The Energy News Digest

Monday, February 13, 2023

The Energy News Digest for February 13, 2023

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.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Extreme Northwest Weather -- Hot & Cold -- Drives New Record at Only WA Nuclear Plant (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/extreme-northwest-weather----hot-and-cold----drives-new-record/article_9c0b721f-6b9b-5aba-83ca-7f3dcbbc9f1b.html

Western Power Pool Announces FERC Approval of Western Region Adequacy Program Tariff (Western Power Pool)

https://www.westernpowerpool.org/news/wpp-announces-ferc-approval-of-wrap-tariff

Oregon Churns Out Renewable Energy But Needs Batteries to Store It (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.ijpr.org/environment-energy-and-transportation/2023-02-12/oregon-churns-out-renewable-energy-but-needs-batteries-to-store-it

Most U.S. States Lag Behind California in Electrical Vehicles Adoption by at Least Five Years (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/most-us-states-lag-california-ev-adoption-5-years-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure/642521/

Spring Chinook Salmon Bound for Snake River Forecast to Be Up from Last Year (Billings Gazette, MT - Paywall Advisory)

https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/spring-chinook-salmon-bound-for-snake-river-forecast-to-be-up-from-last-year/article_5d057f3c-a723-11ed-8e1c-fb85efe0d896.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. Extreme Northwest Weather -- Hot & Cold -- Drives New Record at Only WA Nuclear Plant

2. Clean Energy Solution? Tri-Cities Lawmaker Wants WA Support for New Nuclear Sources

3. Western Power Pool Announces FERC Approval of Western Region Adequacy Program Tariff

4. Alaska: Railbelt Utilities Again Scramble to Fill Expected Cook Inlet Gas Shortages

5. WA Lawmakers Seek to Ban Some Utility Shutoffs During Extreme Heat

6. New Mexico: Local Choice Energy Act Passes Senate Conservation Committee

7. California’s Surging Energy Bills Are Its Own Fault

8. South Africa Invokes Disaster Law to Tackle Energy Crisis

9. Energy Australia Fined $1.5 Million for ‘Preventable’ Death of Power Worker Exposed to Live Wires

10. Editorial: Call Attacks on the U.S. Power Grid What They Are: Domestic Terrorism

11. Oregon Churns Out Renewable Energy But Needs Batteries to Store It

12. WA State Officials Ready to Recommend Approval of Two Yakima County Solar Projects

13. Solar Panels Are the Midwest’s New Cash Crop as Green Energy Booms

14. Whale Deaths Exploited in ‘Cynical Disinformation’ Campaign Against Offshore Wind Power, Advocates Say

15. Biden Administration Proposes More Stringent Efficiency Standards for Refrigerators, Clothes Washers

16. Chart: Americans Bought More Heat Pumps Than Gas Furnaces Last Year

17. Bonneville Power Administration Launches New Energy Efficiency Tracking System, Expediting Processing Times by 25%

18. British Columbian Couples Quarrel Over Home Energy Use

19. Spring Chinook Salmon Bound for Snake River Forecast to Be Up from Last Year

20. Olympic Peninsula Trout Species Under Consideration for Endangered Species List

21. ‘Rights of Nature’ Movement Gains Steam in Pacific Northwest. Can It Help Species on the Brink?

22. How Extreme Heat Scorched Pacific Northwest’s Evergreen Trees

23. California Bill Would Protect Native Western Joshua Tree

24. For First Time, Glen Canyon Dam Alternatives Addressed by Federal Government

25. Washington Bill Could Allow Department of Natural Resources to Sell Carbon Credits

26. Supporters of a Controversial Climate Solution Say It Could Be Key. Critics Believe It Is the Path to Catastrophe

27. Comcast Becomes the Latest ISP Caught Providing False Coverage Data to the FCC

28. Why Northwest Officials Are Only Now Deciding How to Regulate Crypto Mining

29. Most U.S. States Lag Behind California in Electrical Vehicles Adoption by at Least Five Years

30. Exclusive: To Tap U.S. Government Billions, Tesla Must Unlock Electric Vehicle Chargers

31. As Electric Car Sales Surge, Their Benefits Are Increasingly Criticized

32. Twitter’s Plan to Charge for Crucial Tool Prompts Outcry

33. TV Take: Super Bowl Commercials Were Mostly a Letdown, But a Few Stole the Show

34. Lisa Brown Stepping Down as WA Commerce Director. Is That a Precursor to Running for Spokane Mayor?

35. Snow Expected in Western Oregon as Cold Front Moves into the Region

36. Snow a Possibility Across Puget Sound on Valentine’s Day

37. Here’s Why Mysterious Flying Objects Are Suddenly Popping Up All Over the Place

WORD OF THE DAY

Magniloquent /mag-NILL-uh-kwunt/ Adjective – Language intended to sound very impressive and important, or a person who uses such language.

Designed to confuse

The magniloquent word fog

Baffles with B-S

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Extreme Northwest Weather -- Hot & Cold -- Drives New Record at Only WA Nuclear Plant (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/extreme-northwest-weather----hot-and-cold----drives-new-record/article_9c0b721f-6b9b-5aba-83ca-7f3dcbbc9f1b.html

2. Clean Energy Solution? Tri-Cities Lawmaker Wants WA Support for New Nuclear Sources (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/politics-government/article272242253.html

3. Western Power Pool Announces FERC Approval of Western Region Adequacy Program Tariff (Western Power Pool)

https://www.westernpowerpool.org/news/wpp-announces-ferc-approval-of-wrap-tariff

4. Alaska: Railbelt Utilities Again Scramble to Fill Expected Cook Inlet Gas Shortages (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2023/02/12/railbelt-utilities-again-scramble-to-fill-expected-cook-inlet-gas-shortages/

5. WA Lawmakers Seek to Ban Some Utility Shutoffs During Extreme Heat (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/state-politics/lawmakers-seek-ban-some-utility-shutoffs/281-9eedf846-6009-4563-8b62-fefbefde0603

6. New Mexico: Local Choice Energy Act Passes Senate Conservation Committee (New Mexico Political Report)

https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2023/02/10/local-choice-energy-act-passes-senate-conservation-committee/

7. California’s Surging Energy Bills Are Its Own Fault (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/california-surging-energy-bills-problem-150025225.html

8. South Africa Invokes Disaster Law to Tackle Energy Crisis (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-african-president-declares-state-disaster-over-power-crisis-2023-02-09/

9. Energy Australia Fined $1.5 Million for ‘Preventable’ Death of Power Worker Exposed to Live Wires (The Guardian, UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/13/energy-australia-fined-15m-for-preventable-death-of-power-worker-exposed-to-live-wires

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

10. Editorial: Call Attacks on the U.S. Power Grid What They Are: Domestic Terrorism (Las Vegas Sun, NV – Paywall Advisory)

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2023/feb/12/call-attacks-on-the-us-power-grid-what-they-are-do/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

11. Oregon Churns Out Renewable Energy But Needs Batteries to Store It (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.ijpr.org/environment-energy-and-transportation/2023-02-12/oregon-churns-out-renewable-energy-but-needs-batteries-to-store-it

12. WA State Officials Ready to Recommend Approval of Two Yakima County Solar Projects (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/state-officials-ready-to-recommend-approval-of-two-yakima-county-solar-projects/article_7f27252a-a8a9-11ed-9732-9304dbcd94fa.html

13. Solar Panels Are the Midwest’s New Cash Crop as Green Energy Booms (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-07/solar-power-booms-in-coal-dependent-republican-us-states

14. Whale Deaths Exploited in ‘Cynical Disinformation’ Campaign Against Offshore Wind Power, Advocates Say (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/02/11/whale-deaths-and-windmills/11178432002/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

15. Biden Administration Proposes More Stringent Efficiency Standards for Refrigerators, Clothes Washers (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/3853321-biden-administration-proposes-more-stringent-efficiency-standards-for-refrigerators-clothes-washers/

16. Chart: Americans Bought More Heat Pumps Than Gas Furnaces Last Year (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/heat-pumps/chart-americans-bought-more-heat-pumps-than-gas-furnaces-last-year

17. Bonneville Power Administration Launches New Energy Efficiency Tracking System, Expediting Processing Times by 25% (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20230209-bpa-launches-new-ee-tracking-system-expediting-processing-times-by-25

18. British Columbian Couples Quarrel Over Home Energy Use (E-Know Canada)

https://www.e-know.ca/regions/east-kootenay/british-columbians-quarrel-over-home-energy-use/

FISH & WILDLIFE

19. Spring Chinook Salmon Bound for Snake River Forecast to Be Up from Last Year (Billings Gazette, MT - Paywall Advisory)

https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/spring-chinook-salmon-bound-for-snake-river-forecast-to-be-up-from-last-year/article_5d057f3c-a723-11ed-8e1c-fb85efe0d896.html

20. Olympic Peninsula Trout Species Under Consideration for Endangered Species List (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/trout-species-under-consideration-for-endangered-species-list/

21. ‘Rights of Nature’ Movement Gains Steam in Pacific Northwest. Can It Help Species on the Brink? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/rights-of-nature-movement-gains-steam-in-pacific-northwest-can-it-help-species-on-the-brink/

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

22. How Extreme Heat Scorched Pacific Northwest’s Evergreen Trees (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/how-extreme-heat-scorched-pacific-northwests-evergreen-trees/

23. California Bill Would Protect Native Western Joshua Tree (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/politics-miami-marlins-gavin-newsom-california-plants-921a35bb24748cc037f588ac6dbf8948

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

24. For First Time, Glen Canyon Dam Alternatives Addressed by Federal Government (KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV)

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/for-first-time-glen-canyon-dam-alternatives-addressed-by-federal-government/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

25. Washington Bill Could Allow Department of Natural Resources to Sell Carbon Credits (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/02/13/washington-bill-could-allow-department-of-natural-resources-to-sell-carbon-credits/

26. Supporters of a Controversial Climate Solution Say It Could Be Key. Critics Believe It Is the Path to Catastrophe (Cable News Network)

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/12/world/solar-dimming-geoengineering-climate-solution-intl/index.html

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

27. Comcast Becomes the Latest ISP Caught Providing False Coverage Data to the FCC (TechSpot)

https://www.techspot.com/news/97569-comcast-becomes-latest-isp-caught-providing-false-coverage.html

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY - THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY & CYBERSECURITY

28. Why Northwest Officials Are Only Now Deciding How to Regulate Crypto Mining (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/feb/10/why-northwest-officials-are-only-now-deciding-how-/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

29. Most U.S. States Lag Behind California in Electrical Vehicles Adoption by at Least Five Years (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/most-us-states-lag-california-ev-adoption-5-years-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure/642521/

30. Exclusive: To Tap U.S. Government Billions, Tesla Must Unlock Electric Vehicle Chargers (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/technology/tap-us-government-billions-tesla-must-unlock-ev-chargers-2023-02-10/

31. As Electric Car Sales Surge, Their Benefits Are Increasingly Criticized (New York Post, NY)

https://nypost.com/2023/02/11/as-electric-car-sales-surge-their-benefits-are-increasingly-criticized/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

32. Twitter’s Plan to Charge for Crucial Tool Prompts Outcry (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2023-02-13/twitters-plan-to-charge-for-crucial-tool-prompts-outcry

33. TV Take: Super Bowl Commercials Were Mostly a Letdown, But a Few Stole the Show (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/feb/12/tv-take-super-bowl-commercials-were-mostly-a-let-d/

GOVERNMENT & GOVERNANCE

34. Lisa Brown Stepping Down as WA Commerce Director. Is That a Precursor to Running for Spokane Mayor? (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/feb/13/lisa-brown-to-step-down-in-march-as-commerce-direc/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

35. Snow Expected in Western Oregon as Cold Front Moves into the Region (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/02/13/snow-expected-in-western-oregon-as-cold-front-moves-into-the-region/

36. Snow a Possibility Across Puget Sound on Valentine’s Day (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3822409/scattered-snow-across-puget-sound-a-possibility-for-valentines-day/

37. Here’s Why Mysterious Flying Objects Are Suddenly Popping Up All Over the Place (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/heres-why-mysterious-flying-objects-173547135.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Mahomes, Chiefs Beat Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII

https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2023-kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-43a1fb387f63438c1eea23b6a4244d95

Australia-Bound NYC Man Accidentally Books Flight to Sidney, Montana

https://pix11.com/news/australia-bound-nyc-man-accidentally-books-flight-to-sidney-montana/

Ghost the Dog Found Living with a Pack of Coyotes for Months in Nevada

https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2023/02/09/dog-rescued-nevada-desert-after-living-pack-coyotes/11219405002/

1908 Harley-Davidson Sells for a Record $935,000

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/02/13/1908-Harley-Davidson-auctioned-record-price/4361676323367/

SONG OF THE DAY

Paul Pena – Jet Airliner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9XoIUGseMs

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to current stories. I try to choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription, although individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regular clearing of your browser’s history and cookie files may help in accessing some paywall sites.

Please note that media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

The Energy News Digest for February 8, 2023

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.

ITEMS OF NOTE FROM THE NORTHWEST PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION

The deadline to nominate an exceptional Public Power employee for NWPPA’s 2023 Annual Awards has been extended to Friday, Feb. 10. Honor a colleague by submitting a nomination today at www.nwppa.org/members/awards-nominations/.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

California’s Newsom Seeks Federal Probe into Soaring Natural-Gas Prices (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/california-newsom-seeks-federal-probe-215426746.html

Judge Refuses to Block Digging at Lithium Mine on Nevada-Oregon Line (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/07/26/judge-refuses-to-block-digging-at-lithium-mine-on-nv-or-line/

Gov. Little, Idaho Delegation Share ‘Deep Concerns’ about Lava Ridge; Magic Valley Legislators Sign Opposition Letter (Twin Falls Times-News, ID)

https://magicvalley.com/news/local/gov-little-idaho-federal-delegation-share-deep-concerns-about-lava-ridge-magic-valley-legislators-sign/article_9479aabc-a63b-11ed-81bf-87a2782c49a0.html

A Tech Race Begins as Microsoft Adds Artificial Intelligence to Its Search Engine (New York Times, NY – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/07/technology/microsoft-ai-chatgpt-bing.html

Raising Sons Is Draining Killer Whale Mothers, Study Finds (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/southern-resident-killer-whales-reproduction-1.6740030?cmp=rss

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. California’s Newsom Seeks Federal Probe into Soaring Natural-Gas Prices

2. EIA Lowers U.S. Natural Gas Price Forecast After a Warmer-Than-Average Start to 2023

3. Oregon: In State First, Eugene Bans Natural Gas in New Low-Rise Residential Buildings

4. What’s Going on with WA Gas Stoves? Here Are Facts Behind Discussion on Gas Appliance Bans

5. Chelan County PUD Enters into 20-Year Contract with Puget Sound Energy for Hydropower Output

6. Falling Lake Powell Water Levels Put Wyoming Hydro Power at Risk

7. Bill Gates Says High-Voltage Power Lines Will Save America. He’s Right.

8. We Don’t Need ‘Miracle’ Technologies to Fix the Climate. We Have the Tools Now

9. Gov. Little, Idaho Delegation Share ‘Deep Concerns’ about Lava Ridge; Magic Valley Legislators Sign Opposition Letter

10. Switzerland’s Solar Dam: Why Are Mountains & Snow the Perfect Mix for Solar Energy?

11. Rebates for Home Energy Upgrades Are Coming Soon. Here’s How to Plan

12. Raising Sons Is Draining Killer Whale Mothers, Study Finds

13. Environmental Win in Alaska Affects Oregon Fishermen

14. Maine’s Atlantic Salmon on the Brink

15. Oregon: Fender’s Blue Butterfly Population Rebounds in the Willamette Valley

16. Judge Refuses to Block Digging at Lithium Mine on Nevada-Oregon Line

17. Tribe, Salmon Win in Fight Over Upper Klamath Lake Water

18. ‘Generational Snowpack’ Left by California Storms Bolsters Water Supply

19. Study: 15 Million People Live Under Threat of Glacial Floods

20. AT&T Goes to Court over FCC Decision on Pole Attachment Rates

21. A Tech Race Begins as Microsoft Adds Artificial Intelligence to Its Search Engine

22. Google Hopes ‘Bard’ Will Outsmart ChatGPT, Microsoft in Artificial Intelligence

23. Electric Vehicles Lose Up to 30% Range When Temperatures Dip Below Freezing, Study Finds

24. Electric Vehicles Can Now Power Your Home for Three Days

25. Utilities Question Whether Washington Service Shutoff Proposal Is Needed

26. Canadian Mining Company Reports Finding $3 Billion Gold Deposit Near Republic

27. Biden in State of Union Exhorts Congress: ‘Finish the Job’

28. Expect a Dry Spring, Mild Summer as La Nina Transitions to El Nino, ‘Weatherman’ Says

WORD OF THE DAY – THE HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Fabulist /FAB-yuh-list/ Noun – 1: a creator or writer of fables 2: liar.

Tiny little lies
Topple the sad fabulist
Truth is easier

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. California’s Newsom Seeks Federal Probe into Soaring Natural-Gas Prices (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/california-newsom-seeks-federal-probe-215426746.html

2. EIA Lowers U.S. Natural Gas Price Forecast After a Warmer-Than-Average Start to 2023 (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/pressroom/releases/press526.php

3. Oregon: In State First, Eugene Bans Natural Gas in New Low-Rise Residential Buildings (KLCC Radio, Eugene, OR)

https://www.klcc.org/politics-government/2023-02-07/eugene-bans-natural-gas-in-low-rise-residential-buildings-in-state-first

4. What’s Going on with WA Gas Stoves? Here Are Facts Behind Discussion on Gas Appliance Bans (Tacoma News Tribune, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article271753237.html

5. Chelan County PUD Enters into 20-Year Contract with Puget Sound Energy for Hydropower Output (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/chelan-county-pud-enters-into-20-year-contract-with-puget-sound-energy-for-hydropower-output/article_a6ca7e86-a72a-11ed-a71c-a7cb3a4e09a5.html

6. Falling Lake Powell Water Levels Put Wyoming Hydro Power at Risk (Public News Service)

https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2023-02-07/water/falling-lake-powell-water-levels-put-wyoming-hydro-power-at-risk/a82795-1

7. Bill Gates Says High-Voltage Power Lines Will Save America. He’s Right. (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bill-gates-says-high-voltage-143500266.html

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

8. We Don’t Need ‘Miracle’ Technologies to Fix the Climate. We Have the Tools Now (The Guardian, UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/feb/07/climate-crisis-miracle-technology-wind-water-solar

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

9. Gov. Little, Idaho Delegation Share ‘Deep Concerns’ about Lava Ridge; Magic Valley Legislators Sign Opposition Letter (Twin Falls Times-News, ID)

https://magicvalley.com/news/local/gov-little-idaho-federal-delegation-share-deep-concerns-about-lava-ridge-magic-valley-legislators-sign/article_9479aabc-a63b-11ed-81bf-87a2782c49a0.html

10. Switzerland’s Solar Dam: Why Are Mountains & Snow the Perfect Mix for Solar Energy? (Euronews)

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/02/07/switzerlands-solar-dam-why-are-sun-and-snow-the-perfect-mix-for-solar-energy

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

11. Rebates for Home Energy Upgrades Are Coming Soon. Here’s How to Plan (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/electrification/rebates-for-home-energy-upgrades-are-coming-soon-heres-how-to-plan

FISH & WILDLIFE

12. Raising Sons Is Draining Killer Whale Mothers, Study Finds (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/southern-resident-killer-whales-reproduction-1.6740030?cmp=rss

13. Environmental Win in Alaska Affects Oregon Fishermen (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/02/07/environmental-win-in-alaska-affects-oregon-fishermen/

14. Maine’s Atlantic Salmon on the Brink (Trout Unlimited)

https://www.tu.org/magazine/conservation/maines-salmon-on-the-brink/

15. Oregon: Fender’s Blue Butterfly Population Rebounds in the Willamette Valley (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20230202-fenders-blue-butterfly-population-rebounds-in-the-willamette-valley

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

16. Judge Refuses to Block Digging at Lithium Mine on Nevada-Oregon Line (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/07/26/judge-refuses-to-block-digging-at-lithium-mine-on-nv-or-line/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

17. Tribe, Salmon Win in Fight Over Upper Klamath Lake Water (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/tribe-salmon-win-in-fight-over-upper-klamath-lake-water/

18. ‘Generational Snowpack’ Left by California Storms Bolsters Water Supply (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/feb/07/california-storms-left-behind-a-generational-snowp/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

19. Study: 15 Million People Live Under Threat of Glacial Floods (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/floods-science-india-peru-pakistan-51368bb5eef49a240d3d466775e34ed6

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

20. AT&T Goes to Court over FCC Decision on Pole Attachment Rates (Broadband Breakfast)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/2023/02/att-goes-to-court-over-fcc-decision-on-pole-attachment-rates/

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY - THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY & CYBERSECURITY

21. A Tech Race Begins as Microsoft Adds Artificial Intelligence to Its Search Engine (New York Times, NY – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/07/technology/microsoft-ai-chatgpt-bing.html

22. Google Hopes ‘Bard’ Will Outsmart ChatGPT, Microsoft in Artificial Intelligence (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3806300/google-hopes-bard-will-outsmart-chatgpt-microsoft-in-ai-2/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

23. Electric Vehicles Lose Up to 30% Range When Temperatures Dip Below Freezing, Study Finds (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/electric-vehicle-cold-range-1.6738892

24. Electric Vehicles Can Now Power Your Home for Three Days (Washington Post, DC – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/02/07/ev-battery-power-your-home/

GOVERNMENT & GOVERNANCE

25. Utilities Question Whether Washington Service Shutoff Proposal Is Needed (KPQ-Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/utilities-question-whether-service-shutoff-proposal-is-needed/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

26. Canadian Mining Company Reports Finding $3 Billion Gold Deposit Near Republic (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/feb/06/canadian-mining-company-reports-finding-3-billion-/

27. Biden in State of Union Exhorts Congress: ‘Finish the Job’ (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/state-of-the-union-biden-2023-b9bebd876a42a9510f068a04a3f2a348

28. Expect a Dry Spring, Mild Summer as La Nina Transitions to El Nino, ‘Weatherman’ Says (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/feb/07/expect-a-dry-spring-mild-summer-as-la-nina-transit/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Winning $754.6 Million Powerball Ticket Sold at Auburn, WA Fred Meyer

https://komonews.com/news/local/winning-powerball-ticket-totaling-over-750-million-sold-in-washington-lottery-jackpot-united-states-kansas

Jupiter’s Moon Count Jumps To 92, Most in Solar System

https://www.courthousenews.com/jupiters-moon-count-jumps-to-92-most-in-solar-system/

On Routine House Call, Pest Control Finds 700 Pounds of Acorns in the Walls

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/02/07/acorns-woodpeckers-california-house/

Researchers Decrypt Coded Letters Written by Mary, Queen of Scots

https://gizmodo.com/coded-letters-mary-queen-scots-decrypted-1850084477

SONG OF THE DAY

Choir! Choir! Choir!/David Byrne – Heroes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7HJZPlJn_U