Monday, November 30, 2015

Energy News Digest for November 30, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for November 30, 2015

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Salmon Run at McNary Dam Breaks Record, Sign of Success for Facility’s Efforts (Oregonian, Portland)

Spokane- Area Windstorm 2015 by the Numbers (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Washington State Governor Heading to Paris for Climate Change Summit (Associated Press)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to Work on Cutting-Edge Energy Projects (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Dependable Water Supply Needed for Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Spokane- Area Windstorm 2015 by the Numbers
  • Avista Customers Receive Gift Cards after Power Outage
  • Commissioners Approve Proposed Grant PUD Rate Schedule
  • Eugene Water & Electric Board Commissioners Will Look at Four Different Rate Increase Proposals
  • BC Hydro’s Peace River Dam Hardly a Done Deal as Ottawa Reviews First Nations Issues
  • New Visitor Center Opens Tuesday at Wanapum Dam
  • A “Virtual Pipeline”: Juneau May Look to Canadian Natural Gas to Lower Energy Costs
  • Salmon Run at McNary Dam Breaks Record, Sign of Success for Facility’s Efforts
  • Editorial: Salmon Are King of Homecomings
  • Northwest Montana Bull Trout Spawning Check Shows Declines
  • Killer Whale Salmon Catches All In the Family, B-C Study Finds
  • British Columbia Fishers Used to Repopulate Cascade Mountains with Endangered Animal
  • Projects Stall after Feds Allow Fish Farming in Open Ocean
  • Dependable Water Supply Needed for Shelton
  • Editorial: Walden & Others Must Make Klamath Water Deal Happen Quickly
  • Why Rooftop Solar Advocates Are Upset about California’s Clean-Energy Law
  • North Carolina Wood Pellet Industry Creating Confusion
  • On Clean Energy, the Wind Blows From Germany
  • Convenience Stores – Mason PUD 3’s Unsung Heroes of Energy Efficiency
  • Two Southeastern Idaho Facilities Recognized for Energy Conservation
  • Washington State Governor Heading to Paris for Climate Change Summit
  • Columnist: As World Leaders Kick off Paris Climate Talks, Prescriptions Abound, from a Carbon Tax to a New Nuclear Push
  • No Climate Solution without Nuclear, Experts Say
  • Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to Work on Cutting-Edge Energy Projects
  • Other Cars Block Electric Charging Stations
  • Big Companies Put Their Money Where the Trash Is
  • Details on Click Cable TV’s Possible Future Begin to Emerge
  • Disney Feels Pain of Seven Million Lost ESPN Subscribers
  • Clinton: Internet for All U-S Households by 2020
  • Cyber Monday Sales Still On Top, But Losing Some Luster
  • Millennials Want to be Inspired by a Company’s Mission. Is Yours Inspiring?
  • Meet the Bleacher Report Editor Who Is Trouncing ESPN in Social Sharing
  • Two Canadians Free Bald Eagle from Trap, Take Selfie
  • Ice Contributes to Highway 3 Crash on Sunday
  • Heavy Rains Ease Drought Conditions in Western Washington
  • After Huge Fire, Colville Tribes Unleash Unprecedented Logging Blitz
  • How to Avoid Chimney Fires During Power Outages
  • Shelton’s Number 8 – Ten Best Cities to Retire in Washington
WORD OF THE DAY

Minatory • \MINN-nu-tore-ee\ • Adjective - Having a menacing quality.

The fluffy, white-haired kitten puffed its fur and took what it thought would be a minatory appearance to the slowly advancing German Shephard guard dog. Far from appearing threatening, the continued hissing and growling of the diminutive feline only made it more adorable to the mother instinct of its looming canine friend.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Spokane- Area Windstorm 2015 by the Numbers (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Avista Customers Receive Gift Cards after Power Outage (Associated Press)

Commissioners Approve Proposed Grant PUD Rate Schedule (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

Eugene Water & Electric Board Commissioners Will Look at Four Different Rate Increase Proposals (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

BC Hydro’s Peace River Dam Hardly a Done Deal as Ottawa Reviews First Nations Issues (Globe & Mail, Canada)

New Visitor Center Opens Tuesday at Wanapum Dam (Tri-City Herald, WA)

A “Virtual Pipeline”: Juneau May Look to Canadian Natural Gas to Lower Energy Costs (Alaska Dispatch)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Salmon Run at McNary Dam Breaks Record, Sign of Success for Facility’s Efforts (Oregonian, Portland)

Editorial: Salmon Are King of Homecomings (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

Northwest Montana Bull Trout Spawning Check Shows Declines (Associated Press)

Killer Whale Salmon Catches All In the Family, B-C Study Finds (Vancouver Sun, BC)

British Columbia Fishers Used to Repopulate Cascade Mountains with Endangered Animal (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Projects Stall after Feds Allow Fish Farming in Open Ocean (Associated Press)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Dependable Water Supply Needed for Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Editorial: Walden & Others Must Make Klamath Water Deal Happen Quickly (Oregonian, Portland)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Why Rooftop Solar Advocates Are Upset about California’s Clean-Energy Law (Los Angeles Times, CA)

North Carolina Wood Pellet Industry Creating Confusion (Ashville Citizen Times, NC)

On Clean Energy, the Wind Blows From Germany (Bloomberg News)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Convenience Stores – Mason PUD 3’s Unsung Heroes of Energy Efficiency (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

Two Southeastern Idaho Facilities Recognized for Energy Conservation (NPG of Idaho, Idaho Falls)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Governor Heading to Paris for Climate Change Summit (Associated Press)

Columnist: As World Leaders Kick off Paris Climate Talks, Prescriptions Abound, from a Carbon Tax to a New Nuclear Push (NY Times)

No Climate Solution without Nuclear, Experts Say (The Energy Collective)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to Work on Cutting-Edge Energy Projects (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Other Cars Block Electric Charging Stations (Everett Herald, WA – I’m Lookin’ at you – guy with a Benz at the Tumwater Costco)

Big Companies Put Their Money Where the Trash Is (NY Times)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Details on Click Cable TV’s Possible Future Begin to Emerge (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Disney Feels Pain of Seven Million Lost ESPN Subscribers (USA Today)

Clinton: Internet for All U-S Households by 2020 (Washington Examiner)

MARKETING & MEDIA

Cyber Monday Sales Still On Top, But Losing Some Luster (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Millennials Want to be Inspired by a Company’s Mission. Is Yours Inspiring? (Philadelphia Business Journal. PA)

Meet the Bleacher Report Editor Who Is Trouncing ESPN in Social Sharing (AdWeek)

Two Canadians Free Bald Eagle from Trap, Take Selfie (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

GENERAL NEWS

Ice Contributes to Highway 3 Crash on Sunday (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Heavy Rains Ease Drought Conditions in Western Washington (Associated Press)

After Huge Fire, Colville Tribes Unleash Unprecedented Logging Blitz (Associated Press)

How to Avoid Chimney Fires During Power Outages (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

Shelton’s Number 8 – Ten Best Cities to Retire in Washington (Social Daily)

DIVERSIONS

Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Human Brains from Indiana Medical Museum

Hermiston Decides ‘You Can GROW Here’ Brand Seems Too Pot-Friendly

Suspected Burglar Dies in Chimney after Unknowing Resident Lights Fire

Powell’s $350,000 Gift: For the Person Who Has Everything

SONG OF THE DAY

Harry Connick Jr. – If I Only Had a Brain

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their websites 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.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Energy News Digest for November 25, 2015 - The Condensed Soup Edition

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for November 25, 2015

Air Stagnation Alert for Mason County

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Avista: 5,000 Customers May Not Have Power for Thanksgiving
  • Washington State Governor Unsure If Spokane County Qualifies for Federal Help
  • Locals vs. Bonneville Power Administration: Giant Fight over Giant Power Line
  • California Regulators Cut Anti-Terror Funding for Utilities in Dispute with Legislature over Legal Fees
  • Big, New Partnership for Kent Company That Fixes Underground Cables So They Don't Blow Up
  • Cantwell-Murkowski: Key Senators Seek GAO Review of Capacity Markets
  • Alcoa to Keep NY Plant Open; Washington State’s Ferndale Smelter Still to be Idled
  • Record-Setting Chinook Salmon Season Drawing to a Close
  • Lawsuit Filed Against Thurston County over Pocket Gopher Process
  • Sparky Update: Bonneville Power Administration Employees Help Rescue Bear Cub in Shelton
  • FERC Cancels Permit for Maui Hydro Power Storage Project
  • For Storing Electricity, Utilities Are Turning to Pumped Hydro
  • Alaska: Independent Power Producers Declare Victory after Regulations Update
  • Pot Growers Put Huge Energy Demand on the Grid
  • Women Leaders in Cannabis Finds Group to Take Thanksgiving Donations
  • Oregon: Cap & Trade Plan to Reduce Pollution Taking Shape in Salem
  • Washington Project Ensures Forest Stores Carbon for Decades
  • U-S Air Force Looking Into Data Breach Connected to Boeing-Lockheed Contract Protest
  • Comcast's New Year's Present: More Rate Hikes
  • Winter Weather Predications Heating Up Western Washington
  • MACECOM Asking Mason County Homeowners & Businesses to Report Storm Damage
  • Mason County Unemployment Drops Again
  • Newborn Left in Christmas Nativity Manger at New York Church
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Avista: 5,000 Customers May Not Have Power for Thanksgiving (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

Washington State Governor Unsure If Spokane County Qualifies for Federal Help (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

Locals vs. Bonneville Power Administration: Giant Fight over Giant Power Line (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

California Regulators Cut Anti-Terror Funding for Utilities in Dispute with Legislature over Legal Fees (Utility Dive)

Big, New Partnership for Kent Company That Fixes Underground Cables So They Don't Blow Up (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

Cantwell-Murkowski: Key Senators Seek GAO Review of Capacity Markets (American Public Power Association)

Alcoa to Keep NY Plant Open; Washington State’s Ferndale Smelter Still to be Idled (Bellingham Herald, WA)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Record-Setting Chinook Salmon Season Drawing to a Close (Daily Astorian, OR)

Lawsuit Filed Against Thurston County over Pocket Gopher Process (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

Sparky Update: Bonneville Power Administration Employees Help Rescue Bear Cub in Shelton (Bonneville Power Administration)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

FERC Cancels Permit for Maui Hydro Power Storage Project (Pacific Business Journal, HI)

For Storing Electricity, Utilities Are Turning to Pumped Hydro (Yale Environment 360)

Alaska: Independent Power Producers Declare Victory after Regulations Update (Fairbanks News Miner, AK)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Pot Growers Put Huge Energy Demand on the Grid – Utilities should view legalization as an opportunity, not a threat (High Country News)

Women Leaders in Cannabis Finds Group to Take Thanksgiving Donations (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Oregon: Cap & Trade Plan to Reduce Pollution Taking Shape in Salem (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

Washington Project Ensures Forest Stores Carbon for Decades (Associated Press)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

U-S Air Force Looking Into Data Breach Connected to Boeing-Lockheed Contract Protest (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

Comcast's New Year's Present: More Rate Hikes (Broadband Reports)

GENERAL NEWS

Winter Weather Predications Heating Up Western Washington (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

MACECOM Asking Mason County Homeowners & Businesses to Report Storm Damage (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Mason County Unemployment Drops Again (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Newborn Left in Christmas Nativity Manger at New York Church (Associated Press)

SONG OF THE DAY

ZZ Top - Thank You

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY


All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their websites 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, November 24, 2015

Energy News Digest for November 24, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for November 24, 2015

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

35,000 without Power as Spokane Braces for Bitter Cold (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

Portland General Electric Joins CAISO Energy Imbalance Market (Utility Dive)

State of Oregon Says Offshore Wind Project Too Expensive (Pamplin Media Group, OR)

Water Supply Back to Normal in Seattle, Everett & Tacoma (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

Shelton City Administrator Announces Retirement (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

  • NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • 35,000 without Power as Spokane Braces for Bitter Cold
  • Spokane Area Windstorm Topped 1996 Ice Storm in Number of Customers Affected
  • Few Snohomish PUD Customers Still without Power
  • Portland General Electric Joins CAISO Energy Imbalance Market
  • Reserve Key to Low Interest Rates, Grant PUD Says
  • Washington State to Issue Report on Vancouver Oil Terminal
  • BC Hydro’s Low-Key Rebranding Caught in Opposition Spotlight
  • War Games: 350 Utilities Join Feds in Simulation of Large-Scale Grid Attack
  • Hulking Transformers Prove a Challenge for Vulnerable Grid
  • Nuclear Reactor Closings in the US Continue to Roil the Energy Industry
  • Federal Court Rules in Minnesota Case Involving Municipal Preference for Hydro Licensing
  • Beavers Are Gnawing Problem for Michigan Co-op
  • Hoh River Sport Fishery Closed to Protect Weak Wild Coho Returns
  • Proposed Navy Pier May Impact Port Angeles Area Salmon Farm
  • Costco Won’t Sell Genetically Engineered Salmon
  • Water Supply Back to Normal in Seattle, Everett & Tacoma
  • Oregon’s Water Demand to Grow by 15 Percent by 2050
  • Op/ED: Ways to Address the Aging & Neglected Water Systems
  • Investigation into Emissions to Take Months, VW Chief Says
  • State of Oregon Says Offshore Wind Project Too Expensive
  • Texas Company Labeled Unsafe Chinese Solar Panels as ‘Made in USA’
  • Montana Utility Withdraws Bid for Residential Demand Charge for Distributed Energy Resources Customers
  • Twelve Charts That Show the State of the U-S Clean Energy Revolution
  • Why Are So Many Americans Skeptical About Climate Change? A Study Offers a Surprising Answer
  • China Plans to Create a Nationwide Carbon Market by 2017
  • A Car Dealers Won’t Sell: It’s Electric
  • Why Aren’t More Farmers Turning Poop into Power?
  • Starbucks Is Now World’s ‘Greenest’ Retailer
  • Utility Board, Tacoma Council Could Decide Click’s Fate Next Month
  • KPLU Advisory Group Votes to Oppose Sale to KUOW
  • How to Assess & Improve Your Social Media Marketing: A Monthly Plan
  • Shelton City Administrator Announces Retirement
  • City of Shelton’s Lake Boulevard/Pioneer Way Improvement Project: Arcadia Avenue to Wyoming Closure
  • Bridges, Broadband, Water Mains — What to Fix First?
WORD OF THE DAY

Henotheism • \HENN-nuh-thee-iz-um\ • Noun – The worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods.

Barney loved his model coal power plant, especially the way the tiny granules of the black substance glowed red and hot in the miniature boiler. He also danced with joy around his model solar panels…a dinky windmill…and the used (but not mentioned) methane digester, whose fuel source was better left the imagination. Like a henotheistic adherent, the claimed to have no one bias for his favorite diminutive energy producing equipment. However, in his deepest, darkest musings…he had to admit that his pet was the digester.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

35,000 without Power as Spokane Braces for Bitter Cold (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

Spokane Area Windstorm Topped 1996 Ice Storm in Number of Customers Affected (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Few Snohomish PUD Customers Still without Power (Everett Herald, WA)

Portland General Electric Joins CAISO Energy Imbalance Market (Utility Dive)

Reserve Key to Low Interest Rates, Grant PUD Says (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

Washington State to Issue Report on Vancouver Oil Terminal (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

BC Hydro’s Low-Key Rebranding Caught in Opposition Spotlight (Vancouver Sun, BC)

War Games: 350 Utilities Join Feds in Simulation of Large-Scale Grid Attack (Utility Dive)

Hulking Transformers Prove a Challenge for Vulnerable Grid (E&E Publishing)

Nuclear Reactor Closings in the US Continue to Roil the Energy Industry (Jefferson Public Radio, Ashland, OR)

Federal Court Rules in Minnesota Case Involving Municipal Preference for Hydro Licensing (American Public Power Association)

Beavers Are Gnawing Problem for Michigan Co-op (Electric Co-op Today)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Hoh River Sport Fishery Closed to Protect Weak Wild Coho Returns (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Proposed Navy Pier May Impact Port Angeles Area Salmon Farm (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

Costco Won’t Sell Genetically Engineered Salmon (Consumerist)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Water Supply Back to Normal in Seattle, Everett & Tacoma (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

Oregon’s Water Demand to Grow by 15 Percent by 2050 (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

Op/ED: Ways to Address the Aging & Neglected Water Systems (NY Times)

Investigation into Emissions to Take Months, VW Chief Says (NY Times)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

State of Oregon Says Offshore Wind Project Too Expensive (Pamplin Media Group, OR)

Texas Company Labeled Unsafe Chinese Solar Panels as ‘Made in USA’ (Associated Press)

Montana Utility Withdraws Bid for Residential Demand Charge for Distributed Energy Resources Customers (Utility Dive)

Twelve Charts That Show the State of the U-S Clean Energy Revolution (Utility Dive)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Why Are So Many Americans Skeptical About Climate Change? A Study Offers a Surprising Answer (Washington Post)

China Plans to Create a Nationwide Carbon Market by 2017 (National Public Radio)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

A Car Dealers Won’t Sell: It’s Electric (NY Times)

Why Aren’t More Farmers Turning Poop into Power? (Grist Online)

Starbucks Is Now World’s ‘Greenest’ Retailer (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Utility Board, Tacoma Council Could Decide Click’s Fate Next Month (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

KPLU Advisory Group Votes to Oppose Sale to KUOW (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

How to Assess & Improve Your Social Media Marketing: A Monthly Plan (Social Media Examiner)

GENERAL NEWS

Shelton City Administrator Announces Retirement (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

City of Shelton’s Lake Boulevard/Pioneer Way Improvement Project: Arcadia Avenue to Wyoming Closure (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Bridges, Broadband, Water Mains — What to Fix First? (NY Times)

DIVERSIONS

UK Wife Who Poisoned Husband is Foiled by Spelling Mistake

100-Year-Old Wedding Cake Found in Yakima Home’s Attic

Dorothy’s Dress from ‘Wizard of Oz’ Sells for a Pretty $1.56 Million

Beer Truck Takes Instant Revenge on Alleged Thief by Running Him Over

SONG OF THE DAY

Israel Kamakawiwo Ole’ – Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World

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:

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY


All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their websites 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.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Energy News Digest for November 23, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for November 23, 2015

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Avista CEO: Could Be Midweek Before Power is Fully Restored (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

Few Snohomish PUD Customers Still without Power (Everett Herald, WA)

Montana Voter Initiatives Seek Higher Use of Renewable Electricity (Ravalli Republic, MT)

Yakima Water Plan Bill Approved By U-S Senate Committee (Northwest Public Radio)

2015 Almost Certain to be Earth’s Warmest Year on Record by an Enormous Margin (Washington Post)

  • NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Avista CEO: Could Be Midweek Before Power is Fully Restored
  • Few Snohomish PUD Customers Still without Power
  • Pacific Gas & Electric Crews Head to Pacific Northwest to Help with Storm Restoration
  • Snohomish County PUD Warns Against Rogue Repair Attempts
  • Global Forces Hurting Chances for Intalco Restart
  • Utilities See Potential in Drones to Inspect Lines, Towers
  • Talking Nuclear Energy from Washington State to Washington D-C
  • Editorial: River Watcher – Wired Together
  • As Sabotage Blacks Out Crimea, Tatars Prevent Repairs
  • Oregon, Washington Delay Start of Crab Season Because of Toxin, Joining California
  • Yakima Water Plan Bill Approved By U-S Senate Committee
  • Montana Voter Initiatives Seek Higher Use of Renewable Electricity
  • Zero Energy Homeowners in Issaquah Get Checks, Not Bills, from Electric Company
  • Solar Home Owner Shows Off Pasco House & Tells Benefits of Solar Energy
  • In California, a Campaign to Take Transmission Charges Out of Distributed Energy
  • SolarCity Cutting Ties with Rooftop Solar Advocacy Group
  • Alexander, Six U-S Senators Oppose “Wasting” Up to $9.4 Billion on Extension of Wind Production Tax Credit
  • Major Ocean Energy Project Planned Off Hawaii Waters
  • Fall & Winter Energy Saving Tips
  • Dim Lights, Smart City – Charlotte Is Banking on Energy Conservation
  • Allyn Dentist Wants to Expand into Medical Marijuana
  • Oregon Could Change Rules on Growing Marijuana at Home
  • 2015 Almost Certain to be Earth’s Warmest Year on Record by an Enormous Margin
  • Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions Decreased in Nearly Every State from 2005 to 2013
  • Alberta to Introduce Economy-Wide Carbon Tax in New Climate Change Strategy
  • Justin Trudeau, Premiers Seek to Unify Canada’s Message on Climate Change
  • Judge Denies Washington State Kids’ Petition on Climate Change
  • Big Corporations Are Using a Record Amount of Clean Energy
  • How Germans Will (May) Get Power When the Sun Doesn’t Shine
  • Damaged Currency Notes Used to Generate Electricity in China
  • Idaho Panel Approves Moving Away from Failed School Broadband Program
  • Five Reasons Millennials Aren’t Answering Your Phone Call
  • Businesses with ‘ISIS’ in Their Name Consider Re-Branding
  • Republicans Want to Shut Down the U-S Department of Energy – Here’s Why That’s a Really Bad Idea
  • Slim Chance of Lowland Snow in Western Washington
  • Cold Air, Snow in the Mountains & Strong Winds in & Downstream of Mountain Gaps – Little Lowland Snow
  • Thieves Take Advantage of Power Outages
  • No Entry Fees at Olympic, Mount Rainier Parks Friday
  • Vandals Cause Thousands in Damage at Bellingham Cemetery
  • Costco Shopper Who Broke Leg after Shoving Receipt Checker Loses Lawsuit Seeking $610,000
  • Utah School Apologizes for ISIS Themed Homework Assignment
WORD OF THE DAY

Eidetic • \eye-DET-ik\ • adjective - Marked by or involving extraordinarily accurate and vivid recall especially of visual images

At once a blessing and a curse, Marco’s eidetic memory was the wonder of the manufacturing floor at Barty’s “Eclectic Tiddlywinks Factory.” Although Marco could recall in intricate detail the texture, color, even the smell of each tiddlywink that he inspected for final shipping…that was the ONLY thing he could recall, which made his talent slightly less impressive to tiddlywink “outsiders.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Avista CEO: Could Be Midweek Before Power is Fully Restored (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

Few Snohomish PUD Customers Still without Power (Everett Herald, WA)

Pacific Gas & Electric Crews Head to Pacific Northwest to Help with Storm Restoration (PG&E Currents)

Snohomish County PUD Warns Against Rogue Repair Attempts (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Global Forces Hurting Chances for Intalco Restart (Bellinhgham Herald, WA)

Utilities See Potential in Drones to Inspect Lines, Towers (Associated Press)

Talking Nuclear Energy from Washington State to Washington D-C (Northwest Clean Energy)

Editorial: River Watcher – Wired Together (Chico Enterprise-Record, CA)

As Sabotage Blacks Out Crimea, Tatars Prevent Repairs (NY Times)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon, Washington Delay Start of Crab Season Because of Toxin, Joining California (Associated Press)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Yakima Water Plan Bill Approved By U-S Senate Committee (Northwest Public Radio)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Montana Voter Initiatives Seek Higher Use of Renewable Electricity (Ravalli Republic, MT)

Zero Energy Homeowners in Issaquah Get Checks, Not Bills, from Electric Company (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

Solar Home Owner Shows Off Pasco House & Tells Benefits of Solar Energy (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

In California, a Campaign to Take Transmission Charges Out of Distributed Energy (Breaking Energy)

SolarCity Cutting Ties with Rooftop Solar Advocacy Group (Las Vegas Sun, NV)

Alexander, Six U-S Senators Oppose “Wasting” Up to $9.4 Billion on Extension of Wind Production Tax Credit (The Chattanoogan, TN)

Major Ocean Energy Project Planned Off Hawaii Waters (Pacific Business Journal, HI)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Fall & Winter Energy Saving Tips (Breaking Energy)

Dim Lights, Smart City – Charlotte Is Banking on Energy Conservation (Politico)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Allyn Dentist Wants to Expand into Medical Marijuana (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Oregon Could Change Rules on Growing Marijuana at Home (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

2015 Almost Certain to be Earth’s Warmest Year on Record by an Enormous Margin (Washington Post)

Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions Decreased in Nearly Every State from 2005 to 2013 (U-S Energy Information Administration)

Alberta to Introduce Economy-Wide Carbon Tax in New Climate Change Strategy (Toronto Star, Ontario, Canada)

Justin Trudeau, Premiers Seek to Unify Canada’s Message on Climate Change (Globe & Mail, Canada)

Judge Denies Washington State Kids’ Petition on Climate Change (Associated Press)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Big Corporations Are Using a Record Amount of Clean Energy (Mother Jones)

How Germans Will (May) Get Power When the Sun Doesn’t Shine (Globe & Mail, Canada)

Damaged Currency Notes Used to Generate Electricity in China (Yibada)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Idaho Panel Approves Moving Away from Failed School Broadband Program (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

MARKETING & THE MEDIA

Five Reasons Millennials Aren’t Answering Your Phone Call (Inc. Magazine)

Businesses with ‘ISIS’ in Their Name Consider Re-Branding (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Republicans Want to Shut Down the U-S Department of Energy – Here’s Why That’s a Really Bad Idea (Forbes Magazine)

GENERAL NEWS

Slim Chance of Lowland Snow in Western Washington (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

Cold Air, Snow in the Mountains & Strong Winds in & Downstream of Mountain Gaps – Little Lowland Snow (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

Thieves Take Advantage of Power Outages (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

No Entry Fees at Olympic, Mount Rainier Parks Friday (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Vandals Cause Thousands in Damage at Bellingham Cemetery (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Costco Shopper Who Broke Leg after Shoving Receipt Checker Loses Lawsuit Seeking $610,000 (Oregonian, Portland)

Utah School Apologizes for ISIS Themed Homework Assignment (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Ancient Seeds Yield Once Extinct Squash

Hibernate Inside This Bear Sleeping Bag for the Rest of Winter

This Is the Original Taco Bell Building Being Relocated on the Back of a Truck

Guy Builds Gigantic Glowing Lightsabers for the Best Christmas Display Ever

SONG OF THE DAY

Gordon Lightfoot – Song for a Winter’s Night

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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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.