Energy

170 Stories

Washington council approves wind farm near the Tri-Cities, slashing turbine numbers

The largest proposed wind farm in Washington got a partial thumbs up on Wednesday from the state's energy siting council. The controversial project in southeastern Washington has raised concerns about ridgeline views, tribal cultural resources and endangered hawks.
- Courtney Flatt
Not in my valley. Some San Juan Islanders say no to solar power

The island utility wants to cover a pasture near Friday Harbor with 5,200 solar panels to help San Juan Island avoid blackouts. Opponents of the project along the San Juan Island Scenic Byway say they welcome solar power, but not on San Juan Valley farmland preserved as open space.
- John Ryan
Washington holds first carbon auction of 2024, with program's future in doubt

A ballot initiative aiming to stop Washington state from charging for carbon pollution is already reshaping the state’s carbon market.
- John Ryan
U.S. hydropower drops to 20-year low as Northwest snowpack shrinks

After a week of heavy storms that dumped 5 feet of snow in the Cascades and left skiers giddy, Washington state’s snowpack was still just 73% of normal.
- John Ryan
Controversial energy project moves closer to breaking ground

A controversial energy project in south central Washington is one step closer to breaking ground. A federal commission released its final environmental review for the Goldendale Pumped Storage Energy Project – to the consternation of several tribes and environmental groups.
- Courtney Flatt
Largest proposed wind farm in WA slashed in half, firefighting issues are part of the problem

A controversial wind farm that was set to be the largest in Washington has been slashed nearly in half. The project developer said the new restrictions could be bad for renewable energy development around the state.
- Courtney Flatt
Why PSE urged Western Washington to conserve energy amid severe cold

Energy utilities in Washington and Oregon asked their customers to curtail gas and electricity usage on Saturday after the Northwest’s largest storehouse of natural gas shut down amid extreme cold temperatures.
- John Ryan
This week’s catch on the Skagit delta: Tasty crabs, toxic soil

As a fishing fleet hauled in 250,000 Dungeness crabs just offshore, backhoes dug up 23 truckloads of gasoline-tainted soil from the Skagit River delta on Tuesday.
- John Ryan
The price of pollution in Washington state hits $2 billion

Washington state’s latest carbon auction has raised nearly a half-billion dollars from businesses that pollute the climate.
- John Ryan
Ukraine is trying to keep its lights on this winter. Russia aims to turn them off

Utility workers have raced to repair Ukraine's damaged energy grid. Russia has resumed targeted attacks on Ukraine's energy system — and parts of it may be more vulnerable than ever, experts warn.
- Nathan Rott

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