SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Nearly two decades ago, Republican President George W. Bush stood on a bank of the Snake River near Pasco, Washington, and declared that four hydroelectric dams would not be torn down on his watch, though many blamed them for killing endangered salmon. This month, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho issued a bold plan that called for removing those same dams to ... Read More

Feb. 14—When Sound Transit unveiled a $54 billion tax measure in 2016, even its most tenacious critics said the rail and bus budgets were so larded with financial cushions the agency couldn't possibly run short on cash. Only five years later, Sound Transit faces an $11.5 billion budget shortfall caused by soaring land costs, alignments in sloppy soils, community requests for add-ons and a ... Read More

The Daily Journal of Commerce has announced its Hard Hat Safety Award honorees for 2021. The following companies, organizations, project teams and individuals are being recognized for their ongoing, successful work keeping employees and the public safe. The honorees are: Chris McInroe, project director, Perlo Construction. He was nominated “for his instrumental role advancing the culture of ... Read More

Jan. 10—RICHLAND, Wa. — More than $170 million is being invested in new science buildings in Richland to solidifying the Tri-Cities as a national and regional science and research stronghold. One project is set to finish later this year. Here's what's underway: 1. Energy sciences research A $90 million energy science research center at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Lab ... Read More

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the state will appeal the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' rejection of a key permit for a proposed copper and gold mine in a region that supports the world's largest sockeye salmon runs. Dunleavy, in a statement Friday, called the corps' decision flawed and said the state has to keep a federal agency "from using the regulatory process to ... Read More

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A gigantic nuclear waste treatment plant in eastern Washington state that has been under construction for 18 years is largely completed and soon will be ready to start processing radioactive wastes left over from the construction of the nation's nuclear arsenal, the U.S. Department of Energy said Wednesday. The so-called vitrification plant is a key component in cleaning ... Read More

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The U.S. government held its first-ever oil and gas lease sale Wednesday for Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, an event critics labeled as a bust with major oil companies staying on the sidelines and a state corporation emerging as the main bidder. The sale, held as scheduled after a judge Tuesday rejected requests by Indigenous and conservation groups to halt the ... Read More

Dec. 21—After promising Seattle voters that the city would reinforce 16 bridges to better withstand earthquakes, the Seattle Department of Transportation now says that work would cost hundreds of millions of dollars more than once expected. Instead of 16 bridges, the city plans to complete seismic retrofits on 11, leaving notable and costly locations like the Ballard and Fremont bridges off ... Read More

Dec. 10--U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-8th Congressional District, has added her voice to the chorus calling for removal of the Electron Hydroelectric Project on the Puyallup River, saying the dam's cost to salmon is not worth it. The dam, owned by Electron Hyrdo LLC, a division of Tollhouse Energy LLC of Bellingham, is more than 100 years old. It provides no irrigation, flood control or energy ... Read More