The future of Seattle City Light might run through Oregon. 

The city has contracted two solar fields in central Oregon in an effort to meet surging demand for electricity in the city. It’s estimated that by 2033, the utility will need to about double its current production in order to keep up.

But where all of that new power will come from is still unclear.

Guest
David Kroman, Seattle Times reporter

Links
Seattle hopes to build its future in Oregon’s desert — or blackouts may follow - The Seattle Times

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

The future of Seattle City Light might run through Oregon.&nbsp;
The city has contracted two solar fields in central Oregon in an effort to meet surging demand for electricity in the city. It&rsquo;s estimated that by 2033, the utility will need to about double its current production in order to keep up.
But where all of that new power will come from is still unclear.
Guest
<ul>
<li><a href="https://x.com/kromandavid">David Kroman</a>, Seattle Times reporter</li>
</ul>
Links
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-hopes-to-build-its-future-in-oregons-desert-or-blackouts-may-follow/">Seattle hopes to build its future in Oregon&rsquo;s desert &mdash; or blackouts may follow</a> - The Seattle Times</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.</a> Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Seattle City Light is contracting for two solar projects in Oregon, but the public utility is still looking for ways to keep up with growing demand. 

What the Oregon desert has to do with your Seattle electricity bill

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Guest: KUOW host Kim Malcolm

Related Links:
Seahawks sale: Answers to five key questions about what’s next
Khosla-led group agrees to buy Seattle Seahawks
Washington wildfire season turns deadly
Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map
Bison Attacks Tourist at Yellowstone National Park, Tossing Him Into the Air
East Whatcom community leader hospitalized after bison rampage in Yellowstone
Mariners snap skid, enter All-Star break on high note
The Road Trip from Hell Ends with a Bang
Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez unlikely to return from concussion IL before All-Star break

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.
It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Guest: KUOW host Kim Malcolm
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-sale-answers-to-five-key-questions-about-whats-next/">Seahawks sale: Answers to five key questions about what&rsquo;s next</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49337716/khosla-led-group-agrees-buy-seahawks-sources-say-96-billion">Khosla-led group agrees to buy Seattle Seahawks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/10/washington-wildfire-season-chelan-hills-fire-drought-el-nino-2026">Washington wildfire season turns deadly</a></li>
<li><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/7334974ba06a40c0a3290c732710ae55">Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/us/yellowstone-bison-injures-tourist.html">Bison Attacks Tourist at Yellowstone National Park, Tossing Him Into the Air</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/jul/12/east-whatcom-community-leader-hospitalized-after-bison-rampage-in-yellowstone/">East Whatcom community leader hospitalized after bison rampage in Yellowstone</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-snap-skid-enter-all-star-break-on-high-note/">Mariners snap skid, enter All-Star break on high note</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/seattle-mariners-discussion/146247/mariners-get-the-last-laugh-beat-rays-7-2">The Road Trip from Hell Ends with a Bang</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-julio-rodriguez-unlikely-to-return-from-concussion-il-before-all-star-break/">Mariners&rsquo; Julio Rodr&iacute;guez unlikely to return from concussion IL before All-Star break</a> </li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

Front Page: A new owner for the Seahawks, a round-up of what's happening with fire season, and more

One of Washington’s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat.

For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats. 

For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign.

Guest

Will Chen, Edmonds city councilmember 

Related Links

Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District- The Daily Herald

Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls - The Washington State Standard

Soundside's interview with Keith Scully, candidate for Position 1 - KUOW

Soundside's interview with Chris Bloomquist, candidate for Position 1 - KUOW

Soundside's interview with Danica Noble, candidate for Position 1 - KUOW

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

One of Washington&rsquo;s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.&nbsp;Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat.
For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats.&nbsp;
For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign.
Guest <a href="https://www.electwillchen.com/">Will Chen</a>, Edmonds city councilmember&nbsp; Related Links
<a href="https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/07/03/six-candidates-vie-for-open-house-seat-in-32nd-district/">Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District</a> - The Daily Herald <a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/16/seattle-area-state-house-race-draws-crowded-field-of-democratic-hopefuls/">Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls</a> - The Washington State Standard
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/soundside/primary-elections-2026-keith-scully-candidate-for-position-1-legislative-district-32">Soundside's interview with Keith Scully, candidate for Position 1</a> - KUOW <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/soundside/primary-elections-2026-chris-bloomquist-candidate-for-position-1-legislative-district-32">Soundside's interview with Chris Bloomquist, candidate for Position 1</a> - KUOW
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/soundside/primary-elections-2026-danica-noble-candidate-for-position-1-legislative-district-32">Soundside's interview with Danica Noble, candidate for Position 1</a> - KUOW
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The 32nd includes some of northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.

Primary Elections 2026: Will Chen, candidate for Position 1, Legislative District 32

We’ve reached the end of another lovely week here in the Pacific Northwest, and while the barge has officially sailed away since we don’t have any more World Cup games HOSTED here in Seattle, there IS still a ton to do!

Here with SO MUCH weekend excitement is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows!

LINKS:
Walla Walla Movie Crush
SIFF - In Theaters
road to everywhere - Screenings
The Last Picture Shows | Rustin Thompson
Oregon Country Fair
West Seattle Summer Fest
Ballard SeafoodFest
Kent Cornucopia Days
PNA's PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day
World Soccer Fan Celebration: Watch Parties
Event Calendar | Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™
Seattle Reign v Portland Thorns
Grudge Match BOGO
The West Seattle Saunter
Bare Buns Fun Run - Tiger Mountain

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We&rsquo;ve reached the end of another lovely week here in the Pacific Northwest, and while the barge has officially sailed away since we don&rsquo;t have any more World Cup games HOSTED here in Seattle, there IS still a ton to do!
Here with SO MUCH weekend excitement is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows!
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.themoviecrush.com/">Walla Walla Movie Crush</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.siff.net/cinema/in-theaters">SIFF - In Theaters</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.roadtoeverywheremovie.com/screenings#:~:text=July%2010%20thru%20July%2013%20%2D%2D%2D%20Historic,with%20writer/director%20on%20July%2012https://www.roadtoeverywheremovie.com/">road to everywhere - Screenings</a></li>
<li><a href="https://rustinthompson.com/last-picture-shows/">The Last Picture Shows | Rustin Thompson</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.oregoncountryfair.org/">Oregon Country Fair</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://westseattlesummerfest.com/">West Seattle Summer Fest</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seafoodfest.org/">Ballard SeafoodFest</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://kcdays.com/kent-cornucopia-entertainment-2026/">Kent Cornucopia Days</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.phinneycenter.org/events/garage-sale-day/">PNA's PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlecenter.com/events/lets-play-sea-26/world-soccer-fan-celebration/viewing-experiences">World Soccer Fan Celebration: Watch Parties</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlefwc26.org/events/event-calendar">Event Calendar | Seattle FIFA World Cup 26&trade;</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.reignfc.com/match-hub">Seattle Reign v Portland Thorns</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gofevo.com/event/BOGOSEAvPOR">Grudge Match BOGO</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlesupersaunter.com/the-west-seattle-saunter">The West Seattle Saunter</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://tigermtnudists.com/bare-buns-fun-run-west/">Bare Buns Fun Run - Tiger Mountain</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Whether you're in the mood to run up a mountain in the buff, or head to the movies, we've got all the stuff that's worth doing this weekend!

What the Oregon desert has to do with your Seattle electricity bill

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