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

Occasionally clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

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

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

GET SOCIAL WITH THE NEWS DIGEST

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.