The Energy News Digest

Monday, July 20, 2026

The Energy News Digest for July 20, 2026

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest.

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) will deliver breaking news throughout the week so you can stay informed.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest to keep up with the latest updates.

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

Build Your Leadership Skills in Spokane

If you are a supervisor or manager, or planning to step into a leadership role, it’s time to plan to attend NWPPA’s Leadership Skills Series. Starting in September, NWPPA will offer four Leadership Skills Series courses in Spokane, Washington: Challenging Communication (Sept. 15-16), HR Basics and Building a More Effective Workplace (Oct. 6-7), Understanding SLII Work Styles (Nov. 3-4), and Supervising Union Employees (Dec. 8-9). The early-bird rate for Challenging Communication ends Aug. 1, so don’t wait to register.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Cargill: Washington State Wants Another Dam Study – But It Doesn’t Want an Honest Answer (KTTH Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://seattlered.com/energy/cargill-washington-state-wants-another-dam-study-but-it-doesnt-want-an-honest-answer/4119477

Utility Company Pays $314 Million to Eaton Fire Victims (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_682143d8-b0c0-4a15-8e03-ff40d7034ff5.html

Judge: Lummi Nation Must Be Told of Telecommunications Work at Point Roberts Amid Burial Grounds Lawsuit (Cascadia Daily)

https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/jul/16/judge-lummi-nation-must-be-told-of-work-at-point-roberts-amid-burial-grounds-lawsuit/

California Threatens Lawsuit Over Federal Offshore Wind Lease Buyouts (KRCR-TV, Redding, CA)

https://krcrtv.com/news/local/california-threatens-lawsuit-over-federal-offshore-wind-lease-buyouts

Renters: Know Your New Portable Air Conditioning Rights as WA Heatwave Approaches (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/renters-know-your-new-portable-air-conditioning-rights-as-wa-heatwave-approaches-washington-heat-temperature-risk-safety-exhaustion-stroke-death-air-conditioning-apartment-unit-renting-landlord-hvac-installation

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. Cargill: Washington State Wants Another Dam Study – But It Doesn’t Want an Honest

2. Request for Proposals: Lower Snake River Energy Replacement Analysis

3. Utility Company Pays $314 Million to Eaton Fire Victims

4. Gold Mining Company Sues to Re-Route Portion of $1.5 Billion Oregon Boardman-To-Hemingway Transmission Line

5. British Columbia First Nations Explore If Nuclear Power Could Meet Province’s Electricity Needs

6. Natural Gas Supplies ‘Not Looking Good’ for Southcentral Alaska This Winter, Enstar Says

7. New York Imports More Electricity from Canada After High-Voltage Transmission Line Opens

8. House, Senate Committees Approve WRDA Bills

9. FERC Fast-Tracks Reviews to Accelerate Actions at Hydropower Projects

10. All 50 U.S. States Ranked by Power Consumption in Eye-Opening New Data

11. California Threatens Lawsuit Over Federal Offshore Wind Lease Buyouts

12. Central Valley Farmers Reluctantly Turn to Solar as Water Supplies Dry Up

13. An Old-School Geothermal Giant Rides the Tech’s Newfound Popularity

14. All That Wildfire Smoke Sent New England’s Solar Production Plummeting

15. Puget Sound Energy Says Clean Energy Surpassed 50% Of Power Supply in Latest Compliance Report

16. Renters: Know Your New Portable Air Conditioning Rights as WA Heatwave Approaches

17. Thieves Stealing Air-Conditioning Units in Pasadena, Police Say

18. Why Did Energy-Saving Tips Disappear from the U.S. Energy Department Website?

19. ‘Real Consequences’: Washington Congresswoman Questions Bonneville for Ending Salmon Hatchery Funds

20. Majority of U.S. Voters Link Extreme Weather to Climate Crisis, Study

21. Judge: Lummi Nation Must Be Told of Telecommunications Work at Point Roberts Amid Burial Grounds Lawsuit

22. Data Center Opponents Stage 142 Protests Across 42 U.S. States

23. Without Tax Credits, EV Sales Are Searching for a

24. Significant Heat Arrives in Portland This Week: What to Know

25. Heat Wave Pushes Western Washington into High Wildfire Danger as Temps Near

26. Montana: Weather Forecast: Hot with Thunderstorm Chances This Week

27. ‘Long & Dangerous’ Heatwave Forecast for Southern California This Week

28. Is Portland at Risk for Urban Wildfire? A Local Expert Who Analyzed Los Angeles Fires Thinks So

29. Guest Essay: Powering Artificial Intelligence – The Bonneville Power Administration Must Play a Critical Role

30. Guest Essay: Why Data Centers Are Part of the Solution for Our Power

31. Guest Essay: New BPA Leader Must Find Balance Between Modernization, Conservation

Word of the Day

Surd \SERD\ Adjective - 1: lacking sense: irrational 2: voiceless - used of speech sounds.

Surd – Description of a person afraid of radio waves from Wi-Fi transmitters who calls “Papa Murphy’s” on their cellphone to place a pickup order for a family-sized cowboy pizza on de-light crust. Then spends the next half hour on the cell phone (while driving to the store) talking about their upcoming twentieth tanning session.

Word Origin via Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Both “surd” and its more common cousin “absurd” come from the Latin word “surdus,” meaning “unhearing, deaf, muffled, or dull.”

Energy & Utility Issues

1. Cargill: Washington State Wants Another Dam Study – But It Doesn’t Want an Honest Answer (KTTH Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://seattlered.com/energy/cargill-washington-state-wants-another-dam-study-but-it-doesnt-want-an-honest-answer/4119477

2. Request for Proposals: Lower Snake River Energy Replacement Analysis (WA Dept. Of Commerce)

https://www.commerce.wa.gov/funding/request-for-proposals-lower-snake-river-energy-replacement-analysis/

3. Utility Company Pays $314 Million to Eaton Fire Victims (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_682143d8-b0c0-4a15-8e03-ff40d7034ff5.html

4. Gold Mining Company Sues to Re-Route Portion of $1.5 Billion Oregon Boardman-To-Hemingway Transmission Line (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/07/15/gold-mining-company-sues-to-re-route-portion-of-oregon-transmission-line/

5. British Columbia First Nations Explore If Nuclear Power Could Meet Province’s Electricity Needs (Global News, Canada)

https://globalnews.ca/news/11970664/bc-first-nations-explore-nuclear-power/

6. Natural Gas Supplies ‘Not Looking Good’ for Southcentral Alaska This Winter, Enstar Says (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/alaska-natural-gas-supplies-storage-winter-0fa50ae946943cd55606a4328184bb58

7. New York Imports More Electricity from Canada After High-Voltage Transmission Line Opens (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67867

8. House, Senate Committees Approve WRDA Bills (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/house-senate-committees-approve-wrda-bills

9. FERC Fast-Tracks Reviews to Accelerate Actions at Hydropower Projects (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/ferc-fast-tracks-reviews-accelerate-actions-hydropower-projects

10. All 50 U.S. States Ranked by Power Consumption in Eye-Opening New Data (Unilad Tech)

https://www.uniladtech.com/news/ai/all-us-states-ranked-power-consumption-data-centers-500912-20260714

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

11. California Threatens Lawsuit Over Federal Offshore Wind Lease Buyouts (KRCR-TV, Redding, CA)

https://krcrtv.com/news/local/california-threatens-lawsuit-over-federal-offshore-wind-lease-buyouts

12. Central Valley Farmers Reluctantly Turn to Solar as Water Supplies Dry Up (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/water-restrictions-hit-farmers-solar-100000309.html

13. An Old-School Geothermal Giant Rides the Tech’s Newfound Popularity (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/geothermal/ormat-next-gen-geothermal-popularity

14. All That Wildfire Smoke Sent New England’s Solar Production Plummeting (WBUR Radio, Boston, MA)

https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/07/16/wildfire-smoke-climate-change-solar-panels-production-iso-new-england

15. Puget Sound Energy Says Clean Energy Surpassed 50% Of Power Supply in Latest Compliance Report (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/53093-pse-says-clean-energy-surpassed-50-of-power-supply-in-latest-compliance-report/

Conservation & Efficiency

16. Renters: Know Your New Portable Air Conditioning Rights as WA Heatwave Approaches (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

17. Thieves Stealing Air-Conditioning Units in Pasadena, Police Say (KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/thieves-stealing-air-conditioning-units-in-pasadena-police-say/

18. Why Did Energy-Saving Tips Disappear from the U.S. Energy Department Website? (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/politics/energy-department-saving-disappear-website/

Fish & Wildlife

19. ‘Real Consequences’: Washington Congresswoman Questions Bonneville for Ending Salmon Hatchery Funds (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/real-consequences-washington-congresswoman-questions-224117245.html

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

20. Majority of U.S. Voters Link Extreme Weather to Climate Crisis, Study Finds (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/majority-us-voters-extreme-weather-110026917.html

London Calling –Telecommunications

21. Judge: Lummi Nation Must Be Told of Telecommunications Work at Point Roberts Amid Burial Grounds Lawsuit (Cascadia Daily)

https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/jul/16/judge-lummi-nation-must-be-told-of-work-at-point-roberts-amid-burial-grounds-lawsuit/

HAL’s Internet Café

22. Data Center Opponents Stage 142 Protests Across 42 U.S. States (Reuters – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/us-data-center-protests-national-100647987.html

I Sing the Car Electric

23. Without Tax Credits, EV Sales Are Searching for a Spark (Inside Climate News)

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/16072026/inside-clean-energy-us-ev-sales/

Whither the Weather

24. Significant Heat Arrives in Portland This Week: What to Know (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/weather/significant-heat-arrives-in-portland-this-week-what-to-know/

25. Heat Wave Pushes Western Washington into High Wildfire Danger as Temps Near 90 (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/heat-wave-pushes-western-washington-into-high-wildfire-danger-as-temps-near-90-noaa-temperature-fire-smoke-risk-evacuation-house-camping-outdoors-recreation-summer-weather-forecast

26. Montana: Weather Forecast: Hot with Thunderstorm Chances This Week (KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT)

https://www.kpax.com/weather/weather-forecast-hot-with-thunderstorm-chances-this-week

27. ‘Long & Dangerous’ Heatwave Forecast for Southern California This Week (KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://ktla.com/weather/long-and-dangerous-heatwave-forecast-for-southern-california-this-week/

28. Is Portland at Risk for Urban Wildfire? A Local Expert Who Analyzed Los Angeles Fires Thinks So (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2026/07/is-portland-at-risk-for-urban-wildfire-a-local-expert-who-analyzed-los-angeles-fires-thinks-so.html

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

29. Guest Essay: Powering Artificial Intelligence – The Bonneville Power Administration Must Play a Critical Role (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/opinion/article_1b3a1d4c-5857-443a-8fe8-2e1d5d767729.html

30. Guest Essay: Why Data Centers Are Part of the Solution for Our Power Grid (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/energy/articles/why-data-centers-part-solution-120000902.html

31. Guest Essay: New BPA Leader Must Find Balance Between Modernization, Conservation (Seattle Times, WA – Via Save Our Wild Salmon)

https://www.wildsalmon.org/news-and-media/opinion/bpa-must-balance-modernization-conservation.html

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Viral Seattle Raccoon ‘Jimothy’ Inspires Mural, Tattoos & Seattle Proclamation

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/viral-raccoon-jimothy-inspires-mural-tattoos-and-seattle-proclamation/281-647f5fc4-fc95-4bfd-b90b-7aa39feb859b

Portland Secures Guinness World Record for Largest E-Bike Ride

https://www.koin.com/positivelyportland/photos-portland-secures-guinness-world-record-for-largest-e-bike-ride/

Inflatable Dinosaurs Race at Emerald Downs, in Photos

https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/trex-races-photos-948e4e7a95dbc254bf86710da684e1fd

Face-to-Face with Ancient Rome: Exhibition in Hungary Brings Forgotten Faces to Life

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/face-to-face-with-ancient-rome-exhibition-in-a22345881

Song of the Day

The Beatles – Rocky Raccoon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqA4ZiQaGtU

Links & Paywall Advisory

The links in The Energy News Digest point to current news stories. Since media websites are updated often, some links might stop working over time.

I try to select stories that you can read without a subscription. Your experience may be different. The news source will let you know if there might be a paywall. Clearing your browser history and cookies can sometimes help you access these sites.

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

The Energy News Digest for July 15, 2026

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest.

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) will deliver breaking news throughout the week so you can stay informed.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest to keep up with the latest updates.

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

Build Your Leadership Skills in Spokane

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

As Colorado River & Tributaries Shrink, A Public Power System Frays (States Newsroom)

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/colorado-river-and-tributaries-shrink-public-power-system-frays

California: Pacific Gas & Electric Warns of Possible Bay Area, Central Coast Power Shutoffs Because of Heat, Wind Conditions (CBS News)

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/pge-public-safety-power-shutoffs-northern-california-july-15-16/

Endangered Species: Trump Administration Sued by Environmental Groups for Rescinding Definition of ‘Harm’ (Reuters)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-administration-sued-environmental-groups-204225015.html

Your Next Home Energy Upgrade Could Be Funded by Oregon Polluters (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2026/07/your-next-home-energy-upgrade-could-be-funded-by-oregon-polluters.html

Thunderstorms & Rain Coming to the Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2026/07/thunderstorms-and-rain-coming-to.html

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. As Colorado River & Tributaries Shrink, A Public Power System Frays

2. California: Pacific Gas & Electric Warns of Possible Bay Area, Central Coast Power Shutoffs Because of Heat, Wind Conditions

3. News Release: Seattle City Council Passes Strauss Proposal to Dramatically Reduce Utility Costs for 31,000 Low-Income Households

4. The Bonneville Power Administration Raises Electric Costs Across the Board

5. Alaska: Natural Gas Supplies ‘Not Looking Good’ For Southcentral This Winter, Enstar

6. Relief from Energy Bills Unlikely as Utilities Request Billions in Rate Hikes

7. NRECA CEO Jim Matheson Urges Quick Action from Congress on FEMA Reform Bill

8. Your Next Home Energy Upgrade Could Be Funded by Oregon Polluters

9. How Hot Is Too Hot? Idaho Power Talks Thermostats, Heat Waves & Saving Money

10. New Manufactured Homes May Get More Efficient Thanks to Federal Housing Law

11. The U.S. May Be Hitting a Tipping Point for Heat Pumps

12. Endangered Species: Trump Administration Sued by Environmental Groups for Rescinding Definition of ‘Harm’

13. WA Tribes, Environmental Groups Sue Over Endangered Species Act Rule Change

14. Gray Whale Deaths Near Record Levels in Washington, Years After ‘Unusual Mortality Event’ Declared Over

15. WSU Research: Hatchery Noise May Be Hurting Chinook Salmon Return Rates

16. In U.S. West, Drought Pits Farms Against Towns, Industry in Scramble for Water

17. Amazon Plans Open House in Burbank for Walla Walla County Data Center Project

18. Montana Data Centers Should Be Regulated Separately by the PSC, Coalition Argues

19. Economists Say ‘We Must Act Now’ on Artificial Intelligence’s Economic Impact, Job Displacement Risks

20. The Data Center Boom Is Pushing into Native American Land

21. Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Has a Math Problem

22. YouTube Joins Meta in Appealing a Jury Verdict That Faulted Them for Users’ Social Media Addiction

23. The US Approves Launch of Mirror Satellite That Can Reflect Sunlight and Illuminate the Earth at Night

24. U.S. House Subcommittee Advances Six Nuclear Bills to Streamline NRC Licensing; Democrats Tie Support to Agency Independence

25. Thunderstorms & Rain Coming to the Northwest

26. ‘Very Strong’ El Niño Predicted in 2026. What Does It Mean for WA Weather?

27. What to Know About Cyclosporiasis, The Intestinal Illness Hitting the U.S.

28. U.S. House Passes Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

29. Guest Essay: Why Oregon Needs a Strong Climate Protection Program

History’s Mysteries

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Rosetta Stone

On this date – July 15, 1799 – the Rosetta Stone was rediscovered

. https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/everything-you-ever-wanted-know-about-rosetta-stone

Energy & Utility Issues

1. As Colorado River & Tributaries Shrink, A Public Power System Frays (States Newsroom)

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/colorado-river-and-tributaries-shrink-public-power-system-frays

2. California: Pacific Gas & Electric Warns of Possible Bay Area, Central Coast Power Shutoffs Because of Heat, Wind Conditions (CBS News)

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/pge-public-safety-power-shutoffs-northern-california-july-15-16/

3. News Release: Seattle City Council Passes Strauss Proposal to Dramatically Reduce Utility Costs for 31,000 Low-Income Households (Seattle City Council Blog, WA)

https://council.seattle.gov/2026/07/14/city-council-passes-strauss-proposal-to-dramatically-reduce-utility-costs-for-31000-low-income-households/

4. The Bonneville Power Administration Raises Electric Costs Across the Board (Columbia Gorge News, Hood River, OR)

https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/bpa-raises-electric-costs-across-the-board/article_a318c392-57b2-4827-ab5f-78be53a76b67.html

5. Alaska: Natural Gas Supplies ‘Not Looking Good’ For Southcentral This Winter, Enstar Says (Alaska Public Media)

https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/2026-07-15/natural-gas-supplies-not-looking-good-for-southcentral-this-winter-enstar-says

6. Relief from Energy Bills Unlikely as Utilities Request Billions in Rate Hikes (States Newsroom)

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/relief-energy-bills-unlikely-utilities-request-billions-rate-hikes

7. NRECA CEO Jim Matheson Urges Quick Action from Congress on FEMA Reform Bill (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

https://www.electric.coop/nreca-ceo-jim-matheson-urges-quick-action-from-congress-on-fema-reform-bill

Conservation & Efficiency

8. Your Next Home Energy Upgrade Could Be Funded by Oregon Polluters (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2026/07/your-next-home-energy-upgrade-could-be-funded-by-oregon-polluters.html

9. How Hot Is Too Hot? Idaho Power Talks Thermostats, Heat Waves & Saving Money (Boise State Public Radio, ID)

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/weather/2026-07-15/heat-wave-idaho-power-thermostat-cool-credit-hot-boise

10. New Manufactured Homes May Get More Efficient Thanks to Federal Housing Law (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/energy-efficiency/new-manufactured-homes-housing-law

11. The U.S. May Be Hitting a Tipping Point for Heat Pumps (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/energy/the-us-may-be-hitting-a-tipping-point-for-heat-pumps/

Fish & Wildlife

12. Endangered Species: Trump Administration Sued by Environmental Groups for Rescinding Definition of ‘Harm’ (Reuters)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-administration-sued-environmental-groups-204225015.html

13. WA Tribes, Environmental Groups Sue Over Endangered Species Act Rule Change (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-07-15/wa-tribes-environmental-groups-sue-over-endangered-species-act-rule-change

14. Gray Whale Deaths Near Record Levels in Washington, Years After ‘Unusual Mortality Event’ Declared Over (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/gray-whale-deaths-near-record-levels-in-washington-years-after-unusual-mortality-event-declared-over/281-4baf35fc-9da2-407a-bb28-7c565bed9831

15. WSU Research: Hatchery Noise May Be Hurting Chinook Salmon Return Rates (The Daily Fly)

https://www.dailyfly.com/2026/07/08/wsu-research-hatchery-noise-may-be-hurting-chinook-salmon-return-rates/

Water, Water Anywhere?

16. In U.S. West, Drought Pits Farms Against Towns, Industry in Scramble for Water (Reuters)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/us-west-drought-pits-farms-100526641.html

HAL’s Internet Café

17. Amazon Plans Open House in Burbank for Walla Walla County Data Center Project (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/local/governments/amazon-plans-open-house-in-burbank-for-walla-walla-county-data-center-project/article_d3e2eb11-8095-4456-bef2-10e36530c99c.html

18. Montana Data Centers Should Be Regulated Separately by the PSC, Coalition Argues (Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2026/07/14/data-centers-should-be-regulated-separately-by-the-psc-coalition-argues/

19. Economists Say ‘We Must Act Now’ on Artificial Intelligence’s Economic Impact, Job Displacement Risks (Associated Press)

https://abcnews.com/Technology/wireStory/hundreds-economists-act-now-ais-economic-impact-job-134719082

20. The Data Center Boom Is Pushing into Native American Land (Gadget Review)

https://www.gadgetreview.com/the-data-center-boom-is-pushing-into-native-american-land

I Sing the Car Electric

21. Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Has a Math Problem (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2026/07/13/nx-s1-5847025/ev-battery-recycling-economics

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

22. YouTube Joins Meta in Appealing a Jury Verdict That Faulted Them for Users’ Social Media Addiction (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/youtube-joins-meta-in-appealing-a-jury-verdict-a22346676

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

23. The US Approves Launch of Mirror Satellite That Can Reflect Sunlight and Illuminate the Earth at Night (Wired)

https://www.wired.com/story/reflect-orbital-earendil-mirror-satellite-fcc/

Politics, Governance, and Management

24. U.S. House Subcommittee Advances Six Nuclear Bills to Streamline NRC Licensing; Democrats Tie Support to Agency Independence (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/hearing-summaries/53008-house-subcommittee-advances-six-nuclear-bills-to-streamline-nrc-licensing-democrats-tie-support-to-agency-independence/

Other Things to Know About Today

25. Thunderstorms & Rain Coming to the Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2026/07/thunderstorms-and-rain-coming-to.html

26. ‘Very Strong’ El Niño Predicted in 2026. What Does It Mean for WA Weather? (Tacoma News-Tribune, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather-news/articles/very-strong-el-ni-o-120000278.html

27. What to Know About Cyclosporiasis, The Intestinal Illness Hitting the U.S. (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2026/07/12/nx-s1-5890935/cyclosporiasis-cyclospora-outbreak-diarrhea-states-us

28. U.S. House Passes Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/house-passes-bill-daylight-saving-212338096.html

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

29. Guest Essay: Why Oregon Needs a Strong Climate Protection Program (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/07/15/why-oregon-needs-a-strong-climate-protection-program/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

NASA’s New Horizons Probe Just Woke Up from Hibernation 6 Billion Miles Away Beyond Pluto. What’s It Doing Out There?

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/nasas-new-horizon-probe-just-woke-up-from-hibernation-6-billion-miles-away-beyond-pluto-whats-it-doing-out-there

It’s a Very Merry July from Denmark’s World Santa Claus Congress

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/very-merry-july-denmarks-world-145832053.html

He Saw a Pit on Google Maps. It Turned Out to Be a 390-Million-Year-Old Meteor Crater

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/meteor-crater-quebec-discovery-390-million-years-old-9.7268583

Elderly Southern California Couple Terrorized by Pack of Coyotes Living Under Their Home

https://ktla.com/news/california/coyotes-terrorize-elderly-couple-rancho-cucamonga/

Song of the Day

Dire Straits - So Far Away

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CDgW-qulpk