Recent News
The latest on PEC’s policy advocacy and program work statewide.
PEC Opposes Senate Bill 857
On June 22nd, 2026, PEC’s Senior VP for Legal & Government Affairs, John Walliser submitted the following letter opposing Senate Bill 857. Dear Senators,
Action Alert: Show Your Support for Data Center Guardrails
House Bill 1834, approved by the state House with bipartisan support in March, is the first major legislation addressing data center development in Pennsylvania. Before
Connecting the Region
Creating and linking trails isn’t easy. It requires many experienced and dedicated people, a well-thought-out design, expensive materials, and yes, of course, a giant pot
Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Mini Grants Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2026 Contact: Josh Raulerson Email: jraulerson@pecpa.org Phone: 412-481-9400 Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Mini Grants Announced Pittston – The
Decarbonizing Power Generation in Pennsylvania
No state exports more electricity than Pennsylvania, and no state has a greater opportunity to reduce power-sector carbon emissions while advancing economically. Since 2007, PEC has helped to move the Commonwealth toward a thriving, zero-carbon economy with a reliable and resilient power system.
Policy
Backed by the latest science and more than fifty years of accumulated expertise, PEC advocates for environmental protection and restoration at local, state, and federal levels.
Vision Statement
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) protects and restores the natural and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education and advocacy. PEC believes in the value of partnerships with the private sector, government, communities and individuals to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.
Air
Greenhouse gases released by power generation and natural gas production account for the bulk of Pennsylvania’s carbon footprint. Through advocacy for effective emission controls and market-based decarbonization strategies, PEC is working to confront the climate emergency and set the policy agenda for a prosperous, clean-energy future.
Land
Pennsylvania’s 4 million acres of state- and federally-owned land comprise the backbone of a $12 billion outdoor industry, one of the nation’s largest. To support its continued success, and to enrich the lives of the millions of Pennsylvanians who recreate outdoors, PEC fights for ongoing investment in public lands, promoting conservation-focused approaches to local economic development and working with partners to build inclusive and welcoming regional trail networks
Water
Nothing is more vital than clean water. PEC works directly to advance watershed health through education and public outreach, providing support for community-level efforts to protect and improve local waterways, and helping municipalities to sustainably manage stormwater. Through our affiliate, the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR), we also support the Pennsylvania River of the Year and Pennsylvania River Sojourn Mini-Grant programs.
