Energy News Digest for March 25, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 25, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/nhxlozf

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

http://tinyurl.com/omj2snw

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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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

Video: Bracing for a Big Power Grid Attack: ‘One Is Too Many’ (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/03/24/power-grid-physical-and-cyber-attacks-concern-security-experts/24892471/

Video: Tacoma Power Explains Alarming Stats about Grid Attacks (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/tacoma/2015/03/25/tacoma-power-explains-statistic-regarding-power-grid-attacks/70413858/

Benton PUD to Build the First Local Community Solar (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Benton-PUD-to-build-the-first-local-community-solar-297418601.html

Map: The State of Broadband in the States (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2015/03/25/map-the-state-of-broadband-in-the-states/

Power Companies Seek to End Losing Streak on EPA at Top U-S Court (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-24/power-companies-seek-to-end-losing-skid-on-epa-at-top-u-s-court

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Video: Bracing for a Big Power Grid Attack: ‘One Is Too Many’
2. Video: Tacoma Power Explains Alarming Stats about Grid Attacks
3. Cowlitz PUD Approves Three-Year Union Contract
4. Oregon’s Nuclear Startup Adds Execs to Prepare for Regulatory Push
5. Tentative agreement in Crescent Bar, Grant PUD dispute
6. Oregon State PIRG Students Are Pushing Oregon to Go Solar
7. Radioactive Politics: Inside the Renewed Push to Site Nuclear Waste at Yucca Mountain
8. Price for Refusing American Electric Power’s Smart Meters Negotiated Down to $24/Month
9. Part I: How Do You Teach Customers Algebra if They Don’t Know How to Multiply?
10. Part II: How Do You Teach Customers Algebra if They Don’t Know How to Multiply?
11. When Road Salt Seeps, Sometimes Manhole Covers Fly
12. Herring Harvest Continues to be Controversial on British Columbia Coast
13. Are Slaves Catching the Fish You Buy?
14. Committee on Natural Resources: Chairman’s Opening Statement at the Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans Oversight Hearing
15. Benton PUD to Build the First Local Community Solar
16. California: Birds Die as East Bay Wind Turbine Replacement Lags
17. Texas Weighs Bill to End Renewable Energy Incentives for Utilities
18. Which States Have The Cheapest Electricity? Those with the Most Renewable Energy
19. Editorial: Renewable Energy Isn’t Boosting Colorado Electric Bills Study Contends
20. Co-Ops Plead with Congress to Save Water Heaters Used for Demand Response
21. Bill Would Let Tribes Work with Washington State on Pot
22. Six Ways Companion Marijuana Bills in Congress Could Change America
23. Power Companies Seek to End Losing Streak on EPA at Top U-S Court
24. U-S Senator Rob Portman Bucks Global-Warming Rule – Wants State Exemptions from EPA’s Pending Requirements
25. Washington State: Four Charts Show Carbon Pollution Accountability Act is Still Awesome
26. Florida’s Unspeakable Issue Leaves Climate Change Official Tongue-Tied
27. The Weird Reason Why We Recycle Flat But Not Crumpled Up Paper
28. Map: The State of Broadband in the States
29. See How Fast Your State’s Broadband Is with This Interactive Map
30. Kitsap County: New Homeowner Has to Sell House Because of Comcast’s Incompetence, Lack of Competition
31. Google Fiber Adds Salt Lake City - Portland Still Pending
32. Switchboard: Google Has Averaged a White House Visit per Week during Obama’s Presidency
33. I Used a 56K Modem for a Week & It Was Hell on Earth
34. Google Wants Websites to be Mobile-Friendly – Plans to Punish Those That Aren’t
35. Media World Challenge: People Love News, But Won’t Pay for It
36. Republicans Renewing Calls for Washington State Auditor to Take Leave
37. Editorial: Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley Must Come Clean
38. Washington State Lawmakers Eye Pension Changes for New Public Sector Workers
39. Multistate Investigation Announced into Premera Cyberattack
40. Mason County Unemployment Down Slightly
41. Montesano Has a New City Council Member – It’s Ian Cope!
42. Massachusetts: Electrician Finds Home Wired to Explode During Inspection
43. Olympia Car Dealer Issues Apology after Consumers Complain about Ad

WORD OF THE DAY

Ulterior • \ult-TEER-ee-ur\ • Adjective – 1a: lying farther away: more remote b: situated on the farther side 2: going beyond what is openly said or shown.

Plush, soft upholstery

Encounter ulterior

Snores at TV sports

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Video: Bracing for a Big Power Grid Attack: ‘One Is Too Many’ (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/03/24/power-grid-physical-and-cyber-attacks-concern-security-experts/24892471/

Video: Tacoma Power Explains Alarming Stats about Grid Attacks (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/tacoma/2015/03/25/tacoma-power-explains-statistic-regarding-power-grid-attacks/70413858/

Cowlitz PUD Approves Three-Year Union Contract (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-approves--year-union-contract/article_4c4fc7cc-d2ad-11e4-8ec0-fb300051042f.html

Oregon’s Nuclear Startup Adds Execs to Prepare for Regulatory Push (Big News Network)

http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php/sid/231362587

Tentative agreement in Crescent Bar, Grant PUD dispute (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/tentative-agreement-in-crescent-bar-pud-dispute/article_392efde6-d287-11e4-80f0-6be81f81e907.html

Oregon State PIRG Students Are Pushing Oregon to Go Solar (Daily Emerald, Eugene, OR)

http://www.dailyemerald.com/2015/03/23/ospirg-students-pushing-oregon-go-solar/

Radioactive Politics: Inside the Renewed Push to Site Nuclear Waste at Yucca Mountain (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/radioactive-politics-inside-the-renewed-push-to-site-nuclear-waste-at-yucc/378462/

Price for Refusing American Electric Power’s Smart Meters Negotiated Down to $24/Month (Columbus Business First, OH)

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/ohio-energy-inc/2015/03/price-for-refusing-aep-s-smart-meters-negotiated.html

Part I: How Do You Teach Customers Algebra if They Don’t Know How to Multiply? (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/part-i-how-do-you-teach-customers-algebra-if-they-dont-know-how-to-multip/371139/

Part II: How Do You Teach Customers Algebra if They Don’t Know How to Multiply? (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/part-ii-how-do-you-teach-customers-algebra-if-they-dont-know-how-to-multi/371183/

When Road Salt Seeps, Sometimes Manhole Covers Fly (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/When-the-road-salt-seeps-sometimes-the-manhole-6156119.php

FISH & WILDLIFE

Herring Harvest Continues to be Controversial on British Columbia Coast – First Nations Say Stocks Are Fragile & Fishing Threatens Recovery (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/resources/Herring+harvest+continues+controversial+coast/10916377/story.html

Are Slaves Catching the Fish You Buy? (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27779163/are-slaves-catching-fish-you-buy

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Committee on Natural Resources: Chairman’s Opening Statement at the Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans Oversight Hearing (U-S House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources)

http://naturalresources.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398211

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Benton PUD to Build the First Local Community Solar (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Benton-PUD-to-build-the-first-local-community-solar-297418601.html

California: Birds Die as East Bay Wind Turbine Replacement Lags (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Birds-die-as-wind-power-turbine-replacement-lags-6153949.php

Texas Weighs Bill to End Renewable Energy Incentives for Utilities (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/texas-weighs-bill-to-end-renewable-energy-incentives-for-utilities/378574/

Which States Have The Cheapest Electricity? Those with the Most Renewable Energy (Sustainable Business – Doesn’t qualify the mix in Washington State, but we ALL know which renewable keeps our rates low!)

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26211

Editorial: Renewable Energy Isn’t Boosting Colorado Electric Bills Study Contends (Denver Post, CO)

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thebalancesheet/2015/03/23/renewable-energy-isnt-boosting-electric-bills-study-contends/12570/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Co-Ops Plead with Congress to Save Water Heaters Used for Demand Response (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/co-ops-plead-with-congress-to-save-water-heaters-used-for-demand-response/378972/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Bill Would Let Tribes Work with Washington State on Pot – Cowlitz have no plans to enter marijuana market (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/mar/24/bill-would-let-tribes-work-with-state-on-pot/

Six Ways Companion Marijuana Bills in Congress Could Change America (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2015/03/24/six-ways-companion-marijuana-bills-in-congress-could-change-america/#31588101=0

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Power Companies Seek to End Losing Streak on EPA at Top U-S Court (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-24/power-companies-seek-to-end-losing-skid-on-epa-at-top-u-s-court

U-S Senator Rob Portman Bucks Global-Warming Rule – Wants State Exemptions from EPA’s Pending Requirements (Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH)

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/03/rob_portman_bucks_global-warming_rule_wants_state_exemptions_from_epas_pending_requirements.html

Washington State: Four Charts Show Carbon Pollution Accountability Act is Still Awesome (Sightline Daily)

http://daily.sightline.org/2015/03/24/four-charts-show-carbon-pollution-accountability-act-is-still-awesome/

Florida’s Unspeakable Issue Leaves Climate Change Official Tongue-Tied (The Guardian, UK)
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/23/climate-change-florida-official

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

The Weird Reason Why We Recycle Flat But Not Crumpled Up Paper (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/03/25/youre-weird-humans-why-we-recycle-flat-but-not-crumpled-up-paper/?wprss=rss_national

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Map: The State of Broadband in the States (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2015/03/25/map-the-state-of-broadband-in-the-states/

See How Fast Your State’s Broadband Is With This Interactive Map (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/see-how-fast-your-states-broadband-is-with-this-interac-1693486969

Kitsap County: New Homeowner Has to Sell House Because of Comcast’s Incompetence, Lack of Competition (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/03/25/new-homeowner-has-to-sell-house-because-of-comcasts-incompetence-lack-of-competition/

Google Fiber Adds Salt Lake City - Portland Still Pending (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/03/google_fiber_adds_salt_lake_ci.html

Switchboard: Google Has Averaged a White House Visit per Week during Obama’s Presidency (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/03/25/switchboard-google-has-averaged-a-white-house-visit-per-week-during-obamas-presidency/?wprss=rss_technology

I Used a 56K Modem for a Week & It Was Hell on Earth (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/i-used-a-56k-modem-for-a-week-and-it-was-hell-on-earth-1693124620

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Google Wants Websites to be Mobile-Friendly – Plans to Punish Those That Aren’t (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/03/google-wants-websites-to-be-mobile-friendly-and.html

Media World Challenge: People Love News, But Won’t Pay for It (USA Today)

http://americasmarkets.usatoday.com/2015/03/23/media-world-challenge-people-love-news-but-wont-pay-for-it/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Republicans Renewing Calls for Washington State Auditor to Take Leave (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Republicans-renewing-calls-for-state-auditor-to-take-leave-297431641.html

Editorial: Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley Must Come Clean (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/state-auditor-troy-kelley-must-come-clean/

Washington State Lawmakers Eye Pension Changes for New Public Sector Workers (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/03/24/3706900_state-lawmakers-eye-pension-changes.html?rh=1

GENERAL NEWS

Multistate Investigation Announced into Premera Cyberattack (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Multistate-investigation-announced-into-Premera-cyberattack--297461461.html

Mason County Unemployment Down Slightly (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14855

Montesano Has a New City Council Member – It’s Ian Cope! (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/montesano-has-a-new-city-council-member/

Massachusetts: Electrician Finds Home Wired to Explode During Inspection (Associated Press)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/electrician-finds-home-wired-explode-during-inspec/nkd6x/

Olympia Car Dealer Issues Apology after Consumers Complain about Ad (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Car-dealer-issues-apology-after-questionable-ad-297455961.html

DIVERSIONS

Driver Ticketed in Fife for ‘Most Interesting Man’ HOV Violation

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/2015/03/24/driver-ticketed-for-most-interesting-man-hov-violation-in-fife/#17213101=0

These Sidewalk Games Only Appear When It Rains

http://gizmodo.com/these-sidewalk-games-only-appear-when-it-rains-1693507960

ISIS is Keeping Tourists from ‘Tatooine’

http://mashable.com/2015/03/25/tatooine-tourism-isis/

NASA’s Opportunity Rover Completes First-Ever Mars Marathon

http://mashable.com/2015/03/25/nasa-rover-mars-marathon/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7UWV_wea2E

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 March 24, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 24, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/lyvjbcn

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

Shelton Woman Dies in Crash on John’s Prairie Road (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14851

Homeowners’ Payments at Stake in Olympia Solar Debate (Investigate West)

http://www.invw.org/article/solar-payments-at-stake-1512

Oregon DOJ Launches Investigations of Tax Credits for University Solar Projects (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/03/department_of_justice_launches.html

Sabey Breaks Ground on New Quincy Data Center Building (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/sabey-breaks-ground-on-new-data-center-building/article_a6ee892c-d1b1-11e4-829c-fb2762b15b44.html

Seattle City Light’s Ethics Fight with Union Heats Up as Whistleblower Left Cold (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Seattle-City-Light-s-ethics-fight-with-union-6151940.php

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Seattle City Light’s Ethics Fight with Union Heats Up as Whistleblower Left Cold
2. Snohomish County PUD Rates to Increase in April
3. Phone Scam Warning Signs
4. Corps Delays Toutle River Sediment Study Due to Endangered Salmon
5. Idaho May Serve as a ‘Noah’s Ark’ for Trout
6. Homeowners’ Payments at Stake in Olympia Solar Debate
7. Oregon DOJ Launches Investigations of Tax Credits for University Solar Projects
8. Leased Solar Panels Can Complicate – Or Kill – A Home Sale
9. California: Alameda County Supervisors to Hear Appeal on Controversial Altamont Wind Turbines
10. California First State to Generate More Than 5% of Electricity from Utility-Scale Solar
11. Kansas Utility Targets Solar Customers for Higher Rate
12. Kansas Lawmakers Debate Axing Wind Energy Tax Exemptions to Fill Budget Hole
13. LED Streetlights in Brooklyn Are Saving Energy but Exhausting Residents
14. Solar Water Heaters
15. Rivers’ Bill on Washington State Medical Marijuana Draws Heat
16. Three Things to Understand about the Grow-Your-Own Marijuana Bill in Washington State
17. Truckers, Fuel Manufacturers Sue to Stop Oregon’s Clean Fuels Law
18. How the California Drought Became Ammunition in Climate Policy Debate
19. Amazon Forest Becoming Less of a Climate Change Safety Net
20. Will the Supreme Court Strike Down Obama’s Green Legacy?
21. Sabey Breaks Ground on New Quincy Data Center Building
22. Oregon Lawmakers Scramble to Fix Google Fiber Tax Law
23. Latest Click! Cable Contracts Show More Big Increases in Broadcaster Fees
24. FCC Sued by Broadband Companies over Net Neutrality Rules
25. Tennessee Sues FCC for Dismantling Its Muni-Broadband Ban
26. Did the National Broadband Plan Spur Innovation?
27. This Should Go Well – Comcast to Take More Complaints via Facebook & Twitter
28. Twitch Warns Users of Possible Data Breach
29. The Network Effect at the Center of the Twitter Gender Discrimination Lawsuit
30. NFL Suspending TV Blackout Rule for 2015 Season
31. Duke Energy Mounts New Advertising Campaign
32. FBI Sought Troy Kelley Records from Washington State Public Disclosure Commission
33. Mystery Figure in Scandal Has Long Ties to Washington State Auditor
34. Shelton Woman Dies in Crash on John’s Prairie Road
35. Swanson Group Purchases Olympic Panel Products – To Relocate Assets to Oregon
36. It’s the End of the Line for Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad
37. Snow in Mountains May Give Brief Hope to Skiers
38. As Silence Falls on Chicago Trading Pits, a Working-Class Portal Also Closes

WORD OF THE DAY

Bowdlerize • \BOWD-ler-ize\ • Verb – 1: to expurgate by omitting or modifying parts considered vulgar *2: to modify by abridging, simplifying, or distorting in style or content

“Call it ‘editing for clarity’ or protecting young minds from overexposure to egg references,” grumbled Winston Smith. “Bowdlerizing ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ will not protect anyone from egg-related cholesterol ingestion!”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Seattle City Light’s Ethics Fight with Union Heats Up as Whistleblower Left Cold (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Seattle-City-Light-s-ethics-fight-with-union-6151940.php

Snohomish County PUD Rates to Increase in April (My Edmonds News, WA)

http://myedmondsnews.com/2015/03/snohomish-county-pud-rates-to-increase-in-april/

Phone Scam Warning Signs (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/28595714/phone-scam-warning-signs

FISH & WILDLIFE

Corps Delays Toutle River Sediment Study Due to Endangered Salmon (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/corps-delays-toutle-river-sediment-study-due-to-endangered-salmon/article_586c5ca4-d0ec-11e4-a6f2-7744bc2f1414.html

Idaho May Serve as a ‘Noah’s Ark’ for Trout (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/03/21/3710028_idaho-may-serve-asnoahs-arkfor.html?rh=1

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Homeowners’ Payments at Stake in Olympia Solar Debate (Investigate West)

http://www.invw.org/article/solar-payments-at-stake-1512

Oregon DOJ Launches Investigations of Tax Credits for University Solar Projects (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/03/department_of_justice_launches.html

Leased Solar Panels Can Complicate – Or Kill – A Home Sale (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-harney-20150322-story.html

California: Alameda County Supervisors to Hear Appeal on Controversial Altamont Wind Turbines (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/green-energy/ci_27766851/alameda-county-supervisors-hear-appeal-controversial-altamont-wind

California First State to Generate More Than 5% of Electricity from Utility-Scale Solar (U-S Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=20492

Kansas Utility Targets Solar Customers for Higher Rate (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2015/03/24/kansas-utility-targets-solar-customers-for-higher-rate/

Kansas Lawmakers Debate Axing Wind Energy Tax Exemptions to Fill Budget Hole (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/kansas-lawmakers-debate-axing-wind-energy-tax-exemptions-to-fill-budget-hol/378567/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

LED Streetlights in Brooklyn Are Saving Energy but Exhausting Residents (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/24/nyregion/new-led-streetlights-shine-too-brightly-for-some-in-brooklyn.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Solar Water Heaters (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/03/20/solar-water-heaters/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Rivers’ Bill on Washington State Medical Marijuana Draws Heat (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/mar/23/sen-ann-rivers-bill-medical-marijuana-draws-heat/

Three Things to Understand about the Grow-Your-Own Marijuana Bill in Washington State (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2015/03/23/3-things-to-understand-about-the-grow-your-own-marijuana-bill-in-washington/#31507101=0

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Truckers, Fuel Manufacturers Sue to Stop Oregon’s Clean Fuels Law (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/03/truckers-fuel-manufacturers-sue-to-stop-oregons.html

How the California Drought Became Ammunition in Climate Policy Debate (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2015/0323/How-California-drought-became-ammunition-in-climate-policy-debate-video

Amazon Forest Becoming Less of a Climate Change Safety Net (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/24/science/earth/amazon-forest-becoming-less-of-a-climate-change-safety-net.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Will the Supreme Court Strike Down Obama’s Green Legacy? (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/will-the-supreme-court-strike-down-obama-s-green-legacy-20150323

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Sabey Breaks Ground on New Quincy Data Center Building (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/sabey-breaks-ground-on-new-data-center-building/article_a6ee892c-d1b1-11e4-829c-fb2762b15b44.html

Oregon Lawmakers Scramble to Fix Google Fiber Tax Law (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/03/oregon_lawmakers_scramble_to_f.html

Latest Click! Cable Contracts Show More Big Increases in Broadcaster Fees (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/03/22/3701349_latest-click-cable-contracts-show.html?rh=1

FCC Sued by Broadband Companies over Net Neutrality Rules (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/24/us-usa-internet-neutrality-idUSKBN0MJ2DP20150324

Tennessee Sues FCC for Dismantling Its Muni-Broadband Ban (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Tennessee-Sues-FCC-For-Dismantling-Its-MuniBroadband-Ban-133085

Did the National Broadband Plan Spur Innovation? (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2015/03/23/did-the-national-broadband-plan-spur-innovation/?wprss=rss_technology

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

This Should Go Well – Comcast to Take More Complaints via Facebook & Twitter (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/23/comcast-to-take-more-complaints-via-facebook-and-twitter/

Twitch Warns Users of Possible Data Breach (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2015/03/24/twitch-warning-breach/70366310/

The Network Effect at the Center of the Twitter Gender Discrimination Lawsuit (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/03/23/the-network-effect-at-the-center-of-the-twitter-gender-discrimination-lawsuit/?wprss=rss_technology

NFL Suspending TV Blackout Rule for 2015 Season (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/03/23/nfl-suspending-tv-blackout-rule-for-2015-season/

Duke Energy Mounts New Advertising Campaign (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/energy/2015/03/duke-energy-mounts-new-advertising-campaign.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

FBI Sought Troy Kelley Records from Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/fbi-sought-troy-kelley-records-public-disclosure-commission

Mystery Figure in Scandal Has Long Ties to Washington State Auditor (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Figure-in-budding-scandal-has-long-ties-to-state-auditor-297378301.html

GENERAL NEWS

Shelton Woman Dies in Crash on John’s Prairie Road (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14851

Swanson Group Purchases Olympic Panel Products – To Relocate Assets to Oregon (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/22009-swanson-group-purchases-olympic-panel-products

It’s the End of the Line for Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/it-s-the-end-of-the-line-for-weyerhaeuser-woods/article_df243936-d1d4-11e4-b995-4b17113ec02a.html

Snow in Mountains May Give Brief Hope to Skiers (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/snow-pass-may-give-brief-hope-skiers/nkdRL/

As Silence Falls on Chicago Trading Pits, a Working-Class Portal Also Closes (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/25/business/dealbook/as-silence-falls-on-chicago-trading-pits-a-working-class-portal-also-closes.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

DIVERSIONS

Feces Contains Gold Worth Millions

http://news.yahoo.com/feces-contains-gold-worth-millions-224632128.html

Truck Carrying 30,000 Pounds of Lobsters Overturns – All Survive to Become Dinner

http://consumerist.com/2015/03/19/truck-carrying-30000-pounds-of-lobsters-overturns-all-survive-to-become-dinner/

Washington State Girl Completes 600 Random Acts of Kindness

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/outreach/making-a-difference/2015/03/23/wash-girl-completes-600-random-acts-of-kindness/70357902/

Suspect in Maine Burglary Posts Online That He’s Hiding in Cabinet; Police Find Him in Same Cabinet

http://www.usnews.com/news/offbeat/articles/2015/03/24/maine-police-track-suspect-through-social-media-messages

SONG OF THE DAY

John Stewart – Gold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-SjdN6kuew

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 March 20, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

                                                                                                        

Weather Forecast for March 20, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/mjlut6n

Marine Zone Forecast – Puget Sound & Hood Canal

http://tinyurl.com/ppxd977

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

Look What Today’s Eclipse Did to German Solar Power Output (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-20/look-what-today-s-eclipse-did-to-german-solar-power-output

Plot Thickens in Federal Probe Involving Washington State Auditor (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/plot-thickens-federal-probe-involving-washington-state-auditor

Bonneville Power Administration Officials Say EIS for New SW Washington State Transmission Line Will Wrap Up This Year (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/bpa-officials-say-eis-for-new-transmission-line-will-wrap/article_6fada994-cea9-11e4-b217-f3f0f8013650.html

Community Broadband Debate Centered on North Carolina Town (Fresno Bee, CA)

http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/03/19/4436225_community-broadband-debate-centered.html?rh=1

First Day of Spring to Bring Snow to Millions in Northeast (TIME Magazine)

http://time.com/3751975/snow-weather-northeast-spring-first-day/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Look What Today’s Eclipse Did to German Solar Power Output
2. How the Energy Grid Handles the Surge after a Solar Eclipse
3. Bonneville Power Administration Officials Say EIS for New SW Washington State Transmission Line Will Wrap Up This Year
4. Environmental Groups Take Control of Hanford Nuclear Reservation Meetings
5. Oregon: Rehired Employee Appointed to Manage Columbia River PUD
6. Exelon-Pepco Merger Opposition Shrinking, But Still Significant
7. Lineworkers: The Public Power Cover Story
8. Students Gain Knowledge as They Release Salmon into Clark County Creek
9. Oregon’s Lake Abert Dries Up
10. Things in California Are Even Worse Than You Realize
11. Energy Quote of the Day: ‘We’re Not Just Up a Creek Without a Paddle, We’re Losing the Creek Too’
12. ‘Business as Usual’ Will Create a Thirsty Planet in 15 Years, Says United Nations
13. Community Solar Project Coming to the Flathead
14. Sea Power Could Eclipse Sun in Drive for Green Energy
15. Idaho Power Tops Efficiency, Demand Response Targets
16. Laurence Tribe, Obama’s Legal Mentor, Attacks EPA Power Plant Rule
17. The World’s Most Polluting Coal Plants Are Identified
18. The House of the Future? It’s a Honda
19. Community Broadband Debate Centered on North Carolina Town
20. FAA Gives Amazon Limited Permission to Test Delivery Drones
21. Brands Are Already Hustling to Get in on March Madness
22. Whatever Happened to GeoCities, Lycos, Netscape & Other Giants of Web 1.0?
23. Plot Thickens in Federal Probe Involving Washington State Auditor
24. Washington State Auditor’s Office Turns Over Documents in Federal Probe
25. Washington State Governor Concerned about Apparent Auditor Probe
26. Ethnic Diversity: Judge Denies Yakima’s Motion in ACLU Case
27. First Day of Spring to Bring Snow to Millions in Northeast
28. Warmer than Average Temperatures Could Start in April, Last into Winter
29. Man Accused of Stealing Car in Lacey with Children Inside Arrested in Portland
30. New Superintendent for Shelton School District
31. Supreme Court: Washington State Can Prosecute Tribal Members When They’re Living on another Tribe’s Land
32. Washington Drivers Reminded to Remove Studded Tires by March 31

WORD OF THE DAY

Onomastics • \ah-nuh-MAS-tiks\ • noun – 1a: the science or study of the origins & forms of words especially as used in a specialized field b: the science or study of the origin & forms of proper names of persons or places *2: the system underlying the formation & use of words especially for proper names or of words used in a specialized field.

Bradford was feeling smug. He had just used his aptitude for omnastics to rattle off the origins of some of skating’s more interesting jumps: the salchow, the toe loop, the axel, and his personal favorites – the “Bunny Hop” and “Walley” jumps.

Here’s a link to the Wikipedia entry on skating jumps:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure_skating_jump

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Look What Today’s Eclipse Did to German Solar Power Output (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-20/look-what-today-s-eclipse-did-to-german-solar-power-output

How the Energy Grid Handles the Surge after a Solar Eclipse (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/how-the-energy-grid-handles-the-surge-after-a-solar-ecl-1692567804

Bonneville Power Administration Officials Say EIS for New SW Washington State Transmission Line Will Wrap Up This Year (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/bpa-officials-say-eis-for-new-transmission-line-will-wrap/article_6fada994-cea9-11e4-b217-f3f0f8013650.html

Environmental Groups Take Control of Hanford Nuclear Reservation Meetings (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/03/environmental-groups-take-control-of-hanford.html

Oregon: Rehired Employee Appointed to Manage Columbia River PUD (Pamplin Media Group)

http://www.pamplinmedia.com/scs/83-news/254339-124180-rehired-employee-appointed-to-manage-columbia-river-pud-

Exelon-Pepco Merger Opposition Shrinking, But Still Significant (Chicago Business Journal, IL)

http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2015/03/20/exelon-pepco-merger-opposition-shrinking-still.html

Lineworkers: The Public Power Cover Story (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/?p=297

FISH & WILDLIFE

Students Gain Knowledge as They Release Salmon into Clark County Creek (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/mar/19/salmon-classroom-hockinson-battle-ground/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oregon’s Lake Abert Dries Up (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/television/programs/ofg/segment/lake-abert-dries-up/

Things in California Are Even Worse Than You Realize (Refinery 29)

http://www.refinery29.com/2015/03/84159/california-water-shortage-2016-problem#pNnNpo:G2np

Energy Quote of the Day: ‘We’re Not Just Up a Creek Without a Paddle, We’re Losing the Creek Too’ (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/ed-dodge/2205836/energy-quote-day-we-re-not-just-creek-without-paddle-ca-we-re-losing-creek-too

‘Business as Usual’ Will Create a Thirsty Planet in 15 Years, Says United Nations (Reuters)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/science/20150320_Reuters_Report_KBN0MG0AG__Business_as_usual__will_create_a_thirsty_planet_in_15_years__says_U_N_.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Community Solar Project Coming to the Flathead (Hungry Horse News, MT)

http://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/hungryhorsenews/community-solar-project-coming-to-the-flathead/article_f49955e4-cd83-11e4-a79c-9bf5aa519a4b.html

Sea Power Could Eclipse Sun in Drive for Green Energy (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/03/19/3697920_sea-power-could-eclipse-sun-in.html?rh=1

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Idaho Power Tops Efficiency, Demand Response Targets (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/idaho-power-tops-efficiency-demand-respone-targets/377332/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Laurence Tribe, Obama’s Legal Mentor, Attacks EPA Power Plant Rule (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/epa-power-plant-rule-laurence-tribe-116258.html

The World’s Most Polluting Coal Plants Are Identified (Phys.Org)

http://phys.org/news/2015-03-world-polluting-coal.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

The House of the Future? It’s a Honda (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/the-house-of-the-future-its-a-honda/2015/03/19/63693bf4-b6c5-11e4-a200-c008a01a6692_story.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Community Broadband Debate Centered on North Carolina Town (Fresno Bee, CA)

http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/03/19/4436225_community-broadband-debate-centered.html?rh=1

FAA Gives Amazon Limited Permission to Test Delivery Drones (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/faa-gives-amazon-limited-permission-test-delivery-/nkbNH/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Brands Are Already Hustling to Get in on March Madness (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/brands-are-already-hustling-get-march-madness-163585

Whatever Happened to GeoCities, Lycos, Netscape & Other Giants of Web 1.0? (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/03/20/where-did-everyone-from-the-90s-go-when-we-all-got-facebook-and-quit-web-1-0/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Plot Thickens in Federal Probe Involving Washington State Auditor (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/plot-thickens-federal-probe-involving-washington-state-auditor

Washington State Auditor’s Office Turns Over Documents in Federal Probe (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-state-auditors-office-turns-over-documents-federal-probe

Washington State Governor Concerned about Apparent Auditor Probe (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Washington-auditor-s-office-turns-over-records-to-6147491.php

Ethnic Diversity: Judge Denies Yakima’s Motion in ACLU Case (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/3013819-8/judge-denies-yakimas-motion-in-aclu-case

GENERAL NEWS

First Day of Spring to Bring Snow to Millions in Northeast (TIME Magazine)

http://time.com/3751975/snow-weather-northeast-spring-first-day/

Warmer than Average Temperatures Could Start in April, Last into Winter (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2733295/Warmer-than-average-temperatures-could-start-in-April-last-into-winter

Man Accused of Stealing Car in Lacey with Children Inside Arrested in Portland (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/man-accused-stealing-car-lacey-children-inside-arr/nkbQ8/

New Superintendent for Shelton School District (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14821

Supreme Court: Washington State Can Prosecute Tribal Members When They’re Living on another Tribe’s Land (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150320/news/303209974/supreme-court-state-can-prosecute-tribal-members-when-they-8217-re

Washington Drivers Reminded to Remove Studded Tires by March 31 (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Washington-drivers-are-reminded-to-remove-studded-tires-by-March-31-296898461.html

DIVERSIONS

Paper Planes, Parents Help Indian Pupils Outsmart State Exams

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/20/us-india-cheating-idUSKBN0MG0NZ20150320

Salem Brewer Swoops in with Attack Owl IPA

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/willamette-valley/2015/03/18/attack-owl-ipa-vagabond-brewing-salem-oregon/24951817/

State Patrol: Man Drives Stolen Car to WSP Office

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/State-Patrol-Man-drives-stolen-car-to-WSP-office-6145688.php

A Whopper of an Idea? Burger King Fragrance in Japan

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/20/a-whooper-of-an-idea-burger-king-to-fragrance-in-japan/

SONG OF THE DAY

Kelly Clarkson - Your Cheatin’ Heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNR4KCfOhE8

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.