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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Another storm to bring gusty winds to region, heavy snow to passes
* Grant County PUD meets last Priest Rapids Dam license requirement
* By Nearly 15% - Pacific Power Attempts to Increase Rates
* Baltimore Gas and Electric officials to state regulators: 'A deal is a deal'
* California – Pacific Gas & Electric lays off 200
* Reborn Calpine in 'really good position,' CEO says
* Oregon Natural Gas Protesters Want Governor's Support
* Loomis says saving salmon requires power of people
* Fishing Columbia spring Chinook verdict due
* Seattle Times Guest Columnist – Killing sea lions will not save Columbia River salmon
* Mining companies want Idaho to allow groundwater pollution
* Congressman Dicks receives Ansel Adams award
* Grays Harbor County – Public invited to hear wind farm pla
* Maui wind farm files PUC complaint
* Massachusetts – Ambitious goals set for renewable energy
* The Great Lakes May Soon be Home to Offshore Wind
* South Carolina – Legislation proposes state energy overhaul
* Montana Electric cooperatives take action on climate
* Lawmakers push for 'green-collar' jobs as climate change looms
* In Many Communities, It’s Not Easy Going Green
* Cable Cut Fever Grips the Web
* Yahoo CEO Hoping to Thwart Microsoft
* Time Warner Plans to Split Off AOL’s Dial-Up Service
* Computer storage of footage hinders San Francisco’s crime cameras
* With UK Broadband Cheap and Fast, Now What?
* Chehalis River flow set record in storm
* Tribe suing over Squaxin Island cigarette sales deal
* Bill targets recycling of stolen car parts
* Airline Service Looks To Link Smaller NW Cities
* Son of Lacey council member charged with funeral home trust theft
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Pariah • \PUH-RYE-uh\ • noun –1: one that is despised or rejected 2: a member of a low caste of southern India
Bobo the clown was crushed. He thought his grease-painted friends would love his new shoes, but instead, he was banished from the clown car for two weeks because they were “way too small” according to the clown prince. “A pariah over shoe size,” Bobo grumbled. “Next thing you know, they’ll be regulating clown nose colors!”
WEATHER
Another storm to bring gusty winds to region, heavy snow to passes (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/350243_snow07.html?source=rss
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Grant County PUD meets last Priest Rapids Dam license requirement – PUD staff is waiting for a new long-term license for its Priest Rapids Project after meeting the final relicensing requirement. (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/02/06/news/news03.txt
By Nearly 15% - Pacific Power Attempts to Increase Rates (KNDO/KNDU – Tri Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7832122
Baltimore Gas and Electric officials to state regulators: 'A deal is a deal' – BGE told Maryland utility regulators Wednesday the company didn't overcharge ratepayers under a 1999 settlement that ushered in industry deregulation in the state. (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/02/04/daily19.html?ana=from_rss
California – Pacific Gas & Electric lays off 200 – The company has laid off about 200 office and management workers as part of an ongoing effort to update and streamline its operations. (Sacramento Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2008/02/04/daily29.html?ana=from_rss
Reborn Calpine in 'really good position,' CEO says – Reborn Calpine Leaner, Greener But Energy Experts Wonder If It Can Return To Profitability (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8193528?source=rss&nclick_check=1
California – Residents likely to voice displeasure with power line plan (Press-Enterprise, Riverdale)
http://www.pe.com/localnews/eastvale/stories/PE_News_Local_S_ivyglen06.429dbaf.html?npc
Oregon Natural Gas Protesters Want Governor's Support (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/natural-gas-protesters-want-governors-support/
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Loomis says saving salmon requires power of people – “…Pacific Northwest salmon runs may one day be harvested into extinction by commercial fishing in Alaska unless sport anglers and conservationists band together to fight it…” (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/293825401014761
Fishing Columbia spring Chinook verdict due – Sport anglers should know what's on the table for Columbia River spring Chinook catches by Friday. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2004168873_fish07.html
Seattle Times Guest Columnist – Killing sea lions will not save Columbia River salmon
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004168372_sealions07.html
Mining companies want Idaho to allow groundwater pollution (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/351502.html
Congressman Dicks receives Ansel Adams award – U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks is being honored for promoting national conservation programs. (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/351303.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Grays Harbor County – Public invited to hear wind farm plan – An offshore wind farm, using today’s technology, could supply more than 10 percent of the entire state’s generation capacity, says a man who dreams of building such a facility off Grays Harbor. (Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/02/06/local_news/08news.txt
Maui wind farm files PUC complaint (Pacific Business News)
http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2008/02/04/daily36.html?ana=from_rss
Massachusetts – Ambitious goals set for renewable energy (Cape Cod Times)
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/NEWS/802070312
The Great Lakes May Soon be Home to Offshore Wind (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=51365&src=rss
CONSERVATION
South Carolina – Legislation proposes state energy overhaul – While South Carolina has traditionally lagged behind its neighbors in modern energy standards, one of the state's leading conservationists called a group of energy proposals unveiled Wednesday "a great moment of awakening." (Charleston Post and Courier)
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/feb/07/legislation_proposes_state_energy_overha29895/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Montana Electric cooperatives take action on climate (the Missoulian)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/02/07/news/local/news05.txt
Lawmakers push for 'green-collar' jobs as climate change looms (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/15381611.html
In Many Communities, It’s Not Easy Going Green – Constraints on budgets, legal restrictions by states, and people’s unwillingness to change sometimes put brakes on ambitious plans to cut carbon dioxide emissions. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/us/07green.html?_r=1&ex=1360126800&en=7971c9ad835bd2b1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Cable Cut Fever Grips the Web (Wire Magazine)
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/02/who-cut-the-cab.html
Yahoo CEO Hoping to Thwart Microsoft (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004169477_apmicrosoftyahoo07.html?syndication=rss
Time Warner Plans to Split Off AOL’s Dial-Up Service (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/business/07warner.html?ex=1360040400&en=869726999a98fdb2&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Computer storage of footage hinders San Francisco’s crime cameras (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1206370~Storage_of_footage_hinders_crime_cameras.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
With UK Broadband Cheap and Fast, Now What? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/02/06/with-uk-broadband-cheap-and-fast-now-what/
GENERAL NEWS
Chehalis River flow set record in storm (Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/02/06/local_news/05news.txt
Tribe suing over Squaxin Island cigarette sales deal – The Nisqually Indian Tribe has sued Gov. Chris Gregoire in federal court, claiming she struck an illegal deal that allows another tribe to sell cigarettes in what should be Nisqually territory. (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP02072008news274246.cfm
Bill targets recycling of stolen car parts – Car parts are the next big target for metal thieves, and state lawmakers are trying to throttle the trend. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/02/07//area_news/10095078.txt
Airline Service Looks To Link Smaller NW Cities – A consultant from Eugene is getting a warm reception for a plan to start airline service to eight smaller Northwest cities, including Roseburg, Olympia, Bremerton, and Port Angeles. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/airline-service-looks-link-smaller-nw-cities/
Son of Lacey council member charged with funeral home trust theft
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7836352
DIVERSIONS
Drunken Australian threatened city with TV remote
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080207/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_australia_remote;_ylt=As5F1E29aDinbAYn9QRwK3ntiBIF
Keep tortoises in the fridge for winter
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080206/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_tortoise;_ylt=AitSXxwArQApaOS6ZKwUhivtiBIF
Chinese astrologers offer Year of the Rat stock tips
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080206/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_asia_fengshui;_ylt=AsHUpjNaJHEX.M4p1JlVhI3tiBIF
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Energy News Digest for February 6, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Bush budget contains no BPA changes
* Chelan PUD breaks sales record for wholesale power
* WA gov names Wallace to Pacific Northwest Power and Conservation Planning Council
* Tri-City Herald Opinion – Hanford Cleanup: Secretary Bodman could use a time machine
* Maryland PSC chief. Chairman asks lawmakers for more tools to investigate Constellation Energy on '99 deal
* United Kingdom’s energy industry to face inquiry
* Connecticut Natural Gas’ Inflated Bills Likely To Be Illega
* Australia – Energy privatization will bring jobs
* Spokane tribe OKs drawdown
* Elwha dam removal project cost rising to $308 million
* One dam after another – The Black Rock reservoir project in arid Eastern Washington might be dead, but there are four more proposed dams where that came from.
* Salmon season setting process starting, key meetings held locally
* California's low salmon run spells troubles for fishermen
* California – Number of returning Coho salmon plummet in Marin watershed
* Grays Harbor County – Researcher to discuss biofuels, green energy alternatives
* Local lawmaker wants change in taxes for alternative energy
* United Kingdom – £1bn wind farm subsidies pump up power firm profits
* California Initiative Seeks to Replace Traditional Lighting with 'Green' CFLs
* Hargrove wants forest products industry to get ‘credit’ for carbon sequestration
* The Olympian Opinion – State looks to lead way on climate change
* ISPs create tangled Web of sneaky fees
* Kevin Martin's Contentious Turn at Helm of FCC
* Shelton plant fined in fatal October accident
* Bill to record closed-door meeting goes nowhere
* Dust Storms Overseas Carry Contaminants to U.S.
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Polyandry • \POLLY-and-ree\ • noun – The state or practice of having more than one husband or male mate at one time
The lack of eligible women in the remote Russian village had led over the years to practice of polyandry. After several generations, the shortage was revealed as a hoax, as a village one valley over was the seething hotbed for polygamy. The two leaders decided to end their respective practices during a summit session last week. Said one leader “my agreement to your terms is big of me.” “No,” replied his adversary, “what we were practicing was bigamy!”
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Bush budget contains no BPA changes (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/politics/2008/02/bush_budget_contains_no_bpa_pl.html
Chelan PUD breaks sales record for wholesale power – A strong market for electricity and better-than-expected mountain snowpack combined to make 2007 the best year ever for Chelan County PUD wholesale power sales, a utility official said Monday. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080205/NEWS04/62489578/1025/rss1025
WA gov names Wallace to Pacific Northwest Power and Conservation Planning Council. (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP02062008news273687.cfm?newsletter=10
Tri-City Herald Opinion – Hanford Cleanup: Secretary Bodman could use a time machine
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/82684.html
Maryland – Greater power sought by PSC chief. Chairman asks lawmakers for more tools to investigate Constellation Energy on '99 deal (Baltimore Sun)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.psc06feb06001518,0,6874453.story
United Kingdom’s energy industry to face inquiry – The big four energy companies recently announced recent price hikes. The government is to investigate whether consumers are paying too much for gas and electricity. (BBC News)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7228953.stm
Connecticut – The Hartford Courant, Conn., Consumer Watchdog column: Connecticut Natural Gas’ Inflated Bills Likely To Be Illegal (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CijjowtrXSigy30qbfen%5Fv
News Release – Largest Survey of U.S. Electrical Distribution System Reveals Reliability Problems May be Worse than Expected (Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=82857
Australia – Energy privatization will bring jobs, Costa says. New South Wales Treasurer Michael Costa says he cannot understand why Unions New South Wales is opposed to the privatization of the state's electricity sector. (ABC)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/06/2156308.htm?section=business
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Spokane tribe OKs drawdown – The Spokane Tribe of Indians has signed an agreement to support a drawdown of Lake Roosevelt to provide water for fish, cities and irrigators. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/82686.html
Elwha dam removal project cost rising to $308 million – The three-year Elwha River dams removal project will begin in 2012 and cost an estimated $308 million, plus or minus 15 percent, the National Park Service said. (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080206/NEWS/802060303
One dam after another – The Black Rock reservoir project in arid Eastern Washington might be dead, but there are four more proposed dams where that came from. (Crosscut)
http://crosscut.com/agriculture/11258/One+dam+after+another/
Salmon season setting process starting, key meetings held locally (Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/02/05/local_news/09news.txt
California's low salmon run spells troubles for fishermen (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/120217290568260.xml&coll=7
California – Number of returning Coho salmon plummet in Marin watershed (Marin Independent Journal, via Examinder.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1204387~Number_of_returning_coho_salmon_plummet_in_Marin_watershed.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Grays Harbor County – Researcher to discuss biofuels, green energy alternatives (Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/02/05/local_news/10news.txt
Local lawmaker wants change in taxes for alternative energy – A local lawmaker is pushing changes in the state's tax laws to help alternative energy makers. (KONP Radio, Port Angeles)
http://www.konp.com/local/3402
United Kingdom – £1bn wind farm subsidies pump up power firm profits (The Evening Standard)
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23435709-details/%C2%A31bn+wind+farm+subsidies+pump+up+power+firm+profits/article.do
CONSERVATION
California Initiative Seeks to Replace Traditional Lighting with 'Green' CFLs (TMC Net)
http://www.tmcnet.com/green/articles/20088-california-initiative-seeks-replace-traditional-lighting-with-green.htm
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Hargrove wants forest products industry to get ‘credit’ for carbon sequestration (Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/02/05/local_news/05news.txt
The Olympian Opinion – State looks to lead way on climate change
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/349960.html
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
ISPs create tangled Web of sneaky fees – Companies use hidden charges to generate revenue in competitive industry (MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22342063/
Kevin Martin's Contentious Turn at Helm of FCC (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18711487&ft=1&f=2
GENERAL NEWS
Shelton plant fined in fatal October accident (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/349752.html
Bill to record closed-door meeting goes nowhere (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/02/02062008_Bill-to-record-closed-door-meeting-goes-nowhere.cfm?newsletter=2
Dust Storms Overseas Carry Contaminants to U.S. – Scientists Study Whether Diseases Are Also Transported (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/05/AR2008020502950.html?nav=rss_nation
DIVERSIONS
Deputy: Driver Straps In Beer, Not Toddler – Woman Faces DUI, Other Charges
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15222121/detail.html
Bill Would Ban Restaurants From Serving Obese Customers
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15223273/detail.html
Man returns from the dead, suspected of fraud
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN0565081020080205?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest
You Can Judge a Crook by Paper's Cover
http://www.examiner.com/a-1202456~You_Can_Judge_a_Crook_by_Paper_s_Cover.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Bush budget contains no BPA changes
* Chelan PUD breaks sales record for wholesale power
* WA gov names Wallace to Pacific Northwest Power and Conservation Planning Council
* Tri-City Herald Opinion – Hanford Cleanup: Secretary Bodman could use a time machine
* Maryland PSC chief. Chairman asks lawmakers for more tools to investigate Constellation Energy on '99 deal
* United Kingdom’s energy industry to face inquiry
* Connecticut Natural Gas’ Inflated Bills Likely To Be Illega
* Australia – Energy privatization will bring jobs
* Spokane tribe OKs drawdown
* Elwha dam removal project cost rising to $308 million
* One dam after another – The Black Rock reservoir project in arid Eastern Washington might be dead, but there are four more proposed dams where that came from.
* Salmon season setting process starting, key meetings held locally
* California's low salmon run spells troubles for fishermen
* California – Number of returning Coho salmon plummet in Marin watershed
* Grays Harbor County – Researcher to discuss biofuels, green energy alternatives
* Local lawmaker wants change in taxes for alternative energy
* United Kingdom – £1bn wind farm subsidies pump up power firm profits
* California Initiative Seeks to Replace Traditional Lighting with 'Green' CFLs
* Hargrove wants forest products industry to get ‘credit’ for carbon sequestration
* The Olympian Opinion – State looks to lead way on climate change
* ISPs create tangled Web of sneaky fees
* Kevin Martin's Contentious Turn at Helm of FCC
* Shelton plant fined in fatal October accident
* Bill to record closed-door meeting goes nowhere
* Dust Storms Overseas Carry Contaminants to U.S.
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Polyandry • \POLLY-and-ree\ • noun – The state or practice of having more than one husband or male mate at one time
The lack of eligible women in the remote Russian village had led over the years to practice of polyandry. After several generations, the shortage was revealed as a hoax, as a village one valley over was the seething hotbed for polygamy. The two leaders decided to end their respective practices during a summit session last week. Said one leader “my agreement to your terms is big of me.” “No,” replied his adversary, “what we were practicing was bigamy!”
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Bush budget contains no BPA changes (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/politics/2008/02/bush_budget_contains_no_bpa_pl.html
Chelan PUD breaks sales record for wholesale power – A strong market for electricity and better-than-expected mountain snowpack combined to make 2007 the best year ever for Chelan County PUD wholesale power sales, a utility official said Monday. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080205/NEWS04/62489578/1025/rss1025
WA gov names Wallace to Pacific Northwest Power and Conservation Planning Council. (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP02062008news273687.cfm?newsletter=10
Tri-City Herald Opinion – Hanford Cleanup: Secretary Bodman could use a time machine
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/82684.html
Maryland – Greater power sought by PSC chief. Chairman asks lawmakers for more tools to investigate Constellation Energy on '99 deal (Baltimore Sun)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.psc06feb06001518,0,6874453.story
United Kingdom’s energy industry to face inquiry – The big four energy companies recently announced recent price hikes. The government is to investigate whether consumers are paying too much for gas and electricity. (BBC News)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7228953.stm
Connecticut – The Hartford Courant, Conn., Consumer Watchdog column: Connecticut Natural Gas’ Inflated Bills Likely To Be Illegal (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CijjowtrXSigy30qbfen%5Fv
News Release – Largest Survey of U.S. Electrical Distribution System Reveals Reliability Problems May be Worse than Expected (Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=82857
Australia – Energy privatization will bring jobs, Costa says. New South Wales Treasurer Michael Costa says he cannot understand why Unions New South Wales is opposed to the privatization of the state's electricity sector. (ABC)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/06/2156308.htm?section=business
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Spokane tribe OKs drawdown – The Spokane Tribe of Indians has signed an agreement to support a drawdown of Lake Roosevelt to provide water for fish, cities and irrigators. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/82686.html
Elwha dam removal project cost rising to $308 million – The three-year Elwha River dams removal project will begin in 2012 and cost an estimated $308 million, plus or minus 15 percent, the National Park Service said. (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080206/NEWS/802060303
One dam after another – The Black Rock reservoir project in arid Eastern Washington might be dead, but there are four more proposed dams where that came from. (Crosscut)
http://crosscut.com/agriculture/11258/One+dam+after+another/
Salmon season setting process starting, key meetings held locally (Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/02/05/local_news/09news.txt
California's low salmon run spells troubles for fishermen (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/120217290568260.xml&coll=7
California – Number of returning Coho salmon plummet in Marin watershed (Marin Independent Journal, via Examinder.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1204387~Number_of_returning_coho_salmon_plummet_in_Marin_watershed.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Grays Harbor County – Researcher to discuss biofuels, green energy alternatives (Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/02/05/local_news/10news.txt
Local lawmaker wants change in taxes for alternative energy – A local lawmaker is pushing changes in the state's tax laws to help alternative energy makers. (KONP Radio, Port Angeles)
http://www.konp.com/local/3402
United Kingdom – £1bn wind farm subsidies pump up power firm profits (The Evening Standard)
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23435709-details/%C2%A31bn+wind+farm+subsidies+pump+up+power+firm+profits/article.do
CONSERVATION
California Initiative Seeks to Replace Traditional Lighting with 'Green' CFLs (TMC Net)
http://www.tmcnet.com/green/articles/20088-california-initiative-seeks-replace-traditional-lighting-with-green.htm
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Hargrove wants forest products industry to get ‘credit’ for carbon sequestration (Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/02/05/local_news/05news.txt
The Olympian Opinion – State looks to lead way on climate change
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/349960.html
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
ISPs create tangled Web of sneaky fees – Companies use hidden charges to generate revenue in competitive industry (MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22342063/
Kevin Martin's Contentious Turn at Helm of FCC (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18711487&ft=1&f=2
GENERAL NEWS
Shelton plant fined in fatal October accident (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/349752.html
Bill to record closed-door meeting goes nowhere (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/02/02062008_Bill-to-record-closed-door-meeting-goes-nowhere.cfm?newsletter=2
Dust Storms Overseas Carry Contaminants to U.S. – Scientists Study Whether Diseases Are Also Transported (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/05/AR2008020502950.html?nav=rss_nation
DIVERSIONS
Deputy: Driver Straps In Beer, Not Toddler – Woman Faces DUI, Other Charges
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15222121/detail.html
Bill Would Ban Restaurants From Serving Obese Customers
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15223273/detail.html
Man returns from the dead, suspected of fraud
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN0565081020080205?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest
You Can Judge a Crook by Paper's Cover
http://www.examiner.com/a-1202456~You_Can_Judge_a_Crook_by_Paper_s_Cover.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Energy News Digest for February 5, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* New storm bringing more snow to Cascades, Eastern Washington
* Seattle Times Editorial – Tentatively, nuclear power creeps back
* California – Diablo Canyon shuts down one of two reactors for refueling
* The Energy Challenge – Utilities Turn from Coal to Gas, Raising Risk of Price Increase
* Illinois – Gas rate battle heats up
* Franklin PUD Manager Retires
* Portland’s light-rail stations giving guide dogs electrical shocks
* Oregon Coho are once again listed as threatened
* Canada – Sockeye salmon seen in Coquitlam River for the first time in nearly a century
* Tribe supports Klamath agreement
* Long, cold winter brings bald eagles to the Columbia
* Judge Reinstates Rules on Sonar around whales
* Gregoire announces deal for new irrigation water
* Bush: Finish Columbia deepening a year early
* Study Suggests That, Unlike in the ’70s, Energy Lessons Will Last
* Florida – Gulf Stream turbines might whirl out energy
* Hawaii strikes state's first wave energy deal
* Dominion Post Opinion – Editorial: Get real, New Zealand needs wind turbines
* The Case for CFLs – Compact fluorescent light bulbs are safe, and they look great, too
* California – PUC eases rules for utilities' rewards
* South Carolina – Duke compromise lowers charges for conservation
* Michigan – DTE offers free tool to help save on energy costs
* Rising sea levels will affect Oregon Coast in big way, experts say
* Carbon capture Canada's best hope to meet Kyoto targets
* Rising CO2 levels: A double whammy for the food supply
* Cut Undersea Cables Raise Questions of Safety
* Fed Budget – State projects would take hit under Bush's spending plan
* Former Bush backer, state Sen. Sheldon endorses Obama
* Washington State bill would require taping of closed sessions
* United to charge some fliers for second bag
* Flights may link Olympia, Portland
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Assuage • \uh-SWAYJ\ • verb – *1: to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses): ease 2: pacify, quiet 3: to put an end to by satisfying: appease, quench
“Now, Now,” purred the friendly, buxom matron to the new member of the household. “Most new boarders in my home take some time to get used to things here.” The new resident’s concerns were not assuaged by the comforting remarks. To begin with, a drawbridge to the house over a flaming moat filled with fireproof alligators was not a comforting sign. (With all due deference to Stephen Colbert’s border security plan)
WEATHER
New storm bringing more snow to Cascades, Eastern Washington
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201359~New_storm_bringing_more_snow_to_Cascades__Eastern_Washington.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Seattle Times Editorial – Tentatively, nuclear power creeps back
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2004163704_nucleared05.html
California – Diablo Canyon shuts down one of two reactors for refueling (San Luis Obispo Tribune, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201257~Diablo_Canyon_shuts_down_one_of_two_reactors_for_refueling.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
The Energy Challenge – Utilities Turn from Coal to Gas, Raising Risk of Price Increase (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/business/05gas.html?ex=1359954000&en=e028e83fcaa9914d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Illinois – Gas rate battle heats up. Residential customers in Chicago and some northern suburbs could end up paying more for natural gas that they never actually use (Chicago Tribune)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tue_gas_0205feb05,0,649563.story
Franklin PUD Manager Retires (KNDO/KNDU – Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7822885
Portland stations giving guide dogs electrical shocks – Wet platforms at some light-rail stations are causing mild electrical shocks to guide dogs for the blind that can cause the animals to ignore their training and make them unable to do their jobs. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004164393_guidedogs05.html?syndication=rss
California – Antioch man arrested for causing blackout during Super Bowl (I bet this guy will get a lot of love letters!)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201262~Antioch_man_arrested_for_causing_blackout_during_Super_Bowl.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Oregon Coho are once again listed as threatened – The federal government returned Oregon's coastal Coho salmon to the endangered species list Monday (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1202187307128990.xml&coll=7
SALMON FISHERMEN CONCERNS – Fishermen in Washington are leery about the upcoming season after a huge drop in the number of Chinook salmon returning to California's Sacramento River. The worry is that federal regulators will cut down fishing all along the West Coast to protect fisheries. Washington fishermen say they could face competition from California and Oregon boats, and some expect extreme restrictions. (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee)
Canada – Sockeye salmon seen in Coquitlam River for the first time in nearly a century (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=08bb5fa9-abf6-4a8f-a95a-69ccb74bde09&k=96803
Tribe supports Klamath agreement – The Klamath Tribes voted overwhelmingly to support a settlement agreement that would restore struggling salmon runs in the Upper Klamath Basin while giving irrigators a more predictable supply of water. (The Oregonian, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201264~Tribe_supports_Klamath_agreement.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Long, cold winter brings bald eagles to the Columbia (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/NEWS04/957062378/1001/rss1001
Judge Reinstates Rules on Sonar around whales, Criticizing Bush’s Waiver for Navy (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/us/05sonar.html?_r=1&ex=1359954000&en=1c43d3d1258a5d83&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Gregoire announces deal for new irrigation water (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/politics/2008/02/gregoire_announces_deal_for_ne.html
Bush: Finish Columbia deepening a year early – The Bush administration on Monday proposed spending $36 million to help complete a project to deepen 103 miles of the Columbia River sooner than expected. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_bush_budget_northwest.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Study Suggests That, Unlike in the ’70s, Energy Lessons Will Last – The oil shocks of the 1970s produced a flurry of attention to alternative sources of energy, but it faded once prices dropped in the mid-1980s. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/business/05energy.html?ex=1359954000&en=8744a3dc22659a96&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Florida – Gulf Stream turbines might whirl out energy – The current that powers ships could slake our thirst for electricity. (Saint Petersburg Times)
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/04/State/Gulf_Stream_turbines_.shtml
Hawaii strikes state's first wave energy deal (KPUA Radio, Hilo)
http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=13866
Dominion Post Opinion – Editorial: Get real, New Zealand needs turbines. It is time for opponents of wind farms to get real.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/4385921a6483.html
CONSERVATION
The Case for CFLs – Compact fluorescent light bulbs are safe, and they look great, too. (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2183606/fr/rss/
California – PUC eases rules for utilities' rewards – An unusual government program that allows California utilities to earn multimillion-dollar rewards for saving energy has been revised to make it easier for the companies to cash in. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/05/BUGPUPV33.DTL&feed=rss.business
South Carolina – Duke compromise lowers charges for conservation (Charlotte Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2008/02/04/daily7.html?ana=from_rss
Michigan – DTE offers free tool to help save on energy costs (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/BUSINESS06/80204051
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Rising sea levels will affect Oregon Coast in big way, experts say (Eugene Register Guard)
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=59225&sid=1&fid=1
Carbon capture Canada's best hope to meet Kyoto targets (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=89ecf4d7-095b-427c-a827-652448f30c61
Rising CO2 levels: A double whammy for the food supply (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=d06935f3-c41d-4ff0-8f3a-c287a8db5367
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Cut Undersea Cables Raise Questions of Safety (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/business/worldbusiness/04cnd-cable.html?ex=1359954000&en=89461cd3997a6df1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
AT&T’s Broadband Harvest Strategy (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/atts-broadband-harvest-strategy/index.html?ex=1359954000&en=1588b973916f83dd&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
GENERAL NEWS
Fed Budget – State projects would take hit under Bush's spending plan (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004164389_budgetcuts05m.html?syndication=rss
Former Bush backer, state Sen. Sheldon endorses Obama (The Olympian, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201526~Former_Bush_backer__state_Sen__Sheldon_endorses_Obama.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Washington State bill would require taping of closed sessions – A proposal to keep taped records of closed-door executive sessions is under review by the state House government and tribal affairs committee. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/349296.html
United to charge some fliers for second bag – United Airlines will limit travelers who are not among its most frequent fliers to one free checked bag, charging them $50 round trip for a second bag, the carrier said Monday. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/350014_united05.html?source=rss
Flights may link Olympia, Portland (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/business/story/349283.html
DIVERSIONS
Texas Mayor Resigns Over Allegations She Stole Neighbor's Dog
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15213277/detail.html
Man Jailed For Making Crosswalk, Plans More – Man Says Intersection Unsafe
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15187091/detail.html
Rescuers free boy stuck in washer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080205/ap_on_fe_st/odd_washing_machine_boy;_ylt=ArBJkvGXLsBxKv1ycj259KHtiBIF
Measure seeks to muffle Calif. Roosters
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080204/ap_on_fe_st/odd_rooster_referendum;_ylt=ApgQSYXC7eBuMXyzMmwzS2PtiBIF
Quarter of Brits think Churchill was myth
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/britainpeoplehistoryoffbeat;_ylt=AhOFez8Gy7EHsPVlgJCURDftiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* New storm bringing more snow to Cascades, Eastern Washington
* Seattle Times Editorial – Tentatively, nuclear power creeps back
* California – Diablo Canyon shuts down one of two reactors for refueling
* The Energy Challenge – Utilities Turn from Coal to Gas, Raising Risk of Price Increase
* Illinois – Gas rate battle heats up
* Franklin PUD Manager Retires
* Portland’s light-rail stations giving guide dogs electrical shocks
* Oregon Coho are once again listed as threatened
* Canada – Sockeye salmon seen in Coquitlam River for the first time in nearly a century
* Tribe supports Klamath agreement
* Long, cold winter brings bald eagles to the Columbia
* Judge Reinstates Rules on Sonar around whales
* Gregoire announces deal for new irrigation water
* Bush: Finish Columbia deepening a year early
* Study Suggests That, Unlike in the ’70s, Energy Lessons Will Last
* Florida – Gulf Stream turbines might whirl out energy
* Hawaii strikes state's first wave energy deal
* Dominion Post Opinion – Editorial: Get real, New Zealand needs wind turbines
* The Case for CFLs – Compact fluorescent light bulbs are safe, and they look great, too
* California – PUC eases rules for utilities' rewards
* South Carolina – Duke compromise lowers charges for conservation
* Michigan – DTE offers free tool to help save on energy costs
* Rising sea levels will affect Oregon Coast in big way, experts say
* Carbon capture Canada's best hope to meet Kyoto targets
* Rising CO2 levels: A double whammy for the food supply
* Cut Undersea Cables Raise Questions of Safety
* Fed Budget – State projects would take hit under Bush's spending plan
* Former Bush backer, state Sen. Sheldon endorses Obama
* Washington State bill would require taping of closed sessions
* United to charge some fliers for second bag
* Flights may link Olympia, Portland
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Assuage • \uh-SWAYJ\ • verb – *1: to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses): ease 2: pacify, quiet 3: to put an end to by satisfying: appease, quench
“Now, Now,” purred the friendly, buxom matron to the new member of the household. “Most new boarders in my home take some time to get used to things here.” The new resident’s concerns were not assuaged by the comforting remarks. To begin with, a drawbridge to the house over a flaming moat filled with fireproof alligators was not a comforting sign. (With all due deference to Stephen Colbert’s border security plan)
WEATHER
New storm bringing more snow to Cascades, Eastern Washington
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201359~New_storm_bringing_more_snow_to_Cascades__Eastern_Washington.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Seattle Times Editorial – Tentatively, nuclear power creeps back
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2004163704_nucleared05.html
California – Diablo Canyon shuts down one of two reactors for refueling (San Luis Obispo Tribune, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201257~Diablo_Canyon_shuts_down_one_of_two_reactors_for_refueling.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
The Energy Challenge – Utilities Turn from Coal to Gas, Raising Risk of Price Increase (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/business/05gas.html?ex=1359954000&en=e028e83fcaa9914d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Illinois – Gas rate battle heats up. Residential customers in Chicago and some northern suburbs could end up paying more for natural gas that they never actually use (Chicago Tribune)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tue_gas_0205feb05,0,649563.story
Franklin PUD Manager Retires (KNDO/KNDU – Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7822885
Portland stations giving guide dogs electrical shocks – Wet platforms at some light-rail stations are causing mild electrical shocks to guide dogs for the blind that can cause the animals to ignore their training and make them unable to do their jobs. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004164393_guidedogs05.html?syndication=rss
California – Antioch man arrested for causing blackout during Super Bowl (I bet this guy will get a lot of love letters!)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201262~Antioch_man_arrested_for_causing_blackout_during_Super_Bowl.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Oregon Coho are once again listed as threatened – The federal government returned Oregon's coastal Coho salmon to the endangered species list Monday (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1202187307128990.xml&coll=7
SALMON FISHERMEN CONCERNS – Fishermen in Washington are leery about the upcoming season after a huge drop in the number of Chinook salmon returning to California's Sacramento River. The worry is that federal regulators will cut down fishing all along the West Coast to protect fisheries. Washington fishermen say they could face competition from California and Oregon boats, and some expect extreme restrictions. (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee)
Canada – Sockeye salmon seen in Coquitlam River for the first time in nearly a century (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=08bb5fa9-abf6-4a8f-a95a-69ccb74bde09&k=96803
Tribe supports Klamath agreement – The Klamath Tribes voted overwhelmingly to support a settlement agreement that would restore struggling salmon runs in the Upper Klamath Basin while giving irrigators a more predictable supply of water. (The Oregonian, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201264~Tribe_supports_Klamath_agreement.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Long, cold winter brings bald eagles to the Columbia (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/NEWS04/957062378/1001/rss1001
Judge Reinstates Rules on Sonar around whales, Criticizing Bush’s Waiver for Navy (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/us/05sonar.html?_r=1&ex=1359954000&en=1c43d3d1258a5d83&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Gregoire announces deal for new irrigation water (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/politics/2008/02/gregoire_announces_deal_for_ne.html
Bush: Finish Columbia deepening a year early – The Bush administration on Monday proposed spending $36 million to help complete a project to deepen 103 miles of the Columbia River sooner than expected. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_bush_budget_northwest.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Study Suggests That, Unlike in the ’70s, Energy Lessons Will Last – The oil shocks of the 1970s produced a flurry of attention to alternative sources of energy, but it faded once prices dropped in the mid-1980s. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/business/05energy.html?ex=1359954000&en=8744a3dc22659a96&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Florida – Gulf Stream turbines might whirl out energy – The current that powers ships could slake our thirst for electricity. (Saint Petersburg Times)
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/04/State/Gulf_Stream_turbines_.shtml
Hawaii strikes state's first wave energy deal (KPUA Radio, Hilo)
http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=13866
Dominion Post Opinion – Editorial: Get real, New Zealand needs turbines. It is time for opponents of wind farms to get real.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/4385921a6483.html
CONSERVATION
The Case for CFLs – Compact fluorescent light bulbs are safe, and they look great, too. (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2183606/fr/rss/
California – PUC eases rules for utilities' rewards – An unusual government program that allows California utilities to earn multimillion-dollar rewards for saving energy has been revised to make it easier for the companies to cash in. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/05/BUGPUPV33.DTL&feed=rss.business
South Carolina – Duke compromise lowers charges for conservation (Charlotte Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2008/02/04/daily7.html?ana=from_rss
Michigan – DTE offers free tool to help save on energy costs (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/BUSINESS06/80204051
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Rising sea levels will affect Oregon Coast in big way, experts say (Eugene Register Guard)
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=59225&sid=1&fid=1
Carbon capture Canada's best hope to meet Kyoto targets (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=89ecf4d7-095b-427c-a827-652448f30c61
Rising CO2 levels: A double whammy for the food supply (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=d06935f3-c41d-4ff0-8f3a-c287a8db5367
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Cut Undersea Cables Raise Questions of Safety (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/business/worldbusiness/04cnd-cable.html?ex=1359954000&en=89461cd3997a6df1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
AT&T’s Broadband Harvest Strategy (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/atts-broadband-harvest-strategy/index.html?ex=1359954000&en=1588b973916f83dd&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
GENERAL NEWS
Fed Budget – State projects would take hit under Bush's spending plan (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004164389_budgetcuts05m.html?syndication=rss
Former Bush backer, state Sen. Sheldon endorses Obama (The Olympian, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201526~Former_Bush_backer__state_Sen__Sheldon_endorses_Obama.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Washington State bill would require taping of closed sessions – A proposal to keep taped records of closed-door executive sessions is under review by the state House government and tribal affairs committee. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/349296.html
United to charge some fliers for second bag – United Airlines will limit travelers who are not among its most frequent fliers to one free checked bag, charging them $50 round trip for a second bag, the carrier said Monday. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/350014_united05.html?source=rss
Flights may link Olympia, Portland (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/business/story/349283.html
DIVERSIONS
Texas Mayor Resigns Over Allegations She Stole Neighbor's Dog
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15213277/detail.html
Man Jailed For Making Crosswalk, Plans More – Man Says Intersection Unsafe
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15187091/detail.html
Rescuers free boy stuck in washer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080205/ap_on_fe_st/odd_washing_machine_boy;_ylt=ArBJkvGXLsBxKv1ycj259KHtiBIF
Measure seeks to muffle Calif. Roosters
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080204/ap_on_fe_st/odd_rooster_referendum;_ylt=ApgQSYXC7eBuMXyzMmwzS2PtiBIF
Quarter of Brits think Churchill was myth
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/britainpeoplehistoryoffbeat;_ylt=AhOFez8Gy7EHsPVlgJCURDftiBIF
Monday, February 4, 2008
Energy News Digest for February 4, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Rating agencies affirm strong ratings for BPA-backed bonds
* Oregon – Secretary of State Bradbury says LNG 'dirty fuel' for state
* Threat of Power Shortages Generating New Urgency
* A ‘Bold’ Step to Capture an Elusive Gas Falters
* Seattle City Light travel audit finds little fault
* Charleston, SC Post & Courier Op/Ed – Nuclear shouldn't be termed 'renewable'
* The Columbian – Final Salute: Charles Luce excelled at running BPA, Con Edison
* Important salmon decision expected to come this week
* Local tribe first ever certified for habitat plan
* Move Over Beavers, Here Come Salmon
* Calif. companies accused of fouling Columbia
* Alaska – Salmon interests gather to get as much as they can from state
* Seattle Post-Intelligencer Opinion – Orca Pods: Seeking salmon
* Boycott of beer company urged in effort to free a killer whale
* Montana – Deadline looms for tribal water rights agreement
* A Valentine from Jefferson County: Showdown meeting over new septic rules
* Wind farms blow past supply of techs to run them
* Debate – Are wind farms good sources for environmentally safe energy?
* Costco's newest supplier: the sun
* Canada – Ottawa confident in striking climate-change deal with Alberta
* Canadian government 'muzzles' scientists
* NFL using clean energy to offset Super Bowl's impact
* Washington Post Editorial – The California Waiver
* Google working to thwart Microsoft takeover of Yahoo
* Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Bill Virgin – Let's count the ways Yahoo sale could be bad idea
* Philly Fears Earthlink May Bail on WiFi Network
* Internet problems continue with fourth cable break
* Shelton’s Weekly Newspaper Sold
* Road Restrictions For All Mason County Roads
* Exxon's eye-popping yearly earnings: $40.6 billion
* Port of Seattle debacle helps drive open-government measure
* Daily News Editorial – Solving metal thefts requires vigilance, severe punishment
* Olympia – South Capitol residents want city to quiet lobbyist parties
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Pamphleteer • \pam-fluh-TEER\ • verb – *1: to write and publish pamphlets 2: to engage in partisan arguments indirectly in writings
Horace peddled his political arguments in Hyde Park each morning for ten years as the London crowds moved in a gray, groaning mass to their jobs. His main efforts were to pamphleteer the people to quit their jobs for a carefree romp in the grass of the park. His ulterior motive was to snag an open job when an unwitting employee took his advice. Until his dying day he never succeeded.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Rating agencies affirm strong ratings for BPA-backed bonds – Two financial rating agencies affirmed their strong ratings on Energy Northwest bonds and all other nonfederal debt backed by the Bonneville Power Administration. (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/01/28/daily40.html
Oregon – Secretary of State Bradbury says LNG 'dirty fuel' for state. The official says a terminal anywhere would take Oregon "180 degrees in the wrong direction" (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1201839914151770.xml&coll=7
Washington, DC – Threat of Power Shortages Generating New Urgency – Electric power has already become painfully expensive in Washington and its suburbs. Now, local utilities say, it could become something even worse: scarce. (Washington Post – Hey, how’s that deregulation thing working out? Price signals anyone?)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/02/AR2008020202554.html?wpisrc=rss_business
A ‘Bold’ Step to Capture an Elusive Gas Falters – Capturing heat-trapping emissions from coal-fired power plants is on nearly every climate expert’s menu for a planet whose inhabitants all want a plugged-in lifestyle. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/weekinreview/03revk.html?ex=1359867600&en=1a525e4aea55ebbb&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Seattle City Light travel audit finds little fault (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349757_travel02.html
Charleston, SC Post & Courier Op/Ed – Nuclear shouldn't be termed 'renewable'
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/feb/04/nuclear_shouldnt_be_termed_renewable29549/
The Columbian – Final Salute: Charles Luce excelled at running BPA, Con Edison
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/02/02022008_Final-Salute-Charles-Luce-excelled-at-running-BPA-Con-Edison.cfm
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Important salmon decision expected to come this week – Columbia River salmon anglers and non-tribal gill-netters will have to wait until Friday evening to find out how much hatchery spring Chinook salmon each group will get this year. (Tacoma News Tribune)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/272817.html
Local tribe first ever certified for habitat plan – The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe has become the first tribe in the nation to get federal certification for efforts to restore a watershed. (KONP Radio, Port Angeles)
http://www.konp.com/local/3393
Move Over Beavers, Here Come Salmon (Science Magazine)
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2008/201/2
Calif. companies accused of fouling Columbia (The Oregonian, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1199053~Calif__companies_accused_of_fouling_Columbia.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Alaska – Salmon interests gather to get as much as they can from state – Cook Inlet reds expected to fuel greatest debate (Anchorage Daily News)
http://www.adn.com/front/story/300918.html
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Opinion – Orca Pods: Seeking salmon. Good times on one visit can lead a family to annual California trips. But there's something very worrisome about the new travel habit of the local orcas' L pod.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/349736_orcased.html?source=rss
Boycott of beer company urged in effort to free a killer whale – Take a look at that beer and think of a captive whale, suggests whale researcher Paul Spong. (Victoria Times-Colonist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=0fcbfd0f-b87a-4a82-8bec-08e39ff7c654&k=79737
Montana – Deadline looms for tribal water rights agreement – Just 300 or so miles east of the Flathead Indian Reservation but more than a century ago, events took place that have led all reservation residents to this point. Who will control the water on this reservation? (The Missoulian)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/02/04/news/local/news05.txt
A Valentine from Jefferson County: Showdown meeting over new septic rules – Jefferson County PUD is getting out for the septic system monitoring business to focus on water service, King said. PUD now serves about 4,000 customers. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080202/NEWS/802020304
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Wind farms blow past supply of techs to run them (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/349859_windshortage04.html
Debate – Are wind farms good sources for environmentally safe energy? (Helium.Com)
http://www.helium.com/debates/sbs/71106-farms-sources-environmentally-energy?page=1
Costco's newest supplier: the sun – A company that boasts of annually selling more than 100 million pounds of ground beef and 40 million rotisserie chickens may find it hard to minimize its carbon footprint. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sundaybuzz/2004160941_sundaybuzz03.html
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Canada – Ottawa confident in striking climate-change deal with Alberta. The Harper government believes it can strike a deal with Alberta to impose national caps on greenhouse-gas pollution from its largest industrial facilities (Canwest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=1076549f-3d58-44a4-b006-859c57606a8c&k=17972
Government 'muzzles' scientists – New policy at Environment Canada makes researchers give 'approved lines' (Victoria Times-Colonist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=a4038ba3-a928-41e2-94fc-b67db6de9c0b&k=27747
NFL using clean energy to offset Super Bowl's impact (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/environment/2008-02-03-green-nfl_N.htm
Washington Post Editorial – The California Waiver. The EPA administrator's decision was wrong.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/03/AR2008020302353.html?nav=rss_opinions
To Pull a Thorn from the Side of the Planet – “…as in other industries with increasing demand for green products, the floral industry is debating what is environmentally correct. Should flowers be organic — that is, grown without synthetic or toxic pesticides?...” (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/fashion/03flowers.html?ex=1359867600&en=7a88ae83053c9280&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Google working to thwart Microsoft takeover of Yahoo (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/349870_microgoog04.html
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Bill Virgin – Let's count the ways Yahoo sale could be bad idea. Not to snow on everyone's parade, but the big thing to worry about is not whether Microsoft can pull off an acquisition of Yahoo, it's what happens if it actually does.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/virgin/349707_virgin02.html
Philly Fears Earthlink May Bail on WiFi Network – Philadelphia's wireless Internet network was supposed to be a model for the nation, but the project has been plagued by delays and spotty service. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18632837&ft=1&f=7
Internet problems continue with fourth cable break (Arabian Business)
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/510132-internet-problems-continue-with-fourth-cable-break?ln=en
GENERAL NEWS
SHELTON’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER SOLD – The Shelton Mason County Journal has been sold. They are from Wyoming and own two other weekly newspapers. When contacted, employees of Shelton Publishing said that they were told the sale "was in the works" Friday and they did not know who the new owners were.
ROAD RESTRICTIONS FOR ALL COUNTY ROADS – Beginning today, there are emergency load restrictions in place on ALL Mason County roads. According to a bulletin from the County's Public Works Department, these emergency gross load weight restrictions apply to vehicles with conventional or tubeless tires sized 7.00 and up. Emergency vehicles and school buses are exempt from these restrictions which will be in place until further notice. Special Motorized Permits are available for EMERGENCY use only. Please contact Mason County Public Works at 427-9670 or 275-4467, extension 450 for more information. Emergency gross load weight restrictions on all of Northshore Road are still applicable to vehicles weighing over 40,000 pounds. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Exxon's eye-popping yearly earnings: $40.6 billion (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004159742_exxon02.html
Port of Seattle debacle helps drive open-government measure (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349851_access04.html
Daily News Editorial – Solving metal thefts requires vigilance, severe punishment
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/02/04/editorial/10090128.txt
Olympia – South Capitol residents want city to quiet lobbyist parties. Neighborhood group wants city to put new restrictions on area (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/347313.html
An uneven playing field? Academic eligibility rules for high school athletes vary widely (Tacoma News Tribune)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/272769.html
DIVERSIONS
Birds die after binge on fermented berries
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1201922718218740.xml&coll=7
California – With minutes left in Super Bowl, thousands lose power in Brentwood
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8159850?source=rss&nclick_check=1
The Other Big Game – Rating the best and worst ads of the Super Bowl.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/107846?from=rss
Group calls on China to respect rats – An animal rights group called Monday for China to treat rats with kindness and respect, as millions across the nation begin to celebrate the coming Year of the Rat.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080204/ap_on_fe_st/china_rats;_ylt=An7IFqBSdcB5mtm_7X0YIC7tiBIF
Hobo Bandit' in painting arrested – A bank robbery suspect whose "Hobo Bandit" appearance inspired a bank teller to paint his portrait has been arrested, police said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080202/ap_on_fe_st/odd_robber_portrait;_ylt=An9olGVbgRlEFaiAYJ6LTjPtiBIF
Potato tent pegs for Glastonbury – Music fans attending this year's Glastonbury festival will be told to use biodegradable tent pegs in an effort to protect grazing cattle.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080201/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_glastonbury;_ylt=AlUT8re4_Q4H3cNoTo_EljPtiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Rating agencies affirm strong ratings for BPA-backed bonds
* Oregon – Secretary of State Bradbury says LNG 'dirty fuel' for state
* Threat of Power Shortages Generating New Urgency
* A ‘Bold’ Step to Capture an Elusive Gas Falters
* Seattle City Light travel audit finds little fault
* Charleston, SC Post & Courier Op/Ed – Nuclear shouldn't be termed 'renewable'
* The Columbian – Final Salute: Charles Luce excelled at running BPA, Con Edison
* Important salmon decision expected to come this week
* Local tribe first ever certified for habitat plan
* Move Over Beavers, Here Come Salmon
* Calif. companies accused of fouling Columbia
* Alaska – Salmon interests gather to get as much as they can from state
* Seattle Post-Intelligencer Opinion – Orca Pods: Seeking salmon
* Boycott of beer company urged in effort to free a killer whale
* Montana – Deadline looms for tribal water rights agreement
* A Valentine from Jefferson County: Showdown meeting over new septic rules
* Wind farms blow past supply of techs to run them
* Debate – Are wind farms good sources for environmentally safe energy?
* Costco's newest supplier: the sun
* Canada – Ottawa confident in striking climate-change deal with Alberta
* Canadian government 'muzzles' scientists
* NFL using clean energy to offset Super Bowl's impact
* Washington Post Editorial – The California Waiver
* Google working to thwart Microsoft takeover of Yahoo
* Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Bill Virgin – Let's count the ways Yahoo sale could be bad idea
* Philly Fears Earthlink May Bail on WiFi Network
* Internet problems continue with fourth cable break
* Shelton’s Weekly Newspaper Sold
* Road Restrictions For All Mason County Roads
* Exxon's eye-popping yearly earnings: $40.6 billion
* Port of Seattle debacle helps drive open-government measure
* Daily News Editorial – Solving metal thefts requires vigilance, severe punishment
* Olympia – South Capitol residents want city to quiet lobbyist parties
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Pamphleteer • \pam-fluh-TEER\ • verb – *1: to write and publish pamphlets 2: to engage in partisan arguments indirectly in writings
Horace peddled his political arguments in Hyde Park each morning for ten years as the London crowds moved in a gray, groaning mass to their jobs. His main efforts were to pamphleteer the people to quit their jobs for a carefree romp in the grass of the park. His ulterior motive was to snag an open job when an unwitting employee took his advice. Until his dying day he never succeeded.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Rating agencies affirm strong ratings for BPA-backed bonds – Two financial rating agencies affirmed their strong ratings on Energy Northwest bonds and all other nonfederal debt backed by the Bonneville Power Administration. (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/01/28/daily40.html
Oregon – Secretary of State Bradbury says LNG 'dirty fuel' for state. The official says a terminal anywhere would take Oregon "180 degrees in the wrong direction" (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1201839914151770.xml&coll=7
Washington, DC – Threat of Power Shortages Generating New Urgency – Electric power has already become painfully expensive in Washington and its suburbs. Now, local utilities say, it could become something even worse: scarce. (Washington Post – Hey, how’s that deregulation thing working out? Price signals anyone?)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/02/AR2008020202554.html?wpisrc=rss_business
A ‘Bold’ Step to Capture an Elusive Gas Falters – Capturing heat-trapping emissions from coal-fired power plants is on nearly every climate expert’s menu for a planet whose inhabitants all want a plugged-in lifestyle. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/weekinreview/03revk.html?ex=1359867600&en=1a525e4aea55ebbb&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Seattle City Light travel audit finds little fault (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349757_travel02.html
Charleston, SC Post & Courier Op/Ed – Nuclear shouldn't be termed 'renewable'
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/feb/04/nuclear_shouldnt_be_termed_renewable29549/
The Columbian – Final Salute: Charles Luce excelled at running BPA, Con Edison
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/02/02022008_Final-Salute-Charles-Luce-excelled-at-running-BPA-Con-Edison.cfm
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Important salmon decision expected to come this week – Columbia River salmon anglers and non-tribal gill-netters will have to wait until Friday evening to find out how much hatchery spring Chinook salmon each group will get this year. (Tacoma News Tribune)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/272817.html
Local tribe first ever certified for habitat plan – The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe has become the first tribe in the nation to get federal certification for efforts to restore a watershed. (KONP Radio, Port Angeles)
http://www.konp.com/local/3393
Move Over Beavers, Here Come Salmon (Science Magazine)
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2008/201/2
Calif. companies accused of fouling Columbia (The Oregonian, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1199053~Calif__companies_accused_of_fouling_Columbia.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Alaska – Salmon interests gather to get as much as they can from state – Cook Inlet reds expected to fuel greatest debate (Anchorage Daily News)
http://www.adn.com/front/story/300918.html
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Opinion – Orca Pods: Seeking salmon. Good times on one visit can lead a family to annual California trips. But there's something very worrisome about the new travel habit of the local orcas' L pod.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/349736_orcased.html?source=rss
Boycott of beer company urged in effort to free a killer whale – Take a look at that beer and think of a captive whale, suggests whale researcher Paul Spong. (Victoria Times-Colonist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=0fcbfd0f-b87a-4a82-8bec-08e39ff7c654&k=79737
Montana – Deadline looms for tribal water rights agreement – Just 300 or so miles east of the Flathead Indian Reservation but more than a century ago, events took place that have led all reservation residents to this point. Who will control the water on this reservation? (The Missoulian)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/02/04/news/local/news05.txt
A Valentine from Jefferson County: Showdown meeting over new septic rules – Jefferson County PUD is getting out for the septic system monitoring business to focus on water service, King said. PUD now serves about 4,000 customers. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080202/NEWS/802020304
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Wind farms blow past supply of techs to run them (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/349859_windshortage04.html
Debate – Are wind farms good sources for environmentally safe energy? (Helium.Com)
http://www.helium.com/debates/sbs/71106-farms-sources-environmentally-energy?page=1
Costco's newest supplier: the sun – A company that boasts of annually selling more than 100 million pounds of ground beef and 40 million rotisserie chickens may find it hard to minimize its carbon footprint. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sundaybuzz/2004160941_sundaybuzz03.html
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Canada – Ottawa confident in striking climate-change deal with Alberta. The Harper government believes it can strike a deal with Alberta to impose national caps on greenhouse-gas pollution from its largest industrial facilities (Canwest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=1076549f-3d58-44a4-b006-859c57606a8c&k=17972
Government 'muzzles' scientists – New policy at Environment Canada makes researchers give 'approved lines' (Victoria Times-Colonist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=a4038ba3-a928-41e2-94fc-b67db6de9c0b&k=27747
NFL using clean energy to offset Super Bowl's impact (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/environment/2008-02-03-green-nfl_N.htm
Washington Post Editorial – The California Waiver. The EPA administrator's decision was wrong.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/03/AR2008020302353.html?nav=rss_opinions
To Pull a Thorn from the Side of the Planet – “…as in other industries with increasing demand for green products, the floral industry is debating what is environmentally correct. Should flowers be organic — that is, grown without synthetic or toxic pesticides?...” (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/fashion/03flowers.html?ex=1359867600&en=7a88ae83053c9280&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Google working to thwart Microsoft takeover of Yahoo (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/349870_microgoog04.html
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Bill Virgin – Let's count the ways Yahoo sale could be bad idea. Not to snow on everyone's parade, but the big thing to worry about is not whether Microsoft can pull off an acquisition of Yahoo, it's what happens if it actually does.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/virgin/349707_virgin02.html
Philly Fears Earthlink May Bail on WiFi Network – Philadelphia's wireless Internet network was supposed to be a model for the nation, but the project has been plagued by delays and spotty service. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18632837&ft=1&f=7
Internet problems continue with fourth cable break (Arabian Business)
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/510132-internet-problems-continue-with-fourth-cable-break?ln=en
GENERAL NEWS
SHELTON’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER SOLD – The Shelton Mason County Journal has been sold. They are from Wyoming and own two other weekly newspapers. When contacted, employees of Shelton Publishing said that they were told the sale "was in the works" Friday and they did not know who the new owners were.
ROAD RESTRICTIONS FOR ALL COUNTY ROADS – Beginning today, there are emergency load restrictions in place on ALL Mason County roads. According to a bulletin from the County's Public Works Department, these emergency gross load weight restrictions apply to vehicles with conventional or tubeless tires sized 7.00 and up. Emergency vehicles and school buses are exempt from these restrictions which will be in place until further notice. Special Motorized Permits are available for EMERGENCY use only. Please contact Mason County Public Works at 427-9670 or 275-4467, extension 450 for more information. Emergency gross load weight restrictions on all of Northshore Road are still applicable to vehicles weighing over 40,000 pounds. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Exxon's eye-popping yearly earnings: $40.6 billion (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004159742_exxon02.html
Port of Seattle debacle helps drive open-government measure (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349851_access04.html
Daily News Editorial – Solving metal thefts requires vigilance, severe punishment
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/02/04/editorial/10090128.txt
Olympia – South Capitol residents want city to quiet lobbyist parties. Neighborhood group wants city to put new restrictions on area (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/347313.html
An uneven playing field? Academic eligibility rules for high school athletes vary widely (Tacoma News Tribune)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/272769.html
DIVERSIONS
Birds die after binge on fermented berries
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1201922718218740.xml&coll=7
California – With minutes left in Super Bowl, thousands lose power in Brentwood
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8159850?source=rss&nclick_check=1
The Other Big Game – Rating the best and worst ads of the Super Bowl.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/107846?from=rss
Group calls on China to respect rats – An animal rights group called Monday for China to treat rats with kindness and respect, as millions across the nation begin to celebrate the coming Year of the Rat.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080204/ap_on_fe_st/china_rats;_ylt=An7IFqBSdcB5mtm_7X0YIC7tiBIF
Hobo Bandit' in painting arrested – A bank robbery suspect whose "Hobo Bandit" appearance inspired a bank teller to paint his portrait has been arrested, police said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080202/ap_on_fe_st/odd_robber_portrait;_ylt=An9olGVbgRlEFaiAYJ6LTjPtiBIF
Potato tent pegs for Glastonbury – Music fans attending this year's Glastonbury festival will be told to use biodegradable tent pegs in an effort to protect grazing cattle.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080201/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_glastonbury;_ylt=AlUT8re4_Q4H3cNoTo_EljPtiBIF
Friday, February 1, 2008
News Digest: Word of the Day Trivia
In today’s example sentence for the word “amalgam,” we all squirmed along with Urbino as he was tortured by his wife to reveal the location of his new, big-screen TV. The punishment was chewing on pieces of aluminum foil. Why does this cause us discomfort? Here’s the answer from the web site “How Things Work”:
Biting on aluminum foil can be painful. Why?
Biting on aluminum foil can be painful and is usually noticed if you have metal in your mouth from dental work (e.g. fillings, crowns). Basically, when you bite on foil, you set up a battery in your mouth and the electrical current stimulates nerve endings in your tooth. Here is what happens:
* pressure from biting brings two dissimilar metals (aluminum foil, mercury in fillings or gold in crowns) in contact in a moist, salty environment (saliva)
* the two metals have an electrochemical potential difference or voltage across them
* electrons flow from the foil into the tooth (i.e. electrical current)
* the current gets conducted into the tooth's root, usually by the filling or crown
* the current sets off a nerve impulse in the root's nerve
* the nerve impulse is sent to the brain
* the brain interprets the impulse as pain
The production of electric current between two metals in contact is called the voltaic effect after Alessandro Volta, who discovered it. Early batteries were made by stacking metal discs together in a pile called a voltaic pile.
If you have no metal dental work in your mouth, you should not feel this effect.
By the way, Urbino had hidden the television set in the hall closet, behind the Christmas decorations.
Energy News Digest for February 1, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Storm warning for N. Oregon Cascades, S. Wash. Cascades
* News Release – FERC accepts Midwest ISO-PJM transmission pricing plan
* United Kingdom – Energy prepayment costs under fire
* WPPSS Redux – Nuclear Regulation: The Untold Story
* Ore. Judge again extends deadline for salmon plan
* Montana – Commissioner continues fight over fish poisoning
* San Francisco Chronicle Editorial – Fishing for a lawsuit
* Snowpack Gets Significant January Bump
* California Sierra snowpack good - drought fears lessen
* Now, for a “Hair Shirt” – Decline in Snowpack Is Blamed On Warming
* Snohomish County PUD Underwater tidal power one step closer
* A Green Energy Industry Takes Root in California
* L.A. feeling breezy about wind farm
* Michigan – Thousands volunteer to pay more for renewable energy
* United Kingdom – School to produce own electricity
* Texas – Austin increasing use of LED bulbs
* Climate changes threaten water crisis in West
* Oregon Governor names members of climate change panel
* Microsoft Bids $44.6 Billion for Yahoo
* Justice Dept 'interested' in proposed Microsoft-Yahoo deal
* Cables connect the digital world
* 'Cyber Storm' revealed Internet vulnerabilities
* NTIA Says Bush Has Met Broadband Goals
* Fixing US Broadband Would Cost $100 Billion
* Online Schooling Grows, Setting Off a Debate
* Gregoire declares emergency amid worries about economy – I-90 closure disrupts transportation of goods
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Amalgam • \uh-MAL-gum\ • noun – 1: an alloy of mercury with another metal that is solid or liquid at room temperature according to the proportion of mercury present and is used especially in making tooth cements 2: a mixture of different elements
Urbino squirmed in his seat. His punishment for lying to his wife about his Super Bowl television purchase was to chew on pieces of aluminum foil until he revealed the secret location of the big-screen TV in his palatial home. Each time he bit down, the amalgam in his fillings fired off an uncomfortable voltaic effect causing him to rue the days of sugar babies, saltwater taffy and big hunk candy bars.
WEATHER
Storm warning for N. Oregon Cascades, S. Wash. Cascades (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1194742~NWS__Storm_warning_for_N__Oregon_Cascades__S__Wash__Cascades.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
News Release – FERC accepts Midwest ISO-PJM transmission pricing plan; rejects AEP challenge (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/news-releases/2008/2008-1/02-01-08.asp
United Kingdom – Energy prepayment costs under fire. British Gas is charging some of its poorest customers £400 ($787 US Dollars) a year more for their gas and electricity than those who tend to be better off, the National Housing Federation said. (Press Association)
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gSpNDB1Xtzsi9rOGp4meox5ijsqw
WPPSS Redux – Nuclear Regulation: The Untold Story. "…This article was written in 1994 and contains important history of the early problems of the U.S. nuclear industry…” (Hawaiian Reporter)
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?a103cbfb-4aa2-47b5-974e-669722dce965
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Ore. Judge again extends deadline for salmon plan – U.S. District Judge James Redden has postponed for a second time a deadline for a plan that meets his standards for balancing operations of Columbia Basin dams with threatened or endangered fish runs. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-23/120181615569940.xml&storylist=orlocal
Montana – Commissioner continues fight over fish poisoning. A state project aimed at ridding the South Fork Flathead River drainage of hybrid fish does not have the public support that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks claims (The Daily Interlake, Kalispell)
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2008/02/01/news/news02.txt
San Francisco Chronicle Editorial – Fishing for a lawsuit. Wow, this is rich: After two of the worst salmon fishing years in California history, the farm groups who've been siphoning off the fishes' water are suing state agencies that the farmers say are killing the fish. Got that?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/01/ED7SUPT4P.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
Snowpack Gets Significant January Bump – If you think it’s been snowing a lot in Oregon’s mountains this winter, you’re right. (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/snowpack-gets-significant-january-bump/
California Sierra snowpack good - drought fears lessen (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/01/MNE3UPTSC.DTL&feed=rss.news
Now, for a “Hair Shirt” – Decline in Snowpack Is Blamed On Warming. Water Supplies In West Affected (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013101868.html?wpisrc=rss_nation
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Snohomish County PUD Underwater tidal power one step closer – The PUD sees potential for turbines to generate electricity for 70,000 homes. (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080201/NEWS01/211629271/-1/RSS01
A Green Energy Industry Takes Root in California – The sun is starting to grow jobs. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/technology/01solar.html?ex=1359608400&en=a41b62aa74a101ca&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
L.A. feeling breezy about wind farm – New plant would double amount of wind energy the city receives (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8138675?source=rss
Michigan – Thousands volunteer to pay more for renewable energy (Capital News Service)
http://blog.mlive.com/cns/2008/02/thousands_volunteer_to_pay_mor.html
United Kingdom – School to produce own electricity. A primary school in Gwynedd is looking to produce its own electricity, after an idea from the pupils themselves. (British Broadcasting Corporation)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/7222788.stm
CONSERVATION
Texas – Austin increasing use of LED bulbs (Austin Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2008/01/28/daily32.html?ana=from_rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Climate changes threaten water crisis in West – Study finds people cause most warming (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/349615_climate31.html?source=rss
Oregon Governor names members of climate change panel (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1201231517311920.xml&coll=7
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Microsoft Bids $44.6 Billion for Yahoo – In a bold move to counter Google’s online pre-eminence, Microsoft said Friday that it had made an unsolicited offer to buy Yahoo for about $44.6 billion in a mix of cash and stock. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/technology/01cnd-subyahoo.html?_r=2&ex=1359608400&en=62c2e1942485a240&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Microsoft Targets Yahoo with $44.6 Billion Offer (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18600290&ft=1&f=3
Justice Dept 'interested' in proposed Microsoft-Yahoo deal (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004158292_apmicrosoftyahooantitrust01.html?syndication=rss
Microsoft’s Yahoo Bid: What’s Next (NY Times)
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/microsofts-yahoo-bid-whats-next/index.html?ex=1359608400&en=e90d62ae7593693b&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Analyst says Microsoft paying plenty to add online services (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7808397
Cables connect the digital world – Backup systems keep data flowing over fiber-optic lines despite frequent breaks (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/01/BUSVUPTKH.DTL&feed=rss.business
'Cyber Storm' revealed Internet vulnerabilities – In the middle of the biggest-ever "Cyber Storm" war game to test the nation's hacker defenses; someone quietly targeted the very computers used to conduct the exercise. (Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/349625_cyberstorm01.html?source=rss
NTIA Says Bush Has Met Broadband Goals (Broadband Reports – Comment section may include PG-13 language)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/NTIA-Says-Bush-Has-Met-Broadband-Goals-91503
Fixing US Broadband Would Cost $100 Billion (SlashDot)
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/01/31/2024239&from=rss
Online Schooling Grows, Setting Off a Debate – The rapid growth of these schools has provoked debates in courtrooms and legislatures over money (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/education/01virtual.html?_r=1&ex=1359608400&en=c6f590d4e9c034b9&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
GENERAL NEWS
Gregoire declares emergency amid worries about economy – I-90 closure disrupts transportation of goods (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/345471.html
Don’t battle auditor over meetings violations – The Tacoma School Board shouldn’t go looking to pick a fight with the state auditor about the state Open Meetings Act. (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/271002.html
McDermott pays damages to Boehner in 1996 phone-tape case (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349641_mcdermott01.html?source=rss
DIVERSIONS
It Feels Good, and Everybody Does It – Scientists are using state-of-the-art technology to look at what happens in the brain when a person scratches an itch.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/106588?from=rss
NFL Pulls Plug On Big-Screen Church Parties For Super Bowl
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013103958.html?wpisrc=rss_nation
Man Wins Lottery, Loses It, Wins It Again – Judge Rules In Man's Favor After Lottery Company Sued
http://www.kirotv.com/money/15174856/detail.html
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Storm warning for N. Oregon Cascades, S. Wash. Cascades
* News Release – FERC accepts Midwest ISO-PJM transmission pricing plan
* United Kingdom – Energy prepayment costs under fire
* WPPSS Redux – Nuclear Regulation: The Untold Story
* Ore. Judge again extends deadline for salmon plan
* Montana – Commissioner continues fight over fish poisoning
* San Francisco Chronicle Editorial – Fishing for a lawsuit
* Snowpack Gets Significant January Bump
* California Sierra snowpack good - drought fears lessen
* Now, for a “Hair Shirt” – Decline in Snowpack Is Blamed On Warming
* Snohomish County PUD Underwater tidal power one step closer
* A Green Energy Industry Takes Root in California
* L.A. feeling breezy about wind farm
* Michigan – Thousands volunteer to pay more for renewable energy
* United Kingdom – School to produce own electricity
* Texas – Austin increasing use of LED bulbs
* Climate changes threaten water crisis in West
* Oregon Governor names members of climate change panel
* Microsoft Bids $44.6 Billion for Yahoo
* Justice Dept 'interested' in proposed Microsoft-Yahoo deal
* Cables connect the digital world
* 'Cyber Storm' revealed Internet vulnerabilities
* NTIA Says Bush Has Met Broadband Goals
* Fixing US Broadband Would Cost $100 Billion
* Online Schooling Grows, Setting Off a Debate
* Gregoire declares emergency amid worries about economy – I-90 closure disrupts transportation of goods
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Amalgam • \uh-MAL-gum\ • noun – 1: an alloy of mercury with another metal that is solid or liquid at room temperature according to the proportion of mercury present and is used especially in making tooth cements 2: a mixture of different elements
Urbino squirmed in his seat. His punishment for lying to his wife about his Super Bowl television purchase was to chew on pieces of aluminum foil until he revealed the secret location of the big-screen TV in his palatial home. Each time he bit down, the amalgam in his fillings fired off an uncomfortable voltaic effect causing him to rue the days of sugar babies, saltwater taffy and big hunk candy bars.
WEATHER
Storm warning for N. Oregon Cascades, S. Wash. Cascades (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1194742~NWS__Storm_warning_for_N__Oregon_Cascades__S__Wash__Cascades.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
News Release – FERC accepts Midwest ISO-PJM transmission pricing plan; rejects AEP challenge (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/news-releases/2008/2008-1/02-01-08.asp
United Kingdom – Energy prepayment costs under fire. British Gas is charging some of its poorest customers £400 ($787 US Dollars) a year more for their gas and electricity than those who tend to be better off, the National Housing Federation said. (Press Association)
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gSpNDB1Xtzsi9rOGp4meox5ijsqw
WPPSS Redux – Nuclear Regulation: The Untold Story. "…This article was written in 1994 and contains important history of the early problems of the U.S. nuclear industry…” (Hawaiian Reporter)
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?a103cbfb-4aa2-47b5-974e-669722dce965
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Ore. Judge again extends deadline for salmon plan – U.S. District Judge James Redden has postponed for a second time a deadline for a plan that meets his standards for balancing operations of Columbia Basin dams with threatened or endangered fish runs. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-23/120181615569940.xml&storylist=orlocal
Montana – Commissioner continues fight over fish poisoning. A state project aimed at ridding the South Fork Flathead River drainage of hybrid fish does not have the public support that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks claims (The Daily Interlake, Kalispell)
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2008/02/01/news/news02.txt
San Francisco Chronicle Editorial – Fishing for a lawsuit. Wow, this is rich: After two of the worst salmon fishing years in California history, the farm groups who've been siphoning off the fishes' water are suing state agencies that the farmers say are killing the fish. Got that?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/01/ED7SUPT4P.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
Snowpack Gets Significant January Bump – If you think it’s been snowing a lot in Oregon’s mountains this winter, you’re right. (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/snowpack-gets-significant-january-bump/
California Sierra snowpack good - drought fears lessen (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/01/MNE3UPTSC.DTL&feed=rss.news
Now, for a “Hair Shirt” – Decline in Snowpack Is Blamed On Warming. Water Supplies In West Affected (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013101868.html?wpisrc=rss_nation
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Snohomish County PUD Underwater tidal power one step closer – The PUD sees potential for turbines to generate electricity for 70,000 homes. (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080201/NEWS01/211629271/-1/RSS01
A Green Energy Industry Takes Root in California – The sun is starting to grow jobs. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/technology/01solar.html?ex=1359608400&en=a41b62aa74a101ca&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
L.A. feeling breezy about wind farm – New plant would double amount of wind energy the city receives (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8138675?source=rss
Michigan – Thousands volunteer to pay more for renewable energy (Capital News Service)
http://blog.mlive.com/cns/2008/02/thousands_volunteer_to_pay_mor.html
United Kingdom – School to produce own electricity. A primary school in Gwynedd is looking to produce its own electricity, after an idea from the pupils themselves. (British Broadcasting Corporation)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/7222788.stm
CONSERVATION
Texas – Austin increasing use of LED bulbs (Austin Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2008/01/28/daily32.html?ana=from_rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Climate changes threaten water crisis in West – Study finds people cause most warming (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/349615_climate31.html?source=rss
Oregon Governor names members of climate change panel (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1201231517311920.xml&coll=7
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Microsoft Bids $44.6 Billion for Yahoo – In a bold move to counter Google’s online pre-eminence, Microsoft said Friday that it had made an unsolicited offer to buy Yahoo for about $44.6 billion in a mix of cash and stock. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/technology/01cnd-subyahoo.html?_r=2&ex=1359608400&en=62c2e1942485a240&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Microsoft Targets Yahoo with $44.6 Billion Offer (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18600290&ft=1&f=3
Justice Dept 'interested' in proposed Microsoft-Yahoo deal (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004158292_apmicrosoftyahooantitrust01.html?syndication=rss
Microsoft’s Yahoo Bid: What’s Next (NY Times)
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/microsofts-yahoo-bid-whats-next/index.html?ex=1359608400&en=e90d62ae7593693b&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Analyst says Microsoft paying plenty to add online services (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7808397
Cables connect the digital world – Backup systems keep data flowing over fiber-optic lines despite frequent breaks (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/01/BUSVUPTKH.DTL&feed=rss.business
'Cyber Storm' revealed Internet vulnerabilities – In the middle of the biggest-ever "Cyber Storm" war game to test the nation's hacker defenses; someone quietly targeted the very computers used to conduct the exercise. (Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/349625_cyberstorm01.html?source=rss
NTIA Says Bush Has Met Broadband Goals (Broadband Reports – Comment section may include PG-13 language)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/NTIA-Says-Bush-Has-Met-Broadband-Goals-91503
Fixing US Broadband Would Cost $100 Billion (SlashDot)
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/01/31/2024239&from=rss
Online Schooling Grows, Setting Off a Debate – The rapid growth of these schools has provoked debates in courtrooms and legislatures over money (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/education/01virtual.html?_r=1&ex=1359608400&en=c6f590d4e9c034b9&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
GENERAL NEWS
Gregoire declares emergency amid worries about economy – I-90 closure disrupts transportation of goods (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/345471.html
Don’t battle auditor over meetings violations – The Tacoma School Board shouldn’t go looking to pick a fight with the state auditor about the state Open Meetings Act. (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/271002.html
McDermott pays damages to Boehner in 1996 phone-tape case (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349641_mcdermott01.html?source=rss
DIVERSIONS
It Feels Good, and Everybody Does It – Scientists are using state-of-the-art technology to look at what happens in the brain when a person scratches an itch.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/106588?from=rss
NFL Pulls Plug On Big-Screen Church Parties For Super Bowl
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013103958.html?wpisrc=rss_nation
Man Wins Lottery, Loses It, Wins It Again – Judge Rules In Man's Favor After Lottery Company Sued
http://www.kirotv.com/money/15174856/detail.html
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Energy News Digest for January 31, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Maryland – Constellation Energy says it will sue state to recoup $386M lost in deregulation flap
* Canada – Commission approves power-sale deal between B.C. Hydro, Alcan
* Power Failures Outrage South Africa
* DOE restructures FutureGen project, scraps plans for Mattoon
* Jean Ryckman Will Retire As Manager Of Franklin PUD Effective April 30
* Eugene Register Guard Opinion – More than metal
* Two more arrested in Cowlitz County metal theft case
* If You Invested in Enron, Read This Now
* No salmon in 2008? The complete closure of commercial salmon fishing in Southern Oregon and Northern California in 2006 could repeat in 2008
* Steelhead plan will be discussed in Olympia
* Tribes want to move Bonneville sturgeon upstream
* Sandy River, Oregon – A River Restored: Pulling the Plug
* Oregon – $4-Million in lottery funds to help return salmon, steelhead
* Eastern Washington Reservoir Would Cost More Than $6.7 Billion
* Recycling group: Oakland plastic bag ban hurts the environment
* Douglas County wind farm could grow from 10 to 80 turbines
* Lake Chelan dam earns low-impact certification
* Idaho – Ethanol's troubled adolescence
* California – Solar project to power local colleges
* Environmental group threatens lawsuit over Whisky Dick grazing
* In Defense of Incandescence – Congress bans beauty as an environmental hazard
* Columbian Editorial – Environment deserves role in campaigns
* Missouri – Schools hope piles of coal inspire energy conservation
* Students explore energy conservation
* Olympia teach-in offers ideas to fight climate shift
* Green effort by U.S. companies making slow progress
* CNET Newsmaker: From ecowarrior to nuclear champion
* 'Unprecedented' warming exposes ancient vegetation
* It seems like I'm mortgaging my future to go green
* Blue, as in big blue marble, is the new green
* California Senate bill requires textbooks to teach global warming
* Could Global Warming Threaten the Patriots’ and Giants’ Edge?
* Internet – Here Comes Trouble: The Future of Free
* U.S. Makes the Best Use of Its Broadband
* Read the fine print – Administration report claims success in extending broadband access
* European Union Court: Downloaders Can Stay Private
* How To Get Ready For Digital Television
* In Belfair – More Expansive, Expensive Highway 3 Improvements Eyed
* Shelton bowlers aim for another title
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Lyceum • \LYE-see-um\ • noun – 1: a hall for public lectures or discussions 2: an association providing public lectures, concerts, and entertainments
Mortimer was aquiver with anticipation. His first meeting of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Lyceum Society was to cover all 26 Tarzan books written by the prolific author in 24 hours. The tedium of the recycled story lines was only moderated by the lurid and turgid prose generated by one of the best pulp adventure fiction writers in history.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Maryland – Constellation Energy says it will sue state to recoup $386M – Constellation Energy Group Inc. said Wednesday it plans to file a federal lawsuit against the state of Maryland for electric rate caps that executives say cost the company $386 million. (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/01/28/daily30.html?ana=from_rss
Canada – Commission approves power-sale deal between B.C. Hydro, Alcan – Kitimat City manager Trafford Hall said the new deal is an improvement, but that the city's fundamental opposition remains: Alcan is being allowed to sell electricity rather than using it to smelt aluminum. (Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080130.ALCAN30//TPStory/National
Power Failures Outrage South Africa – This nation, long a reliable repository of cheap, plentiful electricity, finds itself pitifully short of juice. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/world/africa/31safrica.html?_r=1&ex=1359435600&en=57839b2669c4442d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
DOE restructures FutureGen project, scraps plans for Mattoon – The Department of Energy is backing off its plans to help build the FutureGen Alliance's $1.8 billion clean-coal power plant in Mattoon, Ill., and is restructuring the FutureGen project in an attempt to maximize the project's commercial viability. (St. Louis Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/01/28/daily44.html?ana=from_rss
News Release – JEAN RYCKMAN WILL RETIRE AS MANAGER OF FRANKLIN PUD EFFECTIVE APRIL 30 – Jean Ryckman, manager of Franklin PUD since 2004, will retire on April 30, 2008, to pursue opportunities with family, travel, and to provide community service. She has been Manager of Franklin PUD since January 2004 and has worked at the PUD for more than 27 years. Prior to joining Franklin PUD, Ryckman worked for D. Hittle & Associates electrical consulting firm. Ryckman notified PUD Commissioners in person and in writing on January 22, 2008 of her plans to retire. She told Commissioners, “It has been a great pleasure to serve as your Manager for the last 4 years. I leave Franklin PUD in good hands with a staff that is devoted to the customers and to the community. Having such a great staff and board that is committed to working together makes my decision much easier.” (Franklin County PUD)
Eugene Register Guard Opinion – More than metal. Thefts of cable from utility substations, wire from construction sites and even works of sculpture from public parks are generally attributed to the high price of copper and other metals.
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=56937&sid=5&fid=1
Two more arrested in metal theft case – Cowlitz County sheriff's deputies made two more arrests in association with recent thefts of telephone cable. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/31//area_news/10085400.txt
If You Invested in Enron, Read This Now – As a former Enron shareholder, I'm not expecting a huge windfall from a pending class-action suit against the company. (TheStreet.com)
http://www.thestreet.com/_more/s/if-you-invested-in-enron-read-this-now/funds/saving-money/10400897.html?
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
No salmon in 2008? The complete closure of commercial salmon fishing in Southern Oregon and Northern California in 2006 could repeat in 2008. (The World, Coos Bay)
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2008/01/30/news/doc47a0c373af547905644500.txt
Lack of Chinook in Area 9 a puzzle (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080131/SPORTS/476985709/1004/SPORTS
Steelhead plan will be discussed in Olympia (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/outdoors/story/270004.html
Tribes want to move Bonneville sturgeon upstream – Tribal officials want to capture young sturgeon from the huge population in Bonneville pool of the Columbia River and transfer them upstream into the suffering reservoirs behind The Dalles and John Day dams. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/sports/localNews/2008/01/01312008_Tribes-want-to-move-Bonneville-sturgeon-upstream.cfm
Sandy River, Oregon – A River Restored: Pulling the Plug – A puff of white smoke and a cheering throng marked the official demise of Marmot Dam last summer. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/01/01312008_A-River-Restored-Pulling-the-Plug.cfm/
Breaking the salmon code – Marine geneticist speaks at the Columbia Forum about using Chinook genetics to track and protect individual stocks in the ocean (The Daily Astorian)
http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=48634&TM=68346.65
Oregon – $4-Million in lottery funds to help return salmon, steelhead to Upper Deschutes (Bend Weekly)
http://www.bendweekly.com/Statewide-News/12639.html
Eastern Washington Reservoir Would Cost More Than $6.7 Billion (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3529
Recycling group: Oakland plastic bag ban hurts the environment (Associated Press, via the Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1190843~Recycling_group__Oakland_plastic_bag_ban_hurts_the_environment.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Wind farm could grow from 10 to 80 turbines – A Douglas County PUD project to place 10 wind turbines near the farming town of Withrow could grow to 80 turbines or more following a recent study by an independent consultant. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/NEWS04/394896358/1025/rss1025
Lake Chelan dam earns low-impact certification – Credits from power generated from the Lake Chelan Hydro Project soon could be sold to help dirtier utilities and industries meet their environmental-protection goals. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/NEWS04/235293496/1025/rss1025
Idaho – Ethanol's troubled adolescence. The promise of ethanol has always been a Faustian bargain: In a world with 6.6 billion mouths to feed, the staples of prosperity can always be trumped by the staples of survival. (Magic Valley Times-News)
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/01/30/opinion/editorials/129731.txt
California – Solar project to power local colleges. Contra Costa, Diablo Valley and Los Medanos will benefit from Chevron Corp.'s $35.2 million project (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8127739?source=rss&nclick_check=1
New power generation: Alternative energy sources – Solar reflectors could one day make petrol from thin air, and algae may provide all the diesel we need. Simon Usborne reports on the race to perfect energy sources for the future (The Independent, United Kingdom)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/new-power-generation-alternative-energy-sources-775540.html
Environmental group threatens lawsuit over Whisky Dick grazing – An environmental group announced plans Wednesday to sue Washington State if it approves a proposal to allow cattle grazing on portions of central Washington's Whisky Dick Wildlife Area (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01312008news270649.cfm
CONSERVATION
In Defense of Incandescence – Congress bans beauty as an environmental hazard “…Failing to properly recycle your CFLs won't be the same as putting an Evian bottle in the wrong slot. It'll be genuinely hazardous, particularly dangerous to children. Way to go, congressional dimbulbs!...” (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2183163/fr/rss/
Columbian Editorial – Environment deserves role in campaigns
http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/01/01312008_Environment-deserves-role-in-campaigns.cfm/
Missouri – Schools hope piles of coal inspire energy conservation (Springfield Business Journal)
http://www.sbj.net/article.asp?aID=80163
Students explore energy conservation – Miniature houses built by Weed High School students are being used to explore methods for reducing energy consumption through building design and to learn about the effects of solar energy. (Mt. Shasta News)
http://www.mtshastanews.com/articles/2008/01/30/news/05whs_students.txt
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Green economy a key focus – The battle against global warming is an opportunity to create a new, green economy, members of the Washington State Climate Advisory Team said Wednesday. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/344203.html
Olympia teach-in offers ideas to fight climate shift – 500 gather at forum as part of national Focus the Nation event (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/344193.html
Global warming solution takes effort from all, group says (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080131/NEWS/801310303
Green effort by U.S. companies making slow progress – U.S. companies talk a lot about going green, but so far there hasn't been much of an impact on improving the environment, according to a report released today. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8119311?source=rss
CNET Newsmaker: From ecowarrior to nuclear champion
http://www.news.com/From-eco-warrior-to-nuclear-champion/2008-13840-6228461.html?part=dht&tag=nl.e703
'Unprecedented' warming exposes ancient vegetation (CanWest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/technology/story.html?id=31dfa6a9-8ba7-4d62-bcad-7ae610cbe120&k=4144
It seems like I'm mortgaging my future to go green (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=9ad1c171-9b93-4e4b-ad80-cab1332958d8&k=16657
Blue, as in big blue marble, is the new green – This is the year when blue is supposed to become the new green -- as in, the next color to define environmentalism. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/120166531684650.xml&coll=7
California Senate bill requires textbooks to teach global warming (San Joes Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8122655?source=rss
Could Global Warming Threaten the Patriots’ and Giants’ Edge? Rising Temperatures Could Lessen Home Field Advantage Over Warm Weather Rivals (Environment America – have you no shame?)
http://www.environmentamerica.org/news-releases/global-warming-solutions/global-warming-solutions/could-global-warming-threaten-the-patriots-and-giants-edge
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Internet – Here Comes Trouble: The Future of Free (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/01/31/here-comes-trouble-the-future-of-free/
U.S. Makes the Best Use of Its Broadband – A new report ranking broadband connectivity argues that it’s not how much you have but what you do with it. (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/01/30/us-makes-the-best-use-of-its-broadband/
Read the fine print – Administration report claims success in extending broadband access. In 2004, President Bush pledged that all Americans should have affordable access to high-speed Internet service by 2007. A report to be released Thursday by the administration says it has succeeded - mostly. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8126590?source=rss&nclick_check=1
European Union Court: Downloaders Can Stay Private – Record labels and film studios cannot demand that telecommunications companies hand over the names and addresses of people who are suspected of sharing copyright-protected music and movies online (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004153417_apeufilesharing30.html?syndication=rss
How To Get Ready For Digital Television (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/money/15179535/detail.html
GENERAL NEWS
In Belfair – More Expansive, Expensive Highway 3 Improvements Eyed (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jan/30/more-expansive-expensive-highway-3-improvements/
Shelton bowlers aim for another title (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/143/story/344391.html
DIVERSIONS
DNA leads police to salami-loving thief
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN3132342920080131?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
The dumbest ever quiz answers
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN3156204620080131?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Snipes's "kooky" mail to U.S. government not a crime: lawyer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080130/od_nm/snipes_odd_dc;_ylt=AnQ1ztYLwX5UHCcsYE1N53btiBIF
A woman has been charged with possession of burglary tools after police said a crowbar slipped out of her pants as she was lurking around a church.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080131/ap_on_fe_st/odd_telltale_crowbar;_ylt=AuaJCzTTQ4iBjcWnQRZZhFDtiBIF
Man sets station on fire over playlist – A volunteer at a community radio station set fire to the station because he was upset that his song selections for an overnight Internet broadcast were changed, police said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_fe_st/odd_radio_arson;_ylt=Avm4JPKRW6or91UYnaOg6R_tiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Maryland – Constellation Energy says it will sue state to recoup $386M lost in deregulation flap
* Canada – Commission approves power-sale deal between B.C. Hydro, Alcan
* Power Failures Outrage South Africa
* DOE restructures FutureGen project, scraps plans for Mattoon
* Jean Ryckman Will Retire As Manager Of Franklin PUD Effective April 30
* Eugene Register Guard Opinion – More than metal
* Two more arrested in Cowlitz County metal theft case
* If You Invested in Enron, Read This Now
* No salmon in 2008? The complete closure of commercial salmon fishing in Southern Oregon and Northern California in 2006 could repeat in 2008
* Steelhead plan will be discussed in Olympia
* Tribes want to move Bonneville sturgeon upstream
* Sandy River, Oregon – A River Restored: Pulling the Plug
* Oregon – $4-Million in lottery funds to help return salmon, steelhead
* Eastern Washington Reservoir Would Cost More Than $6.7 Billion
* Recycling group: Oakland plastic bag ban hurts the environment
* Douglas County wind farm could grow from 10 to 80 turbines
* Lake Chelan dam earns low-impact certification
* Idaho – Ethanol's troubled adolescence
* California – Solar project to power local colleges
* Environmental group threatens lawsuit over Whisky Dick grazing
* In Defense of Incandescence – Congress bans beauty as an environmental hazard
* Columbian Editorial – Environment deserves role in campaigns
* Missouri – Schools hope piles of coal inspire energy conservation
* Students explore energy conservation
* Olympia teach-in offers ideas to fight climate shift
* Green effort by U.S. companies making slow progress
* CNET Newsmaker: From ecowarrior to nuclear champion
* 'Unprecedented' warming exposes ancient vegetation
* It seems like I'm mortgaging my future to go green
* Blue, as in big blue marble, is the new green
* California Senate bill requires textbooks to teach global warming
* Could Global Warming Threaten the Patriots’ and Giants’ Edge?
* Internet – Here Comes Trouble: The Future of Free
* U.S. Makes the Best Use of Its Broadband
* Read the fine print – Administration report claims success in extending broadband access
* European Union Court: Downloaders Can Stay Private
* How To Get Ready For Digital Television
* In Belfair – More Expansive, Expensive Highway 3 Improvements Eyed
* Shelton bowlers aim for another title
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Lyceum • \LYE-see-um\ • noun – 1: a hall for public lectures or discussions 2: an association providing public lectures, concerts, and entertainments
Mortimer was aquiver with anticipation. His first meeting of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Lyceum Society was to cover all 26 Tarzan books written by the prolific author in 24 hours. The tedium of the recycled story lines was only moderated by the lurid and turgid prose generated by one of the best pulp adventure fiction writers in history.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Maryland – Constellation Energy says it will sue state to recoup $386M – Constellation Energy Group Inc. said Wednesday it plans to file a federal lawsuit against the state of Maryland for electric rate caps that executives say cost the company $386 million. (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/01/28/daily30.html?ana=from_rss
Canada – Commission approves power-sale deal between B.C. Hydro, Alcan – Kitimat City manager Trafford Hall said the new deal is an improvement, but that the city's fundamental opposition remains: Alcan is being allowed to sell electricity rather than using it to smelt aluminum. (Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080130.ALCAN30//TPStory/National
Power Failures Outrage South Africa – This nation, long a reliable repository of cheap, plentiful electricity, finds itself pitifully short of juice. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/world/africa/31safrica.html?_r=1&ex=1359435600&en=57839b2669c4442d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
DOE restructures FutureGen project, scraps plans for Mattoon – The Department of Energy is backing off its plans to help build the FutureGen Alliance's $1.8 billion clean-coal power plant in Mattoon, Ill., and is restructuring the FutureGen project in an attempt to maximize the project's commercial viability. (St. Louis Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/01/28/daily44.html?ana=from_rss
News Release – JEAN RYCKMAN WILL RETIRE AS MANAGER OF FRANKLIN PUD EFFECTIVE APRIL 30 – Jean Ryckman, manager of Franklin PUD since 2004, will retire on April 30, 2008, to pursue opportunities with family, travel, and to provide community service. She has been Manager of Franklin PUD since January 2004 and has worked at the PUD for more than 27 years. Prior to joining Franklin PUD, Ryckman worked for D. Hittle & Associates electrical consulting firm. Ryckman notified PUD Commissioners in person and in writing on January 22, 2008 of her plans to retire. She told Commissioners, “It has been a great pleasure to serve as your Manager for the last 4 years. I leave Franklin PUD in good hands with a staff that is devoted to the customers and to the community. Having such a great staff and board that is committed to working together makes my decision much easier.” (Franklin County PUD)
Eugene Register Guard Opinion – More than metal. Thefts of cable from utility substations, wire from construction sites and even works of sculpture from public parks are generally attributed to the high price of copper and other metals.
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=56937&sid=5&fid=1
Two more arrested in metal theft case – Cowlitz County sheriff's deputies made two more arrests in association with recent thefts of telephone cable. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/31//area_news/10085400.txt
If You Invested in Enron, Read This Now – As a former Enron shareholder, I'm not expecting a huge windfall from a pending class-action suit against the company. (TheStreet.com)
http://www.thestreet.com/_more/s/if-you-invested-in-enron-read-this-now/funds/saving-money/10400897.html?
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
No salmon in 2008? The complete closure of commercial salmon fishing in Southern Oregon and Northern California in 2006 could repeat in 2008. (The World, Coos Bay)
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2008/01/30/news/doc47a0c373af547905644500.txt
Lack of Chinook in Area 9 a puzzle (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080131/SPORTS/476985709/1004/SPORTS
Steelhead plan will be discussed in Olympia (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/outdoors/story/270004.html
Tribes want to move Bonneville sturgeon upstream – Tribal officials want to capture young sturgeon from the huge population in Bonneville pool of the Columbia River and transfer them upstream into the suffering reservoirs behind The Dalles and John Day dams. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/sports/localNews/2008/01/01312008_Tribes-want-to-move-Bonneville-sturgeon-upstream.cfm
Sandy River, Oregon – A River Restored: Pulling the Plug – A puff of white smoke and a cheering throng marked the official demise of Marmot Dam last summer. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/01/01312008_A-River-Restored-Pulling-the-Plug.cfm/
Breaking the salmon code – Marine geneticist speaks at the Columbia Forum about using Chinook genetics to track and protect individual stocks in the ocean (The Daily Astorian)
http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=48634&TM=68346.65
Oregon – $4-Million in lottery funds to help return salmon, steelhead to Upper Deschutes (Bend Weekly)
http://www.bendweekly.com/Statewide-News/12639.html
Eastern Washington Reservoir Would Cost More Than $6.7 Billion (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3529
Recycling group: Oakland plastic bag ban hurts the environment (Associated Press, via the Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1190843~Recycling_group__Oakland_plastic_bag_ban_hurts_the_environment.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Wind farm could grow from 10 to 80 turbines – A Douglas County PUD project to place 10 wind turbines near the farming town of Withrow could grow to 80 turbines or more following a recent study by an independent consultant. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/NEWS04/394896358/1025/rss1025
Lake Chelan dam earns low-impact certification – Credits from power generated from the Lake Chelan Hydro Project soon could be sold to help dirtier utilities and industries meet their environmental-protection goals. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/NEWS04/235293496/1025/rss1025
Idaho – Ethanol's troubled adolescence. The promise of ethanol has always been a Faustian bargain: In a world with 6.6 billion mouths to feed, the staples of prosperity can always be trumped by the staples of survival. (Magic Valley Times-News)
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/01/30/opinion/editorials/129731.txt
California – Solar project to power local colleges. Contra Costa, Diablo Valley and Los Medanos will benefit from Chevron Corp.'s $35.2 million project (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8127739?source=rss&nclick_check=1
New power generation: Alternative energy sources – Solar reflectors could one day make petrol from thin air, and algae may provide all the diesel we need. Simon Usborne reports on the race to perfect energy sources for the future (The Independent, United Kingdom)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/new-power-generation-alternative-energy-sources-775540.html
Environmental group threatens lawsuit over Whisky Dick grazing – An environmental group announced plans Wednesday to sue Washington State if it approves a proposal to allow cattle grazing on portions of central Washington's Whisky Dick Wildlife Area (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01312008news270649.cfm
CONSERVATION
In Defense of Incandescence – Congress bans beauty as an environmental hazard “…Failing to properly recycle your CFLs won't be the same as putting an Evian bottle in the wrong slot. It'll be genuinely hazardous, particularly dangerous to children. Way to go, congressional dimbulbs!...” (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2183163/fr/rss/
Columbian Editorial – Environment deserves role in campaigns
http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/01/01312008_Environment-deserves-role-in-campaigns.cfm/
Missouri – Schools hope piles of coal inspire energy conservation (Springfield Business Journal)
http://www.sbj.net/article.asp?aID=80163
Students explore energy conservation – Miniature houses built by Weed High School students are being used to explore methods for reducing energy consumption through building design and to learn about the effects of solar energy. (Mt. Shasta News)
http://www.mtshastanews.com/articles/2008/01/30/news/05whs_students.txt
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Green economy a key focus – The battle against global warming is an opportunity to create a new, green economy, members of the Washington State Climate Advisory Team said Wednesday. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/344203.html
Olympia teach-in offers ideas to fight climate shift – 500 gather at forum as part of national Focus the Nation event (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/344193.html
Global warming solution takes effort from all, group says (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080131/NEWS/801310303
Green effort by U.S. companies making slow progress – U.S. companies talk a lot about going green, but so far there hasn't been much of an impact on improving the environment, according to a report released today. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8119311?source=rss
CNET Newsmaker: From ecowarrior to nuclear champion
http://www.news.com/From-eco-warrior-to-nuclear-champion/2008-13840-6228461.html?part=dht&tag=nl.e703
'Unprecedented' warming exposes ancient vegetation (CanWest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/technology/story.html?id=31dfa6a9-8ba7-4d62-bcad-7ae610cbe120&k=4144
It seems like I'm mortgaging my future to go green (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=9ad1c171-9b93-4e4b-ad80-cab1332958d8&k=16657
Blue, as in big blue marble, is the new green – This is the year when blue is supposed to become the new green -- as in, the next color to define environmentalism. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/120166531684650.xml&coll=7
California Senate bill requires textbooks to teach global warming (San Joes Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8122655?source=rss
Could Global Warming Threaten the Patriots’ and Giants’ Edge? Rising Temperatures Could Lessen Home Field Advantage Over Warm Weather Rivals (Environment America – have you no shame?)
http://www.environmentamerica.org/news-releases/global-warming-solutions/global-warming-solutions/could-global-warming-threaten-the-patriots-and-giants-edge
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Internet – Here Comes Trouble: The Future of Free (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/01/31/here-comes-trouble-the-future-of-free/
U.S. Makes the Best Use of Its Broadband – A new report ranking broadband connectivity argues that it’s not how much you have but what you do with it. (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/01/30/us-makes-the-best-use-of-its-broadband/
Read the fine print – Administration report claims success in extending broadband access. In 2004, President Bush pledged that all Americans should have affordable access to high-speed Internet service by 2007. A report to be released Thursday by the administration says it has succeeded - mostly. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8126590?source=rss&nclick_check=1
European Union Court: Downloaders Can Stay Private – Record labels and film studios cannot demand that telecommunications companies hand over the names and addresses of people who are suspected of sharing copyright-protected music and movies online (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004153417_apeufilesharing30.html?syndication=rss
How To Get Ready For Digital Television (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/money/15179535/detail.html
GENERAL NEWS
In Belfair – More Expansive, Expensive Highway 3 Improvements Eyed (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jan/30/more-expansive-expensive-highway-3-improvements/
Shelton bowlers aim for another title (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/143/story/344391.html
DIVERSIONS
DNA leads police to salami-loving thief
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN3132342920080131?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
The dumbest ever quiz answers
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN3156204620080131?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Snipes's "kooky" mail to U.S. government not a crime: lawyer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080130/od_nm/snipes_odd_dc;_ylt=AnQ1ztYLwX5UHCcsYE1N53btiBIF
A woman has been charged with possession of burglary tools after police said a crowbar slipped out of her pants as she was lurking around a church.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080131/ap_on_fe_st/odd_telltale_crowbar;_ylt=AuaJCzTTQ4iBjcWnQRZZhFDtiBIF
Man sets station on fire over playlist – A volunteer at a community radio station set fire to the station because he was upset that his song selections for an overnight Internet broadcast were changed, police said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_fe_st/odd_radio_arson;_ylt=Avm4JPKRW6or91UYnaOg6R_tiBIF
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