Energy News Digest for December 27, 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

Pacific Northwest Snowfall Eases Drought Concerns ... For Now (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/671801-8/snowfall-eases-drought-concerns-for-now

Climate Change Could Cut Western Water Runoff by Ten Percent (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-climate-change-water-supplies-20121226,0,5925540.story

Avista Electricity & Natural Gas Rate Hikes Approved for Next Two Years (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/26/avista-rate-hikes-approved-next-2-years/

Idaho Supreme Court sides with PacifiCorp in Tax Fight (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/12/idaho_supreme_court_sides_with.html

Rules Trap Former Pacific Power Customers in Catch 22 (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA)

http://union-bulletin.com/news/2012/dec/24/rules-trap-former-pacific-power-customers-in/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Avista Electricity & Natural Gas Rate Hikes Approved for Next Two Years
• Idaho Supreme Court sides with PacifiCorp in Tax Fight
• Rules Trap Former Pacific Power Customers in Catch 22
• Report Says Downed Puget Sound Energy Power Line Caused Pinehurst Home Explosion
• Highway 2 Open, Lake Wenatchee & Plain Power Mostly Restored
• Columbia River PUD Board Approves 2013 Budget
• Mason County PUD 3 Commissioner Bruce Jorgenson Sworn in for Fourth Term
• Emerald PUD Selects Kevin Parrish for Board Vacancy
• Ashton Reservoir - East Idaho Dam Set to Reopen After Work Project
• Ailing California Nuclear Power Plant Faces Questions on Restart
• New York - Con Ed Considers Flying Drones for Future Disaster Response
• Pepco’s Smart Meter Installation behind Schedule
• Marriage Leads to Demotion for Nashville Electric Service Utility Worker
• High Energy Costs Plaguing Europe
• Iran Media Report New Cyberattack by Stuxnet Worm – Targets Power Plant
• New Colville Tribal Hatchery to Boost Columbia Fish Production Starting this Spring
• Pacific Northwest Snowfall Eases Drought Concerns ... For Now
• EPA Administrator Jackson Announces Resignation
• British Columbia Offshore Wind Signs Up Siemens, and Hopes
• 2013: A Cloudy Forecast for Renewable Energy, With a Silver Lining
• North Carolina - Power Company Wants to Pay Less for Solar Energy
• Christmas Trees Will Be Recycled to Create Electricity for California Residents
• New York City’s Law Tracking Energy Use Yields Some Surprises
• Climate Change Could Cut Western Water Runoff by Ten Percent
• California Law Tests Company Responses to Carbon Costs
• Who’s Killing the Electric Car? Consumers
• Rules Urge Bigger Hybrid, Electric Car Signage to Protecting Firefighters, Tow-Truck Drivers
• Why Are U-S Firms Going ‘Green’: CEOs or Customers?
• ‘The Cloud’ Challenges Amazon
• Why Your Computer is Getting Cheaper but Your Broadband Bill Isn’t
• Owen to Broker Deal - Washington State’s Lieutenant Governor Plans Meeting Friday with Senate Dems, New Majority Coalition
• Eyman Readies Washington State I-517, Adding Six Months to Get Signatures
• Pacific Council Strikes Last-Minute Deal to Save City
• Early Snow Lays Thick Snowpack for Pacific NW Ski Resorts
• Mason County Unemployment Up
• Japan Tsunami’s Floating Debris to Keep Hitting the Pacific Coast This
• Oak Tree Restaurant & Casino Abruptly Closes - Struggling Business Promises to Reopen

WORD OF THE DAY

Mise-en-scène • \meez-awn-SENN\ • noun - 1a: the arrangement of actors and scenery on a stage for a theatrical production b: stage setting 2a: the physical setting of an action (as of a narrative or a motion picture): context b: environment, milieu

The utility’s accounting department had the misfortune to work for a supervisor whose hobbies included improv theater…based on “Star Trek’s” Klingon mythology. To the staff’s immense displeasure, the last day of each work week had been converted from casual Friday to the Klingon ritual “Rite of passage.”

At the start of each Friday, along employees dressing in costume, the board room was converted into a mise-en-scène of Klingon finery. Each employee, from the mail boy to the head accountant was required to chant “Today I am a Warrior. I must show you my heart. I travel the river of blood.” Thankfully, members of the gauntlet used rolled up newspapers to whack the participants as they fled the room, instead of traditional Klingon painsticks.

(I am ashamed I know even THIS much about Klingons)

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

Avista Electricity & Natural Gas Rate Hikes Approved for Next Two Years (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/26/avista-rate-hikes-approved-next-2-years/

Idaho Supreme Court sides with PacifiCorp in Tax Fight (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/12/idaho_supreme_court_sides_with.html

Rules Trap Former Pacific Power Customers in Catch 22 (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA)

http://union-bulletin.com/news/2012/dec/24/rules-trap-former-pacific-power-customers-in/

Report Says Downed Puget Sound Energy Power Line Caused Pinehurst Home Explosion (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Report-Downed-power-line-caused-2011-Pinehurst-home-explosion--184848351.html

Highway 2 Open, Lake Wenatchee & Plain Power Mostly Restored (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/dec/26/highway-2-now-open/

Columbia River PUD Board Approves 2013 Budget (Coast River Business Journal, Astoria, OR)

http://www.crbizjournal.com/news/article_27864966-4f88-11e2-9f4b-001a4bcf887a.html

Mason County PUD 3 Commissioner Bruce Jorgenson Sworn in for Fourth Term (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1165

Emerald PUD Selects Kevin Parrish for Board Vacancy (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/web/updates/29228360-46/parrish-board-hill-pleasant-business.html.csp

Ashton Reservoir - East Idaho Dam Set to Reopen After Work Project (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/25/2364746/e-idaho-dam-set-to-reopen-after.html

Ailing California Nuclear Power Plant Faces Questions on Restart (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019995365_apusnuclearplantproblems.html

New York - Con Ed Considers Flying Drones for Future Disaster Response (New York Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2012/12/26/con-ed-considers-flying-drones-disaster.html

Pepco’s Smart Meter Installation behind Schedule (Washington, D-C Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/morning_call/2012/12/pepcos-smart-meter-installation.html

Marriage Leads to Demotion for Nashville Electric Service Utility Worker (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2012/12/26/marriage-leads-to-demotion/1792691/

High Energy Costs Plaguing Europe (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/27/business/energy-environment/27iht-green27.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Iran Media Report New Cyberattack by Stuxnet Worm – Targets Power Plant (Associated Press)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2012/12/25/stuxnet-iran-cyberattack/1790327

FISH & WILDLIFE

New Colville Tribal Hatchery to Boost Columbia Fish Production Starting this Spring (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2019995483_new_colville_tribal_hatchery_t.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Pacific Northwest Snowfall Eases Drought Concerns ... For Now (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/671801-8/snowfall-eases-drought-concerns-for-now

EPA Administrator Jackson Announces Resignation (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/politics/2019999567_apusepaadministrator.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

British Columbia Offshore Wind Signs Up Siemens, and Hopes (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/namarchetti/164416/bc-offshore-wind-signs-siemens-and-hopes

2013: A Cloudy Forecast for Renewable Energy, With a Silver Lining (TIME Magazine)

http://science.time.com/2012/12/27/2013-a-cloudy-forecast-for-renewable-energy-with-a-silver-lining/

North Carolina - Power Company Wants to Pay Less for Solar Energy (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/energy/article/Power-company-wants-to-pay-less-for-solar-energy-4146537.php

Christmas Trees Will Be Recycled to Create Electricity for California Residents (KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA)

http://www.ksby.com/news/christmas-trees-will-be-recycled-to-create-electricity-for-california-residents/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

New York City’s Law Tracking Energy Use Yields Some Surprises (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/25/science/earth/new-york-citys-effort-to-track-energy-efficiency-yields-some-surprises.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Change Could Cut Western Water Runoff by Ten Percent (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-climate-change-water-supplies-20121226,0,5925540.story

California Law Tests Company Responses to Carbon Costs (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/25/business/energy-environment/california-manufacturers-weigh-costs-of-new-greenhouse-gas-rules.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Who’s Killing the Electric Car? Consumers (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2012/1227/Who-s-killing-the-electric-car-Consumers

Rules Urge Bigger Hybrid, Electric Car Signage to Protecting Firefighters, Tow-Truck Drivers (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2012/12/25/hybrid-electric-car-first-responder-firefighter-police-badging/1785597/

Why Are U-S Firms Going ‘Green’: CEOs or Customers? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2012/1226/Why-are-US-firms-going-green-CEOs-or-customers

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

‘The Cloud’ Challenges Amazon (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/27/technology/latest-netflix-disruption-highlights-challenges-of-cloud-computing.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Why Your Computer is Getting Cheaper but Your Broadband Bill Isn’t (Gigaom)

http://gigaom.com/2012/12/07/why-your-computer-is-getting-cheaper-but-your-broadband-bill-isnt/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Owen to Broker Deal - Washington State’s Lieutenant Governor Plans Meeting Friday with Senate Dems, New Majority Coalition (Washington State Wire)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/owen-to-broker-deal-lieutenant-governor-plans-meeting-friday-with-senate-dems-new-majority-coalition/

Eyman Readies Washington State I-517, Adding Six Months to Get Signatures (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/26/2365590/eyman-says-he-is-ready-to-file.html

Pacific Council Strikes Last-Minute Deal to Save City (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Pacific-council-strikes-last-minute-deal-to-save-city-184892601.html

GENERAL NEWS

Early Snow Lays Thick Snowpack for Pacific NW Ski Resorts (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019999573_apidsnowpackskiresorts.html

Mason County Unemployment Up (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/8789#more-8789

Japan Tsunami’s Floating Debris to Keep Hitting the Pacific Coast This Winter (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/5971389/fukushima-debris-to-keep-hitting-the-pacific-coast-this-winter

Oak Tree Restaurant & Casino Abruptly Closes - Struggling Business Promises to Reopen (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/dec/24/oak-tree-casino-abruptly-closes/

DIVERSIONS

Pizza-Flavored Beer - They’re Not Selling Just a Garden Variety Brew

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/17127916-418/campton-hills-couple-builds-their-brand-unusual-brew-to-be-featured-on-brit-tv.html

World’s Largest Gluten-Free Pizza Weighs 50,000 Pounds

http://grist.org/food/worlds-largest-gluten-free-pizza-weighs-50000-pounds/

City Government Busts Old-Timey Soda Fountain for Selling Old-Timey Candy Cigarettes

http://consumerist.com/2012/12/27/city-government-busts-old-timey-soda-fountain-for-selling-old-timey-candy-cigarettes/

Southern California Couple Unlawfully Wedded for 48 Years

http://news.yahoo.com/calif-couple-unlawfully-wedded-48-years-195012881.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Dean Martin - That's Amore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q22UBqZcB9g

Energy News Digest for December 26, 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

Low Wholesale Electricity Prices Making Waves in Montana’s Power Industry (The Missoulian, MT – Part One of Two)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/low-wholesale-electricity-prices-making-waves-in-montana-s-power/article_59f1c79c-4cc5-11e2-bc4a-001a4bcf887a.html

Nippon’s Port Angeles Cogeneration Plant Clears Major Hurdle (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121224/NEWS/312249993/nippons-cogeneration-plant-clears-major-hurdle

Appeals Delay Port Townsend Biomass Project (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121224/news/312249989/appeals-delay-port-townsend-biomass-project

Idaho Power Seeks End to Two Efficiency Programs (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/24/2364044/utility-seeks-end-to-2-efficiency.html

New Study Says Population of Threatened Northwest Seabird Dropped 30% in a Decade (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/new-study-population-threatened-northwest-seabird-dropped-30-percent-decade-0

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Low Wholesale Electricity Prices Making Waves in Montana’s Power Industry
• Wind Power Industry in West Pushes to Extend Expiring Tax Credit
• Power a Problem for Festivities around Lake Wenatchee on Christmas Day
• California - Sacramento Municipal Utility District Warns of Scam ‘Past-Due’ Phone Calls
• Special Mason County PUD 3 Commission Meeting Thursday
• Alcoa’s North Carolina Jobs-for-Hydro License Offer, A Year Later
• Do Not Change Tax Treatment of Municipal Bonds, APPA; Others Tell Obama, Boehner
• New Study Says Population of Threatened Northwest Seabird Dropped 30% in a Decade
• World’s Most Extensive Salmon Tagging Program Tracks Passage Survival at Columbia-Snake Dams 
• Too Many Salmon, Not Enough Food
• Genetically Modified Salmon: Coming to Your Table Soon?
• Nippon’s Port Angeles Cogeneration Plant Clears Major Hurdle
• Appeals Delay Port Townsend Biomass Project
• Oregon Forest Biomass Grants Offered
• Wood Touted as ‘New’ Renewable Fuel
• Five Charts That Show the Massive Growth of Solar in 2012
• Idaho Power Seeks End to Two Efficiency Programs
• Energy Conservation Spares Lake Stevens School District from Cuts
• Snohomish PUD Offers Tips for Weathering Winter Cold Spells
• News Release - Seattle City Light Meeting, Exceeding Renewable Energy, Conservation Goals
• LEED Can’t Get a Break
• With Climate Change, Winter Isn’t What it Used to Be
• Electric-Car Owners in Washington State Face $100 Annual Fee
• Mobilisa Wins Bid to Build North Olympic Peninsula Broadband Backbone
• Netflix Streaming Service Back Online after Christmas Eve Outage
• Broadband Expansion Could Bring Better Health Care to Missouri
• Average United Kingdom Broadband Performance Below Peak Expected of ISPs, Netflix Warns
• In Norm Dicks’ Departure, Conclusion of a Team Effort
• Latest California State Parks Audit Finds More Mystery Money
• Mason County Budget Passes, But $1.2 Million Settlement Looms
• ‘Boom, Bust, Boom’: Copper, the Metal We Can’t Do Without
• Why You Might Be Able to ‘Smell’ Snow Coming

WORD OF THE DAY

Parietal • \puh-RYE-uh-tull\ • adjective

1a: of or relating to the walls of a part or cavity b: of, relating to, or forming the upper posterior wall of the head 2: attached to the main wall rather than the axis or a cross wall of a plant ovary - used of an ovule or a placenta 3: of or relating to college living or its regulation; especially: of or relating to the regulations governing the visiting privileges of members of the opposite sex in campus dormitories.

The Amazonian queen had seen quite enough of the bickering over new co-ed dormitories near the Athenian field-house. She thought that relaxing the parietal policy of a strict separation of her more war-like minions would soften their outlook on collegiate life, especially during rush week. Quite the contrary, it was a total disaster…which came to a head during the infamous “toilet seat position dispute” in the uni-sex restrooms.

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

Low Wholesale Electricity Prices Making Waves in Montana’s Power Industry (The Missoulian, MT – Part One of Two)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/low-wholesale-electricity-prices-making-waves-in-montana-s-power/article_59f1c79c-4cc5-11e2-bc4a-001a4bcf887a.html

Wind Power Industry in West Pushes to Extend Expiring Tax Credit (The Missoulian, MT – Part Two of Two)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/wind-power-industry-in-west-pushes-to-extend-expiring-tax/article_4478f00a-4d85-11e2-95db-001a4bcf887a.html

Power a Problem for Festivities around Lake Wenatchee on Christmas Day (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2161663

California - Sacramento Municipal Utility District Warns of Scam ‘Past-Due’ Phone Calls (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/22/5071391/smud-warns-of-scam-past-due-phone.html

Special Mason County PUD 3 Commission Meeting Thursday (Mason Web-TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/8747

Alcoa’s North Carolina Jobs-for-Hydro License Offer, A Year Later (WRAL, Raleigh, NC)

http://www.wral.com/alcoa-s-nc-jobs-for-license-offer-a-year-later/11909363/

Do Not Change Tax Treatment of Municipal Bonds, APPA; Others Tell Obama, Boehner (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=201371&issueID=26916

FISH & WILDLIFE

New Study Says Population of Threatened Northwest Seabird Dropped 30% in a Decade (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/new-study-population-threatened-northwest-seabird-dropped-30-percent-decade-0

World’s Most Extensive Salmon Tagging Program Tracks Passage Survival at Columbia-Snake Dams (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/424291.aspx

Too Many Salmon, Not Enough Food (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/salmon-lacking-food-supply/51058

Genetically Modified Salmon: Coming to Your Table Soon? (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2012/12/24/genetically-modified-salmon-coming-to-your-table-soon/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Nippon’s Port Angeles Cogeneration Plant Clears Major Hurdle (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121224/NEWS/312249993/nippons-cogeneration-plant-clears-major-hurdle

Appeals Delay Port Townsend Biomass Project (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121224/news/312249989/appeals-delay-port-townsend-biomass-project

Oregon Forest Biomass Grants Offered (St Helens Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thechronicleonline.com/news/article_8c78abda-4b95-11e2-9735-0019bb2963f4.html

Wood Touted as ‘New’ Renewable Fuel - Broader incentives for biothermal energy sought; some environmentalists skeptical (Baltimore Sun, MD)

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/blog/bs-gr-biomass-energy-20121224,0,7522942.story

Five Charts That Show the Massive Growth of Solar in 2012 (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/5-charts-that-show-the-amazing-growth-in-solar-in-2012-charts/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Idaho Power Seeks End to Two Efficiency Programs (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/24/2364044/utility-seeks-end-to-2-efficiency.html

Energy Conservation Spares Lake Stevens School District from Cuts (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Lake-Stevens-School-District-conservation-184631061.html

Snohomish PUD Offers Tips for Weathering Winter Cold Spells (Arlington Times, WA)

http://www.arlingtontimes.com/news/184518681.html

News Release - Seattle City Light Meeting, Exceeding Renewable Energy, Conservation Goals (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/news/2012/12/21/washington-city-light-meeting-exceeding-renewable-energy-conservation-goals.html

LEED Can’t Get a Break (Sustainable Industries)

http://blog.sustainableindustries.com/articles/2012/12/leed-cant-get-break

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

With Climate Change, Winter Isn’t What it Used to Be (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.com/html/snowsports/2019948667_winter21m.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Electric-Car Owners in Washington State Face $100 Annual Fee (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/24/2364074/electric-car-owners-in-wash-face.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Mobilisa Wins Bid to Build North Olympic Peninsula Broadband Backbone (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121223/news/312239999/mobilisa-wins-bid-to-build-broadband-backbone

Netflix Streaming Service Back Online after Christmas Eve Outage (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2019981729_apusnetflixoutage.html

Broadband Expansion Could Bring Better Health Care to Missouri (KOZL-TV, Springfield, MO)
http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=745362

Average United Kingdom Broadband Performance Below Peak Expected of ISPs, Netflix Warns (Silicon Republic)

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/comms/item/30849-average-broadband/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

In Norm Dicks’ Departure, Conclusion of a Team Effort (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/dec/22/in-norm-dicks-departure-concluding-a-team-effort/

Latest California State Parks Audit Finds More Mystery Money (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/22/5071204/parks.html

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Budget Passes, But $1.2 Million Settlement Looms (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/dec/23/mason-county-budget-passes-but-12-million-looms/

‘Boom, Bust, Boom’: Copper, the Metal We Can’t Do Without (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.com/html/books/2019939076_bookboombustboomusexml.html

Why You Might Be Able to ‘Smell’ Snow Coming (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/why-you-might-be-able-smell-snow-coming

DIVERSIONS

Crossing Guard Cat Watches Out for Students in Tri-Cities Area

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/22/2362549/crossing-guard-cat-watches-out.html

Lost, Blind Dog Finds Way Back to Alaska Owners

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019984913_apusblinddoghome.html

Zappos Customer-Service Call Lasts 10 Hours

http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2012/12/21/16069991-zappos-customer-service-call-lasts-10-hours?lite

Bears Were Used in Test Flights of World’s First Supersonic Jet Bomber

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/bears-were-used-test-flights-world-first-supersonic-225331539.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Jim Croce - Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaE-sBJQixg

Energy News Digest for December 21, 2012

Holiday Greetings from the Energy News Digest

As we near the end…of this year, I want to express my thanks to everyone who has commented on stories or made suggestions about how the news digest can better serve their needs. May your Christmas and New Year celebrations live up to the expectations inherent in the season.

BTW, the news digest will be enjoying hot buttered rum on Monday, and trying to dispose of wrapping paper in an ecologically sensitive way on Christmas. It will return, woozy and content on Wednesday morning.

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

Mason County PUD No. 1 Makes Strides in Electricity Restoration Push (Mason County PUD No. 1)

http://mason-pud1.org/

FERC Upholds Previous Wind Power Ruling, Asks BPA for Equitable Cost-Sharing Plan (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/12/ferc-upholds-previous-ruling-asks-bpa.html

Editorial - Saving Columbia Basin Salmon Requires a Boost in the Northwest’s Focus & Ingenuity (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/12/saving_the_salmon_requires_a_r.html

Wyden – Oregon’s U-S Senator Introduces Broadband Cap Bill (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Senator-Wyden-Introduces-Broadband-Cap-Bill-122506

Mason County - Winter Weather Advisory Dec. 21 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/45983-winter-weather-advisory-dec-21

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Mason County PUD 1 Makes Strides in Electricity Restoration Push (
• Mason County PUD 3 Crews Restore Electricity for 65 Dewatto–Area Customers
• Power Still Out for 2,000 Lake Wenatchee Area Customers as Trees Continue to Fall
• Oregon Utility Commission Shrinks Pacificorp Rate Hike
• 56 Avista Employees Approved for Buy-Out
• Pacific Gas & Electric Customers Get Bill for Gas Rebuild
• New Mexico State Regulators Halt Cooperative Rate Hikes, Call for Hearing
• Long Island Power Authority Faces Commission
• Ameren to Exit Power-Generation Business
• How Utilities Can Turn Pilots into Partnerships
• Editorial - Saving Columbia Basin Salmon Requires a Boost in the Northwest’s Focus & Ingenuity
• Sand Building Up Bars at Elwha River Mouth
• Boil-Water Advisory Issued in North Mason
• EPA Arrests Longview Septic Business Owner Accused of Dumping Violations
• FERC Upholds Previous Wind Power Ruling, Asks BPA for Equitable Cost-Sharing Plan
• World Trade Organization Says Canada Green Energy Scheme Broke Trade Rules
• Why It’s the End of the Line for Wind Power
• The ‘Most Tested Light Bulb in History’
• Why Renters Use More Electricity
• Burbank Utility Saves the Walt Disney Co. $23,000
• California Residential Utility Customers to See a ‘Climate Dividend’
• 72 Percent of Bids at California’s Carbon Auction Came from One Company’s Mistake
• Is Nuclear Power Necessary for Solving Climate Change?
• Electric Cars, Plug-In Hybrids Gain Sales
• Wyden – Oregon’s U-S Senator Introduces Broadband Cap Bill
• ‘The Basement’: Subterranean Visit to Pittock Building Yields Mementos of Bygone Age
• Homes for Hackers Experiments with ‘Fiber Tourism’
• Washington Supreme Court: Legislature Failing at Education Funding
• Democrats in Washington State Senate to Ask Lt. Governor to Help Shift Power to New Majority
• Congressman-Elect Heck Wins Seat at House Budget Committee
• Congressman-Elect Kilmer Earns House Armed Services Committee Appointment
• Mason County - Winter Weather Advisory Dec. 21
• Highway 101 in Hood Canal Area Reopened
• Mason County Golf Course “Salish Cliffs” Named to Golfweek Top 10
• A Helium Shortage Leads to Fewer Balloons in the Sky
• Ad in New York Times Thanks Washington Voters for Drug Reform’s “Best Year Ever”

WORD OF THE DAY

Hagiography • \hagg-ee-AW-gruh-fee\ • noun - 1: biography of saints or venerated persons 2: idealizing or idolizing biography.

“Write a book about me that leaves out the ‘naughty bits,’” extolled Stalin to his trembling biographer. “I guess I’m gonna have to pad this hagiography with LOTS of pictures,” the mousy, bespectacled ghost writer murmured to himself. “Otherwise this will be one thin volume.”

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

Mason County PUD No. 1 Makes Strides in Electricity Restoration Push (Mason County PUD No. 1)

http://mason-pud1.org/

Mason County PUD 3 Crews Restore Electricity for 65 Dewatto–Area Customers (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1163

Power Still Out for 2,000 Lake Wenatchee Area Customers as Trees Continue to Fall (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/dec/21/power-still-out-for-2000-customers/

Oregon Utility Commission Shrinks Pacificorp Rate Hike (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-utility-commission-shrinks-pacificorp-rate-hike/

56 Avista Employees Approved for Buy-Out (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/20/56-avista-employees-approved-buy-out/

Pacific Gas & Electric Customers Get Bill for Gas Rebuild (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/PG-amp-E-customers-get-bill-for-gas-rebuild-4135713.php

New Mexico State Regulators Halt Cooperative Rate Hikes, Call for Hearing (Taos News, NM)

http://www.taosnews.com/news/article_71bc2ee0-4aee-11e2-8fe7-001a4bcf887a.html

Long Island Power Authority Faces Commission (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2012/12/21/167771913/long-island-power-authority-faces-commission?ft=1&f=3

Ameren to Exit Power-Generation Business (Chicago Business Journal, IL)
http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2012/12/20/ameren-to-exit-power-generation.html

How Utilities Can Turn Pilots into Partnerships (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2012/1220/How-utilities-can-turn-pilots-into-partnerships

FISH & WILDLIFE

Editorial - Saving Columbia Basin Salmon Requires a Boost in the Northwest’s Focus & Ingenuity (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/12/saving_the_salmon_requires_a_r.html

Sand Building Up Bars at Elwha River Mouth (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.com/html/fieldnotes/2019952759_sand_building_up_bars_at_elwha_river_mouth.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Boil-Water Advisory Issued in North Mason (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/dec/20/boil-water-advisory-issued-in-north-mason/

EPA Arrests Longview Septic Business Owner Accused of Dumping Violations (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/epa-arrests-longview-septic-business-owner-accused-of-dumping-violations/article_602a9802-4b1a-11e2-b0da-001a4bcf887a.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

FERC Upholds Previous Wind Power Ruling, Asks BPA for Equitable Cost-Sharing Plan (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/12/ferc-upholds-previous-ruling-asks-bpa.html

World Trade Organization Says Canada Green Energy Scheme Broke Trade Rules (Reuters)

http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCABRE8BI18U20121219

Why It’s the End of the Line for Wind Power (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2012/12/21/why-its-the-end-of-the-line-for-wind-power/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

The ‘Most Tested Light Bulb in History’ (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/most-tested-light-bulb-history

Why Renters Use More Electricity (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/why-renters-use-more-electricity/

Burbank Utility Saves the Walt Disney Co. $23,000 (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=201203&issueID=26915

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California Residential Utility Customers to See a ‘Climate Dividend’ (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_22233821

72 Percent of Bids at California’s Carbon Auction Came from One Company’s Mistake (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/politics/72-percent-of-bids-at-californias-carbon-auction-came-from-one-companys-mistake/

Is Nuclear Power Necessary for Solving Climate Change? (The Guardian, UK)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/dec/21/nuclear-power-necessary-climate-change

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Electric Cars, Plug-In Hybrids Gain Sales (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Electric-cars-gaining-traction-slowly-but-surely-4135729.php

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Wyden – Oregon’s U-S Senator Introduces Broadband Cap Bill (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Senator-Wyden-Introduces-Broadband-Cap-Bill-122506

‘The Basement’: Subterranean Visit to Pittock Building Yields Mementos of Bygone Age (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2012/12/the_basement_subterranean_visi.html

Homes for Hackers Experiments with ‘Fiber Tourism’ (Kansas City Business Journal, MO)

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2012/12/homes-for-hackers-experiments-with.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington Supreme Court: Legislature Failing at Education Funding (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2012/12/washington_supreme_court_legis.html

Democrats In Washington State Senate to Ask Lt. Governor to Help Shift Power to New Majority (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/20/2360582/senate-dems-to-ask-lt-gov-owen.html

Congressman-Elect Heck Wins Seat at House Budget Committee (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/20/2360614/us-rep-elect-heck-wins-seat-at.html

Congressman-Elect Kilmer Earns House Armed Services Committee Appointment (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4967

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County - Winter Weather Advisory Dec. 21 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/45983-winter-weather-advisory-dec-21

Highway 101 in Hood Canal Area Reopened (Associated Press)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2012/12/highway-101-in-hood-canal-area-reopened/

Mason County Golf Course “Salish Cliffs” Named to Golfweek Top 10 (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/December-2012/Salish-Cliffs-named-to-Golfweek-Top-10/

A Helium Shortage Leads to Fewer Balloons in the Sky (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/us/a-helium-shortage-leads-to-fewer-balloons-in-the-sky.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Ad in New York Times Thanks Washington Voters for Drug Reform’s “Best Year Ever” (Seattle Times)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2012/12/19/ad-in-new-york-times-thanks-washington-voters-for-drug-reforms-best-year-ever/

DIVERSIONS

One-Third of Pacific Northwesterners Believe in Bigfoot

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2158784

Teacher Inherits $7 Million in Gold Coins from Reclusive Cousin

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1220/Teacher-inherits-7-million-in-gold-coins-from-reclusive-cousin

The Real Brothers Grimm Were Stranger than Fiction

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2012/1220/The-real-Brothers-Grimm-were-stranger-than-fiction

NASA Once Planned to Feed Astronauts Emergency Fruitcake

http://grist.org/article/nasa-once-planned-to-feed-astronauts-emergency-fruitcake/

SONG OF THE DAY

Brenda White - Christmas in the Northwest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYr9z0gTm2s

Charlotte Church & Josh Groban - The Prayer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckH3V_xOCnQ