Articles written by Don Brunell
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 117
Build our future electricity supply 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... — Updated 5/24/2023
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 5/10/2023
Employers struggle to find work balance
Today, employers continue to struggle finding enough workers while attempting to bring people back to the office (work sites). A key problem is there simply aren’t enough people... — Updated 4/12/2023
School safety needs wider 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 4/5/2023
People depend more on local pharmacies for medical information
While the coronavirus clobbered many businesses, pharmacies were not among them. In fact, since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, local pharmacists... — Updated 2/22/2023
America needs Navy's nuclear expertise to meet electricity demands
It’s 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... — Updated 2/15/2023
The ban on gas stoves is just the beginning
After the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) took major heat last week from considering a nationwide ban on gas stoves, the Biden Administration quickly reversed... — Updated 1/25/2023
Boeing's comeback is welcome news
How about some encouraging news for our state? It even made the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Although Boeing didn’t outsell or make more airplane deliveries than its... — Updated 1/18/2023
European data centers looking to capture heat
Coupled with the 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... — Updated 1/11/2023
America needs all of the above energy approach
Looking ahead to 2023, one of the most significant shifts America needs is to return to is an “All of the Above” strategy which expands our energy options rather than further... — Updated 12/28/2022
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 12/21/2022
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 12/14/2022
People returning to stores
The good news is, despite higher prices, inflation and safety concerns, more Christmas shoppers are browsing on-line but making in-store purchases. The National Retail Federation... — Updated 11/30/2022
Firewood is new European gold
With Russian President Vladimir Putin cutting off natural gas supplies, Northern Europeans are scrambling and reverting to firewood to heat their homes, boil water and cook. It is r... — Updated 10/5/2022
Drained Snake River reservoirs would resemble parched Rhine riverbeds
If you want a glimpse of parched river bottoms behind “would be breached” lower Snake River dams, look at recent photos of European rivers and lakes. On parts of picturesque... — Updated 8/17/2022
Gas engines part of reducing CO2
Implausible as it may seem, gasoline powered vehicles can be part of reducing carbon emissions. They need to be part of the solution and not brushed aside. Take for example,... — Updated 8/10/2022
Restoring America's semiconductor edge
Surprisingly, recent U.S. Presidents and congressional Democrats and Republicans agree America’s economic and national security hinge upon tiny, yet powerful semiconductors.... — Updated 7/27/2022
Drones can help restored scorched public forestlands
Regenerating millions of western forested acres scorched by large wildfires is a herculean task costing hundreds of billions. However, healthy growing woodlands are essential to... — Updated 6/22/2022
Covid pandemic claw-back spurs robot growth
Prior to the corona virus outbreak, economies in the industrial world were moving along fairly smoothly — reliable supply chains with “just in time” component arrivals,... — Updated 6/8/2022
Milling thinned trees can foot bill to reduce wildfire risks
Thinning public woodlands to remove millions of dead trees is a way to generate much needed cash to reduce wildfire risks, improve forest health, and protect rural homeowners and... — Updated 5/11/2022
Laminated wood products can reduce wildfire risks
Wood buildings are making a comeback in the Pacific Northwest thanks to new laminated timber products. Even very large buildings are now constructed with laminated beams and are... — Updated 5/4/2022
Seattle World's Fair highlighted electric transportation network
Seattle’s 1962 World’s Fair was awe-inspiring. It previewed developments that would improve our daily lives in the next millennium. While “Century 21” memories have faded, t... — Updated 4/27/2022
Look north to increase gas supplies
The news that President Biden plans to resume leasing of federal land for oil exploration maybe good five years from now, but that action alone won’t bring down record gas prices... — Updated 4/20/2022
Price of gas fuels work from safety of home
With COVID-19 vaccines widely dispensed and masking requirements mostly lifted, will “work from home” end? Will workers return to downtown offices at pre-pandemic levels? Probab... — Updated 4/6/2022
By George, McGovern was right
Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota was never a darling of conservatives; however, in his later years he shocked fellow Democrats by his outspoken backing for streamlining governme... — Updated 10/20/2021