Environment
Environment

In Surprise Reversal, Jay Inslee Opposes Washington Natural Gas Projects
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has changed his stance on two proposed fossil fuel plants, including a $2 billion gas-to-methanol project in southwest Washington. Continue Reading In Surprise Reversal, Jay Inslee Opposes Washington Natural Gas Projects

Federal Officials Seal Deal With Washington Agencies On Forest-Protection Measures
State and federal officials signed an agreement Wednesday to protect Washington’s forests and wildlife. The plan would combine resources to fight destructive wildfires, threats to forest health and challenges faced by salmon and orcas. Continue Reading Federal Officials Seal Deal With Washington Agencies On Forest-Protection Measures

Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant To Close, Latest Symbol Of Struggling Industry
The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, site of the nation’s worst nuclear accident, will shut down by the end of September. Backers failed to secure subsidies to keep the plant operating. Continue Reading Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant To Close, Latest Symbol Of Struggling Industry

When ‘1-In-100-Year’ Floods Happen Often, What Should You Call Them?
In some places, homes and businesses in what’s known as the 100-year flood plain have been hit by multiple floods in a matter of weeks. When these sorts of floods happen back to back, many residents might start to wonder: Why are they even called 100-year floods? Continue Reading When ‘1-In-100-Year’ Floods Happen Often, What Should You Call Them?

Wanted Dead (Not Alive): Tribes, State Target Invasive Salmon-Killing Pike In Washington
Three Washington Native tribes are joining two state agencies and two public utility districts in targeting the northern pike. That’s a big species of fish that’s caught for sport in the upper Midwest, but which fisheries biologists say poses huge potential damage to Northwest salmon runs. Continue Reading Wanted Dead (Not Alive): Tribes, State Target Invasive Salmon-Killing Pike In Washington

Poll: Northwest Residents Are More Concerned About Wildfires Than 4 Years Ago
More people in the Northwest are worried about wildfires than they were four years ago. A new poll has found people in Washington are now five times more likely to say they’ll feel the effects of wildfires. In Oregon, people are three times more likely to worry about wildfires. Continue Reading Poll: Northwest Residents Are More Concerned About Wildfires Than 4 Years Ago

U.S. Department Of Interior Moves To Roll Back Offshore Drilling Safety Regulations
The Interior secretary touted the revised rules as eliminating “unnecessary regulatory burdens while maintaining safety.” But environmental groups said the move demonstrates oil industry influence. Continue Reading U.S. Department Of Interior Moves To Roll Back Offshore Drilling Safety Regulations

Jay Inslee Unveils Campaign Climate Plan: Cut U.S. Greenhouse Emissions In Half By 2030
Campaigning for president in California on Friday, Washington’s Gov. Jay Inslee called for all new cars and new buildings to be carbon-free by 2030 and all electricity to go carbon-free by 2035. Inslee’s announcement at a press event in Los Angeles marks his first concrete policy idea since launching his campaign two months ago on a platform of combating climate change. Continue Reading Jay Inslee Unveils Campaign Climate Plan: Cut U.S. Greenhouse Emissions In Half By 2030

As Nuclear Waste Piles Up, Private Companies Pitch New Ways To Store It
As nuclear and radioactive waste piles up, private companies are stepping in with their own solutions for the nation’s radioactive spent fuel. One is proposing a temporary storage site in New Mexico, and another is seeking a license for a site in Texas. But most experts agree that what’s needed is a permanent site, like Yucca Mountain, that doesn’t require humans to manage it. Continue Reading As Nuclear Waste Piles Up, Private Companies Pitch New Ways To Store It

Snow Melts, Anxiety Rises: Wildfire Season Is Here
As wildfires become more frequent and intense, the disappearance of snow now ushers in a season of higher anxiety for those who have experienced the destruction of wildfire. And this spring feels particularly ominous, with water levels in ponds and lakes already exposing bathtub rings of pale earth that wouldn’t normally be visible until the end of the dry summer months. Continue Reading Snow Melts, Anxiety Rises: Wildfire Season Is Here

Washington Lawmakers Revive Tax Break For Electric Vehicle Buyers
In their last minute dash to adjournment Sunday, Washington state legislators revived a lapsed sales tax break for buyers of electric cars. The resurrected incentive will be similar in value to a publicly-funded rebate for battery-powered cars that Oregon now offers.
A valuable tax break for buyers of fully-electric and plug-in hybrid cars in Washington expired last May. Continue Reading Washington Lawmakers Revive Tax Break For Electric Vehicle Buyers

Washington Legislature Allocates Funds To Study Snake River Dam Removal
Tucked into Washington’s $52.4 billion operating budget passed Sunday night by the Legislature is controversial funding for a “stakeholder group” tasked with looking into what would happen should the four Lower Snake River dams be removed or altered. Continue Reading Washington Legislature Allocates Funds To Study Snake River Dam Removal