The Energy News Digest

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

The Energy News Digest for May 5, 2021

The Energy News Digest is sponsored by the Northwest Public Power Association.

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

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Montana: Power Plant Owners Say New Law Interferes in Colstrip Contract (Associated Press)

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/plant-owners-say-new-law-interferes-in-colstrip-contract

Oregon Democrat Congressman Jumps on Snake River Dam Breaching Bandwagon (Lewiston Tribune, ID)

https://lmtribune.com/northwest/oregon-democrat-jumps-on-breaching-bandwagon/article_292d4fec-141c-5f4a-aeff-0a868f06f5f5.html

News Release: PNW Lawmakers React to Release of Public Records Detailing Hidden Coordination on Dam-Breaching Proposal (U.S. Rep Dan Newhouse)

https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pnw-lawmakers-react-release-public-records-detailing-hidden-coordination

Even in the Bright of Day, Some Central Washington Residents Have a Solar Energy ‘Nightmare’ (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

https://www.knkx.org/post/even-bright-day-some-central-washington-residents-have-solar-energy-nightmare

NOAA Unveils New U.S. Climate ‘Normals’ That Are Warmer Than Ever (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/05/04/noaa-new-climate-normals/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. Montana: Power Plant Owners Say New Law Interferes in Colstrip Contract

2. Oregon Democrat Congressman Jumps on Snake River Dam Breaching Bandwagon

3. News Release: PNW Lawmakers React to Release of Public Records Detailing Hidden Coordination on Dam-Breaching Proposal

4. Montana: More Details Are Emerging About NorthWestern Energy’s Proposed Gas-Fired Power Plant Near Laurel

5. Oregon Natural Gas Plant Might Have New Life with ‘Potential Buyer’

6. WA State: Chelan PUD & GE Renewable Energy Collaborate for Rock Island Dam Powerhouse II Modernization

7. California: U.S. Judge Weighs If Pacific Gas & Electric Violated Probation with 2019 Fire

8. California: State Optimistic About Avoiding Power Outages This Summer

9. A New, Deadly Risk for Cities in Summer: Power Failures During Heat Waves – Blackouts have increased more than 60 percent in the United States since 2015

10. Fitch Rates Energy Northwest Bonds ‘AA’; Affirms Bonneville’s Issuer Default Rating At ‘AA-’

11. White House Eyes Subsidies for Nuclear Plants to Help Meet Climate Targets – Sources

12. The Controversial Future of Nuclear Power in the U.S.

13. Gridlocked: These Policies Might Put President Biden’s Transmission Infrastructure Plans on Hold

14. Wayward Wind Turbine Blade Knocks Out Power

15. Commentary: Rethinking Natural Gas Bans

16. Even in the Bright of Day, Some Central Washington Residents Have a Solar Energy ‘Nightmare’

17. U.S. Approves Massive Solar Project in California Desert

18. Build It; We Dare You - Solar Farms Will Redefine Energy If They Can Get Installed

19. Oregon: Combining Solar Panels & Lamb Grazing Increases Land Productivity, Study Finds

20. Arizona: Biomass Turns to Energy Instead of Ash

21. A Secure Battery Metals Supply Chain Runs Through Nevada & Is Critical to America’s Energy Security

22. LEED-Certified Federal Buildings Aren’t Using Less Energy, Carnegie Mellon Study Finds

23. Idaho: Sockeye Smolts Released Early After Killing Event at Hatchery

24. Suitable Spawning Habitat Awaits Salmon in Upper Columbia River Basin

25. Fish or Farmers? Gov. Newsom Drought Declaration Would Trigger New War Over California Water

26. NOAA Unveils New U.S. Climate ‘Normals’ That Are Warmer Than Ever

27. This Map Shows the Climate Impacts on Every County in the Western U.S.

28. California: San Diego Gas & Electric Walks Back Claim It Delivers 45 Percent Renewable Energy

29. Off-Put by Offsets: Why Some Advocates Doubt ‘Net Zero’ Pledges

30. Idaho: Gov. Little Signs Bill Directing $45 Million to New Broadband Investments

31. The Massive Jump in Broadband Usage Won’t Be Going Away After the Pandemic Ends

32. A U.S. Broadband Build-Out Should Require Open Access

33. Facing Chips Shortage, President Biden May Shelve Blunt Tool Used in COVID Fight

34. New Law Reduces Sales Tax on Hydrogen Vehicle Purchases in Washington State

35. Utah Joins 14-State Partnership to Advance Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles

36. Facebook Board Upholds Trump Suspension

37. Twitter’s Upcoming Subscription Service Looms Following Latest Acquisition

38. Did You See It? SpaceX Starlink Seen in the Sky Throughout the Pacific Northwest

39. Federal Judge Vacates CDC’s Eviction Moratorium

WORD OF THE DAY

Mise-en-scène \meez-awn-SENN\ Noun - 1a: the arrangement of actors & scenery on a stage for a theatrical production b: stage setting 2a: the physical setting of an action (as of a narrative or a motion picture): context b: environment, milieu.

The utility’s accounting department had the misfortune to work for a supervisor whose hobbies included improv theater…based on “Star Trek’s” Klingon mythology. To the staff’s immense displeasure, the last day of each workweek had been converted from casual Friday to the Klingon ritual “Rite of passage.”

At the start of each Friday, along employees dressing in costume, the boardroom was converted into a mise-en-scène of Klingon finery. Each employee, from the mail boy to the head accountant was required to chant “Today I am a Warrior. I must show you my heart. I travel the river of blood.” Thankfully, members of the gauntlet used rolled up newspapers to whack the participants as they fled the room, instead of traditional Klingon pain sticks.

(I am ashamed I know even THIS much about Klingons)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Montana: Power Plant Owners Say New Law Interferes in Colstrip Contract (Associated Press)

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/plant-owners-say-new-law-interferes-in-colstrip-contract

2. Oregon Democrat Congressman Jumps on Snake River Dam Breaching Bandwagon (Lewiston Tribune, ID)

https://lmtribune.com/northwest/oregon-democrat-jumps-on-breaching-bandwagon/article_292d4fec-141c-5f4a-aeff-0a868f06f5f5.html

3. News Release: PNW Lawmakers React to Release of Public Records Detailing Hidden Coordination on Dam-Breaching Proposal (U.S. Rep Dan Newhouse)

https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pnw-lawmakers-react-release-public-records-detailing-hidden-coordination

4. Montana: More Details Are Emerging About NorthWestern Energy’s Proposed Gas-Fired Power Plant Near Laurel (Ravalli Republic, Hamilton, MT)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/montana-more-details-are-emerging-about.html

5. Oregon Natural Gas Plant Might Have New Life with ‘Potential Buyer’ (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/oregon-natural-gas-plant-might-have-new.html

6. WA State: Chelan PUD & GE Renewable Energy Collaborate for Rock Island Dam Powerhouse II Modernization (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://www.kpq.com/chelan-pud-ge-renewable-energy-collaborate-for-rock-island-dam-powerhouse-ii-modernization/

7. California: U.S. Judge Weighs If Pacific Gas & Electric Violated Probation with 2019 Fire (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/US-judge-weighs-if-PG-E-violated-probation-with-16151897.php

8. California: State Optimistic About Avoiding Power Outages This Summer (Bakersfield Californian, CA)

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/state-optimistic-about-avoiding-power-outages-this-summer/article_9d1d86e2-ad3c-11eb-98fb-9f1a5daf7c21.html

9. A New, Deadly Risk for Cities in Summer: Power Failures During Heat Waves – Blackouts have increased more than 60 percent in the United States since 2015 (NY Times)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/a-new-deadly-risk-for-cities-in-summer.html

10. Fitch Rates Energy Northwest Bonds ‘AA’; Affirms Bonneville’s Issuer Default Rating At ‘AA-’ (Fitch Ratings)

https://www.fitchratings.com/research/us-public-finance/fitch-rates-energy-northwest-wa-elec-rev-ref-bonds-aa-affirms-bonneville-idr-at-aa-04-05-2021

11. White House Eyes Subsidies for Nuclear Plants to Help Meet Climate Targets - Sources (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-biden-nuclear/white-house-eyes-subsidies-for-nuclear-plants-to-help-meet-climate-targets-sources-idUSL1N2MR2X4

12. The Controversial Future of Nuclear Power in the U.S. (National Geographic Magazine)

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/nuclear-plants-are-closing-in-the-us-should-we-build-more

13. Gridlocked: These Policies Might Put President Biden’s Transmission Infrastructure Plans on Hold (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/energy/gridlocked-these-policies-might-put-bidens-transmission-infrastructure-plans-on-hold/

14. Wayward Wind Turbine Blade Knocks Out Power (Mohave Daily News, Bullhead City, AZ)

https://mohavedailynews.com/news/131490/wayward-turbine-knocks-out-power/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

15. Commentary: Rethinking Natural Gas Bans (Battleground Reflector, WA)

http://www.thereflector.com/opinion/article_d6407b8c-ace7-11eb-92e0-0778ef99db51.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

16. Even in the Bright of Day, Some Central Washington Residents Have a Solar Energy ‘Nightmare’ (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

https://www.knkx.org/post/even-bright-day-some-central-washington-residents-have-solar-energy-nightmare

17. U.S. Approves Massive Solar Project in California Desert (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-approves-massive-solar-project-california-desert-2021-05-03/

18. Build It; We Dare You - Solar Farms Will Redefine Energy If They Can Get Installed (Governing)

https://www.governing.com/next/solar-farms-will-redefine-energy-if-they-can-get-installed

19. Oregon: Combining Solar Panels & Lamb Grazing Increases Land Productivity, Study Finds (Tillamook Headlight-Herald, OR)

https://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/combining-solar-panels-and-lamb-grazing-increases-land-productivity-study-finds/article_c80a040e-a907-11eb-b825-8b7dae9dcba7.html

20. Arizona: Biomass Turns to Energy Instead of Ash (Payson Roundup, AZ)

https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/local/biomass-turns-to-energy-instead-of-ash/article_5976ca3d-c25a-590e-9e47-75ba607585f1.html

21. A Secure Battery Metals Supply Chain Runs Through Nevada & Is Critical to America’s Energy Security (The Nevada Independent)

https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/a-secure-battery-metals-supply-chain-runs-through-nevada-and-is-critical-to-americas-energy-security

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

22. LEED-Certified Federal Buildings Aren’t Using Less Energy, Carnegie Mellon Study Finds (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/leed-certified-federal-buildings-arent-using-less-energy-carnegie-mellon/599499/

FISH & WILDLIFE

23. Idaho: Sockeye Smolts Released Early After Killing Event at Hatchery (Idaho Falls Post-Register, ID)

https://www.postregister.com/news/local/sockeye-smolts-released-early-after-killing-event-at-hatchery/article_241f6276-2e13-55d2-8ace-58b2962f00cf.html

24. Suitable Spawning Habitat Awaits Salmon in Upper Columbia River Basin (Phys.Org)

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-suitable-spawning-habitat-awaits-salmon.html

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

25. Fish or Farmers? Gov. Newsom Drought Declaration Would Trigger New War Over California Water (Sacramento Bee, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article251167759.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

26. NOAA Unveils New U.S. Climate ‘Normals’ That Are Warmer Than Ever (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/05/04/noaa-new-climate-normals/

27. This Map Shows the Climate Impacts on Every County in the Western U.S. (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/90631656/this-map-shows-the-climate-impacts-on-every-county-in-the-western-u-s

28. California: San Diego Gas & Electric Walks Back Claim It Delivers 45 Percent Renewable Energy (The Voice of San Diego, CA)

https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/news/sdge-walks-back-claim-it-delivers-45-percent-renewable-energy/

29. Off-Put by Offsets: Why Some Advocates Doubt ‘Net Zero’ Pledges (Roll Call)

https://www.rollcall.com/2021/05/05/off-put-by-offsets-why-some-advocates-doubt-net-zero-pledges/

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

30. Idaho: Gov. Little Signs Bill Directing $45 Million to New Broadband Investments (KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls ID)

https://localnews8.com/politics/idaho-politics/2021/05/04/gov-little-signs-bill-directing-45-million-to-new-broadband-investments/

31. The Massive Jump in Broadband Usage Won’t Be Going Away After the Pandemic Ends (Yahoo News)

https://news.yahoo.com/the-120219824.html

32. A U.S. Broadband Build-Out Should Require Open Access (Council on Foreign Relations)

https://www.cfr.org/blog/us-broadband-build-out-should-require-open-access

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

33. Facing Chips Shortage, President Biden May Shelve Blunt Tool Used in COVID Fight (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/exclusive-facing-chips-shortage-biden-may-shelve-blunt-tool-used-covid-fight-2021-05-05/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC & OTHERWISE

34. New Law Reduces Sales Tax on Hydrogen Vehicle Purchases in Washington State (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/2869667/law-promotes-hydrogen-powered-vehicles-washington/

35. Utah Joins 14-State Partnership to Advance Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT)

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/utah-joins-14-state-partnership-to-advance-infrastructure-for-electric-vehicles

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

36. Facebook Board Upholds Trump Suspension (Associated Press)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2021/may/05/facebook-board-upholds-trump-suspension/

37. Twitter’s Upcoming Subscription Service Looms Following Latest Acquisition (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/twitters-upcoming-subscription-service-looms-following-1846822503

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

38. Did You See It? SpaceX Starlink Seen in the Sky Throughout the Pacific Northwest (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.khq.com/news/did-you-see-it-spacex-starlink-seen-in-the-sky-throughout-the-inland-northwest/article_c8749b86-ad5b-11eb-94dd-cb3579d12b5f.html

GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT, COMMERCE

39. Federal Judge Vacates CDC’s Eviction Moratorium (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/551910-federal-judge-vacates-cdcs-eviction-moratorium?rl=1

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Scientists Find That Cats Love to Sit Inside Squares—Even Fake Ones

https://gizmodo.com/scientists-find-that-cats-love-to-sit-inside-squares-ev-1846828029

Comic Strip Artists Band Together for a Silly & Good Cause

https://apnews.com/article/philanthropy-entertainment-health-coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-a2c84f4e157cffa8645cfc44cd63e05f

200 Years: Remote St. Helena Island Marks Napoleon’s Death

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-05-05/200-years-remote-st-helena-island-marks-napoleons-death

The story of Dave Brubeck’s ‘Take Five’

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/05/04/the-story-of-dave-brubeck-s-take-five/

SONG OF THE DAY

Dave Brubeck Quartet – Take Five

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsHc2IGmk60

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions.

Monday, May 3, 2021

The Energy News Digest for May 3, 2021

The Energy News Digest is sponsored by the Northwest Public Power Association.

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

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Solar Farms Are Booming in Washington State, But Where Should They Go? (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/solar-farms-are-booming-in-washington-state-but-where-should-they-go,263221

WA State: Pend Oreille PUD Officials Question Plan to Use Ponderay Mill for Cryptocurrency Mining & Box Production (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/wa-state-pend-oreille-pud-officials.html

Controversial Oregon Power Line Gets National Nod as Transmission Gains Favor (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/controversial-oregon-power-line-gets.html

Wyoming Doubles Down on Coal with Threat to Sue Other Western States, Including Washington (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2021/05/03/wyoming-doubles-down-on-coal-with-threat-to-sue-other-western-states-including-washington/

California Trucks Salmon to Pacific; Low River Levels Blamed (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/04/29/california-trucks-salmon-to-pacific-low-river-levels-blamed/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. WA State: Pend Oreille PUD Officials Question Plan to Use Ponderay Mill for Cryptocurrency Mining & Box Production

2. Controversial Oregon Power Line Gets National Nod as Transmission Gains Favor

3. Pacific Gas & Electric Will Fight Criminal Charges Tied to 2019 Kincade Fire, CEO Patti Poppe Says

4. Oregon: Perennial Wind Chaser Station – Natural Gas – Might Be Back on the Table

5. WA State: Chelan PUD & Puget Sound Energy Finalize Contract, A Revenue Generator for PUD

6. Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission Staff Recommend Rate Decrease for Avista Customers

7. New Documentary Explores Columbia & Snake River System’s Impact on the Pacific Northwest

8. New York’s Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant Closes after 59 Years of Operation

9. Tennessee Valley Authority to Retire Coal Fleet by 2035, CEO Says, with Renewables, Gas & Nuclear on the Table as Replacements

10. Leaked Docs: Gas Industry Secretly Fights Electrification

11. Opinion: Joe Biden Is Electrifying America Like F.D.R.

12. Guest Essay: Energy Northwest – Proudly Advancing Washington’s Clean Energy Future

13. Solar Farms Are Booming in Washington State, But Where Should They Go?

14. California: East County Group Sues to Stop Wind Project on Campo Indian Reservation

15. Clean Megaprojects Divide Surprise Group: Environmentalists

16. Tesla’s Latest Solar Stumble: Big Price Increases – The Company Is Charging Tens of Thousands of Dollars More to Cover Roofs with Its Much-Anticipated Solar Shingles, Angering Some Customers.

17. Floating Offshore Wind Power Bill Passes Oregon House

18. California: It’s Not Just Free. Sacramento Municipal Utility District Will Pay People to Get Training to Install Solar

19. California Trucks Salmon to Pacific; Low River Levels Blamed

20. Tribe’s Snake River Basin Fish Study Is ‘A Call to Alarm’

21. Blaming Tribal Fishing Practices for Decline in Salmon Is ‘Misinformation,’ Washington State Officials Say

22. Sage Grouse Changing from Threatened to Endangered

23. Oregon Tribes Reintroduce Beavers to the Beaver State, But Hurdles Remain

24. Almost All of Oregon Poised for Drought to Start the Summer

25. Arizona Farmers to Bear Brunt of Cuts from Colorado River

26. WA State: Seattle May Boost Water, Sewage, Waste & Drainage Rates More Than 20% by 2026. Here’s Why.

27. Wyoming Doubles Down on Coal with Threat to Sue Other Western States, Including Washington

28. Washington State Legislature Charts ‘New Beginning’ in Climate Change Fight

29. Oregon Gov. Brown Calls on Lawmakers to Provide More Funding to Expand Broadband Access

30. As Congress Deliberates Infrastructure Development, Wyden Urges More Rural Broadband

31. Judge: New Mexico Must Give At-Home Students Fast Internet

32. Land O’Lakes Cooperative Is Rallying Young People to Return to Their Hometowns to Build Better Broadband

33. News Release: Going Big on Broadband – Historic Funding Levels & New State Report Put Washington State on Path to Accomplish Nation’s Most Aggressive Broadband Goals & Break Down Digital Equity Barriers

34. Verizon Sells Yahoo & AOL to Apollo for $5 Billion

35. Get Ready for a Shortage of iPads & MacBooks

36. One in Five Electric Vehicle Owners in California Switched Back to Gas Because Charging Their Cars Is a Hassle, New Research Shows

37. Video: Peninsula Power & Light Spotlight – Intro to Electric Vehicles

38. British Columbia Creek Fills with Foam after Laundry Powder Applied to Nearby Rooftops to Control Moss

39. U.S. Senator Asks Gov. Kate Brown to Suspend Oregon’s Post-Fire Hazard Tree Removal Program Pending an Investigation into Allegations of Mismanagement

WORD OF THE DAY

Sedentary /SED-un-tair-ee/ Adjective – 1: not migratory: settled 2a: doing or requiring much sitting b: not physically active 3: permanently attached

Sedentary day

There is not much going on

Time to take a nap

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. WA State: Pend Oreille PUD Officials Question Plan to Use Ponderay Mill for Cryptocurrency Mining & Box Production (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/wa-state-pend-oreille-pud-officials.html

2. Controversial Oregon Power Line Gets National Nod as Transmission Gains Favor (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/controversial-oregon-power-line-gets.html

3. Pacific Gas & Electric Will Fight Criminal Charges Tied to 2019 Kincade Fire, CEO Patti Poppe Says (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pge-will-fight-criminal-charges-tied-to-2019-kincade-fire-ceo-patti-poppe/599325/

4. Oregon: Perennial Wind Chaser Station – Natural Gas – Might Be Back on the Table (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

https://www.eastoregonian.com/news/business/perennial-wind-chaser-station-might-be-back-on-the-table/article_0e4b3eea-a919-11eb-8b22-970fe84839f5.html

5. WA State: Chelan PUD & Puget Sound Energy Finalize Contract, A Revenue Generator for PUD (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://www.kpq.com/chelan-pud-puget-sound-energy-finalize-contract-a-revenue-generator-for-pud/

6. Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission Staff Recommend Rate Decrease for Avista Customers (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/washington-utilities-transportation.html

7. New Documentary Explores Columbia & Snake River System’s Impact on the Pacific Northwest (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/sponsored/spotlight/new-documentary-explores-columbia-snake-river-systems-impact-on-the-northwest

8. New York’s Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant Closes after 59 Years of Operation (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=47776

9. Tennessee Valley Authority to Retire Coal Fleet by 2035, CEO Says, with Renewables, Gas & Nuclear on the Table as Replacements (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/tva-to-retire-coal-fleet-by-2035-ceo-says-with-renewables-gas-and-nuclea/599370/

10. Leaked Docs: Gas Industry Secretly Fights Electrification (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063731537

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

11. Opinion: Joe Biden Is Electrifying America Like F.D.R. (NY Times)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/opinion-joe-biden-is-electrifying.html

12. Guest Essay: Energy Northwest – Proudly Advancing Washington’s Clean Energy Future (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/special-reports/progress-edition/article251053304.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

13. Solar Farms Are Booming in Washington State, But Where Should They Go? (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/solar-farms-are-booming-in-washington-state-but-where-should-they-go,263221

14. California: East County Group Sues to Stop Wind Project on Campo Indian Reservation (KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA)

https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/inewsource/east-county-group-sues-to-stop-wind-project-on-campo-indian-reservation-inewsource/509-e05e1a36-79c2-44c8-9af1-00b1e7503ec5

15. Clean Megaprojects Divide Surprise Group: Environmentalists (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Clean-megaprojects-divide-surprise-group-16147444.php

16. Tesla’s Latest Solar Stumble: Big Price Increases – The Company Is Charging Tens of Thousands of Dollars More to Cover Roofs with Its Much-Anticipated Solar Shingles, Angering Some Customers. (NY Times)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/teslas-latest-solar-stumble-big-price.html

17. Floating Offshore Wind Power Bill Passes Oregon House (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/floating-offshore-wind-power-bill.html

18. California: It’s Not Just Free. Sacramento Municipal Utility District Will Pay People to Get Training to Install Solar (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/california-its-not-just-free-sacramento.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

19. California Trucks Salmon to Pacific; Low River Levels Blamed (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/04/29/california-trucks-salmon-to-pacific-low-river-levels-blamed/

20. Tribe’s Snake River Basin Fish Study Is ‘A Call to Alarm’ (Lewiston Tribune, ID)

https://lmtribune.com/river_of_change/tribe-s-fish-study-is-a-call-to-alarm/article_7a96ec10-3ff0-5850-bd82-2933780ebc7e.html

21. Blaming Tribal Fishing Practices for Decline in Salmon Is ‘Misinformation,’ Washington State Officials Say (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/investigations/washington-native-american-fishing-practices-salmon-decline-misinformation/281-51bfed5e-e10c-4d51-99dd-210715e0815c

22. Sage Grouse Changing from Threatened to Endangered (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://www.kpq.com/sage-grouse-changing-from-threatened-to-endangered/

23. Oregon Tribes Reintroduce Beavers to the Beaver State, But Hurdles Remain (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2021/05/oregon-tribes-reintroduce-beavers-to-the-beaver-state-but-hurdles-remain.html

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

24. Almost All of Oregon Poised for Drought to Start the Summer (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/05/03/drought-forecast-oregon/

25. Arizona Farmers to Bear Brunt of Cuts from Colorado River (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/colorado-river-arizona-financial-markets-business-environment-and-nature-e25726e07f3f0f5b88d683ff0772a7ab

26. WA State: Seattle May Boost Water, Sewage, Waste & Drainage Rates More Than 20% by 2026. Here’s Why. (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Clean-megaprojects-divide-surprise-group-16147444.php

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

27. Wyoming Doubles Down on Coal with Threat to Sue Other Western States, Including Washington (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2021/05/03/wyoming-doubles-down-on-coal-with-threat-to-sue-other-western-states-including-washington/

28. Washington State Legislature Charts ‘New Beginning’ in Climate Change Fight (Crosscut Seattle, WA)

https://crosscut.com/politics/2021/05/washington-legislature-charts-new-beginning-climate-change-fight

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

29. Oregon Gov. Brown Calls on Lawmakers to Provide More Funding to Expand Broadband Access (Pacific Northwest Ag Network)

https://www.pnwag.net/2021/04/30/brown-calls-on-lawmakers-to-provide-more-funding-to-expand-broadband-access/

30. As Congress Deliberates Infrastructure Development, Wyden Urges More Rural Broadband (KLCC Radio, Eugene, OR)

https://www.klcc.org/post/congress-deliberates-infrastructure-development-wyden-urges-more-rural-broadband

31. Judge: New Mexico Must Give At-Home Students Fast Internet (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/nm-state-wire-new-mexico-coronavirus-technology-health-dbc30b2dfc08fe1243a2c941680fa10f

32. Land O’Lakes Cooperative Is Rallying Young People to Return to Their Hometowns to Build Better Broadband (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/90629489/land-olakes-is-rallying-young-people-to-return-to-their-hometowns-to-build-better-broadband

https://wastatecommerce.medium.com/going-big-on-broadband-historic-funding-levels-and-new-state-report-put-washington-state-on-path-51c5edb09578

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

34. Verizon Sells Yahoo & AOL to Apollo for $5 Billion (Mashable)

https://mashable.com/article/verizon-yahoo-aol-sale-apollo/

35. Get Ready for a Shortage of iPads & MacBooks (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/04/29/it-s-not-just-cars-ipads-and-macs-suffer-from-semiconductor-crunch/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

36. One in Five Electric Vehicle Owners in California Switched Back to Gas Because Charging Their Cars Is a Hassle, New Research Shows (Business Insider)

https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-car-owners-switching-gas-charging-a-hassle-study-2021-4

37. Video: Peninsula Power & Light Spotlight – Intro to Electric Vehicles (Peninsula Power & Light, Gig Harbor, WA)

https://vimeo.com/539755523

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

38. British Columbia Creek Fills with Foam after Laundry Powder Applied to Nearby Rooftops to Control Moss (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/abbotsford-creek-foam-detergent-roofs-1.6011306?cmp=rss

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

39. U.S. Senator Asks Gov. Kate Brown to Suspend Oregon’s Post-Fire Hazard Tree Removal Program Pending an Investigation into Allegations of Mismanagement (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2021/04/senator-asks-gov-kate-brown-to-suspend-oregon-post-fire-hazard-tree-removal-program-pending-and-investigate-allegations-of-mismanagement.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

1,000 Birds Got Stuck in a Calif. Home’s Fireplace, & It’s Every Bit as Horrific as That Sounds

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/2021-04-birds-montecito-home-chimney-stuck-16139385.php

Wyoming 11-Year-Old Launches Weekly Newspaper

https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-science-newspapers-366876d066198a1235398f1b29e98302

North Carolina Man Breaks Record with 3,050 Pushups in One Hour

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/05/03/Guinnes-World-Records-TShane-Johnson-pushups-one-hour/7731620060066/

‘Galaxy Quest’ Audio Plays Over U.S. House Subcommittee Hearing

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/05/03/House-Appropriations-subcommittee-Zoom-Galaxy-Quest/4011620065807/

SONG OF THE DAY

David Newman – Galaxy Quest Medley (Movie Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17AZs1vhtj0