Energy News Digest for December 24, 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)

• New Power Pact Keeps Intalco Open
• Avista ‘Disappointed’ With Rate Case Outcome
• Report Details CO2 Emissions from Boardman, Other Power Plants
• Natural Gas Stocks Decline Less Than Expected
• Chevron to Pay $45.5 Million in Natural Gas Case
• Loan Program May Stir Nuclear Industry
• US Department of Energy to Study Storage Options for Spent Nuclear Fuel, Small Reactors
• Treasury Nominees Left Waiting – Norris Confirmed to FERC Commission
• Court OKs North Carolina Dam Removal
• Tangled Network: Transmission or Meter Investments
• BPA Donates Snow Cat to Volcano Rescue Team
• Spring Chinook Forecasts up Everywhere
• Hatchery Steelhead Should Improve for This Weekend
• Researchers Call for Conservation Zone for Killer Whales in British Columbia
• Washington State Group Donates Tons of Salmon to Alaska Villages
• Feds Mull Regulating Drugs in Water
• California - San Joaquin Delta Water Action Plan Released
• Eugene Water & Electric Board’s New Wind Project Now Operational
• California - Humboldt Wind Power Project Goes Under Analysis
• Minnesota - Early Christmas for Farmers Threatened With Eminent Domain for Wind Power Farm
• Wisconsin Clean Energy Bill Moves Ahead – 25 percent by 2025
• Shelton School District Getting $500,000 Energy Conservation Grant
• Orion Energy Wins Patents for Energy Efficient Streetlights
• Canada - Conservation Group Calls for Reinstatement of B.C. Green Rebates
• Washington State’s Governor Wants to Lessen Carbon Footprint
• Lawsuit Over New York Carbon Auction Settled
• Recharging & Other Concerns Keep Electric Cars Far from Mainstream
• Is Our Data Too Vulnerable in the Cloud?
• Telecom Lobbyists: U.S. Actually Broadband Leader
• In 10 Years, Hours Spent on Internet Almost Doubled
• Washington State Might Gain House Seat - Population up 100,0000 (sic)
• Winter Storm Spreading Snow, Ice Across Midwest
• Senate Passes Health Care Overhaul Bill
• Father & Son Reunited in Brazil, Head Back to US
• Sumner Official Takes Top Job in Tumwater

WORD OF THE DAY

Nativity • \nuh-TIV-it-tee\ • noun – 1: the process or circumstances of being born: birth; especially capitalized: the birth of Jesus 2: a horoscope at or of the time of one’s birth 3: the place of origin

The Nativity
The reason for the Season
Merry Christmas all!

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast & 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

New Power Pact Keeps Intalco Open “…An important issue raised by the court decision is whether BPA must structure contracts & rates with direct service industries like Alcoa such that there is no net cost to BPA’s other customers & without regard to the public benefits that may accrue from the contracts such as employment impacts. BPA believes this is not what the law or sound public policy should require…” (Lynden Tribune, WA)
http://www.lyndentribune.com/node/5245

Avista ‘Disappointed’ With Rate Case Outcome (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/12/21/daily32.html

Report Details CO2 Emissions from Boardman, Other Power Plants (The Oregonian, Portland)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/12/report_details_co2_emissions_f.html

Natural Gas Stocks Decline Less Than Expected (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010586851_apusnaturalgasstorage.html

Chevron to Pay $45.5 Million in Natural Gas Case (Associated Press)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/business/24chevron.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Loan Program May Stir Nuclear Industry (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/business/energy-environment/24nuke.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

US Department of Energy to Study Storage Options for Spent Nuclear Fuel, Small Reactors (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/12/24/24climatewire-doe-to-study-storage-options-for-spent-nucle-97694.html

Treasury Nominees Left Waiting – Norris Confirmed to FERC Commission (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126167177382804465.html

Court OKs North Carolina Dam Removal (Courthouse News Service)
http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/12/24/Court_OKs_Dam_Removal.htm

Tangled Network: Transmission or Meter Investments (Energy Pulse)
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=2223

BPA Donates Snow Cat to Volcano Rescue Team (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/news/article_d8fb155e-f028-11de-a417-001cc4c03286.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Spring Chinook Forecasts up Everywhere (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/news/2009/dec/23/spring-chinook-forecasts-everywhere/

Hatchery Steelhead Should Improve for This Weekend (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2010582524_fish24.html

Researchers Call for Conservation Zone for Killer Whales in British Columbia (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Researchers+call+conservation+zone+killer+whales/2375425/story.html

Washington State Group Donates Tons of Salmon to Alaska Villages (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/80025007.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Feds Mull Regulating Drugs in Water (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gPAO8ZyrcKTttZipY00Pm6kjRoVQD9COHC0O0

California - San Joaquin Delta water action plan released (Modesto Bee, CA)
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/984881.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Eugene Water & Electric Board’s New Wind Project Now Operational (KVAL, Eugene, OR)
http://www.kval.com/news/business/80004332.html

California - Humboldt Wind Power Project Goes Under Analysis (Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_14062886

Minnesota - Early Christmas for Farmers Threatened With Eminent Domain for Wind Power Farm (Review Messenger, Sebeka, MN)
http://www.reviewmessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3797:early-christmas-for-farmers-threatened-with-eminent-domain-for-mn-wind-power-farm&catid=80:organizations

Wisconsin Clean Energy Bill Moves Ahead – 25 percent by 2025 (Express Milwaukee, WI)
http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-9322-wisconsin-clean-energy-bill-moves-ahead.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Shelton School District Getting $500,000 Energy Conservation Grant (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=931:shelton-school-district-getting-energy-grant&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

Orion Energy Wins Patents for Energy Efficient Streetlights (The Business Journal of Milwaukee)
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/12/21/daily47.html?ana=from_rss

Canada - Conservation Group Calls for Reinstatement of B.C. Green Rebates (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/12/23/bc-livesmart-bc-revival-call.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State’s Governor Wants to Lessen Carbon Footprint (Associated Press)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_gregoire_climate.html?source=pimail

Lawsuit Over New York Carbon Auction Settled - Companies had challenged legal authority to auction allowances required for carbon dioxide emissions (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010586578_apuscarbonauctionlawsuitnewyork.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Recharging & Other Concerns Keep Electric Cars Far from Mainstream (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/23/AR2009122303463.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Is Our Data Too Vulnerable in the Cloud? (GigaOM)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/is-our-data-too-vulnerable-in-the-cloud/

Telecom Lobbyists: U.S. Actually Broadband Leader - Assuming you completely ignore all data suggesting otherwise (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Telecom-Lobbyists-US-Actually-Broadband-Leader-106131

In 10 Years, Hours Spent on Internet Almost Doubled (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/12/24/1999-2009-hours-spent-on-internet-nearly-doubled/

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Might Gain House Seat - Population up 100,0000 (sic), making it 13th largest state (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1081262.html

Winter Storm Spreading Snow, Ice Across Midwest (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010583672_apusholidaystorm.html

Senate Passes Health Care Overhaul Bill (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/health/policy/25health.html

Father & Son Reunited in Brazil, Head Back to US (Associated Press)
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/24/world/AP-LT-Brazil-US-Custody-Battle.html

Sumner Official Takes Top Job in Tumwater (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/1005519.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

NORAD Santa Tracker 2009 using Google Earth
http://www.nwcn.com/news/NORAD-Santa-Tracker-2009-using-Google-Earth-80060327.html

Merry Christmas: Father Sues Son Over Orange County Choppers
http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/12/24/Father_Sues_Son_Over_OC_Choppers.htm

60-Pound Beaver Attacks Boy in Oklahoma
http://www.kirotv.com/news/22046574/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_4pm&tmi=sea_4pm_1_06000212232009&ts=H

Bible Has Bounty of Financial Advice - Money & religion: Experts mixed on whether book’s guidance useful in modern economy (hmmm; thrift & charity. Sounds good to me)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/1005552.html

Police: Man Hid Meth Inside Buttocks (insert bad ‘Crack’ puns here)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/22047458/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Vince Guaraldi- Christmas Time Is Here (from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” Now, here’s your ‘Dolly Madison’ snack cake…)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPG3zSgm_Qo&feature=related

MST3K - Patrick Swayze Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZyJCV_dyug

Energy News Digest for December 23, 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)

• BPA Reaches Deal on Power to Alcoa Plant
• Bellingham Smelter Workers Cheer Job-Saving Power Deal
• Governor Gregoire’s Statement on BPA-Alcoa Agreement
• Wenatchee World Editorial - Power Can Keep Building Us Up
• Douglas PUD Files Draft Application for Relicensing Wells Hydro Project
• Grant County PUD Approves Budget That Includes Rate Increases
• Avista Rate Hike Approved - A Fraction of What Utility Sought
• Oregon - High Electric Bills Spark Complaints to Co-Op
• Mason PUD 3 to Hear Appeal of SEPA Determination
• Grays Harbor PUD Cuts North Beach Truck
• Port Townsend Leader Editorial - PUD: The Voters’ Wish
• Transmission - An Electric ‘Game Changer’ Gets FERC Scrutiny
• Idaho - Would-Be Nuke Plant Builder Delays NRC Application
• Tennessee Valley Authority Is Sued in Ash Spill
• Duke Energy Strikes Pollution Settlement for Indiana Plant
• Officials Release First Year Progress Report on 2008 Salmon BiOp
• Feds Say New Adaptive Management Plan Can Be Legally Added to Salmon BiOp
• Feds Take on Bigger Role in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Protection
• Mason PUD 3 Hires Morrissette to Design John’s Prairie Waterline Extension
• SW Idaho Developer Loses Bid to Pump More Water
• SF Chronicle Op/Ed - Don’t Drain Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
• Tons of Hawaii Trash Pile Up Awaiting Shipment
• California - Edison Power Line Challenge in the Wind
• Pacific Gas & Electric Signs Salty Solar Contract
• Looking for Energy-Efficient Alternatives to Fireplaces
• First-of-Its-Kind Deal Sells Trees for Carbon Credits, Not Harvest
• European Union Blames Others for ‘Great Failure’ on Climate
• Minnesota - Shakopee Plant to Turn Toilet Waste Into Energy
• Blackberry Users Beset by Second Outage in A Week
• Microsoft Loses Word Appeal, Will Adjust Program
• Oregon Gets $2.1 Million for Broadband
• Connected Nation Wins Huge Chunk of Taxpayer Money
• Friends, Neighbors Pray for Wounded Deputies
• Washington State Legislature’s Environmental Agenda Limited
• Lewis County Lawmaker Calls for Growth Management Act Time Out
• Seattle Most Literate City in US
• Thieves Steal Valuables from Military Family Moving to Tacoma
• Godless Heathens: Washington Ranks 36th in Importance of Religion

WORD OF THE DAY

Veracity • \vuh-RASS-uh-tee\ • noun - 1: devotion to the truth: truthfulness *2: conformity with truth or fact: accuracy 3: something true

“Who ate the strawberries?” was the guttural question posed by the querulous Captain Queeg. His attempts to use scoops of sand to disprove the veracity of his officers and crew would have been laughable, except for the fact that he was dead serious.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast & 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

BPA Reaches Deal on Power to Alcoa Plant (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/12/bpa_reaches_deal_on_power_to_a.html

Bellingham Smelter Workers Cheer Job-Saving Power Deal (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=6572

Governor Gregoire’s Statement on BPA-Alcoa Agreement (Washington State Governor’s Office)
http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1397&newsType=1

Wenatchee World Editorial - Power Can Keep Building Us Up
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/dec/22/power-can-keep-building-us-up/

Douglas PUD Files Draft Application for Relicensing Wells Hydro Project (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
http://www.cbbulletin.com/369791.aspx

Grant County PUD Approves Budget That Includes Rate Increases (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/dec/23/grant-county-pud-approves-budget-that-includes/

Partial Avista Rate Hike Approved - Increase Is a Fraction of What Utility Sought in January (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/23/partial-avista-rate-hike-approved/

Oregon - High Electric Bills Spark Complaints to Co-Op (Curry Coastal Pilot, Brookings, OR)
http://www.currypilot.com/20091223114414/News/Local-News/High-electric-bills-spark-complaints-to-co-op

Mason County PUD No. 3 to Hear Appeal of SEPA Determination (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=923:pud-3-to-hear-appeal-of-sepa-determination-&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

Grays Harbor PUD Cuts North Beach Truck (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/12/22/local_news/doc4b3115330161a337124993.txt

Port Townsend Leader Editorial - PUD: The Voters’ Wish
http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=25904

Transmission - An Electric ‘Game Changer’ Gets FERC Scrutiny (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/12/23/23climatewire-an-electric-game-changer-gets-ferc-scrutiny-48247.html

Idaho - Would-Be Nuke Plant Builder Delays NRC Application (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/1080674.html

Tennessee Valley Authority Is Sued in Ash Spill (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/23/us/23brfs-UTILITYISSUE_BRF.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Duke Energy Strikes Pollution Settlement for Indiana Plant (Charlotte Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/12/21/daily17.html?ana=from_rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Federal Officials Release First Year Progress Report on 2008 Salmon BiOp Implementation (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
http://www.cbbulletin.com/369797.aspx

Feds Say New Adaptive Management Plan Can Be Legally Added to Salmon BiOp Court Record (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
http://www.cbbulletin.com/369798.aspx

Feds Take on Bigger Role in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Protection (Sacramento Bee, CA)
http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/2416096.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Mason County PUD No. 3 Hires Morrissette to Design John’s Prairie Waterline Extension (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=922:pud-3-hires-morrissette-to-design-johns-prairie-waterline-extension&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

SW Idaho Developer Loses Bid to Pump More Water (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/1080605.html

SF Chronicle Op/Ed - Don’t Drain Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/23/ED951B7SN8.DTL&feed=rss.opinion

Tons of Hawaii Trash Pile Up Awaiting Shipment (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010568900_aphishippingtrash.html?syndication=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California - Edison Power Line Challenge in the Wind (Los Angeles Daily News, CA)
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_14052057

Pacific Gas & Electric Signs Salty Solar Contract – Molten Salt a Component (San Francisco Business Times)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/12/21/daily20.html?ana=from_rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Looking for Energy-Efficient Alternatives to Fireplaces - Fireplaces have great appeal in a house, but aren’t energy-efficient. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Bright-Green/2009/1222/Looking-for-energy-efficient-alternatives-to-fireplaces

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

First-of-Its-Kind Deal Sells Trees for Carbon Credits, Not Harvest, in Jefferson County (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20091223/news/312239992

European Union Blames Others for ‘Great Failure’ on Climate (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/23/world/europe/23iht-climate.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Minnesota - Shakopee Plant to Turn Toilet Waste Into Energy: Turning poo into gold; A new plant in Shakopee will transform wastewater solids into valuable gases (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, MN)
http://www.startribune.com/local/south/79815782.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Blackberry Users Beset by Second Outage in A Week (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091223/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_research_in_motion_blackberry_outage

Microsoft Loses Word Appeal, Will Adjust Program (Associated Press)
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BL3FV20091223?feedType=nl&feedName=usbusinessearly

Oregon Gets $2.1 Million for Broadband (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/12/21/daily22.html

Connected Nation Wins Huge Chunk of Taxpayer Money - And will likely use that money to fight against your interests (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Connected-Nation-Wins-Huge-Chunk-Of-Taxpayer-Money-106122

GENERAL NEWS

Friends, Neighbors Pray for Wounded Deputies (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/413559_vigil23.html

Washington State Legislature’s Environmental Agenda Limited (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/government/story/1004372.html

Lewis County Lawmaker Calls for Growth Management Act Time Out to Help Spur Economic Development (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Local-Lawmaker-Calls-For-Growth-Manageme=1&blockID=106473&feedID=410

Seattle Most Literate City in US (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Seattle-most-literate-city-in-US-79926377.html

Thieves Steal Valuables from Military Family Moving to Tacoma (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/79935527.html

Godless Heathens: Washington Ranks 36th in Importance of Religion
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/188934.asp?source=pimail

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Reindeer Dung Ornaments, Jewelry Net Zoo $20K
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010577005_apusoddreindeerdungornaments.html?syndication=rss

Sonoma County’s Christmas Ornament Ban Draws Flak
http://www.examiner.com/a-2386899~Sonoma_County_s_ornament_ban_draws_flak.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Bride Marries Arriving Groom at Texas Airport
http://www.kirotv.com/family/22040044/detail.html

Vatican Paper Says ‘The Simpsons’ Are Okely Dokely
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2010573092_apeutvvaticanthesimpsons.html?syndication=rss

SONG OF THE DAY

Diana Krall - White Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO4sPafmj_k

Brenda White - Christmas in the Northwest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn9QC9vuaDY

Energy News Digest for December 22, 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)

• Intalco Smelter Gets Some Breathing Room, Support on Power Deal
• BPA deal will keep Intalco smelter running
• Power Contract Gives Lifeline to Big Smelter
• Awkward Juxtaposition - BPA Power Caps Force Utilities to Look Elsewhere
• BPA Eliminates Four Segments from Transmission Line Proposal
• Mason County PUD 1 & PUD 3 Weatherization Grant - Contact the Correct Utility
• Grays Harbor PUD Completes Electrical System Improvements
• Bolz to Lead Chelan PUD Board
• Did We Just Wave Goodbye to Last New Florida Coal Plant?
• New Report Charts Columbia Salmon Progress
• Avista to Draw Down Lake Spokane
• Editorial - Water Storage Can Provide Many Benefits
• Gregoire Approves Final Clean Water Projects
• California - Desert Vistas vs. Solar Power
• California - New Group Seeks to Bring Greener Power to Marin County
• Editorial - Pacific Northwest: Going Green, Yielding Gold
• US Renewable Energy Generation to Double by 2012
• British Columbia Homes for Sale to Have Energy Ratings
• LED Holiday Light Sales Boom
• Inadequate Oversight Cited in Illinois Weatherization Program
• Video Games Can Be Energy Hogs. Three Tips to Cut Your Power Bill
• China Blasts Claim It ‘Hijacked’ Climate Talks
• Carbon Falls on Weak Copenhagen Deal
• Time for a Climate Change Plan B
• Cash cows boost carbon trading
• Study Shows ‘Green’ Shoppers More Likely to Cheat
• Report: FBI Probes Multi-Million Dollar Hacker Attack on Citigroup
• White House Picks New Cyber Coordinator
• Firefox 3.5 Now World’s Most Popular Browser
• Comcast Settles Throttling Class Action - $16 million
• Forecast Calls for More Clouds in Computing
• Two Sheriff’s Officers Badly Hurt in Washington State Shooting
• Court: Microsoft Violated Patent; Can’t Sell Word
• Shelton Sending Urban Growth Area Agreement to Mason County
• Thurston County Commissioners Recall Bid Tossed
• Maine to Consider Cell Phone Cancer Warning
• Jones Soda Considering Bid to Sell to Big Red for $7.9 Million

WORD OF THE DAY

Shamanism • \SHAW-mun-iz-um\ • noun – A religion practiced by indigenous peoples of far northern Europe and Siberia that is characterized by belief in an unseen world of gods, demons, and ancestral spirits responsive only to the shamans; also: any similar religion

Norbert viewed his IS department as nearly a shamanistic cult. He would pound on his keyboard in frustration when his computer began to act up; especially since his rudimentary problem solving skills could not pierce the mysterious veil of technical trickery. It was almost as if his help desk consulted with dark spirits before instantly solving any situation with a simple keystroke.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast & 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

Intalco Smelter Gets Some Breathing Room, Support on Power Deal (Bellingham Herald, WA)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/255/story/1213324.html?storylink=omni_popular

BPA deal will keep Intalco smelter running – Gregoire says she’ll join BPA in challenging federal court over improper sales (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/79840682.html

Power Contract Gives Lifeline to Big Smelter (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=6569

Awkward Juxtaposition - BPA Power Caps Force Utilities to Look Elsewhere (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/12/21/story7.html?ana=from_rss

BPA Eliminates Four Segments from Transmission Line Proposal (Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/news/article_42355238-ee84-11de-99e0-001cc4c002e0.html

Mason County PUD 1 & PUD 3 Weatherization Grant - Contact the Correct Utility (Mason County PUD No. 3)
http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=648

Grays Harbor PUD Completes Electrical System Improvements (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)
http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1259

Bolz to Lead Chelan PUD Board (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/dec/22/bolz-to-lead-chelan-pud-board/

Did We Just Wave Goodbye to Last New Florida Coal Plant? (St Petersburg Times, FL)
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/energy/did-we-just-wave-goodbye-to-last-new-florida-coal-plant/1060413

FISH & WILDLIFE

New Report Charts Columbia Salmon Progress - Dam improvements on course to meet fish protection targets (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/432975/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Avista to Draw Down Lake Spokane (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/22/avista-draw-down-lake-spokane/

Salem Statesman-Journal - Water Storage Can Provide Many Benefits (Oregon)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20091222/OPINION/912220303/1046

Gregoire Approves Final Clean Water Projects (Tacoma Daily Index)
http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1684330&more=0

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California - Desert Vistas vs. Solar Power (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/business/energy-environment/22solar.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

California - New Group Seeks to Bring Greener Power to Marin County (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/business/energy-environment/20sfpower.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Everett Herald Editorial - Pacific Northwest: Going Green, Yielding Gold
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091222/OPINION01/712229967

US Renewable Energy Generation to Double by 2012 (Memphis Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2009/12/21/story8.html?ana=from_rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

British Columbia Homes for Sale to Have Energy Ratings (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)
http://www.timescolonist.com/life/Homes+sale+have+energy+ratings/2365394/story.html

LED Holiday Light Sales Boom (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/led-holiday-light-sales-boom/

Inadequate Oversight Cited in Illinois Weatherization Program (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/us/22illinois.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Video Games Can Be Energy Hogs. Three Tips to Cut Your Power Bill (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Bright-Green/2009/1221/Video-games-can-be-energy-hogs.-Three-tips-to-cut-your-power-bill.

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

China Blasts Claim It ‘Hijacked’ Climate Talks (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010567472_apaschinabritainclimate.html?syndication=rss

Carbon Falls on Weak Copenhagen Deal (The Telegraph, UK)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/6859752/Carbon-falls-on-weak-Copenhagen-deal.html

Time for a Climate Change Plan B (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704107604574607793378860698.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Cash cows boost carbon trading (Canada.com)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=0f804796-c633-417f-8ea5-9fe3e311ea1d&k=39839

Study Shows ‘Green’ Shoppers More Likely to Cheat (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Study+shows+Green+shoppers+more+likely+cheat/2362923/story.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Report: FBI Probes Multi-Million Dollar Hacker Attack on Citigroup (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14048614

White House Picks New Cyber Coordinator (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2010563887_apususcyberczar.html?syndication=rss

Firefox 3.5 Now World’s Most Popular Browser (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/12/21/firefox-3-5-now-worlds-most-popular-browser/

Comcast Settles Throttling Class Action - $16 million for packet forgery shenanigans (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Settles-Throttling-Class-Action-106097

Forecast Calls for More Clouds in Computing (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/21/BUOH1B6B6L.DTL&feed=rss.news

GENERAL NEWS

Two Sheriff’s Officers Badly Hurt in Washington State Shooting (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010567516_apusofficershooting11thldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

Court: Microsoft Violated Patent; Can’t Sell Word (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010568355_apusmicrosoftpatent.html?syndication=rss

Shelton Sending Urban Growth Area Agreement to Mason County (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=915:shelton-sending-u-g-a-agreement-to-mason-county-&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

Thurston County Commissioners Recall Bid Tossed (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1078964.html

Maine to Consider Cell Phone Cancer Warning (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/12/20/national/a090209S54.DTL&feed=rss.news

Jones Soda Considering Bid to Sell to Big Red for $7.9 Million (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010563675_jonessoda22.html?syndication=rss

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Boston Mom Calls 911 over Son’s Video Game Habit
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010567661_apusoddvideogame911call.html?syndication=rss

Rent to Own? Police Say Couple Rented to Steal
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2010565515_rent_to_own_police_say_couple.html?syndication=rss

Las Vegas Woman Victim of Foreclosure Mistake
http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11710384

Eau Contraire - English Priest Says Shoplifting OK at Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010567775_apeubritainshopliftingok.html?syndication=rss

Man Commandeers NYC Garage, Charges Parkers - Police Arrest Suspect for Burglary, Criminal Impersonation
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/22028275/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Gold Standard: Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOszvL9lgSs

The Author: Mel Torme - The Christmas Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhNM--Qyxp4&feature=related

Dec 21, 2009 - News Update - BPA & Alcoa Sign Power Contracts

Breaking News: Alcoa, BPA Reach Power Deal to Keep Intalco Open (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/255/story/1213324.html

News Release - BPA Signs Power Sales Contract with Alcoa: Agreement saves jobs, benefits region and meets court mandates (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/432783/

Gregoire, BPA Boss to Visit Intalco Monday; Good News Coming? (Good News for Whom? Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/477/story/1210222.html

Energy News Digest for December 21, 2009

NOTE: Still trying to get the Windows 7 upgrade to allow normal posting of the news digest ehre on the blog. Hopefully I'll work it out soon. In the meantime, enjoy this wonderfully funky formatting.

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, BPA Boss to Visit Intalco Monday; Good News Coming?

• New Refinery - Alcoa, Saudi Arabia to Invest $11B in Venture

• Decision Due on Montana’s Half-Billion Tons of Coal

• Mason County PUD 3 to Discuss Johns Prairie Operations Center SEPA Appeal

• $2.3 Million in State Money Could Go to Flood Authority

• Oregon Objects to Federal OK of Coos Bay Gas Terminal

• Sierra Club Challenges Wyoming Power Plant

• City of Keizer Seeks Assurances on Power Plant

• Florida - Tampa’s Seminole Electric Cooperative cancels plan for new coal plant

• Report Finds Power Plants Cost Decline Is Slowing

• Grant PUD Recognized by Soldiers - Employees Provide Gifts for Soldiers’ Children

• Los Angeles Electricity Ratepayers to Benefit from Overcharge Settlement

• A Year Later, TVA Chief Says Ash Spill `Painful’

• EPA, USDA push farmers to use coal waste on fields

• Utility Bill Is One More Casualty of Recession

• Tracking Trout - A survey of the upper Rogue River will help develop the habitat, & the fishing possibilities

• What Is the Most Abundant Fish in Puget Sound?

• Alleged Drunk Driver Causes Friday Sewage Spill in Port Angeles

• Editorial - Cleaner Spokane River worth the Cost

• British Columbia Urged to Slow Green Power Development

• Massachusetts Biomass Brouhaha – Group Says Governor’s Stance Will Halt NRG Energy’s Somerset Plant

• Iowa - Biomass Generation Plant Planned for Rock Falls

• Idaho Utilities Commission OKs Sale of Wind Power

• Plans Progress for Wyoming Coal-to-Gasoline Plant

• North Mason School District Getting Energy Grant

• Massachusetts Pushing Whole Energy Efficient Neighborhoods

• Many Take Dim View of New-Fangled Christmas Lights

• Does Heating Homes Take Up More Energy Than Needed?

• Climate Conference in Copenhagen Ends With Statement of Intent

• What did the Copenhagen climate summit achieve?

• AP Poll Shows Most See Climate Change as Serious

• Northwest Scientists Keeping an Eye on Carbon

• If Humans Didn’t Cause Past Global Warming & Cooling, Are They Now?

• The Festive Side of Carbon Dioxide

• Hard Questions for the Broadband Stimulus Program

• Exploring Which Projects Got Broadband Stimulus Funds

• Rackspace Data Center Outage Has Limited Impact

• Norm Dicks Says Ethics Panel Inquiry Over, No Further Action Expected

• When no News is News - No Holiday Display Ruckus This Year in Olympia

• Pesky Frogs Hide in Christmas Trees

• Polish Police Recover Auschwitz Gate Sign, Damaged

WORD OF THE DAY

Antinomian • \ant-tin-NOME-ee-un\ • noun – 1: one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation 2: one who rejects a socially established morality.

Unused to the niceties of attending regular church services, the city’s new waste management official sauntered into the gracefully arched sanctuary exuding the very essence of his antinomian past. “Yep,” he uttered before his gravelly voice was drowned out by the organ, “I guessed that I should join y’all for singin’ and prayin’ at least once a year.”

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast & 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, BPA Boss to Visit Intalco Monday; Good News Coming? (Good News for Whom? Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/477/story/1210222.html

New Refinery - Alcoa, Saudi Arabia to Invest $11B in Venture (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010560503_apusalcoasaudiarabia.html?syndication=rss

Decision Due on Montana’s Half-Billion Tons of Coal (Associated Press)

http://www.examiner.com/a-2380099~Decision_due_on_Mont__s_half_billion_tons_of_coal.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines

Mason County PUD 3 to Discuss Johns Prairie Operations Center SEPA Appeal (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=907:pud-3-to-discuss-johns-prairie-operations-center-sepa-appeal&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

$2.3 Million in State Money Could Go to Flood Authority – Some funds had previously gone to study Lewis PUD dam proposals (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/999753.html

Oregon Objects to Federal OK of Coos Bay Gas Terminal (Oregonian)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/12/post_34.html

Sierra Club Challenges Wyoming Power Plant (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/12/21/Sierra_Club_Challenges_Wyoming_Power_Plant.htm

City of Keizer Seeks Assurances on Power Plant (Keizer Times, OR)

http://www.keizertimes.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=12142

Florida - Tampa’s Seminole Electric Cooperative cancels plan for new coal plant (St Petersburg Times, FL)

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/article1059847.ece

Report Finds Power Plants Cost Decline Is Slowing (Power Engineering)

http://pepei.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=6&ARTICLE_ID=371988&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

Grant PUD Recognized by Soldiers - Employees Provide Gifts for Soldiers’ Children (Columbia Basin Herald)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2009/12/18/news/doc4b2c1157d5075391778880.txt

Los Angeles Electricity Ratepayers to Benefit from Overcharge Settlement (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-refunds19-2009dec19,0,4030963.story

A Year Later, TVA Chief Says Ash Spill `Painful’ (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010544220_apuscoalashspilltennessee.html?syndication=rss

EPA, USDA push farmers to use coal waste on fields (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010558349_apusfarmscenecoalwaste.html?syndication=rss

Utility Bill Is One More Casualty of Recession (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/us/20utility.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Tracking Trout - A survey of the upper Rogue River will help develop the habitat, & the fishing possibilities

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091220/NEWS/912200334

What Is the Most Abundant Fish in Puget Sound? (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/archives/188667.asp?source=pimail

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Alleged Drunk Driver Causes Friday Sewage Spill in Port Angeles (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2010554566_another_raw-sewage_this_one_in.html?syndication=rss

Spokesman Review Editorial - Cleaner Spokane River worth the Cost

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/20/cleaner-river-worth-the-cost/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

British Columbia Urged to Slow Green Power Development (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/urged+slow+green+power+development/2352063/story.html

Massachusetts Biomass Brouhaha – Group Says Governor’s Stance Will Halt NRG Energy’s Somerset Plant (Fall River Herald News, MA)

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x1145293945/Group-Patricks-stance-will-halt-NRG-Energys-Somerset-plant

Iowa - Biomass Generation Plant Planned for Rock Falls (KWQC-TV, Davenport, IA)

http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=11688737

Idaho Utilities Commission OKs Sale of Wind Power (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/1077266.html

Plans Progress for Wyoming Coal-to-Gasoline Plant (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010544556_apuscoaltogasolineplant.html?syndication=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

North Mason School District Getting Energy Grant (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=892:north-mason-school-district-getting-energy-grant&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

Massachusetts Pushing Whole Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010560460_apusenergyefficientneighborhoodsmassachusetts.html?syndication=rss

Many Take Dim View of New-Fangled Christmas Lights (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010560243_apusvintagelights.html?syndication=rss

Does Heating Homes Take Up More Energy Than Needed? (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/413403_power17.html?source=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Conference in Copenhagen Ends With Statement of Intent (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010551342_climate20.html

What did the Copenhagen climate summit achieve? (BBC, UK)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8424522.stm

AP Poll Shows Most See Climate Change as Serious (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010548723_apclimateappoll.html?syndication=rss

Northwest Scientists Keeping an Eye on Carbon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/6425-northwest-scientists-keeping-eye-carbon/

If Humans Didn’t Cause Global Warming & Cooling in the Past, Is That Evidence They Also Aren’t Now? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Bright-Green/2009/1220/If-humans-didn-t-cause-global-warming-and-cooling-in-the-past-is-that-evidence-they-also-aren-t-now

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

The Festive Side of Carbon Dioxide - Scientists Uncork Champagne’s Complexity & the Wondrous Micro-Mechanics of Bubbles (Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126108284326695963.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Hard Questions for the Broadband Stimulus Program (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2009/12/18/hard-questions-for-the-broadband-stimulus-program/

Exploring Which Projects Got Broadband Stimulus Funds - Middle mile, single state telco & private-public plans dominate (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Exploring-Which-Projects-Got-Broadband-Stimulus-Funds-106080

Rackspace Data Center Outage Has Limited Impact (PC World)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20091219/tc_pcworld/rackspaceoutagehaslimitedimpact

GENERAL NEWS

Norm Dicks Says Ethics Panel Inquiry Over, No Further Action Expected (Seattle Times)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/999772.html

When no News is News - No Holiday Display Ruckus This Year in Olympia

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=6563

Pesky Frogs Hide in Christmas Trees

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010552201_frogs20m.html?syndication=rss

Polish Police Recover Auschwitz Gate Sign, Damaged (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010558357_apeupolandauschwitzsign.html?syndication=rss

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

The Origins of Christmas (Finding Dulcinea)

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/history/2009/Origins-of-Christmas.html

Silent Night’ Flap Ends on High Note

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010552205_silentnight20m.html

Stolen 1965 VW bus brings in nearly $30,000 at auction

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2009/12/21/stolen-1965-vw-bus-brings-in-nearly-30000-at-auction/

Japanese man takes video game character as wife

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BJ1XX20091220?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Idaho Pharmacist Who Tackled Armed Robber Fired

http://www.examiner.com/a-2381235~Idaho_pharmacist_who_tackled_armed_robber_fired.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines

SONG OF THE DAY

David Bowie & Bing Crosby - Little Drummer Boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zMhSjDqvRs&feature=related