Moms are working in Pennsylvania to fight for clean air and a stable climate. We host events, share information about what’s going on, and create opportunities for mothers to talk to their legislators about their concerns. Please join us in Pennsylvania, and let us know about your priorities.
What We’re Working On
Tell Governor Shapiro and the DEP: PA Families Want Clean Air and Water
Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to clean air and clean water. These rights are being threatened by five proposed facilities that threaten both—and the health of our children. If the government allows these facilities to move forward, the landscape of Pennsylvania could be changed for decades to come.
Tell Governor Shapiro: PA Families Want a Strong Methane Plan
Pennsylvania is working on a plan to update our state methane protections to match strong new federal protections from the U.S. EPA. Our state needs a good and durable plan to ensure Pennsylvania families feel all the public health, economic, and environmental benefits of the federal rule.
Tell Governor Shapiro: Cut Carbon Pollution for Pennsylvania Families
Cap-and-invest programs reduce pollution by making our largest polluters pay and investing those funds back into communities. Pennsylvania families need a strong cap-and-invest program, like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is currently held up in the courts, to defends our children's health and our climate through investments in clean air projects and a just transition for energy communities.
Learn More: Cleaner Air for Pennsylvania With Clean Trucks
Pennsylvania needs to electrify our transportation—from passenger cars to school buses to heavy-duty trucks—to achieve our established climate goals and clean up the air in our communities. The commonwealth is committed to joining other states in adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks program, a move that has potential to increase the number of pollution-free electric vehicles on our roads.
Meet Your Pennsylvania State Organizers
Vanessa Lynch, Brooke Petry, and Rachel Meyer
Vanessa Lynch is Moms’ Field Organizer for western Pennsylvania. Brooke Petry is Moms’ Field Organizer for eastern Pennsylvania. Rachel Meyer is Moms’ Ohio River Valley coordinator.
Pictured: Vanessa, Brooke, and Rachel.
Highlights
- Pennsylvania Moms attend Play-In for Climate Action in DC. In July 2024, Patrice Tomcik, Rachel Meyer, Brooke Petry, Vanessa Lynch, and Vanessa’s niece joined Moms at the National Children’s Museum for a morning of purposeful play and a press conference about children’s health in our changing climate, followed by meetings with elected officials at the Capitol. Read more.
- Moms celebrate the cancellation of a proposed advanced recycling plant in Point Township. In April 2024, we celebrated a big win when the Northumberland Borough Council passed a resolution that blocked the development of what had planned to be the largest “chemical recycling” plastics burning plant in the U.S. Read more.
- Pennsylvania Moms celebrate electric school buses in Pittsburgh with Congresswoman Summer Lee. In February 2024, Moms’ Vanessa Lynch participated in a press conference with Congresswoman Lee to celebrate electric school buses coming to Pittsburgh Public Schools. Watch the replay.
- Pennsylvania Moms fight plastics industry pollution in their community. In November 2023, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners at the Shell Accountability Campaign for a press conference. Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer joined her neighbors to demand that Shell be held accountable for polluting their community’s air and water.
- Moms celebrate the capping of 100 orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania. In October 2023, Moms Clean Air Force Field Director Patrice Tomcik joined Governor Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Environmental Defense Fund Executive Director Amanda Leland at Hillman State Park to witness the capping of the 100th orphaned and abandoned oil and gas well in the commonwealth that year.
- Pennsylvania mom tours frontline oil and gas communities with PA Department of Environmental Protection. In October 2023, Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch joined Richard Negrin, the Secretary of the PA Department of Environmental Protection, for a Frackland Tour of southwestern Pennsylvania. The tour visited communities on the frontline of oil and gas development and heard stories from local families.
Events and Resources in Pennsylvania
Why We Care
Pennsylvania’s fossil fuel legacy, including fracking and natural gas production, exposes children to harmful methane pollution. As the second largest natural-gas-producing state in the country, and with tens of thousands of oil and gas operations, Pennsylvania experiences methane leaks that contribute to air pollution, climate change, and health risks. Studies link proximity to these operations with asthma, birth defects, respiratory diseases, and even cancer. Children, with developing organ systems, are especially vulnerable.
Pennsylvania joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in 2022, but we’ve been missing out on the potential benefits of this program as our participation in it is held up in the courts. The commonwealth must further prioritize carbon reductions across the economy to limit global warming and protect public health.
The Ohio River Valley is seeing a surge in ethane cracker plants, which pollute the air with toxins that threaten nearby communities. Smog and particle pollution continue to impact Pennsylvania’s air quality, harming children’s respiratory health and overall well-being. Moms Clean Air Force fights for stronger pollution safeguards to protect kids.
February Coffee & Climate Conversation: Black History Month
VirtualJoin Moms Clean Air Force for a special Coffee & Climate Conversation in honor of Black History Month on Thursday, February 20. We’re honored to welcome Moms' Almeta Cooper, a ...
Past Events
January 2025
On January 16, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer gave comments on ARCH2 during the NEPA EIS virtual scoping meeting.
December 2024
On December 17, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry attended a Zero-Emission Trucks event.
November 2024
On November 20, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch participated in a Clean School Bus Program webinar.
On November 13, Pennsylvania Moms hosted a press event in Harrisburg to deliver a petition to the Department of Environmental Protection and the Governor on stopping petrochemical buildout.
On November 12, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch gave testimony to the Pennsylvania Citizens Advisory Council on the need for a strong methane SIP.
October 2024
On October 29, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch participated in an Indiana Township Community meeting, “Fracking 101: Frontline Impacts & Setbacks.”
On October 10, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch gave public comments at the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee (AQTAC) meeting on the need for a strong methane state plan.
On October 1, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry attended an electric school bus event and press conference in Harrisburg, as well as a transit event at the capitol.
September 2024
On September 24, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry attended a Solar for School press event with state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (PA-184) and spoke to numerous climate legislators.
On September 19, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Director Patrice Tomcik spoke at an orphaned well community event in McKean, Pennsylvania.
On September 18, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Director Patrice Tomcik spoke at at an orphaned well community event in Clarion, Pennsylvania with Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch.
On September 17, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Director Patrice Tomcik spoke at an orphaned well community event in Venago, Pennsylvania with Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley Field Organizer Rachel Meyer.
On September 17, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch spoke at a Route zero press event in Erie, Pennsylvania on clean cars.
On September 12, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch spoke at the Clean Energy REVolution Tour Pittsburgh with Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17).
On September 11, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch spoke at a community meeting in Indiana Township about a proposed gas wellpad.
On September 9, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley Field Organizer Rachel Meyer joined partners Food and Water Watch, Clean Air Council, 3 Rivers Waterkeepers, and BCMAC to hold a letter writing party at the Beaver Library thanking local elected officials and Pennsylvania senators for their efforts at protections from petrochemical pollution and urging them to do more.
August 2024
On August 28, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch spoke at an electric school bus press event with Representative DeLuzio.
On August 9, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley Field Organizer Rachel Meyer attended a community meeting on the Erie, Pennsylvania IRG facility.
On August 8, National Field Director Patrice Tomcik spoke at a webinar for Pennsylvania elected officials on plugging orphaned wells.
On August 7, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley Field Organizer Rachel Meyer shared Moms materials at a BCMAC webinar on the Shell facility Title V permits.
July 2024
On July 24, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch attended a Planning Commission meeting with Indiana Township where the Planning Commission voted to recommend denying the request of a management company to rezone land for the purpose of fracking.
June 2024
On June 8, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley Field Organizer Rachel Meyer joined Garrison Day in Beaver, Pennsylvania.
On June 5, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley Field Organizer Rachel Meyer represented Pennsylvania moms in a webinar with the Evangelical Environment Network on Pipeline Leaks and the PHMSA rule.
April 2024
On April 27, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry tabled at the EcoFair in Philadelphia.
On April 23, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch joined lawmakers and business leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Steelton-Highspire High School as they begin deploying brand new electric school buses.
On April 21, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry tabled at the Climate Solutions Earth Day Party in Philadelphia.
On April 13, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania Organizer Vanessa Lynch hosted a table at the Communitopia Youth Climate Action Summit in Pittsburgh.
On April 10, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley Field Organizer Rachel Meyer facilitated a group educational event with about 30 residents on Shell’s ethane cracker plant in Beaver. The discussion focused on the potential health impacts of the pollution from the facility and the surrounding supporting fracking infrastructure.
On April 2, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch spoke at a press conference with Acting Secretary of Pennsylvania DEP Jessica Shirley, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Evergreen Action, Ohio River Valley Institute, and a Union representative.
March 2024
On March 26, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley Field Organizer Rachel Meyer and Moms Clean Air Force National Manager, Health Equity Almeta Cooper gave testimony to the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) on the need for new PHMSA leak detection and repair rules.
On March 20, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch spoke on the Waste Emissions Charge: Holding Large Polluters Accountable Webinar.
On March 12, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch attended an event with Governor Shapiro to celebrate plugging the 200th orphaned well in Pennsylvania.
On March 6, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Director Patrice Tomcik, based in Pennsylvania, attended a fly in event in Washington, D.C. with Moms Clean Air Force Colorado organizer Laurie Anderson and Moms Clean Air Force National Field Manager Celerah Hewes. Together, they attended meetings with EPA, DOT, and Senate offices from Pennsylvania, Colorado, and New Mexico on the finalization of the EPA methane rule.
February 2024
On February 22, Moms Clean Air Force joined Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12), the Green New Deal Network, and a growing list of climate, racial justice, and organized labor activists for a community event and rally as we call on President Biden and our Pennsylvania state government to make bigger and bolder investments that keep our communities safe and healthy.
On February 20, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer gave comments about the EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) prioritization review on vinyl chloride. Read her testimony.
On February 12, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Director Patrice Tomcik and Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch provided testimony regarding the EPA’s Methane Emissions Reduction Program along with other Moms from across the country. Read Patrice’s testimony and Vanessa’s testimony.
On February 8, Moms Clean Air Force PA hosted a Pittsburgh Clean School Bus event with Representative Summer Lee (PA-12), First Student, and local activists. Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch spoke at the press conference.
January 2024
On January 9, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch spoke at an EPA Electric School Bus webinar for Pennsylvania.
On January 6-7, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch participated in two community meetings about oil and gas wells in the Indiana Township and in West Deer.
December 2023
On December 12, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer participated in a press conference and gave remarks during the public comment period for the proposed Empire Diversified chemical recycling facility in Follansbee, WV.
November 2023
On November 29, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch and Moms Clean Air Force Ohio organizer Tracy Sabetta joined the Evangelical Environmental Network and the Environmental Defense Fund for an informational webinar on tackling harmful methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) pollution in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
On November 15, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer joined our partners at the Shell Accountability Campaign for a press conference to mark the first anniversary of the operation of Shell’s Beaver County Plastic Plant.
On November 2, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer and Supermom Hilary Flint presented on health and safety concerns associated with the petrochemical buildout of Shell’s ethane cracker plant in Beaver County at an event titled “Concerned about Shell? So Are We!: An Educational Community Conversation,” co-hosted by Food & Water Watch.
October 2023
On October 20, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch joined frontline community members in a meeting with the White House Office of Management and Budget to push for the swift finalization of EPA’s methane standards. Read her testimony here.
On October 20, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer joined Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, for a Frackland Tour of southwestern Pennsylvania. The tour visited communities on the frontline of oil and gas development and heard stories from local families.
On October 18, Moms Clean Air Force Field Director Patrice Tomcik joined Governor Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Environmental Defense Fund Executive Director Amanda Leland at Hillman State Park to witness the capping of the 100th orphaned and abandoned oil and gas well in the commonwealth this year.
On October 16, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch joined Richard Negrin, the Secretary of the PA Department of Environmental Protection, for a Frackland Tour of southwestern Pennsylvania. The tour visited communities on the frontline of oil and gas development and heard stories from local families.
On October 12, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners at Food & Water Watch for a community conversation at the Monaca Public Library about concerns about the Shell plastics facility in Beaver County and the government’s emergency response plans and notification procedures.
On October 12, to honor Children’s Environmental Health Day, Moms Clean Air Force sat down with Kristina Marusic, author of A New War on Cancer, to talk about cancer and environmental health. Watch the replay.
On October 8, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch gave a presentation to the Youth Group at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills about climate advocacy in Pittsburgh and beyond.
September 2023
On September 21, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners at Food & Water Watch for a community conversation about the Shell plastics facility in Beaver County and the government’s emergency response plans and notification procedures. This was the first of a series of town halls organized by community leaders to educate neighbors about the Shell facility, its health and safety impacts, and actions community members can take.
August 2023
On August 15, Moms Clean Air Force joined PennEnvironment and our partners in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, for a webinar about EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. Our panel of national experts shared information about the innovative technology behind electric school buses, the health benefits of this technology—and ways local school districts can tap into Clean School Bus Program funds. Watch the replay.
On August 14, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer attended the Darlington Township Board of Supervisors meeting to ask how the $660,000 the township received from Norfolk Southern for cleanup after the February 3 train derailment would be spent. She was joined by several residents who spoke about the negative health impacts they are still experiencing from the petrochemicals spilled and burned during the derailment.
On August 12, Moms Clean Air Force joined Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-3), PennFuture, PennEnvironment, and our partners across the commonwealth to celebrate the economic, health, climate, and jobs benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
On August 8, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners at HealthfirstPA for a webinar to discuss pollution and children’s health in the context of the chemical spill in East Palestine and its impacts in western Pennsylvania. Watch the replay.
On August 3, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners for a virtual symposium about how life has changed for the people of East Palestine and nearby communities six months following the catastrophic train derailment. Through a series of three panel discussions, we reviewed the available science to see what we still don’t know and what is needed to bridge the gap; examined policy options to prevent future disasters, ensure that polluters are held responsible, and protect communities and workers; and developed plans for coordinated action. Watch the replays: Panel 1 “Community Voices,” Panel 2 “Researchers,” Panel 3 “Policy”
July 2023
On July 26, 2023, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry joined our partners at PennEnvironment and PennPIRG at a press event in Philadelphia to announce a new report: Electric Vehicles Save Money for Government Fleets. Watch the replay.
June 2023
On June 13–15, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Director Patrice Tomcik, Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer, Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry, and a volunteer from Media joined more than 70 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 22 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for carbon pollution from power plants. Read Patrice’s testimony here, Rachel’s here, and Brooke’s here.
On June 10, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer hosted a table at the Garrison Day Show and Sale in Beaver.
On June 8, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners at the Shell Accountability Coalition in Irvine Park for the first in-person rally since the toxic Shell petrochemical plant came online. We heard from local leaders, demanded that Shell immediately stop poisoning us and the Ohio River Valley, and celebrated our community.
On June 5, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry attended a press event in Harrisburg with state Representative Elizabeth Fielder to support her bill to bring solar energy to Pennsylvania’s schools.
May 2023
On May 16, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer attended a community meeting and press event in Negley, Ohio, organized by the Unity Council. The Unity Council is a group of Ohio and Pennsylvania residents affected by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine. They formed to ensure the people’s right to clean air, water, and soil.
On May 16, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer and Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry gave testimony at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for pollution from chemical manufacturing facilities. Read Rachel’s testimony here and Brooke’s here.
On May 9–10, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Director Patrice Tomcik, Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer, and Pennsylvania coordinators Vanessa Lynch and Brooke Petry joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 16 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for pollution from cars and trucks. Read Patrice’s testimony here, Rachel’s here, Vanessa’s here, and Brooke’s here.
On May 9, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry joined our partners at PennEnvironment for a press conference about the new report “Pennsylvania’s Dirty Dozen,” which identifies the largest climate polluters in the commonwealth. The event at City Hall in Philadelphia also featured state Representatives Chris Rabb and Joe Hoehenstein, Philadelphia Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Jamie Gauthier, Clean Air Council’s Russell Zerbo, and PennEnvironment’s Stephanie Wein.
On May 9, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Director Patrice Tomcik, Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer, and Pennsylvania coordinators Vanessa Lynch and Brooke Petry joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 15 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on the proposal to strengthen the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Read Patrice’s testimony here, Rachel’s here, Vanessa’s here, and Brooke’s here.
On May 2–3, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Director Patrice Tomcik, Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer, and Pennsylvania coordinators Vanessa Lynch and Brooke Petry joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 18 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for greenhouse gas pollution from heavy-duty trucks. Read Patrice’s testimony here, Rachel’s here, Vanessa’s here, and Brooke’s here.
April 2023
On April 26, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer joined Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania for a town hall meeting about environmental health at the Beaver Area Memorial Library.
In honor of Earth Month, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinators Brooke Petry and Vanessa Lynch joined our partners across the commonwealth for an environmental lobby day in Harrisburg.
On April 23, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer hosted a booth at the Baden Earth Day celebration on the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse Grounds.
On April 20, Moms Clean Air Force was invited to Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence to celebrate Earth Day. They were joined by environmental advocates and Indigenous leaders from across the country.
On April 20, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch attended an Evening with the Women of the Allegheny County Delegation, an event featuring state Representatives Emily Kinkead, Jess Benham, Sara Innamorato, Anita Kulik, Latasha D. Mayes, Abigail Stansbury, and Mandy Steele, and state Senator Lindsey Williams.
On April 20, Moms Clean Air Force gave a “lunch and learn” presentation on our work on air pollution and public health in Pennsylvania to state Department of Health staff.
On April 11, Moms Clean Air Force participated in a press conference with local officials about the DERAIL Act and protections from petrochemical pollution. Speakers at the event in Pittsburgh included Congresswoman Summer Lee, State Senator Lindsey Williams, Conservation Voters of PA’s Katie Blume, 412 Justice’s NaTisha Washington, Moms Clean Air Force’s Vanessa Lynch, Penn Environment’s Zach Barber, and Group Against Smog & Pollution’s Patrick Campbell.
March 2023
On March 23, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry attended the Green Philly Symposium.
On March 16, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch attended a press conference celebrating air monitoring grants from the Inflation Reduction Act with Congresswoman Summer Lee, State Representative Sarah Innamorato, and Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Erika Strassburger. Watch the replay.
On March 14, Moms Clean Air Force Senior National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik and Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer attended the Pennsylvania Bipartisan House Policy Committee Hearing on the Impact of the Norfolk Southern Train Derailment. Rachel spoke to several news outlets covering the hearing about the connection between East Palestine train derailment and the buildout of petrochemical facilities in the Ohio River Valley.
On March 9, Moms Clean Air Force joined a briefing by some of Pennsylvania’s top public health experts and community activists about EPA’s proposal to reduce soot pollution. The event was sponsored by PennEnvironment, Moms Clean Air Force, and our partners across the commonwealth.
On March 9, Moms Clean Air Force showed up in force for the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing about the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. No one from the community was invited to testify at the hearing, so three Moms members from East Palestine came to put a face to the disaster. Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Louisiana, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, also attended. Watch our Moms in action.
On March 3, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry participated in the Fridays for Future Climate Strike in Philadelphia.
February 2023
On February 23, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer joined our partners at Eyes on Shell for a webinar about pollution from the Shell ethane cracker facility in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Panelists shared a report card on Shell’s first 100 days in operation and ways to help hold the company accountable for violations, equipment malfunctions, and pollution. Watch the replay.
In February, Moms Clean Air Force Senior National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik, Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer, Pennsylvania coordinators Vanessa Lynch and Brooke Petry, and 2 volunteers joined more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members across the country to testify at the EPA hearing on proposed federal standards for soot pollution. Read Patrice’s testimony here, Rachel’s here, Vanessa’s here, and Brooke’s here.
On February 15, Moms Clean Air Force hosted a virtual panel discussion about plastic incineration. Panelists explained what plastic incineration is and how it affect people’s health and environmental justice communities. Panelists also discussed the $1.1 billion dollar facility coming to Point Township, Pennsylvania, and how Pennsylvanians can take action. Watch the replay.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry attended Congresswoman Susan Wild’s tele-town hall on February 15.
January 2023
On January 20, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry rallied at City Hall in Philadelphia with our partners at PennEnvironment, Penn Future, and Physicians for Social Responsibility to celebrate two years of climate progress under the Biden administration. The event focused on the need to continue to advocate for standards to cut air pollution and address climate change. Watch the replay.
On January 17, Moms Clean Air Force joined PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center, Clean Air Council, Environmental Defense Fund, the Evangelical Environmental Network, Environmental Health Project, and Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania for a webinar about EPA’s new proposal to reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas industry. Speakers shared details about the proposal, what it means for Pennsylvania, and how they could take action to protect our health and climate. Watch the replay.
On January 10, 11, and 12, more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 21 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its updated proposal to cut methane and other harmful pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations. Moms Clean Air Force Senior National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik, Pennsylvania coordinators Vanessa Lynch and Brooke Petry, Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer, Kids Clean Air Force member Nor Petry-Sebok, and four Supermoms offered testimony.
December 2022
On December 2, Moms Clean Air Force joined Fridays for Future Philadelphia to write chalk messages about climate change in Rittenhouse Square.
November 2022
On November 21, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer attended the Shell Accountability Campaign launch. This campaign is a combined effort of community members and organizations to press Shell to respond to demands for the company to take greater responsibility for the negative health effects of their Monaca, Pennsylvania, ethane cracker plant.
On November 16, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners in Pennsylvania to host a PA ❤ RGGI rally in Philadelphia’s Love Park. The rally came as the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court considers the merits of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Watch the replay.
On November 4, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry attended the Fridays for Future weekly climate strike at Philadelphia City Hall to spread the word about the importance of voting in the 2022 midterm elections.
October 2022
On October 24, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer joined the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC) for a virtual conversation about the impacts of ethane cracker plants on frontline communities.
Moms Clean Air Force Senior Policy Analyst Patrice Tomcik and Petrochemical Strategy Advisor Cynthia Palmer attended the Break Free From Plastic National Summit Against Petrochemicals in Port Arthur, Texas, from October 21 to 23.
On October 13, Pennsylvania Moms joined Red Wine and Blue for a virtual conversation about how our climate, health, and kids’ future is powered by your vote.
On October 11, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer joined a discussion about how fossil fuels and petrochemical development are affecting the physical and mental health of both children and adults.
On October 6, Moms Clean Air Force joined advocates from environmental justice, public health, and environmental organizations in Pittsburgh as part of a nationwide day of action to call on President Biden to take immediate action to cut methane pollution from the oil and gas industry. Speakers included PA State Representative Sara Innamorato, Moms Clean Air Force’s Patrice Tomcik, Protect Penn’s Gillian Graber, Clean Air Council’s Lois Bower-Bjornson, Fractracker’s Shannon Smith, and pediatrician Dr. Deborah Gentile. Watch the replay.
On October 6, Moms Clean Air Force joined advocates from environmental justice, public health, and environmental organizations outside the White House as part of a nationwide day of action to call on President Biden to take immediate action to cut methane pollution from the oil and gas industry. Speakers included Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania’s Vanessa Lynch, GreenLatinos’ Dharma Santos-Santiago, and Natural Resources Defense Council’s Lissa Lynch. Watch the replay.
Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer hosted a Get Out the Vote event in Beaver County.
September 2022
On September 27 and 28, Senior National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik, Pennsylvania state coordinator Vanessa Lynch, and Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer joined Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from across the country to speak out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its proposed Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention rule, which will better protect the health and safety of communities vulnerable to chemical disasters by strengthening existing safeguards and introducing new ones. Read Patrice’s testimony HERE, Vanessa’s HERE, and Rachel’s HERE.
On September 23, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch attended the Global Youth Climate Strike in Pittsburgh.
On September 23, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch and Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer attended the Global Youth Climate Strike at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
On September 21 and 23, Moms Clean Air Force joined Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania and the Breathe Collaborative for a tour of Shell’s recently constructed ethane cracker, its associated infrastructure, and neighboring sites along a heavily industrialized stretch of the Ohio River.
On September 20, Moms Clean Air Force joined the Climate Action Campaign and Penn Environment in Philadelphia to launch Solutions for Pollution, a campaign calling on the Biden administration to advance 20 protections across federal agencies that could cut climate pollution and protect children’s health. Watch the replay.
On September 7, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer presented at the monthly Eyes on Shell meeting with Breathe Project’s Michele Fetting and Clean Air Council’s Terrie Baumgardner.
On September 3, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer attended the Big Knob Grange Fair in Rochester. She shared information about Moms’ petrochemical work in Pennsylvania and ways parents can get involved.
August 2022
On August 19, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania state coordinator Brooke Petry joined Senator Bob Casey and our Pennsylvania partners for a conversation about the Inflation Reduction Act at the Walnut Street Cafe in Philadelphia.
On August 12, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania state coordinator Brooke Petry traveled to Washington, DC, to join our partners on Capitol Hill to show support for the Inflation Reduction Act, ahead of the House vote.
On August 11, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch joined Allegheny County Councilwoman Anita Prizio, Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, and Holly Jensen, a travel ER nurse, for a press conference to call on the Biden administration and Pennsylvania’s federal elected officials to support a new round of stronger federal clean car standards from EPA. Watch the replay.
On August 9, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer hosted a reading of Every Breath We Take at the B. F. Jones Memorial Library in Aliquippa.
On August 5, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry participated in a rally outside Senator Bob Casey’s office in Philadelphia in support of the Inflation Reduction Act. Watch the replay.
July 2022
On July 21, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry attended the Health Solutions to Pollution Rally outside the EPA building in Philadelphia hosted by our partners at Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light, Clean Air Council, and Physicians for Social Responsibility. Together participants told EPA and Congress to act boldly on climate.
On July 17, Moms Clean Air Force attended the Ohio Valley River Fest at Monaca Riverfront Park to spread the word about the effects of petrochemical pollution on our health.
June 2022
On June 14, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry attended a webinar about school bus electrification hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Electric School Bus Experience Project.
On June 11, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer attended the 43rd Annual Garrison Day Show and Sale in Beaver, Pennsylvania. She partnered with the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community to raise awareness about the environmental and health impacts of ethane cracker plants.
On June 2, Moms Clean Air Force joined Penn Environment for Pennsylvania’s largest annual citizen lobby day for climate action. Hundreds of Pennsylvanians from across the commonwealth held Zoom lobby meetings with state legislators and their staff to advocate for state legislation to help fight climate change.
On June 1, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer presented the community health impacts of ethane cracker facilities at the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community’s Eyes on Shell meeting.
May 2022
On May 26, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry attended a webinar titled “Access and Equity in Asthma Care” hosted by the Allergy and Asthma Network.
On May 22, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch attended a spring picnic and info session hosted by the Concerned Residents of West Deer (CROWD). During the info session, Vanessa gave a presentation on the health impacts of fracking. Read more about the event and CROWD’s work.
On May 18, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer joined Alan Septoff, Information Systems Director for Earthworks, and Marie DeMarco, Health Educator & Medical Advocacy Coordinator, Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, for a virtual presentation of Earthworks’ Oil and Gas Threat Map. The Oil and Gas Threat Map shows information about those living within a half mile of oil and gas facilities in Pennsylvania and other states, including increased risk of cancer and respiratory health problems. Watch the replay.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch attended a reading from the book Amity and Prosperity by Eliza Griswold, an exposé about fracking’s impact on a small Pennsylvania town.
On May 10, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry attended a webinar hosted by Penn Future and Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania on Bucks County’s recovery from Hurricane Ida. The discussion included State Senator Steve Santarsiero and local elected officials.
On May 6, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer attended the Shell Pennsylvania Chemicals Project Virtual Community Meeting for updates on the ethane plant.
Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer attended the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community’s Eyes on Shell community meeting the first week of May.
April 2022
On April 30, Pennsylvania Moms co-hosted an Earth Month litter cleanup event at Emmerling Park in Indiana Township.
On April 24, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer attended the Baden Earth Day celebration and shared opportunities to volunteer with Moms to hold the petrochemical industry accountable in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
On April 23, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania cosponsored the annual Earth Day litter walk in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia led by Ya Fav Trashman.
On April 20, Senior National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik gave testimony at EPA’s virtual public hearing for the Cross State Air Pollution Rule, which will help clean up ozone pollution that knows no borders. Read her testimony HERE.
On April 19, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry spoke at the Tuesdays with Toomey rally in front of Senator Pat Toomey’s Philadelphia office. She was joined by Annie Regan, Campaign Coordinator of ReImagine Appalachia, and they spoke about climate, jobs, and justice. Watch the replay.
On April 16, Kids Clean Air Force North Carolina members shared their thoughts about clean air and climate change in Moms Clean Air Force’s Youth Voices Talk Climate Change program. This event was organized by Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch. Watch the replay.
On April 12, 13, and 14, dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 18 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its proposal to clean up tailpipe pollution from heavy-duty trucks and buses. Moms Clean Air Force Senior National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik, Pennsylvania coordinators Brooke Petry and Vanessa Lynch, Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer, and Kids Clean Air Force member Caia Farrell offered testimony. Read Patrice’s testimony HERE, Brooke’s HERE, Vanessa’s HERE, and Rachel’s HERE.
On April 9, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry hosted a cleanup at FDR Park in South Philadelphia with Penn Environment in honor of Earth Month.
On April 6, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch attended a stakeholder meeting about the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
March 2022
On March 23, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry attended a webinar about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative hosted by the Climate Reality Project.
February 2022
On February 24, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Brooke Petry participated in a tele-town hall with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.
On February 24, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 15 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing on its proposal to restore the appropriate and necessary finding of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Moms Clean Air Force Senior National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik, Pennsylvania coordinators Vanessa Lynch and Brooke Petry, and three volunteers from across the state offered testimony. Read Patrice’s testimony HERE, Vanessa’s HERE, and Brooke’s HERE.
On February 9, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch was the guest speaker at a meeting hosted by Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light and the PA Jewish Earth Alliance. Vanessa, who lives in a township with a well pad and 8 fracked gas wells, talked about the impact of methane pollution from oil and gas operations on communities and on our families’ health.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch presented at a Pennsylvania legislative Climate Caucus meeting about state and EPA methane regulations, particularly about their impact on Pennsylvania communities near oil and gas operations.
January 2022
On January 26, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik joined a Halt the Harm panel to discuss how methane and related emissions are impacting health for frontline community members in Pennsylvania and how our comments to the EPA can improve air quality locally, given strengthened regulations at the federal level. Other panelists addressed the methane pollution impacts in Colorado and New Mexico.
December 2021
On December 15, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania coordinator Vanessa Lynch attended the West Deer Board of Supervisors meeting during which the proposed well pad for the community was denied. Read the press statement.
On December 10, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizers Vanessa Lynch and Brooke Petry attended a Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania conference titled “Cradle to Grave: The Reverberating Health Hazards of Oil and Gas Industry.” The virtual event tackled the issue of how workers’ exposure to toxic PFAS chemicals and radioactivity can spread to their family, throughout their community, and beyond.
On December 9, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch provided testimony at the Pennsylvania Air Quality and Technical Advisory Committee’s meeting regarding the Department of Environmental Protection’s final methane and VOC regulations. Vanessa outlined the shortfalls of the regulations, which exempt an estimated 63,000 low-producing wells, include no provisions to move to nonpolluting pneumatic controllers, and continue to use wells’ production levels as a means for determining the need for leak detection and repair.
On December 8, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch attended Preparing for Petrochemicals, a virtual community meeting about the Shell petrochemical plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
On December 2, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch attended a webinar about the transportation and orphan wells provisions in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania joined 38 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 13 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s 3-day public hearing about the proposed rule to cut methane and other harmful air pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations in November and December 2021. Moms Clean Air Force National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik, Pennsylvania organizers Brooke Petry and Vanessa Lynch, and seven superparents offered testimony. Read Patrice’s full testimony here, read Vanessa’s here, and read Brooke’s here.
November 2021
On November 30, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch attended Health Effects Institute’s Abandoned and Orphaned Oil and Natural Gas Wells webinar.
On November 18, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry joined Environment America and Penn Environment in Philadelphia for the launch of a new campaign calling on UPS to electrify its delivery truck fleet. Watch the replay.
On November 17, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch attended the final West Deer Board of Supervisors public hearing about the Dionysus well pad. The board will make a decision about the well pad by mid-December.
On November 16, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch attended the PA Environmental Justice Advisory Board’s quarterly meeting.
On November 10, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch traveled to Harrisburg to attend an open information session for the state legislature on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Moms Clean Air Force cosponsored the event along with the Evangelical Environmental Network, PennFuture, and Natural Resources Defense Council.
On November 4, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry attended a virtual film screening of “Our Environment and Us” hosted by the Pennsylvania Office of Environmental Justice and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.
On November 3, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry attended a Climate Reality Project virtual information session about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and offered her expertise during Q&A.
October 2021
On October 28, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry attended a historic press conference, during which Governor Wolf announced the establishment of the Pennsylvania Office of Environmental Justice. She was invited to attend by State Representative Donna Bullock, chair of Pennsylvania’s Legislative Black Caucus. Watch the replay. Read Moms’ response to the announcement HERE.
On October 21, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch moderated a Health First PA webinar titled Air Pollution: Public Health Impacts and Solutions for Pennsylvanians. Panelists included Dr. Kelly A. Kuhns, Wehrheim School of Nursing; Dr. Marilyn Howarth, Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine; and Ms. Hui Yang, PhD candidate at Penn State University. Watch the replay.
On October 19, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik testified at the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s public hearing on the proposed reinstatement of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rulemaking.
On October 18, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Brooke Petry attended a webinar about Clean Air and Asthma hosted by Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania.
On October 1, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch joined moms from across the country in a meeting with the Office of Management and Budget about the proposed EPA methane rule for new and existing sources.
September 2021
On September 21, Pennsylvania moms participated in the Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Lobby Day. Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizers Vanessa Lynch and Brooke Petry, along with National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik, met with Representative Houlahan’s staff to advocate for important Black maternal health provisions in the Build Back Better Act, including programs specifically focused on easing the impacts of climate change on Black mothers and babies.
On September 14, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch joined Etna Mayor Tom Rengers, Allegheny County Councilmember Anita Prizio, Sharpsburg Council President Brittany Reno, and PennEnvironment’s Ashleigh Deemer for a press conference calling on Congress to address the increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events plaguing Pennsylvania by supporting the ambitious climate and clean energy investments included in the Build Back Better Budget. Watch the replay.
On September 1, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch attended the state Independent Regulatory Review Commission’s virtual meeting. During the meeting, the commission voted in favor of Pennsylvania linking to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The vote was a big step forward for cutting carbon pollution in Pennsylvania.
August 2021
On August 25, National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik and field organizer Vanessa Lynch joined more than 30 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 13 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing about strengthening near-term greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks. Read Patrice’s testimony here. Read Vanessa’s testimony here.
On August 24, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch participated in a public meeting on the Environmental, Health, and Local Impacts of Ethane Processing and Distribution, hosted by the US Department of Energy.
On August 5, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania talked to elected officials and community organizers about the importance of environmental justice and why it must be centered in any conversation about environmental advocacy. The program featured Heather McTeer Toney, Climate Justice Liason for EDF and Senior Advisor to Moms Clean Air Force; State Rep. Summer Lee; State Rep. Malcom Kenyatta; Sabirah Mahmud, Climate and Racial Justice Organizer for Philly Earth Alliance & the Black and Brown Coalition Philadelphia; and Ethan Story, Community Advocate for the Center for Coalfield Justice. Watch the replay.
July 2021
On July 29, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted an electric transit press event at the City-County Building in Pittsburgh. The event was part of Moms’ nationwide Let’s Get Rolling Tour, calling for federal funding to help localities upgrade old school and transit buses with better technology to reduce our communities’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and climate pollution. Watch the replay.
June 2021
On June 30, Pennsylvania moms hosted an information session about West Deer’s proposed Leto and Dionysus well pads, public health concerns, and how to get involved. Watch the replay.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania and Environmental Health Project held a press conference on June 23 to urge Governor Tom Wolf to act now to close loopholes in his proposed methane and volatile organic compound rules for the oil and gas industry. Watch the replay.
Pennsylvania moms joined Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from across the country to participate in EPA’s listening sessions on its upcoming oil and natural gas methane rule. National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik and Pennsylvania organizers Vanessa Lynch and Brooke Petry offered testimony. Read Patrice’s testimony here, Vanessa’s here, and Brooke’s here.
On June 10, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania field organizers Vanessa Lynch and Brooke Petry attended Penn Environment’s Virtual Climate Action Lobby Day to advocate for Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
On June 2, National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik, based in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, joined more than 40 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 16 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s first climate-related public hearing since President Biden took office. The hearing was about EPA’s proposal to restore long-standing state authority to protect residents from climate pollution from cars. Read Patrice’s testimony.
May 2021
On May 20, Mollie Michel, Moms Clean Air Force Project Manager for Communications & Strategic Partnerships, based in Philly, joined Delaware Interfaith Power & Light for a panel discussion of the health impacts of air pollution in local communities. Mollie was joined on the panel by Dr. Steph Lee, MD, MPH, FAAP, Physicians for Social Responsibility PA; Dr. David Donohue, MD, Progressive Health of Delaware; and Rep. Larry Lambert, Delaware General Assembly. Watch the replay.
April 2021
On April 29, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a special screening of Curious, by Philadelphia-based performing arts group Ants on a Log. This fun-filled, hourlong, kid-friendly screening ALSO featured guest appearances by climate champs Representative Sara Innamorato and Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, important video messages from Pennsylvania youth who have experienced dirty air in their communities, and a special story time. Watch the replay.
On April 29, in advance of the anticipated release of the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) final rule leading to Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the Clean Power PA coalition held a press conference with legislators, advocates, and affected Pennsylvanians to discuss RGGI’s benefits. Watch the replay.
On April 24, Pennsylvania Moms hosted a litter cleanup event for Earth Day.
On April 8, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch attended a meeting of the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee of the Department of Environmental Quality. Committee members discussed the timelines for advancing both methane and RGGI regulations. Additionally, the DEP presented the changes they are making to the RGGI rulemaking to address environmental justice concerns.
On April 5, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch attended the Environmental Justice in Pennsylvania conference. It was the first environmental justice conference held by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 11 years and represented the DEP and Environmental Justice Advisory Board’s effort to realign their work to engage environmental justice communities.
March 2021
Moms Clean Air Force hosted a virtual press conference on March 11 to call on Pennsylvania’s federal leaders to push for a transition to cleaner and pollution-free vehicles. State Representative Patty Kim, State College Mayor Ron Filippelli, Carlisle Borough Councilman Joel Hicks, and Pamela Frank, CEO, ChargEVC, joined Moms Clean Air Force Project Manager Mollie Michel in calling for US Clean Car Standards and a transition to pollution-free vehicles. Watch the replay.
On March 4, Moms Clean Air Force and partners sponsored a panel discussion of young climate leaders from Pennsylvania. The panelists discussed the serious impacts of methane pollution on climate change and the negative consequences of the oil and gas industry on public health. Watch the replay.
January 2021
On January 7, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania and partners hosted an important conversation about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and how it might benefit Pennsylvania’s children, families, & environmental justice communities. Panelists included Frederica Perera, PhD, Director of Translational Research and Founding Director of the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health; Laura Jacko, mom and climate advocate; and State Representative Donna Bullock (195th District), Chair, Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. Watch the replay.
November 2020
On November 23, Moms Clean Air Force met by phone with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to oppose the Trump administration’s efforts to ignore the science on particle pollution, or deadly soot.
October 2020
On October 29, in the third installment of the Roadmap to Oil & Gas Protections webinar series, co-sponsored by Moms Clean Air Force, Food & Water Watch, and the Environmental Integrity Project, members of three different communities where new or updated oil and gas ordinances and engagement have become more protective shared important lessons learned. Watch the replay.
On October 20, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania and the HealthFirst PA coalition hosted a discussion between medical professionals about how pollution from the oil and gas industry impacts the health of families and contributes to climate change. The conversation also covered how strong protections from methane oil and gas pollution can help clean up our air and how to make your voice heard by your elected leaders. Watch the replay.
On October 14, Pennsylvania State Sen. Katie Muth joined Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch, project manager Mollie Michel, and their children for a conversation about air pollution from the oil and gas industry, environmental justice, corporate influence over the legislature, and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as part of our 2020 Stay In and Speak Out for Climate Action. Watch the video HERE.
On October 8, in the second installment of the Roadmap to Oil & Gas Protections webinar series, co-sponsored by Moms Clean Air Force, Food & Water Watch, and the Environmental Integrity Project, Attorney John Smith shared a firsthand account of the legal essentials that have paved the way for ensuring local land use protections.
On October 8, Pennsylvania field organizer Vanessa Lynch hosted a storytime segment during the Children’s Environmental Health Day livestream. She used a video from her Moms Read For Our Future series: Kate, Who Tamed the Wind.
September 2020
On September 30, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio organizer Tracy Sabetta, Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch, and West Virginia organizer Leah Barbor sat down to discuss energy policy in their states and ways moms are working to ensure climate safety for our children. Watch the video here.
On September 29, Moms Clean Air Force chapters in DC, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia hosted watch parties for the first presidential debate. After receiving hundreds of emails and tweets from our members, debate moderator Chris Wallace strayed from the planned debate topics and spent 10 minutes questioning the candidates about their climate policy. It was the first time a debate moderator had asked a question about climate change during a presidential debate in 12 years.
On September 24, Lisa Graves Marcucci from Environmental Integrity Project, Robin Martin from Food & Water Watch, and Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch launched the Roadmap to Oil and Gas Protections webinar series. In this first installment in the series, they demystified local government engagement, explained how to ensure local land use rules are understood and implemented effectively, and discussed best practices for organizing as a community in order to become part of the decision-making process.
On September 3, Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch hosted a very special bilingual Moms Read for Our Future with Iowa organizer Karin Stein. Vanessa and Karin read Senorita Mariposa in both English and Spanish and led a bilingual singalong activity. Watch the storytime here and the singalong here.
Moms Clean Air Force Ohio organizer Tracy Sabetta and Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch sat down to discuss the largest public corruption case in Ohio history and Tracy’s work with coalition partners on the repeal of House Bill 6, which imposed energy bill rate hikes for Ohioans in order to bailout a corrupt energy company. Watch the video here.
August 2020
On August 26, Pennsylvania State Rep. Sara Innamorato joined Pennsylvania field organizer Vanessa Lynch, the Clean Air Council’s Lois Bower-Bjornson, and a few of our youngest activists to discuss air pollution, climate change, and how the representative is working to protect our families from these threats that impact health and well-being as part of our 2020 Stay In and Speak Out for Climate Action. Watch the video here.
July 2020
Pennsylvania field organizer Vanessa Lynch held a press conference with coalition partners from Evangelical Environmental Network and Environmental Health Project on July 27 to discuss the loopholes in the DEP’s proposed methane rulemaking and release the over 32,000 comments the coalition collected. Moms Clean Air Force contributed 4,200 of those comments. Watch the press conference here.
June 2020
On June 25, Pennsylvania field organizer Vanessa Lynch and Project Manager Patrice Tomcik joined Moms Clean Air Force organizers from across the country to offer comment in a meeting with OMB officials on the EPA’s proposed methane rule.
On June 23, 24, and 25, 18 members of Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in the Department of Environmental Protection’s virtual public hearings on a new rulemaking covering existing sources of oil and gas pollution. Oil and gas operations are leaking, venting, and flaring dangerous climate pollution at alarming rates, making our air less healthy to breathe and the climate crisis worse. As the second-largest natural gas-producing state in the nation, Pennsylvania has a responsibility to step up and become a national leader in reducing harmful methane and air pollution from existing oil and gas infrastructure.
On June 17, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania and partners hosted a virtual conversation about Pennsylvania’s oil and gas methane air pollution problem. The webinar provided background on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed rule to reduce harmful methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from existing oil and gas operations and information about how to submit public comments and participate in three virtual public hearings on the rule. View the webinar here.
In June Pennsylvania field organizer Vanessa Lynch and West Virginia field organizer Leah Barbor launched Moms Read for Our Future, a weekly virtual story and craft time.
April 2020
Project manager Mollie Michel participated in a Facebook Live roundtable with Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, the Citizens Climate Lobby, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, Penn Environment, Clean Air Council, and the Public Interest Law Center. Participants discussed keeping our air clean and protecting communities from environmental deregulation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Watch the video here.
Field organizer Vanessa Lynch participated in town halls with Rep. Conor Lamb, Rep. Sara Innamorato, and Rep. Summer Lee, asking each legislator what they were doing to reduce air pollution and protect Pennsylvanians’ respiratory health in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania joined with organizations across the state for an online teach-in on April 19. See field organizer Vanessa Lynch’s presentation on fracking here.
March 2020
Pennsylvania field organizer Vanessa Lynch co-hosted a public webinar titled “Methane Pollution and Public Health,” which explored the need for state-level protections from the oil and gas industry’s harmful methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) air pollution that puts public health at risk and contributes to climate change. Watch the webinar here.
February 2020
On February 6, Moms Clean Air Force moms and kids met with Representative Fitzpatrick to talk about the importance of climate action to protect children’s health.
October 2019
Members of Moms Clean Air Force from around the country, including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas, testified in Dallas at the only public hearing on the EPA’s proposed repeal of the methane rule. Read more here.
August 2019
Pennsylvania organizer Mollie Michel attended the Pennsylvania State Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee hearing about the June explosions at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery in Southwest Philly. Read her press statement.
July 2019
Members of Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the sixth annual Play-In for Climate Action on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
March 2019
On March 18, members of Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania traveled to Washington, DC to testify in support of the lifesaving Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) at EPA’s hearing on their proposal to undermine MATS.
February 2019
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-hosted a meet and greet with Pennsylvania State Representative Lindsey Williams with Clean Air Council and Penn Environment.
January 2019
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania field organizer Mollie Michel and volunteers met with members of Congress in DC about the dangerous nomination of Andrew Wheeler to head EPA. On January 16, Moms Clean Air Force members (including kids!) attended Wheeler’s nomination hearing to make it clear that as an ex-coal lobbyist, Wheeler is unfit to run EPA. View photos from the meetings and hearing here.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-hosted a meet and greet with Pennsylvania State Representative Summer Lee with Clean Air Council and Penn Environment.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-hosted a meet and greet with newly elected Pennsylvania State Representative Sara Innamorato with Clean Air Council and Penn Environment
Pennsylvania Moms attended a press conference during which Governor Wolf announced his executive order to cut greenhouse gas emissions 26% by 2025 and 50% by 2050.
Oil & Gas Specialist Patrice Tomcik co-hosted a Fox Chapel Area Cares community meeting with the Environmental Integrity Project.
December 2018
Oil & Gas Specialist Patrice Tomcik tabled at an event sponsored by Breathe Project titled “Protecting Our Communities: Environmental Challenges from Fossil Fuel Extraction in SWPA.”
November 2018
Moms Clean Air Force hosted a community education event for the Fox Chapel Area School District.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the League of Women Voters Shale Gas Symposium.
October 2018
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania tabled at the Interfaith Power and Light conference on Facing the Climate Crisis: Called to Save Our Sacred Home.
Field organizer Mollie Michel spoke on a panel in Philadelphia titled “Clean Energy Panel: Impacts of Environmental Rollbacks on PA” hosted by PennFuture.
Oil & Gas Specialist Patrice Tomcik attended the O’Hara Township council planning session to give some ideas for strengthening their amendment to the oil and gas ordinance. The council members said they are open to ordinance changes. Community members asked about bonding and areas that would be open for oil and gas development.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania partnered with Physicians for Social Responsibility for a methane program “PA Health Check Up: Health Impacts of Unconventional Gas Development Industry from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia” in Pittsburgh and Philly. Field organizer Patrice Tomcik was a presenter.
Oil & Gas specialist Patrice Tomcik gave a presentation on the petrochemical buildout in Pennsylvania to United Methodist Women.
September 2018
Field organizer Patrice Tomcik was trained on how to use the Environmental Defense Fund’s methane virtual reality tool. Patrice showed legislators and staffers how to use it during a virtual reality tool demonstration held at the Pennsylvania State Capitol.
Members of Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania testified in support of Clean Car Standards at a hearing in Pittsburgh.
Field organizer Patrice Tomcik partnered with Lois Bjornson of Clean Air Council to host a Frackland tour. Attendees included M. P. Tomei, the Director of Outreach for state Senator Daylin Leach, and Richard Fox, Executive Director for state Representative Mike Carroll.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania presented at a back to school event in Fox Chapel.
August 2018
Field organizer Mollie Michel spoke at Philadelphia’s Beat the Heat Rally & Press Conference along with representatives from the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability, PennFuture, PennEnvironment, Interfaith Power & Light, and others.
July 2018
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a telepresser focused on the state release of the Moms Clean Air Force methane public health report: Face to Face with Oil and Gas: Voices from the Front Lines of Oil and Gas Pollution.
Members of Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the fifth annual Play-In for Climate Action on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
June 2018
Governor Tom Wolf has kept his promise to Pennsylvania families to help clean our air by removing harmful air pollution with a June 7 announcement on finalized methane general permits. The general permits—GP-5 and GP-5a—call for, among other provisions, accelerated leak detection and repair of methane emissions from new sources of oil and gas operations and infrastructure and are a critical step to protecting the health and welfare of Pennsylvania children and communities. This has been a fight that Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania has dedicated 3 1/2 years to, and we won’t stop until the methane source rules are in place for the thousands of existing oil and gas operations.
Moms Clean Air Force and PennEnvironment hosted a public forum to archive Philadelphians’ ideas and opinions regarding the potential changes in Clean Car Standards.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania tabled at the American Lung Association Expo.
May 2018
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended a rally for Clean Air and a Clean Budget in Harrisburg.
Field organizer Mollie Michel spoke at press conference about the School District of Philadelphia/EPA Region 3 launch of its anti-idling campaign.
Field organizer Mollie Michel testified at a Philly City Council hearing regarding indoor air quality in public schools and childhood asthma rates.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania embarked on a kayak trip on the Schuylkill with Defend Our Future to view and learn more about the Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery and its toxic past and present.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in a press conference and petition delivery to Indiana Township Supervisors.
April 2018
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a Mama Summit at the Capitol in Harrisburg along with Defend Our Future, Deep Green Philly, United Methodist Women, State Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, and others to demand that the Pennsylvania General Assembly put the health of Pennsylvanians before the interests of the oil and gas industry.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania tabled at the March for Science.
Field organizer Patrice Tomcik presented on fracking at a meeting of the United Methodist Women district heads in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
March 2018
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania joined PennEnvironment, Clean Air Council, Philadelphia City Council members, and health care professionals to rally for clean air at Philadelphia City Hall.
February 2018
Field organizer Patrice Tomcik spoke at a press conference for the release of Penn Environment’s “Toxic Ten” report, highlighting the 10 active facilities emitting the most toxic air pollution in Allegheny County, which contribute to the health risks posed by air pollution.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania helped organize a health summit titled “Fracking in Fox Chapel: What to Expect.” Speakers included Patricia Demarco, PhD, Ryan Hamilton, Esq, James Fabisiak, PhD, John Stolz, PhD, Ned Ketyer, MD, and Lois Bjornson, Impacted Mother.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-hosted a press conference at Governor Wolf’s Philly office to call on him to enact stronger rules in Pennsylvania for methane pollution. Partnering with Defend Our Future, the event brought Moms & Millennials together to call on the Governor to #ActOnClimate by curbing methane pollution from natural gas operations.
January 2018
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a health summit in Sewickley Hills titled “When Fracking Is Your Neighbor.”
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania joined Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability, Councilwoman Reynolds-Brown, and PennEnvironment for a Clean Power Plan Citizens’ Hearing in Philadelphia.
December 2017
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended a holiday-themed rally at Philly EPA focused on EPA budget cuts and the Clean Power Plan repeal.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania spoke at a press conference and testified at DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania, accompanied by nine elementary school kids, paid a visit to Mayor Jim Kenney’s office to deliver holiday thank you cards and pictures to thank him for his commitment to protecting the standards of the Paris Climate Accord.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania held a health summit on the Impacts of EPA Budget Cuts at Philadelphia City Hall.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the United Methodist Women fracking tour and presentation.
November 2017
On November 30, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania tabled at an event titled “The Real Health, Economic, and Climate Crisis Costs of Fossil Fuels to Southwestern Pennsylvania and Next Steps.”
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-hosted a press conference in Philadelphia to highlight a landmark report, co-authored by Clean Air Task Force (CATF) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), that demonstrates the specific health risks from airborne pollutants caused by oil and gas operations impacting African American communities in Pennsylvania.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania testified at the Adams Township public hearing on an oil and gas ordinance for compressors.
Field consultant Christine Dolle spoke at #StillIn Philadelphia Day of Action.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the League of Women Voters Public Health Shale Gas Symposium.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the Bell Acres Health Summit: What to Expect When Fracking Is Your Neighbor.
Field consultant Patrice Tomcik served as a panelist at the People vs. Oil & Gas Summit in Pittsburgh.
October 2017
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in a lobby day in Harrisburg to stop bad environmental amendments from being attached to the Pennsylvania Severance Tax.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Community Health Improvement Plan Meeting.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania partnered with PennEnvironment and others for the Clean Cars 5th Birthday Party at Philadelphia City Hall.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania spoke at an Oil & Gas Threat Map press conference in Pittsburgh.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the PA Conference for Women.
September 2017
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania members traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with lawmakers and urge them to protect EPA’s budget.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a Play-In for Climate Action in Philadelphia featuring Ants on a Log.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organized, participated in, and spoke at a press conference and lobby day in Harrisburg focused on methane pollution and health.
August 2017
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in a press conference holding Governor Wolf accountable for a bad budget, which threatens environmental and public health protections.
Moms Clean Air Force spoke at the North Hills Healthcare townhall.
Moms Clean Air Force participated in the “GASP for Clean Air! Sources, Symptoms, and Solutions” exhibit.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the “Beat the Heat” People’s Climate Hearing in Philadelphia.
July 2017
Field consultant Patrice Tomcik testified at the Wilmington Township public hearing regarding health impacts to children when placing natural gas operations near where they live, learn, and play.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a Play-In for Methane Protections in New Wilmington.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania members attended the 2017 Play-In for Climate Action in Washington, DC, where they met with Senator Casey and Senator Toomey’s staff.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania members testified at an EPA Public Hearing on the Oil and Gas New Source Performance Standards: Proposed Three-Month Stay and Two-Year Stay held at the William Jefferson Clinton-East U.S. EPA building in Washington, DC.
June 2017
Field consultant Christine Dolle, Clean Air Kids, and a volunteer participated in State Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky’s Climate Alliance Resolution Press Conference in Harrisburg.
Field consultant Christine Dolle and Clean Air Kids attended the “Officials Announce Further Steps in Commitment to Fight Climate Change” press conference at Philadelphia City Hall. Mayor Jim Kenney officially became the 100th mayor to join “Mayors for 100 Percent Clean Energy.”
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended and spoke at a Climate Alliance Resolution Press Conference featuring Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended a workshop on Health, Air Quality, & Philly’s Energy Future hosted by Physicians for Social Responsibility and Philly Thrive.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the Pennsylvania DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting in Harrisburg.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a “Fresh Air” lesson at Sister Cities Park.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania organizer Christine Dolle spoke at a town hall event: “(With or Without) Senator Pat Toomey.”
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in a press conference in Harrisburg holding Governor Wolf accountable for promises to cut oil and gas pollution.
May 2017
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in the Walk for Green Jobs and Justice.
Field consultant Christine Dolle was nominated for a Free Library of Philadelphia “Reading Hero” award by her local children’s librarian for the series of “Every Breath We Take” book readings she conducted in South Philadelphia branches this past fall.
Moms Clean Air Force hosted a press conference and lunchbox art installation in Philadelphia on World Asthma Day to highlight the 77,000 kids who miss school every day because of asthma. Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown gave remarks at the press event.
Moms Clean Air Force hosted a Pittsburgh World Asthma Day press conference. Speakers included Deborah Gentil, MD, Director of Allergy/Asthma Clinical Research, Pediatric Alliance; Chelsa Wagner, Allegheny County Controller; and Rachel Filippini, Executive Director GASP.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-sponsored “Making the Connection” with Dr. Stephanie Lovinksy-Desir, a pediatric pulmonologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center, who discussed her research on physical activity, black carbon exposure, and airway inflammation in urban youth.
Moms Clean Air Force co-sponsored a presentation in Butler, PA, “Butler County: Protecting Your Family’s Health when Fracking is Your Neighbor”.
April 2017
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania spoke at Greenfield Earth Day.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-sponsored the People’s Climate March in Pittsburgh.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-sponsored FutureFest 2017.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-sponsored the March for Science in Pittsburgh.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended an air pollution parade press conference at Governor Wolf’s Pittsburgh office.
Field consultant Patrice Tomcik spoke at a press conference focused on the Penn Environment release of a new report on high ozone and particulate matter in cities.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania provided comments for the state DEP environmental justice listening tour in Greene County.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended a town hall for Senator Casey.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended and tabled at Run for Clean Air.
March 2017
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a Mama Summit in Harrisburg. Parents and concerned citizens united to tell state leaders that we’re paying attention to their actions and to call for limits on air pollution from the oil and gas industry.
February 2017
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania field consultant Christine Dolle and two “super volunteers” attended a meeting with Congressman Pat Meehan (R) in Springfield.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended a town hall meeting at Senator Reschenthaler’s office.
Moms Clean Air Fore Pennsylvania tabled at Air Quality Expo in Clariton.
Moms Clean Force Pennsylvania and partners held a press event outside the EPA building in Philadelphia to thank U.S. Senator Bob Casey for his vote of “no” against the nomination of Scott Pruitt and hold Senator Pat Toomey accountable for protecting our children’s health!
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in a group meeting with Senator Toomey at the Pittsburgh Federal building.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended Pennsylvania Green & Healthy Schools Forum in Harrisburg.
Moms Clean Air Force parents and kids gathered outside Senator Toomey’s Philadelphia office to make it clear: We love clean air!
January 2017
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended “The Future of Climate Action in 2017: A Discussion with Senator Casey” at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania field consultant Christine Dolle attended and spoke at a startup meeting for Indivisible Philadelphia.
Moms Clean Air Force hosted “Community Listens: Natural Gas Impacts in Southwestern PA”—a community listening session with event tables, an education panel, and opportunities to record thoughts and stories about natural gas development that will be given to Governor Wolf, EPA, and Senators Casey & Toomey.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in the Women’s March on Philadelphia, part of a network of marches held across the country.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania members traveled to Washington, DC, to speak to their senators about the nomination of Scott Pruitt to head EPA, a nomination that threatens our kids’ health.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in a “Day Against Denial” event—“Tell Our Senators: No Climate Deniers in the Cabinet”—in Philadelphia.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended a Tuesdays with Toomey event in Philadelphia to raise awareness around clean air and kids’ health.
December 2016
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended an Adams Township planning commission meeting.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania testified at a DEP AQTAC meeting in Harrisburg.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended a Mars court hearing in front of DEP Environmental Hearing Board in Erie.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended Beaver ethane cracker DEP Shell water discharge NPDES application meeting and hearing.
Moms Clean Air Force joined “What Clean Air Advocates Can Do, Post-election” at Philadelphia’s DiSilvestro Recreation Center in the South Philadelphia Health and Literacy Center.
November 2016
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania, along with partners, met with Rep. Jordan Harris to discuss climate and clean energy issues.
Field organizer Christine Dolle tabled as part of Philly CUSP’s (Climate & Urban Systems Partnership) “Climate City” at Franklin Institute’s speaker series “The Waterways of a Changing Climate.”
Field organizer Christine Dolle tabled at the Ants on a Log children’s musical “Curious: Think Outside the Pipeline!”
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania members attended a rally in Solidarity with Standing Rock.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended PennFuture’s Post-Election Forum: The Future of Pennsylvania’s Environment, where Senator Bob Casey delivered the keynote, remarking, “One of the things that moved me was the impact on children. I feel duty-bound and determined to keep fighting on this issue.”
September 2016
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a back-to-school press event focused on methane at Fort Cherry supervisors meeting to raise awareness about a third well pad that was to be voted on directly after press event. The third well pad was approved by the Mt Pleasant supervisors.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a Read-In of “Every Breathe We Take” at Beaver County Library.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania member Amy Nassif hosted a GOTV house party.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania tabled at the 11th annual Greenfest Philly.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a Play-In for Clean Air at Dilworth Park. Attendees included Senator Bob Casey, Mayor Jim Kenney, and state Representative Donna Bullock.
August 2016
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania held a Play-In for Pollution Control in Beaver. Families gathered at the Irvine Park Gazebo for some fun play time and to raise awareness around air pollution.
June 2016
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a “School’s Out Food Drive” contributing to the over 4,542 pounds of food collected by Moms Clean Air Force chapters nationwide.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania tabled at a Guster concert in Philadelphia.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended Health & Shale Gas Development: State of the Science hosted by Environmental Health Project.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in a Clean Power Plan Lobby Day.
May 2016
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania tabled at Philadelphia Art in the Open Family Day.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in an Asthma Workshop with James Blaine Elementary parents.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended League of Women Voters’ THRIVE: Sustainable Energy, Jobs & Economic Development.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania led a press conference in Harrisburg highlighting the impacts methane pollution has on the health of unborn babies, pregnant women, and children. Moms Clean Air Force members met with staff from Senator Vance’s office, Sam Robinson from Governor Wolf’s office, and Senator Haywood’s legislative director. Discussion centered around the need for stronger protections for our children’s health, including moving forward with Chapter 78 and 78a.
National Field Director Gretchen Dahlkemper and Field Organizer Patrice Tomcik provided important voices for presentations at the Democratic Senate Policy Committee hearing regarding unconventional natural gas extraction under the Lake Erie Watershed.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania served as a co-facilitator for the Healthy School Summit.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a World Asthma Day Mama Summit in front of Philadelphia City Hall.
April 2016
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the Philly Climate Story art exhibition.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania participated in Environmental Day at Mars Elementary school.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted “Arm Yourself with Knowledge”, a community outreach education program in New Wilmington.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted an Earth Day event at Smith Playground.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended “Power Up with the Sun in Butler County” Solar education program.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended “Arm Yourself with Knowledge” community outreach education program in New Wilmington.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended Greenfield Elementary School Earth Day.
Moms Clean Air Force participated in the Run for Clean Air.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a “Read-in” at Fairmount Water Works Museum.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-sponsored the Josh Fox film “How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things That Climate Can’t Change” at the Carnegie Lecture Hall in Pittsburgh.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-sponsored “SouthWest Environmental Health Project Spring Tour 2016,” which presented new information on the physical, mental, and environmental impacts of unconventional gas development.
Patrick Tomcik served as panelist at “Waterfall Vision” activist panel and art exhibit at 707 Gallery in Pittsburgh. The exhibit featured artist Jennifer Meyers and Shaun Silfer with discussions about the impact gas development is having on the environment.
March 2016
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-sponsored “Arm Yourself with Knowledge,” a community program and interactive panel discussion on unconventional gas development—fracking—in an informal setting.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania co-sponsored a film screening and panel discussion on climate justice and faith.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a “Read-In” at Sheppard Elementary for Literacy Day.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority public hearing about the proposals for the Southport facility including possible expansion of the PES oil refinery.
Moms Clean Air Force attended a press conference at Pittsburgh DEP highlighting Marsha Haley, MD, published paper, “Adequacy of Current State Setbacks for Directional High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus, Barnett, and Niobrara Shale Plays.”
February 2016
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the Green Gala at Comcast Center.
Moms Clean Air Force hosted a Valentine’s Day gathering at Smith Playground, where parents and caregivers learned more about air pollution, climate change, and children’s health while children made “I Love Clean Air” Valentines to be sent to key officials as part of a heartfelt ask for strong clean air standards.
January 2016
Moms Clean Air Force hosted a press conference on fracking pollution and children’s health and met with Governor Wolf’s office, which announced a pledge to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.
Moms Clean Air Force hosted a Pittsburgh State of the Union Watch Party.
December 2015
Moms Clean Air Force attended “Your Concerns About Air Quality, a public event for anyone living with or concerned about unconventional oil and gas development.
Moms Clean Air Force delivered signatures asking Governor Wolf to set regulations for methane emissions to his office in Pittsburgh.
Moms Clean Air Force participated in the Building Blocks for Climate Action Rally and March at the Pitt Student Union, along with a broad array of organizations and groups, friends and family united on the final day of global action.
Moms Clean Air Force attended the Beaver County Proposed Ethane Cracker public meeting. The meeting began with a presentation by the Clean Air Council, which discussed fence-line monitoring and other health-based standards.
November 2015
Field organizer Patrice Tomcik served as a panelist at PennFuture’s Conservation Summit in Harrisburg. Patrice spoke about the impacts of air pollution from the fracking industry, the experiences of the Mars Parent Group, and gas development impacts on the health and safety of Pennsylvania’s children.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended and tabled at the Pennsylvania Shale & Public Health Conference.
October 2015
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a press conference in Erie in advance of the DEP Clean Power Plan public listening session. Moms met with Pennsylvania DEP Secretary Quigley to discuss America’s Clean Power Plan and the need to regulate methane from existing sources.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania attended the Pennsylvania Green and Healthy Schools meeting in Harrisburg and rejoined the steering committee for 2016.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania met with Dr. Albert Presto, Mechanical Engineer from Carnegie Mellon University, to discuss his research on air emissions around unconventional gas well pads and compressor stations.
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania partnered and attended the Philadelphia screening and discussion of “Merchants of Doubt.”
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania spoke at a press event for the release of “Dangerous and Close: Fracking near Pennsylvania’s Most Vulnerable Residents.”
May 2015
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania members gathered in Harrisburg for the second annual Pennsylvania Mama Summit. Pennsylvania parents spoke about the health impacts of pollution in this traditional coal state currently booming with fracking activity, as well as their concern for global warming and the state’s impact on the entire globe. Moms, teachers, scientists, and health professionals visited more than 100 legislative offices—including meeting with Governor Wolf—asking them to cut carbon and methane pollution.
July 2014
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a Play-In to support America’s Clean Power Plan in Pittsburgh.
May 2014
Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania members gathered at the state capitol in Harrisburg to call on elected officials to take climate action. During the event, four female elected officials spoke about their journey to public office and took questions from the audience. The bipartisan panel included Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner, Cumberland Commissioner Barb Cross, Rep. Kate Harper, and Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper. The theme that emerged from the panel, and the spirit that pervaded the day, was, “Don’t assume someone else is taking care of your issue!” It was a perfect lesson in activism and something our Mama Summit participants were doing already. By being there, they were taking charge of their children’s health and future.
March 2014
Students from Philadelphia traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to deliver hundreds of comments in support of EPA’s carbon rule on new power plants. That afternoon the students and Moms met with the offices of both Senator Casey and Senator Toomey to share why they are concerned about climate change and its impact on their futures.
September 2013
As a key member of Philadelphia’s Urban Sustainability Forum (USF), Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania hosted a USF forum on children’s health and air pollution. Health experts from University of Pittsburgh, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Drexel University, and Physicians for the Underserved spoke about the devastating impacts of toxic air pollution on our children’s health.
EPA Is for “Extreme Pollution Agency”: Moms Make News
Two Years After the East Palestine Derailment, EPA Chemical Assessment Is Veering Off Track
Life in a Sacrifice Zone: Moms Make News
Meet the Retirees Who Are Hunting for Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells in Pennsylvania
Moms Celebrate First Anniversary of Big Methane Milestone
Parents Love Electric School Buses: Moms Make News
Moms Reflect on the Many Gifts of the Inflation Reduction Act
The Fight for Clean Air Doesn’t Stop Here: Moms Make News
This Resurgent Pennsylvania Steel Town Is Winning at Football and Clean Energy
The Origin of Moms: Moms Make News
EcoMadres Kick Off Hispanic Heritage Month: Moms Make News
Extreme Living: Climate Disruption Stories From Moms Coping With Ticks
What You Need to Know About the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
Locating Orphaned and Abandoned Wells in Western Pennsylvania
Clean School Buses for Pennsylvania: EPA's 2024 Rebate Program
Finding Undocumented Orphaned and Abandoned Wells in Pennsylvania
Celebrating Pittsburgh Public Schools' Electric Buses
Tell Governor Shapiro: Pennsylvania Families Want a Strong Methane Plan
Tell Governor Shapiro: Cut Carbon Pollution for Pennsylvania Families
Moms Thank EPA & President Biden for Strong Methane Rules
Interview With Kristina Marusic, Author of A New War on Cancer
Back to School on Electric Buses: Getting All the Facts
Pollution and Children's Health: East Palestine and Beyond
Pennsylvania Moms Celebrate New Investments in Air Quality Monitoring
2025
- Press release, Moms Co-Host Panel on Mental Health Impacts of Living with Petrochemical Pollution
- Press release, Moms Condemn Congress’ Attack on Commonsense Methane Pollution Protections
- Press release, Pennsylvania Moms React to Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Energy Plan
2024
- Public News Service, Clean Trucks Campaign touts benefits of electric vehicles for Pennsylvania
- The Guardian, ‘I have to live in a cocoon’: locals in Pennsylvania feel ‘sacrificed’ for Shell plastics plant
- PA Environment Digest Blog, The Heinz Endowments: Nonprofits, Philanthropy Create Infrastructure To Help Bring Nearly $1 Billion In Regional, Statewide Clean Energy Funding To Pennsylvania
- Press release, Moms Applaud Governor Shapiro’s Support of Public Transit
- Forbes, Parents Say Electric School Buses Make Children Happier, Survey Finds
- Press release, Moms Co-Host Panel on How School Districts Can Access Clean Bus Funds
- The 19th, In a state that could decide the election, fracking is far more than just a political issue
- Press release, Pennsylvanians Gather at State Capitol, Call on State Leaders for Protection from Fossil Fuel and Plastic Industry Expansion
- The Philadelphia Inquirer, Our children’s health isn’t partisan. Pennsylvanians need strong pollution protections from fracking now.
- Press release, Pennsylvanians Call on State Leaders for Protection from Fossil Fuel and Plastic Industry Expansion
- The Clarion News, Drones to be used to locate orphaned and abandoned wells
- Olean Times Herald, Innovative project to use drones to ID orphan, abandoned wells in Pa.
- The Bradford Era, Innovative project to identify orphan, abandoned wells; open house Thursday in Smethport
- WJET Erie, Erie School District purchases 12 new electric school buses
- The Derrick, An eye in the sky will seek old oil, gas wells
- PA Environment Digest Blog, Groundbreaking Initiative Using Drones To Locate Orphan, Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Pennsylvania Kicks Off
- Press release, Groundbreaking Initiative Using Drones to Locate Orphan and Abandoned Wells in Pennsylvania Kicks Off
- PA Environment Digest, Environmental Defense Fund, Moms Clean Air Force To Hold Public Meetings In 3 Northwest PA Counties On A Project To Test New Methods Of Locating Abandoned Conventional Oil, Gas Wells
- Beaver County Radio, Deluzio Celebrates 38 New Electric School Buses to Protect Western PA Students, Environment
- Erie Times-News, Letter: U.S. activists call on Dept. of Energy to revoke $182 million IRG loan guarantee
- Forbes, All Aboard America’s Electric School Bus Revolution
- PA Environment Digest Blog, PA Lawmakers, Groups Celebrate Passage Of Solar For Schools Bipartisan Solar Energy Initiative
- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Letter to the editor: Curbing methane will help clean our air
- Williamsport Sun-Gazette, When we fight together
- PA Homepage, First Student Launches Six New Electric School Buses in Pennsylvania from EPA Round One Funding
- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Patrice Tomcik: New protections will save lives and slash climate pollution from coal plants
- World News Network, Environmental And Safety Advocates Deliver Thousands Of Public Comments To U.S. Department of Transportation, Calling For Rapid Finalization of Stronger Standards to Address Pipeline Methane Leaks
- PA Environment Digest Blog, PA Moms Clean Air Force Celebrates Deployment Of First Electric Schools At Steelton-Highspire School District In Dauphin County Funded By EPA’s Clean School Bus Program
- Press release, Pennsylvania Moms at Steelton-Highspire School District to Celebrate the Deployment of the State’s First Electric School Buses Funded through the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program
- Press release, Moms celebrates the cancellation of the proposed advanced recycling plant in Pennsylvania
- Press release, New EPA Protections Will Curb Chemical Pollution, Clean Up Air in Impacted Communities
- Evergreen Action, Labor, Climate, and Community Leaders Back Pennsylvania DEP Effort to Lower Industrial Climate Pollution and Create Jobs
- Inside Climate News, A National Tour Calling for a Reborn and Ramped Up Green New Deal Lands in Pittsburgh
- Public News Service, Advocates push for swift update of gas pipeline safety rules
- The Pitt News, Summer Lee, Sara Innamorato and community leaders speak at Green New Deal tour in Schenley
- Press release, Millions of people will breathe cleaner, healthier air with new EPA soot protections, Pennsylvania Moms say
- Pennsylvania Capital-Star, $40 million federal grant paves road for Pittsburgh to acquire electric buses
- Yahoo! News, Three local school districts getting electric school buses
- WPXI, Three local school districts getting electric school buses
- The Wellsboro Gazette, $40 million federal grant paves road for Pittsburgh to acquire electric buses
- Press release, Rep. Summer Lee, Moms, & Partners, Host Press Conference to Celebrate Pittsburgh Public Schools Award of 45 New Electric School Buses from EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program & Highlight Health Benefits of Ditching Diesel
- The Hill, ‘This story isn’t over’: Anniversary of East Palestine train crash brings little closure
- Green Philly, 15 local climate actions you take this year
- Press release, One Year After the Infamous East Palestine Train Derailment & Chemical Disaster, Impacted Moms Are Available for Interview
- Fox 43, Pennsylvania receives over $45 million to buy clean school buses
- Press release, EPA Awards $7.9M in Clean School Bus Grants, Helping the School District of Philadelphia Give Kids a Healthier Ride to School
- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Vanessa Lynch: Celebrating EPA’s new oil and gas safeguards
2023
- WOTV, Proposed plastics recycling plant topic of debate in Follansbee
- PA Environment Digest Blog, EPA Finalizes Rule To Reduce Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Infrastructure; DEP’s Oil & Gas Methane Regulations 1 Year Old
- Press release, Pennsylvania Moms Applaud Finalization of EPA Methane Rules for Oil & Gas Operations
- Pennsylvania Ag Connection, Commonwealth Court Denies PA Attempts to Join RGGI
- PA Environment Digest Blog, Shapiro Administration Announces Appeal Of RGGI Rejection To PA Supreme Court To Preserve Authority For Future Governors
- BCTV, Commonwealth Court Denies PA Attempts to Join RGGI
- Press release, Pennsylvania moms applaud appeal of the PA Commonwealth’s court decision on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
- Public News Service, Commonwealth Court denies PA attempts to join RGGI
- PA Environment Digest Blog, Beaver County Residents Call For Accountability, Emergency Preparedness After Dozens Of Malfunctions, Pollution From Shell Petrochemical Plant
- PA Environment Digest Blog, Shell Accountability Campaign Hosts Nov. 2 Shell Petrochemical Plant Town Hall Meeting On Emergency Response Plans In Beaver County
- Billy Penn, For kids with asthma, diesel buses chart a dangerous route back to school | Opinion
- The Tribune-Review, Vanessa Lynch: Clean air and a healthy climate can be Pa.’s future
- Beaver County Times, Letters to the Editor
- Fox 43, Pa. school buses going electric using EPA grants
- Lehigh Valley News, EPA offering $400M for schools to buy electric buses for their fleets
- Press release, New Study Adds to Body of Evidence Associating Fracking Gas Operations to Health Problems
- The Allegheny Front, Ohio Activists Join National Groups To Deliver Petition To EPA To Ban Vinyl Chloride
- Beaver County Times, Activists ask Beaver County leaders to support greater oversight of Shell cracker plant
- Pittsburgh City Paper, Citizens and activists ask Beaver County Council to take tougher stance on Shell plant
- Pittsburgh Business Times, Residents urge Beaver County Commission to help lobby Shell
- 90.5 WESA, Residents rally against Shell plastics plant pollution in Beaver County
- The Allegheny Front, Residents Rally Against Shell Plastics Plant Pollution In Beaver County
- PA Environment Digest Blog, Residents, Environmental Groups Rally Against Shell Petrochemical Plant’s Pollution In Beaver County
- My ChesCo, Pennsylvania’s Dirty Dozen: Uncover the State’s Largest Climate Polluters
- NorthCentralPA.com, More Pa. districts look to upgrade school buses with EPA grants
- Heartland Signal, More Pennsylvania districts look to upgrade school buses with EPA grants
- Public News Service, More PA Districts Look to Upgrade School Buses with EPA Grants
- Planet Philadelphia, Podcast of Earth Day radio show 4/21/23; Mike Weilbacher, Wild Philly & Patrice Tomcik, Moms Clean Air Force
- Pennsylvania Capital-Star, After latest Norfolk Southern derailment, W. Pa lawmakers call for rail accountability
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, It’s time to get rid of ‘bomb trains,’ local officials and environmentalists say
- PA Environment Digest Blog, DEP Issues Three More Air Quality Violations To Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County Related To Emergency Flaring, Exceeding 12-Month Air Pollution Limits
- Press release, STRONG PETROCHEMICAL RULES ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY WITH EPA PROPOSAL, BUT MORE SAFEGUARDS ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT PEOPLE LIVING NEAR FACILITIES
- Globe Echo, The Thread That Ties The Recent Chemical Spills Together
- MSN, The thread that ties the recent chemical spills together
- Vox,