Energy News Digest for April 13, 2011

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

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Bonneville Power Administration Weighs Shut Down of Wind Power as Spring Snowpack Melts (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/04/bonneville_power_administratio_2.html

Chelan PUD Will Give Up Federal Fiber Grant (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/apr/12/chelan-pud-will-give-up-fiber-grant/

Clark County Commissioners, Vancouver City Council Spar on Biomass Plant (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2011/04/clark_county_commissioners_vancouver_city_council_spar_on_biomass_plant.html

Black Bear Trapped on the Dalles Dam is Shot to Death by Fish & Wildlife (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/04/black_bear_trapped_on_the_dalles_dam_amid_food_but_with_a_sealed_fate_euthanization.html

Study: Pot Growers Inhale One Percent of US Electricity, Exhale Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Three Million Cars (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/04/11/11greenwire-study-pot-growers-inhale-1-of-us-electricity-e-62219.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         Bonneville Power Administration Weighs Shut Down of Wind Power as Spring Snowpack Melts

·         Bonneville Power - Wind-Power Producers Fight Possible Shutdown of Turbines

·         Cool Temps, Heating Bills Strain Low-Income Budgets

·         Oversized Oil Load Blamed for Outage in Idaho Towns

·         SnoPUD Commissioner Vaughn May Enter Snohomish County Executive Race

·         Emissions from Shale Gas Worse than Coal

·         More Reasons to Question Whether Gas Is Cleaner Than Coal

·         Dog’s Angry Barking Leads to Dozens of Seattle Light Pole Inspections

·         Study: Pot Growers Inhale One Percent of US Electricity, Exhale Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Three Million Cars

·         News Release - Puget Sound Energy Invites Customers to Test Drive New and Improved PSE.com

·         Black Bear Trapped on the Dalles Dam is Shot to Death by Fish & Wildlife

·         Second Klamath Salmon Species May Get Federal Protection

·         Chum Salmon Released to Oregon's Lower Columbia River

·         Study Confirms Septic Systems as Prime Suspect in Hood Canal Fish Kills

·         California - Helping Hands Move Fish Stranded in Yolo Bypass to Sacramento River

·         Good Summer News: Olympic Snowpack Nearly Double from Normal; Best in State

·         Scientists Checking Changing Puget Sound Chemistry

·         Scientist is Taking Charge at People for Puget Sound

·         Clark County Commissioners, Vancouver City Council Spar on Biomass Plant

·         Editorial - Biomass? Downtown? City councilors should keep the heat on and demand answers from county officials

·         Wind Power Big in the Pacific Northwest

·         News Release - New Study Confirms Unique Features of Montana Wind in Providing Solutions for Pacific Northwest Power Market

·         California Renewable Energy Gets Major Boost in New Law

·         North Dakota – Wind Turbine Failure: Experts Say Rotor and Blades Not Properly Aligned

·         California - Huge Solar Farm Proposed in Eastern Alameda County

·         California - Google Doles Out $168 Million for 'Field of Mirrors' Solar Power Plant

·         Wisconsin – Trash to Energy: Green Bay Biomass Plant Plan Comes Under Fire

·         Why Energy-Efficient Home Improvements Haven't Brought Your Energy Bill Down

·         Oregon Farmers Adopt Energy Efficiency But Could Do More, State Report Says

·         Greenpeace Protests outside Dublin Facebook Office

·         Glass Houses - Facebook Data Center Critic Isn’t Entirely Green Either

·         Three States Consider Leaving Carbon Trade System

·         Electric Car Owners Speak Out Against Bill Proposing Annual Fees for Their Cars

·         United Kingdom - 'Eco-Friendly' Biofuels May Do More Harm than Good

·         High on Environmentalism - Can Hemp Clothing Save the Planet?

·         Chelan PUD Will Give Up Federal Fiber Grant

·         Port Angeles’ Fiber-Optic Network to Cost More

·         Port Angeles Wireless Network Would Become Available to Public – “…The city is hoping to be approved for a $2.6 million grant through Northwest Open Access Network

·         Oregon - Warm Springs Tribes Starting Telecommunications Company

·         Vermont Senate Advances Bill to Ease Broadband

·         Puyallup’s South Hill Data Center Receives LEED Gold Certification

·         Level 3 to Acquire Global Crossing for $2 Billion

·         Cisco to Close Flip Video-Camera Business

·         Proposed State Budget Slashes Teacher Pay by Three Percent

·         Mason County Woman Arrested In Theft of $200,000 in Firearms, Swords, Knives

·         Mason County Doubles Economic Development Council Contribution

·         $14 Million Thurston County Campus Rising Off Tilley Road

WORD OF THE DAY

Weltschmerz - • \VELT-shmerts\ • Noun - 1: mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal state 2: a mood of sentimental sadness

“Honey, the neighbor has fired up his smoker again for the second batch of that yummy smoked salmon,” Helen chirped to her morose husband, Ed. Ed was having a “dark night of the soul.” He loved Grant’s smoked salmon, but its very production plunged him into a bout of weltschmerz that usually lasted several weeks. For one, he was positive that the highly delicious salmon was of an endangered species allowed to be caught and kept for personal consumption. The other point focused on the delicious, aromatic smoke that hung over the neighborhood. “The ‘Omega Fatty Acids’ from the salmon are good for my heart,” murmured Ed from behind his progressive newspaper (printed on hemp-fiber paper), “but I am equally certain that my exposure to the particulates from the smoker would kill me with a single exposure if I went outside right now.”

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

Bonneville Power Administration Weighs Shut Down of Wind Power as Spring Snowpack Melts (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/04/bonneville_power_administratio_2.html

Bonneville Power - Wind-Power Producers Fight Possible Shutdown of Turbines (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014756586_windpower13m.html

Cool Temps, Heating Bills Strain Low-Income Budgets (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/27510676/detail.html

Oversized Oil Load Blamed for Outage in Idaho Towns (Associated Press)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/04/12/1602693/first-imperial-megaload-begins.html

SnoPUD Commissioner Vaughn May Enter Snohomish County Executive Race (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110413/NEWS01/704139799/-1/news01

Emissions from Shale Gas Worse than Coal (Business Insider)

http://www.businessinsider.com/emissions-from-shale-gas-worse-than-coal-2011-4

More Reasons to Question Whether Gas Is Cleaner Than Coal (ProPublica)

http://www.propublica.org/article/more-reasons-to-question-whether-gas-is-cleaner-than-coal

Dog’s Angry Barking Leads to Dozens of Seattle Light Pole Inspections (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/27530637/detail.html

Study: Pot Growers Inhale One Percent of US Electricity, Exhale Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Three Million Cars (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/04/11/11greenwire-study-pot-growers-inhale-1-of-us-electricity-e-62219.html

News Release - Puget Sound Energy Invites Customers to Test Drive New and Improved PSE.com (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=153018

FISH & WILDLIFE

Black Bear Trapped on the Dalles Dam is Shot to Death by Fish & Wildlife (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/04/black_bear_trapped_on_the_dalles_dam_amid_food_but_with_a_sealed_fate_euthanization.html

Second Klamath Salmon Species May Get Federal Protection (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/04/second_klamath_salmon_species_may_get_federal_protection.html

Chum Salmon Released to Oregon's Lower Columbia River (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014748064_apororegonchum.html

Study Confirms Septic Systems as Prime Suspect in Hood Canal Fish Kills (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/apr/12/study-confirms-septic-systems-as-prime-suspect/

California - Helping Hands Move Fish Stranded in Yolo Bypass to Sacramento River (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/04/13/3548746/helping-hands-move-fish-stranded.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Good Summer News: Olympic Snowpack Nearly Double from Normal; Best in State (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110412/NEWS/304129995/good-summer-news-olympic-snowpack-nearly-double-from-normal-best-in

Scientists Checking Changing Puget Sound Chemistry (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014751924_apwapugetsoundchemistry.html

Scientist is Taking Charge at People for Puget Sound (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2011/04/12/puget-sound/20793/Scientist-is-taking-charge-at-People-for-Puget-Sound/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Clark County Commissioners, Vancouver City Council Spar on Biomass Plant (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2011/04/clark_county_commissioners_vancouver_city_council_spar_on_biomass_plant.html

Editorial - Biomass? Downtown? City councilors should keep the heat on and demand answers from county officials (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/apr/13/biomass-downtown/

Wind Power Big in the Pacific Northwest (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/04/13/1615063/wind-power-big-in-northwest.html

News Release - New Study Confirms Unique Features of Montana Wind in Providing Solutions for Pacific Northwest Power Market (Yahoo! Finance)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/New-Study-Confirms-Unique-prnews-1868134179.html?x=0&.v=1

California Renewable Energy Gets Major Boost in New Law (Los Angeles Times, CA - Now, try to build it…)

http://www.kirotv.com/money/27513084/detail.html

North Dakota – Wind Turbine Failure: Experts Say Rotor and Blades Not Properly Aligned (Associated Press)

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/article_ed040076-643d-11e0-86ab-001cc4c03286.html

California - Huge Solar Farm Proposed in Eastern Alameda County (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17828518

California - Google Doles Out $168 Million for 'Field of Mirrors' Solar Power Plant (PC Magazine)

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383411,00.asp

Wisconsin – Trash to Energy: Green Bay Biomass Plant Plan Comes Under Fire (Green Bay Press-Gazette, WI)

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110413/GPG0101/104130753/Biomass-plant-plan-Green-Bay-comes-under-fire?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|GPG-News

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Why Energy-Efficient Home Improvements Haven't Brought Your Energy Bill Down (TIME Magazine)

http://money.blogs.time.com/2011/04/11/why-energy-efficient-home-improvements-havent-brought-your-energy-bill-down/

Oregon Farmers Adopt Energy Efficiency But Could Do More, State Report Says (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/04/oregon_farmers_adopt_energy_ef.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Greenpeace Protests outside Dublin Facebook Office (Silicon Republic)

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/green-tech/item/21350-greenpeace-protests-outside/

Glass Houses - Facebook Data Center Critic Isn’t Entirely Green Either (Bend Bulletin, OR)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100225/BIZ0102/2250377

Three States Consider Leaving Carbon Trade System (Vermont Public Radio)

http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/90566/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Electric Car Owners Speak Out Against Bill Proposing Annual Fees for Their Cars (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/apr/12/electric-car-owners-speak-out-against-bill-fees/

United Kingdom - 'Eco-Friendly' Biofuels May Do More Harm than Good (The Daily Mail, UK)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1376326/Eco-friendly-biofuels-harm-good.html

High on Environmentalism - Can Hemp Clothing Save the Planet? (Slate Magazine)

http://www.slate.com/id/2290476/?from=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Chelan PUD Will Give Up Federal Fiber Grant (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/apr/12/chelan-pud-will-give-up-fiber-grant/

Port Angeles’ Fiber-Optic Network to Cost More (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110413/news/304139995/port-angeles-8217-fiber-optic-network-to-cost-more

Port Angeles Wireless Network Would Become Available to Public – “…The city is hoping to be approved for a $2.6 million grant through Northwest Open Access Network, a nonprofit organization…” (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110413/news/304139996/port-angeles-wireless-network-would-become-available-to-public

Oregon - Warm Springs Tribes Starting Telecommunications Company (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/warm-springs-tribes-starting-telecommunications-company/

Vermont Senate Advances Bill to Ease Broadband (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Vermont-Senate-advances-bill-to-ease-broadband-1333465.php

Puyallup’s South Hill Data Center Receives LEED Gold Certification (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/south-hill-data-center-receives

Level 3 to Acquire Global Crossing for $2 Billion (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/04/level_3_to_acquire_global_cros.html

Cisco to Close Flip Video-Camera Business (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2011-04-12-Cisco-stopping-Flip-cam-production.htm?csp=34money

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Proposed State Budget Slashes Teacher Pay by Three Percent (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Proposed-budget-slashes-Wash-teacher-pay-by-3-percent-119744249.html

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Woman Arrested In Theft of $200,000 in Firearms, Swords, Knives (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Woman-arrested-man-sought-in-Mason-County-burglary-119707419.html

Mason County Doubles Economic Development Council Contribution (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/4517-county-doubles-edc-contribution

$14 Million Thurston County Campus Rising Off Tilley Road - Solar panels, geothermal wells among features (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/04/13/1614503/green-county-campus-rising.html

DIVERSIONS

Press Release on GE Tax Refund a Hoax; AP Withdraws Story

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/04/press_release_on_ge_tax_refund.html

Chocolate Milk Stirs Controversy in Schools

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/chocolate-milk-stirs-controversy-in-schools/2011/04/07/AF6QB6MD_story.html

China Bans Time-Travel Movies

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/04/china_bans_time_travel_movies.html

Music Monday: The Kinks, Reissued

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/04/11/music-monday-the-kinks-reissued/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Kinks- All Day and All of the Night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMWNwHof0kc

Energy News Digest for April 11, 2011

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

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Energy NW: ‘Unusual Event’ Report Unnecessary (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014729537_apwanuclearplantevent.html

Wet March Boosts Power Supply, But Rates Won’t Fall (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014740241_snowpack11m.html

Facebook Unveils Prineville Data Center Design, Pledges to Collaborate on Efficiency (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/04/facebook_post.html

Pendleton, Better Known for Cowboys, Promotes Solar Energy (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/04/pendleton_better_known_for_cowboys_promotes_solar_energy.html

Oregon’s Electric Car Owners Shocked by Proposed Bill That Would Tax Their Cars “…I figured the state would find a way to get the gas taxes that I’m no longer paying…” (Oregonian, Portland – Shocked! Shocked I am that you would want me to pay for the roads on which I will drive my car…)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/04/oregons_electric_car_owners_sh.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         Wet March Boosts Power Supply, But Rates Won’t Fall

·         Interior, Energy Announce $26 Million to Develop Advanced Hydropower Technologies

·         BPA Agreement on Tap - Hermiston Council to Meet Monday

·         The Goldendale Aluminum Plant - The Death of a Way of Life

·         Costs Amount to $408,000 in Oregon Department of Energy Case Looking for Favoritism in $60,000 Contract

·         Major Power Shortages Loom over Japanese Firms

·         Pacific Gas & Electric Fine over Natural Gas Safety Should Be Higher, Opponents Argue

·         3.9 Earthquakes Shake Arkansas, Some Doubt ‘Fracking’ Link

·         Salt River Project Debates Election System - Acreage-Based Voting Divides Utility’s Leaders

·         Utilities Telecom Council Calls New Pole Attachment Rules Unsafe

·         Energy NW: ‘Unusual Event’ Report Unnecessary

·         Vermont Ready to Fight Effort to Keep Nuclear Power Plant Open

·         Association of German Utility Companies Calls for Abolishing Nuclear Power by 2020

·         Op/Ed - Why Nuclear Power is Still a Good Choice

·         Editorial - As Nuclear Waste Piles Up, Obama Must Step Up

·         Feds Issue New Rules to Protect Puget Sound Orcas

·         Federal Judge Blocks Deal between Environmental Groups, Government on Protections for Wolves

·         Indiana Electrical Cooperative Acts to Protect Raptors

·         Studies Uncover Mislabeling of Restaurant Fish

·         The Harmless Invasion of the Pacific Oyster

·         Lack of Dredging Behind Lower Granite Forces Balancing Act for Fish, Navigation, Flood Control

·         Pendleton, Better Known for Cowboys, Promotes Solar Energy

·         Arizona Paid Steep Price to Lure First Solar Plant

·         So, where’s That Big GE Solar Plant Going to Go?

·         Caldwell: Bonneville Renewable Power Plan Creates Buzz in Industry

·         Another Reality Check for Wind Power Investors

·         California - New Plan Removes Worst of Altamont Turbines

·         Editorial – Wind Industry Running “Afowl” of Aviation Groups

·         New Mexico: Deal Reached over Biomass Tax Credits

·         Pacific Northwest Regional Plan for Energy-Efficiency Cluster to Be Unveiled

·         Money Tip: Energy-Efficient Lighting is Financially Efficient

·         Consider Multiple Bids When Insulating Attic Space

·         World Stumbles toward Climate Summit

·         Scientists Mull Tweaking Climate to Save Earth

·         Australia - Revealed: Scandal of Carbon Credit Firm

·         Oregon’s Electric Car Owners Shocked by Proposed Bill That Would Tax Their Cars

·         Op/Ed - Powerful Fuel for Washington’s Economy

·         Charles Lindbergh’s Grandson Eyes Electric Aircraft

·         Facebook Unveils Prineville Data Center Design, Pledges to Collaborate on Efficiency

·         Facebook Prineville: Not Just Data; A Platform

·         Oregon Regulators Say New Customers Should Steer Clear of Frontier Cable TV

·         Review: Best Web Browser? Google’s Chrome Outshines Pack

·         Washington State House Budget That Cuts $4.4B in Spending Advances

·         Washington State Senate Approves Slew of Transportation Bills

·         Closing Tax Loopholes in Olympia Could Backfire

·         McKenna, Inslee Get Early Start on 2012 Gubernatorial Election

·         Marysville Cuts City Meetings to Three a Month - The city’s business just isn’t taking as long anymore

·         $4.50 a Gallon by Memorial Day Some Analysts Say

·         Washington State Senate Oks Bill to Improve Prison Safety

·         Protesters Hauled Out of Washington State Capitol Building

·         The $300 Million Washington State Liquor Plan

·         Cash for High-Speed Rail Hightails It to Washington

WORD OF THE DAY

Hermetic • \herr-MET-tick\ • Adjective - 1: relating to or characterized by occultism or abstruseness: recondite 2a: airtight b: impervious to external influence c: recluse, solitary

Frank the Hermetic

Lived thus not by his choice

Garlic was his vice

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

Wet March Boosts Power Supply, But Rates Won’t Fall (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014740241_snowpack11m.html

Interior, Energy Announce $26 Million to Develop Advanced Hydropower Technologies (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/407306.aspx

BPA Agreement on Tap - Hermiston Council to Meet Monday (Hermiston Herald, OR)

http://www.hermistonherald.com/news/hermiston-council-to-meet-monday/article_a187bd10-61fc-11e0-afcd-001cc4c03286.html

The Goldendale Aluminum Plant - The Death of a Way of Life (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/04/09/the-goldendale-aluminum-plant-the-death-of-a-way-of-life

Costs Amount to $408,000 in Oregon Department of Energy Case Looking for Favoritism in $60,000 Contract (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/04/costs_amount_to_408000_in_oreg.html

Major Power Shortages Loom over Japanese Firms (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/11/135244644/major-power-shortages-loom-over-japanese-firms?ft=1&f=3

Pacific Gas & Electric Fine over Natural Gas Safety Should Be Higher, Opponents Argue (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_17804041

3.9 Earthquakes Shake Arkansas, Some Doubt ‘Fracking’ Link (Associated Press)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/09/arkansas-earthquakes-2011_n_847040.html

Salt River Project Debates Election System - Acreage-Based Voting Divides Utility’s Leaders (Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ)

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2011/04/10/20110410srp-debates-election-system.html

Utilities Telecom Council Calls New Pole Attachment Rules Unsafe (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.policy-and_regulation.2011.04.Utilities_Telecom_Council_calls_new_pole_attachment_rules_unsafe.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

NUCLEAR SCIENCE READING ROOM

Energy NW: ‘Unusual Event’ Report Unnecessary (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014729537_apwanuclearplantevent.html

Vermont Ready to Fight Effort to Keep Nuclear Power Plant Open (Associated Press) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014729238_apusvermontyankee.html

Association of German Utility Companies Calls for Abolishing Nuclear Power by 2020 (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/association_of_german_utility_companies_calls_for_abolishing_nuclear_power_by_2020/2011/04/08/AFfZF82C_story.html

Op/Ed - Why Nuclear Power is Still a Good Choice (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-lynas-nukes-20110410,0,3424093.story

Editorial - As Nuclear Waste Piles Up, Obama Must Step Up (Boston Globe, MA)

http://articles.boston.com/2011-04-10/bostonglobe/29404106_1_nuclear-waste-nuclear-fuel-permanent-storage

FISH & WILDLIFE

Feds Issue New Rules to Protect Puget Sound Orcas (Associated Press)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/27489367/detail.html

Federal Judge Blocks Deal between Environmental Groups, Government on Protections for Wolves (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/federal_judge_blocks_deal_between_environmental_groups_government_on_protections_for_wolves/2011/04/10/AFQVpbCD_story.html

Indiana Electrical Cooperative Acts to Protect Raptors (Associated Press)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-in-raptorprotections,0,5598496.story

Studies Uncover Mislabeling of Restaurant Fish (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/04/10/1620356/studies-uncover-mislabeling-of.html

The Harmless Invasion of the Pacific Oyster (InterPress Service)

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55199

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Lack of Dredging Behind Lower Granite Forces Balancing Act for Fish, Navigation, Flood Control (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/407318.aspx

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Pendleton, Better Known for Cowboys, Promotes Solar Energy (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/04/pendleton_better_known_for_cowboys_promotes_solar_energy.html

Arizona Paid Steep Price to Lure First Solar Plant (Arizona Republic, Phoeniz, AZ)

http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2011/04/09/20110409arizona-first-solar-plant-price.html

So, where’s That Big GE Solar Plant Going to Go? (Midwestern Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/04/08/so-wheres-that-big-ge-solar-plant-going-to-go/

Caldwell: Bonneville Renewable Power Plan Creates Buzz in Industry (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/apr/10/bonneville-power-plan-creates-a-buzz-in-industry/

Another Reality Check for Wind Power Investors (Alt Energy Stocks)

http://www.altenergystocks.com/archives/2011/04/another_reality_check_for_wind_power_investors_1.html

California - New Plan Removes Worst of Altamont Turbines (Livermore Independent, CA)

http://www.independentnews.com/news/article_9fc955ce-618e-11e0-a0ca-001cc4c002e0.html

Editorial – Wind Industry Running “Afowl” of Aviation Groups (Tulsa World, OK)

http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=214&articleid=20110410_214_G1_CUTLIN267381

New Mexico: Deal Reached over Biomass Tax Credits (Associated Press)

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9MFFRL80.htm

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Pacific Northwest Regional Plan for Energy-Efficiency Cluster to Be Unveiled (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/04/08/regional-plan-for-energy-efficiency.html

Money Tip: Energy-Efficient Lighting is Financially Efficient (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014632129_pfmoneytip10.html

Consider Multiple Bids When Insulating Attic Space (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2014714678_homefix09.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

World Stumbles toward Climate Summit (Associated Press)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jPc0Vt0m_RkJWwvDEJG-9uUHM-XQ?docId=0b1ab84f823b4746aaa6054014efeb34

Scientists Mull Tweaking Climate to Save Earth (Associated Press)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110410/GREEN/104100332/Scientists-mull-tweaking-climate-save-Earth

Australia - Revealed: Scandal of Carbon Credit Firm (Sydney Morning Herald, AU)

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/revealed-scandal-of-carbon-credit-firm-20110407-1d6a4.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Oregon’s Electric Car Owners Shocked by Proposed Bill That Would Tax Their Cars “…I figured the state would find a way to get the gas taxes that I’m no longer paying…” (Oregonian, Portland – Shocked! Shocked I am that you would want me to pay for the roads on which I will drive my car…)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/04/oregons_electric_car_owners_sh.html

Op/Ed - Powerful Fuel for Washington’s Economy (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110409/OPINION03/704099981

Charles Lindbergh’s Grandson Eyes Electric Aircraft (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/04/11/1612470/lindberghs-grandson-eyes-electric.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Facebook Unveils Prineville Data Center Design, Pledges to Collaborate on Efficiency (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/04/facebook_post.html

Facebook Prineville: Not Just Data; A Platform - Social-Network Giant Announces ‘Open Compute Project’ (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

http://www.ktvz.com/news/27467358/detail.html

Oregon Regulators Say New Customers Should Steer Clear of Frontier Cable TV (Oregonian, Portland)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/siliconforest/2011/04/regulators_say_new_customers_s.html

Review: Best Web Browser? Google’s Chrome Outshines Pack (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2011-04-09-web-browsers.htm?csp=34tech

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State House Budget That Cuts $4.4B in Spending Advances (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/04/10/1620303/news-brief-10wabudgets.html

Washington State Senate Approves Slew of Transportation Bills (Associated Press)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/27489961/detail.html

Closing Tax Loopholes in Olympia Could Backfire (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2011/04/11/econ-finance/20795/Closing-tax-loopholes-in-Olympia-could-backfire/

McKenna, Inslee Get Early Start on 2012 Gubernatorial Election (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/04/08/mckenna-inslee-get-early-start-on-2012-gubernatorial-election

Marysville Cuts City Meetings to Three a Month - The city’s business just isn’t taking as long anymore (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110411/news01/704119954/-1/rss02

GENERAL NEWS

$4.50 a Gallon by Memorial Day Some Analysts Say (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/450-a-gallon-by-Memorial-Day-119583664.html

Washington State Senate Oks Bill to Improve Prison Safety (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/119541099.html

Protesters Hauled Out of Washington State Capitol Building (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/27494639/detail.html

The $300 Million Washington State Liquor Plan (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/04/11/1621383/the-300m-liquor-plan.html

Cash for High-Speed Rail Hightails It to Washington (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/20231/Cash-for-high-speed-rail-hightails-it-to-Washington/

DIVERSIONS

Too Perfect on Picture Day? Some parents choose photo retouching of school portraits

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2014710014_webportraits11.html

How The Wild Hamster Was Tamed

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/10/135268583/how-the-wild-hamster-was-tamed?ft=1&f

Too Far? Nerds Getting Cosmetic Surgery for Elf Ears

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/04/08/too-far-nerds-getting-cosmetic-surgery-for-elf-ears-abc/

SONG OF THE DAY

Lothlorien - Lord of the Rings Musical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbF88CUeyYQ