The news digest will be sneaking around the grocery store tomorrow shaking up as many bottles of “sparkling” wine as possible. To avoid repercussions, it will be taking the day off. Prepare for a new onslaught beginning January 2. A safe and happy New Year to all!
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Mason County PUD No. 3 Receives Fourth Consecutive National Financial Reporting Award
- Top TVA executive gets $2 million in salary
- High Arsenic Levels Found in Water Near TVA’s Tennessee Ash Spill
- Portland General Electric Rates Going Up
- Portland General Electric Announces New Chief Financial Officer
- California - Trapped By 300,000 Volts; Couple Lucky To Be Alive
- Illinois - Watching the Pot Boil: Buying Electricity Hourly Can Cut Costs
- Sacramento fall-run Chinook Salmon meet egg collection quotas
- New Hampshire - Atlantic salmon returns increase in 2008
- Liberating A River - A project is under way in Maine, U.S., to revive the salmon run on the Penobscot River
- Californians Shape Up as Force on Environmental Policy
- Washington State's e-cycling law takes effect Thursday
- Indonesia - Wind Turbines Fail to Generate Power
- Colorado - Dark Clouds over Solar Energy Economy
- Focus on Weatherization Is Shift on Energy Costs
- Will Energy Savings Jump-Start The Economy?
- Irish Wind Energy Company Looking At Montana
- Examiner.com Op/Ed - Electrical Grid Upgrades and the Implementation of Renewable Energy Sources
- Green Goal of 'Carbon Neutrality' Hits Limit
- Montana - Helena sees significant drop in energy usage, emissions
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer Op/Ed - Obama Should Increase Federal Gas Tax Or Impose Carbon Tax
- Dark Fiber - Grant PUD Responds To Moses Lake Chamber
- Moses Lake - Titan Building Uses Other Dark Fiber Carriers
- Give Us More Bandwidth - Internet Use Grows at Meetings, as Do Challenges
- Martin Pulls Smut Filters from Free Wireless Internet Plan
- Universal Broadband: The Begging Begins
- When Bandwidth Is Free - Internet Bandwidth Is Essential Infrastructure
- Pole Attachment Shenanigans - Push Paperwork, Not Pipes, for Universal Broadband
- One Storm Down, Two to Go
- Congressman Hastings' New Assignment Will Benefit Mid-Columbia
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Trepid • \TREP-id\ • adjective - Timorous, fearful
As we approach the end of a tumultuous 2008, the gray and aged father time looks back on the year with a deep sigh, wondering about “what might have been”. For the New Year’s baby of 2009 there is no such trepid thought as he looks forward: his only thought, “what might be.”
Merriam-Webster Word Origins: Don't be afraid to use "trepid." After all, it has been in the English language for more than 350 years -- longer, by 30 years, than its antonym "intrepid." "Trepid" (from Latin "trepidus," meaning "alarmed" or "agitated") isn't used as much as "intrepid," but it can be a good word at times. Bill Kaufman, for example, found a use for it in a May 7, 2000 Newsday article, in which an aquarium volunteer is "asked if she is perhaps a little trepid about swimming with sharks in a 12-foot deep, 120,000 gallon tank." (Her fearless reply: "Not really.") The more intrepid among you might even consider using "trepidate" for "to tremble with fear" and "trepidant," meaning "timid" or "trembling."
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Mason County PUD No. 3 Receives Fourth Consecutive National Financial Reporting Award (Mason County PUD No. 3)
http://www.masonpud3.org/News/display.asp?NewsID=491
Top TVA executive gets $2 million in salary - Consultants say package is below industry average (The Tennessean, Nashville, TN)
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081218/BUSINESS01/812180323
High Arsenic Levels Found in Water Near TVA’s Tennessee Ash Spill (Associated Press)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/29/AR2008122902511.html?wprss=rss_nation
Portland General Electric Rates Going Up (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1767975~Portland_General_Electric_rates_going_up.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Portland General Electric Announces New Chief Financial Officer (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=349002&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
California - Trapped By 300,000 Volts; Couple Lucky To Be Alive (KTVU-TV, Oakland, CA)
http://www.ktvu.com/news/18353615/detail.html
Illinois - Watching the Pot Boil: Buying Electricity Hourly Can Cut Costs (Register-Mail, Galesburg, IL)http://www.galesburg.com/news/x946494075/Buying-electricity-hourly-can-cut-costs
FISH & WILDLIFE
Sacramento fall-run Chinook Salmon meet egg collection quotas (Fish & Fly Magazine)
http://www.fishandfly.com/articles/20081230
New Hampshire - Atlantic salmon returns increase in 2008 (Hampton Union, NH)
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20081224-SPORTS-812240306
Liberating A River - A project is under way in Maine, U.S., to revive the salmon run on the Penobscot River by decommissioning two dams built across it (Frontline, India)
http://www.frontline.in/stories/20090116260109200.htm
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Californians Shape Up as Force on Environmental Policy (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/28/AR2008122801704.html?wprss=rss_business
Washington State's e-cycling law takes effect Thursday - Some fear it will discourage refurbishing (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/394077_ewaste30.html?source=rss
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
Indonesia - Wind Turbines Fail to Generate Power (Jakarta Post – The utility spokesman should win an award for the effort to put a shine on this ****)
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/12/20/wind-turbines-fail-generate-power.html
Colorado - Dark Clouds over Solar Energy Economy (Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO)
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/dec/30/clouds-over-new-energy-economy/
Focus on Weatherization Is Shift on Energy Costs (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/us/30weatherize.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Will Energy Savings Jump-Start The Economy? (CNN)
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/29/eco.economy/index.html?section=cnn_latest
Irish Wind Energy Company Looking At Montana (Associated Press)
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2008/12/30/state/80st_081230_irishwind.txt
Examiner.com Op/Ed - Electrical Grid Upgrades and the Implementation of Renewable Energy Sources
http://www.examiner.com/x-243-Progressive-Politics-Examiner~y2008m12d29-electrical-grid
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Green Goal of 'Carbon Neutrality' Hits Limit (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123059880241541259.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Montana - Helena sees significant drop in energy usage, emissions (The Missoulian, MT)http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/12/30/news/mtregional/znews09.txt
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Op/Ed - Obama Should Increase Federal Gas Tax Or Impose Carbon Tax
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/394007_friedmanonline30.html?source=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Dark Fiber - Grant PUD Responds To Moses Lake Chamber (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/12/29/news/doc4959084e5ae6f619270617.txt
Moses Lake - Titan Building Uses Other Dark Fiber Carriers (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/12/29/news/doc4959079ecc317900085197.txt
Give Us More Bandwidth - Internet Use Grows at Meetings, as Do Challenges (Blue Ridge Times-News, Hendersonville, NC)
http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20081230/znyt05/812303014&tc=yahoo
Martin Pulls Smut Filters from Free Wireless Internet Plan - May have FCC vote again in January (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Martin-Pulls-Smut-Filters-From-Wireless-Plan-99917
Universal Broadband: The Begging Begins (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/30/universal-broadband-the-begging-begins/
When Bandwidth Is Free - Internet Bandwidth Is Essential Infrastructure (ZDnet.com, via Baller/Herbst)
http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=3226
Push Paperwork, Not Pipes, for Universal Broadband - Lowering the cost and making prices uniform for attaching equipment and stringing cables from utility poles would increase broadband deployments (GigaOM, via Baller/Herbst)http://gigaom.com/2008/12/26/push-paperwork-not-pipes-for-universal-broadband/
GENERAL NEWS
One Storm Down, Two to Go (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/36878519.html
Tri-City Herald Editorial - Hastings' New Assignment Will Benefit Mid-Columbia
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/429558.html
DIVERSIONS
Oops! Pay Stub Used As Bank Robbery Note
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28427847/?gt1=43001
Happy Ascension Day - Federal Way Officials Approve Copter Pad For Mega-Church
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/394145_churchhelicopter31.html?source=rss
Portland Car Wash Attendant Hoses Down Would-Be Robber
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/36878034.html
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Energy News Digest for December 29, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Montana - Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant Shuts Down Lays Off 200
- Grant County PUD Adopts 2009 Budget
- Olympian Editorial - Upgrade to Power Grid Wise Investment
- Idaho Statesman Op/Ed - Dam critics press transition team to replace BPA's administrator
- Washington Post Editorial – Virginia’s Electrical Gridlock
- Texas - Smaller Power Retailers Uneasy: companies fear being driven out of the market by new financial requirements
- Burning Coal at Home Is Making a Comeback (!)
- Alaska Energy Rebate Program Going Strong
- Olympian Editorial - Settlement for battle over Cushman dams expected soon
- Tennessee Valley Authority’s Coal Ash Flood Larger than Initial Estimate
- Portland General Electric confronts dirty dilemma at Boardman Generating Station
- End of Hanford Plutonium Shipments in Sight
- Bad Harvest, Low Demand Threaten Pacific Fishermen
- Pacific Fishing Group Seeks Part of Stimulus Aid
- Mason County Gets Salmon Grants
- Cowlitz Smelt Season Opens, but Smelt Don’t Cooperate
- White House Reconsiders Decision On Bull Trout
- Owls On Peninsula Under Pressure
- Governor Wants To Boost Spending On Puget Sound
- Washington Post Op/Ed - Broken Promises on the Chesapeake Bay
- Washington State finds 30 dangerous illegal dams
- From Columbia River To Aquifer To Umatilla Basin's Fields
- Seattle Times Editorial - Water-storage help for the Yakima River Basin
- Tri-City Herald Editorial - Time to Consider Updating Antiquated Irrigation Laws
- S.F. Chronicle Editorial - Is There A Right To Water?
- Well, Duh - Solar Meets Polar as Winter Curbs Clean Energy
- Hydrogen Proponent Touts Montana's Alternative Energy Bounty
- Idaho energy office disbands wind think-tank
- Wind Farms Could Bring Wyoming Ranchers Windfall
- Port Of Bremerton Still Trying To Make Sustainable Energy And Economic Development Project ‘Pencil' Out
- Getting Renewable Power to the People
- Biomass Push Can Help Georgia
- Bye, Bye Biomass - Firewood Sales Drop Dramatically As Spare the Air Law Takes Hold
- Greeley Tribune Op/Ed, Colorado - Environmentalists Not To Blame for Energy Woes
- Alaska - Borough Rejects Pitches for Waste-Fed Power
- Obscure New York Fee Pays for State’s Efficient-Energy Projects
- Lower Fuel and Home Prices Stall Green Building
- No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in ‘Passive Houses’
- Faster Climate Change Feared
- Uproar in Australia over Plan to Block Web Sites
- Australian Net Filtering Plan Delayed - Government misses their own deadline
- SW Idaho proposed site for high-tech corridor
- Hewlett Packard Pushes Forward in Data Warehousing Project
- Broadband Stimulus Plan Creates Lobbyist Feeding Frenzy
- Minneapolis Wi-Fi Network Stuck At 82% Complete
- What Carriers Aren’t Eager to Tell You about Texting
- More and More Baby Boomers Embrace Technology
- State Representative Steve Hailey Dies
- Like A Lead Balloon - Recyclers Cope With Falling Scrap Metal Prices
- Seattle Time Editorial - Northwestern Influence With Obama Comes From Congress
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Scapegrace • \SKAYP-grayss\ • noun - An incorrigible rascal
It seemed that whenever something went wrong at the factory, Freddy Brace could always be found at the bottom of it all. It wasn’t that he was the company scapegrace, purposely causing problems. It was more like he was a perpetual screw up, whose very presence on the factory floor acted as the Midas touch in reverse. His one bit of luck was the opportune photos he took at a long-ago Christmas party, which prominently featured the CEO in a “compromising” position.
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Montana - Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant Shuts Down Lays Off 200 (Billings Gazette, MT)
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/12/25/news/state/50-planlayoffs.txt
Grant County PUD Adopts 2009 Budget (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/12/25/news/doc495262cb59102159353538.txt
Olympian Editorial - Upgrade to Power Grid Wise Investment
http://www.theolympian.com/207/story/706807.html
Idaho Statesman Op/Ed - Dam critics press transition team to replace BPA's administrator
http://www.idahostatesman.com/102/story/616455.html
Washington Post Editorial – Virginia’s Electrical Gridlock: Steps to Avert the Looming Power Crisis
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/25/AR2008122500662.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns
Texas - Smaller Power Retailers Uneasy: companies fear being driven out of the market by new financial requirements under consideration by the Public Utility Commission (Houston Chronicle, TX)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6183138.html
Burning Coal at Home Is Making a Comeback (Non-Point Coal Emissions, Just Like Natural Gas Conversion? NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/27/business/27coal.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Alaska Energy Rebate Program Going Strong - State provided dollars at the right moment (Anchorage News Miner, AK)
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/dec/27/energy-rebate-program-going-strong/?opinion
Olympian Editorial - Settlement for battle over dams expected soon: A bitter and protracted battle over two hydroelectric dams on the North Fork of the Skokomish River could be drawing to a close
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/708783.html
Tennessee Valley Authority’s Coal Ash Flood Larger Than Initial Estimate (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/27/us/27sludge.html?bl&ex=1230613200&en=dca39d677a5bac74&ei=5087%0A
Portland General Electric confronts dirty dilemma at Boardman Generating Station (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/pge_confronts_dirty_dilemma_at.html
End of Hanford Plutonium Shipments in Sight (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/428591.html
FISH & WILDLIFE
Bad Harvest, Low Demand Threaten Pacific Fishermen (Examiner.Com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1765495~Bad_harvest__low_demand_threaten_Pacific_fishermen.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Pacific Fishing Group Seeks Part of Stimulus Aid (KIRO Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=119255
Mason County Gets Salmon Grants (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/5937/reftab/1632/t/MASON-COUNTY-GETS-SALMON-GRANTS/Default.aspx
Cowlitz Smelt Season Opens, but Smelt Don’t Cooperate (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1230379327&archive=
White House Reconsiders Decision On Bull Trout - Administration is reconsidering its defense of endangered species decisions, following a report that showed political (The Missoulian)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/12/26/news/local/znews04.txt
Owls On Peninsula Under Pressure - The northern spotted owl is being driven off its territory by a larger, more aggressive cousin, say wildlife biologists (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20081229/news/312299995
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Governor Wants To Boost Spending On Puget Sound - Despite the dour economy and state government's budget woes, Gov. Christine Gregoire wants to boost spending on Puget Sound, her signature environmental issue (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008560777_pugetsoundbudget26m.html?syndication=rss
Washington Post Op/Ed - Broken Promises on the Bay: Chesapeake Progress Reports Painted 'Too Rosy a Picture' As Pollution Reduction Deadlines Passed Unmet (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/26/AR2008122601712.html?nav=igoogle
Washington State finds 30 dangerous illegal dams (KIRO Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=118838
From Columbia River To Aquifer To Umatilla Basin's Fields (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2008/12/_water_allowed_the_umatilla.html
Seattle Times Editorial - Water-storage help for the Yakima River Basin
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008561231_edit26rock.html?syndication=rss
Tri-City Herald Editorial - Time to Consider Updating Antiquated Irrigation Laws
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/427891.html
S.F. Chronicle Editorial - Is There A Right To Water?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/26/ED9O14Q5EC.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
Well, Duh - Solar Meets Polar as Winter Curbs Clean Energy “…wind turbine blades ice up, biodiesel congeals in tanks and solar panels produce less power because there is not as much sun…” (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/business/26winter.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Hydrogen Proponent Touts Montana's Alternative Energy Bounty (The Missoulian)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/12/26/news/mtregional/news09.txt
Idaho energy office disbands wind think-tank (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1761040~Idaho_energy_office_disbands_wind_think_tank.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
Wind Farms Could Bring Wyoming Ranchers Windfall (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98741271&ft=1&f=2
Port Of Bremerton Still Trying To Make Sustainable Energy And Economic Development Project ‘Pencil' Out (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/dec/27/port-still-trying-to-make-seed-145pencil/?partner=RSS
Getting Renewable Power to the People (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/27/MN5C14VFGS.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Biomass Push Can Help Georgia (Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA)
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2008/12/26/amesed.html
Bye, Bye Biomass - Firewood Sales Drop Dramatically As Spare the Air Law Takes Hold (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11310489?source=rss
Greeley Tribune Op/Ed, Colorado - Environmentalists Not To Blame For Energy Woes
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20081228/READERS/812279971/-1/rss04
Alaska - Borough Rejects Pitches for Waste-Fed Power (Anchorage News Miner, AK)
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/dec/26/borough-rejects-pitches-waste-fed-power/
Obscure New York Fee Pays for State’s Efficient-Energy Projects (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/nyregion/29sbc.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Lower Fuel and Home Prices Stall Green Building (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/26/financial/f140713S65.DTL&feed=rss.business
No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in ‘Passive Houses’ (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/27/world/europe/27house.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Faster Climate Change Feared - New Report Points to Accelerated Melting, Longer Drought (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/24/AR2008122402174.html?wprss=rss_nation
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Uproar in Australia over Plan to Block Web Sites (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2008/12/26/technology/AP-TEC-Australia-Internet-Filter.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Australian Net Filtering Plan Delayed - Government misses their own deadline on project (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Australian-Net-Filtering-Plan-Delayed-99884
SW Idaho proposed site for high-tech corridor (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008567285_apidtechnologycorridor1stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss
Hewlett Packard Pushes Forward in Data Warehousing Project (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/technology/29hewlett.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Broadband Stimulus Plan Creates Lobbyist Feeding Frenzy - As debate continues on how exactly the money should be spent (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Broadband-Stimulus-Plan-Creates-Lobbyist-Feeding-Frenzy-99863
Minneapolis Wi-Fi Network Stuck At 82% Complete - Run in with Minny Parks & Recreation board stalls project (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Minneapolis-WiFi-Network-Stuck-At-82-Complete-99864
What Carriers Aren’t Eager to Tell You about Texting (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/business/28digi.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
More and More Baby Boomers Embrace Technology (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/technology/2008/December/More-and-More-Baby-Boomers-Embrace-Technology.html
GENERAL NEWS
State Representative Steve Hailey Dies (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/428591.html
Like A Lead Balloon - Recyclers Cope With Falling Scrap Metal Prices (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/578855.html
Seattle Time Editorial - Northwestern Influence With Obama Comes From Congress
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008562580_edit27cabinet.html
DIVERSIONS
Calif. family finds $10,000 in box of crackers
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081227/ap_on_fe_st/odd_cracker_box_money;_ylt=Ahbisdy1kF.nNgwkervnM8_tiBIF
Jumbo snow globes + sunlight = FIRE!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081223/od_nm/us_recall_odd;_ylt=Auqk6fLR0xEJ3kYied1.29btiBIF
Stephen Colbert's Eagle 'Son' Spotted In Oregon
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_122808ANB_colbert_eagle_SW.16d203a2.html
Thieves size up holiday trash for high-end loot
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/36812199.html
Man spends days unnoticed in Pa. family's attic
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081228/ap_on_fe_st/odd_attic_intruder;_ylt=AvFLnPkvkEBUN8WjKc5i0rDtiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Montana - Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant Shuts Down Lays Off 200
- Grant County PUD Adopts 2009 Budget
- Olympian Editorial - Upgrade to Power Grid Wise Investment
- Idaho Statesman Op/Ed - Dam critics press transition team to replace BPA's administrator
- Washington Post Editorial – Virginia’s Electrical Gridlock
- Texas - Smaller Power Retailers Uneasy: companies fear being driven out of the market by new financial requirements
- Burning Coal at Home Is Making a Comeback (!)
- Alaska Energy Rebate Program Going Strong
- Olympian Editorial - Settlement for battle over Cushman dams expected soon
- Tennessee Valley Authority’s Coal Ash Flood Larger than Initial Estimate
- Portland General Electric confronts dirty dilemma at Boardman Generating Station
- End of Hanford Plutonium Shipments in Sight
- Bad Harvest, Low Demand Threaten Pacific Fishermen
- Pacific Fishing Group Seeks Part of Stimulus Aid
- Mason County Gets Salmon Grants
- Cowlitz Smelt Season Opens, but Smelt Don’t Cooperate
- White House Reconsiders Decision On Bull Trout
- Owls On Peninsula Under Pressure
- Governor Wants To Boost Spending On Puget Sound
- Washington Post Op/Ed - Broken Promises on the Chesapeake Bay
- Washington State finds 30 dangerous illegal dams
- From Columbia River To Aquifer To Umatilla Basin's Fields
- Seattle Times Editorial - Water-storage help for the Yakima River Basin
- Tri-City Herald Editorial - Time to Consider Updating Antiquated Irrigation Laws
- S.F. Chronicle Editorial - Is There A Right To Water?
- Well, Duh - Solar Meets Polar as Winter Curbs Clean Energy
- Hydrogen Proponent Touts Montana's Alternative Energy Bounty
- Idaho energy office disbands wind think-tank
- Wind Farms Could Bring Wyoming Ranchers Windfall
- Port Of Bremerton Still Trying To Make Sustainable Energy And Economic Development Project ‘Pencil' Out
- Getting Renewable Power to the People
- Biomass Push Can Help Georgia
- Bye, Bye Biomass - Firewood Sales Drop Dramatically As Spare the Air Law Takes Hold
- Greeley Tribune Op/Ed, Colorado - Environmentalists Not To Blame for Energy Woes
- Alaska - Borough Rejects Pitches for Waste-Fed Power
- Obscure New York Fee Pays for State’s Efficient-Energy Projects
- Lower Fuel and Home Prices Stall Green Building
- No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in ‘Passive Houses’
- Faster Climate Change Feared
- Uproar in Australia over Plan to Block Web Sites
- Australian Net Filtering Plan Delayed - Government misses their own deadline
- SW Idaho proposed site for high-tech corridor
- Hewlett Packard Pushes Forward in Data Warehousing Project
- Broadband Stimulus Plan Creates Lobbyist Feeding Frenzy
- Minneapolis Wi-Fi Network Stuck At 82% Complete
- What Carriers Aren’t Eager to Tell You about Texting
- More and More Baby Boomers Embrace Technology
- State Representative Steve Hailey Dies
- Like A Lead Balloon - Recyclers Cope With Falling Scrap Metal Prices
- Seattle Time Editorial - Northwestern Influence With Obama Comes From Congress
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Scapegrace • \SKAYP-grayss\ • noun - An incorrigible rascal
It seemed that whenever something went wrong at the factory, Freddy Brace could always be found at the bottom of it all. It wasn’t that he was the company scapegrace, purposely causing problems. It was more like he was a perpetual screw up, whose very presence on the factory floor acted as the Midas touch in reverse. His one bit of luck was the opportune photos he took at a long-ago Christmas party, which prominently featured the CEO in a “compromising” position.
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Montana - Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant Shuts Down Lays Off 200 (Billings Gazette, MT)
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/12/25/news/state/50-planlayoffs.txt
Grant County PUD Adopts 2009 Budget (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/12/25/news/doc495262cb59102159353538.txt
Olympian Editorial - Upgrade to Power Grid Wise Investment
http://www.theolympian.com/207/story/706807.html
Idaho Statesman Op/Ed - Dam critics press transition team to replace BPA's administrator
http://www.idahostatesman.com/102/story/616455.html
Washington Post Editorial – Virginia’s Electrical Gridlock: Steps to Avert the Looming Power Crisis
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/25/AR2008122500662.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns
Texas - Smaller Power Retailers Uneasy: companies fear being driven out of the market by new financial requirements under consideration by the Public Utility Commission (Houston Chronicle, TX)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6183138.html
Burning Coal at Home Is Making a Comeback (Non-Point Coal Emissions, Just Like Natural Gas Conversion? NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/27/business/27coal.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Alaska Energy Rebate Program Going Strong - State provided dollars at the right moment (Anchorage News Miner, AK)
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/dec/27/energy-rebate-program-going-strong/?opinion
Olympian Editorial - Settlement for battle over dams expected soon: A bitter and protracted battle over two hydroelectric dams on the North Fork of the Skokomish River could be drawing to a close
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/708783.html
Tennessee Valley Authority’s Coal Ash Flood Larger Than Initial Estimate (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/27/us/27sludge.html?bl&ex=1230613200&en=dca39d677a5bac74&ei=5087%0A
Portland General Electric confronts dirty dilemma at Boardman Generating Station (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/pge_confronts_dirty_dilemma_at.html
End of Hanford Plutonium Shipments in Sight (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/428591.html
FISH & WILDLIFE
Bad Harvest, Low Demand Threaten Pacific Fishermen (Examiner.Com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1765495~Bad_harvest__low_demand_threaten_Pacific_fishermen.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Pacific Fishing Group Seeks Part of Stimulus Aid (KIRO Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=119255
Mason County Gets Salmon Grants (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/5937/reftab/1632/t/MASON-COUNTY-GETS-SALMON-GRANTS/Default.aspx
Cowlitz Smelt Season Opens, but Smelt Don’t Cooperate (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1230379327&archive=
White House Reconsiders Decision On Bull Trout - Administration is reconsidering its defense of endangered species decisions, following a report that showed political (The Missoulian)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/12/26/news/local/znews04.txt
Owls On Peninsula Under Pressure - The northern spotted owl is being driven off its territory by a larger, more aggressive cousin, say wildlife biologists (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20081229/news/312299995
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Governor Wants To Boost Spending On Puget Sound - Despite the dour economy and state government's budget woes, Gov. Christine Gregoire wants to boost spending on Puget Sound, her signature environmental issue (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008560777_pugetsoundbudget26m.html?syndication=rss
Washington Post Op/Ed - Broken Promises on the Bay: Chesapeake Progress Reports Painted 'Too Rosy a Picture' As Pollution Reduction Deadlines Passed Unmet (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/26/AR2008122601712.html?nav=igoogle
Washington State finds 30 dangerous illegal dams (KIRO Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=118838
From Columbia River To Aquifer To Umatilla Basin's Fields (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2008/12/_water_allowed_the_umatilla.html
Seattle Times Editorial - Water-storage help for the Yakima River Basin
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008561231_edit26rock.html?syndication=rss
Tri-City Herald Editorial - Time to Consider Updating Antiquated Irrigation Laws
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/427891.html
S.F. Chronicle Editorial - Is There A Right To Water?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/26/ED9O14Q5EC.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
Well, Duh - Solar Meets Polar as Winter Curbs Clean Energy “…wind turbine blades ice up, biodiesel congeals in tanks and solar panels produce less power because there is not as much sun…” (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/business/26winter.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Hydrogen Proponent Touts Montana's Alternative Energy Bounty (The Missoulian)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/12/26/news/mtregional/news09.txt
Idaho energy office disbands wind think-tank (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1761040~Idaho_energy_office_disbands_wind_think_tank.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
Wind Farms Could Bring Wyoming Ranchers Windfall (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98741271&ft=1&f=2
Port Of Bremerton Still Trying To Make Sustainable Energy And Economic Development Project ‘Pencil' Out (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/dec/27/port-still-trying-to-make-seed-145pencil/?partner=RSS
Getting Renewable Power to the People (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/27/MN5C14VFGS.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Biomass Push Can Help Georgia (Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA)
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2008/12/26/amesed.html
Bye, Bye Biomass - Firewood Sales Drop Dramatically As Spare the Air Law Takes Hold (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11310489?source=rss
Greeley Tribune Op/Ed, Colorado - Environmentalists Not To Blame For Energy Woes
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20081228/READERS/812279971/-1/rss04
Alaska - Borough Rejects Pitches for Waste-Fed Power (Anchorage News Miner, AK)
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/dec/26/borough-rejects-pitches-waste-fed-power/
Obscure New York Fee Pays for State’s Efficient-Energy Projects (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/nyregion/29sbc.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Lower Fuel and Home Prices Stall Green Building (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/26/financial/f140713S65.DTL&feed=rss.business
No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in ‘Passive Houses’ (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/27/world/europe/27house.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Faster Climate Change Feared - New Report Points to Accelerated Melting, Longer Drought (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/24/AR2008122402174.html?wprss=rss_nation
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Uproar in Australia over Plan to Block Web Sites (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2008/12/26/technology/AP-TEC-Australia-Internet-Filter.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Australian Net Filtering Plan Delayed - Government misses their own deadline on project (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Australian-Net-Filtering-Plan-Delayed-99884
SW Idaho proposed site for high-tech corridor (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008567285_apidtechnologycorridor1stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss
Hewlett Packard Pushes Forward in Data Warehousing Project (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/technology/29hewlett.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Broadband Stimulus Plan Creates Lobbyist Feeding Frenzy - As debate continues on how exactly the money should be spent (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Broadband-Stimulus-Plan-Creates-Lobbyist-Feeding-Frenzy-99863
Minneapolis Wi-Fi Network Stuck At 82% Complete - Run in with Minny Parks & Recreation board stalls project (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Minneapolis-WiFi-Network-Stuck-At-82-Complete-99864
What Carriers Aren’t Eager to Tell You about Texting (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/business/28digi.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
More and More Baby Boomers Embrace Technology (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/technology/2008/December/More-and-More-Baby-Boomers-Embrace-Technology.html
GENERAL NEWS
State Representative Steve Hailey Dies (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/428591.html
Like A Lead Balloon - Recyclers Cope With Falling Scrap Metal Prices (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/578855.html
Seattle Time Editorial - Northwestern Influence With Obama Comes From Congress
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008562580_edit27cabinet.html
DIVERSIONS
Calif. family finds $10,000 in box of crackers
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081227/ap_on_fe_st/odd_cracker_box_money;_ylt=Ahbisdy1kF.nNgwkervnM8_tiBIF
Jumbo snow globes + sunlight = FIRE!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081223/od_nm/us_recall_odd;_ylt=Auqk6fLR0xEJ3kYied1.29btiBIF
Stephen Colbert's Eagle 'Son' Spotted In Oregon
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_122808ANB_colbert_eagle_SW.16d203a2.html
Thieves size up holiday trash for high-end loot
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/36812199.html
Man spends days unnoticed in Pa. family's attic
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081228/ap_on_fe_st/odd_attic_intruder;_ylt=AvFLnPkvkEBUN8WjKc5i0rDtiBIF
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Energy News Digest for December 23, 2008
The News Digest will be participating in Christmas festivities the 24th through the 26th, so you can set your reading glasses aside and dream of your own holiday plans this week instead.
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Mason County PUD No. 3 – John Whalen’s Last Commission Meeting
- Columbia Treaty May Affect Hydropower Future
- Oregonian Op/Ed - The Case for Change at the Bonneville Power Administration
- P-I Columnist, Joel Connelly - Snow Is a Crucible for Those Governing
- Montana - Four Sentenced for Stealing Copper from Flathead Substations
- Denver Post Op/Ed - Affordable Electricity Crucial For Colorado and West
- Alcoa, Hydro-Quebec in Power Agreement Deal
- Advocacy Groups Put Constellation Energy on Naughty List
- Energy Industry Braces For Obama
- Smithsonian Highlights Nisqually Salmon Recovery Effort
- DNR Deal May Allow Totten Inlet Shellfish Harvest
- Goldmark Sees Politics in Shellfish Lease Study
- California - New wetlands plan worries S.F. Bay fishermen
- News Release - Innovative Fish Tower Will Restore Salmon Fish Passages
- New York Times Editorial - So Is Fish Safe to Eat or Not?
- Areas in Washington Exceed Pollution Standards
- Tacoma’s Biomass Heating Fallout – It Is Official: EPA Calls Area State’s ‘Sootiest’
- United Kingdom - Promoters Overstated the Environmental Benefit of Wind Farms
- Green Bling - Wind Turbines May Grace New I-5 Bridge over Columbia River
- Utilities versus Environmentalists - FPL's Efforts to Conserve Power Usage Spark Battle
- Efficient Holiday Lighting Gains More Converts
- Growing More Corn for Ethanol Makes Pest Control Harder
- Dishwasher Can Be An Energy Saver
- Washington State Pursuing Pared-Down Climate Change Agenda
- Are Carbon Offsets Worth It? Deciding Whether to Pay Off Your Holiday Air Travel
- At a Sleek Bioenergy Lab, a Lens on a Cabinet Pick
- GigaOM Cheat Sheet for National Broadband Plans
- FCC Free Broadband Plan Not Quite Dead Yet
- Is The Kirkland Honeymoon Really Over For Google?
- Lafayette Fiber Goes Live Next Month - What a long strange trip it's been
- Survey: Workers Facing Layoffs Could Be Security Threat
- Music Industry Drops Effort To Sue Over Illegal File Sharing
- Internet Service on Planes Likely To Become Commonplace
- Next Weather System: More Snow, Then Rain
- More Snow, Then Rain, To Be Followed By Possible Urban Flooding
- Census Report: Washington's Population Rises
- Several WA State Parks Slated for Closure
- Fry's Electronics Exec Accused Of $65 Million Fraud to Pay off Gambling Debts
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Jostle • \JOSS-sull\ • verb - 1a: to come in contact or into collision b: to make one's way by pushing and shoving c: to exist in close proximity 2: to vie in gaining an objective : contend
In “A Christmas Carol” the Spirit of Christmas Present used his torch to sprinkle food with the Christmas spirit and dispensed drops of water to restore good humor, including to those who, in the hustle and bustle of the holiday, jostled each other I the humming crowds and became angry about their physical encounters.
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Mason County PUD No. 3 – John Whalen’s Last Commission Meeting (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/5885/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Columbia Treaty May Affect Hydropower Future (Associated Press)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/36534369.html
Oregonian Op/Ed - The Case for Change at the Bonneville Power Administration
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/the_case_for_change_at_the_bon.html
P-I Columnist, Joel Connelly - Snow Is A Crucible For Those Governing
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/393126_joel22.html
Montana - Four Sentenced for Stealing Copper from Flathead Substations (Associated Press)
http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/four_sentenced_for_stealing_copper_from_flathead_substations/7362/
Denver Post Op/Ed - Affordable electricity crucial for Colorado and West
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_11284796
Alcoa, Hydro-Quebec in power agreement deal (International Water Power)
http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/story.asp?sectioncode=130&storyCode=2051768
Advocacy Groups Put Constellation Energy on Naughty List (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/12/22/daily4.html?ana=from_rss
Energy Industry Braces For Obama - The industry praises the president-elect's picks at DOE and EPA. But lawyers and regulators will largely run the show and the outlook for dirtier fuels could be quite costly (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/22/news/economy/obama_energy/index.htm?section=money_latest
FISH & WILDLIFE
Smithsonian Highlights Nisqually Salmon Recovery Effort (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/575699.html
DNR Deal May Allow Totten Inlet Shellfish Harvest - State, company continue negotiations over damages for past years' yields (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/706911.html
Goldmark Sees Politics In Shellfish Lease Study (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008551554_geoduck23m.html
California - New wetlands plan worries S.F. Bay fishermen (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/22/MN4914Q1I0.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
News Release - Innovative Fish Tower Will Restore Salmon Fish Passages And Provide Green Energy (Power Online)
http://www.poweronline.com/article.mvc/Innovative-Fish-Tower-Will-Restore-Salmon-0001?VNETCOOKIE=NO
New York Times Editorial - So Is Fish Safe to Eat or Not?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/opinion/23tue3.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Areas In Washington Exceed Pollution Standards (Associated Press)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/393323_airquality23.html?source=rss
Tacoma’s Biomass Heating Fallout - It’s official: EPA calls area state’s ‘sootiest’ (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/575726.html
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
United Kingdom - Promoters Overstated the Environmental Benefit of Wind Farms: leads to a reduction in the carbon displacement figure (The Daily Telegraph, UK)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/3867232/Promoters-overstated-the-environmental-benefit-of-wind-farms.html
Green Bling - Wind turbines may grace new I-5 bridge Over Columbia River (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2008/12/wind_turbines_may_grace_new_i5.html
Utilities versus Environmentalists - FPL's Efforts to Conserve Power Usage Spark Battle (Miami Herald)
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/823484.html
Efficient holiday lighting gains more converts (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11292419?source=rss
Growing More Corn for Ethanol Makes Pest Control Harder (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/science/23obfuel.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Dishwasher can be an energy saver - Hand-washing can cost more in water, energy and detergent (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/article/20081223/FEATURES01/812230304/1025/rss05
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Washington State Pursuing Pared-Down Climate Change Agenda (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/706932.html
Are Carbon Offsets Worth It? Deciding whether to pay off your holiday air travel (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2207324/?from=rss
At a Sleek Bioenergy Lab, a Lens on a Cabinet Pick (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/science/23lab.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
GigaOM Cheat Sheet for National Broadband Plans (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/21/gigaom-cheat-sheet-for-national-broadband-plans/
FCC Free Broadband Plan Not Quite Dead Yet - Though it probably won't be long for this world (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Free-Broadband-Plan-Not-Quite-Dead-Yet-99806
Is The Kirkland Honeymoon Really Over For Google? (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/brierdudley/2008546909_brier22.html
Lafayette Fiber Goes Live Next Month - What a long strange trip it's been (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Lafayette-Fiber-Goes-Live-Next-Month-99813
Survey: Workers facing layoffs could be security threat (Birmingham Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2008/12/22/daily7.html?ana=from_rss
Music industry drops effort to sue over illegal file sharing (Associated Press)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Free-Broadband-Plan-Not-Quite-Dead-Yet-99806
Internet Service on Planes Likely To Become Commonplace (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11264469?source=rss
GENERAL NEWS
Next Weather System: More Snow, Then Rain (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/5891/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
More snow, then rain, to be followed by possible urban flooding (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008552403_webforecast23m.html?syndication=rss
Census report: Washington's population rises (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/393211_census23.html?source=rss
Several WA State Parks Slated for Closure (Looks like the list includes Schafer – NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4754
Fry's Electronics Exec Accused Of $65 Million Fraud to Pay off Gambling Debts (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11290227?source=rss
DIVERSIONS
California Synagogue Makes Solar-Powered Potato Pancake - Happy Hanukkah!
http://www.examiner.com/a-1757686~OC_synagogue_makes_solar_powered_potato_pancake.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Audacity of hoops: Obama recruits Dream Team ... of basketball players
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11273386?source=rss
OMG! Baby Dolls Raise a Stink In More Ways Than One
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/21/AR2008122102397.html?wprss=rss_business
Doctor Allegedly Used Body Fat as Fuel - Liposuction Remains Supposedly Used For Biodiesel
http://www.kirotv.com/health/18343310/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_-1_09000112232008&ts=H
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Mason County PUD No. 3 – John Whalen’s Last Commission Meeting
- Columbia Treaty May Affect Hydropower Future
- Oregonian Op/Ed - The Case for Change at the Bonneville Power Administration
- P-I Columnist, Joel Connelly - Snow Is a Crucible for Those Governing
- Montana - Four Sentenced for Stealing Copper from Flathead Substations
- Denver Post Op/Ed - Affordable Electricity Crucial For Colorado and West
- Alcoa, Hydro-Quebec in Power Agreement Deal
- Advocacy Groups Put Constellation Energy on Naughty List
- Energy Industry Braces For Obama
- Smithsonian Highlights Nisqually Salmon Recovery Effort
- DNR Deal May Allow Totten Inlet Shellfish Harvest
- Goldmark Sees Politics in Shellfish Lease Study
- California - New wetlands plan worries S.F. Bay fishermen
- News Release - Innovative Fish Tower Will Restore Salmon Fish Passages
- New York Times Editorial - So Is Fish Safe to Eat or Not?
- Areas in Washington Exceed Pollution Standards
- Tacoma’s Biomass Heating Fallout – It Is Official: EPA Calls Area State’s ‘Sootiest’
- United Kingdom - Promoters Overstated the Environmental Benefit of Wind Farms
- Green Bling - Wind Turbines May Grace New I-5 Bridge over Columbia River
- Utilities versus Environmentalists - FPL's Efforts to Conserve Power Usage Spark Battle
- Efficient Holiday Lighting Gains More Converts
- Growing More Corn for Ethanol Makes Pest Control Harder
- Dishwasher Can Be An Energy Saver
- Washington State Pursuing Pared-Down Climate Change Agenda
- Are Carbon Offsets Worth It? Deciding Whether to Pay Off Your Holiday Air Travel
- At a Sleek Bioenergy Lab, a Lens on a Cabinet Pick
- GigaOM Cheat Sheet for National Broadband Plans
- FCC Free Broadband Plan Not Quite Dead Yet
- Is The Kirkland Honeymoon Really Over For Google?
- Lafayette Fiber Goes Live Next Month - What a long strange trip it's been
- Survey: Workers Facing Layoffs Could Be Security Threat
- Music Industry Drops Effort To Sue Over Illegal File Sharing
- Internet Service on Planes Likely To Become Commonplace
- Next Weather System: More Snow, Then Rain
- More Snow, Then Rain, To Be Followed By Possible Urban Flooding
- Census Report: Washington's Population Rises
- Several WA State Parks Slated for Closure
- Fry's Electronics Exec Accused Of $65 Million Fraud to Pay off Gambling Debts
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Jostle • \JOSS-sull\ • verb - 1a: to come in contact or into collision b: to make one's way by pushing and shoving c: to exist in close proximity 2: to vie in gaining an objective : contend
In “A Christmas Carol” the Spirit of Christmas Present used his torch to sprinkle food with the Christmas spirit and dispensed drops of water to restore good humor, including to those who, in the hustle and bustle of the holiday, jostled each other I the humming crowds and became angry about their physical encounters.
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Mason County PUD No. 3 – John Whalen’s Last Commission Meeting (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/5885/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
Columbia Treaty May Affect Hydropower Future (Associated Press)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/36534369.html
Oregonian Op/Ed - The Case for Change at the Bonneville Power Administration
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/the_case_for_change_at_the_bon.html
P-I Columnist, Joel Connelly - Snow Is A Crucible For Those Governing
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/393126_joel22.html
Montana - Four Sentenced for Stealing Copper from Flathead Substations (Associated Press)
http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/four_sentenced_for_stealing_copper_from_flathead_substations/7362/
Denver Post Op/Ed - Affordable electricity crucial for Colorado and West
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_11284796
Alcoa, Hydro-Quebec in power agreement deal (International Water Power)
http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/story.asp?sectioncode=130&storyCode=2051768
Advocacy Groups Put Constellation Energy on Naughty List (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/12/22/daily4.html?ana=from_rss
Energy Industry Braces For Obama - The industry praises the president-elect's picks at DOE and EPA. But lawyers and regulators will largely run the show and the outlook for dirtier fuels could be quite costly (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/22/news/economy/obama_energy/index.htm?section=money_latest
FISH & WILDLIFE
Smithsonian Highlights Nisqually Salmon Recovery Effort (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/575699.html
DNR Deal May Allow Totten Inlet Shellfish Harvest - State, company continue negotiations over damages for past years' yields (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/706911.html
Goldmark Sees Politics In Shellfish Lease Study (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008551554_geoduck23m.html
California - New wetlands plan worries S.F. Bay fishermen (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/22/MN4914Q1I0.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
News Release - Innovative Fish Tower Will Restore Salmon Fish Passages And Provide Green Energy (Power Online)
http://www.poweronline.com/article.mvc/Innovative-Fish-Tower-Will-Restore-Salmon-0001?VNETCOOKIE=NO
New York Times Editorial - So Is Fish Safe to Eat or Not?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/opinion/23tue3.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Areas In Washington Exceed Pollution Standards (Associated Press)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/393323_airquality23.html?source=rss
Tacoma’s Biomass Heating Fallout - It’s official: EPA calls area state’s ‘sootiest’ (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/575726.html
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
United Kingdom - Promoters Overstated the Environmental Benefit of Wind Farms: leads to a reduction in the carbon displacement figure (The Daily Telegraph, UK)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/3867232/Promoters-overstated-the-environmental-benefit-of-wind-farms.html
Green Bling - Wind turbines may grace new I-5 bridge Over Columbia River (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2008/12/wind_turbines_may_grace_new_i5.html
Utilities versus Environmentalists - FPL's Efforts to Conserve Power Usage Spark Battle (Miami Herald)
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/823484.html
Efficient holiday lighting gains more converts (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11292419?source=rss
Growing More Corn for Ethanol Makes Pest Control Harder (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/science/23obfuel.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Dishwasher can be an energy saver - Hand-washing can cost more in water, energy and detergent (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/article/20081223/FEATURES01/812230304/1025/rss05
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Washington State Pursuing Pared-Down Climate Change Agenda (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/706932.html
Are Carbon Offsets Worth It? Deciding whether to pay off your holiday air travel (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2207324/?from=rss
At a Sleek Bioenergy Lab, a Lens on a Cabinet Pick (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/science/23lab.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
GigaOM Cheat Sheet for National Broadband Plans (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/12/21/gigaom-cheat-sheet-for-national-broadband-plans/
FCC Free Broadband Plan Not Quite Dead Yet - Though it probably won't be long for this world (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Free-Broadband-Plan-Not-Quite-Dead-Yet-99806
Is The Kirkland Honeymoon Really Over For Google? (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/brierdudley/2008546909_brier22.html
Lafayette Fiber Goes Live Next Month - What a long strange trip it's been (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Lafayette-Fiber-Goes-Live-Next-Month-99813
Survey: Workers facing layoffs could be security threat (Birmingham Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2008/12/22/daily7.html?ana=from_rss
Music industry drops effort to sue over illegal file sharing (Associated Press)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Free-Broadband-Plan-Not-Quite-Dead-Yet-99806
Internet Service on Planes Likely To Become Commonplace (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11264469?source=rss
GENERAL NEWS
Next Weather System: More Snow, Then Rain (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/5891/reftab/1632/Default.aspx
More snow, then rain, to be followed by possible urban flooding (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008552403_webforecast23m.html?syndication=rss
Census report: Washington's population rises (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/393211_census23.html?source=rss
Several WA State Parks Slated for Closure (Looks like the list includes Schafer – NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4754
Fry's Electronics Exec Accused Of $65 Million Fraud to Pay off Gambling Debts (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11290227?source=rss
DIVERSIONS
California Synagogue Makes Solar-Powered Potato Pancake - Happy Hanukkah!
http://www.examiner.com/a-1757686~OC_synagogue_makes_solar_powered_potato_pancake.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Audacity of hoops: Obama recruits Dream Team ... of basketball players
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11273386?source=rss
OMG! Baby Dolls Raise a Stink In More Ways Than One
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/21/AR2008122102397.html?wprss=rss_business
Doctor Allegedly Used Body Fat as Fuel - Liposuction Remains Supposedly Used For Biodiesel
http://www.kirotv.com/health/18343310/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_7am&tmi=sea_7am_-1_09000112232008&ts=H
Monday, December 22, 2008
Energy News Digest for December 22, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Lewis County PUD Building Suffers Collapsed Roof in Morton
- What To Keep On Hand In Case Of An Outage
- Tips For Staying Warm And Safe Without Power
- Carbon monoxide: State Urges Safety As Storm Looms
- New Whidbey Island Group To Pursue Public Electric Power
- Federal Energy Policy Shift Likely To Be Seismic
- Oregon Governor Names New Energy Planning Council
- Seattle Public Utilities' Director To Leave Next Month
- Chelan County PUD John Janney For Executive Manager Of Finance And Risk
- Salem Utility Set To Cut Its Electric Rates By 5 Percent
- Romanian aluminum plant plans 1,200 layoffs
- Texas Can Take Lessons From Finland's Nuclear Power Plant Delays
- Duke Energy to Freeze Salaries
- Obama taps Oregon professor Jane Lubchenco to run NOAA
- Pacific Ocean Conditions Optimal For Fish Survival In 2008
- Salmon surviving dammed rivers
- Willamette Spring Chinook Fishery On Horizon
- Fish and Wildlife looks to slash $30.5 million in wake of deficit
- Omak Hatchery Would Close Under Gregoire Plan
- Big Money Jolt For Fish Recovery On Wenatchee, Entiat And Methow Rivers
- Washington State budget plan has money for South Sound projects
- Scientists Look For Clues To Orcas Decline
- Cowlitz Tribe Obtains $580,000 Salmon Grant
- Can you believe it? Northwest Snowpack Lags
- On Seattle Mayor’s Stimulus Wish List: Solar Panels Atop Qwest Field Hall
- Utilities seek stimulus money to improve energy efficiency
- Idaho energy czar aims to harness cow pie power
- California - Public Vote Needed On Marin Clean Energy Plan
- At Siemens, Bribery Was Just a Line Item
- Michigan Press Offers Online Read Of Its Santa Book About Global Warming
- California's Global Warming Gambit: The Golden State risks ruining its economy to save the planet
- Bid For U.S. Broadband Expansion Fuels Lobbying
- Undersea Cable Cutting BogeyMan Returns
- Mother Nature's snow machine gives it a rest
- Pierce County Gas Debit Thieves Still On the Loose
- Pierce County 911 Provider Strapped For Cash
- Times Tells 500 Workers To Take Week Off Unpaid
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Wisenheimer • \WYE-zun-hye-mer\ • noun - Smart aleck
“Y’know, if y’all remove those dams, the fishies will tell all their friends, and they’ll come a’flockin back to the river in droves,” droned the out of town wisenheimer.
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Lewis County PUD Building Suffers Collapsed Roof in Morton (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews/?PUD-Building-Suffers-Collapsed-Roof-in-M=1&blockID=33802&feedID=410
What To Keep On Hand In Case Of An Outage - A little preparation and common sense are key to getting through a storm safely (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008544388_powertipbox21.html?syndication=rss
Tips For Staying Warm And Safe Without Power (The Everett Herald, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20081219/NEWS01/812199980
Carbon monoxide: State Urges Safety As Storm Looms - Deadly toll from 2 years ago a grim warning (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/393024_safety20.html?source=rss
New Whidbey Island Group To Pursue Public Electric Power (Whidbey Examiner, Coupeville, WA)
http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=2023&TM=71409.63
Federal Energy Policy Shift Likely To Be Seismic (Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/6174810.html
Oregon Governor Names New Energy Planning Council (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/kulongoski_names_new_energy_pl.html
Seattle Public Utilities' Director To Leave Next Month (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008542364_webutilities20m.html?syndication=rss
Chelan County PUD John Janney For Executive Manager Of Finance And Risk (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20081219/NEWS04/712209988/1001/rss1001
Salem Utility Set To Cut Its Electric Rates By 5 Percent - Salem Electric's residential users will benefit from BPA credit (Statesman Journal, Salem, OR)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20081219/NEWS/812190336/1001
Romanian aluminum plant plans 1,200 layoffs - blamed a 50 percent drop in world aluminum prices (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008542633_apeuromanialayoffs.html?syndication=rss
Texas Can Take Lessons From Finland's Nuclear Power Plant Delays (Dallas Morning News, TX)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-finnuclear_21bus.ART0.State.Edition1.4a5e710.html
Duke Energy to Freeze Salaries (Chicago Tribune)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-nc-dukeenergysalarie,0,3393209.story
FISH & WILDLIFE
Obama taps Oregon professor Jane Lubchenco to run NOAA (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008543057_webobamafish.html?syndication=rss
Oregonian Editorial - Obama gets it right on choice of Oregon Resident to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/obama_gets_it_right_in_lubchen.html
Pacific Ocean Conditions Optimal For Fish Survival In 2008 (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3848-pacific-ocean-conditions-optimal-fish-survival-2008/
Salmon surviving dammed rivers “…fish that go through dammed rivers actually have a higher survival rate than those that travel in rivers without dams…” (The Canadian Press)
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1355376
Willamette Spring Chinook Fishery On Horizon (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2008/12/the_early_christmas_present_co.html
Fish and Wildlife looks to slash $30.5 million in wake of deficit - Cuts could include 157 full-time jobs (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/story/705489.html
Omak Hatchery Would Close Under Gregoire Plan (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20081220/NEWS04/712209912/1001/rss1001
Big Money Jolt For Fish Recovery On Wenatchee, Entiat And Methow Rivers (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20081219/OUT/712199924/1003/rss1003
Washington State budget plan has money for South Sound projects "...$3.7 million to renovate the Skookumchuck hatchery…”
http://www.theolympian.com/localnewsfeed/story/705414.html
Scientists Look For Clues To Orcas Decline (Associated Press)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_122008WAB_orca_decline_KS.8059a171.html?npc
Cowlitz Tribe Obtains $580,000 Salmon Grant (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1229757011&archive=
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Can you believe it? Northwest Snowpack Lags (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4752
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
On Seattle Mayor’s Stimulus Wish List: Solar Panels Atop Qwest Field Hall (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008542047_qwestmoney20m.html
Utilities seek stimulus money to improve energy efficiency (McClatchy Business News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20081219/sc_mcclatchy/3127321_1
Idaho energy czar aims to harness cow pie power (Associated Press)
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081220/science/science_wst__dung_power_1
Marin Independent Editorial - Public Vote Needed On Marin Clean Energy Plan (Novato, CA)
http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_11282045
At Siemens, Bribery Was Just a Line Item (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/business/worldbusiness/21siemens.html?th&emc=th
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Michigan Press Offers Online Read Of Its Santa Book About Global Warming (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/article/20081221/FEATURES01/812210317/1026/FEATURES01
Augusta Chronicle Editorial - California's Global Warming Gambit: The Golden State risks ruining its economy to save the planet (Augusta, GA)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2008/12/22/edi_504936.shtml
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Bid For U.S. Broadband Expansion Fuels Lobbying (Information Week)
http://www.informationweek.com/news/telecom/business/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212501409&cid=RSSfeed_IWK_All
Undersea Cable Cutting BogeyMan Returns - Three lines cut in the Mediterranean Sea (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Undersea-Cable-Cutting-BogeyMan-Returns-99765
GENERAL NEWS
Mother Nature's snow machine gives it a rest (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/36567674.html
Pierce County Gas Debit Thieves Still On the Loose (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/574788.html
Pierce County 911 Provider Strapped For Cash - Law Enforcement Support Agency can’t afford to pay Tacoma for services (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/government/story/573259.html
Times Tells 500 Workers To Take Week Off Unpaid (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/392960_times20.html?source=rss
DIVERSIONS
Grumpy Miracle Pig Voted China's Most Popular Animal
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081222/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_china_pig;_ylt=AvKK3stEDCVotPG.g3la4CXtiBIF
Man Eats Seven Pounds Of Latkes To Win Contest http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081222/ap_on_fe_st/odd_latke_eating_contest;_ylt=AqTKYkvdq7ScCNKi9Hz2nyrtiBIF
Politician Tries To Protect NYC's Pesky Parrots - Nests Have Caused Power Outages
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081222/ap_on_fe_st/odd_pesky_parrots;_ylt=ArJAg7TTwSDOua.SIYT5FuvtiBIF
Diamond In The Rough: Museum Finds Vacuumed Gem
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081221/ap_on_fe_st/odd_ring_recovered;_ylt=AhvBZ_HXFpdPmmTTNHps7kntiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Lewis County PUD Building Suffers Collapsed Roof in Morton
- What To Keep On Hand In Case Of An Outage
- Tips For Staying Warm And Safe Without Power
- Carbon monoxide: State Urges Safety As Storm Looms
- New Whidbey Island Group To Pursue Public Electric Power
- Federal Energy Policy Shift Likely To Be Seismic
- Oregon Governor Names New Energy Planning Council
- Seattle Public Utilities' Director To Leave Next Month
- Chelan County PUD John Janney For Executive Manager Of Finance And Risk
- Salem Utility Set To Cut Its Electric Rates By 5 Percent
- Romanian aluminum plant plans 1,200 layoffs
- Texas Can Take Lessons From Finland's Nuclear Power Plant Delays
- Duke Energy to Freeze Salaries
- Obama taps Oregon professor Jane Lubchenco to run NOAA
- Pacific Ocean Conditions Optimal For Fish Survival In 2008
- Salmon surviving dammed rivers
- Willamette Spring Chinook Fishery On Horizon
- Fish and Wildlife looks to slash $30.5 million in wake of deficit
- Omak Hatchery Would Close Under Gregoire Plan
- Big Money Jolt For Fish Recovery On Wenatchee, Entiat And Methow Rivers
- Washington State budget plan has money for South Sound projects
- Scientists Look For Clues To Orcas Decline
- Cowlitz Tribe Obtains $580,000 Salmon Grant
- Can you believe it? Northwest Snowpack Lags
- On Seattle Mayor’s Stimulus Wish List: Solar Panels Atop Qwest Field Hall
- Utilities seek stimulus money to improve energy efficiency
- Idaho energy czar aims to harness cow pie power
- California - Public Vote Needed On Marin Clean Energy Plan
- At Siemens, Bribery Was Just a Line Item
- Michigan Press Offers Online Read Of Its Santa Book About Global Warming
- California's Global Warming Gambit: The Golden State risks ruining its economy to save the planet
- Bid For U.S. Broadband Expansion Fuels Lobbying
- Undersea Cable Cutting BogeyMan Returns
- Mother Nature's snow machine gives it a rest
- Pierce County Gas Debit Thieves Still On the Loose
- Pierce County 911 Provider Strapped For Cash
- Times Tells 500 Workers To Take Week Off Unpaid
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Wisenheimer • \WYE-zun-hye-mer\ • noun - Smart aleck
“Y’know, if y’all remove those dams, the fishies will tell all their friends, and they’ll come a’flockin back to the river in droves,” droned the out of town wisenheimer.
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Lewis County PUD Building Suffers Collapsed Roof in Morton (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews/?PUD-Building-Suffers-Collapsed-Roof-in-M=1&blockID=33802&feedID=410
What To Keep On Hand In Case Of An Outage - A little preparation and common sense are key to getting through a storm safely (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008544388_powertipbox21.html?syndication=rss
Tips For Staying Warm And Safe Without Power (The Everett Herald, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20081219/NEWS01/812199980
Carbon monoxide: State Urges Safety As Storm Looms - Deadly toll from 2 years ago a grim warning (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/393024_safety20.html?source=rss
New Whidbey Island Group To Pursue Public Electric Power (Whidbey Examiner, Coupeville, WA)
http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=2023&TM=71409.63
Federal Energy Policy Shift Likely To Be Seismic (Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/6174810.html
Oregon Governor Names New Energy Planning Council (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/kulongoski_names_new_energy_pl.html
Seattle Public Utilities' Director To Leave Next Month (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008542364_webutilities20m.html?syndication=rss
Chelan County PUD John Janney For Executive Manager Of Finance And Risk (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20081219/NEWS04/712209988/1001/rss1001
Salem Utility Set To Cut Its Electric Rates By 5 Percent - Salem Electric's residential users will benefit from BPA credit (Statesman Journal, Salem, OR)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20081219/NEWS/812190336/1001
Romanian aluminum plant plans 1,200 layoffs - blamed a 50 percent drop in world aluminum prices (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008542633_apeuromanialayoffs.html?syndication=rss
Texas Can Take Lessons From Finland's Nuclear Power Plant Delays (Dallas Morning News, TX)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-finnuclear_21bus.ART0.State.Edition1.4a5e710.html
Duke Energy to Freeze Salaries (Chicago Tribune)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-nc-dukeenergysalarie,0,3393209.story
FISH & WILDLIFE
Obama taps Oregon professor Jane Lubchenco to run NOAA (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008543057_webobamafish.html?syndication=rss
Oregonian Editorial - Obama gets it right on choice of Oregon Resident to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/obama_gets_it_right_in_lubchen.html
Pacific Ocean Conditions Optimal For Fish Survival In 2008 (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3848-pacific-ocean-conditions-optimal-fish-survival-2008/
Salmon surviving dammed rivers “…fish that go through dammed rivers actually have a higher survival rate than those that travel in rivers without dams…” (The Canadian Press)
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1355376
Willamette Spring Chinook Fishery On Horizon (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2008/12/the_early_christmas_present_co.html
Fish and Wildlife looks to slash $30.5 million in wake of deficit - Cuts could include 157 full-time jobs (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/story/705489.html
Omak Hatchery Would Close Under Gregoire Plan (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20081220/NEWS04/712209912/1001/rss1001
Big Money Jolt For Fish Recovery On Wenatchee, Entiat And Methow Rivers (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20081219/OUT/712199924/1003/rss1003
Washington State budget plan has money for South Sound projects "...$3.7 million to renovate the Skookumchuck hatchery…”
http://www.theolympian.com/localnewsfeed/story/705414.html
Scientists Look For Clues To Orcas Decline (Associated Press)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_122008WAB_orca_decline_KS.8059a171.html?npc
Cowlitz Tribe Obtains $580,000 Salmon Grant (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1229757011&archive=
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Can you believe it? Northwest Snowpack Lags (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4752
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
On Seattle Mayor’s Stimulus Wish List: Solar Panels Atop Qwest Field Hall (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008542047_qwestmoney20m.html
Utilities seek stimulus money to improve energy efficiency (McClatchy Business News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20081219/sc_mcclatchy/3127321_1
Idaho energy czar aims to harness cow pie power (Associated Press)
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081220/science/science_wst__dung_power_1
Marin Independent Editorial - Public Vote Needed On Marin Clean Energy Plan (Novato, CA)
http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_11282045
At Siemens, Bribery Was Just a Line Item (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/business/worldbusiness/21siemens.html?th&emc=th
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Michigan Press Offers Online Read Of Its Santa Book About Global Warming (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/article/20081221/FEATURES01/812210317/1026/FEATURES01
Augusta Chronicle Editorial - California's Global Warming Gambit: The Golden State risks ruining its economy to save the planet (Augusta, GA)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2008/12/22/edi_504936.shtml
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Bid For U.S. Broadband Expansion Fuels Lobbying (Information Week)
http://www.informationweek.com/news/telecom/business/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212501409&cid=RSSfeed_IWK_All
Undersea Cable Cutting BogeyMan Returns - Three lines cut in the Mediterranean Sea (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Undersea-Cable-Cutting-BogeyMan-Returns-99765
GENERAL NEWS
Mother Nature's snow machine gives it a rest (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/36567674.html
Pierce County Gas Debit Thieves Still On the Loose (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/574788.html
Pierce County 911 Provider Strapped For Cash - Law Enforcement Support Agency can’t afford to pay Tacoma for services (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/government/story/573259.html
Times Tells 500 Workers To Take Week Off Unpaid (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/392960_times20.html?source=rss
DIVERSIONS
Grumpy Miracle Pig Voted China's Most Popular Animal
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081222/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_china_pig;_ylt=AvKK3stEDCVotPG.g3la4CXtiBIF
Man Eats Seven Pounds Of Latkes To Win Contest http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081222/ap_on_fe_st/odd_latke_eating_contest;_ylt=AqTKYkvdq7ScCNKi9Hz2nyrtiBIF
Politician Tries To Protect NYC's Pesky Parrots - Nests Have Caused Power Outages
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081222/ap_on_fe_st/odd_pesky_parrots;_ylt=ArJAg7TTwSDOua.SIYT5FuvtiBIF
Diamond In The Rough: Museum Finds Vacuumed Gem
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081221/ap_on_fe_st/odd_ring_recovered;_ylt=AhvBZ_HXFpdPmmTTNHps7kntiBIF
Friday, December 19, 2008
Energy News Digest for December 19, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- BPA Says Power Grid ‘Performing Well’ During Storm
- Cold Weather Can Put a Cramp On The Power Grid
- Snow On Your Heat Pump Can Cause Damage
- Oregonian Op/Ed - Bonneville Borrowing: More Bang For Our Infrastructure Bucks
- Avista fights BPA ruling in federal appellate court
- Portland General Electric requests changes to Boardman plant cleanup plan
- EPA Eases Emissions Regulations for New Power Plants
- Fortuitous Doubling Of Low-Income Heating Assistance
- Oregon Congressman Asks Feds To Rescind Mt Hood Pipeline Approval
- FERC Takes Major Step toward Resolution of California-Western Power Crisis
- Sockeye run offers a new twist on the Columbia
- Feds say no to Black Rock Reservoir
- Puget Sound Mud Reveals History Of Toxins
- Water Issues Put Grant County Commission, Health District At Odds
- Tax Breaks For Wind Power Irk Some
- State Of California Grants Bonuses To Electric Utilities For Improving Energy Efficiency
- Texas - Extra charge likely soon as 'smart' meters get OK
- Power Meters Help Homeowners Track And Cut Their Energy Use
- Chip Companies Helping To Solve Energy Problems
- Clean-Tech Startup 3Tier raises $10 million
- New Ban Imposed On Regulating Global Warming Gases
- India suffers massive internet disruption after undersea cables break
- Telecommuters need more than just broadband access
- Qwest Drops Rates For Highest Internet Speed
- Qwest Denies Using FTTN Glitch to Kill Competitive Local Exchanges
- Fiber optics may connect to some Glenwood Springs homes before network expansion
- Gates Foundation Supports Broadband In Libraries
- Storm buries area; more snow may fall Saturday night
- The Weather? It's Just A Practice Run
- “Death Map” Shows Impact of Natural Disasters
- Automakers to get $17.4 billion in government aid
- Legislature Starts With A Lot Fewer Journalists
- Watergate "Deep Throat" Mark Felt dies at 95
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Simulacrum • \sim-yuh-LAK-rum\ • noun - 1: image, representation *2: an insubstantial form or semblance of something: trace
After days of spending his moral capital to defend his “tiddlywinks shaving scandal”, the champion’s standing was a simulacrum of its former self. Small children laughed and pointed as he walked by, the doctored chips rattling in his pockets.
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
BPA Says Power Grid ‘Performing Well’ During Storm (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/12/15/daily25.html?ana=from_rss
Cold Weather Can Put a Cramp On The Power Grid (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9551463
Snow On Your Heat Pump Can Cause Damage (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9551626
Oregonian Op/Ed - Bonneville Borrowing: More Bang For Our Infrastructure Bucks
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/more_bang_for_our_infrastructu.html
Avista fights BPA ruling in federal appellate court (Partial Story from Spokane Journal of Commerce)
http://www.spokanejournal.com/article.php?id=3892
Portland General Electric requests changes to Boardman plant cleanup plan (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/122966071561840.xml&coll=7
EPA Eases Emissions Regulations for New Power Plants (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/18/AR2008121803687.html
Fortuitous Doubling Of Low-Income Heating Assistance (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3835-fortuitous-doubling-low-income-heating-assistance/
Oregon Congressman Asks Feds To Rescind Mt Hood Pipeline Approval (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3836-wyden-asks-feds-rescind-mt-hood-pipeline-approval/
FERC Takes Major Step toward Resolution of California-Western Power Crisis (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/news-releases/2008/2008-4/12-18-08-E-1.asp
FISH & WILDLIFE
Sockeye run offers a new twist on the Columbia (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2008/12/sockeye_run_offers_a_new_twist.html
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Feds say no to Black Rock - The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has decided the federal government should not build a massive reservoir called Black Rock in the Yakima Valley (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008539679_apwablackrockreservoir.html?syndication=rss
Puget Sound Mud Reveals History Of Toxins (The Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/703297.html
Water Issues Put Grant County Commission, Health District At Odds (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20081218/NEWS04/712189913/1001/rss1001
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
Tax Breaks For Wind Power Irk Some - Wind business thrives without subsidies, argues former teacher (Portland Tribune, OR)
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=122955487327869100
State Of California Grants Bonuses To Electric Utilities For Improving Energy Efficiency - state isn't sure the companies saved as much power as they claim (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/19/BUUG14QRVA.DTL
Texas - Extra charge likely soon as 'smart' meters get OK (Houston Chronicle, TX)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/6172629.html
Power Meters Help Homeowners Track And Cut Their Energy Use (Christian Science Monitor)
http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2008/12/18/power-meters-help-homeowners-track-and-cut-their-energy-use/
Chip Companies Helping To Solve Energy Problems (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11239206?source=rss
Clean-Tech Startup 3Tier raises $10 million (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008537282_webcleantech19.html?syndication=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
New Ban Imposed On Regulating Global Warming Gases (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008536774_apbushglobalwarming.html?syndication=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
India suffers massive internet disruption after undersea cables break (Times of London)
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article5372294.ece
Telecommuters need more than just broadband access (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/telecommuters_need_more_than_j.html
Qwest Drops Rates For Highest Internet Speed (Phoenix Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/12/15/daily53.html?ana=from_rss
Qwest Denies Using FTTN Glitch to Kill Competitive Local Exchanges (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Qwest-Denies-Using-FTTN-Glitch-To-Kill-CLECs-99752
Colorado - Fiber optics may connect to some Glenwood Springs homes before network expansion: Plan could go to another vote in November 2009 (Glenwood Springs Post-Independent, CO)http://www.postindependent.com/article/20081219/VALLEYNEWS/812189956/1074&title=Fiber%20optics%20may%20connect%20to%20some%20Glenwood%20Springs%20homes%20before%20network%20expansion
Gates Foundation Supports Broadband In Libraries (The Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/703519.html
GENERAL NEWS
Storm buries area; more snow may fall Saturday night (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/392821_storm19.html
The Weather? It's Just A Practice Run (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/392873_forecast19.html?source=rss
“Death Map” Shows Impact of Natural Disasters - A study shows that, of all natural hazards, Americans are most likely to die from extreme heat. But would more data tell a different story? (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/environment/2008/December/Death-Map-Shows-Impact-of-Natural-Disasters-.html
Automakers to get $17.4 billion in government aid (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4BI34F20081219?feedType=nl&feedName=ustopnewsearly
Legislature Starts With A Lot Fewer Journalists - Fewer reporters will cover the Legislature in Olympia this year because of newspaper and TV staff cuts (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008537903_presscorps19m0.html?syndication=rss
Watergate "Deep Throat" Mark Felt dies at 95 (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4BI12Q20081219?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest
DIVERSIONS
Colorado Doctor Finds Foot In Newborn's Brain - Infant Recovering After Surgery
http://www.kirotv.com/health/18300617/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_-1_01000212182008&ts=H
More? What the Dickens are you talking about?
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE4BH60N20081218?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest
Snow Footprints Lead Richland Cops To Suspects
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/392860_snowprints19.html?source=rss
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- BPA Says Power Grid ‘Performing Well’ During Storm
- Cold Weather Can Put a Cramp On The Power Grid
- Snow On Your Heat Pump Can Cause Damage
- Oregonian Op/Ed - Bonneville Borrowing: More Bang For Our Infrastructure Bucks
- Avista fights BPA ruling in federal appellate court
- Portland General Electric requests changes to Boardman plant cleanup plan
- EPA Eases Emissions Regulations for New Power Plants
- Fortuitous Doubling Of Low-Income Heating Assistance
- Oregon Congressman Asks Feds To Rescind Mt Hood Pipeline Approval
- FERC Takes Major Step toward Resolution of California-Western Power Crisis
- Sockeye run offers a new twist on the Columbia
- Feds say no to Black Rock Reservoir
- Puget Sound Mud Reveals History Of Toxins
- Water Issues Put Grant County Commission, Health District At Odds
- Tax Breaks For Wind Power Irk Some
- State Of California Grants Bonuses To Electric Utilities For Improving Energy Efficiency
- Texas - Extra charge likely soon as 'smart' meters get OK
- Power Meters Help Homeowners Track And Cut Their Energy Use
- Chip Companies Helping To Solve Energy Problems
- Clean-Tech Startup 3Tier raises $10 million
- New Ban Imposed On Regulating Global Warming Gases
- India suffers massive internet disruption after undersea cables break
- Telecommuters need more than just broadband access
- Qwest Drops Rates For Highest Internet Speed
- Qwest Denies Using FTTN Glitch to Kill Competitive Local Exchanges
- Fiber optics may connect to some Glenwood Springs homes before network expansion
- Gates Foundation Supports Broadband In Libraries
- Storm buries area; more snow may fall Saturday night
- The Weather? It's Just A Practice Run
- “Death Map” Shows Impact of Natural Disasters
- Automakers to get $17.4 billion in government aid
- Legislature Starts With A Lot Fewer Journalists
- Watergate "Deep Throat" Mark Felt dies at 95
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Simulacrum • \sim-yuh-LAK-rum\ • noun - 1: image, representation *2: an insubstantial form or semblance of something: trace
After days of spending his moral capital to defend his “tiddlywinks shaving scandal”, the champion’s standing was a simulacrum of its former self. Small children laughed and pointed as he walked by, the doctored chips rattling in his pockets.
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
BPA Says Power Grid ‘Performing Well’ During Storm (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/12/15/daily25.html?ana=from_rss
Cold Weather Can Put a Cramp On The Power Grid (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9551463
Snow On Your Heat Pump Can Cause Damage (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9551626
Oregonian Op/Ed - Bonneville Borrowing: More Bang For Our Infrastructure Bucks
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/more_bang_for_our_infrastructu.html
Avista fights BPA ruling in federal appellate court (Partial Story from Spokane Journal of Commerce)
http://www.spokanejournal.com/article.php?id=3892
Portland General Electric requests changes to Boardman plant cleanup plan (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/122966071561840.xml&coll=7
EPA Eases Emissions Regulations for New Power Plants (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/18/AR2008121803687.html
Fortuitous Doubling Of Low-Income Heating Assistance (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3835-fortuitous-doubling-low-income-heating-assistance/
Oregon Congressman Asks Feds To Rescind Mt Hood Pipeline Approval (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3836-wyden-asks-feds-rescind-mt-hood-pipeline-approval/
FERC Takes Major Step toward Resolution of California-Western Power Crisis (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/news-releases/2008/2008-4/12-18-08-E-1.asp
FISH & WILDLIFE
Sockeye run offers a new twist on the Columbia (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2008/12/sockeye_run_offers_a_new_twist.html
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Feds say no to Black Rock - The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has decided the federal government should not build a massive reservoir called Black Rock in the Yakima Valley (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008539679_apwablackrockreservoir.html?syndication=rss
Puget Sound Mud Reveals History Of Toxins (The Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/703297.html
Water Issues Put Grant County Commission, Health District At Odds (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20081218/NEWS04/712189913/1001/rss1001
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
Tax Breaks For Wind Power Irk Some - Wind business thrives without subsidies, argues former teacher (Portland Tribune, OR)
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=122955487327869100
State Of California Grants Bonuses To Electric Utilities For Improving Energy Efficiency - state isn't sure the companies saved as much power as they claim (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/19/BUUG14QRVA.DTL
Texas - Extra charge likely soon as 'smart' meters get OK (Houston Chronicle, TX)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/6172629.html
Power Meters Help Homeowners Track And Cut Their Energy Use (Christian Science Monitor)
http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2008/12/18/power-meters-help-homeowners-track-and-cut-their-energy-use/
Chip Companies Helping To Solve Energy Problems (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11239206?source=rss
Clean-Tech Startup 3Tier raises $10 million (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008537282_webcleantech19.html?syndication=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
New Ban Imposed On Regulating Global Warming Gases (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008536774_apbushglobalwarming.html?syndication=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
India suffers massive internet disruption after undersea cables break (Times of London)
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article5372294.ece
Telecommuters need more than just broadband access (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/telecommuters_need_more_than_j.html
Qwest Drops Rates For Highest Internet Speed (Phoenix Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/12/15/daily53.html?ana=from_rss
Qwest Denies Using FTTN Glitch to Kill Competitive Local Exchanges (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Qwest-Denies-Using-FTTN-Glitch-To-Kill-CLECs-99752
Colorado - Fiber optics may connect to some Glenwood Springs homes before network expansion: Plan could go to another vote in November 2009 (Glenwood Springs Post-Independent, CO)http://www.postindependent.com/article/20081219/VALLEYNEWS/812189956/1074&title=Fiber%20optics%20may%20connect%20to%20some%20Glenwood%20Springs%20homes%20before%20network%20expansion
Gates Foundation Supports Broadband In Libraries (The Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/703519.html
GENERAL NEWS
Storm buries area; more snow may fall Saturday night (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/392821_storm19.html
The Weather? It's Just A Practice Run (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/392873_forecast19.html?source=rss
“Death Map” Shows Impact of Natural Disasters - A study shows that, of all natural hazards, Americans are most likely to die from extreme heat. But would more data tell a different story? (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/environment/2008/December/Death-Map-Shows-Impact-of-Natural-Disasters-.html
Automakers to get $17.4 billion in government aid (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4BI34F20081219?feedType=nl&feedName=ustopnewsearly
Legislature Starts With A Lot Fewer Journalists - Fewer reporters will cover the Legislature in Olympia this year because of newspaper and TV staff cuts (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008537903_presscorps19m0.html?syndication=rss
Watergate "Deep Throat" Mark Felt dies at 95 (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4BI12Q20081219?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest
DIVERSIONS
Colorado Doctor Finds Foot In Newborn's Brain - Infant Recovering After Surgery
http://www.kirotv.com/health/18300617/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_-1_01000212182008&ts=H
More? What the Dickens are you talking about?
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE4BH60N20081218?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest
Snow Footprints Lead Richland Cops To Suspects
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/392860_snowprints19.html?source=rss
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Energy News Digest for December 18, 2008
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- DSI Ruling from Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Links to PDF File – 65 Pages)
- News Tribune Editorial – Cushman Power: Skokomish Tribe and Tacoma Power Users Both Win With This Deal
- Dam Relicensing Getting More Expensive
- Federal Power System Performing Well With Record Electricity Use in the Northwest
- A Lot of Juice Flowing to Keep Lewis County Homes and Buildings Warm
- During Cold Spell, Check In On Elderly Neighbors
- Energy Northwest Brightens Christmas for Head Start Children
- Utah Power Company Wants a Vote from Commission on Proposed Coal Plant
- California Regulators to Vote on San Diego Power Line
- French Utility to Buy 49.9% of Constellation Energy
- Palo Verde Nuke Worker Sentenced for Taking Software to Iran
- Boston Residents Warned About Power Outage Scam
- Banner Year Forecast For 2009 Columbia Basin Salmon
- Idaho Statesman Op/Ed – Terry Flores: Study On Salmon Survival Is Moving In The Right Direction
- Bellingham Herald Op/Ed - Science And Opportunity For Columbia/Snake Salmon
- Puget Sound's Future Still Murky
- $7.1 million awarded to protect wetlands – Includes Lynch Cove near Belfair and McMicken Island off Harstine
- Olympian Editorial - Environmental Lobby Sets Good Priorities
- News Tribune Editorial - Helping Grid Go Green Is Essential To Energy Future
- Wenatchee World Columnist - Green jobs? We know about it
- Chasing The Wind - Wind power amasses support, despite some controversy
- Tucson Electric Power Renewable-Energy Charge Going Up
- Imports Help Boost One State's Renewable Energy By 70%
- Renewable Energy Doing Well In Spain, Portugal
- Habits Help save Energy
- Scientists Call AP Report on Global Warming 'Hysteria'
- NY Times Op/Ed - Climate Policy: View from the ‘Murky Middle’
- Montana Regulators Approve Settlement with Qwest
- For the Web, Change All Sides Can Believe In
- Consumer Group Wants $44 Billion For U.S. Broadband
- S.F. Chronicle Editorial - Congress Should Preserve Net Neutrality
- Cable Companies Giving Free Equipment for Digital Move
- Rinse, Repeat, Wait: Bigger Storm Expected This Weekend
- Mason County Eliminates Jobs, Slashes Salaries to Balance Budget
- AP: Gov's Budget Suspends Kids' Health Plan
- Kittitas Mayor Resigns Due To Budget Stress
- How Port of Seattle Moved the Goalposts to Make A Contract Work For Lone Bidder
- LEGISLATURE: Mid-Columbia senators get committee assignments
- Obama Names Salazar as Secretary of Interior
- Praise and Criticism for Proposed Interior Secretary
- Interior Secretary Nominee Brings Western Experience
- Tacoma Man's Accounting System Mandated By the SEC for All Public Companies
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Nonplussed • \NON-plust\ • verb - To cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do: perplex
Barty’s aggressive questioning during trial left the hapless defense witness nonplussed. Although the man had been called as a character witness for the “Burger King”, Barty relentlessly peppered him with questions about “Ronald McDonald”, “Jack in the Box” and the “Taco Time Cactus”. “I don’t know any of those guys,” whined the harried witness.
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
DSI Ruling from Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Links to PDF File – 65 Pages) “…We GRANT the Cooperative’s and Industrial Customers’ petitions as to the challenges they bring regarding BPA’s statutory authority to offer the aluminum DSIs and Port Townsend (through Clallam) energy at rates below both the IP rate and the market rate, and REMAND to the agency for determination of the applicability of the agreements’ severability and damage waiver provisions in light of our holdings…”
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/DB08C71F21C79825882575220001264F/$file/0575638.pdf?openelement
News Tribune Editorial – Cushman Power: Skokomish Tribe And Tacoma Power Users Both Win With This Deal
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/569887.html
Dam Relicensing Getting More Expensive (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4737
Federal Power System Performing Well With Record Electricity Use in the Northwest (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/245598/
A Lot of Juice Flowing to Keep Lewis County Homes and Buildings Warm (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews/?A-Lot-of-Juice-Flowing-to-Keep-Homes-and=1&blockID=33554&feedID=410
During Cold Spell, Check In On Elderly Neighbors (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_121708WAB_cold_weather_seniors_SW.726d47e6.html
Energy Northwest Brightens Christmas for Head Start Children (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9539413
Utah Power Company Wants a Vote from Commission on Proposed Coal Plant (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11256833
California Regulators to Vote on San Diego Power Line (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008534722_apdesertpowerline.html?syndication=rss
French Utility to Buy 49.9% of Constellation Energy (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/business/worldbusiness/18nuke.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Palo Verde Nuke Worker Sentenced for Taking Software to Iran (Phoenix Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/12/15/daily32.html?ana=from_rss
Boston Residents Warned About Power Outage Scam - Crews Working To Restore Power After Ice Storm (WCVB-TV, Boston, MA)
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/18281335/detail.html?taf=bos
FISH & WILDLIFE
Banner Year Forecast For 2009 Columbia Basin Salmon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3815-banner-year-forecast-2009-columbia-basin-salmon/
Idaho Statesman Op/Ed – Terry Flores: Study On Salmon Survival Is Moving In The Right Direction
http://www.idahostatesman.com/128/story/599231.html
Bellingham Herald Op/Ed - Science And Opportunity For Columbia/Snake Salmon
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/615/story/717740.html
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Puget Sound's Future Still Murky - Development, growth, runoff threaten gains (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/392681_sound18.html
$7.1 million awarded to protect wetlands – Includes Lynch Cove near Belfair and McMicken Island off Harstine (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008534282_webwetlands18m.html?syndication=rss
Olympian Editorial - Environmental Lobby Sets Good Priorities
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/702329.html
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
News Tribune Editorial - Helping Grid Go Green Is Essential To Energy Future
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/571027.html
Wenatchee World Columnist - Green jobs? We know about it
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20081217/OP02/712179893/-1/OP
Chasing The Wind - Wind power amasses support, despite some controversy (The Portland Tribune, OR)
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=122955478461859800
Tucson Electric Power Renewable-Energy Charge Going Up (Arizona Star)
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/biz-topheadlines/272215.php
Imports Help Boost One State's Renewable Energy By 70% (The Industry Standard)
http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/12/17/massachusetts-renewal-energy-nearly-doubles-one-year
Renewable Energy Doing Well In Spain, Portugal (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98435458&ft=1&f=3
Habits Help save Energy (Straight.com, Vancouver, BC)
http://www.straight.com/article-176307/habits-help-save-energy
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Scientists Call AP Report on Global Warming 'Hysteria' (Fox News)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,468084,00.html
NY Times Op/Ed - Climate Policy: View from the ‘Murky Middle’
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/climate-policy-view-from-the-murky-middle/?hp
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Montana Regulators Approve Settlement with Qwest (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1749467~Montana_regulators_approve_settlement_with_Qwest.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines
For the Web, Change All Sides Can Believe In - Groups Differ on How to Pull Off Obama's Goal of Access for All (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/16/AR2008121602930.html?wprss=rss_business
Consumer Group Wants $44 Billion For U.S. Broadband - But again, plan skirts around and over the primary problem (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Consumer-Group-Wants-44-Billion-For-US-Broadband-99738
S.F. Chronicle Editorial - Congress Should Preserve Net Neutrality
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/18/ED4414PASG.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
Cable Companies Giving Free Equipment for Digital Move (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE4BF7I420081217?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology
GENERAL NEWS
Rinse, Repeat, Wait: Bigger Storm Expected This Weekend - Today’s forecast calls for more of the same as light snow and cold nights stick around (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/570973.html
Mason County Eliminates Jobs, Slashes Salaries to Balance Budget (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/dec/17/mason-county-eliminates-37-jobs-to-balance/?partner=RSS
AP: Gov's Budget Suspends Kids' Health Plan (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/36359599.html
Kittitas Mayor Resigns Due To Budget Stress (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/politics/18300025/detail.html
How Port of Seattle Moved the Goalposts to Make A Contract Work For Lone Bidder (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008533590_port18m.html
LEGISLATURE: Mid-Columbia senators get committee assignments (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/419766.html
Obama Names Salazar as Secretary of Interior - Coloradan Is Described as Moderate (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/17/AR2008121701589.html?hpid=topnews
Praise and Criticism for Proposed Interior Secretary (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/us/politics/18salazar.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Interior Secretary Nominee Brings Western Experience (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3807-interior-secretary-nominee-brings-western-experience/
Tacoma Man's Accounting System, XBRL, Is Mandated By the SEC for All Public Companies (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/business/2008/12/17/tacoma_man_s_acocunting_system_xbrl_is_m
DIVERSIONS
Desert Playground Stunned By Snow - 7,000 Without Power In Vegas Area
http://www.kirotv.com/weather/18305389/detail.html
Serial Crank Caller in Canada Ordered to Seek More Therapy
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/world/americas/18canada.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Cologne Gone Wild - If you'd like to smell like Burger King
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081218/ap_on_fe_st/burger_king;_ylt=At7Qs7xIRNHwlzXICGkVT_PtiBIF
A Cat Called Hope - Woman's 3-legged cat returns after 7-week search
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081218/ap_on_fe_st/odd_cat_quest;_ylt=AkauDDWwosvtPh88BrjojoXtiBIF
1,500 parakeets rescued from 2-room apartment
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081218/ap_on_fe_st/odd_germany_parakeets;_ylt=AtSRdda9PRtRVe6i8sTjM8ftiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- DSI Ruling from Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Links to PDF File – 65 Pages)
- News Tribune Editorial – Cushman Power: Skokomish Tribe and Tacoma Power Users Both Win With This Deal
- Dam Relicensing Getting More Expensive
- Federal Power System Performing Well With Record Electricity Use in the Northwest
- A Lot of Juice Flowing to Keep Lewis County Homes and Buildings Warm
- During Cold Spell, Check In On Elderly Neighbors
- Energy Northwest Brightens Christmas for Head Start Children
- Utah Power Company Wants a Vote from Commission on Proposed Coal Plant
- California Regulators to Vote on San Diego Power Line
- French Utility to Buy 49.9% of Constellation Energy
- Palo Verde Nuke Worker Sentenced for Taking Software to Iran
- Boston Residents Warned About Power Outage Scam
- Banner Year Forecast For 2009 Columbia Basin Salmon
- Idaho Statesman Op/Ed – Terry Flores: Study On Salmon Survival Is Moving In The Right Direction
- Bellingham Herald Op/Ed - Science And Opportunity For Columbia/Snake Salmon
- Puget Sound's Future Still Murky
- $7.1 million awarded to protect wetlands – Includes Lynch Cove near Belfair and McMicken Island off Harstine
- Olympian Editorial - Environmental Lobby Sets Good Priorities
- News Tribune Editorial - Helping Grid Go Green Is Essential To Energy Future
- Wenatchee World Columnist - Green jobs? We know about it
- Chasing The Wind - Wind power amasses support, despite some controversy
- Tucson Electric Power Renewable-Energy Charge Going Up
- Imports Help Boost One State's Renewable Energy By 70%
- Renewable Energy Doing Well In Spain, Portugal
- Habits Help save Energy
- Scientists Call AP Report on Global Warming 'Hysteria'
- NY Times Op/Ed - Climate Policy: View from the ‘Murky Middle’
- Montana Regulators Approve Settlement with Qwest
- For the Web, Change All Sides Can Believe In
- Consumer Group Wants $44 Billion For U.S. Broadband
- S.F. Chronicle Editorial - Congress Should Preserve Net Neutrality
- Cable Companies Giving Free Equipment for Digital Move
- Rinse, Repeat, Wait: Bigger Storm Expected This Weekend
- Mason County Eliminates Jobs, Slashes Salaries to Balance Budget
- AP: Gov's Budget Suspends Kids' Health Plan
- Kittitas Mayor Resigns Due To Budget Stress
- How Port of Seattle Moved the Goalposts to Make A Contract Work For Lone Bidder
- LEGISLATURE: Mid-Columbia senators get committee assignments
- Obama Names Salazar as Secretary of Interior
- Praise and Criticism for Proposed Interior Secretary
- Interior Secretary Nominee Brings Western Experience
- Tacoma Man's Accounting System Mandated By the SEC for All Public Companies
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Nonplussed • \NON-plust\ • verb - To cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do: perplex
Barty’s aggressive questioning during trial left the hapless defense witness nonplussed. Although the man had been called as a character witness for the “Burger King”, Barty relentlessly peppered him with questions about “Ronald McDonald”, “Jack in the Box” and the “Taco Time Cactus”. “I don’t know any of those guys,” whined the harried witness.
WEATHER
Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
DSI Ruling from Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Links to PDF File – 65 Pages) “…We GRANT the Cooperative’s and Industrial Customers’ petitions as to the challenges they bring regarding BPA’s statutory authority to offer the aluminum DSIs and Port Townsend (through Clallam) energy at rates below both the IP rate and the market rate, and REMAND to the agency for determination of the applicability of the agreements’ severability and damage waiver provisions in light of our holdings…”
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/DB08C71F21C79825882575220001264F/$file/0575638.pdf?openelement
News Tribune Editorial – Cushman Power: Skokomish Tribe And Tacoma Power Users Both Win With This Deal
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/569887.html
Dam Relicensing Getting More Expensive (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4737
Federal Power System Performing Well With Record Electricity Use in the Northwest (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/245598/
A Lot of Juice Flowing to Keep Lewis County Homes and Buildings Warm (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews/?A-Lot-of-Juice-Flowing-to-Keep-Homes-and=1&blockID=33554&feedID=410
During Cold Spell, Check In On Elderly Neighbors (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_121708WAB_cold_weather_seniors_SW.726d47e6.html
Energy Northwest Brightens Christmas for Head Start Children (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9539413
Utah Power Company Wants a Vote from Commission on Proposed Coal Plant (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11256833
California Regulators to Vote on San Diego Power Line (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008534722_apdesertpowerline.html?syndication=rss
French Utility to Buy 49.9% of Constellation Energy (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/business/worldbusiness/18nuke.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Palo Verde Nuke Worker Sentenced for Taking Software to Iran (Phoenix Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/12/15/daily32.html?ana=from_rss
Boston Residents Warned About Power Outage Scam - Crews Working To Restore Power After Ice Storm (WCVB-TV, Boston, MA)
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/18281335/detail.html?taf=bos
FISH & WILDLIFE
Banner Year Forecast For 2009 Columbia Basin Salmon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3815-banner-year-forecast-2009-columbia-basin-salmon/
Idaho Statesman Op/Ed – Terry Flores: Study On Salmon Survival Is Moving In The Right Direction
http://www.idahostatesman.com/128/story/599231.html
Bellingham Herald Op/Ed - Science And Opportunity For Columbia/Snake Salmon
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/615/story/717740.html
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Puget Sound's Future Still Murky - Development, growth, runoff threaten gains (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/392681_sound18.html
$7.1 million awarded to protect wetlands – Includes Lynch Cove near Belfair and McMicken Island off Harstine (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008534282_webwetlands18m.html?syndication=rss
Olympian Editorial - Environmental Lobby Sets Good Priorities
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/702329.html
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CONSERVATION
News Tribune Editorial - Helping Grid Go Green Is Essential To Energy Future
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/571027.html
Wenatchee World Columnist - Green jobs? We know about it
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20081217/OP02/712179893/-1/OP
Chasing The Wind - Wind power amasses support, despite some controversy (The Portland Tribune, OR)
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=122955478461859800
Tucson Electric Power Renewable-Energy Charge Going Up (Arizona Star)
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/biz-topheadlines/272215.php
Imports Help Boost One State's Renewable Energy By 70% (The Industry Standard)
http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/12/17/massachusetts-renewal-energy-nearly-doubles-one-year
Renewable Energy Doing Well In Spain, Portugal (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98435458&ft=1&f=3
Habits Help save Energy (Straight.com, Vancouver, BC)
http://www.straight.com/article-176307/habits-help-save-energy
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Scientists Call AP Report on Global Warming 'Hysteria' (Fox News)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,468084,00.html
NY Times Op/Ed - Climate Policy: View from the ‘Murky Middle’
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/climate-policy-view-from-the-murky-middle/?hp
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Montana Regulators Approve Settlement with Qwest (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1749467~Montana_regulators_approve_settlement_with_Qwest.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines
For the Web, Change All Sides Can Believe In - Groups Differ on How to Pull Off Obama's Goal of Access for All (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/16/AR2008121602930.html?wprss=rss_business
Consumer Group Wants $44 Billion For U.S. Broadband - But again, plan skirts around and over the primary problem (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Consumer-Group-Wants-44-Billion-For-US-Broadband-99738
S.F. Chronicle Editorial - Congress Should Preserve Net Neutrality
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/18/ED4414PASG.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
Cable Companies Giving Free Equipment for Digital Move (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE4BF7I420081217?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology
GENERAL NEWS
Rinse, Repeat, Wait: Bigger Storm Expected This Weekend - Today’s forecast calls for more of the same as light snow and cold nights stick around (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/570973.html
Mason County Eliminates Jobs, Slashes Salaries to Balance Budget (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/dec/17/mason-county-eliminates-37-jobs-to-balance/?partner=RSS
AP: Gov's Budget Suspends Kids' Health Plan (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/36359599.html
Kittitas Mayor Resigns Due To Budget Stress (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/politics/18300025/detail.html
How Port of Seattle Moved the Goalposts to Make A Contract Work For Lone Bidder (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008533590_port18m.html
LEGISLATURE: Mid-Columbia senators get committee assignments (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/419766.html
Obama Names Salazar as Secretary of Interior - Coloradan Is Described as Moderate (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/17/AR2008121701589.html?hpid=topnews
Praise and Criticism for Proposed Interior Secretary (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/us/politics/18salazar.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Interior Secretary Nominee Brings Western Experience (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3807-interior-secretary-nominee-brings-western-experience/
Tacoma Man's Accounting System, XBRL, Is Mandated By the SEC for All Public Companies (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/business/2008/12/17/tacoma_man_s_acocunting_system_xbrl_is_m
DIVERSIONS
Desert Playground Stunned By Snow - 7,000 Without Power In Vegas Area
http://www.kirotv.com/weather/18305389/detail.html
Serial Crank Caller in Canada Ordered to Seek More Therapy
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/world/americas/18canada.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Cologne Gone Wild - If you'd like to smell like Burger King
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081218/ap_on_fe_st/burger_king;_ylt=At7Qs7xIRNHwlzXICGkVT_PtiBIF
A Cat Called Hope - Woman's 3-legged cat returns after 7-week search
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081218/ap_on_fe_st/odd_cat_quest;_ylt=AkauDDWwosvtPh88BrjojoXtiBIF
1,500 parakeets rescued from 2-room apartment
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081218/ap_on_fe_st/odd_germany_parakeets;_ylt=AtSRdda9PRtRVe6i8sTjM8ftiBIF
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