Pollution

Comment Period Open For Proposed Superfund Clean Up Plan On Seattle's Duwamish River

Ashley Ahearn — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:38:09 +0000

The proposed clean up plan for the Duwamish River super fund site in Seattle is open for final public comment. The 305 million dollar plan would tackle 100 years of industrial pollution that have lead to high levels of contamination in the river. Ashley Ahearn reports the EPA is asking the public to weigh in.

Shell Oil Containment System Passes Federal Test In Puget Sound

John Ryan — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:10:08 +0000

Shell Oil had to postpone its Arctic drilling for a full year after one of its oil rigs ran aground off the Alaska coast this winter. But Shell’s efforts to open a new frontier of oil exploration in the Arctic Ocean continue in Puget Sound. The oil giant passed a key test with federal regulators last month in the waters off Anacortes, Washington. KUOW’s John Ryan reports.

Conservation Groups Lists Rivers in Southern Oregon, Idaho As Most Endangered

Amelia Templeton — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:23:11 +0000

American Rivers has named three Northwest streams among the most endangered in the United States this year. Two are remote creeks in Southwest Oregon. The conservation group says exploration for nickel could harm the creeks. Amelia Templeton reports.

Environmental Groups Diving For Coal Near Seattle Train Tracks

Ashley Ahearn — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:58:31 +0000

The debate over exporting Wyoming and Montana coal through terminals on the Northwest coast has been heating up in recent months. Those who support exporting coal say the terminals will create thousands of jobs and tax revenue for the state. Opponents of coal exports have raised concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts of coal. Some of them are taking matters into their own hands. Ashley Ahearn reports.

Moving 'Heirloom Chemicals' Out Of Farmers' Fields

Courtney Flatt — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:41:03 +0000

Year after year many pesticides farmers use expire or are banned. Often these chemicals pile up in barns and storage sheds until farmers can find a safe way to dispose of them. EarthFix reporter Courtney Flatt visited a pesticide collection center in Wenatchee to find out what exactly happens to the chemicals.

Washington Set To Pass Legislation On Derelict Vessels But Funding Problems Remain

Ashley Ahearn — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:36:28 +0000

There are several hundred derelict and abandoned vessels dotting the waterways of Washington and Oregon. They can block navigation and pollute the environment. And they can also be very expensive to remove.

Bills to fund the clean up and prevention of derelict vessels have now been passed in the Washington house and senate, but Ashley Ahearn reports, no permanent sources of funding for large vessel removal have been identified.

Yakima Dairies Agree to Reduce Nitrate Contamination

Courtney Flatt — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:25:38 +0000

Four Eastern Washington dairies have agreed to reduce pollution that’s been contaminating drinking water. For EarthFix, Courtney Flatt has more.

How Much Fish You Eat Determines Water Quality In Idaho

Samantha Wright — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:27:25 +0000

How much fish do you eat every week? That’s a question Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality wants to answer. As Samantha Wright reports, the agency has asked state lawmakers for funding to study that question.

Seattle Firm Seeks To Commercialize Carbon Dioxide Conversion To Methanol

Tom Banse — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:52:56 +0000

A small engineering firm in Seattle says it has developed a system to capture carbon dioxide going up power plant smokestacks and convert it to methanol. The solvent is also known as wood alcohol and as an Indy race car fuel.

Brett Scott is chief counsel for Emission Resource Group.

Canadian Smelter Found Liable for U.S. Pollution

Courtney Flatt — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:17:00 +0000

A federal judge Friday found a Canadian smelter responsible for the millions of tons of pollutants it dumped into the Columbia River. Reporting for EarthFix, Courtney Flatt has more.