The Energy News Digest for September 30, 2020

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Possible Paywall restrictions are noted in the media attribution. Now, go play.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

After Four Years of Study, Feds Finally Decide to Keep Snake River Dams (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article246091600.html

Three Dead in Destructive NorCal Wildfires; Evacuations in Place for 50,000 (Associated Press)

https://ktla.com/news/california/pge-cuts-power-to-65000-customers-in-effort-to-avert-wildfires/

Greenland Melting Faster Than Any Time in Last 12,000 Years (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/greenland-melting-faster-than-any-time-in-last-12000-years/

Smoke and the Reddened Sun is Back (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2020/09/smoke-and-reddened-sun-is-back.html

Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Douglas County PUD Announce New Hydrogen Station in Washington State (Oil & Gas 360)

https://www.oilandgas360.com/bonneville-environmental-foundation-and-douglas-county-pud-announce-new-hydrogen-station-in-washington-state/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      After Four Years of Study, Feds Finally Decide to Keep Snake River Dams

2.      Federal Decision to Keep Snake River Dams in Place Is Now Official. The Dam Debate Is Far from Over

3.      Bonneville Power Administration Signs Record of Decision for Columbia River System Operations EIS

4.      Feds Issue Record of Decision on Columbia-Snake Dam Operations

5.      Three Dead in Destructive NorCal Wildfires; Evacuations in Place for 50,000

6.      Umatilla Electric Cooperative Goes Independent for Power Supply

7.      El Dorado County to Start Process of Moving from Pacific Gas & Electric to Pioneer Community Energy

8.      The Columbia River Treaty Changed the Columbia Valley

9.      Jackson Electric Authority Bidder Florida Power & Light Discussed Donating to Charities Led by City Council Members

10.   Compact Nuclear Fusion Reactor Is ‘Very Likely to Work,’ Studies Suggest

11.   Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Douglas County PUD Announce New Hydrogen Station in Washington State

12.   Smoke from California Wildfires Decreases Solar Generation in California ISO

13.   Construction Begins on 100MW Solar Plant in Arizona

14.   Bidders Focus on Solar, Especially with Storage, in Big PacifiCorp Solicitation

15.   Researchers: Offshore California Wind Farm Would Alter Ecosystem – How Wildlife Will Respond Is Still Unclear

16.   Puget Sound Energy Contest Seeks to Boost Small Local Businesses through ‘Makeover’ Contest

17.   Greenland Melting Faster Than Any Time in Last 12,000 Years

18.   Walmart Pledges Zero Emissions By 2040

19.   Microsoft Resolves Major Monday Outage after Five Hours

20.   Smoke and the Reddened Sun is Back

21.   Boeing Will Consolidate 787 Production in South Carolina, Leaving Everett, WSJ Reports

22.   U.S. House Democrats Propose $4.5 Billion in Supplemental LIHEAP Funding

23.   Les Schwab Sold to California Investment Fund, Meritage Group

WORD OF THE DAY

Nostrum • \NOSS-strum\ • noun – 1: a medicine of secret composition recommended by its preparer but usually without scientific proof of its effectiveness *2: a usually questionable remedy or scheme: panacea

“Step right up folks,” cried Phineas. “Try Dr. Golden’s miracle remedy. Good for what ails you.” “I’ll try some,” shouted the man planted by the salesmen in the crowd. “if that nostrum is good enough to be advertised on barns throughout my county, it’s good enough to flow through my innards.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      After Four Years of Study, Feds Finally Decide to Keep Snake River Dams (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article246091600.html

2.      Federal Decision to Keep Snake River Dams in Place Is Now Official. The Dam Debate Is Far from Over (Northwest News Network)

https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/post/federal-decision-keep-snake-river-dams-place-now-official-dam-debate-far-over

3.      Bonneville Power Administration Signs Record of Decision for Columbia River System Operations EIS (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-signs-record-of-decision-for-Columbia-River-System-Operations-EIS.aspx

4.      Feds Issue Record of Decision on Columbia-Snake Dam Operations (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/09/29/feds-complete-record-of-decision-on.html

5.      Three Dead in Destructive NorCal Wildfires; Evacuations in Place for 50,000 (Associated Press)

https://ktla.com/news/california/pge-cuts-power-to-65000-customers-in-effort-to-avert-wildfires/

6.      Umatilla Electric Cooperative Goes Independent for Power Supply (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

https://www.eastoregonian.com/townnews/commerce/umatilla-electric-cooperative-goes-independent/article_7507f3aa-02af-11eb-9258-ffaa86f56a94.html

7.      El Dorado County to Start Process of Moving from Pacific Gas & Electric to Pioneer Community Energy (KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2020/09/29/el-dorado-county-pge-pioneer-community-energy/

8.      The Columbia River Treaty Changed the Columbia Valley (Columbia Valley Pioneer, BC)

https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/local-news/the-columbia-river-treaty-changed-the-columbia-valley/

9.      Jackson Electric Authority Bidder Florida Power & Light Discussed Donating to Charities Led by City Council Members (Florida Times-Union, Jackson, FL)

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2020/09/29/jea-bidder-discussed-donating-charities-led-city-council-members/3564711001/

10.   Compact Nuclear Fusion Reactor Is ‘Very Likely to Work,’ Studies Suggest (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/29/climate/nuclear-fusion-reactor.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

11.   Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Douglas County PUD Announce New Hydrogen Station in Washington State (Oil & Gas 360)

https://www.oilandgas360.com/bonneville-environmental-foundation-and-douglas-county-pud-announce-new-hydrogen-station-in-washington-state/

12.   Smoke from California Wildfires Decreases Solar Generation in California ISO (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=45336

13.   Construction Begins on 100MW Solar Plant in Arizona (Energy Digital)

https://www.energydigital.com/renewable-energy/construction-begins-100mw-solar-plant-arizona

14.   Bidders Focus on Solar, Especially with Storage, in Big PacifiCorp Solicitation (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/09/28/pacificorp-rfp-solar-plus-storage.html

15.   Researchers: Offshore California Wind Farm Would Alter Ecosystem – How Wildlife Will Respond Is Still Unclear (Eureka Times-Standard)

https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/09/29/researchers-offshore-wind-farm-would-alter-ecosystem-how-wildlife-will-respond-is-still-unclear/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

16.   Puget Sound Energy Contest Seeks to Boost Small Local Businesses through ‘Makeover’ Contest (South Sound Business, WA)

https://southsoundbiz.com/pse-contest-seeks-to-boost-small-local-businesses-through-makeover-contest/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

17.   Greenland Melting Faster Than Any Time in Last 12,000 Years (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/greenland-melting-faster-than-any-time-in-last-12000-years/

18.   Walmart Pledges Zero Emissions By 2040 (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2020/09/30/walmart-pledges-zero-emissions-by-2040/#35c41143aeed

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

19.   Microsoft Resolves Major Monday Outage after Five Hours (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/service-outages-archive-7095816b9d0ef425ec02a7d049bea701

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

20.   Smoke and the Reddened Sun is Back (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2020/09/smoke-and-reddened-sun-is-back.html

GOVERNANCE, BUSINESS, & MANAGEMENT

21.   Boeing Will Consolidate 787 Production in South Carolina, Leaving Everett, WSJ Reports (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-will-consolidate-787-production-in-s-c-leaving-everett-wsj-reports/

22.   U.S. House Democrats Propose $4.5 Billion in Supplemental LIHEAP Funding (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/house-democrats-propose-45-billion-supplemental-liheap-funding

23.   Les Schwab Sold to California Investment Fund, Meritage Group (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2020/09/les-schwab-sold-to-california-hedge-fund-meritage-group.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Zoo Removes Parrots from Display After Birds Keep Cursing at Visitors

https://www.today.com/pets/zoo-removes-potty-mouthed-parrots-cursing-visitors-t192907

Singer Helen Reddy, 1970s Hitmaker, Dies at 78

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/sep/29/i-am-woman-singer-helen-reddy-70s-hitmaker-dies-at/

Athlete Breaks Guinness Record for Fastest Mile While Dribbling

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/09/30/Athlete-breaks-Guinness-record-for-fastest-mile-while-dribbling/2171601484202/

Cyclist Rides 2,500 Miles from Poo Poo Point, WA to Pee Pee Creek, OH

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/09/30/Cyclist-rides-2500-miles-from-Poo-Poo-Point-to-Pee-Pee-Creek/7151601491272/

SONG OF THE DAY

Helen Reddy – Peaceful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=Y3BJjehjOGo

The Energy News Digest for September 28, 2020

Thanks to the Northwest Public Power Association, The Energy News Digest is in your inbox. 

The News Digest on Facebook and Twitter will bring you breaking news throughout the week.

Comments or Questions? Contact the Energy News Digest editor.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Possible Paywall restrictions are noted in the media attribution. Now, go play.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

California Utility Implements Preemptive Blackouts. Should More Oregon Utilities Have Done the Same? (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/california-utility-implements-preemptive-blackouts-should-more-oregon-utilities-have-done-the-same.html

Republicans Seek to Phase Out Federal Tax Credit for Renewables (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/27307-republicans-seek-to-phase-out-federal-tax-credit-for-renewables/?amp

Idaho Falls Has Until October 31 to Decide on Nuke Project (Idaho State Journal)

https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/idaho-falls-has-till-oct-31-to-decide-on-nuke-project/article_6b8af1b0-ccfb-5a24-808e-5fe10187e51e.html

Experts Witness Birth of Second Orca Baby in Pacific Northwest Pod That Lost Calf in 2018 (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/nation-world/national/article246009130.html

Climatologist: Dry Areas in U.S. Southwest Getting Drier (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-weather-droughts-nevada-dfe49b13b186c7d7180545705a449c26

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.        California Utility Implements Preemptive Blackouts. Should More Oregon Utilities Have Done the Same?

2.        Idaho Falls Has Until October 31 to Decide on Nuke Project

3.        Cities Snub Plan to Save Nuclear Power with Mini Reactors

4.        Cowlitz PUD Rates Will Remain Steady for Third Year in a Row

5.        Op/Ed: Current Situation Reminiscent of Montana Energy Flameout

6.        British Columbia: Cost of Peace River Dam Spiraling amid Construction Challenges, Says Open Letter Urging Halt to Project

7.        Eisenhower Dedicated McNary Dam 66 Years Ago This Month, Called Water a ‘Natural Legacy’

8.        In 2019, Nine of the 10 Highest-Generating U.S. Power Plants Were Nuclear Plants

9.        Coal Dropped from 26.9% of US Electricity to 17.7% in 3 Years

10.     ‘You Have to Rethink These Old Ways’: Parting Advice from California ISO’s Retiring CEO

11.     How SoCalGas Leveraged Mayors & Minority Groups to Score a Fossil Fuel Win

12.     NYC Metro #2 in the Nation on Utility Costs

13.     The Mysterious Case of the Missing 250-Ton Chinese Power Transformer

14.     Utility Futility: Answer Man Explores the Wild World of Utility Pole Numbers

15.     Republicans Seek to Phase Out Federal Tax Credit for Renewables

16.     Arizona: Biomass – The budding of a new industry for Payson?

17.     Experts Witness Birth of Second Orca Baby in Pacific Northwest Pod That Lost Calf in 2018

18.     More Female Southern Resident Killer Whales Needed for Population Growth: Scientists

19.     Abundance of One Salmon Species Affects All Others, B.C. Study Suggests

20.     Officials Talk Mitigation Efforts After Release of NEPA Review on Chehalis River Dam

21.     Utah Asks U.S. to Delay Decision on Tapping Colorado River

22.     Climatologist: Dry Areas in U.S. Southwest Getting Drier

23.     In Internet Dead Zones, Rural Schools Struggle with Distanced Learning

24.     Officials: Washington State Being Targeted by Phishing Campaign

25.     DOE Awards $12 Million To APPA, NRECA for Cybersecurity Solutions

26.     Tesla Built a Network of Connected Cars. What Happens When It Goes Down?

27.     Op/Ed: Pot Plants – Power & Water Bogarts?

WORD OF THE DAY

Biophilia • \bye-oh-FILL-ee-uh\ • Noun - A hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature

“Lo, I am one with the lion’s pride,” exulted the wool-clad environmental enthusiast, stepping from his shiny, black Range Rover into the hot environment of the circling, big cats. His ill-conceived biophilia would soon make him into multiple parts INSIDE the pride. And the circle of life continued on the arid plains of Africa.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      California Utility Implements Preemptive Blackouts. Should More Oregon Utilities Have Done the Same? (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/california-utility-implements-preemptive-blackouts-should-more-oregon-utilities-have-done-the-same.html

2.      Idaho Falls Has Until October 31 to Decide on Nuke Project (Idaho State Journal)

https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/idaho-falls-has-till-oct-31-to-decide-on-nuke-project/article_6b8af1b0-ccfb-5a24-808e-5fe10187e51e.html

3.      Cities Snub Plan to Save Nuclear Power with Mini Reactors (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-28/cities-snub-plan-to-save-nuclear-power-with-mini-reactors

4.      Cowlitz PUD Rates Will Remain Steady for Third Year in a Row (Longview Daily News, WA)

https://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-rates-will-remain-steady-for-third-year-in-a-row/article_b08f786b-732b-5eaf-8148-77d5e45e5a31.html

5.      Op/Ed: Current Situation Reminiscent of Montana Energy Flameout (Montana Standard, Butte, MT)

https://mtstandard.com/opinion/columnists/guest-view-current-situation-reminiscent-of-montana-energy-flameout/article_27e34276-acbf-5026-8872-29604b349eeb.html

6.      British Columbia: Cost of Peace River Dam Spiraling amid Construction Challenges, Says Open Letter Urging Halt to Project (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/site-c-letter-1.5741443

7.      Eisenhower Dedicated McNary Dam 66 Years Ago This Month, Called Water a ‘Natural Legacy’ (Tri-Cities Business News, WA)

https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2020/09/mcnary-dam-eisenhower/

8.      In 2019, Nine of the 10 Highest-Generating U.S. Power Plants Were Nuclear Plants (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=45276

9.      Coal Dropped from 26.9% of US Electricity to 17.7% in 3 Years (Clean Technica)

https://cleantechnica.com/2020/09/26/coal-dropped-from-26-9-of-us-electricity-to-17-7-in-3-years/amp/

10.   ‘You Have to Rethink These Old Ways’: Parting Advice from California ISO’s Retiring CEO (S&P Global)

https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/you-have-to-rethink-these-old-ways-parting-advice-from-caiso-s-retiring-ceo-60481529

11.   How SoCalGas Leveraged Mayors & Minority Groups to Score a Fossil Fuel Win (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/09/24/how-socalgas-leveraged-mayors-and-minority-groups-to-score-a-fossil-fuel-win-1304131

12.   NYC Metro #2 in the Nation on Utility Costs (The Cooperator)

https://cooperator.com/article/nyc-metro-2-in-the-nation-on-utility-costs/full

13.   The Mysterious Case of the Missing 250-Ton Chinese Power Transformer (Vice)

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/v7gaqb/the-mysterious-case-of-the-missing-250-ton-chinese-power-transformer

14.   Utility Futility: Answer Man Explores the Wild World of Utility Pole Numbers (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/utility-futility-answer-man-explores-the-wild-world-of-utility-pole-numbers/2020/09/26/d32f794c-fea1-11ea-b555-4d71a9254f4b_story.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

15.   Republicans Seek to Phase Out Federal Tax Credit for Renewables (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/27307-republicans-seek-to-phase-out-federal-tax-credit-for-renewables/?amp

16.   Arizona: Biomass – The budding of a new industry for Payson? (Payson Roundup, AZ)

https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/local/biomass-the-budding-of-a-new-industry-for-payson/article_957b79ff-93f5-5312-8d4c-785a36ea4fb7.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

17.   Experts Witness Birth of Second Orca Baby in Pacific Northwest Pod That Lost Calf in 2018 (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/nation-world/national/article246009130.html

18.   More Female Southern Resident Killer Whales Needed for Population Growth: Scientists (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)

https://www.timescolonist.com/more-female-southern-resident-killer-whales-needed-for-population-growth-scientists-1.24210159

19.   Abundance of One Salmon Species Affects All Others, B.C. Study Suggests (Columbia Valley Pioneer, BC)

https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/news/abundance-of-one-salmon-species-affects-all-others-b-c-study-suggests/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

20.   Officials Talk Mitigation Efforts After Release of NEPA Review on Chehalis River Dam (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://www.chronline.com/news/officials-talk-mitigation-efforts-after-release-of-nepa-review-on-dam/article_bac15b0c-ff80-11ea-85a1-db77051bc3c6.html

21.   Utah Asks U.S. to Delay Decision on Tapping Colorado River (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/arizona-colorado-utah-lakes-environment-89063af637c16e656039e2b16e9eaa9c

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

22.   Climatologist: Dry Areas in U.S. Southwest Getting Drier (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-weather-droughts-nevada-dfe49b13b186c7d7180545705a449c26

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

23.   In Internet Dead Zones, Rural Schools Struggle with Distanced Learning (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/28/in-internet-dead-zones-rural-schools-struggle-with-distanced-learning/

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

24.   Officials: Washington State Being Targeted by Phishing Campaign (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/technology-phishing-washington-jay-inslee-bf63ccf1f0e4709efc8871bb7457ef1c

25.   DOE Awards $12 Million To APPA, NRECA for Cybersecurity Solutions (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/doe-awards-12-million-appa-nreca-cybersecurity-solutions

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

26.   Tesla Built a Network of Connected Cars. What Happens When It Goes Down? (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/09/23/tesla-network-outage/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

27.   Op/Ed: Pot Plants – Power & Water Bogarts? (Sydney Herald, MT)

https://www.sidneyherald.com/opinion/pot-plants-power-and-water-bogarts/article_4dad8e74-fddb-11ea-88ef-0bc726b748d9.html

THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Chance of Aurora Borealis Sighting in Western Washington State This Week

https://mynorthwest.com/2193160/aurora-western-washington-september-2020/

Bold Move to Stow Away on Alaska Ferry in Bellingham May Earn Kitten a Superhero Home

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article245958070.html

'Teapot' Found in Garage Sells for Nearly $500,000

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/09/25/Teapot-found-in-garage-sells-for-nearly-500000/1781601057114/

Antiques Dealer Seeking Family from 100-Year-Old Wedding Photo

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/09/25/Antiques-dealer-seeking-family-from-100-year-old-wedding-photo/6381601066021/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Fifth Dimension – Wedding Bell Blues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q21Bky7r2A

The Energy News Digest for September 23, 2020

Thanks to the Northwest Public Power Association, The Energy News Digest is in your inbox.

The News Digest on Facebook and Twitter will bring you breaking news throughout the week.

Comments or Questions? Contact the Energy News Digest editor.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

‘The Damage Is Unspeakable’: An Oregon Co-op Leader’s Emotional Letter on Wildfire Restoration Work (NRECA)

https://www.electric.coop/oregon-co-op-leaders-letter-on-oregon-wildfires-restoration/

California Banning Sales of New Gasoline Cars in the State by 2035 (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2020/09/23/california-banning-sales-of-new-gasoline-cars-in-the-state-by-2035/#71ef8d417b87

Solar Development Dispute – California Grants Western Joshua Trees Temporary Endangered Species Protections (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-09-22/western-joshua-trees-granted-temporary-endangered-species-protections

Montana: Again, Supreme Court finds PSC unlawful in solar dealings (Billings Gazette, MT)

https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/again-supreme-court-finds-psc-unlawful-in-solar-dealings/article_257ee485-df80-55a3-823c-4d87ea0310f7.html

Murkowski 'Not Giving Up' on Senate Clean Energy Bill Vote Before the End of 2020 (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/murkowski-not-giving-up-on-senate-clean-energy-bill-vote-before-the-end-o/585710/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1.        ‘The Damage Is Unspeakable’: An Oregon Co-op Leader’s Emotional Letter on Wildfire Restoration Work

2.        Utility Equipment Eyed as Possible Source of Fire Near Los Angeles

3.        San Diego Wants at Least $80 Million for Its Electric & Gas Franchise Agreement

4.        As U.S. Renewables Eclipse Coal Generation, Environmentalists Are Pivoting to Attack Natural Gas

5.        Bonneville Power Administration Takes Step toward More Normal Operations, Ramping Up Construction & Maintenance Work

6.        Scam Utility Calls Are the Latest Pandemic Ploy to Target Your Cash

7.        Solar Development Dispute – California Grants Western Joshua Trees Temporary Endangered Species Protections

8.        Montana: Again, Supreme Court Finds PSC Unlawful in Solar Dealings

9.        Maine Company Looks to Tidal Power as Renewable Energy’s Next Generation

10.     As Concerns Over Climate Change Rise, More Developers Turn to Wood

11.     101 First Nations in British Columbia Demand Removal of Open-Net Salmon Farms Near Campbell River

12.     Orcas Knock Into Sailboats, Force Spain to Limit Yachting

13.     NCTA: FCC Should Stick with 25/3 Speed Threshold

14.     Western Area Power Administration Fiber Optics Feasibility Assessment Published

15.     Numbers Don’t Bode Well for Tribe’s Appeal on Rights to Maine River

16.     California Banning Sales of New Gasoline Cars in the State by 2035

17.     Tesla's Value Drops $50 Billion as Musk's Promised Cheaper Battery Three Years Away

18.     Tesla’s Latest Big Unveiling Isn’t a Car or Truck: It’s the Battery Tech That Could Power Its Future

19.     Murkowski 'Not Giving Up' on Senate Clean Energy Bill Vote Before the End of 2020

WORD OF THE DAY

Gustatory • \GUSS-tuh-tore-ee\ • Adjective - Relating to or associated with eating or the sense of taste.

Harvey’s Haggis Hut was all a-tremble with anticipation. The Scottish Highland Games were scheduled over the holidays in Saco, Montana. After the locals’ eschewing of the gustatory delights of the sheep-innards concoction, Harvey was hopeful that the arrival of the hale and hearty Scotsmen (and women) would turn things around…if they had the “stomach” for it. (Sorry about the double pun here)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.        ‘The Damage Is Unspeakable’: An Oregon Co-op Leader’s Emotional Letter on Wildfire Restoration Work (NRECA)

https://www.electric.coop/oregon-co-op-leaders-letter-on-oregon-wildfires-restoration/

2.        Utility Equipment Eyed as Possible Source of Fire Near Los Angeles (Sacramento Bee, CA)

https://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article245947315.html

3.        San Diego Wants at Least $80 Million for Its Electric & Gas Franchise Agreement (San Diego Union-Tribune, CA)

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2020-09-23/san-diego-sends-out-invitations-to-bid-on-the-citys-electric-and-gas-franchise

4.        As U.S. Renewables Eclipse Coal Generation, Environmentalists Are Pivoting to Attack Natural Gas (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidcherney/2020/09/22/as-us-renewables-eclipse-coal-generation-environmentalists-are-pivoting-to-attack-natural-gas/#19bd5e257abb

5.        Bonneville Power Administration Takes Step toward More Normal Operations, Ramping Up Construction & Maintenance Work (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-takes-step-toward-more-normal-operations-ramping-up-construction-and-maintenance-work.aspx

6.        Scam Utility Calls Are the Latest Pandemic Ploy to Target Your Cash (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-09-22/scam-utility-calls

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

7.        Solar Development Dispute – California Grants Western Joshua Trees Temporary Endangered Species Protections (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-09-22/western-joshua-trees-granted-temporary-endangered-species-protections

8.        Montana: Again, Supreme Court Finds PSC Unlawful in Solar Dealings (Billings Gazette, MT)

https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/again-supreme-court-finds-psc-unlawful-in-solar-dealings/article_257ee485-df80-55a3-823c-4d87ea0310f7.html

9.        Maine Company Looks to Tidal Power as Renewable Energy’s Next Generation (Energy News Network)

https://energynews.us/2020/09/23/northeast/maine-company-looks-to-tidal-power-as-renewable-energys-next-generation/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

10.     As Concerns Over Climate Change Rise, More Developers Turn to Wood (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/22/business/mass-timber-wood-buildings.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

11.     101 First Nations in British Columbia Demand Removal of Open-Net Salmon Farms Near Campbell River (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/101-b-c-first-nations-demand-removal-of-open-net-salmon-farms-near-campbell-river-b-c-1.5733840

12.     Orcas Knock Into Sailboats, Force Spain to Limit Yachting (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Orca-attacks-force-Spain-to-ban-yachting-off-15590257.php

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

13.     NCTA: FCC Should Stick with 25/3 Speed Threshold (Next-TV)

https://www.nexttv.com/news/ncta-fcc-should-stick-with-253-speed-threshold

14.     Western Area Power Administration Fiber Optics Feasibility Assessment Published (Western Area Power Administration)

https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsFeatures/2020/Pages/Fiber-optics-feasibility-assessment-published.aspx

“CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE” – WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

15.     Numbers Don’t Bode Well for Tribe’s Appeal on Rights to Maine River (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/numbers-dont-bode-well-for-tribes-appeal-on-rights-to-maine-river/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

16.     California Banning Sales of New Gasoline Cars in the State by 2035 (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2020/09/23/california-banning-sales-of-new-gasoline-cars-in-the-state-by-2035/#71ef8d417b87

17.     Tesla's Value Drops $50 Billion as Musk's Promised Cheaper Battery Three Years Away (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-batteryday/teslas-value-drops-50-billion-as-musks-promised-cheaper-battery-three-years-away-idUSKCN26D19P

18.     Tesla’s Latest Big Unveiling Isn’t a Car or Truck: It’s the Battery Tech That Could Power Its Future (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/09/22/musk-tesla-batteries/

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

19.     Murkowski 'Not Giving Up' on Senate Clean Energy Bill Vote Before the End of 2020 (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/murkowski-not-giving-up-on-senate-clean-energy-bill-vote-before-the-end-o/585710/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

WA U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse Named '2020 Beer Champion' by Beer Institute

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/regional/representative-dan-newhouse-named-2020-beer-champion-by-beer-institute/article_0e597b5d-b276-5a91-b73e-b417ab6bff3b.html

Bus-Size Asteroid to Zoom by Earth Thursday, Ducking Below Satellites

https://www.courthousenews.com/bus-size-asteroid-to-zoom-by-earth-ducking-below-satellites/

A Farmer Fell Ill. So Dozens Of His Neighbors Showed Up Spontaneously & Harvested His Crops.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/09/23/farmer-fell-ill-so-dozens-his-neighbors-showed-up-spontaneously-harvested-his-crops/

Chicago Bears' Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers dies at age 77

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29951448/chicago-bears-hall-fame-running-back-gale-sayers-dies-age-77

SONG OF THE DAY

Neil Young – Harvest Moon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P5siCnNKnw

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.