The Energy News Digest: February 2024

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The Energy News Digest for February 21, 2024

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest.

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

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Oregon: Pacific Power Files for $304 Million Rate Adjustment to Support Wildfire Management, Infrastructure & Renewables (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/42803-pacific-power-files-for-304m-rate-adjustment-to-support-wildfire-management-infrastructure-and-renewables/

How an Endangered Hawk Could Topple Plans for WA’s Largest Wind Farm (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/how-an-endangered-hawk-could-topple-plans-for-was-largest-wind-farm/

‘Green Colonialism’: Tribes Disappointed with Offshore Oregon Energy Plans (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/environment/green-colonialism-tribes-disappointed-with-offshore-oregon-energy-plans/

Barker: Forecast for Spring Chinook Not Terrible, But Also Not Good (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/feb/21/barker-forecast-for-spring-chinook-not-terrible-bu/

What This Year’s Mild Winter Means for Wildfire Season in the Western U.S. (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2024/02/20/1232776217/what-this-years-mild-winter-means-for-wildfire-season-in-the-western-u-s

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. Oregon: Pacific Power Files for $304 Million Rate Adjustment to Support Wildfire Management, Infrastructure & Renewables

2. Montana Consumer Counsel: NorthWestern Owes Customers $13 Million for Natural Gas

3. WA State: Electron Dam Must Remove ‘Temporary’ Structure from Puyallup River after Court Ruling

4. Federal Energy Regulators Deny Permits for A Controversial Project on the Navajo Nation

5. Washington Senate Committee Advances Natural Gas Bill

6. Power Play: Project to Move Power Through Nebraska Sandhills Has Stalled … For 12 Years.

7. FERC Approves NERC Reliability Standards for Cold Weather Operations and Preparedness

8. How an Endangered Hawk Could Topple Plans for WA’s Largest Wind Farm

9. ‘Green Colonialism’: Tribes Disappointed with Offshore Oregon Energy Plans

10. Arizona Tribe First to Span Canals with Solar Panels

11. WA State: Mosbrucker Bill to Let PUD’s Sell Bio-Gas Products Passes House

12. Barker: Forecast for Spring Chinook Not Terrible, But Also Not Good

13. Pacific Salmon Face No Shortage of Challenges, Shrinking Snowpack High Among Them

14. Washington House of Representatives Passes Bill to Study Avian Salmon Predation

15. Southern Resident Orcas Now Considered an Endangered Species in Oregon

16. To Keep Whales Safe, Coast Guard Launches Boat Alert System in Seattle

17. As the Klamath River Dries, Tribal Nations & Farmers Come to Rare Agreement

18. California Enjoys the Northwest’s Water

19. How Will Climate Change Affect Our Back-And-Forth La Niña, El Niño Weather Patterns?

20. Massive ExxonMobil Carbon Capture Project in Eastern Montana Reviewed

21. Personal Net Zero? Gas Utilities Pitch Offset Plans.

22. Incoming Washington Broadband Office Director Highlights Rural Internet Access

23. Auto Execs: Chinese Electric Vehicles Could ‘Demolish’ U.S. Production

24. Montana: Schweitzer Calls for Shakeup of Montana Utility Regulators

25. What This Year’s Mild Winter Means for Wildfire Season in the Western U.S.

26. Lawmakers Urge Gov. Inslee to Declare State of Emergency for Washington State Ferries

27. Editorial: Wind Power Prepares United States for Future

WORD OF THE DAY

Cartographer \car-TAH-gruh-fer \ Noun - One that makes maps.

The 14th century artist backed away from his world map…pleased with the colors, shapes of the continents, & the symmetrical arrangement of the land masses. “It’s a good thing we won’t be using this for navigation,” mused the Genoan sailor to his first mate. “That big land mass painted by this ‘so-called’ cartographer between us & Indies would keep our hands off the spice trade for years.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Oregon: Pacific Power Files for $304 Million Rate Adjustment to Support Wildfire Management, Infrastructure & Renewables (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/42803-pacific-power-files-for-304m-rate-adjustment-to-support-wildfire-management-infrastructure-and-renewables/

2. Montana Consumer Counsel: NorthWestern Owes Customers $13 Million for Natural Gas (The Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2024/02/20/montana-consumer-counsel-northwestern-owes-customers-13m-for-natural-gas/

3. WA State: Electron Dam Must Remove ‘Temporary’ Structure from Puyallup River after Court Ruling (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/electron-dam-remove-temporary-structure-puyallup-river/281-b44d0b09-d649-4e5a-8416-45a59b744a27

4. Federal Energy Regulators Deny Permits for A Controversial Project on the Navajo Nation (KUNC Radio, Greeley, CO)

https://www.kunc.org/news/2024-02-16/federal-energy-regulators-deny-permits-for-a-controversial-project-on-the-navajo-nation

5. Washington Senate Committee Advances Natural Gas Bill (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/washington-senate-committee-advances-natural-gas-bill,334752

6. Power Play: Project to Move Power Through Nebraska Sandhills Has Stalled … For 12 Years. (Flatwater Free Press, NE)

https://flatwaterfreepress.org/power-play-project-to-move-power-through-nebraska-sandhills-has-stalled-for-12-years/

7. FERC Approves NERC Reliability Standards for Cold Weather Operations and Preparedness (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/ferc-approves-nerc-reliability-standards-cold-weather-operations-and-preparedness

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

8. How an Endangered Hawk Could Topple Plans for WA’s Largest Wind Farm (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/how-an-endangered-hawk-could-topple-plans-for-was-largest-wind-farm/

9. ‘Green Colonialism’: Tribes Disappointed with Offshore Oregon Energy Plans (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/environment/green-colonialism-tribes-disappointed-with-offshore-oregon-energy-plans/

10. Arizona Tribe First to Span Canals with Solar Panels (WBUR Radio, Boston, MA)

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/02/19/solar-panels-canals

11. WA State: Mosbrucker Bill to Let PUD’s Sell Bio-Gas Products Passes House (Gorge Radio, Hood River, OR)

https://gorgeradio.com/?pg=36529&post=true

FISH & WILDLIFE

12. Barker: Forecast for Spring Chinook Not Terrible, But Also Not Good (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/feb/21/barker-forecast-for-spring-chinook-not-terrible-bu/

13. Pacific Salmon Face No Shortage of Challenges, Shrinking Snowpack High Among Them (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.krem.com/article/tech/science/environment/environment-northwest/shrinking-snowpack-pacific-salmon-run-environment-northwest/283-badac896-092f-4590-b6d5-3062884bcbab

14. Washington House of Representatives Passes Bill to Study Avian Salmon Predation (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/washington-house-of-representatives-passes-bill-to-study-avian-salmon-predation,334532

15. Southern Resident Orcas Now Considered an Endangered Species in Oregon (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/orcas-endangered-species-oregon/283-34bf3903-2fe5-44c3-8864-377f8fa3bd9b

16. To Keep Whales Safe, Coast Guard Launches Boat Alert System in Seattle (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/orcas-humpbacks-ferries-seattle-ca034b8cb584f9aca7200a83a51cd0a2

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

17. As the Klamath River Dries, Tribal Nations & Farmers Come to Rare Agreement (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/agriculture/tribal-nations-farmers-agree-repair-work-klamath-basin/

18. California Enjoys the Northwest’s Water (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2024/02/california-enjoys-northwests-water.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

19. How Will Climate Change Affect Our Back-And-Forth La Niña, El Niño Weather Patterns? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/how-will-climate-change-affect-our-back-and-forth-la-nina-el-nino-weather-patterns/

20. Massive ExxonMobil Carbon Capture Project in Eastern Montana Reviewed (Helena Independent-Record, MT)

https://helenair.com/news/exxonmobile-carbon-capture-southeast-montana/article_4c9cb46a-c09e-51ac-94df-2a4f08be8e00.html

21. Personal Net Zero? Gas Utilities Pitch Offset Plans. (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/personal-net-zero-gas-utilities-pitch-offset-plans/

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

22. Incoming Washington Broadband Office Director Highlights Rural Internet Access (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.khq.com/news/incoming-washington-broadband-office-director-highlights-rural-internet-access/article_e79ea88e-cd4d-11ee-8bb8-874d507d2070.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

23. Auto Execs: Chinese Electric Vehicles Could ‘Demolish’ U.S. Production (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_21bfdb2e-cfdc-11ee-8de1-7f0d96c1e6e1.html

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

24. Montana: Schweitzer Calls for Shakeup of Montana Utility Regulators (Billings Gazette, MT – Paywall Advisory)

https://billingsgazette.com/news/schweitzer-calls-for-shakeup-of-montana-utility-regulators/article_ec1b6de4-cc66-11ee-af36-8f48fbd20d93.html

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

25. What This Year’s Mild Winter Means for Wildfire Season in the Western U.S. (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2024/02/20/1232776217/what-this-years-mild-winter-means-for-wildfire-season-in-the-western-u-s

26. Lawmakers Urge Gov. Inslee to Declare State of Emergency for Washington State Ferries (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/washington-state-ferries-emergency-republicans-governor-jay-inslee-rep-andrew-barkis-spencer-hutchins-seattle-olympia-lawmakers-fleet-vessel-boats-ships-repair-staff-issues-workers-route-hb-2498-hybrid-electric-contract-zero-emission

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

27. Editorial: Wind Power Prepares United States for Future (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/feb/15/in-our-view-wind-power-prepares-united-states-for-future/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Welcome to the ‘Hotel California’ Case: The Trial Over Handwritten Lyrics to an Eagles Classic

https://www.courthousenews.com/welcome-to-the-hotel-california-case-the-trial-over-handwritten-lyrics-to-an-eagles-classic/

School Art Teacher Accused of Secretly Selling Kids’ Assignments

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/art-teacher-mario-perron-basquiat-artwork-assignment-sales_n_65ccea9ae4b0087d43c8a561

When & Where Double Brood of Cicadas Will Emerge - And What to Expect

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/when-double-brood-cicadas-will-come-out-what-expect-2024-02-19/

A Man Sues Powerball After Being Told His $340 Million ‘Win’ Was a Mistake

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/02/21/a-man-sues-powerball-after-being-told-his-340m-win-was-a-mistake/

SONG OF THE DAY

Eagles – Hotel California

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Although I 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 access some paywall sites.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

The Energy News Digest for February 14, 2024

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest.

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

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

ITEMS OF NOTE FROM THE NORTHWEST PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION

Check out NWPPA’s complete class offerings in the Training and Event Catalog. Click on the links below for more information and registration. Don’t miss these upcoming training events:

· Administrative Professionals Conference
March 13-14, 2024, in Newport, Ore.

· Communication Tune-up Series
April 2, 16, and 30, 2024 via webinar

· Engineering & Operations Conference and Trade Show
April 9-11, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Winter Storm Warning Issued for the Cascades, The Gorge & Hood River Valley (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/02/14/oregon-winter-weather-cascades-gorge/

Bonneville Power Administration First Quarter Net Revenues Down Due to Dry Winter (Big Country News, Clarkston, WA)

https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/idaho/bonneville-power-administration-first-quarter-net-revenues-down-due-to-dry-winter/article_c6f8d6e6-cb44-11ee-b807-ab6b34feec4e.html

Federal Government Finalizes Floating Offshore Wind Areas Off the Oregon Coast (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/02/13/federal-government-finalizes-floating-offshore-wind-areas-off-the-oregon-coast/

California Solar Customers, Industry Brace for Impact of Reduced State Incentives (KQED Radio, San Francisco, CA)

https://www.kqed.org/science/1991404/california-solar-customers-industry-brace-for-impact-of-reduced-state-incentives

Snowpack in the Pacific Northwest Is Shrinking. Here’s What That Means for the Future (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/tech/science/environment/environment-northwest-shrinking-snowpack-pacific-northwest-impacts/281-41580cd0-3e1b-48b0-96d5-fcf73db9dd1a

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. Bonneville Power Administration First Quarter Net Revenues Down Due to Dry Winter

2. Assessment of January 2024 Cold Weather Event

3. How Clean Is WA’s Electricity? We Lead the Country in One Way

4. Klamath River Dam Removal Project ‘Going Exactly According to Plan’

5. Lawmakers Push Back on Fixed Rates for California Utility Bills

6. Idaho Falls to Construct New $36 Million Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant

7. California: How One Rural Couple Is Keeping Their Business Alive Despite Pacific Gas & Electric’s Rate Hike

8. Second New Georgia Reactor Begins Splitting Atoms in Key Step to Making Electricity

9. Federal Government Finalizes Floating Offshore Wind Areas Off the Oregon Coast

10. Oregon Fishermen, Tribes Angered by Surprise Announcement on Offshore Wind Energy Areas

11. California Solar Customers, Industry Brace for Impact of Reduced State Incentives

12. President Biden Puts $60 Million Into Three Geothermal Energy Projects, Including One in Oregon

13. More Than a Quarter of Energy Storage Systems Have Fire Detection & Suppression Defects: Report

14. Heat Pumps Outsold Gas Furnaces Again Last Year — And the Gap Is Growing

15. Report: Unintentionally Caught Chinook Salmon Contributes to Population Depletion

16. Thousands of Fish Found Dead in Spokane River Near Long Lake Dam

17. The Pacific Coast’s Native Olympia Oyster Is Making a Comeback

18. You May Not Be Getting the Fish You Paid For: How to Spot Seafood Fraud

19. Snowpack in the Pacific Northwest Is Shrinking. Here’s What That Means for the Future

20. Arizona’s Snowpack Improves Following Latest Round of Storms

21. In Managing Colorado River Dam, Feds Ignored Climate Change, Conservationists Tell Appeals Court

22. Forever Chemicals in Washington’s Well Water Could Make You Sick

23. Washington’s Key Climate Law Is Under Attack. Big Oil Wants It to Survive.

24. Washington Farmers Say Carbon Fee Brought Extra Fuel Costs, Despite Exemption

25. Quinault Indian Nation Hits Milestone in Effort to Move Village Uphill to Safety

26. The Amazon River Basin’s Crucial Water Cycle Faces Collapse, Scientists Say

27. Washington Governor Appoints New State Broadband Office Director

28. WA State: Douglas PUD Eliminating New Customer Fee for High-Speed Internet

29. WA State: Jefferson PUD to Raise Its Pole Attachment Rates for Businesses

30. Piodcast: Along Those Lines – Lessons in Succession Planning from a Small Electric Co-op

31. Winter Storm Warning Issued for the Cascades, The Gorge & Hood River Valley

32. Some Lowland Snow is Coming Western Washington Late Wednesday & Thursday

33. An Oregon Resident Was Diagnosed with the Plague. Here Are a Few Things to Know About the Illness

34. What Is Alaskapox? Recent Death Brings Attention to Virus Seen in Small Animals

35. Columnist: Boiling Point – Are Dams Good or Bad?

36. Guest Essay: What Utility Commissioners Should Know About a Flawed Western Day-Ahead Market Study

WORD OF THE DAY

Ne Plus Ultra /nay-plus-ULL-truh/ Noun – The highest point of development or success that something may achieve, a synonym of acme.

Sitting atop a loose pile of professional-grade tiddlywinks disks, Alfred felt he had reached the ne plus ultra moment of his career. His success was evidenced by his enlarged right thumb, which – with the help of a secret steroid regimen – had catapulted him to the championship.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Bonneville Power Administration First Quarter Net Revenues Down Due to Dry Winter (Big Country News, Clarkston, WA)

https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/idaho/bonneville-power-administration-first-quarter-net-revenues-down-due-to-dry-winter/article_c6f8d6e6-cb44-11ee-b807-ab6b34feec4e.html

2. Assessment of January 2024 Cold Weather Event (Western Power Pool – Links to PDF File)

https://www.westernpowerpool.org/resources/assessment-of-january-2024-cold-weather-event

3. How Clean Is WA’s Electricity? We Lead the Country in One Way (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/how-clean-is-was-electricity-we-lead-the-country-in-one-way/

4. Klamath River Dam Removal Project ‘Going Exactly According to Plan’ (KDRV-TV, Medford, OR)

https://www.kdrv.com/news/waterwatch/dam-removal-project-going-exactly-according-to-plan/article_7096d8c6-ca03-11ee-a279-1f569c5637ee.html

5. Lawmakers Push Back on Fixed Rates for California Utility Bills (KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/lawmakers-pushback-on-fixed-rates-on-california-utility-bills/

6. Idaho Falls to Construct New $36 Million Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant (East Idaho News, Idaho Falls, ID)

https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/02/idaho-falls-to-construct-new-36-million-power-plant/

7. California: How One Rural Couple Is Keeping Their Business Alive Despite Pacific Gas & Electric’s Rate Hike (KQED Radio, San Francisco, CA)

https://www.kqed.org/news/11975688/how-one-rural-couple-is-keeping-their-business-alive-despite-pges-rate-hike

8. Second New Georgia Reactor Begins Splitting Atoms in Key Step to Making Electricity (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/second-new-georgia-reactor-begins-splitting-atoms-18667209.php

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

9. Federal Government Finalizes Floating Offshore Wind Areas Off the Oregon Coast (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/02/13/federal-government-finalizes-floating-offshore-wind-areas-off-the-oregon-coast/

10. Oregon Fishermen, Tribes Angered by Surprise Announcement on Offshore Wind Energy Areas (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2024/02/surprise-fed-announcement-on-offshore-wind-energy-areas-in-oregon-angers-local-fishermen-tribes.html

11. California Solar Customers, Industry Brace for Impact of Reduced State Incentives (KQED Radio, San Francisco, CA)

https://www.kqed.org/science/1991404/california-solar-customers-industry-brace-for-impact-of-reduced-state-incentives

12. President Biden Puts $60 Million Into Three Geothermal Energy Projects, Including One in Oregon (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4465009-biden-geothermal-energy-projects-funding-60-million/

13. More Than a Quarter of Energy Storage Systems Have Fire Detection & Suppression Defects: Report (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/battery-energy-storage-fire-safety-report/707330/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

14. Heat Pumps Outsold Gas Furnaces Again Last Year — And the Gap Is Growing (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/heat-pumps/heat-pumps-outsold-gas-furnaces-again-last-year-and-the-gap-is-growing

FISH & WILDLIFE

15. Report: Unintentionally Caught Chinook Salmon Contributes to Population Depletion (KGMI Radio, Bellingham, WA)

https://mybellinghamnow.com/news/297792-report-unintentionally-caught-chinook-salmon-contributes-to-population-depletion/

16. Thousands of Fish Found Dead in Spokane River Near Long Lake Dam (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/feb/12/thousands-of-fish-found-dead-in-spokane-river-near/

17. The Pacific Coast’s Native Olympia Oyster Is Making a Comeback (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/environment/2024/02/pacific-coasts-native-olympia-oyster-making-comeback

18. You May Not Be Getting the Fish You Paid For: How to Spot Seafood Fraud (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/you-may-not-be-getting-the-fish-you-paid-for-how-to-spot-seafood-fraud/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

19. Snowpack in the Pacific Northwest Is Shrinking. Here’s What That Means for the Future (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/tech/science/environment/environment-northwest-shrinking-snowpack-pacific-northwest-impacts/281-41580cd0-3e1b-48b0-96d5-fcf73db9dd1a

20. Arizona’s Snowpack Improves Following Latest Round of Storms (AOL News)

https://www.azfamily.com/2024/02/13/arizonas-snowpack-improves-following-latest-round-storms/

21. In Managing Colorado River Dam, Feds Ignored Climate Change, Conservationists Tell Appeals Court (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/in-managing-colorado-river-dam-feds-ignored-climate-change-conservationists-tell-appeals-court/

22. Forever Chemicals in Washington’s Well Water Could Make You Sick (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/environment/2024/02/pfas-washingtons-well-water-could-make-you-sick

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

23. Washington’s Key Climate Law Is Under Attack. Big Oil Wants It to Survive. (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/politics/washington-cap-and-invest-law-repeal-oil-companies/

24. Washington Farmers Say Carbon Fee Brought Extra Fuel Costs, Despite Exemption (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/washington-farmers-carbon-fee-fuel-costs-gas-price-exemption/293-c8ab3296-d6c5-4a92-90c8-a07d4b1529a5

25. Quinault Indian Nation Hits Milestone in Effort to Move Village Uphill to Safety (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2024/02/12/1230987914/quinault-indian-nation-hits-milestone-in-effort-to-move-village-uphill-to-safety

26. The Amazon River Basin’s Crucial Water Cycle Faces Collapse, Scientists Say (NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/amazons-crucial-water-cycle-faces-collapse-scientists-say-rcna138639

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

27. Washington Governor Appoints New State Broadband Office Director (State Scoop)

https://statescoop.com/washington-broadband-office-director-aaron-wheeler/

28. WA State: Douglas PUD Eliminating New Customer Fee for High-Speed Internet (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/douglas-county-pud-eliminates-customer-fee/

29. WA State: Jefferson PUD to Raise Its Pole Attachment Rates for Businesses (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/jefferson-pud-to-raise-its-pole-attachment-rates-for-businesses/

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

30. Podcast: Along Those Lines – Lessons in Succession Planning from a Small Electric Co-op (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

https://www.electric.coop/along-those-lines-succession-planning

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

31. Winter Storm Warning Issued for the Cascades, The Gorge & Hood River Valley (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/02/14/oregon-winter-weather-cascades-gorge/

32. Some Lowland Snow is Coming Western Washington Late Wednesday & Thursday (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2024/02/some-lowland-snow-is-coming-western.html

33. An Oregon Resident Was Diagnosed with the Plague. Here Are a Few Things to Know About the Illness (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/us-news/plague-oregon-general-news-6d5a71b8a45e5e38ec321fd48fdb9576

34. What Is Alaskapox? Recent Death Brings Attention to Virus Seen in Small Animals (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/what-is-alaskapox-virus-54e0c158d626108909573568b66db707

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

35. Columnist: Boiling Point – Are Dams Good or Bad? (Los Angeles Times, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2024-01-23/boiling-point-are-dams-good-or-bad-boiling-point

36. Guest Essay: What Utility Commissioners Should Know About a Flawed Western Day-Ahead Market Study (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/puc-western-markets-exploratory-group-wmeg-study-rto-day-ahead/706816/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Charlotte, a Stingray with No Male Companion, Is Pregnant in Her Mountain Aquarium

https://www.usnews.com/news/offbeat/articles/2024-02-13/charlotte-a-stingray-with-no-male-companion-is-pregnant-in-her-mountain-aquarium

In This Centuries-Old English Pancake Race, ‘You Just Have to Go Flat Out’

https://apnews.com/article/britain-pancake-race-england-3e6e2c1ed8b9aefefe7d13e9944009cb

Colorado City of Loveland Is Hub of Postal Activity Each Valentine’s Day

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/feb/14/loveland-colorado-valentines-day-postal-service

‘Girl Dinner,’ ‘Bussin’ And ‘The Ick’: More Than 300 New Entries Added to Dictionary.Com

https://news.yahoo.com/girl-dinner-bussin-ick-more-133144398.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band – Love Land

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SkEvdHF0wU