Wednesday, August 19, 2020

The Energy News Digest for August 19, 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

California Blackouts Are Public Utilities Commission’s Fault, Grid Operator Says (Los Angeles Times, CA)

Glen Canyon Dam Tapped for Emergency Water Releases to Meet California Power Demands (Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ)

Renewable Energy Corporations Fight Endangered Species Status for Joshua Trees (Arizona Public Radio)

Climate Change: Dams Played Key Role in Limiting Sea Level Rise (British Broadcasting Corporation)

British Columbia: Fraser River’s Big Bar Landslide No Longer a Big Barrier for Returning Salmon (Vancouver Sun, BC)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.        California Blackouts Are Public Utilities Commission’s Fault, Grid Operator Says
2.        Glen Canyon Dam Tapped for Emergency Water Releases to Meet California Power Demands
3.        Op/Ed: California Power Outages Underscore Challenge of Maintaining Reliability During Climate Change, The Energy Transition
4.        Op/Ed: California’s Faustian Bargain: You Get the Electricity You Pay For
5.        California: Redding Electric Utility Says Power Will Not Be Shutoff for Customers
6.        NV Energy Asks Customers to Conserve Power Due to High Temperatures
7.        Electricity Cooperative Serving Parts of Four Arizona Counties Asks Members to Conserve Energy
8.        Navajo Nation Approves CARES Act Funds for Water, Power & Broadband Projects
9.        Environmental Groups Sue Tennessee Valley Authority Over Long-Term Power Agreements
10.     Idaho: American Falls Dam Work on Track
11.     FBI Investigating Chainsaw Vandalism to Snohomish PUD Power Poles in Lynnwood
12.     Dozens of U.S. Nuclear Power Plants at Risk Due to Climate Change: Moody’s
13.     Renewable Energy Corporations Fight Endangered Species Status for Joshua Trees
14.     Puget Sound Energy Signs Power Purchase Agreement for Energy from 200 MW Oregon Wind Farm
15.     Salt River Project to Provide Expanded Customer Group with 100 MW of Solar Energy
16.     National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Launches Four New Rural Battery Storage Projects
17.     British Columbia: Fraser River’s Big Bar Landslide No Longer a Big Barrier for Returning Salmon
18.     British Columbia Indigenous Leaders Call for Emergency Closure of Fraser River Fishery, Saying Stocks Have Collapsed
19.     Arizona: Endangered Fish Headed for Santa Cruz River in Downtown Tucson
20.     Op-Ed: Warren Buffett Can Save the Klamath River Basin. Will He?
21.     Climate Change: Dams Played Key Role in Limiting Sea Level Rise
22.     From ‘Firenadoes’ to Record Heat, California Extreme Weather a Glimpse of Future
23.     WA State: Chelan PUD Says It’s Considering Acceleration of Fiber Buildout
24.     Electric Car Charging Stations Head to Love’s Travel Stops Across the U.S.
25.     Exclusive: GM Bets on Electric Cadillacs & Micro-Vans to Reverse China Slide
26.     Endangered Nevada Fish’s Newest Threat Is People Dumping Aquarium Pets into Waterways
27.     Postal Service Halts Some Changes Amid Outcry, Lawsuits
28.     Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton, a Towering Figure in Washington State, Dies at 92
29.     President Trump Blames Democrats for Blackouts That Have Roiled California
30.     President Trump Puts Tennessee Valley Authority in Crosshairs over Foreign Labor, CEO Pay

WORD OF THE DAY

Echelon • \ESH-un-lawn\ • Noun - 1: a step-like arrangement 2a: one of a series of levels or grades in an organization or field of activity b: the individuals at such a level

Nat was well known for his creative methods of avoiding tough decisions. His trademark line “that’s above my pay-grade, I’ll pass it to the upper echelons” had eventually been reduced to a well-worn piece of cardboard with the number “1” written in permanent marker. At the merest hint of impending responsibility it flipped up as if it were a hand fan in a blast furnace factory.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      California Blackouts Are Public Utilities Commission’s Fault, Grid Operator Says (Los Angeles Times, CA)

2.      Glen Canyon Dam Tapped for Emergency Water Releases to Meet California Power Demands (Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ)

3.      Op/Ed: California Power Outages Underscore Challenge of Maintaining Reliability During Climate Change, The Energy Transition (Utility Dive)

4.      Op/Ed: California’s Faustian Bargain: You Get the Electricity You Pay For (Forbes Magazine)

5.      California: Redding Electric Utility Says Power Will Not Be Shutoff for Customers (KNVN-TV, Chico, CA)

6.      NV Energy Asks Customers to Conserve Power Due to High Temperatures (KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV)

7.      Electricity Cooperative Serving Parts of Four Arizona Counties Asks Members to Conserve Energy (KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ)

8.      Navajo Nation Approves CARES Act Funds for Water, Power & Broadband Projects (Arizona Public Radio)

9.      Environmental Groups Sue Tennessee Valley Authority Over Long-Term Power Agreements (Associated Press)

10.   Idaho: American Falls Dam Work on Track (Capital Press)

11.   FBI Investigating Chainsaw Vandalism to Snohomish PUD Power Poles in Lynnwood (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

12.   Dozens of U.S. Nuclear Power Plants at Risk Due to Climate Change: Moody’s (S&P Global)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

13.   Renewable Energy Corporations Fight Endangered Species Status for Joshua Trees (Arizona Public Radio)

14.   Puget Sound Energy Signs Power Purchase Agreement for Energy from 200 MW Oregon Wind Farm (Environmental Leader)

15.   Salt River Project to Provide Expanded Customer Group with 100 MW of Solar Energy (American Public Power Association)

16.   National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Launches Four New Rural Battery Storage Projects (Daily Energy Insider)

FISH & WILDLIFE

17.   British Columbia: Fraser River’s Big Bar Landslide No Longer a Big Barrier for Returning Salmon (Vancouver Sun, BC)

18.   British Columbia Indigenous Leaders Call for Emergency Closure of Fraser River Fishery, Saying Stocks Have Collapsed (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

19.   Arizona: Endangered Fish Headed for Santa Cruz River in Downtown Tucson (Arizona Republic, Tucson, AZ)

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

20.   Op-Ed: Warren Buffett Can Save the Klamath River Basin. Will He? (Los Angeles Times, CA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

21.   Climate Change: Dams Played Key Role in Limiting Sea Level Rise (British Broadcasting Corporation)

22.   From ‘Firenadoes’ to Record Heat, California Extreme Weather a Glimpse of Future (Yahoo News)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

23.   WA State: Chelan PUD Says It’s Considering Acceleration of Fiber Buildout (iFiberOne News, Ephrata, WA)

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

24.   Electric Car Charging Stations Head to Love’s Travel Stops Across the U.S. (C|Net News)

25.   Exclusive: GM Bets on Electric Cadillacs & Micro-Vans to Reverse China Slide (Reuters)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

26.   Endangered Nevada Fish’s Newest Threat Is People Dumping Aquarium Pets into Waterways (Carson City News, NV)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

27.   Postal Service Halts Some Changes Amid Outcry, Lawsuits (Associated Press)

28.   Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton, a Towering Figure in Washington State, Dies at 92 (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

29.   President Trump Blames Democrats for Blackouts That Have Roiled California (Bloomberg News)

30.   President Trump Puts Tennessee Valley Authority in Crosshairs over Foreign Labor, CEO Pay (Associated Press)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Coin Shortage Hits Retailers, Laundromats, Tooth Fairy

Calgary Brewery Hopes to Overcome ‘Yuck Factor’ with Beer Made with Wastewater

Matriarch of Northwest Apple Industry Passes Away at Age 194. Not a Misprint.

Factory Malfunction Causes Chocolate Rain in Switzerland

SONG OF THE DAY

Prince – Purple Rain