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Power grid concerns complicate green energy talks

Plus, VP debate at Lafayette College is canceled.

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A daily newsletter by The logo of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom producing investigative journalism for Pennsylvania.
Your Postmaster: Tanisha Thomas



Thursday, June 27, 2024
Today: Green energy, birth control, political ads, energy sources, locked phones, campaign concerns, and canceled debates.
GOING GREEN
As billions of federal dollars for clean energy projects become available to Pennsylvania, state lawmakers have ramped up talks about making the commonwealth’s energy network greener. But big questions about the future of the state’s electrical grid surround those discussions. 
 
Major policy decisions are on the table, like regulating new hydrogen production and carbon capture industries, capping emissions, and speeding up permitting. 
 
But Republicans say they’re concerned that in the coming years, energy production will fall short of growing demand — both from Pennsylvania residents and from entities outside of the state that purchase its power. They also fear that passing legislation to incentivize clean energy production or capping emissions will worsen shortages.
 
Environmental advocates say the concerns are excuses, and many argue clean energy is the solution to potential shortages.

Read Spotlight PA's full report: Power grid concerns complicate talks about incentivizing green energy in Pa.
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NOTABLE / QUOTABLE
 
“I’ve never rendered judgment on him, because he is the leader, he is the democratically elected leader. And my support, my support follows Israel.”
 
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) discussing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a New Yorker profile; the two appeared together in Israel on Wednesday.
BERKS STUDY
A woman in Berks County shares what local news coverage she wants to read as part of a Spotlight PA study
Berks County residents are extremely frustrated with the diminished capacity of the local newspaper and they are concerned about a lack of access to trustworthy information in their community, according to a groundbreaking study released today by Spotlight PA.

In response to the findings, Spotlight PA is planning to launch a new regional reporting bureau in Berks County to be supported primarily by people living and working in the region. Read the full story, and then support the effort »
 
📷 POST IT
Darby Creek winding its way through the Tinicum Marsh at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware County, via Don N. Send us photos by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania
branches and leaves frame around a bridge
DAILY RUNDOWN
Today's top news story in Pennsylvania.
CONTRACEPTIVE BILL: The Pennsylvania House advanced a bill this week that would ensure contraceptive access here. The AP reports the bill would “have the state health secretary or physician general issue a statewide standing order for FDA-approved over-the-counter contraceptive drugs, including emergency contraception.” The vote comes after Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked a bill that would protect women’s access to birth control nationwide. 
 
Today's second top news story in Pennsylvania.
AIR FIGHT: Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is accusing a Pennsylvania Democratic super PAC of airing a misleading TV ad that “may interfere with the right of Trump supporters to cast their ballots in Pennsylvania,” The Inquirer (paywall) reports. The ad features clips of Trump speaking out against mail ballots in 2020 — a stance Republicans have since backpedaled on. The ad sounds as if it's a warning against mail voting coming from Trump and the GOP today.
 
Today's third top news story in Pennsylvania.
CHARITY CONFLICT? One-time Summer Lee primary opponent Laurie MacDonald is being questioned about whether she improperly used resources from the anti-domestic violence charity she runs for campaign materials, WESA reports. The head of a statewide anti-domestic violence group wants MacDonald to clarify her Pittsburgh-based charity’s role in the bid after seeing it used in campaign messages. MacDonald said she would "never do anything to jeopardize" the organization.
 
Today's fourth top news story in Pennsylvania.
NO DEBATE: There will not be a vice presidential debate in September at Lafayette College, PoliticsPA reports. The Commission on Presidential Debates has canceled the Easton event and several others. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump chose not to participate in CPD-sponsored debates this time. Biden and Trump debate today at 9 p.m. on CNN — the first such debate in more than 30 years without the CPD supervising.
 
Today's fifth top news story in Pennsylvania.
PHONE POLICY: Public schools would be able to lock up students' phones during the school day under a bill advanced this week by the Pennsylvania Senate Education committee, Capital-Star reports. The bill would fund a voluntary two-year pilot program if passed, and students would be required to put their phones in lockable pouches.
Support vital journalism for Pennsylvania. Donate to Spotlight PA today.
IN OTHER NEWS
LONG WAIT: Pittsburgh International Airport is advising travelers to arrive at least three hours early for morning flights this summer due to long security lines, WESA reports. There are ways to reduce the wait
 
DONOR REQUEST: Two people who donated parts of their bodies to Philadelphia’s Mütter Museum want them back because of how the museum is handling human remains, WHYY reports. 
 
'MISBRANDED': Montgomery County's Bimbo Bakeries USA — maker of Sara Lee, Thomas’, and more — received an FDA warning to stop saying products contain allergens when they don’t, per the AP. 
 
SCHOOL SCAM: An international student was caught using fake documents to attend Lehigh University on a scholarship after confessing to it anonymously on Reddit, the Morning Call (paywall) reports.
 
OLYMPIC PROSPECT: A Tioga County grandmother and three-time Olympian is competing again after retiring over 20 years ago. The Inquirer (paywall) reports she could make the team and head to Paris.
SCRAMBLER
Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag. Answers submitted by 5:30 p.m. on issue date will be countedPlease include your first name and last initial.

A M Y E L R K A
 
Yesterday's answer: Expendable
 
Congrats to our daily winners: Morgan B., Eric F., Eddy Z., Stacy S., Beth H., Jon W., Jill M., Richard A., Elaine C., Jane R., Barbara F., Karen W., Joel S., Don H., Bob C., Connie K., Mike H., Susan N., Jody A., Ada M., Vicki U., Pat E., Beth T., Daniel M., Julie K., John A., Stanley J., Matthew A., Janie C., Karen K., Starr B., Don S., Kimberly D., Vanessa J., Perry H., Marie B., Lynne E., Alan B., Annette I., Sherri A., Jasper L., William Z., Tom M., Tish M., Daniel S., Bob S., Evelyn D., Wendy A., Roxane V., John H., Janice H., Patricia W, Rena Z., and Perry H.
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