Washington blocked a coal terminal under the Clean Water Act. New rules could subvert that authority.
State government
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Wyoming Legislature extends lifeline to coal power
As economics challenge coal’s future, Wyoming passes a law to prop it up.
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Push for renewables vexes Western power supplier
Tri-State’s future looks less than bright unless it can keep up with the times.
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Supreme Court takes on a case of treaty rights vs. state taxation
The Yakama Nation and Washington state square off over a right to travel without burden.
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California contemplates water for struggling fish
In an unprecedented move, the state may require upstream users to cut water use to improve water quality in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Posted inJanuary 21, 2019: What Killed Washington's Carbon Tax?
What killed Washington’s carbon tax?
The curious death of 1631 and what it says about the future of addressing climate change.
Posted inJanuary 21, 2019: What Killed Washington's Carbon Tax?
Hunters and anglers flex their political muscles
In the midterms, public land access issues helped several candidates nab governorships.
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A toxic past and present on the Spokane River
In eastern Washington, a push to clean PCBs from its namesake river faces a dirty legacy and global pollution problem.
Posted inFebruary 4, 2019: Nizhoni Girls
It’s time to start eating roadkill
Salvaging meat in Alaska is commonplace. Can it catch on in the Lower 48?
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Wyoming’s data trespass laws remain defeated
The state did not appeal a ruling striking down portions of the laws over free speech.
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Settlement forces Oregon to update water pollution permits
In 2017, the state had the worst backlog of expired permits nationwide.
Posted inOctober 29, 2018: When your neighborhood goes BOOM
The precarious plan for the Lake Powell Pipeline
Officials in Utah’s fastest-growing county are obscuring details of what a high-stakes project will cost taxpayers.
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Land-transfer advocates seek authority instead of ownership
The Trump administration isn’t giving land to states, but it is giving states more control over public lands.
Posted inAugust 31, 2018: The Big Threat to Bighorns
See the influences behind Colorado’s wildlife commission
A powerful governing board gives agricultural interests the loudest voice.
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Montanans must rely on each other in crisis
A network of local providers steps in as vital mental health centers close.
Posted inAugust 6, 2018: What Are We Doing Here?
Montana is losing essential mental health services
As the state’s mental health system faces an uncertain future, experts encourage crisis prevention.
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Why Justice Anthony Kennedy wasn’t good for Indian Country
The retiring Supreme Court justice leaves a legacy of anti-tribal votes.
Posted inMay 14, 2018: Death in the Alpine
Free-range parenting; vandalized valentine; duck, duck, goat
Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.
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Oil- and gas-rich counties ask for more federal revenue
A new bill would return money earmarked for Western water projects to mineral-producing counties.
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High schoolers forced Utah to admit climate change is real
A group of students convinced state lawmakers to acknowledge the warming planet.