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washington energy spotlight
Group outlines plan for EV truck infrastructure
A group of West Coast utilities are collaborating on long-term planning for an interstate electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for EV trucks in hopes that the move will encourage a shift toward clean energy in the transportation sector. A new study released by the West Coast Clean Transit Corridor Initiative envisions 27 charging stations along […]
guest opinion
The free market is the way forward—on biopharmaceuticals and most everything else
What is America’s greatest strength in fighting COVID-19? Our biopharmaceutical industry, including the many important companies located here in Washington State. Since the virus arrived on our shores, the country has been looking to our thriving drug makers to develop faster tests, create new treatments, and explore every avenue to accelerate a vaccine. Fortunately, the […]
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Energy & Environment
PSE signs agreement for new Oregon wind farm
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has signed a new agreement with Portland-based Avangrid Renewables to build a 28,000 acre wind farm in north central Oregon...
King County GHG goal, policy “disconnect”
A criticism often leveled against government environmental efforts is the disconnect between climate goals and what is actually achieved. Washington state and local governments...
Education
Inslee reduces operating budget spending increase
Governor Jay Inslee signed the 2020 supplemental budget on April 3 after vetoing spending provisions in anticipation of decreased state revenue due to the...
B&O tax hike for higher education?
The House Appropriations Committee has voted in favor of a bill imposing a business and occupation (B&O) surcharge on various businesses with the money...
Growth
Washington’s budget woes
State lawmakers since May have been calling for a special session to address a significant operating budget revenue shortfall for the current biennium. Framing...
GMA’s top-down approach to housing could intensify
Since the early 1990s the state Growth Management Act (GMA) has directed regional and local zoning policy regarding economic development and housing to prevent...
Healthcare
Analyst says healthcare system “at crossroads”
Within the debate over healthcare reform in the U.S. are conflicting philosophies regarding how the system should operate and who ultimately should make health...
Is single payer health care a nonstarter?
Although Washington state’s Universal Health Care Work Group has yet to make formal recommendations to the state legislature on how to implement a single...
Work group to develop health system recommendations
A state Universal Health Care Work Group formed last year is working on recommendations to the state legislature regarding a universal, or single-payer, health...
Business
Private ferry route may replace WSDOT service
While King County looks at ferry service across Lake Washington, the state Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) is exploring the idea of a private ferry...
“Uphill” battle remains for single-payer healthcare work
For more than a year a state work group has explored the idea of a universal healthcare system in Washington state with forthcoming recommendations...
Defining “public use” for broadband
The legislature last year enacted a law creating the State Broadband Office (SBO) within the state Department of Commerce to expand access to all...