The Energy News Digest for June 12, 2020

The Hot Shots edition of The Energy News Digest is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to The Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Mason County Weather Forecast for June 16, 2020

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP STORIES

Pacific Gas & Electric to Plead Guilty to Deaths from California Wildfire (Associated Press)
https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2020-06-15/pg-e-to-plead-guilty-to-deaths-from-california-wildfire

Monday’s T-Mobile Outage to Be Probed as FCC Chief Demands Answers (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/t-mobile-working-to-recover-from-major-service-disruption/

Utilities Remain Mute on FERC Net Metering Petition, Leave Filing to Face Overwhelming Opposition (Utility Dive)
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/utilities-remain-mute-on-ferc-net-metering-petition-leave-filing-to-face-o/579866/

Covid-19 Infections Rising in Washington; Health Officials Plead for Public to Wear Face Coverings (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)
https://q13fox.com/2020/06/15/covid-19-infections-rising-in-washington-health-officials-plead-for-public-to-wear-face-coverings/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. Pacific Gas & Electric to Plead Guilty to Deaths from California Wildfire
2. Minnesota Power to Reach 50% Renewables in 2021 with Canadian Hydropower
3. Joy Ditto Op/Ed: Steps Congress Can Take to Empower Economic Recovery
4. Utilities Remain Mute on FERC Net Metering Petition, Leave Filing to Face Overwhelming Opposition
5. Company Plans to Build 15 Utility-Scale Storage Plants in Texas
6. Alaskan Native Tribes Face Health & Government Challenges with Fishing Season
7. Lake Pend Oreille Sees Highest Kokanee Density in Two Decades
8. Op/Ed: Let’s Work Together for a Better Idaho Future: Abundant Salmon, Affordable Energy & Prosperous Farms
9. Monday’s T-Mobile Outage to Be Probed as FCC Chief Demands Answers
10. SpaceX Has A Month to Prove Starlink Is Worthy of Rural Broadband Funding
11. Utility Firms May Be Given Access to Run Gigabit Broadband Cables in Sewers
12. Judge Upholds Governor Inslee’s COVID-19 Emergency Proclamation, Business Closures
13. Judge: U.S. Must Release $679 Million in Tribal Virus Relief Funds
14. Covid-19 Infections Rising in Washington; Health Officials Plead for Public to Wear Face Coverings
15. Flushing the Toilet May Fling Coronavirus Aerosols All Over
16. Canada, U.S. Extend Border Restrictions to July 21.
17. Feds: Company Provided Subpar Steel for Navy Submarine Hulls

WORD OF THE DAY

Null /NULL/ Adjective – 1: having no legal or binding force: INVALID 2: amounting to nothing: NIL 3: having no value: INSIGNIFICANT 4a: having no elements b: having zero as a limit 5a: indicating usually by a zero reading on a scale when a given quantity (such as current or voltage) is zero or when two quantities are equal —used of an instrument b: being or relating to a method of measurement in which an unknown quantity (as of electric current) is compared with a known quantity of the same kind and found equal by a null detector 6: of, being, or relating to zero 7: ZERO

A lot of words to describe nothing.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Pacific Gas & Electric to Plead Guilty to Deaths from California Wildfire (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2020-06-15/pg-e-to-plead-guilty-to-deaths-from-california-wildfire

2. Minnesota Power to Reach 50% Renewables in 2021 with Canadian Hydropower (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/minnesota-power-to-reach-50-renewables-in-2021-with-canadian-hydropower/579771/

3. Joy Ditto Op/Ed: Steps Congress Can Take to Empower Economic Recovery (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/502686-steps-congress-can-take-to-empower-economic-recovery

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

4. Utilities Remain Mute on FERC Net Metering Petition, Leave Filing to Face Overwhelming Opposition (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/utilities-remain-mute-on-ferc-net-metering-petition-leave-filing-to-face-o/579866/

5. Company Plans to Build 15 Utility-Scale Storage Plants in Texas (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/company-plans-build-15-utility-scale-storage-plants-texas

FISH & WILDLIFE

6. Alaskan Native Tribes Face Health & Government Challenges with Fishing Season (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/alaskan-native-tribes-face-health-and-government-challenges-with-fishing-season/

7. Lake Pend Oreille Sees Highest Kokanee Density in Two Decades (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jun/16/lake-pend-oreille-sees-highest-kokanee-density-in-/

8. Op/Ed: Let’s Work Together for a Better Idaho Future: Abundant Salmon, Affordable Energy & Prosperous Farms (Idaho Falls Post-Register, ID)

https://www.postregister.com/opinion/guest_column/let-s-work-together-for-a-better-idaho-future-abundant-salmon-affordable-energy-and-prosperous/article_5755ffbb-d996-53f2-9edf-88ef8b8e1326.html

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

9. Monday’s T-Mobile Outage to Be Probed as FCC Chief Demands Answers (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/t-mobile-working-to-recover-from-major-service-disruption/

10. SpaceX Has A Month to Prove Starlink Is Worthy of Rural Broadband Funding (Engadget)

https://www.engadget.com/spacex-starlink-low-latency-funding-082010029.html

11. Utility Firms May Be Given Access to Run Gigabit Broadband Cables in Sewers (Institute of Engineering & Technology)

https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2020/06/utility-firms-may-be-given-access-to-run-gigabit-broadband-cables-in-sewers/

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

12. Judge Upholds Governor Inslee’s COVID-19 Emergency Proclamation, Business Closures (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/news_watch/judge-upholds-inslee-emergency-proclamation-business-closures/article_be781b3c-fd0c-5a94-a709-ac8d3c31f315.html

13. Judge: U.S. Must Release $679 Million in Tribal Virus Relief Funds (Associated Press)

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/treasury-withholding-679m-virus-relief-funds-tribes-71265404

SICKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN

14. Covid-19 Infections Rising in Washington; Health Officials Plead for Public to Wear Face Coverings (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

https://q13fox.com/2020/06/15/covid-19-infections-rising-in-washington-health-officials-plead-for-public-to-wear-face-coverings/

15. Flushing the Toilet May Fling Coronavirus Aerosols All Over (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/16/health/coronavirus-toilets-flushing.html

GENERAL NEWS

16. Canada, U.S. Extend Border Restrictions to July 21. (ABC News)

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/canada-us-extend-border-restrictions-july-21-71277827

17. Feds: Company Provided Subpar Steel for Navy Submarine Hulls (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

https://q13fox.com/2020/06/15/feds-company-provided-subpar-steel-for-navy-submarine-hulls/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

British Runner Sets Guinness Record for Fastest Mile Blindfolded
https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/06/16/British-runner-sets-Guinness-record-for-fastest-mile-blindfolded/5081592319103/

Michigan Brewery Makes Beer Deliveries Via Seaplane
https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/06/15/Michigan-brewery-makes-beer-deliveries-via-seaplane/4601592246868/

Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest to Go on Without Spectators
https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/06/16/Nathans-Famous-Hot-Dog-Eating-Contest-to-go-on-without-spectators/9921592321339/

Dozens of Blue Land Crabs Parade Through Florida Woman's Yard
https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/06/04/Dozens-of-blue-land-crabs-parade-through-Florida-womans-yard/5571591295225/

SONG OF THE DAY

Vangelis – Chariots of Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r78QV5Cwiq0

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

The Energy News Digest for June 15, 2020

The Hot Shots edition is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to The Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Mason County Weather Forecast for June 15, 2020

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Bonneville Power Administration Begins BP-22 Integrated Program Review Ahead of BP-22 Rate Case (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-begins-BP-22-Integrated-Program-Review-ahead-of-BP-22-rate-case.aspx

Temperature Spike: Earth Ties Record High Heat May Reading (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/f13f12d4cefc96ee942f1e1de774eee9

California Utilities, Regulators Aim to Hasten Microgrid Deployment Ahead of Wildfire Season (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-utilities-regulators-aim-to-hasten-microgrid-deployment-ahead-o/579765/

Kenai River Subsistence Rod-&-Reel Salmon Fishing Halted – Low Numbers from the Early King Salmon Run (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/alaska/articles/2020-06-15/kenai-river-subsistence-rod-and-reel-salmon-fishing-halted

Utility Ransomware Attacks Becoming More Sophisticated, New ‘Honeypot’ Operation Finds (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/utility-ransomware-attacks-becoming-more-sophisticated-new-honeypot-oper/579780/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.        Bonneville Power Administration Begins BP-22 Integrated Program Review Ahead of BP-22 Rate Case

2.        When Silicon Valley Goes Dark This Time, There Will Be No Refuge

3.        Great Northern Transmission Line Powers Up, Bringing Manitoba Hydropower to Minnesota

4.        New Mexico: Watchdog Files Appeal Over Planned Nuclear Storage Complex

5.        California Utilities, Regulators Aim to Hasten Microgrid Deployment Ahead of Wildfire Season

6.        Lompoc Considering Pact with Wind Farm Developers; City Could Receive Payment for Not Opposing Project

7.        Solar Industry Sees Record Installations in the First Quarter

8.        Kenai River Subsistence Rod-&-Reel Salmon Fishing Halted – Low Numbers from the Early King Salmon Run

9.        Canada: How Blooms of Northern Anchovies Are Helping Bring More Sea Life Back to Burrard Inlet

10.     Bill Monroe: Oregon, Washington in Standoff Over Sturgeon Fishing in Columbia River Estuary

11.     ‘She Needs to Be Returned Home’ Say Lummi Tribal Members Renewing Push to Free Orca

12.     From National Parks to the Deep Sea, Plastic Pollution Is Showing Up Wherever Scientists Look

13.     Temperature Spike: Earth Ties Record High Heat May Reading

14.     Big Dairy Has a Big Carbon Problem

15.     Oregon Public Utility Commission Receives $3.5 Million to Raise ‘Lifeline’ Phone, Broadband Discount

16.     Op/Ed: COVID-19 & the Digital Divide: Congress Must Act

17.     Op/Ed: Don’t Lose Telemedicine Gains as Distancing Restrictions Loosen

18.     Utility Ransomware Attacks Becoming More Sophisticated, New ‘Honeypot’ Operation Finds

19.     Work-From-Home Here to Stay, Says Federal Communications Commissioner Michael O’Rielly

20.     This Sculpture Is a Mood Ring for the Great Barrier Reef

21.     U.S. Supreme Court Backs Protection for LGBT Workers

22.     Matt Shea Still Hopes to Create 51st State in Eastern Washington

23.     Washington State Reaches 25,834 Cases: Governor on Report Showing Increased Transmission

24.     Rush to Disinfect U.S. Offices Has Some Health Experts Worried

25.     Western States Are Entering an Active Wildfire Season Just as Coronavirus Cases Spike

26.     CHAZ Changes Name to CHOP to Better Reflect the Demonstrations’ Message

27.     Alaska Governor, Mayor Push Anchorage for Space Command Post

WORD OF THE DAY

Bravura \bruh-VUR-uh\ Noun - 1: a musical passage requiring exceptional agility & technical skill in execution 2: a florid brilliant style 3: a show of daring or brilliance

“WOW” exclaimed the corporate administrative assistant to her seatmate at the local production of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” “I knew that Montague was a theater nut, but I had no idea that he would play ‘Frank-N-Furter’ so broadly, with so much bravura,” she said.

Monty would never be seen in the same light again, as he daily wheeled the mail cart through the cubicles…the “gophers” rolling their chairs out to watch him stroll by.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Bonneville Power Administration Begins BP-22 Integrated Program Review Ahead of BP-22 Rate Case (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-begins-BP-22-Integrated-Program-Review-ahead-of-BP-22-rate-case.aspx

2.      When Silicon Valley Goes Dark This Time, There Will Be No Refuge (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-13/when-silicon-valley-goes-dark-this-time-there-will-be-no-refuge

3.      Great Northern Transmission Line Powers Up, Bringing Manitoba Hydropower to Minnesota (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, MN)

https://www.startribune.com/great-northern-transmission-line-powers-up-bringing-manitoba-hydropower-to-minnesota/571204492/?

4.      New Mexico: Watchdog Files Appeal Over Planned Nuclear Storage Complex (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/ec48244bcb952dc18cf3e3adb7f8375d

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

5.      California Utilities, Regulators Aim to Hasten Microgrid Deployment Ahead of Wildfire Season (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-utilities-regulators-aim-to-hasten-microgrid-deployment-ahead-o/579765/

6.      Lompoc Considering Pact with Wind Farm Developers; City Could Receive Payment for Not Opposing Project (Santa Maria Times, CA)

https://santamariatimes.com/news/local/lompoc-considering-pact-with-wind-farm-developers-city-could-receive-payment-for-not-opposing-project/article_4765f7f2-9176-5522-a4e3-445d6939afae.html

7.      Solar Industry Sees Record Installations in the First Quarter (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/25911-solar-industry-sees-record-installations-in-q1/

FISH & WILDLIFE

8.      Kenai River Subsistence Rod-&-Reel Salmon Fishing Halted – Low Numbers from the Early King Salmon Run (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/alaska/articles/2020-06-15/kenai-river-subsistence-rod-and-reel-salmon-fishing-halted

9.      Canada: How Blooms of Northern Anchovies Are Helping Bring More Sea Life Back to Burrard Inlet (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/northern-anchovy-numbers-increase-near-port-moody-drawing-humpback-whale-sea-lions-1.5608573

10.   Bill Monroe: Oregon, Washington in Standoff Over Sturgeon Fishing in Columbia River Estuary (Oregonian, Portland)

https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2020/06/bill-monroe-oregon-washington-in-standoff-over-sturgeon-fishing-in-columbia-river-estuary.html

11.   ‘She Needs to Be Returned Home’ Say Lummi Tribal Members Renewing Push to Free Orca (Bellingham Herald, WA)

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article243411011.html

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

12.   From National Parks to the Deep Sea, Plastic Pollution Is Showing Up Wherever Scientists Look (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/06/14/national-parks-deep-sea-plastic-pollution-is-showing-up-wherever-scientists-look/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

13.   Temperature Spike: Earth Ties Record High Heat May Reading (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/f13f12d4cefc96ee942f1e1de774eee9

14.   Big Dairy Has a Big Carbon Problem (Gizmodo)

https://earther.gizmodo.com/big-dairy-has-a-big-carbon-problem-1844038061

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

15.   Oregon Public Utility Commission Receives $3.5 Million to Raise ‘Lifeline’ Phone, Broadband Discount (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

https://ktvz.com/community/community-billboard/2020/06/12/oregon-puc-receives-3-5-million-to-expand-lifeline-phone-broadband-service/

16.   Op/Ed: COVID-19 & the Digital Divide: Congress Must Act (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/editorials/guest_editorials/covid-19-and-the-digital-divide-congress-must-act/article_b37756b1-9ec8-56a4-a6f1-fe13fa608a83.html

17.   Op/Ed: Don’t Lose Telemedicine Gains as Distancing Restrictions Loosen (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/as-distancing-restrictions-loosen-dont-lose-telemedicine-gains/

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

18.   Utility Ransomware Attacks Becoming More Sophisticated, New ‘Honeypot’ Operation Finds (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/utility-ransomware-attacks-becoming-more-sophisticated-new-honeypot-oper/579780/

19.   Work-From-Home Here to Stay, Says Federal Communications Commissioner Michael O’Rielly (Broadband Breakfast)

http://broadbandbreakfast.com/2020/06/work-from-home-here-to-stay-says-federal-communications-commissioner-michael-orielly/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

20.   This Sculpture Is a Mood Ring for the Great Barrier Reef (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/climate/this-sculpture-is-a-mood-ring-for-the-great-barrier-reef/

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

21.   U.S. Supreme Court Backs Protection for LGBT Workers (British Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53055632

22.   Matt Shea Still Hopes to Create 51st State in Eastern Washington (Associated Press)

https://q13fox.com/2020/06/15/matt-shea-still-hopes-to-create-51st-state-in-eastern-washington/

SICKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN

23.   Washington State Reaches 25,834 Cases: Governor on Report Showing Increased Transmission (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/coronavirus/article243512287.html

24.   Rush to Disinfect U.S. Offices Has Some Health Experts Worried (Bloomberg News)

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/coronavirus/rush-to-disinfect-u-s-offices-has-some-health-experts-worried

GENERAL NEWS

25.   Western States Are Entering an Active Wildfire Season Just as Coronavirus Cases Spike (Associated Press)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jun/15/western-states-are-entering-an-active-wildfire-sea/

26.   CHAZ Changes Name to CHOP to Better Reflect the Demonstrations’ Message (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/chaz-changes-name-to-chop-to-better-reflect-the-demonstrations-message

27.   Alaska Governor, Mayor Push Anchorage for Space Command Post (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/alaska/articles/2020-06-15/alaska-governor-mayor-push-anchorage-for-space-command-post

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

What Technology Has Accidentally Killed the Most People?

https://gizmodo.com/what-technology-has-accidentally-killed-the-most-people-1843750086

Man’s $830,000 Lottery Win Is ‘Literally a Dream Come True’

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/06/15/Mans-830000-lottery-win-is-literally-a-dream-come-true/2631592252904/

Unusual Antique Eyeglasses Rescued from Landfill Sell for $5,000

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/06/15/Unusual-antique-eyeglasses-rescued-from-landfill-sell-for-5000/4941592248050/

Officials Seek Owner of $190,000 Worth of Gold Bars Left on Swiss Train

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/06/15/Officials-seek-owner-of-190K-worth-of-gold-bars-left-on-Swiss-train/4481592243813/

SONG OF THE DAY

Fleetwood Mac – Dreams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XecDz-o-KnY

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

The Energy News Digest for June 12, 2020

The Hot Shots edition is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to The Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Mason County Weather Forecast for June 12, 2020

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

California Will Use Diesel This Summer to Help Keep Lights On (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-11/california-will-use-diesel-this-summer-to-help-keep-lights-on

Clean Energy Backers’ Anger Grows as House Ignores Aid Plea (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/21/clean-energy-coronavirus-relief-bills-273550

Sleeping In, Showering Less. BC Hydro Says Power Use Changes Since Pandemic (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)

https://www.timescolonist.com/sleeping-in-showering-less-bc-hydro-says-power-use-changes-since-pandemic-1.24151173

Op/Ed: Telemedicine Is Here to Stay — Now We Need to Fund It (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/telemedicine-is-here-to-stay-now-we-need-to-fund-it/

Washington Schools Superintendent on Fall Semester Plans: ‘We’re Coming Back’ (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2020/06/11/washington-schools-plan-in-person-classes-fall/5343261002/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      California Will Use Diesel This Summer to Help Keep Lights On

2.      Sleeping In, Showering Less. BC Hydro Says Power Use Changes Since Pandemic

3.      U.S. Weighs End to Foreign Nuclear Power Finance Ban, Potentially Boosting Advanced Reactors

4.      Tacoma Link Extension Needs $35 Million More After Underground Utility Problems Eat Up Budget

5.      Skagit PUD Seeking Candidates for Commissioner Position

6.      Nevada: NV Energy Could Shut Off Power to Prevent Wildfires in Tahoe Area

7.      New York’s Economy Is Slowly Reopening, But Electricity Demand Remains Clipped Due to COVID-19

8.      Power Line Management in the Time of Coronavirus

9.      Washington State Fish & Wildlife Commission to Decide Whether to Retain Pocket Gopher Status Friday

10.   Outdoors: Shrimping a Tasty Option

11.   Return of Sea Otters to British Columbia Coast Worth Millions, But Not Everyone Seeing the Benefits, Study Says

12.   Clean Energy Backers’ Anger Grows as House Ignores Aid Plea

13.   The Central United States Set Several Wind Power Records This Spring

14.   Op/Ed: Telemedicine Is Here to Stay — Now We Need to Fund It

15.   FCC Allows Satellite Companies to Apply for Rural Broadband Funding as ‘Low-Latency’ Providers

16.   Why We Should Care That Facebook Accidentally Deplatformed Hundreds of Users

17.   NASA Is Sending a Rover to the Moon to Prospect for Water & Help Astronauts ‘Live Off the Land’

18.   National Weather Service Proposes Eliminating ‘Advisories’ to Simplify Severe Warning System

19.   Energy Industry’s Diversity Problem

20.   Aberdeen Radio News Director Appointed to City Council Spot

21.   Washington State Reports 137 New COVID-19 Cases & 4 Deaths Thursday

22.   Positive COVID-19 Case Re-Assigned to Mason County

23.   Oregon Governor Announces ‘Pause’ on County Reopening as Cases Spike

24.   Rural Oregon Leaders Mull Revolt Against COVID-19 Reopening Rules

25.   Washington Schools Superintendent on Fall Semester Plans: ‘We’re Coming Back’

26.   George Floyd: Trump Told to Back Off Seattle’s Chaz Police-Free Zone

27.   Homes Are Selling at a Brisk Clip as Washington State’s Economy Reopens

28.   Campers Mistaken for Antifa: From Hundreds of Clallam County Families, an Apology

29.   ‘More Than Cows & Cotton Candy’: Washington Fairs Cancel Events for 2020 Hoping for Big 2021

WORD OF THE DAY

Grating • \GRATE-ing\ • Verb - 1: to rub or rasp noisily 2: to cause irritation: jar

The grating sounds of Dilbert’s ukulele faded away to a soft “plink” as he finished his excruciating version of “Walk on the Wild Side.” Curious, but disengaged bystanders eventually wandering away from the scene, still wondering what it was all about. (kinda like this lame example sentence)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      California Will Use Diesel This Summer to Help Keep Lights On (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-11/california-will-use-diesel-this-summer-to-help-keep-lights-on

2.      Sleeping In, Showering Less. BC Hydro Says Power Use Changes Since Pandemic (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)

https://www.timescolonist.com/sleeping-in-showering-less-bc-hydro-says-power-use-changes-since-pandemic-1.24151173

3.      U.S. Weighs End to Foreign Nuclear Power Finance Ban, Potentially Boosting Advanced Reactors (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/us-weighs-end-to-foreign-nuclear-power-finance-ban-potentially-boosting-ad/579706/

4.      Tacoma Link Extension Needs $35 Million More After Underground Utility Problems Eat Up Budget (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article243274491.html

5.      Skagit PUD Seeking Candidates for Commissioner Position (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, WA)

https://www.goskagit.com/news/skagit-pud-seeking-candidates-for-commissioner-position/article_f2b639f3-4406-5658-81df-669edec312d8.html

6.      Nevada: NV Energy Could Shut Off Power to Prevent Wildfires in Tahoe Area (KRNV-TV, Reno, NV)

https://mynews4.com/news/local/nv-energy-could-shut-off-power-to-prevent-wildfires-in-tahoe-area

7.      New York’s Economy Is Slowly Reopening, But Electricity Demand Remains Clipped Due to COVID-19 (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-yorks-economy-is-slowly-reopening-but-electricity-demand-remains-clip/579587/

8.      Power Line Management in the Time of Coronavirus (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/power-line-management-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/

FISH & WILDLIFE

9.      Washington State Fish & Wildlife Commission to Decide Whether to Retain Pocket Gopher Status Friday (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article243459066.html

10.   Outdoors: Shrimping a Tasty Option (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/sports/shrimping-a-tasty-option/

11.   Return of Sea Otters to British Columbia Coast Worth Millions, But Not Everyone Seeing the Benefits, Study Says (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/sea-otter-study-1.5608282

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

12.   Clean Energy Backers’ Anger Grows as House Ignores Aid Plea (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/21/clean-energy-coronavirus-relief-bills-273550

13.   The Central United States Set Several Wind Power Records This Spring (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=44075

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

14.   Op/Ed: Telemedicine Is Here to Stay — Now We Need to Fund It (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/telemedicine-is-here-to-stay-now-we-need-to-fund-it/

15.   FCC Allows Satellite Companies to Apply for Rural Broadband Funding as ‘Low-Latency’ Providers (Via Satellite)

https://www.satellitetoday.com/broadband/2020/06/11/fcc-allows-satellite-companies-to-apply-for-rural-broadband-funding-as-low-latency-providers/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

16.   Why We Should Care That Facebook Accidentally Deplatformed Hundreds of Users (Slate Magazine)

https://slate.com/technology/2020/06/facebook-anti-racist-skinheads.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

17.   NASA Is Sending a Rover to the Moon to Prospect for Water & Help Astronauts ‘Live Off the Land’ (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/06/11/nasa-is-sending-rover-moon-prospect-water-help-astronauts-live-off-land/

18.   National Weather Service Proposes Eliminating ‘Advisories’ to Simplify Severe Warning System (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/06/12/national-weather-service-proposes-eliminating-advisories-simplify-severe-warning-system/

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

19.   Energy Industry’s Diversity Problem (Politico)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2020/06/energy-industrys-diversity-problem.html

20.   Aberdeen Radio News Director Appointed to City Council Spot (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

https://www.thedailyworld.com/news/radio-news-director-appointed-to-city-council-spot/

SICKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN

21.   Washington State Reports 137 New COVID-19 Cases & 4 Deaths Thursday (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/coronavirus/article243468366.html

22.   Positive COVID-19 Case Re-Assigned to Mason County (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/39702

23.   Oregon Governor Announces ‘Pause’ on County Reopening as Cases Spike (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/06/12/gov-brown-announces-pause.html

24.   Rural Oregon Leaders Mull Revolt Against COVID-19 Reopening Rules (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/news/article/rural-oregon-leaders-mull-covid-19-restrictions-revolt/

GENERAL NEWS

25.   Washington Schools Superintendent on Fall Semester Plans: ‘We’re Coming Back’ (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2020/06/11/washington-schools-plan-in-person-classes-fall/5343261002/

26.   George Floyd: Trump Told to Back Off Seattle’s Chaz Police-Free Zone (British Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53017776

27.   Homes Are Selling at a Brisk Clip as Washington State’s Economy Reopens (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/homes-are-selling-at-a-brisk-clip-as-washington-states-economy-re-opens-coronavirus-economy-daily-chart/

28.   Campers Mistaken for Antifa: From Hundreds of Clallam County Families, an Apology (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jun/11/from-hundreds-of-clallam-county-families-an-apolog/

29.   ‘More Than Cows & Cotton Candy’: Washington Fairs Cancel Events for 2020 Hoping for Big 2021 (Northwest News Network)

https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/post/more-cows-and-cotton-candy-washington-fairs-cancel-events-2020-hoping-big-2021

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Downtown Pasco Development Authority Handing Out “Lucha Libre” Masks to Encourage People to Wear Masks

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/coronavirus/dpda-handing-out-lucha-libre-masks-to-encourage-people-to-wear-masks/article_b45227d8-acab-11ea-af92-23dfe0611c3c.html

Video: New Yorkers Turn to Pet Adoption to De-Stress

https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idPiXZ?now=true

Cambodian Man Kept Live Land Mines as Yard Decorations

https://www.usnews.com/news/offbeat/articles/2020-06-12/cambodian-man-kept-live-land-mines-as-yard-decorations

Metal Detector Hobbiest Finds 97-Year-Old Class Ring in Illinois Park

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/06/12/Metal-detector-hobbiest-finds-97-year-old-class-ring-in-Illinois-park/1161591988400/

SONG OF THE DAY

The More Boys I Meet (The More I Love My Dog) – Carrie Underwood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5iEyOhX7ho

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.