Environment & Science

The vote came after a raucous and at times chaotic council meeting and an hours-long public hearing on the proposal. Residents who showed up to speak against it filled Town Hall.

The National Weather Service said the winter storm targeting the Lehigh Valley contains "an air mass the likes of which we haven’t seen for several years."

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning about possible carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the improper use of portable generators and provided tips to prevent it.

Its previous owners, the Mauser family, sold the property below value to realize a long-term goal of preserving its forest, farmland and streams, a statement said.

The Lower Saucon Township Council is considering a measure to clear the way for Bethlehem Landfill's expansion, in part by giving themselves more control over its approval. Here's what the proposal says.

Lower Saucon Township is considering zoning changes, so Bethlehem Landfill can expand, and one state lawmaker representing the area near the landfill is opposed.

The storm is being described as an “impactful extratropical cyclone” — the type that has cold air at its core and derives its energy from cold and warm air masses interacting.

Will the Lehigh Valley see a white Christmas? It could happen, forecasters say, but there's a larger concern from a very 'complex' storm that's taking shape — and coming this way.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

On Dec. 21 at approximately 10:27 p.m. EST, we’ll begin the winter solstice north of the equator. Will the change of season finally bring snow?

It might seem counterintuitive, but harvesting holiday trees year after year is better for the environment than using an artificial one, experts said, especially amid the proliferation of plastic piling up in landfills.

Officials on Wednesday reviewed several preliminary transportation policy strategies for the Valley's priority climate action plan. The plan’s focus is to reduce carbon emissions from transportation, a significant driver of greenhouse gas emissions across the region.

More than three dozen projects in the Valley were awarded grants, receiving about 7% of the total funding awarded. Statewide, $335 million in grants were announced Wednesday.

"Turn around, don't drown", warned a spokesperson for PennDOT. More than once today, people in the Valley have had to be rescued from their cars after driving into water that shut their engines off, trapping the drivers.

Some parts of the Lehigh Valley saw more than four inches of rain from Sunday into Monday, with precipitation still falling.

Schools are closing early and a large swath of the region is under a flood warning until at least 3:15 p.m. as the storm system that inundated the area overnight moves north.

The winter, or December, solstice takes place this year between sundown on Dec. 21 and sunrise Dec. 22

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission at 11 a.m. on Wednesday is holding a meeting at its Allentown office to brainstorm and prioritize ways to decarbonize transportation across the region. Decarbonization is the process of reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions.

Many spots could receive 2 to 3 inches of rain, forecasters warn, with areas of flooding possible Sunday night as another coastal storm targets the region.

Amid the joy and festivities, environmental advocates are urging residents to keep sustainability in mind during what can be a time of year when trash and waste spikes.