Energy News Digest for February 9, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 9, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ozccqus

Special Weather Statement for Landslide Danger

http://tinyurl.com/lq4o4hm

Flood Warning for Skokomish River in Mason County

http://tinyurl.com/mbf625p

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Six Claim Racial Bias in Suit with Utilities in Seattle Public Utilities Bill-Fixing Scandal (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025656541_spulawsuit1xml.html

Amazon Plans Up to Eleven More Oregon Data Centers If Tax Situation Addressed (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/amazon_plans_up_to_11_more_ore.html

Idaho Regulators Shorten Renewable Power Contracts (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/idaho-regulators-shorten-renewable-power-contracts/361902/

2014 Snake River Fall Chinook Redd Estimate Highest Total since Surveys Began in 1988 (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433115.aspx

Disaster on the Slopes: Record-Low Snow Year Continues (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/09/disaster-on-the-slopes-record-low-snow-year-continues/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Six Claim Racial Bias in Suit with Utilities in Seattle Public Utilities Bill-Fixing Scandal
2. Mason PUD 3 Working to Restore Electricity to Belfair Elementary School
3. Editorial: Enloe Project Making Strange Bedfellows
4. Is Your Electric Co-op Prepared to Handle a Crisis?
5. Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl – Pacific Northwest High School Students Give Their Brains a Serious Workout
6. Western Area Power Administration Budget Request Holds Steady for Fourth Year in a Row
7. Warning System for Solar Storms Is Kept on Earth for Now
8. 2014 Snake River Fall Chinook Redd Estimate Highest Total since Surveys Began in 1988
9. British Columbia: Quesnel Dragon Lake Trout Endangered by Koi Infestation
10. Upgrades at Oregon’s Foster Dam Fish Passage Facility Aimed at ESA-Listed Salmonids
11. Nile River May Be Running Out of Fish
12. Disaster on the Slopes: Record-Low Snow Year Continues
13. Could a Pineapple Express Save California from Drought?
14. The Dam Truth: How the U-S Army Corps of Engineers Manages Heavy Rain Storms
15. House Legislation Would Block Implementation of Waters of the U-S Rule
16. Idaho Regulators Shorten Renewable Power Contracts
17. Rocky Barker: Idaho Solar Dispute Shouldn’t Be Like Wind War
18. Intellectual Property Battles Roil the Wind Power Industry
19. The Hottest New Thing in Energy This Year? Wind Power
20. California: Interior Secretary Will Dedicate Large Solar Plant
21. Public Service Co. of New Mexico Plans 40,000-Panel Solar Farm near Santa Fe
22. Voters Favor Renewable Focus
23. Energy Smart Industrial: Five Years of Enormous Savings
24. Snohomish PUD Sees Energy Use Rise & Fall with the Super Bowl
25. Jefferson County Commissioners to Look Again at Marijuana Businesses Moratorium at Monday Meeting
26. Oregon Cities Pushing for Power to Tax, Ban Cannabis Sales
27. District of Columbia Sees Loophole in Congress’s Move to Halt Marijuana Law
28. Power Theft Suspect: Nearly 800 Marijuana Plants Found in Grow Operation Next to Day Care
29. Washington State’s Marijuana Law Hurts Idaho Police Recruitment
30. Report Says Emotions, Not Science, Rule U-S Climate Change Debate
31. Inslee a Student of California’s Carbon-Cap Lessons
32. University Of Hawaii Researchers Say Climate Change is Affecting Major Big Island Storms
33. Amazon Plans Up to Eleven More Oregon Data Centers If Tax Situation Addressed
34. FCC & Net Neutrality: What You Really Need to Know
35. Your Old Landline Could Get an Early Retirement
36. Virtual Private Networks Dissolve National Boundaries Online, for Work & Movie-Watching
37. Washington State Government Asked to Provide Nearly Every Email Ever Sent
38. Technicalities: Oregon Governor Kitzhaber Recall Efforts Could Prove Futile, For Now
39. Business Owners Voice Frustration over Temporary Port Shutdown
40. Mud, Not Flood, Now Primary Worry along Duckabush River
41. Is Winter Over?
42. Mystery of the ‘Milky Rain’ in Eastern Washington Solved?
43. Trade Stories: Building Boats at the Taylor Shellfish Fabrication Shop with Brian Omdahl
44. Post Season Mason County High School Basketball

WORD OF THE DAY

Weltschmerz • \VELT-shmertz\ • Noun - 1: mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal state 2: a mood of sentimental sadness

“Ah, to live in the world of the 1500’s, when things were simpler…and you knew where you stood,” sighed the grizzled English lord to his bootblack. His state of weltschmerz was only slightly tempered by the historic realities of disease, dirt, body odor, and rampant halitosis.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Six Claim Racial Bias in Suit with Utilities in Seattle Public Utilities Bill-Fixing Scandal (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025656541_spulawsuit1xml.html

Mason PUD 3 Working to Restore Electricity to Belfair Elementary School (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1487

Editorial: Enloe Project Making Strange Bedfellows (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, Oroville, WA)

http://www.gazette-tribune.com/opinion/enloe-project-making-strange-bedfellows/69551/

Is Your Electric Co-op Prepared to Handle a Crisis? (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/is-your-co-op-prepared-to-handle-a-crisis/77749

Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl – Pacific Northwest High School Students Give Their Brains a Serious Workout (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/02/at_bpa_regional_science_bowl_h.html

Western Area Power Administration Budget Request Holds Steady for Fourth Year in a Row (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43124

Warning System for Solar Storms Is Kept on Earth for Now (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/09/science/warning-system-for-solar-storms-is-kept-on-earth-for-now.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

2014 Snake River Fall Chinook Redd Estimate Highest Total since Surveys Began in 1988 (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433115.aspx

British Columbia: Quesnel Dragon Lake Trout Endangered by Koi Infestation (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/quesnel-dragon-lake-trout-endangered-by-koi-infestation-1.2945523?cmp=rss

Upgrades at Oregon’s Foster Dam Fish Passage Facility Aimed at ESA-Listed Salmonids (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433109.aspx

Nile River May Be Running Out of Fish (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/02/09/nile-egypt-fish/23113811/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Disaster on the Slopes: Record-Low Snow Year Continues (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/09/disaster-on-the-slopes-record-low-snow-year-continues/

Could a Pineapple Express Save California from Drought? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0207/Could-a-Pineapple-Express-save-California-from-drought-video

The Dam Truth: How the U-S Army Corps of Engineers Manages Heavy Rain Storms (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/The-dam-truth-How-the-Army-Corps-of-Engineers-manages-heavy-rain-storms-291021051.html

House Legislation Would Block Implementation of Waters of the U-S Rule (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43122

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Idaho Regulators Shorten Renewable Power Contracts (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/idaho-regulators-shorten-renewable-power-contracts/361902/

Rocky Barker: Idaho Solar Dispute Shouldn’t Be Like Wind War (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/02/09/3635636_solar-dispute-shouldnt-be-like.html?rh=1

Intellectual Property Battles Roil the Wind Power Industry (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2015/02/intellectual-property-battles-roil-the-wind-power-industry?cmpid=rss

The Hottest New Thing in Energy This Year? Wind Power (Wired Magazine)

http://www.wired.com/2015/02/countries-generating-wind-power/

California: Interior Secretary Will Dedicate Large Solar Plant (KESQ-TV, Palm Springs, CA)

http://www.kesq.com/news/interior-secretary-will-dedicate-large-solar-plant/31170858

Public Service Co. of New Mexico Plans 40,000-Panel Solar Farm near Santa Fe (Albuquerque Business First, NM)

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/blog/morning-edition/2015/02/pnm-plans-40-000-panel-solar-farm-near-santa-fe.html

Voters Favor Renewable Focus (Morning Consult)

http://themorningconsult.com/2015/02/renewables-win-voters/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Smart Industrial: Five Years of Enormous Savings (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Energy-Smart-Industrial-five-years-of-enormous-savings.aspx

Snohomish PUD Sees Energy Use Rise & Fall with the Super Bowl (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150206/BLOG31/150209293

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Jefferson County Commissioners to Look Again at Marijuana Businesses Moratorium at Monday Meeting (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150206/news/302069972/jefferson-county-commissioners-to-look-again-at-marijuana-businesses

Oregon Cities Pushing for Power to Tax, Ban Cannabis Sales (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/oregon-cities-pushing-for-power-to-tax-rec/

District of Columbia Sees Loophole in Congress’s Move to Halt Marijuana Law (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/us/politics/district-of-columbia-sees-loophole-in-congresss-move-to-halt-marijuana-law.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Power Theft Suspect: Nearly 800 Marijuana Plants Found in Grow Operation Next to Day Care (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/05/nearly-800-marijuana-plants-found-in-grow-operation-next-to-daycare-prosecutors-say/

Washington State’s Marijuana Law Hurts Idaho Police Recruitment (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/marijuana/2015/02/07/marijuana-law-hurts-idaho-police-recruitment/23049909/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Report Says Emotions, Not Science, Rule U-S Climate Change Debate (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/05/us-climatechange-science-politics-idUSKBN0L92IN20150205

Inslee a Student of California’s Carbon-Cap Lessons (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025634069_californiacapandtradexml.html

University Of Hawaii Researchers Say Climate Change is Affecting Major Big Island Storms (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/news/articles/2015/02/08/researchers-climate-change-affecting-hawaii-island-storms

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Amazon Plans Up to Eleven More Oregon Data Centers If Tax Situation Addressed (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/amazon_plans_up_to_11_more_ore.html

FCC & Net Neutrality: What You Really Need to Know (CNET News)

http://www.cnet.com/news/fcc-and-net-neutrality-what-you-really-need-to-know/

Your Old Landline Could Get an Early Retirement (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/your-old-landline-could-get-an-early-retirement/2015/02/07/c7733ff0-aed7-11e4-8876-460b1144cbc1_story.html

Virtual Private Networks Dissolve National Boundaries Online, for Work & Movie-Watching (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/in-ways-legal-and-illegal-vpn-technology-is-erasing-international-borders/?partner=rss&emc=rss

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Government Asked to Provide Nearly Every Email Ever Sent (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-government-asked-to-provide-nearly-every-email-ever-sent-291020681.html

Technicalities: Oregon Governor Kitzhaber Recall Efforts Could Prove Futile, For Now (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/kitzhaber-recall-efforts-could-prove-futile-now

GENERAL NEWS

Business Owners Voice Frustration over Temporary Port Shutdown (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Port-of-Seattle-weekend-shutdown-longshoreman--291215181.html

Mud, Not Flood, Now Primary Worry along Duckabush River (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2015/02/07/mud-not-flood-now-primary-worry-along-duckabush-river/23056409/

Is Winter Over? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/02/is-winter-over.html

Mystery of the ‘Milky Rain’ in Eastern Washington Solved? (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/Mystery-of-the-milky-rain-in-Eastern-Washington-solved--291226971.html

Trade Stories: Building Boats at the Taylor Shellfish Fabrication Shop with Brian Omdahl (Filson Life)

http://www.filson.com/filson-life/2015/02/trade-stories-taylor-shellfish/

Post Season Mason County High School Basketball (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14325

DIVERSIONS

Internet Trolls Weigh In – Should Vermont Have an Official Latin Motto?

http://www.wcax.com/story/27849008/should-vermont-have-an-official-latin-motto

Forgotten Copy of Magna Carta Found in Scrapbook

http://time.com/3700712/magna-carta-scrapbook/

Seattle Police Bike Made Famous by Seahawks’ Bennett Auctioned Off

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/SPD-bike-made-famous-by-Seahawks-Bennett-6069849.php

Grower Uses Classical Music to Enhance Marijuana Potency

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/grower-uses-classical-music-to-enhance-potency/

SONG OF THE DAY

Walter Murphy – A Fifth of Beethoven

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MFbn8EbB4k

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 February 6, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 6, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/oz5naas

Flood Warning for Mason County

http://tinyurl.com/kk2w9bo

Landslide Danger – Special Weather Statement for Mason County

http://tinyurl.com/jwwrljx

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Pineapple Express Promises Stormy Weekend (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/02/05/stormy-weekend-ahead/

U-S Army Corps of Engineers Set to Release Final Cormorant Kill Plan (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/02/army_corps_of_engineers_set_to.html

Inslee’s Climate Plan Would Cost Jobs, Business-Backed Study Says (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025633805_capandtradestudyxml.html?syndication=rss

Do Electric Cars Still Need Support from Taxpayers? (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/do-electric-cars-still-need-support-taxpayers

Over 100 Tribes Exploring Marijuana Business Opportunities (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/over-100-tribes-exploring-marijuana-business-opportunities/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Employees Sue Seattle Public Utilities
2. New U-S Senate Chairman Vows Push on Nuke Waste, Yucca
3. California: Not All Democrats Oppose Fracking
4. Potential to Expand Hydropower in Maine Dries Up
5. Op/ED: Whither Power Markets? FERC’s Moment of Truth
6. U-S Army Corps of Engineers Set to Release Final Cormorant Kill Plan
7. Shellfish Growers Support Effort to Reduce ‘Bad Oyster’ Illness
8. California: Drought? That Was So January – Here Comes the February Flood
9. Views of ‘Waters of the US’ Rule Are Mixed at U-S House-Senate Hearing – Committee Leaders Call for Withdrawal
10. Utility Business Not as Usual
11. Your Home is Full of Devices That Never Turn Off – They’re Costing You a Lot of Money
12. Over 100 Tribes Exploring Marijuana Business Opportunities
13. Inslee’s Climate Plan Would Cost Jobs, Business-Backed Study Says
14. Idaho Officials Protest Carbon Reduction Plan
15. Do Electric Cars Still Need Support from Taxpayers?
16. Editorial: The Right Path Forward for the Internet is Public Utility Classification
17. Everything You Need to Know about Net Neutrality Now, In Plain English
18. Lawmakers Leery of Otter Admin’s Answers on Idaho Education Network
19. Verizon Selling $10 Billion Worth of Lines to Frontier
20. Google Is Serious about Taking on Telecom. Here’s Why It’ll Win
21. CenturyLink Works to Prevent another 911 Outage
22. Twitter Promises Return to User Growth
23. Report: Twitter CEO Says ‘We Suck’ at Policing Trolls
24. Oregon Attorney General Calls Allegations against John Kitzhaber, Cylvia Hayes ‘Very Serious & Troubling’
25. The Politically Toxic Relationship between Oregon’s Governor & His Fiancée
26. Pineapple Express Promises Stormy Weekend
27. Mild, Wet Weather Raises Landslide Danger in Western Washington State
28. Video: 1980’s Computers Plague Government Agencies
29. This Is a Great Jobs Report across the Board
30. So Long: Radio Shack Officially Goes Bankrupt

WORD OF THE DAY

Tussle • \TUSS-ull\ • Noun - 1: a physical contest or struggle: scuffle 2: an intense argument, controversy, or struggle

“Don’t go in there!” shouted the disheveled employee stumbling from the boardroom into a growing crowd of curious, yet strangely calm cubicle-dwellers. “A tussle over the last maple bar went horribly wrong…and the CEO did not come out the winner.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Employees Sue Seattle Public Utilities – “…disciplined, terminated or threatened…for making adjustments to family, friends or personal accounts…” (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/seattle/2015/02/05/employees-sue-seattle-public-utilities/22953725/

New U-S Senate Chairman Vows Push on Nuke Waste, Yucca (Las Vega Review-Journal, NV)

http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/government/new-senate-chairman-vows-push-nuke-waste-yucca

California: Not All Democrats Oppose Fracking – California governor, once environmental hero, harshly criticized for refusing to ban fracking (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/news/articles/2015/02/06/fracking-puts-california-governor-environmentalists-at-odds

Potential to Expand Hydropower in Maine Dries Up (Portland Press-Herald, ME)

http://www.pressherald.com/2015/02/06/potential-to-expand-hydropower-in-maine-dries-up/

Op/ED: Whither Power Markets? FERC’s Moment of Truth (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2015/02/05/whither-power-markets-fercs-moment-of-truth/?ss=energy

FISH & WILDLIFE

U-S Army Corps of Engineers Set to Release Final Cormorant Kill Plan (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/02/army_corps_of_engineers_set_to.html

Shellfish Growers Support Effort to Reduce ‘Bad Oyster’ Illness (Skagit Valley Herald, Mt Vernon, WA)

http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/shellfish-growers-support-effort-to-reduce-bad-oyster-illness/article_59a8fbcd-e929-5797-af3c-1f91bfcd94bb.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

California: Drought? That Was So January – Here Comes the February Flood (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_27469551/drought-that-was-january-here-comes-february-flood

Views of ‘Waters of the US’ Rule Are Mixed at U-S House-Senate Hearing – Committee Leaders Call for Withdrawal (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43115

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Utility Business Not as Usual (Breaking Energy – New word “prosumers”)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/05/utility-business-not-as-usual/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Your Home is Full of Devices That Never Turn Off – They’re Costing You a Lot of Money (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/06/your-home-is-full-of-devices-that-never-turn-off-and-theyre-costing-you-a-lot-of-money/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Over 100 Tribes Exploring Marijuana Business Opportunities (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/over-100-tribes-exploring-marijuana-business-opportunities/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Inslee’s Climate Plan Would Cost Jobs, Business-Backed Study Says (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025633805_capandtradestudyxml.html?syndication=rss

Idaho Officials Protest Carbon Reduction Plan “…hydroelectric generating capacity isn’t being treated as renewable energy, & the state is getting little credit for its large wind turbine capacity…” (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/02/06/3631135_idaho-officials-protest-carbon.html?rh=1

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Do Electric Cars Still Need Support from Taxpayers? (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/do-electric-cars-still-need-support-taxpayers

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Editorial: The Right Path Forward for the Internet is Public Utility Classification (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2025624242_netneutralityfcctomwheelertitleiicommoncarrieredit4xml.html

Everything You Need to Know about Net Neutrality Now, In Plain English (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/02/05/everything-you-need-to-know-about-net-neutrality-now-in-plain-english/

Lawmakers Leery of Otter Admin’s Answers on Idaho Education Network (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/05/lawmakers-leery-otter-admins-answers-idaho-educati/

Verizon Selling $10 Billion Worth of Lines to Frontier (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/05/verizon-sale-10-billion-landline-frontier/22945253/

Google Is Serious about Taking on Telecom. Here’s Why It’ll Win (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/02/06/google-is-serious-about-taking-on-telecom-heres-why-itll-win/

CenturyLink Works to Prevent another 911 Outage (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA)

http://union-bulletin.com/news/2015/feb/05/centurylink-works-prevent-another-911-outage/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Promises Return to User Growth (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/05/twitter-earnings/22933407/

Report: Twitter CEO Says ‘We Suck’ at Policing Trolls (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Report-Twitter-CEO-says-we-suck-at-policing-6065394.php

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Oregon Attorney General Calls Allegations against John Kitzhaber, Cylvia Hayes ‘Very Serious & Troubling’ (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2015/02/attorney_general_ellen_rosenbl_1.html

The Politically Toxic Relationship between Oregon’s Governor & His Fiancée (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/02/06/wonkbook-the-politically-toxic-relationship-between-oregons-governor-and-his-fiancee/

GENERAL NEWS

Pineapple Express Promises Stormy Weekend (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/02/05/stormy-weekend-ahead/

Mild, Wet Weather Raises Landslide Danger in Western Washington State (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Mild-wet-weather-raises-landslide-danger-in-Western-Wash-291053601.html

Video: 1980’s Computers Plague Government Agencies (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2015/02/06/old-computers-state-government-agencies/22953063/

This Is a Great Jobs Report across the Board (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/07/upshot/this-is-a-great-jobs-report-across-the-board.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&abt=0002&abg=1

So Long: Radio Shack Officially Goes Bankrupt “…like a rotting corpse being pulled apart by zombie corporations…” (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/so-long-radioshack-officially-goes-bankrupt-1683952033

DIVERSIONS

Man Loses Hat in Fourth Owl Attack at Oregon Park

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/02/06/man-loses-hat-in-fourth-owl-attack/22973227/

Missouri Parents Say They Staged 6-Year-Old’s Kidnapping to Teach Him a Lesson

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/02/06/missouri-parents-say-they-staged-6-year-olds-kidnapping-to-teach-him-a-lesson

Want a Short-Sleeve Dress Shirt Covered in Poo Emojis? Of Course You Do

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/want-short-sleeve-dress-shirt-covered-poo-emojis-course-you-do-162794

Target Workers Caught on Camera… Helping Teen Job Interviewee Tie His Tie

http://consumerist.com/2015/02/06/target-workers-caught-on-camera-helping-teen-job-interviewee-tie-his-tie/

SONG OF THE DAY

Little River Band – The Night Owls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5R40czQ-rI

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 February 5, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 5, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/pwkh5zy

Mason County Flood Watch

http://tinyurl.com/kw5lvbu

Special Weather Statement – Rain!

http://tinyurl.com/neww2wf

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

As Scandal Subsides, Pacific Northwest Energy Giant Turns Its Attention to the Future (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/as-scandal-subsides-nw-energy-oversight-giant.html

Tacoma Public Utilities Named Tops for Business (South Sound Business Examiner, WA)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/February-2015/Tacoma-Public-Utilities-named-tops-for-business/

Shelton’s Conversion to LED Lights, with Mason PUD 3 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/2014-04-07-17-28-24/21187-shelton-s-conversion-to-led-lights-with-pud-3

Oregon: Umatilla County Says Proposed Wind Farm Lacks Detail on Transmission (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20150204/county-says-proposed-wind-farm-lacks-detail-on-transmission

Rope Tricks: Washington Senate Votes to Legalize Hemp Farming as Oregon Starts Writing Permits (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-senate-votes-legalize-hemp-farming-oregon-starts-writing-permits

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. As Scandal Subsides, Pacific Northwest Energy Giant Turns Its Attention to the Future
2. Tacoma Public Utilities Named Tops for Business
3. British Columbia to Restore Rate-Setting Power to Utilities Commission after Critical Report
4. Mason PUD 1 Celebrates 80 Years of Public Service
5. Portland Water & Sewer Utility Costs on the Rise Again
6. North Dakota: Fargo Wants to Bury Old Power Lines, But Price Is Steep for Sights Unseen
7. APPA CEO to Participate in FERC Conference on Clean Power Plan
8. Obama Administration Proposed Budget Ends Strategic Review of Tennessee Valley Authority
9. Indiana Senate Considers Limits on Municipal Electricity Service Annexations
10. Natural Gas Slumps to 29-Month Low on Mixed Weather Outlook
11. Maps: Oklahoma’s Earthquake Problem is Getting Worse
12. Summer Chinook Fishing Proposals Split Anglers
13. Barges Sit for Hours behind Locks That May Take Decades to Replace
14. Oregon: Umatilla County Says Proposed Wind Farm Lacks Detail on Transmission
15. British Columbia Firms See a Future in Power Storage Systems
16. Wahkiakum PUD Commission Considers Renewable Energy Program
17. Op/Ed: Wind Production Tax Credit Opposition Seeks Skewed Energy Market
18. Wisconsin: Scott Walker’s Budget Includes $250,000 to Study ‘Wind Energy System-Related Health Issues’
19. Shelton’s Conversion to LED Lights, with Mason PUD 3
20. New LED Lights at Safeco Field Get a First Big Test
21. Energy Adviser: Recycling Appliances Pays Off in Many Ways
22. Water Heater Fix Part of Keystone Bill
23. Rope Tricks: Washington Senate Votes to Legalize Hemp Farming as Oregon Starts Writing Permits
24. Marijuana Bill Would Significantly Change Washington State’s Criminal Laws
25. Real Estate Issues in a Flourishing Cannabis Market: Q&A with Oregon Broker Zack Stratford
26. California: Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Is Not Just Smoke
27. Washington State GOP Offers Its Own Slate of Clean-Energy Bills
28. Top Republicans Say They Want to Reduce Washington State Carbon Emissions, Too
29. Opinion: Washington State Cap & Trade, or No Cap & All Tax?
30. FERC & EPA’s Clean Power Plan
31. Governor Inslee, Some Washington State Legislators Pushing Electric-Car Ownership
32. U-S Lawmakers Push Bill to Reform Renewable Fuel Mandate
33. FCC Plans Strong Hand to Regulate the Internet
34. News Guide: Net Neutrality & What It Could Mean to Your Life Online & Your Pocketbook
35. Wireless Industry’s Hilariously Awful Anti-Title II Video
36. Inside Idaho’s Broadband Mess
37. Complaining Comcast Customer Renamed “Super B**ch” on Her Cable Bill
38. Twitter & Google Said to Reach Deal on Search
39. Tricked into Quoting Hitler, Coca-Cola Suspends Automated Tweet Campaign
40. Editorial: Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber Must Resign
41. Triple Atmospheric River Event to Hit the West Coast
42. West Coast Port Lockout Could Be Days Away
43. Lawsuit Challenges Tribe’s Control of Lake Quinault
44. Anthem Health Insurer Says Cyberattack Stole Data of Millions
45. U-S Senator: Allow Restaurant Employees to Skip Hand-Washing
46. Test Reveals Importance of Washing Hands to Stay Healthy
47. NBC’s Brian Williams Apologizes for Falsely Claiming He Was Fired on In Iraq

WORD OF THE DAY

Restive • \RES-tiv\ • adjective – 1: stubbornly resisting control: balky *2: marked by impatience or uneasiness: fidgety

Albert tossed and turned all night. Finally, in his restive state he drifted off into a fitful sleep and dreamed about eating a giant marshmallow. He awoke the next morning; a cold sweat covering his body. Then he made a horrendous discovery under the covers at the end of his bed: the dismembered head of the Sta-Puft marshmallow man, swimming in a pool of marshmallow cream. Ahhhhhhhhhh Ahhhhhhhh. Half a continent away, the owner of “Generic Marshmallow, Inc.” was enjoying a wistful smile…. (Sorry Mr. Coppola)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

As Scandal Subsides, Pacific Northwest Energy Giant Turns Its Attention to the Future (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/as-scandal-subsides-nw-energy-oversight-giant.html

Tacoma Public Utilities Named Tops for Business (South Sound Business Examiner, WA)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/February-2015/Tacoma-Public-Utilities-named-tops-for-business/

British Columbia to Restore Rate-Setting Power to Utilities Commission after Critical Report (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/energy-watchdog-needs-more-independence-bc-government-told/article22791687/?cmpid=rss1

Mason PUD 1 Celebrates 80 Years of Public Service (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14295

Portland Water & Sewer Utility Costs on the Rise Again (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/02/04/portland-utility-costs-on-the-rise-again/

North Dakota: Fargo Wants to Bury Old Power Lines, But Price Is Steep for Sights Unseen (Inforum, Fargo, ND)

http://www.inforum.com/news/3671844-fargo-wants-bury-old-power-lines-price-steep-sights-unseen

APPA CEO to Participate in FERC Conference on Clean Power Plan (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43098

Obama Administration Proposed Budget Ends Strategic Review of Tennessee Valley Authority (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43094

Indiana Senate Considers Limits on Municipal Electricity Service Annexations (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/indiana-senate-considers-limits-on-muni-annexes/360835/

Natural Gas Slumps to 29-Month Low on Mixed Weather Outlook (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-04/natural-gas-falls-as-mixed-weather-outlook-signals-weak-demand

Maps: Oklahoma’s Earthquake Problem is Getting Worse (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/03/maps-oklahomas-earthquake-problem-is-getting-worse/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Summer Chinook Fishing Proposals Split Anglers (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/05/summer-chinook-fishing-proposals-Columbia/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Barges Sit for Hours behind Locks That May Take Decades to Replace (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/us/barges-sit-for-hours-behind-locks-that-may-take-decades-to-replace.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon: Umatilla County Says Proposed Wind Farm Lacks Detail on Transmission (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20150204/county-says-proposed-wind-farm-lacks-detail-on-transmission

British Columbia Firms See a Future in Power Storage Systems (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/firms+future+power+storage+systems/10788117/story.html

Wahkiakum PUD Commission Considers Renewable Energy Program (The Wahkiakum Eagle, Cathlamet, WA)

http://www.waheagle.com/story/2015/02/05/news/pud-commission-considers-renewable-energy-program/9394.html

Op/Ed: Wind Production Tax Credit Opposition Seeks Skewed Energy Market (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/231627-wind-ptc-opposition-seeks-skewed-energy-market

Wisconsin: Scott Walker’s Budget Includes $250,000 to Study ‘Wind Energy System-Related Health Issues’ (Huffington Post)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/04/walker-wind-energy-health_n_6616692.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Shelton’s Conversion to LED Lights, with Mason PUD 3 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/2014-04-07-17-28-24/21187-shelton-s-conversion-to-led-lights-with-pud-3

New LED Lights at Safeco Field Get a First Big Test (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/sports/mlb/mariners/2015/02/04/led-lights-safeco-field-mariners/22850857/

Energy Adviser: Recycling Appliances Pays Off in Many Ways (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/05/energy-adviser-cycling-appliances-pays-off/

Water Heater Fix Part of Keystone Bill (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/legislation/water-heater-fix-part-of-keystone-bill/77652

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Rope Tricks: Washington Senate Votes to Legalize Hemp Farming as Oregon Starts Writing Permits (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-senate-votes-legalize-hemp-farming-oregon-starts-writing-permits

Marijuana Bill Would Significantly Change Washington State’s Criminal Laws (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2015/02/05/marijuana-bill-would-significantly-change-washingtons-criminal-laws/

Real Estate Issues in a Flourishing Cannabis Market: Q&A with Oregon Broker Zack Stratford (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/real-estate-issues-in-a-thriving-market-qa-with-oregon-realtor-zack-stratford/

California: Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Is Not Just Smoke (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/02/04/medical-marijuana-lawsuit-is-not-just-smoke.htm

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State GOP Offers Its Own Slate of Clean-Energy Bills (Seattle Times, WA – via National Wind Watch)

https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/02/05/washington-gop-offers-its-own-slate-of-clean-energy-bills-for-state/

Top Republicans Say They Want to Reduce Washington State Carbon Emissions, Too (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/02/04/3623868_top-republicans-say-they-want.html?rh=1

Opinion: Washington State Cap & Trade, or No Cap & All Tax? (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/opinion-cap-trade-cap-tax/

FERC & EPA’s Clean Power Plan (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/04/ferc-and-epas-clean-power-plan/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Governor Inslee, Some Washington State Legislators Pushing Electric-Car Ownership (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025624550_electriccarsxml.html

U-S Lawmakers Push Bill to Reform Renewable Fuel Mandate (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/231761-lawmakers-push-bill-to-reform-renewable-fuel-mandate

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC Plans Strong Hand to Regulate the Internet (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/technology/fcc-wheeler-net-neutrality.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

News Guide: Net Neutrality & What It Could Mean to Your Life Online & Your Pocketbook (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/02/05/news-guide-net-neutrality-and-what-it-could-mean-to-you

Wireless Industry’s Hilariously Awful Anti-Title II Video (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Wireless-Industrys-Hilariously-Awful-AntiTitle-II-Video-132539

Inside Idaho’s Broadband Mess (KIVI-TV, Nampa, ID)

http://www.jrn.com/kivitv/news/Inside-Idahos-broadband-mess-290870901.html

Complaining Comcast Customer Renamed “Super B**ch” on Her Cable Bill (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/02/05/complaining-comcast-customer-renamed-super-bch-on-her-cable-bill/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter & Google Said to Reach Deal on Search (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/twitter-said-to-reach-search-deal-with-google/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Tricked into Quoting Hitler, Coca-Cola Suspends Automated Tweet Campaign (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/coca-cola-suspends-makeithappy-social-campaign-162775

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Editorial: Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber Must Resign “…Who knew following the trail of ‘clean energy’ money could make you feel so dirty?...” (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/02/john_kitzhaber_must_resign_edi.html

GENERAL NEWS

Triple Atmospheric River Event to Hit the West Coast (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/02/triple-atmospheric-river-event-to-hit.html

West Coast Port Lockout Could Be Days Away (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150204/BIZ02/150209538

Lawsuit Challenges Tribe’s Control of Lake Quinault (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/lawsuit-challenges-tribe-s-control-lake-quinault

Anthem Health Insurer Says Cyberattack Stole Data of Millions (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/business/hackers-breached-data-of-millions-insurer-says.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

U-S Senator: Allow Restaurant Employees to Skip Hand-Washing (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/national/US-Senator-Allow-restaurant-employees-to-skip-hand-washing-290795081.html

Test Reveals Importance of Washing Hands to Stay Healthy (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/05/test-reveals-importance-of-washing-hands-to-stay-healthy/

NBC’s Brian Williams Apologizes for Falsely Claiming He Was Fired on In Iraq (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/02/04/brian-williams-apologizes-for-falsely-claiming-he-was-fired-on-in-iraq/

DIVERSIONS

Hello Vancouver! Washington’s Most Romantic City? It’s Not ‘Sleepless’ or ‘50 Shades’ Seattle

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2015/02/washingtons-most-romantic-city-its-not-sleepless.html

Man Who Lived Modestly Leaves Millions in Surprise Donations

http://news.yahoo.com/man-lived-modestly-leaves-millions-surprise-donations-135358404.html

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Urine for Drug Tests – “Urine Luck” one of the varieties

http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-man-pleads-guilty-selling-fake-urine-drug-145319157.html

Gun Found Inside Book Donated to Maine Goodwill Store

http://news.yahoo.com/gun-found-inside-book-donated-maine-goodwill-store-144105580.html

SONG OF THE DAY

John Paul Young - Love Is in the Air

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQFrSR2c7fY

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.