Environment | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Gov. Bob Ferguson is rejecting a lead Republican’s proposal to temporarily suspend Washington’s cap-and-trade program to decrease prices at the pump.

Ferguson rebuffs GOP lawmaker’s call to pause state climate law

Gov. Bob Ferguson is rejecting a lead Republican’s proposal to temporarily suspend Washington’s cap-and-trade program to decrease prices at the ... more

By Aspen Ford | Washington State Standard | 6/3/26 | 7 comments

A graphic from the City of Lacey's 2026 Water Quality Report shows how the city's water was distributed in 2025.

Water Quality Report highlights clean drinking water, improved leak rates in Lacey

The City of Lacey's drinking water passed all federal and state safety standards in 2025, while water loss dropped by 137 million ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/28/26 | 1 comment

A map showing the location of the 88th Place development by Tenino Land Company. The 22-acre, 105-lot proposed residential project is on 1318 88th Ave. SW, which is south of Tumwater city limits.

Residents appeal hearing examiner’s decision on residential project south of Tumwater

A group of residents from an area south of Tumwater city limits have filed an appeal against a decision to allow a 22-acre residential project ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/26/26 | 12 comments

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee discussed a proposed country club along Deschutes Parkway SW near Capitol Lake at a meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Olympia committee reviews waterfront wellness facility proposal near Capitol Lake

A proposed waterfront wellness facility at 500 Deschutes Parkway SW in Olympia will need to navigate some tough conditions in order ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/22/26 | 13 comments

Toxic algae bloom reported in Lake Lawrence

The Thurston County Public Health & Social Services Department issued an advisory for a toxic algae bloom in Lake ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/19/26

City of Lacey water usage peaks at 15 million gallons per day during summer months, according to a data released by the city on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

City of Lacey to enforce odd-even watering schedule through summer

City of Lacey homeowners and renters with outdoor lawns or gardens will be subject to a mandatory odd-even watering schedule from June 1 through ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/18/26 | 2 comments

Scarlett Skillman, wearing her Girl Scout Cadette sash, presented her battery recycling program to a Lions Club event on May 18, 2026.

Girl Scout to lead battery take-back event at Griffin School

A sixth grade student from Griffin School will lead a school-based battery disposal event, as part of an application process for a scouting leadership ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado and Danny Stusser | 5/18/26 | 2 comments

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency office, as seen in this undated photo.

ORCAA opens public comment on proposed fee increases in draft 2027 budget

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) wants to hear from the public on its draft Fiscal Year 2027 ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/15/26 | 3 comments

A slide from a presentation by Grant Gilmore, a Water Specialist from Tumwater’s Water Resources and Sustainability Department, to the city's Public Works Committee at a meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2026, showed photos from a past Green Congress event.

Tumwater committee endorses continued partnership for watershed education program

The Tumwater Public Works Committee recommended continuing an interlocal agreement for the implementation of the South Sound ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/14/26

The City of Tumwater plans to extend a sewer line west along Trosper Road by around 6,000 feet and into smaller arterial roads.  (The JOLT staff via YouTube)

Committee recommends accepting $5.25M state loan for Trosper Road sewer extension

The Tumwater Public Works Committee has recommended the adoption of a resolution that calls for accepting a $5.25 million loan from the Washington ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/5/26 | 3 comments

Local advocate Dave Sederberg shared a recent view of Earth from Artemis II during Olympia’s Earth Month proclamation on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Olympia City Council proclaims April as Earth Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed April 2026 as Earth Month, reaffirming the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/22/26 | 10 comments

Colleagues, family and community representatives honored the legacy of James P. Werner at the dedication of his namesake air monitoring station at Mountain View Elementary School in Lacey on April 8, 2026.

ORCAA holds dedication ceremony for Thurston County air monitoring station

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) held a dedication ceremony for its new Thurston County air quality monitoring station on ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/17/26 | 1 comment

A site plan shows the proposed expansion of the Hands On Children’s Museum, which features an 18,000-square-foot addition and a connecting pedestrian bridge. Olympia’s Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Committee reviews expansion plan for Hands On Children's Museum in Olympia

The Hands On Children’s Museum is proposing a waterfront expansion that would bring indoor and outdoor exhibits, improved public access ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/31/26 | 8 comments

The Chambers Lake Stormwater Treatment Wetlands, Lacey's newest major regional stormwater facility, won an Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies for social and economic sustainability.

Lacey seeks public input on Stormwater Strategic Plan at upcoming open house

City of Lacey residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on an updated Stormwater Strategic Plan, a nine-year guide for flood control, water quality ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/30/26

WDFW urges shellfish harvesters to follow rules as season gets underway

Low daytime tides have returned and that means opportunities for recreational clam, mussel and oyster gathering on open ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/25/26 | 2 comments

The 2026 Conservation Celebration & Auction will be held at South Puget Sound Community College – Lacey Campus on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Tickets are now available.

Nisqually Land Trust to host 2026 Conservation Celebration & Auction

Tickets are now available for the Nisqually Land Trust's 2026 Conservation Celebration & Auction, an annual fundraiser aimed at ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/17/26

Well 15, the second highest producing well in Tumwater’s water system, is located northeast of Tumwater Boulevard in the New Market area on property owned by the Port of Olympia.

Tumwater to upgrade one of its highest producing wells

The City of Tumwater is moving forward with upgrades to one of its highest producing ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/25/26

Renderings of the proposed West Bay Yards development at 1210 West Bay Drive in Olympia.

Environmental group challenges decision on West Bay Yards development

Olympia Ecosystems, a local environmental group, has requested that the City of Olympia reconsider a decision to allow the West Bay Yards ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/23/26 | 22 comments

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency Finance Committee discussed proposed asbestos and demolition fee increases during a hybrid meeting on Feb. 11, 2026.

ORCAA Finance Committee recommends raising asbestos, demolition fees for single-family homes

Asbestos and demolition notification fees for single-family residences could more than double under a recommendation unanimously approved by ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 2/20/26

City of Lacey seeks input on stormwater management

The City of Lacey would like residents and business owners to share their thoughts on how it manages stormwater by taking a short, online ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 2/17/26