The Energy News Digest

Monday, February 6, 2023

The Energy News Digest for February 6, 2023

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

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

ITEMS OF NOTE FROM THE NORTHWEST PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION

The deadline to nominate an exceptional Public Power employee for NWPPA’s 2023 Annual Awards has been extended to Friday, Feb. 10. Honor a colleague by submitting a nomination today at www.nwppa.org/members/awards-nominations/,

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

By 2050, Washington Might Need to Buy Energy from Other States (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/politics/2023/02/2050-washington-might-need-buy-energy-other-states

Maryland: Suspects Arrested in Plot to Attack Power Stations, Destroy Baltimore: Prosecutors (ABC News)

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/suspects-arrested-plot-attack-power-161809772.html

Alaska: Judge to Decide Orca/Chinook Suit (Ketchikan Daily News, AK)

https://www.ketchikandailynews.com/news/local/judge-to-decide-orca-chinook-suit/article_0aa54fee-9f47-11ed-8043-7bf5da704ee4.html

Amazon Fuel Cells Would Use Natural Gas to Power Oregon Data Centers, Increasing Carbon Footprint (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2023/02/amazon-fuel-cells-would-use-natural-gas-to-power-oregon-data-centers-increasing-carbon-footprint.html

‘Too Close, Too Big.’ Strong Opposition for Huge Tri-Cities Wind Farm, Despite Jobs (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://news.yahoo.com/too-close-too-big-strong-205845648.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. By 2050, Washington Might Need to Buy Energy from Other States

2. Maryland: Suspects Arrested in Plot to Attack Power Stations, Destroy Baltimore: Prosecutors

3. Neo-Nazi Leader, Maryland Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Destroy Energy Facilities

4. Terror Suspect Charged for Damaging Power Plant Outside Las Vegas Found Incompetent

5. Registered Entities: Expect a Significant Increase in NERC’s Focus on Physical Security

6. Avista Files for New Electric, Natural Gas Rate Plan in Idaho to Recover Investment, Operating Costs

7. California Regulators Deliver Climate Credits Early to Offer Relief from High Utility Bills

8. Angry About Your Gas Bill? Spikes Follow Big Raises for California Utility Executives

9. Oregon Electrical Co-op Workers Volunteer to Electrify Village in Guatemala

10. WA State: Chelan County PUD Customers to Receive New Meters Soon

11. Columbia River Treaty Renewal Won’t Just Go with the Flow: Salmon, Environment, First Nation Interests on the Table

12. Western Energy Imbalance Market Tops $3B in Benefits

13. Poor Rural Connectivity Costs Lives

14. ‘Too Close, Too Big.’ Strong Opposition for Huge Tri-Cities Wind Farm, Despite Jobs

15. Can Bighorn Sheep, a Bullet Train & a Huge Solar Farm Coexist in the Mojave Desert?

16. How Art Lovers Helped Defeat America’s Largest Solar Farm

17. Oregon: First U.S. Grid-Connected Wave Energy Test Site Reaches Key Construction Milestones

18. Massive Green Energy Company Reports Nearly $1 Billion in Losses, Calls For ‘Further Governmental Action’

19. Um… How Much Can You Save by Using a Space Heater? We Do the Math

20. Counterpoint: Space Heaters May Be the Number One Culprit of High Energy Bills in Mason County

21. Alaska: Judge to Decide Orca/Chinook Suit

22. With Runs Rising, State Questions How to Manage Smelt in the Columbia, Cowlitz Rivers

23. California: Two Bald Eagles Nested in a Pine for Years. A Utility Company Tried to Chop It Down

24. California Threatens to Blow Up a Deal to Save the Colorado River

25. As Climate Change & Overuse Shrink Lake Powell, The Emergent Landscape Is Coming Back to Life – And Posing New Challenges

26. Partnership Between Spokane Public Schools, Gonzaga Pushes Climate Science for Elementary Students

27. Climate Denial Campaign Goes Retro with New Textbook

28. Idaho Broadband Advisory Board Announces Funding Awards

29. Amazon Fuel Cells Would Use Natural Gas to Power Oregon Data Centers, Increasing Carbon Footprint

30. Facebook Now Has 2 Billion Users

31. ‘Eyesore.’ First Vote on WA Bill to Stop Wind Turbine Lights from Blinking All Night

32. Bill Looks to Encourage Nuclear Tech in WA State Energy Goals

WORD OF THE DAY

Auteur • \AWT-ur\ • Noun - 1: a film director whose practice accords with the auteur theory; broadly: director 2: an artist (as a musician or writer) whose style and practice are distinctive

Used in a literal sense, “Tiny Tim” was a ukulele auteur. As an artist, perhaps not.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. By 2050, Washington Might Need to Buy Energy from Other States (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/politics/2023/02/2050-washington-might-need-buy-energy-other-states

2. Maryland: Suspects Arrested in Plot to Attack Power Stations, Destroy Baltimore: Prosecutors (ABC News)

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/suspects-arrested-plot-attack-power-161809772.html

3. Neo-Nazi Leader, Maryland Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Destroy Energy Facilities (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/neo-nazi-leader-maryland-woman-charged-with-conspiracy-to-destroy-energy-facilities/

4. Terror Suspect Charged for Damaging Power Plant Outside Las Vegas Found Incompetent (Associated Press)

https://ktla.com/news/terror-suspect-charged-for-damaging-power-plant-outside-las-vegas-found-incompetent/

5. Registered Entities: Expect a Significant Increase in NERC’s Focus on Physical Security (JD Supra)

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/registered-entities-expect-a-3442803/

6. Avista Files for New Electric, Natural Gas Rate Plan in Idaho to Recover Investment, Operating Costs (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/38427-avista-files-for-new-electric-natural-gas-rate-plan-in-idaho-to-recover-investment-operating-costs/

7. California Regulators Deliver Climate Credits Early to Offer Relief from High Utility Bills (KPBS Broadcasting, San Diego, CA)

https://www.kpbs.org/news/economy/2023/02/02/california-regulators-deliver-climate-credits-early-to-offer-relief-from-high-utility-bills

8. Angry About Your Gas Bill? Spikes Follow Big Raises for California Utility Executives (Los Angeles Times, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-03/angry-about-your-gas-bill-wait-until-you-hear-about-the-big-raises-for-utility-company-executives

9. Oregon Electrical Co-op Workers Volunteer to Electrify Village in Guatemala (KTVL-TV, Medford, OR)

https://ktvl.com/newsletter-daily/oregon-electrical-workers-volunteer-to-electrify-village-in-guatemala

10. WA State: Chelan County PUD Customers to Receive New Meters Soon (KPQ-Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/chelan-county-pud-customers-to-receive-new-meters-soon/

11. Columbia River Treaty Renewal Won’t Just Go with the Flow: Salmon, Environment, First Nation Interests on the Table (Vancouver Sun, BC)

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/columbia-river-treaty-renewal-wont-just-go-with-the-flow-salmon-environment-first-nation-interests-on-the-table/ar-AA174pDY

12. Western Energy Imbalance Market Tops $3B in Benefits (T&D World)

https://www.tdworld.com/utility-business/article/21259347/western-energy-imbalance-market-tops-3b-in-benefits

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

13. Poor Rural Connectivity Costs Lives (Pots & Pans)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2023/02/06/poor-rural-connectivity-costs-lives/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

14. ‘Too Close, Too Big.’ Strong Opposition for Huge Tri-Cities Wind Farm, Despite Jobs (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://news.yahoo.com/too-close-too-big-strong-205845648.html

15. Can Bighorn Sheep, a Bullet Train & a Huge Solar Farm Coexist in the Mojave Desert? (Los Angeles Times, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2023-02-06/mojave-desert-solar-energy-project-angers-conservationists

16. How Art Lovers Helped Defeat America’s Largest Solar Farm (Los Angeles Times, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2023-02-02/how-art-lovers-helped-defeat-americas-largest-solar-farm-boiling-point

17. Oregon: First U.S. Grid-Connected Wave Energy Test Site Reaches Key Construction Milestones (Offshore Energy)

https://www.offshore-energy.biz/first-us-grid-connected-wave-energy-test-site-reaches-key-construction-milestones/

18. Massive Green Energy Company Reports Nearly $1 Billion in Losses, Calls For ‘Further Governmental Action’ (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/massive-green-energy-company-reports-161012872.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

19. Um… How Much Can You Save by Using a Space Heater? We Do the Math (C|Net)

https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/does-using-a-space-heater-save-money/

20. Counterpoint: Space Heaters May Be the Number One Culprit of High Energy Bills in Mason County (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

https://www.pud3.org/service/energy-efficiency-education/portable-electric-space-heaters

FISH & WILDLIFE

21. Alaska: Judge to Decide Orca/Chinook Suit (Ketchikan Daily News, AK)

https://www.ketchikandailynews.com/news/local/judge-to-decide-orca-chinook-suit/article_0aa54fee-9f47-11ed-8043-7bf5da704ee4.html

22. With Runs Rising, State Questions How to Manage Smelt in the Columbia, Cowlitz Rivers (Longview Daily News, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://tdn.com/outdoors/with-runs-rising-state-questions-how-to-manage-smelt-in-the-columbia-cowlitz-rivers/article_8a1c4db0-a189-11ed-8317-5b60a6acc472.html

23. California: Two Bald Eagles Nested in a Pine for Years. A Utility Company Tried to Chop It Down (The Guardian, UK)

https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/04/california-bald-eagles-nest-tribal-communities-activists-pacific-gas-electric

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

24. California Threatens to Blow Up a Deal to Save the Colorado River (Gizmodo)

https://news.yahoo.com/california-threatens-blow-deal-save-153300465.html

25. As Climate Change & Overuse Shrink Lake Powell, The Emergent Landscape Is Coming Back to Life – And Posing New Challenges (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/climate-change-overuse-shrink-lake-132756173.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

26. Partnership Between Spokane Public Schools, Gonzaga Pushes Climate Science for Elementary Students (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/feb/02/classroom-energy-partnership-between-spokane-publi/

27. Climate Denial Campaign Goes Retro with New Textbook (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/science/climate-denial-campaign-goes-retro-with-new-textbook/

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

28. Idaho Broadband Advisory Board Announces Funding Awards (Newswires)

https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/614859293/idaho-broadband-advisory-board-announces-funding-awardsfeb01

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

29. Amazon Fuel Cells Would Use Natural Gas to Power Oregon Data Centers, Increasing Carbon Footprint (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2023/02/amazon-fuel-cells-would-use-natural-gas-to-power-oregon-data-centers-increasing-carbon-footprint.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

30. Facebook Now Has 2 Billion Users (Engadget)

https://www.engadget.com/facebook-2-billion-meta-q4-2022-earnings-223814979.html

GOVERNMENT & GOVERNANCE

31. ‘Eyesore.’ First Vote on WA Bill to Stop Wind Turbine Lights from Blinking All Night (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article272079042.html

32. Bill Looks to Encourage Nuclear Tech in WA State Energy Goals (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2023/feb/03/bill-looks-encourage-nuclear-tech-state-energy-goa/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

San Antonio Zoo Will Let You Name a Cockroach After an Ex & Feed It to an Animal

https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/san-antonio-zoo-will-let-you-name-a-cockroach-after-an-ex-and-feed-it-to-an-animal-1.6251206

How to Make a Mummy: Ancient Egyptian Workshop Has New Clues

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/how-to-make-a-mummy-ancient-egyptian-workshop-17756670.php

Police Arrest Man They Say Left Dead Fish at Astoria’s ‘Goonies’ House, Stole Yacht & Prompted Harrowing Coast Guard Rescue

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2023/02/police-arrest-man-they-say-left-dead-fish-at-astorias-goonies-house-stole-yacht-and-prompted-harrowing-coast-guard-rescue.html

Beyoncé Emerges as Grammys Queen; Styles Wins Album Honor

https://apnews.com/article/2023-grammys-show-0a4bad7a27caf90868621973a504f40d

SONG OF THE DAY

The Pretenders – Thin Line Between Love and Hate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k17CU1SAGVk

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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

Please note that media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

The Energy News Digest for February 1, 2023

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

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

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Winter Storm Slams into Texas, Knocking Out Power for Over 200,000 (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/texas-winter-storm-power-outages-flights-1850059955

Pebble Mine: Alaska Gold, Copper Mine Blocked Over Environmental Worries (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-environmental-protection-agency-alaska-business-fish-139ceb6e697c006737d09f984456b0e1

California Is Lone Holdout in Colorado River Water Cuts Proposal (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/politics-colorado-river-california-climate-and-environment-2ef8db8071dd911e84e7f345583206ed

U.S. Natural Gas Consumption Reached Record Daily High in Late December 2022 (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=55359

Here’s How High Pacific Gas & Electric Says Bills Could Get During This Historically Cold, Wet Winter in CA (KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA)

https://abc7news.com/pge-bills-cold-weather-utility-rate-increase-2023-ca-gas-and-electric/12751893/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. U.S. Natural Gas Consumption Reached Record Daily High in Late December 2022

2. Here’s How High Pacific Gas & Electric Says Bills Could Get During This Historically Cold, Wet Winter in CA

3. Cold Reality: WA State Energy Rates Rise as Temperatures Fall

4. How Washington’s Wildfires Could Raise Electricity Rates

5. Even With a Mild Winter, More Americans Struggle to Pay Their Energy Bills

6. USDA Announces $2.7 Billion in Rural Electric Infrastructure Funding – WA & Oregon Utilities Benefit

7. Umatilla Electric Cooperative to Receive Nearly $90 Million for Eastern OR Power Grid

8. American Public Power Association’s Waterhouse Underscores Threat to Reliability with Transformer Supply Chain Challenges

9. 'Next Generation': Women Make Inroads as Co-op CEOs

10. Guest Essay: The Numbers Don’t Add Up for the Horse Heaven Hills Wind Farm

11. Guest Essay: Energy In, Energy Out: Making Use of Heat from Data Centers

12. Whale Deaths Along East Coast Prompt 12 New Jersey Mayors’ Call for Offshore Wind Farm Moratorium

13. U.S. Solar Prices Still Soaring as Projects Stalled

14. The Spanish Town Powered by Waves

15. Why Is My Electric Bill So High? 13 Ways to Lower It

16. Sturgeon Numbers Sinking in Columbia River

17. Threatened Status for Pacific Northwest Songbird Draws Lawsuit by Bird Lovers

18. Pebble Mine: Alaska Gold, Copper Mine Blocked Over Environmental Worries

19. California Is Lone Holdout in Colorado River Water Cuts Proposal

20. California Releases Its Own Plan for Colorado River Water Cuts

21. Environmental Group Urges California to Limit the Growing of Almonds & Alfalfa

22. On WA’s coast, the Threat of a Flood Is Its Own Disaster

23. Climate Change Could Turn Seattle into an Umbrella City

24. When Fiber Construction Goes Wrong

25. Washington & Oregon May Regulate the Wild West of Crypto Mining

26. Wyoming Bucks President Biden on Electric Vehicles

27. San Francisco Asks California Regulators to Halt or Slow the Rollout of Driverless Taxis

28. U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers (WA), First Woman to Lead Energy & Commerce Committee; Encourages Members to Reach Across Aisle

29. Washington GOP Lawmakers Propose Cap-And-Trade Watchdog

30. Washingtonians Must Prepare for the Impacts of Wildfire & Smoke. These Bills Could Help

31. Montana: Legislature Takes Up Recent Redrawing of Public Service Commission Districts

32. Top U.S. Proxy Advisers Defend Their Environmental, Social, & Governance Approaches

33. Winter Storm Slams into Texas, Knocking Out Power for Over 200,000

34. Fate of Massive Washington Aluminum Plant Remains Unclear

WORD OF THE DAY

Cicerone • \siss-uh-ROE-nee\ • noun – 1: a guide who conducts sightseers *2: mentor, tutor

“And if you look to your left, you’ll see an actual copy of the replica of a Halloween costume of Elvis’ jumpsuit from the later stage of his career,” droned the ponderous cicerone who was leading a rag-tag group of tourists at the low-budget Elvis impersonator museum in Las Vegas. “This is the worst fifty bucks I’ve ever spent on something,” muttered Ambrose to his impeccably coifed companion.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. U.S. Natural Gas Consumption Reached Record Daily High in Late December 2022 (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=55359

2. Here’s How High Pacific Gas & Electric Says Bills Could Get During This Historically Cold, Wet Winter in CA (KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA)

https://abc7news.com/pge-bills-cold-weather-utility-rate-increase-2023-ca-gas-and-electric/12751893/

3. Cold Reality: WA State Energy Rates Rise as Temperatures Fall (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/money/consumer/energy-rates-rise-winter-cold-temperatures/281-15a032e4-3d47-45f3-a7ee-0aabd6319585

4. How Washington’s Wildfires Could Raise Electricity Rates (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/how-washington-s-wildfires-could-raise-electricity-rates/article_b3d81434-a1ae-11ed-a93c-7f0824ea79cc.html

5. Even With a Mild Winter, More Americans Struggle to Pay Their Energy Bills (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2023/01/30/energy-prices-inflation-help-with-utility-bills/11151340002/

6. USDA Announces $2.7 Billion in Rural Electric Infrastructure Funding – WA & Oregon Utilities Benefit (Pacific Northwest Ag Network)

https://pnwag.net/usda-announces-2-7-billion-in-rural-electric-infrastructure-funding/

7. Umatilla Electric Cooperative to Receive Nearly $90 Million for Eastern OR Power Grid (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Yakima/Tri-Cities, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/umatilla-electric-cooperative-to-receive-nearly-90m-for-eastern-or-power-grid/article_70cda34e-a1da-11ed-9eb5-93813862ffc1.html

8. American Public Power Association’s Waterhouse Underscores Threat to Reliability with Transformer Supply Chain Challenges (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/appas-waterhouse-underscores-threat-reliability-with-transformer-supply-chain-challenges

9. 'Next Generation': Women Make Inroads as Co-op CEOs (Rural Electric Magazine)

https://www.cooperative.com/remagazine/articles/Pages/Next-Generation-Women-Are-Making-Inroads-as-Co-op-CEOs.aspx

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

10. Guest Essay: The Numbers Don’t Add Up for the Horse Heaven Hills Wind Farm (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article271879052.html

11. Guest Essay: Energy In, Energy Out: Making Use of Heat from Data Centers (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/wvbusiness/guestcolumns/don-brunell-energy-in-energy-out-making-use-of-heat-from-data-centers/article_b94f1c2e-97ad-11ed-b7d2-c7d03d628992.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

12. Whale Deaths Along East Coast Prompt 12 New Jersey Mayors’ Call for Offshore Wind Farm Moratorium (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/01/31/whale-deaths-new-jersey-offshore-wind-farm-moratorium/11153356002/

13. U.S. Solar Prices Still Soaring as Projects Stalled (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-solar-prices-still-soaring-projects-stalled-2023-01-31/

14. The Spanish Town Powered by Waves (British Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230122-the-spanish-town-powered-by-waves

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

15. Why Is My Electric Bill So High? 13 Ways to Lower It (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/reviewed/2023/01/31/ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/51230329/

FISH & WILDLIFE

16. Sturgeon Numbers Sinking in Columbia River (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2023/feb/01/sturgeon-numbers-sinking-in-columbia-river/

17. Threatened Status for Pacific Northwest Songbird Draws Lawsuit by Bird Lovers (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/threatened-status-for-pacific-northwest-songbird-draws-lawsuit-by-bird-lovers/

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

18. Pebble Mine: Alaska Gold, Copper Mine Blocked Over Environmental Worries (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-environmental-protection-agency-alaska-business-fish-139ceb6e697c006737d09f984456b0e1

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

19. California Is Lone Holdout in Colorado River Water Cuts Proposal (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/politics-colorado-river-california-climate-and-environment-2ef8db8071dd911e84e7f345583206ed

20. California Releases Its Own Plan for Colorado River Water Cuts (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/california-releases-its-own-plan-for-colorado-17755553.php

21. Environmental Group Urges California to Limit the Growing of Almonds & Alfalfa (Los Angeles Times, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-01/should-california-stop-growing-almonds-and-alfalfa

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

22. On WA’s coast, the Threat of a Flood Is Its Own Disaster (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/podcast/crosscut-reports/1/9/podcast-was-coast-threat-flood-its-own-disaster

23. Climate Change Could Turn Seattle into an Umbrella City (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/01/31/umbrella-seattle-climate-change-rain

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

24. When Fiber Construction Goes Wrong (Pots& Pans)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2023/02/01/when-fiber-construction-goes-wrong/

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

25. Washington & Oregon May Regulate the Wild West of Crypto Mining (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/politics/2023/01/washington-and-oregon-may-regulate-wild-west-crypto-mining

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

26. Wyoming Bucks President Biden on Electric Vehicles (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/power-switch/2023/01/31/wyoming-bucks-biden-on-electric-vehicles-00080421

27. San Francisco Asks California Regulators to Halt or Slow the Rollout of Driverless Taxis (Engadget)

https://www.engadget.com/san-francisco-asks-california-regulators-to-halt-or-slow-driverless-vehicle-testing-083906662.html

GOVERNMENT & GOVERNANCE

28. U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers (WA), First Woman to Lead Energy & Commerce Committee; Encourages Members to Reach Across Aisle (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/jan/31/mcmorris-rodgers-first-woman-to-lead-energy-and-co/

29. Washington GOP Lawmakers Propose Cap-And-Trade Watchdog (Capital Press)

https://www.capitalpress.com/climate_changed/washington-gop-lawmakers-propose-cap-and-trade-watchdog/article_a2304a74-a0c5-11ed-b29f-c39b607daf35.html

30. Washingtonians Must Prepare for the Impacts of Wildfire & Smoke. These Bills Could Help (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/article271884057.html

31. Montana: Legislature Takes Up Recent Redrawing of Public Service Commission Districts (The Missoulian, MT)

https://missoulian.com/news/legislature-takes-up-recent-redrawing-of-psc-districts/article_6dd6d56c-70e1-54c8-93c1-fd89c8755a90.html

32. Top U.S. Proxy Advisers Defend Their Environmental, Social, & Governance Approaches (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/proxy-adviser-glass-lewis-defends-its-esg-approach-2023-01-31/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

33. Winter Storm Slams into Texas, Knocking Out Power for Over 200,000 (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/texas-winter-storm-power-outages-flights-1850059955

34. Fate of Massive Washington Aluminum Plant Remains Unclear (Columbia Insight)

https://columbiainsight.org/is-washington-aluminum-plant-slated-for-demolition-or-not/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Tiny Gold Lord’s Prayer Engraved in Eye of Needle by Birmingham Artist

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-64467177

Man Wins $1 Million Lottery Prize After Person Cut in Front of Him

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/man-wins-1-million-lottery-011626751.html

Basketball Coach Fired After Impersonating 13-Year-Old Player During Game

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/basketball-coach-impersonates-13-year-old_n_63d95fffe4b07c0c7e063a61

Radioactive Capsule That Fell Off Truck Found in Australia

https://apnews.com/article/australia-radioactive-capsule-f02bfceb67639fbd0244873bebd9f888

SONG OF THE DAY

The Beach Boys - Sail on Sailor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQOaLP-qPmk