All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.
WORD OF THE DAY
Lodestone • \LOAD-stoan\ • noun – 1: magnetite possessing polarity *2: something that strongly attracts
When trying to come up with the example sentence for the word of the day, my inner “Douglas Adams” can unfortunately become the lodestone for my mental wanderings; sometimes with eerie, otherworldly results.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
Early season snow advisories issued for Washington Cascades (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10032007news208136.cfm
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Colorado – Five Workers Dead After Power Plant Fire. Five workers trapped at least 1,500 feet underground survived an initial chemical fire at a hydroelectric plant, but died before emergency workers could rescue them. (Associated Press via the Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100300214.html?nav=rss_nation
Colorado – Power Plant Workers Initially Survived Fire – Underground Fire Killed 5 Xcel Energy Contractors (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14255948/detail.html
MASON COUNTY PUD No. 3 SUPPORTS FORMATION OF SECOND HOSPITAL DISTRICT – The Mason County Public Utility District Number Three Board of Commissioners has adopted a resolution that supports the formation of Mason County Public Hospital District Number Two. In its resolution, the P.U.D. 3 Commissioners state that a goal of the P.U.D. is to maintain and enhance the quality of life for its customers, and having excellent healthcare available to the citizens is a key component in quality of life. On November 6th, voters in the North Mason area will be asked to form a second public hospital district and be asked to tax themselves in order for Kitsap-based Harrison Medical Center to locate and operate an urgent care clinic in Belfair. The P.U.D. 3 Commissioners voted Tuesday to support that ballot proposal. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Casey won’t back Timmons for Grays Harbor County PUD Board – The two remaining Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners are taking applications for the seat once held by Diane Ellison (The Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/10/02/local_news/04news.txt
Timmons says he’s still the best candidate (The Daily World)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/10/03/local_news/03news.txt
Snohomish County PUD budget includes money for new power lines, substations (The Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071003/NEWS01/710030044
Okanogan County PUD board names new general manager – PUD commissioners named John Grubich of Fairbanks, Alaska, as general manager Oct. 2. (Omak Chronicle)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n071002d.shtml
Idaho Governor: Solar, wind too expensive, so ID should focus on nukes – Idaho should bolster its ties to the nuclear power industry to underpin economic growth and curb greenhouse gas emissions because alternative energy sources like solar or wind are too costly (The Associated Press)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10032007news208033.cfm
Montana – Never mind the typos, just sign it: Great Falls City Commissioners approve power contract. Proofreading became a big issue at a City Commission meeting Tuesday night as commissioners unanimously approved a new wholesale power contract. (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NEWS01/710030306/1002
Montana – Group head: Co-ops must get in on grassroots activities. There's no question that climate change is a national issue, David Wheelihan, Montana Electric Cooperative Association chief executive officer, told the more than 300 people at the organization's annual meeting Tuesday.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/BUSINESS/710030326
Enron accuses Citigroup of muzzling ex-staff – The claim reignites a lawsuit over whether the bank and others schemed to misstate the energy company's finances (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/11913783194640.xml&coll=7
Appeals court: keep pipeline data under wraps for now (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP10032007news208015.cfm
Oregon – LNG decision falls on county's shoulders. Clatsop County Planning Commission recommends approving rezoning for Bradwood Landing (The Astorian)
http://dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=45696
British Columbia’s far northwest will finally get electricity – $400-million initiative will bring power to communities now using diesel generators (The Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=d655e69a-37c6-4821-b2bc-6f9773dac174&k=64920
Canada – Electricity coalition brings campaign to stop hydro privatization to Niagara. The Ontario Electricity Coalition brings its campaign for public power to the Niagara region tomorrow. (CNW News Service)
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2007/03/c7810.html
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Still Waters Run Deep And Deadly For Columbia River Salmon – The Modern Day Columbia River – Part II (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/still-water-runs-deep-and-deadly-columbia-river-salmon/
Endangered white sturgeon stolen from Bonneville hatchery (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-969589~Endangered_white_sturgeon_stolen_from_Bonneville_hatchery.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
California – Lake poisoning seems to have worked to kill invasive pike – There may be something that is still alive in Lake Davis, but crews with the state Department of Fish and Game have not yet found it. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/03/BAOHSI41V.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Canada – First Nations in B.C., Alberta, to fight construction of new dam. First Nations in British Columbia and Alberta vowed to fight plans to build a new hydro dam near Fort St. John in northeastern B.C., a band chief said Monday. (CBC News)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/10/01/bc-dam.html
Cities want to proceed with property water rights case – On the heels of the lender's request to proceed with the foreclosure sale of the former Miller brewery, the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater seek court authority to proceed with their lawsuit to condemn the property's water rights. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/233331.html
NY Times Editorial – Pipe Dreams: The need to replace aging pipes and equipment over the next two decades offers an opportunity to reinvent the way we deliver our drinking water.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/opinion/03morris.html?ex=1349150400&en=b80ccbea6dca7fcd&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
North Carolina – Put teeth in energy law, urge critics: Alternative-energy companies want utilities to be fined if they don't use renewable power as rules spell out. A contentious alternative-energy law is generating sparks again. This time, the dispute is about whether electric utilities should be fined for failing to meet their obligation to sell electricity generated from alternative-energy sources, (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflsplqxYSfd%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Singin’ for their Supper – Speakers exhort crowd to act on Earth’s behalf. Two environmental authors roused a crowd of about 1,000 people Tuesday night at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, calling for action to stop global warming. “…They were paid $12,500 each plus lodging and expenses for their appearances...” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/233305.html
Chelan County PUD approves principles on climate change – PUD commissioners Monday approved seven principles designed by PUD staff to steer the utility’s role in future debate about meeting state- and federally mandated goals of reducing air pollution. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS04/71002003/1001
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Unlike U.S., Japanese Push Fiber over Profit – The United States may be the world’s largest economy, but when it comes to Internet connections at home, many Americans still live in the slow lane. By contrast, Japan is a broadband paradise with the fastest and cheapest Internet connections in the world. (New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/business/worldbusiness/03broadband.html?_r=1&ex=1349150400&en=4d44cffc03cb4bbf&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Chelan County PUD fiber planned for Plain, part of Entiat next year – Fiber-optics-starved residents of Plain, Lake Wenatchee and a part of Entiat are scheduled to get Chelan County PUD fiber-optic service by mid- to late 2008, PUD officials said Monday. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS04/710020021/1001
Sprint Presses for Cheaper Access to Broadband Lines – Sprint Nextel is picking a fight with the country's largest phone companies over the price it pays for access to their fastest networks. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100101655.html?nav=rss_technology
GAO Slams FCC For Leaks – The General Accounting Office has issued a report (pdf) slamming the FCC for leaking information to companies and lobbyists while leaving consumer advocates and the public in the dark. The study found lobbyists are given ample information on when (and sometimes how) the agency plans to vote, while consumer advocates get no such insight. (Broadband Reports – Note: Comments section may contain PG-13 language)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/GAO-Slams-FCC-For-Leaks-88084
Seattle Times Guest Columnist – FCC fiddles while nation's broadband falls behind
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003920381_fccmuleta03.html?syndication=rss
More storage for Google e-mail – Google Inc. is sprucing up its corporate e-mail service by adding new security tools and more than doubling the storage capacity. (The Associated Press)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/170137.html
77 Arrested in E-Mail Scam Crackdown (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/10/03/national/w083422D60.DTL&feed=rss.news
Van De Wege’s IPZ Legislation A Boon for Grays Harbor – High-tech economic development is a key component for a bright future on the Harbor. (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen)
http://kbkw.com/wireready/news/01845_Legislation-Boon-GHC_071317.php
GENERAL NEWS
PORT OF SHELTON TO FILE SUIT TO REMOVE FUEL TANK – The Port of Shelton is filing a lawsuit in order to have the final fuel tank removed from the former C.C. Cole property. Recently, caution tape was put around the tank across Highway 3 from the Shelton Yacht Club but that does NOT meet the Port's requirement of removal work beginning by last Tuesday. Next week, the Port's Attorney will be filing a summons and complaint. This lawsuit will ask the court to uphold the purchase agreement for the property adjacent to the Oakland Bay Marina. That agreement states that all the fuel tanks be removed and the soil clean. The Port needs the tank removed to allow them to proceed with landscaping and paving work. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
NEXT YEAR'S MASON COUNTY FAIR WILL FEATURE FREE ADMISSION – The Mason County Fair will celebrate its 100th year in 2008 and the Fair's board plans on letting every one in for free. According to Dawn Twiddy, the Fair's Director, a free gate will draw in people who may not know what is inside the fairgrounds. In order to do this, sponsorships are needed. A building sponsorship package has been set up for each building and arena for $1,000. The main stage sponsorship is $5,000. With a sponsorship, your business' banner will be displayed for the year. Other sponsorships are also available. For more information, contact the Fair Office at (360) 427-7789. Donations can also be sent to the Mason County Fair, P.O. Box 2286, Shelton, 98584. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Did last year's winter storm result in a "baby boomlet?" (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003921165_babyboomlet03m.html?syndication=rss
DIVERSIONS
Man Accused Of Stealing 123 Parking Meters – Meters Found In Man's Home
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14258358/detail.html
Man Accused Of Trying To Flee From Police While Riding Lawnmower Drunk
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14260769/detail.html
Courts asked to decide if song too holy for school – A former Everett student wants a higher court to decide whether an instrumental version of "Ave Maria" is too holy for high school.
http://www.examiner.com/a-969376~Courts_asked_to_decide_if_song_too_holy_for_school.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Minister accused of ripping off Ore. Newlyweds
http://www.examiner.com/a-968751~Minister_accused_of_ripping_off_Ore__newlyweds.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Tree-sitters add perches as University of California goes back to court
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/03/BAL9SIMIA.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
News Digest for October 2, 2007
All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.
WORD OF THE DAY
Restive • \RES-tiv\ • adjective – 1: stubbornly resisting control: balky *2: marked by impatience or uneasiness: fidgety
Albert tossed and turned all night. Finally, in his restive state he drifted off into a fitful sleep and dreamed about eating a giant marshmallow. He awoke the next morning; a cold sweat covering his body. Then he made a horrendous discovery under the covers at the end of his bed: the dismembered head of the Sta-Puft marshmallow man, swimming in a pool of marshmallow cream. Ahhhhhhhhhh Ahhhhhhhh. Half a continent away, the owner of “Generic Marshmallow, Inc.” was enjoying a wistful smile…. (Sorry Mr. Coppola)
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Still Powerful After all These Years – The Bonneville Dam turned 70 this year. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/10/10012007_Still-Powerful-After-all-These-Years.cfm/
Tennessee Valley Authority debt on rise to fund new plants – A decade after pledging to cut its debt in half, the Tennessee Valley Authority is not only backing off that pledge, it is increasing debt again. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflrllkmWSec%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
Canada – Alberta power line hearings scrapped – Edmonton Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board has scrapped its scandal-plagued hearings into the proposed 500-kilovolt power transmission line between Edmonton and Calgary. (CanWest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/canada/story.html?id=38b98e1d-2809-4854-ac11-f7478ede3beb
Montana – City utility falls short of its goal: Electric City Power has several new electricity customers, but the city's electric utility arm fell short of its goal to sell between 50 and 65 megawatts of power contracts (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS01/710020303/1002
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – On U.S. Energy Policy: Nuclear power is not today's solution for global warming
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/02/EDBJSHS4A.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – On U.S. Energy Policy: Clean, cheap energy? Not really
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/02/EDBJSHUG7.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
Report shows industry ramping up debit and credit card acceptance options (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/307446/22/ARTCL/none/none/Report-shows-industry-ramping-up-debit-and-credit-card-acceptance-options/
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Plans protect species by killing off rivals – Kill a sea lion, save a salmon. Kill a barred owl, save a spotted owl. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/09/09302007_Plans-protect-species-by-killing-off-rivals.cfm
Nature Conservancy's President Abruptly Announces Resignation – The president of the Arlington-based Nature Conservancy resigned abruptly yesterday, announcing his departure in an early-morning e-mail to all 3,500 employees of the world's largest environmental organization. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100100769.html?nav=rss_nation
A Canoe Trip On The Upper Columbia – A hundred years ago the Columbia was a free-flowing river. Today it’s tamed by no fewer than a dozen dams. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/canoe-trip-upper-columbia/
Seattle Times Guest Editorial – Sandhill cranes need our help to block plans to dam Crab Creek. Sandhill cranes dance and honk by the hundreds and thousands each spring in a place called Crab Creek, near the very center of Washington. State officials propose to build a dam that will destroy this place: Lower Crab Creek tops the list for new dams in Washington.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003917219_crabcreek02.html
CITY OF SHELTONTO FLUSH WATER LINES – Throughout the month of October, the City of Shelton Water Department will be flushing water lines in the Capital Hill Area. Residents will be given 24 hours notice when this maintenance will occur. This flushing procedure will reduce corrosion and sediment in the lines which could have resulted from the chlorination that began in 2003. Crews will also be checking valves to ensure they are working properly. This work is a proactive effort to get ahead of Department of Health requirements that begin next year. If you have any questions call the City of Shelton Public Works Department at 426-9731. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
CITY OF CHEHALIS TOUTS NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Chehalis leaders have been showing off the city’s new wastewater treatment plant. It replaces the city’s former facility that dates back to 1948. The new plant also gets the city out of regulatory trouble over the amount of pollutants released into the Chehalis River. (KELA Radio, Centralia/Chehalis)
New York – City Agrees to Help Regulate Delaware River by Releasing Water From Reservoirs. Under intense pressure from anglers, environmentalists and angry residents of downstream communities devastated by floods three years in a row, New York City has agreed to change the way it operates its huge Delaware River reservoirs. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/nyregion/02water.html?_r=1&ex=1349064000&en=0bf8624ae7b3ccaf&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
When water goes missing, who you gonna call? Leak-busting takes on greater urgency as Southern communities are pinched by drought. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1002/p03s03-ussc.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Monday Update: Cowlitz PUD's wind power project blows ahead of schedule (The Daily News)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/10/01/area_news/news09.txt
Wind farm starts operating Tuesday – One of the largest wind farms in the United States, capable of generating up to 300 megawatts when all 274 wind turbines are spinning, will become partially operational in northeast Colorado (The Denver Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2007/10/01/daily12.html?ana=from_rss
Moving Wind to the Mainstream: Leveraging Compressed Air Energy Storage (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50123&src=rss
In Japan, Going Solar Costly Despite Market Surge – Put some panels on your roof and there you have it — free electricity from sunlight running your TV and appliances. No greenhouse gases, no pollution and no guilt. The catch: Solar power has always been expensive. (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14031247&ft=1&f=2
CONSERVATION
(BPA News Release) BPA offers simple energy efficiency steps as part of Energy Awareness Month
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/176445/
Making a plug for meters – A Portland developer sees potential for savings and energy. The light bulb went on for Ben Kaiser about six years ago, when the North Portland developer was laying in gas and electrical lines to a home he was building. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/119129731732440.xml&coll=7
World's most boring TV show to measure energy use –- Television manufacturers and broadcasters have produced what may be the world's most boring TV program to measure energy consumption on new-generation televisions (Reuters)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071002/tc_nm/television_boring_dc_1
Mass Market for Green Homes Coming? (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50122&src=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Ka-Ching$ - Climate change program tonight – Tonight is the night the Olympia City Council brings in two environmental authors to talk about global warming and call people to action to fight it. “…The council will pay each speaker $12,500 — plus travel and lodging costs…” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/232356.html
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Oregon – Booster adds little juice to free Wi-Fi. The signal gets stronger -- sometimes -- but setting up the MetroFlex may be hard for regular users (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1191135324172580.xml&coll=7
Move to extend Internet tax ban stalls in Senate (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2845311520070928
GENERAL NEWS
State of Washington Defends Its Primaries Before Supreme Court – The Supreme Court convened its new term yesterday, and the justices immediately immersed themselves in the first of several election-law challenges the court has agreed to decide in the midst of the 2008 elections. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100101449.html?nav=rss_politics
State to sue feds over children's health insurance – Washington and at least three other states will sue the Bush administration over restrictions it has imposed on state efforts to expand children's health coverage, Gov. Christine Gregoire announced Monday. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003918093_health02m.html?syndication=rss
DIVERSIONS
Stung: Man Trying To Kill Wasps Burns House – About $80,000 Worth Of Damage Done
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14250002/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_1_09000210022007&ts=H
Artist Builds Secret Apartment At Rhode Island Shopping Mall
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14252256/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000210022007&ts=H
Excel Thinks 65,535 = 100,000 – Microsoft Working To Fix Spreadsheet Problems
http://www.kirotv.com/technology/14227937/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000210022007&ts=H
Now Arriving At Carousel 1, Far Fewer Of Your Bags
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/30/AR2007093001653.html?nav=rss_nation
WORD OF THE DAY
Restive • \RES-tiv\ • adjective – 1: stubbornly resisting control: balky *2: marked by impatience or uneasiness: fidgety
Albert tossed and turned all night. Finally, in his restive state he drifted off into a fitful sleep and dreamed about eating a giant marshmallow. He awoke the next morning; a cold sweat covering his body. Then he made a horrendous discovery under the covers at the end of his bed: the dismembered head of the Sta-Puft marshmallow man, swimming in a pool of marshmallow cream. Ahhhhhhhhhh Ahhhhhhhh. Half a continent away, the owner of “Generic Marshmallow, Inc.” was enjoying a wistful smile…. (Sorry Mr. Coppola)
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Still Powerful After all These Years – The Bonneville Dam turned 70 this year. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/10/10012007_Still-Powerful-After-all-These-Years.cfm/
Tennessee Valley Authority debt on rise to fund new plants – A decade after pledging to cut its debt in half, the Tennessee Valley Authority is not only backing off that pledge, it is increasing debt again. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CflrllkmWSec%23%3A%40%24bfem%5Ev
Canada – Alberta power line hearings scrapped – Edmonton Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board has scrapped its scandal-plagued hearings into the proposed 500-kilovolt power transmission line between Edmonton and Calgary. (CanWest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/canada/story.html?id=38b98e1d-2809-4854-ac11-f7478ede3beb
Montana – City utility falls short of its goal: Electric City Power has several new electricity customers, but the city's electric utility arm fell short of its goal to sell between 50 and 65 megawatts of power contracts (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS01/710020303/1002
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – On U.S. Energy Policy: Nuclear power is not today's solution for global warming
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/02/EDBJSHS4A.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – On U.S. Energy Policy: Clean, cheap energy? Not really
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/02/EDBJSHUG7.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
Report shows industry ramping up debit and credit card acceptance options (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/307446/22/ARTCL/none/none/Report-shows-industry-ramping-up-debit-and-credit-card-acceptance-options/
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Plans protect species by killing off rivals – Kill a sea lion, save a salmon. Kill a barred owl, save a spotted owl. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/09/09302007_Plans-protect-species-by-killing-off-rivals.cfm
Nature Conservancy's President Abruptly Announces Resignation – The president of the Arlington-based Nature Conservancy resigned abruptly yesterday, announcing his departure in an early-morning e-mail to all 3,500 employees of the world's largest environmental organization. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100100769.html?nav=rss_nation
A Canoe Trip On The Upper Columbia – A hundred years ago the Columbia was a free-flowing river. Today it’s tamed by no fewer than a dozen dams. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/canoe-trip-upper-columbia/
Seattle Times Guest Editorial – Sandhill cranes need our help to block plans to dam Crab Creek. Sandhill cranes dance and honk by the hundreds and thousands each spring in a place called Crab Creek, near the very center of Washington. State officials propose to build a dam that will destroy this place: Lower Crab Creek tops the list for new dams in Washington.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003917219_crabcreek02.html
CITY OF SHELTONTO FLUSH WATER LINES – Throughout the month of October, the City of Shelton Water Department will be flushing water lines in the Capital Hill Area. Residents will be given 24 hours notice when this maintenance will occur. This flushing procedure will reduce corrosion and sediment in the lines which could have resulted from the chlorination that began in 2003. Crews will also be checking valves to ensure they are working properly. This work is a proactive effort to get ahead of Department of Health requirements that begin next year. If you have any questions call the City of Shelton Public Works Department at 426-9731. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
CITY OF CHEHALIS TOUTS NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Chehalis leaders have been showing off the city’s new wastewater treatment plant. It replaces the city’s former facility that dates back to 1948. The new plant also gets the city out of regulatory trouble over the amount of pollutants released into the Chehalis River. (KELA Radio, Centralia/Chehalis)
New York – City Agrees to Help Regulate Delaware River by Releasing Water From Reservoirs. Under intense pressure from anglers, environmentalists and angry residents of downstream communities devastated by floods three years in a row, New York City has agreed to change the way it operates its huge Delaware River reservoirs. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/nyregion/02water.html?_r=1&ex=1349064000&en=0bf8624ae7b3ccaf&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
When water goes missing, who you gonna call? Leak-busting takes on greater urgency as Southern communities are pinched by drought. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1002/p03s03-ussc.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Monday Update: Cowlitz PUD's wind power project blows ahead of schedule (The Daily News)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/10/01/area_news/news09.txt
Wind farm starts operating Tuesday – One of the largest wind farms in the United States, capable of generating up to 300 megawatts when all 274 wind turbines are spinning, will become partially operational in northeast Colorado (The Denver Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2007/10/01/daily12.html?ana=from_rss
Moving Wind to the Mainstream: Leveraging Compressed Air Energy Storage (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50123&src=rss
In Japan, Going Solar Costly Despite Market Surge – Put some panels on your roof and there you have it — free electricity from sunlight running your TV and appliances. No greenhouse gases, no pollution and no guilt. The catch: Solar power has always been expensive. (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14031247&ft=1&f=2
CONSERVATION
(BPA News Release) BPA offers simple energy efficiency steps as part of Energy Awareness Month
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/176445/
Making a plug for meters – A Portland developer sees potential for savings and energy. The light bulb went on for Ben Kaiser about six years ago, when the North Portland developer was laying in gas and electrical lines to a home he was building. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/119129731732440.xml&coll=7
World's most boring TV show to measure energy use –- Television manufacturers and broadcasters have produced what may be the world's most boring TV program to measure energy consumption on new-generation televisions (Reuters)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071002/tc_nm/television_boring_dc_1
Mass Market for Green Homes Coming? (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50122&src=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Ka-Ching$ - Climate change program tonight – Tonight is the night the Olympia City Council brings in two environmental authors to talk about global warming and call people to action to fight it. “…The council will pay each speaker $12,500 — plus travel and lodging costs…” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/232356.html
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Oregon – Booster adds little juice to free Wi-Fi. The signal gets stronger -- sometimes -- but setting up the MetroFlex may be hard for regular users (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1191135324172580.xml&coll=7
Move to extend Internet tax ban stalls in Senate (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2845311520070928
GENERAL NEWS
State of Washington Defends Its Primaries Before Supreme Court – The Supreme Court convened its new term yesterday, and the justices immediately immersed themselves in the first of several election-law challenges the court has agreed to decide in the midst of the 2008 elections. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100101449.html?nav=rss_politics
State to sue feds over children's health insurance – Washington and at least three other states will sue the Bush administration over restrictions it has imposed on state efforts to expand children's health coverage, Gov. Christine Gregoire announced Monday. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003918093_health02m.html?syndication=rss
DIVERSIONS
Stung: Man Trying To Kill Wasps Burns House – About $80,000 Worth Of Damage Done
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14250002/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_1_09000210022007&ts=H
Artist Builds Secret Apartment At Rhode Island Shopping Mall
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14252256/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000210022007&ts=H
Excel Thinks 65,535 = 100,000 – Microsoft Working To Fix Spreadsheet Problems
http://www.kirotv.com/technology/14227937/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000210022007&ts=H
Now Arriving At Carousel 1, Far Fewer Of Your Bags
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/30/AR2007093001653.html?nav=rss_nation
Monday, October 1, 2007
News Digest for October 1, 2007
All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.
WORD OF THE DAY
Infrangible • \in-FRAN-juh-bul\ • adjective – 1: not capable of being broken or separated into parts *2: not to be infringed or violated (From Merriam-Webster)
“There they are,” whispered Amber, “The infrangible twins.” “I know,” said Bernice, “you can never tell if they’re there” “Not intangible, you dolt,” muttered Amber. “They’re infrangible; you never see them apart.”
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
La Nina developing in Pacific Ocean (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_090607WAB_la_nina_SW.a97b15f8.html
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Pennsylvania – Who's going to pull the plug on rising use of electricity? With electricity bills across most of Pennsylvania set to jump in a couple of years when rate caps expire, a scramble is on at the Capitol to see how that might be averted. (Bucks County Courier Times)
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-09292007-1415689.html
Governors say West must remove barriers to electric transmission (San Diego Union-Tribune)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070927-1753-wst-governors-electricity.html
British Columbia – Electric companies: Run-of-river independent power projects have gained environmental steam, but are they really the right way to go? (The Georgia Straight)
http://www.straight.com/article-111552/electric-companies
The Nuclear Option – Two new reactors are proposed, as subsidies lure builders. If the first nuclear power plant proposal in 29 years doesn't flower into an industry renaissance, it probably won't be because of the environmentalists. It'll be because of the costs. (US News & World Report)
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2007/09/28/with-subsidies-on-hand-industry-proposes-new-reactors.html
Arizona – Natural gas customers pay for energy-saving rebates – State utility regulators voted recently to implement a rebate program designed to save energy even though critics said it would raise money from all ratepayers to subsidize a few. (East Valley Tribune)
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/98588?source=rss&dest=STY-98588
German deputy minister slams EU energy regulation plans (Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071001/bs_afp/germanyeuenergyregulate_071001075619
New York City – Con Ed Rate Request Criticized. Queens lawmakers called yesterday for state utility regulators to reject Con Edison’s request for a $1.2 billion rate increase. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/nyregion/01mbrfs-coned.html?ex=1348977600&en=4540859efd963636&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Dems step up on salmon issues as Republican Craig loses support – The surprising fall of Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, removes a longtime obstacle to efforts by Democrats and environmentalists to promote salmon recovery on Northwest rivers. (The Columbian, note the link at the bottom of the story)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP09292007news205862.cfm
See the Sultan River flush with pink salmon today – Thousands of salmon migrate up rivers in Snohomish County to spawn every year. But most pink salmon come back only every two years. “…The Sultan River gets a big run of pink salmon partly because it has a hydroelectric dam upstream…that keeps the water level high downstream in summer…” (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070929/NEWS01/709290054
Fishing for data on the Snake River (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9346009p-9260553c.html
Inconvenient Youths – 'Mom, we gotta buy a hybrid!' Kids are becoming the green movement's stealth weapon, pressuring their parents on everything from light bulbs to composting. Inside the push to create the littlest eco-warriors. (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119101716857043113.html?mod=hpp_us_leisure
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon – Wave energy meetings scheduled. Oregon really is catching the wave: wave energy, that is. (Bandon Western World)
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2007/09/29/news/doc46fe77082cc9b892350684.txt
Ethanol’s Boom Stalling as Glut Depresses Price – The ethanol boom of recent years, which spurred a frenzy of distillery construction, record corn prices, rising food prices and hopes of a new future for rural America, may be fading. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/business/30ethanol.html?ex=1348804800&en=5a445a4ca77d01c0&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
All About: Solar energy (Cable News Network)
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/01/solar.energy/index.html?section=cnn_latest
How Much Power Can We Get From The Earth? Congress is debating whether geothermal power is the answer to the nation's energy crunch. That debate is especially relevant in the West. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/how-much-power-can-we-get-earth/
CONSERVATION
Idaho Power offers free energy conservation classes (Idaho Statesman)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/business/story/168906.html
Environmental groups criticize Tennessee Valley Authority’s energy conservation plan (Daily Comet, Louisiana)
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20070929/APN/709290782
Minnesota – Capitol lights back on after governor ends energy-saving blackout. The lights illuminating the state Capitol building will be back on, after a two-month blackout designed to cut energy costs. (KARE-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul)
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=266296
Residents in Bend subdivision may vote on outdoor clothesline – The residents of an upscale Bend subdivision may get the chance to vote on whether their neighbors should be allowed to hang their laundry on outdoor clotheslines. (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-962522~Residents_in_Bend_subdivision_may_vote_on_outdoor_clothesline.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Hollywood sending mixed messages on global warming (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/333586_greenhollywood29.html
On Warming, Bush Vows U.S. 'Will Do Its Part' (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092800079.html?nav=rss_business
D.C. Area Outpaces Nations in Pollution – High Carbon Emission Blamed On Coal Plants – The Washington area produces more carbon dioxide than several medium-size European countries, according to a new estimate of local emissions (Washington Post – insert cynical comment about governmental bloviating here)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/29/AR2007092900959.html?nav=rss_email/components
San Francisco Chronicle Forum – New Zealand charges ahead in race to address climate change “…California's place at the vanguard of green politics and economics, while vital and hugely significant, does not match the hype…”
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/01/EDGBSAN1O.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Minnesota – Fiber optics for all of St. Paul? Should St. Paul spend $200 million to connect everybody in town to a fiber-optic cable? (The Pioneer Press)
http://www.twincities.com/opinion/ci_7036427?nclick_check=1
North Kansas City celebrates fiber-optic network – North Kansas City is now one of the most technologically advanced cities in the country, officials said last week at a celebration of the city’s $8 million fiber-optic network. (The Kansas City Star)
http://www.kansascity.com/news/neighborhood/northland/story/289968.html
The Night The TVs Go Out – The industry has tried to get the word out, but many consumers still aren't getting the message: In a year and a half, millions of television screens could go dark. “…Not the fancy high-definition TVs or those connected to cable or satellite. But the 70 million sets relying on rooftop or "rabbit ears" antennas will end up showing nothing but snow…” (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092801769.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
When all lines go down in an emergency, one channel still remains – Chaos broke loose at the South Seattle Community College, where experts and volunteers simulated a citywide emergency on Saturday during a drill aimed to answer the question - what do you do when all lines of communication are down? (KOMO-TV)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10130626.html
North Mason School Board Races Attracting Money, Criticism (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2007/sep/29/nm-school-board-races-attracting-money-criticism/
Woman accepts plea agreement in Tumwater murder case. The victim's body was discovered in his pickup truck, which was abandoned in a ditch near Shelton. (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-965088~Woman_accepts_plea_agreement_in_Tumwater_murder_case.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
New Passport Rules In Effect Today (KNDO-TV, Tri Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7150307
Penalties likely for parents in Lacey area sports fight – Several parents involved in a fight after a youth football game last weekend are likely to face consequences from the Black Hills Junior Football League, its president said Sunday. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/231553.html
DIVERSIONS
Police: 4 teens hurt in Seattle bus assault – Seattle police say four teenagers picked the wrong man to harass on a Metro bus late last night.
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/230797.html
Searching for Me, Myself and I – Ever Googled yourself and found someone who has your name—and a very different life? You've just met your Googlegänger.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21050562/site/newsweek/?from=rss
Off-color fence dispute leaves $85,000 stain – Caramel: It's the shade Marc and Kristina Weiss used to stain a 12-foot section of cedar fence at their Redmond town home. And it's a stain that proved impossible to get out, even after members of the town-home association's board insisted on piña colada.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2003911813_redmondfence29e.html
Thief nailed selling a million stolen screws – A German factory worker stole over a million screws from his employer and skewed the market with his cheap stolen goods, police said Friday.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-09-28T174221Z_01_L28904607_RTRUKOC_0_US-GERMANY-SCREWS.xml&src=nl_usmorningdigest
WORD OF THE DAY
Infrangible • \in-FRAN-juh-bul\ • adjective – 1: not capable of being broken or separated into parts *2: not to be infringed or violated (From Merriam-Webster)
“There they are,” whispered Amber, “The infrangible twins.” “I know,” said Bernice, “you can never tell if they’re there” “Not intangible, you dolt,” muttered Amber. “They’re infrangible; you never see them apart.”
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
La Nina developing in Pacific Ocean (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_090607WAB_la_nina_SW.a97b15f8.html
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Pennsylvania – Who's going to pull the plug on rising use of electricity? With electricity bills across most of Pennsylvania set to jump in a couple of years when rate caps expire, a scramble is on at the Capitol to see how that might be averted. (Bucks County Courier Times)
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-09292007-1415689.html
Governors say West must remove barriers to electric transmission (San Diego Union-Tribune)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070927-1753-wst-governors-electricity.html
British Columbia – Electric companies: Run-of-river independent power projects have gained environmental steam, but are they really the right way to go? (The Georgia Straight)
http://www.straight.com/article-111552/electric-companies
The Nuclear Option – Two new reactors are proposed, as subsidies lure builders. If the first nuclear power plant proposal in 29 years doesn't flower into an industry renaissance, it probably won't be because of the environmentalists. It'll be because of the costs. (US News & World Report)
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2007/09/28/with-subsidies-on-hand-industry-proposes-new-reactors.html
Arizona – Natural gas customers pay for energy-saving rebates – State utility regulators voted recently to implement a rebate program designed to save energy even though critics said it would raise money from all ratepayers to subsidize a few. (East Valley Tribune)
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/98588?source=rss&dest=STY-98588
German deputy minister slams EU energy regulation plans (Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071001/bs_afp/germanyeuenergyregulate_071001075619
New York City – Con Ed Rate Request Criticized. Queens lawmakers called yesterday for state utility regulators to reject Con Edison’s request for a $1.2 billion rate increase. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/nyregion/01mbrfs-coned.html?ex=1348977600&en=4540859efd963636&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Dems step up on salmon issues as Republican Craig loses support – The surprising fall of Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, removes a longtime obstacle to efforts by Democrats and environmentalists to promote salmon recovery on Northwest rivers. (The Columbian, note the link at the bottom of the story)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP09292007news205862.cfm
See the Sultan River flush with pink salmon today – Thousands of salmon migrate up rivers in Snohomish County to spawn every year. But most pink salmon come back only every two years. “…The Sultan River gets a big run of pink salmon partly because it has a hydroelectric dam upstream…that keeps the water level high downstream in summer…” (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070929/NEWS01/709290054
Fishing for data on the Snake River (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9346009p-9260553c.html
Inconvenient Youths – 'Mom, we gotta buy a hybrid!' Kids are becoming the green movement's stealth weapon, pressuring their parents on everything from light bulbs to composting. Inside the push to create the littlest eco-warriors. (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119101716857043113.html?mod=hpp_us_leisure
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon – Wave energy meetings scheduled. Oregon really is catching the wave: wave energy, that is. (Bandon Western World)
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2007/09/29/news/doc46fe77082cc9b892350684.txt
Ethanol’s Boom Stalling as Glut Depresses Price – The ethanol boom of recent years, which spurred a frenzy of distillery construction, record corn prices, rising food prices and hopes of a new future for rural America, may be fading. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/business/30ethanol.html?ex=1348804800&en=5a445a4ca77d01c0&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
All About: Solar energy (Cable News Network)
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/01/solar.energy/index.html?section=cnn_latest
How Much Power Can We Get From The Earth? Congress is debating whether geothermal power is the answer to the nation's energy crunch. That debate is especially relevant in the West. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/how-much-power-can-we-get-earth/
CONSERVATION
Idaho Power offers free energy conservation classes (Idaho Statesman)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/business/story/168906.html
Environmental groups criticize Tennessee Valley Authority’s energy conservation plan (Daily Comet, Louisiana)
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20070929/APN/709290782
Minnesota – Capitol lights back on after governor ends energy-saving blackout. The lights illuminating the state Capitol building will be back on, after a two-month blackout designed to cut energy costs. (KARE-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul)
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=266296
Residents in Bend subdivision may vote on outdoor clothesline – The residents of an upscale Bend subdivision may get the chance to vote on whether their neighbors should be allowed to hang their laundry on outdoor clotheslines. (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-962522~Residents_in_Bend_subdivision_may_vote_on_outdoor_clothesline.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Hollywood sending mixed messages on global warming (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/333586_greenhollywood29.html
On Warming, Bush Vows U.S. 'Will Do Its Part' (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092800079.html?nav=rss_business
D.C. Area Outpaces Nations in Pollution – High Carbon Emission Blamed On Coal Plants – The Washington area produces more carbon dioxide than several medium-size European countries, according to a new estimate of local emissions (Washington Post – insert cynical comment about governmental bloviating here)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/29/AR2007092900959.html?nav=rss_email/components
San Francisco Chronicle Forum – New Zealand charges ahead in race to address climate change “…California's place at the vanguard of green politics and economics, while vital and hugely significant, does not match the hype…”
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/01/EDGBSAN1O.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Minnesota – Fiber optics for all of St. Paul? Should St. Paul spend $200 million to connect everybody in town to a fiber-optic cable? (The Pioneer Press)
http://www.twincities.com/opinion/ci_7036427?nclick_check=1
North Kansas City celebrates fiber-optic network – North Kansas City is now one of the most technologically advanced cities in the country, officials said last week at a celebration of the city’s $8 million fiber-optic network. (The Kansas City Star)
http://www.kansascity.com/news/neighborhood/northland/story/289968.html
The Night The TVs Go Out – The industry has tried to get the word out, but many consumers still aren't getting the message: In a year and a half, millions of television screens could go dark. “…Not the fancy high-definition TVs or those connected to cable or satellite. But the 70 million sets relying on rooftop or "rabbit ears" antennas will end up showing nothing but snow…” (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092801769.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
When all lines go down in an emergency, one channel still remains – Chaos broke loose at the South Seattle Community College, where experts and volunteers simulated a citywide emergency on Saturday during a drill aimed to answer the question - what do you do when all lines of communication are down? (KOMO-TV)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10130626.html
North Mason School Board Races Attracting Money, Criticism (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2007/sep/29/nm-school-board-races-attracting-money-criticism/
Woman accepts plea agreement in Tumwater murder case. The victim's body was discovered in his pickup truck, which was abandoned in a ditch near Shelton. (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-965088~Woman_accepts_plea_agreement_in_Tumwater_murder_case.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
New Passport Rules In Effect Today (KNDO-TV, Tri Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7150307
Penalties likely for parents in Lacey area sports fight – Several parents involved in a fight after a youth football game last weekend are likely to face consequences from the Black Hills Junior Football League, its president said Sunday. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/231553.html
DIVERSIONS
Police: 4 teens hurt in Seattle bus assault – Seattle police say four teenagers picked the wrong man to harass on a Metro bus late last night.
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/230797.html
Searching for Me, Myself and I – Ever Googled yourself and found someone who has your name—and a very different life? You've just met your Googlegänger.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21050562/site/newsweek/?from=rss
Off-color fence dispute leaves $85,000 stain – Caramel: It's the shade Marc and Kristina Weiss used to stain a 12-foot section of cedar fence at their Redmond town home. And it's a stain that proved impossible to get out, even after members of the town-home association's board insisted on piña colada.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2003911813_redmondfence29e.html
Thief nailed selling a million stolen screws – A German factory worker stole over a million screws from his employer and skewed the market with his cheap stolen goods, police said Friday.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-09-28T174221Z_01_L28904607_RTRUKOC_0_US-GERMANY-SCREWS.xml&src=nl_usmorningdigest
Friday, September 28, 2007
News Digest for September 28, 2007
All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.
WORD OF THE DAY
Faute de Mieux • \foe-duh-MURE\ • adverb – for lack of something better or more desirable
Brandon loved “Jolt Cola”. One day while dozing through another philosophy exam he was horrified to learn that his mother had provided him with generic, store brand cola. Through shaking hands and cold sweats, he thanked the lord for his No-Doze tablets that in combination with the syrupy brew he guzzled faute de mieux.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
La Nina expected to make months ahead wet, cold – More snow and windstorms likely (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/229350.html
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Mason County PUD No. 3 Newsletter for October – Supporting Northwest Salmon: We All Pay; PUD 3 Supports Green Dams, Blue Skies Program; Fuel Mix Disclosure Notification, Hydropower helps minimize Pacific Northwest “Carbon Footprint”; Daylight Savings Time Ends November 4 (Links to PDF File)
http://www.masonpud3.org/News/Newsletter.pdf
Nuclear power surge coming – With this week's application to build a new nuclear plant – the first such filing in nearly 30 years – the industry says the US is on the verge of a nuclear power renaissance. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070928/ts_csm/anukedawn
LA Times Guest Editorial – Nukes still work when the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow. UC Riverside professor critiques Times editorial on solar and wind power
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oew-white27sep27,0,6999790.story?coll=la-opinion-center
California – Nuclear plant testing gets OK: Fresno's waste water could benefit project. The Fresno City Council approved testing for a proposed nuclear power plant, even though construction of one is prohibited under state law. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfkprooqSUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
TVA to add gas-fired generator – Five years after scrapping plans for a natural gas plant in Tullahoma, Tenn., at a $150 million loss, the Tennessee Valley Authority is expected today to authorize building a similar gas-fired plant elsewhere in Tennessee. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfkssstwZUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
Oklahoma – EDITORIAL: Next generation: States eye plans to cut power usage. Among the several peripheral issues in a recent noisy debate over a large power plant are conservation and efficiency. Are Oklahoma's public utilities doing enough to promote a lowering of demand for electricity as an alternative to increasing supply? (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfksrpqoSUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
Survey Of State Utility Regulators Documents Retreat From Deregulation – A new nationwide survey confirms a dramatic reversal of support among state utility regulators for deregulated energy markets. In fact, one third of regulators in currently competitive states say they are now seriously considering re-regulating utilities in their jurisdictions, according to this survey. (Power Online)
http://www.poweronline.com/content/news/article.asp?docid={A040313C-6A21-4748-84F1-0EC22B47CC0A}&VNETCOOKIE=NO
TVA board approves $9.7 billion budget (Memphis Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2007/09/24/daily25.html?ana=from_rss
Northern Wasco County PUD considers building expansion – the PUD took a first step toward expanding its 10-year-old building “…Construction with an eye toward energy conservation and solar power are part of that initial concept…” (The Dalles Chronicle)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2007/09/news09-27-07-02.shtml
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Toxic algae moves from PacifiCorp reservoirs into Klamath River – Authorities will be posting the Klamath River in Northern California next week to warn of high concentrations of toxic blue-green algae that can harm people and pets that swim in or drink tainted waters. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-959748~Toxic_algae_moves_from_PacifiCorp_reservoirs_into_Klamath_River.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
California – Coalition plans to sue government, power firm to save delta smelt – Angered by a decision to cut water allocations to save the delta smelt, a group of officials representing agricultural water agencies announced plans Thursday to sue the government, a power generation plant and maybe others they contend are responsible for the demise of the fish. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/28/BAOASFMVE.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Kittitas County conservation projects awarded more than $5 million in grants (The Daily Record)
http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2007/09/28/news/doc46fad516803ad827849707.txt
No Single Source to Blame – Future looks hazy for gorge air quality – Several dozen of the nation’s most prominent air quality experts gathered in this Columbia Gorge town under clear, sunny skies Tuesday to share and debate six years’ worth of studies on the sources of persistent gorge haze. (The Columbian)
http://columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/09/09262007news203743.cfm
MASON COUNTY P.U.D. 1 TO DISCUSS SYSTEM UPGRADES AND POSSIBLE RATE IMPACTS FOR CANAL MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM CUSTOMERS – The Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 board of Commissioners is holding its next meeting at the Hoodsport Fire Hall Tuesday. The regular meeting is set to begin at 4pm. A public hearing for Canal Mutual Water System customers is scheduled for 6pm Tuesday. During the hearing, P.U.D. 1 officials will discuss improvements to the system and associated costs that will reflect an increase in customers' monthly facilities charge. Again, that's a hearing before the Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 Commissioners on rate increases for the Canal Mutual Water System, 6pm Tuesday at the Hoodsport Fire Hall. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Cities won’t get Lake Tapps – for now. Auburn, Bonney Lake and Sumner will have to wait their turn to try to buy Lake Tapps and its valuable water from Puget Sound Energy. (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/166654.html
Restoring the natural flow at Cathlamet refuge “…a $5.15 million federal project slated to begin next summer should help boost endangered salmon populations by restoring adequate river connections to eight sloughs in the refuge…” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/228839.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Latest Oregon plant going online burning methane from landfill – A new power plant is going online in Southern Oregon that produces electricity from methane gas drawn off a landfill. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-960120~Latest_Ore__plant_going_online_burning_methane_from_landfill.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
PG&E to Become Nation's Biggest Solar Utility (Green Wombat)
http://blogs.business2.com/greenwombat/2007/09/pge-to-buy-a-gi.html?section=money_technology
Nevada Senator Calls for National Renewable Energy Zones – New legislation urges U.S. to invest in new transmission lines to bring renewable energy to the grid. (RenewableEnergyAccess.com)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50100
CONSERVATION
5 (sic) Signs The Computer Industry Is Finally Going Green – With New Technology And Exciting Announcements, The Wired World Is Taking On Its Toxic, Energy-Hungry Legacy. (The Daily Green)
http://www.thedailygreen.com/2007/09/28/5-signs-the-computer-industry-is-finally-going-green/7316/
United Kingdom – Standby Saturday campaigns to stop overnight energy wastage – Standby Saturday, 20th October 2007, will see the first nationwide overnight switch-off of non-essential electrical appliances (PR-GB)
http://pr-gb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23556&Itemid=9
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
At Its Session on Warming, U.S. Is Seen to Stand Apart (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/washington/28climate.html?ei=5088&en=f78f94854320489e&ex=1348632000&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1190997151-LJJchu/2+dLSG5YygR2EsA
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
'Innovation zones' vying for cash – Next week, Washington plans to kick off one of its new economic development strategies -- the promotion of industry clusters -- by designating several geographic areas for special attention and money. (Seattle Times)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/333465_innovation28.html?source=rss
Wyoming – Powell keeps working away at fiber optics plan. After missing the chance to start construction this summer on a municipally owned fiber optic telecommunications network, backers of the plan say they are optimistic they can strike a deal to finance the project by next spring. (Billings Gazette)
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/09/28/news/wyoming/20-fiberoptics.txt
Burlington, N.C. – Who doesn't have high-speed internet in Alamance County? (Burlington Times)
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/access_6194___article.html/percent_county.html
Ohio – Toledo mayor seeks moratorium on telecom boxes. The proliferation of large metal cabinets for telecommunications equipment placed in the city's right-of-way by AT&T has prompted a request for a moratorium. (The Toledo Blade)
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070926/NEWS16/709260406
Fios in Your Neighborhood? Don't Ask Verizon – You'd be a little crazy to shop for a home without considering the Internet, phone and TV options waiting in a new neighborhood. But good luck finding that out, especially when it comes to new services. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602468.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
ROBBERY ATTEMPT AT SHELTON ATM – Shelton Police are looking for three men suspected in an attempted robbery early this morning at the Bank of America at Fourth and Franklin in downtown Shelton. The incident occurred at about 5:45 as the victim was using the A-T-M at the bank and was hit over the head from behind. The victim chased the suspects on foot before they fled in a green Toyota Corolla, which was last seen heading west on Franklin. License plate number is reported as 285 WKI. Any one who sees this vehicle or has any information should call 9-1-1. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
DIVERSIONS
The 50 Worst Cars of All Time (This is great…thanks to Jay Himlie for the tip!)
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/1,28757,1658545,00.html
Navy To Remedy Swastika-Shaped Barracks – View Of Navy Buildings From Air Resembles Nazi Symbol
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14220127/detail.html
Yuck! Jones Soda bottles the grime and stink of the NFL – Ever wonder what the Seahawks' locker room tastes like after a big game?
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP09282007news204780.cfm
Snacks laced with marijuana shipped to Seattle (How ironic! Getting the munchies while EATING munchies!)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_092707WAB_pot_candy_bust_TP.11887d1f1.html
WORD OF THE DAY
Faute de Mieux • \foe-duh-MURE\ • adverb – for lack of something better or more desirable
Brandon loved “Jolt Cola”. One day while dozing through another philosophy exam he was horrified to learn that his mother had provided him with generic, store brand cola. Through shaking hands and cold sweats, he thanked the lord for his No-Doze tablets that in combination with the syrupy brew he guzzled faute de mieux.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
La Nina expected to make months ahead wet, cold – More snow and windstorms likely (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/229350.html
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Mason County PUD No. 3 Newsletter for October – Supporting Northwest Salmon: We All Pay; PUD 3 Supports Green Dams, Blue Skies Program; Fuel Mix Disclosure Notification, Hydropower helps minimize Pacific Northwest “Carbon Footprint”; Daylight Savings Time Ends November 4 (Links to PDF File)
http://www.masonpud3.org/News/Newsletter.pdf
Nuclear power surge coming – With this week's application to build a new nuclear plant – the first such filing in nearly 30 years – the industry says the US is on the verge of a nuclear power renaissance. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070928/ts_csm/anukedawn
LA Times Guest Editorial – Nukes still work when the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow. UC Riverside professor critiques Times editorial on solar and wind power
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oew-white27sep27,0,6999790.story?coll=la-opinion-center
California – Nuclear plant testing gets OK: Fresno's waste water could benefit project. The Fresno City Council approved testing for a proposed nuclear power plant, even though construction of one is prohibited under state law. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfkprooqSUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
TVA to add gas-fired generator – Five years after scrapping plans for a natural gas plant in Tullahoma, Tenn., at a $150 million loss, the Tennessee Valley Authority is expected today to authorize building a similar gas-fired plant elsewhere in Tennessee. (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfkssstwZUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
Oklahoma – EDITORIAL: Next generation: States eye plans to cut power usage. Among the several peripheral issues in a recent noisy debate over a large power plant are conservation and efficiency. Are Oklahoma's public utilities doing enough to promote a lowering of demand for electricity as an alternative to increasing supply? (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via PowerMarketers.com)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CfksrpqoSUmi%27%40%3E%20bfem%5E%21
Survey Of State Utility Regulators Documents Retreat From Deregulation – A new nationwide survey confirms a dramatic reversal of support among state utility regulators for deregulated energy markets. In fact, one third of regulators in currently competitive states say they are now seriously considering re-regulating utilities in their jurisdictions, according to this survey. (Power Online)
http://www.poweronline.com/content/news/article.asp?docid={A040313C-6A21-4748-84F1-0EC22B47CC0A}&VNETCOOKIE=NO
TVA board approves $9.7 billion budget (Memphis Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2007/09/24/daily25.html?ana=from_rss
Northern Wasco County PUD considers building expansion – the PUD took a first step toward expanding its 10-year-old building “…Construction with an eye toward energy conservation and solar power are part of that initial concept…” (The Dalles Chronicle)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2007/09/news09-27-07-02.shtml
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Toxic algae moves from PacifiCorp reservoirs into Klamath River – Authorities will be posting the Klamath River in Northern California next week to warn of high concentrations of toxic blue-green algae that can harm people and pets that swim in or drink tainted waters. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-959748~Toxic_algae_moves_from_PacifiCorp_reservoirs_into_Klamath_River.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
California – Coalition plans to sue government, power firm to save delta smelt – Angered by a decision to cut water allocations to save the delta smelt, a group of officials representing agricultural water agencies announced plans Thursday to sue the government, a power generation plant and maybe others they contend are responsible for the demise of the fish. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/28/BAOASFMVE.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Kittitas County conservation projects awarded more than $5 million in grants (The Daily Record)
http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2007/09/28/news/doc46fad516803ad827849707.txt
No Single Source to Blame – Future looks hazy for gorge air quality – Several dozen of the nation’s most prominent air quality experts gathered in this Columbia Gorge town under clear, sunny skies Tuesday to share and debate six years’ worth of studies on the sources of persistent gorge haze. (The Columbian)
http://columbian.com/news/localNews/2007/09/09262007news203743.cfm
MASON COUNTY P.U.D. 1 TO DISCUSS SYSTEM UPGRADES AND POSSIBLE RATE IMPACTS FOR CANAL MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM CUSTOMERS – The Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 board of Commissioners is holding its next meeting at the Hoodsport Fire Hall Tuesday. The regular meeting is set to begin at 4pm. A public hearing for Canal Mutual Water System customers is scheduled for 6pm Tuesday. During the hearing, P.U.D. 1 officials will discuss improvements to the system and associated costs that will reflect an increase in customers' monthly facilities charge. Again, that's a hearing before the Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 Commissioners on rate increases for the Canal Mutual Water System, 6pm Tuesday at the Hoodsport Fire Hall. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Cities won’t get Lake Tapps – for now. Auburn, Bonney Lake and Sumner will have to wait their turn to try to buy Lake Tapps and its valuable water from Puget Sound Energy. (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/166654.html
Restoring the natural flow at Cathlamet refuge “…a $5.15 million federal project slated to begin next summer should help boost endangered salmon populations by restoring adequate river connections to eight sloughs in the refuge…” (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/228839.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Latest Oregon plant going online burning methane from landfill – A new power plant is going online in Southern Oregon that produces electricity from methane gas drawn off a landfill. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-960120~Latest_Ore__plant_going_online_burning_methane_from_landfill.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
PG&E to Become Nation's Biggest Solar Utility (Green Wombat)
http://blogs.business2.com/greenwombat/2007/09/pge-to-buy-a-gi.html?section=money_technology
Nevada Senator Calls for National Renewable Energy Zones – New legislation urges U.S. to invest in new transmission lines to bring renewable energy to the grid. (RenewableEnergyAccess.com)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50100
CONSERVATION
5 (sic) Signs The Computer Industry Is Finally Going Green – With New Technology And Exciting Announcements, The Wired World Is Taking On Its Toxic, Energy-Hungry Legacy. (The Daily Green)
http://www.thedailygreen.com/2007/09/28/5-signs-the-computer-industry-is-finally-going-green/7316/
United Kingdom – Standby Saturday campaigns to stop overnight energy wastage – Standby Saturday, 20th October 2007, will see the first nationwide overnight switch-off of non-essential electrical appliances (PR-GB)
http://pr-gb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23556&Itemid=9
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
At Its Session on Warming, U.S. Is Seen to Stand Apart (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/washington/28climate.html?ei=5088&en=f78f94854320489e&ex=1348632000&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1190997151-LJJchu/2+dLSG5YygR2EsA
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
'Innovation zones' vying for cash – Next week, Washington plans to kick off one of its new economic development strategies -- the promotion of industry clusters -- by designating several geographic areas for special attention and money. (Seattle Times)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/333465_innovation28.html?source=rss
Wyoming – Powell keeps working away at fiber optics plan. After missing the chance to start construction this summer on a municipally owned fiber optic telecommunications network, backers of the plan say they are optimistic they can strike a deal to finance the project by next spring. (Billings Gazette)
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/09/28/news/wyoming/20-fiberoptics.txt
Burlington, N.C. – Who doesn't have high-speed internet in Alamance County? (Burlington Times)
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/access_6194___article.html/percent_county.html
Ohio – Toledo mayor seeks moratorium on telecom boxes. The proliferation of large metal cabinets for telecommunications equipment placed in the city's right-of-way by AT&T has prompted a request for a moratorium. (The Toledo Blade)
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070926/NEWS16/709260406
Fios in Your Neighborhood? Don't Ask Verizon – You'd be a little crazy to shop for a home without considering the Internet, phone and TV options waiting in a new neighborhood. But good luck finding that out, especially when it comes to new services. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602468.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
ROBBERY ATTEMPT AT SHELTON ATM – Shelton Police are looking for three men suspected in an attempted robbery early this morning at the Bank of America at Fourth and Franklin in downtown Shelton. The incident occurred at about 5:45 as the victim was using the A-T-M at the bank and was hit over the head from behind. The victim chased the suspects on foot before they fled in a green Toyota Corolla, which was last seen heading west on Franklin. License plate number is reported as 285 WKI. Any one who sees this vehicle or has any information should call 9-1-1. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
DIVERSIONS
The 50 Worst Cars of All Time (This is great…thanks to Jay Himlie for the tip!)
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/1,28757,1658545,00.html
Navy To Remedy Swastika-Shaped Barracks – View Of Navy Buildings From Air Resembles Nazi Symbol
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14220127/detail.html
Yuck! Jones Soda bottles the grime and stink of the NFL – Ever wonder what the Seahawks' locker room tastes like after a big game?
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP09282007news204780.cfm
Snacks laced with marijuana shipped to Seattle (How ironic! Getting the munchies while EATING munchies!)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_092707WAB_pot_candy_bust_TP.11887d1f1.html
Thursday, September 27, 2007
News Digest for September 27, 2007
All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.
WORD OF THE DAY
Acerbic • \uh-SER-bik\ • adjective – Acid in temper, mood, or tone
The entire office was walking on eggshells…literally…after Donatello’s outburst. His acerbic wit could not be suppressed when one office worker asked lightly, “What came first the chicken or the egg.” At that point, crates of farm fresh “AA” eggs came spewing from Donatello’s cubicle. “That answer your question?” he crowed! All the employees were looking over their shoulders the rest of the day, preparing for the next onslaught, which most likely was to be dozens of Cornish broiler chickens.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Tacoma Public Utilities picks director from within – Board chooses Tacoma Power boss to lead entire public utility agency. The Tacoma Public Utility Board named Bill Gaines director of Tacoma Public Utilities on Wednesday night. (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/165739.html
Voters recall Clatskanie PUD's Ollila – Clatskanie and Quincy residents turned Clatskanie PUD board member Rod Ollila out of office Tuesday by a margin of nearly two to one --- 293 yes votes to 158 no votes. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/09/26/area_news/news13.txt
Clatskanie PUD Board plans next move after Ollila's ouster – The Clatskanie PUD Board will soon seek resumes from applicants who want to replace board member Rod Ollila, who was voted out office in Tuesday's recall election. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/09/27/area_news/news06.txt
Oregon – Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative's board forces out Stewart. OTEC’s board of directors has fired Cliff Stewart, the cooperative's general manager since 1993, over Stewart's recent decision to fire an OTEC employee. (Baker City Herald)
http://www.bakercityherald.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=5318
Just in time for winter: A break in heating costs – Puget Sound Energy’s natural gas customers soon will see a 13 percent cut in their rates. (The Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/228356.html
Mouse click could plunge city into darkness, experts – Researchers who launched an experimental cyber attack caused a generator to self-destruct, alarming the government and electrical industry about what might happen if such an attack were carried out on a larger scale (Cable News Network)
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/27/power.at.risk/index.html?eref=ib_topstories
Oregon – Central Lincoln PUD rates change: Five percent increase effective Oct. 1 (Newport News-Times)
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2007/09/26/business/business02.txt
Snohomish County PUD is preparing for foul weather; are you? After floods, snow and windstorms in 2006, and a wetter and colder than normal winter on the horizon, utilities and emergency responders are getting prepared. (The Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070927/NEWS01/709270070
For second straight day, manhole blows top in Grand Rapids – Pardon the motorists in Michigan's second-largest city if they appear to be apprehensive while driving downtown. (WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids)
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7137859&nav=menu44_2
News Release – Idaho Power Company and U.S. Geothermal Sign 13-Megawatt Power Purchase Agreement (Yahoo Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070926/law027.html?.v=101
Mistakes will happen and how they are resolved makes all the difference for utility customers (Electric Light & Power)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/307302/22/ARTCL/none/none/Mistakes-will-happen-and-how-they-are-resolved-makes-all-the-difference-for-utility-customers/
Florida – Cape Coral man fuming over trimmed tree. Utility cuts banyan after branches cause outages (Coral Cape News-Press)
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/NEWS0101/709270396/1075
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Suit filed for Willamette fish plan – Endangered species: Environmental groups say federal progress on recovery is too slow (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/science/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/119086172510560.xml&coll=7
Changes should have Columbia River anglers smiling – The Columbia River reopens Saturday to keeping Chinook salmon from Buoy 10 at the mouth upriver to Pasco, Wash. Fishery officials in Oregon and Washington made the decision after Chinook numbers jumped the past week. (Salem Statesman Journal)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/OUTDOORS/70927011/1034
Oregon – Rain will jump-start fall fishing – High tides in the nine-foot range early afternoons this week should push fresh Chinook into coastal estuaries, creating additional angling opportunities. (The News Register)
http://www.newsregister.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=226491
California – Fish ladder to help trout spawn. Project aims to reduce obstacles along Alameda Creek that are impeding steelhead's instincts (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/environment/ci_7013968
Itinerary of fish tag stuns biologists – A hunter in New Zealand finds the steelhead's implant in a bird (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/119086354560930.xml&coll=7
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
California – PG&E may miss renewable-energy deadline, but not by much – Pacific Gas and Electric Co. probably won't meet the state deadline for ensuring that 20 percent of the power it sells comes from renewable resources by the end of 2010 (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/27/BUN9SEO6D.DTL&feed=rss.business
British Columbia, Canada – Wind farm project advances, but angers crabbers. The company building an offshore wind farm off the coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands has recently installed a marine meteorological station, but not everyone is happy the project is proceeding. (Canada.com)
http://www.canada.com/cityguides/princerupert/story.html?id=46692c1d-5a42-4b26-8da5-fc2385709d0b
Alternatives to Alternative Fuels Explored – Growing canola to make biodiesel isn't exactly setting Northwest farmers' hearts aflutter. (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3259
Arizona – Solar power? Wind? Nope, green goo (The Arizona Republic)
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0926biz-buzz26.html
CONSERVATION
News Release – Eight Utilities Seek To Increase Energy Efficiency Investment by $500 Million Annually (PR Newswire)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/CLTH04027092007-1.htm
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
White House Taking Unearned Credit for Emissions Cuts – Pushing Voluntary Curbs on Greenhouse Gases, Administration Lauds Results of Programs It Opposed (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602345.html?nav=rss_business
The Climate Change Peril That Insurers See – Montana is burning again. This summer, some of the nation's worst wildfires incinerated homes, barns and fences, killing livestock and forcing families to evacuate. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602070.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns
NY Times Op-Ed Contributor, Vaclav Havel – Our Moral Footprint. Over the past few years the questions have been asked ever more forcefully whether global climate changes occur in natural cycles or not.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/opinion/27havel.html?ex=1348545600&en=ade3d5bdf14b602a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Computer maker Dell to be carbon neutral next year – Buying offsets is key part of plan (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/333299_dell27.html?source=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
WiMax World 2007 – Industry primed to go with Internet on the go. WiMax is hardly a household word, but the industry is starting to show signs it has hit a groove, especially now that commercial availability is imminent. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003906392_wimax27.html
Microsoft retools to catch Google – Live Search gets overhaul (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/333316_msftsearch27.html
GENERAL NEWS
Family leave costs become clearer – A paid family leave program on the drawing boards for Washington state workers might eat up 25 percent of its cost in overhead in its early years, a task force learned Wednesday. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/228349.html
Blaze clears way for a vibrant prairie, but don't try this at home – Intentional fires swept across chunks of Mima and Weir prairies in south Thurston County Wednesday to help restore rare habitat. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/228365.html
Bill Virgin, Seattle Post-Intelligencer – They're old media, but newsletters are staying
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/virgin/333219_virgin27.html
High-schoolers or free agents? Top prep athletes in Oregon are switching campuses and uniforms, putting a spotlight on the competitive practice (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1190777110162240.xml&coll=7
DIVERSIONS
Ouch! Siberian Woman Delivers Healthy 17-Pound Baby
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14219053/detail.html
Police Say Jaws Of Life Used In Vandalism – Volunteer Firefighters Accused
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14215937/detail.html
WORD OF THE DAY
Acerbic • \uh-SER-bik\ • adjective – Acid in temper, mood, or tone
The entire office was walking on eggshells…literally…after Donatello’s outburst. His acerbic wit could not be suppressed when one office worker asked lightly, “What came first the chicken or the egg.” At that point, crates of farm fresh “AA” eggs came spewing from Donatello’s cubicle. “That answer your question?” he crowed! All the employees were looking over their shoulders the rest of the day, preparing for the next onslaught, which most likely was to be dozens of Cornish broiler chickens.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Tacoma Public Utilities picks director from within – Board chooses Tacoma Power boss to lead entire public utility agency. The Tacoma Public Utility Board named Bill Gaines director of Tacoma Public Utilities on Wednesday night. (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/165739.html
Voters recall Clatskanie PUD's Ollila – Clatskanie and Quincy residents turned Clatskanie PUD board member Rod Ollila out of office Tuesday by a margin of nearly two to one --- 293 yes votes to 158 no votes. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/09/26/area_news/news13.txt
Clatskanie PUD Board plans next move after Ollila's ouster – The Clatskanie PUD Board will soon seek resumes from applicants who want to replace board member Rod Ollila, who was voted out office in Tuesday's recall election. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/09/27/area_news/news06.txt
Oregon – Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative's board forces out Stewart. OTEC’s board of directors has fired Cliff Stewart, the cooperative's general manager since 1993, over Stewart's recent decision to fire an OTEC employee. (Baker City Herald)
http://www.bakercityherald.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=5318
Just in time for winter: A break in heating costs – Puget Sound Energy’s natural gas customers soon will see a 13 percent cut in their rates. (The Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/228356.html
Mouse click could plunge city into darkness, experts – Researchers who launched an experimental cyber attack caused a generator to self-destruct, alarming the government and electrical industry about what might happen if such an attack were carried out on a larger scale (Cable News Network)
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/27/power.at.risk/index.html?eref=ib_topstories
Oregon – Central Lincoln PUD rates change: Five percent increase effective Oct. 1 (Newport News-Times)
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2007/09/26/business/business02.txt
Snohomish County PUD is preparing for foul weather; are you? After floods, snow and windstorms in 2006, and a wetter and colder than normal winter on the horizon, utilities and emergency responders are getting prepared. (The Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070927/NEWS01/709270070
For second straight day, manhole blows top in Grand Rapids – Pardon the motorists in Michigan's second-largest city if they appear to be apprehensive while driving downtown. (WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids)
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7137859&nav=menu44_2
News Release – Idaho Power Company and U.S. Geothermal Sign 13-Megawatt Power Purchase Agreement (Yahoo Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070926/law027.html?.v=101
Mistakes will happen and how they are resolved makes all the difference for utility customers (Electric Light & Power)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/307302/22/ARTCL/none/none/Mistakes-will-happen-and-how-they-are-resolved-makes-all-the-difference-for-utility-customers/
Florida – Cape Coral man fuming over trimmed tree. Utility cuts banyan after branches cause outages (Coral Cape News-Press)
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/NEWS0101/709270396/1075
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Suit filed for Willamette fish plan – Endangered species: Environmental groups say federal progress on recovery is too slow (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/science/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/119086172510560.xml&coll=7
Changes should have Columbia River anglers smiling – The Columbia River reopens Saturday to keeping Chinook salmon from Buoy 10 at the mouth upriver to Pasco, Wash. Fishery officials in Oregon and Washington made the decision after Chinook numbers jumped the past week. (Salem Statesman Journal)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/OUTDOORS/70927011/1034
Oregon – Rain will jump-start fall fishing – High tides in the nine-foot range early afternoons this week should push fresh Chinook into coastal estuaries, creating additional angling opportunities. (The News Register)
http://www.newsregister.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=226491
California – Fish ladder to help trout spawn. Project aims to reduce obstacles along Alameda Creek that are impeding steelhead's instincts (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/environment/ci_7013968
Itinerary of fish tag stuns biologists – A hunter in New Zealand finds the steelhead's implant in a bird (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/119086354560930.xml&coll=7
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
California – PG&E may miss renewable-energy deadline, but not by much – Pacific Gas and Electric Co. probably won't meet the state deadline for ensuring that 20 percent of the power it sells comes from renewable resources by the end of 2010 (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/27/BUN9SEO6D.DTL&feed=rss.business
British Columbia, Canada – Wind farm project advances, but angers crabbers. The company building an offshore wind farm off the coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands has recently installed a marine meteorological station, but not everyone is happy the project is proceeding. (Canada.com)
http://www.canada.com/cityguides/princerupert/story.html?id=46692c1d-5a42-4b26-8da5-fc2385709d0b
Alternatives to Alternative Fuels Explored – Growing canola to make biodiesel isn't exactly setting Northwest farmers' hearts aflutter. (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3259
Arizona – Solar power? Wind? Nope, green goo (The Arizona Republic)
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0926biz-buzz26.html
CONSERVATION
News Release – Eight Utilities Seek To Increase Energy Efficiency Investment by $500 Million Annually (PR Newswire)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/CLTH04027092007-1.htm
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
White House Taking Unearned Credit for Emissions Cuts – Pushing Voluntary Curbs on Greenhouse Gases, Administration Lauds Results of Programs It Opposed (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602345.html?nav=rss_business
The Climate Change Peril That Insurers See – Montana is burning again. This summer, some of the nation's worst wildfires incinerated homes, barns and fences, killing livestock and forcing families to evacuate. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602070.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns
NY Times Op-Ed Contributor, Vaclav Havel – Our Moral Footprint. Over the past few years the questions have been asked ever more forcefully whether global climate changes occur in natural cycles or not.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/opinion/27havel.html?ex=1348545600&en=ade3d5bdf14b602a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Computer maker Dell to be carbon neutral next year – Buying offsets is key part of plan (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/333299_dell27.html?source=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
WiMax World 2007 – Industry primed to go with Internet on the go. WiMax is hardly a household word, but the industry is starting to show signs it has hit a groove, especially now that commercial availability is imminent. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003906392_wimax27.html
Microsoft retools to catch Google – Live Search gets overhaul (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/333316_msftsearch27.html
GENERAL NEWS
Family leave costs become clearer – A paid family leave program on the drawing boards for Washington state workers might eat up 25 percent of its cost in overhead in its early years, a task force learned Wednesday. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/228349.html
Blaze clears way for a vibrant prairie, but don't try this at home – Intentional fires swept across chunks of Mima and Weir prairies in south Thurston County Wednesday to help restore rare habitat. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/228365.html
Bill Virgin, Seattle Post-Intelligencer – They're old media, but newsletters are staying
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/virgin/333219_virgin27.html
High-schoolers or free agents? Top prep athletes in Oregon are switching campuses and uniforms, putting a spotlight on the competitive practice (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1190777110162240.xml&coll=7
DIVERSIONS
Ouch! Siberian Woman Delivers Healthy 17-Pound Baby
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14219053/detail.html
Police Say Jaws Of Life Used In Vandalism – Volunteer Firefighters Accused
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14215937/detail.html
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
News Digest for September 26, 2007
All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.
WORD OF THE DAY
Bodacious • \boh-DAY-shuss\ • adjective – 1: outright, unmistakable *2: remarkable, noteworthy 3: sexy, voluptuous
“Just look at that bodacious, fertile farmland,” enthused Fred to his companion Darryl. But Darryl had heard only part of what Fred had said. At the word “bodacious” Fred’s mind had gone to “Dollywood”.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
Snow expected in the passes this week – If Tuesday's soggy weather didn't tip you off, weather prognosticators are predicting a sure sign that summer is at an end -- snow is coming to the lower Cascades. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/333129_weather26.html?source=rss
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Supreme Court to rule on Snohomish PUD energy case (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070925/NEWS01/709260001/-1/news01
Snohomish PUD case goes to Supreme Court (Seattle Times version)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/snohomishcountynews/2003903458_pudcourt26m0.html?syndication=rss
Will 'Nuclear Renaissance' Spread To Northwest? An Idaho company says it’s at least one year away from submitting the paperwork to build a nuclear power plant about an hour’s drive south of Boise. (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/will-nuclear-renaissance-spread-northwest/
Chelan PUD prepares to react to climate laws – Less than a decade from now, the Chelan County PUD could be required to pay a dirty East Coast coal-fired utility for the right to continue to operate the PUD's own diesel-powered electricity generators in remote Stehekin. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070925/NEWS04/709250041/1001
Seattle City Light told to buy substation land now –Seattle City Light should spend millions to buy three acres in South Lake Union for a new electricity substation that may not be needed. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003903442_powergamble26m.html?syndication=rss
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Cantwell works to erase Craig's last gambit “…Last week, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., set out to undo Craig's last gambit -- his furtive backdoor bid to use a federal spending bill to dictate water flow for Snake River fish…” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/333167_joel26.html?source=rss
Senate Authorizes Oregon Water Projects – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) today announced the Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act, which authorizes $96 million in federal funding for water projects in Oregon. (Salem News)
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/september252007/oregon_water_projects_092507.php
Thousands of fish go belly up as poisoning of Lake Davis starts – The poison began flowing into scenic Lake Davis early Tuesday morning, and by midday thousands of dead fish were washing ashore or floating belly-up in the northern Sierra reservoir. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/26/MNISSD6A3.DTL&feed=rss.news
California Poisons Lake, Targeting Invasive Pike – California's Department of Fish and Game has begun poisoning Lake Davis, near the small Sierra Nevada community of Portola. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14698649&ft=1&f=2
Oregon – Marine reserve plan sparks turf war. Commercial fishermen on the North Coast say they can't afford to have the government close any more nearshore ocean fishing grounds (The Daily Astorian)
http://dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=45492
Canada – Massive salmon kill caused by algae blooms. Around 260 tons of farmed Atlantic salmon have been killed by algae blooms at a farm in Klemtu, British Columbia, operated by Marine Harvest Canada. (FishUpdate.com)
http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/8706/Massive_salmon_kill_caused_by_algae_blooms.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
NW Awash in Tidal Energy Projects – There’s a veritable gold rush underway on Northwest waters. Developers, governments, and utilities have staked claims on the most promising wave energy and tidal power sites. (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3256
PUD moves ahead on tidal project (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/snohomishcountynews/2003902103_tidal26n.html?syndication=rss
New Zealand Commits to 90% Renewable Electricity by 2025 “…The country already uses 70% renewable electricity, primarily hydro- and geothermal power…” (RenewableEnergyAccess.com)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50075
CONSERVATION
California – 'Green' building may become the law – In their high-profile campaign against climate change, California lawmakers have set goals for curbing carbon emissions from cars, factories and power plants -- and now they are taking aim at homes and offices. (North County Times)
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/25/news/top_stories/11_14_569_24_07.txt
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial Board – Greenhouse Gases: Let states lead. We are proud that Washington state is following California in the effort to limit cars' greenhouse gas emissions. So, we're alarmed (but not surprised) that the Bush administration is using political tricks to block the limits.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/333107_autoed.html?source=rss
Green Dreams – Producing fuel from corn and other crops could be good for the planet–if only the process didn't take a significant environmental toll. New breakthroughs could make a difference. (National Geographic)
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-10/biofuels/biofuels.html
Alaskans pitch plea to fight global warming – Burning tundra and coastal erosion are taking a toll. (Anchorage Daily News)
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/9332497p-9247571c.html
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Retailer’s weak encryption exposed it to credit theft, investigation finds (News Tribune, Tacoma(
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/164777.html
GENERAL NEWS
Three WA men indicted for old-growth timber theft – Three men were arrested Tuesday on a federal indictment accusing them of illegally harvesting old-growth cedar trees in Washington's Olympic National Forest. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-955508~Three_WA_men_indicted_for_old_growth_timber_theft.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Cutting down trees...to save a nature preserve? – Some people in Renton are confused. They're watching crews cut down dozens of trees -- all in an effort to help save a nature preserve? KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10027191.html
New Looks for Pennies (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/26/washington/26brfs-NEWLOOKSFORP_BRF.html?ex=1348459200&en=c220a83c3ec16ff1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
DIVERSIONS
Man Accused Of Sawing House In Half – Man Charged With Vandalism, Aggravated Menacing
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14197524/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_1_09000309252007&ts=H
Cubs Fans Name Their Newborn Son Wrigley Fields
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14191277/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000309252007&ts=H
Pygmy goats to be allowed as pets in Seattle (Awww, how cute!
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10012726.html
Man Buys Smoker, Finds Human Leg Inside – A man who bought a smoker Tuesday at an auction of abandoned items might have thought twice had he looked inside first.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/09/25/national/a171037D68.DTL&feed=rss.news
Don't monkey with an orangutan
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070926/BLOG08/70925014/-1/rss01
WORD OF THE DAY
Bodacious • \boh-DAY-shuss\ • adjective – 1: outright, unmistakable *2: remarkable, noteworthy 3: sexy, voluptuous
“Just look at that bodacious, fertile farmland,” enthused Fred to his companion Darryl. But Darryl had heard only part of what Fred had said. At the word “bodacious” Fred’s mind had gone to “Dollywood”.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269
Snow expected in the passes this week – If Tuesday's soggy weather didn't tip you off, weather prognosticators are predicting a sure sign that summer is at an end -- snow is coming to the lower Cascades. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/333129_weather26.html?source=rss
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Supreme Court to rule on Snohomish PUD energy case (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070925/NEWS01/709260001/-1/news01
Snohomish PUD case goes to Supreme Court (Seattle Times version)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/snohomishcountynews/2003903458_pudcourt26m0.html?syndication=rss
Will 'Nuclear Renaissance' Spread To Northwest? An Idaho company says it’s at least one year away from submitting the paperwork to build a nuclear power plant about an hour’s drive south of Boise. (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/will-nuclear-renaissance-spread-northwest/
Chelan PUD prepares to react to climate laws – Less than a decade from now, the Chelan County PUD could be required to pay a dirty East Coast coal-fired utility for the right to continue to operate the PUD's own diesel-powered electricity generators in remote Stehekin. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070925/NEWS04/709250041/1001
Seattle City Light told to buy substation land now –Seattle City Light should spend millions to buy three acres in South Lake Union for a new electricity substation that may not be needed. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003903442_powergamble26m.html?syndication=rss
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Cantwell works to erase Craig's last gambit “…Last week, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., set out to undo Craig's last gambit -- his furtive backdoor bid to use a federal spending bill to dictate water flow for Snake River fish…” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/333167_joel26.html?source=rss
Senate Authorizes Oregon Water Projects – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) today announced the Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act, which authorizes $96 million in federal funding for water projects in Oregon. (Salem News)
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/september252007/oregon_water_projects_092507.php
Thousands of fish go belly up as poisoning of Lake Davis starts – The poison began flowing into scenic Lake Davis early Tuesday morning, and by midday thousands of dead fish were washing ashore or floating belly-up in the northern Sierra reservoir. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/26/MNISSD6A3.DTL&feed=rss.news
California Poisons Lake, Targeting Invasive Pike – California's Department of Fish and Game has begun poisoning Lake Davis, near the small Sierra Nevada community of Portola. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14698649&ft=1&f=2
Oregon – Marine reserve plan sparks turf war. Commercial fishermen on the North Coast say they can't afford to have the government close any more nearshore ocean fishing grounds (The Daily Astorian)
http://dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=45492
Canada – Massive salmon kill caused by algae blooms. Around 260 tons of farmed Atlantic salmon have been killed by algae blooms at a farm in Klemtu, British Columbia, operated by Marine Harvest Canada. (FishUpdate.com)
http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/8706/Massive_salmon_kill_caused_by_algae_blooms.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
NW Awash in Tidal Energy Projects – There’s a veritable gold rush underway on Northwest waters. Developers, governments, and utilities have staked claims on the most promising wave energy and tidal power sites. (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3256
PUD moves ahead on tidal project (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/snohomishcountynews/2003902103_tidal26n.html?syndication=rss
New Zealand Commits to 90% Renewable Electricity by 2025 “…The country already uses 70% renewable electricity, primarily hydro- and geothermal power…” (RenewableEnergyAccess.com)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50075
CONSERVATION
California – 'Green' building may become the law – In their high-profile campaign against climate change, California lawmakers have set goals for curbing carbon emissions from cars, factories and power plants -- and now they are taking aim at homes and offices. (North County Times)
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/25/news/top_stories/11_14_569_24_07.txt
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial Board – Greenhouse Gases: Let states lead. We are proud that Washington state is following California in the effort to limit cars' greenhouse gas emissions. So, we're alarmed (but not surprised) that the Bush administration is using political tricks to block the limits.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/333107_autoed.html?source=rss
Green Dreams – Producing fuel from corn and other crops could be good for the planet–if only the process didn't take a significant environmental toll. New breakthroughs could make a difference. (National Geographic)
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-10/biofuels/biofuels.html
Alaskans pitch plea to fight global warming – Burning tundra and coastal erosion are taking a toll. (Anchorage Daily News)
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/9332497p-9247571c.html
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Retailer’s weak encryption exposed it to credit theft, investigation finds (News Tribune, Tacoma(
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/164777.html
GENERAL NEWS
Three WA men indicted for old-growth timber theft – Three men were arrested Tuesday on a federal indictment accusing them of illegally harvesting old-growth cedar trees in Washington's Olympic National Forest. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-955508~Three_WA_men_indicted_for_old_growth_timber_theft.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Cutting down trees...to save a nature preserve? – Some people in Renton are confused. They're watching crews cut down dozens of trees -- all in an effort to help save a nature preserve? KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10027191.html
New Looks for Pennies (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/26/washington/26brfs-NEWLOOKSFORP_BRF.html?ex=1348459200&en=c220a83c3ec16ff1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
DIVERSIONS
Man Accused Of Sawing House In Half – Man Charged With Vandalism, Aggravated Menacing
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14197524/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_1_09000309252007&ts=H
Cubs Fans Name Their Newborn Son Wrigley Fields
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14191277/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000309252007&ts=H
Pygmy goats to be allowed as pets in Seattle (Awww, how cute!
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10012726.html
Man Buys Smoker, Finds Human Leg Inside – A man who bought a smoker Tuesday at an auction of abandoned items might have thought twice had he looked inside first.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/09/25/national/a171037D68.DTL&feed=rss.news
Don't monkey with an orangutan
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070926/BLOG08/70925014/-1/rss01
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