Bills begin streaming in ahead of WA’s 2026 legislative session

Washington lawmakers are warming up for a sprint.

Northwest power planners challenged by increasing demand of data centers

(The Center Square) – With energy-intensive artificial intelligence, or AI, consuming more electricity than traditional data-center activities, reliability of the electrical grid should be the top priority, according to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Microsoft working to help protect IT systems of rural hospitals

MOSES LAKE — Information is valuable in the Information Age, to good actors and bad actors alike. And unlike precious metals or stacks of cash, people sometimes don’t know how valuable information is, or that it can be vulnerable to attack. Erin Burchfield of Microsoft Philanthropies said rural hospitals are an example.

Ferguson orders assessment of data center impacts

OLYMPIA— Earlier this month, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an executive order to create a workgroup aimed at assessing the impacts of data centers on energy use, state tax revenue, and the environment. The order stemmed from concerns about the sustainability of data centers – large warehouses filled with stacked computers that power the modern internet – which consume significant amounts of energy putting a strain on Washington’s power grid. “We must ensure Washington remains a leader in technology and sustainability – these experts will help us do that,” Ferguson said in a public statement. “This group will help us balance industry growth, tax revenue needs, energy constraints, and sustainability.”

Washington bill clarifies facility siting for 'Holy Grail' of energy

(The Center Square) – A Washington bill pre-filed for the 2025 legislative session would add fusion energy centers as among facilities that can receive site certification by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. Sponsored by Rep. Clyde Shavers, D-Oak Harbor, House Bill 1018 would add “fusion energy facilities” among those to obtain certification through EFSEC, though the bill states the site “must also secure required licenses and registrations, or equivalent authorizations, for radiation control purposes from designated state or federal agencies.” The state Department of Commerce describes fusion as the “Holy Grail of the energy industry. With just a few grams of exotic substances, it is possible to produce enough energy for one person for 60 years.”

NextEra Energy plans Dry Falls Solar project in Grant County

COULEE CITY – NextEra Energy Resources has proposed a significant renewable energy project, Dry Falls Solar, which aims to bolster the region’s shift toward clean energy and economic growth.

16-year-old injured by firework

MOSES LAKE — A 16-year-old was injured by a presumed aerial firework on March Avenue and Loring Drive in the Larson community early Sunday morning, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office. “Fireworks are only permitted to be sold and purchased and ignited for certain periods of time around the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve in Grant County,” GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said. “It's illegal to discharge, sell or purchase fireworks right now.”

BBCC hosts welding competition

Event highlights viability of trades as careers, aids student networking

MOSES LAKE – Students from Moses Lake High School, Columbia High School and Newport High School participated in a friendly welding competition Friday morning at Big Bend Community College. Teams of students split into six teams to weld metal sculptures inspired by their school mascots. “We are a community college and we work with (the high schools we serve) to try to make sure that we’re able to meet the educational needs of the surrounding community, including all the various trades that we train for,” said BBCC Senior Associate Professor Shawn McDaniel, who helped organize the event.

Four proposed bills examined by Enviro and Energy Committee

Potential impacts to agriculture, low-income energy assistance, water system rates and PUD insurance

OLYMPIA – The House Environmental and Energy Committee heard four proposed bills Feb. 13. The four bills, if passed, would have impacts on agriculture, low-income energy assistance, water system rate changes and insurance for public utility districts like the Grant PUD.

Fixing energy policy a focus for Ybarra in 2025 session

OLYMPIA – The Washington Legislative session began lasl Monday with many lawmakers, including State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, unsure of what to expect. Ybarra has served the 13th district since 2019 and is trying to move his legislative priorities forward amid a new administration and a significant $10-$16 billion budget shortfall.

Home solar can trim bills, but research before installing

EPHRATA — With the cost of everything going up, some homeowners want to embrace self-sufficiency in energy by mounting solar panels on their roofs to generate power. And considering the Basin’s abundant sunshine, that seems like a great solution for this area. “We do encourage customers to go into their solar investment fully educated with clear expectations,” said Chris Buchmann, energy programs supervisor for the Grant Public Utility District.

Ozzy Osbourne, who led Black Sabbath and became the godfather of heavy metal, dies at 76

Ozzy Osbourne, the gloomy, demon-invoking lead singer of the pioneering band Black Sabbath who became the throaty, growling voice — and drug-and-alcohol ravaged id — of heavy metal, died Tuesday, just weeks after his farewell show. He was 76. “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time,” a family statement said. In 2020, he revealed he had Parkinson’s disease after suffering a fall. Either clad in black or bare-chested, the singer was often the target of parents’ groups for his imagery and once caused an uproar for biting the head off a bat. Later, he would reveal himself to be a doddering and sweet father on the reality TV show “The Osbournes.”

‘Clear sign of energy mismanagement’: Washington gas prices trending up

(The Center Square) – While gas prices in Washington state fluctuate, they have increased overall compared to last year, with drivers enduring some of the highest fuel costs in the nation. According to AAA, the average price of standard, or regular grade, gas in Washington is $4.39 per gallon as of Friday morning, up slightly from last week’s $4.388. However, prices have increased substantially compared to last year, when gas was $4.243.

Peny Rae Archer

Aug. 1, 1960 — Jan. 5, 2025

Peny Rae (Massie) Archer, 64, was born on Aug. 1, 1960, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. She moved to Moses Lake with her parents and sister in 1973. She graduated with her GED from Moses Lake High School in 1978, began her adult working career as a dispatcher with AAA Readymix, and then married her soulmate and the love of her life, Richard Archer, on March 11, 1983. Her strong will and personality were as endless and beautiful as the Moses Lake Sand Dunes. In 1990 Peny and Rich were instrumental in founding the Moses Lake Sand Scorpions off-road group. She put in countless hours helping to keep the dunes open, and in the beginning, she was the brains behind the financial and family events for the club. Back in those days you could always find them in the dunes by spotting their old red bronco or bright blue sand rail.

Energy Science Days help students learn about renewable energy

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District participated in the Energy Science Days, hosted at Big Bend Community College last Wednesday for fifth-grade students.

Bring a little chocolate into your life, adopt Cocoa Bean

SOAP LAKE – Cocoa Bean came to the Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry after getting lost from her previous owners and never claimed. She is a smaller chocolate pit/husky mix between two and three years old. She is currently shelter’s favorite comedian. Cocoa Bean is known for her shenanigan's, high energy antics and independent spirit which frequently make the staff giggle. She is a sweet (duh, she’s named after chocolate), friendly, curious and very toy motivated girl. If you need a little more sweetness or maybe a few more laughs in your life, adopt Cocoa Bean by visiting RockBottomRocker.org. For those who can’t adopt but would still like to help the local shelter out visit their website and click the donate button. There are also opportunities to foster pets, if that’s more your speed.

Grant PUD appoints John Mertlich as new general manager and CEO

EPHRATA – John Mertlich is the new general manager and chief executive officer of the Grant County Public Utility District, PUD commissioners announced Tuesday. The decision was announced during the Commission's meeting Tuesday. Mertlich's official start date is today. He succeeds Rich Wallen, who is leaving to take a position with Oglethorpe Power in Georgia.

Spokane Tech Hub must reapply for $48M grant under Trump's new criteria

(The Center Square) – A Spokane-based aerospace manufacturer must reapply for $48 million in funding after the Trump administration announced changes to the grant program on Friday. Established under the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, the Tech Hubs Program intends to bolster semiconductor manufacturing nationwide. The Biden administration allocated $500 million to the initiative just before leaving office, but President Donald Trump wants to pull some of that back. Nearly half of the allocation relied on future revenues while awarding grants to six of 31 hubs based on applications from almost a year ago. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on Friday that each awardee must reapply and compete against the other hubs for the funding.

Leitz discusses challenges, future of Port District 3

MATTAWA – Matthus Leitz, the unopposed candidate for the Grant County Port District 3 Port Commissioner position 2 seat, shared his vision for the local economy and community development during a candidate forum held at Wahluke High School on Thursday evening. Leitz, who was born and raised in the area, emphasized his commitment to restoring the port’s fiscal responsibility and enhancing economic diversity.

Hands-on aerospace events for students coming to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Apple STEM Network, in collaboration with a team of elementary educators in Moses Lake, will host three Family STEM Nights this spring, according to an announcement from the organization. These events, sponsored by the Boeing Company, aim to ignite curiosity and foster an understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, among students and their families, with a special focus on sustainable aviation fuel and the future of aerospace.