Environment
Environment
10 Years After BP Deepwater Horizon Spill: Oil Drilled Deeper; Rules Relaxed
Ten years after an oil rig explosion killed 11 workers and unleashed an environmental nightmare in the Gulf of Mexico, companies are drilling in deeper and deeper waters, where payoffs can be huge but risks are greater than ever.
Water, Water (Most) Everywhere, As Northwest Snowpack Is Good. But Some Areas Are Low
For much of the Northwest, snowpack is above normal. That’s a good sign this time of year, when snowpack usually reaches its peak. Having enough snowpack is critical for spring and summer runoff that will supply water for irrigation and salmon runs. But that doesn’t mean everywhere has that much snow.
As Many People Stay Home, Will The Environment Improve — At Least Temporarily?
Will the current lull in activity make a difference in the air we breathe or the future of climate change?
Washington And Oregon Close State Parks Over…Well, You Know By Now
You’ll have to put off your favorite hike on Washington public lands for at least two weeks. State-managed parks and wildlife areas are closing starting Wednesday, March 25.
Meetings On Future Of Snake River Dams Now Teleconferences: Here’s How To Access
If you want to attend public hearings on the federal government’s plan to manage the Columbia and Snake River dams, you’ll have to do it by phone. The previously scheduled in-person meetings are now teleconferences.
Washington Lawmakers Stop Short Of Banning Pesticide Linked To Neurological Problems
Washington regulators must soon consider rules to limit the use of a controversial pesticide that can cause neurological and health problems, especially in young children. A bill passed by state lawmakers this session didn’t outright ban the pesticide, as health and farmworker activists had proposed.
The Mountain Wildflowers Are Out (Earlier): How Climate Change May Affect Tourist Season At Rainier
The wildflower season at Mount Rainier National Park was short in 2015. Some of the lupines stopped flowering and didn’t make seeds like they normally do. The shorter season also meant fewer people saw peak blooms. A new study looks at how winter changes may affect tourist season at Washington’s iconic park.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Promises Executive Action On Climate After GOP Legislative Walkout
For the second year in a row, Democrats’ signature bill for instituting a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was stymied by a Republican walkout. Now, the focus falls on Gov. Kate Brown.
Climate Stewardship Connects Eastern Washington Faith And Farming To Legislative Action In Olympia
Climate change isn’t a new topic for progressive churches like Shalom United Church of Christ in Richland. But it is perhaps tinged with new urgency. Survey results from the Pew Research Center show that congregations are delving into environmental awareness recently. And so are farmers.
States Take The Wheel Promoting Electric Cars. Not Everyone (Especially Oil Companies) Is On Board
There are nearly 1.5 million electric vehicles in the U.S. today. E.V. boosters want more government incentives to increase that. With little federal movement states like New Jersey are taking action.
Do Thinning And Prescribed Burns Help? New Study Following 2014 Carlton Complex Fire Says Yes
Researchers began their detective work, trying to figure out what happened to these treated areas during the first few extreme days of the Carlton Complex fire. They gathered geospatial maps and satellite images.
Alaska Feels The Brunt As Investors Promise Retreat On Fossil Fuels
JPMorgan Chase is the latest investor to say it won’t finance drilling in Alaska’s Arctic. Some welcome the move, but there’s also concern in a state that depends heavily on oil revenue.
