Energy News Digest for January 14, 2008

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Utilities try to deter wire thieves
- Montana coal plans wait
- Oregon – Wyden: Reserve electricity needed
- Maryland – O'Malley to offer energy package
- Maryland – Area lawmakers demand Allegheny refund customers for light bulbs
- PSE asks for conservation proposals
- United Kingdom – Energy rip-off exposed
- With Nuke Rebirth Come New Worries
- Bucknell professor says utility choices, power alternatives to come at high cost
- Columbia River ports wary of LNG plans
- Clallam PUD considers water use goals
- Several thousand anchovies die in WA Hood Canal
- Salmon arrive late, but Klamath Basin returns beating goals
- Oregon ocean troll salmon fishing marks second-worst year in '07
- Sport, commercial fishing interests vie for allocations
- Debris another culprit harming marine life in Puget Sound
- Oregon Legislature's Feb. session to seek more water for rural Oregon
- Idaho – Hearings officer sides with state in south-central water dispute
- A Long-Dry California River Gets, and Gives, New Life
- Idaho, grass growers, environmentalists reach field-burning deal
- Yacolt, Oregon – Parrots get new roost
- Fuel Bills Steep? Burn Corn – Renewable Energy No Pipe Dream
- In warming Mediterranean, a model of energy-efficient building
- California – Critics cool to 'smart thermostat' proposal
- Aspen, CO Times Op/Ed – The hypocrisy of Aspen
- Seattle Times Editorial – Green choices
- Last Year Among Hottest On Record, Say Scientists
- Study Says Glaciers Formed During a Very Warm Period
- California – Race for '08: Voters split on global warming cost
- Clearwire cuts staff but says it wants to grow
- Official: Idaho must be ready if Micron leaves
- Yahoo’s Core Value Is Falling
- Telecommuting not so great for those left in office
- WA lawmakers open `safety & security' session Monday
- Liz Loomis Appointed To State Legislature
- Low Flying Aircraft Over Shelton Tuesday
- Grays Harbor – Weyco holds closed-bid auction for mill
- Western Washington construction industry needs more gravel pits
- Snohomish County – Pet waste is turning streams into sewers
- Weather Channel Ratings – Methow Valley listed top family winter getaway

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Invidious • \in-VID-ee-us\ • adjective – 1: tending to cause discontent, animosity, or envy 2: envious 3a: of an unpleasant or objectionable nature: obnoxious *b: of a kind to cause harm or resentment.

“You’re wearing a silly hat,” thundered Octavio during the morning session on energy conservation. Ignoring the remark, the hardy presenter droned on about heat pumps and cost savings. “You’re mother wears army boots,” marked the next salvo in Octavio’s barrage of invidious comments. His barking, irrelevant comments were the only points that kept the attendees awake. Unfortunately for the presenter, the only things the attendees remembered were something about boots and hats.

WEATHER

Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Utilities try to deter wire thieves – Color-coding might make it harder for the criminals to sell the costly material to metal recyclers (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1200014711154130.xml&coll=7

Montana coal plans wait – Laundry list of mining and power projects twisting in the wind. (Casper Star-Tribune)
http://www.trib.com/articles/2008/01/07/news/regional/d17f90ce1c84637d872573c700267703.txt

Oregon – Wyden: Reserve electricity needed. “…Wyden said he is working with his constituents in Washington, D.C., to ‘change their priorities’ to better address energy needs on the North Coast…” (Seaside Signal)
http://seasidesignal.com/articles/2008/01/11/news/local_news/doc47879ee3aa1cd367643936.txt

Maryland – O'Malley to offer energy package. Plan boosts conservation, could raise consumer costs (Baltimore Sun)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.power14jan14,0,4691318.story?track=rss

Maryland – Area lawmakers demand Allegheny refund customers for light bulbs (Herald-Mail, Hagerstown)
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=183053&format=html

Maryland – Federal officials say bulb mailings already might be illegal (Herald-Mail, Hagerstown)
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=183057&format=html

PSE asks for conservation proposals (I would suggest staying away from unsolicited CFL promotions – Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/347111_pse12.html?source=rss

United Kingdom – Energy rip-off exposed. Britain’s biggest energy companies have stifled competition to raise prices and make record profits of more than £4.5 billion, a Sunday Times investigation has found. (Times of London)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3177612.ece

With Nuke Rebirth Come New Worries – Global warming and rocketing oil prices are making nuclear power fashionable, drawing a once demonized industry out of the shadows of the Chernobyl disaster as a potential shining knight of clean energy. (Associated Press, via San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/01/12/international/i100252S42.DTL&feed=rss.business

Pennsylvania – Bucknell professor says utility choices, power alternatives to come at high cost (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5Chnogoqr%5BTfc%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv

Australia – Costs 'lower' for privatized power. Victorian consumers are paying less for electricity now than in the days when the state government owned and ran the power industry; undermining claims by unions in NSW that privatization means higher prices. (The Australian)
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23053211-5005200,00.html

News Release – PJM Names Terry Boston as President & CEO (PR Newswire)
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/01-11-2008/0004734975&EDATE=

Columbia River ports wary of LNG plans – The shipping vessels that travel the Columbia River can cost as much as $60,000 each day to operate, said Larry Paulson, the Port of Vancouver's executive director. The companies that own them, he said, are not fond of delays. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/13//area_news/doc4789b4eca69e5282774481.txt

Man gets jail for gas theft: He illegally tapped utility line to heat his garage – A Menomonee Falls who said a fire that heavily damaged his garage was divine comeuppance for stealing natural gas to heat it got his earthly punishment on Thursday. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5ChnmhlqvYTfc%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv

WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT

Clallam PUD considers water use goals –PUD commissioners will accept public comment and consider adoption of new water use efficiency goals today. (KONP Radio, Port Angeles)
http://www.konp.com/local/3354

Several thousand anchovies die in WA Hood Canal (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/324884.html

Salmon arrive late, but Klamath Basin returns beating goals – After three straight lean years, 2007 returns of wild fall Chinook salmon to the Klamath Basin have exceeded the minimums set by federal fisheries managers. (Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004121399_klamathsalmon12m.html?syndication=rss

Oregon ocean troll salmon fishing marks second-worst year in '07 (KTVZ-TV, Bend)
http://www.ktvz.com/Global/story.asp?S=7617570

Sport, commercial fishing interests vie for allocations (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/sports/localNews/2008/01/01132008_Sport-commercial-fishing-interests-vie-for-allocations.cfm

Debris another culprit harming marine life in Puget Sound – Lost fishing gear, creosote pilings add to dangers (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/347029_creosote12.html?source=rss

Oregon Legislature's Feb. session to seek more water for rural Oregon “Sen. Brad Avakian… and others said Oregon soon will have to face up to dwindling water supplies…” (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-22/1200165849268220.xml&storylist=orlocal

Idaho – Hearings officer sides with state in south-central water dispute. A former Idaho Supreme Court chief justice has upheld most of a 2005 order aimed at resolving disputes between groundwater users and two fish farms (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/325454.html

Montana – ‘People will enjoy this open space for a long time’. Several major conservation easements were executed…last month, capping a busy year for easements in the Flathead Valley. “...Grant funding from the federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program and from BPA’s Hungry Horse Dam fisheries mitigation program…” (Daily Interlake)
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2008/01/13/news/news02.txt

A Long-Dry California River Gets, and Gives, New Life – One of the largest river-restoration projects in the country has sent a gentle current of water meandering through what just a year ago was largely a sandy, rocky bed best used as a horse trail and barely distinguishable from the surrounding high desert scrub. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/12/us/12water.html?ex=1357880400&en=c1a2183800954fd2&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Idaho, grass growers, environmentalists reach field-burning deal (But is it still carbon neutral since it’s the burning of biomass? – Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/324791.html

Yacolt, Oregon – Parrots get new roost. Several Quaker Parrots who have made an unlikely home in this rural burg were a cheerful bunch on Saturday. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/01/01132008_Parrots-get-new-roost.cfm/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Fuel Bills Steep? Burn Corn – Renewable Energy No Pipe Dream (No, really: burn corn in your stove! – WRTV-TV, Indianapolis)
http://www.theindychannel.com/money/15008942/detail.html

In warming Mediterranean, a model of energy-efficient building – In Athens, Sol Energy Hellas is headquartered in a building powered entirely by renewable energy. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0114/p13s01-woeu.html

Laidlaw Energy files $10 mill lawsuit against NY town; seeks judgment to operate cogeneration facility (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/316757/22/ARTCL/none/none/1/Laidlaw-Energy-files-$10-mill-lawsuit-against-NY-town;-seeks-judgment-to-operate-cogeneration-facility/

CONSERVATION

California – Critics cool to 'smart thermostat' proposal – New thermostats in homes and businesses would be fitted with technology that would allow utilities to change a building's temperature by remote control under a proposal being considered by state energy officials. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/12/MNHDUDAQ3.DTL&feed=rss.news

Aspen, CO Times Op/Ed – The hypocrisy of Aspen. A guest opinion in last week’s Aspen Times (“A Recipe for Foreign Oil Dependence” Jan. 8) charged that Aspen is hypocritical in its environmental stance against regional energy development because local energy appetites are conspicuous and excessive.
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20080114/COLUMN/784294045

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Seattle Times Editorial – Green choices. Gov. Christine Gregoire's voice needs to be heard on the environmental proposals car-pooling to Olympia this legislative session.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2004118975_envied11.html

Last Year Among Hottest On Record, Say Scientists (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/11/AR2008011103483.html?wpisrc=rss_technology

Study Says Glaciers Formed During a Very Warm Period – Giant glaciers formed about 90 million years ago during a warm period when alligators thrived in the Arctic (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/world/europe/11glacier.html?ex=1357880400&en=ac256a44ec656b42&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

California – Race for '08: Voters split on global warming cost. Some fear businesses will be hobbled (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/631856.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Clearwire cuts staff but says it wants to grow (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/347089_clearwire12.html?source=rss

Official: Idaho must be ready if Micron leaves – Company’s losses have been mounting as prices for its products have collapsed. (Idaho Statesman)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/business/story/262286.html

Yahoo’s Core Value Is Falling – Still more rumors that Microsoft is trying to buy Yahoo. (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/yahoos-core-value-is-falling/index.html?ex=1357880400&en=13a0da1e51f16988&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Broadband access on the rise in West Virginia (Cumberland News-Times)
http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_014093804.html

Telecommuting not so great for those left in office – Telecommuting may boost morale, and cut stress, but it can have the opposite effect on those left behind in the office, according to a new study. (Reuters)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080111/wr_nm/ba_work_telecommuting_dc_1

GENERAL NEWS

WA lawmakers open `safety & security' session Monday (Associated Press, via The Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01142008news261933.cfm?newsletter=10

LOOMIS APPOINTED TO STATE LEGISLATURE – The Snohomish County Council has appointed Liz Loomis to fill the 44th District seat in the state Legislature vacated by John Lovick, who was recently elected county sheriff. Loomis, a former Snohomish City Council member who lost a re-election bid in 2005, owns Liz Loomis Public Affairs, a public relations and strategic communications agency that specializes in public power issues. Since 2001 she has also headed PeoplePower, which helps educate and encourages grassroots efforts on behalf of consumer-owned utilities in the Northwest, including 21 Washington PUD members.

LOW FLYING AIRCRAFT OVER SHELTON TUESDAY – A reminder: an aircraft will be flying low over the City of Shelton Tuesday. The plane will be conducting an aerial survey of the Hillcrest area for the Sewer Basin Five Inflow and Infiltration Reduction project. The aircraft will be taking pictures of structures, utility locations and the general area. This will provide a comprehensive picture of the area for design of the project. City officials are alerting residents of this low flying aircraft so people do NOT think the plane is in distress. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)

Grays Harbor – Weyco holds closed-bid auction for mill “…Those interested reportedly include…a joint offer made by the Grays Harbor PUD and California-based Evergreen Pulp…” (Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/01/12/local_news/02news.txt

Western Washington construction industry needs more gravel pits (Seattle Times, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1156573~Western_Washington_construction_industry_needs_more_gravel_pits.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Snohomish County – Pet waste is turning streams into sewers. The county is finishing a $475,000 effort to protect creeks and encourage pet owners to scoop and bag. (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080114/NEWS01/456182906&news01ad=1

Weather Channel Ratings – Methow Valley listed top family winter getaway (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080112/NEWS04/557081408/1001

There are rules for leaving effective, useful voice mail – As we clean our desks and promise to start the new year fresh, perhaps it's time to rethink how we handle voice mail. (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/347082_voicemail14.html

DIVERSIONS

Home demolition begins with grandma, four others still inside – RCMP were forced to step in when the owner of a Fraser Valley home began a planned demolition while five former renters were still inside.
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=943c78b5-c869-487a-ac53-d345ead998e3&k=80842

Twins separated at birth met and married
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSEIC17037920080111?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Parents snort as school enforces pig rearing
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN1438977520080114?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Fishing License Stickers Don't Stick to Boats
http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=0399CE0E2C4E463E659B5D11C2314B7B?contentId=5476290&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

NY Post Parks Simpson Twin Behind Cowboys’ Bench
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/lynsey-nordstrom-photos-jessica-simpson-twin-hired-by-nypost-for-giants-game-15415

Man reels Hummer Limo out of Lake Texoma
http://www.kxii.com/home/headlines/13758402.html