Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Energy News Digest for September 2, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for September 2, 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

Four Days after Rare August Storm, Thousands Still without Power (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Canada: Weekend Windstorm Caused Largest Power Outage in BC Hydro History (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/weekend+windstorm+caused+largest+power+outage+hydro+history/11333084/story.html
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/weekend+windstorm+caused+largest+power+outage+hydro+history/11333084/story.html



Editorial: Washington State’s Green Energy Benefits Aren’t Spread Equally (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Facebook to Build Third Data Center in Prineville (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Firefighters Use Mild Conditions to Go On the Offense in Washington State (Northwest Public Radio)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Four Days after Rare August Storm, Thousands Still without Power
  • Canada: Weekend Windstorm Caused Largest Power Outage in BC Hydro History
  • Lewis County Authorities Seek Information on Trees Intentionally Cut to Fall on Power Lines
  • Oregon: Rate Increase Focus of September 15 Columbia River PUD Meeting
  • Cascade Natural Gas to Lower Rates
  • Port Angeles’ Morse Creek Power Plant to be Sold
  • Grant PUD Hydro Manager Ready for Anything That Floats Her Way
  • Hydropower, Eh! New England Governors Looking to Eastern Canada for Clean Energy Solutions
  • Tennessee: Data Gathered Shows Low Voltage in Cherokee Reservoir
  • Op/Ed: New York’s Electricity Market is a Scam
  • We’re in the Eye of the Storm of Peak Squirrel Activity!
  • Not Convinced Acid Oceans Are Causing Harm? Ask a Shellfish Grower
  • Sequim Tries Sending Reclaimed Water to Farms during Drought
  • Editorial: Washington State’s Green Energy Benefits Aren’t Spread Equally
  • Electric Utilities Meeting Renewable Energy Targets, State Energy Regulators Say
  • In Rural Alaska, Obama Works to Speed Renewable Energy Revolution
  • Wind-Power Producers Find Profits as Elusive as a Summer Breeze
  • The Surprising Way That Birds & Wind Turbines Can Coexist
  • How A Green Business Group Is Transforming the Way Utilities Sell Renewables
  • Obama, EPA Defend Clean Power Plan against States’ Challenge
  • Facebook to Build Third Data Center in Prineville
  • Seattle Vs. San Francisco: Who Is Tops in the Cloud?
  • Most CenturyLink Customers Still Technically Can’t Get Broadband
  • Officials Hope Fiber Will Replace Coal in Eastern Kentucky
  • Google’s Logo Gets Redesigned for the Alphabet Era
  • Facebook Announces a New Digital Assistant, ‘M’
  • Washington State Senator Hatfield Leaves Senate to Focus on Rural Economic Development
  • Editorial: Public Records Act Applies to All Devices
  • Firefighters Use Mild Conditions to Go On the Offense in Washington State
  • Wildfires Have Now Burned a Massive Eight Million Acres across the U-S
  • Earthquake Measuring 4.3 Rocks Washington’s Okanogan Area
  • Mason County Releases 2016 Preliminary Budget
  • Chehalis Panhandling Ordinance Takes Effect Wednesday
  • This Year’s El Nino Will Be the Strongest in 18 Years, WMO Says
  • Editorial: After McKinley, is Rainier Next?
WORD OF THE DAY

Symbiosis • \sim-bee-OH-sis\ • Noun - 1: the living together in close association of two dissimilar organisms especially when mutually beneficial *2: a cooperative relationship

In the silent depths of the clear blue water, the torpedo-like, gray bulk of the shark sliced through the water, the remora fish in close proximity…awaiting the crumbs from the table in their symbiotic relationship with the remorseless hunter of the deep.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Four Days after Rare August Storm, Thousands Still without Power (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Canada: Weekend Windstorm Caused Largest Power Outage in BC Hydro History (Vancouver Sun, BC)

Lewis County Authorities Seek Information on Trees Intentionally Cut to Fall on Power Lines (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

Oregon: Rate Increase Focus of September 15 Columbia River PUD Meeting (St Helens Chronicle, OR)

Cascade Natural Gas to Lower Rates (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA)

Port Angeles’ Morse Creek Power Plant to be Sold (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

Grant PUD Hydro Manager Ready for Anything That Floats Her Way (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

Hydropower, Eh! New England Governors Looking to Eastern Canada for Clean Energy Solutions (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Tennessee: Data Gathered Shows Low Voltage in Cherokee Reservoir (WATE-TV, Knoxville, TN)

Op/Ed: New York’s Electricity Market is a Scam (Al Jazeera)

We’re in the Eye of the Storm of Peak Squirrel Activity! (American Public Power Association)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Not Convinced Acid Oceans Are Causing Harm? Ask a Shellfish Grower (Oregonian, Portland)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Sequim Tries Sending Reclaimed Water to Farms during Drought (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Editorial: Washington State’s Green Energy Benefits Aren’t Spread Equally (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Electric Utilities Meeting Renewable Energy Targets, State Energy Regulators Say (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

In Rural Alaska, Obama Works to Speed Renewable Energy Revolution (Washington Post)

Wind-Power Producers Find Profits as Elusive as a Summer Breeze (Bloomberg News)

The Surprising Way That Birds & Wind Turbines Can Coexist (Washington Post)

How A Green Business Group Is Transforming the Way Utilities Sell Renewables (Utility Dive)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Obama, EPA Defend Clean Power Plan against States’ Challenge (Bloomberg News)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Facebook to Build Third Data Center in Prineville (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Seattle Vs. San Francisco: Who Is Tops in the Cloud? (GigaOM)

Most CenturyLink Customers Still Technically Can’t Get Broadband (Broadband Reports)

Officials Hope Fiber Will Replace Coal in Eastern Kentucky (Associated Press)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Google’s Logo Gets Redesigned for the Alphabet Era (GigaOM)

Facebook Announces a New Digital Assistant, ‘M’ (GigaOM)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Senator Hatfield Leaves Senate to Focus on Rural Economic Development (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

Editorial: Public Records Act Applies to All Devices (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

GENERAL NEWS

Firefighters Use Mild Conditions to Go On the Offense in Washington State (Northwest Public Radio)

Wildfires Have Now Burned a Massive Eight Million Acres across the U-S (Washington Post)

Earthquake Measuring 4.3 Rocks Washington’s Okanogan Area (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Mason County Releases 2016 Preliminary Budget (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Chehalis Panhandling Ordinance Takes Effect Wednesday (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

This Year’s El Nino Will Be the Strongest in 18 Years, WMO Says (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Editorial: After McKinley, is Rainier Next? (Everett Herald, WA)

DIVERSIONS

How Francis Wharton Made His Dentures from Deer’s Teeth

Giant ‘Star Wars’ Murals Made from Post-It Notes Are What Your Office Needs

London’s car-melting skyscraper wins Carbuncle Cup

Banning Terms Including ‘Male, Female, Illegal Alien’ Draws Ire at WSU

SONG OF THE DAY

ABBA – The Name of the Game

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, September 1, 2015

Energy News Digest for September 1, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for September 1, 2015

Special Weather Statement for Mountain Snow

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

Two People Killed in Seattle-Area Windstorm Identified (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

British Columbia Storm: Why Did the Wind & Rain Do So Much Damage? - Weekend storm left half a million BC Hydro customers without power at its peak (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Poorly-Timed BC Hydro Tweet Leads To Hilarious Responses during Power Outage (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Despite Rain, Threat of Wildfires Will Remain into October (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Fishery Managers Rescind Moratorium on Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Two People Killed in Seattle-Area Windstorm Identified
  • British Columbia Storm: Why Did the Wind & Rain Do So Much Damage?
  • Mason PUD 3 Sends Crew to Assist Snohomish PUD in Power Restoration
  • Plans to Join PacifiCorp with CAISO Grid Move Closer to Reality
  • California PUC Fines Pacific Gas & Electric $50,000 for Lax Security in Metcalf Substation Invasion
  • Snohomish PUD Replacing County’s Aging Electrical Systems
  • Crescent Bar/Grant PUD Lawsuits Dismissed
  • New York: Niagara Generation Workers Aren’t Getting Paid
  • War on Power Theft Gets U-S Senator’s Help
  • Fishery Managers Rescind Moratorium on Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing
  • Greens Drop Suit over Salmon-Blocking Dams on the Rogue River
  • Op/Ed: NOAA Fisheries Embraces — Not Ignores — Climate Research
  • Agriculture Chief Promises More Sage Grouse Spending in West as Bird Becomes Political Issue
  • Sequim: Parched Olympic Peninsula Community Eyes New Reservoir
  • Alaska Increases Wind Power Capacity in Utility-Scale & Distributed-Scale Projects
  • Nest’s Got a New Thermostat
  • Want Your Energy Efficiency Program to Succeed? Aim It at Poor People
  • Poorly-Timed BC Hydro Tweet Leads To Hilarious Responses during Power Outage
  • Eight Ways to Effectively Manage Your Facebook Marketing
  • Japan Scraps Olympic Logo over Plagiarism Allegation
  • Why Jay Inslee Should Run For President
  • Despite Rain, Threat of Wildfires Will Remain into October
  • Arborist Says Trees Could Need Inspection after Windstorm
  • Wi-Fi Poaching Leads Police to Wanted Post Falls Man
WORD OF THE DAY

Peripatetic • \pare-uh-pah-TET-tick\ adjective • - Of, relating to, or given to walking b: moving or traveling from place to place

The evening’s peripatetic presentation by the economics professor caused a rush on massage and chiropractic treatment the following morning. Seems his back and forth roaming on stage was more energetic than a Wimbledon tennis volley as the attendees tried in vain to crane their necks left and right to keep up with his pace.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Two People Killed in Seattle-Area Windstorm Identified (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

British Columbia Storm: Why Did the Wind & Rain Do So Much Damage? - Weekend storm left half a million BC Hydro customers without power at its peak (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Mason PUD 3 Sends Crew to Assist Snohomish PUD in Power Restoration (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

Plans to Join PacifiCorp with CAISO Grid Move Closer to Reality (Utility Dive)

California PUC Fines Pacific Gas & Electric $50,000 for Lax Security in Metcalf Substation Invasion (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

Snohomish PUD Replacing County’s Aging Electrical Systems (Everett Herald, WA)

Crescent Bar/Grant PUD Lawsuits Dismissed (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

New York: Niagara Generation Workers Aren’t Getting Paid (WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY)

War on Power Theft Gets U-S Senator’s Help (Electric Co-op Today)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Fishery Managers Rescind Moratorium on Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

Greens Drop Suit over Salmon-Blocking Dams on the Rogue River (Courthouse News Service)

Op/Ed: NOAA Fisheries Embraces — Not Ignores — Climate Research (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Agriculture Chief Promises More Sage Grouse Spending in West as Bird Becomes Political Issue (Associated Press)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Sequim: Parched Olympic Peninsula Community Eyes New Reservoir (Northwest Public Radio)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Alaska Increases Wind Power Capacity in Utility-Scale & Distributed-Scale Projects (U-S Energy Information Administration)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Nest’s Got a New Thermostat (Gizmodo)

Want Your Energy Efficiency Program to Succeed? Aim It at Poor People (Grist Online)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Poorly-Timed BC Hydro Tweet Leads To Hilarious Responses during Power Outage (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Eight Ways to Effectively Manage Your Facebook Marketing (Social Media Examiner)

Japan Scraps Olympic Logo over Plagiarism Allegation (Mashable)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Why Jay Inslee Should Run For President (Crosscut Seattle)

GENERAL NEWS

Despite Rain, Threat of Wildfires Will Remain into October (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Arborist Says Trees Could Need Inspection after Windstorm (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Wi-Fi Poaching Leads Police to Wanted Post Falls Man (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

DIVERSIONS

These Guys Were Out Fishing When Suddenly — Kittens

Illinois Can’t Pay Its Lottery Winners Right Now

‘Marshawn Lynch’ Running for US President

Thousands of Birds Invade Small Town of Selleck (NE of Black Diamond)

SONG OF THE DAY

The Beatles – You Never Give Me Your Money, Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, The End

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, August 31, 2015

Energy News Digest for August 31, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for August 31, 2015

Small Craft Advisory of Puget Sound & Hood Canal

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

Over 63,000 in Western Washington State Still Without Power Monday (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

The Strongest Summer Storm in Pacific Northwest History – Saturday was a historic day during a historic summer (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

Pacific Power Wants to Change Oregon Renewable Energy Rules – The Industry Isn’t Happy About It (Portland Business Journal, OR)

With Catch Rate Highest on Record, Buoy 10 Chinook Fishing Closed to Preserve Upstream Columbia River Sport Fishery (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

Columbia River BiOp Litigants Respond to Judge’s Questions, Now Await Ruling on Summary Judgement Motions (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Over 63,000 in Western Washington State Still Without Power Monday
  • Avista Reports Thousands without Power
  • Snohomish County Power Outages Continue After ‘Devastating’ Weekend Storm
  • To Replace Mason PUD 3 Banner Hanging – City Approves Locations for Reader Board Signs
  • Fitch Affirms Benton PUD Bonds at ‘A+’ – Outlook Stable
  • Bonneville Power Administration: Miller Named VP of Engineering & Technical Services
  • Canada: Courts Deny First Nations’ Peace River Dam Site Stop-Work Order
  • Colorado Regulators Double List of Interveners in Boulder Municipalization Proceeding
  • Fitch: Hazy Outlook for U-S Nuclear Power
  • With Catch Rate Highest on Record, Buoy 10 Chinook Fishing Closed to Preserve Upstream Columbia River Sport Fishery
  • Columbia River BiOp Litigants Respond to Judge’s Questions, Now Await Ruling on Summary Judgement Motions
  • Lack of Oxygen Killing Marine Life in Hood Canal Waters
  • If Seattle Loses Salmon, We Also Could Lose City’s Soul
  • Baby Sea Lions Are Dying – Here’s Why
  • Federal Court Blocks EPA Waters of the U-S Rule
  • Pacific Power Wants to Change Oregon Renewable Energy Rules – The Industry Isn’t Happy About It
  • Oregon, Brown Take Steps to Secure $47 Million for Offshore Wind
  • Governor Brown Seeks to Broaden California’s Clean-Energy Reach in the West
  • As Regulators Act, Nevada Net Metering Debate Takes Center Stage at Las Vegas Conference
  • SolarCity Wants to Help Utilities Plan Better for Distributed Resources
  • New Light Bulbs Offer Alternative to LEDs & CFLs
  • California Takes New Approach on Water Regulation for Pot Farms
  • Washington State Governor on Tour of Fire Lines Calls For ‘Attack’ on Carbon Pollution
  • Obama to Urge Aggressive Climate Action in Visit to Arctic Alaska
  • Bogus European Carbon Offsets Increased Emissions
  • Grant PUD Fiber Optic Network Turning a Profit
  • New York: Union Says Verizon Is Needlessly Passing Up Broadband Money
  • CenturyLink Takes $3 Billion in Government Subsidies
  • Now You Can Post Portrait & Landscape Shots to Instagram
  • This Virginia Teen Will Spend Eleven Years in Prison for Helping ISIS through Social Media
  • Public or Private Phone Information: State Supreme Court Rules Against Lindquist in Phone Records Case
  • The Strongest Summer Storm in Pacific Northwest History
  • Mason County: Latest Sunnyside Fire Update
  • Hundreds Gather in Wenatchee to Honor Fallen Firefighters
  • McCleary Mayor Stops Short of City Government Shutdown
  • Simpson Lumber Mill Equipment Auction Dates Set
WORD OF THE DAY

Frenetic • \frih-NET-ick\ • Adjective - Frenzied, frantic.

The small terrier ran at a frenetic pace, up and down the stairs, showing its joy at the return of its master…after a one minute absence.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Over 63,000 in Western Washington State Still Without Power Monday (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Avista Reports Thousands without Power (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

Snohomish County Power Outages Continue After ‘Devastating’ Weekend Storm (Everett Herald, WA)

To Replace Mason PUD 3 Banner Hanging – City Approves Locations for Reader Board Signs (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Fitch Affirms Benton PUD Bonds at ‘A+’ – Outlook Stable (Yahoo! Finance)

Bonneville Power Administration: Miller Named VP of Engineering & Technical Services (Bonneville Power Administration)

Canada: Courts Deny First Nations’ Peace River Dam Site Stop-Work Order (Globe & Mail, Canada)

Colorado Regulators Double List of Interveners in Boulder Municipalization Proceeding (Utility Dive)

Fitch: Hazy Outlook for U-S Nuclear Power (Electric Co-op Today)

FISH & WILDLIFE

With Catch Rate Highest on Record, Buoy 10 Chinook Fishing Closed to Preserve Upstream Columbia River Sport Fishery (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

Columbia River BiOp Litigants Respond to Judge’s Questions, Now Await Ruling on Summary Judgement Motions (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

Lack of Oxygen Killing Marine Life in Hood Canal Waters (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

If Seattle Loses Salmon, We Also Could Lose City’s Soul (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Baby Sea Lions Are Dying – Here’s Why (Mother Jones)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Federal Court Blocks EPA Waters of the U-S Rule (Washington Examiner)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Pacific Power Wants to Change Oregon Renewable Energy Rules – The Industry Isn’t Happy About It (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Oregon, Brown Take Steps to Secure $47 Million for Offshore Wind (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Governor Brown Seeks to Broaden California’s Clean-Energy Reach in the West (Los Angeles Times, CA)

As Regulators Act, Nevada Net Metering Debate Takes Center Stage at Las Vegas Conference (Utility Dive)

SolarCity Wants to Help Utilities Plan Better for Distributed Resources (Utility Dive)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

New Light Bulbs Offer Alternative to LEDs & CFLs (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

California Takes New Approach on Water Regulation for Pot Farms (Sacramento Bee, CA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Governor on Tour of Fire Lines Calls For ‘Attack’ on Carbon Pollution (Northwest Public Radio)

Obama to Urge Aggressive Climate Action in Visit to Arctic Alaska (NY Times)

Bogus European Carbon Offsets Increased Emissions (Politico)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Grant PUD Fiber Optic Network Turning a Profit (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

New York: Union Says Verizon Is Needlessly Passing Up Broadband Money (Capitol Confidential, Albany, NY)

CenturyLink Takes $3 Billion in Government Subsidies (Broadband Reports)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Now You Can Post Portrait & Landscape Shots to Instagram (AdWeek)

This Virginia Teen Will Spend Eleven Years in Prison for Helping ISIS through Social Media (Washington Post)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Public or Private Phone Information: State Supreme Court Rules Against Lindquist in Phone Records Case (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

GENERAL NEWS

The Strongest Summer Storm in Pacific Northwest History – Saturday was a historic day during a historic summer (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

Mason County: Latest Sunnyside Fire Update (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Hundreds Gather in Wenatchee to Honor Fallen Firefighters (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

McCleary Mayor Stops Short of City Government Shutdown (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

Simpson Lumber Mill Equipment Auction Dates Set (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Every County in America, Ranked By Scenery & Climate (Washington Post)

$20 Found in San Francisco Leads to $1 Million Lottery Win

Golf Club Owner Agrees to Pay $100,000 over Manure Incident

Teacher Who Was Late 111 Times Says He Was Eating Breakfast

SONG OF THE DAY

Johnny Cash – I've Been Everywhere

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their websites 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, August 17, 2015

Bonneville Power Administration selects Thompson as new power marketing vice president

Portland, Ore. – Administrator Elliot Mainzer has selected Garry Thompson as the Bonneville Power Administration’s vice president of Northwest Requirements Marketing. Thompson is scheduled to begin his new position this fall.

“I am thrilled to have Garry join the Power Services leadership team, where he brings with him years of diverse managerial and leadership experience in power products and services, energy efficiency and strong customer service,” said Senior Vice President of Power Services Mark Gendron. “I have known and worked with Garry for over 20 years and know that BPA and the region will be well served with him in this important role of service to our customers.”
As vice president of Northwest Requirements Marketing, Thompson will be responsible for marketing power, primarily from 31 federal dams, to more than 140 Bonneville utility customers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and parts of Nevada, Wyoming, Utah and Northern California.
“I am excited to work in my new role as vice president of Northwest Requirements Marketing,” Thompson said. “The position will allow me to continue excellent delivery of the value our carbon-free assets provide to our customers. I look forward to leading a dedicated group of individuals working on diverse issues and helping them navigate the changing electricity industry.”
Previously, Thompson was BPA’s power customer service manager overseeing account executives serving BPA’s power customers. These customers represent approximately $2.5 billion dollars in annual energy sales.
Thompson also has served as a senior account executive in BPA’s Spokane office, and over the course of several years worked as a power account executive for over 30 customers. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University, he worked for the City of Coeur d’Alene, City of Lewiston, Spokane County and Kootenai Electric Co-op. He joined BPA in 1986.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Energy News Digest for August 13, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for August 13, 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

Energy Northwest: Richland Nuclear Plant Increases Electricity Output Capacity (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Priest Rapids Dam Turbine Upgrade Cost Goes Up by $22.69 Million (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

Getting Baked – The Joint You’re Smoking Is Contributing to Climate Change. That Needs to Stop (Portland Mercury, OR)

Ellensburg Will Expand Community Solar Park (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

Columbia Riverkeeper Sues Company over Alleged River Pollution (Associated Press)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Energy Northwest: Richland Nuclear Plant Increases Electricity Output Capacity
  • Priest Rapids Dam Turbine Upgrade Cost Goes Up by $22.69 Million
  • Audit Claims Bonneville Power Administration Wasted Millions on Useless Hiring Software
  • Cowlitz PUD Rate Hike Likely
  • Enrollment Changes Could Save Some Seattleites Hundreds on Utilities
  • Washington State to Limit Kalama River Chinook Passage
  • Feds Approved Killing Birds to Save Fish, Despite Warning It Wouldn't Work
  • The Elwha: When Dams Come Down, Salmon & Sand Can Prosper
  • Columbia Riverkeeper Sues Company over Alleged River Pollution
  • Forecasters ‘Unanimously’ Expect Strong El Niño, Giving Hope to Parched California
  • L.A. Fighting Drought with Millions of Black Plastic Balls
  • Ellensburg Will Expand Community Solar Park
  • Nevada: As Solar Cap Nears Limit, PUC Denies Solar Industry’s Petition
  • Judge Rules for Eagles over Wind Power
  • United Kingdom: Renewable Energy Means Homes Will Have Lower Voltage Electricity Supplies
  • California Sets Low-Flow Standards on New Shower Heads
  • Getting Baked – The Joint You're Smoking Is Contributing to Climate Change. That Needs to Stop
  • Eastern Washington Town Hires Special Counsel to Prosecute Pot Shop Owners
  • Editorial: Can California Turn the West Green?
  • Grant PUD to Conduct Wireless Network Survey
  • Are Fingerprints the New Passwords? Security Experts Sure Hope Not
  • Now You Can Ramble On & On in Twitter Direct Messages
  • Bic Apologizes for Women's Day Ad That Mostly Just Made Women Furious
  • Four Speechwriting Tips from Coca-Cola’s Executive Speechwriters
  • Washington State Health Officials Say 134 Cases of Salmonella Linked to Pork
  • Is the Weather Driving Businesses to Port Angeles?
  • Buffett's Buyout of PacifiCorp Led to Big Changes; Will There Be Parallels at Precision?
  • Jimmy Carter Confronts Old Foe: Cancer
WORD OF THE DAY

Fifth column • \FIFTH-KAH-lum\ • noun – a group of secret sympathizers or supporters of an enemy that engage in espionage or sabotage within defense lines or national borders

The erratic personality of the new employee at the Hershey chocolate plant began to worry his supervisors. “If I didn’t know better,” the boss mused, “I’d think those late night phone calls and secret text messages were a part of a ‘fifth column’ tactic by the Mars Company to steal our new formula for chocolate.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Energy Northwest: Richland Nuclear Plant Increases Electricity Output Capacity (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Priest Rapids Dam Turbine Upgrade Cost Goes Up by $22.69 Million (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

Audit Claims Bonneville Power Administration Wasted Millions on Useless Hiring Software (Oregonian, Portland)

Cowlitz PUD Rate Hike Likely (Longview Daily News, WA)

Enrollment Changes Could Save Some Seattleites Hundreds on Utilities (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington State to Limit Kalama River Chinook Passage (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

Feds Approved Killing Birds to Save Fish, Despite Warning It Wouldn't Work (Oregonian, Portland)

The Elwha: When Dams Come Down, Salmon & Sand Can Prosper (NY Times)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Columbia Riverkeeper Sues Company over Alleged River Pollution (Associated Press)

Forecasters ‘Unanimously’ Expect Strong El Niño, Giving Hope to Parched California (Sacramento Bee, CA)

L.A. Fighting Drought with Millions of Black Plastic Balls (USA Today)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Ellensburg Will Expand Community Solar Park (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

Nevada: As Solar Cap Nears Limit, PUC Denies Solar Industry’s Petition (Las Vegas Sun, NV)

Judge Rules for Eagles over Wind Power (Courthouse News Service)


CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

California Sets Low-Flow Standards on New Shower Heads (Sacramento Bee, CA)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Getting Baked – The Joint You're Smoking Is Contributing to Climate Change. That Needs to Stop (Portland Mercury, OR)

Eastern Washington Town Hires Special Counsel to Prosecute Pot Shop Owners (Northwest Public Radio)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Editorial: Can California Turn the West Green? (Sacramento Bee, CA)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Grant PUD to Conduct Wireless Network Survey (Star of the Grand Coulee, WA)

Are Fingerprints the New Passwords? Security Experts Sure Hope Not (Washington Post)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Now You Can Ramble On & On in Twitter Direct Messages (Washington Post)

Bic Apologizes for Women's Day Ad That Mostly Just Made Women Furious (AdWeek)

Four Speechwriting Tips from Coca-Cola’s Executive Speechwriters (USA Today)

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Health Officials Say 134 Cases of Salmonella Linked to Pork (Associated Press)

Is the Weather Driving Businesses to Port Angeles? (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Buffett's Buyout of PacifiCorp Led to Big Changes; Will There Be Parallels at Precision? (Oregonian, Portland)

Jimmy Carter Confronts Old Foe: Cancer (Tri-City Herald, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Sister Gives Birth to Baby for Twin Who Survived Cancer

DNA Said to Solve a Mystery of Warren Harding’s Love Life – Yes He Did

Some Common Scientific Terms That Nearly Everyone Gets Wrong

This Sketch of Tom Brady in Court Looks Hilariously Nothing Like Him

SONG OF THE DAY

Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition

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.