House approves bill to help cool heat-emitting cities

OLYMPIA – A measure that would seek to implement methods to cool heat-emitting Puget Sound cities, such as Seattle, passed the state House of Representatives Feb. 25 with unanimous approval.

Rep. Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy), sponsor of House Bill 1114, says the built spaces in the higher populated urban areas of the state and down the coastline store and retain heat from rooftops, pavement and other heat-absorbing materials, creating what is known as "urban heat islands."

"Seattle ranks among the top 10 cities in the nation for urban heat island effect," Dye said. "During the heat of the summer, Seat...