Environment

Senate panel votes out oil-train safety bill
January 27, 2015
OLYMPIA… An oil-train measure that aims to boost safety without jumping the rails was approved Jan. 27 by the Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee. Senate Bill 5057, sponsored by state Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale leverages funding, training and equipment for first responders. Changes adopted by the committee expand state authority to... Read More...
Ericksen oil-train safety bill keeps to the track
January 14, 2015
Oil-train safety looms again as a major issue in the 2015 legislative session as a measure sponsored by state Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, gets its first hearing Thursday. The key difference between Ericksen’s bill and competing oil-train proposals that have been heard over the last couple of sessions? This one... Read More...
Senate committee to examine water quality rule-making process
September 20, 2013
On Monday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. the Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee will hold a special meeting to brief members and interested parties on the progress that has been made towards determining standards for water quality in Washington state. The Department of Ecology and key stakeholders have been... Read More...
NEWS: Whatcom County senators broker landmark agreement on toxic-cleanup reform
June 14, 2013
In broad bipartisan votes tonight the Senate and House of Representatives approved a bill – subsequently signed into law by the governor – to create jobs and improve Washington’s environment by reforming the state’s toxic-cleanup program. The landmark agreement was secured through the work of Whatcom County’s Senate delegation, Sens.... Read More...