The Energy News Digest for August 28, 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

Pacific NW Utilities Readying for High-Voltage Fight Over Canada’s Price for Columbia River Power (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article278535889.html

Puget Sound Energy Not Permitted to Notify Customers of Natural Gas Rate Hike (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/money/puget-sound-energy-customers-rate-hike/281-fece2fdd-4b8e-491e-8bc0-110815f8edfc

Environmental Group Suffers Setback in Legal Fight to Close California’s Last Nuclear Power Plant (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-power-diablo-canyon-california-c3d2fc23916daada9bfa72160e83db1d

WA State: A French-Fry Boomtown Emerges as a Climate Winner — As Long as It Has Water (Washington Post, DC – Paywall Advisory)

This french fry boomtown is a climate change winner. But for how long? - The Washington Post

Utility Efficiency Spending Falls, Leading To 5.4% Drop in Energy Savings: ACEEE (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/utility-energy-efficiency-spending-declined-5-percent-from-2018-to-2021/691852/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Pacific NW Utilities Readying for High-Voltage Fight Over Canada’s Price for Columbia River Power

2.      Puget Sound Energy Not Permitted to Notify Customers of Natural Gas Rate Hike

3.      WA Attorney General Advised Utilities Commission to Conceal Carbon Tax Impact on Energy Rates

4.      Environmental Group Suffers Setback in Legal Fight to Close California’s Last Nuclear Power Plant

5.      California Farmers: Glen Canyon Dam a Major Problem in West’s Water Supply

6.      Ag Stakeholders Lead Dam Tour as Federal Mediation Deadline Nears

7.      WA State: Nearly $1 Million Added in Cost to Refurbish Douglas PUD’s Dam

8.      Bare Electrical Wire & Leaning Poles on Maui Were Possible Cause of Deadly Fires

9.      Who Pays When Utilities Get Sued Over Wildfires?

10.   CAISO Seeks FERC Approval for Western Day-Ahead Market, with 2025 Start Date

11.   News Release: Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $800 Million to Strengthen Rural Infrastructure and Create Jobs

12.   Idaho: Large-Scale Wind & Solar Permits Paused in Twin Falls County

13.   Utility Efficiency Spending Falls, Leading To 5.4% Drop in Energy Savings: ACEEE

14.   Commercial Energy Use Rose in Eight States, Including Alaska, Even as National Trends Tumbled in 2021

15.   Alaska Economists Dispute Duration of Huge Salmon Influxes’ Effect on Prices

16.   One Way to Help Coho Salmon Survive Pacific NW Pollution

17.   Wind Turbines & White Nose: The Perilous Lives of Bats

18.   Camp Creek Wildfire Near Portland, OR’s Water Source Grows to 1,226 Acres

19.   WA State: A French-Fry Boomtown Emerges as a Climate Winner — As Long as It Has Water

20.   Portland Clean Energy Fund Unveils 5-Year Plan, $750 Million Projected Spending After Overhaul

21.   How California Is Bridging the Digital Divide on Tribal Land

22.   Artificial Intelligence Data Centers Use a Lot of Electricity & Water: Can Supply Keep Up?

23.   Ratepayer Owned Public Utilities Launch Ads to Protect Affordable, Reliable, and Clean Power for Communities

24.   From Mad Men to Machines? Big Advertisers Shift to Artificial Intelligence

25.   Groups Urge Congress to Pass FEMA Reimbursement Legislation

26.   WA State: Primed for Ignition - Fires Among Spokane County’s Worst Natural Disasters

27.   Guest Essay:  Breach the Snake River Dams? Only If You Want More Carbon & More Expensive Power

WORD OF THE DAY

Holus-bolus \hoh-lus-BOH-lus\ Adverb – All at once.

     POTUS news presser

     The holus bolus shouting

     Sound, Fury, Nothing

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Pacific NW Utilities Readying for High-Voltage Fight Over Canada’s Price for Columbia River Power (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article278535889.html

2.      Puget Sound Energy Not Permitted to Notify Customers of Natural Gas Rate Hike (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/money/puget-sound-energy-customers-rate-hike/281-fece2fdd-4b8e-491e-8bc0-110815f8edfc

3.      WA Attorney General Advised Utilities Commission to Conceal Carbon Tax Impact on Energy Rates (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_75a017ca-4366-11ee-b44a-631e6df6de14.html

4.      Environmental Group Suffers Setback in Legal Fight to Close California’s Last Nuclear Power Plant (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-power-diablo-canyon-california-c3d2fc23916daada9bfa72160e83db1d

5.      California Farmers: Glen Canyon Dam a Major Problem in West’s Water Supply (KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV)

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/california-farmers-glen-canyon-dam-a-major-problem-in-wests-water-supply/

6.      Ag Stakeholders Lead Dam Tour as Federal Mediation Deadline Nears (Capital Press)

https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/grains/ag-stakeholders-lead-dam-tour-as-federal-mediation-deadline-nears/article_dd80fb4e-4216-11ee-8151-7ba8cbefc531.html

7.      WA State: Nearly $1 Million Added in Cost to Refurbish Douglas PUD’s Dam (KPQ-Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/nearly-1-million-added-in-cost-to-refurbish-douglas-puds-dam/

8.      Bare Electrical Wire & Leaning Poles on Maui Were Possible Cause of Deadly Fires (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-maui-electricity-power-utilities-9f23f79821ea50256f0725ac9b0b3905

9.      Who Pays When Utilities Get Sued Over Wildfires? (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/utilities/who-pays-when-utilities-get-sued-over-wildfires

10.   CAISO Seeks FERC Approval for Western Day-Ahead Market, with 2025 Start Date (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/caiso-ferc-western-day-ahead-market-spp/691740/

11.   News Release: Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $800 Million to Strengthen Rural Infrastructure and Create Jobs (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2023/08/28/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-800-million-strengthen

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

12.   Idaho: Large-Scale Wind & Solar Permits Paused in Twin Falls County (Twin Falls Times-News, ID)

https://magicvalley.com/news/local/government-politics/large-scale-wind-and-solar-permits-paused-in-twin-falls-county/article_5285be90-42ba-11ee-9d91-974c3a870cd4.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

13.   Utility Efficiency Spending Falls, Leading To 5.4% Drop in Energy Savings: ACEEE (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/utility-energy-efficiency-spending-declined-5-percent-from-2018-to-2021/691852/

14.   Commercial Energy Use Rose in Eight States, Including Alaska, Even as National Trends Tumbled in 2021 (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/40905-commercial-energy-use-rose-in-eight-states-even-as-national-trends-tumbled-in-2021/

FISH & WILDLIFE

15.   Alaska Economists Dispute Duration of Huge Salmon Influxes’ Effect on Prices (Alaska Public Media)

https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/28/alaska-economists-dispute-duration-of-huge-salmon-influxes-effect-on-prices/

16.   One Way to Help Coho Salmon Survive Pacific NW Pollution (KUOW News, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/one-way-to-help-coho-salmon-survive-nw-pollution

17.   Wind Turbines & White Nose: The Perilous Lives of Bats (Columbia Insight)

https://columbiainsight.org/wind-turbines-and-white-nose-the-perilous-lives-of-bats/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

18.   Camp Creek Wildfire Near Portland, OR’s Water Source Grows to 1,226 Acres (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/2023/08/camp-creek-wildfire-near-portlands-water-source-grows-to-900-acres.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

19.   WA State: A French-Fry Boomtown Emerges as a Climate Winner — As Long as It Has Water (Washington Post, DC – Paywall Advisory)

This french fry boomtown is a climate change winner. But for how long? - The Washington Post

20.   Portland Clean Energy Fund Unveils 5-Year Plan, $750 Million Projected Spending After Overhaul (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/08/24/portland-clean-energy-fund/

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

21.   How California Is Bridging the Digital Divide on Tribal Land (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/08/28/how-california-is-bridging-digital-divide-on-tribal-land-pub-90433

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

22.   Artificial Intelligence Data Centers Use a Lot of Electricity & Water: Can Supply Keep Up? (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/ai-data-centers-lot-electricity-160125093.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

23.   Ratepayer Owned Public Utilities Launch Ads to Protect Affordable, Reliable, and Clean Power for Communities (News Release: Northwest RiverPartners)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2023/08/ratepayer-owned-public-utilities-launch.html

24.   From Mad Men to Machines? Big Advertisers Shift to Artificial Intelligence (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/technology/mad-men-machines-big-advertisers-shift-ai-2023-08-18/

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

25.   Groups Urge Congress to Pass FEMA Reimbursement Legislation (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/groups-urge-congress-pass-fema-reimbursement-legislation

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

26.   WA State: Primed for Ignition - Fires Among Spokane County’s Worst Natural Disasters (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/aug/27/more-than-350-homes-and-21000-acres-recent-fires-a/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

27.   Guest Essay:  Breach the Snake River Dams? Only If You Want More Carbon & More Expensive Power (Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID)

https://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article278301408.html

LEAPIN’ LIZARDS! – DIVERSIONS

Seattle Gets Trolled by a Danish Environmental Artist

https://crosscut.com/culture/2023/08/artsea-seattle-gets-trolled-danish-environmental-artist

‘T. Rexes’ Race to Photo Finish at Washington State Track

https://apnews.com/article/racing-trexes-washington-a498d41a8c9fa5cbb4c7bfb0d3c55f8c

Bob Barker, Iconic Host of 'The Price Is Right' & Animal Activist, Dies at 99

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bob-barker-dies-99-price-is-right-host-172327959.html

Incredibly Rare Spotless Giraffe Born at Tennessee Zoo

https://gizmodo.com/incredibly-rare-spotless-giraffe-born-at-tennessee-zoo-1850765635

SONG OF THE DAY

Simon & Garfunkel - At the Zoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDu7eitZrgw

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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

I try to choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription. Individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regular clearing of your browser’s history and cookie files may help access some paywall sites.

The Energy News Digest for August 16, 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

One More 100-Degree Day Wednesday, Then Quick Cooling Thanks to Increased Marine Air (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2023/08/1-more-100-degree-day-wednesday-then-quick-cooling-thanks-to-increased-marine-air.html

Extreme Heat Stresses Oregon Utilities Trying to Keep People Cool & Prevent Fires (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/08/15/oregon-heat-wave-utility-companies-power-grid-electricity-usage/

Videos Put Scrutiny on Downed Power Lines as Possible Cause of Deadly Maui Wildfires (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-maui-electricity-power-utilities-c46a106db3c5019ac835ddcb01fde25f

Power Companies Around Puget Sound Brace for Future Heat Waves, More Homes with A/C (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kbbi.org/local-news/2023-08-15/alaska-company-exploring-geothermal-energy-on-mt-augustine

Feds Ease Colorado River Water Cuts for Thirsty Western States (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/feds-ease-colorado-river-water-cuts-for-thirsty-western-states/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Extreme Heat Stresses Oregon Utilities Trying to Keep People Cool & Prevent Fires

2.      California Opts for Fossil Fuels to Keep the Lights on in Extreme Heat

3.      British Columbia Shatters August Energy Demand Record Amid Sizzling Heatwave

4.      Videos Put Scrutiny on Downed Power Lines as Possible Cause of Deadly Maui Wildfires

5.      What Sparks U.S. Wildfires: Power Lines, Burning Trash & Lightning

6.      Will Electrifying Cars & Home Heating Break Canada's Grid?

7.      Columbia River Treaty Talks Move Forward After Constructive Seattle Session

8.      Report: Breaching Snake River Dams Would Put Thousands of Farmers at Risk

9.      WA State: Scammers Pose as Grays Harbor PUD Officials – Allegedly Offering Power Meter Replacement for a Fee

10.   WA State: Yakima County Commissioners Extend Solar Moratorium Again

11.   Interior Announces Potential Offshore Wind Areas for Oregon

12.   Alaska Company Exploring Geothermal Energy on Mt. Augustine

13.   Power Companies Around Puget Sound Brace for Future Heat Waves, More Homes with A/C

14.   WA State: Snohomish PUD Offers Tips to Conserve Energy, Water During Heat Wave

15.   A New Study on Columbia Basin Salmon Is Interesting, But May Distract from the Larger Picture

16.   Federal Grants Will Replace Tunnels Beneath Roads That Let Water Pass but Not Fish

17.   Oregon Awarded Nearly $92,000 for Upper Klamath Basin Conservation

18.   Feds Ease Colorado River Water Cuts for Thirsty Western States

19.   Montana GOP Slams Youth Constituents as 'Pawns' in a 'Climate Cult' After Historic Ruling

20.   Amazon’s Subsea Cable Gets Approval, But Oregon Leaders Want More Regulation

21.   Vice President Kamala Harris Visits Seattle to Discuss Clean Energy

22.   One More 100-Degree Day Wednesday, Then Quick Cooling Thanks to Increased Marine Air

23.   Guest Essay: Let’s Have an Honest Conversation About Energy Costs in WA – Going Green Is Expensive

24.   Guest Essay: Build Our Future Electricity Supply Around Hydropower

25.   Opinion: Snake River Dams Breaching Topic Is Debate without End

WORD OF THE DAY

Misanthrope /MISS-sun-thrope/ Noun – A person who hates or distrusts humankind.

Abernathy wore his hatred on his sleeve. As the small town’s reviled misanthrope, his motto was, “I’m an equal opportunity hater. I even hate myself.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Extreme Heat Stresses Oregon Utilities Trying to Keep People Cool & Prevent Fires (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/08/15/oregon-heat-wave-utility-companies-power-grid-electricity-usage/

2.      California Opts for Fossil Fuels to Keep the Lights on in Extreme Heat (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/15/california-fossil-fuels-heat-electricity-00111386

3.      British Columbia Shatters August Energy Demand Record Amid Sizzling Heatwave (Powell River Peak, BC)

https://www.prpeak.com/highlights/bc-shatters-august-energy-demand-record-amid-sizzling-heatwave-7410929

4.      Videos Put Scrutiny on Downed Power Lines as Possible Cause of Deadly Maui Wildfires (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-maui-electricity-power-utilities-c46a106db3c5019ac835ddcb01fde25f

5.      What Sparks U.S. Wildfires: Power Lines, Burning Trash & Lightning (Bloomberg News)

https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/business/what-sparks-us-wildfires-power-lines-burning-trash-and-lightning/article_10aef9de-8fd4-58e4-b9dc-2acfbce874ba.html

6.      Will Electrifying Cars & Home Heating Break Canada's Grid? (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/electrification-grid-ev-heating-1.6935663

7.      Columbia River Treaty Talks Move Forward After Constructive Seattle Session (British Columbia Government News)

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023EMLI0038-001299

8.      Report: Breaching Snake River Dams Would Put Thousands of Farmers at Risk (Capital Press)

https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/water/report-breaching-snake-river-dams-would-put-thousands-of-farmers-at-risk/article_f38bbea4-3af2-11ee-ae7c-139347a13486.html

9.      WA State: Scammers Pose as Grays Harbor PUD Officials – Allegedly Offering Power Meter Replacement for a Fee (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

https://www.thedailyworld.com/news/scammers-pose-as-power-company-officials/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

10.   WA State: Yakima County Commissioners Extend Solar Moratorium Again (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/government/yakima-county-commissioners-extend-solar-moratorium-again/article_416a115a-3b9f-11ee-acd3-5b26ad259118.html

11.   Interior Announces Potential Offshore Wind Areas for Oregon (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/interior-announces-potential-offshore-wind-areas-for-oregon/

12.   Alaska Company Exploring Geothermal Energy on Mt. Augustine (KBBI Radio, Homer, AK)

https://www.kbbi.org/local-news/2023-08-15/alaska-company-exploring-geothermal-energy-on-mt-augustine

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

13.   Power Companies Around Puget Sound Brace for Future Heat Waves, More Homes with A/C (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kbbi.org/local-news/2023-08-15/alaska-company-exploring-geothermal-energy-on-mt-augustine

14.   WA State: Snohomish PUD Offers Tips to Conserve Energy, Water During Heat Wave (My Edmonds News, WA)

https://myedmondsnews.com/2023/08/pud-offers-tips-to-conserve-energy-water-during-heat-wave/

FISH & WILDLIFE

15.   A New Study on Columbia Basin Salmon Is Interesting, But May Distract from the Larger Picture (Washington Policy Center)

https://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/detail/a-new-study-on-columbia-basin-salmon-is-interesting-but-may-distract-from-the-larger-picture

16.   Federal Grants Will Replace Tunnels Beneath Roads That Let Water Pass but Not Fish (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3920891/federal-grants-will-replace-tunnels-beneath-roads-that-let-water-pass-but-not-fish/

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

17.   Oregon Awarded Nearly $92,000 for Upper Klamath Basin Conservation (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/oregon/article_6b37150c-3b7f-11ee-81d8-23b8e276c918.html

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

18.   Feds Ease Colorado River Water Cuts for Thirsty Western States (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/feds-ease-colorado-river-water-cuts-for-thirsty-western-states/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

19.   Montana GOP Slams Youth Constituents as 'Pawns' in a 'Climate Cult' After Historic Ruling (Huffington Post)

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/montana-republicans-climate-ruling_n_64dbd434e4b0eb9f33d7d09a

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

20.   Amazon’s Subsea Cable Gets Approval, But Oregon Leaders Want More Regulation (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/08/14/amazon-subsea-cable-approved-oregon-seeks-regulation/

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

21.   Vice President Kamala Harris Visits Seattle to Discuss Clean Energy (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/vice-president-kamala-harris-visits-seattle-discuss-clean-energy/DTHOW3DJJFAYVIVTOCDFIYFF5U/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

22.   One More 100-Degree Day Wednesday, Then Quick Cooling Thanks to Increased Marine Air (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2023/08/1-more-100-degree-day-wednesday-then-quick-cooling-thanks-to-increased-marine-air.html

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

23.   Guest Essay: Let’s Have an Honest Conversation About Energy Costs in WA – Going Green Is Expensive (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/lets-have-an-honest-conversation-about-energy-costs-in-wa/

24.   Guest Essay: Build Our Future Electricity Supply Around Hydropower (Sequim Gazette, WA)

https://www.sequimgazette.com/life/guest-opinion-build-our-future-electricity-supply-around-hydropower-2/

25.   Opinion: Snake River Dams Breaching Topic Is Debate without End (Lewiston Morning Tribune, Id – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/opinion/opinion-snake-river-dams-breaching-topic-is-debate-without-end/article_5c155e79-7876-58b9-ac26-66dd59b43573.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Sumo Wrestler Hanada Catches on Quick as He Learns to Be a Defensive Lineman for Colorado State

https://apnews.com/article/colorado-state-football-sumo-wrestler-f8071446cd96e0ce22eb2dd533ff2d84

Why Dolly Parton Is Bringing Children’s Books to Washington State

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/08/16/why-dolly-parton-is-bringing-children-s-books-to-washington-state/

New Jersey Power Outage Caused by Falling Fish

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/08/16/Jersey-Central-Power-and-Light-falling-fish-osprey-power-outage/4421692203527/

Researchers Reconstruct Pink Floyd Song from Patients' Brainwaves

https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2023/08/16/brain-recordings-reconstruct-song/1741692192166/

SONG OF THE DAY

Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall – Parts 1,2 & 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtYmTHwRKO8

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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

I try to choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription. Individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regular clearing of your browser’s history and cookie files may help access some paywall sites.