Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Energy News Digest for April 24, 2019


The Hot Shots edition of the Energy News Digest is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to the Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS





HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Judge OKs $235 Million in Bonuses for Pacific Gas & Electric Employees, as Company Struggles with Bankruptcy (Sacramento Bee, CA)

Charter Fishing Fleet Casts Wary Eye Toward Possible Fishing Cutbacks to Save Orcas (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

‘I Want Salmon Back in Idaho.’ Simpson Seeks Bold Action after $16 Billion Spent on Recovery (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

Murray: Proposal Would Create Grants to Help Rural Areas Get High-Speed Internet (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Oregon Trash Incinerator Burns Through Campaign Cash in Green Energy Push (Oregonian, Portland)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1.      Judge OKs $235 Million in Bonuses for Pacific Gas & Electric Employees, as Company Struggles with Bankruptcy
2.      Washington & Nevada Join the Swelling List of States Aiming for 100% Clean Power
3.      Irrigators, Grant PUD to Discuss Rate Structure May 1
4.      Op/Ed: When the Electricity Market Is the Problem
5.      Charter Fishing Fleet Casts Wary Eye Toward Possible Fishing Cutbacks to Save Orcas
6.      ‘I Want Salmon Back in Idaho.’ Simpson Seeks Bold Action after $16 Billion Spent on Recovery
7.      News Release: Idahoans Take Lead on Snake River Salmon Restoration
8.      Increased Protections Sought for Coho Salmon in Oregon Coastal Rivers
9.      Salmon Fishing Closure on Columbia No Surprise to Washington State Fish & Wildlife Commissioner
10.   Op/Ed: Conserving Tiny Forage Fish, The Heroes of Our Shared Ocean Ecosystem
11.   Oregon Trash Incinerator Burns Through Campaign Cash in Green Energy Push
12.   Energy Adviser: Idea Fair Brims with Reliable, Local Pros
13.   Murray: Proposal Would Create Grants to Help Rural Areas Get High-Speed Internet
14.   Montana: Gianforte Touts Rural Broadband in Bozeman Visit
15.   T-Mobile Says Verizon’s mmWave 5G Won’t Really Benefit Most Americans
16.   Google Maps Adds Live Electric Vehicle Charger Information
17.   Sequim, Clallam Officials Tour Proposed Site of Dungeness River Reservoir
18.   Three Progressive Groups Oppose Oregon Cap & Trade Bill
19.   Facebook Expects to Be Fined Up to $5 Billion by F.T.C. Over Privacy Issues
20.   To Write with Power You Must Find the Essence of Things
21.   ‘Approximately the Size of Our Truck’: Massive Chunks Falling from Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach
22.   City Authority in Rights-of-Way
23.   Largest E-Recycling Fraud in U.S. History Sends Owners of Kent Firm to Prison
24.   Cowlitz County: Thousands Line Streets to Say Goodbye to Deputy DeRosier
25.   Gas Prices Surge ‘Unabated’ in South Puget Sound, Elsewhere
26.   Mason County Unemployment Drops in March
27.   Shelton Man Accused of Faking Injury to Collect $70,000 in Workers’ Comp Benefits
28.   City of Shelton Receives Tree City USA Designation for Sixth Consecutive Year
29.   Campground Opening Dates for the Olympic National Forest

WORD OF THE DAY

Misconstrue • \miss-kun-STREW\ • Verb – To understand or explain wrongly: misinterpret

Construe • \kun-STREW\ • Verb – 1: to analyze the arrangement & connection of words in 2: to understand or explain the sense or intention of usually in a particular way or with respect to a given set of circumstances

“I don’t want you to construe that you misconstrued my prior statement regarding the appropriateness of your garb,” puffed the imposing clothing designer to his diminutive, mousy assistant. “What I meant to say is: go home and change.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Judge OKs $235 Million in Bonuses for Pacific Gas & Electric Employees, as Company Struggles with Bankruptcy (Sacramento Bee, CA)

Washington & Nevada Join the Swelling List of States Aiming for 100% Clean Power (Grist Online)

Irrigators, Grant PUD to Discuss Rate Structure May 1 (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

Op/Ed: When the Electricity Market Is the Problem (Morning Consult)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Charter Fishing Fleet Casts Wary Eye Toward Possible Fishing Cutbacks to Save Orcas (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

‘I Want Salmon Back in Idaho.’ Simpson Seeks Bold Action after $16 Billion Spent on Recovery (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

News Release: Idahoans Take Lead on Snake River Salmon Restoration (Natural Resources Defense Council – Hells Canyon Complex, Anyone?)

Increased Protections Sought for Coho Salmon in Oregon Coastal Rivers (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Salmon Fishing Closure on Columbia No Surprise to Washington State Fish & Wildlife Commissioner (NCW Life Channel, East Wenatchee, WA)

Op/Ed: Conserving Tiny Forage Fish, The Heroes of Our Shared Ocean Ecosystem (The Hill, Washington, DC)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Oregon Trash Incinerator Burns Through Campaign Cash in Green Energy Push (Oregonian, Portland)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Adviser: Idea Fair Brims with Reliable, Local Pros (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Murray: Proposal Would Create Grants to Help Rural Areas Get High-Speed Internet (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)


T-Mobile Says Verizon’s mmWave 5G Won’t Really Benefit Most Americans (BGR)

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

Google Maps Adds Live Electric Vehicle Charger Information (Utility Dive)

“CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE” – WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Sequim, Clallam Officials Tour Proposed Site of Dungeness River Reservoir (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Three Progressive Groups Oppose Oregon Cap & Trade Bill (Portland Business Journal, OR)

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

Facebook Expects to Be Fined Up to $5 Billion by F.T.C. Over Privacy Issues (NY Times)

To Write with Power You Must Find the Essence of Things (Medium – Some PG-13 Language)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

‘Approximately the Size of Our Truck’: Massive Chunks Falling from Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

City Authority in Rights-of-Way (Pots & Pans)

GENERAL NEWS

Largest E-Recycling Fraud in U.S. History Sends Owners of Kent Firm to Prison (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Cowlitz County: Thousands Line Streets to Say Goodbye to Deputy DeRosier (Longview Daily News, WA)

Gas Prices Surge ‘Unabated’ in South Puget Sound, Elsewhere (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

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

Shelton Man Accused of Faking Injury to Collect $70,000 in Workers’ Comp Benefits (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

City of Shelton Receives Tree City USA Designation for Sixth Consecutive Year (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Campground Opening Dates for the Olympic National Forest (Thurston Talk, Olympia, WA)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Thieves Pinch Rifles as Kenyan Police Watch Champions League Football

Why You Should Examine Your Spare Change This Week

A High School’s New Dress Code Bans Leggings, Pajamas & Silk Bonnets — For Parents

Colorado TV Tech Charged after Giving Customer ‘Bear Hug’

SONG OF THE DAY

Pink Floyd – Money

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Energy News Digest for April 23, 2019


The Hot Shots edition of the Energy News Digest is available on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To subscribe to the Energy News Digest, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS





HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Hell’s Canyon Complex – Idaho, Oregon Reach Agreement on Hydroelectric Project (Associated Press)

Lewis County Moves Closer to New Agreement with Tacoma Power – Updated Dam Mitigation Agreement Would Increase Annual Payments to Lewis County (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

Survive the Sound: Clock Ticking for Salmon-Saving Projects in Mason County (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

Skagit River Has Lost Half of Important Habitat for Salmon on Which Orcas Depend (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Shelton School District Announces Proposed Layoffs, Budget Cuts (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1.      Hell’s Canyon Complex – Idaho, Oregon Reach Agreement on Hydroelectric Project
2.      Lewis County Moves Closer to New Agreement with Tacoma Power – Updated Dam Mitigation Agreement Would Increase Annual Payments to Lewis County
3.      Two More Key Climate-Change Bills Pass in Olympia, Head to Inslee’s Desk
4.      Fewer Outages for Grays Harbor PUD customers in 2018
5.      Pacific Gas & Electric Seeks Higher Rates for Wildfire Safety
6.      Southern California Edison Asks for Bigger Profits, Says Bills Would Rise $14.40 a Month for the Average Home
7.      New Mexico Utility Says It Will Be Emissions-Free by 2040
8.      Commentary: The Path to Zero Emissions Is Paved with Nuclear Energy
9.      5G May Be Holy Grail for Telecom, But Energy Sector Feels Much Anxiety Over New Network
10.   Survive the Sound: Clock Ticking for Salmon-Saving Projects in Mason County
11.   Skagit River Has Lost Half of Important Habitat for Salmon on Which Orcas Depend
12.   Tacoma Power Gets Salmon Restoration Grants for Cowlitz River
13.   Why Are Gray Whales Dying in the San Francisco Bay?
14.   Solar Storage Facilities Present Unique Hazard for Firefighters
15.   Indulgences ‘R Us – How to Stave Off That Climate Anxiety with a Renewable Energy Supplier
16.   How Nest, Designed to Keep Intruders Out of People’s Homes, Effectively Allowed Hackers to Get In
17.   Clallam County Planning Commission Recommends Changes to Ordinance after 5G Talks
18.   Why It’s So Hard for Some Americans to Get High-Speed Internet
19.   AT&T’s 5G E Marketing Ploy Is Turning Out to be a Disaster
20.   A ‘Blockchain Bandit’ Has Made Off with Millions by Guessing Private Keys
21.   After the Bust, Are Bitcoins More Like Tulip Mania or the Internet?
22.   Op/Ed: Utilities’ Communications Needs Are Diverse & Growing, Utilities Technology Council Survey Finds
23.   Electric Vehicle Study Sees Opportunity for Utilities
24.   Iowa: Electric Cars Might Save on Energy, But Not on Money
25.   How a River Was Granted Personhood
26.   A Climate Change Solution Slowly Gains Ground
27.   NHL to Purchase Carbon Offsets to Counter Playoff Travel
28.   Park Ranger’s Gorilla Selfie Goes Viral
29.   Washington State Senator Accepts Challenge from Nurses, Apologizes for Controversial Comment
30.   Supreme Court Conservatives Sympathetic Toward Trump Census Citizenship Query
31.   Shelton School District Announces Proposed Layoffs, Budget Cuts
32.   Driver in Fatal Hit & Run of Belfair Woman Reaches ‘Unique’ Deal with Prosecutors, Family
33.   Potato Farmers Scrambling after Long Winter Delays Planting
34.   Grays Harbor, Mason Counties Explore Possibility of Sharing Regional Detention Center

WORD OF THE DAY – HAPPY SPEAK LIKE SHAKESPEARE DAY

Speak Like Shakespeare Day...My Relentless Love...

Inexorable /ih-NECKS-uh-ruh-bull/ Adjective: Not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped: relentless.

Thou art glorious
Thy inexorable beauty
Soothes my weary soul


ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.    Hell’s Canyon Complex – Idaho, Oregon Reach Agreement on Hydroelectric Project (Associated Press)

2.    Lewis County Moves Closer to New Agreement with Tacoma Power – Updated Dam Mitigation Agreement Would Increase Annual Payments to Lewis County (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

3.    Two More Key Climate-Change Bills Pass in Olympia, Head to Inslee’s Desk (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

4.    Fewer Outages for Grays Harbor PUD customers in 2018 (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

5.    Pacific Gas & Electric Seeks Higher Rates for Wildfire Safety (Associated Press)

6.    Southern California Edison Asks for Bigger Profits, Says Bills Would Rise $14.40 a Month for the Average Home (Los Angeles Times, CA)

7.    New Mexico Utility Says It Will Be Emissions-Free by 2040 (Associated Press)

8.    Commentary: The Path to Zero Emissions Is Paved with Nuclear Energy (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

9.    5G May Be Holy Grail for Telecom, But Energy Sector Feels Much Anxiety Over New Network (Forbes Magazine)

FISH & WILDLIFE

10. Survive the Sound: Clock Ticking for Salmon-Saving Projects in Mason County (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

11. Skagit River Has Lost Half of Important Habitat for Salmon on Which Orcas Depend (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

12. Tacoma Power Gets Salmon Restoration Grants for Cowlitz River (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

13. Why Are Gray Whales Dying in the San Francisco Bay? (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

14. Solar Storage Facilities Present Unique Hazard for Firefighters (KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ)

15. Indulgences ‘R Us – How to Stave Off That Climate Anxiety with a Renewable Energy Supplier (Grist Online)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

16. How Nest, Designed to Keep Intruders Out of People’s Homes, Effectively Allowed Hackers to Get In (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

17. Clallam County Planning Commission recommends changes to ordinance after 5G talks (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

18. Why It’s So Hard for Some Americans to Get High-Speed Internet (Yahoo Finance)

19. AT&T’s 5G E Marketing Ploy Is Turning Out to be a Disaster (The Verge)

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

20. A ‘Blockchain Bandit’ Has Made Off with Millions by Guessing Private Keys (Gizmodo)

21. After the Bust, Are Bitcoins More Like Tulip Mania or the Internet? (NY Times)

22. Op/Ed: Utilities’ Communications Needs Are Diverse & Growing, Utilities Technology Council Survey Finds (Utility Dive)

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

23. Electric Vehicle Study Sees Opportunity for Utilities (Reuters)

24. Iowa: Electric Cars Might Save on Energy, But Not on Money (KWWL-TV, Iowa City, IA)

“CLEAN UP ON AISLE THREE” – WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

25. How a River Was Granted Personhood (Atlantic Magazine)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

26. A Climate Change Solution Slowly Gains Ground (Washington Post)

27. NHL to Purchase Carbon Offsets to Counter Playoff Travel (The Hill, Washington, DC)

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

28. Park Ranger’s Gorilla Selfie Goes Viral (Mashable)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

29. Washington State Senator Accepts Challenge from Nurses, Apologizes for Controversial Comment (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

30. Supreme Court Conservatives Sympathetic Toward Trump Census Citizenship Query (Reuters)

GENERAL NEWS

31. Shelton School District Announces Proposed Layoffs, Budget Cuts (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

32. Driver in Fatal Hit & Run of Belfair Woman Reaches ‘Unique’ Deal with Prosecutors, Family (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

33. Potato Farmers Scrambling after Long Winter Delays Planting (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

34. Grays Harbor, Mason Counties Explore Possibility of Sharing Regional Detention Center (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Woman Held for Allegedly Dumping Puppies in California Trash

Back to Earth: Washington State Set to Allow ‘Human Composting’

‘Snot Otter’ Named Pennsylvania’s Official Amphibian

Semi Hauling Human Waste Overturns on Eastbound I-90

SONG OF THE DAY

Captain & Tennille – Muskrat Love

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links.