Energy News Digest for February 3, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 3, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1Kq8nPB

Studying the Heart of El Niño, Where Its Weather Begins (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/science/where-el-nino-weather-begins-pacific-ocean-noaa.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington State Lawmakers Asked to Join Call to Return Salmon to Upper Columbia River (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/feb/02/lawmakers-asked-to-join-call-to-return-salmon-to-u/

Obama Signs Disaster Declaration for State’s December Storms (KMAS News, Shelton, WA)

http://ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/regional-state-news/26591-obama-signs-disaster-declaration-for-december-storms

Utilities, Environmentalists Join Forces to Push Anti-Coal Plan At Oregon Legislature (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/02/post_236.html

National Association of Utility Regulatory Commissioners Opposes King-Reid Solar Net Metering Amendment to Federal Energy Bill (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/naruc-opposes-king-reid-solar-net-metering-amendment-to-federal-energy-bill/413256/

Environmental Cleanup, Unpaid Bills in Odessa Biofuel Refinery Backers’ Last Venture (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/columbia-river-environment-cleanup-bills-refinery-energy/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Utilities, Environmentalists Join Forces to Push Anti-Coal Plan At Oregon Legislature
• Oregon Utilities Continue Push to Back Off Coal & Promote Renewables
• Spike in Coos-Curry Co-op Power Bills Prompts Complaints
• Customers Raise Outcry over High Cowlitz PUD Bills
• Inslee Secures Federal Support for Wenatchee Alcoa Workers; Parlette Lends Praise
• California: Closing This Nuclear Plant Could Cause an Environmental Disaster
• Scientists in Germany Switch on Nuclear Fusion Experiment
• U-S Congress Passes ‘Electrify Africa Act’
• Washington State Lawmakers Asked to Join Call to Return Salmon to Upper Columbia River
• Cowlitz River Smelt Appear as Dippers Look Forward to One-Day Season
• Ship Noise Linked to Orca Decline: Are Some Boats Safer than Others?
• New York: Power Plant Glitch Kills over a Thousand Fish in the Susquehanna River
• Is the End in Sight for California’s Drought?
• National Association of Utility Regulatory Commissioners Opposes King-Reid Solar Net Metering Amendment to Federal Energy Bill
• Ohio: Renewable Energy Charges to Show Up on AEP Bills
• Rentricity Starts Work on Micro-Hydro Projects in Colorado, Utah
• British Columbia: Surrey Approves City-Wide Upgrade to LED Street Lights
• Researchers Warn Legal Marijuana Could Be Next Big Tobacco
• Environmental Cleanup, Unpaid Bills in Odessa Biofuel Refinery Backers’ Last Venture
• Oregon Lawmakers Consider Abandoning Wooden Pallets
• Corn Ethanol: the Rise & Fall of a Political Force
• Google to Test Self-Driving Cars in Kirkland
• The Cloud Wars Are Seriously Heating Up
• Google Fiber’s Plan to Give Free Internet to the Poor
• Canada: ACORN Canada Report Shows Internet Costs Are Unaffordable for Low-Income Earners
• Comcast’s Internet is about to Get A Lot Faster in These 5 Cities
• Yahoo to Cut 1,700 Workers as CEO Tries to Save Her Own Job
• The One Chart You Need to See about Google’s Most Ambitious Projects
• Twitter Launches ‘Engaging’ New Homepage
• Create an RSS Feed for Any Search Result
• Washington State Representative Resigns over Exaggerations to Military Service Record
• Donald Trump Says Ted Cruz Stole Iowa, Wants a New Election Caucus
• Obama Signs Disaster Declaration for State’s December Storms
• New Electronic Community Reader Boards for Shelton
• Las Vegas Fans Scramble as Cable Fight Threatens Super Bowl
• Capital High School, Shelton Joins Seven Area Schools in Newly Formed Class 3A League

WORD OF THE DAY

Eldritch • \EL-dritch\ • Adjective – Weird, eerie

Hiding under the covers, lest the closet monster see any part of  its body, the quaking child began having second thoughts about reading “Tales from the Crypt” with a flashlight under the covers at bedtime. Every eldritch creak of the house, branch against the window, or drip of the bathroom faucet conjured up images of a monster with slathering jaws waiting to pounce.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Utilities, Environmentalists Join Forces to Push Anti-Coal Plan At Oregon Legislature (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/02/post_236.html

Oregon Utilities Continue Push to Back Off Coal & Promote Renewables (Bend Bulletin, OR)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3963937-151/utilities-continue-push-to-back-off-coal-and#

Spike in Coos-Curry Co-op Power Bills Prompts Complaints (Coos-Curry Pilot, Brookings, OR)

http://www.currypilot.com/News/Local-News/Spike-in-power-bills-prompts-complaints

Customers Raise Outcry over High Cowlitz PUD Bills (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/customers-raise-outcry-over-high-pud-bills/article_d9410176-c574-5120-8c27-1c762f69a1bb.html

Inslee Secures Federal Support for Wenatchee Alcoa Workers; Parlette Lends Praise (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/inslee-secures-federal-support-for-alcoa-workers-parlette-lends-praise/

California: Closing This Nuclear Plant Could Cause an Environmental Disaster (Mother Jones)

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/02/diablo-canyon-nuclear-plant-climate-change

Scientists in Germany Switch on Nuclear Fusion Experiment (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/energy/article/Scientists-to-inject-fuel-in-experimental-fusion-6802924.php

U-S Congress Passes ‘Electrify Africa Act’ (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2016/0202/Congress-passes-Electrify-Africa-Act

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington State Lawmakers Asked to Join Call to Return Salmon to Upper Columbia River (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/feb/02/lawmakers-asked-to-join-call-to-return-salmon-to-u/

Cowlitz River Smelt Appear as Dippers Look Forward to One-Day Season (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/lifestyles/smelt-appear-as-dippers-look-forward-to-one-day-season/article_4bc5cea3-9142-59eb-97d6-409293093924.html

Ship Noise Linked to Orca Decline: Are Some Boats Safer than Others? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2016/0203/Ship-noise-linked-to-orca-decline-Are-some-boats-safer-than-others

New York: Power Plant Glitch Kills over a Thousand Fish in the Susquehanna River (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://katu.com/news/offbeat/power-plant-glitch-kills-over-a-thousand-fish-in-the-susquehanna-river-02-02-2016

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Is the End in Sight for California’s Drought? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2016/0202/Is-the-end-in-sight-for-California-s-drought

RENEWABLE ENERGY

National Association of Utility Regulatory Commissioners Opposes King-Reid Solar Net Metering Amendment to Federal Energy Bill (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/naruc-opposes-king-reid-solar-net-metering-amendment-to-federal-energy-bill/413256/

Ohio: Renewable Energy Charges to Show Up on AEP Bills (Columbus Business First, OH)
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/ohio-energy-inc/2016/02/renewable-energy-charges-to-show-up-on-aep-bills.html

Rentricity Starts Work on Micro-Hydro Projects in Colorado, Utah (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/hydro/2016/02/rentricity-starts-work-on-micro-hydro-projects-in-colorado-utah.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

British Columbia: Surrey Approves City-Wide Upgrade to LED Street Lights (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/surrey+approves+city+wide+upgrade+street+lights/11693152/story.html?__lsa=d539-77d7

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Researchers Warn Legal Marijuana Could Be Next Big Tobacco (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article57842308.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Environmental Cleanup, Unpaid Bills in Odessa Biofuel Refinery Backers’ Last Venture (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/columbia-river-environment-cleanup-bills-refinery-energy/

Oregon Lawmakers Consider Abandoning Wooden Pallets (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/02/oregon-lawmakers-want-to-abandon-wooden-pallets.html

Corn Ethanol: the Rise & Fall of a Political Force (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-02-03/corn-ethanol-the-rise-and-fall-of-a-political-force

Google to Test Self-Driving Cars in Kirkland (Associated Press)

http://www.kpbj.com/newsletter/367530641.xhtml

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The Cloud Wars Are Seriously Heating Up (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/02/02/the-cloud-wars-are-seriously-heating-up/

Google Fiber’s Plan to Give Free Internet to the Poor (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/02/03/google-fibers-plan-to-give-free-internet-to-the-poor/?wprss=rss_business

Canada: ACORN Canada Report Shows Internet Costs Are Unaffordable for Low-Income Earners (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/acorn-canada-report-shows-internet-costs-are-unaffordable-for-low-income-earners-1.3430494?cmp=rss

Comcast’s Internet is about to Get A Lot Faster in These 5 Cities (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/02/02/comcasts-internet-is-about-to-get-a-lot-faster-in-these-5-cities/?wprss=rss_business

Yahoo to Cut 1,700 Workers as CEO Tries to Save Her Own Job (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/world/article57987573.html

The One Chart You Need to See about Google’s Most Ambitious Projects (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/02/01/the-one-chart-you-need-to-see-about-googles-most-ambitious-projects/

MARKETING & MEDIA

Twitter Launches ‘Engaging’ New Homepage (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35481975

Create an RSS Feed for Any Search Result (Gizmodo)

http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/create-an-rss-feed-for-any-search-result-1751772270

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Representative Resigns over Exaggerations to Military Service Record (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/state-representative-resigns-over-exaggerations-to-military-service-record/article_0c3e0806-ca8c-11e5-a350-ef37093a02bd.html

Donald Trump Says Ted Cruz Stole Iowa, Wants a New Election Caucus (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2016/02/03/donald-trump-cruz-stole-iowa/

GENERAL NEWS

Obama Signs Disaster Declaration for State’s December Storms (KMAS News, Shelton, WA)

http://ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/regional-state-news/26591-obama-signs-disaster-declaration-for-december-storms

New Electronic Community Reader Boards for Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26580-new-electronic-community-reader-boards-for-shelton

Las Vegas Fans Scramble as Cable Fight Threatens Super Bowl (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/las-vegas-fans-scramble-cable-fight-threatens-super-36689662

Capital High School, Shelton Joins Seven Area Schools in Newly Formed Class 3A League (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2016/02/02/capital-high-school-athletics/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Beezow Doo-Doo Zopittybop-Bop-Bop Arrested for Assaulting Evergreen Police Officer

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/crime/article57814383.html

U-S Woman Suffers ‘Electrical Storm’ in Brain, Develops Scottish Accent

http://mashable.com/2016/02/03/foreign-accent-syndrome-scottish/

Oral Roberts University Students Now Required to Wear Fitbits All the Time for A Grade

http://consumerist.com/2016/02/02/oral-roberts-university-students-now-required-to-wear-fitbits-all-the-time-for-a-grade/

McDonald’s Customer Files Lawsuit Accusing Chain of Not Using Real Cheese in Mozzarella Sticks

http://consumerist.com/2016/02/03/mcdonalds-customer-files-lawsuit-accusing-chain-of-not-using-real-cheese-in-mozzarella-sticks/

SONG OF THE DAY

OK, I know this was a song of the day this week, but I couldn’t resist sharing this new acoustic version. Very Cool:

Peter Frampton - Do You Feel Like I Do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GoJxPqwJb4

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

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.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 1, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1TAIHC2

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Safety Lapses Led to Six Grant PUD Employees Injuries in October (iFIBER One, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/safety-lapses-led-to-six-grant-pud-employees-injuries-in/article_82bcd974-c93a-11e5-8a0a-476d6869914f.html

Columbia River Treaty Fish Passage Proposal on Olympia Agenda (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2016/feb/02/columbia-river-treaty-fish-passage-proposal-olympia-agenda/

Gigabit Speeds for $60 a Month? Lake Oswego Moves Forward on Muni Fiber (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2016/02/gigabit_service_for_60_a_month.html

Clean Air Agency Holds Hearing on Sierra Pacific Permits for New Shelton Mill (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/18916

Report: Marijuana Industry Worth $5.4 Billion in 2015, Will Keep on Growing (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/02/02/report-marijuana-industry-worth-5-4-billion-in-2015-will-keep-on-growing/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Safety Lapses Led to Six Grant PUD Employees Injuries in October
• Cowlitz PUD Issues Response to Customer Complaints of Rising Bills
• New Company Takes on Grays Harbor PUD Vegetation Management
• Pacific Gas & Electric Cleared of Blame in Fatal Fresno County Gas Explosion
• Indiana Utility Requests 80% Fixed Charge Increase
• Electric Co-ops Ask Supreme Court to Block Clean Power Plan
• GOP Looks for Path Forward on Federal Energy Bill Amendments
• Columbia River Treaty Fish Passage Proposal on Olympia Agenda
• Future of Puget Sound Steelhead Hatcheries Worries Anglers
• 17% of Hawaiian Electric Customers Now Have Rooftop Solar
• Report: Marijuana Industry Worth $5.4 Billion in 2015, Will Keep on Growing
• Why a Residential Power Advocate Wants Oregon to Leave Coal Behind
• Gigabit Speeds for $60 a Month? Lake Oswego Moves Forward on Muni Fiber
• Apple Might Dump Amazon Web Services in Favor of Its Own Data Centers
• What is Google’s Project SkyBender?
• Google Parent Now World’s Most Valuable Company
• Yahoo Could Lay Off as Much as 15% of its Staff Today
• The Consumerist Guide to Understanding Your Comcast Bill
• Oregon State Legislature Opens Five-Week Session
• Clean Air Agency Holds Hearing on Sierra Pacific Permits for New Shelton Mill
• Shelton Commissioners Approve New Marijuana Zoning Law
• Gun Crimes Result in Three Shelton Arrests
• Feds May Have Discovered Cause of Destructive 1964 Alaskan Tsunami
• Groundhog Day 2016: Punxsutawney Phil ‘Predicts’ Early Spring

WORD OF THE DAY

Sturm und Drang • \shturm-oont-DRAWNG\ • Noun – 1: a late 18th century German literary movement characterized by works containing rousing action and high emotionalism that often deal with the individual’s revolt against society 2: turmoil

The howling winds lashed the tiny, creaking ship with streamers of icy salt spray…pushing the shuddering sailing craft far north of its intended safe, snug harbor. Throughout the perilous night, the shivering first mate…battling the elements and the rudder with all his strength…could had only one concern roiling his very soul with Sturm und Drang, “did I leave the iron on when I left port?”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Safety Lapses Led to Six Grant PUD Employees Injuries in October (iFIBER One, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/safety-lapses-led-to-six-grant-pud-employees-injuries-in/article_82bcd974-c93a-11e5-8a0a-476d6869914f.html

Cowlitz PUD Issues Response to Customer Complaints of Rising Bills (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-issues-response-to-customer-complaints-of-rising-bills/article_5628c962-1da8-5a6c-bd82-06a3cfa7b438.html

New Company Takes on Grays Harbor PUD Vegetation Management (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/new-company-takes-on-pud-vegetation-management/

Pacific Gas & Electric Cleared of Blame in Fatal Fresno County Gas Explosion (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_29461301/pg-e-cleared-blame-fatal-fresno-county-accident?source=rss

Indiana Utility Requests 80% Fixed Charge Increase (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/indiana-utility-requests-80-fixed-charge-increase/413102/

Electric Co-ops Ask Supreme Court to Block Clean Power Plan (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/on-the-docket/co-ops-ask-supreme-court-to-block-clean-power-plan/88753

GOP Looks for Path Forward on Federal Energy Bill Amendments (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/267775-gop-looks-for-path-forward-on-energy-bill-amendments

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia River Treaty Fish Passage Proposal on Olympia Agenda (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2016/feb/02/columbia-river-treaty-fish-passage-proposal-olympia-agenda/

Future of Puget Sound Steelhead Hatcheries Worries Anglers (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2016/02/01/future-steelhead-hatcheries-worries-anglers/79670208/

RENEWABLE ENERGY

17% of Hawaiian Electric Customers Now Have Rooftop Solar (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/17-of-hawaiian-electric-customers-now-have-rooftop-solar/413014/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Report: Marijuana Industry Worth $5.4 Billion in 2015, Will Keep on Growing (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/02/02/report-marijuana-industry-worth-5-4-billion-in-2015-will-keep-on-growing/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Why a Residential Power Advocate Wants Oregon to Leave Coal Behind (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/02/why-a-residential-power-advocate-wants-oregon-to.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Gigabit Speeds for $60 a Month? Lake Oswego Moves Forward on Muni Fiber (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2016/02/gigabit_service_for_60_a_month.html

Apple Might Dump Amazon Web Services in Favor of Its Own Data Centers (Silicon Valley Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2016/02/02/apple-might-dump-amazon-web-services-in-favor-of.html

What is Google’s Project SkyBender? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Technology/2016/0131/What-is-Google-s-Project-SkyBender

Google Parent Now World’s Most Valuable Company (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/01/google-parent-worlds-most-valuable-company/

Yahoo Could Lay Off as Much as 15% of its Staff Today (Dallas Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/blog/techflash/2016/02/yahoo-could-lay-off-as-much-as-15-of-staff-today.html

The Consumerist Guide to Understanding Your Comcast Bill (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/02/01/the-consumerist-guide-to-understanding-your-comcast-bill/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Oregon State Legislature Opens Five-Week Session (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/oregon-legislature-opens-five-week-session

GENERAL NEWS

Clean Air Agency Holds Hearing on Sierra Pacific Permits for New Shelton Mill (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/18916

Shelton Commissioners Approve New Marijuana Zoning Law (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26566-shelton-commissioners-approve-new-pot-law

Gun Crimes Result in Three Shelton Arrests (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26563-gun-crimes-result-in-3-arrests

Feds May Have Discovered Cause of Destructive 1964 Alaskan Tsunami (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/articles/2016-02-01/researchers-find-source-of-1964-devastating-alaska-tsunami

Groundhog Day 2016: Punxsutawney Phil ‘Predicts’ Early Spring (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/02/groundhog_day_2016_punxsutawne.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Offbeat: Stoned, Hallucinating Coyotes Frighten Californians

http://www.oregonlive.com/weird-news/2016/01/offbeat_stoned_hallucinating_c.html

Infant Seahawks Fans Featured in NFL’s “Super Bowl Babies Choir” Commercial

http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/02/01/infant-seahawks-fans-featured-nfls-super-bowl-babies-choir-commercial

Happy Play Your Ukulele Day – The Making of a Ukulele

https://thedutchluthier.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/the-making-of-a-ukulele/

‘Monster’ New Species of Daddy Longlegs Discovered in Oregon

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2016/02/huge_new_species_of_daddy_long.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Hurricane Smith – Oh Babe What Would You Say

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynN9AeY8IGc

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST BLOG & TWITTER FEED

The news digest is also available at the following web site:

http://www.energynewsdigest.blogspot.com/

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

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.

Energy News Digest for February 2, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 1, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1RW5l8t

Stop the El Nino Forecast Complaints! (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2016/01/stop-el-nino-forecast-complaints.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington State Attorney General: Puget Sound Energy Overcharging Customers (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/12/07/state-attorney-general-pse-overcharging-customers/20054045/

Washington State Democratic Party Takes Position Opposing CarbonWa’s I-732 (The Cascadia Advocate)

https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2016/01/washington-state-democratic-party-takes-position-opposing-carbonwas-i-732.html

Oregon Utilities Throw Weight behind Plan to Eliminate Coal & Increase Renewables (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/01/utilities_throw_weight_behind.html

Lawsuit: Pierce County Town Overcharged Hospital Millions for Sewer Service (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/01/31/lawsuit-pierce-county-town-overcharged-hospital-millions-for-sewer-service/

GE to Phase Out CFL Bulbs in Favor of LED (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/02/01/ge-to-phase-out-cfl-bulbs-in-favor-of-led/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Washington State Attorney General: Puget Sound Energy Overcharging Customers
• Oregon Utilities Throw Weight behind Plan to Eliminate Coal & Increase Renewables
• Virtual Currency Meets Wariness as It Plugs Into Cheap Columbia River Power
• High Bills Raise Avista Questions
• Snohomish PUD Offers Billing Options after Complaints
• Clark Public Utilities: “Race for Warmth” Helps Keep the Heat on for Needy
• Serious Competition at the Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl
• California: Yes Nukes! Conservationists Rally to Save State’s Nuclear Plant
• Post Sandy Payoff: Upgrades Helped Keep the Lights on in New York & New Jersey during Blizzard
• Rival Hydro Providers Team Up to Make Push for Massachusetts Legislation
• Smart Advanced Meters: The New Normal
• What is Your Co-op Doing about Safety?
• Canada: Squirrel Knocks Out Power for 5,400 Customers in Halifax Neighborhood
• Lawsuit: Pierce County Town Overcharged Hospital Millions for Sewer Service
• California Almonds, Partly Blamed for Water Shortage, Now Dropping in Price
• SolarWorld Move Targets the Residential Market
• Vestas Will Soon Start Buying Oregon Steel
• Oregon: Port of Tillamook Bay Officials to Shut Down Financially Draining Digester in Two Months
• Solar Energy Just a Google Search Away?
• Op/Ed: Nevada’s Solar Bait-and-Switch
• GE to Phase Out CFL Bulbs in Favor of LED
• Feds Proposing Air Conditioner Standards
• Vent-Free Fireplaces Popular Despite Safety Worry
• Medical Pot Operators Sue over Washington State Licensing Priority
• Marijuana Sales Grow 184% in One Year
• Washington State Democratic Party Takes Position Opposing CarbonWa’s I-732
• Op/Ed: I-732 Taxes Pollution, Not People
• These Are Washington’s Top Ten Climate Polluters
• Ethanol Mandate, a Boon to Iowa Alone, Faces Rising Resistance
• The Drop in Fuel Prices Is Zapping the Electric Car Industry
• Google Fiber Dials in on Phone Service
• Microsoft Plumbs Ocean’s Depths to Test Underwater Data Center
• Microsoft’s Secret Weapon for Growth in the Cloud: Email
• Cable Industry Disrupter Aereo Is Back with New Internet Service
• Congress Wants to Give Feds the Power to Spot Terrorists on Social Media
• The $31 Billion ‘Green’ Branding of Vancouver, B-C
• Washington State Senator Don Benton Won’t Run for Re-Election
• Buoyed By Drafting Error, John Wayne Trails Group Treks to Washington State Capitol to Continue Fight
• $100 Million Software System for Washington State’s Community Colleges So Flawed It Will Need Millions More to Fix
• Lawmakers Say Pay Raise Due for Washington State Patrol
• Mason County Commissioners to Restructure Five Departments under One Leader
• Sequim Neighbors Protest Proposed Radio, Cell Tower
• Seahawks Wilson, Bennett MVPs of Pro Bowl

WORD OF THE DAY

Bicephalous • \bie-CEF-uh-luss\ • Adjective – Having two heads

It still pains me to see Ray Milland in his later film roles, especially the horrendous bicephalous drama/comedy “The Thing with Two Heads”. However, some would say this film was the high point in Rosy Grier’s acting career.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Washington State Attorney General: Puget Sound Energy Overcharging Customers (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/12/07/state-attorney-general-pse-overcharging-customers/20054045/

Oregon Utilities Throw Weight behind Plan to Eliminate Coal & Increase Renewables (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/01/utilities_throw_weight_behind.html

Virtual Currency Meets Wariness as It Plugs Into Cheap Columbia River Power (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/npr-virtual-currency-meets-wariness-as-it-plugs-into-cheap-columbia-river-power/

High Bills Raise Avista Questions (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/31095491/high-bills-raise-avista-questions

Snohomish PUD Offers Billing Options after Complaints (My Everett News, WA)

http://myeverettnews.com/2016/01/30/pud-addresses-billing-complaints-with-payment-options/

Clark Public Utilities: “Race for Warmth” Helps Keep the Heat on for Needy (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/jan/31/race-for-warmth-helps-keep-the-heat-on-for-needy/

Serious Competition at the Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/multimedia/index.ssf/2016/01/serious_competition_at_the_bpa.html

California: Yes Nukes! Conservationists Rally to Save State’s Nuclear Plant (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Yes-nukes-Conservationists-rally-to-save-6794124.php

Post Sandy Payoff: Upgrades Helped Keep the Lights on in New York & New Jersey during Blizzard (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2016-01-31/after-sandy-upgrades-power-stays-on-during-blizzard

Rival Hydro Providers Team Up to Make Push for Massachusetts Legislation (Boston Globe, MA)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/01/31/rival-hydro-providers-team-make-push-for-mass-legislation/8fqggTN4VDs1YIf7okuiAN/story.html

Smart Advanced Meters: The New Normal (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=45123

What is Your Co-op Doing about Safety? (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/what-is-your-co-op-doing-about-safety/88659

Canada: Squirrel Knocks Out Power for 5,400 Customers in Halifax Neighborhood (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/national/squirrel+knocks+power+2c400+customers+halifax/11685543/story.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Lawsuit: Pierce County Town Overcharged Hospital Millions for Sewer Service (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/01/31/lawsuit-pierce-county-town-overcharged-hospital-millions-for-sewer-service/

California Almonds, Partly Blamed for Water Shortage, Now Dropping in Price (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.modbee.com/news/article57516958.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

SolarWorld Move Targets the Residential Market (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/02/solarworld-move-targets-the-residential-market.html

Vestas Will Soon Start Buying Oregon Steel (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/01/vestas-will-soon-start-buying-oregon-steel.html

Oregon: Port of Tillamook Bay Officials to Shut Down Financially Draining Digester in Two Months (Tillamook County Pioneer, OR)

http://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/port-of-tillamook-bay-officials-to-shut-down-financially-draining-digester-in-two-months/

Solar Energy Just a Google Search Away? (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=45100

Op/Ed: Nevada’s Solar Bait-and-Switch (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/01/opinion/nevadas-solar-bait-and-switch.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

GE to Phase Out CFL Bulbs in Favor of LED (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/02/01/ge-to-phase-out-cfl-bulbs-in-favor-of-led/

Feds Proposing Air Conditioner Standards (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/regulation/energy-environment/267553-doe-proposing-air-conditioner-standards

Vent-Free Fireplaces Popular Despite Safety Worry (Columbus Dispatch, OH)

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/home_and_garden/2016/01/31/01-vent-free-fireplaces-popular-despite-safety-worry.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Medical Pot Operators Sue over Washington State Licensing Priority (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/31102097/medical-pot-operators-sue-over-state-licensing-priority

Marijuana Sales Grow 184% in One Year (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/debraborchardt/2016/02/01/marijuana-sales-grow-184-in-one-year/#6ed228714adb

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Democratic Party Takes Position Opposing CarbonWa’s I-732 (The Cascadia Advocate)

https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2016/01/washington-state-democratic-party-takes-position-opposing-carbonwas-i-732.html

Op/Ed: I-732 Taxes Pollution, Not People (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/732-taxes-pollution-people/

These Are Washington’s Top Ten Climate Polluters (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

http://kuow.org/post/these-are-washingtons-top-10-climate-polluters

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Ethanol Mandate, a Boon to Iowa Alone, Faces Rising Resistance (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/01/us/politics/ethanol-mandate-a-boon-to-iowa-alone-faces-rising-resistance.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

The Drop in Fuel Prices Is Zapping the Electric Car Industry (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/the-drop-in-fuel-prices-is-zapping-the-electric-car-industry/article/2581728

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Fiber Dials in on Phone Service (Kansas City Business Journal, MO)

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/morning_call/2016/02/google-fiber-dials-in-on-phone-service.html

Microsoft Plumbs Ocean’s Depths to Test Underwater Data Center (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/01/technology/microsoft-plumbs-oceans-depths-to-test-underwater-data-center.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Microsoft’s Secret Weapon for Growth in the Cloud: Email (Reuters)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-microsoft-email-idUKKCN0VA2ZJ

Cable Industry Disrupter Aereo Is Back with New Internet Service (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Cable-industry-disrupter-Aereo-is-back-with-new-6794268.php

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Congress Wants to Give Feds the Power to Spot Terrorists on Social Media (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/congress-wants-to-give-feds-the-power-to-spot-terrorists-on-social-media/article/2581610

The $31 Billion ‘Green’ Branding of Vancouver, B-C (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/green+branding+vancouver/11686117/story.html?__lsa=d539-77d7

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Senator Don Benton Won’t Run for Re-Election (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/ap/state-sen-don-benton-wont-run-for-re-election/

Buoyed By Drafting Error, John Wayne Trails Group Treks to Washington State Capitol to Continue Fight (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/buoyed-drafting-error-trails-group-treks-capitol-continue-fight

GENERAL NEWS

$100 Million Software System for Washington State’s Community Colleges So Flawed It Will Need Millions More to Fix (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/jan/31/100-million-software-system-for-community-colleges/

Lawmakers Say Pay Raise Due for Washington State Patrol (Associated Press)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/pay-raise-due-for-washington-state-patrol-lawmakers-say/article_6d8638a4-be23-55bd-9d13-57dbee53c225.html

Mason County Commissioners to Restructure Five Departments under One Leader (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26540-commissioners-restructure-5-departments-under-1-new-head

Sequim Neighbors Protest Proposed Radio, Cell Tower (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160201/news/302019999/sequim-neighbors-protest-proposed-radio-cell-tower

Seahawks Wilson, Bennett MVPs of Pro Bowl (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/jan/31/seahawks-wilson-bennett-mvps-of-pro-bowl/

DIVERSIONS

Jewelry Made from an Actual SR-71 Blackbird is Cool as Hell

http://gizmodo.com/jewelry-made-from-an-actual-sr-71-blackbird-is-cool-as-1756358615

The Cutest Super Bowl Commercial Yet Is Heinz’s Stampede of Wiener Dogs

http://mashable.com/2016/02/01/heinz-super-bowl-wiener-dogs/

This Video Shows You 15 Genius Ways to Use Binder Clips

http://time.com/4199856/binder-clips-life-hack-video/

Police Officer Mistaken for Stripper at 50th Birthday Party

http://time.com/4201594/police-officer-stripogram-party/

SONG OF THE DAY

Peter Frampton – Do You Feel Like We Do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Yq5m9eLIQ

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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.