The Energy News Digest for February 27, 2023

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.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Hackers Are ‘Increasingly Bold,’ NERC Warns, as Dragos Report Identifies New Grid Threats (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/hackers-are-increasingly-bold-nerc-warns-as-dragos-report-identifies-ne/643485/

The U.S. Has Billions for Wind & Solar Projects. Good Luck Plugging Them In. (NY Times – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/23/climate/renewable-energy-us-electrical-grid.html

KIRO 7 Uncovers Security Concerns & More Substation Attacks in Washington (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/kiro-7-uncovers-security-concerns-more-substation-attacks-washington/UHRSYS7YVBEY3KCN3PIZSIAKKE/

Yakama Nation Worries Huge Proposed Tri-Cities Wind Farm Will Harm Antelope & the Land (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article272564982.html

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Is ‘Inadequate & Plagued with Non-Functioning Stations’: J.D. Power (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ev-charging-infrastructure-inadequate-non-functioning-stations/643277/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Hackers Are ‘Increasingly Bold,’ NERC Warns, as Dragos Report Identifies New Grid Threats

2.      KIRO 7 Uncovers Security Concerns & More Substation Attacks in Washington

3.      Hydropower in Western U.S. Resurges after Hitting 20-Year Low

4.      Electricity Production Costs Rose with Fuel Costs in 2021, Delivery Cost Remained Elevated

5.      Montana: NorthWestern Eyes First Dibs on Transmission Line Construction

6.      Bonneville Power Administration Will Contribute Funds to SW Power Pool Markets+ Phase 1 Development

7.      Western Area Power Administration Powers Forward with New Strategic Plan

8.      Xcel Energy Played a Leading Role in a Stealthy Plan to Defend Natural Gas in Colorado

9.      Portland General Electric Utility Worker Arrested on Allegations of DUI

10.   Guest Essay: Nation Needs Navy’s Nuclear Knowledge – Nuclear Power May Not Be Popular, But It’s Essential

11.   Columnist: Why a U.S. National Electric Grid Would Be Great for the Climate — And Is Nearly Impossible

12.   The U.S. Has Billions for Wind & Solar Projects. Good Luck Plugging Them In.

13.   Yakama Nation Worries Huge Proposed Tri-Cities Wind Farm Will Harm Antelope & the Land

14.   WA State: New Sunnyside-Area Solar Farm Draws Support & Objections

15.   Clean Hydrogen Power Industry Seeks WA State Tax Breaks

16.   WA State: REC Silicon on Track for 2023 Restart, Posts Loss for Fourth Quarter of 2022

17.   Wind Farms Could Store Power in Pumped Hydropower Reservoir

18.   Washington’s Salmon Population Struggling Against Climate Change

19.   Rift in Idaho GOP Exposed Amid Multistate Water Rule Lawsuit

20.   U.S. 2022 Power Plant Emissions Fell on Switch from Coal to Gas – EPA

21.   Emitting Greenhouse Gases in WA? Here’s Who Will Need to Pay Up to Pollute

22.   Pipeline Debate at Center of California Carbon Capture Plans

23.   Fiber Networks as Community Development

24.   As Crypto Mines Aim for Climate Action, Critics Call Greenwashing

25.   Massachusetts: Crypto Mining Operation Found in School Crawl Space

26.   Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Is ‘Inadequate & Plagued with Non-Functioning Stations’: J.D. Power

27.   E-Bike Batteries Blamed for 22 NYC Fires, Two Deaths This Year

28.   WA State Support Advances First Mode Proving Grounds for Mining Trucks at Former Centralia Coal Mine

29.   Stronger Geomagnetic Storm Now Expected; Warnings & Watches Elevated

30.   ‘We Can’t Find People to Work’: The Newest Threat to Biden’s Climate Policies

31.   Washington State Considering Tax on Any Wi-Fi Device

32.   Storm Brings Snow, Heavy Rain to Southern California, Tornadoes to Oklahoma

33.   U.S. Energy Department Assesses With ‘Low Confidence’ COVID May Have Originated from Chinese Lab Leak

WORD OF THE DAY - HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Divine /deh-VINE/ Adjective – 1a: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God or a god b: being a deity c: directed to a deity 2a: supremely good: superb b: heavenly, godlike.

Rhapsody in Blue...

     Gershwin’s piano.

     Wood, ebony, ivory

     Made divine music

https://joelshorriblehaiku.blogspot.com/2020/02/rhapsody-in-blue.html

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Hackers Are ‘Increasingly Bold,’ NERC Warns, as Dragos Report Identifies New Grid Threats (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/hackers-are-increasingly-bold-nerc-warns-as-dragos-report-identifies-ne/643485/

2.      KIRO 7 Uncovers Security Concerns & More Substation Attacks in Washington (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/kiro-7-uncovers-security-concerns-more-substation-attacks-washington/UHRSYS7YVBEY3KCN3PIZSIAKKE/

3.      Hydropower in Western U.S. Resurges after Hitting 20-Year Low (KUOW News, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/hydropower-in-the-western-u-s-bounced-back-last-year-after-a-20-year-low

4.      Electricity Production Costs Rose with Fuel Costs in 2021, Delivery Cost Remained Elevated (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=55639

5.      Montana: NorthWestern Eyes First Dibs on Transmission Line Construction (Longview News-Journal, TX)

https://www.news-journal.com/northwestern-eyes-first-dibs-on-transmission-line-construction/article_dae014e9-7022-57b4-a1dc-0c26a9422354.html

6.      Bonneville Power Administration Will Contribute Funds to SW Power Pool Markets+ Phase 1 Development (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/2023/20230224-bpa-will-contribute-funds-to-spp-markets-phase-1-development

7.      Western Area Power Administration Powers Forward with New Strategic Plan (Western Area Power Administration)

https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsReleases/2023/Pages/wapa-releases-new-strategic-plan.aspx

8.      Xcel Energy Played a Leading Role in a Stealthy Plan to Defend Natural Gas in Colorado (Colorado Public Radio)

https://www.cpr.org/2023/02/27/xcel-energy-coloradans-for-energy-access/

9.      Portland General Electric Utility Worker Arrested on Allegations of DUI (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2023/02/pge-utility-worker-arrested-on-allegations-of-duii.html

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

10.   Guest Essay: Nation Needs Navy’s Nuclear Knowledge – Nuclear Power May Not Be Popular, But It’s Essential (Bainbridge Island Review, WA)

https://www.bainbridgereview.com/opinion/nation-needs-navys-nuclear-knowledge/

11.   Columnist: Why a U.S. National Electric Grid Would Be Great for the Climate — And Is Nearly Impossible (CNBC)

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/why-we-need-nationwide-electric-grid-in-the-us-but-dont-have-one.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

12.   The U.S. Has Billions for Wind & Solar Projects. Good Luck Plugging Them In. (NY Times – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/23/climate/renewable-energy-us-electrical-grid.html

13.   Yakama Nation Worries Huge Proposed Tri-Cities Wind Farm Will Harm Antelope & the Land (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article272564982.html

14.   WA State: New Sunnyside-Area Solar Farm Draws Support & Objections (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/business/new-sunnyside-area-solar-farm-draws-support-and-objections/article_b3badb92-b475-11ed-94d4-1fc3ef40ecf3.html

15.   Clean Hydrogen Power Industry Seeks WA State Tax Breaks (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://nwnewsradio.com/northwest-news/clean-hydrogen-power-industry-seeks-state-tax-breaks/

16.   WA State: REC Silicon on Track for 2023 Restart, Posts Loss for Fourth Quarter of 2022 (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2023/feb/23/rec-track-2023-restart-posts-loss-q4-2022/

17.   Wind Farms Could Store Power in Pumped Hydropower Reservoir (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/northwest/wind-farms-could-store-power-in-reservoir/article_c0b63276-1609-585a-8dde-bf442829f34b.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

18.   Washington’s Salmon Population Struggling Against Climate Change (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/washingtons-salmon-population-struggling/281-3778ab52-95c2-4c63-b544-0d65a7f4ac55

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

19.   Rift in Idaho GOP Exposed Amid Multistate Water Rule Lawsuit (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/science-politics-idaho-state-government-legal-proceedings-raul-labrador-e0c1780d802c916844c82f807d0cc6a9

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

20.   U.S. 2022 Power Plant Emissions Fell on Switch from Coal to Gas - EPA (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-2022-power-plant-emissions-fell-switch-coal-gas-epa-2023-02-24/

21.   Emitting Greenhouse Gases in WA? Here’s Who Will Need to Pay Up to Pollute (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/emitting-greenhouse-gases-in-wa-heres-who-will-need-to-pay-up-to-pollute/

22.   Pipeline Debate at Center of California Carbon Capture Plans (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/politics-california-state-government-climate-and-environment-gavin-newsom-fa16aa985a1badf8e68fdd22914feb6b

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

23.   Fiber Networks as Community Development (Pots & Pans)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2023/02/27/fiber-networks-as-community-development/

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

24.   As Crypto Mines Aim for Climate Action, Critics Call Greenwashing (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/environment/2023/02/crypto-mines-aim-climate-action-critics-call-greenwashing

25.   Massachusetts: Crypto Mining Operation Found in School Crawl Space (Associated Press)

https://nowthisnews.com/news/police-crypto-mining-operation-found-in-school-crawl-space

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

26.   Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Is ‘Inadequate & Plagued with Non-Functioning Stations’: J.D. Power (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ev-charging-infrastructure-inadequate-non-functioning-stations/643277/

27.   E-Bike Batteries Blamed for 22 NYC Fires, Two Deaths This Year (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/technology-eric-adams-new-york-city-climate-and-environment-fires-73d9e56037996f137a4fb5475ff8c7f5

28.   WA State Support Advances First Mode Proving Grounds for Mining Trucks at Former Centralia Coal Mine (South Sound Business)

https://www.southsoundbiz.com/news/state-support-advances-first-mode-proving-grounds-at-former-centralia-coal-mine/article_3d7dc856-b2ed-11ed-b2c2-b34c2b086bb4.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

29.   Stronger Geomagnetic Storm Now Expected; Warnings & Watches Elevated (Weatherboy)

https://weatherboy.com/stronger-geomagnetic-storm-now-expected-warnings-watches-elevated-g3-strong/

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

30.   ‘We Can’t Find People to Work’: The Newest Threat to Biden’s Climate Policies (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/27/biden-climate-jobs-00080207

31.   Washington State Considering Tax on Any Wi-Fi Device (KPQ-Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/washington-state-considering-tax-on-any-wifi-device/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

32.   Storm Brings Snow, Heavy Rain to Southern California, Tornadoes to Oklahoma (NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/storm-brings-snow-southern-california-heavy-rain-prompts-search-rescue-rcna72348

33.   U.S. Energy Department Assesses With ‘Low Confidence’ COVID May Have Originated from Chinese Lab Leak (NBC News)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/national/u-s-energy-department-assesses-with-low-confidence-covid-may-have-originated-from-chinese-lab/article_bab78d10-b6b3-11ed-9281-e733608762d9.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Why Music Causes Memories to Flood Back

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/02/26/songs-music-memory-connection/

European Thirst for Tequila Aggravates Agave Crunch

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-thirst-tequila-aggravates-agave-crunch-2023-02-24/

Pilot Kept Flying Plane After Instructor Died, Thought He Was Only ‘Joking’

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pilot-death-blackpool-airport-joke_n_63f66c9ae4b0a209e82b4138

Wisconsin Woman Breaks World Record with 118,791 Four-Leaf Clovers

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/02/27/Guinness-World-Records-collection-four-leaf-clovers/5041677516148/

SONG OF THE DAY

George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue (Elmer Bernstein, Conductor)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jVh5cZ_ZvM

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 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.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

After Dropping to a 20-Year Low, Western U.S. Hydropower Generation Rose 13% Last Year (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=55599

Oregon Utilities Stick to Original 2030 Colstrip Exit Plan (Billings Gazette, MT)

https://billingsgazette.com/news/oregon-utilities-stick-to-original-2030-colstrip-exit-plan/article_a21aa71e-af2f-11ed-ab4c-378d449afedb.html

An Activist Group Is Spreading Misinformation to Stop Solar Projects in Rural America (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2023/02/18/1154867064/solar-power-misinformation-activists-rural-america

EPA Draft: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Saw Record Single-Year Spike in 2021 (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/3859491-epa-draft-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-saw-record-single-year-spike-in-2021/

U.S. Supreme Court Wrestles with Section 230 Lawsuit Shield for Tech Giants (Associated Press)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/supreme-court-wrestles-section-230-223620635.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      After Dropping to a 20-Year Low, Western U.S. Hydropower Generation Rose 13% Last Year

2.      Oregon Utilities Stick to Original 2030 Colstrip Exit Plan

3.      Skagit County Farmers Are Fed Up, Fighting Seattle City Light’s Skagit River Dam Programs

4.      WA State Bills Would Ban Puget Sound Energy from Offering New Natural Gas Service

5.      Bonneville Power Administration Releases 2023 First Quarter Financial Results

6.      EEI Calls for ‘Urgency’ in Siting & Permitting Reform to Aid Booming Energy Industry

7.      Why It’s So Hard to Build New Electrical Transmission Lines in the U.S.

8.      EIA’s Adjusted Outlook Lowers Natural Gas Prices by More Than 40 Percent

9.      California: Could Yreka Get Underground Power Lines?

10.   Smaller, Safer, Cheaper? Modular Nuclear Plants Could Reshape Coal Country

11.   Michigan: Little River Band Awarded $100,000 to Pursue Creation of Tribal Utility

12.   Georgia: 26-Year-Old Power Line Worker Electrocuted on the Job, Coroner Says

13.   Guest Essay: Removing Lower Snake River Dams the Only Way to Save Salmon

14.   An Activist Group Is Spreading Misinformation to Stop Solar Projects in Rural America

15.   Solar Company Forges Ahead in Washington Counties with Moratoriums

16.   Puget Sound Energy Pushes to Control New Renewable Energy Projects in WA

17.   Evergreen State Looks to Go Greener

18.   Public Lands in the U.S. Have Long Been Disposed to Fossil Fuel Companies. Now, the Lands Are Being Offered to Solar Companies

19.   WA State: Snohomish PUD Eyeing Conservation, Innovation to Meet Growing Energy Need

20.   Alaska: Heat Pumps Sell Like Hotcakes on America’s Oil-Rich Frontier

21.   Pacific Northwest States Set Columbia Spring Chinook Seasons

22.   Salmon Parks: Inside a Movement to Conserve Pacific Northwest Old Growth

23.   At Confluence of Yakima & Columbia a Barrier to Salmon May Finally Be Removed

24.   U.S. Representative McMorris Rodgers Urges Agencies Not to Burden PNW Ratepayers with Costs of Fish and Wildlife Mitigation

25.   California Debates What to Do with Water from Recent Storms

26.   Water Crisis in West: Massive Reservoir Lake Powell Hits Historic Low Water Level

27.   Oregon’s U.S. Senators Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Help Communities in the Klamath Basin Respond to Severe Drought

28.   EPA Draft: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Saw Record Single-Year Spike in 2021

29.   Washington State’s Push to Reduce Emissions

30.   FCC Chair Says It Received 1.1 Million Location Challenges to Broadband Map

31.   WA State: Spokane County Takes Step Towards Bringing Highspeed Internet to Rural Areas

32.   Tesla’s Move to Open Its Superchargers to Other Electric Vehicles Has Big Implications for California

33.   Oregon Bill Would Give Rebates for E-Bike Purchases

34.   U.S. Supreme Court Wrestles with Section 230 Lawsuit Shield for Tech Giants

35.   Meta to Roll Out Paid Verification Service for Instagram, Facebook

36.   Oregon Senators Tweak Plan to Stop Taxpayers from Paying Long-Distance Commuting Costs of Remote Workers, Following Union Objections

37.   Bill Would Stop Washington Legislature from Raiding Public Works Fund

38.   Four-Day Workweek Trial: Shorter Hours, Happier Employees

39.   A Huge Winter Storm Is Expected to Affect Millions Across 22 States

40.   Winter Storm Threatens Record Snowfall in Parts of U.S.

41.   Three Killed in Snow Slide Near Leavenworth, WA

WORD OF THE DAY – THE HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Detritus /deh-truh-tuss/ Noun – 1. geology: loose material (such as rock fragments or organic particles) that results directly from disintegration 2a. a product of disintegration, destruction, or wearing away: debris b. miscellaneous remnants odds and ends.

Winter’s Detritus

     Unique crystal birth

     Soft, swirling, white snowflakes

     Nature’s hushed cover

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      After Dropping to a 20-Year Low, Western U.S. Hydropower Generation Rose 13% Last Year (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=55599

2.      Oregon Utilities Stick to Original 2030 Colstrip Exit Plan (Billings Gazette, MT)

https://billingsgazette.com/news/oregon-utilities-stick-to-original-2030-colstrip-exit-plan/article_a21aa71e-af2f-11ed-ab4c-378d449afedb.html

3.      Skagit County Farmers Are Fed Up, Fighting Seattle City Light’s Skagit River Dam Programs (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/investigations/skagit-county-farmers-seattle-city-lights-skagit-river-dam-programs/281-39bd648a-575b-43a6-a360-2707079d43a0

4.      WA State Bills Would Ban Puget Sound Energy from Offering New Natural Gas Service (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_8e702de0-b233-11ed-b068-8f6937e40b20.html

5.      Bonneville Power Administration Releases 2023 First Quarter Financial Results (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20230215-bpa-releases-2023-first-quarter-financial-results

6.      EEI Calls for ‘Urgency’ in Siting & Permitting Reform to Aid Booming Energy Industry (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/eei-wall-street-renewables-permitting-reform-ferc-congress/643230/

7.      Why It’s So Hard to Build New Electrical Transmission Lines in the U.S. (CNBC)

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/21/why-its-so-hard-to-build-new-electrical-transmission-lines-in-the-us.html

8.      EIA’s Adjusted Outlook Lowers Natural Gas Prices by More Than 40 Percent (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/eias-adjusted-outlook-lowers-natural-gas-prices-more-40-percent

9.      California: Could Yreka Get Underground Power Lines? (Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA)

https://www.siskiyoudaily.com/story/news/2023/02/17/yreka-considers-policy-to-place-power-lines-underground/69913119007/

10.   Smaller, Safer, Cheaper? Modular Nuclear Plants Could Reshape Coal Country (Washington Post, DC – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/02/19/coal-nuclear-smr-modular/

11.   Michigan: Little River Band Awarded $100,000 to Pursue Creation of Tribal Utility (Michigan Business)

https://mibiz.com/sections/energy/little-river-band-awarded-100k-to-pursue-creation-of-tribal-utility

12.   Georgia: 26-Year-Old Power Line Worker Electrocuted on the Job, Coroner Says (WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA)

https://www.kold.com/2023/02/21/26-year-old-power-line-worker-electrocuted-job-coroner-says/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

13.   Guest Essay: Removing Lower Snake River Dams the Only Way to Save Salmon (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/feb/18/gregg-servheen-removing-lower-snake-river-dams-the/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

14.   An Activist Group Is Spreading Misinformation to Stop Solar Projects in Rural America (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2023/02/18/1154867064/solar-power-misinformation-activists-rural-america

15.   Solar Company Forges Ahead in Washington Counties with Moratoriums (Capital Press)

https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/rurallife/solar-company-forges-ahead-in-washington-counties-with-moratoriums/article_07092936-ae16-11ed-85d1-e310dae99bfa.html

16.   Puget Sound Energy Pushes to Control New Renewable Energy Projects in WA (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/pse-pushes-to-control-new-renewable-energy-projects-in-wa/

17.   Evergreen State Looks to Go Greener (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2023/feb/20/evergreen-state-looks-go-greener/

18.   Public Lands in the U.S. Have Long Been Disposed to Fossil Fuel Companies. Now, the Lands Are Being Offered to Solar Companies (Inside Climate News)

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/19022023/solar-public-lands/?utm_medium=email

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

19.   WA State: Snohomish PUD Eyeing Conservation, Innovation to Meet Growing Energy Need (Everett Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/pud-eyeing-conservation-innovation-to-meet-growing-energy-need/

20.   Alaska: Heat Pumps Sell Like Hotcakes on America’s Oil-Rich Frontier (Wired Magazine)

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/heat-pumps-alaska-oil-energy-prices

FISH & WILDLIFE

21.   Pacific Northwest States Set Columbia Spring Chinook Seasons (Northwest Sportsman Magazine)

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/states-set-columbia-spring-chinook-seasons/

22.   Salmon Parks: Inside a Movement to Conserve Pacific Northwest Old Growth (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://projects.seattletimes.com/2023/local/salmon-parks-movement-to-conserve-Pacific-Northwest-old-growth/

23.   At Confluence of Yakima & Columbia a Barrier to Salmon May Finally Be Removed (Columbia Insight)

https://columbiainsight.org/at-confluence-of-yakima-and-columbia-a-barrier-to-salmon-may-finally-be-removed/

24.   U.S. Representative McMorris Rodgers Urges Agencies Not to Burden PNW Ratepayers with Costs of Fish and Wildlife Mitigation (U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Washington)

https://mcmorris.house.gov/posts/mcmorris-rodgers-urges-agencies-not-to-burden-pnw-ratepayers-with-costs-of-fish-and-wildlife-mitigation

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

25.   California Debates What to Do with Water from Recent Storms (Associated Press)

https://news.yahoo.com/california-debates-water-recent-storms-203847230.html

26.   Water Crisis in West: Massive Reservoir Lake Powell Hits Historic Low Water Level (USA Today)

https://news.yahoo.com/water-crisis-west-massive-reservoir-100009040.html

27.   Oregon’s U.S. Senators Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Help Communities in the Klamath Basin Respond to Severe Drought (U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, Oregon)

https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-introduce-bill-to-help-communities-in-the-klamath-basin-respond-to-severe-drought

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

28.   EPA Draft: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Saw Record Single-Year Spike in 2021 (The Hill, Washington, DC)

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/3859491-epa-draft-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-saw-record-single-year-spike-in-2021/

29.   Washington State’s Push to Reduce Emissions (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2023/02/15/1157274284/washington-states-push-to-reduce-emissions

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

30.   FCC Chair Says It Received 1.1 Million Location Challenges to Broadband Map (Fierce Telecom)

https://www.fiercetelecom.com/broadband/fcc-chair-says-it-received-11m-location-challenges-broadband-map

31.   WA State: Spokane County Takes Step Towards Bringing Highspeed Internet to Rural Areas (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.khq.com/news/spokane-county-takes-step-towards-bringing-highspeed-internet-to-rural-areas/article_7eafbe72-af11-11ed-9586-f7f6486ba09b.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

32.   Tesla’s Move to Open Its Superchargers to Other Electric Vehicles Has Big Implications for California (San Francisco Chronicle, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/tesla-supercharger-california-17783798.php

33.   Oregon Bill Would Give Rebates for E-Bike Purchases (KOIN TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/politics/oregon-bill-would-give-rebates-for-e-bike-purchases/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

34.   U.S. Supreme Court Wrestles with Section 230 Lawsuit Shield for Tech Giants (Associated Press)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/supreme-court-wrestles-section-230-223620635.html

35.   Meta to Roll Out Paid Verification Service for Instagram, Facebook (Huffington Post)

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/meta-verified-service-announced-instagram-facebook_n_63f2883be4b0e2590d3e14b6

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

36.   Oregon Senators Tweak Plan to Stop Taxpayers from Paying Long-Distance Commuting Costs of Remote Workers, Following Union Objections (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2023/02/oregon-senators-tweak-plan-to-stop-taxpayers-from-paying-long-distance-commuting-costs-of-remote-workers-following-union-objections.html

37.   Bill Would Stop Washington Legislature from Raiding Public Works Fund (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/bill-would-stop-washington-legislature-from-raiding-public-works-fund/article_f1eb9142-af05-11ed-9b1a-0797d57d93d9.html

38.   Four-Day Workweek Trial: Shorter Hours, Happier Employees (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/business-d114ef8be69e1665fd22c39515bdaecf

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

39.   A Huge Winter Storm Is Expected to Affect Millions Across 22 States (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2023/02/21/1158546553/winter-storm-heavy-snow-22-states

40.   Winter Storm Threatens Record Snowfall in Parts of U.S. (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/doozy-snow-storm-pounds-western-northern-united-states-2023-02-21/

41.   Three Killed in Snow Slide Near Leavenworth, WA (KPQ-Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/three-killed-in-snow-slide-near-leavenworth/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Conn. Farmer Finds TikTok Fame Collecting Tiny Fashionable Hats for His Quail ‘Best Friends’

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/conn-farmer-finds-tiktok-fame-203938783.html

100 Years Later, Progress for ‘Evergreen State’ to Become Washington’s Official Nickname

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/100-years-later-progress-evergreen-state-become-washingtons-official-nickname/TEB5W54L3NEVZIBGNCKWGWNQPU/

Man Furious After Company Paid Him His Last Cheque in Grease-Covered Pennies

https://www.unilad.com/community/employee-paid-greasy-pennies-pay-cheque-070733-20230218

What’s a Legal Slap? Slap Fight League Regulators Weigh In

https://apnews.com/article/sports-health-8a48bdd6aee67417af82629409c673ad

SONG OF THE DAY

Leonard Cohen - Bird on the Wire

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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