Energy News Digest for March 28, 2011

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

Obama Signs Washington State Storm Disaster Declaration (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=14325687

Washington State Faces Quandary with Coal it Won’t Burn (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014616122_apwacoalexports1stldwritethru.html

On a Quest for Renewable Energy - Utilities Adding Wind Power, Upgrading Dams, Buying Credits (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/mar/26/on-a-quest-for-renewable-energy/

Should Oregon’s Dams be Considered Renewable Energy Sources? (Oregon Capitol News)

http://oregoncapitolnews.com/blog/2011/03/25/should-oregon%E2%80%99s-dams-be-considered-renewable-energy-sources/

Washington State Lawmakers Eye Retiree COLAs as Budget Fix (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014616307_apwaxgrstateretireepay1stldwritethru.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         Washington State Faces Quandary with Coal it Won’t Burn

·         Alcoa Celebrates Potline at Ferndale Smelter

·         Special PUD 3 Commission Meeting Tuesday – Topic: Sale Option on Downtown Shelton Properties

·         Jefferson County Public Utility District to Provide Power to Port Townsend Mill in Two Years

·         Person Shocked by Voltage at Cheney Stadium

·         Tillamook PUD awards Community Grants

·         Vancouver Island - Big Cleanup Means Your Power Bills May Go Up

·         North Dakota - Wiring the Oil Patch

·         Levy Bid for New England ISO Raises Concern

·         Editorial - Pull the Plug on Power Plan: Michigan consumers shouldn’t have to pay for expensive alternative energy transmission projects in the Plains states

·         Lasting Home Elusive for Used Hanford Fuel

·         Westinghouse, Others Pitch Safety Features of Smaller Reactors

·         Ohio Uranium Plant Contamination Lawsuit Dismissed

·         The Prospect for Safe Nuclear Power

·         Germany - Merkel’s Party Faces Loss after Shift in Nuclear Stance

·         Everyday Radiation Exposure

·         Thousands of Kokanee Flushed Through Dworshak Dam into Clearwater

·         Indian Tribes Prepare Way for Buffalo’s Return

·         Washington Dept. of Ecology Looks to Charge for Water Services

·         Lewis County Faces Going It Alone With Flood Work

·         Dam, Reservoir Project Near - Water Interests Have Site in Yakima Basin

·         Capitol Area Cities near Deal for Water Rights

·         Risks over Recycling Sewage into Biosolids Are Still Not Resolved

·         Watching the Waters of the Columbia River’s Mouth

·         On a Quest for Renewable Energy

·         Should Oregon’s Dams be Considered Renewable Energy Sources?

·         Northwest Energy Plans $300 Million Oregon Biomass Investment

·         US Senator Ron Wyden Tours White City Biomass Plant

·         Oregon to Investment $5.4 Billion in Renewable Energy in 2011

·         Op/Ed - Powering Down Wind Isn’t the Only Answer for Over-Supply

·         Two Massachusetts Utilities Make Very Different Renewable Power Deals

·         Missouri Lawmakers to Consider Renewable Energy Mandate

·         Hawaii - The Price of Wind

·         Wind Energy Surplus Threatens Eastern German Power Grid

·         Op/Ed - Save Energy by Recycling Old Refrigerators

·         Snohomish County PUD Hits All Time Conservation Record

·         Pasco Builder Creates Affordable Energy-Efficient Home

·         EnerNOC, California Utility Team on Efficiency

·         Australia - Earth Hour Labeled a Waste of Time

·         California Lobby Reforms to Continue Clean Energy, Jobs Support

·         Be Honest: Would You Swim in a Pool Heated by a Crematorium?

·         For 80 Years, Qwest Buyer CenturyLink Has Been Growing into National Giant

·         Qwest’s Mueller: CenturyLink Deal is ‘About the Future’

·         Questions & Answers on Qwest-CenturyLink Deal

·         Pend Oreille PUD Partners with RAD to Provision T1 Leased Lines over Ethernet Infrastructure

·         Washington State Lawmakers Eye Retiree COLAs as Budget Fix

·         Activists Propose ‘Majority Minority’ Congressional District for Washington

·         Residents, Officials Rub Elbows at Event That Shows Olympia City Hall in All Its Splendor

·         New Olympia City Hall Exercise Room Prepares Staff for Heavy Lifting

·         City of Shelton Commission Holding Water Rate Hearing Tonight

·         Obama Signs Washington State Storm Disaster Declaration

·         Most Should Remove Studded Tires This Week

·         Studded Tires Ruining State Highways

·         Price of Washington State Corrections Safety Enhancements: $11 Million

·         South Sound Indian Tribes Go from Humble Beginnings to Economic Powers

·         Lack of Sawmills an Issue for Forests

·         Boeing Suspends Shifts after Power Outage

WORD OF THE DAY

Farouche • \fuh-ROOSH\ • Adjective - 1: unruly or disorderly: wild 2: marked by shyness and lack of social graces

Nanny McPhee, Mary Poppins and Shane Wolfe wrapped into one would not be enough to corral the octuplets of apartment 3-C. Their farouche shenanigans were legendary throughout the apartment building. So much so, that the landlord had vacated the entire third floor to protect new tenants. “Home Alone,” murmured the latest babysitting candidate. “More like Eight is Enough!”

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

Washington State Faces Quandary with Coal it Won’t Burn (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014616122_apwacoalexports1stldwritethru.html

Alcoa Celebrates Potline at Ferndale Smelter (Associated Press - Harumph)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=14326183

Special PUD 3 Commission Meeting Tuesday – Topic: Sale Option on Downtown Shelton Properties (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3329:special-pud-3-commission-meeting-tuesday&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=106

Jefferson County Public Utility District to Provide Power to Port Townsend Mill in Two Years (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110327/news/303279981/jefferson-county-public-utility-district-to-provide-power-to-port

Person Shocked by Voltage at Cheney Stadium (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Person-shocked-by-voltage-at-Cheney-Stadium-118683759.html

Tillamook PUD awards Community Grants (North Coast Citizen, Manzanita, OR)

http://northcoastcitizen.com/ncc_news/local/tpud-awards-community-grants/article_43760ce4-565e-11e0-8218-001cc4c002e0.html

Vancouver Island - Big Cleanup Means Your Power Bills May Go Up: BC Hydro tries to recover millions for fixing toxic mess in Rock Bay (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Clean+toxic+Rock+mess+could+boost+Hydro+bills/4493532/story.html

North Dakota - Wiring the Oil Patch: Western North Dakota’s economic growth is built on oil & gas, but the oil boom also runs on electricity (Bismarck Tribune, ND)

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/local/article_7ed8fd8a-572d-11e0-88fa-001cc4c03286.html

Levy Bid for New England ISO Raises Concern - Reappointment to board queried; grid operator criticized over pay, conduct (Boston Globe, MA)

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/03/23/levy_bid_for_iso_raises_concern/

Editorial - Pull the Plug on Power Plan: Michigan consumers shouldn’t have to pay for expensive alternative energy transmission projects in the Plains states (The Detroit News, MI)

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110328/OPINION01/103280317/1008/opinion01/Editorial--Pull-the-plug-on-power-plan

THE NUCLEAR SCIENCE READING ROOM

Lasting Home Elusive for Used Hanford Fuel (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/mar/27/lasting-home-elusive-for-used-hanford-fuel/

Westinghouse, Others Pitch Safety Features of Smaller Reactors (Pittsburgh Business Times)

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/blog/energy/2011/03/westinghouse-others-say-small-is-safe.html

Ohio Uranium Plant Contamination Lawsuit Dismissed (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014606021_apusuraniumplantlawsuit.html

The Prospect for Safe Nuclear Power (Bloomberg Business Week)

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_14/b4222070137297.htm

Germany - Merkel’s Party Faces Loss after Shift in Nuclear Stance (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_17714492

Everyday Radiation Exposure (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=14325585

FISH & WILDLIFE

Thousands of Kokanee Flushed Through Dworshak Dam into Clearwater; Keep All the Fish You Can Catch (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/406854.aspx

Indian Tribes Prepare Way for Buffalo’s Return (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014606272_apusreturnofthebuffalo.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Washington Dept. of Ecology Looks to Charge for Water Services (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014606226_apwamanagingwater1stldwritethru.html

Lewis County Faces Going It Alone With Flood Work (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/03/26/1594143/lewis-county-faces-going-it-alone.html

Dam, Reservoir Project Near - Water Interests Have Site in Yakima Basin (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/mar/26/dam-reservoir-project-near/

Capitol Area Cities near Deal for Water Rights - Purchase of 197-acre farm near Lake Lawrence helps (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/03/26/1593213/missing-headline-for-26owaterrtss.html

Risks over Recycling Sewage into Biosolids Are Still Not Resolved (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/mar/26/risks-over-recycling-sewage-are-still-not/

Watching the Waters of the Columbia River’s Mouth - The view from space complements sea-level sampling (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/mar/25/watching-the-waters-at-the-view-from-space-complem/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

On a Quest for Renewable Energy - Utilities Adding Wind Power, Upgrading Dams, Buying Credits (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/mar/26/on-a-quest-for-renewable-energy/

Should Oregon’s Dams be Considered Renewable Energy Sources? (Oregon Capitol News)

http://oregoncapitolnews.com/blog/2011/03/25/should-oregon%E2%80%99s-dams-be-considered-renewable-energy-sources/

Northwest Energy Plans $300 Million Oregon Biomass Investment (Sustainable Business Oregon – no it’s NOT ‘Energy Northwest’)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/03/northwest-energy-plans-300m-oregon.html

US Senator Ron Wyden Tours White City Biomass Plant - Some See Bright Energy Future in Abundant & Forgotten Forest Wastes (Medford Mail Tribune, OR)

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110328/NEWS/103280305

Oregon to Investment $5.4 Billion in Renewable Energy in 2011 (Your Renewable News)

http://www.yourrenewablenews.com/oregon+to+investment+$5.4+billion+in+renewable+energy+in+2011_61177.html

Op/Ed - Powering Down Wind Isn’t the Only Answer for Over-Supply (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/columns/2011/03/powering-down-wind-isnt-the-only.html

Two Massachusetts Utilities Make Very Different Renewable Power Deals (Associated Press)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/03/27/2_mass_utilities_make_very_different_power_deals/

Missouri Lawmakers to Consider Renewable Energy Mandate (Associated Press)

http://www.ktts.com/news/118724149.html

Hawaii - The Price of Wind: A project in Kahuku enjoyed widespread support, but planned endeavors on Lanai & Molokai face opposition (Honolulu Star Advertiser, HI)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/businessnews/20110327_The_price_of_wind.html

Wind Energy Surplus Threatens Eastern German Power Grid (Deutsch Welle)

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14933985,00.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Op/Ed - Save Energy by Recycling Old Refrigerators (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/opinion/article_4c6f1dfa-5801-11e0-80ff-001cc4c03286.html

Snohomish County PUD Hits All Time Conservation Record - $6.2 Million saved by companies, consumers (Sky Valley Chronicle, Monroe, WA)

http://www.skyvalleychronicle.com/BREAKING-NEWS/SNOHOMISH-COUNTY-PUD-HITS-ALL-TIME-CONSERVATION-RECORD-br-6-2-Million-saved-by-companies-consumers-624576

Pasco Builder Creates Affordable Energy-Efficient Home (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/03/28/1425991/pasco-builder-creates-affordable.html

EnerNOC, California Utility Team on Efficiency (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/national/2011/03/enernoc-california-utility-team-on.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Australia - Earth Hour Labeled a Waste of Time – “…the event gives people a false sense of achievement…” (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/26/3174439.htm

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

California Lobby Reforms to Continue Clean Energy, Jobs Support (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2011/03/25/lobby-reforms-to-continue-clean.html

Be Honest: Would You Swim in a Pool Heated by a Crematorium? (TIME Magazine)

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/01/27/be-honest-would-you-swim-in-a-pool-heated-by-a-crematorium/?artId=?contType=?chn=

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

For 80 Years, Qwest Buyer CenturyLink Has Been Growing into National Giant (Denver Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2011/03/27/sr-centurylink-history.html

Qwest’s Mueller: CenturyLink Deal is ‘About the Future’ (Denver Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2011/03/27/sr-qwest-mueller.html

Questions & Answers on Qwest-CenturyLink Deal (Denver Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2011/03/27/qwest-qa.html

Pend Oreille Partners with RAD to Provision T1 Leased Lines over Ethernet Infrastructure (TCM Net)

http://4g-wirelessevolution.tmcnet.com/channels/carrier-ethernet/articles/158528-washington-utility-partners-with-rad-provision-t1-leased.htm

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Lawmakers Eye Retiree COLAs as Budget Fix (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014616307_apwaxgrstateretireepay1stldwritethru.html

Activists Propose ‘Majority Minority’ Congressional District for Washington (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014602522_redistricting26m.html

Residents, Officials Rub Elbows at Event That Shows Olympia City Hall in All Its Splendor

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/03/26/1594037/public-pours-in-at-ceremony-to.html

New Olympia City Hall Exercise Room Prepares Staff for Heavy Lifting (Olympian, WA – Hmmm, there’s a health club a block away…)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/03/27/1594473/new-city-hall-exercise-room-prepares.html

GENERAL NEWS

City of Shelton Commission Holding Water Rate Hearing Tonight – Possible 27% rate hike over three years (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3332:city-commission-holding-water-rate-hearing-tonight&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=106

Obama Signs Washington State Storm Disaster Declaration (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=14325687

Most Should Remove Studded Tires This Week (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/03/27/1601515/washington.html

Studded Tires Ruining State Highways (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/118659979.html

Price of Washington State Corrections Safety Enhancements: $11 Million (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=14325126

South Sound Indian Tribes Go from Humble Beginnings to Economic Powers (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/03/27/1594195/native-comeback-major-employer.html

Lack of Sawmills an Issue for Forests (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/mar/25/lack-of-sawmills-an-issue-for-forests/

Boeing Suspends Shifts after Power Outage (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/437798_boeing-plant.html

DIVERSIONS

‘Simpsons’ Producer: I Understand if Nuclear Jokes Are Pulled

http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/28/simpsons.nuclear.jokes.ew/index.html

Oregon Store Fights Back Against Poop on Grocery Carts

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/118739659.html

Wisconsin-Based Team Wins Rube Goldberg Contest

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/03/26/state/n171933D46.DTL

The Sads - Disconsolate Ewes Bleating in Langley Farmer’s Field After Thieves Steal 17 Lambs

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Upset+ewes+stop+bleating+after+thieves+steal+lambs+Langley/4497129/story.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Roy Orbison & KD Lang - Crying

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-EiKPrAOHA

Energy News Digest for March 25, 2011

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

Breach in Reactor Suspected at Japanese Nuclear Plant (Northwest Cable News Network)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/118654404.html

BPA Will Build New High-Voltage Power Line in Southeast Washington - Project expected to create up to 170 jobs (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/1048199/

Yakima Water Reservoir Planned Near Ellensburg (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014596529_apwayakimabasinreservoir1stldwritethru.html

Shelton-Based Simpson/Solomon Biomass Project Moving Forward (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/simpson-solomon-biomass-project-moving/

Shelton Chamber of Commerce - New Executive Director Named (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3293:new-exectutive-director-named&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=106

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         BPA Will Build New High-Voltage Power Line in Southeast Washington

·         California - Pacific Gas & Electric Unveils ‘Opt-Out’ Plan for Its Controversial SmartMeter Program

·         Oregon - Hydro Project at Wasco County’s White River Falls Scrapped

·         Spokane Valley Man Sentenced for Scrap Metal Scheme

·         IRS Pays Enron Whistleblower $1.1 Million

·         California - Pacific Gas & Electric Agrees to $3 Million Fine over Natural Gas Safety Records

·         Natural Gas Rises in March

·         At Rental Home Without Electricity - Generator Fumes Killed Four in Ohio House

·         Virtual Power Plants Aren’t Just Virtual; They’re Real

·         Breach in Reactor Suspected at Japanese Nuclear Plant

·         What’s Behind Our Conflicted Feelings on Nukes?

·         Arizona State University Experts: Concerns over Radiation Affecting US ‘Silly’

·         Sign of the Apocalypse? Bunker Sales Increase after Japan Earthquake

·         Conditions Improving for Columbia River Salmon

·         British Columbia Salmon Play Hidden Role in Coastal Forest Ecology, Researchers Find

·         British Columbia Salmon Firm Sues over Activists’ Cancer Claim

·         California – Feds Say Parks Scientists Erred in Oyster Farm Study: No Criminal Conduct

·         Yakima Water Reservoir Planned Near Ellensburg

·         Seismic Reviews of Many Oregon Dams Way Behind Schedule

·         Puget Sound - Low Levels of Dioxin Found at Priest Point Park Beach

·         Floods Push Lead into Idaho’s Lake Coeur d’Alene

·         Shelton-Based Simpson/Solomon Biomass Project Moving Forward

·         Clark County Says Downtown Vancouver Biomass Plant Would Save $175,000 a Year

·         Port Townsend - Local 20/20 Sponsors Pro-Con Talk Monday on Biomass Projects

·         Washington State: Clash over Changes to Renewable Energy Law

·         Wind Industry Could Take Toll on Kansas Highways

·         Oregon - Solarworld Believes It Can Double US Sales

·         Arizona - First Solar Incentives: $20 Million Sticker Shock?

·         United Kingdom - Subsidies Cut for Small-Scale Solar Power

·         Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Technology a Relief for Electric Grid

·         SW Washington State - Evergreen Schools Wins Energy Honors

·         Rainier Business Goes Green by Producing Insulation from Sheep’s Wool

·         Op/Ed - Energy Conservation: Increasing Efficiency with More Carrot than Stick

·         Duke Energy Giving Away Ten Million Free Fluorescent Bulbs

·         Ohio - FirstEnergy Corp. Overwhelmed by Customers Asking About CFL Bulbs

·         Americans Blame Climate Change, Not God, for Storms

·         Study Finds Wind Speeds Rose over World’s Oceans

·         Greenpeace: Tactics Not So Clear Cut Anymore

·         Darkness Looms as Earth Hour Descends

·         Oregon House Mulls Clean-Energy Jobs Fund

·         Ethanol Plant Owner Fined, Must Restore Illinois Lakes

·         Oregon Approves Qwest-CenturyLink Merger

·         Australia Extends Deadline for Broadband Network

·         Social Media Rejected for Healthcare Communications

·         US Internet Piracy Is on the Decline

·         Costco to Propose Liquor Privatization Bill in Olympia

·         Editorial - Oregon Environmental Legislation Takes a Practical, Frugal Approach

·         ‘Mastermind’ of Lakewood Walmart Robbery Found Guilty of Murdering Guard

·         Gregoire Pushes for Prison Guard Safety Bill

·         Work Begins at Site of New Coastal Doppler Station

·         Washington Coastal Communities Tsunami Lessons Learned

·         Shelton Chamber of Commerce - New Executive Director Named

·         Handicapped Parking - Washington State Patrol: “This is Embarrassing for Everyone”

WORD OF THE DAY

Nonplus • \non-PLUSS\ • Verb - To cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do: perplex

The room dropped into immediate silence; an eerie silence similar to that which occurs when a busboy drops a tub of plates in a busy restaurant. The esteemed doctor had adorned his hard, seamed face with a flinty grin, while challenging any of the fresh-faced interns to stump him on any question. The one question that left him nonplussed came from the fluffy, pink-faced dermatologist in the back of the room: “What do you call that thing in the back of your throat that hangs from the roof of your mouth?” (It’s the uvula; a small pendant fleshy lobe at the back of the soft palate.)

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

BPA Will Build New High-Voltage Power Line in Southeast Washington - Project expected to create up to 170 jobs (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/1048199/

California - Pacific Gas & Electric Unveils ‘Opt-Out’ Plan for Its Controversial SmartMeter Program (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_17692729

Oregon - Hydro Project at Wasco County’s White River Falls Scrapped (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/03/hydro_project_at_white_river_falls_scrapped.html

Spokane Valley Man Sentenced for Scrap Metal Scheme - Converted scrap metal stolen by drug addicts into a cash fortune & a stable of exotic sports cars (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/mar/25/valley-man-sentenced-for-scrap-metal-scheme/

IRS Pays Enron Whistleblower $1.1 Million (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/15/AR2011031505831.html

California - Pacific Gas & Electric Agrees to $3 Million Fine over Natural Gas Safety Records (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/24/BAN61IJ2GV.DTL

Natural Gas Rises in March (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/03/24/financial/f130707D19.DTL

At Rental Home Without Electricity - Generator Fumes Killed Four in Ohio House (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014591286_apuscarbonmonoxidedeaths.html

Virtual Power Plants Aren’t Just Virtual; They’re Real – A variety of distributed energy systems with intelligent demand response capabilities area aggregated into an asset that acts like a centralized power plant (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/podcast/2011/03/virtual-power-plants-arent-just-virtual-theyre-real?cmpid=rss

THE NUCLEAR SCIENCE READING ROOM

Breach in Reactor Suspected at Japanese Nuclear Plant (Northwest Cable News Network)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/118654404.html

What’s Behind Our Conflicted Feelings on Nukes? (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014589985_apusscinuclearperceptions.html

Arizona State University Experts: Concerns over Radiation Affecting US ‘Silly’ (Phoenix Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2011/03/25/ASU-experts-say-radiation-concerns-silly.html

Sign of the Apocalypse? Bunker Sales Increase after Japan Earthquake (Time Magazine)

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/03/25/sign-of-the-apocalypse-bunker-sales-increase-after-japan-earthquake/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Conditions Improving for Columbia River Salmon (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/mar/25/conditions-improving-for-columbia-salmon/

British Columbia Salmon Play Hidden Role in Coastal Forest Ecology, Researchers Find (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/salmon+play+hidden+role+coastal+forest+ecology+researchers+find/4498634/story.html

British Columbia Salmon Firm Sues over Activists’ Cancer Claim (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Salmon+firm+sues+over+activists+cancer+claim/4500245/story.html

California – Feds Say Parks Scientists Erred in Oyster Farm Study: No Criminal Conduct (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014591221_apusoysterfarmdispute.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Yakima Water Reservoir Planned Near Ellensburg (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014596529_apwayakimabasinreservoir1stldwritethru.html

Seismic Reviews of Many Oregon Dams Way Behind Schedule (Oregon Public Radio)

http://news.opb.org/article/88279-seismic-reviews-many-oregon-dams-way-behind-schedule/

Puget Sound - Low Levels of Dioxin Found at Priest Point Park Beach (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/03/24/1591681/low-levels-of-dioxin-found-at.html

Floods Push Lead into Idaho’s Lake Coeur d’Alene (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014590252_leadinlake25m.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Shelton-Based Simpson/Solomon Biomass Project Moving Forward (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/simpson-solomon-biomass-project-moving/

Clark County Says Downtown Vancouver Biomass Plant Would Save $175,000 a Year (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2011/03/clark_county_says_downtown_vancouver_biomass_plant_would_save_175000_a_year.html

Port Townsend - Local 20/20 Sponsors Pro-Con Talk Monday on Biomass Projects (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=28919

Washington State: Clash over Changes to Renewable Energy Law (KPLU Radio, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.kplu.org/post/clash-over-changes-renewable-energy-law

Wind Industry Could Take Toll on Kansas Highways (Lawrence Journal-World, KS)

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/mar/24/wind-industry-could-take-heavy-toll-state-highways/

Oregon - Solarworld Believes It Can Double US Sales (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/03/solarworld-believes-it-can-double-us.html

Arizona - First Solar Incentives: $20 Million Sticker Shock? (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/business/2011/03/first-solar-incentives-20m-sticker.html

United Kingdom - Subsidies Cut for Small-Scale Solar Power (Politics, UK)

http://www.politics.co.uk/news/energy/subsidies-cut-for-small-scale-solar-power-$21387867.htm

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Technology a Relief for Electric Grid (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/03/24/1421040/pnnl-technology-a-relief-for-electric.html

SW Washington State - Evergreen Schools Wins Energy Honors (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/mar/25/evergreen-schools-wins-energy-honors/

Rainier Business Goes Green by Producing Insulation from Sheep’s Wool (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_e0b50940-5683-11e0-8b2b-001cc4c002e0.html

Op/Ed - Energy Conservation: Increasing Efficiency with More Carrot than Stick (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/03/energy_conservation_increasing.html

Duke Energy Giving Away Ten Million Free Fluorescent Bulbs (Cincinnati Business Courier, OH)

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2011/03/24/duke-energy-giving-10m-free.html

Ohio - FirstEnergy Corp. Overwhelmed by Customers Asking About CFL Bulbs (Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH)

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/03/firstenergy_corp_overwhelmed_b.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Americans Blame Climate Change, Not God, for Storms (Midwestern Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/03/25/blame-climate-change-not-god/

Study Finds Wind Speeds Rose over World’s Oceans (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014590501_apusscirestlesswind.html

Greenpeace: Tactics Not So Clear Cut Anymore (The Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-magazine/greenpeace-tactics-not-so-clear-cut-anymore/article1955065/

Darkness Looms as Earth Hour Descends (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Darkness+looms+Earth+Hour+descends/4502057/story.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Oregon House Mulls Clean-Energy Jobs Fund (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2011/03/24/clean-energy-fund-proposal-makes-rounds.html

Ethanol Plant Owner Fined, Must Restore Illinois Lakes (Chicago Tribune, IL)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-canton-toxicwaste,0,1768591.story

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Oregon Approves Qwest-CenturyLink Merger (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2011/03/25/oregon-approves-qwest-centurylink-merger.html

Australia Extends Deadline for Broadband Network (Yahoo! News)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110325/tc_afp/australiatechnologyinternetbroadbandeconomy

Social Media Rejected for Healthcare Communications (Information Week)

http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/patient/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=229400323&cid=RSSfeed_IWK_News

US Internet Piracy Is on the Decline (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2011/03/us-internet-piracy-is-on-the-decline/1?csp=34tech

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Costco to Propose Liquor Privatization Bill in Olympia (Publicola)

http://publicola.com/2011/03/24/costco-to-propose-liquor-privatization-bill-in-olympia/

Editorial - Oregon Environmental Legislation Takes a Practical, Frugal Approach (Salem Statesman Journal, OR)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110325/STATE/103250341/1001

GENERAL NEWS

‘Mastermind’ of Lakewood Walmart Robbery Found Guilty of Murdering Guard (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/27314097/detail.html

Gregoire Pushes for Prison Guard Safety Bill (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=14316754

Work Begins at Site of New Coastal Doppler Station (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/weather/27314248/detail.html

Washington Coastal Communities Tsunami Lessons Learned (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=8559

Shelton Chamber of Commerce - New Executive Director Named (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3293:new-exectutive-director-named&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=106

Handicapped Parking - Washington State Patrol: “This is Embarrassing for Everyone” (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=450975

DIVERSIONS

Whoopie Pies Spark Food Fight between Pennsylvania, Maine

http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2011-03-01-whoopie-pies_N.htm?csp=34news

Montana Man Mauled by Bear after Smoking Pot Gets Workers’ Comp

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/03/montana_man_mauled_by_bear_after_smoking_pot_gets_workers_comp.html

Miss San Antonio Wins Back Her Crown in Court

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2011/03/miss_san_antonio_wins_back_her_crown_in_court.html

Mistake Leaves Man with $16 Million Cable Bill

http://www.kirotv.com/news/27322085/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Rickie Lee Jones & Dr. John - Makin’ Whoopee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njo0yrze9ak

Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, Elton John – Makin’ Whoopee

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