Energy News Digest for April 1, 2014

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for April 1, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/04/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-april.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Portland General Electric Takes Breather on New Power Plants Until It Figures Out How to Replace Boardman (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/03/pge_takes_breather_on_new_powe.html

FCC to Free Airwaves for Wi-Fi & Wireless Broadband (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/business/fcc-votes-to-clear-more-airwaves-for-wireless-data.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Williams Northwest Pipeline Explosion Investigation Underway (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/25124870/pipeline-explosion-benton-co-emergency-services-releases-statement

U-S Senate Confirms Los Angeles Attorney to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/04/01/66629.htm

Oso Landslide: Inslee Asks Obama for Federal Aid; New Search Teams Arrive (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140331/NEWS01/140339880

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Portland General Electric Takes Breather on New Power Plants Until It Figures Out How to Replace Boardman (Oregonian, Portland)
• Williams Northwest Pipeline Explosion Investigation Underway (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)
• Explosion at Washington State Natural Gas Facility Raises Questions about Terminal near Warrenton (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)
• Editorial: Energy Northwest - Protecting Public’s Right to Know & Its Money Tough Balancing Act
• Clark Public Utilities: Power Restored after Car Crashes into Transformer (Vancouver Columbian, WA)
• Utility Associations Praise Investigation into Release of US FERC Grid Analysis (Platts)
• Nevada: NV Energy Gives Electric Safety Tips for Home (Elko Daily Free Press, NV)
• It’s Electric! Rural Electrification in Iowa (Iowa Public Radio)
• Contemporary Fish Management Challenged (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)
• Wyoming Wind Helps California (Re News)
• LEDs Almost Ready for High School Gyms (Electric Co-op Today)
• California: Promotion of Cap-And-Trade Money for Residents Downplays Looming Higher Electricity Rates (E&E News)
• Editorial: Climate Signals, Growing Louder (NY Times)
• Why Burning Wood To Stay Warm Is Back In Vogue (National Public Radio - Beware. To quote a local wag, “death from a single exposure (to wood smoke)”)
• Solar-Powered Umbrella Automatically Inflates When the Sun Shines (Gizmodo)
• FCC to Free Airwaves for Wi-Fi & Wireless Broadband (NY Times)
• Cable Systems Click & Rainier Connect May Have Blackouts Tuesday (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)
• California: Karuk & Yurok Tribe Leaders Lauded for Broadband Project; Technology Will Be Brought to Rural Humboldt Communities (Humboldt Beacon, Fortuna, CA)
• Are Landline Phones Becoming an Endangered Species? (Mashable)
• Delaware: Data Center Power Plant Prompts Protests (Data Center Knowledge)
• Prepping the Cloud for the Internet of Things (GigaOM)
• Snapchat Grows Up: How College Officials Are Using the App (TIME Magazine)
• The Future of Email: The Internet’s Least Exciting Application (Mashable)
• Who Is the Average Gmail User? (Mashable)
• U-S Senate Confirms Los Angeles Attorney to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (Courthouse News Service)
• A Tale of Two States: Politico Praises Washington’s Exchange, Slams Oregon’s Mess (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)
• Idaho among Most Dependent on Federal Money among Western States – Washington State Ranked 16th (Associated Press)
• Check Out Your State’s Ranking – It’s Easy & Fun! (WalletHub)
• Oso Landslide: Inslee Asks Obama for Federal Aid; New Search Teams Arrive (Everett Herald, WA)
• Mason County Health Rankings Improve (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
• Op/Ed: Skilled Trade Jobs Go Unfilled in Our Slow Economy (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)
• The Amazing Shrinking Newspaper: Oregonian Switches to Tabloid Size Wednesday (Oregonian, Portland)

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Mason County Area Weather Forecast for April 1, 2014

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Portland General Electric Takes Breather on New Power Plants Until It Figures Out How to Replace Boardman (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/03/pge_takes_breather_on_new_powe.html

Williams Northwest Pipeline Explosion Investigation Underway (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/25124870/pipeline-explosion-benton-co-emergency-services-releases-statement

Explosion at Washington State Natural Gas Facility Raises Questions about Terminal near Warrenton (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Explosion-at-Washington-LNG-facility-raises-questions-about-bigger-proposed-LNG-terminal-near-Warrenton-253318311.html

Editorial: Energy Northwest - Protecting Public’s Right to Know & Its Money Tough Balancing Act

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/03/31/3562817/our-voice-protecting-publics-right.html

Clark Public Utilities: Power Restored after Car Crashes into Transformer (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/mar/31/car-crashes-transformer-likely-causing-fishers-lan/

Utility Associations Praise Investigation into Release of US FERC Grid Analysis (Platts)

http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/washington/utility-associations-praise-investigation-into-21407477

Nevada: NV Energy Gives Electric Safety Tips for Home (Elko Daily Free Press, NV)

http://elkodaily.com/business/nv-energy-gives-electric-safety-tips-for-home/article_1ff5b4d2-b6c7-11e3-9a2a-001a4bcf887a.html

It’s Electric! Rural Electrification in Iowa (Iowa Public Radio)

http://iowapublicradio.org/post/it-s-electric-rural-electrification-iowa

FISH & WILDLIFE

Contemporary Fish Management Challenged (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/rg/sports/outdoors/31322705-80/fish-salmon-lichatowich-hatcheries-river.html.csp

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Wyoming Wind Helps California (Re News)

http://renews.biz/64085/wyoming-wind-benefits-california/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

LEDs Almost Ready for High School Gyms (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/emerging-technologies/r-d/led-lighting-almost-ready-for-college-arenas/68244

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California: Promotion of Cap-And-Trade Money for Residents Downplays Looming Higher Electricity Rates (E&E News)

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059997094

Editorial: Climate Signals, Growing Louder (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/opinion/climate-signals-growing-louder.html?ref=opinion&_r=0

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Why Burning Wood To Stay Warm Is Back In Vogue (National Public Radio - Beware. To quote a local wag, “death from a single exposure (to wood smoke)”)

http://www.npr.org/2014/04/01/297623078/why-burning-wood-to-stay-warm-is-back-in-vogue?ft=1&f=3

Solar-Powered Umbrella Automatically Inflates When the Sun Shines (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/solar-powered-umbrella-automatically-inflates-when-the-1555268402

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC to Free Airwaves for Wi-Fi & Wireless Broadband (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/business/fcc-votes-to-clear-more-airwaves-for-wireless-data.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Cable Systems Click & Rainier Connect May Have Blackouts Tuesday (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/04/01/3126944/cable-systems-click-and-rainier.html

California: Karuk & Yurok Tribe Leaders Lauded for Broadband Project; Technology Will Be Brought to Rural Humboldt Communities (Humboldt Beacon, Fortuna, CA)

http://www.humboldtbeacon.com/news/ci_25438433/karuk-and-yurok-tribe-leaders-lauded-broadband-project

Are Landline Phones Becoming an Endangered Species? (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/03/31/landline-phones-chart/

Delaware: Data Center Power Plant Prompts Protests (Data Center Knowledge)

http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2014/03/31/data-center-power-plant-prompts-protest/

Prepping the Cloud for the Internet of Things (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2014/04/01/prepping-the-cloud-for-the-internet-of-things/

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

Snapchat Grows Up: How College Officials Are Using the App (TIME Magazine)

http://time.com/36307/snapchat-grows-up-how-college-officials-are-using-the-app/

The Future of Email: The Internet’s Least Exciting Application (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/04/01/future-of-email/

Who Is the Average Gmail User? (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/04/01/average-gmail-user/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

U-S Senate Confirms Los Angeles Attorney to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/04/01/66629.htm

A Tale of Two States: Politico Praises Washington’s Exchange, Slams Oregon’s Mess (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/health-care-inc/2014/03/politico-praises-washington-exchange-slams-oregon.html

Idaho among Most Dependent on Federal Money among Western States – Washington State Ranked 16th (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/03/idaho_among_most_dependent_on.html

Check Out Your State’s Ranking – It’s Easy & Fun! (WalletHub)

http://wallethub.com/edu/states-most-least-dependent-on-the-federal-government/2700/#main-findings

GENERAL NEWS

Oso Landslide: Inslee Asks Obama for Federal Aid; New Search Teams Arrive (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140331/NEWS01/140339880

Mason County Health Rankings Improve (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/13391-mason-county-health-rankings-improve

Op/Ed: Skilled Trade Jobs Go Unfilled in Our Slow Economy (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/opinion/columnist/don-c-brunell-skilled-trade-jobs-go-unfilled-our-slow-economy

The Amazing Shrinking Newspaper: Oregonian Switches to Tabloid Size Wednesday (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.kgw.com/news/As-editor-leaves-Oregonian-switches-to-tabloid-size--253298511.html

DIVERSIONS

Dive-Bombing Hawks Force Florida Library-Goers to Cower Under Umbrellas

http://gizmodo.com/dive-bombing-hawks-force-florida-library-goers-to-cower-1555249940

Pennsylvania Teen Says Typeface Change Could Save Millions

http://news.yahoo.com/pa-teen-says-typeface-change-could-save-millions-003043574.html

Drink Much? Woman’s Dumb Facebook Post Gets Her in Trouble

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/oddnews/woman%E2%80%99s-dumb-facebook-post-gets-her-in-trouble-214614417.html

Man Makes Lucky Find after His Wedding Ring Ends Up in a City Dump

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/oddnews/man-makes-lucky-find-after-his-wedding-ring-ends-up-in-a-city-dump-190422323.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Willie Nelson - Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3PB1jWO3_E

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for March 31, 2014

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for March 31, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/03/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-march_31.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Four Injured in Natural Gas Pipeline Rupture near Plymouth (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/03/31/2904040/natural-gas-facility-on-fire-near.html

Woman Electrocuted, Falls from Beaverton Electric Tower (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Woman-electrocuted-falls-over-60-feet-from-Beaverton-electric-tower-253114221.html

Federal Judge Sides with Wild-Fish Advocates on Hatchery Issue in Elwha River’s Restoration (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140331/NEWS/303319995/federal-judge-sides-with-wild-fish-advocates-on-hatchery-issue-in

Snowpack in Cascades Checks Out OK (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140331/NEWS01/140339888/Playing-catchup-in-Cascades

Opinion: Tacoma Must Be Careful Not to be Left behind in Digital High-Speed Dust (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/03/30/3124091/tacoma-must-be-careful-not-to.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Four Injured in Natural Gas Pipeline Rupture near Plymouth (Tri-City Herald, WA)
• Woman Electrocuted, Falls from Beaverton Electric Tower (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)
• Flathead Electric Rates to Increase (The Western News, Libby, MT)
• Mason PUD 3 Linemen Complete Electricity Restoration to Nearly 1,400 Customers in Kamilche, Lynch Rd Area South of Shelton (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)
• Fitch Rates Energy Northwest Bonds ‘AA’; Outlook Stable  (BusinessWire)
• utility2utility: Central Lincoln People’s Utility District (Intelligent Utility)
• Seattle City Light Serves Up South Lake Union Art, Electric - At South Lake Union’s Denny Substation, City Light is merging electricity with art (Crosscut Seattle)
• Companies Seek Public Support for Vancouver Oil Terminal (Associated Press)
• Embattled Utilities Face ‘Talent Storm’ (Forbes Magazine)
• LIHEAP Advocates Make Push for Greater Funding on Capitol Hill (The Energy Collective)
• What a Waste – Vermont Yankee is in Beautiful Condition (The Energy Collective)
• Spencer Abraham & Bill Daley Join Nuclear Matters, Add to Growing Support for Campaign (Nuclear Matters)
• Backed by APPA’s DEED Program, Soybean-Based Electric Transformer Oil Got Its Start at Municipal Utility in Waverly, Iowa (American Public Power Association)
• Electricity Flickers in Crimea as Russia Takeover Looms (Electric Light & Power)
• Federal Judge Sides with Wild-Fish Advocates on Hatchery Issue in Elwha River’s Restoration (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
• U-S Supreme Court Rejects Alaska Appeal over Fishing Rights (Associated Press)
• Anglers Protest Steelhead Fishing Rules on Skagit River (Associated Press)
• Oregon Railroad Defies State Order to Stop Work in Salmonberry River (Northwest Public Radio)
• Puget Sound Summer Salmon Forecasts Come to Light Ahead of Monday’s State Fisheries Meeting (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)
• Technology Provides Much More Information for Anglers, But We’re Still at the Mercy of Mother Nature’s Whims (Oregonian, Portland)
• Snowpack in Cascades Checks Out OK (Everett Herald, WA)
• As Portland’s Largest Water Users Bankroll Utility District Campaign, Opponents Question Who Benefits (Oregonian, Portland)
• California Regulators Protect Rooftop Solar From Utilities (KCET-TV, Burbank, CA)
• Africa: And Then There Was Light - The Turbines of Peres (Radio Netherlands)
• Indiana: Governor Pence Lets Energy Program Expire without Signing Bill (Indianapolis Star, IN)
• Energy Efficiency: Still the Best Value (Pacific Gas & Electric, CA)
• Converting to LED Lights: Everything You Need to Know (The Guardian, UK)
• Climate Report Warns of Death, Flooding, and Economic Loss (Bloomberg News)
• Heartland Institute Says More Carbon Dioxide Is Good for the Planet (Midwest Energy News)
• California Climate-Change Fight Results in Utility Bill Credits (SF Chronicle, CA)
• Are Walmart’s Green Claims Simply Greenwashing? (Renewable Energy World)
• Solar Decathlon Houses Make Up a Solar Village to Test Microgrid Technology (Renewable Energy World)
• Opinion: Tacoma Must Be Careful Not to be Left behind in Digital High-Speed Dust (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)
• Opinion: Seattle Mayor’s CenturyLink Giveaway Sure to Create Controversy (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)
• Home Broadband, Video Usage Patterns Will Force Changes in Access, Aggregation Networks (Fierce Telecom)
• A Vision beyond Cable for Comcast after Merger (NY Times)
• Let’s Count the Ways in Which the NY Times’ Love Letter to the Comcast Merger Is Full of Bull (Consumerist)
• How a Picture Captured a Co-op Bond (Electric Co-op Today)
• Report: Google+ Brand Posts Get Twice the Engagement of Tweets (Mashable)
• Power Shaming: IPO-Bound Opower Lands in Penny Arcade (Washington Business Journal, DC)
• Officials Update Oso Mudslide Death Count; 30 Still Missing (Everett Herald, WA)
• Emergency Crews Face Toxic Challenge in Washington State Mudslide (Reuters)
• Today is the Deadline to Remove Studded Tires (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)
• 400 Attend Marijuana Business Conference in Eugene (Associated Press)
• British Columbia’s Bigleaf Maple Syrup Producers Hard Hit by a Cold February (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

WORD OF THE DAY

Laissez-faire • \less-say - FARE\ • Noun - 1: a doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance of peace & property rights 2: a philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference especially with individual freedom of choice & action

I’ll let this definition stand on its own. Don’t wanna get involved. Move along, nothing to see here. That’s a good laddie.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Mason County Area Weather Forecast for March 31, 2014

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Four Injured in Natural Gas Pipeline Rupture near Plymouth (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/03/31/2904040/natural-gas-facility-on-fire-near.html

Woman Electrocuted, Falls from Beaverton Electric Tower (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Woman-electrocuted-falls-over-60-feet-from-Beaverton-electric-tower-253114221.html

Flathead Electric Rates to Increase (The Western News, Libby, MT)

http://www.thewesternnews.com/news/article_8a799c12-b6bb-11e3-a64b-0019bb2963f4.html

Mason PUD 3 Linemen Complete Electricity Restoration to Nearly 1,400 Customers in Kamilche, Lynch Rd Area South of Shelton (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1366

Fitch Rates Energy Northwest Bonds ‘AA’; Outlook Stable  (BusinessWire)

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140328005567/en/Fitch-Rates-Energy-Northwest-WA-Elec-Rev#.UznFHLS9aws

utility2utility: Central Lincoln People’s Utility District (Intelligent Utility)

http://www.intelligentutility.com/article/14/03/utility2utility-central-lincoln-people-s-utility-district

Seattle City Light Serves Up South Lake Union Art, Electric - At South Lake Union’s Denny Substation, City Light is merging electricity with art (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2014/03/25/arts/119281/art-rising-denny-substation/

Companies Seek Public Support for Vancouver Oil Terminal (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140331/BIZ/140339895

Embattled Utilities Face ‘Talent Storm’ (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2014/03/31/embattled-utilities-face-talent-cliff/

LIHEAP Advocates Make Push for Greater Funding on Capitol Hill (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/lisadundon/361031/liheap-advocates-make-push-greater-funding-capitol-hill

What a Waste – Vermont Yankee is in Beautiful Condition (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/rodadams/360846/what-waste-vermont-yankee-beautiful-condition

Spencer Abraham & Bill Daley Join Nuclear Matters, Add to Growing Support for Campaign (Nuclear Matters)

http://www.nuclearmatters.com/news/press-releases/spencer-abraham-and-bill-daley-join-nuclear-matters-add-to-growing-support-for-campaign

Backed by APPA’s DEED Program, Soybean-Based Electric Transformer Oil Got Its Start at Municipal Utility in Waverly, Iowa (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=260159&issueID=40399

Electricity Flickers in Crimea as Russia Takeover Looms (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/articles/2014/03/electricity-flickers-in-crimea-as-russia-takeover-looms.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Federal Judge Sides with Wild-Fish Advocates on Hatchery Issue in Elwha River’s Restoration (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140331/NEWS/303319995/federal-judge-sides-with-wild-fish-advocates-on-hatchery-issue-in

U-S Supreme Court Rejects Alaska Appeal over Fishing Rights (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/court-rejects-alaska-appeal-fishing-rights-23126629

Anglers Protest Steelhead Fishing Rules on Skagit River (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Anglers-protest-steelhead-fishing-rules-on-Skagit-River-253210091.html

Oregon Railroad Defies State Order to Stop Work in Salmonberry River (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/oregon-railroad-defies-state-order-stop-work-salmonberry-river

Puget Sound Summer Salmon Forecasts Come to Light Ahead of Monday’s State Fisheries Meeting (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/reeltimenorthwest/2014/02/28/puget-sound-summer-salmon-forecasts-come-to-light-ahead-of-mondays-state-fisheries-meeting/

Technology Provides Much More Information for Anglers, But We’re Still at the Mercy of Mother Nature’s Whims (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2014/03/post_111.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Snowpack in Cascades Checks Out OK (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140331/NEWS01/140339888/Playing-catchup-in-Cascades

As Portland’s Largest Water Users Bankroll Utility District Campaign, Opponents Question Who Benefits (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/03/as_portlands_largest_water_use.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California Regulators Protect Rooftop Solar From Utilities (KCET-TV, Burbank, CA)

http://www.kcet.org/news/rewire/government/state-regulators-protect-rooftop-solar-from-utilities.html

Africa: And Then There Was Light - The Turbines of Peres (Radio Netherlands)

http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/and-then-there-was-light-turbines-peres

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Indiana: Governor Pence Lets Energy Program Expire without Signing Bill (Indianapolis Star, IN)

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/27/gov-pence-will-allow-energy-efficiency-program-end/6984117/

Energy Efficiency: Still the Best Value (Pacific Gas & Electric, CA)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2014/03/28/energy-efficiency-still-the-best-value/

Converting to LED Lights: Everything You Need to Know (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/28/led-lights-information

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Report Warns of Death, Flooding, and Economic Loss (Bloomberg News)

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-03-31/climate-report-warns-of-death-flooding-and-economic-loss

Heartland Institute Says More Carbon Dioxide Is Good for the Planet (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2014/03/31/heartland-institute-says-more-co2-is-good-for-the-planet/

California Climate-Change Fight Results in Utility Bill Credits (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Calif-climate-change-fight-results-in-utility-5360311.php

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Are Walmart’s Green Claims Simply Greenwashing? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/03/are-walmarts-green-claims-simply-greenwashing?cmpid=rss

Solar Decathlon Houses Make Up a Solar Village to Test Microgrid Technology (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/03/solar-decathlon-houses-make-up-a-solar-village-to-test-microgrid-technology?cmpid=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Opinion: Tacoma Must Be Careful Not to be Left behind in Digital High-Speed Dust (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/03/30/3124091/tacoma-must-be-careful-not-to.html

Opinion: Seattle Mayor’s CenturyLink Giveaway Sure to Create Controversy (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2023266140_briercolumn31xml.html

Home Broadband, Video Usage Patterns Will Force Changes in Access, Aggregation Networks (Fierce Telecom)

http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/home-broadband-video-usage-patterns-will-force-changes-access-aggregation-n/2014-03-30

A Vision beyond Cable for Comcast after Merger (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/29/business/a-vision-for-comcast-in-a-post-merger-world.html?ref=business&_r=1

Let’s Count the Ways in Which the NY Times’ Love Letter to the Comcast Merger Is Full of Bull (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/03/29/lets-count-the-ways-in-which-the-ny-times-love-letter-to-the-comcast-merger-is-full-of-bull/

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

How a Picture Captured a Co-op Bond (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/newsmakers/co-op-news-newsmakers/how-a-picture-captured-a-co-op-bond/68283

Report: Google+ Brand Posts Get Twice the Engagement of Tweets (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/03/31/google-plus-twitter-engagement/

Power Shaming: IPO-Bound Opower Lands in Penny Arcade (Washington Business Journal, DC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/techflash/2014/03/power-shaming-ipo-bound-opower-lands-in-penny.html

GENERAL NEWS

Officials Update Oso Mudslide Death Count; 30 Still Missing (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140330/NEWS01/140339903

Emergency Crews Face Toxic Challenge in Washington State Mudslide (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/31/us-usa-mudslide-washingtonstate-idUSBREA2L0R020140331

Today is the Deadline to Remove Studded Tires (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Monday-is-deadline-to-remove-studded-tires-253194571.html

400 Attend Marijuana Business Conference in Eugene (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/03/400_attend_marijuana_business.html

British Columbia’s Bigleaf Maple Syrup Producers Hard Hit by a Cold February (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/b-c-s-bigleaf-maple-syrup-producers-hard-hit-by-a-cold-february-1.935962

DIVERSIONS

A Carousel in His House! Local Enthusiast Brings Amusement Ride Inside

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/25113235/a-carousel-in-his-house-local-enthusiast-brings-amusement-ride-inside

‘Harry Potter’ Magic Will Continue in a Three-Movie Spinoff

http://mashable.com/2014/03/31/harry-potter-spin-off-trilogy-three-films/

Lightning Blasts Hole in Roof of Seattle Chapel

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/mar/31/lightning-blasts-hole-in-roof-of-chapel/

Spy Toolkit: The Coolest Espionage Gadgets throughout History

http://mashable.com/2014/03/31/spy-tools-infographic/

SONG OF THE DAY

Barbra Streisand - You’ll Never Walk Alone (song from the musical “Carousel.”)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RYUp7gYHwg

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for March 28, 2014

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for March 28, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/03/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-march_28.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Balancing Water & Wind – Bonneville Power Administration Issues Final Decision on Oversupply Rate (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-issues-final-decision-on-oversupply-rate.aspx

Pacific Gas & Electric: Federal Criminal Charges Likely in Gas Blast (Associated Press)

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/03/27/6274084/pge-federal-criminal-charges-likely.html

Fish-Eating Birds to Be Killed at Five Dams (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/fish-eating-birds-be-killed-5-dams

Strong Salmon Runs Expected in Upper Columbia River (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/03/27/2899218/strong-salmon-runs-expected-in.html

Utility Efficiency Programs Saving Enough to Power More than 12 Million Homes (Fierce Energy)

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/utility-efficiency-programs-saving-enough-power-more-12m-homes/2014-03-26

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Balancing Water & Wind – Bonneville Power Administration Issues Final Decision on Oversupply Rate (Bonneville Power Administration)
• Pacific Gas & Electric: Federal Criminal Charges Likely in Gas Blast (Associated Press)
• Why There Was No “Near Miss” at Columbia Generating Station (NEI Nuclear Notes)
• Beginning April 8 – Mason PUD 3 to Conduct Tree Trimming on State Route 106 (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)
• Phone Scam Targeting Cass County Electric Customers (WDAY-TV, Fargo, ND)
• Ukraine Spotlights Germany’s Nuclear Power Switch (Associated Press)
• Fish-Eating Birds to Be Killed at Five Dams (Northwest Public Radio)
• Strong Salmon Runs Expected in Upper Columbia River (Tri-City Herald, WA)
• Low Water Levels at Wanapum Dam Creates Problems for Fish (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)
• Despite Mixed British Columbia Position, Stakeholders Continue Canadian Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Push (Revelstoke Times-Review, BC)
• Bellingham Students Release Salmon Fry as Part of Science Project (Bellingham Herald, WA)
• Army Corps of Engineers Awards Dredging Contract for Columbia River Mouth (Oregonian, Portland)
• See-Through SolarWindow Capable of Generating Electricity on Glass (Energy Harvesting Journal)
• Congress Successfully Took the Wind out of Wind Energy’s Sails Last Year (Grist Online)
• Utility Efficiency Programs Saving Enough to Power More than 12 Million Homes (Fierce Energy)
• LEDs Will Get Even More Efficient: Cree Passes 300 Lumens per Watt (Forbes Magazine)
• Philips Makes Hue Smart Lights More Affordable, Lazy-Friendly (USA Today)
• Energy Efficiency First Explains the Importance of Good Windows & Doors (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)
• Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver Shares Energy Conservation Lessons for Earth Hour (Straight.Com, Vancouver, BC)
• Is a Super El Niño Coming That Will Shatter Extreme Weather & Global Temperature Records? (The Energy Coillective)
• Times Square is Going to Be Dark for a Very Short While (New York Magazine)
• Seattle: Rising Star among Global Clean-Energy Cities (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)
• With Help, Sprint Expands Networks to Rural Areas (Dallas Business Journal, TX)
• Facebook to Deliver Internet via Drones, Satellites & Lasers (All while balancing an egg on a spoon - San Francisco Business Times, CA)
• Ford Savages Smarmy Cadillac Electric Car Ad (Mashable)
• Twitter Eyes Turning Retweets into ‘Shares’ (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)
• Oso Search Comes Down to Shovels (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)
• Washington State’s Marijuana Entrepreneurs Fear Potentially Violent Consequences of an All-Cash Industry (Oregonian, Portland)
• Shelton High School Pool Will Stay Open - For Now (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
• Deschutes Is the Fastest-Growing County in the West (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Newlywed Who Shoved Husband Off Montana Cliff Gets 30 Years (Associated Press)

WORD OF THE DAY

Lambent • \LAM-bunt\ • Adjective - Shining or glowing softly; having a light, appealing quality

The lambent, flickering electric candlelight bathed the face of the infant robot with an appealing halo. “Remember the three laws,” crooned its caretaker hopefully. “I’d like to be able to sleep as peacefully as your electronic hibernation when you are all grown up and caring for me.”

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

Balancing Water & Wind – Bonneville Power Administration Issues Final Decision on Oversupply Rate (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-issues-final-decision-on-oversupply-rate.aspx

Pacific Gas & Electric: Federal Criminal Charges Likely in Gas Blast (Associated Press)

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/03/27/6274084/pge-federal-criminal-charges-likely.html

Why There Was No “Near Miss” at Columbia Generating Station (NEI Nuclear Notes)

http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2014/03/why-there-was-no-near-miss-at-columbia.html

Beginning April 8 – Mason PUD 3 to Conduct Tree Trimming on State Route 106 (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1363

Phone Scam Targeting Cass County Electric Customers (WDAY-TV, Fargo, ND)

http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/95128/

Ukraine Spotlights Germany’s Nuclear Power Switch (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-spotlights-germanys-nuclear-power-switch-173155269.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Fish-Eating Birds to Be Killed at Five Dams (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/fish-eating-birds-be-killed-5-dams

Strong Salmon Runs Expected in Upper Columbia River (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/03/27/2899218/strong-salmon-runs-expected-in.html

Low Water Levels at Wanapum Dam Creates Problems for Fish (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/25096814/low-water-levels-at-wanapum-dam-creates-problems-for-fish

Despite Mixed British Columbia Position, Stakeholders Continue Canadian Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Push (Revelstoke Times-Review, BC)

http://www.revelstoketimesreview.com/news/252714761.html

Bellingham Students Release Salmon Fry as Part of Science Project (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/03/27/3555663/bellingham-students-release-salmon.html?sp=/99/101/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Army Corps of Engineers Awards Dredging Contract for Columbia River Mouth (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/03/army_corps_of_engineers_awards.html#cmpid=nwsltrhead

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

See-Through SolarWindow Capable of Generating Electricity on Glass (Energy Harvesting Journal)

http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/see-through-solarwindow-capable-of-generating-electricity-on-glass-00006387.asp?sessionid=1

Congress Successfully Took the Wind out of Wind Energy’s Sails Last Year (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/news/congress-successfully-took-the-wind-out-of-wind-energys-sails-last-year/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Utility Efficiency Programs Saving Enough to Power More than 12 Million Homes (Fierce Energy)

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/utility-efficiency-programs-saving-enough-power-more-12m-homes/2014-03-26

LEDs Will Get Even More Efficient: Cree Passes 300 Lumens per Watt (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2014/03/27/leds-will-get-even-more-efficient-cree-passes-300-lumens-per-watt/

Philips Makes Hue Smart Lights More Affordable, Lazy-Friendly (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/personal/2014/03/28/hue-smart-lights-price-drop-new/7005447/

Energy Efficiency First Explains the Importance of Good Windows & Doors (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2014/03/27/energy-efficiency-first-explains-importance-good-windows-doors/

Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver Shares Energy Conservation Lessons for Earth Hour (Straight.Com, Vancouver, BC)

http://www.straight.com/life/615691/four-seasons-hotel-vancouver-shares-energy-conservation-lessons-earth-hour

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Is a Super El Niño Coming That Will Shatter Extreme Weather & Global Temperature Records? (The Energy Coillective)

http://theenergycollective.com/josephromm/359976/super-el-ni-o-coming-will-shatter-extreme-weather-and-global-temperature-records

Times Square is Going to Be Dark for a Very Short While (New York Magazine)

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/03/times-square-is-going-to-be-dark-for-an-hour.html?om_rid=AABXGm&om_mid=_BTNHxUB85DWsop

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Seattle: Rising Star among Global Clean-Energy Cities (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/energy/2014/03/26/seattle-rising-star-among-global-clean-energy-cities/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

With Help, Sprint Expands Networks to Rural Areas (Dallas Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2014/03/27/sprint-rural-expansion.html

Facebook to Deliver Internet via Drones, Satellites & Lasers (All while balancing an egg on a spoon - San Francisco Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/morning_call/2014/03/facebook-connectivity-lab-internet-drones.html

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

Ford Savages Smarmy Cadillac Electric Car Ad (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/03/28/ford-cadillac-parody/

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

Twitter Eyes Turning Retweets into ‘Shares’ (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/techchron/2014/03/27/twitter-eyes-turning-retweets-into-shares/

GENERAL NEWS

Oso Search Comes Down to Shovels (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Oso-Darrington-mudslide-Friday-252894841.html

Washington State’s Marijuana Entrepreneurs Fear Potentially Violent Consequences of an All-Cash Industry (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/03/post_172.html

Shelton High School Pool Will Stay Open - For Now (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/13258-shelton-pool-will-stay-open-for-now

Deschutes Is the Fastest-Growing County in the West (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/deschutes-county-is-fastest-growing-county-on-the-west/

Newlywed Who Shoved Husband Off Montana Cliff Gets 30 Years (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_25439004

DIVERSIONS

Dallas Cowboys Offer Up AT&T Stadium to High School After It Loses Prom Venue

http://consumerist.com/2014/03/27/dallas-cowboys-offer-up-att-stadium-to-high-school-after-it-loses-prom-venue/

Walmart Employee Accused of Stealing Cash, Says He Wasn’t Getting Enough Hours

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/03/27/3120260/walmart-employee-accused-of-stealing.html

Road Rage Incident Caught on Video Goes Viral

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/road-rage-incident-caught-on-video-goes-viral-151924238.html

Study suggests French will be the world’s most spoken language by 2050

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/oddnews/study-suggests-french-will-be-the-world%E2%80%99s-most-spoken-language-by-2050-192759459.html

SONG OF THE DAY

One Man Sings ‘Rainbow Connection’ as All the Muppets (also sounds good on the banjo ukulele)

http://mashable.com/2014/03/28/rainbow-connection-all-muppets/

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.