The Energy News Digest for April 8, 2026

This is the 3,200th blog post of The Energy News Digest 🥳

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.

Save on Flipping the Switch: A Public Power Boot Camp

New to public power, onboarding staff, or interested in learning more about the industry? Then Flipping the Switch: A Public Power Boot Camp is for you! The next boot camp will be June 1-4 in Eugene, Oregon. Register by April 17 to get the early-bird rate.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

NERC Is ‘Actively Monitoring the Grid’ Following Iran-Linked Cyber Threat (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nerc-cisa-iran-war-cyber-hacking/816914/

Paywall Advisory: Seattle Reaches $4 Billion Deal to Keep Skagit River Dams, Truck Salmon (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/seattle-reaches-4b-deal-to-keep-skagit-river-dams-truck-salmon/

President Proposes Cutting Energy Programs in 2027 Budget, Including LIHEAP (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/president-proposes-cutting-energy-programs-2027-budget

Berkshire-Owned PacifiCorp Utility Wins Ruling That Could Reduce Oregon Wildfire Damages (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/berkshire-owned-pacificorp-utility-wins-ruling-that-could-reduce-oregon-wildfire-damages/ar-AA20rxXi

Washington Attorney General Challenges ‘Steep’ Northwest Natural Rate Hikes (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/washington/washington-attorney-general-challenges-steep-northwest-natural-rate-hikes/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Berkshire-Owned PacifiCorp Utility Wins Ruling That Could Reduce Oregon Wildfire Damages

2.      Washington Attorney General Challenges ‘Steep’ Northwest Natural Rate Hikes

3.      Judge Puts Legal Challenge to NV Energy’s Peak Demand Charge on April Docket

4.      California: New Bill Aims to Cut Electric Rates by 30% & Pay Wildfire Survivors

5.      Utilities Ask Federal Regulators to Speed Up Power Line Projects

6.      Tennessee Valley Authority Board Could Move Quickly to Replace Don Moul as CEO

7.      Alaska: Woman Accused of Using Extension Cord to Steal Neighbor’s Electricity

8.      Balcony Solar: A New Kind of Solar Is Taking Off — With Utah Leading the Way

9.      Where Does Balcony Solar Stand in Your State?

10.   There’s Hope for the Offshore Wind Industry — Yes, Really

11.   The Heat Pump Water Heater Payoff: Here’s How to Crunch the Numbers

12.   Bay Area Startup Introduces Flat-Rate, Single-Room Heat Pumps

13.   Paywall Advisory: Seattle Reaches $4 Billion Deal to Keep Skagit River Dams, Truck Salmon

14.   Judge Takes Up Tribe’s Push to Expand Columbia River Fishing Rights Case

15.   Endangered Salmon Returned to California’s Far North — Then the Money Dried Up

16.   Canada: Feds' $412.9 Million Renewal of Pacific Salmon Initiative Cautiously Welcomed

17.   Pacific Northwest Starts to Feel the Heat Following Un-Snowy Winter

18.   A Winter without Snow Depletes Europe’s Clean Energy Reservoir

19.   March Smashes Record as Most Abnormally Hot Month for Continental US, Federal Meteorologists Say

20.   Rising Energy Prices Could Spell Trouble for Telcos

21.   New FCC Actions to Streamline Retirement of Copper Networks

22.   NERC Is ‘Actively Monitoring the Grid’ Following Iran-Linked Cyber Threat

23.   Iranian-Affiliated Cyber Actors Exploit Programmable Logic Controllers Across U.S. Critical Infrastructure

24.   California: Imperial County Supervisors Clear Path for Massive Data Center Complex Amid Fierce Opposition

25.   Idaho Legislature Leaves Big Tax Breaks for Data Centers on the Books. A California Company Eyeing Large Data Center Could Use Them

26.   Satellite Data Shows Earth Is Getting Ever Brighter at Night

27.   Photos Show Stunning Views of the Moon & Earth from the Artemis II Mission

28.   President Proposes Cutting Energy Programs in 2027 Budget, Including LIHEAP

29.   Washington Association of Wheat Growers Discusses High Costs, Profitability, Dams with Governor, White House

30.   Report Warns Washington's Affordability Crisis Is Accelerating as Climbing Costs Persist

31.   Washington DOT Holds Ceremony for 61 Employees Killed in Work Zones Since 1950

32.   Guest Essay: Energy Affordability Endangered by WA Environmental Laws

33.   Guest Essay: The High Cost of Olympia’s Hidden Utility Tax

Word of the Day

Lachrymose \ LACK-rim-mose\ Adjective – 1: given to tears or weeping: tearful 2: tending to cause tears: mournful.

Tad’s ad campaign for a new variety of onions was not doing well. After having sold the DeBarto Onion Company on the popular theme “An Onion a Day Keeps Your Spouse Away,” he embarked on a new campaign for “Lachrymose Free Onions, They’re All Wet”. His fellow executives were not amused.

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Berkshire-Owned PacifiCorp Utility Wins Ruling That Could Reduce Oregon Wildfire Damages (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/berkshire-owned-pacificorp-utility-wins-ruling-that-could-reduce-oregon-wildfire-damages/ar-AA20rxXi

2.      Washington Attorney General Challenges ‘Steep’ Northwest Natural Rate Hikes (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/washington/washington-attorney-general-challenges-steep-northwest-natural-rate-hikes/

3.      Judge Puts Legal Challenge to NV Energy’s Peak Demand Charge on April Docket (Nevada Current)

https://nevadacurrent.com/briefs/judge-puts-legal-challenge-to-nv-energys-peak-demand-charge-on-april-docket/

4.      California: New Bill Aims to Cut Electric Rates by 30% & Pay Wildfire Survivors (KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://fox40.com/news/california-connection/new-bill-aims-to-cut-electric-rates-by-30-and-pay-wildfire-survivors/

5.      Utilities Ask Federal Regulators to Speed Up Power Line Projects (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/policy/51786-utilities-ask-federal-regulators-to-speed-up-power-line-projects/

6.      Tennessee Valley Authority Board Could Move Quickly to Replace Don Moul as CEO (Knoxville News-Sentinel, TN – Via Yahoo!)

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/energy/articles/tva-board-could-move-quickly-090810257.html

7.      Alaska: Woman Accused of Using Extension Cord to Steal Neighbor’s Electricity (KTUU-TV, Juneau, AK)

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/04/06/woman-accused-using-extension-cord-steal-neighbors-electricity/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

8.      Balcony Solar: A New Kind of Solar Is Taking Off — With Utah Leading the Way (KNVU Radio, Logan, UT)

https://kvnutalk.com/a-new-kind-of-solar-is-taking-off-with-utah-leading-the-way/

9.      Where Does Balcony Solar Stand in Your State? (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/states-passing-balcony-solar-laws

10.   There’s Hope for the Offshore Wind Industry — Yes, Really (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/energy/offshore-wind-court-interior-permitting-reform-congress/

Conservation & Efficiency

11.   The Heat Pump Water Heater Payoff: Here’s How to Crunch the Numbers (Washington Post – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-heat-pump-water-heater-payoff-here-s-how-to-crunch-the-numbers/ar-AA20jTE7

12.   Bay Area Startup Introduces Flat-Rate, Single-Room Heat Pumps (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/heat-pumps/merino-energy-launch-appliance-california

Fish & Wildlife

13.   Paywall Advisory: Seattle Reaches $4 Billion Deal to Keep Skagit River Dams, Truck Salmon (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/seattle-reaches-4b-deal-to-keep-skagit-river-dams-truck-salmon/

14.   Judge Takes Up Tribe’s Push to Expand Columbia River Fishing Rights Case (Courthouse News Service)

https://courthousenews.com/judge-takes-up-tribes-push-to-expand-columbia-river-fishing-rights-case/

15.   Endangered Salmon Returned to California’s Far North — Then the Money Dried Up (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/chinook-salmon-restoration-funding-california-mccloud-river-ad5bafdfb4297d3ed8b7a914dde794a1

16.   Canada: Feds' $412.9 Million Renewal of Pacific Salmon Initiative Cautiously Welcomed (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/pacific-salmon-initiative-announcement-9.7155534?cmp=rss

Water, Water, Anywhere?

17.   Pacific Northwest Starts to Feel the Heat Following Un-Snowy Winter (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/northwest-starts-to-feel-heat-following-un-snowy-winter

18.   A Winter without Snow Depletes Europe’s Clean Energy Reservoir (Bloomberg News – Via DNYUZ)

https://dnyuz.com/2026/04/07/a-winter-without-snow-depletes-europes-clean-energy-reservoir/

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

19.   March Smashes Record as Most Abnormally Hot Month for Continental US, Federal Meteorologists Say (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/march-smashes-record-as-most-abnormally-hot-month-a22195839

London Calling –Telecommunications

20.   Rising Energy Prices Could Spell Trouble for Telcos (Fierce Network)

https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/rising-energy-prices-could-spell-trouble-telcos

21.   New FCC Actions to Streamline Retirement of Copper Networks (Broadband Communities)

https://bbcmag.com/new-fcc-actions-to-streamline-retirement-of-copper-networks/

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

22.   NERC Is ‘Actively Monitoring the Grid’ Following Iran-Linked Cyber Threat (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nerc-cisa-iran-war-cyber-hacking/816914/

23.   Iranian-Affiliated Cyber Actors Exploit Programmable Logic Controllers Across U.S. Critical Infrastructure (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/iranian-affiliated-cyber-actors-exploit-programmable-logic-controllers-across-us-critical

HAL’s Internet Café

24.   California: Imperial County Supervisors Clear Path for Massive Data Center Complex Amid Fierce Opposition (KPBS Broadcasting, San Diego, CA)

https://www.kpbs.org/news/environment/2026/04/07/imperial-county-supervisors-clear-path-for-massive-data-center-complex-amid-fierce-opposition

25.   Idaho Legislature Leaves Big Tax Breaks for Data Centers on the Books. A California Company Eyeing Large Data Center Could Use Them (BoiseDEV)

https://boisedev.com/news/2026/03/16/data-micron-exemption/

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

26.   Satellite Data Shows Earth Is Getting Ever Brighter at Night (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/science/satellite-data-shows-earth-is-getting-ever-brighter-night-2026-04-08/

27.   Photos Show Stunning Views of the Moon & Earth from the Artemis II Mission (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/artemis-moon-astronauts-earthset-photos-6e4a3f6bbb29d6a4d5628bf0c5cebda8

Politics, Governance, and Management

28.   President Proposes Cutting Energy Programs in 2027 Budget, Including LIHEAP (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/president-proposes-cutting-energy-programs-2027-budget

29.   Washington Association of Wheat Growers Discusses High Costs, Profitability, Dams with Governor, White House  (Capital Press – Paywall Advisory)

https://capitalpress.com/2026/04/07/wawg-discusses-high-costs-profitability-dams-with-governor-white-house/

Other Things to Know About Today

30.   Report Warns Washington's Affordability Crisis Is Accelerating as Climbing Costs Persist (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/2026-washington-affordability-crisis-report-housing-utilities-food-transportation-household-budgets-consumer-spending-costs-prices-we-pay

31.   Washington DOT Holds Ceremony for 61 Employees Killed in Work Zones Since 1950 (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/wsdot-holds-ceremony-61-employees-killed-work-zones-since-1950/TXLNHVKEKNC7HA62VX6QCUMO7M/

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

32.   Guest Essay: Energy Affordability Endangered by WA Environmental Laws (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via AOL News)

https://www.aol.com/news/energy-affordability-endangered-wa-environmental-120000407.html

33.   Guest Essay: The High Cost of Olympia’s Hidden Utility Tax (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://chronline.com/stories/commentary-the-high-cost-of-olympias-hidden-utility-tax,399795

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Eight States, Three Time Zones & a Ton of History: Take a Trip Down Route 66 as It Turns 100

https://courthousenews.com/eight-states-three-time-zones-and-a-ton-of-history-take-a-trip-down-route-66-as-it-turns-100/

Oklahoma Couple's Wedding Weekend Goes Viral for Sheltering with Volleyball Teams During Tornado

https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-couple-indian-wedding-shelter-volleyball-teams-tornado/70944367

Car Shell Suspended on Rock Face Above British Columbia Highway in Apparent Prank

https://apnews.com/article/beetle-british-columbia-stawamus-chief-prank-university-ba1a96169c7898aa90bc7cee794917c5

Canada: Two Fighting Bald Eagles Freed from Power Line in Surrey

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fighting-bald-eagles-power-line-9.7154366?cmp=rss

Song of the Day

Manhattan Transfer – Route 66

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN8OaU3Sllc

Links & Paywall Advisory

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations frequently update their websites, which can cause 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 cookies may help you access certain paywall sites.

The Energy News Digest for April 6, 2026

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

California Faces Second-Worst Snowpack in Decades (Courthouse News Service)

https://courthousenews.com/california-faces-second-worst-snowpack-in-decades/

States Are Weighing Whether to Soften Climate Laws Amid High Energy Prices (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-04-06/state-lawmakers-weigh-weakening-climate-laws-as-iran-war-drives-up-energy-prices

Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Gets Final Go-Ahead to Run Through 2030 (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/diablo-canyon-gets-final-ahead-235902521.html

Public Comment Extended on Future of Offshore Wind in Oregon, Including None at All (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/03/oregon-offshore-wind-public-comment-extended/

More Oregon Water for Google’s Data Centers, More Concern Over Secrecy (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2026/04/more-oregon-water-for-googles-data-centers-more-concern-over-secrecy.html

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Gets Final Go-Ahead to Run Through 2030

2.      Rocky Mountain Power Customers in Idaho Should See Rate Decrease This Year

3.      Low-Voltage Utility Elections Face Surge of Attention as Electricity Bills Rise

4.      Proposed Federal Rule Could Weaken Tribal Input on Hydropower Permits, Navajo Groups Say

5.      Southwest Power Pool, Utilities Successfully Complete Western Expansion

6.      California: Squirrel Damages Pacific Gas & Electric Pole, Causing Widespread Outages, Fire in Auburn

7.      Regulators, Utilities Urge Contacting 811 as Spring Projects Surge

8.      Public Comment Extended on Future of Offshore Wind in Oregon, Including None at All

9.      Solar Installations Fell 22% in 2025: FERC

10.   News Release: Commerce Invests More Than $60 Million In Clean Energy & Grid Resilience Projects Across 32 Washington Counties

11.   Southeast Alaska’s Treaty-Determined Chinook Salmon Catch Limit Returns to Normal Levels

12.   Whale Death in Willapa River Follows Troubling Trend of Gray Whale Deaths in Washington

13.   Warming Winters Lead to More Nitrate Pollution in Drinking Water Near Farms

14.   EPA Moves to Designate Microplastics & Pharmaceuticals as Contaminants in Drinking Water

15.   California Faces Second-Worst Snowpack in Decades

16.   Idaho Snowpack Hit Historic Lows, Raising Summer Water Concerns

17.   Washington Impacts from Four Years of Low Snowpack

18.   States Are Weighing Whether to Soften Climate Laws Amid High Energy Prices

19.   Climate Hopes Dim in New York Even as Western States Join on Cap-And-Trade

20.   Open for Public Comment: Transformational Integrated Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions Project Draft Gap Measures & Scenarios for Analysis

21.   Best States for Working from Home – 2026

22.   More Oregon Water for Google’s Data Centers, More Concern Over Secrecy

23.   WA State: Several Agricultural, Data Center Issues Began in Quincy

24.   NorthWestern Energy Files Data Center Tariff Proposal

25.   WA State Rebate Program for E-Bike Purchases Returns with More Funding Available, Longer Awarding Period

26.   Oregon: Want an E-Bike? Portland Has a New Rebate Program for Low-Income Residents

27.   AP Says It Will Offer Buyouts as Part of Pivot Away from Newspaper Journalism

28.   Canadian Retiree Builds Home Hydropower System That Generates 36 kWh of Daily Electricity from River Flow

29.   Judges Are Increasingly Using Artificial Intelligence to Draft Rulings & Prepare for Hearings

30.   Why Seattle Gas Could Hit $10 a Gallon

31.   UCLA Rolls Past South Carolina for First NCAA Women’s National Championship

32.   What to Watch for in Monday’s Men’s NCAA Championship Basketball Game

33.   ‘We Are Moving Too Fast’: Todd Myers Says Clean Energy Laws Drove Puget Sound Energy’s 30% Rate Hike

Word of the Day

Drollery /DROLE-er-ee/ Noun - 1: something that is droll, especially: a comic picture or drawing 2: the act or an instance of jesting or burlesquing 3: whimsical humor.

     Puns are lots of fun

     Drollery in small doses

     They make my sides ache

https://joelshorriblehaiku.blogspot.com/2026/04/laughter-best-medicine.html

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Gets Final Go-Ahead to Run Through 2030 (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/diablo-canyon-gets-final-ahead-235902521.html

2.      Rocky Mountain Power Customers in Idaho Should See Rate Decrease This Year (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/51749-rocky-mountain-power-customers-in-idaho-should-see-rate-decrease-this-year/

3.      Low-Voltage Utility Elections Face Surge of Attention as Electricity Bills Rise (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/energy-politics-electricity-bills-data-centers-arizona-alabama-c4c3719bf4d7ccf6f2c85373ddee1e40

4.      Proposed Federal Rule Could Weaken Tribal Input on Hydropower Permits, Navajo Groups Say (Tribal Business News)

https://tribalbusinessnews.com/sections/energy/15566-proposed-federal-rule-could-weaken-tribal-input-on-hydropower-permits-navajo-groups-say

5.      Southwest Power Pool, Utilities Successfully Complete Western Expansion (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/spp-utilities-successfully-complete-western-expansion

6.      California: Squirrel Damages Pacific Gas & Electric Pole, Causing Widespread Outages, Fire in Auburn (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/squirrel-damages-pge-pole-outages-fire-easter-sunday/70937157

7.      Regulators, Utilities Urge Contacting 811 as Spring Projects Surge (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/51718-regulators-utilities-urge-contacting-811-as-spring-projects-surge/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

8.      Public Comment Extended on Future of Offshore Wind in Oregon, Including None at All (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/03/oregon-offshore-wind-public-comment-extended/

9.      Solar Installations Fell 22% in 2025: FERC (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/solar-installations-fell-2024-2025-ferc-wind-gas/816319/

10.   News Release: Commerce Invests More Than $60 Million In Clean Energy & Grid Resilience Projects Across 32 Washington Counties (WA Dept. of Commerce)

https://www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-invests-more-than-60-million-in-clean-energy-and-grid-resilience-projects-across-32-washington-counties/

Fish & Wildlife

11.   Southeast Alaska’s Treaty-Determined Chinook Salmon Catch Limit Returns to Normal Levels (Alaska Beacon)

https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/southeast-alaskas-treaty-determined-chinook-salmon-catch-limit-returns-to-normal-levels/

12.   Whale Death in Willapa River Follows Troubling Trend of Gray Whale Deaths in Washington (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/juvenile-gray-whale-willapa-river-dies/281-885e4df1-e94b-47f4-ba31-1d599b39bb18

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

13.   Warming Winters Lead to More Nitrate Pollution in Drinking Water Near Farms (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/warming-winters-lead-more-nitrate-151946165.html

14.   EPA Moves to Designate Microplastics & Pharmaceuticals as Contaminants in Drinking Water (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/pokemon-cards-igniting-international-crime-spree/70932982

Water, Water, Anywhere?

15.   California Faces Second-Worst Snowpack in Decades (Courthouse News Service)

https://courthousenews.com/california-faces-second-worst-snowpack-in-decades/

16.   Idaho Snowpack Hit Historic Lows, Raising Summer Water Concerns (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.khq.com/news/idaho-snowpack-hit-historic-lows-raising-summer-water-concerns/article_8e8eca38-1b9a-478b-a953-0d93e7f2cc8d.html

17.   Washington Impacts from Four Years of Low Snowpack (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/impacts-4-years-low-snowpack/Y5IALITHBVDVBHOL5F7JMDR7QY/

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

18.   States Are Weighing Whether to Soften Climate Laws Amid High Energy Prices (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-04-06/state-lawmakers-weigh-weakening-climate-laws-as-iran-war-drives-up-energy-prices

19.   Climate Hopes Dim in New York Even as Western States Join on Cap-And-Trade (Stateline)

https://stateline.org/2026/04/02/climate-hopes-dim-in-new-york-even-as-western-states-join-on-cap-and-trade/

20.   Open for Public Comment: Transformational Integrated Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions Project Draft Gap Measures & Scenarios for Analysis (Oregon Dept of Energy – Links to PDF File)

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59c554e0f09ca40655ea6eb0/t/69bc83af0609584c6dfcc9d5/1773962160757/2026-TIGHGER2-Draft-Gap-Measures-Scenarios-Updated.pdf

London Calling –Telecommunications

21.   Best States for Working from Home – 2026 (WalletHub)

https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-for-working-from-home/72801

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

22.   More Oregon Water for Google’s Data Centers, More Concern Over Secrecy (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2026/04/more-oregon-water-for-googles-data-centers-more-concern-over-secrecy.html

23.   WA State: Several Agricultural, Data Center Issues Began in Quincy (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/topics/return_to_quincy/several-agricultural-data-center-issues-began-in-quincy/article_880e796d-b34a-41f3-8733-be6e9e6de6c0.html

HAL’s Internet Café

24.   NorthWestern Energy Files Data Center Tariff Proposal (The Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2026/04/02/northwestern-energy-files-data-center-tariff-proposal/

I Sing the Car Electric

25.   WA State Rebate Program for E-Bike Purchases Returns with More Funding Available, Longer Awarding Period (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/apr/06/state-rebate-program-for-e-bike-purchases-returns-/

26.   Oregon: Want an E-Bike? Portland Has a New Rebate Program for Low-Income Residents (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/portland/city-introduces-new-e-bike-rebate-program/

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

27.   AP Says It Will Offer Buyouts as Part of Pivot Away from Newspaper Journalism (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/news-industry-buyouts-ap-newspapers-dd790effc6a385514b3323560161ea4f

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

28.   Canadian Retiree Builds Home Hydropower System That Generates 36 kWh of Daily Electricity from River Flow (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/techandscience/canadian-retiree-builds-home-hydropower-system-that-generates-36-kwh-of-daily-electricity-from-river-flow/ar-AA20054D

Politics, Governance, and Management

29.   Judges Are Increasingly Using Artificial Intelligence to Draft Rulings & Prepare for Hearings (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/apr/05/judges-are-increasingly-using-ai-to-draft-rulings-/

Other Things to Know About Today

30.   Why Seattle Gas Could Hit $10 a Gallon (Axios, Seattle)

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/02/washington-gas-prices-10-dollars-gallon-strait-of-hormuz-oil-supply-iran-war

31.   UCLA Rolls Past South Carolina for First NCAA Women’s National Championship (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ucla-rolls-past-south-carolina-for-first-ncaa-womens-national-championship/ar-AA20d0XA

32.   What to Watch for in Monday’s Men’s NCAA Championship Basketball Game (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/05/nx-s1-5771779/what-to-watch-for-in-mondays-ncaa-championship-game

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

33.   ‘We Are Moving Too Fast’: Todd Myers Says Clean Energy Laws Drove Puget Sound Energy’s 30% Rate Hike (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-radio/puget-sound-energy-pse-bill/4224610

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Father, Son Make Cross-Country Trek to Visit Every MLB Ballpark for Cancer Awareness

https://www.kcra.com/article/father-son-cross-country-every-mlb-ballpark-cancer-awareness/70937990

Scientists Discovered an Entire Island Made of Ancient Humans’ Leftover Food

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/scientists-discovered-entire-island-made-180000644.html

Pokémon Cards Are Igniting an International Crime Spree

https://www.kcra.com/article/pokemon-cards-igniting-international-crime-spree/70932982

A Priceless Ancient Golden Helmet Stolen from a Dutch Museum Is Recovered

https://courthousenews.com/a-priceless-ancient-golden-helmet-stolen-from-a-dutch-museum-is-recovered/

Song of the Day

James Horner – Field of Dreams Overture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltOge9h_Ffk

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