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.

The Energy News Digest for May 6, 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

Power Showdown: Two Contenders Vie to Run The Bonneville Power Administration, the Northwest’s Electric Nerve Center (Hoodline)

https://hoodline.com/2026/05/power-showdown-two-contenders-vie-to-run-the-northwest-s-electric-nerve-center/

California Investigates Trump Administration’s Deal to End an Offshore Wind Project (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/trump-offshore-wind-payouts-california-investigation-climate-be65157a407733658be97a9de8978a02

Microsoft May Shelve 2030 Clean Energy Target as Artificial Intelligence Lifts Power Use, Bloomberg News Reports (Reuters – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/renewable-energy/microsoft-may-shelve-2030-clean-energy-target-as-ai-lifts-power-use-bloomberg-news-reports/ar-AA22x81E

Eugene Water & Electric Board Completes Transfer of About 2,500 McKenzie Valley Electric Accounts to Lane Electric (KMTR-TV, Eugene, OR)

https://nbc16.com/news/local/eweb-eugene-water-electric-board-completes-transfer-of-about-2500-mckenzie-valley-electric-accounts-to-lane-electric-cooperative-thurston-road-and-vida-electricity-energy

Port of Port Townsend Dumps Social Media … After Announcing It on Facebook (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/local/port-of-port-townsend-social-media/4235270

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Power Showdown: Two Contenders Vie to Run The Bonneville Power Administration, the Northwest’s Electric Nerve Center

2.      Eugene Water & Electric Board Completes Transfer of About 2,500 McKenzie Valley Electric Accounts to Lane Electric

3.      Idaho: 15-Year-Old Survives Electric Shock, 60-Foot Fall into Brush Fire After Climbing Power Line, Officials Say

4.      Pacific Power Files Rate Case, Aims for Stable & Affordable Electricity Costs

5.      Electricity Demand & Temperatures Hit Record Levels in British Columbia

6.      NERC Sounds Alarm on Large Loads, Orders Urgent Grid Reliability Actions

7.      America’s Nuclear Dry Spell Is Over

8.      California Investigates Trump Administration’s Deal to End an Offshore Wind Project

9.      How Idaho’s Aging Canals Could Soon Generate Power - And Save Millions of Gallons of Water

10.   Idaho Power to Purchase 120 MW of Solar from Jackpot Holdings

11.   Oregon Department of Energy Announces $1.1 Million in Re-Purposed Funding for Solar & Storage Rebates

12.   Portland-Based Ocean Energy Startup Gets $140 Million Investment from Billionaire Backers

13.   Washington Facility Could Turn Uneaten Food into Enough Energy for 3,000 Homes

14.   Why Do WA Gray Whales Keep Stranding? 17th Found Dead Near Grays Harbor

15.   Oregon: What The Carp? Discovery of Nuisance Fish in Douglas County Alarms Officials & Biologists

16.   Idaho Spent Nuclear Fuel Facility Receives Design Approval

17.   WA State: Yakima Reservoirs Above Normal, But River Faces Major Water Shortage Concerns

18.   Microsoft May Shelve 2030 Clean Energy Target as Artificial Intelligence Lifts Power Use, Bloomberg News Reports

19.   Copper Thieves Blamed for Widespread Telus Outage in British Columbia’s North

20.   ReConnect Rural Broadband Grant Program Appears to Be Saved

21.   Subsea Cables Become a Hotbed of Artificial Intelligence Network Activity

22.   Tahoe Is Losing a Major Power Source Amid Google, Apple Data Center Expansion

23.   Massive Box Elder County Data Center Could Increase Utah’s Carbon Emissions by 50%

24.   Ford’s Secret Electric Vehicle Unit Emerges from Shadows, Still Bullish on New Pickup Amid Market Slowdown

25.   Port of Port Townsend Dumps Social Media … After Announcing It on Facebook

26.   Reporters at McClatchy Withhold Bylines in Dispute Over Artificial Intelligence Content

27.   May’s Meteor Shower Peaks This Week — Here’s How to Watch It

28.   Oregon Gov. Kotek, State Leaders Warn of a Dangerous Fire Year Ahead Amid Low Snowpack

29.   States Across the Wildfire-Prone Western U.S. Are Using Artificial Intelligence for Early Detection

30.   Why Gasoline Costs 52% More in the U.S. Than It Did Before the Iran War

31.   Guest Essay: More Spill, Less Hydropower: The Electric Grid Tradeoffs Washington Can’t Ignore

32.   Guest Essay: NorthWestern’s Mega-Monopoly Merger Is All About Data Centers

Word of the Day

Sheeple \SHEE-pull| Noun - People who are docile, compliant, or easily influenced: people likened to sheep.

     Sheeple or people.

     Who wants the latest gadget?

     Meee Meee Meee ... Gimme

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Power Showdown: Two Contenders Vie to Run The Bonneville Power Administration, the Northwest’s Electric Nerve Center (Hoodline)

https://hoodline.com/2026/05/power-showdown-two-contenders-vie-to-run-the-northwest-s-electric-nerve-center/

2.      Eugene Water & Electric Board Completes Transfer of About 2,500 McKenzie Valley Electric Accounts to Lane Electric (KMTR-TV, Eugene, OR)

https://nbc16.com/news/local/eweb-eugene-water-electric-board-completes-transfer-of-about-2500-mckenzie-valley-electric-accounts-to-lane-electric-cooperative-thurston-road-and-vida-electricity-energy

3.      Idaho: 15-Year-Old Survives Electric Shock, 60-Foot Fall into Brush Fire After Climbing Power Line, Officials Say (KMVT-TV, Twin Falls, ID)

https://www.kmvt.com/2026/05/05/15-year-old-survives-electric-shock-60-foot-fall-into-brush-fire-after-climbing-power-line-officials-say/

4.      Pacific Power Files Rate Case, Aims for Stable & Affordable Electricity Costs (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)
https://ktvz.com/news/top-stories/2026/05/05/pacific-power-files-rate-case-aims-for-stable-and-affordable-electricity-costs/

5.      Electricity Demand & Temperatures Hit Record Levels in British Columbia (Yahoo! News)

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/more-heat-records-fall-across-155739566.html

6.      NERC Sounds Alarm on Large Loads, Orders Urgent Grid Reliability Actions (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/52170-nerc-sounds-alarm-on-large-loads-orders-urgent-grid-reliability-actions/

7.      America’s Nuclear Dry Spell Is Over (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/americas-nuclear-dry-spell-is-over

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

8.      California Investigates Trump Administration’s Deal to End an Offshore Wind Project (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/trump-offshore-wind-payouts-california-investigation-climate-be65157a407733658be97a9de8978a02

9.      How Idaho’s Aging Canals Could Soon Generate Power - And Save Millions of Gallons of Water (East Idaho News – Via Pressreader)

https://www.pressreader.com/usa/east-idaho-news/20260505/281848650216900

10.   Idaho Power to Purchase 120 MW of Solar from Jackpot Holdings (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/policy/18442-idaho-power-to-purchase-120-mw-of-solar-from-jackpot-holdings/

11.   Oregon Department of Energy Announces $1.1 Million in Re-Purposed Funding for Solar & Storage Rebates (PV Magazine)

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/05/05/oregon-department-of-energy-announces-1-1-million-in-re-purposed-funding-for-solar-and-storage-rebates/

12.   Portland-Based Ocean Energy Startup Gets $140 Million Investment from Billionaire Backers (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026/05/portland-based-ocean-energy-startup-gets-140-million-investment-from-billionaire-backers.html

13.   Washington Facility Could Turn Uneaten Food into Enough Energy for 3,000 Homes (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/washington/washington-facility-turn-uneaten-food-into-natural-energy/

Fish & Wildlife

14.   Why Do WA Gray Whales Keep Stranding? 17th Found Dead Near Grays Harbor (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/why-wa-gray-whales-stranding-grays-harbor

15.   Oregon: What The Carp? Discovery of Nuisance Fish in Douglas County Alarms Officials & Biologists (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/05/05/douglas-county-carp-nuisance-fish-alarms-officials-biologists/

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

16.   Idaho Spent Nuclear Fuel Facility Receives Design Approval (Nuclear Newswire)

https://www.ans.org/news/article-8008/idaho-spent-nuclear-fuel-facility-receives-design-approval/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

17.   WA State: Yakima Reservoirs Above Normal, But River Faces Major Water Shortage Concerns (KNDO & KNDU-TV, Yakima/Tri-Cities, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/yakima-reservoirs-above-normal-but-river-faces-major-water-shortage-concerns/article_fc6928b4-ef87-405c-aa34-a09f42be94a1.html

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

18.   Microsoft May Shelve 2030 Clean Energy Target as Artificial Intelligence Lifts Power Use, Bloomberg News Reports (Reuters – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/renewable-energy/microsoft-may-shelve-2030-clean-energy-target-as-ai-lifts-power-use-bloomberg-news-reports/ar-AA22x81E

London Calling –Telecommunications

19.   Copper Thieves Blamed for Widespread Telus Outage in British Columbia’s North (CTV News)

https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/cable-thieves-blamed-for-widespread-telus-outage-in-bcs-north/

20.   ReConnect Rural Broadband Grant Program Appears to Be Saved (Broadband Communities)

https://bbcmag.com/reconnect-rural-broadband-grant-program-appears-to-be-saved/

21.   Subsea Cables Become a Hotbed of Artificial Intelligence Network Activity (Fierce Network)

https://www.fierce-network.com/cloud/subsea-cables-are-becoming-hotbed-ai-network-activity

HAL’s Internet Café

22.   Tahoe Is Losing a Major Power Source Amid Google, Apple Data Center Expansion (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tahoe-is-losing-a-major-power-source-amid-google-apple-data-center-expansion/ar-AA22mkfD

23.   Massive Box Elder County Data Center Could Increase Utah’s Carbon Emissions by 50% (Utah News Dispatch)

https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/05/01/box-elder-county-data-center-increase-carbon-emissions/

I Sing the Car Electric

24.   Ford’s Secret Electric Vehicle Unit Emerges from Shadows, Still Bullish on New Pickup Amid Market Slowdown (CNBC)

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/05/ford-ev-universal-electric-vehicle-california.html

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

25.   Port of Port Townsend Dumps Social Media … After Announcing It on Facebook (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/local/port-of-port-townsend-social-media/4235270

26.   Reporters at McClatchy Withhold Bylines in Dispute Over Artificial Intelligence Content (NY Times – Via DNYUS)

https://dnyuz.com/2026/05/01/reporters-at-mcclatchy-withhold-bylines-in-dispute-over-a-i-content/

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

27.   May’s Meteor Shower Peaks This Week — Here’s How to Watch It (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/eta-aquariid-meteor-shower-peak/71217808

Other Things to Know About Today

28.   Oregon Gov. Kotek, State Leaders Warn of a Dangerous Fire Year Ahead Amid Low Snowpack (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

https://katu.com/news/local/oregon-governor-tina-kotek-state-leaders-department-forestry-environment-emergency-management-utility-fire-marshal-preview-2026-wildfire-season

29.   States Across the Wildfire-Prone Western U.S. Are Using Artificial Intelligence for Early Detection (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/ai-wildfire-detection-cameras-194656fe63ea89dbc4661eaf8b79f6bb

30.   Why Gasoline Costs 52% More in the U.S. Than It Did Before the Iran War (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/why-gasoline-costs-52-more-in-the-us-than-it-did-a22245028

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

31.   Guest Essay: More Spill, Less Hydropower: The Electric Grid Tradeoffs Washington Can’t Ignore (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/05/05/more-spill-less-hydropower-the-electric-grid-tradeoffs-washington-cant-ignore/

32.   Guest Essay: NorthWestern’s Mega-Monopoly Merger Is All About Data Centers (The Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2026/05/06/northwesterns-mega-monopoly-merger-is-all-about-data-centers/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

1,600-Year-Old Egyptian Mummy Stuns Archaeologists in First-of-Its-Kind Discovery

https://www.kcra.com/article/egyptian-mummy-discovered-homer-iliad/71185857

In Pompeii, Ancient Graffiti Depicting Daily Life Is Being Revealed Thanks to Modern Technology

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pompeii-graffiti-corridor-technology-9.7184868?cmp=rss

Peak Viewing Expected at Southern Idaho’s Shoshone Falls as Flows Increase Through May 18

https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/peak-viewing-expected-at-southern-idahos-shoshone-falls-as-flows-increase-through-may-18/

Athlete Pulls 21,737-Pound Bus with His Neck

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/05/06/aruba-Guinness-World-Records-heaviest-vehicle-pulled-neck/3811778079275/

Song of the Day

Clinton Shorter – Pompeii Score Suite (Movie Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl8ngnroEA4

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.