Cheers: To energy efficiency. According to a study by WalletHub, Washington is the nation’s most energy-efficient state. Using data from a variety of federal agencies, the personal finance website assessed home and auto energy use throughout the 48 contiguous states, ranking Washington No. 3 in low residential consumption and No. 3 in low average miles driven per year. It adds up to our state ranking ahead of New York, California and Vermont atop the list of energy efficiency.
The rankings reflect the strong commitment of residents and government to reducing energy consumption. They also reflect our state’s traditional commitment to environmental concerns. In the process, the habits and policies that result in low energy consumption create financial savings. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that energy-efficient measures can reduce home energy costs up to 25 percent, and fuel-efficient vehicles can save drivers nearly $900 per year.
Jeers: To loud mufflers. A recent article from Columbian reporter Becca Robbins highlighted the difficulty of cracking down on vehicles that violate noise regulations. Modifying a vehicle to make it louder is punishable by a $149 fine in Washington, with penalties increasing for multiple offenses. But enforcement can be difficult; officers must witness the violation, and they typically have more serious crimes to pursue.
“Many times, vehicle owners make modifications to their vehicles not realizing there is a law that prevents the installation of aftermarket equipment,” Washington State Patrol Trooper Will Finn told The Columbian. Jeers go to inconsiderate motorists who disturb the peace.
Cheers: To returning home. Camas native Michael Barratt and three other astronauts have returned to Earth after spending nearly eight months on the International Space Station. Their mission was extended because of problems with Boeing’s Starliner space capsule and because of Hurricane Milton in the southeastern United States.
Barratt, a veteran of space missions, said support teams back home had “to replan, retool and kind of redo everything right along with us … and helped us to roll with all those punches.” The ability to have humans spend extended periods in space and return safely is a remarkable scientific achievement.
Jeers: To rising costs. Health insurance costs for small businesses and their employees in Washington will increase an average of 11.9 percent in 2025, according to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. That marks the highest increase for small employers in the past decade.
As one business official said: “Health insurance costs have been the No. 1 problem for small businesses for 38 years running, and these increases will only make it worse.” Such increases are inevitably passed along to employees and customers, making it more difficult to do business.
Cheers: To Mabel. An escaped cow that has been wandering in the Bellingham area for two months has finally been corralled. Two cows escaped from a trailer on Aug. 10; while her partner was quickly captured, Mabel has been on the lam despite multiple sightings.
Details of the capture were not immediately known, but Mabel apparently was safe and sound. The Whatcom Humane Society reported on social media: “WE GOT HER! MABEL IS SAFE! She was successfully contained and transported to our farm facility … Needless to say this rescue was possible thanks to a village of people.”
