Friday, January 24, 2020

The Energy News Digest for January 24, 2020


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 FIVE STORIES

Washington State Approves Controversial Plan for Cooke Aquaculture Steelhead Farm Near Whidbey Island (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

PacWest: Plans for Proposed Newport Silicon Smelter on Hold (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

Proposed Bill Would Include Large Hydro, Nuclear in California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (Utility Dive)

WA State Rep. Schmick Encouraging Farmers to Stand Up for Snake River Dams (Washington Ag Network)

Would Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Raise or Lower Drivers’ Costs? Impact Is Crux of Debate (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.        Proposed Bill Would Include Large Hydro, Nuclear in California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard
2.        WA State Rep. Schmick Encouraging Farmers to Stand Up for Snake River Dams
3.        Op/Ed: Important Voice Missing from Vancouver Stakeholder Forum, Washington’s community-owned utilities help businesses & economies flourish
4.        Injured Firefighter Earns Settlement from PUDs in Twisp River Blaze
5.        Chelan PUD Customers Could Pay Three Percent More Under Proposed Plan
6.        Tri-City Development Council Picks New CEO Familiar with Snake River Dams & DOE Projects
7.        Want Microsoft as Your Customer? Clean Up Your Carbon
8.        Bonneville Power Administration Library Celebrates 81 Years of Service to Pacific Northwest Citizens
9.        Pacific Gas & Electric Makes Breakthrough Bankruptcy Deal, But Gov. Newsom Slams California Utility Again
10.     FERC Commissioner McNamee Won’t Seek Another Term
11.     The Concern-Sparking Outlet Challenge Is Yet Another Ill-Advised Challenge That Should Not Be Tried at Home
12.     Washington State Approves Controversial Plan for Cooke Aquaculture Steelhead Farm Near Whidbey Island
13.     Ocean Acidity: New Study Finds Shells of Young Dungeness Crab Damaged
14.     Northwest Salmon in Peril – Efforts to Save Them Scale Up
15.     Washington State Lawmakers Urge Fish-Friendly Fixes to Seaside Properties
16.     Large Bremerton Sewage Spill Prompts Alert to Stay Out of Sinclair Inlet
17.     Trump Administration Scales Back U.S. Water Protections
18.     Russian River Flows with Wine after Sonoma Winery Disaster
19.     PacWest: Plans for Proposed Newport Silicon Smelter on Hold
20.     Pend Oreille PUD Responds to PacWest Letter about Proposed Newport Silicon Smelter
21.     Bite-Sized Snohomish County Solar Powers Programs at Two Local Nonprofits
22.     City/Utility Partnership Leads to Microgrid at Fire Station in Portland, Oregon
23.     Jefferson PUD – Downtown Port Townsend Streetlight Installation to Continue Through Week
24.     2020 Outlook: From Light Bulbs to Dishwashers, Court Battles to Continue on DOE’s Efficiency Moves
25.     Public Broadband in Wahkiakum County Hits a Funding Snag
26.     CenturyLink, Frontier Took FCC Cash, Failed to Deploy All Required Broadband – Including in Washington State
27.     Would Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Raise or Lower Drivers’ Costs? Impact Is Crux of Debate
28.     The Youth Climate Movement Loses in Court, Goes to Legislature
29.     Should We Fiddle with Earth’s Thermostat? This Man Might Know How.
30.     The Mummy Speaks — With Help from a 3D-Printed Voice Box
31.     A Rainy January That Won’t Let Up
32.     Belfair Man Charged in Double Vehicular Homicide Pleads Not Guilty
33.     Repeat, Violent Offenders Back in the Spotlight – Again – After Downtown Seattle Shooting
34.     Feds Confirm Second U.S. Case of Coronavirus – Monitoring Dozens of Other Potential Cases
35.     An Airport by Any Other Name Is an Airport. Tacoma Will Survive Sea-Tac Rebrand
36.     Recreation Over Preservation? Residents & Natives Worry the San Juan Islands Could Be ‘Loved to Death’
37.     Super RainShadow

WORD OF THE DAY

Halyard • \HAL-yerd\ • Noun - A rope used to raise or lower something such as a sail or flag.

Fatigue tied Benny’s shoulders cramped knots. The self-proclaimed captain of the tramp steamer, the “Greasy Getaway” ordered him to spell out the opening lines of “Moby Dick” using the signal flags for the rest of the rusty flotilla of ships. The squeaking of the tackle as the halyard was pulled up and down was almost as excruciating as the aches in Ben’s shoulders.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Proposed Bill Would Include Large Hydro, Nuclear in California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (Utility Dive)

2.      WA State Rep. Schmick Encouraging Farmers to Stand Up for Snake River Dams (Washington Ag Network)

3.      Op/Ed: Important Voice Missing from Vancouver Stakeholder Forum, Washington’s community-owned utilities help businesses & economies flourish (Vancouver Business Journal, WA)

4.      Injured Firefighter Earns Settlement from PUDs in Twisp River Blaze (NCW Life News, East Wenatchee, WA)

5.      Chelan PUD Customers Could Pay Three Percent More Under Proposed Plan (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

6.      Tri-City Development Council Picks New CEO Familiar with Snake River Dams & DOE Projects (Tri-City Herald, WA)

7.      Want Microsoft as Your Customer? Clean Up Your Carbon (Data Center Knowledge)

8.      Bonneville Power Administration Library Celebrates 81 Years of Service to Pacific Northwest Citizens (Bonneville Power Administration)

9.      Pacific Gas & Electric Makes Breakthrough Bankruptcy Deal, But Gov. Newsom Slams California Utility Again (Sacramento Bee, CA)

10.   FERC Commissioner McNamee Won’t Seek Another Term (American Public Power Association)

11.   The Concern-Sparking Outlet Challenge Is Yet Another Ill-Advised Challenge That Should Not Be Tried at Home (TIME Magazine)

FISH & WILDLIFE

12.   Washington State Approves Controversial Plan for Cooke Aquaculture Steelhead Farm Near Whidbey Island (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

13.   Ocean Acidity: New Study Finds Shells of Young Dungeness Crab Damaged (Associated Press)

14.   Northwest Salmon in Peril – Efforts to Save Them Scale Up (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

15.   Washington State Lawmakers Urge Fish-Friendly Fixes to Seaside Properties (Crosscut Seattle)

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

16.   Large Bremerton Sewage Spill Prompts Alert to Stay Out of Sinclair Inlet (KOMO TV, Seattle, WA)

17.   Trump Administration Scales Back U.S. Water Protections (Reuters)

18.   Russian River Flows with Wine after Sonoma Winery Disaster (Eater, San Francisco, CA)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

19.   PacWest: Plans for Proposed Newport Silicon Smelter on Hold (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

20.   Pend Oreille PUD Responds to PacWest Letter about Proposed Newport Silicon Smelter (Spokane Public Radio, WA)

21.   Bite-Sized Snohomish County Solar Powers Programs at Two Local Nonprofits (Everett Herald, WA)

22.   City/Utility Partnership Leads to Microgrid at Fire Station in Portland, Oregon (Microgrid Knowledge)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

23.   Jefferson PUD – Downtown Port Townsend Streetlight Installation to Continue Through Week (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

24.   2020 Outlook: From Light Bulbs to Dishwashers, Court Battles to Continue on DOE’s Efficiency Moves (Utility Dive)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

25.   Public Broadband in Wahkiakum County Hits a Funding Snag (The Wahkiakum Eagle, Cathlamet, WA)


CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

27.   Would Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Raise or Lower Drivers’ Costs? Impact Is Crux of Debate (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

28.   The Youth Climate Movement Loses in Court, Goes to Legislature (Sightline Daily)

29.   Should We Fiddle with Earth’s Thermostat? This Man Might Know How. (Christian Science Monitor)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

30.   The Mummy Speaks — With Help from a 3D-Printed Voice Box

GENERAL NEWS

31.   A Rainy January That Won’t Let Up (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton – Paywall Advisory)

32.   Belfair Man Charged in Double Vehicular Homicide Pleads Not Guilty (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton – Paywall Advisory)

33.   Repeat, Violent Offenders Back in the Spotlight – Again – After Downtown Seattle Shooting (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

34.   Feds Confirm Second U.S. Case of Coronavirus – Monitoring Dozens of Other Potential Cases (CNBC)

35.   An Airport by Any Other Name Is an Airport. Tacoma Will Survive Sea-Tac Rebrand (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

36.   Recreation Over Preservation? Residents & Natives Worry the San Juan Islands Could Be ‘Loved to Death’ (Crosscut Seattle)

37.   Super RainShadow (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

People Nationwide Fall in Love with Pasco’s Honorary Police Dog & His Final Bucket List

Rockhounds Unearth a Righteous Gemstone Near Darrington

Where Is Sasquatch? In the Snowy Mountains of Washington, State Officials Say

Switzerland Mints World’s Smallest Gold Coin

SONG OF THE DAY

Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone

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, January 21, 2020

The Energy News Digest for January 21, 2020


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 FIVE STORIES

Fraser River: ‘Extensive’ Work Planned at Big Bar Landslide Ahead of British Columbia Salmon, Steelhead Migration (Columbia Valley Pioneer, BC)

Injured Okanogan County Firefighter’s Case against Electric Cooperative before State Supreme Court (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

Washington State Senator Proposes Bill to Breach Locks, Remove Seattle City Light Dams (KOMO News, Seattle WA)

REC Silicon Announces Possible Hurdle Prior to Decision to Restart Moses Lake Plant (iFiberOne News, Ephrata, WA)

Jefferson County to Hear from Climate Change Groups – Health Board May Consider Declaring Emergency (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (See Stories Below)

1.        Injured Okanogan County Firefighter’s Case against Electric Cooperative before State Supreme Court
2.        Washington State Senator Proposes Bill to Breach Locks, Remove Seattle City Light Dams
3.        Brunell: Dams Are the Northwest Flood Busters
4.        Truck Snags Power Lines Monday, Brings Down Poles, Street Lights on Busy Seattle Street
5.        Two California Community Choice Aggregators Enter Power Purchase Agreements for Geothermal Energy
6.        Op/Ed: One Year after Oyster Creek Shutdown, 3.1 Million Tons of New Carbon Emissions
7.        Changing Tack, French Strikers Turn off Power to Press Govt
8.        Fraser River: ‘Extensive’ Work Planned at Big Bar Landslide Ahead of British Columbia Salmon, Steelhead Migration
9.        New York: It’s Fish vs. Dams - The Dams Are Winning
10.     ‘No Fish’: How Dams & Climate Change Are Choking Asia’s Great Lake
11.     Nearly 500,000 Sacramento-Area Residents Will Be Safer Because of This Folsom Dam Upgrade
12.     The Plan to Protect the Chesapeake Is Failing – It’s Pennsylvania’s Fault
13.     REC Silicon Announces Possible Hurdle Prior to Decision to Restart Moses Lake Plant
14.     China Extends Silicon Tariffs despite Trade Deal
15.     What an Oregon Supreme Court Ruling Could Mean for Contested Energy Projects
16.     Oops – Santa Clara’s Attempt to Ban Fuel Cell Technology Is Struck Down
17.     Questions Emerge as Wind Projects Roll Out Across SE Wyoming
18.     Proposed 2.2 GW Storage Project Plans to Use Navajo Coal Station Powerlines
19.     Seattle Launches Energy Efficiency as a Service Program, Encouraging Deep Energy Efficiency Building Retrofits
20.     Frontier Communications Seeks March Bankruptcy, Sources Say
21.     Electric Cars: An Asset to States’ Power Grids, or a Liability?
22.     Jefferson County to Hear from Climate Change Groups – Health Board May Consider Declaring Emergency
23.     Oregon Governor Says Cap-&-Trade Bill Is Her Top Priority
24.     Op/Ed: Sweden Knows – Phase Out Fossil Fuels & Economy Can Still Flourish
25.     Sweden’s Fuel Mix Looks Eerily Familiar – Heavy on Hydropower & Nuclear Power
26.     Ninth Circuit Tosses Youth Climate Change Suit against Feds
27.     Facebook Is Ordered to Hand Over Data About Thousands of Apps That May Have Violated User Privacy
28.     Washington State Legislature Sees Records Requests Spike since Court Ruling
29.     Lawsuits Stack Up Over Washington State’s Timber Plans
30.     As Smaller Washington Cities Grapple with Homelessness, Republicans Take Up the Issue in the State Legislature
31.     Shelton Man Flown to Harborview after Sunday Crash on US 101
32.     Documents Detail Harrowing Attempts to Save Chehalis Man at Thurston County Wind Project Site – Deputy Notes Lack of Shoring on Trench That Collapsed
33.     Puget Sound Housing Supply Dwindles as Prices Continue to Climb
34.     Study Names Washington the Third-Worst State in Which to Drive
35.     Egil Krogh: Seattle Lawyer, Leader of Nixon ‘Plumbers’ Dies at 80

WORD OF THE DAY

Soupçon • \SOOP-sawn \ • Noun - A little bit: trace

“Ahh that was a GREAT bowl of soup. Absolutely outstanding,” the florid-faced admiral barked as his split pea soup was whisked away by the white-gloved cabin boy. During succeeding technical discussions about an upcoming amphibious assault, the fresh-faced lieutenant heard nothing…fascinated as he was of the soupçon of green peas that remained at the corners of the Admiral’s mouth. “What’s your opinion of your duties tomorrow night Barkley,” the superior officer shouted. “Pease porridge!” was the wide-eyed underling’s involuntary response.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.      Injured Okanogan County Firefighter’s Case against Electric Cooperative before State Supreme Court (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

2.      Washington State Senator Proposes Bill to Breach Locks, Remove Seattle City Light Dams (KOMO News, Seattle WA)

3.      Brunell: Dams Are the Northwest Flood Busters (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

4.      Truck Snags Power Lines Monday, Brings Down Poles, Street Lights on Busy Seattle Street (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

5.      Two California Community Choice Aggregators Enter Power Purchase Agreements for Geothermal Energy (American Public Power Association)

6.      Op/Ed: One Year after Oyster Creek Shutdown, 3.1 Million Tons of New Carbon Emissions (WNET, Newark, NJ)

7.      Changing Tack, French Strikers Turn off Power to Press Govt (Associated Press)

FISH & WILDLIFE

8.      Fraser River: ‘Extensive’ Work Planned at Big Bar Landslide Ahead of British Columbia Salmon, Steelhead Migration (Columbia Valley Pioneer, BC)

9.      New York: It’s Fish vs. Dams - The Dams Are Winning (NY Times)

10.   ‘No Fish’: How Dams & Climate Change Are Choking Asia’s Great Lake (Los Angeles Times, CA)

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

11.   Nearly 500,000 Sacramento-Area Residents Will Be Safer Because of This Folsom Dam Upgrade (Sacramento Bee, CA)

12.   The Plan to Protect the Chesapeake Is Failing – It’s Pennsylvania’s Fault (Grist Online)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

13.   REC Silicon Announces Possible Hurdle Prior to Decision to Restart Moses Lake Plant (iFiberOne News, Ephrata, WA)

14.   China Extends Silicon Tariffs despite Trade Deal (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

15.   What an Oregon Supreme Court Ruling Could Mean for Contested Energy Projects (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

16.   Oops – Santa Clara’s Attempt to Ban Fuel Cell Technology Is Struck Down (Silicon Valley Business Journal, CA)

17.   Questions Emerge as Wind Projects Roll Out Across SE Wyoming (Wyoming Public Media)

18.   Proposed 2.2 GW Storage Project Plans to Use Navajo Coal Station Powerlines (Utility Dive)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

19.   Seattle Launches Energy Efficiency as a Service Program, Encouraging Deep Energy Efficiency Building Retrofits (JD Supra)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

20.   Frontier Communications Seeks March Bankruptcy, Sources Say (Everett Herald, WA)

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

21.   Electric Cars: An Asset to States’ Power Grids, or a Liability? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

22.   Jefferson County to Hear from Climate Change Groups – Health Board May Consider Declaring Emergency (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

23.   Oregon Governor Says Cap-&-Trade Bill Is Her Top Priority (Associated Press)

24.   Op/Ed: Sweden Knows – Phase Out Fossil Fuels & Economy Can Still Flourish (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

25.   Sweden’s Fuel Mix Looks Eerily Familiar – Heavy on Hydropower & Nuclear Power (Environmental Progress)

26.   Ninth Circuit Tosses Youth Climate Change Suit against Feds (Courthouse News Service)

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

27.   Facebook Is Ordered to Hand Over Data About Thousands of Apps That May Have Violated User Privacy (Washington Post)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

28.   Washington State Legislature Sees Records Requests Spike since Court Ruling (Associated Press)

29.   Lawsuits Stack Up Over Washington State’s Timber Plans (Skagit Valley Herald, Mt Vernon, WA)

30.   As Smaller Washington Cities Grapple with Homelessness, Republicans Take Up the Issue in the State Legislature (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

GENERAL NEWS

31.   Shelton Man Flown to Harborview after Sunday Crash on US 101 (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)


33.   Puget Sound Housing Supply Dwindles as Prices Continue to Climb (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

34.   Study Names Washington the Third-Worst State in Which to Drive (KHQ TV, Spokane, WA)

35.   Egil Krogh: Seattle Lawyer, Leader of Nixon ‘Plumbers’ Dies at 80 (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

CASH IN THE OTTOMAN – DIVERSIONS

Grandpa Forgot Something: $43,170 Found in Footstool

SUV on Grounds of Beijing’s Forbidden City Sparks Outrage

Mystery in the Rafters: Man Hiding for Weeks in Auburn Grocery Store Seen Stealing on Camera

Pet Sounds: Spotify Unleashes Podcast for Lonely UK Dogs

SONG OF THE DAY

The Beach Boys – God Only Knows (From the Album, “Pet Sounds”)

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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