Recent News
The latest on PEC’s policy advocacy and program work statewide.
19 Projects Honored at Governor’s Awards
above: PEC President Tom Gilbert and Secretaries Jessica Shirley and Cindy Adams Dunn present awards to The Nature Conservancy during the 2025 Governor’s Awards for
Exploring the Susquehanna River Water Trail
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is partnering with DiscoverNEPA on a series highlighting some of the region’s best outdoor adventure destinations. This post was originally published
PEC Comments on RESET Legislation
On Friday, June 6, PEC submitted comments to the House Energy Committee on legislation to establish the Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition (RESET) Board:
PRESS Legislation Advances
House Bill 501, enacting the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standards (PRESS), was approved at the June 2nd meeting of the House Environmental and Natural Resource
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.
