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)
* Maryland – Constellation Energy says it will sue state to recoup $386M lost in deregulation flap
* Canada – Commission approves power-sale deal between B.C. Hydro, Alcan
* Power Failures Outrage South Africa
* DOE restructures FutureGen project, scraps plans for Mattoon
* Jean Ryckman Will Retire As Manager Of Franklin PUD Effective April 30
* Eugene Register Guard Opinion – More than metal
* Two more arrested in Cowlitz County metal theft case
* If You Invested in Enron, Read This Now
* No salmon in 2008? The complete closure of commercial salmon fishing in Southern Oregon and Northern California in 2006 could repeat in 2008
* Steelhead plan will be discussed in Olympia
* Tribes want to move Bonneville sturgeon upstream
* Sandy River, Oregon – A River Restored: Pulling the Plug
* Oregon – $4-Million in lottery funds to help return salmon, steelhead
* Eastern Washington Reservoir Would Cost More Than $6.7 Billion
* Recycling group: Oakland plastic bag ban hurts the environment
* Douglas County wind farm could grow from 10 to 80 turbines
* Lake Chelan dam earns low-impact certification
* Idaho – Ethanol's troubled adolescence
* California – Solar project to power local colleges
* Environmental group threatens lawsuit over Whisky Dick grazing
* In Defense of Incandescence – Congress bans beauty as an environmental hazard
* Columbian Editorial – Environment deserves role in campaigns
* Missouri – Schools hope piles of coal inspire energy conservation
* Students explore energy conservation
* Olympia teach-in offers ideas to fight climate shift
* Green effort by U.S. companies making slow progress
* CNET Newsmaker: From ecowarrior to nuclear champion
* 'Unprecedented' warming exposes ancient vegetation
* It seems like I'm mortgaging my future to go green
* Blue, as in big blue marble, is the new green
* California Senate bill requires textbooks to teach global warming
* Could Global Warming Threaten the Patriots’ and Giants’ Edge?
* Internet – Here Comes Trouble: The Future of Free
* U.S. Makes the Best Use of Its Broadband
* Read the fine print – Administration report claims success in extending broadband access
* European Union Court: Downloaders Can Stay Private
* How To Get Ready For Digital Television
* In Belfair – More Expansive, Expensive Highway 3 Improvements Eyed
* Shelton bowlers aim for another title
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Lyceum • \LYE-see-um\ • noun – 1: a hall for public lectures or discussions 2: an association providing public lectures, concerts, and entertainments
Mortimer was aquiver with anticipation. His first meeting of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Lyceum Society was to cover all 26 Tarzan books written by the prolific author in 24 hours. The tedium of the recycled story lines was only moderated by the lurid and turgid prose generated by one of the best pulp adventure fiction writers in history.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Maryland – Constellation Energy says it will sue state to recoup $386M – Constellation Energy Group Inc. said Wednesday it plans to file a federal lawsuit against the state of Maryland for electric rate caps that executives say cost the company $386 million. (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/01/28/daily30.html?ana=from_rss
Canada – Commission approves power-sale deal between B.C. Hydro, Alcan – Kitimat City manager Trafford Hall said the new deal is an improvement, but that the city's fundamental opposition remains: Alcan is being allowed to sell electricity rather than using it to smelt aluminum. (Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080130.ALCAN30//TPStory/National
Power Failures Outrage South Africa – This nation, long a reliable repository of cheap, plentiful electricity, finds itself pitifully short of juice. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/world/africa/31safrica.html?_r=1&ex=1359435600&en=57839b2669c4442d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
DOE restructures FutureGen project, scraps plans for Mattoon – The Department of Energy is backing off its plans to help build the FutureGen Alliance's $1.8 billion clean-coal power plant in Mattoon, Ill., and is restructuring the FutureGen project in an attempt to maximize the project's commercial viability. (St. Louis Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/01/28/daily44.html?ana=from_rss
News Release – JEAN RYCKMAN WILL RETIRE AS MANAGER OF FRANKLIN PUD EFFECTIVE APRIL 30 – Jean Ryckman, manager of Franklin PUD since 2004, will retire on April 30, 2008, to pursue opportunities with family, travel, and to provide community service. She has been Manager of Franklin PUD since January 2004 and has worked at the PUD for more than 27 years. Prior to joining Franklin PUD, Ryckman worked for D. Hittle & Associates electrical consulting firm. Ryckman notified PUD Commissioners in person and in writing on January 22, 2008 of her plans to retire. She told Commissioners, “It has been a great pleasure to serve as your Manager for the last 4 years. I leave Franklin PUD in good hands with a staff that is devoted to the customers and to the community. Having such a great staff and board that is committed to working together makes my decision much easier.” (Franklin County PUD)
Eugene Register Guard Opinion – More than metal. Thefts of cable from utility substations, wire from construction sites and even works of sculpture from public parks are generally attributed to the high price of copper and other metals.
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=56937&sid=5&fid=1
Two more arrested in metal theft case – Cowlitz County sheriff's deputies made two more arrests in association with recent thefts of telephone cable. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/31//area_news/10085400.txt
If You Invested in Enron, Read This Now – As a former Enron shareholder, I'm not expecting a huge windfall from a pending class-action suit against the company. (TheStreet.com)
http://www.thestreet.com/_more/s/if-you-invested-in-enron-read-this-now/funds/saving-money/10400897.html?
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
No salmon in 2008? The complete closure of commercial salmon fishing in Southern Oregon and Northern California in 2006 could repeat in 2008. (The World, Coos Bay)
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2008/01/30/news/doc47a0c373af547905644500.txt
Lack of Chinook in Area 9 a puzzle (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080131/SPORTS/476985709/1004/SPORTS
Steelhead plan will be discussed in Olympia (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/outdoors/story/270004.html
Tribes want to move Bonneville sturgeon upstream – Tribal officials want to capture young sturgeon from the huge population in Bonneville pool of the Columbia River and transfer them upstream into the suffering reservoirs behind The Dalles and John Day dams. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/sports/localNews/2008/01/01312008_Tribes-want-to-move-Bonneville-sturgeon-upstream.cfm
Sandy River, Oregon – A River Restored: Pulling the Plug – A puff of white smoke and a cheering throng marked the official demise of Marmot Dam last summer. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/01/01312008_A-River-Restored-Pulling-the-Plug.cfm/
Breaking the salmon code – Marine geneticist speaks at the Columbia Forum about using Chinook genetics to track and protect individual stocks in the ocean (The Daily Astorian)
http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=48634&TM=68346.65
Oregon – $4-Million in lottery funds to help return salmon, steelhead to Upper Deschutes (Bend Weekly)
http://www.bendweekly.com/Statewide-News/12639.html
Eastern Washington Reservoir Would Cost More Than $6.7 Billion (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3529
Recycling group: Oakland plastic bag ban hurts the environment (Associated Press, via the Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1190843~Recycling_group__Oakland_plastic_bag_ban_hurts_the_environment.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Wind farm could grow from 10 to 80 turbines – A Douglas County PUD project to place 10 wind turbines near the farming town of Withrow could grow to 80 turbines or more following a recent study by an independent consultant. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/NEWS04/394896358/1025/rss1025
Lake Chelan dam earns low-impact certification – Credits from power generated from the Lake Chelan Hydro Project soon could be sold to help dirtier utilities and industries meet their environmental-protection goals. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/NEWS04/235293496/1025/rss1025
Idaho – Ethanol's troubled adolescence. The promise of ethanol has always been a Faustian bargain: In a world with 6.6 billion mouths to feed, the staples of prosperity can always be trumped by the staples of survival. (Magic Valley Times-News)
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/01/30/opinion/editorials/129731.txt
California – Solar project to power local colleges. Contra Costa, Diablo Valley and Los Medanos will benefit from Chevron Corp.'s $35.2 million project (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8127739?source=rss&nclick_check=1
New power generation: Alternative energy sources – Solar reflectors could one day make petrol from thin air, and algae may provide all the diesel we need. Simon Usborne reports on the race to perfect energy sources for the future (The Independent, United Kingdom)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/new-power-generation-alternative-energy-sources-775540.html
Environmental group threatens lawsuit over Whisky Dick grazing – An environmental group announced plans Wednesday to sue Washington State if it approves a proposal to allow cattle grazing on portions of central Washington's Whisky Dick Wildlife Area (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01312008news270649.cfm
CONSERVATION
In Defense of Incandescence – Congress bans beauty as an environmental hazard “…Failing to properly recycle your CFLs won't be the same as putting an Evian bottle in the wrong slot. It'll be genuinely hazardous, particularly dangerous to children. Way to go, congressional dimbulbs!...” (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2183163/fr/rss/
Columbian Editorial – Environment deserves role in campaigns
http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/01/01312008_Environment-deserves-role-in-campaigns.cfm/
Missouri – Schools hope piles of coal inspire energy conservation (Springfield Business Journal)
http://www.sbj.net/article.asp?aID=80163
Students explore energy conservation – Miniature houses built by Weed High School students are being used to explore methods for reducing energy consumption through building design and to learn about the effects of solar energy. (Mt. Shasta News)
http://www.mtshastanews.com/articles/2008/01/30/news/05whs_students.txt
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Green economy a key focus – The battle against global warming is an opportunity to create a new, green economy, members of the Washington State Climate Advisory Team said Wednesday. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/344203.html
Olympia teach-in offers ideas to fight climate shift – 500 gather at forum as part of national Focus the Nation event (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/344193.html
Global warming solution takes effort from all, group says (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080131/NEWS/801310303
Green effort by U.S. companies making slow progress – U.S. companies talk a lot about going green, but so far there hasn't been much of an impact on improving the environment, according to a report released today. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8119311?source=rss
CNET Newsmaker: From ecowarrior to nuclear champion
http://www.news.com/From-eco-warrior-to-nuclear-champion/2008-13840-6228461.html?part=dht&tag=nl.e703
'Unprecedented' warming exposes ancient vegetation (CanWest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/technology/story.html?id=31dfa6a9-8ba7-4d62-bcad-7ae610cbe120&k=4144
It seems like I'm mortgaging my future to go green (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=9ad1c171-9b93-4e4b-ad80-cab1332958d8&k=16657
Blue, as in big blue marble, is the new green – This is the year when blue is supposed to become the new green -- as in, the next color to define environmentalism. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/120166531684650.xml&coll=7
California Senate bill requires textbooks to teach global warming (San Joes Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8122655?source=rss
Could Global Warming Threaten the Patriots’ and Giants’ Edge? Rising Temperatures Could Lessen Home Field Advantage Over Warm Weather Rivals (Environment America – have you no shame?)
http://www.environmentamerica.org/news-releases/global-warming-solutions/global-warming-solutions/could-global-warming-threaten-the-patriots-and-giants-edge
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Internet – Here Comes Trouble: The Future of Free (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/01/31/here-comes-trouble-the-future-of-free/
U.S. Makes the Best Use of Its Broadband – A new report ranking broadband connectivity argues that it’s not how much you have but what you do with it. (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/01/30/us-makes-the-best-use-of-its-broadband/
Read the fine print – Administration report claims success in extending broadband access. In 2004, President Bush pledged that all Americans should have affordable access to high-speed Internet service by 2007. A report to be released Thursday by the administration says it has succeeded - mostly. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8126590?source=rss&nclick_check=1
European Union Court: Downloaders Can Stay Private – Record labels and film studios cannot demand that telecommunications companies hand over the names and addresses of people who are suspected of sharing copyright-protected music and movies online (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004153417_apeufilesharing30.html?syndication=rss
How To Get Ready For Digital Television (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/money/15179535/detail.html
GENERAL NEWS
In Belfair – More Expansive, Expensive Highway 3 Improvements Eyed (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jan/30/more-expansive-expensive-highway-3-improvements/
Shelton bowlers aim for another title (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/143/story/344391.html
DIVERSIONS
DNA leads police to salami-loving thief
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN3132342920080131?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
The dumbest ever quiz answers
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN3156204620080131?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Snipes's "kooky" mail to U.S. government not a crime: lawyer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080130/od_nm/snipes_odd_dc;_ylt=AnQ1ztYLwX5UHCcsYE1N53btiBIF
A woman has been charged with possession of burglary tools after police said a crowbar slipped out of her pants as she was lurking around a church.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080131/ap_on_fe_st/odd_telltale_crowbar;_ylt=AuaJCzTTQ4iBjcWnQRZZhFDtiBIF
Man sets station on fire over playlist – A volunteer at a community radio station set fire to the station because he was upset that his song selections for an overnight Internet broadcast were changed, police said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_fe_st/odd_radio_arson;_ylt=Avm4JPKRW6or91UYnaOg6R_tiBIF
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Energy News Digest for January 30, 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)
* Energy Dept. Pulls Support for FutureGen
* News Release – BPA will miss employee killed in fatal traffic accident
* Idaho Power sets winter demand record
* Report: Cost of building Black Rock reservoir exceed benefit
* Black Rock – Yakima River water not a win-win
* Oregonian Commentary – A paradigm shift in resolving Klamath Dam conflict
* For salmon tracking: Digital Angel Secures $6 Million Three-Year Contract
* Officials warn of salmon population 'collapse' in California’s Central Valley
* Alaska fishermen push for Farm Bill benefits
* Environmental group hopes river logs aid salmon
* Olympian Editorial – DNR debris removal a welcome service.
* Seattle Times Guest columnist – Risky timber practices worsened December flooding
* Entiat, private investor may get PUD land
* Seattle Times Op/Ed – Put through the wringer by fast-rising water rates
* Bill would benefit public power projects like Energy Northwest wind farms
* Clean energy groups face 'tough road' in getting tax-credit extensions in stimulus package
* Boardman to get ethanol demonstration plant
* Maryland – Wind farms hit opposition
* Cape Wind Passes Agency Test
* New York – Second Long Island wind energy project proposed
* Canada – McGuinty's clothes call
* Global warming takes center stage in South Sound
* Are firms telling little green lies?
* Travel – Fuzzy math on carbon footprints
* United Kingdom – Gas ad was hot air, says watchdog
* Yahoo to lay off 1,000 workers
* Vista at one year: Progress and pain
* Damaged Cable Cuts Internet in Mideast
* Clearwire, Sprint said to resume WiMax joint venture talks
* Shelton Man, Jason French, Killed In Wrong-Way Freeway Crash
* $5,000 worth of electrical wire stolen from Thurston County development
* Tips helped nab metal thieves
* Kidney Thefts Shock India
* Walla Walla County in running for $1.2 billion silicon chip plant
* What is a Recession, Who Decides When It Starts, and When Do They Decide?
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Foozle • \FOO-zul\ • verb – To manage or play awkwardly: bungle
Watching Abercrombie in aerobics class was like watching a large, ponderous bear attempt ballet…only not as good. Just about every move barked out by the harridan leading the class led to a foozled step by Abercrombie. Many times he endangered his fellow classmates with flailing arms or a mistaken left step when a right one was ordered.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Energy Dept. Pulls Support for FutureGen – The U.S. Department of Energy, frustrated by ballooning costs for an ambitious plan to build a virtually emissions-free power plant, told federal lawmakers Tuesday it plans to pull its support for the $1.8 billion project in Illinois, lawmakers said. (Associated Press, via the San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/01/29/financial/f134224S01.DTL&feed=rss.business
News Release – BPA will miss employee killed in fatal traffic accident (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/190306/
Idaho Power sets winter demand record (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association OnLine)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5Cihllhkt%5BUok%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Report: Cost of building Black Rock reservoir exceed benefit (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/342151.html
Black Rock – Yakima River water not a win-win. Putting more water into the Yakima River basin might be a good deal for farmers, fish and regional economies, but it wouldn't be worth the cost to the federal government (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/9599860p-9511334c.html
Oregonian Commentary – A paradigm shift in resolving conflict. A proposed agreement for restoration of the Klamath Basin -- the result of two years of negotiations by a score of diverse representatives -- has now been released and deserves the thoughtful consideration of all Oregonians.
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1201568120311960.xml&coll=7
News Release – For salmon tracking: Digital Angel Secures $6 Million Three-Year Contract from Bonneville Power Administration (Yahoo! Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080130/20080130005276.html?.v=1
Officials warn of salmon population 'collapse' in California’s Central Valley (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8109785?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Alaska fishermen push for Farm Bill benefits – Just these once, wild-harvest fishermen in Alaska and nationwide want to be lumped in with fish farmers. They're pushing for a version of the federal farm bill that redefines "farm" to include "a commercial fishing enterprise." (Juneau Empire)
http://juneauempire.com/stories/012908/loc_241684747.shtml
Environmental group hopes river logs aid salmon (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080130/NEWS01/785320005/-1/RSS01
Olympian Editorial – DNR debris removal a welcome service. Officials at the state Department of Natural Resources have stepped up and agreed to coordinate removal of woody debris in the upper Chehalis River Valley deposited during the December flooding.
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/342381.html
Seattle Times Guest columnist – Risky timber practices worsened December flooding
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004152372_goldmark30.html?syndication=rss
Entiat, private investor may get PUD land – The city of Entiat and companies owned by local developer Calvin White will benefit from land deals approved Monday by Chelan County PUD commissioners. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/NEWS04/464295601/1025/rss1025
Seattle Times Op/Ed – Put through the wringer by fast-rising water rates. Is it just me, or did other Snohomish-area residents feel absolutely railroaded with the recent water- and utility-rate increase from the city of Snohomish?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004152317_snomilburn30.html?syndication=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Bill would benefit public power projects like Energy Northwest wind farms – The Legislature is considering a bill that would front cash incentives owed by the federal government to public developers of wind farms and other environmentally friendly power projects. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/business/v-rss/story/9600450p-9511923c.html
Clean energy groups face 'tough road' in getting tax-credit extensions in stimulus package – President Bush's encouraging words about clean energy are meaningless without a tax credit for wind, solar and other renewable power. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8110550?source=rss
Boardman to get ethanol demonstration plant – Pacific Ethanol will build a demonstration plant to produce ethanol from byproducts such as corn stalks, wheat straw and poplar trees with the help of up to $24.3 million from the Department of Energy. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9599859p-9511333c.html
Maryland – Wind farms hit opposition: Foes target clearing of state forest land (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association OnLine)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CihkmrtrXUok%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv
Cape Wind Passes Agency Test – The first proposed offshore wind energy facility in the United States passed a significant test with the mid-January release of a federal review as it starts what is expected to be its final year of permitting. (Energy Pulse Commentary)
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1658
New York – Second Long Island wind energy project proposed. A Hauppauge company is proposing its second wind energy project south of Long Island, this one to serve Nassau and Suffolk electricity customers instead of those in the city. (Newsday)
http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzleft0130,0,635566.story?track=rss
CONSERVATION
Canada – McGuinty's clothes call. It might have taken five years, but the government of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has finally unveiled a sensible conservation measure that doesn't revolve around banning anything except for bans. (The Windsor Star)
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/editorial/story.html?id=4e9e1687-5c31-491e-b2b8-e41070f85263
New Hampshire – Sen. Ted Gatsas: For higher electric rates, residents should get a guaranteed benefit (Union Leader)
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Sen.+Ted+Gatsas%3A+For+higher+electric+rates%2C+residents+should+get+a+guaranteed+benefit&articleId=e9490b11-76ed-4380-8b91-a4eed28139d3
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Global warming takes center stage in South Sound (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/342943.html
Are firms telling little green lies? Web site takes on ad claims that environmental facts may not back up (Portland Tribune)
http://portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=120155613148190600
Travel – Fuzzy math on carbon footprints (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/mcgee/2008-01-30-fuzzy-math_N.htm
United Kingdom – Gas ad was hot air, says watchdog. A TV and press ad campaign for British Gas has been banned by the advertising watchdog for making false green claims about an energy tariff. (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/30/asa.advertising1?gusrc=rss&feed=media
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Yahoo to lay off 1,000 workers (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1190055~Yahoo_to_lay_off_1_000_workers.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Vista at one year: Progress and pain – Windows upgrade fuels revenue and frustrations (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/349265_msftvista30.html?source=rss
Damaged Cable Cuts Internet in Mideast – Internet outages disrupted business and personal usage across a wide swathe of the Middle East on Wednesday after an undersea cable in the Mediterranean was damaged, government officials and Internet service providers said. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004153779_apmideastinternetoutages30.html?syndication=rss
Pay Per Gig – If you are an Internet-crazy movie lover in Beaumont, Tex., life may soon take a miserable turn for you. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/29/AR2008012903205.html?nav=rss_email/components
Clearwire, Sprint said to resume WiMax joint venture talks (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1188299~Clearwire__Sprint_said_to_resume_WiMax_joint_venture_talks.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
GENERAL NEWS
Shelton Man, Jason French, Killed In Wrong-Way Freeway Crash (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15164411/detail.html
$5,000 worth of electrical wire stolen from Thurston County development (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/342948.html
Tips helped nab metal thieves – Citizens' tips were invaluable in leading sheriff's deputies to arrest two women suspected of being involved in a recent rash of metal theft, Cowlitz County Sheriff Bill Mahoney said Tuesday. (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/30/area_news/10083246.txt
Kidney Thefts Shock India (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/world/asia/30kidney.html?ex=1359349200&en=b4c62469af7d7c0f&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Walla Walla County in running for $1.2 billion silicon chip plant – A potential development in Wallula would be the single largest economic development project in county history and could bring 300 jobs with it. (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)
http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2008/01/29/local_news/local02.txt
Congressional Research Reports – What is a Recession, Who Decides When It Starts, and When Do They Decide?
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RS22793
DIVERSIONS
Japanese firm offers "heartache leave" for staff – Lovelorn staff at a Japanese marketing company can take paid time off after a bad break-up with a partner, with more "heartache leave" on offer as they get older.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080128/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_japan_leave;_ylt=AhprdsAJ8w8pTcNDsUN5LgTtiBIF
Boy Parks Bike In Wrong Place, Goodwill Store Sells It
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15176575/detail.html
Nose means new Thai PM in sign language – Sign language interpreters in Thailand have run afoul of some ruling party supporters by holding their noses to refer to the new prime minister.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_fe_st/thailand_prime_minister_nose;_ylt=Aqg2yolmlyFYG5dVc8mN8VDtiBIF
Pot Clinics Add Vending Machines – Medical Marijuana Clinics Lower Costs, Add Safety
http://www.kirotv.com/health/15173267/detail.html
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Energy Dept. Pulls Support for FutureGen
* News Release – BPA will miss employee killed in fatal traffic accident
* Idaho Power sets winter demand record
* Report: Cost of building Black Rock reservoir exceed benefit
* Black Rock – Yakima River water not a win-win
* Oregonian Commentary – A paradigm shift in resolving Klamath Dam conflict
* For salmon tracking: Digital Angel Secures $6 Million Three-Year Contract
* Officials warn of salmon population 'collapse' in California’s Central Valley
* Alaska fishermen push for Farm Bill benefits
* Environmental group hopes river logs aid salmon
* Olympian Editorial – DNR debris removal a welcome service.
* Seattle Times Guest columnist – Risky timber practices worsened December flooding
* Entiat, private investor may get PUD land
* Seattle Times Op/Ed – Put through the wringer by fast-rising water rates
* Bill would benefit public power projects like Energy Northwest wind farms
* Clean energy groups face 'tough road' in getting tax-credit extensions in stimulus package
* Boardman to get ethanol demonstration plant
* Maryland – Wind farms hit opposition
* Cape Wind Passes Agency Test
* New York – Second Long Island wind energy project proposed
* Canada – McGuinty's clothes call
* Global warming takes center stage in South Sound
* Are firms telling little green lies?
* Travel – Fuzzy math on carbon footprints
* United Kingdom – Gas ad was hot air, says watchdog
* Yahoo to lay off 1,000 workers
* Vista at one year: Progress and pain
* Damaged Cable Cuts Internet in Mideast
* Clearwire, Sprint said to resume WiMax joint venture talks
* Shelton Man, Jason French, Killed In Wrong-Way Freeway Crash
* $5,000 worth of electrical wire stolen from Thurston County development
* Tips helped nab metal thieves
* Kidney Thefts Shock India
* Walla Walla County in running for $1.2 billion silicon chip plant
* What is a Recession, Who Decides When It Starts, and When Do They Decide?
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Foozle • \FOO-zul\ • verb – To manage or play awkwardly: bungle
Watching Abercrombie in aerobics class was like watching a large, ponderous bear attempt ballet…only not as good. Just about every move barked out by the harridan leading the class led to a foozled step by Abercrombie. Many times he endangered his fellow classmates with flailing arms or a mistaken left step when a right one was ordered.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Energy Dept. Pulls Support for FutureGen – The U.S. Department of Energy, frustrated by ballooning costs for an ambitious plan to build a virtually emissions-free power plant, told federal lawmakers Tuesday it plans to pull its support for the $1.8 billion project in Illinois, lawmakers said. (Associated Press, via the San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/01/29/financial/f134224S01.DTL&feed=rss.business
News Release – BPA will miss employee killed in fatal traffic accident (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/190306/
Idaho Power sets winter demand record (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association OnLine)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5Cihllhkt%5BUok%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Report: Cost of building Black Rock reservoir exceed benefit (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/342151.html
Black Rock – Yakima River water not a win-win. Putting more water into the Yakima River basin might be a good deal for farmers, fish and regional economies, but it wouldn't be worth the cost to the federal government (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/9599860p-9511334c.html
Oregonian Commentary – A paradigm shift in resolving conflict. A proposed agreement for restoration of the Klamath Basin -- the result of two years of negotiations by a score of diverse representatives -- has now been released and deserves the thoughtful consideration of all Oregonians.
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1201568120311960.xml&coll=7
News Release – For salmon tracking: Digital Angel Secures $6 Million Three-Year Contract from Bonneville Power Administration (Yahoo! Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080130/20080130005276.html?.v=1
Officials warn of salmon population 'collapse' in California’s Central Valley (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8109785?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Alaska fishermen push for Farm Bill benefits – Just these once, wild-harvest fishermen in Alaska and nationwide want to be lumped in with fish farmers. They're pushing for a version of the federal farm bill that redefines "farm" to include "a commercial fishing enterprise." (Juneau Empire)
http://juneauempire.com/stories/012908/loc_241684747.shtml
Environmental group hopes river logs aid salmon (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080130/NEWS01/785320005/-1/RSS01
Olympian Editorial – DNR debris removal a welcome service. Officials at the state Department of Natural Resources have stepped up and agreed to coordinate removal of woody debris in the upper Chehalis River Valley deposited during the December flooding.
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/342381.html
Seattle Times Guest columnist – Risky timber practices worsened December flooding
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004152372_goldmark30.html?syndication=rss
Entiat, private investor may get PUD land – The city of Entiat and companies owned by local developer Calvin White will benefit from land deals approved Monday by Chelan County PUD commissioners. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/NEWS04/464295601/1025/rss1025
Seattle Times Op/Ed – Put through the wringer by fast-rising water rates. Is it just me, or did other Snohomish-area residents feel absolutely railroaded with the recent water- and utility-rate increase from the city of Snohomish?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004152317_snomilburn30.html?syndication=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Bill would benefit public power projects like Energy Northwest wind farms – The Legislature is considering a bill that would front cash incentives owed by the federal government to public developers of wind farms and other environmentally friendly power projects. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/business/v-rss/story/9600450p-9511923c.html
Clean energy groups face 'tough road' in getting tax-credit extensions in stimulus package – President Bush's encouraging words about clean energy are meaningless without a tax credit for wind, solar and other renewable power. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8110550?source=rss
Boardman to get ethanol demonstration plant – Pacific Ethanol will build a demonstration plant to produce ethanol from byproducts such as corn stalks, wheat straw and poplar trees with the help of up to $24.3 million from the Department of Energy. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9599859p-9511333c.html
Maryland – Wind farms hit opposition: Foes target clearing of state forest land (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association OnLine)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CihkmrtrXUok%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv
Cape Wind Passes Agency Test – The first proposed offshore wind energy facility in the United States passed a significant test with the mid-January release of a federal review as it starts what is expected to be its final year of permitting. (Energy Pulse Commentary)
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1658
New York – Second Long Island wind energy project proposed. A Hauppauge company is proposing its second wind energy project south of Long Island, this one to serve Nassau and Suffolk electricity customers instead of those in the city. (Newsday)
http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzleft0130,0,635566.story?track=rss
CONSERVATION
Canada – McGuinty's clothes call. It might have taken five years, but the government of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has finally unveiled a sensible conservation measure that doesn't revolve around banning anything except for bans. (The Windsor Star)
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/editorial/story.html?id=4e9e1687-5c31-491e-b2b8-e41070f85263
New Hampshire – Sen. Ted Gatsas: For higher electric rates, residents should get a guaranteed benefit (Union Leader)
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Sen.+Ted+Gatsas%3A+For+higher+electric+rates%2C+residents+should+get+a+guaranteed+benefit&articleId=e9490b11-76ed-4380-8b91-a4eed28139d3
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Global warming takes center stage in South Sound (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/342943.html
Are firms telling little green lies? Web site takes on ad claims that environmental facts may not back up (Portland Tribune)
http://portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=120155613148190600
Travel – Fuzzy math on carbon footprints (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/mcgee/2008-01-30-fuzzy-math_N.htm
United Kingdom – Gas ad was hot air, says watchdog. A TV and press ad campaign for British Gas has been banned by the advertising watchdog for making false green claims about an energy tariff. (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/30/asa.advertising1?gusrc=rss&feed=media
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Yahoo to lay off 1,000 workers (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1190055~Yahoo_to_lay_off_1_000_workers.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Vista at one year: Progress and pain – Windows upgrade fuels revenue and frustrations (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/349265_msftvista30.html?source=rss
Damaged Cable Cuts Internet in Mideast – Internet outages disrupted business and personal usage across a wide swathe of the Middle East on Wednesday after an undersea cable in the Mediterranean was damaged, government officials and Internet service providers said. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004153779_apmideastinternetoutages30.html?syndication=rss
Pay Per Gig – If you are an Internet-crazy movie lover in Beaumont, Tex., life may soon take a miserable turn for you. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/29/AR2008012903205.html?nav=rss_email/components
Clearwire, Sprint said to resume WiMax joint venture talks (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1188299~Clearwire__Sprint_said_to_resume_WiMax_joint_venture_talks.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
GENERAL NEWS
Shelton Man, Jason French, Killed In Wrong-Way Freeway Crash (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15164411/detail.html
$5,000 worth of electrical wire stolen from Thurston County development (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/342948.html
Tips helped nab metal thieves – Citizens' tips were invaluable in leading sheriff's deputies to arrest two women suspected of being involved in a recent rash of metal theft, Cowlitz County Sheriff Bill Mahoney said Tuesday. (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/30/area_news/10083246.txt
Kidney Thefts Shock India (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/world/asia/30kidney.html?ex=1359349200&en=b4c62469af7d7c0f&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Walla Walla County in running for $1.2 billion silicon chip plant – A potential development in Wallula would be the single largest economic development project in county history and could bring 300 jobs with it. (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)
http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2008/01/29/local_news/local02.txt
Congressional Research Reports – What is a Recession, Who Decides When It Starts, and When Do They Decide?
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RS22793
DIVERSIONS
Japanese firm offers "heartache leave" for staff – Lovelorn staff at a Japanese marketing company can take paid time off after a bad break-up with a partner, with more "heartache leave" on offer as they get older.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080128/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_japan_leave;_ylt=AhprdsAJ8w8pTcNDsUN5LgTtiBIF
Boy Parks Bike In Wrong Place, Goodwill Store Sells It
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15176575/detail.html
Nose means new Thai PM in sign language – Sign language interpreters in Thailand have run afoul of some ruling party supporters by holding their noses to refer to the new prime minister.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_fe_st/thailand_prime_minister_nose;_ylt=Aqg2yolmlyFYG5dVc8mN8VDtiBIF
Pot Clinics Add Vending Machines – Medical Marijuana Clinics Lower Costs, Add Safety
http://www.kirotv.com/health/15173267/detail.html
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Energy News Digest for January 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)
* Idaho Statesman Opinion – Idaho must face reality; power supply is limited
* BPA offering $3,000 reward for information and conviction of vandals who damaged elk habitat
* Pole attachment hijnks – A classic rivalry rekindled in Olympia
* California – One killed, two injured in collapse at Pacific Gas & Electric site
* PacifiCorp drops plans for coal plant in Wyoming
* Indiana gives last OK for Duke Energy coal gasification plant
* Colorado – Xcel threatened with lawsuit over clean air standards
* Con Edison: Stray voltage shocks drop 78 percent in New York City
* Former Anderson partners settle with SEC on Enron
* Allegheny Energy settles Merrill Lynch case
* Congressional Research Reports – Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities
* United Kingdom – Power solution: pray, protest, go green
* Final "Black Rock" Study Set to be Released
* Cities worry about costs of meeting Spokane River cleanup goals
* It's Time To Drink Toilet Water
* Puget Sound orcas feeding in California…again
* Company investigating Mount Baker for geothermal power
* New Zealand – In a spin over energy conservation
* Wal-Mart chief offers an energy manifesto
* EU industry unites to promote energy-saving lamps
* Intel: biggest corporate buyer for renewable credits
* Canadian government downplays concerns over emissions exclusions
* Alaska Communications Systems to invest $95M in fiber optic cable to the Lower 48
* FCC to release USF reform proposals
* What if the Internet went down...and didn't come back up?
* Broadband Over Power Lines Goes Green “
* Congressional Research Reports – Net Neutrality: Background and Issues
* Peacock Ridge Developer To Start Annexation Into City Of Shelton
* MOU Takes Port Of Shelton Annexation Off The Table
* SBA closing disaster center in Belfair
* Clark County – Panasonic plant to close, lay off 89
* Grant County EDC investigates missing money
* E-mail ruling raises open-records issues
* 55 mph Speed Limit Resurfaces
* Ex-lawmaker Paul Conner dies at 82
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Immutable • \ih-MYOO-tuh-bul\ • adjective – Not capable of or susceptible to change
The invisible hand drew back and paused. The immutable force of the market place had been battling a slow start in its contest against the dialectic of Marxist theology. Suddenly the hand moved forward and flung the 16 pound ball down the alley…picking up the 7-10 spare. “YOU WIN!” Exclaimed the Keynesian scorekeeper. “Yeah, but in the long run you’ll all be dead,” chortled the ghost of Thomas Malthus.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Idaho Statesman Opinion – Idaho must face reality; power supply is limited. When promoting Idaho, the state's leaders have long promoted plentiful, cheap power. But you cannot sell what you do not have. (I know, let’s remove enough generation from the Snake River to light up Seattle!)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/editorial/story/276732.html
News Release – BPA offering $3,000 reward for information and conviction of vandals who damaged elk habitat near Lowell, Ore. (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/190227/
Pole attachment hijnks – A classic rivalry rekindled in Olympia (Tri-City Herald, Chrus Mulick)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/blogs/mulick/v-rss/story/9598253p-9509816c.html
California – One killed, two injured in collapse at Pacific Gas & Electric site (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8108011?source=rss&nclick_check=1
PacifiCorp drops plans for coal plant in Wyoming (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/01/28/daily1.html?ana=from_rss
Indiana gives last OK for Duke Energy coal gasification plant (Business Courier of Cincinnati)
http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/01/28/daily7.html?ana=from_rss
Colorado – Xcel threatened with lawsuit over clean air standards (Denver Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/01/28/daily20.html?ana=from_rss
Con Edison: Stray voltage shocks drop 78 percent in New York City – Con Edison reported a 78-percent decline in the number of electric shocks since 2004, when its safety efforts began. (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/318417/22/ARTCL/none/none/1/Con-Edison:-Stray-voltage-shocks-drop-78-percent-in-NYC/
Former Anderson partners settle with SEC on Enron (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUKN2849270820080128?rpc=44
Allegheny Energy settles Merrill Lynch case (Pittsburgh Business Times)
http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/01/28/daily1.html
Congressional Research Reports – Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RL34331
United Kingdom – Power solution: pray, protest, go green. Prayer, protest and turning to greener forms of energy - this is how religious leaders, a trade union and environmental activists proposed dealing with the country’s power crisis today. (The Times of London)
http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=694215
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Final "Black Rock" Study Set to be Released – The Bureau of Reclamation will release their final report on the Yakima River Basin Storage Study on Tuesday morning. (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7785176
Cities worry about costs of meeting Spokane River cleanup goals (Coeur D’Alene Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1181914~Cities_worry_about_costs_of_meeting_Spokane_River_cleanup_goals.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
It's Time To Drink Toilet Water – Recycling sewage is safe and efficient, so why aren't we doing it? (Slate Magazine – I love the story graphic!)
http://www.slate.com/id/2182758/nav/ais/
Puget Sound orcas feeding in California…again – Relocation seen as sign that state salmon stock is low (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349107_orcas29.html?source=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Company investigating Mount Baker for geothermal power (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/341257.html
New Zealand – In a spin over energy conservation. Inglewood High School is giving energy production a spin with the installation of a new power-generating wind turbine. (Taranaki Daily News)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4379721a6554.html
CONSERVATION
Wal-Mart chief offers an energy manifesto – Wal-Mart has pledged to cut the energy used by many of its products 25 percent, to force the chain's suppliers to meet stricter ethical standards, and to apply its legendary cost-cutting skills to help other companies deliver health care for their employees. (CNET News)
http://www.news.com/Wal-Mart-chief-offers-an-energy-manifesto/2100-11392_3-6227449.html?tag=fd_nbs_ent&tag=nl.e703
EU industry unites to promote energy-saving lamps (Reuters)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKL2813430120080128
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Intel: biggest corporate buyer for renewable credits (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/01/28/daily8.html?ana=from_rss
Canadian government downplays concerns over emissions exclusions – The Harper government is downplaying its proposal to overlook up to 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution from the oil and gas industry in its plan to fight global warming. (CanWest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=dbf229db-3913-4087-b81c-b9702b12bae4&k=64317
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Address climate change through land use
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/29/EDJJUNNF9.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Alaska Communications Systems to invest $95M in fiber optic cable to the Lower 48 (Alaska Journal of Commerce)
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/012008/hom_20080120004.shtml
FCC to release USF reform proposals “…The board's flagship recommendation was to specifically earmark a portion of the fund to help pay for the costs of deploying broadband Internet networks across the country…” (Associated Press, via BusinessWeek)
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8UBSFLO0.htm
Verizon FiOS – Fiber optics lives up to ads (Washington Times)
http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080129/TECHNOLOGY01/902552270/1020/TECHNOLOGY
Broadband's Growing 'Need for Speed' – Telecom and cable providers will beef up their networks even as economic malaise curbs demand for high-speed Internet services (BusinessWeek)
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2008/tc20080127_181692.htm?campaign_id=rss_tech
What if the Internet went down...and didn't come back up? (Network World)
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/012208-internet-went-down.html
Broadband Over Power Lines Goes Green “…The BPL industry has mostly switched from pushing broadband to providing demand response systems to electric utilities…” (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/01/25/bpl-goes-green/
Congressional Research Reports – Net Neutrality: Background and Issues
http://opencrs.com/document/RS22444
GENERAL NEWS
PEACOCK RIDGE DEVELOPER TO START ANNEXATION INTO CITY OF SHELTON – The Shelton City Commission has authorized city staff to ask the developer of Peacock Ridge to begin the annexation process. Earlier this month, the developer, Boston Harbor Land Company, explained their concerns over how to annex to the City Commission. Dave Prutzman said that if the City were to annex just the Company's 240 acres there would be an enclave of unincorporated Mason County surrounded by the City which may not be the best situation. Prutzman also stated that some adjacent property owners may not support annexation and that could stop annexation all together. Boston Harbor Land Company said it would do further research and find out where those property owners stand on annexation. Since that January 15th meeting, the City's Administrator Dave O'Leary did some research himself. O'Leary discovered that the development property does not make up the 60% of assessed value needed to approve annexation. However, O'Leary did get a legal opinion on leaving enclaves and according to the City's Attorney, that situation may not be desirable but should be pursued. Based on this opinion, O'Leary suggested the City Commission ask the developer to proceed with the annexation petition. The Commissioners agreed and unanimously authorized the request. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
M-O-U TAKES PORT OF SHELTON ANNEXATION OFF THE TABLE – The Shelton City Commission has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (M-O-U) with the Port of Shelton that will locate Regional Sewer and Water lines across port property and allow future connection without requiring annexation. The Port is granting an easement for the lines to cross property adjacent to Sanderson Field and to cross the Port's Business Park North. Originally, the easement prohibited Port connection without annexation. With this M-O-U that is no longer the case. The agreement states “…when port connections to the system become necessary, advisable or otherwise desired by the port, provided capacity exists, annexation will not be a prerequisite to such connections…” Rates will also be negotiated on “a fair and equitable basis.” The M-O-U also recognizes that annexation may occur in the future when mutually desirable. The City put the Memorandum of Understanding in resolution form. The Port of Shelton Commission is expected to approve the M-O-U Tuesday during its study session at 2pm. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Lawmakers eye storm recovery – Gov. Chris Gregoire says the work to rebuild and avoid future catastrophes like the December wind- and rainstorms and flooding along the Chehalis River still is a mammoth undertaking. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/341640.html
SBA closing disaster centers in Belfair, Long Beach, Raymond (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01282008news269345.cfm
Clark County – Panasonic plant to close, lay off 89 (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2008/01/01282008_Panasonic-plant-to--close-lay-off-89.cfm/
Grant County EDC investigates missing money – Office manager placed on leave (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/01/28/news/news01.txt
E-mail ruling raises open-records issues – Under Washington's open-records laws, e-mails written on public computers are public records. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004150783_records29m.html?syndication=rss
Mystery solved: Oregon town inks economic development deal (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1183219~Mystery_solved__Oregon_town_inks_economic_development_deal.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
55 mph Speed Limit Resurfaces (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3521
Ex-lawmaker Paul Conner dies at 82 – Paul Conner, an orphan who grew to serve as a popular state legislator on the North Olympic Peninsula for 35 years, has died. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080129/NEWS/801290307
DIVERSIONS
Homemade sweets: Okay after all – The Eastmont School Board voted for everything except banning homemade treats Monday night.
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080128/NEWS04/248905623/1001/rss1001
New York State Employee Arrested For Selling Historic Documents On eBay
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cmp/20080129/tc_cmp/205920627
Man struggles to return from the dead
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2969508720080129?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Frugal librarian amassed $8 million art trove
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2956910420080129?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Idaho Statesman Opinion – Idaho must face reality; power supply is limited
* BPA offering $3,000 reward for information and conviction of vandals who damaged elk habitat
* Pole attachment hijnks – A classic rivalry rekindled in Olympia
* California – One killed, two injured in collapse at Pacific Gas & Electric site
* PacifiCorp drops plans for coal plant in Wyoming
* Indiana gives last OK for Duke Energy coal gasification plant
* Colorado – Xcel threatened with lawsuit over clean air standards
* Con Edison: Stray voltage shocks drop 78 percent in New York City
* Former Anderson partners settle with SEC on Enron
* Allegheny Energy settles Merrill Lynch case
* Congressional Research Reports – Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities
* United Kingdom – Power solution: pray, protest, go green
* Final "Black Rock" Study Set to be Released
* Cities worry about costs of meeting Spokane River cleanup goals
* It's Time To Drink Toilet Water
* Puget Sound orcas feeding in California…again
* Company investigating Mount Baker for geothermal power
* New Zealand – In a spin over energy conservation
* Wal-Mart chief offers an energy manifesto
* EU industry unites to promote energy-saving lamps
* Intel: biggest corporate buyer for renewable credits
* Canadian government downplays concerns over emissions exclusions
* Alaska Communications Systems to invest $95M in fiber optic cable to the Lower 48
* FCC to release USF reform proposals
* What if the Internet went down...and didn't come back up?
* Broadband Over Power Lines Goes Green “
* Congressional Research Reports – Net Neutrality: Background and Issues
* Peacock Ridge Developer To Start Annexation Into City Of Shelton
* MOU Takes Port Of Shelton Annexation Off The Table
* SBA closing disaster center in Belfair
* Clark County – Panasonic plant to close, lay off 89
* Grant County EDC investigates missing money
* E-mail ruling raises open-records issues
* 55 mph Speed Limit Resurfaces
* Ex-lawmaker Paul Conner dies at 82
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Immutable • \ih-MYOO-tuh-bul\ • adjective – Not capable of or susceptible to change
The invisible hand drew back and paused. The immutable force of the market place had been battling a slow start in its contest against the dialectic of Marxist theology. Suddenly the hand moved forward and flung the 16 pound ball down the alley…picking up the 7-10 spare. “YOU WIN!” Exclaimed the Keynesian scorekeeper. “Yeah, but in the long run you’ll all be dead,” chortled the ghost of Thomas Malthus.
WEATHER
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Idaho Statesman Opinion – Idaho must face reality; power supply is limited. When promoting Idaho, the state's leaders have long promoted plentiful, cheap power. But you cannot sell what you do not have. (I know, let’s remove enough generation from the Snake River to light up Seattle!)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/editorial/story/276732.html
News Release – BPA offering $3,000 reward for information and conviction of vandals who damaged elk habitat near Lowell, Ore. (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/190227/
Pole attachment hijnks – A classic rivalry rekindled in Olympia (Tri-City Herald, Chrus Mulick)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/blogs/mulick/v-rss/story/9598253p-9509816c.html
California – One killed, two injured in collapse at Pacific Gas & Electric site (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8108011?source=rss&nclick_check=1
PacifiCorp drops plans for coal plant in Wyoming (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/01/28/daily1.html?ana=from_rss
Indiana gives last OK for Duke Energy coal gasification plant (Business Courier of Cincinnati)
http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/01/28/daily7.html?ana=from_rss
Colorado – Xcel threatened with lawsuit over clean air standards (Denver Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/01/28/daily20.html?ana=from_rss
Con Edison: Stray voltage shocks drop 78 percent in New York City – Con Edison reported a 78-percent decline in the number of electric shocks since 2004, when its safety efforts began. (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/318417/22/ARTCL/none/none/1/Con-Edison:-Stray-voltage-shocks-drop-78-percent-in-NYC/
Former Anderson partners settle with SEC on Enron (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUKN2849270820080128?rpc=44
Allegheny Energy settles Merrill Lynch case (Pittsburgh Business Times)
http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/01/28/daily1.html
Congressional Research Reports – Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RL34331
United Kingdom – Power solution: pray, protest, go green. Prayer, protest and turning to greener forms of energy - this is how religious leaders, a trade union and environmental activists proposed dealing with the country’s power crisis today. (The Times of London)
http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=694215
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Final "Black Rock" Study Set to be Released – The Bureau of Reclamation will release their final report on the Yakima River Basin Storage Study on Tuesday morning. (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7785176
Cities worry about costs of meeting Spokane River cleanup goals (Coeur D’Alene Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1181914~Cities_worry_about_costs_of_meeting_Spokane_River_cleanup_goals.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
It's Time To Drink Toilet Water – Recycling sewage is safe and efficient, so why aren't we doing it? (Slate Magazine – I love the story graphic!)
http://www.slate.com/id/2182758/nav/ais/
Puget Sound orcas feeding in California…again – Relocation seen as sign that state salmon stock is low (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349107_orcas29.html?source=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Company investigating Mount Baker for geothermal power (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/341257.html
New Zealand – In a spin over energy conservation. Inglewood High School is giving energy production a spin with the installation of a new power-generating wind turbine. (Taranaki Daily News)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4379721a6554.html
CONSERVATION
Wal-Mart chief offers an energy manifesto – Wal-Mart has pledged to cut the energy used by many of its products 25 percent, to force the chain's suppliers to meet stricter ethical standards, and to apply its legendary cost-cutting skills to help other companies deliver health care for their employees. (CNET News)
http://www.news.com/Wal-Mart-chief-offers-an-energy-manifesto/2100-11392_3-6227449.html?tag=fd_nbs_ent&tag=nl.e703
EU industry unites to promote energy-saving lamps (Reuters)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKL2813430120080128
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Intel: biggest corporate buyer for renewable credits (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/01/28/daily8.html?ana=from_rss
Canadian government downplays concerns over emissions exclusions – The Harper government is downplaying its proposal to overlook up to 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution from the oil and gas industry in its plan to fight global warming. (CanWest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=dbf229db-3913-4087-b81c-b9702b12bae4&k=64317
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Address climate change through land use
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/29/EDJJUNNF9.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Alaska Communications Systems to invest $95M in fiber optic cable to the Lower 48 (Alaska Journal of Commerce)
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/012008/hom_20080120004.shtml
FCC to release USF reform proposals “…The board's flagship recommendation was to specifically earmark a portion of the fund to help pay for the costs of deploying broadband Internet networks across the country…” (Associated Press, via BusinessWeek)
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8UBSFLO0.htm
Verizon FiOS – Fiber optics lives up to ads (Washington Times)
http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080129/TECHNOLOGY01/902552270/1020/TECHNOLOGY
Broadband's Growing 'Need for Speed' – Telecom and cable providers will beef up their networks even as economic malaise curbs demand for high-speed Internet services (BusinessWeek)
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2008/tc20080127_181692.htm?campaign_id=rss_tech
What if the Internet went down...and didn't come back up? (Network World)
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/012208-internet-went-down.html
Broadband Over Power Lines Goes Green “…The BPL industry has mostly switched from pushing broadband to providing demand response systems to electric utilities…” (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/01/25/bpl-goes-green/
Congressional Research Reports – Net Neutrality: Background and Issues
http://opencrs.com/document/RS22444
GENERAL NEWS
PEACOCK RIDGE DEVELOPER TO START ANNEXATION INTO CITY OF SHELTON – The Shelton City Commission has authorized city staff to ask the developer of Peacock Ridge to begin the annexation process. Earlier this month, the developer, Boston Harbor Land Company, explained their concerns over how to annex to the City Commission. Dave Prutzman said that if the City were to annex just the Company's 240 acres there would be an enclave of unincorporated Mason County surrounded by the City which may not be the best situation. Prutzman also stated that some adjacent property owners may not support annexation and that could stop annexation all together. Boston Harbor Land Company said it would do further research and find out where those property owners stand on annexation. Since that January 15th meeting, the City's Administrator Dave O'Leary did some research himself. O'Leary discovered that the development property does not make up the 60% of assessed value needed to approve annexation. However, O'Leary did get a legal opinion on leaving enclaves and according to the City's Attorney, that situation may not be desirable but should be pursued. Based on this opinion, O'Leary suggested the City Commission ask the developer to proceed with the annexation petition. The Commissioners agreed and unanimously authorized the request. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
M-O-U TAKES PORT OF SHELTON ANNEXATION OFF THE TABLE – The Shelton City Commission has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (M-O-U) with the Port of Shelton that will locate Regional Sewer and Water lines across port property and allow future connection without requiring annexation. The Port is granting an easement for the lines to cross property adjacent to Sanderson Field and to cross the Port's Business Park North. Originally, the easement prohibited Port connection without annexation. With this M-O-U that is no longer the case. The agreement states “…when port connections to the system become necessary, advisable or otherwise desired by the port, provided capacity exists, annexation will not be a prerequisite to such connections…” Rates will also be negotiated on “a fair and equitable basis.” The M-O-U also recognizes that annexation may occur in the future when mutually desirable. The City put the Memorandum of Understanding in resolution form. The Port of Shelton Commission is expected to approve the M-O-U Tuesday during its study session at 2pm. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Lawmakers eye storm recovery – Gov. Chris Gregoire says the work to rebuild and avoid future catastrophes like the December wind- and rainstorms and flooding along the Chehalis River still is a mammoth undertaking. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/341640.html
SBA closing disaster centers in Belfair, Long Beach, Raymond (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01282008news269345.cfm
Clark County – Panasonic plant to close, lay off 89 (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2008/01/01282008_Panasonic-plant-to--close-lay-off-89.cfm/
Grant County EDC investigates missing money – Office manager placed on leave (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/01/28/news/news01.txt
E-mail ruling raises open-records issues – Under Washington's open-records laws, e-mails written on public computers are public records. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004150783_records29m.html?syndication=rss
Mystery solved: Oregon town inks economic development deal (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1183219~Mystery_solved__Oregon_town_inks_economic_development_deal.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
55 mph Speed Limit Resurfaces (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3521
Ex-lawmaker Paul Conner dies at 82 – Paul Conner, an orphan who grew to serve as a popular state legislator on the North Olympic Peninsula for 35 years, has died. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080129/NEWS/801290307
DIVERSIONS
Homemade sweets: Okay after all – The Eastmont School Board voted for everything except banning homemade treats Monday night.
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080128/NEWS04/248905623/1001/rss1001
New York State Employee Arrested For Selling Historic Documents On eBay
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cmp/20080129/tc_cmp/205920627
Man struggles to return from the dead
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2969508720080129?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Frugal librarian amassed $8 million art trove
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2956910420080129?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Monday, January 28, 2008
Energy News Digest for January 28, 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)
* Snow showers still in the forecast
* Company official confirms Idaho nuclear plant plans scuttled
* Whatcom County drops Alaska power project
* Montana – Powder River Basin eyed for new coal-to-gas plants
* Power pole struggle continues in Olympia
* British Columbia Hydro bills could jump 25 per cent over 3 years
* FPL Quarterly Profit Falls 16 Percent
* State senator out to kill electric deregulation in Pennsylvania
* Tri-City Herald Opinion – Easy answers elusive for salmon vs. sea lions
* Columbia, Snake Rivers Infested With Invasive Species
* Whale migration routes studied in preparation for wave energy
* 'We're not done yet': Water plant feted in mega-project to remove Elwha dams
* Water Well Debate Heats Up in Washington
* Great Lakes' Lower Water Levels Propel a Cascade of Hardships
* Port of Benton reaches pellet-energy deal
* Britain will need 12,500 wind farms to satisfy European Union targets
* Congress Conjures Up an Energy Deficit
* California – Renewable energy will have to hold for now
* British Columbia –Smart meter orders for B.C. Hydro in fast mode
* Clark PUD Energy Advisor – How much do you spend to power those black boxes?
* Colleges shine light on carbon output
* In Oregon and U.S., green groups are mostly white
* Value of U.S. House's Carbon Offsets Is Murky
* Waterville renaissance – Business is booming in this tiny plateau town Waterville
* Cisco to Sell Faster Switch for Flood of Remote Data
* Comcast to charge for bill payments when using live customer service representative
* Neighborhood copper wiring tempts thieves in Thurston County
* Thieves steal public art, sell the metal
* Sacagawea statue found at Bend scrap metal yard
* Neatherlin to Run Again in 35th District
* Yelm in the crosshairs – Disillusioned former students target Ramtha
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Solon • \SOE-lun\ • noun – 1: a wise and skillful lawgiver *2: a member of a legislative body
The solon with the impressive mane of white hair stood to speak in the assembled chamber that is the State Senate. On and on he droned about the minutia of taxes on fruits and vegetables, meats and fish, milk and dairy. The senator from Springfield was in a woozy haze from all this talk about food and taxes. After two hours of the onslaught, all he saw was a huge talking food pyramid with a white wig.
From Merriam-Webster – Solon was a particularly wise lawgiver in ancient Athens who was born in approximately 630 B.C. and lived until about 560 B.C. He was one of the Seven Wise Men of Greece, and he implemented a number of reforms in Athenian law. In English, his name has been used generically since at least 1625 to refer to any wise statesman. Contemporary American journalists, with whom the term is especially popular, have extended the meaning even further to include any member of a lawmaking body, wise or not. In fact, today the word is sometimes used ironically for a legislator who displays a marked lack of wisdom, rather than a profusion of it.
WEATHER
Snow showers still in the forecast (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_012708WX_KING_weather_sunday_SW.638d21e9.html
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Company official confirms Idaho nuclear plant plans scuttled – An executive of a company looking to locate a nuclear energy plant in Idaho says it just didn't pencil out. (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/340505.html
Whatcom County drops Alaska power project – However, Whatcom County PUD No. 1 interested in stepping forward as a partner (Bellingham Herald)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/302688.html
Montana – Powder River Basin eyed for new coal-to-gas plants (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1180563~Powder_River_Basin_eyed_for_new_coal_to_gas_plants.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines
Power pole struggle continues in Olympia – Despite local lawmakers' best efforts to crush a bill that could give telecommunications companies the upper hand in disputes with public utilities, the legislation is closer to becoming law. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/26/area_news/10077602.txt
British Columbia Hydro bills could jump 25 per cent over 3 years – Residential electricity costs could jump by hundreds of dollars annually by 2011, driven by a projected 25 per cent hike in rates and aggressive conservation measures, according to B.C. Hydro documents. (Victoria Times-Columnist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=753aafa9-8e0c-4fef-8aa3-3dbe2af5f4ff&k=27876
FPL Quarterly Profit Falls 16 Percent – The largest U.S. wind power company said it was hit by losses from trading in energy markets (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/business/business-fpl.html?ex=1359262800&en=4d5dc2ed5c38ead1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
State senator out to kill electric deregulation in Pennsylvania (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CignposnSUkg%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Tri-City Herald Opinion – Easy answers elusive for salmon vs. sea lions: The days appear to be numbered for a few salmon-poaching sea lions who use the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River as their own all-you-can-eat buffet.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/opinions/v-rss/story/9595192p-9506738c.html
Columbia, Snake Rivers Infested With Invasive Species (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3517
Whale migration routes studied in preparation for wave energy (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/14482992.html
'We're not done yet': Water plant feted in mega-project to remove Elwha dams (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080127/NEWS/801270302
Water Well Debate Heats Up in Washington (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3515
Great Lakes' Lower Water Levels Propel a Cascade of Hardships (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/26/AR2008012601748.html?wpisrc=rss_nation
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Port of Benton reaches pellet-energy deal – The Port of Benton has made a deal with an Oregon pellet maker and a Western Washington company to turn local agricultural waste into pellets and create energy for the area's power grid. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9593239p-9504731c.html
Britain will need 12,500 wind farms to satisfy European Union targets (The Independent, United Kingdom)
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/britain-will-need-12500-wind-farms-to-satisfy-eu-targets-773145.html
Congress Conjures Up an Energy Deficit – Let's understand a simple fact. You cannot squeeze any more energy out of a gallon of gasoline than already exists. If you mix it with an additive which itself provides less energy, what you get is less energy. (Energy Pulse Commentary)
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1656
California – Renewable energy will have to hold for now. Bear Valley Electric Service will have to wait on plans to use wastewater to make electricity (Big Bear Grizzly)
http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/articles/2008/01/28/news/latest_news/tbbarwa.txt
CONSERVATION
British Columbia –Smart meter orders for B.C. Hydro in fast mode. Those smart meters the provincial government promised everyone last year appear to be in hurry-up mode. (Victoria Times-Columnist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=19117278-6319-44a7-b04f-1a77e84535df&k=35687
Clark PUD Energy Advisor – How much do you spend to power those black boxes? (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/lifeHome/lifeHomeNews/2008/01/01272008_How-much-do-you-spend-to-power-those-black-boxes.cfm
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Colleges shine light on carbon output – Evergreen, South Puget Sound, Saint Martin's, Centralia College join nationwide campaign (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/340731.html
In Oregon and U.S., green groups are mostly white – Environmental leadership across the nation has little diversity, which two Portlanders work to change (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1201325108143650.xml&coll=7
Washington Post Editorial – A European Climate Plan: An intriguing approach that meshes well with bills on Capitol Hill
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/27/AR2008012701591.html?nav=rss_opinions
Value of U.S. House's Carbon Offsets Is Murky – Some Question Effectiveness of $89,000 Purchase to Balance Out Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/27/AR2008012702400.html?nav=rss_email/components
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Waterville renaissance – Business is booming in this tiny plateau town Waterville renaissance. “…Fast Internet service via the Douglas County PUD's fiber-optic network keeps them connected to the big-city worlds they left behind…” (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/NEWS04/539371083/1002
Cisco to Sell Faster Switch for Flood of Remote Data (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/technology/28cisco.html?_r=1&ex=1359262800&en=767ad8b614258f99&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Comcast to charge for bill payments when using live customer service representative (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1201314319142580.xml&coll=7
GENERAL NEWS
Neighborhood copper wiring tempts thieves in Thurston County (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/339170.html
Thieves steal public art, sell the metal – High metal prices make statues attractive to thieves seeking quick cash (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080128/NEWS01/362877302/-1/RSS01
Sacagawea statue found at Bend scrap metal yard (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/01/sacagawea_statue_found_at_bend.html
Neatherlin to Run Again in 35th District (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jan/25/neatherlin-to-run-again-in-35th-district/
Yelm in the crosshairs – Disillusioned former students target Ramtha; Critics claim they were ‘brainwashed’ (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/339950.html
DIVERSIONS
For some, State of the Union rife with drinking opportunities – Young policy wonks will take a shot whenever Bush says 'nuclear'
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8098947?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Dude! How great are those new Bud Light ads?
http://www.slate.com/id/2182846/fr/rss/
Where's the rest of my mouse? (Understatement of the year: “…Understandably, he lost his appetite…”)
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2844777120080128?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Snow showers still in the forecast
* Company official confirms Idaho nuclear plant plans scuttled
* Whatcom County drops Alaska power project
* Montana – Powder River Basin eyed for new coal-to-gas plants
* Power pole struggle continues in Olympia
* British Columbia Hydro bills could jump 25 per cent over 3 years
* FPL Quarterly Profit Falls 16 Percent
* State senator out to kill electric deregulation in Pennsylvania
* Tri-City Herald Opinion – Easy answers elusive for salmon vs. sea lions
* Columbia, Snake Rivers Infested With Invasive Species
* Whale migration routes studied in preparation for wave energy
* 'We're not done yet': Water plant feted in mega-project to remove Elwha dams
* Water Well Debate Heats Up in Washington
* Great Lakes' Lower Water Levels Propel a Cascade of Hardships
* Port of Benton reaches pellet-energy deal
* Britain will need 12,500 wind farms to satisfy European Union targets
* Congress Conjures Up an Energy Deficit
* California – Renewable energy will have to hold for now
* British Columbia –Smart meter orders for B.C. Hydro in fast mode
* Clark PUD Energy Advisor – How much do you spend to power those black boxes?
* Colleges shine light on carbon output
* In Oregon and U.S., green groups are mostly white
* Value of U.S. House's Carbon Offsets Is Murky
* Waterville renaissance – Business is booming in this tiny plateau town Waterville
* Cisco to Sell Faster Switch for Flood of Remote Data
* Comcast to charge for bill payments when using live customer service representative
* Neighborhood copper wiring tempts thieves in Thurston County
* Thieves steal public art, sell the metal
* Sacagawea statue found at Bend scrap metal yard
* Neatherlin to Run Again in 35th District
* Yelm in the crosshairs – Disillusioned former students target Ramtha
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Solon • \SOE-lun\ • noun – 1: a wise and skillful lawgiver *2: a member of a legislative body
The solon with the impressive mane of white hair stood to speak in the assembled chamber that is the State Senate. On and on he droned about the minutia of taxes on fruits and vegetables, meats and fish, milk and dairy. The senator from Springfield was in a woozy haze from all this talk about food and taxes. After two hours of the onslaught, all he saw was a huge talking food pyramid with a white wig.
From Merriam-Webster – Solon was a particularly wise lawgiver in ancient Athens who was born in approximately 630 B.C. and lived until about 560 B.C. He was one of the Seven Wise Men of Greece, and he implemented a number of reforms in Athenian law. In English, his name has been used generically since at least 1625 to refer to any wise statesman. Contemporary American journalists, with whom the term is especially popular, have extended the meaning even further to include any member of a lawmaking body, wise or not. In fact, today the word is sometimes used ironically for a legislator who displays a marked lack of wisdom, rather than a profusion of it.
WEATHER
Snow showers still in the forecast (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_012708WX_KING_weather_sunday_SW.638d21e9.html
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Company official confirms Idaho nuclear plant plans scuttled – An executive of a company looking to locate a nuclear energy plant in Idaho says it just didn't pencil out. (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/340505.html
Whatcom County drops Alaska power project – However, Whatcom County PUD No. 1 interested in stepping forward as a partner (Bellingham Herald)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/302688.html
Montana – Powder River Basin eyed for new coal-to-gas plants (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1180563~Powder_River_Basin_eyed_for_new_coal_to_gas_plants.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines
Power pole struggle continues in Olympia – Despite local lawmakers' best efforts to crush a bill that could give telecommunications companies the upper hand in disputes with public utilities, the legislation is closer to becoming law. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/26/area_news/10077602.txt
British Columbia Hydro bills could jump 25 per cent over 3 years – Residential electricity costs could jump by hundreds of dollars annually by 2011, driven by a projected 25 per cent hike in rates and aggressive conservation measures, according to B.C. Hydro documents. (Victoria Times-Columnist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=753aafa9-8e0c-4fef-8aa3-3dbe2af5f4ff&k=27876
FPL Quarterly Profit Falls 16 Percent – The largest U.S. wind power company said it was hit by losses from trading in energy markets (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/business/business-fpl.html?ex=1359262800&en=4d5dc2ed5c38ead1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
State senator out to kill electric deregulation in Pennsylvania (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CignposnSUkg%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Tri-City Herald Opinion – Easy answers elusive for salmon vs. sea lions: The days appear to be numbered for a few salmon-poaching sea lions who use the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River as their own all-you-can-eat buffet.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/opinions/v-rss/story/9595192p-9506738c.html
Columbia, Snake Rivers Infested With Invasive Species (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3517
Whale migration routes studied in preparation for wave energy (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/14482992.html
'We're not done yet': Water plant feted in mega-project to remove Elwha dams (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080127/NEWS/801270302
Water Well Debate Heats Up in Washington (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3515
Great Lakes' Lower Water Levels Propel a Cascade of Hardships (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/26/AR2008012601748.html?wpisrc=rss_nation
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Port of Benton reaches pellet-energy deal – The Port of Benton has made a deal with an Oregon pellet maker and a Western Washington company to turn local agricultural waste into pellets and create energy for the area's power grid. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9593239p-9504731c.html
Britain will need 12,500 wind farms to satisfy European Union targets (The Independent, United Kingdom)
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/britain-will-need-12500-wind-farms-to-satisfy-eu-targets-773145.html
Congress Conjures Up an Energy Deficit – Let's understand a simple fact. You cannot squeeze any more energy out of a gallon of gasoline than already exists. If you mix it with an additive which itself provides less energy, what you get is less energy. (Energy Pulse Commentary)
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1656
California – Renewable energy will have to hold for now. Bear Valley Electric Service will have to wait on plans to use wastewater to make electricity (Big Bear Grizzly)
http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/articles/2008/01/28/news/latest_news/tbbarwa.txt
CONSERVATION
British Columbia –Smart meter orders for B.C. Hydro in fast mode. Those smart meters the provincial government promised everyone last year appear to be in hurry-up mode. (Victoria Times-Columnist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=19117278-6319-44a7-b04f-1a77e84535df&k=35687
Clark PUD Energy Advisor – How much do you spend to power those black boxes? (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/lifeHome/lifeHomeNews/2008/01/01272008_How-much-do-you-spend-to-power-those-black-boxes.cfm
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Colleges shine light on carbon output – Evergreen, South Puget Sound, Saint Martin's, Centralia College join nationwide campaign (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/340731.html
In Oregon and U.S., green groups are mostly white – Environmental leadership across the nation has little diversity, which two Portlanders work to change (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1201325108143650.xml&coll=7
Washington Post Editorial – A European Climate Plan: An intriguing approach that meshes well with bills on Capitol Hill
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/27/AR2008012701591.html?nav=rss_opinions
Value of U.S. House's Carbon Offsets Is Murky – Some Question Effectiveness of $89,000 Purchase to Balance Out Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/27/AR2008012702400.html?nav=rss_email/components
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Waterville renaissance – Business is booming in this tiny plateau town Waterville renaissance. “…Fast Internet service via the Douglas County PUD's fiber-optic network keeps them connected to the big-city worlds they left behind…” (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/NEWS04/539371083/1002
Cisco to Sell Faster Switch for Flood of Remote Data (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/technology/28cisco.html?_r=1&ex=1359262800&en=767ad8b614258f99&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Comcast to charge for bill payments when using live customer service representative (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1201314319142580.xml&coll=7
GENERAL NEWS
Neighborhood copper wiring tempts thieves in Thurston County (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/339170.html
Thieves steal public art, sell the metal – High metal prices make statues attractive to thieves seeking quick cash (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080128/NEWS01/362877302/-1/RSS01
Sacagawea statue found at Bend scrap metal yard (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/01/sacagawea_statue_found_at_bend.html
Neatherlin to Run Again in 35th District (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jan/25/neatherlin-to-run-again-in-35th-district/
Yelm in the crosshairs – Disillusioned former students target Ramtha; Critics claim they were ‘brainwashed’ (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/339950.html
DIVERSIONS
For some, State of the Union rife with drinking opportunities – Young policy wonks will take a shot whenever Bush says 'nuclear'
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8098947?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Dude! How great are those new Bud Light ads?
http://www.slate.com/id/2182846/fr/rss/
Where's the rest of my mouse? (Understatement of the year: “…Understandably, he lost his appetite…”)
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2844777120080128?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Friday, January 25, 2008
Energy News Digest for January 24, 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)
* Chance of new snow this weekend across Washington
* Washington Columbia reactor to cut output to 40 pct
* South Africa declares electricity emergency
* Washington to set Chinook rules Feb. 2
* Federal orca recovery plan short on specific proposals
* California – Fishing ban sought on American River
* Daily Astorian Editorial – Why kill salmon for California?
* State House OKs public works package – Cowlitz PUD projects may benefit
* California Program Makes Toilet Water Drinkable
* California – Little energy behind state solar plant effort
* Oregonian Editorial – Give the guv some credit
* Indiana – Lawmakers reject renewable energy bill
* Hydro Doesn’t Have to Be Big
* Letting it all hang out; Province's move to end ban on clotheslines sign of changing attitudes
* Bill would add greenhouse gas concerns to growth management law
* Higher Storm Waves: Sign Of Climate Change?
* Centralia College Hosts Week of Climate Change Events
* Olympian Editorial – Schools on track with green efforts
* Construction to begin on East Wenatchee data center
* Grant County PUD commissioners review plans for fiber
* FCC's Airwaves Auction Draws $2.78 Billion in Bids
* News Release – CableOrganizer.com Cites the Top 5 Reasons Fiber Optic Technology
* Go Daddy Super Bowl ad finally passes muster, will tout censored commercial
* Copper thefts bedevil state road crews, endanger motorists
* Computer Crackdown – Nine D.C. Workers Fired For Looking at Porn
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Scarify • \SKAIR-uh-fye\ • verb – 1: to make scratches or small cuts in (as the skin) 2: to lacerate the feelings of *3: to cut or soften the wall of (a hard seed) to hasten germination 4: to clear ground of debris in preparation for replanting, as in logging clean up
Ambrose wandered aimlessly through the wasteland that was his backyard. A stunted tree with a crazily angled swing off a cracked limb; an abandoned fish pond filled with frogs eggs and mosquito larvae; and his barren garden plot, half an acre of rocky soil that looked as if God had scarified it as a part of a biblical curse. “hmm, maybe potatoes this year,” he pondered.
WEATHER
Chance of new snow this weekend across Washington (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01252008news267921.cfm
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Washington Columbia reactor to cut output to 40 pct (Reuters)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN2429150520080125
South Africa declares electricity emergency (Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080125/ap_on_re_af/south_africa_electricity_2
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Washington to set Chinook rules Feb. 2 (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/25/this_day/10075243.txt
Federal orca recovery plan short on specific proposals (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/264467.html
California – Fishing ban sought on river. Two-month lull on American would help steelhead, group says. (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/661086.html
Daily Astorian Editorial – Why kill salmon for California? Fish agency asks why we spend billions for fish recovery and dredge for LNG
http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=392&ArticleID=48576
State House OKs public works package – Cowlitz PUD projects may benefit (Daily News, Longview)
http://tdn.com/articles/2008/01/24/area_news/10074053.txt
California Program Makes Toilet Water Drinkable (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18409513&ft=1&f=3
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
California – Little energy behind state solar plant efforts. Audit finds that any such projects would face major bureaucratic and economic hurdles. (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-solar25jan25,1,2458479.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Oregonian Editorial – Give the guv some credit. The Legislature should give Ted Kulongoski better energy tax credits for the next time he goes recruiting
http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1201227903211800.xml&coll=7
Indiana – Lawmakers reject renewable energy bill (Indianapolis Star)
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080125/LOCAL/801250485/0/BUSINESS
Hydro Doesn’t Have to Be Big (Miller-McCune)
http://www.miller-mccune.com/main/article/142
CONSERVATION
Virginia – Commissaries ‘going green’ with fluorescent lights (Belvoir Eagle)
http://www.belvoireagle.com/index.php/news-articles/commissaries_going_green_with_fluorescent_lights/
Letting it all hang out; Province's move to end ban on clotheslines sign of changing attitudes about the environment (Brantford Expositor, Ontario)
http://www.brantfordexpositor.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=873472&auth=Michelle+Ruby
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Bill would add greenhouse gas concerns to growth management law (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1179779~Bill_would_add_greenhouse_gas_concerns_to_growth_management_law.html
Higher Storm Waves: Sign Of Climate Change? (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3514
College Hosts Week of Climate Change Events – Centralia College will hold four Lyceum speaking engagement next week as a part of Focus the Nation. (The Chronicle, Centralia)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1201201557&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
Olympian Editorial – Schools on track with green efforts
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/338271.html
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Construction to begin on East Wenatchee data center (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/NEWS04/996583521/1001
Grant County PUD commissioners review plans for fiber (The Star of Grand Coulee)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1013&dept_id=618552&newsid=19226208&PAG=461&rfi=9
FCC's Airwaves Auction Draws $2.78 Billion in Bids (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/24/AR2008012403174.html?wpisrc=rss_technology
News Release – CableOrganizer.com Cites the Top 5 Reasons Fiber Optic Technology Tops Copper for Computer Networking Applications (Market Wire)
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=812668
Go Daddy Super Bowl ad finally passes muster, will tout censored commercial (The Business Journal of Phoenix)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/01/21/daily46.html?ana=from_rss
GENERAL NEWS
Copper thefts bedevil state road crews, endanger motorists (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1179835~Copper_thefts_bedevil_state_road_crews__endanger_motorists.html
Computer Crackdown – Nine D.C. Workers Fired For Looking at Porn an average of 200 times per day. Investigators Seize Office Computers (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/23/AR2008012302511.html?wpisrc=rss_technology
DIVERSIONS
It's official: mail is slow as snails
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2423750920080124?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Spanish driver sues dead crash cyclist for damage
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSEIC55622520080125?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
“Too cold to walk" for car thieves – A group of teenage car thieves took a joy ride to a court-ordered counseling program aimed to keep them away from stealing cars
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080123/od_nm/thieves1_dc;_ylt=AtrPNVlqn3K4t31lQAFknhjtiBIF
Farmer hides castle from building inspectors – A farmer built an entire mock castle behind a screen of hay bales and lived there concealed for four years to evade planning regulations
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080125/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_castle;_ylt=AsOBBBwvUyrIDrv4.nkEUoDtiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
* Chance of new snow this weekend across Washington
* Washington Columbia reactor to cut output to 40 pct
* South Africa declares electricity emergency
* Washington to set Chinook rules Feb. 2
* Federal orca recovery plan short on specific proposals
* California – Fishing ban sought on American River
* Daily Astorian Editorial – Why kill salmon for California?
* State House OKs public works package – Cowlitz PUD projects may benefit
* California Program Makes Toilet Water Drinkable
* California – Little energy behind state solar plant effort
* Oregonian Editorial – Give the guv some credit
* Indiana – Lawmakers reject renewable energy bill
* Hydro Doesn’t Have to Be Big
* Letting it all hang out; Province's move to end ban on clotheslines sign of changing attitudes
* Bill would add greenhouse gas concerns to growth management law
* Higher Storm Waves: Sign Of Climate Change?
* Centralia College Hosts Week of Climate Change Events
* Olympian Editorial – Schools on track with green efforts
* Construction to begin on East Wenatchee data center
* Grant County PUD commissioners review plans for fiber
* FCC's Airwaves Auction Draws $2.78 Billion in Bids
* News Release – CableOrganizer.com Cites the Top 5 Reasons Fiber Optic Technology
* Go Daddy Super Bowl ad finally passes muster, will tout censored commercial
* Copper thefts bedevil state road crews, endanger motorists
* Computer Crackdown – Nine D.C. Workers Fired For Looking at Porn
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Scarify • \SKAIR-uh-fye\ • verb – 1: to make scratches or small cuts in (as the skin) 2: to lacerate the feelings of *3: to cut or soften the wall of (a hard seed) to hasten germination 4: to clear ground of debris in preparation for replanting, as in logging clean up
Ambrose wandered aimlessly through the wasteland that was his backyard. A stunted tree with a crazily angled swing off a cracked limb; an abandoned fish pond filled with frogs eggs and mosquito larvae; and his barren garden plot, half an acre of rocky soil that looked as if God had scarified it as a part of a biblical curse. “hmm, maybe potatoes this year,” he pondered.
WEATHER
Chance of new snow this weekend across Washington (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01252008news267921.cfm
Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Washington Columbia reactor to cut output to 40 pct (Reuters)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN2429150520080125
South Africa declares electricity emergency (Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080125/ap_on_re_af/south_africa_electricity_2
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Washington to set Chinook rules Feb. 2 (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/25/this_day/10075243.txt
Federal orca recovery plan short on specific proposals (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/264467.html
California – Fishing ban sought on river. Two-month lull on American would help steelhead, group says. (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/661086.html
Daily Astorian Editorial – Why kill salmon for California? Fish agency asks why we spend billions for fish recovery and dredge for LNG
http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=392&ArticleID=48576
State House OKs public works package – Cowlitz PUD projects may benefit (Daily News, Longview)
http://tdn.com/articles/2008/01/24/area_news/10074053.txt
California Program Makes Toilet Water Drinkable (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18409513&ft=1&f=3
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
California – Little energy behind state solar plant efforts. Audit finds that any such projects would face major bureaucratic and economic hurdles. (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-solar25jan25,1,2458479.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Oregonian Editorial – Give the guv some credit. The Legislature should give Ted Kulongoski better energy tax credits for the next time he goes recruiting
http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1201227903211800.xml&coll=7
Indiana – Lawmakers reject renewable energy bill (Indianapolis Star)
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080125/LOCAL/801250485/0/BUSINESS
Hydro Doesn’t Have to Be Big (Miller-McCune)
http://www.miller-mccune.com/main/article/142
CONSERVATION
Virginia – Commissaries ‘going green’ with fluorescent lights (Belvoir Eagle)
http://www.belvoireagle.com/index.php/news-articles/commissaries_going_green_with_fluorescent_lights/
Letting it all hang out; Province's move to end ban on clotheslines sign of changing attitudes about the environment (Brantford Expositor, Ontario)
http://www.brantfordexpositor.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=873472&auth=Michelle+Ruby
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Bill would add greenhouse gas concerns to growth management law (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1179779~Bill_would_add_greenhouse_gas_concerns_to_growth_management_law.html
Higher Storm Waves: Sign Of Climate Change? (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3514
College Hosts Week of Climate Change Events – Centralia College will hold four Lyceum speaking engagement next week as a part of Focus the Nation. (The Chronicle, Centralia)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1201201557&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
Olympian Editorial – Schools on track with green efforts
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/338271.html
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Construction to begin on East Wenatchee data center (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/NEWS04/996583521/1001
Grant County PUD commissioners review plans for fiber (The Star of Grand Coulee)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1013&dept_id=618552&newsid=19226208&PAG=461&rfi=9
FCC's Airwaves Auction Draws $2.78 Billion in Bids (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/24/AR2008012403174.html?wpisrc=rss_technology
News Release – CableOrganizer.com Cites the Top 5 Reasons Fiber Optic Technology Tops Copper for Computer Networking Applications (Market Wire)
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=812668
Go Daddy Super Bowl ad finally passes muster, will tout censored commercial (The Business Journal of Phoenix)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/01/21/daily46.html?ana=from_rss
GENERAL NEWS
Copper thefts bedevil state road crews, endanger motorists (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1179835~Copper_thefts_bedevil_state_road_crews__endanger_motorists.html
Computer Crackdown – Nine D.C. Workers Fired For Looking at Porn an average of 200 times per day. Investigators Seize Office Computers (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/23/AR2008012302511.html?wpisrc=rss_technology
DIVERSIONS
It's official: mail is slow as snails
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2423750920080124?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Spanish driver sues dead crash cyclist for damage
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSEIC55622520080125?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
“Too cold to walk" for car thieves – A group of teenage car thieves took a joy ride to a court-ordered counseling program aimed to keep them away from stealing cars
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080123/od_nm/thieves1_dc;_ylt=AtrPNVlqn3K4t31lQAFknhjtiBIF
Farmer hides castle from building inspectors – A farmer built an entire mock castle behind a screen of hay bales and lived there concealed for four years to evade planning regulations
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080125/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_castle;_ylt=AsOBBBwvUyrIDrv4.nkEUoDtiBIF
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