The Energy News Digest for January 31, 2024

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest. 

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

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

ITEMS OF NOTE FROM THE NORTHWEST PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION

Check out NWPPA’s complete class offerings in the Training and Event Catalog. Click on the links below for more information and registration. Don’t miss these upcoming training events:

· Board Governance: Balance Sheet Orientation
February 15, 2024, via webinar

· Administrative Professionals Conference
March 13-14, 2024, in Newport, Ore.

· Communication Tune-up Series
April 2, 16, and 30, 2024 via webinar

· Engineering & Operations Conference and Trade Show
April 9-11, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) Brings Snake River Dam Debate to the Capitol, While Yakama Nation Warns of ‘Misinformation’ (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jan/30/mcmorris-rodgers-brings-snake-river-dam-debate-to-/

Notice of Intent Given to Sue Over Columbia River Hatchery Programs (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

https://www.kxro.com/notice-of-intent-given-to-sue-over-columbia-river-hatchery-programs/

California Lawmakers Backpedal on New Electricity Rates Rule Based on Customer Income (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/california-backpedal-new-electricity-rates-income-based/4658691

What’s Happened Since California Cut Home Solar Payments? Demand Has Plunged 80% (Bakersfield Californian, CA)

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/what-s-happened-since-california-cut-home-solar-payments-demand-has-plunged-80/article_b08484f4-bdfd-11ee-820a-abde7881808e.html

A Wet Wednesday as an Atmospheric River Is Aimed at the Pacific Northwest (KNDO/KNDU – Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/weather/a-pretty-wet-wednesday-as-an-atmospheric-river-is-aimed-at-the-pacific-northwest/article_7f0ac362-c059-11ee-9c32-db7283fc73ef.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) Brings Snake River Dam Debate to the Capitol, While Yakama Nation Warns of ‘Misinformation’

2.      Allegations of ‘Secret’ Deal to Remove Four Snake River Dams Aired by U.S. House GOP at Hearing

3.      Matheson to Congress: Snake River Dams Are Vital to Power Supply in Northwest

4.      APPA Underscores Key Role that Lower Snake River Dams Play in Maintaining Grid Reliability

5.      California Lawmakers Backpedal on New Electricity Rates Rule Based on Customer Income

6.      Montana: PSC to Investigate NorthWestern Energy’s Decisions During January Cold Spell

7.      Bonneville Power Administration Details How Hydro, Nuclear Generation Maintained Reliability During Cold Snap

8.      Oregon: Multnomah County Joins Wine Industry Lawsuits Against PacifiCorp

9.      Bonneville Power Administration Issues Final Record of Decision in the TC-25 Tariff Proceeding

10.   U.S. Sen. Kennedy (LA) Vows to Block Energy, State Nominees Over Biden LNG Pause

11.   What’s Happened Since California Cut Home Solar Payments? Demand Has Plunged 80%

12.   WA State: ‘Arbitrary, Drastic’ Restrictions Could Kill Huge Wind Farm Near Tri-Cities, Says Developer

13.   Mill Creek Senator’s Bill Would Expand Solar Power in WA Neighborhoods

14.   Water Batteries: Pumped Storage Hydropower Plants Can Bank Energy for Times When Wind & Solar Power Fall Short

15.   The Gas Stove Fight Finally Flames Out

16.   Notice of Intent Given to Sue Over Columbia River Hatchery Programs

17.   California Gov. Newsom Backs Dam Removal Projects to Boost Salmon. Critics Say That’s Not Enough

18.   Youngest Member of J Pod Assumed Dead After Orca Disappears

19.   City of Seattle Bans Throwing Batteries in the Garbage, Recycling Bin

20.   The West’s Scorching Heat & Festering Water Crisis Are Part of New Problem, Study Says

21.   Business & Agricultural Groups Sue California Over New Climate Disclosure Laws

22.   Duke, NextEra, Other Utilities Are Uneven Advocates for Climate Policy, Says Nonprofit

23.   WA State: East Wenatchee Landfill to Become Renewable Natural Gas Facility

24.   Summary Judgment Motion Filed in Lawsuit Against Washington’s 2030 Gas Car Ban

25.   A Wet Wednesday as an Atmospheric River Is Aimed at the Pacific Northwest

26.   ‘Pandemic of Snow’ in Anchorage Sets a Record for the Earliest Arrival of 100 Inches of Snow

27.   El Nino is Dying and the Pacific Northwest Will Get Drenched

WORD OF THE DAY

Frigorific \frig-uh-RIFF-ik\ Adjective - Causing cold: chilling.

“This frigorific weather is unbearable,” grunted the all-electric home customer during a short outage. “Let’s turn up the heat to full blast so the house warms up quickly when the lights come back on,” the bright-bulbed visitor from warmer climates exclaimed.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) Brings Snake River Dam Debate to the Capitol, While Yakama Nation Warns of ‘Misinformation’ (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jan/30/mcmorris-rodgers-brings-snake-river-dam-debate-to-/

2.      Allegations of ‘Secret’ Deal to Remove Four Snake River Dams Aired by U.S. House GOP at Hearing (Idaho Capital Sun)

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/01/30/allegations-of-secret-deal-to-remove-four-snake-river-dams-aired-by-u-s-house-gop-at-hearing/

3.      Matheson to Congress: Snake River Dams Are Vital to Power Supply in Northwest (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

https://www.electric.coop/matheson-to-congress-snake-river-dams-are-vital-to-power-supply-in-northwest

4.      APPA Underscores Key Role that Lower Snake River Dams Play in Maintaining Grid Reliability (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/appa-underscores-key-role-lower-snake-river-dams-play-maintaining-grid-reliability

5.      California Lawmakers Backpedal on New Electricity Rates Rule Based on Customer Income (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/california-backpedal-new-electricity-rates-income-based/46586910

6.      Montana: PSC to Investigate NorthWestern Energy’s Decisions During January Cold Spell (The Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2024/01/30/psc-to-investigate-northwestern-energys-decisions-during-january-cold-spell/

7.      Bonneville Power Administration Details How Hydro, Nuclear Generation Maintained Reliability During Cold Snap (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/bpa-details-how-hydro-nuclear-generation-maintained-reliability-during-cold-snap

8.      Oregon: Multnomah County Joins Wine Industry Lawsuits Against PacifiCorp (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/multnomah-county-joins-wine-industry-lawsuits-against-pacificorp/

9.      Bonneville Power Administration Issues Final Record of Decision in the TC-25 Tariff Proceeding (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20240129-bpa-issues-final-record-of-decision-in-the-tc-25-tariff-proceeding

10.   U.S. Sen. Kennedy (LA) Vows to Block Energy, State Nominees Over Biden LNG Pause (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jan/30/sen-kennedy-vows-to-block-energy-state-nominees-ov/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

11.   What’s Happened Since California Cut Home Solar Payments? Demand Has Plunged 80% (Bakersfield Californian, CA)

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/what-s-happened-since-california-cut-home-solar-payments-demand-has-plunged-80/article_b08484f4-bdfd-11ee-820a-abde7881808e.html

12.   WA State: ‘Arbitrary, Drastic’ Restrictions Could Kill Huge Wind Farm Near Tri-Cities, Says Developer (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article284868871.html

13.   Mill Creek Senator’s Bill Would Expand Solar Power in WA Neighborhoods (Everett Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/mill-creek-senators-bill-would-expand-solar-power-in-wa-neighborhoods/

14.   Water Batteries: Pumped Storage Hydropower Plants Can Bank Energy for Times When Wind & Solar Power Fall Short (Science Magazine)

https://www.science.org/content/article/how-giant-water-batteries-could-make-green-power-reliable

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

15.   The Gas Stove Fight Finally Flames Out (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/29/gas-stove-fight-00138423

FISH & WILDLIFE

16.   Notice of Intent Given to Sue Over Columbia River Hatchery Programs (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

https://www.kxro.com/notice-of-intent-given-to-sue-over-columbia-river-hatchery-programs/

17.   California Gov. Newsom Backs Dam Removal Projects to Boost Salmon. Critics Say That’s Not Enough (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/california-governor-newsom-salmon-dam-removal-18296fb0f8438faa77269cfe015b7fb7

18.   Youngest Member of J Pod Assumed Dead After Orca Disappears (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/youngest-member-j-pod-assumed-dead-after-orca-disappears/5UBPSPW4NREAHCBMJBSHASP2N4/

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

19.   City of Seattle Bans Throwing Batteries in the Garbage, Recycling Bin (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/city-of-seattle-bans-throwing-batteries-in-the-garbage-recycling-bin

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

20.   The West’s Scorching Heat & Festering Water Crisis Are Part of New Problem, Study Says (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/weather/2024/01/30/water-crisis-in-west-it-wasnt-always-this-hot-dry-study-says/72395457007/

21.   Business & Agricultural Groups Sue California Over New Climate Disclosure Laws (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/california-climate-disclosure-emissions-reporting-business-cab2011439c4849005988bd871104cce

22.   Duke, NextEra, Other Utilities Are Uneven Advocates for Climate Policy, Says Nonprofit (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/utilities-climate-policy-paris-agreement-misalignment/705983/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

23.   WA State: East Wenatchee Landfill to Become Renewable Natural Gas Facility (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/renewable-natural-gas-facility-east-wenatchee/

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

24.   Summary Judgment Motion Filed in Lawsuit Against Washington’s 2030 Gas Car Ban (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_8f471ae6-bf9b-11ee-9860-47bdb5b7d95b.html

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

25.   A Wet Wednesday as an Atmospheric River Is Aimed at the Pacific Northwest (KNDO/KNDU – Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/weather/a-pretty-wet-wednesday-as-an-atmospheric-river-is-aimed-at-the-pacific-northwest/article_7f0ac362-c059-11ee-9c32-db7283fc73ef.html

26.   ‘Pandemic of Snow’ in Anchorage Sets a Record for the Earliest Arrival of 100 Inches of Snow (Associated Press)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pandemic-of-snow-in-anchorage-sets-a-record-for-the-earliest-arrival-of-100-inches-of-snow/ar-BB1hsGMp

27.   El Nino is Dying and the Pacific Northwest Will Get Drenched (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2024/01/el-nino-is-dying-and-nw-will-get.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

‘Love Stinks’: Rhode Island Shelter Will Have Cats Poop on Your Ex’s Name

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2024/01/23/Rhode-Island-SPCA-Love-Stinks-Valentines-Day/8171706033249/

Crime & Poo-Nishment: Flags Planted in Dog Feces Spark Los Angeles Mystery

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/30/los-angeles-dog-poop-flag-venice-mystery

Paris’ ‘Ratatouille Restaurant’ Loses £1.3m-Worth of Wine

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68130127

285-Year-Old Lemon Auctioned for $1,780

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2024/01/31/old-lemon-auctioned-Brettells/6001706723000/

SONG OF THE DAY

Peter, Paul, and Mary – Lemon Tree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pwzuzYjmwY

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Although I choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription, individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regular clearing of your browser’s history and cookie files may help access some paywall sites.

The Energy News Digest for January 29, 2024

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest. 

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

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

ITEMS OF NOTE FROM THE NORTHWEST PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION

Check out NWPPA’s complete class offerings in the Training and Event Catalog. Click on the links below for more information and registration. Don’t miss these upcoming training events:

· Board Governance: Balance Sheet Orientation
February 15, 2024, via webinar

· Administrative Professionals Conference
March 13-14, 2024, in Newport, Ore. 

· Communication Tune-up Series
April 2, 16, and 30, 2024 via webinar

· Engineering & Operations Conference and Trade Show
April 9-11, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash.

HOTSHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

‘Historic’ Drought Forcing Hydro-Rich British Columbia, Manitoba to Import Electricity (Vancouver Sun, BC)

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/bc-manitoba-drought-hydro-electricity

U.S. House Bill Looks to Block Dam Breaching on Lower Snake River System (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/northwest/bill-looks-to-block-dam-breaching-on-lower-snake-system/article_3e3d84a6-d3f7-5859-82c6-18f92bf01c8f.html

Tesla Erases $80 Billion in Valuation After Musk’s Sales Warning (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-tumbles-after-ceo-elon-musk-warns-slower-growth-2024-2024-01-25/

WA’s Energy ‘Green Rush’ Could Endanger Cultural Indigenous Lands (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/indigenous-affairs/2024/01/was-energy-green-rush-could-endanger-cultural-indigenous-lands

California to Get Drenched from Fast-Moving Atmospheric River (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/california-drenched-fast-moving-atmospheric-124947847.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      ‘Historic’ Drought Forcing Hydro-Rich British Columbia, Manitoba to Import Electricity

2.      U.S. House Bill Looks to Block Dam Breaching on Lower Snake River System

3.      Amid Cold Snap, Equipment Failure Stresses Alaska’s Natural Gas Delivery System

4.      Washington’s Climate Efforts Hit Clark County Utility Bills; Typical NW Natural Customer Will See Increase Of 11.9 Percent

5.      Eugene Water & Electric Board Plans to Remove Leaburg Dam in 2032 at the Earliest

6.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Agrees To $45 Million Settlement Over Dixie Fire

7.      Energy Secretary on the Biden Administration’s Pause of Future Natural Gas Exports

8.      How Hard Is It to Develop California’s Electric Grid of the Future? Like Repairing a Car While Driving

9.      Bonneville Power Administration Finds Successful Partnership with New Californian Power Providers

10.   FERC Chairman Updates Senators on Priorities for Transmission-Related Dockets

11.   25 Small Modular Reactor License Applications Expected by 2029

12.   Meet the Communities Trying to Take Over Their Local Electric Utility

13.   WA’s Energy ‘Green Rush’ Could Endanger Cultural Indigenous Lands

14.   Washington State: Solar Panels Will Damage Farm Soils

15.   California: Feds Approve Camino Solar Project in Kern County - Project Will Provide Clean, Renewable Energy

16.   Green Hydrogen Plans Take Shape for Former Alcoa Site at Cherry Point, WA

17.   Alaska: Golden Valley Electric Association Board Partially Supports Renewable-Energy Legislation

18.   Mill Creek Senator’s Bill Would Expand Solar Power in WA Neighborhoods

19.   Seattle’s Big Buildings Must Reach Net-Zero Emissions by 2050

20.   WA Fish & Wildlife Commission, Overreach, Rinse, Repeat

21.   A Purple Martin Dubbed Roxa Flies 8,000 Miles to Brazil Before Returning Home to Oregon

22.   Supporting Rural Cell Towers

23.   Verizon Just Sent Some Customers a Confusing Email About Raising Prices. It’s a Lesson in How Not to Treat People

24.   Tesla Erases $80 Billion in Valuation After Musk’s Sales Warning

25.   Tacoma Authorizes $4 Million in Federal Grants to Purchase Two Electric Locomotives

26.   Oregon Weekly Newspaper to Relaunch Print Edition After Theft Forced It to Lay Off Its Entire Staff

27.   NASA’s Little Helicopter on Mars Has Logged Its Last Flight

28.   Limits on Natural Gas May Get Stripped Out of New WA State Bill

29.   WA Lawmakers Argue for More Transparency in Utility Bills

30.   California to Get Drenched from Fast-Moving Atmospheric River

31.   Seattle Counts Down to the World Cup

32.   Commentary: Arctic Blast Flashes Warning Signal for Regional Grid Stability

33.   U.S. Rep. Jayapal (WA-07) Statement on the Columbia-Snake River System Agreement

34.   Guest Essay: Wind & Solar Power Too Often Leave Americans Out in the Cold When Severe Weather Hits

35.   Guest Essay: As Trucking Electrifies, How We Prepare the Grid Must Evolve

WORD OF THE DAY

Immutable \ih-MYOO-tuh-bul\ Adjective – Not capable of or susceptible to change.

The invisible hand drew back and paused. The immutable force of the marketplace had been battling a slow start in its contest against the dialectic of Marxist theology. Suddenly the hand moved forward and flung the 16-pound ball down the alley…picking up the 7-10 spare. “YOU WIN!” Exclaimed the Keynesian scorekeeper. “Yeah, but in the long run you’ll all be dead,” chortled the ghost of Thomas Malthus.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      ‘Historic’ Drought Forcing Hydro-Rich British Columbia, Manitoba to Import Electricity (Vancouver Sun, BC)

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/bc-manitoba-drought-hydro-electricity

2.      U.S. House Bill Looks to Block Dam Breaching on Lower Snake River System (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/northwest/bill-looks-to-block-dam-breaching-on-lower-snake-system/article_3e3d84a6-d3f7-5859-82c6-18f92bf01c8f.html

3.      Amid Cold Snap, Equipment Failure Stresses Alaska’s Natural Gas Delivery System (Northern Journal)

https://www.northernjournal.com/p/amid-cold-snap-equipment-failure

4.      Washington’s Climate Efforts Hit Clark County Utility Bills; Typical NW Natural Customer Will See Increase Of 11.9 Percent (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/jan/26/washingtons-climate-efforts-reflected-in-clark-county-utility-bills/

5.      Eugene Water & Electric Board Plans to Remove Leaburg Dam in 2032 at the Earliest (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/28/leaburg-dam-removal-eugene-electric/

6.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Agrees To $45 Million Settlement Over Dixie Fire (San Joaquin Sun, CA)

https://sjvsun.com/california/pge-agrees-to-45-million-settlement-over-dixie-fire/

7.      Energy Secretary on the Biden Administration’s Pause of Future Natural Gas Exports (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2024/01/26/1227247586/energy-secretary-on-the-biden-administrations-pause-of-future-natural-gas-export

8.      How Hard Is It to Develop California’s Electric Grid of the Future? Like Repairing a Car While Driving (Los Angeles Times, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-01-29/how-hard-is-it-to-develop-california-electric-grid-of-the-future-like-repairing-a-car-while-driving

9.      Bonneville Power Administration Finds Successful Partnership with New Californian Power Providers (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20240126-bpa-finds-successful-partnership-with-new-californian-power-providers

10.   FERC Chairman Updates Senators on Priorities for Transmission-Related Dockets (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/featured/42510-ferc-chairman-updates-senators-on-priorities-for-transmission-related-dockets/

11.   25 Small Modular Reactor License Applications Expected by 2029 (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-nerc-joint-meeting-smr-nuclear-black-start/705708/

12.   Meet the Communities Trying to Take Over Their Local Electric Utility (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/politics/meet-the-communities-trying-to-take-over-their-local-electric-utility/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

13.   WA’s Energy ‘Green Rush’ Could Endanger Cultural Indigenous Lands (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/indigenous-affairs/2024/01/was-energy-green-rush-could-endanger-cultural-indigenous-lands

14.   Washington State: Solar Panels Will Damage Farm Soils (Capital Press – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/rurallife/washington-state-solar-panels-will-damage-farm-soils/article_09f272ea-baf1-11ee-a225-eb49c72e324a.html

15.   California: Feds Approve Camino Solar Project in Kern County - Project Will Provide Clean, Renewable Energy (Sierra Sun-Times, Mariposa, CA)

https://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/local-news/53531-blm-approves-camino-solar-project-in-kern-county-project-will-provide-clean-renewable-energy

16.   Green Hydrogen Plans Take Shape for Former Alcoa Site at Cherry Point, WA (Salish Current)

https://salish-current.org/2024/01/24/green-hydrogen-plans-take-shape-for-former-alcoa-site-at-cherry-point/

17.   Alaska: Golden Valley Electric Association Board Partially Supports Renewable-Energy Legislation (KUAC Radio, Fairbanks, AK)

https://fm.kuac.org/energy-and-environment/2024-01-25/gvea-board-partially-supports-renewable-energy-legislation

18.   Mill Creek Senator’s Bill Would Expand Solar Power in WA Neighborhoods (Everett Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/mill-creek-senators-bill-would-expand-solar-power-in-wa-neighborhoods/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

19.   Seattle’s Big Buildings Must Reach Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/01/26/buildings-net-zero-emissions-2050-law

FISH & WILDLIFE

20.   WA Fish & Wildlife Commission, Overreach, Rinse, Repeat (NW Sportsman Magazine)

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/wa-fish-and-wildlife-commission-lurches-to-columbia-salmon-negotiation-authorization/

21.   A Purple Martin Dubbed Roxa Flies 8,000 Miles to Brazil Before Returning Home to Oregon (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2024/01/a-purple-martin-dubbed-roxa-flies-8000-miles-to-brazil-before-returning-home-to-oregon.html

LONDON CALLING –TELECOMMUNICATIONS

22.   Supporting Rural Cell Towers (Pots & Pans)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2024/01/25/supporting-rural-cell-towers/

23.   Verizon Just Sent Some Customers a Confusing Email About Raising Prices. It’s a Lesson in How Not to Treat People (Inc. Magazine)

https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/verizon-just-sent-some-customers-a-confusing-email-about-raising-prices-its-a-lesson-in-how-not-to-treat-people.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

24.   Tesla Erases $80 Billion in Valuation After Musk’s Sales Warning (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-tumbles-after-ceo-elon-musk-warns-slower-growth-2024-2024-01-25/

25.   Tacoma Authorizes $4 Million in Federal Grants to Purchase Two Electric Locomotives (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_94d04046-bbd6-11ee-b694-037fe6eff9b4.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

26.   Oregon Weekly Newspaper to Relaunch Print Edition After Theft Forced It to Lay Off Its Entire Staff (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/oregon-weekly-newspaper-to-relaunch-print-edition-18632973.php

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

27.   NASA’s Little Helicopter on Mars Has Logged Its Last Flight (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/mars-helicopter-damage-grounded-nasa-c39e22c85cb84eb88b6efcfb78bde0cd

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

28.   Limits on Natural Gas May Get Stripped Out of New WA State Bill (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3948225/limits-natural-gas-may-get-stripped-out-state-bill/

29.   WA Lawmakers Argue for More Transparency in Utility Bills (The Center Square)

https://crosscut.com/briefs/2024/01/wa-lawmakers-argue-more-transparency-utility-bills

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

30.   California to Get Drenched from Fast-Moving Atmospheric River (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/california-drenched-fast-moving-atmospheric-124947847.html

31.   Seattle Counts Down to the World Cup (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/01/29/fifa-world-cup-2026-host-city

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

32.   Commentary: Arctic Blast Flashes Warning Signal for Regional Grid Stability (Capital Press – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.capitalpress.com/opinion/columns/commentary-arctic-blast-flashes-warning-signal-for-regional-grid-stability/article_8f885fee-bb02-11ee-8681-b3cd7ec80067.html

33.   U.S. Rep. Jayapal (WA-07) Statement on the Columbia-Snake River System Agreement (U.S. Rep Pramila Jayapal – WA-07)

https://jayapal.house.gov/2024/01/26/jayapal-statement-on-the-columbia-snake-river-system-agreement/

34.   Guest Essay: Wind & Solar Power Too Often Leave Americans Out in the Cold When Severe Weather Hits (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2024/01/29/wind-solar-power-renewable-energy-winter-weather/72338118007/

35.   Guest Essay: As Trucking Electrifies, How We Prepare the Grid Must Evolve (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/trucking-electrification-grid-utilities-charging/705513/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Artist Pays Tribute to Pete Carroll with Chewy Mural on Seattle’s Iconic Gum Wall

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/artist-pays-tribute-pete-carroll-with-chewy-mural-seattles-iconic-gum-wall/XS2XPB4FIVBTXF3LKVX52A362Q/

Gustav Klimt Portrait Found After Almost 100 Years

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68102376

Man Who Stole Judy Garland’s Ruby Red Slippers from ‘The Wizard Of Oz to Be Sentenced

https://www.npr.org/2024/01/28/1227453692/man-who-stole-judy-garlands-ruby-red-slippers-from-the-wizard-of-oz-to-be-senten

Artist Trained Rats to Take Selfies to Make a Point About Social Media

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/rat-selfies-1.7093886

SONG OF THE DAY

Eric Clapton - Over the Rainbow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwlFTYT2Fdw

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Although I choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription, individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regular clearing of your browser’s history and cookie files may help access some paywall sites.