The Energy News Digest

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

The Energy News Digest for April 29, 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.

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

NWPPA’s Simple Tips to Sharpen Your Writing

Interested in improving your everyday English skills and becoming a better writer at the office? Learn 17 effective writing principles to help you create workplace documents during Simple Tips to Sharpen Your Writing, June 15-16 in Vancouver, Washington. Early-bird rates end this Friday, May 1.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Furrer Named Acting Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration (NewsData)

https://www.newsdata.com/clearing_up/clearing_it_up/furrer-named-acting-administrator-of-bpa/article_9b5ac2e7-37b2-4a89-80a5-ed2fb92a1961.html

Trump Administration to Pay Two More Companies to Walk Away from U.S. Offshore Wind Leases (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/trump-offshore-wind-energy-climate-interior-02a1fa04b750809bbe035a70256c734d

Lummi Nation Accuses Whidbey Telecom of Digging Up, Ignoring Remains at Point Roberts (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/lummis-accuse-whidbey-telecom-of-digging-up-ignoring-remains-at-point-roberts

Higher Temperatures Spur Alaska’s Invasive Pike to Eat More, a Bad Sign for Salmon (Alaska Beacon)

Https://Alaskabeacon.Com/2026/04/28/Higher-Temperatures-Spur-Alaskas-Invasive-Pike-To-Eat-More-A-Bad-Sign-For-Salmon/

Credit Agency Puts WA on Notice Reporting a Negative Financial Outlook (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/moodys-washington-financial-outlook-negative

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. Furrer Named Acting Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration

2. Paywall Advisory: DOE Selects Interim Leader for the Bonneville Power Administration

3. TVA Board of Directors Selects Mike Skaggs as TVA’s Interim President and CEO

4. Audio - Radio Update: Study Warns of Near-Term Northwest Power Shortfall, Blackout Risk

5. Electric Cooperatives Support New Idaho Power Project

6. Alaska’s Energy Cliff Isn’t Coming. It’s Already Here.

7. Seattle City Light Time of Use Rate Available to Residential Customers Starting in May

8. Section 247: Maintaining & Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives Selections

9. List of Section 247 Projects

10. Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium RFI Seeks Interest from Communities that Want to Explore Small Modular Reactors, Microreactors

11. A Trump-Branded Nuclear Power Project Thrilled Investors. Then Came the Crash.

12. Final LIHEAP Funds Released After Bipartisan Push from U.S. Senators

13. Washington State University Research Helps to Unravel European Power Outage Mystery

14. Trump Administration to Pay Two More Companies to Walk Away from U.S. Offshore Wind Leases

15. California Clears $700 Million Soda Mountain Solar Project After Decades of Debate

16. Avangrid to Supply Power from Oregon Trail Solar Project to Amazon

17. Douglas County PUD Links Hydropower Generation with Hydrogen Production Capabilities in Integrated System Rollout

18. Why Are Blue States Scapegoating Energy Efficiency?

19. Higher Temperatures Spur Alaska’s Invasive Pike to Eat More, a Bad Sign for Salmon

20. Conservation Groups Sue to Stop Lithium Drilling Project on Oregon-Nevada Border

21. More Than 60 Percent of U.S. Is Covered by Drought as Impacts Worsen

22. Utilities for King County Residents Could Rise $96 a Year Under Proposed Sewage Rate Hike

23. WA’s Latest Emissions Report Shows Small Decline

24. Lummi Nation Accuses Whidbey Telecom of Digging Up, Ignoring Remains at Point Roberts

25. T-Mobile Launches SuperBroadband for Business Customers

26. Internet Blackout Causes Huge Damage to Iran Economy

27. Data Centers Replace Fruit Orchards in Changing Central Washington

28. Data Center Uncertainty Is Making Power Grid Planning Difficult, Experts Say

29. Washington Launches $112 Million Program to Help Businesses Switch to Electric Vehicles

30. Australia Moves to Tax Meta, Google & TikTok to Fund Newsrooms

31. Weather Shifts Ahead as El Niño Looms for Washington

32. Credit Agency Puts WA on Notice Reporting a Negative Financial Outlook

33. Utility CEO Pay Surges Amid Higher Profits, Customer Struggles

34. California Senate Committee Blocks San Francisco Utility Municipalization Bill

35. Guest Essay: Washington Is Making Energy-Efficient HVAC Harder Than It Needs to Be

Word of the Day

Bilious /BILL-yuss/ Adjective – 1: having or causing a sick feeling in the stomach: feeling or causing nausea 2: angry or bad-tempered 3: very unpleasant to look at.

After three hours on the small fishing charter boat, Francois tumbled off the craft with a bilious expression that warned everyone to give him plenty of space. His sea-based chumming, however, ensured a full limit for all those who were on board the unseaworthy vessel.

Energy & Utility Issues

1. Furrer Named Acting Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration (NewsData)

https://www.newsdata.com/clearing_up/clearing_it_up/furrer-named-acting-administrator-of-bpa/article_9b5ac2e7-37b2-4a89-80a5-ed2fb92a1961.html

2. Paywall Advisory: DOE Selects Interim Leader for the Bonneville Power Administration (RTO Insider)

https://www.rtoinsider.com/131191-doe-selects-interim-leader-for-bpa/

3. TVA Board of Directors Selects Mike Skaggs as TVA’s Interim President and CEO (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/tva-board-directors-selects-mike-skaggs-tvas-interim-president-and-ceo

4. Audio - Radio Update: Study Warns of Near-Term Northwest Power Shortfall, Blackout Risk (TV Washington)

https://substack.com/@tvwstories/p-195779906

5. Electric Cooperatives Support New Idaho Power Project (Whitefish Pilot, MT)

https://whitefishpilot.com/news/2026/apr/29/electric-cooperatives-support-new-idaho-power-project/

6. Alaska’s Energy Cliff Isn’t Coming. It’s Already Here. (Northern Journal)

https://www.northernjournal.com/alaskas-energy-cliff-isnt-coming-its-already-here/

7. Seattle City Light Time of Use Rate Available to Residential Customers Starting in May (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/seattle-city-light-time-use-rate-available-residential-customers-starting-may

8. Section 247: Maintaining & Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives Selections (U.S. Department of Energy)

https://www.energy.gov/cmei/water/section-247-maintaining-and-enhancing-hydroelectricity-incentives-selections

9. List of Section 247 Projects (U.S. Department of Energy)

https://www.energy.gov/cmei/water/section-247-maintaining-and-enhancing-hydroelectricity-incentives-selections

10. Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium RFI Seeks Interest from Communities that Want to Explore Small Modular Reactors, Microreactors (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/idaho-advanced-energy-consortium-rfi-seeks-interest-communities-want-explore-small-modular-reactors

11. A Trump-Branded Nuclear Power Project Thrilled Investors. Then Came the Crash. (Washington Post – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/a-trump-branded-nuclear-power-project-thrilled-investors-then-came-the-crash/ar-AA21TW9E

12. Final LIHEAP Funds Released After Bipartisan Push from U.S. Senators (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/52052-final-liheap-funds-released-after-bipartisan-push-from-u-s-senators/

13. Washington State University Research Helps to Unravel European Power Outage Mystery (WSU Insider)

https://news.wsu.edu/news/2026/04/29/wsu-research-helps-to-unravel-power-outage-mystery/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

14. Trump Administration to Pay Two More Companies to Walk Away from U.S. Offshore Wind Leases (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/trump-offshore-wind-energy-climate-interior-02a1fa04b750809bbe035a70256c734d

15. California Clears $700 Million Soda Mountain Solar Project After Decades of Debate (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/california-clears-700m-soda-mountain-solar-project-after-decades-of-debate/gm-GM82F6D76F

16. Avangrid to Supply Power from Oregon Trail Solar Project to Amazon (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/avangrid-to-supply-power-from-oregon-trail-solar-project-to-amazon/ar-AA1NdRXv

17. Douglas County PUD Links Hydropower Generation with Hydrogen Production Capabilities in Integrated System Rollout (Energies Media)

https://energiesmedia.com/douglas-pud-hydropower-hydrogen/

Conservation & Efficiency

18. Why Are Blue States Scapegoating Energy Efficiency? (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/energy-efficiency/why-are-blue-states-scapegoating-energy-efficiency

Fish & Wildlife

19. Higher Temperatures Spur Alaska’s Invasive Pike to Eat More, a Bad Sign for Salmon (Alaska Beacon)

Https://Alaskabeacon.Com/2026/04/28/Higher-Temperatures-Spur-Alaskas-Invasive-Pike-To-Eat-More-A-Bad-Sign-For-Salmon/

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

20. Conservation Groups Sue to Stop Lithium Drilling Project on Oregon-Nevada Border (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/conservation-groups-sue-to-stop-lithium-drilling-project-on-oregon-nevada-border/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

21. More Than 60 Percent of U.S. Is Covered by Drought as Impacts Worsen (Washington Post – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/more-than-60-percent-of-us-is-covered-by-drought-as-impacts-worsen/ar-AA21Zw1B

22. Utilities for King County Residents Could Rise $96 a Year Under Proposed Sewage Rate Hike (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/king-county-utility-may-rise-nearly-100-a-year-under-proposed-sewage-rate-hike

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

23. WA’s Latest Emissions Report Shows Small Decline (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/29/was-latest-emissions-report-shows-small-decline/

London Calling –Telecommunications

24. Lummi Nation Accuses Whidbey Telecom of Digging Up, Ignoring Remains at Point Roberts (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/lummis-accuse-whidbey-telecom-of-digging-up-ignoring-remains-at-point-roberts

25. T-Mobile Launches SuperBroadband for Business Customers (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/t-mobile-launches-superbroadband-business-130843206.html

26. Internet Blackout Causes Huge Damage to Iran Economy (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/27/nx-s1-5792049/internet-blackout-causes-huge-damage-to-iran-economy

HAL’s Internet Café

27. Data Centers Replace Fruit Orchards in Changing Central Washington (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/data-centers-replace-fruit-orchards-in-changing-central-washington,401356

28. Data Center Uncertainty Is Making Power Grid Planning Difficult, Experts Say (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/28/data-center-uncertainty-making-power-grid-planning-difficult/

I Sing the Car Electric

29. Washington Launches $112 Million Program to Help Businesses Switch to Electric Vehicles (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/washington-launches-112m-program-businesses-switch-to-electric-vehicles/281-ee2a151f-d912-43db-9ff7-fe6143937b29

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

30. Australia Moves to Tax Meta, Google & TikTok to Fund Newsrooms (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/australia-moves-to-tax-meta-google-and-tiktok-to-a22229647

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

31. Weather Shifts Ahead as El Niño Looms for Washington (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://thequake1021.com/el-nino-washington-weather-impact/

Politics, Governance, and Management

32. Credit Agency Puts WA on Notice Reporting a Negative Financial Outlook (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/moodys-washington-financial-outlook-negative

33. Utility CEO Pay Surges Amid Higher Profits, Customer Struggles (Energy Policy Institute)

https://energyandpolicy.org/utility-ceo-pay-2025/

34. California Senate Committee Blocks San Francisco Utility Municipalization Bill (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/featured/52081-california-senate-committee-blocks-san-francisco-utility-municipalization-bill/

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

35. Guest Essay: Washington Is Making Energy-Efficient HVAC Harder Than It Needs to Be (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/apr/28/jeremy-kliemann-and-melissa-olson-frause-washingto/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Baby Skunks Popping Up Across L.A. County in Spring

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/baby-skunks-popping-up-across-l-a-county-in-spring/

Construction Workers Were Building a Wind Turbine—and Found a Hoard of Bronze Age Jewelry

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/construction-workers-were-building-wind-130000562.html

Meteor Lights Up the Night Sky Over Western WA, British Columbia

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/meteor-western-wa-british-columbia

YouTuber Breaks Rubik's Cube Record While Skydiving

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/04/29/germany-Guinness-World-Records-Rubiks-cube-freefall/1571777473564/

Song of the Day

Boy Meets Girl – Waiting for a Star to Fall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjHsYpN1a9M

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.

Monday, April 27, 2026

The Energy News Digest for April 27, 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.

NWPPA’s Simple Tips to Sharpen Your Writing

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

EIA Expects U.S. Hydropower Generation to Increase by 5% in 2026 (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/eia-expects-us-hydropower-generation-increase-5-2026

Oregon’s Massive Snow Drought Likely to Become a Bleak Summer (The Oregonian, Portland, OR – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/oregon-s-massive-snow-drought-likely-to-become-a-bleak-summer/ar-AA21kx0Z

Grant, Douglas, & Chelan PUDs Consider Collaboration on Geothermal Energy (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA - Paywall Advisory)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/apr/25/grant-douglas-and-chelan-puds-consider-collaboration-on-geothermal-energy/

California Is Ground Zero for the Growing Battery Backlash (Bloomberg News – Via Silicon Valley)

https://www.siliconvalley.com/2026/04/23/california-is-ground-zero-for-the-growing-battery-backlash/amp/

Biologists Forecast a Reduced Alaska Commercial Salmon Harvest (Alaska Beacon)

https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/04/27/biologists-forecast-a-reduced-alaska-commercial-salmon-harvest/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. EIA Expects U.S. Hydropower Generation to Increase by 5% in 2026

2. Hydropower Expected to Bounce Back from the West’s Snow Drought

3. House Passes “Build More Hydro Act,” Sends to President

4. Kootenai Electric Cooperative Planning to Build Energy Facility in Rathdrum

5. Northwest Natural Seeks Nearly 20% Gas Rate Hike in Southwest Washington

6. The Role of Natural Gas & Washington’s Energy Future

7. TerraPower Breaks Ground on a Rarity: A Nuclear Reactor, Wyoming’s First

8. Small Modular Reactors & Microreactors Under Development in the United States

9. Average U.S. Electricity Prices Rose 9% Year Over Year in February: EIA

10. Electricity Monthly Update – February Retail Rates/Prices & Consumption

11. Grant, Douglas, & Chelan PUDs Consider Collaboration on Geothermal Energy

12. California Is Ground Zero for the Growing Battery Backlash

13. WA State: Snoqualmie Neighbors Rally Against Battery Storage Facility as Permit Application Looms

14. California: Planning Commission OKs New Solar Project for SE Kern County

15. Hosting Solar Can Be a Lifeline for Farmers. Overcoming Local Opposition Is Tough

16. California’s Water Crisis Could Turn Farmland into Massive Solar Field

17. Biologists Forecast a Reduced Alaska Commercial Salmon Harvest

18. Pikeminnow Reward Fishery Returns May 1

19. Salmon Exposed to Cocaine Swim Almost Twice as Far as Those Without, Study Shows

20. Oregon’s Massive Snow Drought Likely to Become a Bleak Summer

21. Why This State Is Betting on Cloud-Seeding Drones to Solve Its Water Problem

22. Artificial Intelligence Data Center with a Different Mission Being Considered in Tri-Cities

23. Pennsylvania: Residents Furious as Their Picturesque Small Town Is Set to Be ‘Ruined’ by Sprawling Data Centers

24. Newspapers Face Tight Supply as Mills Cut Newsprint Production

25. The Threat of Light Pollution Puts the World’s Darkest Skies in the Atacama Desert at Risk

26. State Senator MacEwen Demands Special Session to Tackle Washington’s ‘Energy Affordability Crisis’

27. Association Reaction: Petition for Rulemaking to Add Dams and Reservoirs as Reporting Entities under the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Regulation

28. Interactive Map Shows How Vulnerable Your PNW Neighborhood Is to Disaster

29. Oregon Work Zone Crashes Hit Five-Year High in 2024

30. Guest Essay: Alaska’s Energy Challenges Require a National Response

31. Guest Essay: La Plata Electric CEO – Why Western Utilities Are Moving Toward Regional Markets

32. Washington Natural Gas Bills Going Up, and the CCA Is to Blame

33. Guest Essay: Oregon Has a Clear Roadmap to a More Affordable, Reliable Energy Future. Will We Take It?

Word of the Day

Modus Operandi \MOE-dus opp-er-RAND-ee\ Noun – A method of procedure; especially a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime.

“No, gentlemen, we are not dealing with a crazed criminal here,” purred Detective Poirot as he absentmindedly stroked his mustache. “What we have here is a person who is so fixed in their modus operandi that they would not change their ways even if confronted with the most secure lock box in the world.” “Non, mon ami, your lunches have not been stolen by a wayward squirrel, crazed dog, or even a trained capuchin monkey…they have been stolen by only one person….your copy repairman: Rick!” (Insert surprised gasp here)

Energy & Utility Issues

1. EIA Expects U.S. Hydropower Generation to Increase by 5% in 2026 (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/eia-expects-us-hydropower-generation-increase-5-2026

2. Hydropower Expected to Bounce Back from the West’s Snow Drought (Renewable Energy World)

https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/hydro-power/hydropower-expected-to-bounce-back-from-the-wests-snow-drought/

3. House Passes “Build More Hydro Act,” Sends to President (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/house-passes-build-more-hydro-act-sends-president

4. Kootenai Electric Cooperative Planning to Build Energy Facility in Rathdrum (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/kootenai-county/rathdrum-energy-facility-kootenai-electric-cooperative/293-3f678d83-82ec-42cf-aa86-6cb3e99dd3ab

5. Northwest Natural Seeks Nearly 20% Gas Rate Hike in Southwest Washington (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/northwest-natural-seeks-nearly-20-gas-rate-hike-in-southwest-washington/ar-AA21vKNc

6. The Role of Natural Gas & Washington’s Energy Future (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/24/the-role-of-natural-gas-and-washingtons-energy-future/

7. TerraPower Breaks Ground on a Rarity: A Nuclear Reactor, Wyoming’s First (WyoFile)

https://wyofile.com/terrapower-breaks-ground-on-a-rarity-a-nuclear-reactor-wyomings-first/

8. Small Modular Reactors & Microreactors Under Development in the United States (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67584

9. Average U.S. Electricity Prices Rose 9% Year Over Year in February: EIA (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/electricity-retail-prices-february-eia-affordability/818425/

10. Electricity Monthly Update – February Retail Rates/Prices & Consumption (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/update/end-use.php

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

11. Grant, Douglas, & Chelan PUDs Consider Collaboration on Geothermal Energy (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA - Paywall Advisory)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/apr/25/grant-douglas-and-chelan-puds-consider-collaboration-on-geothermal-energy/

12. California Is Ground Zero for the Growing Battery Backlash (Bloomberg News – Via Silicon Valley)

https://www.siliconvalley.com/2026/04/23/california-is-ground-zero-for-the-growing-battery-backlash/amp/

13. WA State: Snoqualmie Neighbors Rally Against Battery Storage Facility as Permit Application Looms (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/snoqualmie-neighbors-rally-battery-storage-facility-permit-application-looms/281-764212d0-cca7-45c2-8caa-0794c7ae8389

14. California: Planning Commission OKs New Solar Project for SE Kern County (KGET-TV, Bakersfield, CA)

https://www.kget.com/kern-energy/planning-commission-oks-new-solar-project-for-se-kern-county/

15. Hosting Solar Can Be a Lifeline for Farmers. Overcoming Local Opposition Is Tough (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/solar-energy-farmland-utility-local-opposition-acaf7bba0006013c4ea7170fb0d67cf6

16. California’s Water Crisis Could Turn Farmland into Massive Solar Field (USA Today – Via Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/energy/articles/california-water-crisis-could-turn-130140936.html

Fish & Wildlife

17. Biologists Forecast a Reduced Alaska Commercial Salmon Harvest (Alaska Beacon)

https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/04/27/biologists-forecast-a-reduced-alaska-commercial-salmon-harvest/

18. Pikeminnow Reward Fishery Returns May 1 (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/get-paid-fishing-pikeminnow-wa/

19. Salmon Exposed to Cocaine Swim Almost Twice as Far as Those Without, Study Shows (CBS News)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/salmon-cocaine-swim-farther-study/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

20. Oregon’s Massive Snow Drought Likely to Become a Bleak Summer (The Oregonian, Portland, OR – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/oregon-s-massive-snow-drought-likely-to-become-a-bleak-summer/ar-AA21kx0Z

21. Why This State Is Betting on Cloud-Seeding Drones to Solve Its Water Problem (Washington Post – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/why-this-state-is-betting-on-cloud-seeding-drones-to-solve-its-water-problem/ar-AA21OBwb

HAL’s Internet Café

22. Artificial Intelligence Data Center with a Different Mission Being Considered in Tri-Cities (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/ai-data-center-different-mission-181718051.html

23. Pennsylvania: Residents Furious as Their Picturesque Small Town Is Set to Be ‘Ruined’ by Sprawling Data Centers (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/residents-furious-as-their-picturesque-small-town-is-set-to-be-ruined-by-sprawling-data-centers/ar-AA21MkD8

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

24. Newspapers Face Tight Supply as Mills Cut Newsprint Production (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/free_press/newspapers-face-tight-supply-as-mills-cut-newsprint-production/article_c3479d6f-b9d4-5d64-9052-f7fc1ec8cfc3.amp.html

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

25. The Threat of Light Pollution Puts the World’s Darkest Skies in the Atacama Desert at Risk (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/the-threat-of-light-pollution-puts-the-world-s-a22226529

Politics, Governance, and Management

26. State Senator MacEwen Demands Special Session to Tackle Washington’s ‘Energy Affordability Crisis’ (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://seattlered.com/politics/macewen-demands-energy-special-session/4118163

27. Association Reaction: Petition for Rulemaking to Add Dams and Reservoirs as Reporting Entities under the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Regulation (Links to PDF File)

https://misc-doc.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/gov-rel/2026/2026-04-14+Public+Power+Letter+to+CARB+on+Reservoir+Reporting_Final.pdf

Other Things to Know About Today

28. Interactive Map Shows How Vulnerable Your PNW Neighborhood Is to Disaster (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/interactive-map-vulnerable-oregon-wasington-pnw-disaster/

29. Oregon Work Zone Crashes Hit Five-Year High in 2024 (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/26/oregon-work-zone-crashes/

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

30. Guest Essay: Alaska’s Energy Challenges Require a National Response (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/alaska-energy-challenges-microgrid-storage-nppa/816358/

31. Guest Essay: La Plata Electric CEO – Why Western Utilities Are Moving Toward Regional Markets (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/western-utilities-regional-markets-spp-la-plata/816353/

32. Washington Natural Gas Bills Going Up, and the CCA Is to Blame (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_294cdbae-74a7-4e70-a6cb-ed2ce66df5c2.html

33. Guest Essay: Oregon Has a Clear Roadmap to a More Affordable, Reliable Energy Future. Will We Take It? (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/04/15/oregon-has-a-clear-roadmap-to-a-more-affordable-reliable-energy-future-will-we-take-it/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Baby Born on Delta Flight from Atlanta to Portland, Oregon

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/baby-born-delta-flight-atlanta-124757235.html

Farmers in Vermont Expected a Sheep to Have Twins. She Ended Up Having Rare Sextuplets

https://www.kcra.com/article/vermont-sheep-sextuplets-clover-bee-farm/71138714

Women take the lead in whiskey as more female drinkers and distillers change the industry

https://apnews.com/article/whiskey-women-us-815aefddb25882c1f07613da972b13fa

Raffle Winner Thrilled to Claim a $1 Million Picasso with a $117 Ticket

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/france-raffle-offers-1m-picasso-101036794.html

Song of the Day

Mighty Mo Rodgers - Picasso Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkPcNCnQU70