The Energy News Digest

Monday, October 7, 2024

The Energy News Digest for October 7, 2024

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.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

APPA, Members Celebrate Pride in Public Power During Public Power Week (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/appa-members-celebrate-pride-public-power-during-public-power-week

U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Block Emissions Rule That Requires Colstrip Upgrades (Montana Free Press)

https://montanafreepress.org/2024/10/04/us-supreme-court-denies-petition-halting-epa-coal-plant-pollution-rule/

Tribes Slow Oregon’s Offshore Wind Plans to Ask ‘The Big Questions’ on Cultural, Environmental Impacts (The Oregonian, Portland, OR – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tribes-slow-oregon-s-offshore-wind-plans-to-ask-the-big-questions-on-cultural-environmental-impacts/ar-AA1rMLIy

Tribes Celebrate the End of the Largest Dam Removal Project in U.S. History (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/klamath-dam-removal-completed-tribes-435b955f5bfdeaca82de66bfc6551ba1

Powerful Hurricane Milton Takes Aim at Tampa as Florida Braces for Fresh Blow (Reuters)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/powerful-hurricane-milton-takes-aim-171338522.html

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Block Emissions Rule That Requires Colstrip Upgrades

2. A Coal Power Plant Demolition Serves as a Poignant Historic Moment for the Navajo

3. Pending Federal Bill Aims to Enhance Dam, Hydropower Safety

4. Alaska: On Eklutna River Restoration, Governor’s Decision Leaves Door Open for More Ambitious Idea

5. WSU Tri-Cities Unveils Institute for Northwest Energy Futures Facility

6. Pathways Initiative Proposes Regional Organization to Oversee Western Power Markets

7. Tribes Slow Oregon’s Offshore Wind Plans to Ask ‘The Big Questions’ on Cultural, Environmental Impacts

8. Oregon: Farmers Push Back Against Industrial Solar Farm

9. Solar Farms Don’t Hurt Nearby Property Values, New Research Finds

10. Training Center in Oregon Teaches Wind Technicians from Around the U.S.

11. Oregonians Won’t See $113 Million in Promised Clean Energy Rebates Until Late 2025 or 2026

12. Tribes Celebrate the End of the Largest Dam Removal Project in U.S. History

13. Endangered Orca Pod Makes a Return to the Puget Sound

14. Orca Tally ‘Frustrating’ for Those Trying to Save the J, K & L Pods

15. Paywall Advisory: Hood Canal Salmon Run Sees Booming Recovery as Fish Face Extinction

16. $240 Million Will Go Toward Tribal Salmon Hatcheries Across the Pacific Northwest

17. The World’s Rivers Faced the Driest Year in Three Decades in 2023, the UN Weather Agency Says

18. A Top Energy Strategist Is Optimistic About Climate Change – E Has the Data to Back That Up

19. Federal & State Grant Funding Helps Connect Underserved Communities in Rural Idaho to Broadband Internet

20. Chinese Hack of Telecommunications Companies Under Investigation, NSA Chief Says

21. A Fifth Recall for Tesla Cybertruck Within a Year, the Latest Due to Rearview Display

22. Lack of Electric Vehicle Chargers Dogging Washington Agency’s Electrification Efforts

23. APPA, Members Celebrate Pride in Public Power During Public Power Week

24. Powerful Hurricane Milton Takes Aim at Tampa as Florida Braces for Fresh Blow

25. Mount Adams Rumbling: Is the Sleeping Giant Waking Up?

Word of the Day – The Horrible Haiku Edition

Ephemeral /if-FEM-uh-rull/ Adjective – 1: lasting a very short time, 2: lasting one day only

Thought interrupted

Ephemeral memory

Dimmed passage of life

Energy & Utility Issues

1. U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Block Emissions Rule That Requires Colstrip Upgrades (Montana Free Press)

https://montanafreepress.org/2024/10/04/us-supreme-court-denies-petition-halting-epa-coal-plant-pollution-rule/

2. A Coal Power Plant Demolition Serves as a Poignant Historic Moment for the Navajo (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/05/nx-s1-5076973/coal-power-plant-demolition-navajo-new-mexico

3. Pending Federal Bill Aims to Enhance Dam, Hydropower Safety (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/45622-pending-federal-bill-aims-to-enhance-dam-hydropower-safety/

4. Alaska: On Eklutna River Restoration, Governor’s Decision Leaves Door Open for More Ambitious Idea (Alaska Public Media)

https://alaskapublic.org/2024/10/04/on-eklutna-river-restoration-governors-decision-leaves-door-open-for-more-ambitious-idea/

5. WSU Tri-Cities Unveils Institute for Northwest Energy Futures Facility (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

https://keprtv.com/news/local/wsu-tri-cities-unveils-institute-for-northwest-energy-futures-facility

6. Pathways Initiative Proposes Regional Organization to Oversee Western Power Markets (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pathways-initiative-western-regional-organization-markets-eim-edam-caiso/728647/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

7. Tribes Slow Oregon’s Offshore Wind Plans to Ask ‘The Big Questions’ on Cultural, Environmental Impacts (The Oregonian, Portland, OR – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tribes-slow-oregon-s-offshore-wind-plans-to-ask-the-big-questions-on-cultural-environmental-impacts/ar-AA1rMLIy

8. Oregon: Farmers Push Back Against Industrial Solar Farm (The Daily Emerald, Eugene, OR)

https://dailyemerald.com/151812/features/farmers-pushback-against-industrial-solar-farm/

9. Solar Farms Don’t Hurt Nearby Property Values, New Research Finds (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/solar-farms-dont-hurt-nearby-property-values-new-research-finds

10. Training Center in Oregon Teaches Wind Technicians from Around the U.S. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/10/06/avangrid-wind-technicians-training-oregon/

Conservation & Efficiency

11. Oregonians Won’t See $113 Million in Promised Clean Energy Rebates Until Late 2025 or 2026 (The Oregonian, Portland, OR – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2024/10/oregonians-wont-see-113m-in-promised-clean-energy-rebates-until-late-2025-or-2026.html

Fish & Wildlife

12. Tribes Celebrate the End of the Largest Dam Removal Project in U.S. History (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/klamath-dam-removal-completed-tribes-435b955f5bfdeaca82de66bfc6551ba1

13. Endangered Orca Pod Makes a Return to the Puget Sound (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/endangered-orca-pod-makes-return-puget-sound/CBA7BGTDBBE5ZKWTV7JA3H6E2E/

14. Orca Tally ‘Frustrating’ for Those Trying to Save the J, K & L Pods (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/orca-tally-frustrating-for-those-trying-to-save-the-j-k-and-l-pods,362960

15. Paywall Advisory: Hood Canal Salmon Run Sees Booming Recovery as Fish Face Extinction (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/wa-salmon-are-threatened-with-extinction-why-is-one-run-booming-in-hood-canal/

16. $240 Million Will Go Toward Tribal Salmon Hatcheries Across the Pacific Northwest (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/240-million-tribal-salmon-hatcheries-across-northwest/281-2772aac6-b8f3-4482-9b78-32f8cac285f8

Water, Water, Anywhere?

17. The World’s Rivers Faced the Driest Year in Three Decades in 2023, the UN Weather Agency Says (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/water-united-nations-world-meteorological-organization-86183afa4d917fe9777f730159849c8f

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

18. A Top Energy Strategist Is Optimistic About Climate Change – E Has the Data to Back That Up (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/a-top-energy-strategist-is-optimistic-about-19820292.php

London Calling –Telecommunications

19. Federal & State Grant Funding Helps Connect Underserved Communities in Rural Idaho to Broadband Internet (Inlander, Spokane, WA)

https://www.inlander.com/news/federal-and-state-grant-funding-helps-connect-underserved-communities-in-rural-idaho-28710408

Beam Me Up, Scotty - The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

20. Chinese Hack of Telecommunications Companies Under Investigation, NSA Chief Says (NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/chinese-hack-telecommunications-companies-investigation-nsa-chief-says-rcna174208

I Sing the Car Electric

21. A Fifth Recall for Tesla Cybertruck Within a Year, the Latest Due to Rearview Display (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/tesla-cybertruck-recall-musk-32836a3471855a0a864ac1ba3d5769fc

22. Lack of Electric Vehicle Chargers Dogging Washington Agency’s Electrification Efforts (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_acdd5aee-8277-11ef-b271-5b8f73ec2499.html

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

23. APPA, Members Celebrate Pride in Public Power During Public Power Week (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/appa-members-celebrate-pride-public-power-during-public-power-week

Other Things to Know About Today

24. Powerful Hurricane Milton Takes Aim at Tampa as Florida Braces for Fresh Blow (Reuters)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/powerful-hurricane-milton-takes-aim-171338522.html

25. Mount Adams Rumbling: Is the Sleeping Giant Waking Up? (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/mount-adams-rumbling-is-sleeping-giant-waking-up/PWE2WF34VVC23IUCDIDYXTKGLI/

Alligators in the Sewer – Diversions

Nibi the ‘Diva’ Beaver to Stay at Rescue Center, Massachusetts Governor Decides

https://tinyurl.com/3rz43d79

Lost Biblical Plant with Medicinal Properties Resurrected from 1,000-Year-Old Seed

https://www.yahoo.com/news/lost-biblical-tree-resurrected-1-134721648.html

Mailed Job Application Returned to Woman After Nearly 50 Years

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2024/10/07/job-application-mail-50-years/8911728317310/

Emoji Drone Show Breaks Guinness World Record

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2024/10/04/Guinness-World-Records-drone-emojis/9591728066357/

Song of the Day

Journey – Wheel in the Sky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez-lRQAklV4

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. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookie files may help you access some paywall sites.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

The Energy News Digest for October 2, 2024

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.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Oregon Gov. Kotek Signs Executive Order to Restore Columbia Basin Salmon (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/oregon-gov-kotek-signs-executive-order-to-restore-columbia-basin/ar-AA1ruZCJ

The Grid Is Insufficient for Renewables. BPA Has a $2 Billion Plan. (The Oregon Capital Chronicle – Via AOL)

https://www.aol.com/grid-insufficient-renewables-bpa-2-123052459.html

Oregon’s Offshore Lease Sale Canceled as Bidders Back Out, Governor Raises Concerns (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/09/27/oregon-offshore-wind-auction-cancellation/

Southern Resident Orcas Have More Diverse Diet Than Previously Thought, Research Reveals (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/southern-resident-orcas-killer-whales-more-diverse-diet-than-previously-thought-noaa-puget-sound-mammal-marine-life-pacific-coast-animal-salmon-chinook-chum-population-decline-factors

Long Water & Power Outages from Helene Test Patience in the Carolinas & Georgia (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/helene-asheville-north-carolina-3f812f70c4d2649e2198362e9ae42b06

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. The Grid Is Insufficient for Renewables. BPA Has a $2 Billion Plan.

2. 62 Insurance Companies Sue Inland Power Over Gray Fire Losses

3. Agency That Approves Energy Rate Hikes in Oregon Explains the How & Why Behind Decisions

4. Bonneville Power Administration Makes 41st Straight Treasury Payment – On Time, And in Full

5. FERC Approves California ISO Interconnection Reform Plan

6. Oregon’s Offshore Lease Sale Canceled as Bidders Back Out, Governor Raises Concerns

7. Iowa State Sues Washington State Company Accused of Dumping Wind-Turbine Blades

8. Benton PUD Customers Targeted by Solar Installation Scam

9. Utility-Scale U.S. Solar Electricity Generation Continues to Grow in 2024

10. Oregon Gov. Kotek Signs Executive Order to Restore Columbia Basin Salmon

11. News Release: Ore. Governor Kotek Affirms State Commitments to Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative

12. Southern Resident Orcas Have More Diverse Diet Than Previously Thought, Research Reveals

13. Pollock Fishery Shut Down Early After Unprecedented Salmon Bycatch in Gulf of Alaska

14. Salmon Lawsuit Ends in WA State Settlement, But Tensions Over Hatcheries Simmer

15. He’s Got a Gun, A College Degree in Fisheries & He Keeps Your Drinking Water Safe

16. The States Where Climate Progress Is on the Ballot

17. ‘Reliability’ Is the New Hot Thing in Broadband Networks

18. We're PR Crisis Managers. Here's How We Do Damage Control When We Say Something Stupid.

19. Long Water & Power Outages from Helene Test Patience in the Carolinas & Georgia

20. French-Fry Giant Closing Eastern WA Plant, Laying Off Almost 400 Mid-Columbia Workers

21. Guest Essay: Rolling on the River – Hydropower as a Reliable Form of Clean Energy

Word of the Day – The Horrible Haiku Edition

Ebullient \ih-BULL-yunt\ Adjective - 1: boiling, agitated *2: having or showing liveliness and enthusiasm: exuberant.

Scintillating bubbles in champagne make Betty Boop’s ebullient personality even more so.

Energy & Utility Issues

1. The Grid Is Insufficient for Renewables. BPA Has a $2 Billion Plan. (The Oregon Capital Chronicle – Via AOL)

https://www.aol.com/grid-insufficient-renewables-bpa-2-123052459.html

2. 62 Insurance Companies Sue Inland Power Over Gray Fire Losses (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/sep/30/62-insurance-companies-sue-inland-power-over-gray-/

3. Agency That Approves Energy Rate Hikes in Oregon Explains the How & Why Behind Decisions (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/10/02/think-out-loud-oregon-public-utilitiy-commission-rate/

4. Bonneville Power Administration Makes 41st Straight Treasury Payment – On Time, And in Full (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20241001-bpa-makes-41st-straight-treasury-payment

5. FERC Approves California ISO Interconnection Reform Plan (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-california-caiso-interconnection-reform-plan/728633/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

6. Oregon’s Offshore Lease Sale Canceled as Bidders Back Out, Governor Raises Concerns (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/09/27/oregon-offshore-wind-auction-cancellation/

7. Iowa State Sues Washington State Company Accused of Dumping Wind-Turbine Blades (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/09/26/state-sues-company-accused-of-dumping-wind-turbine-blades/

8. Benton PUD Customers Targeted by Solar Installation Scam (KNDO/KNDU – Tri-Cities/Yakima, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/benton-pud-customers-targeted-by-solar-installation-scam/article_86c3c5c2-7c3d-11ef-80d2-6bcf018792c0.html

9. Utility-Scale U.S. Solar Electricity Generation Continues to Grow in 2024 (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=63324

Fish & Wildlife

10. Oregon Gov. Kotek Signs Executive Order to Restore Columbia Basin Salmon (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/oregon-gov-kotek-signs-executive-order-to-restore-columbia-basin/ar-AA1ruZCJ

11. News Release: Ore. Governor Kotek Affirms State Commitments to Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (Governor Tina Kotek, Oregon)

https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/GOV/Posts/Post/governor-kotek-affirms-state-commitments-to-columbia-basin-restoration-initiative

12. Southern Resident Orcas Have More Diverse Diet Than Previously Thought, Research Reveals (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

13. Pollock Fishery Shut Down Early After Unprecedented Salmon Bycatch in Gulf of Alaska (KMXT Radio, Kodiak, AK)

https://www.kmxt.org/news/2024-09-27/pollock-fishery-shut-down-early-after-unprecedented-salmon-bycatch-in-gulf-of-alaska

14. Salmon Lawsuit Ends in WA State Settlement, But Tensions Over Hatcheries Simmer (News from the States)

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/salmon-lawsuit-ends-settlement-tensions-over-hatcheries-simmer

Water, Water, Anywhere?

15. He’s Got a Gun, A College Degree in Fisheries & He Keeps Your Drinking Water Safe (Tacoma News-Tribune, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/got-gun-college-degree-fisheries-123000383.html

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

16. The States Where Climate Progress Is on the Ballot (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/elections/states-climate-progress-election-washington-minnesota/

London Calling –Telecommunications

17. ‘Reliability’ Is the New Hot Thing in Broadband Networks (Fierce Network)

https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/reliability-new-hot-thing-broadband-networks

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

18. We're PR Crisis Managers. Here's How We Do Damage Control When We Say Something Stupid. (Huffington Post)

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/said-something-stupid_l_66f5d7f2e4b08b9c8c8cb303

Other Things to Know About Today

19. Long Water & Power Outages from Helene Test Patience in the Carolinas & Georgia (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/helene-asheville-north-carolina-3f812f70c4d2649e2198362e9ae42b06

20. French-Fry Giant Closing Eastern WA Plant, Laying Off Almost 400 Mid-Columbia Workers (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/french-fry-giant-closing-eastern-232709256.html

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

21. Guest Essay: Rolling on the River – Hydropower as a Reliable Form of Clean Energy (Washington Times, DC)

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/sep/21/rolling-on-river-hydropower-as-reliable-form-of-cl/

Alligators in the Sewer – Diversions

Rare 'Wallet' of Viking-Era Treasure Found in Isle of Man

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/rare-wallet-viking-era-treasure-found-isle-man-2024-10-01/

Argentine Town Battles a Parrot Invasion

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentine-town-battles-parrot-invasion-2024-09-30/

A Deadly Attack Shakes Up the Bracket Reveal for 2024’s Fat Bear Week Contest

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/fat-bear-week-contest-katmai-alaska-2024/index.html

Aquarium Rescues Blue Lobster from Grocery Store Tank

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2024/09/27/blue-lobster-Via-Aquarium-New-York/9411727454352/

Song of the Day

Barry Manilow – Weekend in New England

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBGQA9Rfs0U