Energy News Digest for September 13, 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

Canada - Sockeye Salmon Coming Back to the Okanagan (Kelowna Capital News, BC)

http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/kelownacapitalnews/news/129692853.html

Op/Ed - No Need to Rethink Salmon Plan That Pays Healthy Returns (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/web/opinion/26842395-47/plan-salmon-returns-court-columbia.html.csp

Cross-Strait Power Cable Project Still In Works (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110913/news/309139988/cross-strait-power-cable-project-still-in-works

Mason General Named Most Wired – Amazing What a Little Fiber in Your Diet Will Do (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/14282-mason-general-named-most-wired-again

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Selling Wind Energy Project to Gain Stimulus Funds (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/13/3905157/smud-selling-wind-energy-project.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Cross-Strait Power Cable Project Still In Works
• Closure of Boardman Coal Fired Power Plant Will Help Clear Columbia Gorge Air
• Seven Regional Aluminum Plants Gone
• Same Song, Different Arena - South Carolina Alcoa Plant to Close without Lower Power Rate
• Errant Critter Blamed for Centralia Outage
• Disaster Plan Helps Your Family, Home Weather a Storm
• Nuclear Power Plant Owner & State of Vermont Square Off at Trial over Plant’s Future
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission Staff: Reassess Earthquake Risk at Nuke Plants
• US Nuclear Energy Agency’s Safety Plan Irks Germany, Others
• How Dead Is Yucca Mountain?
• Texas - Dallas Electric Company Closing Two Power Plant Units & Cutting 500 Jobs
• California Legislature Drops Surcharge for Energy Research
• Editorial - New Pacific Gas & Electric CEO Needs to Focus on Fixing Utility, Not Profits
• Illinois Governor Vetoes Bill to Raise Illinois Electric Rates To Modernize Power Grid
• Canada - Sockeye Salmon Coming Back to the Okanagan
• Op/Ed - No Need to Rethink Salmon Plan That Pays Healthy Returns
• Note Source Material - Snake River Salmon Climb Almost 7,000 Ft
• Engineered Salmon Still a Distant Reality
• The Elwha Dams, Part 3 - Fisheries, Dams Linked in 1980s
• Snowy Plovers Show Encouraging Signs of Recovery along Oregon Coast
• California - Record Fish Numbers Caught in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Water Pumps
• Growing Jelly Fish Invasion in Puget Sound
• Seattle - We’re Conserving, But Water Rates May Climb
• US Senator Lisa Murkowski to Co-Chair Oceans Caucus – Cantwell, Murray, Wyden also on Panel
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District Selling Wind Energy Project to Gain Stimulus Funds
• California - Solar Plans on Altamont Pass Raise Land Use Issue
• Oregon - Ocean Power Technologies, Lockheed Martin Collaborate on Wave Power
• New Grid-Friendly Car Charger is Used for Wind Energy
• Report: To Use More Wind Energy, Add Electric Cars
• Renewable Energy Corp Sees Rival Solar Producers Liquidated in Market ‘Shake Up’
• SoloPower Discloses $9.6 Million Investment Round
• Canada - Misunderstandings Surround Green Energy Project
• Google Approves - Hog Waste Producing Electricity, Carbon Offsets
• Babcock & Wilcox Gets $205M to Build, Run New Hampshire Biomass Plant
• High Winds Lead United Kingdom to Halt Turbines for Third Night
• Op/Ed - Renewable Energy: Too Cheap to Meter?
• It’s Time for a Renovation Revolution
• What Makes Consumers Care About the Smart Grid?
• Cheers, Howls for Australia’s Carbon Tax Bill
• Giant Red Crabs Invade the Antarctic Abyss
• Study: Switching from Diesel to Natural Gas Could Save Washington State Ferries Millions
• Water-Filled Plastic Bottles in Roof Can Replace Light Bulbs During Day
• Mason General Hospital Named Most Wired – Amazing What a Little Fiber in Your Diet Will Do
• Feds Spur Ultrafast Broadband App Development
• Cool Finnish Weather the New Hotness for Data Centers
• How Many Pages Are on the Internet?
• Costly Gadget Lets You Get Email Anywhere
• State Auditor Brian Sonntag to Step Down After 20 Years
• Seattle Approves Paid Sick-Leave Requirement
• U.S. Spending Billions on Rural Jobs, but Impact Is Uncertain
• Weather, Geography Slow Olympic National Forest Wildfire Near Brinnon
• Mobile Home, Vehicles Hit By Grand Mound Brush Fire near I-5
• Officials Warn About Unhealthy Eastern Washington Air from Fire
• Tacoma Teachers Hit the Picket Lines
• Students Sweat It Out after Metal Thieves Strike
• Rubber-Stamped DUI’s: Police Sergeant Retires
• Oregon - Stuck Truck Helps Hermiston Police Catch Would-be Metal Thieves
• Seven Things You Should Do to Maintain Your Home Before Fall

WORD OF THE DAY

Solace • \SAWL-luss\ • Noun - 1: alleviation of grief or anxiety 2: a source of relief or consolation

A long-time Seattle Mariner’s fan is subtly different from a fan who jumped on the bandwagon in the mid- 90’s. The elder fan can always find solace that he HOPES the Mariners will eventually be winners…but if not, “meh.” The newer fan lives and dies on the hope they will return at some point to the “glory days” of Lou Pinella. I would posit that the long term fan does not suffer from high blood pressure or stress as much as the latter.

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

Cross-Strait Power Cable Project Still In Works (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110913/news/309139988/cross-strait-power-cable-project-still-in-works

Closure of Boardman Coal Fired Power Plant Will Help Clear Columbia Gorge Air (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/sep/12/closure-of-plant-will-help-clear-gorge-air/

Seven Regional Aluminum Plants Gone (Hungry Horse News, MT)

http://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/hungryhorsenews/article_9ef13c54-d3dd-11e0-9d88-001cc4c002e0.html

Same Song, Different Arena - South Carolina Alcoa Plant to Close without Lower Power Rate (Steel Guru)

http://www.steelguru.com/metals_news/SC_Alcoa_plant_to_close_without_lower_power_rate/224714.html

Errant Critter Blamed for Centralia Outage (KELA Radio Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/common/more.php?m=15&r=3&item_id=140

Disaster Plan Helps Your Family, Home Weather a Storm (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2016144791_dplan12.html

Nuclear Power Plant Owner & State of Vermont Square Off at Trial over Plant’s Future (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/industries/nuclear-plant-owner-and-state-of-vermont-square-off-at-trial-over-its-future/2011/09/12/gIQAmt12MK_story.html?wprss=rss_national

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Staff: Reassess Earthquake Risk at Nuke Plants (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016185624_apusnuclearplantssafety.html

US Nuclear Energy Agency’s Safety Plan Irks Germany, Others (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016185698_apunnuclearagencypostfukushimaplan.html

How Dead Is Yucca Mountain? (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/12/how-dead-is-yucca-mountain/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Texas - Dallas Electric Company Closing Two Power Plant Units & Cutting 500 Jobs (CBS Dallas/Fort Worth, TX)

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/09/12/dallas-electric-company-closing-2-power-plants-cutting-500-jobs/

California Legislature Drops Surcharge for Energy Research (Associated Press)

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/09/12/general-ca-energy-tax_8674080.html

Editorial - New Pacific Gas & Electric CEO Needs to Focus on Fixing Utility, Not Profits (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_18880032

Illinois Governor Vetoes Bill to Raise Illinois Electric Rates To Modernize Power Grid (Chicago Tribune, IL)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-electricrates,0,7662160.story

FISH & WILDLIFE

Canada - Sockeye Salmon Coming Back to the Okanagan (Kelowna Capital News, BC)

http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/kelownacapitalnews/news/129692853.html

Op/Ed - No Need to Rethink Salmon Plan That Pays Healthy Returns (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/web/opinion/26842395-47/plan-salmon-returns-court-columbia.html.csp

Note Source Material - Snake River Salmon Climb Almost 7,000 Ft (National Geographic Magazine)

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2011/09/12/snake-river-salmon-climb-almost-7000-ft/

Engineered Salmon Still a Distant Reality (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016181130_apusmodifiedsalmon.html

The Elwha Dams, Part 3 - Fisheries, Dams Linked in 1980s (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110913/NEWS/309139992/the-elwha-dams-part-3-historical-series-8212-fisheries-dams

Snowy Plovers Show Encouraging Signs of Recovery along Oregon Coast (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/09/snowy_plovers_show_encouraging_signs_of_recovery_along_oregon_coast.html

California - Record Fish Numbers Caught in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Water Pumps (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_18880018

Growing Jelly Fish Invasion in Puget Sound (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Growing-jelly-fish-invasion-in-Puget-Sound-129695368.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Seattle - We’re Conserving, But Water Rates May Climb (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016189719_water13m.html

US Senator Lisa Murkowski to Co-Chair Oceans Caucus – Cantwell, Murray, Wyden also on Panel (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/story/15442268/murkowski-to-co-chair-oceans-caucus

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Selling Wind Energy Project to Gain Stimulus Funds (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/13/3905157/smud-selling-wind-energy-project.html

California - Solar Plans on Altamont Pass Raise Land Use Issue (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/10/MNHA1KS01E.DTL

Oregon - Ocean Power Technologies, Lockheed Martin Collaborate on Wave Power (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.renewable-energy.wave-title.2011.09.Ocean_Power_Technologies__Lockheed_Martin_collaborate_on_wave_power.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

New Grid-Friendly Car Charger is Used for Wind Energy (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndu.com/story/15445943/new-grid-friendly-car-charger-is-used-for-wind-energy

Report: To Use More Wind Energy, Add Electric Cars (Oregon Public Radio)

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

Renewable Energy Corp Sees Rival Solar Producers Liquidated in Market ‘Shake Up’ (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-13/rec-sees-rival-solar-producers-liquidated-in-market-shake-up-.html

SoloPower Discloses $9.6 Million Investment Round (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/09/solopower_discloses_96_million.html

Canada - Misunderstandings Surround Green Energy Project (Merritt Herald, BC)

http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_thompson_nicola/merrittherald/news/129688823.html

Google Approves - Hog Waste Producing Electricity, Carbon Offsets (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display/0691981318/articles/electric-light-power/renewable-energy/2011/09/Hog_waste_producing_electricity__carbon_offsets.html

Babcock & Wilcox Gets $205M to Build, Run New Hampshire Biomass Plant (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/power_city/2011/09/babcock-wilcox-gets-205m-to-build.html

High Winds Lead United Kingdom to Halt Turbines for Third Night (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/13/britain-wind-power-idAFL5E7KD1QS20110913

Op/Ed - Renewable Energy: Too Cheap to Meter? (Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA)

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/rtd-opinion/2011/sep/13/tdopin02-renewable-energy-too-cheap-to-meter-ar-1304276/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

It’s Time for a Renovation Revolution (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/columns/2011/09/its-time-for-a-renovation-revolution.html

What Makes Consumers Care About the Smart Grid? (Green Tech Media)

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/What-Makes-Consumers-Care-About-the-Smart-Grid/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Cheers, Howls for Australia’s Carbon Tax Bill (AFP)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gtUyZy8yKP9Tbj2a7gWiooI6DDOA?docId=CNG.2d64f3efd650ddd7978de0ab307894c8.4c1

Giant Red Crabs Invade the Antarctic Abyss (New Scientist)

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20876-giant-red-crabs-invade-the-antarctic-abyss.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Study: Switching from Diesel to Natural Gas Could Save Washington State Ferries Millions (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/sep/12/switching-from-diesel-to-natural-gas-could-save/

Water-Filled Plastic Bottles in Roof Can Replace Light Bulbs During Day (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2011/09/water-filled-plastic-bottles-in-roof-can-replace-light-bulbs-during-day.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Mason General Hospital Named Most Wired – Amazing What a Little Fiber in Your Diet Will Do (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/14282-mason-general-named-most-wired-again

Feds Spur Ultrafast Broadband App Development (Information Week)

http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/231601234?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_News

Cool Finnish Weather the New Hotness for Data Centers (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/cool-finnish-weather-the-new-hotness-for-green-data-centers/

How Many Pages Are on the Internet? (Cable News Network)

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/09/12/web.index/index.html?hpt=hp_bn6

Costly Gadget Lets You Get Email Anywhere (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110911/biz/709119941/-1/rss03

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

State Auditor Brian Sonntag to Step Down After 20 Years (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2016185634_state_auditor_brian_sonntag_to.html

Seattle Approves Paid Sick-Leave Requirement (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016188951_paidsickleave13m.html

U.S. Spending Billions on Rural Jobs, but Impact Is Uncertain (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/us/13rural.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

GENERAL NEWS

Weather, Geography Slow Olympic National Forest Wildfire Near Brinnon (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/sep/12/weather-geography-slow-wildfire-near-brinnon/

Mobile home, vehicles hit by Grand Mound brush fire Near I-5 (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/common/more.php?m=15&r=3&item_id=139

Officials Warn About Unhealthy Eastern Washington Air from Fire (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/129703973.html

Tacoma Teachers Hit the Picket Lines (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/09/13/1822188/tacoma-teachers-hit-the-picket.html

Students Sweat It Out after Metal Thieves Strike (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/29163113/detail.html

Rubber-Stamped DUI’s: Police Sergeant Retires (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016185788_duisergeant13m.html

Oregon - Stuck Truck Helps Hermiston Police Catch Would-be Metal Thieves (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/129680618.html

Seven Things You Should Do to Maintain Your Home Before Fall (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110911/BIZ/709119943

DIVERSIONS

Restaurant Sues Over ‘Carcass Removal’ Listing

http://www.kirotv.com/news/29158356/detail.html

Miniskirt Ban at San Jose School Also Applies to Cheerleader Uniforms

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_18879431

Boise Man Detains Would-Be Thief, Sitting on Him

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/09/boise_man_detains_would-be_thief_sitting_on_him.html

Harvest Moon: Why Does the Moon Look So Big?

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2011/0912/Harvest-moon-Why-does-the-moon-look-so-big

SONG OF THE DAY

Laurel & Hardy - Shine on Harvest Moon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72qZZapTHFo

The White Stripes - Shine on Harvest Moon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdYpBlJC0Ek

Energy News Digest for September 12, 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

Federal Energy Commission Launches Investigation into Blackout (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/federal-energy-commission-launches-investigation-into-blackout.html

Explosion at Nuclear Plant in Southern France (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/explosion-nuclear-plant-southern-france-115953676.html

California - Sacramento Municipal Utility District Makes Last-Minute Push to Change State’s Green Power Law (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/09/3897459/smud-makes-last-minute-push-to.html

Washington State Governor Says State Must Brace for Another $1.5 Billion Shortfall in Revenue (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110909/news01/709099750/-1/rss02

Olympic National Forest - Big Hump Fire Growth Slows (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/14200-big-hump-fire-growth-slows

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Federal Energy Commission Launches Investigation into Blackout
• Southwest Power Back On, But Blackout Still a Mystery
• BPA Watching Power Failure in Arizona
• Could the Massive West Coast Blackout Have Been Prevented?
• Blackout Separates the Ready from the Ill-Prepared
• Explosion at Nuclear Plant in Southern France
• Trial to Start in Vermont’s Bid to Close Nuclear Power Plant
• City of Tacoma Transfers Lands to Skokomish Tribe - Cushman Hydro Project Settlement
• City of Hermiston to Study Two-Tier Rate System; Council Executive Session Set Monday
• Editorial - Now, for the Good News: Columbia Falls Aluminum
• Alaska - Juneau’s Power Supply Has 19th-Century Roots
• Massachusetts - A Municipal Buzz: Legislation to Ease Formation of Local Utilities Gets Boost from Storm
• Michigan - Judge Dismisses Case over Pollution at DTE Power Plant
• Electric Cooperatives Battling Copper Thefts
• US Energy Secretary Chu Announces $14 Million for Projects to Advance IGCC Technology
• Cleaning Up Large Debris in Preparation for Condit Dam Breaching; Reservoir to Empty in Six Hours
• Inspired Voices at Elwha Heritage Center Reflect on Dam Removals
• The Elwha Dams, Part 1 - Aldwell Stakes a Claim to Build ‘Opportunity’
• The Elwha Dams, Part 2 - As Dams Age, Federal Regulations Grow
• Death of Albatross in Fishing-Related Accident May Lead to Tighter Rules
• Cantwell Aims to Halt Alaska Gold Mine
• Nisqually River Delta Now an Aquatic Reserve
• California - Sacramento Municipal Utility District Makes Last-Minute Push to Change State’s Green Power Law
• Oregon Gets $600,000 Offshore Wind Research Grant
• GE Guts Offshore Wind-Power Plans
• Editorial - Lessons for Government in Energy Firm Failure
• Waste-To-Energy Plant Could be Model for Maryland’s Electric Future
• Biomass: AREVA-led Consortium Launches a New Project in France
• Efficiencies, Energy Audits Cutting Demand for Electricity
• Incandescent Light Bulb Hoarding: Blame It on New Energy Standards
• Study: Climate Change Little Affected by Shift from Coal to Natural Gas
• Arctic Ice Level Drops to Historic Low
• Canada - Green Scientist Defends Private Power Support
• Analysis: Electric Car Hype Hiding a Quiet Revolution
• Real World Test: What if Your Nissan Leaf EV Battery Dies?
• Around the World on Solar Power Alone
• Greenpeace Storms Volkswagen Garages
• September 8 Hotmail Disruption Sparks User Protests
• Consumers Cut Pay-TV Service for Web-Based Programming
• AOL Reported Mulling Yahoo Offer
• Yahoo’s Ousted CEO Calls Board ‘Doofuses’
• California Lawmakers Approve Amazon Tax Compromise
• Microsoft Hopes to Prove Future Viability with Windows 8
• Washington State Governor Says State Must Brace for Another $1.5 Billion Shortfall in Revenue
• Washington State Lawmakers Sign Off on Pay Cut Waiver
• Change Would Boost Washington State’s Future Pension Costs
• Washington State Governor - McKenna Outspends Inslee in First Leg of Long Race
• Spokane Republican Eyes Run Against US Senator Cantwell
• States Rethinking Tax Credits as Job Creation Tool
• Olympic National Forest - Big Hump Fire Growth Slows
• Wildfire near Goldendale 50 Percent Contained
• On a Hot Streak: Seattle Breaks Weather Record
• West Coast Log & Lumber Exports Jump in 2011, Fueled by China’s Building Boom
• State Ethics Board: High-Ranking DOC Employee Spent Taxpayer Resources on Own Non-Profits
• Mason County Patriot Day Recognition

WORD OF THE DAY

Contumacious • \conn-too-MAY-shush\ • Adjective - Stubbornly disobedient: rebellious

Contumacious: the terrible twos and the terrifying teens. ‘Nuff said.

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

Federal Energy Commission Launches Investigation into Blackout (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/federal-energy-commission-launches-investigation-into-blackout.html

Southwest Power Back On, But Blackout Still a Mystery (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016162759_outage10.html

BPA Watching Power Failure in Arizona (KBND Radio, Bend, OR)

http://www.kbnd.com/page.php?page_id=60248&article_id=9840

Could the Massive West Coast Blackout Have Been Prevented? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0909/Could-the-massive-West-Coast-blackout-have-been-prevented

Blackout Separates the Ready from the Ill-Prepared (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016160830_apuspoweroutagepreparedness.html

Explosion at Nuclear Plant in Southern France (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/explosion-nuclear-plant-southern-france-115953676.html

Trial to Start in Vermont’s Bid to Close Nuclear Power Plant (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/09/11/national/a092816D40.DTL

City of Tacoma Transfers Lands to Skokomish Tribe - Cushman Hydro Project Settlement (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/sep/09/tacoma-transfer-lands-to-skokomish-tribe/

City of Hermiston to Study Two-Tier Rate System; Council Executive Session Set Monday (Hermiston Herald, OR)

http://www.hermistonherald.com/news/hermiston-to-study-two-tier-rate-system-council-executive-session/article_bd434c6e-db31-11e0-b47c-001cc4c03286.html

Editorial - Now, for the Good News: Columbia Falls Aluminum (Flathead Beacon, Kalispell, MT)

http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/now_for_the_good_news/24549/

Alaska - Juneau’s Power Supply Has 19th-Century Roots (Juneau Empire, AK)

http://juneauempire.com/neighbors/2011-09-11/juneaus-power-supply-has-19th-century-roots#.Tm4uQNRG5Bk

Massachusetts - A Municipal Buzz: Legislation to Ease Formation of Local Utilities Gets Boost from Storm (Boston Globe, MA)

http://articles.boston.com/2011-09-10/business/30139894_1_local-utilities-national-grid-big-utilities

Michigan - Judge Dismisses Case over Pollution at DTE Power Plant (Associated Press)

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9PLSRV00.htm

Electric Cooperatives Battling Copper Thefts (Houston Herald, TX)
http://www.houstonherald.com/news/electric-cooperatives-battling-copper-thefts/article_152b91ea-dc8e-11e0-ba4d-001cc4c002e0.html

US Energy Secretary Chu Announces $14 Million for Projects to Advance IGCC Technology (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.generation.coal.2011.09.Secretary_Chu_announces__14_million_for_projects_to_advance_IGCC_technology.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Cleaning Up Large Debris in Preparation for Condit Dam Breaching; Reservoir to Empty in Six Hours (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/412242.aspx

Inspired Voices at Elwha Heritage Center Reflect on Dam Removals (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110912/NEWS/309129992/celebrate-elwha-8212-inspired-voices-at-elwha-heritage-center

The Elwha Dams, Part 1 - Aldwell Stakes a Claim to Build ‘Opportunity’ (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110911/NEWS/309119983/the-elwha-dams-part-i-historical-series-8212-aldwell-stakes-a

The Elwha Dams, Part 2 - As Dams Age, Federal Regulations Grow (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110912/news/309129994/the-elwha-dams-part-2-historical-series-8212-as-dams-age

Death of Albatross in Fishing-Related Accident May Lead to Tighter Rules (And bad luck for that fishing boat – Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016161464_aporalbatrossfishingboats.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Cantwell Aims to Halt Alaska Gold Mine (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016180120_goldmine12.html

Nisqually River Delta Now an Aquatic Reserve (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/09/10/1817262/nisqually-now-an-aquatic-reserve.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California - Sacramento Municipal Utility District Makes Last-Minute Push to Change State’s Green Power Law (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/09/3897459/smud-makes-last-minute-push-to.html

Oregon Gets $600,000 Offshore Wind Research Grant (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/09/oregon-gets-offshore-wind-research-grant.html

GE Guts Offshore Wind-Power Plans (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2011/09/10/ge-guts-offshore-wind-power-plans/

Editorial - Lessons for Government in Energy Firm Failure (Austin American Statesman, TX)

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/lessons-for-government-in-energy-firm-failure-1843864.html

Waste-To-Energy Plant Could be Model for Maryland’s Electric Future (Baltimore Sun, MD)

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-09-10/business/bs-bz-hancock-fairfield-generation-20110910_1_electricity-plant-power-plants-coal-burning-plant

Biomass: AREVA-led Consortium Launches a New Project in France (4-Traders)

http://www.4-traders.com/AREVA-8084917/news/AREVA-Biomass-AREVA-led-Consortium-Launches-a-New-Project-in-France-13791899/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Efficiencies, Energy Audits Cutting Demand for Electricity (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/sep/11/efficiencies-energy-audits-cutting-demand-for/

Incandescent Light Bulb Hoarding: Blame It on New Energy Standards (Indianapolis Star, IN)

http://www.indystar.com/article/20110910/LIVING28/109100311/Incandescant-light-bulb-hoarding-Blame-it-on-new-energy-standards?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|LIVING

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Study: Climate Change Little Affected by Shift from Coal to Natural Gas (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/09/climate-change-natural-gas-coal/1

Arctic Ice Level Drops to Historic Low (Sydney Morning Herald, AUS)

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/arctic-ice-level-drops-to-historic-low-20110911-1k3s1.html

Canada - Green Scientist Defends Private Power Support (The Province, Vancouver, BC)

http://www.theprovince.com/technology/Green+scientist+defends+private+power+support/5384519/story.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Analysis: Electric Car Hype Hiding a Quiet Revolution (Reuters)

http://www.theprovince.com/cars/Analysis+Electric+hype+hiding+quiet+revolution/5387771/story.html

Real World Test: What if Your Nissan Leaf EV Battery Dies? (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/09/range-anxiety-what-if-you-drive-nissan-leaf-ev-till-battery-dies/1?csp=34money

Around the World on Solar Power Alone (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/12/business/global/around-the-world-on-solar-power-alone.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Greenpeace Storms Volkswagen Garages (Scotsman, UK)

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/uk/Greenpeace-storms-VW-garages.6834215.jp

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

September 8 Hotmail Disruption Sparks User Protests (Information Week)

http://www.informationweek.com/news/cloud-computing/software/231601159?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_News

Consumers Cut Pay-TV Service for Web-Based Programming (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-09-09/cable-tv-internet-entertainment/50362398/1?csp=34money

AOL Reported Mulling Yahoo Offer (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/09/09/aol-reported-mulling-yahoo-offer.html

Yahoo’s Ousted CEO Calls Board ‘Doofuses’ (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/11/BUJ51L26R6.DTL

California Lawmakers Approve Amazon Tax Compromise (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/California-Senate-OKs-Web-sales-tax-compromise-2163793.php

Microsoft Hopes to Prove Future Viability with Windows 8 (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=544422

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Governor Says State Must Brace for Another $1.5 Billion Shortfall in Revenue (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110909/news01/709099750/-1/rss02

Washington State Lawmakers Sign Off on Pay Cut Waiver (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=543749

Change Would Boost Washington State’s Future Pension Costs (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/09/10/1794337/change-would-boost-washingtons.html

Washington State Governor - McKenna Outspends Inslee in First Leg of Long Race (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/09/12/mckenna-spends-more-than-inslee-in-first-few-months/

Spokane Republican Eyes Run Against US Senator Cantwell (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Eastern-Wash-Republican-eyes-running-against-Sen-Cantwell-129568118.html

States Rethinking Tax Credits as Job Creation Tool (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/09/10/national/a110057D90.DTL

GENERAL NEWS

Olympic National Forest - Big Hump Fire Growth Slows (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/14200-big-hump-fire-growth-slows

Wildfire near Goldendale 50 Percent Contained (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Wildfire-near-Goldendale-50-percent-contained-129652978.html

On a Hot Streak: Seattle Breaks Weather Record (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016180285_weather12m.html

West Coast Log & Lumber Exports Jump in 2011, Fueled by China’s Building Boom (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/09/west_coast_log_and_lumber_expo.html

State Ethics Board: High-Ranking DOC Employee Spent Taxpayer Resources on Own Non-Profits

http://www.kirotv.com/news/29137524/detail.html

Mason County Patriot Day Recognition (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/14199-patriot-day-recognition-

DIVERSIONS

Error Coins: Worker Stole $2.4 Million from US Mint

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2011/0909/Error-coins-Worker-stole-2.4-million-from-US-Mint

Ellensburg Hypnotherapist Claims Church Exemption

http://www.kndu.com/story/15427828/ellensburg-hypnotherapist-claims-church-exemption

Millionaire’s Son Wins $107 Million Lottery Jackpot

http://www.kirotv.com/money/29129623/detail.html

PETA Calling - Hair Extension Company Faces Feather Complaint

http://www.kirotv.com/news/29132503/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Joe Cocker- I Put A Spell On You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mudab8EJMwA

From Sandpaper to Silk

Nina Simone - I Put A Spell On You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y99tXNxV5s