The Energy News Digest for July 11, 2022

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Texas Grid Operator Warns of Potential for Rolling Blackouts amid Scorching Heat (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/texas-grid-operator-asks-users-conserve-energy-amid-scorching-heat-2022-07-11/

Sockeye Salmon Are Returning to the Columbia River for the Highest Count in a Decade (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/sockeye-salmon-are-returning-to-the-columbia-river-for-the-highest-count-in-a-decade,296465?

Oregon Tribes Join Opposition to Offshore Wind Farm Process (Newport News-Times, OR)

https://www.newportnewstimes.com/news/tribes-join-opposition-to-wind-farm-process/article_02aa00a4-fcb9-11ec-822a-8795198df586.html

Switching to Efficient, Electric HVAC Appliances Could Save Oregon $1.1 Billion Through 2050, Study Finds (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/oregon-efficient-electric-building-appliances-synapse-heat-pump/626604/

Twitter Hires Law Firm Wachtell to Sue Musk after Pulling Out of $44 Billion Deal (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/technology/twitter-hires-legal-team-sue-musk-over-dropped-takeover-bloomberg-news-2022-07-10/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Texas Grid Operator Warns of Potential for Rolling Blackouts amid Scorching Heat

2.      Texas Resident Has Nearly $17,000 Deducted from Bank Account by Energy Company Following Winter Storm

3.      As Blackouts Loom, Pacific Gas & Electric Changes Tune About Shutting California’s Last Nuclear Plan

4.      Is Burying Power Lines Fire-Prevention Magic, or Magical Thinking?

5.      California State Auditor to Look at San Diego Gas & Electric Rate Increases

6.      California: San Luis Obispo Goes All-Electric in New Buildings

7.      WA Had States’ Fifth-Highest Number of Power Outages Last Year. Here’s How to Prepare

8.      Portland Clean Energy Fund Recommends $111 Million in Grants

9.      In Chilly Waters, Oregon Co-op Lineworkers Save Driver, Dog after Crash

10.   Infrastructure Rankings: Measuring States’ Energy, Transportation & Internet – Oregon, Washington Ranked 1 & 2 in Energy

11.   Norway Scrambles to Avoid Empty Hydropower Reservoirs This Winter

12.   Guest Essay: The Future of the Lower Snake River Dams: Draft Report Makes a Poor Case, Economically, for Breaching

13.   Guest Essay: Guest Column: Breaching Dams Is Key to Saving Salmon, Steelhead & Orcas

14.   Editorial: Time Is Running Out to Save the Snake River Dams. Let WA Gov. Inslee Know Your Thoughts

15.   California Commentary: The LA Dept. of Water & Power Is Charging Outdated Power Rates – There’s No Easy Fix

16.   Oregon Tribes Join Opposition to Offshore Wind Farm Process

17.   Idaho: Commissioners Oppose Salmon Falls Wind Project

18.   Idaho Power Kicks Off Process to Consider Net Metering Study

19.   WA State: Old Batteries Get New Life as Everett Transit Backup Energy

20.   Switching to Efficient, Electric HVAC Appliances Could Save Oregon $1.1 Billion Through 2050, Study Finds

21.   California: Sacramento Municipal Utility District Offers Advanced Thermostat Management Incentives to Small & Medium-Sized Businesses

22.   Energy Efficiency Efforts Reduce WA State Oyster Grower’s Energy Use by 75%

23.   Meet Net-Zero, The Building Technique That Creates More Energy Than It Consumes without Skimping on Style.

24.   Sockeye Salmon Are Returning to the Columbia River for the Highest Count in a Decade

25.   Chinook Salmon Habitat in Central Idaho Is in Trouble, Scientists Say

26.   Montana: Northern Pike Threatening Two Popular Fisheries

27.   Threatened Wild Bees Get Help from Washington Researchers

28.   Orca Calf Spotted Off San Juan Islands, First in K-Pod Since 2011

29.   California: Cannabis Company Sued Over Lack of Air Permits for Generators

30.   Great Salt Lake Hits New Historic Low for 2nd Time in a Year

31.   Supreme Court’s EPA Decision Will Have Little Effect on Utility Move Away from Coal-Fired Plants: Analysts

32.   Pacific Northwest Carbon Markets Can’t Support Longer Timber Harvest Rotations

33.   Kids Want to Put Montana on Trial for Unhealthy Climate Policies

34.   Twitter Hires Law Firm Wachtell to Sue Musk after Pulling Out of $44 Billion Deal

35.   Rogers Restores Service Following Canada-Wide Internet Outage

36.   Crypto Plunge Is Cautionary Tale for Public Pension Funds

37.   GeoBitmine Challenges Idaho Power’s ‘Discriminatory’ Rate for Cryptocurrency Mining Facilities

38.   Electric Vehicle Adoption Is Higher Where Consumers See More Electric Vehicles, Studies Show

39.   Simulation Shows Tsunami Waves as High as 42 Feet Could Hit Seattle in Minutes Should a Major Earthquake Occur on the Seattle Fault

40.   ‘All That’s Needed Is a Spark’: Why the US May Be Headed for a Summer of Mega-Fire

41.   All the Buzz: Mosquitoes Take Over Wenatchee

WORD OF THE DAY – THE HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Twee \TWEE\ Adjective – Affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint.

The twee bee’s low song

Summer’s heat, restful sunshine

Renews my tired soul

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Texas Grid Operator Warns of Potential for Rolling Blackouts amid Scorching Heat (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/texas-grid-operator-asks-users-conserve-energy-amid-scorching-heat-2022-07-11/

2.      Texas Resident Has Nearly $17,000 Deducted from Bank Account by Energy Company Following Winter Storm (KSAZ–TV, Phoenix, AZ)

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/texas-resident-has-nearly-17000-deducted-from-bank-account-by-energy-company-following-winter-storm

3.      As Blackouts Loom, Pacific Gas & Electric Changes Tune About Shutting California’s Last Nuclear Plan (Sacramento Bee, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article263227278.html

4.      Is Burying Power Lines Fire-Prevention Magic, or Magical Thinking? (Inside Climate News)

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/11072022/is-burying-power-lines-fire-prevention-magic-or-magical-thinking/

5.      California State Auditor to Look at San Diego Gas & Electric Rate Increases (KNSD-TV, San Diego, CA)

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/investigations/nbc-7-responds/state-auditor-to-look-at-sdges-rate-increases/2984737/

6.      California: San Luis Obispo Goes All-Electric in New Buildings (The New Times, San Luis Obispo, CA)

https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/slo-goes-all-electric-in-new-buildings/Content?oid=12692719&utm_medium=email

7.      WA Had States’ Fifth-Highest Number of Power Outages Last Year. Here’s How to Prepare (Tacoma News Tribune, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/living/article263077243.html

8.      Portland Clean Energy Fund Recommends $111 Million in Grants (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/07/07/portland-clean-energy-funds-grant-proposals-climate-change-racial-social-justice/

9.      In Chilly Waters, Oregon Co-op Lineworkers Save Driver, Dog after Crash (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

https://www.electric.coop/in-chilly-waters-oregon-co-op-lineworkers-save-driver-dog-after-crash

10.   Infrastructure Rankings: Measuring States’ Energy, Transportation & Internet – Oregon, Washington Ranked 1 & 2 in Energy (U.S. News & World Report)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/infrastructure

11.   Norway Scrambles to Avoid Empty Hydropower Reservoirs This Winter (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/norway-scrambles-avoid-empty-hydropower-reservoirs-this-winter-2022-07-07/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

12.   Guest Essay: The Future of the Lower Snake River Dams: Draft Report Makes a Poor Case, Economically, for Breaching (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/the-future-of-the-lower-snake-river-dams-draft-report-makes-a-poor-case-economically-for-breaching/

13.   Guest Essay: Guest Column: Breaching Dams Is Key to Saving Salmon, Steelhead & Orcas (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/guest-column-breaching-dams-is-key-to-saving-salmon-steelhead-and-orcas/article_8aa2ae1f-413c-5f00-93c0-0243882cfcf6.html

14.   Editorial: Time Is Running Out to Save the Snake River Dams. Let WA Gov. Inslee Know Your Thoughts (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/editorials/article263216413.html

15.   California Commentary: The LA Dept. of Water & Power Is Charging Outdated Power Rates – There’s No Easy Fix (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-07-10/dwp-rates-ballot-measures

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

16.   Oregon Tribes Join Opposition to Offshore Wind Farm Process (Newport News-Times, OR)

https://www.newportnewstimes.com/news/tribes-join-opposition-to-wind-farm-process/article_02aa00a4-fcb9-11ec-822a-8795198df586.html

17.   Idaho: Commissioners Oppose Salmon Falls Wind Project (Twin Falls Times-News, ID)

https://magicvalley.com/news/local/commissioners-oppose-salmon-falls-wind-project/article_7badbec0-fe2e-11ec-a316-372fbeaa8527.html

18.   Idaho Power Kicks Off Process to Consider Net Metering Study (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/idaho-power-solar-net-metering-study/626694/

19.   WA State: Old Batteries Get New Life as Everett Transit Backup Energy (Everett Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/old-batteries-get-new-life-as-everett-transit-backup-energy/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

20.   Switching to Efficient, Electric HVAC Appliances Could Save Oregon $1.1 Billion Through 2050, Study Finds (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/oregon-efficient-electric-building-appliances-synapse-heat-pump/626604/

21.   California: Sacramento Municipal Utility District Offers Advanced Thermostat Management Incentives to Small & Medium-Sized Businesses (Sacramento Business Journal, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/inno/stories/partner-content/2022/07/08/smud-offers-advanced-thermostat-management.html

22.   Energy Efficiency Efforts Reduce WA State Oyster Grower’s Energy Use by 75% (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20220701-energy-efficiency-efforts-reduce-oyster-grower-energy-use-by-75-percent

23.   Meet Net-Zero, The Building Technique That Creates More Energy Than It Consumes without Skimping on Style. (Business Insider)

https://www.businessinsider.com/net-zero-energy-efficient-homes-luxury-real-estate-2022-7

FISH & WILDLIFE

24.   Sockeye Salmon Are Returning to the Columbia River for the Highest Count in a Decade (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/sockeye-salmon-are-returning-to-the-columbia-river-for-the-highest-count-in-a-decade,296465?

25.   Chinook Salmon Habitat in Central Idaho Is in Trouble, Scientists Say (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/chinook-salmon-habitat-in-central-idaho-is-in-trouble-scientists-say,296567

26.   Montana: Northern Pike Threatening Two Popular Fisheries (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/northern-pike-threatening-two-popular-021900093.html?guccounter=1

27.   Threatened Wild Bees Get Help from Washington Researchers (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2022-07-10/threatened-wild-bees-get-help-from-washington-researchers

28.   Orca Calf Spotted Off San Juan Islands, First in K-Pod Since 2011 (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/orca-calf-spotted-off-san-juan-islands/281-6ff60881-040d-4355-9471-00709f505330

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

29.   California: Cannabis Company Sued Over Lack of Air Permits for Generators (Bloomberg News)

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/cannabis-company-sued-over-lack-of-air-permits-for-generators

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

30.   Great Salt Lake Hits New Historic Low for 2nd Time in a Year (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/great-salt-lake-hits-historic-210555733.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

31.   Supreme Court’s EPA Decision Will Have Little Effect on Utility Move Away from Coal-Fired Plants: Analysts (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/supreme-court-epa-coal-utility-renewable-climate/626833/

32.   Pacific Northwest Carbon Markets Can’t Support Longer Timber Harvest Rotations (Sightline Institute)

https://www.sightline.org/2022/07/11/northwest-carbon-markets-cant-support-longer-timber-harvest-rotations/

33.   Kids Want to Put Montana on Trial for Unhealthy Climate Policies (CBS News)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/climate-change-lawsuit-kids-montana/

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

34.   Twitter Hires Law Firm Wachtell to Sue Musk after Pulling Out of $44 Billion Deal (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/technology/twitter-hires-legal-team-sue-musk-over-dropped-takeover-bloomberg-news-2022-07-10/

35.   Rogers Restores Service Following Canada-Wide Internet Outage (Engadget)

https://www.engadget.com/rogers-restores-service-following-canada-wide-outage-161623524.html

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

36.   Crypto Plunge Is Cautionary Tale for Public Pension Funds (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/cryptocurrency-technology-blockchain-government-and-politics-bb0b28c277f078dc34d5bf90e36f91f7

37.   GeoBitmine Challenges Idaho Power’s ‘Discriminatory’ Rate for Cryptocurrency Mining Facilities (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/geobitmine-idaho-power-cryptocurrency-mining-rate/626724/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

38.   Electric Vehicle Adoption Is Higher Where Consumers See More Electric Vehicles, Studies Show (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/electric-vehicle-EV-influencer-buy/626929/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY – THE IRWIN ALLEN EDITION

39.   Simulation Shows Tsunami Waves as High as 42 Feet Could Hit Seattle in Minutes Should a Major Earthquake Occur on the Seattle Fault (Cable News Network)

https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/08/us/seattle-earthquake-simulation-tsunami/index.html

40.   ‘All That’s Needed Is a Spark’: Why the US May Be Headed for a Summer of Mega-Fire (The Guardian, UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jul/06/us-west-wildfire-summer

41.   All the Buzz: Mosquitoes Take Over Wenatchee (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/jul/09/all-the-buzz-mosquitoes-take-over-wenatchee/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Yes, That’s Really a Shark in the Sky. When & Where to See the Unique Blimp in WA

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article263268933.html

Russian Politician Says Kremlin Should ‘Claim Back’ Alaska

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-alaska-putin-vyacheslav-volodin-b2118942.html

Ax Throwing Is a Growing Sport in WA. Will It Grow Even More with Alcohol on Tap?

https://www.thenewstribune.com/entertainment/restaurants/tnt-diner/article262863838.html

Jurassic Park – Man Eaten by Dinosaur While on Toilet Commemorated with Toy

https://gizmodo.com/jurassic-park-mattel-sdcc-2022-exclusive-trex-toilet-1849163825

SONG OF THE DAY

John Williams – Jurassic Park (Soundtrack Suite)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vu5UUdw6xk

The Energy News Digest for June 29, 2022

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Gov. Newsom Has a Plan to Keep the Lights on in California — Using Fossil Fuels (Los Angeles Times, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-06-28/newsoms-energy-bill

California: Pacific Gas & Electric Seeks More Time to Apply for Nuclear Subsidy Program (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/diablo-canyon-nuclear-plant-operator-seeks-extension-that-could-keep-it-open-2022-06-28/

British Columbia's Endangered Killer Whales Have Been Going Hungry for Years, Study Finds (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/southern-resident-orcas-malnourished-ubc-study-1.6503594

Rob Phillips: Columbia Fish Counts Are High, Bolstered by Shad & Sockeye (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/sports/outdoors/rob-phillips-columbia-fish-counts-are-high-bolstered-by-shad-and-sockeye/article_94e659f9-43df-5b06-8558-01bc784579ba.html

Washington Carbon Exchange Lets Many Big Polluters Off the Hook (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-carbon-exchange-lets-many-big-polluters-off-the-hook

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Gov. Newsom Has a Plan to Keep the Lights on in California — Using Fossil Fuels

2.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Seeks More Time to Apply for Nuclear Subsidy Program

3.      Rolling Blackouts Could Come to Parts of Southern Utah This Summer. What About Other Areas?

4.      Relicensing for Idaho Power’s Hells Canyon Project Advancing

5.      Research Report: Lower Snake River Dams Power Supply Replacement Analysis

6.      Avista Deal Would Raise Electricity Rates by 7.7% During Next Two Years

7.      Nevada: Proposed NV Energy Hikes Could Compound Accelerating Regional Cost of Living

8.      Alaska: Golden Valley Electric Association Changes Course, OKs Healy 2 Shutdown, Healy 1 Upgrade

9.      Co-Owners Sue Georgia Power in $695 Million Vogtle Nuclear Energy Plant Contract Dispute

10.   Oregon State University Part of $8 Million Federal Effort to Improve Electric Grid Operation

11.   Jobs in U.S. Energy Sector Rose In 2021, Work in Low-Carbon Vehicles Leads

12.   Like a Bird on a Wire That Starts a Wildfire

13.   Editorial: We Must Have a Say in Offshore Wind-Energy Plans

14.   WA Pumped Hydropower: Firm Offers Onsite Update on Energy Project

15.   Meet the Siblings Making Hydropower That Protects Rivers & Fish

16.   Portland Environmental Nonprofit Delivers Cooling Units for Those in Need

17.   Energy Trust of Oregon Incentives & Windows, Add Resale Value

18.   City of Bend Proposes Home Energy Score Requirement to Help Buyers Make Purchasing Decisions

19.   BC Hydro Upgrading Nearly 2,700 Streetlights in Prince George

20.   British Columbia's Endangered Killer Whales Have Been Going Hungry for Years, Study Finds

21.   Rob Phillips: Columbia Fish Counts Are High, Bolstered by Shad & Sockeye

22.   Southwest Oregon Tribe, State Forge ‘Model’ Agreement to Co-Manage Fish & Wildlife

23.   Bonneville Power Administration Aids Creating the ‘Bee Better’ Certification for Electric Power Companies

24.   Logging Is Destroying Southern Forests — And Dividing U.S. Environmentalists

25.   Nonprofit Behind Klamath River Dam Removal Offers Plan for Allocating Water to Fight Wildfires in Region

26.   How Utah Data Centers Can Save Money on Water Needs

27.   Washington Carbon Exchange Lets Many Big Polluters Off the Hook

28.   Google’s Cloud Customers Will Learn Their Gmail Carbon Footprint

29.   WA Gov. Inslee Visits Chelan County to Discuss Digital Equity

30.   Latah County, Idaho, Group to Focus on Broadband Expansion

31.   WA State: Electric Vehicle Curbside Charging Is Coming to Seattle Neighborhoods. Here's Why It Matters

32.   2022’s Best & Worst-Run Cities in America

WORD OF THE DAY

Arcanum \ar-KAY-num\ • noun – 1: mysterious or specialized knowledge, language, or information accessible or possessed only by the initiate -- usually used in plural 2: elixir

The fanboys laughed with derision at the new member of the Tolkien fan club. “How did you get past the screening process without having read ‘The Silmarillion’,” giggled the hulking, bearded, president of the mysterious club. “I’ll even bet that your favorite character is Gollum,” he bellowed as his fellow club members howled with laughter at the red-faced plebe’s limited knowledge of JRR Tolkien arcanum.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Gov. Newsom Has a Plan to Keep the Lights on in California — Using Fossil Fuels (Los Angeles Times, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-06-28/newsoms-energy-bill

2.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Seeks More Time to Apply for Nuclear Subsidy Program (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/diablo-canyon-nuclear-plant-operator-seeks-extension-that-could-keep-it-open-2022-06-28/

3.      Rolling Blackouts Could Come to Parts of Southern Utah This Summer. What About Other Areas? (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/06/28/rolling-blackouts-could/

4.      Relicensing for Idaho Power’s Hells Canyon Project Advancing (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/science-oregon-canyons-idaho-dams-133d7c9fe0113678ed7a40c7ecf87bf5

5.      Research Report: Lower Snake River Dams Power Supply Replacement Analysis (Northwest RiverPartners – Links to PDF File)

https://nwriverpartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/EGPSC_LSRD-Power-Cost-Replacement-Study_6_29_2022_Final_1223.pdf

6.      Avista Deal Would Raise Electricity Rates by 7.7% During Next Two Years (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/jun/29/avista-deal-would-raise-electricity-rates-by-77-du/

7.      Nevada: Proposed NV Energy Hikes Could Compound Accelerating Regional Cost of Living (KUNR Radio, Reno, NV)

https://www.kunr.org/energy-and-environment/2022-06-27/nv-energy-hikes-accelerating-regional-cost-of-living

8.      Alaska: Golden Valley Electric Association Changes Course, OKs Healy 2 Shutdown, Healy 1 Upgrade (KUAC Radio, Fairbanks, AK)

https://fm.kuac.org/2022-06-28/gvea-changes-course-oks-healy-2-shutdown-healy-1-upgrade

9.      Co-Owners Sue Georgia Power in $695 Million Vogtle Nuclear Energy Plant Contract Dispute (Raleigh News Observer, NC)

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article262734562.html

10.   Oregon State University Part of $8 Million Federal Effort to Improve Electric Grid Operation (Oregon State University)

https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/oregon-state-university-part-8m-federal-effort-improve-electric-grid-operation

11.   Jobs in U.S. Energy Sector Rose In 2021, Work in Low-Carbon Vehicles Leads (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/jobs-us-energy-sector-rose-2021-work-low-carbon-vehicles-leads-2022-06-28/

12.   Like a Bird on a Wire That Starts a Wildfire (NY Times – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/29/science/birds-power-lines-wildfires.html

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

13.   Editorial: We Must Have a Say in Offshore Wind-Energy Plans (Chinook Observer, Long Beach, WA)

https://www.chinookobserver.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-we-must-have-a-say-in-offshore-wind-energy-plans/article_6155e3ca-f651-11ec-b048-db5646bbdff1.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

14.   WA Pumped Hydropower: Firm Offers Onsite Update on Energy Project (Goldendale Sentinel, WA)

https://www.goldendalesentinel.com/news/firm-offers-onsite-update-on-energy-project/article_2eed0408-f7ce-11ec-bd16-bf68c6c3b6b5.html

15.   Meet the Siblings Making Hydropower That Protects Rivers & Fish (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/meet-siblings-making-hydropower-actually-143857316.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

16.   Portland Environmental Nonprofit Delivers Cooling Units for Those in Need (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/06/28/portland-heat-response-program-ac-cooling-units/

17.   Energy Trust of Oregon Incentives & Windows, Add Resale Value (Pamplin Media Group, Portland, OR)

https://pamplinmedia.com/pt-adv-insiders/550193-440416-energy-trust-of-oregon-incentives-and-windows-add-resale-value

18.   City of Bend Proposes Home Energy Score Requirement to Help Buyers Make Purchasing Decisions (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

https://ktvz.com/news/2022/06/28/city-of-bend-considering-ordinance-that-would-require-home-sellers-to-provide-a-home-energy-score/

19.   BC Hydro Upgrading Nearly 2,700 Streetlights in Prince George (Prince George Citizen, BC)

https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/bc-hydro-upgrading-nearly-2700-streetlights-in-prince-george-5527187

FISH & WILDLIFE

20.   British Columbia's Endangered Killer Whales Have Been Going Hungry for Years, Study Finds (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/southern-resident-orcas-malnourished-ubc-study-1.6503594

21.   Rob Phillips: Columbia Fish Counts Are High, Bolstered by Shad & Sockeye (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/sports/outdoors/rob-phillips-columbia-fish-counts-are-high-bolstered-by-shad-and-sockeye/article_94e659f9-43df-5b06-8558-01bc784579ba.html

22.   Southwest Oregon Tribe, State Forge ‘Model’ Agreement to Co-Manage Fish & Wildlife (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/06/28/southwest-oregon-tribe-state-forge-model-agreement-co-manage-fish-and-wildlife/

23.   Bonneville Power Administration Aids Creating the ‘Bee Better’ Certification for Electric Power Companies (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20220624-bpa-aids-creating-the-bee-better-certification-for-electric-power-compan

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFLATUS – CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE

24.   Logging Is Destroying Southern Forests — And Dividing U.S. Environmentalists (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/energy/logging-biomass-nature-conservancy/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

25.   Nonprofit Behind Klamath River Dam Removal Offers Plan for Allocating Water to Fight Wildfires in Region (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/06/29/nonprofit-behind-klamath-river-dam-removal-offers-plan-for-allocating-water-to-fight-wildfires-in-region/

26.   How Utah Data Centers Can Save Money on Water Needs (KSL Radio, Salt Lake City, UT)

https://www.ksl.com/article/50425118/how-utah-data-centers-can-save-money-on-water-needs

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

27.   Washington Carbon Exchange Lets Many Big Polluters Off the Hook (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-carbon-exchange-lets-many-big-polluters-off-the-hook

28.   Google’s Cloud Customers Will Learn Their Gmail Carbon Footprint (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-28/google-s-cloud-customers-will-learn-their-carbon-footprint-for-gmail-workspace

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

29.   WA Gov. Inslee Visits Chelan County to Discuss Digital Equity (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/gov-inslee-visits-chelan-county-to-discuss-digital-equity/

30.   Latah County, Idaho, Group to Focus on Broadband Expansion (Government Technology)

https://www.govtech.com/network/latah-county-idaho-group-to-focus-on-broadband-expansion

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

31.   WA State: Electric Vehicle Curbside Charging Is Coming to Seattle Neighborhoods. Here's Why It Matters (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/curbside-charging-coming-seattle-neighborhoods-why-it-matters/281-b90aa259-b284-4b7c-9ba9-244105b23919

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

32.   2022’s Best & Worst-Run Cities in America (WalletHub)

https://wallethub.com/edu/best-run-cities/22869

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

NASA Needs Your Help Finding Clouds on Mars

https://gizmodo.com/nasa-enlists-publics-help-with-cloudspotting-on-mars-1849123060

The Dust Devils of Mars

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2022/06/photos-dust-devils-mars/661430/?utm_source=feed

‘Where There’s Bodies, There’s Treasure’: A Hunt as Lake Mead Shrinks

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/06/27/lake-mead-reservoir-drought/

Bruce's Beach Returned to Family Nearly a Century after Seizure

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61981785

SONG OF THE DAY

Max Steiner - Treasure of the Sierra Madre – Soundtrack Suite

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

The Energy News Digest for June 27, 2022

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in The Energy News Digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Oregon Utilities Crunch Big Data, Tap Artificial Intelligence to Reduce Wildfire Risks (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2022/06/oregon-utilities-crunch-big-data-tap-artificial-intelligence-to-reduce-wildfire-risks.html

Dam Politics: Why Public Power Utilities Are Pouring Cash into the Campaign to Support Lower Snake River Dams (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/public-power-utilities-pour-cash-into-campaign-to-boost-support-for-lower-snake-river-dams/

Fierce Local Battles Over Power Lines Are a Bottleneck for Clean Energy (CNBC)

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/26/why-the-us-has-a-massive-power-line-problem.html

Biden Administration Tosses Trump Definition of ‘Habitat’ for Endangered Species (NY Times – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/23/climate/biden-endangered-species-habitat.html

Where Colorado River No Longer Meets the Sea, a Pulse of Water Brings New Life (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/where-river-no-longer-meets-120055347.html?soc_src=yahooapp

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.      Oregon Utilities Crunch Big Data, Tap Artificial Intelligence to Reduce Wildfire Risks

2.      WA State: Wildfires Impact Chelan County PUD Insurance Plan

3.      Dam Politics: Why Public Power Utilities Are Pouring Cash into the Campaign to Support Lower Snake River Dams

4.      Several Hundred Take to Willamette River, Willamette Park to Protest Four Snake River Dams

5.      Idaho: First Lineworker Class Graduates at NIC Parker Center

6.      WA State: Another Look at Mossyrock Dam

7.      CAISO’s Proposed ‘Emergency’ Interconnection Process Could Hurt Pending Projects: Vistra

8.      Guest Essay: Tell These Politicians About the Value of Hydropower

9.      Free Money Everywhere: The Pretense on Which Washington State’s Energy Policy Is Based

10.   Fierce Local Battles Over Power Lines Are a Bottleneck for Clean Energy

11.   Solar Powered Umbrellas Sold at Costco Have Been Recalled Because They Can Burst into Flames

12.   House Bills Would Require Demand Response-Enabled Water Heaters, Strengthen Weatherization Program

13.   British Columbia: BC Hydro Offers Tips on How to Save Money During Summer Heat

14.   Biden Administration Tosses Trump Definition of ‘Habitat’ for Endangered Species

15.   To Unravel Some of the Ocean’s Mysteries, Pacific Northwest Scientists Head to Sea

16.   Where Colorado River No Longer Meets the Sea, a Pulse of Water Brings New Life

17.   California: As Tule Lake Vanishes, So Do Lives & Livelihoods

18.   Washington Ranks 10th Most Green State, But These Measures Still Need Improvement

19.   WA State: Biden Administration Awards More Than $1 Million to Suquamish Tribe for Community High-Speed Internet

20.   What WA’s Cold, Wet Spring Means for Summer Wildfires

21.   California's Largest Private Landowner Closes All Forestlands to Public Indefinitely Due to Wildfire, Drought Danger

WORD OF THE DAY

Pariah \PUH-RYE-uh\ Noun –1: one that is despised or rejected 2: a member of a low caste of southern India.

Bobo the clown was crushed. He thought his grease-painted friends would love his new shoes. Instead, he was banished from the clown car for two weeks because the shoes were “way too small” according to the clown prince. “A pariah over shoe size,” Bobo grumbled. “Next thing you know, they’ll be regulating clown nose colors!”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Oregon Utilities Crunch Big Data, Tap Artificial Intelligence to Reduce Wildfire Risks (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2022/06/oregon-utilities-crunch-big-data-tap-artificial-intelligence-to-reduce-wildfire-risks.html

2.      WA State: Wildfires Impact Chelan County PUD Insurance Plan (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/wildfires-impact-chelan-county-pud-insurance-plan/article_0c662a5a-f1ba-11ec-80d2-1f6d1845abc9.html

3.      Dam Politics: Why Public Power Utilities Are Pouring Cash into the Campaign to Support Lower Snake River Dams (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/public-power-utilities-pour-cash-into-campaign-to-boost-support-for-lower-snake-river-dams/

4.      Several Hundred Take to Willamette River, Willamette Park to Protest Four Snake River Dams (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2022/06/several-hundred-take-to-willamette-river-willamette-park-to-protest-4-snake-river-dams.html

5.      Idaho: First Lineworker Class Graduates at NIC Parker Center (Bonner County Daily Bee, ID)

https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2022/jun/25/first-lineworker-class-graduates-nic-parker-center/

6.      WA State: Another Look at Mossyrock Dam (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/another-look-at-mossyrock-dam,295853

7.      CAISO’s Proposed ‘Emergency’ Interconnection Process Could Hurt Pending Projects: Vistra (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/caiso-emergency-interconnection-process-vistra-ferc/626095/

SOAPBOX SERENADE – VOX POPULI

8.      Guest Essay: Tell These Politicians About the Value of Hydropower (Issaquah Reporter, WA)

https://www.issaquahreporter.com/opinion/tell-these-politicians-about-the-value-of-hydropower-brunell/

9.      Free Money Everywhere: The Pretense on Which Washington State’s Energy Policy Is Based (Washington Policy Center)

https://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/detail/free-money-everywhere-the-pretense-on-which-washington-states-energy-policy-is-based

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

10.   Fierce Local Battles Over Power Lines Are a Bottleneck for Clean Energy (CNBC)

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/26/why-the-us-has-a-massive-power-line-problem.html

11.   Solar Powered Umbrellas Sold at Costco Have Been Recalled Because They Can Burst into Flames (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/costco-sunvilla-s-solar-led-market-umbrella-recalled-1849112378

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

12.   House Bills Would Require Demand Response-Enabled Water Heaters, Strengthen Weatherization Program (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/house-bills-demand-response-water-heaters-weatherization/625937/

13.   British Columbia: BC Hydro Offers Tips on How to Save Money During Summer Heat (CTV News)

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/bc-hydro-offers-tips-on-how-to-save-money-during-summer-heat-1.5961030

FISH & WILDLIFE

14.   Biden Administration Tosses Trump Definition of ‘Habitat’ for Endangered Species (NY Times – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/23/climate/biden-endangered-species-habitat.html

15.   To Unravel Some of the Ocean’s Mysteries, Pacific Northwest Scientists Head to Sea (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/06/27/national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration-washington-coast-oregon-ocean-pacific-northwest-scientists/

WATER, WATER, ANYWHERE?

16.   Where Colorado River No Longer Meets the Sea, a Pulse of Water Brings New Life (Yahoo! News)

https://news.yahoo.com/where-river-no-longer-meets-120055347.html?soc_src=yahooapp

17.   California: As Tule Lake Vanishes, So Do Lives & Livelihoods (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

https://www.redding.com/in-depth/news/local/drought/2022/06/23/tule-lake-dries-up-in-drought-threatening-farms-bird-species/7695041001/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

18.   Washington Ranks 10th Most Green State, But These Measures Still Need Improvement (Tacoma News Tribune, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article262856033.html

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

19.   WA State: Biden Administration Awards More Than $1 Million to Suquamish Tribe for Community High-Speed Internet (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/3529805/biden-administration-awards-1m-suquamish-tribe-community-high-speed-internet/

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY

20.   What WA’s Cold, Wet Spring Means for Summer Wildfires (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/environment/2022/06/what-was-cold-wet-spring-means-summer-wildfires

21.   California's Largest Private Landowner Closes All Forestlands to Public Indefinitely Due to Wildfire, Drought Danger (San Francisco Chronicle, CA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/California-largest-private-landowner-closes-forest-17266493.php

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Rick Astley Revisits His Career-Making Song With ‘Gratitude’

https://apnews.com/article/technology-entertainment-music-rick-astley-72dc7faf85f3e2b907df74a9a227bf52

David Spade Donates Thousands to Burger King Employee Who Received Goodie Bag for 27 Years of Service

https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/david-spade-donates-thousands-to-burger-king-employee-20220624

NASA: Give Us Back Our Moon Dust & Cockroaches

https://apnews.com/article/oddities-technology-science-moon-3e717afffedf62ddbbe827f4ad0d05ec

'She's Perfect & She's Beautiful': Frozen Baby Woolly Mammoth Discovered in Yukon Gold Fields

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/frozen-whole-baby-woolly-mammoth-yukon-gold-fields-1.6501128

SONG OF THE DAY

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ