Intalco Aluminum agrees to $5.25 million penalty for hazardous pollution violations, WA launches public awareness campaign to curb misinformation about mail-in voting, World’s first fully hydrogen-powered ferry, built in Bellingham, commences maiden voyage, Whatcom approves study on feasibility of Birch Bay’s incorporation as a city, Bellingham Business Beat, Film on Lynden’s history of racial division to debut later this month
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July 24th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Intalco Aluminum agrees to $5.25 million penalty for hazardous pollution violations
Intalco Aluminum has agreed to pay $5.25 million to settle Clean Air Act violations found by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during a 2019 inspection.
The company opened an aluminum smelter in Ferndale in 1966 and operated for nearly 55 years. The violations occurred between 2017 and 2020, and include failing to maintain air pollution control systems, exceeding emission limits, and non-compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements. As a result, excess emissions of hazardous pollutants like particulate matter, carbonyl sulfide, hydrogen fluoride, and metals such as lead and mercury were released into the atmosphere– all of which can cause serious health issues.
Intalco closed permanently last March due to high operational costs and lack of affordable power. The company has applied for a permit to demolish the site, a process that may take two to three years.
STORY: WA launches public awareness campaign to curb misinformation about mail-in voting
The Washington state Office of the Secretary of State has invested $1.8 million in a campaign to reduce misinformation about the vote-by-mail system. The campaign was created with agency partner Happylucky.
The secretary of state says the goal is to foster confidence in local communities by using both traditional and digital channels and community-based partnerships. There is an additional focus on rural, historically marginalized, and entry-level voters.
Washington state has used the vote-by-mail process for over a decade. In 2022, a survey found that most Washington voters trust the system. However, misinformation and distrust still exists. As we approach the August primary and November general election, OSOS wants voters to know elections are conducted securely and transparently by election officials.
STORY: World’s first fully hydrogen-powered ferry, built in Bellingham, commences maiden voyage
All American Marine, a Bellingham-based boat manufacturer, has released the “Sea Change” – the world’s first fully hydrogen powered ferry.
“Sea Change” now provides free service from San Francisco’s Downtown Ferry Terminal and the city’s Pier 41. The ferry can carry 75 passengers and is owned by Switch Maritime. For the next six months the vessel will be part of San Francisco Downtown Ferries fleet in order to show off how hydrogen ferries can be a viable alternative.
Business development manager Daniel Zech says that there was quote “no playbook to look to for guidance” unquote, and that the coast guard was writing all of their policies for this new kind of boat while the company awaited their approval.
According to data from the 2019 congressional budget, water transit accounts for 36 million metric tons or 2% of total carbon emissions released every year.
Experts say that if more maritime companies make the switch to hydrogen, this could greatly reduce this number – as the fuel cell’s only emission is water vapor.
STORY: Whatcom approves study on feasibility of Birch Bay’s incorporation as a city
The Whatcom County Council agreed yesterday to fund an updated study on the feasibility of Birch Bay becoming its own city.
Birch Bay has long been viewed as a vacation beach town full of Canadian tourists who come down for the summer, but recent population data indicates more residents are staying all year. As of 2023, 8,900 residents live in the Birch Bay urban growth area and the village on the bay is now home to more than 300 short-term rentals.
Birch Bay residents and a group supporting incorporation spoke to the Whatcom County Council last night, asking the county to fund an updated third-party feasibility study for $150,000. The study is expected to provide information on economic growth to determine if Birch Bay’s tax base could support the infrastructure and personnel necessary to operate a city.
However, not all Birch Bay residents support incorporation. Some residents cite concerns about the costs of additional governance, while others want an up-to-date study in order to make an informed vote.
The county council was reluctant to pay for the feasibility study out of the general fund, given the county’s fiscal challenges going into the next budget season. However, County Executive Satpal Sidhu pointed out that Birch Bay contributes significant taxes to the county and said he thinks residents deserve to have a better understanding of what incorporation entails. He added there could be state funding available later this year for the study.
The council voted 6-1 in favor of approving a feasibility study and directed the executive to seek alternative funding.
More information can be found at incorporatebirchbay.com.
STORY: Bellingham Business Beat
This week, KMRE is proud to present Bellingham Business Beat– a limited series where we find out more about some of the small businesses who are the heartbeat of our downtown. Every Wednesday, we’ll explore their origins, impact on our community, and what drives their passion for Bellingham. Here’s a preview of our first interview with Ritual Records.
BBB e1 PREVIEW Audio
Join us today after the 5pm news to hear the stories behind the storefronts, on Bellingham Business Beat right here on KMRE.
STORY: Film on Lynden’s history of racial division to debut later this month
A new film that explores racial division in Lynden is premiering Bellingham soon.
“Lynden”’s narrative follows Asma Burke, a woman who spent her early years in Ethiopia before being adopted and raised in Lynden. In July of 2020 she led a rally for racial justice in Lynden dubbed “The March for Black Lives.” The film explores the protest, its counterprotest, and general racial division in Whatcom County.
Filmmakers Chris Baron and Bryan Tucker said, in an interview with the Bellingham Herald, that they wanted to capture how the entire Lynden community felt about the day’s protests; including perspectives from both sides, such as extensive interviews with vocal conservative Wylin Tjoelker.
The Pickford Film Center sold out three of the five upcoming showings of the film. Tickets for the remaining September 7th and 8th showings are on sale now.
WX: Sun
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
Tomorrow will see increasing cloud cover throughout the day with highs in the mid-70s and a slim chance of rain. Expect calm south-southwest winds throughout the day. Night skies will be mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-50s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman (COOL-mun), Carlee Schram (CAR-lee SHRAM), Tristan Trudell, Kyler Cantrell, Ikumi Mashiko (ih-KOO-me muh-SHE-ko), Anna Vickers, and Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thank you for listening.
WEDNESDAY 7/24 5PM ONLY – play audio file “BBB e1 – Ritual Records”
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