News items for August 17, 2022
Washington State Capitol by Jon Connell used under CC BY 2.0
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1. Federal climate and inflation bill to bolster new laws in WA
Washington is preparing to roll out a spate of programs that will put a price on greenhouse gas emissions, require electric utilities to phase out coal and reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. An influx of money could streamline and expedite state efforts to decarbonize.
The Seattle Times
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2. Murkowski advances in AK’s ranked-choice primary
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) comfortably advanced in Tuesday’s all-party primary election, setting her up against three challengers in November, including one backed by former President Donald Trump, in her state’s new system of ranked-choice voting.
Huffington Post
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3. Tribal scientists snorkel rivers to save freshwater mussels
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is the only group in the West that’s actively surveying mussels and working to protect them, says the lead biologist for the Confederated Tribes.
KNKX
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4. Returning sea otters to OR could revive kelp forests
Reintroduction of the marine mammals may restore coastal ecosystems but also threatens shellfish industries and tribal self-governance.
High Country News
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5. Puget Sound needs regional rail
As the Puget Sound region grows around transit, policymakers need to begin planning how to transport people over longer distances rapidly. That means picking the right transit typology for this task. Enter regional rail.
The Urbanist
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6. Key challenge for OR’s next governor: Solving homelessness
The legacy of Oregon’s next governor could hinge largely on a single issue: How well she handles the state’s growing homeless crisis.
OPB
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7. King County releases Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy
King County Executive Dow Constantine recently announced the region’s first-ever Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy, a set of 12 recommended actions to improve preparedness, response, and recovery as the potential for wildfire increases in Western Washington.
Seattle Weekly
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8. A detailed picture of the climate and health bill
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed by the House on Friday and signed by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Tuesday, is still a substantial piece of legislation that will make big investments in the environment and health care, and increase taxes on some key groups.
The New York Times
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9. Views: AK’s ‘Final Four’ voting can be a model for the nation
Regardless of the outcome of this week’s special election, Alaskans are demonstrating to Americans that there’s a better way to elect our leaders, one that encourages politicians to appeal to all citizens, not just the party faithful.
The Hill
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10. Beyond decolonization
In many fields, such as science, health care, and education, Indigenous activists are revamping their fields so that their perspectives become part of how these professions are practiced.
Yes! Magazine
More News from August 17, 2022
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Biden signs climate, health bill into law
President Biden signed into law a landmark tax, health and energy bill on Tuesday that takes significant steps toward fulfilling his goal to modernize the American economy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
The New York Times
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David Suzuki: There’s hope in seeing the forest and the trees
Mainstream forest ecology has only recently started seeing the forest and the trees.
The Georgia Straight
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Cheney and Murkowski: Trump critics facing divergent futures
The political fortunes of US Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and US Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming are poised to diverge on Tuesday when they’re each on the ballot in closely watched primary elections. The anticipated outcomes at least partially stem from the nuanced politics of each state.
Anchorage Daily News