Energy News Digest for March 27, 2018

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SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Weather Forecast for March 27, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Electric Utility Companies Largely Unprepared for Anticipated EV Boom, Report Says (Pacific Business Journal, HI)

https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2018/03/26/electric-utility-companies-largely-unprepared-for.html

East Wenatchee: New Securities Lawsuit Seeks to Represent All Giga Watt Bitcoin Investors (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2018/mar/26/new-securities-lawsuit-seeks-to-represent-all-giga-watt-investors/

Republicans, Democrats Join Forces to Stop White House Utility Selloff (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/gop-democrats-join-forces-to-stop-white-house-utility-selloff

Tribal Fisherman Gets Jail Time after Selling Columbia River Fish (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/tribal-fisherman-gets-jail-time-after-selling-columbia-river-fish/article_be1e24b0-31c4-11e8-8648-1f14e3f9f46a.html

Op/Ed: Remember the Alamo When Dams Discussed (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/mar/27/brunell-remember-the-alamo-when-dams-discussed/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Republicans, Democrats Join Forces to Stop White House Utility Selloff
• Op/Ed: Remember the Alamo When Dams Discussed
• Brewer Announces Bid for Reelection as Grant PUD Commissioner
• Op/Ed: Women Are Critical to Nuclear Energy. Why Is the League of Women Voters Against It?
• Rhode Island: Power Telephone Pole Held Together with Duct Tape Replaced amid Concerns
• Tribal Fisherman Gets Jail Time after Selling Columbia River Fish
• Why Am I Paying $65/Year for Your Solar Panels?
• East Wenatchee: New Securities Lawsuit Seeks to Represent All Giga Watt Bitcoin Investors
• Mining Electricity: Montana Bitcoin Miners Footing Big Bills
• City of Wenatchee Adopts 12 Month Moratorium to Study Bitcoin Mining Operations
• Electric Utility Companies Largely Unprepared for Anticipated EV Boom, Report Says
• 3 Rules for Speaking with Consumers on Social Media, Not at Them
• Washington, Oregon Attorneys General Demand Answers from Facebook
• Here’s How to Download All Your Data from Facebook. It Might Be a Wake-Up Call.
• Cannabis Company Sells California Town It Envisioned as a Marijuana Resort. The Pipe Dream Isn't Dead
• U-S Senator McConnell Leads Congress in Reconsidering Hemp's Agricultural Potential
• Smartphones Are Killing the Planet Faster Than Anyone Expected
• Live in a Drainpipe? Five Extreme Ideas to Solve Hong Kong’s Housing Crisis
• Decision to Add Citizenship Question to Census Draws Protest
• Bellingham: Clean Energy Organizer to Run for Washington State Legislature
• Sawant: Don’t Listen to Business Blackmail over Seattle Head Tax
• Mason County Man among 10 Arrested in ‘Net Nanny’ Sting of Child Sex Predators
• Earthquake Early Warning Gets Big Boost in New Federal Budget
• Now That It's Going to be Demolished, What's Next for the Trails End Arena Property?
• Sky Lanterns: Mostly Illegal Statewide, Definitively Illegal in Hoquiam

WORD OF THE DAY

Halyard • \HAL-yerd\ • Noun - A rope used to raise or lower something such as a sail or flag.

Benny’s shoulders were screaming with fatigue. The captain of the tramp steamer “Greasy Getaway” had ordered him to spell out the opening lines of “Moby Dick” using signal flags for the rest of the rusty flotilla of ships. The squeaking of the tackle as the halyard was pulled up and down was almost as excruciating as the aches in Ben’s shoulders.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Republicans, Democrats Join Forces to Stop White House Utility Selloff (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/gop-democrats-join-forces-to-stop-white-house-utility-selloff

Op/Ed: Remember the Alamo When Dams Discussed (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/mar/27/brunell-remember-the-alamo-when-dams-discussed/

Brewer Announces Bid for Reelection as Grant PUD Commissioner (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/local_news/20180327/brewer_announces_bid_for_reelection_as_pud_commissioner

Op/Ed: Women Are Critical to Nuclear Energy. Why Is the League of Women Voters Against It? (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article206478959.html

Rhode Island: Power Telephone Pole Held Together with Duct Tape Replaced amid Concerns (WJAR-TV, Providence, RI)

http://turnto10.com/news/local/telephone-pole-held-together-with-duct-tape-replaced-amid-concerns

FISH & WILDLIFE

Tribal Fisherman Gets Jail Time after Selling Columbia River Fish (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/tribal-fisherman-gets-jail-time-after-selling-columbia-river-fish/article_be1e24b0-31c4-11e8-8648-1f14e3f9f46a.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Why Am I Paying $65/Year for Your Solar Panels? (Renewable Energy World)

http://theenergycollective.com/lucasdavis/2429721/why-am-i-paying-65-year-for-your-solar-panels

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

East Wenatchee: New Securities Lawsuit Seeks to Represent All Giga Watt Bitcoin Investors (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2018/mar/26/new-securities-lawsuit-seeks-to-represent-all-giga-watt-investors/

Mining Electricity: Montana Bitcoin Miners Footing Big Bills (The Missoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/mining-electricity-montana-bitcoin-miners-footing-big-bills/article_bfb86707-5ad2-52b5-aaeb-3e0a574252af.html

City of Wenatchee Adopts 12 Month Moratorium to Study Bitcoin Mining Operations (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.kpq.com/city-adopts-12-month-moratorium-study-bitcoin-mining-operations/

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

Electric Utility Companies Largely Unprepared for Anticipated EV Boom, Report Says (Pacific Business Journal, HI)

https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2018/03/26/electric-utility-companies-largely-unprepared-for.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

3 Rules for Speaking with Consumers on Social Media, Not at Them (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/digital/3-rules-for-speaking-with-consumers-on-social-media-not-at-them/

Washington, Oregon Attorneys General Demand Answers from Facebook (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-oregon-attorneys-general-demand-answers-facebook

Here’s How to Download All Your Data from Facebook. It Might Be a Wake-Up Call. (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2018/03/27/heres-how-to-download-all-your-data-from-facebook-it-might-be-a-wake-up-call/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Cannabis Company Sells California Town It Envisioned as a Marijuana Resort. The Pipe Dream Isn't Dead (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-nipton-marijuana-20180327-story.html

U-S Senator McConnell Leads Congress in Reconsidering Hemp's Agricultural Potential (Christian Science Monitor)

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2018/0327/McConnell-leads-Congress-in-reconsidering-hemp-s-agricultural-potential

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Smartphones Are Killing the Planet Faster Than Anyone Expected (Co.Design)

https://www.fastcodesign.com/90165365/smartphones-are-wrecking-the-planet-faster-than-anyone-expected

Live in a Drainpipe? Five Extreme Ideas to Solve Hong Kong’s Housing Crisis (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/26/world/asia/hong-kong-housing-crisis-ideas.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Decision to Add Citizenship Question to Census Draws Protest (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/mar/27/decision-to-add-citizenship-question-to-census-draws-protest/

Bellingham: Clean Energy Organizer to Run for Washington State Legislature (Skagit Valley Herald, WA)

https://www.goskagit.com/clean-energy-organizer-to-run-for-state-legislature/article_05da13b7-9b5f-57da-adb7-edc0f8af2b4a.html

Sawant: Don’t Listen to Business Blackmail over Seattle Head Tax (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/938830/sawant-head-tax-argument/

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Man among 10 Arrested in ‘Net Nanny’ Sting of Child Sex Predators (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/mason-man-among-arrested-in-net-nanny-sting-of-child/article_d430dcc4-31cf-11e8-8f6d-6baf9a8d9f6e.html

Earthquake Early Warning Gets Big Boost in New Federal Budget (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2018/03/23/earthquake-early-warning-gets-big-boost-in-new-federal-budget/

Now That It's Going to be Demolished, What's Next for the Trails End Arena Property? (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/latest-news/article206864344.html

Sky Lanterns: Mostly Illegal Statewide, Definitively Illegal in Hoquiam (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/sky-lanterns-mostly-illegal-statewide-definitively-illegal-in-hoquiam/

GOLDFISH IN THE LAKE – DIVERSIONS

Thousands of Goldfish Found in West Medical Lake. What's Next?

http://www.khq.com/story/37813595/thousands-of-goldfish-found-in-west-medical-lake-whats-next

Arkansas Jail Housing 200 Roosters as Cockfighting Evidence

https://www.yahoo.com/news/arkansas-jail-housing-200-roosters-cockfighting-evidence-190340044.html

Sheriff's Officer Accuses Punxsutawney Phil of Deception

https://www.yahoo.com/news/sheriffs-officer-accuses-punxsutawney-phil-deception-122026470.html

Florida Man Reunites with Pet Cat Lost 14 Years Ago

https://www.yahoo.com/news/florida-man-reunites-pet-cat-lost-14-years-174047726.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Weather Report – Birdland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae0nwSv6cTU

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Energy News Digest for March 26, 2018

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The Energy News Digest is on Facebook, and on Twitter.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Small Craft Advisory to Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Weather Forecast for March 26, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Experts Say the U-S Power Grid Is Secure, As Russia Escalates the Cyber War (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/experts-say-us-power-grid-is-secure-as-russia-escalates-cyber-war

Ninth Circuit Hears Arguments on More (Experimental) Spill for Juvenile Salmon/Steelhead at Columbia/Snake Dams (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440399.aspx

U-S Rep. Herrera Beutler Requests Pause in Dam Spills – Says Columbia, Snake Releases Could Raise Energy Bills (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/mar/16/herrera-beutler-requests-pause-in-dam-spills/

Good News for Water Supply: Olympic Mountain Snowpack at 119 Percent of Normal (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/good-news-for-water-supply-olympic-snowpack-at-119-percent-of-normal/

Facebook’s Stock Falls as the Federal Trade Commission Confirms It’s Investigating the Company (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/03/26/facebooks-stock-falls-as-the-federal-trade-commission-confirms-its-investigating-the-company/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Experts Say the U-S Power Grid Is Secure, As Russia Escalates the Cyber War
• U-S Rep. Herrera Beutler Requests Pause in Dam Spills – Says Columbia, Snake Releases Could Raise Energy Bills
• Here’s What the New Federal Spending Bill Means for the Tri-Cities
• Cowlitz PUD Completes $30 Million Project to Reduce Outages
• Feds Award $321 Million for Installation of 14 McNary Dam Turbines
• Cheney Powers Bitcoin Mining – Cyber Currency Operation Sets Up in Former AMX/Harman Location on Cheney-Spokane
• Wahkiakum PUD Starts Planning Replacement of Grays River Substation
• New Jefferson PUD General Manager Arriving in April
• Rural Nevada Concerned Energy Choice Ballot Question Could Disrupt Way-of-Life; Supporters Say Legislative Fix Simple
• Fate of Utility Consumers under Federal Tax Overhaul Uneven
• Waterpower Week in Washington 2018 to Feature New FERC Chairman
• Ninth Circuit Hears Arguments on More (Experimental) Spill for Juvenile Salmon/Steelhead at Columbia/Snake Dams
• Army Corps of Engineers Wants to Remove 500 Cormorant Eggs to Protect Columbia River Salmon
• Gnarly Decisions Face Salmon Managers. There Will Be Seasons
• After 70 Years, Salmon Could Return to the Columbia River above Grand Coulee
• Why the Swallows Stopped Returning to San Juan Capistrano & How People Brought Them Back
• Arizona Lawmakers Pass Bill to Undermine Renewable Energy Ballot Proposal
• Solar Photovoltaic Costs Are Declining – Estimates Vary Across Sources
• Gorge powers Google Wind Challenge
• How Pumped Storage Can Make a U-S Comeback
• On the Duck’s 10th Birthday, Here’s How to Keep It from Eating the Power System
• 5G Could Widen the Gap between Haves & Have-Nots
• With Less Government Interference, 5G Will Be a Windfall for Taxpayers & Wireless Customers
• FCC Authorizes an Additional $540 Million for USF Rural Broadband Funding
• To Invade Homes, Tech Is Trying to Get in Your Kitchen
• Report Addresses Charging Stations Needed to Meet Calif. Goal
• From Thin Air: The Magic of Air Source Heat Pumps
• Good News for Water Supply: Olympic Mountain Snowpack at 119 Percent of Normal
• Nevada: State Water Ruling Sparks Fear, Misinformation in Nye County
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rose Last Year. Here Are the Top 5 Reasons.
• Lights around the World Go Dark for Earth Hour to Highlight Climate Change
• British Columbia Electricity Use Rose During 2018 Earth Hour, Says BC Hydro
• Facebook’s Stock Falls as the Federal Trade Commission Confirms It’s Investigating the Company
• Mark Zuckerberg Finally Says ‘I’m Sorry’ in Newspaper Ads around the Globe
• Instagram Tweaks Its Feed to Be More Chronological after Years of Complaints
• Montana Rural Electric Coop Association Wins National Magazine Award
• A Dying Southern Town Needed a Miracle. Marijuana Came Calling.
• Former Washington State Auditor Seeks to Have Conviction Overturned or Retrial
• Bainbridge Island Sued Over Updates to Environmental Codes
• Seattle Consulate Closed; U-S, European Union to Expel Russian Diplomats over UK Nerve Attack
• Mason County: Webb Hill Biosolids Facility to Construct Storage Lagoon
• Oregon, Washington State Extend Studded-Tire Season for Motorists
• Trails End Arena in Tumwater, A Horse Riding Destination for Years, Is Set to be Demolished
• Oregon in Path of Chinese Space Station on Collision Course with Earth

WORD OF THE DAY

Cadre • \COD-ray\ • Noun - 1: frame, framework 2: a nucleus or core group especially of trained personnel able to assume control & to train others; broadly: a group of people having some unifying relationship 3: a cell of indoctrinated leaders active in promoting the interests of a revolutionary party 4: a member of a cadre.

It was the most formidable tiger team ever assembled. The cadre of engineers had the unenviable task of designing with the first “Ohio-Arts” ten-foot capable tiddlywink chip.

Note: A tiger team is a group of experts assigned to investigate and/or solve technical or systemic problems. A 1964 paper defined the term as “a team of undomesticated & uninhibited technical specialists, selected for their experience, energy, & imagination, & assigned to track down relentlessly every possible source of failure in a spacecraft subsystem.” (Wikipedia)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Experts Say the U-S Power Grid Is Secure, As Russia Escalates the Cyber War (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/experts-say-us-power-grid-is-secure-as-russia-escalates-cyber-war

U-S Rep. Herrera Beutler Requests Pause in Dam Spills – Says Columbia, Snake Releases Could Raise Energy Bills (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/mar/16/herrera-beutler-requests-pause-in-dam-spills/

Here’s What the New Federal Spending Bill Means for the Tri-Cities (Tri-City Herald, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/hanford/article206668109.html

Cowlitz PUD Completes $30 Million Project to Reduce Outages (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-completes-million-project-to-reduce-outages/article_a0e6dbf7-2cd5-5dea-877b-a0c39dd63f88.html

Feds Award $321 Million for Installation of 14 McNary Dam Turbines (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/37786940/corps-of-engineers-awards-321m-for-installation-of-14-mcnary-dam-turbines

Cheney Powers Bitcoin Mining – Cyber Currency Operation Sets Up in Former AMX/Harman Location on Cheney-Spokane (Cheney Free Press, WA)

http://www.cheneyfreepress.com/story/2018/03/22/news/cheney-powers-bitcoin-mining/22463.html

Wahkiakum PUD Starts Planning Replacement of Grays River Substation (The Wahkiakum Eagle, Cathlamet, WA)

http://www.waheagle.com/story/2018/03/22/news/pud-starts-planning-replacement-of-grays-river-substation/14308.html

New Jefferson PUD General Manager Arriving in April (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/new-jefferson-pud-general-manager-arriving-in-april/

Rural Nevada Concerned Energy Choice Ballot Question Could Disrupt Way-of-Life; Supporters Say Legislative Fix Simple (Elko Daily Free Press, NV)

http://elkodaily.com/news/state-and-regional/rural-nevada-concerned-energy-choice-ballot-question-could-disrupt-way/article_f59c774e-2718-5983-93a5-118ccd1879bc.html

Fate of Utility Consumers under Federal Tax Overhaul Uneven (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/mar/24/fate-of-utility-consumers-under-federal-tax-overha/

Waterpower Week in Washington 2018 to Feature New FERC Chairman (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/hydro/2018/03/waterpower-week-in-washington-2018-to-feature-new-ferc-chairman.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Ninth Circuit Hears Arguments on More (Experimental) Spill for Juvenile Salmon/Steelhead at Columbia/Snake Dams (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440399.aspx

Army Corps of Engineers Wants to Remove 500 Cormorant Eggs to Protect Columbia River Salmon (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/03/23/army-corps-of-engineers-wants-to-remove-500-cormorant-eggs-to-support-salmon-in-columbia-river/

Gnarly Decisions Face Salmon Managers. There Will Be Seasons (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2018/03/gnarly_decisions_face_salmon_m.html

After 70 Years, Salmon Could Return to the Columbia River above Grand Coulee (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

http://kuow.org/post/after-70-years-salmon-could-return-columbia-river-above-grand-coulee

Why the Swallows Stopped Returning to San Juan Capistrano & How People Brought Them Back (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/03/26/why-the-swallows-stopped-returning-to-san-juan-capistrano-and-how-people-brought-them-back/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Arizona Lawmakers Pass Bill to Undermine Renewable Energy Ballot Proposal (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/arizona-lawmakers-pass-bill-to-undermine-renewable-energy-ballot-proposal/519880/

Solar Photovoltaic Costs Are Declining – Estimates Vary Across Sources (U-S Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=35432

Gorge powers Google Wind Challenge (The Dalles Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2018/mar/21/gorge-powers-google-wind-challenge/

How Pumped Storage Can Make a U-S Comeback (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/print/volume-21/issue-2/departments-columns/last-word/how-pumped-storage-can-make-a-u-s-comeback.html

On the Duck’s 10th Birthday, Here’s How to Keep It from Eating the Power System (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/on-the-ducks-10th-birthday-heres-how-to-keep-it-from-eating-the-power-sy/519367/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

5G Could Widen the Gap between Haves & Have-Nots (C/NET News)

https://www.cnet.com/news/how-5g-could-widen-the-digital-divide/

With Less Government Interference, 5G Will Be a Windfall for Taxpayers & Wireless Customers (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/with-less-government-interference-5g-will-be-a-windfall-for-taxpayers-and-wireless-customers

FCC Authorizes an Additional $540 Million for USF Rural Broadband Funding (Telecompetitor)

http://www.telecompetitor.com/fcc-authorizes-an-additional-540-million-for-usf-rural-broadband-funding/

To Invade Homes, Tech Is Trying to Get in Your Kitchen (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/25/technology/smart-homes-tech-kitchen.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

Report Addresses Charging Stations Needed to Meet Calif. Goal (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/report-addresses-charging-stations-needed-meet-calif-goal

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

From Thin Air: The Magic of Air Source Heat Pumps (Irish Examiner, Cork)

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/lifestyle/homeandinteriors/from-thin-airthe-magic-of-air-source-heat-pumps-834032.html

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Good News for Water Supply: Olympic Mountain Snowpack at 119 Percent of Normal (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/good-news-for-water-supply-olympic-snowpack-at-119-percent-of-normal/

Nevada: State Water Ruling Sparks Fear, Misinformation in Nye County (The Nevada Independent, Las Vegas)

https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/state-water-ruling-sparks-fear-misinformation-in-nye-county

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rose Last Year. Here Are the Top 5 Reasons. (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/22/climate/global-energy-demand.html

Lights around the World Go Dark for Earth Hour to Highlight Climate Change (Associated Press)

http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-earth-hour-climate-change-20180324-story.html

British Columbia Electricity Use Rose During 2018 Earth Hour, Says BC Hydro (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/electricity-use-increases-earth-hour-2018-bc-1.4592670?cmp=rss

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

Facebook’s Stock Falls as the Federal Trade Commission Confirms It’s Investigating the Company (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/03/26/facebooks-stock-falls-as-the-federal-trade-commission-confirms-its-investigating-the-company/

Mark Zuckerberg Finally Says ‘I’m Sorry’ in Newspaper Ads around the Globe (Mashable)

https://mashable.com/2018/03/25/facebook-newspaper-ad-apology/

Instagram Tweaks Its Feed to Be More Chronological after Years of Complaints (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/03/22/instagram-tweaks-its-news-feed-to-be-more-chronological-after-years-of-complaints/

Montana Rural Electric Coop Association Wins National Magazine Award (KBZK-TV, Bozeman, MT)

http://www.kbzk.com/story/37805326/rural-montana-wins-national-magazine-award

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

A Dying Southern Town Needed a Miracle. Marijuana Came Calling. (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/24/us/arkansas-marijuana-cotton-plant.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Former Washington State Auditor Seeks to Have Conviction Overturned or Retrial (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/former-washington-state-auditor-seeks-have-conviction-overturned-or-retrial

Bainbridge Island Sued Over Updates to Environmental Codes (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/article/news/local/bainbridge-island-sued-over-updates-to-environmental-codes/281-532106921

GENERAL NEWS

Seattle Consulate Closed; U-S, European Union to Expel Russian Diplomats over UK Nerve Attack (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-russia-usa/u-s-eu-to-expel-more-than-100-russian-diplomats-over-uk-nerve-attack-idUSKBN1H21MR

Mason County: Webb Hill Biosolids Facility to Construct Storage Lagoon (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/communities/mason/2017/03/14/webb-hill-facility-construct-storage-lagoon/99169612/

Oregon, Washington State Extend Studded-Tire Season for Motorists (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2018-03-24/oregon-washington-extend-studded-tire-season-for-motorists

Trails End Arena in Tumwater, A Horse Riding Destination for Years, Is Set to be Demolished (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article206775569.html

Oregon in Path of Chinese Space Station on Collision Course with Earth (KVAL-TV, Eugene, OR)

http://kval.com/news/local/oregon-in-path-of-chinese-space-station-on-collision-course-with-earth

COFFEE STAINS IN YOUR TEETH – DIVERSIONS

Selfie Latte? Coffee Shop Machine Will Turn Your Face into Foamy Art

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2018/03/26/selfies-lattes-foamy-printer/457923002/

Orange Snow Blankets Parts of Russia

http://q13fox.com/2018/03/25/orange-snow-blankets-parts-of-russia/

Overlooked No More: Ruth Wakefield, Who Invented the Chocolate Chip Cookie

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/21/obituaries/overlooked-ruth-wakefield.html

Idaho Couple Married 63 Years Dies Minutes Apart

http://www.khq.com/story/37801200/idaho-couple-married-63-years-dies-minutes-apart

SONG OF THE DAY

Mary Chapin Carpenter – Grow Old Along With Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2gfiet4PtI

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 March 16, 2018

Programming Note

The Energy News Digest will be gorging on “Pig ‘n Pancake” fare next week. It will return, sated & ready to rock on March 26.

Housecleaning Advice

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

Online News Digest Feasting

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook, and on Twitter.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 16, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Energy Secretary Backs Keeping Snake Dams to Make Cheap Electricity (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article205436519.html

Cyberattacks Put Russian Fingers on the Switch at Power Plants, U-S Says (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/us/politics/russia-cyberattacks.html

Report: Sea Lion Predation Consumed 4.7 Percent of Salmonids in 2017 in Bonneville Tailwater (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440368.aspx

Lisa Murkowski, Maria Cantwell Renew Push for Big Federal Energy Bill (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/lisa-murkowski-maria-cantwell-renew-push-for-big-energy-bill

Is the Western U-S Snowpack Declining “Dramatically”? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2018/03/is-western-us-snowpack-declining.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Energy Secretary Backs Keeping Snake Dams to Make Cheap Electricity
• Cyberattacks Put Russian Fingers on the Switch at Power Plants, U-S Says
• Op/Ed: Russia Hacks Into U-S Power Plants, But Nuclear Reactors Should Be Safe
• Op/Ed: The Case for Consolidating Chugach Electric & Municipal Light & Power
• Grant PUD Tackles Pole Replacement from Above
• Pacific Gas & Electric, Edison International Investors Welcome California Pledge to Update Utility Liability Rules
• FERC Works to Ensure Customers Get Private Utility Rate Cuts from GOP Tax Bill
• North Carolina: Settlement Calls for Bridge Builder to Pay $10 Million for Outer Banks Blackout
• Munis to Charge Cryptocurrency Miners Higher Power Prices in New York
• Lumberjack Beaver Chews Tree, Turns Out Lights in Kentucky
• Report: Sea Lion Predation Consumed 4.7 Percent of Salmonids in 2017 in Bonneville Tailwater
• Not Too Late to Save Pacific Northwest’s Critically Endangered Orcas Say State Leaders & Feds
• Feds Sued Over Lack of Protection for California Whales
• Feral Cats Make Western Governor’s List of Invasive Species
• Cow Poop Could Help Us Make Clean(er) Energy
• Is the Internet of Things a Friend or Foe of the Utility Industry?
• Verizon Agrees To Fix Failing Broadband Networks to Settle New York Investigation
• Virginia: Another Path to Rural Broadband – Electric Co-ops
• Your Smartphone Is Giving Away More Personal Info Than You Realize. Here’s How to Lock It Down.
• For Utilities Trying to Drive Conservation, Mixed Messages May Be Best
• Green Buildings Will Have to Go Beyond Conserving Energy
• Is the Western U-S Snowpack Declining “Dramatically”?
• How the Mighty Mississippi Became a Flooding Nightmare for Millions
• Your Users Don’t Need to ‘Learn More’ – Boost Engagement with More Contextual Calls to Action
• Streaming Soon: A Fight over AT&T, Time Warner, & the Future of TV
• The Seattle Mariners, Whose Ads Are Always a Hit, Just Rolled Out Their 2018 Spots
• California: Outlaw Marijuana Comes Into the Light
• Kelp Farms & Mammoth Windmills Are Just Two of the Government’s Long-Shot Energy Bets
• A Bold, Divisive Plan to Wean Californians from Cars
• Lisa Murkowski, Maria Cantwell Renew Push for Big Federal Energy Bill
• Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Rumors He’s Becoming VA Secretary: Trump Knows ‘I Like Where I Am’
• When the ‘Big One’ Hits, Portland Faces Mass Casualties, Widespread Destruction: Study
• Florida’s Fallen Bridge: ‘Stress Test’ Preceded Collapse That Killed 6
• Seattle City Council Considering Controversial Head Tax Proposal Again
• Toys R Us to Close All 800 of Its US Stores
• Franklin County Coroner Apologizes for Racist Facebook Post

WORD OF THE DAY

Cybrarian • \sye-BRAIR-ee-un\ • Noun – A person whose job is to find, collect, & manage information that is available on the World Wide Web.

Although it has reached nearly 391,000 page views since its inception, the cybrarian who cares for the online version of the Energy News Digest Blog blanches in humility when confronted with the sheer volume of data included in the “Internet Archive Wayback Machine.” https://archive.org/web/

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Energy Secretary Backs Keeping Snake Dams to Make Cheap Electricity (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article205436519.html

Cyberattacks Put Russian Fingers on the Switch at Power Plants, U-S Says (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/us/politics/russia-cyberattacks.html

Op/Ed: Russia Hacks Into U-S Power Plants, But Nuclear Reactors Should Be Safe (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2018/03/16/russia-hacks-into-u-s-nuclear-power-plants/#7cae31a057b9

Op/Ed: The Case for Consolidating Chugach Electric & Municipal Light & Power (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

https://www.adn.com/opinions/2018/03/14/the-case-for-consolidating-chugach-electric-and-municipal-light-power/

Grant PUD Tackles Pole Replacement from Above (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/local_news/20180316/pud_tackles_pole_replacement_from_above

Pacific Gas & Electric, Edison International Investors Welcome California Pledge to Update Utility Liability Rules (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pge-edison-international-investors-welcome-california-pledge-to-update-ut/519162/

FERC Works to Ensure Customers Get Private Utility Rate Cuts from GOP Tax Bill (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/ferc-works-to-ensure-customers-get-utility-rate-cuts-from-gop-tax-bill

North Carolina: Settlement Calls for Bridge Builder to Pay $10 Million for Outer Banks Blackout (The Outer Banks Voice, NC)

https://outerbanksvoice.com/2018/03/15/settlement-orders-bridge-builder-to-pay-10-35-million-for-blackout/

Munis to Charge Cryptocurrency Miners Higher Power Prices in New York (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/munis-to-charge-bitcoin-miners-higher-power-prices-in-new-york/519275/

Lumberjack Beaver Chews Tree, Turns Out Lights in Kentucky (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kentucky/articles/2018-03-16/lumberjack-beaver-chews-tree-turns-out-lights-in-kentucky

FISH & WILDLIFE

Report: Sea Lion Predation Consumed 4.7 Percent of Salmonids in 2017 in Bonneville Tailwater (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440368.aspx

Not Too Late to Save Pacific Northwest’s Critically Endangered Orcas Say State Leaders & Feds (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2018/03/15/not-too-late-to-save-critically-endangered-orcas-say-state-leaders-and-feds/

Feds Sued Over Lack of Protection for California Whales (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/feds-sued-over-lack-of-protection-for-california-whales/

Feral Cats Make Western Governor’s List of Invasive Species (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/article/news/local/feral-cats-make-western-governors-list-of-invasive-species/281-529027316

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Cow Poop Could Help Us Make Clean(er) Energy (Popular Science)

https://www.popsci.com/cow-pig-poo-biogas-natural-gas

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Is the Internet of Things a Friend or Foe of the Utility Industry? (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/is-iot-a-friend-or-foe-of-the-utility-industry/519239/

Verizon Agrees To Fix Failing Broadband Networks to Settle New York Investigation (Ars Technica)

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/03/verizon-agrees-to-fix-failing-broadband-networks-to-settle-investigation/

Virginia: Another Path to Rural Broadband – Electric Co-ops (Bacon’s Rebellion)

http://baconsrebellion.com/another-path-rural-broadband-electric-co-ops/

Your Smartphone Is Giving Away More Personal Info Than You Realize. Here’s How to Lock It Down. (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2018/03/16/quick-ways-stop-phone-snoops-their-tracks/417960002/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

For Utilities Trying to Drive Conservation, Mixed Messages May Be Best (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/for-utilities-trying-to-drive-conservation-mixed-messages-may-be-best/518909/

Green Buildings Will Have to Go Beyond Conserving Energy (Popular Science)

https://www.popsci.com/green-buildings-conservation-standards

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Is the Western U-S Snowpack Declining “Dramatically”? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2018/03/is-western-us-snowpack-declining.html

How the Mighty Mississippi Became a Flooding Nightmare for Millions (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/classic-apps/the-mississippi-troubles-run-deep/2018/03/14/8b5c031e-b9c2-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

Your Users Don’t Need to ‘Learn More’ – Boost Engagement with More Contextual Calls to Action (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/digital/your-users-dont-need-to-learn-more/

Streaming Soon: A Fight over AT&T, Time Warner, & the Future of TV (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/technology/att-time-warner-antitrust.html

The Seattle Mariners, Whose Ads Are Always a Hit, Just Rolled Out Their 2018 Spots (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/creativity/the-seattle-mariners-whose-ads-are-always-a-hit-just-rolled-out-their-2018-spots/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

California: Outlaw Marijuana Comes Into the Light (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/national/wp/2018/03/16/feature/californias-outlaw-marijuana-culture-faces-a-harsh-reckoning-legal-weed/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Kelp Farms & Mammoth Windmills Are Just Two of the Government’s Long-Shot Energy Bets (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/climate/arpa-e-summit.html

A Bold, Divisive Plan to Wean Californians from Cars (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/business/energy-environment/climate-density.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Lisa Murkowski, Maria Cantwell Renew Push for Big Federal Energy Bill (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/lisa-murkowski-maria-cantwell-renew-push-for-big-energy-bill

Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Rumors He’s Becoming VA Secretary: Trump Knows ‘I Like Where I Am’ (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/rick-perry-did-not-talk-to-trump-about-va-secretary-job

GENERAL NEWS

When the ‘Big One’ Hits, Portland Faces Mass Casualties, Widespread Destruction: Study (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2018/03/when_the_big_one_hits_portland.html

Florida’s Fallen Bridge: ‘Stress Test’ Preceded Collapse That Killed 6 (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/fallen-bridge-stress-test-preceded-collapse-that-killed-6/

Seattle City Council Considering Controversial Head Tax Proposal Again (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-city-council-considering-controversial-head-tax-proposal-again

Toys R Us to Close All 800 of Its US Stores (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/business/article205200279.html

Franklin County Coroner Apologizes for Racist Facebook Post (Associated Press)

http://komonews.com/news/local/washington-state-coroner-apologizes-for-racist-facebook-post

GUITARS IN THE GARAGE – DIVERSIONS

Nokie Edwards, the Ventures’ Lead Guitarist, Dead at 82

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nokie-edwards-the-ventures-lead-guitarist-dead-at-82-w517837

Dead Man Walking: Court Rejects Romanian’s Claim He’s Alive

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/dead-man-walking-court-rejects-romanian-s-claim-he-s/article_f0f90340-ac93-50b6-bdbe-dab7e2259344.html

Millennials Replacing Engagement Rings with Diamonds Embedded in Their Fingers

http://q13fox.com/2018/03/16/millennials-replacing-engagement-rings-with-diamonds-embedded-in-their-fingers/

Dog Sent Overseas By Mistake Returned to Kansas Family

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/mar/16/dog-sent-overseas-by-mistake-returned-to-kansas-fa/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Ventures – Walk, Don’t Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW21rcHiVU0

The Ventures – Hawaii Five-O

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

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

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.