Transportation

Environment

Nation's first hydrogen-powered ferry launches in Bellingham

A hydrogen-powered ferry, the first of its kind in the United States, has launched in Bellingham.

Government

At WA Ferries, vaccine mandate looms amidst 'unprecedented' worker shortages

Governor Jay Inslee’s announcement of mandatory Covid vaccinations for state workers on Aug. 9 kicked off a turbulent week at Washington State Ferries. By the end of last week, the agency experienced a severe staffing shortage, and the state transportation secretary issued a reminder for employees to remain civil with one another.

Environment

Salmon-killing tires get congressional hearing

A study that pinpointed a chemical from car tires as the cause of salmon die-offs in West Coast creeks has prompted a congressional hearing on the topic.

Science

There's no concrete solution for roads buckling in the heat... it's actually asphalt

This heatwave has been trouble for our roads. Stretches of I-5 have actually buckled, a stunning sight in the Pacific Northwest. But as odd as this may sound, stretches of I-5 actually buckled at the best time.

Sabotage caused Washington oil-train disaster, rail union says

The oil train came apart on the snowy tracks north of Bellingham shortly after the locomotive engineer got the mile-long chain of petroleum tanks on wheels under way.

Government

Plan for the worst, or hope for the best? Sound Transit board is torn

Things are heating up at Sound Transit. Board members face difficult decisions about which projects to delay, given rising construction and land costs during the pandemic. But with the direction politics and the economy are going, some say it may be time to slow down the disaster planning before creating panic.

Politics

If a bargain gets vetoed, was it ever really 'grand'? This week in politics

Washington Governor Jay Inslee is in hot water - with Republican lawmakers, yes, but also some fellow Democrats. It’s about a so-called “grand bargain” agreed to during the recent legislative session in the state Senate. That deal smoothed the way for the passage of two landmark climate bills: a carbon-cap program and clean fuel standards.

Environment

Cap-and-trade law tackles big polluters, fractures political alliances

A sweeping climate proposal from Gov. Jay Inslee has both fractured existing alliances and sparked new ones — among activists and oil refineries alike — on its way to becoming Washington state law.