News Digest for September 6, 2007

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

WORD OF THE DAY

Grandiloquence • \gran-DIH-luh-kwunss\ • noun – a lofty, extravagantly colorful, pompous, or bombastic style, manner, or quality especially in language

The superfluous use of bombastic and luridly descriptive language was the hallmark of Edgar Rice Burrough’s writing style. As one wit commented, “when you read about a rainstorm in one of his (Burrough’s) books, you actually get wet.”

WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&map.x=144&map.y=269

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Nat Washington, related to George Washington, dies in WA – Former state Sen. Nathaniel "Nat" Washington, a distant relative of the nation's first president who found a way to finance two major hydroelectric projects on the Columbia River, is dead at 93. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Obit_Washington.html

Dam proposal brings torrent of opposition – An economic development officer in the Similkameen Valley says it’s “inconceivable” that a dam proposed on the American side of the Similkameen River should go ahead. “…water storage project is being considered by the Public Utilities District of Okanogan County…” (Western News)
http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=102&cat=23&id=1057981&more=0

Arizona – Facing criticism, power firm drops plan to burn coal at proposed plant. The developers of a proposed coal-fired power plant in southeastern Arizona that has drawn criticism from neighbors have decided the facility will instead burn natural gas. (Arizona Daily Star)
http://www.azstarnet.com/news/199452

Coal plant may hurl Utah into climate fight – A small coal plant in Utah's eastern high country is shaping up to be the scene of the next showdown over the Bush administration's refusal to rein in the pollution that scientists say causes global warming. (The Salt Lake Tribune)
http://www.sltrib.com/health/ci_6795748

California – Blackout warnings weren't authorized. San Diego Gas & Electric issued inappropriate warnings about possible power shortages on Labor Day, the state grid operator said yesterday, and as a result the local utility says it will review its communication practices. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070906-9999-1b6sdge.html

WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oregon coast awash with dead sharks – A number of young sharks are washing up dead on Oregon's beaches this summer but researchers are unsure why. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-919502~Oregon_coast_awash_with_dead_sharks.html

Oregon – Recent Deaths Of Sea Life No Cause For Concern: A recent string of dead sea-life washing up near Seaside isn't causing much concern among aquarium officials there. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/recent-deaths-sea-life-no-cause-concern/

Oregon - Kokanee, long landlocked, may again be ocean-bound. Pink tags will help researchers monitor the experiment (The Bend Bulletin)
http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070906/NEWS0107/709060458/1001&nav_category=

Loads of fish are biting in both fresh and salt water (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/story/209367.html

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO SMALL TREE FARMS – Scores of small Lewis County tree farms could be exempted from salmon and timber regulations if they voluntarily keep their properties from development. The property owners say they are burdened by strict endangered species regulations that are better written for large scale operations. The idea now being reviewed by federal agencies is drawing criticism from the Quinault Indian Tribe and some environmentalists. (KELA Radio, Centralia/Chehalis)

Indians, environmentalists oppose White Pass ski expansion – Yakama Indians and the Sierra Club are challenging plans to expand the White Pass ski area. (The Associated Press via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/209526.html

Port Townsend city leaders wary of Jefferson County's proposed water district fee – A proposal for a countywide clean water district that includes Port Townsend is proving to be a hard sell for county health and elected officials. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070906/NEWS/709060304

California – Mandatory water restrictions for San Lorenzo Valley residents. A dry winter and failure by residents to conserve water have led officials to impose mandatory restrictions that include a ban on daytime outdoor watering. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-919487~Mandatory_water_restrictions_for_San_Lorenzo_Valley_residents.html

CONSERVATION & RENEWABLE ENERGY

NW Natural plans to use cow manure for carbon offset program – NW Natural said it is launching a carbon offset program for Oregon customers that will harness the power of manure. (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-919334~NW_Natural_plans_to_use_cow_manure_for_carbon_offset_program.html

Nevada – Biomass plant opens amid questions over long term fuel supply. An $8-million wood-fueled plant that will provide power to Northern Nevada Correctional Center and the neighboring Stewart Conservation Camp will start running today, but state officials say the project lacks a "long-term solution" for the wood it will need to power the plant. (Nevada Appeal)
http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20070905/NEWS/109050073/0/FRONTPAGE

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

GAO Chides Government on Warming – The federal government needs to do a better job addressing how climate change is transforming the hundreds of millions of acres under its watch, according to a Government Accountability Office report to be released today (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/05/AR2007090502115.html?nav=rss_nation

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Online High School Enrollment Surges in the Pacific Northwest (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3198

Accessing success – Clear Access Corp. makes phones and routers used in homes and offices. But the company's real customers are Internet broadband providers (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/09052007news192136.cfm

Walla Walla County to switch phone numbers – Beginning Jan. 1, the County will use an Internet phone system. (Walla Walla Union Bulletin)
http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2007/09/05/local_news/local01.txt

Oregon – Verizon will begin its cable offerings in 2008: Prices may not drop, but quality and variety should improve. Wilsonville residents will have a choice between cable television services by early next year. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/metro/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_southwest_news/1188678314325960.xml&coll=7

GENERAL NEWS

Jennifer Dunn, who inspired face of today's Washington State GOP, dies at 66
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003871143_dunnobit06m.html

With Sen. Craig disgraced, lobbyists turn to Smith – In the wake of Sen. Larry Craig's swift downfall, Sen. Gordon Smith says he is ready to be the new go-to guy in the U.S. Senate for timber and other Northwest natural-resource industries. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1188962722233570.xml&coll=7

Bringing NM District Together a Tall Order Peterson's Ready to Meet – North Mason's new school superintendent is no stranger to stressful employment situations. (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2007/sep/05/bringing-nm-district-together-a-tall-order-ready/

DIVERSIONS

Corrupt official plagiarizes trial apology
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSPEK15436320070905?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Math prodigy, 9, says university too easy
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSHKG32898520070905?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

A tip: Don't announce a sale of pot
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070906/NEWS02/109060054/-1/rss01