Friday, January 31, 2020

The Energy News Digest for January 31, 2020


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

Flooding, High Winds, Power Outages Expected as Storms Blast Western Washington State (KOMO TV, Seattle, WA)

Mason PUD 3 Receives Federal Funding for Local Fiberhood (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Second Nuclear Reactor to Power the Northwest Is Being Studied for Richland. Here’s Why (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Grays Harbor PUD Offers Comment on Lower Snake River Dam Report (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

Douglas PUD Commissioners Adopt Data Center, Cryptocurrency Rate Increases (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.        Second Nuclear Reactor to Power the Northwest Is Being Studied for Richland. Here’s Why
2.        Grays Harbor PUD Offers Comment on Lower Snake River Dam Report
3.        Editorial: Back Off, Seattle. Leave Snake River Dams Alone – Fix Your Own Yard
4.        Op/Ed: Thankful for Orcas Power & Light’s Change of Heart on Lower Snake River Dams
5.        Douglas PUD Commissioners Adopt Data Center, Cryptocurrency Rate Increases
6.        Columbia River Transboundary Conference: One River, One Future Summary Now Available
7.        Jefferson PUD Discussing Tree Management Updates
8.        Asotin County PUD Now Debt Free – Public Utility District Makes Final Payment on Loan from 2000
9.        You Are Invited to Join Us for East King County PUD’s Bellevue Kickoff
10.     California: Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Bucks Creek Hydropower Project – Pacific Gas & Electric Company & City of Santa Clara
11.     Oregon Suspends Columbia River Reforms Review – Spring Chinook Allocation Also in Question
12.     Orca Research Extends Lower into Food Chain
13.     Washington State, Oregon OK Commercial Smelt Fishery, But Cowlitz Sport Dipping Uncertain
14.     Testing New Turbines Goes Swimmingly with Sensor Fish
15.     Fish ‘Nursery’ Renovation Enhances the Columbia River Estuary
16.     Eight Harmful Chemicals Detected in Puget Sound ‘Hot Spots’
17.     Low Snow to Snowmageddon: January Dumps Gave Needed Bump to Region’s Lagging Snowpack
18.     United Kingdom: Energy Firms Face Inquiry Over £1.3bn Green Power Cable – Two Years Late & Has Suffered Outages
19.     Seattle to Test Paying for Commercial Building Efficiency Through Long-Term PPAs
20.     Mason PUD 3 Receives Federal Funding for Local Fiberhood
21.     Mason PUD 3 Receives Federal Funding for Local Fiberhood, Public-Private Broadband Partnership
22.     Grant PUD’s 2020 Fiber Plan Reviewed – Expansion Scheduled for Quincy, Ephrata Areas
23.     U.S. Senator Cantwell Wants 5G Spectrum Auction to Fund Rural Broadband Expansion
24.     Ajit Pai Promised Faster Broadband Expansion—Comcast Cut Spending Instead
25.     Oh Look, More Giant ISPs Taking Taxpayer Money for Unfinished Networks
26.     Texas PUC Website ‘Defaced’ in Low-Level Attack as State Inks New Cybersecurity Contract
27.     Can the U.S. Power Sector Significantly Reduce Carbon Emissions by 2040? Not According to EIA
28.     Portland General Electric Gives Portland Schools $250,000 for Climate Change Curriculum
29.     State Proposal Would Let King County Tax Large Businesses to Pay for Homelessness & Housing
30.     Flooding, High Winds, Power Outages Expected as Storms Blast Western Washington State
31.     Heavy Mountain Rain, River Flooding, & Then a Major Cool-Down
32.     High Winds Expected in Tri-Cities. Watch Out for Flying Tumbleweeds
33.     Housing Kitsap Moves Ahead with Projects in Mason County
34.     Don’t Travel to China, U.S. State Department Warns Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

WORD OF THE DAY

Interminable • \in-TERM-nuh-bull\ • Adjective - Having or seeming to have no end; especially: wearisomely protracted

Sorry classical fans…my definition of interminable includes the “Impressionist” period. ‘Nuff Said. Baroque=Bach….yeah baby!

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Second Nuclear Reactor to Power the Northwest Is Being Studied for Richland. Here’s Why (Tri-City Herald, WA)

2.      Grays Harbor PUD Offers Comment on Lower Snake River Dam Report (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

3.      Editorial: Back Off, Seattle. Leave Snake River Dams Alone – Fix Your Own Yard (Tri-City Herald, WA)

4.      Op/Ed: Thankful for Orcas Power & Light’s Change of Heart on Lower Snake River Dams (The Journal of the San Juan Islands, Friday Harbor, WA)

5.      Douglas PUD Commissioners Adopt Data Center, Cryptocurrency Rate Increases (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

6.      Columbia River Transboundary Conference: One River, One Future Summary Now Available (Kimberly Bulletin, BC)

7.      Jefferson PUD Discussing Tree Management Updates (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

8.      Asotin County PUD Now Debt Free – Public Utility District Makes Final Payment on Loan from 2000 (Lewiston Tribune, ID)

9.      You Are Invited to Join Us for East King County PUD’s Bellevue Kickoff (Patch Bellevue, WA)

10.   California: Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Bucks Creek Hydropower Project – Pacific Gas & Electric Company & City of Santa Clara (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

FISH & WILDLIFE

11.   Oregon Suspends Columbia River Reforms Review – Spring Chinook Allocation Also in Question (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

12.   Orca Research Extends Lower into Food Chain (Skagit Valley Herald, Mt Vernon, WA)

13.   Washington State, Oregon OK Commercial Smelt Fishery, But Cowlitz Sport Dipping Uncertain (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

14.   Testing New Turbines Goes Swimmingly with Sensor Fish (Tech Xplore)

15.   Fish ‘Nursery’ Renovation Enhances the Columbia River Estuary (Bonneville Power Administration)

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

16.   Eight Harmful Chemicals Detected in Puget Sound ‘Hot Spots’ (KOMO TV, Seattle, WA)

17.   Low Snow to Snowmageddon: January Dumps Gave Needed Bump to Region’s Lagging Snowpack (Northwest News Network)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

18.   United Kingdom: Energy Firms Face Inquiry Over £1.3bn Green Power Cable – Two Years Late & Has Suffered Outages (The Guardian, UK)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

19.   Seattle to Test Paying for Commercial Building Efficiency Through Long-Term PPAs (Utility Dive)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

20.   Mason PUD 3 Receives Federal Funding for Local Fiberhood (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

21.   Mason PUD 3 Receives Federal Funding for Local Fiberhood, Public-Private Broadband Partnership (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

22.   Grant PUD’s 2020 Fiber Plan Reviewed – Expansion Scheduled for Quincy, Ephrata Areas (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

23.   U.S. Senator Cantwell Wants 5G Spectrum Auction to Fund Rural Broadband Expansion (GeekWire)

24.   Ajit Pai Promised Faster Broadband Expansion—Comcast Cut Spending Instead (Ars Technica)

25.   Oh Look, More Giant ISPs Taking Taxpayer Money for Unfinished Networks (TechDird)

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

26.   Texas PUC Website ‘Defaced’ in Low-Level Attack as State Inks New Cybersecurity Contract (Utility Dive)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

27.   Can the U.S. Power Sector Significantly Reduce Carbon Emissions by 2040? Not According to EIA (Utility Dive)

28.   Portland General Electric Gives Portland Schools $250,000 for Climate Change Curriculum (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

29.   State Proposal Would Let King County Tax Large Businesses to Pay for Homelessness & Housing (Crosscut Seattle)

GENERAL NEWS

30.   Flooding, High Winds, Power Outages Expected as Storms Blast Western Washington State (KOMO TV, Seattle, WA)

31.   Heavy Mountain Rain, River Flooding, & Then a Major Cool-Down (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

32.   High Winds Expected in Tri-Cities. Watch Out for Flying Tumbleweeds (Tri-City Herald, WA)

33.   Housing Kitsap Moves Ahead with Projects in Mason County (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton – Paywall Advisory)

34.   Don’t Travel to China, U.S. State Department Warns Amid Coronavirus Outbreak (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

REPTILES IN THE RECLINER – DIVERSIONS

Man Finds Huge Snake Inside His Couch While Looking for His Keys

Google Searches for Corona Beer Surge as News of Coronavirus Outbreak Spreads

British Man Convicted of Trying to Steal Magna Carta

Navy Brings Emergency Beer to Fire-Hit Aussie Town

SONG OF THE DAY

Richard Rodgers – The Song of the High Seas (Victory at Sea Soundtrack)

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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

Monday, January 27, 2020

The Energy News Digest for January 27, 2020


The Hot Shots edition is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

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

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS




The Future of U.S. Weather Prediction Will Be Decided During the Next Month (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Sticker Shock: The Grid Is at Capacity for Solar Power in Parts of Oregon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Facing Denial, Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas Project Withdraws Application for Key State Permit (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

Pacific Northwest Dam’s New-Design Turbine More Efficient, Saves More Young Fish (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

Proposed Chehalis River Dam the Topic of Audubon Society’s First Program of 2020 (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

Amazon Employees Launch Mass Defiance in Support of Colleagues over Company’s Climate Change Communications Policy (Washington Post)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.        Facing Denial, Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas Project Withdraws Application for Key State Permit
2.        Pacific Northwest Dam’s New-Design Turbine More Efficient, Saves More Young Fish
3.        A Shooter Killed the Power in Finley. Deputies Want to Know Who Did It
4.        Chad Bartram Benton PUD General Manager to Retire - New Manager to Be Appointed
5.        Douglas PUD – Ron Skagen Appointed to National Public Power Policy Maker’s Council
6.        News Source Erred – (Okanogan PUD NOT a party to lawsuit) Injured Firefighter Earns Settlement from Utilities in Twisp River Blaze
7.        Residents Unable to Heat Homes amid Northern British Columbia Wood Pellet Shortage
8.        Audio: Hopi Tribal Members Face Lack of Reliable, Affordable Fuel
9.        Hello Nuclear – Arizona Public Service Announces Goal of 100 Percent Clean, Carbon-Free Electricity by 2050
10.     Ditto Details Public Power’s Legislative & Regulatory Priorities for 2020
11.     Washington State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Finds Allies for Budget Push
12.     Snake River Basin Sees Too Few Salmon, Steelhead Return to Maintain, Grow Runs
13.     Op/Ed: Removing Snake River Dams Is Misguided Approach to Saving Orcas
14.     Op/Ed: Solving the Snake River Dams Debate; It’s Harder Than You Think
15.     Predator Fish That Anglers Love Faces Uncertain Future in California Water Wars
16.     What’s Tangling Up Humpback Whales? A Food Chain Snarled by Climate Change
17.     Proposed Chehalis River Dam the Topic of Audubon Society’s First Program of 2020
18.     Triangle Trouble: Neighbors Worry Bainbridge Sand Mine Endangers Their Water
19.     E.P.A. Is Letting Cities Dump More Raw Sewage into Rivers for Years to Come
20.     Sticker Shock: The Grid Is at Capacity for Solar Power in Parts of Oregon
21.     California: Bay Area Couple Plead Guilty To $1 Billion Solar Ponzi Scheme
22.     She’s Taking on Elon Musk on Solar. And Winning.
23.     Nailing It Down: Get Some Cash Back When You Buy Energy-Saving Appliances
24.     60 Miles from College: Lack of Education, A Way Out of Poverty, Could ‘Kill Rural America’
25.     Editorial: Rural Broadband Is This Century’s Rural Electrification
26.     5G & Rural America – “…I have a hard time seeing how 5G will make much difference in rural America – particularly with broadband…”
27.     Op/Ed: The Iranian Cybersecurity Threat Is a Good Reminder for the Energy Sector to Embrace a Prevention Mindset
28.     Coalition Advocating Electric Vehicles Counts Amazon as Founding Member
29.     Amazon Employees Launch Mass Defiance in Support of Colleagues over Company’s Climate Change Communications Policy
30.     Climate Change Could Force Millions of Americans to Flee the Coast. AI Predicts Where They’ll Go
31.     ‘Terrible & Disgusting’ – Decision to Close National Archives at Seattle a Blow to Tribes, Historians in Four States
32.     Washington State Bill Would Eliminate Most Elections in Odd-Numbered Years
33.     New Washington State Bill Could Spur Affordable Housing
34.     Two Injured in Roll Over Traffic Accident on SR-108
35.     Hundreds of Auschwitz Survivors Return 75 Years after Liberation
36.     NBA Great Kobe Bryant & Daughter Among Nine Killed in Helicopter Crash Near Los Angeles
37.     The Duwamish People Were Here First. Should Seattleites Pay Them Rent?
38.     WIAA Classifications Approved for 2020-24 Cycle: Shelton Dropping to 2A

WORD OF THE DAY

Infernal • \inn-FERN-null\ • adjective - 1: of or relating to a nether world of the dead 2a: of or relating to hell b: hellish, diabolical 3: damnable.

“Great,” fumed Abercrombie.” You can open the hearing aid to take the batteries out, but this infernal device has such a tiny battery compartment that you have a terrible time putting the new ones in.” “What’s that you say” shrieked his nearby wife.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Facing Denial, Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas Project Withdraws Application for Key State Permit (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

2.      Pacific Northwest Dam’s New-Design Turbine More Efficient, Saves More Young Fish (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

3.      A Shooter Killed the Power in Finley. Deputies Want to Know Who Did It (Tri-City Herald, WA)

4.      Chad Bartram Benton PUD General Manager to Retire - New Manager to Be Appointed (Washington PUD Association)

5.      Douglas PUD – Ron Skagen Appointed to National Public Power Policy Maker’s Council (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

6.      News Source Erred – (Okanogan PUD NOT a party to lawsuit) Injured Firefighter Earns Settlement from Utilities in Twisp River Blaze (NCW Life News, East Wenatchee, WA)

7.      Residents Unable to Heat Homes amid Northern British Columbia Wood Pellet Shortage (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

8.      Audio: Hopi Tribal Members Face Lack of Reliable, Affordable Fuel (National Public Radio)

9.      Hello Nuclear – Arizona Public Service Announces Goal of 100 Percent Clean, Carbon-Free Electricity by 2050 (Daily Energy Insider)

10.   Ditto Details Public Power’s Legislative & Regulatory Priorities for 2020 (American Public Power Association)

FISH & WILDLIFE

11.   Washington State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Finds Allies for Budget Push (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

12.   Snake River Basin Sees Too Few Salmon, Steelhead Return to Maintain, Grow Runs (Lewiston Tribune, ID)

13.   Op/Ed: Removing Snake River Dams Is Misguided Approach to Saving Orcas (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

14.   Op/Ed: Solving the Snake River Dams Debate; It’s Harder Than You Think (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

15.   Predator Fish That Anglers Love Faces Uncertain Future in California Water Wars (Sacramento Bee, CA)

16.   What’s Tangling Up Humpback Whales? A Food Chain Snarled by Climate Change (Los Angeles Times, CA)

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

17.   Proposed Chehalis River Dam the Topic of Audubon Society’s First Program of 2020 (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

18.   Triangle Trouble: Neighbors Worry Bainbridge Sand Mine Endangers Their Water (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton – Paywall Advisory)

19.   E.P.A. Is Letting Cities Dump More Raw Sewage into Rivers for Years to Come (NY Times)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

20.   Sticker Shock: The Grid Is at Capacity for Solar Power in Parts of Oregon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

21.   California: Bay Area Couple Plead Guilty To $1 Billion Solar Ponzi Scheme (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

22.   She’s Taking on Elon Musk on Solar. And Winning. (NY Times)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

23.   Nailing It Down: Get Some Cash Back When You Buy Energy-Saving Appliances (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

24.   60 Miles from College: Lack of Education, A Way Out of Poverty, Could ‘Kill Rural America’ (USA Today)

25.   Editorial: Rural Broadband Is This Century’s Rural Electrification (Traverse City Record Eagle, MI)

26.   5G & Rural America – “…I have a hard time seeing how 5G will make much difference in rural America – particularly with broadband…” (Pots & Pans)

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

27.   Op/Ed: The Iranian Cybersecurity Threat Is a Good Reminder for the Energy Sector to Embrace a Prevention Mindset (Utility Dive)

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

28.   Coalition Advocating Electric Vehicles Counts Amazon as Founding Member (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

29.   Amazon Employees Launch Mass Defiance in Support of Colleagues over Company’s Climate Change Communications Policy (Washington Post)

30.   Climate Change Could Force Millions of Americans to Flee the Coast. AI Predicts Where They’ll Go (Gizmodo)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

31.   ‘Terrible & Disgusting’ – Decision to Close National Archives at Seattle a Blow to Tribes, Historians in Four States (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

32.   Washington State Bill Would Eliminate Most Elections in Odd-Numbered Years (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

33.   New Washington State Bill Could Spur Affordable Housing (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

34.   Two Injured in Roll Over Traffic Accident on SR-108 (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

35.   Hundreds of Auschwitz Survivors Return 75 Years after Liberation (Christian Science Monitor)

36.   NBA Great Kobe Bryant & Daughter Among Nine Killed in Helicopter Crash Near Los Angeles (Reuters)

37.   The Duwamish People Were Here First. Should Seattleites Pay Them Rent? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

38.   WIAA Classifications Approved for 2020-24 Cycle: Shelton Dropping to 2A (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

IGUANAS IN THE TREES – DIVERSIONS

Canadian Oil Worker Uses Cup of Coffee to Free Kittens Frozen to the Ground

Space Force Logo Tweeted by Trump Bears Uncanny Resemblance to ‘Star Trek’ Insignia (and NASA)

Shelving ‘Christina’s World’ – Does a Museum Have the Right to Hide a Masterpiece?

‘They’re Not Dead’: Falling Iguana Alert in Florida Amid Cold Snap

SONG OF THE DAY

Star Trek Symphonic Suite

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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