Energy News Digest for July 11, 2011

Energy News Digest for July 11, 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

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Australia Unveils Carbon Tax (The Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/8628720/Australia-unveils-carbon-tax.html

Idled Japanese Nuclear Reactors Could Restart After Stress Test First Stage (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/11/japan-nuclear-stress-idUSL3E7IB01E20110711

Oregon - A Loophole for Coal-Fired Power Hiding In the Grid? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://ecotrope.opb.org/2011/07/a-loophole-for-coal-fired-power-hiding-in-the-grid/

Pollution Poses Problem for Oysters, Puget Sound (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/10/1719508/pollution-poses-problems-for-oysters.html

Oregon - Aurora-Area Solar Farm Reaps $20,000 a Month from Portland General Electric Program (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/wilsonville/index.ssf/2011/07/aurora-area_solar_farm_generat.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Oregon - A Loophole for Coal-Fired Power Hiding In the Grid?
• Clean Coal Group Spent $940,000 on First Quarter Lobbying
• Judge Approves Tennessee Valley Authority Settlement on Air Pollution
• Coal Plants Important to Duke Energy’s Future
• Editorial - So Now Burning Coal Causes Cooling?
• Lineworkers Bring Power to the People, Without a Net
• In Person: Kimberly Harris, CEO of Puget Sound Energy
• Colorado - Country Watches as Boulder Considers Forming Own Electric Utility
• Washington, DC Mayor Vincent Gray under Pressure over Virginia Power Plant
• Idled Japanese Nuclear Reactors Could Restart After Stress Test First Stage
• Feds, Nuclear Power Industry Criticized for Skirting Public
• Energy’s Deputy Secretary to Speak at Hanford’s Waste Treatment Plant
• Shades of “Office Space” - Hanford Engineer Banished to Basement
• Fate of Yucca Mountain Decision in Nuclear Regulatory Commission Hands
• Minnesota - US to Pay Xcel $100M for Nuclear Waste Storage
• Radiation Probe Finds Risks at Ohio Nuclear Plant
• Scatology Used to Study Orca Decline
• American Fisheries Society Western Division Again Calls for Breaching Snake River Dams
• Skokomish River to Open for Salmon in August
• Op/Ed - Science Will Show Status of Pocket Gophers
• Answer for Invasive Species: Put It on a Plate & Eat It
• Pollution Poses Problem for Oysters, Puget Sound
• Clallam PUD Sends Letters to Carlsborg Concerning Potential Sewer Costs
• Oregon - Aurora-Area Solar Farm Reaps $20,000 a Month from Portland General Electric Program
• Google Enhances Its Image by Beefing Up Solar Program
• Power Play in the Klamath Basin
• Progress Report on Washington State Biomass Study
• Florida - Feds Say Wind Farm Proposed Near Everglades Could Harm Birds
• North Carolina - Ways to Meet “Electricity from Poultry Litter” Mandate Expanded
• United Kingdom - Power Bills to Soar by 30 Percent in ‘Green’ Reforms
• Spain’s First Wave Power Plant Goes Online
• Puget Sound Energy Events Trade New Bulbs for Old
• Program Will Help Lacey Residents Save On Home Energy Costs
• Texans Rally to Save Old-Style Light Bulbs
• Editorial - Roll Back Bulb Standards? Not a Bright Idea
• Car Makers Jump on Energy Bandwagon as Japan Saves Power
• Australia Unveils Carbon Tax
• Australia - Carbon Tax Governance A Real Growth Industry
• Word Choice Matters for Energy Policy
• Nissan Works on Recharging Leaf with Solar Power
• Future of Electric Cars Hinges on Better Batteries
• British Columbia - Gardener Ticketed for Trying to Grow Garry Oak Meadow in Saanich Yard
• Michigan - Oak Park Woman Faces 93-Days in Jail for Planting Vegetable Garden
• The Greener Beer: In Bottles or Cans?
• CenturyLink Says Qwest Merger Will Help Idaho
• US Internet Providers to Act Against Online Pirates
• The Social Web Still Has a Lot of Room to Grow
• Servers Are Like Money, You’ll Always Need More
• Will Washington’s US Senator Cantwell Get a Free Ride in 2012 Re-Election Bid?
• Unions Were Big Spenders in Past Washington State Legislative Session
• Inslee Takes The Edge Off Controversial Idea - Use of state pension fund money
• Politicians Turning to Newspaper Ads to Keep Constituents Up to Date
• Port of Shelton Whistleblower Accusations Deemed Unfounded
• Mercer Island Fined $90,000 over Withholding Documents in Firing Case
• Driver Killed in Hydroplane Accident Near Olympia
• Rail Ownership is a Drain on City of Tacoma
• Scammers Claim Luxury Cars as Farm Vehicles for Cheap Insurance
• Photographic Film: Its End May Be Near

WORD OF THE DAY

Dreadnought • \DREDD-nott\ • Noun - 1: a warm garment of thick cloth; also: the cloth 2: battleship 3: one that is among the largest or most powerful of its kind

As the negotiations over the stalled renewable energy project ground to a screeching, painful halt, its proponents were aghast at the irony of their adversaries. “Time to bring in the big guns,” grinned the dreadlocked, wool-socked, sandal-clad leader. “Billy Turbine-Blades, the dreadnaught of the wind farm lobby on Capitol Hill!” The street-theater effect was not lost on those in attendance…but not in a good way. A gigantic street puppet with “BILLY” emblazond down its quivering pylon lumbered into the business chambers, clashing against the ceiling, stuffed “dead” birds and bats dangling from its paper mache blades…bits of old newspaper and glue past snowing down on the tables and chairs of the attendees. The horror…the horror…

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 - A Loophole for Coal-Fired Power Hiding In the Grid? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://ecotrope.opb.org/2011/07/a-loophole-for-coal-fired-power-hiding-in-the-grid/

Clean Coal Group Spent $940,000 on First Quarter Lobbying (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Clean-coal-group-spent-940-000-on-1Q-lobbying-1458328.php

Judge Approves Tennessee Valley Authority Settlement on Air Pollution (Ashville Citizen-Times, NC)

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20110710/NEWS/307100036/TVA-pollution-deal-finalized

Coal Plants Important to Duke Energy’s Future (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/power_city/2011/07/CEOs-coal-plants-important-to-duke-energ.html

Editorial - So Now Burning Coal Causes Cooling? (Tucson Citizen, AZ)

http://tucsoncitizen.com/wryheat/2011/07/10/so-now-burning-coal-causes-cooling/

Lineworkers Bring Power to the People, Without a Net (KUOW Radio, Seattle)

http://kuow.org/program.php?id=23811

In Person: Kimberly Harris, CEO of Puget Sound Energy (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015552427_inpersonharris11.html

Colorado - Country Watches as Boulder Considers Forming Own Electric Utility (Denver Post, CO)

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_18445005

Washington, DC Mayor Vincent Gray under Pressure over Virginia Power Plant (Associated Press)

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/07/d-c-mayor-vincent-gray-under-pressure-over-va-power-plant--63454.html

NUCLEAR SCIENCE READING ROOM

Idled Japanese Nuclear Reactors Could Restart After Stress Test First Stage (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/11/japan-nuclear-stress-idUSL3E7IB01E20110711

Feds, Nuclear Power Industry Criticized for Skirting Public (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015567243_apusnuclearinformation.html

Energy’s Deputy Secretary to Speak at Hanford’s Waste Treatment Plant (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/energys_deputy_secretary_to_speak_at_hanfords_waste_treatment_plant/

Shades of “Office Space” - Hanford Engineer Banished to Basement (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/10/1739586/hanford-engineer-banished-to-basement.html

Fate of Yucca Mountain Decision in Nuclear Regulatory Commission Hands (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/07/11/38033.htm

Minnesota - US to Pay Xcel $100M for Nuclear Waste Storage: In the latest in a series of settlements with the nation’s electric utilities, the government agreed to bear the cost of storing waste (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, MN)
http://www.startribune.com/business/125250519.html

Radiation Probe Finds Risks at Ohio Nuclear Plant (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015547733_apusnuclearplantradiation.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Scatology Used to Study Orca Decline (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=9102

American Fisheries Society Western Division Again Calls for Breaching Snake River Dams (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/410608.aspx

Skokomish River to Open for Salmon in August (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/09/1738529/skokomish-to-open-for-salmon-in.html

Op/Ed - Science Will Show Status of Pocket Gophers (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/10/1719213/science-will-show-status-of-pocket.html

Answer for Invasive Species: Put It on a Plate & Eat It (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/science/earth/10fish.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Pollution Poses Problem for Oysters, Puget Sound (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/10/1719508/pollution-poses-problems-for-oysters.html

Clallam PUD Sends Letters to Carlsborg Concerning Potential Sewer Costs (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/7039

Developer, Washington State Dispute Spokane River Water Level - Department of Ecology says wrong number used for Coyote Rock plans (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/jul/09/developer-state-dispute-water-level/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon - Aurora-Area Solar Farm Reaps $20,000 a Month from Portland General Electric Program (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/wilsonville/index.ssf/2011/07/aurora-area_solar_farm_generat.html

Google Enhances Its Image by Beefing Up Solar Program (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/jul/10/google-enhances-its-image-by-beefing-up-solar/

Power Play in the Klamath Basin (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)

http://www.heraldandnews.com/news/article_341747b0-aac1-11e0-89ec-001cc4c002e0.html

Progress Report on Washington State Biomass Study (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/local-events/features/10010-progress-report-on-biomass-study

Florida - Feds Say Wind Farm Proposed Near Everglades Could Harm Birds (Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, FL)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/blogs/green-south-florida/sfl-proposed-wind-farm-near-everglades-could-harm-birds-20110708,0,7838198.story

North Carolina - Ways to Meet “Electricity from Poultry Litter” Mandate Expanded (North Wilkesboro Journal Patriot, NC)

http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/article_ed253258-a98b-11e0-b169-001a4bcf6878.html

United Kingdom - Power Bills to Soar by 30 Percent in ‘Green’ Reforms (The Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/8627719/Power-bills-to-soar-by-30-in-green-reforms.html

Spain’s First Wave Power Plant Goes Online (Domestic Fuel)

http://domesticfuel.com/2011/07/08/spains-first-wave-power-plant-goes-online/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Puget Sound Energy Events Trade New Bulbs for Old (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015563309_newbulbs10.html

Program Will Help Lacey Residents Save On Home Energy Costs – Customers to pay $95 for discounted home energy audits (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/09/1718143/program-will-help-lacey-residents.html

Texans Rally to Save Old-Style Light Bulbs (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/jul/10/texans-rally-to-save-old-style-light-bulbs/

Editorial - Roll Back Bulb Standards? Not a Bright Idea (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/11/3760447/roll-back-bulb-standards-not-a.html

Car Makers Jump on Energy Bandwagon as Japan Saves Power (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/11/automakers-power-idUSL3E7I616U20110711

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Australia Unveils Carbon Tax (The Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/8628720/Australia-unveils-carbon-tax.html

Australia - Carbon Tax Governance A Real Growth Industry (The Australian)

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/carbon-plan/carbon-tax-governance-a-real-growth-industry/story-fn99tjf2-1226092679234

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Word Choice Matters for Energy Policy (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/business/global/11iht-green11.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Nissan Works on Recharging Leaf with Solar Power (Associated Press)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/jul/10/nissan-works-on-recharging-leaf-with-solar-power/

Future of Electric Cars Hinges on Better Batteries (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_18450778

British Columbia - Gardener Ticketed for Trying to Grow Garry Oak Meadow in Saanich Yard (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/life/Gardener+ticketed+trying+grow+Garry+meadow+Saanich+yard/5075803/story.html

Michigan - Oak Park Woman Faces 93-Days in Jail for Planting Vegetable Garden (WJKB-TV, Detroit, MI)

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/julie-bass-of-oak-park-faces-misdemeanor-charge-for-vegetable-garden-20110630-wpms

The Greener Beer: In Bottles or Cans? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://ecotrope.opb.org/2011/07/the-greener-beer-bottles-v-cans/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CenturyLink Says Qwest Merger Will Help Idaho - The new company says it plans to invest $15 million in the Gem State (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/07/09/1720292/centurylink-says-qwest-merger.html

US Internet Providers to Act Against Online Pirates (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/08/us-internet-piracy-idUSTRE7667FL20110708

The Social Web Still Has a Lot of Room to Grow (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2011/07/08/the-social-web-growth/

Servers Are Like Money, You’ll Always Need More (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cloud/servers-are-like-money-youll-always-need-more/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Will Washington’s US Senator Cantwell Get a Free Ride in 2012 Re-Election Bid? (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015562138_cantwell10m.html

Unions Were Big Spenders in Past Washington State Legislative Session - Public-sector fights prompted spending (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/11/1720153/unions-were-big-spenders-in-past.html

Inslee Takes The Edge Off Controversial Idea - Use of state pension fund money to seed start-up companies that agree to stay in Washington (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/07/09/inslee-takes-the-edge-off-controversial-idea/

Politicians Turning to Newspaper Ads to Keep Constituents Up to Date (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/11/1740562/politicians-turning-to-ads.html

GENERAL NEWS

Port of Shelton Whistleblower Accusations Deemed Unfounded (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/10233-accusations-still-unfounded

Mercer Island Fined $90,000 over Withholding Documents in Firing Case (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015571375_mercersuit11m.html

Driver Killed in Hydroplane Accident Near Olympia (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Hydroplane-driver-killed-in-accident-during-Black-Lake-event-125272184.html

Rail Ownership is a Drain on City of Tacoma - Board members call for action to address liability, ownership concerns (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/10/1719197/rail-is-a-drain-on-tacoma.html

Scammers Claim Luxury Cars as Farm Vehicles for Cheap Insurance (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/07/car-insurance-scam-porsche-audi-cadillac-farm-vehicles1/1?csp=34money

Photographic Film: Its End May Be Near (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2015540667_filmfadeout10.html

DIVERSIONS

Smartphones Smelling Like Jelly Beans?! Jelly Belly Introduces Scented Cases

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2011/0708/Smartphones-smelling-like-jelly-beans-!-Jelly-Belly-introduces-scented-cases

Deschutes Brewery Wins Beer Championship

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2011/07/08/deschutes-wins-beer-championship.html

Free Slurpees At 7-Eleven Stores on July 11

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/07/08/1556337/free-slurpees-at-7-eleven-stores.html

Thieves Hit Arizona Church, Haul Off Two 5-Ton Air Conditioners Before Sunday Services

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/thieves-hit-arizona-church-haul-off-two-5-ton-air-conditioners-before-sunday-services/2011/07/08/gIQALSX43H_story.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Neil Diamond - Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bteDZ3bq75E

Energy News Digest for July 8, 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

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

EPA Issues Tougher Rules for Power Plants (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/science/earth/08epa.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Without Indian Point Nuclear Power, Could New York City Keep the Lights On? (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/07/idUS379753327820110707

Our New ‘Normal’ Weather: Wetter & Warmer (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015541919_climate08m.html

Three Groups Appeal Longview Fibre’s Biomass Permit (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_fa855018-a904-11e0-a1ba-001cc4c03286.html

Crews Fortify Remaining BC Hydro Towers as Utility Probes Collapse That Caused Chaos (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Crews+fortify+remaining+Hydro+towers+utility+probes+collapse+that+caused+chaos/5065109/story.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Without Indian Point Nuclear Power, Could New York City Keep the Lights On?
• Has Time Run Out to Replace Indian Point’s Nuclear Power?
• EPA Issues Tougher Rules for Power Plants
• EPA Tells Coal-Fired Plants to Reduce Pollution. Some May Just Shut Down
• Crews Fortify Remaining BC Hydro Towers as Utility Probes Collapse That Caused Chaos
• City to Talk Electricity, Water Meters at Port Angeles’ Farmer’s Market
• Bring Energy Manipulators to Heel - Cantwell
• Aluminum Maker Alcoa Will Start 2Q Earnings Season
• Fish-Friendly Fund Marks $7.3 Million Success in Central Oregon
• Sandy River Chinook Salmon Returns Looking Good for Anglers
• Fish Shift Up West Coast Predicted by Climate Study
• Celebrity Op/Ed - Change of Course Needed to Protect Fisheries
• Newborn Orca Spotted Among Returning Whales
• Keep Distance, Don’t Urinate: Olympic National Park Revises Plan in Wake of Goat-Goring Death
• Polar Bear Origins: Polar Bears Have Irish Ancestry, Suggests DNA Study
• Simpson Air Permit Renewal for Shelton Lumber Mill
• Belfair Business Group Unhappy with Mason County Sewer Fees
• Full Water Supply for Yakima Basin
• Federal Judge Signs Off on Northwest Forest Protections
• Yellowstone River - Montana Pulls Out of Oil-Spill Cleanup Team
• Energy, Environmental, Recreational & Tribal Interests Voice Opinions on National Ocean Policy
• Three Groups Appeal Longview Fibre’s Biomass Permit
• Klamath Biomass Plant Gets Key Approval
• Sequim Shelves Solar Ordinance
• Clark Public Utilities Energy Adviser: Solar Heat Works Even in Northwest
• Ka-Ching - Should California Simply Adopt German Solar Tariffs?
• Wind Power Construction Costlier in Umatilla County
• Wampanoags Try to Stop Giant Wind Farm on Nantucket Sound
• State of Oregon Phases Out Much-Maligned Business Energy Tax Credit
• Missouri Judge Sides with Challengers of Renewable Energy Law
• Global Green Energy Spending Increases 32% in 2010
• Comparing All Renewable Fuels, Heat & Electricity to Nuclear isn’t Productive
• Bhutan’s Hydropower Ambitions
• Oregon’s ‘Cool Schools’ Legislation Passes, But Will It Work?
• Carlsborg Couple ‘Paid to Drive’ with Electric Car-Solar Power Combination
• US Senators Push Deal to End Ethanol Subsidies This Month
• Egg Producers & Humane Society Urging Federal Standard on Hen Cages
• Verizon Hangs Up on Unlimited Data Plans, Says Hello to Tiered Service
• Netflix: Is It Broadband’s Cash Cow or Data Hog?
• How Much Data Are We Using, Really?
• Data Center Boom May Make Way for Glut
• Editorial - Congress Needs to Pass National ‘Amazon Bill’
• When Will the (Traditional) Telephone Hang Up?
• Ham Radio Hangs On
• Is Android Microsoft’s Next Cash Cow?
• Google+ Version for Businesses Coming Soon?
• 56-Nation Internet Review Shows Wide Differences
• Animal Welfare Group Drops Washington State Chicken Initiative
• Sponsor Says Legal Pot Initiative Won’t Make Ballot
• Is Washington a 2012 “Battleground” State?
• Sam Reed’s Gift to Washington’s Independent Voters
• Oregon - Brad Witt Formally Announces Congressional Candidacy in David Wu’s District
• Seattle Candidates Can Now Rip Opponents in Voters’ Guide
• Our New ‘Normal’ Weather: Wetter & Warmer
• Mason County-Wide Burn Ban
• Washington State Governor Names New Prisons Director
• UK’s News of the World to Close Amid Phone-Hacking Scandal
• Fatties R Us: Washington Obesity Rate Nearly Doubles
• Who Uses Cash Anymore? Fewer & Fewer Americans Do
• Texas Rangers Fan Death Leaves Players Distraught

WORD OF THE DAY

Penchant • \PEN-chunt\ • Noun - A strong and continued inclination; broadly: liking

The two office workers’ penchant for the nose-jolting flavor of wasabi almonds began to create a buzz throughout the cubicles. One enterprising secretary started a secret pool to guess how long it would take for flames to start shooting from the nut-obsessed gourmands.

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

Without Indian Point Nuclear Power, Could New York City Keep the Lights On? (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/07/idUS379753327820110707

Has Time Run Out to Replace Indian Point’s Nuclear Power? (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/08/idUS277322520720110708

EPA Issues Tougher Rules for Power Plants (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/science/earth/08epa.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

EPA Tells Coal-Fired Plants to Reduce Pollution. Some May Just Shut Down (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0707/EPA-tells-coal-fired-plants-to-reduce-pollution.-Some-may-just-shut-down

Crews Fortify Remaining BC Hydro Towers as Utility Probes Collapse That Caused Chaos (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Crews+fortify+remaining+Hydro+towers+utility+probes+collapse+that+caused+chaos/5065109/story.html

City to Talk Electricity, Water Meters at Port Angeles’ Farmer’s Market “...the old meters are wearing out - and many of them are no longer accurate…”  (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/7035

Bring Energy Manipulators to Heel - Cantwell (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/07/07/bring-energy-manipulators-to-heel-cantwell/

Aluminum Maker Alcoa Will Start 2Q Earnings Season (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015539535_apusalcoaearningspreview.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Fish-Friendly Fund Marks $7.3 Million Success in Central Oregon (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/07/fish-friedly-fund-marks-73m-success.html

Sandy River Chinook Salmon Returns Looking Good for Anglers (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/story/15046431/chinook-salmon-returns-looking-good-for-anglers

Fish Shift Up West Coast Predicted by Climate Study (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=9091

Celebrity Op/Ed - Change of Course Needed to Protect Fisheries (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/08/3755100/change-of-course-needed-to-protect.html

Newborn Orca Spotted Among Returning Whales (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/jul/07/newborn-orca-spotted-among-returning-whales/

Keep Distance, Don’t Urinate: Olympic National Park Revises Plan in Wake of Goat-Goring Death (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110708/news/307089996/keep-distance-don-8217-t-urinate-olympic-national-park-revises

Polar Bear Origins: Polar Bears Have Irish Ancestry, Suggests DNA Study (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2011/0707/Polar-bear-origins-Polar-bears-have-Irish-ancestry-suggests-DNA-study

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Simpson Air Permit Renewal for Shelton Lumber Mill (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/10192-simpson-air-permit-renewal

Belfair Business Group Unhappy with Mason County Sewer Fees (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/10190-bbg-unhappy-with-sewer-fees

Full Water Supply for Yakima Basin (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/07/07/1558747/environment-full-water-supply.html

Federal Judge Signs Off on Northwest Forest Protections (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015535119_apornorthwestforestrule.html

Yellowstone River - Montana Pulls Out of Oil-Spill Cleanup Team (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-07-07-montana-oil-spill-yellowstone_n.htm?csp=34news

Energy, Environmental, Recreational & Tribal Interests Voice Opinions on National Ocean Policy (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2011/07/energy_environmental_recreatio.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Three Groups Appeal Longview Fibre’s Biomass Permit (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_fa855018-a904-11e0-a1ba-001cc4c03286.html

Klamath Biomass Plant Gets Key Approval (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/07/klamath-biomass-plant-gets-key-approval.html

Sequim Shelves Solar Ordinance - The city is holding back on renewable energy requirements for new developments (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/7037

Clark Public Utilities Energy Adviser: Solar Heat Works Even in Northwest (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jul/07/solar-heat-works-even-in-northwest/

Ka-Ching - Should California Simply Adopt German Solar Tariffs? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/07/should-california-simply-adopt-german-solar-tariffs?cmpid=rss

Wind Power Construction Costlier in Umatilla County (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/125214194.html

Wampanoags Try to Stop Giant Wind Farm on Nantucket Sound (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/07/08/37981.htm

State of Oregon Phases Out Much-Maligned Business Energy Tax Credit - New tax breaks will be offered (Portland Tribune, OR)

http://portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=131006729507944500

Missouri Judge Sides with Challengers of Renewable Energy Law (Bloomberg Businesweek)

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9OASGGG0.htm

Global Green Energy Spending Increases 32% in 2010 (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2011-07-07-green-energy-spending_n.htm?csp=34money

Comparing All Renewable Fuels, Heat & Electricity to Nuclear isn’t Productive (Climate Progress)

http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2011/07/07/262451/comparing-all-renewable-fuels-heat-and-electricity-to-nuclear-isn%E2%80%99t-helpful/

Bhutan’s Hydropower Ambitions (Public Radio International)

http://www.pri.org/business/global-development/bhutan-hydropower-ambitions4786.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Oregon’s ‘Cool Schools’ Legislation Passes, But Will It Work? (Estacada News, OR)

http://www.estacadanews.com/news/story.php?story_id=131005787135450700

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Carlsborg Couple ‘Paid to Drive’ with Electric Car-Solar Power Combination (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110708/NEWS/307089994/carlsborg-couple-8216-paid-to-drive-with-electric-car-solar-power

US Senators Push Deal to End Ethanol Subsidies This Month (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/senators-push-deal-to-end-ethanol-subsidies-this-month/2011/07/07/gIQAd5i61H_blog.html?wprss=2chambers

Egg Producers & Humane Society Urging Federal Standard on Hen Cages (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/business/egg-producers-and-humane-society-urging-federal-standard-on-hen-cages.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Verizon Hangs Up on Unlimited Data Plans, Says Hello to Tiered Service (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2011/0707/Verizon-hangs-up-on-unlimited-data-plans-says-hello-to-tiered-service

Netflix: Is It Broadband’s Cash Cow or Data Hog? (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/broadband/netflix-is-it-broadbands-cash-cow-or-data-hog/

How Much Data Are We Using, Really? (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/faster-forward/post/how-much-data-are-we-using-really/2011/07/07/gIQAa8BU2H_blog.html?wprss=faster-forward

Data Center Boom May Make Way for Glut (Washington, DC Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2011/07/data-center-boom-may-make-way-for-glut.html

Editorial - Congress Needs to Pass National ‘Amazon Bill’ (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/08/3755091/congress-needs-to-pass-national.html

When Will the (Traditional) Telephone Hang Up? (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2011/07/07/when-will-the-traditional-telephone-hang-up/

Ham Radio Hangs On (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Arts/2011/0706/Ham-radio-hangs-on

Is Android Microsoft’s Next Cash Cow? (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015541246_microsoftandroid08.html

Google+ Version for Businesses Coming Soon? (Dallas Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2011/07/07/google-version-for-businesses-coming.html

56-Nation Internet Review Shows Wide Differences (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015542998_apeuinternetreport.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Animal Welfare Group Drops Washington State Chicken Initiative (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015535343_apwainitiatives.html

Sponsor Says Legal Pot Initiative Won’t Make Ballot (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/125212629.html

Is Washington a 2012 “Battleground” State? (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2015535332_iswashingtona2012battlegroundstate.html

Sam Reed’s Gift to Washington’s Independent Voters (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/edcetera/2015539659_secretary_of_state_sam_reed.html

Oregon - Brad Witt Formally Announces Congressional Candidacy in David Wu’s District (Oregonian, Portland)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2011/07/brad_witt_formally_announces_c.html

Seattle Candidates Can Now Rip Opponents in Voters’ Guide (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2015535533_seattle_candidates_can_now_rip.html

GENERAL NEWS

Our New ‘Normal’ Weather: Wetter & Warmer (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015541919_climate08m.html

Mason County-Wide Burn Ban (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/10191-county-wide-burn-ban

Washington State Governor Names New Prisons Director (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=9086

UK’s News of the World to Close Amid Phone-Hacking Scandal (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/phone-hacking-scandal-closes-news-of-the-world/2011/07/07/gIQAy5RA2H_story.html?wprss=rss_business

Fatties R Us: Washington Obesity Rate Nearly Doubles (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Fatties-R-Us-Washington-obesity-rate-nearly-1456393.php

Who Uses Cash Anymore? Fewer & Fewer Americans Do (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/07/07/who-uses-cash-anymore-fewer-and-fewer-americans-do/

Texas Rangers Fan Death Leaves Players Distraught (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2011/0708/Texas-Rangers-fan-death-leaves-players-distraught

DIVERSIONS

It’s Complicated - Family Fights Government over Rare ‘Double Eagle’ Gold Coins

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/family-fights-government-over-rare-double-eagle-gold-151853030.html

Why the Rich Shoplift More Than the Poor

http://moneyland.time.com/2011/07/06/why-the-rich-shoplift-more-than-the-poor/#ixzz1RRuXfCVi

Antique Piggy Bank from eBay Stuffed with $133 in Cash

http://consumerist.com/2011/07/antique-piggy-bank-from-ebay-stuffed-with-133-in-cash.html

Chik-Fil-A: Dress Like a Cow, Eat for Free

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Saving-Money/2011/0708/Chik-fil-A-Dress-like-a-cow-eat-for-free

SONG OF THE DAY

John Stewart – Gold

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-SjdN6kuew