
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
Thousands of people could live at the flood-prone Navy Yard. Will they be safe?
A new plan for the Navy Yard includes thousands of residential units, along with tools to mitigate flooding that include elevating structures and digging a canal.
3 years ago
Got a busted hot water heater? Philly homeowners can get help from a new fund
The organization that runs a popular heater hotline in Philly is launching a new fund, to pay for hot water heater replacements.
3 years ago
Refunds to PGW customers for high May bills could cost $12 million — and counting
The high bills were due to a weather “adjustment,” criticized for insulating the utility from the risks of climate change, while customers foot the expense.
3 years ago
What property owners, developers need to know about Philly’s new tree rules
Philly wants to increase its tree cover to 30% in 30 years. A bill passed last week creates new fees for trees that are removed and not replaced.
3 years ago
Philly parks draw visitors from 6 countries during international conference
The Greater & Greener conference brought close to a thousand park leaders and professionals from six countries to check out Philly’s parks.
3 years ago
Northeast Philly Airport could go solar
If City Council approves the plan, the Philadelphia Energy Authority could buy energy from a 1.5 megawatt solar project to be built at Northeast Airport.
3 years ago
Amtrak upgrade in New Jersey will have trains moving 150 mph
The upgrades happened on Amtrak’s Acela line, between New Brunswick and South Brunswick. New trains introduced next year will go 160 mph.
3 years ago
After intense lifeguard recruitment efforts, Philly to open 80% of public pools
The city will open 50 of its 63 pools this summer — eight more than last year.
3 years ago
Free summer meal sites for Philly kids and teens open next week
Hundreds of child and youth meal sites will open across the city this summer, most on June 21.
3 years ago
South Philly refinery re-do features trucking, despite calls for carbon-free development
Community groups representing areas that endured refinery pollution for 150 years say they have not gotten a say in the redevelopment plans.
3 years ago
As climate change makes Philly temps rise, so does urgency to make schools cooler
The start and end of Philly’s school years have gotten hotter. But as another school year ends, more than half of district schools still lack air conditioning.
3 years ago
At least three people were killed Saturday night and 12 others injured when multiple shooters fired at one another amid a crowd on busy South Street.
3 years ago