The Energy News Digest for September 3, 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.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

NWPPA Announces Three Back-to-Back Conferences in January 2026

Kick off 2026 with three powerhouse events in one week! NWPPA is bringing together Wildfires: What Utilities Need to Know (Jan. 27), a new Data Center and Load Growth Summit (Jan. 28), and the Power Supply Conference (Jan. 29)—all at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel.

By stacking these events back-to-back, NWPPA is making it easier and more affordable for members to attend. Register for two of the events and receive 10% off, or attend all three and save 20%.

The week will also feature two evening networking receptions, plus lunch included at each event. And for those who want to start early, the Environmental Task Force will meet Jan. 26. Registration opens this fall, but mark your calendar now for this can’t-miss week of public power learning and connection.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

$1.5 Billion Columbia River Underwater Power Project Turns Down Trump Admin Expedited Permitting (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/01/1-5b-columbia-river-underwater-power-project-turns-down-trump-admin-expedited-permitting/

Trump Admin Cancels $679 Million for Offshore Wind Projects as Attacks on Reeling Industry Continue (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/trump-offshore-wind-renewable-energy-transportation-8578da8b985b6d4eef20ec4d85c21b5d

Drought: USDA Designates 28 Washington Counties as Natural Disaster Areas (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/09-02-2025/usda-designates-28-washington-counties-natural-disaster-areas

Buying (And Owning) an Electric Vehicle in Oregon Could Soon Get a Lot More Expensive (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2025/09/buying-and-owning-an-ev-in-oregon-could-soon-get-a-lot-more-expensive.html

We’re Now in ‘Meteorological Fall’ (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/were-now-meteorological-fall/XYPER3XYRVDRLIWQD74HKRZKX4/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      $1.5 Billion Columbia River Underwater Power Project Turns Down Trump Admin Expedited Permitting

2.      Idaho Power’s Proposed Rate Increase Could Raise Residential Bills More Than $250 a Year

3.      Thanks to Bonneville Credits: Rocky Mountain Power Customers in Idaho Set for Annual Bill Decrease

4.      Avista Increases Electric, Gas Rates in Idaho This Fall

5.      Oregon: Holiday Farm Survivors, Utilities Soon to Present Arguments in Federal Court

6.      Judge Sides with Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative in Baker Valley Couple’s Lawsuit Claiming Power Surge Caused 2022 Fire That Damaged Their Home

7.      WA State: Okanogan County Will Examine Economic Impacts, Power Needs of Cannabis Business

8.      Oregon Doubles the Pot of Money Available to Households Struggling to Pay Utility Bills. Here’s Who Qualifies

9.      New Interactive Exhibit Teaches Local Community About Hydropower

10.   Trump Admin Cancels $679 Million for Offshore Wind Projects as Attacks on Reeling Industry Continue

11.   Puget Sound Energy Breaks Ground on New Utility-Scale Solar Project in Washington State

12.   Wyoming: Rancher Says Wind, Solar Don’t Impact Land Any More Than Cell Towers, Oil Rigs

13.   Southeast Boise Neighbors Weigh in on Idaho Power’s 10-Acre Battery Project

14.   Clean Electricity from the Earth: Bidders Show Interest in Geothermal in the California Desert

15.   BLM Geothermal Leases in Oregon Sale Net More Than $430,000

16.   California Public Utilities Commission Approves New Long-Term Energy Efficiency Objectives for Utilities

17.   This Hidden Electricity Drain Can Have a Massive Impact

18.   Trump Updates Sage Grouse Rules, Reigniting Debate Over Controversial Bird

19.   Tribes Condemn Trump for Backing Out of Columbia River Deal for Salmon Recovery

20.   Tiny Tag for ‘Untaggable’ Fish Wins 2025 R&D 100 Award

21.   Drought: USDA Designates 28 Washington Counties as Natural Disaster Areas

22.   Dozens of Scientists Push Back on ‘Fundamentally Flawed’ Department of Energy Climate Report

23.   What the EPA’s Plan to Deregulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Means for Washington State

24.   Montana: Broadband Committee Approves $300 Million in Fiber Optic, Satellite Projects

25.   SpaceX Launches 24 Starlink Satellites to Orbit from California on New Falcon 9 Rocket

26.   Fiber Still in Line for Two-thirds of BEAD Locations

27.   WA State: Mason PUD 3 Denied BEAD Grant Funds

28.   Subscriber Study Shows Shifting Attitudes About Satellite Internet

29.   Canada: Copper Thieves Are Running Riot. Telecoms Are Trying to Stop Them

30.   Buying (And Owning) an Electric Vehicle in Oregon Could Soon Get a Lot More Expensive

31.   Trump’s New Electric Vehicle Move Has Gas Stations Pumped

32.   Google Doesn’t Have to Sell Chrome but Must Share Some Data with Rivals to Resolve Monopoly Case

33.   Humans Are Being Hired to Make Artificial Intelligence Slop Look Less Sloppy

34.   We’re Now in ‘Meteorological Fall’

35.   Warm West & Cold East

36.   Appeals Court Backs EPA Action Terminating Billions in ‘Green Bank’ Grants

37.   Democratic Governors Call on Trump to Uphold Wind Permits

38.   An Artificial Intelligence Simulation of a Mount Fuji Eruption Is Being Used to Prepare Tokyo for the Worst – Shades of Mt St Helens

39.   Guest Essay: Unconstitutional – Utilities Are Funding Political Speech with Captive Ratepayer Funds

Word of the Day

Frenetic \frih-NET-ick\ Adjective - Frenzied, frantic.

The small, yapping terrier ran at a frenetic pace, up and down the stairs, showing its joy at the return of its human friend.

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      $1.5 Billion Columbia River Underwater Power Project Turns Down Trump Admin Expedited Permitting (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/01/1-5b-columbia-river-underwater-power-project-turns-down-trump-admin-expedited-permitting/

2.      Idaho Power’s Proposed Rate Increase Could Raise Residential Bills More Than $250 a Year (KIVI-TV, Nampa, ID)

https://www.kivitv.com/downtown-boise/idaho-powers-proposed-rate-increase-could-raise-residential-bills-more-than-250-a-year

3.      Thanks to Bonneville Credits: Rocky Mountain Power Customers in Idaho Set for Annual Bill Decrease (KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls, ID)

https://localnews8.com/news/2025/08/27/rocky-mountain-power-customers-in-idaho-set-for-annual-bill-decrease/

4.      Avista Increases Electric, Gas Rates in Idaho This Fall (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/idaho/avista-increase-electric-gas-rates-idaho/293-49b39ff8-a731-4634-98bd-39138dbd371f

5.      Oregon: Holiday Farm Survivors, Utilities Soon to Present Arguments in Federal Court (Eugene Register-Guard, OR – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/holiday-farm-survivors-utilities-soon-110319782.html

6.      Judge Sides with Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative in Baker Valley Couple’s Lawsuit Claiming Power Surge Caused 2022 Fire That Damaged Their Home (Baker City Herald)

https://bakercityherald.com/2025/09/03/judge-sides-with-otec-in-baker-valley-couples-lawsuit-claiming-power-surge-caused-2022-fire-that-damaged-their-home/

7.      WA State: Okanogan County Will Examine Economic Impacts, Power Needs of Cannabis Business (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

https://methowvalleynews.com/2025/08/28/okanogan-county-will-examine-economic-impacts-power-needs-of-cannabis-business/

8.      Oregon Doubles the Pot of Money Available to Households Struggling to Pay Utility Bills. Here’s Who Qualifies (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2025/08/oregon-doubles-pot-of-money-available-to-households-struggling-to-pay-utility-bills-heres-who-qualifies.html

9.      New Interactive Exhibit Teaches Local Community About Hydropower (Idaho National Laboratory)

https://inl.gov/news-release/new-interactive-exhibit-teaches-local-community-about-hydropower/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

10.   Trump Admin Cancels $679 Million for Offshore Wind Projects as Attacks on Reeling Industry Continue (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/trump-offshore-wind-renewable-energy-transportation-8578da8b985b6d4eef20ec4d85c21b5d

11.   Puget Sound Energy Breaks Ground on New Utility-Scale Solar Project in Washington State (Globe Newswire)

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/09/03/3143960/0/en/Puget-Sound-Energy-breaks-ground-on-new-utility-scale-solar-project-in-Washington-state.html

12.   Wyoming: Rancher Says Wind, Solar Don’t Impact Land Any More Than Cell Towers, Oil Rigs (Cowboy State Daily)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/09/01/wyoming-rancher-says-wind-solar-dont-destroy-land-any-more-than-anything-else/

13.   Southeast Boise Neighbors Weigh in on Idaho Power’s 10-Acre Battery Project (KIVI-TV, Nampa, ID)

https://www.kivitv.com/southeast-boise/southeast-boise-neighbors-weigh-in-on-idaho-powers-10-acre-battery-project

14.   Clean Electricity from the Earth: Bidders Show Interest in Geothermal in the California Desert (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/clean-electricity-earth-bidders-show-100000560.html

15.   BLM Geothermal Leases in Oregon Sale Net More Than $430,000 (Morning Agclips)

https://www.morningagclips.com/blm-geothermal-leases-in-oregon-sale-net-more-than-430000/

Conservation & Efficiency

16.   California Public Utilities Commission Approves New Long-Term Energy Efficiency Objectives for Utilities (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/49472-california-public-utilities-commission-approves-new-long-term-energy-efficiency-objectives-for-utilities/

17.   This Hidden Electricity Drain Can Have a Massive Impact (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/phantom-electricity-emissions-climate-carbon-efficiency-unplugging-534aba8eb6866e8244204b6362f37daa

Fish & Wildlife

18.   Trump Updates Sage Grouse Rules, Reigniting Debate Over Controversial Bird (Cowboy State Daily)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/09/02/trump-updates-sage-grouse-rules-reigniting-debate-over-controversial-bird/

19.   Tribes Condemn Trump for Backing Out of Columbia River Deal for Salmon Recovery (Truthout)

https://truthout.org/articles/tribes-condemn-trump-for-backing-out-of-columbia-river-deal-for-salmon-recovery/

20.   Tiny Tag for ‘Untaggable’ Fish Wins 2025 R&D 100 Award (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/tiny-tag-untaggable-fish-wins-2025-rd-100-award

Water, Water, Anywhere?

21.   Drought: USDA Designates 28 Washington Counties as Natural Disaster Areas (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/09-02-2025/usda-designates-28-washington-counties-natural-disaster-areas

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

22.   Dozens of Scientists Push Back on ‘Fundamentally Flawed’ Department of Energy Climate Report (ABC News)

https://abcnews.go.com/US/dozens-scientists-push-back-fundamentally-flawed-department-energy/story

23.   What the EPA’s Plan to Deregulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Means for Washington State (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/what-the-epas-plan-to-deregulate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-means-for-washington-state,386437

London Calling –Telecommunications

24.   Montana: Broadband Committee Approves $300 Million in Fiber Optic, Satellite Projects (The Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2025/08/27/broadband-committee-approves-300-million-in-fiber-optic-satellite-projects/

25.   SpaceX Launches 24 Starlink Satellites to Orbit from California on New Falcon 9 Rocket (video) (Space)

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-new-falcon-9-rocket-starlink-launch-group-17-8

26.   Fiber Still in Line for Two-thirds of BEAD Locations (Broadband Breakfast)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fiber-still-in-line-for-two-thirds-of-bead-locations/

27.   WA State: Mason PUD 3 Denied BEAD Grant Funds (Mason Web-TV, Shelton, WA)

https://masonwebtv.com/archives/61049

28.   Subscriber Study Shows Shifting Attitudes About Satellite Internet (Pioneer Utility Resources)

https://www.pioneerutilityresources.com/episode/subscriber-study-shows-shifting-attitudes-about-satellite-internet/

29.   Canada: Copper Thieves Are Running Riot. Telecoms Are Trying to Stop Them (The Logic)

https://thelogic.co/news/copper-theft-bell-telus-canada/

I Sing the Car Electric

30.   Buying (And Owning) an Electric Vehicle in Oregon Could Soon Get a Lot More Expensive (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2025/09/buying-and-owning-an-ev-in-oregon-could-soon-get-a-lot-more-expensive.html

31.   Trump’s New Electric Vehicle Move Has Gas Stations Pumped (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/power-switch/2025/09/02/trumps-new-ev-move-has-gas-stations-pumped-00539394

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

32.   Google Doesn’t Have to Sell Chrome but Must Share Some Data with Rivals to Resolve Monopoly Case (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/google-search-antitrust-remedies-chrome-846916fda0943c5fa359385044a02c8b

33.   Humans Are Being Hired to Make Artificial Intelligence Slop Look Less Sloppy (NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/humans-hired-to-fix-ai-slop-rcna225969

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

34.   We’re Now in ‘Meteorological Fall’ (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/were-now-meteorological-fall/XYPER3XYRVDRLIWQD74HKRZKX4/

35.   Warm West & Cold East (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2025/09/warm-west-and-cold-east.html

Politics, Governance, and Management

36.   Appeals Court Backs EPA Action Terminating Billions in ‘Green Bank’ Grants (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/green-bank-funding-climate-epa-trump-9d96de45d0d3787d580ce29473cffc8f

37.   Democratic Governors Call on Trump to Uphold Wind Permits (Bloomberg News – Via The Financial Post)

https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/democratic-governors-call-on-trump-to-uphold-wind-permits

Other Things to Know About Today

38.   An Artificial Intelligence Simulation of a Mount Fuji Eruption Is Being Used to Prepare Tokyo for the Worst – Shades of Mt St Helens (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/japan-uses-ai-generated-eruption-145007384.html

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

39.   Guest Essay: Unconstitutional – Utilities Are Funding Political Speech with Captive Ratepayer Funds (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/unconstitutional-utilities-political-speech-ratepayer/758683/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Search for Painting Looted by Nazis May Have Found More Stolen Art

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdx26z142vko

Hundreds Of Mysterious Containers Found Floating Off an Alaskan Island as Authorities Probe Where They Came From

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/hundreds-mysterious-containers-found-floating-213936247.html

Trio of Men Use Slingshot to Make Cornhole Shot from 151 Feet

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/09/03/Guinness-World-Records-longest-cornhole-shot-slingshot/2561756911188/

Student’s Lost Wallet Found Behind School Wall 51 Years Later

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/09/03/canada-wallet-lost-Stoney-Creek-Ontario-Orchard-Park-Secondary-School/5391756921649/

Song of the Day

Michael Bublé – Lost

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-8ez6dGao8&list=RDQ-8ez6dGao8&start_radio=1

Links & Paywall Advisory

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations frequently update their websites, 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.

The Energy News Digest for August 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.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

NWPPA Seeking Nominations for Champion of Communications 

NWPPA is seeking nominations for the 2025 Champion of Communications Award, which will be presented at the 2025 Northwest Innovations in Communications Conference in Whitefish, Montana, Sept. 22-25.

Current or former employees of NWPPA member utilities are eligible to receive this award. The NIC Planning Committee selects recipients based on their accomplishments, through at least 10 years of marketing and communication experience, at least 20 years of service to the industry, and promotion of public power through efforts such as community service.

Nominations are due by Friday, Sept. 5, and can be submitted here.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Is the Sharp Rise in Electricity Prices An Early Inflation Warning? (Seeking Alpha)

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4817101-sharp-rise-electricity-prices-early-inflation-warning

Oregon: Gov. Tina Kotek Hosts Ceremonial Signing of Four Bills That Focus on Energy Affordability (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/25/oregon-environment-energy-bills-politics-tina-kotek-power-act-fair-assistance-program-expansion/

Gov. Ferguson Pauses Approval of Major Solar Project in Central Washington (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/08/27/ferguson-pauses-approval-of-major-solar-project-in-central-washington/

Washington City Officials Are Using ChatGPT for Government Work (Cascade PBS)

https://www.cascadepbs.org/news/2025/08/wa-city-officials-are-using-chatgpt-to-write-government-documents/

Idaho’s First Sockeye of the Year Arrived in Late July – What Was Once Doubtful Is Now Tradition (East Idaho News, Idaho Falls, ID)

https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/08/idahos-first-sockeye-of-the-year-arrived-in-late-july-and-what-was-once-doubtful-is-now-tradition/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      Is the Sharp Rise in Electricity Prices An Early Inflation Warning?

2.      Import Tariffs Could Slow Transmission Development, Drive Up Utility Costs: Morningstar

3.      Idaho Public Utilities Commission to Accept Public Comment on Idaho Power’s Proposed 13% Rate Increase

4.      California: Palisades Nuclear Plant Moved to Operations Status, Ready to Receive Fuel

5.      Bill Gates-Backed TerraPower, Utah to Explore Nuclear Reactor Sites Amid Power Demand Surge

6.      WA State: Grant PUD Moves Forward with Eminent Domain Process for Quincy Area Line

7.      Electric Companies Are Fighting Across the West to Limit Their Blame for Wildfires

8.      NMSU to Lead $14.2 Million Pumped Storage Project with Navajo Nation

9.      Gov. Ferguson Pauses Approval of Major Solar Project in Central Washington

10.   Spanish Utility Pauses Solar Project in Washington as Political Winds Change

11.   USDA–New Rules for Energy Projects on Forests, Farmland, Effective Immediately

12.   The Fix for Solar Power Blackouts Is Already Here

13.   Which Households Care Most About Energy Efficiency?

14.   This Air Conditioning Strategy Is the Sweet Spot for Saving Energy & Money, Experts Say

15.   Idaho’s First Sockeye of the Year Arrived in Late July – What Was Once Doubtful Is Now Tradition

16.   WA to Conserve 77,000 Acres of Older Forests on State Lands

17.   Spokane River Reaches Potential Water Record Lows After ‘Perfect Storm’ of Conditions

18.   The Colorado River Is in Trouble. Some Groups Want the Government to Step Up

19.   Washington City Officials Are Using ChatGPT for Government Work

20.   As WA Government Officials Embrace Artificial Intelligence, Policies Are Still Catching Up

21.   WA State: Olympia Asked Artificial Intelligence to Analyze Its Budget, And It Came Up with $28 Million in Possible Cuts

22.   Cracker Barrel Is Keeping Its Old-Time Logo After New Design Elicited an Uproar

23.   Oregon: Gov. Tina Kotek Hosts Ceremonial Signing of Four Bills That Focus on Energy Affordability

24.   Boxed in by Shifting Tariff Rules, European Shippers Pause Some U.S.-Bound Parcels

25.   FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Shots but Limits Access for Some Kids & Adults

26.   Paywall Advisory: Step Up Electricity Transmission for the Climate, Jobs & Ratepayers

Word of the Day

Palisade \pal-uh-SAYD\ Noun - 1: a fence of stakes especially for defense b: a long, strong stake pointed at the top & set close with others as a defense 2: a line of bold cliffs.

Thundering surf: pillars of white, foamy seawater pounded the rocky palisades off the storm-wracked Oregon coast. Occasionally, a daredevil seagull would shoot through the showering torrents, trying to snatch small fish or other tasty debris that had been churned up from the depths of the ocean

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      Is the Sharp Rise in Electricity Prices An Early Inflation Warning? (Seeking Alpha)

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4817101-sharp-rise-electricity-prices-early-inflation-warning

2.      Import Tariffs Could Slow Transmission Development, Drive Up Utility Costs: Morningstar (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/import-tariffs-transmission-development-utility-costs-morningstar/758601/

3.      Idaho Public Utilities Commission to Accept Public Comment on Idaho Power’s Proposed 13% Rate Increase (Idaho Capital Sun)

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2025/08/27/idaho-public-utilities-commission-to-accept-public-comment-on-idaho-powers-proposed-rate-increase/

4.      California: Palisades Nuclear Plant Moved to Operations Status, Ready to Receive Fuel (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/palisades-nuclear-plant-moved-to-operations-status-ready-to-receive-fuel/

5.      Bill Gates-Backed TerraPower, Utah to Explore Nuclear Reactor Sites Amid Power Demand Surge (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/bill-gates-backed-terrapower-utah-explore-nuclear-reactor-sites-amid-power-2025-08-25/

6.      WA State: Grant PUD Moves Forward with Eminent Domain Process for Quincy Area Line (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2025/aug/26/pud-moves-forward-with-eminent-domain-process-for-quincy-area-line/

7.      Electric Companies Are Fighting Across the West to Limit Their Blame for Wildfires (KJZZ-Radio, Phoenix, AZ)

https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2025-08-26/why-utilities-are-fighting-across-the-west-to-limit-their-blame-for-wildfires

8.      NMSU to Lead $14.2 Million Pumped Storage Project with Navajo Nation (International Water Power)

https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/nmsu-to-lead-14-2-million-pumped-storage-project-with-navajo-nation/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

9.      Gov. Ferguson Pauses Approval of Major Solar Project in Central Washington (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/08/27/ferguson-pauses-approval-of-major-solar-project-in-central-washington/

10.   Spanish Utility Pauses Solar Project in Washington as Political Winds Change (Capital Press – Paywall Advisory)

https://capitalpress.com/2025/08/21/spanish-utility-pauses-solar-project-in-washington-as-political-winds-change/

11.   USDA–New Rules for Energy Projects on Forests, Farmland, Effective Immediately (KONA Radio, Pasco, WA)

https://610kona.com/ixp/136/p/usda-new-rules-on-energy-projects/

12.   The Fix for Solar Power Blackouts Is Already Here (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2025-bottlenecks-blackouts-grid-stability-solar-wind/

Conservation & Efficiency

13.   Which Households Care Most About Energy Efficiency? (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/energy-efficiency-survey-secc-smart-energy/758761/

14.   This Air Conditioning Strategy Is the Sweet Spot for Saving Energy & Money, Experts Say (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/air-conditioning-energy-hot-weather-climate-a13140a58cce61806e086db9e68ef084

Fish & Wildlife

15.   Idaho’s First Sockeye of the Year Arrived in Late July – What Was Once Doubtful Is Now Tradition (East Idaho News, Idaho Falls, ID)

https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/08/idahos-first-sockeye-of-the-year-arrived-in-late-july-and-what-was-once-doubtful-is-now-tradition/

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

16.   WA to Conserve 77,000 Acres of Older Forests on State Lands (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/08/26/wa-lands-commissioner-orders-77000-acres-of-older-state-forests-to-be-conserved/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

17.   Spokane River Reaches Potential Water Record Lows After ‘Perfect Storm’ of conditions (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/aug/25/spokane-river-reaches-potential-water-record-lows-/

18.   The Colorado River Is in Trouble. Some Groups Want the Government to Step Up (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/the-colorado-river-is-in-trouble-some-groups-21017629.php

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

19.   Washington City Officials Are Using ChatGPT for Government Work (Cascade PBS)

https://www.cascadepbs.org/news/2025/08/wa-city-officials-are-using-chatgpt-to-write-government-documents/

20.   As WA Government Officials Embrace Artificial Intelligence, Policies Are Still Catching Up (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

https://www.knkx.org/government/2025-08-27/washington-state-everett-bellingham-government-officials-embrace-artificial-intelligence-chatgpt-policies-catching-up

21.   WA State: Olympia Asked Artificial Intelligence to Analyze Its Budget, And It Came Up with $28 Million in Possible Cuts (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article311766366.html

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

22.   Cracker Barrel Is Keeping Its Old-Time Logo After New Design Elicited an Uproar (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/cracker-barrel-relents-says-its-old-logo-will-21017094.php

Politics, Governance, and Management

23.   Oregon: Gov. Tina Kotek Hosts Ceremonial Signing of Four Bills That Focus on Energy Affordability (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/25/oregon-environment-energy-bills-politics-tina-kotek-power-act-fair-assistance-program-expansion/

Other Things to Know About Today

24.   Boxed in by Shifting Tariff Rules, European Shippers Pause Some U.S.-Bound Parcels (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/23/nx-s1-5513936/dhl-parcel-tariffs

25.   FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Shots but Limits Access for Some Kids & Adults (Associated Press)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fda-approves-updated-covid-19-shots-but-limits-access-for-some-kids-and-adults/ar-AA1Ll21f

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

26.   Paywall Advisory: Step Up Electricity Transmission for the Climate, Jobs & Ratepayers (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/step-up-electricity-transmission-for-the-climate-jobs-and-ratepayers/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Little Legs, Big Dreams: More Than 100 Teams Compete in Lithuania’s International Corgi Race

https://apnews.com/article/corgi-dogs-race-lithuania-vilnius-8a18653c6922b19e9bcf046ccfb20a2a

Tons of Overripe Tomatoes Become Projectiles in Spain’s ‘Tomatina’ Food Fight

https://apnews.com/article/spain-tomatina-bunol-tomato-food-fight-d60e6af263d1849fa0defe7dc2206abd

The Rise of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte, by the Numbers

https://apnews.com/article/pumpkin-spice-latte-starbucks-fall-8c7c2b9b3f8208a3c9c397dfdd01460d

A New York Woman Dug for Three Weeks to Find Her Own Engagement Ring Diamond

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/25/dig-for-engagement-ring-diamond-arkansas/

Song of the Day

Vangelis – Chariots of Fire (Movie Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r78QV5Cwiq0&list=RDr78QV5Cwiq0&start_radio=1

Links & Paywall Advisory

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