The Allegheny Front for the week of
December 5-11, 2014
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Respect
In this second installment of Luke DeGroote's three-part essay about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, he finds companionship in another hiker, words, nature—and himself.
Coal vs. Natural Gas Energy During the Polar Vortex
The coal industry and conservative politicians say new carbon rules will kill King Coal, and they warn that without it, extreme weather events, like last year’s polar vortex, could leave people in the cold and dark. How well does the polar vortex argument hold up?
Severance Tax in PA's Environmental Future
As Pennsylvania's Capitol readies for Christmas, state government officials await a bearded man other than Santa. Governor-elect Tom Wolf takes office next month with a proposal to tax gas drillers.
PennFuture President One Year In, Looks Ahead
A year into Cindy Dunn's term as PennFuture president, she talks about environmental priorities in Pennsylvania and how her mountaintop childhood influenced her career.
AF Scorecard: 50,000
The Allegheny Front's Scorecard is a new segment—keeping track of what's happening in our environment with a weekly number. This week our number comes from the shale industry, and Harrisburg.
Bird Files: Smart, Social Crows Come to Roost
During November and December, people in many U.S. cities notice large flocks of crows congregating in raucous urban roosts. They have their own way of communicating, roosting, and visiting around the holidays.
New Report Questions Government’s Rosy Shale Forecast
8178.jpg?itok=Kgt3mfDa "A well near the Woodlands in Butler County, Pa., drilled by XTO. Photo: Reid Frazier")
A new report predicts a less rosy picture for Marcellus Shale production than current government estimates. The numbers from University of Texas researchers say shale gas could peak in just five years.