Environment
Environment
What Was Our Air Like Before Industry? A Scientist In Richland Is Sniffing The Amazon To Find Out
As a U.S. Department of Energy plane flew over the Amazon rainforest, it sipped and sampled air in real time. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientist Manish Shrivastava sampled the air over the Amazon to come up with a scientifically accurate baseline of pre-industrial air. Continue Reading What Was Our Air Like Before Industry? A Scientist In Richland Is Sniffing The Amazon To Find Out
Not Enough Is Known About Smoke’s Effect On Wildland Firefighters’ Health
Over the past few years, Northwest communities have been getting better acquainted with wildfire smoke. But even in the most affected places, people can get some relief by limiting time outside and using air filters and inexpensive masks. These aren’t options for wildland firefighters. Continue Reading Not Enough Is Known About Smoke’s Effect On Wildland Firefighters’ Health
Whale Strikes In Puget Sound Could Get More Common As Humpback Numbers Grow
A launch, a thud, a trail of blood. NOAA believes it was a juvenile humpback whale that a Bainbridge Island-bound ferry hit in Elliot Bay a few minutes after its 8:15 p.m. departure Tuesday night. Continue Reading Whale Strikes In Puget Sound Could Get More Common As Humpback Numbers Grow
‘Plenty Of Cards To Play’: Chinese Media Suggest Cutting Rare Earth Exports To U.S.
Rare earths are used in communications, health care and national security. China blocked rare earths to Japan in 2010, but analysts say the threat — regardless of the trade war — may be hollow. Continue Reading ‘Plenty Of Cards To Play’: Chinese Media Suggest Cutting Rare Earth Exports To U.S.
Big Spring Growth Could Make For Big Fire Season At Hanford And Across The West
At the Hanford Nuclear Site in southeastern Washington, and across the West, winter’s deep snow and a cool spring have produced lots of brush and grass. That’s a problem for the coming fire season. Continue Reading Big Spring Growth Could Make For Big Fire Season At Hanford And Across The West
Federal Government To Close Forest Service Job Training Centers Near Yakima And Portland
The Trump administration announced Friday it will close two U.S. Forest Service job training centers in Oregon and Washington. The Timber Lake Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center (CCC) in Estacada, Oregon, and the Fort Simcoe CCC near Yakima, Washington, are two of nine facilities nationwide that will close. Continue Reading Federal Government To Close Forest Service Job Training Centers Near Yakima And Portland
Finding New Opportunity For Old Coal-Fired Power Plant Sites
Coal-fired power plants keep closing, and communities around the country must decide what to do with those sites. Pennsylvania has a plan, aiming to create new jobs where old ones have been lost. It’s a trend seen in other states, including Washington. Continue Reading Finding New Opportunity For Old Coal-Fired Power Plant Sites
Washington Becomes First State To Allow Human Composting
Recomposition will be allowed at Washington’s crematories starting in May 2020 under a new law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee this week. The final remains can be buried in “scattering gardens” in cemeteries or other locations by permit. Continue Reading Washington Becomes First State To Allow Human Composting
Washington’s Newest State Park Is In The Works Along Nisqually River Near Eatonville
Washington is getting its first new full-service state park in many years. The planned park build-out is on land the state owns along the Nisqually River near Eatonville, Washington. Nisqually State Park will be developed thanks to $3 million included in a state construction budget to be signed into law by Washington’s governor Tuesday. Continue Reading Washington’s Newest State Park Is In The Works Along Nisqually River Near Eatonville
An Old Northeastern Oregon Wind Farm Could Get A Tech Upgrade
New technology could help a wind farm in Eastern Oregon work more efficiently. Officials are voting Friday on the updates to the wind farm. Wind turbines are expected to last about 20 years. Oregon’s Stateline Wind Farm is getting up there – construction started way back in 2001. That’s why the farm’s owners are asking to update part of the facility. Continue Reading An Old Northeastern Oregon Wind Farm Could Get A Tech Upgrade
Federal Report Says Hanford’s Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant Is Built With Questionable Parts
Federal watchdogs are looking into all types of parts at a $17 billion construction project at the Hanford Nuclear Site. The Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Energy has found a sample of parts going into a large waste treatment plant at Hanford had problems. Continue Reading Federal Report Says Hanford’s Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant Is Built With Questionable Parts
Environmental Groups Sue Over Restored Grazing Rights For Oregon Ranchers Pardoned By Trump
Environmental groups sued this week over a federal decision allowing two Eastern Oregon ranchers to graze cattle on the same land they were convicted of burning in 2012. Prison sentences for ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond sparked protests, leading to the 2016 standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Continue Reading Environmental Groups Sue Over Restored Grazing Rights For Oregon Ranchers Pardoned By Trump
