Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The Energy News Digest for August 26, 2020


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

Programming Note: Because of a previously scheduled appointment at the Pig & Pancake, the normally scheduled August 31 edition of the news digest will be issued September 1.
  
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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

A Lesson from the Blackouts: California May Be Too Reliant on Out-Of-State Energy Imports (San Diego Union-Tribune, CA)

Northern Utah City Opts Out of Planned Nuclear Power Project Over Money Concerns (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)

Portland General Electric Traders Lose Big on California Blackout (Bloomberg News)

Washington State Public Schools to Spend $8.8M to Boost Student Internet Access (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

Utilities Face Growing Ransomware Threat as Hackers Improve Strategy, Execution (Utility Dive)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.        A Lesson from the Blackouts: California May Be Too Reliant on Out-Of-State Energy Imports
2.        Lawmakers Want to Extend California Utility Customer Fee for Wildfire, Climate Projects
3.        Under Blackout Threat, California May Keep Gas Power Plants State Rushed to Close
4.        Northern Utah City Opts Out of Planned Nuclear Power Project Over Money Concerns
5.        Nuclear Advocates Fret as First Maker of Small Reactors Encounters Trouble
6.        Utah’s Clean Energy Future Should Include Nuclear
7.        Portland General Electric Traders Lose Big on California Blackout
8.        Portland General Electric Hits New 12-Month Low Following Analyst Downgrade
9.        Idaho Power Proposes Exiting Boardman Coal-Fired Plant to Focus on Energy Efficiency
10.     Some Oregon Utilities Resume Disconnecting Customers
11.     Grays Harbor PUD General Manager Dave Ward to Retire
12.     Clallam PUD: Morris, Paschall Differ on Public Power Council at Forum
13.     Lake Elsinore Hydroelectric Project Would Threaten Sacred Land, Pechanga Tribe Says
14.     Impressive Reliability Track Record for Clark Public Utilities Reflects Utility-Wide Focus
15.     COVID-19 Issues Continue to Dominate Utility Regulatory Sphere in July
16.     The United States Set Record for Daily Natural Gas Power Burn in Late July
17.     Nine Dead in Hydropower Plant Blaze in India
18.     Groups Challenge FERC’s PURPA Rule, Accuse Commission of ‘Actively Discouraging’ Small Power Facilities
19.     Wyoming Lawmakers Look Again at Higher Wind Energy Tax
20.     What Sparked the Arizona Battery Fire? LG Chem Has a Different Version
21.     The Trump Administration Is Advancing Clean, Reliable, & Affordable Hydropower
22.     Bonneville Power Administration Aims to Reignite the Regional Energy Efficiency Economy with New Promotions
23.     Alaska Salmon Returning Smaller Amid Climate Change & Competition with Hatchery Fish, Study Finds
24.     Federal Judge Mulls Genetically Modified Salmon
25.     Arizona: Water, Water Everywhere – At Least in the East Valley
26.     Oregon: Deschutes River Sees Sudden, Unexplained Drops in Water Flow, Concerning Fish Biologists
27.     The U.S. Is in a Water Crisis Far Worse Than Most People Imagine
28.     Washington State Public Schools to Spend $8.8M to Boost Student Internet Access
29.     Fiber Internet Service in West Lane County to Receive Major Boost
30.     Op/Ed: Pacific PUD Commissioner – Time for Congress to Invest in Rural Broadband Expansion
31.     Utilities Face Growing Ransomware Threat as Hackers Improve Strategy, Execution
32.     In Rural Nevada, Bridging the Education ‘Digital Divide’ Largely Means Improving Internet Access
33.     Massive Laptop Shortage Hits U.S.
34.     Electric Trucks Are Coming. Where Should They Go?
35.     Will California’s Power Blackouts Affect Pennsylvania Voters - And the Election?

WORD OF THE DAY

Interminable • \in-TERM-nuh-bull\ • Adjective - Having or seeming to have no end; especially: wearisomely protracted

Sorry classical fans…my definition of interminable includes the “Impressionistic” period. ‘Nuff Said. Baroque=Bach….yeah baby!

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      A Lesson from the Blackouts: California May Be Too Reliant on Out-Of-State Energy Imports (San Diego Union-Tribune, CA)

2.      Lawmakers Want to Extend California Utility Customer Fee for Wildfire, Climate Projects (Los Angeles Times, CA)

3.      Under Blackout Threat, California May Keep Gas Power Plants State Rushed to Close (Fox Business News)

4.      Northern Utah City Opts Out of Planned Nuclear Power Project Over Money Concerns (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)

5.      Nuclear Advocates Fret as First Maker of Small Reactors Encounters Trouble (Washington Examiner)

6.      Utah’s Clean Energy Future Should Include Nuclear (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)

7.      Portland General Electric Traders Lose Big on California Blackout (Bloomberg News)

8.      Portland General Electric Hits New 12-Month Low Following Analyst Downgrade (Market Beat)

9.      Idaho Power Proposes Exiting Boardman Coal-Fired Plant to Focus on Energy Efficiency (Ontario Argus-Observer, OR)

10.   Some Oregon Utilities Resume Disconnecting Customers (Oregon Public Braodcasting)

11.   Grays Harbor PUD General Manager Dave Ward to Retire (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

12.   Clallam PUD: Morris, Paschall Differ on Public Power Council at Forum (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

13.   Lake Elsinore Hydroelectric Project Would Threaten Sacred Land, Pechanga Tribe Says (Riverside Press-Enterprise, CA)

14.   Impressive Reliability Track Record for Clark Public Utilities Reflects Utility-Wide Focus (American Public Power Association)

15.   COVID-19 Issues Continue to Dominate Utility Regulatory Sphere in July (S&P Global)

16.   The United States Set Record for Daily Natural Gas Power Burn in Late July (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

17.   Nine Dead in Hydropower Plant Blaze in India (Power Magazine)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

18.   Groups Challenge FERC’s PURPA Rule, Accuse Commission of ‘Actively Discouraging’ Small Power Facilities (Utility Dive)

19.   Wyoming Lawmakers Look Again at Higher Wind Energy Tax (WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC)

20.   What Sparked the Arizona Battery Fire? LG Chem Has a Different Version (GreenTech Media)

21.   The Trump Administration Is Advancing Clean, Reliable, & Affordable Hydropower (White House – News Release)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

22.   Bonneville Power Administration Aims to Reignite the Regional Energy Efficiency Economy with New Promotions (Bonneville Power Administration)

FISH & WILDLIFE

23.   Alaska Salmon Returning Smaller Amid Climate Change & Competition with Hatchery Fish, Study Finds (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

24.   Federal Judge Mulls Genetically Modified Salmon (Courthouse News Service)

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

25.   Arizona: Water, Water Everywhere – At Least in the East Valley (Mesa Tribune, AZ)

26.   Oregon: Deschutes River Sees Sudden, Unexplained Drops in Water Flow, Concerning Fish Biologists (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

27.   The U.S. Is in a Water Crisis Far Worse Than Most People Imagine (The Guardian, UK)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

28.   Washington State Public Schools to Spend $8.8M to Boost Student Internet Access (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

29.   Fiber Internet Service in West Lane County to Receive Major Boost (KMTR-TV, Eugene, OR)

30.   Op/Ed: Pacific PUD Commissioner – Time for Congress to Invest in Rural Broadband Expansion (Chinook Observer, Long Beach, WA)

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

31.   Utilities Face Growing Ransomware Threat as Hackers Improve Strategy, Execution (Utility Dive)

32.   In Rural Nevada, Bridging the Education ‘Digital Divide’ Largely Means Improving Internet Access (Nevada Independent)

33.   Massive Laptop Shortage Hits U.S. (Mashable)

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

34.   Electric Trucks Are Coming. Where Should They Go? (Clean Technica)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

35.   Will California’s Power Blackouts Affect Pennsylvania Voters - And the Election? (Forbes Magazine)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

KFC Suspends ‘Its Finger Lickin’ Good’ Slogan Amid Pandemic

Trillions of Rogue Planets Could Be Careening Through Our Galaxy

B.C. Woman’s Lost Heirloom Ring Found 18 Years Later in Dresser She Sold

Connecticut City Naming Sewage Plant After John Oliver

SONG OF THE DAY

Clint Black – The Galaxy Song