Puget Sound Energy (utility subsidiary of Puget Energy (NYSE:PSD)), on Oct. 17, received a new, 50-year federal operating license for the utility's largest hydropower facility, the 190-megawatt (MW) Baker River Hydroelectric Project in Skagit and Whatcom counties in Northwest Washington state.

By Jared Paben, The Bellingham Herald, Wash. Aug. 5--Transferring 8,400 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed to Whatcom County for parks would help protect Bellingham's drinking-water source and give the community a unique park, a panel has said.

By Craig Parrish, The Bellingham Herald, Wash. Jul. 13--Getting a close-up look at the outdoors doesn't have to be limited to getting one's toes and hands muddy, up to your ankles and wrists in who knows what.

By The Bellingham Herald, Wash. Dec. 31--The National Weather Service says the first day of 2008 will bring sunshine to Whatcom County, and a recent storm brought plenty of snow to Mt. Baker Ski Area. Winter's latest storm in the Cascade Mountains has dropped 12 inches of snow at Mt.

By Jared Paben, The Bellingham Herald, Wash. Dec. 5--Transferring Lake Whatcom watershed land to Whatcom County for a park could strip the Mount Baker School District of about $61,000 a year, money that's used for sorely needed building maintenance.