Monday, August 22, 2022

The Energy News Digest for August 22, 2022

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

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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.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Pacific Northwest Heat Waves Are Going to Get Continually Worse, Model Shows (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/heat-fire-flood-threat-next-30-years-risk-factor/283-307a4767-a183-4247-9452-c912c2b4bb0b

California Nuke Extension Challenged in Legislative Proposal (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/california-gavin-newsom-canyons-nuclear-power-31db13a3d0b04789a4d6a328e39f3785

WA State: Benton County Officials, Some Residents Object to Solar Project Near Yakima County Line (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/benton-county-officials-some-residents-object-to-solar-project-near-yakima-county-line/article_c3bfd100-1fec-11ed-8fcb-1b253515bc45.html

‘There’s Simply Not Enough Water’: Colorado River Cutbacks Ripple Across Arizona (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/theres-simply-not-enough-water-130021524.html

U.S. Protections for Idaho Salmon, Steelhead Are Here to Stay (Associated Press)

https://mynorthwest.com/3601990/us-protections-for-idaho-salmon-steelhead-are-here-to-stay/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      California Nuke Extension Challenged in Legislative Proposal

2.      What The Climate Bill Does for the Nuclear Industry

3.      Bill Gates’ Nuclear Startup Wins $750M, Loses Sole Fuel Source

4.      WA State: Federal Grant Money, Incentives Available for Intalco Aluminum Smelter

5.      Energy Projects Sought in U.S. Face Local Hurdles

6.      Transformer Shortage Hits Utilities in Storm Season

7.      Oregon Lawmakers, Groups Demand Investigation Over NW Natural’s Gas Claims

8.      B.C. Hydro Updates Peace River Dam Progress

9.      Columbia Grain CEO: Keep Snake River Dams

10.   News Release: Federal Hydropower Serves More Customers in Three Midwestern States

11.   WA State: Chelan County PUD Preps for New, Large Loads

12.   Montana Energy Rates Are Expected to Rise, But Yellowstone Valley Electric Members Won’t Be Impacted

13.   News Release: Inflation Reduction Act to Bolster Oregon Energy Efforts

14.   Justice Department, FTC Urge FERC to Expand Competition for Building New Transmission, Deny Utility Exclusivity

15.   News Release: Biden-Harris Administration Launches $28 Million Program to Advance Hydropower for Clean Energy

16.   Mason PUD 1 Guest Essay: Value of Lower Snake River Dams

17.   Guest Essay: To Protect the Grid & Meet Climate Goals, We Need the Lower Snake River Dams

18.   Guest Essay: Keep Unregulated Chemical Pollutants Off Our Farmland & Waterways

19.   WA State: Benton County Officials, Some Residents Object to Solar Project Near Yakima County Line

20.   Upcoming Investigation: How an Airborne Blade Exposed Broader Problems at Portland General Electric’s Flagship Wind Farm

21.   U.S. Climate Law Means California Can Cut Solar Perk, Group Says

22.   J-POWER Signs Agreement to Develop Sweetheart Lake Hydro in Alaska

23.   WA State: Coalition Aims to Dim Methow Valley’s Light Pollution

24.   It’s Too Hot to Cook. This Burner Can Help.

25.   U.S. Protections for Idaho Salmon, Steelhead Are Here to Stay

26.   Feds: Urgent Action Needed to Save Idaho’s Salmon

27.   Returning Sea Otters to Oregon Could Revive Kelp Forests

28.   Orcas Are ‘Attacking’ Sailboats Near Europe’s Coast. Scientists Don’t Know Why

29.   ‘There’s Simply Not Enough Water’: Colorado River Cutbacks Ripple Across Arizona

30.   States Dependent on Colorado River Wonder If Desalination Could Help the Water Supply

31.   ‘Spanish Stonehenge’ Emerges from Drought-Hit Dam

32.   Pacific Northwest Heat Waves Are Going to Get Continually Worse, Model Shows

33.   Federal Study: New Climate Law to Slice Carbon Pollution 40%

34.   Study: Already Shrunk by Half, Swiss Glaciers Melting Faster

35.   Washington Regulators Fine Wireless Company After Fatal Fall

36.   Few Eastern Montana Projects in $258 Million Broadband Proposal

37.   West Coast Leads the Way: States with the Most Electric Vehicles

38.   New Webb Telescope Images of Jupiter Reveal the Planet’s Glimmering Auroras

39.   Monsoon Rains in the Western U.S. Contributing to Looming Flash Flooding Threat for Millions

40.   Americans’ Pay Floor for Accepting a New Job Rises to $73,000

WORD OF THE DAY – Horrible Haiku Edition

Monstrous \MON-struss\ 1: strange, unnatural 2: having extraordinary often overwhelming size 3: gigantic 3a: having the qualities or appearance of a monster 3b: teeming with monsters 4a: extraordinarily ugly or vicious: 4b: shockingly wrong or ridiculous 5: deviating greatly from the natural form or character: 6: very great — used as an intensive.

Man in rubber suit

Tiny Tokyo destroyed

Monstrous behavior

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      California Nuke Extension Challenged in Legislative Proposal (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/california-gavin-newsom-canyons-nuclear-power-31db13a3d0b04789a4d6a328e39f3785

2.      What The Climate Bill Does for the Nuclear Industry (CNBC)

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/22/what-the-climate-bill-does-for-the-nuclear-industry.html

3.      Bill Gates’ Nuclear Startup Wins $750M, Loses Sole Fuel Source (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/bill-gates-nuclear-startup-wins-750m-loses-sole-fuel-source

4.      WA State: Federal Grant Money, Incentives Available for Intalco Aluminum Smelter (KGMI Radio, Bellingham, WA)

https://kgmi.com/news/007700-federal-grant-money-incentives-available-for-intalco-aluminum-smelter/

5.      Energy Projects Sought in U.S. Face Local Hurdles (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/energy-projects-sought-in-us-face-local-hurdles/ar-AA10RXSJ?li=BBnb7Kz

6.      Transformer Shortage Hits Utilities in Storm Season (E&E News)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/transformer-shortage-hits-utilities-in-storm-season/

7.      Oregon Lawmakers, Groups Demand Investigation Over NW Natural’s Gas Claims (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/08/17/oregon-lawmakers-environmentalists-criticize-nw-natural-gas-claims/

8.      B.C. Hydro Updates Peace River Dam Progress (Alaska Highway News, BC)

https://www.alaskahighwaynews.ca/regional-news/site-c/bc-hydro-updates-site-c-progress-5715636

9.      Columbia Grain CEO: Keep Snake River Dams (World Grain)

https://www.world-grain.com/articles/17346-columbia-grain-ceo-keep-snake-river-dams

10.   News Release: Federal Hydropower Serves More Customers in Three Midwestern States (Western Area Power Administration)

https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsReleases/2022/Pages/loveland-area-projects-new-customers.aspx

11.   WA State: Chelan County PUD Preps for New, Large Loads (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/business/chelan-county-pud-preps-for-new-large-loads/article_4a30a2aa-176e-11ed-950c-5be11ab8b68e.html

12.   Montana Energy Rates Are Expected to Rise, But Yellowstone Valley Electric Members Won’t Be Impacted (KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT)

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/montana-energy-rates-are-expected-to-rise-but-yellowstone-valley-electric-members-wont-be-impacted

13.   News Release: Inflation Reduction Act to Bolster Oregon Energy Efforts (Oregon Dept. of Energy)

https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2022/8/19/inflation-reduction-act-to-bolster-oregon-energy-efforts

14.   Justice Department, FTC Urge FERC to Expand Competition for Building New Transmission, Deny Utility Exclusivity (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/justice-doj-ftc-ferc-transmission-competition-utilities-rofr/629966/

15.   News Release: Biden-Harris Administration Launches $28 Million Program to Advance Hydropower for Clean Energy (U.S. Dept. of Energy)

https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-launches-28-million-program-advance-hydropower-clean-energy

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

16.   Mason PUD 1 Guest Essay: Value of Lower Snake River Dams (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

https://masonwebtv.com/archives/49348

17.   Guest Essay: To Protect the Grid & Meet Climate Goals, We Need the Lower Snake River Dams (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/aug/21/to-protect-the-grid-and-meet-climate-goals-we-need/

18.   Guest Essay: Keep Unregulated Chemical Pollutants Off Our Farmland & Waterways (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/keep-unregulated-chemical-pollutants-off-our-farmland-and-waterways/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

19.   WA State: Benton County Officials, Some Residents Object to Solar Project Near Yakima County Line (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/benton-county-officials-some-residents-object-to-solar-project-near-yakima-county-line/article_c3bfd100-1fec-11ed-8fcb-1b253515bc45.html

20.   Upcoming Investigation: How an Airborne Blade Exposed Broader Problems at Portland General Electric’s Flagship Wind Farm (Bend Bulletin, OR)

https://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/environment/upcoming-investigation-how-an-airborne-blade-exposed-broader-problems-at-pge-s-flagship-wind-farm/article_cbfa59fb-5c2a-5f4b-8235-c9012f4b6f93.html

21.   U.S. Climate Law Means California Can Cut Solar Perk, Group Says (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-19/us-climate-law-means-california-can-cut-solar-perk-group-says

22.   J-POWER Signs Agreement to Develop Sweetheart Lake Hydro in Alaska (Hydro Review)

https://www.hydroreview.com/hydro-industry-news/j-power-signs-agreement-to-develop-sweetheart-lake-hydro-in-alaska/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

23.   WA State: Coalition Aims to Dim Methow Valley’s Light Pollution (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

https://methowvalleynews.com/2022/08/17/coalition-aims-to-dim-valleys-light-pollution/

24.   It’s Too Hot to Cook. This Burner Can Help. (NY Times – Paywall Advisory)

https://www-nytimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/get-a-portable-induction-burner/amp/

FISH & WILDLIFE

25.   U.S. Protections for Idaho Salmon, Steelhead Are Here to Stay (Associated Press)

https://mynorthwest.com/3601990/us-protections-for-idaho-salmon-steelhead-are-here-to-stay/

26.   Feds: Urgent Action Needed to Save Idaho’s Salmon (Idaho State Journal, Pocatello, ID)

https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/feds-urgent-action-needed-to-save-salmon/article_f1147a95-b3ad-5b69-9849-b160c36ead2e.html

27.   Returning Sea Otters to Oregon Could Revive Kelp Forests (High Country News)

https://www.hcn.org/articles/north-wildlife-returning-sea-otters-to-oregon-could-revive-kelp-forests

28.   Orcas Are ‘Attacking’ Sailboats Near Europe’s Coast. Scientists Don’t Know Why (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/08/20/orcas-attack-sailboats-near-europes-coast-scientists-dont-know-why/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

29.   ‘There’s Simply Not Enough Water’: Colorado River Cutbacks Ripple Across Arizona (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/theres-simply-not-enough-water-130021524.html

30.   States Dependent on Colorado River Wonder If Desalination Could Help the Water Supply (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2022/08/19/1118519149/states-dependent-on-colorado-river-wonder-if-desalination-could-help-the-water-s

31.   ‘Spanish Stonehenge’ Emerges from Drought-Hit Dam (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spanish-stonehenge-emerges-drought-hit-dam-2022-08-18/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

32.   Pacific Northwest Heat Waves Are Going to Get Continually Worse, Model Shows (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/heat-fire-flood-threat-next-30-years-risk-factor/283-307a4767-a183-4247-9452-c912c2b4bb0b

33.   Federal Study: New Climate Law to Slice Carbon Pollution 40% (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-united-states-pollution-climate-and-environment-2f4438895e15c8292aa37a987758d0e0

34.   Study: Already Shrunk by Half, Swiss Glaciers Melting Faster (ABC News)

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/study-shrunk-half-swiss-glaciers-melting-faster-88689097

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

35.   Washington Regulators Fine Wireless Company After Fatal Fall (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2022-08-22/washington-regulators-fine-wireless-company-after-fatal-fall

36.   Few Eastern Montana Projects in $258 Million Broadband Proposal (Montana Standard, Butte, MT)

https://mtstandard.com/news/state-and-regional/few-eastern-montana-projects-in-258-million-broadband-proposal/article_ed254813-131e-55ac-a61b-2d086c106cc0.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

37.   West Coast Leads the Way: States with the Most Electric Vehicles (U.S. News & World Report)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2022-08-19/states-with-the-most-electric-vehicles

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

38.   New Webb Telescope Images of Jupiter Reveal the Planet’s Glimmering Auroras (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/webb-telescope-images-jupiter-auroras-1849441045

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

39.   Monsoon Rains in the Western U.S. Contributing to Looming Flash Flooding Threat for Millions (ABC News)

https://abcnews.go.com/US/monsoon-rains-contributing-looming-flash-flooding-threat-millions/story?id=88658532

40.   Americans’ Pay Floor for Accepting a New Job Rises to $73,000 (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/aug/22/americans-pay-floor-for-accepting-a-new-job-rises-/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Influencers Rejoice as Kilimanjaro Receives High-Speed Internet Update

https://mashable.com/article/mt-kilimanjaro-high-speed-internet

How a Squirrel Bridge in Longview Turned into a City’s Love for Rodents

https://www.kgw.com/article/travel/whats-in-a-name/squirrel-bridge-longview-whats-in-a-name/283-70ac1a34-05eb-43dc-847f-a02615127e66

Two Wisconsinites Take Home Gold in USA Mullet Championship

https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/two-wisconsinites-take-home-gold-in-usa-mullet-championship

Eerie Photos Show How Underwater Artifacts Are Resurfacing in Europe as Water Levels Drop Because of Drought

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/europe-drought-hunger-stones

SONG OF THE DAY

Bernard Hermann – The Snows of Kilimanjaro – Soundtrack Suite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-yb4IsrgcI&list=RDa-yb4IsrgcI&start_radio=1