Environment
Environment
![Refueling a vehicle at a hydrogen gas pump could be a familiar, speedy routine akin to how consumers refuel gasoline-powered cars today. Courtesy of Washington State Senate](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Hydrogen-fuel-hydrogen-gas-pump-CREDIT-Courtesy-of-Washington-State-Senate-500x500.jpg)
Wenatchee-Area Hydrogen Production Plant Signals Renewed Interest In Alternative Fuel
A public utility in north-central Washington broke ground Monday for a hydrogen production facility. It’s one of several related actions in the Northwest that reflect renewed interest in hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel.
![Washington Fish and Wildlife officials are the latest to warn about the possible environmental and economic dangers if the zebra mussel spreads in the state. CREDIT: National Park Service](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/zebra_mussels.national_park_service-500x500.jpg)
Northwest Wildlife Agencies Warn Of Newly Found Invasive Zebra Mussels
Washington state wildlife officials are working with pet store chains to stop the spread of aquarium products found to contain zebra mussels. A zebra mussel is a tiny shellfish native to the Black and Caspian Seas in Ukraine. But they’re now found all over the world, except in the Northwest.
![A young cougar, which was previously tagged with a tracking collar, is treed by hounds in Washington. Courtesy of Buddy Woodberry](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Cougar-in-tree-in-Washington-Courtesy-of-Buddy-Woodberry-500x500.jpg)
New Rule Allowing Hound Training For Cougar Tracking Highlights Wildlife-Human Challenges
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission recently approved a new rule that could soon grant George’s wish. But the rule is not without controversy. Many conservationists worry that training more hound handlers could put a strain on Washington’s cougar population and lead to catastrophic unintended consequences for the big cats.
![Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., during her Senate hearing Tuesday to be Interior Secretary. If confirmed, she would be the first Native American to hold the post. CREDIT: Jim Watson/AP](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ap21054546746533-84733c796f9fca1cc1c9640ea72c09249a9458e2-500x500.jpg)
Interior Nominee Deb Haaland Faces Tough Questions On Climate Goals
Congresswoman Deb Haaland would be not just the first Native American Interior Secretary, but also the first in a presidential cabinet. She faced tough — and, at times, misguided — questioning from Republican lawmakers worried about the president’s climate goals.
![A northern spotted owl. CREDIT: Todd Sonflieth/OPB](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Spotted_Owl_Looks_Todd_Sonflieth_OPB-1-500x500.jpg)
Federal Government Will Reconsider Rollback Of Northern Spotted Owl Protections
The U.S. Interior Department is delaying and reviewing the Trump administration’s last-minute roll-back of federal protections for the imperiled northern spotted owl, which called for slashing protections from millions of acres of Northwest forests.
![Smokestacks at the Jeffrey Energy Center coal-fired power plant are silhouetted against the sky at sunset in September near Emmet, Kan. CREDIT: Charlie Riedel/AP](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ap_20257146972925-e265cb4c1e3c5e0cfd671c06136a147a5c6faeda-500x500.jpg)
U.S. Officially Rejoins Paris Agreement On Climate Change
The United States on Friday officially rejoined the Paris Agreement on climate change designed to limit global warming and avoid its potentially catastrophic impacts.
![Deception Pass State Park, on the north end of Whidbey Island. CREDIT: Washington State Parks](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Deception-Pass-State-Park-CREDIT-Washington-State-Parks-500x350.jpeg)
Washington State Parks Commission Changes Plan On Navy Usage For SEAL Training
During a special meeting Thursday, the commission voted to let the state parks director decide if daylight restrictions can be lifted or modified after the Navy’s nine-month trial period is up, as long as the Navy complies with limits on when and where it will conduct training operations.
![Tribal canoeists on the Memorial Bridge in Lewiston, Idaho, on the Clearwater River just before the confluence with the Snake River. The group joined the larger Free the Snake "flotilla" demonstration, Sept. 7-8, 2018. CREDIT: MIKE BEISER](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/tribal_canoes_-_free_the_snake_-_flotilla_-_credit_mike_beiser-500x500.jpg)
Idaho Congressman Proposes $33.5 Billion Plan For Breaching Snake River Dams In Washington
A $33.5 billion stimulus package would breach the four dams by 2031. Much of the funding would go toward solutions for what would be lost, including hydropower, less access to irrigation, grain transportation and economic development for Lewiston and the Tri-Cities.
![A northern spotted owl. CREDIT: Todd Sonflieth/OPB](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Spotted_Owl_Looks_Todd_Sonflieth_OPB-1-500x500.jpg)
Western Members Of Congress Call For Investigation Into Slashed Spotted Owl Protections By Interior
Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer joined with colleagues from Washington, California and Arizona Tuesday in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Interior. In it, they requested an immediate federal review into the previous administration’s decision to remove 3.4 million acres of the Northern spotted owl’s critical habitat in Oregon, Washington and California.
![All new cars sold in Washington state would need to be electric by 2030 if the legislature approves a pending bill. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Cars-for-Sale-Washington-State-Car-lot-KIA-CREDIT-Tom-Banse-N3-500x500.jpeg)
Washington Lawmakers Consider Shifting All New Car Sales To Electric Only By 2030
You may be used to hearing a pushy car salesperson ask the timeless question, “What can I do to get you in this car?” But one big thing could be different in Washington state a decade from now. Proposals introduced this winter in the Washington Legislature would end sales of new gasoline-powered cars in the state by 2030.
![Buildings account for the second biggest share of carbon pollution in Washington, after transportation, largely due to gas furnaces and water heaters such as these. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Gas-furnace-heating-fossil-fuel-CREDIT-Tom-Banse-N3-500x500.jpeg)
Bye-Bye, Gas Heat? Proposals For Washington Seek To Phase Out Fossil Fuel Heating In Buildings
A long goodbye to natural gas furnaces and water heating — and possibly other gas appliances — could begin with action by the Washington Legislature this winter. Separately, the Seattle City Council this week begins consideration of a similar proposal to eliminate fossil fuel-based heating in new commercial buildings.
![Alexandra Sasha Grieb and Kyleigh Dabler, both 19, from Kennewick, waved at passing cars driving by Richland’s John Dam Plaza. Grieb said it will be up to younger generations to fight climate change now with their votes. “The earth will survive climate change. Humans won’t,” she said. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/TC1-Alexandra-Sasha-Grieb-and-Kyleigh-Dabler-500x500.jpg)
In One Of His First Acts, President Biden Moves To Have U.S. Join Paris Climate Agreement
The U.S. officially withdrew from the accord to limit climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions late last year, after President Donald Trump began the process in 2017. It is the only country of the nearly 200 signatories that has withdrawn. Biden vowed to sign on Inauguration Day the documents needed to rejoin the agreement.