Thursday, December 29, 2016

Energy News Digest for December 29, 2016

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS



HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Worst Cold Snap in Two Years Could Hit Puget Sound Next Week (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

Court Rules Washington State’s Lawsuit Against Comcast Can Move Forward (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Puget Sound Fishing Season Decision Process May Change (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Shutty Sworn in as Mason County’s Newest Commissioner (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Three Shelton Moms, Including Two Mason PUD 3 Employees, Fight Hunger (Mason County Life, Shelton, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Pacific Power Unveils Community Memorial for Umpqua Community College Tragedy
  • U-S Adoption of Advanced Meters Is Growing
  • Pennsylvania: PECO’s Proposal for Prepaid Energy Bills Gets Pushback
  • Puget Sound Fishing Season Decision Process May Change
  • Forest Biomass Faces Tough Economics as Rural Jobs Generator, OSU Researchers Say
  • Washington State Looks to Communities in Renewable-Energy Push
  • Energy Adviser: Managing Heat Helps Keep Home Comfortable
  • Five U-S Cities, Including Portland, OR – At the Forefront of the Fight Against Climate Change
  • Court Rules Washington State’s Lawsuit Against Comcast Can Move Forward
  • State Audit Critiques Oregon Business Incentives, Data Center Tax Breaks
  • Why You Should Almost Never Use Facebook Live
  • Avoid Dull Snapshots: Tips for Taking Stunning Pictures
  • Shutty Sworn in as Mason County’s Newest Commissioner
  • City of Shelton Approves $48.7 Million Budget for 2017
  • Three Shelton Moms, Including Two Mason PUD 3 Employees, Fight Hunger
  • Worst Cold Snap in Two Years Could Hit Puget Sound Next Week
  • British Columbia: Thousands of Blood Donations Needed Before End of Year, Says Agency
  • Area Code 564 Coming to a Phone Number Near You
WORD OF THE DAY

Estival • \ESS-tuh-vul\ • Adjective – Of or relating to the summer

“Pretty hot today Clem,” drawled the old-timer rocking in his creaking chair in front of the Deer Creek Store. “Yup,” muttered Clem. “These here estival winds, supported by a ridge of high pressure are raisin’ a ruckus with my crops. I’ll be back with sports in just a minute,” as he ambled into the store for a copy of the Shelton-Mason County Journal.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Pacific Power Unveils Community Memorial for Umpqua Community College Tragedy (Associated Press)

U-S Adoption of Advanced Meters Is Growing (Electric Light & Power)

Pennsylvania: PECO’s Proposal for Prepaid Energy Bills Gets Pushback (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Puget Sound Fishing Season Decision Process May Change (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Forest Biomass Faces Tough Economics as Rural Jobs Generator, OSU Researchers Say (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Washington State Looks to Communities in Renewable-Energy Push (San Juan Islander, Friday Harbor, WA)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Adviser: Managing Heat Helps Keep Home Comfortable (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Five U-S Cities, Including Portland, OR – At the Forefront of the Fight Against Climate Change (The Daily Mail, UK)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Court Rules Washington State’s Lawsuit Against Comcast Can Move Forward (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

State Audit Critiques Oregon Business Incentives, Data Center Tax Breaks (Oregonian, Portland)

MARKETING & MEDIA

Why You Should Almost Never Use Facebook Live (Mashable)

Avoid Dull Snapshots: Tips for Taking Stunning Pictures (Associated Press)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Shutty Sworn in as Mason County’s Newest Commissioner (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

City of Shelton Approves $48.7 Million Budget for 2017 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

Three Shelton Moms, Including Two Mason PUD 3 Employees, Fight Hunger (Mason County Life, Shelton, WA)

Worst Cold Snap in Two Years Could Hit Puget Sound Next Week (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

British Columbia: Thousands of Blood Donations Needed Before End of Year, Says Agency (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Area Code 564 Coming to a Phone Number Near You (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

LEAVE THE GUN, TAKE THE CANNOLI – DIVERSIONS

Actress Debbie Reynolds, Mother of Carrie Fisher, Dies One Day After Her Daughter

Cinnabon Apologizes for Dumb Carrie Fisher Tweet

How One of “The Godfather’s” Best Scenes Compares to What Was Written in the Script (Violence)

Red Solo Cup Developer Robert Hulseman Dies at Age 84

SONG OF THE DAY

The Godfather (Soundtrack)

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

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Energy News Digest for December 28, 2016

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS


The Potential for a Major Cold Spell in the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Northwest Carbon Footprint Is Low & Getting Lower (LinkedIn)

Portland General Electric, Pacific Power EV Plans: Electric Buses & More Charging (Portland Business Journal, OR)

New Report Says Washington State’s Pot Sales Will Surpass $2 Billion by 2020 (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

New Shelton City Manager Aims to Shake Things Up (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

The Potential for a Major Cold Spell in the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Cowlitz PUD Commissioner Ned Piper Reflects on 24 Years of Public Power
  • New Manager Selected by Tillamook PUD Board
  • Clallam PUD’s Temporary Sequim Payment Center Slated to Close Down
  • British Columbia Raptor Rehab Treats Birds of Prey Shocked by Power Lines
  • Vestas Closes Out 2016 With A Blitz of Wind Turbine Orders
  • Tesla & Panasonic Team Up on Solar-Panel Cells
  • New Report Says Washington State’s Pot Sales Will Surpass $2 Billion by 2020
  • Can the Cannabis Industry Deliver an Organic, Environmentally Sensitive High?
  • Northwest Carbon Footprint Is Low & Getting Lower
  • Portland General Electric, Pacific Power EV Plans: Electric Buses & More Charging
  • Google Fiber Contractor Cutting Dozens of Nashville Jobs
  • The AT&T Exec Who Took on Google Fiber in Nashville
  • Will Massive Data Breaches Lead Verizon to Dump Yahoo?
  • Has the Internet Killed Curly Quotes?
  • New Shelton City Manager Aims to Shake Things Up
  • County Officials Propose Merging Washington State Counties – Idea Could Save an Estimated $90 Million a Year
  • 4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Off Central Oregon Coast
  • Snow Blankets Mountains, Cold Snap Coming for Western Washington
  • Sky Lanterns Outlawed in Oregon Starting Jan. 1 – Sorry Rapunzel
WORD OF THE DAY

Raiment • \RAY-munt\ • Noun - Clothing, garments

“You are an absolute peacock!” crowed the squawking starling chicks to their oddly dressed mother. She had filched feathers from a variety of bird nests around the neighborhood to come up with a cloak of many colors, the raiment reminiscent of an aviary “crazy quilt.” “Let those darn goldfinches laugh at this,” she bellowed to the murmuration of starlings that had gathered to view the show.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Cowlitz PUD Commissioner Ned Piper Reflects on 24 Years of Public Power (Longview Daily News, WA)

New Manager Selected by Tillamook PUD Board (Tillamook Headlight Herald, OR)

Clallam PUD’s Temporary Sequim Payment Center Slated to Close Down (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

FISH & WILDLIFE

British Columbia Raptor Rehab Treats Birds of Prey Shocked by Power Lines (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Vestas Closes Out 2016 With A Blitz of Wind Turbine Orders (Denver Business Journal, CO)

Tesla & Panasonic Team Up on Solar-Panel Cells (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

New Report Says Washington State’s Pot Sales Will Surpass $2 Billion by 2020 (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

Can the Cannabis Industry Deliver an Organic, Environmentally Sensitive High? (Northwest Public Radio)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Northwest Carbon Footprint Is Low & Getting Lower (LinkedIn)

SCIENCE SWIMS IN A BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Portland General Electric, Pacific Power EV Plans: Electric Buses & More Charging (Portland Business Journal, OR)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Fiber contractor cutting dozens of Nashville jobs

The AT&T Exec Who Took on Google Fiber in Nashville (Business Journals)

Will Massive Data Breaches Lead Verizon to Dump Yahoo? (Consumerist)

MARKETING & MEDIA

Has the Internet Killed Curly Quotes? (Atlantic Magazine)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

New Shelton City Manager Aims to Shake Things Up (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

County Officials Propose Merging Washington State Counties – Idea Could Save an Estimated $90 Million a Year (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Off Central Oregon Coast (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

Snow Blankets Mountains, Cold Snap Coming for Western Washington (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

Sky Lanterns Outlawed in Oregon Starting Jan. 1 – Sorry Rapunzel (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

The Solar System – A Stunning Tour of Our Cosmic Backyard

Teddy Bear Takes Detroit Airport Adventure after Being Found

This Swarm of Birds Moves Around Like Some Sort of Dark Magic Cloud

Carrie Fisher Had Already Completed Her Work on Star Wars: Episode VIII

SONG OF THE DAY

Eric Idle – The Galaxy Song - Learn some astronomy in under 3 minutes!

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

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Energy News Digest for December 27, 2016

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS



HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Carrie Fisher, Star Wars actress, dies aged 60

Richland Nuclear Power Plant Reconnects to the Grid (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Portland General Electric Restarts Permitting for More Natural Gas (Portland Business Journal, OR)

License Issued for $1 Billion Montana Power Storage Project (Associated Press)

Can We Master the Pot Industry’s Energy Appetite? (GreenBiz)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Richland Nuclear Power Plant Reconnects to the Grid
  • Portland General Electric Restarts Permitting for More Natural Gas
  • License Issued for $1 Billion Montana Power Storage Project
  • Four U-S Governors, Including Washington & Oregon, Roll Up Sleeves to Tackle Grid Modernization
  • Hundreds of Puget Sound Energy Customers without Power in Thurston County
  • U-S Attorney’s office for Oregon collects $19M in cases, fines in 2016 – Includes Skamania PUD Line Mile Case
  • Cold Weather Impacts Electric Bills
  • Twelfth Consecutive Award - Mason PUD 3 Receives International Recognition for Its Financial Reporting
  • Electric Rate Increase in Ellensburg to Take Effect January 1
  • Columbia River PUD Looks to Annex Floating Homes as Appointment for Director Looms
  • Washington State’s White Pelicans, Long Listed as Endangered, Make a Comeback
  • Three Dams to Be Removed in American West to Restore Rivers
  • Irrigation: Low Energy Spray Demonstrations Planned in Washington State, Oregon
  • Alaskans’ Cost of Staying Warm: A Thick Coat of Dirty Air
  • Green Energy Can Increasingly Match – Or Beat – Fossil Fuel Prices, Report Says
  • California’s Renewable Energy Needs Could Boost Nevada
  • In Vermont, Solar, Batteries Key Energy Revolution
  • Dubai Plans Pumped Storage Hydro Facility Powered by Solar
  • When Will Our Electricity Come from the Sea?
  • Skating Rinks Struggle with High Energy Bills
  • Ten Things to Ask Before Going Green
  • Can We Master the Pot Industry’s Energy Appetite?
  • Op/Ed: To Slow Global Warming, We Need Nuclear Power
  • Video: The Spa That Runs on Human Waste
  • Canada Declares Internet a Necessity – Can It Deliver?
  • The Fix Was in to Expand Click, & That’s a Shame
  • Why the Computing Cloud Will Keep Growing & Growing
  • United Kingdom: The Farmer Who Built Her Own Broadband
  • Fake Tree Key to Makeover: Method Commonly Used to Disguise Cell Towers, Consultant Says
  • The Best Writing Advice of 2016
  • New Washington State Lands Commissioner: Address Climate Change, Rural Growth
  • Washington State Undertakes Pilot Study to Replace Gas Tax with a ‘Road User Charge’
  • Will State Ban Banners on Capitol Way Bridge in Olympia?
  • Midwest Winter Storm Weakens, But Thousands Still without Power
  • Cell Service at Mount Rainier: Do You Want to Hear Me Now?
  • Washington Ranks as Third Most Innovative State in U-S
  • Everyone Crashed Their New Holiday Drone
  • Carrie Fisher, Star Wars actress, dies aged 60
WORD OF THE DAY

Cognizance ● /KOG-nuh-zents/ ● Noun – 1: a distinguishing mark or emblem (as a heraldic bearing) 2: knowledge, awareness b: notice, acknowledgment 3: jurisdiction, responsibility

The Force is weakened
Sad cognizance, Leia’s loss
Farewell, sweet princess

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Richland Nuclear Power Plant Reconnects to the Grid (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Portland General Electric Restarts Permitting for More Natural Gas (Portland Business Journal, OR)

License Issued for $1 Billion Montana Power Storage Project (Associated Press)

Four U-S Governors, Including Washington & Oregon, Roll Up Sleeves to Tackle Grid Modernization (Utility Dive)

Hundreds of Puget Sound Energy Customers without Power in Thurston County (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

U-S Attorney’s office for Oregon collects $19M in cases, fines in 2016 – Includes Skamania PUD Line Mile Case (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

Cold Weather Impacts Electric Bills (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Twelfth Consecutive Award - Mason PUD 3 Receives International Recognition for Its Financial Reporting (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

Electric Rate Increase in Ellensburg to Take Effect January 1 (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

Columbia River PUD Looks to Annex Floating Homes as Appointment for Director Looms (Pamplin Group, Portland, OR)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington State’s White Pelicans, Long Listed as Endangered, Make a Comeback (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Three Dams to Be Removed in American West to Restore Rivers (National Geographic Magazine)

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Irrigation: Low Energy Spray Demonstrations Planned in Washington State, Oregon (Capital Press)

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

Alaskans’ Cost of Staying Warm: A Thick Coat of Dirty Air (NY Times)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Green Energy Can Increasingly Match – Or Beat – Fossil Fuel Prices, Report Says (Christian Science Monitor)

California’s Renewable Energy Needs Could Boost Nevada (Las Vegas Sun, NV)

In Vermont, Solar, Batteries Key Energy Revolution (Associated Press)

Dubai Plans Pumped Storage Hydro Facility Powered by Solar (Renewable Energy World)

When Will Our Electricity Come from the Sea? (British Broadcasting Corporation)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Skating Rinks Struggle with High Energy Bills (Associated Press)

​Ten Things to Ask Before Going Green (The Business Journals)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Can We Master the Pot Industry’s Energy Appetite? (GreenBiz)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Op/Ed: To Slow Global Warming, We Need Nuclear Power (NY Times)

SCIENCE SWIMS IN A BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Video: The Spa That Runs on Human Waste (British Broadcasting Corporation)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Canada Declares Internet a Necessity – Can It Deliver? (Christian Science Monitor)

The Fix Was in to Expand Click, & That’s a Shame (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Why the Computing Cloud Will Keep Growing & Growing (NY Times)

United Kingdom: The Farmer Who Built Her Own Broadband (British Broadcasting Corporation)

Fake Tree Key to Makeover: Method Commonly Used to Disguise Cell Towers, Consultant Says (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

MARKETING & MEDIA

The Best Writing Advice of 2016 (Atlantic Magazine)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

New Washington State Lands Commissioner: Address Climate Change, Rural Growth (Associated Press)

Washington State Undertakes Pilot Study to Replace Gas Tax with a ‘Road User Charge’ (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

Will State Ban Banners on Capitol Way Bridge in Olympia? (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

GENERAL NEWS

Midwest Winter Storm Weakens, But Thousands Still without Power (Associated Press)

Cell Service at Mount Rainier: Do You Want to Hear Me Now? (Associated Press)

Washington Ranks as Third Most Innovative State in U-S (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

Everyone Crashed Their New Holiday Drone (Mashable)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Carrie Fisher, Star Wars actress, dies aged 60

John Williams Hasn’t Seen a Single Star Wars Movie

Eight Hidden Benefits to Your Costco Membership

Holy Wow, Oregon Looks Gorgeous from Up Above

SONG OF THE DAY

John Williams –Princess Leia’s Theme (Star Wars Soundtrack, BBC Proms)

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

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Energy News Digest for December 22, 2016 – Hot Shots Edition

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

PROGRAMMING NOTE:

The energy news digest will be celebrating the holidays with port wine and chocolate covered cherries (hic) beginning tomorrow. Have a joyous Christmas weekend. And as much as it pains me, let’s hope it is a green one.

CHEERS!

Brenda White – Christmas in the (Pacific) Northwest

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS


HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP STORIES

Richland Nuclear Power Plant to Restart Within Days

Feds Request Comments on Future of Snake River Dams (Longview Daily News, WA)

460,000 Fish Saved at Entiat Fish Hatchery (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

Tesla Vehicles Arrive 20 Minutes after City of Aberdeen Charging Stations Open (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

Electric Charging Stations Come to Richland, With PUD Partnerships (KVEW-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

Kittitas County Commissioners Divided on Solar Farm Permit (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

Oregon Wins $40 Million for Coveted Wave Energy Test Center Off Newport (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Arizona Regulators End Retail Net Metering in Value-Of-Solar Proceeding (Utility Dive)

Mason County Lifts Moratorium on Medical Cannabis Cooperatives (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Woman Injured in Crash North of Allyn Dies (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Lowland snow possible prior to Christmas Day (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

Rare Snow in the African Desert (NASA)

WORD OF THE DAY

Propitiate • \pro-PISH-ee-yate\ • verb - To gain or regain the favor or goodwill of: appease, conciliate

The famous “turkey drop” from ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ was no match for the “Ferret Drop” promotion of KFER radio one bleak, wintry day in December. The promotion, meant to propitiate listeners who had been stiffed by the limited edition “ball of sisal twine” give-away, went horribly wrong when the helicopter pilot misread his instructions and hovered 1,000 feet above the mall parking lot (instead of the ten feet as directed in the crumpled and smudged instruction sheet.) Fortunately for the apparently ill-fated weasels, their leader fashioned a makeshift parachute from a discarded mascot costume…which delivered the lucky ferrets into a briar patch from which the fabled “Ferret Foundation” grew.

SONG OF THE DAY

Home Free – Do You Hear What I Hear?

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

THE NEWS DIGEST BLOG & TWITTER FEED

The news digest is also available online.

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.