Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.