Air Quality

Featured

Keep it Clean Washoe County Health District, Air Quality Management Division’s Outreach Program

Nevada’s Keep it Clean public information campaign won an EPA award for its impact, innovation, and replicability. by Julie Hunter

FAIRBANKS, ALASKA: A COMMUNITY STRUGGLING WITH AIR QUALITY

Fairbanks’ air is unhealthy to breathe in part because of the smoke from wood burned by residents to stay warm. by Patrick Cotter

Climate

Featured

Changing Climate Heats Up Ski Resort Summer Uses in Nevada

Heavenly Mountain Resort was the first Lake Tahoe resort to propose activities under a federal bill that allows the Forest Service to review and accept non-ski-related activities. by Nick Exline, AICP, Zephyr Cove, Nevada

Communicating Climate Change in the Southwest

More frequent and intense climate events result in increased demand on our emergency response systems, greater financial impacts, and greater public health impacts. The challenge is to effectively communicate the ever-increasing demands these events place on our communities and get individuals, communities, and government to prepare. by Katherine Mortimer, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Climate Change Resiliency Planning: Tools, methods and techniques to address risk, mitigation and sustainability

This article looks at the methods and tools available to help cities become resilient for the imminent changes ahead. by Gretel Follingstad

Climate Adaptation Planning: Communities for Resiliency

Climate adaptation planning provides a solution to the historic lack of integration of environmental (natural resource) stewardship, land use planning, water resource planning and economic development. by Gretel Follingstad

Water

Featured

State, Local Officials Celebrate Success of Waterfall Creek, King Cove’s Second Hydroelectric Facility, during Dedication Ceremony

Several state and local officials traveled to King Cove to participate in the city’s dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony of Waterfall Creek, the community’s second hydroelectric facility. Since Waterfall Creek began operating in May 2017, it has produced more than 1.3 MW (megawatts) of energy and has performed remarkably well.

King Cove, Alaska - Chapter Two: Water Into Powerhouse=Light

Renewable energy is the future. In King Cove, local leaders decided the future is now and invested in renewable energy projects. The debt the city has taken on is a heavy yoke to bear, even with its electric utility fund being financially sound. Yet, the dream has been realized. Today the small city (pop. 900) boasts being one of the few communities that enjoys 75 percent of its electricity from a renewable source. Its projects have been recognized by the International Energy Agency’s Hydropower Group and that were included in their Good Practices report. by Gary Hennigh, King Cove, Alaska

Foresight and voter approval set the stage for water security in Wyoming

Laramie residents approved the city’s purchase of the Monolith Ranch for the water rights in 1981. In addition to being a major water source for the city, the ranch continues to run cattle, provides hunting opportunities and a place for the University of Wyoming to conduct research. by Darren Parkin