A long and contentious battle, including threats fro the U.S. Environmental protection Agency, could soon find resolution.
"The state submitted its updated clean water rule for federal approval this week," reports Marissa Luck.
According to Luck, "the proposal regulates water pollution by measuring people’s risk of cancer from eating fish" and "would set stricter regulations for all businesses and government entities that deal with treating wastewater…"
The proposal is the result of four years of work by the state Department of Ecology in revising the state's water pollution regulations. "The highly politicized effort has been closely watched by industries, municipalities, tribal groups and environmentalists, and it landed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in court," according to Luck.
Now, however, the U.S. EPA will have up to 60 days to approve the proposed rule or 90 days to reject it.
FULL STORY: Businesses worry over new water pollution rules

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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