Energy News Digest for December 21, 2017

Programming Note:

The Energy News Digest will be partaking in convivial activities this holiday weekend. It urges you to do the same.

The news digest will be on hiatus, and returning December 27.

May your holiday season be rich, full of joy, and just downright fun.

Technical Note:

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

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 21, 2017

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Facing Wine Country Fire Damages, Pacific Gas & Electric Suspends Shareholder Dividend (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article190899439.html

Internet Outage Cripples California State Business for a Day (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article190930454.html

More Details Emerge in Oregon's Cap-And-Trade Climate Program (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/news/article/greenhouse-gas-oregon-emissions/

Energy-Efficiency Delays in Mobile Homes Drives Suit (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/energy-efficiency-delays-in-factory-built-homes-drives-suit/

Facebook Job Ads Raise Concerns about Age Discrimination (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/business/facebook-job-ads.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Facing Wine Country Fire Damages, Pacific Gas & Electric Suspends Shareholder Dividend
• Inslee Names Kathleen Drew as Chair of Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council
• Washington State Governor to Decide Vancouver's Oil Fate
• British Columbia: New Peace River Dam Contract Moves Forward as Opponents Call for Auditor General Review
• Portland Council Approves $10 Million Water Utility Lawsuit Settlement – Improper Spending
• Georgia: Troubled $25 Billion Nuclear Project Gets OK to Continue
• South Carolina: How to Sell a Utility – Santee Cooper’s Largest Customer Says Lawmakers Have Work to Do
• Shell, Seeking to Curb Its Carbon Footprint, Buys U-K Electricity Provider
• New FERC Chair Wants to Make Agency More Transparent
• Op/Ed: Enhancing Customer Engagement: A Utility Roadmap for the Amazon Era
• Risk of Viral Transfer from British Columbia Fish Farms to Wild Sockeye Is Low: Study
• Washington State Updates Plan to Tackle Ocean Acidification
• Landowners Fined More Than $600,000 for Illegal Water Use in Central Washington
• Congressional Lawmakers Urge 'Strong & Effective' Remedies in Solar Trade Case
• Natural Gas, Water Heaters, Connected Devices & Electric Vehicles Lead Demand-Response Trends to Watch
• Energy-Efficiency Delays in Mobile Homes Drives Suit
• Spokane County Marijuana Farmers Say Pollution Controls, Regulations & Low Prices Threaten Their Business
• More Details Emerge in Oregon's Cap-And-Trade Climate Program
• Internet Outage Cripples California State Business for a Day
• It Looks Like North Korea Just Stole Even More Bitcoins
• After Net Neutrality: Brace for Internet ‘Fast Lanes’
• Apple Admits to Slowing Older Phones Because of Battery Issues
• ‘Password,’ ‘Monkey’ & the Other Terrible Passwords We Choose
• Facebook Job Ads Raise Concerns about Age Discrimination
• Unlabeled Advertorials: FCC Proposes $13.4M Fine for TV-Station Owner Sinclair
• There Are Over 2 Billion Conversations between Messenger Users & Businesses Every Month
• California Water & Power Magazine to Debut in 2018
• Former Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley Guilty of Possession of Stolen Property. Innocent of Money Laundering.
• North Mason Assistant Principal, Husband, Die in Crash in Mexico
• Freeway Closed By Deadly Train Derailment in Washington State Reopens
• Man Points Gun at Good Samaritan Helping Train Crash Workers, Prosecutors Say
• Shelton City Council Draws 15 Candidates
• Boeing in Talks for Takeover of Brazilian Jet Maker, Embraer
• Washington State’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady
• Oregon's Second Largest Medicaid Carrier Will Shut Down after Impasse with the State
• First Day of Winter: 'Sun Standing Still': Why Do We Celebrate the Solstice?

WORD OF THE DAY – A Hydropower Appreciation Day Haiku

Appreciation ● \uh-PREE-shee-ay-shun\ ● Noun – 1a: a feeling or expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude I want to express my appreciation for all you've done. A small token of our appreciation b: judgment, evaluation; especially: a favorable critical estimate c: sensitive awareness; especially: recognition of aesthetic values a class in music appreciation 2: increase in value

Power in the night.

Hydro appreciation.

Always there for you

https://joelshorriblehaiku.blogspot.com/

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Facing Wine Country Fire Damages, Pacific Gas & Electric Suspends Shareholder Dividend (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article190899439.html

Inslee Names Kathleen Drew as Chair of Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (Governor Jay Inslee, Olympia, WA)

https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-names-kathleen-drew-chair-energy-facility-site-evaluation-council

Washington State Governor to Decide Vancouver's Oil Fate (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2017-12-20/washington-governor-to-decide-towns-oil-fate

British Columbia: New Peace River Dam Contract Moves Forward as Opponents Call for Auditor General Review (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/site-c-auditor-general-1.4460812?cmp=rss

Portland Council Approves $10 Million Water Utility Lawsuit Settlement – Improper Spending (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-utility-lawsuit-settlement-council/

Georgia: Troubled $25 Billion Nuclear Project Gets OK to Continue (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/21/troubled-25-billion-nuclear-project-gets-ok-to-con/

South Carolina: How to Sell a Utility – Santee Cooper’s Largest Customer Says Lawmakers Have Work to Do (The State, Columbia, SC)

http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article190828859.html

Shell, Seeking to Curb Its Carbon Footprint, Buys U-K Electricity Provider (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/business/energy-environment/shell-first-utility-carbon-emissions.html

New FERC Chair Wants to Make Agency More Transparent (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-ferc-chair-wants-to-make-agency-more-transparent/513605/

Op/Ed: Enhancing Customer Engagement: A Utility Roadmap for the Amazon Era (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/enhancing-customer-engagement-a-utility-roadmap-for-the-amazon-era/513195/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Risk of Viral Transfer from British Columbia Fish Farms to Wild Sockeye Is Low: Study (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/risk-of-viral-transfer-from-b-c-fish-farms-to-wild-sockeye-is-low-study-1.4459044?cmp=rss

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Washington State Updates Plan to Tackle Ocean Acidification (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2017-12-21/state-updates-plan-to-tackle-ocean-acidification

Landowners Fined More Than $600,000 for Illegal Water Use in Central Washington (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/landowners-fined-more-600000-illegal-water-use-central-washington

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Congressional Lawmakers Urge 'Strong & Effective' Remedies in Solar Trade Case (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/congressional-lawmakers-urge-strong-and-effective-remedies-in-solar-trade/513616/

Natural Gas, Water Heaters, Connected Devices & Electric Vehicles Lead Demand-Response Trends to Watch (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/natural-gas-water-heaters-connected-devices-and-evs-lead-dr-trends-to-wat/513539/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy-Efficiency Delays in Mobile Homes Drives Suit (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/energy-efficiency-delays-in-factory-built-homes-drives-suit/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Spokane County Marijuana Farmers Say Pollution Controls, Regulations & Low Prices Threaten Their Business (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/21/spokane-county-marijuana-farmers-say-pollution-con/#/0

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

More Details Emerge in Oregon's Cap-And-Trade Climate Program (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/news/article/greenhouse-gas-oregon-emissions/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Internet Outage Cripples California State Business for a Day (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article190930454.html

It Looks Like North Korea Just Stole Even More Bitcoins (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2017/12/21/north-korea-bitcoin-heist/#gBW1IuGTqOq1

After Net Neutrality: Brace for Internet ‘Fast Lanes’ (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/dec/20/after-net-neutrality-brace-for-internet-fast-lanes/

Apple Admits to Slowing Older Phones Because of Battery Issues (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2017/12/21/apple-admits-to-slowing-older-phones-because-of-battery-issues/

‘Password,’ ‘Monkey’ & the Other Terrible Passwords We Choose (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/business/worst-passwords.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

Facebook Job Ads Raise Concerns about Age Discrimination (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/business/facebook-job-ads.html

Unlabeled Advertorials: FCC Proposes $13.4M Fine for TV-Station Owner Sinclair (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/media/2017/12/21/fcc-proposes-13-4-m-fine-tv-station-owner-sinclair/973884001/

There Are Over 2 Billion Conversations between Messenger Users & Businesses Every Month (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/digital/2017-year-in-review-messenger-platform-suggestions-from-m/

California Water & Power Magazine to Debut in 2018 (Ruralite Services)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/12/california-water-power-magazine-to.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Former Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley Guilty of Possession of Stolen Property. Innocent of Money Laundering. (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/troy-kelley-guilty-possession-stolen-property-not-guilty-money-laundering

GENERAL NEWS

North Mason Assistant Principal, Husband, Die in Crash in Mexico (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2017/12/20/north-mason-assistant-principal-husband-die-crash-mexico/971821001/

Freeway Closed By Deadly Train Derailment in Washington State Reopens (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/freeway-closed-deadly-train-derailment-washington-state-reopens

Man Points Gun at Good Samaritan Helping Train Crash Workers, Prosecutors Say (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/crime/article190880159.html

Shelton City Council Draws 15 candidates (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/28524

Boeing in Talks for Takeover of Brazilian Jet Maker, Embraer (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-boeing-embraer-talks-20171221-story.html

Washington State’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/12/washington-states-unemployment-rate.html

Oregon's Second Largest Medicaid Carrier Will Shut Down after Impasse with the State (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/12/oregons_second_largest_medicai.html

First Day of Winter: 'Sun Standing Still': Why Do We Celebrate the Solstice? (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-42440796

JOY-KILLING DICTATOR EDITION – DIVERSIONS

Kim Jong Un Expands His War On Christmas with New Ban on Singing & Drinking

https://www.yahoo.com/news/kim-jong-un-expands-war-025755167.html

Man Afraid of Tasmanian Devil Says Father-In-Law Terrorized Him with Bushy Toupee

https://nypost.com/2017/12/20/man-afraid-of-tasmanian-devil-sues-father-in-law-for-wearing-bushy-toupee/

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Is a Holiday Classic. The FBI Thought It Was Communist Propaganda.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/21/its-a-wonderful-life-is-a-holiday-classic-the-fbi-thought-it-was-communist-propaganda/

Iowa's 'First Gentleman' Has His Own Doll. It's a Must See

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2017/12/20/kevin-reynolds-has-first-spouse-doll-and-its-must-see/970522001/

SONG OF THE DAY

Mel Torme – Christmas Song

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

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 20, 2017

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

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 20, 2017

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Thousands Lose Power in North Idaho, Northeast Washington State from Heavy Snow; Spokane Breaks Rain Record (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/20/thousands-lose-power-in-north-idaho/

National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Urges Federal Regulators to Reform PURPA (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/naruc-urges-federal-regulators-to-reform-purpa/513499/

Want to Guarantee Net Neutrality? Join Peer-To-Peer, Community-Run Internet (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/40509146/want-to-guarantee-net-neutrality-join-peer-to-peer-community-run-internet

Celebrate the Holidays with an Added Salute to Hydropower Appreciation Day (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

https://www.pud3.org/blog/articles--blog/post/celebrate-the-holidays-with-an-added-salute-to-hydropower-appreciation-day

Some Get a Little Snow, But Then We All Get Cold, Cold Temps (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2017/12/19/some-get-a-little-snow-but-then-we-all-get-cold-cold-temps/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Thousands Lose Power in North Idaho, Northeast Washington State from Heavy Snow; Spokane Breaks Rain Record
• Heavy Snowfall Causes Power Outages around Chelan County
• Olympic Peninsula: Snow Hits West End – Sunny, Cold Weather Expected for Rest of Week
• Celebrate the Holidays with an Added Salute to Hydropower Appreciation Day
• California Adopts New Fire Safety Regulations for Utility Operations in Wake of Deadly Wildfires
• Demand Charges or ‘Efficiency Rates’? EEI Wants a Wording Change
• Columnist: Column: New York’s Energy Revolution
• ‘The Last Man Who Knew Everything’ Is a Detailed & Sympathetic Biography of Enrico Fermi
• Key Player in Salmon Farming Acquires U-S Fishing Operation
• Wood Products Workers Voice Concerns about Cleaner-Air Plan
• National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Urges Federal Regulators to Reform PURPA
• Members of Congress Press President Trump for ‘Strong’ Solar Remedy
• Go Big, Go Small? The Fight to Survive in California Pot
• Association of Washington Business Lauds Judge for Blocking Clean Air Rule
• Op/Ed: Electric Cars’ Bold Ambition Risks a Race to Nowhere
• This Is the World’s First Fully Solar Train
• Want to Guarantee Net Neutrality? Join Peer-To-Peer, Community-Run Internet
• Op/Ed: To Save the Internet We Need to Own the Networks
• In Protests of Net Neutrality Repeal, Teenage Voices Stood Out
• Opinion: Don’t Fall for Marsha Blackburn’s ‘Open Internet Preservation Act’
• Wyoming: Casper Residents Sue Company They Say Tapped Rental Laptops
• Use Google Chrome? You May Start Seeing Fewer Ads
• Op/Ed: The Challenge of Reaching Consumers the Right Way
• How to Create a Social Media Calendar: A Template for Marketers
• Republican Tax Bill Passes U-S Senate in 51-48 Vote
• U-S Investigators Seek Answers from Train Crew in Washington State Derailment
• I-5 Could Open Later Wednesday at Nisqually as Special Equipment Used to Remove Derailed Amtrak Locomotive
• Amtrak Derailment Cleanup, Brutal Traffic Continue. Drivers Should ‘Pack Your Patience’
• Some Get a Little Snow, But Then We All Get Cold, Cold Temps
• More Candidates Enter Shelton City Council Races
• Washington State 4th Fastest Growing State – Oregon 9th – Idaho Leads Pack
• ‘Porch Pirates’ Steal Holiday Packages as They Pile Up at Homes

WORD OF THE DAY

Slake • \SLAYK\ • Verb - 1: subside, abate, 2: to become slaked: crumble, 3: lessen the force of: moderate, 4: satisfy, quench, 5: to cause (as lime) to heat and crumble by treatment with water: hydrate.

Gatorade, water, pickle juice or a cold beer.  All may slake your thirst and ward off dehydration (if you discount the alcohol in beer.) But, let’s face it, a frosty brew after mowing the lawn just seems to hit the spot.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Thousands Lose Power in North Idaho, Northeast Washington State from Heavy Snow; Spokane Breaks Rain Record (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/20/thousands-lose-power-in-north-idaho/

Heavy Snowfall Causes Power Outages around Chelan County (NCW Life, East Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.ncwlife.com/chumstick-peshastin-power-outages/

Olympic Peninsula: Snow Hits West End – Sunny, Cold Weather Expected for Rest of Week (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/snow-hits-west-end-sunny-but-cold-weather-expected-for-rest-of-week/

Celebrate the Holidays with an Added Salute to Hydropower Appreciation Day (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

https://www.pud3.org/blog/articles--blog/post/celebrate-the-holidays-with-an-added-salute-to-hydropower-appreciation-day

California Adopts New Fire Safety Regulations for Utility Operations in Wake of Deadly Wildfires (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-adopts-new-fire-safety-regulations-for-utility-operations-in-wak/513514/

Demand Charges or ‘Efficiency Rates’? EEI Wants a Wording Change (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/demand-charges-or-efficiency-rates-eei-wants-a-wording-change/513451/

Columnist: Column: New York’s Energy Revolution (Buffalo Business First, NY)

https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2017/12/20/column-new-york-s-energy-revolution.html

‘The Last Man Who Knew Everything’ Is a Detailed & Sympathetic Biography of Enrico Fermi (Christian Science Monitor)

https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-Reviews/2017/1220/The-Last-Man-Who-Knew-Everything-is-a-detailed-and-sympathetic-biography-of-Enrico-Fermi

FISH & WILDLIFE

Key Player in Salmon Farming Acquires U-S Fishing Operation (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/maine/articles/2017-12-20/key-player-in-salmon-farming-acquires-us-fishing-operation

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

Wood Products Workers Voice Concerns about Cleaner-Air Plan (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/dec/19/wood-products-workers-voice-concerns-about-cleaner-air-plan/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Urges Federal Regulators to Reform PURPA (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/naruc-urges-federal-regulators-to-reform-purpa/513499/

Members of Congress Press President Trump for ‘Strong’ Solar Remedy (Politico, Morning Energy)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/12/members-of-congress-press-president.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Go Big, Go Small? The Fight to Survive in California Pot (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/big-small-fight-survive-california-pot-51901450

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Association of Washington Business Lauds Judge for Blocking Clean Air Rule (South Sound Business Examiner)

https://goo.gl/eMCFUk

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Op/Ed: Electric Cars’ Bold Ambition Risks a Race to Nowhere (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/electric-cars-bold-ambition-risks-a-race-to-nowhere-gadfly/2017/12/19/ec09ddb6-e529-11e7-927a-e72eac1e73b6_story.html

This Is the World’s First Fully Solar Train (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/40509756/this-is-the-worlds-first-fully-solar-train

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Want to Guarantee Net Neutrality? Join Peer-To-Peer, Community-Run Internet (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/40509146/want-to-guarantee-net-neutrality-join-peer-to-peer-community-run-internet

Op/Ed: To Save the Internet We Need to Own the Networks (Huffington Post)

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/to-save-the-internet-we-need-to-own-the-networks_us_5a393d4ee4b0cebf48e9f7bb

In Protests of Net Neutrality Repeal, Teenage Voices Stood Out (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/technology/net-neutrality-repeal-teens.html

Opinion: Don’t Fall for Marsha Blackburn’s ‘Open Internet Preservation Act’ (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/dont-fall-for-marsha-blackburns-open-internet-preservat-1821448934

Wyoming: Casper Residents Sue Company They Say Tapped Rental Laptops (Associated Press)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article190675984.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

Use Google Chrome? You May Start Seeing Fewer Ads (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/12/20/use-google-chrome-you-may-start-seeing-fewer-ads/968716001/

Op/Ed: The Challenge of Reaching Consumers the Right Way (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/digital/silvio-kutic-infobip-guest-post-cpaas/

How to Create a Social Media Calendar: A Template for Marketers (Social Media Examiner)

https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-create-social-media-calendar-template-marketers/

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Republican Tax Bill Passes U-S Senate in 51-48 Vote (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-vote-congress.html

GENERAL NEWS

U-S Investigators Seek Answers from Train Crew in Washington State Derailment (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-washington-train/u-s-investigators-seek-answers-from-train-crew-in-washington-derailment-idUSKBN1ED1ZF

I-5 Could Open Later Wednesday at Nisqually as Special Equipment Used to Remove Derailed Amtrak Locomotive (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/special-equipment-brought-in-from-oregon-to-remove-derailed-amtrak-locomotive-from-i-5/

Amtrak Derailment Cleanup, Brutal Traffic Continue. Drivers Should ‘Pack Your Patience’ (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/traffic/article190718119.html

Some Get a Little Snow, But Then We All Get Cold, Cold Temps (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2017/12/19/some-get-a-little-snow-but-then-we-all-get-cold-cold-temps/

More Candidates Enter Shelton City Council Races (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/28511

Washington State 4th Fastest Growing State – Oregon 9th – Idaho Leads Pack (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2017/12/oregon_9th_fastest-growth_stat.html

‘Porch Pirates’ Steal Holiday Packages as They Pile Up at Homes (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/technology/packages-holiday-season-porch-pirates-strike.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

This Orange County Family Has Kept Their Christmas Tree Alive for 34 Years Running

https://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/19/theyve-kept-their-christmas-tree-so-long-34-years-its-part-of-the-family/

$7.50 for a Bowl of Froot Loops? Kellogg Hopes Millennials Will Pay It

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/dec/18/7-50-for-a-bowl-of-froot-loops-kellogg-hopes-millennials-will-pay-it/

Madame Tussauds Turns Disney’s Trump Robot into a Meme

http://mashable.com/2017/12/19/madame-tussauds-disney-meme-troll/

Wineglasses Used to Be Tiny. Now, the Average One Holds Over Half a Bottle.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/12/20/wine-glasses-used-to-be-tiny-now-the-average-one-holds-over-half-a-bottle/

SONG OF THE DAY

Boston – Party

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iu3O4SzXHM

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

GET SOCIAL WITH THE NEWS DIGEST

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

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 December 19, 2017

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

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 19, 2017

Wind Advisory for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Judge Rules State Can’t Enforce Inslee Order to Cut Greenhouse-Gas Emissions (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article190568904.html

Pend Oreille Silicon Plant – HiTest Sand Offers to Pay $1 Million for Studies on Electrical Impact of Proposed Newport Smelter (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/18/hitest-sand-offers-to-pay-1-million-for-studies-on/

Bitcoin Operations Overwhelm Chelan County PUD with Requests for Power (NCW Life Channel, East Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.ncwlife.com/bitcoin-operations-overwhelm-chelan-county-pud-requests-power/

Days after the FCC Repealed Its Net Neutrality Rules, the GOP Has a Bill to Replace Them (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/12/19/this-gop-net-neutrality-bill-aims-to-replace-some-but-not-all-of-the-fccs-rules/

Op/Ed: Columbia River Barging Lets Idaho’s Grain Growers Compete in the World Market (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article190175494.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Bitcoin Operations Overwhelm Chelan County PUD with Requests for Power
• Why the Bitcoin Craze Is Using Up So Much Energy
• What Does the Columbia River System Have to Do with Your Holiday Season?
• Orcas Power & Light Co-Op Bills Go Up in January – Average of $7
• Three California Gas Plants Could Be Replaced with Energy Storage
• Santee Cooper Gets a Potential Buyer from South Carolina
• New York: Canadian Hydro Can Be Part of State’s Clean Energy Mix
• Managers Defend Columbia River Pikeminnow Releases for Reward Program
• Chairman Invites Patagonia CEO to Testify Before House Committee on Natural Resources
• Op/Ed: Columbia River Barging Lets Idaho’s Grain Growers Compete in the World Market
• Pend Oreille Silicon Plant – HiTest Sand Offers to Pay $1 Million for Studies on Electrical Impact of Proposed Newport Smelter
• Judge Rules State Can’t Enforce Inslee Order to Cut Greenhouse-Gas Emissions
• Days after the FCC Repealed Its Net Neutrality Rules, the GOP Has a Bill to Replace Them
• The Net Neutrality Lawsuits Are Coming. Here’s What They’re Likely to Say.
• Cell Phones Aren’t a Public Health Risk, No Matter What California Says
• Probe Sought in EPA’s ‘Media Monitoring’ Contract
• Tax Bill Moves to Senate after House Passage along Party Lines
• Congressional Agreement Keeps Tax Exemption for Municipal Bonds
• Washington State’s County Leaders Prepared to Sue over Unfunded Mandates
• Amtrak Train That Derailed Onto I-5 Was Reportedly Going 80 in a 30-Mph Zone, Officials Say
• Southbound I-5 near Train Derailment Area ‘Could Be Closed for Several Days’
• Nine File for Shelton City Council
• No Mariners FanFest in 2018: The Annual Event Will Go on a One-Year Hiatus
• Jose Cuervo Parent Firm Buys Pendleton Whisky

WORD OF THE DAY

Brown Study • \BROWN – STUD-dee\ • Noun - A state of serious absorption or abstraction

Darnell had been stuck in a brown study all afternoon. His boss had given him what he had considered an unsolvable problem: “Put the lime in the coconut,” or “Put the shama lama, ding dong back into my smile.” Darnell knew it couldn’t be both.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Bitcoin Operations Overwhelm Chelan County PUD with Requests for Power (NCW Life Channel, East Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.ncwlife.com/bitcoin-operations-overwhelm-chelan-county-pud-requests-power/

Why the Bitcoin Craze Is Using Up So Much Energy (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/12/19/why-the-bitcoin-craze-is-using-up-so-much-energy/

What Does the Columbia River System Have to Do with Your Holiday Season? (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/What-does-the-Columbia-River-system-have-to-do-with-your-holiday-season.aspx

Orcas Power & Light Co-Op Bills Go Up in January – Average of $7 (The Islands’ Sounder, Eastsound, WA)

http://www.islandssounder.com/news/opalco-bills-go-up-in-january-average-of-7/

Three California Gas Plants Could Be Replaced with Energy Storage (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/3-california-gas-plants-could-be-replaced-with-energy-storage/513033/

Santee Cooper Gets a Potential Buyer from South Carolina (Charleston Post & Courier, SC)

https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/santee-cooper-gets-a-potential-buyer-from-south-carolina/article_0c07b418-e439-11e7-abcd-37cbaccd3187.html

New York: Canadian Hydro Can Be Part of State’s Clean Energy Mix (Albany Times-Union, NY)

http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Canadian-hydro-can-be-part-of-state-s-clean-12437489.php

FISH & WILDLIFE

Managers Defend Columbia River Pikeminnow Releases for Reward Program (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://www.chronline.com/news/managers-defend-columbia-river-pikeminnow-releases-for-reward-program/article_a673262c-e4ed-11e7-b5dc-8bbdffbf075b.html

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

Chairman Invites Patagonia CEO to Testify Before House Committee on Natural Resources (U-S House Committee on Natural Resources)

https://naturalresources.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403665

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Op/Ed: Columbia River Barging Lets Idaho’s Grain Growers Compete in the World Market (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article190175494.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Pend Oreille Silicon Plant – HiTest Sand Offers to Pay $1 Million for Studies on Electrical Impact of Proposed Newport Smelter (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/18/hitest-sand-offers-to-pay-1-million-for-studies-on/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Judge Rules State Can’t Enforce Inslee Order to Cut Greenhouse-Gas Emissions (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article190568904.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Days after the FCC Repealed Its Net Neutrality Rules, the GOP Has a Bill to Replace Them (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/12/19/this-gop-net-neutrality-bill-aims-to-replace-some-but-not-all-of-the-fccs-rules/

The Net Neutrality Lawsuits Are Coming. Here’s What They’re Likely to Say. (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/12/19/the-net-neutrality-lawsuits-are-coming-heres-what-theyre-likely-to-say/

Cell Phones Aren’t a Public Health Risk, No Matter What California Says (Popular Science)

https://www.popsci.com/cell-phone-cancer-public-health-california

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

Probe Sought in EPA’s ‘Media Monitoring’ Contract (Politico Morning Energy)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/12/probe-sought-in-epas-media-monitoring.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Tax Bill Moves to Senate after House Passage along Party Lines (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-vote-republicans.html

Congressional Agreement Keeps Tax Exemption for Municipal Bonds (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/congressional-agreement-keeps-tax-exemption-municipal-bonds

Washington State’s County Leaders Prepared to Sue over Unfunded Mandates (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/opinion/county-leaders-prepared-to-sue-state-over-unfunded-mandates/

GENERAL NEWS

Amtrak Train That Derailed Onto I-5 Was Reportedly Going 80 in a 30-Mph Zone, Officials Say (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/curve-where-amtrak-train-derailed-in-washington-has-speed-limit-of-30-mph/

Southbound I-5 near Train Derailment Area ‘Could Be Closed for Several Days’ (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article190573554.html

Nine File for Shelton City Council (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/28477

No Mariners FanFest in 2018: The Annual Event Will Go on a One-Year Hiatus (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/no-mariners-fanfest-in-2018-the-annual-vent-will-go-on-a-one-year-hiatus/

Jose Cuervo Parent Firm Buys Pendleton Whisky (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/dec/15/jose-cuervo-parent-firm-buys-pendleton-whisky/

NEWSPEAK KNUCKLEHEADS – DIVERSIONS

‘Fake News’ Gains on ‘Whatever’ as Most Annoying Phrase

https://www.courthousenews.com/fake-news-gains-on-whatever-as-most-annoying-phrase/

‘I Will Eat Mum on Christmas Day’: Grieving Daughter to Sprinkle Mother’s Ashes on Turkey & Pudding Dinner

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/evewoman/article/2001263483/grieving-daughter-i-will-eat-my-mum-on-christmas-day

Rhode Island: Dead, Dried-Up Christmas Tree to Be Replaced at Statehouse

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/dead-dried-up-christmas-tree-to-be-replaced-at-statehouse/article_d35c4a4d-7897-5100-aafb-739295ac2e38.html

Save ‘Star Wars’? Angry Fans Petition to Have ‘The Last Jedi’ Abandoned & Remade

https://www.yahoo.com/news/save-apos-star-wars-apos-122842126.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Rosemary Clooney – Sway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU9FC7yyyvA

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