The Energy News Digest

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

The Energy News Digest for June 17, 2020

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

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Mason County Weather Forecast for June 17, 2020

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Pacific Gas & Electric Pleads Guilty to 84 Counts of Manslaughter in Camp Fire Case (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/16/business/energy-environment/pge-camp-fire-california-wildfires.html

Featuring Ted Case: Absent from Stimulus Packages: Overhauling Energy, Climate Programs (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/17/878288580/absent-from-stimulus-packages-overhauling-energy-climate-programs

T-Mobile, Which Said Sprint Merger Would Create Jobs, Already Laying Off Sprint Employees (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/t-mobile-which-said-sprint-merger-would-create-jobs-a-1844060078

Washington Shellfish Growers Reeling After Judge Throws Out General Permit (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

https://www.knkx.org/post/washington-shellfish-growers-reeling-after-judge-throws-out-general-permit

Gov. Inslee Cancels Pay Raises for Government Employees, Announces Furloughs for Washington State Workers (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/gov-inslee-cancels-pay-raises-government-employees-announces-furloughs-state-employees/TR5IP52V45H3TDQFMUEANEA2ZE/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. Pacific Gas & Electric Pleads Guilty to 84 Counts of Manslaughter in Camp Fire Case

2. Featuring Ted Case: Absent from Stimulus Packages: Overhauling Energy, Climate Programs

3. U.S. Lawmakers Weigh How to Help Struggling Energy Industry

4. The American Public Power Association Urges Congress to Provide Direct Aid to Public Power Utilities

5. Kristin Masteller - Mason PUD 1 & COVID-19

6. NV Energy Files Long-Promised $120 Million Rate Reduction That Would Slash Monthly Power Bills

7. Washington Shellfish Growers Reeling After Judge Throws Out General Permit

8. Westport Salmon Season Opens Saturday; Tentative Halibut Dates Set to Begin in August

9. Washington Fish & Wildlife Commission Approve Collaborative Land Transaction for Fishery Conservation in Kittitas & Yakima Counties

10. Washington State Allows Bigger Shrimp Harvest

11. Pebble Mine Developer Launches Plan to Share Profits with Local Residents

12. Senate Passes Major Conservation Package

13. Amazon Signs Big Allies in Pledge to Be Carbon Neutral

14. T-Mobile, Which Said Sprint Merger Would Create Jobs, Already Laying Off Sprint Employees

15. Yakama Nation Networks Strives for a Great Customer Experience

16. FCC Has ‘Serious Doubts’ About SpaceX’s Broadband Service

17. Can You Get Fired for Protesting? Or Commenting on Social Media?

18. After 130 Years, Aunt Jemima Will Vanish from Packaging

19. Gov. Inslee Cancels Pay Raises for Government Employees, Announces Furloughs for Washington State Workers

20. State Revenue Projection for 2019–21 Lowered by Nearly $4.5 Billion

21. Another Direct Contact COVID-19 Case in Mason County

22. Inslee: Surge in Coronavirus Cases Is ‘Gonna Eat the Tri-Cities Alive’

23. ‘Things Have Gotten Ugly.’ Health Officials Quit Over Threats in Coronavirus Pandemic

24. Poll: Americans Are the Unhappiest They’ve Been in 50 Years

25. Man Who Stole Dozens Of Beehives Across the West Arrested in Washington State

26. Driver’s Licensing Offices to Reopen by Appointment June 22

WORD OF THE DAY

Sic • \SICK\ • Adverb - Intentionally so written; used after a printed word or passage to indicate that it is intended exactly as printed or to indicate that it exactly reproduces an original

“Is this exactly how you want your speech to read?” asked the copy editor to the perfumed and perfectly coiffed newscaster. “Of course,” the talking head sniffed. “Okay, just so you’re sure…”

“For all intensive purposes (sic)” the speech began…

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Pacific Gas & Electric Pleads Guilty to 84 Counts of Manslaughter in Camp Fire Case (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/16/business/energy-environment/pge-camp-fire-california-wildfires.html

2. Featuring Ted Case: Absent from Stimulus Packages: Overhauling Energy, Climate Programs (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/17/878288580/absent-from-stimulus-packages-overhauling-energy-climate-programs

3. U.S. Lawmakers Weigh How to Help Struggling Energy Industry (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/502982-lawmakers-weigh-how-to-help-struggling-energy-industry

4. The American Public Power Association Urges Congress to Provide Direct Aid to Public Power Utilities (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/appa-urges-congress-provide-direct-aid-public-power-utilities

5. Kristin Masteller - Mason PUD 1 & COVID-19 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/daybreak/kristin-masteller---mason-county-pud-1-06-17-2020/video_65da9e9e-b09f-11ea-b817-53ea7ab58288.html

6. NV Energy Files Long-Promised $120 Million Rate Reduction That Would Slash Monthly Power Bills (Nevada Independent)

https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/nv-energy-files-long-promised-120-million-rate-reduction-that-would-slash-monthly-power-bills

FISH & WILDLIFE

7. Washington Shellfish Growers Reeling After Judge Throws Out General Permit (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

https://www.knkx.org/post/washington-shellfish-growers-reeling-after-judge-throws-out-general-permit

8. Westport Salmon Season Opens Saturday; Tentative Halibut Dates Set to Begin in August (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

https://www.thedailyworld.com/news/westport-salmon-season-opens-saturday-tentative-halibut-dates-set-to-begin-in-august/

9. Washington Fish & Wildlife Commission Approve Collaborative Land Transaction for Fishery Conservation in Kittitas & Yakima Counties (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities/Yakima, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/kndo/washington-fish-and-wildlife-commission-approve-collaborative-land-transaction-for-fishery-conservation-in-kittitas-and/article_0a35526a-b044-11ea-98f6-db497035a76b.html

10. Washington State Allows Bigger Shrimp Harvest (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

https://www.ptleader.com/stories/state-allows-bigger-shrimp-harvest,69693

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

11. Pebble Mine Developer Launches Plan to Share Profits with Local Residents (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

https://www.adn.com/business-economy/2020/06/16/pebble-mine-developer-launches-plan-to-share-profits-with-local-residents/

12. Senate Passes Major Conservation Package (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/17/lwcf-conservation-packages-passes-senate-326076

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

13. Amazon Signs Big Allies in Pledge to Be Carbon Neutral (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon/verizon-infosys-rb-join-amazon-in-pledge-to-be-carbon-neutral-by-2040/

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

14. T-Mobile, Which Said Sprint Merger Would Create Jobs, Already Laying Off Sprint Employees (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/t-mobile-which-said-sprint-merger-would-create-jobs-a-1844060078

15. Yakama Nation Networks Strives for a Great Customer Experience (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/sponsored/?prx_t=fNsFAcclDAViAQA

16. FCC Has ‘Serious Doubts’ About SpaceX’s Broadband Service (C|Net News)

https://www.cnet.com/news/fcc-has-serious-doubts-about-spacexs-broadband-service/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

17. Can You Get Fired for Protesting? Or Commenting on Social Media? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/can-you-get-fired-for-protesting-or-spouting-off-on-social-media/

18. After 130 Years, Aunt Jemima Will Vanish from Packaging (Associated Press)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/regional/after-130-years-aunt-jemima-will-vanish-from-packaging/article_e79d8523-ffbf-5089-9abb-ea4260b98f59.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

19. Gov. Inslee Cancels Pay Raises for Government Employees, Announces Furloughs for Washington State Workers (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/gov-inslee-cancels-pay-raises-government-employees-announces-furloughs-state-employees/TR5IP52V45H3TDQFMUEANEA2ZE/

20. State Revenue Projection for 2019–21 Lowered by Nearly $4.5 Billion (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

https://washingtonstatewire.com/state-revenue-projection-for-2019-21-lowered-by-nearly-4-5-billion/

SICKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN

21. Another Direct Contact COVID-19 Case in Mason County (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/39752

22. Inslee: Surge in Coronavirus Cases Is ‘Gonna Eat the Tri-Cities Alive’ (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/inslee-surge-in-coronavirus-cases-is-gonna-eat-the-tri-cities-alive

23. ‘Things Have Gotten Ugly.’ Health Officials Quit Over Threats in Coronavirus Pandemic (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/nation-world/national/article243589257.html?

24. Poll: Americans Are the Unhappiest They’ve Been in 50 Years (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/0f6b9be04fa0d3194401821a72665a50

GENERAL NEWS

25. Man Who Stole Dozens Of Beehives Across the West Arrested in Washington State (Associated Press)

https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2020/06/man-who-stole-dozens-of-beehives-across-the-west-arrested-in-washington.html

26. Driver’s Licensing Offices to Reopen by Appointment June 22 (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

https://q13fox.com/2020/06/16/driver-licensing-offices-reopen-by-appointment-june-22/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Dwayne Johnson Responds to Student’s Graduation Request in Most Heartwarming Way

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dwayne-johnson-graduation-speech-leader_n_5ee8aeefc5b6f6763ab64cb0

Bidding Skyrockets to $50,000 for Keanu Reeves’ Zoom Call Auction Benefiting Idaho Non-Profit

https://www.khq.com/news/bidding-skyrockets-to-50k-for-keanu-reeves-zoom-call-auction-benefiting-idaho-non-profit/article_5d105b76-afd4-11ea-ac18-27c650edcef6.html

7-Eleven Freezes Annual Free Slurpee Day. It’s Suspended Because of Coronavirus

https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article243588072.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Hollies - Long Cool Woman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8XiNKsKyVk

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

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)

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

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

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/

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

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/

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

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/

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-/

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

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/

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

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

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

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

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/

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

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

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.

Monday, June 15, 2020

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/