The Energy News Digest

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

The Energy News Digest for February 4, 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.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Eugene Water & Electric Board Selects Bonneville Power Administration Administrator for General Manager Role (Eugene Water & Electric Board, OR)

https://www.eweb.org/your-public-utility/news/eweb-board-of-commissioners-selects-bpa-administrator-for-general-manager-role

Washington State Lawmakers Take on Data Center Costs (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/03/washington-data-centers-legislature-electric-grid-cost-shift-ratepayers

Staggering Railroad Permit Costs Are Still a Big Problem (Fierce Network)

https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/staggering-railroad-permit-costs-are-still-big-problem

Seattle Files to Dismiss Orca Protection Appeal, Raising Concerns About Southern Residents (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/seattle-files-to-dismiss-orca-protection-appeal-raising-concerns-about-southern-residents-puget-sound-area-waters-washington-state-j61-j62-j-pod-observation-boaters-endangered-species-city-development-one-seattle-pollution-environment-sewage-tree-canopy

McClatchy Is Using Artificial Intelligence-Generated Content on Northwest News Sites. Its Reporters Are Trying to Put Up Guardrails (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-02-03/mcclatchy-is-using-ai-content-on-northwest-news-sites-its-reporters-are-trying-to-put-up-guardrails

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. Eugene Water & Electric Board Selects Bonneville Power Administration Administrator for General Manager Role

2. Flathead Electric Cooperative Appoints New Manager

3. House Lawmakers Press FERC On Affordability, Reliability & Gas

4. Adding Batteries to Hydropower Facilities Could Increase Dam Lifespan, Potential Revenue

5. British Columbia: Thieves Take 1.3 Kilometers (nearly a mile) of Copper Cable from Surrey Manholes

6. Sunrise Wind Can Proceed, Ending President Trump’s Offshore Wind Ban — For Now

7. Goldendale Energy Storage Project Receives ‘Milestone’ License, Tribes Continue to Raise Concerns

8. WA State: Decatur Solar Expansion Exposes Tensions Over Energy Future

9. Fear Over Farmland Loss Is Slowing Renewable Energy Development in Rural Areas

10. Berkshire Hathaway Energy Montana Energizes 150MWh Battery Energy Storage System

11. To Lower Electricity Costs, Consumers Quietly Install DIY Solar

12. This Pillar of Oregon’s Energy Strategy Can Help the State Meet Its Climate Goals — And Lower Electric Bills at the Same Time

13. Seattle Files to Dismiss Orca Protection Appeal, Raising Concerns About Southern Residents

14. Arizona Lawmakers Prepare for Colorado River Water Fight with Unanimous Vote Boosting Legal Fund

15. Staggering Railroad Permit Costs Are Still a Big Problem

16. Microsoft Pledged to Save Water. In the Artificial Intelligence Era, It Expects Water Use to Soar.

17. ‘Big Short’ Investor Michael Burry Details The ‘Sickening Scenarios’ Possible If Bitcoin Continues to Fall

18. California’s Instant Electric Vehicle Rebates Would Require Automakers to Match State Funds

19. McClatchy Is Using Artificial Intelligence-Generated Content on Northwest News Sites. Its Reporters Are Trying to Put Up Guardrails

20. Washington Post Cuts a Third of Its Staff in a Blow to a Legendary News Brand

21. Scientists Discovered a City-Sized Bulge on the Yellowstone Volcano’s North Rim

22. Washington State Lawmakers Take on Data Center Costs

23. Washington Audit Faults ‘Pervasive Failures’ in Digital Navigator Program

24. The End of Northwest Cold for the Winter & a Short Heat Wave

25. Guest Essay: If You’re Reading This Online, You’re Using a Data Center

26. Guest Essay: Leveling the Playing Field for U.S. Fishermen

Word of the Day

Pusillanimous \pyoo-suh-LAN-uh-muhs \ Adjective – Lacking in courage and resolution; contemptibly fearful; cowardly.

Unbeknownst to many Frank L. Baum scholars, the idea of the “Cowardly Lion” was not the author’s first choice for his book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. For many weeks, much to the displeasure of his editor, Baum insisted that the third companion for Dorothy be called the “Pusillanimous Penguin”. The editor won out, and the rest is history.

Energy & Utility Issues

1. Eugene Water & Electric Board Selects Bonneville Power Administration Administrator for General Manager Role (Eugene Water & Electric Board, OR)

https://www.eweb.org/your-public-utility/news/eweb-board-of-commissioners-selects-bpa-administrator-for-general-manager-role

2. Flathead Electric Cooperative Appoints New Manager (Whitefish Pilot, MT)

https://whitefishpilot.com/news/2026/feb/04/flathead-electric-cooperative-appoints-new-manager/

3. House Lawmakers Press FERC On Affordability, Reliability & Gas (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/house-hearing-ferc-affordability-reliability-gas/811328/

4. Adding Batteries to Hydropower Facilities Could Increase Dam Lifespan, Potential Revenue (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/adding-batteries-hydropower-facilities-could-increase-dam-lifespan-potential-revenue

5. British Columbia: Thieves Take 1.3 Kilometers (nearly a mile) of Copper Cable from Surrey Manholes (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/copper-cable-theft-surrey-9.7073185

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

6. Sunrise Wind Can Proceed, Ending President Trump’s Offshore Wind Ban — For Now (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/offshore-wind/sunrise-wind-can-proceed-ending-trumps-ban

7. Goldendale Energy Storage Project Receives ‘Milestone’ License, Tribes Continue to Raise Concerns (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-02-03/goldendale-energy-storage-project-receives-milestone-license-tribes-continue-to-raise-concerns

8. WA State: Decatur Solar Expansion Exposes Tensions Over Energy Future (Journal of the San Juans, Friday Harbor, WA)

https://www.sanjuanjournal.com/news/decatur-solar-expansion-exposes-tensions-over-energy-future/

9. Fear Over Farmland Loss Is Slowing Renewable Energy Development in Rural Areas (The Daily Yonder)

https://dailyyonder.com/fear-over-farmland-loss-is-slowing-renewable-energy-development-in-rural-areas/2026/02/03/

10. Berkshire Hathaway Energy Montana Energizes 150MWh Battery Energy Storage System (Energy Storage)

https://www.energy-storage.news/berkshire-hathaway-energy-montana-energises-150mwh-bess/

11. To Lower Electricity Costs, Consumers Quietly Install DIY Solar (Financial Post)

https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/to-lower-electricity-costs-consumers-quietly-install-diy-solar

Conservation & Efficiency

12. This Pillar of Oregon’s Energy Strategy Can Help the State Meet Its Climate Goals — And Lower Electric Bills at the Same Time (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/02/03/oregon-energy-climate-green-power/

Fish & Wildlife

13. Seattle Files to Dismiss Orca Protection Appeal, Raising Concerns About Southern Residents (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Water, Water, Anywhere?

14. Arizona Lawmakers Prepare for Colorado River Water Fight with Unanimous Vote Boosting Legal Fund (Utah News Dispatch)

https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/04/repub/arizona-lawmakers-prepare-for-colorado-river-lawsuit/

London Calling –Telecommunications

15. Staggering Railroad Permit Costs Are Still a Big Problem (Fierce Network)

https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/staggering-railroad-permit-costs-are-still-big-problem

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

16. Microsoft Pledged to Save Water. In the Artificial Intelligence Era, It Expects Water Use to Soar. (New York Times – Via DNYUZ)

https://dnyuz.com/2026/01/27/microsoft-pledged-to-save-water-in-the-a-i-era-it-expects-water-use-to-soar/

17. ‘Big Short’ Investor Michael Burry Details The ‘Sickening Scenarios’ Possible If Bitcoin Continues to Fall (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/big-short-investor-michael-burry-144035586.html

I Sing the Car Electric

18. California’s Instant Electric Vehicle Rebates Would Require Automakers to Match State Funds (Stamford Advocate, CT)

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/california-s-instant-electric-vehicle-rebates-21333629.php

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

19. McClatchy Is Using Artificial Intelligence-Generated Content on Northwest News Sites. Its Reporters Are Trying to Put Up Guardrails (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-02-03/mcclatchy-is-using-ai-content-on-northwest-news-sites-its-reporters-are-trying-to-put-up-guardrails

20. Washington Post Cuts a Third of Its Staff in a Blow to a Legendary News Brand (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/washington-post-staff-reduction-layoffs-cuts-923f87d4bd319c8a64b278165d0a6e27

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

21. Scientists Discovered a City-Sized Bulge on the Yellowstone Volcano’s North Rim (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/trending/2026/01/scientists-discovered-a-city-sized-bulge-on-the-yellowstone-volcanos-north-rim.html

Politics, Governance, and Management

22. Washington State Lawmakers Take on Data Center Costs (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/03/washington-data-centers-legislature-electric-grid-cost-shift-ratepayers

23. Washington Audit Faults ‘Pervasive Failures’ in Digital Navigator Program (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/washington-audit-faults-pervasive-failures-digital-navigator-program/281-118e4982-0b38-426a-9a02-24ccb84e2efa

Other Things to Know About Today

24. The End of Northwest Cold for the Winter & a Short Heat Wave (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-end-of-northwest-cold-for-winter.html

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

25. Guest Essay: If You’re Reading This Online, You’re Using a Data Center (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/opinion/article_54e241ed-bb68-44a2-b008-6ea3ba8e20e4.html

26. Guest Essay: Leveling the Playing Field for U.S. Fishermen (Alaska Beacon)

https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/03/leveling-the-playing-field-for-u-s-fishermen/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Penny the Doberman Pinscher Wins the 150th Westminster Dog Show

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/7-dogs-competing-westminsters-show-222600473.html

A Photographer Will Achieve a Milestone Record at Super Bowl LX

https://www.npr.org/2026/02/04/nx-s1-5690373/a-photographer-will-achieve-a-milestone-record-at-super-bowl-lx

Seahawks Fan Hasn’t Cut His Hair Since Super Bowl 49 Loss, Won’t Until Seattle Wins Again

https://mynorthwest.com/local/seahawks-fan-hasnt-cut-his-hair-since-super-bowl-49-loss-wont-until-seattle-wins-again/4197672

An Angel Resembling Italy’s Meloni Is Painted Over After an Outcry from Church & State

https://courthousenews.com/an-angel-resembling-italys-meloni-is-painted-over-after-an-outcry-from-church-and-state/

Song of the Day

The Mellomen – Old Yeller (Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN6r2l8IPU8

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.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

The Energy News Digest for January 28, 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.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

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

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Bitter Cold Grips the Eastern U.S. as Winter Storm Deaths Rise & Power Outages Linger (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/frigid-temperatures-arctic-air-us-south-tennessee-9d4beb4d548e29d5ce737fd001d67a64

Chelan PUD Confirms Contractor Death During Project Work (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/contractor-death-chelan-pud-project/

Moody’s Sees $3 Trillion in Data Center Spending by 2030 (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/moodys-sees-3t-in-data-center-spending-by-2030/810499/

Lewiston to Host Public Hearing on Columbia River Basin Fish & Wildlife Plan (The DailyFly)

https://www.dailyfly.com/2026/01/26/lewiston-to-host-public-hearing-on-columbia-river-basin-fish-and-wildlife-plan/

WA Lawmakers Consider Bill That Could Lead to E-Bike Fees, Mandates in the Future (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_88aaf420-ec7a-43ba-b9b9-6f5a72b2fcf4.html

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. Chelan PUD Confirms Contractor Death During Project Work

2. Idaho: Two Dead After Plane Hits Power Line, Crashes into Payette River Ice

3. WSDOT Updates Public on Study Examining Road & Rail Impacts If Four Lower Snake River Dams Were Removed

4. Paywall Advisory: Northwest Facing Power Crunch in ‘All Scenarios’

5. Storm Exposes Gaps in New England/Canada Hydro Deal

6. Heating Bills Expected to Spike for American Households Nationwide This Winter

7. Why Your Utility Bills Are Out of Control: It’s Not Just the Arctic Blast, or Artificial Intelligence

8. Can Cities Make Landlords Care About Energy Efficiency?

9. Lewiston to Host Public Hearing on Columbia River Basin Fish & Wildlife Plan

10. More Than a Fish: Stories of Salmon & Sovereignty in the PNW

11. Storms Steer Back into the Pacific Northwest to Boost Depleted Snowpack

12. Climate Change Poses Challenges for Reservoir Management

13. Water Infrastructure Essential for Rural Idaho, Governor Notes

14. Colorado Water Officials Plan for ‘Exceedingly Grim’ Drought Forecasts, Low Reservoir Levels

15. Washington State University Researchers Develop Tool to Track Water Levels in Snowpack

16. SpaceX Now Wants to Alter BEAD Performance Requirements

17. Moody’s Sees $3 Trillion in Data Center Spending by 2030

18. EPA Pokes Musk Over Using Unpermitted Turbines for Artificial Intelligence

19. WA Lawmakers Consider Bill That Could Lead to E-Bike Fees, Mandates in the Future

20. Electric Vehicle Charging Keeps Expanding Despite Trump

21. Data Centers Are Facing an Image Problem. The Tech Industry Is Spending Millions to Rebrand Them.

22. TikTok Settles as Social Media Giants Face Landmark Trial Over Youth Addiction Claims

23. Bipartisan Federal Hydropower Bill Advances from Committee to Full House for Consideration

24. Bitter Cold Grips the Eastern U.S. as Winter Storm Deaths Rise & Power Outages Linger

25. Amazon to Cut About 16,000 Corporate Jobs in Latest Round of Layoffs

26. Podcast: When Will the Nation’s BEAD Networks Finally Be Completed?

27. The Value of Broadband to a Community

Word of the Day

Fritter \FRIT-ter\ Verb – 1: to spend or waste bit by bit, on trifles, or without commensurate return, usually used with away 2: to break into small fragments.

Fritter \FRIT-ter\ Noun – A small mass of fried or sautéed batter often containing fruit or meat.

Olaf was content to fritter the day away by frying up pan after pan of clam fritters while a strong, westerly wind swirled around his beach cabin. Unfortunately, there was a hole in the roof, that kept his mind from wandering…where it will goooooooooo.

Energy & Utility Issues

1. Chelan PUD Confirms Contractor Death During Project Work (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/contractor-death-chelan-pud-project/

2. Idaho: Two Dead After Plane Hits Power Line, Crashes into Payette River Ice (Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/two-dead-plane-hits-power-202956228.html

3. WSDOT Updates Public on Study Examining Road & Rail Impacts If Four Lower Snake River Dams Were Removed (KQQQ Radio, Pullman, WA)

https://pullmanradio.com/wsdot-updates-public-on-study-examining-road-rail-impacts-if-four-lower-snake-river-dams-were-removed/

4. Paywall Advisory: Northwest Facing Power Crunch in ‘All Scenarios’ (Capital Press – Paywall Advisory)

https://capitalpress.com/2026/01/26/northwest-facing-power-crunch-in-all-scenarios/

5. Storm Exposes Gaps in New England/Canada Hydro Deal (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/power-switch/2026/01/27/storm-exposes-gaps-in-new-england-hydro-deal-00749675

6. Heating Bills Expected to Spike for American Households Nationwide This Winter (Fox Business)

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/heating-bills-expected-spike-american-households-nationwide-winter

7. Why Your Utility Bills Are Out of Control: It’s Not Just the Arctic Blast, or Artificial Intelligence (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-your-utility-bills-are-out-of-control-its-not-just-the-arctic-blast-or-ai-100008895.html

Conservation & Efficiency

8. Can Cities Make Landlords Care About Energy Efficiency? (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/buildings/can-cities-make-landlords-care-about-energy-efficiency/

Fish & Wildlife

9. Lewiston to Host Public Hearing on Columbia River Basin Fish & Wildlife Plan (The DailyFly)

https://www.dailyfly.com/2026/01/26/lewiston-to-host-public-hearing-on-columbia-river-basin-fish-and-wildlife-plan/

10. More Than a Fish: Stories of Salmon & Sovereignty in the PNW (Columbia Gorge News)

https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/more-than-a-fish-stories-of-salmon-and-sovereignty-in-the-pnw/article_0faa1185-e252-478a-bccf-66d71a6fcf4e.html

Water, Water, Anywhere?

11. Storms Steer Back into the Pacific Northwest to Boost Depleted Snowpack (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/western-washington-winter-weather-region-snow-cascade-january-conditions-meteorologist-storms-steer-back-into-the-pacific-northwest-to-boost-depleted-snowpack-climate-change

12. Climate Change Poses Challenges for Reservoir Management (Everett Herald, WA – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/climate-change-poses-challenges-for-reservoir-management/ar-AA1V1ei8

13. Water Infrastructure Essential for Rural Idaho, Governor Notes (PNW Ag Network)

https://pnwag.net/water-infrastructure-essential-little/

14. Colorado Water Officials Plan for ‘Exceedingly Grim’ Drought Forecasts, Low Reservoir Levels (The Colorado Sun)

https://coloradosun.com/2026/01/28/colorado-water-officials-grim-drought-forecasts-reservoir/

15. Washington State University Researchers Develop Tool to Track Water Levels in Snowpack (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/wsu-researchers-develop-tool-track-water-levels-snowpack/55IQUQDKCVGS3JJTKHL3ZH7EAQ/

London Calling –Telecommunications

16. SpaceX Now Wants to Alter BEAD Performance Requirements (Fierce Networks)

https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/new-spacex-waiver-seeks-alter-bead-performance-metrics

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

17. Moody’s Sees $3 Trillion in Data Center Spending by 2030 (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/moodys-sees-3t-in-data-center-spending-by-2030/810499/

18. EPA Pokes Musk Over Using Unpermitted Turbines for Artificial Intelligence (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/22/epa-thwarts-musks-diesel-turbines-ai-00737605

I Sing the Car Electric

19. WA Lawmakers Consider Bill That Could Lead to E-Bike Fees, Mandates in the Future (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_88aaf420-ec7a-43ba-b9b9-6f5a72b2fcf4.html

20. Electric Vehicle Charging Keeps Expanding Despite Trump (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/ev-charging/ev-charging-has-kept-growing-despite-the-trump-administration

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

21. Data Centers Are Facing an Image Problem. The Tech Industry Is Spending Millions to Rebrand Them. (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/energy/data-centers-are-facing-an-image-problem-the-tech-industry-is-spending-millions-to-rebrand-them/

22. TikTok Settles as Social Media Giants Face Landmark Trial Over Youth Addiction Claims (Associated Press)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/meta-tiktok-youtube-face-landmark-020429775.html

Politics, Governance, and Management

23. Bipartisan Federal Hydropower Bill Advances from Committee to Full House for Consideration (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/featured/50937-bipartisan-hydropower-bill-advances-from-committee-to-full-house-for-consideration/

Other Things to Know About Today

24. Bitter Cold Grips the Eastern U.S. as Winter Storm Deaths Rise & Power Outages Linger (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/frigid-temperatures-arctic-air-us-south-tennessee-9d4beb4d548e29d5ce737fd001d67a64

25. Amazon to Cut About 16,000 Corporate Jobs in Latest Round of Layoffs (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/amazon-cuts-about-16000-corporate-jobs-mass-layoffs-workers-replaced-with-ai-ceo-andy-jassy-cut-costs-workforce-reduction-seattle-technology

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

26. Podcast: When Will the Nation’s BEAD Networks Finally Be Completed? (Statescoop)

https://statescoop.com/radio/when-will-the-nations-bead-networks-finally-be-completed/

27. The Value of Broadband to a Community (Pots & Pans)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2026/01/27/the-value-of-broadband-to-a-community/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Missing British Columbia Rock Beloved by Climbers Turns Up 1,700 Miles from Home

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/01/22/canada-Squamish-California-missing-granite-rock-Portable/7031769105243/

British 2-Year-Old Breaks Two World Records Playing Pool & Snooker

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/01/28/Guinness-World-Records-toddler-pool-snooker/1551769621785/

Cat Escapes Vehicle in Spain, Walks Nearly 155 Miles Home to France

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/01/26/france-lost-cat-Spain-France-155-miles/2871769452750/

Vancouver's Museum of Personal Failure Finds Victory in Defeat

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/01/26/canada-Museum-of-Personal-Failure-Vancouver/2751769442186/

Song of the Day

Dave Mason – So High (Rock Me Baby and Roll Me Away)

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