The Energy News Digest for October 5, 2020

Thanks to the Northwest Public Power Association, The Energy News Digest is in your inbox.

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

Comments or Questions? Contact the Energy News Digest editor.

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Possible Paywall restrictions are noted in the media attribution. Now, go play.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

PacifiCorp Faces Class Action Lawsuit for Downed Power Lines That Allegedly Ignited Devastating Oregon Wildfires (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/10/pacificorp-faces-class-action-lawsuit-for-downed-power-lines-that-allegedly-ignited-labor-day-fires.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Bills Hop Higher, Utility Seeks Further Increases (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/10/02/pge-bill-hop-higher-utility-seeks-more-increases-gas-electric-fire/

Millions of Americans Risk Losing Power & Water as Massive, Unpaid Utility Bills Pile Up (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/10/01/power-water-gas-bills/

This California Utility Is Now Measuring Building Electrification in “Avoided Carbon” (GreenTech Media)

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/this-california-utility-is-now-measuring-building-electrification-in-avoided-carbon

Oregon: Government Internet Service Spanning Multnomah County Would Cost $1 Billion, Study Finds (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2020/10/government-internet-service-spanning-multnomah-county-would-cost-1-billion-study-finds.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      PacifiCorp Faces Class Action Lawsuit for Downed Power Lines That Allegedly Ignited Devastating Oregon Wildfires

2.      Pacific Gas & Electric Bills Hop Higher, Utility Seeks Further Increases

3.      Millions of Americans Risk Losing Power & Water as Massive, Unpaid Utility Bills Pile Up

4.      Pacific Gas & Electric Is Aggressively Cutting Trees across California. This Woodsy Town Is Fighting Back

5.      DOE Recruiting for Bonneville Power Administration Administrator

6.      “On Time, & in Full” Bonneville Power Administration Makes 37th Consecutive U.S. Treasury Payment

7.      Western Area Power Administration to Return Nearly $277 Million to U.S. Treasury; 8-Year Total Tops $2.6 Billion

8.      Catastrophic Wildfires Prove Its Time for a Consistent Green Energy Policy

9.      Critics Vow to Continue Efforts to Remove Snake River Dams

10.   U.S. Natural Gas Production, Consumption, & Exports Set New Records in 2019

11.   Mylar Balloons Prove to be a Dangerous Menace

12.   Nevada: To Help with Wildfire Mitigation, State Looks to New Tactic: 300 Goats

13.   Hydrogen-Natural Gas Plant Tracking to Bloom in Utah Desert

14.   Arizona Public Service Company Authorizes $51.9M in Energy Efficiency Assistance

15.   Researchers Test Underwater Noisemaker to Scare Away Seals at Seattle’s Ballard Locks

16.   Hood Canal Nearing a Potential ‘First’ for Washington State Salmon Recovery

17.   Who’s the Fattest Salmon-Feaster? Fat Bear Week in Alaska a ‘Really Close Call’

18.   U.S. Justices Hear Water Dispute Between Texas & New Mexico

19.   This California Utility Is Now Measuring Building Electrification in “Avoided Carbon”

20.   New York & New England Need More Clean Energy. Is Hydropower from Canada the Best Way to Get it?

21.   Oregon: Government Internet Service Spanning Multnomah County Would Cost $1 Billion, Study Finds

22.   Pandemic Relief Money to Help Narrow Digital Divide on Native American Reservations

23.   Spanning the ‘Digital Divide’: Internet Access Has Long Been a Problem in Rural Areas — Since COVID-19 It’s Become an Emergency

24.   Op/Ed: ‘Dark Age’ of Internet Access Not Acceptable for Pierce County & Washington State

25.   Salt River Project Survey Reveals That Nearly 40% Of Arizona Electric Vehicle Drivers Say Charging Costs Lower Than Expected

26.   Public Power Week

27.   National Co-op Month

28.   La Niña Is Looming Large. Here’s What That Means for Winter in the Pacific Northwest

29.   Nebraska: Political Group That Got Money from Utility Coop Scrutinized

30.   Americans Might Never Come Back to the Office – Twitter Is Leading the Charge.

WORD OF THE DAY

Lickerish • \LIK-uh-rish\ • adjective - 1: greedy, desirous *2: lecherous

Bradley’s intense competitive streak would be his undoing. As he hammered each ping-pong volley at his diminutive opponent, the throng of onlookers gasped with derision. It was one thing to have a lickerish sense of victory and destroy an opponent. To take it out on an eight-year-old child was a step too far. After the final set, the crowd rushed the table tennis equipment and folded Bradley into it. He was not found until the next week’s church youth group gathering.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      PacifiCorp Faces Class Action Lawsuit for Downed Power Lines That Allegedly Ignited Devastating Oregon Wildfires (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/10/pacificorp-faces-class-action-lawsuit-for-downed-power-lines-that-allegedly-ignited-labor-day-fires.html

2.      Pacific Gas & Electric Bills Hop Higher, Utility Seeks Further Increases (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/10/02/pge-bill-hop-higher-utility-seeks-more-increases-gas-electric-fire/

3.      Millions of Americans Risk Losing Power & Water as Massive, Unpaid Utility Bills Pile Up (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/10/01/power-water-gas-bills/

4.      Pacific Gas & Electric Is Aggressively Cutting Trees across California. This Woodsy Town Is Fighting Back (Sacramento Bee, CA)

https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article246108245.html

5.      DOE Recruiting for Bonneville Power Administration Administrator (EIN Presswire)

https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/527486607/doe-recruiting-for-bpa-administrator

6.      “On Time, & in Full” Bonneville Power Administration Makes 37th Consecutive U.S. Treasury Payment (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-makes-37th-consecutive-US-Treasury-payment.aspx

7.      Western Area Power Administration to Return Nearly $277 Million to U.S. Treasury; 8-Year Total Tops $2.6 Billion (Western Area Power Administration)

https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsReleases/2020/Pages/2020-fiscal-year-end.aspx

8.      Catastrophic Wildfires Prove Its Time for a Consistent Green Energy Policy (Salem Statesman-Journal, OR)

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/opinion/2020/10/02/consistent-green-energy-policy-supporting-hydropower-pacific-northwest/5871853002/

9.      Critics Vow to Continue Efforts to Remove Snake River Dams (Associated Press)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/critics-vow-to-continue-efforts-to-remove-snake-river-dams/article_a01b261f-7209-5e6e-92b1-7419542a6f53.html

10.   U.S. Natural Gas Production, Consumption, & Exports Set New Records in 2019 (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=45377

11.   Mylar Balloons Prove to be a Dangerous Menace (CBS News)

https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/mylar-balloons-prove-to-be-a-dangerous-menace/

12.   Nevada: To Help with Wildfire Mitigation, State Looks to New Tactic: 300 Goats (Nevada Independent)

https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/photos-to-help-with-wildfire-mitigation-state-looks-to-new-tactic-300-goats

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

13.   Hydrogen-Natural Gas Plant Tracking to Bloom in Utah Desert (Natural Gas Intel)

https://www.naturalgasintel.com/hydrogen-natural-gas-plant-tracking-to-bloom-in-utah-desert/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

14.   Arizona Public Service Company Authorizes $51.9M in Energy Efficiency Assistance (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/27386-arizona-public-service-company-authorizes-51-9m-in-energy-efficiency-assistance/

FISH & WILDLIFE

15.   Researchers Test Underwater Noisemaker to Scare Away Seals at Seattle’s Ballard Locks (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/researchers-test-underwater-noisemaker-to-scare-away-seals-at-ballard-locks/

16.   Hood Canal Nearing a Potential ‘First’ for Washington State Salmon Recovery (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/hood-canal-nearing-potential-first-salmon-recovery/ZSKKVIDLTNH2LAQTEUTSMKQBUE/

17.   Who’s the Fattest Salmon-Feaster? Fat Bear Week in Alaska a ‘Really Close Call’ (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/fat-bear-week-2020-1.5748487?cmp=rss

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

18.   U.S. Justices Hear Water Dispute Between Texas & New Mexico (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/justices-hear-water-dispute-between-texas-and-new-mexico/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

19.   This California Utility Is Now Measuring Building Electrification in “Avoided Carbon” (GreenTech Media)

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/this-california-utility-is-now-measuring-building-electrification-in-avoided-carbon

20.   New York & New England Need More Clean Energy. Is Hydropower from Canada the Best Way to Get it? (Inside Climate news0

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/03102020/new-york-new-england-canadian-hydropower-maine-north-woods-hudson-river

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

21.   Oregon: Government Internet Service Spanning Multnomah County Would Cost $1 Billion, Study Finds (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2020/10/government-internet-service-spanning-multnomah-county-would-cost-1-billion-study-finds.html

22.   Pandemic Relief Money to Help Narrow Digital Divide on Native American Reservations (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2020/10/05/920454476/pandemic-relief-money-to-help-narrow-digital-divide-on-native-american-reservati

23.   Spanning the ‘Digital Divide’: Internet Access Has Long Been a Problem in Rural Areas — Since COVID-19 It’s Become an Emergency (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://www.chronline.com/community/spanning-the-digital-divide-internet-access-has-long-been-a-problem-in-rural-areas-since/article_dda8c88c-04fb-11eb-a7ff-a75d7ebaaf77.html

24.   Op/Ed: ‘Dark Age’ of Internet Access Not Acceptable for Pierce County & Washington State (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/op-ed/article246173340.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

25.   Salt River Project Survey Reveals That Nearly 40% Of Arizona Electric Vehicle Drivers Say Charging Costs Lower Than Expected (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/srp-survey-reveals-nearly-40-ariz-ev-drivers-say-charging-costs-lower-expected

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

26.   Public Power Week (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/event/public-power-week

27.   National Co-op Month (Cooperatives)

https://www.coopmonth.coop/about

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

28.   La Niña Is Looming Large. Here’s What That Means for Winter in the Pacific Northwest (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/weather-news/article246127875.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

29.   Nebraska: Political Group That Got Money from Utility Coop Scrutinized (The Telegraph, Alton, IL)

https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Political-group-that-got-money-from-utility-coop-15620290.php

30.   Americans Might Never Come Back to the Office – Twitter Is Leading the Charge. (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/01/twitter-work-from-home/?arc404=true

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Potty Training: NASA Tests New $23M Titanium Space Toilet

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/potty-training-nasa-tests-new-23m-titanium-space-toilet/article_eb4921ba-e28a-5dce-a8c1-c181daa8ca95.html

Giant Pumpkins Smash Utah State Record at Weigh-Off in Lehi

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/giant-pumpkins-smash-utah-state-record-at-weigh-off-in-lehi/article_1a0ddc07-7c93-5fd4-b629-c71e222e18bf.html

Bank Manager Finds 9.07-Carat Diamond in Arkansas State Park

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/bank-manager-finds-9-07-carat-diamond-in-arkansas-state-park/article_91fa33f2-6d25-524e-8788-3317abcf46e7.html

Man Puts 125 Scoops on an Ice Cream Cone for World Record

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/10/05/Man-puts-125-scoops-on-an-ice-cream-cone-for-world-record/9001601929781/

SONG OF THE DAY

Pink Floyd – Shine on You Crazy Diamond

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54W8kktFE_o

The Energy News Digest for September 30, 2020

Thanks to the Northwest Public Power Association, The Energy News Digest is in your inbox.

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

Comments or Questions? Contact the Energy News Digest editor.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Possible Paywall restrictions are noted in the media attribution. Now, go play.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

After Four Years of Study, Feds Finally Decide to Keep Snake River Dams (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article246091600.html

Three Dead in Destructive NorCal Wildfires; Evacuations in Place for 50,000 (Associated Press)

https://ktla.com/news/california/pge-cuts-power-to-65000-customers-in-effort-to-avert-wildfires/

Greenland Melting Faster Than Any Time in Last 12,000 Years (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/greenland-melting-faster-than-any-time-in-last-12000-years/

Smoke and the Reddened Sun is Back (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2020/09/smoke-and-reddened-sun-is-back.html

Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Douglas County PUD Announce New Hydrogen Station in Washington State (Oil & Gas 360)

https://www.oilandgas360.com/bonneville-environmental-foundation-and-douglas-county-pud-announce-new-hydrogen-station-in-washington-state/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      After Four Years of Study, Feds Finally Decide to Keep Snake River Dams

2.      Federal Decision to Keep Snake River Dams in Place Is Now Official. The Dam Debate Is Far from Over

3.      Bonneville Power Administration Signs Record of Decision for Columbia River System Operations EIS

4.      Feds Issue Record of Decision on Columbia-Snake Dam Operations

5.      Three Dead in Destructive NorCal Wildfires; Evacuations in Place for 50,000

6.      Umatilla Electric Cooperative Goes Independent for Power Supply

7.      El Dorado County to Start Process of Moving from Pacific Gas & Electric to Pioneer Community Energy

8.      The Columbia River Treaty Changed the Columbia Valley

9.      Jackson Electric Authority Bidder Florida Power & Light Discussed Donating to Charities Led by City Council Members

10.   Compact Nuclear Fusion Reactor Is ‘Very Likely to Work,’ Studies Suggest

11.   Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Douglas County PUD Announce New Hydrogen Station in Washington State

12.   Smoke from California Wildfires Decreases Solar Generation in California ISO

13.   Construction Begins on 100MW Solar Plant in Arizona

14.   Bidders Focus on Solar, Especially with Storage, in Big PacifiCorp Solicitation

15.   Researchers: Offshore California Wind Farm Would Alter Ecosystem – How Wildlife Will Respond Is Still Unclear

16.   Puget Sound Energy Contest Seeks to Boost Small Local Businesses through ‘Makeover’ Contest

17.   Greenland Melting Faster Than Any Time in Last 12,000 Years

18.   Walmart Pledges Zero Emissions By 2040

19.   Microsoft Resolves Major Monday Outage after Five Hours

20.   Smoke and the Reddened Sun is Back

21.   Boeing Will Consolidate 787 Production in South Carolina, Leaving Everett, WSJ Reports

22.   U.S. House Democrats Propose $4.5 Billion in Supplemental LIHEAP Funding

23.   Les Schwab Sold to California Investment Fund, Meritage Group

WORD OF THE DAY

Nostrum • \NOSS-strum\ • noun – 1: a medicine of secret composition recommended by its preparer but usually without scientific proof of its effectiveness *2: a usually questionable remedy or scheme: panacea

“Step right up folks,” cried Phineas. “Try Dr. Golden’s miracle remedy. Good for what ails you.” “I’ll try some,” shouted the man planted by the salesmen in the crowd. “if that nostrum is good enough to be advertised on barns throughout my county, it’s good enough to flow through my innards.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      After Four Years of Study, Feds Finally Decide to Keep Snake River Dams (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article246091600.html

2.      Federal Decision to Keep Snake River Dams in Place Is Now Official. The Dam Debate Is Far from Over (Northwest News Network)

https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/post/federal-decision-keep-snake-river-dams-place-now-official-dam-debate-far-over

3.      Bonneville Power Administration Signs Record of Decision for Columbia River System Operations EIS (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-signs-record-of-decision-for-Columbia-River-System-Operations-EIS.aspx

4.      Feds Issue Record of Decision on Columbia-Snake Dam Operations (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/09/29/feds-complete-record-of-decision-on.html

5.      Three Dead in Destructive NorCal Wildfires; Evacuations in Place for 50,000 (Associated Press)

https://ktla.com/news/california/pge-cuts-power-to-65000-customers-in-effort-to-avert-wildfires/

6.      Umatilla Electric Cooperative Goes Independent for Power Supply (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

https://www.eastoregonian.com/townnews/commerce/umatilla-electric-cooperative-goes-independent/article_7507f3aa-02af-11eb-9258-ffaa86f56a94.html

7.      El Dorado County to Start Process of Moving from Pacific Gas & Electric to Pioneer Community Energy (KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2020/09/29/el-dorado-county-pge-pioneer-community-energy/

8.      The Columbia River Treaty Changed the Columbia Valley (Columbia Valley Pioneer, BC)

https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/local-news/the-columbia-river-treaty-changed-the-columbia-valley/

9.      Jackson Electric Authority Bidder Florida Power & Light Discussed Donating to Charities Led by City Council Members (Florida Times-Union, Jackson, FL)

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2020/09/29/jea-bidder-discussed-donating-charities-led-city-council-members/3564711001/

10.   Compact Nuclear Fusion Reactor Is ‘Very Likely to Work,’ Studies Suggest (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/29/climate/nuclear-fusion-reactor.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

11.   Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Douglas County PUD Announce New Hydrogen Station in Washington State (Oil & Gas 360)

https://www.oilandgas360.com/bonneville-environmental-foundation-and-douglas-county-pud-announce-new-hydrogen-station-in-washington-state/

12.   Smoke from California Wildfires Decreases Solar Generation in California ISO (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=45336

13.   Construction Begins on 100MW Solar Plant in Arizona (Energy Digital)

https://www.energydigital.com/renewable-energy/construction-begins-100mw-solar-plant-arizona

14.   Bidders Focus on Solar, Especially with Storage, in Big PacifiCorp Solicitation (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/09/28/pacificorp-rfp-solar-plus-storage.html

15.   Researchers: Offshore California Wind Farm Would Alter Ecosystem – How Wildlife Will Respond Is Still Unclear (Eureka Times-Standard)

https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/09/29/researchers-offshore-wind-farm-would-alter-ecosystem-how-wildlife-will-respond-is-still-unclear/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

16.   Puget Sound Energy Contest Seeks to Boost Small Local Businesses through ‘Makeover’ Contest (South Sound Business, WA)

https://southsoundbiz.com/pse-contest-seeks-to-boost-small-local-businesses-through-makeover-contest/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

17.   Greenland Melting Faster Than Any Time in Last 12,000 Years (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/greenland-melting-faster-than-any-time-in-last-12000-years/

18.   Walmart Pledges Zero Emissions By 2040 (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2020/09/30/walmart-pledges-zero-emissions-by-2040/#35c41143aeed

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

19.   Microsoft Resolves Major Monday Outage after Five Hours (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/service-outages-archive-7095816b9d0ef425ec02a7d049bea701

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

20.   Smoke and the Reddened Sun is Back (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2020/09/smoke-and-reddened-sun-is-back.html

GOVERNANCE, BUSINESS, & MANAGEMENT

21.   Boeing Will Consolidate 787 Production in South Carolina, Leaving Everett, WSJ Reports (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-will-consolidate-787-production-in-s-c-leaving-everett-wsj-reports/

22.   U.S. House Democrats Propose $4.5 Billion in Supplemental LIHEAP Funding (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/house-democrats-propose-45-billion-supplemental-liheap-funding

23.   Les Schwab Sold to California Investment Fund, Meritage Group (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2020/09/les-schwab-sold-to-california-hedge-fund-meritage-group.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Zoo Removes Parrots from Display After Birds Keep Cursing at Visitors

https://www.today.com/pets/zoo-removes-potty-mouthed-parrots-cursing-visitors-t192907

Singer Helen Reddy, 1970s Hitmaker, Dies at 78

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/sep/29/i-am-woman-singer-helen-reddy-70s-hitmaker-dies-at/

Athlete Breaks Guinness Record for Fastest Mile While Dribbling

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/09/30/Athlete-breaks-Guinness-record-for-fastest-mile-while-dribbling/2171601484202/

Cyclist Rides 2,500 Miles from Poo Poo Point, WA to Pee Pee Creek, OH

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/09/30/Cyclist-rides-2500-miles-from-Poo-Poo-Point-to-Pee-Pee-Creek/7151601491272/

SONG OF THE DAY

Helen Reddy – Peaceful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=Y3BJjehjOGo

The Energy News Digest for September 28, 2020

Thanks to the Northwest Public Power Association, The Energy News Digest is in your inbox. 

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

Comments or Questions? Contact the Energy News Digest editor.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Possible Paywall restrictions are noted in the media attribution. Now, go play.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

California Utility Implements Preemptive Blackouts. Should More Oregon Utilities Have Done the Same? (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/california-utility-implements-preemptive-blackouts-should-more-oregon-utilities-have-done-the-same.html

Republicans Seek to Phase Out Federal Tax Credit for Renewables (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/27307-republicans-seek-to-phase-out-federal-tax-credit-for-renewables/?amp

Idaho Falls Has Until October 31 to Decide on Nuke Project (Idaho State Journal)

https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/idaho-falls-has-till-oct-31-to-decide-on-nuke-project/article_6b8af1b0-ccfb-5a24-808e-5fe10187e51e.html

Experts Witness Birth of Second Orca Baby in Pacific Northwest Pod That Lost Calf in 2018 (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/nation-world/national/article246009130.html

Climatologist: Dry Areas in U.S. Southwest Getting Drier (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-weather-droughts-nevada-dfe49b13b186c7d7180545705a449c26

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.        California Utility Implements Preemptive Blackouts. Should More Oregon Utilities Have Done the Same?

2.        Idaho Falls Has Until October 31 to Decide on Nuke Project

3.        Cities Snub Plan to Save Nuclear Power with Mini Reactors

4.        Cowlitz PUD Rates Will Remain Steady for Third Year in a Row

5.        Op/Ed: Current Situation Reminiscent of Montana Energy Flameout

6.        British Columbia: Cost of Peace River Dam Spiraling amid Construction Challenges, Says Open Letter Urging Halt to Project

7.        Eisenhower Dedicated McNary Dam 66 Years Ago This Month, Called Water a ‘Natural Legacy’

8.        In 2019, Nine of the 10 Highest-Generating U.S. Power Plants Were Nuclear Plants

9.        Coal Dropped from 26.9% of US Electricity to 17.7% in 3 Years

10.     ‘You Have to Rethink These Old Ways’: Parting Advice from California ISO’s Retiring CEO

11.     How SoCalGas Leveraged Mayors & Minority Groups to Score a Fossil Fuel Win

12.     NYC Metro #2 in the Nation on Utility Costs

13.     The Mysterious Case of the Missing 250-Ton Chinese Power Transformer

14.     Utility Futility: Answer Man Explores the Wild World of Utility Pole Numbers

15.     Republicans Seek to Phase Out Federal Tax Credit for Renewables

16.     Arizona: Biomass – The budding of a new industry for Payson?

17.     Experts Witness Birth of Second Orca Baby in Pacific Northwest Pod That Lost Calf in 2018

18.     More Female Southern Resident Killer Whales Needed for Population Growth: Scientists

19.     Abundance of One Salmon Species Affects All Others, B.C. Study Suggests

20.     Officials Talk Mitigation Efforts After Release of NEPA Review on Chehalis River Dam

21.     Utah Asks U.S. to Delay Decision on Tapping Colorado River

22.     Climatologist: Dry Areas in U.S. Southwest Getting Drier

23.     In Internet Dead Zones, Rural Schools Struggle with Distanced Learning

24.     Officials: Washington State Being Targeted by Phishing Campaign

25.     DOE Awards $12 Million To APPA, NRECA for Cybersecurity Solutions

26.     Tesla Built a Network of Connected Cars. What Happens When It Goes Down?

27.     Op/Ed: Pot Plants – Power & Water Bogarts?

WORD OF THE DAY

Biophilia • \bye-oh-FILL-ee-uh\ • Noun - A hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature

“Lo, I am one with the lion’s pride,” exulted the wool-clad environmental enthusiast, stepping from his shiny, black Range Rover into the hot environment of the circling, big cats. His ill-conceived biophilia would soon make him into multiple parts INSIDE the pride. And the circle of life continued on the arid plains of Africa.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      California Utility Implements Preemptive Blackouts. Should More Oregon Utilities Have Done the Same? (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/california-utility-implements-preemptive-blackouts-should-more-oregon-utilities-have-done-the-same.html

2.      Idaho Falls Has Until October 31 to Decide on Nuke Project (Idaho State Journal)

https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/idaho-falls-has-till-oct-31-to-decide-on-nuke-project/article_6b8af1b0-ccfb-5a24-808e-5fe10187e51e.html

3.      Cities Snub Plan to Save Nuclear Power with Mini Reactors (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-28/cities-snub-plan-to-save-nuclear-power-with-mini-reactors

4.      Cowlitz PUD Rates Will Remain Steady for Third Year in a Row (Longview Daily News, WA)

https://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-rates-will-remain-steady-for-third-year-in-a-row/article_b08f786b-732b-5eaf-8148-77d5e45e5a31.html

5.      Op/Ed: Current Situation Reminiscent of Montana Energy Flameout (Montana Standard, Butte, MT)

https://mtstandard.com/opinion/columnists/guest-view-current-situation-reminiscent-of-montana-energy-flameout/article_27e34276-acbf-5026-8872-29604b349eeb.html

6.      British Columbia: Cost of Peace River Dam Spiraling amid Construction Challenges, Says Open Letter Urging Halt to Project (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/site-c-letter-1.5741443

7.      Eisenhower Dedicated McNary Dam 66 Years Ago This Month, Called Water a ‘Natural Legacy’ (Tri-Cities Business News, WA)

https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2020/09/mcnary-dam-eisenhower/

8.      In 2019, Nine of the 10 Highest-Generating U.S. Power Plants Were Nuclear Plants (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=45276

9.      Coal Dropped from 26.9% of US Electricity to 17.7% in 3 Years (Clean Technica)

https://cleantechnica.com/2020/09/26/coal-dropped-from-26-9-of-us-electricity-to-17-7-in-3-years/amp/

10.   ‘You Have to Rethink These Old Ways’: Parting Advice from California ISO’s Retiring CEO (S&P Global)

https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/you-have-to-rethink-these-old-ways-parting-advice-from-caiso-s-retiring-ceo-60481529

11.   How SoCalGas Leveraged Mayors & Minority Groups to Score a Fossil Fuel Win (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/09/24/how-socalgas-leveraged-mayors-and-minority-groups-to-score-a-fossil-fuel-win-1304131

12.   NYC Metro #2 in the Nation on Utility Costs (The Cooperator)

https://cooperator.com/article/nyc-metro-2-in-the-nation-on-utility-costs/full

13.   The Mysterious Case of the Missing 250-Ton Chinese Power Transformer (Vice)

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/v7gaqb/the-mysterious-case-of-the-missing-250-ton-chinese-power-transformer

14.   Utility Futility: Answer Man Explores the Wild World of Utility Pole Numbers (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/utility-futility-answer-man-explores-the-wild-world-of-utility-pole-numbers/2020/09/26/d32f794c-fea1-11ea-b555-4d71a9254f4b_story.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

15.   Republicans Seek to Phase Out Federal Tax Credit for Renewables (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/27307-republicans-seek-to-phase-out-federal-tax-credit-for-renewables/?amp

16.   Arizona: Biomass – The budding of a new industry for Payson? (Payson Roundup, AZ)

https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/local/biomass-the-budding-of-a-new-industry-for-payson/article_957b79ff-93f5-5312-8d4c-785a36ea4fb7.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

17.   Experts Witness Birth of Second Orca Baby in Pacific Northwest Pod That Lost Calf in 2018 (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/nation-world/national/article246009130.html

18.   More Female Southern Resident Killer Whales Needed for Population Growth: Scientists (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)

https://www.timescolonist.com/more-female-southern-resident-killer-whales-needed-for-population-growth-scientists-1.24210159

19.   Abundance of One Salmon Species Affects All Others, B.C. Study Suggests (Columbia Valley Pioneer, BC)

https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/news/abundance-of-one-salmon-species-affects-all-others-b-c-study-suggests/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

20.   Officials Talk Mitigation Efforts After Release of NEPA Review on Chehalis River Dam (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://www.chronline.com/news/officials-talk-mitigation-efforts-after-release-of-nepa-review-on-dam/article_bac15b0c-ff80-11ea-85a1-db77051bc3c6.html

21.   Utah Asks U.S. to Delay Decision on Tapping Colorado River (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/arizona-colorado-utah-lakes-environment-89063af637c16e656039e2b16e9eaa9c

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

22.   Climatologist: Dry Areas in U.S. Southwest Getting Drier (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-weather-droughts-nevada-dfe49b13b186c7d7180545705a449c26

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

23.   In Internet Dead Zones, Rural Schools Struggle with Distanced Learning (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/28/in-internet-dead-zones-rural-schools-struggle-with-distanced-learning/

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

24.   Officials: Washington State Being Targeted by Phishing Campaign (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/technology-phishing-washington-jay-inslee-bf63ccf1f0e4709efc8871bb7457ef1c

25.   DOE Awards $12 Million To APPA, NRECA for Cybersecurity Solutions (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/doe-awards-12-million-appa-nreca-cybersecurity-solutions

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

26.   Tesla Built a Network of Connected Cars. What Happens When It Goes Down? (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/09/23/tesla-network-outage/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

27.   Op/Ed: Pot Plants – Power & Water Bogarts? (Sydney Herald, MT)

https://www.sidneyherald.com/opinion/pot-plants-power-and-water-bogarts/article_4dad8e74-fddb-11ea-88ef-0bc726b748d9.html

THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Chance of Aurora Borealis Sighting in Western Washington State This Week

https://mynorthwest.com/2193160/aurora-western-washington-september-2020/

Bold Move to Stow Away on Alaska Ferry in Bellingham May Earn Kitten a Superhero Home

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article245958070.html

'Teapot' Found in Garage Sells for Nearly $500,000

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/09/25/Teapot-found-in-garage-sells-for-nearly-500000/1781601057114/

Antiques Dealer Seeking Family from 100-Year-Old Wedding Photo

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/09/25/Antiques-dealer-seeking-family-from-100-year-old-wedding-photo/6381601066021/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Fifth Dimension – Wedding Bell Blues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q21Bky7r2A