Monday, March 6, 2023

The Energy News Digest for March 6, 2023

The Energy News Digest is sponsored by the Northwest Public Power Association. 

The News Digest on Facebook and Twitter will bring you breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Man Charged with Blowing Up Pacific Gas & Electric Transformers in California (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/california-bay-area-pge-transformer-explosions-blasts-utility-arrest-peter-karasev-4b444819a49803c11044a2b69eac6fc7

California Nuclear Reactors Win Exemption in Fight to Keep Running (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-reactors-california-diablo-canyon-d66323cfe3743063c9446dd372652658

Eastern Washington Won’t Get Nation’s First Advanced Nuclear Reactor (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article272641457.html

California: Homeowners, Rooftop Solar Companies Rush to Meet Upcoming Deadline (Bakersfield Californian, CA)

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/homeowners-rooftop-solar-companies-rush-to-meet-upcoming-deadline/article_c772023a-bacb-11ed-8101-3f7e0c64e34b.html

Snowy Winter Helps Pacific Northwest, But Drought Still Strong Influence in the Region (Spokane Public Radio, WA)

https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/regional-news/2023-02-28/snowy-winter-helps-pnw-but-drought-still-strong-influence-in-the-region

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Man Charged with Blowing Up Pacific Gas & Electric Transformers in California

2.      California Nuclear Reactors Win Exemption in Fight to Keep Running

3.      Eastern Washington Won’t Get Nation’s First Advanced Nuclear Reactor

4.      Will the Feds Approve Any of the New Small Modular Nuclear Reactors?

5.      Northwest Hydro Outlook Trending Below Normal on Drier February; Prices Climb

6.      Avista Seeks Increased Natural Gas Base Rates for Oregon

7.      Lawsuit Challenges WA State Over Natural Gas Restrictions

8.      Protestors Take to the Streets to Support Eugene’s Natural Gas Ban

9.      California: Nevada County Residents Prepare for Another Week without Power

10.   DOE Finds ‘Pressing’ Transmission Needs, With Interregional Links Offering the Biggest Benefits

11.   Former WA Gov. Christine Gregoire Joins Puget Sound Energy Board of Directors

12.   Guest Essay: Idaho Incentivizes ‘Renewable Energy.’ It Should Focus Instead on ‘Clean Energy’

13.   California: High Utility Bills? It’s Time to Hold Sacramento Politicians Accountable

14.   California: Homeowners, Rooftop Solar Companies Rush to Meet Upcoming Deadline

15.   West Warms to Geothermal Energy as a Path to Clean Power Goals

16.   Panel Discusses Impact of Offshore Wind Power on West Coast Fisheries

17.   California: Calaveras Amador Mokelumne River Authority Mulls Pumped Storage Battery Project

18.   Why Britain Is Suddenly Blowing Cold on a Wind Power Revolution

19.   What You Should Know About Heat Pumps in the Pacific Northwest

20.   America’s Great Home Heating Divide, Visualized

21.   We Still Use Appliances Like It’s 1970. There’s a Better Way.

22.   Oregon: Bowman Dam Hydropower Backers Seek Ways Around Denial of Fish Passage Waiver

23.   Feds Still on the Hook for Endangering California Coast Salmon

24.   Judge Lifts Block on Road Construction Along California’s Last Undammed River

25.   Snowy Winter Helps Pacific Northwest, But Drought Still Strong Influence in the Region

26.   In Dry West, Farmers Balk at Idling Land to Save Water

27.   New Clean Energy Charging Feature on iPhones Raising Eyebrows Among Some Users

28.   Global Race to Boost Electric Vehicle Range in Cold Weather

29.   E-Bikes Are an Environmental Dream — Except Out in Nature

30.   Twitter Glitches as Links, Images Fail to Load

31.   Betting on Social Media as a News Destination for the Young

32.   Mountain View Wins 31st Annual Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl

33.   Central Washington Airport Hosts First Test Flight of Hydrogen-Powered Airliner

34.   SEL Opposes Plans for Biodiesel Plant in Pullman

35.   WA Law Would Protect Residents with Unpaid Utility Bills During Heat Advisory. Here’s How

36.   Congress Pushes Bill That Would Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

37.   Iditarod Sees Smallest Field of Competitors on Trek to Nome

WORD OF THE DAY

Exoteric \ek-suh-TAIR-ik\ Adjective – *1: suitable to be imparted to the public 2: belonging to the outer or less initiate circle 3: external.

The smoke-filled room rumbled with the low-voiced whispers of the Presidential kingmakers. “No...No…No,” uttered the head of the group. “If we position our candidate as a Washington outsider, we can’t call them an ‘exoteric candidate.’ It makes it sound as if they have some sort of weird lifestyle.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Man Charged with Blowing Up Pacific Gas & Electric Transformers in California (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/california-bay-area-pge-transformer-explosions-blasts-utility-arrest-peter-karasev-4b444819a49803c11044a2b69eac6fc7

2.      California Nuclear Reactors Win Exemption in Fight to Keep Running (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-reactors-california-diablo-canyon-d66323cfe3743063c9446dd372652658

3.      Eastern Washington Won’t Get Nation’s First Advanced Nuclear Reactor (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article272641457.html

4.      Will the Feds Approve Any of the New Small Modular Nuclear Reactors? (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/will-the-feds-approve-any-of-the-new-small-modular-nuclear-reactors

5.      Northwest Hydro Outlook Trending Below Normal on Drier February; Prices Climb (S&P Global)

https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/electric-power/030223-northwest-hydro-outlook-trending-below-normal-on-drier-february-prices-climb

6.      Avista Seeks Increased Natural Gas Base Rates for Oregon (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/38774-avista-seeks-increased-natural-gas-base-rates-for-oregon/

7.      Lawsuit Challenges WA State Over Natural Gas Restrictions (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/business/lawsuit-challenges-wa-state-over-natural-gas-restrictions/article_0f4c3818-b92e-11ed-bb80-4b31ae3621be.html

8.      Protestors Take to the Streets to Support Eugene’s Natural Gas Ban (KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR)

https://www.kezi.com/news/protestors-take-to-the-streets-to-support-eugenes-natural-gas-ban/article_9cbbd39a-ba26-11ed-8b67-afbdfbac3024.html

9.      California: Nevada County Residents Prepare for Another Week without Power (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/nevada-county-residents-prepare-for-another-week-without-power/43194558

10.   DOE Finds ‘Pressing’ Transmission Needs, With Interregional Links Offering the Biggest Benefits (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-transmission-needs-report-interregional-webinar/644192/

11.   Former WA Gov. Christine Gregoire Joins Puget Sound Energy Board of Directors (Thurston Talk, Olympia, WA)

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2023/03/03/christine-gregoire-joins-puget-sound-energy-board-of-directors/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

12.   Guest Essay: Idaho Incentivizes ‘Renewable Energy.’ It Should Focus Instead on ‘Clean Energy’ (Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID)

https://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article272731305.html

13.   California: High Utility Bills? It’s Time to Hold Sacramento Politicians Accountable (San Bernadino Sun, CA)

https://www.sbsun.com/2023/03/05/high-utility-bills-its-time-to-hold-sacramento-politicians-accountable/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

14.   California: Homeowners, Rooftop Solar Companies Rush to Meet Upcoming Deadline (Bakersfield Californian, CA)

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/homeowners-rooftop-solar-companies-rush-to-meet-upcoming-deadline/article_c772023a-bacb-11ed-8101-3f7e0c64e34b.html

15.   West Warms to Geothermal Energy as a Path to Clean Power Goals (Alaska Beacon)

https://alaskabeacon.com/2023/03/03/west-warms-to-geothermal-energy-as-a-path-to-clean-power-goals/

16.   Panel Discusses Impact of Offshore Wind Power on West Coast Fisheries (Capital Press)

https://www.capitalpress.com/state/california/panel-discusses-impact-of-offshore-wind-on-west-coast-fisheries/article_30909302-b86b-11ed-9afe-976d6ac9b658.html

17.   California: Calaveras Amador Mokelumne River Authority Mulls Pumped Storage Battery Project (Calaveras Enterprise, CA)

http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/news/article_abeef13c-b85d-11ed-960c-c74039f671b0.html

18.   Why Britain Is Suddenly Blowing Cold on a Wind Power Revolution (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-britain-suddenly-blowing-cold-140000506.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

19.   What You Should Know About Heat Pumps in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/what-you-should-know-about-heat-pumps-in-the-pacific-northwest/

20.   America’s Great Home Heating Divide, Visualized (Washington Post, DC – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2023/home-electrification-heat-pumps-gas-furnace/

21.   We Still Use Appliances Like It’s 1970. There’s a Better Way. (Washington Post, DC – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/01/24/home-appliance-myths-energy-saving-tips/

FISH & WILDLIFE

22.   Oregon: Bowman Dam Hydropower Backers Seek Ways Around Denial of Fish Passage Waiver (Central Oregon Daily News)

https://centraloregondaily.com/bowman-dam-hydropower-denial-fish-passage-waiver/

23.   Feds Still on the Hook for Endangering California Coast Salmon (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/feds-still-on-the-hook-for-endangering-california-coast-salmon/

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

24.   Judge Lifts Block on Road Construction Along California’s Last Undammed River (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-lifts-block-on-road-construction-along-californias-last-undammed-river/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

25.   Snowy Winter Helps Pacific Northwest, But Drought Still Strong Influence in the Region (Spokane Public Radio, WA)

https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/regional-news/2023-02-28/snowy-winter-helps-pnw-but-drought-still-strong-influence-in-the-region

26.   In Dry West, Farmers Balk at Idling Land to Save Water (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/colorado-river-drought-west-farmers-fallowing-ec8f5a4e52170d472847a6d86d09b1c8

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY - THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY & CYBERSECURITY

27.   New Clean Energy Charging Feature on iPhones Raising Eyebrows Among Some Users (KMGH-TV, Denver, CO)

https://www.denver7.com/news/technology/new-clean-energy-charging-feature-on-iphones-raising-eyebrows-among-some-users

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

28.   Global Race to Boost Electric Vehicle Range in Cold Weather (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/electric-vehicles-cold-weather-battery-ev-6d86b7aa19e233d5dcc4d2c9abb193ed

29.   E-Bikes Are an Environmental Dream — Except Out in Nature (San Jose Mercury News, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/03/02/e-bikes-are-an-environmental-dream-except-out-in-nature/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

30.   Twitter Glitches as Links, Images Fail to Load (ABC News)

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/twitter-glitches-links-images-fail-load-97660460

31.   Betting on Social Media as a News Destination for the Young (Associated Press)

https://www.courthousenews.com/betting-on-social-media-as-a-news-destination-for-the-young/

32.   Mountain View Wins 31st Annual Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2023/mar/04/mountain-view-wins-31st-annual-bpa-regional-science-bowl/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

33.   Central Washington Airport Hosts First Test Flight of Hydrogen-Powered Airliner (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/04/hydrogen-powered-airliner-makes-first-flight-moses-lake-washington/

34.   SEL Opposes Plans for Biodiesel Plant in Pullman (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, ID)

https://dnews.com/local/sel-opposes-plans-for-biodiesel-plant-in-pullman/article_503f7c01-e63a-586d-997d-deb762bd96c3.html

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

35.   WA Law Would Protect Residents with Unpaid Utility Bills During Heat Advisory. Here’s How (Tacoma News Tribune, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article272659028.html

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

36.   Congress Pushes Bill That Would Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent (NBC News)

https://www.wfmj.com/story/48491206/congress-pushes-bill-that-would-make-daylight-saving-time-permanent

37.   Iditarod Sees Smallest Field of Competitors on Trek to Nome (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/iditarod-sees-smallest-field-of-competitors-on-trek-to-nome/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Court Rules U.S.-Made Cheese Can Be Called ‘Gruyere’ (groo-YAIR), Too

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/us-made-cheese-called-gruyere-053256246.html

Alabama: Hoover Girls Denied Basketball Trophy After Winning Championship Against Boys

https://www.al.com/news/2023/03/hoover-girls-denied-basketball-trophy-after-winning-championship-against-boys-im-sorry-you-dont-count.html

Joe Montana Super Bowl Jersey Shatters Auction Record Previously Held by Tom Brady Jersey

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/03/05/joe-montana-super-bowl-jersey-tom-brady/11407669002/

Pizza Acrobatics Is an Actual Sport. This Man Has Won Seven World Championships for It.

https://sports.yahoo.com/pizza-acrobatics-actual-sport-man-175231665.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Queen - We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8JLxeFr9j0

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. I try to choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription. Individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regular clearing of your browser’s history and cookie files may help in accessing some paywall sites.

Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.