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1 week ago | 
tricitiesbusinessnews.com | Rachel Visick |Ty Beaver |Robin Wojtanik
The Pacific Northwest stands at a pivotal crossroads when it comes to the future of energy. Blessed with an abundance of hydropower resources, the region has an unparalleled opportunity to lead the nation in developing a hydrogen economy. By leveraging both its hydroelectric resources and heavy industry sectors, the PNW can create a new wave of economic prosperity and develop a regional energy hub that will benefit local industry and consumers. Hydrogen is a critical component of our energy future.
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1 week ago | 
tricitiesbusinessnews.com | Rachel Visick |Ty Beaver |Robin Wojtanik
Benton Rural Electric Association (REA) is getting out of the internet services business. The public utility sold its PowerNET internet service to Yakima-based Advanced High Speed Internet for $110,000, Benton REA told the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business. Benton REA says that company is better positioned to serve PowerNET’s customers.
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1 week ago | 
tricitiesbusinessnews.com | Rachel Visick |Ty Beaver |Robin Wojtanik
The same process that creates the tails of comets also may hold the key to a less expensive process to make long-lasting batteries. Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), in a recently published paper, have shown that vapor from lithium oxide (Li2O) created via sublimation – going straight to a gas from a solid state – accelerates a chemical reaction that forms single crystals when mixed with nickel-rich precursors.
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1 week ago | 
tricitiesbusinessnews.com | Rachel Visick |Ty Beaver |Robin Wojtanik |Jerry Cornfield
Democratic lawmakers in Washington are beginning to lay out the buffet of tax increases they want to use to fill most of a $16 billion state budget shortfall. There are hikes in business and capital gains taxes, new sales taxes on services and greater property tax collections by the state and local governments.
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1 week ago | 
tricitiesbusinessnews.com | Rachel Visick |Ty Beaver |Robin Wojtanik
The family that owns one of Washington state’s largest and oldest remaining legacy daily newspapers is donating the publication to a nonprofit as part of an effort to preserve community journalism. The Cowles Company—the multigenerational business that has owned and operated Spokane’s Spokesman-Review since its consolidation in 1893—announced the move and a $2 million dollar donation to the receiving nonprofit, Comma, on April 15.
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1 week ago | 
tricitiesbusinessnews.com | Rachel Visick |Ty Beaver |Robin Wojtanik
Two housing-related bills from two Mid-Columbia state lawmakers intended to address housing affordability and access will become law later this year. Gov. Bob Ferguson recently signed into law HB 1191, which will allow manufactured homes in cooperatively owned communities to be classified as real property, thereby making them eligible for traditional mortgage financing. The bill was sponsored by state Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick.
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1 week ago | 
tricitiesbusinessnews.com | Rachel Visick |Ty Beaver |Robin Wojtanik
A recent report from the U.S. Department of Energy notes that the costs and time needed to clean up the Hanford site’s nuclear legacy continues to grow. DOE is required to publish its Hanford Lifecycle Scope, Schedule, And Cost Report every three years as part of the Tri-Party Agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Ecology.
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1 week ago | 
tricitiesbusinessnews.com | Rachel Visick |Ty Beaver |Robin Wojtanik
A basic driver’s license won’t be enough to get you through the security checkpoint at the Tri-Cities Airport beginning May 7. Almost 20 years after it was supposed to go into effect, the federal REAL ID Act will be enforced beginning next month. The law, a legacy of the Sept.
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1 week ago | 
tricitiesbusinessnews.com | Rachel Visick |Ty Beaver
Steven Ashby, who has led Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the past 10 years, is stepping down from his role. PNNL, managed by Battelle on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced Ashby’s transition on April 14. His successor has not been determined and Battelle will conduct a roughly four- to eight-month national search.
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1 week ago | 
tricitiesbusinessnews.com | Rachel Visick |Ty Beaver
Last year was a very special year for the Hanford Advisory Board (HAB) as it celebrated 30 years of volunteer service to the residents of the Pacific Northwest. For three decades, the HAB has provided values-driven, informed, consensus-based letters of advice, recommendations and white papers about Hanford cleanup. We celebrated by holding an anniversary party on Feb. 6 and invited current and former HAB members and friends of the board.
