The Energy News Digest for May 25, 2022

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

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

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

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.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

California’s Plan to Avoid Blackouts Relies on Fossil Fuels as Last Resort (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/policy-regulation/californias-plan-to-avoid-blackouts-relies-on-fossil-fuels-as-last-resort

Blackout Risk in Washington State Low But ‘Not Trivial’ (KPVI-TV, Pocatello, ID)

https://www.kpvi.com/news/national_news/blackout-risk-in-washington-state-low-but-not-trivial/article_635e6b0f-44f6-57d0-a106-f0a64518373a.html

Gov. Dunleavy Signs Bill Streamlining Effort to Bring Nuclear Microreactors to Alaska Villages (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2022/05/24/gov-dunleavy-signs-bill-streamlining-effort-to-bring-nuclear-microreactors-to-alaska-villages/

WA State: Black Rock Solar Facility Approved in Eastern Yakima County (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/black-rock-solar-facility-approved-in-eastern-yakima-county/article_dfc6094b-0f88-5a75-a853-16562e617fb2.html

Stormy Repeat: NOAA Predicts Busy Atlantic Hurricane Season (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/climate-national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration-environment-2b5691c220abc476fbc3c457a3a76657

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      California’s Plan to Avoid Blackouts Relies on Fossil Fuels as Last Resort

2.      Blackout Risk in Washington State Low But ‘Not Trivial’

3.      Gov. Dunleavy Signs Bill Streamlining Effort to Bring Nuclear Microreactors to Alaska Villages

4.      U.S. Releases Environmental Study About New Idaho Test Reactor

5.      Climate Worries Galvanize a New Pro-Nuclear Movement in the U.S.

6.      Utah Has the Nation’s Cheapest Electricity, But It’s Not Very Climate-Friendly – Washington State (2), Idaho (3), Oregon (4)

7.      New York Utilities Fear ‘Potentially Unlimited’ Obligation Under Proposed Refund Rules for Prolonged Outages

8.      Public Power Utilities Take Proactive Approach in Response to Supply Chain Challenges

9.      Audio: Along Those Lines: ‘Super-Power’—The Impact of Hydroelectric Dams

10.   Editorial: Return of Wildfire Season Brings New Concern – Utilities in WA State Will Need to Pay More Attention to Risks to Powerlines from Wind & Trees.

11.   George Ochenski: The Colstrip Calamity – They Got the Gold, We Get the Shaft

12.   Should States Fund Municipal Broadband and Cooperatives?

13.   WA State: Black Rock Solar Facility Approved in Eastern Yakima County

14.   Federal Investigation Slows Solar Projects in Oregon

15.   EIA Expects Solar and Wind to Be Larger Sources of U.S. Electricity Generation This Summer

16.   Alaska: A Tidal Energy Project Could Power Machinery at Port Mackenzie

17.   Is It Time to Stop Burning Our Garbage?

18.   The U.S. Has Spent More Than $2 Billion on a Plan to Save Salmon. The Fish Are Vanishing Anyway.

19.   About the Data: How We Analyzed Salmon & Steelhead Surviva

20.   More Days Added to Columbia Spring Chinook Fishery, Which Marks Its Best Return Since 2015

21.   Pacific Northwest Leaders Discuss Lower Snake River Dam Removal at Third Annual Salmon Orca Summit

22.   Salmon at Increased Risk of Exposure to Harmful Bacteria Near British Columbia Fish Farms, Study Suggests

23.   Invasive Crayfish Found in Oregon for the First Time

24.   Monarch Butterfly Numbers in Mexico Rise by 35%

25.   Alaska: EPA Proposes Bristol Bay Protections in Potential Blow to Pebble Mine Development

26.   California Businesses Ordered to Stop Watering Lawns as Drought Strangles State

27.   WA State: Cool Spring, Slow Runoff Mean Lake Chelan Is Low on Water

28.   An Ocean First: Underwater Drone Tracks Carbon Dioxide in Alaska Gulf

29.   WA State: Thurston Youth Perform Die-In Over Climate Response During Olympia City Council Meeting

30.   Utah: UTOPIA Fiber Wraps Work on Largest Open Access Broadband Network in U.S.

31.   NTIA Doing All it Can to ‘Pressure’ States to Allow Municipal Broadband for Infrastructure Builds

32.   Map Highlights Broadband Availability by State

33.   Co-Ops Open the Door for High-speed Broadband and More Use of Precision Ag

34.   The Mental Block Preventing People from Buying Electric Vehicles

35.   As College Enrollment Tanks, There’s a Growing Push to Celebrate Students Going Into Skilled Trades

36.   Anthropologist Shares Unexpected Tip for Staying Cool During Heat Waves: ‘We All Need to Study This’

37.   Stormy Repeat: NOAA Predicts Busy Atlantic Hurricane Season

38.   Greater Idaho Movement Scales Back Plan for Oregon Annexation

WORD OF THE DAY

Obeisance \oh-BEE-sunss\ Noun – 1: a movement of the body made in token of respect or submission: bow *2: acknowledgment of another's superiority or importance: homage.

“Kiss my grits,” shrilled the agitated Florence Jean Castleberry to the unruly customer at the diner counter. Unexpectedly, the grizzled truck driver immediately dropped to one knee in obeisance, gently removing the steaming bowl of hominy grits from the counter and planting a kiss on the gloppy goo.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      California’s Plan to Avoid Blackouts Relies on Fossil Fuels as Last Resort (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/policy-regulation/californias-plan-to-avoid-blackouts-relies-on-fossil-fuels-as-last-resort

2.      Blackout Risk in Washington State Low But ‘Not Trivial’ (KPVI-TV, Pocatello, ID)

https://www.kpvi.com/news/national_news/blackout-risk-in-washington-state-low-but-not-trivial/article_635e6b0f-44f6-57d0-a106-f0a64518373a.html

3.      Gov. Dunleavy Signs Bill Streamlining Effort to Bring Nuclear Microreactors to Alaska Villages (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2022/05/24/gov-dunleavy-signs-bill-streamlining-effort-to-bring-nuclear-microreactors-to-alaska-villages/

4.      U.S. Releases Environmental Study About New Idaho Test Reactor (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/science-technology-nuclear-power-environment-53061270a5cc5e347f501bc8c6d61593

5.      Climate Worries Galvanize a New Pro-Nuclear Movement in the U.S. (Washington Post – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/05/24/diablo-canyon-nuclear-climate/

6.      Utah Has the Nation’s Cheapest Electricity, But It’s Not Very Climate-Friendly – Washington State (2), Idaho (3), Oregon (4) (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/05/24/utah-has-nations-cheapest/

7.      New York Utilities Fear ‘Potentially Unlimited’ Obligation Under Proposed Refund Rules for Prolonged Outages (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-york-utilities-coned-psc-outage-reimbursement/624258/

8.      Public Power Utilities Take Proactive Approach in Response to Supply Chain Challenges (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/public-power-utilities-take-proactive-approach-response-supply-chain-challenges

9.      Audio: Along Those Lines: ‘Super-Power’—The Impact of Hydroelectric Dams (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

https://www.electric.coop/along-those-lines-impact-of-hydroelectric-dams

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

10.   Editorial: Return of Wildfire Season Brings New Concern – Utilities in WA State Will Need to Pay More Attention to Risks to Powerlines from Wind & Trees. (Everett Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-return-of-wildfire-season-brings-new-concern/

11.   George Ochenski: The Colstrip Calamity – They Got the Gold, We Get the Shaft (Montana Standard, Butte, MT)

https://mtstandard.com/opinion/columnists/george-ochenski-the-colstrip-calamity-they-got-the-gold-we-get-the-shaft/article_b39ba8d2-79f9-5f6f-9ab4-db893bf78ac0.html

12.   Should States Fund Municipal Broadband and Cooperatives? (Governing)

https://www.governing.com/now/should-states-fund-municipal-broadband-and-cooperatives

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

13.   WA State: Black Rock Solar Facility Approved in Eastern Yakima County (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/black-rock-solar-facility-approved-in-eastern-yakima-county/article_dfc6094b-0f88-5a75-a853-16562e617fb2.html

14.   Federal Investigation Slows Solar Projects in Oregon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/25/solar-investigation-commerce-oregon-panels/

15.   EIA Expects Solar and Wind to Be Larger Sources of U.S. Electricity Generation This Summer (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=52438

16.   Alaska: A Tidal Energy Project Could Power Machinery at Port Mackenzie (Alaska Public Media)

https://www.alaskapublic.org/2022/05/24/a-tidal-energy-project-could-power-machinery-at-port-mackenzie/

17.   Is It Time to Stop Burning Our Garbage? (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-23/environmental-concerns-grow-over-incinerators-in-u-s

FISH & WILDLIFE

18.   The U.S. Has Spent More Than $2 Billion on a Plan to Save Salmon. The Fish Are Vanishing Anyway. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/24/pacific-northwest-federal-salmon-hatcheries-declining-returns/

19.   About the Data: How We Analyzed Salmon & Steelhead Survival (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/24/how-opb-propublica-analyzed-salmon-steelhead-survival-data/

20.   More Days Added to Columbia Spring Chinook Fishery, Which Marks Its Best Return Since 2015 (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

https://www.kxro.com/more-days-added-to-columbia-spring-chinook-fishery-which-marks-its-best-return-since-2015/

21.   Pacific Northwest Leaders Discuss Lower Snake River Dam Removal at Third Annual Salmon Orca Summit (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.khq.com/straight_from_the_source/regional-leaders-discuss-lower-snake-river-dam-removal-at-third-annual-salmon-orca-summit/article_d4a1423a-dae4-11ec-a9c4-a708d24e65bf.html

22.   Salmon at Increased Risk of Exposure to Harmful Bacteria Near British Columbia Fish Farms, Study Suggests (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/salmon-at-increased-risk-of-exposure-to-harmful-bacteria-near-b-c-fish-farms-study-suggests-1.6463403?cmp=rss

23.   Invasive Crayfish Found in Oregon for the First Time (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/22/invasive-crayfish-found-in-oregon-for-first-time/

24.   Monarch Butterfly Numbers in Mexico Rise by 35% (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-mexico-city-trees-d4f6220ea3ec24fb46ec22f6ad5da0d8

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

25.   Alaska: EPA Proposes Bristol Bay Protections in Potential Blow to Pebble Mine Development (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/epa-proposes-bristol-bay-protections-in-potentially-fatal-blow-to-pebble-mine-development/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

26.   California Businesses Ordered to Stop Watering Lawns as Drought Strangles State (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/california-businesses-ordered-to-stop-watering-lawns-as-drought-strangles-state/

27.   WA State: Cool Spring, Slow Runoff Mean Lake Chelan Is Low on Water (North Central Washington Life, East Wenatchee, WA)

https://www.ncwlife.com/cool-spring-slow-runoff-mean-lake-chelan-is-low-on-water/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

28.   An Ocean First: Underwater Drone Tracks Carbon Dioxide in Alaska Gulf (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/An-ocean-first-Underwater-drone-tracks-CO2-in-17197940.php

29.   WA State: Thurston Youth Perform Die-In Over Climate Response During Olympia City Council Meeting (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article261768827.html

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

30.   Utah: UTOPIA Fiber Wraps Work on Largest Open Access Broadband Network in U.S. (Fierce Telecom)

https://www.fiercetelecom.com/broadband/utopia-fiber-wraps-work-largest-open-access-broadband-network-us

31.   NTIA Doing All it Can to ‘Pressure’ States to Allow Municipal Broadband for Infrastructure Builds (Broadband Breakfast)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/2022/05/ntia-doing-all-it-can-to-pressure-states-to-allow-municipal-broadband-for-infrastructure-builds/

32.   Map Highlights Broadband Availability by State (WWLP-TV, Springfield, MA)

https://www.wwlp.com/news/national/map-highlights-broadband-availability-by-state/

33.   Co-Ops Open the Door for High-speed Broadband and More Use of Precision Ag (Farm Journal)

https://www.porkbusiness.com/news/industry/co-ops-open-door-high-speed-broadband-and-more-use-precision-ag

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

34.   The Mental Block Preventing People from Buying Electric Vehicles (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/technology/the-mental-block-preventing-people-from-buying-electric-vehicles/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

35.   As College Enrollment Tanks, There’s a Growing Push to Celebrate Students Going Into Skilled Trades (NBC News)

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/21/career-signing-days-celebrate-students-going-into-skilled-trades.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

 

36.   Anthropologist Shares Unexpected Tip for Staying Cool During Heat Waves: ‘We All Need to Study This’ (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/anthropologist-explains-why-taking-naps-161841884.html?soc_src=yahooapp

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

37.   Stormy Repeat: NOAA Predicts Busy Atlantic Hurricane Season (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/climate-national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration-environment-2b5691c220abc476fbc3c457a3a76657

38.   Greater Idaho Movement Scales Back Plan for Oregon Annexation (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/23/greater-idaho-movement-scales-back-plan-for-oregon-annexation/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

LEGO Unveils ‘The Starry Night’ Set Celebrating Van Gogh’s Most Famous Painting

https://mymodernmet.com/lego-starry-night-set/

What Is the ‘Dissociative Pout.’ Is It the New ‘Duck Face’?

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/dissociative-pout-duck-face-203009346.html

Reds Fan Accidentally Catches Baseball in Beer Cup, Chugs for Crowd

https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/MLB/2022/05/24/Cincinnati-Reds-fan-accidentally-catches-ball-in-beer-cup-chugs-for-crowd-basball-MLB/3281653399485/

German Surfer Rides World Record 86-Foot Wave in Portugal

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/05/25/Guinness-World-Records/4291653499782/

SONG OF THE DAY

‘Heroes’ The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain vs David Bowie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8X5NvcOOnI

The Energy News Digest for May 23, 2022

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

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

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

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.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Experts Warn That Drought Will Impact Northwest This Summer (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/19/summer-northwest-drought-oregon-washington/

The West, Reliant on Hydro, May Miss It During Heat Waves (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/the-west-reliant-on-hydro-may-miss-it-during-heat-waves/

Largest Dam Removal Project in U.S. History Begins in California (KFBK Radio, Sacramento, CA)

https://kfbk.iheart.com/featured/sacramentos-latest-news/content/2022-05-23-largest-dam-removal-project-in-us-history-begins-in-california/

3,000+ Acre Solar Farm Wants WA State Permit to Build in Benton County (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/3-000-acre-solar-farm-wants-wa-permit-to-build-in-benton-county/article_835b79a5-3f92-5aad-af5d-e1624003c686.html

Washington State Wants to Plug in to The Next Thing in Fuel: Hydrogen – Douglas PUD Steps Up (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/environment/2022/05/washington-wants-plug-next-thing-fuel-hydrogen

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      The West, Reliant on Hydro, May Miss It During Heat Waves

2.      Hydropower’s Future Is Clouded by Droughts, Floods & Climate Change – It’s Also Essential to the U.S. Electric Grid

3.      Largest Dam Removal Project in U.S. History Begins in California

4.      Oregon PUC Seeks Public Comment on PacifiCorp’s Proposed 14% Rate Hike; Citizens’ Utility Board Opposes Increase

5.      Southern California Edison Holds Town Hall on Power Shutoffs

6.      U.S. Energy Secretary: We Must Find a Solution for Nuclear Waste

7.      FERC to Monitor Gas, Power Markets for Manipulation as Forward Summer Electricity Prices Jump Up to 233%

8.      FERC Commissioners Respond to Elevated Power Outage Risks Across Two-Thirds of U.S.

9.      Chelan PUD Rolling Out First Smart Advanced Meters

10.   Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport Board Takes Stand Against Breaching Dams

11.   Biden Taps FERC Chairman Glick for a Second Term, Potentially Providing Consistency Amid Energy Transition

12.   Editorial: Tri-Cities & Other Eastern WA Towns Need Control Over Where to Put Wind Turbines

13.   Don Brunell Commentary: Inslee & Murray Are Targeting the Wrong Snake River Dams

14.   Commentary: Following John Oliver’s Takedown, Here’s How to Hold Utilities Accountable, Including ‘Make Public’

15.   Guest Essay: Arizona – Without an Expanded Power Plant, Salt River Project Could Struggle to Serve Customers by 2024

16.   3,000+ Acre Solar Farm Wants WA State Permit to Build in Benton County

17.   Large Solar Array Means 2 Northwest Alaska Villages Can Turn Off Diesel Power for Hours a Day

18.   New Solar Panels at Sumner Food Bank May Mean More Money for Food

19.   Oregon Forum Broaches Issues with Wind Farm Plans

20.   Idaho’s ‘Wind Rush’ Meets Opposition Outside a WWII Prison Camp

21.   Nez Perce Tribe Eyes Renewable Energy Utility Cooperative

22.   Idaho Anglers Have Shot at 10,000 Spring Chinook

23.   Idaho: Magic Valley Steelhead Hatcheries Help Provide Fishing Opportunities on Returning Adult Steelhead

24.   Online Tool Explores the Habits of British Columbia Salmon in the Columbia River

25.   Washington State Launches Orca Website

26.   Experts Warn That Drought Will Impact Northwest This Summer

27.   Water Outlook Bright on Olympic Peninsula

28.   WA State Will Soon Put a Price on Carbon Emissions for Its Biggest Polluters. Here’s How It Will Work

29.   Carbon Removal Technologies to Get $3.5 Billion Federal Investment

30.   Why Is Climate ‘Doomism’ Going Viral – Who’s Fighting It?

31.   34 States & Territories Have Already Signed Up for the $45 Billion Broadband Fund

32.   Cloud-Based Gaming Could Dramatically Boost Broadband Usage

33.   Oregon: Eugene Water & Electric Board Hosts Electric Vehicle Event

34.   Disney Could Lose Iconic Character Rights Over Politics

35.   Washington State Wants to Plug in to The Next Thing in Fuel: Hydrogen – Douglas PUD Steps Up

36.   Would You Drink Old Moon Water? Future Astronauts May Sup from Ancient Lunar Volcanoes Say

37.   Extreme Fire Threats Prompt U.S. Suspension of Planned Burns

38.   Former Head of WA State Drainage District & Wife Convicted of Fraud

WORD OF THE DAY – HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Suborn \suh-BORN\ Verb – 1: to induce secretly to do an unlawful thing 2: to induce to commit perjury; also: to obtain (perjured testimony) from a witness.

Nattering Nabobs

Rock and Roll and fast cars, bah!

Youth suborned to sin.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      The West, Reliant on Hydro, May Miss It During Heat Waves (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/the-west-reliant-on-hydro-may-miss-it-during-heat-waves/

2.      Hydropower’s Future Is Clouded by Droughts, Floods & Climate Change – It’s Also Essential to the U.S. Electric Grid (The Conversation)

https://theconversation.com/hydropowers-future-is-clouded-by-droughts-floods-and-climate-change-its-also-essential-to-the-us-electric-grid-182314

3.      Largest Dam Removal Project in U.S. History Begins in California (KFBK Radio, Sacramento, CA)

https://kfbk.iheart.com/featured/sacramentos-latest-news/content/2022-05-23-largest-dam-removal-project-in-us-history-begins-in-california/

4.      Oregon PUC Seeks Public Comment on PacifiCorp’s Proposed 14% Rate Hike; Citizens’ Utility Board Opposes Increase (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

https://ktvz.com/news/oregon-northwest/2022/05/19/oregon-regulators-seek-public-comment-on-pacificorp-14-rate-hike-citizens-utility-board-opposes-increase/

5.      Southern California Edison Holds Town Hall on Power Shutoffs (Malibu Times, CA)

https://malibutimes.com/southern-california-edison-holds-town-hall-on-power-shutoffs

6.      U.S. Energy Secretary: We Must Find a Solution for Nuclear Waste (Associated Press)

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/energy-secretary-visit-nuclear-plant-discuss-waste-issue-84856901

7.      FERC to Monitor Gas, Power Markets for Manipulation as Forward Summer Electricity Prices Jump Up to 233% (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-gas-power-electricity-markets-prices-manipulation-/624120/

8.      FERC Commissioners Respond to Elevated Power Outage Risks Across Two-Thirds of U.S. (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-nerc-power-outage-risks-summer-drought/624111/

9.      Chelan PUD Rolling Out First Smart Advanced Meters (KPQ-Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://www.kpq.com/chelan-pud-rolling-out-first-smart-meters/

10.   Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport Board Takes Stand Against Breaching Dams (Lewiston Tribune, ID)

https://lmtribune.com/northwest/airport-board-takes-stand-against-breaching-dams/article_36ef7aae-2396-5edc-a721-658ef1e45667.html

11.   Biden Taps FERC Chairman Glick for a Second Term, Potentially Providing Consistency Amid Energy Transition (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/biden-ferc-glick-nomination-manchin/624192/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

12.   Editorial: Tri-Cities & Other Eastern WA Towns Need Control Over Where to Put Wind Turbines (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/editorials/article261641332.html

13.   Don Brunell Commentary: Inslee & Murray Are Targeting the Wrong Snake River Dams (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/don-brunell-commentary-inslee-and-murray-are-targeting-the-wrong-dams,291609

14.   Commentary: Following John Oliver’s Takedown, Here’s How to Hold Utilities Accountable, Including ‘Make Public’ (Energy News Network)

https://energynews.us/2022/05/23/commentary-following-john-olivers-takedown-heres-how-to-hold-utilities-accountable/

15.   Guest Essay: Arizona – Without an Expanded Power Plant, Salt River Project Could Struggle to Serve Customers by 2024 (Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ)

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2022/05/22/srp-could-face-blackouts-without-coolidge-natural-gas-plant-expansion/9794716002/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

16.   3,000+ Acre Solar Farm Wants WA State Permit to Build in Benton County (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/3-000-acre-solar-farm-wants-wa-permit-to-build-in-benton-county/article_835b79a5-3f92-5aad-af5d-e1624003c686.html

17.   Large Solar Array Means 2 Northwest Alaska Villages Can Turn Off Diesel Power for Hours a Day (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2022/05/22/large-solar-array-means-2-northwest-alaska-villages-can-turn-off-diesel-power-for-hours-a-day/

18.   New Solar Panels at Sumner Food Bank May Mean More Money for Food (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/new-solar-panels-at-sumner-food-bank-may-mean-more-money-for-food/

19.   Oregon Forum Broaches Issues with Wind Farm Plans (Newport news-Times, OR)

https://www.newportnewstimes.com/news/forum-broaches-issues-with-wind-farm-plans/article_898a9b52-d7c9-11ec-a09b-07e8257944f2.html

20.   Idaho’s ‘Wind Rush’ Meets Opposition Outside a WWII Prison Camp (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/energy/idaho-wind-rush-meets-opposition-outside-a-wwii-prison-camp-minidoka/

21.   Nez Perce Tribe Eyes Renewable Energy Utility Cooperative (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/nez-perce-tribe-eyes-renewable-122600590.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

22.   Idaho Anglers Have Shot at 10,000 Spring Chinook (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/anglers-shot-10-000-spring-122100545.html

23.   Idaho: Magic Valley Steelhead Hatcheries Help Provide Fishing Opportunities on Returning Adult Steelhead (NewsWires)

https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/573362478/magic-valley-steelhead-hatcheries-help-provide-fishing-opportunities-on-returning-adult-steelhead

24.   Online Tool Explores the Habits of British Columbia Salmon in the Columbia River (Penticton Western News, BC)

https://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/home2/online-tool-explores-the-habits-of-b-c-salmon-in-the-columbia-river/

25.   Washington State Launches Orca Website (Thurston Talk, Olympia, WA)

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2022/05/17/washington-state-launches-orca-website/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

26.   Experts Warn That Drought Will Impact Northwest This Summer (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/19/summer-northwest-drought-oregon-washington/

27.   Water Outlook Bright on Olympic Peninsula (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/water-outlook-bright-on-peninsula/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

28.   WA State Will Soon Put a Price on Carbon Emissions for Its Biggest Polluters. Here’s How It Will Work (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/wa-will-soon-put-a-price-on-carbon-emissions-for-its-biggest-polluters-heres-how-it-will-work/

29.   Carbon Removal Technologies to Get $3.5 Billion Federal Investment (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/19/carbon-removal-technologies-to-get-3-5b-federal-investment/

30.   Why Is Climate ‘Doomism’ Going Viral – Who’s Fighting It? (British Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-61495035

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

31.   34 States & Territories Have Already Signed Up for the $45 Billion Broadband Fund (State Scoop)

https://statescoop.com/34-states-bead-broadband-program/

32.   Cloud-Based Gaming Could Dramatically Boost Broadband Usage (TV Tech)

https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/cloud-based-gaming-could-dramatically-boost-broadband-usage

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

33.   Oregon: Eugene Water & Electric Board Hosts Electric Vehicle Event (KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR)

https://www.kezi.com/news/eweb-hosts-electric-vehicle-event/article_4aff312e-d96b-11ec-ade3-4bd7f3416143.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

34.   Disney Could Lose Iconic Character Rights Over Politics (The Street)

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/disney-could-lose-iconic-character-rights-over-politics

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

35.   Washington State Wants to Plug in to The Next Thing in Fuel: Hydrogen – Douglas PUD Steps Up (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/environment/2022/05/washington-wants-plug-next-thing-fuel-hydrogen

36.   Would You Drink Old Moon Water? Future Astronauts May Sup from Ancient Lunar Volcanoes Say Scientists (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2022/05/21/would-you-drink-old-moon-water-astronauts-may-sup-from-ancient-lunar-volcanoes-say-scientists/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

37.   Extreme Fire Threats Prompt U.S. Suspension of Planned Burns (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-politics-protocols-forests-climate-and-environment-ffc18ead5f7182a793118fcb195acd6d

38.   Former Head of WA State Drainage District & Wife Convicted of Fraud (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/politics-identity-theft-seattle-money-laundering-79f72d665c72e4d7564f6a1fe73432f1

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Star Wars Spacecraft Designer Colin Cantwell Dies Aged 90

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61547986

Largest Asteroid to Approach Earth in 2022 Will Zoom Past Our Planet This Week

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2022/05/23/largest-asteroid-1989-ja-approach-earth-2022/9893089002/

‘Calm’ Flight Attendant Helps Deliver Baby After Mom Goes into ‘Early and Unexpected Labor’ Mid-Flight

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/calm-flight-attendant-helps-deliver-211001305.html

Scientists Discover an Ancient Forest Inside a Giant Sinkhole in China

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/20/scientists-discover-an-ancient-forest-inside-a-giant-sinkhole-in-china/

SONG OF THE DAY

John Williams – Star Wars Millennium Falcon Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaBbM7H2dW8

John Williams – Star Wars Music: Themes & Leitmotifs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Pfq19L5JU