The Energy News Digest for November 1, 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

WA State: Natural Gas Customers Will See Bigger Bills Starting Nov. 1. Here’s Why (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article255384981.html

Tough Room: WA State Gov. Inslee Defends Climate Commitment Act Veto, Vows to Continue This Work with Tribes (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article255332316.html

California: Environmentalists, Native Americans & Fishermen Blast Vandenberg Offshore Wind Project (San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA)

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article255366796.html

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Bid to Curb Federal Power to Limit Carbon Emissions (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-hear-bid-curb-federal-power-limit-carbon-emissions-2021-10-29/

Diablo Dam Powerhouse Damaged After Rockslide, Seattle City Light Says (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/rockslide-damages-seattle-city-light-diablo-dam/281-59e233ea-8ae8-4867-a5f1-49da99f61cb1

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      WA State: Natural Gas Customers Will See Bigger Bills Starting Nov. 1. Here’s Why

2.      Regulators Approve Cost-Driven Jump in Oregon Natural Gas Rates

3.      Home Heating Prices Are Skyrocketing - There’s Nothing President Biden Can Do About It

4.      Diablo Dam Powerhouse Damaged After Rockslide, Seattle City Light Says

5.      Nuclear Power Plant Operators Want to Run for Eight Decades - A Federal Lab in Washington State Found ‘Critical Gaps’ in Knowledge About How Reactors Age

6.      While Coal Makes a Comeback, Reduced Supplies Stoke Fears Over Electrical Grids

7.      Montana Court Rejects Permit for Rosebud Coal Strip Mine Expansion

8.      Oregon: PacifiCorp Wildfire Lawsuit – New Filings Provide Look at Possible Causes of Labor Day Fires

9.      Arizona Regulators OK Belt-Tightening in Utility Rate Case

10.   Yucca Mountain Report ‘Good News’ for Nevada

11.   Electricity Travels 42 Feet to Kill Construction Worker in Ditch, Pennsylvania Officials Say

12.   Warm Springs Man Tapped to Replace Sams on Northwest Power & Conservation Council

13.   Guest Essay: Hydropower’s Absence in the Reconciliation Bill Is a Major Gap in U.S. Clean Energy Strategy

14.   Guest Essay: Struggling Families About to Take Another Hit: Home Heating Costs Projected to Soar

15.   News Release: Snake River Dams - Murray, Inslee Bend to Political Hostage-Taking

16.   Guest Essay: Eyewitnesses to Disaster - Commercial Fishermen Implore Action on the Collapse of Alaska Ecosystems

17.   California: Environmentalists, Native Americans & Fishermen Blast Vandenberg Offshore Wind Project

18.   Idaho: Lava Ridge Wind Project Faces Criticism

19.   Federal Grant to Fund Oregon Wildlife Research Ahead of Offshore Wind Farm Development

20.   Old Power Gear Is Slowing Use of Clean Energy

21.   Will Reviving British Columbia’s Declining Salmon Stocks Require a Rethink of Hatcheries?

22.   ‘A Giant Step’ for Salmon: As Dam-Breaching Debate Rages, Cantwell Quietly Secures Billions for Fish Recovery

23.   Biologists Have Giant Questions About Monster Fish in Upper Snake River

24.   U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Bid to Curb Federal Power to Limit Carbon Emissions

25.   Tough Room: WA State Gov. Inslee Defends Climate Commitment Act Veto, Vows to Continue This Work with Tribes

26.   Earth Gets Hotter, Deadlier During Decades of Climate Talks

27.   The World’s Largest Companies Are Turning to Carbon Credits - The Market Is Smoking Hot.

28.   Sophisticated Hackers Could Crash the U.S. Power Grid. Money, Not Sabotage, Is Their Focus

29.   Idaho Ranked as the Third Worst State to Own an Electric Vehicle

30.   Seattle Kraken ‘Three Stars’ Postgame Ceremony Features Players Tossing Plush Salmon to Fans

31.   WA State Gov. Inslee Lets Eviction Moratorium Expire on Sunday

32.   Americans Sour on Economy Amid Inflation Woes: AP-NORC Poll

WORD OF THE DAY

Sequacious \suh-KWAY-shuss\ Adjective - Intellectually servile

Sequacious viewer

Left and right, talking heads shout

Truth is on the outs

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      WA State: Natural Gas Customers Will See Bigger Bills Starting Nov. 1. Here’s Why (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article255384981.html

2.      Regulators Approve Cost-Driven Jump in Oregon Natural Gas Rates (Portland Business Journal, OR – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2021/10/29/natural-gas-bills-set-for-steep-rise-in-oregon.html

3.      Home Heating Prices Are Skyrocketing - There’s Nothing President Biden Can Do About It (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

https://ktvz.com/news/2021/10/28/home-heating-prices-are-skyrocketing-and-theres-nothing-biden-can-do-about-it/

4.      Diablo Dam Powerhouse Damaged After Rockslide, Seattle City Light Says (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/rockslide-damages-seattle-city-light-diablo-dam/281-59e233ea-8ae8-4867-a5f1-49da99f61cb1

5.      Nuclear Power Plant Operators Want to Run for Eight Decades - A Federal Lab in Washington State Found ‘Critical Gaps’ in Knowledge About How Reactors Age (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/nuclear-power-plant-operators-want-to-run-for-eight-decades-but-a-federal-lab-in-washington-state-found-critical-gaps-in-knowledge/

6.      While Coal Makes a Comeback, Reduced Supplies Stoke Fears Over Electrical Grids (Bakersfield Californian, CA)

https://www.bakersfield.com/ap/news/while-coal-makes-a-comeback-reduced-supplies-stoke-fears-over-electrical-grids/article_f8cf7bf7-eaf3-5276-94d9-9fd09d6dc891.html

7.      Montana Court Rejects Permit for Rosebud Coal Strip Mine Expansion (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/montana-court-rejects-permit-rosebud-coal-strip-mine-expansion-2021-10-28/

8.      Oregon: PacifiCorp Wildfire Lawsuit – New Filings Provide Look at Possible Causes of Labor Day Fires (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2021/10/pacificorp-wildfire-lawsuit-new-filings-provide-look-at-possible-causes-of-labor-day-fires.html

9.      Arizona Regulators OK Belt-Tightening in Utility Rate Case (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/arizona/articles/2021-10-28/arizona-regulators-ok-belt-tightening-in-utility-rate-case

10.   Yucca Mountain Report ‘Good News’ for Nevada (Pahrump Valley Times, NV)

https://pvtimes.com/news/yucca-mountain-report-good-news-for-nevada-106104/

11.   Electricity Travels 42 Feet to Kill Construction Worker in Ditch, Pennsylvania Officials Say (Fresno Bee, CA)

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/nation-world/national/article255351666.html

12.   Warm Springs Man Tapped to Replace Sams on Northwest Power & Conservation Council (Bend Bulletin, OR)

https://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/environment/warm-springs-man-tapped-to-replace-sams-on-northwest-power-and-conservation-council/article_d561884c-3846-11ec-a9b3-c3908a29bd0f.html

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

13.   Guest Essay: Hydropower’s Absence in the Reconciliation Bill Is a Major Gap in U.S. Clean Energy Strategy (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/hydropowers-absence-in-the-reconciliation-bill-is-a-major-gap-in-us-clea/609055/

14.   Guest Essay: Struggling Families About to Take Another Hit: Home Heating Costs Projected to Soar (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/578313-struggling-families-about-to-take-another-hit-home-heating-costs?rl=1

15.   News Release: Snake River Dams - Murray, Inslee Bend to Political Hostage-Taking (U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-WA)

https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/murray-inslee-bend-political-hostage-taking

16.   Guest Essay: Eyewitnesses to Disaster - Commercial Fishermen Implore Action on the Collapse of Alaska Ecosystems (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/eyewitnesses-to-disaster-commercial-fishermen-implore-action-on-the-collapse-of-alaska-ecosystems/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

17.   California: Environmentalists, Native Americans & Fishermen Blast Vandenberg Offshore Wind Project (San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA)

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article255366796.html

18.   Idaho: Lava Ridge Wind Project Faces Criticism (KIVI-TV, Twin Falls, ID)

https://www.kivitv.com/ksaw/lava-ridge-wind-project-faces-criticism

19.   Federal Grant to Fund Oregon Wildlife Research Ahead of Offshore Wind Farm Development (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/federal-grant-to-fund-oregon-wildlife-research-ahead-of-offshore-wind-farm-development,276329

20.   Old Power Gear Is Slowing Use of Clean Energy (NY Times)

https://finance-commerce.com/2021/10/old-power-gear-is-slowing-use-of-clean-energy/

FISH & WILDLIFE

21.   Will Reviving British Columbia’s Declining Salmon Stocks Require a Rethink of Hatcheries? (The Narwhal)

https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-salmon-hatcheries/

22.   ‘A Giant Step’ for Salmon: As Dam-Breaching Debate Rages, Cantwell Quietly Secures Billions for Fish Recovery (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/oct/31/a-giant-step-for-salmon-as-dam-breaching-debate-ra/

23.   Biologists Have Giant Questions About Monster Fish in Upper Snake River (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/nov/01/biologists-have-giant-questions-about-monster-fish/

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

24.   U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Bid to Curb Federal Power to Limit Carbon Emissions (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-hear-bid-curb-federal-power-limit-carbon-emissions-2021-10-29/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

25.   Tough Room: WA State Gov. Inslee Defends Climate Commitment Act Veto, Vows to Continue This Work with Tribes (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article255332316.html

26.   Earth Gets Hotter, Deadlier During Decades of Climate Talks (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/climate-science-technology-environment-europe-98e55f2c64aa6d3dc76a5fc64f8d4ba2

27.   The World’s Largest Companies Are Turning to Carbon Credits - The Market Is Smoking Hot. (Yahoo News)

https://news.yahoo.com/carbon-credits-fighting-climate-change-100006028.html

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

28.   Sophisticated Hackers Could Crash the U.S. Power Grid. Money, Not Sabotage, Is Their Focus (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/sophisticated-hackers-could-crash-the-us-power-grid-but-money-not-sabotag/603764/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

29.   Idaho Ranked as the Third Worst State to Own an Electric Vehicle (KMVT-TV, Twin Falls, ID)

https://www.kmvt.com/2021/10/28/idaho-ranked-third-worst-state-own-an-electric-vehicle/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

30.   Seattle Kraken ‘Three Stars’ Postgame Ceremony Features Players Tossing Plush Salmon to Fans (ABC News)

https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/seattle-kraken-stars-postgame-ceremony-features-players-tossing/story?id=80834502

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

31.   WA State Gov. Inslee Lets Eviction Moratorium Expire on Sunday (Associated Press)

https://www.koin.com/news/washington/gov-inslee-lets-eviction-moratorium-expire-on-sunday/

32.   Americans Sour on Economy Amid Inflation Woes: AP-NORC Poll (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2021-11-01/americans-sour-on-economy-amid-inflation-woes-ap-norc-poll

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

1,000 Andy Warhol Sketches Will Be Sold for $250 Each. The Catch? 999 Are Forgeries.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/10/25/andy-warhol-sketches-sale-250-each-only-one-real/8542832002/

Hundreds of Paddleboarding Witches Brave Heavy Winds on the Willamette River for Biggest Turnout Yet

https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2021/10/hundreds-of-paddleboarding-witches-brave-heavy-winds-on-the-willamette-river-for-biggest-turnout-yet-photos.html

Editors Add 455 New Words to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/29/1050379814/editors-add-455-new-words-to-merriam-websters-online-dictionary

This Ruby Is 2.5 Billion Years Old & Contains Evidence of Ancient Life

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/waterloo-university-rubies-ruby-chris-yakymchuk-greenland-1.6224006?cmp=rss

SONG OF THE DAY

Rickie Lee Jones - Chuck E’s in Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o31hyNDV2B0

The Energy News Digest for October 27, 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

Judge Orders Stay in Case Seeking to Remove Snake River Dams (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oregon/articles/2021-10-26/judge-orders-stay-in-case-seeking-to-remove-snake-river-dams

Projects Would Invest Billions at Lake Roosevelt for Needed Renewable-Energy Storage – Hurdles Are High (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/oct/27/projects-would-invest-billions-on-lake-roosevelt-f/

California: Lake Oroville Hydroelectric Power Plant Remains Offline, But Could Resume in December (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/lake-oroville-hydroelectric-power-plant-remains-offline-could-resume-december/38071906

Oregon: The Dalles Approves Tax Break for New Google Data Centers (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/10/26/google-data-center-the-dalles-tax-break/

Wildlife Agencies to Cancel Trump Endangered Species Rules (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2021-10-26/wildlife-agencies-to-cancel-trump-endangered-species-rules

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Judge Orders Stay in Case Seeking to Remove Snake River Dams

2.      Oregon State Reaches Short-Term Agreement for Columbia Basin Dams

3.      California: Lake Oroville Hydroelectric Power Plant Remains Offline, But Could Resume in December

4.      Montana: Conservation Group Presses Court for ‘Secret’ Coal Council Records

5.      New Mexico Energizes First Leg of Major Transmission Line

6.      Maine: Another $23 Million Flows into Record-Setting CMP Transmission Corridor Race in Month Before Election

7.      Xcel Energy Requests Electric Rate Hike of About 20%

8.      Canada: Facing Sky-High Connection Fees, Rural Ontarians Go Off the Grid

9.      Editorial: Study on Snake River Dam Breaching Questionable

10.   Salmon & Hydroelectric Power Can Co-Exist

11.   Guest Essay: APPA’s Joy Ditto – Infrastructure Bill Represents Significant Opportunity to Support Public Power

12.   Column: If President Biden Is Serious About the Climate Crisis, He Should Put Nuclear Power on the Table

13.   Projects Would Invest Billions at Lake Roosevelt for Needed Renewable-Energy Storage – Hurdles Are High

14.   California: Shasta Supervisors Agree with Commission, Deny Use Permit for Controversial Wind Farm (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

15.   Canada: Is Tidal Energy the Surge Remote Coastal Communities Need?

16.   New $90 Million Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Center to Focus on Solving Clean Energy’s Biggest Puzzles

17.   70 Public Power Utilities Earn Smart Energy Provider Designation

18.   Wildlife Agencies to Cancel Trump Endangered Species Rules

19.   Potential ‘Irreparable Damage’ to Puget Sound Orcas Over Alleged Illegal Salmon Hatchery Expansion

20.   California Still Deep in Drought Despite Atmospheric River

21.   Massive Storm Brings Lake Tahoe’s Water Levels Back Above Natural Rim

22.   Court Strikes Down Trump EPA Water Permitting Rule

23.   Oregon: Portland Officials Pivot from Sweeping Carbon Tax Plan, Seek Scaled-Back Pollution Fee

24.   Climate Change: Posting Pictures Online & Storing Emails Are Contributing to Crisis, Says Report

25.   U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers (WA-R) Worried Broadband Funding Will Miss Mark without New Maps

26.   U.S. Rep. Newhouse (R-WA) Announces $2 Million in Rural Broadband Funding for Central Washington State

27.   White House Picks Jessica Rosenworcel as First Female FCC Chair

28.   Oregon: The Dalles Approves Tax Break for New Google Data Centers

29.   Russian Hackers Used Home Networks to Evade Detection

30.   Thirty-Eight Public Power Electric Utilities & Utility Organizations Earn Public Power Communications Awards

31.   WA State: ‘Atmospheric River’ of Rain Is on Its Way to Seattle Area, But Dry Weekend Ahead – Haiku Hopefuls Attend

WORD OF THE DAY

Atavistic • \at-uh-VIS-stick\ • adjective – 1a: recurrence in an organism of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form and usually due to genetic recombination b: recurrence of or reversion to a past style, manner, outlook, approach, or activity 2: one that manifests atavism: throwback

Beauregard was horrified by the greeting he received from his new houseguest. Unfortunately, the wretch who had been rescued from ten long years living among the apes of Africa showed his happy salutation in an atavistic ritual of looking for nits on the thinning scalp of the squirming southern gentleman. “Nope, you’re clean,” beamed the neo-Tarzan to his host.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Judge Orders Stay in Case Seeking to Remove Snake River Dams (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oregon/articles/2021-10-26/judge-orders-stay-in-case-seeking-to-remove-snake-river-dams

2.      Oregon State Reaches Short-Term Agreement for Columbia Basin Dams (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities/Yakima, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/oregon-state-has-reached-a-short-term-agreement-for-columbia-basin-dams/article_0a4ba652-374b-11ec-b50b-2fb0c14fa0db.html

3.      California: Lake Oroville Hydroelectric Power Plant Remains Offline, But Could Resume in December (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/lake-oroville-hydroelectric-power-plant-remains-offline-could-resume-december/38071906

4.      Montana: Conservation Group Presses Court for ‘Secret’ Coal Council Records (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/conservation-group-presses-court-secret-coal-council-records-2021-10-21/

5.      New Mexico Energizes First Leg of Major Transmission Line (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/business-environment-and-nature-new-mexico-80213c3b8c1e5104fbfa6ada8346d4db

6.      Maine: Another $23 Million Flows into Record-Setting CMP Transmission Corridor Race in Month Before Election (Bangor Daily News, ME)

https://bangordailynews.com/2021/10/26/politics/another-23m-flows-into-record-setting-cmp-corridor-race-in-month-before-election/

7.      Xcel Energy Requests Electric Rate Hike of About 20% (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/minnesota/articles/2021-10-26/xcel-energy-requests-electric-rate-hike-of-about-20

8.      Canada: Facing Sky-High Connection Fees, Rural Ontarians Go Off the Grid (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/wind-solar-power-rural-ontario-1.6224159?cmp=rss

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

9.      Editorial: Study on Snake River Dam Breaching Questionable (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA)

https://www.union-bulletin.com/opinion/editorials/study-on-dam-breaching-questionable/article_48b5914a-35f8-11ec-bc34-fb696d83a72e.html

10.   Salmon & Hydroelectric Power Can Co-Exist (WA State Republican Caucus)

https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/2021/10/26/case-against-dam-removal/

11.   Guest Essay: APPA’s Joy Ditto – Infrastructure Bill Represents Significant Opportunity to Support Public Power (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/578712-infrastructure-bill-represents-significant-opportunity-to-support?rl=1

12.   Column: If President Biden Is Serious About the Climate Crisis, He Should Put Nuclear Power on the Table (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-10-26/climate-change-nuclear-power-biden-crisis

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

13.   Projects Would Invest Billions at Lake Roosevelt for Needed Renewable-Energy Storage – Hurdles Are High (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/oct/27/projects-would-invest-billions-on-lake-roosevelt-f/

14.   California: Shasta Supervisors Agree with Commission, Deny Use Permit for Controversial Wind Farm (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2021/10/27/shasta-supervisors-agree-commission-and-deny-use-permit-controversial-wind-farm/8555976002/

15.   Canada: Is Tidal Energy the Surge Remote Coastal Communities Need? (The Toronto Star, Ontario)

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/10/26/is-tidal-energy-the-surge-remote-coastal-communities-need.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

16.   New $90 Million Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Center to Focus on Solving Clean Energy’s Biggest Puzzles (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/pacific-northwest-national-lab/article255185637.html

17.   70 Public Power Utilities Earn Smart Energy Provider Designation (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/70-public-power-utilities-earn-smart-energy-provider-designation

FISH & WILDLIFE

18.   Wildlife Agencies to Cancel Trump Endangered Species Rules (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2021-10-26/wildlife-agencies-to-cancel-trump-endangered-species-rules

19.   Potential ‘Irreparable Damage’ to Puget Sound Orcas Over Alleged Illegal Salmon Hatchery Expansion (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3198655/potential-irreparable-damage-to-puget-sound-orcas-over-alleged-illegal-salmon-hatchery-expansion/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

20.   California Still Deep in Drought Despite Atmospheric River (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3204778/california-still-deep-in-drought-despite-atmospheric-river/

21.   Massive Storm Brings Lake Tahoe’s Water Levels Back Above Natural Rim (Yahoo News)

https://news.yahoo.com/massive-storm-brings-lake-tahoes-004653494.html

22.   Court Strikes Down Trump EPA Water Permitting Rule (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/court-strikes-down-trump-epa-water-permitting-rule/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

23.   Oregon: Portland Officials Pivot from Sweeping Carbon Tax Plan, Seek Scaled-Back Pollution Fee (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2021/10/portland-officials-pivot-from-sweeping-carbon-tax-plan-seek-scaled-back-pollution-fee.html

24.   Climate Change: Posting Pictures Online & Storing Emails Are Contributing to Crisis, Says Report (Sky News, UK)

https://news.sky.com/story/dirty-data-posting-pictures-online-and-storing-emails-are-contributing-to-climate-crisis-says-report-12444665

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

25.   U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers (WA-R) Worried Broadband Funding Will Miss Mark without New Maps (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/578580-mcmorris-rodgers-worried-broadband-funding-will-miss-mark-without-new-maps

26.   U.S. Rep. Newhouse (R-WA) Announces $2 Million in Rural Broadband Funding for Central Washington State (Pacific Northwest Ag Network)

https://www.pnwag.net/2021/10/26/newhouse-announces-2m-in-rural-broadband-funding-for-central-washington/

27.   White House Picks Jessica Rosenworcel as First Female FCC Chair (Engadget)

https://www.engadget.com/fcc-jessica-rosenworcel-first-female-chair-154933419.html

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

28.   Oregon: The Dalles Approves Tax Break for New Google Data Centers (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/10/26/google-data-center-the-dalles-tax-break/

29.   Russian Hackers Used Home Networks to Evade Detection (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-26/suspected-russian-hackers-use-home-networks-to-evade-detection

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

30.   Thirty-Eight Public Power Electric Utilities & Utility Organizations Earn Public Power Communications Awards (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/publication/thirty-eight-public-power-electric-utilities-and-utility-organizations-earn-public-power

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

31.   WA State: ‘Atmospheric River’ of Rain Is on Its Way to Seattle Area, But Dry Weekend Ahead – Haiku Hopefuls Attend (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/an-atmospheric-river-of-rain-is-on-its-way-to-the-seattle-area/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Woman Sues Kellogg Over Lack of Strawberries in Strawberry Pop-Tarts, Seeks $5 Million

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/10/26/kellogg-sued-strawberry-pop-tarts/

Virginia ‘Criminal Couponer’ Who Robbed $31.8 Million Used Funds for High-End Vacations

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/10/26/criminal-couponer-tricked-shoppers-robbed-stores-31-8-million/8548454002/

Super Troupers! ABBA on Fame, Divorce, Ageing Backwards – And Why They’ve Returned to Rescue 2021

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/27/abba-reunion-interview-voyage-younger-selves

Volunteers Crush the Grapes & Raise A Glass At London Winery

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/volunteers-crush-grapes-raise-glass-london-winery-2021-10-27/

SONG OF THE DAY

ABBA – Money, Money, Money

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

The Energy News Digest for October 25, 2021

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

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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

High Wind Causing Power Outages Around Puget Sound (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/high-wind-causing-power-outages-around-puget-sound/X7MGCLOQZNEZNI5NFMT6CVAAMM/

Agreement on Columbia, Snake Dams Cuts Risk of Blackouts, High Electric Costs (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article255187912.html

Longer, More Frequent Outages Afflict the U.S. Power Grid as States Fail to Prepare for Climate Change (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/10/24/climate-change-power-outages/

Lawsuit Says Montana Ignored Climate in Approving $250 Million Power Plant (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/lawsuit-says-montana-ignored-climate-approving-250-mln-power-plant-2021-10-21/

Record Number of Calves Born to Salish Sea Humpback Whales This Year (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/record-number-calves-born-salish-sea-humpback-whales-this-year/BY7C3ZKHS5ECLFPR3Y54BD3L44/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      High Wind Causing Power Outages Around Puget Sound

2.      S.F. Bay Area Weather: Category 5 Atmospheric River Brings Flooding, Evacuation Orders & Outages

3.      Record Storm Slams West Coast as Tens of Millions on East Coast Brace for Nor’easter

4.      Satellite Imagery Shows the Staggering Bomb Cyclone Hitting the West Coast

5.      Agreement on Columbia, Snake Dams Cuts Risk of Blackouts, High Electric Costs

6.      Parties in Federal Columbia River Salmon Lawsuit Seek Pause in Litigation to Jointly Develop a Solution

7.      U.S. Sen Murray, WA Gov Inslee Detail Salmon Recovery Process That Could Include Snake River Dam Removal

8.      20-Year Legal Tug-of-War Between Federal Managers on the Snake River & Conservation & Tribal Interests May Be Put on Hold Until Next Summer

9.      Columbia River System Operations - Press Statement on Injunctive Relief Settlement

10.   Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Reacts to Inslee, Murray Proposal to Study Lower Snake River Dam Breaching

11.   Longer, More Frequent Outages Afflict the U.S. Power Grid as States Fail to Prepare for Climate Change

12.   Five Northern California Counties Sue Pacific Gas & Electric Over Massive Dixie Fire

13.   EIA Forecasts U.S. Winter Natural Gas Bills Will Be 30% Higher Than Last Winter

14.   U.S. to Give Nuclear Waste Plant in Idaho Another Try

15.   U.S. Air Force to Install Nuclear Micro-Reactor at Alaskan Base

16.   To Secure the Energy Supply Chain, Feds Want to Reimagine the Power Sector as Defense

17.   Oregon: Eugene Water & Electric Board Beginning State-Mandated Wildfire Mitigation Planning

18.   Montana Electric Utility Regulators Revamping Staff After Audit Flagged ‘Unhealthy Organizational Culture’

19.   FERC Rejects Utilities’ Request to Open Tennessee Valley Authority to Competition

20.   Guest Essay: Pacific Northwest Energy – A Thoughtful Approach Needed for Regional Transmission Organizations

21.   Guest Essay: A Dam Good Idea — Making a Lasting Difference by Investing in the Infrastructure of Our Dams

22.   Feds Consider Big Solar Expansion in Nevada’s Mojave Desert

23.   A Melting Glacier Could Mean a Chance for Alaska’s Biggest Hydroelectric Project to Expand

24.   Alaska: Kwethluk Is Installing Wind Turbines That Will Power Half the Community

25.   Who Owns the Wind, Anyway? The Case for ‘Socializing’ Wind Power

26.   Record Number of Calves Born to Salish Sea Humpback Whales This Year

27.   Endangered Whale Population Sinks Close to 20-Year Low

28.   As a Snohomish PUD Dam Tries to Mimic Nature, Sultan River Comes to Life

29.   Sea Otters Could Be Returning to Oregon Coast

30.   Farmer Fined $304,000 Over Alleged Snake River Water Theft During Drought

31.   Latest Projection: Lake Powell Could Reach Critically Low Water Level by July

32.   Lawsuit Says Montana Ignored Climate in Approving $250 Million Power Plant

33.   Redfin: Climate Change Will Exacerbate U.S. Housing Shortage

34.   Oregon: Google Set to Win New Tax Breaks in the Dalles, But Uncertainty Lingers Over an Earlier Deal

35.   Microsoft: Russian-Backed Hackers Targeting Cloud Services

36.   ‘Public Power Underground’ Podcast Collaboration with NewsData Unveiled

37.   Likes & Shares: Facebook Wrestles with the Features It Used to Define Social Networking

38.   Nuclear Fusion Edges Toward the Mainstream

39.   Two Companies Express Interest in Shuttered Ferndale Aluminum Smelter

40.   Washington State Looks for ‘Alternative’ Paths to End Years-Long Wait for Permanent Daylight-Saving Time

WORD OF THE DAY

Temporize \TEMP-puh-rise\ Verb - 1: to act to suit the time or occasion: yield to current or dominant opinion 2: to draw out discussions or negotiations so as to gain time.

“Y’all excuse me while I take a short pause in my speech to collect my thoughts,” drawled the gentleman lawyer to the expectant jury. In reality, the wily old fellow was temporizing during his closing arguments in hopes that the “Pony Express” rider would arrive with the surprise evidence….evidence that could save the defendant from a prison sentence. Unbeknownst to the lawyer, the rider at that moment had taken a side trip “up the lazy river” to linger in the shade of an old oak tree.

WESTERN WEATHER WOES

1.      High Wind Causing Power Outages Around Puget Sound (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/high-wind-causing-power-outages-around-puget-sound/X7MGCLOQZNEZNI5NFMT6CVAAMM/

2.      S.F. Bay Area Weather: Category 5 Atmospheric River Brings Flooding, Evacuation Orders & Outages (SF Chronicle, CA)

https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/S-F-Bay-Area-weather-live-updates-Track-the-16558095.php

3.      Record Storm Slams West Coast as Tens of Millions on East Coast Brace for Nor’easter (NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/record-storm-slams-west-coast-tens-millions-east-coast-brace-n1282277

4.      Satellite Imagery Shows the Staggering Bomb Cyclone Hitting the West Coast (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/satellite-imagery-shows-the-staggering-bomb-cyclone-hit-1847928101

SNAKE RIVER SERENADE

5.      Agreement on Columbia, Snake Dams Cuts Risk of Blackouts, High Electric Costs (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article255187912.html

6.      Parties in Federal Columbia River Salmon Lawsuit Seek Pause in Litigation to Jointly Develop a Solution (Associated Press)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/10/21/parties-in-federal-salmon-lawsuit-seek-pause-in-litigation-to-reach-agreement/

7.      U.S. Sen Murray, WA Gov Inslee Detail Salmon Recovery Process That Could Include Snake River Dam Removal (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/10/22/murray-inslee-detail-salmon-recovery-process-that-could-include-snake-river-dam-removal/

8.      20-Year Legal Tug-of-War Between Federal Managers on the Snake River & Conservation & Tribal Interests May Be Put on Hold Until Next Summer (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/oct/21/20-year-legal-tug-of-war-between-federal-managers-/

9.      Columbia River System Operations - Press Statement on Injunctive Relief Settlement (News Release – Northwest RiverPartners, Vancouver, WA)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/10/columbia-river-system-operations-press.html

10.   Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Reacts to Inslee, Murray Proposal to Study Lower Snake River Dam Breaching (News Release – Pacific Northwest Waterways Association)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/10/pacific-northwest-waterways-association.html

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

11.   Longer, More Frequent Outages Afflict the U.S. Power Grid as States Fail to Prepare for Climate Change (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/10/24/climate-change-power-outages/

12.   Five Northern California Counties Sue Pacific Gas & Electric Over Massive Dixie Fire (KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA)

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/10/20/dixie-fire-pge-lawsuit-butte-lassen-plumas-shasta-tehama/

13.   EIA Forecasts U.S. Winter Natural Gas Bills Will Be 30% Higher Than Last Winter (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=50076

14.   U.S. to Give Nuclear Waste Plant in Idaho Another Try (Associated Press)

https://www.kulr8.com/news/money/us-to-give-nuclear-waste-plant-in-idaho-another-try/article_0ff3b5e0-19b4-52c4-bad1-0d398703b23a.html

15.   U.S. Air Force to Install Nuclear Micro-Reactor at Alaskan Base (New Atlas)

https://newatlas.com/military/us-air-force-nuclear-micro-reactor-alaska/

16.   To Secure the Energy Supply Chain, Feds Want to Reimagine the Power Sector as Defense (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/to-secure-the-energy-supply-chain-feds-want-to-reimagine-the-power-sector/608642/

17.   Oregon: Eugene Water & Electric Board Beginning State-Mandated Wildfire Mitigation Planning (Eugene Register-Guard, OR – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/2021/10/20/eweb-wildfire-mitigation-planning-helicopters-chainsaws-eugene-lane-county/8525256002/

18.   Montana Electric Utility Regulators Revamping Staff After Audit Flagged ‘Unhealthy Organizational Culture’ (Yellowstone Public Radio)

https://www.ypradio.org/government-politics/2021-10-22/montana-electric-utility-regulators-revamping-staff-after-audit-flagged-unhealthy-organizational-culture

19.   FERC Rejects Utilities’ Request to Open Tennessee Valley Authority to Competition (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-rejects-utilities-request-to-open-tva-tennessee-transmission-access-competition/608721/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

20.   Guest Essay: Pacific Northwest Energy – A Thoughtful Approach Needed for Regional Transmission Organizations (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/oct/22/northwest-energy-a-thoughtful-approach-needed-for-/

21.   Guest Essay: A Dam Good Idea — Making a Lasting Difference by Investing in the Infrastructure of Our Dams (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/577682-a-dam-good-idea-making-a-lasting-difference-by

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

22.   Feds Consider Big Solar Expansion in Nevada’s Mojave Desert (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/blm-considers-big-solar-expansion-in-nev-s-mojave-desert/

23.   A Melting Glacier Could Mean a Chance for Alaska’s Biggest Hydroelectric Project to Expand (KTOO-Radio, Juneau, AK)

https://www.ktoo.org/2021/10/24/as-glacier-recedes-a-chance-for-alaskas-biggest-hydroelectric-project-to-expand/

24.   Alaska: Kwethluk Is Installing Wind Turbines That Will Power Half the Community (KYUK Broadcasting, Bethel, AK)

https://www.kyuk.org/science-and-environment/2021-10-21/kwethluk-is-installing-wind-turbines-that-will-power-half-the-community

25.   Who Owns the Wind, Anyway? The Case for ‘Socializing’ Wind Power (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/energy/who-owns-the-wind-the-case-for-socializing-wind-power-david-hughes/

FISH & WILDLIFE

26.   Record Number of Calves Born to Salish Sea Humpback Whales This Year (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/record-number-calves-born-salish-sea-humpback-whales-this-year/BY7C3ZKHS5ECLFPR3Y54BD3L44/

27.   Endangered Whale Population Sinks Close to 20-Year Low (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Endangered-whale-population-sinks-close-to-16561961.php

28.   As a Snohomish PUD Dam Tries to Mimic Nature, Sultan River Comes to Life (Everett Herald – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/as-a-dam-tries-to-mimic-nature-sultan-river-comes-to-life/

29.   Sea Otters Could Be Returning to Oregon Coast (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/sea-otters-could-be-returning-to-oregon-coast/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

30.   Farmer Fined $304,000 Over Alleged Snake River Water Theft During Drought (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/farmer-fined-304k-over-alleged-water-theft-during-drought/RM4JS6EIYRAQZN34Z4K6EZ3ITU/

31.   Latest Projection: Lake Powell Could Reach Critically Low Water Level by July (KCNC-TV, Denver, CO)

https://denver.cbslocal.com/2021/10/24/lake-powell-water-reservoir-levels-colorado-river/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

32.   Lawsuit Says Montana Ignored Climate in Approving $250 Million Power Plant (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/lawsuit-says-montana-ignored-climate-approving-250-mln-power-plant-2021-10-21/

33.   Redfin: Climate Change Will Exacerbate U.S. Housing Shortage (Houston Agent Magazine)

https://houstonagentmagazine.com/2021/10/20/redfin-climate-change-will-exacerbate-u-s-housing-shortage/

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

34.   Oregon: Google Set to Win New Tax Breaks in the Dalles, But Uncertainty Lingers Over an Earlier Deal (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2021/10/google-set-to-win-new-tax-breaks-in-the-dalles-but-uncertainty-lingers-over-an-earlier-deal.html

35.   Microsoft: Russian-Backed Hackers Targeting Cloud Services (Associated Press)

https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/microsoft-russian-backed-hackers-targeting-cloud-services-80769005

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

36.   ‘Public Power Underground’ Podcast Collaboration with NewsData Unveiled (Clearing Up)

https://www.newsdata.com/clearing_up/opinion_and_perspectives/public-power-underground-podcast-collaboration-unveiled/article_8bf19678-3389-11ec-a0cc-0b98e6e29bfa.html

37.   Likes & Shares: Facebook Wrestles with the Features It Used to Define Social Networking (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/25/technology/facebook-like-share-buttons.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

38.   Nuclear Fusion Edges Toward the Mainstream (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/nuclear-fusion-edges-toward-the-mainstream/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

39.   Two Companies Express Interest in Shuttered Ferndale Aluminum Smelter (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/bellingham/two-companies-express-interest-in-shuttered-ferndale-aluminum-smelter/281-e09beaa4-d984-40dc-82a6-9181f1921bf8

40.   Washington State Looks for ‘Alternative’ Paths to End Years-Long Wait for Permanent Daylight-Saving Time (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3202927/washington-permanent-daylight-saving-time-senator-murray/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Buzzards Settle in North Carolina Town Despite Scare Tactics

https://apnews.com/article/oddities-north-carolina-raleigh-625257e6cabf1758ebdf143a91a6fa7a

Fat Bear Champ Is Still Gobbling Fish & Getting Fatter

https://mashable.com/article/fat-bear-week-otis

Singing Lemurs Have a Distinctly Human Sense of Rhythm, Study Finds

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/oct/25/singing-lemurs-have-a-distinctly-human-sense-of-rhythm-study-finds

Michael Jordan’s Game-Worn Trainers Sell for Record $1.47 Million at Auction

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59032756

SONG OF THE DAY

Phil Harris – The Bare Necessities (The Jungle Book Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQq-Ffh6gfo