PennFuture - Erie

Thank you for considering PennFuture for an ERIE GIVES donation!

PennFuture is a member-supported, statewide environmental advocacy nonprofit and watchdog fighting against potential threats to PA's clean air, pure water, and healthy climate.

PennFuture advocates for policy and community-based strategies to protect the Lake Erie Watershed. 

Here are examples of PennFuture's work in Erie: 

• PennFuture was instrumental in the City of Erie creating the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) - volunteers who research environmental issues and advise local government officials on the needs of the community.
• Protecting the Lake Erie Watershed is the focus of our Erie Office. With the Our Water, Our Future Campaign, PennFuture and partners outlined more than 50 policy and community-based strategies to eliminate threats to water quality.
• PennFuture is a key member of Hold Erie Coke Accountable, advocating for public transparency surrounding the future of the former Erie Coke site.
• Years of legislative advocacy with partners led to the creation of the Clean Streams Fund in the 2022-2023 Pennsylvania budget. Pennsylvania’s first fund dedicated to addressing primary sources of water pollution, led to grants for Erie County farmers to implement watershed-friendly practices and for the City of Erie to increase its urban tree cover.

PennFuture's statewide activities in 2026 include: 

• PennFuture’s Legal Team had a major victory for clean water against corporate polluters! We led the charge against the push of Merck Pharmaceuticals to change the rules to make it easier for polluters to spill harmful substances into our waters without our knowledge and without reporting it to the DEP. PennFuture’s legal team leapt into action, submitting strong technical comments in opposition to the proposed regulation. More than 800 PennFuture members from across the state spoke up in opposition. In April 2026, the PA Environmental Quality Board announced it was withdrawing the new spill rulemaking!  

• PennFuture created a data center model zoning ordinance — this universal ordinance was designed for PA municipalities to quickly update their land use zoning laws to protect its environment and communities from the impacts of data center proposals, with suggested provisions addressing water consumption, power consumption, noise, and other concerns. 

• Our joint Government Affairs Team with Conservation Voters of PA — the largest advocacy team in Harrisburg on behalf of Pennsylvania’s environment in state history — hosted our 2nd Lobby Day for the Environment on May 4, 2026. More than 130 Pennsylvanians from across the state came with us to Harrisburg to speak directly with state lawmakers on energy affordability and environmental bills. 

Since 1998, PennFuture has combined legislative advocacy and legal enforcement at the local, state, and federal levels, educational outreach, and civic engagement support for just and equitable environmental outcomes that improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. PennFuture has stood at the forefront of major environmental milestones in Pennsylvania as a bold and vigilant defender of communities against pollution and environmentally harmful policies. We have offices across Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Erie, and the Poconos.