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
City of Camden suspends EMR’s junkyard license after 2-alarm fire
The May fire was the latest of over a dozen at facilities run by EMR in Camden since 2020. The suspension will be reevaluated in early July.
1 month ago
Listen 1:00
City of Camden issues cease operations order to EMR after two-alarm fire
The order comes after city, county and state elected officials called on government agencies to shut EMR’s Camden operations.
1 month ago
‘Save EMR’: Scrapyard workers rally in Camden after mayor calls for recycler to close
A spokesperson for Camden’s mayor said the city is “undertaking all necessary legal research to move forward” with revoking EMR’s city licensure.
1 month ago
Listen 1:03
Camden plans to revoke an EMR business license after latest fire, city councilman says
The statement comes days after a fire at one of EMR’s scrap metal facilities — one of more than a dozen over the past five years.
1 month ago
Camden scrapyard to pause operations after 2-alarm fire. County officials want it shut down
The company’s statement came after city and county officials called on EMR to “fully cease” operating due to the latest fire.
1 month ago
Listen 1:09
PECO bills will rise by about $5 on average starting June 1
The increase comes as rising demand and infrastructure costs continue pushing electricity bills higher.
1 month ago
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Camden scrap metal facility completes new fire suppression system
The new heat sensors and water cannons were part of an agreement EMR signed with the city after a four-alarm blaze at its facility in 2025.
2 months ago
Listen 1:02
Need a hoe, nut wheel or corn shucker? Philly’s new farm tool library has community gardens covered
The Agriculture Resource Center in West Fairmount Park will lend tools and offer free skills workshops.
2 months ago
Listen 1:01
57 Philadelphia schools go virtual Wednesday due to May heat wave
Dozens of Philly public school buildings lack sufficient air conditioning. The record-breaking heat is forcing students to learn from home.
2 months ago
PECO signs agreements with data centers requiring them to pay for their own grid upgrades
The utility says its transmission security agreements ensure data centers pay their “fair share” of the infrastructure costs required to serve them.
2 months ago
Listen 1:19
Customers, advocates and experts outlined the limited tools the city has to control costs during a hearing on rising utility bills.
2 months ago
Listen 0:55
Former Southwest Philly refinery site will become home to nuclear life science facility
The company plans to manufacture a rare, radioactive isotope for use in cancer treatment trials starting in 2029.
2 months ago
Listen 1:17