Energy News Digest for May 2, 2012

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

Feds Cite Issues Behind Massive Southwest Blackout (Associated Press)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gSFBnF2fCuLOaOZqlirCZaVd7H3w?docId=cc114ae597b7487b90a913291874178c

Salmon Counts at Bonneville Dam Won’t Reach Prediction Say Oregon & Washington State Managers (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2012/05/salmon_counts_at_bonneville_da.html

Port Angeles Power Plant Construction under Way, But Biomass Debate Continues (Sequim Gazette, WA)

http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2012-05-02_construction_under_way__but_biomass_debate_continues

Report: Hydro Emissions Can Rival Those of Natural Gas (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2012/05/02/report-hydro-emissions-can-rival-those-of-natural-gas/

Violence, Arrests at Seattle May Day protests - Black-clad protesters using sticks & bats smashed stores & automobile windows (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018117494_apwamaydayprotestsseattle13thldwritethru.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Feds Cite Issues Behind Massive Southwest Blackout
• US Blackout Report Cites Lack of Grid Awareness in the Southwest
• FEMA Dollars For WA – Mason PUD 3 expected to receive appx $500,000
• Report: Hydro Emissions Can Rival Those of Natural Gas
• California - Marin, Fairfax Seek Halt to Pacific Gas & Electric Wireless Meters
• Texas - Proposal Could Hike Electricity Rates Despite Lower Fuel Costs
• Salmon Counts at Bonneville Dam Won’t Reach Prediction Say Oregon & Washington State Managers
• Salmon: Students Release Salmon Fry Into River at Columbia Park
• Port of Shelton Receives Grant for Johns Prairie Water Project
• Port Angeles Power Plant Construction under Way, But Biomass Debate Continues
• Balking at Biomass - Mercer Seeks NAFTA Ruling on BC Hydro’s Electricity Policies
• Power: Big Wind Farm Planned for the Palouse
• Snohomish PUD - Learn About the Benefits of Solar Power
• Wind Industry Looks to Karl Rove for Answers
• Map Shows Growth of Renewables in US
• Builders: Energy Efficiency Greens Most New Homes
• LED - Casting a Greener Light on Puget Sound
• Washington State’s Coastal Tribes Create National Symposium on Climate Change
• Political Success Lies in Grassroots
• Violence, Arrests at Seattle May Day protests
• Three Juveniles Arrested on Suspicion of Lacey Arsons, One at Large
• Man Falls from Railroad Trestle in Shelton
• Mason County Hires Matthews as PW/Utilities Director
• Grand Opening of New Ball Fields At MCRA – Mason PUD 3 Helped with Lights
• Study: State is 45th in Church Membership & Attendance

WORD OF THE DAY

Cachinnate • \KACK-un-nate\ • Verb - To laugh loudly or immoderately

“Cachinnate…cachinnate,” cackled the obnoxious stenographer during the otherwise sober court hearing. Snorting furiously in her efforts to keep her laughter under control, the otherwise sedate court reporter couldn’t restrain from unrestrained cachinnation in the courtroom. Similar to the Mary Tyler Moore show’s “Chuckles the Clown Funeral” episode, the narrative regarding the clown car accident sent her into paroxysms of laughter, especially the state trooper’s report which stated “clown white makeup was spread all over the highway…it was horrible.”

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

Feds Cite Issues Behind Massive Southwest Blackout (Associated Press)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gSFBnF2fCuLOaOZqlirCZaVd7H3w?docId=cc114ae597b7487b90a913291874178c

US Blackout Report Cites Lack of Grid Awareness in the Southwest (Reuters)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/05/01/utilities-blackout-california-idUKL1E8G1GF020120501

FEMA Dollars For WA – Mason PUD 3 expected to receive appx $500,000 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/29343-fema-dollars-for-wa

Report: Hydro Emissions Can Rival Those of Natural Gas (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2012/05/02/report-hydro-emissions-can-rival-those-of-natural-gas/

California - Marin, Fairfax Seek Halt to Pacific Gas & Electric Wireless Meters (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/01/BUA21OBSON.DTL

Texas - Proposal Could Hike Electricity Rates Despite Lower Fuel Costs (Houston Chronicle, TX)

http://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Proposal-could-hike-electricity-rates-despite-3525356.php

FISH & WILDLIFE

Salmon Counts at Bonneville Dam Won’t Reach Prediction Say Oregon & Washington State Managers (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2012/05/salmon_counts_at_bonneville_da.html

Salmon: Students Release Salmon Fry Into River at Columbia Park (Tri-City Herald, Wa)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/05/01/1924239/salmon-students-release-salmon.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Port of Shelton Receives Grant for Johns Prairie Water Project (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/29347-port-receives-grant

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Port Angeles Power Plant Construction under Way, But Biomass Debate Continues (Sequim Gazette, WA)

http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2012-05-02_construction_under_way__but_biomass_debate_continues

Balking at Biomass - Mercer Seeks NAFTA Ruling on BC Hydro’s Electricity Policies (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Mercer+seeks+NAFTA+ruling+Hydro+electricity+policies/6551569/story.html

Power: Big Wind Farm Planned for the Palouse (Associated Press)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/05/01/1923729/power-big-wind-farm-planned-for.html

Snohomish PUD - Learn About the Benefits of Solar Power (Snohomish County Business Journal, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120502/SCBJ22/305029999/1014/BIZ06

Wind Industry Looks to Karl Rove for Answers (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/wind-industry-looks-to-karl-rove-for-answers?cmpid=rss

Map Shows Growth of Renewables in US (Sustainable Business)

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/23662

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Builders: Energy Efficiency Greens Most New Homes (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2012/05/energy-efficiency-makes-most-new-homes-greener-/1?csp=34money

LED - Casting a Greener Light on Puget Sound (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Casting-a-greener-light-on-Puget-Sound-149582975.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State’s Coastal Tribes Create National Symposium on Climate Change (KXRO-Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kxro.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/coastal-tribes-create-national-symposium-on-climate-change/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Political Success Lies in Grassroots (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/political-success-lies-in-grassroots/43349

GENERAL NEWS

Violence, Arrests at Seattle May Day protests - Black-clad protesters using sticks & bats smashed stores & automobile windows (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018117494_apwamaydayprotestsseattle13thldwritethru.html

Three Juveniles Arrested on Suspicion of Lacey Arsons, One at Large (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/05/01/2088789/3-juveniles-1-adult-detained-in.html

Man Falls from Railroad Trestle in Shelton (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/?p=5047#more-5047

Mason County Hires Matthews as PW/Utilities Director (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/?p=5025

Grand Opening of New Ball Fields At MCRA – Mason PUD 3 Helped with Lights (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/29348-grand-opening-of-new-ball-fields-at-mcra

Study: State is 45th in Church Membership & Attendance - Thurston County ranked 28th out of 39 counties with 28.9 percent affiliation (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/05/01/2089326/study-state-is-45th-in-church.html

DIVERSIONS

1958 Postcard Mailed from Chicago Finally Arrives

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/may/01/1958-postcard-mailed-from-chicago-finally-arrives/

Old $50 Bill Found Real, But Not Before Bearer Arrested

http://www.t-g.com/story/1843748.html

Prices Go Thigh-High as Consumers Seek Dark Meat

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/prices-go-thigh-high-1428983.html

Meet Mensa’s Youngest US Member: She Joined at Age 2 (and CUTE as a button!)

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47233631#.T6FvCNW_N8G

SONG OF THE DAY

Joe Cocker - The Letter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xraj86LNgYc

Energy News Digest for May 1, 2012

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

Bonneville Power Administration Orders Pacific NW Wind Farms to Curtail Production (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/04/30/2087600/bpa-orders-nw-wind-farms-to-curtail.html

Gas Leak Shuts Down a Portion of Shelton’s Hillcrest Neighborhood (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/29256-gas-leak-

Washington State’s Renewable Energy Law May Have Your Utility Bill on the Rise (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/One-reason-why-your-electric-bill-keeps-going-up-149590995.html

Energy Developers Eye New Grid-Stabilizing Hydro Projects (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/post/energy-developers-eye-new-grid-stabilizing-hydro-projects

Washington State, South Carolina Seek Court Action over Nuclear Waste Dump (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018110411_yuccamountain01.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Bonneville Power Administration Orders Pacific NW Wind Farms to Curtail Production
• Bonneville Power Administration Calls for First Wind Shutdown of the Season
• Washington State, South Carolina Seek Court Action over Nuclear Waste Dump
• Mason County PUD 3 Conducting Tree Trimming on Johns Prairie Road
• Water over the Dam? A Wasted Resource, Officials Say
• Elwha Sediment Not Just Mud, It’s Nourishment
• Congressman Hastings Pushes Bill That Would Help Fish
• China’s Demand for Geoduck Sends Prices, Profits Soaring in Pacific Northwest
• Washington State’s Renewable Energy Law May Have Your Utility Bill on the Rise
• Renewable Energy Effects - Hydropower Focus of Energy Rates
• Energy Developers Eye New Grid-Stabilizing Hydro Projects
• Wood Makes Comeback as a Fuel
• US Solar Subsidies Consistent with Coal, Oil: Report
• How to Achieve Energy Efficiency with a Blend of Technologies & Human Capital
• Texas - Greener Homes Take Lots of Green
• Inspiring Energy-Efficient Members
• Apple Data Center Helps Fuel Bloom Energy Move to East Coast
• Gas Leak Shuts Down a Portion of Shelton’s Hillcrest Neighborhood
• North Bend Survivalist’s Bunker Was Built for One
• Olympic College Shelton Anniversary
• Timber Still Cuts a Big Footprint in Washington State Economy

WORD OF THE DAY

Uncanny • \un-KANN-nee\ • Adjective - 1a: seeming to have a supernatural character or origin: eerie, mysterious b: being beyond what is normal or expected: suggesting superhuman or supernatural powers 2: chiefly Scottish: severe, punishing

An eerie, uncanny feeling of dread came over Alfred as the cobweb encrusted door slowly opened, its hinges protesting like enraged banshees. He knew that entering the ancient fruit cellar could be his last act on this plane of existence, but the siren’s song of canned peaches, preserved in 1910, was too strong. “Food poisoning be damned,” he muttered to himself.

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 Orders Pacific NW Wind Farms to Curtail Production (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/04/30/2087600/bpa-orders-nw-wind-farms-to-curtail.html

Bonneville Power Administration Calls for First Wind Shutdown of the Season (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/04/bonneville-power-calls-for-first-wind.html

Washington State, South Carolina Seek Court Action over Nuclear Waste Dump (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018110411_yuccamountain01.html

Mason County PUD 3 Conducting Tree Trimming on Johns Prairie Road (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1022

Water over the Dam? A Wasted Resource, Officials Say (The Daily Mail, Catskill, NY)

http://www.thedailymail.net/articles/2012/05/01/news/doc4f9f6e2e75d6b145170158.txt

FISH & WILDLIFE

Elwha Sediment Not Just Mud, It’s Nourishment (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/fieldnotes/2018106884_big_slugs_of_sediment_hitting_the_elwha_--_new_aerial_photos.html

Congressman Hastings Pushes Bill That Would Help Fish (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/05/01/1923133/hastings-pushes-bill-that-would.html

China’s Demand for Geoduck Sends Prices, Profits Soaring in Pacific Northwest (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018041537_geoduck22m.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Washington State’s Renewable Energy Law May Have Your Utility Bill on the Rise (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/One-reason-why-your-electric-bill-keeps-going-up-149590995.html

Renewable Energy Effects - Hydropower Focus of Energy Rates (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndo.com/story/17961306/hydropower-focus-of-renewable-energy

Energy Developers Eye New Grid-Stabilizing Hydro Projects (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/post/energy-developers-eye-new-grid-stabilizing-hydro-projects

Wood Makes Comeback as a Fuel (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/business/global/wood-makes-comeback-as-a-fuel.html

US Solar Subsidies Consistent with Coal, Oil: Report (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/01/usa-solar-subsidies-idUSL1E8G15RD20120501

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

How to Achieve Energy Efficiency with a Blend of Technologies & Human Capital (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/energy/2012/04/30/how-to-achieve-energy-efficiency-with-a-blend-of-technologies-and-human-capital/

Texas - Greener Homes Take Lots of Green (San Antonio Express-News, TX)

http://www.mysanantonio.com/living_green_sa/article/Greener-homes-take-lots-of-green-3495738.php

Inspiring Energy-Efficient Members (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/efficiency-conservation/consumer-outreach/inspiring-energy-efficient-members/43265

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Apple Data Center Helps Fuel Bloom Energy Move to East Coast (CNET News)

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57424037-76/apple-data-center-helps-fuel-bloom-energy-move-to-east-coast/

GENERAL NEWS

Gas Leak Shuts Down a Portion of Shelton’s Hillcrest Neighborhood (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/29256-gas-leak-

North Bend Survivalist’s Bunker Was Built for One (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018110502_bunker01m.html

Olympic College Shelton Anniversary (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/29173-oc-shelton-anniversary

Timber Still Cuts a Big Footprint in Washington State Economy (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundeconomywithjontalton/2018106666_timber_still_cuts_a_big_footpr.html

DIVERSIONS

Dentist Pulls All of Ex-Boyfriend’s Teeth after Getting Dumped

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-dentist-pulls-all-of-exboyfriends-teeth-after-getting-dumped-20120430,0,6650781.story

Man Soils Pants with Portable Meth Lab during OHP Traffic Stop

http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=17832783

Photos: Harley from Japan Washes Up in BC

http://www.nwcn.com/news/149657815.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Steppenwolf - Born to be Wild

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

Bonneville Power Administration Orders Pacific NW Wind Farms to Curtail Production (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/04/30/2087600/bpa-orders-nw-wind-farms-to-curtail.html

Energy News Digest for April 30, 2012

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

Irony Alert: Wind Farms Could Cause Warming - The atmospheric turbulence caused by large wind farms could cause local temperature increases, a new study indicates (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0430/Irony-alert-Wind-farms-could-cause-warming

Intalco Needs New Bonneville Power Administration Energy Deal Soon (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/04/27/2499547/intalco-needs-new-bpa-power-deal.html

Power Marketing Administration Changes Criticized in Congress (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/energy-environment/pma-changes-criticized-in-congress/43251

The Big Muddy: Sediment Plume Pours Out of Newly Freed Elwha River (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120429/news/304299982/the-big-muddy-sediment-plume-pours-out-of-newly-freed-elwha-river

Pay your PUD Bill - Cable Television Service Disconnected in Forks; About 120 Customers Affected (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120429/NEWS/304299992/cable-television-service-disconnected-in-forks-about-120-customers

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Intalco Needs New Bonneville Power Administration Energy Deal Soon
• Power Marketing Administration Changes Criticized in Congress
• US Senators Baucus, Tester Press Energy Department for Local Input, Affordable Energy
• Idaho Power's Annual Power Cost Adjustment is Proposed 5.1 Percent Increase
• Substation Fire Causes Power Outage in Heisson
• Utilities Face ‘Age of the Consumer’
• Op/Ed - Renewable Northwest Project: Clean Energy Best for State
• Sign Up for Mason County PUD 3′s Budget Billing in May
• Bergren Seeks Reelection to Chelan PUD Board
• Pacific Gas & Electric SmartMeter Opt-Out Deadline is May 1
• American Electric Power Disputes Study Linking Plants to 3,200 Deaths
• Cheap Natural Gas Drives down Coal Industry
• The Secret Energy Drain on Cities: Streetlights
• The Main Attraction: Meet a Lineman
• The Big Muddy: Sediment Plume Pours Out of Newly Freed Elwha River
• “I Think We Need to Take Those Dams Down” - Judge Redden’s Interview Comments Stir Reaction
• Editorial - Dam Debate Obscures Other Ways to Help Fish
• Columbia River Gorge Hatcheries Release 10 Million Plus Smolts Past Week
• Pikeminnow Reward Program Kicks Off May 1 in Columbia River Region
• Top 100 Bass Lakes by Bassmaster Magazine, Includes Two from Washington State – Columbia River, Lake Sammamish
• Effort Begins to Restore Whitebark Pine in Montana, Neighboring States
• Irony Alert: Wind Farms Could Cause Warming
• California - Protests Over Valley Solar Projects Called a Ploy
• Grant Money Helps Idaho Dairy Tap into Solar Power
• United Kingdom - Major Environmental Groups Seriously Compromised by Wind Developers’ Cash
• United Kingdom, Denmark Study Power Cable to Swap Wind Energy
• Energy Storage: Costly But Key to Power Production
• Utility Websites Plug Users into Savings
• Pay your PUD Bill - Cable Television Service Disconnected in Forks; About 120 Customers Affected
• The United States of Broadband: Location Matters
• Google Fiber's Fast Internet Worries Hollywood
• $300 Million Investment - Microsoft Buys into Barnes & Noble's Nook
• Report: Apple Legally Sidesteps Billions in Taxes
• Washington State Tax Breaks to Benefit Data Centers, Food Processors
• Think Arizona is Bad for Immigrants? Try Our Olympic Peninsula
• Since Gov. Locke Froze Purchase of SUVs, State Has Actually Bought More of Them
• Police Look for Killer of 24-Year-Old in Lacey
• AAA: Washington Gas Price $4.08
• Unmanned Drones Are Patrolling Washington Border
• Brinnon Man Pulled Gun During Fight at Little League Game, Deputies Say
• Sequim Store Manager Saves Grandmother from Wire Scam

WORD OF THE DAY

Spiel • \SPEEL\ • Noun – A voluble line of often extravagant talk: a speech delivered especially to sell or promote something

The canny power supply manager smirked under his beard as the “Whole House Capacitor” salesmen spun his story in an intricate spiel that included the promise of saving hundreds of dollars on a home’s energy bill. “But if a customer’s average bill is about $90, where would they be saving hundreds,” queried the quick-witted utility employee.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Intalco Needs New Bonneville Power Administration Energy Deal Soon (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/04/27/2499547/intalco-needs-new-bpa-power-deal.html

Power Marketing Administration Changes Criticized in Congress (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/energy-environment/pma-changes-criticized-in-congress/43251

US Senators Baucus, Tester Press Energy Department For Local Input, Affordable Energy - Call on Energy Secretary to Provide Certainty for Montana’s Electric Cooperatives (Political News.ME)
http://politicalnews.me/?id=13773&keys=ENERGY-CHU-IMPLEMENT-UPGRADES

Idaho Power's Annual Power Cost Adjustment is Proposed 5.1 Percent Increase (Power Engineering)

http://www.power-eng.com/news/2012/04/28/idaho-power-s-annual-power-cost-adjustment-is-proposed-5-1-percent-increase.html

Substation Fire Causes Power Outage in Heisson (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/apr/27/substation-fire-causes-power-outage-in-heisson/

Utilities Face ‘Age of the Consumer’ - UL official: Changes ahead for electric’s use, generation (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/apr/27/utilities-face-age-of-the-consumer/

Op/Ed - Renewable Northwest Project: Clean Energy Best for State (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/apr/29/clean-energy-best-for-state/

Sign Up for Mason County PUD 3′s Budget Billing in May (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/?p=4887

Bergren Seeks Reelection to Chelan PUD Board (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/apr/30/bergren-seeks-reelection-to-chelan-pud-board/

Pacific Gas & Electric SmartMeter Opt-Out Deadline is May 1 (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/04/28/BUHI1O944E.DTL

American Electric Power Disputes Study Linking Plants to 3,200 Deaths (Associated Press)

http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2012/04/28/aep_disputes_study_linking_plants_to_3200_deaths/

Cheap Natural Gas Drives down Coal Industry (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/04/30/BUTO1O9PM3.DTL

The Secret Energy Drain on Cities: Streetlights (The Atlantic Magazine)

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/technology/2012/04/secret-energy-drain-cities-streetlights/1856/

The Main Attraction: Meet a Lineman - It’s a question facing many electric cooperatives: How to get younger members to go to the annual meeting (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/getting-young-members-to-annual-meeting/43244

FISH & WILDLIFE

The Big Muddy: Sediment Plume Pours Out of Newly Freed Elwha River (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120429/news/304299982/the-big-muddy-sediment-plume-pours-out-of-newly-freed-elwha-river

“I Think We Need to Take Those Dams Down” - Judge Redden’s Interview Comments Stir Reaction (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/419993.aspx

Editorial - Dam Debate Obscures Other Ways to Help Fish (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://m.spokesman.com/stories/2012/apr/28/editorial-dam-debate-obscures-other-ways-to-help/

Columbia River Gorge Hatcheries Release 10 Million Plus Smolts Past Week; More Transferred for Recovery Programs (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/419989.aspx

Pikeminnow Reward Program Kicks Off May 1 in Columbia River Region (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2018093637_pikeminnow_reward_program_kick.html

Top 100 Bass Lakes by Bassmaster Magazine, Includes Two from Washington State – Columbia River, Lake Sammamish (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2018100604__editors_of_bassmaster_magazin.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Effort Begins to Restore Whitebark Pine in Montana, Neighboring States (Associated Press)

http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/effort-begins-to-restore-whitebark-pine-in-montana-neighboring-states/article_9969df78-923e-11e1-9ccc-001a4bcf887a.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Irony Alert: Wind Farms Could Cause Warming - The atmospheric turbulence caused by large wind farms could cause local temperature increases, a new study indicates (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0430/Irony-alert-Wind-farms-could-cause-warming

California - Protests Over Valley Solar Projects Called a Ploy (Fresno Bee, CA)

http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/04/29/2818166/protests-over-valley-solar-projects.html

Grant Money Helps Idaho Dairy Tap into Solar Power (Associated Press)

http://www.ktvb.com/news/South-central-Idaho-dairy-opts-for-solar-power-149427695.html

United Kingdom - Major Environmental Groups Seriously Compromised by Wind Developers’ Cash (For Argyll, UK)

http://forargyll.com/2012/04/major-environmental-groups-seriously-compromised-by-wind-developers-cash/

United Kingdom, Denmark Study Power Cable to Swap Wind Energy (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/30/britain-denmark-electricity-idUSL5E8FU46S20120430

Energy Storage: Costly But Key to Power Production (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2012/04/29/energy-storage-costly-but-key-to-power-production/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Utility Websites Plug Users into Savings (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/29/4448917/utility-websites-plug-users-into.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Pay your PUD Bill - Cable Television Service Disconnected in Forks; About 120 Customers Affected (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120429/NEWS/304299992/cable-television-service-disconnected-in-forks-about-120-customers

The United States of Broadband: Location Matters (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/broadband/the-united-states-of-broadband-location-matters/

Google Fiber's Fast Internet Worries Hollywood (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/04/29/BUJ31O7QR6.DTL

$300 Million Investment - Microsoft Buys into Barnes & Noble's Nook (Associated Press)

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-microsoft-buys-into-barnes-nobles-nook-20120430,0,3106764.story

Report: Apple Legally Sidesteps Billions in Taxes (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2018100661_apusappletaxes.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Tax Breaks to Benefit Data Centers, Food Processors (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/tech/article_7fd3a2be-9087-11e1-ae9b-001a4bcf887a.html

Think Arizona is Bad for Immigrants? Try Our Olympic Peninsula (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2018096560_danny29.html

Since Gov. Locke Froze Purchase of SUVs, State Has Actually Bought More of Them (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/04/28/since-gov-locke-froze-purchase-of-suvs-state-has-actually-bought-more-of-them

GENERAL NEWS

Police Look for Killer of 24-Year-Old in Lacey (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018104492_apwalaceyhomicide.html

AAA: Washington Gas Price $4.08 (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018105893_apwagasprices.html

Unmanned Drones Are Patrolling Washington Border (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018093456_apwadronesurveillance.html

Brinnon Man Pulled Gun During Fight at Little League Game, Deputies Say (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Brinnon-man-pulled-gun-during-fight-at-Little-League-game-deputies-say-149368165.html

Sequim Store Manager Saves Grandmother from Wire Scam (KCPQ-TV, Seattle-Tacoma, WA)

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-sequim-store-manager-saves-grandmother-from-wire-scam-20120429,0,5716327.story

DIVERSIONS

Australian Billionaire: Titanic II to Sail in 2016 – Made in China

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Australian-billionaire-Titanic-II-to-sail-in-2016-3520148.php

Man Accused of Climbing Flagpole to Swipe Albany Police Department Flags

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/04/man_accused_of_swiping_albany.html

Man Jailed For Smuggling Iguana Meat into United States

http://news.yahoo.com/man-jailed-smuggling-iguana-meat-united-states-220400822.html

‘Polite’ Burglar Offers to Trade Items with People He Robbed (burglarized, actually)

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/polite-burglar-offers-trade-items-people-robbed-190305616.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Wooden Ships - Crosby Stills Nash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O69L2mO9y-4