Tom Banse
Correspondent Tom Banse is an Olympia-based reporter with more than three decades of experience covering Washington and Oregon state government, public policy, business and breaking news stories. Most of his career was spent with public radio's Northwest News Network, but now in semi-retirement his work is appearing on other outlets.
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Neighbors fear toxic fires. Clean energy advocates and frustrated developers warn that stifling the projects could slow the clean energy transition. -
A whale watch vessel is operating the state-funded passenger-only ferry pilot. The service from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands runs until June 30. -
Transport planners look to design winning plays to beat traffic, border blues. But is that goal possible in high season? -
All-electric passenger planes are still experimental. But regional airport managers are eager to install charging infrastructure to accommodate them. -
Utilities and independent energy companies have proposed a slew of standalone battery energy storage systems, some of which have generated vocal pushback in the permitting process. -
Several Northwest counties and the U.S. Forest Service are working to reduce the risk of fires overtaking key evacuation routes. -
An Australian company has put plans for a big hydrogen factory in Centralia on hold. -
Deliveries will begin in 2028 if all goes well. Delays and escalating costs have bedeviled the procurement process up until now. -
While life has returned to normal for almost everyone else, the rebound is still tenuous for Point Roberts, a unique enclave in Washington. -
Completion of a Canadian pipeline expansion means more crude-carrying vessels passing through the Salish Sea en route to the Pacific, raising spill fears.
