NEWS

(OLYMPIA)– The Washington Department of Ecology n Monday proposed regulatory changes that will facilitate linkage between Washington’s Cap-and-Invest carbon market and the joint California-Québec carbon market. The proposed regulatory changes include technical adjustments that will make Washington’s market compatible with California and Quebec’s, such as making sure each jurisdiction has the same deadlines for turning in carbon allowances. The proposed changes come on the heels of a draft linkage agreement between the jurisdictions, and an analysis showing that linkage would deliver greater greenhouse gas reductions at lower costs. These recent milestones position Washington to sign a     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)– The Productivity Board, a state employee incentive program of the Office of the Secretary of State, voted unanimously, Thursday, to approve recognition of three teams of Washington state employees and two individual state workers for their suggestions to reduce costs, saving over $1.09 million in taxpayer money. In total, 20 employees across three teams submitted their cost-savings ideas through the Productivity Board’s Teamwork Incentive Program and are eligible for cash awards up to $10,000 or 25% of the savings derived from the project period, whichever is less, according to a news release from the Office of the Secretary of State. One team,     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)– Members of the Washington and Oregon transportation commissions will hold a joint meeting regarding tolling on the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River on Friday, June 5. The two commissions will review the results of traffic and revenue analysis, which will inform future toll rate and policy setting for the bridge. The two state commissions are charged with jointly setting bridge tolls and policies, the revenues of which will contribute vital funding toward the construction of a new I-5 bridge, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The public is invited to attend the meeting,     (read more)

(GLACIER)– On Wednesday, May 27 Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews began the process of clearing the final 2.7 miles of State Route 542/Mount Baker Highway, also known as the Road to Artist Point. Crews are working to remove up to 20 feet of snow covering the highway and the Artist Point parking lot. Each year, crews remove snow and ice from the highway up to the Heather Meadows area throughout the winter. However, the last 2.7 miles of SR 542 is narrow, has sharp curves and steep slopes. Each fall the road closes to vehicle traffic for safety, typically after the first significant     (read more)

(CAMP MURRAY, Wash.)– A Disaster Assistance Center will open Thursday, May 28, in Whatcom County to help Washington residents affected by the December storms and flooding. Specialists will assist survivors with FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration applications and other disaster assistance, according to a news release from FEMA. Center location: Ferndale Pavilion Community Center 2007 Cherry St. Ferndale, WA 98248 Schedule: Thursday, May 28-Friday, May 29, noon to 7 p.m. & Saturday, May 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 3-Friday, June 5, noon to 7 p.m. The center can help people with FEMA applications and SBA loans and address questions about federal/state     (read more)