The Energy News Digest for March 15, 2021

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Lawsuits Seek Over $1 Billion from Pacific Power Over Beachie Creek Fire (Salem Statesman-Journal, OR)

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2021/03/10/lawsuits-seek-1-billion-pacific-power-over-beachie-creek-fire/6943297002/

Idaho Rep. Simpson Defends Plan to Breach Snake River Dams, Says Rising Costs Could Close Them Down Regardless (KTVB TV, Boise, ID)

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/rep-simpson-defends-plan-breach-snake-rivers/277-5af33066-fe15-4fa1-ae66-e238313d166a

12 States Sue Biden Over ‘Social Cost’ Calculation of Greenhouse Gases (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/542149-12-states-sue-biden-over-calculation-of-climate-impacts-in?rl=1

WA State: Thoughts on the Massive Wind & Solar Farm? Benton County Wants to Hear Them (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article249706893.html

U.S. House: Pelosi Pledges Swift Work on Major Infrastructure Package (Public Broadcasting Service)

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/pelosi-pledges-swift-work-on-major-infrastructure-package

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Lawsuits Seek Over $1 Billion from Pacific Power Over Beachie Creek Fire

2.      Idaho Rep. Simpson Defends Plan to Breach Snake River Dams, Says Rising Costs Could Close Them Down Regardless

3.      Columbia County Commissioners Join Opposition to U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson’s Plan for Salmon Recovery

4.      Op/Ed: Snake River Dams Plan Needed for Idaho Salmon, Fiscal Responsibility & Social Justice

5.      Commentary: Saving Salmon Is a Ruse for Breaching Our Dams

6.      Western Energy Imbalance Market Governing Body Adopts Initiatives for Summer Reliability

7.      Tracey LeBeau Named Interim Administrator & CEO of Western Area Power Administration

8.      Oregon: Eugene Puts Natural Gas Contract on Hold

9.      Here’s Why PG&E Electricity Prices Are High & Soaring

10.   In the Shadow of Texas Outages, Disaster Preparation at Home Is on the Radars of 2 in 5 Adults

11.   Why Every State Is Vulnerable to a Texas-Style Power Crisis

12.   WA State: Thoughts on the Massive Wind & Solar Farm? Benton County Wants to Hear Them

13.   $75 Million Richland Lab to Power Clean Energy Innovation

14.   States, California IOUs Urge Changes to Trump Energy Efficiency Policies, But Not Everyone Agrees

15.   Montana: Missoula County Adopts Energy Efficient Building Policy, Set to Pursue Green Tariff

16.   Op/Ed: New Code Makes a Difference for Seattle’s Buildings, But Local Action Isn’t Enough

17.   Keeping Cool: It’s a Good Time to Get Ready for Summer Heat

18.   Four Simple Ways a Smart Thermostat Can Save You Money

19.   Northwest’s Iconic Salmon Face Tough Conditions During Ocean Journey

20.   The Incredible Life Cycle of Northwest Salmon

21.   Bloodsucking-Fish Fossils Overturn Once-Popular Theory About Our Evolution

22.   Tacoma Sues Over Planned Wastewater Treatment Requirements That Could Cost $1 Billion

23.   Op/Ed: Idaho Power Has No Claim to Water Above Milner Dam

24.   12 States Sue Biden Over ‘Social Cost’ Calculation of Greenhouse Gases

25.   With Electric Cars Rolling, Washington Should Now Turn to Electric Homes

26.   Arizona: Effort to Block Clean Energy Rules Stumbles in Legislature

27.   WA State: Bill Would Expand Local Government Broadband Authority

28.   Bills in Washington State Legislature Would Allow Public Utility Districts into Retail Broadband

29.   WA State: Bothell-Based TV & Internet Provider to Pay $900,00 After Charging Customers Hidden Fees

30.   Faced with Limited Resources, Indigenous Communities Built Their Own Internet. Here’s How.

31.   Policy Study: Digital Divide Better Fought at Local Level with Low Confidence in Large National Carriers

32.   ‘Avoid Clicking on the Link’: Texting Scams Increase by 300% During Pandemic

33.   Arizona: Salt River Project Offers Customers $1,000 Rebate to Switch to Electric Cars

34.   Electric Vehicle Bills Moving Forward in Oregon Legislature

35.   Commentary: Yes, Our Electricity Grid Can Support an Electric Vehicle Future

36.   To Make Cannabis Green, We Need to Grow It Outdoors

37.   How PepsiCo’s Energy Drink Sting Thought of a Clever Way to Give Energy Conservation Tips to Consumers

38.   Americans Brace for a Rare and Creepy Billion-Bug Invasion

39.   U.S. House: Pelosi Pledges Swift Work on Major Infrastructure Package

40.   Federal Lawmakers Aim to Incentivize Weatherizing Power Lines

41.   Editorial: Strike Deal for Infrastructure, Environment & Jobs

42.   Army Corps Pick Hailed as ‘Game Changer’ for Tribes

43.   U.S. Senators Launch Latest Salvo in Forever War Over Daylight Saving Time

WORD OF THE DAY

Patagium \putt-TAY-jee-um\ Noun - 1: the fold of skin connecting the forelimbs and hind limbs of some tetrapods (as flying squirrels) 2: the fold of skin in front of the main segments of a bird’s wing.

“Flying Squirrel Man” was looking for his first real superhero adventure. Predictably, his first adventure was to find a cool costume that would accommodate his patagium without revealing his “naughty bits.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Lawsuits Seek Over $1 Billion from Pacific Power Over Beachie Creek Fire (Salem Statesman-Journal, OR)

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2021/03/10/lawsuits-seek-1-billion-pacific-power-over-beachie-creek-fire/6943297002/

2.      Idaho Rep. Simpson Defends Plan to Breach Snake River Dams, Says Rising Costs Could Close Them Down Regardless (KTVB TV, Boise, ID)

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/rep-simpson-defends-plan-breach-snake-rivers/277-5af33066-fe15-4fa1-ae66-e238313d166a

3.      Columbia County Commissioners Join Opposition to U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson’s Plan for Salmon Recovery (The Waitsburg Times, WA)

https://www.waitsburgtimes.com/story/2021/03/11/news/columbia-county-commissioners-join-opposition-to-us-rep-mike-simpsons-plan-for-salmon-recovery/17491.html

4.      Op/Ed: Snake River Dams Plan Needed for Idaho Salmon, Fiscal Responsibility & Social Justice (Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID)

https://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article249832758.html

5.      Commentary: Saving Salmon Is a Ruse for Breaching Our Dams (Lewiston Tribune, ID)

https://lmtribune.com/opinion/commentary-saving-salmon-is-a-ruse-for-breaching-our-dams/article_1d46b312-1b5f-5aea-98c7-06ba42b3d340.html

6.      Western Energy Imbalance Market Governing Body Adopts Initiatives for Summer Reliability (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/western-eim-governing-body-adopts-initiatives-summer-reliability-0

7.      Tracey LeBeau Named Interim Administrator & CEO of Western Area Power Administration (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/tracey-lebeau-named-interim-administrator-and-ceo-wapa

8.      Oregon: Eugene Puts Natural Gas Contract on Hold (The Daily Emerald, Eugene, OR)

https://www.dailyemerald.com/news/eugene-puts-natural-gas-contract-on-hold/article_47ee2f6e-8541-11eb-ab89-6b77c0a47b1a.html

9.      Here’s Why PG&E Electricity Prices Are High & Soaring (Jefferson Public Radio, Ashland, OR)

https://www.ijpr.org/environment-energy-and-transportation/2021-03-14/heres-why-pg-e-electricity-prices-are-high-and-soaring

10.   In the Shadow of Texas Outages, Disaster Preparation at Home Is on the Radars of 2 in 5 Adults (Morning Consult)

https://morningconsult.com/2021/03/15/texas-weatherization-polling/

11.   Why Every State Is Vulnerable to a Texas-Style Power Crisis (Vox)

https://www.vox.com/22308149/texas-blackout-power-outage-winter-uri-grid-ercot

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

12.   WA State: Thoughts on the Massive Wind & Solar Farm? Benton County Wants to Hear Them (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article249706893.html

13.   $75 Million Richland Lab to Power Clean Energy Innovation (KVEW/KAPP-TV, Tri-Cities/Yakima, WA)

https://www.yaktrinews.com/75-million-richland-lab-to-power-clean-energy-innovation/#/questions

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

14.   States, California IOUs Urge Changes to Trump Energy Efficiency Policies, But Not Everyone Agrees (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/states-california-ious-urge-changes-to-trump-energy-efficiency-policies-b/596691/

15.   Montana: Missoula County Adopts Energy Efficient Building Policy, Set to Pursue Green Tariff (Missoula Current, MT)

https://missoulacurrent.com/outdoors/2021/03/energy-green-tariff/

16.   Op/Ed: New Code Makes a Difference for Seattle’s Buildings, But Local Action Isn’t Enough (Puget Sound Business Journal, Seattle, WA)

https://energynewsdigest.blogspot.com/2021/03/oped-new-code-makes-difference-for.html

17.   Keeping Cool: It’s a Good Time to Get Ready for Summer Heat (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2021/mar/13/keep-cool-preparing-when-weather-gets-hot/

18.   Four Simple Ways a Smart Thermostat Can Save You Money (C|Net News)

https://www.cnet.com/news/4-simple-ways-a-smart-thermostat-can-save-you-money/

FISH & WILDLIFE

19.   Northwest’s Iconic Salmon Face Tough Conditions During Ocean Journey (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/03/14/northwests-iconic-salmon-face-tough-conditions-during-ocean-journey/

20.   The Incredible Life Cycle of Northwest Salmon (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7cNzXma91k

21.   Bloodsucking-Fish Fossils Overturn Once-Popular Theory About Our Evolution (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/lamprey-fossils-1.5947054?cmp=rss

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

22.   Tacoma Sues Over Planned Wastewater Treatment Requirements That Could Cost $1 Billion (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article249903303.html

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

23.   Op/Ed: Idaho Power Has No Claim to Water Above Milner Dam (Idaho Falls Post-Register, ID)

https://www.postregister.com/opinion/columns/opinion-idaho-power-has-no-claim-to-water-above-milner-dam/article_31633914-d763-5dc1-ab33-83172e3f3ac5.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

24.   12 States Sue Biden Over ‘Social Cost’ Calculation of Greenhouse Gases (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/542149-12-states-sue-biden-over-calculation-of-climate-impacts-in?rl=1

25.   With Electric Cars Rolling, Washington Should Now Turn to Electric Homes (Morning Consult)

https://morningconsult.com/opinions/with-electric-cars-rolling-washington-should-now-turn-to-electric-homes/

26.   Arizona: Effort to Block Clean Energy Rules Stumbles in Legislature (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/legislature-arizona-legislation-utilities-bills-13d24463dbb4f575d0cdb8fbed79ef6a

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

27.   WA State: Bill Would Expand Local Government Broadband Authority (The Business Institute of Washington)

https://thelens.news/2021/03/12/bill-would-expand-local-government-broadband-authority/

28.   Bills in Washington State Legislature Would Allow Public Utility Districts into Retail Broadband (Broadband Breakfast)

http://broadbandbreakfast.com/2021/03/bills-in-washington-state-legislature-would-allow-public-utility-districts-into-retail-broadband/

29.   WA State: Bothell-Based TV & Internet Provider to Pay $900,00 After Charging Customers Hidden Fees (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/bothell-internet-company-wave-to-pay-restitution-for-hidden-taxes-fees/281-0fcdb602-f9d0-4757-bbf4-0f39d61e76d0

30.   Faced with Limited Resources, Indigenous Communities Built Their Own Internet. Here’s How. (Mashable)

https://mashable.com/article/how-indigenous-communities-build-their-own-internet/

31.   Policy Study: Digital Divide Better Fought at Local Level with Low Confidence in Large National Carriers (Telecompetitor)

https://www.telecompetitor.com/policy-study-digital-divide-better-fought-at-local-level-with-low-confidence-in-large-national-carriers/

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

32.   ‘Avoid Clicking on the Link’: Texting Scams Increase by 300% During Pandemic (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/texting-scams-increase-300-percent-since-pandemic/283-b874b3eb-7aa5-4159-9b4d-d6c8feffd30b

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

33.   Arizona: Salt River Project Offers Customers $1,000 Rebate to Switch to Electric Cars (Electrek)

https://electrek.co/2021/03/12/arizona-utility-offers-customers-1000-rebate-to-switch-to-electric-cars/

34.   Electric Vehicle Bills Moving Forward in Oregon Legislature (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://energynewsdigest.blogspot.com/2021/03/electric-vehicle-bills-moving-forward.html

35.   Commentary: Yes, Our Electricity Grid Can Support an Electric Vehicle Future (Energy News Network)

https://energynews.us/2021/03/10/commentary-yes-our-electricity-grid-can-support-an-electric-vehicle-future/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

36.   To Make Cannabis Green, We Need to Grow It Outdoors (Slate Magazine)

https://slate.com/technology/2021/03/cannabis-environment-energy-indoor-outdoor-growth-climate-change.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

37.   How PepsiCo’s Energy Drink Sting Thought of a Clever Way to Give Energy Conservation Tips to Consumers (Business Insider)

https://www.businessinsider.in/advertising/brands/article/how-pepsicos-energy-drink-sting-thought-of-a-clever-way-to-give-energy-conservation-tips-to-consumers/articleshow/81431754.cms

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

38.   Americans Brace for a Rare and Creepy Billion-Bug Invasion (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/americans-brace-for-a-rare-and-creepy-billion-bug-invasion/

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

39.   U.S. House: Pelosi Pledges Swift Work on Major Infrastructure Package (Public Broadcasting Service)

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/pelosi-pledges-swift-work-on-major-infrastructure-package

40.   Federal Lawmakers Aim to Incentivize Weatherizing Power Lines (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/542764-lawmakers-aim-to-incentivize-weatherizing-power-lines?rl=1

41.   Editorial: Strike Deal for Infrastructure, Environment & Jobs (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/strike-deal-for-infrastructure-environment-and-jobs/

42.   Army Corps Pick Hailed as ‘Game Changer’ for Tribes (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063727235

43.   U.S. Senators Launch Latest Salvo in Forever War Over Daylight Saving Time (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/senators-launch-latest-salvo-in-forever-war-over-daylig-1846450808

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Governor Clarence D. Martin Signs into Law WA State Bill 186 Outlawing Dance Marathons Statewide on March 15, 1937

https://www.historylink.org/File/5599

NCAA Men’s Tournament Bracket Revealed: Gonzaga Earns Top Seed

https://sports.yahoo.com/march-madness-bracket-ncaa-tournament-selection-sunday-2021-221032867.html

When Is the 2021 NCAA Women’s Tournament? Schedule, Key Dates, Locations for March Madness

https://sports.nbcsports.com/2021/03/15/when-is-march-madness-2021-schedule-key-dates-location-for-ncaa-womens-tournament/

Australian Man’s Lost Surfboard Found 16 Months Later, 1,700 Miles Away

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/03/15/australia-lost-surfboard-found-16-months-later1700-miles-Australia/7311615832746/

SONG OF THE DAY

Beach Boys - Catch a Wave

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLgWbH-qhVo

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions.

Electric Vehicle Bills Moving Forward in Oregon Legislature (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Oregon is falling way short in meeting its electric vehicle goals, but lawmakers could be ready to provide new tools to boost uptake.

On Thursday, the Senate passed a bill — by a bipartisan 27-2 count — that expands the ability of regulated electric utilities to recoup from ratepayers’ investments in charging stations and other EV infrastructure.

Senate Bill 314 would also allow natural gas utilities to rate-based investments that support the adoption of vehicles powered by renewable natural gas or hydrogen.

And it’s not the only EV bill on the move in the Legislature.

House Bill 2165 comes from Gov. Kate Brown, who in 2017 set a goal of 50,000 registered plug-in vehicles in Oregon by the end of 2020, only to see the state fall short by nearly a third, at 33,547.

The bill takes a comprehensive approach.

It removes a 2027 sunset on the state’s EV rebate, and keeps $12 million flowing annually into the program from a 0.5% tax on new-vehicle sales in the state. It also increases the value of the add-on Charge Ahead rebate, available to low- and middle-income earners, from $2,500 to $5,000, meaning those residents could get rebates worth up to $7,500.

On the utility side, it would also allow for rate-basing of EV investments, while requiring Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp to assess a charge of 0.25% on customer bills to raise funds for transportation electrification investments. The utilities support the charge, as does Oregon CUB, the state's official ratepayer advocate.

CUB agrees with the utilities that smart, expanded EV use can drive down costs for all ratepayers, as increased electricity sales generate additional revenue to support a distribution system that everyone pays for.

The bill, CUB said in written testimony, “would raise approximately $4.5 million from PGE, well below the amount CUB identifies as being reasonable for the utility to invest in infrastructure and programs to support (transportation electrification), and what may otherwise be included in customer rates.”

The bill requires at least half the money raised through the charge be spent on programs that encourage transportation electrification in underserved communities.

The House Energy and Environment Committee passed the bill on a 7-0 vote, sending it to the Transportation Committee.

Op/Ed: New Code Makes a Difference for Seattle’s Buildings, But Local Action Isn’t Enough (Puget Sound Business Journal, Seattle, WA)

Washington state’s cities and the state are making policies and creating incentives to advance energy efficiency, electrify buildings, expand use of renewable gas and support long-term plans for the transition away from use of fossil gas in our homes and commercial buildings.

On Feb. 1, the city of Seattle adopted improvements to Seattle’s Commercial Energy Code. This update affects new and extensively renovated commercial and large multifamily buildings. It ensures that the newest buildings in Seattle are using the most current energy-saving technology so that we’re making the best use of our Seattle City Light electricity.

These updates also eliminate most uses of polluting fossil fuel-fired water and space heating equipment in favor of more efficient electric heat pumps and hot water heaters.

Through the involvement of residents, community advocates and those in the building and design industry, these improvements to the energy code passed, leading the city one step closer to achieving its climate goals. Taking these meaningful steps will help our construction workforce be competitive, make our newest buildings healthy and climate-resilient and keep us from digging the hole on climate deeper.

Addressing the energy code for these large buildings is something all cities in Washington can consider when contemplating how to meet climate goals. This strategy, as well as other policies and incentive-driven programs are highlighted in Shift Zero’s newly released Zero Carbon Policy Toolkit for local government.

However, there is much more to do to address climate pollution from buildings.

We need to retrofit existing buildings to operate more efficiently and to phase out fossil fuels. And, we need to work in coordination with policies and funding for equitable development and building a sustainable and diverse workforce. Local governments can’t go at it alone — they need supportive policy and funding from the state, as well as from our new federal administration.

In the state legislative session underway now, Gov. Jay Inslee put forward a bold climate strategy for how to comprehensively address climate pollution. This proposal took a deep look at how we use fossil fuels in our buildings statewide. To continue to expand support for more local action like what is happening in Seattle, we need more opportunities like this to bring everyone to the table.

Transitioning away from fossil fuels in our buildings won’t happen overnight and it will not be easy. We need clear-eyed planning, market, and regulatory reform that includes all stakeholders, investment in renewable gas alternatives, more use of energy efficiency, electrification infrastructure changes, and a smooth industry transition. This is the kind of engagement and dialogue that needs to happen at all levels of government. 

We need a plan and a pathway for addressing climate pollution from all of our buildings and this needs to happen with the gas and electric utility industry alongside the building sector and communities at the forefront. With this partnership, and with long-term planning we can prepare our electric system, and allow our gas utilities to continue to provide non-fossil gas energy services to Washingtonians.