Energy News Digest for June 2, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for June 2, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/opykbev

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THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

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

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

What Drought? Meteorologist Cliff Mass vs. Nearly Everyone (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2015/05/what-drought-washington-meteorologist-cliff-mass-vs-nearly-everyone/

Comcast Internet Outage Hits West Coast (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/06/02/comcast-internet-outage-san-francisco-seattle-portland/28345433/

Avista Proposes Idaho Rate Hikes (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/jun/02/avista-proposes-idaho-rate-hikes/

Energy Northwest Pays Record State Tax Amount (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/06/01/3588016_energy-northwest-pays-record-state.html?rh=1

Feds to Release Bull Trout Recovery Plan for Five States (Associated Press)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/tech/science/environment/2015/06/02/feds-to-release-bull-trout-recovery-plan-for-5-states/28343579/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Avista Proposes Idaho Rate Hikes
• Energy Northwest Pays Record State Tax Amount
• Richland’s Areva Makes Nuclear Fuel
• Steilacoom: Replacement of Damaged Substation Equipment Requires Town-Wide Outage
• Northwestern Energy Predicts Lower July Electricity Costs
• John Hairston Rounds Out Bonneville Power’s Executive Office
• Cantwell Face-Off: After Senate Showdown, Buffett’s Berkshire Pushes PURPA Reform in House
• Op/Ed: Pumped Storage – Reusing Water Can Help Farmers & Fish
• Pacific Gas & Electric Rival Accuses of RICO Corruption
• FERC Metes Out More Than $29 Million in Penalties for Fraudulent Trades in PJM
• Copper Thefts from the Rails Rise with Price of the Metal
• Texas: Man Electrocuted While Attempting to Steal Copper from Old ASARCO Site
• Massachusetts: Wet Is Wonderful, But Can Hydropower Replace Natural Gas to Meet Energy Needs?
• Feds to Release Bull Trout Recovery Plan for Five States
• Greens Win One for Salmon & Owls in Northern California
• What Drought? Meteorologist Cliff Mass vs. Nearly Everyone
• Drought Is Bearing Fruit for Washington State Wineries
• Oregon: Paisley Geothermal Plant Still Not Operable
• Editorial: Few Ratepayers Win in Avista’s Solar Lottery
• Feds Fast-Track Approval for Three Nevada Solar Power Farms
• Colorado’s Biggest Rural Power Cooperative Wades into Solar Fight
• A Look at Wind & Solar Energy, Part 1: How Far We’ve Come
• A Look at Wind & Solar, Part 2: Is There An Upper Limit To Variable Renewables?
• How Europe’s Climate Policies Led to More U-S Trees Being Cut Down
• Op/Ed: Snohomish PUD’s Streetlights Show Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Op/Ed: Clean Energy Fund Succeeds with University Collaboration
• Data Furnaces Provide Internet & Warm Heat, If You Live in the Netherlands
• Benton County Commissioners to Hold Public Meeting Tuesday about Potential Pot Farm
• Hitting the Green? Retail Pot Stores Looking to Cash in During U-S Open
• Eight Maps That Reveal Americans’ Incoherent Opinions on Climate Change
• Apple’s Siri Has New Role in New ‘Smart’ Home Systems
• Experimental Households in Seattle Have Their Tech Charged by Wi-Fi
• Widespread Comcast Outage Reported in Puget Sound Region
• Comcast Internet Outage Hits West Coast
• Facebook Targeted by ‘Real Name’ Policy Protest
• The Internet Pushes Individual Media Use to More Than Eight Hours a Day
• Washington State House Democrats Offer $38.4 Billion Budget Plan
• Signature Gatherers Getting Aggressive, Stores Say
• No Tsunamis after Five Earthquakes Off Oregon Coast
• Federal Agency Bans Fireworks on BLM Land in Washington State, Oregon
• Washington State Tries to Deal with Overflowing Prisons
• Washington State Patrol Pursuit Ends in Highway 106 Crash
• Seattle’s Shell Shenanigans: Alaska Senator Has Message for Washington State
• Money Showdown: Clallam Treasurer Issues Second Objection over Grants to City, Port of Port Angeles
• New Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook Opens in Elwha Valley

WORD OF THE DAY

Hypocorism • \high-POCK-kuh-rizz-zum\ • Noun – 1: a pet name 2: the use of pet names

George Bush is well known for his tendency for hypocorism when dealing with friends and foes alike. Much to the displeasure (I would assume) of his close friend and confidant, Karl Rove. (You’re gonna have to look this one up on your own…)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Avista Proposes Idaho Rate Hikes (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/jun/02/avista-proposes-idaho-rate-hikes/

Energy Northwest Pays Record State Tax Amount (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/06/01/3588016_energy-northwest-pays-record-state.html?rh=1

Richland’s Areva Makes Nuclear Fuel (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/05/31/3586872/richlands-areva-makes-nuclear.html

Steilacoom: Replacement of Damaged Substation Equipment Requires Town-Wide Outage (The Suburban Times, Steilacoom, WA)

http://thesubtimes.com/2015/06/01/replacement-of-damaged-substation-equipment-requires-town-wide-outage/

Northwestern Energy Predicts Lower July Electricity Costs (Associated Press)

http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Northwestern-Energy-predicts-lower-July-electricity-costs/33352390

John Hairston Rounds Out Bonneville Power’s Executive Office (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/John-Hairston-rounds-out-BPAs-executive-office.aspx

Cantwell Face-Off: After Senate Showdown, Buffett’s Berkshire Pushes PURPA Reform in House (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/after-senate-showdown-buffetts-berkshire-pushes-purpa-reform-in-house/400081/

Op/Ed: Pumped Storage – Reusing Water Can Help Farmers & Fish (Renton Reporter, WA)

http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/305523261.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Rival Accuses of RICO Corruption (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/06/02/rival-accuses-pg-e-of-rico-corruption.htm

FERC Metes Out More Than $29 Million in Penalties for Fraudulent Trades in PJM (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43986

Copper Thefts from the Rails Rise with Price of the Metal (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/copper-thefts-rails-rise-price-metal-050123419--finance.html

Texas: Man Electrocuted While Attempting to Steal Copper from Old ASARCO Site (KVIA-TV, El Paso, TX)

http://www.kvia.com/news/update-man-electrocuted-while-attempting-to-steal-copper-from-old-asarco-site/33318554

Massachusetts: Wet Is Wonderful, But Can Hydropower Replace Natural Gas to Meet Energy Needs? (WBGH-TV, Boston, MA)

http://wgbhnews.org/post/wet-wonderful-can-hydropower-replace-natural-gas-meet-energy-needs

FISH & WILDLIFE

Feds to Release Bull Trout Recovery Plan for Five States (Associated Press)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/tech/science/environment/2015/06/02/feds-to-release-bull-trout-recovery-plan-for-5-states/28343579/

Greens Win One for Salmon & Owls in Northern California (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/06/02/greens-win-one-for-salmon-owls.htm

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

What Drought? Meteorologist Cliff Mass vs. Nearly Everyone (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2015/05/what-drought-washington-meteorologist-cliff-mass-vs-nearly-everyone/

Drought Is Bearing Fruit for Washington State Wineries (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/drought-is-bearing-fruit-for-washington-wineries.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Oregon: Paisley Geothermal Plant Still Not Operable (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)

http://www.heraldandnews.com/news/local_news/business/paisley-geothermal-plant-still-not-operable/article_dd72c85d-e6ee-5d7d-9d5a-2d416eb1947f.html

Editorial: Few Ratepayers Win in Avista’s Solar Lottery (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/jun/02/editorial-few-ratepayers-win-in-avistas-solar/

Feds Fast-Track Approval for Three Nevada Solar Power Farms (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/243638-feds-fast-track-approval-for-3-solar-power-farms

Colorado’s Biggest Rural Power Cooperative Wades into Solar Fight (Denver Business Journal, CO)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/earth_to_power/2015/06/colorados-biggest-rural-powercooperative-wades.html

A Look at Wind & Solar Energy, Part 1: How Far We’ve Come (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jessejenkins/2232451/look-wind-and-solar-energy-part-1-how-far-weve-come

A Look at Wind & Solar, Part 2: Is There An Upper Limit To Variable Renewables? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jessejenkins/2233311/look-wind-and-solar-part-2-there-upper-limit-intermittent-renewables

How Europe’s Climate Policies Led to More U-S Trees Being Cut Down (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/how-europes-climate-policies-have-led-to-more-trees-cut-down-in-the-us/2015/06/01/ab1a2d9e-060e-11e5-bc72-f3e16bf50bb6_story.html?wprss=rss_national

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Op/Ed: Snohomish PUD’s Streetlights Show Cost-Benefit Analysis (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150602/BIZ04/150609993

Op/Ed: Clean Energy Fund Succeeds with University Collaboration (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2015/06/02/3750630_clean-energy-fund-succeeds-with.html?rh=1

Data Furnaces Provide Internet & Warm Heat, If You Live in the Netherlands (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/06/02/nerdalize-data-furnace-free-heating/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Benton County Commissioners to Hold Public Meeting Tuesday about Potential Pot Farm (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/29215347/commissioners-to-hold-public-meeting-tuesday-about-potential-pot-farm

Hitting the Green? Retail Pot Stores Looking to Cash in During U-S Open (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/06/01/retail-pot-stores-looking-to-cash-in-during-u-s-open/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Eight Maps That Reveal Americans’ Incoherent Opinions on Climate Change (Vox)

http://www.vox.com/2015/6/2/8701917/americans-opinion-climate-change

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Apple’s Siri Has New Role in New ‘Smart’ Home Systems (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/Apple-s-Siri-has-new-role-in-new-smart-home-6301258.php

Experimental Households in Seattle Have Their Tech Charged by Wi-Fi (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/experimental-households-in-seattle-have-their-tech-char-1708390452

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Widespread Comcast Outage Reported in Puget Sound Region (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://tinyurl.com/ncwxmx5

Comcast Internet Outage Hits West Coast (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/06/02/comcast-internet-outage-san-francisco-seattle-portland/28345433/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Targeted by ‘Real Name’ Policy Protest (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/06/01/facebook-real-name-protest/28325031/

The Internet Pushes Individual Media Use to More Than Eight Hours a Day (AdWeek: “Consuming Media,” Really?)

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/internet-pushes-media-use-more-8-hours-day-165067

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State House Democrats Offer $38.4 Billion Budget Plan (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/jun/02/house-democrats-offer-384b-budget-plan/

Signature Gatherers Getting Aggressive, Stores Say (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA – just ask how much your signature is worth to them.)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Signature-gatherers-getting-aggressive-stores-say-305788911.html

GENERAL NEWS

No Tsunamis after Five Earthquakes Off Oregon Coast (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/06/no_tsunami_risk_after_four_ear.html

Federal Agency Bans Fireworks on BLM Land in Washington State, Oregon (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Federal-agency-bans-fireworks-on-BLM-land-in-Wash-Ore-305833111.html

Washington State Tries to Deal with Overflowing Prisons (Associated Press)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/2015/06/01/washington-tries-to-deal-with-overflowing-prisons/28329009/

Washington State Patrol Pursuit Ends in Highway 106 Crash (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/15397

Seattle’s Shell Shenanigans: Alaska Senator Has Message for Washington State (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2015/06/01/alaska-senator-has-message-for-seattle/28331087/

Money Showdown: Clallam Treasurer Issues Second Objection over Grants to City, Port of Port Angeles (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150602/NEWS/306029983/money-showdown-clallam-treasurer-issues-second-objection-to-grants

New Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook Opens in Elwha Valley (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/new-glines-canyon-spillway-overlook-opens-in-elwha-valley/

DIVERSIONS

Paris Officials Begin Removing Love Locks from Iconic Bridges

http://www.npr.org/2015/06/01/411271208/paris-officials-begin-removing-love-locks-from-iconic-bridges

New Mexico Couple Gets Back Wedding Rings Lost Since 1960s

http://news.yahoo.com/mexico-couple-gets-back-wedding-rings-lost-since-204633659.html

Fossils of Previously Unknown Beaver, Related to Modern Species, Found in Oregon

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/news/articles/2015/05/28/fossils-of-previously-unknown-beaver-species-found-in-oregon

Novice German Driver Unscathed after Crash with British Tank

http://news.yahoo.com/novice-german-driver-unscathed-crash-british-tank-133355443.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Love Unlimited Orchestra – Love’s Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YS7sWCG_ZE

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 June 1, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for June 1, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/nv7w2s3

Small Craft Advisory in Effect for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

http://tinyurl.com/o6g2m2m

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

Strong Earthquake Strikes Off Oregon Coast (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Strong-earthquake-strikes-off-Oregon-coast-305669911.html

Washington State Grips for Tough Summer amid Drought (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/05/washington_state_grips_for_tou.html

Seattle City Light Crews Remove Drone Stuck in High-Voltage Transmission Line (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Crews-remove-drone-stuck-in-high-voltage-transmission-line-305580431.html

Latest Status Report Shows Sea Lion Presence at Bonneville Dam This Year Smashing Single Day Records (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/434131.aspx

Temporary Layoff Notices Go to Washington State Employee Unions (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/temporary-layoff-notices-go-washington-state-employee-unions

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Seattle City Light Crews Remove Drone Stuck in High-Voltage Transmission Line
• British Columbia’s Peace River Dam Site Still Waiting on Permits Delayed by Treaty 8 Group
• Idaho: Barber Dam Operators Make Changes after Accident Briefly Drained Boise River
• Michelle Manary: Bonneville Power Administration Selects New Transmission Marketing & Sales VP
• Corps Announces Extended Columbia/Snake Lock System Closure 2016-17 for Repairs
• Franklin PUD Considers Electric Rate Increase
• Billing Error Affects Online Seattle City Light Customers
• Grant PUD Customer Service Survey Scheduled for June
• Klamath Falls Public Utility District Debate Reignited
• Mason PUD 3 Commission Report – May 26, 2015 Business Meeting
• Utilities Accuse Grid Operator of ‘Massive, Unlawful’ Costs
• Texas Co-ops to Build 24 Megawatt Hydropower Project
• Latest Status Report Shows Sea Lion Presence at Bonneville Dam This Year Smashing Single Day Records
• Oregon Aims to Double Its Fish Farming Industry to $23 Million
• Washington State to Release Puget Sound Steelhead in Lakes, Not Rivers
• Washington State Grips for Tough Summer amid Drought
• EPA Water Rules Draw Applause, Jeers from All Corners of Oregon
• California Residents Using Technology to #DroughtShame Their Neighbors
• Oregon’s U-S Senator Requests Radar Update to Clear Way for Wind Energy
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals OKs Southern California Wind Farm Project
• Renewables Share of U-S Energy Consumption Highest Since 1930s
• I Helped Pay for Some Solar Panels in New Jersey
• Net Metering: The Dark Cloud in a Sunny Sky
• Investors Turning Away from Green Energy
• West Richland Being Lit with All LED Streetlights
• Pot Shop Owner in Eastern Washington Opens Doors, Defying Local Ban
• Error Could Force Oregon to Revoke Hemp Licenses
• Hemp Industry Enters Second Year with Hazy Market Potential
• How Climate Change Threatens the Western Grid, And What to Do About It
• Reversing William Shatner's Idea: Moving California Agriculture to the Pacific Northwest
• Columbia Biogas Pulls Plug on NE Portland Power Plant
• EPA Can’t Shake Its Ethanol Headache
• It's On: Intel And Altera Confirm $16.7 Billion Deal
• Better Broadband at Better Prices? Welcome To Charter CEO's Fantasy
• Survey Says: Everyone Still Hates Comcast’s, TWC’s Customer Service
• Five Ways to Improve Your Facebook Organic Reach
• High Court Throws Out Conviction for Facebook Threats
• Millennials Rely on Facebook for Politics News More Than Anywhere Else
• Facebook Finally Adds Animated GIFs to the News Feed ... but Not for Brand Pages
• How to Make Your TV Commercials Look Epic, Even on Zero Budget
• Temporary Layoff Notices Go to Washington State Employee Unions
• Governor Inslee to Convene Washington Budget Negotiations
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Off Oregon Coast
• Nearly 200 Shelton Mill Workers Seek Aid, Information at Resource Fair
• City of Shelton, Port of Shelton & Mason County Holding Joint Meeting
• Shelton Pool Fund Raiser Started
• Washington State Realtor of the Year from Mason County

WORD OF THE DAY

Vernal • \VERN-null\ • Adjective - 1: of, relating to, or occurring in the spring 2: fresh or new like the spring; also: youthful

A baby’s first smile

Heartwarming, vernal surprise

And no, it’s not gas

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Seattle City Light Crews Remove Drone Stuck in High-Voltage Transmission Line (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Crews-remove-drone-stuck-in-high-voltage-transmission-line-305580431.html

British Columbia’s Peace River Dam Site Still Waiting on Permits Delayed by Treaty 8 Group (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bcs-site-c-dam-still-waiting-on-permits-delayed-by-treaty-8-group/article24717382/?cmpid=rss1

Idaho: Barber Dam Operators Make Changes after Accident Briefly Drained Boise River (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/05/28/3825060_barber-dam-operators-make-changes.html?rh=1

Michelle Manary: Bonneville Power Administration Selects New Transmission Marketing & Sales VP (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-selects-new-transmission-marketing-and-sales-VP.aspx

Corps Announces Extended Columbia/Snake Lock System Closure 2016-17 for Repairs

http://www.cbbulletin.com/434123.aspx

Franklin PUD Considers Electric Rate Increase (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/05/27/3581112_franklin-pud-considers-electric.html?rh=1

Billing Error Affects Online Seattle City Light Customers (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/05/31/billing-error-shuts-affects-online-seattle-city-light-customers/

Grant PUD Customer Service Survey Scheduled for June (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/grant-pud-customer-service-survey-scheduled-for-june/article_c242f262-0659-11e5-9eff-23407ad52f5b.html

Klamath Falls Public Utility District Debate Reignited (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)

http://www.heraldandnews.com/news/local_news/business/public-utility-district-debate-reignited/article_063855a3-038d-5003-abe3-dab0287f8edc.html

Mason PUD 3 Commission Report – May 26, 2015 Business Meeting (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1514

Utilities Accuse Grid Operator of ‘Massive, Unlawful’ Costs (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2015/06/01/utilities-accuse-grid-operator-of-massive-unlawful-costs/

Texas Co-ops to Build 24 Megawatt Hydropower Project (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/texas-co-ops-to-build-hydropower/81605

FISH & WILDLIFE

Latest Status Report Shows Sea Lion Presence at Bonneville Dam This Year Smashing Single Day Records (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/434131.aspx

Oregon Aims to Double Its Fish Farming Industry to $23 Million (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/05/oregon-aims-to-double-its-fish-farming-industry-to.html

Washington State to Release Puget Sound Steelhead in Lakes, Not Rivers (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/05/30/state-to-release-puget-sound-steelhead-in-lakes-not-rivers/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Washington State Grips for Tough Summer amid Drought (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/05/washington_state_grips_for_tou.html

EPA Water Rules Draw Applause, Jeers from All Corners of Oregon (Portland Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/05/epa-water-rules-draw-applause-jeers-from-all.html

California Residents Using Technology to #DroughtShame Their Neighbors (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/techchron/2015/05/30/california-residents-using-technology-to-droughtshame-their-neighbors/#33322101=0

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Oregon’s U-S Senator Requests Radar Update to Clear Way for Wind Energy (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/29191723/senator-requests-radar-update-to-clear-way-for-wind-energy

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals OKs Southern California Wind Farm Project (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/05/29/9th-circuit-oks-socal-wind-farm-project.htm

Renewables Share of U-S Energy Consumption Highest Since 1930s (U-S Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=21412

I Helped Pay for Some Solar Panels in New Jersey (Slate Magazine)

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/the_juice/2015/05/mosaic_solar_investments_proof_that_solar_can_return_a_steady_profit.html

Net Metering: The Dark Cloud in a Sunny Sky (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/sme/?p=576

Investors Turning Away from Green Energy (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2015/0530/Investors-turning-away-from-green-energy

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

West Richland Being Lit with All LED Streetlights (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/05/27/3580742_west-richland-being-lit-with-all.html?rh=1

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Pot Shop Owner in Eastern Washington Opens Doors, Defying Local Ban (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/pot-shop-owner-eastern-washington-opens-doors-defying-local-ban

Error Could Force Oregon to Revoke Hemp Licenses (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mjbizdaily.com/error-could-force-oregon-to-revoke-hemp-licenses/

Hemp Industry Enters Second Year with Hazy Market Potential (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/may/30/hemp-industry-enters-2nd-year-with-hazy-market-pot/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

How Climate Change Threatens the Western Grid, And What to Do About It “…planning reserve margin could be reduced from 18% to 14% during a future ten-year drought…” (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/how-climate-change-threatens-the-western-grid-and-what-to-do-about-it/399935/

Reversing William Shatner's Idea: Moving California Agriculture to the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/06/reversing-william-shatners-idea-moving.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Columbia Biogas Pulls Plug on NE Portland Power Plant (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/05/columbia-biogas-pulls-plug-on-n-portland-power.html

EPA Can’t Shake Its Ethanol Headache – The Obama administration proposed lowering the ethanol mandate, and nobody's happy (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/ethanol-epa-oil-renewable-fuel-standard-20150529

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

It's On: Intel And Altera Confirm $16.7 Billion Deal (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/06/intel_and_altera_its_on_chipma.html

Better Broadband at Better Prices? Welcome To Charter CEO's Fantasy (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus-20150529-column.html

Survey Says: Everyone Still Hates Comcast’s, TWC’s Customer Service (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/06/01/survey-says-everyone-still-hates-comcasts-twcs-customer-service/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Five Ways to Improve Your Facebook Organic Reach (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/improve-your-facebook-organic-reach/

High Court Throws Out Conviction for Facebook Threats (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/High-court-throws-out-conviction-for-Facebook-6298986.php

Millennials Rely on Facebook for Politics News More Than Anywhere Else (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/06/01/millennials-facebook-politics-pew/

Facebook Finally Adds Animated GIFs to the News Feed ... but Not for Brand Pages (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/facebook-finally-adds-animated-gifs-news-feed-not-brand-pages-165061

How to Make Your TV Commercials Look Epic, Even on Zero Budget – iStock by Getty Images has the solution (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/how-make-your-tv-commercials-look-epic-even-zero-budget-165054

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Temporary Layoff Notices Go to Washington State Employee Unions (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/temporary-layoff-notices-go-washington-state-employee-unions

Governor Inslee to Convene Washington Budget Negotiations (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/inslee-convene-washington-budget-negotiations

GENERAL NEWS

Strong Earthquake Strikes Off Oregon Coast (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Strong-earthquake-strikes-off-Oregon-coast-305669911.html

Nearly 200 Shelton Mill Workers Seek Aid, Information at Resource Fair (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2015/05/28/3749096/nearly-200-shelton-mill-workers.html

City of Shelton, Port of Shelton & Mason County Holding Joint Meeting (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/15388

Shelton Pool Fund Raiser Started (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/15379

Washington State Realtor of the Year from Mason County (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/23226-washington-realtor-of-the-year-from-mason-county

DIVERSIONS

This Is How Fans of The Goonies Are Celebrating the Film’s 30th Anniversary

http://time.com/3902411/goonies-30th-anniversary-celebration/

Vintage Apple Computer Worth $200,000 Dropped Off For Recycling

http://consumerist.com/2015/06/01/vintage-apple-computer-worth-200k-dropped-off-for-recycling/

11,000 Marbles Running Through a Gigantic Maze Is Absolutely Deafening

http://toyland.gizmodo.com/11-000-marbles-running-through-a-gigantic-maze-is-absol-1708139407

Finally, an X-Wing Drone Is Added to the Fleet of DIY 'Star Wars' Airships

http://mashable.com/2015/06/01/x-wing-drone-diy/

SONG OF THE DAY

Golden Earring – Radar Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDivcHe-tsc

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 May 27, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for May 27, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/nzlwfmr

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

WECC, Energy Oversight Body, to Pay $16 Million Penalty for 2011 Blackout (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/243143-energy-oversight-body-to-pay-16m-penalty-for-2011-blackout

Pacific Gas & Electric President to Exit (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/morning_call/2015/05/pg-e-christopher-johns-san-bruno-explosion-email.html

WSU Researcher Says Washington State Drought Could Get Worse (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/05/21/3571546/wsu-researcher-says-drought-could.html

Columbia River Cormorant Culling Underway to Save Salmon (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/05/26/cormorant-culling-underway-to-save-salmon/

Free Wi-Fi Hits Winslow, Poulsbo Airwaves (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://tinyurl.com/osvlkt5

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• WECC, Energy Oversight Body, to Pay $16 Million Penalty for 2011 Blackout
• Pacific Gas & Electric President to Exit
• Peace River Dam Construction Could Create Lucrative Real Estate Market, Says British Columbia Realtor
• Helicopter Aids in Tillamook Area Transmission Pole Replacement
• Benton PUD Receives National Recognition for Operational Excellence
• Group Says Phone Records Show Close Ties Between Head Regulator, Arizona Public Service Company
• Toward Greater U-S – Canadian Energy Integration
• Co-ops Champion Right-of-Way Reform in Congress
• Utility Plans Would Further Divide Industrial, Residential Users
• Columbia River Cormorant Culling Underway to Save Salmon
• WSU Researcher Says Washington State Drought Could Get Worse
• Washington State Senate Eager to Add More Money for Drought Prep
• Nestle Bottled-Water Plan Draws Fight in Drought-Stricken Oregon
• Western U-S Drought Might Raise Food Prices: Reuters/Ipsos Poll
• Tips for Doing Co-op Community Solar
• Solar Shines as Sellers Sometimes Pay Buyers to Use Power
• Two Cool Maps That Show How Wind Power is Poised to Go Big – Really Big
• Indiana: Critics Say New Energy Efficiency Effort ‘Worse than Doing Nothing’
• Exclusive: How Opower Is Pushing Behavioral Demand Response into the Mainstream
• For Marijuana Companies, Biggest Security Concern Comes From the Inside
• Pacific Northwest Push for Clean Fuels Could Mean More Crude, New Refinery
• Utilities Seek Larger Part in Charging Station Rollout
• Free Wi-Fi Hits Winslow, Poulsbo Airwaves
• Seattle Partners With Google for Wi-Fi Lending Service
• Google Fi Invites May Not Come Until July or August
• Broadband at the Center of Charter-Time Warner Cable Deal
• Cowlitz PUD Picks Up Cyber Security Insurance
• Win Over Members during Power Outages
• Twitter Reportedly Talked With Flipboard about $1 Billion Deal
• Editorial: Washington State Senate’s Social Media Policy Defines ‘Lame’
• Feds: Troy Kelley Paid Law Firm $900K Out of Funds in Question
• Oregon: Who Leaked John Kitzhaber’s Emails? The Answer Emerges
• Mason County Unemployment Drops in April
• Apple Producers Dumping Lots of Fruit
• Data Thieves Gain Access to 100,000 U-S Taxpayers’ Information: IRS
• Port of Longview Port Considering Oil Refinery near Columbia River
• Soccer Swoon: Top FIFA Officials Detained in Corruption Raids

WORD OF THE DAY

Effete • \ih-FEET\ • adjective - 1: no longer fertile 2a: having lost character, vitality, or strength b: marked by weakness or decadence *c: soft or delicate from or as if from a pampered existence 3: effeminate

The Carthaginians were justifiably angry. Arms akimbo, the survivors of the Roman scourge watched the invading fleet head out to the Mediterranean, the once fertile fields in the North African empire left effete by the salt, which had been sown by the merciless invaders.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

WECC, Energy Oversight Body, to Pay $16 Million Penalty for 2011 Blackout (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/243143-energy-oversight-body-to-pay-16m-penalty-for-2011-blackout

Pacific Gas & Electric President to Exit (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/morning_call/2015/05/pg-e-christopher-johns-san-bruno-explosion-email.html

Peace River Dam Construction Could Create Lucrative Real Estate Market, Says British Columbia Realtor (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/site-c-dam-could-create-lucrative-real-estate-market-says-b-c-realtor-1.3088490?cmp=rss

Helicopter Aids in Tillamook Area Transmission Pole Replacement (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Helicopter-aids-transmission-pole-replacement.aspx

Benton PUD Receives National Recognition for Operational Excellence (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/05/26/3579114_benton-pud-receives-national-recognition.html?rh=1

Group Says Phone Records Show Close Ties Between Head Regulator, Arizona Public Service Company (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/ariz-group-phone-records-show-close-ties-between-head-regulator-aps/399795/

Toward Greater U-S – Canadian Energy Integration (Morning Consult)

http://morningconsult.com/opinions/toward-greater-u-s-canadian-energy-integration-a-partnership-on-clean-energy/

Co-ops Champion Right-of-Way Reform in Congress (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/electricco-ops-champion-right-of-way-reform-in-congress/81545

Utility Plans Would Further Divide Industrial, Residential Users (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2015/05/26/utility-plans-would-further-divide-industrial-residential-users/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia River Cormorant Culling Underway to Save Salmon (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/05/26/cormorant-culling-underway-to-save-salmon/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

WSU Researcher Says Washington State Drought Could Get Worse (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/05/21/3571546/wsu-researcher-says-drought-could.html

Washington State Senate Eager to Add More Money for Drought Prep (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2015/05/senate-eager-to-add-more-money-for-drought-prep/

Nestle Bottled-Water Plan Draws Fight in Drought-Stricken Oregon (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/may/27/nestle-bottled-water-plan-draws-fight-in-drought-s/

Western U-S Drought Might Raise Food Prices: Reuters/Ipsos Poll (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/27/us-usa-drought-poll-idUSKBN0OC0ZL20150527

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Tips for Doing Co-op Community Solar (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/tips-for-doing-co-op-community-solar/81478

Solar Shines as Sellers Sometimes Pay Buyers to Use Power (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-26/solar-as-fastest-growing-u-s-power-source-rivals-shale-boom

Two Cool Maps That Show How Wind Power is Poised to Go Big – Really Big (Grist Online – Good Luck with that offshore win in WA State)

http://grist.org/climate-energy/2-cool-maps-that-show-how-wind-power-is-poised-to-go-big-really-big/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Indiana: Critics Say New Energy Efficiency Effort ‘Worse than Doing Nothing’ “…each utility company…can raise rates to cover any revenue lost because of decreased energy usage…”  (WFYI, Indianapolis, IN)

http://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/critics-say-new-energy-efficiency-effort-worse-than-doing-nothing

Exclusive: How Opower Is Pushing Behavioral Demand Response into the Mainstream (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/exclusive-how-opower-is-pushing-behavioral-demand-response-into-the-mainst/399790/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

For Marijuana Companies, Biggest Security Concern Comes From the Inside (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mjbizdaily.com/for-marijuana-companies-biggest-security-concern-comes-from-the-inside/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Pacific Northwest Push for Clean Fuels Could Mean More Crude, New Refinery (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/nw-push-for-clean-fuels-could-mean-more-crude-new-refinery/

Utilities Seek Larger Part in Charging Station Rollout (E&E Publishing)

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060019101

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Free Wi-Fi Hits Winslow, Poulsbo Airwaves (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://tinyurl.com/osvlkt5

Seattle Partners With Google for Wi-Fi Lending Service (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/05/seattle-partners-with-google-for-wi-fi-lending.html

Google Fi Invites May Not Come Until July or August (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Google-Fi-Invites-May-Not-Come-Until-July-or-August-133927

Broadband at the Center of Charter-Time Warner Cable Deal (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/business/dealbook/charter-communications-agrees-to-acquire-time-warner-cable.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Cowlitz PUD Picks Up Cyber Security Insurance (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-picks-up-cyber-security-insurance/article_4fafb6db-c516-5342-b5d2-7c7aa77e0442.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Win Over Members during Power Outages (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/trends-reports-analyses/win-over-members-during-power-outages/81491

Twitter Reportedly Talked With Flipboard about $1 Billion Deal (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Twitter-reportedly-talked-with-Flipboard-about-1-6287514.php

Editorial: Washington State Senate’s Social Media Policy Defines ‘Lame’ (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/opinion/washington-senate-s-social-media-policy-defines-lame/article_93e80835-ac8e-57b0-9233-421d16dd0855.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Feds: Troy Kelley Paid Law Firm $900K Out of Funds in Question (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/feds-troy-kelley-paid-law-firm-900k-out-funds-question

Oregon: Who Leaked John Kitzhaber’s Emails? The Answer Emerges (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/05/who_leaked_john_kitzhabers_ema.html

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Unemployment Drops in April (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/15318

Apple Producers Dumping Lots of Fruit (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/may/25/apple-producers-dumping-lots-of-fruit/

Data Thieves Gain Access to 100,000 U-S Taxpayers’ Information: IRS (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/26/us-usa-tax-cybersecurity-idUSKBN0OB2H520150526

Port of Longview Port Considering Oil Refinery near Columbia River (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/money/business/2015/05/26/longview-port-in-talks-over-oil-refinery-on-columbia-river/27976559/

Soccer Swoon: Top FIFA Officials Detained in Corruption Raids (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/fifa-officials-arrested-zurich-us-corruption-charges-nyt-054311351--sow.html

DIVERSIONS

The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody in Six Parts (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-story-of-bohemian-rhapsody-in-six.html

Hiker Finds Camera on Mount St. Helens, Tracks Down Owner

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Tracking-Down-Lost-Cameras-Owner-305087581.html

The Economist Disses Vancouver as ‘Mind-Numbingly Boring’

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/05/26/the-economist-disses-vancouver-mind-numbingly-boring/

Idaho Man Survives Being Struck by Lightning

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/05/27/idaho-man-storm-struck-lightning/28004153/

SONG OF THE DAY

Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC86ZCtV6tI

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.