Kiley Bense
@kiley.bsky.social
Journalist at @insideclimatenews.org covering climate change, the environment, public health, and politics.
Recent work:
https://insideclimatenews.org/profile/kiley-bense/
Recent work:
https://insideclimatenews.org/profile/kiley-bense/
Pinned
Kiley Bense
@kiley.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Kiley Bense - Inside Climate News
Kiley Bense covers climate change and the environment with a focus on Pennsylvania, politics, energy, and public health. She has reported on the effects of the fracking boom in Pennsylvania, the expan...
insideclimatenews.org
Hello! I’m the Pennsylvania reporter at Inside Climate News, covering climate, the environment, energy, and politics. That includes everything from fracking and steelmaking to elections, wildlife, activism, and public policy.
You can read my recent work here: insideclimatenews.org/profile/kile...
You can read my recent work here: insideclimatenews.org/profile/kile...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
The pace of our news cycle makes it easy for stories to fall off the screen - but the disaster in parts of the South from the ice storm is still very much ongoing. Some important observations from the ground there - and more about the next major storm for the East. tinyurl.com/43987xnn
High impact winter storm looks increasingly likely for parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast this weekend, while major impacts linger from ice storm
Arctic cold and high winds will add to the issues through the weekend
tinyurl.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:56 PM
The pace of our news cycle makes it easy for stories to fall off the screen - but the disaster in parts of the South from the ice storm is still very much ongoing. Some important observations from the ground there - and more about the next major storm for the East. tinyurl.com/43987xnn
Reposted by Kiley Bense
"A Winter Storm Fueled by Global Warming Tests U.S. Disaster Response" by @kiley.bsky.social, @bberwyn.bsky.social, @keertigopal.bsky.social, Lee Hedgepeth & Lisa Sorg for @insideclimatenews.org: insideclimatenews.org/news/2601202...
A Winter Storm Fueled by Global Warming Tests U.S. Disaster Response - Inside Climate News
A sprawling winter storm that left hundreds of thousands without power, grounded thousands of flights and disrupted travel across the eastern half of the U.S. could be the first real test of the secon...
insideclimatenews.org
January 27, 2026 at 2:39 PM
"A Winter Storm Fueled by Global Warming Tests U.S. Disaster Response" by @kiley.bsky.social, @bberwyn.bsky.social, @keertigopal.bsky.social, Lee Hedgepeth & Lisa Sorg for @insideclimatenews.org: insideclimatenews.org/news/2601202...
The money set aside to remediate abandoned mine lands is a “drop in the bucket” compared to the federal budget. But it’s a lifeline for coal country communities dealing with the aftermath of decades of mining. insideclimatenews.org/news/1301202...
Coal Communities Accuse Congress of Breaking Its Promise to Clean Up Abandoned Mine Lands - Inside Climate News
The House passed a bill last week that would “repurpose” $500 million meant for cleaning up environmental and safety hazards caused by decades of coal mining.
insideclimatenews.org
January 13, 2026 at 2:52 PM
The money set aside to remediate abandoned mine lands is a “drop in the bucket” compared to the federal budget. But it’s a lifeline for coal country communities dealing with the aftermath of decades of mining. insideclimatenews.org/news/1301202...
For the past year, I've been working on an investigation into Pennsylvania's oil and gas waste--a toxic and often radioactive byproduct of the state's fracking industry. How much of it is produced every year? Where does it end up? What's in it? And what happens when regulators lose track of it?
December 23, 2025 at 7:53 PM
For the past year, I've been working on an investigation into Pennsylvania's oil and gas waste--a toxic and often radioactive byproduct of the state's fracking industry. How much of it is produced every year? Where does it end up? What's in it? And what happens when regulators lose track of it?
Reposted by Kiley Bense
Here's @kiley.bsky.social talking to editor @jsmithhopkins.bsky.social about our @insideclimatenews.org reporting on oil and gas waste going to landfills in Pennsylvania
insideclimatenews.org/news/2112202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2112202...
A Messy Trail of Toxic Oil and Gas Waste - Inside Climate News
Go behind the scenes with managing editor Jamie Smith Hopkins and reporter Kiley Bense as they discuss how Pennsylvania is failing to track toxic oil and gas waste, while the amount sitting in landfil...
insideclimatenews.org
December 23, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Here's @kiley.bsky.social talking to editor @jsmithhopkins.bsky.social about our @insideclimatenews.org reporting on oil and gas waste going to landfills in Pennsylvania
insideclimatenews.org/news/2112202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2112202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
Inside Climate News Video: Reporter Kiley Bense Talks About Her 3 Part Series On Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Waste [Video] tinyurl.com/45wmjfm4
A Messy Trail of Toxic Oil and Gas Waste - Inside Climate News
Go behind the scenes with managing editor Jamie Smith Hopkins and reporter Kiley Bense as they discuss how Pennsylvania is failing to track toxic oil and gas waste, while the amount sitting in landfil...
tinyurl.com
December 21, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Inside Climate News Video: Reporter Kiley Bense Talks About Her 3 Part Series On Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Waste [Video] tinyurl.com/45wmjfm4
Reposted by Kiley Bense
LNG exports from US up 22% over a year ago, when US was already largest exporter in the world. This is a significant cause of energy inflation costs in US.
insideclimatenews.org/news/17122025/liquefied-natural-gas-exports-driving-up-energy-bills/?utm_source=InsideClimate+News&utm_campaign=8b44c2acfb
insideclimatenews.org/news/17122025/liquefied-natural-gas-exports-driving-up-energy-bills/?utm_source=InsideClimate+News&utm_campaign=8b44c2acfb
Gas Exports Are Driving Up Americans’ Energy Bills, Report Says - Inside Climate News
Higher exports of liquefied natural gas in 2025 played a significant role in rising utility bills, an analysis of federal data found.
insideclimatenews.org
December 20, 2025 at 2:01 PM
LNG exports from US up 22% over a year ago, when US was already largest exporter in the world. This is a significant cause of energy inflation costs in US.
insideclimatenews.org/news/17122025/liquefied-natural-gas-exports-driving-up-energy-bills/?utm_source=InsideClimate+News&utm_campaign=8b44c2acfb
insideclimatenews.org/news/17122025/liquefied-natural-gas-exports-driving-up-energy-bills/?utm_source=InsideClimate+News&utm_campaign=8b44c2acfb
Reposted by Kiley Bense
NEW from @kiley.bsky.social and I for @insideclimatenews.org:
Twenty Years Into Fracking, Pennsylvania Has Yet to Reckon With Its Radioactive Waste
insideclimatenews.org/news/2012202...
Twenty Years Into Fracking, Pennsylvania Has Yet to Reckon With Its Radioactive Waste
insideclimatenews.org/news/2012202...
Twenty Years Into Fracking, Pennsylvania Has Yet to Reckon With Its Radioactive Waste - Inside Climate News
Former government officials say the state isn’t doing enough to regulate fracking waste, even as new research shows it’s far more radioactive than previously known.
insideclimatenews.org
December 20, 2025 at 12:47 PM
NEW from @kiley.bsky.social and I for @insideclimatenews.org:
Twenty Years Into Fracking, Pennsylvania Has Yet to Reckon With Its Radioactive Waste
insideclimatenews.org/news/2012202...
Twenty Years Into Fracking, Pennsylvania Has Yet to Reckon With Its Radioactive Waste
insideclimatenews.org/news/2012202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
I'm quoted in this second installment of an important 3-part @insideclimatenews.org series by @kiley.bsky.social and @peteraldhous.com.
@kleinmanenergy.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/2012202...
@kleinmanenergy.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/2012202...
Twenty Years Into Fracking, Pennsylvania Has Yet to Reckon With Its Radioactive Waste - Inside Climate News
Former government officials say the state isn’t doing enough to regulate fracking waste, even as new research shows it’s far more radioactive than previously known.
insideclimatenews.org
December 20, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I'm quoted in this second installment of an important 3-part @insideclimatenews.org series by @kiley.bsky.social and @peteraldhous.com.
@kleinmanenergy.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/2012202...
@kleinmanenergy.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/2012202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
NEW @insideclimatenews.org from @kiley.bsky.social and I:
Tracking Oil and Gas Waste in Pennsylvania Is Still a ‘Logistical Mess’
insideclimatenews.org/news/1912202...
Tracking Oil and Gas Waste in Pennsylvania Is Still a ‘Logistical Mess’
insideclimatenews.org/news/1912202...
Tracking Oil and Gas Waste in Pennsylvania Is Still a ‘Logistical Mess’ - Inside Climate News
More than a decade after regulators promised to improve reporting standards for this waste, an Inside Climate News investigation found huge discrepancies in state records.
insideclimatenews.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
NEW @insideclimatenews.org from @kiley.bsky.social and I:
Tracking Oil and Gas Waste in Pennsylvania Is Still a ‘Logistical Mess’
insideclimatenews.org/news/1912202...
Tracking Oil and Gas Waste in Pennsylvania Is Still a ‘Logistical Mess’
insideclimatenews.org/news/1912202...
A new investigation into PA’s tracking of toxic and often radioactive oil and gas waste revealed huge discrepancies in the records. (With @peteraldhous.com) insideclimatenews.org/news/1912202...
Tracking Oil and Gas Waste in Pennsylvania Is Still a ‘Logistical Mess’ - Inside Climate News
More than a decade after regulators promised to improve reporting standards for this waste, an Inside Climate News investigation found huge discrepancies in state records.
insideclimatenews.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
A new investigation into PA’s tracking of toxic and often radioactive oil and gas waste revealed huge discrepancies in the records. (With @peteraldhous.com) insideclimatenews.org/news/1912202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
"The analysis, based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, found that Americans paid $12 billion more for natural gas between January and September 2025 than they did over the same period last year." insideclimatenews.org/news/1712202... via @kiley.bsky.social 🔌💡
Gas Exports Are Driving Up Americans’ Energy Bills, Report Says - Inside Climate News
Higher exports of liquefied natural gas in 2025 played a significant role in rising utility bills, an analysis of federal data found.
insideclimatenews.org
December 17, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"The analysis, based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, found that Americans paid $12 billion more for natural gas between January and September 2025 than they did over the same period last year." insideclimatenews.org/news/1712202... via @kiley.bsky.social 🔌💡
Reposted by Kiley Bense
Texas has no regulations to protect workers from the state’s blistering heat and overturned city ordinances that required rest breaks. What does that mean for workers in one of the hottest parts of the country? @keertigopal.bsky.social and I spent months investigating for @insideclimatenews.org (1)
November 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Texas has no regulations to protect workers from the state’s blistering heat and overturned city ordinances that required rest breaks. What does that mean for workers in one of the hottest parts of the country? @keertigopal.bsky.social and I spent months investigating for @insideclimatenews.org (1)
Reposted by Kiley Bense
NEW from me w/ Aidan Hughes @kiley.bsky.social for @insideclimatenews.org:
The Trump Administration Is Cutting Billions in Clean Energy Investments—But the Savings Are Overstated
insideclimatenews.org/news/1010202...
The Trump Administration Is Cutting Billions in Clean Energy Investments—But the Savings Are Overstated
insideclimatenews.org/news/1010202...
The Trump Administration Is Cutting Billions in Clean Energy Investments—But the Savings Are Overstated - Inside Climate News
Just days after announcing sweeping cuts to clean energy programs across the country, the Trump administration appears to be upping the ante—potentially clawing back billions more in federal funding. ...
insideclimatenews.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:41 PM
NEW from me w/ Aidan Hughes @kiley.bsky.social for @insideclimatenews.org:
The Trump Administration Is Cutting Billions in Clean Energy Investments—But the Savings Are Overstated
insideclimatenews.org/news/1010202...
The Trump Administration Is Cutting Billions in Clean Energy Investments—But the Savings Are Overstated
insideclimatenews.org/news/1010202...
Yesterday I appeared on NPR’s Here & Now to talk about why electricity prices keep going up in Pennsylvania (and in the rest of the country). www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Fracking companies promised low utility bills to Pennsylvanians, but they're higher than ever
The picture in Pennsylvania may be a preview of what’s coming to the rest of the country.
www.wbur.org
October 8, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Yesterday I appeared on NPR’s Here & Now to talk about why electricity prices keep going up in Pennsylvania (and in the rest of the country). www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
The results of a new study on how fracking can contaminate drinking water found that 71 percent of tested wells contained methane. Two registered “explosive levels of methane.” insideclimatenews.org/news/0710202...
Scientists Find Evidence that a Pennsylvania Town’s Water Was Contaminated by Fracking - Inside Climate News
Three years after noticing discoloration and odors in their wells, residents in New Freeport are still fighting for clean water.
insideclimatenews.org
October 7, 2025 at 7:21 PM
The results of a new study on how fracking can contaminate drinking water found that 71 percent of tested wells contained methane. Two registered “explosive levels of methane.” insideclimatenews.org/news/0710202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
Fracking’s Broken Promise to Pennsylvania.
#Fracking was supposed to lower Pennsylvanians’ electric bills. Instead, they’re higher than ever—and they’re about to get worse.
@kiley.bsky.social
@dangearino.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/2109202...
#Fracking was supposed to lower Pennsylvanians’ electric bills. Instead, they’re higher than ever—and they’re about to get worse.
@kiley.bsky.social
@dangearino.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/2109202...
Fracking’s Broken Promise to Pennsylvania - Inside Climate News
Fracking was supposed to lower Pennsylvanians’ electric bills. Instead, they’re higher than ever—and they’re about to get worse.
insideclimatenews.org
September 28, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Fracking’s Broken Promise to Pennsylvania.
#Fracking was supposed to lower Pennsylvanians’ electric bills. Instead, they’re higher than ever—and they’re about to get worse.
@kiley.bsky.social
@dangearino.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/2109202...
#Fracking was supposed to lower Pennsylvanians’ electric bills. Instead, they’re higher than ever—and they’re about to get worse.
@kiley.bsky.social
@dangearino.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/2109202...
Twenty years ago, Pennsylvania was a renewable energy leader. Now it lags far behind its peers.
This is how we got here: insideclimatenews.org/news/2209202...
This is how we got here: insideclimatenews.org/news/2209202...
Pennsylvania Was Once a National Leader in Renewable Energy. What Happened? - Inside Climate News
Natural gas was pitched as a stopgap between fossil fuels and renewables. Instead, it has derailed Pennsylvania’s energy transition.
insideclimatenews.org
September 23, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Twenty years ago, Pennsylvania was a renewable energy leader. Now it lags far behind its peers.
This is how we got here: insideclimatenews.org/news/2209202...
This is how we got here: insideclimatenews.org/news/2209202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
EPA is using an unusual loophole to delay iron and steel industry safeguards. “It’s a fake emergency. It’s just an excuse to push back the deadlines because industry doesn’t want to comply," said Jim Pew, an attorney at @earthjustice.org.
by @kiley.bsky.social via @insideclimatenews.org
by @kiley.bsky.social via @insideclimatenews.org
Residents Living in the Shadow of the Steel Industry Ask the EPA to Reconsider Delay of Hazardous Air Pollution Rule - Inside Climate News
In July the agency delayed the implementation of stronger emissions standards and fenceline monitoring at steel and iron facilities for two more years.
insideclimatenews.org
September 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
EPA is using an unusual loophole to delay iron and steel industry safeguards. “It’s a fake emergency. It’s just an excuse to push back the deadlines because industry doesn’t want to comply," said Jim Pew, an attorney at @earthjustice.org.
by @kiley.bsky.social via @insideclimatenews.org
by @kiley.bsky.social via @insideclimatenews.org
SEPTA’s cuts will lead to more greenhouse gas emissions. But they also threaten the Philadelphia region’s ability to meet its long-term climate goals. insideclimatenews.org/news/0309202...
Without Well-Funded Public Transit, Philadelphia’s Climate Future Looks Bleak - Inside Climate News
SEPTA riders aren’t the only ones hurt by service cuts, which could jeopardize the region’s long-term ability to meet climate goals.
insideclimatenews.org
September 4, 2025 at 1:32 PM
SEPTA’s cuts will lead to more greenhouse gas emissions. But they also threaten the Philadelphia region’s ability to meet its long-term climate goals. insideclimatenews.org/news/0309202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
20 years ago, when I was just 11 years old, my family hunkered down for Hurricane Katrina in a trailer in south Mobile County, just a few miles from the Gulf. Read my latest, a #HurricaneKatrina remembrance, in @insideclimatenews.org. insideclimatenews.org/news/2808202...
August 29, 2025 at 12:43 PM
20 years ago, when I was just 11 years old, my family hunkered down for Hurricane Katrina in a trailer in south Mobile County, just a few miles from the Gulf. Read my latest, a #HurricaneKatrina remembrance, in @insideclimatenews.org. insideclimatenews.org/news/2808202...
Thirteen years after Pennsylvania gifted Shell a record-breaking tax break, the company wants to sell its Monaca plant. insideclimatenews.org/news/2208202...
Pennsylvania Lured Shell to the State With a $1.65 Billion Tax Break. Now the Company Wants to Sell Its Plant - Inside Climate News
Looking back, “this was a terrible investment of taxpayer money,” one analyst said.
insideclimatenews.org
August 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Thirteen years after Pennsylvania gifted Shell a record-breaking tax break, the company wants to sell its Monaca plant. insideclimatenews.org/news/2208202...
After years of environmental and safety problems at Clairton Coke Works, residents who live nearby feel like they’re living in a “sacrifice zone.” insideclimatenews.org/news/1508202...
‘It Didn’t Have to Be This Way’: After Another Explosion at Clairton Coke Works, Advocates Call for Accountability - Inside Climate News
The deadly blast at the U.S. Steel facility outside Pittsburgh was just the latest in a series of recent workplace accidents.
insideclimatenews.org
August 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM
After years of environmental and safety problems at Clairton Coke Works, residents who live nearby feel like they’re living in a “sacrifice zone.” insideclimatenews.org/news/1508202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
The loss of the Heartbreak Hotel in Plainfield is an example of how Vermont river towns are finding themselves at the forefront of the climate crisis, as new weather patterns make homes unlivable.
Moving on From the Heartbreak Hotel - Inside Climate News
A year after a devastating flood, a small town in Vermont is working to rebuild.
insideclimatenews.org
August 11, 2025 at 8:44 PM
The loss of the Heartbreak Hotel in Plainfield is an example of how Vermont river towns are finding themselves at the forefront of the climate crisis, as new weather patterns make homes unlivable.