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Stories tagged: Department of Ecology
Fri., Aug. 12, 2016, 11:07 a.m.
Canadian smelter not responsible for air pollution in U.S., court rules
A Canadian company can’t be held responsible for air pollution that drifted across the border into Washington, members of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said in a recent ruling.
Fri., Aug. 12, 2016, 9:26 a.m.
Ponderay Newsprint fined for running diesel engines without permits
Ponderay Newsprint Co. was fined $24,000 for operating diesel engines at its Usk facility without permits since November 2015.
Tue., Aug. 9, 2016, 5:06 p.m.
State fines feds, contractor for mishandling Hanford waste
State regulators have fined the federal government and one of its contractors $50,000 for mishandling hazardous waste at Hanford.
Fri., July 8, 2016, 4:13 p.m.
Spokane River discharge permits available for review
Permits that allow the city of Spokane, Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District and Kaiser Aluminum to discharge treated wastewater into the Spokane River are being updated by the Washington …
Sat., June 25, 2016, 9 p.m.
State shifting through comments on coal-export project
Environmental regulators in Washington are shifting through about 267,000 comments they received on a coal-export terminal proposed along the Columbia River near Longview.
Sun., June 12, 2016, 4 a.m.
Muddy waters: Hangman Creek cleanup essential to Spokane River health
Hangman Creek’s muddy water contributes to water-quality issues in the Spokane River; new efforts are underway to clean up the creek.
Wed., June 1, 2016, 6:04 p.m.
Kaiser Aluminum cautiously optimistic about new plan to tackle carbon pollution
Kaiser Aluminum officials say they’re cautiously optimistic about Washington’s new proposal for reducing carbon emissions, which could give company’s Trentwood plant credit for previous efforts to reduce energy use.
Thu., May 26, 2016, 5:13 p.m.
Longview coal-terminal plan draws hundreds to all-day hearing in Spokane
A proposed coal-export terminal in Southwest Washington could eventually bring 16 more trains through Spokane each day.
Mon., May 23, 2016, 10:42 a.m.
Hearing on coal-export terminal takes place Thursday in Spokane
Residents can weigh in on a coal-export terminal proposed along the Columbia River in Southwest Washington during a Thursday hearing in Spokane.
Mon., May 16, 2016, 9:53 a.m.
State hearings to focus on oil shipments by rail and pipeline
The Washington Department of Ecology will hold two public hearings Tuesday in Spokane to take comments on proposed rules for oil shipments by rail and pipeline.
Thu., May 12, 2016, 7:01 p.m.
Spokane County officials optimistic on Costco move, despite toxic chemicals near proposed site
Recent tests have shown high concentrations of the toxic chemicals cyanide and flouride in groundwater near the proposed site of a new Costco wholesaler in Mead. But Spokane County officials …
Wed., April 27, 2016, 2:12 p.m.
State affirms stream flow rules for Spokane River
The Washington Department of Ecology has affirmed its stream flow rule for the Spokane River, denying a petition for reconsideration from the American Whitewater and two environmental groups.
Mon., April 18, 2016, 5 p.m.
Nuclear waste tank leak at Hanford not a risk, state says
Nuclear waste material was leaking into the containment area of a Hanford tank, but doesn’t pose a risk to the public, a state agency said.
Sun., April 10, 2016, 4 a.m.
Spokane River getting healthier, but controversy over discharge limits remains
The health of the Spokane River is improving, say Washington state officials, who are touting declines in cancer-causing PCBs as a promising trend in efforts to reduce toxic pollution in …
Thu., April 7, 2016, 2:52 p.m.
Ecology asking for comment on proposed oil-by-rail rules
The state Department of Ecology is proposing two new rules regulating the transportation of oil by rail in the state and wants public comment on both proposals.
Sun., April 3, 2016, 4 a.m.
Workshop will cover tougher state fish consumption guidelines
State officials are holding a public meeting in Spokane Valley Wednesday to talk about how much fish and shellfish Washington residents eat. It’s a seemingly simple question, with far-reaching implications …
Tue., March 1, 2016, 5:12 p.m.
Groups petition for higher summer flows in Spokane River
State officials must do more to protect summer flows in the Spokane River, which will face increased challenges from climate change and population growth in years to come, environmental groups …
Tue., March 1, 2016, 10:09 a.m.
Department of Ecology employee accused of stealing from celebration fund
An environmental specialist with the Washington state Department of Ecology is accused of stealing nearly $17,000 from an employee celebration fund.
Fri., Feb. 26, 2016, 12:32 p.m.
Ecology withdraws proposed carbon cap rule, plans changes
State environmental regulators have withdrawn a proposed rule aimed at limiting carbon emissions, saying they plan to refile another version with substantial changes.
Mon., Jan. 25, 2016, 3:14 p.m.
Ecology department holding oil-by-rail workshops in Spokane
Local residents interested in shaping laws related to oil shipments through Washington can attend workshops Wednesday at the Department of Ecology’s Spokane office.
Mon., Jan. 25, 2016, 3:05 p.m.
Spokane’s Waste-to-Energy Plant under scrutiny for greenhouse gas emissions
Spokane’s waste-to-energy plants ranks among Washington’s top emitters of greenhouse gases, releasing about 105,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Fri., Jan. 22, 2016
Editorial: No double standards on PCBs
Government regulators should listen to the struggles of its own agencies and take a more holistic and realistic approach to controlling PCBs in the Spokane River.
Wed., Jan. 6, 2016, 3:53 p.m.
Washington state working on new rules for major polluters
Washington’s largest polluters would have to start cutting their carbon emissions by 2017, but those who can’t meet the goals could buy “credits” from those who do better than required, …
Wed., Dec. 2, 2015, 10:47 a.m.
Orchardist fined $73,530 for illegal irrigation during drought
A Columbia County orchardist is being fined $73,530 for illegally irrigating a 100-acre apple and pear orchard after being ordered to stop during Washington’s historic drought, state officials said.
Mon., Nov. 16, 2015, 5:30 a.m.
Lingering drought seen in region’s low lakes, waterways
The Inland Northwest remains in the grip of a record-setting drought, with stream flows and lake levels far below normal. The deficit comes amid uncertainty about how one of the …
Wed., Nov. 11, 2015, 3:05 p.m.
TransCanada, Chewelah company fined for air quality violation
Two companies with operations in the Inland Northwest have been fined by the Washington Department of Ecology for air quality violations. TransCanada was fined $4,000 for emissions of haze forming …
Fri., Nov. 6, 2015
Editorial: Industry needs reasonable pollution rules
Closing smelters exports production to nations unconcerned about air quality.
UPDATED: Sun., Oct. 11, 2015, 5:49 p.m.
Drought is conspicuous for those outside the aquifer
More rural residents are hauling water because of the drought. Because of the growth in demand, Whitworth Water District No. 2 has received a state grant to relocate a water …
Fri., Oct. 9, 2015, 4:23 p.m.
State plan to curb carbon pollution from 35 facilities, including Spokane’s trash incinerator, under consideration
Washington’s proposed rule to curb carbon pollution will be discussed at a Tuesday meeting in Spokane.
Tue., Sept. 22, 2015
Washington state rules target greenhouse gases
Some of Washington’s largest polluters will have to cut back greenhouse emissions under new rules state officials are developing. The rules would target about 35 industrial facilities jointly responsible for …