Washington State Department of Ecology
@ecology.wa.gov
Official Washington state Department of Ecology account. Protecting, preserving and enhancing Washington's environment for current and future generations. ecology.wa.gov
In 2025, Washington took action to reduce PFAS – harmful “forever chemicals” – in everyday products like rainwear, car wash soaps, and cleaning products.
Learn more about the progress we made this year and where we’re going next year: ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
Learn more about the progress we made this year and where we’re going next year: ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
How consumer products in Washington got safer in 2025
<p>New PFAS rules took effect in 2025, making consumer products safer in Washington. See how Ecology is reducing pollution at its source and what comes next.</p>
ecology.wa.gov
December 31, 2025 at 7:26 PM
In 2025, Washington took action to reduce PFAS – harmful “forever chemicals” – in everyday products like rainwear, car wash soaps, and cleaning products.
Learn more about the progress we made this year and where we’re going next year: ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
Learn more about the progress we made this year and where we’re going next year: ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
Reposted by Washington State Department of Ecology
We have a new website page for flood recovery resources: floodrecovery.wa.gov.
DSHS has exhausted $1 million in cash assistance, providing critical support to more than 2,000 households. Stay tuned, and we'll keep the website updated as new resources become available.
DSHS has exhausted $1 million in cash assistance, providing critical support to more than 2,000 households. Stay tuned, and we'll keep the website updated as new resources become available.
December 24, 2025 at 8:41 PM
We have a new website page for flood recovery resources: floodrecovery.wa.gov.
DSHS has exhausted $1 million in cash assistance, providing critical support to more than 2,000 households. Stay tuned, and we'll keep the website updated as new resources become available.
DSHS has exhausted $1 million in cash assistance, providing critical support to more than 2,000 households. Stay tuned, and we'll keep the website updated as new resources become available.
Water advisory alert! ⚠️ Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department issued a water-contact advisory for Jack Hyde Park beach, Thea's Park beach, Jerisich Dock (near Gig Harbor) in Pierce County due to high levels of bacteria. Please avoid contact with the water in this area.
December 23, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Water advisory alert! ⚠️ Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department issued a water-contact advisory for Jack Hyde Park beach, Thea's Park beach, Jerisich Dock (near Gig Harbor) in Pierce County due to high levels of bacteria. Please avoid contact with the water in this area.
Reposted by Washington State Department of Ecology
Washington state leaders are pushing back against the Trump administration’s absurd attempt to stop the TransAlta power plant transition from coal.
The facts:
✅ There is no "energy emergency."
✅ Coal power generation has already essentially ceased.
✅ This would likely increase costs for consumers
The facts:
✅ There is no "energy emergency."
✅ Coal power generation has already essentially ceased.
✅ This would likely increase costs for consumers
State leaders condemn DOE order on TransAlta coal power generation | Washington State
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller released a joint statement today in response to the Trump administration’s 11th-hour efforts to prevent ...
www.atg.wa.gov
December 17, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Washington state leaders are pushing back against the Trump administration’s absurd attempt to stop the TransAlta power plant transition from coal.
The facts:
✅ There is no "energy emergency."
✅ Coal power generation has already essentially ceased.
✅ This would likely increase costs for consumers
The facts:
✅ There is no "energy emergency."
✅ Coal power generation has already essentially ceased.
✅ This would likely increase costs for consumers
Can you guess what December’s Critter of the Month is? It’s a decorator crab on a decorated lab, of course! 🦀 Self-decoration camouflage is a defense strategy that allows the crabs to blend into the backdrop of their ecosystem to avoid predators. Read more in our blog: ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
December 17, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Can you guess what December’s Critter of the Month is? It’s a decorator crab on a decorated lab, of course! 🦀 Self-decoration camouflage is a defense strategy that allows the crabs to blend into the backdrop of their ecosystem to avoid predators. Read more in our blog: ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
More air quality data on the way! We’re planning a one-year mobile monitoring study to collect detailed air pollution data in overburdened communities and participating Tribal communities.
Stay tuned for more info about the routes, how we handle the data, and vehicle capabilities in late 2026.
Stay tuned for more info about the routes, how we handle the data, and vehicle capabilities in late 2026.
December 16, 2025 at 5:41 PM
More air quality data on the way! We’re planning a one-year mobile monitoring study to collect detailed air pollution data in overburdened communities and participating Tribal communities.
Stay tuned for more info about the routes, how we handle the data, and vehicle capabilities in late 2026.
Stay tuned for more info about the routes, how we handle the data, and vehicle capabilities in late 2026.
Reposted by Washington State Department of Ecology
Want to learn more about the History of Hanford?
Check out our overview: ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics...
If you have questions leave us a comment or send us an email hanford@ecy.wa.gov. #HanfordFacts
Check out our overview: ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics...
If you have questions leave us a comment or send us an email hanford@ecy.wa.gov. #HanfordFacts
December 15, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Want to learn more about the History of Hanford?
Check out our overview: ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics...
If you have questions leave us a comment or send us an email hanford@ecy.wa.gov. #HanfordFacts
Check out our overview: ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics...
If you have questions leave us a comment or send us an email hanford@ecy.wa.gov. #HanfordFacts
Reposted by Washington State Department of Ecology
You can erase the science, but you can’t erase what people are experiencing.
We're seeing the impacts of climate change happening now — flooding, extreme heat and drought — and they can't be ignored. That's why we continue to make real climate science a priority in Washington.
We're seeing the impacts of climate change happening now — flooding, extreme heat and drought — and they can't be ignored. That's why we continue to make real climate science a priority in Washington.
December 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM
You can erase the science, but you can’t erase what people are experiencing.
We're seeing the impacts of climate change happening now — flooding, extreme heat and drought — and they can't be ignored. That's why we continue to make real climate science a priority in Washington.
We're seeing the impacts of climate change happening now — flooding, extreme heat and drought — and they can't be ignored. That's why we continue to make real climate science a priority in Washington.
Salons and retailers — do your cosmetics have toxic chemicals in them? Washington restricts several harmful chemicals in products made, sold, or used in salon services. The sell-through period for older stock ends Dec. 31, 2025.
Here's what to know heading into 2026: ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
Here's what to know heading into 2026: ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Salons and retailers — do your cosmetics have toxic chemicals in them? Washington restricts several harmful chemicals in products made, sold, or used in salon services. The sell-through period for older stock ends Dec. 31, 2025.
Here's what to know heading into 2026: ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
Here's what to know heading into 2026: ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
Tonight’s in-person public hearing on the proposed draft EIS in the Chehalis Basin has been canceled due to flooding. A virtual hearing is still scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11, and there are three more public hearings planned in January.
💬 Comment online or by mail before Feb. 4, 2026:
💬 Comment online or by mail before Feb. 4, 2026:
December 9, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Tonight’s in-person public hearing on the proposed draft EIS in the Chehalis Basin has been canceled due to flooding. A virtual hearing is still scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11, and there are three more public hearings planned in January.
💬 Comment online or by mail before Feb. 4, 2026:
💬 Comment online or by mail before Feb. 4, 2026:
Dec. 8 update: Cleanup is complete. No oil seen on the river today, including at McNary Dam. No reports of oiled wildlife, habitat damage, or drinking water contamination. The public can now re-enter the closed portion of the Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to Pasco.
We are responding to an estimated 240 gallons of mineral oil spilled into the Columbia River at Priest Rapids Dam. Please do not enter the river between Priest Rapids Dam and Pasco as we assess the situation and place boom to contain the oil. If you see oiled wildlife, call 800-222-4737.
December 9, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Dec. 8 update: Cleanup is complete. No oil seen on the river today, including at McNary Dam. No reports of oiled wildlife, habitat damage, or drinking water contamination. The public can now re-enter the closed portion of the Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to Pasco.
Dec. 7 update: We are seeing very light oil sheen upriver of McNary Dam on both the Washington and Oregon sides. We're working with Grant PUD and Oregon DEQ to continue cleanup in this area to protect the fish ladders and juvenile downstream passage facilities.
December 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Dec. 7 update: We are seeing very light oil sheen upriver of McNary Dam on both the Washington and Oregon sides. We're working with Grant PUD and Oregon DEQ to continue cleanup in this area to protect the fish ladders and juvenile downstream passage facilities.
Grant PUD determined that one of the dam's turbine/generator sets was overfilled with mineral oil during maintenance. We now estimate 84 gallons of oil spilled into the Columbia River. Investigation and cleanup are ongoing for the next couple days. We are still seeing minimal to no oil on the river.
We are responding to an estimated 240 gallons of mineral oil spilled into the Columbia River at Priest Rapids Dam. Please do not enter the river between Priest Rapids Dam and Pasco as we assess the situation and place boom to contain the oil. If you see oiled wildlife, call 800-222-4737.
December 7, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Grant PUD determined that one of the dam's turbine/generator sets was overfilled with mineral oil during maintenance. We now estimate 84 gallons of oil spilled into the Columbia River. Investigation and cleanup are ongoing for the next couple days. We are still seeing minimal to no oil on the river.
We are continuing cleanup over the weekend to protect drinking water and habitat. Though we're seeing little to no mineral oil on the water, please continue staying out of the river to allow crews to work. If you see any oil, let us know at liaison@ecy.wa.gov.
We are responding to an estimated 240 gallons of mineral oil spilled into the Columbia River at Priest Rapids Dam. Please do not enter the river between Priest Rapids Dam and Pasco as we assess the situation and place boom to contain the oil. If you see oiled wildlife, call 800-222-4737.
December 6, 2025 at 2:29 AM
We are continuing cleanup over the weekend to protect drinking water and habitat. Though we're seeing little to no mineral oil on the water, please continue staying out of the river to allow crews to work. If you see any oil, let us know at liaison@ecy.wa.gov.
Your voice matters! Comment on our revised draft EIS analyzing a proposal to build a flow-through dam on the Chehalis River & make changes to the Chehalis-Centralia Airport levee. Comment by Feb. 4, 2026, at an upcoming in-person or virtual hearing, online or by mail. ecology.wa.gov/Revised-EIS-...
December 5, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Your voice matters! Comment on our revised draft EIS analyzing a proposal to build a flow-through dam on the Chehalis River & make changes to the Chehalis-Centralia Airport levee. Comment by Feb. 4, 2026, at an upcoming in-person or virtual hearing, online or by mail. ecology.wa.gov/Revised-EIS-...
Today we saw light sheening near Richland. We placed absorbent materials to capture oil upriver and around several water intakes in the Tri-City area. No reports of oiled wildlife. Over the next few days, please stay out of the water between the dam and Pasco while we continue cleanup.
December 5, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Today we saw light sheening near Richland. We placed absorbent materials to capture oil upriver and around several water intakes in the Tri-City area. No reports of oiled wildlife. Over the next few days, please stay out of the water between the dam and Pasco while we continue cleanup.
The fall season marks the return of salmon to their home streams and brings lots of rain to the PNW. Unfortunately, that rain also causes urban runoff with contaminants like 6PPD and 6PPDQ — chemicals from tire wear that harm fish and aquatic life.
December 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM
The fall season marks the return of salmon to their home streams and brings lots of rain to the PNW. Unfortunately, that rain also causes urban runoff with contaminants like 6PPD and 6PPDQ — chemicals from tire wear that harm fish and aquatic life.
We are responding to an estimated 240 gallons of mineral oil spilled into the Columbia River at Priest Rapids Dam. Please do not enter the river between Priest Rapids Dam and Pasco as we assess the situation and place boom to contain the oil. If you see oiled wildlife, call 800-222-4737.
December 4, 2025 at 1:04 AM
We are responding to an estimated 240 gallons of mineral oil spilled into the Columbia River at Priest Rapids Dam. Please do not enter the river between Priest Rapids Dam and Pasco as we assess the situation and place boom to contain the oil. If you see oiled wildlife, call 800-222-4737.
Clean bridges = safe bridges!🧼 Cleaning bridges and ferry terminals is important work that happens near water, which can cause pollution — so our permits have requirements to protect it. We’re updating those permits and adding hydro-demolition, a cleaner, safer method. ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
December 3, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Clean bridges = safe bridges!🧼 Cleaning bridges and ferry terminals is important work that happens near water, which can cause pollution — so our permits have requirements to protect it. We’re updating those permits and adding hydro-demolition, a cleaner, safer method. ecology.wa.gov/blog/decembe...
While some of us were relaxing or doing kitchen prep last week, our air monitoring team was busy installing four new air sensors in Vancouver in a single day! 👏 We now have seven sensors in that area — six located in an area identified as overburdened and highly impacted by air pollution.
December 2, 2025 at 10:04 PM
While some of us were relaxing or doing kitchen prep last week, our air monitoring team was busy installing four new air sensors in Vancouver in a single day! 👏 We now have seven sensors in that area — six located in an area identified as overburdened and highly impacted by air pollution.
Reposted by Washington State Department of Ecology
This weekend, the second pipeline was fixed and restored to full service. Grateful for everyone who worked hard to find the leak and repair it, and for the continued hard work to clean up the spill.
Great news today: The pipeline that supplies fuel to SeaTac Airport is back online.
There are two lines in the Olympic Pipeline: One that delivers fuel to SeaTac and another that carries other types of fuel...
There are two lines in the Olympic Pipeline: One that delivers fuel to SeaTac and another that carries other types of fuel...
December 2, 2025 at 9:06 PM
This weekend, the second pipeline was fixed and restored to full service. Grateful for everyone who worked hard to find the leak and repair it, and for the continued hard work to clean up the spill.
Fresh off the press! $1.5B in Climate Commitment Act revenue has helped WA build safer, healthier and more resilient communities statewide. These investments provided electricity bill assistance, supported wildfire prevention, upgraded HVAC systems in schools, and so much more.
November 26, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Fresh off the press! $1.5B in Climate Commitment Act revenue has helped WA build safer, healthier and more resilient communities statewide. These investments provided electricity bill assistance, supported wildfire prevention, upgraded HVAC systems in schools, and so much more.
We are responding to an ammonia leak at Roche Fruit in Yakima. Yakima fire and police departments are also on scene. Nearby buildings have been evacuated and roads are blocked off. Please avoid the area this evening as hazmat teams respond.
November 25, 2025 at 11:46 PM
We are responding to an ammonia leak at Roche Fruit in Yakima. Yakima fire and police departments are also on scene. Nearby buildings have been evacuated and roads are blocked off. Please avoid the area this evening as hazmat teams respond.
We helped remove 2,000 pounds of lead & toxic waste to improve salmon habitat in Lower Peshastin Creek. This is an important spawning site and one of the only cold water refuges in the Lower Wenatchee Basin. Learn how else we're giving them the best chance at survival: ecology.wa.gov/blog/novembe...
November 24, 2025 at 10:45 PM
We helped remove 2,000 pounds of lead & toxic waste to improve salmon habitat in Lower Peshastin Creek. This is an important spawning site and one of the only cold water refuges in the Lower Wenatchee Basin. Learn how else we're giving them the best chance at survival: ecology.wa.gov/blog/novembe...
Reposted by Washington State Department of Ecology
Visited the site of the Olympic Pipeline leak yesterday. I met with the people working hard to dig out the pipe, find the leak and repair it. The emergency proclamation I issued last week is working as expected to increase fuel deliveries to SeaTac Airport and minimize impacts to travelers.
November 23, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Visited the site of the Olympic Pipeline leak yesterday. I met with the people working hard to dig out the pipe, find the leak and repair it. The emergency proclamation I issued last week is working as expected to increase fuel deliveries to SeaTac Airport and minimize impacts to travelers.