Latest news with #Shapiro
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Shaprio's renewable energy plan advances as Trump administration keeps Pa. fossil fuel plant online
The Blue Creek wind farm in Ohio, consists of 152 wind turbines with a total capacity of 304 megawatts. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has finalized new rules that are expected to help ease the backlog of new wind, solar and battery storage projects awaiting regulatory approval. (Robert Zullo/ States Newsroom) Days before Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced Gov. Josh Shapiro's plan to expand the commonwealth's renewable energy resources, the Trump administration ordered a fossil fuel-fired power plant outside Philadelphia to keep running past its planned retirement date. The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday ordered Pennsylvania's electricity grid operator PJM Interconnect and owner Constellation Energy to keep the Eddystone Generating Station in Delaware County ready to meet peak power demands. It was scheduled to cease operations Saturday. The order highlights challenges facing Pennsylvania policymakers as they work to ensure there's enough electricity for industry and residents while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Legislation that would set a more ambitious goal for renewable energy production in what Shapiro describes as an all-of-the-above approach to meeting demand passed a state House committee on Monday. House Bill 501 would enact the Pennsylvania Reliability Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS), which is part of Shapiro's broader energy policy dubbed the Lightning Plan. It would require 35% of the state's energy to come from clean sources including solar, wind, nuclear and other emerging technologies by 2040. Other aspects of the plan would provide tax credits for renewable energy development and establish a dedicated board to streamline energy permitting to incentivize developers to prioritize clean energy. While President Donald Trump has backed the oil, gas and coal industries since he campaigned for his first term in 2016, the DOE order to keep the Eddystone Generating Station online cited an 'emergency situation' as PJM warned that electricity demand in the 13 states it serves could soon outpace the opening of new power plants. PJM projects its peak demand will grow by about 70,000 megawatts to 220,000 megawatts by 2040. The growth is being driven by the increased electrification of transportation and industry and the proliferation of data centers to satisfy the demand for computing power from artificial intelligence and other technologies. PJM's process to authorize new power plants to connect to the grid faces a backlog including hundreds of gigawatts of renewable energy while about 20% of its existing generating capacity is expected to retire in the next five years. Starting this month, consumers in Pennsylvania and the rest of PJM's footprint will see electric bills increase by 10% to 20% as a result of soaring prices in last July's capacity auction, in which electricity generators bid to provide generating capacity. Pennsylvania, meanwhile, lags behind most of the nation in renewable energy development. An analysis of federal energy data by PennEnvironment put the commonwealth behind all but Washington and Alaska, which tied for last place. Debate on the renewable energy legislation Monday in the House Environmental and Natural Resources Committee demonstrated the tension between Pennsylvania's energy future and its past. Republicans argued the goal of obtaining 35% of the state's energy from clean sources by 2035 is unrealistic. Natural gas and coal provide reliable electricity while helping to drive Pennsylvania's economy, they said. Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill) said renewable energy sources including solar and wind power would take up too much land. And subsidizing them at the expense of established fossil fuel sources would hurt workers and consumers by taking away jobs and increasing prices. 'It's just going to waste money and not solve our problems,' Twardzik said. Democrats said diversifying the state's energy portfolio is essential to staving off an energy crisis. 'We are at a crossroads,' Rep. Chris Pielli (D-Chester) said. 'I think that we should be looking at many forms of energy, nuclear, geothermal, and even using our gas and our oil.' Pielli rebutted claims by Republicans that the renewable energy legislation would create winners and losers. He argued Pennsylvania's gas industry benefitted from a subsidy when lawmakers chose not to impose an excise tax on gas production, forgoing billions in revenue. Deeply conservative Texas, Pielli noted, leads the nation in both natural gas production, wind and solar energy. 'Let's look at that … recognizing that this bill is an opportunity that we can fine tune, where we can use any and all of these resources to protect our consumers going forward when it comes to our power,' he said.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania joins list of Age-Friendly States
(WHTM) — Governor Josh Shapiro announced Pennsylvania's designation as an Age-Friendly State on Thursday. The designation, awarded by AARP and the World Health Organization, recognizes the commonwealth's commitment to being a positive community for people to grow up and grow older, according to a press release from the Department of Aging. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now One in three Pennsylvanians is older than 60, accounting for 3.8 million people, according to the department. Pennsylvania is just 1 of 13 states with the Age-Friendly designation. 'My Administration is fighting for Pennsylvanians every day, and that includes investing in and building a Commonwealth that cares for and supports older adults,' Shapiro said. Shapiro made the announcement alongside Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich at the White Rose Senior Center in York. In 2020, York County became an Age-Friendly Community. Now, all of the state's 67 counties share the designation. 'There's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to projects or plans that concern where we live, work, and play,' said Cathy Bollinger, executive director of Embracing Aging with the York County Community Foundation. 'And that is especially true for our seniors as well. By asking ourselves 'does it work for people of all ages?' we ensure that creativity and flexibility guide every decision — especially those related to housing and transportation. When we collaborate and plan this way, we create the potential to transform the quality of life for all residents — no matter their age.' Maple Donuts in York County has been sold Shapiro has made supporting older Pennsylvanians a priority of his administration. A year ago, he launched the Aging Our Way, PA program — a 10-year strategic plan to support older adults with a focus on access to public transport, caregivers, housing and reduced prescriptions and insurance, according to the program's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Shapiro fights for public transit in new budget
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted his plan to steer an additional $200 million to mass transit across Pennsylvania, calling it a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. Governor Shapiro fought for public transit in the new budget during a press conference at Harrisburg's CAT Transit today. During the conference, Shapiro said he would use additional money from state sales taxes to fund mass transit. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Additional funding for mass transit passed the House three times last year, but failed in the GOP-controlled Senate. Mass transit has become a fight between mostly rural Republicans skeptical of big city public transportation and lawmakers from the city and suburbs who insist it's crucial to the economic health of the entire state. 'The Senate has made clear that they've got different ideas ideas on different funding streams and i'm open to those and they made clear that they want to do something on roads as well as mass transit and i'm open to that as well and there's no reason why we can't come together on this,' said Shapiro. The budget is due four weeks from today, June 30. When asked if he would sign a budget without his mass transit proposal, the governor responded by saying he wasn't going to get into budget hypotheticals. One of the objections among Republicans is that they see mass transit as code for more money for SEPTA in Philadelphia, a little to Pittsburgh, and almost nothing to their mass transit agencies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Timeline Shows Pro-Palestinian Attacks in the US
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In recent months, the U.S. has experienced a spate of violent attacks allegedly motivated by pro-Palestinian sentiment, including assaults targeting Jewish gatherings and officials. Significant incidents include an arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor's residence, the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and a flamethrower assault on demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado. Each raised concerns over the security of Jewish communities and the possible escalation of politically motivated violence. Why It Matters These attacks have occurred amid sharply rising reports of antisemitic incidents across the United States, prompting heightened security and increased political scrutiny. The Anti-Defamation League reported a historic high of 9,354 antisemitic incidents in 2024, a 5 percent increase over 2023. The violence follows the intensified Israel-Hamas conflict, which continues to polarize discourse both domestically and abroad, underlining the intersection of global events and U.S. domestic security. Crime scene tape blocks off the intersection on Pearl Street as law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the pedestrian mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. Crime scene tape blocks off the intersection on Pearl Street as law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the pedestrian mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. AP Photo/David Zalubowski What To Know April 13, 2025: Firebombing of Pennsylvania Governor's Residence On April 13, Cody Balmer, 38, allegedly scaled the fence at the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and hurled Molotov cocktails made from beer bottles filled with gasoline through windows while Shapiro and his family were present inside. There were no injuries reported, but the incident led to immediate intervention by authorities. Balmer cited "perceived injustices to the people of Palestine" as his motivation, according to a warrant obtained by ABC News. In a 911 call, he identified himself and said he would not take part in Shapiro's plans "for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people," according to the outlet. Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the attack but declined to immediately label it as domestic terrorism. Balmer faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, and aggravated arson. May 21, 2025: Shooting of Israeli Embassy Staffers Outside D.C. Jewish Museum On May 21, two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were fatally shot as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, allegedly paced outside the museum before approaching and opening fire. He allegedly shouted, "Free, free Palestine!" while being handcuffed by police. The event, hosted by the American Jewish Committee, focused on bridge-building in the Middle East and North Africa. Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith said Rodriguez later informed officers of the weapon's whereabouts. Officials are investigating the attack as both a hate crime and a potential act of terrorism. The victims were described as a young couple planning their future together. June 1, 2025: Boulder, Colorado, Flamethrower Attack at Pro-Israeli Hostage March On Sunday, a male suspect, identified as Mohemed Sabry Soliman, 45, allegedly used a "makeshift flamethrower" to attack participants in a weekly pro-Israeli march at Boulder's Pearl Street pedestrian mall, dedicated to drawing attention to hostages held in Gaza. Eight people, aged 52 to 88, were hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Soliman, an immigrant from Egypt, allegedly shouted "Free Palestine" during the attack. Federal, state and local officials are working together to investigate the incident. The FBI announced they are investigating the incident as a terror attack and ideologically motivated violence. What People Are Saying Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, in an ABC News interview: "This is, sadly, a real part of our society today, and it needs to be universally condemned." Colorado Governor Jared Polis, on X: "I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror. Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, on X following the Boulder attack: "This is horrifying, and this cannot continue. We must stand up to antisemitism." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an X post translated by NBC News: "My heart grieves for the families of the young beloveds, whose lives were cut short in a moment by an abhorrent antisemitic murderer." Attorney General Pam Bondi, in remarks following the attack at Shapiro's residence: "I've known the governor many, many years. It is horrible, and yes, we are working with state authorities to do — it's now a pending investigation — anything we can to help convict the person that did this and keep them behind bars as long as possible." What Happens Next Investigations and prosecutions are ongoing for the suspects in each of the major attacks. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Yale doctor: New vaccine for Lyme disease shows promise
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A potential breakthrough in treating Lyme disease with a possible vaccine is on the horizon. The disease and others are spread by tick bites. 'The deer tick transmits Lyme disease, babesoisis, anaplasmosis are the three main ones,' Dr. Eugene Shapiro, professor at Yale School of Medicine, says cases of Lyme disease have nearly doubled in the last 20 years. Now, new promise in a preventative vaccine that works after a tick bites.'The people who are immunized develop antibodies,' Shapiro said. 'The tick feeds on it (cut to) their blood with the antibodies goes into the tick. It kills the bacteria in the tick.'The National Institutes of Health reports about a half a million cases of tick borne infections each disease is the most common. Shapiro says a rash develops seven to 14 days after a tick bite, and some will develop symptoms such as facial nerve palsy, meningitis, carditis, inflammation of the heart and Lyme arthritis. Caught early, Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics, but it's important to take precautions avoid being bit. Experts advise wearing repellent, wear light colored clothing and do a thorough tick check after being outside. This vaccine has been a possibility for decades and could finally be approved later this year. In early trials it has shown to be effective. Other vaccines for tick-borne diseases are also being worked on. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
