Articles written by Don C. Brunell
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 29
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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 1/26/2023
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 12/29/2022
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 12/29/2022
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 12/29/2022
Recovery hinges on returning 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 11/3/2022
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 11/3/2022
Firewood, the new gold in Europes energy crisis
With Russian President Vladimur Putin cutting off natural gas supplies, Northern Europeans are scrambling and reverting to firewood to heat their homes, boil water and cook. It is... — Updated 11/3/2022
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 9/29/2022
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 9/29/2022
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 9/13/2022
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 8/12/2022
Restoring America's semiconductor manufacturing edge
Surprisingly, recent U.S. Presidents and congressional Democrats and Republicans agree America’s economic and national security hinge upon tiny, yet powerful semiconductors. Semic... — Updated 7/28/2022
Lower Snake River dams' power hard to replace
Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray, both Democrats, issued a draft report which estimates that breaching the four lower Snake River dams and replacing their electricity and... — Updated 6/20/2022
Drones can help scorched 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 6/20/2022
COVID-19 clawback spurs robotics
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 6/9/2022
Laminated products reduce fire risk
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 suc... — Updated 5/19/2022
Gov. Inslee, Sen. Murray targeting wrong dams
Gov. Jay Inslee and Senator Patty Murray have their priorities backward when it comes to rebuilding Snake River salmon and steelhead runs. Instead of focusing on ripping out dams... — Updated 5/19/2022
Ukraine needs it's sunflower power
Sunflowers are to Ukraine what tulips are to western Washington. During the blooming season, both are spectacular and represent the best in the people who cultivate and visit those... — Updated 4/14/2022
Ukraine boxers' patriotism bring hope
It’s not often that we see an athlete at the top of his (her) game walk away from a multi-million dollar payday to go home and fight for his (her) country. However, that is... — Updated 3/23/2022
LNG can replace more Russian gas
There is an old saying: Don’t let the “perfect” be the “enemy” of the good! That is important to remember as we work our way out of the energy crisis exacerbated by... — Updated 3/23/2022
Washington considers timber harvesting ban
Washington’s Board of Natural Resources is considering banning timber harvesting on state lands. That is extremely unwise. Instead, the Board must insure its healthy forest... — Updated 3/3/2022
Ireland: Clean, greener and reopening
When St. Patrick’s Day rolls around March 17, the Irish have lots to celebrate. Ireland is still clean and green. Now, it is spending $15 million to bring visitors back. Irish... — Updated 2/25/2022
Drop assault on natural gas
Last year, Gov. Jay Inslee attempted an end run around the legislature by banning natural gas in new homes and commercial buildings via the state’s building codes. It was a bad... — Updated 2/10/2022
Time to replace longterm care law
The first order of business when Washington state's Legislature convenes in Olympia is replacing the state's new long-term care law. It is fatally flawed. Gov. Jay Inslee and Democr... — Updated 1/20/2022
Honoring our fallen heroes goes beyond lowering flags to half-staff
Lowering our flags to half-staff seems to be an all too familiar sight these days. It is a solemn act that recognizes our fallen heroes, whether they be men and women in our armed... — Updated 11/18/2021
