Energy News Digest for May 2, 2014

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for May 2, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/05/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-may-2.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Long-Range Forecasts for Pacific Northwest Call for Hot, Dry Summer (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2014/05/oregon_weather_watch_long_rang.html

Study: Pacific Northwest Has Enormous Potential for New Hydropower Dams (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2014/05/study-northwest-has-largest-regional.html

Official: Windmills Are ‘Giant Cuisinarts for Birds’ (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Official-Wind--257599781.html

Olympic Snowpack At 88 Percent of Normal; In ‘Pretty Good Shape,’ Specialist Says (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140502/news/305029958/olympic-snowpack-at-88-percent-of-normal-in-8216-pretty-good-shape

All 34 Cities Eligible for Google Fiber Expansion Get Applications In On Time (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/05/01/all-34-cities-eligible-for-google-fiber-expansion-get-applications-in-on-time/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Study: Pacific Northwest Has Enormous Potential for New Hydropower Dams (Sustainable Business Oregon)
• Proposed Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal in Warrenton Gets Nod for Gas Exports from Canada (Oregonian, Portland)
• Oil Train Opposition Dominates Centralia Meeting (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)
• Tense Hearing on Anacortes Oil Refinery Permit (Associated Press)
• Cigarette Starts Fire in Downtown Portland Electrical Vault (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)
• Tacoma Power Line Workers Approve Union Contract - 79 percent of IBEW 483 members voted yes (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)
• Pacific Northwest-Heavyweights - Six Companies Win NHA Water Stewardship Awards (Water Power Magazine)
• Pacific Northwest Teams Place Second, Fourth in National Science Bowl (Bonneville Power Administration)
• Grant PUD Commissioner Announces Run for New Term (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
• Californians Used Less Electricity in 2013 (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
• Western Area Power Administration Expects Early 2016 Decision on San Luis Transmission Project (SNL Financial)
• Pacific Gas & Electric’s First Quarter Profit Falls on Expenses (Associated Press)
• NRG CEO Expects Most Households to Soon Go Off the Grid (Dallas Business Journal, TX)
• New Jersey: Public Service Electric & Gas Reaches Deal over Storm Improvements (Associated Press)
• Grant PUD Releases 3,400 Fish to Study Effects of Changes at Dams (iFiber One News, Ephrata, WA)
• Canada, U-S Urged to Focus on Species at Risk in Salish Sea (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)
• Olympic Snowpack At 88 Percent of Normal; In ‘Pretty Good Shape,’ Specialist Says (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
• North Kitsap County Water Mains Coming Along (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)
• Report Says Report: Well Water under Strain across California (Sacramento Bee, CA)
• Official: Windmills Are ‘Giant Cuisinarts for Birds’ (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)
• Fitch: U-S Wind Power’s Problem Will Remain Speed & Direction (BusinessWire)
• In Michigan, Debate over Burning Trees for Biomass Energy (Midwest Energy News)
• Seattle Startup Raises $7 Million to Build Energy Efficiency Software for Utilities (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)
• Editorial: Washington State Governor Inslee’s Climate Panel Needs More Business Voices (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)
• Local Electric Vehicle Gets Boost from Obama (Vancouver Columbian, WA)
• Electric Cars Tax Credit Should Rise to $10,000, Says Congressman (Christian Science Monitor)
• Power to the Pedals: Washington is the Most Bicycle-Friendly State (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)
• The Bad Side of the Biofuel Boom (USA Today)
• All 34 Cities Eligible for Google Fiber Expansion Get Applications In On Time (Consumerist)
• Will FCC Overturn State Laws Blocking Municipal Broadband? (Consumerist)
• Report: Average U-S Broadband Prices Are Below World Average of $76.61 (Telecompetitor)
• Three Ways You Can Lower Your Internet Bills (USA Today)
• Internet Explorer Gets Its Security Patch, & So Does Windows XP (Mashable)
• Appeals Ruling Lets AT&T Install Utility Boxes on San Francisco Sidewalks (SF Chronicle, CA)
• How Cloud Storage Complicates the Supreme Court Debate over Cellphone Privacy (Washington Post)
• Congratulations, You’re a Hotspot - Comcast Enables User Gateway Public Wi-Fi Sharing in Atlanta (Broadband Reports)
• America’s First Bitcoin ATM Opens in Seattle; Privacy Concerns Could Keep People Away (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)
• Twitter Tries Out ‘Mute’ Feature for Irritating Tweets (British Broadcasting Corporation)
• Snapchat Makes a Play for Mobile Messaging (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)
• Has Facebook Beaten Google Plus? (U-S News & World Report)
• Get to Know 63 Styles of Graphic Design with One Simple Poster (Gizmodo)
• First Openly Gay Justice Appointed to Washington State Supreme Court (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)
• May Day Heat Records Set Across Oregon, Western Washington State (Associated Press)
• Long-Range Forecasts for Pacific Northwest Call for Hot, Dry Summer (Oregonian, Portland)
• Man Accused of Shelton Bomb Plot Dead in Cell (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
• Police Arrest Nine during May Day ‘Anarchist’ March in Seattle - Some Damage Reported, But Largely Uneventful (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)
• Washington State to Name 334 Who Can Try for Pot Store Licenses (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)
• With Banks Wary of Pot, Colorado Again Trying to Create Financial Co-Ops for Marijuana Money (U-S News & World Report)

WORD OF THE DAY

Plebeian • \plih-BEE-un\ • Noun - A member of the common people of ancient Rome: a common person

Barney’s Rice Barn was not a very popular eatery in northeast North Dakota. There wasn’t anything at all interesting about his rice dishes. Every item was steamed white rice of varying varieties; a relatively plebeian repast for weather-hardened farmers who were used to a hearty meat and potatoes menu for every meal. “It just doesn’t stick to my ribs,” complained one irritated customer.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Mason County Area Weather Forecast for May 2, 2014

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Study: Pacific Northwest Has Enormous Potential for New Hydropower Dams (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2014/05/study-northwest-has-largest-regional.html

Proposed Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal in Warrenton Gets Nod for Gas Exports from Canada (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/05/proposed_oregon_lng_terminal_g.html

Oil Train Opposition Dominates Centralia Meeting (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/oil-train-opposition-dominates-centralia-meeting

Tense Hearing on Anacortes Oil Refinery Permit (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/may/01/tense-hearing-on-anacortes-oil-refinery-permit/

Cigarette Starts Fire in Downtown Portland Electrical Vault (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Fire-under-manhole-cover-slows-downtown-traffic-257567811.html

Tacoma Power Line Workers Approve Union Contract - 79 percent of IBEW 483 members voted yes (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/05/01/3175305/tacoma-line-workers-approve-union.html

Pacific Northwest-Heavyweights - Six Companies Win NHA Water Stewardship Awards (Water Power Magazine)

http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/newssix-companies-win-nha-water-stewardship-awards-4257410

Pacific Northwest Teams Place Second, Fourth in National Science Bowl (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/05/northwest-teams-place-second-fourth-in.html

Grant PUD Commissioner Announces Run for New Term (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/politics/article_a2157df8-d143-11e3-90fd-0019bb2963f4.html

Californians Used Less Electricity in 2013 (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2014/05/01/californians-used-less-electricity-in-2013.html

Western Area Power Administration Expects Early 2016 Decision on San Luis Transmission Project (SNL Financial)

http://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-27955488-10024

Pacific Gas & Electric’s First Quarter Profit Falls on Expenses (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_25678644

NRG CEO Expects Most Households to Soon Go Off the Grid (Dallas Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/blog/2014/05/nrg-ceo-expects-most-households-to-soon-go-off-the.html

New Jersey: Public Service Electric & Gas Reaches Deal over Storm Improvements (Associated Press)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/05/01/2951902/pseg-reaches-deal-over-storm-improvements.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Grant PUD Releases 3,400 Fish to Study Effects of Changes at Dams (iFiber One News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/grant-pud-releases-fish-to-study-affects-of-changes-at/article_6223cc12-d199-11e3-bf97-0017a43b2370.html

Canada, U-S Urged to Focus on Species at Risk in Salish Sea (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/canada-u-s-urged-to-focus-on-species-at-risk-in-salish-sea-1.1016665

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Olympic Snowpack At 88 Percent of Normal; In ‘Pretty Good Shape,’ Specialist Says (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140502/news/305029958/olympic-snowpack-at-88-percent-of-normal-in-8216-pretty-good-shape

North Kitsap County Water Mains Coming Along (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2014/may/01/north-kitsap-water-mains-coming-along/#axzz30OXrNPsi

Report Says Report: Well Water under Strain across California (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/05/01/6371952/report-well-water-under-strain.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Official: Windmills Are ‘Giant Cuisinarts for Birds’ (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Official-Wind--257599781.html

Fitch: U-S Wind Power’s Problem Will Remain Speed & Direction (BusinessWire)

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101633123

In Michigan, Debate over Burning Trees for Biomass Energy (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2014/05/02/in-michigan-debate-over-burning-trees-for-biomass-energy/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Seattle Startup Raises $7 Million to Build Energy Efficiency Software for Utilities (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2014/05/seattle-startup-raises-7m-to-build-energy.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Editorial: Washington State Governor Inslee’s Climate Panel Needs More Business Voices (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2023508216_climateinsleeedit02xml.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Local Electric Vehicle Gets Boost from Obama (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/may/01/pangea-gets-boost-from-obama-comet-vancouver/

Electric Cars Tax Credit Should Rise to $10,000, Says Congressman (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2014/0501/Electric-cars-tax-credit-should-rise-to-10-000-says-Congressman

Power to the Pedals: Washington is the Most Bicycle-Friendly State (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2014/05/power-to-the-pedals-washington-is-the-most-bicycle.html

The Bad Side of the Biofuel Boom (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/01/ozy-bad-side-biofuel/8558385/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

All 34 Cities Eligible for Google Fiber Expansion Get Applications In On Time (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/05/01/all-34-cities-eligible-for-google-fiber-expansion-get-applications-in-on-time/

Will FCC Overturn State Laws Blocking Municipal Broadband? (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/05/01/will-fcc-overturn-state-laws-blocking-municipal-broadband/

Report: Average U-S Broadband Prices Are Below World Average of $76.61 (Telecompetitor)

http://www.telecompetitor.com/report-average-u-s-broadband-prices-are-below-world-average-of-76-61/

Three Ways You Can Lower Your Internet Bills (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2014/05/02/tips-for-lower-internet-bills/8282849/

Internet Explorer Gets Its Security Patch, & So Does Windows XP (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/05/01/microsoft-internet-explorer-security-patch/

Appeals Ruling Lets AT&T Install Utility Boxes on San Francisco Sidewalks (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Appeals-ruling-lets-AT-amp-T-install-utility-5446900.php

How Cloud Storage Complicates the Supreme Court Debate over Cellphone Privacy (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/05/01/how-cloud-storage-complicates-the-supreme-court-debate-over-cell-phone-privacy/?wprss=rss_technology

Congratulations, You’re a Hotspot - Comcast Enables User Gateway Public Wi-Fi Sharing in Atlanta (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Enables-User-Gateway-Public-WiFi-Sharing-in-Atlanta-128775

America’s First Bitcoin ATM Opens in Seattle; Privacy Concerns Could Keep People Away (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2014/05/americas-first-bitcoin-atm-opens-in-seattle.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Tries Out ‘Mute’ Feature for Irritating Tweets (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27249566

Snapchat Makes a Play for Mobile Messaging (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/techchron/2014/05/01/snapchat-makes-a-play-for-mobile-messaging/

Has Facebook Beaten Google Plus? (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/04/30/has-facebook-beaten-google-plus

Get to Know 63 Styles of Graphic Design with One Simple Poster (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/get-to-know-63-styles-of-graphic-design-with-one-simple-1570004361

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

First Openly Gay Justice Appointed to Washington State Supreme Court (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/First-openly-gay-justice-appointed-to-state-Supreme-Court-257552791.html

GENERAL NEWS

May Day Heat Records Set Across Oregon, Western Washington State (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/May-Day-heat-records-set-across-Oregon-Western-Wash-257671631.html

Long-Range Forecasts for Pacific Northwest Call for Hot, Dry Summer (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2014/05/oregon_weather_watch_long_rang.html

Man Accused of Shelton Bomb Plot Dead in Cell (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/14558-man-charged-in-washington-bomb-plot-dead-in-cell

Police Arrest Nine during May Day ‘Anarchist’ March in Seattle - Some Damage Reported, But Largely Uneventful (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2014/05/02/may-day-starts-out-peacefully-but-threats-have-city-on-edge/#axzz30ZPVwC3B

Washington State to Name 334 Who Can Try for Pot Store Licenses (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/may/02/washington-state-to-name-334-who-can-try-for-pot/

With Banks Wary of Pot, Colorado Again Trying to Create Financial Co-Ops for Marijuana Money (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2014/05/01/colorado-lawmakers-want-pot-industry-bank-option

DIVERSIONS

NASA’s New Spacesuit Design Looks Like Something From ‘Tron’

http://mashable.com/2014/05/01/nasa-spacesuit-z-2/

A Neo-Fagin, à la Oliver! Cops: Man got kids to steal purses at Olympia Chuck E. Cheese

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/Cops-Man-got-kids-to-steal-purses-at-Chuck-E-5448154.php

Report: Yep, Under Armour’s Suits Did Slow U-S Speedskaters Down

http://gizmodo.com/report-yep-under-armours-suits-did-slow-u-s-speedska-1570744914

Scientists Reveal That Mona Lisa May Be the First 3D Image in History

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/scientists-reveal-that-mona-lisa-may-be-first-3d-image-1570511385

SONG OF THE DAY

Orleans - Dance with Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YBchdz3Uyo

Peter Brown - Dance with Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG30Cq96cDM

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 May 1, 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 May 1, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/05/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-may-1.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Editorial: Inslee's Climate Balancing Act - Governor's strategy on greenhouse gas emissions preferable to ignoring issue (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/may/01/in-our-view-inslees-climate-balancing-act/

Are Wind Farms on the Way for Our Local National Forests? (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Are-wind-farms-on-the-way-for-our-local-national-forests-257422881.html

Wanapum Dam Repair Cost Includes Anchors All Along Spillway (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestnews/2142764-8/dam-repair-cost-includes-anchors-all-along-spillway

Internet Fast Lanes May Raise Consumer Costs (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/04/30/internet-fast-lanes-may-raise-consumer-costs

Survey Shows LED Installations Surpassing Fluorescents for the First Time in 2014 (Electrical Marketing)

http://electricalmarketing.com/blog/survey-shows-led-installations-surpassing-fluorescents-first-time-2014

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Wanapum Dam Repair Cost Includes Anchors All Along Spillway (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)
• A New Federal Push for More Hydropower across the Country (Forbes Magazine)
• Northwest RiverPartners Wins National Award for CleanHydro Campaign (Northwest RiverPartners)
• National Hydropower Award for Tacoma Power (South Sound Business Examiner)
• Clallam, Jefferson PUDs, Port Townsend Paper Agree to Deal for Transferring Power Lines, Poles (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
• Puget Sound Energy Requests Lower Power Bills - Homeowners Would See Monthly Statements Drop by $6 for One Full Year, About 50 Cents per Month (Businesswire)
• Energy Firm Promises Safer Oil Railcars to Clatskanie Terminal (Associated Press)
• Avista Unpaved a Parking Lot, Put In a City Park (KXLY-TV, Spokane, WA)
• Unpaid Bills: Power Restored to Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office in Bills Crackdown (British Broadcasting Corporation)
• Modified Wanapum Fish Ladder, Priest Rapids Fish Bypass Appear Successful (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
• Op/Ed: Drought Shadows the Start of California’s Salmon Season (Sacramento Bee, CA)
• Thanks BPA: Greenbelt Adds to Luckiamute River Holdings with Purchase of Easement Corvallis Gazette-Times, OR)
• Federal Government Finds Harmful Contaminants in Columbia River Fish (Idaho Public Television)
• Long-Awaited Water Right Delivered in Bridgeport (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)
• Water Cutbacks Looming for California Farmers, Water Agencies (Sacramento Bee, CA)
• Portland’s Urine-Tinged Water Diverted to another Reservoir (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)
• Cities with the Cleanest Air (American Lung Association)
• Are Wind Farms on the Way for Our Local National Forests? (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
• Group to Sue U-S Government over Changes to Eagle Protection Rules (Reuters)
• Seattle City Light Completes Community Solar Project (Fierce Energy)
• Sweet Wind Music: Massive Wind Power Farm Moves Mars Candy Bars toward Carbon Neutral Operations (Penn Energy)
• Google's 'Green' Energy Plan: Build, Learn, Expand (Christian Science Monitor)
• Op/Ed: Biomass Electric Power Generation Dirtier than Coal? Not Possible (Renewable Energy World)
• Link between Electricity Prices & Renewable Energy Completely Warped in Forbes Article (Clean Technica)
• Survey Shows LED Installations Surpassing Fluorescents for the First Time in 2014 (Electrical Marketing)
• Philips 60 Watt LED Equivalent Now Between $2 & $4 in Many U-S Markets (Forbes Magazine)
• Energy Adviser: Electric Spring Cleaning Stops Shocks Later (Vancouver Columbian, WA)
• APPA, EEI & NRECA Voice Concern over DOE Ignoring Costs of Conservation Standards (American Public Power Association)
• Surveys Show Consumers Hot on Energy-Efficient Products but Not the Politics (Austin Business Journal, TX)
• Editorial: Inslee's Climate Balancing Act - Governor's strategy on greenhouse gas emissions preferable to ignoring issue (Vancouver Columbian, WA)
• Scientists Probe Earth's Last Warm Phase (British Broadcasting Corporation)
• Climate Change: Pacific Ocean Acidity Dissolving Shells of Key Species (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
• A California Ghost Town, Going Green (NY Times)
• What It Will Take to Farm Sunlight from Space (Gizmodo)
• Internet Fast Lanes May Raise Consumer Costs (U-S News & World Report)
• New Net Neutrality Rules Won't Create 'Slow Lane' on Web, FCC Chief Says (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
• Google’s Fiber Effect: Fuel for a Broadband Explosion (C/NET News)
• Google Fiber: Portland & Suburbs 'In Good Shape' for Thursday Deadline; Here's What Comes Next (Oregonian, Portland)
• Frontier Complains That Offering 10 Mbps is a Bridge Too Far (Broadband Reports)
• Why You're Being Told Not to Use Internet Explorer & How To Fix It (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)
• Google Changes Gmail-Scanning Policy for Education Apps to Protect Students' Personal Info (U-S News & World Report)
• How Twitter's Engagement Growth Has Changed over Two Years (Mashable)
• Opinion: In the Age of Twitter, Everyone Is On the Hot Seat (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
• As Facebook Phases Out Messaging from Its Main App, Facebook Messenger Gets a Big Update (GigaOM)
• Confused by Facebook Privacy Settings? So Is the U-S Supreme Court (Washington Post)
• Facebook Is a Middle Aged Man (Valleywag)
• Amazon Is Losing Business in States Where It Collects Online Sales Tax (Christian Science Monitor)
• Governor Inslee Looking to Fill Washington State Supreme Court Justice Seat (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)
• Private Attorney Confirmed to Eastern Washington State Federal Bench (Courthouse News Service)
• Clark County Booted from Insurance Risk Pool (Vancouver Columbian, WA)
• Source Says Shelton Bombing Suspect Threatened to Blow Up Space Needle (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)
• Seattle May Day Events Will Block Traffic; Disrupt Bus Service (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)
• Will Washington State Weather Records Be Broken Today? (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)
• Resident Dies in Olympia Apartment Fire (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)
• Man Suspected Of Stealing Copper Wire in Tacoma Recently Sold 88 Pounds (Of what? Fat, steak, hamburger?) (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)
• Washington State’s Retail Marijuana Lottery Results to be Announced Friday - Except for Longview (Longview Daily News, WA)
• Columbia River Cannabis: Small Washington Town Looks To Strike It Rich with Pot (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

WORD OF THE DAY

Avuncular • \uh-VUNK-yuh-lurr\ • Adjective - 1: of or relating to an uncle 2: suggestive of an uncle especially in kindliness or geniality

It’s easy to imagine “Mad Magazine” being designed by a bunch of pre-teen boys sitting around making jokes about bodily functions and hastily scrawling down their ideas on assorted foolscap or lined notebook paper ripped from their “Pee-Chees.” But, in fact, the magazine sprung deformed from the mind of an avuncular editor who (when retired) went on to become a landscape artist in the American west. What? Me worry?

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Mason County Area Weather Forecast for May 1, 2014

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Wanapum Dam Repair Cost Includes Anchors All Along Spillway (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestnews/2142764-8/dam-repair-cost-includes-anchors-all-along-spillway

A New Federal Push for More Hydropower across the Country (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2014/04/30/new-federal-push-to-add-65gw-of-hydropower-across-the-country/

Northwest RiverPartners Wins National Award for CleanHydro Campaign (Northwest RiverPartners)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/05/northwest-riverpartners-wins-national.html

National Hydropower Award for Tacoma Power (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/April-2014/National-award-for-Tacoma-Power/

Clallam, Jefferson PUDs, Port Townsend Paper Agree to Deal for Transferring Power Lines, Poles (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140501/news/305019984/utility-districts-port-townsend-paper-agree-to-deal-for-transferring

Puget Sound Energy Requests Lower Power Bills - Homeowners Would See Monthly Statements Drop by $6 for One Full Year, About 50 Cents per Month (Businesswire)

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140430007051/en/PSE-Requests-Power-Bills#.U2GEHyjN66I

Energy Firm Promises Safer Oil Railcars to Clatskanie Terminal (Associated Press)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Energy-firm-promises-safer-oil-rail-cars-to-Clatskanie-terminal-257496931.html

Avista Unpaved a Parking Lot, Put In a City Park (KXLY-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-news/avista-unpaved-a-parking-lot-put-in-a-city-park/25747132

Unpaid Bills: Power Restored to Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office in Bills Crackdown (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27226590

FISH & WILDLIFE

Modified Wanapum Fish Ladder, Priest Rapids Fish Bypass Appear Successful (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_4f542726-d09f-11e3-9ad0-001a4bcf887a.html

Op/Ed: Drought Shadows the Start of California’s Salmon Season (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/05/01/6368316/viewpoints-drought-shadows-the.html

Thanks BPA: Greenbelt Adds to Luckiamute River Holdings with Purchase of Easement Corvallis Gazette-Times, OR)

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/greenbelt-adds-to-luckiamute-river-holdings-with-purchase-of-easement/article_ef7d4738-d102-11e3-9814-001a4bcf887a.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Federal Government Finds Harmful Contaminants in Columbia River Fish (Idaho Public Television)

http://earthfix.idahoptv.org/water/article/federal-government-finds-harmful-contaminants-in-c/

Long-Awaited Water Right Delivered in Bridgeport (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://pro.kpq-am.tritonflex.com/common/more.php?m=15&r=1&item_id=11771

Water Cutbacks Looming for California Farmers, Water Agencies (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/04/30/6368291/water-cutbacks-looming-for-california.html

Portland’s Urine-Tinged Water Diverted to another Reservoir (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Urine-tinged-water-diverted-to-another-reservoir-257430531.html

Cities with the Cleanest Air (American Lung Association)

http://www.stateoftheair.org/2014/city-rankings/cleanest-cities.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Are Wind Farms on the Way for Our Local National Forests? (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Are-wind-farms-on-the-way-for-our-local-national-forests-257422881.html

Group to Sue U-S Government over Changes to Eagle Protection Rules (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/01/usa-windfarms-eagles-idUSL2N0NM2NW20140501

Seattle City Light Completes Community Solar Project (Fierce Energy)

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/seattle-city-light-completes-community-solar-project/2014-04-30

Sweet Wind Music: Massive Wind Power Farm Moves Mars Candy Bars toward Carbon Neutral Operations (Penn Energy)

http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2014/04/massive-wind-power-farm-moves-mars-toward-carbon-neutral-operations.html

Google's 'Green' Energy Plan: Build, Learn, Expand (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2014/0427/Google-s-green-energy-plan-Build-learn-expand

Op/Ed: Biomass Electric Power Generation Dirtier than Coal? Not Possible (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/05/biomass-electric-power-generation-dirtier-than-coal-not-possible?cmpid=rss

Link between Electricity Prices & Renewable Energy Completely Warped in Forbes Article (Clean Technica)

http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/01/electricity-prices-renewable-energy-forbes/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Survey Shows LED Installations Surpassing Fluorescents for the First Time in 2014 (Electrical Marketing)

http://electricalmarketing.com/blog/survey-shows-led-installations-surpassing-fluorescents-first-time-2014

Philips 60 Watt LED Equivalent Now Between $2 & $4 in Many U-S Markets (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2014/05/01/philips-60-watt-led-equivalent-now-between-2-and-4-in-many-u-s-markets/

Energy Adviser: Electric Spring Cleaning Stops Shocks Later (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/may/01/electric-spring-cleaning-stops-shocks-later/

APPA, EEI & NRECA Voice Concern over DOE Ignoring Costs of Conservation Standards (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=264904&issueID=34847

Surveys Show Consumers Hot on Energy-Efficient Products but Not the Politics (Austin Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2014/05/01/surveys-consumers-hot-on-energy-efficient-products.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Editorial: Inslee's Climate Balancing Act - Governor's strategy on greenhouse gas emissions preferable to ignoring issue (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/may/01/in-our-view-inslees-climate-balancing-act/

Scientists Probe Earth's Last Warm Phase (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27110880

Climate Change: Pacific Ocean Acidity Dissolving Shells of Key Species (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_25664175

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

A California Ghost Town, Going Green (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/01/business/energy-environment/a-ghost-town-going-green.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

What It Will Take to Farm Sunlight from Space (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/what-it-will-take-to-farm-sunlight-from-space-1567164014

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Internet Fast Lanes May Raise Consumer Costs (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/04/30/internet-fast-lanes-may-raise-consumer-costs

New Net Neutrality Rules Won't Create 'Slow Lane' on Web, FCC Chief Says (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_25668762

Google’s Fiber Effect: Fuel for a Broadband Explosion (C/NET News)

http://www.cnet.com/news/googles-fiber-effect-fuel-for-a-broadband-explosion/

Google Fiber: Portland & Suburbs 'In Good Shape' for Thursday Deadline; Here's What Comes Next (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2014/04/google_fiber_portland_and_subu.html

Frontier Complains That Offering 10 Mbps is a Bridge Too Far (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Frontier-Complains-That-Offering-10-Mbps-is-a-Bridge-Too-Far-128773

Why You're Being Told Not to Use Internet Explorer & How To Fix It (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2510625/Why-youre-being-told-not-to-use-Internet-Explorer-and-how-to-fix-IE

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Google Changes Gmail-Scanning Policy for Education Apps to Protect Students' Personal Info (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/technology/articles/2014/04/30/google-to-stop-mining-student-emails-for-ad-ideas

How Twitter's Engagement Growth Has Changed over Two Years (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/04/30/twitter-engagement-chart/

Opinion: In the Age of Twitter, Everyone Is On the Hot Seat (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_25671024

As Facebook Phases Out Messaging from Its Main App, Facebook Messenger Gets a Big Update (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2014/04/30/as-facebook-phases-out-messaging-from-its-main-app-facebook-messenger-gets-a-big-update/

Confused by Facebook Privacy Settings? So Is the U-S Supreme Court (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/04/30/confused-by-facebook-privacy-settings-so-is-the-supreme-court/?wprss=rss_technology

Facebook Is a Middle Aged Man (Valleywag)

http://valleywag.gawker.com/facebook-is-officially-boring-1569956606

Amazon Is Losing Business in States Where It Collects Online Sales Tax (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Tax-VOX/2014/0430/Amazon-is-losing-business-in-states-where-it-collects-online-sales-tax

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Governor Inslee Looking to Fill Washington State Supreme Court Justice Seat (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/25402155/gov-inslee-looking-to-fill-wa-state-supreme-court-justice-seat

Private Attorney Confirmed to Eastern Washington State Federal Bench (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/05/01/67490.htm

Clark County Booted from Insurance Risk Pool (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/apr/30/county-booted-insurance-risk-pool/

GENERAL NEWS

Source Says Shelton Bombing Suspect Threatened to Blow Up Space Needle (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2510855/Source-Shelton-bombing-suspect-threatened-to-blow-up-Space-Needle

Seattle May Day Events Will Block Traffic; Disrupt Bus Service (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2014/05/01/may-day-events-will-block-traffic-disrupt-bus-service/

Will Washington State Weather Records Be Broken Today? (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2014/05/01/getting-hot/#axzz30TYngkSL

Resident Dies in Olympia Apartment Fire (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Resident-dies-in-Olympia-apartment-fire-257449451.html

Man Suspected Of Stealing Copper Wire in Tacoma Recently Sold 88 Pounds (Of what? Fat, steak, hamburger?) (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/04/30/3173071/man-suspected-of-stealing-copper.html

Washington State’s Retail Marijuana Lottery Results to be Announced Friday - Except for Longview (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/retail-marijuana-lottery-results-to-be-announced-friday-except-for/article_437b19a8-d0ce-11e3-af13-0019bb2963f4.html

Columbia River Cannabis: Small Washington Town Looks To Strike It Rich with Pot (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Small-Washington-town-looks-to-strike-it-rich-with-pot-257453221.html

DIVERSIONS

Al Feldstein, the Soul of Mad Magazine, Dies at 88

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/01/business/media/soul-of-mad-magazine-al-feldstein-dies-at-88.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Hillsboro Man Says Rescue of Ducklings Made Day 'Meaningful'

http://www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/index.ssf/2014/04/hillsboro_man_says_rescue_of_d.html

Modern Humans Were Not Any Smarter Than Neanderthals, Say Scientists

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2014/0430/Modern-humans-were-not-any-smarter-than-Neanderthals-say-scientists

Hitler Materializes in Lost Family Trip Negatives Found at Thrift Store

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/hitler-materializes-in-lost-family-trip-photos-found-at-1570186758

SONG OF THE DAY

The Cure - Pictures of You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-56h8d3gLgk

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.