January 17, 2013: Unfazed by Power Shifts, Environmental Community Sets Priorities for 2013 Legislative Session

A coalition of environmental groups is wasting no time in setting priorities for the legislature. “Clean Energy Solutions”, “Toxic-Free Kids and Families” and “Conservation Works” are the buzz words. Themes range from putting people back to work and stopping giveaways to dirty fuels, to protecting waterways across the state from polluted runoff. On a recent Saturday activists learned how to lobby their legislators. But not everyone was convinced the priorities were urgent enough for the next generation. Martha Baskin has our story.

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December 26, 2012: Unique Urban Farm Takes Off With Youthful Converts and Seasoned Educators

In a neighborhood that boasts one of the most diverse zip codes in the nation, urban farming is finding an eager crowd. Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands in southeast Seattle has all that it takes to draw in the community -- financial support from the city, seasoned educators experienced with working with low income and people of color communities, and even a wetland waiting to be restored. Martha Baskin has the story.

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December 17, 2012: Home for the Holidays with Energy Efficiency 365 Days a Year

From federal gas mileage standards to Department of Energy Retrofit Ramp Up grants, the US is seeing a renaissance in energy efficiency. A 20 million grant to the City of Seattle is delivering energy solutions to residential and business communities, one of many programs in the region, leveraging rebates, incentives and funding programs. Whether 20 million is enough to wean the city off of fossil fuels is another story.

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December 7, 2012: Urban Creek Gets An Assist with New Street Upgrade, Bio-Swales and Established Rain Gardens

Despite poor publicity after a drainage and rain garden project backfired in Ballard, a cluster rain garden project in Delridge is moving forward with the addition of new bio-swales on city parking strips. Neighbors would have liked more than the few the city and private sector found money for, but for now, one more city block is holding back hundreds of gallons of polluted run-off from the local creek and Puget Sound.

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November 15, 2012: Downstream or Upstream, It’s Uphill for Salmon: Tribes Work to Protect Habitat

Wild salmon runs have been in steep decline in the Pacific Northwest for decades. Restoring runs to historic levels involves substantial economic costs, competing societal priorities, and entrenched policy stances. The Stillaguamish Tribe and Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission say there’s no time to wait. If we don’t act there won’t be any more salmon. Martha Baskin has our report.

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November 8, 2012: Thousands of Citizens Weigh in on Proposal to Build North America’s Largest Coal Export Terminal - Part Two

This week Martha Baskin brings us more public testimony from hearings held in the San Juan Islands and Bellingham about Peabody Coal’s proposal to build North America’s largest coal export terminal at Cherry Point, Bellingham. We hear from those concerned about raising children in a healthy place, climate change, tribal fishing rights and the impact of increased vessel traffic on tourism, marine life and oil spills.

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November 1, 2012: Public Weighs in on Proposal to Build North America’s Largest Coal Export Terminal

A proposal by Peabody Coal to build North America’s largest coal terminal in Bellingham to ship coal from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin through Washington to Asia, drew thousands at the first formal public hearing. The hearing is the first phase in an environmental review process where key agencies will decide what factors to consider as they determine whether to approve or deny permits for the terminal. Martha Baskin has the first in a two part series.

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