The Energy News Digest: January 2025

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

The Energy News Digest for January 29, 2025

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest.

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

White House Rescinds Memo on Federal Aid Freeze That Caused Widespread Confusion (Cable News Network)

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/29/politics/white-house-rescind-federal-funding-freeze/index.html

Generator, Advanced Nuclear Stocks Reel as Low-Cost DeepSeek chills Artificial Intelligence Load Growth Outlook (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ipp-stocks-reel-as-low-cost-deepseek-chills-ai-load-growth-thesis/738482/

California Utility Reports Fault on Power Line Miles Away from Origin of Deadly Eaton Fire (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/southern-california-utility-wildfires-los-angeles-cause-b137d50aac6f823eef907cd039051617

Franklin County PUD Settles Voting-Rights Lawsuit (Cascade PBS)

https://www.cascadepbs.org/briefs/2025/01/franklin-county-pud-settles-voting-rights-lawsuit

The Upcoming Period of Cold & Snow – We Are Going into a Very Complex, Difficult Weather Situation, with Substantial Uncertainty (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-upcoming-period-of-cold-and-snow.html

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. Generator, Advanced Nuclear Stocks Reel as Low-Cost DeepSeek Chills Artificial Intelligence Load Growth Outlook

2. California Utility Reports Fault on Power Line Miles Away from Origin of Deadly Eaton Fire

3. Pacific Gas & Electric, Other Electric Utilities Call for U.S. Senate to Pass Forest Management Bill

4. Oregon: EWEB – Frigid Weather Drives High Energy Demand; January Bills Likely to Be Higher

5. Priest Rapids Dam Passes Major Safety Inspection

6. The ‘Six Sovereigns’ Are Fighting for the Columbia River Basin’s Future. Who Are They?

7. Ballot Initiative Would Pave Way for Rebirth of Nuclear Power in Oregon

8. Forecast Wholesale Power Prices & Retail Electricity Prices Rise Modestly in 2025

9. U.S. Propane Prices Have Traded Higher So Far This Winter Compared with Last Winter

10. WA State: Yakima County Commissioners Extend Solar Moratorium

11. Spokane to Explore Capturing Carbon at Its Power-Generating Trash Incinerator

12. How Tahlequah & Her Dead Calf Tell the Story of Climate Change

13. Three Southwest Washington Cities Consider Removing Fluoride from Drinking Water

14. California’s Federal Lands Are Hemorrhaging Carbon Dioxide. Wildfires Are Largely to Blame

15. What Does DeepSeek’s Cheaper Artificial Intelligence Mean for Energy Needs?

16. What Is China’s DeepSeek & Why Is It Freaking Out the Artificial Intelligence World?

17. President Trump Confirms Microsoft Interest in TikTok as Deadline for New Ownership Looms

18. A NASA Spacecraft Scooped Rubble from an Asteroid. Here’s What Was Inside

19. White House Rescinds Memo on Federal Aid Freeze That Caused Widespread Confusion

20. Franklin County PUD Settles Voting-Rights Lawsuit

21. Richland’s Energy Northwest Eyeing Clean Energy Solutions Bill

22. The Upcoming Period of Cold & Snow – We Are Going into a Very Complex, Difficult Weather Situation, with Substantial Uncertainty

23. Convicted Eco Saboteur Joseph Dibee Appeals $82,000 Restitution for Arson on BLM Land in California

24. Revitalizing the Snake River Basin – How Helping One River’s Distressed Fish, People, and Power Helps Build the Nation

Word of the Day

Perquisite \PER-kwuh-zut\ Noun – 1: a privilege or profit made in addition to regular pay 2: gratuity, tip 3: something held or claimed as an exclusive right or possession.

Dominic was stubborn. His prerequisite to being hired at the energy marketing firm was having the perquisite of a “virtual world,” where he could have absolute power (“Bow down before Me!”)…and escape from the trading desk, where he would merely have an oligarch’s power. He knew this was a subtle nuance, but he felt it was worth fighting for. The “perk” was eventually granted, much to Dom’s satisfaction.

Energy & Utility Issues

1. Generator, Advanced Nuclear Stocks Reel as Low-Cost DeepSeek chills Artificial Intelligence Load Growth Outlook (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ipp-stocks-reel-as-low-cost-deepseek-chills-ai-load-growth-thesis/738482/

2. California Utility Reports Fault on Power Line Miles Away from Origin of Deadly Eaton Fire (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/southern-california-utility-wildfires-los-angeles-cause-b137d50aac6f823eef907cd039051617

3. Pacific Gas & Electric, Other Electric Utilities Call for U.S. Senate to Pass Forest Management Bill (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/electric-utilities-senate-save-our-forests-act-wildfire/738340/

4. Oregon: EWEB – Frigid Weather Drives High Energy Demand; January Bills Likely to Be Higher (KMTR-TV, Eugene, OR)

https://nbc16.com/news/local/eweb-frigid-weather-drives-high-energy-demand-january-bills-likely-to-be-higher

5. Priest Rapids Dam Passes Major Safety Inspection (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2025/jan/28/priest-rapids-dam-passes-major-safety-inspection/

6. The ‘Six Sovereigns’ Are Fighting for the Columbia River Basin’s Future. Who Are They? (Tacoma News-Tribune, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/six-sovereigns-fighting-columbia-river-201029345.html

7. Ballot Initiative Would Pave Way for Rebirth of Nuclear Power in Oregon (Willamette Weekly)

https://www.wweek.com/news/2025/01/28/ballot-initiative-would-pave-way-for-rebirth-of-nuclear-power-in-oregon/

8. Forecast Wholesale Power Prices & Retail Electricity Prices Rise Modestly in 2025 (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=64384

9. U.S. Propane Prices Have Traded Higher So Far This Winter Compared with Last Winter (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=64404

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

10. WA State: Yakima County Commissioners Extend Solar Moratorium (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/government/yakima-county-commissioners-extend-solar-moratorium/article_634bb17a-ddc9-11ef-bfc0-fb0c4e64dc19.html

11. Spokane to Explore Capturing Carbon at Its Power-Generating Trash Incinerator (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jan/27/spokane-to-explore-capturing-carbon-at-its-power-g/

Fish & Wildlife

12. How Tahlequah & Her Dead Calf Tell the Story of Climate Change (Phys.Org)

https://phys.org/news/2025-01-tahlequah-dead-calf-story-climate.html

Water, Water, Anywhere?

13. Three Southwest Washington Cities Consider Removing Fluoride from Drinking Water (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/01/28/three-southwest-washington-cities-consider-removing-fluoride-from-drinking-water/

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

14. California’s Federal Lands Are Hemorrhaging Carbon Dioxide. Wildfires Are Largely to Blame (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/californias-federal-lands-hemorrhaging-carbon-222003673.html

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

15. What Does DeepSeek’s Cheaper Artificial Intelligence Mean for Energy Needs? (Associated Press)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/what-does-deepseeks-cheaper-ai-mean-for-energy-needs/

16. What Is China’s DeepSeek & Why Is It Freaking Out the Artificial Intelligence World? (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-deepseek-why-freaking-ai-080636212.html

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

17. President Trump Confirms Microsoft Interest in TikTok as Deadline for New Ownership Looms (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/president-donald-trump-confirms-microsoft-interest-in-china-based-bytedance-tiktok-as-deadline-for-new-ownership-looms-perplexity-ai-us-government-investors

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

18. A NASA Spacecraft Scooped Rubble from an Asteroid. Here’s What Was Inside (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/asteroid-bennu-chemistry-1.7444567

Politics, Governance, and Management

19. White House Rescinds Memo on Federal Aid Freeze That Caused Widespread Confusion (Cable News Network)

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/29/politics/white-house-rescind-federal-funding-freeze/index.html

20. Franklin County PUD Settles Voting-Rights Lawsuit (Cascade PBS)

https://www.cascadepbs.org/briefs/2025/01/franklin-county-pud-settles-voting-rights-lawsuit

21. Richland’s Energy Northwest Eyeing Clean Energy Solutions Bill (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.khq.com/news/richlands-energy-northwest-eyeing-clean-energy-solutions-bill/article_75f20f02-fba2-56e5-9780-da66d2b09c33.html

Other Things to Know About Today

22. The Upcoming Period of Cold & Snow – We Are Going into a Very Complex, Difficult Weather Situation, with Substantial Uncertainty (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-upcoming-period-of-cold-and-snow.html

23. Convicted Eco Saboteur Joseph Dibee Appeals $82,000 Restitution for Arson on BLM Land in California (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/01/convicted-eco-saboteur-joseph-dibee-appeals-82k-restitution-for-arson-on-blm-land-in-california.html

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

24. Revitalizing the Snake River Basin – How Helping One River’s Distressed Fish, People, and Power Helps Build the Nation (Center for American Progress)

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/revitalizing-the-snake-river-basin/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Mercedes 1955 ‘Streamliner’ Set to Smash F1 Record at Auction

https://www.reuters.com/sports/formula1/mercedes-1955-streamliner-set-smash-f1-record-auction-2025-01-28/

Have Your Ex’s ‘Heart’ Devoured by a Wildcat This Valentine’s Day

https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/01/have-your-exs-heart-devoured-by-a-wildcat-this-valentines-day.html

Family of Baby Born in Krispy Kreme Parking Lot Gets Free Doughnuts

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/01/28/Krispy-Kreme-baby-free-doughnuts/4431738084727/

Two Daredevils Walk Slackline Suspended Between Hot Air Balloons

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/01/28/germany-Guinness-World-Records-highest-slackline-walk/7101738095308/

Song of the Day

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car

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

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. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookie files may help you access some paywall sites.

Monday, January 27, 2025

The Energy News Digest for January 27, 2025

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors the Energy News Digest.

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Deadlines Approaching - Call for Nominations for NWPPA Awards

The Northwest Public Power Association asks you to consider nominations for individuals and/or organizations that should be recognized for their contributions to the industry and their community. Check out the various awards, nomination criteria, and the nominating process for each of NWPPA’s awards. We urge you to participate in making the NWPPA awards program as meaningful as possible by bringing our attention to those individuals who most deserve recognition for their work on behalf of public power. You can bring recognition to a deserving individual or organization. All it takes is a few minutes of your time.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Federal Bill to Protect the Lower Snake River Dams Gets Renewed Push (KNDO & KNDU-TV, Yakima/Tri-Cities, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/bill-to-protect-the-lower-snake-river-dams-gets-renewed-push/article_8feeb1aa-d92d-11ef-a8eb-eba47e2e3214.html

Trump Energy Orders Could Play Role in Salmon & Steelhead Debate (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/local-news/trump-energy-orders-could-play-role-in-salmon-and-steelhead-debate-18597565

Video Adds to Scrutiny of Edison Tower as Possible Site of Origin of Eaton Fire (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via AOL)

https://www.aol.com/news/video-adds-scrutiny-edison-tower-201844631.html

Big Tech Wants to Plug Data Centers Right into Power Plants. Utilities Say It’s Not Fair (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/power-electricity-amazon-microsoft-power-plants-data-centers-grid-f4763f73bc112425e18f30618dff0039

Washington Policy Center Sues State Over Climate Law Data Delay (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.khq.com/news/washington-policy-center-sues-state-over-climate-law-data-delay/article_c4cd10e2-d90a-11ef-b436-f7c17b0c10c8.html

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. Federal Bill to Protect the Lower Snake River Dams Gets Renewed Push

2. News Release: Rep. Newhouse (WA), Sen. Risch (ID) Lead Renewed Effort to Protect the Lower Snake River Dams

3. Video Adds to Scrutiny of Edison Tower as Possible Site of Origin of Eaton Fire

4. Newly Proposed Federal Bill Would Reduce Wildfire Threats, Help Utilities Manage Vegetation

5. Public Utility Commission Defends Rate Approval Process to Oregon Lawmakers

6. Video: Venice, CA Residents Concerned Over ‘Exploding’ Power Lines

7. Searing City Report Recommends Denial of Portland General Electric’s Forest Park Transmission Proposal

8. Montana: Flathead Electric Co-Op Receives $4.2 Million Grant for Cooke City Upgrades

9. Virginia: Two Men Electrocuted While Working on Farm, Sheriff Says

10. EIA Expects Higher Wholesale U.S. Natural Gas Prices as Demand Increases

11. This Bill Could Give Washington Tribes, Communities More Say in Wind, Solar Development

12. Trump Executive Order Puts Dozens of Clean Energy Projects in Rural Alaska in Limbo

13. ‘Horrifying’ Fire at California Lithium Battery Plant Sparks Calls for New Clean Energy Rules

14. New Solar Plants Expected to Support Most U.S. Electric Generation Growth

15. Heat Pumps Keep Widening Their Lead on Gas Furnaces

16. Trump Energy Orders Could Play Role in Salmon & Steelhead Debate

17. Water Flows as Part of a Massive Habitat Restoration in the Upper Klamath Basin

18. Whirling Disease: A Danger to B.C.’S Columbia River

19. Oregon Delays Sage Grouse Habitat Maps for Grant County After Community Backlash

20. Study Looks at Water Delivery in a Post-Dam Snake River

21. Where Is the Rain? Seattle On Track for Third-Driest January on Record

22. Washington Policy Center Sues State Over Climate Law Data Delay

23. WA Farmers Wrongly Charged Under Climate Laws Pleading for a Fix

24. Sweden Seizes Vessel Suspected of ‘Sabotage’ After Undersea Data Cable Rupture in Baltic Sea

25. Big Tech Wants to Plug Data Centers Right into Power Plants. Utilities Say It’s Not Fair

26. Amazon Ramps Up Clean Power for Oregon Data Centers. Does That Mean Less for Everyone Else?

27. Wyoming: Kemmerer Officials Hope TerraPower Deal Could Attract Artificial Intelligence Data Center

28. Advanced Nuclear Company Enters MOU with U.S. Data Center Developer

29. Electric Vehicle Owners Don’t Pay Gas Taxes. So, Many States Are Charging Them Fees.

30. WA State: Edmonds Lawmaker’s Bill Would Pump $20 Million into Journalism Statewide

31. Bonneville Power Administration Quietly Erases Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program

32. President Trump’s Proposed Canada Tariff Could Boost Northwest Energy Bills

33. Electricity Sales Tax Cut Advances, To Delight of Industry & Chagrin of Wyoming Towns & Counties

34. Guest Essay: Grid Reforms Are Needed for Clean Energy Transition

Word of the Day

Uvula \YOU-view-lah\ Noun – That little fleshy lobe that hangs down in the back of the mouth.

Gary Larson Cartoon: (Medical Test) “For extra credit, name that thing that hangs down in the back of the mouth.”

Energy & Utility Issues

1. Federal Bill to Protect the Lower Snake River Dams Gets Renewed Push (KNDO & KNDU-TV, Yakima/Tri-Cities, WA)

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/bill-to-protect-the-lower-snake-river-dams-gets-renewed-push/article_8feeb1aa-d92d-11ef-a8eb-eba47e2e3214.html

2. News Release: Rep. Newhouse (WA), Sen. Risch (ID) Lead Renewed Effort to Protect the Lower Snake River Dams (U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse – WA)

https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-risch-lead-renewed-effort-protect-lower-snake-river-dams

3. Video Adds to Scrutiny of Edison Tower as Possible Site of Origin of Eaton Fire (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via AOL)

https://www.aol.com/news/video-adds-scrutiny-edison-tower-201844631.html

4. Newly Proposed Federal Bill Would Reduce Wildfire Threats, Help Utilities Manage Vegetation (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/46992-newly-proposed-bill-would-reduce-wildfire-threats-help-utilities-manage-vegetation/

5. Public Utility Commission Defends Rate Approval Process to Oregon Lawmakers (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

https://katu.com/news/politics/director-of-the-oregon-public-utilities-commission-speaks-to-lawmakers-on-rate-approvals-nolan-moser-bills-cost-rate-hike-electricity-gas-utility-capitol-salem-politics

6. Video: Venice, CA Residents Concerned Over ‘Exploding’ Power Lines (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/venice-residents-concerned-over-exploding-062954367.html

7. Searing City Report Recommends Denial of Portland General Electric’s Forest Park Transmission Proposal (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2025/01/searing-city-report-recommends-denial-of-pges-forest-park-transmission-proposal.html

8. Montana: Flathead Electric Co-Op Receives $4.2 Million Grant for Cooke City Upgrades (NBC Montana)

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/flathead-electric-co-op-receives-42m-grant-for-cooke-city-upgrades

9. Virginia: Two Men Electrocuted While Working on Farm, Sheriff Says (WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA)

https://www.firstalert7.com/2025/01/24/2-men-electrocuted-while-working-farm-sheriff-says/

10. EIA Expects Higher Wholesale U.S. Natural Gas Prices as Demand Increases (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=64344

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

11. This Bill Could Give Washington Tribes, Communities More Say in Wind, Solar Development (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2025/01/23/this-bill-could-give-washington-tribes-communities-more-say-in-wind-solar-development/

12. Trump Executive Order Puts Dozens of Clean Energy Projects in Rural Alaska in Limbo (Alaska Public Media)

https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2025-01-24/trump-executive-order-puts-dozens-of-clean-energy-projects-in-rural-alaska-in-limbo

13. ‘Horrifying’ Fire at California Lithium Battery Plant Sparks Calls for New Clean Energy Rules (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/horrifying-fire-california-lithium-battery-110024254.html

14. New Solar Plants Expected to Support Most U.S. Electric Generation Growth (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=64364

Conservation & Efficiency

15. Heat Pumps Keep Widening Their Lead on Gas Furnaces (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/heat-pumps/heat-pumps-keep-widening-their-lead-on-gas-furnaces

Fish & Wildlife

16. Trump Energy Orders Could Play Role in Salmon & Steelhead Debate (Lewiston Morning Tribune, ID – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.lmtribune.com/local-news/trump-energy-orders-could-play-role-in-salmon-and-steelhead-debate-18597565

17. Water Flows as Part of a Massive Habitat Restoration in the Upper Klamath Basin (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/01/25/water-flows-as-part-of-a-massive-habitat-restoration-in-the-upper-klamath-basin/

18. Whirling Disease: A Danger to B.C.’S Columbia River (Castlgar News, BC)

https://www.castlegarnews.com/opinion/eco-logical-whirling-disease-a-danger-to-bcs-columbia-river-7768712

19. Oregon Delays Sage Grouse Habitat Maps for Grant County After Community Backlash (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/01/24/oregon-delays-sage-grouse-map-grant-county/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

20. Study Looks at Water Delivery in a Post-Dam Snake River (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Moscow, ID)

https://www.dnews.com/stories/study-looks-at-water-delivery-in-a-post-dam-snake-river-page_854

21. Where Is the Rain? Seattle On Track for Third-Driest January on Record (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/western-washington-forecast-seattle-dry-january-record-snowpack-omega-block-puget-sound

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

22. Washington Policy Center Sues State Over Climate Law Data Delay (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.khq.com/news/washington-policy-center-sues-state-over-climate-law-data-delay/article_c4cd10e2-d90a-11ef-b436-f7c17b0c10c8.html

23. WA Farmers Wrongly Charged Under Climate Laws Pleading for a Fix (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/wa-farms-climate-commitment-act

London Calling –Telecommunications

24. Sweden Seizes Vessel Suspected of ‘Sabotage’ After Undersea Data Cable Rupture in Baltic Sea (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/latvia-denmark-underwater-cable-damage-investigation-63da5ef0d577bca12bbe118d527d3a14

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

25. Big Tech Wants to Plug Data Centers Right into Power Plants. Utilities Say It’s Not Fair (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/power-electricity-amazon-microsoft-power-plants-data-centers-grid-f4763f73bc112425e18f30618dff0039

26. Amazon Ramps Up Clean Power for Oregon Data Centers. Does That Mean Less for Everyone Else? (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2025/01/amazon-ramps-up-clean-power-for-oregon-data-centers-does-that-mean-less-for-everyone-else.html

27. Wyoming: Kemmerer Officials Hope TerraPower Deal Could Attract Artificial Intelligence Data Center (Cowboy State Daily, WY)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/01/22/kemmerer-officials-hope-terrapower-deal-could-attract-ai-data-center/

28. Advanced Nuclear Company Enters MOU with U.S. Data Center Developer (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/advanced-nuclear-company-enters-mou-with-us-data-center-developer

I Sing the Car Electric

29. Electric Vehicle Owners Don’t Pay Gas Taxes. So, Many States Are Charging Them Fees. (NY Times – Via DNYUZ)

https://dnyuz.com/2025/01/27/e-v-owners-dont-pay-gas-taxes-so-many-states-are-charging-them-fees/

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

30. WA State: Edmonds Lawmaker’s Bill Would Pump $20 Million into Journalism Statewide (Everett Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/edmond-lawmakers-bill-would-pump-20-million-into-journalism-statewide/

Politics, Governance, and Management

31. Bonneville Power Administration Quietly Erases Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/investigations/bonneville-power-administration-erases-dei-program/283-3977988e-05bf-46ca-875b-e1341e4b7c94

32. President Trump’s Proposed Canada Tariff Could Boost Northwest Energy Bills (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/trump-s-proposed-tariff-could-boost-northwest-energy-bills

33. Electricity Sales Tax Cut Advances, To Delight of Industry & Chagrin of Wyoming Towns & Counties (Wyofile)

https://wyofile.com/electricity-sales-tax-cut-advances-to-delight-of-industry-and-chagrin-of-wyoming-towns-and-counties/

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

34. Guest Essay: Grid Reforms Are Needed for Clean Energy Transition (Tribune News Service – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/commentary-grid-reforms-are-needed-for-clean-energy-transition/ar-AA1xvo4S

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

A Private U.S. Spacecraft Headed to the Moon Captures a Glorious View of Earth

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/a-private-us-spacecraft-headed-to-the-moon-20054086.php

Nearly 16.5-Foot Cayenne Pepper Plant Might Be World’s Tallest

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/01/27/Guinness-World-Records-tallest-pepper-plant/1501737994494/

Hemingway Book Returned to Connecticut Library After 56 Years

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/01/24/Greenwich-Library-overdue-56-years-Connecticut/8731737738909/

Ice Marathon Runner Dons Polar Bear Suit, Breaks World Record

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/01/22/norway-Guinness-World-Records-marathon-polar-bear-costume/2761737579559/

Song of the Day

Hugo Friedhoder – The Sun Also Rises (Suite from movie soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEgcx-17dsY