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.
WORD OF THE DAY
Umbra • \UM-bruh\ • noun – 1: a shaded area * a: a conical shadow excluding all light from a given source; specifically: the conical part of the shadow of a celestial body excluding all light from the primary source b: the central dark part of a sunspot
Joel was becoming concerned. Having left his sunscreen at home, the diminishing umbra of the shade tree that was protecting his bald pate was leading him to plan for a liberal dosing of aloe vera gel that would be necessary that evening to soothe the impending sunburn.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
Summer of 2007: Driest ever recorded on east slopes of Cascades (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10250616.html
Warm U.S. winter expected to worsen drought conditions (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/2007-10-05-warm-winter_N.htm?csp=34
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
State fines Energy Northwest $120K for improper waste handling – The Washington state Department of Ecology on Thursday fined Energy Northwest $120,000 for improperly handling chemical and hazardous waste at the state's only nuclear power plant. (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10052007news209403.cfm
Oregon – PacifiCorp agrees to refund $2.2 million to customers. The utility -- the latest one to repay users -- will reimburse over collected Multnomah County taxes (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/119146836044580.xml&coll=7
Southern California Edison to appeal $200 million in fines, refunds – The company says it plans to appeal a judge's decision that would require the utility to pay $200 million in fines and ratepayer refunds for rigging customer satisfaction surveys. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CgddfjjoYSge%23%3A%40%24bfem%5E%21
News Release – Puget Sound Energy Will Spend $12 Million on Vegetation Management in 2007 (Business Wire)
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071004005291&newsLang=en
Green City: Pacific Gas & Electric’'s two faces – Seeking to water down environmental standards (San Francisco Bay Guardian)
http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=4650&catid=&volume_id=317&issue_id=318&volume_num=42&issue_num=01
PPL could bill customers 42 percent more – PPL Electric Utilities Corp.'s residential, small commercial and small industrial customers who do not choose competitive electricity suppliers could be shocked by bill increases in 2010. (Central Pennsylvania Business Journal)
http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/article.asp?aID=62860
European Union Bears Its Teeth on Energy Unbundling – With the European Commission adopting plans that would force European energy markets to be open to more competition and utilities to unbundle their operations, battle lines have been drawn. (PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8kowu%5D%5CgddgpwwYSge%23%3A%40%24bfem%5E%21
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Oregon study: Hatchery steelhead less successful spawning in wild (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-21/1191528770124770.xml&storylist=orlocal
Chinook returning to Cedar River big-time – About 300 fish came back this fall, compared with 79 four years ago (Seattle P-I)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/334322_cedarriver05.html?source=rss
Salmon start flying on West End: Where you can view (but not fish) them – All the Sol Duc summer coho (silver salmon) needed was a little bit of rain. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071005/NEWS/710050302
Canada – Taking Aim at Otters. Are they a 'renewable resource'? Cute but voracious, their legal protection may be eroding. (The Tyee)
http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/10/05/Otters2/
Wildlife refuge cuts kids programs – The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge no longer will provide environmental education for many children, according to a report released Thursday. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/235574.html
Influence helped Tacoma get Sound cleanup agency – For a while, it looked as if Olympia would house the main offices of the Puget Sound Partnership, the new state agency charged with cleaning up Puget Sound. (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/171947.html
Water projects wait on funding, feasibility study – Funding and the authority to do a feasibility study are necessary ingredients in order for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to move along with area water projects. (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2007/10/04/news/news04.txt
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Iowa – Fire Damages Wind Turbine Near Garner: Fire Erupted From Gear Box 200 Feet From Ground (KCCI-TV, Des Moines)
http://www.kcci.com/news/14268913/detail.html
Feds blow hot and cold in support for wind power – Anyone who flies a kite or hits a golf ball knows breezes can be fickle. So consider how difficult it can be to make a living from the wind. (Scripps Howard News Service)
http://www.star-telegram.com/464/story/256796.html
Oregon – Central Lincoln utility offers renewable energy program – The Central Lincoln People’s Utility District began offering a renewable power program to customers this month. (Bandon Western World)
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2007/10/04/news/doc47053d5a0778b200480997.txt
Lighten up on energy use with ideas from solar tour – Sun power will be the focus of a Saturday tour of 12 Clark County buildings and homes that showcase the benefits of renewable energy. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2007/10/10052007_Lighten-up-on-energy-use-with-ideas-from-solar-tour.cfm
Coffin Butte Resource Project, Landfill-Gas-to-Energy Plant, More Than Doubles Generation Capacity (News Release - PNGC Power)
http://www.pngcpower.com/newsroom/news_releases.aspx?ID=37
Oregon – State sees roadside solar panels ahead – ODOT plans to follow Europe's lead and test panels along highways and bridges (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1191551122230690.xml&coll=7
CONSERVATION
G.E. to Close Some Lighting Plants – “…in part because of a changing lighting market, in which demand for the incandescent bulb has declined over the last five years…” (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/05/business/05ge.html?ex=1349323200&en=8c7d122f6c8a7ab0&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Virginia – No tax on energy efficient products. State officials hope this weekend's inaugural sales-tax holiday on certain energy-efficient products will help the environment while saving Virginians money -- just not too much money. (Hemscott Group)
http://www.hemscott.com/news/latest-news/item.do?newsId=51178830385408
Couple builds green house for gentle living – Craig Rainwater and his wife, Pamela Pasquale, are building their dream home on the side of a hill off Sleepy Hollow Road, east of Monitor. They have a big dream of a small house. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071004/NEWS04/710040075/1001
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Australian Fires Add to Fears on Climate Change – As the first bush fires of the year rage through Australia’s national forests, concern over climate change and its effects is intensifying among Australians. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/world/asia/04australia.html?ex=1349236800&en=4a04193ad6ee82a4&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Officials hope voters might favor gas tax boost to fight warming – Regional officials are taking a close look at trying to increase the Bay Area's gasoline tax by as much as 10 cents a gallon and believe voters might agree to it as a way to help combat global warming (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/05/MNJ2SKB78.DTL&type=politics
Inside Fix? The clock is ticking on California's request for a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency for its stringent law on tailpipe emissions. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/04/AR2007100402227.html?nav=rss_opinions
Money, Mouths and Global Warming (NY Times)
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/money-mouths-and-global-warming/index.html?ex=1349150400&en=8c3095688b9b8424&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Portland Considers Building Municipal Broadband Internet System (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/portland-considers-building-municipal-broadband-internet-system/
Where's My Free Wi-Fi? Why municipal wireless networks have been such a flop. (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2174858/fr/flyout
How 2 Guys' Iowa Connection – Took Big Telecoms for a Ride (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119146044026348502.html?mod=telecommunications_primary_hs
Cable company offers telephone service in Southern Oregon (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2007/10/01/daily29.html?ana=from_rss
GENERAL NEWS
(More Details from yesterday’s story) No lie, state Supreme Court rules candidates can make A sharply divided state Supreme Court has ruled that a law that bars political candidates from deliberately making false statements about their opponents violates the First Amendment right of free speech. (Associated Press via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003924720_webfirstamendment04m.html?syndication=rss
Excerpts from ruling on WA campaign speech and reaction (Associated Press via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/234892.html
Opinions split over proposed Brinnon mega-resort –The proposed Pleasant Harbor Marina and golf resort, which would allow up to 890 hotel and rental units to be built at Black Point, is too much too fast, some say. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071005/NEWS/710050303
Weyerhaeuser to shut sawmills – Company official: Temporary closure won't hurt workers (Associated Press via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/business/story/235602.html
Dairy farmers seek greener pastures – Urban development prompts farmers to look east (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/southeastkingcountynews/2003926775_farmfamily05m.html?syndication=rss
DIVERSIONS
Customs find beetles stuffed with cocaine
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSNA428240520071005?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Uproar over Italian tax breaks for "big babies"
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL0561970420071005?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Man accused of stealing OSU softball bleachers
http://www.examiner.com/a-972633~Man_accused_of_stealing_OSU_softball_bleachers.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Bar gossip leads to nasty surprise for couple – A Czech couple who decided to take a DNA test to squash persistent pub gossip and prove that their 10-month-old baby was their own got a nasty surprise.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071004/od_nm/czech_baby_dc;_ylt=Ane.E6MmjpZFt77rjKnYBdjtiBIF
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
News Digest for October 4, 2007
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.
WORD OF THE DAY
Astute • \uh-STOOT\ • adjective – *1: having or showing shrewdness and perspicacity 2: crafty, wily
The gimlet-eyed member of the censorship board was crushed. He had expected to be assigned to the latest Busby-Berkeley flesh-fest “Gold Diggers of 1933”. To his dismay, the cigar-chomping studio boss smiled grimly while swirling his diamond tie-tack, announcing that the censor’s astute talent was to be applied to a new Marx Brothers film, “Duck Soup”. “And don’t let any of those double-entendres get through editing,” the boss intoned….or it’s curtains for you!”
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Chelan County PUD considers automated meters – The PUD is considering switching to automated electric meters that would eliminate the need for house-hopping meter readers. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NEWS04/710030054/1001
Power lines needed to prevent blackouts – The U.S. Department of Energy took a stand against electricity blackouts on Tuesday by giving utility companies the ability to override local opposition to power lines. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflvwrruWSge%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
Southern California designated national electric corridor – The odds increased Tuesday that San Diego Gas & Electric Co.'s proposed $1.3 billion power line will be built after a wide swath of Southern California was designated a national electric corridor.
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CgddfhmmRSge%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
Mid-Atlantic Power Firms Win New Federal Backing – The federal government announced yesterday that it was giving power companies new leverage to force landowners to permit the installation of electric transmission lines. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/02/AR2007100202054.html?nav=rss_business
Georgia TVA nominee loyal to nuclear energy
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflvtlpyZSge%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
Report shows industry ramping up debit and credit card acceptance options – With consumers increasingly using credit and debit for everyday purchases, utilities are pumping up electronic options to cater to "generation plastic" (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/307446/22/ARTCL/none/none/Report-shows-industry-ramping-up-debit-and-credit-card-acceptance-options/
Former CIA director discusses U.S. energy security – Plug-in hybrid cars are part of the answer in breaking oil's monopoly on the country's transportation system, former Central Intelligence Agency Director James Woolsey said Wednesday. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9352735p-9266880c.html
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Montana – Governor touts state's booming 'restoration economy'. It's not an economy that anyone has quite figured out how to measure, but the business of cleaning up environmental messes is booming. (The Missoulian)
http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/10/04/news/local/news04.txt
PSE's new system aims to save baby salmon – Puget Sound Energy has a new formula it hopes will allow salmon and dams to mix without the danger. The utility is testing out their new idea at Baker Lake, where the utility's upper dam drops 312 feet. (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10216336.html
A Tug Boat Ride Down the Snake River – The Modern Day Columbia River – Part Three. Every year, tug boats push millions of tons of products like wheat, barley, potatoes and sawdust up and down the Columbia and Snake Rivers. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/tug-boat-ride-down-snake-river/
California – GOP makes ultimatum on dams: Water bill must include funding for new facilities, Republicans say. Assembly Republicans said Wednesday that they will reject any plan to improve the state's water supplies unless it includes funding for new dams. (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7081210?source=rss&nclick_check=1
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Golly, I hat to say I told you so… Clean energy can't meet growing demand – Demand for renewable energy is outstripping supply, pushing up prices and raising the specter that some states may not meet clean-energy mandates. (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2007-10-03-clean-energy_N.htm
Olympic Peninsula – Solar tours to show value of sun in rainy places (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071004/NEWS/710040307
Where to see solar power systems on the North Olympic Peninsula (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071004/NEWS/710040302
Nev.: Reid Pushes Military on Wind Farms – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, continuing a clean-energy push, said Wednesday he has asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates to get the military to finally decide whether to support potential wind-farm sites in Nevada. (Forbes Magazine)
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/10/04/ap4187081.html
CONSERVATION
Bulb brilliance at Wal-Mart as CFLs go mainstream – One of the biggest hurdles to widespread approval of the energy-efficient light bulbs is price, and the big-box company is working on that. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1004/p04s01-wogi.html
Pacific Gas and Electric starts a campaign for better light bulbs – PG&E wants you to use a better bulb. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/04/BUK0SJHBD.DTL&feed=rss.business
A New Ball for New Year’s, Brighter Yet More Efficient – Times Square Icon will use LED lights. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/nyregion/04ball.html?ex=1349150400&en=cc50984c0a7e5728&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Montana – Electric co-ops ponder coal's future, effects of climate change. The future of coal-fired power figured prominently in a panel discussion on climate change Wednesday at the annual meeting of Montana's electric cooperatives at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls. (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071004/NEWS01/710040301/1002
Lawmakers Will Proceed on Climate Plan – Leaders Focus on System of Tradable Allowances for Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100302203.html?nav=rss_politics
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Verizon accused of fraud – …lawsuit charges the firm with overstating subscriber numbers for its new TV service that runs on the network.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071004/BIZ/710040021
GAO: FCC Tips Lobbyists on Phone, Cable Issues – The Government Accountability Office releases a report accusing the Federal Communications Commission of leaking tips to business interests before they're made public. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14980818&ft=1&f=3
San Francisco, CA – Audit finds city's information technology in disarray. The absence of central oversight and planning in the purchase of computer and information technology by San Francisco City Hall is wasting millions of dollars a year, inhibiting efficient use of government data and creating technological backwaters across municipal government (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/04/BAR7SJF8O.DTL&feed=rss.business
Networks Are Streaming Into Prime Time Online (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100302458.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
In a Mason County case, high court rules campaign lies is protected free speech – A sharply divided state Supreme Court has ruled that a law that bars political candidates from deliberately making false statements about their opponents violates the First Amendment right of free speech. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/234685.html
Software upgrades bring down state job-hunting Web site (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10042007news208917.cfm
Republican Domenici Is Set to Retire From Senate – Senate Republicans are bracing for another potentially costly 2008 retirement, with veteran Sen. Pete V. Domenici (N.M.) expected to announce today that he will not seek a seventh term. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100302486.html?nav=rss_politics
DIVERSIONS
Mark Morris principal cancels dances – After nagging students five years about freak dancing, Mark Morris High School Principal Chris Fritsch took a stand last week.
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/10/04/area_news/news09.txt
Hashish "spacecakes" become chicken-friendly
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL0369988020071004?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Drugs hidden in Mr. Potato Head toy
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071004/ap_on_fe_st/odd_potato_head_ecstasy;_ylt=AmS5F327mHMtxDu8ve14PKbtiBIF
"Gift rage" lands worker in court?
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUST16652320071004?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
WORD OF THE DAY
Astute • \uh-STOOT\ • adjective – *1: having or showing shrewdness and perspicacity 2: crafty, wily
The gimlet-eyed member of the censorship board was crushed. He had expected to be assigned to the latest Busby-Berkeley flesh-fest “Gold Diggers of 1933”. To his dismay, the cigar-chomping studio boss smiled grimly while swirling his diamond tie-tack, announcing that the censor’s astute talent was to be applied to a new Marx Brothers film, “Duck Soup”. “And don’t let any of those double-entendres get through editing,” the boss intoned….or it’s curtains for you!”
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Chelan County PUD considers automated meters – The PUD is considering switching to automated electric meters that would eliminate the need for house-hopping meter readers. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NEWS04/710030054/1001
Power lines needed to prevent blackouts – The U.S. Department of Energy took a stand against electricity blackouts on Tuesday by giving utility companies the ability to override local opposition to power lines. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflvwrruWSge%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
Southern California designated national electric corridor – The odds increased Tuesday that San Diego Gas & Electric Co.'s proposed $1.3 billion power line will be built after a wide swath of Southern California was designated a national electric corridor.
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CgddfhmmRSge%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
Mid-Atlantic Power Firms Win New Federal Backing – The federal government announced yesterday that it was giving power companies new leverage to force landowners to permit the installation of electric transmission lines. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/02/AR2007100202054.html?nav=rss_business
Georgia TVA nominee loyal to nuclear energy
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflvtlpyZSge%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
Report shows industry ramping up debit and credit card acceptance options – With consumers increasingly using credit and debit for everyday purchases, utilities are pumping up electronic options to cater to "generation plastic" (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/307446/22/ARTCL/none/none/Report-shows-industry-ramping-up-debit-and-credit-card-acceptance-options/
Former CIA director discusses U.S. energy security – Plug-in hybrid cars are part of the answer in breaking oil's monopoly on the country's transportation system, former Central Intelligence Agency Director James Woolsey said Wednesday. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9352735p-9266880c.html
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Montana – Governor touts state's booming 'restoration economy'. It's not an economy that anyone has quite figured out how to measure, but the business of cleaning up environmental messes is booming. (The Missoulian)
http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/10/04/news/local/news04.txt
PSE's new system aims to save baby salmon – Puget Sound Energy has a new formula it hopes will allow salmon and dams to mix without the danger. The utility is testing out their new idea at Baker Lake, where the utility's upper dam drops 312 feet. (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10216336.html
A Tug Boat Ride Down the Snake River – The Modern Day Columbia River – Part Three. Every year, tug boats push millions of tons of products like wheat, barley, potatoes and sawdust up and down the Columbia and Snake Rivers. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/tug-boat-ride-down-snake-river/
California – GOP makes ultimatum on dams: Water bill must include funding for new facilities, Republicans say. Assembly Republicans said Wednesday that they will reject any plan to improve the state's water supplies unless it includes funding for new dams. (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7081210?source=rss&nclick_check=1
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Golly, I hat to say I told you so… Clean energy can't meet growing demand – Demand for renewable energy is outstripping supply, pushing up prices and raising the specter that some states may not meet clean-energy mandates. (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2007-10-03-clean-energy_N.htm
Olympic Peninsula – Solar tours to show value of sun in rainy places (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071004/NEWS/710040307
Where to see solar power systems on the North Olympic Peninsula (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071004/NEWS/710040302
Nev.: Reid Pushes Military on Wind Farms – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, continuing a clean-energy push, said Wednesday he has asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates to get the military to finally decide whether to support potential wind-farm sites in Nevada. (Forbes Magazine)
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/10/04/ap4187081.html
CONSERVATION
Bulb brilliance at Wal-Mart as CFLs go mainstream – One of the biggest hurdles to widespread approval of the energy-efficient light bulbs is price, and the big-box company is working on that. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1004/p04s01-wogi.html
Pacific Gas and Electric starts a campaign for better light bulbs – PG&E wants you to use a better bulb. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/04/BUK0SJHBD.DTL&feed=rss.business
A New Ball for New Year’s, Brighter Yet More Efficient – Times Square Icon will use LED lights. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/nyregion/04ball.html?ex=1349150400&en=cc50984c0a7e5728&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Montana – Electric co-ops ponder coal's future, effects of climate change. The future of coal-fired power figured prominently in a panel discussion on climate change Wednesday at the annual meeting of Montana's electric cooperatives at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls. (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071004/NEWS01/710040301/1002
Lawmakers Will Proceed on Climate Plan – Leaders Focus on System of Tradable Allowances for Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100302203.html?nav=rss_politics
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Verizon accused of fraud – …lawsuit charges the firm with overstating subscriber numbers for its new TV service that runs on the network.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071004/BIZ/710040021
GAO: FCC Tips Lobbyists on Phone, Cable Issues – The Government Accountability Office releases a report accusing the Federal Communications Commission of leaking tips to business interests before they're made public. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14980818&ft=1&f=3
San Francisco, CA – Audit finds city's information technology in disarray. The absence of central oversight and planning in the purchase of computer and information technology by San Francisco City Hall is wasting millions of dollars a year, inhibiting efficient use of government data and creating technological backwaters across municipal government (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/04/BAR7SJF8O.DTL&feed=rss.business
Networks Are Streaming Into Prime Time Online (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100302458.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
In a Mason County case, high court rules campaign lies is protected free speech – A sharply divided state Supreme Court has ruled that a law that bars political candidates from deliberately making false statements about their opponents violates the First Amendment right of free speech. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/234685.html
Software upgrades bring down state job-hunting Web site (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10042007news208917.cfm
Republican Domenici Is Set to Retire From Senate – Senate Republicans are bracing for another potentially costly 2008 retirement, with veteran Sen. Pete V. Domenici (N.M.) expected to announce today that he will not seek a seventh term. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100302486.html?nav=rss_politics
DIVERSIONS
Mark Morris principal cancels dances – After nagging students five years about freak dancing, Mark Morris High School Principal Chris Fritsch took a stand last week.
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/10/04/area_news/news09.txt
Hashish "spacecakes" become chicken-friendly
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL0369988020071004?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Drugs hidden in Mr. Potato Head toy
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071004/ap_on_fe_st/odd_potato_head_ecstasy;_ylt=AmS5F327mHMtxDu8ve14PKbtiBIF
"Gift rage" lands worker in court?
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUST16652320071004?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
News Digest for October 3, 2007, the belated edition
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.
WORD OF THE DAY
Lodestone • \LOAD-stoan\ • noun – 1: magnetite possessing polarity *2: something that strongly attracts
When trying to come up with the example sentence for the word of the day, my inner “Douglas Adams” can unfortunately become the lodestone for my mental wanderings; sometimes with eerie, otherworldly results.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
Early season snow advisories issued for Washington Cascades (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10032007news208136.cfm
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Colorado – Five Workers Dead After Power Plant Fire. Five workers trapped at least 1,500 feet underground survived an initial chemical fire at a hydroelectric plant, but died before emergency workers could rescue them. (Associated Press via the Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100300214.html?nav=rss_nation
Colorado – Power Plant Workers Initially Survived Fire – Underground Fire Killed 5 Xcel Energy Contractors (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14255948/detail.html
MASON COUNTY PUD No. 3 SUPPORTS FORMATION OF SECOND HOSPITAL DISTRICT – The Mason County Public Utility District Number Three Board of Commissioners has adopted a resolution that supports the formation of Mason County Public Hospital District Number Two. In its resolution, the P.U.D. 3 Commissioners state that a goal of the P.U.D. is to maintain and enhance the quality of life for its customers, and having excellent healthcare available to the citizens is a key component in quality of life. On November 6th, voters in the North Mason area will be asked to form a second public hospital district and be asked to tax themselves in order for Kitsap-based Harrison Medical Center to locate and operate an urgent care clinic in Belfair. The P.U.D. 3 Commissioners voted Tuesday to support that ballot proposal. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Casey won’t back Timmons for Grays Harbor County PUD Board – The two remaining Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners are taking applications for the seat once held by Diane Ellison (The Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/10/02/local_news/04news.txt
Timmons says he’s still the best candidate (The Daily World)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/10/03/local_news/03news.txt
Snohomish County PUD budget includes money for new power lines, substations (The Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071003/NEWS01/710030044
Okanogan County PUD board names new general manager – PUD commissioners named John Grubich of Fairbanks, Alaska, as general manager Oct. 2. (Omak Chronicle)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n071002d.shtml
Idaho Governor: Solar, wind too expensive, so ID should focus on nukes – Idaho should bolster its ties to the nuclear power industry to underpin economic growth and curb greenhouse gas emissions because alternative energy sources like solar or wind are too costly (The Associated Press)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10032007news208033.cfm
Montana – Never mind the typos, just sign it: Great Falls City Commissioners approve power contract. Proofreading became a big issue at a City Commission meeting Tuesday night as commissioners unanimously approved a new wholesale power contract. (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NEWS01/710030306/1002
Montana – Group head: Co-ops must get in on grassroots activities. There's no question that climate change is a national issue, David Wheelihan, Montana Electric Cooperative Association chief executive officer, told the more than 300 people at the organization's annual meeting Tuesday.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/BUSINESS/710030326
Enron accuses Citigroup of muzzling ex-staff – The claim reignites a lawsuit over whether the bank and others schemed to misstate the energy company's finances (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/11913783194640.xml&coll=7
Appeals court: keep pipeline data under wraps for now (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10032007news208015.cfm
Oregon – LNG decision falls on county's shoulders. Clatsop County Planning Commission recommends approving rezoning for Bradwood Landing (The Astorian)
http://dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=45696
British Columbia’s far northwest will finally get electricity – $400-million initiative will bring power to communities now using diesel generators (The Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=d655e69a-37c6-4821-b2bc-6f9773dac174&k=64920
Canada – Electricity coalition brings campaign to stop hydro privatization to Niagara. The Ontario Electricity Coalition brings its campaign for public power to the Niagara region tomorrow. (CNW News Service)
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2007/03/c7810.html
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Still Waters Run Deep And Deadly For Columbia River Salmon – The Modern Day Columbia River – Part II (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/still-water-runs-deep-and-deadly-columbia-river-salmon/
Endangered white sturgeon stolen from Bonneville hatchery (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-969589~Endangered_white_sturgeon_stolen_from_Bonneville_hatchery.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
California – Lake poisoning seems to have worked to kill invasive pike – There may be something that is still alive in Lake Davis, but crews with the state Department of Fish and Game have not yet found it. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/03/BAOHSI41V.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Canada – First Nations in B.C., Alberta, to fight construction of new dam. First Nations in British Columbia and Alberta vowed to fight plans to build a new hydro dam near Fort St. John in northeastern B.C., a band chief said Monday. (CBC News)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/10/01/bc-dam.html
Cities want to proceed with property water rights case – On the heels of the lender's request to proceed with the foreclosure sale of the former Miller brewery, the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater seek court authority to proceed with their lawsuit to condemn the property's water rights. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/233331.html
NY Times Editorial – Pipe Dreams: The need to replace aging pipes and equipment over the next two decades offers an opportunity to reinvent the way we deliver our drinking water.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/opinion/03morris.html?ex=1349150400&en=b80ccbea6dca7fcd&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
North Carolina – Put teeth in energy law, urge critics: Alternative-energy companies want utilities to be fined if they don't use renewable power as rules spell out. A contentious alternative-energy law is generating sparks again. This time, the dispute is about whether electric utilities should be fined for failing to meet their obligation to sell electricity generated from alternative-energy sources, (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflsplqxYSfd%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Singin’ for their Supper – Speakers exhort crowd to act on Earth’s behalf. Two environmental authors roused a crowd of about 1,000 people Tuesday night at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, calling for action to stop global warming. “…They were paid $12,500 each plus lodging and expenses for their appearances...” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/233305.html
Chelan County PUD approves principles on climate change – PUD commissioners Monday approved seven principles designed by PUD staff to steer the utility’s role in future debate about meeting state- and federally mandated goals of reducing air pollution. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS04/71002003/1001
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Unlike U.S., Japanese Push Fiber over Profit – The United States may be the world’s largest economy, but when it comes to Internet connections at home, many Americans still live in the slow lane. By contrast, Japan is a broadband paradise with the fastest and cheapest Internet connections in the world. (New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/business/worldbusiness/03broadband.html?_r=1&ex=1349150400&en=4d44cffc03cb4bbf&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Chelan County PUD fiber planned for Plain, part of Entiat next year – Fiber-optics-starved residents of Plain, Lake Wenatchee and a part of Entiat are scheduled to get Chelan County PUD fiber-optic service by mid- to late 2008, PUD officials said Monday. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS04/710020021/1001
Sprint Presses for Cheaper Access to Broadband Lines – Sprint Nextel is picking a fight with the country's largest phone companies over the price it pays for access to their fastest networks. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100101655.html?nav=rss_technology
GAO Slams FCC For Leaks – The General Accounting Office has issued a report (pdf) slamming the FCC for leaking information to companies and lobbyists while leaving consumer advocates and the public in the dark. The study found lobbyists are given ample information on when (and sometimes how) the agency plans to vote, while consumer advocates get no such insight. (Broadband Reports – Note: Comments section may contain PG-13 language)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/GAO-Slams-FCC-For-Leaks-88084
Seattle Times Guest Columnist – FCC fiddles while nation's broadband falls behind
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003920381_fccmuleta03.html?syndication=rss
More storage for Google e-mail – Google Inc. is sprucing up its corporate e-mail service by adding new security tools and more than doubling the storage capacity. (The Associated Press)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/170137.html
77 Arrested in E-Mail Scam Crackdown (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/10/03/national/w083422D60.DTL&feed=rss.news
Van De Wege’s IPZ Legislation A Boon for Grays Harbor – High-tech economic development is a key component for a bright future on the Harbor. (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen)
http://kbkw.com/wireready/news/01845_Legislation-Boon-GHC_071317.php
GENERAL NEWS
PORT OF SHELTON TO FILE SUIT TO REMOVE FUEL TANK – The Port of Shelton is filing a lawsuit in order to have the final fuel tank removed from the former C.C. Cole property. Recently, caution tape was put around the tank across Highway 3 from the Shelton Yacht Club but that does NOT meet the Port's requirement of removal work beginning by last Tuesday. Next week, the Port's Attorney will be filing a summons and complaint. This lawsuit will ask the court to uphold the purchase agreement for the property adjacent to the Oakland Bay Marina. That agreement states that all the fuel tanks be removed and the soil clean. The Port needs the tank removed to allow them to proceed with landscaping and paving work. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
NEXT YEAR'S MASON COUNTY FAIR WILL FEATURE FREE ADMISSION – The Mason County Fair will celebrate its 100th year in 2008 and the Fair's board plans on letting every one in for free. According to Dawn Twiddy, the Fair's Director, a free gate will draw in people who may not know what is inside the fairgrounds. In order to do this, sponsorships are needed. A building sponsorship package has been set up for each building and arena for $1,000. The main stage sponsorship is $5,000. With a sponsorship, your business' banner will be displayed for the year. Other sponsorships are also available. For more information, contact the Fair Office at (360) 427-7789. Donations can also be sent to the Mason County Fair, P.O. Box 2286, Shelton, 98584. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Did last year's winter storm result in a "baby boomlet?" (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003921165_babyboomlet03m.html?syndication=rss
DIVERSIONS
Man Accused Of Stealing 123 Parking Meters – Meters Found In Man's Home
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14258358/detail.html
Man Accused Of Trying To Flee From Police While Riding Lawnmower Drunk
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14260769/detail.html
Courts asked to decide if song too holy for school – A former Everett student wants a higher court to decide whether an instrumental version of "Ave Maria" is too holy for high school.
http://www.examiner.com/a-969376~Courts_asked_to_decide_if_song_too_holy_for_school.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Minister accused of ripping off Ore. Newlyweds
http://www.examiner.com/a-968751~Minister_accused_of_ripping_off_Ore__newlyweds.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Tree-sitters add perches as University of California goes back to court
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/03/BAL9SIMIA.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
WORD OF THE DAY
Lodestone • \LOAD-stoan\ • noun – 1: magnetite possessing polarity *2: something that strongly attracts
When trying to come up with the example sentence for the word of the day, my inner “Douglas Adams” can unfortunately become the lodestone for my mental wanderings; sometimes with eerie, otherworldly results.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
Early season snow advisories issued for Washington Cascades (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10032007news208136.cfm
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Colorado – Five Workers Dead After Power Plant Fire. Five workers trapped at least 1,500 feet underground survived an initial chemical fire at a hydroelectric plant, but died before emergency workers could rescue them. (Associated Press via the Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100300214.html?nav=rss_nation
Colorado – Power Plant Workers Initially Survived Fire – Underground Fire Killed 5 Xcel Energy Contractors (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14255948/detail.html
MASON COUNTY PUD No. 3 SUPPORTS FORMATION OF SECOND HOSPITAL DISTRICT – The Mason County Public Utility District Number Three Board of Commissioners has adopted a resolution that supports the formation of Mason County Public Hospital District Number Two. In its resolution, the P.U.D. 3 Commissioners state that a goal of the P.U.D. is to maintain and enhance the quality of life for its customers, and having excellent healthcare available to the citizens is a key component in quality of life. On November 6th, voters in the North Mason area will be asked to form a second public hospital district and be asked to tax themselves in order for Kitsap-based Harrison Medical Center to locate and operate an urgent care clinic in Belfair. The P.U.D. 3 Commissioners voted Tuesday to support that ballot proposal. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Casey won’t back Timmons for Grays Harbor County PUD Board – The two remaining Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners are taking applications for the seat once held by Diane Ellison (The Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/10/02/local_news/04news.txt
Timmons says he’s still the best candidate (The Daily World)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/10/03/local_news/03news.txt
Snohomish County PUD budget includes money for new power lines, substations (The Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071003/NEWS01/710030044
Okanogan County PUD board names new general manager – PUD commissioners named John Grubich of Fairbanks, Alaska, as general manager Oct. 2. (Omak Chronicle)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n071002d.shtml
Idaho Governor: Solar, wind too expensive, so ID should focus on nukes – Idaho should bolster its ties to the nuclear power industry to underpin economic growth and curb greenhouse gas emissions because alternative energy sources like solar or wind are too costly (The Associated Press)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10032007news208033.cfm
Montana – Never mind the typos, just sign it: Great Falls City Commissioners approve power contract. Proofreading became a big issue at a City Commission meeting Tuesday night as commissioners unanimously approved a new wholesale power contract. (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NEWS01/710030306/1002
Montana – Group head: Co-ops must get in on grassroots activities. There's no question that climate change is a national issue, David Wheelihan, Montana Electric Cooperative Association chief executive officer, told the more than 300 people at the organization's annual meeting Tuesday.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/BUSINESS/710030326
Enron accuses Citigroup of muzzling ex-staff – The claim reignites a lawsuit over whether the bank and others schemed to misstate the energy company's finances (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/11913783194640.xml&coll=7
Appeals court: keep pipeline data under wraps for now (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10032007news208015.cfm
Oregon – LNG decision falls on county's shoulders. Clatsop County Planning Commission recommends approving rezoning for Bradwood Landing (The Astorian)
http://dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=45696
British Columbia’s far northwest will finally get electricity – $400-million initiative will bring power to communities now using diesel generators (The Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=d655e69a-37c6-4821-b2bc-6f9773dac174&k=64920
Canada – Electricity coalition brings campaign to stop hydro privatization to Niagara. The Ontario Electricity Coalition brings its campaign for public power to the Niagara region tomorrow. (CNW News Service)
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2007/03/c7810.html
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Still Waters Run Deep And Deadly For Columbia River Salmon – The Modern Day Columbia River – Part II (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/still-water-runs-deep-and-deadly-columbia-river-salmon/
Endangered white sturgeon stolen from Bonneville hatchery (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-969589~Endangered_white_sturgeon_stolen_from_Bonneville_hatchery.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
California – Lake poisoning seems to have worked to kill invasive pike – There may be something that is still alive in Lake Davis, but crews with the state Department of Fish and Game have not yet found it. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/03/BAOHSI41V.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Canada – First Nations in B.C., Alberta, to fight construction of new dam. First Nations in British Columbia and Alberta vowed to fight plans to build a new hydro dam near Fort St. John in northeastern B.C., a band chief said Monday. (CBC News)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/10/01/bc-dam.html
Cities want to proceed with property water rights case – On the heels of the lender's request to proceed with the foreclosure sale of the former Miller brewery, the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater seek court authority to proceed with their lawsuit to condemn the property's water rights. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/233331.html
NY Times Editorial – Pipe Dreams: The need to replace aging pipes and equipment over the next two decades offers an opportunity to reinvent the way we deliver our drinking water.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/opinion/03morris.html?ex=1349150400&en=b80ccbea6dca7fcd&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
North Carolina – Put teeth in energy law, urge critics: Alternative-energy companies want utilities to be fined if they don't use renewable power as rules spell out. A contentious alternative-energy law is generating sparks again. This time, the dispute is about whether electric utilities should be fined for failing to meet their obligation to sell electricity generated from alternative-energy sources, (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflsplqxYSfd%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Singin’ for their Supper – Speakers exhort crowd to act on Earth’s behalf. Two environmental authors roused a crowd of about 1,000 people Tuesday night at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, calling for action to stop global warming. “…They were paid $12,500 each plus lodging and expenses for their appearances...” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/233305.html
Chelan County PUD approves principles on climate change – PUD commissioners Monday approved seven principles designed by PUD staff to steer the utility’s role in future debate about meeting state- and federally mandated goals of reducing air pollution. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS04/71002003/1001
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Unlike U.S., Japanese Push Fiber over Profit – The United States may be the world’s largest economy, but when it comes to Internet connections at home, many Americans still live in the slow lane. By contrast, Japan is a broadband paradise with the fastest and cheapest Internet connections in the world. (New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/business/worldbusiness/03broadband.html?_r=1&ex=1349150400&en=4d44cffc03cb4bbf&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Chelan County PUD fiber planned for Plain, part of Entiat next year – Fiber-optics-starved residents of Plain, Lake Wenatchee and a part of Entiat are scheduled to get Chelan County PUD fiber-optic service by mid- to late 2008, PUD officials said Monday. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS04/710020021/1001
Sprint Presses for Cheaper Access to Broadband Lines – Sprint Nextel is picking a fight with the country's largest phone companies over the price it pays for access to their fastest networks. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100101655.html?nav=rss_technology
GAO Slams FCC For Leaks – The General Accounting Office has issued a report (pdf) slamming the FCC for leaking information to companies and lobbyists while leaving consumer advocates and the public in the dark. The study found lobbyists are given ample information on when (and sometimes how) the agency plans to vote, while consumer advocates get no such insight. (Broadband Reports – Note: Comments section may contain PG-13 language)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/GAO-Slams-FCC-For-Leaks-88084
Seattle Times Guest Columnist – FCC fiddles while nation's broadband falls behind
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003920381_fccmuleta03.html?syndication=rss
More storage for Google e-mail – Google Inc. is sprucing up its corporate e-mail service by adding new security tools and more than doubling the storage capacity. (The Associated Press)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/170137.html
77 Arrested in E-Mail Scam Crackdown (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/10/03/national/w083422D60.DTL&feed=rss.news
Van De Wege’s IPZ Legislation A Boon for Grays Harbor – High-tech economic development is a key component for a bright future on the Harbor. (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen)
http://kbkw.com/wireready/news/01845_Legislation-Boon-GHC_071317.php
GENERAL NEWS
PORT OF SHELTON TO FILE SUIT TO REMOVE FUEL TANK – The Port of Shelton is filing a lawsuit in order to have the final fuel tank removed from the former C.C. Cole property. Recently, caution tape was put around the tank across Highway 3 from the Shelton Yacht Club but that does NOT meet the Port's requirement of removal work beginning by last Tuesday. Next week, the Port's Attorney will be filing a summons and complaint. This lawsuit will ask the court to uphold the purchase agreement for the property adjacent to the Oakland Bay Marina. That agreement states that all the fuel tanks be removed and the soil clean. The Port needs the tank removed to allow them to proceed with landscaping and paving work. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
NEXT YEAR'S MASON COUNTY FAIR WILL FEATURE FREE ADMISSION – The Mason County Fair will celebrate its 100th year in 2008 and the Fair's board plans on letting every one in for free. According to Dawn Twiddy, the Fair's Director, a free gate will draw in people who may not know what is inside the fairgrounds. In order to do this, sponsorships are needed. A building sponsorship package has been set up for each building and arena for $1,000. The main stage sponsorship is $5,000. With a sponsorship, your business' banner will be displayed for the year. Other sponsorships are also available. For more information, contact the Fair Office at (360) 427-7789. Donations can also be sent to the Mason County Fair, P.O. Box 2286, Shelton, 98584. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Did last year's winter storm result in a "baby boomlet?" (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003921165_babyboomlet03m.html?syndication=rss
DIVERSIONS
Man Accused Of Stealing 123 Parking Meters – Meters Found In Man's Home
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14258358/detail.html
Man Accused Of Trying To Flee From Police While Riding Lawnmower Drunk
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14260769/detail.html
Courts asked to decide if song too holy for school – A former Everett student wants a higher court to decide whether an instrumental version of "Ave Maria" is too holy for high school.
http://www.examiner.com/a-969376~Courts_asked_to_decide_if_song_too_holy_for_school.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Minister accused of ripping off Ore. Newlyweds
http://www.examiner.com/a-968751~Minister_accused_of_ripping_off_Ore__newlyweds.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Tree-sitters add perches as University of California goes back to court
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/03/BAL9SIMIA.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
News Digest for October 2, 2007
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.
WORD OF THE DAY
Restive • \RES-tiv\ • adjective – 1: stubbornly resisting control: balky *2: marked by impatience or uneasiness: fidgety
Albert tossed and turned all night. Finally, in his restive state he drifted off into a fitful sleep and dreamed about eating a giant marshmallow. He awoke the next morning; a cold sweat covering his body. Then he made a horrendous discovery under the covers at the end of his bed: the dismembered head of the Sta-Puft marshmallow man, swimming in a pool of marshmallow cream. Ahhhhhhhhhh Ahhhhhhhh. Half a continent away, the owner of “Generic Marshmallow, Inc.” was enjoying a wistful smile…. (Sorry Mr. Coppola)
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Still Powerful After all These Years – The Bonneville Dam turned 70 this year. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/10/10012007_Still-Powerful-After-all-These-Years.cfm/
Tennessee Valley Authority debt on rise to fund new plants – A decade after pledging to cut its debt in half, the Tennessee Valley Authority is not only backing off that pledge, it is increasing debt again. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflrllkmWSec%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
Canada – Alberta power line hearings scrapped – Edmonton Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board has scrapped its scandal-plagued hearings into the proposed 500-kilovolt power transmission line between Edmonton and Calgary. (CanWest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/canada/story.html?id=38b98e1d-2809-4854-ac11-f7478ede3beb
Montana – City utility falls short of its goal: Electric City Power has several new electricity customers, but the city's electric utility arm fell short of its goal to sell between 50 and 65 megawatts of power contracts (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS01/710020303/1002
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – On U.S. Energy Policy: Nuclear power is not today's solution for global warming
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/02/EDBJSHS4A.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – On U.S. Energy Policy: Clean, cheap energy? Not really
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/02/EDBJSHUG7.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
Report shows industry ramping up debit and credit card acceptance options (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/307446/22/ARTCL/none/none/Report-shows-industry-ramping-up-debit-and-credit-card-acceptance-options/
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Plans protect species by killing off rivals – Kill a sea lion, save a salmon. Kill a barred owl, save a spotted owl. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/09/09302007_Plans-protect-species-by-killing-off-rivals.cfm
Nature Conservancy's President Abruptly Announces Resignation – The president of the Arlington-based Nature Conservancy resigned abruptly yesterday, announcing his departure in an early-morning e-mail to all 3,500 employees of the world's largest environmental organization. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100100769.html?nav=rss_nation
A Canoe Trip On The Upper Columbia – A hundred years ago the Columbia was a free-flowing river. Today it’s tamed by no fewer than a dozen dams. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/canoe-trip-upper-columbia/
Seattle Times Guest Editorial – Sandhill cranes need our help to block plans to dam Crab Creek. Sandhill cranes dance and honk by the hundreds and thousands each spring in a place called Crab Creek, near the very center of Washington. State officials propose to build a dam that will destroy this place: Lower Crab Creek tops the list for new dams in Washington.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003917219_crabcreek02.html
CITY OF SHELTONTO FLUSH WATER LINES – Throughout the month of October, the City of Shelton Water Department will be flushing water lines in the Capital Hill Area. Residents will be given 24 hours notice when this maintenance will occur. This flushing procedure will reduce corrosion and sediment in the lines which could have resulted from the chlorination that began in 2003. Crews will also be checking valves to ensure they are working properly. This work is a proactive effort to get ahead of Department of Health requirements that begin next year. If you have any questions call the City of Shelton Public Works Department at 426-9731. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
CITY OF CHEHALIS TOUTS NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Chehalis leaders have been showing off the city’s new wastewater treatment plant. It replaces the city’s former facility that dates back to 1948. The new plant also gets the city out of regulatory trouble over the amount of pollutants released into the Chehalis River. (KELA Radio, Centralia/Chehalis)
New York – City Agrees to Help Regulate Delaware River by Releasing Water From Reservoirs. Under intense pressure from anglers, environmentalists and angry residents of downstream communities devastated by floods three years in a row, New York City has agreed to change the way it operates its huge Delaware River reservoirs. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/nyregion/02water.html?_r=1&ex=1349064000&en=0bf8624ae7b3ccaf&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
When water goes missing, who you gonna call? Leak-busting takes on greater urgency as Southern communities are pinched by drought. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1002/p03s03-ussc.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Monday Update: Cowlitz PUD's wind power project blows ahead of schedule (The Daily News)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/10/01/area_news/news09.txt
Wind farm starts operating Tuesday – One of the largest wind farms in the United States, capable of generating up to 300 megawatts when all 274 wind turbines are spinning, will become partially operational in northeast Colorado (The Denver Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2007/10/01/daily12.html?ana=from_rss
Moving Wind to the Mainstream: Leveraging Compressed Air Energy Storage (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50123&src=rss
In Japan, Going Solar Costly Despite Market Surge – Put some panels on your roof and there you have it — free electricity from sunlight running your TV and appliances. No greenhouse gases, no pollution and no guilt. The catch: Solar power has always been expensive. (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14031247&ft=1&f=2
CONSERVATION
(BPA News Release) BPA offers simple energy efficiency steps as part of Energy Awareness Month
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/176445/
Making a plug for meters – A Portland developer sees potential for savings and energy. The light bulb went on for Ben Kaiser about six years ago, when the North Portland developer was laying in gas and electrical lines to a home he was building. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/119129731732440.xml&coll=7
World's most boring TV show to measure energy use –- Television manufacturers and broadcasters have produced what may be the world's most boring TV program to measure energy consumption on new-generation televisions (Reuters)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071002/tc_nm/television_boring_dc_1
Mass Market for Green Homes Coming? (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50122&src=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Ka-Ching$ - Climate change program tonight – Tonight is the night the Olympia City Council brings in two environmental authors to talk about global warming and call people to action to fight it. “…The council will pay each speaker $12,500 — plus travel and lodging costs…” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/232356.html
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Oregon – Booster adds little juice to free Wi-Fi. The signal gets stronger -- sometimes -- but setting up the MetroFlex may be hard for regular users (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1191135324172580.xml&coll=7
Move to extend Internet tax ban stalls in Senate (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2845311520070928
GENERAL NEWS
State of Washington Defends Its Primaries Before Supreme Court – The Supreme Court convened its new term yesterday, and the justices immediately immersed themselves in the first of several election-law challenges the court has agreed to decide in the midst of the 2008 elections. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100101449.html?nav=rss_politics
State to sue feds over children's health insurance – Washington and at least three other states will sue the Bush administration over restrictions it has imposed on state efforts to expand children's health coverage, Gov. Christine Gregoire announced Monday. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003918093_health02m.html?syndication=rss
DIVERSIONS
Stung: Man Trying To Kill Wasps Burns House – About $80,000 Worth Of Damage Done
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14250002/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_1_09000210022007&ts=H
Artist Builds Secret Apartment At Rhode Island Shopping Mall
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14252256/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000210022007&ts=H
Excel Thinks 65,535 = 100,000 – Microsoft Working To Fix Spreadsheet Problems
http://www.kirotv.com/technology/14227937/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000210022007&ts=H
Now Arriving At Carousel 1, Far Fewer Of Your Bags
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/30/AR2007093001653.html?nav=rss_nation
WORD OF THE DAY
Restive • \RES-tiv\ • adjective – 1: stubbornly resisting control: balky *2: marked by impatience or uneasiness: fidgety
Albert tossed and turned all night. Finally, in his restive state he drifted off into a fitful sleep and dreamed about eating a giant marshmallow. He awoke the next morning; a cold sweat covering his body. Then he made a horrendous discovery under the covers at the end of his bed: the dismembered head of the Sta-Puft marshmallow man, swimming in a pool of marshmallow cream. Ahhhhhhhhhh Ahhhhhhhh. Half a continent away, the owner of “Generic Marshmallow, Inc.” was enjoying a wistful smile…. (Sorry Mr. Coppola)
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Still Powerful After all These Years – The Bonneville Dam turned 70 this year. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/10/10012007_Still-Powerful-After-all-These-Years.cfm/
Tennessee Valley Authority debt on rise to fund new plants – A decade after pledging to cut its debt in half, the Tennessee Valley Authority is not only backing off that pledge, it is increasing debt again. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflrllkmWSec%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
Canada – Alberta power line hearings scrapped – Edmonton Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board has scrapped its scandal-plagued hearings into the proposed 500-kilovolt power transmission line between Edmonton and Calgary. (CanWest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/canada/story.html?id=38b98e1d-2809-4854-ac11-f7478ede3beb
Montana – City utility falls short of its goal: Electric City Power has several new electricity customers, but the city's electric utility arm fell short of its goal to sell between 50 and 65 megawatts of power contracts (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS01/710020303/1002
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – On U.S. Energy Policy: Nuclear power is not today's solution for global warming
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/02/EDBJSHS4A.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – On U.S. Energy Policy: Clean, cheap energy? Not really
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/02/EDBJSHUG7.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
Report shows industry ramping up debit and credit card acceptance options (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/307446/22/ARTCL/none/none/Report-shows-industry-ramping-up-debit-and-credit-card-acceptance-options/
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Plans protect species by killing off rivals – Kill a sea lion, save a salmon. Kill a barred owl, save a spotted owl. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/09/09302007_Plans-protect-species-by-killing-off-rivals.cfm
Nature Conservancy's President Abruptly Announces Resignation – The president of the Arlington-based Nature Conservancy resigned abruptly yesterday, announcing his departure in an early-morning e-mail to all 3,500 employees of the world's largest environmental organization. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100100769.html?nav=rss_nation
A Canoe Trip On The Upper Columbia – A hundred years ago the Columbia was a free-flowing river. Today it’s tamed by no fewer than a dozen dams. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/canoe-trip-upper-columbia/
Seattle Times Guest Editorial – Sandhill cranes need our help to block plans to dam Crab Creek. Sandhill cranes dance and honk by the hundreds and thousands each spring in a place called Crab Creek, near the very center of Washington. State officials propose to build a dam that will destroy this place: Lower Crab Creek tops the list for new dams in Washington.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003917219_crabcreek02.html
CITY OF SHELTONTO FLUSH WATER LINES – Throughout the month of October, the City of Shelton Water Department will be flushing water lines in the Capital Hill Area. Residents will be given 24 hours notice when this maintenance will occur. This flushing procedure will reduce corrosion and sediment in the lines which could have resulted from the chlorination that began in 2003. Crews will also be checking valves to ensure they are working properly. This work is a proactive effort to get ahead of Department of Health requirements that begin next year. If you have any questions call the City of Shelton Public Works Department at 426-9731. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
CITY OF CHEHALIS TOUTS NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Chehalis leaders have been showing off the city’s new wastewater treatment plant. It replaces the city’s former facility that dates back to 1948. The new plant also gets the city out of regulatory trouble over the amount of pollutants released into the Chehalis River. (KELA Radio, Centralia/Chehalis)
New York – City Agrees to Help Regulate Delaware River by Releasing Water From Reservoirs. Under intense pressure from anglers, environmentalists and angry residents of downstream communities devastated by floods three years in a row, New York City has agreed to change the way it operates its huge Delaware River reservoirs. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/nyregion/02water.html?_r=1&ex=1349064000&en=0bf8624ae7b3ccaf&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
When water goes missing, who you gonna call? Leak-busting takes on greater urgency as Southern communities are pinched by drought. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1002/p03s03-ussc.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Monday Update: Cowlitz PUD's wind power project blows ahead of schedule (The Daily News)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/10/01/area_news/news09.txt
Wind farm starts operating Tuesday – One of the largest wind farms in the United States, capable of generating up to 300 megawatts when all 274 wind turbines are spinning, will become partially operational in northeast Colorado (The Denver Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2007/10/01/daily12.html?ana=from_rss
Moving Wind to the Mainstream: Leveraging Compressed Air Energy Storage (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50123&src=rss
In Japan, Going Solar Costly Despite Market Surge – Put some panels on your roof and there you have it — free electricity from sunlight running your TV and appliances. No greenhouse gases, no pollution and no guilt. The catch: Solar power has always been expensive. (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14031247&ft=1&f=2
CONSERVATION
(BPA News Release) BPA offers simple energy efficiency steps as part of Energy Awareness Month
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/176445/
Making a plug for meters – A Portland developer sees potential for savings and energy. The light bulb went on for Ben Kaiser about six years ago, when the North Portland developer was laying in gas and electrical lines to a home he was building. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/119129731732440.xml&coll=7
World's most boring TV show to measure energy use –- Television manufacturers and broadcasters have produced what may be the world's most boring TV program to measure energy consumption on new-generation televisions (Reuters)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071002/tc_nm/television_boring_dc_1
Mass Market for Green Homes Coming? (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50122&src=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Ka-Ching$ - Climate change program tonight – Tonight is the night the Olympia City Council brings in two environmental authors to talk about global warming and call people to action to fight it. “…The council will pay each speaker $12,500 — plus travel and lodging costs…” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/232356.html
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Oregon – Booster adds little juice to free Wi-Fi. The signal gets stronger -- sometimes -- but setting up the MetroFlex may be hard for regular users (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1191135324172580.xml&coll=7
Move to extend Internet tax ban stalls in Senate (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2845311520070928
GENERAL NEWS
State of Washington Defends Its Primaries Before Supreme Court – The Supreme Court convened its new term yesterday, and the justices immediately immersed themselves in the first of several election-law challenges the court has agreed to decide in the midst of the 2008 elections. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100101449.html?nav=rss_politics
State to sue feds over children's health insurance – Washington and at least three other states will sue the Bush administration over restrictions it has imposed on state efforts to expand children's health coverage, Gov. Christine Gregoire announced Monday. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003918093_health02m.html?syndication=rss
DIVERSIONS
Stung: Man Trying To Kill Wasps Burns House – About $80,000 Worth Of Damage Done
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14250002/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_1_09000210022007&ts=H
Artist Builds Secret Apartment At Rhode Island Shopping Mall
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14252256/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000210022007&ts=H
Excel Thinks 65,535 = 100,000 – Microsoft Working To Fix Spreadsheet Problems
http://www.kirotv.com/technology/14227937/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000210022007&ts=H
Now Arriving At Carousel 1, Far Fewer Of Your Bags
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/30/AR2007093001653.html?nav=rss_nation
Monday, October 1, 2007
News Digest for October 1, 2007
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.
WORD OF THE DAY
Infrangible • \in-FRAN-juh-bul\ • adjective – 1: not capable of being broken or separated into parts *2: not to be infringed or violated (From Merriam-Webster)
“There they are,” whispered Amber, “The infrangible twins.” “I know,” said Bernice, “you can never tell if they’re there” “Not intangible, you dolt,” muttered Amber. “They’re infrangible; you never see them apart.”
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
La Nina developing in Pacific Ocean (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_090607WAB_la_nina_SW.a97b15f8.html
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Pennsylvania – Who's going to pull the plug on rising use of electricity? With electricity bills across most of Pennsylvania set to jump in a couple of years when rate caps expire, a scramble is on at the Capitol to see how that might be averted. (Bucks County Courier Times)
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-09292007-1415689.html
Governors say West must remove barriers to electric transmission (San Diego Union-Tribune)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070927-1753-wst-governors-electricity.html
British Columbia – Electric companies: Run-of-river independent power projects have gained environmental steam, but are they really the right way to go? (The Georgia Straight)
http://www.straight.com/article-111552/electric-companies
The Nuclear Option – Two new reactors are proposed, as subsidies lure builders. If the first nuclear power plant proposal in 29 years doesn't flower into an industry renaissance, it probably won't be because of the environmentalists. It'll be because of the costs. (US News & World Report)
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2007/09/28/with-subsidies-on-hand-industry-proposes-new-reactors.html
Arizona – Natural gas customers pay for energy-saving rebates – State utility regulators voted recently to implement a rebate program designed to save energy even though critics said it would raise money from all ratepayers to subsidize a few. (East Valley Tribune)
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/98588?source=rss&dest=STY-98588
German deputy minister slams EU energy regulation plans (Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071001/bs_afp/germanyeuenergyregulate_071001075619
New York City – Con Ed Rate Request Criticized. Queens lawmakers called yesterday for state utility regulators to reject Con Edison’s request for a $1.2 billion rate increase. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/nyregion/01mbrfs-coned.html?ex=1348977600&en=4540859efd963636&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Dems step up on salmon issues as Republican Craig loses support – The surprising fall of Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, removes a longtime obstacle to efforts by Democrats and environmentalists to promote salmon recovery on Northwest rivers. (The Columbian, note the link at the bottom of the story)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP09292007news205862.cfm
See the Sultan River flush with pink salmon today – Thousands of salmon migrate up rivers in Snohomish County to spawn every year. But most pink salmon come back only every two years. “…The Sultan River gets a big run of pink salmon partly because it has a hydroelectric dam upstream…that keeps the water level high downstream in summer…” (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070929/NEWS01/709290054
Fishing for data on the Snake River (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9346009p-9260553c.html
Inconvenient Youths – 'Mom, we gotta buy a hybrid!' Kids are becoming the green movement's stealth weapon, pressuring their parents on everything from light bulbs to composting. Inside the push to create the littlest eco-warriors. (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119101716857043113.html?mod=hpp_us_leisure
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon – Wave energy meetings scheduled. Oregon really is catching the wave: wave energy, that is. (Bandon Western World)
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2007/09/29/news/doc46fe77082cc9b892350684.txt
Ethanol’s Boom Stalling as Glut Depresses Price – The ethanol boom of recent years, which spurred a frenzy of distillery construction, record corn prices, rising food prices and hopes of a new future for rural America, may be fading. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/business/30ethanol.html?ex=1348804800&en=5a445a4ca77d01c0&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
All About: Solar energy (Cable News Network)
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/01/solar.energy/index.html?section=cnn_latest
How Much Power Can We Get From The Earth? Congress is debating whether geothermal power is the answer to the nation's energy crunch. That debate is especially relevant in the West. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/how-much-power-can-we-get-earth/
CONSERVATION
Idaho Power offers free energy conservation classes (Idaho Statesman)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/business/story/168906.html
Environmental groups criticize Tennessee Valley Authority’s energy conservation plan (Daily Comet, Louisiana)
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20070929/APN/709290782
Minnesota – Capitol lights back on after governor ends energy-saving blackout. The lights illuminating the state Capitol building will be back on, after a two-month blackout designed to cut energy costs. (KARE-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul)
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=266296
Residents in Bend subdivision may vote on outdoor clothesline – The residents of an upscale Bend subdivision may get the chance to vote on whether their neighbors should be allowed to hang their laundry on outdoor clotheslines. (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-962522~Residents_in_Bend_subdivision_may_vote_on_outdoor_clothesline.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Hollywood sending mixed messages on global warming (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/333586_greenhollywood29.html
On Warming, Bush Vows U.S. 'Will Do Its Part' (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092800079.html?nav=rss_business
D.C. Area Outpaces Nations in Pollution – High Carbon Emission Blamed On Coal Plants – The Washington area produces more carbon dioxide than several medium-size European countries, according to a new estimate of local emissions (Washington Post – insert cynical comment about governmental bloviating here)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/29/AR2007092900959.html?nav=rss_email/components
San Francisco Chronicle Forum – New Zealand charges ahead in race to address climate change “…California's place at the vanguard of green politics and economics, while vital and hugely significant, does not match the hype…”
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/01/EDGBSAN1O.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Minnesota – Fiber optics for all of St. Paul? Should St. Paul spend $200 million to connect everybody in town to a fiber-optic cable? (The Pioneer Press)
http://www.twincities.com/opinion/ci_7036427?nclick_check=1
North Kansas City celebrates fiber-optic network – North Kansas City is now one of the most technologically advanced cities in the country, officials said last week at a celebration of the city’s $8 million fiber-optic network. (The Kansas City Star)
http://www.kansascity.com/news/neighborhood/northland/story/289968.html
The Night The TVs Go Out – The industry has tried to get the word out, but many consumers still aren't getting the message: In a year and a half, millions of television screens could go dark. “…Not the fancy high-definition TVs or those connected to cable or satellite. But the 70 million sets relying on rooftop or "rabbit ears" antennas will end up showing nothing but snow…” (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092801769.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
When all lines go down in an emergency, one channel still remains – Chaos broke loose at the South Seattle Community College, where experts and volunteers simulated a citywide emergency on Saturday during a drill aimed to answer the question - what do you do when all lines of communication are down? (KOMO-TV)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10130626.html
North Mason School Board Races Attracting Money, Criticism (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2007/sep/29/nm-school-board-races-attracting-money-criticism/
Woman accepts plea agreement in Tumwater murder case. The victim's body was discovered in his pickup truck, which was abandoned in a ditch near Shelton. (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-965088~Woman_accepts_plea_agreement_in_Tumwater_murder_case.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
New Passport Rules In Effect Today (KNDO-TV, Tri Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7150307
Penalties likely for parents in Lacey area sports fight – Several parents involved in a fight after a youth football game last weekend are likely to face consequences from the Black Hills Junior Football League, its president said Sunday. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/231553.html
DIVERSIONS
Police: 4 teens hurt in Seattle bus assault – Seattle police say four teenagers picked the wrong man to harass on a Metro bus late last night.
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/230797.html
Searching for Me, Myself and I – Ever Googled yourself and found someone who has your name—and a very different life? You've just met your Googlegänger.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21050562/site/newsweek/?from=rss
Off-color fence dispute leaves $85,000 stain – Caramel: It's the shade Marc and Kristina Weiss used to stain a 12-foot section of cedar fence at their Redmond town home. And it's a stain that proved impossible to get out, even after members of the town-home association's board insisted on piña colada.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2003911813_redmondfence29e.html
Thief nailed selling a million stolen screws – A German factory worker stole over a million screws from his employer and skewed the market with his cheap stolen goods, police said Friday.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-09-28T174221Z_01_L28904607_RTRUKOC_0_US-GERMANY-SCREWS.xml&src=nl_usmorningdigest
WORD OF THE DAY
Infrangible • \in-FRAN-juh-bul\ • adjective – 1: not capable of being broken or separated into parts *2: not to be infringed or violated (From Merriam-Webster)
“There they are,” whispered Amber, “The infrangible twins.” “I know,” said Bernice, “you can never tell if they’re there” “Not intangible, you dolt,” muttered Amber. “They’re infrangible; you never see them apart.”
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
La Nina developing in Pacific Ocean (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_090607WAB_la_nina_SW.a97b15f8.html
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Pennsylvania – Who's going to pull the plug on rising use of electricity? With electricity bills across most of Pennsylvania set to jump in a couple of years when rate caps expire, a scramble is on at the Capitol to see how that might be averted. (Bucks County Courier Times)
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-09292007-1415689.html
Governors say West must remove barriers to electric transmission (San Diego Union-Tribune)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070927-1753-wst-governors-electricity.html
British Columbia – Electric companies: Run-of-river independent power projects have gained environmental steam, but are they really the right way to go? (The Georgia Straight)
http://www.straight.com/article-111552/electric-companies
The Nuclear Option – Two new reactors are proposed, as subsidies lure builders. If the first nuclear power plant proposal in 29 years doesn't flower into an industry renaissance, it probably won't be because of the environmentalists. It'll be because of the costs. (US News & World Report)
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2007/09/28/with-subsidies-on-hand-industry-proposes-new-reactors.html
Arizona – Natural gas customers pay for energy-saving rebates – State utility regulators voted recently to implement a rebate program designed to save energy even though critics said it would raise money from all ratepayers to subsidize a few. (East Valley Tribune)
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/98588?source=rss&dest=STY-98588
German deputy minister slams EU energy regulation plans (Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071001/bs_afp/germanyeuenergyregulate_071001075619
New York City – Con Ed Rate Request Criticized. Queens lawmakers called yesterday for state utility regulators to reject Con Edison’s request for a $1.2 billion rate increase. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/nyregion/01mbrfs-coned.html?ex=1348977600&en=4540859efd963636&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Dems step up on salmon issues as Republican Craig loses support – The surprising fall of Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, removes a longtime obstacle to efforts by Democrats and environmentalists to promote salmon recovery on Northwest rivers. (The Columbian, note the link at the bottom of the story)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP09292007news205862.cfm
See the Sultan River flush with pink salmon today – Thousands of salmon migrate up rivers in Snohomish County to spawn every year. But most pink salmon come back only every two years. “…The Sultan River gets a big run of pink salmon partly because it has a hydroelectric dam upstream…that keeps the water level high downstream in summer…” (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070929/NEWS01/709290054
Fishing for data on the Snake River (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9346009p-9260553c.html
Inconvenient Youths – 'Mom, we gotta buy a hybrid!' Kids are becoming the green movement's stealth weapon, pressuring their parents on everything from light bulbs to composting. Inside the push to create the littlest eco-warriors. (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119101716857043113.html?mod=hpp_us_leisure
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon – Wave energy meetings scheduled. Oregon really is catching the wave: wave energy, that is. (Bandon Western World)
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2007/09/29/news/doc46fe77082cc9b892350684.txt
Ethanol’s Boom Stalling as Glut Depresses Price – The ethanol boom of recent years, which spurred a frenzy of distillery construction, record corn prices, rising food prices and hopes of a new future for rural America, may be fading. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/business/30ethanol.html?ex=1348804800&en=5a445a4ca77d01c0&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
All About: Solar energy (Cable News Network)
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/01/solar.energy/index.html?section=cnn_latest
How Much Power Can We Get From The Earth? Congress is debating whether geothermal power is the answer to the nation's energy crunch. That debate is especially relevant in the West. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/how-much-power-can-we-get-earth/
CONSERVATION
Idaho Power offers free energy conservation classes (Idaho Statesman)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/business/story/168906.html
Environmental groups criticize Tennessee Valley Authority’s energy conservation plan (Daily Comet, Louisiana)
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20070929/APN/709290782
Minnesota – Capitol lights back on after governor ends energy-saving blackout. The lights illuminating the state Capitol building will be back on, after a two-month blackout designed to cut energy costs. (KARE-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul)
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=266296
Residents in Bend subdivision may vote on outdoor clothesline – The residents of an upscale Bend subdivision may get the chance to vote on whether their neighbors should be allowed to hang their laundry on outdoor clotheslines. (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-962522~Residents_in_Bend_subdivision_may_vote_on_outdoor_clothesline.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Hollywood sending mixed messages on global warming (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/333586_greenhollywood29.html
On Warming, Bush Vows U.S. 'Will Do Its Part' (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092800079.html?nav=rss_business
D.C. Area Outpaces Nations in Pollution – High Carbon Emission Blamed On Coal Plants – The Washington area produces more carbon dioxide than several medium-size European countries, according to a new estimate of local emissions (Washington Post – insert cynical comment about governmental bloviating here)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/29/AR2007092900959.html?nav=rss_email/components
San Francisco Chronicle Forum – New Zealand charges ahead in race to address climate change “…California's place at the vanguard of green politics and economics, while vital and hugely significant, does not match the hype…”
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/01/EDGBSAN1O.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Minnesota – Fiber optics for all of St. Paul? Should St. Paul spend $200 million to connect everybody in town to a fiber-optic cable? (The Pioneer Press)
http://www.twincities.com/opinion/ci_7036427?nclick_check=1
North Kansas City celebrates fiber-optic network – North Kansas City is now one of the most technologically advanced cities in the country, officials said last week at a celebration of the city’s $8 million fiber-optic network. (The Kansas City Star)
http://www.kansascity.com/news/neighborhood/northland/story/289968.html
The Night The TVs Go Out – The industry has tried to get the word out, but many consumers still aren't getting the message: In a year and a half, millions of television screens could go dark. “…Not the fancy high-definition TVs or those connected to cable or satellite. But the 70 million sets relying on rooftop or "rabbit ears" antennas will end up showing nothing but snow…” (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092801769.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
When all lines go down in an emergency, one channel still remains – Chaos broke loose at the South Seattle Community College, where experts and volunteers simulated a citywide emergency on Saturday during a drill aimed to answer the question - what do you do when all lines of communication are down? (KOMO-TV)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10130626.html
North Mason School Board Races Attracting Money, Criticism (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2007/sep/29/nm-school-board-races-attracting-money-criticism/
Woman accepts plea agreement in Tumwater murder case. The victim's body was discovered in his pickup truck, which was abandoned in a ditch near Shelton. (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-965088~Woman_accepts_plea_agreement_in_Tumwater_murder_case.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
New Passport Rules In Effect Today (KNDO-TV, Tri Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7150307
Penalties likely for parents in Lacey area sports fight – Several parents involved in a fight after a youth football game last weekend are likely to face consequences from the Black Hills Junior Football League, its president said Sunday. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/231553.html
DIVERSIONS
Police: 4 teens hurt in Seattle bus assault – Seattle police say four teenagers picked the wrong man to harass on a Metro bus late last night.
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/230797.html
Searching for Me, Myself and I – Ever Googled yourself and found someone who has your name—and a very different life? You've just met your Googlegänger.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21050562/site/newsweek/?from=rss
Off-color fence dispute leaves $85,000 stain – Caramel: It's the shade Marc and Kristina Weiss used to stain a 12-foot section of cedar fence at their Redmond town home. And it's a stain that proved impossible to get out, even after members of the town-home association's board insisted on piña colada.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2003911813_redmondfence29e.html
Thief nailed selling a million stolen screws – A German factory worker stole over a million screws from his employer and skewed the market with his cheap stolen goods, police said Friday.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-09-28T174221Z_01_L28904607_RTRUKOC_0_US-GERMANY-SCREWS.xml&src=nl_usmorningdigest
Friday, September 28, 2007
News Digest for September 28, 2007
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.
WORD OF THE DAY
Faute de Mieux • \foe-duh-MURE\ • adverb – for lack of something better or more desirable
Brandon loved “Jolt Cola”. One day while dozing through another philosophy exam he was horrified to learn that his mother had provided him with generic, store brand cola. Through shaking hands and cold sweats, he thanked the lord for his No-Doze tablets that in combination with the syrupy brew he guzzled faute de mieux.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
La Nina expected to make months ahead wet, cold – More snow and windstorms likely (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/229350.html
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Mason County PUD No. 3 Newsletter for October – Supporting Northwest Salmon: We All Pay; PUD 3 Supports Green Dams, Blue Skies Program; Fuel Mix Disclosure Notification, Hydropower helps minimize Pacific Northwest “Carbon Footprint”; Daylight Savings Time Ends November 4 (Links to PDF File)
http://www.masonpud3.org/News/Newsletter.pdf
Nuclear power surge coming – With this week's application to build a new nuclear plant – the first such filing in nearly 30 years – the industry says the US is on the verge of a nuclear power renaissance. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070928/ts_csm/anukedawn
LA Times Guest Editorial – Nukes still work when the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow. UC Riverside professor critiques Times editorial on solar and wind power
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oew-white27sep27,0,6999790.story?coll=la-opinion-center
California – Nuclear plant testing gets OK: Fresno's waste water could benefit project. The Fresno City Council approved testing for a proposed nuclear power plant, even though construction of one is prohibited under state law. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfkprooqSUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
TVA to add gas-fired generator – Five years after scrapping plans for a natural gas plant in Tullahoma, Tenn., at a $150 million loss, the Tennessee Valley Authority is expected today to authorize building a similar gas-fired plant elsewhere in Tennessee. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfkssstwZUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
Oklahoma – EDITORIAL: Next generation: States eye plans to cut power usage. Among the several peripheral issues in a recent noisy debate over a large power plant are conservation and efficiency. Are Oklahoma's public utilities doing enough to promote a lowering of demand for electricity as an alternative to increasing supply? (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfksrpqoSUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
Survey Of State Utility Regulators Documents Retreat From Deregulation – A new nationwide survey confirms a dramatic reversal of support among state utility regulators for deregulated energy markets. In fact, one third of regulators in currently competitive states say they are now seriously considering re-regulating utilities in their jurisdictions, according to this survey. (Power Online)
http://www.poweronline.com/content/news/article.asp?docid={A040313C-6A21-4748-84F1-0EC22B47CC0A}&VNETCOOKIE=NO
TVA board approves $9.7 billion budget (Memphis Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2007/09/24/daily25.html?ana=from_rss
Northern Wasco County PUD considers building expansion – the PUD took a first step toward expanding its 10-year-old building “…Construction with an eye toward energy conservation and solar power are part of that initial concept…” (The Dalles Chronicle)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2007/09/news09-27-07-02.shtml
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Toxic algae moves from PacifiCorp reservoirs into Klamath River – Authorities will be posting the Klamath River in Northern California next week to warn of high concentrations of toxic blue-green algae that can harm people and pets that swim in or drink tainted waters. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-959748~Toxic_algae_moves_from_PacifiCorp_reservoirs_into_Klamath_River.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
California – Coalition plans to sue government, power firm to save delta smelt – Angered by a decision to cut water allocations to save the delta smelt, a group of officials representing agricultural water agencies announced plans Thursday to sue the government, a power generation plant and maybe others they contend are responsible for the demise of the fish. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/28/BAOASFMVE.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Kittitas County conservation projects awarded more than $5 million in grants (The Daily Record)
http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2007/09/28/news/doc46fad516803ad827849707.txt
No Single Source to Blame – Future looks hazy for gorge air quality – Several dozen of the nation’s most prominent air quality experts gathered in this Columbia Gorge town under clear, sunny skies Tuesday to share and debate six years’ worth of studies on the sources of persistent gorge haze. (The Columbian)
http://columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/09/09262007news203743.cfm
MASON COUNTY P.U.D. 1 TO DISCUSS SYSTEM UPGRADES AND POSSIBLE RATE IMPACTS FOR CANAL MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM CUSTOMERS – The Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 board of Commissioners is holding its next meeting at the Hoodsport Fire Hall Tuesday. The regular meeting is set to begin at 4pm. A public hearing for Canal Mutual Water System customers is scheduled for 6pm Tuesday. During the hearing, P.U.D. 1 officials will discuss improvements to the system and associated costs that will reflect an increase in customers' monthly facilities charge. Again, that's a hearing before the Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 Commissioners on rate increases for the Canal Mutual Water System, 6pm Tuesday at the Hoodsport Fire Hall. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Cities won’t get Lake Tapps – for now. Auburn, Bonney Lake and Sumner will have to wait their turn to try to buy Lake Tapps and its valuable water from Puget Sound Energy. (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/166654.html
Restoring the natural flow at Cathlamet refuge “…a $5.15 million federal project slated to begin next summer should help boost endangered salmon populations by restoring adequate river connections to eight sloughs in the refuge…” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/228839.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Latest Oregon plant going online burning methane from landfill – A new power plant is going online in Southern Oregon that produces electricity from methane gas drawn off a landfill. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-960120~Latest_Ore__plant_going_online_burning_methane_from_landfill.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
PG&E to Become Nation's Biggest Solar Utility (Green Wombat)
http://blogs.business2.com/greenwombat/2007/09/pge-to-buy-a-gi.html?section=money_technology
Nevada Senator Calls for National Renewable Energy Zones – New legislation urges U.S. to invest in new transmission lines to bring renewable energy to the grid. (RenewableEnergyAccess.com)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50100
CONSERVATION
5 (sic) Signs The Computer Industry Is Finally Going Green – With New Technology And Exciting Announcements, The Wired World Is Taking On Its Toxic, Energy-Hungry Legacy. (The Daily Green)
http://www.thedailygreen.com/2007/09/28/5-signs-the-computer-industry-is-finally-going-green/7316/
United Kingdom – Standby Saturday campaigns to stop overnight energy wastage – Standby Saturday, 20th October 2007, will see the first nationwide overnight switch-off of non-essential electrical appliances (PR-GB)
http://pr-gb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23556&Itemid=9
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
At Its Session on Warming, U.S. Is Seen to Stand Apart (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/washington/28climate.html?ei=5088&en=f78f94854320489e&ex=1348632000&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1190997151-LJJchu/2+dLSG5YygR2EsA
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
'Innovation zones' vying for cash – Next week, Washington plans to kick off one of its new economic development strategies -- the promotion of industry clusters -- by designating several geographic areas for special attention and money. (Seattle Times)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/333465_innovation28.html?source=rss
Wyoming – Powell keeps working away at fiber optics plan. After missing the chance to start construction this summer on a municipally owned fiber optic telecommunications network, backers of the plan say they are optimistic they can strike a deal to finance the project by next spring. (Billings Gazette)
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/09/28/news/wyoming/20-fiberoptics.txt
Burlington, N.C. – Who doesn't have high-speed internet in Alamance County? (Burlington Times)
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/access_6194___article.html/percent_county.html
Ohio – Toledo mayor seeks moratorium on telecom boxes. The proliferation of large metal cabinets for telecommunications equipment placed in the city's right-of-way by AT&T has prompted a request for a moratorium. (The Toledo Blade)
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070926/NEWS16/709260406
Fios in Your Neighborhood? Don't Ask Verizon – You'd be a little crazy to shop for a home without considering the Internet, phone and TV options waiting in a new neighborhood. But good luck finding that out, especially when it comes to new services. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602468.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
ROBBERY ATTEMPT AT SHELTON ATM – Shelton Police are looking for three men suspected in an attempted robbery early this morning at the Bank of America at Fourth and Franklin in downtown Shelton. The incident occurred at about 5:45 as the victim was using the A-T-M at the bank and was hit over the head from behind. The victim chased the suspects on foot before they fled in a green Toyota Corolla, which was last seen heading west on Franklin. License plate number is reported as 285 WKI. Any one who sees this vehicle or has any information should call 9-1-1. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
DIVERSIONS
The 50 Worst Cars of All Time (This is great…thanks to Jay Himlie for the tip!)
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/1,28757,1658545,00.html
Navy To Remedy Swastika-Shaped Barracks – View Of Navy Buildings From Air Resembles Nazi Symbol
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14220127/detail.html
Yuck! Jones Soda bottles the grime and stink of the NFL – Ever wonder what the Seahawks' locker room tastes like after a big game?
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP09282007news204780.cfm
Snacks laced with marijuana shipped to Seattle (How ironic! Getting the munchies while EATING munchies!)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_092707WAB_pot_candy_bust_TP.11887d1f1.html
WORD OF THE DAY
Faute de Mieux • \foe-duh-MURE\ • adverb – for lack of something better or more desirable
Brandon loved “Jolt Cola”. One day while dozing through another philosophy exam he was horrified to learn that his mother had provided him with generic, store brand cola. Through shaking hands and cold sweats, he thanked the lord for his No-Doze tablets that in combination with the syrupy brew he guzzled faute de mieux.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
La Nina expected to make months ahead wet, cold – More snow and windstorms likely (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/229350.html
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Mason County PUD No. 3 Newsletter for October – Supporting Northwest Salmon: We All Pay; PUD 3 Supports Green Dams, Blue Skies Program; Fuel Mix Disclosure Notification, Hydropower helps minimize Pacific Northwest “Carbon Footprint”; Daylight Savings Time Ends November 4 (Links to PDF File)
http://www.masonpud3.org/News/Newsletter.pdf
Nuclear power surge coming – With this week's application to build a new nuclear plant – the first such filing in nearly 30 years – the industry says the US is on the verge of a nuclear power renaissance. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070928/ts_csm/anukedawn
LA Times Guest Editorial – Nukes still work when the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow. UC Riverside professor critiques Times editorial on solar and wind power
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oew-white27sep27,0,6999790.story?coll=la-opinion-center
California – Nuclear plant testing gets OK: Fresno's waste water could benefit project. The Fresno City Council approved testing for a proposed nuclear power plant, even though construction of one is prohibited under state law. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfkprooqSUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
TVA to add gas-fired generator – Five years after scrapping plans for a natural gas plant in Tullahoma, Tenn., at a $150 million loss, the Tennessee Valley Authority is expected today to authorize building a similar gas-fired plant elsewhere in Tennessee. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfkssstwZUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
Oklahoma – EDITORIAL: Next generation: States eye plans to cut power usage. Among the several peripheral issues in a recent noisy debate over a large power plant are conservation and efficiency. Are Oklahoma's public utilities doing enough to promote a lowering of demand for electricity as an alternative to increasing supply? (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfksrpqoSUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
Survey Of State Utility Regulators Documents Retreat From Deregulation – A new nationwide survey confirms a dramatic reversal of support among state utility regulators for deregulated energy markets. In fact, one third of regulators in currently competitive states say they are now seriously considering re-regulating utilities in their jurisdictions, according to this survey. (Power Online)
http://www.poweronline.com/content/news/article.asp?docid={A040313C-6A21-4748-84F1-0EC22B47CC0A}&VNETCOOKIE=NO
TVA board approves $9.7 billion budget (Memphis Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2007/09/24/daily25.html?ana=from_rss
Northern Wasco County PUD considers building expansion – the PUD took a first step toward expanding its 10-year-old building “…Construction with an eye toward energy conservation and solar power are part of that initial concept…” (The Dalles Chronicle)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2007/09/news09-27-07-02.shtml
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Toxic algae moves from PacifiCorp reservoirs into Klamath River – Authorities will be posting the Klamath River in Northern California next week to warn of high concentrations of toxic blue-green algae that can harm people and pets that swim in or drink tainted waters. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-959748~Toxic_algae_moves_from_PacifiCorp_reservoirs_into_Klamath_River.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
California – Coalition plans to sue government, power firm to save delta smelt – Angered by a decision to cut water allocations to save the delta smelt, a group of officials representing agricultural water agencies announced plans Thursday to sue the government, a power generation plant and maybe others they contend are responsible for the demise of the fish. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/28/BAOASFMVE.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Kittitas County conservation projects awarded more than $5 million in grants (The Daily Record)
http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2007/09/28/news/doc46fad516803ad827849707.txt
No Single Source to Blame – Future looks hazy for gorge air quality – Several dozen of the nation’s most prominent air quality experts gathered in this Columbia Gorge town under clear, sunny skies Tuesday to share and debate six years’ worth of studies on the sources of persistent gorge haze. (The Columbian)
http://columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/09/09262007news203743.cfm
MASON COUNTY P.U.D. 1 TO DISCUSS SYSTEM UPGRADES AND POSSIBLE RATE IMPACTS FOR CANAL MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM CUSTOMERS – The Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 board of Commissioners is holding its next meeting at the Hoodsport Fire Hall Tuesday. The regular meeting is set to begin at 4pm. A public hearing for Canal Mutual Water System customers is scheduled for 6pm Tuesday. During the hearing, P.U.D. 1 officials will discuss improvements to the system and associated costs that will reflect an increase in customers' monthly facilities charge. Again, that's a hearing before the Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 Commissioners on rate increases for the Canal Mutual Water System, 6pm Tuesday at the Hoodsport Fire Hall. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Cities won’t get Lake Tapps – for now. Auburn, Bonney Lake and Sumner will have to wait their turn to try to buy Lake Tapps and its valuable water from Puget Sound Energy. (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/166654.html
Restoring the natural flow at Cathlamet refuge “…a $5.15 million federal project slated to begin next summer should help boost endangered salmon populations by restoring adequate river connections to eight sloughs in the refuge…” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/228839.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Latest Oregon plant going online burning methane from landfill – A new power plant is going online in Southern Oregon that produces electricity from methane gas drawn off a landfill. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-960120~Latest_Ore__plant_going_online_burning_methane_from_landfill.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
PG&E to Become Nation's Biggest Solar Utility (Green Wombat)
http://blogs.business2.com/greenwombat/2007/09/pge-to-buy-a-gi.html?section=money_technology
Nevada Senator Calls for National Renewable Energy Zones – New legislation urges U.S. to invest in new transmission lines to bring renewable energy to the grid. (RenewableEnergyAccess.com)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50100
CONSERVATION
5 (sic) Signs The Computer Industry Is Finally Going Green – With New Technology And Exciting Announcements, The Wired World Is Taking On Its Toxic, Energy-Hungry Legacy. (The Daily Green)
http://www.thedailygreen.com/2007/09/28/5-signs-the-computer-industry-is-finally-going-green/7316/
United Kingdom – Standby Saturday campaigns to stop overnight energy wastage – Standby Saturday, 20th October 2007, will see the first nationwide overnight switch-off of non-essential electrical appliances (PR-GB)
http://pr-gb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23556&Itemid=9
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
At Its Session on Warming, U.S. Is Seen to Stand Apart (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/washington/28climate.html?ei=5088&en=f78f94854320489e&ex=1348632000&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1190997151-LJJchu/2+dLSG5YygR2EsA
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
'Innovation zones' vying for cash – Next week, Washington plans to kick off one of its new economic development strategies -- the promotion of industry clusters -- by designating several geographic areas for special attention and money. (Seattle Times)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/333465_innovation28.html?source=rss
Wyoming – Powell keeps working away at fiber optics plan. After missing the chance to start construction this summer on a municipally owned fiber optic telecommunications network, backers of the plan say they are optimistic they can strike a deal to finance the project by next spring. (Billings Gazette)
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/09/28/news/wyoming/20-fiberoptics.txt
Burlington, N.C. – Who doesn't have high-speed internet in Alamance County? (Burlington Times)
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/access_6194___article.html/percent_county.html
Ohio – Toledo mayor seeks moratorium on telecom boxes. The proliferation of large metal cabinets for telecommunications equipment placed in the city's right-of-way by AT&T has prompted a request for a moratorium. (The Toledo Blade)
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070926/NEWS16/709260406
Fios in Your Neighborhood? Don't Ask Verizon – You'd be a little crazy to shop for a home without considering the Internet, phone and TV options waiting in a new neighborhood. But good luck finding that out, especially when it comes to new services. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602468.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
ROBBERY ATTEMPT AT SHELTON ATM – Shelton Police are looking for three men suspected in an attempted robbery early this morning at the Bank of America at Fourth and Franklin in downtown Shelton. The incident occurred at about 5:45 as the victim was using the A-T-M at the bank and was hit over the head from behind. The victim chased the suspects on foot before they fled in a green Toyota Corolla, which was last seen heading west on Franklin. License plate number is reported as 285 WKI. Any one who sees this vehicle or has any information should call 9-1-1. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
DIVERSIONS
The 50 Worst Cars of All Time (This is great…thanks to Jay Himlie for the tip!)
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/1,28757,1658545,00.html
Navy To Remedy Swastika-Shaped Barracks – View Of Navy Buildings From Air Resembles Nazi Symbol
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14220127/detail.html
Yuck! Jones Soda bottles the grime and stink of the NFL – Ever wonder what the Seahawks' locker room tastes like after a big game?
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP09282007news204780.cfm
Snacks laced with marijuana shipped to Seattle (How ironic! Getting the munchies while EATING munchies!)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_092707WAB_pot_candy_bust_TP.11887d1f1.html
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