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)
- Grays Harbor County PUD votes to join lawsuit over BPA payment offer
- Clark Public Utilities: Utility considers BPA plan
- State panel gives Port of Kalama petcoke plant planners an extension
- Grant County PUD Reaches Settlement With Former Gm
- PUDs to host talks by pro-nuclear environmentalist
- Moses Lake overhead power lines may go underground
- Consumer groups push Maryland lawmakers to rein in electricity costs
- Baltimore Sun Blog – Why aren't we raising heck about Pepco electric rates?
- Proposal favors ratepayers in failed Nevada energy plant case
- News Release WOW! – PJM Market Monitor Finds Wholesale Electricity Markets Remain Competitive
- California GPS tracking could be salmon salvation
- U.S. Department of Energy speeds up Hanford water cleanup
- Drugs in water causing troubling problems to fish, wildlife
- Oakville Water Tops in State
- Review of federal Tieton River operations could mean changes for fish and kayakers
- Oregon – Questions Raised About Selling Solar Tax Credits
- U.S. Geothermal Announces Power Agreement for Raft River Unit with Eugene Water and Electric Board
- Tulsa electricity company trying to save power
- Biofuel Rush Makes Drought a Bigger Economic Risk
- Green energy is making big money
- Clean Edge report: Clean energy growing rapidly
- A Light Bulb Went Off: Print the Lights
- The fight over what "green" means
- Studies: Climate Change Threatens U.S. Roadways
- 'Green' storage in forests may be going up in smoke
- Canada’s federal climate plan compliments British Columbia carbon tax
- Google wraps up $3.1B DoubleClick deal
- Key House Democrat opposes network neutrality law
- Families of victims in White Pass plane crash sue Cessna over wreck of Shelton-based plane
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Natty • \NAT-tee\ • adjective – Trimly neat and tidy
“You have to admit, Belvedere is a natty dresser,” exclaimed Betty to her walking partner. “Yeah,” her companion agreed. “But shouldn’t he be a natty dresser in men’s clothes; not his wife’s sun dress?”
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
Grays Harbor County PUD votes to join lawsuit over BPA payment offer (Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/03/11/local_news/04news.txt
Clark Public Utilities: Utility considers BPA plan – Who should Clark County’s electricity provider side with – other utilities that want millions of dollars now, or those that want to sue for possibly more? (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2008/03/03122008_Utility-considers-BPA-plan.cfm/
State panel gives Port of Kalama petcoke plant planners an extension (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/12//area_news/10153105.txt
GRANT COUNTY PUD REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH FORMER GM – A mediated settlement was reached last week in Grant County PUD's litigation case against former general manager Don Godard. In the settlement, PUD officials say Godard will pay the utility 50 thousand dollars. The PUD filed its amended complaint against Godard in 2005, asserting that actions directed by Godard resulted in the improper payment of funds as reported in a 2003 State Auditor's report. Godard served as the district's GM for 12 years, and resigned effective February 29th, 2004. (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee)
PUDs to host talks by pro-nuclear environmentalist – The Chelan, Douglas and Grant County PUDs will host two public talks, likely in June, by Greenpeace founder and pro-nuclear-power environmentalist Patrick Moore. (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/NEWS04/233561073
Moses Lake overhead power lines may go underground – who pays? (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/03/11/news/news04.txt
Consumer groups push Maryland lawmakers to rein in electricity costs (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/03/10/daily16.html?ana=from_rss
Baltimore Sun Blog – Why aren't we raising heck about Pepco electric rates?
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/hancock/blog/2008/03/why_arent_we_raising_heck_abou.html
Proposal favors ratepayers in failed Nevada energy plant case (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/03/11/state/n145258D48.DTL&feed=rss.business
News Release WOW! – PJM Market Monitor Finds Wholesale Electricity Markets Remain Competitive (PR NewsWire)
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-11-2008/0004771987&EDATE=
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
California GPS tracking could be salmon salvation (Press Democrat, Santa Rosa)
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/EarlyEdition/article_view.cfm?recordID=8849&publishdate=03/12/2008
U.S. Department of Energy speeds up Hanford water cleanup (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2004276338_hanford12m.html?syndication=rss
Drugs in water causing troubling problems to fish, wildlife (CNN)
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/11/pharma.waterfish.ap/index.html?eref=ib_topstories
Oakville Water Tops in State – H2Oakville: City’s Supply Takes Evergreen Rural Water Award (Daily Chronicle, Centralia)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1205344121&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
Review of federal Tieton River operations could mean changes for fish and kayakers (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_tieton_river.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon – Questions Raised About Selling Solar Tax Credits (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/questions-raised-about-selling-solar-tax-credits/
News Release – U.S. Geothermal Announces Power Purchase Agreement for Planned Raft River Unit Two with Eugene Water and Electric Board (Yahoo! Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/080311/0373755.html
Tulsa electricity company trying to save power (KJRH-TV, Tulsa)
http://www.kjrh.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=aad92b3d-6892-4dc7-9554-13cff122a0c9&rss=701
Biofuel Rush Makes Drought a Bigger Economic Risk – As grain prices rise and ethanol makes up an increasing portion of the nation's fuel supply, a major drought in the Plains states could pose a significant threat to the U.S. economy. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88116154&ft=1&f=2
Green energy is making big money – The alternative energy business is starting to make real money. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/11/MNVBVHVSN.DTL
Clean Edge report: Clean energy growing rapidly – Worldwide markets for clean energy are expanding rapidly, and slated for strong growth over the next decade (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/03/10/daily13.html?ana=from_rss
CONSERVATION
A Light Bulb Went Off: Print the Lights (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/a-light-bulb-went-off-print-the-lights/index.html?ex=1363060800&en=416d7c63e4ee728c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
The fight over what "green" means (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004276447_green12m.html?syndication=rss
Studies: Climate Change Threatens U.S. Roadways – Scientists on Tuesday issued a warning of almost Biblical proportions to the nation's transportation planners. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88116192&ft=1&f=2
'Green' storage in forests may be going up in smoke – Study: Wildfires emit more global warming gases than thought (Sacramento Bee)
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/778649.html
Canada’s federal climate plan compliments British Columbia carbon tax (Canada.com)
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=cdad8050-e167-4d0a-b9e2-bb7a3214dc58&k=11560
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Google wraps up $3.1B DoubleClick deal (Associated Press, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080311/ap_on_hi_te/google_doubleclick_16
Key House Democrat opposes network neutrality law (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8535517?source=rss&nclick_check=1
GENERAL NEWS
Families of victims in White Pass plane crash sue Cessna over wreck of Shelton-based plane (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP03122008news290814.cfm
DIVERSIONS
100 years later: Yes, I'd like to renew this, please
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN1156954620080311?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
'Gilligan's' Mary Ann Caught With Pot
http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=304846>1=7703
Underpass Collision Cancels 800-Pound Man's Date
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15565575/detail.html
Woman Faces $1,000 Fine For Pink Poodle – Dog Dyed To Help Raise Awareness For Breast Cancer
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15562174/detail.html
Americans May Be Getting Enough Sleep After All, Report Says
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/11/AR2008031102537.html?nav=rss_email/components
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Energy News Digest for March 11, 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)
- Planned Clallam PUD electricity rate increase could be offset
- Fitch Rates Chelan County PUD's $92 MM Revs 'AA/F1+'
- Oregon – The LNG dilemma
- U.S. may protect Canada's oilsands
- Florida – Progress Energy unveils $17 billion nuclear project
- New York – Foes of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants Begin Legal Battle
- PJM lays out details of allegations against Tower firms
- News Release – Electricity Initiative Ads Aim to Spark Grid Improvement Demands
- Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approves state plan to rebuild wild steelhead stocks
- LOTT to test water for pharmaceuticals
- A medicine cabinet runs through it
- Seattle Times Editorial – A long drink of water
- Four towers would measure wind for possible turbines on Rattlesnake Hills
- Nordic Windpower picks Idaho for turbine-manufacturing plant
- German turbine maker plans to build plant in Butte
- Texas – Drop in wind energy production leads to power curtailment
- Virginia – Regulations crafted for wind-power turbines
- Alabama Pollution Is Called a Byproduct of a ‘Clean’ Fuel
- Amid the debate, energy gets cleaner
- Non-Profits Missing Out On Green Power Tax Credits
- Kids Learning Simple Energy Conservation
- San Jose's first "green certified" subdivision
- Southern Baptists Back a Shift on Climate Change
- Canada – No region untouched by climate change
- Ericsson predicts demise of hotspots
- Computers play havoc with census
- Truck fleet slows to save fuel
- Boeing filing protest today over tankers
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Hibernaculum • \hy-ber-NAK-yuh-lum\ • noun – : a shelter occupied during the winter by a dormant animal (as an insect or reptile)
With the arrival of spring, Alfredo grunted and heaved himself out of his overstuffed recliner. His basement sanctuary was dark, warm and well stocked with cheap beer, pork rinds and other tasty goodies designed to help him hunker down for the winter. His wife actually enjoyed the annual three month reprieve from her husband’s monosyllabic grunts and inopportune moments of bodily functions while her friends visited. The formal sealing of the door to Alfredo’s self-styled hibernaculum every winter was celebrated with a neighborhood party, which only ended when the latch clicked shut on the basement door.
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
Planned Clallam PUD electricity rate increase could be offset (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080311/NEWS/803110307
Fitch Rates Chelan County PUD's $92 MM Revs 'AA/F1+' (Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=85182
Oregon – The LNG dilemma – Pipeline proponents say natural gas is a clean fuel; critics say it’s still a bad option (Sustainable Life)
http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=120491459945476300
U.S. may protect Canada's oilsands – Considering exempting oil produced from the region from an environmental crackdown (National Post)
http://www.nationalpost.com/newsletter/story.html?id=366042
Florida – Progress Energy unveils $17 billion nuclear project (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2008/03/10/daily17.html?ana=from_rss
New York – Foes of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants Begin Legal Battle (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/nyregion/11nuke.html?ex=1362974400&en=3e619053f06289c9&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
PJM lays out details of allegations against Tower firms – Alleges that the seven manipulated the PJM financial transmission rights and energy markets and asking FERC to ban them from participating in those markets and to impose civil penalties. (Platts Energy News)
http://www.platts.com/HOME/News/6809835.xml?sub=HOME&p=HOME/News&
News Release – Electricity Initiative Ads Aim to Spark Grid Improvement Demands – According to “Sad Socket,” it is time for Americans to plug into a new electric power system. (Electric Energy Online – Sad socket, meet Reddy Kilowatt and Willie Wirehands)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=85158
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approves state plan to rebuild wild steelhead stocks (Omak Chronicle)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n080310a.shtml
LOTT to test water for pharmaceuticals (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/384985.html
A medicine cabinet runs through it – If there was any doubt Portland is a highly caffeinated city, just look at the bottoms of local rivers and streams. (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonianextra/2008/03/a_medicine_cabinet_runs_throug.html
Seattle Times Editorial – A long drink of water – Two smart developments are under way with the region's water system.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2004273183_watered11.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Four towers would measure wind for possible turbines on Rattlesnake Hills (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/114188.html
Nordic Windpower picks Idaho for turbine-manufacturing plant (East Bay Business Times)
http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/03/10/daily3.html?ana=from_rss
German turbine maker plans to build plant in Butte – The company intends to build a manufacturing plant near Butte to assemble wind turbines for wind power machines (The Missoulian)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/03/11/business/biz22.txt
Texas – Drop in wind energy production leads to power curtailment – ERCOT implemented the second stage of its emergency grid procedures following a sudden drop in wind energy production at the same time the evening electricity load was increasing (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=321548&C=ENVIR&dcmp=rss
Virginia – Regulations crafted for wind-power turbines: Localities are developing land-use rules to give them tighter control over where wind turbines could be built, even as energy companies study the area's potential for large wind farms. (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjhghkkpZTeb%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
Alabama Pollution Is Called a Byproduct of a ‘Clean’ Fuel (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/us/11biofuel.html?_r=1&ei=5088&en=fd908c3699c79e03&ex=1362974400&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1205248117-IuPmf/d4L0Et+sg8o7rG8Q
Amid the debate, energy gets cleaner – Forget the arguments over whether global warming is real. Many American businesses and researchers are well past all that and are scrambling to find ways to make money in a world that must slash its use of fossil fuels. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004270167_warming09.html
Non-Profits Missing Out On Green Power Tax Credits (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/non-profits-missing-out-green-power-tax-credits/
CONSERVATION
Kids Learning Simple Energy Conservation (WITN-TV, North Carolina)
http://www.witntv.com/home/headlines/16479656.html
San Jose's first "green certified" subdivision (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8524422?source=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Southern Baptists Back a Shift on Climate Change (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/us/10baptist.html?ex=1362974400&en=5bc05fa097af4ad3&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Canada – No region untouched by climate change, study shows (Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080311.wclimate11/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080311.wclimate11
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Ericsson predicts demise of hotspots – As mobile broadband takes off, Wi-Fi hotspots will become as irrelevant as telephone booths, Ericsson Chief Marketing Officer Johan Bergendahl said Monday. (Info World)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/infoworld/20080310/tc_infoworld/95867
Computers play havoc with census – Defective mobile devices have caused the census to be called a "high-risk area" (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/120496290940000.xml&coll=7
GENERAL NEWS
Truck fleet slows to save fuel – San Mateo's Con-Way Says Reducing Driving Speeds Eases Costs, Too (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8530090?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Boeing filing protest today over tankers (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/boeingaerospace/2004273848_boeingprotest11.html?syndication=rss
DIVERSIONS
Catholic Church says pollution and drugs on its updated thou-shalt-not list
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080311/NEWS02/578743774/-1/RSS01
Teen boys and body spray: Stinky enough for a legislator to act?
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080311/NEWS02/261269616/-1/RSS01
Belfast Judges Overturn Libel Verdict Over Pizzeria's Rotten Review
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15554819/detail.html
'Missing Couple' Surprise Daughter, Police On Return From Vacation
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15554764/detail.html
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Planned Clallam PUD electricity rate increase could be offset
- Fitch Rates Chelan County PUD's $92 MM Revs 'AA/F1+'
- Oregon – The LNG dilemma
- U.S. may protect Canada's oilsands
- Florida – Progress Energy unveils $17 billion nuclear project
- New York – Foes of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants Begin Legal Battle
- PJM lays out details of allegations against Tower firms
- News Release – Electricity Initiative Ads Aim to Spark Grid Improvement Demands
- Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approves state plan to rebuild wild steelhead stocks
- LOTT to test water for pharmaceuticals
- A medicine cabinet runs through it
- Seattle Times Editorial – A long drink of water
- Four towers would measure wind for possible turbines on Rattlesnake Hills
- Nordic Windpower picks Idaho for turbine-manufacturing plant
- German turbine maker plans to build plant in Butte
- Texas – Drop in wind energy production leads to power curtailment
- Virginia – Regulations crafted for wind-power turbines
- Alabama Pollution Is Called a Byproduct of a ‘Clean’ Fuel
- Amid the debate, energy gets cleaner
- Non-Profits Missing Out On Green Power Tax Credits
- Kids Learning Simple Energy Conservation
- San Jose's first "green certified" subdivision
- Southern Baptists Back a Shift on Climate Change
- Canada – No region untouched by climate change
- Ericsson predicts demise of hotspots
- Computers play havoc with census
- Truck fleet slows to save fuel
- Boeing filing protest today over tankers
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Hibernaculum • \hy-ber-NAK-yuh-lum\ • noun – : a shelter occupied during the winter by a dormant animal (as an insect or reptile)
With the arrival of spring, Alfredo grunted and heaved himself out of his overstuffed recliner. His basement sanctuary was dark, warm and well stocked with cheap beer, pork rinds and other tasty goodies designed to help him hunker down for the winter. His wife actually enjoyed the annual three month reprieve from her husband’s monosyllabic grunts and inopportune moments of bodily functions while her friends visited. The formal sealing of the door to Alfredo’s self-styled hibernaculum every winter was celebrated with a neighborhood party, which only ended when the latch clicked shut on the basement door.
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
Planned Clallam PUD electricity rate increase could be offset (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080311/NEWS/803110307
Fitch Rates Chelan County PUD's $92 MM Revs 'AA/F1+' (Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=85182
Oregon – The LNG dilemma – Pipeline proponents say natural gas is a clean fuel; critics say it’s still a bad option (Sustainable Life)
http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=120491459945476300
U.S. may protect Canada's oilsands – Considering exempting oil produced from the region from an environmental crackdown (National Post)
http://www.nationalpost.com/newsletter/story.html?id=366042
Florida – Progress Energy unveils $17 billion nuclear project (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2008/03/10/daily17.html?ana=from_rss
New York – Foes of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants Begin Legal Battle (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/nyregion/11nuke.html?ex=1362974400&en=3e619053f06289c9&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
PJM lays out details of allegations against Tower firms – Alleges that the seven manipulated the PJM financial transmission rights and energy markets and asking FERC to ban them from participating in those markets and to impose civil penalties. (Platts Energy News)
http://www.platts.com/HOME/News/6809835.xml?sub=HOME&p=HOME/News&
News Release – Electricity Initiative Ads Aim to Spark Grid Improvement Demands – According to “Sad Socket,” it is time for Americans to plug into a new electric power system. (Electric Energy Online – Sad socket, meet Reddy Kilowatt and Willie Wirehands)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=85158
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approves state plan to rebuild wild steelhead stocks (Omak Chronicle)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n080310a.shtml
LOTT to test water for pharmaceuticals (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/384985.html
A medicine cabinet runs through it – If there was any doubt Portland is a highly caffeinated city, just look at the bottoms of local rivers and streams. (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonianextra/2008/03/a_medicine_cabinet_runs_throug.html
Seattle Times Editorial – A long drink of water – Two smart developments are under way with the region's water system.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2004273183_watered11.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Four towers would measure wind for possible turbines on Rattlesnake Hills (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/114188.html
Nordic Windpower picks Idaho for turbine-manufacturing plant (East Bay Business Times)
http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/03/10/daily3.html?ana=from_rss
German turbine maker plans to build plant in Butte – The company intends to build a manufacturing plant near Butte to assemble wind turbines for wind power machines (The Missoulian)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/03/11/business/biz22.txt
Texas – Drop in wind energy production leads to power curtailment – ERCOT implemented the second stage of its emergency grid procedures following a sudden drop in wind energy production at the same time the evening electricity load was increasing (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=321548&C=ENVIR&dcmp=rss
Virginia – Regulations crafted for wind-power turbines: Localities are developing land-use rules to give them tighter control over where wind turbines could be built, even as energy companies study the area's potential for large wind farms. (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjhghkkpZTeb%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
Alabama Pollution Is Called a Byproduct of a ‘Clean’ Fuel (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/us/11biofuel.html?_r=1&ei=5088&en=fd908c3699c79e03&ex=1362974400&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1205248117-IuPmf/d4L0Et+sg8o7rG8Q
Amid the debate, energy gets cleaner – Forget the arguments over whether global warming is real. Many American businesses and researchers are well past all that and are scrambling to find ways to make money in a world that must slash its use of fossil fuels. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004270167_warming09.html
Non-Profits Missing Out On Green Power Tax Credits (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/non-profits-missing-out-green-power-tax-credits/
CONSERVATION
Kids Learning Simple Energy Conservation (WITN-TV, North Carolina)
http://www.witntv.com/home/headlines/16479656.html
San Jose's first "green certified" subdivision (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8524422?source=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Southern Baptists Back a Shift on Climate Change (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/us/10baptist.html?ex=1362974400&en=5bc05fa097af4ad3&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Canada – No region untouched by climate change, study shows (Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080311.wclimate11/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080311.wclimate11
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Ericsson predicts demise of hotspots – As mobile broadband takes off, Wi-Fi hotspots will become as irrelevant as telephone booths, Ericsson Chief Marketing Officer Johan Bergendahl said Monday. (Info World)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/infoworld/20080310/tc_infoworld/95867
Computers play havoc with census – Defective mobile devices have caused the census to be called a "high-risk area" (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/120496290940000.xml&coll=7
GENERAL NEWS
Truck fleet slows to save fuel – San Mateo's Con-Way Says Reducing Driving Speeds Eases Costs, Too (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8530090?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Boeing filing protest today over tankers (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/boeingaerospace/2004273848_boeingprotest11.html?syndication=rss
DIVERSIONS
Catholic Church says pollution and drugs on its updated thou-shalt-not list
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080311/NEWS02/578743774/-1/RSS01
Teen boys and body spray: Stinky enough for a legislator to act?
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080311/NEWS02/261269616/-1/RSS01
Belfast Judges Overturn Libel Verdict Over Pizzeria's Rotten Review
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15554819/detail.html
'Missing Couple' Surprise Daughter, Police On Return From Vacation
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15554764/detail.html
Monday, March 10, 2008
Energy News Digest for March 10, 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)
- Mason County PUD No. 3 Holding Rate Hearing Tuesday
- Idaho – Mini-Cassia cities to receive payments from BPA
- Montana – Coal-fired power plant projects feel heat from rising costs, environmental concerns
- California – Shake-up could be coming in electricity
- Seattle City Light’s backlog of burned-out streetlights leaves some residents fearful
- Wenatchee World Op/Ed – There always will be access to low-cost Grant County PUD hydropower
- News Release – Fitch Rates Energy Northwest's $667.2MM 2008 Bonds 'AA-'
- Oregon – DeFazio pushes for state input on LNG
- How to win Oregon’s vote – Clinton and Obama will need a quick education
- Calpine power plant proposal outdated, critic says
- Kansas, Sooty Kansas – Kansas Senate sends coal plant bill to Sebelius
- Michigan State Legislature's actions will decide electricity pricing
- DOE denies rehearing request for transmission corridor designations
- Congressional Research Service – Impact of Rising Energy Costs on Older Americans
- More water, good will flow at Skokomish River dam
- Salmon fishing ban mulled in California as run suffers record plunge
- Federal aid sought in decline of salmon
- Modesto Bee OpEd – What's happening in the ocean affects salmon the most
- Shellfish Growers Submit Properties to Court
- Tacoma to replace reservoirs
- Purple pipe dream: Reclaimed water for lawns at riverfront parks
- Lawsuit aims to stop wind farm near Columbia River Gorge
- Pepsi installs second-largest Northwest solar electric system
- Southern California Edison breaks ground on wind farm to power 3 million homes
- Amid the debate, energy gets cleaner
- Ahem, pardon me? Solar Energy Firms Leave Waste Behind in China
- Ireland: Where wind power is king
- Energy Star rules get tougher
- Not Just for Tree Huggers – Despite the free fall in housing prices nationwide, green homes are still red hot
- Officials want to turn out the lights, save money
- Studies cite risk of fossil-fuel use
- Bill sets goal of 2020 for cutting greenhouse gases
- Seattle Times Editorial – The Evergreen State in more than name
- Utility execs: Global warming fix not that pricey
- Canada – British Columbians don't like carbon tax
- Gorge's high-tech high life
- Internet activity is tracked more than we realize
- Greener cell power presents challenges
- Connection problems – 59% of Canadians feel anxious without the Net
- Belfair Clinic Location Announced (Irony of Ironies…its to be on Romance Hill Road)
- Arson at 'Green' Homes Points To Environmentalist Divisions
- Lobbyists spent $4.2 in January on Legislature
- In Tanker Bid, It Was Boeing vs. Bold Ideas
- It’s hybrid vehicles to the rescue for state and local governments
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Descry • \dih-SKRYE\ • verb – *1: to catch sight of 2: find out, discover
Bundled deep in the switch grass fields of Nebraska, contemplating his latest treatise on renewable energy, Francisco was slipping in and out of sleep as he descried buzzards lazily circling in the sky directly overhead. Unfortunately for him, that was the last thing he saw, as a harvesting machine snatched up the hummock of grass in which he was nestled. How ironic that the famous ethanol researcher was to become a tank of fuel himself.
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
MASON COUNTY PUD NO. 3 HOLDING RATE HEARING TUESDAY – Mason County PUD No. 3 Board of Commissioners is holding a public hearing on increasing electricity rates at 10am Tuesday. This average five percent increase would go into effect on May 1st. Among the items on the PUD 3 Commission's regular meeting agenda is discussion of a letter from the City of Shelton expressing interest in the PUD's "K" Street Property. The Mason County PUD No. 3 Board of Commissioners meets in their boardroom at 307 West Cota Street in Shelton, again at 10am Tuesday. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Idaho – Mini-Cassia cities to receive payments from BPA (South Idaho Press)
http://www.southidahopress.com/articles/2008/03/08/news/local/9612rebates.txt
Montana – Coal-fired power plant projects feel heat from rising costs, environmental concerns (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080309/NEWS01/803090301/1002
California – Shake-up could be coming in electricity – Eight years after San Diego's long, hot summer of soaring power bills and blackout scares, the issue of electricity deregulation is back. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080310-9999-1n10dereg.html
Seattle City Light’s backlog of burned-out streetlights leaves some residents fearful (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/354269_streetlights08.html
Wenatchee World Op/Ed – There always will be access to low-cost Grant County PUD hydropower
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080307/OP03/636886424
News Release – Fitch Rates Energy Northwest's $667.2MM 2008 Bonds 'AA-' (BusinessWire)
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080307005673&newsLang=en
Legislating with a heavy heart – Sen. Hatfield on pole attachment bill: “Please don’t come back with a similar bill, because us rural bumpkins will be ready and waiting for you…" (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/10/top_story/doc47d4cf97549b5033257573.txt
Oregon – DeFazio pushes for state input on LNG – The process to site a proposed natural gas terminal is inadequate, U.S. House Democrats say (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1204948511242790.xml&coll=7
How to win Oregon’s vote – Clinton and Obama will need a quick education (Eugene Register Guard – See point 7, and then slowly count to ten and answer….just read the law!)
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=74444&sid=5&fid=1
Calpine power plant proposal outdated, critic says 'We're going backwards,' Hayward council candidate claims (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjglrmkqYSki%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
Kansas, Sooty Kansas – Kansas Senate sends coal plant bill to Sebelius (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjgmopqqZSki%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
Michigan State Legislature's actions will decide electricity pricing – The price of your electricity for years to come could hinge on what the Legislature does in 2008. (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/BUSINESS06/803100369
DOE denies rehearing request for transmission corridor designations (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=322395&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
Congressional Research Service – Impact of Rising Energy Costs on Older Americans
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RS22826
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
More water, good will flow at Skokomish River dam – About 60 people – including members of Tacoma Power, contractors and the tribe – stood atop Cushman Dam No. 2 on Friday afternoon to celebrate a quadrupling of water flow into the river (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/303575.html
Salmon fishing ban mulled in California as run suffers record plunge (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/772762.html
Federal aid sought in decline of salmon (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/378/story/767349.html
Modesto Bee OpEd – What's happening in the ocean affects salmon the most – Blaming a favorite scapegoat, water agencies that supply our cities and farms, while ignoring scientific evidence is irresponsible and won't bring back the salmon
http://www.modbee.com/opinion/community/story/234305.html
Shellfish Growers Submit Properties to Court – At least 75 shellfish growers in Western Washington have filed documents to bring them under a $33 million settlement with 17 area tribes. (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/mar/09/shellfish-growers-submit-properties-to-court/
Tacoma to replace reservoirs – Tacoma Water will replace huge reservoirs on South Hill to protect the drinking water of the city’s 200,000 residents from bird droppings, insect eggs and algae that sometimes produce water that stinks or tastes foul. (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/303577.html
Purple pipe dream: Reclaimed water for lawns at riverfront parks (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080307/NEWS04/371400350/1005
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Lawsuit aims to stop wind farm near Columbia River Gorge (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/03/03072008_Lawsuit-aims-to-stop-wind-farm-near-Columbia-River-Gorge.cfm?newsletter=1
Pepsi installs second-largest Northwest solar electric system (Associated Press, Via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1268325~Pepsi_installs_second_largest_Northwest_solar_electric_system.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Southern California Edison breaks ground on wind farm to power 3 million homes (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8490557?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Amid the debate, energy gets cleaner (Seattle Times – note the oblique book plug)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004270167_warming09.html
Ahem, pardon me? Solar Energy Firms Leave Waste Behind in China “…the byproduct of polysilicon production -- silicon tetrachloride -- is a highly toxic substance that poses environmental hazards…” (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/08/AR2008030802595.html?nav=rss_business
Ireland: Where wind power is king (CNET News)
http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9888020-54.html
CONSERVATION
Energy Star rules get tougher (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/303656.html
Not Just for Tree Huggers – Despite the free fall in housing prices nationwide, green homes are still red hot. (Newsweek – well, when ecoterrorists aren’t burning them down, that is. What an unfortunate headline)!
http://www.newsweek.com/id/120128?from=rss
Officials want to turn out the lights, save money (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/NEWS04/803100327
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Studies cite risk of fossil-fuel use – Cutting greenhouse-gas emissions enough to avert a dangerous rise in global temperatures may be far more difficult than previous research suggested (The Washington Post, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004271902_warming10.html
Bill sets goal of 2020 for cutting greenhouse gases – The legislation, which awaits the governor's signature, also calls for more "green" jobs. (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080309/NEWS01/688695974&news01ad=1
Seattle Times Editorial – The Evergreen State in more than name – No more good intentions. Washington state is committed to a purposeful response to climate change.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2004269444_climed09.html
Utility execs: Global warming fix not that pricey (Miami Herald, thanks to Dean Boyer @ WPUDA)
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/v-print/story/445715.html##
Canada – British Columbians don't like carbon tax – Poll shows we want climate change fixed, but we don't want to pay any money for it (Victoria Times-Colonist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=01663659-831b-4375-ab15-fa99d489bc4e&k=78491
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Gorge's high-tech high life – The lifestyle lures workers, and the job growth lifts the area (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1204943117105180.xml&coll=7
Internet activity is tracked more than we realize (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004271898_internet.html
Greener cell power presents challenges – When wireless industry technicians speak of "green" cell towers these days, they're not just talking about making them look more like trees. (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080307/ap_on_hi_te/cell_towers_green_4
Connection problems – 59% of Canadians feel anxious without the Net – 'Internet addiction" and "CrackBerry" are the narcotic-laced phrases we invariably use to explain our growing dependence on laptops and PDAs. (National Post)
http://www.nationalpost.com/newsletter/story.html?id=364219
GENERAL NEWS
BELFAIR CLINIC LOCATION ANNOUNCED – Harrison Medical Center has announced the location where it will build a medical clinic in Belfair. That location is on Highway 3 near the intersection with Romance Hill Road. The 7,300 square foot building will be built and owned by Rick Krueger. Harrison will lease the facility for ten years. Last week, Mason County Public Hospital District Number Two Commissioners signed a service agreement with Harrison to operate the clinic for ten years providing primary and urgent care to North Mason residents. Krueger will apply for building permits immediately with construction expected to be completed by the first of 2009. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Arson at 'Green' Homes Points To Environmentalist Divisions – Some Consider Even Eco-Friendly Housing Invasive (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/08/AR2008030802371.html?nav=rss_business
Lobbyists spent $4.2 in January on Legislature (The News Tribune, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1269345~Lobbyists_spent__4_2_in_January_on_Legislature.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
In Tanker Bid, It Was Boeing vs. Bold Ideas (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/business/worldbusiness/10tanker.html?_r=1&ex=1362888000&en=d9f6274b04552318&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
It’s hybrid vehicles to the rescue for state and local governments (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/383352.html
DIVERSIONS
Bonney Lake Girl In Clinton's '3 a.m.' Ad Now 17, Supports Obama
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15547526/detail.html
Chinese Wife Burns 400 Cell Phones After Husband Walks Out
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15527479/detail.html
Eugene, Ore., police think better of arresting horde of naked bikers
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080310/NEWS03/552096439/-1/RSS01
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Mason County PUD No. 3 Holding Rate Hearing Tuesday
- Idaho – Mini-Cassia cities to receive payments from BPA
- Montana – Coal-fired power plant projects feel heat from rising costs, environmental concerns
- California – Shake-up could be coming in electricity
- Seattle City Light’s backlog of burned-out streetlights leaves some residents fearful
- Wenatchee World Op/Ed – There always will be access to low-cost Grant County PUD hydropower
- News Release – Fitch Rates Energy Northwest's $667.2MM 2008 Bonds 'AA-'
- Oregon – DeFazio pushes for state input on LNG
- How to win Oregon’s vote – Clinton and Obama will need a quick education
- Calpine power plant proposal outdated, critic says
- Kansas, Sooty Kansas – Kansas Senate sends coal plant bill to Sebelius
- Michigan State Legislature's actions will decide electricity pricing
- DOE denies rehearing request for transmission corridor designations
- Congressional Research Service – Impact of Rising Energy Costs on Older Americans
- More water, good will flow at Skokomish River dam
- Salmon fishing ban mulled in California as run suffers record plunge
- Federal aid sought in decline of salmon
- Modesto Bee OpEd – What's happening in the ocean affects salmon the most
- Shellfish Growers Submit Properties to Court
- Tacoma to replace reservoirs
- Purple pipe dream: Reclaimed water for lawns at riverfront parks
- Lawsuit aims to stop wind farm near Columbia River Gorge
- Pepsi installs second-largest Northwest solar electric system
- Southern California Edison breaks ground on wind farm to power 3 million homes
- Amid the debate, energy gets cleaner
- Ahem, pardon me? Solar Energy Firms Leave Waste Behind in China
- Ireland: Where wind power is king
- Energy Star rules get tougher
- Not Just for Tree Huggers – Despite the free fall in housing prices nationwide, green homes are still red hot
- Officials want to turn out the lights, save money
- Studies cite risk of fossil-fuel use
- Bill sets goal of 2020 for cutting greenhouse gases
- Seattle Times Editorial – The Evergreen State in more than name
- Utility execs: Global warming fix not that pricey
- Canada – British Columbians don't like carbon tax
- Gorge's high-tech high life
- Internet activity is tracked more than we realize
- Greener cell power presents challenges
- Connection problems – 59% of Canadians feel anxious without the Net
- Belfair Clinic Location Announced (Irony of Ironies…its to be on Romance Hill Road)
- Arson at 'Green' Homes Points To Environmentalist Divisions
- Lobbyists spent $4.2 in January on Legislature
- In Tanker Bid, It Was Boeing vs. Bold Ideas
- It’s hybrid vehicles to the rescue for state and local governments
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Descry • \dih-SKRYE\ • verb – *1: to catch sight of 2: find out, discover
Bundled deep in the switch grass fields of Nebraska, contemplating his latest treatise on renewable energy, Francisco was slipping in and out of sleep as he descried buzzards lazily circling in the sky directly overhead. Unfortunately for him, that was the last thing he saw, as a harvesting machine snatched up the hummock of grass in which he was nestled. How ironic that the famous ethanol researcher was to become a tank of fuel himself.
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
MASON COUNTY PUD NO. 3 HOLDING RATE HEARING TUESDAY – Mason County PUD No. 3 Board of Commissioners is holding a public hearing on increasing electricity rates at 10am Tuesday. This average five percent increase would go into effect on May 1st. Among the items on the PUD 3 Commission's regular meeting agenda is discussion of a letter from the City of Shelton expressing interest in the PUD's "K" Street Property. The Mason County PUD No. 3 Board of Commissioners meets in their boardroom at 307 West Cota Street in Shelton, again at 10am Tuesday. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Idaho – Mini-Cassia cities to receive payments from BPA (South Idaho Press)
http://www.southidahopress.com/articles/2008/03/08/news/local/9612rebates.txt
Montana – Coal-fired power plant projects feel heat from rising costs, environmental concerns (Great Falls Tribune)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080309/NEWS01/803090301/1002
California – Shake-up could be coming in electricity – Eight years after San Diego's long, hot summer of soaring power bills and blackout scares, the issue of electricity deregulation is back. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080310-9999-1n10dereg.html
Seattle City Light’s backlog of burned-out streetlights leaves some residents fearful (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/354269_streetlights08.html
Wenatchee World Op/Ed – There always will be access to low-cost Grant County PUD hydropower
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080307/OP03/636886424
News Release – Fitch Rates Energy Northwest's $667.2MM 2008 Bonds 'AA-' (BusinessWire)
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080307005673&newsLang=en
Legislating with a heavy heart – Sen. Hatfield on pole attachment bill: “Please don’t come back with a similar bill, because us rural bumpkins will be ready and waiting for you…" (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/10/top_story/doc47d4cf97549b5033257573.txt
Oregon – DeFazio pushes for state input on LNG – The process to site a proposed natural gas terminal is inadequate, U.S. House Democrats say (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1204948511242790.xml&coll=7
How to win Oregon’s vote – Clinton and Obama will need a quick education (Eugene Register Guard – See point 7, and then slowly count to ten and answer….just read the law!)
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=74444&sid=5&fid=1
Calpine power plant proposal outdated, critic says 'We're going backwards,' Hayward council candidate claims (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjglrmkqYSki%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
Kansas, Sooty Kansas – Kansas Senate sends coal plant bill to Sebelius (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjgmopqqZSki%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
Michigan State Legislature's actions will decide electricity pricing – The price of your electricity for years to come could hinge on what the Legislature does in 2008. (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/BUSINESS06/803100369
DOE denies rehearing request for transmission corridor designations (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=322395&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
Congressional Research Service – Impact of Rising Energy Costs on Older Americans
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RS22826
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
More water, good will flow at Skokomish River dam – About 60 people – including members of Tacoma Power, contractors and the tribe – stood atop Cushman Dam No. 2 on Friday afternoon to celebrate a quadrupling of water flow into the river (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/303575.html
Salmon fishing ban mulled in California as run suffers record plunge (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/772762.html
Federal aid sought in decline of salmon (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/378/story/767349.html
Modesto Bee OpEd – What's happening in the ocean affects salmon the most – Blaming a favorite scapegoat, water agencies that supply our cities and farms, while ignoring scientific evidence is irresponsible and won't bring back the salmon
http://www.modbee.com/opinion/community/story/234305.html
Shellfish Growers Submit Properties to Court – At least 75 shellfish growers in Western Washington have filed documents to bring them under a $33 million settlement with 17 area tribes. (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/mar/09/shellfish-growers-submit-properties-to-court/
Tacoma to replace reservoirs – Tacoma Water will replace huge reservoirs on South Hill to protect the drinking water of the city’s 200,000 residents from bird droppings, insect eggs and algae that sometimes produce water that stinks or tastes foul. (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/303577.html
Purple pipe dream: Reclaimed water for lawns at riverfront parks (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080307/NEWS04/371400350/1005
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Lawsuit aims to stop wind farm near Columbia River Gorge (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/03/03072008_Lawsuit-aims-to-stop-wind-farm-near-Columbia-River-Gorge.cfm?newsletter=1
Pepsi installs second-largest Northwest solar electric system (Associated Press, Via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1268325~Pepsi_installs_second_largest_Northwest_solar_electric_system.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Southern California Edison breaks ground on wind farm to power 3 million homes (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8490557?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Amid the debate, energy gets cleaner (Seattle Times – note the oblique book plug)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004270167_warming09.html
Ahem, pardon me? Solar Energy Firms Leave Waste Behind in China “…the byproduct of polysilicon production -- silicon tetrachloride -- is a highly toxic substance that poses environmental hazards…” (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/08/AR2008030802595.html?nav=rss_business
Ireland: Where wind power is king (CNET News)
http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9888020-54.html
CONSERVATION
Energy Star rules get tougher (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/303656.html
Not Just for Tree Huggers – Despite the free fall in housing prices nationwide, green homes are still red hot. (Newsweek – well, when ecoterrorists aren’t burning them down, that is. What an unfortunate headline)!
http://www.newsweek.com/id/120128?from=rss
Officials want to turn out the lights, save money (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/NEWS04/803100327
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Studies cite risk of fossil-fuel use – Cutting greenhouse-gas emissions enough to avert a dangerous rise in global temperatures may be far more difficult than previous research suggested (The Washington Post, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004271902_warming10.html
Bill sets goal of 2020 for cutting greenhouse gases – The legislation, which awaits the governor's signature, also calls for more "green" jobs. (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080309/NEWS01/688695974&news01ad=1
Seattle Times Editorial – The Evergreen State in more than name – No more good intentions. Washington state is committed to a purposeful response to climate change.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2004269444_climed09.html
Utility execs: Global warming fix not that pricey (Miami Herald, thanks to Dean Boyer @ WPUDA)
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/v-print/story/445715.html##
Canada – British Columbians don't like carbon tax – Poll shows we want climate change fixed, but we don't want to pay any money for it (Victoria Times-Colonist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=01663659-831b-4375-ab15-fa99d489bc4e&k=78491
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Gorge's high-tech high life – The lifestyle lures workers, and the job growth lifts the area (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1204943117105180.xml&coll=7
Internet activity is tracked more than we realize (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004271898_internet.html
Greener cell power presents challenges – When wireless industry technicians speak of "green" cell towers these days, they're not just talking about making them look more like trees. (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080307/ap_on_hi_te/cell_towers_green_4
Connection problems – 59% of Canadians feel anxious without the Net – 'Internet addiction" and "CrackBerry" are the narcotic-laced phrases we invariably use to explain our growing dependence on laptops and PDAs. (National Post)
http://www.nationalpost.com/newsletter/story.html?id=364219
GENERAL NEWS
BELFAIR CLINIC LOCATION ANNOUNCED – Harrison Medical Center has announced the location where it will build a medical clinic in Belfair. That location is on Highway 3 near the intersection with Romance Hill Road. The 7,300 square foot building will be built and owned by Rick Krueger. Harrison will lease the facility for ten years. Last week, Mason County Public Hospital District Number Two Commissioners signed a service agreement with Harrison to operate the clinic for ten years providing primary and urgent care to North Mason residents. Krueger will apply for building permits immediately with construction expected to be completed by the first of 2009. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Arson at 'Green' Homes Points To Environmentalist Divisions – Some Consider Even Eco-Friendly Housing Invasive (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/08/AR2008030802371.html?nav=rss_business
Lobbyists spent $4.2 in January on Legislature (The News Tribune, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1269345~Lobbyists_spent__4_2_in_January_on_Legislature.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
In Tanker Bid, It Was Boeing vs. Bold Ideas (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/business/worldbusiness/10tanker.html?_r=1&ex=1362888000&en=d9f6274b04552318&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
It’s hybrid vehicles to the rescue for state and local governments (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/383352.html
DIVERSIONS
Bonney Lake Girl In Clinton's '3 a.m.' Ad Now 17, Supports Obama
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15547526/detail.html
Chinese Wife Burns 400 Cell Phones After Husband Walks Out
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15527479/detail.html
Eugene, Ore., police think better of arresting horde of naked bikers
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080310/NEWS03/552096439/-1/RSS01
Friday, March 7, 2008
Energy News Digest for March 7, 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)
- Energy Department to ship nuclear waste to Idaho for treatment
- Benefits of Areva plant would reach statewide
- California – Man killed trying to steal copper from power lines
- Grant County PUD mulls higher rates
- Itron's Northwest energy innovations shown off to China
- Arizona-California electricity corridor gets the go-ahead
- Tennessee – Congressman says to invest rebate checks in energy efficiency products
- United Kingdom energy users face wind farm bill
- Federal aid sought in decline of west coast salmon
- SF Chronicle Editorial – Seen any salmon?
- Ocean Coho forecast looks grim for summer
- Smelt have all but vanished from region's rivers
- Boistfort Valley Water System Gets $258,000
- Oregon – Solar Energy Industry Continues To Shine
- Searching for Alternative Fuels
- US Researchers Hope to Tap Ocean Flows for Electricity
- The ballooning price tag for energy
- Solar Company Says Its Tech Can Power 90 Percent of Grid AND Cars
- GM Official: Hydrogen-Powered Cars Impractical
- Vindu's View: Algae startups chase dreams of fuel from pond scum
- New turbine generates electricity from flushing toilets
- ‘Gusher of Lies’ – Heard the One About the Farmer’s Ethanol?
- Congressional Research Reports – Are Incandescent Light Bulbs "Banned"?
- Outlook for Oceans Bleak as Sea 'Deserts' Grow
- SF Chronicle Op/Ed – 'Green' cabs are a false solution
- US rural broadband: you can get it, but you can't afford it
- Nearing the time to 'spring forward'
- Tribal-police bill nearing passage
- Five arraigned in Evergreen riot
- From Green to Black – A look at the eco-terror movement
- How's the economy in your hometown?
- Oregon family loses daughter, may lose 'Extreme Makeover' home
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
muckety-muck • \MUCK-uh-tee-muck\ • noun – An important and often arrogant person
“Ha Ha,” chortled the puckish department head. “I’m king of the copier service charge reports!” He crowed. “If you mess with me, I’ll mess with your copy budget.” Unfortunately, for him, the person in charge of the copier paper ordering was truly considered the muckety muck in the toner fume fueled debate. “The worm will turn,” murmured the paper maven to his stacks of paper boxes swaying in the corporate office basement.
From Merriam-Webster Dictionary – The Chinook of the Pacific Northwest were avid traders, and in the course of their history a trade language developed that came to be known as Chinook jargon, based on a combination of Chinook and other American Indian languages with English and French. The Chinook jargon term "hayo makamak" meant "plenty to eat." By a process called folk etymology, in which a word of another language is transformed to a more familiar-sounding term, "hayo" was identified with "high" and the spelling and meaning of the entire phrase was transformed. Beginning in the 19th century, the term "high-muck-a-muck" referred to a self-important person. Since then, the expression has taken on several variations, including "high mucky-muck" and "high-muckety-muck," and nowadays the "high" is often dispensed with entirely.
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
Energy Department to ship nuclear waste to Idaho for treatment (Associated Press, via the Examiner.com)
http://tinyurl.com/24c6fg
Benefits of Areva plant would reach statewide – On Wednesday, Areva announced that Richland is one of five U.S. sites it is considering for a new uranium enrichment plant. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/111026.html
California – Man killed trying to steal copper from power lines (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://tinyurl.com/2jwlve
Grant County PUD mulls higher rates (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/03/06/news/news01.txt
Itron's Northwest energy innovations shown off to China (Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/2z3apt
Electricity corridor gets the go-ahead – More Arizona electricity could be headed to California after the U.S. Department of Energy denied requests to reconsider its designation of a power transmission corridor between the two states. (East Valley Tribune)
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/110783
Tennessee – Congressman says to invest rebate checks in energy efficiency products (The Oak Ridger)
http://oakridger.com/stories/030608/new_254464071.shtml
United Kingdom energy users face wind farm bill – Gas and electricity consumers could face further rises in bills to pay for transmission to get electricity from far-flung wind farms to their homes (The Telegraph)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/07/cngas107.xml
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Federal aid sought in decline of west coast salmon (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/767349.html
SF Chronicle Editorial – Seen any salmon? Salmon stocks are prone to wild swings, hinging on water flows, weather and food-rich ocean waters.
http://tinyurl.com/32c4mc
Ocean Coho forecast looks grim for summer (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/07/this_day/10144773.txt
Smelt have all but vanished from region's rivers (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/302497.html
'Aren't you supposed to be deaf? How come you can talk?' – Salmon fishing on the Skokomish River (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/379890.html
Water System Gets $258,000 – The Boistfort Valley Water Company will be receiving some much-needed funding. (The Chronicle, Centralia)
http://tinyurl.com/3depp7
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon – Solar Energy Industry Continues To Shine (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/solar-energy-industry-continues-shine/
Searching for Alternative Fuels – As gas prices hit record highs, some farmers might be considering growing fields for alternative fuels. One local college professor says not all crops are created equal. (KNDO-TV, Tri Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7980237
US Researchers Hope to Tap Ocean Flows for Electricity (Voice of America)
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-03-06-voa18.cfm
The ballooning price tag for energy – A huge chunk of world wealth goes to its unquenchable energy thirst, but an expert says not enough money is invested in newer, cleaner energy solutions. (CNN Money)
http://tinyurl.com/2qx8ul
Solar Company Says Its Tech Can Power 90 Percent of Grid AND Cars (Wired Magazine)
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/03/solar-company-s.html
GM Official: Hydrogen-Powered Cars Impractical (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87928803&ft=1&f=2
Vindu's View: Algae startups chase dreams of fuel from pond scum – There's a certain poetry in the notion of jet planes shooting across the sky, powered by pond scum. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8479963?source=rss
New turbine generates electricity from flushing toilets (Geek.com)
http://www.geek.com/new-turbine-generates-electricity-from-flushing-toilets/
‘Gusher of Lies’ – Heard the One About the Farmer’s Ethanol? The Dangerous Delusions of ‘Energy Independence’ (NY Times)
http://tinyurl.com/yvpegx
CONSERVATION
Congressional Research Reports – Lighting Efficiency Standards in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007: Are Incandescent Light Bulbs "Banned"?
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RS22822
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Outlook for Oceans Bleak as Sea 'Deserts' Grow (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87959035&ft=1&f=2
SF Chronicle Op/Ed – 'Green' cabs are a false solution
http://tinyurl.com/3x8rrm
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
US rural broadband: you can get it, but you can't afford it (ARS Technica)
http://tinyurl.com/26c7sw
GENERAL NEWS
Nearing the time to 'spring forward' – Pros, cons cited for moving clocks up (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/354041_daylight07.html?source=rss
Tribal-police bill nearing passage (Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/ys35hy
Five arraigned in Evergreen riot – Four students at The Evergreen State College were among five people arraigned Thursday on charges stemming from the destruction of a sheriff's patrol car. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/381426.html
From Green to Black – What would motivate a supposed environmentalist to set fire to a home? A look at the eco-terror movement. (Newsweek)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/119773?from=rss
How's the economy in your hometown? (With cool USA Today McGraphics and McInformation for each state)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-03-04-local-differences_N.htm
Alabama county nearly bankrupt as municipal-bond industry hobbling (Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/28lsn5
Oregon family loses daughter, may lose 'Extreme Makeover' home (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/16383191.html
DIVERSIONS
NYC Pub Owner Bans `Danny Boy' For Entire Month of March (I’ve got a list of others you can add)
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15514065/detail.html
Class ring lost on Hawaii beach returned after 33 years
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8478534?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Network apologizes for mocking town name – A cable sports network says it no longer will make Athol the butt of its jokes.
http://tinyurl.com/2225nl
Judge to lawyer: Get a shovel, get job – A former lawyer convicted of stealing from clients has been told by a judge to get a job, even if it means shoveling snow off roofs.
http://tinyurl.com/yuxp9m
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Energy Department to ship nuclear waste to Idaho for treatment
- Benefits of Areva plant would reach statewide
- California – Man killed trying to steal copper from power lines
- Grant County PUD mulls higher rates
- Itron's Northwest energy innovations shown off to China
- Arizona-California electricity corridor gets the go-ahead
- Tennessee – Congressman says to invest rebate checks in energy efficiency products
- United Kingdom energy users face wind farm bill
- Federal aid sought in decline of west coast salmon
- SF Chronicle Editorial – Seen any salmon?
- Ocean Coho forecast looks grim for summer
- Smelt have all but vanished from region's rivers
- Boistfort Valley Water System Gets $258,000
- Oregon – Solar Energy Industry Continues To Shine
- Searching for Alternative Fuels
- US Researchers Hope to Tap Ocean Flows for Electricity
- The ballooning price tag for energy
- Solar Company Says Its Tech Can Power 90 Percent of Grid AND Cars
- GM Official: Hydrogen-Powered Cars Impractical
- Vindu's View: Algae startups chase dreams of fuel from pond scum
- New turbine generates electricity from flushing toilets
- ‘Gusher of Lies’ – Heard the One About the Farmer’s Ethanol?
- Congressional Research Reports – Are Incandescent Light Bulbs "Banned"?
- Outlook for Oceans Bleak as Sea 'Deserts' Grow
- SF Chronicle Op/Ed – 'Green' cabs are a false solution
- US rural broadband: you can get it, but you can't afford it
- Nearing the time to 'spring forward'
- Tribal-police bill nearing passage
- Five arraigned in Evergreen riot
- From Green to Black – A look at the eco-terror movement
- How's the economy in your hometown?
- Oregon family loses daughter, may lose 'Extreme Makeover' home
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
muckety-muck • \MUCK-uh-tee-muck\ • noun – An important and often arrogant person
“Ha Ha,” chortled the puckish department head. “I’m king of the copier service charge reports!” He crowed. “If you mess with me, I’ll mess with your copy budget.” Unfortunately, for him, the person in charge of the copier paper ordering was truly considered the muckety muck in the toner fume fueled debate. “The worm will turn,” murmured the paper maven to his stacks of paper boxes swaying in the corporate office basement.
From Merriam-Webster Dictionary – The Chinook of the Pacific Northwest were avid traders, and in the course of their history a trade language developed that came to be known as Chinook jargon, based on a combination of Chinook and other American Indian languages with English and French. The Chinook jargon term "hayo makamak" meant "plenty to eat." By a process called folk etymology, in which a word of another language is transformed to a more familiar-sounding term, "hayo" was identified with "high" and the spelling and meaning of the entire phrase was transformed. Beginning in the 19th century, the term "high-muck-a-muck" referred to a self-important person. Since then, the expression has taken on several variations, including "high mucky-muck" and "high-muckety-muck," and nowadays the "high" is often dispensed with entirely.
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
Energy Department to ship nuclear waste to Idaho for treatment (Associated Press, via the Examiner.com)
http://tinyurl.com/24c6fg
Benefits of Areva plant would reach statewide – On Wednesday, Areva announced that Richland is one of five U.S. sites it is considering for a new uranium enrichment plant. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/111026.html
California – Man killed trying to steal copper from power lines (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://tinyurl.com/2jwlve
Grant County PUD mulls higher rates (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/03/06/news/news01.txt
Itron's Northwest energy innovations shown off to China (Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/2z3apt
Electricity corridor gets the go-ahead – More Arizona electricity could be headed to California after the U.S. Department of Energy denied requests to reconsider its designation of a power transmission corridor between the two states. (East Valley Tribune)
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/110783
Tennessee – Congressman says to invest rebate checks in energy efficiency products (The Oak Ridger)
http://oakridger.com/stories/030608/new_254464071.shtml
United Kingdom energy users face wind farm bill – Gas and electricity consumers could face further rises in bills to pay for transmission to get electricity from far-flung wind farms to their homes (The Telegraph)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/07/cngas107.xml
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Federal aid sought in decline of west coast salmon (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/767349.html
SF Chronicle Editorial – Seen any salmon? Salmon stocks are prone to wild swings, hinging on water flows, weather and food-rich ocean waters.
http://tinyurl.com/32c4mc
Ocean Coho forecast looks grim for summer (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/07/this_day/10144773.txt
Smelt have all but vanished from region's rivers (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/302497.html
'Aren't you supposed to be deaf? How come you can talk?' – Salmon fishing on the Skokomish River (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/379890.html
Water System Gets $258,000 – The Boistfort Valley Water Company will be receiving some much-needed funding. (The Chronicle, Centralia)
http://tinyurl.com/3depp7
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon – Solar Energy Industry Continues To Shine (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/solar-energy-industry-continues-shine/
Searching for Alternative Fuels – As gas prices hit record highs, some farmers might be considering growing fields for alternative fuels. One local college professor says not all crops are created equal. (KNDO-TV, Tri Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7980237
US Researchers Hope to Tap Ocean Flows for Electricity (Voice of America)
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-03-06-voa18.cfm
The ballooning price tag for energy – A huge chunk of world wealth goes to its unquenchable energy thirst, but an expert says not enough money is invested in newer, cleaner energy solutions. (CNN Money)
http://tinyurl.com/2qx8ul
Solar Company Says Its Tech Can Power 90 Percent of Grid AND Cars (Wired Magazine)
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/03/solar-company-s.html
GM Official: Hydrogen-Powered Cars Impractical (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87928803&ft=1&f=2
Vindu's View: Algae startups chase dreams of fuel from pond scum – There's a certain poetry in the notion of jet planes shooting across the sky, powered by pond scum. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8479963?source=rss
New turbine generates electricity from flushing toilets (Geek.com)
http://www.geek.com/new-turbine-generates-electricity-from-flushing-toilets/
‘Gusher of Lies’ – Heard the One About the Farmer’s Ethanol? The Dangerous Delusions of ‘Energy Independence’ (NY Times)
http://tinyurl.com/yvpegx
CONSERVATION
Congressional Research Reports – Lighting Efficiency Standards in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007: Are Incandescent Light Bulbs "Banned"?
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RS22822
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Outlook for Oceans Bleak as Sea 'Deserts' Grow (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87959035&ft=1&f=2
SF Chronicle Op/Ed – 'Green' cabs are a false solution
http://tinyurl.com/3x8rrm
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
US rural broadband: you can get it, but you can't afford it (ARS Technica)
http://tinyurl.com/26c7sw
GENERAL NEWS
Nearing the time to 'spring forward' – Pros, cons cited for moving clocks up (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/354041_daylight07.html?source=rss
Tribal-police bill nearing passage (Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/ys35hy
Five arraigned in Evergreen riot – Four students at The Evergreen State College were among five people arraigned Thursday on charges stemming from the destruction of a sheriff's patrol car. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/381426.html
From Green to Black – What would motivate a supposed environmentalist to set fire to a home? A look at the eco-terror movement. (Newsweek)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/119773?from=rss
How's the economy in your hometown? (With cool USA Today McGraphics and McInformation for each state)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-03-04-local-differences_N.htm
Alabama county nearly bankrupt as municipal-bond industry hobbling (Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/28lsn5
Oregon family loses daughter, may lose 'Extreme Makeover' home (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/16383191.html
DIVERSIONS
NYC Pub Owner Bans `Danny Boy' For Entire Month of March (I’ve got a list of others you can add)
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15514065/detail.html
Class ring lost on Hawaii beach returned after 33 years
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8478534?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Network apologizes for mocking town name – A cable sports network says it no longer will make Athol the butt of its jokes.
http://tinyurl.com/2225nl
Judge to lawyer: Get a shovel, get job – A former lawyer convicted of stealing from clients has been told by a judge to get a job, even if it means shoveling snow off roofs.
http://tinyurl.com/yuxp9m
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Energy News Digest for March 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)
- Clatskanie PUD Challenges BPA in U.S. 9th Circuit Court
- Clallam County PUD considers 5.5% home electricity rate increase
- Adams County seeks share of privilege taxes paid by Energy NW
- Washington Joins Idaho In Competition For Uranium Factory
- Florida Sparks Dark Visions
- North Carolina – Clean-coal tax credits going to federal court
- United Kingdom – Meter customers 'forced to pay more for energy'
- Oregon – Reserve idea flopping with fishermen
- Klamath River Dams' Removal Hinges on Owner
- Oregon – Salmon fishermen: Outlook seems grim, but let's talk
- Recovery plan identifies fishing as threat to sea lions
- Over-fishing has been Overlooked
- Disappointing Smelt Season On The Cowlitz
- La Niña May Persist Through Spring
- New Oregon Law Stores Water For Dry Days Of Summer
- Manmade Flood Unleashed in Grand Canyon
- Motives of Grand Canyon Flush Questioned
- SF Mayor Newsom backs Golden Gate tidal turbine power despite study
- Putting wind on the wires: A Texas tale
- Putting wind on the wires: resolving a California conundrum
- Turning Glare Into Watts
- New Mexico digs into solar manufacturing
- A Mighty (Renewable) Wind Blows In California
- Missouri – Upcoming Town Hall Meeting To Focus On Using Wood For Energy
- Experts Urge Boost in Tennessee Valley Authority Renewables
- Bush Urges Action on Corn Price Rises Fueled by Ethanol
- 'Thirsty' electric cars threaten water resources
- Canada – Electricity conservation will cost Islanders
- Washington State Legislature moves to cut greenhouse emissions
- Idaho senators balk at approving global warming resolution
- Poll: Most Americans Believe "Going Green" Will Create Jobs, Improve Communities
- Ocean fertilization firm Climos gains financial backing
- ISP Lobbying Group: What Rural Broadband Problem?
- An urgent call: Give us broadband, Vermont towns say
- Study: Mobile broadband use up 154 percent
- 365 Main's Oakland data center joins in energy program
- If Comcast Shares Broadband Deployment Data, The Terrorists Win
- Microsoft releases new Web browser beta
- Spring Forward – Early warning: Clocks to lose an hour Sunday
- Boeing's tanker bid damaged when Air Force changed criteria, Dicks says
- Gas thieves working overtime
- Oil soars as OPEC blames U.S. ills
- Seattle Times Columnist – Arson? Now it's uneasy being green
- Levy Would Add Staff to Tahuya Fire Station
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Pleiad • \PLEE-ad\ • noun – A group of usually seven illustrious or brilliant persons or things
“Pleiad Brides for Pleiad Brothers?” mused Albert as he battled with his colleagues Frances and Dorothy over the title of the screenplay on which they were working. “don’t you think that’s a little too highbrow?”
From Merriam-Webster Dictionary – In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione who were changed into a conspicuous cluster of seven stars in the constellation Taurus.
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
Clatskanie PUD Challenges BPA in U.S. 9th Circuit Court (Clatskanie Chief)
http://www.stpns.net/view_article.html?articleId=87042108709738289
Clallam County PUD considers 5.5% home electricity rate increase for most of the county effective April 1 (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080306/NEWS/803060304
Adams County seeks share of privilege taxes paid by Energy NW (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/915/story/109984.html
Washington Joins Idaho In Competition For Uranium Factory (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/washington-joins-idaho-competition-uranium-factory/
Florida Sparks Dark Visions (Power Marketing Association Online)
http://tinyurl.com/2ulp72
North Carolina – Clean-coal tax credits going to federal court – Two N.C. environmental groups have sued federal officials over $1 billion in "clean coal" tax credits for nine power plants, including two of Duke Energy's. (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://tinyurl.com/2updzv
United Kingdom – Meter customers 'forced to pay more for energy' – Customers who use prepayment meters are being charged up to £328 ($658 US) a year more than those with online tariffs who pay by direct debit (The Guardian Newspaper)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/mar/06/householdbills.consumeraffairs
Oregon – Central Lincoln PUD gets new power outage reporting system (Newport News Times)
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2008/03/05/news/news14.txt
News Release – PECO Aims to Reduce Outages Caused by Trees with $35 Million in Trimming, Clearing Around Power Lines (Yahoo! Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080306/20080306005718.html?.v=1
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Oregon – Reserve idea flopping with fishermen – Members of the industry are leery about a proposal to designate no-fishing zones (The Oregonian)
http://tinyurl.com/3c7r8u
Klamath River Dams' Removal Hinges on Owner (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87928806&ft=1&f=2
Concerns well up over Klamath agreement (Eureka Times-Standard)
http://www.times-standard.com/ci_8459366
Oregon – Salmon fishermen: Outlook seems grim, but let's talk (The World, Coos Bay)
http://theworldlink.com/articles/2008/03/05/news/doc47cee64b8cbe0835272191.txt
Recovery plan identifies fishing as threat to sea lions – A 325-page plan issued Wednesday for Alaska sea lions lists dozens of actions needed for the animals to recover. (Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/3ydt72
Over-fishing has been Overlooked (Columbia Spectator)
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/29792
DISAPPOINTING SMELT SEASON ON THE COWLITZ – Did you fill nets with smelt? Consider yourself lucky. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife believes the smelt run is likely over for the year. Some people did reach limits by the middle of last month. But the Cowlitz River run has since dwindled. It’s the latest in a series of disappointing seasons for local smelt seekers. (KELA Radio, Centralia)
La Niña May Persist Through Spring (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://tinyurl.com/35dl76
New Oregon Law Stores Water For Dry Days Of Summer – Oregon took the first step Wednesday toward a long-term plan to share Columbia River water among farmers, salmon and cities. (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/new-oregon-law-stores-water-dry-days-summer/
Manmade Flood Unleashed in Grand Canyon – Twin torrents of water unleashed from a dam coursed through the Grand Canyon on Wednesday in a flood meant to mimic the natural ones that used to nourish the ecosystem by spreading sediment. (Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/2olchb
Motives of Grand Canyon Flush Questioned – The federal government began unleashing a two and a half day flood through the Grand Canyon Wednesday (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87933157&ft=1&f=3
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
SF Mayor Newsom backs Golden Gate turbine power despite study – a study recently concluded the idea would cost tens of millions of dollars and is not financially feasible. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/05/BAJNVDH5E.DTL
Putting wind on the wires: A Texas tale (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://tinyurl.com/39xxya
Putting wind on the wires: resolving a California conundrum (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://tinyurl.com/2oho5f
Turning Glare Into Watts (NY Times)
http://tinyurl.com/2lo3en
New Mexico digs into solar manufacturing – Governor leads ground-breaking for potentially $500 million plant (MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23464734/
A Mighty (Renewable) Wind Blows In California – California dairy cows are giving the state's power grid a blast of renewable energy, but the real money maker in bovine biogas may lie elsewhere. (InfoWeek – OK, now send your 25 cents to Christopher Guest)
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/03/a_mighty_renewa.html
Missouri – Upcoming Town Hall Meeting To Focus On Using Wood For Energy (Democrat News & Daily Journal, Fredrickstown)
http://tinyurl.com/2py34k
Experts Urge Boost in Tennessee Valley Authority Renewables (Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5597614.html
Bush Urges Action on Corn Price Rises Fueled by Ethanol (NY Times)
http://tinyurl.com/34aepv
'Thirsty' electric cars threaten water resources – They may not be gas-guzzlers, but electric cars have a raging thirst for water (New Scientist)
http://tinyurl.com/3yfuu8
CONSERVATION
Canada – Electricity conservation will cost Islanders. A new plan to reduce electricity use on Prince Edward Island will cost Islanders through higher rates for power. (CBC News)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2008/03/06/green-costs.html
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Legislature moves to cut greenhouse emissions – The Legislature on Wednesday committed Washington to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in "green economy jobs." (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/353854_climate06.html
Idaho senators balk at approving global warming resolution (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/379832.html
Poll: Most Americans Believe "Going Green" Will Create Jobs, Improve Communities (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://tinyurl.com/38pt6g
Ocean fertilization firm Climos gains financial backing – The start-up plans to mitigate climate change by stimulating plankton growth; says that it has raised a series A venture capital round of $3.5 million. (CNET News)
http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9886183-54.html?part=dht&tag=nl.e703
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
ISP Lobbying Group: What Rural Broadband Problem? Move along folks, there's nothing to see here... (Broadband Reports – Comment section may include PG-13 language)
http://tinyurl.com/29fc89
An urgent call: Give us broadband, Vermont towns say – Vermont voters sent a clear message to the world of high-speed Internet Tuesday: We want in. (Barre/Montpelier Times-Argus, via Baller/Herbst)
http://tinyurl.com/25x3xd
Study: Mobile broadband use up 154 percent (Nashville Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2008/03/03/daily17.html?ana=from_rss
365 Main's Oakland data center joins in energy program (East Bay Business Times)
http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/03/03/daily41.html?ana=from_rss
If Comcast Shares Broadband Deployment Data, The Terrorists Win. The secret Jihad against cable TV exposed! (Broadband Reports – Comment section may include PG-13 language)
http://tinyurl.com/3c9xyu
Microsoft releases new Web browser beta (Tri City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/991/story/109622.html
GENERAL NEWS
Spring Forward – Early warning: Clocks to lose an hour Sunday (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/380221.html
Boeing's tanker bid damaged when Air Force changed criteria, Dicks says (Seattle Times – Nice file photo)
http://tinyurl.com/3akqj9
Gas thieves working overtime – Thieves struck again stealing fuel from local gas stations, and as gas prices keep soaring, that theft ring is working overtime. (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_030508WAB_gas_thefts_KC.281ef426.html
Oil soars as OPEC blames U.S. ills – OPEC said Wednesday it will not put more oil on the global market despite record-high prices for crude, blaming the U.S. for economic "mismanagement" that it said was having a worldwide effect. (Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/2t5l3r
Seattle Times Columnist – Arson? Now it's uneasy being green. I might have to stop recycling, maybe even buy a really big SUV. Who wants to be on the same side of an issue as the eco-terrorists who destroyed a group of houses near Maltby this week?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/jerrylarge/2004263890_jdl06m.html
Levy Would Add Staff to Tahuya Fire Station (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/mar/05/levy-would-add-staff-to-tahuya-fire-station/
DIVERSIONS
Man Flies Son To Tennis Date To Avoid Traffic, Lands On Golf Course
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15503079/detail.html
Snow Eating Now an Endangered Kid Pleasure
http://tinyurl.com/3cr9gk
Helping at home? Dad's the word – Reward is happier marriages
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/353936_dads06.html
Cemetery full, mayor tells locals not to die
http://tinyurl.com/2uwjhj
Man takes car on 2,000 mile test drive
http://tinyurl.com/2stsgg
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Clatskanie PUD Challenges BPA in U.S. 9th Circuit Court
- Clallam County PUD considers 5.5% home electricity rate increase
- Adams County seeks share of privilege taxes paid by Energy NW
- Washington Joins Idaho In Competition For Uranium Factory
- Florida Sparks Dark Visions
- North Carolina – Clean-coal tax credits going to federal court
- United Kingdom – Meter customers 'forced to pay more for energy'
- Oregon – Reserve idea flopping with fishermen
- Klamath River Dams' Removal Hinges on Owner
- Oregon – Salmon fishermen: Outlook seems grim, but let's talk
- Recovery plan identifies fishing as threat to sea lions
- Over-fishing has been Overlooked
- Disappointing Smelt Season On The Cowlitz
- La Niña May Persist Through Spring
- New Oregon Law Stores Water For Dry Days Of Summer
- Manmade Flood Unleashed in Grand Canyon
- Motives of Grand Canyon Flush Questioned
- SF Mayor Newsom backs Golden Gate tidal turbine power despite study
- Putting wind on the wires: A Texas tale
- Putting wind on the wires: resolving a California conundrum
- Turning Glare Into Watts
- New Mexico digs into solar manufacturing
- A Mighty (Renewable) Wind Blows In California
- Missouri – Upcoming Town Hall Meeting To Focus On Using Wood For Energy
- Experts Urge Boost in Tennessee Valley Authority Renewables
- Bush Urges Action on Corn Price Rises Fueled by Ethanol
- 'Thirsty' electric cars threaten water resources
- Canada – Electricity conservation will cost Islanders
- Washington State Legislature moves to cut greenhouse emissions
- Idaho senators balk at approving global warming resolution
- Poll: Most Americans Believe "Going Green" Will Create Jobs, Improve Communities
- Ocean fertilization firm Climos gains financial backing
- ISP Lobbying Group: What Rural Broadband Problem?
- An urgent call: Give us broadband, Vermont towns say
- Study: Mobile broadband use up 154 percent
- 365 Main's Oakland data center joins in energy program
- If Comcast Shares Broadband Deployment Data, The Terrorists Win
- Microsoft releases new Web browser beta
- Spring Forward – Early warning: Clocks to lose an hour Sunday
- Boeing's tanker bid damaged when Air Force changed criteria, Dicks says
- Gas thieves working overtime
- Oil soars as OPEC blames U.S. ills
- Seattle Times Columnist – Arson? Now it's uneasy being green
- Levy Would Add Staff to Tahuya Fire Station
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Pleiad • \PLEE-ad\ • noun – A group of usually seven illustrious or brilliant persons or things
“Pleiad Brides for Pleiad Brothers?” mused Albert as he battled with his colleagues Frances and Dorothy over the title of the screenplay on which they were working. “don’t you think that’s a little too highbrow?”
From Merriam-Webster Dictionary – In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione who were changed into a conspicuous cluster of seven stars in the constellation Taurus.
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
Clatskanie PUD Challenges BPA in U.S. 9th Circuit Court (Clatskanie Chief)
http://www.stpns.net/view_article.html?articleId=87042108709738289
Clallam County PUD considers 5.5% home electricity rate increase for most of the county effective April 1 (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080306/NEWS/803060304
Adams County seeks share of privilege taxes paid by Energy NW (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/915/story/109984.html
Washington Joins Idaho In Competition For Uranium Factory (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/washington-joins-idaho-competition-uranium-factory/
Florida Sparks Dark Visions (Power Marketing Association Online)
http://tinyurl.com/2ulp72
North Carolina – Clean-coal tax credits going to federal court – Two N.C. environmental groups have sued federal officials over $1 billion in "clean coal" tax credits for nine power plants, including two of Duke Energy's. (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://tinyurl.com/2updzv
United Kingdom – Meter customers 'forced to pay more for energy' – Customers who use prepayment meters are being charged up to £328 ($658 US) a year more than those with online tariffs who pay by direct debit (The Guardian Newspaper)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/mar/06/householdbills.consumeraffairs
Oregon – Central Lincoln PUD gets new power outage reporting system (Newport News Times)
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2008/03/05/news/news14.txt
News Release – PECO Aims to Reduce Outages Caused by Trees with $35 Million in Trimming, Clearing Around Power Lines (Yahoo! Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080306/20080306005718.html?.v=1
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Oregon – Reserve idea flopping with fishermen – Members of the industry are leery about a proposal to designate no-fishing zones (The Oregonian)
http://tinyurl.com/3c7r8u
Klamath River Dams' Removal Hinges on Owner (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87928806&ft=1&f=2
Concerns well up over Klamath agreement (Eureka Times-Standard)
http://www.times-standard.com/ci_8459366
Oregon – Salmon fishermen: Outlook seems grim, but let's talk (The World, Coos Bay)
http://theworldlink.com/articles/2008/03/05/news/doc47cee64b8cbe0835272191.txt
Recovery plan identifies fishing as threat to sea lions – A 325-page plan issued Wednesday for Alaska sea lions lists dozens of actions needed for the animals to recover. (Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/3ydt72
Over-fishing has been Overlooked (Columbia Spectator)
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/29792
DISAPPOINTING SMELT SEASON ON THE COWLITZ – Did you fill nets with smelt? Consider yourself lucky. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife believes the smelt run is likely over for the year. Some people did reach limits by the middle of last month. But the Cowlitz River run has since dwindled. It’s the latest in a series of disappointing seasons for local smelt seekers. (KELA Radio, Centralia)
La Niña May Persist Through Spring (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://tinyurl.com/35dl76
New Oregon Law Stores Water For Dry Days Of Summer – Oregon took the first step Wednesday toward a long-term plan to share Columbia River water among farmers, salmon and cities. (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/new-oregon-law-stores-water-dry-days-summer/
Manmade Flood Unleashed in Grand Canyon – Twin torrents of water unleashed from a dam coursed through the Grand Canyon on Wednesday in a flood meant to mimic the natural ones that used to nourish the ecosystem by spreading sediment. (Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/2olchb
Motives of Grand Canyon Flush Questioned – The federal government began unleashing a two and a half day flood through the Grand Canyon Wednesday (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87933157&ft=1&f=3
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
SF Mayor Newsom backs Golden Gate turbine power despite study – a study recently concluded the idea would cost tens of millions of dollars and is not financially feasible. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/05/BAJNVDH5E.DTL
Putting wind on the wires: A Texas tale (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://tinyurl.com/39xxya
Putting wind on the wires: resolving a California conundrum (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://tinyurl.com/2oho5f
Turning Glare Into Watts (NY Times)
http://tinyurl.com/2lo3en
New Mexico digs into solar manufacturing – Governor leads ground-breaking for potentially $500 million plant (MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23464734/
A Mighty (Renewable) Wind Blows In California – California dairy cows are giving the state's power grid a blast of renewable energy, but the real money maker in bovine biogas may lie elsewhere. (InfoWeek – OK, now send your 25 cents to Christopher Guest)
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/03/a_mighty_renewa.html
Missouri – Upcoming Town Hall Meeting To Focus On Using Wood For Energy (Democrat News & Daily Journal, Fredrickstown)
http://tinyurl.com/2py34k
Experts Urge Boost in Tennessee Valley Authority Renewables (Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5597614.html
Bush Urges Action on Corn Price Rises Fueled by Ethanol (NY Times)
http://tinyurl.com/34aepv
'Thirsty' electric cars threaten water resources – They may not be gas-guzzlers, but electric cars have a raging thirst for water (New Scientist)
http://tinyurl.com/3yfuu8
CONSERVATION
Canada – Electricity conservation will cost Islanders. A new plan to reduce electricity use on Prince Edward Island will cost Islanders through higher rates for power. (CBC News)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2008/03/06/green-costs.html
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Legislature moves to cut greenhouse emissions – The Legislature on Wednesday committed Washington to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in "green economy jobs." (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/353854_climate06.html
Idaho senators balk at approving global warming resolution (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/379832.html
Poll: Most Americans Believe "Going Green" Will Create Jobs, Improve Communities (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://tinyurl.com/38pt6g
Ocean fertilization firm Climos gains financial backing – The start-up plans to mitigate climate change by stimulating plankton growth; says that it has raised a series A venture capital round of $3.5 million. (CNET News)
http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9886183-54.html?part=dht&tag=nl.e703
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
ISP Lobbying Group: What Rural Broadband Problem? Move along folks, there's nothing to see here... (Broadband Reports – Comment section may include PG-13 language)
http://tinyurl.com/29fc89
An urgent call: Give us broadband, Vermont towns say – Vermont voters sent a clear message to the world of high-speed Internet Tuesday: We want in. (Barre/Montpelier Times-Argus, via Baller/Herbst)
http://tinyurl.com/25x3xd
Study: Mobile broadband use up 154 percent (Nashville Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2008/03/03/daily17.html?ana=from_rss
365 Main's Oakland data center joins in energy program (East Bay Business Times)
http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/03/03/daily41.html?ana=from_rss
If Comcast Shares Broadband Deployment Data, The Terrorists Win. The secret Jihad against cable TV exposed! (Broadband Reports – Comment section may include PG-13 language)
http://tinyurl.com/3c9xyu
Microsoft releases new Web browser beta (Tri City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/991/story/109622.html
GENERAL NEWS
Spring Forward – Early warning: Clocks to lose an hour Sunday (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/380221.html
Boeing's tanker bid damaged when Air Force changed criteria, Dicks says (Seattle Times – Nice file photo)
http://tinyurl.com/3akqj9
Gas thieves working overtime – Thieves struck again stealing fuel from local gas stations, and as gas prices keep soaring, that theft ring is working overtime. (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_030508WAB_gas_thefts_KC.281ef426.html
Oil soars as OPEC blames U.S. ills – OPEC said Wednesday it will not put more oil on the global market despite record-high prices for crude, blaming the U.S. for economic "mismanagement" that it said was having a worldwide effect. (Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/2t5l3r
Seattle Times Columnist – Arson? Now it's uneasy being green. I might have to stop recycling, maybe even buy a really big SUV. Who wants to be on the same side of an issue as the eco-terrorists who destroyed a group of houses near Maltby this week?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/jerrylarge/2004263890_jdl06m.html
Levy Would Add Staff to Tahuya Fire Station (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/mar/05/levy-would-add-staff-to-tahuya-fire-station/
DIVERSIONS
Man Flies Son To Tennis Date To Avoid Traffic, Lands On Golf Course
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15503079/detail.html
Snow Eating Now an Endangered Kid Pleasure
http://tinyurl.com/3cr9gk
Helping at home? Dad's the word – Reward is happier marriages
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/353936_dads06.html
Cemetery full, mayor tells locals not to die
http://tinyurl.com/2uwjhj
Man takes car on 2,000 mile test drive
http://tinyurl.com/2stsgg
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