Hot Shots Edition - Energy News Digest for September 15, 2014

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP STORIES

Fire Chiefs Seek Probe of 'Smart' Meters in Nevada (Associated Press)

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=151&sid=31562002&title=fire-chiefs-seek-probe-of-smart-meters-in-nevada

Sockeye Run Tops Modern Record (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/09/12/3372192_sockeye-run-tops-modern-record.html

Fraser River Sockeye Run Still Avoiding U-S Waters, Frustrating Whatcom County Fishermen (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/09/15/3853399_fraser-river-sockeye-run-still.html

Avista Proposes Rate Increase for Natural Gas & Decrease in Electricity (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/sep/12/avista-proposes-rate-increase-and-decrease/

FCC Subpoenas Idaho over Broadband Contract (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/FCC-subpoenas-Idaho-over-broadband-contract-275017131.html

In Vermont, a Milestone in Green-Energy Efforts (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/In-Vermont-a-milestone-in-green-energy-efforts-5754803.php

At Least 150 Major Companies Prep for Carbon Prices (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/09/15/us-companies-plan-for-climate-change-with-carbon-price/15526831/

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 12, 2014

Programming Note: The energy news digest will be communing with communicators from throughout the Pacific Northwest next week. Prepare thyself for the “Hot Shots” format!

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

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 12, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/09/word-cloud-energy-news-digest-for_12.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Shelton-Area Brush Fire Temporarily Shut Down Hwy 101 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/18771-brush-fire-shuts-down-hwy-101

Fire Danger: Mason County Red Flag Warning Remains in Effect through 9:00 Tonight (National Weather Service, Seattle)

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=WAZ511&warncounty=WAC045&firewxzone=WAZ655&local_place1=6%20Miles%20WNW%20Shelton%20WA&product1=Red+Flag+Warning&lat=47.23890&lon=-123.20600#.VBMZ-jJdV8E

Columbia River: Adult Fall Chinook Returns Shatter Single-Day Record Set Just One Year Ago (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Adult-fall-chinook-returns-shatter-single-day-record-set-just-one-year-ago.aspx

Puget Sound Energy Ordered to Share Gain with Ratepayers (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/September-2014/PSE-ordered-to-share-gain-with-ratepayers/

Google’s Studied Silence on Net Neutrality Has Finally Broken (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/09/10/googles-studied-silence-on-net-neutrality-has-finally-broken/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Puget Sound Energy Ordered to Share Gain with Ratepayers
• Portland General Electric, PacifiCorp Likely to Get Rate Increases
• County, Cities, Okanogan PUD Working with FEMA on Funds for Fire-Related Damage Repairs
• Substation Failure Causes Port Townsend Power Outage
• Mason PUD 3 Commission Report - August 9, 2014 Business Meeting
• Areva’s Richland Plant to Fabricate Nuclear Fuel for Tennessee Valley Authority
• Is it Really Necessary to Have a Deep Geologic Repository for Used Nuclear Fuel?
• Op/Ed: Nuclear Power - A Risky Wager for the Northwest
• Authorities Warn Businesses about Scammers Posing as Cowlitz PUD Representatives
• The Smallest Losers Win: RP3 Program Supports Efficient Operations
• Latest Round in PURPA Wars: Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Rule Limiting PURPA Rights of Wind Generators
• Video: Solar Storm Heading for Earth
• New York Energy Company Teams Up with School District to Groom Future Recruits
• Columbia River: Adult Fall Chinook Returns Shatter Single-Day Record Set Just One Year Ago
• Fish Rap: Fall Chinook Run Should Pour in Next Week
• New Fishing Rule Protects Endangered Seabird
• House Passes Bill That Would Block Proposed ‘Waters of the United States’ Rule
• Portland Energy Advocates Provide Solar Power That’ll Warm Oregon Vets
• The Straight Dope: Marijuana Cultivation Uses a Lot of Electricity
• Sea-Tac Only Airport in North America to Win Award for Reducing Carbon Emissions
• Air Pollution: Judge Bars Former EPA Official from Testifying in Enforcement Suit
• Nevada Lawmakers Approve Tesla Tax Breaks
• Players Help Power the Lights on This Soccer Field Just by Running
• Google’s Studied Silence on Net Neutrality Has Finally Broken
• The Switchboard: U-S Threatened Yahoo with $250,000 per Day Fine to Force Release of Data
• Three Things That Can Devour Your Data Plan
• Facebook Apologizes for Banning 2-Month-Old Heart Patient’s ‘Gory’ Photo
• 74% of Packers-Seahawks Google Searches Came Via Smartphone
• Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
• Washington State Supreme Court Holds Legislature in Contempt over School Funding
• Appeals Court: Public Business Conducted on Prosecutor’s Private Phone Is Still Public
• PAC Refunds $225,000 to another PAC in 35th District Race Pitting Senator Sheldon, Challenger Irene Bowling
• Shelton-Area Brush Fire Temporarily Shut Down Hwy 101
• Fire Danger: Mason County Red Flag Warning Remains in Effect through 9:00 Tonight
• Two Wildfires Burning in Western Washington State
• High Winds, Downed Power Lines Lead to Numerous Grass Fires around Portland Metropolitan Area
• Shelton School Superintendent Replaced
• Reminder: Drivers Strongly Urged to Avoid I-5 in Olympia Over Next Two Weekends
• A Very Warm Autumn & Winter Ahead?
• After a Two-Year Trek, NASA’s Mars Rover Reaches Its Mountain Lab

WORD OF THE DAY

Exacerbate • \igg-ZASS-err-bayt\ • Verb - to make more violent, bitter, or severe

Sisyphus’ long task

Exacerbated by slope

No brake (or break) for the guy!

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Puget Sound Energy Ordered to Share Gain with Ratepayers (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/September-2014/PSE-ordered-to-share-gain-with-ratepayers/

Portland General Electric, PacifiCorp Likely to Get Rate Increases (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2013/07/12/pge-pacificorp-likely-to-get-rate-increases/

County, Cities, Okanogan PUD Working with FEMA on Funds for Fire-Related Damage Repairs (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

http://methowvalleynews.com/2014/09/11/county-cities-pud-working-with-fema-on-funds-for-fire-related-damage-repairs/

Substation Failure Causes Port Townsend Power Outage (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140912/NEWS/309129987/substation-failure-causes-port-townsend-power-outage

Mason PUD 3 Commission Report - August 9, 2014 Business Meeting (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1424

Areva’s Richland Plant to Fabricate Nuclear Fuel for Tennessee Valley Authority (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/09/11/3149015_arevas-richland-plant-to-fabricate.html

Is it Really Necessary to Have a Deep Geologic Repository for Used Nuclear Fuel? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/rodadams/484851/it-really-necessary-have-deep-geologic-repository-used-nuclear-fuel

Op/Ed: Nuclear Power - A Risky Wager for the Northwest (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2014/09/11/op-ed/121825/nuclear-power-risky-for-nw-physicians-social-respo/

Authorities Warn Businesses about Scammers Posing as Cowlitz PUD Representatives (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/55ed8186-3a8a-11e4-9af2-5bb0eab9d08c.html

The Smallest Losers Win: RP3 Program Supports Efficient Operations (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/sme/?p=214

Latest Round in PURPA Wars: Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Rule Limiting PURPA Rights of Wind Generators (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

http://www.energynaturalresourceslaw.com/2014/09/latest-round-in-purpa-wars-fifth-circuit-upholds-texas-rule-limiting-purpa-rights-of-wind-generators.html

Video: Solar Storm Heading for Earth (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2014/09/10/solar-flare-space-weather/15415827/

New York Energy Company Teams Up with School District to Groom Future Recruits (Albany Business Review, NY)

http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/morning_call/2014/09/energy-company-teams-up-school-district-to-groom.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia River: Adult Fall Chinook Returns Shatter Single-Day Record Set Just One Year Ago (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Adult-fall-chinook-returns-shatter-single-day-record-set-just-one-year-ago.aspx

Fish Rap: Fall Chinook Run Should Pour in Next Week (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/09/11/3368891_fall-chinook-run-should-pour-in.html?rh=1

New Fishing Rule Protects Endangered Seabird (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/state-and-regional/oregon/new-fishing-rule-protects-endangered-seabird/article_f5a512c8-3875-11e4-be5c-0019bb2963f4.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

House Passes Bill That Would Block Proposed ‘Waters of the United States’ Rule (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=284586&issueID=34941

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Portland Energy Advocates Provide Solar Power That’ll Warm Oregon Vets (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/09/portland-energy-advocates-provide-solar-power.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

The Straight Dope: Marijuana Cultivation Uses a Lot of Electricity (Forbes Magazine – Love the wrap up paragraph)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2014/09/10/the-straight-dope-marijuana-cultivation-uses-a-lot-of-electricity/?ss=energy

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Sea-Tac Only Airport in North America to Win Award for Reducing Carbon Emissions (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2014/09/08/sea-tac-only-airport-in-north-america-to-win-award.html

Air Pollution: Judge Bars Former EPA Official from Testifying in Enforcement Suit (E&E Publishing)

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060005574

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Nevada Lawmakers Approve Tesla Tax Breaks (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/09/12/nevada-approves-tesla-tax-breaks/15495355/

Players Help Power the Lights on This Soccer Field Just by Running (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/players-help-power-the-lights-on-this-soccer-field-just-1633915251

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google’s Studied Silence on Net Neutrality Has Finally Broken (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/09/10/googles-studied-silence-on-net-neutrality-has-finally-broken/

The Switchboard: U-S Threatened Yahoo with $250,000 per Day Fine to Force Release of Data (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/09/12/the-switchboard-u-s-threatened-yahoo-with-250000-per-day-fine-to-force-release-of-data/

Three Things That Can Devour Your Data Plan (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2014/09/12/3-things-that-devour-your-data-plan/15265115/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Apologizes for Banning 2-Month-Old Heart Patient’s ‘Gory’ Photo (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/health/facebook-apologizes-for-banning-2-month-old-heart-97161297552.html

74% of Packers-Seahawks Google Searches Came Via Smartphone - Game-Day Data Underscores Mobile’s Emergence (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/74-packers-seahawks-google-searches-came-smartphones-160062

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/09/12/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-256/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Supreme Court Holds Legislature in Contempt over School Funding (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-Supreme-Court-holds-Legislature-in-contempt-274771451.html

Appeals Court: Public Business Conducted on Prosecutor’s Private Phone Is Still Public (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/09/09/3370816_appeals-court-public-business.html?sp=/99/296/331/&rh=1

PAC Refunds $225,000 to another PAC in 35th District Race Pitting Senator Sheldon, Challenger Irene Bowling (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/09/11/3374541/pac-refunds-225000-to-another.html

GENERAL NEWS

Shelton-Area Brush Fire Temporarily Shut Down Hwy 101 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/18771-brush-fire-shuts-down-hwy-101

Fire Danger: Mason County Red Flag Warning Remains in Effect through 9:00 Tonight (National Weather Service, Seattle)

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=WAZ511&warncounty=WAC045&firewxzone=WAZ655&local_place1=6%20Miles%20WNW%20Shelton%20WA&product1=Red+Flag+Warning&lat=47.23890&lon=-123.20600#.VBMZ-jJdV8E

Two Wildfires Burning in Western Washington State (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/09/12/wildfire-pacific-county-key-peninsula/15503405/

High Winds, Downed Power Lines Lead to Numerous Grass Fires around Portland Metropolitan Area (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/09/high_winds_downed_power_lines.html

Shelton School Superintendent Replaced (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/18770-shelton-superintendent-replaced

Reminder: Drivers Strongly Urged to Avoid I-5 in Olympia Over Next Two Weekends (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/local-news/208739

A Very Warm Autumn & Winter Ahead? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-very-warm-autumn-and-winter-ahead.html

After a Two-Year Trek, NASA’s Mars Rover Reaches Its Mountain Lab (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/12/science/space/after-a-two-year-trek-nasa-mars-rover-reaches-its-mountain-lab.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

DIVERSIONS

Stolen Seahawks Garden Gnome Returns Home to Tumwater - With a Twist

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Kidnapped-Seahawks-garden-gnome-returns-home-with-a-twist-274834841.html

Burke Museum: Here’s the Mask That Likely Inspired the Seattle Seahawks’ Logo

http://www.kplu.org/post/burke-museum-heres-mask-likely-inspired-seattle-seahawks-logo

Northern Lights Could Dazzle Seattle Sky This Weekend

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2606078/Northern-Lights-could-dazzle-Seattle-sky-this-weekend

San Diego Cabbies Cry Foul over Body Odor Test

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory/san-diego-cabbies-cry-foul-body-odor-test-25452447

SONG OF THE DAY

NFL Films, Sam Spence - The Over the Hill Gang, Autumn Thunder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4E0AXU2myM

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 10, 2014

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Dry Conditions, Low Humidity in Mason County - Fire Weather Warning (National Weather Service, Seattle)

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=WAZ511&warncounty=WAC045&firewxzone=WAZ655&local_place1=6%20Miles%20WNW%20Shelton%20WA&product1=Red+Flag+Warning&lat=47.23890&lon=-123.20600#.VBCaRTJdV8F

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 10, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/09/word-cloud-energy-news-digest-for_10.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington’s Indoor Pot Grows Could Be Big Power Suck (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2605144/Washingtons-indoor-pot-grows-could-be-big-power-suck

Chinook Going Coo-Coo Crazy on the Columbia (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/09/09/3365868_chinook-going-koo-koo-crazy-on.html?rh=1

Grant PUD Announces Milestone in Wanapum Dam Fix (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/26492416/grant-pud-announces-milestone-in-wanapum-dam-fix

Human Impact on Northwest: 1.3 Degrees Fahrenheit (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/09/human-impact-on-northwest-1-3-degrees-f.html

Major Websites Participate in “Internet Slowdown Day” (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/26492659/internet-slowdown-day-could-impact-major-sites

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Washington’s Indoor Pot Grows Could Be Big Power Suck
• Pot & Power: Power Planning Council Estimates Demand Growth & Conservation Potential
• Grant PUD Announces Milestone in Wanapum Dam Fix
• Cowlitz PUD Rolls Out New Base Charge Format for Homes, Businesses
• Jefferson PUD Board Grapples with Energy Lunch Sponsorship
• Peace River, Columbia, BC: Group Calls for Independent Audit of Proposed Site C Dam
• Politico: House to Clear Senate Hydro Bill on Idaho Hydro Project
• Three Years after Disaster, Japan Declares Nuclear Plant Safe to Operate
• Chinook Going Coo-Coo Crazy on the Columbia
• Rising Water Demand Has Officials Looking Ahead
• Specially Trained Dogs Sniff Out Poop in Kitsap County Creeks
• Norway May Miss Out on $6 Billion Wind Power Boom
• How LEDs Are Going to Change the Way We Look at Cities
• This Smart Lightbulb Adjusts to Your Behavior
• Human Impact on Northwest: 1.3 Degrees Fahrenheit
• What a Carbon Tax Would Mean for Washington’s Economy
• Local Leaders Urge Inslee to Support Clean-Fuel Standards
• Seattle Trying to Shrink Broadband Boxes
• AT&T & Verizon Say 10Mbps is Too Fast for “Broadband,” 4Mbps is Enough
• 33 Equipment Manufacturers Oppose Public-Utility Broadband
• Editorial: Cell Phone Towers Part of Country’s New Landscape
• 5 Million Online Passwords Leaked, Check Yours Now
• Major Websites Participate in “Internet Slowdown Day”
• On Facebook, Nobody Knows You’re a Voter. Well, Almost Nobody
• ‘Brand Camp’ for Co-Ops
• Yakima County Candidate Fired for Misusing Work Computer
• In a ‘Seinfeld Election,’ Does Obamacare Matter?
• Marijuana Scarce in Washington State Pot Industry
• Presented Labor Negotiation Initiatives Could Cost City of Shelton
• Mason County Finishes 2015 Preliminary Budget Presentation
• Four Survivors of Tree-Fall Crash on Highway 2 Awarded $10 Million
• Xinh Dwelley – A Pearl amidst the Oysters

WORD OF THE DAY

Apex • \AY-pecks\ • noun 1a: the uppermost point b: the narrowed or pointed end: tip *2: the highest or culminating point.

Dragov’s grueling win in the Dubai tiddlywinks championship was considered the apex of his career on the pro-am circuit. The exhilaration of the victory was greatly undercut by the fact that his winning prize was a lifetime supply of “store brand” macaroni and cheese from his local supermarket. “Well, at least it’s better than generic ramen noodles,” he was heard to mutter as he left the arena.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Washington’s Indoor Pot Grows Could Be Big Power Suck (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2605144/Washingtons-indoor-pot-grows-could-be-big-power-suck

Pot & Power: Power Planning Council Estimates Demand Growth & Conservation Potential (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

http://www.energynaturalresourceslaw.com/2014/09/pot-and-power-power-planning-council-estimates-demand-growth-and-conservation-potential.html

Grant PUD Announces Milestone in Wanapum Dam Fix (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/26492416/grant-pud-announces-milestone-in-wanapum-dam-fix

Cowlitz PUD Rolls Out New Base Charge Format for Homes, Businesses (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-rolls-out-new-base-charge-format-for-homes/article_216c2e4a-3877-11e4-b108-0019bb2963f4.html

Jefferson PUD Board Grapples with Energy Lunch Sponsorship (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/news/pud-board-grapples-with-energy-lunch-sponsorship/article_a2627084-388d-11e4-989a-001a4bcf6878.html

Peace River, Columbia, BC: Group Calls for Independent Audit of Proposed Site C Dam (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/group-calls-for-independent-site-c-audit/article20507584/?cmpid=rss1

Politico: House to Clear Senate Hydro Bill on Idaho Hydro Project - The House is slated to vote today on a small Senate bill authorizing FERC to reinstate a license & extend the deadline to start construction on a hydroelectric project at the American Falls Reservoir in Idaho. S. 276 cleared the Senate on unanimous consent in 2013, & the House is slated to clear the measure with a suspension of the rules, a maneuver used for non-controversial bills.

Three Years after Disaster, Japan Declares Nuclear Plant Safe to Operate (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/world/asia/japanese-nuclear-plant-declared-safe-to-operate-for-first-time-since-fukushima-daiichi-disaster.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Chinook Going Coo-Coo Crazy on the Columbia (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/09/09/3365868_chinook-going-koo-koo-crazy-on.html?rh=1

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Rising Water Demand Has Officials Looking Ahead (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/sep/07/rising-water-demand-has-officials-looking-ahead/

Specially Trained Dogs Sniff Out Poop in Kitsap County Creeks (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Specially-trained-dogs-sniff-out-poop-in-Kitsap-Co-creeks-274504901.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Norway May Miss Out on $6 Billion Wind Power Boom (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/09/norway-may-miss-out-on-6-billion-wind-power-boom?cmpid=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

How LEDs Are Going to Change the Way We Look at Cities (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2014/09/10/bright-lights-big-profits/?ss=energy

This Smart Lightbulb Adjusts to Your Behavior (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/this-smart-motion-sensing-lightbulb-adjusts-according-1632966674

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Human Impact on Northwest: 1.3 Degrees Fahrenheit (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/09/human-impact-on-northwest-1-3-degrees-f.html

What a Carbon Tax Would Mean for Washington’s Economy - State economists say the impact of a carbon emissions tax on short-term economic growth appears negligible (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2014/09/10/climate/121828/inslee-carbon-emissions-task-force-john-stang/

Local Leaders Urge Inslee to Support Clean-Fuel Standards (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2014/09/09/group-urges-inslee-to-support-clean-fuel-standards/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Seattle Trying to Shrink Broadband Boxes (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/seattle-trying-shrink-broadband-boxes/nhJ5B/

AT&T & Verizon Say 10Mbps is Too Fast for “Broadband,” 4Mbps is Enough (Ars Tenchica)

http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/09/att-and-verizon-say-10mbps-is-too-fast-for-broadband-4mbps-is-enough/

33 Equipment Manufacturers Oppose Public-Utility Broadband (PC World)

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2604800/33-equipment-manufacturers-oppose-publicutility-broadband.html

Editorial: Cell Phone Towers Part of Country’s New Landscape (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/09/10/3144527_our-voice-cell-phone-towers-part.html?rh=1

5 Million Online Passwords Leaked, Check Yours Now (Lifehacker)

http://lifehacker.com/5-million-gmail-passwords-leaked-check-yours-now-1632983265

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Major Websites Participate in “Internet Slowdown Day” (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/26492659/internet-slowdown-day-could-impact-major-sites

On Facebook, Nobody Knows You’re a Voter. Well, Almost Nobody (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/upshot/on-facebook-nobody-knows-youre-a-voter-well-almost-nobody.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&abt=0002&abg=0

‘Brand Camp’ for Co-Ops (Prairie Public News, North Dakota)

http://news.prairiepublic.org/post/brand-camp-co-ops

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Yakima County Candidate Fired for Misusing Work Computer (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Yakima-Co-candidate-fired-for-misusing-work-computer-274604371.html

In a ‘Seinfeld Election,’ Does Obamacare Matter? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2014/0910/In-a-Seinfeld-election-does-Obamacare-matter

GENERAL NEWS

Marijuana Scarce in Washington State Pot Industry (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/marijuana-scarce-wash-pot-industry

Presented Labor Negotiation Initiatives Could Cost City of Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/18731-initiatives-presented-could-cost-city

Mason County Finishes 2015 Preliminary Budget Presentation (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/13451

Four Survivors of Tree-Fall Crash on Highway 2 Awarded $10 Million (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024474432_owencrashupdate2xml.html

Xinh Dwelley – A Pearl amidst the Oysters (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2014/09/08/xinh-dwelley-pearl-amidst-oysters/

DIVERSIONS

High-Tech Survey Exposes Hidden Stonehenge

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/High-tech-survey-exposes-hidden-Stonehenge-5745711.php

Report: 1,750 Fans Injured by Baseballs Each MLB Season

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2605332/Report-1750-fans-injured-by-baseballs-each-each-MLB-season

Burger King Employee Beats Up Former Co-Worker Who Attempted to Rob Restaurant

http://consumerist.com/2014/09/10/burger-king-employee-beats-up-former-co-worker-who-attempted-to-rob-restaurant/

Illinois Volunteers Grill 100-Foot-Long Bratwurst

http://news.yahoo.com/illinois-volunteers-grill-100-foot-long-bratwurst-161540738.html

SONG OF THE DAY

John Fogerty – Centerfield

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc

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.