Energy News Digest for August 9, 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

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Jefferson County PUD Seeks Federal Loan of Millions to Buy Puget Sound Energy’s Electrical System (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110809/news/308099992/jefferson-pud-seeks-federal-loan-of-millions-to-buy-pse-8217-s

Thieves Hit Bonneville Power Administration Substation in Tacoma for the Third Time - Reward Offered (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/1157503/

US Senator Cantwell: Judge Has Spoken On Columbia River Salmon (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/08/08/feds-judge-has-spoken-on-columbia-r-salmon-cantwell/

City of Tacoma Insists Finances OK, After Erroneous S & P Report (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=527672

Oregon - Washington County Fires Contractor after Residents Complain of Errant Roadside Spraying (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/north-of-26/index.ssf/2011/08/washington_county_fires_contractor_after_residents_complain_of_errant_roadside_spraying.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Jefferson County PUD Seeks Federal Loan of Millions to Buy Puget Sound Energy’s Electrical System
• Thieves Hit Bonneville Power Administration Substation in Tacoma for the Third Time
• Oil Companies Seek to Move Megaloads in Washington State
• Texas Working to Avoid Blackouts from Summer Heat
• New Jersey - Police Say Residents Stole Power from Church
• Japan Utility Records Massive Loss from Disaster
• Obama Administration Calls for Improved Fuel Standards for Big Vehicles
• New Transmission Rule Could Force Consumers to Pay More
• New York - Niagara “Hard Hats” to mark 50th Anniversary of Hydro Project
• US Senator Cantwell: Judge Has Spoken On Columbia River Salmon
• World's Largest Dam Removal Project on the Elwha River
• Vancouver Island Natives Sue Canada over Fish
• California - Marine Mammal Center Releases Its 10,000th Rescued Sea Lion
• Land Purchase to Benefit Skokomish River Restoration
• Oregon - Washington County Fires Contractor after Residents Complain of Errant Roadside Spraying
• Bats & Birds Face Serious Threats from Growth of Wind Energy
• Wind Turbines in the High Desert
• Solar Companies Learn to Play Nice with Environmentalists
• After Aiming Too High, Spain Renews Solar Push
• Canada - BC Hydro Announces Four New Bioenergy Projects
• Michigan - Biomass Power Station to Get Tons of Debris from Storm
• Landfill Gas Will Power Nation's First 'Green Marine Corps' Base
• Will Oceans' Tides Supply Endless Electricity?
• Wallula Carbon Sequestration Project Experiments with Basalt
• 2011 Rankings: Oregon, Iowa, Arizona are Alternative Energy Leaders
• Ikea stores to run on 80% renewable energy by 2015
• How Green are the Devices that Stream Netflix & Hulu?
• French Duck Fat Puts Gourmet Spin on Biodiesel
• Microsoft Says Hotmail Spam Down 90% Since All-Time High
• Facebook’s Prineville Data Center - Social Desert
• How the Cool Night Air of the Desert Led Facebook to Prineville, Oregon
• Governor Gregoire Warns Washington State Agencies of Deeper Cuts
• North Olympic Peninsula Washington State Lawmakers Split Over Voluntary Pay Cuts
• California Governor Signs Bill Giving Electoral Votes to Winner of Popular Presidential Vote
• Smile - Benton County Adds Web Cams for Election Transparency
• City of Shelton to Seek Sales Tax Increase for Police
• Some City of Tacoma Bonds Downgraded
• City of Tacoma Insists Finances OK, After Erroneous S & P Report
• Northwest Companies Drop Along With Rest of Stock Market
• S&P’s Real Victims: Cash-Strapped Cities?
• Structure Fire in Lilliwaup- UPDATE
• Puget Sound Area Controlled Burns Will Continue for a While
• New Radar Will Boost Tracking Of Storms Nearing Washington's Coast
• Shelton Girl Wins Statewide Essay Contest on Death with Dignity Law
• FBI: DNA Test Did Not Match DB Cooper Suspect

WORD OF THE DAY

Diluvial • \du-LOO-vee-ull\ • Adjective - Of, relating to, or brought about by a flood

“Yippee!” squealed Noah as his ark shot down the opposite side of a 30 foot swell. “Well,” sighed his wife Emzara, “I’m just happy Noah hasn’t let this diluvial setback affect his sense of humor.”

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

Jefferson County PUD Seeks Federal Loan of Millions to Buy Puget Sound Energy’s Electrical System (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110809/news/308099992/jefferson-pud-seeks-federal-loan-of-millions-to-buy-pse-8217-s

Thieves Hit Bonneville Power Administration Substation in Tacoma for the Third Time - Reward Offered (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/1157503/

Oil Companies Seek to Move Megaloads in Washington State (Associated Press)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/aug/08/oil-companies-seek-to-move-megaloads-in-wash/

Texas Working to Avoid Blackouts from Summer Heat (Associated Press)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7689091.html

New Jersey - Police Say Residents Stole Power from Church (Vineland Daily Journal, NJ)

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20110809/NEWS01/108090311

Japan Utility Records Massive Loss from Disaster (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015857257_apasjapanearnstepco.html

Obama Administration Calls for Improved Fuel Standards for Big Vehicles (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/08/obama_administration_calls_for.html

New Transmission Rule Could Force Consumers to Pay More (Energy Central-PR Newswire)

http://www.energycentral.com/news/en/21028859/New-Transmission-Rule-Could-Force-Consumers-to-Pay-More

New York - Niagara “Hard Hats” to mark 50^th Anniversary of Hydro Project (Buffalo Business First, NY)

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2011/08/08/niagara-hard-hats-to-mark-50th.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

US Senator Cantwell: Judge Has Spoken On Columbia River Salmon (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/08/08/feds-judge-has-spoken-on-columbia-r-salmon-cantwell/

World's Largest Dam Removal Project on the Elwha River (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/In-The-Mouth-Of-The-Elwha-127278693.html

Vancouver Island Natives Sue Canada over Fish (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/08/09/38834.htm

California - Marine Mammal Center Releases Its 10,000th Rescued Sea Lion (Associated Press)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/08/sea-lion-release-marine-mammal-center_n_921706.html#s325244

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Land Purchase to Benefit Skokomish River Restoration (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/aug/08/land-purchase-to-benefit-skokomish-restoration/

Oregon - Washington County Fires Contractor after Residents Complain of Errant Roadside Spraying (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/north-of-26/index.ssf/2011/08/washington_county_fires_contractor_after_residents_complain_of_errant_roadside_spraying.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Bats & Birds Face Serious Threats from Growth of Wind Energy (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/08/08/08climatewire-bats-and-birds-face-serious-threats-from-gro-10511.html?pagewanted=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Wind Turbines in the High Desert (The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, CA)

http://greenenergy.mydesert.com/2011/08/08/wind-turbines-in-the-high-desert/

Solar Companies Learn to Play Nice with Environmentalists (GigaOm)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/solar-companies-learn-to-play-nice-with-environmentalists/

After Aiming Too High, Spain Renews Solar Push (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/09/139225022/after-aiming-too-high-spain-renews-solar-push?ft=1&f=3

Canada - BC Hydro Announces Four New Bioenergy Projects (iStock Analyst)

http://www.istockanalyst.com/business/news/5345489/bc-hydro-announces-four-new-bioenergy-projects

Michigan - Biomass Power Station to Get Tons of Debris from Storm (Associated Press)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-stormdebris-power,0,5485753.story

Landfill Gas Will Power Nation's First 'Green Marine Corps' Base (Talking Points Memo)

http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/landfill-gas-will-power-nations-first-green-marine-corps-base.php

Will Oceans' Tides Supply Endless Electricity? (Miami Herald, FL)
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/09/v-fullstory/2351359/will-oceans-tides-supply-endless.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Wallula Carbon Sequestration Project Experiments with Basalt (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=9229

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

2011 Rankings: Oregon, Iowa, Arizona are Alternative Energy Leaders (Business Facilities)

http://www.businessfacilities.com/news/2011-rankings-oregon-iowa-arizona-are-alt-energy-leaders.php

Ikea stores to run on 80% renewable energy by 2015 (Geek.com)

http://www.geek.com/articles/news/ikea-stores-to-run-on-80-renewable-energy-by-2015-2011089/

How Green are the Devices that Stream Netflix & Hulu?

http://gigaom.com/video/energy-consumption-of-connected-devices/

French Duck Fat Puts Gourmet Spin on Biodiesel (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/french-duck-fat-puts-gourmet-spin-biodiesel-164635689.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Microsoft Says Hotmail Spam Down 90% Since All-Time High (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2011/08/08/microsoft-says-hotmail-spam-down-90-since-all-time-high/

Facebook’s Prineville Data Center - Social Desert (The Economist)

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/08/data-centres

How the Cool Night Air of the Desert Led Facebook to Prineville, Oregon (GeekWire)

http://www.geekwire.com/2011/cool-night-air-desert-led-facebook-prineville-oregon

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Governor Gregoire Warns Washington State Agencies of Deeper Cuts (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/08/09/1754276/gregoire-warns-agencies-of-cuts.html

North Olympic Peninsula Washington State Lawmakers Split Over Voluntary Pay Cuts (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110809/NEWS/308099993/north-olympic-peninsula-lawmakers-split-over-voluntary-pay-cuts

California Governor Signs Bill Giving Electoral Votes to Winner of Popular Presidential Vote (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/campaigns/gov-brown-signs-bill-giving-califs-electoral-votes-to-winner-of-popular-presidential-vote/2011/08/08/gIQAvKD92I_story.html?wprss=rss_national

Smile - Benton County Adds Web Cams for Election Transparency (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/127290848.html

GENERAL NEWS

City of Shelton to Seek Sales Tax Increase for Police (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/12141-city-to-seek-sales-tax-increase

Some City of Tacoma Bonds Downgraded – Early reports did not provide the entire story…when it proclaimed that the city had its credit rating on debt downgraded by Standard & Poor’s (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/08/09/1775924/news-brief-09tacbonds.html

City of Tacoma Insists Finances OK, After Erroneous S & P Report (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=527672

Northwest Companies Drop Along With Rest of Stock Market (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015855264_nwstocks09.html

S&P’s Real Victims: Cash-Strapped Cities? (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/sandps-real-victim-cash-strapped-cities/2011/08/08/gIQAG4vL3I_blog.html?wprss=ezra-klein

Structure Fire in Lilliwaup- UPDATE (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/12139-structure-fire-in-lilliwaup-update

Puget Sound Area Controlled Burns Will Continue for a While (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/08/09/1754288/burns-will-continue-for-a-while.html

New Radar Will Boost Tracking Of Storms Nearing Washington's Coast (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/New-radar-will-boost-tracking-of-storms-nearing-1777391.php

Shelton Girl Wins Statewide Essay Contest on Death with Dignity Law (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2914

FBI: DNA Test Did Not Match DB Cooper Suspect (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015855653_apusdbcooper1stldwritethru.html

DIVERSIONS

Rocky Mountain High: Move to Name Colorado Mountain Peak for John Denver Hits Snag

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/rocky-mountain-high-move-to-name-colorado-mountain-peak-for-john-denver-hits-snag/2011/08/08/gIQAaHX52I_story.html?wprss=rss_national

Mystery Almost Solved: Orange Goo near Remote Alaska Village ID’d As Eggs of Unknown Species

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/mystery-almost-solved-orange-goo-near-remote-alaska-village-idd-as-eggs-of-unknown-species/2011/08/08/gIQAHpjx2I_story.html?wprss=rss_national

Wandering Anteater Returns to Rainier Home after Run through the Woods

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_2c2713d2-c227-11e0-9670-001cc4c03286.html

Perseid Meteor Shower: Best Times to See the 'Shooting Stars'

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2011/0809/Perseid-meteor-shower-Best-times-to-see-the-shooting-stars

SONG OF THE DAY

Boy Meets Girl - Waiting for a Star to Fall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRm6lXCG1kw

900th Post - Energy News Digest for August 8, 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

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

US Debt Deal Kills Off Prospects of Renewable-Power Support (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-05/u-s-debt-deal-kills-off-prospects-of-renewable-power-support.html

Florida - Transformer Explosion Kills One, Injures Two at Kissimmee Utility Authority Substation (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=159429

Columbia River Estuary’s Salmon-Eating Tern Colony Produces No Chicks this Year (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/411339.aspx

45,000 Verizon Landline Workers go on Strike (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015844492_apusverizonworkers.html

Two Mason County Swimming Areas Closed over Water Quality Issues (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/11982-swimming-areas-closed

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Florida - Transformer Explosion Kills One, Injures Two at Kissimmee Utility Authority Substation
• South Carolina - Tools, ID of Accused Copper Thief Found; Suspect in Critical Condition
• Snohomish County PUD Asks for Public’s Help In Reporting Wire Theft
• Editorial – Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Gets New Shot at Life
• Montana - Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-Op Says No to Power Charges
• Pipeline Safety Settlement: Cascade Natural Gas Agrees to $425,000 Fine
• Columbia River Estuary’s Salmon-Eating Tern Colony Produces No Chicks this Year
• Portland General Electric’s Water Mixing & Fish Passage Facility at Round Butte Dam in Hot Water with Fishermen
• Rescued Fish Released into Upper Salmon Creek
• Op/Ed - Author of ‘State of the Orca’ Responds to Critics
• Years after Failure, Teton Dam Still Sparks Debate
• Judge Rules against Belfair Water District in Public Records Dispute
• Texas Drought Will Have Lasting Impact on Ecosystems
• US Debt Deal Kills Off Prospects of Renewable-Power Support
• Turbine Sound Being Tested on Fish in Puget Sound
• Underwater ‘Windmills’ May Feed Power Grid
• Seattle Community Solar Program Has Benefits, Needs More Supporters
• Wind Power Gains as Gear Improves
• Southeast US Lags in Push for Renewable Energy
• Op/Ed - Water Usage a Big Part of Energy Costs
• Illinois - Smart Meters Could Save ComEd Customers $2.8 Billion
• Shoppers Hoarding Incandescent Light Bulbs As New Regulations Loom
• Emirates Airlines Says European Union Emissions Rules Could Cost It $1 Billion
• Idaho at End of List for Electric Vehicles
• Texas Town to Recycle Urine
• 45,000 Verizon Landline Workers go on Strike
• Cloudburst - Lightning Strike Causes Amazon, Microsoft Cloud Outage in Europe
• Qwest Name Fading Away as CenturyLink Rebrands
• Expert: Rural US Websites Easy Target for Hackers
• Comcast’s $10 Broadband Has a Few Catches - Can’t Owe Comcast Money, Can’t Have Had Service in Last 90 Days
• Level 3’s Top Ten Reasons for Cut Fiber - Hungry Squirrels & Idiots with Guns
• US Markets Fall Sharply After S&P Downgrade
• S&P Downgrades Fannie &Freddie, Farm Lenders & Bank Debt Backed by US Government
• S&P Official: One in Three Chance of Future Downgrade in US Credit Rating if Conditions Erode
• Kucinich Tells Washington State He Doesn’t Like Nukes
• Two Mason County Swimming Areas Closed over Water Quality Issues
• As Weather Dries Out, Burn Ban Begins Monday
• Federal Debt Deal Could Jeopardize New Columbia River Bridge on I-5
• Killed by Mountain Goat - Hiker’s Death Prompts $10 Million in Claims against Olympic National Park
• Hiker Told Park of Aggressive Goat before His Death
• Former Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield Dies

WORD OF THE DAY – PET PEEVE & SOAPBOX EDITION

Solar System • \SOE-lerr SIS-tum\ • Noun - the sun together with the group of celestial bodies that are held by its attraction and revolve around it; also: a similar system centered on another star

When did unpermitted mystical creation become OK in someone’s backyard, on their roof, or in the arid desert? “I just installed a solar system at my house,” puffed the spectacled, weekend handyman to his awestruck neighbor. “Wow,” the bystander exclaimed. “How many planets does it have; and are any of them inhabited?”

It’s a solar energy system, solar PV system, solar power system, solar array, but a “solar system”? Really? Maybe I’m a bit touchy this morning. Must have treats…maple bars…toroidal pastries…’Mountain Dew’…yum.

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

Florida - Transformer Explosion Kills One, Injures Two at Kissimmee Utility Authority Substation (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=159429

South Carolina - Tools, ID of Accused Copper Thief Found; Suspect in Critical Condition (Charleston Post & Courier, SC)

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/aug/04/tools-id-of-accused-copper-thief-found/

Snohomish County PUD Asks for Public’s Help In Reporting Wire Theft (My Edmonds News, WA)

http://myedmondsnews.com/2011/08/snohomish-county-pud-asks-for-publics-help-in-reporting-wire-theft/

Editorial – Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Gets New Shot at Life “…the plant has complications well beyond the cost of power. The question of how well the company could compete internationally has to be a big one…”  (Daily Interlake, Kalispell, MT)

http://www.dailyinterlake.com/opinion/editorials/article_7881d3f6-c098-11e0-9556-001cc4c002e0.html

Montana - Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-Op Says No to Power Charges (Billings Gazette, MT)

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_fa1198f1-9047-59aa-be7c-74571137b9ec.html

Pipeline Safety Settlement: Cascade Natural Gas Agrees to $425,000 Fine (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/08/05/1594122/settlement-cascade-natural-gas.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia River Estuary’s Salmon-Eating Tern Colony Produces No Chicks this Year (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/411339.aspx

Portland General Electric’s Water Mixing & Fish Passage Facility at Round Butte Dam in Hot Water with Fishermen (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/08/portland_general_electrics_mas.html

Rescued Fish Released into Upper Salmon Creek (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/aug/07/net-gain-rescued-fish-released-into-creek/

Op/Ed - Author of ‘State of the Orca’ Responds to Critics (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/sound/article/Author-of-State-of-the-Orca-responds-to-critics-1759647.php

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Years after Failure, Teton Dam Still Sparks Debate (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/08/07/1752635/years-after-failure-teton-dam.html

Judge Rules against Belfair Water District in Public Records Dispute (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/aug/05/judge-rules-against-belfair-water-district-in/

Texas Drought Will Have Lasting Impact on Ecosystems (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/08/texas-drought-will-have-lasting-impact-on-ecosystems/1?csp=34news

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

US Debt Deal Kills Off Prospects of Renewable-Power Support (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-05/u-s-debt-deal-kills-off-prospects-of-renewable-power-support.html

Turbine Sound Being Tested on Fish in Puget Sound (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/08/08/2131150/turbine-sound-being-tested-on.html

Underwater ‘Windmills’ May Feed Power Grid - A Massachusetts company aims to tap the mighty Mississippi’s ceaseless currents (Boston Globe, MA)

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2011/08/08/free_flow_power_tests_underwater_turbine/

Seattle Community Solar Program Has Benefits, Needs More Supporters (KPLU Radio, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.kplu.org/post/community-solar-program-has-benefits-needs-more-supporters

Wind Power Gains as Gear Improves (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/08/business/energy-environment/wind-power-gains-as-gear-improves.html?_r=2&ref=business

Southeast US Lags in Push for Renewable Energy (Associated Press)

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110807/NEWS/308070051/Southeast-holdout-mandating-renewable-energy

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Op/Ed - Water Usage a Big Part of Energy Costs (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/opinion/article_555fda12-bfb2-11e0-929a-001cc4c03286.html

Illinois - Smart Meters Could Save ComEd Customers $2.8 Billion (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=159427

Shoppers Hoarding Incandescent Light Bulbs As New Regulations Loom (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2011/08/shoppers-hoarding-incandescent-light-bulbs.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Emirates Airlines Says European Union Emissions Rules Could Cost It $1 Billion (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015852066_apmldubaiemiratesemissions.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Idaho at End of List for Electric Vehicles (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/aug/08/idaho-at-end-of-list-for-electric-vehicles/

Texas Town to Recycle Urine (Discovery News)

http://news.discovery.com/earth/urine-sewage-water-supply-recycling-drought-110805.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

45,000 Verizon Landline Workers go on Strike (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015844492_apusverizonworkers.html

Cloudburst - Lightning Strike Causes Amazon, Microsoft Cloud Outage in Europe (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/08/08/lightning-strike-causes-amazon.html

Qwest Name Fading Away as CenturyLink Rebrands (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/business/2011/08/qwestfadingaway.html

Expert: Rural US Websites Easy Target for Hackers (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Expert-Rural-US-websites-easy-target-for-hackers-1751850.php

Comcast’s $10 Broadband Has a Few Catches - Can’t Owe Comcast Money, Can’t Have Had Service in Last 90 Days (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcasts-10-Broadband-Has-a-Few-Catches-115570

Level 3’s Top Ten Reasons for Cut Fiber - Hungry Squirrels & Idiots with Guns (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Level-3s-Top-Ten-Reasons-For-Cut-Fiber-115576

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

US Markets Fall Sharply After S&P Downgrade (Associated Press)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/08/08/1774992/us-stock-futures-tumble-after.html

S&P Downgrades Fannie &Freddie, Farm Lenders & Bank Debt Backed by US Government (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/sandp-to-assess-impact-of-us-debt-downgrade-on-local-and-state-govts-fannie-and-freddie/2011/08/08/gIQAJ72L2I_story.html?wprss=rss_business

S&P Official: One in Three Chance of Future Downgrade in US Credit Rating if Conditions Erode (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/markets/sandp-official-1-in-3-chance-of-future-downgrade-in-us-credit-rating-if-conditions-erode/2011/08/07/gIQAHzqX0I_story.html?wprss=rss_national

Kucinich Tells Washington State He Doesn’t Like Nukes (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/aug/07/kucinich-clear-on-nukes-mum-on-political-plans/

GENERAL NEWS

Two Mason County Swimming Areas Closed over Water Quality Issues (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/11982-swimming-areas-closed

As Weather Dries Out, Burn Ban Begins Monday (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/127111413.html

Federal Debt Deal Could Jeopardize New Columbia River Bridge on I-5 (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015848742_bridge08m.html

Killed by Mountain Goat - Hiker’s Death Prompts $10 Million in Claims against Olympic National Park (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110807/news/308079990/hiker-8217-s-death-prompts-10-million-in-claims-against-olympic

Hiker Told Park of Aggressive Goat before His Death (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110808/NEWS/308089992/hiker-told-park-of-aggressive-goat-before-his-death

Former Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield Dies (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/127158608.html

DIVERSIONS

Mill Creek Woman Says Reports of Her Murder Greatly Exaggerated

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Woman-says-reports-of-her-murder-greatly-exaggerated-127229223.html

Wording on eBay Listing for Service Dog Vest Raises Ire

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/127057713.html

Kelso Salon Owner Discovers Unwanted Tenant below Her Building

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_3833a03a-bfc2-11e0-841d-001cc4c03286.html

Statue made from Giant Panda dung sells for £30,000 ($49,000 USD)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-news/8175621/Statue-made-from-Giant-Panda-dung-sells-for-30000.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Frankie Avalon – Venus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0G-iC6fHSU

Energy News Digest for August 5, 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

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Copper Theft Epidemic Could Cost Puget Sound Energy Millions (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=525667

Puget Sound Energy Worker Falls While Working on Power Line (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/PSE-worker-falls-while-working-on-power-line-126829693.html

City of Vancouver Rejects Clark County’s Downtown Biomass Plans - City says zoning prohibits use; county must decide if it will appeal decision (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/aug/04/city-rejects-countys-biomass-plans/

Bend Adds $5.5 Million Hydroelectric Project to Water Overhaul (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/bend-adds-55-million-hydroelectric-project-water-overhaul/

Employers Add 117,000 Jobs in July, Unemployment Rate Drops (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2011-08-05-employment-july-unemployment_n.htm?csp=34money

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Copper Theft Epidemic Could Cost Puget Sound Energy Millions
• Puget Sound Energy Worker Falls While Working on Power Line
• Montana – US Senator Baucus: Hope for Columbia Falls Aluminum Company
• California Adopts First Standards for Cyber Security of Smart Meters
• Down 8.3% - Portland General Electric Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
• Pacific Gas & Electric’s Profits Increased in Second Quarter
• Editorial - Washington Does Not Need to Help Feed China’s Coal Habit
• California - Relicensing for Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant is on Hold, But Seismic Studies Draw Critics 
• Heat Waves Pushes Texas Power Grid into Red Zone
• River Temperature Forces Alabama Nuclear Power Plant to 50 Percent Power
• Electricity Is a Thirsty Business
• Prime Time for Chinook & Sockeye on Columbia
• Coho Showing Up in Good Numbers Off the Northern Coast
• Saving the Salmon - Judge Orders Agency to Consider Dam Removal
• Pacific NW Tribes Seek New Permits to Remove Sea Lions
• Tribal Test Fishery Chinook Catches in Elliott Bay Have Been Good, but Optimism is Met with Caution
• Op/Ed - Northwest Salmon, Tribal Cultures & Treaty Rights at Risk from Disappearing Habitat
• Editorial: How to Settle Dams vs. Fish
• A Fishy Plan - Portland’s Light Rail Bridge Construction Depends, Literally, on the Ears of Salmon
• No Asian Carp Found During Four-Day Hunt for Invasive Fish in Chicago-Area Waterway
• Op/Ed - Water is Key to Jobs, Money, Growth
• City of Vancouver Rejects Clark County’s Downtown Biomass Plans
• Bend Adds $5.5 Million Hydroelectric Project to Water Overhaul
• Oregon Irrigators Move into Hydropower Business
• Idaho Solar Developer Says Government Delay May Doom Project
• California - Pacific Gas & Electric, Sempra Generation in 150 MW Solar Power Deal
• California - Publicly Held (Investor-Owned) Utilities Use 17% Renewables
• Eagle Deaths Investigated at LA Department of Water & Power Wind Power Generation Site
• Irony Alert - Pipestone Wind-Turbine Blade Plant Owes $490,000 Fine for Pollution Violations
• Wisconsin - Green Bay Biomass Plant Will be Safe, Report Says
• Carbon Dioxide-Gobbling Trees in Northwest Forests Change the Forest Equation, A New Study Finds
• Two Washington State Cities Are ‘Super Green’
• Mysterious Orange Goo Washes Up In Alaska Village
• Cedar Forests Lead Lebanon Eco-Tourism Boom
• Barbie, Now an Architect, Gets Her Very Own Eco-Friendly Dream House
• How to Make a Wi Fi Booster Using Only a Beer Can
• A Homemade Drone Snoops on Wireless Networks
• CenturyLink Struggles with Qwest Acquisition - As DSL Customers Leave for Faster Pastures
• Massive Global Cyberattack Hits US Hard: Who Could Have Done It?
• Office Equipment Open to Hacker Attacks
• SunGard Higher Education to Merge With Datatel in $1.7B Deal, No Word on Jobs Impact
• Monday Is the Deadline to Register to Vote in August Primary Election
• US Senate Approves Bill to End Partial FAA Shutdown, Employees Can Go Back to Work Monday
• Employers Add 117,000 Jobs in July, Unemployment Rate Drops
• Washington State Health Department: 22 Sickened by Raw Oysters
• Eating Raw Oysters More Dangerous in Summer
• Tulalip Utilities Employee Accused of Recycling Brass Fittings for Cash
• Forecasters: Drought May Persist for Another Year
• Northern Lights May be Visible Over Western Washington
• Scientists Find Signs Water Is Flowing on Mars

WORD OF THE DAY

Antihero • \ANT-tee – here-oh\ • Noun - A protagonist or notable figure who is conspicuously lacking in heroic qualities.

Fear of fanboy alert:

Comic book artist Stan Lee has spawned his share of flawed superheroes and antiheros; such as Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, and the Submariner.

“Show me a hero and I’ll write you a tragedy.” F Scott Fitzgerald.

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

Copper Theft Epidemic Could Cost Puget Sound Energy Millions (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=525667

Puget Sound Energy Worker Falls While Working on Power Line (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/PSE-worker-falls-while-working-on-power-line-126829693.html

Montana – US Senator Baucus: Hope for Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (News Release - Political News)

http://politicalnews.me/?id=8592

California Adopts First Standards for Cyber Security of Smart Meters (Solve Climate)

http://solveclimatenews.com/news/20110804/california-adopts-first-standards-cyber-security-smart-meters

Down 8.3% - Portland General Electric Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results (Market Watch)

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/portland-general-electric-reports-second-quarter-2011-financial-results-2011-08-05?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Pacific Gas & Electric’s Profits Increased in Second Quarter (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_18617551

Editorial - Washington Does Not Need to Help Feed China’s Coal Habit (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2015822687_lance05.html

California - Relicensing for Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant is on Hold, But Seismic Studies Draw Critics (Monterey County Weekly, CA)

http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/2011/aug/04/hazarding-guesses/

Heat Waves Pushes Texas Power Grid into Red Zone (Reuters)

http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110804/us_nm/us_utilities_ercot_heatwave

River Temperature Forces Alabama Nuclear Power Plant to 50 Percent Power (Chattanooga Times Free Press, TN)

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/04/river-temperature-forces-plant-to-50-percent/?local

Electricity Is a Thirsty Business (Mail & Guardian Online)

http://mg.co.za/article/2011-08-05-electricity-is-a-thirsty-business/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Prime Time for Chinook & Sockeye on Columbia (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/aug/05/prime-time-for-chinook-and-sockeye-on-columbia/

Coho Showing Up in Good Numbers Off the Northern Coast (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2015822373_coho_showing_up_in_good_number.html

Saving the Salmon - Judge Orders Agency to Consider Dam Removal (Idaho Mountain Express, Sun Valley)

http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005137922

Pacific NW Tribes Seek New Permits to Remove Sea Lions (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=9216

Tribal Test Fishery Chinook Catches in Elliott Bay Have Been Good, but Optimism is Met with Caution (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2015818439_tribal_test_fishery_chinook_ca.html

Op/Ed - Northwest Salmon, Tribal Cultures & Treaty Rights at Risk from Disappearing Habitat (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2015822689_guest05frank.html

Editorial: How to Settle Dams vs. Fish (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)

http://www.democratherald.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_5f1db31a-be29-11e0-b0e9-001cc4c002e0.html

A Fishy Plan - Portland’s Light Rail Bridge Construction Depends, Literally, on the Ears of Salmon (Portland Mercury, OR)

http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/a-fishy-plan/Content?oid=4432531

No Asian Carp Found During Four-Day Hunt for Invasive Fish in Chicago-Area Waterway (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/authorities-no-asian-carp-found-during-4-day-hunt-for-invasive-fish-in-chicago-area-waterway/2011/08/04/gIQANixsuI_story.html?wprss=rss_national

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Op/Ed - Water is Key to Jobs, Money, Growth (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/article_7a42f42e-bdf3-11e0-9a43-001cc4c002e0.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

City of Vancouver Rejects Clark County’s Downtown Biomass Plans - City says zoning prohibits use; county must decide if it will appeal decision (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/aug/04/city-rejects-countys-biomass-plans/

Bend Adds $5.5 Million Hydroelectric Project to Water Overhaul (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/bend-adds-55-million-hydroelectric-project-water-overhaul/

Oregon Irrigators Move into Hydropower Business (Oregon Public Radio)

http://earthfix.opb.org/communities/article/oregon-irrigators-move-into-the-hydro-business/

Idaho Solar Developer Says Government Delay May Doom Project (Associated Press)

http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/ID-solar-developer-says-PUC-delay-may-doom-project-1724771.php

California - Pacific Gas & Electric, Sempra Generation in 150 MW Solar Power Deal (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/PG-E-Sempra-Generation-in-solar-power-deal-1724540.php

California - Publicly Held (Investor-Owned) Utilities Use 17% Renewables (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/05/3818621/publicly-held-utilities-use-17.html

Eagle Deaths Investigated at LA Department of Water & Power Wind Power Generation Site (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/08/an-investigation-has-been-launched-into-the-deaths-of-migratory-birds-including-several-federally-protected-golden-eagles-at.html

Irony Alert - Pipestone Wind-Turbine Blade Plant Owes $490,000 Fine for Pollution Violations (Pioneer Press, St Paul, MN)

http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_18617237?source=rss

Wisconsin - Green Bay Biomass Plant Will be Safe, Report Says (Green Bay Press Gazette, WI)

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110804/GPG0101/108040553&located=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Carbon Dioxide-Gobbling Trees in Northwest Forests Change the Forest Equation, A New Study Finds (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/08/carbon-gobbling_trees_in_north.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Two Washington State Cities Are ‘Super Green’ (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2011/08/two-washington-cities-are-super-green.html

Mysterious Orange Goo Washes Up In Alaska Village (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2011/0805/Mysterious-orange-goo-washes-up-in-Alaska-village

Cedar Forests Lead Lebanon Eco-Tourism Boom (Cable News Network)

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/08/05/lebanon.cedar.forests/

Barbie, Now an Architect, Gets Her Very Own Eco-Friendly Dream House (TIME Magazine)

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/08/05/barbie-now-an-architect-gets-her-very-own-eco-friendly-dream-house/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

How to Make a Wi Fi Booster Using Only a Beer Can (WikiHow)

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wi-Fi-Booster-Using-Only-a-Beer-Can

A Homemade Drone Snoops on Wireless Networks (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/05/a-homemade-drone-snoops-on-wireless-networks/?partner=rss&emc=rss

CenturyLink Struggles with Qwest Acquisition - As DSL Customers Leave for Faster Pastures (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/CenturyLink-Struggles-With-Qwest-Acquisition-115531

Massive Global Cyberattack Hits US Hard: Who Could Have Done It? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0803/Massive-global-cyberattack-hits-US-hard-Who-could-have-done-it

Office Equipment Open to Hacker Attacks (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2011-08-04-hackers-printers-office-equipment_n.htm?csp=34money

SunGard Higher Education to Merge With Datatel in $1.7B Deal, No Word on Jobs Impact (Philadelphia Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2011/08/05/sungard-higher-education-to-merge-with.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Monday Is the Deadline to Register to Vote in August Primary Election (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015827988_voterregistration06m.html

US Senate Approves Bill to End Partial FAA Shutdown, Employees Can Go Back to Work Monday (USA Today)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal-government/democratic-leaders-say-its-possible-for-congress-to-resolve-faa-shutdown-during-august-recess/2011/08/03/gIQApQ0ZsI_story.html?wprss=rss_economy

GENERAL NEWS

Employers Add 117,000 Jobs in July, Unemployment Rate Drops (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2011-08-05-employment-july-unemployment_n.htm?csp=34money

Washington State Health Department: 22 Sickened by Raw Oysters (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/WA-Health-Dept-22-sickened-by-raw-oysters--126816133.html

Eating Raw Oysters More Dangerous in Summer (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=525777

Tulalip Utilities Employee Accused of Recycling Brass Fittings for Cash (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/28768729/detail.html

Forecasters: Drought May Persist for Another Year (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2011-08-04-texas-plains-drought_n.htm?csp=34news

Northern Lights May be Visible Over Western Washington (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/aug/04/northern-lights-may-be-visible-over-western/

Scientists Find Signs Water Is Flowing on Mars (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/05/science/space/05mars.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

DIVERSIONS

Kentucky Sisters Sue to Get Social Security Numbers

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/08/04/national/a124955D83.DTL

Ukulele: The Little Guitar That Could

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Music/2011/0804/Ukulele-The-little-guitar-that-could

Man Arrested for Cutting Tree That Floods Home

http://www.kirotv.com/news/28766690/detail.html

Mayor’s City Sued for Contracts He Signed While Drunk (PG-13 Language Likely)

http://gawker.com/5827764/mayors-city-sued-for-contracts-he-signed-while-drunk

SONG OF THE DAY

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - Pinball Wizard

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