The Energy News Digest

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

The Energy News Digest for July 5, 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.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

World Registers Hottest Day Ever Recorded on July 3 (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/world-registers-hottest-day-ever-155017716.html

U.S. Electric Vehicle Goals Will Require Up to $127 Billion to Install 28 Million Chargers by 2030: NREL (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/electric-vehicle-ev-aspirations-will-require-rapid-charging-buildou-NREL/684940/

WA State: $163 Million Power Up Project in Grant County (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2023/jul/03/powering/

Power Prices Drop Below Zero as Solar Output Surges in Europe (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/power-prices-drop-below-zero-as-solar-output-surges-in-europe-1.1941320

How Local Agencies Plan to Get Out Critical Information in Face of New Limits on Twitter (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/how-local-agencies-plan-get-out-critical-information-despite-new-twitter-update/OCDLXFURHNCNTLVM4V3BKXYOKE/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. WA State: $163 Million Power Up Project in Grant County

2. Oregon: Red Flag Warning Prompts Heightened Safety Measures by Douglas Electric Cooperative

3. 2023’s Most & Least Energy-Expensive States

4. Power Prices Drop Below Zero as Solar Output Surges in Europe

5. Solar Is Booming in the California Desert, Running Local Wells Dry Amid Water Woes

6. Leaving Your Ceiling Fan on When You’re Away Won’t Cool Your Home

7. Want a Free Shade Tree? Take This Salt River Project Class Online

8. Orcas Are Ramming into Boats, But Experts Warn Against Calling It Revenge on Humans

9. Rights for the Rivers: Groups Fight for Recognition of Natural Entities’ Legal Rights

10. Some of the Worst Air Quality in the World over Puget Sound: Blame Fireworks

11. Explainer: How Japan Plans to Release Fukushima Water into the Ocean

12. ‘Stay Out of the Water’: What Lurks Below California’s Zombie Lake?

13. World Registers Hottest Day Ever Recorded on July 3

14. U.S. Electric Vehicle Goals Will Require Up to $127 Billion to Install 28 Million Chargers by 2030: NREL

15. Hackers Already Infiltrate Electric Vehicle Chargers. It Could Only Get Worse.

16. How Local Agencies Plan to Get Out Critical Information in Face of New Limits on Twitter

17. Meta Threads: Instagram Owner to Launch Twitter Alternative

18. Email Etiquette: The Do’s & Don’ts for Using cc & bcc in Email

19. Columbia River Gorge: Tunnel 5 Fire Now 546 Acres, Still 5% Contained

20. Mason County, WA: McEwan Fire Near Shelton Remains Behind Fire Line, More Than 200 Homes Still Evacuated

21. Washington Wildfire Season Just Warming Up with High Rain Deficits

22. Columnist: Who Decides Where We Get Electricity & How Much We Pay? Mostly White, Politically Connected Men

WORD OF THE DAY

Cicerone \siss-uh-ROE-nee\ Noun – 1: a guide who conducts sightseers *2: mentor, tutor.

“And if you look to your left, you’ll see an actual copy of the replica of a Halloween costume of Elvis’ jumpsuit from the later stage of his career,” droned the ponderous cicerone who was leading a rag-tag group of tourists at the low-budget Elvis impersonator museum in Las Vegas. “This is the worst fifty bucks I’ve ever spent on something,” muttered Ambrose to his impeccably coifed companion.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. WA State: $163 Million Power Up Project in Grant County (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2023/jul/03/powering/

2. Oregon: Red Flag Warning Prompts Heightened Safety Measures by Douglas Electric Cooperative (KMTR-TV, Eugene, OR)

https://nbc16.com/news/local/red-flag-warning-prompts-heightened-safety-measures-by-douglas-electric-cooperative

3. 2023’s Most & Least Energy-Expensive States (WalletHub)

https://wallethub.com/edu/energy-costs-by-state/4833

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

4. Power Prices Drop Below Zero as Solar Output Surges in Europe (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/power-prices-drop-below-zero-as-solar-output-surges-in-europe-1.1941320

5. Solar Is Booming in the California Desert, Running Local Wells Dry Amid Water Woes (MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/solar-is-booming-in-the-california-desert-running-local-wells-dry-amid-water-woes/ar-AA1dp0Av

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

6. Leaving Your Ceiling Fan on When You’re Away Won’t Cool Your Home (KTVB-TV, Boise, ID)

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/verify/weather-verify/ceiling-fan-running-while-away-from-home-will-not-save-electricity-power-bill-energy-will-not-cool-home/536-40d3f101-e932-45fe-986d-186ab3c4e94b

7. Want a Free Shade Tree? Take This Salt River Project Class Online (KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ)

https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/heatbeat/this-srp-class-may-be-a-bit-shady-the-utility-is-offering-free-shade-tree-classes-online/75-a2638513-dfb9-43b8-b6f4-158735f6789a

FISH & WILDLIFE

8. Orcas Are Ramming into Boats, But Experts Warn Against Calling It Revenge on Humans (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/orca-boat-incidents-social-media-reaction-1.6895465

9. Rights for the Rivers: Groups Fight for Recognition of Natural Entities’ Legal Rights (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/04/1185955974/rights-for-the-rivers-groups-fight-for-recognition-of-natural-entities-legal-rig

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

10. Some of the Worst Air Quality in the World over Puget Sound: Blame Fireworks (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2023/07/some-of-worst-air-quality-in-world-over.html

11. Explainer: How Japan Plans to Release Fukushima Water into the Ocean (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/how-japan-plans-release-contaminated-fukushima-water-into-ocean-2023-07-04/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

12. ‘Stay Out of the Water’: What Lurks Below California’s Zombie Lake? (The Guardian, UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/03/california-lake-tulare-storms-flooding

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

13. World Registers Hottest Day Ever Recorded on July 3 (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/world-registers-hottest-day-ever-155017716.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

14. U.S. Electric Vehicle Goals Will Require Up to $127 Billion to Install 28 Million Chargers by 2030: NREL (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/electric-vehicle-ev-aspirations-will-require-rapid-charging-buildou-NREL/684940/

15. Hackers Already Infiltrate Electric Vehicle Chargers. It Could Only Get Worse. (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/technology/hackers-already-infiltrate-ev-chargers-it-could-only-get-worse/?utm_medium=email

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

16. How Local Agencies Plan to Get Out Critical Information in Face of New Limits on Twitter (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/how-local-agencies-plan-get-out-critical-information-despite-new-twitter-update/OCDLXFURHNCNTLVM4V3BKXYOKE/

17. Meta Threads: Instagram Owner to Launch Twitter Alternative (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/technology/meta-launch-twitter-like-app-threads-2023-07-04/

18. Email Etiquette: The Do’s & Don’ts for Using cc & bcc in Email (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/tips/2023/07/05/what-does-cc-mean-in-email/70340185007/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

19. Columbia River Gorge: Tunnel 5 Fire Now 546 Acres, Still 5% Contained (Columbia Gorge News, Hood River, OR)

https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/free_news/tunnel-5-fire-now-546-acres-still-5-contained/article_d8deaefa-1b52-11ee-9c10-ebcaaa4ff251.html

20. Mason County, WA: McEwan Fire Near Shelton Remains Behind Fire Line, More Than 200 Homes Still Evacuated (Yahoo! News)

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/mcewan-fire-near-shelton-remains-161404564.html

21. Washington Wildfire Season Just Warming Up with High Rain Deficits (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3905807/washington-wildfire-season-just-warming-up-with-high-rain-deficits/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

22. Columnist: Who Decides Where We Get Electricity & How Much We Pay? Mostly White, Politically Connected Men (Energy News Network)

https://energynews.us/2023/07/05/who-decides-where-we-get-electricity-and-how-much-we-pay-mostly-white-politically-connected-men/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Joey Chestnut Wins 16th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest After 2-Hour Weather Delay

https://sports.yahoo.com/joey-chestnut-wins-16th-nathans-famous-hot-dog-eating-contest-after-2-hour-weather-delay-190303905.html?.tsrc=1013

Video of Gull Swallowing a Squirrel Whole Is Totally Normal & Fine, Say Researchers

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/gull-eats-squirrel-1.6890338

The History of the American Anthem ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken’

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/03/1185864076/the-history-of-the-american-anthem-will-the-circle-be-unbroken

Baby Owls Rescued from Under Stage After Guns N’ Roses Concert

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/07/05/britian-Glastonbury-owls-Guns-N-Roses-rescue/6811688577375/

SONG OF THE DAY

Leo Sayer - Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KWYOXAcRg0

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. I try to choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription. 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.

Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Monday, July 3, 2023

The Energy News Digest for July 3, 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.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Pacific Northwest Bracing for Extreme Fire Risk This Year (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/weather/pnw-extreme-fire-risk-this-year/281-325a1017-3feb-4341-9923-43a94587dd29

Wyoming Lawmakers Ponder Tax on Electricity to Make Up for Lost Coal Revenue (Cowboy State Daily)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/06/29/wyoming-lawmakers-ponder-tax-on-electricity-to-make-up-for-lost-coal-revenue/

Insight: President Biden’s Green Hydrogen Plan Hits Climate Obstacle: Water Shortage (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/bidens-green-hydrogen-plan-hits-climate-obstacle-water-shortage-2023-07-03/

Oregon’s Popular Electric Vehicle Rebate Program Is Out of Money & Remains Suspended (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/07/02/electric-vehicle-rebate-oregon/

Twitter Puts ‘Temporary Limits’ On Number of Posts That Users Can Read (Huffington Post)

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/twitter-temporary-limit-accounts_n_64a08c1fe4b065a315b959aa

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. Wyoming Lawmakers Ponder Tax on Electricity to Make Up for Lost Coal Revenue

2. Two-Thirds of the U.S. Is at Risk of Power Outages This Summer—But It’s Not Stopping Americans from Electrifying Everything in Their Homes

3. Avista Utilities Set to Raise Washington Electricity Rates

4. Copper Thieves Ordered to Pay Wyoming Co-op More Than $100K

5. WA State: Grant PUD Warning Community of New Utility Scam

6. NW RiverPartners: Hydropower Advocate Crosses Swords with Anti-Dam Activists

7. Insight: President Biden’s Green Hydrogen Plan Hits Climate Obstacle: Water Shortage

8. Mule Deer & Solar Farms May Be on a Collision Course

9. California Approves $8.9 Billion in Energy-Conservation Programs

10. Summer Chinook Salmon Fishing to Close on Columbia River

11. WDFW Issues Emergency Rule for Boaters to Protect Vulnerable Southern Resident Killer Whales

12. Whale of a Report: 2 New Orca Calves Spotted in L-Pod

13. Puget Sound’s Biggest Bat Colony Could Be Big Loser of Dam-Removal Project

14. Ten States Plan to Sue the EPA Over Standards for Residential Wood-Burning Stoves

15. Is the West’s Water Crisis Spreading? Drought Blankets Midwest, America’s Breadbasket

16. The Heat Is Making Squirrels ‘Sploot’ — A Goofy Act That Signals Something Serious

17. Rising Gas Prices in Washington Fuel Debate Over Who Pays to Combat Climate Change

18. Chip Startup Ampere Pitches Climate-Friendly Data Centers

19. Oregon’s Popular Electric Vehicle Rebate Program Is Out of Money & Remains Suspended

20. Twitter Puts ‘Temporary Limits’ On Number of Posts That Users Can Read

21. Pacific Northwest Bracing for Extreme Fire Risk This Year

22. The Northwest Fire Location Map

23. Canadian Smoke Coming to the Pacific Northwest

24. Haze, Heat & Storms Are Bringing Danger & Discomfort to Many Parts of the U.S.

25. Self-Serve Gas Will Be Legal in Oregon When Governor Signs Bill

26. My Congressional Testimony: There Is No Silver Bullet Solution for Salmon on the Snake River

27. Alternative Energy: Opposition Is Heresy, Resistance Is Futile

WORD OF THE DAY

Shunpike • \SHUN-pyke\ • noun – A side road used to avoid the toll on or the speed and traffic of a superhighway

“Well, sonny,” the wizened gas station attendant began. “If y’all wanna bypass Snoqualmie Pass to Seattle, you can take the scenic shunpike down 97 and cut over on 14 to I-5.” After shifting his quid of tobacco from one cheek to another, and expertly hitting a nearby cricket with spittle, he added, “of course, that’ll add about a half day’s drivin’, at least, to yer trip.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Wyoming Lawmakers Ponder Tax on Electricity to Make Up for Lost Coal Revenue (Cowboy State Daily)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/06/29/wyoming-lawmakers-ponder-tax-on-electricity-to-make-up-for-lost-coal-revenue/

2. Two-Thirds of the U.S. Is at Risk of Power Outages This Summer—But It’s Not Stopping Americans from Electrifying Everything in Their Homes (Fortune Magazine)

https://fortune.com/2023/07/03/two-thirds-usa-risk-of-power-outages-this-summerbut-americans-electrifying-everything-energy-environment/

3. Avista Utilities Set to Raise Washington Electricity Rates (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/jun/30/avista-utilities-set-to-raise-washington-electrici/

4. Copper Thieves Ordered to Pay Wyoming Co-op More Than $100K (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

https://www.cooperative.com/news/Pages/Copper-Thieves-Ordered-to-Pay-Wyoming-Co-op-More-Than-100K.aspx

5. WA State: Grant PUD Warning Community of New Utility Scam (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/grant-county-pud-warning-community-utility-scam-going-around/GCUKB3KJUNCHPEA7LP2IMXX4SA/

6. NW RiverPartners: Hydropower Advocate Crosses Swords with Anti-Dam Activists (Capital Press)

https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/water/hydropower-advocate-crosses-swords-with-anti-dam-activists/article_a2b7ce86-1537-11ee-961c-ef2ec1600b0c.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

7. Insight: President Biden’s Green Hydrogen Plan Hits Climate Obstacle: Water Shortage (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/bidens-green-hydrogen-plan-hits-climate-obstacle-water-shortage-2023-07-03/

8. Mule Deer & Solar Farms May Be on a Collision Course (Columbia Insight)

https://columbiainsight.org/mule-deer-and-solar-farms-may-be-on-a-collision-course/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

9. California Approves $8.9 Billion in Energy-Conservation Programs (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/california-approves-8-9-billion-in-energy-conservation-programs-1.1939809

FISH & WILDLIFE

10. Summer Chinook Salmon Fishing to Close on Columbia River (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/summer-chinook-salmon-fishing-to-close-on-columbia-river,321541

11. WDFW Issues Emergency Rule for Boaters to Protect Vulnerable Southern Resident Killer Whales (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/orcas/wdfw-emergency-rule-boaters-protect-vulnerable-southern-resident-killer-whales/281-69053e46-5bb4-43c1-8337-da2acbe6aa70

12. Whale of a Report: 2 New Orca Calves Spotted in L-Pod (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3904919/2-new-orca-whale-calves-spotted-in-l-pod/

13. Puget Sound’s Biggest Bat Colony Could Be Big Loser of Dam-Removal Project (KUOW News, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/puget-sound-s-biggest-bat-colony-could-be-big-loser-of-dam-removal-project

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

14. Ten States Plan to Sue the EPA Over Standards for Residential Wood-Burning Stoves (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/epa-wood-stove-lawsuit-threat-8c058fda6cda684ed29adf0f69dd42ba

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

15. Is the West’s Water Crisis Spreading? Drought Blankets Midwest, America’s Breadbasket (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/wests-water-crisis-spreading-drought-090508583.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

16. The Heat Is Making Squirrels ‘Sploot’ — A Goofy Act That Signals Something Serious (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/29/1185092056/squirrels-splooting-heat-wave-climate-change

17. Rising Gas Prices in Washington Fuel Debate Over Who Pays to Combat Climate Change (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/06/28/rising-gas-prices-in-wa-fuel-debate-over-who-pays-to-combat-climate-change/?utm_medium=email

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

18. Chip Startup Ampere Pitches Climate-Friendly Data Centers (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2023/06/chip-startup-ampere-pitches-climate-friendly-data-centers.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

19. Oregon’s Popular Electric Vehicle Rebate Program Is Out of Money & Remains Suspended (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/07/02/electric-vehicle-rebate-oregon/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

20. Twitter Puts ‘Temporary Limits’ On Number of Posts That Users Can Read (Huffington Post)

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/twitter-temporary-limit-accounts_n_64a08c1fe4b065a315b959aa

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

21. Pacific Northwest Bracing for Extreme Fire Risk This Year (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/weather/pnw-extreme-fire-risk-this-year/281-325a1017-3feb-4341-9923-43a94587dd29

22. The Northwest Fire Location Map (Northwest Interagency Coordination Center)

https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/firemap.php

23. Canadian Smoke Coming to the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2023/07/canadian-smoke-coming-to-northwest.html

24. Haze, Heat & Storms Are Bringing Danger & Discomfort to Many Parts of the U.S. (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3904542/haze-heat-and-storms-are-affecting-summer-festivities-in-many-parts-of-the-u-s/

25. Self-Serve Gas Will Be Legal in Oregon When Governor Signs Bill (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/06/30/oregon-self-serve-gas-pump-law-governor-tina-kotek/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

26. My Congressional Testimony: There Is No Silver Bullet Solution for Salmon on the Snake River (Washington Policy Center)

https://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/detail/my-congressional-testimony-there-is-no-silver-bullet-solution-for-salmon-on-the-snake-river

27. Alternative Energy: Opposition Is Heresy, Resistance Is Futile (Capital Press)

https://www.capitalpress.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-opposition-is-heresy-resistance-is-futile/article_f5599702-1206-11ee-a332-676469b7b893.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Follow Up File: Brit Vandal Who Scrawled on Walls of 2,000-Year-Old Roman Colosseum Begs for Forgiveness

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/brit-vandal-who-scrawled-walls-30366575.amp

Book Returned to Massachusetts Library After Nearly 120 Years

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/06/30/library-overdue-West-Virginia-University-New-Bedford-Massachusetts/8001688154986/

Idaho Man Takes on Party Popper World Record for Fourth of July

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/07/03/Guinness-World-Records-party-poppers/5861688396618/

Corpse Flower in Bloom at Washington State University

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/06/30/Washington-State-University-corpse-flower-Vancouver/1991688156523/

SONG OF THE DAY

Miklós Rózsa – Ben Hur Soundtrack Suite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmoWJ4R8c-E