Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Energy News Digest for December 2, 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)

- Pacific Power Holding Meeting To Discuss Proposed Transmission Line
- High Court Case Tests Power Plants' Water Rules
- Iowa - Supporters: Nuclear Power Plant Has Bright Future
- New Jersey Nuclear Plant Shut Down After Electric Problem
- Benton PUD Offering Development Loans
- On This Day: Enron Files the Largest Corporate Bankruptcy in US History
- Washington State Fish and Wildlife Chief Calls It Quits
- Canada - Controversial Power Project Ventures into Salmon Habitat
- Puget Sound 'Action Agenda' Unveiled
- New Tax District Proposed To Save Puget Sound
- Groups Sue to Block Lake Roosevelt Drawdowns
- Bellevue Utility to Spike Rates
- Wind Power Projects Struggling In Down Economy
- Massachusetts - US Backing Of Cape Wind Farm Could Come This Week
- The Energy Debates: Small Wind Power
- Massive Solar Installation Completed In Southern California
- Carbon Detectives Are Tracking Gases in Colorado
- Activists blast US at climate change talks
- Ex-Bad Boy China Praised At Climate Talks
- FCC to Mull Free Internet Plan
- Intel Joins $3.2B Clearwire Investment
- Regulators Hang Up On Cell Tower Eight Hour Power Backup Rules
- Texas - Tiered Broadband Trials Torment Beaumont
- Google Earth's Blind Spots
- Tough Times, Desperate Data Theft Measures
- Mason County Budget Deficit Now $600,000
- Counterfeiters Working In Mason County
- 3,400 WaMu jobs will be slashed in Seattle
- Online Greeting Card Scam Puts Damper on Holiday Cheer

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Prolix • \proh-LICKS\ • adjective – 1: unduly prolonged or drawn out: too long *2: marked by or using an excess of words

Like King Canute commanding the tides to stop surging to the shore, the moderator knew that his admonition to the speaker about brevity was a fruitless effort to stem an expected torrent of prolix prose. “What more can be said about the importance of mineral oil to the health of baby bottoms?” droned the loquacious after-dinner speaker. “What more indeed,” murmured his wife, who surreptitiously glanced at her watch after two hours of oratorical obfuscation…..

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Pacific Power Holding Meeting To Discuss Proposed Transmission Line (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/9719

High Court Case Tests Power Plants' Water Rules (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97651580&ft=1&f=1001

Iowa - Supporters: Nuclear Power Plant Has Bright Future (Associated Press)
http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/512620.html?nav=5002

New Jersey Nuclear Plant Shut Down After Electric Problem (Newsday)
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--nuclearplantshutd1201dec01,0,5107372.story

Benton PUD Offering Development Loans (KNDO-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=9443573&nav=menu484_2_9

On This Day: Enron Files the Largest Corporate Bankruptcy in US History (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/business/On-this-Day--Enron-Files-the-Largest-Corporate-Bankruptcy-in-U-S--History.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington State Fish and Wildlife Chief Calls It Quits “…Many anglers believe that Koenings was weak on salmon conservation…” (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/682574.html

Canada - Controversial Power Project Ventures into Salmon Habitat: Critics say province has abandoned its duty to protect environment (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=3b0e3880-2232-4a06-b9c4-1f6662e28ec7&k=11194

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Puget Sound 'Action Agenda' Unveiled - Backers hope cleanup can be part of federal economic stimulus package (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/390223_sound02.html?source=rss

New Tax District Proposed To Save Puget Sound (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008458047_pugetplan02m.html

Groups Sue to Block Lake Roosevelt Drawdowns (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081202/NEWS04/712029982

Bellevue Utility to Spike Rates (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/35344729.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

Wind Power Projects Struggling In Down Economy (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/3678-wind-power-projects-struggling-down-economy/

Massachusetts - US Backing Of Cape Wind Farm Could Come This Week (Boston Globe, MA)
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2008/12/02/us_backing_of_wind_farm_could_come_this_week/

The Energy Debates: Small Wind Power (Live Science)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081202/sc_livescience/theenergydebatessmallwindpower

Massive Solar Installation Completed In Southern California (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11115402?source=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Carbon Detectives Are Tracking Gases in Colorado (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/science/earth/02carb.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Activists blast US at climate change talks (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/02/international/i080932S60.DTL&feed=rss.business

Ex-Bad Boy China Praised At Climate Talks (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008458712_apeupolandclimatechina.html?syndication=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC to Mull Free Internet Plan (Reuters)
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20081202/wr_nm/us_fcc_freeinternet_2

Intel Joins $3.2B Clearwire Investment (San Jose Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2008/12/01/daily23.html?ana=from_rss

Regulators Hang Up On Cell Tower Eight Hour Power Backup Rules (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11114393?source=rss

Texas - Tiered Broadband Trials Torment Beaumont (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/01/tiered-broadband-trials-torment-beaumont/

Google's Blind Spots - Can governments get Google Earth to obscure images of sensitive locations? (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2205755/?from=rss

Tough Times, Desperate Measures - According to a new security survey, 58% of workers in the US have already downloaded sensitive company data in anticipation of being fired (Boston Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2008/12/01/daily16.html?ana=from_rss

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Budget Deficit Now $600,000; Residents Urge No More Cuts From Sheriff (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/5706/reftab/1896/Default.aspx?title=COUNTY_BUDGET_DEFICIT_NOW_$600,000;_RESIDENTS_URGE_NO_MORE_CUTS_FROM_SHERIFF_

Counterfeiters Working In Mason County (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/5707/reftab/1896/title/COUNTERFEITERS_WORKING_IN_MASON_COUNTY/Default.aspx

3,400 WaMu jobs will be slashed in Seattle - No branches in state are being closed (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/390155_wamu02.html?source=rss

Online Greeting Card Scam Puts Damper on Holiday Cheer (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/money/18181541/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news

DIVERSIONS

Americans Hail a Postman's Junk-Mail Jihad
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20081202/ts_csm/adonotmail

Police car stolen when officer leaves it running
http://www.examiner.com/a-1721181~Police_car_stolen_when_officer_leaves_it_running.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

They Got Hurt How? Bizarre Athlete Injuries
http://www.kirotv.com/sports/18179096/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=irresistible

Casino says offer was mistake, tries to cover potential $29 million loss
http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2008-12-02-casino-error_N.htm?csp=34

Monday, December 1, 2008

Energy News Digest for December 1, 2008

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Sobering storm – Grays Harbor December Storm Retrospective
- Ohio - Mandates driving surge to the river for hydropower
- Holidays Take Energy – Budget Billing can Help
- Utility Taxes Enacted In East Wenatchee
- NorthWestern Energy to Share Property Tax Refund with Customers
- Ben Settle to Receive PUD Association Lifetime Achievement Award
- Texas – Conflicting Power Reports Battle it Out
- S.F. Supervisors Kill Mayor's Plan to Retrofit Polluting Power Plant
- Oregon vineyards, others embroiled in natural gas debate
- Canada's oil-sands boom creates vast riches and a dirty footprint
- Volatile Heating Oil Prices Make Heads Spin
- Water over The Dam: Oregon wants to spill more for salmon
- Dalles Dam - A Big Wall for Small Fish
- Tracking network spills secrets of NW salmon
- Salt Lake Tribune Op/Ed - Klamath dam-removal pact bodes well for Snake
- Seattle Times Op/Ed - Rep. John Dingell's legacy for Northwest fish
- Oregon's Chinook dreams
- Oregon fishers focus on tuna, halibut
- Seattle Times Editorial - The End of the Beginning for Puget Sound Cleanup
- Stalled Chesapeake Cleanup: Back to the future on cleaning the bay
- Daily News Editorial - Deeper Columbia River, stronger economy
- Yakima Valley Reservoir Report Due on Black Rock
- Troubled waters: Kennewick Irrigation District facing difficult times
- Our Northwest Water Part Two: Farming and the Columbia Basin
- Longview City Employee Reports Water Theft
- Olympian Editorial - Support for Downtown Artesian Well Has Dried Up
- Feds, state must try harder to agree on Hanford cleanup
- Western Governors to Obama: Act Quickly On Energy
- Portland offers $12.5 million to woo Vestas Wind Systems
- Avista Corp. to put wind farm on hold
- Canada - Epcor Utilities Proposes B.C. Wind-Power Facility
- A Land Rush in Wyoming Spurred by Wind Power
- Wind Farms Fanning Health Hazard?
- New wave power development offers promise of cheap, green energy
- Billings Begins Test Wells to Squeeze Gas from Garbage
- Seattle City Light Exceeds Energy Savings Goal
- Biodiesel sold overseas still gets U.S. tax credit
- Girding up for plug-ins: Groups seek power system management
- Tesla Roadster - Only the Rich Can Afford It. Should Taxpayers Back It?
- Deck the Halls with Energy-Efficient Lights
- Climate Change Targets Will Push Up Energy Prices
- Bad Times Ahead for Broadband?
- Qwest Brings Back $15 DSL
- Clearwire to sell WiMax under "Clear" brand
- Time Warner Sues AT&T For Vandalism
- Data centers are good focus for energy conservation efforts
- Online schools make gains
- The Internet at Work: Distraction or Productivity Tool?
- Cuts Could Scale Back Deputies' Coverage of Mason County
- Recycling Fees May Rise As Demand; Prices Drop
- Copper’s Every Dip Is Felt in Arizona
- Federal Stimulus Package Will Aid State
- NY Times Cabinet Watch - The New Team: John A. Kitzhaber
- IRS Pares Down Mileage Rates

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Lodestar • \LOAD-star\ • noun - One that serves as an inspiration, model, or guide

The literal, albeit archaic, meaning of “lodestar” is “a star that leads or guides; especially: the North Star.” (The first half of the word derives from the Middle English word “lode,” meaning “course.”)

His realization that woefully outdated generational references and a hyper-nerdish wardrobe were not to his best advantage, Bertrand began to question using Steve Erkle has his cultural and professional lodestar.

Steve Erkle (Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Urkel

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Sobering storm – Grays Harbor December Storm Retrospective (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/11/30/local_news/01news.txt

Ohio - Mandates driving surge to the river for hydropower (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jnT5JvI1U424begO53ePHvAyC0KgD94PFB4O0

Holidays Take Energy – Budget Billing can Help (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9419541

Utility Taxes Enacted In East Wenatchee - taxes on electricity, natural gas, telephones and cell phones (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)
http://www.kpq.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=476

NorthWestern Energy to Share Property Tax Refund with Customers (MarketWatch)
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/NorthWestern-Energy-Share-Property-Tax/story.aspx?guid=%7B2C6FDF3B-A137-481F-A98C-CC7188205C8B%7D

Ben Settle to Receive PUD Association Lifetime Achievement Award (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/5697/reftab/1632/title/BEN_SETTLE_TO_RECEIVE_LIFETIME_ACHIEVEMENT_AWARD/Default.aspx

Texas – Conflicting Power Reports Battle it Out “…residential electricity rates in the state have risen faster since deregulation laws were passed than rates in all other states that allow competition…” (Houston Chronicle, TX)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6136140.html

S.F. Supervisors Kill Mayor's Plan to Retrofit Polluting Power Plant (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/26/BAPM14C7CE.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea

Oregon vineyards, others embroiled in natural gas debate (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/oregon_vineyards_others_embroi.html

Canada's oil-sands boom creates vast riches and a dirty footprint (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008451114_oilsands30.html?syndication=rss

Volatile Heating Oil Prices Make Heads Spin (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008446350_apheatingoilvolatilewintersummarybox.html?syndication=rss

Mason County PUD No. 3 Hires Line Superintendent (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/5680/reftab/1632/Default.aspx?title=P.U.D._3_HIRES_LINE_SUPERINTENDENT

FISH & WILDLIFE

Water over The Dam: Oregon wants to spill more for salmon (Associated Press)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2008/11/water_over_the_dam_oregon_want.html

Dalles Dam - A Big Wall for Small Fish: Corps hopes spill wall will keep predators away from young salmon (The Dalles Chronicle, OR)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2008/11/news11-30-08-01.shtml

Tracking network spills secrets of NW salmon (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/553257.html

Salt Lake Tribune Op/Ed - Klamath dam-removal pact bodes well for Snake
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_11096119

Seattle Times Op/Ed - Rep. John Dingell's legacy for Northwest fish: Dingell's love of one of our fish, the steelhead trout, and his firm grip on energy policy nearly 30 years ago profoundly affected the way we conduct the electricity business in our region
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008447156_opin29royer.html

Oregon's Chinook dreams (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/O/index.ssf/2008/11/oregons_chinook_dreams.html

Oregon fishers focus on tuna, halibut (Everett Herald, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20081201/BIZ/712019949/-1/RSS03

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Seattle Times Editorial - The End of the Beginning for Puget Sound Cleanup
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008445408_opin28lance.html

Washington Post Editorial - Stalled Chesapeake Cleanup: Back to the future on cleaning the bay
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/24/AR2008112402189.html?nav=rss_opinions

Daily News Editorial - Deeper Columbia River, stronger economy
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/30/editorial/doc49307b7116e79658981757.txt

Yakima Valley Reservoir Report Due on Black Rock (Associated Press)
http://columbian.com/article/20081128/NEWS06/311289987/-1/NEWS

Troubled waters: Kennewick Irrigation District facing difficult times (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/401079.html

Our Northwest Water Part Two: Farming and the Columbia Basin (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4646

Longview City Employee Reports Water Theft (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/28//area_news/doc492f988378d7c623323266.txt

Olympian Editorial - Support for Downtown Artesian Well Has Dried Up
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/676118.html

Seattle Times Editorial - Feds, state must try harder to agree on Hanford cleanup
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008445404_edit28hanford.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

Western Governors to Obama: Act Quickly On Energy (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081128/ap_on_re_us/energy_western_governors_4

Portland offers $12.5 million to woo Vestas Wind Systems (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/portland_offers_125_million_to.html

Avista Corp. to put wind farm on hold (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1718706~Avista_Corp__to_put_wind_farm_on_hold.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Canada - Epcor Utilities Proposes B.C. Wind-Power Facility (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=0ecf5496-28af-4088-813a-2350413e60f9

A Land Rush in Wyoming Spurred by Wind Power (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/28/us/28wind.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Wind Farms Fanning Health Hazard? (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/34503059.html

New wave power development offers promise of cheap, green energy (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/x-243-Progressive-Politics-Examiner~y2008m11d30-wave-power

Montana - Billings Begins Test Wells to Squeeze Gas from Garbage (Associated Press)
http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/12/01/news/mtregional/news08.txt

Seattle City Light Exceeds Energy Savings Goal (Seattle City Light)
http://www.seattle.gov/light/news/newsreleases/detail.asp?ID=9079

Biodiesel sold overseas still gets U.S. tax credit - Exports helped keep some companies afloat during price fluctuations (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/390056_biodiesel01.html?source=rss

Girding up for plug-ins: Groups seek power system management (Idaho Business Review)
http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2008/12/01/Girding-up-for-plugins-Groups-seek-power-system-management

Tesla Roadster - Only the Rich Can Afford It. Should Taxpayers Back It? (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/business/30digi.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Deck the Halls with Energy-Efficient Lights (Chicago Tribune, IL)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/advice/chi-energy-home_chomes_1128nov28,0,3685167.story

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

United Kingdom - Climate Change Targets Will Push Up Energy Prices (The Daily Telegraph, UK)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3539418/Climate-change-targets-will-push-up-energy-prices.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Bad Times Ahead for Broadband? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/01/bad-times-ahead-for-broadband/

Qwest Brings Back $15 DSL - New promotions in face of sour economy, cable competition (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Qwest-Brings-Back-15-DSL-99333

Clearwire to sell WiMax under "Clear" brand (Associated Press)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9436866

Time Warner Sues AT&T For Vandalism - Things get touchy in Texas (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Time-Warner-Sues-ATT-For-Vandalism-99350

Data centers are good focus for energy conservation efforts (Houston Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/12/01/focus7.html?ana=from_rss

Online schools make gains - Enrollment jumps as students enjoy benefits of telecommuting to school (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/681234.html

The Internet at Work: Distraction or Productivity Tool? (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/technology/2008/November/The-Internet-at-Work-Distraction-or-Productivity-Tool.html

GENERAL NEWS

Cuts Could Scale Back Deputies' Coverage of Mason County (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/nov/28/cuts-could-scale-back-deputies-coverage-of-mason/?partner=RSS

Recycling Fees May Rise As Demand; Prices Drop (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008454122_recycle29m.html

Copper’s Every Dip Is Felt in Arizona (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/28/business/28copper.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Federal Stimulus Package Will Aid State - Rescue program puts emphasis on creating jobs (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/389795_projects28.html

NY Times Cabinet Watch - The New Team: John A. Kitzhaber
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/us/politics/30web-kitzhaber.html?_r=1

IRS Pares Down Mileage Rates (Dayton Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2008/11/24/daily30.html?ana=from_rss

DIVERSIONS

Man Sues Ex-Fiancée over Engagement Ring
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Americas/2008/November/Man-Sues-Ex-Fiancee-Over-Engagement-Ring.html

Drunken-Driving Suspect Runs over Self - Suspect Leads Police on Chase
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/18150905/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=irresistible

Eleanor Rigby document fetches $177,000
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE4AQ80220081127?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

Airport draws smiles with 'recombobulation area'
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29452504.html

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Energy News Digest Addendum - 11/26/2008

Judge OKs plan to kill sea lions - A federal judge ruled the government can kill up to 85 sea lions a year at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, where they gather to eat Chinook salmon (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_112608ORB_sea_lion_ruling_LJ.55988c2.html

Energy News Digest for November 26, 2008

The News Digest will be giving thanks for all the information it can eat this Thanksgiving weekend. As such, Thursday and Friday will be down days. Please count your blessings also.

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Grays Harbor County PUD Contract Reduces “Slice”
- Snohomish County PUD More Prepared For Winter
- Clark Public Utilities considers water, electric rate hikes
- Mason County PUD No. 3 Gets a Bond Rating Increase
- Reliant Energy Backs Away From Financing
- California woman who couldn't afford power dies from generator fumes
- $70 Million More Going To Salmon Disaster Aid
- Canada - Salmon Prospects Slightly Brighter For 2009
- Washington State Sues Feds Over Hanford Cleanup
- East Jefferson County Water Planning Seeks a Balance
- Mount Baker Offers Little Snow to Be Grateful For
- Hydropower Generator Mimics Fish
- White House Prods Allies to Oppose Limits on Greenhouse Gases
- Climate Crisis Energizes Radical Environmentalists
- San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed - We Need A Big Green Jobs Machine
- The Great White Way Tries to Turn Green
- Utah's Utopia Tries to Stay Afloat - Decides to focus on small businesses
- Georgia - CityNet Consultant Will ‘Dig Deeper’ on Municipal network
- Final Mason County Election Results
- Economy is a Main Concern of Washington Residents
- State Auditor Dings Mason County over Financial Accounting
- California - Three Poisoned By Carbon Monoxide in Paramount Home

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

hypaethral • \hye-PEETH-rul\ • adjective - *1: having a roofless central space 2: open to the sky

Anastasia was captivated by her host’s Tulsa home. “I love the hypaethral feeling of your courtyard, even down to moving your furniture outside she enthused.” A major faux pas on her part. Seems the fellow lives in tornado alley, and the roof had been violently removed by a recent twister.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Grays Harbor County PUD Contract Reduces “Slice” (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/11/25/local_news/06news.txt

Snohomish County PUD More Prepared For Winter (Everett Herald)
http://heraldnet.com/article/20081126/NEWS01/711269779

Clark Public Utilities considers water, electric rate hikes - Several options are proposed; effect on bills would be similar (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20081126/BIZ01/711269984/-1/BIZ

Mason County PUD No. 3 Gets a Bond Rating Increase (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/5671/reftab/1632/Default.aspx?title=P.U.D._3_GETS_A_BOND_RATING_INCREASE

Reliant Energy Backs Away From Financing - Sale of Business Segments Reduced Need for Capital (Associated Press)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081126/reliant_energy_financing.html?.v=1

California woman who couldn't afford power dies from generator fumes (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11073223?source=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

$70 Million More Going To Salmon Disaster Aid (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1711159~_70_million_more_going_to_salmon_disaster_aid.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Canada - Salmon Prospects Slightly Brighter For 2009: Fisheries and Oceans Canada says the salmon returns in 2009 will be no worse than this year (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=4fa69576-8497-4e50-9feb-259635135d12

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Washington State Sues Feds Over Hanford Cleanup
http://www.examiner.com/a-1711133~Wash__sues_feds_over_Hanford_cleanup.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

East Jefferson County Water Planning Seeks a Balance (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20081126/news/311269988

Mount Baker Offers Little Snow to Be Grateful For (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/snowsports/2008437414_mtbaker26.html?syndication=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

Hydropower Generator Mimics Fish (EE Times)
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212200403

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

White House Prods Allies to Oppose Limits on Greenhouse Gases (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/25/AR2008112502743.html?nav=rss_nation

Climate Crisis Energizes Radical Environmentalists (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008437722_apclimateradicals.html?syndication=rss

San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed - We Need A Big Green Jobs Machine
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/26/EDHN14BDV9.DTL&feed=rss.opinion

The Great White Way Tries to Turn Green (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/theater/26gree.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Utah's Utopia Tries to Stay Afloat - Decides to focus on small businesses (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Utahs-Utopia-Tries-To-Stay-Afloat-99301

Georgia - CityNet Consultant Will ‘Dig Deeper’ on Municipal network - A “flawed business plan” presented by the initial consultant as one reason that he needs more time (Tifton Gazette, GA)
http://www.tiftongazette.com/local/local_story_330215939.html

GENERAL NEWS

Final Mason County Election Results (Mason County Auditor)
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/mason/Elections/ElectionResults/Pages/ElectionResults.aspx

Economy is a Main Concern of Washington Residents (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4629

State Auditor: Mason County Has Inadequate Control over Financial Accounting and Reporting (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/5672/reftab/1896/Default.aspx?title=STATE_AUDITOR:_MASON_COUNTY_HAS_INADEQUATE_CONTROL_OVER_FINANCIAL_ACCOUNTING_AND_REPORTING

California - Three Poisoned By Carbon Monoxide in Paramount Home (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1711196~3_poisoned_by_carbon_monoxide_in_Paramount_home.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

DIVERSIONS

Colorado Noise Polluters Sentenced to Annoying Music
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Americas/2008/November/Colorado-Noise-Polluters-Sentenced-to-Annoying-Music.html

On This Day: King Tut’s Tomb Discovered (Well, technically: rediscovered)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/entertainment/On-this-Day--King-Tut-s-Tomb-Discovered.html

Holiday Fun Can Mean Constipation for Kids - Travel, Treats, Playtime Can Break Bathroom Routine
http://www.kirotv.com/health/18151075/detail.html

Court says lukewarm food hot enough for prison
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/25/BA8914CBHP.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Energy News Digest for November 25, 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)

- Moody’s Investor Service Upgrades Mason County PUD No. 3 Bond Rating
- Tacoma Public Utility’s going to pay you for a change
- For WPUDA Building - Tacoma firms receive Design-Build award
- Texas - Many electric bills still a mess in the wake of Ike
- FERC issues four reliability orders to strengthen grid
- Conservation Groups Challenge Owl Recovery Plan
- Man's Plan Brings Salmon Back To Local Creeks
- Tougher State Law Means More Puget Sound Burn Bans
- Environmental Groups Target Former Alcoa Site’s Landfill
- Yesterday's Reynolds Metals pollution slows today's economy
- Allocating Water in North Idaho
- Tri-Cities in prime position to develop clean energy technologies
- Sun rising on California's power horizon
- Slump May Limit Moves on Clean Energy
- Six Electric cooperatives unite for Iowa wind farm
- Hot Home Wind Turbines You Can Actually Buy
- The Car of the Future - but at What Cost?
- Spain City Sets Up Solar Cemetery
- City Of Olympia Reduces Emissions
- Washington State Mussels Lose Out As Carbon Dioxide Changes Ocean
- Is it always greener to take public transportation?
- Internet access lags in rural areas in Montana
- Telcos Desperately Try To Keep Landlines Relevant
- 80% of Broadband Users Will Be Wireless By 2013
- Cause of Shelton Timber Bowl Fire Likely Electrical
- Operators of scorched Shelton bowling alley vow to rebuild

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Skullduggery • \skull-DUGG-ur-ree\ • noun - Underhanded or unscrupulous behavior; also: a devious device or trick

Unfortunately for the corporate leader, the skullduggery of his support staff had so undermined his credibility with the stockholders that everything he said at the annual meeting was met with loud peals of laughter. Initially he though that they were laughing along with him at some large, inside joke. That is, until his aide whispered in his ear, “Sir, they’re not laughing WITH you, they’re laughing BESIDE you. And that’s a BIG difference.”

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Moody’s Investor Service Upgrades Mason County PUD No. 3 Bond Rating (Mason County PUD No. 3)
http://www.masonpud3.org/News/display.asp?NewsID=482

Tacoma Public Utility’s going to pay you for a change - It will be Christmas in February for Tacoma Power customers (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/548416.html

For WPUDA Building - Tacoma firms receive National Design-Build award (Tacoma Daily Index)
http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1427663&more=0

Texas - Many electric bills still a mess in the wake of Ike (Houston Chronicle, TX)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6130962.html

FERC issues four reliability orders to strengthen grid (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=346294&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Conservation Groups Challenge Owl Recovery Plan (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/35062724.html

Man's Plan Brings Salmon Back To Local Creeks (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/35049784.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Tougher State Law Means More Puget Sound Burn Bans (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18051645/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news

Environmental Groups Target Former Alcoa Site’s Landfill (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20081125/NEWS02/711259958/-1/NEWS

Daily News Editorial - Yesterday's Reynolds Metals pollution slows today's economy (Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/25/editorial/doc492b3f7518cca274029096.txt

Allocating Water in North Idaho (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4619

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

Sen. Cantwell says Tri-Cities in prime position to develop clean energy technologies (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/395856.html

Sun rising on California's power horizon (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/25/BUVI14B645.DTL&feed=rss.business

Slump May Limit Moves on Clean Energy (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/world/25climate.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Six Electric cooperatives unite in historic support for Iowa wind farm (Lancaster Eagle Gazette)
http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20081124/UPDATES01/81124026

Hot Home Wind Turbines You Can Actually Buy - Plus One You Wish You Could (Treehugger.com)
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/11/five-home-wind-turbines-you-can-actually-buy.php

The Car of the Future - but at What Cost? Hybrid Vehicles Are Popular, but Making Them Profitable Is a Challenge (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/24/AR2008112403211.html?nav=rss_email/components

Spain City Sets Up Solar Cemetery - Solar panels are carefully angled to make them less obtrusive to families: A Spanish city has found an unusual place to generate renewable energy - the local cemetery (BBC)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7745673.stm

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

City Of Olympia Reduces Emissions (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/living/story/673761.html

Washington State Mussels Lose Out As Carbon Dioxide Changes Ocean (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97412198&ft=1&f=1001

Trains vs. Planes vs. Automobiles - Is it always greener to take public transportation? (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2205330/?from=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Internet access lags in rural areas in Montana (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/11/25/financial/f072147S44.DTL&feed=rss.business

Telcos Desperately Try To Keep Landlines Relevant (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Telcos-Desperately-Try-To-Keep-Landlines-Relevant-99299

Ericsson: 80% Of Broadband Users Will Be Wireless By 2013 (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Ericsson-80-Of-Broadband-Users-Will-Be-Wireless-By-2013-99286

GENERAL NEWS

Cause of Shelton Timber Bowl Fire Likely Electrical (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/5661/reftab/1632/title/CAUSE_OF_TIMBER_BOWL_FIRE_LIKELY_ELECTRICAL/Default.aspx

Operators of scorched Shelton bowling alley vow to rebuild (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/35030059.html

DIVERSIONS

NY Public Toilets Feature TVs, Tuxedoed Attendants
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18050724/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=irresistible

Caught Snapping - That Cell May Be a Steal, but Don't Shoot Yourself in the Face
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/21/AR2008112103612.html?nav=rss_technology

Seuss lawyers stop holiday Who-ville in Louisville
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2008433395_webwhoville25.html?syndication=rss

Man Wins Two Cars In 10 Days - Luck Includes NFL Tickets From Drawing
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/18143132/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=irresistible

Monday, November 24, 2008

Energy News Digest for November 24, 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)

- Latest foe in customer’s anti-tax crusade is the Grays Harbor PUD
- Worker Electrocuted by Power lines Identified
- Yakama Tribe in a power position
- Energy Pulse Commentary - Whipping up Support for Transmission
- Chelan County PUD - Local engineers society names first woman president
- Salmon proposal upsets gillnetters
- Camas man’s methods to restore salmon unconventional, effective
- Salmon, owls might have ally in White House
- Canada - Green groups blast increases in salmon farms
- Salmon farming in Maine mounting a strong comeback
- Oregonian Op/Ed - Farmed fish: Almost organic, and always polluting
- Puget Sound cleanup criticized - Scientists say plan headed for failure
- Lack Of Funding Slows Research, Cleanup Of Sound
- Judge says Yelm must prove it has water
- Workers warn of problems at Brightwater Sewer Plant
- California experts fear 3rd straight dry winter likely
- Cowlitz County Panel mulls wind turbine rules
- Despite obstacles, Pickens is not giving up on wind energy
- Hawaii Reporter Op/Ed - Wind Power: The 'Green' Myth
- Wyoming group points out where to build wind
- Cow power - Digester makes dairy man a believer
- Palm Desert loan program giving contractors seeds to grow business
- Sacramento City manager pushes waste-to-energy proposal
- Rhode Island - Boosting renewable energy
- Problems Plague U.S. Flex-Fuel Fleet
- News Release - Light Up the Holidays Safely and Efficiently
- Alcoa encourages energy conservation
- Cheap Green: Energy and Ovens
- No electricity? Connecticut island now energy independent
- Oregonian Op/Ed - Seizing our chance in the midst of crisis
- Obama urged to create 'Green New Deal'
- Port of Quincy Confirms it Has Significant Fiber Optics Capacity
- Remote Wyoming towns home to broadband jobs
- A Quick Peek at the Internet Growth Charts
- AT&T To Pay $17 Million For Universal Service Fund Over-Charges
- Layoffs leave Silicon Forest less populated
- Eight Alarm Fire - Shelton's Bowling Alley Burns Down
- 20% cuts may be ahead for state colleges
- How much does Obama know about the West?
- Senators prepare to tutor Obama on Hanford
- Who from here might serve in Obama administration?
- Washington's new area code delayed until 2012
- Washington cities can add $20 car tab fee

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Non sequitur • \NON SEK-witt-ter\ • noun - 1: an inference that does not follow from the premises *2: a statement (as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said

For about an hour the conversation about long-term power contracts, direct service industry subsidies, fish and wildlife costs, and residential exchange flowed along about as smoothly as could be expected. Suddenly nearly all persons in the board room suffered whiplash as a burly, oddly-dressed guest (whom no one remembered inviting) started riffing with non sequiturs about minutiae involving Dungeons and Dragons, World of Warcraft, and the latest “Star Trek” convention that was to be held downtown, featuring Malachi Throne, a minor character who played in three 1966 “Trek” episodes.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

His crusade continues - The latest foe in Stan Trohimovich’s decades-long anti-tax crusade is the Grays Harbor PUD. ..He has withheld payment of taxes, fees and the 13 percent charge for the Bonneville Power Administration’s Residential Exchange (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/11/23/local_news/01news.txt

Worker Electrocuted By Power lines Identified (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18027219/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news

Yakama Tribe in a power position - Local irrigation system could benefit if Yakamas become a player in the Northwest energy game (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2008/11/23/tribe-in-a-power-position

Energy Pulse Commentary - Whipping up Support for Transmission
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1877

From Chelan County PUD - Local engineers society names first woman president (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081123/NEWS04/711249987

FISH & WILDLIFE

Salmon proposal upsets gillnetters - Low numbers would favor sport anglers (Associated Press)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/389150_salmon24.html?source=rss

Fighting for fish - Camas man’s methods to restore salmon unconventional, effective (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20081123/NEWS02/711239994/-1/NEWS

Salmon, owls might have ally in White House (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/government/story/547417.html

Canada - Green groups blast increases in salmon farms (Victoria Times-Colonist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=8d74a9a7-764f-4a6c-998f-ddb6789040a6

Salmon farming in Maine mounting a strong comeback (Associated Press)
http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/11/23/salmon_farming_in_maine_mounting_a_strong_comeback/

Oregonian Op/Ed - Farmed fish: Almost organic, and always polluting (Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/11/farmed_fish_almost_organic_and.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Puget Sound cleanup criticized - Scientists say plan headed for failure (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/388962_sound22.html

Lack Of Funding Slows Research, Cleanup Of Sound (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18034044/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_-1_09000111242008&ts=H

Judge says Yelm must prove it has water - Condition placed by city on subdivisions ruled illegal (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/localnewsfeed/story/672384.html

Workers warn of problems at Brightwater Sewer Plant (KOMO-TV., Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/34971969.html

California experts fear 3rd straight dry winter likely (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/22/MNV8149Q32.DTL&feed=rss.news

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

Cowlitz County Panel mulls wind turbine rules (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/24//area_news/doc492ac2a7bd7b7397172848.txt

Star Telegram Op/Ed - Despite obstacles, Pickens is not giving up on wind energy (Fort Worth, TX)
http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/1053439.html

Hawaii Reporter Op/Ed - Wind Power: The 'Green' Myth
http://hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?3fe59302-a0ac-435f-874e-518f40d9b26d

Wyoming group points out where to build wind (Associated Press)
http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/global/story.asp?s=9400896

Cow power - Digester makes dairy man a believer (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/2008/11/22/cow-power-digester-makes-dairy-man-a-believer

Solar boom - Palm Desert's loan program giving contractors seeds to grow their businesses (The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, CA)
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20081122/NEWS07/811220318/1013

California - Sacramento City manager pushes waste-to-energy proposal; county cautious (Sacramento Bee, CA)
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1419145.html

Rhode Island - Boosting renewable energy (Providence Journal, RI)
http://www.projo.com/business/content/BZ_Greenstart_24_11-24-08_J7CBI89_v13.3fe6ddb.html

Problems Plague U.S. Flex-Fuel Fleet - Most Government-Bought Vehicles Still Use Standard Gas (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/22/AR2008112200886.html?nav=rss_business

News Release - Light Up the Holidays Safely and Efficiently - PSE Donates Energy-Efficient Holiday Light Strands for Customer and Community Displays (MarketWatch)
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Light-Up-Holidays-Safely-Efficiently/story.aspx?guid=%7B2A65BB1C-678F-48AF-8295-247FA06CFC7E%7D

Alcoa encourages energy conservation through Web site (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081123/NEWS04/711249990

Cheap Green: Energy and Ovens (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/cheap-green-energy-and-ovens/

No electricity? Connecticut island now energy independent. Three-acre property boasts wind turbine, solar panels and Segways (MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27861109/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Oregonian Op/Ed - Seizing our chance in the midst of crisis
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/11/seizing_our_chance_in_the_mids.html

Obama urged to create 'Green New Deal' (Boston Globe, MA)
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2008/11/24/obama_urged_to_create_green_new_deal/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

News Release - Port of Quincy Confirms That Quincy, WA Has Significant Fiber Optics Capacity and Availability (MarketWatch)
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Port-Quincy-Confirms-That-Quincy/story.aspx?guid=%7B896A78A3-A2A8-40E2-9732-22D88835E924%7D

Remote Wyoming towns home to broadband jobs (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008427624_btenglishteach24.html?syndication=rss

A Quick Peek at the Internet Growth Charts (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/11/24/a-quick-peek-at-the-internet-growth-charts/

AT&T To Pay $17 Million For Universal Service Fund Over-Charges (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-To-Pay-17-Million-For-USF-OverCharging-99263

Layoffs leave Silicon Forest less populated - High-tech companies in Oregon employ 2,000 fewer people than a year ago (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1227239720313090.xml&coll=7

GENERAL NEWS

Eight Alarm Fire - Shelton's Bowling Alley Burns Down (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/5655/reftab/1632/Default.aspx?title=SHELTON'S_BOWLING_ALLEY_BURNS_DOWN

20% cuts may be ahead for state colleges, universities as bottom falls out of budget (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008425188_highered23m0.html?syndication=rss

How much does Obama know about the West? (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/394065.html

Senators prepare to tutor Obama on Hanford (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/394063.html

Who from here might serve in Obama administration? (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/389071_Joel24.html?source=rss

Washington State's new telephone area code delayed until 2012 (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1705693~State_s_new_telephone_area_code_delayed_until_2012.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Washington cities can add $20 car tab fee (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1708206~Washington_cities_can_add__20_car_tab_fee.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

DIVERSIONS

Panda bites student who just wanted a hug
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/670776.html

B.G. proposal riles animal lovers - Complaint about chickens’ smell prompts action, and angry response (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20081121/NEWS02/711219955/-1/NEWS

Police Chase Ends With Man Up Tree For Hours
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18049737/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news

Friday, November 21, 2008

Energy News Digest for November 21, 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)

- Worker Electrocuted in Seattle by Power lines
- Route for energy transmission avoids Cascade-Siskiyou monument
- Congress: Waxman win elevates energy, climate change issues
- Surprise Drop in Power Use Delivers Jolt to Utilities
- Grant PUD to fund street improvements
- Russian power sector reform under threat
- Derelict Fishing Nets Kill Sea Life, Clog Sound
- Gold prospecting in Washington State: Salmon beware
- Downer: Steelhead creep into local rivers, memories
- Stepping in when streams dry up
- California Judge won't slash water contracts to help smelt
- Calif. agrees to limit trout stocking
- S.F. Chronicle Op/Ed - The downside of the fish stock market
- Restoring Puget Sound: It's the land use, stupid!
- New Images Show Celilo Falls Still Intact
- Underwater volcano off California Coast now protected
- State Supreme Court approves Kittitas County wind farm
- Kittitas power project gets second wind
- Green building starts up five-fold
- New local website can help you save energy
- General Electric recalls more than 200,000 wall ovens
- Hawaii Governor Signs Ocean Thermal Energy Deal
- Kansas - Energy conservation grants going begging
- Brighten the Holidays with Savings and Safety Advice
- New Rule Would Discount Warming as Risk Factor for Species
- Latest business challenge is climate change
- Death bloom of plankton a warning on warming
- Google, Others Call for New Broadband, Energy Policies
- Telcos Will See a More Activist Congress
- Owning Your Own Fiber - Homes with tails
- Boeing Warns Of Impending Layoffs
- Bad economy won't stop massive road projects
- Brush-Picker Killed by Hunter
- DeFazio Says Rumors of Obama Cabinet Position are Exaggerated
- Will Credit Rating Agencies Be Monitored?
- Fugitive Oregon State Employee Herding Sheep in Iran
- Feds: FAA worker took plane, yachts as perks

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Flummoxed • \FLUM-uxt\ • verb – Confused

Harry was flummoxed by the lime/coconut advice of his doctor, “so, do I put the coconut in the lime, or the other way around?”

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Worker Electrocuted in Seattle By Power lines (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18027219/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news

Route for energy transmission avoids Cascade-Siskiyou monument (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1702671~Route_for_energy_transmission_avaoids_monument.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Congress: Waxman win elevates energy, climate change issues (Reuters)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081120/pl_nm/us_usa_congress_energy_8

Surprise Drop in Power Use Delivers Jolt to Utilities (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122722654497346099.html

Grant PUD to fund street improvements (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/11/20/news/nw4.11.20.08.txt

Russian power sector reform under threat (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5geGbSWkfCQyYtVams2kDspD2vgzwD94IT4I80

FISH & WILDLIFE

Derelict Fishing Nets Kill Sea Life, Clog Sound (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18025762/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_-1_09000111212008&ts=H

The Evergold State – Salmon beware: Are prospectors crazy to be dredging in Washington's rivers and streams? (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2205110/?from=rss

Downer: Steelhead creep into local rivers, memories (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/21/this_day/doc492602daf00f1915866002.txt

Stepping in when streams dry up (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20081120/NEWS02/711209932/-1/NEWS

California - Judge won't slash water contracts to help smelt (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/11/20/state/n151820S63.DTL&feed=rss.business

Calif. agrees to limit trout stocking (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/11/20/state/n165518S88.DTL&feed=rss.business

S.F. Chronicle Op/Ed - The downside of the fish stock market
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/20/EDP6147T95.DTL&feed=rss.opinion

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Restoring Puget Sound: It's the land use, stupid! (Crosscut)
http://crosscut.com/2008/11/21/puget-sound/18650/

New Images Show Celilo Falls Still Intact (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3599-new-images-show-celilo-falls-still-intact/

Underwater volcano off California's Central Coast given national protection (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11035769?source=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

State Supreme Court approves Kittitas County wind farm (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/388704_windfarm21.html?source=rss

Kittitas power project gets second wind (Yakima Herald Republic)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/2008/11/20/supreme-court-backs-governor-kittitas-wind-power

Green building starts up five-fold (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/11/17/daily46.html?ana=from_rss

New local website can help you save energy (Port Townsend Leader, WA)
http://www.ptleader.com/Main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=22446

General Electric recalls more than 200,000 wall ovens (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9376988

Hawaii Governor Signs Ocean Thermal Energy Deal (Environmental News Network)
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2008/2008-11-20-094.asp

Kansas - Energy conservation grants going begging (Clay Center Dispatch, KS)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20203603&BRD=1160&PAG=461&dept_id=190958&rfi=6

News Release - Brighten the Holidays with Savings and Safety Advice From the Ameren Illinois Utilities (Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=101223

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

New Rule Would Discount Warming as Risk Factor for Species (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/20/AR2008112003465.html?nav=rss_nation

Latest business challenge is climate change - Everyone from insurers to engineering firms are looking for answers (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=3579d351-9202-437d-89fc-243a513c765b&k=46757

Death bloom of plankton a warning on warming (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/20/MNV1147VJE.DTL&feed=rss.news

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google, Others Call for New Broadband, Energy Policies (IDG News Service)
http://www.pcworld.com/article/154262/google_others_call_for_new_broadband_energy_policies.html

Telcos Will See a More Activist Congress (GigOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/11/21/telcos-will-see-a-more-activist-congress/

Owning Your Own Fiber - Homes with tails (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Owning-Your-Own-Fiber-99230

GENERAL NEWS

Boeing Warns Of Impending Layoffs (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18031941/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news

Bad economy won't stop massive road projects (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008418429_transpochallenges21m.html?syndication=rss

Brush-Picker Killed by Hunter - Suspect apparently thought he was shooting at an elk (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20081121/NEWS02/711219988/-1/NEWS

DeFazio Says Rumors of Obama Cabinet Position are Exaggerated (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4608

Will Credit Rating Agencies Be Monitored? (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97295902&ft=1&f=3

Fugitive Oregon Corrections Administrator Now Herding Sheep in Iran (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3605-wanted-corrections-administrator-now-herding-sheep-iran/

Feds: FAA worker took plane, yachts as perks (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1703049~Feds__FAA_worker_took_plane__yachts_as_perks.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

DIVERSIONS

Stray cats taking over Lewis County town
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_112008WAB_vader_stray_cats_SW.1d1006cef.html

'Sound Of Music' Star Rips Movie - Plummer Calls His Performance 'Most Mediocre'
http://www.kirotv.com/entertainment/18023148/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_4pm&tmi=sea_4pm_-1_06000111202008&ts=H

Cell Phone Over Man's Heart Stops Bullet
http://www.kirotv.com/family/18025267/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=irresistible

Obese have right to two airline seats
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE4AJ8G020081120?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

Witness to three-death crash wins trauma damages - Man who suffered 'nervous shock' wins first case of its kind
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=bdcf28ae-90ce-4fd0-9e34-a54b62450a04