Energy News Digest for August 11, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for August 11, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/py7goau

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

Drought is Impacting Electric Utilities “…So far, the Bonneville Power Administration continues to enjoy strong pools on the Columbia River…” (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2015/08/10/drought-impact/31439411/

British Columbia Residents Push for More-Stable Reservoir Levels as Columbia River Treaty is Renegotiated (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/aug/09/bc-residents-push-for-stable-reservoir/

Note to Utilities: Here’s Why 2015 is the ‘Tipping Point’ for Community Solar (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/note-to-utilities-heres-why-2015-is-the-tipping-point-for-community-sol/403284/

Grays Harbor PUD Passes 2.5% Rate Increase (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/pud-passes-2-5-rate-increase/

City of Shelton Considering LED Reader Boards (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)
http://masonwebtv.com/archives/16511

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Drought is Impacting Electric Utilities
• British Columbia Residents Push for More-Stable Reservoir Levels as Columbia River Treaty is Renegotiated
• Grays Harbor PUD Passes 2.5% Rate Increase
• City of Shelton Considering LED Reader Boards
• City of Shelton: Alternatives to Over-the-Road Banners
• Smart Meters Pose Personal Surveillance Risks, Experts Say
• U-S Senate Energy Package Focuses on Fossil Fuels & Electric Infrastructure
• Cyberattacks & the Clean Power Plan
• Back to the Drawing Board for Control of Oyster-Killing Shrimp
• Note to Utilities: Here’s Why 2015 is the ‘Tipping Point’ for Community Solar
• Million Dollar Solar Project Underway at Columbia Basin College
• Editorial: Tri-Cities - Solar Program Adds another Energy Option
• West Coast Wind Patterns Lead to Below-Normal Wind Generation Capacity Factors
• Energy Department Reports Highlight Trends of Growing U-S Wind Energy Industry
• Canadians Pull the Plug on Renewable Energy Scheme
• Energy-Efficient Buildings worth $216 Million to Washington’s Economy, Create 3,800 Jobs
• 34% of Americans Don’t Know LEDs Save Electricity
• Marijuana Market Takes Root
• Kittitas County: Local Marijuana Businesses Rake in Nearly $4 Million in Total Sales
• State Legislators Tell Feds to Keep Hands Off Marijuana Policy
• Chart of the Week: 72% Increase in Energy Use by Denver Marijuana Cultivation Sites since 2012
• Doubts over Climate Change Link to Sun’s Activity
• Editorial: Washington State Can Lead on Global Warming & Clean Energy
• Op/Ed: Obama’s Latest Global Warming Plan Is about His Legacy, Not Policy
• Where Electric Cars Will Drive Around in Poor Neighborhoods
• Google Morphs into Alphabet; Investors Cheer Clarity
• Intriguing & Surprising Digital Marketing Stats from the Past Week
• Tips for Better Taking Smartphone Photos at Night – And in Bars
• Ways Email is Embracing the Trends That Were Supposed to Make It Obsolete
• Target Removing Gender Based Signs from Its Stores
• Peabody Energy Tries to Strike Song Lyrics from Complaint: Welcome to the Streisand Effect
• Shelton Transition Center Open for Simpson Lumber Company Employees
• Grays Harbor, Mason, Pacific, among 35 Counties Eligible for Disaster Loans
• Seattle City Council Votes to Adopt ‘Gun Violence Tax’
• Q&A: Why Does Berkshire Hathaway Want to Buy Oregon-Based Precision Castparts?
• Kudos to Smokin’ Mo’s in Shelton – Here Are 15 BBQ Joints in Washington State That Will Leave Your Mouth Watering Uncontrollably

WORD OF THE DAY

Sandbag • \SAND-bag \ • Verb – 1: to bank, stop up, or weight with sandbags 2a: to hit or stun with or as if with a sandbag b: to treat unfairly or harshly *3: to conceal or misrepresent one’s true position, potential, or intent especially in order to take advantage of

The dark, surging water of “Pressure Creek” kept rising, its oily surface hiding the destructive power pummeling the ever-higher pile of sandbags placed on the riverbank. As the velvety darkness fell on the “bucket-brigade” of volunteers, the foreman on the growing levee fell, sandbagged into unconsciousness by an unknown assailant. Suddenly atop the improvised dam appeared a man in deep purple robes, the fabric spangled with diamonds that shone like starlight on the darkest night. “Do not be afraid,” he bellowed to the sweaty, begrimed workers, “The waters will not pass this point.” Fortunately, the dark toil did not abate, as the experienced flood survivors knew that the peculiar “Lord of the Rings” fanboy was merely trying to sandbag them into believing that he was one of the mysterious wizards of middle-earth.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Drought is Impacting Electric Utilities “…So far, the Bonneville Power Administration continues to enjoy strong pools on the Columbia River…” (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2015/08/10/drought-impact/31439411/

British Columbia Residents Push for More-Stable Reservoir Levels as Columbia River Treaty is Renegotiated (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/aug/09/bc-residents-push-for-stable-reservoir/

Grays Harbor PUD Passes 2.5% Rate Increase (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/pud-passes-2-5-rate-increase/

City of Shelton Considering LED Reader Boards (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)
http://masonwebtv.com/archives/16511

City of Shelton: Alternatives to Over-the-Road Banners (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news

Smart Meters Pose Personal Surveillance Risks, Experts Say (Fresno Bee, CA)

http://www.fresnobee.com/news/business/technology/article30689280.html

U-S Senate Energy Package Focuses on Fossil Fuels & Electric Infrastructure (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/08/10/senate-energy-package-focuseson-fossil-fuels-and-electric-infrastructure/

Cyberattacks & the Clean Power Plan (Morning Consult)

http://morningconsult.com/opinions/how-recent-cyberattacks-affect-the-clean-power-plan/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Back to the Drawing Board for Control of Oyster-Killing Shrimp (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://tinyurl.com/qanekos

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Note to Utilities: Here’s Why 2015 is the ‘Tipping Point’ for Community Solar (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/note-to-utilities-heres-why-2015-is-the-tipping-point-for-community-sol/403284/

Million Dollar Solar Project Underway at Columbia Basin College (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/home/video/Million-dollar-solar-project-underway-at-CBC-321333211.html

Editorial: Tri-Cities - Solar Program Adds another Energy Option (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/08/11/3688329_our-voice-solar-program-adds-another.html?rh=1

West Coast Wind Patterns Lead to Below-Normal Wind Generation Capacity Factors (U-S Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=22452

Energy Department Reports Highlight Trends of Growing U-S Wind Energy Industry (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/08/10/energy-department-reports-highlight-trends-of-growing-u-s-wind-energy-industry/

Canadians Pull the Plug on Renewable Energy Scheme (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/10/canadians-pull-the-plug-on-renewable-energy-scheme

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy-Efficient Buildings worth $216 Million to Washington’s Economy, Create 3,800 Jobs (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2015/08/energy-efficient-buildings-worth-216m-to.html

34% of Americans Don’t Know LEDs Save Electricity (Energy Manager Today)

http://www.energymanagertoday.com/34-americans-dont-know-leds-save-electricity-0114493/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Marijuana Market Takes Root (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/members/marijuana-market-takes-root/article_ef4c3b30-3d61-11e5-a8bb-bf062210d9eb.html

Kittitas County: Local Marijuana Businesses Rake in Nearly $4 Million in Total Sales – Statewide, I-502 companies see $256M in sales; $67M in taxes (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/members/local-marijuana-businesses-rake-in-nearly-m-in-total-sales/article_3f3b225a-3d5d-11e5-900c-ffabc296c1ad.html

State Legislators Tell Feds to Keep Hands Off Marijuana Policy (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mjbizdaily.com/state-legislators-tell-feds-to-keep-hands-off-marijuana-policy/

Chart of the Week: 72% Increase in Energy Use by Denver Marijuana Cultivation Sites since 2012 (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mjbizdaily.com/chart-week-72-increase-energy-use-denver-marijuana-cultivation-sites-since-2012/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Doubts over Climate Change Link to Sun’s Activity (The Weather Channel)

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/uk/news/articles/climate-and-environment/doubts-over-climate-change-link-to-suns-activity-/55551/

Editorial: Washington State Can Lead on Global Warming & Clean Energy (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/wash-state-can-lead-on-global-warming-and-clean-energy/

Op/Ed: Obama’s Latest Global Warming Plan Is about His Legacy, Not Policy (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/08/04/the-insiders-obamas-latest-global-warming-plan-is-about-his-legacy-not-policy/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Where Electric Cars Will Drive Around in Poor Neighborhoods (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/next-america/economic-empowerment/where-electric-cars-will-drive-around-in-poor-neighborhoods-20150810

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Morphs into Alphabet; Investors Cheer Clarity (Reuters)

https://news.yahoo.com/google-morphs-alphabet-investors-cheer-clarity-012723411--finance.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Intriguing & Surprising Digital Marketing Stats from the Past Week (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/8-intriguing-and-surprising-digital-marketing-stats-past-week-166321

Tips for Better Taking Smartphone Photos at Night – And in Bars) (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/tips-for-better-taking-smartphone-photos-at-night-and-1723296022

Ways Email is Embracing the Trends That Were Supposed to Make It Obsolete (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/3-ways-email-marketing-embracing-trends-were-supposed-make-it-obsolete-166300

Target Removing Gender Based Signs from Its Stores (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/business/Target-removing-gender-based-signs-from-its-stores-321283141.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Peabody Energy Tries to Strike Song Lyrics from Complaint: Welcome to the Streisand Effect (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/08/10/peabody-energy-tries-to-strike-song-lyrics-from-complaint-welcome-to-the-streisand-effect/

GENERAL NEWS

Shelton Transition Center Open for Simpson Lumber Company Employees (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/daybreak/24334-transition-center-open-for-simpson-employees

Grays Harbor, Mason, Pacific, among 35 Counties Eligible for Disaster Loans (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/grays-harbor-mason-pacific-among-35-counties-eligible-for-disaster-loans/

Seattle City Council Votes to Adopt ‘Gun Violence Tax’ (Associated Press)

http://www.khq.com/story/29754339/seattle-city-council-votes-to-adopt-gun-violence-tax

Q&A: Why Does Berkshire Hathaway Want to Buy Oregon-Based Precision Castparts? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/qa-why-does-berkshire-hathaway-want-to-buy-oregon-based-precision-castparts/

Kudos to Smokin’ Mo’s in Shelton – Here Are 15 BBQ Joints in Washington State That Will Leave Your Mouth Watering Uncontrollably (Only in Your State)

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/washington/wa-bbq/

DIVERSIONS

The British Library Needs Your Help to Solve This Hidden Message

http://mashable.com/2015/08/10/british-library-sword/

Stolen Car Returned To South African Owner after 22 Years

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/08/05/us-safrica-theft-idUKKCN0QA27420150805

FBI Hopes Grainy Video Will Help Solve 25-Year-Old $500 Million Art Heist

http://news.yahoo.com/fbi-hopes-grainy-video-help-solve-25-old-154242994.html

Alabama family reunites with dog missing for 9 years

http://news.yahoo.com/alabama-family-reunites-dog-missing-9-years-174541511.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Everything But The Girl – Driving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfQv-6c7x94

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 August 10, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for August 10, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/pzw8tzf

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:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Pacific Power Takes Blame for Tieton Man Losing Home (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/pacific-power-takes-blame-for-tieton-man-losing-home-audio/article_21e7a692-3e5c-11e5-b93c-bf92f2bdbe1c.html

Reduced Hydroelectric Production Hurts Avista Earnings (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/aug/06/reduced-hydroelectric-production-hurts-avista/

Pacific Northwest Geothermal Research Aims to Help Solve Energy & Water Squeeze (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/northwest-geothermal-research-aims-help-solve-energy-and-water-squeeze

Could Obama’s Clean Power Plan Lower Your Electric Bill? (TIME Magazine)

http://time.com/3986383/clean-power-plan-costs/

Pacific Northwest Geothermal Research Aims to Help Solve Energy & Water Squeeze (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/northwest-geothermal-research-aims-help-solve-energy-and-water-squeeze

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Pacific Power Takes Blame for Tieton Man Losing Home
• Reduced Hydroelectric Production Hurts Avista Earnings
• Feds Give Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Developers a Long List of Suggestions
• Update - Power Restored after Outage Affecting Mason PUD 3 Customers on North Shore Road – Caused by Fallen Tree
• Op/Ed: The Clean Power Plan Will Collide With the Incredibly Weird Physics of the Electric Grid
• Co-op Using Prepay to Help Past-Due Members
• PPL: Reliability Efforts Avoided Almost 200,000 Outages So Far this Year
• A Small, Modular, Efficient Fusion Plant
• Recreational Fishing Shut Down in Most Olympic National Park Rivers, Streams
• Crews to Prep Dungeness River This Week for Huge Run of Pink Salmon
• Congress Considers Legislation Authorizing First Ten-Year Phase of Yakima Basin Water/Fish Plan
• Dworshak Dam Releases Reduced to Conserve Water for Fish Returning August, September
• Two of Oregon’s Worst Dams for Fish Are Coming Down
• Tulalip Tribe’s Fish & Wildlife Director Arrested in Poaching Investigation
• How to Reduce Water Waste from Sprinklers: The Science of Spray
• Pacific Northwest Geothermal Research Aims to Help Solve Energy & Water Squeeze
• Nearly 60 Percent of Utilities Are Reviewing Net-Metering Policies
• The Boom in Wind Energy Couldn’t Be Coming at a Better Time
• Clean Power Plan: A Mighty Optimistic Wind Estimate Fuels EPA Rule
• Cool It on the AC Already – How Air Conditioning Is Making Us Hotter
• Ikea to Replace All Lighting on Shelves with LED Bulbs
• How Marijuana is Making California Drought Worse
• Editorial: Congress & Obama Are Too Timid on Marijuana Reform
• Could Obama’s Clean Power Plan Lower Your Electric Bill?
• Op/Ed: Obama’s Latest Global Warming Plan Is about His Legacy, Not Policy
• Minnesota: Cow Power — Manure — Seen as Part of Climate Change Strategy
• CenturyLink to Cut 1,000 Jobs; Colorado Impact Unclear
• Watch the World Switch from Internet Explorer to Chrome
• A Federal Bailout Project to Build Colorado Broadband Needs a Bailout
• Verizon Is Totally Changing the Way It Sells Cellphones
• Social Media Becomes a Major Player in Politics
• Disney Apologizes over Tweet on Nagasaki A-Bomb Anniversary
• Study of Ad-Blocking Software Suggests Wide Use
• Twitter Expands Partnership with NFL
• Onalaska Wildfire Forces Evacuations
• Mason County Woman’s Oxygen Tank Sabotaged in Bizarre Bomb Scare

WORD OF THE DAY

Genuflect • \JEN-yuh-flekt\ • Verb - 1a: to bend the knee b: to touch the knee to the floor or ground especially in worship 2: to be servilely obedient or respectful.

Wilbur stood, like a marble statue, before the gates of Graceland. Like the other pilgrims, he physically had to fight off an unconscious urge to genuflect before the elaborately decorated iron gates.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Pacific Power Takes Blame for Tieton Man Losing Home (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/pacific-power-takes-blame-for-tieton-man-losing-home-audio/article_21e7a692-3e5c-11e5-b93c-bf92f2bdbe1c.html

Reduced Hydroelectric Production Hurts Avista Earnings (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/aug/06/reduced-hydroelectric-production-hurts-avista/

Feds Give Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Developers a Long List of Suggestions (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/08/feds-give-oregon-lng-developers-a-long-list-of.html

Update - Power Restored after Outage Affecting Mason PUD 3 Customers on North Shore Road – Caused by Fallen Tree (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1532

Op/Ed: The Clean Power Plan Will Collide With the Incredibly Weird Physics of the Electric Grid (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markpmills/2015/08/07/the-clean-power-plan-will-collide-with-the-incredibly-weird-physics-of-the-electric-grid/

Co-op Using Prepay to Help Past-Due Members (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/co-op-using-prepaid-metering-to-help-past-due-members/83629

PPL: Reliability Efforts Avoided Almost 200,000 Outages So Far this Year (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/ppl-reliability-efforts-avoided-almost-200000-outages-so-far-this-year/403620/

A Small, Modular, Efficient Fusion Plant (The Energy Collective)

http://www.theenergycollective.com/energyatmit/2258806/small-modular-efficient-fusion-plant

FISH & WILDLIFE

Recreational Fishing Shut Down in Most Olympic National Park Rivers, Streams (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/recreational-fishing-shut-down-most-olympic-nation/nnFjd/

Crews to Prep Dungeness River This Week for Huge Run of Pink Salmon (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150809/NEWS/308099995/crews-to-prep-dungeness-river-this-week-for-huge-run-of-pink-salmon

Congress Considers Legislation Authorizing First Ten-Year Phase of Yakima Basin Water/Fish Plan (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/434702.aspx

Dworshak Dam Releases Reduced to Conserve Water for Fish Returning August, September (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/434699.aspx

Two of Oregon’s Worst Dams for Fish Are Coming Down (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/two-oregons-worst-dams-fish-are-coming-down

Tulalip Tribe’s Fish & Wildlife Director Arrested in Poaching Investigation (KIRO News, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/tulalip-tribe-fish-and-wildlife-director-arrested-/nnFxq/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

How to Reduce Water Waste from Sprinklers: The Science of Spray (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/08/how-to-reduce-water-waste-from.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Pacific Northwest Geothermal Research Aims to Help Solve Energy & Water Squeeze (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/northwest-geothermal-research-aims-help-solve-energy-and-water-squeeze

Nearly 60 Percent of Utilities Are Reviewing Net-Metering Policies (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/08/10/nearly-60-percent-of-utilities-are-reviewing-net-metering-policies/

The Boom in Wind Energy Couldn’t Be Coming at a Better Time (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/08/10/the-boom-in-wind-energy-couldnt-be-coming-at-a-better-time/

Clean Power Plan: A Mighty Optimistic Wind Estimate Fuels EPA Rule (E&E Publishing)

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060023138

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Cool It on the AC Already – How Air Conditioning Is Making Us Hotter (Mother Jones)

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/air-conditioning-global-warming

Ikea to Replace All Lighting on Shelves with LED Bulbs (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/business/ikea-to-replace-all-lighting-on-shelves-with-led-bulbs.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

How Marijuana is Making California Drought Worse (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2015/0806/How-marijuana-is-making-California-drought-worse

Editorial: Congress & Obama Are Too Timid on Marijuana Reform (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/opinion/sunday/congress-and-obama-have-been-too-timid-on-marijuana-reform.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Could Obama’s Clean Power Plan Lower Your Electric Bill? (TIME Magazine)

http://time.com/3986383/clean-power-plan-costs/

Op/Ed: Obama’s Latest Global Warming Plan Is about His Legacy, Not Policy (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/08/04/the-insiders-obamas-latest-global-warming-plan-is-about-his-legacy-not-policy/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Minnesota: Cow Power — Manure — Seen as Part of Climate Change Strategy (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, MN)

http://www.startribune.com/cow-power-seen-as-part-of-climate-change-strategy/321091091/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CenturyLink to Cut 1,000 Jobs; Colorado Impact Unclear (Denver Business Journal, CO)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2015/08/08/centurylink-to-cut-1-000-jobs-colorado-impact.html

Watch the World Switch from Internet Explorer to Chrome (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/watch-the-world-switch-from-internet-explorer-to-chrome-1722904017

A Federal Bailout Project to Build Colorado Broadband Needs a Bailout (Denver Post, CO)

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_28605047/federal-bailout-project-build-colorado-broadband-needs-bailout

Verizon is totally changing the way it sells cellphones (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/08/07/verizon-is-totally-changing-the-way-it-sells-cellphones/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media Becomes a Major Player in Politics (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/business/social-media-becomes-a-major-player-in-politics/article_b4b74a88-3e5a-11e5-a535-b3f15fd0b664.html

Disney Apologizes over Tweet on Nagasaki A-Bomb Anniversary (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/08/10/disney-apologizes-over-tweet-on-nagasaki-a-bomb-anniversary/

Study of Ad-Blocking Software Suggests Wide Use (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/10/study-of-ad-blocking-software-suggests-wide-use/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Twitter Expands Partnership with NFL (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/08/10/twitter-expands-partnership-nfl/31400145/

GENERAL NEWS

Onalaska Wildfire Forces Evacuations (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2015/08/onalaska-wildfire-forces-evacuations.html

Mason County Woman’s Oxygen Tank Sabotaged in Bizarre Bomb Scare (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Womans-oxygen-tank-sabotaged-in-bizarre-bomb-scare-321257031.html

DIVERSIONS

Bounty Hunter Arrested After Mistaking Phoenix Police Chief for Target

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/06/us-usa-bounty-hunter-arizona-idUSKCN0QB03M20150806

Vegemite Sales May Be Limited after Claims It’s Used to Make Alcohol

http://mashable.com/2015/08/09/vegemite-alcohol-australia/

Authorities: Man Planning Robbery Inadvertently Calls 911

http://news.yahoo.com/authorities-man-planning-robbery-inadvertently-calls-911-210359121.html

Three Charged in ‘Bizarre’ New York Break-In, Home Occupation

http://news.yahoo.com/three-charged-bizarre-york-break-home-occupation-172130244.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Steve Miller Band – Take the Money & Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7KjQrUVJ10

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 August 5, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for August 5, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/pakywz7

How a ‘Lazy Jet Stream’ is Affecting Pacific Northwest Weather (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/08/07/lazy-jet-stream-affecting-the-pacific-nw/

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Google Wins Approval from The Dalles, Wasco County for New Data Center Tax Deal (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/08/google_wins_approval_from_the.html

U-S Senate Bill Would Block EPA’s Final Rule on Carbon Dioxide from Power Plants (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=44305

Rural Utilities Struggle to Be Optimistic about EPA Climate Rules (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rural-utilities-struggle-to-be-optimistic-about-epa-climate-rules/article/2569576

Coho Fuel Good Catches Off Southern Washington Coast (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/aug/05/coho-fuel-good-catches-southern-washington-coast/

Repair Work to Close U-S 101 Lane & Ramp in Shelton (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/16454

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• U-S Senate Bill Would Block EPA’s Final Rule on Carbon Dioxide from Power Plants
• Will the Clean Power Plan Actually Change Anything in the Power Sector?
• Does Apple Lie About How It Powers Its Data Centers?
• Moody’s assigns A1 to Skamania County PUD’s Revenue Bonds
• Fitch Affirms Eugene Water & Electric Board’s Bonds Bonds at ‘A+’; Outlook Stable
• Bonneville Power Administration’s Transmission GIS & Remote Sensing Team Recognized by Industry Leaders
• Entergy: NRC Approves Step in Eliminating EPZ at Vermont Yankee
• Electricity Is More than the Bill – Let’s Tell Our Customers
• PG&E’s Female Engineers Take Part in Social Media Campaign to Help Break Tech Stereotypes
• Coho Fuel Good Catches Off Southern Washington Coast
• Heat Kills 5,400 Fish at Whatcom Falls Hatchery
• Warm Water Puts British Columbia’s Sockeye Run at Risk on Un-Dammed Fraser River
• British Columbia: Coho at Risk on Sunshine Coast
• Jellyfish Boom Prompts Research By Plane & Boat
• Clallam PUD Sets Limits on Customers Using Port Angeles Water
• Three Sewer Plants in Mason County Recognized for Perfect Performance
• Watershed Study: Septic Tanks Aren’t Keeping Fecal Bacteria from Rivers, Lakes
• From The Mississippi to the Ganges, River Deltas Are in Major Trouble
• Flathead Electric Cooperative Bringing Renewable Energy Options to Northwest Montana
• Community Solar Projects Are Popping Up in Wisconsin
• The Other Death Spiral Utilities Are Beginning to Deal With
• Idaho Falls Power to Install LED Lights
• Marijuana Growers Warned Not to Use Illegal Pesticides – Which Is Nearly All of Them
• Oregon Marijuana Growers Focus on Branding to Fetch Premium Prices for What They Say is Premium Product
• More on the Cover Story: A Pot Pro’s Take on Potent Power Bills
• Rural Utilities Struggle to Be Optimistic about EPA Climate Rules
• Will the Clean Power Plan Make Every State Look More Like California?
• Chart: All the Emissions, State by State
• Monthly Power Sector Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reach 27-Year Low in April
• How Dirty Is Your Air? This Map Shows You
• Editorial: ‘Electric Avenue’ Long-Term Loophole Raises Questions about Parking Use
• River to Return to Work Powering Minneapolis Industrial Lofts
• Google Wins Approval from The Dalles, Wasco County for New Data Center Tax Deal
• Fast Fibre-Optic Internet Arrives in Many Small Towns before Big Cities
• Still Use a Landline? FCC Voting on New Phone Rules
• Here’s the Incredible Social Buzz Arby’s Has Created Around Jon Stewart’s Departure
• How to Grow Your Facebook Fans Without a Budget
• Money Speaks: Boeing, General Electric Cut Off Donations to Republicans Blocking Export-Import Bank
• City of Yakima Says Ex-Employee on Hook for Cupcake Bill
• Repair Work to Close U-S 101 Lane & Ramp in Shelton
• Citizen Comment on Simpson Mill Site Demolition Sought
• 126 People Used Lethal Prescriptions in Washington State in 2014
• Washington State’s Community College Enrollment Has Dwindled — But It’s a Good Thing
• Feds: ‘Music Wood’ Poachers Targeted Washington Old Growth Maples in Lewis County
• Here Comes the Perseid Meteor Shower!
• How Jon Stewart Ended His Long Run as Host on ‘The Daily Show’

WORD OF THE DAY

Gumption • \GUMP-shun\ • Noun – 1: common sense, horse sense 2: enterprise, initiative.

Expertly guiding his team of six horses, the wizened stagecoach driver suspiciously eyed the fresh-faced guard assigned to watch over the chest of gold nuggets stashed under the wildly swaying seat. He absently shifted his quid of chewing tobacco and spat at a hovering fly, all the time wondering of the guard, nicknamed “Buttercup,” would have the gumption to protect the treasure on board the coach, or flee at the first sign of robbers or restive natives.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

U-S Senate Bill Would Block EPA’s Final Rule on Carbon Dioxide from Power Plants (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=44305

Will the Clean Power Plan Actually Change Anything in the Power Sector? (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/will-the-clean-power-plan-actually-change-anything-in-the-power-sector/403639/

Does Apple Lie About How It Powers Its Data Centers? “…At its facilities in the Pacific Northwest…use a steady supply of very green renewable energy. Over 40 percent of the hydroelectric power generated in the United States comes from the Columbia River Basin…” (ZD-Net)

http://www.zdnet.com/article/does-apple-lie-about-how-it-powers-its-data-centers/

Moody’s assigns A1 to Skamania County PUD’s Revenue Bonds (Moody’s Investor Service)

https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-assigns-A1-to-Skamania-County-PUD-1s-WA-revenue--PR_331861

Fitch Affirms Eugene Water & Electric Board’s Bonds Bonds at ‘A+’; Outlook Stable (BusinessWire)

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150805006544/en/Fitch-Affirms-Eugene-Oregons-Electric-Utility-System#.VcOG_Pl3mUk

Bonneville Power Administration’s Transmission GIS & Remote Sensing Team Recognized by Industry Leaders (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Transmission-GIS-and-Remote-Sensing-Team-recognized-by-industry-leaders-at-Esri-Conference.aspx

Entergy: NRC Approves Step in Eliminating EPZ at Vermont Yankee (Berkshire Eagle, VT)

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_28595872/entergy-nrc-approves-step-eliminating-epz-at-vermont

Electricity Is More than the Bill – Let’s Tell Our Customers (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/sme/?p=689

PG&E’s Female Engineers Take Part in Social Media Campaign to Help Break Tech Stereotypes (Pacific Gas & Electric, Currents)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2015/08/06/pge%E2%80%99s-female-engineers-help-break-tech-stereotypes-in-social-media-campaign/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Coho Fuel Good Catches Off Southern Washington Coast (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/aug/05/coho-fuel-good-catches-southern-washington-coast/

Heat Kills 5,400 Fish at Whatcom Falls Hatchery (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/08/07/lazy-jet-stream-affecting-the-pacific-nw/

Warm Water Puts British Columbia’s Sockeye Run at Risk on Un-Dammed Fraser River (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Warm+water+puts+Fraser+River+sockeye+risk/11265890/story.html

British Columbia: Coho at Risk on Sunshine Coast (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Coho+risk+Sunshine+Coast/11265896/story.html

Jellyfish Boom Prompts Research By Plane & Boat (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2015/08/05/jellyfish-ecology-noaa-puget-sound/31194035/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Clallam PUD Sets Limits on Customers Using Port Angeles Water (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150806/NEWS/308069963

Three Sewer Plants in Mason County Recognized for Perfect Performance (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/16440

Watershed Study: Septic Tanks Aren’t Keeping Fecal Bacteria from Rivers, Lakes (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/434693.aspx

From The Mississippi to the Ganges, River Deltas Are in Major Trouble (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/08/06/the-global-threat-to-river-deltas-and-the-people-who-live-on-them/

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Flathead Electric Cooperative Bringing Renewable Energy Options to Northwest Montana (KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT)

http://www.kpax.com/story/29716177/fec-bringing-renewable-energy-options-to-northwest-montana

Community Solar Projects Are Popping Up in Wisconsin (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, WI)

http://www.jsonline.com/business/community-solar-projects-are-popping-up-in-wisconsin-b99545688z1-320638942.html

The Other Death Spiral Utilities Are Beginning to Deal With (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/the-other-death-spiral-utilities-are-beginning-to-deal-with/403286/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Idaho Falls Power to Install LED Lights (KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls,)

http://www.localnews8.com/news/idaho-falls-power-to-install-led-lights/34584724

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Marijuana Growers Warned Not to Use Illegal Pesticides – Which Is Nearly All of Them (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/08/marijuana_growers_warned_not_t.html

Oregon Marijuana Growers Focus on Branding to Fetch Premium Prices for What They Say is Premium Product (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/08/marijuana_growers_focus_on_bra.html

More on the Cover Story: A Pot Pro’s Take on Potent Power Bills (Denver Business Journal, CO)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/earth_to_power/2015/08/more-on-the-cover-story-a-pot-pros-take-on-sky.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Rural Utilities Struggle to Be Optimistic about EPA Climate Rules (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rural-utilities-struggle-to-be-optimistic-about-epa-climate-rules/article/2569576

Will the Clean Power Plan Make Every State Look More Like California? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2015/0804/Will-the-Clean-Power-Plan-make-every-state-look-more-like-California

Chart: All the Emissions, State by State (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/climate-energy/chart-all-the-emissions-state-by-state/

Monthly Power Sector Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reach 27-Year Low in April (U-S Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=22372

How Dirty Is Your Air? This Map Shows You (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/climate-energy/how-dirty-is-your-air-this-map-shows-you/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Editorial: ‘Electric Avenue’ Long-Term Loophole Raises Questions about Parking Use (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/08/electric_avenue_long-term_loop.html

River to Return to Work Powering Minneapolis Industrial Lofts (Midwest Energy News)

http://midwestenergynews.com/2015/08/07/river-to-return-to-work-powering-minneapolis-industrial-lofts/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Wins Approval from The Dalles, Wasco County for New Data Center Tax Deal (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/08/google_wins_approval_from_the.html

Fast Fibre-Optic Internet Arrives in Many Small Towns before Big Cities (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/fast-fibre-optic-internet-arrives-in-many-small-towns-before-big-cities-1.3174901?cmp=rss

Still Use a Landline? FCC Voting on New Phone Rules (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_28589542/still-use-landline-fcc-voting-new-phone-rules?source=rss

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Here’s the Incredible Social Buzz Arby’s Has Created Around Jon Stewart’s Departure (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/heres-incredible-social-buzz-arbys-has-created-around-jon-stewarts-departure-166280

How to Grow Your Facebook Fans Without a Budget (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/grow-your-facebook-fans-without-a-budget/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Money Speaks: Boeing, General Electric Cut Off Donations to Republicans Blocking Export-Import Bank (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/08/05/money-speaks-boeing-general-electric-cut-off-donations-to-republicans-blocking-export-import-bank/

City of Yakima Says Ex-Employee on Hook for Cupcake Bill (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/yakima-says-ex-employee-on-hook-for-cupcake-bill/article_c4f89e80-3c00-11e5-81f7-c38a94dc2d56.html

GENERAL NEWS

Repair Work to Close U-S 101 Lane & Ramp in Shelton (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/16454

Citizen Comment on Simpson Mill Site Demolition Sought (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news

126 People Used Lethal Prescriptions in Washington State in 2014 (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/126-people-used-lethal-prescriptions-in-Washington-in-2014-320994301.html

Washington State’s Community College Enrollment Has Dwindled — But It’s a Good Thing (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2015/08/washington-s-community-college-enrollment-has.html

Feds: ‘Music Wood’ Poachers Targeted Washington Old Growth Maples in Lewis County (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Feds-Music-wood-poachers-targeted-6427888.php

Here Comes the Perseid Meteor Shower! (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/sciencefair/2015/08/06/perseid-meteor-shower/31221011/

How Jon Stewart Ended His Long Run as Host on ‘The Daily Show’ (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Culture-Cafe/2015/0807/How-Jon-Stewart-ended-his-long-run-as-host-on-The-Daily-Show

DIVERSIONS

‘Monty Python & the Holy Grail’ Anniversary: Here’s When It’s Coming Back to Theaters

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Culture-Cafe/2015/0804/Monty-Python-and-the-Holy-Grail-anniversary-Here-s-when-it-s-coming-back-to-theaters

A White Watermelon? Check Art History to See What Food Used to Look Like

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/08/a_white_watermelon_art_history.html

Man Throws Away, Recovers Lottery Tickets worth $10,000

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/man-throws-away-recovers-lottery-tickets-worth/article_0704c7f0-8ab9-5193-8cc5-de557ac93edd.html

George Fox University Nerds Make Giant ‘iWheel’ from 36 iMac Boxes

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/08/george_fox_university_nerds_ma.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Journey – Wheel in the Sky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH0fNvYuwIc

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.