2/27 Pussy willow, sand-verbena moth, BP switch, natural gas, 'endangerment finding,' coal tariff, bird flu fight, OR net pens, BIPOC outdoors, first 100 days

 

Pussy willow

Pussy willow
Pussy willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring. Before the male catkins of these species come into full flower they are covered in fine, greyish fur, leading to a fancied likeness to tiny cats, also known as “pussies”. The catkins appear before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring. At other times of year trees of most of these species are usually known by their ordinary names. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Whatcom Racial Equity Commission sharpens its focus

Savior Fish
Reader Pete Haase writes: "Really enjoyed that article on the Savior fish of the Nass River.  I have a book I read recently, 'Peter Skeen Ogden: Fur Trader' who was a NW Hudson Bay Company guy.  The book recounts a boat trip in 1831-32 from Astoria to the Nass River.  It includes a long passage about the great 1832 Eulachon run there.  Tribes from long distances by canoe and overland gathered.  Wave after wave of gulls, killer whales, sea lions and seals in water boiling with eulachon coming from the sea to spawn up the river.  Day after day the eulachon harvest using nets and wooden spikes went on.  Thousands of tons of eulachon were caught and processed.  Wow!"

Environmental group sues over denied endangered species listing for Whidbey Island moth
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, claiming the agency unlawfully denied Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for the sand-verbena moth, a rare species facing severe habitat threats. Shawn Garrett reports. (KIRO)

Oil major BP to slash renewable spending and double down on fossil fuels in strategy reset
British oil major BP on Wednesday announced plans to increase annual oil and gas investment to $10 billion through 2027 as part of a fundamental strategic reset. The beleaguered energy giant also said it planned to lower its annual capital expenditure to sit within a range of $13 and $15 billion over the same time horizon, while targeting $20 billion in divestments by the end of 2027. Sam Meredith reports. (CNBC)

In a reversal, plans for U.S. natural gas power grow, complicating progress on climate
A spike in demand for electricity from tech companies competing in the artificial intelligence race is upending forecasts for natural gas-fired power in the U.S., as utilities reconsider it as a major new power source. Marc Levy reports. (Associated Press)

EPA urges White House to strike down landmark climate finding
Trump officials are weighing whether to repeal the “endangerment finding,” which says that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare. Maxine Joselow reports. (Washington Post)

Eby Looks at Tariffs on US Coal Shipped Through BC
B.C. Premier David Eby said Wednesday he raised with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the possibility of targeting shipments of coal from the United States as a response to President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs. Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee)

USDA rolls out $1B plan to fight bird flu after egg prices rise
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday it plans to spend up to $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds to try to reduce the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry. Jennifer Shute reports. (News From The States)

Legislators push to prohibit net pen aquaculture in Oregon
Oregon is the only West Coast state that still allows commercial fish farming with net pens in ocean and estuary waters. Under a bill introduced to a House committee Wednesday, the practice would be prohibited. Alejandro Figueroa reports. (OPB)

People of Color Outdoors cultivates community by leading outside gatherings
Portland group helps BIPOC communities strengthen their connection to nature. Paul Marshall reports. (OPB)

The First 100 Days

• Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada for Tuesday, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China (Associated Press)
  
• Pentagon orders new purge of social media sites to dump diversity, inclusion mentions by March 5 (Associated Press)
  
• NIH partially lifts freeze on funding process for medical research (NRP)
  
• Trump demands plans for layoffs of more federal employees (News From The States)
  
• IRS to close more than 110 offices with taxpayer assistance centers (Washington Post)
  

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  246 AM PST Thu Feb 27 2025   TODAY  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 13 seconds. Showers early this morning, then a slight chance  of showers late this morning. A chance of showers late.  
TONIGHT  NW wind around 5 kt, veering to E after midnight. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog.

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