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)
- Skagit and Jefferson County Public utilities talk of supplying PSE customers
- Hearing on the Role of Hydropower – Congressional Testimony of Scott Corwin, Executive Director, Public Power Council
- Hearing on the Role of Hydropower – Congressional Testimony of Tim Culbertson, General Manager of Grant County PUD
- CANADA – B.C. Hydro evaluating gas-fired power plants
- US Department of Energy says natural-gas supplies rose last week
- CONNECTICUT – Three Companies To Build New 'Peaking' Power Plants
- Alcoa Shares Fall Sharply
- City of Aberdeen Utility tax hike proposed
- New face and pace of Truckee Donner Public Utility District
- New salmon treaty welcomed – Revisions to 1985 U.S.-Canada treaty await signatures
- West Coast lawmakers vow to save salmon-fishing subsidy
- West Coast trawlers may land share of fishery
- ALASKA – Deshka River king salmon go missing
- Judge's State of Washington water ruling a blow to builders
- Tacoma Water snubs water conservation billboards
- Hard to swallow – Do tiny quantities of drugs in Portland’s drinking water pose a threat to human health?
- CANADA – The Case for Selling Our Water
- The Olympian Editorial – The huge cost of big success for Columbia Basin water agreement
- Weyco’s Lewis County Clear-Cut Mudslide Could Prompt New Rules
- Pacific Power's legal concerns threaten to end Oregon's solar boom
- OREGON – Blocking Out The Sun – Utility giant eclipses Oregon solar generation
- CANADA – BC Hydro going green to power 500,000 homes
- NEW ZEALAND – Home-made power? It's a breeze
- CALIFORNIA – Power plant output from solar, biofuel
- MASSACHUSETTS – Municipal utilities pay $4M for Berkshire Wind project assets
- UNITED KINGDOM – Wave power scientist enthused by green energy
- San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – San Francisco should lead the way - build green
- MICHIGAN – Mackinac Bridge dimming lights to save energy
- Global Warming Man Made or Natural Cycle?
- Head for the Hills! Creatures Flee Global Warming
- Centralia Downtown Broadband Internet Pilot Suspended
- CALIFORNIA – Cities have to bid bye-bye to free Wi-Fi
- SAN FRANCISCO – Different sort of free Wi-Fi starts to thrive
- Verizon expands fast DSL to more areas
- NEW JERSEY – Service suffers as Verizon upgrades to fiber optics
- Cable Corn Farmer Sock Puppets Attack Google
- Olympia couple sues Port of Tacoma over acquisition of Maytown land
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Nadir • \NAY-deer\ • noun – 1: the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer 2: the lowest point
The fall at the wastewater treatment plant’s intake, and the succeeding journey would live forever in Ambrose’ memory. After careening down pipes and through trenches, he thought he had reached the nadir of his sloppy, gut-wrenching journey through the bowels of the facility. Upon hearing the whirling sounds emanating from the upcoming digesting tanks, he knew he was wrong.
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
Skagit and Jefferson County Public utilities talk of supplying PSE customers – Proposed sale to new investors raises concerns (Bellingham Herald, WA)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/438228.html
Hearing on the Role of Hydropower – Testimony of Scott Corwin, Executive Director, Public Power Council to the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power Unites States House of Representatives
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3328108/Public-Power-Council-Testimony-to-US-House-of-Representatives-Committee-on-Natural-Resources-Subcommittee-on-Water-and-Power-?ga_from_send_to_friend=1
Hearing on the Role of Hydropower – Testimony of Tim Culbertson, General Manager of Grant County PUD to the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power Unites States House of Representatives: “Hydropower: Providing 75% of America’s Current Renewable Energy. Exploring Its Role as a Continued Source of Clean, Renewable Energy for the Future”
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3328219/June-12-2008-Tim-Culbertson-Congressional-Testimony-on-Hydropower?ga_from_send_to_friend=1
CANADA – B.C. Hydro evaluating gas-fired power plants (Straight.com, Vancouver, BC)
http://www.straight.com/article-149336/bc-hydro-evaluating-gasfired-power-plants
US Department of Energy says natural-gas supplies rose last week (The Associated Press)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080612/natural_gas_storage.html?.v=1
CONNECTICUT – Three Companies To Build New 'Peaking' Power Plants (The Hartford Courant)
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctpeakpower0612.artjun12,0,4939600.story
Alcoa Shares Fall Sharply on Downgrade market disappointed with both the strategic direction and with the company’s near-term earnings because of high materials and energy costs (Reuters, via the NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/business/12alcoa.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
City of Aberdeen Utility tax hike proposed (The Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/06/12/local_news/02news.txt
New face and pace of Truckee Donner Public Utility District – General manager working to improve foundation (The Sierra Sun, CA)
http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20080612/NEWS/279156122/-1/rss03
FISH & WILDLIFE
New salmon treaty welcomed – Revisions to 1985 U.S.-Canada treaty await signatures (Bellingham Herald, WA)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/business/story/438222.html
West Coast lawmakers vow to save salmon-fishing subsidy – Officials are protesting a plan by the Bush administration to take $70 million from the $170 million approved in the farm bill (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004472266_salmon12m.html?syndication=rss
West Coast trawlers may land share of fishery (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/366751_fishlimits12.html?source=rss
ALASKA – Deshka River king salmon go missing – Return numbers are so low on the river, the state is considering restrictions (Anchorage Daily News, AK)
http://www.adn.com/fishing/story/434007.html
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Judge's State of Washington water ruling a blow to builders – The Legislature overstepped its boundaries by passing a law classifying developers as local governments when it comes to getting rights to pump drinking water out of the ground (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/366644_water12.html
Tacoma Water snubs water conservation billboards – Summer is coming – at least on the calendar – and that means it’s time for Tacoma Water to launch its annual conservation campaign (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/387018.html
Hard to swallow – Do tiny quantities of drugs in Portland’s drinking water pose a threat to human health? (Portland Tribune, OR)
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=121303862600044100
CANADA – The Case for Selling Our Water – Few suggestions raise our temperature faster than that we should sell any of it, especially to America (The Tyee, Vancouver, BC))
http://thetyee.ca/Books/2008/06/12/SellingWater/
The Olympian Editorial – The huge cost of big success for Columbia Basin water agreement (Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/126/story/475365.html
Weyco’s Lewis County Clear-Cut Mudslide Could Prompt New Rules – State-Commissioned Studies Will Be Considered in Possible Logging Policy Changes for Slopes (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1213206310&archive=
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Pacific Power's legal concerns threaten to end Oregon's solar boom – About 80 percent of commercial solar projects could be at risk if they are found out of compliance with utility law (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1213241104179110.xml&coll=7
OREGON – Blocking Out The Sun – Utility giant eclipses Oregon solar generation – The explosive growth in Oregon solar-power projects has lurched to a halt, thanks to objections from a utility that has ironically been a strong proponent of developing renewable resources (Willamette Weekly, Portland, OR)
http://wweek.com/editorial/3431/11084/
CANADA – BC Hydro going green to power 500,000 homes – Largest ecofriendly power call in five years seeks wind, solar, hydro and other sources (The Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=69b04943-2f8f-4c87-aac9-8e07b002bdea
NEW ZEALAND – Home-made power? It's a breeze (The New Zealand Herald)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10515883
CALIFORNIA – Power plant output from solar, biofuel – You can't have solar energy without the sun, which makes nighttime and very rainy days something of a problem if you want electricity 24/7. (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9560899?source=rss
MASSACHUSETTS – Municipal utilities pay $4M for Berkshire Wind project assets (Boston Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2008/06/09/daily39.html?ana=from_rss
UNITED KINGDOM – Wave power scientist enthused by green energy (The Times of London)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/career_and_jobs/careers_in/careers_in_science/article4111684.ece
CONSERVATION
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – San Francisco should lead the way - build green
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/12/EDCJ117IS6.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
MICHIGAN – Mackinac Bridge dimming lights to save energy (The Associated Press, via MLive.com)
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/mackinac_bridge_dimming_lights.html
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Global Warming Man Made or Natural Cycle? (Adam’s View)
http://www.nolanchart.com/article4029.html
Head for the Hills! Creatures Flee Global Warming (Live Science)
http://www.livescience.com/animals/080612-mountain-species.html
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Centralia Downtown Broadband Internet Pilot Suspended – Underground: Power Line Work and Lack of Connectivity Halts Project; $500,000 Already Spent (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1213205136&archive=
CALIFORNIA – Cities have to bid bye-bye to free Wi-Fi – The free municipal Wi-Fi dream appears to be coming to an end for a handful of Bay Area cities (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/12/BU681140TT.DTL&feed=rss.business
SAN FRANCISCO – Different sort of free Wi-Fi starts to thrive (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/12/MN6N117KJU.DTL&feed=rss.news
Verizon expands fast DSL to more areas (The Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080612/ap_on_hi_te/tec_verizon_dsl_2
NEW JERSEY – Service suffers as Verizon upgrades to fiber optics (The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/service_suffers_as_verizon_upg.html
Cable Corn Farmer Sock Puppets Attack Google – Weirdest headline of the year award (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Cable-Corn-Farmer-Sock-Puppets-Attack-Google-95199
GENERAL NEWS
Olympia couple sues Port of Tacoma over acquisition of Maytown land (The Olympian, via the News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/387071.html
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS
Jail break foiled by air vent
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSHER25787420080612?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Drivers turn to blow-up dolls, dogs dressed as children to beat traffic rules
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSHER25771920080612?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Swooping Crows Spook Workers at King County Building
http://www.kirotv.com/news/16573668/detail.html
SOTP? Crew Misspells Marker At Intersection – Misspelling Happened In Stockton, Calif.
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/16585691/detail.html
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Energy News Digest for June 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)
- Fitch issues ratings on $209 million in Energy Northwest revenue bonds
- Chelan County PUD favors low, gradual rate increases
- Security hole exposes utilities to Internet attack
- CALIFORNIA – Pacific Gas & Electric to raise electric rates starting in October
- New euphemism for deregulation – Former Michigan Public Service Commissioners oppose sections of energy “re-monopolization” bills
- United Kingdom – Climate change: Carbon capture from power stations must start soon, say scientists
- Seattle Times Fishing Outlook – Summer salmon opportunities abound
- Canada – Speaker shoots down emergency Pacific Northwest salmon debate
- North Mason Residents Still Say Belfair Sewer Too Expensive
- Officials pledge international cooperation on Columbia River management
- After years of waiting, Columbia River water may finally flow
- Seattle Times Op/Ed – Jay Manning: Charting a new course toward a healthy Puget Sound
- Old law lets developers use old rules, thwarting Puget Sound protection, critics charge
- Oregon board says public has right to access the banks of the Rogue River
- Dam Fails, Homes Wiped Out in Wisconsin Flooding
- Lewis County PUD Finalizes Renewable Energy Purchase Requirement
- Wind power companies target Clark County in Washington State
- Reversing Winds: America's Rediscovery of Manufacturing
- San Jose Mercury News Editorial: Companies' creativity lifts cloud from solar power
- San Francisco Okays rebates for solar power systems
- IDAHO – More Money to Center for Advanced Energy Studies
- Forbes Op/Ed – Electric Cars: They Need Gas
- New York – Mayor Urges Energy Conservation as Teachers File Complaint over Heat
- Efficient energy for your home
- Strong Action Urged to Curb Warming
- WiFi Coming Soon in Chehalis – City Council Moves Forward With Plans to Offer Free Wireless Internet
- Chelan County PUD – What about fiber? Service not included in cost analysis
- TV-converter cards expiring before use – Coupon deadline extension urged
- Corn farmers take anti-Google fight to Washington
- Reports examine causes, victims of data breaches
- Living in the Clouds – Is computer software becoming obsolete?
- Manke Lumber Company – Indictments handed down in $2.5M Tacoma lumber mill embezzlement
- Thurston County asks departments to make cuts to relieve budget
- Woman secretly lives in other people's homes
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Corvée • \KOR-vay\ • noun – *1: unpaid labor (as toward constructing roads) due from a feudal vassal to his lord 2: labor exacted in lieu of taxes by public authorities especially for highway construction or repair
“You may, of course, avoid any costs we may charge for digging a trench for your underground service by your corvee,” sniffed the imperious gas company executive. “What? You mean I can get service installed cheaper if I dig my own ditch,” responded the exasperated customer. “Isn’t that what I just said,” responded the executive, peering down at his new victim customer over his half-moon pince nez glasses.
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
Fitch issues ratings on $209 million in Energy Northwest revenue bonds (BusinessWire)
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080610006629&newsLang=en
Chelan County PUD favors low, gradual rate increases (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080610/NEWS04/408025602/1005
Security hole exposes utilities to Internet attack (The Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080611/ap_on_hi_te/hacking_utilities_2
CALIFORNIA – Pacific Gas & Electric to raise electric rates starting in October (East Bay Business Times)
http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/06/09/daily37.html?ana=from_rss
New euphemism for deregulation – Former Michigan Public Service Commissioners oppose sections of energy “re-monopolization” bills (Utility Automation & Engineering – with a bow to Samuel Insull)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=331308&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
United Kingdom – Climate change: Carbon capture from power stations must start soon, say scientists (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/10/carboncapturestorage.carbonemissions
FISH & WILDLIFE
Seattle Times Fishing Outlook – Summer salmon opportunities abound
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2004469924_salmon11.html?syndication=rss
Canada – Speaker shoots down emergency Pacific Northwest salmon debate (The Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080610.BCFISH10/TPStory/TPNational/BritishColumbia/
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
North Mason Residents Still Say Belfair Sewer Too Expensive (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/196/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Officials pledge international cooperation on Columbia River management (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=15259
After years of waiting, water may finally flow – By next spring, the state Department of Ecology hopes to begin issuing new water rights from the Columbia River for the first time since the early 1990s (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080610/NEWS04/219884120/1008
Seattle Times Op/Ed – Jay Manning: Charting a new course toward a healthy Puget Sound
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004470219_mannop11.html?syndication=rss
Old law lets developers use old rules, thwarting Puget Sound protection, critics charge (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004470172_vesting11m.html?syndication=rss
Oregon board says public has right to access the banks of the Rogue River (The Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1434825~Oregon_board_says_public_has_right_to_Rogue_River_banks.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Dam Fails, Homes Wiped Out in Wisconsin Flooding (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91372096&ft=1&f=3
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Lewis County PUD Finalizes Renewable Energy Purchase Requirement (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1213118872&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1
Wind power companies target Clark County in Washington State – The Larch Mountain turbine plan signals a shift from rural areas (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1213160103142250.xml&coll=7
Reversing Winds: America's Rediscovery of Manufacturing – Wind energy has already started to spur manufacturing growth in the U.S., but it can do much more (Renewable Energy World Online)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52729&src=rss
San Jose Mercury News Editorial: Companies' creativity lifts cloud from solar power (San Jose, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9548825?source=rss
San Francisco Okays rebates for solar power systems (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/11/BAJQ117AO1.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
IDAHO – More Money to Center for Advanced Energy Studies (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3960
Forbes Op/Ed – Electric Cars: They Need Gas
http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/06/10/gm-nissan-toyota-oped-cx_jf_0610flint.html
CONSERVATION
New York – Mayor Urges Energy Conservation as Teachers File Complaint over Heat (WNYC-FM, New York City)
http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/101031
Efficient energy for your home – If you’re looking to increase the energy efficiency of your home there are some simple things to consider (WEAN-TV, Austin, TX)
http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=211087
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Strong Action Urged to Curb Warming (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/world/11climate.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
WiFi Coming Soon in Chehalis – City Council Moves Forward With Plans to Offer Free Wireless Internet (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1213119382&archive=
Chelan County PUD – What about fiber? Service not included in cost analysis (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080610/NEWS04/998782380
TV-converter cards expiring before use – Coupon deadline extension urged (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/366569_tvcoupons11.html?source=rss
Corn farmers take anti-Google fight to Washington (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-9965555-38.html
Reports examine causes, victims of data breaches (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10789_3-9965670-57.html
Living in the Clouds – Is computer software becoming obsolete? (Newsweek Magazine)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/140864?from=rss
GENERAL NEWS
Manke Lumber Company – Indictments handed down in $2.5M Tacoma lumber mill embezzlement (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/06/09/daily17.html?ana=from_rss
Thurston County asks departments to make cuts to relieve budget (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/474811.html
Woman secretly lives in other people's homes (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_061008WAB_real_estate_burglar_KC.1e08ca67.html
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Politician ordered to anger counseling – Said that a pregnant rival’s baby could be born a demon
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN1144086120080611?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Women Flock To Bird Poop Facials – Excrement Sterilized With UV Light
http://www.kirotv.com/health/16571537/detail.html
Man Gets DWI After Riding Motorized Cooler – 'Cruzin Cooler' Can Go Up To 13 MPH
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/16559492/detail.html
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Fitch issues ratings on $209 million in Energy Northwest revenue bonds
- Chelan County PUD favors low, gradual rate increases
- Security hole exposes utilities to Internet attack
- CALIFORNIA – Pacific Gas & Electric to raise electric rates starting in October
- New euphemism for deregulation – Former Michigan Public Service Commissioners oppose sections of energy “re-monopolization” bills
- United Kingdom – Climate change: Carbon capture from power stations must start soon, say scientists
- Seattle Times Fishing Outlook – Summer salmon opportunities abound
- Canada – Speaker shoots down emergency Pacific Northwest salmon debate
- North Mason Residents Still Say Belfair Sewer Too Expensive
- Officials pledge international cooperation on Columbia River management
- After years of waiting, Columbia River water may finally flow
- Seattle Times Op/Ed – Jay Manning: Charting a new course toward a healthy Puget Sound
- Old law lets developers use old rules, thwarting Puget Sound protection, critics charge
- Oregon board says public has right to access the banks of the Rogue River
- Dam Fails, Homes Wiped Out in Wisconsin Flooding
- Lewis County PUD Finalizes Renewable Energy Purchase Requirement
- Wind power companies target Clark County in Washington State
- Reversing Winds: America's Rediscovery of Manufacturing
- San Jose Mercury News Editorial: Companies' creativity lifts cloud from solar power
- San Francisco Okays rebates for solar power systems
- IDAHO – More Money to Center for Advanced Energy Studies
- Forbes Op/Ed – Electric Cars: They Need Gas
- New York – Mayor Urges Energy Conservation as Teachers File Complaint over Heat
- Efficient energy for your home
- Strong Action Urged to Curb Warming
- WiFi Coming Soon in Chehalis – City Council Moves Forward With Plans to Offer Free Wireless Internet
- Chelan County PUD – What about fiber? Service not included in cost analysis
- TV-converter cards expiring before use – Coupon deadline extension urged
- Corn farmers take anti-Google fight to Washington
- Reports examine causes, victims of data breaches
- Living in the Clouds – Is computer software becoming obsolete?
- Manke Lumber Company – Indictments handed down in $2.5M Tacoma lumber mill embezzlement
- Thurston County asks departments to make cuts to relieve budget
- Woman secretly lives in other people's homes
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Corvée • \KOR-vay\ • noun – *1: unpaid labor (as toward constructing roads) due from a feudal vassal to his lord 2: labor exacted in lieu of taxes by public authorities especially for highway construction or repair
“You may, of course, avoid any costs we may charge for digging a trench for your underground service by your corvee,” sniffed the imperious gas company executive. “What? You mean I can get service installed cheaper if I dig my own ditch,” responded the exasperated customer. “Isn’t that what I just said,” responded the executive, peering down at his new victim customer over his half-moon pince nez glasses.
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
Fitch issues ratings on $209 million in Energy Northwest revenue bonds (BusinessWire)
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080610006629&newsLang=en
Chelan County PUD favors low, gradual rate increases (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080610/NEWS04/408025602/1005
Security hole exposes utilities to Internet attack (The Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080611/ap_on_hi_te/hacking_utilities_2
CALIFORNIA – Pacific Gas & Electric to raise electric rates starting in October (East Bay Business Times)
http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/06/09/daily37.html?ana=from_rss
New euphemism for deregulation – Former Michigan Public Service Commissioners oppose sections of energy “re-monopolization” bills (Utility Automation & Engineering – with a bow to Samuel Insull)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=331308&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
United Kingdom – Climate change: Carbon capture from power stations must start soon, say scientists (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/10/carboncapturestorage.carbonemissions
FISH & WILDLIFE
Seattle Times Fishing Outlook – Summer salmon opportunities abound
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2004469924_salmon11.html?syndication=rss
Canada – Speaker shoots down emergency Pacific Northwest salmon debate (The Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080610.BCFISH10/TPStory/TPNational/BritishColumbia/
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
North Mason Residents Still Say Belfair Sewer Too Expensive (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/196/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Officials pledge international cooperation on Columbia River management (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=15259
After years of waiting, water may finally flow – By next spring, the state Department of Ecology hopes to begin issuing new water rights from the Columbia River for the first time since the early 1990s (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080610/NEWS04/219884120/1008
Seattle Times Op/Ed – Jay Manning: Charting a new course toward a healthy Puget Sound
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004470219_mannop11.html?syndication=rss
Old law lets developers use old rules, thwarting Puget Sound protection, critics charge (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004470172_vesting11m.html?syndication=rss
Oregon board says public has right to access the banks of the Rogue River (The Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1434825~Oregon_board_says_public_has_right_to_Rogue_River_banks.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Dam Fails, Homes Wiped Out in Wisconsin Flooding (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91372096&ft=1&f=3
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Lewis County PUD Finalizes Renewable Energy Purchase Requirement (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1213118872&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1
Wind power companies target Clark County in Washington State – The Larch Mountain turbine plan signals a shift from rural areas (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1213160103142250.xml&coll=7
Reversing Winds: America's Rediscovery of Manufacturing – Wind energy has already started to spur manufacturing growth in the U.S., but it can do much more (Renewable Energy World Online)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52729&src=rss
San Jose Mercury News Editorial: Companies' creativity lifts cloud from solar power (San Jose, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9548825?source=rss
San Francisco Okays rebates for solar power systems (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/11/BAJQ117AO1.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
IDAHO – More Money to Center for Advanced Energy Studies (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3960
Forbes Op/Ed – Electric Cars: They Need Gas
http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/06/10/gm-nissan-toyota-oped-cx_jf_0610flint.html
CONSERVATION
New York – Mayor Urges Energy Conservation as Teachers File Complaint over Heat (WNYC-FM, New York City)
http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/101031
Efficient energy for your home – If you’re looking to increase the energy efficiency of your home there are some simple things to consider (WEAN-TV, Austin, TX)
http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=211087
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Strong Action Urged to Curb Warming (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/world/11climate.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
WiFi Coming Soon in Chehalis – City Council Moves Forward With Plans to Offer Free Wireless Internet (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1213119382&archive=
Chelan County PUD – What about fiber? Service not included in cost analysis (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080610/NEWS04/998782380
TV-converter cards expiring before use – Coupon deadline extension urged (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/366569_tvcoupons11.html?source=rss
Corn farmers take anti-Google fight to Washington (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-9965555-38.html
Reports examine causes, victims of data breaches (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10789_3-9965670-57.html
Living in the Clouds – Is computer software becoming obsolete? (Newsweek Magazine)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/140864?from=rss
GENERAL NEWS
Manke Lumber Company – Indictments handed down in $2.5M Tacoma lumber mill embezzlement (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/06/09/daily17.html?ana=from_rss
Thurston County asks departments to make cuts to relieve budget (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/474811.html
Woman secretly lives in other people's homes (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_061008WAB_real_estate_burglar_KC.1e08ca67.html
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Politician ordered to anger counseling – Said that a pregnant rival’s baby could be born a demon
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN1144086120080611?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Women Flock To Bird Poop Facials – Excrement Sterilized With UV Light
http://www.kirotv.com/health/16571537/detail.html
Man Gets DWI After Riding Motorized Cooler – 'Cruzin Cooler' Can Go Up To 13 MPH
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/16559492/detail.html
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Energy News Digest for June 18, 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)
- WA storm knocks out power
- Puget Sound Energy Urges Customers to Report Power Outages
- Era of cheap power is ending – Idaho Power has long relied on hydropower and coal
- Cat starts Grant County PUD substation fire
- MONTANA – NorthWestern seeks to sell stake in Colstrip, Montana power plant
- Heat tightens New England electricity supplies
- NEW YORK – Our power, their dollars: New York Power Authority reaps windfall
- PENNSYLVANIA – King Coal Country Debates a Sacrilege, Gas Heat
- NORTH CAROLINA – Duke has right to cut trees on private property
- 2000 NY Times – Lack of Power In the West Proves a Boon For Some
- Eureka Times-Standard Op/Ed – Klamath River isn't in good shape
- Seattle Times Op/Ed – Finding a system that sustains the Pacific groundfish fishery
- Researchers scramble to deal with dying oysters
- Ballard locks close for salmon screen work
- Water transfers will not need permits
- EPA Slams Winlock Landowner – Agency Requires 100 Acres of Wetlands to Be Restored
- Bottled Water Banned For King County Workers
- $4.5 Million Water Bill for a New York Agency
- U.S. eyes solar as energy costs rise
- Don't Mess with Texas Wind
- Hot Air Proves Useful – Xcel will use wind, solar energy to power national political conventions
- Energy Pulse Commentary – Utilities and Net Metering
- CALIFORNIA – Richmond looks at updating regulations for biofuel developers
- Out of the frying pan and into the power grid
- Recycle compact fluorescent bulbs
- Energy: Turn lights off, New Zealanders told, as drought hits power plants
- Wal-Mart helps save energy at 19 state capitols
- ALASKA – Learning to love the low-power line
- Seattle Times Columnist – Your footprint's looking good, Seattle
- Hey, Portland: Try to fit twice the people here
- U.S. voluntary carbon market does not reward complexity
- Amazon.com back up after having more trouble today
- Shareholders try to kill Yahoo severance plan
- PENNSYLVANIA – Documentary on Dying Philly Wi-Fi Network
- Many U.S. tech workers eager to telecommute, survey suggests
- Surprising spring snow blankets Washington mountains
- Nurses in Mason County share information at picket
- Tree thieves plead guilty at Port Orchard WA
- CALIFORNIA – Things get ugly at gas pumps in Orange County
- For about $500 a season, you can have own farmer
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Postlude • \POST-lood\ • noun – *1: a closing piece of music; especially: an organ voluntary at the end of a church service 2: a closing phase
The beautiful wedding service was only slightly marred by the insertion of the inappropriate postlude to end the event, “the Piňa Colada Song.”
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
WA storm knocks out power (The Associated Press, via the Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/473771.html
Puget Sound Energy Urges Customers to Report Power Outages (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/09/pse-urges-customers-to-report-power-outages/
Era of cheap power is ending – Idaho Power has long relied on hydropower and coal. That is changing (The Idaho Statesman)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/eyepiece/story/404378.html
Cat starts Grant County PUD substation fire (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080609/NEWS04/391644683
MONTANA – NorthWestern seeks to sell stake in Colstrip, Montana power plant (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/aa78ae0fa57c22a884319dcf260d2300.htm
Heat tightens New England electricity supplies (The Associated Press, via WPRI-TV, Providence, RI)http://www.wpri.com/global/story.asp?s=8456265
NEW YORK – Our power, their dollars: New York Power Authority reaps windfall as low-cost electricity lacks more local customers “…an estimated $161 million is used mostly to subsidize businesses outside the region and fund authority operations statewide…” (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CkillnsrXSmk%7DGL%7Dbfen%5Fv
PENNSYLVANIA – King Coal Country Debates a Sacrilege, Gas Heat (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/us/10coal.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
NORTH CAROLINA – Duke has right to cut trees on private property: Homeowners get proof, but still are unhappy with utility (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CkikpqojRSmk%7DGL%7Dbfen%5Fv
While I was looking online for confirmation of the US Supreme Court rejection of the Residential Exchange appeal, I found this golden oldie: 2000 NY Times – Lack of Power In the West Proves a Boon For Some “…Part of the proceeds are to be reinvested in upgrading the plants and in financing new power-generating capacity, including gas- and wind-powered generators that would make the plants energy self-sufficient by 2007….”
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E5DE163BF93AA15751C1A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
FISH & WILDLIFE
Eureka Times-Standard Op/Ed – Klamath River isn't in good shape (Eureka, CA)
http://www.times-standard.com/opinion/ci_9537833
Seattle Times Op/Ed – Slade Gorton: Finding a system that sustains the Pacific groundfish fishery
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004467905_sladeop10.html
Researchers scramble to deal with dying oysters – A bacterium explodes in numbers, killing oyster larvae before they can grow (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1212974723237650.xml&coll=7
Ballard locks close for salmon screen work (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/366471_ballard10.html?source=rss
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Water transfers will not need permits – The movement of billions of gallons of water around the country for drinking, irrigation and other uses will not require permits under the Clean Water Act (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004467327_apwatertransfers.html?syndication=rss
EPA Slams Winlock Landowner – Agency Requires 100 Acres of Wetlands to Be Restored at Horse Center Site (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1213033958&archive=
Bottled Water Banned For King County Workers (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/16554168/detail.html
$4.5 Million Water Bill for a New York Agency – One of the biggest water bill deadbeats in New York City is the Economic Development Corporation – Hasn’t paid a bill in 22 years (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/nyregion/10water.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
U.S. eyes solar as energy costs rise “…Panels…to convert sunlight into electricity are still too expensive in most regions to compete with cheaper, less environmentally friendly fuels like coal without generous subsidies…” (the Globe and Mail, Canada)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080606.wsolar0607/BNStory/energy/home
Don't Mess with Texas Wind (Living on Earth)
http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=08-P13-00023&segmentID=2
Hot Air Proves Useful – Xcel will use wind, solar energy to power national political conventions (Denver Business Journal – Ha! Ha! I couldn’t resist)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/06/09/daily9.html?ana=from_rss
Energy Pulse Commentary – Utilities and Net Metering
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/ate/story?id=52703&src=rss
CALIFORNIA – Richmond looks at updating regulations as interest from biofuel developers grows (Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_9533662?source=rss
Out of the frying pan and into the power grid – If fry grease can run a Mercedes, why can't it power the restaurant it came from? (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9961038-54.html
CONSERVATION
Recycle compact fluorescent bulbs (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/living/story/473929.html
Energy: Turn lights off, New Zealanders told, as drought hits power plants (The Guardian, United Kingdom)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/10/drought.energy
Wal-Mart helps save energy at 19 state capitols (Kansas City Star, MO)
http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/656544.html
ALASKA – Learning to love the low-power line – Some evade high electric costs by turning toward clotheslines (The Fairbanks News-Miner)
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/jun/08/learning-love-low-power-line/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Seattle Times Columnist – Your footprint's looking good, Seattle “…the Pacific Northwest has major hydropower sources that don't emit carbon…”
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004467900_nealpeirce10.html?syndication=rss
Hey, Portland: Try to fit twice the people here (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1212812711154650.xml&coll=7
U.S. voluntary carbon market does not reward complexity (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9963532-54.html
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Amazon.com back up after having more trouble today (Associated Press, via the San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9530071?source=rss
Shareholders try to kill Yahoo severance plan: report (Reuters)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080610/wr_nm/yahoo_severance_dc_2
PENNSYLVANIA – Documentary on Dying Philly Wi-Fi Network (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Documentary-on-Dying-Philly-WiFi-Network-95153
Many U.S. tech workers eager to telecommute, survey suggests (Reuters)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080610/tc_nm/telecommuting_survey_dc_1
GENERAL NEWS
Surprising spring snow blankets Washington mountains (Associated Press, via the Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP06102008news327415.cfm
Nurses in Mason County share information at picket – Hospital, union are discussing retroactive pay, unpaid leave (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/473842.html
Tree thieves plead guilty at Port Orchard WA (Associated Press, via the Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP06102008news327233.cfm
CALIFORNIA – Things get ugly at gas pumps in Orange County – a doctor waiting in line to buy gas grabbed a tire iron and confronted a motorist who cut into the line (The Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1433653~Police__Things_get_ugly_at_gas_pumps_in_Orange_County.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
For about $500 a season, you can have own farmer (Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004468394_apfarmscenesharingharvests.html?syndication=rss
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Sudoku-playing jurors make judge stop drug trial
http://www.theolympian.com/nationworld/story/474060.html
Tokyo fireman drives trucks 20 years without license
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUST31976920080610?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
McCain Googling for VP? McCain joked on Monday that Google, the popular Internet search engine, had made investigating his list of potential candidates a little bit easier
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN0926840220080610?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Short Indian leader demands taller statue
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080610/ap_on_re_as/india_short_statue;_ylt=AhscQAhL0Gn5Y_boSiNvym3tiBIF
Ohio man stalls long enough to get new outhouse
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080610/ap_on_fe_st/odd_new_outhouse;_ylt=AgKcEBp5iBgU4n_6G22JjKbtiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- WA storm knocks out power
- Puget Sound Energy Urges Customers to Report Power Outages
- Era of cheap power is ending – Idaho Power has long relied on hydropower and coal
- Cat starts Grant County PUD substation fire
- MONTANA – NorthWestern seeks to sell stake in Colstrip, Montana power plant
- Heat tightens New England electricity supplies
- NEW YORK – Our power, their dollars: New York Power Authority reaps windfall
- PENNSYLVANIA – King Coal Country Debates a Sacrilege, Gas Heat
- NORTH CAROLINA – Duke has right to cut trees on private property
- 2000 NY Times – Lack of Power In the West Proves a Boon For Some
- Eureka Times-Standard Op/Ed – Klamath River isn't in good shape
- Seattle Times Op/Ed – Finding a system that sustains the Pacific groundfish fishery
- Researchers scramble to deal with dying oysters
- Ballard locks close for salmon screen work
- Water transfers will not need permits
- EPA Slams Winlock Landowner – Agency Requires 100 Acres of Wetlands to Be Restored
- Bottled Water Banned For King County Workers
- $4.5 Million Water Bill for a New York Agency
- U.S. eyes solar as energy costs rise
- Don't Mess with Texas Wind
- Hot Air Proves Useful – Xcel will use wind, solar energy to power national political conventions
- Energy Pulse Commentary – Utilities and Net Metering
- CALIFORNIA – Richmond looks at updating regulations for biofuel developers
- Out of the frying pan and into the power grid
- Recycle compact fluorescent bulbs
- Energy: Turn lights off, New Zealanders told, as drought hits power plants
- Wal-Mart helps save energy at 19 state capitols
- ALASKA – Learning to love the low-power line
- Seattle Times Columnist – Your footprint's looking good, Seattle
- Hey, Portland: Try to fit twice the people here
- U.S. voluntary carbon market does not reward complexity
- Amazon.com back up after having more trouble today
- Shareholders try to kill Yahoo severance plan
- PENNSYLVANIA – Documentary on Dying Philly Wi-Fi Network
- Many U.S. tech workers eager to telecommute, survey suggests
- Surprising spring snow blankets Washington mountains
- Nurses in Mason County share information at picket
- Tree thieves plead guilty at Port Orchard WA
- CALIFORNIA – Things get ugly at gas pumps in Orange County
- For about $500 a season, you can have own farmer
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Postlude • \POST-lood\ • noun – *1: a closing piece of music; especially: an organ voluntary at the end of a church service 2: a closing phase
The beautiful wedding service was only slightly marred by the insertion of the inappropriate postlude to end the event, “the Piňa Colada Song.”
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
WA storm knocks out power (The Associated Press, via the Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/473771.html
Puget Sound Energy Urges Customers to Report Power Outages (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/09/pse-urges-customers-to-report-power-outages/
Era of cheap power is ending – Idaho Power has long relied on hydropower and coal. That is changing (The Idaho Statesman)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/eyepiece/story/404378.html
Cat starts Grant County PUD substation fire (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080609/NEWS04/391644683
MONTANA – NorthWestern seeks to sell stake in Colstrip, Montana power plant (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/aa78ae0fa57c22a884319dcf260d2300.htm
Heat tightens New England electricity supplies (The Associated Press, via WPRI-TV, Providence, RI)http://www.wpri.com/global/story.asp?s=8456265
NEW YORK – Our power, their dollars: New York Power Authority reaps windfall as low-cost electricity lacks more local customers “…an estimated $161 million is used mostly to subsidize businesses outside the region and fund authority operations statewide…” (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CkillnsrXSmk%7DGL%7Dbfen%5Fv
PENNSYLVANIA – King Coal Country Debates a Sacrilege, Gas Heat (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/us/10coal.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
NORTH CAROLINA – Duke has right to cut trees on private property: Homeowners get proof, but still are unhappy with utility (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CkikpqojRSmk%7DGL%7Dbfen%5Fv
While I was looking online for confirmation of the US Supreme Court rejection of the Residential Exchange appeal, I found this golden oldie: 2000 NY Times – Lack of Power In the West Proves a Boon For Some “…Part of the proceeds are to be reinvested in upgrading the plants and in financing new power-generating capacity, including gas- and wind-powered generators that would make the plants energy self-sufficient by 2007….”
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E5DE163BF93AA15751C1A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
FISH & WILDLIFE
Eureka Times-Standard Op/Ed – Klamath River isn't in good shape (Eureka, CA)
http://www.times-standard.com/opinion/ci_9537833
Seattle Times Op/Ed – Slade Gorton: Finding a system that sustains the Pacific groundfish fishery
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004467905_sladeop10.html
Researchers scramble to deal with dying oysters – A bacterium explodes in numbers, killing oyster larvae before they can grow (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1212974723237650.xml&coll=7
Ballard locks close for salmon screen work (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/366471_ballard10.html?source=rss
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Water transfers will not need permits – The movement of billions of gallons of water around the country for drinking, irrigation and other uses will not require permits under the Clean Water Act (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004467327_apwatertransfers.html?syndication=rss
EPA Slams Winlock Landowner – Agency Requires 100 Acres of Wetlands to Be Restored at Horse Center Site (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1213033958&archive=
Bottled Water Banned For King County Workers (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/16554168/detail.html
$4.5 Million Water Bill for a New York Agency – One of the biggest water bill deadbeats in New York City is the Economic Development Corporation – Hasn’t paid a bill in 22 years (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/nyregion/10water.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
U.S. eyes solar as energy costs rise “…Panels…to convert sunlight into electricity are still too expensive in most regions to compete with cheaper, less environmentally friendly fuels like coal without generous subsidies…” (the Globe and Mail, Canada)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080606.wsolar0607/BNStory/energy/home
Don't Mess with Texas Wind (Living on Earth)
http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=08-P13-00023&segmentID=2
Hot Air Proves Useful – Xcel will use wind, solar energy to power national political conventions (Denver Business Journal – Ha! Ha! I couldn’t resist)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/06/09/daily9.html?ana=from_rss
Energy Pulse Commentary – Utilities and Net Metering
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/ate/story?id=52703&src=rss
CALIFORNIA – Richmond looks at updating regulations as interest from biofuel developers grows (Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_9533662?source=rss
Out of the frying pan and into the power grid – If fry grease can run a Mercedes, why can't it power the restaurant it came from? (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9961038-54.html
CONSERVATION
Recycle compact fluorescent bulbs (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/living/story/473929.html
Energy: Turn lights off, New Zealanders told, as drought hits power plants (The Guardian, United Kingdom)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/10/drought.energy
Wal-Mart helps save energy at 19 state capitols (Kansas City Star, MO)
http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/656544.html
ALASKA – Learning to love the low-power line – Some evade high electric costs by turning toward clotheslines (The Fairbanks News-Miner)
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/jun/08/learning-love-low-power-line/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Seattle Times Columnist – Your footprint's looking good, Seattle “…the Pacific Northwest has major hydropower sources that don't emit carbon…”
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004467900_nealpeirce10.html?syndication=rss
Hey, Portland: Try to fit twice the people here (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1212812711154650.xml&coll=7
U.S. voluntary carbon market does not reward complexity (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9963532-54.html
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Amazon.com back up after having more trouble today (Associated Press, via the San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9530071?source=rss
Shareholders try to kill Yahoo severance plan: report (Reuters)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080610/wr_nm/yahoo_severance_dc_2
PENNSYLVANIA – Documentary on Dying Philly Wi-Fi Network (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Documentary-on-Dying-Philly-WiFi-Network-95153
Many U.S. tech workers eager to telecommute, survey suggests (Reuters)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080610/tc_nm/telecommuting_survey_dc_1
GENERAL NEWS
Surprising spring snow blankets Washington mountains (Associated Press, via the Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP06102008news327415.cfm
Nurses in Mason County share information at picket – Hospital, union are discussing retroactive pay, unpaid leave (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/473842.html
Tree thieves plead guilty at Port Orchard WA (Associated Press, via the Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP06102008news327233.cfm
CALIFORNIA – Things get ugly at gas pumps in Orange County – a doctor waiting in line to buy gas grabbed a tire iron and confronted a motorist who cut into the line (The Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1433653~Police__Things_get_ugly_at_gas_pumps_in_Orange_County.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
For about $500 a season, you can have own farmer (Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004468394_apfarmscenesharingharvests.html?syndication=rss
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Sudoku-playing jurors make judge stop drug trial
http://www.theolympian.com/nationworld/story/474060.html
Tokyo fireman drives trucks 20 years without license
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUST31976920080610?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
McCain Googling for VP? McCain joked on Monday that Google, the popular Internet search engine, had made investigating his list of potential candidates a little bit easier
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN0926840220080610?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Short Indian leader demands taller statue
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080610/ap_on_re_as/india_short_statue;_ylt=AhscQAhL0Gn5Y_boSiNvym3tiBIF
Ohio man stalls long enough to get new outhouse
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080610/ap_on_fe_st/odd_new_outhouse;_ylt=AgKcEBp5iBgU4n_6G22JjKbtiBIF
Monday, June 9, 2008
Energy News Digest for June 9, 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 Primary Election Match Ups Set – PUD 1 and PUD 3 will see contested race
- Massive marijuana-growing operation found in Longview
- Cops get creative to stop copper wire thefts
- Engineers Report More U.S. Dams Deteriorating
- Federal regulators OK environmental review for Oregon liquefied natural gas terminal
- Maryland – UniStar Energy secures another approval for nuclear reactor
- Swedes end probe of nuclear plant bomb scare
- Minnesota – Prairie Island tribe pushes for nuke storage site
- Florida – Martinez stumps for nuclear power
- NEW YORK – Smoking electric-utility manholes cause Brooklyn subway trouble
- Decision to close Columbia has tribe fishing for answers
- Idaho salmon run late, but coming
- A Future for Fish: Hopes Run High For Undammed White Salmon River
- Rogue River dams to come down
- Pike the biggest threat to salmon
- Pesticides blamed for plummeting salmon stocks
- Canada – Moss killer blamed for dead fish
- Oregonian Op/Ed – Thinking long term on salmon recovery
- Washington State Department Of Ecology Denies Squaxin Island Tribe Petition To Close Water Withdrawals
- Ecology offers water meters to Columbia River diverters
- King County crews wade in to clean Ravenna Creek sewage
- Water-Starved California Slows Development
- Swipe at city pollution leads owner of marina to lawsuit
- American Electric Technologies Inc enters wind energy market, uncovers power infrastructure risks
- CALIFORNIA – Dropouts cast shadow on solar rebate system
- Biofuel backlash: High prices, pollution worries hit consumers
- A grease shortage worries biodiesel makers
- Biodiesel backers rally around movie
- Clark County at Work: Biodiesel firm gives drivers alternatives
- MONTANA – Ex-Utility Executive Pushes for Renewable Electricity
- David Hendricks: Energy efficiency goal will hit homeowners
- Conservation: Virginia's hidden energy resource
- Running in Circles Over Carbon
- Washington Post Editorial – Climate Crash
- CANADA – Glossy Tory ad campaign takes aim at Liberal carbon tax
- Talking green: A guide to eco-English
- Why Amazon Went Down, and Why It Matters
- Technology should improve access in rural N. Idaho
- T-Mobile sues Starbucks over Wi-Fi deal
- Revenge of the Nerdette
- Snow warning in Cascades
- Get ready to park that cell phone
- Hundreds of new laws take effect in Washington State
- $5 gas? To some, it's not impossible
- Oil seen hitting $150 this summer: Goldman analyst
- Rural U.S. Takes Worst Hit as Gas Tops $4 Average
- Fuel prices hit governments hard
- List of local federal earmarks – Key earmarks authorized for South Sound
- Daily News Editorial – Rural counties better prepare for end to timber payments
- More Americans breaking into nest eggs
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Morass • \muh-RASS\ • noun – 1: marsh, swamp 2a: a situation that traps, confuses, or impedes *b: an overwhelming or confusing mass or mixture
“FERC, NERC, WECC, NUTS,” blurted the overwhelmed power supply analyst at the latest stack of paper that was piled onto his desk as part of the small utility’s effort to keep up with the documentation requirements of the eye-shaded bureaucrats in Washington, DC. “Wading through this morass of documents and requirements will mean the hiring of at least one person just to keep up,” the stalwart PUD employee stated. “Try to justify THAT to the ratepayers when and if we have a rate increase,” he opined.
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 Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/MASON/ELECTIONS/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx
Mason County Primary Election Match Ups Set – PUD 1 and PUD 3 will see contested races (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/159/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Massive marijuana-growing operation found in Longview “…Large grids of electrical transformers were used to divert and use energy before it reached the home’s meter and could be billed by the Cowlitz PUD…” (The Daily news, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/07/breaking_news/doc484b18400e30e134211497.txt
Cops get creative to stop copper wire thefts (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/19607914.html
Engineers Report More U.S. Dams Deteriorating “…the number of dams considered unsafe has jumped 33 percent in the past decade…” (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91293215&ft=1&f=10
Federal regulators OK environmental review for Oregon liquefied natural gas terminal – Regulators sign off on an environmental review, but legal challenges loom for the terminal from an array of critics (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/121281092087900.xml&coll=7
Maryland – UniStar Energy secures another approval for nuclear reactor (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/06/02/daily49.html?ana=from_rss
Swedes end probe of nuclear plant bomb scare (Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004466571_apswedennuclearplant.html?syndication=rss
Minnesota – Prairie Island tribe pushes for nuke storage site (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, MN)
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/06/02/daily41.html?ana=from_rss
Florida – Martinez stumps for nuclear power (Orlando Business Journal, FL)
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/06/02/daily49.html?ana=from_rss
NEW YORK – Smoking electric-utility manholes cause Brooklyn subway trouble (The Associated Press)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080609/ny_subways_suspended.html?.v=1
FISH & WILDLIFE
Decision to close Columbia has tribe fishing for answers – Yakama Nation fishermen not sure which direction to go after Columbia River season halted (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/4786
Idaho salmon run late, but coming (The Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1431230~Idaho_salmon_run_late__but_coming.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
A Future for Fish: Hopes Run High For Undammed White Salmon River (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/06/06092008_A-FUTURE-FOR-FISH-Hopes-run-high-for-undammed-river.cfm/
Rogue River dams to come down – Salmon runs are expected to grow in iconic Oregon river (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/121281811226290.xml&coll=7
Pike the biggest threat to salmon – Atlantic salmon no longer top Alaska's list of unwanted visitors (Anchorage Daily News, AK)
http://www.adn.com/outdoors/story/429969.html
Pesticides blamed for plummeting salmon stocks (New Scientist)
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/dn14091-pesticides-blamed-for-plummeting-salmon-stocks-.html?feedId=earth_rss20
Canada – Moss killer blamed for dead fish – Moss killer is being blamed for killing hundreds of fish fry in a stream that runs into the Cowichan River, a fisheries officer has confirmed. (Victoria Tomes Colonist, BC)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=c85a6d4e-a2dc-45fd-8da3-9ee9975d3f78
Oregonian Op/Ed – Thinking long term on salmon recovery “…Removing old dams from the Klamath and other rivers in the region is probably the single most important thing we could do to recover our salmon…” (Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1212708373276230.xml&coll=7
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Washington State Department Of Ecology Denies Squaxin Island Tribe Petition To Close Water Withdrawals From John’s Creek Near Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/160/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Ecology offers water meters to Columbia River diverters (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/NEWS04/754295313/1025/rss1025
King County crews wade in to clean Ravenna Creek sewage (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/366224_sewage08.html?source=rss
Water-Starved California Slows Development – Developers unable to find long-term water supplies (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/us/07drought.html?th&emc=th
Swipe at city pollution leads owner of marina to lawsuit (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/366129_marina07.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
American Electric Technologies Inc enters wind energy market, uncovers power infrastructure risks (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=330615&C=ENVIR&dcmp=rss
CALIFORNIA – Dropouts cast shadow on solar rebate system, one in eight program participants don’t install solar panels (San Francisco Business Times, CA)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/06/09/story12.html?ana=from_rss
Biofuel backlash: High prices, pollution worries hit consumers “.…scientists have questioned whether growing crops for biofuels produces more greenhouse gases than it prevents…” (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004464783_biofuels08.html
A grease shortage worries biodiesel makers – At $5 a gallon and competition for feedstock, Oregon's fledgling biodiesel industry could burn out before it ever gets going (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1212805520261970.xml&coll=7
Biodiesel backers rally around movie (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004464742_sundaybuzz08.html
Clark County at Work: Biodiesel firm gives drivers alternatives (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2008/06/06072008_Clark-County-at-Work-Biodiesel-firm-gives-drivers-alternatives.cfm?newsletter=1
MONTANA – Ex-Utility Executive Pushes for Renewable Electricity – A former utility executive and energy adviser says America can and should phase out coal-generated power and move entirely to renewable electricity within 30 years (RedOrbit)
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1422871/exutility_executive_pushes_for_renewable_electricity/
CONSERVATION
David Hendricks: Energy efficiency goal will hit homeowners – Imagine trying to sell your house and being told that you first must replace the air-conditioning system or all of the windows (The Express News, San Antonio, TX)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA060708.1D.hendricks.2e4b644.html
Conservation: Virginia's hidden energy resource – Home audits may cut demand (The Times-Dispatch, VA)
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/business.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-06-09-0014.html
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Running in Circles Over Carbon – Cutting carbon dioxide emissions is a fine idea, and a lot of companies would be proud to do it. But they would prefer to be second, if not third or fourth (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/weekinreview/08wald.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Washington Post Editorial – Climate Crash
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/07/AR2008060701652.html?nav=rss_opinions
CANADA – Glossy Tory ad campaign takes aim at Liberal carbon tax (Canwest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=72595d04-7558-4005-8a17-6a4ae672dbf4
Talking green: A guide to eco-English – You'll need to know a new vocabulary to close the 'green gap' (Victoria Times-Colonist, Canada)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=c13f26de-442f-4d71-970f-907b4849dff9
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Why Amazon Went Down, and Why It Matters (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/06/06/why-amazon-went-down-and-what-it-means-to-you/
Technology should improve access in rural N. Idaho (Associated Press, via The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/471931.html
T-Mobile sues Starbucks over Wi-Fi deal (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9962706-7.html
Revenge of the Nerdette – As geeks become chic in all levels of society, an unlikely subset is starting to roar. Meet the Nerd Girls: they're smart, they're techie and they're hot (Newsweek Magazine)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/140457?from=rss
GENERAL NEWS
Snow warning in Cascades (The Associated Press, via the Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/472993.html
Get ready to park that cell phone – After July 1, law bans talking without hands-free device (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/383797.html
Hundreds of new laws take effect in Washington State (Associated Press, via The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/472376.html
$5 gas? To some, it's not impossible (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/08/MN2S114T46.DTL&feed=rss.business
Oil seen hitting $150 this summer: Goldman analyst (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSSP3969220080609?feedType=nl&feedName=usbusinessearly
Rural U.S. Takes Worst Hit as Gas Tops $4 Average (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/business/09gas.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Fuel prices hit governments hard – Local agencies promote carpooling, video-conferencing but crime fighting can't be cut Fuel prices hit governments hard (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/NEWS04/89825018/1025/rss1025
List of local federal earmarks – Key earmarks authorized for South Sound in the 2008 congressional budgets (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/472158.html
Daily News Editorial – Rural counties better prepare for end to timber payments (Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/09/editorial/doc48499cdccbc4a319408288.txt
More Americans breaking into nest eggs – Retirement plans see spike in early withdrawals for everyday expenses (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/08/BUP1114D52.DTL&feed=rss.business
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Newspapers run ads about fake airline Derrie-Air
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap_on_fe_st/philadelphia_newspapers_fake_ads;_ylt=AogT.R_6Ngx2VBwUB7DYPoztiBIF
Pa. crews rescue nude man stuck in portable potty
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap_on_fe_st/odd_stuck_in_toilet;_ylt=Ag1tfbDCQ59TiJtqLxnMK1ztiBIF
Poodle escapes putrification – Mill Valley poodles bites into electric cord, will survive (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9521832?source=rss
Cigarettes whisked out of sight at Canadian stores
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080609/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_cigarettes;_ylt=Amam5BdvvFnz.XvLJ3JpRzjtiBIF
Fire Officials Say Hoarded Gasoline Led To Fire
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/16526405/detail.html
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Mason County Primary Election Match Ups Set – PUD 1 and PUD 3 will see contested race
- Massive marijuana-growing operation found in Longview
- Cops get creative to stop copper wire thefts
- Engineers Report More U.S. Dams Deteriorating
- Federal regulators OK environmental review for Oregon liquefied natural gas terminal
- Maryland – UniStar Energy secures another approval for nuclear reactor
- Swedes end probe of nuclear plant bomb scare
- Minnesota – Prairie Island tribe pushes for nuke storage site
- Florida – Martinez stumps for nuclear power
- NEW YORK – Smoking electric-utility manholes cause Brooklyn subway trouble
- Decision to close Columbia has tribe fishing for answers
- Idaho salmon run late, but coming
- A Future for Fish: Hopes Run High For Undammed White Salmon River
- Rogue River dams to come down
- Pike the biggest threat to salmon
- Pesticides blamed for plummeting salmon stocks
- Canada – Moss killer blamed for dead fish
- Oregonian Op/Ed – Thinking long term on salmon recovery
- Washington State Department Of Ecology Denies Squaxin Island Tribe Petition To Close Water Withdrawals
- Ecology offers water meters to Columbia River diverters
- King County crews wade in to clean Ravenna Creek sewage
- Water-Starved California Slows Development
- Swipe at city pollution leads owner of marina to lawsuit
- American Electric Technologies Inc enters wind energy market, uncovers power infrastructure risks
- CALIFORNIA – Dropouts cast shadow on solar rebate system
- Biofuel backlash: High prices, pollution worries hit consumers
- A grease shortage worries biodiesel makers
- Biodiesel backers rally around movie
- Clark County at Work: Biodiesel firm gives drivers alternatives
- MONTANA – Ex-Utility Executive Pushes for Renewable Electricity
- David Hendricks: Energy efficiency goal will hit homeowners
- Conservation: Virginia's hidden energy resource
- Running in Circles Over Carbon
- Washington Post Editorial – Climate Crash
- CANADA – Glossy Tory ad campaign takes aim at Liberal carbon tax
- Talking green: A guide to eco-English
- Why Amazon Went Down, and Why It Matters
- Technology should improve access in rural N. Idaho
- T-Mobile sues Starbucks over Wi-Fi deal
- Revenge of the Nerdette
- Snow warning in Cascades
- Get ready to park that cell phone
- Hundreds of new laws take effect in Washington State
- $5 gas? To some, it's not impossible
- Oil seen hitting $150 this summer: Goldman analyst
- Rural U.S. Takes Worst Hit as Gas Tops $4 Average
- Fuel prices hit governments hard
- List of local federal earmarks – Key earmarks authorized for South Sound
- Daily News Editorial – Rural counties better prepare for end to timber payments
- More Americans breaking into nest eggs
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Morass • \muh-RASS\ • noun – 1: marsh, swamp 2a: a situation that traps, confuses, or impedes *b: an overwhelming or confusing mass or mixture
“FERC, NERC, WECC, NUTS,” blurted the overwhelmed power supply analyst at the latest stack of paper that was piled onto his desk as part of the small utility’s effort to keep up with the documentation requirements of the eye-shaded bureaucrats in Washington, DC. “Wading through this morass of documents and requirements will mean the hiring of at least one person just to keep up,” the stalwart PUD employee stated. “Try to justify THAT to the ratepayers when and if we have a rate increase,” he opined.
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 Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/MASON/ELECTIONS/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx
Mason County Primary Election Match Ups Set – PUD 1 and PUD 3 will see contested races (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/159/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Massive marijuana-growing operation found in Longview “…Large grids of electrical transformers were used to divert and use energy before it reached the home’s meter and could be billed by the Cowlitz PUD…” (The Daily news, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/07/breaking_news/doc484b18400e30e134211497.txt
Cops get creative to stop copper wire thefts (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/19607914.html
Engineers Report More U.S. Dams Deteriorating “…the number of dams considered unsafe has jumped 33 percent in the past decade…” (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91293215&ft=1&f=10
Federal regulators OK environmental review for Oregon liquefied natural gas terminal – Regulators sign off on an environmental review, but legal challenges loom for the terminal from an array of critics (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/121281092087900.xml&coll=7
Maryland – UniStar Energy secures another approval for nuclear reactor (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/06/02/daily49.html?ana=from_rss
Swedes end probe of nuclear plant bomb scare (Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004466571_apswedennuclearplant.html?syndication=rss
Minnesota – Prairie Island tribe pushes for nuke storage site (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, MN)
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/06/02/daily41.html?ana=from_rss
Florida – Martinez stumps for nuclear power (Orlando Business Journal, FL)
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/06/02/daily49.html?ana=from_rss
NEW YORK – Smoking electric-utility manholes cause Brooklyn subway trouble (The Associated Press)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080609/ny_subways_suspended.html?.v=1
FISH & WILDLIFE
Decision to close Columbia has tribe fishing for answers – Yakama Nation fishermen not sure which direction to go after Columbia River season halted (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/4786
Idaho salmon run late, but coming (The Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1431230~Idaho_salmon_run_late__but_coming.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
A Future for Fish: Hopes Run High For Undammed White Salmon River (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/06/06092008_A-FUTURE-FOR-FISH-Hopes-run-high-for-undammed-river.cfm/
Rogue River dams to come down – Salmon runs are expected to grow in iconic Oregon river (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/121281811226290.xml&coll=7
Pike the biggest threat to salmon – Atlantic salmon no longer top Alaska's list of unwanted visitors (Anchorage Daily News, AK)
http://www.adn.com/outdoors/story/429969.html
Pesticides blamed for plummeting salmon stocks (New Scientist)
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/dn14091-pesticides-blamed-for-plummeting-salmon-stocks-.html?feedId=earth_rss20
Canada – Moss killer blamed for dead fish – Moss killer is being blamed for killing hundreds of fish fry in a stream that runs into the Cowichan River, a fisheries officer has confirmed. (Victoria Tomes Colonist, BC)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=c85a6d4e-a2dc-45fd-8da3-9ee9975d3f78
Oregonian Op/Ed – Thinking long term on salmon recovery “…Removing old dams from the Klamath and other rivers in the region is probably the single most important thing we could do to recover our salmon…” (Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1212708373276230.xml&coll=7
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Washington State Department Of Ecology Denies Squaxin Island Tribe Petition To Close Water Withdrawals From John’s Creek Near Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/160/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Ecology offers water meters to Columbia River diverters (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/NEWS04/754295313/1025/rss1025
King County crews wade in to clean Ravenna Creek sewage (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/366224_sewage08.html?source=rss
Water-Starved California Slows Development – Developers unable to find long-term water supplies (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/us/07drought.html?th&emc=th
Swipe at city pollution leads owner of marina to lawsuit (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/366129_marina07.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
American Electric Technologies Inc enters wind energy market, uncovers power infrastructure risks (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=330615&C=ENVIR&dcmp=rss
CALIFORNIA – Dropouts cast shadow on solar rebate system, one in eight program participants don’t install solar panels (San Francisco Business Times, CA)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/06/09/story12.html?ana=from_rss
Biofuel backlash: High prices, pollution worries hit consumers “.…scientists have questioned whether growing crops for biofuels produces more greenhouse gases than it prevents…” (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004464783_biofuels08.html
A grease shortage worries biodiesel makers – At $5 a gallon and competition for feedstock, Oregon's fledgling biodiesel industry could burn out before it ever gets going (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1212805520261970.xml&coll=7
Biodiesel backers rally around movie (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004464742_sundaybuzz08.html
Clark County at Work: Biodiesel firm gives drivers alternatives (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2008/06/06072008_Clark-County-at-Work-Biodiesel-firm-gives-drivers-alternatives.cfm?newsletter=1
MONTANA – Ex-Utility Executive Pushes for Renewable Electricity – A former utility executive and energy adviser says America can and should phase out coal-generated power and move entirely to renewable electricity within 30 years (RedOrbit)
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1422871/exutility_executive_pushes_for_renewable_electricity/
CONSERVATION
David Hendricks: Energy efficiency goal will hit homeowners – Imagine trying to sell your house and being told that you first must replace the air-conditioning system or all of the windows (The Express News, San Antonio, TX)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA060708.1D.hendricks.2e4b644.html
Conservation: Virginia's hidden energy resource – Home audits may cut demand (The Times-Dispatch, VA)
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/business.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-06-09-0014.html
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Running in Circles Over Carbon – Cutting carbon dioxide emissions is a fine idea, and a lot of companies would be proud to do it. But they would prefer to be second, if not third or fourth (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/weekinreview/08wald.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Washington Post Editorial – Climate Crash
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/07/AR2008060701652.html?nav=rss_opinions
CANADA – Glossy Tory ad campaign takes aim at Liberal carbon tax (Canwest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=72595d04-7558-4005-8a17-6a4ae672dbf4
Talking green: A guide to eco-English – You'll need to know a new vocabulary to close the 'green gap' (Victoria Times-Colonist, Canada)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=c13f26de-442f-4d71-970f-907b4849dff9
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Why Amazon Went Down, and Why It Matters (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/06/06/why-amazon-went-down-and-what-it-means-to-you/
Technology should improve access in rural N. Idaho (Associated Press, via The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/471931.html
T-Mobile sues Starbucks over Wi-Fi deal (CNET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9962706-7.html
Revenge of the Nerdette – As geeks become chic in all levels of society, an unlikely subset is starting to roar. Meet the Nerd Girls: they're smart, they're techie and they're hot (Newsweek Magazine)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/140457?from=rss
GENERAL NEWS
Snow warning in Cascades (The Associated Press, via the Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/472993.html
Get ready to park that cell phone – After July 1, law bans talking without hands-free device (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/383797.html
Hundreds of new laws take effect in Washington State (Associated Press, via The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/472376.html
$5 gas? To some, it's not impossible (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/08/MN2S114T46.DTL&feed=rss.business
Oil seen hitting $150 this summer: Goldman analyst (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSSP3969220080609?feedType=nl&feedName=usbusinessearly
Rural U.S. Takes Worst Hit as Gas Tops $4 Average (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/business/09gas.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Fuel prices hit governments hard – Local agencies promote carpooling, video-conferencing but crime fighting can't be cut Fuel prices hit governments hard (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/NEWS04/89825018/1025/rss1025
List of local federal earmarks – Key earmarks authorized for South Sound in the 2008 congressional budgets (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/472158.html
Daily News Editorial – Rural counties better prepare for end to timber payments (Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/09/editorial/doc48499cdccbc4a319408288.txt
More Americans breaking into nest eggs – Retirement plans see spike in early withdrawals for everyday expenses (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/08/BUP1114D52.DTL&feed=rss.business
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Newspapers run ads about fake airline Derrie-Air
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap_on_fe_st/philadelphia_newspapers_fake_ads;_ylt=AogT.R_6Ngx2VBwUB7DYPoztiBIF
Pa. crews rescue nude man stuck in portable potty
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap_on_fe_st/odd_stuck_in_toilet;_ylt=Ag1tfbDCQ59TiJtqLxnMK1ztiBIF
Poodle escapes putrification – Mill Valley poodles bites into electric cord, will survive (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9521832?source=rss
Cigarettes whisked out of sight at Canadian stores
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080609/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_cigarettes;_ylt=Amam5BdvvFnz.XvLJ3JpRzjtiBIF
Fire Officials Say Hoarded Gasoline Led To Fire
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/16526405/detail.html
Friday, June 6, 2008
Energy News Digest for June 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)
- Mason County Candidate Filings
- Grant County PUD archaeologist's autopsy completed – Death caused by heart attack
- Thieves claim power lines near Castle Rock
- Copper Theft – Bonneville Power Administration offers Reward to Catch Substation Thieves
- Lewis County Underground Wire Targeted
- Former Greenpeace head touts nuclear power
- Cyber Incident Blamed for Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown
- North Carolina – Duke Energy wins approval for gas plants
- Pennsylvania – Shutoffs of utilities up dramatically from 2007
- Squirrel Puts Port Orchard without Power for Nearly Three Hours
- Tulalip Tribes prepare for salmon chief – Tulalips honor the first king salmon of the year with a traditional ceremony
- British Columbia’s Native Leaders Given Options On Salmon
- Liquefied Natural Gas report rekindles salmon dispute
- Salmon fishing opens Saturday on the Entiat River
- Urban beekeeping is the latest buzz
- Bid Opening Thursday – City Of Shelton To Pay More For New Sewage Treatment Plant
- Local sewer districts question King County's use of fees to build Brightwater sewage-treatment plant
- Kitsap County – Dyes Inlet Closed After Second Sewage Spill
- Olympia’s Budd Inlet dioxin woes continue
- Where DOES Water Come From
- Germany accelerates cuts to solar-energy subsidies
- Cowlitz County School Promotes Solar Energy
- Michigan – Garbage to generate electricity at South Kent Landfill
- Detroit Faces Decision on Trash Incinerator
- Electric cars will need juice – Utilities work with N.C. State to deliver it
- News Release – Stambler Earns the AWEA Commercial Achievement Award
- Edison, Make Way for the L.E.D.’s
- Energy Pulse Commentary – Western Utilities Embrace CFL Recycling
- Idaho – Mutual self-interest turns Idaho Power, customers into allies
- New Hampshire – Town eyes street-light conservation
- Climate Bill, Caught Up in Bickering, Dies in Senate
- British Columbia gas sector has carbon emissions to burn
- $45 trillion needed to combat global warming
- More Climate Confusion: Trading Permitaxes
- Grant County PUD details Internet rate increases
- Los Angeles to sue Time Warner Cable over poor service
- Comcast says 100 Mbps speeds coming by 2010
- Verizon DSL doubles speed for downloads
- FCC chief's free broadband plan delayed
- Carriers Looking to Block Free Wireless Broadband?
- Nurses at Mason General Hospital in Shelton to picket Monday for contracts
- Yakama museum curator sentenced for artifact thefts
- 'Top two' primary -- a state of confusion?
- On this Day: Allied Forces Invade France on D-Day
- $6M prize unclaimed in Oregon Lottery
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Gelid • \JELL-id\ • adjective – Extremely cold: icy
“Eeee! This creeps me out!” Howled Norberto as he bit into the old, rubbery Jello that he fished from the back of the refrigerator. The gelid, gelatinous mass was the last “edible” scrap of food in the confirmed bachelor’s icebox, and he was determined not to let it go to waste, regardless of what his gag reflex told him.
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 Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/MASON/ELECTIONS/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx
Grant County PUD archaeologist's autopsy completed – Death caused by heart attack (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/news05.txt
Thieves claim power lines near Castle Rock – Cowlitz PUD officials believe metal thieves tore down and stole 2,500 feet of overhead power line north of Castle Rock early Thursday morning (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/06//area_news/doc4848a16c8afa4057756470.txt
Copper Theft – Bonneville Power Administration offers Reward to Catch Substation Thieves (The Bellingham Herald, WA)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/432401.html
LEWIS COUNTY UNDERGROUND WIRE TARGETED – Copper wire thieves literally go to new lows in Lewis County. Authorities have busted two Kelso residents for allegedly stealing 800 feet of underground copper power cable from Glenoma County Park. It supplied electrical power to the kitchen, baseball field, and concession stand. 41-year old Kevin G. Walters and 39-year old Tracey L. Walters were arrested following a traffic stop. Authorities report finding wire inside a vehicle. Both were booked for possible charges of burglary, theft, and malicious mischief. (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
Former Greenpeace head touts nuclear power in presentation sponsored by Chelan, Douglas and Grant PUDs (The Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/NEWS04/641779115/1025/rss1025
Cyber Incident Blamed for Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown – A nuclear power plant in Georgia was recently forced into an emergency shutdown for 48 hours after a software update was installed on a single computer (The Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/05/AR2008060501958.html?nav=rss_technology
North Carolina – Duke Energy wins approval for gas plants (Charlotte Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2008/06/02/daily41.html?ana=from_rss
Pennsylvania – Shutoffs of utilities up dramatically from 2007 (Philadelphia Inquirer, PA)
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20080604_Shutoffs_of_utilities_up_dramatically_from_2007.html
Squirrel Puts Port Orchard without Power for Nearly Three Hours (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/05/po-without-power-for-nearly-three-hours/
FISH & WILDLIFE
Tulalip Tribes prepare for salmon chief – Tulalips honor the first king salmon of the year with a traditional ceremony (The Herald, Everett, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080606/NEWS01/487000801/-1/RSS02
British Columbia’s Native Leaders Given Options On Salmon – Native leaders who have been asked to work out a strategy among themselves to ration a meager salmon run on the Fraser River this year have been given four options to consider (The Globe and Mail, Canada)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080605.BCSALMON05/TPStory/TPNational/BritishColumbia/
Liquefied Natural Gas report rekindles salmon dispute – NorthernStar submits Biological Assessment to feds; opponents criticize document for minimizing impact (The Daily Astorian, OR)
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=51877&TM=13826.21
Salmon fishing opens Saturday on the Entiat River – reflects estimates that show enough returning fish to support a season (The Chronicle, Omak, WA)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n080605c.shtml
Urban beekeeping is the latest buzz (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004461129_apfarmsceneurbanbeekeeping.html?syndication=rss
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Bid Opening Thursday – City Of Shelton To Pay More For New Sewage Treatment Plant (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/152/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Local sewer districts question King County's use of fees to build Brightwater sewage-treatment plant (The Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004460910_brightwater06m.html?syndication=rss
Kitsap County – Dyes Inlet Closed After Second Sewage Spill (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/05/dyes-inlet-closed-after-second-sewage-spill/
Olympia’s Budd Inlet dioxin woes continue (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/470497.html
Where DOES Water Come From (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3949
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Germany accelerates cuts to solar-energy subsidies – Europe's largest power market is altering its renewable- energy law to spur the industry to control expenses and improve efficiency (Bloomberg News)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=atc5nAYE_uNA&refer=germany
Cowlitz County School Promotes Solar Energy – As president of the Toutle Lake High School Ecology Club, senior Evan Bean is all about the environment, including promoting renewable energy “…The panels are provided through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s Solar 4R Schools program and a partnership with the Cowlitz PUD…” (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/05/top_story/doc48474672f0022004369954.txt
Michigan – Garbage to generate electricity at South Kent Landfill (Grand Rapids Press, MI)
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/press_photopaul_l_newby_iia.html
Detroit Faces Decision on Trash Incinerator – Detroit doesn't just throw out and bury its trash — it is one of only a few large U.S. cities that still burn refuse. But the city must now must decide whether to keep open or close its controversial incinerator (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91208902&ft=1&f=2
Electric cars will need juice – Utilities work with N.C. State to deliver it without more power plants (The News Observer, NC)
http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1098291.html
News Release – Stambler Earns the AWEA Commercial Achievement Award – “…repeat customers include…the federal Bonneville Power Administration…” (North American Wind Power)
http://www.nawindpower.com/naw/e107_plugins/content/content_lt.php?content.2365
CONSERVATION
Edison, Make Way for the L.E.D.’s (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/edison-make-way-for-the-leds/index.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Energy Pulse Commentary – Western Utilities Embrace CFL Recycling
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1757
Idaho – Mutual self-interest turns Idaho Power, customers into allies (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5Ckiilqvx%5BSig%7DGL%7Dbfen%5Fv
New Hampshire – Town eyes street-light conservation – recommending that the town turn off more than a quarter of its streetlights (The Sun Journal, Lewiston, ME)
http://www.sunjournal.com/story/268781-3/NewEnglandNews/Town_eyes_streetlight_conservation/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Climate Bill, Caught Up in Bickering, Dies in Senate (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91232577&ft=1&f=3
British Columbia gas sector has carbon emissions to burn (Straight.com, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.straight.com/article-148407/gas-sector-has-carbon-emissions-burn?#
$45 trillion needed to combat global warming – Includes some 1,400 nuclear power plants and vast expansion of wind power (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004461160_apjapanieaclimatechange.html?syndication=rss
More Climate Confusion: Trading Permitaxes (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/convictions/archive/2008/06/05/more-climate-confusion-trading-permitaxes.aspx
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Grant County PUD details Internet rate increases (The Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/news02.txt
Los Angeles to sue Time Warner Cable over poor service – The city alleges that the company caused 'major havoc and distress' when it became the No. 1 pay TV provider two years ago (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cable5-2008jun05,0,1794603.story
Comcast says 100 Mbps speeds coming by 2010 (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9499304?source=rss
Verizon DSL doubles speed for downloads (The Herald, Everett, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080606/BIZ/762643067/-1/RSS03
FCC chief's free broadband plan delayed (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004460412_apfreebroadband.html?syndication=rss
Carriers Looking to Block Free Wireless Broadband? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/06/05/carriers-looking-to-block-free-wireless-broadband/
GENERAL NEWS
Nurses at Mason General Hospital in Shelton to picket Monday for contracts (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/469940.html
Yakama museum curator sentenced for artifact thefts (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004461286_apwaartifactthefts.html?syndication=rss
'Top two' primary -- a state of confusion? (Joel Connelly, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/366041_joel06.html?source=rss
On this Day: Allied Forces Invade France on D-Day (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/May-June-08/On-this-Day--Allied-Forces-Invade-France-on-D-Day.html
$6M prize unclaimed in Oregon Lottery (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365896_megabucks06.html?source=rss
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Lost cameras "phone home" to catch thieves
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0534545220080605?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology
Adventures in Press Releases: The Anti-Energy Drink
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/archives/2008/06/adventures_in_p.php
Woman says Comcast published check for her "right arm"
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/ritearm060608
Can you spell 'education?' This school can't
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/06/diploma.misspell.ap/index.html?eref=ib_topstories
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Mason County Candidate Filings
- Grant County PUD archaeologist's autopsy completed – Death caused by heart attack
- Thieves claim power lines near Castle Rock
- Copper Theft – Bonneville Power Administration offers Reward to Catch Substation Thieves
- Lewis County Underground Wire Targeted
- Former Greenpeace head touts nuclear power
- Cyber Incident Blamed for Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown
- North Carolina – Duke Energy wins approval for gas plants
- Pennsylvania – Shutoffs of utilities up dramatically from 2007
- Squirrel Puts Port Orchard without Power for Nearly Three Hours
- Tulalip Tribes prepare for salmon chief – Tulalips honor the first king salmon of the year with a traditional ceremony
- British Columbia’s Native Leaders Given Options On Salmon
- Liquefied Natural Gas report rekindles salmon dispute
- Salmon fishing opens Saturday on the Entiat River
- Urban beekeeping is the latest buzz
- Bid Opening Thursday – City Of Shelton To Pay More For New Sewage Treatment Plant
- Local sewer districts question King County's use of fees to build Brightwater sewage-treatment plant
- Kitsap County – Dyes Inlet Closed After Second Sewage Spill
- Olympia’s Budd Inlet dioxin woes continue
- Where DOES Water Come From
- Germany accelerates cuts to solar-energy subsidies
- Cowlitz County School Promotes Solar Energy
- Michigan – Garbage to generate electricity at South Kent Landfill
- Detroit Faces Decision on Trash Incinerator
- Electric cars will need juice – Utilities work with N.C. State to deliver it
- News Release – Stambler Earns the AWEA Commercial Achievement Award
- Edison, Make Way for the L.E.D.’s
- Energy Pulse Commentary – Western Utilities Embrace CFL Recycling
- Idaho – Mutual self-interest turns Idaho Power, customers into allies
- New Hampshire – Town eyes street-light conservation
- Climate Bill, Caught Up in Bickering, Dies in Senate
- British Columbia gas sector has carbon emissions to burn
- $45 trillion needed to combat global warming
- More Climate Confusion: Trading Permitaxes
- Grant County PUD details Internet rate increases
- Los Angeles to sue Time Warner Cable over poor service
- Comcast says 100 Mbps speeds coming by 2010
- Verizon DSL doubles speed for downloads
- FCC chief's free broadband plan delayed
- Carriers Looking to Block Free Wireless Broadband?
- Nurses at Mason General Hospital in Shelton to picket Monday for contracts
- Yakama museum curator sentenced for artifact thefts
- 'Top two' primary -- a state of confusion?
- On this Day: Allied Forces Invade France on D-Day
- $6M prize unclaimed in Oregon Lottery
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Gelid • \JELL-id\ • adjective – Extremely cold: icy
“Eeee! This creeps me out!” Howled Norberto as he bit into the old, rubbery Jello that he fished from the back of the refrigerator. The gelid, gelatinous mass was the last “edible” scrap of food in the confirmed bachelor’s icebox, and he was determined not to let it go to waste, regardless of what his gag reflex told him.
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 Candidate Filings (Includes Mason County PUD No. 1 and PUD No. 3 filings)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/MASON/ELECTIONS/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx
Grant County PUD archaeologist's autopsy completed – Death caused by heart attack (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/news05.txt
Thieves claim power lines near Castle Rock – Cowlitz PUD officials believe metal thieves tore down and stole 2,500 feet of overhead power line north of Castle Rock early Thursday morning (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/06//area_news/doc4848a16c8afa4057756470.txt
Copper Theft – Bonneville Power Administration offers Reward to Catch Substation Thieves (The Bellingham Herald, WA)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/432401.html
LEWIS COUNTY UNDERGROUND WIRE TARGETED – Copper wire thieves literally go to new lows in Lewis County. Authorities have busted two Kelso residents for allegedly stealing 800 feet of underground copper power cable from Glenoma County Park. It supplied electrical power to the kitchen, baseball field, and concession stand. 41-year old Kevin G. Walters and 39-year old Tracey L. Walters were arrested following a traffic stop. Authorities report finding wire inside a vehicle. Both were booked for possible charges of burglary, theft, and malicious mischief. (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
Former Greenpeace head touts nuclear power in presentation sponsored by Chelan, Douglas and Grant PUDs (The Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/NEWS04/641779115/1025/rss1025
Cyber Incident Blamed for Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown – A nuclear power plant in Georgia was recently forced into an emergency shutdown for 48 hours after a software update was installed on a single computer (The Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/05/AR2008060501958.html?nav=rss_technology
North Carolina – Duke Energy wins approval for gas plants (Charlotte Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2008/06/02/daily41.html?ana=from_rss
Pennsylvania – Shutoffs of utilities up dramatically from 2007 (Philadelphia Inquirer, PA)
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20080604_Shutoffs_of_utilities_up_dramatically_from_2007.html
Squirrel Puts Port Orchard without Power for Nearly Three Hours (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/05/po-without-power-for-nearly-three-hours/
FISH & WILDLIFE
Tulalip Tribes prepare for salmon chief – Tulalips honor the first king salmon of the year with a traditional ceremony (The Herald, Everett, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080606/NEWS01/487000801/-1/RSS02
British Columbia’s Native Leaders Given Options On Salmon – Native leaders who have been asked to work out a strategy among themselves to ration a meager salmon run on the Fraser River this year have been given four options to consider (The Globe and Mail, Canada)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080605.BCSALMON05/TPStory/TPNational/BritishColumbia/
Liquefied Natural Gas report rekindles salmon dispute – NorthernStar submits Biological Assessment to feds; opponents criticize document for minimizing impact (The Daily Astorian, OR)
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=51877&TM=13826.21
Salmon fishing opens Saturday on the Entiat River – reflects estimates that show enough returning fish to support a season (The Chronicle, Omak, WA)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n080605c.shtml
Urban beekeeping is the latest buzz (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004461129_apfarmsceneurbanbeekeeping.html?syndication=rss
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Bid Opening Thursday – City Of Shelton To Pay More For New Sewage Treatment Plant (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/152/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Local sewer districts question King County's use of fees to build Brightwater sewage-treatment plant (The Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004460910_brightwater06m.html?syndication=rss
Kitsap County – Dyes Inlet Closed After Second Sewage Spill (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/05/dyes-inlet-closed-after-second-sewage-spill/
Olympia’s Budd Inlet dioxin woes continue (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/470497.html
Where DOES Water Come From (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3949
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Germany accelerates cuts to solar-energy subsidies – Europe's largest power market is altering its renewable- energy law to spur the industry to control expenses and improve efficiency (Bloomberg News)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=atc5nAYE_uNA&refer=germany
Cowlitz County School Promotes Solar Energy – As president of the Toutle Lake High School Ecology Club, senior Evan Bean is all about the environment, including promoting renewable energy “…The panels are provided through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s Solar 4R Schools program and a partnership with the Cowlitz PUD…” (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/06/05/top_story/doc48474672f0022004369954.txt
Michigan – Garbage to generate electricity at South Kent Landfill (Grand Rapids Press, MI)
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/press_photopaul_l_newby_iia.html
Detroit Faces Decision on Trash Incinerator – Detroit doesn't just throw out and bury its trash — it is one of only a few large U.S. cities that still burn refuse. But the city must now must decide whether to keep open or close its controversial incinerator (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91208902&ft=1&f=2
Electric cars will need juice – Utilities work with N.C. State to deliver it without more power plants (The News Observer, NC)
http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1098291.html
News Release – Stambler Earns the AWEA Commercial Achievement Award – “…repeat customers include…the federal Bonneville Power Administration…” (North American Wind Power)
http://www.nawindpower.com/naw/e107_plugins/content/content_lt.php?content.2365
CONSERVATION
Edison, Make Way for the L.E.D.’s (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/edison-make-way-for-the-leds/index.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Energy Pulse Commentary – Western Utilities Embrace CFL Recycling
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1757
Idaho – Mutual self-interest turns Idaho Power, customers into allies (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5Ckiilqvx%5BSig%7DGL%7Dbfen%5Fv
New Hampshire – Town eyes street-light conservation – recommending that the town turn off more than a quarter of its streetlights (The Sun Journal, Lewiston, ME)
http://www.sunjournal.com/story/268781-3/NewEnglandNews/Town_eyes_streetlight_conservation/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Climate Bill, Caught Up in Bickering, Dies in Senate (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91232577&ft=1&f=3
British Columbia gas sector has carbon emissions to burn (Straight.com, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.straight.com/article-148407/gas-sector-has-carbon-emissions-burn?#
$45 trillion needed to combat global warming – Includes some 1,400 nuclear power plants and vast expansion of wind power (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004461160_apjapanieaclimatechange.html?syndication=rss
More Climate Confusion: Trading Permitaxes (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/convictions/archive/2008/06/05/more-climate-confusion-trading-permitaxes.aspx
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Grant County PUD details Internet rate increases (The Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/news02.txt
Los Angeles to sue Time Warner Cable over poor service – The city alleges that the company caused 'major havoc and distress' when it became the No. 1 pay TV provider two years ago (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cable5-2008jun05,0,1794603.story
Comcast says 100 Mbps speeds coming by 2010 (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9499304?source=rss
Verizon DSL doubles speed for downloads (The Herald, Everett, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080606/BIZ/762643067/-1/RSS03
FCC chief's free broadband plan delayed (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004460412_apfreebroadband.html?syndication=rss
Carriers Looking to Block Free Wireless Broadband? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/06/05/carriers-looking-to-block-free-wireless-broadband/
GENERAL NEWS
Nurses at Mason General Hospital in Shelton to picket Monday for contracts (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/469940.html
Yakama museum curator sentenced for artifact thefts (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004461286_apwaartifactthefts.html?syndication=rss
'Top two' primary -- a state of confusion? (Joel Connelly, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/366041_joel06.html?source=rss
On this Day: Allied Forces Invade France on D-Day (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/May-June-08/On-this-Day--Allied-Forces-Invade-France-on-D-Day.html
$6M prize unclaimed in Oregon Lottery (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365896_megabucks06.html?source=rss
ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS
Lost cameras "phone home" to catch thieves
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0534545220080605?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology
Adventures in Press Releases: The Anti-Energy Drink
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/archives/2008/06/adventures_in_p.php
Woman says Comcast published check for her "right arm"
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/ritearm060608
Can you spell 'education?' This school can't
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/06/diploma.misspell.ap/index.html?eref=ib_topstories
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