Articles written by Don C. Brunell
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Banning diesel truck is reckless
There is an axiom: Don’t let “the perfect” get in the way of the good! That is important to remember when it comes to improving our air quality. While climate activists want... — Updated 9/19/2023
Military service to America avoids student debt
With students returning to college campuses, it is time to consider other ways for them to pay for tuition, books and living expenses. Too often, they resort to borrowing. Now,... — Updated 9/12/2023
Kudos for Holden Mine site cleanup
Today, good works are often brushed aside or ignored – especially, if done by one of the world’s largest mining companies. However, Rio Tinto deserves kudos for its... — Updated 8/8/2023
Cherry season sweetens economy
The good news is this state’s cherry crop looks good—a marked improvement over 2022. It is sweetening our farm economy especially for cherry growers who have struggled over the... — Updated 7/18/2023
Red tape shackles business
Until President Biden signed the Chips and Science Act (CSA) last year, companies, such as Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. looked elsewhere to build plants costing... — Updated 7/11/2023
Mine wastes key to supply
China’s growing dominance of critical metals production and stockpiles is setting off global alarms. It has American manufacturers in a bind as they ramp up domestic electric... — Updated 6/20/2023
Cash drives state recycling
When Oregon enacted the nation’s first bottle bill in 1971, it was intended to reduce litter on the state’s beaches, along roads, and in parks. It was a cleanup, not a... — Updated 6/13/2023
Agreement on debt just start
The deal reached between President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to increase our nation’s debt limit was a welcome compromise. It appears to avert our nation’s... — Updated 6/6/2023
Build electricity around hydropower
Although New Zealand and Washington are located a half-a-world apart, they have lots in common---beautiful seashores, majestic mountains, crystal clear streams and lakes, and vibran... — Updated 5/23/2023
It's That Time of the Year
Some would argue that spring is the most wonderful time of the year in Washington. Throughout our state fruit trees blossom, vibrant tulip fields bloom, and colorful lentils... — Updated 5/9/2023
Carefully weigh energy tradeoffs
President Biden is unwisely “throttling up” plans to ditch carbon fuels unilaterally despite the extreme consequences of doing so. He wants to accelerate replacement of... — Updated 5/2/2023
School safety needs attention
My Mom would be horrified by the rash of violence in our schools today. The most recent tragedy at Covenant School in Nashville where three students and three adults were shot to... — Updated 4/4/2023
Past time for an energy reality check
If we are to meet our soaring demand for electricity and produce it without coal and natural gas, we must double down on nuclear power. Today, U.S. nuclear plants generated enough... — Updated 2/13/2023
Time to halt benefits scam
Three years after crooks stole billions in unemployment insurance funds, federal and state officials are scrambling to retrieve the money which was directed to the jobless and plug... — Updated 2/6/2023
Data Centers Looking to capture heat
Coupled with rapid growth of data centers we rely upon for internet service and information storage is an increased demand for electricity to power millions of computers and cool... — Updated 1/10/2023
Time to change the other Washington
It is time to change the way things are done in our nation’s capital---the “Other Washington!” The year-end Christmas dash to pass a $1.7 trillion spending monstrosity is the... — Updated 1/3/2023
Energy: All-of-the-above needed
Looking ahead to 2023 one of the most significant shifts America needs is to return to an “All of the Above” strategy which expands our energy options rather than further... — Updated 12/27/2022
Veterans' Wreaths Spread Across America
The Holiday Season is an especially difficult time for anyone grieving lost loved ones. Evergreen wreaths placed on veterans' graves across America help to ease that pain. More... — Updated 12/20/2022
Expanded Panama Canal Challenges Washington Ports
The $5.4 billion expansion of the Panama Canal is paying off for East Coast and Gulf of Mexico seaports. It is putting pressure on the Pacific Ocean-based terminals to be more... — Updated 12/13/2022
Consumers return to stores to shop
Despite higher prices, inflation and safety concerns, more Christmas shoppers are browsing on-line but making in-store purchases. The National Retail Federation reported an... — Updated 11/29/2022
Recycling lithium batteries must accelerate
Demand for Electric Vehicles (EV) is soaring — accelerated by climate change concerns. EVs reduce tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks and buses which are responsible for 30... — Updated 11/1/2022
Recovery hinges on return to work
To “Build Back America” key workers must return to jobsites. It is not good enough for President Biden to lean back on low unemployment numbers claiming success when employers c... — Updated 10/25/2022
Garbage, an important energy source
If you live in Spokane, you know about its waste-to-energy facility which burns up to 800 tons of solid waste a day and can generate 22 megawatts of electricity---enough to power... — Updated 9/27/2022
Seattle needs herculean effort for drugs, crime
Over the years, Seattle leaders faced “Herculean” challenges yet found the will, resources, and determination to come together and tackle them. Today’s conundrum is to... — Updated 9/19/2022
Innovators can increase fresh water
In Washington, this year we’re fortunate to have escaped the historic droughts plaguing other parts of the world. The Columbia River basin water system has been at normal levels w... — Updated 9/8/2022
