Environment & Sustainability https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss en-us Connell to receive funding for emergency wastewater repairs The city of Connell will receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in financing from the state to repair its wastewater treatment lagoons and prevent environmental contamination. The city of Connell will receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in financing from the state to repair its wastewater treatment lagoons and prevent environmental contamination. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8370 Wed, 09 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/connell-to-receive-funding-for-emergency-wastewater-repairs NewsUpdate.jpg Developers eye Native nations, tribal communities for new data center projects A tribal site sacred to the Yakama Nation near the John Day hydroelectric dam isn’t the only land associated with tribal communities around the nation being eyed by data center developers. A tribal site sacred to the Yakama Nation near the John Day hydroelectric dam isn’t the only land associated with tribal communities around the nation being eyed by data center developers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8359 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/developers-eye-native-nations-tribal-communities-for-new-data-center-projects The-Columbia-River-Gorge Wildfire risks are driving up costs for Northwest utilities When power lines are blamed for starting a wildfire, costs to utilities can stretch into the billions and trickle down to consumers. When power lines are blamed for starting a wildfire, costs to utilities can stretch into the billions and trickle down to consumers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8355 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wildfire-risks-are-driving-up-costs-for-northwest-utilities Power Pole Hanford restarts certifying transuranic waste for shipment to New Mexico Hanford has restarted a key certification process for shipping radioactive waste to a New Mexico disposal site, after a years-long pause. Hanford has restarted a key certification process for shipping radioactive waste to a New Mexico disposal site, after a years-long pause.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8304 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8304-hanford-restarts-certifying-transuranic-waste-for-shipment-to-new-mexico Transuranic-Waste Corps warns of fire damage at Snake River recreation areas Wildland fires have damaged several areas along the Snake River, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District to warn hunters and other visitors that some areas may be unsafe this fall. Wildland fires have damaged several areas along the Snake River, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District to warn hunters and other visitors that some areas may be unsafe this fall. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8303 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/corps-fire-damage-at-snake-river-rec-areas Wildland-Snake-River-Fires Northwest late summer days marred by historic drought, exacerbating wildfires abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org The last weeks of summer find much of the Northwest experiencing historic drought causing water supply shortages for public water and electric utilities, costing farmers tens of millions of dollars in lost crops and leaving vegetation and soils dry and susceptible to fires. The last weeks of summer find much of the Northwest experiencing historic drought causing water supply shortages for public water and electric utilities, costing farmers tens of millions of dollars in lost crops and leaving vegetation and soils dry and susceptible to fires. 


]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8302 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/historic-drought-exacerbating-wildfires Wildfires Washington Conservation Corps looking for recruits The state Department of Ecology’s Washington Conservation Corps is currently recruiting AmeriCorps members to fill 260 positions across the state. The state Department of Ecology’s Washington Conservation Corps is currently recruiting AmeriCorps members to fill 260 positions across the state. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8296 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/washington-conservation-corps-looking-for-recruits Washington-Conservation-Corps DOE approves new waste classification for Hanford tank cleanup ty@tcjournal.biz The U.S. Department of Energy has officially reclassified some waste being stored in tanks at the Hanford site, paving the way for it to be treated by a means different than vitrification. The U.S. Department of Energy has officially reclassified some waste being stored in tanks at the Hanford site, paving the way for it to be treated by a means different than vitrification.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8211 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8211-doe-approves-new-waste-classification-for-hanford-tank-cleanup Hanford Map Part of Yakima Delta wildlife area temporarily closed for restoration A major ecosystem restoration project in the Yakima Delta means those who like to visit the wildlife area off Columbia Park Trail will have to wait to take a hike there. A major ecosystem restoration project in the Yakima Delta means those who like to visit the wildlife area off Columbia Park Trail will have to wait to take a hike there. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8237 Sun, 09 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/part-of-yakima-delta-wildlife-area-temporarily-closed-for-restoration Yakima-Delta ‘The Oregon Trail, but for fish’ You may not be able to die of dysentery in a new video game recently developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, but its aquatic setting is no less perilous. You may not be able to die of dysentery in a new video game recently developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, but its aquatic setting is no less perilous. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8226 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/the-oregon-trail-but-for-fish Fish Trails Halfway through water year, WA drought shows no sign of ending State ecology officials recently said it’s not all bad news when it comes to the current state of Washington’s water year. But just like water, good news is also in short supply. State ecology officials recently said it’s not all bad news when it comes to the current state of Washington’s water year. But just like water, good news is also in short supply. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8200 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/halfway-through-water-year-wa-drought-shows-no-sign-of-ending Drought Amazon to host Wallula Gap data center open house ty@tcjournal.biz Amazon will host a community open house for its proposed data center near the Tri-Cities at Wallula Gap for those interested in learning about the project. Amazon will host a community open house for its proposed data center near the Tri-Cities at Wallula Gap for those interested in learning about the project. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8199 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/amazon-to-host-wallula-gap-data-center-open-house Amazon Data As river temps climb, dam helps keep salmon moving The Snake River is simmering in the summer heat as it winds across western Idaho and southeastern Washington – and that’s something salmon can’t tolerate, literally. The Snake River is simmering in the summer heat as it winds across western Idaho and southeastern Washington – and that’s something salmon can’t tolerate, literally.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8174 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/river-temps-salmon Chinook salmon Male Chinook salmon staging for the upcoming spawn. They are starting to fight for the spawning dominance. 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