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...
@dangearino.bsky.social and I appeared on this Danish podcast to talk about energy and climate policy under the second Trump administration. The podcast is called “Project Trump.”
Ny Projekt Trump: Jeg taler med de to amerikanske klimajournalister @kiley.bsky.social og @dangearino.bsky.social fra Inside Climate News. Vi gennemgår Trumps promovering af fossil energi, angreb på eksempelvis vindenergi og håbet for en grøn omstilling alligevel. Lyt fx med her:
Kiley Bense og Dan Gearino: Trumps klimapolitik vil mærkes mange år frem
Podcastepisode · Projekt Trump · 9. september · 44 min.
podcasts.apple.com
September 17, 2026 at 1:39 AM
@dangearino.bsky.social and I appeared on this Danish podcast to talk about energy and climate policy under the second Trump administration. The podcast is called “Project Trump.”
Reposted by Kiley Bense
My automated charts for @insideclimatenews.org are still tracking oil/fuel prices. We're now back above $100 per barrel again for Brent Crude
July 24, 2026 at 2:14 PM
My automated charts for @insideclimatenews.org are still tracking oil/fuel prices. We're now back above $100 per barrel again for Brent Crude
Reposted by Kiley Bense
Chatham Co. residents in NC have valid reasons to be concerned re: Enbridge's proposed nat gas pipeline: In Tennessee, the company damaged wetlands & streams, encroached on private property + feds issued a stop-work order on one segment of its Ridgeline project
insideclimatenews.org/news/2506202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2506202...
A Pipeline Company Says It Will Protect the Environment in North Carolina. Its Record in Tennessee Says Otherwise. - Inside Climate News
Damaged wetlands and streams, spills of drilling mud and a federal stop-work order have plagued the Ridgeline Expansion Project in Tennessee.
insideclimatenews.org
June 25, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Chatham Co. residents in NC have valid reasons to be concerned re: Enbridge's proposed nat gas pipeline: In Tennessee, the company damaged wetlands & streams, encroached on private property + feds issued a stop-work order on one segment of its Ridgeline project
insideclimatenews.org/news/2506202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2506202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
The folly of Trump taking a "wrecking ball" to a crucial science advisory board [via @insideclimatenews.org]
The folly of Trump taking a "wrecking ball" to a crucial science advisory board
Without independent oversight, the National Science Foundation is “fully at the behest of the White House.”
www.motherjones.com
May 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The folly of Trump taking a "wrecking ball" to a crucial science advisory board [via @insideclimatenews.org]
Reposted by Kiley Bense
Here's @kiley.bsky.social for @insideclimatenews.org on the Trump administration's ouster of the entire National Science Board
insideclimatenews.org/news/2804202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2804202...
Trump Takes a ‘Wrecking Ball’ to Independent Scientific Advisory Board - Inside Climate News
Without the impartial oversight of its board, the National Science Foundation is now “fully at the behest of the White House,” experts warn.
insideclimatenews.org
April 29, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Here's @kiley.bsky.social for @insideclimatenews.org on the Trump administration's ouster of the entire National Science Board
insideclimatenews.org/news/2804202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2804202...
Yesterday, I wrote about the Trump administration’s abrupt firing of the National Science Board and how it fits into a broader pattern of attacks on American science in the past year and a half. insideclimatenews.org/news/2804202...
Trump Takes a ‘Wrecking Ball’ to Independent Scientific Advisory Board - Inside Climate News
Without the impartial oversight of its board, the National Science Foundation is now “fully at the behest of the White House,” experts warn.
insideclimatenews.org
April 29, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Yesterday, I wrote about the Trump administration’s abrupt firing of the National Science Board and how it fits into a broader pattern of attacks on American science in the past year and a half. insideclimatenews.org/news/2804202...
I spoke with Lydia Millet about climate change in fiction, apocalypses, and how she is thinking about writing in this time. insideclimatenews.org/news/1604202...
Memoir, Fiction and the Natural World - Inside Climate News
An interview with author Lydia Millet.
insideclimatenews.org
April 17, 2026 at 11:32 AM
I spoke with Lydia Millet about climate change in fiction, apocalypses, and how she is thinking about writing in this time. insideclimatenews.org/news/1604202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
The Trump rollback of federal climate policy has made state battles more key for the fossil fuel industry. Enter "Natural Allies," an industry group in Pennsylvania that sell its pro-gas message to Democrats. By @kiley.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/1104202...
Gas Industry Front Group Targets Democrats in Pennsylvania - Inside Climate News
The industry group pays politicians to convince voters that natural gas is the “most affordable and reliable energy source.”
insideclimatenews.org
April 12, 2026 at 1:06 PM
The Trump rollback of federal climate policy has made state battles more key for the fossil fuel industry. Enter "Natural Allies," an industry group in Pennsylvania that sell its pro-gas message to Democrats. By @kiley.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/1104202...
Bald eagles are one of the 21st century's great conservation success stories. But scientists today are worried about the long-term impacts of an unusually persistent outbreak of avian flu on this species and other raptors.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2603202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2603202...
Avian Flu Has Killed Thousands of Birds in the U.S. Pennsylvania Is at the Epicenter. - Inside Climate News
Bald eagles and other raptors are among more than 100 bird species that have died from avian flu in the past four years—and the virus is still spreading.
insideclimatenews.org
March 26, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Bald eagles are one of the 21st century's great conservation success stories. But scientists today are worried about the long-term impacts of an unusually persistent outbreak of avian flu on this species and other raptors.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2603202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2603202...
Many thanks to @sabew.bsky.social for recognizing the fracking waste series I worked on last year with @peteraldhous.com and @jsmithhopkins.bsky.social! sabew.org/2026/03/2025...
2025 Best in Business Awards | SABEW
Congratulations to our 2025 honorees! The Best in Business Awards attracted 988 entries from 150 news organizations, ranging from international, national and regional news outlets to specialized busin...
sabew.org
March 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Many thanks to @sabew.bsky.social for recognizing the fracking waste series I worked on last year with @peteraldhous.com and @jsmithhopkins.bsky.social! sabew.org/2026/03/2025...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
UPDATE: Our @insideclimatenews.org Trump 2.0 Environmental Case Scorecard is now tracking more than 70 lawsuits
insideclimatenews.org/news/0411202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0411202...
March 24, 2026 at 6:21 PM
UPDATE: Our @insideclimatenews.org Trump 2.0 Environmental Case Scorecard is now tracking more than 70 lawsuits
insideclimatenews.org/news/0411202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0411202...
With my colleague @keertigopal.bsky.social, I wrote about a new report on global air pollution--that shows how climate change is making it worse. insideclimatenews.org/news/2403202...
Climate-Fueled Wildfires and Dust Storms Drove Up Air Pollution Around the World Last Year - Inside Climate News
A new report shows air pollution threatens the majority of the world’s population, while information gaps increase the risks.
insideclimatenews.org
March 24, 2026 at 5:09 PM
With my colleague @keertigopal.bsky.social, I wrote about a new report on global air pollution--that shows how climate change is making it worse. insideclimatenews.org/news/2403202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
High school students in Pittsburgh are trying to raise $5,000 to plug old methane-leaking, abandoned wells. My @wesa.fm colleague Rachel McDevitt has this inspiring story: www.wesa.fm/environment-...
Pittsburgh high schoolers hope to make climate impact by plugging old gas wells
The Dice Well Done Club is hoping to plug its second abandoned well this year.
www.wesa.fm
March 17, 2026 at 2:12 PM
High school students in Pittsburgh are trying to raise $5,000 to plug old methane-leaking, abandoned wells. My @wesa.fm colleague Rachel McDevitt has this inspiring story: www.wesa.fm/environment-...
“Now that we’ve allowed it to happen, we’re going to have to be watching forever."
Scientists say the study, which looked at how radioactivity in fracking waste may be contaminating landfills, is just the beginning of monitoring that will be needed for years.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1303202...
Scientists say the study, which looked at how radioactivity in fracking waste may be contaminating landfills, is just the beginning of monitoring that will be needed for years.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1303202...
Pennsylvania Publishes Long-Awaited Study on Radioactivity in Landfill Runoff - Inside Climate News
The state concluded there is “no current cause for concern.” Experts worried about the long-term impacts of fracking waste say more research is required.
insideclimatenews.org
March 16, 2026 at 2:26 PM
“Now that we’ve allowed it to happen, we’re going to have to be watching forever."
Scientists say the study, which looked at how radioactivity in fracking waste may be contaminating landfills, is just the beginning of monitoring that will be needed for years.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1303202...
Scientists say the study, which looked at how radioactivity in fracking waste may be contaminating landfills, is just the beginning of monitoring that will be needed for years.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1303202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
Inside Climate News - Kiley Bense: PA DEP Publishes Long-Awaited Study On Radioactivity In Landfill Leachate [Former DEP Radiation Protection Director Said Annual Sampling Required Because Landfills Change Over Time] insideclimatenews.org/news/1303202...
Pennsylvania Publishes Long-Awaited Study on Radioactivity in Landfill Runoff - Inside Climate News
The state concluded there is “no current cause for concern.” Experts worried about the long-term impacts of fracking waste say more research is required.
insideclimatenews.org
March 14, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Inside Climate News - Kiley Bense: PA DEP Publishes Long-Awaited Study On Radioactivity In Landfill Leachate [Former DEP Radiation Protection Director Said Annual Sampling Required Because Landfills Change Over Time] insideclimatenews.org/news/1303202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
If the war in Iran drags on, we could see significant increases in utility bills here in the U.S. at a time when many Americans are already struggling to pay. insideclimatenews.org/news/0503202...
How Will the War in Iran Affect Your Utility Bills? - Inside Climate News
Conflict in the Middle East could have major repercussions for U.S. electricity and natural gas prices. Some states, like Pennsylvania, are particularly vulnerable.
insideclimatenews.org
March 6, 2026 at 2:22 PM
If the war in Iran drags on, we could see significant increases in utility bills here in the U.S. at a time when many Americans are already struggling to pay. insideclimatenews.org/news/0503202...
In February, coal industry leaders presented the president with a gold trophy labeled “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal.” insideclimatenews.org/news/2802202...
Without Weighing Costs to Public Health, EPA Rolls Back Air Pollution Standards for Coal Plants - Inside Climate News
The federal Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for coal and oil-fired power plants were strengthened during the Biden administration.
insideclimatenews.org
March 2, 2026 at 3:14 PM
In February, coal industry leaders presented the president with a gold trophy labeled “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal.” insideclimatenews.org/news/2802202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
New from me and @mlavelle.bsky.social: Why Electricity Bills Are So High—and How the Blowback Could Hit Trump
insideclimatenews.org/news/0203202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0203202...
Why Electricity Bills Are So High—and How the Blowback Could Hit Trump - Inside Climate News
As Democrats and climate activists seize on energy costs as a political issue, new data shows electricity rates rose 5 percent nationwide in 2025. The figures were much higher in some states.
insideclimatenews.org
March 2, 2026 at 1:30 PM
New from me and @mlavelle.bsky.social: Why Electricity Bills Are So High—and How the Blowback Could Hit Trump
insideclimatenews.org/news/0203202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0203202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
‘We Will See Them in Court’: Environmental Lawyers Vow to Challenge Trump’s Repeal of Key Climate Finding
insideclimatenews.org/news/1202202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1202202...
‘We Will See Them in Court’: Environmental Lawyers Vow to Challenge Trump’s Repeal of Key Climate Finding - Inside Climate News
The Trump administration repealed the EPA’s 2009 determination that greenhouse gases are a pollutant, an important legal foundation for their regulation.
insideclimatenews.org
February 13, 2026 at 3:45 AM
‘We Will See Them in Court’: Environmental Lawyers Vow to Challenge Trump’s Repeal of Key Climate Finding
insideclimatenews.org/news/1202202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1202202...
Reposted by Kiley Bense
Also, make sure to read @insideclimatenews.org coverage of the endangerment finding rule change, including this banger from @kiley.bsky.social (with much more to come from our newsroom):
insideclimatenews.org/news/1202202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1202202...
‘We Will See Them in Court’: Environmental Lawyers Vow to Challenge Trump’s Repeal of Key Climate Finding - Inside Climate News
The Trump administration repealed the EPA’s 2009 determination that greenhouse gases are a pollutant, an important legal foundation for their regulation.
insideclimatenews.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:22 AM
Also, make sure to read @insideclimatenews.org coverage of the endangerment finding rule change, including this banger from @kiley.bsky.social (with much more to come from our newsroom):
insideclimatenews.org/news/1202202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1202202...
When Hurricane Ida hit the 200-year-old Fairmount Water Works in 2021, it forced a reckoning about what this iconic landmark must do if it wants to survive another century.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0102202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0102202...
With Waters Rising, Pennsylvania’s Historical Treasures Must ‘Adapt or Collapse’ - Inside Climate News
PHILADELPHIA—Karen Young stood in a cavernous room perched on the edge of the Schuylkill River that was once a public swimming pool. Abandoned in 1972 after a hurricane, the old natatorium is part of...
insideclimatenews.org
February 2, 2026 at 3:37 PM
When Hurricane Ida hit the 200-year-old Fairmount Water Works in 2021, it forced a reckoning about what this iconic landmark must do if it wants to survive another century.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0102202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0102202...
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...