Compost network growing, rising temperatures, state energy plans, & more

Check out the latest sustainability news:

Community Compost Network is expanding. Farm Philly, Parks and Recreation’s urban agriculture program, is expanding its Community Compost Network by up to ten new sites. Those accepted into the network will receive a free three-bin compost system, along with all the necessary supplies. Applications are open until July 11.

Public transit bill passes in PA House, but SEPTA still needs a long-term funding strategy. The Public Transportation Trust Fund Transfer Act will invest nearly $300 million in mass transit across the commonwealth. SEPTA is in a $213 million budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2026. The fight over the budget is a complicated one, due to partisan views on mass transit and historic disinvestment. SEPTA’s final board meeting before the budget must be approved is TODAY at 3pm. NBC10 and Billy Penn

These record-high temperatures are due to climate change. Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index marks how likely daily temperatures are impacted by climate change. The system measures this by rating each day on a scale of -5 to +5, with each positive number denoting a more likely correlation between temperature and climate change.This week, three days were at or above a +4, meaning Philadelphia’s heat wave is highly impacted by global warming. 

Disagreements over the House energy bill. Governor Shapiro announced his Lightning Plan for statewide energy at the beginning of the year. As part of the plan, Representative Mandy Steele introduced a bill establishing the Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition (RESET) Board to approve of energy projects. The advocacy group Physicians for Social Responsibility is against RESET. Matthew Shorrow, Policy & Program Coordinator, said that it “strips local strips local Pennsylvania communities of the power to control whether or not dangerous fossil fuel facilities are built in their towns and cities.”

Cover photo: Claudia Salvato Photography