The Energy News Digest for November 3, 2021

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Cascade Mountains Heading Toward a Future with Little to No Snowpack, New Analysis Suggests (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/11/03/snowpack-cascades-climate-change/

California: Pacific Gas & Electric Slapped with $125 Million Penalty for Sparking 2019 Kincade Fire (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/pge-slapped-with-125m-penalty-for-sparking-2019-kincade-fire/

‘Is This Really Green?’ The Fight Over Solar Farms in the Mojave Desert (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-11-03/the-mojave-desert-is-prime-real-estate-for-solar-power

Migrating Birds Skip Dry Klamath Refuges, Disrupting Annual Migration (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/11/02/migrating-birds-skip-dry-klamath-refuges-disrupting-annual-migration/

Oregon: The Dalles Sues to Keep Google’s Water Use a Secret (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2021/11/the-dalles-sues-to-keep-googles-water-use-a-secret.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Slapped with $125 Million Penalty for Sparking 2019 Kincade Fire

2.      SoCal Edison Moving Customers to New ‘Time-of-Use’ Rate Plans That Will Charge More Between 4 – 9 PM

3.      WA State: Natural Gas Rates in Tri-Cities to Jump 18% as Cold Weather Hits

4.      Seattle City Light Restarts Turbines After Rockslides at Diablo Dam

5.      WA State: Vandalism Cuts Power to Thousands of Puyallup Area Residents Overnight Tuesday

6.      Tribes Protest N-Reactor Project on Hanford Site

7.      Tribal Groups: Arizona Corp Commission Giving Token Funding for Coal Plant Closure

8.      WA State Rep. Schoesler (R-Ritzville) Critical of Study Looking at Removal of Snake River Dams

9.      Idaho Power Sees Customer Gains as State Grows

10.   The Energy Authority, Pacific Northwest Public Power Utilities in Strategic Partnership

11.   Alaska: Study Sheds Light on Electrifying Cruise Ship Docks

12.   Maine Voters Reject Quebec Hydropower Transmission Line

13.   Jellyfish Invasion Causes Shutdown of UK Nuclear Power Plant

14.   Senate Committee Advances Willie Phillips as Decisive FERC Vote

15.   Analysis: In Washington State, The Tide Might Be Turning on Breaching Snake River Dams

16.   Editorial: Removing Snake River Dams Could Aid Fish, Economy

17.   Essay: Salmon Suction

18.   Guest Essay: Competition in Electricity Markets Lowers Bills — But Most States Don’t Allow That

19.   ‘Is This Really Green?’ The Fight Over Solar Farms in the Mojave Desert

20.   Utility’s Study Could ‘Determine Future of Solar in Idaho’

21.   Rural Alaska Coop Switches from Diesel Gensets to Solar Microgrid

22.   Norway in Legal Quandary After Wind Turbines Ruled a Threat to Reindeer Herder Rights

23.   California Proposes Demand Response, Other Measures to Shore Up Summer Grid Reliability

24.   Migrating Birds Skip Dry Klamath Refuges, Disrupting Annual Migration

25.   WA Fish Researchers Use Tiny Sensors & Other Tech to Save Salmon

26.   Baleen Whales Eat Far More Than Once Thought

27.   EPA Ability to Regulate Power Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Risk as Supreme Court Takes Case, Analysts Say

28.   California: Tiny Seedlings of Giant Sequoias Rise from Ashes of Wildfire at Sequoia Crest

29.   Oregon: The Dalles Sues to Keep Google’s Water Use a Secret

30.   California Farm Town Lurches from No Water to Polluted Water

31.   Cascade Mountains Heading Toward a Future with Little to No Snowpack, New Analysis Suggests

32.   Seattle Mayor Proposes New Climate Measures to Tackle Pollution from Traffic & Buildings

33.   Settlement Negotiations Fail Between Oregon Climate Activists & Government Attorneys

34.   Amazon Ready to Begin Building Its World-Encircling Network of Satellites

35.   Yahoo Pulls Out of China, Citing ‘Challenging’ Environment

36.   Facebook Is Shutting Down Its Face Recognition System

37.   Video: How the Power Grid Keeps America Moving

38.   Cynic Alert: BP Warns Of ‘Tight’ Gas Market Ahead as Profits Surge

39.   Is Winter Coming? Weekend Storms Could Bring Snow to Western Washington Passes

40.   A Very Stormy November Ahead

WORD OF THE DAY – HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Noodge /nooj/ transitive verbm or noun – To pester or nag. One who pesters or nags.

Four-Legged Barbecue Pests

Nature’s perfect noodge

Lurks under picnic table

Begging, chubby dog

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Slapped with $125 Million Penalty for Sparking 2019 Kincade Fire (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/pge-slapped-with-125m-penalty-for-sparking-2019-kincade-fire/

2.      SoCal Edison Moving Customers to New ‘Time-of-Use’ Rate Plans That Will Charge More Between 4 – 9 PM (KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/socal-edison-moving-customers-to-new-time-of-use-rate-plans-that-will-charge-more-between-4-9-p-m/

3.      WA State: Natural Gas Rates in Tri-Cities to Jump 18% as Cold Weather Hits (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/natural-gas-rates-in-tri-cities-to-jump-18-as-cold-weather-hits/ar-AAQfHhR

4.      Seattle City Light Restarts Turbines After Rockslides at Diablo Dam (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-city-light-restarts-turbines-after-rockslides-at-diablo-dam/281-0a778c9b-0eb8-493f-b240-689456aba65f

5.      WA State: Vandalism Cuts Power to Thousands of Puyallup Area Residents Overnight Tuesday (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/puyallup-power-outage-outage-vandalism/281-f882a545-d016-4dba-9282-acae692aec17

6.      Tribes Protest N-Reactor Project on Hanford Site (Public News Service)

https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2021-10-28/native-american/tribes-protest-n-reactor-project-on-hanford-site/a76265-1

7.      Tribal Groups: Arizona Corp Commission Giving Token Funding for Coal Plant Closure (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/business-arizona-87e0693c5df48296689caa986efcc6fb

WA State Rep. Schoesler (R-Ritzville) Critical of Study Looking at Removal of Snake River Dams (Pacific Northwest Ag Network)

8.      https://www.pnwag.net/2021/11/01/schoesler-critical-of-study-looking-at-removal-of-snake-river-dams/

9.      Idaho Power Sees Customer Gains as State Grows (KIVI-TV, Boise, ID)

https://www.kivitv.com/news/idaho-power-sees-customer-gains-as-state-grows

10.   The Energy Authority, Pacific Northwest Public Power Utilities in Strategic Partnership (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/energy-authority-northwest-public-power-utilities-strategic-partnership

11.   Alaska: Study Sheds Light on Electrifying Cruise Ship Docks (Juneau Empire, AK)

https://www.juneauempire.com/news/study-sheds-light-of-electrifying-cruise-ship-docks/

12.   Maine Voters Reject Quebec Hydropower Transmission Line (Yahoo News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/maine-voters-reject-quebec-hydropower-112512509.html

13.   Jellyfish Invasion Causes Shutdown of UK Nuclear Power Plant (The Weather Network)

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/jellyfish-invasion-causes-shutdown-of-uk-nuclear-power-plant

14.   Senate Committee Advances Willie Phillips as Decisive FERC Vote (Bloomberg News)

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/senate-committee-advances-willie-phillips-as-decisive-ferc-vote

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

15.   Analysis: In Washington State, The Tide Might Be Turning on Breaching Snake River Dams (Yahoo News)

https://news.yahoo.com/analysis-washington-state-tide-might-110000860.html

16.   Editorial: Removing Snake River Dams Could Aid Fish, Economy (Everett Herald – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-removing-snake-river-dams-could-aid-fish-economy/

17.   Essay: Salmon Suction (Ag Info Network)

https://www.aginfo.net/report/51200/Sportsman-s-Spotlight/Salmon-Suction

18.   Guest Essay: Competition in Electricity Markets Lowers Bills — But Most States Don’t Allow That (Market Watch)

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/to-lower-energy-bills-more-states-must-allow-competition-in-electricity-markets-11635789548

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

19.   ‘Is This Really Green?’ The Fight Over Solar Farms in the Mojave Desert (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-11-03/the-mojave-desert-is-prime-real-estate-for-solar-power

20.   Utility’s Study Could ‘Determine Future of Solar in Idaho’ (Public News Service)

https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2021-11-01/energy-policy/utilitys-study-could-determine-future-of-solar-in-id/a76320-1

21.   Rural Alaska Coop Switches from Diesel Gensets to Solar Microgrid (Transmission & Distribution World)

https://www.tdworld.com/distributed-energy-resources/article/21179786/rural-alaska-coop-switches-from-diesel-gensets-to-solar-microgrid

22.   Norway in Legal Quandary After Wind Turbines Ruled a Threat to Reindeer Herder Rights (Yahoo News)

https://news.yahoo.com/norway-legal-quandary-wind-turbines-145719341.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

23.   California Proposes Demand Response, Other Measures to Shore Up Summer Grid Reliability (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-grid-reliability-2022-2023-summer/609261/

FISH & WILDLIFE

24.   Migrating Birds Skip Dry Klamath Refuges, Disrupting Annual Migration (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/11/02/migrating-birds-skip-dry-klamath-refuges-disrupting-annual-migration/

25.   WA Fish Researchers Use Tiny Sensors & Other Tech to Save Salmon (Crosscut Seattle, WA)

https://crosscut.com/environment/2021/10/wa-fish-researchers-use-tiny-sensors-and-other-tech-save-salmon

26.   Baleen Whales Eat Far More Than Once Thought (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/baleen-whales-eat-far-more-than-once-thought/

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

27.   EPA Ability to Regulate Power Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Risk as Supreme Court Takes Case, Analysts Say (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/epa-power-ghg-emissions-climate-supreme-court/609303/

28.   California: Tiny Seedlings of Giant Sequoias Rise from Ashes of Wildfire at Sequoia Crest (KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://ktla.com/news/california/tiny-seedlings-of-giant-sequoias-rise-from-ashes-of-wildfire-at-sequoia-crest/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

29.   Oregon: The Dalles Sues to Keep Google’s Water Use a Secret (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2021/11/the-dalles-sues-to-keep-googles-water-use-a-secret.html

30.   California Farm Town Lurches from No Water to Polluted Water (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/california-farm-town-lurches-no-water-polluted-water-2021-11-02/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

31.   Cascade Mountains Heading Toward a Future with Little to No Snowpack, New Analysis Suggests (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/11/03/snowpack-cascades-climate-change/

32.   Seattle Mayor Proposes New Climate Measures to Tackle Pollution from Traffic & Buildings (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://kuow.org/stories/seattle-mayor-jenny-durkan-announces-new-climate-policies-at-cop26-in-scotland

33.   Settlement Negotiations Fail Between Oregon Climate Activists & Government Attorneys (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/11/02/settlement-negotiations-fail-between-oregon-climate-activists-and-government-attorneys/

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

34.   Amazon Ready to Begin Building Its World-Encircling Network of Satellites (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://kuow.org/stories/amazon-ready-to-begin-building-its-world-encircling-network-of-satellites

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

35.   Yahoo Pulls Out of China, Citing ‘Challenging’ Environment (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/11/02/yahoo-pulls-out-of-china-citing-challenging-environment/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

36.   Facebook Is Shutting Down Its Face Recognition System (Engadget)

https://www.engadget.com/facebook-shuts-down-face-recognition-171737198.html?.tsrc=1013

37.   Video: How the Power Grid Keeps America Moving (U.S. Department of Energy)

https://www.energy.gov/oe/articles/how-power-grid-keeps-america-moving

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

38.   Cynic Alert: BP Warns Of ‘Tight’ Gas Market Ahead as Profits Surge (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-europe-health-earnings-55c3b883969eab88af04053b1e4b81e5

39.   Is Winter Coming? Weekend Storms Could Bring Snow to Western Washington Passes (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/is-winter-coming-weekend-storms-could-bring-snow-to-western-washington-passes/281-9ae7943f-7594-4561-aaca-0e77567a1157

40.   A Very Stormy November Ahead (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2021/11/a-very-stormy-november-ahead.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

15 Kids Get Adopted While Wearing Halloween Costumes in Adorable Courthouse Ceremony

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/15-kids-adopted-while-wearing-162622928.html?.tsrc=1013

Ancient Comet May Have Turned Chilean Desert into Glass

https://gizmodo.com/ancient-comet-may-have-turned-chilean-desert-into-glass-1847991000

Rare (and Smelly) Corpse Flower Blooms in San Diego for First Time in Years

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/11/02/corpse-flower-San-Diego/8331635875226/

Overdue Book Returned to British Library after 50 Years

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/11/02/Cambridge-University-Trinity-Hall-Jerwood-Library-overdue-book-50-years/3301635878051/

SONG OF THE DAY

Blondie - Heart of Glass (Disco Version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNeCMEESdn0

The Energy News Digest for November 1, 2021

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

WA State: Natural Gas Customers Will See Bigger Bills Starting Nov. 1. Here’s Why (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article255384981.html

Tough Room: WA State Gov. Inslee Defends Climate Commitment Act Veto, Vows to Continue This Work with Tribes (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article255332316.html

California: Environmentalists, Native Americans & Fishermen Blast Vandenberg Offshore Wind Project (San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA)

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article255366796.html

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Bid to Curb Federal Power to Limit Carbon Emissions (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-hear-bid-curb-federal-power-limit-carbon-emissions-2021-10-29/

Diablo Dam Powerhouse Damaged After Rockslide, Seattle City Light Says (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/rockslide-damages-seattle-city-light-diablo-dam/281-59e233ea-8ae8-4867-a5f1-49da99f61cb1

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      WA State: Natural Gas Customers Will See Bigger Bills Starting Nov. 1. Here’s Why

2.      Regulators Approve Cost-Driven Jump in Oregon Natural Gas Rates

3.      Home Heating Prices Are Skyrocketing - There’s Nothing President Biden Can Do About It

4.      Diablo Dam Powerhouse Damaged After Rockslide, Seattle City Light Says

5.      Nuclear Power Plant Operators Want to Run for Eight Decades - A Federal Lab in Washington State Found ‘Critical Gaps’ in Knowledge About How Reactors Age

6.      While Coal Makes a Comeback, Reduced Supplies Stoke Fears Over Electrical Grids

7.      Montana Court Rejects Permit for Rosebud Coal Strip Mine Expansion

8.      Oregon: PacifiCorp Wildfire Lawsuit – New Filings Provide Look at Possible Causes of Labor Day Fires

9.      Arizona Regulators OK Belt-Tightening in Utility Rate Case

10.   Yucca Mountain Report ‘Good News’ for Nevada

11.   Electricity Travels 42 Feet to Kill Construction Worker in Ditch, Pennsylvania Officials Say

12.   Warm Springs Man Tapped to Replace Sams on Northwest Power & Conservation Council

13.   Guest Essay: Hydropower’s Absence in the Reconciliation Bill Is a Major Gap in U.S. Clean Energy Strategy

14.   Guest Essay: Struggling Families About to Take Another Hit: Home Heating Costs Projected to Soar

15.   News Release: Snake River Dams - Murray, Inslee Bend to Political Hostage-Taking

16.   Guest Essay: Eyewitnesses to Disaster - Commercial Fishermen Implore Action on the Collapse of Alaska Ecosystems

17.   California: Environmentalists, Native Americans & Fishermen Blast Vandenberg Offshore Wind Project

18.   Idaho: Lava Ridge Wind Project Faces Criticism

19.   Federal Grant to Fund Oregon Wildlife Research Ahead of Offshore Wind Farm Development

20.   Old Power Gear Is Slowing Use of Clean Energy

21.   Will Reviving British Columbia’s Declining Salmon Stocks Require a Rethink of Hatcheries?

22.   ‘A Giant Step’ for Salmon: As Dam-Breaching Debate Rages, Cantwell Quietly Secures Billions for Fish Recovery

23.   Biologists Have Giant Questions About Monster Fish in Upper Snake River

24.   U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Bid to Curb Federal Power to Limit Carbon Emissions

25.   Tough Room: WA State Gov. Inslee Defends Climate Commitment Act Veto, Vows to Continue This Work with Tribes

26.   Earth Gets Hotter, Deadlier During Decades of Climate Talks

27.   The World’s Largest Companies Are Turning to Carbon Credits - The Market Is Smoking Hot.

28.   Sophisticated Hackers Could Crash the U.S. Power Grid. Money, Not Sabotage, Is Their Focus

29.   Idaho Ranked as the Third Worst State to Own an Electric Vehicle

30.   Seattle Kraken ‘Three Stars’ Postgame Ceremony Features Players Tossing Plush Salmon to Fans

31.   WA State Gov. Inslee Lets Eviction Moratorium Expire on Sunday

32.   Americans Sour on Economy Amid Inflation Woes: AP-NORC Poll

WORD OF THE DAY

Sequacious \suh-KWAY-shuss\ Adjective - Intellectually servile

Sequacious viewer

Left and right, talking heads shout

Truth is on the outs

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      WA State: Natural Gas Customers Will See Bigger Bills Starting Nov. 1. Here’s Why (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article255384981.html

2.      Regulators Approve Cost-Driven Jump in Oregon Natural Gas Rates (Portland Business Journal, OR – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2021/10/29/natural-gas-bills-set-for-steep-rise-in-oregon.html

3.      Home Heating Prices Are Skyrocketing - There’s Nothing President Biden Can Do About It (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

https://ktvz.com/news/2021/10/28/home-heating-prices-are-skyrocketing-and-theres-nothing-biden-can-do-about-it/

4.      Diablo Dam Powerhouse Damaged After Rockslide, Seattle City Light Says (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/rockslide-damages-seattle-city-light-diablo-dam/281-59e233ea-8ae8-4867-a5f1-49da99f61cb1

5.      Nuclear Power Plant Operators Want to Run for Eight Decades - A Federal Lab in Washington State Found ‘Critical Gaps’ in Knowledge About How Reactors Age (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/nuclear-power-plant-operators-want-to-run-for-eight-decades-but-a-federal-lab-in-washington-state-found-critical-gaps-in-knowledge/

6.      While Coal Makes a Comeback, Reduced Supplies Stoke Fears Over Electrical Grids (Bakersfield Californian, CA)

https://www.bakersfield.com/ap/news/while-coal-makes-a-comeback-reduced-supplies-stoke-fears-over-electrical-grids/article_f8cf7bf7-eaf3-5276-94d9-9fd09d6dc891.html

7.      Montana Court Rejects Permit for Rosebud Coal Strip Mine Expansion (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/montana-court-rejects-permit-rosebud-coal-strip-mine-expansion-2021-10-28/

8.      Oregon: PacifiCorp Wildfire Lawsuit – New Filings Provide Look at Possible Causes of Labor Day Fires (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2021/10/pacificorp-wildfire-lawsuit-new-filings-provide-look-at-possible-causes-of-labor-day-fires.html

9.      Arizona Regulators OK Belt-Tightening in Utility Rate Case (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/arizona/articles/2021-10-28/arizona-regulators-ok-belt-tightening-in-utility-rate-case

10.   Yucca Mountain Report ‘Good News’ for Nevada (Pahrump Valley Times, NV)

https://pvtimes.com/news/yucca-mountain-report-good-news-for-nevada-106104/

11.   Electricity Travels 42 Feet to Kill Construction Worker in Ditch, Pennsylvania Officials Say (Fresno Bee, CA)

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/nation-world/national/article255351666.html

12.   Warm Springs Man Tapped to Replace Sams on Northwest Power & Conservation Council (Bend Bulletin, OR)

https://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/environment/warm-springs-man-tapped-to-replace-sams-on-northwest-power-and-conservation-council/article_d561884c-3846-11ec-a9b3-c3908a29bd0f.html

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

13.   Guest Essay: Hydropower’s Absence in the Reconciliation Bill Is a Major Gap in U.S. Clean Energy Strategy (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/hydropowers-absence-in-the-reconciliation-bill-is-a-major-gap-in-us-clea/609055/

14.   Guest Essay: Struggling Families About to Take Another Hit: Home Heating Costs Projected to Soar (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/578313-struggling-families-about-to-take-another-hit-home-heating-costs?rl=1

15.   News Release: Snake River Dams - Murray, Inslee Bend to Political Hostage-Taking (U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-WA)

https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/murray-inslee-bend-political-hostage-taking

16.   Guest Essay: Eyewitnesses to Disaster - Commercial Fishermen Implore Action on the Collapse of Alaska Ecosystems (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/eyewitnesses-to-disaster-commercial-fishermen-implore-action-on-the-collapse-of-alaska-ecosystems/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

17.   California: Environmentalists, Native Americans & Fishermen Blast Vandenberg Offshore Wind Project (San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA)

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article255366796.html

18.   Idaho: Lava Ridge Wind Project Faces Criticism (KIVI-TV, Twin Falls, ID)

https://www.kivitv.com/ksaw/lava-ridge-wind-project-faces-criticism

19.   Federal Grant to Fund Oregon Wildlife Research Ahead of Offshore Wind Farm Development (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/federal-grant-to-fund-oregon-wildlife-research-ahead-of-offshore-wind-farm-development,276329

20.   Old Power Gear Is Slowing Use of Clean Energy (NY Times)

https://finance-commerce.com/2021/10/old-power-gear-is-slowing-use-of-clean-energy/

FISH & WILDLIFE

21.   Will Reviving British Columbia’s Declining Salmon Stocks Require a Rethink of Hatcheries? (The Narwhal)

https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-salmon-hatcheries/

22.   ‘A Giant Step’ for Salmon: As Dam-Breaching Debate Rages, Cantwell Quietly Secures Billions for Fish Recovery (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/oct/31/a-giant-step-for-salmon-as-dam-breaching-debate-ra/

23.   Biologists Have Giant Questions About Monster Fish in Upper Snake River (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/nov/01/biologists-have-giant-questions-about-monster-fish/

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

24.   U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Bid to Curb Federal Power to Limit Carbon Emissions (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-hear-bid-curb-federal-power-limit-carbon-emissions-2021-10-29/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

25.   Tough Room: WA State Gov. Inslee Defends Climate Commitment Act Veto, Vows to Continue This Work with Tribes (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article255332316.html

26.   Earth Gets Hotter, Deadlier During Decades of Climate Talks (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/climate-science-technology-environment-europe-98e55f2c64aa6d3dc76a5fc64f8d4ba2

27.   The World’s Largest Companies Are Turning to Carbon Credits - The Market Is Smoking Hot. (Yahoo News)

https://news.yahoo.com/carbon-credits-fighting-climate-change-100006028.html

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

28.   Sophisticated Hackers Could Crash the U.S. Power Grid. Money, Not Sabotage, Is Their Focus (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/sophisticated-hackers-could-crash-the-us-power-grid-but-money-not-sabotag/603764/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

29.   Idaho Ranked as the Third Worst State to Own an Electric Vehicle (KMVT-TV, Twin Falls, ID)

https://www.kmvt.com/2021/10/28/idaho-ranked-third-worst-state-own-an-electric-vehicle/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

30.   Seattle Kraken ‘Three Stars’ Postgame Ceremony Features Players Tossing Plush Salmon to Fans (ABC News)

https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/seattle-kraken-stars-postgame-ceremony-features-players-tossing/story?id=80834502

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

31.   WA State Gov. Inslee Lets Eviction Moratorium Expire on Sunday (Associated Press)

https://www.koin.com/news/washington/gov-inslee-lets-eviction-moratorium-expire-on-sunday/

32.   Americans Sour on Economy Amid Inflation Woes: AP-NORC Poll (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2021-11-01/americans-sour-on-economy-amid-inflation-woes-ap-norc-poll

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

1,000 Andy Warhol Sketches Will Be Sold for $250 Each. The Catch? 999 Are Forgeries.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/10/25/andy-warhol-sketches-sale-250-each-only-one-real/8542832002/

Hundreds of Paddleboarding Witches Brave Heavy Winds on the Willamette River for Biggest Turnout Yet

https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2021/10/hundreds-of-paddleboarding-witches-brave-heavy-winds-on-the-willamette-river-for-biggest-turnout-yet-photos.html

Editors Add 455 New Words to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/29/1050379814/editors-add-455-new-words-to-merriam-websters-online-dictionary

This Ruby Is 2.5 Billion Years Old & Contains Evidence of Ancient Life

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/waterloo-university-rubies-ruby-chris-yakymchuk-greenland-1.6224006?cmp=rss

SONG OF THE DAY

Rickie Lee Jones - Chuck E’s in Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o31hyNDV2B0

The Energy News Digest for October 27, 2021

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Judge Orders Stay in Case Seeking to Remove Snake River Dams (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oregon/articles/2021-10-26/judge-orders-stay-in-case-seeking-to-remove-snake-river-dams

Projects Would Invest Billions at Lake Roosevelt for Needed Renewable-Energy Storage – Hurdles Are High (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/oct/27/projects-would-invest-billions-on-lake-roosevelt-f/

California: Lake Oroville Hydroelectric Power Plant Remains Offline, But Could Resume in December (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/lake-oroville-hydroelectric-power-plant-remains-offline-could-resume-december/38071906

Oregon: The Dalles Approves Tax Break for New Google Data Centers (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/10/26/google-data-center-the-dalles-tax-break/

Wildlife Agencies to Cancel Trump Endangered Species Rules (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2021-10-26/wildlife-agencies-to-cancel-trump-endangered-species-rules

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Judge Orders Stay in Case Seeking to Remove Snake River Dams

2.      Oregon State Reaches Short-Term Agreement for Columbia Basin Dams

3.      California: Lake Oroville Hydroelectric Power Plant Remains Offline, But Could Resume in December

4.      Montana: Conservation Group Presses Court for ‘Secret’ Coal Council Records

5.      New Mexico Energizes First Leg of Major Transmission Line

6.      Maine: Another $23 Million Flows into Record-Setting CMP Transmission Corridor Race in Month Before Election

7.      Xcel Energy Requests Electric Rate Hike of About 20%

8.      Canada: Facing Sky-High Connection Fees, Rural Ontarians Go Off the Grid

9.      Editorial: Study on Snake River Dam Breaching Questionable

10.   Salmon & Hydroelectric Power Can Co-Exist

11.   Guest Essay: APPA’s Joy Ditto – Infrastructure Bill Represents Significant Opportunity to Support Public Power

12.   Column: If President Biden Is Serious About the Climate Crisis, He Should Put Nuclear Power on the Table

13.   Projects Would Invest Billions at Lake Roosevelt for Needed Renewable-Energy Storage – Hurdles Are High

14.   California: Shasta Supervisors Agree with Commission, Deny Use Permit for Controversial Wind Farm (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

15.   Canada: Is Tidal Energy the Surge Remote Coastal Communities Need?

16.   New $90 Million Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Center to Focus on Solving Clean Energy’s Biggest Puzzles

17.   70 Public Power Utilities Earn Smart Energy Provider Designation

18.   Wildlife Agencies to Cancel Trump Endangered Species Rules

19.   Potential ‘Irreparable Damage’ to Puget Sound Orcas Over Alleged Illegal Salmon Hatchery Expansion

20.   California Still Deep in Drought Despite Atmospheric River

21.   Massive Storm Brings Lake Tahoe’s Water Levels Back Above Natural Rim

22.   Court Strikes Down Trump EPA Water Permitting Rule

23.   Oregon: Portland Officials Pivot from Sweeping Carbon Tax Plan, Seek Scaled-Back Pollution Fee

24.   Climate Change: Posting Pictures Online & Storing Emails Are Contributing to Crisis, Says Report

25.   U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers (WA-R) Worried Broadband Funding Will Miss Mark without New Maps

26.   U.S. Rep. Newhouse (R-WA) Announces $2 Million in Rural Broadband Funding for Central Washington State

27.   White House Picks Jessica Rosenworcel as First Female FCC Chair

28.   Oregon: The Dalles Approves Tax Break for New Google Data Centers

29.   Russian Hackers Used Home Networks to Evade Detection

30.   Thirty-Eight Public Power Electric Utilities & Utility Organizations Earn Public Power Communications Awards

31.   WA State: ‘Atmospheric River’ of Rain Is on Its Way to Seattle Area, But Dry Weekend Ahead – Haiku Hopefuls Attend

WORD OF THE DAY

Atavistic • \at-uh-VIS-stick\ • adjective – 1a: recurrence in an organism of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form and usually due to genetic recombination b: recurrence of or reversion to a past style, manner, outlook, approach, or activity 2: one that manifests atavism: throwback

Beauregard was horrified by the greeting he received from his new houseguest. Unfortunately, the wretch who had been rescued from ten long years living among the apes of Africa showed his happy salutation in an atavistic ritual of looking for nits on the thinning scalp of the squirming southern gentleman. “Nope, you’re clean,” beamed the neo-Tarzan to his host.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Judge Orders Stay in Case Seeking to Remove Snake River Dams (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oregon/articles/2021-10-26/judge-orders-stay-in-case-seeking-to-remove-snake-river-dams

2.      Oregon State Reaches Short-Term Agreement for Columbia Basin Dams (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities/Yakima, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/oregon-state-has-reached-a-short-term-agreement-for-columbia-basin-dams/article_0a4ba652-374b-11ec-b50b-2fb0c14fa0db.html

3.      California: Lake Oroville Hydroelectric Power Plant Remains Offline, But Could Resume in December (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/lake-oroville-hydroelectric-power-plant-remains-offline-could-resume-december/38071906

4.      Montana: Conservation Group Presses Court for ‘Secret’ Coal Council Records (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/conservation-group-presses-court-secret-coal-council-records-2021-10-21/

5.      New Mexico Energizes First Leg of Major Transmission Line (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/business-environment-and-nature-new-mexico-80213c3b8c1e5104fbfa6ada8346d4db

6.      Maine: Another $23 Million Flows into Record-Setting CMP Transmission Corridor Race in Month Before Election (Bangor Daily News, ME)

https://bangordailynews.com/2021/10/26/politics/another-23m-flows-into-record-setting-cmp-corridor-race-in-month-before-election/

7.      Xcel Energy Requests Electric Rate Hike of About 20% (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/minnesota/articles/2021-10-26/xcel-energy-requests-electric-rate-hike-of-about-20

8.      Canada: Facing Sky-High Connection Fees, Rural Ontarians Go Off the Grid (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/wind-solar-power-rural-ontario-1.6224159?cmp=rss

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

9.      Editorial: Study on Snake River Dam Breaching Questionable (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA)

https://www.union-bulletin.com/opinion/editorials/study-on-dam-breaching-questionable/article_48b5914a-35f8-11ec-bc34-fb696d83a72e.html

10.   Salmon & Hydroelectric Power Can Co-Exist (WA State Republican Caucus)

https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/2021/10/26/case-against-dam-removal/

11.   Guest Essay: APPA’s Joy Ditto – Infrastructure Bill Represents Significant Opportunity to Support Public Power (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/578712-infrastructure-bill-represents-significant-opportunity-to-support?rl=1

12.   Column: If President Biden Is Serious About the Climate Crisis, He Should Put Nuclear Power on the Table (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-10-26/climate-change-nuclear-power-biden-crisis

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

13.   Projects Would Invest Billions at Lake Roosevelt for Needed Renewable-Energy Storage – Hurdles Are High (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/oct/27/projects-would-invest-billions-on-lake-roosevelt-f/

14.   California: Shasta Supervisors Agree with Commission, Deny Use Permit for Controversial Wind Farm (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2021/10/27/shasta-supervisors-agree-commission-and-deny-use-permit-controversial-wind-farm/8555976002/

15.   Canada: Is Tidal Energy the Surge Remote Coastal Communities Need? (The Toronto Star, Ontario)

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/10/26/is-tidal-energy-the-surge-remote-coastal-communities-need.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

16.   New $90 Million Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Center to Focus on Solving Clean Energy’s Biggest Puzzles (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/pacific-northwest-national-lab/article255185637.html

17.   70 Public Power Utilities Earn Smart Energy Provider Designation (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/70-public-power-utilities-earn-smart-energy-provider-designation

FISH & WILDLIFE

18.   Wildlife Agencies to Cancel Trump Endangered Species Rules (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2021-10-26/wildlife-agencies-to-cancel-trump-endangered-species-rules

19.   Potential ‘Irreparable Damage’ to Puget Sound Orcas Over Alleged Illegal Salmon Hatchery Expansion (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3198655/potential-irreparable-damage-to-puget-sound-orcas-over-alleged-illegal-salmon-hatchery-expansion/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

20.   California Still Deep in Drought Despite Atmospheric River (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3204778/california-still-deep-in-drought-despite-atmospheric-river/

21.   Massive Storm Brings Lake Tahoe’s Water Levels Back Above Natural Rim (Yahoo News)

https://news.yahoo.com/massive-storm-brings-lake-tahoes-004653494.html

22.   Court Strikes Down Trump EPA Water Permitting Rule (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/court-strikes-down-trump-epa-water-permitting-rule/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

23.   Oregon: Portland Officials Pivot from Sweeping Carbon Tax Plan, Seek Scaled-Back Pollution Fee (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2021/10/portland-officials-pivot-from-sweeping-carbon-tax-plan-seek-scaled-back-pollution-fee.html

24.   Climate Change: Posting Pictures Online & Storing Emails Are Contributing to Crisis, Says Report (Sky News, UK)

https://news.sky.com/story/dirty-data-posting-pictures-online-and-storing-emails-are-contributing-to-climate-crisis-says-report-12444665

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

25.   U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers (WA-R) Worried Broadband Funding Will Miss Mark without New Maps (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/578580-mcmorris-rodgers-worried-broadband-funding-will-miss-mark-without-new-maps

26.   U.S. Rep. Newhouse (R-WA) Announces $2 Million in Rural Broadband Funding for Central Washington State (Pacific Northwest Ag Network)

https://www.pnwag.net/2021/10/26/newhouse-announces-2m-in-rural-broadband-funding-for-central-washington/

27.   White House Picks Jessica Rosenworcel as First Female FCC Chair (Engadget)

https://www.engadget.com/fcc-jessica-rosenworcel-first-female-chair-154933419.html

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

28.   Oregon: The Dalles Approves Tax Break for New Google Data Centers (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/10/26/google-data-center-the-dalles-tax-break/

29.   Russian Hackers Used Home Networks to Evade Detection (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-26/suspected-russian-hackers-use-home-networks-to-evade-detection

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

30.   Thirty-Eight Public Power Electric Utilities & Utility Organizations Earn Public Power Communications Awards (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/publication/thirty-eight-public-power-electric-utilities-and-utility-organizations-earn-public-power

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

31.   WA State: ‘Atmospheric River’ of Rain Is on Its Way to Seattle Area, But Dry Weekend Ahead – Haiku Hopefuls Attend (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/an-atmospheric-river-of-rain-is-on-its-way-to-the-seattle-area/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Woman Sues Kellogg Over Lack of Strawberries in Strawberry Pop-Tarts, Seeks $5 Million

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/10/26/kellogg-sued-strawberry-pop-tarts/

Virginia ‘Criminal Couponer’ Who Robbed $31.8 Million Used Funds for High-End Vacations

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/10/26/criminal-couponer-tricked-shoppers-robbed-stores-31-8-million/8548454002/

Super Troupers! ABBA on Fame, Divorce, Ageing Backwards – And Why They’ve Returned to Rescue 2021

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/27/abba-reunion-interview-voyage-younger-selves

Volunteers Crush the Grapes & Raise A Glass At London Winery

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/volunteers-crush-grapes-raise-glass-london-winery-2021-10-27/

SONG OF THE DAY

ABBA – Money, Money, Money

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