Washington State’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(OLYMPIA, WA) – Washington State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 4.5 percent in November. That’s despite preliminary estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics that indicate the state added 9,800 jobs over the month.

The state Employment Security Department released the seasonally adjusted, preliminary job estimates as part of its November Monthly Employment Report.

The department also announced that October’s previously announced gain of 6,900 jobs was revised downward to 6,300 jobs. The statewide unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in November 2016.

California Water & Power Magazine to Debut in 2018 (Ruralite Services)

CMUA and Ruralite team up to start a leading-edge publication focused on two of California’s hottest sectors.

(Sacramento, CA) — The California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) has announced a partnership with Ruralite Services, Inc. (RSI) to launch a new statewide water and energy issues magazine.

The first-of-its-kind quarterly publication, California Water & Power will explore trends and topics around policy, technology, innovation, and management while showcasing how municipally owned utilities are confronting new challenges and embracing new opportunities to provide reliable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible service to Californians.

Each magazine issue will feature stories on water and energy, Q&A interviews with key industry players, a section for news from California publicly owned utilities and private industry, a recurring feature on technology and research, case studies about successful projects and more.

“California Water & Power will be the go-to source for news, information and thought leadership about what’s happening in our rapidly evolving industry, at the state Capitol in Sacramento and statewide,” said CMUA Executive Director Barry Moline. “Water and power issues have never been more visible or more discussed in California, so it‘s the perfect time to introduce a new magazine giving CMUA and our 55 member utilities and agencies a voice in the conversation.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with CMUA on this unique and visionary initiative,” said RSI CEO Michael Shepard. “We expect California Water & Power to quickly become a must-read on energy and water issues not just in California, but across the U.S.”

California Water & Power will be distributed in print and digital versions to CMUA members, state regulators, policymakers and legislators, and other key influencers and stakeholders in the water and power industries. The first issue of the magazine is scheduled for publication in the spring of 2018.

CMUA and RSI are natural teammates for the new magazine. Both organizations have worked for decades to advance the interests of community-owned utilities. CMUA’s member agencies provide water service to 27 million people and power service to another 9 million. Revenues for these utilities is estimated to be $10 billion per year.

RSI, a not-for-profit communications cooperative based in Hillsboro, Oregon,  provides customizable magazines in partnership with consumer-owned utilities, as well as website hosting and other services to utilities in California, the West  and nationwide. Its Efficiency Services Group subsidiary, which focuses on providing energy efficiency services, has a long history of partnership with many CMUA member utilities.

CMUA will produce the editorial content in California Water & Power, RSI will assist with content and direct the magazine’s design, production, distribution and business functions.

For editorial inquiries, please contact CMUA Communications Manager Matt Williams at mwilliams@cmua.org. For questions about magazine circulation, email contact@cmua.org. For questions about advertising in California Water & Power, please contact Michael Shepard at CW&P@ruralite.org .

Members of Congress Press President Trump for 'Strong' Solar Remedy (Politico, Morning Energy)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – About a dozen members of Congress are calling on President Donald Trump to take "strong and effective" action to protect the U.S. solar industry against foreign competition that they said could undermine U.S. energy independence. "In order to ensure electrical grid security, the U.S. cannot afford to become dependent on imports from China and other countries for cutting-edge [crystalline photovoltaic] solar cell and module technology," Sens. Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Sherrod Brown said in a letter to Trump. Eight House lawmakers sent a nearly identical letter making the same argument.

Trump faces a decision by the end of January on whether to restrict imports of solar cells and modules from around the world to give the U.S. industry time to become more competitive. The U.S. International Trade Commission has already recommended relief in an "emergency safeguard" case brought by Georgia-based Suniva and Oregon-based SolarWorld, but it is up to Trump to decide what, if any, action to take. "We urge you to impose a strong and effective remedy that will ensure a growing and competitive U.S. CSPV solar cell and module manufacturing industry and promote robust growth across our entire domestic solar industry," the lawmakers wrote.

Probe Sought in EPA's 'Media Monitoring' Contract (Politico Morning Energy)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – American Oversight and the Environmental Working Group have asked EPA's inspector general to investigate the agency's $120,000 no-bid contract with a firm tied to Pruitt to track news coverage of its activities. "The EPA's decision to award a no-bid contract to a highly political organization with close ties to the current EPA Administrator, particularly combined with the fact that a related organization has been using the Freedom of Information Act to investigate the agency's employees, raises numerous questions about how the EPA is allocating its funds and whether it is complying with all government contracting, legal, and ethical requirement," they wrote. An employee of the group, Definers Public Affairs, has also filed dozens of public records requests for information on employees who have been critical of the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, Public Citizen asked GAO to find the contract was awarded improperly and recommend it be rescinded.

Won't back down: One of EPA's top unions, the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704, vowed not to be scared off by the tactics in a statement. "None of us got into this work to be voices of dissent," Nicole Cantello, an official with the union, said. "But in the face of grave injustice and the dangerous actions of the Trump administration, we have a moral obligation to speak out and do everything within the bounds of the law that we can to fight back."

Winlock Time Capsule Prompts Bomb Scare (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(WINLOCK, WA) – A community Christmas event in Winlock is being rescheduled for Thursday night as a result of a bomb scare Saturday.

The Chronicle reports local police and fire crews, a bomb squad and federal agents descended upon Winlock about 3:45 PM after the discovery of an item in the big Winlock egg that looked like a pipe bomb. It turned out to be a time capsule.

Local police contacted the Washington State Patrol’s Explosives Unit. They contacted the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which also responded. When they opened the pipe, instead of shrapnel and explosives, they found pictures and other objects.

The Christmas tree lighting event is rescheduled for this Thursday at 6 PM.

Lawmakers to Challenge State Decision for Marbled Murrelet Habitat (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(OLYMPIA, WA) – A recent decision by the Department of Natural Resources Board to lock up more than 620-thousand acres of public lands to protect an endangered coastal seabird could be challenged by state lawmakers.

Representative Jim Walsh of Aberdeen says Option D chosen by the DNR Board to protect the marbled murrelet could cripple local economies along Washington’s coast. Walsh and 11 bipartisan state lawmakers asked the Board to choose Option B, which would have provided 590 thousand acres of conservation habitat on public lands.

Walsh says the option chosen by DNR effectively locks up significantly more acreage from timber harvest.

Kim Thompson Named Vice President of Bonneville Power Administration’s Energy Efficiency Program (Bonneville Power Administration)

(PORTLAND, OR) -- The Bonneville Power Administration has selected Kim Thompson to permanently fill the role as Energy Efficiency vice president. Thompson has been acting in this position since June of 2017.

In making the announcement, BPA Administrator Elliot Mainzer expressed excitement about permanently adding Thompson to his executive team. “Kim has the background and leadership experience to take Energy Efficiency in directions that continue to optimize the program’s success,” said Mainzer. “I am proud of everything the Energy Efficiency program has accomplished, and under Thompson, I am confident BPA and its customers will continue to advance employing innovative energy solutions that save power and enrich lives in the Pacific Northwest.”

Thompson joined BPA in 2009 to lead Energy Efficiency’s marketing and customer engagement function. Three years later, she was promoted to director of BPA’s Energy Efficiency Services, overseeing energy efficiency-specific program, marketing, and engineering departments. Since 2015, Thompson has worked in a series of rotational details serving as acting vice president of Requirements Marketing in BPA’s Power division, acting director of Corporate Strategy and most recently, acting vice president of Energy Efficiency.

“With rapid technological advancements, these are exciting and challenging times for the utility industry as we watch it quickly change around us,” said Senior Vice President of Power Services, Joel Cook.  “Kim Thompson’s leadership skills and creativity will be extremely important as BPA works to meet regional energy demands with even greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness.”

Now into its fourth decade, BPA’s Energy Efficiency program is considered world class. With the help of BPA customers, partners and other stakeholders, the EE program continues to outperform its annual goals year after year - more efficiently using clean federal power in our region while saving consumers money.

In her new role, Thompson will manage a diverse portfolio of commercial, industrial, residential, agricultural and federal energy efficiency activities, mostly accomplished through partnerships with BPA customer utilities. She will supervise four branch managers who oversee energy efficiency planning and evaluation, program implementation, contract administration and demand response / distributed energy resources.

Prior to joining BPA, Thompson worked in the technology sector, as a marketing manager and customer relationship manager for Hewlett Packard and as a business analyst for Microsoft.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from the University of California, Davis, a high-school teaching credential from Humboldt State University, and an MBA from Portland State University.  

Hydropowering Through (Politico)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The U.S. House of Representatives voted 257 to 166 on Wednesday to approve the Hydropower Policy Modernization Act H.R. 3043 (115) revamping the permitting process for hydropower projects.

"This bill won't change outcomes or environmental standards. Instead, it will speed up the relicensing process and save time and money," bill sponsor Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said in a statement.

Twenty-six Democrats backed the measure, while three Republicans voted against it.

We “Fall Back” on Sunday as Daylight Saving Time Ends (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(CENTRALIA, WA) -- We “fall back” Sunday morning as Daylight Saving Time ends and we return to Standard Time. Local fire department officials remind you to change the batteries in your home smoke detectors when you reset your clocks for the time change. Chief Rick Mack with Riverside Fire Authority says having a functioning smoke detector doubles your chance of surviving a home fire. He says should also replace your smoke detectors if they are ten years old or older.  Mack also says in addition to having working smoke detectors, you should have an escape plan for getting out of your residence in the event of a fire.

Puerto Rico Power Project – Whitefish Contract Canned (Politico)

(SAN JUAN, PR) – Hours after Gov. Ricardo Rossello called for its immediate termination, Puerto Rico's utility axed a $300 million grid repair contract awarded to two-year-old Montana-based Whitefish Energy. "It's an enormous distraction," Ricardo Ramos, CEO of Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, said at a Sunday press conference, according to the Associated Press . "This was negatively impacting the work we're already doing." Ramos said the contract's cancellation will result in delays of 10 to 12 weeks, though the company will complete work it's already started.

In a statement, Whitefish said it was "very disappointed" by the decision and claimed it would "delay what the people of Puerto Rico want and deserve - to have the power restored quickly in the same manner their fellow citizens on the mainland experience after a natural disaster." During an interview with NBC News on Saturday, Whitefish CEO Andy Techmanski welcomed an audit into the contract and said his company had "nothing to hide."

Doubt this is the end of the story: Multiple congressional committees, government watchdogs and others are still going to want to answers to why the island's bankrupt utility awarded the massive contract in the first place to the tiny company from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown. Just Friday, the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs panel asked DHS to review the contract to determine whether FEMA could be responsible for reimbursing the island's power company for Whitefish's work.

Hearings starting this week: Expect the Whitefish scandal to dominate two congressional hearings on the government's response to a string of recent hurricanes this week. Homeland Security ranking member Claire McCaskill said the contract "raises every red flag in the book" and told federal officials they had "better be ready to answer tough questions" during a Tuesday hearing. A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee holds its own session Thursday on response efforts.

Centralia City Light to Speed Up Replacement of Pole “Cut-Outs” after Power Outage (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(CENTRALIA, WA) – In the wake of the power outage in Centralia on Oct. 21 that left about 1600 Centralia City Light customers in the dark for up to 24 hours, City Light is going to speed up the replacement of the type of device that failed, causing the initial outage.

City Light Manager M.L. Norton says it was caused by the failure of a device called a “cut-out” which is a fuse designed to protect transformers or other items on power poles.

Norton says that the cut-outs on about 75 percent of the poles in the system are an older porcelain type. He says they are going to replace the porcelain cut-outs in the system, starting with the M-4 circuit, which is the most heavily used.

Lewis County Commissioners Approve Agreement for Wind Energy Project (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(CENTRALIA, WA) -- Lewis County Commissioners Monday approved a memorandum of understanding with Thurston County for the proposed Skookumchuck Wind Energy Project.

The proposed site straddles the Lewis-Thurston County line. The wind turbines would be located on Weyerhaeuser timberlands.

Lewis County Community Development Director Lee Napier says the agreement designates Thurston County as the lead agency under SEPA.

The current proposal is for 51 wind turbines with a total capacity of up to 176 megawatts. Most of the turbines will be located in Lewis County.

Equipment Issues Blamed for Centralia Power Outage (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(CENTRALIA, WA) – Equipment failure is being blamed for the power outage that left about 1,600 Centralia City Light customers in the dark on Saturday, some for 24 hours.

City Light Manager M.L. Norton says the initial outage was caused by the failure of a device called a “cut-out” on a power pole on the north end of downtown Saturday morning. It caused a fire on the top of that power pole.

He says there also appears to have been an issue with a breaker at the May Street substation sensing a fault and not closing when they tried to restore power.

Norton says they will be downloading the memory from the relay at the substation to see if was working properly.

Wednesday Storm Leaves Thousands in Western Washington State without Electricity (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(CENTRALIA, WA) -- Officials say over 54,000 customers were without power as a wind and rain storm blew through Western Washington.

The National Weather Service in Seattle on Wednesday issued high wind warnings on the coast and north of Seattle from Everett to Bellingham while wind advisories were issued from Seattle to south of Centralia.

The weather service says a wind gust up to 44 mph was recorded at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Wednesday evening.

Lewis County PUD reports they had several small power outages Wednesday evening affecting a total of fewer than 400 customers.

Wednesday Weather Outlook: Windy and Wet

October 17, 2017

Apparently, the swinging gate let the first of our three storms past Mason County with minimal impact. Saw wind gusts in the mid 20 MPH range for Shelton and Belfair.

The National Weather Service had a briefing today about the second of the three storms forecast to arrive in western Washington State. Nasty weather will pick up Wednesday morning. This storm will be the most active so far this week. Check out the “Atmospheric River” backed up all the way to China.

As with yesterday’s report, the key topics remain:

• Blustery Conditions
• Heavy Rain
• Leaves Still on Many Deciduous Trees

Winds are expected to start picking up about 8 AM tomorrow. Mason County wind speeds are forecast at 25 – 30 MPH, with occasionally higher gusts.

Rainfall will hit, hard, tomorrow afternoon through early evening.

Here are the particulars, not much different from yesterday’s report:

• Wednesday through Thursday will have heavy rain and stronger wind.
• This week’s total rainfall could reach between 4 and 5 inches in Mason County, over 10 inches in the Olympic Mountains.
• Many deciduous trees have not lost their leaves. That creates a “sail effect,” which will most likely result in broken limbs, and possibly downed trees.
• Rising rivers. The Skokomish River may reach flood stage this week.
• With all the rain, we could see some “urban flooding.” Leaves clogging storm drain gratings could aggravate this.

The University of Washington weather model shows the winds building at around 8:00 AM Wednesday. If the model is correct, the blustery conditions will stick around until at least 6 PM – 8 PM.

There isn’t enough information about the expected weekend storm for a firm forecast. More data should be coming within the next day or so.

H.R. 3144 “Just Makes Sense” for Northwest Ratepayers and Salmon (Northwest River Partners)

Public Power Leader Testifies in Support of Bipartisan Proposal to Let Hydrosystem Review Run Its Course

(WASHINGTON, DC) -- Today, Beth Looney, President and CEO of Portland-based PNGC Power, testified in support of H.R. 3144 before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources/Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans.

Looney told subcommittee members that the bill is a “carefully balanced way” to protect Northwest salmon while managing the economic impacts. Looney also serves on the Board of Directors for Northwest RiverPartners, an alliance of farmers, utilities, ports, and businesses.

Thirteen Columbia Basin salmon and steelhead species are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Driven by these listings, Bonneville Power Administration utility ratepayers—not U.S. taxpayers—fund the largest mitigation program for endangered species in the nation.

Looney told committee members that as BPA’s fourth-largest power customer, PNGC is concerned about BPA’s rate trajectory and its impact on PNGC’s 200,000 member homes, farms and businesses. BPA power rates have increased 30 percent in the last few years, which has been particularly difficult to absorb for customers in rural and underserved areas, Looney said. Fish and wildlife costs make up about a third of BPA’s total cost of power.

As Looney noted in her written testimony, BPA’s recent rate increases have been tied partly to an uncertainty that is driven by ESA-related litigation. H.R. 3144 “effectively puts a time-out on this litigation” until a court-ordered review of federal hydrosystem operations is complete, she told the subcommittee on Thursday.

“In the meantime, it keeps in place current biological measures—vetted by the top federal scientists—that protect salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers. When this work is complete, federal agencies will be positioned to adopt a new salmon plan based on the public, transparent NEPA process and the science it yields. This just makes sense.”

Man Killed In Officer-Involved Shooting at Lucky Eagle Casino (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(ROCHESTER, WA) -- A Thurston County Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a man in the parking lot of the Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester about 8 PM Tuesday night.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, a family member called 911 earlier in the evening for a welfare check on a 55-year old Lakewood man in the area of the casino.

A deputy found the man inside a car in the casino parking lot. The man exited the vehicle armed with a pistol and approached the deputy while refusing to drop the weapon. The deputy fired several shots at the man, seriously wounding him.

The Sheriff’s Office says the man was flown by helicopter to St. Peter Hospital in Olympia where he was pronounced deceased. The deputy wasn’t injured. The incident is being investigated.

Jefferson PUD Hires Financial Services Manager (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

(PORT TOWNSEND, WA) -- Mike Bailey has joined the Jefferson County Public Utility District as its financial services manager.

The new position was created to focus on work-order and plant accounting needs at the PUD, according to a press release.

Bailey is also to assist with budget preparation and financial analysis and perform other accounting functions.

“I look forward to working for this growing new electric utility and continuing the work they have done to establish sound accounting practices,” said Bailey in a press release.

Prior to being hired by the PUD, Bailey was a staff accountant at Consumers Power, a privately owned nonprofit electric cooperative based in Philomath, Oregon. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration.

Maria Hits Puerto Rico Energy Infrastructure Hard (Politico)

Nearly 3.5 million Americans are without electricity in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria's direct hit, but the impacts to its bankrupt power provider could be felt for months after what its governor called an "unprecedented atmospheric system." The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority declared bankruptcy on July 2 after being bogged down by old power plants that need of billions in repairs and the island's heavy reliance on imported oil. Ahead of Hurricane Irma earlier this month, Moody's Investors Service warned that "long-term power outages will have negative impacts on PREPA's revenues and will pose added challenges in Puerto Rico's overall recovery from this natural disaster." And consumers on the island already pay "more for their power than consumers in any state except Hawaii," according to the Energy Information Administration. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz summed up the devastation to MSNBC: "We're looking at four to six months without electricity" in Puerto Rico.

President Donald Trump's administration said in a statement it "continues to direct all necessary Federal resources to protect the people of the United States territories affected by Hurricane Maria" and Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello said he'd requested a disaster declaration that could help speed the deployment of federal assistance. Dangerous winds and flood surges are possible over the coming days, according to federal officials. Another thing to watch is the status of the island's 18 Superfund sites. EPA said it had "temporarily paused all response operations" until the storm passed but pledged to "ramp up response activities quickly" once it is safe to do so. In a statement late Wednesday, House Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop said: "Both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are in dire need of our assistance and we will do everything in our power to ensure that all necessary resources are made available."

Nelson, Rubio request help: Florida Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson, still dealing with the impacts of Hurricane Irma on their own state, asked Trump in a letter, to closely monitor the needs of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. And they separately wrote to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt urging the agency to expedite federal assistance to local entities to reduce sewage and wastewater exposure risks stemming from Irma. They also asked Pruitt for help to improve existing water systems so they're less vulnerable to damage in future hurricanes.

Looking ahead: Expect the recovery needs from Maria to factor into the next disaster relief package likely to take shape in Congress in the weeks ahead. Senior House members, including Speaker Paul Ryan and Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, toured areas in Florida hardest hit by Hurricane Irma on Wednesday.

Washington PUD Association Welcomes New Policy Director (WPUDA, Olympia, WA)

Nicolas Garcia

(OLYMPIA, WA) -- Nicolas Garcia will join the WPUDA staff on October 2, 2017.

"Nicolas has an extensive policy and utility industry background and will be a valuable asset to our organization," said George Caan, WPUDA Executive Director. "We are excited to have his depth of knowledge and experience to further the interests of our members." 

"I am excited to come to WPUDA and build upon the resource planning and policy making experience I have had at Tacoma Power," said Garcia. "WPUDA has an outsized presence in legislative and regulatory policy development for the energy, water and telecommunications industries. I hope that my skills and experience, in combination with the WPUDA team and member utilities, can further and build upon this presence to benefit the people served by Washington Public Utility Districts."

Nicolas comes to WPUDA from Tacoma Power where he served as the Assistant Power Section Manager in charge of the Energy Resource Planning and Evaluation unit. In this capacity, Nicolas was responsible for long-term resource planning, conservation planning and evaluation, compliance with the Energy Independence Act, long-term energy price forecasting, and administering the BPA power supply and transmission contracts. Nicolas worked closely with Tacoma Power's legislative liaison to assess the implications of legislative bills on the utility and was active in a number of regional forums such as the Public Generating Pool.

Prior to Tacoma Power, Nicolas worked at the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), the Washington State Energy Office, the Washington Department of Ecology, the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Nicolas received a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington and a Master's Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University.

Washington State Native Joins Pend Oreille PUD as Communications and Public Contracts Manager (Pend Oreille PUD, Newport, WA)

Kenna Tornow

(NEWPORT, WA) -- Pend Oreille County Public Utility District has hired Kenna Tornow as Communications and Public Contracts Manager.

Tornow comes to the PUD from Gallatin Public Affairs where she consulted with clients on media relations, crisis communications, and government affairs. She will leverage her experience with Gallatin to help build and grow the PUD’s existing brand, connect with the public, deliver information and oversee all contracts for the PUD.

“A major component of providing quality service is open communication,” said Colin Willenbrock, PUD General Manager. “Kenna will help the PUD continue that open dialogue so the Commissioners and our team can make informed decisions about what our customers need out of their utility.”

The Eastern Washington University Journalism grad was also a writer for the student newspaper and interned at KHQ-TV. With her established journalistic background she will be able to craft informational releases about the PUD for the public.

“This small rural PUD is doing a lot of great things and making thoughtful decisions for the future,” said Tornow. “It is my goal to listen carefully and get the information out there in a way that our customers and communities know about the important work going on around them. I simply want people to know what we do.”

Tornow grew up in Chehalis, where she inherited her family’s knowledge of agriculture and business. She is a proud EWU Football fan and a huge supporter of the Seahawks and Mariners.

Bonneville Power Administration Coordinating with U-S Forest Service on Eagle Creek Fire (Bonneville Power Administration)

No BPA utility customers are without power from this fire

Portland, Ore. – The Bonneville Power Administration is actively working to ensure we keep the power flowing throughout the Pacific Northwest while working with emergency responders and communities affected by the Eagle Creek Fire located 60 miles east of Portland, Ore.

BPA is coordinating its transmission actions with the Forest Service Fire Management Team 6 in order to safely take lines and facilities out of service (de-energize and re-energize) in order to provide fire crews with safe access to fight the wildfire while maintaining the reliability of the BPA transmission system.

Currently, we have only one line out of service – North Bonneville-Hood River 115-kilovolt line from Acton Substation to Cascade Locks. All other lines are in service. BPA has a robust, high voltage transmission system with the ability to route power along multiple paths for much of its service territory throughout the Pacific Northwest. No BPA customers are experiencing outages from BPA service at this time.

With the fire expanding to the Washington side of the Columbia River, we are closely monitoring transmission corridors in the vicinity of the fires. A useful resource for tracking the fire relative to BPA’s transmission system can be found at:

http://bpagis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=a1dde3b6edee4abea69f3a2bc7c5cca9

Previously, we de-energized Acton Substation at 8:50 p.m. on Monday at the request and in coordination with the City of Cascade Locks. Working with Cascade Locks, we re-energized the substation at 10:04 p.m. It remains in service at this time.

Additionally, BPA’s Knight-Ostrander 500-kilovolt line automatically went out of service due to heavy smoke on the northern portion of the line at 9:21 p.m. Monday. The line was left out of service until the fire safely burned through underneath. The line was re-energized at 7:12 a.m. this morning.

Energy News Digest for September 5, 2017

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SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for September 5, 2017

Heat Advisory for Mason County & Western Washington State

Air Quality Alert for Mason County & Western Washington State

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Eagle Creek Fire Grows, Spreads to Washington State – Officials Say Fire a ‘High Priority’ in the Nation (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/index.ssf/2017/09/eagle_creek_fire_grows_overnig.html

Richland Nuclear Plant Running Again after 13 Days Offline (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article171110032.html

Northwest Power & Conservation Council Report Shows BPA’s 2016 Fish/Wildlife Costs Account for One-Third of Wholesale Power Rate (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/439471.aspx

Oregon Regulators May Deflate PacifiCorp’s $3.5 Billion Renewables Plan (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/08/31/pacificorps-wyoming-wind-plan-runs-into-opposition.html

Avista Asks Washington State Regulators for Rate Adjustments (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/sep/01/avista-asks-state-regulators-rate-adjustments/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Richland Nuclear Plant Running Again after 13 Days Offline
• Avista Asks Washington State Regulators for Rate Adjustments
• Idaho: Public Speaks Up as Avista Considers Raising Rates
• Roselyn Marcus Named Interim Chair of Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council
• Op/Ed: A Diverse Mix of Energy Resources Key to Low Cost, Reliable Power
• Privatizing the Pacific Northwest’s Electricity Transmission System
• Peace River Dam Hearings to Be Held Around British Columbia, Including Victoria
• U-S House Energy Chairman Greg Walden Eyes New Direction for Energy Department
• Op/Ed: U-S Department of Energy Grid Study Helps Set the Table at FERC
• Documents: Utilities Were Warned Before South Carolina Nuke Plant Flop
• The U-S Backs Off Nuclear Power – Georgia Wants to Keep Building Reactors
• Colorado Public Utilities Commission Nears Decision on Xcel, Boulder Muni Debate
• Nation’s Largest Grid Operator Suffers 4,000 Attempted Cyberattacks a Month, Former Chief Says
• Michigan: Jump the Line to Get Power Back? Some Utility Customers Demanded Favoritism, Report Finds
• Third Party Billing Services: Convenience with a Cost?
• Northwest Power & Conservation Council Report Shows BPA’s 2016 Fish/Wildlife Costs Account for One-Third of Wholesale Power Rate
• Douglas PUD Cancels Wells & Methow Hatchery Contracts with Washington State over Misconduct Accusations
• Oregon: Catherine Creek’s Facelift Goes Swimmingly - Young Salmon Numbers Increase
• British Columbia: First Nations, Environmentalists Occupy Salmon Farm
• Vermont: After Generations, Salmon Back in Lake Champlain Tributaries
• Pend Oreille County Dam Removal Begins
• Oregon Regulators May Deflate PacifiCorp’s $3.5 Billion Renewables Plan
• Vestas Joins with Tesla to Combine Wind Turbines with Batteries
• Wind Power Developer Takes Golden Valley Electric Association to Court in Four-Year Quest to Sell More Renewable Energy
• Oregon Hazelnut Company Celebrates Shift to Solar Power
• Can This Giant Turbine Turn the Tide for Ocean Energy?
• Denver Will Vote on ‘Green Roof’ Rule for Buildings
• AT&T to Expand 5G U-S Broadband Trials
• Montana Governor Highlights Broadband Gains in Schools
• Apple’s Call for ‘Strong’ Net Neutrality Rules Is a Hint about the Future of Its Business
• Comcast Sues Vermont after Being Forced to Expand Broadband
• Ignoring These Website Fundamentals Is Sinking Your Social Media Efforts
• The Vine Resurrection- Six-Second Commercials Are Coming to N.F.L. Games on Fox
• Press Releases: Ten Common Mistakes
• Tips for Aspiring Op-Ed Writers
• Federal DACA Is Being Rescinded with ‘Wind Down’ Period, Jeff Sessions Announces
• Congress Returns to a Busy Twelve-Day Schedule. What’s on the Agenda?
• The Surprising Ways Your Side Hobby Can Wind Up Helping Your Career
• Eagle Creek Fire Grows, Spreads to Washington State – Officials Say Fire a ‘High Priority’ in the Nation
• Hikers Say the Columbia River Gorge is Burning Because Teenage Boys Were Tossing Firecrackers Off a Cliff
• Ash is Falling in Seattle
• Two Arrested After Pioneer School Burglary
• YMCA of Sequim Reports Explosive Membership in First Months
• Colville Tribe Proceeds with Hemp Crop Project
• Bellevue Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty in Sales Tax Theft

WORD OF THE DAY

Propagate • \PROP-puh-gate\ • verb – 1: to reproduce or cause to reproduce biologically: multiply 2: to cause to spread: extend *3: to foster growing knowledge of, familiarity with, or acceptance of (as an idea or belief): publicize

Humming absently to himself, Seymour paid no attention to the little tag on his new plant that warned him that under no circumstances was he was to propagate the little fella. It wasn’t until he had coated the last of thirty cuttings with rooting hormone that his blood froze upon hearing the voice of the Four Tops’ Levi Stubbs crooning, “feed me Seymour.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Richland Nuclear Plant Running Again after 13 Days Offline (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article171110032.html

Avista Asks Washington State Regulators for Rate Adjustments (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/sep/01/avista-asks-state-regulators-rate-adjustments/

Idaho: Public Speaks Up as Avista Considers Raising Rates (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/aug/31/public-speaks-up-as-avista-considers-raising-rates/

Roselyn Marcus Named Interim Chair of Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (Washington State Wire)

https://washingtonstatewire.com/inslee-names-roselyn-marcus-interim-chair-energy-facility-site-evaluation-council/

Op/Ed: A Diverse Mix of Energy Resources Key to Low Cost, Reliable Power (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/sponsored/a-diverse-mix-of-energy-resources-key-to-low-cost-reliable-power/

Privatizing the Pacific Northwest’s Electricity Transmission System (Power Technology)

http://www.power-technology.com/features/featureprivatising-the-northwests-transmission-system-5915452/

Peace River Dam Hearings to Be Held Around British Columbia, Including Victoria (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/site-c-hearings-to-be-held-around-b-c-including-victoria-1.22428293

U-S House Energy Chairman Greg Walden Eyes New Direction for Energy Department (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/house-energy-chairman-greg-walden-eyes-new-direction-for-energy-department/article/2633391

Op/Ed: U-S Department of Energy Grid Study Helps Set the Table at FERC (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-grid-study-helps-set-the-table-at-ferc/504012/

Documents: Utilities Were Warned Before South Carolina Nuke Plant Flop (Associated Press0

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/south-carolina/articles/2017-09-04/apnewsbreak-utilities-warned-1-year-before-nuke-plant-flop

The U-S Backs Off Nuclear Power – Georgia Wants to Keep Building Reactors (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/31/business/georgia-vogtle-nuclear-reactors.html

Colorado Public Utilities Commission Nears Decision on Xcel, Boulder Muni Debate (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/colorado-puc-nears-decision-on-xcel-boulder-muni-debate/504066/

Nation’s Largest Grid Operator Suffers 4,000 Attempted Cyberattacks a Month, Former Chief Says (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/nations-largest-grid-operator-suffers-4000-attempted-cyberattacks-per-month-former-chief-says/article/2632256

Michigan: Jump the Line to Get Power Back? Some Utility Customers Demanded Favoritism, Report Finds (Detroit Free Press, MI)

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/09/03/power-outage-michigan-report/627358001/

Third Party Billing Services: Convenience with a Cost? (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=48739

FISH & WILDLIFE

Northwest Power & Conservation Council Report Shows BPA’s 2016 Fish/Wildlife Costs Account for One-Third of Wholesale Power Rate (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/439471.aspx

Douglas PUD Cancels Wells & Methow Hatchery Contracts with Washington State over Misconduct Accusations (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/douglas-pud-cancels-wells-methow-hatchery-contracts-wdfw/

Oregon: Catherine Creek’s Facelift Goes Swimmingly - Young Salmon Numbers Increase (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Catherine-Creeks-facelift-goes-swimmingly-young-salmon-numbers-increase.aspx

British Columbia: First Nations, Environmentalists Occupy Salmon Farm (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/first-nations-environmentalists-occupy-b-c-salmon-farm-1.4268234

Vermont: After Generations, Salmon Back in Lake Champlain Tributaries (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/After-generations-salmon-back-in-Lake-Champlain-12170355.php

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

Pend Oreille County Dam Removal Begins (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/sep/05/pend-oreille-county-dam-removal-begins/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Oregon Regulators May Deflate PacifiCorp’s $3.5 Billion Renewables Plan (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/08/31/pacificorps-wyoming-wind-plan-runs-into-opposition.html

Vestas Joins with Tesla to Combine Wind Turbines with Batteries (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/09/vestas-joins-with-tesla-to-combine-wind-turbines-with-batteries.html

Wind Power Developer Takes Golden Valley Electric Association to Court in Four-Year Quest to Sell More Renewable Energy (KUAC-Radio, Fairbanks, AK)

http://fm.kuac.org/post/wind-power-developer-takes-gvea-court-4-year-quest-sell-more-renewable-energy

Oregon Hazelnut Company Celebrates Shift to Solar Power (KGW TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/money/business/oregon-hazelnut-company-celebrates-shift-to-solar-power/470315458

Can This Giant Turbine Turn the Tide for Ocean Energy? (Philadelphia Inquirer, PA)

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/energy/can-this-giant-turbine-turn-the-tide-for-ocean-energy-20170901.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Denver Will Vote on ‘Green Roof’ Rule for Buildings (Denver Business Journal, CO)

https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2017/09/05/denver-will-vote-on-green-roof-rule-for-buildings.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AT&T to Expand 5G U-S Broadband Trials (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-at-t-5g/att-to-expand-5g-u-s-broadband-trials-idUSKCN1BA1C4

Montana Governor Highlights Broadband Gains in Schools (Edscoop)

http://edscoop.com/montana-governor-highlights-broadband-gains-in-schools

Apple’s Call for ‘Strong’ Net Neutrality Rules Is a Hint about the Future of Its Business (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/08/31/why-it-matters-that-apple-is-speaking-up-on-net-neutrality/?utm_term=.fe5791af70fa

Comcast Sues Vermont after Being Forced to Expand Broadband (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Sues-Vermont-After-Being-Forced-to-Expand-Broadband-140244

MARKETING & MEDIA

Ignoring These Website Fundamentals Is Sinking Your Social Media Efforts (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/digital/john-stevens-hosting-facts-guest-post-website-fundamentals/

The Vine Resurrection- Six-Second Commercials Are Coming to N.F.L. Games on Fox (NY Times)

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/business/media/nfl-six-second-commercials.html

Press Releases: Ten Common Mistakes (The Guardian, UK – The first, calling it a “press” release)

https://www.theguardian.com/culture-network/culture-professionals-blog/2012/feb/16/common-mistakes-writing-press-releases

Tips for Aspiring Op-Ed Writers (NY Times)

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/opinion/tips-for-aspiring-op-ed-writers.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Federal DACA Is Being Rescinded with ‘Wind Down’ Period, Jeff Sessions Announces (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article171292557.html

Congress Returns to a Busy Twelve-Day Schedule. What’s on the Agenda? (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/05/us/politics/congress-fall-agenda-hurricane-aid-debt-ceiling.html

The Surprising Ways Your Side Hobby Can Wind Up Helping Your Career (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/40460140/why-your-side-hobby-can-make-you-better-at-work

GENERAL NEWS

Eagle Creek Fire Grows, Spreads to Washington State – Officials Say Fire a ‘High Priority’ in the Nation (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/index.ssf/2017/09/eagle_creek_fire_grows_overnig.html

Hikers Say the Columbia River Gorge is Burning Because Teenage Boys Were Tossing Firecrackers Off a Cliff (Willamette Week, OR)

http://www.wweek.com/news/2017/09/04/hikers-say-the-columbia-river-gorge-is-burning-because-teenagers-were-tossing-firecrackers-off-a-cliff/

Ash is Falling in Seattle (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2017/09/ash-is-falling-in-seattle.html

Two Arrested After Pioneer School Burglary (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/27178

YMCA of Sequim Reports Explosive Membership in First Months (Peninsula Daily New, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/ymca-of-sequim-reports-explosive-membership-in-first-months/

Colville Tribe Proceeds with Hemp Crop Project (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/colville-tribe-proceeds-hemp-crop-project

Bellevue Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty in Sales Tax Theft (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/sep/01/restaurant-owner-pleads-guilty-in-sales-tax-theft/

PANTONE LOBSTER EDITION – DIVERSIONS

Ghostly, Translucent Lobster Hauled from Ocean Off Maine

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/ghostly-translucent-lobster-hauled-from-ocean-off-maine/article_1d167584-36dc-5656-9da4-394f8fc253bc.html

Library: Fines Can’t Be Paid with Chuck E. Cheese Tokens

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/library-fines-can-t-be-paid-with-chuck-e-cheese/article_d2833602-53c3-50ba-ae80-5d468f8d278a.html

The Lost Origins of Playing-Card Symbols

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/08/the-lost-origins-of-playing-card-symbols/537786/

Girl Casually Finds ‘Excalibur’ at the Bottom of the Same Lake It Was Hurled

https://www.yahoo.com/news/girl-casually-finds-apos-excalibur-105839339.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Richard Burton – Camelot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h7E5rtnFH4

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