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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Mason County Candidate Filings
- Grant County PUD archaeologist's autopsy completed – Death caused by heart attack
- Thieves claim power lines near Castle Rock
- Copper Theft – Bonneville Power Administration offers Reward to Catch Substation Thieves
- Lewis County Underground Wire Targeted
- Former Greenpeace head touts nuclear power
- Cyber Incident Blamed for Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown
- North Carolina – Duke Energy wins approval for gas plants
- Pennsylvania – Shutoffs of utilities up dramatically from 2007
- Squirrel Puts Port Orchard without Power for Nearly Three Hours
- Tulalip Tribes prepare for salmon chief – Tulalips honor the first king salmon of the year with a traditional ceremony
- British Columbia’s Native Leaders Given Options On Salmon
- Liquefied Natural Gas report rekindles salmon dispute
- Salmon fishing opens Saturday on the Entiat River
- Urban beekeeping is the latest buzz
- Bid Opening Thursday – City Of Shelton To Pay More For New Sewage Treatment Plant
- Local sewer districts question King County's use of fees to build Brightwater sewage-treatment plant
- Kitsap County – Dyes Inlet Closed After Second Sewage Spill
- Olympia’s Budd Inlet dioxin woes continue
- Where DOES Water Come From
- Germany accelerates cuts to solar-energy subsidies
- Cowlitz County School Promotes Solar Energy
- Michigan – Garbage to generate electricity at South Kent Landfill
- Detroit Faces Decision on Trash Incinerator
- Electric cars will need juice – Utilities work with N.C. State to deliver it
- News Release – Stambler Earns the AWEA Commercial Achievement Award
- Edison, Make Way for the L.E.D.’s
- Energy Pulse Commentary – Western Utilities Embrace CFL Recycling
- Idaho – Mutual self-interest turns Idaho Power, customers into allies
- New Hampshire – Town eyes street-light conservation
- Climate Bill, Caught Up in Bickering, Dies in Senate
- British Columbia gas sector has carbon emissions to burn
- $45 trillion needed to combat global warming
- More Climate Confusion: Trading Permitaxes
- Grant County PUD details Internet rate increases
- Los Angeles to sue Time Warner Cable over poor service
- Comcast says 100 Mbps speeds coming by 2010
- Verizon DSL doubles speed for downloads
- FCC chief's free broadband plan delayed
- Carriers Looking to Block Free Wireless Broadband?
- Nurses at Mason General Hospital in Shelton to picket Monday for contracts
- Yakama museum curator sentenced for artifact thefts
- 'Top two' primary -- a state of confusion?
- On this Day: Allied Forces Invade France on D-Day
- $6M prize unclaimed in Oregon Lottery
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Gelid • \JELL-id\ • adjective – Extremely cold: icy
“Eeee! This creeps me out!” Howled Norberto as he bit into the old, rubbery Jello that he fished from the back of the refrigerator. The gelid, gelatinous mass was the last “edible” scrap of food in the confirmed bachelor’s icebox, and he was determined not to let it go to waste, regardless of what his gag reflex told him.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Mason County Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/MASON/ELECTIONS/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx
Grant County PUD archaeologist's autopsy completed – Death caused by heart attack (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/news05.txt
Thieves claim power lines near Castle Rock – Cowlitz PUD officials believe metal thieves tore down and stole 2,500 feet of overhead power line north of Castle Rock early Thursday morning (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/06//area_news/doc4848a16c8afa4057756470.txt
Copper Theft – Bonneville Power Administration offers Reward to Catch Substation Thieves (The Bellingham Herald, WA)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/432401.html
LEWIS COUNTY UNDERGROUND WIRE TARGETED – Copper wire thieves literally go to new lows in Lewis County. Authorities have busted two Kelso residents for allegedly stealing 800 feet of underground copper power cable from Glenoma County Park. It supplied electrical power to the kitchen, baseball field, and concession stand. 41-year old Kevin G. Walters and 39-year old Tracey L. Walters were arrested following a traffic stop. Authorities report finding wire inside a vehicle. Both were booked for possible charges of burglary, theft, and malicious mischief. (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
Former Greenpeace head touts nuclear power in presentation sponsored by Chelan, Douglas and Grant PUDs (The Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/NEWS04/641779115/1025/rss1025
Cyber Incident Blamed for Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown – A nuclear power plant in Georgia was recently forced into an emergency shutdown for 48 hours after a software update was installed on a single computer (The Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/05/AR2008060501958.html?nav=rss_technology
North Carolina – Duke Energy wins approval for gas plants (Charlotte Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2008/06/02/daily41.html?ana=from_rss
Pennsylvania – Shutoffs of utilities up dramatically from 2007 (Philadelphia Inquirer, PA)
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20080604_Shutoffs_of_utilities_up_dramatically_from_2007.html
Squirrel Puts Port Orchard without Power for Nearly Three Hours (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/05/po-without-power-for-nearly-three-hours/
FISH & WILDLIFE
Tulalip Tribes prepare for salmon chief – Tulalips honor the first king salmon of the year with a traditional ceremony (The Herald, Everett, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080606/NEWS01/487000801/-1/RSS02
British Columbia’s Native Leaders Given Options On Salmon – Native leaders who have been asked to work out a strategy among themselves to ration a meager salmon run on the Fraser River this year have been given four options to consider (The Globe and Mail, Canada)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080605.BCSALMON05/TPStory/TPNational/BritishColumbia/
Liquefied Natural Gas report rekindles salmon dispute – NorthernStar submits Biological Assessment to feds; opponents criticize document for minimizing impact (The Daily Astorian, OR)
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=51877&TM=13826.21
Salmon fishing opens Saturday on the Entiat River – reflects estimates that show enough returning fish to support a season (The Chronicle, Omak, WA)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n080605c.shtml
Urban beekeeping is the latest buzz (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004461129_apfarmsceneurbanbeekeeping.html?syndication=rss
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Bid Opening Thursday – City Of Shelton To Pay More For New Sewage Treatment Plant (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/152/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Local sewer districts question King County's use of fees to build Brightwater sewage-treatment plant (The Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004460910_brightwater06m.html?syndication=rss
Kitsap County – Dyes Inlet Closed After Second Sewage Spill (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/05/dyes-inlet-closed-after-second-sewage-spill/
Olympia’s Budd Inlet dioxin woes continue (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/470497.html
Where DOES Water Come From (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3949
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Germany accelerates cuts to solar-energy subsidies – Europe's largest power market is altering its renewable- energy law to spur the industry to control expenses and improve efficiency (Bloomberg News)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=atc5nAYE_uNA&refer=germany
Cowlitz County School Promotes Solar Energy – As president of the Toutle Lake High School Ecology Club, senior Evan Bean is all about the environment, including promoting renewable energy “…The panels are provided through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s Solar 4R Schools program and a partnership with the Cowlitz PUD…” (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/05/top_story/doc48474672f0022004369954.txt
Michigan – Garbage to generate electricity at South Kent Landfill (Grand Rapids Press, MI)
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/press_photopaul_l_newby_iia.html
Detroit Faces Decision on Trash Incinerator – Detroit doesn't just throw out and bury its trash — it is one of only a few large U.S. cities that still burn refuse. But the city must now must decide whether to keep open or close its controversial incinerator (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91208902&ft=1&f=2
Electric cars will need juice – Utilities work with N.C. State to deliver it without more power plants (The News Observer, NC)
http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1098291.html
News Release – Stambler Earns the AWEA Commercial Achievement Award – “…repeat customers include…the federal Bonneville Power Administration…” (North American Wind Power)
http://www.nawindpower.com/naw/e107_plugins/content/content_lt.php?content.2365
CONSERVATION
Edison, Make Way for the L.E.D.’s (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/edison-make-way-for-the-leds/index.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Energy Pulse Commentary – Western Utilities Embrace CFL Recycling
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1757
Idaho – Mutual self-interest turns Idaho Power, customers into allies (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5Ckiilqvx%5BSig%7DGL%7Dbfen%5Fv
New Hampshire – Town eyes street-light conservation – recommending that the town turn off more than a quarter of its streetlights (The Sun Journal, Lewiston, ME)
http://www.sunjournal.com/story/268781-3/NewEnglandNews/Town_eyes_streetlight_conservation/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Climate Bill, Caught Up in Bickering, Dies in Senate (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91232577&ft=1&f=3
British Columbia gas sector has carbon emissions to burn (Straight.com, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.straight.com/article-148407/gas-sector-has-carbon-emissions-burn?#
$45 trillion needed to combat global warming – Includes some 1,400 nuclear power plants and vast expansion of wind power (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004461160_apjapanieaclimatechange.html?syndication=rss
More Climate Confusion: Trading Permitaxes (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/convictions/archive/2008/06/05/more-climate-confusion-trading-permitaxes.aspx
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Grant County PUD details Internet rate increases (The Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/news02.txt
Los Angeles to sue Time Warner Cable over poor service – The city alleges that the company caused 'major havoc and distress' when it became the No. 1 pay TV provider two years ago (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cable5-2008jun05,0,1794603.story
Comcast says 100 Mbps speeds coming by 2010 (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9499304?source=rss
Verizon DSL doubles speed for downloads (The Herald, Everett, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080606/BIZ/762643067/-1/RSS03
FCC chief's free broadband plan delayed (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004460412_apfreebroadband.html?syndication=rss
Carriers Looking to Block Free Wireless Broadband? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/06/05/carriers-looking-to-block-free-wireless-broadband/
GENERAL NEWS
Nurses at Mason General Hospital in Shelton to picket Monday for contracts (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/469940.html
Yakama museum curator sentenced for artifact thefts (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004461286_apwaartifactthefts.html?syndication=rss
'Top two' primary -- a state of confusion? (Joel Connelly, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/366041_joel06.html?source=rss
On this Day: Allied Forces Invade France on D-Day (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/May-June-08/On-this-Day--Allied-Forces-Invade-France-on-D-Day.html
$6M prize unclaimed in Oregon Lottery (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365896_megabucks06.html?source=rss
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Lost cameras "phone home" to catch thieves
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0534545220080605?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology
Adventures in Press Releases: The Anti-Energy Drink
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/archives/2008/06/adventures_in_p.php
Woman says Comcast published check for her "right arm"
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/ritearm060608
Can you spell 'education?' This school can't
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/06/diploma.misspell.ap/index.html?eref=ib_topstories
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Energy News Digest for June 5, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- PSE gets earful over rate plan, proposed buyout
- Grant PUD studying 6 percent rate increase
- Coal opponents: Petitions succeed against a carbon sequestration experiment and potential power plant
- A Natural-Gas High – demand and the price of natural gas to hit unprecedented levels
- Weather safety rule starts next month – Measure protects workers from heat
- Penalties Sought From Utilities over Untrimmed Trees
- Montana – Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Employees Brace for Layoffs
- Idaho company announces plan for depleted uranium plant
- Another Texas electric provider defaults
- San Francisco supervisors postpone power plant vote
- Expensive Wildlife Conservation Efforts Yield Mixed Results
- Liquefied Natural Gas backers say controversial terminal will help salmon in Columbia River
- Outdoors Report: Salmon success modest; coast catch disappointing
- Whiting boats cleared to accidentally catch salmon
- Oregon – Mistake puts local fisherman at risk: Salmon relief plan reeled back in by printing error
- Dam it All: River Ways tackles controversial Northwest dams
- Lost crab pots killing off resource
- Alaska's Copper River salmon a golden catch
- Former Reclamation Commissioner Dies
- California – Schwarzenegger declares drought, pushes dam-building plan
- Vestas Wind Systems to add 200 workers in Portland
- Seattle Renewable Energy Company Investment Places F.C.C. Aide amid Fraud Inquiry
- U.S. Western Governors Seek 30 GW of Renewable Energy by 2015
- Utilities Owning, Buying More Wind, Planning for Carbon Regulations
- Store wind energy for later? Idea still inefficient
- Boston Globe Editorial: A spark for clean energy
- New York – Paterson praises Iberdrola wind-power plan
- Danish leader offers advice on energy alternatives
- Wave Energy Popular With New Zealanders
- Battle of the biofuels at food crisis summit
- Michigan – Scio Township man aims to reduce electric costs with his own wind turbine
- Two schools get on green-energy grid
- Times Union Op/Ed – Use of electronic meters can motivate consumers to help conserve energy
- Economic risks imperil federal climate bill
- Senate action on climate bill seems doomed
- Nuclear Energy Votes Could Doom Senate Climate Change Legislation
- An Idea To Reduce Our Carbon Footprint – Shut Down Drive Through Lanes
- Amazon rainforest shrinking at faster rate
- Why Tiered Broadband Is the Enemy of Innovation
- Illinois – Cut fiber optic cables knock out services for thousands
- Time Warner to Test Metered Internet Usage
- Tiny Water Pipes May Cool Computer Chips, IBM Says
- Mason County Candidate Filings
- Neatherlin files under “Prefers No Gas Tax (GOP) Party”
- Soaring fuel costs dent government budgets
- Bush says he will veto timber payments bill
- Any day now – purchase and sale agreement pending for mothballed Cosmopolis Pulp Mill
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Euphonious• \you-FONE-ee-us\ • adjective – Pleasing or agreeable to the ear
The soothing sound of water rushing over pebbles in the nearby small stream provided a euphonious backdrop for the loving couple’s noon-time picnic. Unfortunately for them, the stagnant, brackish pools below the rushing rapids provided a “mosquito hotel” which issued forth a constant stream of the voracious, blood-sucking insects, all focused on being the first to partake of the movable feast represented by the lounging couple.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
PSE gets earful over rate plan, proposed buyout (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/469400.html
Grant PUD studying 6 percent rate increase – Proposal indicates increases could begin in 2009 (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/06/04/news/news03.txt
Coal opponents: Petitions succeed – Hundreds have signed petitions against a carbon sequestration experiment and potential power plant (The Union Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA)
http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2008/06/05/local_news/080604local01coal.txt
Forbes Magazine Op/Ed – A Natural-Gas High: greenhouse gas reduction targets and the lack of low-carbon energy sources can start a massive switch from coal to natural gas by the power industry...will drive up both the demand and the price of natural gas to unprecedented levels
http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/06/04/carbon-natural-gas-oped-cx_pc_0604climate.html
Weather safety rule starts next month – Measure protects workers from heat (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/365805_heat05.html?source=rss
Penalties Sought From Utilities over Untrimmed Trees (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/business/05grid.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1212681943-6L2symyq8ltxRIn+byeb0w
Montana – Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Employees Brace for Layoffs (Flathead Beacon, Kalispell, MT)
http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/cfac_employees_brace_for_layoffs/3778/
Idaho company announces plan for depleted uranium plant (The Associated Press, via the Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP06052008news325200.cfm
Another Texas electric provider defaults – E-tricity is 3rd retailer in a month to lose customers (The Houston Chronicle, TX)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/5819713.html
San Francisco supervisors postpone power plant vote (San Francisco Chronicle) http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/04/BAOD112T69.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
FISH & WILDLIFE
Expensive Wildlife Conservation Efforts Yield Mixed Results (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/environment/May-June-08/Expensive-Wildife-Conservation-Efforts-Yield-Mixed-Results.html
Liquefied Natural Gas backers say controversial terminal will help salmon in Columbia River (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1212636332154220.xml&coll=7
Outdoors Report: Salmon success modest; coast catch disappointing (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/365816_out05.html
Whiting boats cleared to accidentally catch salmon – Officials allow 11,000 Chinook to be snared as bycatch (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1212645309226030.xml&coll=7
Oregon – Mistake puts local fisherman at risk: Salmon relief plan reeled back in by printing error (Curry County Reporter, Gold Beach, OR)
http://www.currycountyreporter.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=3611
Dam it All: River Ways tackles controversial Northwest dams (The Source Weekly, Bend, OR)
http://www.tsweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2896&Itemid=43
Lost crab pots killing off resource – Long after the pots have been lost or abandoned, they continue to catch crabs, a waste that the Stillaguamish Tribe is studying (The Herald, Everett, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080605/NEWS01/762057833/-1/rss02
Alaska's Copper River salmon a golden catch (Reuters, via KPLU Radio, Tacoma)
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1291992
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Former Reclamation head dies – Retired U.S. Commissioner of Reclamation John Keys, a well-known figure in Northwest and national water circles, died late last week in a light plane crash (The Herald-Republic, Yakima, WA)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/4662
California – Schwarzenegger declares drought, pushes dam-building plan (San Jose Mercury News, CA – Let’s see how THESE dams go over in CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9481289?source=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Vestas Wind Systems to add 200 workers in Portland – Danish company, however, passes up Oregon for $25 million research center (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/121254992636170.xml&coll=7
Seattle Renewable Energy Company Investment Places F.C.C. Aide amid Fraud Inquiry (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/business/05fcc.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
U.S. Western Governors Seek 30 GW of Renewable Energy by 2015 (Renewable Energy World Online)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52675&src=rss
Utilities Owning, Buying More Wind, Planning for Carbon Regulations (Renewable Energy World Online)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52676&src=rss
Store wind energy for later? Idea still inefficient – Experts try to improve on two underground vaults that use compressed air (MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24971884/
Boston Globe Editorial: A spark for clean energy (Boston, MA)
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/greenblog/2008/06/editorial_a_spark_for_clean_en.html
New York – Paterson praises Iberdrola wind-power plan – Governor urges quick PSC action on Energy East takeover (The Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, NY)
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/BUSINESS/806050343/1001
Danish leader offers advice on energy alternatives (Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Oh, I forgot to ask, “How do you firm up the renewable energy?)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365513_svend03.html
Wave Energy Popular With New Zealanders (The Scoop)
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0806/S00049.htm
Battle of the biofuels at food crisis summit – U.S. at center of debate on hunger (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/365833_biofuel05.html?source=rss
Michigan – Scio Township man aims to reduce electric costs with his own wind turbine (The Ann Arbor News, MI)
http://www.mlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2008/06/scio_township_man_aims_to_redu.html
Two schools get on green-energy grid (The Columbian, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004458579_greenschools05m.html?syndication=rss
CONSERVATION
Times Union Op/Ed – Use of electronic meters can motivate consumers to help conserve energy (Albany, NY)
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=693663&category=OPINION&newsdate=6/5/2008
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Economic risks imperil federal climate bill – In the Senate, opponents focus on pump prices and tax consequences (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0605/p02s05-uspo.html
Senate action on climate bill seems doomed (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004457944_apclimatecongress.html?syndication=rss
Nuclear Energy Votes Could Doom Senate Climate Change Legislation (Congressional Quarterly Politics)
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002887429
An Idea To Reduce Our Carbon Footprint – Shut Down Drive Through Lanes (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/147/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Amazon rainforest shrinking at faster rate (McClatchy News Service, via the Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080604/NEWS01/695694007/1025/rss1025
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Why Tiered Broadband Is the Enemy of Innovation (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/06/04/why-tiered-broadband-is-the-enemy-of-innovation/
Illinois – Cut fiber optic cables knock out services for thousands (The Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL)
http://pantagraph.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/doc48477773610eb627602700.txt
Time Warner to Test Metered Internet Usage (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/technology/May-June-08/Time-Warner-to-Test-Metered-Internet-Usage.html
Tiny Water Pipes May Cool Computer Chips, IBM Says – Buildup Of Heat Is Key Obstacle To Smaller Chips (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9486566?source=rss
GENERAL NEWS
Mason County Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/MASON/ELECTIONS/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx
Neatherlin files under “Prefers No Gas Tax (GOP) Party” (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/06/05/local_news/05news.txt
Soaring fuel costs dent government budgets – Higher Metro fares, slower ferries possible (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365869_gas05.html?source=rss
Bush says he will veto timber payments bill (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004457921_aptimbercounties.html?syndication=rss
Any day now – Every weekday since last Friday, Roy Nott has expected that Evergreen Pulp Cosmopolis would sign a purchase and sale agreement with Weyerhaeuser to buy the mothballed Cosmopolis Pulp Mill (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/06/05/local_news/01news.txt
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Goat Reunited With Owner After Boarding Bus – Operator Locks Goat In Bus, Calls For Help
http://www.kirotv.com/family/16491143/detail.html
Oregon Fishing Town Loses Namesake Tuna Statue
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/16510527/detail.html
Fine Could Rise For Failure To Scoop Poop – $250 Fines Would Apply In New York City, Albany, Yonkers
http://www.kirotv.com/family/16509430/detail.html
Most People Relate To Wild Road Trip Films
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/16454612/detail.html
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Energy News Digest for June 4, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Grant PUD archaeologist found dead on Monday
- Power Restored in South Kitsap – A Puget Sound Energy substation had inadvertently been deenergized
- Idaho – Downed powerline blocks I-84, delays Idaho commuters
- Chehalis Power Plant Sale Progresses
- Are you up to speed on Puget Sound Energy's gas, electric rate increase proposals and its proposed sale?
- Cynic Alert – Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce Director Leaves Post to Join Puget Sound Energy
- Daily News Editorial – Time to quit stalling on Yucca Mountain repository
- Mason County Candidate Filings
- Grays Harbor County – PUD critic Brown challenges Jim Eddy for commission
- New laws kick in as candidates file for elective office
- Florida Power & Light to seek fuel charge increase
- Europe faces bulging energy bills because of oil
- News Release – Puget Sound Energy Recognizes Karen and Ralph Munro with 2008 Pioneer Award
- The Sea Lion and the Salmon – Should we murder one to save the other?
- Orcas Return to Sound From Winter Travels
- Tri-City Herald Opinion – Salmon plan makes sense
- British Columbia’s farmed fish lower in mercury than wild
- Area salmon aspirations stuck in the starting gate
- Columbia River lead levels back to normal
- Puget Sound Energy to pay $472,000 for 2006 oil spill
- Ecology director lauds Kennewick Irrigation District project
- Crews able to slow leaks at levee at Klamath Falls
- Oregon – Engineers Checking The Safety Of Scoggins Dam Near Forest Grove
- Nuclear Cleanup Could Derail an Experimental Cancer Treatment, Study Says
- Honolulu seeks to toss its trash in Northwest
- Tips on How to Conserve Family Water Usage and Cut Costs
- Port Townsend a hotbed for solar power
- British Columbia's wind-power industry looks to a bright future
- New York – Stalled Sale Seeks Power From Wind
- DOE Signs MOU with six major wind companies to promote wind energy in the U.S.
- Energy Pulse Commentary – Swept Up by Wind: Wind power is drawing some fancy suitors
- Rhode Island Senate OKs renewable energy bill
- 'Green' jobs could employ 14 million; report says
- Power bills soaring? Turn off the Playstation
- L.A. city controller takes dim view of wasteful light bulbs
- New report shows Utah agencies saving energy — but not enough to meet their goals
- New survey: 9 out of 10 Americans making lifestyle changes to cope with rising energy costs
- Seattle Times Editorial – Spread the burden of climate change
- No more free rides -- 'Spare the Air' program abandoned
- Oklahoma City Builds World's Largest Muni-Fi Network
- Time Warner bandwidth-cap trial tops out at 40GB/month
- Bill Gates Bids Adieu to Developers
- To Award Sewer Plant Bid – Shelton City Commission to Hold Special Meeting Thursday Morning
- Loved ones remember teen killed in Mason County crash on Harstine Island
- 2-year sentence handed to radical environmentalist
- No diploma for teen mom who chose sick baby over taking WASL
- Police: Mother Left Kids In Bathtub While Buying Beer
- Survey finds most businesses prepared for disasters
- Tacoma council plan would let members dial in to meetings
- Rating Firms Seem Near Legal Deal on Reforms
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Tawdry • \TAW-dree\ • adjective – Cheap and gaudy in appearance or quality; also: ignoble
The architect was extremely nervous about unveiling the public art piece in his new building. As if to metaphorically shield himself from the expected verbal onslaught, he stuttered, “Just remember what the artist Ben Shahn said ‘in art as in love we are constantly amazed at the choices of others’. And please, don’t hit.” The verbal gasp of the attendant media as the curtain was drawn back from the mural was like a slap to the face. The tawdry and childish scrawls that were supposed to depict historic figures looked like a poor man’s graphic novel.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Grant PUD archaeologist found dead on Monday (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/06/03/news/news03.txt
Power Restored in South Kitsap – A Puget Sound Energy substation had inadvertently been deenergized (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/03/power-outage-strikes-south-kitsap/
Idaho – Downed powerline blocks I-84, delays Idaho commuters (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/468530.html
Chehalis Power Plant Sale Progresses – A public hearing on the transfer of the Chehalis natural gas power plant yielded no comments (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1212601847&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
Are you up to speed on Puget Sound Energy's gas, electric rate increase proposals and its proposed sale? (Seattle Post Intelligencer, Boomer Consumer Blog)
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/boomerconsumer/archives/140379.asp?from=blog_last3
Cynic Alert – Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce Director Leaves Post to Join Puget Sound Energy – “…This isn't a reaction to the PSE merger or the PUD vote…” (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080604/NEWS/806040309
Daily News Editorial – Time to quit stalling on Yucca Mountain repository (Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/04/editorial/doc4845c309450e6103843205.txt
Mason County Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/MASON/ELECTIONS/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx
Grays Harbor County – PUD critic Brown challenges Jim Eddy for commission (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/06/03/local_news/02news.txt
New laws kick in as candidates file for elective office (Wenatchee World – Includes PUD filings)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/NEWS04/375817067
Florida Power & Light to seek fuel charge increase – The company says dramatic increases in the price of fuel could result in higher residential electric bills (Orlando Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/06/02/daily24.html?ana=from_rss
Europe faces bulging energy bills because of oil (Reuters, via the Guardian, United Kingdom)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7561309
News Release – Puget Sound Energy Recognizes Karen and Ralph Munro with 2008 Pioneer Award (Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=91591
FISH & WILDLIFE
The Sea Lion and the Salmon – Should we murder one to save the other? (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2192362/?GT1=38001
Orcas Return to Sound From Winter Travels (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/03/orcas-return-to-sound-from-winter-travels/
Tri-City Herald Opinion – Salmon plan makes sense
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/202171.html
British Columbia’s farmed fish lower in mercury than wild (Seattle Post Intelligencer, Dateline Earth Blog)
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/environment/archives/140320.asp
Area salmon aspirations stuck in the starting gate – Salmon fishing in local waters and off the coast ranged from slow to fair over the weekend. (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/outdoors/story/380123.html
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Columbia River lead levels back to normal (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004456327_leadspill04m.html?syndication=rss
Puget Sound Energy to pay $472,000 for 2006 oil spill (Associated Press, via the Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP06042008news324722.cfm
Ecology director lauds project – Calls the Kennewick Irrigation District's pump exchange plan one of the best projects he's seen for Columbia River water management (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/202569.html
Crews able to slow leaks at levee at Klamath Falls (KFLS Radio, Klamath Falls, OR via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1423722~Crews_able_to_slow_leaks_at_levee_at_Klamath_Falls.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Oregon – Engineers Checking the Safety of Scoggins Dam Near Forest Grove (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/2250-engineers-checking-safety-scoggins-dam/
Nuclear Cleanup Could Derail an Experimental Cancer Treatment, Study Says (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/washington/04nuke.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Honolulu seeks to toss its trash in Northwest (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/121255894736580.xml&coll=7
Tips on How to Conserve Family Water Usage and Cut Costs (KNDO-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=8418687
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Port Townsend a hotbed for solar power (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_060308WAB_solar_power_port_townsend_KS.5a458bc6.html
British Columbia's wind-power industry looks to a bright future – Two projects set to start up in the province's northeast this year, with more expected to follow (The Vancouver Sun, Canada)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=d9df083e-ee6b-4a91-aa91-45c7f9005647
New York – Stalled Sale Seeks Power from Wind – One of the world’s largest energy companies proposed on Tuesday to build hundreds of wind turbines in New York, significantly raising the stakes in a nine-month battle with state regulators over its intended purchase of a power company (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/nyregion/04wind.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
DOE Signs MOU with six major wind companies to promote wind energy in the U.S. through advanced research and siting strategy development (Renewable Energy World Online)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/nyregion/04wind.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Energy Pulse Commentary – Swept Up by Wind: Wind power is drawing some fancy suitors
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1749
Rhode Island Senate OKs renewable energy bill – Bill requires major electricity companies to buy renewable power (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/9976f85a57df395f3ec786c784e30464.htm
'Green' jobs could employ 14 million; report says (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9959147-54.html
CONSERVATION
Power bills soaring? Turn off the Playstation – an Australian consumer agency study has found that videogame consoles and plasma flat-screen TVs are major electricity guzzlers, even when left on stand-by (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSSP2015620080603?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology
L.A. city controller takes dim view of wasteful light bulbs – Audit finds that 12-year-old program to install fluorescent lights has been poorly implemented, but even so has saved $1.5 million on annual bill (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-lightbulbs4-2008jun04,0,4768192.story
New report shows Utah agencies saving energy — but not enough to meet their goals (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,700231520,00.html
New survey: 9 out of 10 Americans making lifestyle changes to cope with rising energy costs (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=330614&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Seattle Times Editorial – Spread the burden of climate change
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2004455922_climated04.html
No more free rides -- 'Spare the Air' program abandoned – program offered a free transit passes during smoggy summer days has been canceled, the result of dwindling federal funds, its high cost, and record gas prices that are boosting transit ridership anyway (Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_9469512?source=rss
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Oklahoma City Builds World's Largest Muni-Fi Network – Though it will only be used for municipal functions (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Oklahoma-City-Builds-Worlds-Largest-MuniFi-Network-94991
Time Warner bandwidth-cap trial tops out at 40GB/month (Yahoo! Tech)
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/22211
Gates Bids Adieu to Developers – It's fitting that Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates delivered his final publicly scheduled speech as a full-time Microsoft employee on Tuesday to a roomful of software developers (IDG News Service, via the NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/idg/IDG_852573C4006938800025745D0044BF9C.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
GENERAL NEWS
To Award Sewer Plant Bid – Shelton City Commission to Hold Special Meeting Thursday Morning (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/133/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Loved ones remember teen killed in Mason County crash on Harstine Island (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/380078.html
2-year sentence handed to radical environmentalist – Arrow said plea deal too good to refuse (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365674_trearrow04.html?source=rss
No diploma for teen mom who chose sick baby over taking WASL (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/19512484.html
Police: Mother Left Kids In Bathtub While Buying Beer (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/16482915/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_1_09000206042008&ts=H
Survey finds most businesses prepared for disasters (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/06/02/daily14.html?ana=from_rss
Tacoma council plan would let members dial in to meetings – Council members soon may be able to phone in their votes under some circumstances (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/380079.html
Rating Firms Seem Near Legal Deal on Reforms – Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings are under fire for the high ratings they awarded to subprime mortgage securities (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/business/04cuomo.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Man, 71, and friend in wheelchair subdue robbery suspect
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080603/ap_on_fe_st/odd_elderly_crimestoppers;_ylt=AvbYeIHh8x4p09JNZ.m.yT9I2ocA
'Carbon Belch Day' promotes un-green actions –Smoke cigars, do a partial load of laundry, drink bottled water, and feel no shame. That's what a campaign against a carbon trading bill is urging (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9957787-54.html
Researcher: Drought slowing down Old Faithful geyser
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9476238?source=rss
TV, guns, fridges - prisoner had it all
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN0338431320080604?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Man orders father murdered to get his job
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN0335766120080603?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Grant PUD archaeologist found dead on Monday
- Power Restored in South Kitsap – A Puget Sound Energy substation had inadvertently been deenergized
- Idaho – Downed powerline blocks I-84, delays Idaho commuters
- Chehalis Power Plant Sale Progresses
- Are you up to speed on Puget Sound Energy's gas, electric rate increase proposals and its proposed sale?
- Cynic Alert – Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce Director Leaves Post to Join Puget Sound Energy
- Daily News Editorial – Time to quit stalling on Yucca Mountain repository
- Mason County Candidate Filings
- Grays Harbor County – PUD critic Brown challenges Jim Eddy for commission
- New laws kick in as candidates file for elective office
- Florida Power & Light to seek fuel charge increase
- Europe faces bulging energy bills because of oil
- News Release – Puget Sound Energy Recognizes Karen and Ralph Munro with 2008 Pioneer Award
- The Sea Lion and the Salmon – Should we murder one to save the other?
- Orcas Return to Sound From Winter Travels
- Tri-City Herald Opinion – Salmon plan makes sense
- British Columbia’s farmed fish lower in mercury than wild
- Area salmon aspirations stuck in the starting gate
- Columbia River lead levels back to normal
- Puget Sound Energy to pay $472,000 for 2006 oil spill
- Ecology director lauds Kennewick Irrigation District project
- Crews able to slow leaks at levee at Klamath Falls
- Oregon – Engineers Checking The Safety Of Scoggins Dam Near Forest Grove
- Nuclear Cleanup Could Derail an Experimental Cancer Treatment, Study Says
- Honolulu seeks to toss its trash in Northwest
- Tips on How to Conserve Family Water Usage and Cut Costs
- Port Townsend a hotbed for solar power
- British Columbia's wind-power industry looks to a bright future
- New York – Stalled Sale Seeks Power From Wind
- DOE Signs MOU with six major wind companies to promote wind energy in the U.S.
- Energy Pulse Commentary – Swept Up by Wind: Wind power is drawing some fancy suitors
- Rhode Island Senate OKs renewable energy bill
- 'Green' jobs could employ 14 million; report says
- Power bills soaring? Turn off the Playstation
- L.A. city controller takes dim view of wasteful light bulbs
- New report shows Utah agencies saving energy — but not enough to meet their goals
- New survey: 9 out of 10 Americans making lifestyle changes to cope with rising energy costs
- Seattle Times Editorial – Spread the burden of climate change
- No more free rides -- 'Spare the Air' program abandoned
- Oklahoma City Builds World's Largest Muni-Fi Network
- Time Warner bandwidth-cap trial tops out at 40GB/month
- Bill Gates Bids Adieu to Developers
- To Award Sewer Plant Bid – Shelton City Commission to Hold Special Meeting Thursday Morning
- Loved ones remember teen killed in Mason County crash on Harstine Island
- 2-year sentence handed to radical environmentalist
- No diploma for teen mom who chose sick baby over taking WASL
- Police: Mother Left Kids In Bathtub While Buying Beer
- Survey finds most businesses prepared for disasters
- Tacoma council plan would let members dial in to meetings
- Rating Firms Seem Near Legal Deal on Reforms
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Tawdry • \TAW-dree\ • adjective – Cheap and gaudy in appearance or quality; also: ignoble
The architect was extremely nervous about unveiling the public art piece in his new building. As if to metaphorically shield himself from the expected verbal onslaught, he stuttered, “Just remember what the artist Ben Shahn said ‘in art as in love we are constantly amazed at the choices of others’. And please, don’t hit.” The verbal gasp of the attendant media as the curtain was drawn back from the mural was like a slap to the face. The tawdry and childish scrawls that were supposed to depict historic figures looked like a poor man’s graphic novel.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Grant PUD archaeologist found dead on Monday (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/06/03/news/news03.txt
Power Restored in South Kitsap – A Puget Sound Energy substation had inadvertently been deenergized (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/03/power-outage-strikes-south-kitsap/
Idaho – Downed powerline blocks I-84, delays Idaho commuters (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/468530.html
Chehalis Power Plant Sale Progresses – A public hearing on the transfer of the Chehalis natural gas power plant yielded no comments (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1212601847&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
Are you up to speed on Puget Sound Energy's gas, electric rate increase proposals and its proposed sale? (Seattle Post Intelligencer, Boomer Consumer Blog)
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/boomerconsumer/archives/140379.asp?from=blog_last3
Cynic Alert – Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce Director Leaves Post to Join Puget Sound Energy – “…This isn't a reaction to the PSE merger or the PUD vote…” (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080604/NEWS/806040309
Daily News Editorial – Time to quit stalling on Yucca Mountain repository (Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/04/editorial/doc4845c309450e6103843205.txt
Mason County Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/MASON/ELECTIONS/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx
Grays Harbor County – PUD critic Brown challenges Jim Eddy for commission (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/06/03/local_news/02news.txt
New laws kick in as candidates file for elective office (Wenatchee World – Includes PUD filings)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/NEWS04/375817067
Florida Power & Light to seek fuel charge increase – The company says dramatic increases in the price of fuel could result in higher residential electric bills (Orlando Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/06/02/daily24.html?ana=from_rss
Europe faces bulging energy bills because of oil (Reuters, via the Guardian, United Kingdom)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7561309
News Release – Puget Sound Energy Recognizes Karen and Ralph Munro with 2008 Pioneer Award (Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=91591
FISH & WILDLIFE
The Sea Lion and the Salmon – Should we murder one to save the other? (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2192362/?GT1=38001
Orcas Return to Sound From Winter Travels (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/03/orcas-return-to-sound-from-winter-travels/
Tri-City Herald Opinion – Salmon plan makes sense
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/202171.html
British Columbia’s farmed fish lower in mercury than wild (Seattle Post Intelligencer, Dateline Earth Blog)
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/environment/archives/140320.asp
Area salmon aspirations stuck in the starting gate – Salmon fishing in local waters and off the coast ranged from slow to fair over the weekend. (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/outdoors/story/380123.html
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Columbia River lead levels back to normal (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004456327_leadspill04m.html?syndication=rss
Puget Sound Energy to pay $472,000 for 2006 oil spill (Associated Press, via the Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP06042008news324722.cfm
Ecology director lauds project – Calls the Kennewick Irrigation District's pump exchange plan one of the best projects he's seen for Columbia River water management (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/202569.html
Crews able to slow leaks at levee at Klamath Falls (KFLS Radio, Klamath Falls, OR via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1423722~Crews_able_to_slow_leaks_at_levee_at_Klamath_Falls.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Oregon – Engineers Checking the Safety of Scoggins Dam Near Forest Grove (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/2250-engineers-checking-safety-scoggins-dam/
Nuclear Cleanup Could Derail an Experimental Cancer Treatment, Study Says (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/washington/04nuke.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Honolulu seeks to toss its trash in Northwest (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/121255894736580.xml&coll=7
Tips on How to Conserve Family Water Usage and Cut Costs (KNDO-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=8418687
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Port Townsend a hotbed for solar power (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_060308WAB_solar_power_port_townsend_KS.5a458bc6.html
British Columbia's wind-power industry looks to a bright future – Two projects set to start up in the province's northeast this year, with more expected to follow (The Vancouver Sun, Canada)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=d9df083e-ee6b-4a91-aa91-45c7f9005647
New York – Stalled Sale Seeks Power from Wind – One of the world’s largest energy companies proposed on Tuesday to build hundreds of wind turbines in New York, significantly raising the stakes in a nine-month battle with state regulators over its intended purchase of a power company (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/nyregion/04wind.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
DOE Signs MOU with six major wind companies to promote wind energy in the U.S. through advanced research and siting strategy development (Renewable Energy World Online)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/nyregion/04wind.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Energy Pulse Commentary – Swept Up by Wind: Wind power is drawing some fancy suitors
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1749
Rhode Island Senate OKs renewable energy bill – Bill requires major electricity companies to buy renewable power (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/9976f85a57df395f3ec786c784e30464.htm
'Green' jobs could employ 14 million; report says (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9959147-54.html
CONSERVATION
Power bills soaring? Turn off the Playstation – an Australian consumer agency study has found that videogame consoles and plasma flat-screen TVs are major electricity guzzlers, even when left on stand-by (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSSP2015620080603?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology
L.A. city controller takes dim view of wasteful light bulbs – Audit finds that 12-year-old program to install fluorescent lights has been poorly implemented, but even so has saved $1.5 million on annual bill (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-lightbulbs4-2008jun04,0,4768192.story
New report shows Utah agencies saving energy — but not enough to meet their goals (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,700231520,00.html
New survey: 9 out of 10 Americans making lifestyle changes to cope with rising energy costs (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=330614&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Seattle Times Editorial – Spread the burden of climate change
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2004455922_climated04.html
No more free rides -- 'Spare the Air' program abandoned – program offered a free transit passes during smoggy summer days has been canceled, the result of dwindling federal funds, its high cost, and record gas prices that are boosting transit ridership anyway (Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_9469512?source=rss
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Oklahoma City Builds World's Largest Muni-Fi Network – Though it will only be used for municipal functions (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Oklahoma-City-Builds-Worlds-Largest-MuniFi-Network-94991
Time Warner bandwidth-cap trial tops out at 40GB/month (Yahoo! Tech)
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/22211
Gates Bids Adieu to Developers – It's fitting that Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates delivered his final publicly scheduled speech as a full-time Microsoft employee on Tuesday to a roomful of software developers (IDG News Service, via the NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/idg/IDG_852573C4006938800025745D0044BF9C.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
GENERAL NEWS
To Award Sewer Plant Bid – Shelton City Commission to Hold Special Meeting Thursday Morning (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/133/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Loved ones remember teen killed in Mason County crash on Harstine Island (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/380078.html
2-year sentence handed to radical environmentalist – Arrow said plea deal too good to refuse (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365674_trearrow04.html?source=rss
No diploma for teen mom who chose sick baby over taking WASL (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/19512484.html
Police: Mother Left Kids In Bathtub While Buying Beer (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/16482915/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_1_09000206042008&ts=H
Survey finds most businesses prepared for disasters (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/06/02/daily14.html?ana=from_rss
Tacoma council plan would let members dial in to meetings – Council members soon may be able to phone in their votes under some circumstances (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/380079.html
Rating Firms Seem Near Legal Deal on Reforms – Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings are under fire for the high ratings they awarded to subprime mortgage securities (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/business/04cuomo.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Man, 71, and friend in wheelchair subdue robbery suspect
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080603/ap_on_fe_st/odd_elderly_crimestoppers;_ylt=AvbYeIHh8x4p09JNZ.m.yT9I2ocA
'Carbon Belch Day' promotes un-green actions –Smoke cigars, do a partial load of laundry, drink bottled water, and feel no shame. That's what a campaign against a carbon trading bill is urging (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9957787-54.html
Researcher: Drought slowing down Old Faithful geyser
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9476238?source=rss
TV, guns, fridges - prisoner had it all
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN0338431320080604?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Man orders father murdered to get his job
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN0335766120080603?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Energy News Digest for June 3, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Mason County Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
- Two File for Lewis County PUD Position
- ELECTIONS: Candidates sign up to appear on primary ballot
- Raising rates: Public speaks, Chelan PUD listens
- Montana – Montgomery Energy extols benefits of gas-fired plants
- Port Townsend chamber manager quits to join Puget Sound Energy
- These poles were made for climbing – High-voltage job turned competition June 21
- Energy Rules Enrich Power Companies, Bilk Customers, Regulators Say
- Maryland Public Service Commission going after $2 billion from electric grid operator
- Regulators: Duke Energy Can't Raise Rates Because Of Drought
- Nevada nuclear dump application filed Tuesday
- Pinched at pump, consumers warm to energy plants
- San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Power industry needs visionary leadership
- New report: Utilities increase Web-based offerings for customer self-service
- Where Have All the Fish Gone?
- West Coast fishermen offered 'pieces of silver'
- Black Rock Reservoir proponents outline plan details
- National Marine Fisheries Service completes environmental impact statement on Neah Bay whaling
- Pollution outflows to Sound routinely allowed
- At Fort Lewis – Glitch releases up to 180,000 gallons of partially-treated water into Puget Sound
- Kitsap County – Plans to Reuse Wastewater Move Forward
- In Spain, Water Is a New Battleground
- Abundant snowpack promises long Oregon, Washington white-water season
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer Op/Ed – Bottled water important to health
- Texas wind farms choked off from grid due to insufficient power lines
- Arizona-New Mexico power corridor for renewable energy launches
- GE sees solar becoming $1 bln business
- Vestas chooses Houston over Portland
- McMinnville farmer plants turbine, power costs blow away
- Vertical-axis wind turbine spins into business
- Who’s Resuscitating the Electric Car?
- Biofuel Sends Cost of Beer Rising
- Pacific Gas & Electric pays to offset Democrats' carbon emissions
- Federal Carbon Bill's Hurdles: Price Tag, Stiff Opposition
- National Post Commentary – British Columbia’s carbon tax is anything but neutral
- NASA Downplayed Climate Studies, Monitor Says
- Good News From the South Pole? Does growing sea ice in Antarctica bode well for the future?
- Iowa Has The Most FTTH Providers? 40 Networks in various stages of development
- Time Warner Cable Broadband Tiers Lead to Fears
- Will Metered Broadband Make You Switch Your ISP?
- Bell Canada Fires Up The Spin Doctors – We're not anti-competitive, we're just plain awesome
- Experts Revive Debate over Cell Phones and Cance
- M-80 explodes in Washington girl's hand
- California – ATM card thieves have struck statewide – Using card skimmers
- California – Metal thieves take $190,000 worth of aluminum from grower
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Malaise • \muh-LAYZ\ • noun – 1: an indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness *2: a vague sense of mental or moral ill-being
“MMMMMM, yummy mayonnaise on my ham and cheese sandwich,” gushed Danforth at his high school reunion picnic. In what was to become known as the “Riverdale Moldy Mayonnaise Malaise” Danny and his classmates would soon be elbowing for position at the one port-a-potty that the overwhelmed organizers had rented for the occasion.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Mason County Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/MASON/ELECTIONS/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx
Two File for Lewis County PUD Position – Kennedy Challenges Kostick for Electrical Utility Post (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1212429488&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
ELECTIONS: Candidates sign up to appear on primary ballot (Tri-City Herald, includes Benton, Franklin, Grant PUDs)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/201279.html
Raising rates: Public speaks, Chelan PUD listens (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/NEWS04/17610179/1001
Montana – Montgomery Energy extols benefits of gas-fired plants (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/NEWS01/806030310
Port Townsend chamber manager quits to join Puget Sound Energy – accepts position of community partnerships manager with Puget Sound Energy. PSE is facing a possible challenge to its expiring electricity franchise in East Jefferson County (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA – Any connection? Inquiring minds want to know!)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080603/NEWS/548844856
These poles were made for climbing – High-voltage job turned competition June 21: Linemen will climb, rescue, install (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080602/NEWS04/133407446/1005
Energy Rules Enrich Power Companies, Bilk Customers, Regulators Say – Electricity customers in Maryland and the District will overpay for power by more than $1.9 billion (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/02/AR2008060201996.html?nav=rss_email/components
Maryland Public Service Commission going after $2 billion from electric grid operator (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/06/02/daily7.html?ana=from_rss
Regulators: Duke Energy Can't Raise Rates Because Of Drought (The Associated Press, via WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC)
http://www.wxii12.com/news/16472493/detail.html?rss=gws&psp=news
Nevada nuclear dump application filed Tuesday (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004453295_apyuccamountain.html?syndication=rss
Pinched at pump, consumers warm to energy plants – Survey finds less opposition to nuclear, clean coal but refineries still loathed (Market Watch)
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7BC08205F2%2D7426%2D4D7A%2DA140%2DBE2E87D1FB95%7D&siteid=rss
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Power industry needs visionary leadership
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/03/EDEC111PKU.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
New report: Utilities increase Web-based offerings for customer self-service (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=330472&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
FISH & WILDLIFE
Where Have All the Fish Gone? The collapse of America’s West Coast Salmon fishery has an eerily familiar ring to it. Are the oceans dying? (Trumpet.com)
http://www.thetrumpet.com/index.php?q=5197.3473.0.0
Fishermen offered 'pieces of silver' – The U.S. is offering local fishermen $30 million to get out of the lucrative west coast Chinook troll fishery (Richmond News, Canada)
http://www.canada.com/richmondnews/news/story.html?id=82413830-aadf-41d1-9d4e-c2f359de483d
Black Rock Reservoir proponents outline plan details – Backers try to garner interest among tribal members by showing fishing benefits (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/4615
National Marine Fisheries Service completes environmental impact statement on Neah Bay whaling (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004453961_whaling03m.html?syndication=rss
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Pollution outflows to Sound routinely allowed – Offshore mixing zones dilute toxic substances (Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Et Tu, Victoria?)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365545_pugetsound03.html?source=rss
At Fort Lewis – Glitch releases up to 180,000 gallons of partially-treated water into Puget Sound (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/466769.html
Kitsap County – Plans to Reuse Wastewater Move Forward (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/02/plans-to-reuse-wastewater-move-forward/
In Spain, Water Is a New Battleground – Spurred on by global warming and poorly planned development, swaths of Spain are turning into desert (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/world/europe/03dry.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Abundant snowpack promises long Oregon, Washington white-water season (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/121236998911330.xml&coll=7
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Op/Ed – Bottled water important to health
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/365501_bottledwater03.html?source=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Texas wind farms choked off from grid due to insufficient power lines – Thousands of wind turbines in the US are sitting idle or failing to meet their full generating capacity (The Independent, United Kingdom)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/texas-wind-farms-choked-off-from-grid-due-to-insufficient-power-lines-838979.html
Arizona-New Mexico power corridor for renewable energy launches with Salt River Project, other players (Phoenix Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/06/02/daily15.html?ana=from_rss
GE sees solar becoming $1 bln business (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/IndiaInvestment08/idUSN0227159320080602
Vestas chooses Houston over Portland – Wind energy firm announces it iss establishing a new research center in Houston (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/06/02/daily12.html?ana=from_rss
McMinnville farmer plants turbine, power costs blow away – A wind tower yields a bumper crop of energy for family farm (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1212375321161940.xml&coll=7
Vertical-axis wind turbine spins into business (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9956965-54.html
Who’s Resuscitating the Electric Car? An electric car in Britain is making headway in the fight against fuel. Will it take off, and is the electric car really good for the environment? (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/technology/May-June-08/Who-s-Resuscitating-the-Electric-Car.html
Biofuel Sends Cost of Beer Rising (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/money/16463952/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Pacific Gas & Electric pays to offset Democrats' carbon emissions (Examiner.com – Insert bad political pun here)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1420448~PG_E_pays_to_offset_Democrats__carbon_emissions.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Federal Carbon Bill's Hurdles: Price Tag, Stiff Opposition (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91098289&ft=1&f=3
National Post Commentary – British Columbia’s carbon tax is anything but neutral
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/06/02/maureen-bader-b-c-s-carbon-tax-is-anything-but-neutral.aspx
NASA Downplayed Climate Studies, Monitor Says (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91087076&ft=1&f=2
Good News From the South Pole? Does growing sea ice in Antarctica bode well for the future? (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2192730/?from=rss
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Iowa Has The Most FTTH Providers? 40 Networks in various stages of development (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Iowa-Has-The-Most-FTTH-Providers-94954
Time Warner Cable Broadband Tiers Lead to Fears (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/06/02/time-warner-cable-broadband-tiers-lead-to-fears/
Will Metered Broadband Make You Switch Your ISP? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/06/03/metered-broadband-will-you-switch-your-carriers/
Bell Canada Fires Up The Spin Doctors – We're not anti-competitive, we're just plain awesome (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Bell-Canada-Fires-Up-The-Spin-Doctors-94924
Experts Revive Debate over Cell Phones and Cancer (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/health/03well.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
GENERAL NEWS
M-80 explodes in Washington girl's hand (The Associated Press, via the Columbian, Vancouver, WA)http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP06032008news324310.cfm
California – ATM card thieves have struck statewide – Using card skimmers, group may have stolen more than $45,000 in San Jose alone (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_9424966?nclick_check=1
California – Metal thieves take $190,000 worth of aluminum from grower (The Santa Cruz Sentinel, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1421739~Metal_thieves_take__190_000_worth_of_aluminum_from_grower.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
DIVERSIONS
Man jailed for faking his death
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSPAT26223520080602?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
The Claim: Drinking Flat Soda Can Ease an Upset Stomach
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/health/03real.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Spell-Check Run Amok Changes Names In School Yearbook
http://www.kirotv.com/education/16460101/detail.html
Colbert tells grads: Please don't change the world
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080603/ap_on_en_tv/people_colbert;_ylt=AkQjAFVanlUzPkwL3DjoZ_DtiBIF
London underground drinks party ends in mayhem – Thousands of revelers were marking the last day of drinking alcohol on the tube
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080602/od_nm/tube_odd_dc;_ylt=AgvtRfsMQ_ZC.sByTckOyIDtiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Mason County Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
- Two File for Lewis County PUD Position
- ELECTIONS: Candidates sign up to appear on primary ballot
- Raising rates: Public speaks, Chelan PUD listens
- Montana – Montgomery Energy extols benefits of gas-fired plants
- Port Townsend chamber manager quits to join Puget Sound Energy
- These poles were made for climbing – High-voltage job turned competition June 21
- Energy Rules Enrich Power Companies, Bilk Customers, Regulators Say
- Maryland Public Service Commission going after $2 billion from electric grid operator
- Regulators: Duke Energy Can't Raise Rates Because Of Drought
- Nevada nuclear dump application filed Tuesday
- Pinched at pump, consumers warm to energy plants
- San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Power industry needs visionary leadership
- New report: Utilities increase Web-based offerings for customer self-service
- Where Have All the Fish Gone?
- West Coast fishermen offered 'pieces of silver'
- Black Rock Reservoir proponents outline plan details
- National Marine Fisheries Service completes environmental impact statement on Neah Bay whaling
- Pollution outflows to Sound routinely allowed
- At Fort Lewis – Glitch releases up to 180,000 gallons of partially-treated water into Puget Sound
- Kitsap County – Plans to Reuse Wastewater Move Forward
- In Spain, Water Is a New Battleground
- Abundant snowpack promises long Oregon, Washington white-water season
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer Op/Ed – Bottled water important to health
- Texas wind farms choked off from grid due to insufficient power lines
- Arizona-New Mexico power corridor for renewable energy launches
- GE sees solar becoming $1 bln business
- Vestas chooses Houston over Portland
- McMinnville farmer plants turbine, power costs blow away
- Vertical-axis wind turbine spins into business
- Who’s Resuscitating the Electric Car?
- Biofuel Sends Cost of Beer Rising
- Pacific Gas & Electric pays to offset Democrats' carbon emissions
- Federal Carbon Bill's Hurdles: Price Tag, Stiff Opposition
- National Post Commentary – British Columbia’s carbon tax is anything but neutral
- NASA Downplayed Climate Studies, Monitor Says
- Good News From the South Pole? Does growing sea ice in Antarctica bode well for the future?
- Iowa Has The Most FTTH Providers? 40 Networks in various stages of development
- Time Warner Cable Broadband Tiers Lead to Fears
- Will Metered Broadband Make You Switch Your ISP?
- Bell Canada Fires Up The Spin Doctors – We're not anti-competitive, we're just plain awesome
- Experts Revive Debate over Cell Phones and Cance
- M-80 explodes in Washington girl's hand
- California – ATM card thieves have struck statewide – Using card skimmers
- California – Metal thieves take $190,000 worth of aluminum from grower
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Malaise • \muh-LAYZ\ • noun – 1: an indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness *2: a vague sense of mental or moral ill-being
“MMMMMM, yummy mayonnaise on my ham and cheese sandwich,” gushed Danforth at his high school reunion picnic. In what was to become known as the “Riverdale Moldy Mayonnaise Malaise” Danny and his classmates would soon be elbowing for position at the one port-a-potty that the overwhelmed organizers had rented for the occasion.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Mason County Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/MASON/ELECTIONS/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx
Two File for Lewis County PUD Position – Kennedy Challenges Kostick for Electrical Utility Post (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1212429488&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
ELECTIONS: Candidates sign up to appear on primary ballot (Tri-City Herald, includes Benton, Franklin, Grant PUDs)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/201279.html
Raising rates: Public speaks, Chelan PUD listens (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/NEWS04/17610179/1001
Montana – Montgomery Energy extols benefits of gas-fired plants (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/NEWS01/806030310
Port Townsend chamber manager quits to join Puget Sound Energy – accepts position of community partnerships manager with Puget Sound Energy. PSE is facing a possible challenge to its expiring electricity franchise in East Jefferson County (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA – Any connection? Inquiring minds want to know!)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080603/NEWS/548844856
These poles were made for climbing – High-voltage job turned competition June 21: Linemen will climb, rescue, install (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080602/NEWS04/133407446/1005
Energy Rules Enrich Power Companies, Bilk Customers, Regulators Say – Electricity customers in Maryland and the District will overpay for power by more than $1.9 billion (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/02/AR2008060201996.html?nav=rss_email/components
Maryland Public Service Commission going after $2 billion from electric grid operator (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/06/02/daily7.html?ana=from_rss
Regulators: Duke Energy Can't Raise Rates Because Of Drought (The Associated Press, via WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC)
http://www.wxii12.com/news/16472493/detail.html?rss=gws&psp=news
Nevada nuclear dump application filed Tuesday (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004453295_apyuccamountain.html?syndication=rss
Pinched at pump, consumers warm to energy plants – Survey finds less opposition to nuclear, clean coal but refineries still loathed (Market Watch)
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7BC08205F2%2D7426%2D4D7A%2DA140%2DBE2E87D1FB95%7D&siteid=rss
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Power industry needs visionary leadership
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/03/EDEC111PKU.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
New report: Utilities increase Web-based offerings for customer self-service (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=330472&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
FISH & WILDLIFE
Where Have All the Fish Gone? The collapse of America’s West Coast Salmon fishery has an eerily familiar ring to it. Are the oceans dying? (Trumpet.com)
http://www.thetrumpet.com/index.php?q=5197.3473.0.0
Fishermen offered 'pieces of silver' – The U.S. is offering local fishermen $30 million to get out of the lucrative west coast Chinook troll fishery (Richmond News, Canada)
http://www.canada.com/richmondnews/news/story.html?id=82413830-aadf-41d1-9d4e-c2f359de483d
Black Rock Reservoir proponents outline plan details – Backers try to garner interest among tribal members by showing fishing benefits (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/4615
National Marine Fisheries Service completes environmental impact statement on Neah Bay whaling (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004453961_whaling03m.html?syndication=rss
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Pollution outflows to Sound routinely allowed – Offshore mixing zones dilute toxic substances (Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Et Tu, Victoria?)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365545_pugetsound03.html?source=rss
At Fort Lewis – Glitch releases up to 180,000 gallons of partially-treated water into Puget Sound (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/466769.html
Kitsap County – Plans to Reuse Wastewater Move Forward (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/02/plans-to-reuse-wastewater-move-forward/
In Spain, Water Is a New Battleground – Spurred on by global warming and poorly planned development, swaths of Spain are turning into desert (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/world/europe/03dry.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Abundant snowpack promises long Oregon, Washington white-water season (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/121236998911330.xml&coll=7
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Op/Ed – Bottled water important to health
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/365501_bottledwater03.html?source=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Texas wind farms choked off from grid due to insufficient power lines – Thousands of wind turbines in the US are sitting idle or failing to meet their full generating capacity (The Independent, United Kingdom)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/texas-wind-farms-choked-off-from-grid-due-to-insufficient-power-lines-838979.html
Arizona-New Mexico power corridor for renewable energy launches with Salt River Project, other players (Phoenix Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/06/02/daily15.html?ana=from_rss
GE sees solar becoming $1 bln business (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/IndiaInvestment08/idUSN0227159320080602
Vestas chooses Houston over Portland – Wind energy firm announces it iss establishing a new research center in Houston (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/06/02/daily12.html?ana=from_rss
McMinnville farmer plants turbine, power costs blow away – A wind tower yields a bumper crop of energy for family farm (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1212375321161940.xml&coll=7
Vertical-axis wind turbine spins into business (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9956965-54.html
Who’s Resuscitating the Electric Car? An electric car in Britain is making headway in the fight against fuel. Will it take off, and is the electric car really good for the environment? (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/technology/May-June-08/Who-s-Resuscitating-the-Electric-Car.html
Biofuel Sends Cost of Beer Rising (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/money/16463952/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Pacific Gas & Electric pays to offset Democrats' carbon emissions (Examiner.com – Insert bad political pun here)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1420448~PG_E_pays_to_offset_Democrats__carbon_emissions.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Federal Carbon Bill's Hurdles: Price Tag, Stiff Opposition (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91098289&ft=1&f=3
National Post Commentary – British Columbia’s carbon tax is anything but neutral
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/06/02/maureen-bader-b-c-s-carbon-tax-is-anything-but-neutral.aspx
NASA Downplayed Climate Studies, Monitor Says (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91087076&ft=1&f=2
Good News From the South Pole? Does growing sea ice in Antarctica bode well for the future? (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2192730/?from=rss
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Iowa Has The Most FTTH Providers? 40 Networks in various stages of development (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Iowa-Has-The-Most-FTTH-Providers-94954
Time Warner Cable Broadband Tiers Lead to Fears (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/06/02/time-warner-cable-broadband-tiers-lead-to-fears/
Will Metered Broadband Make You Switch Your ISP? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/06/03/metered-broadband-will-you-switch-your-carriers/
Bell Canada Fires Up The Spin Doctors – We're not anti-competitive, we're just plain awesome (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Bell-Canada-Fires-Up-The-Spin-Doctors-94924
Experts Revive Debate over Cell Phones and Cancer (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/health/03well.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
GENERAL NEWS
M-80 explodes in Washington girl's hand (The Associated Press, via the Columbian, Vancouver, WA)http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP06032008news324310.cfm
California – ATM card thieves have struck statewide – Using card skimmers, group may have stolen more than $45,000 in San Jose alone (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_9424966?nclick_check=1
California – Metal thieves take $190,000 worth of aluminum from grower (The Santa Cruz Sentinel, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1421739~Metal_thieves_take__190_000_worth_of_aluminum_from_grower.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
DIVERSIONS
Man jailed for faking his death
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSPAT26223520080602?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
The Claim: Drinking Flat Soda Can Ease an Upset Stomach
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/health/03real.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Spell-Check Run Amok Changes Names In School Yearbook
http://www.kirotv.com/education/16460101/detail.html
Colbert tells grads: Please don't change the world
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080603/ap_on_en_tv/people_colbert;_ylt=AkQjAFVanlUzPkwL3DjoZ_DtiBIF
London underground drinks party ends in mayhem – Thousands of revelers were marking the last day of drinking alcohol on the tube
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080602/od_nm/tube_odd_dc;_ylt=AgvtRfsMQ_ZC.sByTckOyIDtiBIF
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