Energy

Environment

Can fish and dams coexist on the Skagit River? New plan may be first step

Seattle City Light has released a new plan for managing three hydroelectric dams on the Skagit River. The dams provide 20% of Seattle’s electric power, and have been the subject of a series of lawsuits by tribes arguing that the dams stop salmon from flourishing.

Environment

Seattle to get garbage hauler to take down misleading green ads

After complaints from climate activists, Seattle officials say they will get Waste Management to take down the misleading ads.

NW scientists study the promises – and challenges – of offshore wind

With the climate rapidly changing, researchers are trying to find ways to make clean energy developments less expensive and easier to build. For the Northwest, offshore wind power could play a critical role, but it also presents major challenges.

Crime

FBI offers $50k reward to catch Northwest grid's armed attackers

The FBI is offering $50,000 in hopes of catching whoever shot up two electrical substations in Oregon and Washington in November.

Environment

'Sacred ground': Why Camp Minidoka's survivors say 'no' to this windfarm

Many Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War 2 at a federal camp in Minidoka, Idaho are opposing a wind farm project near the campsite. Over 13,000 people were imprisoned there, many were from the Seattle area.

Technology

Hydrogen-powered airliner makes first flight at Moses Lake

The largest aircraft yet to fly on hydrogen-electric power made a successful first flight Thursday at Moses Lake, Washington. The maiden flight of a converted turboprop airliner offered a preview of one possible pathway for how to make your future flights more eco-friendly. Hydrogen fuel is one of several options the aviation industry is testing to reduce its carbon footprint, but the technology still attracts notable skepticism.

Environment

Hydropower in western U.S. resurges after hitting 20-year low

With 145 large federal dams, Washington state is the nation’s leading producer of hydropower.