Energy News Digest for March 6, 2018

Occasionally 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 March 6, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington State Governor Signs First State Net Neutrality Bill (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/05/business/net-neutrality-washington-state.html

Plan to Open Drilling Off Pacific Northwest Draws Opposition (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/5e31036f926148e0910b79b2ee5327a4

Oregon Wave Energy Test Center Gets $3 Million Boost (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/03/05/oregon-wave-energy-test-center-gets-3m-boost.html

No Cowlitz River Smelt Dipping This Year (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/mount_st_helens/no-cowlitz-river-smelt-dipping-this-year/article_0c0b1b3b-301a-5098-9231-409e1aeb5d66.html

South Carolina Utilities Knew of Big Problems 6 Months into Nuclear Project But Didn’t Tell Customers (Charleston Post & Courier, SC)

https://www.postandcourier.com/business/s-c-utilities-knew-of-big-problems-months-into-nuclear/article_0340cb3a-208e-11e8-8b74-971e7fda2095.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• South Carolina Utilities Knew of Big Problems 6 Months into Nuclear Project But Didn’t Tell Customers
• Entergy Strikes Deal to Sell Vermont Yankee Nuclear Facility
• Grays Harbor PUD Rate Increase Less Than Anticipated
• New Mexico Supreme Court Backs up Power Plant Decision
• Fifth Circuit Incredulous at Dirty Coal-Powered Plant in Texas
• Forgotten Hydropower Plots a Comeback in Trump Era
• Tackling the Perverse Incentive: Utilities Need New Cost Recovery Mechanisms for New Technologies
• Mohave Electric Cooperative Magician Teaches Electrical Safety to Schools
• No Cowlitz River Smelt Dipping This Year
• 1 Million Fish Housed at Leaburg Hatchery Taken Back Home Following Eagle Creek Fire
• Idaho: JFAC Sets Fish & Game Budget, Includes Takeover of Hagerman Fish Hatchery from Feds
• Plan to Open Drilling Off Pacific Northwest Draws Opposition
• Oregon Wave Energy Test Center Gets $3 Million Boost
• When Solar & Wind Need A Boost, Nuclear Might Be the Best Option
• Everything You Need to Know About Making Your Home Energy-Efficient
• Energy Efficiency Has a Leading Role to Play in Our Distributed Energy Future
• Electric Car Incentives in Pacific Northwest Teetering on Brink
• Second Carbon Tax/Fee Legislation: Brothers of the Different Father?
• Washington State Governor Signs First State Net Neutrality Bill
• Washington State’s Net Neutrality Law Is the Beginning of a Big Headache for Internet Providers
• Power Revenues Can’t Be Used to Pay for Click Network’s Commercial Expenses, Judge Says
• Cybersecurity Firm Carbon Black Picks Oregon for West Coast Hub
• Ajit Pai’s Supporters Say He’s Gone Too Far with Plan That Hurts Poor People
• Microsoft Co-Founder Finds the WWII ‘Ship That Saved Australia’
• Two Trains Derail in Centralia; No Injuries
• Flu: Tri-City Death Toll Rises to 18
• How CERB Helped the Port of Shelton Grow Local Business
• New England Braces for Second Weather ‘Bomb’ in Less Than a Week

WORD OF THE DAY

Cynical • \SIN-ick-cull\ • adjective - 1: captious, peevish 2: having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic: as a: contemptuously distrustful of human nature & motives b: based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest

Word Origin - Dictionary.com: The Greek word kunikos, from which cynic comes was originally an adjective meaning “doglike,” from kuōn, “dog.” The word was probably applied to the Cynic philosophers. The first use of the word recorded in English is in the plural for members of this philosophical sect. In 1596 we find the first instance of cynic meaning “faultfinder,” a sense that was to develop into our modern sense. The meaning “faultfinder” came naturally from the behavior of countless Cynics who in their pursuit of virtue pointed out the flaws in others. Such faultfinding could lead quite naturally to the belief associated with cynics of today that selfishness determines human behavior.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

South Carolina Utilities Knew of Big Problems 6 Months into Nuclear Project But Didn’t Tell Customers (Charleston Post & Courier, SC)

https://www.postandcourier.com/business/s-c-utilities-knew-of-big-problems-months-into-nuclear/article_0340cb3a-208e-11e8-8b74-971e7fda2095.html

Entergy Strikes Deal to Sell Vermont Yankee Nuclear Facility (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/entergy-strikes-deal-to-sell-vermont-yankee-nuclear-facility/518410/

Grays Harbor PUD Rate Increase Less Than Anticipated (KXRO News, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/pud-rate-increase-less-anticipated/

New Mexico Supreme Court Backs up Power Plant Decision (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-mexico/articles/2018-03-06/new-mexico-supreme-court-backs-up-power-plant-decision

Fifth Circuit Incredulous at Dirty Coal-Powered Plant in Texas (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/fifth-circuit-incredulous-at-dirty-coal-powered-plant-in-texas/

Forgotten Hydropower Plots a Comeback in Trump Era (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/forgotten-hydropower-plots-a-comeback-in-trump-era/article/2650496

Tackling the Perverse Incentive: Utilities Need New Cost Recovery Mechanisms for New Technologies (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/tackling-the-perverse-incentive-utilities-need-new-cost-recovery-mechanism/518320/

Mohave Electric Cooperative Magician Teaches Electrical Safety to Schools (Mohave Daily News, AZ)

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/mec-magician-teaches-electrical-safety-to-schools/article_22021f8a-2104-11e8-ae21-ff5cd2c13401.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

No Cowlitz River Smelt Dipping This Year (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/mount_st_helens/no-cowlitz-river-smelt-dipping-this-year/article_0c0b1b3b-301a-5098-9231-409e1aeb5d66.html

1 Million Fish Housed at Leaburg Hatchery Taken Back Home Following Eagle Creek Fire (KCBY-TV, Coos Bay, OR)

http://kcby.com/news/local/one-million-fish-housed-at-leaburg-hatchery-taken-back-home-following-eagle-creek-fire

Idaho: JFAC Sets Fish & Game Budget, Includes Takeover of Hagerman Fish Hatchery from Feds (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2018/mar/05/jfac-sets-fish-game-budget-includes-takeover-hagerman-fish-hatchery-feds/

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

Plan to Open Drilling Off Pacific Northwest Draws Opposition (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/5e31036f926148e0910b79b2ee5327a4

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Oregon Wave Energy Test Center Gets $3 Million Boost (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/03/05/oregon-wave-energy-test-center-gets-3m-boost.html

When Solar & Wind Need A Boost, Nuclear Might Be the Best Option (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/article/when-solar-and-wind-need-a-boost-nuclear-might-be-the-best-option/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Everything You Need to Know About Making Your Home Energy-Efficient (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/where-we-live/wp/2018/03/06/everything-you-need-to-know-about-making-your-home-energy-efficient/?utm_term=.a2db18d9a101

Energy Efficiency Has a Leading Role to Play in Our Distributed Energy Future (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.theenergycollective.com/aceee/2427813/energy-efficiency-leading-role-play-distributed-energy-future

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

Electric Car Incentives in Pacific Northwest Teetering on Brink (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/electric-car-incentives-northwest-teetering-brink

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Second Carbon Tax/Fee Legislation: Brothers of the Different Father? (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

https://washingtonstatewire.com/second-carbon-tax-fee-legislation-brothers-different-father/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Washington State Governor Signs First State Net Neutrality Bill (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/05/business/net-neutrality-washington-state.html

Washington State’s Net Neutrality Law Is the Beginning of a Big Headache for Internet Providers (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/03/06/washington-states-net-neutrality-law-is-the-beginning-of-a-big-headache-for-internet-providers/?utm_term=.a2692d99a805

Power Revenues Can’t Be Used to Pay for Click Network’s Commercial Expenses, Judge Says (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article203633679.html

Cybersecurity Firm Carbon Black Picks Oregon for West Coast Hub (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2018/03/cybersecurity_firm_carbon_blac.html

Ajit Pai’s Supporters Say He’s Gone Too Far with Plan That Hurts Poor People (Ars Technica)

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/03/even-isps-hate-ajit-pais-plan-to-take-broadband-choice-away-from-poor-people/

GENERAL NEWS

Microsoft Co-Founder Finds the WWII ‘Ship That Saved Australia’ (Live Science)

https://www.livescience.com/61938-uss-lexington-wreck-discovered.html

Two Trains Derail in Centralia; No Injuries (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/washington/two-trains-derail-in-centralia-no-injuries/283-526144882

Flu: Tri-City Death Toll Rises to 18 (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/flu-tri-city-death-toll-rises-to/article_83198102-2157-11e8-bb9c-1309f4db15ab.html

How CERB Helped the Port of Shelton Grow Local Business (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/03/06/cerb-helped-port-shelton-grow-local-business/

New England Braces for Second Weather ‘Bomb’ in Less Than a Week (Mashable)

https://mashable.com/2018/03/06/bomb-cyclone-to-hit-new-england/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

5 Types of Apples, Once Thought Extinct, Are Rediscovered

http://www.king5.com/article/news/local/5-types-of-apples-once-thought-extinct-are-rediscovered/281-526160376

Record-Breaking 131-Year-Old Message in a Bottle Found on Australian Beach

https://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/record-breaking-131-year-old-message-in-a-bottle-found-1823541629

A Chicken Laid a Huge Egg with another Egg Already Inside It

https://mashable.com/2018/03/06/australia-egg-inside-egg/

Einstein Note Fetches $6,100 at Jerusalem Auction

https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2018-03-06/handwritten-einstein-note-up-for-auction-in-jerusalem

SONG OF THE DAY

Richard Rogers – Victory at Sea (Soundtrack, Main Theme)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zRfv2PqRPI

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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 March 5, 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, and on Twitter.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 5, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Winds of Change: What Will Power the Northwest’s Future? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/in-search-for-greener-power-montana-has-some-ideas/

California Could Build ‘Renewable Engine on the West Coast’ Under New Energy Bill (Palm Springs Desert Sun, CA)

https://www.desertsun.com/story/tech/science/energy/2018/03/01/california-could-build-renewable-engine-west-coast-under-new-energy-bill/385444002/

Carbon Tax Fails – Again – In Washington State (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/carbon-tax-fails-again-in-washington/518291/

Op/Ed: Democrats Are Jeopardizing Snake River Dams & Your Electric Rates (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article203354364.html

5G Cell Service Is Coming. Who Decides Where It Goes? (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/technology/5g-cellular-service.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Winds of Change: What Will Power the Northwest’s Future?
• Op/Ed: Democrats Are Jeopardizing Snake River Dams & Your Electric Rates
• Nevada Democrat Slams ‘Waste of Time’ Meeting to Reboot Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump
• Eastern U-S: Days after Powerful Storm, Hundreds of Thousands Remain without Power
• Massachusetts Negotiating With Second Grid Project to Deliver Canadian Hydropower
• Group Calls for Steelhead Fishing Ban to Protect Idaho Fish
• Washington Legislature Passes Atlantic Salmon Farm Ban
• Fewer Salmon at the Golden Gate May Mean Less Fishing in Northern California Rivers
• California Could Build ‘Renewable Engine on the West Coast’ Under New Energy Bill
• Residential Solar Still Strong in the Kittitas Valley
• IRS: Residential Storage Eligible for Investment Tax Credit When Charged by Onsite Solar
• Idaho Power Wants New Net Metering Compensation Scheme
• 5G Cell Service Is Coming. Who Decides Where It Goes?
• Rural Communities Take Broadband into Their Own Hands
• The Moon May Soon Get Better Broadband Than Inner-City Cleveland
• Six More Big Internet Companies Join the Legal Fight against the FCC’s Net Neutrality Rollback
• In a Blow to AT&T, Federal Judges Rejected ‘The Loophole That Could’ve Swallowed the Internet’
• Project Will Boost Access to Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles in Washington
• Substantial Improvements in Western U-S Snowpack & Water Resources
• Study: Snowpack Has Declined Dramatically across U-S West
• Oregon Snowpack Declining at Disturbing Rate, Study Finds
• State Finds Lead in Water at Tenino Schools
• Carbon Tax Fails – Again – In Washington State
• Oregon Cap-&-Trade Backers Eye 2019 after Failed Short-Session Bid
• The Effects of Climate Change in the Year 2038, According to Cliff Mass
• Is Facebook Winning the Battle against Ad Fraud?
• Advertisers Were Slow to Embrace the Web, & They’re Doing It Again with Podcasts
• Facebook Messenger: Here’s How to Give a Contact a Nickname
• Too Much Washington State Production, Not Enough Retail: How Marijuana Producers Keep Making Green
• California’s Marijuana Sales Are Escalating, Along with Growers’ Energy Costs
• Bitcoin Heist: 600 Powerful Computers Stolen in Iceland
• Washington State Legislators Look Forward to Better Public Records Bill
• Seattle Panel Urges ‘Head Tax’ To Fund Help for Homeless
• 5 Deaths in a Week: Spike in Avalanches in the Cascade Mountains

WORD OF THE DAY

Roustabout • \ROWSS-tuh-bowt\ • Noun – 1a: deckhand b: longshoreman 2: an unskilled or semiskilled laborer especially in an oil field or refinery *3: a circus worker who erects & dismantles tents, cares for the grounds, & handles animals & equipment.

Garfunkel was at a crisis point in his artistic life. He had worked his entire life as a roustabout for the traveling circus, putting up the big-top and taking it down. Now that he was close to retirement, all he had to show for his 30 years of work were numerous tattoos, a life-time supply of “zoo-doo” and the emotional scars from the 1968 “clown car calamity” in Hoboken, New Jersey. “There was clown white all over the highway,” he muttered; visibly shuddering over the memory.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Winds of Change: What Will Power the Northwest’s Future? (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/in-search-for-greener-power-montana-has-some-ideas/

Op/Ed: Democrats Are Jeopardizing Snake River Dams & Your Electric Rates (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article203354364.html

Nevada Democrat Slams ‘Waste of Time’ Meeting to Reboot Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/nevada-democrat-slams-waste-of-time-meeting-to-reboot-yucca-mountain-nuclear-waste-dump/article/2650299

Eastern U-S: Days after Powerful Storm, Hundreds of Thousands Remain without Power (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/04/us/storm-power-out.html

Massachusetts Negotiating With Second Grid Project to Deliver Canadian Hydropower (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/mass-negotiating-with-second-grid-project-deliver-hydropower

FISH & WILDLIFE

Group Calls for Steelhead Fishing Ban to Protect Idaho Fish (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2018/03/group_calls_for_steelhead_fish.html

Washington Legislature Passes Atlantic Salmon Farm Ban (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2018/03/02/washington-legislature-passes-atlantic-salmon-farm-ban/

Fewer Salmon at the Golden Gate May Mean Less Fishing in Northern California Rivers (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article203129694.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

California Could Build ‘Renewable Engine on the West Coast’ Under New Energy Bill (Palm Springs Desert Sun, CA)

https://www.desertsun.com/story/tech/science/energy/2018/03/01/california-could-build-renewable-engine-west-coast-under-new-energy-bill/385444002/

Residential Solar Still Strong in the Kittitas Valley (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/residential-solar-still-strong-in-the-kittitas-valley/article_ace4e1c8-2087-11e8-bbfd-3b6cecf36cb7.html

IRS: Residential Storage Eligible for Investment Tax Credit When Charged by Onsite Solar (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/irs-residential-storage-eligible-for-itc-when-charged-by-onsite-solar/518377/

Idaho Power Wants New Net Metering Compensation Scheme (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/idaho-power-wants-new-net-metering-compensation-scheme/518289/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

5G Cell Service Is Coming. Who Decides Where It Goes? (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/technology/5g-cellular-service.html

Rural Communities Take Broadband into Their Own Hands (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2018/03/03/590546371/rural-communities-take-broadband-into-their-own-hands

The Moon May Soon Get Better Broadband Than Inner-City Cleveland (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/The-Moon-May-Soon-Get-Better-Broadband-Than-InnerCity-Cleveland-141356

Six More Big Internet Companies Join the Legal Fight against the FCC’s Net Neutrality Rollback (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/six-more-big-internet-companies-just-joined-the-legal-f-1823520627

In a Blow to AT&T, Federal Judges Rejected ‘The Loophole That Could’ve Swallowed the Internet’ (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/02/26/in-a-blow-to-att-federal-judges-have-rejected-the-loophole-that-couldve-swallowed-the-internet/?utm_term=.3e0b8239a140

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

Project Will Boost Access to Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles in Washington (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/sponsored/project-will-boost-access-to-charging-stations-for-electric-vehicles-in-washington/

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Substantial Improvements in Western U-S Snowpack & Water Resources (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2018/03/substantial-improvements-in-western-us.html

Study: Snowpack Has Declined Dramatically across U-S West (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/article203161069.html

Oregon Snowpack Declining at Disturbing Rate, Study Finds (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/03/02/oregon-snowpack-declining-at-disturbing-rate-study.html

State Finds Lead in Water at Tenino Schools (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/state-finds-lead-in-water-at-tenino-schools/709440411

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Carbon Tax Fails – Again – In Washington State (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/carbon-tax-fails-again-in-washington/518291/

Oregon Cap-&-Trade Backers Eye 2019 after Failed Short-Session Bid (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/03/03/oregon-cap-and-trade-backers-eye-2019-after-failed.html

The Effects of Climate Change in the Year 2038, According to Cliff Mass (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/914283/climate-change-effects-2038/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

Is Facebook Winning the Battle against Ad Fraud? (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/digital/is-facebook-winning-the-battle-against-ad-fraud/

Advertisers Were Slow to Embrace the Web, & They’re Doing It Again with Podcasts (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/advertisers-were-slow-to-embrace-the-web-and-theyre-doing-it-again-with-podcasts/

Facebook Messenger: Here’s How to Give a Contact a Nickname (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/digital/facebook-messenger-heres-how-to-give-a-contact-a-nickname/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Too Much Washington State Production, Not Enough Retail: How Marijuana Producers Keep Making Green (KNDO/KNDU,-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/37628854/too-much-production-not-enough-retail-how-marijuana-producers-keep-making-green

California’s Marijuana Sales Are Escalating, Along with Growers’ Energy Costs (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2018/03/05/californias-pot-sales-are-escalating-along-with-growers-energy-costs/#4d32b562bb71

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Bitcoin Heist: 600 Powerful Computers Stolen in Iceland (Associated Press)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/business/national-business/article203106269.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Washington State Legislators Look Forward to Better Public Records Bill (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/mar/02/legislators-look-forward-to-better-public-records-bill/

Seattle Panel Urges ‘Head Tax’ To Fund Help for Homeless (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/mar/03/seattle-panel-urges-head-tax-to-fund-help-for-home/

GENERAL NEWS

5 Deaths in a Week: Spike in Avalanches in the Cascade Mountains (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/northwest/5-deaths-in-a-week-spike-in-avalanches-in-the-cascade-mountains/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

College Sues Former Student Who Refuses to Leave Dorm

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/college-sues-former-student-who-refuses-to-leave-dorm/article_c7290725-4177-5ae8-8c68-4dc517971fa9.html

Agent: ‘M*A*S*H’ Star David Odgen Stiers Dies at 75

http://www.kgw.com/article/entertainment/agent-mash-star-david-odgen-stiers-dies-at-75/283-525219392

Stink Strait: New Mexico Town Battling Growing Skunk Crisis

https://www.yahoo.com/news/stink-strait-mexico-town-battling-growing-skunk-crisis-071803448.html

Hog Wild: Pigs Outnumber People in Denmark, No. 1 in Europe

https://www.yahoo.com/news/hog-wild-pigs-outnumber-people-denmark-no-1-125548399--finance.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Classical Guitar – MASH Theme

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

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

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 March 2, 2018

After communing with public power purveyors this week, the energy news digest just escaped the brutal N’Easter that is beating up on the eastern U-S.

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, and on Twitter.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 2, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington State’s Carbon Tax Bill Dies in Legislature (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/03/01/washington-states-carbon-tax-bill-dies-in-legislature/

Washington State Coalition to Push Carbon-Pricing Ballot Measure (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2018-03-02/washington-coalition-to-push-carbon-pricing-ballot-measure

Investor-Owned Utilities Salivate over President Trump’s Idea to Splinter TVA & Bonneville Power Administration (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2018/03/01/investor-owned-utilities-salivate-over-trumps-idea-to-splinter-tva-and-bpa/#3be956b82318

Utility Industry Descends on Washington, DC with an Ax to Grind (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/utility-industry-descends-on-washington-with-an-ax-to-grind/article/2649932

Inslee Vetoes Public Records Bill as Washington State Lawmakers Acknowledge ‘We Made a Mistake’ (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/inslee-vetoes-public-records-bill-lawmakers-acknowledge-we-made-mistake

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Investor-Owned Utilities Salivate over President Trump’s Idea to Splinter TVA & Bonneville Power Administration
• Utility Industry Descends on Washington, DC with an Ax to Grind
• TVA & the Power Marketing Administrations - Time to Saddle Up & Ride Again
• As Washington State Looks for Cleaner Power, a Montana Coal Town Faces an Uncertain Future
• Longview, WA – Potential Fisher’s Lane Tenant Aims to Power Supercomputers
• Hearings Set for Possible Cascade Natural Gas Rate Increase
• British Columbia: Regulators Reject Freeze - BC Hydro Rates Going Up 3 Percent
• Jefferson PUD Picks New General Manager: Candidate Has Ties to Olympic Peninsula
• British Columbia: Peace River Dam Project Faces Rising Costs Owing to Work Stoppage, BC Hydro Says
• Itron Reports $57 Million in Income, Anticipates Revenue Growth for 2018
• Oklahoma: Norman Taxpayers on the Hook for Estimated $30,000 after Suspected Copper Thieves Strike Light Poles
• Power Nearly Restored to U-S Virgin Islands with Public Power Mutual Aid
• The Subtle Art of Making Substations Bulletproof
• Is Bitcoin a Waste of Electricity, or Something Worse?
• Low Returns Expected to Restrict Washington’s Salmon Fisheries
• Judge Simon Changes Court Schedule to Allow for Deschutes River Spill Consideration
• Chinook Salmon Are Shrinking; Orcas May Be among the Culprits
• Op/Ed: 40 Million Reasons to Save Our Dams – Columbia A& Snake River Dams Are the Lifeblood of Central Washington
• Independent Power Producers, Utilities, & Greens Push PURPA Recommendations in Washington State
• Portland General Electric Looks to Uncork Renewable Energy Bidding
• Cost of Green Energy: More Pollution Producing Plants
• Arlington to Get Microgrid Facility to Test Clean Energy Initiatives
• Kentucky: Utilities Spending Big to Snuff Rooftop Solar. Will Consumers Get Stuck with the Tab?
• A Gun-Owning Trump Fan’s New Crusade: Clean Energy
• Washington State First to Pass Tough Net Neutrality Law
• Cable Tax Break Repeal Dies in Oregon Senate, Preserving Millions in Savings for Comcast & Frontier
• Oops: Equifax Just Discovered 2.4 Million More Victims in Data Breach
• Team of Rivals: Utilities, Enviros Unite to Push Electric Vehicles
• The House That Spied on Me – By Choice
• Chelan PUD: Ecology Awards Clean Water Grants for Area Projects
• February Snow, Cold Helps Make Up for January; Basin Water Supply Forecast 111 Percent of Normal
• North Pole Surges above Freezing in the Dead of Winter, Stunning Scientists
• Marijuana Odor Rules Prompt Clash between Spokane Regional Clean Air Board Members
• They’re Hosting Parasitic Worms in Their Bodies to Help Treat a Neglected Disease
• Inslee Vetoes Public Records Bill as Washington State Lawmakers Acknowledge ‘We Made a Mistake’
• President Trump to Impose Sweeping Steel & Aluminum Tariffs
• Washington State’s Carbon Tax Bill Dies in Legislature
• Washington State Coalition to Push Carbon-Pricing Ballot Measure
• Forecast for National Weather Service Is Cloudy, with a Chance of Budget Cuts
• Even Hockey Fans Surprised by Volume, Speed of NHL Seattle Season-Ticket Deposits

WORD OF THE DAY

De Rigueur • \duh ree-GURR\ • Adjective - Prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom: proper.

During my student stint at The Evergreen State College, periodic potlucks were a wonderful way to sample various vegan/sustainable dietary offerings (including home-made beer, yum). A socially-conscious menu was considered de rigueur, but it was hard to achieve for those like me who lived a fair distance from the school. Therefore, Kentucky Fried Chicken was my standard offering. At every potluck I was berated for bringing “Corporate Meat” to the gathering.

I never went home with leftovers.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Investor-Owned Utilities Salivate over President Trump’s Idea to Splinter TVA & Bonneville Power Administration (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2018/03/01/investor-owned-utilities-salivate-over-trumps-idea-to-splinter-tva-and-bpa/#3be956b82318

Utility Industry Descends on Washington, DC with an Ax to Grind (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/utility-industry-descends-on-washington-with-an-ax-to-grind/article/2649932

TVA & the Power Marketing Administrations - Time to Saddle Up & Ride Again (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/blog/tva-and-pmas-time-saddle-and-ride-again

As Washington State Looks for Cleaner Power, a Montana Coal Town Faces an Uncertain Future (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/as-washington-state-looks-for-cleaner-power-a-montana-coal-town-faces-an-uncertain-future/

Longview, WA – Potential Fisher’s Lane Tenant Aims to Power Supercomputers (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/potential-fisher-s-lane-tenant-aims-to-power-supercomputers/article_5beef5f3-5023-5fc0-aa1f-89d908e24244.html

Hearings Set for Possible Cascade Natural Gas Rate Increase (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/20180302/hearings_set_for_possible_natural_gas_rate_increase

British Columbia: Regulators Reject Freeze - BC Hydro Rates Going Up 3 Percent (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-hydro-freeze-rejected-threepercent-1.4558357

Jefferson PUD Picks New General Manager: Candidate Has Ties to Olympic Peninsula (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/news/pud-picks-new-general-manager-candidate-has-ties-to-olympic/article_392e9204-1c15-11e8-b04b-532f1c0289d8.html

British Columbia: Peace River Dam Project Faces Rising Costs Owing to Work Stoppage, BC Hydro Says (Globe & Mail, Canada)

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/site-c-faces-rising-costs-owing-to-work-stoppage-bc-hydro-says/article38124678/?cmpid=rss1

Itron Reports $57 Million in Income, Anticipates Revenue Growth for 2018 (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/feb/28/itron-reports-57-million-in-income-anticipates-rev/

Oklahoma: Norman Taxpayers on the Hook for Estimated $30,000 after Suspected Copper Thieves Strike Light Poles (KFOR-TV, Oklahoma City, OK)

http://kfor.com/2018/02/23/norman-taxpayers-on-the-hook-for-estimated-30000-after-suspected-copper-thieves-strike-light-poles/

Power Nearly Restored to U-S Virgin Islands with Public Power Mutual Aid (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/power-nearly-restored-us-virgin-islands-with-public-power-mutual-aid

The Subtle Art of Making Substations Bulletproof (Greentech Media)

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/the-subtle-art-of-making-substations-bulletproof#gs.j=Xpe2Q

Is Bitcoin a Waste of Electricity, or Something Worse? (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/business/economy/bitcoin-electricity-productivity.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Low Returns Expected to Restrict Washington’s Salmon Fisheries (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/low-returns-expected-to-restrict-washington-s-salmon-fisheries/article_cbcd6256-1d6a-11e8-ace2-336e21619b03.html

Judge Simon Changes Court Schedule to Allow for Deschutes River Spill Consideration (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440287.aspx

Chinook Salmon Are Shrinking; Orcas May Be among the Culprits (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/environment/article/Chinook-salmon-are-shrinking-and-Alaska-s-12717597.php

Op/Ed: 40 Million Reasons to Save Our Dams – Columbia A& Snake River Dams Are the Lifeblood of Central Washington (Sunnyside Daily Sun, WA)

http://www.dailysunnews.com/news/2018/feb/28/40-million-reasons-save-our-dams/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Independent Power Producers, Utilities, & Greens Push PURPA Recommendations in Washington State (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ipps-utilities-and-greens-push-purpa-recommendations-in-washington-state/518111/

Portland General Electric Looks to Uncork Renewable Energy Bidding (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/03/02/pge-looks-to-uncork-renewable-energy-bidding.html

Cost of Green Energy: More Pollution Producing Plants (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.koin.com/news/the-cost-of-green-energy-is-more-pollution_20180208091110815/960310396

Arlington to Get Microgrid Facility to Test Clean Energy Initiatives (North County Outlook, Marysville, WA)

http://www.northcountyoutlook.com/story/2018/02/28/news/arlington-to-get-facility-to-test-clean-energy-initiatives/11939.html

Kentucky: Utilities Spending Big to Snuff Rooftop Solar. Will Consumers Get Stuck with the Tab? (Lexington Herald-Leader, KY)

http://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article202714969.html

A Gun-Owning Trump Fan’s New Crusade: Clean Energy (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/business/energy-environment/debbie-dooley-energy.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Washington State First to Pass Tough Net Neutrality Law (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Washington-State-First-to-Pass-Tough-Net-Neutrality-Law-141340

Cable Tax Break Repeal Dies in Oregon Senate, Preserving Millions in Savings for Comcast & Frontier (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2018/03/tax_break_repeal_dies_in_orego.html

Oops: Equifax Just Discovered 2.4 Million More Victims in Data Breach (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/40538059/oops-equifax-just-discovered-2-4-million-more-victims-in-data-breach

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

Team of Rivals: Utilities, Enviros Unite to Push Electric Vehicles (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/team-of-rivals-utilities-enviros-unite-to-push-electric-vehicles/517330/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

The House That Spied on Me – By Choice (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/the-house-that-spied-on-me-1822429852

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Chelan PUD: Ecology Awards Clean Water Grants for Area Projects (NCW Life Channel, East Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.ncwlife.com/ecology-awards-clean-water-grants-area-projects/

February Snow, Cold Helps Make Up for January; Basin Water Supply Forecast 111 Percent of Normal (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440289.aspx

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

North Pole Surges above Freezing in the Dead of Winter, Stunning Scientists (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/02/26/north-pole-surges-above-freezing-in-the-dead-of-winter-stunning-scientists/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Marijuana Odor Rules Prompt Clash between Spokane Regional Clean Air Board Members (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/marijuana-odor-rules-prompt-clash-between-spokane-regional-clean-air/article_eb718698-1e30-11e8-a104-3f4a8909c694.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

They’re Hosting Parasitic Worms in Their Bodies to Help Treat a Neglected Disease (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/health/parasitic-worms-schistosomiasis-trial.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Inslee Vetoes Public Records Bill as Washington State Lawmakers Acknowledge ‘We Made a Mistake’ (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/inslee-vetoes-public-records-bill-lawmakers-acknowledge-we-made-mistake

President Trump to Impose Sweeping Steel & Aluminum Tariffs (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/business/trump-tariffs.html

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State’s Carbon Tax Bill Dies in Legislature (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/03/01/washington-states-carbon-tax-bill-dies-in-legislature/

Washington State Coalition to Push Carbon-Pricing Ballot Measure (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2018-03-02/washington-coalition-to-push-carbon-pricing-ballot-measure

Front & Centered Website

http://frontandcentered.org/

Forecast for National Weather Service Is Cloudy, with a Chance of Budget Cuts (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2018/03/01/589600456/forecast-for-national-weather-service-is-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-budget-cuts

Even Hockey Fans Surprised by Volume, Speed of NHL Seattle Season-Ticket Deposits (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/03/01/even-hockey-fans-in-our-area-are-surprised-by-speedy-nhl-season-ticket-deposits/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Drunk Man Takes $1,600 Uber from West Virginia to New Jersey

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/drunk-man-takes-uber-from-west-virginia-to-new-jersey/article_3b269aa9-49fd-5de6-a45c-4f1a2d0a12ab.html

Dulles Airport: Pilot Reports Hellish, Vomit-Filled Landing in Middle of Strengthening Nor’easter

https://mashable.com/2018/03/02/pilot-reports-hellish-turbulence-dc-flight-noreaster/#0MDatXEMiaqC

Heat Lamp for Pet Tarantulas Sparks Olympia House Fire

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article203082424.html

Official: Oregon College Campus Overrun by Wild ‘Gangster’ Turkeys

http://komonews.com/news/local/theyre-not-scared-of-humans-ore-college-overrun-by-wild-gangster-turkeys

SONG OF THE DAY

Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others – While My Guitar Gently Weeps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

George Harrison & Eric Clapton – While My Guitar Gently Weeps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDs2Bkq6UU4

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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