Thursday, June 18, 2015

Energy News Digest for June 18, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for June 18, 2015

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To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Summer Spill Starts At Snake & Columbia Dams (Tri-City Herald, WA)

New Electrical Meters Coming to Grant PUD Customers (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

BC Hydro Sues Vancouver Landlord over Refusing Smart Meters (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Community Solar Arrays Greet the Sun – Project funded by utility customer investors is becoming real in Orchards (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

Washington State Legislature Preparing for Government Shutdown (Northwest Public Radio)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • New Electrical Meters Coming to Grant PUD Customers
  • BC Hydro Sues Vancouver Landlord over Refusing Smart Meters
  • The Grid Is Getting Smarter, But Are Customers Keeping Up?
  • Chelan PUD & Large Loads
  • How Bonneville Power Administration Is Tapping Demand Response to Balance Power from Dams, Wind & Sun
  • BC Hydro’s Over-Budget IT Upgrade Proves Too Ambitious
  • Cowlitz PUD Attorney Brachvogel Leaves Post
  • NuScale Power: Oregon Nuclear Exec Elected Vice Chair of U-S Chamber of Commerce
  • Summer Spill Starts At Snake & Columbia Dams
  • Pink Salmon Bumper Crop Headed for Puget Sound – Sockeye Bonanza to Upper Columbia
  • Chinook Salmon Season on the Boise River Starts Thursday
  • Tribal Salmon Sales Start in Columbia Gorge
  • California’s Trout Hatcheries Hurt by Drought, Disease
  • Port Angeles Ratchets Up Water Alert to Stage Two
  • Editorial: Please, Victoria BC, Clean Up Your Poop
  • How 15 Years of Drought Has Changed Lake Powell, In One GIF
  • Community Solar Arrays Greet the Sun
  • Rec Solar Snaps Up Rival to Better Compete in Commercial Solar Market
  • Minnesota Is Where You Will Find the New Solar Gold Rush
  • This Is How Much Energy Goes into the Super Bowl Every Year
  • Pope Francis: ‘Revolution’ Needed to Combat Climate Change
  • Americans Are Again Getting More Worried About the Climate
  • GM Uses Old Volt Batteries to Power Office Building
  • Fungi Perfecti – He Holds the Patent that Could Destroy Monsanto & Change the World
  • FCC to Fine AT&T $100M for Deceiving Customers over Unlimited Data Plan
  • New York City Is Very Pissed about Verizon’s Failed FiOS Rollout
  • Canada Government Websites Taken Down in Cyber Attack
  • Report: Comcast Shows Most Interest in Buying Out T-Mobile
  • Make Every Co-op Employee a Communicator
  • Disney’s Powerful Marketing Force: Social Media Moms
  • With LinkedIn’s Powerful Backing, Can Lynda.com Dominate the Digital-Skills Market?
  • Ultimate Guide to Social Media Image Sizes
  • Washington State Legislature Preparing for Government Shutdown
  • Transportation Revenue Talks Stall in Washington State Legislature
  • U-S Senator Wyden Threatens to Block DOE Appointment over Hanford Issues
  • Mason County Sheriff: Stay Off Trails Below State’s Highest Bridge
  • Washington State Unemployment Rate Dropped to 5.4 Percent in May
  • Cliff Mass: ‘Tinderbombs’ Diffused by Moist Conditions
  • Three Postal Workers Accused of Posing as Children to Steal from Operation Santa
  • U-S Treasury: There Will Be a Woman on the $10 Bill
WORD OF THE DAY

Deliquesce • \del-ih-KWESS\ • Verb – *1: to dissolve or melt away 2: to become soft or liquid with age or maturity -- used of some fungal structures (as the gills of a mushroom)

“Eww, gross!” exclaimed Myrtle. While enjoying a hot summer day on the beach, her portly companion began to deliquesce on his beach towel next to her.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

New Electrical Meters Coming to Grant PUD Customers (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

BC Hydro Sues Vancouver Landlord over Refusing Smart Meters (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

The Grid Is Getting Smarter, But Are Customers Keeping Up? (Breaking Energy)

Chelan PUD & Large Loads (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

How Bonneville Power Administration Is Tapping Demand Response to Balance Power from Dams, Wind & Sun (Green Tech Media)

BC Hydro’s Over-Budget IT Upgrade Proves Too Ambitious (Globe & Mail, Canada)

Cowlitz PUD Attorney Brachvogel Leaves Post (Longview Daily News, WA)

NuScale Power: Oregon Nuclear Exec Elected Vice Chair of U-S Chamber of Commerce (Portland Business Journal, OR)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Summer Spill Starts At Snake & Columbia Dams (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Pink Salmon Bumper Crop Headed for Puget Sound – Sockeye Bonanza to Upper Columbia (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Chinook Salmon Season on the Boise River Starts Thursday (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

Tribal Salmon Sales Start in Columbia Gorge (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

California’s Trout Hatcheries Hurt by Drought, Disease (Sacramento Bee, CA)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Port Angeles Ratchets Up Water Alert to Stage Two – Sees No Danger of Running Out of Drinking Water (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Editorial: Please, Victoria BC, Clean Up Your Poop (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

How 15 Years of Drought Has Changed Lake Powell, In One GIF (Gizmodo)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Community Solar Arrays Greet the Sun – Project funded by utility customer investors is becoming real in Orchards (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

Rec Solar Snaps Up Rival to Better Compete in Commercial Solar Market (Forbes Magazine)

Minnesota Is Where You Will Find the New Solar Gold Rush (Forbes Magazine)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

This Is How Much Energy Goes into the Super Bowl Every Year (TIME Magazine)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Pope Francis: ‘Revolution’ Needed to Combat Climate Change (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

Americans Are Again Getting More Worried About the Climate (NY Times)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

GM Uses Old Volt Batteries to Power Office Building (Reuters)

Fungi Perfecti – He Holds the Patent that Could Destroy Monsanto & Change the World (Progressive Radio Network)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC to Fine AT&T $100M for Deceiving Customers over Unlimited Data Plan (C/Net News)

New York City Is Very Pissed about Verizon’s Failed FiOS Rollout (Gizmodo)

Canada Government Websites Taken Down in Cyber Attack (Reuters)

Report: Comcast Shows Most Interest in Buying Out T-Mobile (Dallas Business Journal, TX)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Make Every Co-op Employee a Communicator (Electric Co-op Today)

Disney’s Powerful Marketing Force: Social Media Moms (Reuters)

With LinkedIn’s Powerful Backing, Can Lynda.com Dominate the Digital-Skills Market? (AdWeek)

Ultimate Guide to Social Media Image Sizes (Social Media Examiner)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Legislature Preparing for Government Shutdown (Northwest Public Radio)

Transportation Revenue Talks Stall in Washington State Legislature (Longview Daily News, WA)

U-S Senator Wyden Threatens to Block DOE Appointment over Hanford Issues (Tri-City Herald, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Sheriff: Stay Off Trails Below State’s Highest Bridge (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Washington State Unemployment Rate Dropped to 5.4 Percent in May (Associated Press)

Cliff Mass: ‘Tinderbombs’ Diffused by Moist Conditions (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

Three Postal Workers Accused of Posing as Children to Steal from Operation Santa (NY Times)

U-S Treasury: There Will Be a Woman on the $10 Bill (Consumerist)

DIVERSIONS

Kelso School District’s Diploma Cover Features Wrong State Seal – Oregon’s

Stuck Squirrel Rescued by Lacey Firefighter

Former Timber Workers Say Assistance Must Continue Despite Derailed Trade Agreement (Northwest Public Radio)

Amusing Monday: It’s So Dry … You Just Have To Laugh

SONG OF THE DAY

Tanya Tucker – Lizzie & the Rain Man

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.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Energy News Digest for June 16, 2015 – Hot Shots Edition




SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS


Weather Forecast for June 16, 2015




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:




HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES



El Niño Is Officially Back & Looks Stronger Than Ever (Oregonian, Portland)




Still No Washington State Budget Deal; Layoff Notices Go Out Next Week (Northwest Public Radio)




Grays Harbor PUD & Union Agree to Three Year Contract (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)




Chelan PUD Deal May Set Up Local TV Options (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)




Broadband for All: Eight Next Steps for Seattle (Crosscut Seattle)




State of the Mason County Economy, MHG, MTA, & Mason PUD 3 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)




Toxic Algae Bloom That Shut Down Shellfishing Could Be Largest Ever (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)




Most States on Track to Meet EPA Clean Power Plan, But Political & Legal Contention Remains (Utility Dive)




EIA’s Mapping System Highlights Energy Infrastructure across the United States (U-S Energy Information Administration)




In Leaked Encyclical, Pope Issues Stern Warnings on Climate Change (Forbes Magazine)




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.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Energy News Digest for June 15, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for June 15, 2015

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:

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Army Corps of Engineers Has Removed 125 Cormorants, 1,700 Eggs from East Sand Island (Longview Daily News, WA)

Google Fiber Coming To Portland? That’s the Chatter in North Carolina (Oregonian, Portland)

PacifiCorp Plans to Reduce Coal Usage (Associated Press)

Portland’s Largest Renewable Energy Developer Inks Huge 76MW Colorado Wind Deal (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Goodyear Blimp Lands in Shelton – Will be Flying over U-S Open (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • PacifiCorp Plans to Reduce Coal Usage
  • Journey on the Cowlitz: Mossyrock Dam Upgrading, Still With Room to Grow
  • Journey on the Cowlitz: Underwater Towns of the Cowlitz River
  • Eight Utilities Partner to Stockpile Emergency Power Transformers
  • Can the Power Grid Survive a Cyberattack?
  • Electric Co-ops Have ‘Seen Pearl Harbor’ on Cyber Attacks
  • How Utilities Are Finding New Revenue Streams to Combat Stagnant Load Growth
  • EIA’s New Energy Visualization Widget Embeds Interactive Charts & Maps on Any Website
  • Army Corps of Engineers Has Removed 125 Cormorants, 1,700 Eggs from East Sand Island
  • The Buoys Are Back: Undersea Instruments Help Predict Salmon Runs
  • Gopher Review Plan Expected To Expedite Building Permits, County Says
  • Federal Court Hands Oregon Loggers Big Defeat
  • California Cuts Farmers’ Share of Scant Water
  • Portland’s Largest Renewable Energy Developer Inks Huge 76MW Colorado Wind Deal
  • Oregon: Radar Upgrade in Fossil to Lessen Conflict with Proposed Wind Farms
  • Wyoming Officials Tout That State’s Wind Energy Can be Exported
  • Under CAISO Proposal, Distributed Resources Could Bid into California Energy Markets Next Year
  • How Much Will Solar Dim after Tax Credits Expire?
  • Loveless: LED Bulbs Gain On CFLs in Lighting Market
  • Lawmakers May Redirect Some Pot-Tax Money Meant for Health Clinics
  • Patchwork of Pot Rules Hampers Marijuana Business Expansion
  • Google Fiber Coming To Portland? That’s the Chatter in North Carolina
  • Report: Google Fiber Might Be On Its Way to Portland Next
  • As Voice Mail Systems Go Dark, Customers Find Themselves at a Loss
  • Here Are the 12 Best Facebook Marketing Campaigns from the Past Year
  • Rough Sailing Ahead for Twitter after CEO’s Departure
  • How to Use Facebook Mobile Apps for Marketing
  • Jeb Bush Unveiled His 2016 Logo, & the Internet Shouted Unkind Things at It
  • Washington Supreme Court Rules Skamania County in Violation of Growth Law
  • Washington State Lawmakers Look to Saint Martin’s, St. Placid Priory for Lodging during U-S Open
  • Goodyear Blimp Lands in Shelton – Will be Flying over U-S Open
  • Woman Rescued from Fall Under Mason County’s High Steel Bridge
  • Climate Change Creating ‘Longer, More Intense’ Fire Seasons, Warns Interior Secretary
  • Western Washington State Wildfire Danger: ‘It’s Going to Burn Faster & Hotter’
  • Questions about Rachel Dolezal Linger as Spokane NAACP Members React
  • Seven Years of Planning for Golf’s 2015 U-S Open about to Pay Off
WORD OF THE DAY

Whirling Dervish • \HWER-ling DERR-vish\ • Noun - A dervish whose actions include ecstatic dancing & whirling. A Dervish is an ascetic Muslim monk; a member of an order noted for devotional exercises involving bodily movements

The pulsating rhythm of the dance band reverberated throughout the old music hall, sending the teeny boppers into a frenzy. One couple in particular was in the throes of a dance that they called the “Whirling Dervish,” which resulted in an unfortunate collision with another couple dancing the “Mashed Potato.” The resulting dance became the “Whipped Potato.”

“I’ll tell ya’. These kids and their rock & roll music and fast cars…bah!”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

PacifiCorp Plans to Reduce Coal Usage (Associated Press)

Journey on the Cowlitz: Mossyrock Dam Upgrading, Still With Room to Grow (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

Journey on the Cowlitz: Underwater Towns of the Cowlitz River (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

Eight Utilities Partner to Stockpile Emergency Power Transformers (Utility Dive)

Can the Power Grid Survive a Cyberattack? (Gizmodo)

Electric Co-ops Have ‘Seen Pearl Harbor’ on Cyber Attacks (Electric Co-op Today)

How Utilities Are Finding New Revenue Streams to Combat Stagnant Load Growth (Utility Dive)

EIA’s New Energy Visualization Widget Embeds Interactive Charts & Maps on Any Website (U-S Energy Information Administration)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Army Corps of Engineers Has Removed 125 Cormorants, 1,700 Eggs from East Sand Island (Longview Daily News, WA)

The Buoys Are Back: Undersea Instruments Help Predict Salmon Runs (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Gopher Review Plan Expected To Expedite Building Permits, County Says (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Federal Court Hands Oregon Loggers Big Defeat (Portland Business Journal, OR)

California Cuts Farmers’ Share of Scant Water (NY Times)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Portland’s Largest Renewable Energy Developer Inks Huge 76MW Colorado Wind Deal (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Oregon: Radar Upgrade in Fossil to Lessen Conflict with Proposed Wind Farms (East Oregonian, Pendleton)

Wyoming Officials Tout That State’s Wind Energy Can be Exported (Billings Gazette, MT)

Under CAISO Proposal, Distributed Resources Could Bid into California Energy Markets Next Year (Utility Dive)

How Much Will Solar Dim after Tax Credits Expire? (Sacramento Bee, CA)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Loveless: LED Bulbs Gain On CFLs in Lighting Market (USA Today)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Lawmakers May Redirect Some Pot-Tax Money Meant for Health Clinics (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Patchwork of Pot Rules Hampers Marijuana Business Expansion (USA Today)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Fiber Coming To Portland? That’s the Chatter in North Carolina (Oregonian, Portland)

Report: Google Fiber Might Be On Its Way to Portland Next (Consumerist)

As Voice Mail Systems Go Dark, Customers Find Themselves at a Loss (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Here Are the 12 Best Facebook Marketing Campaigns from the Past Year (AdWeek)

Rough Sailing Ahead for Twitter after CEO’s Departure (C/NET News)

How to Use Facebook Mobile Apps for Marketing (Social Media Examiner)

Jeb Bush Unveiled His 2016 Logo, & the Internet Shouted Unkind Things at It (AdWeek)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington Supreme Court Rules Skamania County in Violation of Growth Law (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Washington State Lawmakers Look to Saint Martin’s, St. Placid Priory for Lodging during U-S Open (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

GENERAL NEWS

Goodyear Blimp Lands in Shelton – Will be Flying over U-S Open (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Woman Rescued from Fall Under Mason County’s High Steel Bridge (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Climate Change Creating ‘Longer, More Intense’ Fire Seasons, Warns Interior Secretary (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

Western Washington State Wildfire Danger: ‘It’s Going to Burn Faster & Hotter’ (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Questions about Rachel Dolezal Linger as Spokane NAACP Members React (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Seven Years of Planning for Golf’s 2015 U-S Open about to Pay Off (Northwest Public Radio)

DIVERSIONS

Pike Place Market Musician Has Beloved Ukulele Stolen

Comet Robot Philae Phones Home Again

Five Things to Know about Magna Carta on Its 800th Anniversary

Man’s Mistake Lands Him Top Poker Prize

SONG OF THE DAY

John Williams – E.T. - Adventures on Earth

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.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Energy News Digest for June 12, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for June 12, 2015

The Blob Strengthens (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST BLOG & TWITTER FEED

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Final Log Cut at Simpson’s Waterfront Mill in Shelton (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

U-S Plans to Focus on Environment in Columbia River Talks (McClatchy Washington Bureau)

Low Flows, High Fish Counts: Cowlitz Falls Dam Attempts Balance with Energy, Fish Restoration (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

Heating & Cooling Scams on the Rise around Puget Sound (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

EPA Takes Step to Cut Emissions from Airplanes (NY Times)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • U-S Plans to Focus on Environment in Columbia River Talks
  • U-S State Department: Columbia River Treaty Negotiating Position to Include ‘Ecosystem-Based Function’
  • Avista Requests Multi-Year Electric & Natural Gas Rate Increase in Idaho
  • Wyoming Coal Firms Make Case for Northwest Port Facilities
  • Federal Decision on Jordan Cove LNG in Coos Bay Delayed Again
  • Collaboration with EPRI to Test New Sensor Technology
  • Low Flows, High Fish Counts: Cowlitz Falls Dam Attempts Balance with Energy, Fish Restoration
  • California Tries to Save Salmon in Wine Country Creeks
  • Spotted Owl Numbers Waning at a Faster Pace
  • Pygmy Rabbits Rebound from Near-Extinction
  • British Columbia: Eight Sites Favored for Victoria’s Sewage Plant
  • What Are the Different Types of Renewable Energy?
  • Heating & Cooling Scams on the Rise around Puget Sound
  • Want to Boost Energy Efficiency? Teach People How to Better Use Their Buildings
  • Group Hopes to Change ‘Stoner’ Image of Pot Smokers
  • EPA Takes Step to Cut Emissions from Airplanes
  • Winners & Losers in Oregon’s Carbon Pricing Debate
  • Leaked Images Reveal Nest’s Plans to Fully Absorb Dropcam
  • Could One Million Smart Pool Pumps ‘Store’ Renewable Energy Better than Giant Batteries?
  • Court Declines to Suspend U-S Net Neutrality Rules
  • All Federal Workers Fell Victim to Hackers, Union Says
  • Google Fiber Construction Begins in Salt Lake City
  • Comcast Gives Woman’s E-Mail Address Away to Someone Else, But Bills Her for That Person’s Service
  • How to Stop Autoplay Videos
  • What’s The No. 1 Killer of Productivity in the Workplace? I’ll Text You the Answer
  • Meerkat & Periscope: How Businesses Are Using Live Mobile Broadcasting
  • This Agency Ran a Print Ad about How Angry It Was That No One Ran Its Print Ad
  • Washington State Rep. MacEwen Concerned There’s No Budget Agreement at Second Special Session Halftime
  • Final Log Cut at Simpson’s Waterfront Mill in Shelton
  • Timber Left Standing on Department of Natural Resources Trust Lands While Peninsula Mills Shut Down
  • DNR: ‘These Forests Are Tinder Bombs’
  • U-S Forest Service: 90 Percent Chance Agency Lacks Money to Fight Fires
  • Mason Transit Authority Awarded Best in the Nation
  • The Goodyear Blimp in Shelton: Port of Call – Welcoming a Legend
  • El Niño Seen Strengthening, Unlikely to Bring Drought Relief
  • Parents of Spokane NAACP President Rachel Dolezal Claim She’s Not Black
WORD OF THE DAY

Finesse • \fin-ESS \ • noun & verb – 1: refinement or delicacy of workmanship, structure, or texture 2: skillful handling of a situation: adroit maneuvering 3: the withholding of one’s highest card or trump in the hope that a lower card will take the trick because the only opposing higher card is in the hand of an opponent who has already played

Bertie’s gambit needed all the finesse he could muster. The concert venue was lightly packed on the big night. Although he knew that he could muscle his way past the pencil-necked backstage security guard, he was less sure that he could talk his way past Shaun Cassidy’s business manager for an exclusive interview for the local weekly’s “Star Spotlight” section.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

U-S Plans to Focus on Environment in Columbia River Talks (McClatchy Washington Bureau)

U-S State Department: Columbia River Treaty Negotiating Position to Include ‘Ecosystem-Based Function’ (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

Avista Requests Multi-Year Electric & Natural Gas Rate Increase in Idaho (Electric Energy Online)

Wyoming Coal Firms Make Case for Northwest Port Facilities (Associated Press)

Federal Decision on Jordan Cove LNG in Coos Bay Delayed Again (Oregonian, Portland)

Collaboration with EPRI to Test New Sensor Technology (Bonneville Power Administration)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Low Flows, High Fish Counts: Cowlitz Falls Dam Attempts Balance with Energy, Fish Restoration (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

California Tries to Save Salmon in Wine Country Creeks (Associated Press)

Spotted Owl Numbers Waning at a Faster Pace (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

Pygmy Rabbits Rebound from Near-Extinction (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

British Columbia: Eight Sites Favored for Victoria’s Sewage Plant (Vancouver Sun, BC)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

What Are the Different Types of Renewable Energy? (Phys.Org)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Heating & Cooling Scams on the Rise around Puget Sound (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Want to Boost Energy Efficiency? Teach People How to Better Use Their Buildings (Portland Business Journal, OR)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Group Hopes to Change ‘Stoner’ Image of Pot Smokers (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

EPA Takes Step to Cut Emissions from Airplanes (NY Times)

Winners & Losers in Oregon’s Carbon Pricing Debate (Portland Business Journal, OR)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Leaked Images Reveal Nest’s Plans to Fully Absorb Dropcam (Mashable)

Could One Million Smart Pool Pumps ‘Store’ Renewable Energy Better than Giant Batteries? (The Conversation)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Court Declines to Suspend U-S Net Neutrality Rules (Reuters)

All Federal Workers Fell Victim to Hackers, Union Says (Associated Press)

Google Fiber Construction Begins in Salt Lake City (Broadband Reports)

Comcast Gives Woman’s E-Mail Address Away to Someone Else, But Bills Her for That Person’s Service (Consumerist)

How to Stop Autoplay Videos (PC World)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

What’s The No. 1 Killer of Productivity in the Workplace? I’ll Text You the Answer (The Business Journals)

Meerkat & Periscope: How Businesses Are Using Live Mobile Broadcasting (Social Media Examiner)

This Agency Ran a Print Ad about How Angry It Was That No One Ran Its Print Ad (AdWeek)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Rep. MacEwen Concerned There’s No Budget Agreement at Second Special Session Halftime (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

Final Log Cut at Simpson’s Waterfront Mill in Shelton (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

Timber Left Standing on Department of Natural Resources Trust Lands While Peninsula Mills Shut Down (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

DNR: ‘These Forests Are Tinder Bombs’ (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

U-S Forest Service: 90 Percent Chance Agency Lacks Money to Fight Fires (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

Mason Transit Authority Awarded Best in the Nation (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

The Goodyear Blimp in Shelton: Port of Call – Welcoming a Legend (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

El Niño Seen Strengthening, Unlikely to Bring Drought Relief (Northwest Public Radio)

Parents of Spokane NAACP President Rachel Dolezal Claim She’s Not Black (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Ten Food Stylists That Will Inspire You to Up Your Instagram Game

Man Kicked Out of Jury Duty for Wearing Prison Garb

These Are the Sad Remains of the Soviet Space Shuttle Program

An Aluminum Plate after a 6,700 mph Collision with a Grain of Sand

SONG OF THE DAY

Shaun Cassidy – Hey Deanie

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.