Energy News Digest for April 10, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for April 10, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/o8s2jys

Special Weather Statement for Mason County (covers much of Western Washington)

http://tinyurl.com/pvz2n83

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

Hail, Mountain Snow Expected as Cold Front Blows across Western Washington State (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2745043/Hail-mountain-snow-expected-as-cold-front-blows-across-Western-Washington

Restless Crowd Wants Tacoma to Keep Control of City’s Click Broadband Network (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/04/09/3733350_restless-crowd-wants-city-to-keep.html?rh=1

British Columbia Energy Minister Optimistic Peace River Dam Construction Will Begin in Summer (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/energy-minister-optimistic-site-c-dam-construction-will-begin-in-summer/article23871021/?cmpid=rss1

Washington State Governor Says Carbon Cap Still in Play, Polling Says... (PublicCola)

http://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-profiles/publicola/articles/putting-a-price-on-carbon-faces-tough-odds-in-legislature-and-in-polling-april-2015

Pacific Sardine Industry Shutdown Looms as Species Collapses (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/04/pacific_sardine_industry_shutd.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. British Columbia Energy Minister Optimistic Peace River Dam Construction Will Begin in Summer 
2. Should – Or Could – California Break Up Pacific Gas & Electric?
3. Avista Continues Construction Work on Post Falls Dam
4. Oregon: Public Comment on Swan Lake Pumped Storage Hydro Plant
5. Clallam PUD Power Rate Increase Takes Effect
6. Chelan PUD Signs New Contract with Union
7. Despite White House Cuts, Appropriators Look to Lock Down Some Dam Money
8. FERC Denies Incentives for San Diego Gas & Electric’s Transmission Project
9. Op/Ed: Nuclear Power under Threat
10. Why 2015 Could Be a Record Year for the Greening of U-S Energy
11. Pacific Sardine Industry Shutdown Looms as Species Collapses
12. Study: Pet Fish Wreak Havoc on Ecosystem
13. California Farmers Mount PR Campaign to Counter Backlash over Water Use
14. British Columbia: Vancouver Commits to Run on 100% Renewable Energy
15. Golden Eagle Study Could Complicate Federal Development Plans in California Desert
16. Solar, Wind, Hydropower: Home Renewable Energy Installations
17. Exclusive Videos: US Wind Industry Launches #InTheirOwnWords Project
18. Powerful Advice – Insulation: Out of Sight, Out of Mind?
19. Tackling the LED Streetlight Challenge
20. Video: Wyden, Blumenauer Seek Tax Code Change for Marijuana Businesses
21. Colorado: Federal Bank Chief & Pot Merchants Meet
22. What’s a Serving of Marijuana? Oregon to Look into Pot Dosing, Health Effects
23. Washington State Governor Says Carbon Cap Still in Play, Polling Says...
24. Southwest Power Pool: Carbon Regulation Compliance Will Cost Billions Annually
25. The Pacific Ocean May Have Entered a New Warm Phase
26. The Power & Limits of Pope Francis’s Climate Change Campaign
27. Jefferson County Agencies Seek $250,000 Grant to Amp up Car Charging Stations
28. Restless Crowd Wants Tacoma to Keep Control of City’s Click Broadband Network
29. Comcast: Fiber Damage Leaves 33,000 in Seattle without Internet, 911 Access
30. Google Opens New, $600 Million Oregon Data Center
31. Broadband is Hot Topic at Orcas Power & Light Candidates Forum
32. FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules Open Door to New Fee on Internet Service
33. Conservative Group ALEC Threatens Legal Action against Telecom Critics
34. Social Media Upends Apple Marketing Cart
35. Mountain Dew Turns Tweets into Online Ads with the Return of Baja Blast
36. Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
37. Hillary Clinton to Launch Presidential Campaign, Sources Say
38. Hail, Mountain Snow Expected as Cold Front Blows across Western Washington State
39. Mason County Man Convicted of Filling Tahuya River Channel
40. Washington State Highway Speed Limit Increase Now in Governor’s Hands
41. The FAA Has Given Amazon the Official Go-Ahead for Drone Testing
42. Apple Watch Is Already Backordered by at Least a Month
43. Lauren Hill, College Basketball Player Battling Cancer, Dies

WORD OF THE DAY

Impetuous • \im-PETCH-uh-wuss\ • Adjective - 1: marked by impulsive vehemence or passion 2: marked by force & violence of movement or action

“Ah, yes; the impetuous actions of our youngsters,” cackled the grizzled railroad engineer to his fireman. “Remember last year when the young fella running in the switching yard tripped over a lever and sent four trains bound for Seattle to Spokane instead?”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

British Columbia Energy Minister Optimistic Peace River Dam Construction Will Begin in Summer (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/energy-minister-optimistic-site-c-dam-construction-will-begin-in-summer/article23871021/?cmpid=rss1

Should – Or Could – California Break Up Pacific Gas & Electric? (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Should-or-could-California-break-up-PG-E-6190374.php

Avista Continues Construction Work on Post Falls Dam (KXLY-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.kxly.com/news/north-idaho-news/avista-continues-construction-work-on-post-falls-dam/32286742

Oregon: Public Comment on Swan Lake Pumped Storage Hydro Plant (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)

http://www.heraldandnews.com/klamath/this-swan-lake-story-needs-a-title/article_a508b064-f661-51c2-837e-ddce176e8718.html

Clallam PUD Power Rate Increase Takes Effect (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/10602

Chelan PUD Signs New Contract with Union (Wenatchee World, WA)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2015/apr/09/chelan-pud-signs-new-labor-contract-with-union/

Despite White House Cuts, Appropriators Look to Lock Down Some Dam Money (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/despite-white-house-cuts-appropriators-look-to-lock-down-some-dam-money-20150408

FERC Denies Incentives for San Diego Gas & Electric’s Transmission Project (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-denies-incentives-for-sdge-transmission-project/385308/

Op/Ed: Nuclear Power under Threat (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/04/09/3732908/nuclear-power-under-threat.html

Why 2015 Could Be a Record Year for the Greening of U-S Energy (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/04/09/report-2015-could-be-a-record-year-for-the-greening-of-u-s-energy/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Pacific Sardine Industry Shutdown Looms as Species Collapses (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/04/pacific_sardine_industry_shutd.html

Study: Pet Fish Wreak Havoc on Ecosystem (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/study-pet-fish-wreak-havoc-aquatic-system/nkq8y/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

California Farmers Mount PR Campaign to Counter Backlash over Water Use (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article18013727.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

British Columbia: Vancouver Commits to Run on 100% Renewable Energy (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/10/vancouver-commits-to-run-on-100-renewable-energy

Golden Eagle Study Could Complicate Federal Development Plans in California Desert (Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition)

http://www.governorswindenergycoalition.org/?p=12435

Solar, Wind, Hydropower: Home Renewable Energy Installations (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/04/09/solar-wind-hydropower-home-renewable-energy-installations/

Exclusive Videos: US Wind Industry Launches #InTheirOwnWords Project (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/04/09/exclusive-videos-us-wind-industry-launches-intheirownwords-project/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Powerful Advice – Insulation: Out of Sight, Out of Mind? (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1503

Tackling the LED Streetlight Challenge (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/magazine/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43331

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Video: Wyden, Blumenauer Seek Tax Code Change for Marijuana Businesses (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/2015/04/09/wyden-blumenauer-pot-bills/25533583/

Colorado: Federal Bank Chief & Pot Merchants Meet (Associated Press)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/10/us/colorado-federal-bank-chief-and-pot-merchants-meet.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

What’s a Serving of Marijuana? Oregon to Look into Pot Dosing, Health Effects (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2015/04/whats_a_serving_of_marijuana_o.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Governor Says Carbon Cap Still in Play, Polling Says... (PublicCola)

http://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-profiles/publicola/articles/putting-a-price-on-carbon-faces-tough-odds-in-legislature-and-in-polling-april-2015

Southwest Power Pool: Carbon Regulation Compliance Will Cost Billions Annually (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/southwest-power-pool-carbon-regulation-compliance-will-cost-billions-annua/385299/

The Pacific Ocean May Have Entered a New Warm Phase – The Consequences Could Be Dramatic (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/04/10/the-pacific-ocean-may-have-entered-a-new-warm-phase-and-the-consequences-could-be-dramatic/?wprss=rss_national

The Power & Limits of Pope Francis’s Climate Change Campaign (NY Times)

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/10/the-power-and-limits-of-pope-franciss-climate-change-campaign/?partner=rss&emc=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Jefferson County Agencies Seek $250,000 Grant to Amp up Car Charging Stations – efforts aim to draw tourists from outside Jefferson to Olympic National Park (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150410/news/304109969/agencies-seek-250000-grant-to-amp-up-car-charging-stations-efforts

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Restless Crowd Wants Tacoma to Keep Control of City’s Click Broadband Network (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/04/09/3733350_restless-crowd-wants-city-to-keep.html?rh=1

Comcast: Fiber Damage Leaves 33,000 in Seattle without Internet, 911 Access (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Comcast-Fiber-damage-leaves-30000-in-Seattle-without-service-299257091.html

Google Opens New, $600 Million Oregon Data Center (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/04/google_opens_new_oregon_data_c.html

Broadband is Hot Topic at Orcas Power & Light Candidates Forum (Islands’ Sounder, Eastsound, WA)

http://www.islandssounder.com/news/299292571.html

FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules Open Door to New Fee on Internet Service (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-broadband-fees-20150409-story.html#page=1

Conservative Group ALEC Threatens Legal Action against Telecom Critics (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/conservative-group-alec-threatens-legal-action-against-telecom-critics-20150410

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media Upends Apple Marketing Cart (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/3069918-8/social-media-upends-apple-marketing-cart

Mountain Dew Turns Tweets into Online Ads with the Return of Baja Blast (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/mountain-dew-turns-tweets-online-ads-return-baja-blast-163979

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/10/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-283/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Hillary Clinton to Launch Presidential Campaign, Sources Say (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/hillary_clinton_to_launch_pres.html

GENERAL NEWS

Hail, Mountain Snow Expected as Cold Front Blows across Western Washington State (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2745043/Hail-mountain-snow-expected-as-cold-front-blows-across-Western-Washington

Mason County Man Convicted of Filling Tahuya River Channel (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/April-2015/Mason-County-man-convicted/

Washington State Highway Speed Limit Increase Now in Governor’s Hands (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-highway-speed-limit-increase-now-governors-hands

The FAA Has Given Amazon the Official Go-Ahead for Drone Testing (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/04/10/the-faas-given-amazon-the-official-go-ahead-for-drone-testing/?wprss=rss_technology

Apple Watch Is Already Backordered by at Least a Month (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/04/10/apple-watch-sold-out/

Lauren Hill, College Basketball Player Battling Cancer, Dies (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2015/04/10/lauren-hill-dies-after-fighting-tumor-to-play-college-hoops

DIVERSIONS

Firefighters Rescue 11 Ducklings from Snohomish County Storm Drain

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/pets-and-animals/2015/04/09/snohomish-county-firefighters-rescue-11-ducklings/25547173/

Oregon Cat Survives Shock, 25-Foot Fall from Power Pole

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Oregon-cat-survives-shock-25-foot-fall-from-power-pole-299278711.html

Planned Hunt for Marijuana-Filled Easter Eggs Runs into Major Buzzkill

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150410/NEWS01/150419939

Kid Who Won ESPN’s March Madness Bracket Donates Xbox Prize to Make-A-Wish

http://time.com/3817126/espn-bracker-winner-donates-xbox/

SONG OF THE DAY

Sesame Street – Rubber Ducky Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDy4PZPMDwU

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 April 9, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for April 9, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ms9ys6g

Special Weather Statement for Western Washington

http://tinyurl.com/lfwb5yp

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

San Bruno: Pacific Gas & Electric Hit with Record Penalty of $1.6 Billion for Fatal Explosion (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27880159/san-bruno-pg-e-faces-record-penalty-punishment

Spill for Fish Passage Begins Friday at Columbia River Dams (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/apr/09/spill-fish-passage-begins-friday-columbia-river-da/

Electric Co-Ops – Nespelem Valley Electric, Inland Power & Light – To Study Merger Idea (Star of the Grand Coulee, WA)

http://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2015/04/08/news/electric-co-ops-to-study-merger-idea/5546.html

Ellensburg: Proposed Solar Farm Public Hearing Set for Thursday (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/inbrief/proposed-solar-farm-public-hearing-is-set-for-thursday/article_fb72000a-de0e-11e4-90e4-4f7ef6c842fa.html

Olympic Peninsula on the List: Drought Committee Adds to List of Areas at Risk for Water Shortages (Washington State Department of Ecology)

http://ecologywa.blogspot.com/2015/04/drought-committee-adds-to-list-of-areas.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. San Bruno: Pacific Gas & Electric Hit with Record Penalty of $1.6 Billion for Fatal Explosion
2. Electric Co-Ops – Nespelem Valley Electric, Inland Power & Light – To Study Merger Idea
3. Lewis County PUD Proposes Rate Increase
4. Low Service Line Violations: Oregon Homeowners – Surprise $1,000 Bill Could be Coming
5. Fitch Rates Energy Northwest Bonds ‘AA’; Outlook Stable
6. Taking the Hydro Out of Hydropower
7. Top Ten Facts about Yucca Mountain
8. Spill for Fish Passage Begins Friday at Columbia River Dams
9. Oregon/Washington Extend Spring Salmon Fishing
10. Olympic Peninsula on the List: Drought Committee Adds to List of Areas at Risk for Water Shortages
11. Conditions ‘Practically Out of Control’ as Snowpack Hits Record Low
12. Ellensburg: Proposed Solar Farm Public Hearing Set for Thursday
13. Montana Will Delay Action on Net Metering Until a Study of Its Impacts is Complete
14. Including the Poor in the Solar Energy Boom
15. Portland Battery Energy Startup Lands $250,000 from Wells Fargo Incubator
16. Residents React Strongly to Proposed Southwest North Dakota Wind Farm
17. Joel Spira, Founder of Light Dimmer Switch Empire, Dies
18. BPA, Public Utilities Fueling the Energy Efficiency Powerhouse
19. Marijuana Taxes Won’t Save State Budgets
20. Wave Broadband Acquires ReallyFast.net to Expand Gigabit Service in Seattle
21. Google Leases New Downtown Portland Office
22. CEO’s Fight for Control Could Cost Google Half a Billion Dollars
23. CenturyLink Apologizes for Overstating Gigabit Availability
24. High-Speed Internet Added to Everett Apartments
25. Teens Aren’t Fleeing Facebook as Quickly as We Thought
26. More U-S Teens Turning to Instagram, Snapchat, Survey Finds
27. Why Livestreaming Apps Like Meerkat & Periscope Will be a Huge Boon for Cops
28. Watch How Absurd Email Would Seem in Real Life
29. Leader of Washington State Campaign Watchdog Agency Resigning
30. Road Rage Contributed to Fatal Three-Car Crash on I-5, WSP Says – Centralia Woman Killed
31. Get Your Motor Running: Gas at $2.35 This Summer
32. Fewer People Taking & Passing the G.E.D. Test
33. Low Snowpack Prompts Port Townsend Paper to Plan Water Conservation Measures, Meet with City Officials
34. Stolen Eastern Washington Cabin Found Outside of Springdale

WORD OF THE DAY

Ingénue • \AN-juh-noo\ • Noun – 1: a naïve girl or young woman *2: the stage role of an ingénue; also: an actress playing such a role

Whenever I see this word, I always think of the actress Theresa Wright. I think that when you look up the word ingénue in the dictionary, her picture should be right there. Not that I’m obsessed with Theresa Wright, you see. I just think she was neat. Doesn’t hurt that she was an Oscar winner too. But I digress…

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

San Bruno: Pacific Gas & Electric Hit with Record Penalty of $1.6 Billion for Fatal Explosion (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27880159/san-bruno-pg-e-faces-record-penalty-punishment

Electric Co-Ops – Nespelem Valley Electric, Inland Power & Light – To Study Merger Idea (Star of the Grand Coulee, WA)

http://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2015/04/08/news/electric-co-ops-to-study-merger-idea/5546.html

Lewis County PUD Proposes Rate Increase (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2015/04/lewis-county-pud-proposes-rate-increase.html

Low Service Line Violations: Oregon Homeowners – Surprise $1,000 Bill Could be Coming (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/problemsolver/Oregon-homeowners-surprise-1000-bill-could-be-coming-298971361.html

Fitch Rates Energy Northwest Bonds ‘AA’; Outlook Stable (Yahoo! Finance)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fitch-rates-energy-northwest-wa-190600522.html

Taking the Hydro Out of Hydropower (Marketplace, American Public Media)

http://www.marketplace.org/topics/sustainability/taking-hydro-out-hydropower

Top Ten Facts about Yucca Mountain (Nuclear Energy Institute)

http://www.nei.org/News-Media/News/News-Archives/Top-10-Facts-About-Yucca-Mountain

FISH & WILDLIFE

Spill for Fish Passage Begins Friday at Columbia River Dams (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/apr/09/spill-fish-passage-begins-friday-columbia-river-da/

Oregon/Washington Extend Spring Salmon Fishing (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2015/04/oregonwashington_extend_spring.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Olympic Peninsula on the List: Drought Committee Adds to List of Areas at Risk for Water Shortages (Washington State Department of Ecology)

http://ecologywa.blogspot.com/2015/04/drought-committee-adds-to-list-of-areas.html

Conditions ‘Practically Out of Control’ as Snowpack Hits Record Low (Associated Press)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/States-winter-snowpack-at-only-22-percent-of-normal-299076081.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Ellensburg: Proposed Solar Farm Public Hearing Set for Thursday (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/inbrief/proposed-solar-farm-public-hearing-is-set-for-thursday/article_fb72000a-de0e-11e4-90e4-4f7ef6c842fa.html

Montana Will Delay Action on Net Metering Until a Study of Its Impacts is Complete (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/montana-will-delay-action-on-net-metering-until-a-study-of-its-impacts-is-c/384863/

Including the Poor in the Solar Energy Boom (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2015/0408/Including-the-poor-in-the-solar-energy-boom

Portland Battery Energy Startup Lands $250,000 from Wells Fargo Incubator (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/04/portland-energy-startup-lands-250k-from-wells.html

Residents React Strongly to Proposed Southwest North Dakota Wind Farm (Northern Plains Business News, Grand Forks, ND)

http://www.prairiebizmag.com/event/article/id/23331/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Joel Spira, Founder of Light Dimmer Switch Empire, Dies (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/joel-spira-founder-light-dimmer-switch-empire-dies-30167503

BPA, Public Utilities Fueling the Energy Efficiency Powerhouse (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-public-utilities-fueling-the-energy-efficiency-powerhouse.aspx

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Marijuana Taxes Won’t Save State Budgets (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/09/upshot/09up-marijuana.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&abt=0002&abg=1

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Wave Broadband Acquires ReallyFast.net to Expand Gigabit Service in Seattle (Geekwire)

http://www.geekwire.com/2015/wave-broadband-acquires-reallyfast-net-to-expand-gigabit-service-in-seattle/

Google Leases New Downtown Portland Office (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/04/google_to_open_downtown_portla.html

CEO’s Fight for Control Could Cost Google Half a Billion Dollars (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Technology/2015/0408/CEO-s-fight-for-control-could-cost-Google-half-a-billion-dollars

CenturyLink Apologizes for Overstating Gigabit Availability (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/CenturyLink-Apologizes-for-Overstating-Gigabit-Availability-133296

High-Speed Internet Added to Everett Apartments (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150409/BIZ/150409096

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Teens Aren’t Fleeing Facebook as Quickly as We Thought (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/04/09/teens-arent-fleeing-facebook-as-quickly-as-we-thought/?wprss=rss_technology

More U-S Teens Turning to Instagram, Snapchat, Survey Finds (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27877870/more-u-s-teens-turning-instagram-snapchat-survey

Why Livestreaming Apps Like Meerkat & Periscope Will be a Huge Boon for Cops (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/04/08/why-livestreaming-apps-like-meerkat-and-periscope-will-be-a-huge-boon-for-cops/?wprss=rss_technology

Watch How Absurd Email Would Seem in Real Life (Gizmodo – The video ends with an ad, but the content is fun!)

http://gizmodo.com/watch-how-absurd-email-would-seem-in-real-life-1696432217

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Leader of Washington State Campaign Watchdog Agency Resigning (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150408/BLOG13/150409145/Leader-of-state-campaign-watchdog-agency-resigning

GENERAL NEWS

Road Rage Contributed to Fatal Three-Car Crash on I-5, WSP Says – Centralia Woman Killed (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/09/road-rage-contributed-to-fatal-3-car-crash-on-i-5-wsp-says/

Get Your Motor Running: Gas at $2.35 This Summer (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/04/09/get-your-motor-running-summer-of-2015-will-be-cheapest-for-gas-in-a-decade/25512941/

Fewer People Taking & Passing the G.E.D. Test (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/Fewer-people-taking-and-passing-the-GED-test-299075111.html

Low Snowpack Prompts Port Townsend Paper to Plan Water Conservation Measures, Meet with City Officials (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150409/news/304099985/low-snowpack-prompts-port-townsend-paper-corp-to-plan-water

Stolen Eastern Washington Cabin Found Outside of Springdale (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/apr/09/stolen-cabin-found-outside-springdale/

DIVERSIONS

Meet the Real Women Who Inspired a League of Their Own

http://time.com/3760024/women-professional-baseball/

Couple Rescues Starving Dog Lost in Washington Mountains; Looks for Owner

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Couple-rescues-starving-dog-lost-in-Washington-mountains-looks-for-owner-299127331.html

Civil War: 150th Anniversary of Lee Surrender at Appomattox

http://www.khq.com/story/28760496/civil-war-150th-anniversary-of-lee-surrender-at-appomattox

Comcast Refused to Cancel Cable for Customer Whose House Went Up in Flames

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/09/comcast-refused-to-cancel-cable-for-customer-whose-house-went-up-in-flames/

SONG OF THE DAY

Crosby Stills Nash & Young – Our House

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7goifK_2qY

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 April 8, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for April 8, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/lhfe6y4

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

Apple Plans ‘Major, Major Expansion’ of Oregon Data Center (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/04/apple_plans_major_major_expans.html

Feds to Consider Endangered Species Listing for Spotted Owl (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Feds-to-consider-endangered-species-listing-for-spotted-owl--298999731.html

Power Surge Knocks Out Electrical Service in Parts of Washington, D-C Region (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/scattered-power-outages-reported-across-dc-area/2015/04/07/8f4e8b84-dd49-11e4-a500-1c5bb1d8ff6a_story.html

Tight Puget Sound Housing Market Creating ‘Buyer Anxiety’ (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/money/markets/real-estate/2015/04/07/puget-sound-march-home-sales/25406247/

Op/Ed: Russ Skolrood – I-937’s “One-Size Fits All” Model an Ill Fit for Grays Harbor (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/opinion/letters/russ-skolrood-i-937-s-one-size-fits-all-model-ill-fit-grays-harbor

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Power Surge Knocks Out Electrical Service in Parts of Washington, D-C Region
2. Oregon Bill Would Require Transmission Lines Minimize Farm Impacts
3. Bonneville Power Administration-PacifiCorp Transmission Complaint Sent to Hearing
4. Grays Harbor PUD Looking to Refinance Bonds, Could Save an Estimated $5 Million
5. Maryland: Family Died Of Gas Poisoning after Utility Cut Power to Home
6. Can a New Generation of Startups Revolutionize the Nuclear Industry?
7. FERC Employees Negotiate for Industry Jobs under Agency’s Eye
8. Report: The Way We Power Our Homes May Be on the Verge of a Major Change
9. Feds to Consider Endangered Species Listing for Spotted Owl
10. Editorial: Study Finds Good Payoff for Habitat Restoration
11. Desperate from Drought, California Turns to Desalination
12. In Drought, Californians Lacking Water Meters Let It Flow
13. Carly Fiorina Blames Environmentalists for California Drought
14. Op/Ed: Russ Skolrood – I-937’s “One-Size Fits All” Model an Ill Fit for Grays Harbor
15. Is Solar City a Threat to Electric Co-ops?
16. Why Utilities Could Soon Face Massive Load Defection & How They Can Prevent It
17. Shared Solar Tries Again to Light Up Connecticut
18. For Solar to Take Off, It Needs a Longer Runway
19. A Texas Wind Power Company Is Scrapping Its Eastern Shore Project amid Political Opposition
20. Energy Efficiency Products Top Homeowner Clean Energy Purchases
21. EPA & DOE Honor 2015 Energy Star Partners of the Year for Leadership on Energy Efficiency, Acting on Climate
22. Oregon: AmeriCorps Team in Bend, Promoting Energy Conservation
23. Thousands of Marijuana Plants Lost In Fire at Legal Seattle Grow Operation
24. Seattle Marijuana Startup Scores Lots of Green – The Paper Kind
25. Woodland Accepts Marijuana Industry – Tweak to Ordinance Will Allow Issuing of Business Licenses
26. Oregon Lawmakers Consider Letting Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Temporarily Sell Recreational Pot
27. Poll Highlights the Rapidly Growing Power of Cannabis in Politics
28. Teens’ Climate-Change Suit Hits Court with Call to Protect Our Air
29. Rand Paul Says EPA Wants to Police Your Hotel Shower
30. Apple Plans ‘Major, Major Expansion’ of Oregon Data Center
31. Google Who? Oregon Cities Want Their Own Fiber Networks
32. Op/Ed: Investment in Broadband Grows, Electrical Rates Rise – Coincidence?
33. New Mexico: CenturyLink’s Dodd: ‘We’re Fighting Hard for Broadband’
34. ‘Star Wars’ Saga Available to Stream, Download Friday
35. Following Complaint from Comcast, Ad Board Recommends DirecTV Discontinue Rob Lowe Ads
36. Who Won the Battle of March Madness Brands?
37. Scientists Swarm around the Twitter Hashtag #IAmAScientistBecause
38. Scientists Link ‪Selfies to Narcissism, ‪Addiction & Mental Illness
39. ‘Star Wars’ Saga Available to Stream, Download Friday
40. Map: The Most Liberal & Conservative Towns in Each State
41. Tight Puget Sound Housing Market Creating ‘Buyer Anxiety’
42. Commissioner: Log Shipping Slump Erodes Port of Port Angeles Revenue
43. Welcome to Shelton - With a Brand New Sign
44. Thieves Steal Brass Vases from Olympia Grave Sites
45. Common Weed Could Become New Northwest Cash Crop

WORD OF THE DAY

Chanteuse • \shant-TOOZ\ • Noun – Songstress; especially: a woman who is a concert or nightclub singer.

The darkened nightclub’s atmosphere had an atmosphere of its own. Cigarette smoke coiling to the ceiling, its path dimly lit by the subdued lights at each table. The clinking of ice cubes in whisky glasses, the muddled crowd noise that masked conversations, intimate or otherwise deepened the mood. Without warning, a spotlight cut through the darkness, hushing the crowd and revealing the night’s entertainment: a blond chanteuse named “Sally Blue.” Her light, breathy voice caressed the ears of the entire audience, making it seem as if every note, nuance in phrasing, and whisper was meant just for that one person. She held the room in the palm of her hand, and she knew it.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Power Surge Knocks Out Electrical Service in Parts of Washington, D-C Region (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/scattered-power-outages-reported-across-dc-area/2015/04/07/8f4e8b84-dd49-11e4-a500-1c5bb1d8ff6a_story.html

Oregon Bill Would Require Transmission Lines Minimize Farm Impacts (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA)

http://union-bulletin.com/news/2015/apr/07/bill-would-require-transmission-lines-minimize-far/

Bonneville Power Administration-PacifiCorp Transmission Complaint Sent to Hearing (Argus Media)

http://www.argusmedia.com/News/Article?id=1018810

Grays Harbor PUD Looking to Refinance Bonds, Could Save an Estimated $5 Million (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/pud-looking-refinance-bonds-could-save-estimated-5-million

Maryland: Family Died Of Gas Poisoning after Utility Cut Power to Home (Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg)

http://www.vagazette.com/news/chi-family-dead-maryland-20150407,0,7970087.story

Can a New Generation of Startups Revolutionize the Nuclear Industry? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/stephenlacey/2214176/can-new-generation-startups-revolutionize-nuclear-industry

FERC Employees Negotiate for Industry Jobs under Agency’s Eye (E&E Publishing)

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060016380

Report: The Way We Power Our Homes May Be on the Verge of a Major Change (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/04/07/study-the-way-we-get-electricity-may-be-on-the-verge-of-a-major-change/?wprss=rss_national

FISH & WILDLIFE

Feds to Consider Endangered Species Listing for Spotted Owl (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Feds-to-consider-endangered-species-listing-for-spotted-owl--298999731.html

Editorial: Study Finds Good Payoff for Habitat Restoration (Daily Astorian, OR)
http://www.dailyastorian.com/editorials/20150407/editorial-study-finds-good-payoff-for-habitat-restoration

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Desperate from Drought, California Turns to Desalination (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-08/california-sees-salvation-in-seawater-as-drought-drags-on

In Drought, Californians Lacking Water Meters Let It Flow (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/08/us-usa-california-drought-idUSKBN0MZ14V20150408

Carly Fiorina Blames Environmentalists for California Drought (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/carly-fiorina-california-drought-116711.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Op/Ed: Russ Skolrood – I-937’s “One-Size Fits All” Model an Ill Fit for Grays Harbor (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/opinion/letters/russ-skolrood-i-937-s-one-size-fits-all-model-ill-fit-grays-harbor

Is Solar City a Threat to Electric Co-ops? (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/is-solar-city-a-threat-to-electric-co-ops/79833

Why Utilities Could Soon Face Massive Load Defection & How They Can Prevent It (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/why-utilities-could-soon-face-massive-load-defection-and-how-they-can-prev/383558/

Shared Solar Tries Again to Light Up Connecticut (Hartford Courant, CT)

http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-ctm-shared-solar-connecticut-20150407-story.html#page=1

For Solar to Take Off, It Needs a Longer Runway (Morning Consult)

http://morningconsult.com/2015/04/for-solar-to-take-off-it-needs-a-longer-runway/

A Texas Wind Power Company Is Scrapping Its Eastern Shore Project amid Political Opposition (Associated Press)

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/atlarge/2015/04/a-texas-wind-power-company-is-scrapping-its-eastern-shore-project-amid-political-opposition/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Efficiency Products Top Homeowner Clean Energy Purchases (Energy Efficient Markets)

http://energyefficiencymarkets.com/energy-efficiency-products-top-homeowner-clean-energy-purchases/

EPA & DOE Honor 2015 Energy Star Partners of the Year for Leadership on Energy Efficiency, Acting on Climate (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/04/07/epa-and-doe-honor-2015-energy-star-partners-of-the-year-for-leadership-on-energy-efficiency-acting-on-climate/

Oregon: AmeriCorps Team in Bend, Promoting Energy Conservation (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

http://www.ktvz.com/news/AmeriCorps-team-in-Bend-promoting-energy-conservation/32236066

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Thousands of Marijuana Plants Lost In Fire at Legal Seattle Grow Operation (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/2-alarm-fire-breaks-out-commercial-building-interb/nkpnk/

Seattle Marijuana Startup Scores Lots of Green – The Paper Kind (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/health-care-inc/2015/04/seattle-pot-startup-scores-lots-of-green-the-paper.html

Woodland Accepts Marijuana Industry – Tweak to Ordinance Will Allow Issuing of Business Licenses (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/apr/07/woodland-accepts-marijuana-industry/

Oregon Lawmakers Consider Letting Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Temporarily Sell Recreational Pot (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/investigators/Lawmakers-considering-letting-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-temporarily-sell-recreational-pot-299007801.html

Poll Highlights the Rapidly Growing Power of Cannabis in Politics (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/poll-highlights-the-emerging-political-power-of-cannabis/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Teens’ Climate-Change Suit Hits Court with Call to Protect Our Air (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/04/arguments_in_oregon_teens_clim.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Rand Paul Says EPA Wants to Police Your Hotel Shower (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/rand-paul-says-epa-wants-to-police-your-hotel-shower-20150407

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Apple Plans ‘Major, Major Expansion’ of Oregon Data Center (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/04/apple_plans_major_major_expans.html

Google Who? Oregon Cities Want Their Own Fiber Networks (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/04/google_who_hillsboro_gresham_l.html

Op/Ed: Investment in Broadband Grows, Electrical Rates Rise – Coincidence? (Journal of the San Juan Islands, Friday Harbor – Don’t miss the comments, most insightful)

http://www.sanjuanjournal.com/opinion/298936311.html

New Mexico: CenturyLink’s Dodd: ‘We’re Fighting Hard for Broadband’ (Albuquerque Business First, NM)

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/blog/bizventures/2015/04/centurylinks-dodd-were-fighting-hard-for-broadband.html

‘Star Wars’ Saga Available to Stream, Download Friday (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27864403/star-wars-sells-streaming-rights-m-go

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Following Complaint from Comcast, Ad Board Recommends DirecTV Discontinue Rob Lowe Ads (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/07/following-complaint-from-comcast-ad-board-recommends-directv-discontinue-rob-lowe-ads/

Who Won the Battle of March Madness Brands? (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/who-won-battle-march-madness-brands-163932

Scientists Swarm around the Twitter Hashtag #IAmAScientistBecause (NY Times)

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/scientists-swarm-around-the-twitter-hashtag-iamascientistbecause/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Scientists Link ‪Selfies to Narcissism, ‪Addiction & Mental Illness (Complete Health & Happiness)

http://complete-health-and-happiness.com/selfies-narcissism-addiction-mental-illness/

‘Star Wars’ Saga Available to Stream, Download Friday (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27864403/star-wars-sells-streaming-rights-m-go

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Map: The Most Liberal & Conservative Towns in Each State (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/04/07/map-the-most-liberal-and-conservative-towns-in-each-state/?wprss=rss_business

GENERAL NEWS

Tight Puget Sound Housing Market Creating ‘Buyer Anxiety’ (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/money/markets/real-estate/2015/04/07/puget-sound-march-home-sales/25406247/

Commissioner: Log Shipping Slump Erodes Port of Port Angeles Revenue – 40 to 60 Percent Decline Expected at Terminal (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150408/NEWS/304089983/commissioner-log-shipping-slump-erodes-port-of-port-angeles-revenue

Welcome to Shelton - With a Brand New Sign (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/22295-welcome-to-shelton

Thieves Steal Brass Vases from Olympia Grave Sites (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Thieves-steal-brass-vases-from-Olympia-grave-sites-298984291.html

Common Weed Could Become New Northwest Cash Crop (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/common-weed-could-become-new-northwest-cash-crop

DIVERSIONS

American Pie Lyrics Sell for $1.2 Million

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32208584

What Do American Pie’s Lyrics Mean?

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-32196117

Follow-Up File – Sculptor Behind ‘Scary’ Lucille Ball Statue Offers to Replace it for Free

http://time.com/3773304/scary-lucille-ball-statue/

Comic genius Stan Freberg dies

http://koin.com/2015/04/08/comic-genius-stan-freberg-dies/

Stan Freberg - St. George & The Dragonet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUdFLyNCeI4

SONG OF THE DAY

Don McLean – American Pie

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

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.