Environment & Sustainability https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss en-us Smoky skies this weekend? New WSU tool has your forecast Planning outdoor activities this weekend? Before you head out, a new interactive map from Washington State University can tell you whether smoky skies will be a problem. Planning outdoor activities this weekend? Before you head out, a new interactive map from Washington State University can tell you whether smoky skies will be a problem. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8186 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/smoky-skies-this-weekend-new-wsu-tool-has-your-forecast Smoke Map Yakama Nation, solar developer reach settlement ty@tcjournal.biz The Yakama Nation has reached a settlement with the developers of a 1,300-acre solar energy project that tribal leaders said would encroach upon sites where the Yakamas traditionally gather food and medicine. The Yakama Nation has reached a settlement with the developers of a 1,300-acre solar energy project that tribal leaders said would encroach upon sites where the Yakamas traditionally gather food and medicine. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8178 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/yakama-nation-solar-developer-reach-settlement Carriger-Solar PFAS found in Kennewick drinking water The same manmade “forever chemicals” that stalled development at Vista Field for months have again been detected in the city of Kennewick’s drinking water. The same manmade “forever chemicals” that stalled development at Vista Field for months have again been detected in the city of Kennewick’s drinking water. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8139 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pfas-found-in-kennewick-drinking-water PFAS-rendering Public invited to comment on plan to possibly triple logging in eastern Oregon national forests abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8137 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/public-invited-to-comment-on-plan-to-possibly-triple-logging-in-eastern-oregon-national-forests Logging A rare look at the lab driving Hanford’s cleanup rachel@tcjournal.biz Hanford’s 222-S Laboratory celebrates 75 years as nuclear waste cleanup accelerates and DOE moves toward a new operating contract. Hanford’s 222-S Laboratory celebrates 75 years as nuclear waste cleanup accelerates and DOE moves toward a new operating contract.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8065 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/222-s-lab-turns-75 222S-Laboratory WA ecology officials laud Kennewick affordable housing project An affordable housing project in east Kennewick is among a handful state ecology officials are lifting up as an example of the good that comes from redeveloping formerly contaminated land. An affordable housing project in east Kennewick is among a handful state ecology officials are lifting up as an example of the good that comes from redeveloping formerly contaminated land. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8112 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-ecology-officials-laud-kennewick-affordable-housing-project Hammer-Lofts-affordable-housing Report: Columbia Basin water supply becoming more vulnerable The latest long-range forecast of the Columbia River’s future water availability leaves the region high and dry within the next 20 years. The latest long-range forecast of the Columbia River’s future water availability leaves the region high and dry within the next 20 years. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8106 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/report-columbia-basin-water-supply-becoming-more-vulnerable Ecology seeks feedback on expanded Hanford cleanup permit The state Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on a draft renewal of the Hanford sitewide permit, which would cover 52 waste sites and facilities at the Hanford nuclear site. The state Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on a draft renewal of the Hanford sitewide permit, which would cover 52 waste sites and facilities at the Hanford nuclear site. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8057 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/ecology-seeks-feedback-on-expanded-hanford-cleanup-permit Hanford Map New administrator named for BPA ty@tcjournal.biz A Montana native who has spent much of his professional career working in, regulating or advocating for the energy industry will be the next administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration. A Montana native who has spent much of his professional career working in, regulating or advocating for the energy industry will be the next administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8036 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/new-administrator-named-for-bpa Travis Kavulla Vista Field cleared of PFAS Port of Kennewick’s Vista Field has gotten the OK from the state Department of Ecology to move forward with development after a small amount of soil contamination was removed. Port of Kennewick’s Vista Field has gotten the OK from the state Department of Ecology to move forward with development after a small amount of soil contamination was removed. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8025 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/vista-field-cleared-of-pfas Vista Field Aerial April 2026 Rising wildfire risk drives up WA home insurance costs ty@tcjournal.biz Wildfire risk and rising disaster costs are pushing home insurance premiums higher across Washington, with some areas seeing steep increases in recent years and further increase expected through 2026.

Wildfire risk and rising disaster costs are pushing home insurance premiums higher across Washington, with some areas seeing steep increases in recent years and further increase expected through 2026.


]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7983 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wildfire-risk-drives-up-wa-home-insurance-costs Wilfire risk 2026 map Backed by local investors, Tri-Cities biotech startup eyes global market rachel@tcjournal.biz This Tri-Cities startup cracked a problem the agriculture industry has struggled with for years – how to make microbes work as practical, affordable alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. And local investors are working to keep it rooted in the Tri-Cities. This Tri-Cities startup cracked a problem the agriculture industry has struggled with for years – how to make microbes work as practical, affordable alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. And local investors are working to keep it rooted in the Tri-Cities.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7975 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/livegrow-bio LiveGrow-Bio-Pinchuk AI could help PNNL pack more nuclear waste into glass rachel@tcjournal.biz With the help of artificial intelligence, research from scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland could help optimize the vitrification of nuclear waste at Hanford and other nuclear sites. With the help of artificial intelligence, research from scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland could help optimize the vitrification of nuclear waste at Hanford and other nuclear sites.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7961 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-nuclear-waste-glass PNNL-Vitrification-Xiaonan-Lu Environmental health is a hidden driver of economic growth In Benton and Franklin counties, a growing effort is underway to better understand how environmental factors influence both community health and the long-term vitality of the local economy. In Benton and Franklin counties, a growing effort is underway to better understand how environmental factors influence both community health and the long-term vitality of the local economy. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7946 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/bfhd-environmental-health-survey ErinHockaday.jpg From typewriters to water filtration, Abadan continues to adapt rachel@tcjournal.biz Abadan outlasted the typewriter. The fax machine. Now it wants to filter your water. Abadan outlasted the typewriter. The fax machine. Now it wants to filter your water.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7945 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7945-from-typewriters-to-water-filtration-abadan-continues-to-adapt Abadan-water Campfires, target shooting restrictions start today on WDFW lands State wildlife officials are implementing restrictions on public lands across the east side of the state weeks earlier than in past years due to low snowpack and the ongoing drought. State wildlife officials are implementing restrictions on public lands across the east side of the state weeks earlier than in past years due to low snowpack and the ongoing drought. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8014 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/campfires-target-shooting-restricted-starting-june-15-at-wdfw-managed-lands-in-eastern-wa Camping-Kids Federal judge allows class action over eastern Oregon water pollution to move forward abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org Eastern Oregon residents who have lived for years with contaminated water can move forward with a class action lawsuit against the Port of Morrow and large food processors in the area, a federal judge ruled. Eastern Oregon residents who have lived for years with contaminated water can move forward with a class action lawsuit against the Port of Morrow and large food processors in the area, a federal judge ruled.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7988 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/federal-judge-allows-class-action-over-eastern-oregon-water-pollution-to-move-forward Amazon-Oregon-Plant PNNL, partners release guide for data center development As data centers increasingly dominate conversations around the country, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and two partners have published a one-stop shop to help guide development. As data centers increasingly dominate conversations around the country, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and two partners have published a one-stop shop to help guide development. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7982 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-partners-release-guide-for-data-center-development Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland Washington begins annual invasive pest survey Of the agency’s top priorities is the eradication of Japanese beetles in south central Washington. They’ve been found in Kennewick, Pasco, Sunnyside, Mabton, Wapato and near SeaTac. Of the agency’s top priorities is the eradication of Japanese beetles in south central Washington. They’ve been found in Kennewick, Pasco, Sunnyside, Mabton, Wapato and near SeaTac. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7973 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/washington-begins-annual-invasive-pest-survey Japanese-Beetles Data centers are driving demand for gas from Northwest utilities, reports find abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org Umatilla Electric Cooperative in Hermiston is one of six utilities across Washington and Oregon that have absorbed the bulk of energy demands of data centers in the region. A growing number of utilities are using booming data center demand to justify skirting climate rules in both states that mostly ban the build-out of new gas infrastructure, citing the need for regional energy reliability. Umatilla Electric Cooperative in Hermiston is one of six utilities across Washington and Oregon that have absorbed the bulk of energy demands of data centers in the region. A growing number of utilities are using booming data center demand to justify skirting climate rules in both states that mostly ban the build-out of new gas infrastructure, citing the need for regional energy reliability. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7957 Sun, 07 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/data-centers-are-driving-demand-for-gas-from-northwest-utilities-reports-find Data-center Three new EV charging locations coming to Benton County A state agency has awarded $2.4 million to support 16 new electric vehicle charging slots across three sites in Benton County. A state agency has awarded $2.4 million to support 16 new electric vehicle charging slots across three sites in Benton County. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7937 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/three-new-ev-charging-locations-coming-to-benton-county EV-Chargers Yakamas protest clean energy project on sacred site to power data center abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org Supporters of a Goldendale pumped-hydro energy storage project have said it will help meet growing regional energy demand, and the project developers tout its potential to one day power up to half a million homes without sending harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. But mounting evidence shows a large data center campus could be among the main beneficiaries of that power. Supporters of a Goldendale pumped-hydro energy storage project have said it will help meet growing regional energy demand, and the project developers tout its potential to one day power up to half a million homes without sending harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. But mounting evidence shows a large data center campus could be among the main beneficiaries of that power. 


]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7925 Thu, 28 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/yakamas-protest-clean-energy-project-on-sacred-site Elaine Harvey 100K gallons of waste turned to glass at Hanford Officials with the U.S. Department of Energy and Bechtel National, the firm that designed the Waste Treatment Plant, lauded the accomplishment, saying it reflects momentum in the cleanup effort and progress toward the next chapter for the Hanford site. Officials with the U.S. Department of Energy and Bechtel National, the firm that designed the Waste Treatment Plant, lauded the accomplishment, saying it reflects momentum in the cleanup effort and progress toward the next chapter for the Hanford site. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7889 Mon, 18 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/100k-gallons-of-waste-turned-to-glass-at-hanford Low-Activity Waste Facility vit plant BPA officials cautiously optimistic halfway through fiscal year Bonneville Power Administration’s financial performance is a mixed bag at the halfway point of its fiscal year but its leaders say the agency is still on track to meet most of its end-of-year targets. Bonneville Power Administration’s financial performance is a mixed bag at the halfway point of its fiscal year but its leaders say the agency is still on track to meet most of its end-of-year targets. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7886 Mon, 18 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/bpa-officials-cautiously-optimistic-halfway-through-fiscal-year McNary Lock and Dam McNary Lock and Dam KID refilling canals as pump comes back online The irrigation district serving much of the city of Kennewick as well as other outlying areas of Benton County has begun refilling canals that went dry a week ago following repairs to a critical pumping station. The irrigation district serving much of the city of Kennewick as well as other outlying areas of Benton County has begun refilling canals that went dry a week ago following repairs to a critical pumping station. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7885 Sun, 17 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/kid-refilling-canals-as-pump-comes-back-online YardAutomaticSprinkler.jpg Kennewick plans $33M PFAS treatment plant after repeat detections The city of Kennewick plans a $33 million water treatment facility after detecting PFAS levels above Washington state action levels in March 2024 and March 2025. The city of Kennewick plans a $33 million water treatment facility after detecting PFAS levels above Washington state action levels in March 2024 and March 2025. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7803 Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pfas-treatment-plant PFAS-aerial Trump signs Newhouse-supported hydropower bill President Donald Trump has signed a broadly bipartisan bill that will extend deadlines for construction to begin on hydropower projects around the country. President Donald Trump has signed a broadly bipartisan bill that will extend deadlines for construction to begin on hydropower projects around the country. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7849 Tue, 12 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/trump-signs-newhouse-supported-hydropower-bill Turbine PNNL program highlights highly qualified contractors, technicians Overwhelmed by the sheer number of contractors and other trade professionals as you plan for a home project? Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is helping to make sure the most qualified can stand out from the rest, at least online. Overwhelmed by the sheer number of contractors and other trade professionals as you plan for a home project? Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is helping to make sure the most qualified can stand out from the rest, at least online. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7838 Mon, 11 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-program-highlights-highly-qualified-contractors-technicians Drought drives new statewide initiative, water monitoring tools As irrigators around the state wrestle with another year of drought, state officials have launched an effort to brainstorm solutions with communities along with a new tool to help Yakima Valley property owners track water restrictions. As irrigators around the state wrestle with another year of drought, state officials have launched an effort to brainstorm solutions with communities along with a new tool to help Yakima Valley property owners track water restrictions.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7810 Wed, 06 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7810-drought-drives-new-statewide-initiative-water-monitoring-tools Drought Temporary irrigation cutoff coming for many Kennewick residents Nearly all customers of Kennewick Irrigation District will be without irrigation water for up to 10 days as the pumping facility that supplies its canals undergoes repairs. Nearly all customers of Kennewick Irrigation District will be without irrigation water for up to 10 days as the pumping facility that supplies its canals undergoes repairs. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7785 Sun, 03 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/temporary-irrigation-cutoff-coming-for-many-kennewick-residents YardAutomaticSprinkler.jpg