The Energy News Digest for May 13, 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.

Register for Flipping the Switch: A Public Power Boot Camp 

New to public power, onboarding staff, or interested in learning more about the industry? Then NWPPA’s Flipping the Switch: A Public Power Boot Camp is for you! Join us or send your staff to the next boot camp, June 1-4 in Eugene, Oregon.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Seattle Mayor Signs $4 Billion Skagit River Dams Settlement (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/investigations/skagit-river-dams/seattle-mayor-sign-skagit-river-settlement-seattle-city-light-relicensing/281-ad111f28-8ecb-4b7a-b97e-8e0937804a0c

Drought Emergency Now Covers 12 of Oregon’s 36 Counties After Third Declaration This Year (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

https://katu.com/news/local/drought-emergency-now-covers-12-of-oregons-36-counties-after-3rd-declaration-this-year-hot-weather-governor-tina-kotek

‘Burning Longer, Moving Faster.’ WA Prepares for What Could Be Bad Wildfire Year (Tacoma News-Tribune, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/burning-longer-moving-faster-wa-123000476.html

Bill to Facilitate the Development of Hydropower Signed into Law (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/52254-bill-to-facilitate-the-development-of-hydropower-signed-into-law/

Several States Considering Ban on Legal Personhood for Artificial Intelligence (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/11/nx-s1-5798754/several-states-considering-ban-on-legal-personhood-for-ai

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Seattle Mayor Signs $4 Billion Skagit River Dams Settlement

2.      Skagit Hydropower Settlement – Agreement Guides Seattle Power Source Supplying 20% of City Electricity, New Priorities

3.      Bill to Facilitate the Development of Hydropower Signed into Law

4.      News Release: U.S. Rep. Newhouse/Sen. Daines ‘Build More Hydro’ Bill Signed into Law

5.      Port of Moses Lake Power Generation Project Moving Forward

6.      The Yakama Nation Says It Feels Pushed Aside for Energy Developments. They’re Working to Protect Sacred Sites

7.      SW Power Pool, PJM, California ISO Anticipate Being Able to Meet Power Demand This Summer

8.      A Big Dam Fight – Michigan’s Second-Largest Utility Is Holding a Fire Sale – On Hydroelectric Dams.

9.      EPA Defends Axing $7 Billion Solar Program

10.   WA State: Orcas Power & Light Receives Conditional Use Permit for Decatur Island Solar Expansion Project

11.   Solar to Surpass Coal in Texas Power Generation in 2026, EIA Says

12.   We Bet You Can’t Guess Which States Rely Most on Wind & Solar

13.   Why Your Dad’s Old Rules on Energy Still Matter Today in WA.

14.   Fish Take a Spin at Cle Elum Dam’s Spiral Helix

15.   Drought Emergency Now Covers 12 of Oregon’s 36 Counties After Third Declaration This Year

16.   WA State: Clallam PUD Urges Water Conservation Amid Growing Drought Concerns

17.   Utah’s Negotiator on Colorado River Says Feds May Make Short-Term Decision for States

18.   ‘Perfect Storm’ Rainfall Comes to the Pacific Northwest

19.   Verizon CEO Still Sees Satellite as a Complement to Terrestrial

20.   Several States Considering Ban on Legal Personhood for Artificial Intelligence

21.   ‘Not in My Backyard’: California to Surpass 300 Data Centers Despite Local Opposition

22.   Oregon Agency Reviewing Unauthorized Artificial Intelligence Use After Worker Sends Email Citing Reddit to Explain State Law

23.   WA State: With Initial Goal Met, The Spokesman-Review Starts Ownership Shift from Cowles to Nonprofit

24.   Star Catcher Raises $65 Million to Build First Power Grid in Space

25.   Bureau of Land Management Just Rescinded This Public Lands Rule – Conservation No Longer Considered Among ‘Multiple Uses & Sustained Yields’ of Federal Lands

26.   ‘Burning Longer, Moving Faster.’ WA Prepares for What Could Be Bad Wildfire Year

27.   Mason County Is One of Fastest Growing Micro Areas in the Country, New Census Data Shows

28.   Guest Essay: Idaho’s U.S. Sen. Frank Church Wrote BPA’s Rulebook. It Demands Reliable Power, Too.

29.   Guest Essay: Kurt Miller – More Spill, Less Hydropower: The Electric Grid Tradeoffs Washington Can’t Ignore

30.   Guest Essay: Canada’s Hydro Power Problem Is All the Barriers Blocking It

31.   Guest Essay: Why Is the U.S. Walking Away from Energy Efficiency?

Word of the Day

Hubris /HYOO-briss/ Noun – Exaggerated pride or self-confidence.

“Don’t get too excited,” chirped Euripides to his overproud assistant. “Just because your poetry is being quoted in the Athenian marketplace today, doesn’t mean you won’t be cursed around town tomorrow.”

“Beware of hubris,” he warned. “Those whom the gods would destroy, they first raise up.”

(That’s not the exact quote, but it is in the same vein: “Whom the Gods would destroy they first make mad.”)

Or “pride goeth before a fall.”

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Seattle Mayor Signs $4 Billion Skagit River Dams Settlement (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/investigations/skagit-river-dams/seattle-mayor-sign-skagit-river-settlement-seattle-city-light-relicensing/281-ad111f28-8ecb-4b7a-b97e-8e0937804a0c

2.      Skagit Hydropower Settlement – Agreement Guides Seattle Power Source Supplying 20% of City Electricity, New Priorities (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-mayor-katie-wilson-signs-landmark-skagit-hydroelectric-project-settlement-agreement-tribal-leaders-dams-in-skagit-county

3.      Bill to Facilitate the Development of Hydropower Signed into Law (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/52254-bill-to-facilitate-the-development-of-hydropower-signed-into-law/

4.      News Release: U.S. Rep. Newhouse/Sen. Daines ‘Build More Hydro’ Bill Signed into Law (U.S. Representative Newhouse, U.S. Senator Daines)

https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhousedaines-build-more-hydro-bill-signed-law

5.      Port of Moses Lake Power Generation Project Moving Forward (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/may/12/port-of-moses-lake-power-generation-project-moving-forward/

6.      The Yakama Nation Says It Feels Pushed Aside for Energy Developments. They’re Working to Protect Sacred Sites (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-05-11/the-yakama-nation-says-it-feels-pushed-aside-for-energy-developments-theyre-working-to-protect-sacred-sites

7.      SW Power Pool, PJM, California ISO Anticipate Being Able to Meet Power Demand This Summer (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/spp-pjm-caiso-summer-outlook-blackout/819957/

8.      A Big Dam Fight – Michigan’s Second-Largest Utility Is Holding a Fire Sale – On Hydroelectric Dams. (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/power-switch/2026/05/11/a-big-dam-fight-00914670

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

9.      EPA Defends Axing $7 Billion Solar Program (Courthouse News Service)

https://courthousenews.com/epa-defends-axing-7-billion-solar-program/

10.   WA State: Orcas Power & Light Receives Conditional Use Permit for Decatur Island Solar Expansion Project (The Orcasian, Eastsound, WA)

https://theorcasonian.com/opalco-receives-conditional-use-permit-for-decatur-island-solar-expansion-project/

11.   Solar to Surpass Coal in Texas Power Generation in 2026, EIA Says (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/solar-surpass-coal-texas-power-generation-2026-eia-says-2026-05-13/

12.   We Bet You Can’t Guess Which States Rely Most on Wind & Solar Power (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/wind/which-states-most-wind-solar-power

Conservation & Efficiency

13.   Why Your Dad’s Old Rules on Energy Still Matter Today in WA. (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/ixp/1135/p/energy-saving-habits-community-washington/

Fish & Wildlife

14.   Fish Take a Spin at Cle Elum Dam’s Spiral Helix (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

https://www.knkx.org/environment/2026-05-13/fish-take-a-spin-at-cle-elum-dams-spiral-helix-yakama-nation

Water, Water, Anywhere?

15.   Drought Emergency Now Covers 12 of Oregon’s 36 Counties After Third Declaration This Year (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

https://katu.com/news/local/drought-emergency-now-covers-12-of-oregons-36-counties-after-3rd-declaration-this-year-hot-weather-governor-tina-kotek

16.   WA State: Clallam PUD Urges Water Conservation Amid Growing Drought Concerns (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2026/05/13/clallam-pud-urges-water-conservation-amid-growing-drought-concerns/

17.   Utah’s Negotiator on Colorado River Says Feds May Make Short-Term Decision for States (Utah News Dispatch)

https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/05/13/utah-negotiator-on-colorado-river-says-feds-may-make-short-term-decision-for-states/

18.   ‘Perfect Storm’ Rainfall Comes to the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2026/05/perfect-storm-rainfall-comes-to.html

London Calling –Telecommunications

19.   Verizon CEO Still Sees Satellite as Complement to Terrestrial (Broadband Breakfast)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/verizon-ceo-still-sees-satellite-as-compliment-to-terrestrial/

HAL’s Internet Café

20.   Several States Considering Ban on Legal Personhood for Artificial Intelligence (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/11/nx-s1-5798754/several-states-considering-ban-on-legal-personhood-for-ai

21.   ‘Not in My Backyard’: California to Surpass 300 Data Centers Despite Local Opposition (TCD – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/not-backyard-california-surpass-300-190000219.html

22.   Oregon Agency Reviewing Unauthorized Artificial Intelligence Use After Worker Sends Email Citing Reddit to Explain State Law (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/05/oregon-agency-reviewing-unauthorized-ai-use-after-worker-sends-email-citing-reddit-to-explain-state-law.html

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

23.   WA State: With Initial Goal Met, The Spokesman-Review Starts Ownership Shift from Cowles to Nonprofit (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/may/12/with-goal-met-the-spokesman-review-starts-ownershi/

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

24.   Star Catcher Raises $65 Million to Build First Power Grid in Space (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/star-catcher-raises-65-million-to-build-first-power-grid-in-space/

Politics, Governance, and Management

25.   Bureau of Land Management Just Rescinded This Public Lands Rule – Conservation No Longer Considered Among ‘Multiple Uses & Sustained Yields’ of Federal Lands (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)

https://www.deseret.com/environment/2026/05/11/blm-rescinds-public-lands-rule-conservation-not-multiple-use/

Other Things to Know About Today

26.   ‘Burning Longer, Moving Faster.’ WA Prepares for What Could Be Bad Wildfire Year (Tacoma News-Tribune, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/burning-longer-moving-faster-wa-123000476.html

27.   Mason County Is One of Fastest Growing Micro Areas in the Country, New Census Data Shows (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/mason-county-one-of-fastest-growing-micro-areas-in-the-country-new-census-data-shows

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

28.   Guest Essay: Idaho’s U.S. Sen. Frank Church Wrote BPA’s Rulebook. It Demands Reliable Power, Too. (Idaho Capital Sun)

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2026/05/07/idahos-u-s-sen-frank-church-wrote-bpas-rulebook-it-demands-reliable-power-too/

29.   Guest Essay: Kurt Miller – More Spill, Less Hydropower: The Electric Grid Tradeoffs Washington Can’t Ignore (Renewable Energy World)

https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/hydro-power/more-spill-less-hydropower-the-electric-grid-tradeoffs-washington-cant-ignore/

30.   Guest Essay: Canada’s Hydro Power Problem Is All the Barriers Blocking It (The Financial Post)

https://financialpost.com/opinion/canada-hydro-power-problem-barriers-blocking

31.   Guest Essay: Why Is the U.S. Walking Away from Energy Efficiency? (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/policy-makers-energy-efficiency-energy-star/819228/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Spuds in Space? NASA-Backed Research Grows Potatoes in Moon-Like Soil at Oregon State University

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/nasa-backed-research-grows-potatoes-moon-like-soil-oregon-state-university/283-3a243a21-02b9-4598-8430-81b774557853

Way Out of Network – Neanderthals May Have Drilled Out a Cavity 59,000 Years Ago

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/13/nx-s1-5815047/neanderthal-tooth-dentistry-cavity-drill

Japanese Snack Packages Turning Black-And-White as Iran War Depletes Ink Supply

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/05/13/japanese-snack-packages-turning-black-and-white/

Why Hacky Sack Is Suddenly Trending Among Gen Z

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/why-hacky-sack-is-suddenly-trending-among-gen-z/ar-AA235lhv

Song of the Day

Little Jimmy Dickens – Take an Old Cold Tater & Wait

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBi_CyJe604

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.

The Energy News Digest for May 11, 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.

Register for Flipping the Switch: A Public Power Boot Camp 

New to public power, onboarding staff, or interested in learning more about the industry? Then NWPPA’s Flipping the Switch: A Public Power Boot Camp is for you! Join us or send your staff to the next boot camp, June 1-4 in Eugene, Oregon.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

As Drought Worsens, Western States Brace for Wildfires, Water Shortages (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/05/10/repub/as-drought-worsens-western-states-brace-for-wildfires-water-shortages/

Over 250 Onshore Wind Projects Stalled as Pentagon Freezes Permitting (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/wind/wind-projects-stalled-pentagon-permitting

The Extended Day-Ahead Market Is ‘Solid & Stable’ So Far, Says California ISO (Utility Dive)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/idaho-power-wants-build-two-100000114.html

A Data Center Drained 30 Million Gallons of Water Unnoticed — Until Residents Complained About Low Water Pressure (Politico – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/georgia-residents-seethe-over-30m-180000015.html

Berkshire CEO Threatens to Exit States with Costly Clean Energy Mandates (E&E News – Via the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition)

https://governorswindenergycoalition.org/berkshire-ceo-threatens-to-exit-states-with-costly-clean-energy-mandates/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      The Extended Day-Ahead Market Is ‘Solid & Stable’ So Far, Says California ISO

2.      Montana Regulators Hold Public Hearings This Week on NorthWestern Energy-Black Hills Energy Merger

3.      Idaho Power Wants to Build Two Natural Gas Power Plants. Here’s Where & Why

4.      NW Natural Challenges a Decision to Phase Out Subsidies for New Gas Customers

5.      Bay Area Ban on New Natural Gas Water Heaters, Set to Take Effect in Seven Months, May Be Relaxed Over Cost Concerns

6.      Humidity at Pacific Gas & Electric Substation Likely Cause of Massive December San Francisco Blackout

7.      Appeals Judge Who Wrote Opinion Favorable to PacifiCorp in Landmark Wildfire Case Formerly Represented the Utility Giant

8.      Close Calls at Michigan’s Dams Are a Climate Warning to America

9.      Over 250 Onshore Wind Projects Stalled as Pentagon Freezes Permitting

10.   Berkshire CEO Threatens to Exit States with Costly Clean Energy Mandates

11.   Public Outcry Kills Wyoming’s First Community Solar Farm Project

12.   City Of Richland to Consider Major Solar Expansion at Horn Rapids Site

13.   Oregon’s First Floating Solar Project Brings Energy Savings, Farm Support

14.   Where Does Balcony Solar Stand in Your State?

15.   As Drought Worsens, Western States Brace for Wildfires, Water Shortages

16.   California, Nevada & Arizona Announce Temporary Plan to Save Water from the Colorado River

17.   Washington Looking for Solutions to Looming Water Challenges

18.   Telecom Project – Lummi Nation Asks Court to Halt Construction, Protect Ancestral Burial Sites on Point Roberts

19.   Comcast Seeks FCC Action in Pole Dispute with Appalachian Power Company

20.   A Data Center Drained 30 Million Gallons of Water Unnoticed — Until Residents Complained About Low Water Pressure

21.   Ambitious Experiment Aims to Test Tiny Nuclear Reactors for AI Data Centers

22.   Kevin O’Leary Says Opponents of His Utah Data Center Are ‘Professional Protesters’ – Some Are Powered by Artificial Intelligence

23.   Amazon Says It Won’t Sell E-Bikes in California That Exceed State Speed Limits

24.   President Trump Says He Aims to Suspend Gas Tax ‘For a Period of Time’

25.   El Niño Explained – What It Means for Californians

26.   Substantial Precipitation Will Soon Return to the Pacific Northwest

Word of the Day

Coulrophobia \KOLE-ruh-fobe-eeyah\ Noun - An extreme fear of clowns.

The psychiatrist’s suggestion to his client, who was being treated for chronic coulrophobia. “Confront your fears, go to the circus,” he intoned. “If the circus performers attack,” he continued, “always go right for the juggler.”

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      The Extended Day-Ahead Market Is ‘Solid & Stable’ So Far, Says California ISO (Utility Dive)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/idaho-power-wants-build-two-100000114.html

2.      Montana Regulators Hold Public Hearings This Week on NorthWestern Energy-Black Hills Energy Merger (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/montana-regulators-hold-public-hearings-this-week-on-energy-merger/ar-AA22RFqU?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds

3.      Idaho Power Wants to Build Two Natural Gas Power Plants. Here’s Where & Why (Idaho Statesman – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/idaho-power-wants-build-two-100000114.html

4.      NW Natural Challenges a Decision to Phase Out Subsidies for New Gas Customers (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/05/06/nw-natural-challenges-a-decision-to-phase-out-subsidies-for-new-gas-customers/

5.      Bay Area Ban on New Natural Gas Water Heaters, Set to Take Effect in Seven Months, May Be Relaxed Over Cost Concerns (San Jose Mercury News, CA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/general/bay-area-ban-on-new-natural-gas-water-heaters-set-to-take-effect-in-seven-months-may-be-relaxed-over-cost-concerns/ar-AA22uQ7a

6.      Humidity at Pacific Gas & Electric Substation Likely Cause of Massive December San Francisco Blackout (KQED Radio, San Francisco, CA)

https://www.kqed.org/news/12083011/humidity-at-pge-substation-likely-cause-of-massive-december-san-francisco-blackout

7.      Appeals Judge Who Wrote Opinion Favorable to PacifiCorp in Landmark Wildfire Case Formerly Represented the Utility Giant (Oregon Journalism Project)

https://www.oregonjournalismproject.org/appeals-judge-who-wrote-opinion-favorable-to-pacificorp-formerly-represented-the-utility-giant

8.      Close Calls at Michigan’s Dams Are a Climate Warning to America (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/extreme-weather/close-calls-at-michigans-dams-are-a-climate-warning-to-america/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

9.      Over 250 Onshore Wind Projects Stalled as Pentagon Freezes Permitting (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/wind/wind-projects-stalled-pentagon-permitting

10.   Berkshire CEO Threatens to Exit States with Costly Clean Energy Mandates (E&E News – Via the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition)

https://governorswindenergycoalition.org/berkshire-ceo-threatens-to-exit-states-with-costly-clean-energy-mandates/

11.   Public Outcry Kills Wyoming’s First Community Solar Farm Project (Cowboy State Daily)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2026/05/08/public-outcry-kills-wyomings-first-community-solar-farm-project/

12.   City Of Richland to Consider Major Solar Expansion at Horn Rapids Site (KNDO & KNDU-TV, Yakima/Tri-Cities, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/city-of-richland-to-consider-major-solar-expansion-at-horn-rapids-site/article_e42b3cde-272a-4100-bf4c-9bbe3be4b7ce.html

13.   Oregon’s First Floating Solar Project Brings Energy Savings, Farm Support (KDRV-TV, Medford, OR)

https://www.kdrv.com/news/top-stories/oregon-s-first-floating-solar-project-brings-energy-savings-farm-support/article_3fd9ceb6-c535-4a80-922a-657cefa46bed.html

14.   Where Does Balcony Solar Stand in Your State? (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/states-passing-balcony-solar-laws

Water, Water, Anywhere?

15.   As Drought Worsens, Western States Brace for Wildfires, Water Shortages (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/05/10/repub/as-drought-worsens-western-states-brace-for-wildfires-water-shortages/

16.   California, Nevada & Arizona Announce Temporary Plan to Save Water from the Colorado River (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/california-nevada-arizona-announce-temporary-192139156.html

17.   Washington Looking for Solutions to Looming Water Challenges (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

https://www.knkx.org/environment/2026-05-11/washington-looking-for-solutions-to-looming-water-challenges

London Calling –Telecommunications

18.   Telecom Project – Lummi Nation Asks Court to Halt Construction, Protect Ancestral Burial Sites on Point Roberts (Cascadia Daily)

https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/may/07/lummi-nation-asks-court-to-halt-construction-protect-ancestral-burial-sites-on-point-roberts/

19.   Comcast Seeks FCC Action in Pole Dispute with Appalachian Power Company (Broadband Breakfast)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/comcast-seeks-fcc-action-in-pole-dispute-with-appalachian-power-company/

HAL’s Internet Café

20.   A Data Center Drained 30 Million Gallons of Water Unnoticed — Until Residents Complained About Low Water Pressure (Politico – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/georgia-residents-seethe-over-30m-180000015.html

21.   Ambitious Experiment Aims to Test Tiny Nuclear Reactors for AI Data Centers (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/ambitious-experiment-aims-to-test-tiny-nuclear-reactors-for-ai-data-centers-2000752883

22.   Kevin O’Leary Says Opponents of His Utah Data Center Are ‘Professional Protesters’ – Some Are Powered by Artificial Intelligence (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/kevin-oleary-says-opponents-utah-212814998.html

I Sing the Car Electric

23.   Amazon Says It Won’t Sell E-Bikes in California That Exceed State Speed Limits (KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA)

https://abc7news.com/post/amazon-says-sell-bikes-california-exceed-state-speed-limits-amid-rise-deadly-crashes/19078566/

Politics, Governance, and Management

24.   President Trump Says He Aims to Suspend Gas Tax ‘For a Period of Time’ (CBS News – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-says-suspend-gas-tax-150306695.html

Other Things to Know About Today

25.   El Niño Explained – What It Means for Californians (NY Post)

https://nypost.com/2026/05/09/science/el-nino-explained-and-what-it-means-for-californians/

26.   Substantial Precipitation Will Soon Return to the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2026/05/substantial-precipitation-will-soon.html

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Olivia & Liam Top the List of Most Popular U.S. Baby Names for the Seventh Year Running

https://apnews.com/article/baby-names-social-security-administration-0d4d835e25e8edc72e07a1d49d202333

This Mini Horse Plays Keyboard for Hospital Patients – It’s Going Viral

https://www.msn.com/en-us/pets-and-animals/pets/this-mini-horse-plays-keyboard-for-hospital-patients-and-it-s-going-viral/ar-AA2147GO

Mexican Performer Lifts 166.11 Pounds with Her Hair

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/05/08/mexico-Guinness-World-Records-weight-lifted-hair/3431778249627/

‘They’re Finally Home’: Southeast Portland Woman’s Missing Cats Found in LA After Two-Year Search

https://www.koin.com/news/portland/theyre-finally-home-southeast-portland-womans-missing-cats-found-in-la-after-two-year-search/

Song of the Day

Don McClean - Wonderful Baby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOSdDN44Aew

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.