Energy News Digest for January 3, 2018

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SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 3, 2018

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

The U-S Just Burned the Most Natural Gas Ever (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-02/america-is-burning-more-gas-than-ever-as-chill-grips-east-chart

Small Quakes Hit Near Mount St. Helens (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2018/01/03/2-small-quakes-hit-near-mount-st-helens/

Microsoft Forms Rural Broadband Advocacy Group Called Connect Americans Now (VentureBeat)

https://venturebeat.com/2018/01/02/microsoft-forms-rural-broadband-advocacy-group-called-connect-americans-now/

BC Hydro Selects Preferred Contractor for Peace River Dam’s Generating Station (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/b-c-hydro-selects-preferred-contractor-for-site-c-generating-station-1.23134695

Garbage Bags Filled with Dozens of Dead Ducks Discovered along Road near Montesano (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article192643369.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• The U-S Just Burned the Most Natural Gas Ever
• BC Hydro Selects Preferred Contractor for Peace River Dam’s Generating Station
• Plan for Transmission Line between Tillamook & Oceanside Draws Opposition
• Oregon: Governor Promotes Acting Director to Lead Energy Department
• Op/Ed: Canada – Columbia River Treaty a Boon to the U-S, But Must Benefit All
• Public Power Utilities Earn Recognition for Business Customer Satisfaction – Seattle City Light Among Honorees
• China Central Bank Can Tell Local Governments to Regulate Bitcoin Miners' Power Use: Source
• Garbage Bags Filled with Dozens of Dead Ducks Discovered along Road near Montesano
• As Fish Disappear, Trump Administration Seeks to Pump More California Water South
• Wary of What Comes Out of Taps, Startups Join Quest for Pure Water
• National Grid Wants to Sell Canadian Wind Power in New England
• Public Power Utilities Prepare for Electric Vehicle Boom
• The ‘Shroom Boom: Will Trendy Medicinal Mushrooms Go Mainstream in 2018?
• Microsoft Forms Rural Broadband Advocacy Group Called Connect Americans Now
• Snubbing FCC, States Are Writing Their Own Net Neutrality Laws
• FERC Aims to Raise the Bar for Reporting Cyber Attacks with New Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
• Spotify Hit with $1.6 Billion Copyright Lawsuit
• What It Means That Amazon Is Bringing Ads to Alexa
• Small Quakes Hit Near Mount St. Helens
• Slow Moving Landslide Threatens Homes near Yakima – Some Are Staying Put
• ‘Bomb Cyclone’ to Blast East Coast before Polar Vortex Uncorks Tremendous Cold Late This Week
• Mason County Service Hours Reduced, Effective Tuesday

WORD OF THE DAY

Antaean • \an-TEE-un\ • Adjective - 1: mammoth *2: having superhuman strength

Oswald Slugfest guffawed at his puny opponent, unaware of Milton Milquetoast’s antaean strength. Unlike the mythical Antaeas (whose superhuman strength came from his contact with the earth), Miltie’s strength came from contact with his magical, horn-rimmed glasses. Only after the ambulance had hauled away Ozzie’s battered remains did Milton strip his coke-bottle glasses from his pinched face for a well deserved rest.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

The U-S Just Burned the Most Natural Gas Ever (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-02/america-is-burning-more-gas-than-ever-as-chill-grips-east-chart

BC Hydro Selects Preferred Contractor for Peace River Dam’s Generating Station (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/b-c-hydro-selects-preferred-contractor-for-site-c-generating-station-1.23134695

Plan for Transmission Line between Tillamook & Oceanside Draws Opposition (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/jan/02/plan-for-transmission-line-between-tillamook-and-oceanside-draws-opposition/

Oregon: Governor Promotes Acting Director to Lead Energy Department (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/01/03/gov-brown-promotes-acting-director-to-lead-energy.html

Op/Ed: Canada – Columbia River Treaty a Boon to the U-S, But Must Benefit All (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2018/01/canada_columbia_river_treaty_a.html

Public Power Utilities Earn Recognition for Business Customer Satisfaction – Seattle City Light Among Honorees (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/public-power-utilities-earn-recognition-business-customer-satisfaction

China Central Bank Can Tell Local Governments to Regulate Bitcoin Miners' Power Use: Source (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-markets-bitcoin-china-mining/china-central-bank-can-tell-local-governments-to-regulate-bitcoin-miners-power-use-source-idUSKBN1ES0TD

FISH & WILDLIFE

Garbage Bags Filled with Dozens of Dead Ducks Discovered along Road near Montesano (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article192643369.html

As Fish Disappear, Trump Administration Seeks to Pump More California Water South (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article192577634.html

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Wary of What Comes Out of Taps, Startups Join Quest for Pure Water (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/wary-of-what-comes-out-of-taps-startups-join-quest-for-pure-water/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

National Grid Wants to Sell Canadian Wind Power in New England (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/articles/2017/12/national-grid-wants-to-sell-canadian-wind-power-in-new-england.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Public Power Utilities Prepare for Electric Vehicle Boom (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/blog/public-power-utilities-prepare-ev-boom

The ‘Shroom Boom: Will Trendy Medicinal Mushrooms Go Mainstream in 2018? (Fast Company – Includes comments from Shelton mushroom mogul, Paul Stamets)

https://www.fastcompany.com/40511575/the-shroom-boom-will-trendy-medicinal-mushrooms-go-mainstream-in-2018

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Microsoft Forms Rural Broadband Advocacy Group Called Connect Americans Now (VentureBeat)

https://venturebeat.com/2018/01/02/microsoft-forms-rural-broadband-advocacy-group-called-connect-americans-now/

Snubbing FCC, States Are Writing Their Own Net Neutrality Laws (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/40510095/snubbing-fcc-states-are-writing-their-own-net-neutrality-laws

FERC Aims to Raise the Bar for Reporting Cyber Attacks with New Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-aims-to-raise-the-bar-for-reporting-cyber-attacks-with-new-nopr/513918/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

Spotify Hit with $1.6 Billion Copyright Lawsuit (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spotify-lawsuit/spotify-hit-with-1-6-billion-copyright-lawsuit-idUSKBN1ER1RX

What It Means That Amazon Is Bringing Ads to Alexa (Slate Magazine)

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2018/01/amazon_echo_getting_ads_as_company_finds_promotional_partners_for_alexa.html

GENERAL NEWS

Small Quakes Hit Near Mount St. Helens (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2018/01/03/2-small-quakes-hit-near-mount-st-helens/

Slow Moving Landslide Threatens Homes near Yakima – Some Are Staying Put (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/01/03/video-slow-moving-landslide-threatens-homes-near-yakima-but-some-are-staying-put/

‘Bomb Cyclone’ to Blast East Coast before Polar Vortex Uncorks Tremendous Cold Late This Week (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/01/02/monster-storm-to-blast-east-coast-before-polar-vortex-uncorks-tremendous-cold-late-this-week/

Mason County Service Hours Reduced, Effective Tuesday (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/mason-county-service-hours-reduced-effective-tuesday/article_3b382322-efdc-11e7-969f-b738de463b7d.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

No Winner in Mega Millions Drawing, Jackpot Climbs to $418 Million

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-megamillions/no-winner-in-mega-millions-drawing-jackpot-climbs-to-418-million-idUSKBN1ES0S3

Taiwan Dentist Must Pay His Mother Nearly $1 Million for ‘Upbringing’

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/world/asia/taiwan-dentist-court-mother-filial-son.html

Rat on Plane Cancels Alaska Airlines Flight to PDX

http://koin.com/2018/01/02/rat-on-plane-cancels-alaska-airlines-flight-to-pdx/

Rick Hall, Music Producer Known for Muscle Shoals Sound, Dies at 85

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/obituaries/rick-hall-muscle-shoals-dies.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama

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

Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers

And they've been known to pick a song or two (yes they do)

Lord they get me off so much

They pick me up when I'm feeling blue, now how ‘bout you?

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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 January 2, 2018

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

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 2, 2018

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Natural Gas: NW Natural Seeks $40 Million Rate Hike (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2017/12/nw_natural_seeks_40_million_ra.html

Oregon Regulators Say Tax Cut Could Mean Savings for Utility Customers (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/12/29/oregon-regulators-say-tax-cut-could-mean-savings.html

Prediction #4: No Carbon Bill in Regular Session; Inslee Calls Special Session (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

https://washingtonstatewire.com/prediction-4-no-carbon-bill-regular-session-inslee-calls-special-session/

Apple Wind Farm in Oregon Will Use 51 Vestas Turbines (Denver Business Journal, CO)
https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2017/12/29/apple-wind-farm-in-oregon-will-use-51-vestas.html

Oregon: City of Rainier Approves LED Replacements – Clatskanie PUD Incentives Cover Nearly Half of Project Cost (St Helens Chronicle, OR)

https://www.thechronicleonline.com/news/city-of-rainier-approves-led-replacements/article_d259ab72-bdc0-5bb3-876e-b28e80331ed4.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Natural Gas: NW Natural Seeks $40 Million Rate Hike
• Oregon Regulators Say Tax Cut Could Mean Savings for Utility Customers
• After Tax Overhaul, Utility Regulators Are Pushing for Lower Customer Rates
• Renewable Energy Group Makes It Official: No Crude Oil Plans for Port of Grays Harbor
• British Columbia: Columbia River Treaty – What’s on the Table?
• Georgia: Frigid Cold (sic) Causing Power Overloads, Outages in Northeast Georgia
• Florida Utilities Eye Recovery of Millions in Hurricane Irma Costs
• South Carolina: Santee Cooper Chairman Reverses Course. Resigns after Fighting for His Job
• Rhode Island: Editorial – Highest Price in the World
• Detroit: Two Fatally Electrocuted in Alleged Attempt to Steal Copper Wiring – Fused Together
• Microsoft Grant Shows How Artificial Intelligence Could Help Salmon Recovery
• Rules That Limit Boat Noise Off British Columbia Coast Are Helping Endangered Killer Whales, Study Says
• Apple Wind Farm in Oregon Will Use 51 Vestas Turbines
• Wyoming Ranch Benefits from Partnership with Wind Energy
• Report: More Utility Customers Produced Electricity in 2016
• Puerto Rico Blackout Sparks Interest in Solar Power for Island’s Electric Grid
• Oregon: City of Rainier Approves LED Replacements – Clatskanie PUD Incentives Cover Nearly Half of Project Cost
• Fighting Climate Change, One Laundry Load at a Time
• California In; Pot Legal along Entire West Coast
• Prediction #4: No Carbon Bill in Regular Session; Inslee Calls Special Session
• Tesla the Car Is a Household Name. Long Ago, So Was Nikola Tesla.
• From Stools to Fuels: The Street Lamp That Runs on Dog Doo
• AT&T Says All U-S States Will Use Its Public Safety Network
• Streaming Becomes Mainstream as Cord-Cutting Accelerates
• President Trump & Congress Prepare to Tackle Broadband Expansion in 2018
• How Do You Turn an Ad Into a Meme? Two Words: Dilly Dilly
• County Governments in Washington State Demand More Money from State
• Editorial: Four Most Interesting Policy Trends I’m Watching This 2018 Washington State Legislative Session
• Washington State Car-Tab Tax Initiative Fails to Garner Enough Signatures
• Lawsuit against Indianapolis Stems from Worker’s ‘Chronic Body Odor’
• Five Tacoma Family Members Die in Crash during Christmas Trip to Mexico
• Record-Breaking Cold Sweeps U-S in First Days of 2018
• A Meteorological ‘Bomb’ Is Set To Go Off Along the East Coast – Dangerous Cold Will Soon Follow
• Congrats? Seattle Completes Wettest Four-Year Stretch in Recorded History
• Shelton City Commission Changing Meeting Schedule in 2018

WORD OF THE DAY – HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Pooh-Bah ● \POO-bah\ ● Noun – 1: a person holding many public or private offices; 2: a person in high position or of great influence

Bow to the Pooh-Bah

The Lord High, Everything Else

In charge. Just ask him

(With all due deference to Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado”)

http://joelshorriblehaiku.blogspot.com/

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Natural Gas: NW Natural Seeks $40 Million Rate Hike (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2017/12/nw_natural_seeks_40_million_ra.html

Oregon Regulators Say Tax Cut Could Mean Savings for Utility Customers (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/12/29/oregon-regulators-say-tax-cut-could-mean-savings.html

After Tax Overhaul, Utility Regulators Are Pushing for Lower Customer Rates (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/after-tax-overhaul-utility-regulators-are-pushing-for-lower-customer-rates/513850/

Renewable Energy Group Makes It Official: No Crude Oil Plans for Port of Grays Harbor (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/news/reg-makes-it-official-no-crude-oil-plans-for-port-of-grays-harbor/

British Columbia: Columbia River Treaty – What’s on the Table? (Trail Times, BC)

https://www.trailtimes.ca/news/columbia-river-treaty-whats-on-the-table/

Georgia: Frigid Cold (sic) Causing Power Overloads, Outages in Northeast Georgia (Athens Banner-Herald, GA)

http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2018-01-02/frigid-cold-causing-power-overloads-outages-northeast-georgia

Florida Utilities Eye Recovery of Millions in Hurricane Irma Costs (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/florida-utilities-eye-recovery-of-hurricane-irma-costs/513845/

South Carolina: Santee Cooper Chairman Reverses Course. Resigns after Fighting for His Job (South Strand News, Georgetown, SC)

https://www.southstrandnews.com/state-news/santee-cooper-chairman-reverses-course-and-resigns-after-fighting-gov/article_858cc934-ece2-11e7-8cff-27190512ef13.html

Rhode Island: Editorial – Highest Price in the World (Providence Journal, RI)

http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/20180101/editorial-highest-price-in-world

Detroit: Two Fatally Electrocuted in Alleged Attempt to Steal Copper Wiring – Fused Together (New York Post)

https://nypost.com/2017/12/31/2-fatally-electrocuted-in-alleged-attempt-to-steal-copper-wiring/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Microsoft Grant Shows How Artificial Intelligence Could Help Salmon Recovery (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

http://knkx.org/post/microsoft-grant-shows-how-artificial-intelligence-could-help-salmon-recovery

Rules That Limit Boat Noise Off British Columbia Coast Are Helping Endangered Killer Whales, Study Says (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/resident-killer-whales-boat-noise-study-1.4469372?cmp=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Apple Wind Farm in Oregon Will Use 51 Vestas Turbines (Denver Business Journal, CO)
https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2017/12/29/apple-wind-farm-in-oregon-will-use-51-vestas.html

Wyoming Ranch Benefits from Partnership with Wind Energy (Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Cheyenne, WY)

https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/wyoming-ranch-benefits-from-partnership-with-wind-energy/article_477b313e-eb9e-11e7-b5b6-2b732187dbc0.html

Report: More Utility Customers Produced Electricity in 2016 (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Report-More-utility-customers-produced-12465716.php

Puerto Rico Blackout Sparks Interest in Solar Power for Island’s Electric Grid (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/puerto-rico-blackout-sparks-interest-in-solar-power-for-islands-electric-grid/article/2644601

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Oregon: City of Rainier Approves LED Replacements – Clatskanie PUD Incentives Cover Nearly Half of Project Cost (St Helens Chronicle, OR)

https://www.thechronicleonline.com/news/city-of-rainier-approves-led-replacements/article_d259ab72-bdc0-5bb3-876e-b28e80331ed4.html

Fighting Climate Change, One Laundry Load at a Time (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/business/energy-environment/climate-change-enzymes-laundry.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

California In; Pot Legal along Entire West Coast (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2018/01/01/california-in-pot-legal-along-entire-west-coast/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Prediction #4: No Carbon Bill in Regular Session; Inslee Calls Special Session (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

https://washingtonstatewire.com/prediction-4-no-carbon-bill-regular-session-inslee-calls-special-session/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Tesla the Car Is a Household Name. Long Ago, So Was Nikola Tesla. (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/30/technology/nikola-tesla.html

From Stools to Fuels: The Street Lamp That Runs on Dog Doo (The Guardian, UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/01/stools-to-fuels-street-lamp-runs-on-dog-poo-bio-energy-waste-

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AT&T Says All U-S States Will Use Its Public Safety Network (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-at-t-network/att-says-all-u-s-states-will-use-its-public-safety-network-idUSKBN1EN1DZ

Streaming Becomes Mainstream as Cord-Cutting Accelerates (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/streaming-becomes-mainstream-as-cord-cutting-accelerates/

President Trump & Congress Prepare to Tackle Broadband Expansion in 2018 (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-and-congress-prepare-to-tackle-broadband-expansion-in-2018/article/2644183

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

How Do You Turn an Ad Into a Meme? Two Words: Dilly Dilly (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/31/business/media/dilly-dilly-bud-light.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

County Governments in Washington State Demand More Money from State (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/county-governments-washington-demand-more-money-state

Editorial: Four Most Interesting Policy Trends I’m Watching This 2018 Washington State Legislative Session (Washington Wire, Olympia, WA)

https://washingtonstatewire.com/top-issues-watch-2018-legislative-session/

Washington State Car-Tab Tax Initiative Fails to Garner Enough Signatures (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/30/car-tab-tax-initiative-fails-to-garner-enough-sign/

Lawsuit against Indianapolis Stems from Worker’s ‘Chronic Body Odor’ (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/01/02/indianapolis-lawsuit-chronic-body-odor/995161001/

GENERAL NEWS

Five Tacoma Family Members Die in Crash during Christmas Trip to Mexico (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/01/01/tacoma-family-dies-in-crash-during-christmas-trip-to-mexico/

Record-Breaking Cold Sweeps U-S in First Days of 2018 (Christian Science Monitor)

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2018/0102/Record-breaking-cold-sweeps-US-in-first-days-of-2018

A Meteorological ‘Bomb’ Is Set To Go Off Along the East Coast – Dangerous Cold Will Soon Follow (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2018/01/02/weather-bomb-to-strike-east-coast-arctic-blast-coldest-to-date/

Congrats? Seattle Completes Wettest Four-Year Stretch in Recorded History (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/congrats-seattle-completes-wettest-four-year-stretch-in-recorded-history/

Shelton City Commission Changing Meeting Schedule in 2018 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/shelton-city-commission-changing-meeting-schedule-in/article_3edf3280-ecef-11e7-b2b6-c74dec803bb9.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Words Banned for the New Year? ‘Fake News’ Gets Top Vote

http://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/article192345119.html

Glitch in South Carolina Lottery Could Mean $19.6 Million in Winnings

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/30/us/lottery-south-carolina.html

Definition Mission: A Rhyming Limerick for Each English Word

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/national_news/definition-mission-a-rhyming-limerick-for-each-english-word/article_b12ddd7a-3ae2-5b41-abc0-4bb6e6a7e5e2.html

Police: Woman Ruined $300K Worth Of Art on Date with Lawyer

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/police-woman-ruined-k-worth-of-art-on-date-with/article_eb8018da-97f4-53e2-aafe-0fb44d0caa98.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Van Morrison – Celtic Ray

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

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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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 December 29, 2017

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

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

Best Wishes on a Wonderful 2018:

Time circles the drain

Pleasant memories remain

Flush bad ones away

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 29, 2017

There’s a Special Weather Statement for windy conditions. Mason County may generally see gusty winds up to 30 MPH, with stronger gusts to 45 MPH this afternoon.

A Gale Watch will be in place tonight through tomorrow for the inland waters of Puget Sound and Hood Canal. Wind gusts between 29 and 40 MPH are forecast.

Because of heavy rain through tonight, a Flood Watch is in effect for the Skokomish River.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Editorial: Columbia River Treaty a Rising Test – Modernizing Deal with Canada Can Reshape Lifestyles in the Pacific Northwest (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/dec/29/in-our-view-river-treaty-a-rising-test/

California: Portland Firm Wants to Build 100-Turbine Wind Project near Burney (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

http://www.redding.com/story/news/2017/12/28/portland-firm-wants-build-100-turbine-wind-project-california/975861001/

Alaska: Chugach Electric Association to Halt Kenai Peninsula Dam Study after Public Outcry (Luxora Leader)

https://luxoraleader.com/utility-to-halt-kenai-peninsula-dam-study-after-public-outcry/314591/

New Wireless Broadband Network Coming to Washington State (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2017/12/28/new-wireless-broadband-network-coming-to-washington/

How Climate Change Deniers Rise to the Top in Google Searches (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/climate/google-search-climate-change.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Editorial: Columbia River Treaty a Rising Test – Modernizing Deal with Canada Can Reshape Lifestyles in the Pacific Northwest
• Alaska: Chugach Electric Association to Halt Kenai Peninsula Dam Study after Public Outcry
• Western Area Power Administration Celebrates 40 years Of Service to the U-S
• Lewis County PUD Gets Clean Audit on Financial Statements
• Bonneville Power Administration Video Captures 2017 Challenges & Achievements
• The Long Wait for Fusion Power May Be Coming to an End
• What Can We Do about Bitcoin’s Enormous Energy Consumption?
• Opinion: Fate of the Pacific Northwest’s Largest Energy Provider May Decide Future of Salmon
• California: Portland Firm Wants to Build 100-Turbine Wind Project near Burney
• Why Coal-Rich Wyoming Is Investing Big in Wind Power
• Florida: Tallahassee Solar Farm Set to Go Live, Light Up Thousands of Homes
• Smart Homes Not Just for Tech Geeks Anymore
• How to Keep Your Smartened-Up Home Safe from Hackers
• Try These Simple Home Energy-Saving Tips to Save Money
• ‘Cannabis Will Be Everywhere’: California Towns Scramble to Prepare for Legal Marijuana Jan. 1
• How Climate Change Deniers Rise to the Top in Google Searches
• Number of Electric Vehicle Charging Points to Rise Significantly in 2018
• What Is the Point of a Solar Road?
• New Wireless Broadband Network Coming to Washington State
• Apple Apologizes for ‘Misunderstanding’ over Batterygate
• Cord Cutters Likely to Have Even More Streaming Choices in 2018
• Popular Chrome Extension Is Secretly Mining Cryptocurrency
• That Game on Your Phone May Be Tracking What You’re Watching on TV
• Washington State Voters Will Likely Get to Weigh in on Police Deadly Force
• Last-Minute Rush to Prepay Taxes Gives Way to Confusion & Anger
• President Trump Targets Amazon in Call for Postal Service to Hike Prices
• Seasonal Influenza: One Mason County Death
• For Seattle Area: Rain, Wind and Then a Dry New Year’s Eve
• It's So Cold in the U-S & Canada That Windows Are Breaking. There's No End in Sight
• Shelton Home Burglary Suspect Taken into Custody
• Scammers Using Court Info to Trick Callers

WORD OF THE DAY

Prehensile • \pre-HEN-sill\ • adjective – *1: adapted for seizing or grasping especially by wrapping around 2: gifted with mental grasp or moral or aesthetic perception

Alberto was mesmerized by his New Year’s Eve blind date. On one hand, he was repulsed by her chewing tobacco habit> He found her ability to toss back a mug of beer by using her prehensile toes was wildly attractive.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Editorial: Columbia River Treaty a Rising Test – Modernizing Deal with Canada Can Reshape Lifestyles in the Pacific Northwest (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/dec/29/in-our-view-river-treaty-a-rising-test/

Alaska: Chugach Electric Association to Halt Kenai Peninsula Dam Study after Public Outcry (Luxora Leader)

https://luxoraleader.com/utility-to-halt-kenai-peninsula-dam-study-after-public-outcry/314591/

Western Area Power Administration Celebrates 40 years Of Service to the U-S (Breaking Energy)

https://breakingenergy.com/2017/12/29/doe-agency-celebrates-40-years-of-service-to-america/

Lewis County PUD Gets Clean Audit on Financial Statements (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://www.chronline.com/news/lewis-county-pud-gets-clean-audit-on-financial-statements/article_7b42dfe2-e795-11e7-8e29-0f7247365074.html

Bonneville Power Administration Video Captures 2017 Challenges & Achievements (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-video-captures-2017-challenges-and-achievements.aspx

The Long Wait for Fusion Power May Be Coming to an End (NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/long-wait-fusion-power-may-be-coming-end-ncna833251

What Can We Do about Bitcoin’s Enormous Energy Consumption? (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/40503695/what-can-we-do-about-bitcoins-enormous-energy-consumption

FISH & WILDLIFE

Opinion: Fate of the Pacific Northwest’s Largest Energy Provider May Decide Future of Salmon (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/letters-from-the-west/article192037249.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

California: Portland Firm Wants to Build 100-Turbine Wind Project near Burney (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

http://www.redding.com/story/news/2017/12/28/portland-firm-wants-build-100-turbine-wind-project-california/975861001/

Why Coal-Rich Wyoming Is Investing Big in Wind Power (Christian Science Monitor)

https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2017/1229/Why-coal-rich-Wyoming-is-investing-big-in-wind-power

Florida: Tallahassee Solar Farm Set to Go Live, Light Up Thousands of Homes (Tallahassee Democrat, FL)

http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2017/12/29/tallahassee-solar-farm-set-go-live-light-up-thousands-homes/984263001/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Smart Homes Not Just for Tech Geeks Anymore (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/28/smart-homes-not-just-for-tech-geeks-anymore/#/0

How to Keep Your Smartened-Up Home Safe from Hackers (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/smartened-home-safe-hackers-52031995

Try These Simple Home Energy-Saving Tips to Save Money (CheatSheet)

https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/try-these-simple-home-energy-saving-tips-to-save-money.html/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

‘Cannabis Will Be Everywhere’: California Towns Scramble to Prepare for Legal Marijuana Jan. 1 (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/classic-apps/cannabis-will-be-everywhere-california-towns-scramble-to-prepare-for-legal-marijuana-on-jan-1/2017/12/27/096c8dce-d90c-11e7-b1a8-62589434a581_story.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

How Climate Change Deniers Rise to the Top in Google Searches (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/climate/google-search-climate-change.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Number of Electric Vehicle Charging Points to Rise Significantly in 2018 (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/energy/2017/12/29/number-electric-vehicle-charging-points-rise-significantly-2018/987699001/

What Is the Point of a Solar Road? (Slate Magazine)

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2017/12/solar_roads_are_almost_definitely_not_the_future.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

New Wireless Broadband Network Coming to Washington State (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2017/12/28/new-wireless-broadband-network-coming-to-washington/

Apple Apologizes for ‘Misunderstanding’ over Batterygate (Triad Business Journal)

https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2017/12/29/apple-apologizes-for-misunderstanding-over.html

Cord Cutters Likely to Have Even More Streaming Choices in 2018 (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/12/28/cord-cutters-likely-have-even-more-choices-2018-year-streaming-video/908563001/

Popular Chrome Extension Is Secretly Mining Cryptocurrency (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2017/12/29/chrome-extension-cryptojacking/#vox6oyww3sq7

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

That Game on Your Phone May Be Tracking What You’re Watching on TV (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/28/business/media/alphonso-app-tracking.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Washington State Voters Will Likely Get to Weigh in on Police Deadly Force (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/washington-voters-will-likely-get-weigh-police-deadly-force

Last-Minute Rush to Prepay Taxes Gives Way to Confusion & Anger (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/28/business/economy/irs-prepay-property-tax.html

President Trump Targets Amazon in Call for Postal Service to Hike Prices (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-amazon-com/trump-targets-amazon-in-call-for-postal-service-to-hike-prices-idUSKBN1EN15O

GENERAL NEWS

Seasonal Influenza: One Mason County Death (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/28621

For Seattle Area: Rain, Wind and Then a Dry New Year’s Eve (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/for-seattle-area-rain-wind-and-then-a-dry-new-years-eve/

It's So Cold in the U-S & Canada That Windows Are Breaking. There's No End in Sight (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2017/12/28/arctic-blast-record-cold-us-canada-frigid-new-year/#WD9aDGddjPqw

Shelton Home Burglary Suspect Taken into Custody (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/28610

Scammers Using Court Info to Trick Callers (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.kpq.com/scammers-using-court-info-trick-callers/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Need A Reminder You're Going to Die? The WeCroak App Can Help.

http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/wecroak-app-death-ian-thomas-hansa-bergwall-dying-12442236.php

Will We Get a Sad Poo Emoji? Well, There's a Process

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/smiling-poop-emoji-process-52039827

People in These Cities, Countries Took the Most Steps in 2017, Fitbit Says

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/12/29/people-these-cities-countries-took-most-steps-2017-fitbit-says/990152001/

Should Be Easy to Spot: Cops Nab Escaped Inmate with Skull Face Tattoo after Weeks on Run

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cops-nab-escaped-inmate-face-tattoo-weeks-run-181717251.html

SONG OF THE DAY

A Mighty Wind is Blowin' – A Mighty Wind (Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVh0Iq_85aw

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