Science & Technology https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss en-us Umatilla declares emergency over lost revenue from data center permit pause abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org An eastern Oregon city that has for the last decade welcomed some of the largest data centers in the state is fighting Gov. Tina Kotek’s recent order meant to temporarily pause data center development, saying it could cost the city millions in direct financial losses. An eastern Oregon city that has for the last decade welcomed some of the largest data centers in the state is fighting Gov. Tina Kotek’s recent order meant to temporarily pause data center development, saying it could cost the city millions in direct financial losses. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8555 Wed, 21 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/umatilla-declares-emergency-over-lost-revenue-from-data-center-permit-pause Data-center Data centers are now the largest financial bet in US history thenderson@stateline.org The sheer size of investment in data centers is drawing concern as it surpasses all other historical booms and crowds out other more job-creating ventures. The sheer size of investment in data centers is drawing concern as it surpasses all other historical booms and crowds out other more job-creating ventures. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8546 Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/data-centers-are-now-the-largest-financial-bet-in-us-history Datacenter Study: Workers who fear AI replacement negatively impact workplaces If you’ve been sharing big plans to adopt artificial intelligence and related tools at your business with your employees, you could be making them less productive. If you’ve been sharing big plans to adopt artificial intelligence and related tools at your business with your employees, you could be making them less productive. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8536 Wed, 14 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/study-workers-who-fear-ai-replacement-negatively-impact-workplaces Artificial-intelligence-AI Washington must move quickly to regulate AI We’re entering a new world of cyberattacks, and Washington isn’t ready. We’re entering a new world of cyberattacks, and Washington isn’t ready.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8506 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/burns-oct-2026 RyanBurns.jpg Hanford grout’s clay-like appearance draws scrutiny ty@tcjournal.biz Photos of clay-like grouted waste at Hanford have raised questions among watchdogs, but federal officials say the material meets applicable transportation safety requirements. Photos of clay-like grouted waste at Hanford have raised questions among watchdogs, but federal officials say the material meets applicable transportation safety requirements.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8498 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/hanford-grout Grout Permafix.jpg Data center debates heat up before projects arrive ty@tcjournal.biz Tri-Cities residents are calling for restrictions on data centers even though no projects have been formally proposed locally, prompting heated discussions at city council meetings. Tri-Cities residents are calling for restrictions on data centers even though no projects have been formally proposed locally, prompting heated discussions at city council meetings.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8497 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/data-center-debates-heat-up-before-projects-arrive AmazonOpenHouseProtestors0 Officials work to develop road map for new STEM center ty@tcjournal.biz Columbia Basin College continues to work toward opening a new science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, learning center for all ages after receiving its largest philanthropic gift ever last year. But an opening date has not yet been set. Columbia Basin College continues to work toward opening a new science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, learning center for all ages after receiving its largest philanthropic gift ever last year. But an opening date has not yet been set.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8489 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/cbc-stem-center CBC.jpg PNNL researchers reinvent the rivet rachel@tcjournal.biz A team of scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is finding new methods of holding metals together to boost manufacturing efficiency and lower costs, and the technology has already won an award. A team of scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is finding new methods of holding metals together to boost manufacturing efficiency and lower costs, and the technology has already won an award.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8476 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8476-pnnl-researchers-reinvent-the-rivet HiVe Vineet Joshi Mid-Columbia company receives grant for industrial symbiosis A Benton County company has received a $469,000 state grant to advance its research and development of a new means to generate renewable natural gas from carbon dioxide. A Benton County company has received a $469,000 state grant to advance its research and development of a new means to generate renewable natural gas from carbon dioxide. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8501 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/mid-columbia-company-receives-grant-for-industrial-symbiosis NewsUpdate.jpg Amazon’s Walla Walla data center plan sparks tension between protesters, local officials More than 400 Washingtonians across 19 locations took to the streets Oct. 4 to demand a statewide moratorium on data centers. More than 400 Washingtonians across 19 locations took to the streets Oct. 4 to demand a statewide moratorium on data centers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8481 Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/amazons-walla-walla-data-center-plan-sparks-tension-between-protesters-local-officials Walla Walla data center protest Amazon announces policy changes to data center development efforts Tech giant Amazon has announced it will no longer use nondisclosure agreements, will engage with the public sooner and more frequently, and make water and energy use commitments related to its data center development efforts as public opposition to such projects continues to grow. Tech giant Amazon has announced it will no longer use nondisclosure agreements, will engage with the public sooner and more frequently, and make water and energy use commitments related to its data center development efforts as public opposition to such projects continues to grow. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8456 Sun, 04 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8456-amazon-announces-policy-changes-to-data-center-development-efforts Fidel Datacenter Data centers proposed on federal land in eastern Oregon, western states abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org A new data center campus could soon be coming to federal land near Hermiston in eastern Oregon. A new data center campus could soon be coming to federal land near Hermiston in eastern Oregon. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8446 Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/data-centers-proposed-on-federal-land-in-eastern-oregon-western-states Data-center Pacific Power to charge new Oregon data centers for all costs associated with growing energy need abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8438 Sun, 27 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pacific-power-to-charge-new-oregon-data-centers-for-all-costs-associated-with-growing-energy-need Power Pole Trump likes data centers. Congress seems stuck. The midterms could deliver a verdict. The rare 2026 issue that draws huge support from Republicans and Democrats in Congress is the same one that’s mobilized many Americans: restrictions on giant data centers. The rare 2026 issue that draws huge support from Republicans and Democrats in Congress is the same one that’s mobilized many Americans: restrictions on giant data centers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8422 Mon, 21 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/trump-likes-data-centers-congress-seems-stuck-the-midterms-could-deliver-a-verdict Fidel Datacenter PNNL energy grid tool goes to market A tool developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory aimed at helping utilities evaluate and identify problems with power plants as they respond to power grid disturbances is going commercial.

A tool developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory aimed at helping utilities evaluate and identify problems with power plants as they respond to power grid disturbances is going commercial. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8402 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-energy-grid-tool-goes-to-market Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland Pretreatment facility restarts at Hanford site The system that pretreats hazardous tank waste at the Hanford site before it can be transformed into glass is back online after a more than six-month shutdown. The system that pretreats hazardous tank waste at the Hanford site before it can be transformed into glass is back online after a more than six-month shutdown. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8401 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pretreatment-facility-restarts-at-hanford-site Lawdroneaerial PNNL researchers reflect on national security, safety efforts since 9/11 Twenty-five years ago, the deadly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City deeply impacted communities and families across the nation. It also changed the course of numerous institutions and organizations, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which has innovated various technologies and efforts for national security and safety to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. Twenty-five years ago, the deadly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City deeply impacted communities and families across the nation.  
It also changed the course of numerous institutions and organizations, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which has innovated various technologies and efforts for national security and safety to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8386 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-researchers-reflect-on-national-security-safety-efforts-since-9-11 PNNL-911 Amazon works to stem data center fears at Burbank open house ty@tcjournal.biz Amazon hosted an open house in Burbank about its proposed data center in the Wallula Gap. Attendees questioned Amazon staff about reported issues connected to the company’s other data center facilities and shared their reservations about the project.

 

Amazon hosted an open house in Burbank about its proposed data center in the Wallula Gap. Attendees questioned Amazon staff about reported issues connected to the company’s other data center facilities and shared their reservations about the project. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8340 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8340-amazon-works-to-stem-data-center-fears-at-burbank-open-house AmazonOpenHouse Forget the Band-Aid: this concrete from PNNL heals itself The days of having to worry about a crack in a concrete wall or driveway may soon become a thing of a past, thanks to a new self-healing material developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The days of having to worry about a crack in a concrete wall or driveway may soon become a thing of a past, thanks to a new self-healing material developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8356 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/forget-the-band-aid-this-concrete-from-pnnl-heals-itself Molecular-Velcro PNNL at forefront of nuclear rebirth As nuclear energy continues its nascent rise across the country, researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory find themselves entrenched in various efforts aimed at growing and advancing the power source. As nuclear energy continues its nascent rise across the country, researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory find themselves entrenched in various efforts aimed at growing and advancing the power source. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8353 Sun, 06 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-at-forefront-of-nuclear-rebirth Nuclear-Power-Plant-Restarts WSU offering master’s in AI As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent, Washington State University is offering a new master’s degree starting this fall to help students meet industry demands. As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent, Washington State University is offering a new master’s degree starting this fall to help students meet industry demands. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8307 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8307-wsu-offering-masters-in-ai AI-Master-Degree AG: $700M settlement reached in Google antitrust lawsuit If you use an Android device, the Washington state attorney general and a coalition of other state justice officials may have just secured you a few bucks of compensation. If you use an Android device, the Washington state attorney general and a coalition of other state justice officials may have just secured you a few bucks of compensation. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8287 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/ag-700m-settlement-reached-in-google-antitrust-lawsuit stock-market investing retirement DOE pushes for expanded Hanford grouting, awards $4B in contracts 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/8244 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/expanded-hanford-waste-grouting Hanford Grouting Benton County follows Kennewick with crypto kiosk ban ty@tcjournal.biz Cryptocurrency continues to face pressure in the Mid-Columbia from government officials concerned about its use by criminals to allegedly scam residents. Cryptocurrency continues to face pressure in the Mid-Columbia from government officials concerned about its use by criminals to allegedly scam residents.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8192 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/benton-crypto-ban Crypto-Machine Next-generation rooftop HVAC systems near commercial rollout Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and their partners have been working on the next generation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units and are now ensuring they provide the energy efficiency and reliability they were designed for. Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and their partners have been working on the next generation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units and are now ensuring they provide the energy efficiency and reliability they were designed for.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8191 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-hvac HVAC Technology Lower Energy Costs ‘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 Rising tension in central WA as farmland is eyed for energy and data center projects Klickitat County is covered by rolling hills of hay production, vineyards and grazing livestock. But the county, which is roughly the size of Delaware and has about 24,300 residents, is also an epicenter in the region’s battles over clean energy facilities and more recently, data centers. Klickitat County is covered by rolling hills of hay production, vineyards and grazing livestock. But the county, which is roughly the size of Delaware and has about 24,300 residents, is also an epicenter in the region’s battles over clean energy facilities and more recently, data centers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8204 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/rising-tension-in-central-wa-as-farmland-is-eyed-for-energy-and-data-center-projects Nine Canyon Wind Project 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 Hanford site team, partners complete melter test ahead of schedule Hanford site contractors, U.S. Department of Energy officials and other partners recently completed a test of technology for the still-under-construction High-Level Waste Facility of the site’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant two months ahead of schedule. Hanford site contractors, U.S. Department of Energy officials and other partners recently completed a test of technology for the still-under-construction High-Level Waste Facility of the site’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant two months ahead of schedule. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8177 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/hanford-site-team-partners-complete-melter-test-ahead-of-schedule Hanfored_Vitreous_Lab PNNL, Amazon look at AI to solve grid challenges Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are teaming up with one of Amazon’s companies to find artificial intelligence tools that can help make the electric grid more reliable and secure. Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are teaming up with one of Amazon’s companies to find artificial intelligence tools that can help make the electric grid more reliable and secure. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8166 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-amazon-look-at-ai-to-solve-grid-challenges Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland