Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Energy News Digest for May 27, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for May 27, 2015

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

WECC, Energy Oversight Body, to Pay $16 Million Penalty for 2011 Blackout (The Hill, Washington, DC)

Pacific Gas & Electric President to Exit (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

WSU Researcher Says Washington State Drought Could Get Worse (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Columbia River Cormorant Culling Underway to Save Salmon (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

Free Wi-Fi Hits Winslow, Poulsbo Airwaves (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • WECC, Energy Oversight Body, to Pay $16 Million Penalty for 2011 Blackout
  • Pacific Gas & Electric President to Exit
  • Peace River Dam Construction Could Create Lucrative Real Estate Market, Says British Columbia Realtor
  • Helicopter Aids in Tillamook Area Transmission Pole Replacement
  • Benton PUD Receives National Recognition for Operational Excellence
  • Group Says Phone Records Show Close Ties Between Head Regulator, Arizona Public Service Company
  • Toward Greater U-S – Canadian Energy Integration
  • Co-ops Champion Right-of-Way Reform in Congress
  • Utility Plans Would Further Divide Industrial, Residential Users
  • Columbia River Cormorant Culling Underway to Save Salmon
  • WSU Researcher Says Washington State Drought Could Get Worse
  • Washington State Senate Eager to Add More Money for Drought Prep
  • Nestle Bottled-Water Plan Draws Fight in Drought-Stricken Oregon
  • Western U-S Drought Might Raise Food Prices: Reuters/Ipsos Poll
  • Tips for Doing Co-op Community Solar
  • Solar Shines as Sellers Sometimes Pay Buyers to Use Power
  • Two Cool Maps That Show How Wind Power is Poised to Go Big – Really Big
  • Indiana: Critics Say New Energy Efficiency Effort ‘Worse than Doing Nothing’
  • Exclusive: How Opower Is Pushing Behavioral Demand Response into the Mainstream
  • For Marijuana Companies, Biggest Security Concern Comes From the Inside
  • Pacific Northwest Push for Clean Fuels Could Mean More Crude, New Refinery
  • Utilities Seek Larger Part in Charging Station Rollout
  • Free Wi-Fi Hits Winslow, Poulsbo Airwaves
  • Seattle Partners With Google for Wi-Fi Lending Service
  • Google Fi Invites May Not Come Until July or August
  • Broadband at the Center of Charter-Time Warner Cable Deal
  • Cowlitz PUD Picks Up Cyber Security Insurance
  • Win Over Members during Power Outages
  • Twitter Reportedly Talked With Flipboard about $1 Billion Deal
  • Editorial: Washington State Senate’s Social Media Policy Defines ‘Lame’
  • Feds: Troy Kelley Paid Law Firm $900K Out of Funds in Question
  • Oregon: Who Leaked John Kitzhaber’s Emails? The Answer Emerges
  • Mason County Unemployment Drops in April
  • Apple Producers Dumping Lots of Fruit
  • Data Thieves Gain Access to 100,000 U-S Taxpayers’ Information: IRS
  • Port of Longview Port Considering Oil Refinery near Columbia River
  • Soccer Swoon: Top FIFA Officials Detained in Corruption Raids
WORD OF THE DAY

Effete • \ih-FEET\ • adjective - 1: no longer fertile 2a: having lost character, vitality, or strength b: marked by weakness or decadence *c: soft or delicate from or as if from a pampered existence 3: effeminate

The Carthaginians were justifiably angry. Arms akimbo, the survivors of the Roman scourge watched the invading fleet head out to the Mediterranean, the once fertile fields in the North African empire left effete by the salt, which had been sown by the merciless invaders.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

WECC, Energy Oversight Body, to Pay $16 Million Penalty for 2011 Blackout (The Hill, Washington, DC)

Pacific Gas & Electric President to Exit (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

Peace River Dam Construction Could Create Lucrative Real Estate Market, Says British Columbia Realtor (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Helicopter Aids in Tillamook Area Transmission Pole Replacement (Bonneville Power Administration)

Benton PUD Receives National Recognition for Operational Excellence (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Group Says Phone Records Show Close Ties Between Head Regulator, Arizona Public Service Company (Utility Dive)

Toward Greater U-S – Canadian Energy Integration (Morning Consult)

Co-ops Champion Right-of-Way Reform in Congress (Electric Co-op Today)

Utility Plans Would Further Divide Industrial, Residential Users (Midwest Energy News)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia River Cormorant Culling Underway to Save Salmon (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

WSU Researcher Says Washington State Drought Could Get Worse (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Washington State Senate Eager to Add More Money for Drought Prep (Crosscut Seattle)

Nestle Bottled-Water Plan Draws Fight in Drought-Stricken Oregon (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

Western U-S Drought Might Raise Food Prices: Reuters/Ipsos Poll (Reuters)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Tips for Doing Co-op Community Solar (Electric Co-op Today)

Solar Shines as Sellers Sometimes Pay Buyers to Use Power (Bloomberg News)

Two Cool Maps That Show How Wind Power is Poised to Go Big – Really Big (Grist Online – Good Luck with that offshore win in WA State)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Indiana: Critics Say New Energy Efficiency Effort ‘Worse than Doing Nothing’ “…each utility company…can raise rates to cover any revenue lost because of decreased energy usage…”  (WFYI, Indianapolis, IN)

Exclusive: How Opower Is Pushing Behavioral Demand Response into the Mainstream (Utility Dive)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

For Marijuana Companies, Biggest Security Concern Comes From the Inside (Marijuana Business Daily)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Pacific Northwest Push for Clean Fuels Could Mean More Crude, New Refinery (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Utilities Seek Larger Part in Charging Station Rollout (E&E Publishing)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Free Wi-Fi Hits Winslow, Poulsbo Airwaves (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

Seattle Partners With Google for Wi-Fi Lending Service (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

Google Fi Invites May Not Come Until July or August (Broadband Reports)

Broadband at the Center of Charter-Time Warner Cable Deal (NY Times)

Cowlitz PUD Picks Up Cyber Security Insurance (Longview Daily News, WA)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Win Over Members during Power Outages (Electric Co-op Today)

Twitter Reportedly Talked With Flipboard about $1 Billion Deal (SF Chronicle)

Editorial: Washington State Senate’s Social Media Policy Defines ‘Lame’ (Longview Daily News, WA)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Feds: Troy Kelley Paid Law Firm $900K Out of Funds in Question (Northwest Public Radio)

Oregon: Who Leaked John Kitzhaber’s Emails? The Answer Emerges (Oregonian, Portland)

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Unemployment Drops in April (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Apple Producers Dumping Lots of Fruit (Associated Press)

Data Thieves Gain Access to 100,000 U-S Taxpayers’ Information: IRS (Reuters)

Port of Longview Port Considering Oil Refinery near Columbia River (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

Soccer Swoon: Top FIFA Officials Detained in Corruption Raids (Reuters)

DIVERSIONS

The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody in Six Parts (British Broadcasting Corporation)

Hiker Finds Camera on Mount St. Helens, Tracks Down Owner

The Economist Disses Vancouver as ‘Mind-Numbingly Boring’

Idaho Man Survives Being Struck by Lightning

SONG OF THE DAY

Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Energy News Digest for May 26, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for May 26, 2015

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Marijuana Growers Eyeing Conservation to Reduce Costs, Boost Image & Allay Energy Concerns (Marijuana Business Daily)

U-S Army Corps of Engineers Set to Begin Cormorant Removal at Mouth of Columbia River (Longview Daily News, WA)

From Terrorist Attacks to Volcanic Eruptions, Richland Nuclear Power Plant Prepares for Emergencies (Tri-City Herald, WA)

A $55 Billion Blockbuster: Charter Agrees to Buy Time Warner Cable (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Two Different Washington State Employment Snapshots from King, Mason Counties (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • From Terrorist Attacks to Volcanic Eruptions, Richland Nuclear Power Plant Prepares for Emergencies
  • Men and Women Divided on Nuclear Power
  • Op/Ed: Columbia Generating Station Going Strong
  • Port Angeles Utility Rate Hike Seen As Likelihood
  • Scheduled Power Outage for Some Mason PUD 1 Customers
  • Moody's Assigns Aa3 to Douglas County PUD’s Revenue Bonds. Outlook Stable
  • Proposed EPA Carbon Rules Will Mean Higher Bills and Fewer Coal Plants, New Federal Agency Report Says
  • FERC Approves Final Settlement in 2011 Southwest Blackout Case
  • Energy Industry Eyes 100-Year Life Cycle for Nuclear Plants
  • Approved Drone Use Grows among Electric Utilities
  • U-S Army Corps of Engineers Set to Begin Cormorant Removal at Mouth of Columbia River
  • Wildlife Detectives: Sturgeon Poachers Angling for Caviar on the Columbia
  • Agencies Up the Ante on the Columbia River's Unique Fish Bounty
  • Flows Increased at McNary to Move Fish through Columbia Dams; No More Dworshak Water Available
  • Skokomish Tribe, Tacoma Power Collaborate to Restore Salmon & Steelhead to the Upper North Fork Skokomish River
  • Don’t Touch Dead Squirrels in Idaho – They Might Have Plague
  • Video: Bear Climbs Electrical Tower to Raid Raven’s Nest
  • Hong Kong Lifts British Columbia Geoduck Ban
  • With New EPA Water Rule, Obama Again Takes Executive Action on Environment
  • Washington State Drought May Threaten Future of Craft Brewers
  • Solar Contractor SolTerra Kept Getting Cut from Developments for Cost, So It Became a Developer
  • Solar on the Rise: Will Arizona be the Persian Gulf of Solar?
  • Listen Up: How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?
  • Can Seattle Go Any Greener? The City Looks to Become a Hub for Smart-Building Technology
  • Experts Share Water-Saving Tips Around the House
  • Making LED Light Bulbs Less Attractive to Insects
  • The Connected Home: Reaching Critical Mass for the Grid?
  • Marijuana Growers Eyeing Conservation to Reduce Costs, Boost Image & Allay Energy Concerns
  • Oregon's Big Marijuana Harvests: How Do You Bring All That Pot into the Legal Market?
  • Meet Washington State’s Official New Liquor & Cannabis Board
  • Oldest, Best Behaved Medical Marijuana Shops Most Likely to Get Licensed
  • British Columbia: Proposed Marijuana Grow-Op Will Overtax Water Supply, Maple Ridge Residents Say
  • Editorial: California’s Carbon Fees Generate Big Money
  • Oregon State University Solar Vehicle Team Faces Uncertain Future
  • Grant County Solar Cars Take to the Track
  • A $55 Billion Blockbuster: Charter Agrees to Buy Time Warner Cable
  • Google Fiber, Portland Nonprofit Launch Fellowship Program to Expand Internet Access
  • Bing No Longer a Search-Engine Blip
  • Op/Ed: Broadband Competition, Cajun Style
  • Social Media Giving Mariners Fans a Voice the Team Pays Attention To
  • This Start-Up Is Helping the Government Keep Track of Social Media
  • Make Your Infographics Stand Out
  • Courting the Millennials: A How-To Guide, Courtesy of Bank of America Merrill Lynch
  • Amazon’s ‘Life in Seattle’ Recruiting Video Gets Satirized
  • Tennessee Wanted Consistency but Elicited Mockery with Its New Logo
  • Marijuana, Real Estate Boost Washington Revenue Forecast
  • Mason County Rescue: Hiker Rescued After Sliding 300 Feet below State's Highest Bridge
  • Two Different Washington State Employment Snapshots from King, Mason Counties
  • Celebrate Our Forests at the Mason County Forest Festival
  • No Charges against Science Teacher Who Harnessed 'Lightning' in Controversial Classroom Demonstration
  • Homicide Probe to be Launched into B.B. King's Death: Officials
WORD OF THE DAY

Gazpacho • \gaz-PATCH-oh\ • Noun – A spicy soup that is usually made from chopped raw vegetables (as tomato, onion, pepper, & cucumber) & that is served cold

Vichyssoise • \VISH-ee-swaz\ • Noun – A soup typically made of pureed leeks or onions and potatoes, cream, and chicken stock and usually served cold

“Soups like gazpacho and vichyssoise just leave me cold,” sniffed the snobbish chef to his minions.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

From Terrorist Attacks to Volcanic Eruptions, Richland Nuclear Power Plant Prepares for Emergencies (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Men and Women Divided on Nuclear Power (Morning Consult)

Op/Ed: Columbia Generating Station Going Strong (Bellingham Herald, WA)

Port Angeles Utility Rate Hike Seen As Likelihood – City Council starts budget priorities discussion at Tuesday work session (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Scheduled Power Outage for Some Mason PUD 1 Customers (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Moody's Assigns Aa3 to Douglas County PUD’s Revenue Bonds. Outlook Stable (Moody’s Investors Service)

Proposed EPA Carbon Rules Will Mean Higher Bills and Fewer Coal Plants, New Federal Agency Report Says (Wall Street Journal)

FERC Approves Final Settlement in 2011 Southwest Blackout Case (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

Energy Industry Eyes 100-Year Life Cycle for Nuclear Plants (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

Approved Drone Use Grows among Electric Utilities (Breaking Energy)

FISH & WILDLIFE

U-S Army Corps of Engineers Set to Begin Cormorant Removal at Mouth of Columbia River (Longview Daily News, WA)

Wildlife Detectives: Sturgeon Poachers Angling for Caviar on the Columbia (Northwest Public Radio)

Agencies Up the Ante on the Columbia River's Unique Fish Bounty (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

Flows Increased at McNary to Move Fish through Columbia Dams; No More Dworshak Water Available (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

Skokomish Tribe, Tacoma Power Collaborate to Restore Salmon & Steelhead to the Upper North Fork Skokomish River (Thurston Talks, Olympia WA)

Don’t Touch Dead Squirrels in Idaho – They Might Have Plague (Northwest Public Radio)

Video: Bear Climbs Electrical Tower to Raid Raven’s Nest (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Hong Kong Lifts British Columbia Geoduck Ban (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

With New EPA Water Rule, Obama Again Takes Executive Action on Environment (Los Angeles Times, CA)

Washington State Drought May Threaten Future of Craft Brewers (KOMO TV, Seattle WA)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Solar Contractor SolTerra Kept Getting Cut from Developments for Cost, So It Became a Developer (Oregonian, Portland)

Solar on the Rise: Will Arizona be the Persian Gulf of Solar? (Arizona Public Media)

Listen Up: How Many Solar Panels Do I Need? (Renewable Energy World)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Can Seattle Go Any Greener? The City Looks to Become a Hub for Smart-Building Technology (National Journal)

Experts Share Water-Saving Tips Around the House (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Making LED Light Bulbs Less Attractive to Insects (NY Times)

The Connected Home: Reaching Critical Mass for the Grid? (The Energy Collective)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Marijuana Growers Eyeing Conservation to Reduce Costs, Boost Image & Allay Energy Concerns (Marijuana Business Daily)

Oregon's Big Marijuana Harvests: How Do You Bring All That Pot into the Legal Market? (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

Meet Washington State’s Official New Liquor & Cannabis Board (Associated Press)

Oldest, Best Behaved Medical Marijuana Shops Most Likely to Get Licensed (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

British Columbia: Proposed Marijuana Grow-Op Will Overtax Water Supply, Maple Ridge Residents Say (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Editorial: California’s Carbon Fees Generate Big Money (Sacramento Bee, CA)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Oregon State University Solar Vehicle Team Faces Uncertain Future (Corvallis Gazette-Times, OR)

Grant County Solar Cars Take to the Track (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

A $55 Billion Blockbuster: Charter Agrees to Buy Time Warner Cable (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Google Fiber, Portland Nonprofit Launch Fellowship Program to Expand Internet Access (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

Bing No Longer a Search-Engine Blip (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Op/Ed: Broadband Competition, Cajun Style (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media Giving Mariners Fans a Voice the Team Pays Attention To (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

This Start-Up Is Helping the Government Keep Track of Social Media (Washington Post)

Make Your Infographics Stand Out (Electric Cooperative Today)

Courting the Millennials: A How-To Guide, Courtesy of Bank of America Merrill Lynch (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

Amazon’s ‘Life in Seattle’ Recruiting Video Gets Satirized (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Tennessee Wanted Consistency but Elicited Mockery with Its New Logo – $46,000 for an icon ‘I could’ve made on MS Paint by accident’ (AdWeek)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Marijuana, Real Estate Boost Washington Revenue Forecast (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Rescue: Hiker Rescued After Sliding 300 Feet below State's Highest Bridge (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Two Different Washington State Employment Snapshots from King, Mason Counties (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Celebrate Our Forests at the Mason County Forest Festival (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

No Charges against Science Teacher Who Harnessed 'Lightning' in Controversial Classroom Demonstration (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

Homicide Probe to be Launched into B.B. King's Death: Officials (Reuters)

DIVERSIONS

‘Bear-Hugging’ Employee Stops Accused Shoplifter

‘It Was Just a Pain That I Have Never Felt Before,’ Woman Undergoes Emergency Surgery after BBQ

Woman Uses Obituary to Say Brady Innocent in 'Deflategate'

Oregon Community Takes Unusual Approach to Sea Lion Problem

SONG OF THE DAY

Queen – Killer Queen

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Energy News Digest for May 14, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for May 14, 2015

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES
New Electrical Meters Coming to Grant PUD Customers (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

Cowlitz River Dams Built to Withstand Most Earthquakes (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Mason PUD 3 Fiber – Fast Internet Coming to a Home near You (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

British Columbia: Victoria Releases Potential Sites for Sewage Treatment Plant (Globe & Mail, Canada)

Former Washington State Auditor Says Kelley Should Be Impeached (Northwest Public Radio)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • New Electrical Meters Coming to Grant PUD Customers
  • Cowlitz River Dams Built to Withstand Most Earthquakes
  • NRC Orders more Research on Earthquake Risk at Nuclear Power Plants
  • Portland Environmental Groups Call on Port to Drop $500 Million Propane Facility Support
  • Okanogan PUD Warns of Scam
  • 'Spectacular, Bizarre' Crash Injures Two, Knocks Out Power in Oregon
  • Idaho: Weiser’s in Power – Rates Stay Low for Consumers in City That Manages Own Electricity
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District: Time-of-Use Is the Future of Rate Design
  • California ISO Says Power Supply Adequate for Summer
  • With Air Standards in Effect, Coal Unit Retirements to Hit Peak in 2015
  • Regulators: More Delays Possible for Georgia Nuclear Plant
  • As Smart Advanced Meters Spread, Alternative Rate Plans Gain Traction
  • Minnesota: Judge Orders New Power Lines in Crow Wing Power Stray Voltage Case
  • Op/Ed: Climate Scientists Get Respect, So Why Don't Nuclear Scientists?
  • Asian Demand Turning Puget Sound's Geoducks into Gold
  • Final Two Razor Clam Digs of Season Cancelled
  • British Columbia: Victoria Releases Potential Sites for Sewage Treatment Plant
  • U-S Senator Wyden Introduces Bill to Boost Biomass Production
  • Tesla Powerwall Battery Attracted $800 Million in Reservations in First Week
  • Tesla's New Battery Doesn't Work That Well with Solar Yet
  • What’s in a Name? That Which We Call a Solar Microgrid is by Any Other Name a Solar Installation
  • Pacific Gas & Electric Inks $90 Million Contract with Opower
  • Large Banks Say Cannabis Business Risks Still Outweigh Benefits
  • Good News! Climate Change Could Make Weed More Potent
  • U.K. Company Cultivates Controversy in British Columbia Interior
  • Climate Forecasters: El Niño Is Here to Stay
  • In Clean Fuels Fight, Oregon Republicans Say They Haven't Wavered
  • SolaRoad Performs Better Than Expected, Remains Pointless
  • Mason PUD 3 Fiber – Fast Internet Coming to a Home near You
  • Mason PUD 3 Broadband Expo: Learn About Your Connection Options
  • Municipal Broadband in Seattle? New Group Lobbies City for Public Internet
  • Samsung Announces New Push into Internet-Connected Gadgets
  • The Internet of Things: Game Changer or Hype?
  • For Most Countries, a Nationwide Internet Outage is a Big Deal – For North Korea, It’s Routine
  • Op/Ed: Obama's Broadband Legacy
  • KitKat Changes Its Name to 'YouTube Break' on 600,000 Candy Wrappers
  • Former Washington State Auditor Says Kelley Should Be Impeached
  • Fed Up, Nikki Haley Turns Her Web Site into a Wall of Shame for Nearly Every Lawmaker in Her State
  • Fifteen “Now” Advocates Disrupt Thurston Chamber Meeting over Minimum Wage
  • Woman Fired after Disabling GPS on Work Phone
WORD OF THE DAY

Procrustean • \pruh-KRUSS-tee-un\ • adjective – 1: of, relating to, or typical of Procrustes *2: marked by arbitrary often ruthless disregard of individual differences or special circumstances

Amber was insistent with the nosy store clerk that the dress foisted upon her did NOT fit. In her best procrustean manner, the clerk urged Amber to suck in her gut, wiggle into the dress and “accept it for the size it is.” “After all, sniffed the snooty clerk, fashion knows no size.” “Tell that to Tyra Banks,” muttered the irritated Amber.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

New Electrical Meters Coming to Grant PUD Customers (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

Cowlitz River Dams Built to Withstand Most Earthquakes (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA – Paywall Advisory)

NRC Orders more Research on Earthquake Risk at Nuclear Power Plants (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

Portland Environmental Groups Call on Port to Drop $500 Million Propane Facility Support (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Okanogan PUD Warns of Scam (Omak Chronicle, WA)

'Spectacular, Bizarre' Crash Injures Two, Knocks Out Power in Oregon (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Idaho: Weiser’s in Power – Rates Stay Low for Consumers in City That Manages Own Electricity (Ontario Argus Observer, OR)

Sacramento Municipal Utility District: Time-of-Use Is the Future of Rate Design – After a pilot, the utility determined such rates should be the default for all customers (Utility Dive)

California ISO Says Power Supply Adequate for Summer (Sacramento Bee, CA)

With Air Standards in Effect, Coal Unit Retirements to Hit Peak in 2015 (SNL Financial)

Regulators: More Delays Possible for Georgia Nuclear Plant (Associated Press)

As Smart Advanced Meters Spread, Alternative Rate Plans Gain Traction (Utility Dive)

Minnesota: Judge Orders New Power Lines in Crow Wing Power Stray Voltage Case (Brainerd Dispatch, MN)

Op/Ed: Climate Scientists Get Respect, So Why Don't Nuclear Scientists? (Forbes Magazine)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Asian Demand Turning Puget Sound's Geoducks into Gold (Associated Press)

Final Two Razor Clam Digs of Season Cancelled (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

British Columbia: Victoria Releases Potential Sites for Sewage Treatment Plant (Globe & Mail, Canada)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

U-S Senator Wyden Introduces Bill to Boost Biomass Production (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

Tesla Powerwall Battery Attracted $800 Million in Reservations in First Week (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

Tesla's New Battery Doesn't Work That Well with Solar Yet (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

What’s in a Name? That Which We Call a Solar Microgrid is by Any Other Name a Solar Installation (Renewable Energy World)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Pacific Gas & Electric Inks $90 Million Contract with Opower (Utility Dive)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Large Banks Say Cannabis Business Risks Still Outweigh Benefits (Marijuana Business Daily)

Good News! Climate Change Could Make Weed More Potent (Grist Online)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

U.K. Company Cultivates Controversy in British Columbia Interior – Plan to offset carbon emissions by planting trees on farmland has locals worried (Vancouver Sun, BC)

Climate Forecasters: El Niño Is Here to Stay (Mashable)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

In Clean Fuels Fight, Oregon Republicans Say They Haven't Wavered (Portland Business Journal, OR)

SolaRoad Performs Better Than Expected, Remains Pointless (Breaking Energy)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Mason PUD 3 Fiber – Fast Internet Coming to a Home near You (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Mason PUD 3 Broadband Expo: Learn About Your Connection Options (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Municipal Broadband in Seattle? New Group Lobbies City for Public Internet (Geekwire)

Samsung Announces New Push into Internet-Connected Gadgets (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

The Internet of Things: Game Changer or Hype? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

For Most Countries, a Nationwide Internet Outage is a Big Deal – For North Korea, It’s Routine (Washington Post)

Op/Ed: Obama's Broadband Legacy (Huffington Post)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

KitKat Changes Its Name to 'YouTube Break' on 600,000 Candy Wrappers (AdWeek)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Former Washington State Auditor Says Kelley Should Be Impeached (Northwest Public Radio)

Fed Up, Nikki Haley Turns Her Web Site into a Wall of Shame for Nearly Every Lawmaker in Her State (Washington Post)

GENERAL NEWS

Fifteen “Now” Advocates Disrupt Thurston Chamber Meeting over Minimum Wage (South Sound Business Examiner)

Woman Fired after Disabling GPS on Work Phone (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Please Don't Drunkenly Chase the Bears, Massachusetts Police Urge

Jets Fans on Patriots Quarterback: Just Call Him 'Tom Shady'

Police: Man Pitched a Condiment-Throwing Fit over Rest Stop’s Lack of Macaroni & Cheese, Potatoes

Oops! Billboard Mistakenly Claims Pot Sold at Real Estate Office

SONG OF THE DAY

Elton John - Bennie and the Jets

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.