Philly’s new big cats, PGW rate hike reduction, watershed survey & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Philadelphia Zoo welcomes two feline arrivals. Rory, a female Amur tiger, and Rafferty, a male Amur leopard, are Philadelphia Zoo’s newest residents. Both big cats came to the Zoo on an Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan breeding recommendation in the hopes that they will mate with other residents to extend the longevity of their species.

Coalition celebrates proposed PGW settlement over rate hikes. Energy Justice Advocates, a coalition of community environmental policy groups, are celebrating a proposed settlement with PGW that would reduce PGW’s yearly rate increase by 40%. Revenue at PGW has reportedly been declining due to “energy efficiency and electrification,” which the company is trying to recover by increasing customer rates, according to coalition member POWER Interfaith. 

Climate change impacts first hurricane of the Atlantic season. Hurricane Erin reached Category 5 strength over the weekend as a result of “exceptionally warm ocean waters…due to human-caused climate change,” according to Climate Central. The hurricane is now a Category 2, causing powerful waves of 15-20 feet moving along the East Coast.

Survey open for watershed input. Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF) is launching a project to improve water quality, reduce pollution, and restore habitats in the TTF watershed. TTF is asking Philadelphia and Montgomery County residents to fill out a Community Perceptions Survey to help shape the project. Survey participants can enter to win a $100 Wawa gift card. 

Cover photo: Rory the Amur tiger, courtesy of Philadelphia Zoo