The Energy News Digest

Monday, June 29, 2026

The Energy News Digest for June 29, 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.

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

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Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Puget Sound Energy – Why Are Electric Bills So High at This WA Utility? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/why-are-electric-bills-so-high-at-this-wa-utility/

Washington to Agree to Link Carbon Markets with California, Quebec (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/washington-to-agree-to-link-carbon-markets-with-california-quebec,404473

Big Tech Is Bankrolling the Clean Energy Transition...While Emitting More Than Ever (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/big-tech-is-bankrolling-the-clean-energy-transition-while-emitting-more-than-ever

An Electric Truck for Less Than $25,000? Deliveries Begin This Year (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://autos.yahoo.com/ev-and-future-tech/articles/electric-truck-less-25-000-120000727.html

Public Power’s Affordability Edge Faces Its Hardest Test in Years (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/public-powers-affordability-edge-faces-its-hardest-test-in-years/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. Puget Sound Energy – Why Are Electric Bills So High at This WA Utility?

2. Big Tech Is Bankrolling the Clean Energy Transition...While Emitting More Than Ever

3. Red, White & Glowing Blue: Trump's Push for New Reactors Reaches the Finish Line

4. Lake Powell Hits Lowest Summer Level Ever, Raising Risk of 'Dead Pool'

5. The Tab to Keep a Pacific Northwest Coal Plant on Standby Keeps Rising. Who Will Pay?

6. Oregon Public Utility Commission Approves Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans

7. Switching San Diego from San Diego Gas & Electric to Public Power 'Feasible', Report Finds

8. The Carolinas: Feds to Buy Back Duke Energy's Offshore Wind Lease Off Brunswick County

9. Sustainable Dairy Digester Programs Receive $13.8 Million Commerce Investment

10. Facing Scorching Summers, Oregon Lawmakers May Revisit Heat Pump Expansion Programs

11. California’s Choice: Cleaner Air for Schools or Money for Utilities

12. How to Adjust Your Air Conditioner Temperature to Help Save Money

13. Audio – ‘The Evergreen’: How Much Water from the Deschutes Goes to Turn the Desert Green?

14. Washington to Agree to Link Carbon Markets with California, Quebec

15. WA Supreme Court Upholds State Climate Law’s Farm Fuel Exemption Rules

16. FCC Passes E-Rate Review Despite Opposition

17. California Regulator Suing FCC Over Copper Preemption Rule

18. If Artificial Intelligence Data Centers Are Exploding Nationwide, Why Are So Few Being Built in California?

19. An Electric Truck for Less Than $25,000? Deliveries Begin This Year

20. Four in Five Under-16s in Australia Using Social Media Despite Ban, Study Shows

21. Supreme Court Rules States Can Count Late-Arriving Mailed Ballots, Rejecting Trump-Led Challenge

22. U.S. House Panel Advances Grid Reliability, Ratepayer Bills Amid Rising Power Demand

23. Kim Thompson Is Selected as Acting Chief Financial Officer

24. Dangerous & Likely Record-Setting Heat Wave to Scorch Millions July Fourth Week

25. Two Die After Seaplane Hits Tri-Cities Power Line & Crashes into Columbia River

26. Public Power’s Affordability Edge Faces Its Hardest Test in Years

27. How Data Centers Rescued a Struggling Central Washington Community

28. DOE Emergency Orders Are Incurring Additional Costs. What Are the Benefits?

Word of the Day

Scuttlebutt \SKUTT-ul-butt\ Noun - Rumor, gossip

WORD ORIGIN, FROM MERRIAM-WEBSTER - Nowadays, office workers catch up on the latest scuttlebutt around the water cooler, and when they do, they continue a long-standing (although not necessarily honorable) tradition. That kind of gossip sharing probably also occurred on the sailing ships of yore. Back in the early 1800s, the cask containing a ship’s daily supply of freshwater was called a “scuttlebutt”; that name was later applied to a drinking fountain on a ship or at a naval installation. By the early 20th century, the term for the water source was also applied to the gossip and rumors generated around it, and the latest chatter has been called “scuttlebutt” ever since.

Energy & Utility Issues

1. Puget Sound Energy – Why Are Electric Bills So High at This WA Utility? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/why-are-electric-bills-so-high-at-this-wa-utility/

2. Big Tech Is Bankrolling the Clean Energy Transition...While Emitting More Than Ever (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/big-tech-is-bankrolling-the-clean-energy-transition-while-emitting-more-than-ever

3. Red, White & Glowing Blue: Trump's Push for New Reactors Reaches the Finish Line (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2026/06/29/nx-s1-5847944/new-nuclear-reactors-america-250-safety-concerns

4. Lake Powell Hits Lowest Summer Level Ever, Raising Risk of 'Dead Pool' (USA Today – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/lake-powell-hits-lowest-summer-190043854.html

5. The Tab to Keep a Pacific Northwest Coal Plant on Standby Keeps Rising. Who Will Pay? (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/25/the-tab-to-keep-a-pacific-northwest-coal-plant-on-standby-keeps-rising-who-will-pay/

6. Oregon Public Utility Commission Approves Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans (KEX Radio, Portland, OR)

https://1190kex.iheart.com/content/2026-06-26-oregon-puc-approves-utility-wildfire-mitigation-plans/

7. Switching San Diego from San Diego Gas & Electric to Public Power 'Feasible', Report Finds (KPBS Broadcasting, San Diego, CA)

https://www.kpbs.org/news/economy/2026/06/23/switching-san-diego-from-sdg-e-to-public-power-feasible-report-finds

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

8. The Carolinas: Feds to Buy Back Duke Energy's Offshore Wind Lease Off Brunswick County (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/energy/articles/feds-buy-back-duke-energys-164610047.html

9. Sustainable Dairy Digester Programs Receive $13.8 Million Commerce Investment (WA Dept. of Commerce)

https://www.commerce.wa.gov/sustainable-dairy-digester-programs-receive-13-8-million-commerce-investment/

Conservation & Efficiency

10. Facing Scorching Summers, Oregon Lawmakers May Revisit Heat Pump Expansion Programs (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/06/22/facing-scorching-summers-oregon-lawmakers-may-revisit-heat-pump-expansion-programs/

11. California’s Choice: Cleaner Air for Schools or Money for Utilities (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/carbon-free-buildings/california-schools-or-utilities

12. How to Adjust Your Air Conditioner Temperature to Help Save Money (KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://ktla.com/news/how-to-adjust-your-a-c-temperature-to-help-save-money/

Water, Water Anywhere?

13. Audio – ‘The Evergreen’: How Much Water from the Deschutes Goes to Turn the Desert Green? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/29/deschutes-river-water-opb-the-evergreen/

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

14. Washington to Agree to Link Carbon Markets with California, Quebec (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/washington-to-agree-to-link-carbon-markets-with-california-quebec,404473

15. WA Supreme Court Upholds State Climate Law’s Farm Fuel Exemption Rules (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/25/wa-supreme-court-upholds-state-climate-laws-farm-fuel-exemption-rules/

London Calling –Telecommunications

16. FCC Passes E-Rate Review Despite Opposition (Inside Towers)

https://insidetowers.com/fcc-passes-e-rate-review-despite-opposition/

17. California Regulator Suing FCC Over Copper Preemption Rule (Broadband Breakfast)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/california-regulator-suing-fcc-over-copper-preemption-rule/

HAL’s Internet Café

18. If Artificial Intelligence Data Centers Are Exploding Nationwide, Why Are So Few Being Built in California? (Los Angeles Times, CA – via Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/energy/articles/other-anti-data-center-movement-100000358.html

I Sing the Car Electric

19. An Electric Truck for Less Than $25,000? Deliveries Begin This Year (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://autos.yahoo.com/ev-and-future-tech/articles/electric-truck-less-25-000-120000727.html

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

20. Four in Five Under-16s in Australia Using Social Media Despite Ban, Study Shows (The Guardian, UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/24/australia-under-16-social-media-ban-no-substantial-effects-study

Politics, Governance, and Management

21. Supreme Court Rules States Can Count Late-Arriving Mailed Ballots, Rejecting Trump-Led Challenge (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-mailed-ballots-trump-elections-5f24f718ea92a33838485ce6302e079e

22. U.S. House Panel Advances Grid Reliability, Ratepayer Bills Amid Rising Power Demand (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/52831-house-panel-advances-grid-reliability-ratepayer-bills-amid-rising-power-demand/

23. Kim Thompson Is Selected as Acting Chief Financial Officer (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20260624-kim-thompson-named-acting-chief-financial-officer

Other Things to Know About Today

24. Dangerous & Likely Record-Setting Heat Wave to Scorch Millions July Fourth Week (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather-news/articles/dangerous-potentially-record-setting-heat-044658651.html

25. Two Die After Seaplane Hits Tri-Cities Power Line & Crashes into Columbia River (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/2-die-after-seaplane-hits-tri-cities-power-line-and-crashes-into-columbia-river/ar-AA26tr7S

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

26. Public Power’s Affordability Edge Faces Its Hardest Test in Years (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/public-powers-affordability-edge-faces-its-hardest-test-in-years/

27. How Data Centers Rescued a Struggling Central Washington Community (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_4fd6044d-5a5d-4152-b0a0-8dce7f20f361.html

28. DOE Emergency Orders Are Incurring Additional Costs. What Are the Benefits? (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-emergency-power-plants-reliability-benefits-costs/822934/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Guinness Crowns Canberra Town Crier as the World’s Loudest Person at 122.4 Decibels

https://apnews.com/article/australia-guinness-world-record-loudest-shout-2a5aea90b6ece0ceba6ba56fdff866e5

Two Chicks Hatch Inside Police Motorcycle After ‘Mama Bird’ Makes Nest: ‘Traffic Birdie Is Now on Baby Watch’

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/2-chicks-hatch-inside-police-153851971.html

St. Bernard Dogs Still Roam the Swiss Alps as Part of This ‘Living Museum’ & Its Breeding Program

https://apnews.com/article/saint-bernard-dogs-switzerland-b9c51b08a2fff186254c61e385671dab

Larry the Cat Outlasts Six British Prime Ministers

https://www.reuters.com/pictures/larry-cat-outlasts-six-british-prime-ministers-2026-06-23/

Song of the Day

Al Stewart – Year of the Cat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyLq_40dqHc

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 for 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.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

The Energy News Digest for June 24, 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

U.S. Dept. of Energy Appoints New Bonneville Power Administration CEO (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/dept-energy-appoints-bonneville-power-administration-ceo/283-7907fd0b-ac83-4862-9b38-75912e9fd9ef

Washington Attorney General Challenges Avista Proposal to Increase Electric Rates by 10% Over Next Four Years (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/economy/washington-ag-challenges-avista-proposal-to-increase-electric-rates-by-10-over-next-four-years/ar-AA26ney1

California Intends to Sue Trump Administration Over Deal to End Offshore Wind Project (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/california-trump-offshore-wind-project-lawsuit-billions-5bc963e77806cf760a377652eb793616

Spokane City Council Implements Moratorium on New Data Center Building Permits (KXLY-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-city-council-implements-moratorium-on-new-data-center-building-permits/article_5d9e3784-9e28-4f21-8623-64638e95a113.html

France Records Its Hottest Day Ever as Europe Withers in Early Heat Wave (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/heat-wave-france-europe-climate-change-record-81c341900166135de6cbc0f49156477b

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. Washington Attorney General Challenges Avista Proposal to Increase Electric Rates by 10% Over Next Four Years

2. Study: Rising Utility Bills Become an Election Issue as Rates Meet Resistance

3. Trump Administration Announces $17.5 Billion in Loans for 10 New Large Nuclear Reactors

4. Valar’s Ward 250 Test Reactor Reaches Criticality in Utah

5. Portland General Electric Building Miles of Underground Power Lines Near Mt. Hood

6. U.S. Dept. of Energy Says Data Centers ‘Crucial’ For Country’s Future

7. California: Shiny Balloons Are Causing Central Coast Power Outages. Follow These Safety Tips

8. U.S. Dept. of Energy Appoints New Bonneville Power Administration CEO

9. Former Montana Official Tapped to Lead Bonneville Power Administration

10. DOE Announces Travis Kavulla as Bonneville Power Administration Administrator

11. Public Power Council Congratulates New Bonneville Power Administration Administrator, Travis Kavula

12. U.S. Rep. Newhouse (WA) Statement on New Bonneville Power Administration Administrator

13. News Release: Northwest Energy & Conservation Groups React to Appointment of New Administrator for the Bonneville Power Administration

14. California Intends to Sue Trump Administration Over Deal to End Offshore Wind Project

15. Utah’s Biggest Solar Farm Comes Online

16. Solar Manufacturing Group Seeks U.S. Trade Probe of Cell Imports from South Korea

17. A Different Way Forward: Agrivoltaic Offers Lesson for Rural Colorado

18. Global Pumped Storage Capacity Breaks 200GW Barrier

19. News Release: Northwest RiverPartners Expresses Appreciation for Improvements to 2026 Fish & Wildlife Program

20. Automakers Could Halt Car Sales in California without Delay in Vehicle Tracking Law

21. France Records Its Hottest Day Ever as Europe Withers in Early Heat Wave

22. The “Super” El Niño Will Weaken Super Fast

23. Oregon Moves Forward on Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Contracts, But Astound Backs Out

24. New Mexico: Regulating Artificial Intelligence Could Threaten Federal Broadband Funding

25. FCC Questioning State Pole Regulation

26. Spokane City Council Implements Moratorium on New Data Center Building Permits

27. Hillsboro Data Center Fight Heads to Court

28. A College Instructor Turns to Typewriters to Curb Artificial Intelligence-Written Work & Teach Life Lessons

29. Rules of the Road: Are You Riding an E-Bike or a Moped? The Difference Matters

30. States at the Wheel: A State Policy Scorecard on Electric Vehicle Readiness

31. NOAA Tests New Ocean Drone in Lake Washington to Better Understand Atmospheric Rivers

32. U.S. Rep. Bentz (OR) Introduces Hydropower Licensing Reform Legislation

33. Final Round of Summer Sun Wednesday, Then Rain Heads to Portland

34. Seattle Weather: Heatwave in the 80s to 90s With Lightning, Fire Danger

35. Northern California Forecast: Warm Wednesday, But Cooling Begins Thursday

36. Guest Essay: Dual Strategy Needed Now to Accelerate Hanford Nuclear Waste Cleanup

Word of the Day

Scarify \SKAIR-uh-fye\ Verb – 1: to make scratches or small cuts in (as the skin) 2: to lacerate the feelings of *3: to cut or soften the wall of (a hard seed) to hasten germination 4: to clear ground of debris in preparation for replanting, as in logging clean up.

Ambrose wandered aimlessly through the wasteland that was his backyard. A stunted tree with a crazily angled swing off a cracked limb; an abandoned fishpond filled with frog eggs and mosquito larvae; and his barren garden plot, half an acre of rocky soil that looked as if God had scarified it as a part of a biblical curse. “Hmm, maybe potatoes this year,” he pondered.

Energy & Utility Issues

1. Washington Attorney General Challenges Avista Proposal to Increase Electric Rates by 10% Over Next Four Years (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/economy/washington-ag-challenges-avista-proposal-to-increase-electric-rates-by-10-over-next-four-years/ar-AA26ney1

2. Study: Rising Utility Bills Become an Election Issue as Rates Meet Resistance (Transmission & Distribution World)

https://www.tdworld.com/utility-business/news/55385810/fitch-ratings-mid-year-utility-outlook-revision-highlights-ratepayers-at-the-center-of-grid-expansion

3. Trump Administration Announces $17.5 Billion in Loans for 10 New Large Nuclear Reactors (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-reactors-energy-trump-wright-57841139aca7d2780a12256692b96fc5

4. Valar’s Ward 250 Test Reactor Reaches Criticality in Utah (Nuclear Newswire)

https://www.ans.org/news/2026-06-22/article-8136/valars-ward-250-reaches-criticality-in-utah/

5. Portland General Electric Building Miles of Underground Power Lines Near Mt. Hood (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/pge-building-miles-of-underground-power-lines-near-mt-hood/

6. U.S. Dept. of Energy Says Data Centers ‘Crucial’ For Country’s Future (States Newsroom)

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/doe-says-data-centers-crucial-countrys-future

7. California: Shiny Balloons Are Causing Central Coast Power Outages. Follow These Safety Tips (San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA)

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article316236015.html

There’s a New Kid in Town

8. U.S. Dept. of Energy Appoints New Bonneville Power Administration CEO (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/dept-energy-appoints-bonneville-power-administration-ceo/283-7907fd0b-ac83-4862-9b38-75912e9fd9ef

9. Former Montana Official Tapped to Lead Bonneville Power Administration (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/23/repub/former-montana-official-tapped-to-lead-bonneville-power-administration/

10. DOE Announces Travis Kavulla as Bonneville Power Administration Administrator (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20260622-doe-announces-travis-kavulla-as-bonneville-power-administration-administ

11. Public Power Council Congratulates New Bonneville Power Administration Administrator, Travis Kavula (Public Power Council, Portland, OR – Links to PDF File)

https://www.ppcpdx.org/ppc-congratulates-new-bpa-administrator-travis-kavula/

12. U.S. Rep. Newhouse (WA) Statement on New Bonneville Power Administration Administrator (U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, WA)

https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-statement-new-bonneville-power-administration-administrator

13. News Release: Northwest Energy & Conservation Groups React to Appointment of New Administrator for the Bonneville Power Administration (News Release: EarthJustice)

https://earthjustice.org/press/2026/northwest-energy-and-conservation-groups-react-to-appointment-of-new-administrator-for-the-bonneville-power-administration

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

14. California Intends to Sue Trump Administration Over Deal to End Offshore Wind Project (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/california-trump-offshore-wind-project-lawsuit-billions-5bc963e77806cf760a377652eb793616

15. Utah’s Biggest Solar Farm Comes Online (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2026/06/23/utah-solar-farm-emery-county/

16. Solar Manufacturing Group Seeks U.S. Trade Probe of Cell Imports from South Korea (U.S. News & World Report)

https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2026-06-22/solar-manufacturing-group-seeks-us-tariff-probe-into-korean-imports

17. A Different Way Forward: Agrivoltaic Offers Lesson for Rural Colorado (Meeker Herald Times, CO)

https://www.theheraldtimes.com/a-different-way-forward-agrivoltaic-offers-lesson-for-rural-colorado/meeker/

18. Global Pumped Storage Capacity Breaks 200GW Barrier (Water Power Magazine)

https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/global-pumped-storage-capacity-breaks-200gw-barrier/

Fish & Wildlife

19. News Release: Northwest RiverPartners Expresses Appreciation for Improvements to 2026 Fish & Wildlife Program (Northwest RiverPartners)

https://nwriverpartners.org/news-releases/northwest-riverpartners-expresses-appreciation-for-improvements-to-2026-fish-wildlife-program/

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

20. Automakers Could Halt Car Sales in California without Delay in Vehicle Tracking Law (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/automakers-could-halt-car-sales-california-without-delay-vehicle-tracking-law-2026-06-23/

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

21. France Records Its Hottest Day Ever as Europe Withers in Early Heat Wave (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/heat-wave-france-europe-climate-change-record-81c341900166135de6cbc0f49156477b

22. The “Super” El Niño Will Weaken Super Fast (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-super-el-nino-will-weaken-super-fast.html

London Calling –Telecommunications

23. Oregon Moves Forward on Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Contracts, But Astound Backs Out (Broadband Breakfast)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/oregon-moves-forward-on-bead-contracts-but-astound-backs-out/

24. New Mexico: Regulating Artificial Intelligence Could Threaten Federal Broadband Funding (Tri-City Record, Farmington, NM)

https://www.tricityrecordnm.com/articles/regulating-ai-could-threaten-federal-broadband-funding/

25. FCC Questioning State Pole Regulation (POTS & PANS)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2026/06/24/fcc-questioning-state-pole-regulation/

HAL’s Internet Café

26. Spokane City Council Implements Moratorium on New Data Center Building Permits (KXLY-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-city-council-implements-moratorium-on-new-data-center-building-permits/article_5d9e3784-9e28-4f21-8623-64638e95a113.html

27. Hillsboro Data Center Fight Heads to Court (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/23/hillsboro-data-center-fight-heads-to-court/

28. A College Instructor Turns to Typewriters to Curb Artificial Intelligence-Written Work & Teach Life Lessons (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/college-instructor-turns-typewriters-curb-040457997.html

I Sing the Car Electric

29. Rules of the Road: Are You Riding an E-Bike or a Moped? The Difference Matters (Bellingham Herald, WA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/rules-of-the-road-are-you-riding-an-e-bike-or-a-moped-the-difference-matters/ar-AA26h28X

30. States at the Wheel: A State Policy Scorecard on Electric Vehicle Readiness (Brookings Institute)

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/states-at-the-wheel-a-state-policy-scorecard-on-electric-vehicle-readiness/

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

31. NOAA Tests New Ocean Drone in Lake Washington to Better Understand Atmospheric Rivers (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/noaa-tests-new-ocean-drone-in-lake-washington-robotic-boat-understand-atmospheric-river-forecasts-weather-sensor-sea-trac

Politics, Governance, and Management

32. U.S. Rep. Bentz (OR) Introduces Hydropower Licensing Reform Legislation (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/rep-bentz-introduces-hydropower-licensing-reform-legislation

Other Things to Know About Today

33. Final Round of Summer Sun Wednesday, Then Rain Heads to Portland (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/weather/final-round-of-summer-sun-wednesday-then-rain-heads-to-portland/

34. Seattle Weather: Heatwave in the 80s to 90s With Lightning, Fire Danger (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/weather/heat-advisory-highs-80s-90s

35. Northern California Forecast: Warm Wednesday, But Cooling Begins Thursday (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/northern-california-morning-forecast-jun-24-2026/71694872

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

36. Guest Essay: Dual Strategy Needed Now to Accelerate Hanford Nuclear Waste Cleanup (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/dual-strategy-needed-now-accelerate-182928264.html

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Glacier Nat’l Park – Going-to-the-Sun Road Fully Opens for the Summer Season

https://www.kpax.com/news/going-to-the-sun-road-fully-opens-for-the-summer-season

Iconic Big Banana Car Pulled Over by Montana Highway Patrol

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/06/24/Montana-Highway-Patrol-Big-Banana-car/6191782315139/

Skateboarder Crosses the United States Coast-to-Coast in 39 Days

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/06/23/Guinness-World-Records-crossing-America-skateboard/4521782229478/

Seattle Breaks Guinness World Record with Dim Sum Party

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/06/22/Guinness-World-Records-Seattle-dim-sum/7131782140369/

Song of the Day

Jan & Dean – Sidewalk Surfin’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJ0OBJb8QE