Monday, May 10, 2021

The Energy News Digest for May 10, 2021

The Energy News Digest is sponsored by the Northwest Public Power Association

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Southern Resident Orca Pod in Best Condition in Decade (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/05/08/southern-resident-orca-pod-best-condition-decade/

WA U.S. Reps Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers Slam Simpson for Coordinating with Oregon Governor on Dam-Breaching Proposal (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/may/06/newhouse-mcmorris-rodgers-slam-simpson-for-coordin/

WA State: Douglas PUD May Need to Lower Wells Dam’s Reservoir to Mitigate Earthquake Risk (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/douglas-pud-may-need-to-lower-wells-dams-reservoir-to-mitigate-earthquake-risk/article_422fb698-acf5-11eb-896c-cb93cc4b98f8.html

Nuclear Power Plant Near Richland Shuts Down. 1,000 Workers from Across Nation Get to Work (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/hanford/article251258944.html

Chehalis Will Be Home of Washington State’s First Hydrogen Refueling Station (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/chehalis-will-be-home-of-states-first-hydrogen-refueling-station,264999

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      WA U.S. Reps Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers Slam Simpson for Coordinating with Oregon Governor on Dam-Breaching Proposal

2.      Clashing Over Dams & Salmon Nothing New for U.S. Reps Simpson, Newhouse

3.      Video: The Future of the Lower Snake River Dams

4.      WA State: Douglas PUD May Need to Lower Wells Dam’s Reservoir to Mitigate Earthquake Risk

5.      Can Hydropower Help Solve the Climate Crisis? This $63-Billion Plan Is Banking on It

6.      Nuclear Power Plant Near Richland Shuts Down. 1,000 Workers from Across Nation Get to Work

7.      Montana: Governor Signs Bill Pulling Plug on Public Vote for Nuclear Power

8.      California: Draft Building Code Urges More Electric, Less Gas

9.      Okanogan County WA: Utilities Consider Power Shutoffs to Prevent Wildfires

10.   WA State: Benton PUD Offering Bill Credits & Payment Matches for Past Due Balances

11.   British Columbia: Surge in ‘Backyard Loggers’ Is Causing More Outages, BC Hydro Warns

12.   Maine Considers Consumer-Owned Electric Utility

13.   WA State: Carbon-Free Water Power Electrifies Much Of Snohomish County

14.   In Our View: Dam Proposal Provides Framework for Debate

15.   Guest Essay: Columbia River Needs a Pacific Northwest Solution to Sustain All Our Communities

16.   Guest Column: Dams Play Vital Role in Mitigating Warmer Future of the Pacific Northwest

17.   Editorial: Seek Compromise Before Siting Solar, Wind Farms in Rural Washington

18.   Editorial: Montana Attempts to Prop Up Coal Will Be Futile

19.   Pacific Northwest Solar, Wind Developments Could Impact Vast Swaths of Ag Land

20.   Facebook’s 100% Renewables Goal Is Safe, For Now, Under Oregon PUC Decision

21.   President Biden Wants to Move Energy Offshore, But Choppy Seas Are Ahead

22.   Waldport’s Driftwood Beach Parking to Close for Oregon Coast Wave Energy Project Work

23.   Alaska: Turning Off Diesel Power with Geothermal in Unalaska

24.   Maine: Dam Owners & Waterfront Residents Grapple with Future of Former Hydroelectric System in Belfast

25.   Practicing Energy Efficiency Jiu-Jitsu

26.   Southern Resident Orca Pod in Best Condition in Decade

27.   The U.S. Promised the Nez Perce Fishing Rights. But What If Snake River Dams Kill Off the Fish?

28.   Boldt Revisited: Fisheries Group Sues Over Salmon Management

29.   The Dalles Dam Falls to Lowest Point of Season; August Forwards Highest in History

30.   Wetter & Warmer: NOAA Charts New Climate Outlook for Western Washington

31.   Competitive Carriers Association: Hundreds of Millions in RDOF Support Set to Go to Areas That Already Have Broadband

32.   NY: Broadband Companies Paid for 8.5 Million Fake Net Neutrality Comments

33.   Invest in the Internet, You Cowards

34.   After Pipeline Cyberextortion Attempt, Gasoline Ticks Higher

35.   Chehalis Will Be Home of Washington State’s First Hydrogen Refueling Station

36.   Oregon U.S. Rep DeFazio Promotes Green Energy: ‘We’re Headed Toward Electric Semis in the Near Future’

37.   Oregon House Votes to Boost Electric Vehicle Rebates, Deepen Utility Investment

38.   Buying an Electric Vehicle? Here Is Some Advice.

39.   SpaceX Satellites Closing Digital Gap, But Cause Light Pollution

WORD OF THE DAY

Perspicacious \purr-spuh-KAY-shus\ Adjective - Of acute mental vision or discernment: keen

“While others would call me a nitpicker, I prefer to go under the description of perspicacious,” sniffed the bank examiner to his hard-pressed client.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      WA U.S. Reps Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers Slam Simpson for Coordinating with Oregon Governor on Dam-Breaching Proposal (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/may/06/newhouse-mcmorris-rodgers-slam-simpson-for-coordin/

2.      Clashing Over Dams & Salmon Nothing New for U.S. Reps Simpson, Newhouse (Lewiston Tribune, ID)

https://lmtribune.com/river_of_change/clashing-over-dams-and-salmon-nothing-new-for-simpson-newhouse/article_9d2ddeaa-b45d-5e96-8bfc-59d44c6eb9f0.html

3.      Video: The Future of the Lower Snake River Dams (CleanTech Alliance)

https://vimeo.com/546209504

4.      WA State: Douglas PUD May Need to Lower Wells Dam’s Reservoir to Mitigate Earthquake Risk (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/douglas-pud-may-need-to-lower-wells-dams-reservoir-to-mitigate-earthquake-risk/article_422fb698-acf5-11eb-896c-cb93cc4b98f8.html

5.      Can Hydropower Help Solve the Climate Crisis? This $63-Billion Plan Is Banking on It (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2021-05-06/hydropower-climate-crisis-biden-boiling-point

6.      Nuclear Power Plant Near Richland Shuts Down. 1,000 Workers from Across Nation Get to Work (Tri-City Herald, WA)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/hanford/article251258944.html

7.      Montana: Governor Signs Bill Pulling Plug on Public Vote for Nuclear Power (KPVI-TV, Pocatello, ID)

https://www.kpvi.com/news/national_news/governor-signs-bill-pulling-plug-on-public-vote-for-nuclear-power/article_579b1ab4-274e-5368-8df1-8067991465bc.html

8.      California: Draft Building Code Urges More Electric, Less Gas (Bakersfield Californian, CA)

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/draft-building-code-urges-more-electric-less-gas/article_9a6488c4-af53-11eb-a5f1-631b648362c5.html

9.      Okanogan County WA: Utilities Consider Power Shutoffs to Prevent Wildfires (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

https://methowvalleynews.com/2021/05/05/utilities-consider-power-shutoffs-to-prevent-wildfires/

10.   WA State: Benton PUD Offering Bill Credits & Payment Matches for Past Due Balances (KFFX-TV, Kennewick, WA)

https://www.fox41yakima.com/benton-pud-offering-bill-credits-and-payment-matches-for-past-due-balances/

11.   British Columbia: Surge in ‘Backyard Loggers’ Is Causing More Outages, BC Hydro Warns (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-hydro-report-gardening-safety-outages-power-lines-1.6017830

12.   Maine Considers Consumer-Owned Electric Utility (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/policy/30235-maine-considers-consumer-owned-electric-utility/?amp

13.   WA State: Carbon-Free Water Power Electrifies Much Of Snohomish County (Everett Herald – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.heraldnet.com/life/carbon-free-water-power-electrifies-much-of-snohomish-county/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

14.   In Our View: Dam Proposal Provides Framework for Debate (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/in-our-view-dam-proposal-provides.html

15.   Guest Essay: Columbia River Needs a Pacific Northwest Solution to Sustain All Our Communities (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2021/05/opinion-columbia-river-needs-a-northwest-solution-to-sustain-all-our-communities.html

16.   Guest Column: Dams Play Vital Role in Mitigating Warmer Future of the Pacific Northwest (Longview Daily News, WA)

https://tdn.com/opinion/columnists/guest-column-dams-play-vital-role-in-mitigating-warmer-future-of-northwest/article_cf9964ce-fd91-5d3a-9fce-6fd30827845f.html

17.   Editorial: Seek Compromise Before Siting Solar, Wind Farms in Rural Washington (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/seek-compromise-before-siting-solar-wind-farms/

18.   Editorial: Montana Attempts to Prop Up Coal Will Be Futile (Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MT)

https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/editorials/editorial-attempts-to-prop-up-coal-will-be-futile/article_4c26318b-d626-5125-8ae5-af837f58a75f.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

19.   Pacific Northwest Solar, Wind Developments Could Impact Vast Swaths of Ag Land (Capital Press)

https://www.capitalpress.com/state/idaho/nw-solar-wind-developments-could-impact-vast-swaths-of-ag-land/article_b82274bc-a836-11eb-99c3-af4dfd07f4eb.html

20.   Facebook’s 100% Renewables Goal Is Safe, For Now, Under Oregon PUC Decision (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/facebooks-100-renewables-goal-is-safe.html

21.   President Biden Wants to Move Energy Offshore, But Choppy Seas Are Ahead (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05/08/biden-wants-move-energy-offshore-choppy-seas-are-ahead/

22.   Waldport’s Driftwood Beach Parking to Close for Oregon Coast Wave Energy Project Work (Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

https://www.beachconnection.net/news/driftwood_beach_cls050821.php

23.   Alaska: Turning Off Diesel Power with Geothermal in Unalaska (Think Geoenergy)

https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/turning-off-diesel-power-with-geothermal-in-unalaska/

24.   Maine: Dam Owners & Waterfront Residents Grapple with Future of Former Hydroelectric System in Belfast (Bangor Daily News, ME)

https://bangordailynews.com/2021/05/10/news/midcoast/dam-owners-and-waterfront-residents-grapple-with-future-of-former-hydroelectric-system-in-belfast/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

25.   Practicing Energy Efficiency Jiu-Jitsu (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Practicing-energy-efficiency-jiu-jitsu.aspx

FISH & WILDLIFE

26.   Southern Resident Orca Pod in Best Condition in Decade (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/05/08/southern-resident-orca-pod-best-condition-decade/

27.   The U.S. Promised the Nez Perce Fishing Rights. But What If Snake River Dams Kill Off the Fish? (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/may/09/the-us-promised-the-nez-perce-fishing-rights-but-w/

28.   Boldt Revisited: Fisheries Group Sues Over Salmon Management (Skagit Valley Herald, Mt. Vernon, WA)

https://www.goskagit.com/news/environment/fisheries-group-sues-over-salmon-management/article_5873f2fd-ddfe-5c6a-af0d-77dfbece4f67.html

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

29.   The Dalles Dam Falls to Lowest Point of Season; August Forwards Highest in History (S&P Global)

https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/electric-power/050621-the-dalles-dam-falls-to-lowest-point-of-season-august-forwards-highest-in-history

30.   Wetter & Warmer: NOAA Charts New Climate Outlook for Western Washington (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/weather/article/seattle-got-wetter-and-warmer-noaa-climate-trends-16165198.php

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

31.   Competitive Carriers Association: Hundreds of Millions in RDOF Support Set to Go to Areas That Already Have Broadband (Telecompetitor)

https://www.telecompetitor.com/cca-hundreds-of-millions-in-rdof-support-set-to-go-to-areas-that-already-have-broadband/

32.   NY: Broadband Companies Paid for 8.5 Million Fake Net Neutrality Comments (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-technology-business-9f10b43b6aacbc750dfc010ceaedaca7

33.   Invest in the Internet, You Cowards (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/invest-in-the-internet-you-cowards-1846819954

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

34.   After Pipeline Cyberextortion Attempt, Gasoline Ticks Higher (Associated Press)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/nation-world/after-pipeline-cyberextortion-attempt-gasoline-ticks-higher/507-fcd53367-73a2-4a64-9e8e-1bf411dcee70

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC, HYDROGEN

35.   Chehalis Will Be Home of Washington State’s First Hydrogen Refueling Station (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/chehalis-will-be-home-of-states-first-hydrogen-refueling-station,264999

36.   Oregon U.S. Rep DeFazio Promotes Green Energy: ‘We’re Headed Toward Electric Semis in the Near Future’ (KMTR-TV, Eugene, OR)

https://nbc16.com/news/local/defazio-promotes-green-energy-were-headed-toward-electric-semis-in-the-near-future

37.   Oregon House Votes to Boost Electric Vehicle Rebates, Deepen Utility Investment (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2021/05/oregon-house-votes-to-boost-electric.html

38.   Buying an Electric Vehicle? Here Is Some Advice. (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/buying-an-electric-vehicle-here-is-some-advice/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

39.   SpaceX Satellites Closing Digital Gap, But Cause Light Pollution (Christian Science Monitor)

https://www.csmonitor.com/Technology/2021/0510/SpaceX-satellites-closing-digital-gap-but-cause-light-pollution?icid=rss

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Did This Message in a Bottle Really Come from the Titanic? Quebec Researchers Are Trying to Find Out

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/titantic-passenger-uqar-message-bottle-1.6019434?cmp=rss

DK Metcalf: NFL star clocks 10.37 in 100m at Golden Games

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/57054874

‘A Terrible Idea’: Multitasking State Senator Drives While Videoconferencing – During an Online Meeting about Distracted Driving

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2021/05/06/andrew-brenner-video/

‘She Knew She Wasn’t Welcome’: Minnesota Woman Arrested After Allegedly Running Over Graves & Trying to Hit People During Ex-Boyfriend’s Funeral

https://lawandcrime.com/crazy/she-knew-she-wasnt-welcome-minnesota-woman-arrested-after-allegedly-running-over-graves-and-trying-to-hit-people-during-ex-boyfriends-funeral/

SONG OF THE DAY

Vangelis – Chariots of Fire, Main Theme (Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6IwEG0FYM

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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