Clean Energy

Federal bill would smooth way for small dams, hydropower

Bellamy Pailthorp — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:06:13 +0000

Big dams that block rivers and salmon runs are out of vogue. But new legislation could clear the way for more small ones.

The removal of Washington’s Elwha dam — the largest dam removal in U.S. history — marked the end of an era in which big dams were embraced.

Northwest’s largest coal-fired power plant agrees to shut down by 2025

Tom Banse and KPLU News Staff — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:50:13 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-956193.mp3

The owner of the largest coal-fired power plant in the Northwest has agreed to phase out coal-burning by the end of 2025.

Washington’s governor and environmental groups announced an agreement with TransAlta Corporation Saturday. Within hours, the Washington State Senate passed a bill to turn the deal into law.

Ocean energy ideas proliferate

Tom Banse — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:53:25 +0000

Ideas for harnessing the power of the Pacific Ocean to create clean energy are proliferating. The rush of creativity is creating a flood of visits by electric engineers to coastal communities.