Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 5, 2017

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Energy Northwest’s Richland Nuclear Plant Sets Generation Record (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/hanford/article124544564.html

Governor’s Report: Salmon Remain in Trouble in Washington State (Associated Press)

http://mynorthwest.com/503587/governors-report-salmon-remain-in-trouble-in-washington/

Kootenay Mayors Urge ‘Strong Stand’ on Columbia River Treaty (Arrow Lake News, BC)

http://www.arrowlakesnews.com/news/407953536.html

NOAA Challenged the Global Warming ‘Pause’ –New Research Says the Agency Was Right (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/01/04/noaa-challenged-the-global-warming-pause-now-new-research-says-the-agency-was-right/

Generators, Space Heaters Going Fast Due to Frigid Weather (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/local/generators-space-heaters-going-fast-due-to-frigid-weather/382247979

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Energy Northwest’s Richland Nuclear Plant Sets Generation Record
• Kootenay Mayors Urge ‘Strong Stand’ on Columbia River Treaty
• Bonneville Power Administration Line Crew Works to Restore Power in Icy Eugene
• Southwest Power Pool Seeks DOE Approval for Electricity Sales into Canada
• Natural Gas: Wild Winter Burns Traders Betting on Models That Can’t Keep Up
• Fitch: Declining Consumption Is Manageable for U-S Public Power
• Governor’s Report: Salmon Remain in Trouble in Washington State
• Comment Deadline on Columbia River Dam Review Extended
• Lawmakers Back Columbia River Salmon Reforms
• A Tour of One of America’s Most Toxic Rivers
• U-S Yanks Funds from Unbuilt New Jersey Windmill Farm
• Generators, Space Heaters Going Fast Due to Frigid Weather
• Oregon: Can You Sell a Home with Marijuana Plants? Best to Pull Them Out, Say Experts
• NOAA Challenged the Global Warming ‘Pause’ –New Research Says the Agency Was Right
• Are We Dialing Down Nuclear Power at Precisely the Wrong Time?
• Report: Google Fiber Could Be Spun Off or Sold in 2017
• Another Verizon Exec Has Doubts Over Yahoo Deal
• Hulu Live TV Service to Launch in Months for Under $40
• Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Kayaker Near Allyn
• Flu Levels Reach “Epidemic” Levels in Washington State
• Hang in There! Frigid Weather Slowly Giving Way to Warmer Temps
• Mason County to Open Mental Health Triage Facility
• Here Are All of the Kmart, Sears, & Macy’s Stores Closing This Spring
• Olympic College President to Retire

WORD OF THE DAY

Senary • \SENN-uh-ree \ • adjective – Of, based on, or characterized by six: compounded of six things or six part

“Seymore, you insidious dolt!” thundered the Asian Studies professor to the cowering student. “Any idiot knows that a haiku doesn’t have a senary bone in its body. The first line is always five syllables, the second seven and the third, five.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Energy Northwest’s Richland Nuclear Plant Sets Generation Record (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/hanford/article124544564.html

Kootenay Mayors Urge ‘Strong Stand’ on Columbia River Treaty (Arrow Lake News, BC)

http://www.arrowlakesnews.com/news/407953536.html

Bonneville Power Administration Line Crew Works to Restore Power in Icy Eugene (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-line-crew-works-to-restore-power-in-icy-Eugene.aspx

Southwest Power Pool Seeks DOE Approval for Electricity Sales into Canada (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/southwest-power-pool-seeks-doe-approval-for-electricity-sales-into-canada/433343/

Natural Gas: Wild Winter Burns Traders Betting on Models That Can’t Keep Up (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-04/wild-winter-burns-traders-betting-on-models-that-can-t-keep-up

Fitch: Declining Consumption Is Manageable for U-S Public Power (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=47307

FISH & WILDLIFE

Governor’s Report: Salmon Remain in Trouble in Washington State (Associated Press)

http://mynorthwest.com/503587/governors-report-salmon-remain-in-trouble-in-washington/

Comment Deadline on Columbia River Dam Review Extended (Daily Astorian, OR)

http://www.dailyastorian.com/Local_News/20170104/comment-deadline-on-columbia-river-dam-review-extended

Lawmakers Back Columbia River Salmon Reforms (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jan/05/lawmakers-back-columbia-salmon-reforms/

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

A Tour of One of America’s Most Toxic Rivers (Atlantic Magazine)

https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/512129/a-tour-of-one-of-americas-most-toxic-rivers/

RENEWABLE ENERGY

U-S Yanks Funds from Unbuilt New Jersey Windmill Farm (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/apnewsbreak-us-yanks-funds-unbuilt-nj-windmill-farm-44534038

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Generators, Space Heaters Going Fast Due to Frigid Weather (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/local/generators-space-heaters-going-fast-due-to-frigid-weather/382247979

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Oregon: Can You Sell a Home with Marijuana Plants? Best to Pull Them Out, Say Experts (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2017/01/home_marijuana_plants_sale_law.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

NOAA Challenged the Global Warming ‘Pause’ –New Research Says the Agency Was Right (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/01/04/noaa-challenged-the-global-warming-pause-now-new-research-says-the-agency-was-right/

Are We Dialing Down Nuclear Power at Precisely the Wrong Time? (The Energy Collective)

http://www.theenergycollective.com/ftijournal/2395672/are-we-dialing-down-nuclear-power-at-precisely-the-wrong-time

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Report: Google Fiber Could Be Spun Off or Sold in 2017 (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Report-Google-Fiber-Could-be-Spun-Off-or-Sold-in-2017-138631

Another Verizon Exec Has Doubts Over Yahoo Deal (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2017/01/05/verizon-exec-has-doubts-over-yahoo-deal/95494528/

Hulu Live TV Service to Launch in Months for Under $40 (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Hulu-Live-TV-Service-to-Launch-in-Months-For-Under-40-138652

GENERAL NEWS

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Kayaker Near Allyn (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/coast-guard-suspends-search-for-missing-kayaker-near-allyn/

Flu Levels Reach “Epidemic” Levels in Washington State (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/flu-levels-reach-epidemic-levels-washington/

Hang in There! Frigid Weather Slowly Giving Way to Warmer Temps (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2017/01/04/hang-in-there-frigid-weather-slowly-giving-way-to-warmer-temps/

Mason County to Open Mental Health Triage Facility (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/communities/mason/2017/01/04/mason-county-open-mental-health-triage-facility/95895690/

Here Are All of the Kmart, Sears, & Macy’s Stores Closing This Spring (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/01/05/here-are-all-of-the-kmart-sears-and-macys-stores-closing-this-spring/

Olympic College President to Retire (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/23302

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Russian Sculptor Creates Giant Manure Rooster

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-38508390

Why Is a Game 9 Innings? These Are the Backstories Behind Baseball’s Iconic Rules

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/12/16/210241338/stories-behind-baseball-rules

Lottery Scratch-Off Loser Keeps Phoning in Threats, Cops Say

https://www.yahoo.com/news/lottery-scratch-off-loser-keeps-184446413.html

Flood of Plastic Eggs Delights Children on North Sea Island

https://www.yahoo.com/news/flood-plastic-eggs-delights-kids-north-sea-island-112943081.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Earth, Wind & Fire - Got to Get You into My Life

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

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for January 4, 2016

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 4, 2017

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Dry Air Storm Hits the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mas Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2017/01/dry-air-storm-hits-pacific-northwest.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Dam Breaching Will Be an Option Considered for Columbia River System Study (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article124411819.html

Repealing the Clean Power Plan Will Bring More Lawsuits, Democratic Attorney Generals Warn (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/repealing-the-clean-power-plan-will-bring-more-lawsuits-democratic-ags-war/433289/

Trump’s Infrastructure Plans: First Fix the Bonds (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/sme/?p=1151

Crab Boats Tied Up as Strike Extends Up & Down West Coast (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jan/04/crab-boats-tied-up-as-strike-extends-up-and-down-west-coast/

Avista Offers Tips to Avoid a High Heating Bill During Cold Winter Months (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/34176574/avista-offers-tips-to-avoid-a-high-heating-bill-during-cold-winter-months

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Dam Breaching Will Be an Option Considered for Columbia River System Study
• Washington State Denies Sublease for Coal Export Terminal
• President Elect Trump’s Picks for Tennessee Valley Authority Board Could Reshape Federal Agency
• Vermont Public Power Utility Quick to Isolate Potential Cyber-Threat & Share Information
• Don’t Read Too Much into the Vermont Hack Debacle
• Crab Boats Tied Up as Strike Extends Up & Down West Coast
• Researchers Bid Farewell to ‘Granny,’ The World’s Oldest Known Orca
• Flashing Lights Work Better Than Steady Ones to Keep Birds from Hitting Towers
• Data Suggests Puget Sound Aquatic Habitat Remains Healthy
• Despite Recent Storms, California’s ‘Snow Drought’ Continues
• For Cheapest Power on Earth, Look Skyward as Coal Falls to Solar
• Avista Offers Tips to Avoid a High Heating Bill During Cold Winter Months
• Final Batch of Obama Efficiency Rules Could Test Trump Administration
• Why Marijuana Marketing Will Be Bigger Than Ever This Year
• Repealing the Clean Power Plan Will Bring More Lawsuits, Democratic Attorney Generals Warn
• Tesla’s Gigafactory Starts Mass Producing Battery Cells
• The Latest: Comcast Wants to Tackle Bad Home Internet
• It’s Begun: Internet Providers Pushing to Repeal Obama-Era Privacy Rules
• Editorial The Smart Home Has Ears, And It Can’t Keep a Secret
• 2017 Arrives with a Flood of Carriage Feuds, TV Blackouts
• Frontier Drops KATU, Portland’s ABC Affiliate, Amid Spat Over Fees
• Wendy’s Owned a Twitter Troll So Hard the Harasser Deactivated Their Account
• Trump’s Infrastructure Plans: First Fix the Bonds
• Park Service Approves Proposal to Allow Ads Inside National Parks
• Man Who Used Kayak to Get to Shore Now Missing in North Mason County
• Shutty Takes Seat as Newest Mason County Commissioner
• Two Out of Every Three Kids in Shelton Live in Poverty – Here’s How You Can Help Them
• Prolific Pacific Storms Set to Punch California with Blockbuster Rain, Snow
• Man Fined $13K for Playing with High-Powered Laser
• Free Marijuana on Inauguration Day in Washington DC

WORD OF THE DAY

Abscond • \ab-SKOND\ • Verb – To depart secretly & hide oneself.

Huzzah! Shouted Arthur Dent as he absconded with the spaceship for the heart of the sun; unaware of the dangers that lurked in his in the future.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Dam Breaching Will Be an Option Considered for Columbia River System Study (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article124411819.html

Washington State Denies Sublease for Coal Export Terminal (Associated Press)

http://koin.com/ap/washington-state-denies-sublease-for-coal-export-terminal/

President Elect Trump’s Picks for Tennessee Valley Authority Board Could Reshape Federal Agency (Chattanooga Times Free Press, TN)

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2017/jan/03/will-new-president-change-tvatrump-name-major/405534/

Vermont Public Power Utility Quick to Isolate Potential Cyber-Threat & Share Information (American Public Power Association)

http://publicpower.org/media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=47291

Don’t Read Too Much into the Vermont Hack Debacle (Atlantic Magazine)

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/01/the-vermont-hack-debacle-doesnt-mean-attributing-cyberattacks-is-impossible/512078/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Crab Boats Tied Up as Strike Extends Up & Down West Coast (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jan/04/crab-boats-tied-up-as-strike-extends-up-and-down-west-coast/

Researchers Bid Farewell to ‘Granny,’ The World’s Oldest Known Orca (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2017/01/03/granny-oldest-killer-whale-dead/

Flashing Lights Work Better Than Steady Ones to Keep Birds from Hitting Towers (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2017/01/03/bird-collisions-radio-tv-cellphone-towers/96106338/

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Data Suggests Puget Sound Aquatic Habitat Remains Healthy (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Data-suggests-Puget-Sound-aquatic-habitat-remains-10834394.php

Despite Recent Storms, California’s ‘Snow Drought’ Continues (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article124387999.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

For Cheapest Power on Earth, Look Skyward as Coal Falls to Solar (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jan/03/for-cheapest-power-on-earth-look-skyward-as-coal-f/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Avista Offers Tips to Avoid a High Heating Bill During Cold Winter Months (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/34176574/avista-offers-tips-to-avoid-a-high-heating-bill-during-cold-winter-months

Final Batch of Obama Efficiency Rules Could Test Trump Administration (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/final-batch-of-obama-efficiency-rules-could-test-trump-administration/433294/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Why Marijuana Marketing Will Be Bigger Than Ever This Year (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/why-marijuana-marketing-will-be-bigger-ever-year-175246

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Repealing the Clean Power Plan Will Bring More Lawsuits, Democratic Attorney Generals Warn (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/repealing-the-clean-power-plan-will-bring-more-lawsuits-democratic-ags-war/433289/

SCIENCE SWIMS IN A BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Tesla’s Gigafactory Starts Mass Producing Battery Cells (Tech Crunch)

https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/04/teslas-gigafactory-starts-mass-producing-battery-cells/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The Latest: Comcast Wants to Tackle Bad Home Internet (Associated Press)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article124457019.html

It’s Begun: Internet Providers Pushing to Repeal Obama-Era Privacy Rules (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/01/04/its-begun-cable-companies-are-pushing-to-repeal-obama-era-internet-privacy-rules/

Editorial The Smart Home Has Ears, And It Can’t Keep a Secret (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-amazon-echo-surveillance-20170104-story.html

MARKETING & MEDIA

2017 Arrives with a Flood of Carriage Feuds, TV Blackouts (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/2017-Arrives-With-a-Flood-Of-Carriage-Feuds-TV-Blackouts-138643

Frontier Drops KATU, Portland’s ABC Affiliate, Amid Spat Over Fees (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2017/01/frontier_drops_katu_portlands.html

Wendy’s Owned a Twitter Troll So Hard the Harasser Deactivated Their Account (BuzzFeed)

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/wendys-owned-this-twitter-troll-so-hard-they-deactivated

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Trump’s Infrastructure Plans: First Fix the Bonds (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/sme/?p=1151

Park Service Approves Proposal to Allow Ads Inside National Parks (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/01/04/park-service-approves-proposal-to-allow-ads-inside-national-parks/

GENERAL NEWS

Man Who Used Kayak to Get to Shore Now Missing in North Mason County (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article124495444.html

Shutty Takes Seat as Newest Mason County Commissioner (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/shutty-takes-seat-as-mason-county-commissioner/article_1e0b0f08-d205-11e6-91a0-d328469c2acb.html

Two Out of Every Three Kids in Shelton Live in Poverty – Here’s How You Can Help Them (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/education/article124305184.html

Prolific Pacific Storms Set to Punch California with Blockbuster Rain, Snow (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2017/01/04/california-atmospheric-river-storms-flooding/

Man Fined $13K for Playing with High-Powered Laser (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/502741/13k-for-playing-with-high-powered-laser/

Free Marijuana on Inauguration Day in Washington DC (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/local/free-marijuana-on-inauguration-day/381795540

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Marlin Drags Fisherman into Remote Waters Off Australia

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38400913

Man’s Front Door Bricked Up as He Sleeps

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38502720

Why One Penny May Be Worth More Than $30,000

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2017/0103/Why-one-penny-may-cost-more-than-30-000

Forget Smart Meter RF – There’s Something Out There: Mysterious Fast Radio Bursts Originate from Distant Dwarf Galaxy

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/sciencefair/2017/01/04/fast-radio-bursts-dwarf-galaxy/96153394/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Carpenters – Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yTkrdsg4Qo

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for January 3, 2017

Occasionally get out the porta-vac to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 3, 2017

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Cold Temperatures Forecast for Western Washington State (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/01/cold-temperatures-forecast-kela-radio.html

Puget Sound Energy’s 24-Hour Power Restoration Guarantee Starts January 1 (KING-TV, Seattle, WA – Read the fine print)

http://www.king5.com/mb/news/local/puget-sound-energys-24-hour-power-restoration-guarantee-starts-january-1/380450636

Historical Sites Enter Debate Over Dams (Associated Press)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/4947753-151/historical-sites-enter-debate-over-dams

Feds Say Vermont Utility Was Infiltrated by Russian Hackers (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/fbi-dhs-say-vermont-utility-was-infiltrated-by-russian-hackers/433122/

Washington State Sees Healthy Snowpack Levels (Associated Press)

http://www.khq.com/story/34167014/washington-state-sees-healthy-snowpack-levels

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Puget Sound Energy’s 24-Hour Power Restoration Guarantee Starts January 1
• Historical Sites Enter Debate Over Dams
• Chelan PUD Approves Rock Island Dam Modernization
• Plans for Bend-Area Hydroelectric Project Keep Churning
• Biomass Testing Delayed at Boardman Coal Plant
• Idaho Approves Avista Electricity Rate Hike
• Flathead Electric Cooperative Gets Ready for the Big Chill
• Peace River Dam Inspections Find Issues During Hydroelectric Project’s Construction
• How will Rick Perry run the Department of Energy?
• Deterioration of Iraq’s Massive Mosul Dam Reaches Crisis Point
• Columbia Fishing Fees Could Jump 69 Percent
• Washington State Sees Healthy Snowpack Levels
• New Yellowstone Irrigation Dam Challenged Over Sturgeon Worries
• Just Over 264 Million Gallons - Massive Water Loss from Vancouver Aquifer Blamed on Contractor Error
• British Columbia: Sewage Controversy in Greater Victoria Finally Circled the Drain in 2016
• Klickitat PUD Utility Advises Ways to Cut Bill
• Tips to Save Energy, Money During Colder Weather
• Making Your Home Energy Efficient Without Breaking the Bank
• Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Others Call on Treasury to Make It Easier for Marijuana-Related Businesses to Bank
• Now That Pot’s Legal in California, Here’s How to Grow It Indoors & Outdoors
• Feds Say Vermont Utility Was Infiltrated by Russian Hackers
• Orcas Island: How a Group of Neighbors Created Their Own Internet Service
• Distracted Driver Sues Apple Over a Fatal Car Crash – Was Using ‘FaceTime’ App
• Bitcoin Jumps Above $1,000 for First Time in Three Years
• BPA Moves the Journal Online After 27 Years in Print
• Twitter Might Let Users Edit Tweets Someday
• France Gives Workers the Right to Avoid Work Email After Hours
• Washington State Senator Says He’s Tapped for Trump Transition Team
• Cold Temperatures Forecast for Western Washington State
• Public Works: Mason Road Restrictions Possible During Deep Freeze
• Seattle Was Colder Than Alaska’s Arctic Coast This Morning
• India’s Call-Center Talents Put to a Criminal Use: Swindling Americans

WORD OF THE DAY

Ichthyomania • \ick-thee-oh-MANE-ee-yah\ • An excessive fascination with fish.

Ichthyomancy • \ick-thee-oh-MAN-see\ • 1. Divination by means of the heads or entrails of fishes. 2. Divination by examining the heads and/or entrails of fish for prophetic signs or processing the next fish caught.

Bradford was in heaven. As a rabid ichtyomnaniac, working in the fish processing plant let him play with his semi-frozen charges as if they were ventriloquist dummies. “Hi Folks!” He would exclaim while working the little fish mouths at lunch. It was when he started using ichthyomancy in an attempt to predict the annual salmon runs in the Columbia River that his co-workers started to avoid him like week-old chum.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Puget Sound Energy’s 24-Hour Power Restoration Guarantee Starts January 1 (KING-TV, Seattle, WA – Read the fine print)

http://www.king5.com/mb/news/local/puget-sound-energys-24-hour-power-restoration-guarantee-starts-january-1/380450636

Historical Sites Enter Debate Over Dams (Associated Press)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/4947753-151/historical-sites-enter-debate-over-dams

Chelan PUD Approves Rock Island Dam Modernization (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/pud-approves-rock-island-dam-modernization/

Plans for Bend-Area Hydroelectric Project Keep Churning – Application processes continue for proposal at Wickiup Dam (Bend Bulletin, OR)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/4940768-151/plans-for-hydroelectric-project-keep-churning

Biomass Testing Delayed at Boardman Coal Plant (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jan/02/biomass-testing-delayed-at-boardman-coal-plant/

Idaho Approves Avista Electricity Rate Hike (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/dec/29/idaho-approves-avista-electricity-rate-hike/

Flathead Electric Cooperative Gets Ready for the Big Chill (KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT)

http://www.kpax.com/story/34167450/flathead-electric-cooperative-gets-ready-for-the-big-chill

Peace River Dam Inspections Find Issues During Hydroelectric Project’s Construction (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/site-c-inspections-find-issues-during-hydroelectric-projects-construction/article33465803/?cmpid=rss1

How will Rick Perry run the Department of Energy? (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/how-will-rick-perry-run-the-department-of-energy/433089/

Deterioration of Iraq’s Massive Mosul Dam Reaches Crisis Point (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2017/01/02/507922310/deterioration-of-iraqs-massive-mosul-dam-reaches-crisis-point

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia Fishing Fees Could Jump 69 Percent (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://m.tdn.com/lifestyles/hunting-and-fishing/columbia-fishing-fees-could-jump-percent/article_1c366886-0b13-5d41-88af-626f88c590e8.html

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Washington State Sees Healthy Snowpack Levels (Associated Press)

http://www.khq.com/story/34167014/washington-state-sees-healthy-snowpack-levels

New Yellowstone Irrigation Dam Challenged Over Sturgeon Worries (Associated Press)

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/633571633d1c44f3ab7498ee39f578e8/new-yellowstone-dam-challenged-over-sturgeon-worries

Just Over 264 Million Gallons - Massive Water Loss from Vancouver Aquifer Blamed on Contractor Error (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/massive-water-loss-from-vancouver-aquifer-blamed-on-contractor-error-1.6085302

British Columbia: Sewage Controversy in Greater Victoria Finally Circled the Drain in 2016 (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/victoria-sewage-plant-1.3914690?cmp=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Klickitat PUD Utility Advises Ways to Cut Bill (Goldendale Sentinel, WA)

http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2016/12/28/news/utility-advises-ways-to-cut-bill/8360.html

Tips to Save Energy, Money During Colder Weather (My Edmonds News, WA)

http://myedmondsnews.com/2017/01/tips-to-save-energy-money-during-colder-weather/

Making Your Home Energy Efficient Without Breaking the Bank (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/making-your-home-energy-efficient-without-breaking-the-bank-1.3918924?cmp=rss

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Others Call on Treasury to Make It Easier for Marijuana-Related Businesses to Bank (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/01/03/sen-elizabeth-warren-others-call-on-treasury-to-make-it-easier-for-marijuana-related-businesses-to-bank/

Now That Pot’s Legal in California, Here’s How to Grow It Indoors & Outdoors (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/living/home-garden/article123185979.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Feds Say Vermont Utility Was Infiltrated by Russian Hackers (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/fbi-dhs-say-vermont-utility-was-infiltrated-by-russian-hackers/433122/

Orcas Island: How a Group of Neighbors Created Their Own Internet Service – Powered by radios in trees, homegrown network serves 50 houses (Ars Technica)

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/11/how-a-group-of-neighbors-created-their-own-internet-service/

Distracted Driver Sues Apple Over a Fatal Car Crash – Was Using ‘FaceTime’ App (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2017/01/03/distracted-driver-sues-apple-over-a-fatal-car.html

Bitcoin Jumps Above $1,000 for First Time in Three Years (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-markets-bitcoin-idUSKBN14M0IF

MARKETING & MEDIA

BPA Moves the Journal Online After 27 Years in Print (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-moves-the-Journal-online-after-27-years-in-print.aspx

Twitter Might Let Users Edit Tweets Someday (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2016/12/30/twitter-might-let-users-edit-tweets-someday/

France Gives Workers the Right to Avoid Work Email After Hours (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2017/01/02/france-gives-workers-the-right-to-avoid-work-email-after-hours/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Senator Says He’s Tapped for Trump Transition Team (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/donald-trump-washington-senator-don-benton/

GENERAL NEWS

Cold Temperatures Forecast for Western Washington State (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/01/cold-temperatures-forecast-kela-radio.html

Public Works: Mason Road Restrictions Possible During Deep Freeze (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/public-works-mason-road-restrictions-possible-during-deep-freeze/article_1a858f94-cf70-11e6-80b6-df2ddd7c12ab.html

Seattle Was Colder Than Alaska’s Arctic Coast This Morning (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/502017/seattle-coldest-day/

India’s Call-Center Talents Put to a Criminal Use: Swindling Americans (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/03/world/asia/india-call-centers-fraud-americans.html?_r=0

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

‘Hollyweed’: Prankster Alters LA’s Landmark Sign

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-hollywood-prank-idUSKBN14L1BL

WSU Socks Recalled after Surprise Text Printed on the Inside – ‘Go Dawgs’

http://q13fox.com/2016/12/30/wsu-socks-recalled-after-surprise-text-printed-on-the-inside-go-dawgs/

Baggage Handler Locked in Cargo Hold Gets Free Ride on United Flight

http://gizmodo.com/baggage-handler-locked-in-luggage-compartment-gets-free-1790706192

Woman Leaves Entire $1.2 Million Estate to Animal Shelter

https://www.yahoo.com/news/woman-leaves-entire-1-2-million-estate-animal-194728472.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Jewel - Leaving on a Jetplane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYhhDr-i07A

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for December 29, 2016

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 29, 2016

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Worst Cold Snap in Two Years Could Hit Puget Sound Next Week (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/12/28/worst-cold-snap-in-two-years-could-hit-puget-sound-next-week/

Court Rules Washington State’s Lawsuit Against Comcast Can Move Forward (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/dec/28/court-rules-states-lawsuit-against-comcast-can-mov/

Puget Sound Fishing Season Decision Process May Change (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/local/fishing-season-decision-process-may-change/375508501

Shutty Sworn in as Mason County’s Newest Commissioner (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/shutty-sworn-in-as-mason-county-s-newest-commissioner/article_7997cc48-cd79-11e6-9fdb-675d23df7f50.html

Three Shelton Moms, Including Two Mason PUD 3 Employees, Fight Hunger (Mason County Life, Shelton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/communities/mason/2016/12/23/shelton-moms-fight-hunger/95774484/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Pacific Power Unveils Community Memorial for Umpqua Community College Tragedy
• U-S Adoption of Advanced Meters Is Growing
• Pennsylvania: PECO’s Proposal for Prepaid Energy Bills Gets Pushback
• Puget Sound Fishing Season Decision Process May Change
• Forest Biomass Faces Tough Economics as Rural Jobs Generator, OSU Researchers Say
• Washington State Looks to Communities in Renewable-Energy Push
• Energy Adviser: Managing Heat Helps Keep Home Comfortable
• Five U-S Cities, Including Portland, OR – At the Forefront of the Fight Against Climate Change
• Court Rules Washington State’s Lawsuit Against Comcast Can Move Forward
• State Audit Critiques Oregon Business Incentives, Data Center Tax Breaks
• Why You Should Almost Never Use Facebook Live
• Avoid Dull Snapshots: Tips for Taking Stunning Pictures
• Shutty Sworn in as Mason County’s Newest Commissioner
• City of Shelton Approves $48.7 Million Budget for 2017
• Three Shelton Moms, Including Two Mason PUD 3 Employees, Fight Hunger
• Worst Cold Snap in Two Years Could Hit Puget Sound Next Week
• British Columbia: Thousands of Blood Donations Needed Before End of Year, Says Agency
• Area Code 564 Coming to a Phone Number Near You

WORD OF THE DAY

Estival • \ESS-tuh-vul\ • Adjective – Of or relating to the summer

“Pretty hot today Clem,” drawled the old-timer rocking in his creaking chair in front of the Deer Creek Store. “Yup,” muttered Clem. “These here estival winds, supported by a ridge of high pressure are raisin’ a ruckus with my crops. I’ll be back with sports in just a minute,” as he ambled into the store for a copy of the Shelton-Mason County Journal.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Pacific Power Unveils Community Memorial for Umpqua Community College Tragedy (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/dec/28/pacific-power-unveils-community-memorial-for-umpqua-tragedy/

U-S Adoption of Advanced Meters Is Growing (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/articles/2016/12/u-s-adoption-of-advanced-meters-is-growing.html

Pennsylvania: PECO’s Proposal for Prepaid Energy Bills Gets Pushback (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2016/12/29/peco-prepaid-energy-bill-smart-meters-utilities.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Puget Sound Fishing Season Decision Process May Change (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/local/fishing-season-decision-process-may-change/375508501

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Forest Biomass Faces Tough Economics as Rural Jobs Generator, OSU Researchers Say (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2016/12/28/forest-biomass-faces-tough-economics-as-rural-jobs.html

Washington State Looks to Communities in Renewable-Energy Push (San Juan Islander, Friday Harbor, WA)

http://sanjuanislander.com/news-articles/government-news/state/23773/washington-looks-to-communities-in-renewable-energy-push

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Adviser: Managing Heat Helps Keep Home Comfortable (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/dec/29/energy-adviser-managing-heat-helps-keep-home-comfortable/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Five U-S Cities, Including Portland, OR – At the Forefront of the Fight Against Climate Change (The Daily Mail, UK)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-4071484/Five-U-S-cities-forefront-fight-against-climate-change.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Court Rules Washington State’s Lawsuit Against Comcast Can Move Forward (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/dec/28/court-rules-states-lawsuit-against-comcast-can-mov/

State Audit Critiques Oregon Business Incentives, Data Center Tax Breaks (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/12/state_audit_critiques_oregon_b.html

MARKETING & MEDIA

Why You Should Almost Never Use Facebook Live (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2016/12/28/why-facebook-live-is-the-worst/

Avoid Dull Snapshots: Tips for Taking Stunning Pictures (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/Avoid-dull-snapshots-Tips-for-taking-stunning-10822978.php#photo-12107282

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Shutty Sworn in as Mason County’s Newest Commissioner (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/shutty-sworn-in-as-mason-county-s-newest-commissioner/article_7997cc48-cd79-11e6-9fdb-675d23df7f50.html

City of Shelton Approves $48.7 Million Budget for 2017 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/city-leaders-ok-million-budget-for/article_885d13c6-cd58-11e6-901a-63be4976d00c.html

GENERAL NEWS

Three Shelton Moms, Including Two Mason PUD 3 Employees, Fight Hunger (Mason County Life, Shelton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/communities/mason/2016/12/23/shelton-moms-fight-hunger/95774484/

Worst Cold Snap in Two Years Could Hit Puget Sound Next Week (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/12/28/worst-cold-snap-in-two-years-could-hit-puget-sound-next-week/

British Columbia: Thousands of Blood Donations Needed Before End of Year, Says Agency (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/canadian-blood-services-donations-1.3913603?cmp=rss

Area Code 564 Coming to a Phone Number Near You (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/499544/area-code-564-coming/

LEAVE THE GUN, TAKE THE CANNOLI – DIVERSIONS

Actress Debbie Reynolds, Mother of Carrie Fisher, Dies One Day After Her Daughter

http://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article123410224.html

Cinnabon Apologizes for Dumb Carrie Fisher Tweet

http://mashable.com/2016/12/28/cinnabon-apologizes-carrie-fisher-tweet/

How One of “The Godfather’s” Best Scenes Compares to What Was Written in the Script (Violence)

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/how-one-of-the-godfathers-best-scenes-compares-to-what-1790571656

Red Solo Cup Developer Robert Hulseman Dies at Age 84

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/national_news/red-solo-cup-developer-robert-hulseman-dies-at-age/article_944056f4-52b5-5b03-bde7-b1d71bb09554.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Godfather (Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-57JsYZlABg

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.