The Energy News Digest

Monday, February 12, 2024

The Energy News Digest for February 12, 2024

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest.

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

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Federal Judge Signs Off on Lower Snake River Dams Agreement (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/northwest/judge-signs-off-on-dams-agreement/article_2789f3bc-c849-5f3e-a385-7741df04cfd6.html

Snake River Dam Agreement Challenged in Court Over Electric Rates, Reliability Worries (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/feb/09/snake-river-dam-agreement-challenged-in-court-over-electric-rates-reliability-worries/

Plans to Build Washington’s Largest Wind Farm Held Up Again Amid Local Controversy (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/feb/08/plans-to-build-washingtons-largest-wind-farm-held-/

Amazon Will Start Buying Clean Power for Oregon Data Centers (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2024/02/amazon-will-start-buying-clean-power-for-oregon-data-centers.html

The Boldt Decision’s Impact on Indigenous Rights 50 Years Later (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/indigenous-affairs/2024/02/boldt-decisions-impact-indigenous-rights-50-years-later

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. Federal Judge Signs Off on Lower Snake River Dams Agreement

2. Snake River Dam Agreement Challenged in Court Over Electric Rates, Reliability Worries

3. Recent Snowstorms May Bolster California Hydroelectric Output This Summer

4. California Could Make — Or Break — The Western Grid

5. Green Energy Advocates Say Anchorage Electric Utility Is ‘Freezing Out’ Efforts to Draft a Gas-Saving Price Structure

6. Richard Bustamante Selected as Vice President of Bonneville Power Administration Transmission System Operations

7. WA State: Clallam County PUD Commissioner Waddell Dies

8. Phillips Named FERC Chair as Clements Decides Against Second Term

9. Plans to Build Washington’s Largest Wind Farm Held Up Again Amid Local Controversy

10. Pumped Storage: Controversial Hydro Energy Project Moves Closer to Breaking Ground

11. World’s Foremost Authority on Solar Sheep Advising Wyoming $500 Million Solar Farm

12. Pacific Power Launches Demand Response Program Using Smart Thermostats, To Boost Efficiency

13. The Boldt Decision’s Impact on Indigenous Rights 50 Years Later

14. Plan to Restore Salmon Population in the Upper Columbia River Basin Moves Ahead

15. What’s Next for Columbia River Salmon Restoration Efforts

16. Audio: How Cloud Seeding Could Increase the Amount of Snowfall in Idaho

17. Washington State Advances Legislation to Link Carbon Market with California-Quebec

18. Jury Awards Climate Scientist Michael Mann $1 Million in Defamation Lawsuit

19. UTOPIA Fiber Debunks $1 Million Out-Of-State Dark Money Campaign Bombarding Utah Residents with Misinformation About Its Network

20. Landlines In California May Be Facing Their Death Blow: What to Know

21. America Tires of Big Telecom’s ****, Driving Boom in Community-Owned Broadband Networks

22. Amazon Will Start Buying Clean Power for Oregon Data Centers

23. Bill to Study Electric Vehicle Battery Fires on Fast Track in Olympia

24. Five Ways to Make Your Brand Part of the Next Viral Trend

25. WA State: Douglas PUD Getting Hydrogen Powered Cars as Plant Ramps Up

26. News Release: Agreement Threatening Northwest Clean Power Moves Forward Despite Objections

27. Guest Essay: Your Solar & Wind Power Won’t Save You When It’s Minus 10

WORD OF THE DAY – THE HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Divine /duh-VINE/ Adjective – 1a: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God b: being a deity c: directed to a deity 2a: supremely good, superb b: heavenly, godlike.

Gershwin’s piano.

Wood, ebony, ivory

Made divine music

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Federal Judge Signs Off on Lower Snake River Dams Agreement (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/northwest/judge-signs-off-on-dams-agreement/article_2789f3bc-c849-5f3e-a385-7741df04cfd6.html

2. Snake River Dam Agreement Challenged in Court Over Electric Rates, Reliability Worries (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/feb/09/snake-river-dam-agreement-challenged-in-court-over-electric-rates-reliability-worries/

3. Recent Snowstorms May Bolster California Hydroelectric Output This Summer (San Diego Union-Tribune, CA)

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-02-09/recent-snowstorms-may-boost-california-hydroelectric-output-this-summer

4. California Could Make — Or Break — The Western Grid (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/california-could-make-or-break-the-western-grid/

5. Green Energy Advocates Say Anchorage Electric Utility Is ‘Freezing Out’ Efforts to Draft a Gas-Saving Price Structure (Northern Journal, AK)

https://www.northernjournal.com/p/green-energy-advocates-say-anchorage

6. Richard Bustamante Selected as Vice President of Bonneville Power Administration Transmission System Operations (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20240207-richard-bustamante-selected-vp-of-transmission-system-operations

7. WA State: Clallam County PUD Commissioner Waddell Dies (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2024/02/08/clallam-pud-commissioner-waddell-dies/

8. Phillips Named FERC Chair as Clements Decides Against Second Term (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/phillips-ferc-chair-clements-second-term-quorum/707208/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

9. Plans to Build Washington’s Largest Wind Farm Held Up Again Amid Local Controversy (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/feb/08/plans-to-build-washingtons-largest-wind-farm-held-/

10. Pumped Storage: Controversial Hydro Energy Project Moves Closer to Breaking Ground (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/environment-and-planning/2024-02-09/controversial-energy-project-moves-closer-to-breaking-ground

11. World’s Foremost Authority on Solar Sheep Advising Wyoming $500 Million Solar Farm (Cowboy State Daily, WY)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/02/09/oregon-sheep-expert-important-to-500-million-wyoming-solar-farm/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

12. Pacific Power Launches Demand Response Program Using Smart Thermostats, To Boost Efficiency (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

https://ktvz.com/news/oregon-northwest/2024/02/11/pacific-power-launches-demand-response-program-using-smart-thermostats-to-boost-efficiency/

FISH & WILDLIFE

13. The Boldt Decision’s Impact on Indigenous Rights 50 Years Later (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/indigenous-affairs/2024/02/boldt-decisions-impact-indigenous-rights-50-years-later

14. Plan to Restore Salmon Population in the Upper Columbia River Basin Moves Ahead (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.khq.com/news/plan-to-restore-salmon-population-in-the-upper-columbia-river-basin-moves-ahead/article_a05d08b4-c7e2-11ee-a00c-ff0679de9f0e.html

15. What’s Next for Columbia River Salmon Restoration Efforts (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/09/columbia-river-basin-salmon-restoration

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

16. Audio: How Cloud Seeding Could Increase the Amount of Snowfall in Idaho (Boise State Public Radio, ID)

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/show/idaho-matters/2024-02-07/how-cloud-seeding-could-increase-the-amount-of-snowfall-in-idaho

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

17. Washington State Advances Legislation to Link Carbon Market with California-Quebec (Big Country News, Clarkston, WA)

https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/news/state/washington/washington-state-advances-legislation-to-link-carbon-market-with-california-quebec/article_6e6016c6-ac91-5191-ad6d-ef61bf80017d.html

18. Jury Awards Climate Scientist Michael Mann $1 Million in Defamation Lawsuit (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-defamation-michael-mann-penn-state-61289ee2d8d2143768d28995c83899ef

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

19. UTOPIA Fiber Debunks $1 Million Out-Of-State Dark Money Campaign Bombarding Utah Residents with Misinformation About Its Network (Utah Business)

https://www.utahbusiness.com/utopia-fiber-debunks-dark-money-campaign/

20. Landlines In California May Be Facing Their Death Blow: What to Know (Patch – Orange County, CA)

https://patch.com/california/orange-county/landlines-ca-may-be-facing-their-death-blow-what-know

21. America Tires of Big Telecom’s ****, Driving Boom in Community-Owned Broadband Networks (TechDirt)

https://www.techdirt.com/2024/02/08/america-tires-of-big-telecoms-shit-driving-boom-in-community-owned-broadband-networks/

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

22. Amazon Will Start Buying Clean Power for Oregon Data Centers (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2024/02/amazon-will-start-buying-clean-power-for-oregon-data-centers.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

23. Bill to Study Electric Vehicle Battery Fires on Fast Track in Olympia (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_7935b076-c6e6-11ee-9634-0f5c22f1e3bd.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

24. Five Ways to Make Your Brand Part of the Next Viral Trend (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/goldiechan/2024/02/12/5-ways-to-make-your-brand-part-of-the-next-viral-trend/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

25. WA State: Douglas PUD Getting Hydrogen Powered Cars as Plant Ramps Up (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/douglas-pud-promotes-hydrogen-cars/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

26. News Release: Agreement Threatening Northwest Clean Power Moves Forward Despite Objections (Northwest RiverPartners)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2024/02/news-release-agreement-threatening.html

27. Guest Essay: Your Solar & Wind Power Won’t Save You When It’s Minus 10 (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/opinion/opinion-your-solar-and-wind-power-won-t-save-you-when-it-s-minus-10/article_6bd197fe-b26c-5a24-96da-7e2c594999d9.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

‘Rhapsody in Blue’: After a Century, Gershwin’s Musical Melting Pot Still Resonates

https://www.npr.org/2024/02/12/1230433015/rhapsody-in-blue-gershwin-centennial-jazz-classical

Kansas City Chiefs Win Third Super Bowl in Five Years in OT Against San Francisco 49ers

https://www.npr.org/2024/02/12/1230835965/kansas-city-chiefs-win-3rd-super-bowl-in-5-years-in-ot-against-san-francisco-49e

Guinness World Records Reverses Course, Accepts Matchstick Tower

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2024/02/09/france-Guinness-World-Records-Eiffel-Tower/8401707499901/

Minneapolis Couple Remodeling Bathroom Find Decades-Old Love Letters

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2024/02/12/love-letters-bathroom-wall-Minneapolis-Minnesota/5301707762517/

SONG OF THE DAY

George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue - Leonard Bernstein & New York Philharmonic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH2PH0auTUU

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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

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

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

The Energy News Digest for February 7, 2024

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest.

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

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

ITEMS OF NOTE FROM THE NORTHWEST PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION

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

· Board Governance: Balance Sheet Orientation
February 15, 2024, via webinar

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

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

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

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Deadly Storm in Southern California Triggers Hundreds of Mudslides And Floods Roads (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/deadly-storm-southern-california-floods-055119864.html

Proposal Would Add a ‘Category 6’ as Hurricanes Get Stronger (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/2024/02/05/category-6-hurricanes-study

U.S. Natural Gas Consumption Set New Daily Record in January (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/us-natural-gas-consumption-set-new-daily-record-january

Largest Proposed Wind Farm in WA Slashed in Half, Firefighting Issues Are Part of the Problem (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2024/02/05/largest-proposed-wind-farm-in-wa-slashed-in-half-firefighting-issues-are-part-of-the-problem/

High Electricity Prices Push REC Silicon to End Polysilicon Production in Montana (Solar Power World)

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/02/high-electricity-prices-push-rec-silicon-to-end-polysilicon-production-in-montana/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. U.S. Natural Gas Consumption Set New Daily Record in January

2. Montana: Judge Says Laurel Natural Gas Power Plant Decision Is Up to Yellowstone County

3. Could Puget Sound Energy Customers Soon Lose Access to Natural Gas Service?

4. ‘It’s a Big Unknown’: Chelan County PUD Considers Impacts of Agreement Between Feds, States, Tribes

5. DOE Announces Largest Single Investment for U.S. Hydropower Facilities – Includes California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

6. Multi-Decade Grant PUD Hydropower Upgrade Project Three-Quarters Complete

7. High Electricity Prices Push REC Silicon to End Polysilicon Production in Montana

8. Largest Proposed Wind Farm in WA Slashed in Half, Firefighting Issues Are Part of the Problem

9. Company Proposing Lava Ridge Says It Will Set Aside Some Power for Idaho

10. Idaho: Neighbors In Downey Concerned About Solar Farm Development

11. WA State: Fees Reinstated for Installing Solar Panels, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Spokane

12. Solar Project Water Rights Bill Fails in Washington State Legislature

13. Across America, Clean Energy Plants Are Being Banned Faster Than They’re Being Built

14. Wind Power Giants Find Little Shelter from Sector Troubles

15. Nine States Pledge to Boost Heat Pumps to 90% of Home Equipment Sales by 2040 – Including California & Oregon

16. WA State: Electron Hydro Is Back in Court for Endangering Fish on the Puyallup River

17. Fish in California’s Kern River Remain Protected Following New Ruling

18. Portland Audubon Announces New Name, Dropping Both ‘Portland’ & ‘Audubon’

19. WA State: Navy Urges More Well Testing as Whidbey Island Water Contamination Possibly Widens

20. Washington’s Mountain Snow Recharges Our Drinking Water, Powers Our Lives. Now It’s Turning to Rain.

21. Inland Northwest Snowpack Is Limping into February

22. President Biden’s Vow of Affordable Internet for All Is Threatened by the Looming Expiration of Subsidies

23. Google Calls Out Spyware Firms & Advocates for Tighter Regulation

24. Commerce Awards Over $85 Million to Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Across Washington State

25. Proposal Would Add a ‘Category 6’ as Hurricanes Get Stronger

26. Will the Washington Cap-And-Trade Repeal Initiative Succeed? The Markets Might Think So

27. Out of Gas: Inslee’s Oil Transparency Bill Stalls in WA Legislature

28. U.S. Rep. Maloy (UT) Sponsors Bill to Keep Hydropower Rates Low During Drought

29. Deadly Storm in Southern California Triggers Hundreds of Mudslides & Floods Roads

30. Warmer, Drier Weather for the Pacific Northwest? Here’s Oregon’s February Climate Outlook

31. USDA Spotlights Importance of Columbia-Snake River Navigation

32. Guest Essay: Kirk Hudson, Gary Ivory & Rich Wallen: Hydropower Reliability Affordability Stewardship

33. Editorial: Hyperbole, Hysteria Won’t Solve Dam Issue

34. News Release: U.S. Rep. Risch (ID), Colleagues Give Biden Admin Reality Check on Financial Burden of Dam Breaching

35. Commentary: Is Northwest Snow History? Scientific Errors in a Major Seattle Times Climate Story

36. Guest Essay: Lessons from NuScale’s Terminated Project Will Help Pave the Way for Advanced Nuclear Energy

WORD OF THE DAY

Lodestar \LOAD-star\ Noun - One that serves as an inspiration, model, or guide. The literal, albeit archaic, meaning of “lodestar” is “a star that leads or guides; especially the North Star.” (The first half of the word derives from the Middle English word “lode,” meaning “course.”)

Bertrand realized that his woefully outdated generational references and a hyper-nerdish wardrobe were not to his best advantage. He began to question using Steve Erkle as his cultural and professional lodestar.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. U.S. Natural Gas Consumption Set New Daily Record in January (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/us-natural-gas-consumption-set-new-daily-record-january

2. Montana: Judge Says Laurel Natural Gas Power Plant Decision Is Up to Yellowstone County (The Daily Montanan, Helena, MT)

https://dailymontanan.com/2024/02/05/judge-laurel-gas-plant-decision-is-up-to-yellowstone-county/

3. Could Puget Sound Energy Customers Soon Lose Access to Natural Gas Service? (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3948900/puget-sound-energy-customers-could-feel-major-impact-from-revised-natural-gas-bill/

4. ‘It’s a Big Unknown’: Chelan County PUD Considers Impacts of Agreement Between Feds, States, Tribes (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/it-s-a-big-unknown-chelan-county-pud-considers-impacts-of-agreement-between-feds-states/article_de398d10-c53f-11ee-a936-97c1ba6693c2.html

5. DOE Announces Largest Single Investment for U.S. Hydropower Facilities – Includes California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (BIC Magazine)

https://www.bicmagazine.com/projects-expansions/renewable-sustainability-h2-esg/doe-announces-largest-single-investment-for-us-hydropower-facilities/

6. Multi-Decade Grant PUD Hydropower Upgrade Project Three-Quarters Complete (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/multi-decade-grant-pud-project-045900809.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

7. High Electricity Prices Push REC Silicon to End Polysilicon Production in Montana (Solar Power World)

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/02/high-electricity-prices-push-rec-silicon-to-end-polysilicon-production-in-montana/

8. Largest Proposed Wind Farm in WA Slashed in Half, Firefighting Issues Are Part of the Problem (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2024/02/05/largest-proposed-wind-farm-in-wa-slashed-in-half-firefighting-issues-are-part-of-the-problem/

9. Company Proposing Lava Ridge Says It Will Set Aside Some Power for Idaho (Boise State Public Radio, ID)

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2024-02-02/idaho-lava-ridge-wind-power

10. Idaho: Neighbors In Downey Concerned About Solar Farm Development (KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls, ID)

https://localnews8.com/news/2024/02/06/neighbors-in-downey-concerned-about-solar-farm-development/

11. WA State: Fees Reinstated for Installing Solar Panels, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Spokane (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/feb/05/fees-reinstated-for-installing-solar-panels-electr/

12. Solar Project Water Rights Bill Fails in Washington State Legislature (KIMA-TV, Yakima, WA)

https://kimatv.com/news/local/solar-project-water-rights-bill-fails-in-washington-state-legislature

13. Across America, Clean Energy Plants Are Being Banned Faster Than They’re Being Built (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2024/02/04/us-counties-ban-renewable-energy-plants/71841063007/

14. Wind Power Giants Find Little Shelter from Sector Troubles (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/wind-power-giants-give-bleak-view-2024-challenges-persist-2024-02-07/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

15. Nine States Pledge to Boost Heat Pumps to 90% of Home Equipment Sales by 2040 – Including California & Oregon (Energy News Network)

https://energynews.us/2024/02/07/nine-states-pledge-to-boost-heat-pumps-to-90-of-home-equipment-sales-by-2040/

FISH & WILDLIFE

16. WA State: Electron Hydro Is Back in Court for Endangering Fish on the Puyallup River (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

https://www.knkx.org/environment/2024-02-05/energy-company-is-back-in-court-for-endangering-fish-on-the-puyallup-river

17. Fish in California’s Kern River Remain Protected Following New Ruling (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/fish-in-californias-kern-river-remain-protected-following-new-ruling/

18. Portland Audubon Announces New Name, Dropping Both ‘Portland’ & ‘Audubon’ (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2024/02/portland-audubon-announces-new-name-dropping-both-portland-and-audubon.html

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

19. WA State: Navy Urges More Well Testing as Whidbey Island Water Contamination Possibly Widens (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/nas-whidbey-island-naval-facilities-pfas-forever-chemicals-cancer-causing-particulate-environmental-protection-agency-testing-water-supply-oak-harbor-elks-lodge-captain-erik-hanks-coupeville-emergency-command-epd-remedial-project-manager

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

20. Washington’s Mountain Snow Recharges Our Drinking Water, Powers Our Lives. Now It’s Turning to Rain. (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/wa-drinking-water-hydropower-at-risk-as-pnw-snowpack-shrinks/

21. Inland Northwest Snowpack Is Limping into February (KXLY-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.kxly.com/news/inland-northwest-snowpack-is-limping-into-february/article_c0f6635e-c08f-11ee-b019-27df2f8b4b82.html

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

22. President Biden’s Vow of Affordable Internet for All Is Threatened by the Looming Expiration of Subsidies (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/biden-internet-congress-subsidy-acp-north-carolina-d70e6143d578dc0c99bc92556366ddbc

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

23. Google Calls Out Spyware Firms & Advocates for Tighter Regulation (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/google-calls-out-spyware-firms-advocates-tighter-regulation-2024-02-06/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

24. Commerce Awards Over $85 Million to Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Across Washington State (WA Dept. of Commerce)

https://www.commerce.wa.gov/news/commerce-awards-over-85-million-to-expand-electric-vehicle-charging-across-washington-state/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

25. Proposal Would Add a ‘Category 6’ as Hurricanes Get Stronger (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/2024/02/05/category-6-hurricanes-study

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

26. Will the Washington Cap-And-Trade Repeal Initiative Succeed? The Markets Might Think So (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_68b367da-c479-11ee-8b72-f7b3697f0be4.html

27. Out of Gas: Inslee’s Oil Transparency Bill Stalls in WA Legislature (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/02/05/out-of-gas-inslees-oil-transparency-bill-stalls-out-in-legislature/

28. U.S. Rep. Maloy (UT) Sponsors Bill to Keep Hydropower Rates Low During Drought (St. George News, UT)

https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2024/02/01/mgk-lgl24-rep-maloy-sponsors-bill-to-keep-hydropower-rates-low-during-drought/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

29. Deadly Storm in Southern California Triggers Hundreds of Mudslides & Floods Roads (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/deadly-storm-southern-california-floods-055119864.html

30. Warmer, Drier Weather for the Pacific Northwest? Here’s Oregon’s February Climate Outlook (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/weather/oregons-weather-outlook-february/283-0445d91d-aba3-442e-be7c-edbd6b9e9199

31. USDA Spotlights Importance of Columbia-Snake River Navigation (Capital Press – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/grains/usda-spotlights-importance-of-columbia-snake-navigation/article_37df09ea-bc89-11ee-82b9-938b09ca8c99.html

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

32. Guest Essay: Kirk Hudson, Gary Ivory & Rich Wallen: Hydropower Reliability Affordability Stewardship (SourceOne News, Ephrata, WA)

https://www.yoursourceone.com/columbia_basin/op-ed-hydropower-is-the-cornerstone-of-a-reliable-clean-energy-future/article_12da5c04-c17e-11ee-8cec-43415a6107c5.html

33. Editorial: Hyperbole, Hysteria Won’t Solve Dam Issue (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/opinion-hyperbole-hysteria-wont-solve-dam-issue/article_d76dc2fa-c1ff-11ee-b515-2fbabc859546.html

34. News Release: U.S. Rep. Risch (ID), Colleagues Give Biden Admin Reality Check on Financial Burden of Dam Breaching (U.S. Rep. Jim Risch, ID)

https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E588B52D-7025-4735-8DED-D4751E69F71C

35. Commentary: Is Northwest Snow History? Scientific Errors in a Major Seattle Times Climate Story (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2024/02/is-northwest-snow-history-scientific.html

36. Guest Essay: Lessons from NuScale’s Terminated Project Will Help Pave the Way for Advanced Nuclear Energy (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/uamps-nuscale-terrapower-nrc-lessons-advanced-nuclear-reactor/706612/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

A Giant Statue of Emperor Constantine Looks Out Over Rome Again with Help from 3D Technology

https://apnews.com/article/italy-rome-constantine-b1c5418d16b4911c0c623acdcc80c7a2

Seattle-Bound Flight Attendant Thinks Fast to Save Rare Flamingo Eggs

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/seattle-bound-flight-attendant-thinks-fast-save-rare-flamingo-eggs/B6GF2ZYJTBDI5JNQNET5TKG7FE/

This Guy Used ChatGPT to Talk to 5,000 Women on Tinder and Met His Wife

https://gizmodo.com/guy-used-chatgpt-talk-5-000-women-tinder-met-his-wife-1851228179

Japan: Group of Killer Whales Desperately Trapped in Ice Has Apparently Escaped

https://gizmodo.com/group-of-killer-whales-desperately-trapped-in-ice-has-a-1851235373

SONG OF THE DAY

Alan Parsons Project - In the Lap of the Gods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3lDYXCE_8E