Senator Murkowski: FERC Nominee Should Go Litmus Test-Free (Politicos’ Morning Energy)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Senate Energy Chairman Lisa Murkowski wouldn't comment on POLITICO's report that DOE's Bernard McNamee will be nominated to FERC.

The Alaska Republican said she believes that the next nominee shouldn't face a litmus test over their view of the Trump administration's efforts to prop up coal and nuclear power plants, "I worry that this is going to be viewed as, 'If you don't commit to voting against or voting for, then you're not going to have my support,'" Murkowski said. "That's not the way that we should be selecting commissioners for the FERC."

Money Flows for Washington State Carbon Fee Ballot Measure (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(CENTRALIA, WA) -- More than $4.5 million already has been raised by supporters and opponents of a proposed carbon fee that the Washington Secretary of State’s office has certified for the November ballot.

The Seattle Times reports State Public Disclosure Commission records show proponents have brought in more than $2.7 million as of Monday, while opponents have raised $1.7 million.

The initiative by the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy would create an escalating state carbon “fee” on most fossil-fuels emission, and invest the revenue in clean energy, clean water, forests and other projects. The ballot measure’s carbon fee would start at $15 a metric ton of carbon, which would add an estimated 14 cents to the cost of a gallon of gasoline. The fee would rise annually by $2 per ton of carbon emission, plus the rate of inflation.

RiverFest 2018 - Our Rivers, Our Way of Life (Pasco Chamber of Commerce, WA)

A festival showcasing all the benefits of the rivers and the hydrosystem

(Tri-Cities, Washington) Local utilities – Franklin PUD, Benton PUD, Benton REA and City of Richland Energy Services - have joined businesses, community organizations and people of all walks of life throughout the region to host RiverFest 2018.  RiverFest 2018, a fun and educational family event, will feature exhibitors, vendors and entertainment to showcase all the benefits of the Federal Columbia River Power System and highlight the four lower Snake River dams including navigation, irrigation, recreation and power.

“RiverFest 2018 will help raise awareness about the overall hydrosystem, specifically the Snake River dams that are vital to our economy,” said Colin Hastings, chairman of RiverFest 2018 and CEO of the Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

RiverFest will be held Saturday, September 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at east end of Columbia Park in Kennewick, Washington.  Over the years there has been a continued movement to have the four Snake River dams removed. At the same time, billions of dollars have been invested in the dams to mitigate the impacts to fish. This has increased downstream salmon migration survival rates to 1960 levels, before the Snake River dams were constructed.

The dams are valuable components of the Northwest’s clean, carbon-free, low-cost hydropower that thousands of jobs rely upon. Dam removal would kill jobs, take away clean, renewable power, eliminate river navigation, impair the environment, and hurt agriculture - and there is no scientific proof that removing the dams would actually help salmon recovery.

Save the date and plan on attending with your family and friends.  Contact the Pasco Chamber of Commerce (509) 547-9755 for more information regarding sponsorships, exhibitors, and vendor opportunities.

Raising Eyebrows in Alaska – A Carbon Tax? (Politico, Morning Energy)

(JUNEAU, AK) – Alaska's climate task force wants the oil-rich state to look into instituting a carbon tax, with revenues directed to a green bank and to offset some costs to consumers and companies.

The idea is part of a draft action plan posted by the group, led by Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, ahead of its meeting Thursday. It also suggests consideration of whether to endorse any national fee and dividend legislation.

The task force said its plan is not a consensus document but is meant to offer a "suite of options" to inform agency efforts. Alaska's Republican-controlled Senate is unlikely to approve a carbon tax.

Mallott, a Democrat, and Gov. Bill Walker, who was previously a Republican and is now independent, ran together on a unity ticket in 2014; they are up for reelection in a close race this year after Walker reduced annual oil checks to residents.