The Energy News Digest

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Energy News Digest for May 26, 2009

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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Gregoire: Cut TransAlta Emissions by More than Half by 2025
- Historic Green Victory at Idaho Power Annual Meeting Could Mean Higher Electric Bills
- Idaho Statesman: Power Rates Will Rise, But Your Bill Doesn't Need To
- Idaho Power must sell energy credits
- Benton PUD to Raise Rates
- Contracting economy sparks BPA expansion
- BPA Hosts Vancouver Meeting Tuesday on Grid Boost
- Wire Power - How to Send Electricity across the Continent, Virtually For Free
- California - Colusa Power Plant Shows Importance of Fossil Fuels
- Hartford Courant Op/Ed - Heating Tax Would Only Burn Consumers
- Cost of Electric Grid Failure from 2012 Solar Storms Avoidable
- Fish Tales - Obama brass angle for answers
- Oregonian Editorial - Fresh Eyes, Fragile Deal on Columbia Salmon
- Upper Klamath Water Rights Issue Settled
- Dewatto River - Steelhead Recovering Through Hood Canal Program
- Million-Dollar Creek Restoration Begins In Central Oregon
- PacifiCorp Delays Condit Dam Removal
- Willamette Sea Lions Escape Brethrens' Fate
- San Diego Wants To Disperse Seals with Dog Barking
- Report Finds the World's Oysters Threatened by Development, Pollution
- Landfill Methane Towers Scorch Perched Hawks
- Silverdale Water Customers Get Tip-Top Taste Out of the Tap
- Environmentalists Want Drugs in Columbia River Monitored
- Without Meters, Fresno Water beyond Measure
- Market Pulse - Water May Be Hot Investment
- Environmentalists Fear for Tahoe amid Logging in Burned Angora Area
- In BPA Right of Way - Kitsap Redwood Spared, at Least Temporarily
- With Billions at Stake, Trying to Expand the Meaning of ‘Renewable Energy’
- Endangered Birds - Clark County wind farm on hold
- Chase for Wind Power Turns to Oregon's Public Lands
- Change in the Air? Wind Industry Wants Government Lift
- Renewable Power Mandate Overcomes Hurdle in US Senate
- GOP: Alternative Energy Alone Won't Meet US Needs
- Anchorage News Miner Op/Ed - Consider energy reliability and reality
- Oregonian Op/Ed - The Unfortunate Myth of "Renewables Now!"
- Renewables: America's next heavy industry
- Detroit Edison Seeking Input On Wind Energy Programs
- Two Neah Power Board Members Resign
- United Kingdom - Blown away by the North Sea
- Solar-Tech Company Scouts Oregon Sites
- NW Natural’s Methane Project Taps Cow Power
- Green Homeowner Given Noise Order After Hum of 40ft Wind Turbine Drives Neighbors Mad
- PUD 3 and City of Shelton Team Up for Energy Efficient Traffic Signals
- Mason County - Energy-Efficient Businesses Can Get a Break
- Energy Efficiency Rates High On Home Buyers’ Wish Lists
- Energy-Efficiency Pitch Brings Funds
- Cut Energy Costs This Summer by Making Changes At Home; Help Is Available
- Caps, Trades and Offsets: Can Climate Plan Work?
- Gov. Gregoire Does Her Own Thing On Climate Change
- Seattle Times Editorial - Climate-Change Action Picks Up On Three Fronts
- Idaho Delegation Opposes Greenhouse Gas Legislation
- Canada – Globe & Mail Op/Ed - Carbon offsets: It really isn't easy being green
- Study Says Businesses Can Create Clean Energy Jobs
- Seattle P-I Columnist - Global warming's impacts on state forests
- Canada - Inaction on Climate Change Backfires
- How Boeing Fights Climate Change
- Kansas - Farmers Could Cash In On Cap-And-Trade
- U.S. Government Delays Broadband Grants
- Broadband Stimulus Fund Timetable
- FCC: Broadband Plan Will Be Huge
- Verizon Threatens Massachusetts
- Net Computing ‘Cloud’ Over Microsoft Chills Investors
- Yahoo's Departing CFO to Get $1.8M in Severance
- Skyline Drums Up Strong Data Center Business
- Hood Canal Bridge Might Reopen a Week Early
- Propane suppliers quietly reduce size of refills
- Catching Up On State's New Crop of Green Legislation
- Washington State Won't Make Target for Biofuels
- Localities Want U.S. To Support Muni Bonds

WORD OF THE DAY

Obnubilate • \obb-NOO-buh-layt\ • verb - Becloud, obscure

Here’s one of my favorite Groucho Marx quotes, intended to confuse is antagonist by obnulation:

“Well, Art is Art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now you tell me what you know.”

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

Gregoire: Cut TransAlta Emissions by More than Half by 2025 (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Gregoire-Cut-TransAlta-Emissions-by-More=1&blockID=55236&feedID=410

Historic Green Victory at Idaho Power Annual Meeting Could Mean Higher Electric Bills (Idaho Statesman, Boise)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/777839.html

Idaho Statesman Columnist: Power Rates Will Rise, But Your Bill Doesn't Need To
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/780888.html

Idaho Power must sell energy credits - regulators have ordered the state's biggest utility to sell about $2 million worth of renewable energy credits and use the money to benefit ratepayers (Associated Press)
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/25/ap6462221.html

Benton PUD to Raise Rates (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=10404267&nav=menu484_2_11

Contracting economy sparks BPA expansion “…Unlike most stimulus dollars, which add directly to the deficit, the BPA must repay with interest whatever it uses…” (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/contracting_economy_sparkis_bp.html

BPA Hosts Vancouver Meeting Tuesday on Grid Boost (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/article/20090523/NEWS02/905229977/BPA+hosts+Vancouver+meeting+on+grid+boost

Wire Power - How to Send Electricity across the Continent, Virtually For Free (Newsweek Magazine)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/198942?from=rss

California - Colusa Power Plant Shows Importance of Fossil Fuels “…even in a future dominated by renewable power, some fossil fuel-fired plants will be needed to provide the reliable, on-demand juice needed to keep the grid running smoothly…” (Sacramento Bee, CA)
http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1885837.html

Hartford Courant Op/Ed - Heating Tax Would Only Burn Consumers (Connecticut)
http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-snyder-oil-taxes.artmay24,0,882334.story

Cost of Electric Grid Failure from 2012 Solar Storms Avoidable (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/x-2383-Honolulu-Exopolitics-Examiner~y2009m5d25-Cost-of-electric-grid-failure-from-2012-solar-storms-avoidable

FISH & WILDLIFE

Fish Tales - Obama brass angle for answers: Four top Obama administration officials will travel to Portland on Tuesday, to hear fish stories and angle for answers (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/169257.asp?from=blog_last3

Oregonian Editorial - Fresh Eyes, Fragile Deal on Columbia Salmon
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/05/fresh_eyes_fragile_deal_on_col.html

Upper Klamath Water Rights Issue Settled (The Times-Standard, Eureka, CA)
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_12427596?source=rss

Dewatto River - Steelhead Recovering Through Hood Canal Program (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009251881_apwasteelheadrecovery.html?syndication=rss

Million-Dollar Creek Restoration Begins In Central Oregon (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/5053-million-dollar-creek-restoration-begins/

PacifiCorp Delays Condit Dam Removal (Associated Press)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_dam_removal.html

Willamette Sea Lions Escape Brethrens' Fate (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2009/05/willamette_sea_lions_may_face.html

San Diego Wants To Disperse Seals with Dog Barking (Examiner.Com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2031046~San_Diego_wants_to_disperse_seals_with_dog_barking.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Report Finds the World's Oysters Threatened by Development, Pollution - Oyster reefs are the most critically threatened marine habitat on Earth (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/05/new_report_finds_the_worlds_oy.html

Landfill Methane Towers Scorch Perched Hawks (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009258267_apusscorchedhawks.html?syndication=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Silverdale Water Customers Get Tip-Top Taste Out of the Tap (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/26/silverdale-water-customers-get-tip-top-taste-out/?partner=RSS

Environmentalists Want Drugs in Columbia River Monitored (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090524/NEWS02/705249966/

Without Meters, Fresno Water beyond Measure (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104466681&ft=1&f=3

Market Pulse - Water May Be Hot Investment (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009256237_pulse24.html?syndication=rss

Environmentalists Fear for Tahoe amid Logging in Burned Angora Area (Sacramento Bee, CA)
http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1890877.html

In BPA Right of Way - Kitsap Redwood Spared, at Least Temporarily (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/22/kitsap-redwood-spared-at-least-temporarily/?partner=RSS

RENEWABLE & ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

With Billions at Stake, Trying to Expand the Meaning of ‘Renewable Energy’ (NY Times – How ironic: first time I saw “subsidy” used as an argument against hydro as renewable)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/business/energy-environment/25renew.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Endangered Birds - Clark County wind farm on hold: State introduces a delay to think through possible environmental effects of the turbine construction (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090523/NEWS02/705239990/

Chase for Wind Power Turns to Oregon's Public Lands (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/05/chase_for_wind_power_turns_to.html

Change in the Air? Wind Industry Wants Government Lift (Associated Press – more than it gets now; subsidies plus mandates?)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009258295_apuswindpowergovernmentpolicy.html?syndication=rss

Renewable Power Mandate Overcomes Hurdle in US Senate (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN21261453

GOP: Alternative Energy Alone Won't Meet US Needs (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009120717_apusrepublicansenergy.html?syndication=rss

Anchorage News Miner Op/Ed - Consider energy reliability and reality: Crisis looms and alternative energy can’t deal with it
http://newsminer.com/news/2009/may/24/consider-energy-reliability-and-reality/?opinion

Oregonian Op/Ed - The Unfortunate Myth of "Renewables Now!" “…the region simply will not be able to move away from coal and rely on renewable sources of electric generation without facing reliability issues that could result in blackouts…”
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/05/the_unfortunate_myth_of_renewa.html

Renewables: America's next heavy industry - How three manufacturers in three Midwest states are picking up where the auto sector is laying off (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/21/news/economy/midwest_renewables/?postversion=2009052309

Detroit Edison Seeking Input On Wind Energy Programs (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=363004&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

Two Neah Power Board Members Resign (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/05/18/daily58.html?ana=from_rss

United Kingdom - Blown away by the North Sea: Offshore wind farms in Scottish waters ‘could produce 40% more power than English equivalents (Sunday Herald, UK)
http://www.sundayherald.com/business/businessnews/display.var.2509982.0.blown_away_by_the_north_sea.php

Solar-Tech Company Scouts Oregon Sites (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/05/chinese_solar_giant_considers.html

NW Natural’s Methane Project Taps Cow Power (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/05/25/story1.html?ana=from_rss

United Kingdom - Green Homeowner Given Noise Order After Hum of 40ft Wind Turbine Drives Neighbors Mad (The Daily Mail, UK)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1187936/Green-homeowner-given-noise-order-hum-40ft-wind-turbine-drives-neighbours-mad.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

PUD 3 and City of Shelton Team Up for Energy Efficient Traffic Signals (Mason County PUD No. 3)
http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=555

Mason County - Energy-Efficient Businesses Can Get a Break (The Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/environment/story/860807.html

Energy Efficiency Rates High On Home Buyers’ Wish Lists (Houston Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/05/25/focus4.html?ana=from_rss

Energy-Efficiency Pitch Brings Funds - Corning: Ailing Fiberglass Maker May Benefit (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/24/AR2009052402143.html?wprss=rss_politics

Cut Energy Costs This Summer by Making Changes At Home; Help Is Available (Kansas City Star, MO)
http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/1212467.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Caps, Trades and Offsets: Can Climate Plan Work? Lawmakers, Scientists and Industry Debate House Measure (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/25/AR2009052502264.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Gov. Gregoire Does Her Own Thing On Climate Change After Legislature Fails To Pass Bill. Can she do that? (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/05/24/gov_gregoire_does_her_own_thing_on_clima

Seattle Times Editorial - Climate-Change Action Picks Up On Three Fronts
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2009259641_edita25green.html

Idaho Delegation Opposes Greenhouse Gas Legislation - Lawmakers doubt that a bill they say would raise the cost of gas and electricity can pass Congress this year (Idaho Statesman, Boise)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/780890.html

Canada – Globe & Mail Op/Ed - Carbon offsets: It really isn't easy being green - B.C. learns that it's hard to navigate the murky world of offsets
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/carbon-offsets-it-really-isnt-easy-being-green/article1147597/

Study Says Businesses Can Create Clean Energy Jobs (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/24/international/i064439D36.DTL&feed=rss.news

Seattle P-I Columnist - Global warming's impacts on state forests: Burn baby burn! Lands commissioner says our children will live with consequences
http://www.seattlepi.com/connelly/406468_joel22.html?source=rss

Canada - Inaction on Climate Change Backfires (Winnipeg Free Press, Manitoba)
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/inaction-on-climate-change-backfires-45974802.html

How Boeing Fights Climate Change - The efficiency of jets has increased by 70% over the past 50 years (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124303177241948493.html

Kansas - Farmers Could Cash In On Cap-And-Trade (Wichita Eagle KS)
http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2009/05/farmers-could-cash-in-on-cap-and-trade/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

U.S. Government Delays Broadband Grants (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/05/21/government-delays-broadband-grants/

Broadband Stimulus Fund Timetable - First stimulus funds available Q4 2009 (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Broadband-Stimulus-Fund-Timetable-102574

FCC: Broadband Plan Will Be Huge - Biggest project the commission has ever undertaken (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Broadband-Plan-Will-Be-Huge-102553

Verizon Threatens Massachusetts - If you don't pass franchise 'reform,' you don't get broadband?
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Verizon-Threatens-Massachusetts-102601

Net Computing ‘Cloud’ Over Microsoft Chills Investors (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/05/25/focus8.html?ana=from_rss

Yahoo's Departing CFO to Get $1.8M in Severance (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12430962

Skyline Drums Up Strong Data Center Business - Skyline Construction is turning to data centers to help beat the recession (San Francisco Business Times
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/05/25/story18.html?ana=from_rss

GENERAL NEWS

Hood Canal Bridge Might Reopen a Week Early (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/45874332.html

Propane suppliers quietly reduce size of refills (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12433769

Catching Up On State's New Crop of Green Legislation (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ecoconsumer/2009253167_ecoconsumer23m.html

Washington State Won't Make Target for Biofuels – The state won't reach its goal next month of having biofuels make up at least 20 percent of its fuel use in state vehicles and ferries (Seattle Times – the state didn’t meet its energy conservation “goals” either)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009260425_apwabiofuels.html?syndication=rss

Localities Want U.S. To Support Muni Bonds - State and local governments are asking Washington to give them something that banks are trying to get rid of: federal bailout money (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/business/26muni.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

DIVERSIONS

Snohomish Dog Adopts Litter of Kittens
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/45871602.html

Media Ipecac - Sales of Bacon-Flavored Vodka Sizzling
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_052409WAB-bacon-vodka-SW.129e5d8e.html?rss

Couple throwing rocks off I-5 playing 'stripping game'
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_052509WAB-rocks-thrown-trestle-SW.17026e59.html?rss

SONG OF THE DAY

Henry Gross – Shannon (About his family’s Irish Setter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxz2wQX3EvA

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Energy News Digest for May 21, 2009

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Energy News Digest for May 20, 2009

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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- NERC: Electricity Reliability Looking Good This Summer
- Lightning Storm Blows Transformers, Starts Fires
- Chelan PUD Could Speed Up Chelan Dam Rehabilitation
- Pumped Hydro Energy Storage: It Takes a Heck of a Long Time
- Avista Wants to Lower Natural Gas Rates
- Kulongoski Replaces Oregon Energy Director
- BC Power Grid Goes under the Microscope
- Nuclear Cleanup Awards Questioned
- Dwindling Coal Supply: Good for Environment, Bad for Economy
- Texas Electric Rates Are Mostly Below 12 Cents Now
- Salmon-Recovery Plan Needs Work, Judge Says
- Dam Breaching an Option to Protect Salmon, U.S. District Judge Says
- LA Times Op/Ed - If Salmon Can't Be Saved, Snake River Dams May Have To Go
- Chinook seasons set for South Fork and Upper Salmon
- Scientist Discovers Beavers Building Prime Salmon Habitat in Skagit Delta
- California - New Salmon Barrier Is No Substitute for Real Delta Protections
- Endangered Blue Whales Resurfacing In Alaska
- Shellfish isn't the only draw at this weekend's ShrimpFest in Brinnon
- River Currents Pick Up Amid Slow-Motion Spring
- Tribes Tout Walla Walla Water Swap
- Tribal Water Project for Puget Sound Honored
- Pennsylvania Nonprofit Interested in Belfair Sewer Project
- Water Main Break Floods North Seattle Streets, Homes
- King County Judge's Basement Flooded With Sewage
- Wind Power - Yakamas Say Development Is Damaging Sacred Cultural Sites
- Washington wind turbines claim first known eagle victim
- Vancouver, WA Wind Turbine Training to Begin
- Energy Industry Warns Of Green Bandwagon Effect
- Idaho Wind Farm Donates Turbines to Schools
- Vestas Names New Local President
- Hoquiam - Idled Imperium biodiesel plant may reopen next year
- Seattle Times Op/Ed - Time to Scale up the New Energy Economy
- Utilities Start to Use Google's Power Savings Software
- Energy Program Saves Michigan School District Nearly $500,000
- Cap-and-Trade Debate Drags On in House Energy Committee
- Environmentalists Attack House Global Warming Deal
- North Dakota Regulators Oppose 'Cap and Trade' Carbon Rules
- Oregon Greenhouse Legislation Would Weaken Economy
- Climate Bill Could Be a $750 Billion Boon for Consumers
- Washington Post Editorial - Let's Have Cap and No Trade
- Thursday – EPA Hearing: Gregoire, Rockefeller to Testify About Greenhouse Gases
- Department of Information Services Plans Meeting on Future Buildings
- How Much Bandwidth Can You Buy With $15,000?
- 50Mbps Fiber Lines for $99.95 per Month in 17 States
- Yahoo Upgrades Search Engine
- Call Center Will Close Olympia Operations
- Qwest Wants to Avoid 'Speed Game'
- The Race to Provide Wi-Fi at 30,000 Feet
- Confusion over Dueling Digital TV Conversions
- Social Networking: Members Can Become ‘Fans’ Of Richland
- Bosses Concerned About Facebook, Twitter
- What Type Of Emailer Are You?
- Unofficial Mason County Election Results
- One Case of Swine Flu Confirmed In Mason County
- Major Pieces Are In Place for Hood Canal Floating Bridge
- WA planners looking to Cut Columbia River Bridge Project
- Gregoire Agrees to Limit Cuts to State Auditor Brian Sonntag's Budget
- Panel freezes pay for Washington elected officials
- Gregoire OKs Delay of Washington State Family Leave Program
- Oregon House OKs Changes to State’s Initiative System
- KGY Radio Eager to Use New Tower
- Olive Garden Settles Credit-Card Suit with $9 Appetizer Voucher

WORD OF THE DAY – HAIKU STYLE

Deasil • \DEE-zil\ • noun – clockwise

Ride the tidal surge
Inner tube in deasil spin
Give me ‘Dramamine’

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

NERC: Electricity Reliability Looking Good This Summer (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=362700&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

Lightning Storm Blows Transformers, Starts Fires (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19513740/detail.html

Chelan PUD Could Speed Up Chelan Dam Rehabilitation (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090519/NEWS04/705199945/-1/WEATHER?Chelan-PUD-could-speed-up-Chelan-dam-rehabilitation

Pumped Hydro Energy Storage: It Takes a Heck of a Long Time (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/earthToTech/idUS334429218720090518

Avista Wants to Lower Natural Gas Rates (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/05/18/daily23.html?ana=from_rss

Kulongoski Replaces Oregon Energy Director (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/05/kulongoski_replaces_oregon_ene.html

BC Power Grid Goes under the Microscope - An inquiry is in the early stages of examining B.C.'s potential (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.vancouversun.com/Technology/power+grid+goes+under+microscope/1607857/story.html

Nuclear Cleanup Awards Questioned - Firms Cited for Errors Get Funding (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/17/AR2009051702254.html?wprss=rss_business

Dwindling Coal Supply: Good for Environment, Bad for Economy (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/environment/2009/may/Dwindling-Coal-Supply--Good-for-Environment--Bad-for-Economy.html

Texas Electric Rates Are Mostly Below 12 Cents Now (Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX)
http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/1382435.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Salmon-Recovery Plan Needs Work, Judge Says - A judge is telling federal agencies they need to do more to help Columbia Basin salmon survive, or he will find the latest restoration plan in violation of the Endangered Species Act. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009235669_salmon19m.html

Dam Breaching an Option to Protect Salmon, U.S. District Judge Says (Idaho Statesman, Boise)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/775091.html

LA Times Op/Ed - If Salmon Can't Be Saved, Snake River Dams May Have To Go
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2009/05/salmon-recovery-snake-river-dams-columbia-river-endangered-species.html

Chinook seasons set for South Fork and Upper Salmon (Idaho Statesman, Boise)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/Extras/IdahoOutdoors/story/772417.html

Scientist Discovers Beavers Building Prime Salmon Habitat in Skagit Delta (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009231736_beavers18m.html

California - New Salmon Barrier Is No Substitute for Real Delta Protections (IndyBay, CA)
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/05/18/18595753.php

Endangered Blue Whales Resurfacing In Alaska (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009235492_bluewhales19.html

Shellfish Isn't the Only Draw at This Weekend's Shrimpfest in Brinnon (Port Townsend Leader)
http://www.ptleader.com/Main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=24242

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

River Currents Pick Up Amid Slow-Motion Spring (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090519/NEWS04/705199899/1001/NEWS04

Tribes Tout Walla Walla Water Swap - Umatilla Basin plan provides a blueprint (East Oregonian, Hermiston)
http://eastoregonian.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=92671&SectionID=13&SubSectionID=48

Tribal Water Project for Puget Sound Honored (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090520/NEWS01/705209818

Pennsylvania Nonprofit Interested in Belfair Sewer Project (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/17/pennsylvania-nonprofit-interested-in-belfair/?partner=RSS

Water Main Break Floods North Seattle Streets, Homes (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19506207/detail.html

King County Judge's Basement Flooded With Sewage (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/406341_sewer19.html?source=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Wind Power - Yakamas Say Development is Damaging Sacred Cultural Sites (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/2009/05/16/yakamas-say-development-is-damaging-sacred-cultural-sites

At Goodnoe Hills Wind Project - Washington Wind Turbines Claim First Known Eagle Victim (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090519/NEWS02/705199958/

Wind Turbine Training to Begin - Vancouver-based program will produce technicians following its July launch (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090520/BIZ01/705209972/-1/BIZ

Energy Industry Warns Of Green Bandwagon Effect (Washington Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/05/18/story11.html?ana=from_rss

Idaho Wind Farm Donates Turbines to Schools (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/855319.html

Vestas Names New Local President (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/05/18/daily4.html?ana=from_rss

Hoquiam - Idled Imperium biodiesel plant may reopen next year (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009235360_imperium19.html?syndication=rss

Seattle Times Op/Ed - Time to Scale up the New Energy Economy: The federal finding that climate pollution hurts public health is not the only reason society should step up efforts to combat climate change
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2009234432_opinb19golden.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Utilities Start to Use Google's Power Savings Software (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905200951DOWJONESDJONLINE000671_FORTUNE5.htm

Energy Program Saves Michigan School District Nearly $500,000 (The News-Herald, Southgate, MI)
http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2009/05/20/news/doc4a130d476022e199642787.txt

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Cap-and-Trade Debate Drags On in House Energy Committee (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/19/AR2009051903177.html?wprss=rss_politics

Environmentalists Attack House Global Warming Deal (Time Magazine)
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898896,00.html

North Dakota Regulators Oppose 'Cap and Trade' Carbon Rules (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009239304_apuscarbonregulationnorthdakota.html?syndication=rss

Salem Statesman Op/Ed - Oregon Greenhouse Legislation Would Weaken Economy
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090520/OPINION/905200446/1049

Climate Bill Could Be a $750 Billion Boon for Consumers, Study Finds (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/climate-bill-could-be-a-750-billion-boon-for-consumers-study-finds/

Washington Post Editorial - Let's Have Cap and No Trade
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/18/AR2009051802647.html

Thursday – EPA Hearing: Gregoire, Rockefeller to Testify About Greenhouse Gases (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/18/gregoire-rockefeller-to-testify-about-greenhouse/?partner=RSS

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Olympia: Department of Information Services Plans Meeting on Future Buildings (The Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/853995.html

How Much Bandwidth Can You Buy With $15,000? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/05/20/how-much-bandwidth-can-you-buy-with-15000/

50Mbps Fiber Lines for $99.95 per Month in 17 States (Geek.com)
http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/50mbps-fiber-lines-for-9995-per-month-in-17-states-20090518/

Yahoo Upgrades Search Engine (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12404040

Call Center Will Close Olympia Operations (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/747850.html

Qwest Wants to Avoid 'Speed Game' - As if they actually had a choice (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Qwest-Wants-To-Avoid-Speed-Game-102503

The Race to Provide Wi-Fi at 30,000 Feet (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/business/19road.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Confusion over Dueling Digital TV Conversions (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_051809DTV-two-digital-conversions-TP.16a241d6.html?rss

FACEBOOK: Social Networking Website Members Can Become ‘Fans’ Of Richland (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/582404.html?mi_email=Tri-City%20Herald_PM+%26+Breaking+News

Bosses Concerned About Facebook, Twitter (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/05/18/daily12.html?ana=from_rss

What Type Of Emailer Are You? (Yahoo! Technology)
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/142158

GENERAL NEWS

Unofficial Mason County Election Results - Fire Five EMS levy passing; Fire Eight levies failing; North Mason Capital Levy just passing (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/7299/reftab/1632/Default.aspx

One Case of Swine Flu Confirmed In Mason County; State Total Now 441 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/7304/reftab/1632/Default.aspx

Major Pieces Are In Place for Hood Canal Floating Bridge (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009240402_webbridge20.html?syndication=rss

WA planners looking to Cut Columbia River Bridge Project (The Associated Press)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_i_5_project.html?source=pimail

Gregoire Agrees to Limit Cuts to State Auditor Brian Sonntag's Budget (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2009238622_gregoire_agrees_to_limit_cuts.html?syndication=rss

Statewide Elected Officials & Judges - Panel freezes pay for Washington elected officials (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009241436_apwapayfreeze.html?syndication=rss

Gregoire OKs Delay of Washington State Family Leave Program (KIRO-Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=169127

Oregon House OKs Changes to State’s Initiative System “…background checks on all prospective signature gatherers…turn in signature sheets once a month…not allowed to collect as a volunteer for one cause while simultaneously gathering for another cause as a paid worker (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2024378~House_OKs_changes_to_Ore__initiative_system.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

KGY Radio Eager to Use New Tower - Radio signal expected to be stronger with higher structure (The Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/852499.html

Olive Garden Settles Credit-Card Suit with $9 Appetizer Voucher (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009235363_olivegarden19.html?syndication=rss

DIVERSIONS

2 Fired For Urinating Into Old Faithful - Employees Caught On Live Webcam
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19465748/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_12pm&tmi=sea_12pm_1_02000205152009&ts=H

Hawaiian Shirts Ride Wave of Popularity
http://www.theolympian.com/living/story/854048.html

Cell Phones Can Spark More Than Just Conversations
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/45445817.html

Omaha Man Blames Casino Drinks, Drugs for Big Debt
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/747684.html

The Star Report: You Can Call Him Zimmy: Bob Dylan's Bad Early Poetry
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12404545

SONG OF THE DAY

Manfred Mann – The Mighty Quinn (Written by Bob Dylan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liIQLIx2Onw

Bob Dylan - Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svyTF3WItiE

Friday, May 15, 2009

Energy News Digest for May 15, 2009

The energy news digest is taking a li’l ol’ vacation down the Oregon coast May 18 & 19. Let’s hope sneaker waves and angry seal mommies aren’t among the dangers! All new stories will return on Wednesday, May 20.

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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Andrew Munro Named President of National Hydropower Association
- Former Montana Governor Joins Avista Board
- Fed Energy Chief Announces Billions for Clean Coal
- Areva Nuclear Fuel Plant Celebrates 40 Years in Richland
- Yucca Mountain: Dead and costly
- Oregon - Copper Wire Stolen From BPA Facility in Gold Beach
- Nine Cents per kWh – Montana Power Rates Lowest Since Summer
- Illinois - Ameren may seek rate increase to recoup storm recovery costs
- Utah's Energy Outlook is Surging
- California Raises Net Metering Cap to 10%
- A Way To Save Salmon, Or Just A Shift In Who Gets To Catch And Kill Them?
- Oregonian Op/Ed - Columbia River Salmon: Selective Fishing for All
- Chief Joseph Hatchery gets green light
- Restoring the River of Life
- Let the Hype Begin - Copper River Salmon Shipment Lands in Seattle
- A Little Taste of Fish, Bugs and Stream Work
- Chasing Rainbows, and Their Cousins, on North Carolina’s Trout Trail
- Olympian Editorial - Taylor, DNR Can Put Shellfish Case behind Them
- Gas Barge Scrapes Hull at the Dalles Lock
- Daily News Editorial - Channel-Deepening Finish Line in Sight
- East Oregon Snowpack Higher Than Average
- EPA Sued For Not Combating Ocean Acidification
- Tribe Remains Silent on N. Idaho Land Swap
- Corporate Green Supplants Corporate Greed
- In California, Desalination of Seawater as a Test Case
- Solar and Wind Groups Lobby FERC to Lead Grid Expansion
- Power Plants Eye North Florida Forests for Green Fuel
- Climate Change: Garbage Gets Fresh Look as Source of Energy
- Florida Town Closes the Loop on Poop Power
- Supporting Alternative Energy Companies Cuts Carbon Emissions
- 'Green' Light Bulbs Poison Workers
- Experts: Energy Vampires A Growing Threat
- LEDs, Lighting Efficiency, and the Rebound Effect
- House Approves 'Green Schools' Bill
- Study Halves Prediction of Rising Seas
- Congressional Climate Legislation Finds Democratic Opponents
- Ads Target Key Votes on Climate Bill
- Wall Street Journal Editorial - Indiana Says 'No Thanks' to Cap and Trade
- NY Times Op-Ed - Empire of Carbon
- Verizon May Reach 80% FiOS Penetration
- Verizon Deal Not Likely To Cost Jobs, Officials Say
- The Rise of the Rural Super Telco
- Frustration, Distress over Google Outage
- Shelton-Based Airplane - Report Rules Out Icing in 2007 Crash of Skydiver's Plane
- G.M. Notifying 1,100 Dealers That They Will Be Dropped
- GM Won't Release List of Dealers Cut From Corporate Network
- Map: Chrysler Dealers - Who's Getting Shut Down
- Port Of Tacoma Could Lay Off 20 Percent of Staff
- Mason County Taxable Retail Sales Down
- Rapid Rise in Some WASL Scores Suspicious
- Hood Canal - Navy to Study 2nd Trident Weapons Wharf at Bangor
- Kitsap Commissioners Moving Slowly on Forest Zoning Issue
- Gregoire: 'We Want To Be the Home of Aerospace'
- Effort to Oust Portland Mayor Kicks Off

WORD OF THE DAY

Unctuous • \UNK-choo-uss\ • adjective - 1. Of the nature or quality of an unguent or ointment; fatty; oily; greasy 2. Having a smooth, greasy feel, as certain minerals. 3. Insincerely or excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech; marked by a false or smug earnestness or agreeableness.

After spending four excruciating hours listening to the unctuous sales pitch from a “no money down” real estate shyster, Ambrose left the meeting with three things: a headache crying out for the strongest remedy he could find; a cheap combination flashlight, radio, can opener, espresso maker; and a strong desire for a long, hot shower with plenty of soap.

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

Andrew Munro Named President of National Hydropower Association (Columbia Basin herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2009/05/14/news/doc4a0c617a1b8bc468716338.txt

Former Montana Governor Joins Avista Board (Associated Press)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=10363490

Fed Energy Chief Announces Billions for Clean Coal (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/15/national/w092716D66.DTL&feed=rss.business

Areva Nuclear Fuel Plant Celebrates 40 Years in Richland (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=10366175

Yucca Mountain: Dead and costly - Killing major federal projects is easier said than done (Associated Press)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090514/NEWS02/705149878/1024/rss1024

Oregon - Copper Wire Stolen From BPA Facility in Gold Beach (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/copper_wire_is_stolen_from_bpa.html

Nine Cents per kWh – Montana Power Rates Lowest Since Summer (Billings Gazette, MT)
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/05/15/news/state/30-power.txt

Illinois - Ameren May Seek Rate Increase to Recoup Storm Recovery Costs (The Southern, Carbondale IL)
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2009/05/14/breaking_news/doc4a0cacfe8afec518149967.txt

Utah's Energy Outlook is Surging (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705303601,00.html

California Raises Net Metering Cap to 10% (Seeking Alpha)
http://seekingalpha.com/article/137842-california-raises-net-metering-cap-to-10

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregonian Op/Ed - A Way To Save Salmon, Or Just A Shift In Who Gets To Catch And Kill Them?
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/05/comment_of_the_day_4.html

Oregonian Op/Ed - Columbia River Salmon: Selective Fishing for All
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/05/columbia_river_salmon_selectiv.html

Chief Joseph Hatchery Gets Green Light (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090514/NEWS04/705149892?Chief-Joseph-Hatchery-gets-green-light

Restoring the River of Life - Undoing years of damage done by hydropower dams is a daunting task (Mother Nature Network)
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/restoring-the-river-of-life

Let the Hype Begin - Copper River Salmon Shipment Lands in Seattle (Associated Press)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_051509FOB-AP-copper-river-salmon-LJ.6711648.html?rss

A Little Taste of Fish, Bugs and Stream Work (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090514/NEWS04/705149863/1001/NEWS04

Chasing Rainbows, and Their Cousins, on North Carolina’s Trout Trail (NY Times)
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/travel/escapes/15fly.html?partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/travel/escapes/15fly.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Olympian Editorial - Taylor, DNR Can Put Shellfish Case behind Them
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/851521.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Gas Barge Scrapes Hull at the Dalles Lock (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/851992.html

Daily News Editorial - Channel-Deepening Finish Line in Sight (Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/05/15/editorial/doc4a0cacacb75ec696775370.txt

East Oregon Snowpack Higher Than Average (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2015785~E__Oregon_snowpack_higher_than_average.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

EPA Sued For Not Combating Ocean Acidification (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009220782_apwaimpairedocean.html?syndication=rss

Tribe Remains Silent on N. Idaho Land Swap (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/851829.html

Corporate Green Supplants Corporate Greed (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/168730.asp?source=pimail

In California, Desalination of Seawater as a Test Case (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/science/earth/15water.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Solar and Wind Groups Lobby FERC to Lead Grid Expansion (GreenTechGrid)
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/solar-and-wind-groups-lobby-ferc-to-lead-grid-expansion-5750/

Power Plants Eye North Florida Forests for Green Fuel - Companies are turning to trees as a green fuel as coal power becomes more expensive (Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville, FL – ya know, there’s a reason that there’s not much of “Sherwood Forest” left in England…)
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-05-15/story/power_plants_eye_north_florida_forests_for_green_fuel

Climate Change: Garbage Gets Fresh Look as Source of Energy (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124233937494621157.html#mod=rss_whats_news_us_business

Florida Town Closes the Loop on Poop Power (Fast Company, scatological headlines always make me smile…)
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/florida-town-closes-loop-poop-power

Supporting Alternative Energy Companies Cuts Carbon Emissions (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/x-7048-Seattle-Green-Business-Examiner~y2009m5d15-Supporting-alternative-energy-companies-cuts-carbon-emissions

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

'Green' Light Bulbs Poison Workers - Hundreds of factory staff are being made ill by mercury used in bulbs destined for the West (The Times of London, UK)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6211261.ece

Experts: Energy Vampires A Growing Threat (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/environment/stories/NW_051409ENV-energy-vampires-KS.34ad8f8.html

LEDs, Lighting Efficiency, and the Rebound Effect (Electronics, Design, Strategy News)
http://www.edn.com/blog/1470000147/post/1960044596.html

House Approves 'Green Schools' Bill (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104145841&ft=1&f=1001

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Study Halves Prediction of Rising Seas (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/science/earth/15antarctica.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Congressional Climate Legislation Finds Democratic Opponents (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104155967&ft=1&f=2

Ads Target Key Votes on Climate Bill (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124233900613221129.html

Wall Street Journal Editorial - Indiana Says 'No Thanks' to Cap and Trade: No honest person thinks this will make a dent in climate change.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124234844782222081.html

NY Times Op-Ed - Empire of Carbon
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/opinion/15krugman.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Verizon May Reach 80% FiOS Penetration - Now that they've offloaded pesky rural customers to Frontier (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Verizon-May-Reach-80-FiOS-Penetration-102454

Verizon Deal Not Likely To Cost Jobs, Officials Say (The Herald, Everett, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090514/BIZ/705149761/-1/RSS03

The Rise of the Rural Super Telco - Frontier, Centurytel, Fairpoint: the future of rural America? (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/The-Rise-Of-The-Rural-Super-Telco-102469

Frustration, Distress over Google Outage (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/15/BUPE17KKIJ.DTL&feed=rss.business

GENERAL NEWS

Shelton-Based Airplane - Report Rules Out Icing in 2007 Crash of Skydiver's Plane (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/7259/reftab/1632/t/REPORT-RULES-OUT-ICING-IN-2007-CRASH-OF-SKYDIVER-S-PLANE-/Default.aspx

G.M. Notifying 1,100 Dealers That They Will Be Dropped (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/16/business/16auto.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

GM Won't Release List of Dealers Cut From Corporate Network (Trading Markets)
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2330804/

Map: Chrysler Dealers - Who's Getting Shut Down (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/storysupplement/chryslerdealerclosings/CA.html

Port Of Tacoma Could Lay Off 20 Percent of Staff Port Of Tacoma Could Lay Off 20 Percent of Staff (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19466533/detail.html

Mason County Taxable Retail Sales Down (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/7258/reftab/1632/t/TAXABLE-RETAIL-SALES-DOWN-IN-COUNTY/Default.aspx

Rapid Rise in Some WASL Scores Suspicious (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19464935/detail.html

Hood Canal - Navy to Study 2nd Trident Weapons Wharf at Bangor (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/851897.html

Kitsap Commissioners Moving Slowly on Forest Zoning Issue - What would happen if they allow growth to quadruple in some of the most remote, forested areas of the county (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/14/kitsap-commissioners-moving-slowly-on-forest/?partner=RSS

Gregoire: 'We Want To Be the Home of Aerospace' (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/45057622.html

Effort to Oust Portland Mayor Kicks Off (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/45059917.html

DIVERSIONS

Students, Prom Suspended After Food Fight
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19463141/detail.html

Father Arrested For Allegedly Forcing Son's Tattoo
http://www.examiner.com/a-2015926~Father_arrested_for_allegedly_forcing_son_s_tattoo.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Fishy Selling Practices At Kansas City Restaurants: 85% Of The Fish On The Menu Is Not The Fish On The Menu (Note: comments section may contain PG-13 language)
http://consumerist.com/5254115/fishy-selling-practices-at-kansas-city-restaurants-85-of-the-fish-on-the-menu-is-not-the-fish-on-the-menu

Bogus Trend of the Week: Raising Backyard Chickens The press lays dozens and dozens of eggs.
http://www.slate.com/id/2218390/?from=rss

Woman Sues Cemetery Owner Claiming Pet Monkey's Grave Wasn't Neat and Tidy
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12372369

SONG OF THE DAY

Gin Blossoms - Found Out About You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tXShNtyvRs&feature=PlayList&p=33D6477AB666D53D&index=0