes, it will appear big enough to obscure your view of large objects, even a tall building. But extend your arm out farther, and your thumb appears smaller and smaller by comparison.

Same thing with the moon, which is much smaller than the sun. In October, it will be so far away from Earth that it won’t be “big enough” to block the entire sun.

Not quite as dramatic as a total solar eclipse, when the moon totally blocks the sun for viewers in the right location. And in the case of this particular annular eclipse, the Northeast won’t be a great place to see it.

So for Northeastern U.S. viewers, the best forthcoming show is the total eclipse in April 2024, with prime viewing in Erie, if the weather cooperates.

Penn State Behrend is planning to hold a big viewing event on its soccer field, said Jim Gavio, director of the school’s Yahn Planetarium. If the weather is cloudy or rainy, the crowd can go inside to watch a video feed from NASA.

With good conditions, the experience will be unforgettable, Gavio said.

For the August 2017 eclipse, he and 10 family members traveled to Bowling Green, Ky., where the weather was clear and the sun was totally obscured.

The skies darkened so much that the temperature dropped 20 degrees, Gavio said.

“Crickets came out. Mosquitoes came out. And bats came out, because the mosquitoes came out,” he said. “It’s a totally different experience.”

After a coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania closed, early-life health outcomes improved for babies across the border, in New Jersey.

The Portland Generating Station sits on the Delaware River, about two hours north of Philadelphia and right across the border from New Jersey. While in operation, it was one of the most prodigious emitters of sulfur dioxide in the nation, primarily affecting Jersey’s Warren, Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon Counties. It stopped burning coal in 2014, after the Environmental Protection Agency demanded it reduce its pollution levels.

A new study shows that, after station’s closure, the likelihood of low birth weight went down 15 percent and the likelihood of pre-term birth decreased by nearly 30 percent.

Associate professor of economics at Lehigh University, Muzhe Yang, who led the study, says the improvements were primarily within 60 miles downwind of the plant, in New Jersey. His team focused on birth weight and pre-term births because previous findings have linked early-life health with outcomes in adulthood, such as education attainment and earnings.

The federal Clean Air Act, which is implemented at the state level, has a Good Neighbor provision. It requires states to prohibit emissions that would cause ambient air quality to exceed federal standards downwind. But Yang says the provision doesn’t always translate into action. “There’s no incentive, or incentive can be limited,” Yang said. “Upwind states might have different priorities: job creation, generating tax revenues, solving unemployment.”

In 2007, New Jersey filed a lawsuit, claiming the plant was responsible for fouling ambient air quality in the state. EPA agreed with New Jersey and imposed its own emissions rules on the plant; it was the first time a federal regulation overrode a state rule for a specific pollution source.

Yang says it’s a case that points to the importance of federal regulations over state rules.

“The wind can carry a lot of air pollutants. This is just a matter of fact. And the wind doesn’t recognize any borders,” Yang said.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.