The Energy News Digest for August 16, 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.

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.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Wildfires Have Burned 20 Times More Land in Pacific Northwest This Year Compared to 2020 (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/wildfire/pacific-northwest-wildfires-burned-20-times-more-land-2021-2020-washington-oregon/281-174c244d-5bed-4138-ad77-ffd663a828fc

Pacific Northwest Needs to Keep Generation at Home to Balance Heat-Driven Demand (S&P Global)

https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/electric-power/081221-pacific-northwest-needs-to-keep-generation-at-home-to-balance-heat-driven-demand

California Expects Power Supply Shortfall to Worsen in 2022 (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/california-expects-power-supply-shortfall-to-worsen-in-2022-1.1639060

An Ideal Marriage? The Battle to Match U.S. Clean Energy Demand with Excess Canadian Hydropower (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/an-ideal-marriage-the-battle-to-match-us-clean-energy-demand-with-excess-c/603600/

Mason PUD 3, WA - Federal Money ‘Critical’ for Faster Rural Internet (Associated Press)

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/us-news/federal-money-critical-for-faster-rural-internet.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Pacific Northwest Needs to Keep Generation at Home to Balance Heat-Driven Demand

2.      California Expects Power Supply Shortfall to Worsen in 2022

3.      California: Hayward Power Plant Restarts, Cause of Explosion Still Unknown

4.      Droughts Shrink Hydropower, Pose Risk to Global Push to Clean Energy

5.      Judge Rules Alaska’s Rural-Energy Subsidy Should Be Funded

6.      WA State: Chelan PUD Applauds Infrastructure Bill and Push to Modernize Columbia River Treaty

7.      New Bonneville Power Administration Customer Billing System Will Increase Automation, Improve Efficiency

8.      How NV Energy Pushed Sisolak, Other Nevada Leaders to Back Union Leader’s Candidacy for Federal Energy Regulator

9.      Trespasser Electrocuted at Idaho Falls Power Plant

10.   Guest Essay: Oregon Gov. Brown’s Dam-Busting Lawsuit Is Bad for Clean Energy

11.   An Ideal Marriage? The Battle to Match U.S. Clean Energy Demand with Excess Canadian Hydropower

12.   Energy Secretary to Alaska: ‘You Have the Solutions’

13.   Clackamas Water Environment Services Unveils Renewable Generator

14.   At Home with a Heat Pump: ‘It Makes Hot Water When It’s Freezing Outside’

15.   Dozens of Western Pond Turtles Released in Tacoma as Part of Conservation Project

16.   Did the Oldest Male Southern Resident Orca Die Too Young — At Just 35?

17.   Explainer: Western States Face First Federal Water Cuts

18.   July Was World’s Hottest Month Ever Recorded, U.S. Scientists Confirm

19.   Montana Town Looks at Clean Energy as Climate Changes

20.   Climate Change Hits Sushi Supply Chain Amid California Water War

21.   Mason PUD 3, WA - Federal Money ‘Critical’ for Faster Rural Internet

22.   New Washington State Laws Allow PUDs to Offer Retail Broadband; Grant PUD Stays Put

23.   How Washington State’s Potential Federal Infrastructure Largess Could Spark a Broadband Fight

24.   T-Mobile Investigating Claims of Massive Customer Data Breach

25.   Facebook to Build $800M Data Center in Metro Phoenix, Its First Arizona Investment

26.   Wildfires Have Burned 20 Times More Land in Pacific Northwest This Year Compared to 2020

WORD OF THE DAY

Vociferous \voh-SIF-uh-rus\ Adjective - Marked by or given to vehement insistent outcry.

Apropos the “Family Circus” comic, the environmental advocacy group vociferously denied that they had engaged in vandalism during their protest against people exhaling carbon dioxide during sleep. “Not Me” was the refrain when asked about the use of super glue to close napping employees’ nostrils.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Pacific Northwest Needs to Keep Generation at Home to Balance Heat-Driven Demand (S&P Global)

https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/electric-power/081221-pacific-northwest-needs-to-keep-generation-at-home-to-balance-heat-driven-demand

2.      California Expects Power Supply Shortfall to Worsen in 2022 (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/california-expects-power-supply-shortfall-to-worsen-in-2022-1.1639060

3.      California: Hayward Power Plant Restarts, Cause of Explosion Still Unknown (KTVU-TV, Oakland, CA)

https://www.ktvu.com/news/hayward-power-plant-restarts-cause-of-explosion-still-unknown

4.      Droughts Shrink Hydropower, Pose Risk to Global Push to Clean Energy (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/inconvenient-truth-droughts-shrink-hydropower-pose-risk-global-push-clean-energy-2021-08-13/

5.      Judge Rules Alaska’s Rural-Energy Subsidy Should Be Funded (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

https://www.adn.com/politics/2021/08/11/judge-rules-alaskas-rural-energy-subsidy-should-be-funded/

6.      WA State: Chelan PUD Applauds Infrastructure Bill and Push to Modernize Columbia River Treaty (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://www.kpq.com/chelan-pud-applauds-infrastructure-bill-and-push-to-modernize-columbia-river-treaty/

7.      New Bonneville Power Administration Customer Billing System Will Increase Automation, Improve Efficiency (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/New-BPA-customer-billing-system-will-increase-automation-improve-efficiency-.aspx

8.      How NV Energy Pushed Sisolak, Other Nevada Leaders to Back Union Leader’s Candidacy for Federal Energy Regulator (Nevada Independent)

https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/how-nv-energy-pushed-sisolak-other-nv-leaders-to-back-union-leaders-candidacy-for-federal-energy-regulator

9.      Trespasser Electrocuted at Idaho Falls Power Plant (KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls ID)

https://localnews8.com/news/top-stories/2021/08/15/trespasser-electrocuted-at-idaho-falls-power-plant/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

10.   Guest Essay: Oregon Gov. Brown’s Dam-Busting Lawsuit Is Bad for Clean Energy (Pamplin Media Group, Portland, OR)

https://pamplinmedia.com/go/43-opinion/518570-414156-my-view-browns-dam-busting-lawsuit-is-bad-for-clean-energy

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

11.   An Ideal Marriage? The Battle to Match U.S. Clean Energy Demand with Excess Canadian Hydropower (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/an-ideal-marriage-the-battle-to-match-us-clean-energy-demand-with-excess-c/603600/

12.   Energy Secretary to Alaska: ‘You Have the Solutions’ (Fairbanks Daily News Miner, AK – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/energy-secretary-to-alaska-you-have-the-solutions/article_c63ad950-fe34-11eb-baf6-2f95dc4aefe5.html

13.   Clackamas Water Environment Services Unveils Renewable Generator (Pamplin Media Group, Portland, OR)

https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/518679-414162-clackamas-water-environment-services-unveils-renewable-generator

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

14.   At Home with a Heat Pump: ‘It Makes Hot Water When It’s Freezing Outside’ (The Guardian, UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/aug/14/at-home-with-a-heat-pump-it-makes-hot-water-when-its-freezing-outside

FISH & WILDLIFE

15.   Dozens of Western Pond Turtles Released in Tacoma as Part of Conservation Project (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/western-pond-turtles-endangered-species-conservation-washington/281-f7fb146a-4e39-408f-b6ee-dcd6532dfb0d

16.   Did the Oldest Male Southern Resident Orca Die Too Young — At Just 35? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/did-the-oldest-male-southern-resident-orca-die-too-young-at-just-35/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

17.   Explainer: Western States Face First Federal Water Cuts (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/business-health-environment-and-nature-climate-change-89ff76829e3a3c7ed514320e9a40df8f

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

18.   July Was World’s Hottest Month Ever Recorded, U.S. Scientists Confirm (The Guardian, UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/13/july-worlds-hottest-month-ever-recorded-us-scientists

19.   Montana Town Looks at Clean Energy as Climate Changes (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/science-climate-montana-climate-change-c265939f0126d1b995f154e79678e0b1

20.   Climate Change Hits Sushi Supply Chain Amid California Water War (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-13/climate-change-hits-sushi-supply-chain-amid-california-water-war

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

21.   Mason PUD 3, WA - Federal Money ‘Critical’ for Faster Rural Internet (Associated Press)

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/us-news/federal-money-critical-for-faster-rural-internet.html

22.   New Washington State Laws Allow PUDs to Offer Retail Broadband; Grant PUD Stays Put (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2021/aug/13/new-laws-allow-puds-offer-retail-broadband-grant-p/

23.   How Washington State’s Potential Federal Infrastructure Largess Could Spark a Broadband Fight (GeekWire)

https://www.geekwire.com/2021/washington-states-potential-federal-infrastructure-largess-spark-broadband-fight/

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

24.   T-Mobile Investigating Claims of Massive Customer Data Breach (Vice)

https://www.vice.com/en/article/akg8wg/tmobile-investigating-customer-data-breach-100-million

25.   Facebook to Build $800M Data Center in Metro Phoenix, Its First Arizona Investment (Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ)

https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/tech/2021/08/12/mesa-lands-facebook-data-center-companys-first-arizona-investment/5566991001/

OTHER NEWS TO KNOW ABOUT

26.   Wildfires Have Burned 20 Times More Land in Pacific Northwest This Year Compared to 2020 (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/wildfire/pacific-northwest-wildfires-burned-20-times-more-land-2021-2020-washington-oregon/281-174c244d-5bed-4138-ad77-ffd663a828fc

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

There Are Now Lab-Grown Mouse-Meat Cookies for Cats

https://www.fastcompany.com/90665457/there-are-now-lab-grown-mouse-meat-cookies-for-cats

Slice of Cake from Princess Diana, Prince Charles’ Wedding Sells for Over $2,500

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/08/12/Princess-Diana-Prince-Charles-wedding-cake/4231628787226/

Thrift Store Returns 146-Year-Old Marriage Certificate to Great-Granddaughter

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/08/13/thrift-store-marriage-certificate-1864-Irene-Cornish/1381628888028/

Korean Man Finds $130,000 Taped to Bottom of Used Fridge

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/08/13/used-kimchi-fridge-cash-taped-to-bottom-Jeju-Island-South-Korea/4511628884502/

SONG OF THE DAY

The 5th Dimension - Wedding Bell Blues (Official Audio)

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

The Energy News Digest for August 11, 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.

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.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Pacific Northwest Braces for Another Multiday Heat Wave (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/science-health-environment-and-nature-heat-waves-c9678121d32fec37d88d2f299d6853f8

Hydropower Levels Under Careful Watch as Drought Ravages the West (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/hydropower-levels-under-careful-watch-as-drought-ravages-the-west/

More Klamath Basin Wells Go Dry as Groundwater Decline Persists (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2021/08/more-klamath-basin-wells-go-dry-as-groundwater-decline-persists.html-2

Explainer: What the $65 Billion Federal Broadband Service Plan Will Do (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-54bd38c58aaa30114eee72f352998fa4

WA Dept. of Ecology Set to Begin Climate Commitment Act Rulemaking This Fall (Washington State Wire)

https://washingtonstatewire.com/ecology-set-to-begin-climate-commitment-act-rulemaking-this-fall/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Hydropower Levels Under Careful Watch as Drought Ravages the West

2.      WA State: Lawsuit Aims to Keep Natural Gas Measure Off Spokane Ballot

3.      As the Climate Warms, Electricity Demand Shows a Regional Shift

4.      WA U.S. Rep. Newhouse Introduces Legislation for Establishment of Nuclear Power Purchase Agreement Program

5.      NW Natural to Buy Renewable Gas Credits, Puts Out Call for More Renewable Natural Gas

6.      Historic Postal Rate Increase on Co-op Marketing Mail Starts Aug. 29

7.      Utility Companies, State Officials Team Up to Protect Consumers from Utility Scams

8.      Biden Officials Push to Hike Federal Lightbulb Efficiency after Trump Reversal

9.      U.S. Senate Infrastructure Package Could ‘Significantly Improve’ Salmon Habitat

10.   Officials: Idaho Trap-&-Truck Salmon Effort Successful

11.   WA State: Swinomish Tribe Objects as State Allows Cooke Aquaculture to Stock Net Pen at Hope Island

12.   More Klamath Basin Wells Go Dry as Groundwater Decline Persists

13.   Kristen Bell Says She Doesn’t Shower Often for Environmental Reasons. Experts Weigh In.

14.   WA Dept. of Ecology Set to Begin Climate Commitment Act Rulemaking This Fall

15.   U.S. Power Emissions Set to Surge Most in More Than 30 Years

16.   Explainer: What the $65 Billion Federal Broadband Service Plan Will Do

17.   Canada: ‘Up to 1 Million’ Bitcoin Processors Could Be Relocated to Alberta from China Under Energy Firm’s Proposal

18.   Hackers Behind Historic Crypto Heist Have Reportedly Returned $256 Million in Stolen Funds

19.   Supercomputer Forecasts Are Now Helping Utilities Prepare for Climate Change & Extreme Weather

20.   Idaho: In Bellevue, New Homes May Soon Need Outlets That Can Charge Electric Cars

21.   Future of Driving: Electric Cars for Everyone! But What About the Expensive Price Tag?

22.   Pacific Northwest Braces for Another Multiday Heat Wave

23.   The Summer’s Second Heatwave Comes into Focus – And Slightly Cooler Than Initially Predicted

24.   Huge California Fire Grows; Montana Blaze Threatens Towns

25.   Climate Change, Broadband - U.S. Secretary of the Interior Visits Taholah, WA

WORD OF THE DAY

Foolscap \FOOLZ-kap\ Noun - 1: a cap or hood usually with bells worn by jesters 2: a conical cap for slow or lazy students 3: a size of paper formerly standard in Great Britain; broadly: a piece of writing paper

Ha! A fool’s cap made from foolscap!

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Hydropower Levels Under Careful Watch as Drought Ravages the West (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/hydropower-levels-under-careful-watch-as-drought-ravages-the-west/

2.      WA State: Lawsuit Aims to Keep Natural Gas Measure Off Spokane Ballot (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/aug/10/lawsuit-aims-to-keep-natural-gas-measure-off-spoka/

3.      As the Climate Warms, Electricity Demand Shows a Regional Shift (PV Magazine)

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2021/08/09/as-the-climate-warms-electricity-demand-shows-a-regional-shift/

4.      WA U.S. Rep. Newhouse Introduces Legislation for Establishment of Nuclear Power Purchase Agreement Program (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://www.kpq.com/rep-newhouse-introduces-legislation-for-establishment-of-nuclear-power-purchase-agreement-program/

5.      NW Natural to Buy Renewable Gas Credits, Puts Out Call for More Renewable Natural Gas (Portland Business Journal, OR – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2021/08/09/nw-natural-rng-rtc-deal.html

6.      Historic Postal Rate Increase on Co-op Marketing Mail Starts Aug. 29 (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

https://www.electric.coop/historic-postal-rate-increase-on-co-op-marketing-mail-starts-aug-29

7.      Utility Companies, State Officials Team Up to Protect Consumers from Utility Scams (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/featured/31472-utility-companies-state-officials-team-up-to-protect-consumers-from-utility-scams/?amp

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

8.      Biden Officials Push to Hike Federal Lightbulb Efficiency after Trump Reversal (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/567181-energy-dept-proposes-rule-aimed-at-increasing-lightbulb-efficiency

FISH & WILDLIFE

9.      U.S. Senate Infrastructure Package Could ‘Significantly Improve’ Salmon Habitat (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://kuow.org/stories/u-s-senate-infrastructure-package-could-significantly-improve-salmon-habitat

10.   Officials: Idaho Trap-&-Truck Salmon Effort Successful (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/idaho/articles/2021-08-10/officials-idaho-trap-and-truck-salmon-effort-successful

11.   WA State: Swinomish Tribe Objects as State Allows Cooke Aquaculture to Stock Net Pen at Hope Island (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

https://www.knkx.org/post/swinomish-tribe-objects-state-allows-cooke-aquaculture-stock-net-pen-hope-island

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

12.   More Klamath Basin Wells Go Dry as Groundwater Decline Persists (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2021/08/more-klamath-basin-wells-go-dry-as-groundwater-decline-persists.html-2

13.   Kristen Bell Says She Doesn’t Shower Often for Environmental Reasons. Experts Weigh In. (Yahoo News)

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/kristen-bell-shower-saving-water-151418215.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

14.   WA Dept. of Ecology Set to Begin Climate Commitment Act Rulemaking This Fall (Washington State Wire)

https://washingtonstatewire.com/ecology-set-to-begin-climate-commitment-act-rulemaking-this-fall/

15.   U.S. Power Emissions Set to Surge Most in More Than 30 Years (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-10/u-s-energy-emissions-set-to-surge-most-in-more-than-30-years

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

16.   Explainer: What the $65 Billion Federal Broadband Service Plan Will Do (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-54bd38c58aaa30114eee72f352998fa4

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

17.   Canada: ‘Up to 1 Million’ Bitcoin Processors Could Be Relocated to Alberta from China Under Energy Firm’s Proposal (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bitcoin-mining-black-rock-petroleum-company-1.6106978

18.   Hackers Behind Historic Crypto Heist Have Reportedly Returned $256 Million in Stolen Funds (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/hackers-behind-historic-crypto-heist-have-reportedly-re-1847465401

19.   Supercomputer Forecasts Are Now Helping Utilities Prepare for Climate Change & Extreme Weather (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/supercomputer-forecasts-helping-utilities-prepare-for-climate-change-extreme-weather/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

20.   Idaho: In Bellevue, New Homes May Soon Need Outlets That Can Charge Electric Cars (Idaho Mountain Express, Ketchum, ID)

https://www.mtexpress.com/news/bellevue/in-bellevue-new-homes-may-soon-need-outlets-that-can-charge-electric-cars/article_e0c50816-fa21-11eb-be65-076d30c5a5b8.html

21.   Future of Driving: Electric Cars for Everyone! But What About the Expensive Price Tag? (NY Times)

https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/passenger-vehicle/cars/future-of-driving-electric-cars-for-everyone-but-what-about-the-expensive-price-tag/85229974

OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

22.   Pacific Northwest Braces for Another Multiday Heat Wave (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/science-health-environment-and-nature-heat-waves-c9678121d32fec37d88d2f299d6853f8

23.   The Summer’s Second Heatwave Comes into Focus – And Slightly Cooler Than Initially Predicted (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-summers-second-heatwave-comes-into.html

24.   Huge California Fire Grows; Montana Blaze Threatens Towns (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/business-science-fires-environment-and-nature-california-ae696fedb55c81fb3b0ae697546c602d

25.   Climate Change, Broadband - U.S. Secretary of the Interior Visits Taholah, WA (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

https://www.thedailyworld.com/news/u-s-secretary-of-the-interior-visits-taholah/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Perseid Meteor Shower Expected to Peak Wednesday Night. Here’s How to See It

https://www.seattlepi.com/weather/article/how-to-watch-perseid-meteor-shower-in-seattle-16377877.php

‘Jeopardy!’ Names Mike Richards & Mayim Bialik as New Hosts

https://mashable.com/article/jeopardy-hosts-mayim-bialik-mike-richards

14-Year-Old Becomes Youngest to Swim Length of Lake Tahoe

https://apnews.com/article/swimming-sports-lakes-2cd7115f0a0072099d82789e6afd0510

115-year-old time capsule found during church demolition in Seattle

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/08/11/time-capsule-German-Evangelical-Church-Seattle/1121628696695/

SONG OF THE DAY

Boy Meets Girl – Waiting for a Star to Fall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVOhqIwOtg0

The Energy News Digest for August 9, 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.

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.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Scorching Daytime Highs, Warm Overnight Temps Pose Heat Danger This Week (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/08/08/scorching-daytime-highs-pose-heat-danger-oregon/

Climate Change: United Nations Report Is ‘Code Red for Humanity’ (British Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58130705

With Power Subsidy in Court, Rural Alaskans Anxiously Await a Steep Rise in Electricity Costs (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2021/08/08/with-power-subsidy-in-court-rural-alaskans-anxiously-await-a-steep-rise-in-electricity-costs/

California Hydropower Plant Forced to Shut Down as Water Levels Fall at Lake Oroville (Cable News Network)

https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/06/us/lake-oroville-water-level-power-plant/index.html

Seattle City Light Commits to Studying Impacts of Removing Skagit River Dams (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/investigations/seattle-city-light-study-impacts-removing-dams-skagit-river/281-f97cc2d0-3513-45d7-9240-aac9d757322c

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      With Power Subsidy in Court, Rural Alaskans Anxiously Await a Steep Rise in Electricity Costs

2.      California Hydropower Plant Forced to Shut Down as Water Levels Fall at Lake Oroville

3.      Seattle City Light Commits to Studying Impacts of Removing Skagit River Dams

4.      Arizona: Tribes Cheer Withdrawal of Two Little Colorado Hydropower Projects But Fear a Third

5.      Judge Rejects Challenge to Eastern Oregon Transmission Line

6.      Alaska: Replacement Undersea Power Cable Nears Completion

7.      Avista Makes Annual Price Adjustment Filings in Idaho

8.      Power, Planning, Taxing – Montana Cities Grapple with What Legal Weed Will Mean

9.      EIA: COVID-19 Reversed Recent Residential Electricity Demand Drop in 2020, But Not by Much

10.   WA State: Wahkiakum PUD Appoints New General Manager

11.   Guest Essay: Kate Brown – The West Is on Fire. It’s Past Time to Act on Climate Change.

12.   Wind Farm Wars – Why a Secretive Chinese Billionaire Bought 140,000 Acres of Land in Texas

13.   How a Federal Agency Is Blocking America’s Largest Wind Farm

14.   Goldendale Pumped Hydro Project near Columbia River Could Stabilize, Expand Energy Grid

15.   Avista Starts Regional Electrification Program Following Approval from Washington State Regulators

16.   For the First Time in 111 Years, Summer Chinook Are Swimming in the Little Spokane River

17.   Canada: Up to 85 Percent of Historical Salmon Habitat Lost in Lower Fraser Region

18.   ‘More & More Dire’: Idaho Salmon Advocates Rally for Snake River Dam Breaching

19.   Climate Change: United Nations Report Is ‘Code Red for Humanity’

20.   Leaders, Activists Alarmed, Not Surprised by Climate Report

21.   DC Circuit Orders FERC to Analyze Climate, Environmental Justice More Thoroughly

22.   WA State: Will Broadband Legislation Help Bridge ‘Digital Divide’ Locally?

23.   WA State: ‘Incredibly Well Positioned’: Lewis County PUD Optimistic About Expansive Broadband Plan

24.   CenturyLink Selling Copper Assets

25.   Scorching Daytime Highs, Warm Overnight Temps Pose Heat Danger This Week

26.   President Biden’s Infrastructure Bill on Cruise Control to U.S. Senate Passage

27.   A Chat with the Congressman Trying to Make ‘Hot FERC Summer’ Happen

28.   ‘Let’s Get This Thing Going’: Canada Opens Border to Fully Vaccinated Americans for Travel

WORD OF THE DAY – HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Men in Rubber Suits on a Rampage

Monstrous \MON-struss\ 1: strange, unnatural 2: having extraordinary often overwhelming size 3: gigantic 3a: having the qualities or appearance of a monster 3b: teeming with monsters 4a: extraordinarily ugly or vicious: 4b: shockingly wrong or ridiculous 5: deviating greatly from the natural form or character: 6: very great — used as an intensive

Ode to Godzilla

Man in rubber suit

Tiny Tokyo destroyed

Monstrous behavior

https://joelshorriblehaiku.blogspot.com/

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      With Power Subsidy in Court, Rural Alaskans Anxiously Await a Steep Rise in Electricity Costs (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2021/08/08/with-power-subsidy-in-court-rural-alaskans-anxiously-await-a-steep-rise-in-electricity-costs/

2.      California Hydropower Plant Forced to Shut Down as Water Levels Fall at Lake Oroville (Cable News Network)

https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/06/us/lake-oroville-water-level-power-plant/index.html

3.      Seattle City Light Commits to Studying Impacts of Removing Skagit River Dams (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/investigations/seattle-city-light-study-impacts-removing-dams-skagit-river/281-f97cc2d0-3513-45d7-9240-aac9d757322c

4.      Arizona: Tribes Cheer Withdrawal of Two Little Colorado Hydropower Projects But Fear a Third (Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ)

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2021/08/05/2-little-colorado-river-dam-projects-have-been-withdrawn/5408667001/

5.      Judge Rejects Challenge to Eastern Oregon Transmission Line (Blue Mountain Eagle, John Day, OR)

https://www.bluemountaineagle.com/news/judge-rejects-challenge-to-eastern-oregon-transmission-line/article_9c525814-239b-51db-b1a5-59be7cefe25d.html

6.      Alaska: Replacement Undersea Power Cable Nears Completion (Petersburg Pilot, AK)

https://www.petersburgpilot.com/story/2021/08/05/news/replacement-undersea-power-cable-nears-completion/11240.html

7.      Avista Makes Annual Price Adjustment Filings in Idaho (Coeur d’Alene Press, ID)

https://cdapress.com/news/2021/aug/05/avista-makes-annual-price-adjustment-filings-idaho/

8.      Power, Planning, Taxing – Montana Cities Grapple with What Legal Weed Will Mean (Montana Free Press)

https://montanafreepress.org/2021/08/05/montana-cities-legal-weed-detail/

9.      EIA: COVID-19 Reversed Recent Residential Electricity Demand Drop in 2020, But Not by Much (Power Engineering)

https://www.power-eng.com/news/eia-covid-19-reversed-recent-residential-electricity-demand-drop-in-2020-but-not-by-much/

10.   WA State: Wahkiakum PUD Appoints New General Manager (Wahkiakum County Eagle, Cathlamet, WA)

https://www.waheagle.com/story/2021/08/05/news/pud-appoints-new-general-manager/19707.html

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

11.   Guest Essay: Kate Brown – The West Is on Fire. It’s Past Time to Act on Climate Change. (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)

https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2021/08/05/kate-brown-west-is-fire/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

12.   Wind Farm Wars – Why a Secretive Chinese Billionaire Bought 140,000 Acres of Land in Texas (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2021/08/09/why-a-secretive-chinese-billionaire-bought-140000-acres-of-land-in-texas/

13.   How a Federal Agency Is Blocking America’s Largest Wind Farm (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2021-08-05/a-federal-agency-is-blocking-americas-largest-wind-farm-boiling-point

14.   Goldendale Pumped Hydro Project near Columbia River Could Stabilize, Expand Energy Grid (Business Institute of Washington)

https://thelens.news/2021/08/05/goldendale-project-could-stabilize-expand-energy-grid/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

15.   Avista Starts Regional Electrification Program Following Approval from Washington State Regulators (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/31412-avista-starts-regional-electrification-program-following-approval-from-washington-regulators/

FISH & WILDLIFE

16.   For the First Time in 111 Years, Summer Chinook Are Swimming in the Little Spokane River (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/galleries/2021/aug/07/for-the-first-time-in-111-years-summer-chinook-are/

17.   Canada: Up to 85 Percent of Historical Salmon Habitat Lost in Lower Fraser Region (Science Daily)

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210805115525.htm

18.   ‘More & More Dire’: Idaho Salmon Advocates Rally for Snake River Dam Breaching (Yahoo News)

https://news.yahoo.com/more-more-dire-idaho-salmon-100000662.html?soc_src=yahooapp

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

19.   Climate Change: United Nations Report Is ‘Code Red for Humanity’ (British Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58130705

20.   Leaders, Activists Alarmed, Not Surprised by Climate Report (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/science-climate-environment-and-nature-united-nations-climate-change-6809b77affd217c176f884e64bb71f5d

21.   DC Circuit Orders FERC to Analyze Climate, Environmental Justice More Thoroughly (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/dc-circuit-calls-on-ferc-to-analyze-climate-environmental-justice-more-tho/604481/

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

22.   WA State: Will Broadband Legislation Help Bridge ‘Digital Divide’ Locally? (Edmonds Beacon, WA)

https://www.edmondsbeacon.com/story/2021/08/05/news/will-broadband-legislation-help-bridge-digital-divide-locally/25383.html

23.   WA State: ‘Incredibly Well Positioned’: Lewis County PUD Optimistic About Expansive Broadband Plan (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/incredibly-well-positioned-lewis-county-pud-optimistic-about-expansive-broadband-plan,270211

24.   CenturyLink Selling Copper Assets (Pots & Pans)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2021/08/09/centurylink-selling-copper-assets/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

25.   Scorching Daytime Highs, Warm Overnight Temps Pose Heat Danger This Week (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/08/08/scorching-daytime-highs-pose-heat-danger-oregon/

26.   President Biden’s Infrastructure Bill on Cruise Control to U.S. Senate Passage (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/08/biden-infrastructure-bill-senate-502785

27.   A Chat with the Congressman Trying to Make ‘Hot FERC Summer’ Happen (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/a-chat-with-the-congressman-trying-to-make-hot-ferc-sum-1847430476

28.   ‘Let’s Get This Thing Going’: Canada Opens Border to Fully Vaccinated Americans for Travel (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2021/08/09/canada-travel-border-open-what-to-know/5532382001/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

NASA Seeking People to Pretend to Live on Mars for a Year

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nasa-live-on-mars-job_n_610e96dae4b05f81570ac962

Ohio Man, 95-Year-Old Grandma Cook Up World’s Biggest Oreo

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/08/05/Guinness-World-Records-biggest-Oreo-Ross-Smith-grandma/2621628187842/

Fish with Mouth of Human-Like Teeth Caught in North Carolina

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/08/06/teeth-fish-Jennettes-Pier-Nathan-Martin-sheepshead-Nags-Head-North-Carolina/9221628281919/

Waste Workers Find $25,000 Accidentally Thrown Out by Ohio Family

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/08/06/Republic-Services-Oberlin-Ohio-waste-workers-find-grandmas-lost-cash/7511628280470/

SONG OF THE DAY

Alfred Newman – How the West Was Won – Main Title (Movie Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwPI80EALPU