The Energy News Digest

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

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The Energy News Digest is on Facebook, on Twitter, and online on the News Digest Blog.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Flood Warning for the Skokomish River

Weather Forecast for November 28, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

White House: Federal Climate Change Report ‘Not Based on Facts’ (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/white-house-federal-climate-change-report-not-based-on-facts

Global Warming Could Increase Power Costs by Billions (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/climate-change-energy-costs-trump-administration-report-39f3fc01-d489-4490-b745-db51349e8005.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Chose Not to Cut Power as Winds Raged Before Fatal Fire (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-28/pg-e-chose-not-to-cut-power-as-winds-raged-before-deadliest-fire

Chelan PUD’s Draft Report on Cryptocurrency Goes Live (iFiberOne News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/columbia_basin/chelan-pud-s-draft-report-on-cryptocurrency-goes-live/article_3de2be44-f278-11e8-b410-67f1e5bab3c9.html

Connecticut: Legal Fight Over Energy Conservation Fund Raids Continues (Hartford Courant, CT)

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-appeal-filed-energy-fund-raids-20181127-story.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Pacific Gas & Electric Chose Not to Cut Power as Winds Raged Before Fatal Fire

2. Global Warming Could Increase Power Costs by Billions

3. Chelan PUD’s Draft Report on Cryptocurrency Goes Live

4. Jefferson PUD Passes ‘Revenue Positive’ Budget for 2019

5. City of Hermiston Postpones Vote on Electric Rate Increase

6. Benton PUD Celebrates New Payment Kiosks

7. Public Invited to Millennium Coal Terminal Health Study Open House in Longview

8. Avista Honored for $1.6 Million of Charitable Giving to WSU Medical School

9. After a Long Boom, an Uncertain Future for Big Dam Projects

10. Smart Meter Deployments Slow as Questions Emerge Over Cost Effectiveness, Saturation

11. British Columbia: Vancouver Salmon Researcher Receives National Nod

12. The Scientists Who Spend Their Summers Hunting for Whale Poop

13. Grant PUD Fiber Buildout Set for 2019

14. Creative Sources for Funding Fiber Infrastructure Projects

15. Bitcoin Gains Six Percent as It Heads for Best Day Since July

16. Connecticut: Legal Fight Over Energy Conservation Fund Raids Continues

17. Oregon Adopts Alternative Code for Energy Efficiency

18. Trump Administration Ponies Up $449 Million for New California Dam

19. Environmentalists Sue EPA for Pollution That Acidifies Ocean

20. White House: Federal Climate Change Report ‘Not Based on Facts’

21. U-S House Lawmakers Introduce First Bipartisan Carbon Tax Bill in a Decade

22. New Interactive Climate Tool Reveals Temperature & Rainfall Changes in Your Own Backyard (Or Close to It)

23. Washington State Lawmakers Call for Limits on Plastic Bags

24. Washington State House Speaker Frank Chopp to Step Down as Leader Next Spring

25. Fight Over Wildfire Prevention Threatens to Upend Federal Farm Aid

26. Skokomish River Flooding Closes Roads

27. North Cascades Highway to Close for Season Because of Snow

28. Semi Rolls Over on I-5 near Tumwater, Spills Powdered Milk Everywhere

29. Over $5,000 In Windows Stolen from Tenino Home Built for Disabled Veteran

30. Tribal Distillery Bill Heads to Trump

31. Shelton City Council Approves Artwork for Traffic Signal Boxes

WORD OF THE DAY – HORRIBLE HAIKU EDITION

Betwixt / bih-TWIKST/ adverb or preposition – Between.

Beauty, her splendor

A red rose betwixt two thorns

A fragrance divine

https://joelshorriblehaiku.blogspot.com/

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Pacific Gas & Electric Chose Not to Cut Power as Winds Raged Before Fatal Fire (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-28/pg-e-chose-not-to-cut-power-as-winds-raged-before-deadliest-fire

2. Global Warming Could Increase Power Costs by Billions (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/climate-change-energy-costs-trump-administration-report-39f3fc01-d489-4490-b745-db51349e8005.html

3. Chelan PUD’s Draft Report on Cryptocurrency Goes Live (iFiberOne News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/columbia_basin/chelan-pud-s-draft-report-on-cryptocurrency-goes-live/article_3de2be44-f278-11e8-b410-67f1e5bab3c9.html

4. Jefferson PUD Passes ‘Revenue Positive’ Budget for 2019 (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/news/pud-passes-revenue-positive-budget-for/article_083a02c0-f29b-11e8-b4d0-1f07edc2f994.html

5. City of Hermiston Postpones Vote on Electric Rate Increase (Hermiston Herald, OR)

https://www.hermistonherald.com/news/local/city-postpones-vote-on-electric-rate-increase/article_04af94d2-f2ad-11e8-9f8f-ef916776fc5a.html

6. Benton PUD Celebrates New Payment Kiosks (KNDO/KNDU,-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/39549326/benton-pud-celebrates-new-payment-kiosks

7. Public Invited to Millennium Coal Terminal Health Study Open House in Longview (Longview Daily News, WA)

https://tdn.com/news/local/public-invited-to-millennium-coal-terminal-health-study-open-house/article_4d4a919d-e3e2-53f8-80de-0d88037f09ec.html

8. Avista Honored for $1.6 Million of Charitable Giving to WSU Medical School (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/nov/27/avista-honored-for-charitable-giving-to-wsu-medica/

9. After a Long Boom, an Uncertain Future for Big Dam Projects (Yale Environment 360)

https://e360.yale.edu/features/after-a-long-boom-an-uncertain-future-for-big-dam-projects

10. Smart Meter Deployments Slow as Questions Emerge Over Cost Effectiveness, Saturation (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/smart-meter-deployments-slow-as-questions-emerge-over-cost-effectiveness-s/542941/

FISH & WILDLIFE

11. British Columbia: Vancouver Salmon Researcher Receives National Nod (Vancouver Courier, BC)

https://www.vancourier.com/news/vancouver-salmon-researcher-receives-national-nod-1.23512084

12. The Scientists Who Spend Their Summers Hunting for Whale Poop (Gizmodo)

https://earther.gizmodo.com/the-scientists-who-spend-their-summers-hunting-for-whal-1830682632

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

13. Grant PUD Fiber Buildout Set for 2019 (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/local_news/20181128/pud_fiber_buildout_set_for_2019

14. Creative Sources for Funding Fiber Infrastructure Projects (Institute for Local Self Reliance)

https://ilsr.org/creative-sources-for-funding-fiber-infrastructure-projects/

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

15. Bitcoin Gains Six Percent as It Heads for Best Day Since July (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-crypto-currencies/bitcoin-gains-6-percent-as-it-heads-for-best-day-since-july-idUSKCN1NX0SB

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

16. Connecticut: Legal Fight Over Energy Conservation Fund Raids Continues (Hartford Courant, CT)

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-appeal-filed-energy-fund-raids-20181127-story.html

17. Oregon Adopts Alternative Code for Energy Efficiency (Electrical Construction & Maintenance Magazine)

https://www.ecmweb.com/construction/oregon-adopts-alternative-code-energy-efficiency

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

18. Trump Administration Ponies Up $449 Million for New California Dam (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/trump-administration-ponies-up-449m-for-new-california-dam/

19. Environmentalists Sue EPA for Pollution That Acidifies Ocean (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/environmentalists-sue-epa-for-pollution-that-acidifies-ocean/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

20. White House: Federal Climate Change Report ‘Not Based on Facts’ (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/white-house-federal-climate-change-report-not-based-on-facts

21. U-S House Lawmakers Introduce First Bipartisan Carbon Tax Bill in a Decade (Washington Examiner)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/house-lawmakers-introduce-first-bipartisan-carbon-tax-bill-in-a-decade

22. New Interactive Climate Tool Reveals Temperature & Rainfall Changes in Your Own Backyard (Or Close to It) (Geekwire)

https://www.geekwire.com/2018/new-interactive-climate-tool-reveals-temperature-rainfall-changes-backyard-close/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

23. Washington State Lawmakers Call for Limits on Plastic Bags (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2018-11-28/washington-state-lawmakers-call-for-limits-on-plastic-bags

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

24. Washington State House Speaker Frank Chopp to Step Down as Leader Next Spring (Associated Press)

https://www.apnews.com/6fc72e8f87174ee7a3cea313fee84fe4

25. Fight Over Wildfire Prevention Threatens to Upend Federal Farm Aid (McClatchy DC Bureau)

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/latest-news/article222252850.html

GENERAL NEWS

26. Skokomish River Flooding Closes Roads (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/32614

27. North Cascades Highway to Close for Season Because of Snow (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2018-11-28/north-cascades-highway-to-close-for-season-because-of-snow

28. Semi Rolls Over on I-5 near Tumwater, Spills Powdered Milk Everywhere (Oregonian, Portland)

https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2018/11/semi_rolls_over_on_i-5_in_wash.html

29. Over $5,000 In Windows Stolen from Tenino Home Built for Disabled Veteran (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/over-in-windows-stolen-from-home-built-for-disabled-veteran/article_39fd90a0-f2b0-11e8-901d-db6de061d03a.html

30. Tribal Distillery Bill Heads to Trump (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2018/nov/27/tribal-distillery-bill-heads-to-trump/

31. Shelton City Council Approves Artwork for Traffic Signal Boxes (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/shelton-city-council-approves-artwork-for-traffic-signal-boxes/article_4b57b1f6-f2af-11e8-b752-db548e4e0b63.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Steer Too Beefy to Become Burgers Reprieved to Life on Farm

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/world_news/steer-too-beefy-to-become-burgers-reprieved-to-life-on/article_738baaf8-018a-5819-b9d6-773084981610.html

Video Shows Arizona Fire Started with Gender Reveal Party

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/video-shows-arizona-fire-started-with-gender-reveal-party/article_f5f24ff3-3e7c-58c3-8638-84ffcf88cc5b.html

Requiem for SpongeBob SquarePants Creator: A Hilarious Education Interview with SpongeBob himself

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2018/11/27/requiem-spongebob-squarepants-creator-hilarious-education-interview-with-spongebob-himself/

God Have Mercy on Your Soul – This $40 Talking Fish Has Amazon Alexa Inside

https://mashable.com/article/amazon-alexa-talking-big-mouth-billy-bass-fish/#7lJ5d6jTRZqW

SONG OF THE DAY

Paul Anka – Having My Baby

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

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Energy News Digest for November 27, 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, on Twitter, and online on the News Digest Blog.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Flood Warning for the Skokomish River

Weather Forecast for November 27, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Report: Climate Change Is Already Bringing Problems to the Pacific Northwest – It Will Get Worse (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/news/article/climate-change-northwest-oregon-washington-national-assessment/

Waiting on Senator Cantwell – Energy Committee Will She Stay, or Will She Go (Politico, Morning Energy)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2018/11/waiting-on-senator-cantwell-energy.html

Storm Brings Wind, Tree Damage, Power Outages, Record Rain (Associated Press)

http://www.khq.com/story/39545705/storm-brings-wind-tree-damage-power-outages-record-rain

Report: Climate Change Is Already Bringing Problems to the Pacific Northwest – It Will Get Worse (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/news/article/climate-change-northwest-oregon-washington-national-assessment/

Trump Administration Allows Construction of Tribal Housing at the Dalles to Resume (Oregonian, Portland)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2018/11/trump-administration-allows-tribal-housing-at-the-dalles-to-resume.html?cmpid=931116601

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Trump Administration Allows Construction of Tribal Housing at the Dalles to Resume

2. Clark Public Utilities Warns of Scam Calls (Vancouver

3. Politicians Say Massachusetts Utility at Center of Natural Gas Explosions Should Close

4. The Dusky Gopher Frog Loses a Round in the Supreme Court

5. The Plug-In Hybrid Car Hits Its Stride, Just in Time to Die

6. Report: Climate Change Is Already Bringing Problems to the Pacific Northwest – It Will Get Worse

7. Legal Fight on Climate Change the Likely Winner of Buried US Report

8. Lessons for Washington State from a Carbon-Tax Autopsy

9. Countries Vowed to Cut Carbon Emissions. They Aren’t Even Close to Their Goals, U.N. Report Finds

10. Even in Our Digital World, The Humble Sticky Note Abides

11. Scam Alert: If You Receive a Message on Facebook Saying ‘Hi….I Actually Got Another Friend Request From You’, It’s A Hoax.

12. Companies Launch Plan to Capture Methane from Hog Manure Lagoons

13. Waiting on Senator Cantwell – Energy Committee Will She Stay, or Will She Go

14. MacEwen Assistant Floor Leader, Griffey, Whip – Washington State House Republicans Announce New Leadership Team

15. Does the U-S Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Have the Highest Reversal Rate in the Country?

16. Storm Brings Wind, Tree Damage, Power Outages, Record Rain

17. Cold Front Headed to Western Washington Will Drop Snow Level – That Doesn’t Mean It’s Going to Snow

18. Another El Niño Is Nearly Upon Us. What Does That Mean?

19. Mason Sheriff Identifies Man Who Died in Shelton-Area Crash

WORD OF THE DAY

Interloper • \in-ter-LOH-per\ • Noun – One that intrudes in a place or sphere of activity

Fran and Fred’s elopement plans were going well. That is, until an unexpected interloper showed up: Fran’s mother.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1. Trump Administration Allows Construction of Tribal Housing at the Dalles to Resume (Oregonian, Portland)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2018/11/trump-administration-allows-tribal-housing-at-the-dalles-to-resume.html?cmpid=931116601

2. Clark Public Utilities Warns of Scam Calls (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2018/nov/27/clark-public-utilities-warns-of-scam-calls/

3. Politicians Say Massachusetts Utility at Center of Natural Gas Explosions Should Close (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/681023ae3c8643b9907e60fdb2c1782d

FISH & WILDLIFE

4. The Dusky Gopher Frog Loses a Round in the Supreme Court (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/27/us/politics/supreme-court-gopher-frog.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

5. The Plug-In Hybrid Car Hits Its Stride, Just in Time to Die (Los Angeles Times, CA)

https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-plug-in-hybrid-20181126-story.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

6. Report: Climate Change Is Already Bringing Problems to the Pacific Northwest – It Will Get Worse (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/news/article/climate-change-northwest-oregon-washington-national-assessment/

7. Legal Fight on Climate Change the Likely Winner of Buried US Report (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/legal-fight-on-climate-change-the-likely-winner-of-buried-us-report/

8. Lessons for Washington State from a Carbon-Tax Autopsy (Crosscut Seattle)

https://crosscut.com/2018/11/lessons-washington-carbon-tax-autopsy

9. Countries Vowed to Cut Carbon Emissions. They Aren’t Even Close to Their Goals, U.N. Report Finds (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/energy-environment/2018/11/27/countries-vowed-cut-carbon-emissions-they-arent-even-close-their-goals-un-report-finds/?utm_term=.ef50d34c50f1

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

10. Even in Our Digital World, The Humble Sticky Note Abides (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/90268250/even-in-our-digital-world-the-humble-sticky-note-abides

11. Scam Alert: If You Receive a Message on Facebook Saying ‘Hi….I Actually Got Another Friend Request From You’, It’s A Hoax. (Rick’s Daily Tips)

https://www.ricksdailytips.com/i-actually-got-another-friend-request-from-you-hoax/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

12. Companies Launch Plan to Capture Methane from Hog Manure Lagoons (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/energy-environment/2018/11/27/companies-launch-plan-capture-methane-hog-manure-lagoons/?utm_term=.1cc0a6f54316

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

13. Waiting on Senator Cantwell – Energy Committee Will She Stay, or Will She Go (Politico, Morning Energy)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2018/11/waiting-on-senator-cantwell-energy.html

14. MacEwen Assistant Floor Leader, Griffey, Whip – Washington State House Republicans Announce New Leadership Team (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

https://washingtonstatewire.com/house-republicans-announce-new-leadership-team/

15. Does the U-S Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Have the Highest Reversal Rate in the Country? (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/26/us/politics/fact-check-trump-ninth-circuit.html

GENERAL NEWS

16. Storm Brings Wind, Tree Damage, Power Outages, Record Rain (Associated Press)

http://www.khq.com/story/39545705/storm-brings-wind-tree-damage-power-outages-record-rain

17. Cold Front Headed to Western Washington Will Drop Snow Level – That Doesn’t Mean It’s Going to Snow (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/cold-front-on-the-way-to-western-washington-will-drop-snow-level-following-heavy-rainfall/

18. Another El Niño Is Nearly Upon Us. What Does That Mean? (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/article/another-el-nino-is-nearly-upon-us-what-does-that-mean/

19. Mason Sheriff Identifies Man Who Died in Shelton-Area Crash (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/mason-sheriff-identifies-man-who-died-in-shelton-area-crash/article_204a3508-f1cc-11e8-8afe-5b0f49031392.html