Sophia Schmidt covers the environment for WHYY’s PlanPhilly. Before coming to Philadelphia in 2021, Sophia reported on her home state of Delaware for Delaware Public Media and produced interviews for NPR’s “Weekend Edition.” Sophia was a 2021 Metcalf Fellow.
More from the Contributor
EPA reaches historic $4.2 million settlement over 2019 South Philly refinery explosion and fire
The federal agency claims Philadelphia Energy Solutions failed to properly monitor a burst pipe that started the fire. The bankrupt former operator hasn’t admitted fault.
1 year ago
Listen 1:11Volunteers knock on doors to create climate ‘super-voters’ in Philadelphia
The Environmental Voter Project targets people who are passionate about climate and the environment, but rarely or never vote.
1 year ago
Listen 4:56Philly will now pick up your old fridge at the curb. But you may have to wait
City sanitation crews have already collected tons worth of household items too big to put in the regular trash.
1 year ago
Listen 1:17More than one in seven outdoor workers faced heat-related symptoms on the job last year, according to a survey by a research nonprofit.
1 year ago
Listen 1:07Philly restarts curbside trash pickup of bulky items, by appointment
Items eligible for pickup include refrigerators, large furniture, hot water heaters and even tires.
1 year ago
Listen 1:10SEPTA to try out hydrogen fuel cell buses as early as this fall
The 10-bus pilot is part of the agency's efforts to transition to a climate-friendly fleet. But it has attracted criticism from some environmentalists.
1 year ago
Listen 1:04Philly Tree Plan implementation gets underway with USDA grant
The city, school district and a group of nonprofits are officially joining forces to plant and protect more trees.
1 year ago
Listen 1:10Low-income Philadelphians continue to face high energy costs, analysis finds
A national nonprofit found Black and Hispanic households spend more of their income on energy than households overall.
1 year ago
Here’s what Harris and Trump said about climate change in the Philly debate
Trump said little about his plans, while Harris bragged about both clean energy investments and gas production.
1 year ago
Of the districts receiving money, the School District of Philadelphia, where damaged asbestos has repeatedly shuttered schools, received the maximum grant amount.
1 year ago
North Philly charter school powers up its culinary program with solar
The new off-grid solar array runs an aquaponics system in a greenhouse where students will learn to raise fish and grow vegetables.
1 year ago
Philly Gas Commission passes rules that limit public participation in PGW budget process
The city argues the new rules make proceedings more efficient, but climate activists say they’re being shut out.
1 year ago











