Energy News Digest for October 20, 2010

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

October 20 - Special Weather Statement for This Weekend from National Weather Service (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=788

Fight over Rural Water Use Faces Critical Decision (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/10/19/fight-over-rural-water-use-faces-critical-decision

Judge Dismisses Challenge of Jefferson County PUD’s Ability to Tax Port Townsend (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20101020/NEWS/310209979/judge-dismisses-challenge-of-jefferson-county-puds-ability-to-tax

Work in Progress on Mason PUD 3 Johns Prairie Projects (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/3576-work-in-progress-on-pud-3-projects

Spain’s Solar Deals on Edge of Bankruptcy as Subsidies Founder (Bloomberg News – Thanks to Kevin O’Meara for the tip)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-18/spanish-solar-projects-on-brink-of-bankruptcy-as-subsidy-policies-founder.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         Judge Dismisses Challenge of Jefferson County PUD’s Ability to Tax Port Townsend

·         Judge upholds Potential Jefferson County PUD taxes in Port Townsend

·         Puget Sound Energy May Raise Natural Gas Rates, Despite Drop in Prices

·         Work in Progress on Mason PUD 3 Johns Prairie Projects

·         Chelan PUD Agrees to Settle Tax Lawsuit with Washington State

·         US Department of Energy Wants to Remove Hanford Reactor

·         Pacific Gas & Electric Hammered over Safety Issues

·         Wave of Closures Set to Hit US Coal Stations

·         US Chamber of Commerce – “Worry About Energy Regulations, Kids”

·         Smart Grid Demystified?

·         Two in Mason County - South Sound Salmon Projects Get Money

·         Elwha Restoration Project - Lowering of Lake Mills Starts Today

·         New Channel Off Wenatchee River is Designed for Fish

·         Fight over Rural Water Use Faces Critical Decision

·         Olympia Area Sewer Bills to Go Up by $1.50 Again - Hookup fee will also increase

·         Water Utility to Save $200K per Year by Turning Human Waste to Energy

·         Pumpkins Flourish on Compost from Coeur d’Alene Sewage Facility

·         Spain’s Solar Deals on Edge of Bankruptcy as Subsidies Founder

·         Canada Cashing in on Hydropower Potential

·         Price Tag for Wind Transmission; $20 Billion & Up

·         New Jersey - Offshore Wind & Solar Power Could Cost NJ $5 Billion in Subsidies over Next 20 Years

·         Australia - Biomass Not Sexy, But More Viable Than Wind Farms: Bioenergy Expert

·         Last Call for “Cash for Appliances” Program

·         Weatherization Went Awry, Audit Shows

·         Utah - Groups Push to Make Homes More Energy Efficient

·         The Right Ways to Save Energy During Cooler Weather from Reliant’s Energy Expert

·         Biomass Burning in the Home - Oregon Holds Meetings to Discuss New Wood Stove Rule

·         Editorial - The Cold War in Clean Energy

·         Advertising Watchdog Group Takes Issue with Ziploc Ad

·         Are Workers in Green Jobs Happier? Study Offers Clues

·         Intel to Spend Up to $8 Billion to Retool Factories

·         Starbucks Launching Wi-Fi Network

·         State of the Internet: Mobile Web’s Explosive Growth

·         Will Video on iPad, Other Tablets Crush Mobile Networks?

·         Report: Consumers’ Need for Speed Will Leave DSL in the Dust

·         Washington State Legislature - 35th District Races Could Determine Balance of Power in Olympia

·         Washington State Senator Berkey May Sue to Keep Her Seat

·         October 20 - Special Weather Statement for This Weekend from National Weather Service

·         Missing Shelton Teen Found Dead

·         Unemployment Rate in Mason County Down in September

·         Students Walking to School after Snohomish County Cuts Bus Service

·         Chilly Winter Means Bitter Harvest for Cranberry Growers

·         Feds Consider Limiting Potatoes Offered to Kids

WORD OF THE DAY

Diurnal • \di-UR-null\ • adjective - 1a: recurring every day b: having a daily cycle 2a: of, relating to, or occurring in the daytime b: active chiefly in the daytime c: opening during the day and closing at night

“Dagnabit,” cursed Homer. “I shoulda got myself a diurnal pet. It woulda been a lot more fun to play with,” he fumed while watching his pet bat sleep in the darkened closet. Homer took another bite of his baloney sandwich as he mused during his lunch hour about his next pet purchase.

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

Judge Dismisses Challenge of Jefferson County PUD’s Ability to Tax Port Townsend (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20101020/NEWS/310209979/judge-dismisses-challenge-of-jefferson-county-puds-ability-to-tax

Judge upholds Potential Jefferson County PUD taxes in Port Townsend (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=27944

Puget Sound Energy May Raise Natural Gas Rates, Despite Drop in Prices (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/25446901/detail.html

Work in Progress on Mason PUD 3 Johns Prairie Projects (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/3576-work-in-progress-on-pud-3-projects

Chelan PUD Agrees to Settle Tax Lawsuit with Washington State (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/oct/19/chelan-pud-agrees-to-settle-lawsuit-with-state/

US Department of Energy Wants to Remove Hanford Reactor (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013203994_apwahanfordreactorremoval2ndldwritethru.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Hammered over Safety Issues (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_16380549

Wave of Closures Set to Hit US Coal Stations (Financial Times of London, UK)

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/61af665a-dae0-11df-a5bb-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=5aedc804-2f7b-11da-8b51-00000e2511c8,print=yes.html

US Chamber of Commerce – “Worry About Energy Regulations, Kids” - wants students to consider what would happen if regulations shut down the coal industry or another domestic energy source (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43844.html

Smart Grid Demystified? (Lexington Herald Leader, KY)

http://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/20/1487459/smart-grid-demystified.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Two in Mason County - South Sound Salmon Projects Get Money (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/10/19/1409265/south-sound-salmon-projects-get.html

Elwha Restoration Project - Lowering of Lake Mills Starts Today (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20101020/news/310209973/lowering-of-lake-mills-starts-today

New Channel Off Wenatchee River is Designed for Fish (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/oct/20/new-channel-off-wenatchee-river-is-designed-for/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Fight over Rural Water Use Faces Critical Decision (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/10/19/fight-over-rural-water-use-faces-critical-decision

Olympia Area Sewer Bills to Go Up by $1.50 Again - Hookup fee will also increase (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/10/20/1409705/lott-bills-to-go-up-by-150-again.html

Water Utility to Save $200K per Year by Turning Human Waste to Energy (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS45631041420101020

Pumpkins Flourish on Compost from Coeur d’Alene Sewage Facility (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/oct/20/plant-innovation/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Spain’s Solar Deals on Edge of Bankruptcy as Subsidies Founder (Bloomberg News – Thanks to Kevin O’Meara for the tip)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-18/spanish-solar-projects-on-brink-of-bankruptcy-as-subsidy-policies-founder.html

Canada Cashing in on Hydropower Potential (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2010/10/canada-cashing-in-on-hydropower-potential

Price Tag for Wind Transmission; $20 Billion & Up (Des Moines Register, IA)

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/10/18/price-tag-for-wind-transmission-20-billion-and-up/

New Jersey - Offshore Wind & Solar Power Could Cost NJ $5 Billion in Subsidies over Next 20 Years (New Jersey Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/10/1019/2302/

Australia - Biomass Not Sexy, But More Viable Than Wind Farms: Bioenergy Expert (ABC Ballarat)

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/10/20/3043264.htm

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Last Call for “Cash for Appliances” Program (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2074

Weatherization Went Awry, Audit Shows (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/weatherization-went-awry-audit-shows/

Utah - Groups Push to Make Homes More Energy Efficient (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700074880/Groups-push-to-make-homes-more-energy-efficient.html

The Right Ways to Save Energy During Cooler Weather from Reliant’s Energy Expert (Market Watch)

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/myth-busters-the-right-ways-to-save-energy-during-cooler-weather-from-reliants-energy-expert-2010-10-20-103300?reflink=MW_news_stmp

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Biomass Burning in the Home - Oregon Holds Meetings to Discuss New Wood Stove Rule (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/16122-deq-holds-meetings-discuss-new-wood-stove-rule/

Editorial - The Cold War in Clean Energy (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2010/1019/The-cold-war-in-clean-energy

Advertising Watchdog Group Takes Issue with Ziploc Ad – Claims Sandwich Bags Are “Made with Wind Energy” (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, WI)

http://www.jsonline.com/business/105314918.html

Are Workers in Green Jobs Happier? Study Offers Clues (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/10/happy-workforce-green-notre-dame/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Intel to Spend Up to $8 Billion to Retool Factories (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101020/BIZ/710209799/-1/RSS03

Starbucks Launching Wi-Fi Network (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101020/BIZ/710209916/-1/rss03

State of the Internet: Mobile Web’s Explosive Growth (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2010/10/19/state-of-the-internet-mobile-web%E2%80%99s-explosive-growth/

Will Video on iPad, Other Tablets Crush Mobile Networks? (GigaOM)

http://newteevee.com/2010/10/19/will-video-on-ipad-other-tablets-crush-mobile-networks/

Report: Consumers’ Need for Speed Will Leave DSL in the Dust (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2010/10/report-consumers-need-for-speed-will-leave-dsl-in-the-dust/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Legislature - 35th District Races Could Determine Balance of Power in Olympia (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/oct/19/35th-district-races-could-determine-balance-of/

Washington State Senator Berkey May Sue to Keep Her Seat (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101020/NEWS01/710209823/-1/rss02

GENERAL NEWS

October 20 - Special Weather Statement for This Weekend from National Weather Service (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=788

Missing Shelton Teen Found Dead (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/3583-missing-shelton-teen-found-dead

Unemployment Rate in Mason County Down in September (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/3581-unemployment-rate-in-mason-county-down-in-september

Students Walking to School after Snohomish County Cuts Bus Service (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Budget-Cuts-force-students-to-walk-to-school-105338163.html

Chilly Winter Means Bitter Harvest for Cranberry Growers (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_b477aaee-dbeb-11df-820e-001cc4c03286.html

Feds Consider Limiting Potatoes Offered to Kids (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/105356863.html

DIVERSIONS

Nevada Feline Named Longest Domestic Cat

http://www.kirotv.com/family/25447553/detail.html

Restaurant’s Giant Promotional Rooster at Odds with Law

http://www.kirotv.com/news/25440958/detail.html

2012 Mayan Apocalypse Calculation Might be Off

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2010/1019/2012-Mayan-apocalypse-calculation-might-be-off

Tom Bosley of “Happy Days” Dies at 83

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69I4OZ20101019

SONG OF THE DAY

Happy Days Theme Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjJZudJ3xos

Energy News Digest for October 19, 2010

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Nebraska - Explosion Rocks MidAmerican Energy Plant (Sioux City Journal, SD)

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_47b9f4e6-21e3-57e5-ae68-08ed86fcd508.html

Lake Mead Hits Record Low Level (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/lake-mead-hits-record-low-level/

Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners Approve New Residential Rate Structure (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2072

Lewis Count PUD Rates Hold Steady, Residential Loan Program Revived (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Lewis-Count-PUD-rates-hold-steady-reside=1&blockID=334303&feedID=410

Study Up During Winter Weather Awareness Week (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=378771

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Nebraska - Explosion Rocks MidAmerican Energy Plant
• Natural Gas Disaster - San Bruno Blast Victims Get Buyout Offer from Pacific Gas & Electric
• Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners Approve New Residential Rate Structure
• Lewis Count PUD Rates Hold Steady, Residential Loan Program Revived
• October 21 – Mason County PUD No. 3 Has Planned Power Outage for Harstine Island Area
• Small Hydro Holds Promise for Oregon
• California - $33 Million in Energy Stimulus Funds Put in Jeopardy
• Former EPA Chief Whitman Wants Place for Nuclear
• Renewed Tennessee Valley Authority Projects Could Spark Business for Areva, B&W
• Pennsylvania - Energy Companies Getting Ready to Go After Peco Customers
• Ohio - Hot Weather Helps American Electric Power Company's 3Q Profit Rise 25 Percent
• British Telecom BT Takes Copper Theft Fight to Next Level
• Editorial - A Kink in Bonneville Power Administration's Willamette River Plan
• Five Great Lakes States Make Final Pitch to Close Locks To Carp
• Lake Mead Hits Record Low Level
• Sewage Problem in Seattle Neighborhood Polluting Lake Washington
• (Rate) Increase(s) Part of Shelton's Water Rate Restructuring
• Duwamish River Cleanup Could Cost More Than $1 Billion
• More Join in Court Fight over Port Angeles Fluoride
• Olympia’s Capitol Lake Snail Seclusion Successful
• (Bio)Mass Confusion - High costs & environmental concerns have pushed biomass power to the sidelines in the US
• Wind Turbine Manufacturer Vestas Using Potentially Harmful Chemicals
• Wind Turbines Should be Painted Purple to Deter Bats, Scientists Claim
• Mega-Loads: Wind Turbine Superloads Are Spectacular
• Editorial - As Renewable Energy Kicks In: Get Ready to Pay More for Power. A Lot More
• Fluor Sees United Kingdom Wind Project Delays Hitting Third Quarter Results
• Energy-Efficient Homes, Courtesy of Federal Tax Credit
• California - If Proposition 23 Passes, Will Other Greenhouse-Gas Laws Fall?
• Ozone Shrinkage Shows Beauty in Co-Operation
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Releases Air Quality Plan
• In Kansas, Climate Skeptics Embrace Cleaner Energy
• Another Downside to Biomass - Out-Of-State Firewood Could Carry Invasive Species
• Your Barbecue Could Kill You This Winter
• Dassie (Rock Hyrax) Dung the Key to Climate Shift
• Chelan County PUD Posts Fiber Optic Locations
• Internet Users to Exceed 2 Billion This Year
• Microsoft Puts Office in the Cloud, Calling It Office 365
• Verizon Scraps $3.50 Fee to Simply Pay FiOS Bill
• E-Mail’s Alive & Well Despite Reports to Contrary
• Etiquette Schools Thriving in Emoticon Era
• Congressional Races - Heck-Herrera Race Takes Spending Title
• Study Up During Winter Weather Awareness Week
• Goat That Gored Hiker in Olympic Mountains Known as Aggressive
• Judge Upholds $12.7 Million Award For Injured Seattle Firefighter
• Former Washington State Fish & Wildlife Worker Fined
• Thieving Home Depot Employee Sentenced
• Boeing Raises Health-Plan Costs for Most Nonunion Workers – Except in SC
• Tacoma Pot Providers Vow to Fight City Shutdown
• Tacoma’s Secret Tunnels: Fact or Fiction?

WORD OF THE DAY

Paramour • \PAH-ruh-moor\ • noun - Secret lover; or, simply a lover

The king’s paramour idly spun her gaily-colored parasol between her hands. Sitting on a cold stone bench outside the palace, shadowed from all onlookers by towering hedges of dark green yew, Wallis Simpson pondered what affect her love with the British regent would have on the future of the monarchy and the English Empire.

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

Nebraska - Explosion Rocks MidAmerican Energy Plant (Sioux City Journal, SD)

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_47b9f4e6-21e3-57e5-ae68-08ed86fcd508.html

Natural Gas Disaster - San Bruno Blast Victims Get Buyout Offer from Pacific Gas & Electric (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/19/MNFI1FUAM2.DTL

Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners Approve New Residential Rate Structure (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2072

Lewis Count PUD Rates Hold Steady, Residential Loan Program Revived (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Lewis-Count-PUD-rates-hold-steady-reside=1&blockID=334303&feedID=410

October 21 – Mason County PUD No. 3 Has Planned Power Outage for Harstine Island Area (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=786

Small Hydro Holds Promise for Oregon (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2010/10/small_hydro_hold_promise_for_oregon.html

California - $33 Million in Energy Stimulus Funds Put in Jeopardy (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/19/BU9S1FUFR6.DTL

Former EPA Chief Whitman Wants Place for Nuclear (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013200251_apuswhitmannuclearenergy.html

Renewed Tennessee Valley Authority Projects Could Spark Business for Areva, B&W (Poten & Partners)

http://www.poten.com/NewsDetails.aspx?id=10713603

Pennsylvania - Energy Companies Getting Ready to Go After Peco Customers (Philadelphia Inquirer, PA)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20101018_Energy_companies_getting_ready_to_go_after_Peco_customers.html

Ohio - Hot Weather Helps American Electric Power Company's 3Q Profit Rise 25 Percent (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/10/19/1408611/hot-weather-helps-aeps-3q-profit.html

British Telecom BT Takes Copper Theft Fight to Next Level - DNA-laced smartwater traps make copper theft harder (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/BT-Takes-Copper-Theft-Fight-To-Next-Level-110913

FISH & WILDLIFE

Editorial - A Kink in Bonneville Power Administration's Willamette River Plan (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/10/a_kink_in_bpas_willamette_rive.html

Five Great Lakes States Make Final Pitch to Close Locks To Carp (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013192586_apusasiancarpgreatlakes.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Lake Mead Hits Record Low Level (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/lake-mead-hits-record-low-level/

Sewage Problem in Seattle Neighborhood Polluting Lake Washington (KING TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/New-holly-sewage-polluting-lake-washington-105227888.html

(Rate) Increase(s) Part of Shelton's Water Rate Restructuring (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/3568-increase-part-of-sheltons-water-rate-restructuring-

Duwamish River Cleanup Could Cost More Than $1 Billion (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=379621

More Join in Court Fight over Port Angeles Fluoride (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/6262

Olympia’s Capitol Lake Snail Seclusion Successful - Efforts to halt invasive mud snail's spread from Capitol Lake to other areas seems to be working (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/10/19/1408405/snail-seclusion-successful.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

(Bio)Mass Confusion - High costs & environmental concerns have pushed biomass power to the sidelines in the US (Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704116004575521713188253290.html

Wind Turbine Manufacturer Vestas Using Potentially Harmful Chemicals - Records show Windsor plant has been cited for violations (The Coloradan, Fort Collins, CO)

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20101017/NEWS01/10170341/Vestas-using-potentially-harmful-chemicals

Wind Turbines Should be Painted Purple to Deter Bats, Scientists Claim (The Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8066012/Wind-turbines-should-be-painted-purple-to-deter-bats-scientists-claim.html

Mega-Loads: Wind Turbine Superloads Are Spectacular (Truck News)

http://www.trucknews.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000389160

Editorial - As Renewable Energy Kicks In: Get Ready to Pay More for Power. A Lot More (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/ready+more+power+more/3682418/story.html

Fluor Sees United Kingdom Wind Project Delays Hitting Third Quarter Results (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013192950_apusfluoroutlook.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy-Efficient Homes, Courtesy of Federal Tax Credit - An expiring tax credit is pushing homeowners to boost energy efficiency (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2010/1018/Energy-efficient-homes-courtesy-of-federal-tax-credit

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California - If Proposition 23 Passes, Will Other Greenhouse-Gas Laws Fall? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Election-2010/2010/1019/If-Proposition-23-passes-will-other-greenhouse-gas-laws-fall

Ozone Shrinkage Shows Beauty in Co-Operation (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia)

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/ozone-shrinkage-shows-beauty-in-cooperation-20101018-16qby.html

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Releases Air Quality Plan (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/16010-oregon-deq-releases-air-quality-plan/

In Kansas, Climate Skeptics Embrace Cleaner Energy (NY T Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/science/earth/19fossil.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Another Downside to Biomass - Out-Of-State Firewood Could Carry Invasive Species (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/16009-out-state-firewood-could-carry-invasive-species/

Your Barbecue Could Kill You This Winter (KING TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/This-winter-biggest-hazard-could-be-indoors-105209144.html

Dassie (Rock Hyrax) Dung the Key to Climate Shift (Weekend Post, South Africa)

http://www.weekendpost.co.za/article.aspx?id=616807

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Chelan County PUD Posts Fiber Optic Locations (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/oct/19/pud-posts-fiber-optic-locations/

Internet Users to Exceed 2 Billion This Year (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69I24720101019

Microsoft Puts Office in the Cloud, Calling It Office 365 (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoftpri0/2013200147_microsoftputsofficeinthecloudcalledoffice365.html

Verizon Scraps $3.50 Fee to Simply Pay FiOS Bill (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Verizon-Scraps-350-Fee-To-Simply-Pay-FiOS-Bill-110957

E-Mail’s Alive & Well Despite Reports to Contrary (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013182513_btemaillives18.html

Etiquette Schools Thriving in Emoticon Era (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/17/BU3P1FSUAH.DTL

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Congressional Races - Heck-Herrera Race Takes Spending Title: Contributions pass record $5 million in 3rd Dist. Campaign (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/oct/19/heck-herrera-race-sets-spending-title/

GENERAL NEWS

Study Up During Winter Weather Awareness Week (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=378771

Goat That Gored Hiker in Olympic Mountains Known as Aggressive (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013193269_apwakillergoat.html

Judge Upholds $12.7 Million Award For Injured Seattle Firefighter - Video touted by city didn't show extent of his injuries, judge says (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013195375_firefighter19m.html

Former Washington State Fish & Wildlife Worker Fined (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/10/18/1408242/former-wash-fish-and-wildlife.html

Thieving Home Depot Employee Sentenced (Seattle Post Intelligencer) http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/archives/225273.asp

Boeing Raises Health-Plan Costs for Most Nonunion Workers - changes won't affect nonunion employees in Charleston, SSC (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013196020_boeinghealth19.html

Tacoma Pot Providers Vow to Fight City Shutdown - City orders 8 dispensaries to close; dispute is over wording in state law (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/10/19/1408408/tacoma-pot-providers-vow-to-fight.html

Tacoma’s Secret Tunnels: Fact or Fiction? (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=379088

DIVERSIONS

Professors: Send Colonists to Mars with No Return Ticket (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/archives/225279.asp

Seattle Best City to Trick-Or-Treat; Portland Ranked Third

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2010/10/seattle_best_city_to_trick-or-treat_portland_ranked_third.html

Halloween Display on Tieton Upsetting Neighbors

http://www.kapptv.com/article/2010/oct/18/halloween-display-tieton-upsetting-neighbors/

Woman caught throwing cat into trash pleads guilty

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2013197624_apeubritaincatwoman.html

SONG OF THE DAY

David Bowie - Life on Mars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C0RmRGTePw

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - Life on Mars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW0ACEOEq6w