Energy News Digest for October 2, 2013

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for October 2, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/10/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Fed Shut-Down – Normal Operations at Bonneville Power Administration: Self-Funding Agency! (U-S Department of Energy)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/10/fed-shut-down-normal-operations-at.html

The Shutdown, Day Two: Olympic National Park Curtails Operations; School Kids’ Visits among Foiled Plans (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131002/NEWS/310029986/the-shutdown-day-2-8212-olympic-national-park-curtails

FERC: Nominee for Energy Regulatory Post Withdraws (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/10/01/nominee-for-energy-regulatory-post-withdraws/2905249/

Reopening Columbia River to Salmon Could Come at High Cost to British Columbia Taxpayers - Bonneville Power reports already spending $750 million a year alleviating effects on wildlife (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Reopening+Columbia+River+salmon+could+come+high+cost+taxpayers/8980855/story.html

Analysis Shows Extending Wind Tax Credit Would Cost Billions (The Hill)

http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energyenvironment/325973-analysis-shows-wind-tax-credit-would-cost-billions-

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Fed Shut-Down – Normal Operations at Bonneville Power Administration: Self-Funding Agency!
• Department of Energy Implementation Activities in the Case of a Lapse of Appropriations
• What A Shutdown Means for Electric Cooperatives
• FERC: Nominee for Energy Regulatory Post Withdraws
• Reopening Columbia River to Salmon Could Come at High Cost to British Columbia Taxpayers
• Editorial: Columbia River Treaty Talks Need United Front
• Lewis County PUD Looks Into Possible Rate Increase
• Judge Won’t Halt Trustee’s Southern Montana Electric Bankruptcy Plan
• Alaska Utilities Seek $900 Million for Transmission Upgrades, Want to Form Grid Operator
• Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl Registration Opens
• Alaska’s Poor King Salmon Returns May Benefit Pacific Northwest
• Tacoma Penalized $40,000 for Unknowingly Sending PCB-Contaminated Oil from Collection Program to Be Recycled
• British Columbia First Nation Applies for Lucrative Water License on Nechako River
• Analysis Shows Extending Wind Tax Credit Would Cost Billions
• A Beginner’s Guide to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Reports
• Public Money Powers Charging Stations for Plug-In Cars, But Support Is Slowing
• Op/Ed: How to Bridge the Digital Divide for Low-Income Families
• These Charts Show Comcast Acting More & More Like a Monopolist
• New York City’s “LEED for Broadband” Will Help Companies Pick Tech-Friendly Office Locations
• Some Complain Apple’s IOS-7 is Making Them Sick
• Scientists Use Lightning Bolt to Charge Mobile Phone
• ‘Sign This Petition’: How Political Groups Are Turning Their Data Testing Tools on Social Media
• Shutdown: Social-Media Users Urge Congress to Stop Being ‘Stupid’
• Nebraska Utilities Use State Fair, Videos to Tell Customers about Benefits of Public Power
• The Shutdown, Day Two: Olympic National Park Curtails Operations; School Kids’ Visits among Foiled Plans
• Government Shutdown: Lawmakers Still Get a Check, Even As Staffers Sent Home
• Some Members of Washington State Congressional Delegation to Forego Pay
• Murray, Cantwell Furlough Most of Their Staffs
• Congressional Lawmakers Feeling the Heat from Government Shutdown
• Washington State Health Exchange Website Chokes On First Morning, Healed By Afternoon
• Washout Closes U-S 12 over White Pass
• First Take: Why Microsoft Shareholders Want Gates Out
• Oregonian Ends Daily Home Newspaper Delivery
• More Than Just Oysters at Shelton’s OysterFest
• Spokane Company to Buy Montana TV Stations

WORD OF THE DAY

Betwixt • \bi-TWICKTS\ • Adverb - Between

Betwixt or between

Redundant grammar, oh no!

Like Pete and repeat.

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

Fed Shut-Down – Normal Operations at Bonneville Power Administration: Self-Funding Agency! (U-S Department of Energy)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/10/fed-shut-down-normal-operations-at.html

Department of Energy Implementation Activities in the Case of a Lapse of Appropriations (US Department of Energy)

http://energy.gov/articles/department-energy-implementation-activities-case-lapse-appropriations

What A Shutdown Means for Electric Cooperatives (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/legislation/what-a-shutdown-means-for-co-ops/61667

FERC: Nominee for Energy Regulatory Post Withdraws (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/10/01/nominee-for-energy-regulatory-post-withdraws/2905249/

Reopening Columbia River to Salmon Could Come at High Cost to British Columbia Taxpayers - Bonneville Power reports already spending $750 million a year alleviating effects on wildlife (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Reopening+Columbia+River+salmon+could+come+high+cost+taxpayers/8980855/story.html

Editorial: Columbia River Treaty Talks Need United Front (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/oct/02/editorial-columbia-river-treaty-talks-need-united/

Lewis County PUD Looks Into Possible Rate Increase (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/10/lewis-county-pud-looks-into-possible.html

Judge Won’t Halt Trustee’s Southern Montana Electric Bankruptcy Plan (Great Falls Tribune, MT)

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20131002/NEWS01/310020008/Judge-won-t-halt-trustee-s-bankruptcy-plan

Alaska Utilities Seek $900 Million for Transmission Upgrades, Want to Form Grid Operator (SNL Financial)

http://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-25256996-11303

Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl Registration Opens (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-Regional-Science-Bowl-registration-opens.aspx

FISH & WILDLIFE

Alaska’s Poor King Salmon Returns May Benefit Pacific Northwest (Alaska Dispatch)

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130928/ak-beat-alaskas-poor-king-salmon-returns-may-benefit-pacific-northwest

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Tacoma Penalized $40,000 for Unknowingly Sending PCB-Contaminated Oil from Collection Program to Be Recycled (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/09/30/2814805/tacoma-penalized-40000-for-unknowingly.html

British Columbia First Nation Applies for Lucrative Water License on Nechako River (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-first-nation-applies-for-lucrative-water-licence-1.1874022?cmp=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Analysis Shows Extending Wind Tax Credit Would Cost Billions (The Hill)

http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energyenvironment/325973-analysis-shows-wind-tax-credit-would-cost-billions-

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

A Beginner’s Guide to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Reports (Popular Mechanics)

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/climate-change/a-beginners-guide-to-the-ipcc-climate-change-reports-15991849?click=pm_news

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Public Money Powers Charging Stations for Plug-In Cars, But Support Is Slowing (Denver Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/earth_to_power/2013/10/public-money-charges-market-for.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Op/Ed: How to Bridge the Digital Divide for Low-Income Families (Seattle Times - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2021940987_hilaryosheltonopedbroadbandaccess30xml.html

These Charts Show Comcast Acting More & More Like a Monopolist (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2013/10/01/these-charts-show-comcast-acting-more-and-more-like-a-monopolist/

New York City’s “LEED for Broadband” Will Help Companies Pick Tech-Friendly Office Locations (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2013/09/30/nycs-leed-for-broadband-will-help-companies-pick-tech-friendly-office-locations/

Some Complain Apple’s IOS-7 is Making Them Sick (Northwest Cable News Network)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/225909051.html

Scientists Use Lightning Bolt to Charge Mobile Phone (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24347185

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

‘Sign This Petition’: How Political Groups Are Turning Their Data Testing Tools on Social Media (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2013/09/01/sign-this-petition-how-political-groups-are-turning-their-data-testing-tools-on-social-media/?wprss=rss_technology&clsrd

Shutdown: Social-Media Users Urge Congress to Stop Being ‘Stupid’ (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_24221649

Nebraska Utilities Use State Fair, Videos to Tell Customers about Benefits of Public Power (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=236337&issueID=27116

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

The Shutdown, Day Two: Olympic National Park Curtails Operations; School Kids’ Visits among Foiled Plans (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131002/NEWS/310029986/the-shutdown-day-2-8212-olympic-national-park-curtails

Government Shutdown: Lawmakers Still Get a Check, Even As Staffers Sent Home (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/10/government_shutdown_lawmakers.html

Some Members of Washington State Congressional Delegation to Forego Pay (Northwest Cable News Network)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/226011911.html

Murray, Cantwell Furlough Most of Their Staffs (Seattle Times - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021941684_shutdowndcxml.html

Congressional Lawmakers Feeling the Heat from Government Shutdown (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/politics/No-progress-on-ending-stalemate-in-Washington-DC-226126501.html

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Health Exchange Website Chokes On First Morning, Healed By Afternoon (Associated Press)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131002/NEWS/310029984/state-health-exchange-website-chokes-on-first-morning-healed-by

Washout Closes U-S 12 over White Pass (Associated Press)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Washout-closes-US-12-over-White-Pass-226126271.html

First Take: Why Microsoft Shareholders Want Gates Out (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/10/02/first-take-why-sharedholders-want--gates-out/2907235/

Oregonian Ends Daily Home Newspaper Delivery (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/oregonian-newspaper-reduces-home-delivery/

More Than Just Oysters at Shelton’s OysterFest (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2013/10/01/shelton-oysterfest/

Spokane Company to Buy Montana TV Stations (Associated Press)

http://tdn.com/news/state-and-regional/washington/spokane-company-to-buy-montana-tv-stations/article_69e8f39a-fdb4-5c3a-9e94-c849d8670050.html

DIVERSIONS

Russell Wilson Reunites with Children’s Hospital Patient Who Got New Heart

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2366169

This Cool Photo Shows a Swarm of Butterflies Drinking a Turtle’s Tears

http://grist.org/list/this-cool-photo-shows-a-swarm-of-butterflies-drinking-a-turtles-tears/?utm_source=feedly

GPS Gets California Couple Stranded for 2 Days on Logging Road in Southern Oregon

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2013/09/gps_gets_california_couple_str.html

Federal Way Mayor Investigated for Theft Involving Own Campaign Signs

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Federal-Way-mayor-investigated-for-theft-involving-own-campaign-signs-226065211.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Dolly Parton - Love is Like a Butterfly

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for September 30, 2013

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for September 30, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/09/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_30.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

With Water Treaty Set to Expire, Future of Columbia River Up for Debate (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/debating-the-future-of-the-columbia-river/article14584669/

Pacific Northwest Tribes Exult as Nearly One Million Chinook Return to Columbia River (Indian Country Today)

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/09/26/northwest-tribes-exult-nearly-one-million-fall-chinook-return-columbia-river-151454

NorthWestern to Buy PPL Montana’s 11 Hydropower Dams (The Missoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/northwestern-to-buy-ppl-montana-s-hydropower-dams/article_24859418-26ee-11e3-a055-001a4bcf887a.html

Longtime Foes Unite Over Water Plan for Eastern Washington (Seattle Times - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021921558_yakimawaterxml.html

Credits to Spur Renewable Energy Sources Seen Set to End (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-30/credits-to-spur-renewable-energy-sources-seen-set-to-end-taxes.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• With Water Treaty Set to Expire, Future of Columbia River Up for Debate
• Editorial: The Pacific Northwest Needs an Overhauled Columbia River Treaty
• NorthWestern to Buy PPL Montana’s 11 Hydropower Dams
• Spokane Tribe Hopeful Its Long Wait for Payment over Grand Coulee Dam Will End
• Restoration of Electricity Continues for Tahuya Area Residents – 980 Customers Remain
• ‘Smart Meter’ Project: Port Angeles City Council to Consider Request for $99,000 ‘Smart Meter’ Consultant
• 81 Legislators Urge Progress on Yucca Mountain Licensing
• Small Modular Reactor Use Denounced By Scientists Group
• Fitch Affirms Energy Northwest’s Wind Project Revenue Bonds at ‘A-’; Outlook Stable
• Cascade Natural Gas Planning Price Increase
• Old, Crumbling Dams Pose Potential Hazards across Michigan
• Returning Chinook ‘Through the Roof’
• More Room to Spawn
• Longtime Foes Unite Over Water Plan for Eastern Washington
• Study: Charred Forests in Columbia Basin Headwaters Leads to Changed Snow Runoff Patterns
• Credits to Spur Renewable Energy Sources Seen Set to End
• Other Western States Outpacing New Mexico on Renewable Energy
• Forget Eagle Deaths, Wind Turbines Kill Humans
• Company Works to Promote Power of Ductless Heat Pumps
• Why Efficiency Is Harder in Industrial Facilities than Commercial Buildings
• Washington State Governor’s Climate Panel Looks at Uphill Haul
• High-Speed Broadband Networks with a Safety Net
• Google Launches Huge Overhaul of Search Algorithm - Which You Probably Didn’t Notice
• Broadband from the Bell Tower: The Church That Became an Internet Hub
• Is Your Business Spending Too Much Time on Facebook?
• Facebook Editing Function Raises Concern over Misuse
• This Is Why No One Follows You on Twitter

WORD OF THE DAY

Foofaraw • \FOO-fu-raw\ • Noun - 1: frills & flashy finery 2: a disturbance or to-do over a trifle: fuss

Pretty foofaraw

Lipstick on a pig, yahoo

Punch drunk from outage

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

With Water Treaty Set to Expire, Future of Columbia River Up for Debate (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/debating-the-future-of-the-columbia-river/article14584669/

Editorial: The Pacific Northwest Needs an Overhauled Columbia River Treaty (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/09/the_northwest_needs_an_overhau.html

NorthWestern to Buy PPL Montana’s 11 Hydropower Dams (The Missoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/northwestern-to-buy-ppl-montana-s-hydropower-dams/article_24859418-26ee-11e3-a055-001a4bcf887a.html

Spokane Tribe Hopeful Its Long Wait for Payment over Grand Coulee Dam Will End (McClatchy News Service)

http://www.macon.com/2013/09/30/2688570/tribe-hopeful-its-long-wait-for.html

Restoration of Electricity Continues for Tahuya Area Residents – 980 Customers Remain (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1271

‘Smart Meter’ Project: Port Angeles City Council to Consider Request for $99,000 ‘Smart Meter’ Consultant (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130930/NEWS/309309990/smart-meter-project-port-angeles-city-council-to-consider-request

81 Legislators Urge Progress on Yucca Mountain Licensing (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/09/28/2599480/81-legislators-urge-progress-on.html

Small Modular Reactor Use Denounced By Scientists Group (Akin Standard, SC)

http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20130927/AIK0101/130929542/1004/small-modular-reactor-use-denounced

Fitch Affirms Energy Northwest’s Wind Project Revenue Bonds at ‘A-’; Outlook Stable (Yahoo! Finance)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fitch-affirms-energy-northwest-wind-173100189.html

Cascade Natural Gas Planning Price Increase (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/09/27/2597314/cascade-natural-gas-planning-price.html

Old, Crumbling Dams Pose Potential Hazards across Michigan (McClatchy News Service)

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20130930/NEWS26/309300003/Old-crumbling-dams-pose-potential-hazards-across-Michigan

FISH & WILDLIFE

Pacific Northwest Tribes Exult as Nearly One Million Chinook Return to Columbia River (Indian Country Today)

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/09/26/northwest-tribes-exult-nearly-one-million-fall-chinook-return-columbia-river-151454

Returning Chinook ‘Through the Roof’ (The Eatonville Dispatch, WA)

http://www.dispatchnews.com/?p=3179

More Room to Spawn (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/sep/28/new-railroad-bridge-clears-century-old-obstacle-for-young-salmon/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Longtime Foes Unite Over Water Plan for Eastern Washington (Seattle Times - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021921558_yakimawaterxml.html

Study: Charred Forests in Columbia Basin Headwaters Leads to Changed Snow Runoff Patterns (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/428442.aspx

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Credits to Spur Renewable Energy Sources Seen Set to End (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-30/credits-to-spur-renewable-energy-sources-seen-set-to-end-taxes.html

Other Western States Outpacing New Mexico on Renewable Energy (Albuquerque Business First, NM)

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2013/09/27/other-western-states-exceed-nm-renewable.html

Forget Eagle Deaths, Wind Turbines Kill Humans (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2013/09/29/forget-eagle-deaths-wind-turbines-kill-humans/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Company Works to Promote Power of Ductless Heat Pumps (Olympian, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/09/29/2749304/company-works-to-promote-power.html

Why Efficiency Is Harder in Industrial Facilities than Commercial Buildings (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/stephenlacey/279661/why-efficiency-so-much-harder-industrial-facilities-commercial-buildings

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Governor’s Climate Panel Looks at Uphill Haul (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2013/09/28/washington-governor/116667/governors-climate-panel-looks-ways-get-moving/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

High-Speed Broadband Networks with a Safety Net (The Hill)

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/324911-high-speed-broadband-netwroks-with-a-safety-net

Google Launches Huge Overhaul of Search Algorithm - Which You Probably Didn’t Notice (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2013/09/27/google-launches-huge-overhaul-of-search-algorithm-which-you-probably-didnt-notice/

Broadband from the Bell Tower: The Church That Became an Internet Hub (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/29/broadband-bell-tower-st-andrews-church-paull

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Is Your Business Spending Too Much Time on Facebook? (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/09/30/facebook-small-business/

Facebook Editing Function Raises Concern over Misuse (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24330771

This Is Why No One Follows You on Twitter (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/09/30/twitter-followers/

DIVERSIONS

Chevrolet Dealer’s Old, Undriven Cars Auctioned Off

http://www.usatoday.com/story/driveon/2013/09/30/lambrecht-chevrolet-auction-nebraska/2894401/

Quack! Wisconsin Bill, No Pun Intended, Seeks to Legalize Rubber Duck Races

http://www.tribtown.com/view/story/5e34b3d472d148e68baa4a64081dbd8d/WI-ODD--Duck-Races

Jewels on French Mountain May Be from Plane Crash

http://news.yahoo.com/jewels-french-mountain-may-plane-crash-175511263.html

Boeing Turns Aging Planes into Drones for Air Force Target Practice

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/boeing-turns-aging-planes-into-drones-for-air-force-target-practice-010653391.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Shirley Bassey - Diamonds Are Forever

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for September 27, 2013

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for September 27, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/09/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_27.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FOUR STORIES

Stormy Weekend to Bring a Lot of Rain to the Mountains (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Stormy-weekend-to-bring-a-lot-of-rain-to-the-mountains-225379282.html

Puget Sound Energy to Pay $275,000 Fine for North Seattle Home Explosion (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/PSU-to-pay-275k-fine-for-North-Seattle-home-explosion-225434022.html

Why Is Solar Power Booming in Snohomish County? (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/Solar-power-doubles-in-Snohomish-Countykeeps-growing--225419522.html

Google Says Data Center Expansion in the Dalles Will Cost $600 Million (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2013/09/google_says_data_center_expans.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Puget Sound Energy to Pay $275,000 Fine for North Seattle Home Explosion
• Ex-Seattle Utilities Employee Pleads Guilty to $1.1 Million Theft
• Idaho: Rupert Electric Rates to Increase by Four Percent
• B-C Hydro Executive Takes Home $1 Million Pay Packet Again
• Northern Wasco PUD Offers New Billing Option, Adds Weatherization Cap
• Coal Makes Comeback in U-S Power Generation
• National Grid Settles with Northeast U-S Workers Who Waited Months for Pay after Superstorm
• Work Under Way to Squirrel-Proof Tampa Electric Company Lines
• Dolphins, Whales Likely to Get Added Protections under Court Ruling
• Wild Salmon: Are Their Best Days All Behind Them?
• Wild Washington King Salmon Gets Waxed by Costco Frozen, Farm Raised in Blind Taste Test
• Contra Costa County: PG&E Continues Work to Protect Endangered Butterfly near Antioch Dunes
• Why Is Solar Power Booming in Snohomish County?
• California: As More Go Solar, Grid Users Forced to Pay Up
• Cost of Solar Set to Plummet with New 44.7% Efficiency Record
• Vestas Receives Largest Order in Three Years
• California: Eagle Conservation Effort at Solano Wind Energy Project Is First of Its Kind
• Space Heaters: Wallet Saver or Eater?
• U-S Is Making a Dent in Its Climate Change Goals
• Global Warming ‘Extremely Likely’ to be Man-Made, U-N Panel Says
• Google Says Data Center Expansion in the Dalles Will Cost $600 Million
• Intel Needs Partner for Its TV Initiative, Sources Say
• Nearly 78 Percent of American Homes Have Broadband & Nine Percent Cord Cutters
• Seattle Is a Hub of Big Data & Cloud Innovation, Say TechNW Panelists
• Bill Gates Admits ‘Ctrl-Alt-Del’ Was a ‘Mistake’
• New Look, Better Search for BPA’s Transmission Website
• Stormy Weekend to Bring a Lot of Rain to the Mountains
• Special Weather Statement Issued for Weekend Rain, Possibly Blustery Conditions
• Green Diamond Opens Lands, Starts Rewards Program
• Timber Payments for Oregon Counties Clears Last Congressional Hurdle
• Grocery Workers Authorize Strike - If It Comes to That

WORD OF THE DAY

Hoary • \HORE-ee\ • Adjective – 1: showing characteristics of age, especially having gray or white hair 2: ancient.

Brad’s male-pattern-blindness irritated his charming wife to no end. He would stand before the humming refrigerator, tendrils of cold, misty air wafting around his cranium, as he looked for things as simple as a bottle of catsup, or a jar of pickles. What disturbed his wife (her name was Trudy) the most was his overlooking of boxes of hoary leftovers from “Outback”, “Olive Garden” and other restaurants whose rumination added a pungent odor to the kitchen with each foray into the fridge.

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

Puget Sound Energy to Pay $275,000 Fine for North Seattle Home Explosion (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/PSU-to-pay-275k-fine-for-North-Seattle-home-explosion-225434022.html

Ex-Seattle Utilities Employee Pleads Guilty to $1.1 Million Theft (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Ex-Seattle-utilities-employee-pleads-guilty-to-11-million-embezzlement-225415462.html

Idaho: Rupert Electric Rates to Increase by Four Percent (Weekly News Journal, Burley, ID)

http://www.minicassia.com/news/local/article_d3a46132-26cf-11e3-b72f-001a4bcf6878.html

B-C Hydro Executive Takes Home $1 Million Pay Packet Again (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-hydro-executive-takes-home-1m-pay-packet-again-1.1869523?cmp=rss

Northern Wasco PUD Offers New Billing Option, Adds Weatherization Cap (The Dalles Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2013/sep/26/pud-offers-new-billing-option-adds-weatherization-/

Coal Makes Comeback in U-S Power Generation - Higher natural gas prices cause utilities to burn more polluting coal (Scientific American – Couldn’t resist a little jab, could you?)

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=coal-makes-comeback-in-us-power-generation

National Grid Settles with Northeast U-S Workers Who Waited Months for Pay after Superstorm (Associated Press)

http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/national-grid-settles-mass-ny-ri-workers-waited-213028351.html

Work Under Way to Squirrel-Proof Tampa Electric Company Lines (Tampa Tribune, FL)

http://tampatribune.com/news/teco-lines-get-squirrel-proofed-20130925/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Dolphins, Whales Likely to Get Added Protections under Court Ruling (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Dolphins-whales-likely-to-get-added-protections-under-US-court-ruling-225380532.html

Wild Salmon: Are Their Best Days All Behind Them? (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2013/09/27/environment/116498/what-will-it-take-wild-salmon-return-record-number/

Wild Washington King Salmon Gets Waxed by Costco Frozen, Farm Raised in Blind Taste Test (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2362963

Contra Costa County: PG&E Continues Work to Protect Endangered Butterfly near Antioch Dunes (Pacific Gas & Electric)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/09/26/contra-costa-county-pge-continues-work-to-protect-endangered-butterfly-near-antioch-dunes/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Why Is Solar Power Booming in Snohomish County? (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/Solar-power-doubles-in-Snohomish-Countykeeps-growing--225419522.html

California: As More Go Solar, Grid Users Forced to Pay Up (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/As-more-go-solar-grid-users-forced-to-pay-up-4847318.php

Cost of Solar Set to Plummet with New 44.7% Efficiency Record (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/tinacasey/279671/cost-solar-set-plummet-new-447-efficiency-record

Vestas Receives Largest Order in Three Years (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/09/vestas_receives_largest_order.html

California: Eagle Conservation Effort at Solano Wind Energy Project Is First of Its Kind (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/09/27/5772735/eagle-conservation-effort-at-solano.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Space Heaters: Wallet Saver or Eater? (Northern Michigan Review, Petoskey, MI)

http://www.petoskeynews.com/news/featured/pnr-space-heaters-wallet-saver-or-eater-20130927,0,3535437.story

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

U-S Is Making a Dent in Its Climate Change Goals (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/26/climate-change-progress/2877611/

Global Warming ‘Extremely Likely’ to be Man-Made, U-N Panel Says (Associated Press)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/global-warming-extremely-likely-to-be-man-made-un-panel-says-1.1870378

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Says Data Center Expansion in the Dalles Will Cost $600 Million (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2013/09/google_says_data_center_expans.html

Intel Needs Partner for Its TV Initiative, Sources Say (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/09/intel_needs_partner_to_keep_tv.html

Nearly 78 Percent of American Homes Have Broadband & Nine Percent Cord Cutters (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2013/09/26/nearly-78-percent-of-american-homes-have-broadband/

Seattle Is a Hub of Big Data & Cloud Innovation, Say TechNW Panelists (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2013/09/seattle-is-the-hub-of-big-data-cloud.html

Bill Gates Admits ‘Ctrl-Alt-Del’ Was a ‘Mistake’ (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Bill-Gates-Ctrl-Alt-Del-mistake-225385052.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

New Look, Better Search for BPA’s Transmission Website (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/New-look-better-search-for-BPAs-Transmission-website.aspx

GENERAL NEWS

Stormy Weekend to Bring a Lot of Rain to the Mountains (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Stormy-weekend-to-bring-a-lot-of-rain-to-the-mountains-225379282.html

Special Weather Statement Issued for Weekend Rain, Possibly Blustery Conditions (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1261

Green Diamond Opens Lands, Starts Rewards Program (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/6059-green-diamond-opens-lands-starts-rewards-program

Timber Payments for Oregon Counties Clears Last Congressional Hurdle (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2013/09/timber_payments_for_oregon_cou.html

Grocery Workers Authorize Strike - If It Comes to That (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130926/BIZ/709269886

DIVERSIONS

Our Universe Might Just Be Fourth-Dimensional Black Hole Vomit

http://gizmodo.com/our-universe-might-just-be-fourth-dimensional-black-hol-1410271260

TomTato Combines Two Plants in One

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/tomtato-combines-two-plants-into-one-231215239.html

Pilots Fall Asleep on Long-Haul Flight to UK

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/26/us-airlines-pilots-asleep-idUSBRE98P12Y20130926

China Puffer Fish Tower Prompts a Huff about State Spending

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/27/us-china-fish-idUSBRE98Q0FT20130927

SONG OF THE DAY

Bing Crosby - Swinging on a Star

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.