Energy News Digest for February 4, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 4, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ps77qeb

Flood Watch for Mason County

http://tinyurl.com/ngtfjjt

Special Weather Statement for Rainy Conditions

http://tinyurl.com/qb5aqsc

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Major Storms in the Pacific Northwest to Bring Feet of Rain & Snow (The Vane, Gawker)

http://thevane.gawker.com/major-storms-in-the-pacific-northwest-to-bring-feet-of-1649405442

Clark Public Utilities’ Community Solar Program Embraced (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/04/clark-public-utilities-community-solar-popular/

In Texas Suburbia, Solar Not Always Welcome (Dallas Morning News, TX)

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/20150203-in-texas-suburbia-solar-not-always-welcome.ece

Chelan PUD Moratorium Extended on Big Power Requests (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2015/feb/03/pud-moratorium-extended-on-big-power-requests/

CenturyLink, Pursuing Cable TV in Portland, Already Looking Toward Suburbs (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/centurylink_pursuing_cable_tv.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Chelan PUD Moratorium Extended on Big Power Requests
2. Moratorium Extended on Large Electrical Load Customers in Chelan County
3. Centralia City Light Looks to Sell Excess Power; Hoping for Better Market
4. Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Port Foes Try New Strategy to Block Development
5. Propane/Butane Shipping: Port of Longview, Haven Energy Delay Announcement of Lease Terms
6. Editorial: Smudgy Horizons for the No-Coal Energy Bill
7. British Columbia: BC Hydro Bracing for Rare February Subtropical Storms
8. RIP FutureGen: Energy Department Kills Troubled Bush-Era Coal Electricity Project
9. Judge Allows Hearings on Summer Closings of New York Nuclear Plant to Protect Hudson River Fish
10. Minnesota: Investigation – Xcel Failures Led to Reactor Cost Overruns
11. Rolling Blackouts Expected in Northern Michigan after Power Plant Substation Explosion
12. Former FERC Chief Jon Wellinghoff Speaks Out on Grid Security & Distributed Generation
13. Public Input Published on Olympic National Park Wilderness, Mountain Goat Plans
14. Clark Public Utilities’ Community Solar Program Embraced
15. In Texas Suburbia, Solar Not Always Welcome
16. Report: Wind & Solar Energy Have Tripled Since 2008
17. Grays Harbor PUD Board Opposes Initiative 937, Eight Years Later
18. Colorado: Senate Republicans Slash Renewable Energy Standards on Initial Vote
19. Arizona: Salt River Project Loves Renewable Energy? Well, Not Quite
20. Joe’s CREB Shack
21. Oregon: Marijuana Hearing Packs Chamber
22. Oregon: Ready, Set, Grow – State OKs Industrial Hemp Rules
23. Green Energy Creating More Jobs, Investments in California
24. CenturyLink, Pursuing Cable TV in Portland, Already Looking Toward Suburbs
25. U-S FCC Chairman Reveals Latest Net Neutrality Proposal
26. Live Super Bowl Stream Disappoints
27. Twitter Finally Reveals Its Plan to Make Money from All Those Free Tweets Posted Everywhere
28. How to Deal with Social Media Trolls
29. How Doonesbury Helped Make Pandora a Success
30. Major Storms in the Pacific Northwest to Bring Feet of Rain & Snow
31. Washington to Receive More than $21 Million in Standard & Poors’ Multistate Settlement
32. Peninsula Credit Union: Can ‘Lotteries’ at Banks Get People to Save More?
33. 20 Student Athletes Out at Centralia College after Wild Party
34. Potatoes Back on the OK List for WIC Recipients
35. Latest Cowlitz Casino Decision Appealed – Tribe seeks to establish reservation along I-5 near La Center
36. Staples to Buy Office Depot for $6.3 Billion
37. ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Sequel to be Published in July

WORD OF THE DAY

Veracity • \vuh-RASS-uh-tee\ • Noun – 1: devotion to the truth: truthfulness 2: conformity with truth or fact: accuracy 3: something true

“Who ate the strawberries?” was the guttural question posed by the querulous Captain Queeg. His attempts to use scoops of sand to disprove the veracity of his officers and crew would have been laughable, except for the fact that he was dead serious.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Chelan PUD Moratorium Extended on Big Power Requests (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2015/feb/03/pud-moratorium-extended-on-big-power-requests/

Moratorium Extended on Large Electrical Load Customers in Chelan County (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://pro.kpq-am.tritonflex.com/common/more.php?m=15&r=1&item_id=24331

Centralia City Light Looks to Sell Excess Power; Hoping for Better Market (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.chronline.com/news/article_712c46ca-abd8-11e4-b64f-a727e1b0dede.html

Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Port Foes Try New Strategy to Block Development (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-lng-foes-try-new-strategy-to-block-development/

Propane/Butane Shipping: Port of Longview, Haven Energy Delay Announcement of Lease Terms (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/port-of-longview-haven-energy-delay-announcement-of-lease-terms/article_713be734-ac0e-11e4-92ab-0b104bbd0cee.html

Editorial: Smudgy Horizons for the No-Coal Energy Bill (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/02/smudgy_horizons_for_the_no-coa.html

British Columbia: BC Hydro Bracing for Rare February Subtropical Storms (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Hydro+bracing+rare+February+subtropical+storms/10784091/story.html

RIP FutureGen: Energy Department Kills Troubled Bush-Era Coal Electricity Project (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/rip-futuregen-energy-department-kills-troubled-bush-era-coal-electricity-project-20150203

Judge Allows Hearings on Summer Closings of New York Nuclear Plant to Protect Hudson River Fish (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/04/us-energy-entergy-indianpoint-idUSKBN0L81OH20150204

Minnesota: Investigation – Xcel Failures Led to Reactor Cost Overruns (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, MN)

http://www.startribune.com/business/290607771.html

Rolling Blackouts Expected in Northern Michigan after Power Plant Substation Explosion (Grand Rapids Press, MI)

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/02/further_outages_expected_in_no.html

Former FERC Chief Jon Wellinghoff Speaks Out on Grid Security & Distributed Generation (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/chipregister1/2015/02/03/former-ferc-chief-jon-wellinghoff-speaks-out-on-grid-security-and-distributed-generation/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Public Input Published on Olympic National Park Wilderness, Mountain Goat Plans (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150204/NEWS/302049990/public-input-published-on-olympic-national-park-wilderness-mountain

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Clark Public Utilities’ Community Solar Program Embraced (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/04/clark-public-utilities-community-solar-popular/

In Texas Suburbia, Solar Not Always Welcome (Dallas Morning News, TX)

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/20150203-in-texas-suburbia-solar-not-always-welcome.ece

Report: Wind & Solar Energy Have Tripled Since 2008 (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/04/report-wind-and-solar-energy-have-tripled-since-2008/

Grays Harbor PUD Board Opposes Initiative 937, Eight Years Later (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/pud-board-opposes-i-937-8-years-later/

Colorado: Senate Republicans Slash Renewable Energy Standards on Initial Vote (Denver Post, Colorado)

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27451572/senate-republicans-slash-renewable-energy-standards-initial-vote

Arizona: Salt River Project Loves Renewable Energy? Well, Not Quite (Arizona Republic, Phoenix)

http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2015/02/02/srp-wind-rooftop-solar/22770167/

Joe’s CREB Shack (Politico)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2015/02/joes-creb-shack-politico.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Oregon: Marijuana Hearing Packs Chamber (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/32731859-75/hundreds-gather-to-weigh-in-on-recreational-marijuana-rules.html.csp

Oregon: Ready, Set, Grow – State OKs Industrial Hemp Rules (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/ready-set-grow-state-oks-industrial-hemp-rules.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Green Energy Creating More Jobs, Investments in California (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27450581/california-creates-most-clean-tech-jobs-paying-investors

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CenturyLink, Pursuing Cable TV in Portland, Already Looking Toward Suburbs (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/centurylink_pursuing_cable_tv.html

U-S FCC Chairman Reveals Latest Net Neutrality Proposal (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/u-fcc-chairman-reveals-latest-net-neutrality-proposal-162455480--finance.html

Live Super Bowl Stream Disappoints (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Live-Super-Bowl-Stream-Disappoints-132497

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Finally Reveals Its Plan to Make Money from All Those Free Tweets Posted Everywhere (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/twitter-finally-reveals-its-plan-make-money-all-those-free-tweets-posted-everywhere-162743

How to Deal with Social Media Trolls (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/social-media-trolls/

How Doonesbury Helped Make Pandora a Success (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2015/02/04/how-doonesbury-helped-make-pandora-a-success/

GENERAL NEWS

Major Storms in the Pacific Northwest to Bring Feet of Rain & Snow (The Vane, Gawker)

http://thevane.gawker.com/major-storms-in-the-pacific-northwest-to-bring-feet-of-1649405442

Washington to Receive More than $21 Million in Standard & Poors’ Multistate Settlement (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/washington-receive-more-21m-multistate-settlement

Peninsula Credit Union: Can ‘Lotteries’ at Banks Get People to Save More? (Wall Street Journal)

http://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-TOTALB-2773

20 Student Athletes Out at Centralia College after Wild Party (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/20-student-athletes-out-at-Centralia-College-290725671.html

Potatoes Back on the OK List for WIC Recipients (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_27449150/potatoes-back-ok-list-wic-recipients

Latest Cowlitz Casino Decision Appealed – Tribe seeks to establish reservation along I-5 near La Center (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/03/cowlitz-casino-decision-appealed/

Staples to Buy Office Depot for $6.3 Billion (NY Times)

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/staples-to-buy-office-depot-for-6-3-billion/?partner=rss&emc=rss

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Sequel to be Published in July (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_27448662/second-harper-lee-novel-be-published-july

DIVERSIONS

Man Arrested While Trying to Pay Property Taxes with $600 in Intricately Folded $1 Bills

http://consumerist.com/2015/02/03/man-arrested-while-trying-to-pay-property-taxes-with-600-in-intricately-folded-1-bills/

Puns Abound after Seattle Cops Catch Robber Stashing Loot Where Sun Doesn’t Shine

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2703138/Puns-abound-after-Seattle-cops-catch-robber-stashing-loot-where-sun-doesnapost-shine

Woman Climbs through Drive-Thru to Cook Burger

http://koin.com/2015/02/03/woman-climbs-through-drive-thru-to-cook-burger/

The Secret to Enjoying Haggis: Lots of Scotch

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/03/the-secret-to-enjoying-haggis-lots-of-scotch/

SONG OF THE DAY

Elmer Bernstein – To Kill a Mockingbird Suite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5cKSMI6_8k

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 February 3, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 3, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/k5ghqdl

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Heavy Rain Forecast Mid-Week across Washington (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/ap/washington/heavy-rain-forecast-mid-week-across-washington/nj3pG/

Climate Activists Expand Grassroots Efforts While CarbonWA Prepares to Collect Initiative Signatures (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/climate-activists-expand-grassroots-effort-carbonwa-finalizes-initiative/

Jefferson County Commissioners Take No Action on Pot Moratorium – Makes Feb. 11 Expiration a Possibility (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150203/news/302039995/jefferson-commissioners-take-no-action-on-pot-moratorium-making-feb

California PUC: Peevey Urged Pacific Gas & Electric to Lobby Jerry Brown, But Warned, ‘You Will Miss Arnold’ (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article8965094.html

Apple Will Repurpose Arizona Sapphire Plant as $2 Billion Data Center (Oregonian, Portland)

www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/apple_will_repurpose_arizona_s.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. California PUC: Peevey Urged Pacific Gas & Electric to Lobby Jerry Brown, But Warned, ‘You Will Miss Arnold’
2. Orcas Power & Light Rate Increase Explained
3. Longest-Serving Idaho Public Utilities Commission Regulator to Step Down
4. Stoller Middle School of Beaverton, Oregon Emerges Undefeated In BPA Regional Science Bowl - Advance to National Competition
5. Which States Face Most Risk from EPA Rules? – West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida & Arizona
6. Smart Sensors for Power Grid Could Ease Disruptions
7. Energy Information Administration: Vermont Yankee Closure Leaves New England Looking for Power
8. Arkansas: Man Charged with Stealing Power, Water
9. Restrict Commercial Shellfish Harvesting, Peninsula Residents Ask Government Leaders
10. Tracking Columbia River Salmon with Tiny Tags
11. What Is Community Solar? It’s Coming To California
12. New Pacific Gas & Electric Program Offers Customers 100% Solar Option
13. Op/ED: A $48 Billion Opportunity for U-S Electric Customers
14. Jefferson County Commissioners Take No Action on Pot Moratorium
15. Washington State Looks to Share Marijuana Taxes with Cities
16. Washington State Legislature: Mixing & Mashing to Ease Strain on Pot Issues
17. Olympia: An Extra Long Time for Pot
18. Pot Marketers Must Get Creative as Digital Ad Networks Just Say No
19. Climate Activists Expand Grassroots Efforts While CarbonWA Prepares to Collect Initiative Signatures
20. But Seriously, Folks – This Stand-Up Economist Says Republicans Will Like His Carbon Tax
21. British Columbia: Elizabeth Ball Seeks ‘Dark Sky’ Legislation for Vancouver Light Pollution
22. Apple Will Repurpose Arizona Sapphire Plant as $2 Billion Data Center
23. AT&T to Sell Data Centers Worth $2 Billion: Sources
24. Republican Lawmakers Urge President Obama to Work with Them on Internet Rules
25. The Whole World Is Sucking Down Mobile Data Like It’s Water
26. Amazon Prime Is Big, But How Big?
27. Infographic: How Digital Is Changing Local Ad Spending
28. Here Is Why Twitter Still Beats Facebook for Super Bowl Brands
29. ‘Selfies’ to Blame for Plane Crash that Killed Two
30. Washington State Lawmakers Consider ‘Lane Splitting’ for Motorcyclists
31. Is It Time to Eliminate Daylight Saving Time?
32. Heavy Rain Forecast Mid-Week across Washington
33. Washington State Files $17 Million Lawsuit for Skagit Bridge Collapse
34. Groups Work to Digitize Old Newspapers – Thanks to Small Town Papers in Shelton
35. Want Your Home Value to Soar? Buy near a Starbucks

WORD OF THE DAY

Coulrophobia • \KOLE-ruh-fobe-eeyah\ • Noun - An extreme fear of clowns.

The psychiatrist had one piece of advice for his client, who was being treated for chronic coulrophobia by confronting his fears in a visit to a local circus: “If the circus performers attack,” he whispered as an aside, “always go right for the juggler.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

California PUC: Peevey Urged Pacific Gas & Electric to Lobby Jerry Brown, But Warned, ‘You Will Miss Arnold’ (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article8965094.html

Orcas Power & Light Rate Increase Explained (Islands Weekly, Eastsound, WA)

http://www.islandsweekly.com/news/290546971.html

Longest-Serving Idaho Public Utilities Commission Regulator to Step Down (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/02/03/3625303_longest-serving-puc-regulator.html?rh=1

Stoller Middle School of Beaverton, Oregon Emerges Undefeated In BPA Regional Science Bowl - Advance to National Competition (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Stoller-emerges-undefeated-at-BPAs-Middle-School-Science-Bowl.aspx

Which States Face Most Risk from EPA Rules? – West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida & Arizona (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/trends-reports-analyses/which-states-face-most-risk-from-epa-rules/77611

Smart Sensors for Power Grid Could Ease Disruptions (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/business/energy-environment/smart-sensors-for-power-grid-could-ease-disruptions.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Energy Information Administration: Vermont Yankee Closure Leaves New England Looking for Power (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/eia-vermont-yankee-closure-leaves-new-england-looking-for-power/359714/

Arkansas: Man Charged with Stealing Power, Water (KY3-TV, Springfield, MO)

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/man-charged-with-stealing-utility-services/21048998_31053444

FISH & WILDLIFE

Restrict Commercial Shellfish Harvesting, Peninsula Residents Ask Government Leaders (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/02/02/3620223_restrict-commercial-shellfish.html?rh=1

Tracking Columbia River Salmon with Tiny Tags (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

http://kuow.org/post/tracking-columbia-river-salmon-tiny-tags

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

What Is Community Solar? It’s Coming To California (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2015/01/30/what-is-community-solar-its-coming-to-california/

New Pacific Gas & Electric Program Offers Customers 100% Solar Option (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-pge-program-offers-customers-100-solar-option/359647/

Op/ED: A $48 Billion Opportunity for U-S Electric Customers (Huffington Post)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johnnbsp/a-48-billion-opportunity-_1_b_6573794.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Jefferson County Commissioners Take No Action on Pot Moratorium – Makes Feb. 11 Expiration a Possibility (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150203/news/302039995/jefferson-commissioners-take-no-action-on-pot-moratorium-making-feb

Washington State Looks to Share Marijuana Taxes with Cities (Associated Press)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/marijuana/2015/02/02/washington-looks-to-share-marijuana-taxes-with-cities/22779087/

Washington State Legislature: Mixing & Mashing to Ease Strain on Pot Issues (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2015/02/02/under-the-dome/123831/mixing-and-mashing-ease-strain-pot-issues/

Olympia: An Extra Long Time for Pot (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2015/02/02/under-the-dome/123817/olympia-week-pot-menu/

Pot Marketers Must Get Creative as Digital Ad Networks Just Say No (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/pot-marketers-must-get-creative-digital-ad-networks-just-say-no-162682

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Activists Expand Grassroots Efforts While CarbonWA Prepares to Collect Initiative Signatures (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/climate-activists-expand-grassroots-effort-carbonwa-finalizes-initiative/

But Seriously, Folks – This Stand-Up Economist Says Republicans Will Like His Carbon Tax (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/people/but-seriously-folks-this-stand-up-economist-says-republicans-will-like-his-carbon-tax/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

British Columbia: Elizabeth Ball Seeks ‘Dark Sky’ Legislation for Vancouver Light Pollution (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/elizabeth-ball-seeks-dark-sky-legislation-for-vancouver-light-pollution-1.2943019?cmp=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Apple Will Repurpose Arizona Sapphire Plant as $2 Billion Data Center (Oregonian, Portland)

www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/apple_will_repurpose_arizona_s.html

AT&T to Sell Data Centers Worth $2 Billion: Sources (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/02/us-at-t-divestiture-idUSKBN0L62C520150202

Republican Lawmakers Urge President Obama to Work with Them on Internet Rules (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/02/us-usa-internet-neutrality-idUSKBN0L622H20150202

The Whole World Is Sucking Down Mobile Data Like It’s Water (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2015/02/03/the-whole-world-is-sucking-down-mobile-data-like-its-water/

Amazon Prime Is Big, But How Big? (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/03/amazon-prime-10-years-old-anniversary/22755509/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Infographic: How Digital Is Changing Local Ad Spending (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/infographic-how-digital-changing-local-ad-spending-162670

Here Is Why Twitter Still Beats Facebook for Super Bowl Brands (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/here-are-numbers-behind-twitter-and-facebooks-biggest-super-bowl-ever-162723

‘Selfies’ to Blame for Plane Crash that Killed Two – Evidence found at scene shows pilot & passenger taking pictures before crash (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/02/03/ntsb-selfies-to-blame-for-plane-crash-that-killed-2

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Lawmakers Consider ‘Lane Splitting’ for Motorcyclists (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/lawmakers-consider-lane-splitting-motorcyclists/nj3qb/

Is It Time to Eliminate Daylight Saving Time? (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2702713/Is-it-time-to-eliminate-Daylight-Saving-Time

GENERAL NEWS

Heavy Rain Forecast Mid-Week across Washington (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/ap/washington/heavy-rain-forecast-mid-week-across-washington/nj3pG/

Washington State Files $17 Million Lawsuit for Skagit Bridge Collapse (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-files-17-million-lawsuit-for-Skagit-bridge-collapse-290587341.html

Groups Work to Digitize Old Newspapers – Thanks to Small Town Papers in Shelton (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150202/NEWS01/150209875

Want Your Home Value to Soar? Buy near a Starbucks (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2702455/Want-your-home-value-to-soar-Buy-near-a-Starbucks

DIVERSIONS

The Name Game - Where Northwest Towns Got Their Names

http://nwpr.org/post/name-game-where-northwest-towns-got-their-names

Albanian Highwaymen Outwitted by Chinese Karate Skills

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/02/us-albania-china-karate-idUSKBN0L61SG20150202

Every Single Trick to Make the Best Paper Airplane in the World

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/every-single-trick-to-make-the-best-paper-airplane-in-t-1683370419

80 Monopoly sets made with real money inside

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/02/03/monopoly-real-money-france/22791765/

SONG OF THE DAY

U2 – Where the Streets Have No Name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FsrPEUt2Dg

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 February 2, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 2, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/kuu3xmd

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Oregon Legislature to Consider Ban on Electricity from Coal-Fired Plants (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2015/02/legislature_to_consider_ban_on.html

Emails Show Pacific Gas & Electric Targeted Critics after San Bruno Blast (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/PG-E-targeted-critics-after-San-Bruno-blast-6054156.php

Sick Sea Lions Washing Ashore in California; Rescuers Brace for Bad Year (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article8865596.html

Sea Lions Find New Places to Snack on Pacific Northwest Fish (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/sea-lions-find-new-places-to-snack-on-nw-fish/77571

In Net Neutrality Push, FCC Is Expected to Propose Regulating the Internet as a Utility (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/technology/in-net-neutrality-push-fcc-is-expected-to-propose-regulating-the-internet-as-a-utility.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Oregon Legislature to Consider Ban on Electricity from Coal-Fired Plants
2. Emails Show Pacific Gas & Electric Targeted Critics after San Bruno Blast
3. British Columbia: Peace River Dam Floods Will Wash Away 12,000 Years of Human History
4. Cowlitz PUD Attorney Paul Brachvogel a Finalist for Colorado Job
5. Exelon Must Show Regulators That Pepco Merger is a Good Deal
6. Want to Buy a Used German Power Plant? Shipping Is Included
7. Sick Sea Lions Washing Ashore in California; Rescuers Brace for Bad Year
8. Sea Lions Find New Places to Snack on Pacific Northwest Fish
9. Hatcheries Turn toward Conservation in Legal Climate That Says Artificial Production Here to Stay
10. The Mighty Bull Trout
11. Missouri River: Study Cites Oxygen-Depleted Dead Zones between Dams as Cause of Sturgeon Decline
12. Washington State Senator Warnick & Water: Finding Solutions
13. Alaska’s Fire Island Wind Project Put on Hold for Lack of Buyers
14. Snohomish PUD Looking for Solar Project Placements in Everett
15. Will Solar Cause a ‘Death Spiral’ for Utilities?
16. How Utilities Are Transforming Their Fuel Mixes
17. Wood Pellets Are Big Business - And for Some, a Big Worry
18. PNNL Twin Energy Houses Test Heat Pump Water Heater Installations
19. Surveys Say: It Takes Two Years to Recoup the Cost of a Nest
20. Facebook, Arby’s Energize Energy Efficiency Efforts
21. How LEDs Can Send a Coupon to Your Phone
22. An LED Lighting Platform in the Cloud
23. San Juan Pot Farmers Face Fear, Loathing & Property Values
24. Scott Kveton, Portland Tech Entrepreneur, Says He’s Going into the Pot Business
25. Washington State Representative Pike at Odds with Governor over Cap & Trade
26. Wenatchee-Area Lawmakers Push for Carbon Tax Break for Alcoa
27. Oregon: Legislators Prepare for Showdown over Gas Taxes, Low-Carbon Fuels
28. Op/Ed: California Should Stay on Track with Standard on Cleaner Fuels
29. Clallam Slowly Gains Electric-Car Charging Stations from Hoebuck to Sequim
30. Colorado: Goats Offered as Alternative for Clearing Area of Plutonium
31. In Net Neutrality Push, FCC Is Expected to Propose Regulating the Internet as a Utility
32. The FCC Is Moving to Preempt State Broadband Limits
33. APPA Op/Ed: Why Community Broadband Makes Sense
34. Which Brands Proved Their Social Skills on Twitter During Last Night’s Super Bowl?
35. Super Bowl Ads That Scored – And Bored
36. Fans in Seattle Reeling after Jaw-Dropping Super Bowl Loss
37. Super Bowl Matchup Has Record Overnight Ratings
38. Shelton Man Assaulted, Robbed with a Crow Bar; Suspect Found in Casino
39. Washington State Funds New Signage for Fourteen Mason County Rail Crossings
40. From Texas to California, Union Asks Refinery Workers to Strike after Talks Break Down
41. Balloon Pilots Welcomed in New Mexico after Historic Flight
42. Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil ‘Forecasts’ Six More Weeks of Winter

WORD OF THE DAY

Bombinate • \BAHM-buh-nayt\ • verb – Buzz, drone

The “cough quotient” of the audience slowly increased as the energy trader’s presentation bombinated on and on while declining into an impenetrable jumble of three and four letter acronyms.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Oregon Legislature to Consider Ban on Electricity from Coal-Fired Plants (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2015/02/legislature_to_consider_ban_on.html

Emails Show Pacific Gas & Electric Targeted Critics after San Bruno Blast (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/PG-E-targeted-critics-after-San-Bruno-blast-6054156.php

British Columbia: Peace River Dam Floods Will Wash Away 12,000 Years of Human History (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/site-c-floods-will-wash-away-12000-years-of-human-history/article22740978/?cmpid=rss1

Cowlitz PUD Attorney Paul Brachvogel a Finalist for Colorado Job (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/e9567ca6-a8d6-11e4-bc67-33a6e49b51d6.html

Exelon Must Show Regulators That Pepco Merger is a Good Deal (Baltimore Sun, MD)

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-exelon-phi-merger-20150130-story.html#page=1

Want to Buy a Used German Power Plant? Shipping Is Included (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/02/want-to-buy-a-used-german-power-plant-shipping-is-included?cmpid=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Sick Sea Lions Washing Ashore in California; Rescuers Brace for Bad Year (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article8865596.html

Sea Lions Find New Places to Snack on Pacific Northwest Fish (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/sea-lions-find-new-places-to-snack-on-nw-fish/77571

Hatcheries Turn toward Conservation in Legal Climate That Says Artificial Production Here to Stay (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433012.aspx

The Mighty Bull Trout (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/outdoors/stories/2015/feb/01/the-mighty-bull-trout/

Missouri River: Study Cites Oxygen-Depleted Dead Zones between Dams as Cause of Sturgeon Decline (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433007.aspx

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Washington State Senator Warnick & Water: Finding Solutions (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/politics/article_396fb320-a8e0-11e4-a871-9b9dbb543beb.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Alaska’s Fire Island Wind Project Put on Hold for Lack of Buyers (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/alaskas-fire-island-wind-project-put-on-hold-for-lack-of-buyers/359020/

Snohomish PUD Looking for Solar Project Placements in Everett (My Everett News, WA)

http://myeverettnews.com/2015/02/01/pud-looking-solar-project-placements-everett/

Will Solar Cause a ‘Death Spiral’ for Utilities? (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/energysource/2015/01/30/will-solar-cause-a-death-spiral-for-utilities/

How Utilities Are Transforming Their Fuel Mixes – “…Compliance with renewables targets & mandates was the most compelling reason that 42%...are expecting more renewables…” (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/how-utilities-are-transforming-their-fuel-mixes/359027/

Wood Pellets Are Big Business - And for Some, a Big Worry (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomzeller/2015/02/01/wood-pellets-are-big-business-and-for-some-a-big-worry/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

PNNL Twin Energy Houses Test Heat Pump Water Heater Installations (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/02/01/3389596_pnnl-twin-energy-houses-test-heat.html?rh=1

Surveys Say: It Takes Two Years to Recoup the Cost of a Nest (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2015/02/02/surveys-say-it-takes-two-years-to-recoup-the-cost-of-a-nest/

Facebook, Arby’s Energize Energy Efficiency Efforts (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/heatherclancy/2015/01/30/facebook-arbys-energize-energy-efficiency-efforts/

How LEDs Can Send a Coupon to Your Phone (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/how-leds-can-send-a-coupon-to-your-phone/77491

An LED Lighting Platform in the Cloud (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferhicks/2015/01/31/an-led-lighting-platform-in-the-cloud/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

San Juan Pot Farmers Face Fear, Loathing & Property Values – In San Juan County, where 68 percent of residents voted to approve legalized recreational marijuana, conflicts are cropping up over legal marijuana-grow operations. (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025538901_sanjuanpot1xml.html?syndication=rss

Scott Kveton, Portland Tech Entrepreneur, Says He’s Going into the Pot Business (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/01/scott_kveton_urban_airships_fo.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Representative Pike at Odds with Governor over Cap & Trade (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/02/pike-at-odds-with-inslee/

Wenatchee-Area Lawmakers Push for Carbon Tax Break for Alcoa (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.kpq.com/common/more.php?m=15&r=1&item_id=24221

Oregon: Legislators Prepare for Showdown over Gas Taxes, Low-Carbon Fuels (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/politics/Legislators-prepare-for-showdown-over-gas-taxes-low-carbon-fuels-290479821.html

Op/Ed: California Should Stay on Track with Standard on Cleaner Fuels (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/soapbox/article8839505.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Clallam Slowly Gains Electric-Car Charging Stations from Hoebuck to Sequim (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150202/news/302029976/clallam-slowly-gains-electric-car-charging-stations-from-hoebuck-to

Colorado: Goats Offered as Alternative for Clearing Area of Plutonium (Associated Press)

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOATS_PLUTONIUM?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

In Net Neutrality Push, FCC Is Expected to Propose Regulating the Internet as a Utility (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/technology/in-net-neutrality-push-fcc-is-expected-to-propose-regulating-the-internet-as-a-utility.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

The FCC Is Moving to Preempt State Broadband Limits (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/02/02/the-fcc-is-moving-to-preempt-state-broadband-limits/

APPA Op/Ed: Why Community Broadband Makes Sense (Morning Consult)

http://themorningconsult.com/2015/02/community-broadband-makes-sense/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Which Brands Proved Their Social Skills on Twitter During Last Night’s Super Bowl? (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/which-brands-proved-their-social-skills-twitter-during-last-nights-super-bowl-162709

Super Bowl Ads That Scored – And Bored (NY Post)

http://nypost.com/2015/02/02/super-bowl-commercials-that-scored-and-bored/

GENERAL NEWS

Fans in Seattle Reeling after Jaw-Dropping Super Bowl Loss (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Fans-in-Seattle-reeling-after-jaw-dropping-Super-Bowl-loss.html

Super Bowl Matchup Has Record Overnight Ratings (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2015/02/02/record-overnight-ratings-for-game

Shelton Man Assaulted, Robbed with a Crow Bar; Suspect Found in Casino (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/local-news/339120

Washington State Funds New Signage for Fourteen Mason County Rail Crossings (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21110-state-funds-new-signage-for-county-rail-crossings

From Texas to California, Union Asks Refinery Workers to Strike after Talks Break Down (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27441751/from-texas-california-union-asks-refinery-workers-strike

Balloon Pilots Welcomed in New Mexico after Historic Flight (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/02/balloon-pilots-welcomed-in-new-mexico-after/

Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil ‘Forecasts’ Six More Weeks of Winter (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_27441736/groundhog-punxsutawney-phil-forecasts-6-more-weeks-winter

DIVERSIONS

Time IS Money: Canadian Man Loses Appeal on Missing Lotto Jackpot by Seven Seconds

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/29/us-canada-court-lottery-idUSKBN0L223T20150129

This May Be the Best Official Portrait Ever

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/may-be-best-official-portrait-ever/njzyS/

The Theft & Half-Century Journey of Einstein’s Brain

http://gizmodo.com/the-theft-and-half-century-journey-of-einstein-s-brain-1682738696

Texas Boy Suspended for Saying He Could Make Classmate ‘Disappear’ with ‘Lord of the Rings’ Sorcery

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/texas-boy-suspended-bringing-ring-power-school-article-1.2099103

SONG OF THE DAY

Gordon Lightfoot - Song for a Winter’s Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yQc-wGeYvk

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.