Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Ecology invites public comment on changes to some air quality permit fees

September 7, 2022 News release: Ecology is seeking public comment on a proposed rule for some air quality permit fees.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-7-aq-permit-fees-public-comment

New rules add clarity for cap-and-invest program

September 7, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has proposed new rules to clarify aspects of the Allowance Price Containment Reserve (APCR).

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-7-apcr-rulemaking

Summer jobs now open for central Washington teens

February 29, 2024 News release: Teens ages 14-17 can apply to Ecology Youth Corps by April 1 to pick up litter and keep our state clean.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/ecology-youth-corps-applications-open

State lays out plan to tackle impacts of climate change in Washington

September 30, 2024 News release: The Washington State Climate Resilience Strategy works to prepare for climate change threats and impacts from drought, changing ocean conditions, flooding, extreme heat, and wildfires and smoke.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-30-climate-resilience-strategy

Statewide drought declared due to low snowpack and dry forecast

April 16, 2024 News release: The Department of Ecology has declared a drought emergency for most of Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/april-16-drought-declaration

Washington inks deal with carbon emissions auction platform

December 20, 2021 News release: Ecology signs deal for greenhouse gas emissions auction services with WCI, Inc.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-20-washington-inks-deal-with-emissions-auction

Ecology settles 2019 penalty with Tacoma hazardous waste facility

June 9, 2020 News release: The Stericycle hazardous waste facility in Tacoma has agreed to settle $2.2 million in penalties issued in 2019 by the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/june-9-stericycle-settlement

Drought designation extended for parts of Eastern Washington

May 26, 2022 News release: An amended drought declaration takes affect June 1 and reduces the area under a drought order from 96% of the state to 9%.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-26-drought-2022

Applicants sought to serve on Hanford Advisory Board

September 5, 2023 News release: The Hanford Advisory Board (HAB) is seeking new members to advise federal and state agencies on the ongoing cleanup of the Hanford Site in southeast Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-5-applicants-sought-to-serve-on-hanford-advisory-board

Community grants available to improve outdoor air for most vulnerable

August 29, 2024 News release: Ecology is providing $10 million from Climate Commitment Act funds for grants to improve air quality in overburdened communities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-29-community-grants-open-to-improve-air-quality

State issues million-dollar penalties to two refineries for dangerous waste violations

August 5, 2025 News release: We issued million-dollar penalties for dangerous waste violations at two Anacortes refineries, Tesoro and HF Sinclair.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/aug-5-state-issues-million-dollar-penalties-to-two-refineries-for-dangerous-waste-violations

2019 data shows greenhouse gas emissions increased

December 28, 2022 News release: The latest data available in Washington’s inventory of greenhouse gas emissions shows statewide emissions rose in 2019, reaching their highest mark since 2007.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-28-2019-state-ghg-inventory

Burn ban expires for Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat and Okanogan counties

December 9, 2019 News release: A Stage 1 burn ban in Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat counties and the Methow Valley in Okanogan County will expire at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-9-burn-ban-expires-8-a-m-dec-10-for-chelan-do

Burn ban expires 10 a.m. Tuesday in Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties

November 12, 2019 News release: A Stage 1 burn ban in Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties will expire at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-12-burn-ban-ends

Burn ban expires 10 a.m. Sunday in Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties

November 8, 2019 News release: Burn ban expires 10 a.m. Sunday in Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-8-burn-ban-expires-10-a-m-sunday-in-ferry-oka

More than 35,000 drums of industrial waste removed from the Pasco Landfill

June 28, 2022 News release: More than 35,000 drums of industrial waste has been removed from the Pasco Landfill Superfund site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/pasco-landfill-completion

Burn ban lifted for Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties

January 15, 2019 News release: Burn ban lifted for Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties at noon Jan. 15.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/burn-ban-lifted-for-chelan-douglas-ferry-kittit

Drought expanded to 19 more watersheds

June 5, 2025 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is expanding the drought emergency declared in April to include areas in the North and Central Cascade Mountains and parts of the Puget Sound area.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-5-drought

Summer jobs now open for Central Washington teens

February 21, 2023 News release: Teens ages 14-17 can apply to Ecology Youth Corps to pick up litter and keep our state clean. Applications are due by April 3.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/feb-21-ecology-youth-corps-central-wa-2023

Washington begins work to slash HFCs – climate change “super pollutants”

August 1, 2019 News release: We're working to reduce use of hydrofluorocarbons - climate change super pollutants.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/aug-1-washington-begins-work-to-slash-hfcs

Tukwila property owner penalized for oil spill to the Duwamish River

February 2, 2023 News release: Tukwila property owner penalized for oil spill to the Duwamish River

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/feb-2-john-roach-penalty

Statement from Ecology Director Laura Watson on federal rule undermining Washington’s water quality

June 1, 2020 News release: Ecology Director Laura Watson's comments on new federal Clean Water Act Section 401 rule.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/june-1-statement-from-ecology-director-on-federal

Summer jobs now open for Central Washington teens

March 5, 2020 News release: Ecology plans to hire as many as 72 teenagers to help clean Central Washington parks and roadways as part of the Ecology Youth Corps this summer.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/litter-crew-jobs-in-central-washington

Grants awarded for Washington’s first electric fire engines

April 27, 2023 News release: Washington will receive the state’s first electric fire engines in 2026. Ecology has given $1.18 M to Bellevue and Redmond through our VW and Clean Diesel grant programs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-27-grants-awarded-for-washington-s-first-ele

Statewide plastic bag ban begins Friday, Oct. 1

September 27, 2021 News release: Washington's statewide plastic bag ban begins Friday, Oct. 1. All Washington businesses providing single-use plastic bags to customers at checkout must comply with the new law.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/sept-27-statewide-bag-ban-begins-friday

'Simple As That' campaign helps create a litter free Washington

April 17, 2023 News release: Statewide litter prevention initiative encourages residents to take action to prevent litter on roads.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-17-simple-as-that-litter-prevention-campaign

Hanford Advisory Board to meet in Yakima April 19, 2023

April 10, 2023 News release: The Hanford Advisory Board is on the road again for the first time since before the pandemic – holding its next regional meeting in Yakima later this month.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-hanford-advisory-board-meeting-in-yakima

New Ecology rule updates dangerous waste regulations

October 1, 2020 News release: Washington has updated regulations preventing dangerous wastes from making their way into the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-1-new-ecology-rule-updates-dangerous-waste-reg

EPA approves Lower White River water cleanup plan

March 2, 2023 News release: Ecology recently received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a water quality cleanup plan for the Lower White River.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-2-epa-approves-lower-white-river-tmdl

Awarding $216 million to communities for clean water projects

June 22, 2020 News release: We are awarding $216 million in grants and loans to fund 81 high-priority clean water projects to help upgrade sewer systems, manage stormwater, and prevent nonpoint pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/june-22-clean-water-grant-awards

Inslee declares drought emergency for Okanogan, Methow and Upper Yakima

April 4, 2019 News release: Water supply shortages are projected in the Methow, Okanogan, Upper Yakima basins, prompting Gov. Jay Inslee to declare a drought emergency in those watersheds.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/drought-emergency-for-okanogan-and-methow

The Home Depot penalized $1.6 million for selling restricted hydrofluorocarbon products

June 27, 2024 News release: The Home Depot was penalized $1.6 million for selling prohibited hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) products. HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases that do far more damage than carbon dioxide.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-27-home-depot-penalty

California, Québec and Washington to begin linkage agreement discussions

September 23, 2024 News release: This is the second joint statement released by California, Québec and Washington about their path toward linkage.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/california-quebec-and-washington-to-begin-linkage-agreement-discussions

Ecology declares drought emergency

July 14, 2021 News release: Extreme heat and prolonged dryness result in emergency drought declaration for most of Washington state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/2021-drought-declaration

State of Washington, federal agencies agree on future of tank waste cleanup at Hanford Site

April 29, 2024 News release: The Hanford Site agencies have announced a landmark agreement for cleaning up millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste from large, underground tanks at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/holistic-negotiations-agreement

Historic achievement: Governor Ferguson, Ecology celebrate nuclear waste officially being turned into glass at Hanford Site

October 15, 2025 News release: The Hanford Site's Low-Activity Waste Facility is now operational and treating radioactive and hazardous waste for safe, permanent disposal for the first time in history.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/hanford-site-waste-vitrification-begins

Five facilities to receive updated requirements to protect Spokane River

December 29, 2021 News release: Five Washington facilities on the Spokane River are due for revisions to their wastewater permits, which will better protect the river.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-27-updated-requirements-for-spokane-river

New law will reduce the use of single-use utensils, condiments, straws beginning Jan. 1

December 6, 2021 News release: On Jan. 1, a new law will require restaurants to stop automatically adding single-use food service items like utensils and condiments to food orders and let customers decide which items they want.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-6-new-law-will-reduce-the-use-of-single-use-ut

Ecology seeks input on connecting Washington to other carbon markets

January 31, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is inviting public feedback about the possibility of connecting the state's new cap-and-invest program to similar carbon reduction programs in California and Québec.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/ecology-seeks-input-on-linkage

Inslee expands drought emergency for nearly half of the state

May 20, 2019 News release: A total of 24 watersheds have been added to the emergency drought declaration.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-20-inslee-expands-drought-emergency

Ecology proposes updates to wastewater treatment plant operator certification program

March 13, 2019 News release: Proposed updates to Washington State Department of Ecology’s Wastewater Operator Certification Program reflect new treatment technologies, create opportunities for professional growth, and establish a new fee schedule.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/march-13-updates-to-operator-certification-program

Settlement reached to ensure access to critical Hanford Site data

September 14, 2023 News release: The Washington state Department of Ecology will regain direct access to critical federal data about the Hanford Site following a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-14-settlement-reached-to-ensure-access-to-critical-hanford-site-data

Electric school buses to earn extra credit in 2025

December 11, 2024 News release: By early 2026, more than 200 electric school buses will be at Washington schools.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/dec-11-electric-school-buses-to-earn-extra-credit-in-2025

$30,000 penalty to plastics producer for failing to register products under 2021 law

March 13, 2025 News release: Penalties collected under the 2021 law provide financial support to local governments for solid waste programs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/march-13-30-000-penalty-to-plastics-producer-for-failing-to-register-products-under-2021-law

Walla Walla gas station owner penalized $738,000 for 2023 gasoline leak to groundwater

September 4, 2025 News release: Owners of a downtown Walla Walla Chevron that caused a 2023 gasoline spill fined $738,000 with an additional $4.1 million in cost recovery ordered.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/aug-29-walla-walla-gas-station-owner-penalized

Stage 1 burn ban called for Okanogan Valley

December 3, 2020 News release: Stage 1 burn ban called beginning Dec. 3 for Okanogan Valley.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-3-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-okanogan-valley

Governor Inslee declares drought for three Washington regions

March 12, 2015 News release: With snowpack at near record lows, Gov. Inslee declared a drought on the Olympic Peninsula, on the east side of the central Cascade Mountains including Yakima and Wenatchee, and the Walla Walla region.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2015/governor-inslee-declares-drought-for-three-washing

Report outlines plan to reduce bacteria levels in Yakima-area creeks

October 13, 2020 News release: Strategies to address fecal bacteria in Cowiche Creek, Wide Hollow Creek and the Moxee Drain watersheds are outlined in a draft technical report that’s now available for review and comment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-13-mid-yakima-bacteria-tmdl

Ecology investigating King County sewage discharge

July 19, 2019 News release: Ecology is investigating sewage treatment failures at King County’s two largest sewage treatment plants on July 18 and 19.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-19-ecology-investigating-king-county-sewage-d

Funding now available to public agencies for drought relief

June 4, 2019 News release: Public agencies experiencing hardships related to drought conditions may now be eligible for funds to ease drought-related effects.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-4-funding-for-drought-relief