Energy News Digest for January 13, 2012

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

Puget Sound Braces for Snow this Weekend (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Puget-Sound-braces-for-snow-this-weekend-137274828.html

Vancouver Plant 10th Largest Greenhouse Emitter in Pacific Northwest – “…Transportation is more than half of our greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Washington…” (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jan/12/power-plants-biggest-polluters-vancouver-plant-10t/

Renewable or Not? How States Count Hydropower (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2012/01/13/renewable-or-not-how-states-count-hydropowe/

Renewable-Energy Misery Spreads to Vestas - Danish wind turbine maker slashes jobs, some in Portland (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/renewable-energy_misery_spread.html

Legislation Alert: Washington State Considers Community Broadband Bill (Reclaim the Media)

http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/communications_rights/legislation_alert_washington_s1202

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Vancouver Plant 10th Largest Greenhouse Emitter in Pacific Northwest
• Bonneville Power Administration & Portland General Electric Continue Discussing Potential Collaboration on Transmission Project
• Hoku Materials, Idaho Power Await PUC Ruling on Power Bills
• Op/Ed - Montana Co-Ops Left to Build Power Plant, Not for Lower Rates
• California – Pacific Gas & Electric Diverted Safety Money for Profit, Bonuses
• New York - Vision for Affordable Energy Even if Indian Point Nuclear Plant Is Shut Down
• Texas - Public Meeting Held about Proposed Austin Energy Rate Hike
• Michigan Panel Investigates Electricity Smart Meters
• Northern Puget Sound Prime for Salmon Anglers
• Battle against Pollution Continues in Kitsap Peninsula’s Streams
• Dairy Air Program Lauded, Attacked
• Renewable or Not? How States Count Hydropower
• Renewable-Energy Misery Spreads to Vestas
• Vestas CEO: We Have a ‘Credibility Problem’
• Montana’s Rim Rock Wind Power Developer Obtains Project Financing
• Latham: Natural Gas Blocks Wind Tax Credit
• California - US Senator Boxer Urges SoCal Edison to Expedite Renewable Energy Projects
• Ikea’s Rooftop Solar Array Will Be the Largest in Minnesota
• DC Judge Nixes Delay on Rule for Boiler Emissions
• Clallam PUD Customers to Get CFL Bulbs
• Irrigation Method Saves Power, Water, Money
• What Is This “Connected Appliance” Stuff All About Anyway?
• Finding the Energy Hogs
• Olympic Peninsula Climate Change
• Covering the Coverage: Scientists Propose Cuts in Methane, Soot Emissions
• Investors Say Private Sector Must Tackle Climate Change
• Global Warming Fires up a $300,000 Complaint
• How to Avoid Phone Book Deliveries - And Their Carbon Footprint
• Legislation Alert: Washington State Considers Community Broadband Bill
• Global Broadband Subscribers Inches Up to 600 Million
• The Next Big Thing for Data Centers: DC Power
• Ex-Skamania County Auditor Pleads Not Guilty to Shredding Documents
• New Challenger to Washington State Congresswoman Herrera Beutler Comes Forward
• DelBene Jumps into Washington State’s 1st District Congressional Race
• Puget Sound Braces for Snow this Weekend
• Windy Saturday May Help Lift Area Burn Ban
• Special Weather Statement Issued
• Fawn Lake Woman Reports Attempted Abduction
• Washington State’s Gas-Tax Refunds to Tribes under Fire
• Kent Goes After Tree Toppers – 71 Trees Damaged
• Washington Ski Resorts Benefit from La Nina

WORD OF THE DAY

Kraken • \CRAW-kinn\ • Noun - A fabulous Scandinavian sea monster

Cecil the sea monster was truly a foil for Beanie. The loveable kraken’s origin as an elaborate sock puppet to cartoon character is one of legends of early television, right up there with the Flintstones and Jetsons.

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

Vancouver Plant 10th Largest Greenhouse Emitter in Pacific Northwest – “…Transportation is more than half of our greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Washington…” (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jan/12/power-plants-biggest-polluters-vancouver-plant-10t/

Bonneville Power Administration & Portland General Electric Continue Discussing Potential Collaboration on Transmission Project (Yahoo! Finance)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/bpa-pge-continue-discussing-potential-001200119.html

Hoku Materials, Idaho Power Await PUC Ruling on Power Bills (Pacific Business News, HI)

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2012/01/12/hoku-materials-idaho-power-await-puc.html

Op/Ed - Montana Co-Ops Left to Build Power Plant, Not for Lower Rates (Great Falls Tribune, MT)

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20120113/OPINION/201130319/Co-ops-left-build-power-plant-not-lower-rates

California – Pacific Gas & Electric Diverted Safety Money for Profit, Bonuses (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/12/BAUS1MOSUC.DTL

New York - Vision for Affordable Energy Even if Indian Point Nuclear Plant Is Shut Down (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/nyregion/vision-for-cheap-power-even-if-indian-point-nuclear-plant-is-closed.html

Texas - Public Meeting Held about Proposed Austin Energy Rate Hike - Asking council to raise its customer fee from $6.00 to $22.00 on average (KVUE-TV Austin, TX)

http://www.kvue.com/news/local/Public-meeting-held-about-proposed-Austin-Energy-rate-hike-137227983.html

Michigan Panel Investigates Electricity Smart Meters - Fears by customers, municipalities stir probe of utilities for privacy, safety & opt-out data (The Detroit News, MI)

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120113/BIZ/201130341/1001/BIZ/Michigan-panel-investigates-electricity-smart-meters

FISH & WILDLIFE

Northern Puget Sound Prime for Salmon Anglers (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/jan/13/northern-puget-sound-prime-for-salmon-anglers/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Battle against Pollution Continues in Kitsap Peninsula’s Streams (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jan/12/battle-against-pollution-continues-in-kitsaps/

Dairy Air Program Lauded, Attacked (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/01/12/dairy-air-program-lauded-attacked

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Renewable or Not? How States Count Hydropower (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2012/01/13/renewable-or-not-how-states-count-hydropowe/

Renewable-Energy Misery Spreads to Vestas - Danish wind turbine maker slashes jobs, some in Portland (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/renewable-energy_misery_spread.html

Vestas CEO: We Have a ‘Credibility Problem’ (North America Wind Power)

http://nawindpower.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.9212

Montana’s Rim Rock Wind Power Developer Obtains Project Financing (Re-Charge)

http://www.rechargenews.com/energy/wind/article297575.ece

Latham: Natural Gas Blocks Wind Tax Credit - Gas prices have dropped, making it an affordable wind energy alternative (Des Moines Register, IA)

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120113/BUSINESS/301130009/Latham-Natural-gas-blocks-wind-tax-credit

California - US Senator Boxer Urges SoCal Edison to Expedite Renewable Energy Projects (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-solar-boxer-20120113,0,317264.story

Ikea’s Rooftop Solar Array Will Be the Largest in Minnesota (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, MN)

http://www.startribune.com/business/137226868.html

DC Judge Nixes Delay on Rule for Boiler Emissions (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/13/43030.htm

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Clallam PUD Customers to Get CFL Bulbs (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/7580

Irrigation Method Saves Power, Water, Money (Capital Press)

http://www.capitalpress.com/idaho/JO-LEPA-010612

What Is This “Connected Appliance” Stuff All About Anyway? (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2012/01/what-is-this-connected-appliance-stuff-all-about-anyway.html

Finding the Energy Hogs (The Ottawa Citizen, Ontario)

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/homes/Finding+energy+hogs/5991215/story.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Olympic Peninsula Climate Change (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/21848-olympic-climate-change

Covering the Coverage: Scientists Propose Cuts in Methane, Soot Emissions (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

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

Investors Say Private Sector Must Tackle Climate Change (Reuters)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-climate-investmenttre80c03s-20120112,0,6110901.story

Global Warming Fires up a $300,000 Complaint (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/13/43019.htm

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

How to Avoid Phone Book Deliveries - And Their Carbon Footprint (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/how-avoid-phone-book-deliveries-and-their-carbon-footprint/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Legislation Alert: Washington State Considers Community Broadband Bill (Reclaim the Media)

http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/communications_rights/legislation_alert_washington_s1202

Global Broadband Subscribers Inches Up to 600 Million (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/broadband/global-broadband-subscribers-inch-up-to-600-million/

The Next Big Thing for Data Centers: DC Power (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/the-next-big-thing-for-data-centers-dc-power/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Ex-Skamania County Auditor Pleads Not Guilty to Shredding Documents (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jan/12/former-skamania-county-auditor-pleads-not-guilty-s/

New Challenger to Washington State Congresswoman Herrera Beutler Comes Forward (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jan/12/new-challenger-congresswoman-herrera-beutler-comes/

DelBene Jumps into Washington State’s 1st District Congressional Race (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017221238_apwadelbenecongress.html

GENERAL NEWS

Puget Sound Braces for Snow this Weekend (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Puget-Sound-braces-for-snow-this-weekend-137274828.html

Windy Saturday May Help Lift Area Burn Ban - Stagnant air prompted a burn ban on Wednesday in four Seattle-area counties, but it’s also causing more colorful sunrises & sunsets (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017225187_burnban13m.html

Special Weather Statement Issued (NWS Seattle)

http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WA124C94320300.SpecialWeatherStatement.124C943F7080WA.SEWSPSSEW.60cd8b200c4eb11e47219ccc5bd04256

Fawn Lake Woman Reports Attempted Abduction (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/21802-fawn-lake-woman-reports-attempted-abduction

Washington State’s Gas-Tax Refunds to Tribes under Fire (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017225993_fueltax13m.html

Kent Goes After Tree Toppers – 71 Trees Damaged (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Toppled-Trees-137234083.html

Washington Ski Resorts Benefit from La Nina (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=609634

DIVERSIONS

Ringing Finally Ended, but There’s No Button to Stop Shame

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/nyregion/ringing-finally-stopped-but-concertgoers-alarm-persists.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Radioactive Tissue Holders Pulled From Stores (“Radioactive Tissues” – Great name for a punk rock band…)

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/story/2012-01-13/Tissue-holders-pulled-from-stores-in-NY-elsewhere/52528908/1?csp=34news

It’s Friday the 13th: Laugh if you dare...

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-laugh-at-friday-the-13th-if-you-want-20120112,0,6832968.story

UK Mom Coughs Up Tumor, Now Cancer-Free

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/u-k-mom-coughs-tumor-now-cancer-free-222830384.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Electric Light Orchestra - Telephone Lines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2ds8tCtomQ

Energy News Digest for January 12, 2012

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: Power Plants, Refineries Are Top Pacific NW Greenhouse Gas Polluters (Oregon Public Broadcasting – That is, if you discount transportation)

http://earthfix.opb.org/communities/article/nations-first-greenhouse-gas-data-released/

Grant PUD Supports Federal Hydropower Bill (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_e17704bc-3c71-11e1-bfc0-0019bb2963f4.html

Denmark’s Vestas Wind-Turbine Company Slashing Jobs - 1,600 US layoffs also possible if tax credit not extended (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/denmarks_vestas_wind-turbine_c.html

Bankrupt Solyndra Wants to Pay Worker Bonuses (Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2012/01/12/bankrupt-solyndra-wants-to-pay-execs.html

Snow on the Horizon in Western Washington (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/12/1945800/chance-of-first-snow-in-western.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• EPA: Power Plants, Refineries Are Top Pacific NW Greenhouse Gas Polluters
• 2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Large Facilities
• Grant PUD Supports Federal Hydropower Bill
• Electric Co-ops Press FERC in Pacific Northwest Wind-Water Case
• Oregon - Clatsop County PUD Proposal Irks Pacific Power
• Kittitas County PUD Seeking New Hires
• Mason PUD 3 Commission Report for January 10, 2011
• Natural Gas Falls to Lowest Price in a Decade
• Rigged Market? Law Professors See $300 Million New York Electric Scheme
• Canada - Rising Costs, Coal Plant Closings Leave Grid’s Future Uncertain
• No-Fishing Rule Roils Southern California
• Saving the Unloved Chum Salmon
• Denmark’s Vestas Wind-Turbine Company Slashing Jobs - 1,600 US layoffs also possible
• Bankrupt Solyndra Wants to Pay Worker Bonuses
• Snohomish PUD Adds Wind to Energy Alternatives it is Exploring
• Pacific Gas & Electric Tallies Renewable Energy Gains in 2011
• Michigan - Proposal Would Raise State’s Renewable Electricity Goal to 25% by 2025
• California Considers First-In-Nation Energy Efficiency Standards for Battery Chargers
• Tennessee - Energy Efficiency Is the Target of $26.4 Million in Tennessee Valley Authority Settlement Funds
• Reddit is Having a Blackout on 18 January in Protest Against Anti-Piracy Act
• Amazon’s Big Presence in South Lake Union Ruffling Feathers
• Bing Passes Yahoo in Share of US Searches
• Tacoma City Workers Question New City Manager’s Salary
• Mason County - Trio Burst Into Lilliwaup Home, Steal Guns & Drugs
• Burn Ban - Stage Two Called for Thurston; Still Stage One for Mason
• Snow on the Horizon in Western Washington
• Debris Field from Japan’s Tsunami ‘Lost At Sea’
• More Megaloads Possible for Inland Pacific NW Roads
• Film Crew to Infect Willing Sheltonians

WORD OF THE DAY

Shibboleth • \SHIBB-uh-leth\ • Noun - 1a: a word or saying used by adherents of a party, sect, or belief and usually regarded by others as empty of real meaning b: a widely held belief c: truism, platitude 2a: a use of language regarded as distinctive of a particular group b: a custom or usage regarded as distinguishing one group from others

“We are the party of the people!” proclaimed the animal rights group spokesman. “Did he just realize what he said,” whispered the dubious reporter to her seatmate over the odd shibboleth that rolled off the tongue of the wide-eyed speaker.

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

EPA: Power Plants, Refineries Are Top Pacific NW Greenhouse Gas Polluters (Oregon Public Broadcasting – That is, if you discount transportation)

http://earthfix.opb.org/communities/article/nations-first-greenhouse-gas-data-released/

2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Large Facilities (Environmental Protection Agency)

http://ghgdata.epa.gov/ghgp/main.do#/facility/?q=Facility%20or%20Location&st=WA&fid=&lowE=0&highE=23000000&&g1=1&g2=1&g3=1&g4=1&g5=1&g6=1&g7=1&s1=1&s2=1&s3=1&s4=1&s5=1&s6=1&s7=1&s8=1&s9=1&s301=1&s302=1&s303=1&s304=1&s305=1&s306=1&s401=1&s402=1&s403=1&s404=1&s701=1&s702=1&s703=1&s704=1&s705=1&s706=1&s707=1&s708=1&s709=1&s710=1&s711=1&ss=&so=0&ds=E

Grant PUD Supports Federal Hydropower Bill (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_e17704bc-3c71-11e1-bfc0-0019bb2963f4.html

Electric Co-ops Press FERC in Pacific Northwest Wind-Water Case (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/regulatory-watch/ferc/electric-co-ops-ferc-wind-water-case/38449

Oregon - Clatsop County PUD Proposal Irks Pacific Power (The Daily Astorian, OR)

http://www.dailyastorian.com/free/pud-proposal-irks-pacific-power/article_0330e52e-3c8a-11e1-b2f5-001871e3ce6c.html

Kittitas County PUD Seeking New Hires (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/kittitas-county-pud-seeking-new-hires/article_3f487e4a-3c90-11e1-8c38-001871e3ce6c.html

Mason PUD 3 Commission Report for January 10, 2011 (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=960

Natural Gas Falls to Lowest Price in a Decade (Associated Press)

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2012/01/11/oil_price_drops_close_to_101_on_europe_concerns/

Rigged Market? Law Professors See $300 Million New York Electric Scheme (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/12/42983.htm

Canada - Rising Costs, Coal Plant Closings Leave Grid’s Future Uncertain (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Rising+costs+coal+plant+closings+leave+grid+future+uncertain/5979039/story.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

No-Fishing Rule Roils Southern California (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/no-fishing-rule-roils-southern-california/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Saving the Unloved Chum Salmon (KLCC Radio, Eugene, OR)

http://klcc.org/Feature.asp?FeatureID=3050

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Denmark’s Vestas Wind-Turbine Company Slashing Jobs - 1,600 US layoffs also possible if tax credit not extended (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/denmarks_vestas_wind-turbine_c.html

Bankrupt Solyndra Wants to Pay Worker Bonuses (Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2012/01/12/bankrupt-solyndra-wants-to-pay-execs.html

Snohomish PUD Adds Wind to Energy Alternatives it is Exploring (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120112/NEWS01/701129951

Pacific Gas & Electric Tallies Renewable Energy Gains in 2011 (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/11/4180347/pge-tallies-renewable-energy-gains.html

Michigan - Proposal Would Raise State’s Renewable Electricity Goal to 25% by 2025 (Detroit Free Press, MI)

http://www.freep.com/article/20120112/NEWS06/201120551/Proposal-would-raise-state-s-renewable-electricity-goal-to-25-by-2025

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

California Considers First-In-Nation Energy Efficiency Standards for Battery Chargers (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_19722712

Tennessee - Energy Efficiency Is the Target of $26.4 Million in Tennessee Valley Authority Settlement Funds (The Tennessean, Nashville)

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120111/NEWS/301110120/TN-energy-efficiency-target-2-64-million-TVA-settlement-funds

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Reddit is Having a Blackout on 18 January in Protest Against Anti-Piracy Act (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/5875439/reddit-is-having-a-blackout-on-18-january-in-protest-against-sopa

Amazon’s Big Presence in South Lake Union Ruffling Feathers (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2012/01/11/amazons-big-presence-in-south-lake.html

Bing Passes Yahoo in Share of US Searches (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoftpri0/2017215655_bing_passes_yahoo_in_share_of_us_searches.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Tacoma City Workers Question New City Manager’s Salary (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Tacoma-city-workers-question-new-city-managers-salary-137145758.html

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County - Trio Burst Into Lilliwaup Home, Steal Guns & Drugs (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Trio-burst-into-Lilliwaup-home-steal-guns-and-drugs-137184443.html

Burn Ban - Stage Two Called for Thurston; Still Stage One for Mason (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/21767--stage-two-called-for-thurston-still-stage-one-for-mason

Snow on the Horizon in Western Washington (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/12/1945800/chance-of-first-snow-in-western.html

Debris Field from Japan’s Tsunami ‘Lost At Sea’ (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Debris-field-from-Japans-tsunami-lost-at-sea-137137238.html

More Megaloads Possible for Inland Pacific NW Roads (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/12/more-megaloads-possible-inland-northwest-roads/

Film Crew to Infect Willing Sheltonians (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/21769-film-crew-to-infect-willing-sheltonians

DIVERSIONS

Ringing iPhone halts New York Philharmonic

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_19728244

Velvet Underground Sues Warhol Foundation over Banana

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_19721734

NYC Subway Workers Running “Rate My Rat” Contest

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/nyc-subway-workers-running-rate-rat-contest-213428206.html

Germans Mock President with New "Wulffen" Verb

http://news.yahoo.com/germans-mock-president-wulffen-verb-171235292.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Lou Reed - Satellite of Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH2EgYq_NCY

Energy News Digest for January 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

Thurston PUD Delays Decision on Electric Takeover Study - Meeting: Both Sides Showing Passion (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/11/1944271/thurston-pud-delays-decision-on.html

Nearly 77% of PUD 3 Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/nearly-77-pud-3-electricity/

Governor Gregoire Calls for $3.6 Billion Washington State Transportation Package (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017202485_stateofthestate11m.html

California - State Shift of $500 million from Carbon Fee to Deficit Questioned (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/11/BAAL1MNFM4.DTL

On White Salmon River - Erosion Spooks Northwestern Lake Cabin Owners - Landscape continues to transform two months after breaching of Condit Dam (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jan/11/erosion-spooks-cabin-owners/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Thurston PUD Delays Decision on Electric Takeover Study - Meeting: Both Sides Showing Passion
• Nearly 77% of PUD 3 Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources
• Hydropower Keeps Idaho Emissions Low - Per Capita Rate of Carbon Dioxide is Second Lowest
• EPA: Power Plants Main Global Warming Culprits
• Oregon - Power Purchase Costs Fuel Springfield Utility Board Rate Hike
• New Snohomish PUD Substation Should Limit Number, Length of Camano Island Outages
• NorthWestern & Bonneville Power Administration Agree to Discuss Ways to Collaborate on Mountain States Transmission Intertie Project
• Idaho - Man Gets Prison Sentence for Stealing Cable from Area Farmers
• Contained leak of slightly radioactive water shuts Indian Point nuclear reactor near NYC
• 14 Feet of Snow Covers Alaska Co-op
• On White Salmon River - Erosion Spooks Northwestern Lake Cabin Owners
• Thinking Outside the Pond: What’s the Best Role for Hatchery Fish?
• Editorial - Endangered Species Act Review Needs All Sides
• Report: Wastewater Preferable to Wasting Water
• Oregon Fuel Cell Maker ClearEdge Power Lands $85 Million Order from Austria’s Gussing
• Central Oregon Landfill Could be Electricity Generator if Company Can Harness Methane Gas
• Local Company Converting Cow Waste into Green Energy
• Proposed Oregon Biomass Plant Reaches Milestone
• Wave Farms Face Financial & Regulatory Obstacles
• Want Clean Energy: Try Your Utility
• Nine Things to Consider In “Going Solar” for Your Home
• CES: Energy-Saving Gadgets, Samsung Appliances Debut
• California - State Shift of $500 million from Carbon Fee to Deficit Questioned
• Statewide Washington Plastic-Bag Ban Proposed
• Biodiesel Users See Benefits in Central Oregon
• Loss of Ethanol Subsidy Boosts E85 Prices Significantly
• Who Knew? Data Center Segment Is Hot, Hot, Hot!
• Governor Gregoire Calls for $3.6 Billion Washington State Transportation Package
• Greg Nickels Considering Run for Washington’s Secretary of State
• City of Grand Coulee Reimburses Mayor for Most Recall Expenses
• California - Mountain View Council Sticks With Action Minutes
• Lowland Snow in the Forecast for Next Week
• Man Gets Five Years in Prison for Allyn Crash That Killed Three
• Belfair Sewer Law Passes after Moratorium Removed
• Judge Dismisses Hanford Whistleblower Lawsuit
• Tumwater to DuPont - Suspected Drunk Driver Hits 100 Mph Going Wrong Way on I-5
• Trend to Charge Extra for Aisle & Window Seats Helps Airlines Boost Bottom Line

WORD OF THE DAY

Encomium • \en-KOE-mee-um\ • Noun - Glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise; also: an expression of this

Abner’s “aw shucks” manner only generated more endearment from the crowd which had showered him with their encomium for saving the town from the “Batfaced Boy Bandit.” “Too bad the ‘Weekly World News’ went out of print,” he mused. “This would have been page one pulp fodder.”

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

Thurston PUD Delays Decision on Electric Takeover Study - Meeting: Both Sides Showing Passion (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/11/1944271/thurston-pud-delays-decision-on.html

Nearly 77% of PUD 3 Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/nearly-77-pud-3-electricity/

Hydropower Keeps Idaho Emissions Low - Per Capita Rate of Carbon Dioxide is Second Lowest (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/11/hydropower-keeps-idaho-emissions-low/

EPA: Power Plants Main Global Warming Culprits (Associated Press – Except in Washington State, where it is transportation)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2017210581_apusgreenhousegases.html

Oregon - Power Purchase Costs Fuel Springfield Utility Board Rate Hike: The BPA & corroding water pipes force SUB to increase its electric & water budgets (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/web/updates/27313365-46/story.csp

New Snohomish PUD substation should limit number, length of Camano Island outages

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120111/NEWS01/701119855/-1/

NorthWestern & Bonneville Power Administration Agree to Discuss Ways to Collaborate on Mountain States Transmission Intertie Project (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/1275367/

Idaho - Man Gets Prison Sentence for Stealing Cable from Area Farmers (Rexburg Standard Journal, ID)

http://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/news/man-gets-prison-sentence-for-stealing-cable-from-area-farmers/article_76324f06-3b2a-11e1-8e6a-0019bb2963f4.html

Contained leak of slightly radioactive water shuts Indian Point nuclear reactor near NYC (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/industries/contained-leak-of-slightly-radioactive-water-shuts-indian-point-nuclear-reactor-near-nyc/2012/01/10/gIQA7gFRoP_story.html

14 Feet of Snow Covers Alaska Co-op (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/weather-effects/response/alaska-co-op-hit-by-snow-storm/38404

FISH & WILDLIFE

On White Salmon River - Erosion Spooks Northwestern Lake Cabin Owners - Landscape continues to transform two months after breaching of Condit Dam (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jan/11/erosion-spooks-cabin-owners/

Thinking Outside the Pond: What’s the Best Role for Hatchery Fish? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/thinking-outside-pond-whats-best-role-hatchery-fish/

Editorial - Endangered Species Act Review Needs All Sides (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/11/1782547/endangered-species-act-review.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Report: Wastewater Preferable to Wasting Water (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/story/2012-01-10/drinking-wastewater/52486508/1?csp=34news

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon Fuel Cell Maker ClearEdge Power Lands $85 Million Order from Austria’s Gussing (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/oregon-fuel-cell-maker-lands-500-million-order-with-austrian-company/2012/01/10/gIQAlGJsoP_story.html?wprss=rss_national

Central Oregon Landfill Could be Electricity Generator if Company Can Harness Methane Gas (Associated Press)

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/2b37c4df093c48bfa2d63a5a03777d7c/OR--Landfill-Methane-Energy/

Local Company Converting Cow Waste into Green Energy (Northwest Cable News)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Local-company-turning-cow-manure-in-green-energy-137021048.html

Proposed Oregon Biomass Plant Reaches Milestone (Biomass Power & Thermal)

http://www.biomassmagazine.com/articles/6088/proposed-ore-biomass-plant-reaches-milestone

Wave Farms Face Financial & Regulatory Obstacles (SmartMeters)

http://www.smartmeters.com/the-news/renewable-energy-news/2933-wave-farms-face-financial-and-regulatory-obstacles.html

Want Clean Energy: Try Your Utility (Business Insider)

http://www.businessinsider.com/want-clean-energy-try-your-utility-2012-1

Nine Things to Consider In “Going Solar” for Your Home (MarketWatch)

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nine-things-to-consider-in-going-solar-for-your-home-2012-01-11

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

CES: Energy-Saving Gadgets, Samsung Appliances Debut (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2012/01/ces-energy-saving-gadgets-appliances-debut/1?csp=34money

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California - State Shift of $500 million from Carbon Fee to Deficit Questioned (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/11/BAAL1MNFM4.DTL

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Statewide Washington Plastic-Bag Ban Proposed (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2012/01/10/statewide-plastic-bag-ban-proposed/

Biodiesel Users See Benefits in Central Oregon (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Biodiesel-users-see-benefits-in-Central-Oregon-137032828.html

Loss of Ethanol Subsidy Boosts E85 Prices Significantly (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/michaelgiberson/73927/loss-ethanol-subsidy-boosts-gasoline-prices-little-e85-prices-lot

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Who Knew? Data Center Segment Is Hot, Hot, Hot! (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cloud/who-knew-data-center-segment-is-hot-hot-hot/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Governor Gregoire Calls for $3.6 Billion Washington State Transportation Package (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017202485_stateofthestate11m.html

Greg Nickels Considering Run for Washington’s Secretary of State (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2017205726_greg_nickels_considering_run_f.html

City of Grand Coulee Reimburses Mayor for Most Recall Expenses (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/jan/11/coulee-city-agrees-to-reimburse-mayor-for-recall/

California - Mountain View Council Sticks With Action Minutes (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_19718441

GENERAL NEWS

Lowland Snow in the Forecast for Next Week (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=608173

Man Gets Five Years in Prison for Allyn Crash That Killed Three (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jan/10/man-gets-5-years-in-prison-for-allyn-crash-that/

Belfair Sewer Law Passes after Moratorium Removed (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jan/10/belfair-sewer-law-passes-after-moratorium/

Judge Dismisses Hanford Whistleblower Lawsuit (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017210666_apwahanfordwhistleblower.html

Tumwater to DuPont - Suspected Drunk Driver Hits 100 Mph Going Wrong Way on I-5 (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Suspected-drunk-driver-hits-100-mph-going-wrong-way-on-I-5-137096473.html

Trend to Charge Extra for Aisle & Window Seats Helps Airlines Boost Bottom Line (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2012/01/charging_extra_for_airplane_se.html

DIVERSIONS

Handcuffed Man Takes Police Car, Radios for Help to Find Handcuffs Key

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/handcuffed-man-takes-ind-police-car-radios-for-help-to-find-handcuffs-key/2012/01/11/gIQAXjq7qP_story.html

Twinkies Maker Hostess Files for Bankruptcy Protection

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Twinkies-maker-Hostess-Brands-files-for-bankruptcy-137092433.html

Roman Helmet Mistaken for Bucket Unveiled

http://news.yahoo.com/roman-helmet-mistaken-bucket-unveiled-154322821.html

National Geographic’s Photo of the Year Winners

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/national-geographic-photo-winners-200239837.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Last Goodnight - Pictures of You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgX7zmsrzBE