Energy News Digest for March 2, 2010

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)

·         Worker on BPA Project Killed at Hanford

·         Elma Man Electrocuted by Urinating on Power Line

·         Sierra Club Pushes to End Use of Coal; Union Workers Say Jobs Hang in the Balance

·         TransAlta Mine Tax Break for Washington State Power Plant Faces Threat

·         Nuke Waste Delays - Court Awards Energy Northwest $57 Million from DOE

·         Washington State to Intervene in Yucca Mountain Case

·         Montana – Great Falls Area Power Plant Gets OK for Financing

·         Power Pole Repairs Will Result in Large Planned Grays Harbor County Power Outage

·         Pacific Power Offers $3,000 Cash Reward to Catch Wire Thieves

·         High Court Justices Seem Receptive to Skilling’s Claim of Unfair Trial

·         Supreme Court Hears Convicted Enron CEO’s Appeal

·         Skilling Case Latest to Test ‘Honest Services’

·         Nuclear Projects Face Financial Obstacles

·         Minnesota - State Again Considers Ending Ban on New Nuclear Plants

·         Earthquake Prone Japan Sees Green in New Nuclear Power Plants

·         Texas - For Buyout Kingpins, the TXU Utility Deal Gets Tricky

·         Texas Electricity Deregulation Opinions All over the Grid in Industry Panel

·         New Deal Sought on Huge Canadian Power Contract

·         Oklahoma – US Supreme Court Turns Down Energy Company over Taxes

·         Coalition Opposing Marin County Public Power Effort Has Ties to Pacific Gas & Electric

·         California Utility Edison International Says 4Q Profit Fell

·         Agate Passage Net Pens Full of Salmon Again

·         Pneumonia Outbreak Kills Hundreds of Bighorn Sheep in West

·         Scientists Confirm Mismanagement by PG&E is Killing Two Northern California Rivers

·         Governor Gregoire Wants $4.1 Million for Droughts

·         California - Enviro Group Wants End to Damning of Eel River

·         Before You Get Those Solar Panels, They Go Through a Battery of Tests

·         Support for Solar: California Doubles Cap on Credits for Excess Power

·         Wind Farm in the Great Lakes? Big Potential Meets Big Opposition

·         Massachusetts - Decision Time for Salazar on Cape Wind

·         West Texas Breezes Push Wind Power to Set a Record on the Grid

·         Waste Not: Brewing Beer Byproducts into Energy

·         Obama to Pitch “Cash for Caulkers” in Georgia

·         Obama to Spell out Rebates for Energy Efficiency

·         Arizona’s Cash for Appliances to Start Soon

·         Climate Scientists Quizzed by British Lawmakers

·         Expert Says Climate Change Effort Will Take Centuries

·         Study Says Climate Change May Extend Allergy Season

·         Studying White Roofs as a Way to Reduce Urban Heat

·         Spokane Indians - Ball Club Switches to Green Power

·         Iowa – Compressed Air: Underground Drill Tests Begin for Energy Storage Project

·         SF Chronicle Columnist - Generate Renewable Energy on Bay Bridge Span

·         Washington NoaNet Getting $84M in Broadband Stimulus Funds

·         $84 Million Grant to Expand Internet in Washington

·         Secretary Locke Announces Recovery Act Investment in Washington

·         NoaNet Awarded $84M BTOP Grant from NTIA to Expand Broadband

·         Google Bandwagon - Topeka Tries Name Change to Get on Google Map

·         Google Bandwagon - Seattle Fiber Planners Could Learn Something from Louisiana

·         Google Bandwagon - Kalamazoo Campaigns to Lure Google

·         Survey Says Seattle Has Nation’s Fastest 3G Network

·         US to Reveal Rules on Internet Security

·         FCC Afraid to Tackle Open Access

·         US Carriers Are Running out of Growth Options

·         Postal Service’s Emerging Model: Never on Saturday

·         Mason County Fire District 5 to Make Decision on Medic One Purchase Wednesday

·         Mukilteo Utility District Board’s Health Benefit Criticized

WORD OF THE DAY

Didactic • \die-DACK-tick\ • adjective – 1a: designed or intended to teach b: intended to convey instruction & information as well as pleasure & entertainment 2: making moral observations

Danny: “What’s under discussion here is the girl’s feelings. Where is the girl?”

Mobster: “We’re gonna take real good care of you, pal.”

Danny: “I wanna say one thing, and I don’t mean to be didactic or facetious in any manner. She doesn’t love him. She doesn’t love him any more. I know it’s hard to take. Because we all want what we can’t have in life.”

-- Broadway Danny Rose

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

Worker on BPA Project Killed at Hanford (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/03/02/922659/worker-on-bpa-project-killed-at.html

Elma Man Electrocuted by Urinating on Power Line (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011224510_apwaurineelectrocution.html?syndication=rss

Sierra Club Pushes to End Use of Coal; Union Workers Say Jobs Hang in the Balance (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://chronline.com/news/article_3f7760b8-2561-11df-873e-001cc4c002e0.html

News Release - TransAlta’s Strip-Mine Tax Break for Washington State Power Plant Faces Threat from Lawmakers (PR Inside)

http://www.pr-inside.com/transalta-s-strip-mine-tax-break-for-r1746900.htm

Nuke Waste Delays - Court Awards Energy Northwest $57 Million from DOE (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/03/02/922342/court-awards-energy-northwest.html

Washington State to Intervene in Yucca Mountain Case (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011227575_apwayuccalawsuit2ndldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

Montana – Great Falls Area Power Plant Gets OK for Financing (Billings Gazette, MT)

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_66cc2714-2612-11df-bb48-001cc4c002e0.html

Power Pole Repairs Will Result in Large Planned Grays Harbor County Power Outage (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/22713773/detail.html

Pacific Power Offers $3,000 Cash Reward to Catch Wire Thieves (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=12064426

High Court Justices Seem Receptive to Skilling’s Claim of Unfair Trial (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14492772

Supreme Court Hears Convicted Enron CEO’s Appeal (Nat’l Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124210422&ft=1&f=2

Skilling Case Latest to Test ‘Honest Services’ (Washington Post – Irony NOT intended)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/01/AR2010030103510.html?wprss=rss_business

Nuclear Projects Face Financial Obstacles (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/01/AR2010030103975.html?nav=rss_email/components

Minnesota - State Again Considers Ending Ban on New Nuclear Plants (Minnesota Public Radio)

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/03/01/nuclear-debate-resumes/

Earthquake Prone Japan Sees Green in New Nuclear Power Plants (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2010/0301/Earthquake-prone-Japan-sees-green-in-new-nuclear-power-plants

Texas - For Buyout Kingpins, the TXU Utility Deal Gets Tricky (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/business/energy-environment/28txu.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Texas Electricity Deregulation Opinions All over the Grid in Industry Panel (Dallas Morning News, TX)

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-deregpanel_28bus.ART.State.Edition1.3cea98b.html

New Deal Sought on Huge Canadian Power Contract (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/03/02/25158.htm

Oklahoma – US Supreme Court Turns Down Energy Company over Taxes (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011223440_apussupremecourtgaslawsuit.html?syndication=rss

Coalition Opposing Marin County Public Power Effort Has Ties to Pacific Gas & Electric (Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA)

http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_14480227?nclick_check=1

California Utility Edison International Says 4Q Profit Fell (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/03/01/financial/f100454S66.DTL&feed=rss.business

FISH & WILDLIFE

Agate Passage Net Pens Full of Salmon Again (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/mar/01/agate-passage-net-pens-full-again/

Pneumonia Outbreak Kills Hundreds of Bighorn Sheep in West (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011202606_apnvpneumoniabighorndieoff2ndldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

Scientists Confirm Mismanagement by PG&E is Killing Two Northern California Rivers (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=128526

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Governor Gregoire Wants $4.1 Million for Droughts (Associated Press)

http://www.kirotv.com/money/22706709/detail.html

California - Enviro Group Wants End to Damning of Eel River (Associated Press)

http://www.examiner.com/a-2502212~Enviro_group_wants_end_to_damning_of_Eel_River.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Before You Get Those Solar Panels, They Go Through a Battery of Tests (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011204558_bttestlab01.html?syndication=rss

Support for Solar: California Doubles Cap on Credits for Excess Power (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14492960

Wind Farm in the Great Lakes? Big Potential Meets Big Opposition (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0301/Wind-farm-in-the-Great-Lakes-Big-potential-meets-big-opposition.

Massachusetts - Decision Time for Salazar on Cape Wind (Cape Cod Times, MA)

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100302/NEWS/3020310/-1/NEWSMAP

West Texas Breezes Push Wind Power to Set a Record on the Grid (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, TX)

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/01/2006741/west-texas-breezes-push-wind-power.html

Waste Not: Brewing Beer Byproducts into Energy (Boston Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2010/03/01/story4.html?b=1267419600^2945471

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Obama to Pitch “Cash for Caulkers” in Georgia (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6211C320100302

Obama to Spell out Rebates for Energy Efficiency (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011229149_apusobamaenergyefficiency.html?syndication=rss

Arizona’s Cash for Appliances to Start Soon (KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ)

http://www.kpho.com/money/22706039/detail.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Scientists Quizzed by British Lawmakers (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011229386_apeubritainhackedemails.html?syndication=rss

Expert Says Climate Change Effort Will Take Centuries (Las Vegas Sun, NV)

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar/02/expert-climate-change-effort-will-take-centuries/

Study Says Climate Change May Extend Allergy Season (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6203YT20100301

Studying White Roofs as a Way to Reduce Urban Heat (Voice of America)

http://www1.voanews.com/learningenglish/home/science-technology/Heart-Disorder-2010-02-22-85823572.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Spokane Indians - Ball Club Switches to Green Power (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/mar/02/ball-club-switches-to-green-power/

Iowa – Compressed Air: Underground Drill Tests Begin for Energy Storage Project (Des Moines Register, IA)

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100302/BUSINESS/3020366/-1/AMES/Underground-drill-tests-begin-for-energy-storage-project

SF Chronicle Columnist - Generate Renewable Energy on Bay Bridge Span

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/01/DDSN1C7TF7.DTL

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Washington NoaNet Getting $84M in Broadband Stimulus Funds (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2010/03/01/daily5.html

$84 Million Grant to Expand Internet in Washington (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011224612_apwabroadbandgrant.html?syndication=rss

Secretary Locke Announces Recovery Act Investment in Washington to Expand Broadband Internet Access & Spur Economic Growth (US Department of Commerce)

http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008957

NoaNet Awarded $84M BTOP Grant from NTIA to Expand Broadband Access to Rural Unserved & Underserved Areas of Washington State (NoaNet)

http://www.noanet.net/BTOP.htm

Google Bandwagon - Topeka Tries Name Change to Get on Google Map (Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2010/03/01/daily25.html

Google Bandwagon - Seattle Fiber Planners Could Learn Something from Louisiana: Seattle applies for Google fiber, also considers building their own (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Seattle-Fiber-Planners-Could-Learn-Something-From-Louisiana-107127

Google Bandwagon - Kalamazoo Campaigns to Lure Google’s High-Speed, Fiber-Optic System (Kalamazoo Gazette, MI)

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/03/kalamazoo_starts_campaign_to_l.html

Survey Says Seattle Has Nation’s Fastest 3G Network (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Seattle-has-nations-fastest-3G-network-says-survey-85958277.html

US to Reveal Rules on Internet Security (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/science/02cyber.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FCC Afraid to Tackle Open Access - Blair Levin thinks effort wouldn’t survive incumbent legal assault (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Afraid-To-Tackle-Open-Access-107139

US Carriers Are Running out of Growth Options (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2010/03/02/u-s-carriers-are-running-out-of-growth-options/

GENERAL NEWS

Postal Service’s Emerging Model: Never on Saturday (NW Cable News)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Postal-Services-wish-Never-on-Saturday-85951812.html

Mason County Fire District 5 to Make Decision on Medic One Purchase Wednesday (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/1489-fire-district-5-to-make-decision-on-medic-one-purchase-wednesday

Mukilteo Utility District Board’s Health Benefit Criticized - Former board member says health coverage commissioners receive overcompensates them for their time (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100301/NEWS01/703019915/-1/RSS02

DIVERSIONS

Orange County Couple Goes to Court for Removing Lawn

http://www.examiner.com/a-2502633~OC_couple_goes_to_court_for_removing_lawn.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

New Song Tonight from “United Breaks Guitars” Guy

http://consumerist.com/2010/03/new-song-tonight-from-united-breaks-guitars-guy.html

Thousands Sign Up for Fake Boston Bridal Show

http://www.kirotv.com/news/22710108/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Monkees - Pleasant Valley Sunday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ICup8O_1M

Energy News Digest for March 1, 2010

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)

·         High Court Hears Ex-Enron CEO Skilling’s Appeal

·         Contractor Wins Lawsuit against Grays Harbor PUD over 2007 Storm-Related Work

·         New Franklin PUD Facility Built Green

·         Franklin PUD Building Dedication Brings Large Crowd

·         Northwest Natural Gas Fourth Quarter Profit Dips 5 Percent

·         Record Earnings Buoy Northwest Natural

·         Did ‘Unsafe’ Natural Gas Release Lead Connecticut to Power Plant Explosion?

·         Washington Post Editorial - A Natural (Gas) Choice

·         Powerful Voice for Oregon Energy Users Is Retiring

·         Montana - Coal Mines Eyed near Red Lodge, Bridger

·         Nevada - Coal-fired Plant May be out of Steam Before It’s Up

·         Vermont - State Board to Consider Vermont Yankee Shutdown

·         As Clock Ticks, Nuclear Plant Searches for Leak

·         Nuclear Plant Developers Thinking Small

·         Entergy Corp. Runs into Hurdles with Nuclear Spinoff Plan

·         West Virginia - Power Bill Could Help Reopen Century Aluminum

·         Ohio Regulators to Restore First Energy ‘All-Electric’ Homeowner Rate Discount

·         Washington & Oregon to Begin Trapping Sea Lions Again

·         Man-Made Log Jams Planned to Help Salmon in Skokomish River

·         Nisqually Reach Is a New Haven for Salmon - Project restores habitat

·         Shortened Cowlitz Smelt Season Draws to Close amid Possible Endangered Listing

·         Last Year’s Huge Fall Chinook Jack Return Brings Predictions of Big Run This Year

·         Alaska Projects Higher Chinook, Sockeye Harvest over Last Year, Decrease in Pinks

·         Lawsuit Claims Striped Bass to Blame for California’s Salmon Decline

·         In France, Gendarmes Are on Patrol Against Oyster Rustlers

·         Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Formally Backs Water Retention Dams

·         El Niño Might Lead to Summer Drought

·         Department of Ecology Fines Longview Company for Columbia River Spill

·         Columbian Editorial – Columbia River: Digging for Dollars

·         California Water Agencies Loosen Taps; Feinstein Backs Off

·         Tiny Snails Are a Big Problem for Olympia Lake

·         manageable

·         Rulings Restrict Clean Water Act, Foiling EPA

·         Puget Sound Energy - Wild Horse Wind Farm Gets $28.6M in Stimulus Funds

·         Coeur D’Alene Sewer Plant to Increase Efficiency

·         Eastern Washington Scientists Study Biochar for Energy

·         Alaska Wood Stove Ballot Measure Group Forms

·         Los Angeles Mayor Wants Surcharge to Pay for Green Energy

·         A Stink in Central California over Converting Cow Manure to Electricity

·         Massachusetts - Tribes Reject Windfall: Cape Wind CEO offers millions to halt opposition

·         As the Turbine Blades Turn - Nine of 11 stalled wind turbines from California are spinning

·         ‘War Is Lost’ in Hydro-Quebec’s Campaign to Sell Renewable Energy to US

·         SF Chronicle Columnist - Green Project Making It Harder to Hate Wal-Mart

·         Conserving Electrical Resources

·         Home Show Crowd Small but Steady in Port Angeles

·         Breakthroughs & Cash Incentives for Those That Conserve or Create New Energy

·         Home Insulation Program in Minnesota Is Largely Frozen

·         Energy Scoreboards, Designed for the Home

·         Report Says Key Senators Would Nix ‘Cap & Trade’

·         US Senate May Scrap Cap & Trade in Exchange for Cap & Dividend

·         Global Warming Panel, Under Attack, Seeks Outside Review

·         NY Times Op/Ed - We Can’t Wish Away Climate Change

·         How Do You Convince People of Global Warming in a Snowstorm?

·         Avista Takes a Test Drive into a More Electric Future

·         Running out of Juice: Bay Area Electric Car Dealerships Close

·         Shareholders Slam Apple for Going Green

·         National Hydro Association Congratulates Olympics on Going Green with Hydropower

·         PlanetSolar: The Sun-Powered Super Yacht

·         Carbon Fast: Churches Urging CO2 Reduction during Lent

·         Accused Tumwater Hacker Poised to Plead in Comcast Attack

·         Portland City Council Calls out Feds on FCC Rule That Speeds Up Reviews of Cell Towers

·         US Crafts Plan to Quicken Broadband Speeds

·         Oregon Is Sixth State to OK Frontier, Verizon Deal

·         “What’s Good for the Goose” - Microsoft Says Scrutiny of Google is Appropriate

·         Funeral for Internet Explorer 6 Next Thursday – Send Flowers

·         Ohio - Momentum Building to Grow Region’s Fiber Optic Network

·         Broadband Bandwagon - Topeka Aims to Become Google Internet Test

·         Broadband Bandwagon - Google Comes Calling, But Do We Need It?

·         Associated Press - Drug Gangs Taking over US Public Lands

·         Log Exports Diminish, But Lumber Shows Gain

·         Buffett Says Economy Recovering But at Slow Rate

·         Census Workers Will Deploy to Rural Areas Monday

·         Petition Forgeries Spark Legislative Debate

·         Hanford to Restart Nuclear Waste Shipments to New Mexico

·         Third Congressional District Up for Grabs

·         Oregon State Legislature Stayed Away from Green Issues

·         The Green File: Shelton Resident Exemplified Character During World War II

WORD OF THE DAY

Kapellmeister • \kuh-PELL-mye-ster\ • noun - The director of a choir or orchestra

“You’ve heard the expression ‘In a country of blind men, the one-eyed man is king?’” asked Ferdinand of his diminutive friend. “Well in my case, in a tin-eared choir, the man who can carry a tune is the Kapellmeister!”

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

High Court Hears Ex-Enron CEO Skilling’s Appeal (ABC News)

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9978236

Contractor Wins Lawsuit against Grays Harbor PUD over 2007 Storm-Related Work (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2010/02/27/local_news/doc4b8959ae2b87d440666898.txt

New Franklin PUD Facility Built Green (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/02/27/919180/new-franklin-pud-facility-built.html

Franklin PUD Building Dedication Brings Large Crowd (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=12054167

Northwest Natural Gas Fourth Quarter Profit Dips 5 Percent (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011195923_apusearnsnorthwestnaturalgas.html?syndication=rss

Record Earnings Buoy Northwest Natural - Low wholesale gas prices credited; workers get bonuses (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/feb/27/record-earnings-buoy-nw-natural/

Did ‘Unsafe’ Natural Gas Release Lead Connecticut to Power Plant Explosion? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0225/Did-unsafe-natural-gas-release-lead-to-power-plant-explosion

Washington Post Editorial - A Natural (Gas) Choice

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/27/AR2010022702804.html

Powerful Voice for Oregon Energy Users Is Retiring - Outgoing utility regulator is concerned about cost of renewable energy sources, foresees rising electricity prices (Salem Statesman Journal, OR)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20100227/NEWS/2270324/1001/news

Montana - Coal Mines Eyed near Red Lodge, Bridger (Associated Press)

http://www.examiner.com/a-2497630~Coal_mines_eyed_near_Red_Lodge__Bridger.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines

Nevada - Coal-fired Plant May be out of Steam Before It’s Up (Las Vegas Sun, NV)

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/27/coal-red-plant-may-be-out-steam-its/

Vermont - State Board to Consider Vermont Yankee Shutdown: State regulators will consider shutdown of Vermont Yankee nuclear plant before 2012 (ABC News)

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9955638

As Clock Ticks, Nuclear Plant Searches for Leak (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/us/27nuke.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Nuclear Plant Developers Thinking Small (Nat’l Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124178677&ft=1&f=2

Entergy Corp. Runs into Hurdles with Nuclear Spinoff Plan (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011199014_apusentergynuclearspinoff.html?syndication=rss

West Virginia - Power Bill Could Help Reopen Century Aluminum: residential consumers could be left holding the bag (Charleston Gazette, WV)

http://wvgazette.com/News/Business/201002250686

Ohio Regulators to Restore First Energy ‘All-Electric’ Homeowner Rate Discount (WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH)

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=131458&catid=3

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington & Oregon to Begin Trapping Sea Lions Again (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/mar/01/wash-ore-to-begin-trapping-sea-lions-again/

Man-Made Log Jams Planned to Help Salmon in Skokomish River (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/feb/26/man-made-log-jams-planned-to-help-salmon-in/?partner=RSS

Nisqually Reach Is a New Haven for Salmon - Project restores habitat (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/01/1156073/a-new-haven-for-salmon.html

Shortened Cowlitz Smelt Season Draws to Close amid Possible Endangered Listing (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Shortened-Smelt-Season-Draws-to-Close-am=1&blockID=187376&feedID=410

Last Year’s Huge Fall Chinook Jack Return Brings Predictions of Big Run This Year (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/378074.aspx

Alaska Projects Higher Chinook, Sockeye Harvest over Last Year, Decrease in Pinks (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/378070.aspx

Lawsuit Claims Striped Bass to Blame for California’s Salmon Decline (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/02/27/2569080/lawsuit-striped-bass-to-blame.html

In France, Gendarmes Are on Patrol Against Oyster Rustlers (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/business/global/27oysters.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Formally Backs Water Retention Dams (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Chamber-Formally-Backs-Water-Retention-D=1&blockID=187378&feedID=410

El Niño Might Lead to Summer Drought - Mount Hood snowpack way below normal, say hydrologists (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/feb/27/el-nino-might-lead-to-summer-drought-mount-hood-sn/

Department of Ecology Fines Longview Company for Columbia River Spill (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011208594_apwaecologyfine.html?syndication=rss

Columbian Editorial - Digging for Dollars: Pace of channel-deepening project has accelerated, but jetties need work, too

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/feb/28/digging-for-dollars/

California Water Agencies Loosen Taps; Feinstein Backs Off (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/27/MNEM1C7TJD.DTL&feed=rss.news

Tiny Snails Are a Big Problem for Olympia Lake (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Tiny-snails-BIG-problem-85782787.html

Manure Becomes Pollutant as Its Volume Grows Unmanageable (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/28/AR2010022803978.html?nav=rss_email/components

Rulings Restrict Clean Water Act, Foiling EPA (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/us/01water.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Puget Sound Energy - Wild Horse Wind Farm Gets $28.6M in Stimulus Funds (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2010/02/22/daily38.html

Coeur D’Alene Sewer Plant to Increase Efficiency - Upgrade to tap more methane gas for energy (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/feb/27/plant-to-increase-efficiency/

Eastern Washington Scientists Study Biochar for Energy (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=12059765

Alaska Wood Stove Ballot Measure Group Forms (Fairbanks Daily News Miner, AK)

http://newsminer.com/view/full_story/6490845/article-Wood-stove-ballot-measure-group-forms?instance=home_news_window_left_top_2

Los Angeles Mayor Wants Surcharge to Pay for Green Energy (Associated Press)

http://www.examiner.com/a-2500703~L_A__mayor_wants_surcharge_to_pay_for_green_energy.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

A Stink in Central California over Converting Cow Manure to Electricity (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cow-power1-2010mar01,0,2694999.story

Massachusetts - Tribes Reject Windfall: Cape Wind CEO offers millions to halt opposition (Boston Herald, MA)

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/20100227tribes_reject_wind-fall_cape_wind_ceo_offers_millions_to_halt_opposition/

As the Turbine Blades Turn - Nine of 11 stalled wind turbines from California are spinning in Minnesota now, but questions of efficacy swirl (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, MN)

http://www.startribune.com/local/85786747.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

‘War Is Lost’ in Hydro-Quebec’s Campaign to Sell Renewable Energy to US (Ottawa Citizen, Quebec)

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/lost+Hydro+Quebec+campaign+sell+renewable+energy/2618569/story.html

SF Chronicle Columnist - Green Project Making It Harder to Hate Wal-Mart

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/27/BUAV1C6HTA.DTL&feed=rss.business

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Conserving Electrical Resources (Ruralite Magazine)

http://www.ruralite.org/news/story.php?ID=286

Home Show Crowd Small but Steady in Port Angeles (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100301/NEWS/303019988

Breakthroughs & Cash Incentives for Those That Conserve or Create New Energy (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal)

http://kpbj.com/headlines/environment/2010-02-28/breakthroughs_and_cash_incentives_for_those_that_conserve_or_create

Home Insulation Program in Minnesota Is Largely Frozen - Minnesota spent just 8 percent of stimulus money (Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN)

http://www.twincities.com/ci_14480771?nclick_check=1

Energy Scoreboards, Designed for the Home (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/business/28novel.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Report Says Key Senators Would Nix ‘Cap & Trade’ (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011204477_apusclimatebill.html?syndication=rss

US Senate May Scrap Cap & Trade in Exchange for Cap & Dividend (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/TheEnergyCollective/59841

Global Warming Panel, Under Attack, Seeks Outside Review (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011209375_apussciwarmingpanel.html?syndication=rss

NY Times Op/Ed - We Can’t Wish Away Climate Change

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/opinion/28gore.html

How Do You Convince People of Global Warming in a Snowstorm? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0228/How-do-you-convince-people-of-global-warming-in-a-snowstorm

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Avista Takes a Test Drive into a More Electric Future (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/mar/01/avista-takes-a-test-drive-into-a-more-electric/

Running out of Juice: Bay Area Electric Car Dealerships Close (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14480193

Shareholders Slam Apple for Going Green (Mother Nature Network)

http://www.mnn.com/technology/gadgets-electronics/blogs/shareholders-slam-apple-for-going-green

National Hydro Association Congratulates Olympics on Going Green with Hydropower (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/national-hydropower-association/news/article/2010/02/nha-congratulates-olympics-on-going-green-with-hydropower?cmpid=rss

PlanetSolar: The Sun-Powered Super Yacht (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2010/0226/PlanetSolar-The-sun-powered-super-yacht

Carbon Fast: Churches Urging CO2 Reduction during Lent (Bismarck Tribune, ND)

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/article_8f8c11b0-2364-11df-a894-001cc4c03286.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Accused Tumwater Hacker Poised to Plead in Comcast Attack (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/415953_hacker26.html?source=rss

Portland City Council Calls out Feds on FCC Rule That Speeds Up Reviews of Cell Towers (The Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/02/portland_calls_out_feds_on_rul.html

US Crafts Plan to Quicken Broadband Speeds (Nat’l Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124116002&ft=1&f=3

Oregon Is Sixth State to OK Frontier, Verizon Deal (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011203343_apusfrontierverizonoregon.html?syndication=rss

“What’s Good for the Goose” - Microsoft Says Scrutiny of Google is Appropriate (MarketWatch)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoft/2011203431_microsoft27.html?syndication=rss

Funeral for Internet Explorer 6 Next Thursday – Send Flowers (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/195923.asp?source=pimail

Ohio - Momentum Building to Grow Region’s Fiber Optic Network (Business First of Columbus)

http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/03/01/focus1.html?b=1267419600^2949461

Broadband Bandwagon - Topeka Aims to Become Google Internet Test Site (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011216345_apustopekagoogle.html?syndication=rss

Broadband Bandwagon - Google Comes Calling, But Do We Need It? (The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area)

http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2010/03/01/story1.html?ana=from_rss

GENERAL NEWS

Associated Press - Drug Gangs Taking over US Public Lands (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011221277_apusdrugwarpotfarms1stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

Log Exports Diminish, But Lumber Shows Gain - Better Market Seen for Wood Products (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/feb/28/log-exports-diminish-but-lumber-shows-gain/

Buffett Says Economy Recovering But at Slow Rate (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/03/01/financial/f033153S64.DTL&feed=rss.business

Census Workers Will Deploy to Rural Areas Monday (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/feb/26/census-workers-will-deploy-to-rural-areas-monday/?partner=RSS

Petition Forgeries Spark Legislative Debate (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/feb/27/petition-forgeries-spark-legislative-debate/

Hanford to Restart Nuclear Waste Shipments to New Mexico (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011203587_apwanuclearwaste01091stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

Third Congressional District Up for Grabs - Natural resource issues dominate a diverse district (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/feb/28/3rd-congressional-district-up-for-grabs-natural-re/

Oregon State Legislature Stayed Away from Green Issues (Associated Press)

http://www.kptv.com/yourvote/22698140/detail.html

The Green File: Shelton Resident Exemplified Character During World War II (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/1456-the-green-file-shelton-resident-exemplified-character-during-world-war-ii

DIVERSIONS

Rocks Fascinate, Until Kids Find out They’re Playing with Dinosaur Poop

http://www.bakercityherald.com/Local-News/Rocks-fascinate-until-kids-find-out-theyre-playing-with-dinosaur-poop

Cashmere Toilet Paper Cheaper than Wiping with “Luxury Knitwear” (Consumerist – Note: Comment section may - or most likely - contains PG-13, scatological content)

http://consumerist.com/2010/02/cashmere-toilet-paper-cheaper-than-wiping-with-a-sweater.html

Spokane Wedding Crasher Accused of Looting Gifts

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011196058_apwaweddingcrasher.html?syndication=rss

Simon LeGree File - Woman Loses Home over $68 Dental Bill

http://www.kirotv.com/money/22699900/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Simon & Garfunkel-I Am a Rock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPioSdlIERg