The Energy News Digest

Monday, September 28, 2026

The Energy News Digest for September 28, 2026

Sponsored by the Northwest Public Power Association, edited by Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus.

Get the Early-Bird Rate for the NWPPA/APA Alaska Electric Utility Conference

Don’t miss your chance to secure the early-bird rates for the 2026 Alaska Electric Utility Conference and pre-conference classes! The deadline is Oct. 2 for pre-conference classes and Oct. 4 for the AEUC.

Held every two years in Anchorage, the AEUC features educational sessions, keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and a trade show with more than 100 exhibitors. Explore topics ranging from cybersecurity and operations to emerging technologies and utility management. This year’s conference will be Nov. 18-19, with pre-conference classes offered Nov. 16-17.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Agreement Reached in Lawsuit by Regional PUDs Against Federal Government Over Columbia River Treaty Payments (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/sep/28/agreement-reached-in-lawsuit-by-regional-puds-against-federal-government/

Utilities Say Upcoming Rate Change by Bonneville Power Administration Likely Means Higher Rates for Customers (KLCC-Radio, Eugene, OR)

https://www.klcc.org/economy-business/2026-09-23/utilities-say-upcoming-rate-change-by-bonneville-power-administration-likely-means-higher-rates-for-customers

WA State: A Large Data Center Is Proposed for the Former Papermill in Usk. Locals Worry How It Will Fit in ‘Small-Town USA’ (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/large-data-center-proposed-former-020100850.html

Toxic Algae Is Showing Up in the Snake River for the Fourth Year in a Row (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-09-25/toxic-algae-is-showing-up-in-the-snake-river-for-the-fourth-year-in-a-row

OpenAI Says Its Models Engaged with U.S. Government Websites in New Model Misbehavior Disclosure (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/openai-government-website-incident-df331b55daffc6d202d8e2f6d0afa264

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. Agreement Reached in Lawsuit by Regional PUDs Against Federal Government Over Columbia River Treaty Payments

2. Mid-Columbia PUDs Sign Settlement Ending Litigation Over Columbia River Treaty Payments

3. Utilities Say Upcoming Rate Change by Bonneville Power Administration Likely Means Higher Rates for Customers

4. After Failed Columbia Dam Deal, The Bonneville Power Administration Seeks Electricity Rate Hike

5. Consumer Reports Warns Puget Sound Energy Rate Proposal Could Add Over $600 a Year to Typical Electric Bill

6. Two Public Hearings to Focus on Potential Puget Sound Energy Rate Increases

7. Energy Department Will Spend $2 Billion to Squeeze More Electricity from the Aging Power Grid

8. Power for Tomorrow: Residential Cost Gap Grows in Regulated vs. Deregulated States

9. Panelists Debate Future of U.S. Electricity Markets Amid Rising Demand

10. U.S. Public Power Capital Spending Continues to Accelerate: Fitch Report

11. New Mexico: Utility Worker Dies After Falling Pole Causes Electrocution in Curry County

12. Fish Hatchery Celebrates 125 Years of Salmon Spawning

13. Toxic Algae Is Showing Up in the Snake River for the Fourth Year in a Row

14. How Dirty Is the Power Generated in Your State?

15. In Nuclear Campus Talks, Idaho Gov. Brad Little Says Protecting Snake Aquifer Is ‘Nonnegotiable’

16. Nearly 70% of California Is ‘Abnormally Dry’ as Drought, El Niño Strengthens

17. What Happens If Lake Mead Drops Below Its Power Intakes

18. WA State: Sultan Property Owner Fined $20,000 for Reported Dam Safety Violations

19. Gorgeous Broadband Launches, Bringing Affordable, High-Speed Internet to The Dalles

20. Washington Grants Awarded to Broadband Providers to Extend Internet to Underserved Communities

21. The American Public Power Association Files Comments Opposing Expansion of Federal Pole Attachment Regulations

22. Policy Experts Weigh What Comes After BEAD For Rural Broadband: Benton Institute

23. OpenAI Says Its Models Engaged with U.S. Government Websites in New Model Misbehavior Disclosure

24. WA State: A Large Data Center Is Proposed for the Former Papermill in Usk. Locals Worry How It Will Fit in ‘Small-Town USA’

25. Montana Supreme Court Vacates Decision to Put Butte Data Center Issue to Voters

26. Microsoft, Google Confront Data Center Fears as Backlash Grows

27. California Faces Barriers from Feds on the Road to Electric Vehicles

28. House Passes AM Radio Mandate for All New Cars

29. ‘100% to 99% Chance’ El Niño Lasts Six Months: What Does That Mean for You?

30. Hydropower Licensing Needs a Refresh – Could This New Bill Do the Job?

31. What Will Winter Be Like in the Pacific Northwest? Here’s What the Outlooks Suggest

32. ‘Not A Viable Plan’: Puget Sound Energy Is Betting Future on Hydrogen-Ready Plants That Don’t Exist Anywhere in Washington

Word of the Day

Horologist \huh-RAWL-uh-jist\ Noun – 1: a person skilled in the practice or theory of horology; 2: a maker of clocks or watches.

“Tic-toc, look at my clocks,” announced the wizened horologist to his assembled guests. Albert jumped a foot when they all started to chime at once. “Golly,” he thought. “This is just like the ‘Time’ track on ‘Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon!’”

Energy & Utility Issues

1. Agreement Reached in Lawsuit by Regional PUDs Against Federal Government Over Columbia River Treaty Payments (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/sep/28/agreement-reached-in-lawsuit-by-regional-puds-against-federal-government/

2. Mid-Columbia PUDs Sign Settlement Ending Litigation Over Columbia River Treaty Payments (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/mid-columbia-puds-sign-settlement-ending-litigation-over-columbia-river-treaty-payments

3. Utilities Say Upcoming Rate Change by Bonneville Power Administration Likely Means Higher Rates for Customers (KLCC-Radio, Eugene, OR)

https://www.klcc.org/economy-business/2026-09-23/utilities-say-upcoming-rate-change-by-bonneville-power-administration-likely-means-higher-rates-for-customers

4. After Failed Columbia Dam Deal, The Bonneville Power Administration Seeks Electricity Rate Hike (Seattle Times – Via The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/after-failed-columbia-dam-deal-bpa-seeks-electricity-rate-hike,408874

5. Consumer Reports Warns Puget Sound Energy Rate Proposal Could Add Over $600 a Year to Typical Electric Bill (Consumer Reports)

https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/consumer-reports-warns-puget-sound-energy-rate-proposal-could-add-over-600-a-year-to-typical-electric-bill/

6. Two Public Hearings to Focus on Potential Puget Sound Energy Rate Increases (KGMI Radio, Bellingham, WA)

https://mybellinghamnow.com/news/297792-two-public-hearings-to-focus-on-potential-pse-rate-increases/

7. Energy Department Will Spend $2 Billion to Squeeze More Electricity from the Aging Power Grid (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/energy-electricity-wright-power-grid-trump-447c7d80c93928712750710769a8ca43

8. Power for Tomorrow: Residential Cost Gap Grows in Regulated vs. Deregulated States (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/53898-power-for-tomorrow-residential-cost-gap-grows-in-regulated-vs-deregulated-states/

9. Panelists Debate Future of U.S. Electricity Markets Amid Rising Demand (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_c553eac2-c17a-435b-b744-946507cd211f.html

10. U.S. Public Power Capital Spending Continues to Accelerate: Fitch Report (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/us-public-power-capital-spending-continues-accelerate-fitch-report

11. New Mexico: Utility Worker Dies After Falling Pole Causes Electrocution in Curry County (KFDA-TV, Amarillo, TX)

https://www.newschannel10.com/2026/09/26/utility-worker-dies-after-falling-pole-causes-electrocution-curry-county/

Fish & Wildlife

12. Fish Hatchery Celebrates 125 Years of Salmon Spawning (Columbia Gorge News, Hood River, OR)

https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/fish-hatchery-celebrates-125-years-of-salmon-spawning/article_752dd598-aca5-4d4b-914d-40e7804635c6.html

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

13. Toxic Algae Is Showing Up in the Snake River for the Fourth Year in a Row (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-09-25/toxic-algae-is-showing-up-in-the-snake-river-for-the-fourth-year-in-a-row

14. How Dirty Is the Power Generated in Your State? (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/fossil-fuels/how-dirty-is-power-generated-states

Water, Water Anywhere?

15. In Nuclear Campus Talks, Idaho Gov. Brad Little Says Protecting Snake Aquifer Is ‘Nonnegotiable’ (States Newsroom)

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/nuclear-campus-talks-idaho-gov-brad-little-says-protecting-snake-aquifer-nonnegotiable%C2%A0

16. Nearly 70% of California Is ‘Abnormally Dry’ as Drought, El Niño Strengthens (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/sep/24/nearly-70-of-california-is-abnormally-dry-as-droug/

17. What Happens If Lake Mead Drops Below Its Power Intakes (World Atlas)

https://apnews.com/article/energy-electricity-wright-power-grid-trump-447c7d80c93928712750710769a8ca43

18. WA State: Sultan Property Owner Fined $20,000 for Reported Dam Safety Violations (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/unpermitted-dam-sultan-property-owner-fined-twenty-thousand-dollars-safety-violations-flood-concerns-severe-weather-flooding-neighborhoods-ecology-washington-state

London Calling –Telecommunications

19. Gorgeous Broadband Launches, Bringing Affordable, High-Speed Internet to The Dalles (Columbia Community Connection, The Dalles, OR)

https://columbiacommunityconnection.com/the-dalles/gorgeous-broadband-launches-bringing-affordable-high-speed-internet-to-td

20. Washington Grants Awarded to Broadband Providers to Extend Internet to Underserved Communities (KNDO & KNDU-TV, Yakima/Tri-Cities, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/washington-grant-awarded-to-broadband-providers-to-extend-internet-to-underserved-communities/article_63c8e9a1-471d-559e-817e-5905caeeaf19.html

21. The American Public Power Association Files Comments Opposing Expansion of Federal Pole Attachment Regulations (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/appa-files-comments-opposing-expansion-federal-pole-attachment-regulations

22. Policy Experts Weigh What Comes After BEAD For Rural Broadband: Benton Institute (Telecompetitor)

https://www.telecompetitor.com/policy-experts-weigh-what-comes-after-bead-for-rural-broadband-benton-institute/

HAL’s Internet Café

23. OpenAI Says Its Models Engaged with U.S. Government Websites in New Model Misbehavior Disclosure (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/openai-government-website-incident-df331b55daffc6d202d8e2f6d0afa264

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

24. WA State: A Large Data Center Is Proposed for the Former Papermill in Usk. Locals Worry How It Will Fit in ‘Small-Town USA’ (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/large-data-center-proposed-former-020100850.html

25. Montana Supreme Court Vacates Decision to Put Butte Data Center Issue to Voters (Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2026/09/25/montana-supreme-court-vacates-decision-to-put-butte-data-center-issue-to-voters/

26. Microsoft, Google Confront Data Center Fears as Backlash Grows (Financial Post)

https://financialpost.com/technology/microsoft-google-confront-data-centre-fears-backlash-grows

I Sing the Car Electric

27. California Faces Barriers from Feds on the Road to Electric Vehicles (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_228c8cae-a95c-408d-9ac8-de92634ae63b.html

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

28. House Passes AM Radio Mandate for All New Cars (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/house-passes-am-radio-mandate-195857057.html

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

29. ‘100% to 99% Chance’ El Niño Lasts Six Months: What Does That Mean for You? (KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://ktla.com/news/california/100-to-99-chance-el-nino-lasts-6-months-what-does-that-mean-for-you/

Politics, Governance, and Management

30. Hydropower Licensing Needs a Refresh – Could This New Bill Do the Job? (Renewable Energy World)

https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/hydro-power/hydropower-licensing-needs-a-refresh-could-this-new-bill-do-the-job/

Other Things to Know About Today

31. What Will Winter Be Like in the Pacific Northwest? Here’s What the Outlooks Suggest (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/weather/what-will-winter-be-like-in-the-pnw-heres-what-the-outlooks-suggest/

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

32. ‘Not A Viable Plan’: Puget Sound Energy Is Betting Future on Hydrogen-Ready Plants That Don’t Exist Anywhere in Washington (KVI-Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://seattlered.com/energy/pse-draft-plan-power-gap-kevin-wallace-warning/4120424

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

1,289-Year-Old Whitebark Pine, Oldest on Record, Found in Grand Teton National Park

https://wyofile.com/1289-year-old-whitebark-pine-oldest-on-record-found-in-grand-teton-national-park/

Fat Bear Week Is Here — And Alaska’s Chonkiest Bears Are Sending the Internet into a Frenzy

https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/fat-bear-week-is-here--and-alaskas-chonkiest-bears-are-sending-the-internet-into-a-frenzy-202136413.html

Adam Vinatieri Kicks a Field Goal at 11,317 Feet to Set World Record

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/09/23/switzerland-Guinness-World-Records-Adam-Vinatieri-fild-goal/9571790186297/

A Stranger Left a Bucket of Dollar Coins at a Missoula Dollar Tree to Pay for Shoppers’ Purchases

https://www.kpax.com/news/a-stranger-left-a-bucket-of-dollar-coins-at-a-missoula-dollar-tree-to-pay-for-shoppers-purchases

Song of the Day

Phil Harris - The Bare Necessities (Jungle Book Soundtrack)

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

Roll the Credits…

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Wednesday, September 23, 2026

The Energy News Digest for September 23, 2026

The Energy News Digest is sponsored by the Northwest Public Power Association, edited by Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus.

Get the Early-Bird Rate for the NWPPA/APA Alaska Electric Utility Conference

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

New Study Puts Value of Puget Sound Energy Electric System in Kitsap County at $1.2B-$1.5B, Excluding Added Takeover Costs (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/53853-new-study-puts-value-of-pse-electric-system-in-kitsap-wash-at-1-2b-1-5b-excluding-added-takeover-costs/

Pacific Power to Charge New Oregon Data Centers for All Costs Associated with Growing Energy Need (Idaho Capital Sun)

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2026/09/23/repub/pacific-power-to-charge-new-oregon-data-centers-for-all-costs-associated-with-growing-energy-need/

California: Edison Unlikely to Escape Liability in Eaton Fire Lawsuit (Courthouse News Service)

https://courthousenews.com/edison-unlikely-to-escape-liability-in-eaton-fire-lawsuit/

New York, California Sue to Block Trump Administration Deals Canceling Offshore Wind Projects (Associated Press)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/national/new-york-california/XLVQQKA6HE6MJLKIV3243XVWSE/

California & Washington to Join Forces on Carbon Markets, Aiming to Cut Pollution & Raise Billions (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/california-and-washington-to-join-forces-on-carbon-markets-aiming-to-cut-pollution-and-raise-billions/ar-AA2cQl9X

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. New Study Puts Value of Puget Sound Energy Electric System in Kitsap County at $1.2B-$1.5B, Excluding Added Takeover

2. California: Edison Unlikely to Escape Liability in Eaton Fire Lawsuit

3. Higher Bonneville Power Administration Costs Could Raise Electricity Rates in Central Oregon

4. California Households Getting Automatic $75 Electricity Bill Credits After Brutal Summer Heat

5. WA Dept. of Transportation to Hold Clarkston Open House on Lower Snake River Dams Transportation Study

6. Montana: PacifiCorp Courts Buyers Interested in Bigfork Dam

7. WA State: Chelan PUD Weighs Annual Right-of-Way Payment of at Least $1.35 Million to Chelan County

8. New York, California Sue to Block Trump Administration Deals Canceling Offshore Wind Projects

9. Garbage Service Rates May Increase as Spokane Works to Comply with WA State Emissions Regulations

10. WA State: Battery Facility Proposed North of Ferndale in Puget Sound Energy Push for Renewables

11. Montana: Bozeman, Missoula Green Power Plan Advances to PSC Review

12. This Major California River Has Gotten Too Warm for Its Salmon

13. First Nations in British Columbia Interior Feel ‘Fear & Scarcity’ Amidst Drought-Stricken Salmon Run

14. California & Washington to Join Forces on Carbon Markets, Aiming to Cut Pollution & Raise Billions

15. Nearly One in Three Co-ops Turning Down BEAD Money, NRECA Says

16. Verizon Plans to Discontinue a Phone Service Customers Rely On

17. A 120-Foot Cell Tower Could Block an Iconic Leavenworth View

18. Pacific Power to Charge New Oregon Data Centers for All Costs Associated with Growing Energy Need

19. Idaho: Data Center Five Times Bigger Than Meta’s Is Planned for Ada County

20. Cities Get More Say in Data Center Development Under New California Laws

21. Small Businesses Slow to Take Up WA’s New Electric Truck Vouchers

22. Sharks, Sea Snakes & Weird Fish: El Niño Brings Unusual Marine Life to Southern California

23. State of Emergency Declared as California Prepares for Potentially Historic El Niño Event

24. ‘Time Will Tell How It All Pans Out’: Another Warm Winter Could Be on the Books for the Inland Northwest

25. First Day of Fall Is Here. What to Know About 2026 Autumnal Equinox

26. Guest Essay: Full Disclosure – It’s Time for Utility Bill Reform

Word of the Day

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

All the bubbles in the champagne made Betty Boop’s ebullient personality even more so.

Energy & Utility Issues

1. New Study Puts Value of Puget Sound Energy Electric System in Kitsap County at $1.2B-$1.5B, Excluding Added Takeover Costs (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/53853-new-study-puts-value-of-pse-electric-system-in-kitsap-wash-at-1-2b-1-5b-excluding-added-takeover-costs/

2. California: Edison Unlikely to Escape Liability in Eaton Fire Lawsuit (Courthouse News Service)

https://courthousenews.com/edison-unlikely-to-escape-liability-in-eaton-fire-lawsuit/

3. Higher Bonneville Power Administration Costs Could Raise Electricity Rates in Central Oregon (Bend, Bulletin, OR)

https://bendbulletin.com/2026/09/23/higher-bpa-costs-could-raise-electricity-rates-in-central-oregon/

4. California Households Getting Automatic $75 Electricity Bill Credits After Brutal Summer Heat (KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://ktla.com/news/california/california-climate-credit-electricity-bill-relief/

5. WA Dept. of Transportation to Hold Clarkston Open House on Lower Snake River Dams Transportation Study (DailyFly)

https://www.dailyfly.com/2026/09/21/wsdot-to-hold-clarkston-open-house-on-lower-snake-river-dams-transportation-study/

6. Montana: PacifiCorp Courts Buyers Interested in Bigfork Dam (The Daily Interlake, Kalispell, MT)

https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2026/sep/23/pacificorp-courts-buyers-interested-in-bigfork-dam/

7. WA State: Chelan PUD Weighs Annual Right-of-Way Payment of at Least $1.35 Million to Chelan County (Cashmere Valley Record, WA)

https://cashmerevalleyrecord.com/stories/chelan-pud-weighs-annual-payment-of-at-least-135-million-to-chelan-county,189794

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

8. New York, California Sue to Block Trump Administration Deals Canceling Offshore Wind Projects (Associated Press)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/national/new-york-california/XLVQQKA6HE6MJLKIV3243XVWSE/

9. Garbage Service Rates May Increase as Spokane Works to Comply with WA State Emissions Regulations (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/garbage-service-rates-increase-spokane-state-emissions-regulations/293-4b0a6688-d634-4129-88ae-02bc57065758

10. WA State: Battery Facility Proposed North of Ferndale in Puget Sound Energy Push for Renewables (Cascadia Daily)

https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/sep/21/battery-facility-proposed-north-of-ferndale-in-pse-push-for-renewables/

11. Montana: Bozeman, Missoula Green Power Plan Advances to PSC Review (KFBB-TV, Great Falls, MT)

https://www.montanarightnow.com/missoula/bozeman-missoula-green-power-plan-advances-to-psc-review/article_e36819cd-a1e9-4354-9388-33708ada19f3.html

Fish & Wildlife

12. This Major California River Has Gotten Too Warm for Its Salmon (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/major-california-river-gotten-too-100000867.html

13. First Nations in British Columbia Interior Feel ‘Fear & Scarcity’ Amidst Drought-Stricken Salmon Run (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/drought-stricken-salmon-bc-interior-9.7353036

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

14. California & Washington to Join Forces on Carbon Markets, Aiming to Cut Pollution & Raise Billions (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/california-and-washington-to-join-forces-on-carbon-markets-aiming-to-cut-pollution-and-raise-billions/ar-AA2cQl9X

London Calling –Telecommunications

15. Nearly One in Three Co-ops Turning Down BEAD Money, NRECA Says (Broadband Breakfast)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/nearly-one-in-three-co-ops-turning-down-bead-money-nreca-says/

16. Verizon Plans to Discontinue a Phone Service Customers Rely On (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/articles/verizon-plans-discontinue-phone-customers-140700462.html

17. A 120-Foot Cell Tower Could Block an Iconic Leavenworth View (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/community/120-foot-cell-tower-could-block-an-iconic-leavenworth-view/281-ee91d468-9485-4bec-8891-3f408cbd1244

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

18. Pacific Power to Charge New Oregon Data Centers for All Costs Associated with Growing Energy Need (Idaho Capital Sun)

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2026/09/23/repub/pacific-power-to-charge-new-oregon-data-centers-for-all-costs-associated-with-growing-energy-need/

19. Idaho: Data Center Five Times Bigger Than Meta’s Is Planned for Ada County (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/data-center-5-times-bigger-121600098.html

20. Cities Get More Say in Data Center Development Under New California Laws (Smartcities Dive)

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/cities-get-more-say-in-data-center-development-under-new-california-laws/831020/

I Sing the Car Electric

21. Small Businesses Slow to Take Up WA’s New Electric Truck Vouchers (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/23/small-businesses-slow-to-take-up-was-new-electric-truck-vouchers/

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

22. Sharks, Sea Snakes & Weird Fish: El Niño Brings Unusual Marine Life To Southern California (Long Beach Post, CA)

https://lbpost.com/news/climate-change/el-nino-turtle-weird-animals-wildlife/

Other Things to Know About Today

23. State of Emergency Declared as California Prepares for Potentially Historic El Niño Event (KQED Radio, San Francisco, CA)

https://www.kqed.org/news/12100905/state-of-emergency-declared-as-california-prepares-for-potentially-historic-el-nino-event

24. ‘Time Will Tell How It All Pans Out’: Another Warm Winter Could Be on the Books for the Inland Northwest (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather-news/articles/time-tell-pans-another-warm-035900200.html

25. First Day of Fall Is Here. What to Know About 2026 Autumnal Equinox (Yahoo! News)

https://tech.yahoo.com/science/articles/first-day-fall-know-2026-100802556.html

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

26. Guest Essay: Full Disclosure – It’s Time for Utility Bill Reform (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/its-time-for-utility-bill-reform/829674/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Amateur Archaeologist Finds Germany’s Biggest Hoard of Ancient Roman Silver Coins

https://courthousenews.com/amateur-archaeologist-finds-germanys-biggest-hoard-of-ancient-roman-silver-coins/

Rare ‘26-Cent’ US Coin Sells for Nearly $17,000 at Auction

https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/rare-26-cent-us-coin-sells-nearly-17k-auction/ZPKUDRAC65CS3AMMKMNP3YWHAI/

A Seattle Man’s Secret to Growing the Largest Pumpkin at the Spokane Interstate Fair Is No Secret At All

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/sep/22/a-seattle-mans-secret-to-growing-the-largest-pumpk/

Seattle’s ‘Inconvenience Store’ features pre-tangled USB cords

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/09/22/Inconvenience-store-seattle-art-exhibit/1271790098025/