The Energy News Digest for October 21, 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.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Salmon Return to Klamath Basin in Oregon After More Than a Century (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/10/18/salmon-return-klamath-basin-oregon-dam-removal/

Cuba Grid Collapses Again, Raising Doubts About a Quick Fix (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cuba-suffers-third-major-setback-restoring-power-island-millions-still-dark-2024-10-20/

U.S. Approves Major Geothermal Project on Public Lands, Seeks to Support Others (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-approves-major-geothermal-project-public-lands-seeks-support-others-2024-10-18/

Can Hydropower Survive Climate Change? (Oil Price)

https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Hydroelectric/Can-Hydropower-Survive-Climate-Change.html

Three of Four ‘Let’s Go WA’ Initiatives Face Significant Opposition Headed into Nov. Election: WA Poll (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/elections/2024-election-poll-results/281-02f6ad0b-9717-4f9e-96a0-78b5531eb13d

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Cuba Grid Collapses Again, Raising Doubts About a Quick Fix

2.      What Happens When a Country Goes Too Long without Electricity? Death & Devastation Follow

3.      Avista Receives $85 Million Grant to Harden Transmission Lines Against Fires

4.      Democrats Embrace Nuclear Power in Heated Senate Races

5.      U.S. Approves Major Geothermal Project on Public Lands, Seeks to Support Others

6.      Increasing the Efficiency of Hydropower Plants with Utility-Scale Batteries

7.      Idaho Approves First Solar Permit on State Endowment Land

8.      Solar Project on Napa Wastewater Ponds to Power 5,000 Homes, Gains County OK

9.      Two WA State Programs to Assist with Clean Energy Projects

10.   Central Washington Faces Challenges, Opportunities with Growing Renewable Tech Industry

11.   Thinking of Going Solar? Wait Until You Need a New Roof.

12.   Does Daylight Saving Time Help with Energy Bills?

13.   Paywall Advisory: Heat Pumps Were Supposed to Transform the World. But It’s Not Going as Planned.

14.   Salmon Return to Klamath Basin in Oregon After More Than a Century

15.   Declining Fish Populations: Dams, Climate, And Restoration Efforts

16.   Can Pacific Lamprey Numbers Be Restored in the Columbia River Basin? Yakama Nation Biologists Think So

17.   Thousands of Salmon Eggs Arrive at Southeast Washington Schools

18.   Can Hydropower Survive Climate Change?

19.   Nearly $75 Million in Federal Grant Funds to Help Alaska Native Communities with Climate Impacts

20.   Banking on Oregon Forests: In Fight Against Climate Change, Financial Markets See Green in Oregon

21.   Carbon Markets – Safe from Possible Trump Attack – Could Expand

22.   October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Here’s How to Stay Safe from Scams

23.   How a Small Reactor in Eastern WA Became the World’s First Nuclear Plant 80 Years Ago

24.   Three of Four ‘Let’s Go WA’ Initiatives Face Significant Opposition Headed into Nov. Election: WA Poll

25.   In Inaugural Tribal Energy Summit, Carbon Capture, Critical Minerals and Sovereignty Take Center Stage

26.   NOAA’s Annual Winter Forecast Is Here. These Are the Weather Predictions for Your Area

27.   Columnist: Communications After a Disaster

Word of the Day – The Horrible Haiku Edition

Blandish \BLANN-dish\ Verb - 1: to coax or persuade with flattery: cajole 2: to act or speak in a flattering or coaxing manner.

     Blandishments aside

     Haggis is Haggis, always

     Not my cup of guts

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Cuba Grid Collapses Again, Raising Doubts About a Quick Fix (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cuba-suffers-third-major-setback-restoring-power-island-millions-still-dark-2024-10-20/

2.      What Happens When a Country Goes Too Long without Electricity? Death & Devastation Follow (The Miami Herald, FL – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/happens-country-goes-too-long-191856350.html

3.      Avista Receives $85 Million Grant to Harden Transmission Lines Against Fires (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/wildfire/avista-85-million-grant-to-harden-transmission-lines-against-fires/293-20b007c3-8564-4bc7-8f1f-6df69e2bb365

4.      Democrats Embrace Nuclear Power in Heated Senate Races (Huffington Post)

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democrats-election-nuclear_n_6712ccc1e4b0e2b6e54c0e1c

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

5.      U.S. Approves Major Geothermal Project on Public Lands, Seeks to Support Others (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-approves-major-geothermal-project-public-lands-seeks-support-others-2024-10-18/

6.      Increasing the Efficiency of Hydropower Plants with Utility-Scale Batteries (Idaho National Library)

https://inl.gov/feature-story/increasing-the-efficiency-of-hydropower-plants-with-utility-scale-batteries/

7.      Idaho Approves First Solar Permit on State Endowment Land (KTVB-TV, Boise, ID – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/idaho-approves-first-solar-permit-on-state-endowment-land/ar-AA1szxK7

8.      Solar Project on Napa Wastewater Ponds to Power 5,000 Homes, Gains County OK (Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, CA)

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/napa/napa-solar-wastewater/

9.      Two WA State Programs to Assist with Clean Energy Projects (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2024/oct/21/2-programs-to-assist-with-clean-energy-projects/

10.   Central Washington Faces Challenges, Opportunities with Growing Renewable Tech Industry (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Via AOL)

https://www.aol.com/central-washington-faces-challenges-opportunities-035900800.html

11.   Thinking of Going Solar? Wait Until You Need a New Roof. (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/climate-energy/thinking-of-going-solar-wait-until-you-need-a-new-roof/

Conservation & Efficiency

12.   Does Daylight Saving Time Help with Energy Bills? (C|Net News)

https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/does-daylight-saving-time-help-with-energy-bills/

13.   Paywall Advisory: Heat Pumps Were Supposed to Transform the World. But It’s Not Going as Planned. (Washington Post, Paywall Advisory)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2024/10/21/heat-pump-sales-slump-us-europe/

Fish & Wildlife

14.   Salmon Return to Klamath Basin in Oregon After More Than a Century (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/10/18/salmon-return-klamath-basin-oregon-dam-removal/

15.   Declining Fish Populations: Dams, Climate, And Restoration Efforts (International Water Power & Dam Construction)

https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/analysis/declining-fish-populations-dams-climate-and-restoration-efforts/

16.   Can Pacific Lamprey Numbers Be Restored in the Columbia River Basin? Yakama Nation Biologists Think So (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/oct/19/can-pacific-lamprey-numbers-be-restored-in-the-columbia-river-basin-yakama-nation-biologists-think-so/

17.   Thousands of Salmon Eggs Arrive at Southeast Washington Schools (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2024/10/16/thousands-of-salmon-eggs-arrive-at-southeast-washington-schools/

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

18.   Can Hydropower Survive Climate Change? (Oil Price)

https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Hydroelectric/Can-Hydropower-Survive-Climate-Change.html

19.   Nearly $75 Million in Federal Grant Funds to Help Alaska Native Communities with Climate Impacts (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/alaska-natives-climate-change-grant-bbf9137f73a45421b71c5996eb83b3fc

20.   Banking on Oregon Forests: In Fight Against Climate Change, Financial Markets See Green in Oregon (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/10/21/banking-on-oregon-forests-in-fight-against-climate-change-financial-markets-see-green-in-oregon/

21.   Carbon Markets – Safe from Possible Trump Attack – Could Expand (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/carbon-markets-safe-from-possible-trump-attack-could-expand/

Beam Me Up, Scotty - The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

22.   October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Here’s How to Stay Safe from Scams (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/oct/21/october-is-cybersecurity-awareness-month-heres-how-to-stay-safe-from-scams/

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

23.   How a Small Reactor in Eastern WA Became the World’s First Nuclear Plant 80 Years Ago (The Olympian, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/small-reactor-eastern-wa-became-120000073.html

Management & Governance

24.   Three of Four ‘Let’s Go WA’ Initiatives Face Significant Opposition Headed into Nov. Election: WA Poll (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/elections/2024-election-poll-results/281-02f6ad0b-9717-4f9e-96a0-78b5531eb13d

25.   In Inaugural Tribal Energy Summit, Carbon Capture, Critical Minerals and Sovereignty Take Center Stage (Inside Climate News)

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/19102024/inaugural-tribal-energy-summit/

Other Things to Know About Today

26.   NOAA’s Annual Winter Forecast Is Here. These Are the Weather Predictions for Your Area (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/10/18/noaa-releases-annual-winter-outlook-for-2024-2025-season/

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

27.   Columnist: Communications After a Disaster (Pots & Pans)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2024/10/17/communications-after-a-disaster/

Alligators in the Sewer – Diversions

West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta 2024

https://www.oregonlive.com/galleries/33GYJCKYQVGCDKSOSYODRCCHXA/

A Southern California School Plants a ‘Moon Tree’ Grown with Seeds Flown in Space

https://www.wcvb.com/article/southern-california-school-plants-a-moon-tree/62612011

Dog Spotted Hanging Out on Top of Ancient Pyramid in Egypt

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/dog-spotted-hanging-top-ancient-183947227.html

Missouri Museum Opens 100-Year-Old Time Capsule

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2024/10/17/National-World-War-I-Museum-Kansas-City-time-capsule/6591729186709/

Song of the Day

Cat Stevens – Moon Shadow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSZUL07qwfw

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. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookie files may help you access some paywall sites.

The Energy News Digest for October 16, 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.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Amazon’s Big Plans for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in Eastern WA & Beyond (Bellingham Herald, WA – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/amazon-s-big-plans-for-small-modular-nuclear-reactors-in-eastern-wa-and-beyond/ar-AA1sn8Kh

Google Signs Deal to Use Small Nuclear Reactors to Power Data Centers (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/google-agrees-to-multi-reactor-power-deal-with-nuclear-startup-kairos

Bonneville Power Administration Plans $3 Billion in Transmission Projects, Including 500-Kv Lines (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/bpa-bonneville-transmission-projects-oregon-washington-edam/729978/

Oregon: Data Center in Forest Grove? Neighbors Say Not So Fast (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/data-center-in-forest-grove-neighbors-say-not-so-fast/

Snow Is Likely Coming for the Cascades This Week (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2024/10/snow-is-likely-coming-for-the-cascades-this-week.html

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Amazon’s Big Plans for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in Eastern WA & Beyond

2.      Google Signs Deal to Use Small Nuclear Reactors to Power Data Centers

3.      Bonneville Power Administration Plans $3 Billion in Transmission Projects, Including 500-Kv Lines

4.      News Release: Bonneville Power Administration Maintains Transmission Expansion Momentum with 13 New Proposed Projects

5.      Pacific Gas & Electric Warns of Potential Power Shutoffs for Fire Danger Across Central & Northern California

6.      Idaho Power Lines Determined as Likely Cause of Valley Fire in Boise

7.      Montana Public Service Commission Rejects Montana-Dakota Utilities Rate Increase After Outcry

8.      British Columbia: The Columbia River Treaty Is Getting an Overhaul. Will It Help Resolve Kinbasket’s Woes?

9.      Public Power Utilities Included Among Recipients of DOE Funding for Hydropower

10.   Get Ready for ‘Age of Electricity,’ New Energy Agency Report Says

11.   As Solar Booms in the California Desert, Locals Feel ‘Overburdened’

12.   Geothermal – Petroleum Drilling Technology Is Now Making Carbon-Free Power

13.   This Farmer Was Skeptical About Solar — Until He Began Grazing Sheep

14.   Everyone Loves Rooftop Solar Panels. But There’s a Problem.

15.   Five ‘Vampire’ Appliances Wasting Energy If You Leave Them on Standby

16.   Lack of Chinook Salmon Keeps Southern Resident Orcas on Endangered List

17.   Fish Return After Condit Dam Removal

18.   A Receding Lake Powell Is Bringing Colorado River Rapids in Utah Back to Life

19.   The FCC Takes Aim at Broadband Data Caps

20.   Oregon: Data Center in Forest Grove? Neighbors Say Not So Fast

21.   Work Smarter: What You Need to Know About Artificial Intelligence Integrations, Video Trends & Policy Points

22.   Snow Is Likely Coming for the Cascades This Week

23.   A La Niña Winter Is Coming. Here’s What That Could Mean for the U.S.

Word of the Day – The Horrible Haiku Edition

Conker /kon-kerr/ Noun – 1: a horse chestnut especially when used in conkers, 2: conkers plural: a game in which each player swings a horse chestnut on a string to try to break one held by the opponent

     Behold, the winner

     Disgraced conkers champion

     He used a steel nut

For context, see the Diversions section below.

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Amazon’s Big Plans for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in Eastern WA & Beyond (Bellingham Herald, WA – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/amazon-s-big-plans-for-small-modular-nuclear-reactors-in-eastern-wa-and-beyond/ar-AA1sn8Kh

2.      Google Signs Deal to Use Small Nuclear Reactors to Power Data Centers (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/google-agrees-to-multi-reactor-power-deal-with-nuclear-startup-kairos

3.      Bonneville Power Administration Plans $3 Billion in Transmission Projects, Including 500-Kv Lines (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/bpa-bonneville-transmission-projects-oregon-washington-edam/729978/

4.      News Release: Bonneville Power Administration Maintains Transmission Expansion Momentum with 13 New Proposed Projects (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20241015-bpa-maintains-tx-expansion-momentum-with-13-new-proposed-projects

5.      Pacific Gas & Electric Warns of Potential Power Shutoffs for Fire Danger Across Central & Northern California (Sacramento Bee, CA – Nia MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/pg-e-warns-of-potential-power-shutoffs-for-fire-danger-across-central-and-northern-california/ar-AA1skQGA

6.      Idaho Power Lines Determined as Likely Cause of Valley Fire in Boise (Idaho Press)

https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-power-lines-determined-as-likely-cause-of-valley-fire-in-boise/article_1b627450-8a79-11ef-abdc-bfd770e37b20.html

7.      Montana Public Service Commission Rejects Montana-Dakota Utilities Rate Increase After Outcry (The Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2024/10/15/montana-public-service-commission-rejects-mdu-rate-increase-after-outcry/

8.      British Columbia: The Columbia River Treaty Is Getting an Overhaul. Will It Help Resolve Kinbasket’s Woes? (The Rocky Mountain Goat, Valemount, BC)

https://www.therockymountaingoat.com/2024/10/the-columbia-river-treaty-is-getting-an-overhaul-will-it-help-resolve-kinbaskets-woes/

9.      Public Power Utilities Included Among Recipients of DOE Funding for Hydropower (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/public-power-utilities-included-among-recipients-doe-funding-hydropower

10.   Get Ready for ‘Age of Electricity,’ New Energy Agency Report Says (Axios – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/get-ready-for-age-of-electricity-new-energy-agency-report-says/ar-AA1smWDL

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

11.   As Solar Booms in the California Desert, Locals Feel ‘Overburdened’ (Inside Climate News)

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/16102024/california-desert-solar-development-burden/?utm_medium=email

12.   Geothermal – Petroleum Drilling Technology Is Now Making Carbon-Free Power (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/15/nx-s1-5035523/petroleum-drilling-technology-carbon-free-power

13.   This Farmer Was Skeptical About Solar — Until He Began Grazing Sheep (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/this-farmer-was-skeptical-about-solar-until-he-began-grazing-sheep

14.   Everyone Loves Rooftop Solar Panels. But There’s a Problem. (Washington Post – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/everyone-loves-rooftop-solar-panels-but-there-s-a-problem/ar-AA1smtoi

Conservation & Efficiency

15.   Five ‘Vampire’ Appliances Wasting Energy If You Leave Them on Standby (The Mirror, UK)

https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/five-vampire-appliances-wasting-energy-33884215

Fish & Wildlife

16.   Lack of Chinook Salmon Keeps Southern Resident Orcas on Endangered List (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3997930/lack-chinook-salmon-keeps-southern-resident-killer-whale-on-endangered-list/

17.   Fish Return After Condit Dam Removal (Columbia Gorge News, Hood River, OR)

https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/fish-return-after-dam-removal/article_b2e995ca-8b22-11ef-b0af-9ff009f310af.html

Water, Water, Anywhere?

18.   A Receding Lake Powell Is Bringing Colorado River Rapids in Utah Back to Life (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/15/nx-s1-5096082-e1/a-receding-lake-powell-is-bringing-colorado-river-rapids-in-utah-back-to-life

London Calling –Telecommunications

19.   The FCC Takes Aim at Broadband Data Caps (PC World)

https://www.pcworld.com/article/2491457/the-fcc-takes-aim-at-broadband-data-caps.html

Beam Me Up, Scotty - The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

20.   Oregon: Data Center in Forest Grove? Neighbors Say Not So Fast (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/data-center-in-forest-grove-neighbors-say-not-so-fast/

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

21.   Work Smarter: What You Need to Know About Artificial Intelligence Integrations, Video Trends & Policy Points (Pioneer Utility Resources)

https://www.pioneerutilityresources.com/work-smarter-with-ai/

Other Things to Know About Today

22.   Snow Is Likely Coming for the Cascades This Week (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2024/10/snow-is-likely-coming-for-the-cascades-this-week.html

23.   A La Niña Winter Is Coming. Here’s What That Could Mean for the U.S. (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/la-ni-winter-coming-could-082238997.html

Alligators in the Sewer – Diversions

Pumpkin Weighing 2,471 Pounds Wins California Contest

https://apnews.com/article/california-giant-pumpkin-winner-71cc6201bb732f057261d452bdf97ba5

Nuisance Or Neighbors? Rabbit Population Explodes in a Spokane Neighborhood

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/nuisance-or-neighbors-rabbit-population-explodes-in-a-spokane-neighborhood/ar-AA1sjXmI

Video: British Columbia Mushroom Picker Finds Massive Matsutake Mushroom

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6536818

Steel Chestnut Plunges World Conker Championships into Controversy

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2024/10/15/World-Conker-Championships-steel-chestnut-cheating/2541729011522/

Song of the Day

Art Garfunkel – Bright Eyes (Watership Down Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi-YTTR7n-8

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. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookie files may help you access some paywall sites.