Wednesday, November 27, 2019

The Energy News Digest for November 27, 2019


The Hot Shots edition of The Energy News Digest is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to the Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS





HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Reporter’s Notebook: 106 MPH Winds at Cape Blanco – Covering the 2019 Bomb Cyclone Snowstorm in Oregon (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

Crews Responding to Thousands of Power Outages around Inland Northwest during High-Wind Warning (KHQ TV, Spokane, WA)

Columbia River Operators Increase Flows to Welcome Returning Chum Salmon (Bonneville Power Administration)

Columbia River Treaty Open House Scheduled for Mid-December (Washington Ag Network)

What’s in a Dam? National Report Cites High Hazards near Spokane – None Are Threatening Life, Property (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1.        Crews Responding to Thousands of Power Outages around Inland Northwest during High-Wind Warning
2.        Columbia River Treaty Open House Scheduled for Mid-December
3.        Grant PUD Commissioners Approve 2020 Budget
4.        Jefferson PUD Operations Center Project Breaks Ground
5.        Fitch Raises Grays Harbor PUD Financial Outlook to Stable, Awards A-Rating
6.        Douglas County PUD Donates to North Central Educational Service District
7.        Copper Thieves Hammer Seattle Parks
8.        The Closure of the West’s Largest Coal Plant Could Be a Test for the Green New Deal
9.        Coal-Fired Electricity on Track for Its Biggest Annual Decline Ever
10.     Boulder Makes $94 Million ‘Final Offer’ for Xcel Energy Assets, in Bid to Avoid Condemnation
11.     U.S. Grid Reliability Threatened by Warming Rivers — Study
12.     Columbia River Operators Increase Flows to Welcome Returning Chum Salmon
13.     What’s in a Dam? National Report Cites High Hazards near Spokane – None Are Threatening Life, Property
14.     Montana Rejects NorthWestern’s Bid to End Net Metering, Add Separate Rate Class for Solar
15.     Cranberry Farmers Want to Build Solar Panels over Their Bogs
16.     Vancouver Begins Replacing Streetlights with Energy-Efficient LEDs
17.     Energy Adviser: Get a Pro to Inspect Heating System
18.     Bitcoin Is Hard to Understand. So Is Its Carbon Footprint.
19.     Electric Cars Too Quiet? Automakers Add Real or Fake Sound to Their Cabins
20.     Canada; Carbon Tax Must Hit $210 Per Ton by 2030 to Meet Paris Targets, Report Concludes
21.     With Climate Change, Washington, DC May Have Entered Era of More Blockbuster Snowstorms But Less Snow Overall
22.     Africa: A Crisis in the Water Is Decimating This Once-Booming Fishing Town
23.     The Port Townsend Leader Celebrates 130 Years, Thanks to Its Readers & Founders
24.     Apple Changes Crimea Map to Meet Russian Demands
25.     Baby Yoda GIFs Are Back after ‘Confusion’ Led to Removal
26.     King County Judge Pauses $30 Car Tabs While I-976 Goes to Court
27.     Judge Finds Obama Expansion of Oregon Monument Invalid
28.     Washington Public Ports Association Appoints Victoria Lincoln As Deputy Director
29.     Vietnam Era Veterans Honored at Belfair Ceremony
30.     President Trump Order Creates Task Force on Missing Native Americans, Alaska Natives
31.     737 Max Scandal Cuts Boeing’s Once Rock-Solid Image
32.     Reward Offered after Arson-Caused Haystack Fires in Grant County
33.     Crystal Mountain Resort Opens Friday; Other Ski Areas Could Soon Follow
34.     Reporter’s Notebook: 106 MPH Winds at Cape Blanco – Covering the 2019 Bomb Cyclone Snowstorm in Oregon
35.     Very Cold, North Puget Sound Very Windy in Western Washington through Thanksgiving
36.     Wind Advisory Issued for Wednesday across Central, Eastern Washington
37.     Blewett Pass Closed; Wind Advisory in Effect
38.     Tuesday Snow Squall Leads to Dozens of Crashes on I-90 near Spokane

WORD OF THE DAY

Beaucoup • \BOE-koo\ • adjective - Great in quantity or amount: many, much

Barty and Mildred were enjoying their holiday in France. Barty, however, sowed a crop of bad will with his “jocularity” at each small, snooty street cafĂ© he visited. “Mercy Buckets,” he would shout at the retreating waiters & waitresses, chortling into his after-dinner espresso. His mangling of “thanks much” resulted in beaucoup trouble at the last night’s dinner, as a “clumsy” busboy “tripped” and cascaded dirty dishes and soapy rinse water over Barty’s finest evening wear.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Crews Responding to Thousands of Power Outages around Inland Northwest during High-Wind Warning (KHQ TV, Spokane, WA)

2.      Columbia River Treaty Open House Scheduled for Mid-December (Washington Ag Network)

3.      Grant PUD Commissioners Approve 2020 Budget (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

4.      Jefferson PUD Operations Center Project Breaks Ground (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

5.      Fitch Raises Grays Harbor PUD Financial Outlook to Stable, Awards A-Rating (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

6.      Douglas County PUD Donates to North Central Educational Service District (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

7.      Copper Thieves Hammer Seattle Parks (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

8.      The Closure of the West’s Largest Coal Plant Could Be a Test for the Green New Deal (Gizmodo)

9.      Coal-Fired Electricity on Track for Its Biggest Annual Decline Ever (Energy News Network)

10.   Boulder Makes $94 Million ‘Final Offer’ for Xcel Energy Assets, in Bid to Avoid Condemnation (Utility Dive)

11.   U.S. Grid Reliability Threatened by Warming Rivers — Study (E&E News)

FISH & WILDLIFE

12.   Columbia River Operators Increase Flows to Welcome Returning Chum Salmon (Bonneville Power Administration)

“CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE” – WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

13.   What’s in a Dam? National Report Cites High Hazards near Spokane – None Are Threatening Life, Property (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

14.   Montana Rejects NorthWestern’s Bid to End Net Metering, Add Separate Rate Class for Solar (Utility Dive)

15.   Cranberry Farmers Want to Build Solar Panels over Their Bogs (Associated Press)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

16.   Vancouver Begins Replacing Streetlights with Energy-Efficient LEDs (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

17.   Energy Adviser: Get a Pro to Inspect Heating System (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

18.   Bitcoin Is Hard to Understand. So Is Its Carbon Footprint. (Grist Online)

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

19.   Electric Cars Too Quiet? Automakers Add Real or Fake Sound to Their Cabins (USA Today)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

20.   Canada; Carbon Tax Must Hit $210 Per Ton by 2030 to Meet Paris Targets, Report Concludes (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

21.   With Climate Change, Washington, DC May Have Entered Era of More Blockbuster Snowstorms But Less Snow Overall (Washington Post)

22.   Africa: A Crisis in the Water Is Decimating This Once-Booming Fishing Town (Washington Post)

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

23.   The Port Townsend Leader Celebrates 130 Years, Thanks to Its Readers & Founders (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

24.   Apple Changes Crimea Map to Meet Russian Demands (British Broadcasting Corporation)

25.   Baby Yoda GIFs Are Back after ‘Confusion’ Led to Removal (Associated Press)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

26.   King County Judge Pauses $30 Car Tabs While I-976 Goes to Court (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

27.   Judge Finds Obama Expansion of Oregon Monument Invalid (Courthouse News Service)

28.   Washington Public Ports Association Appoints Victoria Lincoln As Deputy Director (Washington Public Ports Association – Links to PDF File)

GENERAL NEWS

29.   Vietnam Era Veterans Honored at Belfair Ceremony (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

30.   President Trump Order Creates Task Force on Missing Native Americans, Alaska Natives (Associated Press)

31.   737 Max Scandal Cuts Boeing’s Once Rock-Solid Image (National Public Radio)

32.   Reward Offered after Arson-Caused Haystack Fires in Grant County (NCW Life News, East Wenatchee, WA)

33.   Crystal Mountain Resort Opens Friday; Other Ski Areas Could Soon Follow (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

WEATHER NEWS – A THANKSGIVING CONVERSATION STARTER

34.   Reporter’s Notebook: 106 MPH Winds at Cape Blanco – Covering the 2019 Bomb Cyclone Snowstorm in Oregon (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

35.   Very Cold, North Puget Sound Very Windy in Western Washington through Thanksgiving (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

36.   Wind Advisory Issued for Wednesday across Central, Eastern Washington (iFiberOne News, Ephrata, WA)

37.   Blewett Pass Closed; Wind Advisory in Effect (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

38.   Tuesday Snow Squall Leads to Dozens of Crashes on I-90 near Spokane (Associated Press)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Act of Kindness Softens Police Sorrow over Spilled Doughnuts

Study Shows ‘Secret Santa’ Causes Too Much Anxiety for Some Working Millennials

Hikers Answer Plea to Find Wedding Ring Lost on Mountaintop

Seahawk Bobby Wagner Buys Groceries for West Seattle Safeway Customers

SONG OF THE DAY

Natalie Merchant – Kind & Generous

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The Energy News Digest for November 26, 2019


The Hot Shots edition of The Energy News Digest is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to the Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS





HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Including One in Washington State Small, Regional Utilities Located Near Critical Infrastructure Targeted in Cyberattack: WSJ (Utility Dive)

You Can Tell the State What You Think of Breaching Snake Dams. Take Its Survey (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Northwest RiverPartners Steps Up Opposition to Dam Breaching – Vancouver-based group says low-income areas would be hurt (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

Fish Size Affects Snake River Salmon Returns More Than Route Through Dams – Research suggests juvenile bypass systems do not affect later ocean survival (Science Daily)

Lighting Industry’s Future Dims as Efficient LED Bulbs Take Over (National Public Radio)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1.        You Can Tell the State What You Think of Breaching Snake Dams. Take Its Survey
2.        Northwest RiverPartners Steps Up Opposition to Dam Breaching – Vancouver-based group says low-income areas would be hurt
3.        Energy Debate Overlooks Profound Threat to Vulnerable Northwest Communities
4.        Pacific Northwest Utilities Tap the Feds on Vegetation Management Within & Along Powerline Rights-of-Way
5.        Grays Harbor PUD 2020 Budget Includes $10 Million in Improvements, Potential 2% Rate Increase in May
6.        Pacific Gas & Electric Is Testing Technology That Could Prevent Wildfires Its Equipment Causes
7.        National Grid Lifts News Gas Service Moratorium Following Deal with New York
8.        Plan to Limit Coverage of New York Grid Operator’s Meetings Abandoned
9.        Fish Size Affects Snake River Salmon Returns More Than Route Through Dams
10.     Decline of Salmon Adds to the Struggle of Puget Sound’s Orcas “…the prospects of Puget Sound chinook remain unimproved…”
11.     Columbia Gorge Pikas Are Coming Back after Wildfire, Scientists Say
12.     Oyster Farmers Sacrifice Pesticide, Still Losing Ground to Shrimp
13.     Alaska: Agency Agrees to Designate Habitat for Threatened Ice Seals
14.     Feds: Endangered Willamette Valley Wildflower Has Recovered
15.     Solar, Wind & Hydro Power Could Soon Surpass Coal
16.     Lighting Industry’s Future Dims as Efficient LED Bulbs Take Over
17.     ReConnect Announcements: USDA Invests $5.2 Million in Rural Broadband for Kansas Families
18.     Including One in Washington State Small, Regional Utilities Located Near Critical Infrastructure Targeted in Cyberattack: WSJ
19.     Climate Change: ‘Bleak’ Outlook as Carbon Emissions Gap Grows
20.     U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions Rose in 2018 for the First Year Since 2014
21.     To Fight Climate Change, California Cities Look to Ban Natural Gas
22.     Failing Ice Cellars Signal Changes in Alaska Whaling Towns
23.     California Officials Side with Marijuana Company in New Fight over Home Deliveries
24.     Seattle, Counties Ask Judge to Block $30 Car Tab Measure
25.     Failing Forestry: With $1 Billion Oregon Timber Lawsuit, Not All 14 Counties Are Big Winners
26.     Protest Expected at Sea-Tac During Busy Travel Day
27.     Amid Mass Grounding, Boeing Rolls Out 737 MAX 10 Jet in Subdued Ceremony
28.     Op/Ed: Cross-Laminated Timber Can Help the Northwest Lead on the Green New Deal
29.     The Oregon Storm is Exploding – It Will Probably Be Stronger than Originally Expected
30.     High Winds, ‘Potentially Historic’ Storm Could Make Thanksgiving Travel in Southern Oregon Dangerous
31.     High Wind Warning, Advisories Issued for North Puget Sound Counties
32.     NE Washington State: Wind Gusts of 60 MPH Possible for Wednesday

WORD OF THE DAY

Draconian • \drack-CONE-ee-un\ • adjective - of, relating to, or characteristic of Draco or the severe code of laws held to have been framed by him 2: cruel; also: severe

“I know that you’re upset about thefts from the lunchroom ‘fridge,” whined the CEO’s assistant. “I think that blood tests and retina scans to get into the icebox are a little draconian.”

Draco was the first legislator of ancient Athens, Greece, 7th century BC. He replaced the prevailing system of oral law & blood feud by a written code to be enforced only by a court. Because of its harshness, this code also gave rise to the term “draconian”.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      You Can Tell the State What You Think of Breaching Snake Dams. Take Its Survey (Tri-City Herald, WA)

2.      Northwest RiverPartners Steps Up Opposition to Dam Breaching – Vancouver-based group says low-income areas would be hurt (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

3.      Energy Debate Overlooks Profound Threat to Vulnerable Northwest Communities (Northwest RiverPartners, Vancouver, WA)

4.      Pacific Northwest Utilities Tap the Feds on Vegetation Management Within & Along Powerline Rights-of-Way (Northwest Public Power Association)

5.      Grays Harbor PUD 2020 Budget Includes $10 Million in Improvements, Potential 2% Rate Increase in May (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

6.      Pacific Gas & Electric Is Testing Technology That Could Prevent Wildfires Its Equipment Causes (Sacramento Bee, CA)

7.      National Grid Lifts News Gas Service Moratorium Following Deal with New York (Utility Dive)

8.      Plan to Limit Coverage of New York Grid Operator’s Meetings Abandoned (Politico)

FISH & WILDLIFE

9.      Fish Size Affects Snake River Salmon Returns More Than Route Through Dams – Research suggests juvenile bypass systems do not affect later ocean survival (Science Daily)

10.   Decline of Salmon Adds to the Struggle of Puget Sound’s Orcas “…the prospects of Puget Sound chinook remain unimproved…” (Stock Daily Dish)

11.   Columbia Gorge Pikas Are Coming Back after Wildfire, Scientists Say (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

12.   Oyster Farmers Sacrifice Pesticide, Still Losing Ground to Shrimp (Longview Daily News, WA)

13.   Alaska: Agency Agrees to Designate Habitat for Threatened Ice Seals (Associated Press)

14.   Feds: Endangered Willamette Valley Wildflower Has Recovered (Associated Press)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

15.   Solar, Wind & Hydro Power Could Soon Surpass Coal (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

16.   Lighting Industry’s Future Dims as Efficient LED Bulbs Take Over (National Public Radio)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

17.   ReConnect Announcements: USDA Invests $5.2 Million in Rural Broadband for Kansas Families (Parsons Sun, KS)

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

18.   Including One in Washington State Small, Regional Utilities Located Near Critical Infrastructure Targeted in Cyberattack: WSJ (Utility Dive)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

19.   Climate Change: ‘Bleak’ Outlook as Carbon Emissions Gap Grows (British Broadcasting Corporation)

20.   U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions Rose in 2018 for the First Year Since 2014 (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

21.   To Fight Climate Change, California Cities Look to Ban Natural Gas (Axios)

22.   Failing Ice Cellars Signal Changes in Alaska Whaling Towns (Associated Press)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

23.   California Officials Side with Marijuana Company in New Fight over Home Deliveries (Los Angeles Times, CA)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

24.   Seattle, Counties Ask Judge to Block $30 Car Tab Measure (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

25.   Failing Forestry: With $1 Billion Oregon Timber Lawsuit, Not All 14 Counties Are Big Winners (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

GENERAL NEWS

26.   Protest Expected at Sea-Tac During Busy Travel Day (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

27.   Amid Mass Grounding, Boeing Rolls Out 737 MAX 10 Jet in Subdued Ceremony (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

28.   Op/Ed: Cross-Laminated Timber Can Help the Northwest Lead on the Green New Deal (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

THE COMING WEATHER APOCALYPSE

29.   The Oregon Storm is Exploding – It Will Probably Be Stronger than Originally Expected (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

30.   High Winds, ‘Potentially Historic’ Storm Could Make Thanksgiving Travel in Southern Oregon Dangerous (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

31.   High Wind Warning, Advisories Issued for North Puget Sound Counties (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

32.   NE Washington State: Wind Gusts of 60 MPH Possible for Wednesday (KHQ TV, Spokane, WA)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Which Turkey Will President Trump Pardon? Will It Be Bread or Butter?

100 Miles – Onalaska Native Sabrina Stanley Becomes First American to Win Grand Raid

Dresden Green Vault Robbery: Fears Historic Jewels May Be Lost Forever

Dutch Supermarket Drops Staff Underwear Photo Request

SONG OF THE DAY

David Gilmour - Shine on You Crazy Diamond

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.