Friday, October 11, 2019

Energy News Digest for October 11, 2019 – The Hot Shots Edition


The Hot Shots edition is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to the Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS




HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP STORIES

Power Coming Back in Northern California, Fire Danger Eases (Associated Press)

Hurray for Public Power: Lights Are Still on in Sacramento. Here’s Why SMUD Isn’t in Pacific Gas & Electric’s Shutoff Predicament (Sacramento Bee, CA)

Higher Gas Bills for Seattle Residents Next Month. Here’s Why (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

Kalama Methanol Plant Decision Delayed (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

Canada: BC Hydro May Pull Plug on 2,500 Advanced Meter Holdouts (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)

Idaho River Group Wants Dam Breaching on the Table (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

Washington State Bird Species Could Face Population Declines, Sharp Reductions in Range If Climate Change Trajectory Continues, Study Finds (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Portland Company Builds First of Its Kind Renewable Wave Energy Device (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Energy News Digest for October 9, 2019 – Hot Shots Edition


The Hot Shots edition of the Energy News Digest is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to the Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS




HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

‘Great Deal of Rot’ Caused April Collapse of 26 Seattle City Light Utility Poles in Tukwila (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

California Shut-Offs Begin: First Wave of Pacific Gas & Electric Blackouts Hits 141,000 Customers in Northern Bay Area (SF Chronicle, CA)

Pacific Gas & Electric Faces Anger, Mistrust Over Power Outages: ‘It Is Excessive’ (Los Angeles Times, CA)

Salmon Recovery Meetings Are Too Far for Local Residents (KLEW-TV, Lewiston, ID)

Surprise October Snow in Spokane Knocks Out Power, Blocks Streets, Closes Schools (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Energy News Digest for October 8, 2019


The Hot Shots edition of the Energy News Digest is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to the Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS





HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

California: Pacific Gas & Electric Website Has Technical Issues as ‘High Volume’ of Users Seek Power Shutoff Updates (Sacramento Bee, CA)

Washington State Task Force’s Final Word on Saving Southern Resident Orcas (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

British Columbia: Hundreds of Spawning Salmon Killed in Squamish River; BC Hydro Admits Responsibility (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Four Firms Hired to Gather Views on Lower Snake River Dams (KQQQ Radio, Pullman, WA)

Oregon Greens Turn to Ballot Threat to Boost Cap & Trade (Portland Business Journal, OR)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Website Has Technical Issues as ‘High Volume’ of Users Seek Power Shutoff Updates
2.      Four Firms Hired to Gather Views on Lower Snake River Dams
3.      Cascade Locks Foundry Burglarized During Planned Power Outage
4.      Chelan PUD Commissioners Honor Former General Manager Who Died in September
5.      Pacific Gas & Electric to Pay $65 Million Settlement Over Claims It Falsified Records
6.      Florida: 16 Companies Interested in Taking Jacksonville Electric Authority Private
7.      Winter Energy Bills in the United States Likely to be Lower Than Last Year’s
8.      Nuclear Faces Climate-Fight Irrelevance without Lower Cost
9.      Energy Secretary Perry Denies Pressing Ukraine on Energy Company, Says He's Not Resigning
10.   Washington State Task Force’s Final Word on Saving Southern Resident Orcas
11.   How to Help Puget Sound’s Orcas & Salmon: What Seattle-Area Leaders Say Can Make a Difference
12.   British Columbia: Hundreds of Spawning Salmon Killed in Squamish River; BC Hydro Admits Responsibility
13.   Chehalis Basin Board Sets Sights on Saving Chinook Salmon
14.   Federal Funding Boost Could Help Coastal Oregon Fish Hatcheries
15.   ‘Thin It or Watch It Burn’: How Washington Is Chewing Up Trees & Spitting Out Resilient Landscapes
16.   As Community Choice Aggregations Take Over Utility Customers, Local Generation Emerges as the Next Big Growth Driver
17.   Shift to Wind, Solar & Other Energy Sources Subject of Centralia College Lecture Series
18.   How Much Electricity Will We Use in 30 Years?
19.   Port of Port Angeles Wins $50,000 Grant for Broadband Study
20.   Not the Pacific Northwest, Yet – USDA Invests $152M to Improve Broadband Service in 14 States
21.   Google to Take Advantage of Omaha Public Power District Rate for New Nebraska Data Center
22.   Oregon Greens Turn to Ballot Threat to Boost Cap & Trade
23.   Wildfires a Massive Threat to California’s Progress in Cutting Greenhouse Gases, Report Says
24.   Pacific Northwest Tribes Face Climate Change with Agricultural Ancient Practice
25.   Roughly 40 State Attorneys General Plan to Take Part in Facebook Antitrust Probe
26.   Green Roofs Can Make Cities Healthier And Happier. Why Aren’t They Everywhere?
27.   Cold Air & Snow Back in the Pacific Northwest
28.   California Fire Danger Spikes with Most Powerful Winds of the Season
29.   Southwest Pilots' Union Sues Boeing Over Grounding of 737 Max
30.   Economic Development Expert: Rural Communities Have Power to Create Entrepreneurial Ecoystems

WORD OF THE DAY

Copacetic • \coe-puh-SET-ick\ • adjective - Very satisfactory

It was all here; the gentle waves lapping on the shore, a slight wind rusting through the palm fronds, the tinkling of Chinese glass wind chimes, the wafting fragrance of fresh cut fruit. As Arnold took another sip of his Pina Colada, he reflected that his trip to Hawaii was turning out to be quite copacetic.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.    California: Pacific Gas & Electric Website Has Technical Issues as ‘High Volume’ of Users Seek Power Shutoff Updates (Sacramento Bee, CA)


3.    Cascade Locks Foundry Burglarized During Planned Power Outage (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

4.    Chelan PUD Commissioners Honor Former General Manager Who Died in September (NCW Life News, East Wenatchee, WA)

5.    Pacific Gas & Electric to Pay $65 Million Settlement Over Claims It Falsified Records (ABC News)

6.    Florida: 16 Companies Interested in Taking Jacksonville Electric Authority Private (Jacksonville Business Journal, FL)

7.    Winter Energy Bills in the United States Likely to be Lower Than Last Year’s (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

8.    Nuclear Faces Climate-Fight Irrelevance without Lower Cost (Bloomberg News)

9.    Energy Secretary Perry Denies Pressing Ukraine on Energy Company, Says He's Not Resigning (Politico)

FISH & WILDLIFE

10. Washington State Task Force’s Final Word on Saving Southern Resident Orcas (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

11. How to Help Puget Sound’s Orcas & Salmon: What Seattle-Area Leaders Say Can Make a Difference (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

12. British Columbia: Hundreds of Spawning Salmon Killed in Squamish River; BC Hydro Admits Responsibility (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

13. Chehalis Basin Board Sets Sights on Saving Chinook Salmon (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

14. Federal Funding Boost Could Help Coastal Oregon Fish Hatcheries (Bend Bulletin, OR)

“CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE” – WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

15. ‘Thin It or Watch It Burn’: How Washington Is Chewing Up Trees & Spitting Out Resilient Landscapes (Crosscut Seattle)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

16. As Community Choice Aggregations Take Over Utility Customers, Local Generation Emerges as the Next Big Growth Driver (Utility Dive)

17. Shift to Wind, Solar & Other Energy Sources Subject of Centralia College Lecture Series (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

18. How Much Electricity Will We Use in 30 Years? (American Public Power Association)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

19. Port of Port Angeles Wins $50,000 Grant for Broadband Study (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

20. Not the Pacific Northwest, Yet – USDA Invests $152M to Improve Broadband Service in 14 States (Hoosier Ag Today, IN)

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

21. Google to Take Advantage of Omaha Public Power District Rate for New Nebraska Data Center (American Public Power Association)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

22. Oregon Greens Turn to Ballot Threat to Boost Cap & Trade (Portland Business Journal, OR)

23. Wildfires a Massive Threat to California’s Progress in Cutting Greenhouse Gases, Report Says (Los Angeles Times, CA)

24. Pacific Northwest Tribes Face Climate Change with Agricultural Ancient Practice (National Public Radio)

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

25. Roughly 40 State Attorneys General Plan to Take Part in Facebook Antitrust Probe (Washington Post)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

26. Green Roofs Can Make Cities Healthier And Happier. Why Aren’t They Everywhere? (Fast Company)

GENERAL NEWS

27. Cold Air & Snow Back in the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

28. California Fire Danger Spikes with Most Powerful Winds of the Season (Los Angeles Times, CA)

29. Southwest Pilots' Union Sues Boeing Over Grounding of 737 Max (Associated Press)

30. Economic Development Expert: Rural Communities Have Power to Create Entrepreneurial Ecoystems (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Helena Bonham Carter: Princess Margaret’s Ghost Gave Me Advice for ‘The Crown’

Lost Egyptian Temple Unearthed 2,200 Years After It Was Built for King Ptolemy IV

‘South Park’ Sarcastically Apologizes to China After Country Bans Show

Squirrels Hide More Than 200 Walnuts under SUV's Hood

SONG OF THE DAY

The Bangles - Walk Like an Egyptian

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Monday, October 7, 2019

Energy News Digest for October 7, 2019


The Hot Shots edition of the Energy News Digest is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to the Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS





HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Pacific Gas & Electric May Cut Power to 30 Counties For ‘Severe Wind Event’ (SF Chronicle, CA)

Federal Judge Sets Deadlines for Oregon to Redo River Temperature Guidelines (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Kites into Power Lines – Man ‘Dangerously Critical’ After Suffering Electrical Burns on Washington Co. Farm (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

Climate Change Group Not Happy with Washington State Governor Inslee (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

Complete Closure of SR 108 Coming Oct. 12-16 (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1.      Pacific Gas & Electric May Cut Power to 30 Counties For ‘Severe Wind Event’
2.      Major Potential for Strong Winds & Wildfires in Northern California
3.      Kites into Power Lines – Man ‘Dangerously Critical’ After Suffering Electrical Burns on Washington Co. Farm
4.      Seattle City Light Rate Changes
5.      Jefferson PUD Commissioners to Hear 2020 Draft Budget
6.      Costs Add Up for School Districts as Copper Thieves Target Puget Sound Athletic Fields
7.      Op/Ed: Seattle Should Address Their Problems Before Trying to Remove Snake River Dams
8.      FERC Rejects Tri-State’s Proposed Tariffs, Stymying First Effort at Federal Regulation
9.      Federal Judge Sets Deadlines for Oregon to Redo River Temperature Guidelines
10.   British Columbia Salmon Industry Withdraws from Eco-Certification Plan “…Voluntarily Suspend Eco-Certification of Chum, Pink & Sockeye…”
11.   Animals in Distress Alarm British Columbia Climate-Change Watchers
12.   Does Washington’s Slow Pace of Cleaning Polluted Waterways Violate the Clean Water Act?
13.   Selah-Moxee Irrigation District Studies Water Supply Options
14.   Montana: REC Silicon Mulls Sale of Butte Gas Plant
15.   From the Rooftops, Big Box Stores Are Embracing Solar
16.   Renewable Energy Firm Doubles Down on New Mexico Wind Projects
17.   The Incinerator & the Ski Slope Tackling Waste
18.   Energy Efficiency a Cost-Effective Tool to Ensure Lights Stay On
19.   Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs: The Feds Are About to Change the Rules
20.   Lab Set to Foster 5G Networks in Seattle
21.   Op/Ed: Broadband Internet Is Critical Tool for Rural Communities
22.   Goodbye, iTunes: Once-Revolutionary App Gone in Mac Update
23.   Columbia River PUD Increases Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in Columbia County
24.   Harley Struggles to Fire Up New Generation of Riders with Electric Bike Debut
25.   Climate Change Group Not Happy with Washington State Governor Inslee
26.   Portland to Host Annual Gathering of Climate Change Experts
27.   Tall Buildings Out of Timber? In the Face of Climate Change, Seattle Encourages It.
28.   Amid Trade War, Farmers Lean on a New Crop: Hemp
29.   ‘Tens of Thousands’ of Attempts Daily to Hack Washington State’s Election System
30.   Complete Closure of SR 108 Coming Oct. 12-16
31.   Weather Service Confirms Small Tornado Likely Touched Down Near Grand Mound
32.   Nine Days on the Road. Average Commute Time Reached a New Record Last Year.

WORD OF THE DAY

Trope • \trōp\ • noun - 1a: a word or expression used in a figurative sense: figure of speech b: a common or overused theme or device: cliché 2: a phrase or verse added as an embellishment or interpolation to the sung parts of the Mass in the Middle Ages

“Ahh…the smells of the circus, the call of the barkers, the show man; the SHOW,” enthused the manager of the menagerie to his new hire. “All those tropes about the circus being the greatest show on earth are true,” the grizzled veteran crowed to the fresh-faced recruit.

“But you’re in charge of cleaning up after the elephants,” squeaked the wet-behind-the-ears rookie. “Have you ever thought about getting another job?”

“What,” barked the stoop-shouldered gaffer, “and give up show business?”

(Insert Rim-Shot Here)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.    Pacific Gas & Electric May Cut Power to 30 Counties For ‘Severe Wind Event’ (SF Chronicle, CA)

2.    Major Potential for Strong Winds & Wildfires in Northern California (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

3.    Kites into Power Lines – Man ‘Dangerously Critical’ After Suffering Electrical Burns on Washington Co. Farm (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

4.    Seattle City Light Rate Changes (The Seattle Medium, WA)

5.    Jefferson PUD Commissioners to Hear 2020 Draft Budget (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

6.    Costs Add Up for School Districts as Copper Thieves Target Puget Sound Athletic Fields (KING TV, Seattle, WA)

7.    Op/Ed: Seattle Should Address Their Problems Before Trying to Remove Snake River Dams (Washington Ag Network)

8.    FERC Rejects Tri-State’s Proposed Tariffs, Stymying First Effort at Federal Regulation (Utility Dive)

FISH & WILDLIFE

9.    Federal Judge Sets Deadlines for Oregon to Redo River Temperature Guidelines (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

10. British Columbia Salmon Industry Withdraws from Eco-Certification Plan “…Voluntarily Suspend Eco-Certification Of Chum, Pink & Sockeye…” (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)

11. Animals in Distress Alarm British Columbia Climate-Change Watchers (Vancouver Sun, BC)

“CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE” – WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

12. Does Washington’s Slow Pace of Cleaning Polluted Waterways Violate the Clean Water Act? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

13. Selah-Moxee Irrigation District Studies Water Supply Options (Associated Press)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

14. Montana: REC Silicon Mulls Sale of Butte Gas Plant (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

15. From the Rooftops, Big Box Stores Are Embracing Solar (NY Times)

16. Renewable Energy Firm Doubles Down on New Mexico Wind Projects (Associated Press)

17. The Incinerator & the Ski Slope Tackling Waste (British Broadcasting Corporation)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

18. Energy Efficiency a Cost-Effective Tool to Ensure Lights Stay On (Everett Herald, WA)

19. Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs: The Feds Are About to Change the Rules (C|Net News)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

20. Lab Set to Foster 5G Networks in Seattle (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

21. Op/Ed: Broadband Internet Is Critical Tool for Rural Communities (The World, Coos Bay, OR)

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

22. Goodbye, iTunes: Once-Revolutionary App Gone in Mac Update (Washington Post)

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

23. Columbia River PUD Increases Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in Columbia County (Saint Helens Chronicle, OR)

24. Harley Struggles to Fire Up New Generation of Riders with Electric Bike Debut (Reuters)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

25. Climate Change Group Not Happy with Washington State Governor Inslee (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

26. Portland to Host Annual Gathering of Climate Change Experts (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

27. Tall Buildings Out of Timber? In the Face of Climate Change, Seattle Encourages It. (The Philadelphia Inquirer, PA)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

28. Amid Trade War, Farmers Lean on a New Crop: Hemp (NY Times)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

29. ‘Tens of Thousands’ of Attempts Daily to Hack Washington State’s Election System (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

30. Complete Closure of SR 108 Coming Oct. 12-16 (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

31. Weather Service Confirms Small Tornado Likely Touched Down Near Grand Mound (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

32. Nine Days on the Road. Average Commute Time Reached a New Record Last Year. (Washington Post)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Video: Dad Proves He’d Do Anything for His Daughter by Giving Her His Left Kidney

Glitter Gone – Rip Taylor, Madcap Comic Personality, Dies

Ancient ‘New York’: 5,000-Year-Old City Discovered in Israel

Despite Fall, Former President Carter Helps Build Home

SONG OF THE DAY

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Our House

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.