Can WA state utilities turn off your electricity in a heat wave? New law says they can’t
According to NWS Seattle, the Emerald City experienced one of its warmest Independence Days on record. The hot-temperature trend isn’t unique to Washington or even the U.S. On July 4, the planet experienced its warmest day in recorded history at 17.18 degrees Celsius, according to Climate Reanalyzer. No matter the region, summer heat poses a risk to residents’ safety. In 2021, a scathing heat dome hit Washington, resulting in 100 people dying due to heat-related illness, according to the Washington State Department of Health. In anticipation of extreme summer heat, the Washington state legislature passed a law in early 2023 that prohibits utility services from shutting off someone’s power due to nonpayment during heat advisory periods. The legislation, which Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law in April, goes into effect July 23. Continue reading at Bellingham Herald. (News Tribune)

NW drinking water concerns could get worse as the climate changes
In the Northwest, climate change is expected to alter how precipitation falls. Changes in snowpack and streamflow could mean places like the Yakima Basin in Washington and the Willamette River Basin in Oregon have bigger chances for more frequent water shortages in the summer, according to the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group and the Oregon Climate Assessments. Climate change also could damage infrastructure and lead to service disruptions, according to the Climate Impacts GroupClimate, including concern for the quality of drinking water sources, especially surface water sources. With the heat, the city’s backup water wells might not have held enough water. So, the city asked residents to conserve water for a few days – by washing their clothes and dishes only when machines are full, taking shorter showers, and watering gardens in the early morning or late evening. Continue reading at KUOW. (Flickr)

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg returns to Washington
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will be in Washington Thursday and Friday to highlight major infrastructure projects. Buttigieg will visit Mukilteo and Port Orchard to talk about the ferry system Thursday near the site of the future Port Orchard Marina Breakwater and include highlighting Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments. He will give remarks at a press conference with Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, Democratic Rep. Derek Kilmer and both of the state’s U.S. Senators, Democrats Patty Murray and Nancy Cantwell. On Friday morning, Buttigieg will visit Washougal to speak on infrastructure investments that are intended to improve safety, speed up emergency response times, and strengthen supply chains. The visit is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to highlight the new $4.4 billion infrastructure law. Over 350 projects in Washington have been identified for funding. There are 416 bridges and over 5,469 miles of highway that have been identified as needing renovation. In addition, 281,000 households across the state are now getting lower-cost high-speed internet because of the new law. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Matt Freed)