Energy News Digest for February 6, 2017

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 6, 2017

Winter Storm Warning for Mason County – Through 4:00 PM

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Power Knocked Out for Tens of Thousands in the Pacific Northwest (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/power-knocked-out-for-tens-of-thousands/400405416

Ellensburg Power Bills Rise as Temperatures Drop (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/power-bills-rise-as-temperatures-drop/article_0bb283b4-f071-5522-80b6-67b34381ee59.html

The Dalles: Cold Brings Higher Power Bills (The Dalles Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2017/feb/03/cold-brings-higher-power-bills/

Northern California Customers Fume as Pacific Gas & Electric Bills Soar (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article130906174.html

New England Carbon Dioxide Emissions Spike after Vermont Yankee Nuclear Closure (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-england-co2-emissions-spike-after-vermont-yankee-nuclear-closure/435520/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Power Knocked Out for Tens of Thousands in the Pacific Northwest
• Ellensburg Power Bills Rise as Temperatures Drop
• The Dalles: Cold Brings Higher Power Bills
• Northern California Customers Fume as Pacific Gas & Electric Bills Soar
• Oregon: Portland General Electric Gas Opponents Hit State Siting Council with Deluge of Comments
• Californians Are Paying Billions for Power They Don’t Need
• Federal Grid Watchdog Heads into Limbo
• The World’s Largest Nuclear Plants Differ by Age, Number of Reactors, & Utilization
• Captain Bonneville Led a Life of Adventure While Exploring the West
• Embattled Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commissioners Will Face Public at Sportsmen’s Show
• Farmed Geoduck’s Sustainability Rating Takes a Hit
• Into the Weeds: Exclusive First Look Inside a Legal Washington State Marijuana Farm
• Weed 101: Colorado Agriculture Agency Shares Pot Know-How
• New England Carbon Dioxide Emissions Spike after Vermont Yankee Nuclear Closure
• Tesla Drops ‘Motors’ from Company Name Following SolarCity Acquisition, Signals Directional Change
• FCC Commissioner Thinks Ultra-Fast Broadband Just a ‘Novelty’
• Super Bowl Ads Score Eyeballs with Political Football
• Seattle Port CEO Secretly Gave Himself $24,500 Pay Raise
• New Washington State Lands Commissioner Has a Lot on Her Plate
• Scott Pruitt Is Seen Cutting the E.P.A. With a Scalpel, Not a Cleaver
• Northwest Snow Closes Schools, Cuts Power
• Burien Legislator Proposes Tougher Washington State Carbon Emissions Bill
• Trump Rails against Seattle Judge: Blame the Courts ‘If Something Happens’
• Three Mason County Basketball Teams Playoff Bound

WORD OF THE DAY

Auteur • \AWT-ur\ • Noun - 1: a film director whose practice accords with the auteur theory; broadly: director 2: an artist (as a musician or writer) whose style & practice are distinctive

I guess if used in a literal sense, “Tiny Tim” was a ukulele auteur. As an artist, perhaps not.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Power Knocked Out for Tens of Thousands in the Pacific Northwest (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/power-knocked-out-for-tens-of-thousands/400405416

Ellensburg Power Bills Rise as Temperatures Drop (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/power-bills-rise-as-temperatures-drop/article_0bb283b4-f071-5522-80b6-67b34381ee59.html

The Dalles: Cold Brings Higher Power Bills (The Dalles Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2017/feb/03/cold-brings-higher-power-bills/

Northern California Customers Fume as Pacific Gas & Electric Bills Soar (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article130906174.html

Oregon: Portland General Electric Gas Opponents Hit State Siting Council with Deluge of Comments (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/02/03/pge-gas-opponents-hit-state-siting-council-with.html

Californians Are Paying Billions for Power They Don’t Need (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-fi-electricity-capacity/

Federal Grid Watchdog Heads into Limbo (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/federal-grid-watchdog-heads-into-limbo/article/2613864

The World’s Largest Nuclear Plants Differ by Age, Number of Reactors, & Utilization (US Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=29832

Captain Bonneville Led a Life of Adventure While Exploring the West (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/state/idaho/history/article130841399.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Embattled Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commissioners Will Face Public at Sportsmen’s Show (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2017/02/embattled_oregon_fish_and_wild.html

Farmed Geoduck’s Sustainability Rating Takes a Hit (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2017/02/05/farmed-geoducks-sustainability-rating-takes-hit/97410252/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Into the Weeds: Exclusive First Look Inside a Legal Washington State Marijuana Farm (KNDO/KNDU,-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/34431332/into-the-weeds-exclusive-first-look-inside-a-legal-marijuana-farm

Weed 101: Colorado Agriculture Agency Shares Pot Know-How (Associated Press)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/weed-101-colorado-agriculture-office-shares-pot-know-071657227.html?ref=gs

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

New England Carbon Dioxide Emissions Spike after Vermont Yankee Nuclear Closure (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-england-co2-emissions-spike-after-vermont-yankee-nuclear-closure/435520/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Tesla Drops ‘Motors’ from Company Name Following SolarCity Acquisition, Signals Directional Change (New York Daily News)

http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/news/tesla-drops-motors-solarcity-acquisition-article-1.2961504

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC Commissioner Thinks Ultra-Fast Broadband Just a ‘Novelty’ (Broadband Reports – Yup, just like anything over 56K, right?)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Commissioner-Thinks-UltraFast-Broadband-Just-a-Novelty-138866

MARKETING & MEDIA

Super Bowl Ads Score Eyeballs with Political Football (Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nfl-superbowl-advertising-idUSKBN15L0EY

POLITICS, GOVERNANCE, AND MANAGEMENT

Seattle Port CEO Secretly Gave Himself $24,500 Pay Raise (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/535388/seattle-port-ceo-secretly-gave-himself-pay-raise/

New Washington State Lands Commissioner Has a Lot on Her Plate (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/news/new-lands-commissioner-has-a-lot-on-her-plate/

Scott Pruitt Is Seen Cutting the E.P.A. With a Scalpel, Not a Cleaver (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/05/us/politics/scott-pruitt-is-seen-cutting-the-epa-with-a-scalpel-not-a-cleaver.html?ref=energy-environment&_r=1

GENERAL NEWS

Northwest Snow Closes Schools, Cuts Power (Associated Press)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/northwest-snow-closes-schools-cuts-power/article_c51758ba-3c44-5924-9392-903b5b33584f.html

Burien Legislator Proposes Tougher Washington State Carbon Emissions Bill (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/news/legislator-proposes-tougher-carbon-emissions-bill/

Trump Rails against Seattle Judge: Blame the Courts ‘If Something Happens’ (Yahoo News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-rails-against-judge-blame-the-courts-if-something-happens-214316878.html?ref=gs

Three Mason County Basketball Teams Playoff Bound (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/23885

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Tom Brady, Patriots Win in Overtime over Falcons in Wild Super Bowl 51

http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2017/02/new_england_patriots_vs_atlant_1.html

Michigan Sinkhole Not Worsened by Super Bowl Fans’ Halftime Flushing

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/sinkhole-not-worsened-by-super-bowl-fans-halftime-flushing/article_24df7226-17b4-5b95-813e-22a2521922a8.html

Yellow Car Loathed By Visitors to English Village Vandalized

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/yellow-car-loathed-by-visitors-to-english-village-vandalized/article_b1205bb5-ab63-5a9f-baca-934d43da5fa9.html

Ad Watchdog Weighs in on Jelly Beans “Clinically Proven” to Improve Sports Performance

https://consumerist.com/2017/02/06/ad-watchdog-weighs-in-on-jelly-beans-clinically-proven-to-improve-sports-performance/

SONG OF THE DAY

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – Born This Way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMW03_WKljU

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for February 3, 2017

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 3, 2017

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Benton PUD Says Electric Usage Up 60 to 100 Percent More as Heating Bills Skyrocket (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://keprtv.com/news/local/benton-pud-says-electric-usage-up-60-to-100-percent-more-as-heating-bills-skyrocket

Mason PUD 3 Commission Report - Near Historic Cold Affects Mason County Energy Consumption (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

https://www.pud3.org/blog/articles--blog/post/commission-report-winter-bill-briefing

Oregon: Cold Temperatures Fuel Skyrocketing Heating Bills (The Chief, Clatskanie, OR)

http://www.thechiefnews.com/news/weather-cold-temperatures-fuel-skyrocketing-heating-bills/article_a14103ae-e8c7-11e6-9bb2-5705f676d687.html

Corps Racing to Reopen Columbia, Snake to River Traffic on Time (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article130494844.html

Oregon Is Getting Warmer, Climate Report Finds (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/35221629-75/oregon-is-getting-warmer-climate-report-finds.html.csp

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Benton PUD Says Electric Usage Up 60 to 100 Percent More as Heating Bills Skyrocket
• Mason PUD 3 Commission Report - Near Historic Cold Affects Mason County Energy Consumption
• Oregon: Cold Temperatures Fuel Skyrocketing Heating Bills
• Grant PUD Contract Changes Will Impact Irrigation Districts
• New York: Indian Point Nuclear Plant Closure Leaves Locals Scrambling To Deal with 'Major Economic Loss'
• News Release: NRG and NFL Power Super Bowl LI with Clean, Renewable Energy
• Washington State Survey Shows Spring Chinook Spawning Higher Up in White Salmon River above Old Condit Dam Site
• Video: Still No Answer for Cowlitz Hatchery Vanishing Fish
• Hatching A New Fish Plan – Big Creek Hatchery to Reduce Salmon Production
• Washington State Congressman, Larsen Backs Bill Banning Orca Captivity
• Nature Lovers Ask BC Hydro to Delay Destruction of Rarely-Seen Bird's Nesting Ground
• Corps Racing to Reopen Columbia, Snake to River Traffic on Time
• Water, Water Everywhere in California – And Not Enough Reservoir Space to Store It
• Excess Electricity Aids Aquifer Recharge
• New Mexico Lawmakers Propose Expanding Renewable Portfolio Standard to 80% by 2040
• The Danger of Using Electric Heaters
• The Trump Cannabis Advisory Group: What Does it Mean?
• Oregon Is Getting Warmer, Climate Report Finds
• Concerned About President Trump, UC Davis Experts Spend Day Archiving Climate Change Research
• Sequim Lab Looks to Find the Best Biofuel in Algae
• Local partnership changing renewable energy
• Folsom’s PowerSchool Extends Reach into Half of U-S Schools with $850 Million Acquisition
• Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
• McMorris Rodgers Asks That Wildfire Fighters Be Exempted from Federal Hiring Freeze
• Belfair SR3 Improvement Project Work to Shift Traffic
• City of Shelton Seeking Comments on Comp Plan Update & Urban Growth Area Expansion
• Neighbors Return Home after Huge Lynnwood Fire
• Bad Oysters from British Columbia Could Be Making Ontarians Sick
• Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
• WORD OF THE DAY

Farceur • \far-SUR\ • noun: 1: joker, wag *2: a writer or actor of farce

Galahad was the preeminent office clown; the “farceur” of Acme Pen and Novelty Company. At least he was, until the unfortunate “whoopee cushion” incident with the CEO at the annual meeting. Now, Galahad is the restroom attendant.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Benton PUD Says Electric Usage Up 60 to 100 Percent More as Heating Bills Skyrocket (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://keprtv.com/news/local/benton-pud-says-electric-usage-up-60-to-100-percent-more-as-heating-bills-skyrocket

Mason PUD 3 Commission Report - Near Historic Cold Affects Mason County Energy Consumption (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

https://www.pud3.org/blog/articles--blog/post/commission-report-winter-bill-briefing

Oregon: Cold Temperatures Fuel Skyrocketing Heating Bills (The Chief, Clatskanie, OR)

http://www.thechiefnews.com/news/weather-cold-temperatures-fuel-skyrocketing-heating-bills/article_a14103ae-e8c7-11e6-9bb2-5705f676d687.html

Grant PUD Contract Changes Will Impact Irrigation Districts (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/article/20170203/ARTICLE/170209949

New York: Indian Point Nuclear Plant Closure Leaves Locals Scrambling To Deal with 'Major Economic Loss' (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredanderson/2017/02/03/indian-point-nuclear-plant-closure-leaves-locals-scrambling-to-deal-with-major-economic-loss/#11f2cfcc2088

News Release: NRG and NFL Power Super Bowl LI with Clean, Renewable Energy “…will purchase and retire one Renewable Energy Certificate…” (BusinessWire)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/game-nrg-nfl-power-super-124600076.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington State Survey Shows Spring Chinook Spawning Higher Up in White Salmon River above Old Condit Dam Site (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/438283.aspx

Video: Still No Answer for Cowlitz Hatchery Vanishing Fish (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/tech/science/environment/still-no-answer-for-cowlitz-hatchery-vanishing-fish/396065494

Hatching A New Fish Plan – Big Creek Hatchery to Reduce Salmon Production (The Daily Astorian, OR)

http://www.dailyastorian.com/Local_News/20170202/hatching-a-new-fish-plan

Washington State Congressman, Larsen Backs Bill Banning Orca Captivity (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/WA-congressman-introduces-bill-to-ban-orca-10904506.php

Nature Lovers Ask BC Hydro to Delay Destruction of Rarely-Seen Bird's Nesting Ground (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/nature-lovers-ask-b-c-hydro-to-delay-destruction-of-rarely-seen-bird-s-nesting-ground-1.3964201?cmp=rss

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Corps Racing to Reopen Columbia, Snake to River Traffic on Time (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article130494844.html

Water, Water Everywhere in California – And Not Enough Reservoir Space to Store It (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article130352819.html

Excess Electricity Aids Aquifer Recharge (Capital Press)

http://www.capitalpress.com/SpecialSections/Water/20170202/excess-electricity-aids-aquifer-recharge

RENEWABLE ENERGY

New Mexico Lawmakers Propose Expanding Renewable Portfolio Standard to 80% by 2040 (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-mexico-lawmakers-propose-expanding-rps-to-80-by-2040/435425/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

The Danger of Using Electric Heaters (Saudi Gazette)

http://saudigazette.com.sa/opinion/local-viewpoint/danger-using-electric-heaters/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

The Trump Cannabis Advisory Group: What Does it Mean? (Canna Law Blog)

http://www.cannalawblog.com/the-trump-cannabis-advisory-group-what-does-it-mean/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Oregon Is Getting Warmer, Climate Report Finds (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/35221629-75/oregon-is-getting-warmer-climate-report-finds.html.csp

Concerned About President Trump, UC Davis Experts Spend Day Archiving Climate Change Research (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article130458774.html

BARRELS O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Sequim Lab Looks to Find the Best Biofuel in Algae (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/sequim-lab-looks-to-find-the-best-biofuel-in-algae/

Local partnership changing renewable energy (KNDO/KNDU,-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/34414269/local-partnership-changing-renewable-energy

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Folsom’s PowerSchool Extends Reach into Half of U-S Schools with $850 Million Acquisition (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/cathie-anderson/article130361544.html

MARKETING & MEDIA

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/02/03/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-365/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

McMorris Rodgers Asks That Wildfire Fighters Be Exempted from Federal Hiring Freeze (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA – Famous Photo of Irony: anti-tax/gov’t proponent thanks firefighters – funded by taxes – for saving his home)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/feb/02/mcmorris-rodgers-asks-that-wildfire-fighters-be-ex/

GENERAL NEWS

Belfair SR3 Improvement Project Work to Shift Traffic (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/belfair-sr-improvement-project-work-to-shift-traffic/article_4a23b1b2-e9a7-11e6-bab5-637a0f15dcd3.html

City of Shelton Seeking Comments on Comp Plan Update & Urban Growth Area Expansion (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/23798

Neighbors Return Home after Huge Lynnwood Fire (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://komonews.com/news/local/neighbors-return-home-after-huge-lynnwood-fire-investigation-continues

Bad Oysters from British Columbia Could Be Making Ontarians Sick (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-oyster-warning-1.3964520?cmp=rss

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/television/programs/ofg/segment/tillamook-rock-lighthouse/

IT’S CHICKEN MAN (HE’S EVERYWHERE) – DIVERSIONS

'Notorious B.O.B' Downs 409 Wings to Reign at Wing Bowl

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/notorious-b-o-b-downs-wings-to-reign-at-wing/article_5bcddf6a-66c7-505d-bbd7-e82c6fdcd448.html

Pooh the Cat Gets a Pair of Bionic Legs in Bulgaria

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/pooh-the-cat-gets-a-pair-of-bionic-legs-in/article_b0e8d6b6-8ff1-59ff-8293-e95d674b0a4c.html

Target Refusing to Pay for Damage after Its Two-Ton Red Ball Rolls into Driver’s Car

https://consumerist.com/2017/02/03/target-refusing-to-pay-for-damage-after-its-two-ton-red-ball-rolls-into-drivers-car/

Thoughtful Dad Sent Bouquet of Roses Not to His Wife, But to His Dog

http://mashable.com/2017/02/03/dad-sends-flowers-to-dog/

SONG OF THE DAY

Cyrcle – Red Rubber Ball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9aHrgtf2zY

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

THE NEWS DIGEST BLOG & TWITTER FEED

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for February 2, 2017

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 2, 2017

Special Weather Statement for Possible Freezing Rain Overnight

Small Craft Advisory for Hood Canal & Puget Sound

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

High Bills Cause Concern for Avista Customers (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/34405880/high-bills-cause-concern-for-avista-customers

After Frigid January, High Wind Warning for Parts of Washington State (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/After-cold-January-high-wind-warning-for-parts-10903434.php

The Latest: California at Heaviest Snowpack in 22 Years (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/The-Latest-California-at-heaviest-snowpack-in-22-10903821.php

Click Cable TV Gets Its First Rate Hike Since 2014 (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article130250189.html

The Internet Is Mostly Bots – More than half of web traffic comes from automated programs (Atlantic Magazine)

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/01/bots-bots-bots/515043/?utm_source=feed

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• High Bills Cause Concern for Avista Customers
• Mason PUD 3 Addresses High Power Bills
• How to Avoid Losing Money to the “Utility Company” Scam
• New Member Sought for Snohomish County Public Utility District Board
• New Lewis County PUD Commissioner Steps into His Position
• California: Pacific Gas & Electric to Withdraw Relicense Application for DeSabla Centerville Hydroelectric Facility
• Massachusetts: Staff ‘Overwhelmed’ at Nuclear Plant, but U-S Won’t Shut It
• Op/Ed: Dam Removal – Often the Smartest, Safest Investment
• Bear Necessity? Plan Would Reintroduce Grizzlies to Cascades
• Op/Ed: Southern Resident Killer Whale Population Is Running Out of Salmon, Running Out of Time
• Tennessee Valley Authority Expected to Close Trial over Pollution Claim
• The Latest: California at Heaviest Snowpack in 22 Years
• Judge Asked to Lift Hold on Yellowstone Irrigation Dam
• British Columbia: Peace River Regional District Shoots Down Wind Development near Dawson Creek
• Op/Ed: Tidal Power Can Make the U.K. a Green Energy Leader
• Scientists Design Electricity Generator That Mimics Trees
• Click Cable TV Gets Its First Rate Hike Since 2014
• Growing Pains: CenturyLink Consumer Complaints Spike as Service Expands
• The Internet Is Mostly Bots – More than half of web traffic comes from automated programs
• Three Ways to Improve Your Facebook Ads
• Washington State Senator Tries to Explain How He’ll Juggle Trump Job — But Gets Stuck in D-C
• After Frigid January, High Wind Warning for Parts of Washington State
• Freezing Rain Possible; Snow in Foothills Tonight
• New Drivers Licenses Coming to Washington
• Bill Calls for Ending Daylight Saving Time in Washington State
• Is Working Late a Necessity or Habit? How to Find Work-Life Balance

WORD OF THE DAY

Palooka • \puh-LOO-kuh\ • Noun - 1: an inexperienced or incompetent boxer 2: oaf, lout

“Man, this just doesn’t sound right Elia,” muttered the sullen Marlon Brando. “You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a ‘palooka,’ which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charley.” “OK,” sighed the director, “let’s replace ‘palooka’ with ‘bum.’ How’s that.” Brando brightened instantly, “Perfect!”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

High Bills Cause Concern for Avista Customers (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/34405880/high-bills-cause-concern-for-avista-customers

Mason PUD 3 Addresses High Power Bills (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/23788#more-23788

How to Avoid Losing Money to the “Utility Company” Scam (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/02/02/how-to-avoid-losing-money-to-the-utility-company-scam/

New Member Sought for Snohomish County Public Utility District Board (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/news/new-member-sought-for-snohomish-county-public-utility-district-board/

New Lewis County PUD Commissioner Steps into His Position (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://www.chronline.com/news/new-lewis-county-pud-commissioner-steps-into-his-position/article_83b57bbc-e8db-11e6-84bb-334579d236e3.html

California: Pacific Gas & Electric to Withdraw Relicense Application for DeSabla Centerville Hydroelectric Facility (PG&E Currents)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2017/02/02/butte-county-pge-to-withdraw-relicense-application-for-desabla-centerville-hydroelectric-facility/

                         

Massachusetts: Staff ‘Overwhelmed’ at Nuclear Plant, but U-S Won’t Shut It (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/us/pilgrim-nuclear-power-plant.html?_r=0

Op/Ed: Dam Removal – Often the Smartest, Safest Investment (Morning Consult)

https://morningconsult.com/opinions/dam-removal-often-smartest-safest-investment/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Bear Necessity? Plan Would Reintroduce Grizzlies to Cascades (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/bear-necessity-plan-would-reintroduce-grizzlies-to-cascades/article_9ddc2b88-e90a-11e6-955e-abdca8554060.html

Op/Ed: Southern Resident Killer Whale Population Is Running Out of Salmon, Running Out of Time (National Geographic)

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2017/01/31/southern-resident-killer-whale-population-is-running-out-of-salmon-running-out-of-time/

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

Tennessee Valley Authority Expected to Close Trial over Pollution Claim (Associated Press)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article130271684.html

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

The Latest: California at Heaviest Snowpack in 22 Years (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/The-Latest-California-at-heaviest-snowpack-in-22-10903821.php

Judge Asked to Lift Hold on Yellowstone Irrigation Dam (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Judge-asked-to-lift-hold-on-Yellowstone-10902889.php

RENEWABLE ENERGY

British Columbia: Peace River Regional District Shoots Down Wind Development near Dawson Creek (Dawson Creek Mirror, BC)

http://www.dawsoncreekmirror.ca/dawson-creek/prrd-shoots-down-wind-development-near-dawson-creek-1.9712543

Op/Ed: Tidal Power Can Make the U.K. a Green Energy Leader (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-02-02/u-k-should-back-tidal-lagoon-plans-for-cheap-green-energy

SCIENCE SWIMS IN A BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Scientists Design Electricity Generator That Mimics Trees (Science Daily)

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170131124330.htm

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Click Cable TV Gets Its First Rate Hike Since 2014 (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article130250189.html

Growing Pains: CenturyLink Consumer Complaints Spike as Service Expands (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/investigations/growing-pains-century-link-consumer-complaints-spike-as-service-expands/395525834

MARKETING & MEDIA

The Internet Is Mostly Bots – More than half of web traffic comes from automated programs (Atlantic Magazine)

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/01/bots-bots-bots/515043/?utm_source=feed

Three Ways to Improve Your Facebook Ads (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/3-ways-to-improve-facebook-ads/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Senator Tries to Explain How He’ll Juggle Trump Job — But Gets Stuck in D-C (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/whatcom-county-legislator-juggling-jobs-in-olympia-and-dc/

GENERAL NEWS

After Frigid January, High Wind Warning for Parts of Washington State (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/After-cold-January-high-wind-warning-for-parts-10903434.php

Freezing Rain Possible; Snow in Foothills Tonight (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/23811

New Drivers Licenses Coming to Washington (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/new-drivers-licenses-coming-washington/

Bill Calls for Ending Daylight Saving Time in Washington State (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article130292529.html

Is Working Late a Necessity or Habit? How to Find Work-Life Balance (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2017/01/is_working_late_a_necessity_or.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Pennsylvania Groundhog's Handlers: Phil Predicts More Winter

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/national_news/pennsylvania-groundhog-s-handlers-phil-predicts-more-winter/article_49bbb083-128d-505d-80a3-c199966cfd4e.html

Former Canadian Mint Worker Who Hid Stolen Gold in Rectum Sentenced

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/former-mint-worker-who-hid-stolen-gold-in-rectum-sentenced/article_764b9b78-1a7a-55f3-8da8-78a254eef6c9.html

The Purpose of Sleep? To Forget, Scientists Say

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/02/science/sleep-memory-brain-forgetting.html

A ssssserious issue! Woman ends up in the ER after her pet snake slithered its way through her large EAR PIERCING hole and got stuck

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4178050/Woman-gets-pet-snake-stuck-EAR-PIERCING-hole.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – You Don't Bring Me Flowers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMnCkg8dJXI

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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THE NEWS DIGEST BLOG & TWITTER FEED

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for February 1, 2017

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 1, 2017

Special Weather Statement for Light Freezing Rain Possible in the Western Washington Lowlands

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Western Washington State Snow, Freezing Rain Possible as Early as Thursday Evening (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/531523/washington-weather-snow-feb-3-2017/

Cold Snaps Mean Centralia City Light, PUD Customers Will See Spike in Utility Bills (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://www.chronline.com/cold-snaps-mean-city-light-pud-customers-will-see-spike/article_3041418c-e516-11e6-850f-6fc64f2b25b3.html

Nez Perce County Officials Oppose Breaching of Dams on Snake, Columbia Rivers (Lewiston Tribune, ID)

http://lmtribune.com/northwest/nez-perce-county-officials-oppose-breaching-of-dams-on-snake/article_ff38ac7b-8058-58ba-b9ff-5859b168d2f9.html

Biodiesel Scam Involving Pasco Firm Lands Man in Federal Prison (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article129865869.html#emlnl=Afternoon_Newsletter

Legislature Told To Target Transportation to Get Oregon on Course to Meet Failing Emissions Goals (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/02/01/legislature-told-to-target-transportation-to-get.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Cold Snaps Mean Centralia City Light, PUD Customers Will See Spike in Utility Bills
• Chelan PUD Power Bills Spike Due to Cold Snap
• High Utility Bills Has Scammers Preying on People, Businesses
• Cheney Loads Demand Additional Power
• Study Examines Whether Public Power Would Work on Bainbridge
• FERC Issues Sunland Ruling for Grant PUD
• New Directors Join Columbia River PUD Board
• Southwest Power Pool Elects Mark Crisson to Board of Directors, Approves 13 Transmission Upgrades
• President Trump Appoints Kristine Svinicki as Chair of Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Natural Gas-Fired Generating Capacity Likely To Increase over Next Two Years
• Nez Perce County Officials Oppose Breaching of Dams on Snake, Columbia Rivers
• Smelt, Seal & Seal Lions Arriving in Local Rivers
• Large Numbers of Salmon Return to Deschutes River
• Editorial: Oregon Right, WA Wrong on Gillnetting
• DOE Picks 13 Solar Integration Projects for $30M in SunShot Funding
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District Launches Energy-Management Program for Business Customers
• Legislature Told To Target Transportation to Get Oregon on Course to Meet Failing Emissions Goals
• Biodiesel Scam Involving Pasco Firm Lands Man in Federal Prison
• Tesla Gives the California Power Grid a Battery Boost
• With New Hybrid, Nissan Offers Cheaper Route to Electric Cars
• Analysis: What President Trump’s New FCC Chairman Thinks about Net Neutrality
• New York: Time Warner Cable Defrauded Customers by Advertising Internet Speeds It Couldn’t Provide
• Here Is How to Fend Off a Hijacking of Home Devices
• It Takes More than Social Media to Make a Social Movement
• Reaching Millennials with Social Media: New Research
• Google Overtakes Apple as the World’s Most Valuable Brand
• Ad Rights: Charlie Brown & the Peanuts Gang Up For Sale
• President Trump Nominates Neil Gorsuch to the U-S Supreme Court
• Republicans Regain Control of the Washington State Senate as Lawmaker Replaced
• Washington State Legislature: Ericksen Confident He Can Work for Senate & EPA; Will Take Full Salary
• Western Washington State Snow, Freezing Rain Possible as Early as Thursday Evening
• Winter Storm Watch Issued for Portland Area; Ice & High Winds Expected
• Washington State’s Homeless Student Population Grows to Nearly 40,000
• Space Heater Blamed for Setting Off Yakima House Fire
• Detectives Find Truck in Mason Connected to Kitsap Quadruple Homicide

WORD OF THE DAY

Lodestar • \LOAD-star\ • noun - One that serves as an inspiration, model, or guide. The literal, albeit archaic, meaning of “lodestar” is “a star that leads or guides; especially: the North Star.” (The first half of the word derives from the Middle English word “lode,” meaning “course.”)

Bertrand realized that his woefully outdated generational references and a hyper-nerdish wardrobe were not to his best advantage. He began to question using Steve Erkle has his cultural and professional lodestar.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Cold Snaps Mean Centralia City Light, PUD Customers Will See Spike in Utility Bills (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://www.chronline.com/cold-snaps-mean-city-light-pud-customers-will-see-spike/article_3041418c-e516-11e6-850f-6fc64f2b25b3.html

Chelan PUD Power Bills Spike Due to Cold Snap (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/chelan-pud-power-bills-spike-due-cold-snap/

High Utility Bills Has Scammers Preying on People, Businesses (The Argus Observer, Ontario, OR)

http://www.argusobserver.com/news/high-utility-bills-has-scammers-preying-on-people-businesses/article_14ff6848-e5db-11e6-b0fb-dfa8cc3666c5.html

Cheney Loads Demand Additional Power (Cheney Free Press, WA)

http://www.cheneyfreepress.com/story/2017/01/26/front-page/cheney-loads-demand-additional-power/19876.html

Study Examines Whether Public Power Would Work on Bainbridge (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2017/01/27/study-examines-whether-public-power-would-work-bainbridge/97142862/

FERC Issues Sunland Ruling for Grant PUD (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/article/20170130/ARTICLE/170139983

New Directors Join Columbia River PUD Board (St Helens Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thechronicleonline.com/news/new-directors-join-crpud-board/article_584411aa-e732-11e6-859f-6b591a330920.html

Southwest Power Pool Elects Mark Crisson to Board of Directors, Approves 13 Transmission Upgrades (Marketwire)

https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/17/01/m8973746/southwest-power-pool-elects-mark-crisson-to-board-of-directors-approves

President Trump Appoints Kristine Svinicki as Chair of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/trump-appoints-kristine-svinicki-as-chair-of-nuclear-regulatory-commission/434960/

Natural Gas-Fired Generating Capacity Likely To Increase over Next Two Years (U-S Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=29732

FISH & WILDLIFE

Nez Perce County Officials Oppose Breaching of Dams on Snake, Columbia Rivers (Lewiston Tribune, ID)

http://lmtribune.com/northwest/nez-perce-county-officials-oppose-breaching-of-dams-on-snake/article_ff38ac7b-8058-58ba-b9ff-5859b168d2f9.html

Smelt, Seal & Seal Lions Arriving in Local Rivers (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/smelt-arriving-in-local-rivers/article_177b1ffd-cf82-5ef7-ae6f-1feb720ab36a.html

Large Numbers of Salmon Return to Deschutes River (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2017/02/01/large-numbers-of-salmon-return-to-deschutes-river/

Editorial: Oregon Right, WA Wrong on Gillnetting (Chinook Observer, Long Beach, WA)

http://www.chinookobserver.com/co/editorials/20170131/oregon-right-wa-wrong-on-gillnetting

RENEWABLE ENERGY

DOE Picks 13 Solar Integration Projects for $30M in SunShot Funding (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-picks-13-solar-integration-projects-for-30m-in-sunshot-funding/435238/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Launches Energy-Management Program for Business Customers (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article129811479.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Legislature Told To Target Transportation to Get Oregon on Course to Meet Failing Emissions Goals (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/02/01/legislature-told-to-target-transportation-to-get.html

SCIENCE SWIMS IN A BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Biodiesel Scam Involving Pasco Firm Lands Man in Federal Prison (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article129865869.html#emlnl=Afternoon_Newsletter

Tesla Gives the California Power Grid a Battery Boost (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/business/energy-environment/battery-storage-tesla-california.html

With New Hybrid, Nissan Offers Cheaper Route to Electric Cars (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nissan-hybrids-idUSKBN15G3VM

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Analysis: What President Trump’s New FCC Chairman Thinks about Net Neutrality (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/feb/01/analysis-what-president-trumps-new-fcc-chairman-th/

New York: Time Warner Cable Defrauded Customers by Advertising Internet Speeds It Couldn’t Provide (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/02/01/state-time-warner-cable-defrauded-customers-by-advertising-internet-speeds-it-couldnt-provide/

Here Is How to Fend Off a Hijacking of Home Devices (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/technology/personaltech/stop-hijacking-home-devices.html?_r=0

MARKETING & MEDIA

It Takes More than Social Media to Make a Social Movement (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/01/31/it-takes-more-than-social-media-to-make-a-social-movement/?utm_term=.6f9ebd45a71f

Reaching Millennials with Social Media: New Research (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/reaching-millennials-with-social-media-new-research/

Google Overtakes Apple as the World’s Most Valuable Brand (Austin Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2017/02/01/google-overtakes-apple-as-most-valuable-brand.html

Ad Rights: Charlie Brown & the Peanuts Gang Up For Sale (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/01/31/charlie-brown-the-peanuts-gang-up-for-sale/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

President Trump Nominates Neil Gorsuch to the U-S Supreme Court (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article129927269.html

Republicans Regain Control of the Washington State Senate as Lawmaker Replaced (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article129700809.html

Washington State Legislature: Ericksen Confident He Can Work for Senate & EPA; Will Take Full Salary (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article129929289.html

GENERAL NEWS

Western Washington State Snow, Freezing Rain Possible as Early as Thursday Evening (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/531523/washington-weather-snow-feb-3-2017/

Winter Storm Watch Issued for Portland Area; Ice & High Winds Expected (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/01/winter_storm_watch_issued_in_p.html

Washington State’s Homeless Student Population Grows to Nearly 40,000 (Associated Press)

http://q13fox.com/2017/01/31/states-homeless-student-population-grows-to-nearly-40000/

Space Heater Blamed for Setting Off Yakima House Fire (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/space-heater-blamed-for-setting-off-yakima-house-fire/article_8a1beac8-e8a8-11e6-b0b6-a774f45fc9b5.html

Detectives Find Truck in Mason Connected to Kitsap Quadruple Homicide (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/detectives-find-truck-in-mason-connected-to-kitsap-quadruple-homicide/article_46fb8db8-e7cf-11e6-a0e8-b3c9162d5309.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Twelve Moments That Defined Peter Capaldi's Run on Doctor Who

http://io9.gizmodo.com/12-moments-that-defined-peter-capaldis-run-on-doctor-wh-1791833041

The Science of Snot Is Even Grosser Than You Think

http://gizmodo.com/the-science-of-snot-is-even-grosser-than-you-think-1791834423

Pennsylvania Mayor Accused of Disturbing Graves to Construct Cell Tower

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/pennsylvania-mayor-accused-of-disturbing-graves/article_d5a9ec64-e9d0-5cb0-b9a4-cbd5d162448a.html

North Carolina Newborn Girl Shares Birthday with Mom & Dad

https://www.yahoo.com/news/north-carolina-newborn-girl-shares-birthday-mom-dad-165834494.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Manhattan Transfer – Operator

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTuso0gvqVQ

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.