About PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center

Research

Investigating problems and crafting solutions

Protecting the air we breathe. Every Pennsylvanian should be able to breathe clean air. But smog pollution from power plants and vehicles puts the health of our children and families at risk. Our report, Danger in the Air, shone a light on the smoggiest cities and counties in Pennsylvania, and recommended solutions for cleaning up our air.

Education

Educating the public and making our voices heard

Shining a spotlight on illegal polluters. A 2007 PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center study uncovered that GenOn Energy had illegally dumped manganese, selenium and other pollutants into the Conemaugh River for years, with potentially toxic effects on wildlife. When the government failed to step in, our sister group PennEnvironment sued to stop the pollution. Four years later, a judge ruled the company liable for a staggering 8,684 violations of the Clean Water Act. GenOn was ordered to end the pollution and pay a record-breaking $3.75 million to restore the Conemaugh.

Our Staff

Foundation Support

PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center would like to thank Claneil Foundation, Colcom Foundation, Community Foundation of New Jersey, Energy Foundation, Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, Community Foundation of the Alleghenies, George & Miriam Martin Foundation, Otto Haas Charitable Trust, Partnership Project, Philadelphia Foundation, Skoll Global Threats Fund, The Heinz Endowments, Workable Alternatives Foundation, Cameron Foundation, Edward and Virginia Gunst Family Foundation, Howard J. Sedran Family Foundation, Leo Model Foundation Inc., Madiman Family Charitable Fund at Schwab Charitable and William Penn Foundation for supporting our work. 

More Ways to Give

PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center gratefully accept bequests, beneficiary designations of IRAs and life insurance, and gifts of securities to support our work. Your gift will assure that we can continue to protect America’s air, water and open spaces for future generations.

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