Environment
Environment
Northwest Clean-Energy Advocates Eye Pumped Hydro To Fill Gaps, With Tribes Noting Concerns
Many states – including Oregon and Washington – have set renewable energy goals. But, there’s a problem. The wind isn’t always blowing, and the sun isn’t always shining. That’s why wind and solar power are variable, or intermittent. Enter pumped hydro. It’s not a new technology, but it is gaining more interest regionally. Continue Reading Northwest Clean-Energy Advocates Eye Pumped Hydro To Fill Gaps, With Tribes Noting Concerns
‘Most Significant Conservation Legislation’ In 50 Years: Great American Outdoors Act Approved
Supporters say the measure, known as the Great American Outdoors Act, would be the most significant conservation legislation enacted in nearly half a century. Continue Reading ‘Most Significant Conservation Legislation’ In 50 Years: Great American Outdoors Act Approved
Welcome To Klickitat Canyon, South-Central Washington’s New Conservation Area
The newly completed conservation area in south-central Washington is expected to protect habitat and lead to a more resilient forest. Conservation groups say this is a big step toward connecting important ecosystems in the area. Continue Reading Welcome To Klickitat Canyon, South-Central Washington’s New Conservation Area
In Northwestern Washington, A Free-Flowing Middle Fork Nooksack River Is Just Months Away
A dam removal that has been 20 years in the making reached an important milestone this week. Explosives ripped through the concrete on the Middle Fork Nooksack, east of Bellingham. Continue Reading In Northwestern Washington, A Free-Flowing Middle Fork Nooksack River Is Just Months Away
Oil Industry, Accustomed To Booms And Busts, Is Rocked By Pandemic
When the price of oil crashes, oil companies often merge and big oil gets even bigger. So this crisis could be an opportunity for companies, but it comes with a tremendous amount of uncertainty. Continue Reading Oil Industry, Accustomed To Booms And Busts, Is Rocked By Pandemic
How Absentee Landowners Keep Farmers From Protecting Water And Soil
Cover crops are a vegetation that farmers can plant in the off-season to protect and enrich the soil. It’s great for the environment — and in the long run, for crops, too — but it costs money upfront. Farmers who rent land, and who may not have access to that land in the long run, are reluctant to spend that money. Continue Reading How Absentee Landowners Keep Farmers From Protecting Water And Soil
Forest Service Considers Rule Change That Prevented Logging Of Some Northwest Old-Growth Trees
The land management plans, known as the “Eastside Screens,” came about in 1995 to protect old growth trees east of the Cascades. The rules were meant to be temporary. The Forest Service wants to amend a section of the policy called the “21-inch rule,” which prohibits harvesting trees that are greater than 21-inches in diameter. Continue Reading Forest Service Considers Rule Change That Prevented Logging Of Some Northwest Old-Growth Trees
Saddle Mountain Fire Is Test For COVID Plans, And In A Sensitive Wildlife Area
Firefighters are wrapping up after three days at this season’s first big wildfire in eastern Washington. As crews began heading home, the Saddle Mountain Fire had burned about 10,000 as of Wednesday, July 8, in steep terrain on part of the Saddle Mountain Wildlife Refuge. Continue Reading Saddle Mountain Fire Is Test For COVID Plans, And In A Sensitive Wildlife Area
Interior Secretary: Grizzlies Will Not Be Brought Back To Washington’s North Cascades
Conservation groups have said they are “weighing options” about what to do next. Ranching and cattle groups applauded the decision, saying more predators present challenges for their members. Continue Reading Interior Secretary: Grizzlies Will Not Be Brought Back To Washington’s North Cascades
Court Rules Dakota Access Pipeline Must Be Emptied Temporarily For Environmental Review
A federal judge has ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to produce a full environmental review. Until then, oil must stop flowing through the controversial pipeline. Continue Reading Court Rules Dakota Access Pipeline Must Be Emptied Temporarily For Environmental Review
Washington Has Seen A Significant Rise In Wildfire Starts So Far This Year
Washington fire managers say they’ve seen a significant number of wildfires in “every corner of the state.” So far this year, the state Department of Natural Resources says it has responded to more than 468 wildfires of varying sizes – nearly double the 10-year average for an entire fire season. But this year’s unprecedented uptick in the number of fires has an unforeseen culprit: people cleaning their yards during the pandemic. Continue Reading Washington Has Seen A Significant Rise In Wildfire Starts So Far This Year
Monsanto To Pay Washington State $95M Over PCB Pollution And Dangers From Weedkiller Roundup
The announcement Wednesday from Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson came as Bayer, which acquired Monsanto two years ago, said it would pay $820 million to resolve PCB pollution claims and up to $10.9 billion to resolve many claims, both current and future, over contamination from or exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller. Continue Reading Monsanto To Pay Washington State $95M Over PCB Pollution And Dangers From Weedkiller Roundup
