No REAL ID? Get ready to pay up to fly

Passengers who attempt to go through an airport’s security without proper identification are now being referred to a new identity verification option called TSA Confirm.ID, which requires a $45 fee to cover a 10-day travel period, according to the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco.

Travelers can also register and pay the fee before they arrive at the airport to streamline the security screening process. The new verification option went into effect Feb. 1.

Other REAL ID-compliant forms of identification, such as a U.S. passport or U.S. Department of Defense ID cards, including those for dependents, will continue to be accepted. 

“PSC strongly encourages all travelers to ensure they have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, identification card, or another acceptable form of identification before arriving at the airport to avoid delays and additional costs,” according to a statement from the Tri-Cities Airport.

Allegiant acquires Sun Country Airlines

One of the budget airlines serving the Tri-Cities Airport has acquired another regional airline, a move the company’s leaders said will expand its travel network internationally while maintaining its affordable fares.  

Allegiant Air announced Jan. 13 it has reached an agreement to bring Sun Country Airlines, based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, under its wing for roughly $1.5 billion. The deal is in its initial stages, and Allegiant officials said travelers will not see any immediate impact to their ticketing, flight schedules or travel experience.  

Allegiant’s routes connect small regional airports with more than 30 larger cities across the country. It currently offers flights between the Tri-Cities and Phoenix/Mesa in Arizona; Las Vegas and Santa Ana/Orange County in California.  

Nearly all of Sun Country’s flights originate from its hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul. In addition to flying to destinations across the U.S., it offers flights to destinations in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Lower drunk driving limit approved by WA Senate

Washington took a major stride toward slashing the state’s legal limit for driving drunk.

A divided state Senate voted 26-23 to approve legislation to reduce the maximum allowable blood alcohol concentration for drivers from 0.08% to 0.05%. 

If it makes it through the House and into law, Washington would join Utah with the toughest standard in the nation on July 1. Utah moved to a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration limit in 2018. 

The passage of Senate Bill 5067 on Jan. 28 culminates several years of effort by Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, a longtime Washington State Patrol trooper before serving as Snohomish County sheriff.

Republican senators in opposition include Matt Boehnke of Kennewick and Nikki Torres of Pasco.

Opponents have said they doubt a lower limit will change the culture around drinking and driving or make Washington’s roads any safer.

– Washington State Standard

$112M incentive program for vehicles kicks off in April

Washington’s new incentive program aimed at shifting trucks and other vehicles to cleaner power is set to begin this spring. 

Starting in April, fleet operators will be able to apply for $112 million in vouchers through the Washington Zero-Emission Incentive Program, or WAZIP, a program funded by the state’s Climate Commitment Act.

The program aims to make it affordable for companies to upgrade their fleets to zero-emission technologies.

The program covers more than trucks, extending to vehicles such as commercial boats, forklifts, freight locomotives, agricultural equipment and more. Small businesses will be eligible for enhanced incentives.

Go to: wazip.org.