Friday, August 19, 2016

Energy News Digest for August 19, 2016 – Hot, Hot, Hot Shots Edition

The energy news digest will be on a time out in the corner August 22-September 2. As always, if the editor feels the mood, there may be some interesting tidbits on the Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/energydigest

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS





WORD OF THE DAY

Sangfroid • \sawn-FWAH\ • Noun – Self-possession or imperturbability especially under strain – Etymology: French sang-froid, literally, cold blood

“Watch what happens when I open this breaker,” cackled the scientist. Instantly the entire eastern seaboard went dark, sparking a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission study into the hiring of “mad scientists with sangfroid tendencies”. Unfortunately, it also spawned 250 new regulations as part of the National Energy Reliability Corporation’s rule-making activities.

HOT SHOTS – TOP STORIES OF THE DAY

Avista Should Ask For Smaller Rate Increases in 2017, Washington State Staff Says (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Lower Columbia Fishing Steadily Building for Fall Salmon & Some Steelhead (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Feds Use Deeper Water to Cool Fish Ladders, Improves Salmon Passage (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

Clallam PUD Says Not Enough Support for Community Solar Proposal (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

Sun on the Roof: Frenchtown Schools, Missoula Electric Cooperative Partner on Solar Garden (The Missoulian, MT)

As States Debate Solar, Contentious Rate Cases Give Way to Broader Valuation Proceedings (Utility Dive)

British Columbia’s Carbon Tax to Remain Frozen as Province Awaits National Plan (Globe & Mail, Canada)

Most Environmental Groups Oppose Washington State’s Carbon Tax Initiative (Heartland Institute)

California Lawmakers Propose Spending Plan for $1.2 Billion in Cap-And-Trade Funds (Utility Dive)

EIA: Energy-Related CO2 Emissions from Natural Gas Will Surpass Coal in 2016 (Utility Dive)

Comcast Gigabit Twice as Expensive in non-Google Fiber Markets (Broadband Reports)

Weather Expert: Little Climate Change Effect on Peninsula — So Far (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Mason County Resident Holds Wanted Felon at Gunpoint for Deputies in Hot Pursuit (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Mason County Cooling Stations Available This Weekend (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

United Way Cleanup in Shelton Nets Tons of Trash, Junk, Recyclables (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

SONG OF THE DAY

Eric Clapton – Crossroads

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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THE NEWS DIGEST BLOG & 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.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Energy News Digest for August 18, 2016 – Celebrating Bad Poetry Day

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS




HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington State Bans Campfires on DNR Lands (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

Conservationists File Lawsuit against Portland General Electric over Lower Deschutes Water Quality (Oregonian, Portland)

CenturyLink Restores Services after Widespread Outage in Central Washington State (Northwest Cable News Network)

Vestas Stays on a Roll as U-S Market Share Soars, Pipeline Fills Up (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Twitter Suspends 235,000 Accounts for Promoting Terrorism (Gizmodo)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Conservationists File Lawsuit against Portland General Electric over Lower Deschutes Water Quality
  • British Columbia: Removal of Old Dams Brings Fish Back to Britannia Watershed 
  • Pacific Gas & Electric Asks Judge to Overturn Guilty Verdict in San Bruno Blast Trial
  • ‘Yes Nukes’ in New York & Tennessee as Old Plants & New Get New Lease on Life
  • Maryland: Bethesda Family Lives without Power While Refusing To Pay Pepco Advanced Meter Opt-Out Fees
  • Obsessed Audiophiles in Japan Are Installing Their Own Power Poles to Improve Sound
  • Port Angeles City Council to Form Subcommittee Focused on Education, Fluoride Options
  • Can America’s National Parks Defeat the Developers at Their Gates?
  • Vestas Stays on a Roll as U-S Market Share Soars, Pipeline Fills Up
  • Federal Court Upholds DOE’s Energy Efficiency Standards for Appliances
  • California: Roseville Solar Firm Reports Record Revenue in Second Quarter
  • Pay as You Save: Co-Ops Are Reaching New Customers with a Novel Way to Pay for Efficiency
  • Energy Adviser: Close Energy Gap between Landlord & Tenant
  • British Columbia’s Climate Plan to Leave out Carbon Price, Greenhouse Gas Targets
  • Alaska Native Village Votes to Relocate in the Face of Rising Sea Levels
  • Federal Court Blocks Challenge to Social Cost of Carbon
  • Washington State Governor Announces Clean Energy Fund Grid Modernization Grants – Beneficiaries: Avista, Energy Northwest, Orcas Power & Light, Seattle City Light, Snohomish PUD
  • CenturyLink Restores Services after Widespread Outage in Central Washington State
  • T-Mobile Offers Unlimited Data to All Customers
  • AT&T Says Goodbye to Frustrating Overage Fees
  • Seattle Mayor, City Council Award $320,000 in Grants to Promote Digital Equity, Literacy
  • Lafayette, Colorado Will Put Municipal Broadband to a Vote
  • Twitter Suspends 235,000 Accounts for Promoting Terrorism
  • National Public Radio Website to Get Rid of Comments
  • More Small Businesses Put Focus on a Mobile-First Strategy
  • Three Brands Using Facebook in Particularly Effective Ways during the Rio Games
  • Tribune Broadcasting-Dish Skirmish is Getting Nastier
  • Gubernatorial Debate: Inslee, Bryant Face Off in Spokane
  • Official Mason County Primary Election Results Released
  • Washington State Bans Campfires on DNR Lands
  • New Wildfires Prompt Evacuation Notices in Southern Oregon, Near Sunriver
  • California Wildfire Brings Destruction & Uncertainty
  • Will This Be the Pacific Northwest’s Last Heat Wave of the Summer?
  • Getting Your Car & Home Ready for the Heat
  • Did Your School District Improve On State Tests? Compare 2016 Results To 2015
  • Oregon’s Spirit Mountain Casino to Lose Millions on Development of Cowlitz Gaming
WORD OF THE DAY

Welcome to Bad Poetry Day for PR People – Joel’s Horrible Haiku

Gild the lily • \GILD-thuh-LILL-ee\ • phrasal verb – To add unnecessary ornamentation to something beautiful in its own right

Verbalized Feces
Gilding the Lily of Time
History Is Changed

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Conservationists File Lawsuit against Portland General Electric over Lower Deschutes Water Quality (Oregonian, Portland)

British Columbia: Removal of Old Dams Brings Fish Back to Britannia Watershed (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

Pacific Gas & Electric Asks Judge to Overturn Guilty Verdict in San Bruno Blast Trial (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

‘Yes Nukes’ in New York & Tennessee as Old Plants & New Get New Lease on Life (The Energy Collective)

Maryland: Bethesda Family Lives without Power While Refusing To Pay Pepco Advanced Meter Opt-Out Fees (Bethesda Magazine, MD)

Obsessed Audiophiles in Japan Are Installing Their Own Power Poles to Improve Sound (Gizmodo)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Port Angeles City Council to Form Subcommittee Focused on Education, Fluoride Options (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Can America’s National Parks Defeat the Developers at Their Gates? (Los Angeles Times, CA)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Vestas Stays on a Roll as U-S Market Share Soars, Pipeline Fills Up (Portland Business Journal, OR)

California: Roseville Solar Firm Reports Record Revenue in Second Quarter (Sacramento Bee, CA)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Federal Court Upholds DOE’s Energy Efficiency Standards for Appliances (American Public Power Association)

Pay as You Save: Co-Ops Are Reaching New Customers with a Novel Way to Pay for Efficiency (Utility Dive)

Energy Adviser: Close Energy Gap between Landlord & Tenant (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

British Columbia’s Climate Plan to Leave out Carbon Price, Greenhouse Gas Targets (Globe & Mail, Canada)

Alaska Native Village Votes to Relocate in the Face of Rising Sea Levels (Grist Online)

Federal Court Blocks Challenge to Social Cost of Carbon (National Public Radio)

SCIENCE SWIMS IN A BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Washington State Governor Announces Clean Energy Fund Grid Modernization Grants – Beneficiaries: Avista, Energy Northwest, Orcas Power & Light, Seattle City Light, Snohomish PUD (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CenturyLink Restores Services after Widespread Outage in Central Washington State (Northwest Cable News Network)

T-Mobile Offers Unlimited Data to All Customers (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

AT&T Says Goodbye to Frustrating Overage Fees (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

Seattle Mayor, City Council Award $320,000 in Grants to Promote Digital Equity, Literacy (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

Lafayette, Colorado Will Put Municipal Broadband to a Vote (Boulder Daily Camera, CO)

MARKETING & MEDIA

Twitter Suspends 235,000 Accounts for Promoting Terrorism (Gizmodo)

National Public Radio Website to Get Rid of Comments (National Public Radio)

More Small Businesses Put Focus on a Mobile-First Strategy (Associated Press)

Three Brands Using Facebook in Particularly Effective Ways during the Rio Games (AdWeek)

Tribune Broadcasting-Dish Skirmish is Getting Nastier (Chicago Business Journal, IL)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Gubernatorial Debate: Inslee, Bryant Face Off in Spokane (Northwest Public Radio)

Official Mason County Primary Election Results Released (Mason Web Tv, Shelton, Wa)

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Bans Campfires on DNR Lands (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

New Wildfires Prompt Evacuation Notices in Southern Oregon, Near Sunriver (Oregonian, Portland)

California Wildfire Brings Destruction & Uncertainty (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

Will This Be the Pacific Northwest’s Last Heat Wave of the Summer? (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

Getting Your Car & Home Ready for the Heat (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

Did Your School District Improve On State Tests? Compare 2016 Results To 2015 (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Oregon’s Spirit Mountain Casino to Lose Millions on Development of Cowlitz Gaming (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF – DIVERSIONS

British Columbia: ‘Guard Dog’ Cat Attacks Pit Bull, Leaving Dog & Owner Bloodied

Couple Dressed in Victorian-Era Costumes Asked to Leave Butchart Gardens

Report: American Swimmers Broke Down Gas Station Door, Fought with Security on Night of Alleged Robbery

Australian Goldfish Are Growing into Monsters in the Wild

SONG OF THE DAY

Heat Wave – The Grooveline

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.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Energy News Digest for August 17, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS




HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Google Suspends Portland High-Speed Internet Plans (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Montana Lawmakers Craft Measures to Deal with Colstrip Coal Plant Closure (Associated Press)

Utah Utility Group Selects Idaho Site for NuScale Small Modular Reactor (The Energy Collective)

$40 Million in Play for Would-Be Oregon Coast Energy Project (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Chum Salmon Prove Surprisingly Resistant to Pollution (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Montana Lawmakers Craft Measures to Deal with Colstrip Coal Plant Closure
  • Utah Utility Group Selects Idaho Site for NuScale Small Modular Reactor
  • Oregon Lawfully Rejected Morrow Coal Export Terminal, Judge Rules
  • Energy Secretary Moniz & Senator Cantwell Lead Discussion on Energy Workforce Needs
  • City of Klamath Falls Moves toward Automated Meter Reading
  • Exonerated by Investigation – Seattle’s Top-Paid Employee Was under Workplace Probe When Mayor Nominated Him
  • August 17 - Planned Power Outage for Customers in Storeybrook Area
  • Mail Call: Step Up for Hydropower Licensing Changes
  • Six Children Shocked by Electricity at Amusement Park in Connecticut
  • Chum Salmon Prove Surprisingly Resistant to Pollution
  • Complaints about Gorst Fish Nets a Seasonal Occurrence
  • Fish Kill in Yellowstone River Estimated at More Than 10,000
  • Are Pesticides Killing Off Wild Bees? New Evidence Says Yes
  • Waters of the U-S Foes Turned Back by Court
  • $40 Million in Play for Would-Be Oregon Coast Energy Project
  • Sun Burn: Solar Tax Credits Scorch State Budgets
  • It’s the Dawn of the Community Solar Farm
  • Mason County Leaders OK Medical Cannabis Cooperatives
  • State Laws on Medical Marijuana Tops Federal, Court Rules
  • Marijuana Plants Featured in Portland Real Estate Listings
  • How a ‘Buttoned Up’ Exec Found the Marijuana Industry & Got Microsoft to Join In
  • California: While Cap-And-Trade Funds Stay Mired in Debate, Businesses Feel the Hit
  • Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Natural Gas Surpass Coal as Fuel Use Patterns Change
  • Eastern Oregon Teacher Wins Presidential Award for Hands-On Classes That Turn Brownfields Green
  • Google Suspends Portland High-Speed Internet Plans
  • U-S to Hand Off Internet in Under Two Months
  • Cisco Cutting 14,000 Jobs Globally, Says Report
  • Mason PUD 3 to Work on Fiber Optic Network
  • Verizon Wants to Sell App Installations on Your Phone to Advertisers
  • The International Olympic Committee Is on the Prowl to Take Down “Periscope Pirates”
  • Gold’s Gym Terminates Franchisee Whose Ad Said a Pear ‘Is No Shape for a Girl’ 
  • Ad of the Day: Heineken Honors the Odd Ideas That Can Spark a Downtown Revitalization
  • Murray Way Ahead in Elway’s Washington State Poll, Democrats Advantage in Statewide Races
  • Business Owners React to Initiative on November Ballot to Raise Minimum Wage Statewide
  • Transportation Tax Dollars Earmarked for Shelton Street Paving
  • Fast-Moving California Wildfire Forces 82,000 to Evacuate
  • Louisiana’s Devastating Flooding: By the Numbers
  • Olympia Businesses, Workers Worried about Safety as Nightly Police Foot Patrols End
  • Seahawks’ Kenny Easley Named Hall of Fame Senior Finalist
  • “South Sound Conference” – New Classifications for High School Sports, New Leagues
  • Shelton’s “Chalk the Walk”
WORD OF THE DAY

Youthquake • \YOOTH-kwayk\ • noun – A shift in cultural norms influenced by the values, tastes, and mores of young people

“Harry’s Haggis Hut” had long depended on its aging clientele, awaiting the ultimate end to its business caused by attrition. Fortunately, a youthquake of amazing proportions re-energized the business, thanks to an unexpected hit song from the Colorado band, “Canned Haggis” extolling the virtues of the traditional Scottish dish.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Montana Lawmakers Craft Measures to Deal with Colstrip Coal Plant Closure (Associated Press)

Utah Utility Group Selects Idaho Site for NuScale Small Modular Reactor (The Energy Collective)

Oregon Lawfully Rejected Morrow Coal Export Terminal, Judge Rules (Oregonian, Portland)

Energy Secretary Moniz & Senator Cantwell Lead Discussion on Energy Workforce Needs (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

City of Klamath Falls Moves toward Automated Meter Reading (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)

Exonerated by Investigation – Seattle’s Top-Paid Employee Was under Workplace Probe When Mayor Nominated Him (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

August 17 - Planned Power Outage for Customers in Storeybrook Area (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

Mail Call: Step Up for Hydropower Licensing Changes (Politico)

Six Children Shocked by Electricity at Amusement Park in Connecticut (Associated Press)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Chum Salmon Prove Surprisingly Resistant to Pollution (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

Complaints about Gorst Fish Nets a Seasonal Occurrence (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Fish Kill in Yellowstone River Estimated at More Than 10,000 (Associated Press)

Are Pesticides Killing Off Wild Bees? New Evidence Says Yes (Christian Science Monitor)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Waters of the U-S Foes Turned Back by Court (Politico)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

$40 Million in Play for Would-Be Oregon Coast Energy Project (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Sun Burn: Solar Tax Credits Scorch State Budgets – Solar power can burn a hole in a state’s budget, but a well-designed plan can bring benefits (Utility Dive)

It’s the Dawn of the Community Solar Farm (Bloomberg News)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Mason County Leaders OK Medical Cannabis Cooperatives (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

State Laws on Medical Marijuana Tops Federal, Court Rules (Associated Press)

Marijuana Plants Featured in Portland Real Estate Listings (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

How a ‘Buttoned Up’ Exec Found the Marijuana Industry & Got Microsoft to Join In (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California: While Cap-And-Trade Funds Stay Mired in Debate, Businesses Feel the Hit (Los Angeles Times, CA)

Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Natural Gas Surpass Coal as Fuel Use Patterns Change (U-S Energy Information Administration)

SCIENCE SWIMS IN A BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Eastern Oregon Teacher Wins Presidential Award for Hands-On Classes That Turn Brownfields Green (Oregonian, Portland)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Suspends Portland High-Speed Internet Plans (Portland Business Journal, OR)

U-S to Hand Off Internet in Under Two Months (Washington Examiner)

Cisco Cutting 14,000 Jobs Globally, Says Report (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

Mason PUD 3 to Work on Fiber Optic Network (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

MARKETING & MEDIA

Verizon Wants to Sell App Installations on Your Phone to Advertisers (Consumerist)

The International Olympic Committee Is on the Prowl to Take Down “Periscope Pirates” (Consumerist)

Gold’s Gym Terminates Franchisee Whose Ad Said a Pear ‘Is No Shape for a Girl’ (AdWeek)

Ad of the Day: Heineken Honors the Odd Ideas That Can Spark a Downtown Revitalization (AdWeek)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Murray Way Ahead in Elway’s Washington State Poll, Democrats Advantage in Statewide Races (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

Business Owners React to Initiative on November Ballot to Raise Minimum Wage Statewide (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

Transportation Tax Dollars Earmarked for Shelton Street Paving (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Fast-Moving California Wildfire Forces 82,000 to Evacuate (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

Louisiana’s Devastating Flooding: By the Numbers (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

Olympia Businesses, Workers Worried about Safety as Nightly Police Foot Patrols End (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

Seahawks’ Kenny Easley Named Hall of Fame Senior Finalist (Northwest Cable News Network)

“South Sound Conference” – New Classifications for High School Sports, New Leagues (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

Shelton’s “Chalk the Walk” (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Iron Nun Tickled by Fan Reaction to Nike Ad

Dog Owner Gets $100,000 Settlement in Shooting Death of Beloved Spaniel

Is There Really a Hidden Nazi Gold Train in Poland?

Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew Shares Touching Tribute to Star Wars Co-star Kenny Baker

SONG OF THE DAY

The Doors – L.A. Woman

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:
http://twitter.com/energydigest

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, August 16, 2016

Energy News Digest for August 16, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS


HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Billionaire Developer Martin Selig Racks Up $2 Million in Unpaid Seattle City Light Bills (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Hot Water Poses Ongoing Threat to Columbia River Salmon, Groups Say (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

July Was ‘Absolutely’ Earth’s Hottest Month Ever Recorded (Washington Post)

British Columbia: Dam Safety – BC Hydro Officials Worry about Risks of Earthquakes Triggered by Fracking (Globe & Mail, Canada)

How a Land Use Plan for the California Desert Turned Climate Change Allies into Foes (Washington Post)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Billionaire Developer Martin Selig Racks Up $2 Million in Unpaid Seattle City Light Bills
  • British Columbia: Dam Safety – BC Hydro Officials Worry about Risks of Earthquakes Triggered by Fracking
  • Tribal Company Gets Security Contract at Chief Joseph Dam
  • Report: Idaho’s Modular Nuclear Reactor Would Create, Sustain Jobs
  • Scammers Targeting Grays Harbor PUD Customers
  • Spokane City Council Drops Controversial Oil Train Measure from November Ballot
  • California: Pacific Gas & Electric San Bruno Case Penalty a ‘Slap on the Wrist,’ Critics Say
  • Members Reviving Atlanta Electric Co-op after CEO Takes Millions
  • Wisconsin Utility Accused of Manipulating Records to Recoup Coal Plant Costs
  • Utilities Fighting Lower Electric Bill Zombie Apocalypse
  • Epic Job: Meet a High-Voltage Line Inspector
  • Hot Water Poses Ongoing Threat to Columbia River Salmon, Groups Say
  • Deschutes Basin Sees Surprising Sockeye Returns
  • Op/Ed: Data Centers – Investors Call on Tech to be Smart about Water
  • How a Land Use Plan for the California Desert Turned Climate Change Allies into Foes
  • Montana Officials Mull Expanding Rooftop Solar Size Cap
  • British Columbia: Wind Farms on Hutterite Land Approved
  • Utilities Poised to Tap into Massive Solar Market through Community Solar
  • Oregon Energy Trust Tops 10,000 Energy Efficient Homes
  • White House Sets New Fuel-Efficiency Standards for Heavy-Duty Trucks, Vans & Buses
  • Chai Energy - Los Angeles Startup Pays Users to Save Power
  • July Was ‘Absolutely’ Earth’s Hottest Month Ever Recorded
  • NASA: Natural Gas Industry the Source of Massive Methane ‘Hot Spot’
  • California Regulators Holding Cap-And-Trade Auction as Lawmakers Consider Next Steps on Climate Change
  • Editorial: Does I-732 Go Far Enough? Progressives Can’t Seem to Agree
  • How to Break Up With a Power Company
  • Female Scientists Formed at Mount St. Helens through GeoGirls Program
  • Scientists Just Say No to ‘Chemtrails’ Conspiracy Theory
  • Pole Dancing - Nashville Mayor Wants Google, Comcast, AT&T to Sit Down & Make Nice over Fiber Plans
  • Tennessee: Chattanooga’s Innovation District Beckons to Young Entrepreneurs
  • Ruralite Wins Top Award for Magazine Design
  • NBC’s Olympic Ratings Drop While Online Viewership Surges – ‘There Is a Cultural Shift’
  • Tribes Watch GOP Effort to Wrest Control of Federal Land
  • Belfair’s Theler Center Could Become Learning Hub
  • California Is in Flames Right Now, With Fires Fueled by Historic Drought
  • Thousands without Power in Louisiana
  • Idaho Rising
  • Olympics: Call It Desperate, Call It Bold, But Shaunae Miller’s Dive Was Legal
WORD OF THE DAY

Misanthrope – MISS-sun-thrope – Noun – A person who hates or distrusts humankind.

Abernathy wore his hatred on his sleeve. As the small town’s reviled misanthrope, he was wont to say “I’m an equal opportunity hater. I even hate myself.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Billionaire Developer Martin Selig Racks Up $2 Million in Unpaid Seattle City Light Bills (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

British Columbia: Dam Safety – BC Hydro Officials Worry about Risks of Earthquakes Triggered by Fracking (Globe & Mail, Canada)

Tribal Company Gets Security Contract at Chief Joseph Dam (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Report: Idaho’s Modular Nuclear Reactor Would Create, Sustain Jobs (Associated Press)

Scammers Targeting Grays Harbor PUD Customers (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

Spokane City Council Drops Controversial Oil Train Measure from November Ballot (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

California: Pacific Gas & Electric San Bruno Case Penalty a ‘Slap on the Wrist,’ Critics Say (Utility Dive)

Members Reviving Atlanta Electric Co-op after CEO Takes Millions (Renewable Energy World)

Wisconsin Utility Accused of Manipulating Records to Recoup Coal Plant Costs (Midwest Energy News)

Utilities Fighting Lower Electric Bill Zombie Apocalypse (Triple Pundit)

Epic Job: Meet a High-Voltage Line Inspector (Gear Junkie)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Hot Water Poses Ongoing Threat to Columbia River Salmon, Groups Say (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Deschutes Basin Sees Surprising Sockeye Returns (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Op/Ed: Data Centers – Investors Call on Tech to be Smart about Water (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

How a Land Use Plan for the California Desert Turned Climate Change Allies into Foes (Washington Post)

Montana Officials Mull Expanding Rooftop Solar Size Cap (Utility Dive)

British Columbia: Wind Farms on Hutterite Land Approved (Dawson Creek Mirror, BC)

Utilities Poised to Tap into Massive Solar Market through Community Solar (American Public Power Association)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Oregon Energy Trust Tops 10,000 Energy Efficient Homes (Portland Business Journal, OR)

White House Sets New Fuel-Efficiency Standards for Heavy-Duty Trucks, Vans & Buses (Washington Post)

Chai Energy - Los Angeles Startup Pays Users to Save Power (L.A. Biz, CA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

July Was ‘Absolutely’ Earth’s Hottest Month Ever Recorded (Washington Post)

NASA: Natural Gas Industry the Source of Massive Methane ‘Hot Spot’ (USA Today)

California Regulators Holding Cap-And-Trade Auction as Lawmakers Consider Next Steps on Climate Change (Los Angeles Times, CA)

Editorial: Does I-732 Go Far Enough? Progressives Can’t Seem to Agree (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

SCIENCE SWIMS IN A BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

How to Break Up With a Power Company (The Atlantic Magazine)

Female Scientists Formed at Mount St. Helens through GeoGirls Program (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

Scientists Just Say No to ‘Chemtrails’ Conspiracy Theory (NY Times)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Pole Dancing - Nashville Mayor Wants Google, Comcast, AT&T to Sit Down & Make Nice over Fiber Plans (Consumerist)

Tennessee: Chattanooga’s Innovation District Beckons to Young Entrepreneurs (NY Times)

MARKETING & MEDIA

Ruralite Wins Top Award for Magazine Design (Ruralite Magazine)

NBC’s Olympic Ratings Drop While Online Viewership Surges – ‘There Is a Cultural Shift’ (Hartford Courant, CT)

POLITICS & MANAGEMENT

Tribes Watch GOP Effort to Wrest Control of Federal Land (USA Today)

GENERAL NEWS

Belfair’s Theler Center Could Become Learning Hub (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

California Is in Flames Right Now, With Fires Fueled by Historic Drought (Washington Post)

Thousands without Power in Louisiana – But the good news is that the water is receding faster than anticipated (Emergency Management)

Idaho Rising (The Atlantic Magazine)

Olympics: Call It Desperate, Call It Bold, But Shaunae Miller’s Dive Was Legal (Christian Science Monitor)

THE CLAW, THE CLAW – DIVERSIONS

Going to Butt-Dial 911? Don’t Discuss Doing Illegal Stuff

How Rare Are Bright Blue Lobsters?

Flight Attendant Adopts Stray Dog Who Wouldn’t Stop Waiting for Her at Argentina Hotel

These Abandoned Olympic Venues Will Haunt Your Dreams

SONG OF THE DAY

The B-52’s – Rock Lobster

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.