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)
- Ex-Grant County PUD treasurer's lawsuit set
- We've got dams, dams, and even more dams
- Montana – NorthWestern rate deal questioned
- Pacific Gas and Electric putting money where its apology is
- North Carolina – Stanly County group to protest Alcoa plans
- April Is "PayItGreen" Month – Con Edison Urges Customers to Pay Bills Online
- North Carolina – Duke Energy's air quality permit illegal
- Delaware Wins High Court Fight Over proposed liquefied natural gas terminal
- Fuel cells, sweaters may be the future of electricity
- Oceanographer Predicts Better Salmon Runs Next Year
- Humane Society asks for injunction against killing Columbia River sea lions
- Dino Rossi takes the plunge – Salmon too scarce for GOP candidate
- Alaska’s record catch is herring on side of fortune
- California – Scientists breed smelt in case species becomes extinct
- Canada – North Coast declared off-limits for fish farms
- United Kingdom – Has salmon farming outgrown itself?
- Wading Through an Endangered Species Backlog
- NY Times Op-Ed Contributor – Did Your Shopping List Kill a Songbird?
- Chelan County PUD wants geese to cease nest takeovers
- Inland Northwest mountain snow levels higher than 30-year average
- Winter dredging of Cowlitz River finished, but more silt awaits
- Cost of new KingCo sewage plant rises to $1.8 billion
- Deadline near for Black Rock comment
- Proposed stream water rule could limit Sequim-area building development
- No clear winner in Cowlitz County's water taste test
- BPA calculates administrative costs of wind power
- Kennewick winery gets greener
- San Jose to share $2.4M as 'solar city'
- San Jose Mercury News Editorial: Trees trump solar panels
- The Global Wind Energy Council Says Wind Boom will Continue
- Farmers Expected to Plant Less Corn
- More inconvenient truths about energy efficiency
- New Jersey – Energy conservation good for world, pocketbook
- Sierra Sun Op/Ed – My Turn: Setting lighting standards versus banning bulbs
- PUD Dam on Columbia part of emergent climate exchange
- Gore begins huge public campaign to go green
- Warming felt more in Western U.S.
- Counties Begin Programs to Tackle Climate Change
- Canada – Carbon tax will bring jobs back home: report
- Life in the 'Burbs: Heavy Costs for Families, Climate
- San Francisco entrepreneur floats a bold idea to 'fertilize' ocean
- Applying Gandhi’s Ideas to Climate Change
- It's wait and see for two state computer projects
- Minneapolis Wi-Fi Network Working but Limited
- Chattanooga seeks federal funds for fiber optics
- Comcast Cable CTO: Bandwidth Hogs Will Experience Slowdowns
- Net Neutrality Redux: No Legislation Needed
- Asking a Judge to Save the World, and Maybe a Whole Lot More
- Reboot it! Microsoft broadband device shuts down during FCC test
- Metal thieves in Portland and Vancouver areas are taking connectors that firefighters use
- Police report: Metal thieves put public at risk
- Three Roy city employees suspended with pay
- Buyers' Revenge: Trash the House After Foreclosure
- Hybrid cars have unintentional flaw: They're too quiet
- Sixteenth Century Finds a Home in Belfair
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Sangfroid • \sawn-FWAH\ • noun – self-possession or imperturbability especially under strain – Etymology: French sang-froid, literally, cold blood
“Watch what happens when I open this breaker,” cackled the scientist. Instantly the entire eastern seaboard went dark, sparking a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission study into the hiring of “mad scientists with sangfroid tendencies”. Unfortunately, it also spawned 250 new regulations as part of the National Energy Reliability Corporation’s rule-making activities.
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
Ex-PUD treasurer's lawsuit set in Grant County – Fired employee seeks $4 million (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/03/28/news/news05.txt
We've got dams, dams, and even more dams (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/NEWS06/506294318/1025/rss1025
Montana – NorthWestern rate deal questioned – State agrees to a $15 million-a-year rate increase for the company's electric and natural gas rates - but not everyone believes it's a good deal (The Missoulian)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/03/31/news/mtregional/news07.txt
Pacific Gas and Electric putting money where its apology is – Apologies and checks for January outages on the way (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8755333?source=rss
North Carolina – Stanly County group to protest Alcoa plans – A Stanly County-financed group will stage protests in Raleigh against the relicensing of Alcoa Inc.'s hydroelectric operations on the Yadkin River. (Charlotte Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2008/03/24/daily51.html?ana=from_rss
News Release – April Is "PayItGreen" Month – Con Edison Urges Customers to Pay Bills Online (Yahoo! Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/080331/0381115.html
North Carolina – Duke Energy's air quality permit illegal (Associated Press)
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/state&id=6046600
Delaware Wins High Court Fight Over NJ – Delaware won a Supreme Court fight with New Jersey on Monday, likely killing a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal on the Delaware River (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/03/31/national/w071128D98.DTL&feed=rss.business
Fuel cells, sweaters may be the future of electricity (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004315149_sundaybuzz30.html?syndication=rss
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Oceanographer Predicts Better Salmon Runs Next Year (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/oceanographer-predicts-better-salmon-runs-next-year/
Humane Society asks for injunction against killing Columbia River sea lions (Boston Herald)
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/west/view.bg?articleid=1083905&srvc=rss
Dino Rossi takes the plunge – Salmon too scarce for GOP candidate (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/23//area_news/10170522.txt
Record catch is herring on side of fortune – Fishermen in Alaska haul 14,723 tons of fish, making millions of dollars in a day (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8748766?source=rss
California – Scientists breed smelt in case species becomes extinct in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/823346.html
Canada – North Coast declared off-limits for fish farms – But licenses announced for South Coast anger environmentalists
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=7d674b46-2432-4c94-802d-7ab69d7acb30&k=42451
United Kingdom – Has salmon farming outgrown itself? (The Daily Telegraph)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/03/31/eawigan131.xml
Wading Through an Endangered Species Backlog (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89209746&ft=1&f=7
NY Times Op-Ed Contributor – Did Your Shopping List Kill a Songbird?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/opinion/30stutchbury.html?ex=1364616000&en=9cbc717e643c4fc9&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Chelan County PUD wants geese to cease nest takeovers – The PUD has been thwarted at every turn in its six-year campaign to help out an osprey pair in the Sleepy Hollow area. The problem: Canada geese. (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080329/NEWS04/402071978
Inland Northwest mountain snow levels higher than 30-year average (The Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_id_spring_snowpack.html
Winter dredging of Cowlitz River finished, but more silt awaits (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/31//area_news/10179927.txt
Cost of new KingCo sewage plant rises to $1.8 billion (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/404556.html
Deadline near for Black Rock comment (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/141868.html
Proposed stream water rule could limit Sequim-area building development – The most powerful force to manage growth in Eastern Clallam County could flow out of your faucet. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080329/NEWS/803290303
No clear winner in Cowlitz County's water taste test (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/28/top_story/10177739.txt
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
BPA calculates administrative costs of wind power – Windy days let energy producers cut back on the use of dams and coal-fired plants as more turbines are integrated into the power grid (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1206757513278130.xml&coll=7
Kennewick winery gets greener “…three-kilowatt solar panels will provide most of the energy needed for the tasting room and on sunny days, when it creates more than they use, the power is returned to the grid through Benton PUD's net metering program…” (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/915/story/141874.html
San Jose to share $2.4M as 'solar city' (Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2008/03/24/daily75.html?ana=from_rss
San Jose Mercury News Editorial: Trees trump solar panels: They benefit neighborhoods
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8755328?source=rss
The Global Wind Energy Council Says Wind Boom will Continue (Renewable Energy World Online)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=51984&src=rss
Farmers Expected to Plant Less Corn – Farmers are expected to plant less corn this year, which could mean higher continuing higher costs for consumers at the grocery store. (Associated Press, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004317238_applantingreport.html?syndication=rss
CONSERVATION
More inconvenient truths about energy efficiency (The Economist, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/356885_greenenergy30.html?source=rss
New Jersey – Energy conservation good for world, pocketbook (Courier Post, Cherry Hill)
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080330/COLUMNISTS15/803300361/1003/business
Sierra Sun Op/Ed – My Turn: Setting lighting standards versus banning bulbs
http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20080330/OPINION/830876305
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
PUD Dam on Columbia part of emergent climate exchange – For nearly 50 years, Rocky Reach Dam on the Columbia River has been quietly producing enough low-cost electricity to power two cities the size of Seattle. Now the dam north of Wenatchee is on the front lines of the nation's effort to control greenhouse-gas emissions and curb global warming (Seattle Times – Insert cynical comment about I-937 here)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004315714_carbon30m.html
Gore begins huge public campaign to go green (Washington Post, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004316880_gore31.html?syndication=rss
Warming felt more in Western U.S. – An analysis of 50 studies finds that the region's temperatures are increasing faster than in the rest of the country and the planet as a whole (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/la-na-climate28mar28,0,4364705.story
Counties Begin Programs to Tackle Climate Change (The Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/mar/30/counties-begin-programs-to-tackle-climate-change/
Canada – Carbon tax will bring jobs back home: report – tariffs would bring industry back to developed world in search of better efficiency (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=dabbb781-f95d-4a80-85b2-4b6d4e3bfa28
Life in the 'Burbs: Heavy Costs for Families, Climate (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89231809&ft=1&f=3
San Francisco entrepreneur floats a bold idea to 'fertilize' ocean – Sees ocean 'fertilized' with iron as a tool to slow climate change (Sacramento Bee – May require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/821934.html
Applying Gandhi’s Ideas to Climate Change (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/nyregion/30towns.html?ex=1364616000&en=6e68be72590a5c74&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
It's wait and see for two state computer projects – State agencies are preparing to launch two new computer projects that might never be used — at a cost of $7.5 million. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/403568.html
Minneapolis Wi-Fi Network Working but Limited – Slow speeds and too many trees among glitches to be worked out (Broadband Reports – comments may include PG-13 language)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Minneapolis-WiFi-Network-Working-but-Limited-93133
Chattanooga seeks federal funds for fiber optics – Chattanooga officials hope to use about $5.4 million in federal money to help EPB bring Internet, cable and telephone service to inner-city neighborhoods (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/mar/29/chattanooga-seeks-federal-funds-fiber-optics/?local
Comcast Cable CTO: Bandwidth Hogs Will Experience Slowdowns (GigaOM)http://gigaom.com/2008/03/31/comcast-cto-tony-werner/
Net Neutrality Redux: No Legislation Needed (The Motley Fool)
http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2008/03/28/net-neutrality-redux-no-legislation-needed.aspx
Asking a Judge to Save the World, and Maybe a Whole Lot More – Plaintiffs think a giant particle accelerator might produce a black hole or something else that will spell the end of the Earth — and maybe the universe (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/science/29collider.html?_r=1&ex=1364616000&en=d2e8c16ad98184fd&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Reboot it! Microsoft broadband device shuts down during FCC test (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoft/2004314123_msmachine29.html
GENERAL NEWS
Metal thieves in Portland and Vancouver areas are taking connectors that firefighters use – Crooks make off with brass and iron fittings that help get water into buildings' automatic sprinkler systems (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/120676293893670.xml&coll=7
Police report: Metal thieves put public at risk (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/03/03282008_Police-report-Metal-thieves-put-public-at-risk.cfm?newsletter=2
Three Roy city employees suspended with pay and a state audit is requested after the discovery of inconsistencies in its accounting system (Tacoma News Tribune)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/321803.html
Buyers' Revenge: Trash the House After Foreclosure – Banks Pay People Off To Deter Home Rage; Loose Pets, Paint Spills
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120665586676569881.html
Hybrid cars have unintentional flaw: They're too quiet – Pedestrians, in particular blind people, sometimes can't hear the approaching cars (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1206764705154400.xml&coll=7
Sixteenth Century Finds a Home in Belfair (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/mar/28/sixteenth-century-finds-a-home-in-belfair/
DIVERSIONS
UK Treasury Chief Banned From Pubs Following Beer Tax Hike
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15733571/detail.html
Student's Science Project Sparks NYC Subway Scare
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15733637/detail.html
Judge To 3 Men: Learn English Or Go To Jail – Men Face Prison For Conspiracy To Commit Robbery
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15733012/detail.html
Bradbury novel a tough sell in E. Idaho community read program – The classic book "Fahrenheit 451" is getting the cold shoulder in an eastern Idaho community
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/404473.html
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Energy News Digest for March 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)
- Bonneville Power Administration Paying After Circuit Court Ruling
- Puget Sound Energy rates to increase for green effort
- Gregoire signs bills – some bills of PUD interest are on this list
- News Release – Thieves hit BPA substation in Ferndale; reward offered
- Constellation Energy Group agrees to settle lawsuits with Maryland
- Baltimore Sun Columnist – Baltimore Gas & Electric settlement settles little
- Nevada Senator Pushes Coal Project
- Challenging Transmission Corridors – Two lawsuits intend to de-energize parts of the Energy Policy Act
- We need more nuclear plants to avoid blackouts, say German power chiefs
- News Release – California ISO Board of Governors Approves Five-Year Strategic Plan
- Washington State salmon season likely to be curtailed
- San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Salmon run will collapse unless we reverse underlying causes of decline
- Salmon Recovery At Risk From Global Warming
- Three of five accused whalers plead guilty; two to stand trial
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer Guest Columnist – Spirit Lake fishing threatens research project
- Don’t focus on spring Chinook at expense of late steelhead runs
- The science of scatology – Testing what sea lions eat isn't for the faint of nose
- Geoduck harvest suddenly in limbo
- Washington State Water War: The Fight Over Non-Permitted Wells
- News Release – FERC, Oregon sign Memorandum of Understanding for Wave Energy Projects
- Run of River Power CEO shocked at B.C. minister's decision to block power project
- SoCal Edison makes $875M bet on solar
- Massachusetts – Voters to set direction on wind power
- Rollcast Tapping Into Power Among The Trees
- Wisconsin – Myths of energy: Wind turbines, digesters are options, but opposition still a hurdle
- Massachusetts – Energy conservation a high priority
- How much will it cost to fix the climate? The numbers vary…
- Climate change may boost health risks in NW
- NOAA to Assess Whether Melting Ice Endangers Seals
- Carbon tariffs could reverse offshore trend: report
- Marni Soupcoff: How much energy does it take to promote Earth Hour?
- Comcast to modify network practices
- Broadband in the Boonies Gets a $267M Boost
- Companies Avoid Financial Penalties After Massive Computer Data Breaches
- California – Soaring metal prices lead to rash of catalytic converter thefts
- Thieves plague Portland light-rail project
- Judge OKs halt to Alcoa bribery lawsuit
- Machiavelli, Not Such a Bad Guy?
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Imbroglio • \im-BROLE-yo\ • noun – 1: a confused mass 2a: an intricate or complicated situation (as in a drama or novel) b: an acutely painful or embarrassing misunderstanding c: a violently confused or bitterly complicated altercation: embroilment d: scandal
Like some unholy game of Twister, the rugby players piled themselves on the loose ball, readying themselves for the inevitable scrum. That is, until the 400 pound fullback flung himself into the imbroglio, causing the entire pile to sink at least six inches into the muddy, bloody field below.
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
Bonneville Power Administration Paying After Circuit Court Ruling – Electricity: Bonneville Power Administration Paying After Circuit Court Ruling (The Daily Chronicle, Centralia)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1206639899&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
Puget Sound Energy rates to increase for green effort – Puget Sound Energy received permission from state utility regulators Thursday to raise electric and natural-gas rates Tuesday to pay for an increase of energy conservation programs. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/401691.html
Gregoire signs bills – some bills of PUD interest are on this list (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/401702.html
News Release – Thieves hit BPA substation in Ferndale; reward offered (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/196447/
Constellation Energy Group agrees to settle lawsuits with Maryland (Washington Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/03/24/daily43.html?ana=from_rss
Baltimore Sun Columnist – Baltimore Gas & Electric settlement settles little
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.hancock28mar28,0,7802264.column
Nevada Senator Pushes Coal Project – The effort would help a coal-fired power plant proposed by Sierra Pacific Resources for eastern Nevada. (Associated Press, via Yahoo! Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080328/wst_ensign_coal.html?.v=1
Challenging Transmission Corridors – Two lawsuits intend to de-energize parts of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Power Marketers Industry Publications)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8kowu%5D%5CjjhnopsUUmi%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
We need more nuclear plants to avoid blackouts, say German power chiefs (Power Engineering)
http://pepei.pennnet.com/display_article/324063/6/ARTCL/Display/none/1/We-need-more-nuclear-plants-to-avoid-blackouts,-say-German-power-chiefs/
News Release – California ISO Board of Governors Approves Five-Year Strategic Plan Charts Course for New Energy Paradigm (CAISO, via Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=86359
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Washington State salmon season likely to be curtailed (The Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/03/27/local_news/01news.txt
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Salmon run will collapse unless we reverse underlying causes of decline
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/28/EDFHVRKBT.DTL
Salmon Recovery At Risk From Global Warming – Three regional environmental groups released a report Thursday that says global warming is hurting salmon recovery (Oregon Public Broadcasting – and another example of Snake River Dam Removal Tourette’s Syndrome)
http://news.opb.org/article/salmon-recovery-risk-global-warming/
Three of five accused whalers plead guilty; two to stand trial (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080328/NEWS/803280303
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Guest Columnist – Spirit Lake fishing threatens research project
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/356757_spiritlake28.html?source=rss
Don’t focus on spring Chinook at expense of late steelhead runs (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/story/400548.html
Testing what sea lions eat isn't for the faint of nose – A graduate student at Portland State analyzes sea lions' scat to chart how much salmon they eat (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1206672911212320.xml&coll=7
Geoduck harvest suddenly in limbo – Five years means five years. That’s the word from Pierce County deputy hearing examiner Terrence McCarthy, who decided this week that a Taylor Shellfish geoduck permit has run out. (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/320104.html
Washington State Water War: The Fight Over Non-Permitted Wells (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/water-war-fight-over-non-permitted-wells/
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
News Release – FERC, Oregon sign Memorandum of Understanding for Wave Energy Projects (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/news-releases/2008/2008-1/03-27-08.asp
Run of River Power CEO shocked at B.C. minister's decision to block power project (CBC)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/03/26/bc-upper-pit.html
SoCal Edison makes $875M bet on solar (Los Angeles Business from bizjournals)
http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2008/03/24/daily28.html?ana=from_rss
Massachusetts – Voters to set direction on wind power – At Harvard's annual Town Meeting Saturday, voters will be asked to approve a bylaw that would allow residents to erect wind turbines for individual, accessory use (The Boston Globe)
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/03/27/voters_to_set_direction_on_wind_power/
Rollcast Tapping Into Power Among The Trees – Energy industry veteran Penn Cox wants to make millions from wood scraps and tree trimmings usually dumped in landfills or left decaying on the forest floor. (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjiovsmiRUmi%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
Wisconsin – Myths of energy: Wind turbines, digesters are options, but opposition still a hurdle (Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter)
http://www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/MAN0101/803280517
CONSERVATION
Massachusetts – Energy conservation a high priority (The Hingham Journal)
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hingham/news/x1059920307
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
How much will it cost to fix the climate? The numbers vary – Even when experts look at the same data, they can come to vastly different conclusions (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0327/p17s01-sten.html
Climate change may boost health risks in NW (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/28//area_news/doc47ec8793c0957827494596.txt
NOAA to Assess Whether Melting Ice Endangers Seals (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/26/AR2008032602807.html?nav=rss_nation
Carbon tariffs could reverse offshore trend: report (Canwest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=f95c89fa-582a-4eab-8513-5d2aeca23de4&k=6
Marni Soupcoff: How much energy does it take to promote Earth Hour? (National Post, Canada)
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/03/27/marni-soupcoff-how-much-energy-does-it-take-to-promote-earth-hour.aspx
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Comcast to modify network practices – Company will change how it manages its network in response to accusations it blocks some Internet file-sharing services because they require large amounts of bandwidth. (Reuters, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080328/tc_nm/comcast_dc_3
Broadband in the Boonies Gets a $267M Boost (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/03/28/broadband-in-the-boonies-gets-a-boost-new-service-coming/
Companies Avoid Financial Penalties After Massive Computer Data Breaches (Associated Press, via the Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/27/AR2008032703436.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
California – Soaring metal prices lead to rash of catalytic converter thefts (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1307037~Soaring_metal_prices_lead_to_rash_of_catalytic_converter_thefts.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Thieves plague Portland light-rail project (Daily Journal of Commerce, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1306042~Thieves_plague_Portland_light_rail_project.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Judge OKs halt to Alcoa bribery lawsuit (The Associated Press, via Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/business/business_wire/story/140429.html
Machiavelli, Not Such a Bad Guy? (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89153809&ft=1&f=2
DIVERSIONS
India’s marksmen fed up with shooting blanks – They may boycott the Beijing Olympics unless the government steps in to help alleviate a shortage of ammunition for training
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSREE85405120080328?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Australian Outback Town Chooses Mayor By Drawing Name From Trash Can
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15723645/detail.html
Scientists Try For 'Remote-Control Fish' – Researchers Seek To Bolster Bass Stock
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15713766/detail.html
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Bonneville Power Administration Paying After Circuit Court Ruling
- Puget Sound Energy rates to increase for green effort
- Gregoire signs bills – some bills of PUD interest are on this list
- News Release – Thieves hit BPA substation in Ferndale; reward offered
- Constellation Energy Group agrees to settle lawsuits with Maryland
- Baltimore Sun Columnist – Baltimore Gas & Electric settlement settles little
- Nevada Senator Pushes Coal Project
- Challenging Transmission Corridors – Two lawsuits intend to de-energize parts of the Energy Policy Act
- We need more nuclear plants to avoid blackouts, say German power chiefs
- News Release – California ISO Board of Governors Approves Five-Year Strategic Plan
- Washington State salmon season likely to be curtailed
- San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Salmon run will collapse unless we reverse underlying causes of decline
- Salmon Recovery At Risk From Global Warming
- Three of five accused whalers plead guilty; two to stand trial
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer Guest Columnist – Spirit Lake fishing threatens research project
- Don’t focus on spring Chinook at expense of late steelhead runs
- The science of scatology – Testing what sea lions eat isn't for the faint of nose
- Geoduck harvest suddenly in limbo
- Washington State Water War: The Fight Over Non-Permitted Wells
- News Release – FERC, Oregon sign Memorandum of Understanding for Wave Energy Projects
- Run of River Power CEO shocked at B.C. minister's decision to block power project
- SoCal Edison makes $875M bet on solar
- Massachusetts – Voters to set direction on wind power
- Rollcast Tapping Into Power Among The Trees
- Wisconsin – Myths of energy: Wind turbines, digesters are options, but opposition still a hurdle
- Massachusetts – Energy conservation a high priority
- How much will it cost to fix the climate? The numbers vary…
- Climate change may boost health risks in NW
- NOAA to Assess Whether Melting Ice Endangers Seals
- Carbon tariffs could reverse offshore trend: report
- Marni Soupcoff: How much energy does it take to promote Earth Hour?
- Comcast to modify network practices
- Broadband in the Boonies Gets a $267M Boost
- Companies Avoid Financial Penalties After Massive Computer Data Breaches
- California – Soaring metal prices lead to rash of catalytic converter thefts
- Thieves plague Portland light-rail project
- Judge OKs halt to Alcoa bribery lawsuit
- Machiavelli, Not Such a Bad Guy?
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Imbroglio • \im-BROLE-yo\ • noun – 1: a confused mass 2a: an intricate or complicated situation (as in a drama or novel) b: an acutely painful or embarrassing misunderstanding c: a violently confused or bitterly complicated altercation: embroilment d: scandal
Like some unholy game of Twister, the rugby players piled themselves on the loose ball, readying themselves for the inevitable scrum. That is, until the 400 pound fullback flung himself into the imbroglio, causing the entire pile to sink at least six inches into the muddy, bloody field below.
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
Bonneville Power Administration Paying After Circuit Court Ruling – Electricity: Bonneville Power Administration Paying After Circuit Court Ruling (The Daily Chronicle, Centralia)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1206639899&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
Puget Sound Energy rates to increase for green effort – Puget Sound Energy received permission from state utility regulators Thursday to raise electric and natural-gas rates Tuesday to pay for an increase of energy conservation programs. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/401691.html
Gregoire signs bills – some bills of PUD interest are on this list (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/401702.html
News Release – Thieves hit BPA substation in Ferndale; reward offered (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/196447/
Constellation Energy Group agrees to settle lawsuits with Maryland (Washington Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/03/24/daily43.html?ana=from_rss
Baltimore Sun Columnist – Baltimore Gas & Electric settlement settles little
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.hancock28mar28,0,7802264.column
Nevada Senator Pushes Coal Project – The effort would help a coal-fired power plant proposed by Sierra Pacific Resources for eastern Nevada. (Associated Press, via Yahoo! Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080328/wst_ensign_coal.html?.v=1
Challenging Transmission Corridors – Two lawsuits intend to de-energize parts of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Power Marketers Industry Publications)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8kowu%5D%5CjjhnopsUUmi%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
We need more nuclear plants to avoid blackouts, say German power chiefs (Power Engineering)
http://pepei.pennnet.com/display_article/324063/6/ARTCL/Display/none/1/We-need-more-nuclear-plants-to-avoid-blackouts,-say-German-power-chiefs/
News Release – California ISO Board of Governors Approves Five-Year Strategic Plan Charts Course for New Energy Paradigm (CAISO, via Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=86359
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Washington State salmon season likely to be curtailed (The Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/03/27/local_news/01news.txt
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Salmon run will collapse unless we reverse underlying causes of decline
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/28/EDFHVRKBT.DTL
Salmon Recovery At Risk From Global Warming – Three regional environmental groups released a report Thursday that says global warming is hurting salmon recovery (Oregon Public Broadcasting – and another example of Snake River Dam Removal Tourette’s Syndrome)
http://news.opb.org/article/salmon-recovery-risk-global-warming/
Three of five accused whalers plead guilty; two to stand trial (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080328/NEWS/803280303
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Guest Columnist – Spirit Lake fishing threatens research project
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/356757_spiritlake28.html?source=rss
Don’t focus on spring Chinook at expense of late steelhead runs (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/story/400548.html
Testing what sea lions eat isn't for the faint of nose – A graduate student at Portland State analyzes sea lions' scat to chart how much salmon they eat (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1206672911212320.xml&coll=7
Geoduck harvest suddenly in limbo – Five years means five years. That’s the word from Pierce County deputy hearing examiner Terrence McCarthy, who decided this week that a Taylor Shellfish geoduck permit has run out. (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/320104.html
Washington State Water War: The Fight Over Non-Permitted Wells (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/water-war-fight-over-non-permitted-wells/
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
News Release – FERC, Oregon sign Memorandum of Understanding for Wave Energy Projects (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/news-releases/2008/2008-1/03-27-08.asp
Run of River Power CEO shocked at B.C. minister's decision to block power project (CBC)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/03/26/bc-upper-pit.html
SoCal Edison makes $875M bet on solar (Los Angeles Business from bizjournals)
http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2008/03/24/daily28.html?ana=from_rss
Massachusetts – Voters to set direction on wind power – At Harvard's annual Town Meeting Saturday, voters will be asked to approve a bylaw that would allow residents to erect wind turbines for individual, accessory use (The Boston Globe)
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/03/27/voters_to_set_direction_on_wind_power/
Rollcast Tapping Into Power Among The Trees – Energy industry veteran Penn Cox wants to make millions from wood scraps and tree trimmings usually dumped in landfills or left decaying on the forest floor. (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjiovsmiRUmi%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
Wisconsin – Myths of energy: Wind turbines, digesters are options, but opposition still a hurdle (Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter)
http://www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/MAN0101/803280517
CONSERVATION
Massachusetts – Energy conservation a high priority (The Hingham Journal)
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hingham/news/x1059920307
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
How much will it cost to fix the climate? The numbers vary – Even when experts look at the same data, they can come to vastly different conclusions (Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0327/p17s01-sten.html
Climate change may boost health risks in NW (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/28//area_news/doc47ec8793c0957827494596.txt
NOAA to Assess Whether Melting Ice Endangers Seals (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/26/AR2008032602807.html?nav=rss_nation
Carbon tariffs could reverse offshore trend: report (Canwest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=f95c89fa-582a-4eab-8513-5d2aeca23de4&k=6
Marni Soupcoff: How much energy does it take to promote Earth Hour? (National Post, Canada)
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/03/27/marni-soupcoff-how-much-energy-does-it-take-to-promote-earth-hour.aspx
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Comcast to modify network practices – Company will change how it manages its network in response to accusations it blocks some Internet file-sharing services because they require large amounts of bandwidth. (Reuters, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080328/tc_nm/comcast_dc_3
Broadband in the Boonies Gets a $267M Boost (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/03/28/broadband-in-the-boonies-gets-a-boost-new-service-coming/
Companies Avoid Financial Penalties After Massive Computer Data Breaches (Associated Press, via the Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/27/AR2008032703436.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
California – Soaring metal prices lead to rash of catalytic converter thefts (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1307037~Soaring_metal_prices_lead_to_rash_of_catalytic_converter_thefts.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Thieves plague Portland light-rail project (Daily Journal of Commerce, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1306042~Thieves_plague_Portland_light_rail_project.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Judge OKs halt to Alcoa bribery lawsuit (The Associated Press, via Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/business/business_wire/story/140429.html
Machiavelli, Not Such a Bad Guy? (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89153809&ft=1&f=2
DIVERSIONS
India’s marksmen fed up with shooting blanks – They may boycott the Beijing Olympics unless the government steps in to help alleviate a shortage of ammunition for training
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSREE85405120080328?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Australian Outback Town Chooses Mayor By Drawing Name From Trash Can
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15723645/detail.html
Scientists Try For 'Remote-Control Fish' – Researchers Seek To Bolster Bass Stock
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15713766/detail.html
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Energy News Digest for March 27, 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)
- Grays Harbor County PUD’s $6 million claim for storm recovery denied
- Jefferson County PUD opens door to public power study
- Northern Wasco County PUD plans rate cut – Reduction of about 6 percent hinges on Bonneville money
- Canada – Discarded opinions: Back to the future on clean, cheap power
- Western Canada hydro-electric project dealt blow
- Two LA firefighters injured in manhole explosion on electrical Vault
- Snow geese knock out Stanwood power
- Scientists: Puget Sound species in decline as pollution increases
- Salmon Virus Indicts Chile’s Fishing Methods
- Salmon Prices to Skyrocket
- 15 million salmon go under the knife
- Where to find elusive Chinook
- Outdoors Report: Working anglers being rewarded
- Washington Says More Dams May Become Reality
- Feds sue Gorge resort over work on wetlands
- The Clackamas River basin benefits from stewardship of the forests
- Water content in Sierra snowpack on par, but won't fill reservoirs
- EPA selects 8 finalists for Puget Sound cleanup grants
- Four towers would measure wind for possible turbines on Rattlesnake Hills
- Cooperative in Clallam County aims to promote local biomass energy
- Portland General Electric hydro plant gets 'green' certification
- Utah Company Nearing Geothermal Plant Deal
- Proposed boost to Michigan's wind power faces hurdles
- California Utility to Install Solar Panels
- Trumpeting a Move to Put the Sun in SunChips
- News Release – City of Kelowna "Goes Green" with Solar-Powered Area Lighting
- Baird says use stimulus rebate check on 'green' appliances
- Sierra Club pushes energy conservation on politicos
- Global warming causing stronger allergies
- Merrill Lynch Introduces Carbon Emissions Indices
- West Virginia – Hampshire's lack of fiber optics, highway access seen as liabilities
- Bell Canada Hit For Slowing Traffic To Independent ISPs
- Digital TV switch a 'death sentence,' lawsuit alleges
- Sequim public radio station to get permit
- City Of Shelton Reducing Staff To Offset Budget Shortfall
- Are crops the new copper? Rising prices make crops tempting target for thieves
- Free Web version of Photoshop launches
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Fritter • \FRIT-ter\ • verb – 1: to spend or waste bit by bit, on trifles, or without commensurate return usually used with away 2: to break into small fragments
OR
Fritter • \FRIT-ter\ • noun – A small mass of fried or sautéed batter often containing fruit or meat
Olaf was content to fritter the day away by frying up pan after pan of clam fritters while a strong, westerly wind swirled around his beach cabin. Unfortunately, there was a hole in the roof, that kept his mind from wandering…where it will goooooooooo.
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
Grays Harbor County PUD’s $6 million claim for storm recovery denied (The Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/03/26/local_news/04news.txt
Jefferson County PUD opens door to public power study (Port Townsend Leader)
http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=20437&TM=83982.88
Northern Wasco County PUD plans rate cut – Reduction of about 6 percent hinges on Bonneville money (The Dalles Chronicle)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2008/03/news03-26-08-01.shtml
Canada – Discarded opinions: Back to the future on clean, cheap power – Former cabinet minister Pat McGeer wants B.C. to renew its commitment to big hydro dams and their legacy of "cheap, clean, renewable" electric power. (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=7a821fbd-a4a4-4c5c-a40d-9fc08c3b8d40
Western Canada hydro-electric project dealt blow (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN2645180720080326
Two LA firefighters injured in manhole explosion on electrical Vault (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1303526~2_LA_firefighters_injured_in_manhole_explosion.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Snow geese knock out Stanwood power – Eagles chased the flock into power lines, a PUD official says (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080327/NEWS01/190070052
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Scientists: Puget Sound species in decline as pollution increases (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/400661.html
Salmon Virus Indicts Chile’s Fishing Methods – A virus called infectious salmon anemia, or I.S.A., is killing millions of salmon destined for export to Japan, Europe and the United States (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/world/americas/27salmon.html?ex=1364356800&en=4b2fce1db851825c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Salmon Prices to Skyrocket – Grocery shoppers who want to buy wild salmon this year are going to have pay some wild prices (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89114999&ft=1&f=17
15 million salmon go under the knife (Newhouse News Service, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004309219_markingfish27.html?syndication=rss
Where to find elusive Chinook (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080327/SPORTS/54243564/1004
Outdoors Report: Working anglers being rewarded – Action spotty amid damp chill of early spring (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/356550_out27.html
Washington Says More Dams May Become Reality (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3730
Feds sue Gorge resort over work on wetlands – A Columbia River Gorge resort and its owners were sued Wednesday by the federal government for grading and filling 2.25 acres of wetlands (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/03/03272008_Feds-sue-Gorge-resort-over-work-on-wetlands.cfm/
The Clackamas River basin benefits from stewardship of the forests – The Forest Service and environmental advocates earn kudos for teamwork (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1206498320101840.xml&coll=7
Water content in Sierra snowpack on par, but won't fill reservoirs (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/26/BAFPVQR48.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
EPA selects 8 finalists for Puget Sound cleanup grants – Includes Squasin Island Tribe (KNDO-TV, Tri-cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=8073920
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Four towers would measure wind for possible turbines on Rattlesnake Hills (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/114188.html
Cooperative in Clallam County aims to promote local biomass energy (KONP Radio, Port Angeles)
http://www.konp.com/local/3506
Portland General Electric hydro plant gets 'green' certification (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/03/24/daily22.html?ana=from_rss
UTAH COMPANY NEARING GEOTHERMAL PLANT DEAL –A Utah-based energy company is closer to building one of the largest geothermal electrical plants in Oregon in southern Klamath County. The Klamath County Planning Commission unanimously approved Raser Technologies’ request to add a geothermal resource overlay to farmland owned by Liskey Farms along Lower Klamath Lake Road. The commission also approved a conditional use permit to build the $35 million10-megatwatt power plant. (Herald and News, Klamath Falls)
Proposed boost to Michigan's wind power faces hurdles (Oakland Business Review)
http://www.mlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2008/03/proposed_boost_to_michigans_wi.html
California Utility to Install Solar Panels – An electric company plans to install a huge patchwork of solar cells, 10 times bigger than any previous such installation (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/business/27solar.html?_r=1&ex=1364356800&en=63ee59e9c500c985&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Trumpeting a Move to Put the Sun in SunChips – The initiative is centered on the addition of solar power to the Frito-Lay plant in Modesto, Calif., that makes SunChips. A 10-acre “farm” of solar collectors is being added, to provide up to 75 percent of the energy needed to produce the product (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/business/media/27adco.html?ex=1364356800&en=2fe6de7c645907a2&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
News Release – City of Kelowna "Goes Green" with Solar-Powered Area Lighting (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/story?id=51964&src=rss
CONSERVATION
Baird says use stimulus rebate check on 'green' appliances (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/26//area_news/10173785.txt
Sierra Club pushes energy conservation on politicos – Sierra Club launches the Power2Change campaign over the next four weeks leading up to Earth Day (Wisconsin Radio Network)
http://www.wrn.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=ECAE2362-E245-8623-74EBBB5CFDBF5244
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Global warming causing stronger allergies – Farmers concerned about bigger weeds and increased pollen (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=13cb2081-2291-4566-bb6b-19dd0ddcc38c
Merrill Lynch Introduces Carbon Emissions Indices (Renewable Energy World Online)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=51967&src=rss
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – California air board should stand by zero-emission vehicle mandate
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/27/EDK9VQRS7.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
West Virginia – Hampshire's lack of fiber optics, highway access seen as liabilities (Cumberland Times News)
http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_086094707.html
Bell Canada Hit For Slowing Traffic To Independent ISPs (Information Week, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cmp/20080327/tc_cmp/206905979
Digital TV switch a 'death sentence,' lawsuit alleges (Associated Press, via the Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/915/story/139216.html
Sequim public radio station to get permit (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080327/NEWS/803270305
GENERAL NEWS
CITY OF SHELTON REDUCING STAFF TO OFFSET BUDGET SHORTFALL – The City of Shelton is reducing staff to offset budget shortfalls. Five people will be losing their jobs in the next year to help the City deal with a decrease in revenue. These jobs equate to 3.75 F-T-Es and are part of the City's plan to reduce costs while maintaining public safety. Among those losing their jobs is the clerical position in the Fire Department beginning July 1. That will save a total of $91,000 through 2009 ($30,000 this year and $61,000 next year). This move keeps all the firefighters as protecting life and property is a priority. In the Police Department, one officer will be transferred to the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNET) effective next year, saving $87,850. The third full time job cut is in the Community Development Department where the Building Inspector, a longtime City employee, will be losing his job effective July 1, saving $132,000 through 2009 ($39,000 this year; $93,000 next year). This cut is necessary as the first priority was to retain planning support. In the Administration, a half time employee will be cut effective January 1. And in the Finance Department, the reduction is .25 F-T-E beginning April 1, saving $15,000. Each City Department also made miscellaneous cuts trimming what fat they could without impacting services. Examples of these cuts are canceling the City's information technology support contract and slowing down computer purchases, saving $45,000 through 2009. One of the departments to cut more than targeted was Administration where a total of $78,710 will be saved. This includes City Administrator Dave O'Leary reducing his compensation package. O'Leary voluntarily chose to change his car allowance to mileage and reduce his phone allowance. This saves the City over $21,000. O'Leary told 1030 KMAS News that this plan will help the City get through the next 21 months and assumes that several things will develop during that time to help the City's revenues. These things include the Peacock Ridge Development and the Shelton Hills Development beginning construction and more commercial development associated with those projects opening by late 2009. The City will be monitoring its budget and revenues throughout and may need to make further adjustments. The Shelton City Commission still must take official action on these reductions. That action will likely occur at their next business meeting. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Are crops the new copper? Rising prices make crops tempting target for thieves (National Post, Canada)
http://www.nationalpost.com/newsletter/story.html?id=401673
Free Web version of Photoshop launches (Associated Press, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080327/ap_on_hi_te/adobe_photoshop_4
DIVERSIONS
Another reason to get rid of the belly fat: Dementia
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/26/BAJSVQR4T.DTL&feed=rss.news
Oops, wrong queen: Computer error blamed for Rhododendron Festival titlist for all of last year
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080327/NEWS/803270307
Russian farmer sues space agency for falling rocket
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2621415320080327?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Owner fails to back own horse in 33-1 win
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2546446520080326?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Glasses Not Geeky, Research Finds – Shortsighted People Not More Introverted
http://www.kirotv.com/health/15711366/detail.html
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Grays Harbor County PUD’s $6 million claim for storm recovery denied
- Jefferson County PUD opens door to public power study
- Northern Wasco County PUD plans rate cut – Reduction of about 6 percent hinges on Bonneville money
- Canada – Discarded opinions: Back to the future on clean, cheap power
- Western Canada hydro-electric project dealt blow
- Two LA firefighters injured in manhole explosion on electrical Vault
- Snow geese knock out Stanwood power
- Scientists: Puget Sound species in decline as pollution increases
- Salmon Virus Indicts Chile’s Fishing Methods
- Salmon Prices to Skyrocket
- 15 million salmon go under the knife
- Where to find elusive Chinook
- Outdoors Report: Working anglers being rewarded
- Washington Says More Dams May Become Reality
- Feds sue Gorge resort over work on wetlands
- The Clackamas River basin benefits from stewardship of the forests
- Water content in Sierra snowpack on par, but won't fill reservoirs
- EPA selects 8 finalists for Puget Sound cleanup grants
- Four towers would measure wind for possible turbines on Rattlesnake Hills
- Cooperative in Clallam County aims to promote local biomass energy
- Portland General Electric hydro plant gets 'green' certification
- Utah Company Nearing Geothermal Plant Deal
- Proposed boost to Michigan's wind power faces hurdles
- California Utility to Install Solar Panels
- Trumpeting a Move to Put the Sun in SunChips
- News Release – City of Kelowna "Goes Green" with Solar-Powered Area Lighting
- Baird says use stimulus rebate check on 'green' appliances
- Sierra Club pushes energy conservation on politicos
- Global warming causing stronger allergies
- Merrill Lynch Introduces Carbon Emissions Indices
- West Virginia – Hampshire's lack of fiber optics, highway access seen as liabilities
- Bell Canada Hit For Slowing Traffic To Independent ISPs
- Digital TV switch a 'death sentence,' lawsuit alleges
- Sequim public radio station to get permit
- City Of Shelton Reducing Staff To Offset Budget Shortfall
- Are crops the new copper? Rising prices make crops tempting target for thieves
- Free Web version of Photoshop launches
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Fritter • \FRIT-ter\ • verb – 1: to spend or waste bit by bit, on trifles, or without commensurate return usually used with away 2: to break into small fragments
OR
Fritter • \FRIT-ter\ • noun – A small mass of fried or sautéed batter often containing fruit or meat
Olaf was content to fritter the day away by frying up pan after pan of clam fritters while a strong, westerly wind swirled around his beach cabin. Unfortunately, there was a hole in the roof, that kept his mind from wandering…where it will goooooooooo.
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
Grays Harbor County PUD’s $6 million claim for storm recovery denied (The Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/03/26/local_news/04news.txt
Jefferson County PUD opens door to public power study (Port Townsend Leader)
http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=20437&TM=83982.88
Northern Wasco County PUD plans rate cut – Reduction of about 6 percent hinges on Bonneville money (The Dalles Chronicle)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2008/03/news03-26-08-01.shtml
Canada – Discarded opinions: Back to the future on clean, cheap power – Former cabinet minister Pat McGeer wants B.C. to renew its commitment to big hydro dams and their legacy of "cheap, clean, renewable" electric power. (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=7a821fbd-a4a4-4c5c-a40d-9fc08c3b8d40
Western Canada hydro-electric project dealt blow (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN2645180720080326
Two LA firefighters injured in manhole explosion on electrical Vault (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1303526~2_LA_firefighters_injured_in_manhole_explosion.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Snow geese knock out Stanwood power – Eagles chased the flock into power lines, a PUD official says (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080327/NEWS01/190070052
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Scientists: Puget Sound species in decline as pollution increases (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/400661.html
Salmon Virus Indicts Chile’s Fishing Methods – A virus called infectious salmon anemia, or I.S.A., is killing millions of salmon destined for export to Japan, Europe and the United States (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/world/americas/27salmon.html?ex=1364356800&en=4b2fce1db851825c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Salmon Prices to Skyrocket – Grocery shoppers who want to buy wild salmon this year are going to have pay some wild prices (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89114999&ft=1&f=17
15 million salmon go under the knife (Newhouse News Service, via the Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004309219_markingfish27.html?syndication=rss
Where to find elusive Chinook (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080327/SPORTS/54243564/1004
Outdoors Report: Working anglers being rewarded – Action spotty amid damp chill of early spring (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/356550_out27.html
Washington Says More Dams May Become Reality (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3730
Feds sue Gorge resort over work on wetlands – A Columbia River Gorge resort and its owners were sued Wednesday by the federal government for grading and filling 2.25 acres of wetlands (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/03/03272008_Feds-sue-Gorge-resort-over-work-on-wetlands.cfm/
The Clackamas River basin benefits from stewardship of the forests – The Forest Service and environmental advocates earn kudos for teamwork (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1206498320101840.xml&coll=7
Water content in Sierra snowpack on par, but won't fill reservoirs (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/26/BAFPVQR48.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
EPA selects 8 finalists for Puget Sound cleanup grants – Includes Squasin Island Tribe (KNDO-TV, Tri-cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=8073920
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Four towers would measure wind for possible turbines on Rattlesnake Hills (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/114188.html
Cooperative in Clallam County aims to promote local biomass energy (KONP Radio, Port Angeles)
http://www.konp.com/local/3506
Portland General Electric hydro plant gets 'green' certification (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/03/24/daily22.html?ana=from_rss
UTAH COMPANY NEARING GEOTHERMAL PLANT DEAL –A Utah-based energy company is closer to building one of the largest geothermal electrical plants in Oregon in southern Klamath County. The Klamath County Planning Commission unanimously approved Raser Technologies’ request to add a geothermal resource overlay to farmland owned by Liskey Farms along Lower Klamath Lake Road. The commission also approved a conditional use permit to build the $35 million10-megatwatt power plant. (Herald and News, Klamath Falls)
Proposed boost to Michigan's wind power faces hurdles (Oakland Business Review)
http://www.mlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2008/03/proposed_boost_to_michigans_wi.html
California Utility to Install Solar Panels – An electric company plans to install a huge patchwork of solar cells, 10 times bigger than any previous such installation (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/business/27solar.html?_r=1&ex=1364356800&en=63ee59e9c500c985&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Trumpeting a Move to Put the Sun in SunChips – The initiative is centered on the addition of solar power to the Frito-Lay plant in Modesto, Calif., that makes SunChips. A 10-acre “farm” of solar collectors is being added, to provide up to 75 percent of the energy needed to produce the product (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/business/media/27adco.html?ex=1364356800&en=2fe6de7c645907a2&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
News Release – City of Kelowna "Goes Green" with Solar-Powered Area Lighting (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/story?id=51964&src=rss
CONSERVATION
Baird says use stimulus rebate check on 'green' appliances (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/26//area_news/10173785.txt
Sierra Club pushes energy conservation on politicos – Sierra Club launches the Power2Change campaign over the next four weeks leading up to Earth Day (Wisconsin Radio Network)
http://www.wrn.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=ECAE2362-E245-8623-74EBBB5CFDBF5244
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Global warming causing stronger allergies – Farmers concerned about bigger weeds and increased pollen (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=13cb2081-2291-4566-bb6b-19dd0ddcc38c
Merrill Lynch Introduces Carbon Emissions Indices (Renewable Energy World Online)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=51967&src=rss
San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – California air board should stand by zero-emission vehicle mandate
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/27/EDK9VQRS7.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
West Virginia – Hampshire's lack of fiber optics, highway access seen as liabilities (Cumberland Times News)
http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_086094707.html
Bell Canada Hit For Slowing Traffic To Independent ISPs (Information Week, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cmp/20080327/tc_cmp/206905979
Digital TV switch a 'death sentence,' lawsuit alleges (Associated Press, via the Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/915/story/139216.html
Sequim public radio station to get permit (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080327/NEWS/803270305
GENERAL NEWS
CITY OF SHELTON REDUCING STAFF TO OFFSET BUDGET SHORTFALL – The City of Shelton is reducing staff to offset budget shortfalls. Five people will be losing their jobs in the next year to help the City deal with a decrease in revenue. These jobs equate to 3.75 F-T-Es and are part of the City's plan to reduce costs while maintaining public safety. Among those losing their jobs is the clerical position in the Fire Department beginning July 1. That will save a total of $91,000 through 2009 ($30,000 this year and $61,000 next year). This move keeps all the firefighters as protecting life and property is a priority. In the Police Department, one officer will be transferred to the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNET) effective next year, saving $87,850. The third full time job cut is in the Community Development Department where the Building Inspector, a longtime City employee, will be losing his job effective July 1, saving $132,000 through 2009 ($39,000 this year; $93,000 next year). This cut is necessary as the first priority was to retain planning support. In the Administration, a half time employee will be cut effective January 1. And in the Finance Department, the reduction is .25 F-T-E beginning April 1, saving $15,000. Each City Department also made miscellaneous cuts trimming what fat they could without impacting services. Examples of these cuts are canceling the City's information technology support contract and slowing down computer purchases, saving $45,000 through 2009. One of the departments to cut more than targeted was Administration where a total of $78,710 will be saved. This includes City Administrator Dave O'Leary reducing his compensation package. O'Leary voluntarily chose to change his car allowance to mileage and reduce his phone allowance. This saves the City over $21,000. O'Leary told 1030 KMAS News that this plan will help the City get through the next 21 months and assumes that several things will develop during that time to help the City's revenues. These things include the Peacock Ridge Development and the Shelton Hills Development beginning construction and more commercial development associated with those projects opening by late 2009. The City will be monitoring its budget and revenues throughout and may need to make further adjustments. The Shelton City Commission still must take official action on these reductions. That action will likely occur at their next business meeting. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Are crops the new copper? Rising prices make crops tempting target for thieves (National Post, Canada)
http://www.nationalpost.com/newsletter/story.html?id=401673
Free Web version of Photoshop launches (Associated Press, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080327/ap_on_hi_te/adobe_photoshop_4
DIVERSIONS
Another reason to get rid of the belly fat: Dementia
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/26/BAJSVQR4T.DTL&feed=rss.news
Oops, wrong queen: Computer error blamed for Rhododendron Festival titlist for all of last year
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080327/NEWS/803270307
Russian farmer sues space agency for falling rocket
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2621415320080327?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Owner fails to back own horse in 33-1 win
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2546446520080326?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Glasses Not Geeky, Research Finds – Shortsighted People Not More Introverted
http://www.kirotv.com/health/15711366/detail.html
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Energy News Digest for March 21, 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)
- Portland General Electric says rates to dip after BPA agreement
- Chelan County PUD to seek public input in rate-setting philosophy
- Maryland – Rate relief gets a boost – Senate panel backs electricity credit of about $5 a month
- Pennsylvania power line hearing draws ample opposition
- NRG Energy Sets Up an Entity to Build Nuclear Plants
- Seattle Post Intelligencer Op/Ed – Oil fits the bill for public utility
- New study of SCADA and energy management systems finds increase in adoption of cyber security
- Columbian Op/Ed, Terry Flores – Should we still harvest Columbia salmon?
- Columbian Op/Ed, Carl Pope – Help salmon reach their ark
- Anglers showing up in droves for Chinook fishery on Columbia
- California Assembly approves $5.3 million to restore salmon habitat
- Canada – Pine beetle infestation impacting salmon runs
- Canada – Fraser marked as endangered
- Making Seattle's waterfront more sea life-friendly
- Historic Columbia River water legislation relieves local irrigation pressures
- Wenatchee World Editorial – Finding water to put to use
- Tri-City Herald Op/Ed – Proposed Black Rock Dam - YES: Dam is the potential answer to many problems
- Tri-City Herald Op/Ed – Proposed Black Rock Dam - NO: Possibility that dam could fail too great a risk
- Three Men Injured in Fall inside water reservoir
- Cowlitz Tribe wins grant for Cottonwood deer refuge
- Tidal Energy Company Withdraws Permit Request for Washington & Oregon Projects
- Safeguards are needed in the rush toward run-of-river power
- Port of Vancouver buying 60% of its power from wind farms
- Minnesota – Small step forward for wood-burning plant
- AES, Private-Equity Firm Join To Build Solar-Energy Farms
- Las Vegas – New Wal-Mart touts energy efficiency
- Energy Star and the Future of Your Electronics
- Warming Is Blamed for Collapse of Huge Chunk of Antarctic Ice
- NY Times Op/Ed – On Carbon, Tax and Don’t Spend
- Port staff asked to give Sea-Tac a green makeover
- For Carbon Emissions, a Goal of Less Than Zero
- Canadians warming to emissions cap: poll
- Arizona Republic Editorial – Join the darkness
- How Green Is Your Printer?
- Open wireless network may not be so open
- Cable Companies In Talks to Fund WiMax Network
- Tennessee – EPB Begins Installing Fiber Cables
- Southwestern WA counties get workforce development grant – Includes Mason County
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Sericeous • \suh-RISH-us\ • adjective – Covered with fine silky hair
The little bunnies in the Enzian Inn’s lobby are devastatingly cute. With their sericeous coats, dewy liquid eyes, and tiny wiggling noses, how could anyone resist signing up for a drawing to adopt one of these little creatures! Awwwww!
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
Portland General Electric says rates to dip after BPA agreement (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/1206465633281370.xml&coll=6
Chelan County PUD to seek public input in rate-setting philosophy (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080325/NEWS04/309342146
Maryland – Rate relief gets a boost – Senate panel backs electricity credit of about $5 a month (Baltimore Sun)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.rates26mar26,0,4152986.story
Pennsylvania power line hearing draws ample opposition (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via the Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjiltvplTUkg%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
NRG Energy Sets Up an Entity to Build Nuclear Plants (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/business/26nuke.html?_r=1&ex=1364270400&en=bb0fd98f21f02cfe&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Seattle Post Intelligencer Op/Ed – Oil fits the bill for public utility
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/356399_publicutility26.html?source=rss
New study of SCADA and energy management systems finds increase in adoption of cyber security defensive measures (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=323962&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Columbian Op/Ed, Terry Flores – Should we still harvest Columbia salmon?
http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/03/03262008_Should-we-still-harvest-Columbia-salmon.cfm
Columbian Op/Ed, Carl Pope – Help salmon reach their ark – If salmon are to survive climate change, four of these dams on the lower Snake River must go
http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/03/03262008_Help-salmon-reach-their-ark.cfm/
Anglers showing up in droves for chinook fishery on Columbia (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/outdoors/story/318336.html
California Assembly approves $5.3 million to restore salmon habitat (The Associated Press)
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CA_XGR_SALMON_FUNDING_OROL-?SITE=ORKLA&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Canada – Pine beetle infestation impacting salmon runs (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=7c22a715-f210-4ee0-92c2-a6282428ebbf&k=48776
Canada – Fraser marked as endangered – The Fraser River has once again been named one of B.C.'s most environmentally threatened rivers (Prince George Citizen)
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20080324124395/local/news/fraser-marked-as-endangered.html
Making Seattle's waterfront more sea life-friendly – The Seattle urban waterfront is unkind to baby salmon (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/356422_seawall26.html
Historic Columbia River water legislation relieves local irrigation pressures (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/03/25/news/news05.txt
Wenatchee World Editorial – Finding water to put to use
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080325/OP03/245448557/-1/OP
Tri-City Herald Op/Ed – Proposed Black Rock Dam - YES: Dam is the potential answer to many problems
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/964/story/137421.html
Tri-City Herald Op/Ed – Proposed Black Rock Dam - NO: Possibility that dam could fail too great a risk
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/964/story/137407.html
Three Men Injured in Fall – Teen’s Back Broken When Scaffolding Collapses Inside Empty Ryderwood Reservoir (The Chronicle, Centralia)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1206467188&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
Cowlitz Tribe wins grant for Cottonwood deer refuge (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/25//area_news/10172809.txt
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Tidal Energy Company Withdraws Permit Request for Washington & Oregon Projects (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/tidal-energy-company-withdraws-permit-request/
Safeguards are needed in the rush toward run-of-river power – In a world hungry for green energy, run-of-the-river hydro has a lot of appeal. But a smaller footprint does not mean zero impact. (The Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=cb00d410-f585-4852-a0cf-f18468ab7380
Port of Vancouver buying 60% of its power from wind farms (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2008/03/03262008_Port-buying-60-of-its-power-from-wind-farms.cfm/
Minnesota – Small step forward for wood-burning plant (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via the Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjiltwtpUUkg%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
AES, Private-Equity Firm Join To Build Solar-Energy Farms – it will partner with a private-equity firm to invest up to $1 billion in solar energy projects around the world (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/25/AR2008032502988.html?nav=rss_business
CONSERVATION
Las Vegas – New Wal-Mart touts energy efficiency – Conservation systems could provide prototype for other retailers (Las Vegas Business Press)
http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2008/03/25/news/iq_20407961.txt
Neighborhoods see energy savings after city program (Houston Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/03/24/daily6.html?ana=from_rss
Energy Star and the Future of Your Electronics (Electronic House)
http://www.electronichouse.com/article/energy_star_and_the_future_of_electronics/C155
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Warming Is Blamed for Collapse of Huge Chunk of Antarctic Ice (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/25/AR2008032501418.html?nav=rss_nation
NY Times Op/Ed – On Carbon, Tax and Don’t Spend
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/opinion/25prasad.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
Port staff asked to give Sea-Tac a green makeover – Plan to reduce carbon footprint could be done by year's end (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/356470_port26.html?source=rss
For Carbon Emissions, a Goal of Less Than Zero (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/business/businessspecial2/26negative.html?ex=1364270400&en=24707e2a7e4e5dd5&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Canadians warming to emissions cap: poll (Victoria Times-Colonist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=5cfc48ce-1081-481f-b4c0-225a0b75f840
Arizona Republic Editorial – Join the darkness
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0326wed1-26.html
How Green Is Your Printer? (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/how-green-is-your-printer/index.html?ex=1364184000&en=6b1981876342ba93&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Open wireless network may not be so open (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/991/story/137576.html
Cable Companies In Talks to Fund WiMax Network – Comcast, Time Warner Venture Would Challenge Verizon, AT& T (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/25/AR2008032503759.html?nav=rss_business
Tennessee – EPB Begins Installing Fiber Cables (WCTV-TV, Chattanooga)
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/cables_967440___article.html/epb_fiber.html
GENERAL NEWS
Southwestern WA counties get workforce development grant – Includes Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties. (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP03252008news296520.cfm
DIVERSIONS
Race in heels trips man on workers comp – Prosecutors say a video shows a Connecticut correction officer running a 40-yard-dash in women's clothing and high heels — at a time he had claimed he was too injured to work.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080326/ap_on_fe_st/odd_workers__comp_fraud;_ylt=AsKJO3BQvO_syttyPpOfDVvtiBIF
OUCH! Truck clips utility pole, motorcyclist 'clotheslined' by drooping telephone line
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8691650?source=rss
Michigan Attorney General Nixes Free Barbershop Beer
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15702823/detail.html
Man, 70, accused of impersonating cop – He was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer after he allegedly pulled over a real officer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080326/ap_on_fe_st/odd_fake_officer;_ylt=AtCg1xvGoK9EF59_KL70BkPtiBIF
Australian's break-in report goes to pot – he called police to report that his house had been broken into and some of his cannabis plants stolen
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080321/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_australia_cannabis;_ylt=Ai6u3JoBi1Ul6dLJXj6hY7XtiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Portland General Electric says rates to dip after BPA agreement
- Chelan County PUD to seek public input in rate-setting philosophy
- Maryland – Rate relief gets a boost – Senate panel backs electricity credit of about $5 a month
- Pennsylvania power line hearing draws ample opposition
- NRG Energy Sets Up an Entity to Build Nuclear Plants
- Seattle Post Intelligencer Op/Ed – Oil fits the bill for public utility
- New study of SCADA and energy management systems finds increase in adoption of cyber security
- Columbian Op/Ed, Terry Flores – Should we still harvest Columbia salmon?
- Columbian Op/Ed, Carl Pope – Help salmon reach their ark
- Anglers showing up in droves for Chinook fishery on Columbia
- California Assembly approves $5.3 million to restore salmon habitat
- Canada – Pine beetle infestation impacting salmon runs
- Canada – Fraser marked as endangered
- Making Seattle's waterfront more sea life-friendly
- Historic Columbia River water legislation relieves local irrigation pressures
- Wenatchee World Editorial – Finding water to put to use
- Tri-City Herald Op/Ed – Proposed Black Rock Dam - YES: Dam is the potential answer to many problems
- Tri-City Herald Op/Ed – Proposed Black Rock Dam - NO: Possibility that dam could fail too great a risk
- Three Men Injured in Fall inside water reservoir
- Cowlitz Tribe wins grant for Cottonwood deer refuge
- Tidal Energy Company Withdraws Permit Request for Washington & Oregon Projects
- Safeguards are needed in the rush toward run-of-river power
- Port of Vancouver buying 60% of its power from wind farms
- Minnesota – Small step forward for wood-burning plant
- AES, Private-Equity Firm Join To Build Solar-Energy Farms
- Las Vegas – New Wal-Mart touts energy efficiency
- Energy Star and the Future of Your Electronics
- Warming Is Blamed for Collapse of Huge Chunk of Antarctic Ice
- NY Times Op/Ed – On Carbon, Tax and Don’t Spend
- Port staff asked to give Sea-Tac a green makeover
- For Carbon Emissions, a Goal of Less Than Zero
- Canadians warming to emissions cap: poll
- Arizona Republic Editorial – Join the darkness
- How Green Is Your Printer?
- Open wireless network may not be so open
- Cable Companies In Talks to Fund WiMax Network
- Tennessee – EPB Begins Installing Fiber Cables
- Southwestern WA counties get workforce development grant – Includes Mason County
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Sericeous • \suh-RISH-us\ • adjective – Covered with fine silky hair
The little bunnies in the Enzian Inn’s lobby are devastatingly cute. With their sericeous coats, dewy liquid eyes, and tiny wiggling noses, how could anyone resist signing up for a drawing to adopt one of these little creatures! Awwwww!
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
Portland General Electric says rates to dip after BPA agreement (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/1206465633281370.xml&coll=6
Chelan County PUD to seek public input in rate-setting philosophy (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080325/NEWS04/309342146
Maryland – Rate relief gets a boost – Senate panel backs electricity credit of about $5 a month (Baltimore Sun)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.rates26mar26,0,4152986.story
Pennsylvania power line hearing draws ample opposition (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via the Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjiltvplTUkg%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
NRG Energy Sets Up an Entity to Build Nuclear Plants (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/business/26nuke.html?_r=1&ex=1364270400&en=bb0fd98f21f02cfe&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Seattle Post Intelligencer Op/Ed – Oil fits the bill for public utility
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/356399_publicutility26.html?source=rss
New study of SCADA and energy management systems finds increase in adoption of cyber security defensive measures (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=323962&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Columbian Op/Ed, Terry Flores – Should we still harvest Columbia salmon?
http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/03/03262008_Should-we-still-harvest-Columbia-salmon.cfm
Columbian Op/Ed, Carl Pope – Help salmon reach their ark – If salmon are to survive climate change, four of these dams on the lower Snake River must go
http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/03/03262008_Help-salmon-reach-their-ark.cfm/
Anglers showing up in droves for chinook fishery on Columbia (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/outdoors/story/318336.html
California Assembly approves $5.3 million to restore salmon habitat (The Associated Press)
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CA_XGR_SALMON_FUNDING_OROL-?SITE=ORKLA&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Canada – Pine beetle infestation impacting salmon runs (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=7c22a715-f210-4ee0-92c2-a6282428ebbf&k=48776
Canada – Fraser marked as endangered – The Fraser River has once again been named one of B.C.'s most environmentally threatened rivers (Prince George Citizen)
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20080324124395/local/news/fraser-marked-as-endangered.html
Making Seattle's waterfront more sea life-friendly – The Seattle urban waterfront is unkind to baby salmon (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/356422_seawall26.html
Historic Columbia River water legislation relieves local irrigation pressures (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/03/25/news/news05.txt
Wenatchee World Editorial – Finding water to put to use
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080325/OP03/245448557/-1/OP
Tri-City Herald Op/Ed – Proposed Black Rock Dam - YES: Dam is the potential answer to many problems
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/964/story/137421.html
Tri-City Herald Op/Ed – Proposed Black Rock Dam - NO: Possibility that dam could fail too great a risk
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/964/story/137407.html
Three Men Injured in Fall – Teen’s Back Broken When Scaffolding Collapses Inside Empty Ryderwood Reservoir (The Chronicle, Centralia)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1206467188&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
Cowlitz Tribe wins grant for Cottonwood deer refuge (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/03/25//area_news/10172809.txt
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Tidal Energy Company Withdraws Permit Request for Washington & Oregon Projects (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/tidal-energy-company-withdraws-permit-request/
Safeguards are needed in the rush toward run-of-river power – In a world hungry for green energy, run-of-the-river hydro has a lot of appeal. But a smaller footprint does not mean zero impact. (The Vancouver Sun)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=cb00d410-f585-4852-a0cf-f18468ab7380
Port of Vancouver buying 60% of its power from wind farms (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2008/03/03262008_Port-buying-60-of-its-power-from-wind-farms.cfm/
Minnesota – Small step forward for wood-burning plant (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via the Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjiltwtpUUkg%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
AES, Private-Equity Firm Join To Build Solar-Energy Farms – it will partner with a private-equity firm to invest up to $1 billion in solar energy projects around the world (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/25/AR2008032502988.html?nav=rss_business
CONSERVATION
Las Vegas – New Wal-Mart touts energy efficiency – Conservation systems could provide prototype for other retailers (Las Vegas Business Press)
http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2008/03/25/news/iq_20407961.txt
Neighborhoods see energy savings after city program (Houston Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/03/24/daily6.html?ana=from_rss
Energy Star and the Future of Your Electronics (Electronic House)
http://www.electronichouse.com/article/energy_star_and_the_future_of_electronics/C155
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Warming Is Blamed for Collapse of Huge Chunk of Antarctic Ice (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/25/AR2008032501418.html?nav=rss_nation
NY Times Op/Ed – On Carbon, Tax and Don’t Spend
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/opinion/25prasad.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
Port staff asked to give Sea-Tac a green makeover – Plan to reduce carbon footprint could be done by year's end (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/356470_port26.html?source=rss
For Carbon Emissions, a Goal of Less Than Zero (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/business/businessspecial2/26negative.html?ex=1364270400&en=24707e2a7e4e5dd5&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Canadians warming to emissions cap: poll (Victoria Times-Colonist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=5cfc48ce-1081-481f-b4c0-225a0b75f840
Arizona Republic Editorial – Join the darkness
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0326wed1-26.html
How Green Is Your Printer? (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/how-green-is-your-printer/index.html?ex=1364184000&en=6b1981876342ba93&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Open wireless network may not be so open (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/991/story/137576.html
Cable Companies In Talks to Fund WiMax Network – Comcast, Time Warner Venture Would Challenge Verizon, AT& T (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/25/AR2008032503759.html?nav=rss_business
Tennessee – EPB Begins Installing Fiber Cables (WCTV-TV, Chattanooga)
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/cables_967440___article.html/epb_fiber.html
GENERAL NEWS
Southwestern WA counties get workforce development grant – Includes Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties. (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP03252008news296520.cfm
DIVERSIONS
Race in heels trips man on workers comp – Prosecutors say a video shows a Connecticut correction officer running a 40-yard-dash in women's clothing and high heels — at a time he had claimed he was too injured to work.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080326/ap_on_fe_st/odd_workers__comp_fraud;_ylt=AsKJO3BQvO_syttyPpOfDVvtiBIF
OUCH! Truck clips utility pole, motorcyclist 'clotheslined' by drooping telephone line
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8691650?source=rss
Michigan Attorney General Nixes Free Barbershop Beer
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15702823/detail.html
Man, 70, accused of impersonating cop – He was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer after he allegedly pulled over a real officer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080326/ap_on_fe_st/odd_fake_officer;_ylt=AtCg1xvGoK9EF59_KL70BkPtiBIF
Australian's break-in report goes to pot – he called police to report that his house had been broken into and some of his cannabis plants stolen
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080321/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_australia_cannabis;_ylt=Ai6u3JoBi1Ul6dLJXj6hY7XtiBIF
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Energy News Digest for March 25, 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)
- Canadian tribes oppose 260-foot dam near Oroville
- Region's PUDs affected by Bear Stearns' crash – Chelan and Grant County PUD
- Lakeview customers to get free power thanks to BPA Settlement
- Idaho Power proposes rate increase of 1.4% to pay for a new natural gas plant
- Wait for transmission may be getting shorter
- Idaho Governor signs tax break bills for Idaho enrichment plant
- Northern Wasco County PUD building expansion gains planning OK
- The clock is ticking on safety compliance for the power industry
- Suit filed to halt killing of sea lions in Columbia River
- Coastal Oregon lawmakers call for more time on marine reserves
- Tower aims to get fish migrating on Deschutes again
- Threatened Fish Return To Tributary of Willamette River
- Will Toxins Lead to Removal of Klamath River Dams?
- Tribal whalers reject plea deal in Washington
- Sea squirts taking over Puget Sound
- Boistfort Valley Water customers celebrate clean water
- Oregon Governor Pushes Solar, Renewable Power Tax Credits
- Solar, wind tax credits may expire
- Redwoods in solar fight to get the ax
- Money Troubles Stall Green Town Project
- California – Couple starts up solar program
- Britain's chief environment scientist says government should slow rush to encourage biofuels
- Carbon Reduction Strategy: Renewable Portfolio Standard Versus Cap and Trade
- No need to wait; Start energy conservation before lights go out Saturday
- Montana – Governor Schweitzer backs national car rules
- Do Trees Worsen Droughts?
- Link to Global Warming in Frogs’ Disappearance Is Challenged
- Lorne Gunter: Perhaps The Climate Change Models Are Wrong
- Citigroup says Microsoft likely to raise Yahoo offer
- Satellite radio merger gets antitrust OK
- New York – Fiber Optic Line Brings Newton Falls into High Speed Era
- Arkansas – Road agency’s sole optic-fiber use questioned
- Wi-Fi Killed My Baby! California town gives in to fear
- San Jose Mercury News Editorial: FCC auction delivers on access, not competition
- New AT&T Filters Eating Legit E-mail
- Shelton City Commission Not Seek Administrator Resignation
- Sheldon to Seek Second Term as Commissioner
- Shelton-Mason County Chamber Of Commerce Joins Realtors In Max Tax For Streets
- Storm Brews Over Adding Wind Coverage to Federal Flood Program
- Good pay, steady work, few takers as young people spurn the trades
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Lederhosen • \LAY-der-hose-un\ • noun – Leather shorts often with suspenders worn especially in Bavaria
Friederich felt self-conscious about his watering routine. Even though he lived in Leavenworth, he still drew stares and catcalls as he daily watered his lawn: standing proudly with his garden hose, resplendent in his bright green lederhosen.
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
Canadian tribes oppose 260-foot dam near Oroville – Indian bands oppose unofficial plans by the Okanogan County PUD to build a dam for hydroelectric power and water storage that would flood tribal lands in Canada (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080324/NEWS04/965921874/1008/NEWS03
Region's PUDs affected by Bear Stearns' crash – Chelan and Grant County PUD officials were optimistic Monday, despite pending dealings with hard-hit investment bank Bear Stearn (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080324/BIZ/595008783
Lakeview customers to get free power thanks to BPA Settlement (South Sound Business Examiner)
http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/lakeview-customers-to-power/
Idaho Power proposes rate increase of 1.4% to pay for a new natural gas plant near Mountain Home. (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjilrsonVUjf%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
Wait for transmission may be getting shorter (Sustainable Industries)
http://www.sustainableindustries.com/breakingnews/16908021.html
Idaho Governor signs tax break bills for Idaho enrichment plant (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/398309.html
Northern Wasco County PUD building expansion gains planning OK – Utility has been growing says official (The Dalles Chronicle)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2008/03/news03-24-08-03.shtml
The clock is ticking on safety compliance for the power industry – The 2007 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requires all power generating utilities to perform Arc-Flash assessments by January 1, 2009 (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ARTCL&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=323819&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
Energy Pulse Commentary – Management In Real Life: Top Communicators
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1702
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Suit filed to halt killing of sea lions in Columbia River (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/398288.html
Coastal Oregon lawmakers call for more time on marine reserves (Daily Astorian, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1298949~Coastal_lawmakers_call_for_more_time_on_marine_reserves.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Tower aims to get fish migrating on Deschutes again – A PGE-backed fish collector would steer salmon and steelhead past Round Butte Dam (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1206329115310600.xml&coll=7
Threatened Fish Return To Tributary of Willamette River (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/threatened-fish-return-tryon-creek/
Will Toxins Lead to Removal of Klamath River Dams? (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3723
Tribal whalers reject plea deal in Washington (Associated Press Writer, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/398040.html
Sea squirts taking over Puget Sound – Filter feeders have earned bad name in world's marinas (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/356310_seasquirts25.html?source=rss
Boistfort Valley Water customers celebrate clean water (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_032408WAB_boistfort_water_boil_LJ.21114830.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon Governor Pushes Solar, Renewable Power Tax Credits (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/governor-pushes-solar-renewable-power-tax-credits/
Solar, wind tax credits may expire – Federal wind and solar tax credits will expire this year and cost the Bay Area much-needed jobs and economic investment (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8689656?source=rss
Redwoods in solar fight to get the ax – Lawmaker introduces bill in hopes of avoiding such battles in the future (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8689628?source=rss
Money Troubles Stall Green Town Project – The goal: to become the first U.S. community to meet all electricity and gas needs through renewable energy by using everything from farm waste to sewage (The Associated Press)
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j3-gjPKhajSxfPrnEY7EB4zYszBQD8VK16M01
California – Couple starts up solar program (The Union-Democrat)
http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=26128
Britain's chief environment scientist says government should slow rush to encourage biofuels (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8678322?source=rss
$10 million quest for a practical 100-mpg car (Christian Science Monitor)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20080324/ts_csm/agreencar
Carbon Reduction Strategy: Renewable Portfolio Standard Versus Cap and Trade (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/ate/story?id=51786&src=rss
CONSERVATION
No need to wait; Start energy conservation before lights go out Saturday (Peterborough Examiner)
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=956169
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Montana – Governor Schweitzer backs national car rules (The Associated Press, via the Billings Gazette)
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/03/23/news/state/42-schweitzer.txt
Do Trees Worsen Droughts? Scientists are studying whether trees may actually worsen drought conditions by siphoning off the water table and releasing the moisture into the atmosphere (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88984769&ft=1&f=2
Link to Global Warming in Frogs’ Disappearance Is Challenged (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/science/25frog.html?_r=1&ex=1364184000&en=6ea2242b749b5d37&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Lorne Gunter: Perhaps The Climate Change Models Are Wrong (National Post, Canada)
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/03/24/lorne-gunter-perhaps-the-climate-change-models-are-wrong.aspx
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Citigroup says Microsoft likely to raise Yahoo offer (Reuters, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080325/tc_nm/yahoo_research_citigroup_dc_2
Satellite radio merger gets antitrust OK (Reuters, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080325/tc_nm/xm_sirius_antitrust_dc_12
New York – Fiber Optic Line Brings Newton Falls into High Speed Era (WNYF-TV, Watertown/Carthage)
http://www.wwnytv.net/index.php/2008/03/21/fiber-optic-line-brings-newton-falls-into-high-speed-era/
Arkansas – Road agency’s sole optic-fiber use questioned – Members of a legislative technology panel on Monday questioned whether the state Highway and Transportation Department is hoarding fiber-optic cable when it could be used to help others in the state (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/220806
Wi-Fi Killed My Baby! California town gives in to fear (Broadband Reports – Comments may include PG-13 language)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/WiFi-Killed-My-Baby-92938
San Jose Mercury News Editorial: FCC auction delivers on access, not competition
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8688788?source=rss
New AT&T Filters Eating Legit E-mail (Broadband Reports – Comment section may contain some salty language)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/New-ATT-Filters-Eating-Legit-Email-92959
GENERAL NEWS
SHELTON CITY COMMISSION NOT SEEK ADMINISTRATOR RESIGNATION – The Shelton City Commission will NOT seek City Administrator Dave O'Leary's resignation. One week after five City of Shelton employee unions announced their vote of “No Confidence” in O'Leary, the City Commissioners said they found no indication of a need for his resignation or dismissal. Commissioner Mike Byrne read a prepared statement during Monday's City Commission meeting that explained he found “little substance” in the unions' demands. Byrne also reiterated that the City's financial situation was the result of decreasing revenues and an increased demand for service not the mismanagement of the City Administrator. He went on to summarize what the City has done and is doing to make it through the next few years and how they have created a business plan for the rest of 2008, 2009 and 2010. That plan will be released during a commission retreat on Wednesday. Commissioner Dawn Pannell echoed Byrne saying she was “disappointed” in the employees who demanded O'Leary's resignation last week and that those people should have come to the Commission first. Mayor John Tarrant said he will continue to do what is best for the City. The Commission retreat begins at 8:30am and will be held in the meeting room at the Shelton Library, the William G. Reed Library. The retreat is open to the public. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Sheldon to Seek Second Term as Commissioner – State Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, announced Monday that he will run for another term as Mason County commissioner (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/mar/24/sheldon-to-seek-second-term-on-mason-county/
SHELTON-MASON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOINS REALTORS IN MAX TAX FOR STREETS – The Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce has joined the Mason County Association of Realtors in asking the City of Shelton to seek approval of a maximum property tax levy lid lift to fund street maintenance. The City plans on asking voters in August to approve a one-year “Show Me” tax of $500,000. This would fix about 40 blocks of streets. The City would then ask voters for another $500,000 in subsequent years. The Chamber's Board of Trustee agreed with the Realtors that this amount would NOT be enough and voters would NOT support the measure in August or during future elections. The Chamber and the Realtors believe that in order to fix all residential streets, the max tax measure sent to voters last fall is the best option. Both entities also suggest that a Citizens Advisory Group be formed to help educate voters on the benefits of the tax and help the City with which streets should be fixed and when. The City Commissioners have already taken action to place the “Show Me” tax on the August Primary Ballot but said they would discuss the “Max Tax” during their retreat Wednesday. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Storm Brews Over Adding Wind Coverage to Federal Flood Program (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/24/AR2008032402450.html?nav=rss_politics
Good pay, steady work, few takers as young people spurn the trades (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/356181_trades24.html
DIVERSIONS
Gophers notch a win in man-rodent battle
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2432304520080324?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Urinal Bags Don't Sit Well With Union – Union Says Qwest Supervisor Tried To Shorten Bathroom Breaks
http://www.kirotv.com/money/15664343/detail.html
Man allegedly steals church's copper gutter; while Easter services were taking place
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080325/ap_on_fe_st/odd_church_gutter_theft;_ylt=AkSWOcGdssodToOGkFbc1L_tiBIF
Dubai restaurant gives discount for bugs
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080325/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_emirates_bugs;_ylt=ApZgM7zmXfxZSx0wi0acylTtiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Canadian tribes oppose 260-foot dam near Oroville
- Region's PUDs affected by Bear Stearns' crash – Chelan and Grant County PUD
- Lakeview customers to get free power thanks to BPA Settlement
- Idaho Power proposes rate increase of 1.4% to pay for a new natural gas plant
- Wait for transmission may be getting shorter
- Idaho Governor signs tax break bills for Idaho enrichment plant
- Northern Wasco County PUD building expansion gains planning OK
- The clock is ticking on safety compliance for the power industry
- Suit filed to halt killing of sea lions in Columbia River
- Coastal Oregon lawmakers call for more time on marine reserves
- Tower aims to get fish migrating on Deschutes again
- Threatened Fish Return To Tributary of Willamette River
- Will Toxins Lead to Removal of Klamath River Dams?
- Tribal whalers reject plea deal in Washington
- Sea squirts taking over Puget Sound
- Boistfort Valley Water customers celebrate clean water
- Oregon Governor Pushes Solar, Renewable Power Tax Credits
- Solar, wind tax credits may expire
- Redwoods in solar fight to get the ax
- Money Troubles Stall Green Town Project
- California – Couple starts up solar program
- Britain's chief environment scientist says government should slow rush to encourage biofuels
- Carbon Reduction Strategy: Renewable Portfolio Standard Versus Cap and Trade
- No need to wait; Start energy conservation before lights go out Saturday
- Montana – Governor Schweitzer backs national car rules
- Do Trees Worsen Droughts?
- Link to Global Warming in Frogs’ Disappearance Is Challenged
- Lorne Gunter: Perhaps The Climate Change Models Are Wrong
- Citigroup says Microsoft likely to raise Yahoo offer
- Satellite radio merger gets antitrust OK
- New York – Fiber Optic Line Brings Newton Falls into High Speed Era
- Arkansas – Road agency’s sole optic-fiber use questioned
- Wi-Fi Killed My Baby! California town gives in to fear
- San Jose Mercury News Editorial: FCC auction delivers on access, not competition
- New AT&T Filters Eating Legit E-mail
- Shelton City Commission Not Seek Administrator Resignation
- Sheldon to Seek Second Term as Commissioner
- Shelton-Mason County Chamber Of Commerce Joins Realtors In Max Tax For Streets
- Storm Brews Over Adding Wind Coverage to Federal Flood Program
- Good pay, steady work, few takers as young people spurn the trades
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Lederhosen • \LAY-der-hose-un\ • noun – Leather shorts often with suspenders worn especially in Bavaria
Friederich felt self-conscious about his watering routine. Even though he lived in Leavenworth, he still drew stares and catcalls as he daily watered his lawn: standing proudly with his garden hose, resplendent in his bright green lederhosen.
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
Canadian tribes oppose 260-foot dam near Oroville – Indian bands oppose unofficial plans by the Okanogan County PUD to build a dam for hydroelectric power and water storage that would flood tribal lands in Canada (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080324/NEWS04/965921874/1008/NEWS03
Region's PUDs affected by Bear Stearns' crash – Chelan and Grant County PUD officials were optimistic Monday, despite pending dealings with hard-hit investment bank Bear Stearn (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080324/BIZ/595008783
Lakeview customers to get free power thanks to BPA Settlement (South Sound Business Examiner)
http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/lakeview-customers-to-power/
Idaho Power proposes rate increase of 1.4% to pay for a new natural gas plant near Mountain Home. (McClatchy Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CjilrsonVUjf%216%3C%22bfen%5Fv
Wait for transmission may be getting shorter (Sustainable Industries)
http://www.sustainableindustries.com/breakingnews/16908021.html
Idaho Governor signs tax break bills for Idaho enrichment plant (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/398309.html
Northern Wasco County PUD building expansion gains planning OK – Utility has been growing says official (The Dalles Chronicle)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2008/03/news03-24-08-03.shtml
The clock is ticking on safety compliance for the power industry – The 2007 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requires all power generating utilities to perform Arc-Flash assessments by January 1, 2009 (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ARTCL&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=323819&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss
Energy Pulse Commentary – Management In Real Life: Top Communicators
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1702
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Suit filed to halt killing of sea lions in Columbia River (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/398288.html
Coastal Oregon lawmakers call for more time on marine reserves (Daily Astorian, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1298949~Coastal_lawmakers_call_for_more_time_on_marine_reserves.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Tower aims to get fish migrating on Deschutes again – A PGE-backed fish collector would steer salmon and steelhead past Round Butte Dam (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1206329115310600.xml&coll=7
Threatened Fish Return To Tributary of Willamette River (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/threatened-fish-return-tryon-creek/
Will Toxins Lead to Removal of Klamath River Dams? (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3723
Tribal whalers reject plea deal in Washington (Associated Press Writer, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/398040.html
Sea squirts taking over Puget Sound – Filter feeders have earned bad name in world's marinas (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/356310_seasquirts25.html?source=rss
Boistfort Valley Water customers celebrate clean water (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_032408WAB_boistfort_water_boil_LJ.21114830.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon Governor Pushes Solar, Renewable Power Tax Credits (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/governor-pushes-solar-renewable-power-tax-credits/
Solar, wind tax credits may expire – Federal wind and solar tax credits will expire this year and cost the Bay Area much-needed jobs and economic investment (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8689656?source=rss
Redwoods in solar fight to get the ax – Lawmaker introduces bill in hopes of avoiding such battles in the future (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8689628?source=rss
Money Troubles Stall Green Town Project – The goal: to become the first U.S. community to meet all electricity and gas needs through renewable energy by using everything from farm waste to sewage (The Associated Press)
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j3-gjPKhajSxfPrnEY7EB4zYszBQD8VK16M01
California – Couple starts up solar program (The Union-Democrat)
http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=26128
Britain's chief environment scientist says government should slow rush to encourage biofuels (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8678322?source=rss
$10 million quest for a practical 100-mpg car (Christian Science Monitor)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20080324/ts_csm/agreencar
Carbon Reduction Strategy: Renewable Portfolio Standard Versus Cap and Trade (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/ate/story?id=51786&src=rss
CONSERVATION
No need to wait; Start energy conservation before lights go out Saturday (Peterborough Examiner)
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=956169
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Montana – Governor Schweitzer backs national car rules (The Associated Press, via the Billings Gazette)
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/03/23/news/state/42-schweitzer.txt
Do Trees Worsen Droughts? Scientists are studying whether trees may actually worsen drought conditions by siphoning off the water table and releasing the moisture into the atmosphere (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88984769&ft=1&f=2
Link to Global Warming in Frogs’ Disappearance Is Challenged (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/science/25frog.html?_r=1&ex=1364184000&en=6ea2242b749b5d37&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Lorne Gunter: Perhaps The Climate Change Models Are Wrong (National Post, Canada)
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/03/24/lorne-gunter-perhaps-the-climate-change-models-are-wrong.aspx
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Citigroup says Microsoft likely to raise Yahoo offer (Reuters, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080325/tc_nm/yahoo_research_citigroup_dc_2
Satellite radio merger gets antitrust OK (Reuters, via Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080325/tc_nm/xm_sirius_antitrust_dc_12
New York – Fiber Optic Line Brings Newton Falls into High Speed Era (WNYF-TV, Watertown/Carthage)
http://www.wwnytv.net/index.php/2008/03/21/fiber-optic-line-brings-newton-falls-into-high-speed-era/
Arkansas – Road agency’s sole optic-fiber use questioned – Members of a legislative technology panel on Monday questioned whether the state Highway and Transportation Department is hoarding fiber-optic cable when it could be used to help others in the state (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/220806
Wi-Fi Killed My Baby! California town gives in to fear (Broadband Reports – Comments may include PG-13 language)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/WiFi-Killed-My-Baby-92938
San Jose Mercury News Editorial: FCC auction delivers on access, not competition
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8688788?source=rss
New AT&T Filters Eating Legit E-mail (Broadband Reports – Comment section may contain some salty language)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/New-ATT-Filters-Eating-Legit-Email-92959
GENERAL NEWS
SHELTON CITY COMMISSION NOT SEEK ADMINISTRATOR RESIGNATION – The Shelton City Commission will NOT seek City Administrator Dave O'Leary's resignation. One week after five City of Shelton employee unions announced their vote of “No Confidence” in O'Leary, the City Commissioners said they found no indication of a need for his resignation or dismissal. Commissioner Mike Byrne read a prepared statement during Monday's City Commission meeting that explained he found “little substance” in the unions' demands. Byrne also reiterated that the City's financial situation was the result of decreasing revenues and an increased demand for service not the mismanagement of the City Administrator. He went on to summarize what the City has done and is doing to make it through the next few years and how they have created a business plan for the rest of 2008, 2009 and 2010. That plan will be released during a commission retreat on Wednesday. Commissioner Dawn Pannell echoed Byrne saying she was “disappointed” in the employees who demanded O'Leary's resignation last week and that those people should have come to the Commission first. Mayor John Tarrant said he will continue to do what is best for the City. The Commission retreat begins at 8:30am and will be held in the meeting room at the Shelton Library, the William G. Reed Library. The retreat is open to the public. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Sheldon to Seek Second Term as Commissioner – State Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, announced Monday that he will run for another term as Mason County commissioner (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/mar/24/sheldon-to-seek-second-term-on-mason-county/
SHELTON-MASON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOINS REALTORS IN MAX TAX FOR STREETS – The Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce has joined the Mason County Association of Realtors in asking the City of Shelton to seek approval of a maximum property tax levy lid lift to fund street maintenance. The City plans on asking voters in August to approve a one-year “Show Me” tax of $500,000. This would fix about 40 blocks of streets. The City would then ask voters for another $500,000 in subsequent years. The Chamber's Board of Trustee agreed with the Realtors that this amount would NOT be enough and voters would NOT support the measure in August or during future elections. The Chamber and the Realtors believe that in order to fix all residential streets, the max tax measure sent to voters last fall is the best option. Both entities also suggest that a Citizens Advisory Group be formed to help educate voters on the benefits of the tax and help the City with which streets should be fixed and when. The City Commissioners have already taken action to place the “Show Me” tax on the August Primary Ballot but said they would discuss the “Max Tax” during their retreat Wednesday. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Storm Brews Over Adding Wind Coverage to Federal Flood Program (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/24/AR2008032402450.html?nav=rss_politics
Good pay, steady work, few takers as young people spurn the trades (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/356181_trades24.html
DIVERSIONS
Gophers notch a win in man-rodent battle
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2432304520080324?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Urinal Bags Don't Sit Well With Union – Union Says Qwest Supervisor Tried To Shorten Bathroom Breaks
http://www.kirotv.com/money/15664343/detail.html
Man allegedly steals church's copper gutter; while Easter services were taking place
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080325/ap_on_fe_st/odd_church_gutter_theft;_ylt=AkSWOcGdssodToOGkFbc1L_tiBIF
Dubai restaurant gives discount for bugs
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080325/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_emirates_bugs;_ylt=ApZgM7zmXfxZSx0wi0acylTtiBIF
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