Energy News Digest for December 10, 2008

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

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Mason County PUD No. 3 Approves Bond Sale
- Grays Harbor County PUD - Cheap Holiday Bills and another Federal Court Appeal
- Clark Public Utilities Approves Water, Electric Rate Hikes for 2009
- Alabama - Lower Energy Costs Won't Mean Lower Electricity Rates
- Benton PUD’s Local Rural Economic Development Revolving Fund Created
- Customer Survey Says: Low Rates Chelan County PUD’s Biggest Challenge
- Miniature Nuclear Reactors Could Provide Energy
- Joint Session To Discuss Chinook Salmon Plans
- Taking Stock of Canadian Salmon Stocks
- The Olympian Editorial - Court Issues Welcome Ruling On Tribes
- Irony Alert - Seattle Company Fined For Biodiesel Spill
- BC Hydro's Call for Bioenergy Yields Four Projects
- Solar Power Systems Powering More California Agribusinesses
- Utah - Focus on Efficiency, Energy Panelists Say
- Cool Earth Solar's Solution: Big Party Balloons
- 2008 Coldest Year of the Decade
- UN negotiators to present draft climate treaty in June
- Report Scorches FCC Chairman
- Storm Forecast Buoys Ski Areas - 'We are waiting with bated breath'
- Third-Runway Boss: I Was Following Orders
- Prosecutors Look into Trooper Probe of Phony College Diplomas
- ‘Down is the new up’: T-bills hit zero
- Interior Secretary Choice Nears
- Obama to Name Leader of White House Council on Environmental Quality
- Incentives for Recycling Programs Lose Their Steam
- Civil Service Test - Man dies digging for a job in Seattle
- Mason County Judge Hears Suit against Former Port of Tahuya Commissioners

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Lothario • \loh-THAIR-ee-oh\ • noun - A man whose chief interest is seducing women

It was clear that Dagoberto was not quite the lothario that he imagined himself to be. His disastrous decision to wear “Salesman in a Drum” musk cologne to a speed-dating appointment event was evident in that his prospective dates didn’t just walk away from their two-minute interviews…they actually fled.

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

Mason County PUD No. 3 Approves Bond Sale (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/5772/reftab/1632/Default.aspx?t=P.U.D.-3-APPROVES-BOND-SALE

Grays Harbor County PUD - Cheap Holiday Bills and another Federal Court Appeal (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/12/09/local_news/03news.txt

Clark Public Utilities Approves Water, Electric Rate Hikes for 2009 (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/article/20081209/BIZ01/812097498

Alabama - Lower Energy Costs Won't Mean Lower Electricity Rates (The Press-Register, Mobile, AL)
http://www.al.com/politics/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1228904155291110.xml&coll=3

Benton PUD’s Local Rural Economic Development Revolving Fund Created (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/bizbeat/story/411338.html

Customer Survey Says: Low Rates Chelan County PUD’s Biggest Challenge (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081209/NEWS04/712099976

Miniature Nuclear Reactors Could Provide Energy - and Opportunity for Terrorists (Fox News)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,464625,00.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Joint Session To Discuss Chinook Salmon Plans - A sport-commercial catch-sharing plan will be presented to commissions (The Statesman Journal, Salem, OR)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20081210/OUTDOORS/812100385/1034/SPORTS

Taking Stock of Canadian Salmon Stocks (Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081210.COLETTS10-12/TPStory/Comment

The Olympian Editorial - Court Issues Welcome Ruling On Tribes
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/691288.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Irony Alert - Seattle Company Fined For Biodiesel Spill (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008490498_apwabiodieselspill.html?syndication=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

BC Hydro's Call for Bioenergy Yields Four Projects (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Hydro+call+bioenergy+yields+four+projects/1054445/story.html

Solar Power Systems Powering More California Agribusinesses (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008489528_apfarmscenesolarfarms.html?syndication=rss
Utah - Focus on Efficiency, Energy Panelists Say (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)
http://deseretnews.com/article/0,5143,705269347,00.html

Cool Earth Solar's Solution: Big Party Balloons (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11170601?source=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

2008 Coldest Year of the Decade (Hawaii Reporter)
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?57936010-03ec-4b85-b440-4489120ea443

UN negotiators to present draft climate treaty in June (Irish Times)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/1210/breaking46.htm

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Report Scorches FCC Chairman - Describes a pattern of mismanagement, dysfunction and power abuse at the Federal Communications Commission (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008488580_fcc10.html

GENERAL NEWS

Storm Forecast Buoys Ski Areas - 'We are waiting with bated breath' (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/391398_ski10.html

Third-Runway Boss: I Was Following Orders - Two managers quit after fraud report; port chief suspends four (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/391492_port10.html

Prosecutors Look into Trooper Probe of Phony College Diplomas (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/693762.html

‘Down is the new up’: T-bills hit zero (The Associated Press)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/562997.html

Interior secretary choice nears (Sublette Examiner, WY)
http://www.subletteexaminer.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=976

Obama to Name Leader of White House Council on Environmental Quality (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/nationworld/story/694180.html

Incentives For Recycling Programs Lose Their Steam - Market value drops for items such as paper, aluminum (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/693760.html

Civil Service Test - Man dies digging for a job in Seattle (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1736324~Man_dies_digging_for_a_job_in_Seattle.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Mason County Judge Hears Suit against Former Port of Tahuya Commissioners (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/dec/09/judge-hears-suit-against-former-port-of-tahuya/?partner=RSS

DIVERSIONS

Indiana Restricts Smiles on Driver's Licenses - Smiles Confuse Facial Recognition Software
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/18235504/detail.html

Seeing Red Over Scarlet-Marked Homework - Teachers using red pen to mark students' work could be harming their psyche
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE4B811Q20081209?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

GPS, Hidden Cameras Watch Over Baby Jesus - Churches Use Security Systems to Protect Holiday Displays
http://www.kirotv.com/holidays/18243662/detail.html

Deer Crashes into Michigan 4th-Grade Classroom
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18245455/detail.html

Energy News Digest for December 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)

- Shelton City Budget - All City Street Lights to Stay On
- Chelan County PUD Closes In On New Rocky Reach License
- Puget Sound Energy Completes Purchase of Longview Power Plant
- Seattle City Light Signs 17-Year BPA Pact
- The Future of Energy “…the future of energy can be summed up in one word: electricity…”
- Blowing Smoke - Is Clean Coal Technology Fact or Fiction?
- Clallam County PUD Officially Purchases Former Costco Property
- Chelan County PUD Narrows CFO Pack to 3 Finalists
- Arizona's Water and Power Supplies Intertwined
- News Whiz - New Report: beware of those dastardly regulated markets!
- The Dalles Dam to Be Upgraded In Effort to Save Young Salmon
- Swinomish Tribe and Skagit Farmers Settle Dispute
- Saving Puget Sound? Exactly how?
- Oregon - Project Alters Course of Willamette River
- Commentary - Unrealistic Mandates and Unrealistic Science
- California - Wave Power Put to the Test in Monterey Bay
- Race to Build Deep-Water Wind Farms Is a Long One
- North Carolina - The Latest from Shopping Network: Solar Power
- Scientists Try To Mitigate Climate Change Effects
- Obama Plans Meeting With Gore to Talk Energy
- Ecoflation, A New Worry, Could Hit Consumer Goods
- Report: Yahoo Job Cuts Coming Wednesday
- Comcast Digital Switch Stirs More Questions
- Comcast Attacks Verizon's HD Claims
- Computer Mouse Turns 40
- Cold, Snowy Weekend Forecast For Washington
- Judgment Day for Port Of Seattle Employees Accused Of Fraud
- In New Era, Timber’s Struggles Stir Broad Concern and Support

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Dastardly • \DAST-erd-lee\ • adjective - 1: cowardly 2: characterized by underhandedness or treachery

The villain was hoodwinked by his intended victim. Instead of placing the intricately trussed damsel on the railroad tracks, he unknowingly threw a bundle of blankets and horse manure. This left the lawmen stumped. Was the criminal a dastardly mastermind, or just plain stupid.

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

Shelton City Budget - All City Street Lights to Stay On (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/5761/reftab/1632/t/ALL-CITY-STREET-LIGHTS-TO-STAY-ON/Default.aspx

Chelan County PUD Closes In On New Rocky Reach License (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081209/NEWS04/712099990

Puget Sound Energy Completes Purchase of Longview Power Plant (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20081208/NEWS06/312089982/-1/NLstatenews

Seattle City Light Signs 17-Year BPA Pact (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008485304_webcitylight09.html

The Future of Energy “…the future of energy can be summed up in one word: electricity…” (MSNBC)
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/09/1702783.aspx

Blowing Smoke - Is Clean Coal Technology Fact or Fiction? (Newsweek Magazine)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/173086?from=rss

Clallam County PUD Officially Purchases Former Costco Property (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.konp.com/local/4228

Chelan County PUD Narrows CFO Pack To 3 Finalists (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081209/NEWS04/712099996

Arizona's Water and Power Supplies Intertwined (The Arizona Republic)
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/12/07/20081207sustain-watergy1207.html

News Whiz - New Report Warns Policymakers against 'Electricity Deja Vu': beware of those dastardly regulated markets! (MarketWatch)
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/New-Report-Warns-Policymakers-Against/story.aspx?guid=%7B5958990B-3B7B-4279-BE96-91EC29B87C8A%7D

FISH & WILDLIFE

The Dalles Dam to Be Upgraded In Effort to Save Young Salmon (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/outdoors/featured/35626084.html

Swinomish Tribe and Skagit Farmers Settle Dispute – Salmon Habitat at Issue (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008485762_apwaswinomishsettlement.html?syndication=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Saving Puget Sound? Exactly how? The Puget Sound Partnership has an Action Agenda, but so far no Answer Agenda (Crosscut, Seattle)
http://crosscut.com/2008/12/08/puget-sound/18692/

Oregon - Project Alters Course of Willamette River: will aid habitat, flood control (The Statesman Journal, Salem, OR)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20081209/NEWS/812090333/1001

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

Commentary - Unrealistic Mandates and Unrealistic Science (GetLiberty.org)
http://alg31blog.timberlakepublishing.com/default.asp?Display=789

California - Wave Power Put to the Test in Monterey Bay (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_11175118?nclick_check=1

Race to Build Deep-Water Wind Farms Is a Long One (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008483347_apdeepwaterwind.html?syndication=rss

North Carolina - The Latest From Shopping Network: Solar Power (The News and Observer, Raleigh, NC)
http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1326633.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Scientists Try To Mitigate Climate Change Effects (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008486104_apeupolandclimatescience.html?syndication=rss

Obama Plans Meeting With Gore to Talk Energy (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008482893_apobamagore.html?syndication=rss

Ecoflation, A New Worry, Could Hit Consumer Goods (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE4B76RV20081208?sp=true

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Report: Yahoo Job Cuts Coming Wednesday (San Francisco Business Times)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/12/08/daily7.html?ana=from_rss

Comcast Digital Switch Stirs More Questions (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/brierdudley/2008484428_brier09.html

Comcast Attacks Verizon's HD Claims (Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/homepage/20081206_Comcast_attacks_Verizon_s_HD_claims.html

Computer Mouse Turns 40 (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97992287&ft=1&f=3

GENERAL NEWS

Cold, Snowy Weekend Forecast For Washington (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008486176_websnow09m.html?syndication=rss

Judgment Day for Port Of Seattle Employees Accused Of Fraud (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_120908WAB_port_fraud_discipline_SW.46c435f1.html

In New Era, Timber’s Struggles Stir Broad Concern and Support (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/us/09timber.html?th&emc=th

DIVERSIONS

Man Wants to Add Festivus Pole to Washington State Capitol
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18207510/detail.html

Capital Mall Drops Its Longtime Santa Claus - Swap raises ire in community
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/692337.html

Priest Chases Thief, Recovers Church Money
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18228512/detail.html

Woman Who Hid Sedated Monkey on Flight Convicted
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/35797979.html

Energy News Digest for December 8, 2008

300th Blog Posting!

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)

- Oregon Congressman Sees Change In BPA Leadership
- Wind At Back, BPA Chief Looks Ahead
- Oregon Public Utility Commission Delays Trojan Refund to PGE Customers
- State of California Explores Deregulation Of Electricity Market
- Mason County PUD No. 3 Commission Holding Budget Hearing Tuesday
- Congressional Research Reports - Power Plants: Characteristics and Costs
- Landowners fear leaks and losing their livelihood to gas pipeline
- E-Board Approves Oregon Energy Assistance
- Power Company Seeks To Use Missouri River for Electricity
- Tacoma Power, Tacoma Water Bond Ratings Upgraded
- $400,000 past Due: Electric Bill Mix Up By Ameren and MISO Costs Hannibal, MO
- Texas - Mr. Frugal: On Autopay, Tab for Electricity Went Wild
- United Kingdom Energy Firm 'Won't Pass On Savings'
- Is Salmon Survival Research Emotionally or Scientifically Motivated
- Bellingham Herald - New Science May Change Tactics to Save Salmon
- Spring Chinook Plan Will Be Presented At December 11 Forum
- Monitoring Gaps Endanger Salmon Runs
- Oregon Expert Tries To Solve Salmon Shark Deaths
- Awaiting Klamath Dam Removal
- Olympian Editorial - Puget Sound Partnership Must Live Up To Promises
- Water Issue Hits Home for Cattle, Dairy Farms
- Oregon - Aquifer Storage Could Ease Water Shortage
- Illegal Dams: Chelan Area Golf Course Pond Makes High-Risk List
- Safe Drinking Water Act: Regulatory and Legislative Issues
- Economists Raise Doubts About Alternative-Energy Spending
- Grays Harbor/Pacific Counties - Wind-Wind Project for Coastal Community Action Program
- Oregon - Coos Bay Pair Push Wind Turbine Project
- Wind Turbine Prototype Provides Birds Some Protection
- Michigan - Locally Made Wind Turbines to Create Jobs
- Geothermal Founder Files $50 Million Suit
- Energy-Efficient Lights Help Spread Holiday Cheer during Tough Times
- Does Daylight Saving Time Save Electricity?
- Green? You Ain't Seen Nothing, Yet
- Boeing Brews Up Algae, a Promising Fuel of the Future
- Plans Delayed For Biodiesel Crop
- U.S. Criticizes, U.N. Defends Global Carbon Trading System
- News Coverage of Climate Entering ‘Trance’?
- Presidential Transition Timing Hits Climate Talks
- No Fiber Shortage in Quincy - Port Dispels Rumor
- Broadband is Key to Obama’s Recovery Plan
- Wi-Fi Defends the Home Turf
- Seven Alarm Fire - Fatal Fire South of Kamilche
- Hoquiam Plywood Mill Suspends Operation
- Seattle Times Columnist - 2009 Outlook: It's Gloomy For Our Region
- British Columbia Coroner Matches Pair of Mysterious Feet

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Excrescence • \icks-KRESS-ents\ • noun - 1: a projection or outgrowth especially when abnormal 2: a disfiguring, extraneous, or unwanted mark or part: blot 3: by-product

Dagwood was looking forward to his job interview, but knew even before the first question that he was going to fail. His prospective new boss had a unique excrescence on his forehead…a growth reminiscent of a two foot long unicorn horn. All Dagwood could think about during the entire interview was whether or not he would be able to toss his hat onto the horn-like protuberance if he were hired.

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

Oregon Congressman Sees Change In BPA Leadership - The legislator says he's talked to Obama's transition team about a stronger focus on renewable energy (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1228530317257150.xml&coll=7

Wind At Back, BPA Chief Looks Ahead (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf?/base/business/122854471511170.xml&coll=7

Oregon Public Utility Commission Delays Trojan Refund to PGE Customers (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/3723-puc-delays-trojan-refund-pge-customers/

State of California Explores Deregulation Of Electricity Market - The move would allow retail users to shop around for best prices, but some link that policy to the 2000-01 energy crisis (Los Angeles Times, CA)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-dereg8-2008dec08,0,3100711.story?track=rss

Mason County PUD No. 3 Commission Holding Budget Hearing Tuesday Afternoon (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/5746/reftab/1632/Default.aspx?t=P.U.D.-3-COMMISSION-HOLDING-BUDGET-HEARING-TUESDAY-AFTERNOON

Congressional Research Reports - Power Plants: Characteristics and Costs
http://opencrs.com/document/RL34746

Energy independence: Not So Fast - Landowners fear leaks and losing their livelihood to gas pipeline (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf?/base/business/122853571865990.xml&coll=7

E-Board Approves Oregon Energy Assistance (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1729088~E_Board_approves_Ore__energy_assistance.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Power Company Seeks To Use Missouri River for Electricity (Kansas City Star, MO)
http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/926584.html

Tacoma Power, Tacoma Water Bond Ratings Upgraded (Tacoma Daily Index, WA)
http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1436235&more=0

Missouri - $400,000 past Due: Electric Bill Mix Up By Ameren and MISO Costs Hannibal (WGEM-TV, Quincy, IL)
http://www.wgem.com/global/story.asp?s=9467387

Texas - Mr. Frugal: On Autopay, Tab for Electricity Went Wild (Dallas Morning News, TX)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120808dnmetmrfrugal.36329f1.html

United Kingdom Energy Firm 'Won't Pass On Savings' “…firm has said suppliers will not pass on all of the savings they make on cheaper wholesale gas and electricity to consumers…” (The Evening Standard, UK)
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23598110-details/Energy+firm+'won't+pass+on+savings'/article.do

FISH & WILDLIFE

Is Salmon Survival Research Emotionally or Scientifically Motivated (KMVT-TV, ID)
http://www.kmvt.com/news/local/35612969.html

Bellingham Herald Editorial - New Science May Change Tactics to Save Salmon
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/615/story/703392.html

Columbia River Spring Chinook Plan Will Be Presented At December 11 Forum (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/12/08/this_day/doc4938629e90ff2411331986.txt

Monitoring Gaps Endanger Salmon Runs - Lack of accurate stock information leads to overfishing, scientists say (Victoria Times Colonist)
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Monitoring+gaps+endanger+salmon+runs+study/1030232/story.html

Oregon Expert Tries To Solve Salmon Shark Deaths (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2008/12/oregon_expert_tries_to_solve_s.html

Awaiting Klamath Dam Removal (Indian Country Today)
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/northwest/35306394.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Olympian Editorial - Puget Sound Partnership Must Live Up To Promises
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/687675.html

Water Issue Hits Home for Cattle, Dairy Farms – Claim a misinterpretation of stock watering law from the state Department of Ecology (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/12/05/news/nw4.12.5.08.txt

Oregon - Aquifer Storage Could Ease Water Shortage (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1730993~Aquifer_storage_could_ease_water_shortage.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Illegal Dams: Chelan Area Golf Course Pond Makes High-Risk List (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081206/NEWS04/712069874/1001/rss1001

Congressional Research Reports - Safe Drinking Water Act: Selected Regulatory and Legislative Issues
http://opencrs.com/document/RL34201

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

Economists Raise Doubts About Alternative-Energy Spending (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2008-12-04-greenjobs_N.htm

Grays Harbor/Pacific Counties - Wind-Wind Project for Coastal Community Action Program (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/12/07/local_news/01news.txt

Electricity Is Blowing In The Wind - Coos Bay pair push wind turbine project (Another quarter for Bob Zimmerman - The World, Bandon, OR)
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2008/12/07/news/doc493a439f7cc8f976728809.txt

Wind Turbine Prototype Provides Birds Some Protection (The World, Bandon, OR)
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2008/12/07/news/doc493a3efea1af6243731976.txt

Michigan - Locally Made Wind Turbines to Create Jobs (Muskegon Chronicle, MI)
http://www.mlive.com/chronicle/news/index.ssf/2008/12/locally_produced_wind_turbines.html

Geothermal Founder Files $50 Million Suit (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1729096~Geothermal_founder_files__50_million_suit.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Energy-Efficient Lights Help Spread Holiday Cheer during Tough Times (Detroit Free Press, MI)
http://www.freep.com/article/20081206/NEWS05/81206027/-1/rss07

Does Daylight Saving Time Save Electricity? (Resource Investor)
http://www.resourceinvestor.com/pebble.asp?relid=48507

Green? You Ain't Seen Nothing, Yet – “…what if someone came up with a financial incentive to refit every house, every building, every green inch of Oregon…” (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf?/base/news/122853572865990.xml&coll=7

Boeing Brews Up Algae, a Promising Fuel of the Future (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/560281.html

Plans Delayed For Biodiesel Crop Camelina (Associated Press)
http://columbian.com/article/20081207/NEWS06/312079982/-1/NLstatenews

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

U.S. Criticizes, U.N. Defends Global Carbon Trading System (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/us-criticizes-un-defends-global-carbon-trading-system/?partner=rss&emc=rss

News Coverage of Climate Entering ‘Trance’? (NY Times)
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/back-to-media-trance-on-climate/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Transition's Timing Hits Climate Talks - U.S. Delegates Report to Bush, Not Obama (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/07/AR2008120702426.html?wpisrc=newsletter

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

No Fiber Shortage in Quincy - Port Dispels Rumor (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081207/NEWS04/712089986

Broadband is Key to Obama’s Recovery Plan (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/06/broadband-is-key-to-obamas-recovery-plan/

Wi-Fi Defends the Home Turf (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/05/wi-fi-defends-the-home-turf/

GENERAL NEWS

Seven Alarm Fire - Fatal Fire South of Kamilche (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/5749/reftab/1632/t/FATAL-FIRE-SOUTH-OF-KAMILCHE/Default.aspx

Hoquiam Plywood Mill Suspends Operation (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18212522/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_12pm&tmi=sea_12pm_-1_02000112052008&ts=H

Seattle Times Columnist - 2009 Outlook: It's Gloomy For Our Region. Economists rarely agree on anything, but this time is different: 2009 will offer little, if any, relief from a recession that is already officially a year old
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/jontalton/2008478136_biztaltoncol07.html

British Columbia Coroner Matches Pair of Mysterious Feet (Associated Press)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_120608WAB_mystery_feet_KS.39c8bc2d.html?npc

DIVERSIONS

Was High School Girl Possessed In Class? Girl Spoke In Tongues, Made Predictions For Future
http://www.kirotv.com/education/18209396/detail.html

Woman Sues Sports Bar after Getting Stuck In Toilet
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18212497/detail.html

Christmas History: Fascinating Facts behind Festive Traditions
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/12/07/christmas-history-fascinating-facts-behind-festive-traditions-115875-20953664/

Frugal Farmer Leaves $2m to His Tiny Pennsylvania Church
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081208/ap_on_fe_st/odd_frugal_farmer_s_estate;_ylt=AuSq65Qx2MSz03vUQEjspTPtiBIF

Energy News Digest for December 5, 2008

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

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- JPMorgan Nixes Role as Holder Of Public Funds In Washington
- ColumbiaGrid Transmission Expansion Plan Gives Boost to Upgrades
- PJM Planning $1.6B in Upgrades for Grid
- Idaho - PUC Sets Hearings in Idaho Power Rate Case
- Plutonic Power, GE Submit Bids for Large British Columbia Hydro Projects
- Kentucky - The Meter's running: Groups urge conservation
- News Release - Transporting Juvenile Salmon Hinders Adult Migration
- Fish Follow Food Smells in Puget Sound
- State Environmentalists Outline priorities
- Filling the Chehalis River Floodplain - Officials Respond to an Old Question
- Northwest Water: How Municipalities Lose and Conserve
- Renewable Energy Goals a Moving Target for States
- Sea Breeze Bids Wind and Hydro Projects into BC Clean Power Call
- Seattle Company Wants to Get Energy from East Coast Waves
- City of Portland Pays More for Biodiesel
- Portland Scales Back Green Building Plan
- Climate Change, Drought to Strain Colorado River
- Google Turns down Some of North Carolina's Data Center Tax Incentives
- FBI: Copper Thefts Threaten U.S. Infrastructure
- It is World Wide Internet, For Real This Time
- Cost of Building Fiber to the Home: $10,000
- And Here Come the Broadband Industry Job Cuts
- Young Workers' Use of Social Networking Sites Concerns IT Staffs
- Employers Cut 533K Jobs in November; Most In 34 Years
- Report: Ten Types of Fraud at Port Of Seattle
- Thousands around Puget Sound Will Get Car-Tab Tax
- State lawmakers: Give counties revenue options
- State Regulators Put Off Decision on Internet Lobbying
- Anti-Religion Sign at State Capitol Disappears

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Golem • \GOH-lum\ • noun - 1: an artificial being in Hebrew folklore endowed with life *2: someone or something resembling a golem

The employees trudged into their gray, windowless sarcophagus, a place they called “work”; their putty-gray faces frozen in a mask of hopeless resignation. Fortunately, one of these workers rose above the level of golem: a laughing, horn-honking red-haired clown known only to his co-workers as “Bozo”.

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

JPMorgan Nixes Role As Holder Of Public Funds In Washington - Public entities across Washington will have to pull a total of $170 million out of the bank because of the move (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/12/01/daily33.html?ana=from_rss

News Release - ColumbiaGrid Transmission Expansion Plan Gives Boost to Upgrades (ColumbiaGrid)
http://www.columbiagrid.org/pressrelease-detail.cfm?pressreleaseID=9

PJM Planning $1.6B in Upgrades for Grid (Philadelphia Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2008/12/01/daily34.html?ana=from_rss

Idaho - PUC Sets Hearings in Idaho Power Rate Case (Ag Weekly)
http://www.agweekly.com/articles/2008/12/03/news/ag_news/news32.txt

Plutonic Power, GE Submit Bids for Large British Columbia Hydro Projects (Modern Power Systems)
http://www.modernpowersystems.com/story.asp?sectionCode=131&storyCode=2051632

Kentucky - The Meter's Running: With costs rising, groups urge conservation (Lexington Herald Leader, KY)
http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/616361.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

News Release - Transporting Juvenile Salmon Hinders Adult Migration: Attempts to avoid dams decrease survival in adult fish (Ecological Society of America)
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-12/esoa-tjs120508.php

Fish Follow Food Smells in Puget Sound (KIRO Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=112305

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

State Environmentalists Outline priorities (Associated Press)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/390802_fill05.html?source=rss

Filling the Chehalis River Floodplain - County and City Officials Respond to an Old Question: Why Do We Continue to Develop in the Flood Zone? (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1228416998&archive=

Our Northwest Water: How Municipalities Lose and Conserve Water (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4677

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

Renewable Energy Goals a Moving Target for States – “…the experience of states that have adopted…goals suggests that passing that requirement could be a lot easier than achieving it…” (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/business/05power.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Sea Breeze Bids Wind and Hydro Projects into BC Clean Power Call (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54203&src=rss

Seattle Company Wants to Get Energy from East Coast Waves (Associated Press)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9464319

City of Portland Pays More For Biodiesel – At nearly $7 a gallon, contract to buy Eastern Oregon fuel now proving spendy (Portland Tribune, OR)
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=122834393262807600

Portland Scales Back Green Building Plan (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1726568~Portland_scales_back_green_building_plan.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Change, Drought to Strain Colorado River (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jNegur-oYNojGLKHgOeM0KeAK8kwD94SFF6G0

Countries Looking To US Leadership on Climate (Associated Press)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/04/AR2008120403697.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

For New Data Center - Google turns down some of North Carolina's tax incentives (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/05/financial/f064308S43.DTL&feed=rss.business

FBI: Copper Thefts Threaten U.S. Infrastructure - Reason number 1,237 to deploy Fiber to the home? (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FBI-Copper-Thefts-Threaten-US-Infrastructure-99498

It is World Wide Internet, For Real This Time (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/04/it-is-world-wide-internet-for-real-this-time/

Cost of Building Fiber to the Home: $10,000 (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/04/fiber-to-the-home-for-10000/

And Here Come the Broadband Industry Job Cuts (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/And-Here-Come-The-Broadband-Industry-Job-Cuts-99479

Young Workers' Use of Social Networking Sites Concerns IT Staffs “…13 percent said they regard so-called Generation Y employees as ‘a major security concern’…” (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11138550?source=rss

GENERAL NEWS

Employers Cut 533K Jobs in November; Most In 34 Years (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081205/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/financial_meltdown_74

Report: Ten Types of Fraud at Port Of Seattle (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18203819/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news

Thousands Around Puget Sound Will Get Car-Tab Tax Refund - Sound Transit will refund incorrect car-tab payments totaling $3.2 (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008471685_taxrefund05m.html?syndication=rss

Seattle Times Op/Ed - State lawmakers: Give counties revenue options
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008470141_opin05council.html?syndication=rss

State Regulators Put Off Decision on Internet Lobbying Rule (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/558336.html

Anti-Religion Sign at State Capitol Disappears
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18212163/detail.html

DIVERSIONS

Embezzlement Blamed On TV Shopping Addiction - Tennessee Bank Teller Admits Using Stolen Money
http://www.kirotv.com/money/18194470/detail.html

Man allegedly attacks speed camera with pickax
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081205/ap_on_fe_st/odd_speed_camera_attack;_ylt=AqjU4NB5Hu47yAwicSRslOztiBIF

Mexican sits in truck 14 hours; refuses to pay bribe to cop
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081204/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_mexico_police;_ylt=AoNeJV6KjvH0rDULrMjIdkPtiBIF

Do not disturb eggs: MP reveals Britain's oddest laws
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081205/od_afp/britainpoliticslawoffbeat_081205013244

Energy News Digest for December 4, 2008

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

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Energy Department, Change Is Coming
- Constellation Energy Group to Cut 8% of Global Work Force
- French Power Company in Hunt for Constellation
- More Could Get Grays Harbor PUD Discount
- What to Keep on Hand in Case of a Disaster
- US FERC Approves Incentives for Transmission Lines
- New Report Finds Benefits of Southwest Intertie Transmission Project
- Montana - Natural Gas Producer Wins Tax Case against State
- Oregon - Coastal Salmon at Center Of Forest Debate
- State Commissions To Hear Spring Chinook Allocation Recommendation
- A Fraser Full of Fish No More?
- Outdoors Report: Steelheaders Getting in Some Early Punches
- Idaho - Hecla to Pay $102,000 after 2006
- Oregon Projects Clearer Skies in Columbia Gorge
- Economic Stimulus Plan Tied to Energy Savings
- Summary Box: Energy Efficiency Industry Growth
- Our Northwest Energy: Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel
- PNNL Awarded Grant to Help China with Energy Efficiency
- Austin Aims To Become U.S. 'Clean Energy Capital'
- As More Eat Meat, a Bid to Cut Emissions – Animals are “Methane Machines”
- Maine - Group To Appeal Lincoln Wind Farm Approval
- 3Tier Releases 5km Wind Map of the World
- Con Edison to Customers: Install Safe, Energy-Efficient Lights
- WA Task Force Releases Climate Change Report
- 2008 Washington State Climate Action Team
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increase in US
- Why Government Should Meddle in Broadband
- FCC to Tackle Cable and More Wireless Broadband
- Washington State Asks For Federal Money
- Airbus, Boeing Face Specter Of 'White Tail' Jets
- Port of Seattle Probe Exposes Fraud, A "Get-It-Done Culture
- HANFORD: DOE to Hit Contractor with $385,000 Fine

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Dragoon • \druh-GOON\ • verb - 1: to subjugate or persecute by harsh use of troops *2: to force into submission or compliance especially by violent measures

“My job description said nothing about this,” grumbled the new mail room worker. He had been recruited by the CEO to dragoon the sleeping executives who had missed the big gift exchange on Christmas Eve. Perhaps the fact that the gift drawing was fixed with only the name of the CEO had something to do with the tardy workers.

From Merriam-Webster - A dragoon was a mounted European infantryman of the 17th and 18th centuries armed with a firearm called by the same name. No arm-twisting should be needed to get you to believe that the firearm's name, which came to English from French, is derived from its semblance to a fire-breathing dragon when fired. History has recorded the dragonish nature of the dragoons who persecuted the French Protestants in the 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIV. The persecution by means of the dragoons led to the use of the word "dragoon" as a verb.

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

Energy Department, Change Is Coming - DOE is expected to get shaken up under Obama's administration, playing a central role in its plans to move the economy to a greener future (CNN)
http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/03/news/obama_doe/?postversion=2008120405

Constellation Energy Group to Cut 8% of Global Work Force (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/12/01/daily41.html?ana=from_rss

French Power Company in Hunt for Constellation (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/03/financial/f062924S93.DTL&feed=rss.business

More Could Get Grays Harbor PUD Discount (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/12/03/local_news/08news.txt

What to Keep on Hand in Case of a Disaster (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1228329457&archive

US FERC Approves Incentives for Transmission Lines (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0333048420081204

New Report Finds Benefits of Southwest Intertie Transmission Project (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=346991&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

Montana - Natural Gas Producer Wins Tax Case against State (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1724428~Natural_gas_producer_wins_tax_case_against_state.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon - Coastal Salmon at Center Of Forest Debate (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2008/12/_tillamook_five_rivers.html

State Commissions To Hear Spring Chinook Allocation Recommendation (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/article/20081203/SPORTS04/812039963/-1/SPORTS

A Fraser Full of Fish No More? Fraser sockeye: Timeless, diminishing. All of BC has a stake in better managing once massive salmon runs (The Tyee)
http://thetyee.ca/News/2008/12/03/Sockeye/

Outdoors Report: Steelheaders Getting in Some Early Punches - Fishing not hot, but catch reports spread area wide (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/390536_out04.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Idaho - Hecla to Pay $102,000 after 2006 (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1724613~Hecla_to_pay__102_000_after_2006_spill_in_N__Idaho.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines

Oregon Projects Clearer Skies in Columbia Gorge (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1725158~Oregon_projects_clearer_skies_in_gorge.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

Economic Stimulus Plan Tied to Energy Savings (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/us/politics/04green.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1228374235-hVjuYb/M+rjbrMhZG/EKsA

Summary Box: Energy Efficiency Industry Growth (Associated Press)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081203/energy_efficiency_summary_box.html?.v=1

Our Northwest Energy: Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4674

PNNL Awarded Grant to Help China with Energy Efficiency (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9455089

Austin Aims To Become U.S. 'Clean Energy Capital' - Microsoft is part of consortium to help make city's power grid both green and 'smart' (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/390535_smartgrid04.html?source=rss

As More Eat Meat, a Bid to Cut Emissions – Animals are “Methane Machines” (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/science/earth/04meat.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Maine - Group To Appeal Lincoln Wind Farm Approval (Bangor Daily News)
http://www.bangornews.com/detail/94381.html

3Tier Releases 5km Wind Map of the World (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54222&src=rss

Con Edison to Customers: Install Safe, Energy-Efficient Lights (Power Marketing Association)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CmqsrputUSgew11rbfen%5Fv

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

WA Task Force Releases Climate Change Report (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1724919~WA_task_force_releases_climate_change_report.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

2008 Washington State Climate Action Team (CAT) Implementing the Comprehensive Approach to Climate Change (Washington Department of Ecology)
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/2008CAT_overview.htm

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increase in US “…people used more coal, oil and natural gas because of a colder winter and more electricity during a warmer summer…” (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g2WeeFw37TQV5hcs7bEp7RPXS5vAD94RH1201

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Why Government Should Meddle in Broadband (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/03/why-government-should-meddle-in-broadband/

FCC to Tackle Cable and More Wireless Broadband (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/03/fcc-to-tackle-cable-and-more-wireless-broadband/

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Asks For Federal Money - Gregoire, other governors meet with Obama (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/government/story/555926.html

Airbus, Boeing Face Specter Of 'White Tail' Jets (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008463971_apeufranceairbusboeingwhitetails.html?syndication=rss

Port of Seattle Probe Exposes Fraud, A "Get-It-Done Culture" (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008466932_port04m0.html?syndication=rss

HANFORD: DOE to Hit Contractor with $385,000 Fine (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/404475.html?mi_email=Tri-City%20Herald_PM+%26+Breaking+News

DIVERSIONS

The One That Didn't Get Away Yields Long-Lost Ring
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081204/ap_on_fe_st/odd_ring_in_fish;_ylt=AqzTBO.2Qa6szIeEKolj8cbtiBIF

Man Uses Candy Cane to Subdue Attacker With Knife
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081204/ap_on_fe_st/odd_candy_cane_defense;_ylt=ArVW3zJatEyzbmgj3EqOUKLtiBIF

Fla. Man Accused of Making Boy Drive on Beer Run
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081204/ap_on_fe_st/odd_child_designated_driver;_ylt=AjxOUg7b45jc6KB8GGTH4wrtiBIF

Does Daily Use Of Digital Gadgets Rewire Brains? A person's social skills can decline, psychiatrist says
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/390540_brain04.html

Energy News Digest for December 3, 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)

- Power Line Plan Doesn't Sit Well In Pomona
- High Court Hears Argument on Power Plants
- Grays Harbor - Looking ahead after storm
- Half Full Or Half Empty Is Fine, Just No Styrofoam
- Daily Astorian Editorial - Fish Share Proposal Spells a Slow Death
- The Supreme Court ponders a case of power plants vs. fish
- Canada - Overfishing Pushing Salmon Stocks near Collapse
- Fish - Try Your Luck at Chum This Week
- Virginia - Ask Where Your Fish Came From
- Seattle Times Editorial - Selling Puget Sound Cleanup to Lawmakers
- Utility Rates Going Up In Tacoma
- EPA Offers Public a Chance to Speak Out On Contaminated Yakima-Area Wells
- California Water Board Revokes Permits for Auburn Dam Near Sacramento
- Methane from Landfills to Power Homes
- Colorado - Xcel Seeks Max Rate Pass-Through for Renewable Energy
- UK Government’s Renewable Energy Targets Come under Severe Pressure
- Ohio - AEP Eyeing ‘Transmission Superhighway’ For Wind Energy
- Solar Thermal Projects Gather Steam - And Opposition
- North America's Largest Municipal Utility Proposes Solar Feed-in Tariff
- Hybrid Solar Plant To Reduce Need For Fossil Fuel
- The Energy Debates: Solar Energy at Home
- North Carolina - Progress Energy pushes Energy Star homes
- Truckee PUD Gives Away LED Holiday Lights
- The War on Carbon Heats Up Globally, but Strategies for Change Remain Local
- New Coalition Drawing Up Nationwide Broadband Access Strategy
- Will Obama's FCC Push For Internet Access For All?
- FCC Could Take Free Broadband Nationwide
- Yahoo’s Stock Jumps on Report of Buyout Interest
- Microsoft Puts Data Centers on Wheels
- Ex-Oregon Governor Doubts He'll Get Cabinet Job
- Religious Debate Roils US Capitol Visitor Center
- New Law Keeps Electronic Waste Out Of Landfill
- Weather Bewilders With Rare Fall Colors

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Nota Bene • \note-uh BEEN-ee\ • From the Latin, mark well. Used to call attention to something important (Used as a phrase or the initials: NB)

Alfredo was confused by his employer’s apparent misreading of the new, thick, complex contract with his client. Although he had peppered the document with nota bene references to an extensive appendix, the warnings never got through. Unbeknownst to Fred, his boss has misunderstood the references and had merely thought that the NB notes in the document margins were bizarre doodlings about “New Brunswick, Canada”.

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

Power Line Plan Doesn't Sit Well In Pomona (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2008/12/02/power-line-plan-doesn-t-sit-well-in-pomona

High Court Hears Argument on Power Plants (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97713926&ft=1&f=2

Grays Harbor - Looking ahead after storm (Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/12/02/local_news/01news.txt

Half Full Or Half Empty Is Fine, Just No Styrofoam - The Styrofoam coffee cup has gone the way of the pterodactyl at Chelan County PUD board meetings — extinct (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081202/NEWS04/712029973/1005

FISH & WILDLIFE

Daily Astorian Editorial - Fish Share Proposal Spells a Slow Death: Astoria without gillnet boats would be a poorer place
http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=392&ArticleID=56416&TM=63423.4

Washington Post Editorial - The Scales of Justice: The Supreme Court ponders a case of power plants vs. fish
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120202721.html?nav=rss_opinions

Canada - Overfishing Pushing Salmon Stocks near Collapse, Study Warns (Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081203.wbcfishery03/BNStory/National/home

Fish - Try Your Luck at Chum This Week (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/outdoors/story/555997.html

Virginia - Ask Where Your Fish Came From (Daily Press, Newport News, VA)
http://www.dailypress.com/features/dp-life_fishbar_1203dec03,0,3672372.story

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Seattle Times Editorial - Selling Puget Sound Cleanup to Lawmakers
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008461158_edit03sound.html

Utility Rates Going Up In Tacoma - But Supreme Court decision will save customers from paying even more (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/government/story/555956.html

EPA Offers Public a Chance to Speak Out On Contaminated Yakima-Area Wells (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/2008/12/01/epa-offers-public-a-chance-to-speak-out-on-contaminated-welss

California Water Board Revokes Permits for Auburn Dam Near Sacramento (Associated Press)
http://columbian.com/article/20081202/NEWS06/312029986/-1/NEWS

RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION

Methane from Landfills to Power Homes - Communities around the country are using their landfills as more than a place to store waste (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/science/2008/December/Methane-From-Landfills-to-Power-Homes-.html

Colorado - Xcel Seeks Max for Renewable Energy: Company wants to raise the amount it collects from customers to pay for renewable energy to the full 2 percent of the bill allowed by state law (Denver Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/12/01/daily22.html?ana=from_rss

UK Government’s Renewable Energy Targets Come under Severe Pressure (Financial Advice)
http://financialadvice.co.uk/news/3/householdbills/8763/UK-government%E2%80%99s-renewable-energy-targets-come-under-severe-pressure.html

Ohio - AEP Eyeing ‘Transmission Superhighway’ For Wind Energy (Business First of Columbus)
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2008/12/01/daily16.html?ana=from_rss

Solar Thermal Projects Gather Steam - And Opposition (Los Angeles Times, CA)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-bigsolar3-2008dec03,1,4010333.story

North America's Largest Municipal Utility Proposes Solar Feed-in Tariff (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54209&src=rss

Hybrid Solar Plant To Reduce Need For Fossil Fuel (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hejptN7NfA6lkBLLzsYQ32x1xlDQD94QPS680

The Energy Debates: Solar Energy at Home (Live Science)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081203/sc_livescience/theenergydebatessolarenergyathome

North Carolina - Progress Energy pushes Energy Star homes (The News Observer, Raleigh, NC)
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1318173.html

Truckee PUD Gives Away LED Holiday Lights (Sierra Sun, Truckee-Tahoe, CA)
http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20081202/NEWS/812029995/-1/rss03

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

The War on Carbon Heats Up Globally, but Strategies for Change Remain Local (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122817626182370653.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

New Coalition Drawing Up Nationwide Broadband Access Strategy (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120203164.html?nav=rss_technology

Will Obama's FCC Push For Internet Access For All? (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97692002&ft=1&f=17

Want To Throw Away Your Internet Bill? The FCC Could Take Free Broadband Nationwide (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18187540/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news

Yahoo’s Stock Jumps on Report of Buyout Interest (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/technology/companies/03yahoo.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Microsoft Puts Data Centers on Wheels (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-10111198-75.html?tag=nl.e703

GENERAL NEWS

Ex-Oregon Governor Doubts He'll Get Cabinet Job (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1722283~Ex_Oregon_governor_doubts_he_ll_get_Cabinet_job.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Religious Debate Roils US Capitol Visitor Center (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008462123_center03.html?syndication=rss

New Law Keeps Electronic Waste Out Of Landfill - Vancouver recycling firm expects its business to boom in January (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20081202/NEWS02/712029945/-1/NEWS

Weather Bewilders With Rare Fall Colors (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/weather/2008457905_weather02m.html?syndication=rss

DIVERSIONS

Top 10 Stupid Gifts from Chickens to Toilet Golf
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081202/od_nm/us_stupid;_ylt=AlWbW_XHQV5BdBFXVZIf6XntiBIF

Man Accused of Assaulting His Dad With Christmas Tree
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081203/ap_on_fe_st/odd_christmas_tree_fight;_ylt=Au.eRttlsMRIpOj8oaL7fAftiBIF

Deer Gets Revenge after Hunter Shoots Him
http://www.kansas.com/520/story/616474.html

Cat Lost In Yellowstone Returned To Texas Family
http://www.examiner.com/a-1721934~Cat_lost_in_Yellowstone_returned_to_Texas_family.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines