Energy

Environment

Dam siren blares false alarm to Skagit Valley town

Some residents of the Skagit Valley got a scare early Monday morning: An evacuation siren went off at 6:53 a.m. near the town of Hamilton.

Politics

Washington’s natural gas initiative wins, but court challenges could be next

Builders and contractors in Washington are celebrating the passage of Initiative 2066, calling it a victory for “energy choice.” Meanwhile, opponents of the measure say it will make it harder to achieve Washington’s clean energy goals, and they may sue to block it.

Government

Utility rates slated to steadily rise in Seattle, starting in 2025

Environment

Puget Sound tanker traffic thickens as Canadian pipeline boosts oil flow

A 750-foot-long oil tanker and its high-powered escort tug started motoring west from a pipeline terminal near Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday afternoon.

Government

Washington is offering $200 to some residents to help pay electric bills

Washington Families Clean Energy Credits grant program will reportedly offer a one-time $200 utility bill credit to 675,000 low- to moderate-income customers.

Environment

Biden ending new leases in America's top coal region

Citing climate change, federal land managers are moving to end new leasing for coal in the country's top producing region.

Environment

Seattle is now an air conditioning town

For the first time, most homes in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties now have air conditioning.

Environment

Washington council approves wind farm near the Tri-Cities, slashing turbine numbers

The largest proposed wind farm in Washington got a partial thumbs up on Wednesday from the state's energy siting council. The controversial project in southeastern Washington has raised concerns about ridgeline views, tribal cultural resources and endangered hawks.

Environment

Not in my valley. Some San Juan Islanders say no to solar power

The island utility wants to cover a pasture near Friday Harbor with 5,200 solar panels to help San Juan Island avoid blackouts. Opponents of the project along the San Juan Island Scenic Byway say they welcome solar power, but not on San Juan Valley farmland preserved as open space.