The Energy News Digest for May 7, 2025

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest. 

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

President Trump Plans to End Energy Star Home Appliance Program Amid EPA Reorganization (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/trump-administration-plans-end-energy-star-program-home-appliances-washington-2025-05-06/

Trump Administration Targets LIHEAP As More People Use It to Stay Cool (Politico)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/trump-targets-liheap-as-more-people-use-it-to-stay-cool/

States Sue Trump Administration for Blocking the Development of Wind Energy (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/wind-energy-trump-executive-order-lawsuit-17f9d2b2f177849d8d49878a1cac93e4

GOP Leader Confirms Plan to Kill $7,500 Electric Vehicle Tax Credit in Federal Budget (Electrek)

https://electrek.co/2025/05/06/gop-leader-confirms-plan-to-kill-7500-ev-tax-credit-in-budget/

Paywall Advisory: The Northwest Power Grid May Soon Max Out. Here’s What That Means (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/the-northwest-power-grid-may-soon-max-out-heres-what-that-means/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Trump Administration Targets LIHEAP As More People Use It to Stay Cool

2.      Northwest Grid Nears Breaking Point

3.      Could an 80-Mile Transmission Line Soon Be Buried Under the Columbia River?

4.      Chelan County PUD Negotiates Power, Land Agreement with Nuclear Fusion Company Helion

5.      Utilities Required to Strengthen Fire Mitigation Plans Under WA Law

6.      Federal Investigators Say a Utility Wasn't Marked before A Deadly Natural Gas Explosion in Missouri

7.      Warren Buffett Is Warning Investors Against Piling into a Traditionally Safe Area of the Stock Market

8.      States Sue Trump Administration for Blocking the Development of Wind Energy

9.      What’s Next for the Harvest Hills Wind Project on the Palouse

10.   California Energy Panel Coming to Redding for Findings on Controversial Wind Farm Plan

11.   Study: Extended Interconnection Queue Times Plague Wind, Solar

12.   New Process Could Help Recycle Wind Turbine Blades

13.   President Trump Plans to End Energy Star Home Appliance Program Amid EPA Reorganization

14.   WA Puts $1.1B More Towards Salmon Culvert Fix

15.   Here’s What the Trump Admin Proposes Spending on WA’s Toxic Hanford Nuclear Site

16.   Park Service Suspends Air-Quality Monitoring at All National Parks

17.   Groups Call on Trump Administration to Curb Wasteful Use of Colorado River Water

18.   GOP Leader Confirms Plan to Kill $7,500 Electric Vehicle Tax Credit in Federal Budget

19.   Bill to Have Big Tech Pay for Local News Advances in Oregon Legislature

20.   How Gen Z is Embracing Magazines

21.   More Than 100 National Renewable Energy Lab Employees Laid Off in Colorado, Elsewhere

22.   Congress’ Fight Over Trump’s Agenda Runs Through Alaska

23.   WA Concerned Federal Government Won’t Help Fight Wildfires This Year

24.   Paywall Advisory: The Northwest Power Grid May Soon Max Out. Here’s What That Means

25.   Guest Essay: A Surge of Salmon – And Hope – After Klamath Dams’ Removal

26.   Guest Essay: The High Cost of California's Green Energy Policies

Word of the Day

Sagacious \suh-GAY-shus\ Adjective - 1: of keen and farsighted penetration and judgment: discerning 2: caused by or indicating acute discernment.

Abercrombie’s sagacious manner held the entire room spellbound. He could speak for hours on the topic of energy trading and the benefits of electricity deregulation, and every audience would be on the edge of their seats. But, like trying to photograph a vampire, after the applause died away, no attendee could remember one substantive comment made by Abercrombie during his presentation.

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Trump Administration Targets LIHEAP As More People Use It to Stay Cool (Politico)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/trump-targets-liheap-as-more-people-use-it-to-stay-cool/

2.      Northwest Grid Nears Breaking Point (Switchgear Magazine)

https://switchgear-magazine.com/tm-news/technology/northwest-grid-nears-breaking-point/

3.      Could an 80-Mile Transmission Line Soon Be Buried Under the Columbia River? (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

https://katu.com/news/arc-pdx/could-an-80-mile-transmission-line-soon-be-buried-under-the-columbia-river

4.      Chelan County PUD Negotiates Power, Land Agreement with Nuclear Fusion Company Helion (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/chelan-county-pud-negotiates-power-land-agreement-with-nuclear-fusion-company-helion/article_cb53bc6e-78ef-44ad-8610-6c29cfff93c8.html

5.      Utilities Required to Strengthen Fire Mitigation Plans Under WA Law (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2025/may/06/utilities-required-to-strengthen-fire-mitigation-plans-under-wa-law/

6.      Federal Investigators Say a Utility Wasn't Marked before A Deadly Natural Gas Explosion in Missouri (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/federal-investigators-utility-wasnt-marked-205327343.html

7.      Warren Buffett Is Warning Investors Against Piling Into A Traditionally Safe Area Of The Stock Market (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/warren-buffett-warning-investors-against-230221834.html

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

8.      States Sue Trump Administration for Blocking the Development of Wind Energy (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/wind-energy-trump-executive-order-lawsuit-17f9d2b2f177849d8d49878a1cac93e4

9.      What’s Next for the Harvest Hills Wind Project on the Palouse (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2025/05/01/whats-next-for-the-harvest-hills-wind-project-on-the-palouse/

10.   California Energy Panel Coming to Redding for Findings on Controversial Wind Farm Plan (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2025/05/07/california-sets-meeting-for-fountain-wind-plan-in-shasta-county/83473919007/

11.   Study: Extended Interconnection Queue Times Plague Wind, Solar (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2025/05/06/study-extended-interconnection-queue-times-plague-wind-solar/

12.   New Process Could Help Recycle Wind Turbine Blades (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2025/05/05/new-process-could-help-recycle-wind-turbine-blades/

Conservation & Efficiency

13.   President Trump Plans to End Energy Star Home Appliance Program Amid EPA Reorganization (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/trump-administration-plans-end-energy-star-program-home-appliances-washington-2025-05-06/

Fish & Wildlife

14.   WA Puts $1.1B More Towards Salmon Culvert Fix (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2025/05/05/wa-puts-1-1b-more-towards-salmon-culvert-fix/

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

15.   Here’s What the Trump Admin Proposes Spending on WA’s Toxic Hanford Nuclear Site (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/here-s-what-the-trump-admin-proposes-spending-on-wa-s-toxic-hanford-nuclear-site/ar-AA1Edgdb

16.   Park Service Suspends Air-Quality Monitoring at All National Parks (Washington Post – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/park-service-suspends-air-quality-monitoring-at-all-national-parks/ar-AA1EdsJ4

Water, Water Anywhere?

17.   Groups call on Trump administration to curb wasteful use of Colorado River water (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/groups-call-trump-administration-curb-150000450.html

I Sing the Car Electric

18.   GOP Leader Confirms Plan to Kill $7,500 Electric Vehicle Tax Credit in Federal Budget (Electrek)

https://electrek.co/2025/05/06/gop-leader-confirms-plan-to-kill-7500-ev-tax-credit-in-budget/

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

19.   Bill to Have Big Tech Pay for Local News Advances in Oregon Legislature (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/05/oregon-bill-big-tech-meta-google-local-news-legislature-social-media/

20.   How Gen Z is Embracing Magazines (DomTar)

https://www.domtar.com/blog-posts/how-gen-z-is-embracing-magazines/

Politics, Governance, and Management

21.   More Than 100 National Renewable Energy Lab Employees Laid Off in Colorado, Elsewhere (CBS News)

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/over-100-national-renewable-energy-lab-employees-laid-off-colorado/

22.   Congress’ Fight Over Trump’s Agenda Runs Through Alaska (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/congress-fight-over-trump-s-agenda-runs-through-alaska/ar-AA1Ec2Fg

Other Things to Know About Today

23.   WA Concerned Federal Government Won’t Help Fight Wildfires This Year (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/wa-concerned-federal-government-wont-help-fight-wildfires-this-year/C4FNMW5HQZGRDEWZGBUG2GWJH4/

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

24.   Paywall Advisory: The Northwest Power Grid May Soon Max Out. Here’s What That Means (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/the-northwest-power-grid-may-soon-max-out-heres-what-that-means/

25.   Guest Essay: A Surge of Salmon – And Hope – After Klamath Dams’ Removal (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025/05/opinion-a-surge-of-salmon-and-hope-after-klamath-dams-removal.html

26.   Guest Essay: The High Cost of California's Green Energy Policies (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/contributor-high-cost-californias-green-100000936.html

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Kentucky Boy Orders 70,000 Dum-Dums Using Mother’s Phone

https://www.oregonlive.com/nation/2025/05/kentucky-boy-orders-70000-dum-dums-using-mothers-phone.html

Two Belgian Teenagers Found with 5,000 Ants in Kenya Given $7,700 Fine or 1-Year Prison Sentence

https://apnews.com/article/kenya-ants-belgian-teenagers-50fc1a7141f515cc900f403ec93b06e5

Sotheby’s Postpones Auction of Jewels Associated with Buddha After Backlash from India’s Government

https://apnews.com/article/southebys-auction-india-hong-kong-postpone-buddha-bc8e57a840347b577e81afb717ecc16b

Powered by Potatoes: Endurance Athletes Are Chasing Speed with Spuds

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/may/06/powered-by-potatoes-endurance-athletes-are-chasing/

Song of the Day

The Chordettes – Lollipop

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

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.

The Energy News Digest for May 5, 2025

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest. 

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Northwest Power & Conservation Council Releases Initial 20-Year Forecast for Pacific Northwest Electricity Demand (Northwest Power & Conservation Council)

https://www.nwcouncil.org/news/2025/05/02/pacific-northwest-load-forecast-2025/

Success Declared for Hanford Nuclear Project That Could Save Taxpayers Billions (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/success-declared-for-eastern-wa-nuclear-project-that-could-save-taxpayers-billions/article_b0f90197-5121-510b-ada4-84e374746a7f.html

‘The State Is Robbing Us’: A Potential Nuclear Project in Rural Utah Highlights Concern About New Energy Law (Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, UT)

https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/04/30/utah-nuclear-energy-rural-county/

Rep. Hageman (WY) Says Wyoming Can Be Part of Hydropower Boom Across West (Cowboy State Daily, WY)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/04/30/hageman-says-wyoming-can-be-part-of-hydropower-boom-across-west/

Northern Pikeminnow Reward Fishery Open on Snake, Columbia Rivers (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/northern-pikeminnow-reward-fishery-open-020300067.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Northwest Power & Conservation Council Releases Initial 20-Year Forecast for Pacific Northwest Electricity Demand

2.      ‘The State Is Robbing Us’: A Potential Nuclear Project in Rural Utah Highlights Concern About New Energy Law

3.      Rep. Hageman (WY) Says Wyoming Can Be Part of Hydropower Boom Across West

4.      Berkshire’s Abel Says Wildfires Prompted New Approach to Keeping Lights On

5.      News Release: Western Energy Imbalance Market Approaches New Milestone (

6.      Northern Pikeminnow Reward Fishery Open on Snake, Columbia Rivers

7.      ‘Huge Lights Out Alert’ for Oregon Aims to Help Birds Find Their Way Home

8.      Success Declared for Hanford Nuclear Project That Could Save Taxpayers Billions

9.      WA State: Grays Harbor PUD, Paramount Launch East County Fiber Expansio

10.   WA State: Okanogan County Broadband Build-Out Moves Ahead, Despite Uncertainty

11.   Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program Returns, with New Grant Funding

12.   President Trump Quietly Halts Money for Preventing Disaster Damage

13.   Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

14.   Guest Essay: Electricity Realism Isn’t Climate Denialism

15.   Where Is Your Carbon Dioxide Tax Really Going? Policy Expert Slams WA State’s ‘Ineffective’ Spending

Word of the Day

Behemoth  \bi-HEE-muth\ • Noun – 1: often capitalized: a mighty animal described in Job 40:15–24 as an example of the power of God 2: something of monstrous size, power, or appearance

Alfred was pleased with the results of his sand sculpture on the Washington Coast. It was a full sized reproduction of an orca whale, carved with delicate care near Ocean Shores. Unfortunately for his creation, decorated with black and white dyed sand, it was done too well. The sand whale was absolutely destroyed when whale watchers arrived on the scene and tried to push the behemoth back into the pounding surf.

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Northwest Power & Conservation Council Releases Initial 20-Year Forecast for Pacific Northwest Electricity Demand (Northwest Power & Conservation Council)

https://www.nwcouncil.org/news/2025/05/02/pacific-northwest-load-forecast-2025/

2.      ‘The State Is Robbing Us’: A Potential Nuclear Project in Rural Utah Highlights Concern About New Energy Law (Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, UT)

https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/04/30/utah-nuclear-energy-rural-county/

3.      Rep. Hageman (WY) Says Wyoming Can Be Part of Hydropower Boom Across West (Cowboy State Daily, WY)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/04/30/hageman-says-wyoming-can-be-part-of-hydropower-boom-across-west/

4.      Berkshire’s Abel Says Wildfires Prompted New Approach to Keeping Lights On (Reuters)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/berkshires-abel-says-wildfires-prompted-180858617.html

5.      News Release: Western Energy I\

6.      Northern Pikeminnow Reward Fishery Open on Snake, Columbia Rivers (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/northern-pikeminnow-reward-fishery-open-020300067.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

7.      ‘Huge Lights Out Alert’ for Oregon Aims to Help Birds Find Their Way Home (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2025/05/huge-lights-out-alert-for-oregon-aims-to-help-birds-find-their-way-home.html

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

8.      Success Declared for Hanford Nuclear Project That Could Save Taxpayers Billions (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/success-declared-for-eastern-wa-nuclear-project-that-could-save-taxpayers-billions/article_b0f90197-5121-510b-ada4-84e374746a7f.html

London Calling –Telecommunications

9.      WA State: Grays Harbor PUD, Paramount Launch East County Fiber Expansion (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/pud-paramount-launch-east-county-fiber-expansion/ar-AA1DWbuk

10.   WA State: Okanogan County Broadband Build-Out Moves Ahead, Despite Uncertainty (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

https://methowvalleynews.com/2025/05/01/broadband-build-out-moves-ahead-despite-uncertainty/

I Sing the Car Electric

11.   Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program Returns, with New Grant Funding (KTVZ-TV. Bend, OR)

https://ktvz.com/news/oregon-northwest/2025/05/02/oregon-clean-vehicle-rebate-program-returns-with-new-grant-funding/

Politics, Governance, and Management

12.   President Trump Quietly Halts Money for Preventing Disaster Damage (Politico)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/trump-quietly-halts-money-for-preventing-disaster-damage/

Other Things to Know About Today

13.   Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-shareholders-annual-meeting-a421061233f99859673fb131ce020d4d

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Popul

14.   Guest Essay: Electricity Realism Isn’t Climate Denialism (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)

https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2025/04/29/fossil-fuel-electricity-renewable-energy-reliability/stories/202504290018

15.   Where Is Your Carbon Dioxide Tax Really Going? Policy Expert Slams WA State’s ‘Ineffective’ Spending (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/john-curley/co2-tax-really-going/4082619

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Groundbreaking Bassist Carol Kaye Finally Gets the Recognition She Truly Deserves

https://www.wbgo.org/podcast/art-of-the-story/2025-04-29/groundbreaking-bassist-carol-kaye-finally-gets-the-recognition-she-truly-deserves

Millions of Dimes Spill onto Texas Highway After Truck Rolls

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/cha-ching-millions-dimes-spill-texas-highway-after-121374683

Soviet-Era Spacecraft Is Set to Plunge to Earth a Half-Century After Its Failed Launch to Venus

https://apnews.com/article/soviet-spacecraft-venus-kosmos-482-298aab6aabd799f2881bdb8279b9d9c7

British Woman, 115, Becomes World’s Oldest Living Person

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/05/02/worlds-oldest-living-person-guiness-world-records/3571746200541/

Song of the Day

The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations (Feat. Carole Kaye on bass)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkPyB-g3asI

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.

The Energy News Digest for April 30, 2025

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

For the digital experience, visit the online version of The Energy News Digest.

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

The Energy News Digest is edited by Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Spanish Blackout Caused by Extreme Weather & a Major Renewables Failure for the First Time (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/spanish-blackout-caused-by-extreme-weather-and-a-major-renewables-failure-for-the-first-time/ar-AA1DVSHk

Electricity Demand in Pacific Northwest Could Double in Next 20 Years, Forecast Finds (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/04/29/electricity-demand-in-northwest-could-double-in-next-20-years-forecast-finds/

Loss of FEMA Program Spells Disaster for Hundreds of Communities & Their Projects (Associated Press)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/loss-fema-program-spells-disaster-114543764.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

Baby Salmon Head Out to Sea. Then They Do Something Unexpected, New Research Shows (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/seattle/article305386021.html

High Forecast of Pink Salmon Could Overwhelm Local Fishermen, Stress Processing Capacity (Cascadia Daily)

https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/apr/27/high-forecast-of-pink-salmon-could-overwhelm-local-fishermen-stress-processing-capacity/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Spanish Blackout Caused by Extreme Weather & a Major Renewables Failure for the First Time

2.      Electricity Demand in Pacific Northwest Could Double in Next 20 Years, Forecast Finds

3.      California: Guilty Plea Announced in San Jose Electric Transformer Bombings

4.      Energy Northwest Plans $951.2 Million Bond Sale for Refinancing, Columbia Nuclear Plant

5.      Update on Western Area Power Administration’s Project Work & Workforce Capacity from the Administrator & Chief Executive Officer

6.      Utilities Are Planning to Bury Power Lines After the Los Angeles Fires. Should They?

7.      More Power Grid Teamwork in West Could Supercharge Clean Energy, UCSD Study Finds

8.      Texas A&M Senior Research Engineer Describes the Kinds of Risks Facing Power Grids

9.      Rural Electric Co-ops: Protect Hydropower

10.   A Key Player in Moving Interior Alaska Off Fossil Fuels? Multibillion-Dollar Mining Corporations.

11.   Baby Salmon Head Out to Sea. Then They Do Something Unexpected, New Research Shows

12.   High Forecast of Pink Salmon Could Overwhelm Local Fishermen, Stress Processing Capacity

13.   Columbia River Anglers Battle Growing Sea Lion Invasion: ‘The Devastation’

14.   WA State: Annual Salmon Summit Makes Educational Splash in Kennewick

15.   EPA Canceling Nearly 800 Environmental Justice Grants

16.   Amazon Launches First Kuiper Internet Satellites, Taking on Starlink

17.   Google Warns of Data Security Risks If Chrome Is Sold Off

18.   Washington Legislators Just Passed a New Tax That Only Impacts Tesla, for Now

19.   How a Chance NFL Game Moment Changed an Author & Coach’s Career

20.   ‘A Heartbreaking Loss’: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Loses Funding in WA

21.   State, U.S. Department of Energy Waive Nuclear Agreement for Idaho National Lab Study Waste

22.   Loss of FEMA Program Spells Disaster for Hundreds of Communities & Their Projects

23.   New Washington Energy Chair’s Industry Ties Raise Ethics Questions

24.   NRECA CEO Jim Matheson Details Electric Co-ops’ Top Legislative Goals

25.   U.S. Storm Leaves About 500K Customers without Power. Officials Report Three Deaths

26.   Magnitude 4.7 Earthquake Rocks Alaska Amid Volcano Eruption Fears as Residents Warned of Aftershocks

27.   Underwater Volcano in the Pacific Northwest Shows Signs of Eruption

28.   Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake Could Be Even Worse Than Feared

29.   Climate Change Is Making Coffee More Expensive. Tariffs Likely Will Too

30.   Bonneville Power Administration Urged to Focus on Salmon, Clean Energy in Market Choice

31.   Modernizing Hydropower to Maximize Its Potential

Word of the Day

Trichotillomania \trick-kuh-till-ah-MANE-ee-uh\ Noun - An abnormal desire to pull out one’s hair.

Definition of futility: A bald man with trichotillomania.

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Spanish Blackout Caused by Extreme Weather & a Major Renewables Failure for the First Time (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/spanish-blackout-caused-by-extreme-weather-and-a-major-renewables-failure-for-the-first-time/ar-AA1DVSHk

2.      Electricity Demand in Pacific Northwest Could Double in Next 20 Years, Forecast Finds (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/04/29/electricity-demand-in-northwest-could-double-in-next-20-years-forecast-finds/

3.      California: Guilty Plea Announced in San Jose Electric Transformer Bombings (KNTV-TV, San Jose, CA)

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/guilty-plea-san-jose-electric-transformer-bombings/3856196/

4.      Energy Northwest Plans $951.2 Million Bond Sale for Refinancing, Columbia Nuclear Plant (Morningstar)

https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/2025042916185/energy-northwest-plans-9512-million-bond-sale-for-refinancing-columbia-nuclear-plant

5.      Update on Western Area Power Administration’s Project Work & Workforce Capacity from the Administrator & Chief Executive Officer (Western Area Power Administration)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2025/04/update-on-wapas-project-work-workforce.html

6.      Utilities Are Planning to Bury Power Lines After the Los Angeles Fires. Should They? (Laist)

https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/burying-power-lines-after-the-la-fires

7.      More Power Grid Teamwork in West Could Supercharge Clean Energy, UCSD Study Finds (San Diego Times, CA)

https://timesofsandiego.com/tech/2025/04/29/more-power-grid-teamwork-in-west-could-supercharge-clean-energy-ucsd-study-finds/

8.      Texas A&M Senior Research Engineer Describes the Kinds of Risks Facing Power Grids (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5379916

9.      Rural Electric Co-ops: Protect Hydropower (Renewable Energy World)

https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/hydro-power/rural-electric-co-ops-protect-hydropower/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

10.   A Key Player in Moving Interior Alaska Off Fossil Fuels? Multibillion-Dollar Mining Corporations. (Northern Journal, Anchorage, AK)

https://www.northernjournal.com/a-key-player-in-moving-interior-alaska-off-fossil-fuels-multibillion-dollar-mining-corporations/

Fish & Wildlife

11.   Baby Salmon Head Out to Sea. Then They Do Something Unexpected, New Research Shows (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/seattle/article305386021.html

12.   High Forecast of Pink Salmon Could Overwhelm Local Fishermen, Stress Processing Capacity (Cascadia Daily)

https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/apr/27/high-forecast-of-pink-salmon-could-overwhelm-local-fishermen-stress-processing-capacity/

13.   Columbia River Anglers Battle Growing Sea Lion Invasion: ‘The Devastation’ (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/life/animals/columbia-river-seal-lion-battle-salmon-fishery-fishermen-legislation/283-ec3ecccd-54d8-4df2-a7ff-79d25e7d1e58

14.   WA State: Annual Salmon Summit Makes Educational Splash in Kennewick (KAPP-TV, Yakima, WA)

https://www.applevalleynewsnow.com/news/annual-salmon-summit-makes-educational-splash-in-kennewick/article_9ae1d609-3ba7-4dd0-9bd7-8ae327735c09.html

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

15.   EPA Canceling Nearly 800 Environmental Justice Grants (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5273712-epa-canceling-nearly-800-environmental-justice-grants/

London Calling –Telecommunications

16.   Amazon Launches First Kuiper Internet Satellites, Taking on Starlink (Reuters)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/amazon-launches-first-kuiper-internet-satellites-taking-on-starlink/ar-AA1DQhE2

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

17.   Google Warns of Data Security Risks If Chrome Is Sold Off (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/google-warns-of-data-security-risks-if-chrome-is-sold-off/

I Sing the Car Electric

18.   Washington Legislators Just Passed a New Tax That Only Impacts Tesla, for Now (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/washington-legislators-just-passed-a-new-tax-that-only-impacts-tesla-for-now/ar-AA1DMHXG

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

19.   How a Chance NFL Game Moment Changed an Author & Coach’s Career (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2025/04/29/nx-s1-5358412/how-a-chance-nfl-game-moment-changed-an-author-and-coachs-career

20.   ‘A Heartbreaking Loss’: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Loses Funding in WA (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/local/imagination-library-dolly/4081587

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

21.   State, U.S. Department of Energy Waive Nuclear Agreement for Idaho National Lab Study Waste (Boise State Public Radio, ID)

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/environment/2025-04-30/inl-lab-nuclear-fuel-spent-idaho-falls

Politics, Governance, and Management

22.   Loss of FEMA Program Spells Disaster for Hundreds of Communities & Their Projects (Associated Press)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/loss-fema-program-spells-disaster-114543764.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

23.   New Washington Energy Chair’s Industry Ties Raise Ethics Questions (Cascade PBS)

https://www.cascadepbs.org/investigations/2025/04/new-washington-energy-chairs-industry-ties-raise-ethics-questions

24.   NRECA CEO Jim Matheson Details Electric Co-ops’ Top Legislative Goals (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

https://www.electric.coop/nreca-ceo-jim-matheson-details-electric-co-ops-top-legislative-goals

Other Things to Know About Today

25.   U.S. Storm Leaves About 500K Customers without Power. Officials Report Three Deaths (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/severe-weather-pennsylvania-electrocuted-a92cf8d973f8992b6672b1fed75424d2

26.   Magnitude 4.7 Earthquake Rocks Alaska Amid Volcano Eruption Fears as Residents Warned of Aftershocks (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/magnitude-4-7-earthquake-rocks-alaska-amid-volcano-eruption-fears-as-residents-warned-of-aftershocks/ar-AA1DP4SK

27.   Underwater Volcano in the Pacific Northwest Shows Signs of Eruption (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/uw-scientists-expect-underwater-volcano-to-erupt-this-year/281-22bce3bb-a552-46f2-8244-3c778648cd89

28.   Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake Could Be Even Worse Than Feared (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cascadia-subduction-zone-earthquake-could-201203027.html

29.   Climate Change Is Making Coffee More Expensive. Tariffs Likely Will Too (Associated Press)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/climate-change-is-making-coffee-more-expensive-tariffs-likely-will-too/ar-AA1DVmIQ

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

30.   Bonneville Power Administration Urged to Focus on Salmon, Clean Energy in Market Choice (Public News Service)

https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2025-04-29/environment/bpa-urged-to-focus-on-salmon-clean-energy-in-market-choice/a96514-1

31.   Modernizing Hydropower to Maximize Its Potential (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/modernizing-hydropower-to-maximize-its-potential/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Broken Car Mirrors - A Woodpecker Has Invaded a Massachusetts Neighborhood. Residents Are Taking It in Stride

https://apnews.com/article/woodpecker-rockport-massachusetts-car-mirrors-afd3f553060a32baac2172f60856259a

‘Prophetic’ Letter Written by Titanic Survivor Sells for Nearly $400,000 at Auction

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/04/27/prophetic-letter-by-titanic-survivor-sells-for-nearly-dollar400000-at-auction/

United Kingdom – Sycamore Gap Tree Took More Than a Century to Grow & Less Than Three Minutes to Fell, Prosecutors Say

https://apnews.com/article/uk-court-sycamore-gap-tree-trial-afd8f5d99b67f4daf434c4ff085654fa

World’s Tallest & Shortest Dogs Have Puppy Playdate in Idaho

https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2025/4/the-tallest-and-smallest-dogs-in-the-world-meetup-for-adorable-doggy-playdate-in-america

Song of the Day

James Horner – Titanic Main Title (Movie Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8BrQuCocfs

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.

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