Group works to boost electric cars' viability

Joe Lambrix of Olympia is building an electric vehicle infrastructure in South Sound, one 120-volt plug-in at a time.

Avoid phthalates as much as possible

Phthalates ("thay-lates") are chemicals used to make plastics soft and fragrances linger. Considered hormone disruptors, phthalates are suspected of having health impacts including interfering with the reproductive development of baby boys and causing asthma and allergies. The Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction determined that infants' exposure to phthalates is a "serious concern."

Environment briefs for Oct. 13

• Refuge head to speak at Sound event
•County sponsors water workshops
• Species conservation to be topic of forum
• Learn about Canadian ecovillage
• Waste Free Holidays seeking participants

South Sound marine life -- Oct. 13

One of several major upland predators that invade the intertidal zone at low tide is the northwestern crow.

LOTT to reuse gas for heating

OLYMPIA — Methane gas generated at the LOTT Alliance wastewater treatment plant in Olympia will be converted into energy to heat the new administration and education building in the years ahead.

'We want to be good stewards'

South Sound beaches are a lot cleaner thanks to the cleanup done Wednesday by local commercial shellfish growers.

$5 million dredging plan to tackle dioxin

OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia and state Department of Ecology have released a draft plan to allow removal of some of the dioxin-contaminated sediments from the port marine shipping terminals.

Energy policies score well

Washington state ranks sixth among the 50 states for adopting programs and policies that promote energy efficiency as the fuel of choice on the road to energy independence, according to a national scorecard released Monday by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

Man builds solar bike to get out of the house

OLYMPIA — It's hard to ignore Jerry Budelman when he's pedaling up Harrison Avenue on Olympia's west side.

Environment briefs for Oct. 6

• Open house targets water pollution
• People for Puget Sound has kids events
• Wolf Haven now on winter schedule
• Nominations sought for advisory council
• Loomis to speak on salmon recovery