Monday, March 13, 2023

The Energy News Digest for March 13, 2023

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

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HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Threatens Climate Start-Ups (NY Times – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/12/climate/silicon-valley-bank-climate.html

Attacks on Power Stations in Oregon City & Tumwater, Wash., Remain Unsolved; FBI Offers $25,000 Reward (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2023/03/attacks-on-power-stations-in-oregon-city-and-tumwater-wash-remain-unsolved-fbi-offers-25000-reward.html

Heavy Winter Snowpack Prompting Releases from Salt River Project Reservoirs (Arizona Department of Water Resources)

https://new.azwater.gov/news/articles/2023-09-03

Idaho: Lava Ridge Wind Farm Resolution Advances in House (Twin Falls Times-News, ID)

https://magicvalley.com/news/local/lava-ridge-resolution-advances-in-house/article_12e55132-be09-11ed-ab3d-b3c4391fdfda.html

Challenges Spawning Rapidly in SE Alaska Salmon Lawsuit (Juneau Empire, AK)

https://www.juneauempire.com/news/challenges-spawning-rapidly-in-salmon-lawsuit/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Attacks on Power Stations in Oregon City & Tumwater, Wash., Remain Unsolved; FBI Offers $25,000 Reward

2.      How the U.S. Power Grid Is a Target for Far-Right Groups

3.      Eastern Oregon Residents Oppose Energy Transmission Line Project: ‘Absolute Disaster for Ecosystem’

4.      Underwater Columbia River Power Line Considered

5.      Oregon: Utility-Funded Effort to Overturn Eugene’s Natural Gas Ordinance Turns in Signatures

6.      WA Gov. Inslee Demands Feds Reject Gas Pipeline Expansion

7.      ‘Definitely Not Cheap’: WA House Passes ‘First in the Nation’ Natural Gas Bill

8.      Oregon’s Uncertain Electric Future

9.      Avista Seeks More Money from Its Idaho Utility Customers – Company Is Asking for 14.7% Boost This Year

10.   Bill to Reduce Wildfire Risk Through Utilities Passes WA House

11.   There’s a Stunning New Way to View Niagara Falls – Walk Through a Decommissioned Hydropower Station

12.   Editorial: California Should Tap Its Growing Fleet of Electric Vehicles to Prevent Blackouts

13.   Guest Essay: Lawsuit Threatens Washington’s Commercial Fishing Families

14.   Guest Essay: Allow Sale of Credits for Carbon Stored in WA-Owned Lands

15.   Idaho: Lava Ridge Wind Farm Resolution Advances in House

16.   Idaho: Japanese-Americans Protest a Wind Power Project Near the Minidoka Detention Site

17.   Planet-Saving Wind Farms Fall Victim to Global Inflation Fight

18.   The Fight to Define ‘Green Hydrogen’ Could Determine America’s Emissions Future

19.   Nearly 5% of U.S. Households Did Not Use Space Heating in 2020, Especially in Warm Regions

20.   Heat Pumps Key to Reducing Emissions and Energy Costs

21.   Challenges Spawning Rapidly in SE Alaska Salmon Lawsuit

22.   Chinook Catches Off Washington Likely to Bump Up in 2023

23.   What Researchers Learned Studying Pacific Northwest Orcas Hunting for Salmon

24.   Washington Bill Shielding Private Fish Groups from Suits Draws Opposition

25.   Oregon DOT Touts Progress Reducing Emissions, Says Effort Is Still Falling Short

26.   Heavy Winter Snowpack Prompting Releases from Salt River Project Reservoirs

27.   Will the Pacific Northwest Have Enough Water This Summer & Fall?

28.   Feds Finalizing $250 Million in Water-Saving Measures to Help Drought-Stricken Lake Mead

29.   In the Once-Cool Forests of the Pacific Northwest, Heat Poses a New Threat

30.   Oregon Eyes Mandate for Climate Change Lessons in Schools

31.   What Washington, DC, Can Learn from the Other Washington About Climate Policy

32.   Out-of-Towners Head to ‘Climate-Proof Duluth’

33.   Montana: Blackfeet Tribe Preliminarily Settle Class Action Lawsuit with Telecom Company

34.   AT&T Informs 9 Million Customers About Data Breach

35.   WA State: Leading the Charge for Electric Vehicles in Clark County

36.   Washington U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers Pushing for More Hydropower, Questioning ‘Big Tech’

37.   Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Threatens Climate Start-Ups

38.   U.S. Government Moves to Stop Potential Banking Crisis

39.   As Atmospheric River Exits, Another Awaits to Hit California

40.   Several More Weeks of Winter Despite La Niña’s End

WORDS OF THE DAY – GIBE, JIBE, OR JIVE

To gibe means to taunt or sneer: They gibed him about his mistakes.

Jibe means to shift direction or, colloquially, to agree: They jibed their ship across the wind. Their stories didn’t jibe.

Jive means to speak (to) in a way that is exaggerated, insincere, flippant, etc.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Attacks on Power Stations in Oregon City & Tumwater, Wash., Remain Unsolved; FBI Offers $25,000 Reward (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2023/03/attacks-on-power-stations-in-oregon-city-and-tumwater-wash-remain-unsolved-fbi-offers-25000-reward.html

2.      How the U.S. Power Grid Is a Target for Far-Right Groups (British Broadcasting Corporation)

https://news.yahoo.com/us-power-grid-target-far-000414232.html

3.      Eastern Oregon Residents Oppose Energy Transmission Line Project: ‘Absolute Disaster for Ecosystem’ (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/tech/science/climate-change/eastern-oregon-residents-against-energy-transmission-line/283-49c4e65f-0be5-4ba7-9e61-5f67863e85ed

4.      Underwater Columbia River Power Line Considered (Columbia Gorge News, Hood River, OR)

https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/underwater-power-line-considered/article_59668d80-bd35-11ed-b3bd-23b95e496ed8.html

5.      Oregon: Utility-Funded Effort to Overturn Eugene’s Natural Gas Ordinance Turns in Signatures (KLCC Radio, Eugene, OR)

https://www.klcc.org/politics-government/2023-03-09/utility-funded-effort-to-overturn-natural-gas-ordinance-turns-in-signatures

6.      WA Gov. Inslee Demands Feds Reject Gas Pipeline Expansion (KONA Radio, Tri-Cities, WA)

https://610kona.com/inslee-demands-feds-reject-gas-pipeline-expansion/

7.      ‘Definitely Not Cheap’: WA House Passes ‘First in the Nation’ Natural Gas Bill (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_24f7f388-bddd-11ed-b9bc-67ac4eb3e34f.html

8.      Oregon’s Uncertain Electric Future (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2023/03/oregons-uncertain-electric-future.html

9.      Avista Seeks More Money from Its Idaho Utility Customers – Company Is Asking for 14.7% Boost This Year (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/northwest/avista-seeks-more-money-from-its-idaho-utility-customers/article_17dcc7ed-fa6e-59f3-a9b8-faf39d908ed7.html

10.   Bill to Reduce Wildfire Risk Through Utilities Passes WA House (KPQ-Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/bill-to-reduce-wildfire-risk-through-utilities-passes-wa-house/

11.   There’s a Stunning New Way to View Niagara Falls – Walk Through a Decommissioned Hydropower Station (Denver Post, CO)

https://www.denverpost.com/2023/03/08/theres-a-stunning-new-way-to-view-niagara-falls/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

12.   Editorial: California Should Tap Its Growing Fleet of Electric Vehicles to Prevent Blackouts (Los Angeles Times, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-03-12/vehicle-to-grid-car-batteries

13.   Guest Essay: Lawsuit Threatens Washington’s Commercial Fishing Families (Bellingham Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article272821135.html

14.   Guest Essay: Allow Sale of Credits for Carbon Stored in WA-Owned Lands (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/allow-sale-of-credits-for-carbon-stored-in-wa-owned-lands/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

15.   Idaho: Lava Ridge Wind Farm Resolution Advances in House (Twin Falls Times-News, ID)

https://magicvalley.com/news/local/lava-ridge-resolution-advances-in-house/article_12e55132-be09-11ed-ab3d-b3c4391fdfda.html

16.   Idaho: Japanese-Americans Protest a Wind Power Project Near the Minidoka Detention Site (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/news/2023/03/japanese-americans-protest-wind-project-near-minidoka-site

17.   Planet-Saving Wind Farms Fall Victim to Global Inflation Fight (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bendbulletin.com/business/planet-saving-wind-farms-fall-victim-to-global-inflation-fight/article_4bac7a06-bf74-11ed-abc0-8bf697bb7621.html

18.   The Fight to Define ‘Green Hydrogen’ Could Determine America’s Emissions Future (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/energy/green-hydrogen-tax-credit-ira/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

19.   Nearly 5% of U.S. Households Did Not Use Space Heating in 2020, Especially in Warm Regions (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=55760

20.   Heat Pumps Key to Reducing Emissions and Energy Costs (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/heat-pumps-key-reducing-emissions-213700269.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

21.   Challenges Spawning Rapidly in SE Alaska Salmon Lawsuit (Juneau Empire, AK)

https://www.juneauempire.com/news/challenges-spawning-rapidly-in-salmon-lawsuit/

22.   Chinook Catches Off Washington Likely to Bump Up in 2023 (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/chinook-catches-off-washington-likely-to-bump-up-in-2023/

23.   What Researchers Learned Studying Pacific Northwest Orcas Hunting for Salmon (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/what-researchers-learned-studying-pnw-orcas-hunting-for-salmon/

24.   Washington Bill Shielding Private Fish Groups from Suits Draws Opposition (Capital Press)

https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/rurallife/washington-bill-shielding-private-fish-groups-from-suits-draws-opposition/article_fb3e358a-bf75-11ed-8b6a-bf3cbfd66ea9.html

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

25.   Oregon DOT Touts Progress Reducing Emissions, Says Effort Is Still Falling Short (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/environment/oregon-dot-touts-progress-reducing-emissions-says-effort-is-still-falling-short/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

26.   Heavy Winter Snowpack Prompting Releases from Salt River Project Reservoirs (Arizona Department of Water Resources)

https://new.azwater.gov/news/articles/2023-09-03

27.   Will the Pacific Northwest Have Enough Water This Summer & Fall? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2023/03/will-northwest-have-enough-water-this.html

28.   Feds Finalizing $250 Million in Water-Saving Measures to Help Drought-Stricken Lake Mead (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/feds-finalizing-250m-water-saving-004534289.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

29.   In the Once-Cool Forests of the Pacific Northwest, Heat Poses a New Threat (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/extreme-weather/in-the-once-cool-forests-of-the-pacific-northwest-heat-poses-a-new-threat/

30.   Oregon Eyes Mandate for Climate Change Lessons in Schools (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-education-school-oregon-united-states-376bed4c1b916bcf038ca9e89302401e

31.   What Washington, DC, Can Learn from the Other Washington About Climate Policy (Sightline Institute)

https://www.sightline.org/2023/03/09/what-washington-dc-can-learn-from-the-other-washington-about-climate-policy/

32.   Out-of-Towners Head to ‘Climate-Proof Duluth’ (NY Times – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/10/realestate/duluth-minnesota-climate-change.html

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

33.   Montana: Blackfeet Tribe Preliminarily Settle Class Action Lawsuit with Telecom Company (The Missoulian, MT)

https://www.montanarightnow.com/news/state/blackfeet-preliminarily-settle-class-action-lawsuit-with-telecom-company/article_09b708da-b120-5f01-812c-94904ce10b33.html

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

34.   AT&T Informs 9 Million Customers About Data Breach (CSO)

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3690609/att-informs-9m-customers-about-data-breach.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

35.   WA State: Leading the Charge for Electric Vehicles in Clark County (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2023/mar/12/leading-the-charge-for-evs-in-clark-county/

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

36.   Washington U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers Pushing for More Hydropower, Questioning ‘Big Tech’ (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2023/03/07/washingtons-mcmorris-rodgers-pushing-for-more-hydropower-questioning-big-tech/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

37.   Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Threatens Climate Start-Ups (NY Times – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/12/climate/silicon-valley-bank-climate.html

38.   U.S. Government Moves to Stop Potential Banking Crisis (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/silicon-valley-bank-bailout-yellen-deposits-failure-94f2185742981daf337c4691bbb9ec1e

39.   As Atmospheric River Exits, Another Awaits to Hit California (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/12/as-atmospheric-river-exits-another-awaits-to-hit-california/

40.   Several More Weeks of Winter Despite La Niña’s End (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3856707/several-weeks-winter-la-ninas-end/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

It’s National Napping Day – Day After Return of Daylight Saving Time

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-napping-day-day-after-return-of-daylight-saving-time/

In the End, It Was an ‘Everything Everywhere’ Night at the Oscars

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/13/in-the-end-it-was-an-everything-everywhere-night-at-the-oscars/

Overdue Book Returned to Oregon Library After 44 Years

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/03/09/Deschutes-Public-Library-overdue-44-years/7091678399105/

Vutomi the 3-Legged Elephant Adapts, Survives Amid Caring Herd

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/03/10/safrica-three-legged-lion-africa/9661678470063/

SONG OF THE DAY

Roy Orbison - In Dreams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSeIh9rmEUs

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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