The Energy News Digest for Decembruary 31, 2026

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest. 

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

California Regulators Order Edison to Look for Fire Risks on Its Old Transmission Lines (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/california-regulators-order-edison-to-look-for-fire-risks-on-its-old-transmission-lines/ar-AA1Thx5a

Lake Powell Drops 36 Feet in One Year as Water Crisis Deepens (KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT)

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/southern-utah/lake-powell-drops-36-feet-in-one-year-as-water-crisis-deepens

Oregon Faced a Huge Obstacle in Adding Green Energy. Here’s What Changed This Year (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/30/oregon-renewable-energy-transmission-lines/

Understanding Seal Predation on Salmon (Northwest Treaty Tribes)

https://nwtreatytribes.org/understanding-seal-predation-on-salmon/

A Lightbulb Moment – December 31, 1879: Thomas Edison Demonstrates His Greatest Invention

https://thisdayofhistory.com/2025/12/30/december-31-1879-thomas-edison-demonstrates-his-greatest-invention/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      California Regulators Order Edison to Look for Fire Risks on Its Old Transmission Lines

2.      California: Lower Bills for Pacific Gas & Electric Customers in 2026

3.      Idaho Power Receives Approval for $110 Million Rate Increase Effective January 2026

4.      BC Hydro Rates to Climb 3.75% In Each of Next Two Years

5.      What Happens When Utilities Raise the Fixed Charge & Lower the Energy Charge?

6.      Attorneys Spar in Motion to Dismiss Boardman to Hemingway Power Line Lawsuit

7.      Utah Fortunately Finishes Last in Study of States Most Likely to Experience Prolonged Power Outages

8.      Oregon Faced a Huge Obstacle in Adding Green Energy. Here’s What Changed This Year

9.      Understanding Seal Predation on Salmon

10.   Lake Powell Drops 36 Feet in One Year as Water Crisis Deepens

11.   California Will Start 2026 Far Below Peak Snowpack

12.   2025 Was One of Three Hottest Years on Record, Scientists Say

13.   Congress Active with Broadband Bills

14.   WA State: Data Centers Possible Hidden & Dangerous Impacts to the Tri-Cities

15.   Stargazing Calendar 2026: Late-Night Eclipse & a Christmas Eve Supermoon

16.   Flu Is Rising Rapidly, Driven by a New Variant. Here’s What to Know

Wish of the Day

Best Wishes on a Wonderful 2026.

     Time circles the drain

     Pleasant memories remain

     Bad ones flushed away

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      California Regulators Order Edison to Look for Fire Risks on Its Old Transmission Lines (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/california-regulators-order-edison-to-look-for-fire-risks-on-its-old-transmission-lines/ar-AA1Thx5a

2.      California: Lower Bills for Pacific Gas & Electric Customers in 2026 (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/economy/lower-bills-for-pg-e-customers-in-2026/ar-AA1Tjunk

3.      Idaho Power Receives Approval for $110 Million Rate Increase Effective January 2026 (Investing Magazine)

https://www.investing.com/news/sec-filings/idaho-power-receives-approval-for-110-million-rate-increase-effective-january-2026-93CH-4426399

4.      BC Hydro Rates to Climb 3.75% In Each of Next Two Years (Global News, Canada)

https://globalnews.ca/news/11085319/bc-hydro-rate-increase/

5.      What Happens When Utilities Raise the Fixed Charge & Lower the Energy Charge? (PV Magazine)

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/12/30/what-happens-when-utilities-raise-the-fixed-charge-and-lower-the-energy-charge/

6.      Attorneys Spar in Motion to Dismiss Boardman to Hemingway Power Line Lawsuit (Baker City Herald, OR)

https://bakercityherald.com/2025/12/29/attorneys-spar-in-over-motion-to-dismiss-idaho-power-co-lawsuit-to-use-private-property-for-b2h-power-line/

7.      Utah Fortunately Finishes Last in Study of States Most Likely to Experience Prolonged Power Outages (Cache Valley Daily, UT)

https://www.cachevalleydaily.com/utah-fortunately-finishes-last-in-study-of-states-most-likely-to-experience-prolonged-power-outages/article_6ec5d353-49d0-42ea-9d33-f2a61351d4e2.html

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

8.      Oregon Faced a Huge Obstacle in Adding Green Energy. Here’s What Changed This Year (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/30/oregon-renewable-energy-transmission-lines/

Fish & Wildlife

9.      Understanding Seal Predation on Salmon (Northwest Treaty Tribes)

https://nwtreatytribes.org/understanding-seal-predation-on-salmon/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

10.   Lake Powell Drops 36 Feet in One Year as Water Crisis Deepens (KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT)

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/southern-utah/lake-powell-drops-36-feet-in-one-year-as-water-crisis-deepens

11.   California Will Start 2026 Far Below Peak Snowpack (KTVU-TV, Oakland, CA)

https://www.ktvu.com/news/california-will-start-2026-far-below-peak-snowpack

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

12.   2025 Was One of Three Hottest Years on Record, Scientists Say (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/2025-was-one-of-three-hottest-years-on-record-a21266899

London Calling –Telecommunications

13.   Congress Active with Broadband Bills (Pots & Pans)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2025/12/30/congress-active-with-broadband-bills/

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

14.   WA State: Data Centers Possible Hidden & Dangerous Impacts to the Tri-Cities (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://610kona.com/ixp/134/p/tri-cities-data-centers-concerns/

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

15.   Stargazing Calendar 2026: Late-Night Eclipse & a Christmas Eve Supermoon (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2025/12/stargazing-calendar-2026-late-night-eclipse-and-a-christmas-eve-supermoon.html

Other Things to Know About Today

16.   Flu Is Rising Rapidly, Driven by a New Variant. Here’s What to Know (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/flu-subclade-k-cdc-vaccine-ca9bd270ca70602775168b0b651e3b2a

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

A Lightbulb Moment – December 31, 1879: Thomas Edison Demonstrates His Greatest Invention

https://thisdayofhistory.com/2025/12/30/december-31-1879-thomas-edison-demonstrates-his-greatest-invention/

$400,000 Worth of Lobster Stolen En Route to Costco Stores, Shipper Says

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lobster-stolen-en-route-costco-stores-rcna251110

Thieves Drill into German Bank Vault & Empty 3,000 Safety Deposit Boxes

https://www.oregonlive.com/nation/2025/12/thieves-drill-into-bank-vault-and-empty-3000-safety-deposit-boxes-in-germany.html

Rowing Team Crossing Atlantic Ocean Stops to Rescue Sea Turtle

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/12/29/Worlds-Toughest-Row-Call-to-Earth-sea-turtle-rescue/2021767025095/

Song of the Day

I See the Light - Tangled Soundtrack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chDDxukoT1M&list=RDchDDxukoT1M

Links & Paywall Advisory

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations frequently update their websites, which can cause 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. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookies may help you access certain paywall sites.

The Energy News Digest for Decembruary 29, 2025

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest. 

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

A Bomb Cyclone Brings Blizzards & Dangerous Wind Chills to the Midwest

https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-blizzard-storm-cb49c60e237aa67d7a296d04da78193b

The U.S. May Have a Secret Weapon Against Rising Electricity Prices (Washington Post – Via Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-may-secret-weapon-against-185617742.html

Clark County Residents Say They’ll Get All the Burdens & None of the Benefits of Proposed PacifiCorp Transmission Line (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/27/clark-county-proposed-pacificorp-transmission-line/

A Year of Grace Remaining, Spokane Pivots on Its Energy Generating Trash Incinerator (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/dec/25/a-year-of-grace-remaining-spokane-pivots-on-its-en/

Oregon Launches Rebate Program to Help Businesses Pay for Electric Fleet Vehicles (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/25/oregon-truck-owners-electric-vehicles-gas-powered/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      The U.S. May Have a Secret Weapon Against Rising Electricity Prices

2.      Clark County Residents Say They’ll Get All the Burdens & None of the Benefits of Proposed PacifiCorp Transmission Line

3.      Pacific Gas & Electric Chief Praises Service Restorations as San Francisco Supervisor Blasts Repeated Outages

4.      A Power Outage Can Turn Dangerous Fast. Here’s How to Prepare

5.      USDA Intervenes in California Hydropower Decommissioning as FERC Reviews Potter Valley Project

6.      Oregon: Portland General Electric, Tribes Replace Valves at Round Butte Hydropower Dam

7.      A Year of Grace Remaining, Spokane Pivots on Its Energy Generating Trash Incinerator

8.      Experts Make Astonishing Discovery After Installing Solar Panels Above Rooftop Gardens: 'Can Have a Function'

9.      Idaho’s Fort Hall Is One Example of How Broadband Gaps Create Health Gaps, Too

10.   WA State: Data Center Development Plans Underway in West Richland

11.   ‘The Past Gives Comfort’: Finding Refuge on Analog Islands Amid Deepening Digital Seas

12.   Oregon Launches Rebate Program to Help Businesses Pay for Electric Fleet Vehicles

13.   Gmail To Let Users Change Their Addresses While Keeping Data

14.   Head of WA Department of Commerce Is Leaving

15.   A Bomb Cyclone Brings Blizzards & Dangerous Wind Chills to the Midwest

Word of the Day – Joel’s Horrible Haiku

Decembruary /dee-SEM-brew-air-ee/ Noun – The days between Christmas and New Year’s when absolutely nothing gets done. Nor is it expected to.

     Decembruary

     Lazy days at the year’s end

     Nothing’s going on

https://joelshorriblehaiku.blogspot.com/

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      The U.S. May Have a Secret Weapon Against Rising Electricity Prices (Washington Post – Via Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-may-secret-weapon-against-185617742.html

2.      Clark County Residents Say They’ll Get All the Burdens & None of the Benefits of Proposed PacifiCorp Transmission Line (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/27/clark-county-proposed-pacificorp-transmission-line/

3.      Pacific Gas & Electric Chief Praises Service Restorations as San Francisco Supervisor Blasts Repeated Outages (Patch San Francisco, CA)

https://patch.com/california/san-francisco/pg-e-chief-praises-service-restorations-sf-supervisor-blasts-repeated

4.      A Power Outage Can Turn Dangerous Fast. Here’s How to Prepare (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/a-power-outage-can-turn-dangerous-fast-here-s-a21266323

5.      USDA Intervenes in California Hydropower Decommissioning as FERC Reviews Potter Valley Project (Waterpower Magazine)

https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/usda-intervenes-in-california-hydropower-decommissioning-as-ferc-reviews-potter-valley-project/

6.      Oregon: Portland General Electric, Tribes Replace Valves at Round Butte Hydropower Dam (Bend Bulletin, OR – Paywall Advisory)

https://bendbulletin.com/2025/12/29/pge-tribes-replace-valves-at-round-butte-hydropower-dam/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

7.      A Year of Grace Remaining, Spokane Pivots on Its Energy Generating Trash Incinerator (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/dec/25/a-year-of-grace-remaining-spokane-pivots-on-its-en/

8.      Experts Make Astonishing Discovery After Installing Solar Panels Above Rooftop Gardens: 'Can Have a Function' (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/experts-astonishing-discovery-installing-solar-200000901.html

London Calling –Telecommunications

9.      Idaho’s Fort Hall Is One Example of How Broadband Gaps Create Health Gaps, Too (States Newsroom)

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/idahos-fort-hall-one-example-how-broadband-gaps-create-health-gaps-too

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

10.   WA State: Data Center Development Plans Underway in West Richland (KNDO & KNDU-TV, Yakima/Tri-Cities, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/data-center-development-plans-underway-in-west-richland/article_d7e3db46-d624-40e5-91f1-293e336f33e2.html

11.   ‘The Past Gives Comfort’: Finding Refuge on Analog Islands Amid Deepening Digital Seas (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/analog-activity-vinyl-cards-digital-a22ec5ff50c91d73fb814e48b43b2511

I Sing the Car Electric

12.   Oregon Launches Rebate Program to Help Businesses Pay for Electric Fleet Vehicles (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/25/oregon-truck-owners-electric-vehicles-gas-powered/

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

13.   Gmail To Let Users Change Their Addresses While Keeping Data (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/dec/28/gmail-to-let-users-change-their-addresses-while-ke/

Politics, Governance, and Management

14.   Head of WA Department of Commerce Is Leaving (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/head-of-wa-department-of-commerce-is-leaving/

Other Things to Know About Today

15.   A Bomb Cyclone Brings Blizzards & Dangerous Wind Chills to the Midwest (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-blizzard-storm-cb49c60e237aa67d7a296d04da78193b

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Cloudy Future for Bourbon Has Jim Beam Closing Kentucky Distillery for a Year

https://apnews.com/article/jim-beam-bourbon-distillery-shutdown-kentucky-a8303cd04005a9108ff43690faad421b

Brigitte Bardot Dies at 91

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/brigitte-bardot-god-created-woman-103020883.html

Skier Glides Down Mount Etna as Volcano Erupts in the Background

https://dnyuz.com/2025/12/28/skier-glides-down-mount-etna-as-volcano-erupts-in-the-background/

Illinois Teen Builds 17.32-Foot Eiffel Tower Out of Toothpicks

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/12/24/Guinness-World-Records-tallest-toothpick-sculpture/2651766600790/

Song of the Day

Willie Nelson – Whiskey River

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKN3kV4_0w4

Links & Paywall Advisory

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations frequently update their websites, which can cause 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. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookies may help you access certain paywall sites.

The Energy News Digest for December 24, 2025

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest. 

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, Edits the Energy News Digest.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Power Companies Brace for Christmas Eve Windstorm Across Oregon (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/weather/severe-weather/power-companies-christmas-eve-windstorm-across-oregon/283-676051a7-6cb8-4f35-8884-020ab1b06580

Some Power Outages Possible During Christmas Eve Wind Advisory with Gusts Up to 50 MPH (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/western-washington-windstorm-high-wind-warning-and-advisory-weather-forecast-60mph-gusts-possible-power-outages-christmas-eve-storm-seattle-meteorologists

‘Dangerous Scenario Unfolding’ in Southern California from Potent Storm Lashing the Entire State (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/southern-california-braces-strongest-storm-141629207.html

Contentious Wind Farm Project in Shasta Denied by California Panel (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2025/12/20/california-energy-commission-denies-shasta-county-fountain-wind-farm/87853324007/

Companies Are Desperately Seeking ‘Storytellers’ (Wall Street Journal – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/companies-are-desperately-seeking-storytellers/ar-AA1SdxI8

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Power Companies Brace for Christmas Eve Windstorm Across Oregon

2.      California: State Reins in Profits for PG&E, Other Utilities, as Bill Debate Rages

3.      Washington State Regulators Order Avista to Refund Over-Collected Rates

4.      The Bonneville Power Administration Implements Financial Reserves Surcharge for Power Customers

5.      An Electricity Crunch Is Driving High Bills in These States. It’s Not Getting Better Anytime Soon

6.      Utility CEO On the Data Center Crunch: America’s ‘Check Engine Light’ Is on And ‘No One’s Going to Pay Attention Until It Breaks Down’

7.      WA State: Port of Moses Lake to Build Electrical Generation, Transmission Lines

8.      Japan Prepares to Restart World’s Biggest Nuclear Plant, 15 Years After Fukushima

9.      Hydropower Lobby Survey Finds People Care About Energy Cost Over Climate Change

10.   Bonneville Power Administration Set to Provide Low-Cost, Reliable Power for Another Two Decades

11.   Contentious Wind Farm Project in Shasta Denied by California Panel

12.   Oregon Environmental Group Leads Lawsuit to Reverse IRS Wind, Solar Rules

13.   Floodwaters Recede, But Concerns Grow for Washington Salmon Runs

14.   Broodstock Program Is a Lifeline for Stillaguamish Chinook

15.   Whale Watch Week Starts Dec. 27 on the Oregon Coast

16.   Feds Demand Compromise on Colorado River While States Flounder Despite Water Shortage

17.   Washington State Carbon Market Revenue Hits $4.3 Billion as Prices Reach Record

18.   WA Policy Center: Only 0.5% of Climate Commitment Act Funds Went to Flooding — Mostly for Planning

19.   Broadband Provider Says FCC Action Would Be ‘Devastating’ to Operations

20.   More Delays? U.S. Broadband Funding Hits Potential Snag Over Procedural Error

21.   Feds Pave the Way for Big Tech to Plug Data Centers Right into Power Plants in Scramble for Energy

22.   Companies Are Desperately Seeking ‘Storytellers’

23.   Washington DOT Concedes Stray Current Risks on I-90 from Cross-Lake Light Rail

24.   Beware the Christmas Coronary. How to Spot Signs of Holiday Heart Trouble

25.   Senate Democrats Cut Off Permitting Talks After Trump’s Newest ‘Assault’ on Wind

26.   ‘Dangerous Scenario Unfolding’ in Southern California from Potent Storm Lashing the Entire State

27.   Some Power Outages Possible During Christmas Eve Wind Advisory with Gusts Up to 50 MPH

28.   A Christmas Eve Windstorm?

29.   New Maps Show What Weather Oregon and the Rest of the Country Can Expect This Winter

30.   Theft Of Copper Wire from Traffic Light Contributed to Crash That Killed Motorcyclist, Police Say

31.   Editorial: Despite Fraught WA History, Nuclear Power May Again Have Its Day

Word of the Day

Tousle \TOW (as in ouch) Transitive ​verb - Dishevel, rumple.

Britni’s tousled tresses were the talk of the wedding reception. “Not enough Aqua Net,” murmured the hairdresser to her assistant.

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Power Companies Brace for Christmas Eve Windstorm Across Oregon (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/weather/severe-weather/power-companies-christmas-eve-windstorm-across-oregon/283-676051a7-6cb8-4f35-8884-020ab1b06580

2.      California: State Reins in Profits for PG&E, Other Utilities, as Bill Debate Rages (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/state-reins-in-profits-for-pg-e-other-utilities-as-bill-debate-rages/ar-AA1SEXt6

3.      Washington State Regulators Order Avista to Refund Over-Collected Rates (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/washington/washington-state-regulators-avista-refund-over-collected-rates/293-22690f11-20ad-46ed-a3a3-34238c36125f

4.      The Bonneville Power Administration Implements Financial Reserves Surcharge for Power Customers (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20251218-bpa-implements-financial-reserves-surcharge-for-power-customer

5.      An Electricity Crunch Is Driving High Bills in These States. It’s Not Getting Better Anytime Soon (Cable News Network)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/electricity-crunch-driving-high-bills-120059248.html

6.      Utility CEO On the Data Center Crunch: America’s ‘Check Engine Light’ Is on And ‘No One’s Going to Pay Attention Until It Breaks Down’ (Fortune Magazine – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/utility-ceo-on-the-data-center-crunch-america-s-check-engine-light-is-on-and-no-one-s-going-to-pay-attention-until-it-breaks-down/ar-AA1SYf3h

7.      WA State: Port of Moses Lake to Build Electrical Generation, Transmission Lines (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2025/dec/22/port-of-moses-lake-to-build-electrical-generation-transmission-lines/

8.      Japan Prepares to Restart World’s Biggest Nuclear Plant, 15 Years After Fukushima (Reuters 0 Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/japan-prepares-restart-worlds-biggest-220256050.html

9.      Hydropower Lobby Survey Finds People Care About Energy Cost Over Climate Change (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/dec/24/hydropower-lobby-survey-finds-people-care-about-energy-cost-over-climate-change/

10.   Bonneville Power Administration Set to Provide Low-Cost, Reliable Power for Another Two Decades (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20251223-bpa-set-to-provide-low-cost-reliable-power-for-another-two-decades

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

11.   Contentious Wind Farm Project in Shasta Denied by California Panel (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2025/12/20/california-energy-commission-denies-shasta-county-fountain-wind-farm/87853324007/

12.   Oregon Environmental Group Leads Lawsuit to Reverse IRS Wind, Solar Rules (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/18/oregon-environmental-group-leads-lawsuit-reverse-irs-wind-solar-rules/

Fish & Wildlife

13.   Floodwaters Recede, But Concerns Grow for Washington Salmon Runs (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/floodwaters-recede-concerns-grow-washington-salmon-runs

14.   Broodstock Program Is a Lifeline for Stillaguamish Chinook (Northwest Treaty Tribes)

https://nwtreatytribes.org/broodstock-program-is-a-lifeline-for-stillaguamish-chinook/

15.   Whale Watch Week Starts Dec. 27 on the Oregon Coast (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/22/whale-watch-week-starts-dec-27-on-the-oregon-coast/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

16.   Feds Demand Compromise on Colorado River While States Flounder Despite Water Shortage (Nevada Current)

https://nevadacurrent.com/2025/12/22/feds-demand-compromise-on-colorado-river-states-flounder-despite-water-shoratge/

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

17.   Washington State Carbon Market Revenue Hits $4.3 Billion as Prices Reach Record (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/washington-state-carbon-market-revenue-hits-43b-as-prices-reach-record,393034

18.   WA Policy Center: Only 0.5% of Climate Commitment Act Funds Went to Flooding — Mostly for Planning (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/john-curley/cca-funds-flooding/4177965

London Calling –Telecommunications

19.   Broadband Provider Says FCC Action Would Be ‘Devastating’ to Operations (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/broadband-provider-says-fcc-action-would-be-devastating-to-operations/

20.   More Delays? U.S. Broadband Funding Hits Potential Snag Over Procedural Error (PC Magazine)

https://www.pcmag.com/news/more-delays-us-broadband-funding-hits-potential-snag-over-procedural-error

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

21.   Feds Pave the Way for Big Tech to Plug Data Centers Right into Power Plants in Scramble for Energy (Associated Press)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/feds-pave-way-big-tech-200041967.html

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

22.   Companies Are Desperately Seeking ‘Storytellers’ (Wall Street Journal – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/companies-are-desperately-seeking-storytellers/ar-AA1SdxI8

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

23.   Washington DOT Concedes Stray Current Risks on I-90 from Cross-Lake Light Rail (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_395a158b-c6e9-48b7-8b6e-169dec7d6124.html

24.   Beware the Christmas Coronary. How to Spot Signs of Holiday Heart Trouble (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/17/nx-s1-5645820/holidays-heart-christmas-health

Politics, Governance, and Management

25.   Senate Democrats Cut Off Permitting Talks After Trump’s Newest ‘Assault’ on Wind (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/senate-democrats-cut-off-permitting-212704110.html

Other Things to Know About Today

26.   ‘Dangerous Scenario Unfolding’ in Southern California from Potent Storm Lashing the Entire State (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/southern-california-braces-strongest-storm-141629207.html

27.   Some Power Outages Possible During Christmas Eve Wind Advisory with Gusts Up to 50 MPH (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/western-washington-windstorm-high-wind-warning-and-advisory-weather-forecast-60mph-gusts-possible-power-outages-christmas-eve-storm-seattle-meteorologists

28.   A Christmas Eve Windstorm? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2025/12/a-christmas-eve-windstorm.html

29.   New Maps Show What Weather Oregon and the Rest of the Country Can Expect This Winter (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2025/12/new-maps-show-what-weather-oregon-and-the-rest-of-the-country-can-expect-this-winter.html

30.   Theft Of Copper Wire from Traffic Light Contributed to Crash That Killed Motorcyclist, Police Say (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/police-say-theft-copper-wire-traffic-lights-contributed-crash-killed-motorcyclist/283-7adf7c78-c0bc-433e-82ac-46ea099ab6da

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

31.   Editorial: Despite Fraught WA History, Nuclear Power May Again Have Its Day (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/despite-fraught-wa-history-nuclear-130000658.html

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Church Altar Featuring Homeless Man Goes on Display a Stone’s Throw from His Grave at the Vatican

https://apnews.com/article/vatican-homeless-altar-germany-naumburg-pope-francis-890811e00fad60b5cf383b8d674e4456

An Uninhabited Scottish Isle Is Home to the Golden Granite Used in Olympic Curling Stones

https://apnews.com/article/curling-stones-scotland-island-ailsa-craig-b8df5d2209dba6f3d3d36eda7d1443ee

Suitcase Left in a Bank Vault For 100 Years Contained the Lost Hapsburg Jewels

https://www.earth.com/news/suitcase-left-in-a-bank-vault-for-100-years-contained-the-lost-hapsburg-jewels/

A Funeral for the Penny Draws Lincoln Impersonators & Victorian Garb

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/funeral-penny-draws-lincoln-impersonators-001554970.html

Song of the Day

Vince Guaraldi – A Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZtrgRejwG0

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