​Not in Philly? 
You can still listen to all the great G-town Radio
programing on the iPhone G-town Radio app, 
Tunein, Simple Radio, or other aps.
​
​Planet Philadelphia is a radio show about our shared environment. 
Listen 4:00-5:00 PM EST the first and third Friday a month on 
WGGT-LP 92.9 FM in Philadelphia and/or live stream at gtownradio.com. 
Also aired on Villanova University’s radio station, WXVU,
Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. at 89.1FM. ​

Podcasts are available shortly after live broadcast on 
planetphiladelphia.com show archives page for the full broadcast
or listen to individual interviews on ​
​Spotify| Anchor| Google| PocketCasts| Breaker| RadioPublic.

www.planetphiladelphia.com | www.gtownradio.com 
facebook |  @planetphila | @gtownradio
​

Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI-P)
Update on this regional program originally recorded 3/1/21: 
https://www.transportationandclimate.org/march-1-21-public-webinar,
slide deck  https://www.transportationandclimate.org/sites/default/files/TCI-P-Updates-Webinar-March-2021.pdf
To share your thought and input on TCI-P (most helpful if before 4/1/21)
https://www.transportationandclimate.org/main-menu/tci-regional-policy-design-stakeholder-input-form

PECO Energy Efficiency Grants
Grants for energy efficient solutions for business offered until 4/15 or the money runs out.
Create an account and apply online: 
https://pecoci.programprocessing.com/login/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=1279254e-444b-4da8-b554-2c8a8106958apecoci.programprocessing.com/login/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=1279254e-444b-4da8-b554-2c8a8106958a

Public Meetings of EPA National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC)
You can attend the whole meetings and/or provide comments.  Entire meetings last from 1-7om EST, with public comment from 5-6pm. Register for 3/24 public meeting: 
https://usepa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_SZVUgD0VTV-ZVGtAJmEjdA
Register for 5/6 public meeting: 
https://usepa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_sK5kdQWdSgCgch7VdilSFw
usepa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_sK5kdQWdSgCgch7VdilSFw
Register for 7/17 public meeting: 
https://usepa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_uV8AtyDISEqeMcymEVo2Xg

The movie “Curious:  Think Outside the Pipeline!”
For virtual access to this children’s movie 3/20-4/4: 
https://www.rocklandstrand.com/event/ants-log-stream-curious-think-outside-pipelinewww.rocklandstrand.com/event/ants-log-stream-curious-think-outside-pipeline
Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2dc-mU4yuE&t=1s
The film also is available for schools, libraries, etc. to bring to the communities

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation can help you get a free yard tree
through its TreePhilly program.
Yard trees:
If you are looking for a tree for your sidewalk, apply for a street tree.
A citywide pickup event will take place on May 15 at FDR Park, while deliveries and neighborhood events will take place throughout the spring.
The spring won’t be TreePhilly’s first foray into pandemic giveaways. In 2020, it distributed more than 1,200 trees to homeowners, while observing COVID-19 mitigation guidelines. This season’s iteration will similarly follow coronavirus protocols:    
Those interested can register for a free tree online.
https://www.phila.gov/services/trees-parks-the-environment/tree-related-services/get-a-street-tree/
Street trees for the sidewalk have a separate request form.

Recycling clothing & electronics: SmartCityPHL launches its first pilot with Retrievr | Office of Innovation and Technology
Clothing and electronics make up approximately 10 percent of Philadelphia’s waste stream, piling up in landfills. Through SmartCityPHL’s Pitch & Pilot program, Philadelphians will soon be able to dispose of these items responsibly from the convenience of their homes.
Through a partnership with Retrievr, residents can schedule doorstep pickup of unwanted clothing and electronics for recycling. Retrievr is the first winner of the first Pitch & Pilot challenge, which asked for ideas to reduce waste in Philadelphia.
How to use Retrievr’s service
Retrievr offers an on-demand doorstep collection for clothing and electronics. The company will pick up clothing and small electronics for free. While Retrievr charges a small fee for large electronics like TVs, microwaves, and air conditioners, residents are still able to recycle these items for free at sanitation convenience centers. 
Residents can start scheduling pickups on Thursday, May 28. Retrievr will then begin collections on Monday, June 8. 
Philadelphians can schedule a pickup by:
    •    Visiting retrievr.com 
    •    Texting PICKUP to 757-70-FETCH (757-703-3824)
    •    Calling 757-70-FETCH (757-703-3824)
During the pilot period, Retrievr will update its platform to include Philadelphia, assess the collection of additional materials, and work with City partners to evaluate the impact of its service on waste diversion.

Find Free, Nutritious Food During COVID-19:
The City uses phila.gov/food, an easy to use resource (available in multiple languages), to provide the most up-to-date listing of food and meal sites for Philadelphians. Residents should check back often to confirm sites and schedules, as this information continues to change. For more information, contact [email protected]. 

Announcing the 2021 Philly Spring Cleanup April 10, 2021, 9AM – 2PM , Application Deadline: March 29, 2021
The return of the Philly Spring Cleanup (PSC). The 2021 PSC will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Due to new COVID-19 safety protocols, each project site must be limited to 20 volunteers max. Project coordinators must also complete a brief COVID-19 training prior to registering a project.
2021 Partner Application
Dedication like yours, along with the can-do attitude of thousands of volunteers all over the City, is exactly what we need to meet our goals.
If you have a project in mind for this year's Philly Spring Cleanup, there are two ways to submit your idea for approval:
1. Online: Click here to complete the application online. https://psc.philadelphiastreets.com/
2. Mail: Download the application here. (pdf)
https://psc.philadelphiastreets.com/
Mail completed application to:
Keith Warren Deputy Commissioner - Sanitation Division City of Philadelphia - Streets Department
730 Municipal Services Building
1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102

For more about Gov. Wolf’s recent announcement of a bill to help EVs in PA
https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/DEP_details.aspx?newsid=1419

In this show we examine the interaction between the electric grid and electric vehicles (EVs). Also, we will get an update on the transition to clean energy in PA. Guests:

• Matteo Muratori, Ph.D.: Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation at the federal level and Senior Engineer and Team Leader at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). He discusses EV/grid integration and its relationship to the environment.
  
• Liz Robinson: Planet Philadelphia’s Energy Correspondent. She brings us up to date on the latest energy news in Harrisburg, and what this could mean. Since Pennsylvania is the third largest fossil fuel energy producer in the country, these developments affect everyone.

Listen to full broadcast:
https://www.mixcloud.com/PlanetPhiladelphia/evs-and-the-grid-and-pa-transition-to-clean-energy/

Individual interviews:

https://anchor.fm/kay-wood9/episodes/How-will-EVs-affect-our-grid--Dr--Matteo-Muratori--NREL-interview-et33af

https://anchor.fm/kay-wood9/episodes/PAs-transition-to-clean-energy--Liz-Robinson-et351j

​Planet Philadelphia is a radio show about our shared environment. 
Listen 4:00-5:00 PM EST the first and third Friday a month on 
WGGT-LP 92.9 FM in Philadelphia and/or live stream at gtownradio.com. 
Also aired on Villanova University’s radio station, WXVU,
Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. at 89.1FM. ​

Podcasts are available shortly after live broadcast on 
planetphiladelphia.com show archives page for the full broadcast
or listen to individual interviews on ​
​Spotify| Anchor| Google| PocketCasts| Breaker| RadioPublic.

www.planetphiladelphia.com | www.gtownradio.com 
facebook |  @planetphila | @gtownradio

Following on our last show on grid stability, we are examining the interaction between the electric grid and electric vehicles (EVs).  What is the effect of having a lot more electric vehicles on grid stability and how does the grid integration with EVs work?  Also on this show we will get an update on the transition to clean energy in PA. After the interviews, there will be a discussion of additional environmental issues related to EVs.
 

• Matteo Muratori, Ph.D.: is Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation at the federal level and Senior Engineer and Team Leader at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).  He will be discussing EV/grid integration and it’s relationship to the environment.

 

• Liz Robinson: is Planet Philadelphia’s Energy Correspondent and reports on environmental energy news from Pennsylvania’s capital, Harrisburg. Ms.Robinson is a consultant to the PA Solar Energy Industries Association (PASEIA) and was the founding Executive Director of the Energy Coordinating Agency here in Philadelphia. In these roles and others, she is conversant with the progress in Harrisburg toward a cleaner more energy efficient future. She will tell us the latest energy news in Harrisburg, and what this could mean. Since Pennsylvania is the third largest fossil fuel energy producer in the country, these developments affect everyone.

​Sustainability Office request for comments. The deadline is this Tuesday, 3/9/21
The office of sustainability has re-opened up the survey period for comments on the climate playbook for us to comment. 
Please fill out the survey! It only takes two minutes
The Trash Academy suggests people comment on the following:
As we continue to see our trash and recycling mingled and incineratedin Chester, Camden and Conshohocken and dumped in our landfill, we are horrified! We want to make sure that we speak up that this is unacceptable, and the climate plan for Philly, fails to take this on. It is an environmental justice issue, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, especially communities of color.   Incineration is now the largest source of air pollution in Philly. 
SUGGESTED COMMENTS: 

• Reassessment of the zero waste plan with goals, and benchmarks with dates to increase diversion from the landfill and stop incineration.  
• Increased funding for the Streets department to transition to a trash system that is designed for urban communities- the collection system itself is increasing trash on the streets and comingling.
• We need a mechanism for the chief reliance officer to enforce compliance with the climate plan for city gov't departments  
• Investments in greening in disinvested communities across Philly

 
 
Recycling Clothing and Electronics in Philadelphia
Retrievr is picking up these items for a limited time for free.
Go to their website:  https://retrievr.com/
Or text “Pickup” to 757-703-3824
You need to:

• provide your address to make sure you’re in their coverage area
• give brief rundown of what you have to be recycled (there’s a list of what they accept)
• schedule a time

• bag or box up the items and put them on the stoop

 
 
EPA Annual Environmental Justice Grants
Supporting vulnerable and overburdened communities disproportionately affected by environmental health risks. In one program, five grants will be awarded of up to $50,000 each within each of the EPA regions. In another program, 2 cooperative agreements of $160,000 each within each of the 10 EPA regions.
Proposals are due by 5/7/21.
For the former program:  https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program.
For the latter program:  https://www.epa.gov/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-0.
For more information on grants, funding and technical assistance:  https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-grants-funding-and-technical-assistance.
 
 
Climate Justice Grants
Supports and amplifies the voices of communities experiencing environmental injustices.  Believes those closest to the problem should be at the forefront of the solution.  Supports organizations with grants of up to $20,00 each to help them implement a six-month climate justice initiative
please click here to see our 2021 Climate Justice for All Project Grants RFP. 
To complete and see application:  this link.
Office hours every Thursday from 4:00-4:30 EST.  Those wishing to attend the office hours should contact them by email:  [email protected] 


Give Feedback to Environmental Justice Policy of Pennsylvania
DEP will be hosting two (2) sessions to gather feedback on revisions to the EJ Policy.  We are writing to invite and encourage you to attend either session and provide us with your feedback.  A timeline and key elements of the EJ Policy revision process can be found on the Office of Environmental Justice webpage.  The date and time for each session can be found below:

• Monday, March 22 

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join full WebEx videoconference
Join with audio only: +1 (415) 655-0003
Access code: 132 679 9501
*Registration is required to join this event through videoconference.  Registration is not required to call-in.
 

• Wednesday, March 31

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm 
Join full WebEx videoconference
Join with audio only: +1 (415) 655-0003
Access code: 132 677 4271
*Registration is required to join this event through videoconference.  Registration is not required to call-in.
The Office of Environmental Justice is focused on incorporating a meaningful community engagement process to ensure inclusive community voices around the creation of a new EJ Policy. Our office would like to hear and consider feedback from environmental justice stakeholders across the Commonwealth as we move forward to develop a revised EJ Policy.
Specifically, DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice is seeking input on the following questions:

• How can the EJ Policy address communities’ environmental justice concerns?
• What worked and what were challenges with the current EJ Policy?  
• How can we improve the public participation process within the policy?
• How can DEP address environmental justice concerns in addition to permitting?  What are your suggestions about addressing EJ through this policy in addition to permitting? 
• DEP currently delineates EJ Areas based on race (>30% minority) and income (>20% in poverty).  Do you feel that the current definition, or any definition, of an Environmental Justice Area is effective?  What revisions would you recommend for identifying vulnerable communities? Note that there is no federal definition as the US EPA intentionally does not create a definition for EJ Areas or communities, though their EJSCREEN tool is available and uses a variety of factors.

Additional details concerning the sessions can be found on the Office of Environmental Justice webpage or contact our office with any questions.  We hope you can make it!
 
Philly Spring Clean Up
April 10 9am-2pm.  Aplications due by March 29. City offers limited supplies to help with cleanup.
Click here to complete the application online
https://philadelphiastreetsdepartment.cmail20.com/t/r-l-tllkdddt-kkdyyktldh-j/

Mailed application: Download the application here (pdf). https://philadelphiastreetsdepartment.cmail20.com/t/r-l-tllkdddt-kkdyyktldh-t/

Mail completed application to:
Keith Warren
Deputy Commissioner - Sanitation Division
City of Philadelphia - Streets Department
730 Municipal Services Building
1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102

​In the wake of the rolling blackouts in Texas recently, in California this summer, and in other states, what should we know about grid stability? How is our Pennsylvania, or even Philadelphia, grid equipped to deal with severe weather events? Guests on this show:
• Karen Miu, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Drexel University
• Emily Shapira, President and CEO of Philadelphia Energy Authority, which works with Philadelphia on energy issues.

Listen to the podcast of the full show aired 3/5/2021 for this and more:
https://www.mixcloud.com/PlanetPhiladelphia/our-electric-grid-faces-many-challenges-what-should-we-do-to-keep-the-power-on/

Individual interviews:

​https://anchor.fm/kay-wood9/episodes/Karen-Miu--Ph-D---Drexel-University-Grid-resilience-in-the-USA-erpohd

https://anchor.fm/kay-wood9/episodes/Emily-Shapira--President-and-CEO-of-Philadelphia-Energy-Authority-Grid-stability-in-PA-erpr4v

Planet Philadelphia is a radio show about our shared environment. 
Listen 4:00-5:00 PM EST the first and third Friday a month on 
WGGT-LP 92.9 FM in Philadelphia and/or live stream at gtownradio.com. 
Also aired on Villanova University’s radio station, WXVU,
Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. at 89.1FM. ​

Podcasts are available shortly after live broadcast on 
planetphiladelphia.com show archives page for the full broadcast
or listen to individual interviews on ​
​Spotify| Anchor| Google| PocketCasts| Breaker| RadioPublic.

www.planetphiladelphia.com | www.gtownradio.com 
facebook |  @planetphila | @gtownradio