2/8 Blackmouth, Big Oil profits, BC LNG, SnoCo emissions, JeffCo forests, Hwy 20 repair, Storm the Octopus

 

Blackmouth salmon [WDFW)]

Blackmouth salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Chinook that live out their entire lives in Puget Sound are known as “resident Chinook” or “blackmouth,” a nickname derived from their dark gums. Some fish hatcheries release their Chinook later than normal to increase the blackmouth population and provide for winter sport fisheries. (WDFW)

Big Oil walks back climate pledges as earnings show 2022 was their most profitable year ever
Financial results from the biggest energy companies in the world this week show that last year was their most profitable year ever, prompting many of them to scale back previous commitments to pivot more toward renewable energy. U.S. oil company Exxon revealed last week that it earned a profit of $56 billion US last year, the highest figure on record for any publicly traded oil company, ever. The eye-popping figure means that even after it paid all of its costs, from exploration, development, salaries, taxes and legal and regulatory costs, the Texas-based company earned a profit of more than $6 million per hour last year. Pete Evans writes. (CBC) 

Alberta is on a blitz to promote B.C.’s LNG industry. Critics say it’s time to ‘keep out’
Alberta’s energy war room campaign to promote the carbon-intensive LNG industry comes as B.C. admits it will miss emissions targets, even without accounting for new LNG. Sarah Cox reports, (The Narwhal)

Snohomish County greenhouse emissions up, largely due to cars
A report released last month shows Snohomish County’s greenhouse gas emissions are on the rise, though lower than expected, following significant population growth in recent years. County sustainability leaders say the data will help them orchestrate bigger changes in years to come. A new report released shows greenhouse gases went up 7% over five years. Riley Haun reports. (Everett Herald)

Jefferson considering forest land transfers
Jefferson County officials should look into expanding the county’s land base to continue with its forest management program, according to the forestry company contracted to develop the county’s program. Speaking to Jefferson County commissioners on Monday, Malloree Weinheimer, principal and forester at Chickadee Forestry, LLC, said many of the county’s forest lands are small, non-contiguous parcels of 5 or 10 acres, which make forest management difficult. Peter Segall reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

State aims to fix section of Highway 20, help salmon
The state Department of Transportation is in the midst of trying to fix a problematic section of Highway 20. At milepost 101 near Rockport, the SR 20 Skagit O’Brian Reach Feasibility Project aims to assess the issue and seek possible fixes while also helping salmon recovery. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Meet Storm: Sidney aquarium’s new resident is a giant Pacific octopus
The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea’s newest resident may be a staff favourite — a four-pound giant Pacific octopus that should be living thousands of kilometres away. The octopus was booked for a flight to Finland but was donated to the aquarium after a winter storm a week before Christmas stopped air traffic all over B.C. Mary Griffin reports. (CHEK)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Catch the Current here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  242 AM PST Wed Feb 8 2023   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON   
TODAY  SE wind to 10 kt becoming E in the afternoon. Wind waves  1 ft or less. W swell 11 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of rain in  the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  8 ft at 12 seconds. Rain likely in the evening then rain after  midnight.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to mikesato772 (@) gmail.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told