2026 News stories

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August 2026

08/03 Blog – Explosive wildfire activity spreads smoke across Washington

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July 2026

07/31 Blog – Restoration projects flowing through Washington streams

07/31 News – State’s only coal power plant shifting to natural gas, will serve as backup power for region

07/30 Blog – Washington water supply update

07/29 Blog – Washington Conservation Corps opens recruitment for AmeriCorps members statewide

07/28 Blog – Celebrating a pioneer: Suzanne’s exceptional service and lasting impact on Hanford cleanup

07/28 News – Joint statement on EPA PFAS rulemaking proposals

07/22 Blog – Helping Washington businesses reduce toxics: Inside Ecology’s Pollution Prevention Incentive Fund

07/21 News – First ‘ZEVergreen’ report will shape affordable clean transportation policy amidst federal interference

07/21 Blog – When sewage spills happen, we have the data

07/16 News – Whitman County livestock operation penalized for ongoing water quality violations along Steptoe Creek

07/15 Blog – Recycling Reform Act will lower recycling costs in Washington state

07/14 News – Capitol Lake drawdown will allow shoreline survey

07/09 Blog – NextCycle honors innovative recycling projects

07/08 Blog – Study shows fecal bacteria levels have declined in the Snohomish River Basin

07/07 Blog – Good things happen when communities redevelop brownfields

07/07 News – Nat Kale picked to direct Ecology’s Office of Chehalis Basin

07/06 Blog – Chehalis Basin Board delivers projects while planning for future

07/02 Blog – How to keep water running at your Yakima Basin cabin

07/02 News – Damaged Deschutes River shoreline to be restored under settlement agreement

07/01 News – New forecast shows anticipated risks to Columbia Basin water supplies

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June 2026

06/30 News – Ecology funds 130 clean water projects statewide

06/29 News – Ecology seeks comment on major permit for Hanford Nuclear Site

06/26 Blog – Washington water supply update

06/24 News – Ecology proposes fallback plan to protect progress on clean vehicles in case of federal rollbacks

06/22 News – New rules proposed to limit contamination in organic waste

06/12 Blog – See an algal bloom, give it room

06/11 Blog – Ecology proposes nutrient control requirements for three large wastewater treatment facilities

06/10 Blog – Understanding proposed Key Mill expansion

06/08 Blog – What's the recipe for a safer product?

06/03 Blog – The last piece of the Georgia-Pacific West site is one step closer to cleanup

06/01 News – Proposed regulations lay groundwork to connect Washington’s carbon market with California and Québec

06/01 Blog – New rule amendments in five key watersheds

06/01 News – Kevin the Marmot is back with a new message: Secure your load before it becomes a danger on the road

06/01 News – Kevin la marmota vuelve con un nuevo mensaje: Sujeta tu carga antes de que se convierta en un peligro en la carretera

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May 2026

05/29 Blog – Rulemaking to protect air quality

05/22 Blog – The science behind drought declarations

05/20 News – Environmental penalties issued for the fourth quarter of 2025

05/18 Blog – Going to the beach this summer? Check our safe swimming map to plan your trip

05/15 News – Owner of two Kent Chevron gas stations penalized over $42,000 for repeated safety violations

05/15 Blog – Ecology field crew sampling wetlands statewide this summer

05/14 Blog – Cleaner yards, cleaner future: Ridgefield neighborhood enters last stage of soil contamination cleanup

05/13 News – State penalizes four organizations over $19,000 for fuel tank back fees at King County International Airport

05/12 Blog – What’s in your backyard? Public invited to test soil samples for toxics

05/08 Blog – Hop aboard Ecology's latest electric bus grant!

05/07 Blog – Building stronger connections: new guidelines describe how we engage with communities

05/06 Blog – Spokane River Toxics Reduction Grant supports clean water and healthier communities

05/04 Blog – May the fourth be with you: the Arctic sand star

05/04 Blog – Air Quality Awareness Week is here!

05/01 News – Washington’s Clean Fuel Standard exceeds emissions reductions expectations for second year in a row

05/01 Blog – Yakima Basin water supply update

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April 2026

04/30 News – Public comment period now open: cleanup at former aluminum smelter in Goldendale

04/30 News – Chehalis business fined $876,000 for illegally dumping slaughterhouse wastewater

04/28 Blog – Delivering tools for healthy water

04/27 News – Walla Walla gas station owner settles penalty for 2023 gasoline leak

04/24 News – New report: Clean energy is powering reductions in Washington’s carbon emissions

04/22 News – Washington’s new Climate Action Plan lays out a path to cut pollution, grow the economy, and support local communities

04/22 Blog – Celebrating Earth Day one drawing at a time

04/13 Blog – Join our 2026 watershed health technician crew

04/08 News – Statewide drought declared due to dismal snowpack

04/03 Blog – Two decades later, popular grant program keeps costs and air pollution down

04/02 Blog – Grant program promotes healthy Puget Sound stream and river habitats

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March 2026

03/31 Blog – Echoes from the deep: A scuba diver’s ocean footprint and his path to protecting the Columbia River at Hanford

03/19 News – Amazon and Walmart penalized for illegally selling climate-polluting products

03/19 Blog – Findings from the 2025 report on overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution

03/17 Blog – How restoring an estuary will help restore a crucial part of the past

03/16 News – Filing deadline for water rights claims extended to June 2027

03/12 Blog – Ecology grants and strong partnerships drive innovative methane reduction at landfills

03/11 Blog – Three comment periods for the Lower Duwamish Waterway begin in March

03/05 News – Get a sneak peek at the future of Capitol Lake and a restored Deschutes River estuary

03/05 Blog – Pedaling toward cleaner air

03/04 Blog – The success of streamflow restoration grants: Stewart Mountain Community Forest

03/03 News – Washington, California and Québec take the next step towards linking carbon markets by releasing draft agreement

03/03 Blog – NextCycle WA helps sustainable businesses access entrepreneurial and financial support

03/02 Blog – Caring for North Cove

03/02 News – Hazle caso a la marmota: una nueva campaña invita a los conductores a mantener a Washington limpio y sin basura

03/02 News – Listen to the marmot – new ads ask drivers to keep Washington litter-free

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February 2026

02/27 Blog – Washington water supply update

02/19 Blog – Ecology offering up to $20K to help replace lights that hide toxic chemicals

02/18 Blog – Let's talk about the Hanford woman: the Cold War years

02/12 News – Seattle barrel refurbishing business penalized $150,000 for dangerous waste violations

02/09 Blog – Community workshops focus on geothermal energy in Washington

02/05 Blog – SHARP dashboard tracks contaminated site ratings

02/04 Blog – Building coastal climate change resilience

02/02 Blog – World Wetlands Day: Celebrating cultural heritage

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January 2026

01/30 Blog – Ecology prepares to fund 121 clean water projects

01/29 Blog – Caring for the Washington coast

01/22 News – First transfer of radioactive capsules complete at Hanford Site

01/21 News – New rules would make it easier for small landowners to benefit from Washington’s carbon offsets program

01/21 Blog – Cleaner fuels take to the skies

01/15 News – Hanford cleanup gets record $3.2 billion budget

01/15 News – $40 million now available for streamflow restoration grants

01/15 Blog – A nuclear year in review

01/14 Blog – Calling all kids! Help Ecology design a clean water coloring book

01/08 Blog – State lawmakers provide Hoquiam $17 million for critical flood mitigation project

01/08 Blog – Bellingham’s Salish Landing Park closer to reality as cleanup construction begins

01/06 Blog – Did record rainfall end Washington’s drought?

01/05 News – Ahead of the curve: Washington’s Clean Fuel Standard exceeded expectations during its first year

01/05 Blog – Hola Washington! Ecology’s blog and Facebook content are going bilingual in 2026

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