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
Young climate activists arrested at Biden’s Wilmington campaign headquarters: ‘We want a future’
Members of the Sunrise Movement were urging President Biden to declare a climate emergency.
2 years ago
Pa. home repair and energy efficiency program resuscitated in Shapiro’s budget proposal
The program can pay for improvements that help Pa. homes adapt to climate change and lower their carbon emissions.
2 years ago
Listen 0:57Extreme rain and rising tides threaten Philly’s Revolutionary War-era Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin sits right along the Delaware River. It’s one of many historic sites across the country at risk from climate change.
3 years ago
Listen 5:44Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas and Rue Landau plan to evaluate whether the city is on track to meet its 2050 goal, and how to get there faster.
3 years ago
Listen 1:14Your Pa. utility is calling. Double check that it’s really them
An increasingly common scamming tactic is a phone call from a number with a fake caller ID that reads “PECO,” the company said.
3 years ago
Parker promises change on litter and dumping in Philly. What will that take?
Advocates are encouraged by the new mayor’s early plans to clean up the city. But some are skeptical about her pick to lead the efforts.
3 years ago
Listen 1:08Advocates urge Parker administration to let small waste haulers dump at city-run sites
The idea is to give small haulers an affordable, legal disposal option — so they don’t dump construction debris on empty lots around the city.
3 years ago
Listen 1:16The program, geared toward people impacted by the justice system, teaches solar panel installation and electric work. It pays $15 an hour.
3 years ago
Listen 1:11Severe wind, rain and flooding expected in Philly region; ‘Hunker down,’ officials say
Several rivers are expected to see moderate to major flooding, and wind speeds could reach 65 miles per hour along the Jersey and Delaware coasts.
3 years ago
Listen 0:56After Kenney pocket veto, future of single-use bag fee in Philly uncertain
A 15-cent bag fee passed City Council, then died on Mayor Kenney’s desk. Proponents aren’t giving up, but the new mayor’s stance isn’t clear.
3 years ago
Listen 0:58The city of Philadelphia’s vehicle fleet is getting cleaner, but it has a long way to go
In 2023, the city reached a benchmark of nearly 250 electric vehicles. That’s out of a fleet of over 5,000 vehicles.
3 years ago
Biden campaigns in Montgomery County: ‘Democracy is on the ballot’
Biden spoke near Valley Forge before the third anniversary of the January 6 riot. He framed the 2024 election as a battle for democracy.
3 years ago











