Environment
Environment

Environmental And Energy Industry Groups Commit To Working Together On (Some) Hydro Projects
The groups, often at the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to dams and hydropower, say climate change has created a need to hear each other out. Even when it comes to tough issues.

Conservation Groups Vow Challenge After Federal Decision Not To Protect Wolverines
Conservation groups are vowing to again challenge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s decision not to add wolverines to the Endangered Species List. There are likely fewer than 300 wolverines across its habitat across the Mountain West, which includes populations in Washington, Idaho and Oregon, where 90 percent of their habitat is on federally managed lands and wilderness areas.

Hanford Contractors Settle $58 Million Claim Over Fraudulent Labor Billing Practices
Under the settlement, Bechtel Corp. and Aecom will pay nearly $58 million over allegations from current or former Hanford employees. The workers said they were retaliated against for blowing the whistle over how labor hours were billed.
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‘I Don’t Think Science Knows’: Visiting Fires, President Trump Denies Climate Change
On the other side of the country Joe Biden also addressed the fires, linking them to climate change.
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When Will The Smoke Clear Out Of Northwest Skies? Not As Soon As We’d Like
The weather didn’t pan out as forecasters had hoped. That means smoke should stick around until the end of this week. And, it’s not only the skies that are choked with the unhealthy levels of smoke.

Professor And Longtime Climate Science Denier Hired In High Position At NOAA
David Legates, a professor whose research has been supported by fossil fuel companies, has been hired for a top position at the federal agency that oversees weather and climate forecasting.

Extreme End To The 2020 Northwest Fire Season Reminds Of The 1910 ‘Big Burn’
Usually, fire season starts to tamp down in September. This year has been anything but normal. In an unprecedented fire event, at least 80 fires started in Washington over Labor Day weekend.

Hurricanes Like Laura Are More Likely Because Of Climate Change
Hurricane Laura rapidly intensified before it made landfall. Abnormally hot water in the Gulf of Mexico helped it gain power.

‘It’s Just So Fantastic’: Wolverine Family Seen At Mount Rainier, No Signs Yet Of Cyclops Or Beast
Conservationists are “cautiously optimistic” after discovering a mother wolverine and her kits at Mount Rainier National Park. It’s the first time a family of wolverines has called the park home in more than 100 years.

Endangered Species Act Protection Sought For A Northwest Freshwater Mussel
A 2017 analysis that looked at historic versus recent distributing areas of the species and found that the populations have declined by almost 50% of its historic range and it has been accelerating in recent years.

Wildfires Are Picking Up In Northwest. So Is Possibility Of Smoke Inundating The Region
The air quality around the Northwest is gradually worsening with the increasing number of wildfires burning this week. Health and air quality officials are urging people to be prepared in case the smoke becomes more prominent.

State Wildlife Agency Kills Final Two Wolves In Northeastern Washington Wedge Pack
Washington state has killed the last two known wolves in the so-called Wedge pack in Stevens County, which had been preying on livestock, the Department of Fish and Wildlife said Monday.