The Energy News Digest

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

The Energy News Digest for November 1, 2023

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest.

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

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Court Case on Fate of Snake River Dams Postponed at Least 45 More Days (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2023/10/31/court-case-on-fate-of-snake-river-dams-imperiled-salmon-postponed-at-least-45-more-days/

Oregon: Utility Rates for Portland General Electric Customers Expected to Rise by 17% in 2024 (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/money/business/utility-rate-increase-portland-general-electric/283-3e7ff23d-f921-4fce-b204-1d7814ca1fc9

WA State: Installing Solar Panels, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Spokane May Soon Be More Costly (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/oct/30/installing-solar-panels-electric-vehicle-charging-/

The Challenge in Mandating Electric Heating in Washington State (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/10/31/heat-pump-rule-requirement-gas-electric

Ecology Nears Decision on Linking WA’s Cap-And-Trade Program to CA-Quebec Market (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_1e9199ae-781d-11ee-b2e1-6f5ef1f3a326.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. Oregon: Utility Rates for Portland General Electric Customers Expected to Rise by 17% in 2024

2. California: Bay Area Pacific Gas & Electric Bills Are More Than Double the National Average, New Report Says

3. Federal Tax Credit Adjustment to Idaho Customer Power Bills

4. News Release: DOE & WAPA Unveil $1.3 Billion Commitment to Expand & Strengthen the Nation’s Grid

5. U.S. Energy Dept. Pours Billions into Power Grids, But Warns It’s Not Enough

6. WA State: Snohomish PUD Warns of Scammers Trying to Cash in During Meter Replacement in Everett & Snohomish County

7. President Biden Seeks $1.6 Billion in Supplemental Spending for LIHEAP

8. Federal Grants Could Improve Utility Safety & Add Jobs

9. Court Case on Fate of Snake River Dams Postponed at Least 45 More Days

10. Salmon Vs. Dams Suit Stays on Pause Until Dec. 15

11. Lower Snake River Dam Removal Still Possible as Talks Continue

12. New Secret Plan Proposed in Snake River Dam Lawsuit

13. News Release: NW RiverPartners Reacts to Latest Delay in Lower Snake River Dam Talks

14. WA State: Installing Solar Panels, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Spokane May Soon Be More Costly

15. The Solar-Panel Backlash Is Here

16. Northwest Hydrogen Hub Backers Highlight Project’s Expected Economic Benefits

17. The Challenge in Mandating Electric Heating in Washington State

18. IRA-Driven Electrification, Other Steps Could Cut Building GHG Emissions Up to 70%: EPA

19. Decent Year for Salmon in the Columbia

20. WA State: Beaver Family That Moved into Seattle’s Carkeek Park May Complicate Salmon-Spawning Journey

21. Earth’s Freshwater Is Getting Saltier, And People Are to Blame

22. Ecology Nears Decision on Linking WA’s Cap-And-Trade Program to CA-Quebec Market

23. British Columbia Drought Conditions Increasing Risk of Hazardous ‘Zombie’ Trees

24. Carbon Emissions Threaten 1.5 Centigrade Climate Threshold Sooner Than Thought – Report

25. FCC Launches Major Revamp of Broadband Availability Benchmark

26. Rural Internet Service Providers Should Keep an Eye Out on Open Access Competition – CoBank Study

27. Musk Says Tesla Aims to Make 200,000 Cybertrucks a Year

28. Supreme Court to Wade into Social Media Free Speech Firestorm

29. Facing a Social Media Crisis? Here’s How to Come Out on Top

30. Seattle Is Emerging as Fusiontown, U.S.A.

31. Lawsuit Challenges Montana Legislature’s New PSC Map as Unconstitutional Gerrymander

32. In a First, MIT Trains Students to Resolve Clean Energy Conflicts

33. WA State: Neighbors Push Back on New Building Codes Designed to Fight Wildfires

34. The Pacific Northwest November Precipitation Switch

35. ‘Fall Back’ This Weekend for Daylight Saving Time. Here’s What You Need to Know

36. Guest Essay: Return of the Sockeye

37. Editorial: Clean Energy, Not Expanding Gas Pipeline, Is WA’s Future

WORD OF THE DAY

Croesus • \KREE-sus\ • Noun – A very rich person.

Newton felt every bit a modern Croesus. That is until he discovered that collecting all the grocery store coupons worth 1/20th of a cent would cost more to put in a warehouse than they were worth.

Croesus was the king of Lydia from 560/561 BC until his defeat by the Persians in about 547 BC. Croesus was renowned for his wealth & in Greek & Persian cultures. His name became a synonym for a wealthy man; in English, expressions such as “rich as Croesus” or “richer than Croesus” indicate great wealth.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Oregon: Utility Rates for Portland General Electric Customers Expected to Rise by 17% in 2024 (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/money/business/utility-rate-increase-portland-general-electric/283-3e7ff23d-f921-4fce-b204-1d7814ca1fc9

2. California: Bay Area Pacific Gas & Electric Bills Are More Than Double the National Average, New Report Says (KNTV-TV, San Jose, CA)

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/bay-area-pge-bills-report/3354642/

3. Federal Tax Credit Adjustment to Idaho Customer Power Bills (NCW Life, East Wenatchee, WA)

https://www.ncwlife.com/news/northwest/federal-tax-credit-adjustment-to-idaho-customer-power-bills/article_0b11ab76-17f9-51d6-a025-da211eb1fea1.html

4. News Release: DOE & WAPA Unveil $1.3 Billion Commitment to Expand & Strengthen the Nation’s Grid (Western Area Power Administration)

https://www.wapa.gov/doe-wapa-unveil-1-3b-commitment-to-expand-strengthen-the-nations-grid/

5. U.S. Energy Dept. Pours Billions into Power Grids, But Warns It’s Not Enough (Las Vegas Sun, NV)

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2023/oct/31/energy-dept-pours-billions-into-power-grids-but-wa/

6. WA State: Snohomish PUD Warns of Scammers Trying to Cash in During Meter Replacement in Everett & Snohomish County (My Everett News, WA)

https://myeverettnews.com/2023/11/01/pud-warns-of-scammers-trying-to-cash-in-during-meter-replacement-in-everett-snohomish-county/

7. President Biden Seeks $1.6 Billion in Supplemental Spending for LIHEAP (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/president-biden-seeks-16-billion-supplemental-spending-liheap

8. Federal Grants Could Improve Utility Safety & Add Jobs (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2023/11/01/federal-grants-could-improve-utility-safety-and-add-jobs/

THE NEVERENDING STORY – LOWER SNAKE RIVER DAMS

9. Court Case on Fate of Snake River Dams Postponed at Least 45 More Days (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2023/10/31/court-case-on-fate-of-snake-river-dams-imperiled-salmon-postponed-at-least-45-more-days/

10. Salmon Vs. Dams Suit Stays on Pause Until Dec. 15 (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/northwest/salmon-vs-dams-suit-stays-on-pause-until-dec-15/article_6800ef7a-3579-5892-95f2-50fa8f8d48af.html

11. Lower Snake River Dam Removal Still Possible as Talks Continue (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/lower-snake-river-dam-removal-still-possible-as-talks-continue/

12. New Secret Plan Proposed in Snake River Dam Lawsuit (Capital Press)

https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/water/new-secret-plan-proposed-in-snake-river-dam-lawsuit/article_21478cc4-7801-11ee-8fe0-234cdfda75c2.html

13. News Release: NW RiverPartners Reacts to Latest Delay in Lower Snake River Dam Talks (NW RiverPartners, Vancouver, WA)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2023/11/news-release-nw-riverpartners-reacts-to.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

14. WA State: Installing Solar Panels, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Spokane May Soon Be More Costly (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/oct/30/installing-solar-panels-electric-vehicle-charging-/

15. The Solar-Panel Backlash Is Here (Atlantic Magazine)

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/10/solar-power-duck-curve-waste/675842/

16. Northwest Hydrogen Hub Backers Highlight Project’s Expected Economic Benefits (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2023/10/31/officials-tell-public-newly-approved-northwest-hydrogen-hub-will-produce-jobs-economic-benefits/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

17. The Challenge in Mandating Electric Heating in Washington State (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/10/31/heat-pump-rule-requirement-gas-electric

18. IRA-Driven Electrification, Other Steps Could Cut Building GHG Emissions Up to 70%: EPA (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/inflation-reduction-act-building-ghg-emissions-reductions-electrification-energy-efficiency-der-epa/698189/

FISH & WILDLIFE

19. Decent Year for Salmon in the Columbia (Columbia Gorge News, Hood River, OR)

https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/decent-year-for-salmon-in-the-columbia/article_848cda60-7774-11ee-9bac-ab45e76d5fab.html

20. WA State: Beaver Family That Moved into Seattle’s Carkeek Park May Complicate Salmon-Spawning Journey (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/beaver-family-that-moved-into-seattles-carkeek-park-may-complicate-salmon-spawning-journey/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

21. Earth’s Freshwater Is Getting Saltier, And People Are to Blame (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/oct/31/earths-freshwater-is-getting-saltier-and-people-ar/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

22. Ecology Nears Decision on Linking WA’s Cap-And-Trade Program to CA-Quebec Market (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_1e9199ae-781d-11ee-b2e1-6f5ef1f3a326.html

23. British Columbia Drought Conditions Increasing Risk of Hazardous ‘Zombie’ Trees (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/hazardous-zombie-trees-1.7014436

24. Carbon Emissions Threaten 1.5 Centigrade Climate Threshold Sooner Than Thought – Report (British Broadcasting Corporation)

https://news.yahoo.com/carbon-emissions-threaten-1-5c-160008212.html

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

25. FCC Launches Major Revamp of Broadband Availability Benchmark (Multichannel News)

https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-launches-major-revamp-of-broadband-availability-benchmark

26. Rural Internet Service Providers Should Keep an Eye Out on Open Access Competition – CoBank Study (Fierce Telecom)

https://www.fiercetelecom.com/broadband/rural-isps-should-keep-eye-out-open-access-competition-study

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

27. Musk Says Tesla Aims to Make 200,000 Cybertrucks a Year (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/musk-says-tesla-aims-make-200000-cybertrucks-year-2023-10-31/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

28. Supreme Court to Wade into Social Media Free Speech Firestorm (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/supreme-court-wade-social-media-100000801.html

29. Facing a Social Media Crisis? Here’s How to Come Out on Top (Pioneer Utility Resources)

https://www.pioneerutilityresources.com/mollymcphersontips/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

30. Seattle Is Emerging as Fusiontown, U.S.A. (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/2023/11/01/seattle-fusiontown-energy-global-warming-nuclear-fusion

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

31. Lawsuit Challenges Montana Legislature’s New PSC Map as Unconstitutional Gerrymander (KPVI-TV, Pocatello, ID)

https://www.kpvi.com/news/regional_news/lawsuit-challenges-montana-legislature-s-new-psc-map-as-unconstitutional-gerrymander/article_00bc4019-abcc-5ce9-852b-09e7613c3107.html

32. In a First, MIT Trains Students to Resolve Clean Energy Conflicts (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/in-a-first-mit-trains-students-to-resolve-clean-18458991.php

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

33. WA State: Neighbors Push Back on New Building Codes Designed to Fight Wildfires (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/wildfire/neighbors-push-back-new-building-codes-fight-wildfires/281-6d1a3cac-becd-402a-8bf6-71cfdb217d79

34. The Pacific Northwest November Precipitation Switch (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-november-precipitation-switch.html

35. ‘Fall Back’ This Weekend for Daylight Saving Time. Here’s What You Need to Know (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/fall-back-this-weekend-daylight-saving-time

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

36. Guest Essay: Return of the Sockeye (Tacoma Weekly, WA)

https://tacomaweekly.com/return-of-the-sockeye-p6301-197.htm

37. Editorial: Clean Energy, Not Expanding Gas Pipeline, Is WA’s Future (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/clean-energy-not-expanding-gas-pipeline-is-was-future/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

This Seattle Woman Has Gone on 45 First Dates in 26 Countries

https://www.king5.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/evening/loni-james-dating-around-the-world/281-b534b6e7-3b4d-4543-b9ed-d7376fdae748

Oregon Bat William ShakespEAR Wins Nationwide Beauty Contest

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/11/01/Bat-Beauty-Contest-winner/2501698851165/

About 1,000 Sheep Paraded Through Utah City’s Main Street

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/10/30/sheep-parade-Cedar-City-Utah/3201698679190/

Teen Trampolinist Pops Balloons While Somersaulting for World Record

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/11/01/italy-Guinness-World-Records-trampoline-balloons/3241698859602/

SONG OF THE DAY

The B-52’s - Private Idaho

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Although I 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 access some paywall sites.

Monday, October 30, 2023

The Energy News Digest for October 30, 2023

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest.

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

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

ITEMS OF NOTE FROM THE NORTHWEST PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION

Power Supply Conference – December 5, 2023, in Portland, OR

Conference Overview: The NWPPA Power Supply Conference provides the expertise and insight to inform power supply decisions.

Who Should Attend: Power supply professionals; policymakers; general managers and CEOs; and finance, rate, and risk department managers.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

California: Santa Ana Winds Trigger Power Shutoffs, Red Flag Alert (KTTV-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://www.foxla.com/news/red-flag-warning-santa-ana-winds-fire-danger-weather-california

Solar & Wind Power Curtailments Are Rising in California (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=60822

Federal Officials Say Plan for Water Cuts from Three Western States Is Enough to Protect Colorado River (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/colorado-river-california-arizona-nevada-conservation-e5e403322acbce3641e00f1468243a45

As Washington Gas Prices Stay Higher Than Almost Any Other State’s, Debate Over State Climate Legislation Rages (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/oct/27/as-washington-gas-prices-stay-higher-than-almost-a/

Billions Of Crabs Went Missing Around Alaska. Scientists Now Know What Happened to Them (Cable News Network)

https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/19/us/alaska-crabs-ocean-heat-climate

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1. California: Santa Ana Winds Trigger Power Shutoffs, Red Flag Alert

2. Avista Will Have Smaller Rate Increases, Can’t Use Customer Money for Lawsuit Under Settlement

3. Which States Have the Cheapest Electricity in the U.S.?

4. Three Key Transmission Links Get $1.3 Billion Boost with Federal Capacity Contracts

5. DOE Issues Draft Plan for Speeding Up, Improving Grid Interconnections

6. Congress Considering Hydropower Expansion in Washington State

7. Arizona: Salt River Project Outlines Its Hydropower Investments, Plans to Expand Capacity

8. WA State: Presentation Shows Challenges Ahead for Douglas County PUD

9. Lawmakers, Co-op Leaders Warn That Electricity Demand Could Outpace Supply

10. October 18 Info Session on Columbia River Treaty Now Available to Watch Online

11. Neo-Nazi Domestic Terrorists Are Targeting Critical Power Stations in the U.S. with Guns & Explosives in Coordinated Attacks, Watchdog Warns

12. Is Gas ‘Clean’? States Rebrand Energy to Meet Electricity Targets

13. Artificial Intelligence Threats Are Here. Are Biden & the Energy Industry Ready?

14. Solar & Wind Power Curtailments Are Rising in California

15. Wind Farm – Idaho Politicians Are Saying ‘Don’t Do It’ to Department of Interior

16. California: Shasta County Fights Back, Plans Media Campaign Against Fountain Wind Project

17. Electrifying Non-Powered Dams to Produce Renewable Energy

18. Portland State Receives Federal Funding to Lead Regional Innovation in Smart Energy Storage

19. This Guy Climbs Wind Turbines to Keep Them Spinning

20. This Energy Efficiency Engineer Uses His Old Portland Home as a Test Lab to Cut His Utility Bills

21. Public Power Utilities Address Smart Meter Supply Chain Constraints – Features EWEB, Snohomish PUD, & Tacoma Power

22. Billions Of Crabs Went Missing Around Alaska. Scientists Now Know What Happened to Them

23. Washington’s Baker River Sockeye Salmon Run Smashes Record, Despite Hydroelectric Dams

24. As Skagit Valley Waterways Get Warmer, the Swinomish Tribe Pushes to Save Fish

25. In Seattle, Phones Ding. Killer Whales Could Be Close

26. Landfills in Washington & Oregon Leaked ‘Explosive’ Levels of Methane Last Year

27. Federal Officials Say Plan for Water Cuts from Three Western States Is Enough to Protect Colorado River

28. As Washington Gas Prices Stay Higher Than Almost Any Other State’s, Debate Over State Climate Legislation Rages

29. Wyoming: Part of Huge Electricity Rate Hike Is to Pay for Washington State Carbon Tax

30. Idaho Congressional Delegation Wants to Give States a Veto on Public Energy Projects

31. Oregon Cascades, Western States Losing Glaciers, New Analysis Finds

32. WA Public Works Board Approves $4.3 Million in Broadband & Emergency Construction Grants & Loans

33. Open Access Networks Forecasted to Disrupt U.S. Broadband Market

34. President Biden Issues Sweeping Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence

35. One Year After Musk Acquired Twitter: Traffic, Revenue Down Across the Board

36. Taco Bell Wins Legal Battle to Free ‘Taco Tuesday’

37. Energy Legislation: House Republicans Pass First Government Funding Bill Under New Speaker

38. Mainers Will Vote on Replacing For-Profit Utilities with Public Power

39. Gross Domestic Product Surges Past Expectations in Q3, Recession Less Likely

40. How Extreme Weather in the U.S. May Have Affected the Pumpkins You Picked This Year for Halloween

41. A Glut of Potatoes Means Big Spud Dump Across the Pacific Northwest

42. Guest Essay: More Action Needed to Keep the Spokane River on Road to Recovery

43. Owning Our Identity: Empowering Cooperatives in Rural America

WORD OF THE DAY

Procrustean \pruh-KRUSS-tee-un\ Adjective – 1: of, relating to, or typical of Procrustes *2: marked by arbitrary, often ruthless disregard of individual differences or special circumstances.

Amber insisted that a dress imposed upon her by a nosy store clerk did NOT fit. In her best procrustean manner, the clerk urged Amber to suck in her gut, wiggle into the dress and “accept it for the size it is.” “After all, sniffed the snooty clerk, fashion knows no size.” “Tell that to Tyra Banks,” muttered the irritated Amber.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. California: Santa Ana Winds Trigger Power Shutoffs, Red Flag Alert (KTTV-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://www.foxla.com/news/red-flag-warning-santa-ana-winds-fire-danger-weather-california

2. Avista Will Have Smaller Rate Increases, Can’t Use Customer Money for Lawsuit Under Settlement (Jefferson Public Radio, Ashland, OR)

https://www.ijpr.org/environment-energy-and-transportation/2023-10-26/avista-will-have-smaller-rate-increases-cant-use-customer-money-for-lawsuit-under-settlement

3. Which States Have the Cheapest Electricity in the U.S.? (Microsoft Network)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/which-states-have-the-cheapest-electricity-in-the-us/ar-AA1iMk2x

4. Three Key Transmission Links Get $1.3 Billion Boost with Federal Capacity Contracts (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/three-key-transmission-links-get-1-3b-boost-with-federal-capacity-contracts/

5. DOE Issues Draft Plan for Speeding Up, Improving Grid Interconnections (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-grid-interconnection-roadmap-transmission-ferc/697881/

6. Congress Considering Hydropower Expansion in Washington State (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/ixp/1130/p/congress-considering-hydropower-expansion-in-washington-state/

7. Arizona: Salt River Project Outlines Its Hydropower Investments, Plans to Expand Capacity (KTAR Radio, Phoenix, AZ)

https://ktar.com/story/5545693/srp-outlines-their-hydropower-investments-plans-to-expand-capacity/

8. WA State: Presentation Shows Challenges Ahead for Douglas County PUD (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/presentation-shows-challenges-ahead-for-douglas-county-pud/

9. Lawmakers, Co-op Leaders Warn That Electricity Demand Could Outpace Supply (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

https://www.electric.coop/lawmakers-co-op-leaders-warn-that-electricity-demand-could-outpace-supply

10. October 18 Info Session on Columbia River Treaty Now Available to Watch Online (Rossland Telegraph, BC)

https://rosslandtelegraph.com/2023/10/25/89515/

11. Neo-Nazi Domestic Terrorists Are Targeting Critical Power Stations in the U.S. with Guns & Explosives in Coordinated Attacks, Watchdog Warns (The Daily Mail, UK)

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12677557/Neo-Nazi-domestic-terrorists-targeting-critical-power-stations-guns-explosives-ordinated-attacks-seek-destroy-American-way-life-watchdog-warns.html

12. Is Gas ‘Clean’? States Rebrand Energy to Meet Electricity Targets. (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/is-gas-clean-states-rebrand-energy-to-meet-electricity-targets/

13. Artificial Intelligence Threats Are Here. Are Biden & the Energy Industry Ready? (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/ai-threats-are-here-are-biden-and-the-energy-industry-ready/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

14. Solar & Wind Power Curtailments Are Rising in California (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=60822

15. Wind Farm – Idaho Politicians Are Saying ‘Don’t Do It’ to Department of Interior (KTVB-TV, Boise, ID)

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/dont-do-it-act-lava-ridge/277-50a0dbaa-bb74-4891-b225-b7daa1352808

16. California: Shasta County Fights Back, Plans Media Campaign Against Fountain Wind Project (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2023/10/26/shasta-county-plans-media-campaign-opposing-fountain-wind-project/71318688007/

17. Electrifying Non-Powered Dams to Produce Renewable Energy (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

https://www.pnnl.gov/publications/electrifying-non-powered-dams-produce-renewable-energy

18. Portland State Receives Federal Funding to Lead Regional Innovation in Smart Energy Storage (Portland State University)

https://www.pdx.edu/news/portland-state-receives-federal-funding-lead-regional-innovation-smart-energy-storage

19. This Guy Climbs Wind Turbines to Keep Them Spinning (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/what-on-earth-wind-turbine-repair-1.7008888

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

20. This Energy Efficiency Engineer Uses His Old Portland Home as a Test Lab to Cut His Utility Bills (The Oregonian, Portland, OR – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.oregonlive.com/hg/2023/10/this-energy-efficiency-engineer-uses-his-old-portland-home-as-a-test-lab-to-cut-his-utility-bills.html

21. Public Power Utilities Address Smart Meter Supply Chain Constraints – Features EWEB, Snohomish PUD, & Tacoma Power (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/public-power-utilities-address-smart-meter-supply-chain-constraints

FISH & WILDLIFE

22. Billions Of Crabs Went Missing Around Alaska. Scientists Now Know What Happened to Them (Cable News Network)

https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/19/us/alaska-crabs-ocean-heat-climate

23. Washington’s Baker River Sockeye Salmon Run Smashes Record, Despite Hydroelectric Dams (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/investigations/skagit-river-dams/washington-baker-river-sockeye-salmon-run-smashes-record-despite-hydroelectric-dams/281-875a4f8d-b0d9-4975-ad75-0ceb1c109715

24. As Skagit Valley Waterways Get Warmer, the Swinomish Tribe Pushes to Save Fish (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/skagit-valley-river-restoration-hopes-to-help-bolster-young-salmon/

25. In Seattle, Phones Ding. Killer Whales Could Be Close (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/orcas-killer-whales-whatsapp-facebook-salish-wildlife-0e86cd0a5403049a74386d66fc0ae8c8

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

26. Landfills in Washington & Oregon Leaked ‘Explosive’ Levels of Methane Last Year (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/accountability/landfills-in-washington-and-oregon-leaked-explosive-levels-of-methane-last-year/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

27. Federal Officials Say Plan for Water Cuts from Three Western States Is Enough to Protect Colorado River (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/colorado-river-california-arizona-nevada-conservation-e5e403322acbce3641e00f1468243a45

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

28. As Washington Gas Prices Stay Higher Than Almost Any Other State’s, Debate Over State Climate Legislation Rages (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/oct/27/as-washington-gas-prices-stay-higher-than-almost-a/

29. Wyoming: Part of Huge Electricity Rate Hike Is to Pay for Washington State Carbon Tax (Cowboy State Daily, WY)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/10/25/part-of-30-rocky-mountain-power-rate-hike-is-for-washington-state-carbon-tax/

30. Idaho Congressional Delegation Wants to Give States a Veto on Public Energy Projects (Boise State Public Radio, ID)

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/2023-10-25/idaho-delegation-public-energy-projects

31. Oregon Cascades, Western States Losing Glaciers, New Analysis Finds (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/10/29/western-states-glacier-melting-research/

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

32. WA Public Works Board Approves $4.3 Million in Broadband & Emergency Construction Grants & Loans (WA Dept. Of Commerce)

https://www.commerce.wa.gov/news/public-works-board-approves-4-3-million-in-broadband-and-emergency-construction-grants-and-loans/

33. Open Access Networks Forecasted to Disrupt U.S. Broadband Market (Broadband Communities)

https://bbcmag.com/open-access-networks-forecasted-to-disrupt-u-s-broadband-market/

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

34. President Biden Issues Sweeping Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://news.yahoo.com/biden-issues-sweeping-executive-order-090000880.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

35. One Year After Musk Acquired Twitter: Traffic, Revenue Down Across the Board (Mashablre)

https://mashable.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-x-one-year-numbers

36. Taco Bell Wins Legal Battle to Free ‘Taco Tuesday’ (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2023/oct/26/taco-bell-wins-legal-battle-to-free-taco-tuesday/

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

37. Energy Legislation: House Republicans Pass First Government Funding Bill Under New Speaker (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4277764-house-republicans-pass-first-government-funding-bill-since-mccarthy-ouster/

38. Mainers Will Vote on Replacing For-Profit Utilities with Public Power (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/utilities/mainers-face-historic-vote-to-replace-utilities-with-public-power

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

39. Gross Domestic Product Surges Past Expectations in Q3, Recession Less Likely (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/money/gdp-q3-consumer-spending-recession

40. How Extreme Weather in the U.S. May Have Affected the Pumpkins You Picked This Year for Halloween (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/pumpkins-drought-climate-change-water-irrigation-labor-81905cc284aacf30744b2cb5dbe0a141

41. A Glut of Potatoes Means Big Spud Dump Across the Pacific Northwest (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2023/10/26/a-glut-of-potatoes-means-big-spud-dump-across-the-northwest/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

42. Guest Essay: More Action Needed to Keep the Spokane River on Road to Recovery (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/oct/29/jerry-white-jr-more-action-needed-to-keep-river-on/

43. Owning Our Identity: Empowering Cooperatives in Rural America (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/4277672-owning-our-identity-empowering-cooperatives-in-rural-america/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Ancient Amazon River Rock Carvings Exposed by Drought

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ancient-amazon-river-rock-carvings-exposed-by-drought-2023-10-23/

Have You Ever Experienced ‘Jamais Vu’? Here’s What It Is & Why It Happens.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jamais-vu-opposite-deja-vu_l_65303458e4b03b213b0870f4

14-Year-Old Who Invented Soap to Treat Skin Cancer Named America’s Top Young Scientist

https://www.yahoo.com/news/14-old-invented-soap-treat-190640168.html?.tsrc=1013

Hundreds of People in Spider-Man Costumes Gather in Argentina

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/10/30/argentina-Guinness-World-Records-Spider-Man-gathering/1751698683093/

SONG OF THE DAY

Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young - Deja Vu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCs6Tpd5sFQ