Energy News Digest for December 20, 2010

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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Oregon - Rates Set to Jump for Pacific Power, Portland General Electric Customers in January (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/rates_set_to_jump_for_pacific.html

Analyzing the ‘California Effect’ on the Pacific Northwest’s Wind Power Boom (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/112114264.html

Power Paradox - Getting Enough Electricity into Pendleton for a Data Processing Center May Not be Possible, But Some Say That’s Not a Problem (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/news/article_d8a33020-0b6e-11e0-9426-001cc4c002e0.html

State’s Environmental Agencies Called on to Change to Respond to Budget Concerns (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/dec/17/states-environmental-agencies-called-on-to-to-to/

Communities Vying for New Washington State Prison Center (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/news/4129-communities-vying-for-new-state-prison-center

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         Oregon - Rates Set to Jump for Pacific Power, Portland General Electric Customers in January

·         Oregon - Eugene Water & Electric Board Faces Power Struggles

·         Southern Montana Electric Approves 4.5 Percent Rate Hike

·         Editorial - Cheers & Jeers: Clark PUD Commission Envisions No Rate Increase

·         Power Paradox - Getting Enough Electricity into Pendleton for a Data Processing Center

·         Bonneville Power Administration - Good News

·         Idaho - Salmon River Electric Cooperative Board, Staff Debate Member Power Generation

·         Editorial - Eyes Back on Yucca: Proposed Nuclear Waste Dump in Nevada Should be Re-Examined, Court Rules

·         Editorial - Good News for a Bad (Nuclear) Waste Situation

·         Southern California Edison Moving Ahead With Smart Meter Rollout

·         US Sees Smaller Role for Canada in Energy Supply

·         US Munis & Co-Ops Say They’ll Push for CREB Renewal Next Year

·         Fishing Prospects for 2011 Look Similar to Upbeat 2010

·         Record Bycatch of Salmon in Gulf of Alaska Sparks Concern: Impacts on PNW Fish Unknown

·         Experts Say Obama Spotted Owl Plan Still Not Right

·         PPL Sells Hydroelectric Assets in Maine to River Restoration Trust – Facilities to be Removed

·         State’s Environmental Agencies Called on to Change to Respond to Budget Concerns

·         Lower Monumental Dam Lock Closed - Shutdown Longest in Columbia-Snake River System

·         Corps to Release Water Behind Willamette Valley Dams to Make Room for More Rain

·         Sensitive Columbia River Island Outed by Researcher

·         Yakima Basin Water Plan Flowing

·         Lake Tapps Water Deal Finalized

·         Analyzing the ‘California Effect’ on the Pacific Northwest’s Wind Power Boom

·         Oregon - Walden, Other Lawmakers Seek EPA Changes to Biomass Rules

·         Arizona Wind Farm Appeal Likely

·         Wind Turbines May Aid Crops, Scientist Says

·         Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Researchers Measuring Winds for Power

·         Alaska Students Study Wind Energy as Turbines Gain Favor

·         Tennessee Valley Authority Expecting Windfall of Green-Energy Credits

·         Canada - Run-of-River Projects Near Harrison Lake Rile Whitewater Kayakers

·         Big Florida Biomass Plant Gains Backing

·         Visions of Energy Efficiency Danced in Their Heads

·         Google PowerMeter Tracks Home Electricity Via Wi-Fi

·         Rockefeller, Murkowski Eyeing Chances to Block EPA Climate Rules Next Year

·         North Dakota - Basin Electric Power Cooperative Shelves Lignite’s First Carbon Capture Project

·         Editorial - California Leads Way on Global Warming

·         Wave of Electric Vehicles Gaining Momentum

·         How Green Is Your Artificial Christmas Tree? You Might be Surprised

·         Internet Road Rules Near Federal Communications Commission Vote

·         Painful or Not, Yahoo Is Doing What It Needs To

·         Google TV Faces Delays Amid Poor Reviews

·         Washington State’s Congressional Clout Climbing?

·         US Senator Walden of Oregon to Chair Commerce & Technology Subcommittee

·         Adam Smith, Norm Dicks Win Spots Atop Two of Most Influential Congressional Committees

·         Murray No. 5 in earmarks; Cantwell is No. 50

·         Gregoire ‘Open’ to Idea of Privatized Washington State Liquor Sales

·         Washington State Residents: Break Out Your Sales Receipts

·         Communities Vying for New Washington State Prison Center

·         Two Rescued from Sinking Yacht Off Neah

·         Nonprofit Legal Group Sues Kitsap County over Clerk’s Office’s New Hours

·         Washington State Welfare Recipients Rack Up Millions in ATM Fees

·         Washington State Scores High in Emergency Preparedness Report

·         Six Women Arrested in Theft Ring That Targeted Tacoma Mall Stores

·         Op/Ed - There Goes the Sun: Celebrating the First Day of Winter

WORD OF THE DAY

Welter • \WELL-terr\ • Verb - 1: writhe, toss; also: wallow 2: to become deeply sunk, soaked, or involved 3: to be in turmoil

The primary colors of blue, yellow and red. Bertie was weltering over which of the two colors when combined made green. “Why don’t you just use the green crayon?” suggested his quick-witted administrative assistant.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Oregon - Rates Set to Jump for Pacific Power, Portland General Electric Customers in January (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/rates_set_to_jump_for_pacific.html

Oregon - Eugene Water & Electric Board Faces Power Struggles: The utility is under contract to buy electricity it doesn’t yet need at prices much higher than market rate (Eugene Register Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/25619776-46/eweb-power-seneca-contract-utility.csp

Southern Montana Electric Approves 4.5 Percent Rate Hike (Billings Gazette, MT)

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_a218d1de-a998-5fdf-8fe1-fd989971c5cf.html

Editorial - Cheers & Jeers: Clark PUD Commission Envisions No Rate Increase (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/dec/18/cheers-jeers/

Power Paradox - Getting Enough Electricity into Pendleton for a Data Processing Center May Not be Possible, But Some Say That’s Not a Problem (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/news/article_d8a33020-0b6e-11e0-9426-001cc4c002e0.html

Bonneville Power Administration - Good News (KBND Radio, Bend, OR)

http://www.kbnd.com/page.php?page_id=60248&article_id=4132

Idaho - Salmon River Electric Cooperative Board, Staff Debate Member Power Generation (Challis Messenger, ID)

http://www.challismessenger.com/index.php?accnum=story-4-20101124

Editorial - Eyes Back on Yucca: Proposed Nuclear Waste Dump in Nevada Should be Re-Examined, Court Rules (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/dec/20/eyes-back-on-yucca/

Editorial - Good News for a Bad (Nuclear) Waste Situation (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/opinion/article_60cdb72c-0b2e-11e0-b466-001cc4c002e0.html

Southern California Edison moving ahead with smart meter rollout (South Garbriel Valley Tribune, CA)

http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_16893735

US Sees Smaller Role for Canada in Energy Supply (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/sees+smaller+role+Canada+energy+supply/3993908/story.html

US Munis & Co-Ops Say They’ll Push for CREB Renewal Next Year (Platts)

http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/ElectricPower/6683567

FISH & WILDLIFE

Fishing Prospects for 2011 Look Similar to Upbeat 2010 (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2013714397_outn19.html

Record Bycatch of Salmon in Gulf of Alaska Sparks Concern: Impacts on PNW Fish Unknown (Columba Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/402831.aspx

Experts Say Obama Spotted Owl Plan Still Not Right (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013703604_aporspottedowlplan.html

PPL Sells Hydroelectric Assets in Maine to River Restoration Trust – Facilities to be Removed (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.renewable-energy.hydro.2010.12.PPL_sells_hydroelectric_assets_in_Maine_to_River_Restoration_Trust.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

State’s Environmental Agencies Called on to Change to Respond to Budget Concerns (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/dec/17/states-environmental-agencies-called-on-to-to-to/

Lower Monumental Dam Lock Closed - Shutdown Longest in Columbia-Snake River System (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2010/12/columbia-snake_rivers_closed_for_repairs.html

Corps to Release Water Behind Willamette Valley Dams to Make Room for More Rain (Columba Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/402829.aspx

Sensitive Columbia River Island Outed by Researcher (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=8159

Yakima Basin Water Plan Flowing (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/12/17/basin-water-plan-flowing

Lake Tapps Water Deal Finalized (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/street/2010/12/17/lake-tapps-water-deal-finalized/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Analyzing the ‘California Effect’ on the Pacific Northwest’s Wind Power Boom (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/112114264.html

Oregon - Walden, Other Lawmakers Seek EPA Changes to Biomass Rules (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/news/article_2a113e80-0b6e-11e0-9c5b-001cc4c002e0.html

Arizona Wind Farm Appeal Likely (Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ)

http://www.azdailysun.com/news/local/article_05c4bce7-c117-54c8-9bb6-03626d18b4c4.html

Wind Turbines May Aid Crops, Scientist Says (Des Moines Register, IA)

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101220/BUSINESS/12200314/1001/

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Researchers Measuring Winds for Power (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=13713170

Alaska Students Study Wind Energy as Turbines Gain Favor (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

http://www.adn.com/2010/12/19/1612355/students-turn-to-electricity-in.html

Tennessee Valley Authority Expecting Windfall of Green-Energy Credits (Knoxville News Sentinel, TN)

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/dec/20/tva-expecting-windfall-green-energy-credits/

Canada - Run-of-River Projects Near Harrison Lake Rile Whitewater Kayakers (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/river+projects+near+Harrison+Lake+rile+whitewater+kayakers/4001674/story.html

Big Florida Biomass Plant Gains Backing (Earth Techling)

http://www.earthtechling.com/2010/12/big-florida-biomass-plant-gains-backing/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Visions of Energy Efficiency Danced in Their Heads (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/17/132141797/visions-of-energy-efficiency-danced-in-their-heads

Google PowerMeter Tracks Home Electricity Via Wi-Fi (CNET News)

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20026115-54.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Rockefeller, Murkowski Eyeing Chances to Block EPA Climate Rules Next Year (The Hill)

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/134421-rockefeller-murkowski-eyeing-chances-to-block-epa-climate-rules-next-year

North Dakota - Basin Electric Power Cooperative Shelves Lignite’s First Carbon Capture Project (Bismarck Tribune, ND)

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/local/article_a5fb7ed8-0a1b-11e0-b0ea-001cc4c03286.html

Editorial - California Leads Way on Global Warming (SF Chronicle - Odd Headline: Leads in creation of, or fighting of)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F12%2F19%2FEDDA1GS8B9.DTL

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Wave of Electric Vehicles Gaining Momentum (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/f87d1298-0b33-11e0-8486-001cc4c002e0.html

How Green Is Your Artificial Christmas Tree? You Might be Surprised “…an artificial tree would have to be reused for more than 20 years to be greener than buying a fresh-cut tree annually…” (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/18/business/energy-environment/18tree.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Internet Road Rules Near Federal Communications Commission Vote (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6BI1M320101219

Painful or Not, Yahoo Is Doing What It Needs To (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2010/12/17/painful-or-not-yahoo-is-doing-what-it-needs-to/

Google TV Faces Delays Amid Poor Reviews (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/20/technology/20google.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State’s Congressional Clout Climbing? - State likely to gain seat in House due to population growth; announcement Tuesday (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/12/20/1480254/congressional-clout-climbing.html

US Senator Walden of Oregon to Chair Commerce & Technology Subcommittee (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=8156

Adam Smith, Norm Dicks Win Spots Atop Two of Most Influential Congressional Committees (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/20/1472108/top-roles-for-smith-dicks.html

Murray No. 5 in Earmarks; Cantwell Is No. 50 (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2013702948_murray.html

Gregoire ‘Open’ to Idea of Privatized Washington State Liquor Sales - But governor wants to hear from public (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/432068_liquor20.html

Washington State Residents: Break Out Your Sales Receipts (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/18/1469864/break-out-your-receipts.html

GENERAL NEWS

Communities Vying for New Washington State Prison Center (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/news/4129-communities-vying-for-new-state-prison-center

Two Rescued from Sinking Yacht Off Neah Bay (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/112182389.html

Nonprofit Legal Group Sues Kitsap County over Clerk’s Office’s New Hours (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/dec/17/non-profit-legal-group-sues-kitsap-county-over/

Washington State Welfare Recipients Rack Up Millions in ATM Fees (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=8161

Washington State Scores High in Emergency Preparedness Report (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Wash-scores-10-out-of-10-key-indicators-for-emergency-Health-Preparedness--112162044.html

Six Women Arrested in Theft Ring That Targeted Tacoma Mall Stores (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/12/20/1480631/6-women-arrested-in-theft-ring.html

Op/Ed - There Goes the Sun: Celebrating the First Day of Winter (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/20/opinion/20cohen.html

DIVERSIONS

Road Tripping: What’s the Top Driving Song of All Time?

http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/12/09/road-tripping-whats-the-top-driving-song-of-all-time/

Vancouver Island - Disc Dropped in San Francisco Bay in 1970 Washes Up on Long Beach

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Disc+dropped+Francisco+1970+washes+Long+Beach/3998462/story.html

Squeaky-Clean Singapore in Toilet Manners Campaign

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6BG3MJ20101217

Runners-up to Merriam-Webster’s Words of the Year

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/12/20/1480405/runners-up-to-merriam-websters.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Here’s my vote for best “Driving Song of All Time”

Golden Earring – Radar Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw9CzSSk218

Energy News Digest for December 17, 2010

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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

TransAlta Centralia Rolls Out PR Campaign Amid Environmental Scrutiny (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?TransAlta-Centralia-rolls-out-PR-campaig=1&blockID=375253&feedID=410

News Release - BPA & Customers Agree to Keep Transmission Rates Flat (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/974927/

Avista Fined $60,000 over Energy Assistance Procedures - Utility faulted for using aid on past-due balances (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/dec/17/avista-fined-over-energy-assistance/

Transient Orcas Hunting Seals in Puget Sound (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/dec/16/transient-orcas-stay-in-kitsap-a-second-day/

California Regulators OK Major Greenhouse Gas Rules (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013694517_apuscaliforniagreenhousegases.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         TransAlta Centralia Rolls Out PR Campaign Amid Environmental Scrutiny

·         News Release - BPA & Customers Agree to Keep Transmission Rates Flat

·         California ISO Lowers Its Price to Manage Electric Grid

·         Avista Fined $60,000 over Energy Assistance Procedures - Utility faulted for using aid on past-due balances

·         Grant County Electric Rates to Increase by Six Percent

·         New Puget Sound Energy Powerhouse Will Aid Baker River Salmon, Boost Hydropower

·         Second Dog Suffered Shock on Holiday; This One Wasn’t Fatal

·         A Divided Oregon Senate Confirms Bill Bradbury for Northwest Power & Conservation Council

·         Smart Meters - Pacific Gas & Electric Documents Reveal That Snooping Executive Widely Shared His Findings

·         Iowa Nuclear Power Plant Gets 20-Year Extension

·         Kansas Coal-Fired Power Plant Gets Its Permit

·         Why Investors Haven’t Warmed to Natural Gas

·         Transient Orcas Hunting Seals in Puget Sound

·         Farmed Salmon May Not Harm Wild Salmon

·         Sport Clam Season to Open at Belfair State Park in Mason County

·         FERC Signs Off on Condit Dam Removal

·         North Carolina - Duke Energy Must Scale another Roadblock to Catawba Hydro License

·         Bring on the Birds: A Holiday Count Begins

·         Future of Yakima River Basin Is at Stake

·         Editorial - Vandals Don’t Help with Cause Opposing Biomass Projects

·         Federal Officials Designate Public Lands for Solar Projects

·         Federal Solar Energy Plans Skip Oregon

·         Sequim Pursuing Solar Requirements

·         Turbines: 13 Million Homes Have the Capacity

·         California Approves Reverse Auction Renewable Energy Market

·         Wind Energy Gets Boost as Feds OK System to Pay for New Lines

·         Extension of Renewable Energy Incentive Promotes Clean Energy Development & Job Growth

·         Spell-Check Would be Good Here - Residents Oppose Proposed Gasophication Plant

·         California - State Regulators Award Utilities $62.7 Million in Conservation Bonuses

·         California Regulators OK Major Greenhouse Gas Rules

·         Green Groups Look to Defend Turf - Legislature: Budget Threatens Agenda

·         The Charging Conundrum: How to Feed Electric Cars?

·         Congress: Hybrid Cars Should be Seen AND Heard

·         Reindeer Better Watch Out for Rooftop Solar Installations

·         Clearwire’s Cash Shortfall May Prompt Retail Retreat

·         Yahoo May Shut Down Some Services

·         Congress Sends $801 Billion Tax Cut Bill to Obama

·         Oregon’s US Senator Ron Wyden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

·         Adam Smith Elected Top Democrat on House Armed Services Committee

·         Jaime Herrera to Sit on Two US House Committees

·         Washington State Panel Says It Can’t Cut Officials’ Salaries

·         Mayoral Recall Effort Splits Coulee City

·         High Winds to Hit Eastern Puget Sound Area Friday Night

·         Snow in Saturday’s Forecast for Some

·         Parts of Tahuya State Forest Closed Due to Storm Damage

·         Washington Bans Lead Wheel Weights

·         Congressman Dicks Introduces Bill Giving Some Olympic National Park Land to Quileute Tribe

·         Washington’s Economy: Best on the Coast, for What That’s Worth

·         Fed Proposes Lower Store Fees on Debit Purchases

·         Sound Lab Developed in Old Satsop Reactor Building

WORD OF THE DAY

Craggy • \KRAGG-ee \ • Adjective - 1: full of crags 2: rough, rugged

The closer Richard Boone came to the camera, the more distinct his craggy features became. A relief map of the Sierra Nevada Mountains flashed before the young cameraman’s eyes as the actor’s approach continued.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

TransAlta Centralia Rolls Out PR Campaign Amid Environmental Scrutiny (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?TransAlta-Centralia-rolls-out-PR-campaig=1&blockID=375253&feedID=410

News Release - BPA & Customers Agree to Keep Transmission Rates Flat (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/974927/

California ISO Lowers Its Price to Manage Electric Grid (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/12/17/3264529/iso-lowers-its-price-to-manage.html

Avista Fined $60,000 over Energy Assistance Procedures - Utility faulted for using aid on past-due balances (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/dec/17/avista-fined-over-energy-assistance/

Grant County Electric Rates to Increase by Six Percent (Columba Basin Herald, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_0edcf5de-0978-11e0-a642-001cc4c002e0.html

New Puget Sound Energy Powerhouse Will Aid Baker River Salmon, Boost Hydropower (Poten & Partners)

http://www.poten.com/NewsDetails.aspx?id=10863023

Second Dog Suffered Shock on Holiday; This One Wasn’t Fatal (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013698465_lightpole17m.html

A Divided Oregon Senate Confirms Bill Bradbury for Northwest Power & Conservation Council (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/12/oregon_senate_confirms_bill_br.html

Smart Meters - Pacific Gas & Electric Documents Reveal That Snooping Executive Widely Shared His Findings (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_16852225

Iowa Nuclear Power Plant Gets 20-Year Extension (Des Moines Register, IA)

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101217/BUSINESS/12170339/1029/

Kansas Coal-Fired Power Plant Gets Its Permit (Wichita Eagle, KS)

http://www.kansas.com/2010/12/17/1637228/t-gets-its-permit.html

Why Investors Haven’t Warmed to Natural Gas (Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704156304576003290724575056.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Transient Orcas Hunting Seals in Puget Sound (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/dec/16/transient-orcas-stay-in-kitsap-a-second-day/

Farmed Salmon May Not Harm Wild Salmon (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2010/12/farmed-salmon-may-not-harm-wild-salmon/1

Sport Clam Season to Open at Belfair State Park in Mason County (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2191

FERC Signs Off on Condit Dam Removal (Oregon Public Radio)

http://news.opb.org/article/21001-ferc-signs-condit-dam-removal/

North Carolina - Duke Energy Must Scale another Roadblock to Catawba Hydro License: Protection of the Shortnose Sturgeon (Charlotte Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/print-edition/2010/12/17/Duke-must-scale-another-roadblock.html

Bring on the Birds: A Holiday Count Begins (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/bring-on-the-birds-a-holiday-count-begins/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Future of Yakima River Basin Is at Stake (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/12/16/future-of-yakima-river-basin-is-at-stake

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Editorial - Vandals Don’t Help with Cause Opposing Biomass Projects (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/12/17/1477329/vandals-dont-help-with-cause.html

Federal Officials Designate Public Lands for Solar Projects (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/officials-designate-public-lands-for-solar-projects-2/

Federal Solar Energy Plans Skip Oregon (Oregon Public Radio)

http://news.opb.org/article/20999-federal-solar-energy-plans-skip-oregon/

Sequim Pursuing Solar Requirements (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/6458

Turbines: 13 Million Homes Have the Capacity (Oregonian, Portland)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/pdxgreen/2010/12/turbines_13_million_homes_have.html

California Approves Reverse Auction Renewable Energy Market “…the onus would be on developers to calculate the cost of their projects & then offer a bid high enough to generate a profit yet low enough to beat out competitors…” (Reuters)

http://blogs.reuters.com/environment/2010/12/16/california-approves-reverse-auction-renewable-energy-market/

Wind Energy Gets Boost as Feds OK System to Pay for New Lines (St Paul Pioneer Press, MN)

http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_16879499?nclick_check=1

Extension of Renewable Energy Incentive Promotes Clean Energy Development & Job Growth (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/national-hydropower-association/news/article/2010/12/extension-of-renewable-energy-incentive-promotes-clean-energy-development-and-job-growth

Spell-Check Would be Good Here - Residents Oppose Proposed Gasophication Plant (WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI)

http://www.wfrv.com/news/local/Residents-protest-112035999.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

California - State Regulators Award Utilities $62.7 Million in Conservation Bonuses (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_16878663

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California Regulators OK Major Greenhouse Gas Rules (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013694517_apuscaliforniagreenhousegases.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Green Groups Look to Defend Turf - Legislature: Budget Threatens Agenda (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/12/17/1477299/green-groups-look-to-defend-turf.html

The Charging Conundrum: How to Feed Electric Cars? (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/14/132030155/the-charging-conundrum-how-to-feed-electric-cars?sc=emaf

Congress: Hybrid Cars Should be Seen AND Heard (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013696865_apusquiethybrids.html

Reindeer Better Watch Out for Rooftop Solar Installations (Guelph Hydro Electric Systems)

http://www.pitchengine.com/reindeer-better-watch-out-for-rooftop-solar-installations/110477/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Clearwire’s Cash Shortfall May Prompt Retail Retreat (Bloomberg News)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013698737_clearwire17.html

Yahoo May Shut Down Some Services (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/yahoo-may-shut-down-some-services/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Congress Sends $801 Billion Tax Cut Bill to Obama (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/17/us/politics/17cong.html

Oregon’s US Senator Ron Wyden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/12/sen_ron_wyden_diagnosed_with_p.html

Adam Smith Elected Top Democrat on House Armed Services Committee (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/17/1469009/adam-smith-elected-top-democrat.html

Jaime Herrera to Sit on Two US House Committees (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_herrera_committees.html

Washington State Panel Says It Can’t Cut Officials’ Salaries (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101217/NEWS01/712179886/-1/rss02

Mayoral Recall Effort Splits Coulee City (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013695055_apwamayorrecall1stldwritethru.html

GENERAL NEWS

High Winds to Hit Eastern Puget Sound Area Friday Night (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theweatherbeat/2013694885_windwatch.html

Snow in Saturday’s Forecast for Some (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/news/4112-snow-in-saturdays-forecast-for-some

Parts of Tahuya State Forest Closed Due to Storm Damage (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/news/4108-parts-of-tahuya-state-forest-closed-due-to-strom-damage

Washington Bans Lead Wheel Weights (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=13667453

Congressman Dicks Introduces Bill Giving Some Olympic National Park Land to Quileute Tribe (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20101217/news/312179994/dicks-introduces-bill-giving-some-olympic-national-park-land-to

Washington’s Economy: Best on the Coast, for What That’s Worth (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2010/12/17/econ-finance/20458/Washington-s-economy:-Best-on-the-coast,-for-what-that-s-worth/

Fed Proposes Lower Store Fees on Debit Purchases (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/16/AR2010121606528.html

Sound Lab Developed in Old Satsop Reactor Building (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013702608_apwasatsopsoundlab1stldwritethru.html

DIVERSIONS

Man Unsuspectingly Helps Woman, 70, Rob Bank

http://www.kirotv.com/news/26165403/detail.html

Flirty Models Were Hired in Bid to Find Bone Marrow

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/17/us/17models.html

Tigard Woman Delivers Her Own Baby -- As Her Husband Is Driving Her to the Hospital

http://www.oregonlive.com/tigard/index.ssf/2010/12/unusually_fast_birth_forces_tigard_woman_to_deliver_her_own_baby_in_a_moving_car_--_on_the_way_to_th.html

“Whatever” Voted Most Irritating Word in Poll

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6BE5TL20101215

SONG OF THE DAY

Robert Palmer- Doctor Doctor Give Me the News

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQdaSpEeBvQ