Conrad Swanson
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Climate change @SeattleTimes. Man of means by no means.
Articles by Conrad Swanson
Longview tank deemed unfit for service before fatal collapse, CSB finds
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company knew a tank holding 900,000 gallons of caustic chemical at its Longview paper mill was unfit for continued use 10 months before it failed in May, killing 11 in one of the nation's deadliest workplace disasters in recent decades, according to a federal report published Friday.
WA regulators cite Nippon Dynawave for safety violations after spill
State labor and environmental officials slapped dozens of violations onto Nippon Dynawave this week, the first regulatory action imposed on the Longview mill since a massive chemical tank ruptured in late May, killing 11.
Real estate agent who cut King County trees sells house for $6 million
The high-end real estate agent who cut more than 140 trees in a King County park last year cashed in on the boosted price of his home last month. In the time it took for that agent, Vlad Popach, to sell his luxury home in Issaquah’s private Highlands neighborhood for $6 million, $1 million over an earlier asking price, the government’s case against him has yet to move forward in any meaningful way.
Real estate agent who cut King County trees sells house for $6 million
The high-end real estate agent who cut more than 140 trees in a King County park last year cashed in on the boosted price of his home last month. In the time it took for that agent, Vlad Popach, to sell his luxury home in Issaquah's private Highlands neighborhood for $6 million, $1 million over an earlier asking price, the government's case against him has yet to move forward in any meaningful way.
New evidence from Longview chemical disaster raises maintenance doubts Original
Before the catastrophic failure of a chemical tank at a Longview pulp mill, which killed 11 people and seriously injured at least eight others, workers had heard the massive container was in poor condition and overdue for repairs. These employee accounts, along with footage of the late May tank collapse — all gathered by the Cowlitz County sheriff’s office — call into question whether the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill properly inspected and maintained the tank before it ruptured.
EPA takes over at Cosmo mill to remove leaking acids
The feds are moving into Cosmopolis. In early June, regulators with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told the owner of Cosmo Specialty Fibers - a now-defunct pulp mill - that he had to start removing hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic and highly corrosive chemicals from the site. They gave him several weeks to develop a plan and get started. But he failed to meet the deadline, so now federal and state officials are taking over.
EPA takes over at Cosmo mill to remove leaking acids
The feds are moving into Cosmopolis. In early June, regulators with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told the owner of Cosmo Specialty Fibers — a now-defunct pulp mill — that he had to start removing hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic and highly corrosive chemicals from the site. They gave him several weeks to develop a plan and get started. But he failed to meet the deadline, so now federal and state officials are taking over.
Lake Chelan fire offers ‘heartbreaking’ look into WA’s wildfire future Original
The Seattle Times’ Climate Lab explores the effects of climate change in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The project is funded in part by the Bullitt Foundation, CO2 Foundation, Jim and Birte Falconer, Mike and Becky Hughes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Martin-Fabert Foundation, Craig McKibben and Sarah Merner, Mary Snapp and Spencer Frazer, University of Washington, Walker Family Foundation and Kristi and Tom Weir, and its fiscal sponsor is Seattle Foundation.
As Spokane burns, wildfires erupt across WA, amid a parched forecast
More than a dozen major wildfires continue to burn across Washington, with many of them growing fast over the weekend. They’ve destroyed hundreds of homes and continue to imperil many more as they chew through the state’s landscape and communities. Tens of thousands have been forced from their homes. Many still have no power.
Spokane wildfires force over 60K to evacuate; hundreds of homes burn
SPOKANE — A series of wildfires exploded into massive conflagrations over the weekend, forcing more than 60,000 people out of their homes and scorching about 700 structures, catapulting the disaster into one of the most destructive in Washington’s history.
‘Explosive' fire danger to hit Eastern, Central WA, officials warn
The combination of high temperatures, dry foliage and strong winds is raising the wildfire danger in Eastern and Central Washington, state and federal officials warned Friday afternoon. Wildfires already plague the region, with the Kaiser Canyon fire in Okanogan County covering more than 185 square miles, more than twice the footprint of the city of Seattle, forcing mass evacuations and destroying more than 24 structures.
Condiciones que alimentan los incendios forestales en WA son peores de lo normal
Usted ha sentido el calor y ahora está viendo –o quizá incluso oliendo– el humo. La temporada de incendios forestales en Washington ya está en marcha y, según científicos, el estado entró en un periodo peligroso un mes antes de lo habitual. Esto es resultado de la combinación de una escasa acumulación de nieve en el invierno, una primavera cálida que redujo el suministro de agua del estado y un verano caluroso y seco.
Conditions that fuel Washington wildfires worse than normal
You’ve felt the heat and now you’re seeing – or perhaps even smelling – the smoke. Washington’s wildfire season is well underway and scientists are saying the state has reached a dangerous period a month earlier than normal. This is the convergence of a poor winter snowpack, a warm spring chipping away at the state’s water supply and a hot, dry summer.
EPA to force the removal of leaking acids from deteriorating Grays Harbor pulp mill
SEATTLE — Federal regulators will force the removal of toxic, highly corrosive chemicals from a defunct and leaking pulp mill along the Chehalis River, officials confirmed this week. kAmt:E96C #:492C5 q2DD6EE[ E96 &]z] 3FD:?6DD>2? H9@ @H?D r@D>@ $A64:2=EJ u:36CD[ >FDE DE2CE C6>@G:?8 G2DE BF2?E:E:6D @7 E96D6 496>:42=D 7C@> E96 D:E6 E9:D >@?E9 @C E96 t?G:C@?>6?E2= !C@E64E:@? p86?4J H:== DE6A :? 2?5 E2<6 @G6C]k^Am kAm%96 >:==[ H9:49 D:ED 23@FE `__ >:=6D D@FE9H6DE @7 $62EE=6[ 92D 366?
WA’s Big Four’s Ice Caves could melt away for first time in memory
The Seattle Times’ Climate Lab explores the effects of climate change in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The project is funded in part by the Bullitt Foundation, CO2 Foundation, Jim and Birte Falconer, Mike and Becky Hughes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Martin-Fabert Foundation, Craig McKibben and Sarah Merner, Mary Snapp and Spencer Frazer, University of Washington, Walker Family Foundation and Kristi and Tom Weir, and its fiscal sponsor is Seattle Foundation.
EPA to force the removal of leaking acids from deteriorating Washington pulp mill
By Conrad Swanson, The Seattle Times SEATTLE - Federal regulators will force the removal of toxic, highly corrosive chemicals from a defunct and leaking pulp mill along the Chehalis River, officials confirmed this week. Either Richard Bassett, the U.K. businessman who owns Cosmo Specialty Fibers, must start removing vast quantities of these chemicals from the site this month or the Environmental Protection Agency will step in and take over.
EPA to force the removal of leaking acids from deteriorating pulp mill Original
Federal regulators will force the removal of toxic, highly corrosive chemicals from a defunct and leaking pulp mill along the Chehalis River, officials confirmed this week. Either Richard Bassett, the U.K. businessman who owns Cosmo Specialty Fibers, must start removing vast quantities of these chemicals from the site this month or the Environmental Protection Agency will step in and take over.
Longview pulp mill had reported other leaks at tank that killed 11 workers, records show
Part of the massive pulp mill tank that ruptured last month in Longview, killing 11 workers and injuring eight others, had sprung a leak in late 2023 and early 2024, underscoring a history of problems with the facility's equipment, state records show.
Longview pulp mill had reported other leaks at tank that killed 11 workers, records show
Part of the massive pulp mill tank that ruptured last month in Longview, killing 11 workers and injuring eight others, had sprung a leak in late 2023 and early 2024, underscoring a history of problems at with the facility’s equipment, state records show.
Longview paper mill implosion: What 3 investigations are examining
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal investigators have embarked on the monthslong probe into the fatal disaster at Nippon Dynawave Packaging, interviewing workers and reviewing company records as they seek to answer why a 900,000-gallon tank containing caustic chemical failed so catastrophically.
Longview paper mill implosion: What 3 investigations are examining Original
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal investigators have embarked on the monthslong probe into the fatal disaster at Nippon Dynawave Packaging, interviewing workers and reviewing company records as they seek to answer why a 900,000-gallon tank containing caustic chemical failed so catastrophically.
WA to agree to link carbon markets with CA, Quebec
After years of careful planning, public outreach and coordination, Washington, California and the Canadian province of Quebec have agreed on how best to merge their carbon markets. The three governments intend to cement their plan Thursday, Washington state officials said in a news release.
Washington to agree to link carbon markets with California, Quebec
After years of careful planning, public outreach and coordination, Washington, California and the Canadian province of Quebec have agreed on how best to merge their carbon markets. The three governments intend to cement their plan Thursday, Washington state officials said in a news release.
WA to agree to link carbon markets with CA, Quebec
The Seattle Times’ Climate Lab explores the effects of climate change in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The project is funded in part by the Bullitt Foundation, CO2 Foundation, Jim and Birte Falconer, Mike and Becky Hughes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Martin-Fabert Foundation, Craig McKibben and Sarah Merner, Mary Snapp and Spencer Frazer, University of Washington, Walker Family Foundation and Kristi and Tom Weir, and its fiscal sponsor is Seattle Foundation.
WA’s snowpack zapped as drought looms, reservoirs sink Original
Climate Lab is a Seattle Times initiative that explores the effects of climate change in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The project is funded in part by The Bullitt Foundation, CO2 Foundation, Jim and Birte Falconer, Mike and Becky Hughes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Martin-Fabert Foundation, Craig McKibben and Sarah Merner, Mary Snapp and Spencer Frazer, University of Washington, Walker Family Foundation and Kristi and Tom Weir, and its fiscal sponsor is the Seattle Foundation.
Leaking chemicals found at another Washington state mill, records show
Toxic and highly corrosive chemicals — similar to those spilled in the fatal disaster at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill late last month — are leaking out of another pulp mill some 90 miles to the northwest, federal records show. This second mill, Cosmo Specialty Fibers, has been closed and degrading for years, accumulating millions of dollars in fines from state and federal agencies. The mill has a longer and more severe history of environmental violations than the Nippon Dynawave facility.
Leaking chemicals found at another WA mill, records show
Toxic and highly corrosive chemicals — similar to those spilled in the fatal disaster at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill late last month — are leaking out of another pulp mill some 90 miles to the northwest, federal records show. This second mill, Cosmo Specialty Fibers, has been closed and degrading for years, accumulating millions of dollars in fines from state and federal agencies. The mill has a longer and more severe history of environmental violations than the Nippon Dynawave facility.
Leaking chemicals found at another WA mill, records show
Toxic and highly corrosive chemicals - similar to those spilled in the fatal disaster at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill late last month - are leaking out of another pulp mill some 90 miles to the northwest, federal records show. This second mill, Cosmo Specialty Fibers, has been closed and degrading for years, accumulating millions of dollars in fines from state and federal agencies. The mill has a longer and more severe history of environmental violations than the Nippon Dynawave facility.
Leaking chemicals found at another WA mill, records show
Toxic and highly corrosive chemicals - similar to those spilled in the fatal disaster at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill late last month - are leaking out of another pulp mill some 90 miles to the northwest, federal records show. This second mill, Cosmo Specialty Fibers, has been closed and degrading for years, accumulating millions of dollars in fines from state and federal agencies. The mill has a longer and more severe history of environmental violations than the Nippon Dynawave facility.
Leaking chemicals found at another WA mill, records show
Toxic and highly corrosive chemicals - similar to those spilled in the fatal disaster at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill late last month - are leaking out of another pulp mill some 90 miles to the northwest, federal records show. This second mill, Cosmo Specialty Fibers, has been closed and degrading for years, accumulating millions of dollars in fines from state and federal agencies. The mill has a longer and more severe history of environmental violations than the Nippon Dynawave facility.
Leaking chemicals found at another WA mill, records show
Toxic and highly corrosive chemicals — similar to those spilled in the fatal disaster at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill late last month — are leaking out of another pulp mill some 90 miles to the northwest, federal records show. This second mill, Cosmo Specialty Fibers, has been closed and degrading for years, accumulating millions of dollars in fines from state and federal agencies. The mill has a longer and more severe history of environmental violations than the Nippon Dynawave facility.
Widow of worker killed in Washington paper mill disaster seeks answers
LONGVIEW, Wash. — Minutes before he died, Jared Ammons texted his wife from his job at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. Hardly an hour ever passed that the two weren’t sending messages back and forth. “He texted me that he loves me and that I’m beautiful,” Mackenzie Ammons, 32, said in an interview with The Seattle Times on Friday, three days since a deadly chemical spill at the Longview pulp and paper mill. Jared sent those messages each and every day, Mackenzie Ammons said.
Widow of worker killed in Washington paper mill disaster seeks answers
LONGVIEW, Wash. — Minutes before he died, Jared Ammons texted his wife from his job at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. Hardly an hour ever passed that the two weren’t sending messages back and forth. “He texted me that he loves me and that I’m beautiful,” Mackenzie Ammons, 32, said in an interview with The Seattle Times on Friday, three days since a deadly chemical spill at the Longview pulp and paper mill.
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