Energy News Digest for December 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

Supreme Court Hears Dispute Over Ownership of Montana’s Rivers (PBS)

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july-dec11/scotus_12-07.html

Nuke Chief Who Opposes Yucca Accused of Damaging Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Associated Press)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/12/10/1748793/update-nuke-chief-who-opposes.html

Climate Conference Approves Landmark Deal (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016988441_apafclimateconference.html

Top Five Places to Build a New Data Center - Hello Eastern Washington! (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cloud/latimer-where-to-build-data-center/

Columnist - FERC Sends Message That Wind Power Has Priority in the Pacific Northwest (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/12/12/1913283/ferc-sends-message-that-wind-power.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Nuke Chief Who Opposes Yucca Accused of Damaging Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Thieving Crew Clearing Out Houses, Pretending to be from Pacific Power
• New Twist: BPA Pays Customers to Consume More at Times of Plenty
• City Of Portland Tells Investors Utility Lawsuit Could Top $50 Million if it Loses on All Points
• Grant PUD Customers Help Share the Warmth
• Northeast States Cut Heating Aid to Poor
• Who’s Killing the Coal-Fired Power Plant?
• Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky & Texas are Top States in Terms of Toxic Power Plant Air Pollution
• Fracking: Pollution Finding Could Hurt Gas Drilling
• Hot Diggity Dams, They Store Lots of Energy
• The Future of the Electric Grid May be More Costly & Less Reliable
• Battersea Power Station - White Elephant for Sale in London, Again
• Nez Perce Hatchery Strategy Pays Big Dividends for Snake River Fall Chinook - Raises Big Questions for Pacific Northwest
• Columbia River Tribes Try Selective Fishing to Boost Catch without Harming Wild Salmon
• Hood Canal salmon projects total nearly $4 million
• Tightened Catch Limits Alarm Halibut Fisheries
• Op/Ed – Bill Taylor: Shellfish Growers Will Create Jobs & Help Clean Up Puget Sound
• New Rule on Endangered Species Would End State-By-State Listing for Threatened Plants, Animals
• Salmon Raised at Bellingham College Donated to Food Bank
• Supreme Court Hears Dispute Over Ownership of Montana’s Rivers
• Bonneville Power Administration Lake Plan Irks Pend Oreille Basin Commission
• California - Napa River Restoration Project Serves as Model
• Renewable Energy Thirst Fueled Wind Farms on Gusty Ridges
• Wind, Hydro Operations Create Balancing Act for Regulators
• Bat Deaths Mount near Wind Farms
• For Near Neighbors, Turbines a Noisy Prospect
• Wind Power Helps Keep Maryhill Museum in Business
• Columnist - FERC Sends Message That Wind Power Has Priority in the Pacific Northwest
• Editorial - Wind Wins & You Lose
• Stevens County - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle All In A Biomass Project
• North Carolina - US Fish & Wildlife Service Objects to Pantego Wind Farm
• Op/Ed - An Unfair Fight for Renewable Energies
• Reining In the ‘Soft Costs’ of Solar
• Eastside Organizations Expect Combined Savings of $482,000 through Puget Sound Energy Program
• Nonprofit’s Program Lets TV Viewers Tune in to Energy Savings
• Now Is the Perfect Time to Winterize Your Home
• Can Space Heaters Lower Your Energy Bill?
• Energy Efficiency First, Renewables Later
• Climate Conference Approves Landmark Deal
• Tennessee - Charging Stations for Electric Cars are Mostly Idle
• Electric Vehicles Carry Unfamiliar Challenges for Drivers & Mechanics
• Top Five Places to Build a New Data Center - Hello Eastern Washington!
• AT&T Sues FCC over Universal Service Fund Reform for Broadband
• Op/Ed - Bust the Broadband Trusts, Obama!
• University Place’s Credit Rating Downgraded
• Muni Bonds Still Safe, Tax-Free Option Despite Doomsday Talk
• Washington State Budget Cuts Cause Concerns over Digital Record Preservation
• Occupy Protests Underway at Portland, West Coast Ports
• Metal Theft Rates Spike, Harming Local Businesses & Schools
• Forbes: Washington Ranks No. 7 for Doing Business
• Outer Space Weather Forecast for Earth Contains Plenty of Solar Wind

WORD OF THE DAY

Zeitgeist • \ZITE-guy-st\ • Noun - The general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era.

“This is just GREAT,” moaned 52-year old Abernathy to his aging bar pals. “The 40’s had the battle against fascism in World War Two; the 60’s had a social revolution and upheaval over Viet Nam; and what is MY generation’s Zeitgeist? – Disco!”

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

Nuke Chief Who Opposes Yucca Accused of Damaging Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Associated Press)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/12/10/1748793/update-nuke-chief-who-opposes.html

Thieving Crew Clearing Out Houses, Pretending to be from Pacific Power (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Pacific-Power-thiev-135357233.html

New Twist: BPA Pays Customers to Consume More at Times of Plenty (AOL Energy News)

http://energy.aol.com/2011/12/09/new-twist-bpa-pays-customers-to-consume-more-at-times-of-plenty/

US to Seek Submersible Power Cable for 980-MW McNary (HydroWorld)

http://www.hydroworld.com/index/display/article-display.articles.hrhrw.tendersandnotices.tenders.2011.12.u_s_-to_seek_submersible.html.html

City Of Portland Tells Investors Utility Lawsuit Could Top $50 Million if it Loses on All Points (Oregonian, Portland)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2011/12/city_tells_investors_utility_l.html

Grant PUD Customers Help Share the Warmth (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_0193603a-21c2-11e1-9831-001871e3ce6c.html

Northeast States Cut Heating Aid to Poor (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016988333_apusheatingaidcuts.html

Who’s Killing the Coal-Fired Power Plant? (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/69922.html

Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky & Texas are Top States in Terms of Toxic Power Plant Air Pollution (Environmental Integrity)

http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/12_07_2011.php

Fracking: Pollution Finding Could Hurt Gas Drilling (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1211/Fracking-Pollution-finding-could-hurt-gas-drilling

Hot Diggity Dams, They Store Lots of Energy (Kearney Hub, NE)

http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/opinion/article_6d9ba1bc-21bc-11e1-a5c0-0019bb2963f4.html

The Future of the Electric Grid May be More Costly & Less Reliable (AOL News)

http://energy.aol.com/2011/12/07/the-future-of-the-electric-grid-may-be-more-costly-and-less-reli/

Battersea Power Station - White Elephant for Sale in London, Again (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/10/business/global/londons-battersea-power-station-for-sale-again.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Nez Perce Hatchery Strategy Pays Big Dividends for Snake River Fall Chinook - Raises Big Questions for Pacific Northwest (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/12/nez_perce_hatchery_strategy_pa.html#cmpid=22290053

Columbia River Tribes Try Selective Fishing to Boost Catch without Harming Wild Salmon (High Country News)

http://www.hcn.org/issues/43.21/tribes-try-selective-fishing-to-boost-catch-without-harming-wild-salmon

Hood Canal Salmon Projects Total Nearly $4 Million (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/dec/11/hood-canal-salmon-projects-total-nearly-4/

Tightened Catch Limits Alarm Halibut Fisheries (Associated Press)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/10/tightened-catch-limits-alarm-halibut-fisheries/

Op/Ed – Bill Taylor: Shellfish Growers Will Create Jobs & Help Clean Up Puget Sound (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/12/1910399/shellfish-growers-will-create.html

New Rule on Endangered Species Would End State-By-State Listing for Threatened Plants, Animals (Associated Press)

Http://Www.Washingtonpost.Com/Politics/New-Rule-On-Endangered-Species-Would-End-State-By-State-Listing-For-Threatened-Plants-Animals/2011/12/09/Giqawj9dio_Story.Html

Salmon Raised at Bellingham College Donated to Food Bank (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/11/1909891/salmon-raised-at-wa-college-donated.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Supreme Court Hears Dispute Over Ownership of Montana’s Rivers (PBS)

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july-dec11/scotus_12-07.html

Bonneville Power Administration Lake Plan Irks Pend Oreille Basin Commission (Bonner County Daily Bee, Sandpoint, ID)

http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/news/local/article_d28bcc5a-2301-11e1-90d5-0019bb2963f4.html

California - Napa River Restoration Project Serves as Model (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/10/MNKP1MAOVH.DTL

SPOKESMAN REVIEW IS ALL ABOUT WIND LAST WEEKEND

Renewable Energy Thirst Fueled Wind Farms on Gusty Ridges (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/11/winds-of-change/

Wind, Hydro Operations Create Balancing Act for Regulators (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/11/wind-hydro-operations-create-balancing-act-for/

Bat Deaths Mount near Wind Farms (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/11/bat-deaths-mount-near-wind-farms/

For Near Neighbors, Turbines a Noisy Prospect (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/11/for-near-neighbors-a-noisy-prospect/

Wind Power Helps Keep Maryhill Museum in Business (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/11/wind-power-helps-keep-maryhill-museum-in-business/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Columnist - FERC Sends Message That Wind Power Has Priority in the Pacific Northwest (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/12/12/1913283/ferc-sends-message-that-wind-power.html

Editorial - Wind Wins & You Lose (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)

http://democratherald.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-wind-wins-and-you-lose/article_cf6b8392-2286-11e1-a1b8-0019bb2963f4.html

Stevens County - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle All In A Biomass Project (AOL News)

http://energy.aol.com/2011/12/12/reduce-reuse-recycle-all-in-a-biomass-project/

North Carolina - US Fish & Wildlife Service Objects to Pantego Wind Farm “...filing did not stipulate what the impact might be but rather than a determination would require a scientific study which might take two to three years…” (Beaufort Observer, Washington, NC)

http://www.beaufortobserver.net/Articles-NEWS-and-COMMENTARY-c-2011-12-09-257498.112112-US-Fish-and-Wildlife-Service-objects-to-Pantego-wind-farm.html

Op/Ed - An Unfair Fight for Renewable Energies (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/an-unfair-fight-for-renewable-energies/2011/12/02/gIQA9lWrTO_story.html

Reining In the ‘Soft Costs’ of Solar (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/reining-in-the-soft-costs-of-solar/?partner=rss&emc=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Eastside Organizations Expect Combined Savings of $482,000 through Puget Sound Energy Program (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=162335

Nonprofit’s Program Lets TV Viewers Tune in to Energy Savings (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/11/energy-forward-efficent-TVs/

Now Is the Perfect Time to Winterize Your Home (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=162372

Can Space Heaters Lower Your Energy Bill? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Simple-Dollar/2011/1210/Can-space-heaters-lower-your-energy-bill

Energy Efficiency First, Renewables Later (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/willem-post/71771/energy-efficiency-first-renewables-later

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Conference Approves Landmark Deal (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016988441_apafclimateconference.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Tennessee - Charging Stations for Electric Cars are Mostly Idle (The Tennessean, Nashville)

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111210/BUSINESS01/312100037/Charging-stations-for-electric-cars-are-mostly-idle

Electric Vehicles Carry Unfamiliar Challenges for Drivers & Mechanics (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/11/4112839/electric-vehicles-carry-unfamiliar.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Top Five Places to Build a New Data Center - Hello Eastern Washington! (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cloud/latimer-where-to-build-data-center/

AT&T Sues FCC over Universal Service Fund Reform for Broadband - As Will the Cable Industry, State PUCs (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Sues-FCC-Over-USF-Reform-117392

Op/Ed - Bust the Broadband Trusts, Obama! (Slate)

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technocracy/2011/12/american_broadband_service_is_dreadful_why_won_t_obama_do_anything_about_it_.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

University Place’s Credit Rating Downgraded (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/12/1942060/university-places-credit-rating.html

Muni Bonds Still Safe, Tax-Free Option Despite Doomsday Talk (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/bonds/story/2011-12-10/cnbc-muni-bonds/51746650/1?csp=34money

Washington State Budget Cuts Cause Concerns over Digital Record Preservation (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Budget-cuts-cause-concerns-over-digital-record-2393399.php

GENERAL NEWS

Occupy Protests Underway at Portland, West Coast Ports (Northwest Cable News)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/135440273.html

Metal Theft Rates Spike, Harming Local Businesses & Schools (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/metal-theft-rates-spike-harming-local-businesses-and-schools/article_d6de9d0a-245f-11e1-9986-001871e3ce6c.html

Forbes: Washington Ranks No. 7 for Doing Business (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/12/1910812/forbes-washington-ranks-no-7-for.html

Outer Space Weather Forecast for Earth Contains Plenty of Solar Wind (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/outer-space-weather-forecast-for-earth-contains-plenty-of-solar-wind/2011/12/05/gIQAmOZmpO_story.html

DIVERSIONS

Stolen Guitar Recovered in Vermont, Pearl Jam Autographs Gone

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/12/stolen-guitar-recovered-in-vt-autographs-gone/

Follow-Up File - Dutch Firm Sorry For High-Rise Design Resembling 9/11 Attack

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Dutch-firm-sorry-for-design-resembling-9-11-attack-2396438.php

Louie Louie, Oh Babe, Where’s the $200,000?

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/12/12/42141.htm

“Angry Birds” Developer Aims Slingshot at Playground

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/12/angrybirds-playgrounds-idUSL6E7NC1VE20111212

SONG OF THE DAY

Pearl Jam – Alive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5mrEAPMLk8

US Supreme Court Hears Dispute Over Ownership of Montana's Rivers (PBS NewsHour)

US Supreme Court Hears Dispute Over Ownership of Montana's Rivers (PBS NewsHour) http://to.pbs.org/u8NHvw

Energy News Digest for December 9, 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

Emotions Still Run High over Bonneville Power Administration Transmission Line Plans (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/08/emotions-still-run-high-over-bpa-plans-nearly-300/

Gregoire Gives Up On Washington State Lawmakers Solving $2 Billion Shortfall This Month (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2016971127_gov_chris_gregoire_on_thursday.html

Bad Winter Air Settles over Pacific Northwest (Oregon Public Radio)

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

Chelan PUD to Lend Fiber Network $16 Million - Loan Would be Paid Back over Ten Years (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/08/pud-chooses-to-borrow-from-itself-to-limit/

Radar Ridge, Et Al - Does Litigation on the Endangered Species Act Cost Jobs & Prevent the Purpose of the Act Itself? (Lexology)

http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=3286f5d4-17e5-4ad6-abf3-48d5b5a97c55

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Emotions Still Run High over Bonneville Power Administration Transmission Line Plans
• Bonneville Power Administration Mulls Citizen-Backed ‘Gray Line’ Route for Power Line
• Midwest Power Line Projects Advance, Despite Opposition
• Thieves Hit Bonneville Power Administration Substation in Tacoma; Reward Offered
• Big Puget Sound Energy Utility Rate Hike May Be Avoided
• Mason County PUD 3 to Consider 2012 Budget
• Clallam County Public Utility District Customers Could See Rates Rise
• Grant PUD Extends Budget Comment Period
• PacifiCorp Energy Plan Dismays Oregon Regulators
• Montana - Bonneville Power Administration Deal Decision Due about Re-Opening Columbia Falls Aluminum
• Alcoa Spent $470,000 on Third Quarter Government Lobbying
• Op/Ed - Dams Need to be Part of Nation’s Energy Solution
• Cold Weather Leaves High Lewis County Heating Bills Looming
• Grays Harbor PUD Has Help Available to Pay Electric Bills but it Needs More Donations
• Chelan County PUD Would Step in for Some Area State Parks
• Regulators Tell Bonneville Power Administration to Stop Pulling the Plug on Wind Farms
• Bonneville Power Administration is Ordered to Change Wind Rules
• Wind Wins: FERC Rules BPA Curtailment of Wind Power “Discriminatory”
• ‘Survival of the Fittest’ for Salmon Supporters
• Bainbridge Council Votes to Keep Its Water Utility – Will Not Contract With Kitsap PUD
• Poll: Water Quality Top Environmental Concern of Pacific NW Residents
• bs at Risk
• Barge Industry Wants Its Share of Federal Backing
• Radar Ridge, Et Al - Does Litigation on the Endangered Species Act Cost Jobs & Prevent the Purpose of the Act Itself?
• Survey: Most Pacific NW Residents OK with Living near Wind Farm
• Wind Turbine Bursts Into Flames as Hurricane-Force Winds Hit Scotland
• Oregon - Integrated Biomass Moving To Mill Site
• $80M Biomass Plant Planned in White Swan
• Proposed Eastern Washington Biomass Facility Debated
• Vancouver Biomass Dead; Moratorium on Light Industrial Development Downtown Alive
• Portland Factory Will Lose 100 of Its 140 Workers as Global Solar Prices, Profits Plunge
• Warren Buffett’s Utility Company to Buy First Solar Plant
• Bainbridge Island - A Magical Meter & Friendly Competition Help One Community Dial Back Energy Use
• Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Announces 2012 Board of Directors
• Feds Question Tennessee Valley Authority’s Thrift - Energy efficiency efforts trail nation’s
• Puget Sound Energy Offers Residential Electric Customers $10-off Instant Rebates on Energy-Efficient LED Bulbs
• New LED, Solar Options for Holiday Decorating
• Rapid Retreat of Chile Glacier Captured in Images
• Plug-In Electric Vehicles That Can Pump Power Back Onto the Grid
• Chelan PUD to Lend Fiber Network $16 Million - Loan Would be Paid Back over Ten Years
• USDA Grant Will Expand Remote Stroke Treatment System
• HP, Microsoft in Cloud Computing Deal
• Google Invests $300M in New Hong Kong Data Center
• Gregoire Gives Up On Washington State Lawmakers Solving $2 Billion Shortfall This Month
• Stormwater Money Could be Used to Balance Washington State Budget
• Washington State Senator Concedes Defeat on Wenatchee Arena Bailout Plan
• Frigid Air Brings Home Fire Risks - Cooking, Space Heaters among Common Causes
• Man Killed after Opening Fire on Police in Kitsap County
• Congressman Larsen Fires Staffers for Drinking on the Job
• Tips to Avoid Christmas Tree Fires
• Lunar Eclipse Saturday Morning

WORD OF THE DAY

Problematic • \prob-leh-MATT-tick\ • Adjective - 1a: posing a problem: difficult to solve or decide b: not definite or settled: uncertain c: open to question or debate: questionable

2: expressing or supporting a possibility

“We gotta fire hose goin’ here at your neighbor’s house and you want us to stop our work so you can water your lawn,” blared the exasperated, red-faced fire brigade captain at the knobby-kneed gardener. “That’s not just problematic, you old coot…it’s downright stupid.”

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

Emotions Still Run High over Bonneville Power Administration Transmission Line Plans (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/08/emotions-still-run-high-over-bpa-plans-nearly-300/

Bonneville Power Administration Mulls Citizen-Backed ‘Gray Line’ Route for Power Line (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/f7d1ae4c-223b-11e1-af43-0019bb2963f4.html

Midwest Power Line Projects Advance, Despite Opposition (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, WI)

http://www.jsonline.com/business/power-line-projects-advance-despite-opposition-from-business-consumer-groups-973c6hu-135291308.html

Thieves Hit Bonneville Power Administration Substation in Tacoma; Reward Offered (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/corporate/BPAnews/nreleases.cfm

Big Puget Sound Energy Utility Rate Hike May Be Avoided (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/08/1905759/big-utility-rate-hike-may-be-avoided.html

Mason County PUD 3 to Consider 2012 Budget (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/19680-pud3-to-consider-2012-budget

Clallam County Public Utility District Customers Could See Rates Rise (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111207/news/312079990/clallam-county-public-utility-district-customers-could-see-rates-rise

Grant PUD Extends Budget Comment Period (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_e0acd3e0-20f6-11e1-9ff3-0019bb2963f4.html

PacifiCorp Energy Plan Dismays Oregon Regulators (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/12/pacificorp_plan_dismays_regula.html

Montana - Bonneville Power Administration Deal Decision Due about Re-Opening Columbia Falls Aluminum (KAJ-TV, Kalispell, MT – BPA’s preference customers are expecting a nice thank you note…)
http://www.kaj18.com/news/power-deal-decision-to-be-released-about-re-opening-cfac/

Alcoa Spent $470,000 on Third Quarter Government Lobbying “…the company reported discussing…power availability from the Tennessee Valley Authority & power authority from the Bonneville Power Administration…” (Bloomberg Businessweek)

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9RGL8N80.htm

Op/Ed - Dams Need to be Part of Nation’s Energy Solution (Edmonds Sun, OK)

http://www.edmondsun.com/opinion/x781757882/Dams-need-to-be-part-of-nation-s-energy-solution

Cold Weather Leaves High Lewis County Heating Bills Looming (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2011/12/cold-weather-leaves-high-lewis-county.html

Grays Harbor PUD Has Help Available to Pay Electric Bills but it Needs More Donations (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kxro.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/pud-has-help-available-to-pay-electric-bills-but-they-need-more-donations/

Chelan County PUD Would Step in for Some Area State Parks (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/07/pud-would-step-in-for-some-area-parks/

YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVIN’ FEELING – ENVIRONMENTAL REDISPATCH

Regulators Tell Bonneville Power Administration to Stop Pulling the Plug on Wind Farms (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/12/regulators_tell_bonneville_to.html

Bonneville Power Administration is Ordered to Change Wind Rules (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/08/business/energy-environment/bonneville-power-ordered-to-change-wind-rules.html

Wind Wins: FERC Rules BPA Curtailment of Wind Power “Discriminatory” (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/12/wind-wins-ferc-rules-bpa-curtailment-of-wind-power-discriminatory?cmpid=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

‘Survival of the Fittest’ for Salmon Supporters - Environmental nonprofits navigate a complicated, dwindling funding landscape to secure grants, other resources (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/07/survival-of-the-fittest/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Bainbridge Council Votes to Keep Its Water Utility – Will Not Contract With Kitsap PUD (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/dec/08/bainbridge-council-votes-to-keep-its-water/

Poll: Water Quality Top Environmental Concern of Pacific NW Residents (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/poll-water-quality-top-environmental-concern-nw-residents/

Oregon - Willamette Falls Locks Deemed Non-Operational, Could Put Jobs at Risk (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/west-linn/index.ssf/2011/12/willamette_falls_locks_deemed.html#cmpid=20382053

Barge Industry Wants Its Share of Federal Backing (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/06/143224362/barge-industry-wants-its-share-of-federal-backing?ft=1&f=2

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Radar Ridge, Et Al - Does Litigation on the Endangered Species Act Cost Jobs & Prevent the Purpose of the Act Itself? (Lexology)

http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=3286f5d4-17e5-4ad6-abf3-48d5b5a97c55

Survey: Most Pacific NW Residents OK with Living near Wind Farm (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/survey-most-nw-residents-ok-living-near-wind-farm/

Wind Turbine Bursts Into Flames as Hurricane-Force Winds Hit Scotland (Scottish TV)

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/286170-wind-turbine-bursts-into-flames-as-hurricane-force-winds-hit-scotland/

Oregon - Integrated Biomass Moving To Mill Site (LaGrande Observer, OR)

http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/News/Local-News/Integrated-Biomass-moving-to-mill-site

$80M Biomass Plant Planned in White Swan (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/12/08/1745986/80m-biomass-plant-planned-in-white.html

Proposed Eastern Washington Biomass Facility Debated (Oregon Public Broadcasting – And Duff Badgely is There)

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

Vancouver Biomass Dead; Moratorium on Light Industrial Development Downtown Alive (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/06/biomass-dead-city-moratorium-light-industrial-deve/

Portland Factory Will Lose 100 of Its 140 Workers as Global Solar Prices, Profits Plunge (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/12/post_66.html

Warren Buffett’s Utility Company to Buy First Solar Plant (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/07/us-firstsolar-midamerican-idUSTRE7B60N020111207

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Bainbridge Island - A Magical Meter & Friendly Competition Help One Community Dial Back Energy Use (Grist Online)

http://www.grist.org/energy-efficiency/2011-12-08-dashboard-hopes-communitys-oh-shit-meter-helps-scale-back-energy

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Announces 2012 Board of Directors - Experienced energy efficiency leaders tapped to help guide regional collaboration (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/07/4106387/neea-announces-2012-board-of-directors.html

Feds Question Tennessee Valley Authority’s Thrift - Energy efficiency efforts trail nation’s (Tennessean, Nashville)

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111209/NEWS11/312090070/Feds-question-TVA-s-thrift

Puget Sound Energy Offers Residential Electric Customers $10-off Instant Rebates on Energy-Efficient LED Bulbs (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=162308

New LED, Solar Options for Holiday Decorating (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=589738

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Rapid Retreat of Chile Glacier Captured in Images (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Rapid-retreat-of-Chile-glacier-captured-in-images-2370354.php

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Plug-In Electric Vehicles That Can Pump Power Back Onto the Grid (Teaneck Patch, NJ)

http://teaneck.patch.com/articles/plug-in-electric-vehicles-that-can-pump-power-back-onto-the-grid

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Chelan PUD to Lend Fiber Network $16 Million - Loan Would be Paid Back over Ten Years (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/08/pud-chooses-to-borrow-from-itself-to-limit/

USDA Grant Will Expand Remote Stroke Treatment System (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/usda-grant-will-expand-remote-stroke-treatment-system/

HP, Microsoft in Cloud Computing Deal (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/HP-Microsoft-in-cloud-computing-deal-2390361.php

Google Invests $300M in New Hong Kong Data Center (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Google-invests-300M-in-new-Hong-Kong-data-center-2381311.php

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Gregoire Gives Up On Washington State Lawmakers Solving $2 Billion Shortfall This Month (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2016971127_gov_chris_gregoire_on_thursday.html

Stormwater Money Could be Used to Balance Washington State Budget (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/08/stormwater-money-could-be-used-to-balance-budget/

Washington State Senator Concedes Defeat on Wenatchee Arena Bailout Plan (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016970700_apwaarenadebttroubles1stldwritethru.html

GENERAL NEWS

Bad Winter Air Settles over Pacific Northwest (Oregon Public Radio)

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

Frigid Air Brings Home Fire Risks - Cooking, Space Heaters among Common Causes (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/08/frigid-air-brings-home-fire-risks/

Man Killed after Opening Fire on Police in Kitsap County (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016971366_shooting09m.html

Congressman Larsen Fires Staffers for Drinking on the Job (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Rep-Larsen-fires-staffers-for-drinking-on-the-job-135280043.html

Tips to Avoid Christmas Tree Fires (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111205/news01/712059932/-1/

Lunar Eclipse Saturday Morning (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Lunar-eclipse-Saturday-morning-135276648.html

DIVERSIONS

Guy Who Tried to Rob Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Now Looks Like This

http://gawker.com/5865462/guy-who-tried-to-rob-mixed-martial-arts-fighter-now-looks-like-this

Seattle’s ‘Metronatural’ Slogan Appears to be Dead

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2011/12/seattles-metronatural-slogan.html

Study: Many of Us Go Online for No Reason

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/02/1898706/study-confirms-many-of-us-go-online.html

MASH Star Harry Morgan Dead at 96

http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/movie-guide/MASH+star+Harry+Morgan+dead/5825584/story.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Johnny Mandel – M*A*S*H Theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7xsh7DcFcc