Public News Service

Electric school buses are in the minority, with about 95% of school buses nationwide running on diesel. (Thomas/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

WA lawmakers move to electrify school bus fleet

School buses are getting cleaner in Washington state after this year's legislative session. Lawmakers in Olympia passed House Bill 1368, which will …

The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the second-largest national park in the United States. (Patrick/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Denial of mining road in Alaska has ripples across U.S. national parks

The Biden administration has blocked a mining road in Alaska, and public-lands proponents see the move as a win for national parks around the country…

Washington state's program to combat climate change raised $2.2 billion in its first year. (jdoms/Adobe Stock)

WA carbon cap program faces initiative challenge on November ballot

By Kate Yoder for Grist.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboration For…

Methane emissions were measured from four dams on the Snake River in southeastern Washington. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Report: Lower Snake River dams source of methane emissions

A new report found four dams in the Columbia River Basin are big emitters of methane. Research from the organization Tell The Dam Truth showed the …

Washington state voters will see a half dozen initiatives on their ballots come November 5. (adogslifephoto/Adobe Stock)

Ballot measures backed by conservatives could give blow to WA budget

While three initiatives received the go-ahead to appear on Washington's November ballot at the end the legislative session last week, three that have …

As part of the Greening Research in Tacoma initiative, air temperature monitors were set up in a city neighborhood. (Hannah Letinich/The Nature Conservancy)

Tree coverage in cities crucial as planet warms, WA research shows

Trees in urban areas provide benefits for people, including decreased temperatures and improved air quality, according to new research from …

Laborers marked a decade of Farmworkers Tribunals in Olympia in 2023. (Community to Community Development)

Farmworkers Tribunal provides 'critical' platform in Olympia

Washington state farmworkers are converging on Olympia this week to call for better working conditions. The 11th annual Farmworkers Tribunal is …

Washington state aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050. (jordano/Adobe Stock)

Repeal of WA carbon cap program would have 'devastating effects'

Opponents of a new law to cap carbon in Washington state are waiting to see if their initiative to repeal it will appear before voters in November…

An Outstanding Resource Waters designation will preserve portions of the Napeequa (shown here), the Green and the Cascade Rivers and mitigate the effects of climate change. (Richard Droker/Flickr/Creative Commons)

Cascade, Green and Napeequa rivers named 'outstanding resource waters'

Portions of three Washington rivers, the Cascade, Green and Napeequa, now have an extra layer of protection, thanks to a special designation from the …

Eelgrass, pictured here at Joemma Beach State Park, provides food, shelter, and nursery habitat for a wide range of creatures, ranging from small invertebrates to commercially important fish species and wading birds. (WA DNR Nearshore Habitat Program)

WA kelp, eelgrass recovery plan tackles big losses in marine habitat

Bull Kelp in South and Central Puget Sound has declined more than 90% over the last 150 years - and eelgrass meadows severely declined as well…

Revenue from Washington state's cap-and-trade program has exceeded expectations, bringing in $1.5 billion this year. (martin33/Adobe Stock)

WA cap-and-trade spending falls short for frontline communities

Washington state's Climate Commitment Act promised funds for communities on the front lines of climate change. One group is tracking those dollars to …

Pumped storage hydroelectric facilities have been built around the world, including the Spanish facility above. (contributor_aerial/Adobe Stock)

Pumped storage energy project in NW could destroy sacred tribal resources

Critics say a proposed hydroelectric project in the Columbia River Gorge could damage cultural resources for nearby tribes. The company Rye …

Seven regional hydrogen hubs are expected to produce more than three million tons of hydrogen each year. (energy.gov)

Clean energy advocates hold cautious optimism for NW hydrogen hub

The Biden administration has announced investments in a hub for hydrogen energy in the Northwest. Clean energy advocates say it could be a momentous …

The Puget Sound area has the highest concentration of nitrogen oxide emissions in the state. (Oleksandr Dibrova/Adobe Stock)

Report: Building emissions contribute to dangerous outdoor air pollution

Emissions from buildings are a dangerous source of air pollution across the nation, according to a new report. The analysis showed the burning of …

Buildings are the fastest growing source of climate pollution in Washington. (Casa.da.Photo/Adobe Stock)

Delay of Seattle's Cleaner Buildings Plan Disappoints Climate Groups

The wait to curb emissions from Seattle buildings has gone on long enough, climate groups say. The Seattle City Council is considering Building …

Controlled burns were part of the practices of the indigenous people to Washington state for maintaining the landscape. (heidi/Adobe Stock)

Prescribed Burns Bring Back Natural Way to Maintain WA Landscape

Wildfire season has arrived in Washington state, but prescribed burns during other parts of the year could help reduce the impact of the most …

The Growth Management Act was passed in 1990 so that Washington state could keep urban sprawl in check. (Daniel Schwen/Wikimedia Commons)

Under WA Bill, City Growth Plans Would Consider Climate Impacts

Climate resiliency could soon play a greater role in how cities in Washington plan for population growth. House Bill 1181 would update the state's …

Washington state lawmakers will begin crafting a budget before the session is scheduled to adjourn on April 23. (George Cole/Adobe Stock)

WA Raises $300 Million from Polluters for Climate Action

By Kate Yoder for Grist.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism-Public News Service Col…

The European Union is the world's largest consumer of wood pellets for energy. (Rokas/Adobe Stock)

Energy Market for Wood Pellets Globally Threatens U.S. Forests

Overseas markets could be harming forests in the U.S. Demand for wood pellets for biomass energy has increased dramatically around the world…

As part of the ClimeTime program, teachers attend seminars on topics such as renewable energy. (maxdigi/Adobe Stock)

WA First in Nation to Bring Climate-Change Education to Classrooms

By Ashira Morris for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Net…

Leaders from Port Angeles, Washington, asked the state to stop logging in a forest near the Elwha River known as Aldwell. (forest2sea.com)

Post-Dam Elwha River Thriving, But Logging Threatens Gains

The Elwha River watershed on the Olympic peninsula has been transformed since dam removal a decade ago, but logging could harm the the habitat's …

Highways are hot spots for soot, fine particulate matter which has major effects on people's health. (Naris Dorndeelers/Adobe Stock)

Proposed EPA Air Quality Update Not Good Enough, Groups Say

A new air quality standard from the federal government does not go far enough to protect the public, advocates said. For the first time in a decade…

The wildlife crossings over I-90 are considered crucial for creatures in the Cascades. (Washington State DOT/Flickr)

Resilient Wildlife Crossings Crucial as Climate Changes, Experts Say

Wildlife crossings could be a path to a future where the climate has significantly changed the planet. Wildlife and climate experts are urging …

Washington state will need to obtain energy from other states to meet its renewable energy goals. (William/Adobe Stock)

WA's Renewable Future Hinges on Building More Power Lines

Washington state is pursuing an aggressive climate plan to switch to renewable energy sources, but it faces one often overlooked issue: enough high-…

Sunburned apples hurt their quality and can lead to a 40% yield loss. (Guzel/Adobe Stock)

Extreme Heat Prompts NW Farmers to Consider Climate-Change Mitigation

By Michael Crowe for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washingon News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public N…

Washington state's Climate Commitment Act will set aside $20 million every year to improve air quality. (asayenka/Adobe Stock)

WA Climate Law Aims to Improve Frontline Communities' Air

Washington state is crafting its ambitious cap-and-invest law to reduce the state's emissions by 95% by 2050 and is seeking comments from the public…

The Lummi Nation totem pole traveled through the islands of Puget Sound before making its way to the East Coast. (Freddie Lane)

WA Totem Pole Travels U.S. for 'Just' Clean Energy Transition

A totem pole from the Lummi Nation in northwest Washington is traveling across the country as part of a bid to call for clean energy and environmental…

Wildfires near farms in Whatcom and Skagit counties have made work in the fields hazardous for workers. (Alfredo Juarez)

Amid Wildfires, Heat, WA Farmworkers Call for Greater Protections

Washington state farmworkers are facing harsh conditions in the midst of wildfires and late-summer heat. They're calling for greater protections from …

Ductless heat pumps are an energy-efficiency option that also provide air conditioning. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

WA Push Heats Up to Make Homes Greener, Healthier

Washington state wants to make homes for its most vulnerable residents greener and healthier. It started with a needs assessment from the Department …

A new report includes an assessment of urban trees in nearly 80 cities in the Puget Sound area. (adonis_abril/Adobe Stock)

New Tree Canopy Assessment Has Puget Sound Covered

Trees in urban areas provide a number of benefits, from shade to cleaner air. Authors of a new assessment hope Puget Sound cities and towns will keep …

More than 1,100 species of plants live in Olympic National Park. (paulacobleigh/Adobe Stock)

With Nature in Crisis, State Lawmakers Call for National Biodiversity Plan

State lawmakers from around the country are calling on the Biden administration to develop a plan to protect the country's dwindling diversity of anim…

Olympia has been adapting to climate change by reducing flooding and restoring estuaries near its downtown. (Christopher Boswell/Adobe Stock)

Cities' Efforts Underscored in Latest International Climate Report

Cities' efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and adapt to the changing climate are highlighted in the latest United Nations report on climate chan…

Kelp abundance has dropped by 80% from its peak in Puget Sound. (Gina Lusardi/Adobe Stock)

WA Kelp Decline Bad News Culturally, Environmentally for Northwest

Kelp forests in Puget Sound play an integral role environmentally and culturally, but they're in steep decline. There are more than 20 species of …

The state of Washington aims for its electricity supply to be 100% carbon free by 2045. (digidreamgrafix/Adobe Stock)

WA Could Be First State to Require New Building Electrification

Washington state could head to the front of the pack when it comes to electrifying new buildings. Proposals before the State Building Code Council …

An ocean pattern known as La Ni�a is providing colder waters for salmon in the Pacific Ocean. (Naturecolors/Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Good Ocean Conditions Not Enough to Recover Salmon

Recent data on ocean conditions could be good news for struggling salmon in the Northwest. But advocates for the species warn this isn't enough to …

Gov. Jay Inslee opened Washington state's legislative session, which is a short, 60-day session in 2022. (TVW)

WA State of the State: Housing, Climate, Countering 'Big Lie'

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee launched the 2022 legislative session with his State of the State address on Tuesday. The theme of the speech was "action…

Gov. Jay Inslee has proposed higher building standards in the 2022 session to help decarbonize the sector. (Office of Gov. Inslee)

Advocates Want More Climate Action in 2022 WA Legislature

Washington state lawmakers meet in Olympia starting next week for the 2022 legislative session. Groups working on the issue of climate change see it …

A program that would incentivize utilities to transition to clean energy was stripped out of the Build Back Better Act. (richard theis-EyeEm/Adobe Stock)

Front-Line Communities on Climate Action: First Step is "Stop the Harm"

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Communities dealing with the impacts of climate change in Washington state are watching legislation in Washington, D.C. closely…

Under the latest Build Back Better framework, investments in resiliency include money to create a Civilian Climate Corps. (Philip/Adobe Stock)

White House Unveils Latest Climate Spending Proposal

SEATTLE -- President Joe Biden has released his latest proposal for the Build Back Better plan, which includes $555 billion in investments to address …

In June, Vancouver, Wash., reached a record temperature of 115 degrees F, breaking the previous record of 108 degrees F. (RG/Adobe Stock)

Gas Industry Turns Up Heat on Climate Action Plans

VANCOUVER, Wash. - As cities work toward decreasing their climate impact, they're running up against some opponents in the gas industry. In …

Advocates in Washington state are pushing to replace heat pumps and other appliances that run on fossil fuels. (Aleksey Sergeychik/Adobe Stock)

Build Back Better Act Could Boost Building Electrification

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Proposals in Congress's Build Back Better plan could speed up and lower the cost of electrifying people's homes. The budget-…

Under a proposal from U.S. House Democrats, utilities would be incentivized to increase clean electricity by 4% each year. Detractors say that's moving too quickly. (ozerkina/Adobe Stock)

Deadline Approaches as Democrats in DC Push for Climate Action

SEATTLE - Democrats in Congress are aiming to have legislation passed by the end of September that could have big implications for the climate…

Gas stoves increase the risk of respiratory disease for children, research shows. (dglimages/Adobe Stock)

As Fires Rage Outside, Indoor Air Risks Could Also Be Lurking

SEATTLE -- Wildfire smoke is a hazard to many Washingtonians right now, but health experts say some might not get the relief they need inside their …

Washington state farmworker Honesto Silva Ibarra died in hot conditions in 2017. (Edgar Franks)

In Olympia, Calls for Greater Safeguards Against Heat for Farmworkers

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Farmworkers are in Olympia today, calling for stronger protections from extreme heat. The farmworkers union Familias Unidas por la …

Struggling salmon also are bad news for the orcas of the Northwest that rely on them. (Conrad Gowell/Columbia Riverkeeper)

NW Heat Boils Salmon, Drives Rallies Across Region

SEATTLE -- Rallies are taking place across the Northwest to support salmon, which face dire conditions in the Columbia River Basin. Saturday…

Electrifying heat pumps are key to lowering the carbon cost of buildings. (SkyLine/Adobe Stock)

NW Heat Wave Exposes Inequities, Need to Prioritize Low-Income Communities

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Last month's deadly heat wave in the Northwest underscored the need to reduce carbon emissions, but advocates want to ensure low-…

Experts expect another active wildfire season this year in the West. (Alex/Adobe Stock)

Tips for Staying Safe in WA's Hot, Smoky Summer

SEATTLE -- An unprecedented heat wave in Washington state has underscored the importance of staying safe when it's hot. Places such as Seattle …

Expertos esperan otra temporada activa de incendios forestales este a�o en Occidente. (Alex / Adobe Stock)

Consejos para mantenerse seguro en el caluroso y humeante verano de WA

SEATTLE -- Una ola de calor sin precedentes en el estado de Washington ha subrayado la importancia de mantenerse a salvo cuando hace calor. Lugares …

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WA: Climate Change