The Energy News Digest for December 26, 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.

PROGRAMMING NOTE

The Energy News Digest will be communing with haiku masters over the next week. The news digest will return tanned, rested, and relaxed with the January 9 edition. During the interim, watch the Facebook and Twitter feeds for occasional news items.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Power Substations Damaged in Christmas Day Attacks (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/puget-sound-energy-tacoma-power-substations-attack-christmas/639467/

Dozens of People Have Died Across the US in Massive Winter Storm (Associated Press)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/12/26/dozens-have-died-across-us-in-massive-storm/

Tens of Thousands Without Power as Strong Winds Hit Western Washington (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/puget-sound-power-outages-storm-heavy-rain-high-wind-forecast-flooding-landslides-western-washington

Arctic Blast Roiling Reliability in TVA, MISO, SPP, PJM (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/arctic-blast-roiling-reliability-in-tva-miso-spp-pjm/

Goldendale Pumped Hydropower Project Would Harm Tribal Resources, WA State Environmental Impact Statement Finds (Northwest News Network)

https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/2022-12-22/goldendale-energy-project-would-harm-tribal-resources-environmental-impact-statement-finds

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Power Substations Damaged in Christmas Day Attacks

2.      Washington State Power Substations Vandalized on Christmas amid Domestic Terrorism Warnings

3.      Four Pierce County Utility Substations Vandalized, Cutting Power to More Than 14,000 on Christmas

4.      Physical Attacks on Power Grid Surge to New Peak

5.      Tens of Thousands Without Power as Strong Winds Hit Western Washington

6.      Arctic Blast Roiling Reliability in TVA, MISO, SPP, PJM

7.      Ohio: Utility Worker Killed While Restoring Power During Winter Storm, Officials Say

8.      Puget Sound Energy Customers’ Electric, Natural Gas Rates to Rise Over Two Years. Here’s Why & How Much

9.      Some Washingtonians Choosing Between Food & Heat amid Rising Utility Prices

10.   Snake River Navigation Channel Dredging Efforts Will Start in January

11.   Energy Capacity Upgrades: U.S. Rep. Kilmer (WA) Secures $5.2 Million for Community Projects in Mason County

12.   Iguanas Are Causing Power Outages in Florida – Still, Not as Cute as Their Rivals: Squirrels

13.   Goldendale Pumped Hydropower Project Would Harm Tribal Resources, WA State Environmental Impact Statement Finds

14.   WA Dept. of Ecology Completes Environmental Review for Proposed Goldendale Energy Storage Project

15.   U.S. Offshore Wind Industry to Hit Major Milestones in 2023

16.   In The End, Solar Power Opponents Prevail in Williamsport, Ohio

17.   Did Salmon Actually Use the Skagit River Before the Seattle City Light Dams Were Built?

18.   Officials Work to Avoid Repeat of Disastrous Lower Columbia Fall Salmon Fishing Season

19.   Alaskan Snow Crabs Are Canaries for Worsening Fishing Woes

20.   Bonneville Power Administration’s Pollinator Habitat Featured in National Database

21.   EPA Issues Water Protection Permits for Columbia River Dams

22.   Tribe in Oregon to Get $24 Million to Replace Faulty Water Facility

23.   In Arizona, Colorado River Crisis Stokes Worry Over Growth & Groundwater Depletion

24.   Climate Commitment Act Goes into Effect January. What Does That Mean for Southwest Washington?

25.   Poor & Diverse Areas of Seattle & Portland Offered Slower Internet

26.   Explainer: 2023 Tax Credits for Electric Vehicles Will Boost Their Appeal

27.   Is the Golden Era of Humor in Advertising Over?

28.   12 Graphic Design Trends for 2023: The Visual Euphoria

29.   Bonneville Power Administration Chief Administrator Receives Presidential Award

30.   Dozens of People Have Died Across the US in Massive Winter Storm

31.   Ice Storm, Heavy Rain, Cold Wave, Warm Wave, and Now a Powerful Storm Approaches

32.   Yaquina Head: Lighting the Way for 150 Years: Oregon Coast Lighthouse Prepares for Sesquicentennial

WORD OF THE DAY – HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Nosocomial /nah-suh-COE-mee-ull/ Adjective – Acquired or occurring in a hospital.

Soap opera plot

Nosocomial romance

Heartache, many tears

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Power Substations Damaged in Christmas Day Attacks (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/puget-sound-energy-tacoma-power-substations-attack-christmas/639467/

2.      Washington State Power Substations Vandalized on Christmas amid Domestic Terrorism Warnings (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/12/26/power-substations-washington-tacoma-attack/10953169002/

3.      Four Pierce County Utility Substations Vandalized, Cutting Power to More Than 14,000 on Christmas (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/more-than-7k-without-power-east-pierce-county-after-substation-attack/WVRNJQTTLJAHRIHTVJ5SJ2BCGE/

4.      Physical Attacks on Power Grid Surge to New Peak (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/26/physical-attacks-electrical-grid-peak-00075216

5.      Tens of Thousands Without Power as Strong Winds Hit Western Washington (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/puget-sound-power-outages-storm-heavy-rain-high-wind-forecast-flooding-landslides-western-washington

6.      Arctic Blast Roiling Reliability in TVA, MISO, SPP, PJM (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/arctic-blast-roiling-reliability-in-tva-miso-spp-pjm/

7.      Ohio: Utility Worker Killed While Restoring Power During Winter Storm, Officials Say (WSAW-TV, Wausau, WI)

https://www.wsaw.com/2022/12/24/utility-worker-killed-while-restoring-power-during-winter-storm-officials-say/

8.      Puget Sound Energy Customers’ Electric, Natural Gas Rates to Rise Over Two Years. Here’s Why & How Much (Tacoma News Tribune, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article270360282.html

9.      Some Washingtonians Choosing Between Food & Heat amid Rising Utility Prices (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/money/economy/washingtonians-face-rising-utility-prices/281-f0bb920d-9761-4203-99c1-91b9384f1132

10.   Snake River Navigation Channel Dredging Efforts Will Start in January (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Yakima/Tri-Cities, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/snake-river-navigation-channel-dredging-efforts-will-start-in-january-2023/article_4442301a-81c8-11ed-a0b5-57b332e15a42.html

11.   Energy Capacity Upgrades: U.S. Rep. Kilmer (WA) Secures $5.2 Million for Community Projects in Mason County (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

https://masonwebtv.com/archives/50841

12.   Iguanas Are Causing Power Outages in Florida – Still, Not as Cute as Their Rivals: Squirrels (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2022/12/24/1145423708/iguanas-are-causing-power-outages-in-florida

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

13.   Goldendale Pumped Hydropower Project Would Harm Tribal Resources, WA State Environmental Impact Statement Finds (Northwest News Network)

https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/2022-12-22/goldendale-energy-project-would-harm-tribal-resources-environmental-impact-statement-finds

14.   WA Dept. of Ecology Completes Environmental Review for Proposed Goldendale Energy Storage Project (WA Dept. of Ecology)

https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Who-we-are/News/2022/Ecology-completes-environmental-review-for-propose

15.   U.S. Offshore Wind Industry to Hit Major Milestones in 2023 (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/wind/us-offshore-wind-industry-to-hit-major-milestones-in-2023

16.   In The End, Solar Power Opponents Prevail in Williamsport, Ohio (ABC News)

https://abcnews.go.com/US/end-solar-power-opponents-prevail-williamsport-ohio/story?id=95752351

FISH & WILDLIFE

17.   Did Salmon Actually Use the Skagit River Before the Seattle City Light Dams Were Built? (High Country News)

https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-dams-did-salmon-actually-use-the-skagit-river-before-the-seattle-dams-were-built

18.   Officials Work to Avoid Repeat of Disastrous Lower Columbia Fall Salmon Fishing Season (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2022/dec/21/officials-work-to-avoid-repeat-of-disastrous-fall-salmon-fishing-season/

19.   Alaskan Snow Crabs Are Canaries for Worsening Fishing Woes (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/environment/2022/12/alaskan-snow-crabs-are-canaries-worsening-fishing-woes

20.   Bonneville Power Administration’s Pollinator Habitat Featured in National Database (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20221221-bpa-pollinator-habitat-featured-in-national-database

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

21.   EPA Issues Water Protection Permits for Columbia River Dams (Public News Service)

https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2022-12-21/public-lands-wilderness/epa-issues-water-protection-permits-for-columbia-river-dams/a82030-2

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

22.   Tribe in Oregon to Get $24 Million to Replace Faulty Water Facility (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/idaho/articles/2022-12-24/tribe-in-oregon-to-get-24m-to-replace-faulty-water-facility

23.   In Arizona, Colorado River Crisis Stokes Worry Over Growth & Groundwater Depletion (Los Angeles Times, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-12-26/in-arizona-colorado-river-cuts-raise-worries-about-growth

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

24.   Climate Commitment Act Goes into Effect January. What Does That Mean for Southwest Washington? (Longview Daily News, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://tdn.com/rivers/climate-commitment-act-goes-into-effect-january-what-does-that-mean-for-southwest-washington/article_102ffce8-7fb2-11ed-b782-bbe28afb0260.html

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

25.   Poor & Diverse Areas of Seattle & Portland Offered Slower Internet (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2022/12/26/poor-and-diverse-areas-of-seattle-and-portland-offered-slower-internet/69749375007/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

26.   Explainer: 2023 Tax Credits for Electric Vehicles Will Boost Their Appeal (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-c30a121f8172a32c6a48a7b7a93470d0

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

27.   Is the Golden Era of Humor in Advertising Over? (Washington Post, DC – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/is-the-golden-era-of-humor-in-advertising-over/2022/12/24/1209db8e-8394-11ed-8738-ed7217de2775_story.html

28.   12 Graphic Design Trends for 2023: The Visual Euphoria (The Designest)

https://thedesignest.net/graphic-design-trends/

GOVERNMENT & GOVERNANCE

29.   Bonneville Power Administration Chief Administrator Receives Presidential Award (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2022/dec/21/bpa-chief-receives-presidential-award/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

30.   Dozens of People Have Died Across the US in Massive Winter Storm (Associated Press)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/12/26/dozens-have-died-across-us-in-massive-storm/

31.   Ice Storm, Heavy Rain, Cold Wave, Warm Wave, and Now a Powerful Storm Approaches (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2022/12/ice-storm-heavy-rain-cold-wave-warm.html

32.   Yaquina Head: Lighting the Way for 150 Years: Oregon Coast Lighthouse Prepares for Sesquicentennial (Spokane Public Radio)

https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/regional-news/2022-12-25/lighting-the-way-for-150-years-oregon-coast-lighthouse-prepares-for-sesquicentennial

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

They Traveled from South Korea. They Got Stranded Near Buffalo.

https://news.yahoo.com/traveled-south-korea-got-stranded-124618333.html

A Couple in Sweden Has Had Enough with Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’

https://www.npr.org/2022/12/26/1145509293/a-couple-in-sweden-has-had-enough-with-whams-last-christmas

Mukilteo Man Builds Lego T-Mobile Park with Impressive Details

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mukilteo-man-builds-lego-t-mobile-park-with-impressive-details/

Diving Drones & a Timid Octopus: WA Treasure Hunters Find Shipwreck

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/diving-robots-and-a-timid-octopus-wa-treasure-hunters-find-shipwreck/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Beatles – Octopus’s Garden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De1LCQvbqV4

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to current stories. I try to choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription, although individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regular clearing of your browser’s history and cookie files may help in accessing some paywall sites.

Please note that media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

The Energy News Digest for December 21, 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.

ITEMS OF NOTE FROM THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

Winter solstice 2022 brings the longest night of the year to Northern Hemisphere

https://www.space.com/winter-solstice-longest-night-northern-hemisphere--dec-21-2022

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

‘Life-Threatening’ Cold, Bomb Cyclone Blizzard to Sweep U.S. This Week (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/2022/12/20/blizzard-cold-weather-forecast-bomb-cyclone

Communities Still without Power After California Earthquake (Associated Press)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/communities-still-without-power-after-california-earthquake/article_3a871beb-5ec6-5312-a756-03e6f8a8edad.html

Utilities Sound Alarm Over Distribution Transformer Shortage as Procurement Times Surpass 1 Year & Costs Triple (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/distribution-transformer-shortage-appa-casten/639059/

Douglas County PUD Selects Contractor for $18.2 Million Hydrogen Plant (KPQ-Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/douglas-county-pud-selects-contractor-for-18-2-million-hydrogen-plant/

Over 140,000 Northern Pikeminnow Removed from Columbia and Snake Rivers in 2022, Earning Anglers More Than $1.3 Million (Big Country News, Clarkston, WA)

https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/news/over-140-000-northern-pikeminnow-removed-from-columbia-and-snake-rivers-in-2022-earning-anglers/article_efb8dcae-7fd0-11ed-a2c4-13f4e537bac9.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Communities Still without Power After California Earthquake

2.      Utilities Sound Alarm Over Distribution Transformer Shortage as Procurement Times Surpass 1 Year & Costs Triple

3.      What’s Next for WA Aluminum Manufacturing? The Fight Goes On

4.      Wyoming: Kemmerer Hopes Nuclear Delay Will Help, Not Hurt, Its Future

5.      Alaska: Owner Charged After Lineman Attacked By 5 Pit Bulls at Work, Sheriff’s Office Says

6.      Flathead Electric Co-op Urges Members to Prepare for Historic Cold Weather

7.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Wildfire & Catastrophe Proposal May Trigger Higher Monthly Bills

8.      Bonneville Power Administration Crew Clears Thousands of Trees After Bolt Creek Fire

9.      DC Circuit Throws Out 50-Year License for Maryland Dam

10.   West Virginia: Raleigh County Power Outage Caused by Electrocution after Attempted Copper Theft

11.   American Public Power Association ‘Beyond Disappointed’ Transformer Production Funding Not Included in Bill

12.   Guest Essay: To Lead on Climate, Lean on Nuclear

13.   Guest Essay: Clean Energy Policies Hamper Industrial Development

14.   Douglas County PUD Selects Contractor for $18.2 Million Hydrogen Plant

15.   These Rules Could Improve Views of an Eastern WA Wind, Solar Project. What Are Your Thoughts?

16.   This Little-Known Bottleneck Is Blocking Clean Energy for Millions

17.   Lots of Whales Spotted Around Offshore Wind Farm Zones Along West Coast

18.   ‘Proceed with Caution’: Key Takeaways from California’s First Offshore Wind Energy Auction

19.   Space Heating Accounted for Nearly One-Third of U.S. Energy Consumption in Commercial Buildings in 2018

20.   Energy Efficiency Benefits Are Now Available to These Washington Residents

21.   Over 140,000 Northern Pikeminnow Removed from Columbia and Snake Rivers in 2022, Earning Anglers More Than $1.3 Million

22.   Report Raises Question of Hunting Seals to Save Washington Salmon

23.   Chelan County PUD to Acquire Peshastin Water District Water System

24.   FCC Has Received ‘Thousands’ of Consumer Challenges to Broadband Map

25.   Montana Reaches for Next Pot of Federal Broadband Money

26.   Beacon Broadband, Electric Cooperative Broadband Subsidiary, Begins Oregon Port Build

27.   REC Silicon Targeted by Ransomware Attack

28.   Oregon, Washington State Panels Approve Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles

29.   Nevada: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Ordinance Could Mandate Charging Capabilities in Most New Developments

30.   Chevy Recalls 111,000 Bolt EVs Over Fire Risks

31.   In The Southeast, Power Company Money Flows to News Sites That Attack Their Critics

32.   She Was an ABC News Producer. She Also Was a Corporate Operative

33.   How to Use ChatGPT and Still Be a Good Person

34.   Four Things We Can Learn from Artificial Storytelling

35.   NASA Robot Sends One of the Saddest Tweets I Have Ever Seen

36.   What Congress’s Spending Bill Includes for Energy, Sustainability

37.   $300 Million in Fisheries Disaster Relief Makes It into Federal Spending Bill

38.   WA State: Pend Oreille PUD Announces Resignation of Colin Willenbrock as General Manager

39.   WA State: Mason PUD 3 Commission Appoints Jeff McHargue to Fill Vacancy Left by Commissioner Bruce Jorgenson

40.   ‘Life-Threatening’ Cold, Bomb Cyclone Blizzard to Sweep U.S. This Week

41.   Pacific Northwest Braces for Freezing Temperatures

42.   Spokane Braces for Lowest Temps in 14 Years as ‘Life-Threatening Cold’ Sets In

43.   Portland’s First Day of Winter Dawns Cold, Sunny; Snow, Freezing Rain Strike Later Thursday

WORD OF THE DAY

Symposium • \sim-POSE-ee-um\ • Noun – 1a: a convivial party (as after a banquet in ancient Greece) with music & conversation b: a social gathering at which there is free interchange of ideas 2a: a formal meeting at which several specialists deliver short addresses on a topic or on related topics b: a collection of opinions on a subject; especially: one published by a periodical.

Dagwood, Liberian’s new online college institute linguist was excited about attending a conference in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico on the plural use of symposium. “Which session? Symposium, symposiums, or symposia,” he mused. “Or the blockbuster presentation on Elvis, Elvises, or Elvi?”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Communities Still without Power After California Earthquake (Associated Press)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/communities-still-without-power-after-california-earthquake/article_3a871beb-5ec6-5312-a756-03e6f8a8edad.html

2.      Utilities Sound Alarm Over Distribution Transformer Shortage as Procurement Times Surpass 1 Year & Costs Triple (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/distribution-transformer-shortage-appa-casten/639059/

3.      What’s Next for WA Aluminum Manufacturing? The Fight Goes On (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/whats-next-for-wa-aluminum-manufacturing-the-fight-goes-on/

4.      Wyoming: Kemmerer Hopes Nuclear Delay Will Help, Not Hurt, Its Future (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)

https://trib.com/business/energy/kemmerer-hopes-nuclear-delay-will-help-not-hurt-its-future/article_ab4782bc-7da2-11ed-8398-3f1634a8d80c.html

5.      Alaska: Owner Charged After Lineman Attacked By 5 Pit Bulls at Work, Sheriff’s Office Says (KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AK)

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2022/12/19/owner-charged-after-lineman-attacked-by-5-pit-bulls-work-sheriffs-office-says/

6.      Flathead Electric Co-op Urges Members to Prepare for Historic Cold Weather (Western News, Libby MT)

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2022/dec/20/flathead-electric-co-op-urges-members-prepare-hist/

7.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Wildfire & Catastrophe Proposal May Trigger Higher Monthly Bills (Bay Area News Group, CA)

https://www.siliconvalley.com/2022/12/19/pge-wildfire-catastrophe-proposal-higher-monthly-bill-electric-gas/

8.      Bonneville Power Administration Crew Clears Thousands of Trees After Bolt Creek Fire (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20221215-bpa-crew-clears-thousands-of-trees-after-bolt-creek-fire

9.      DC Circuit Throws Out 50-Year License for Maryland Dam (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/dc-circuit-throws-out-50-year-license-for-maryland-dam/

10.   West Virginia: Raleigh County Power Outage Caused by Electrocution after Attempted Copper Theft (WNVS-TV, Lewisburg, WV)

https://www.wvnstv.com/top-stories/raleigh-county-power-outage-caused-by-electrocution-after-attempted-copper-theft/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

11.   American Public Power Association ‘Beyond Disappointed’ Transformer Production Funding Not Included in Bill (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/appa-beyond-disappointed-transformer-production-funding-not-included-bill

12.   Guest Essay: To Lead on Climate, Lean on Nuclear (Tri Cities Business News, WA)

https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2022/12/energy-schuetz-col-dec22/

13.   Guest Essay: Clean Energy Policies Hamper Industrial Development (Tri Cities Business News, WA)

https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2022/12/energu-dunn-col-dec22/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

14.   Douglas County PUD Selects Contractor for $18.2 Million Hydrogen Plant (KPQ-Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/douglas-county-pud-selects-contractor-for-18-2-million-hydrogen-plant/

15.   These Rules Could Improve Views of an Eastern WA Wind, Solar Project. What Are Your Thoughts? (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article270182932.html

16.   This Little-Known Bottleneck Is Blocking Clean Energy for Millions (Washington Post, DC – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/12/20/clean-energy-bottleneck-transmission-lines/

17.   Lots of Whales Spotted Around Offshore Wind Farm Zones Along West Coast (Northwest News Network)

https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/2022-12-19/lots-of-whales-spotted-around-offshore-wind-farm-zones-along-west-coast

18.   ‘Proceed with Caution’: Key Takeaways from California’s First Offshore Wind Energy Auction (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/proceed-with-caution-key-takeaways-from-californias-first-offshore-wind/638780/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

19.   Space Heating Accounted for Nearly One-Third of U.S. Energy Consumption in Commercial Buildings in 2018 (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/pressroom/releases/press523.php

20.   Energy Efficiency Benefits Are Now Available to These Washington Residents (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.theolympian.com/article270123432.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

21.   Over 140,000 Northern Pikeminnow Removed from Columbia and Snake Rivers in 2022, Earning Anglers More Than $1.3 Million (Big Country News, Clarkston, WA)

https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/news/over-140-000-northern-pikeminnow-removed-from-columbia-and-snake-rivers-in-2022-earning-anglers/article_efb8dcae-7fd0-11ed-a2c4-13f4e537bac9.html

22.   Report Raises Question of Hunting Seals to Save Washington Salmon (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/report-raises-question-of-hunting-seals-to-save-washington-salmon/article_cb8c0748-8016-11ed-84e3-8f1b3a706bae.html

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

23.   Chelan County PUD to Acquire Peshastin Water District Water System (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/chelan-county-pud-to-acquire-peshastin-water-district-water-system/article_60e5b1a0-7fdf-11ed-910f-d3c94d9f288c.html

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

24.   FCC Has Received ‘Thousands’ of Consumer Challenges to Broadband Map (Light Reading)

https://www.lightreading.com/broadband/fcc-has-received-thousands-of-consumer-challenges-to-broadband-map/d/d-id/782462?

25.   Montana Reaches for Next Pot of Federal Broadband Money (Helena Independent-Record, MT)

https://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/montana-reaches-for-next-pot-of-federal-broadband-money/article_fd8ba9c9-113c-5970-b7db-f41e75da4e99.html

26.   Beacon Broadband, Electric Cooperative Broadband Subsidiary, Begins Oregon Port Build (Telecompetitor)

https://www.telecompetitor.com/electric-cooperative-broadband-subsidiary-begins-oregon-port-build/

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY - THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY & CYBERSECURITY

27.   REC Silicon Targeted by Ransomware Attack (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/rec-silicon-targeted-ransomware-attack-045900880.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

28.   Oregon, Washington State Panels Approve Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/3782081-oregon-washington-state-panels-approve-transition-to-zero-emission-vehicles/

29.   Nevada: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Ordinance Could Mandate Charging Capabilities in Most New Developments (KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV)

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/ev-infrastructure-ordinance-could-mandate-charging-capabilities-in-most-new-developments/

30.   Chevy Recalls 111,000 Bolt EVs Over Fire Risks (C|NET News)

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/chevrolet-bolt-ev-seat-belt-pretensioner-recall/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

31.   In The Southeast, Power Company Money Flows to News Sites That Attack Their Critics (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2022/12/19/1143753129/power-companies-florida-alabama-media-investigation-consulting-firm

32.   She Was an ABC News Producer. She Also Was a Corporate Operative (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2022/12/21/1142575872/abc-news-producer-corporate-operative-investigation

33.   How to Use ChatGPT and Still Be a Good Person (NY Times – Paywall Advisory)

https://dnyuz.com/2022/12/21/how-to-use-chatgpt-and-still-be-a-good-person/

34.   Four Things We Can Learn from Artificial Storytelling (Pioneer Utility Resources)

https://www.pioneerutilityresources.com/aistorytelling/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

35.   NASA Robot Sends One of the Saddest Tweets I Have Ever Seen (Kotaku)

https://kotaku.com/nasa-insight-rover-mars-sad-tweet-rip-goodbye-esa-1849913028

GOVERNMENT & GOVERNANCE

36.   What Congress’s Spending Bill Includes for Energy, Sustainability (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/homenews/3782633-what-congresss-spending-bill-includes-for-energy-sustainability/

37.   $300 Million in Fisheries Disaster Relief Makes It into Federal Spending Bill (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/300m-in-disaster-relief-for-crab-salmon-fisheries-makes-it-into-federal-spending-bill/

38.   WA State: Pend Oreille PUD Announces Resignation of Colin Willenbrock as General Manager (Pend Oreille PUD, Newport, WA – Links to PDF File)

https://www.popud.org/assets/PDFs/Press-Releases/26893bef70/2022_12_20-Press-Release_PUD-Announces-Resignation-of-Colin-Willenbrock-as-GM.pdf

39.   WA State: Mason PUD 3 Commission Appoints Jeff McHargue to Fill Vacancy Left by Commissioner Bruce Jorgenson (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

https://www.pud3.org/blog/articles--blog/post/commission-appoints-jeff-mchargue-to-fill-vacancy-left-by-commissioner-bruce-jorgenson

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

40.   ‘Life-Threatening’ Cold, Bomb Cyclone Blizzard to Sweep U.S. This Week (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/2022/12/20/blizzard-cold-weather-forecast-bomb-cyclone

41.   Pacific Northwest Braces for Freezing Temperatures (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oregon/articles/2022-12-21/pacific-northwest-braces-for-freezing-temperatures

42.   Spokane Braces for Lowest Temps in 14 Years as ‘Life-Threatening Cold’ Sets In (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/dec/21/spokane-braces-for-lowest-temps-in-14-years-as-lif/

43.   Portland’s First Day of Winter Dawns Cold, Sunny; Snow, Freezing Rain Strike Later Thursday (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2022/12/portlands-1st-day-of-winter-dawns-cold-sunny-snow-freezing-rain-strike-later-thursday.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Posing Coach Shares Tips on What to Do with Your Hands in Photos: ‘Me Always Saving These’

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/posing-coach-shares-tips-hands-211509955.html

Wanapum Dam – Bald Eagle Snatches Canada Goose in Talons Before Feasting in Surreal Photo

https://www.newsweek.com/bald-eagle-snatches-canada-goose-talons-surreal-photo-washington-1768315

Art Collector Cliff Schorer Locates Stolen $10 Million Painting with the Help of a $18 Throw Pillow

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/collector-cliff-schorer-stolen-hendrick-avercamp-painting-worcester-museum-1234651043/

Airline Mix-Up Sends Couple’s Dog to Saudi Arabia Instead of Nashville

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dog-flight-tennessee-saudi-arabia_n_639de408e4b0f4895adbe637

SONG OF THE DAY

Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental)

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to recent stories. I try to choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription, although individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regular clearing of your browser’s history and cookie files may help to access some paywall sites.

Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.