Energy News Digest for November 16, 2009

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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Jefferson PUD Commissioner Dana Roberts Dies
• Benton PUD, City of Richland May Raise Utility Rates
• Portland General Electric’s Coal Dilemma
• Snohomish PUD Works on a Plan for People & Fish
• Tuesday’s ‘Dirty Jobs’ Show to Feature Rocky Reach Dam
• PNGC Power Takes First Resource Action under New Business Model
• Idaho - Power Plant Could Be City-Owned
• Alaska - Golden Valley Electric Association Coal Plant Deal Nearly Done
• Progress Energy Shutters North Carolina Nuke Plant for Work
• Nuclear Energy High On US Senate’s Climate Agenda
• Natural Gas Producers Say Permit Process Makes Meeting Demand Difficult
• Ninth Circuit Hears Arguments on Killing of California Sea Lions
• Cutthroat Running in the Cowlitz River
• Idaho Welcomes Surge of Sockeyes
• Steelhead Dream Comes True At Last
• Chefs Serve Salmon with Warning on Alaska Fishes’ Future
• California - Judge Says Seals May Stay At San Diego Cove
• Group to Consider Lifting Louisiana Oyster Moratorium
• Alaska Fights to Reverse Polar Bear Listing
• Oregon Pot Raids Find another Problem: Fertilizer Dumped in Streams
• Smelt Becomes Ammo in California Water Wars
• Peninsula Light Company to Enter Power-generating Business
• Talk of Wyoming Wind Tax Whips up Debate
• Montana - For Some, Answer to High Energy Costs is Blowin’ in the Wind
• Is Solar Power Expensive or Competitive?
• Can Solar Or Wind Cut Your Power Bill?
• Research Shows Solar Panel Supply Glut Past Peak
• Maine - Vinalhaven Residents Hope for Lower Electric Rates from Wind Turbines
• Could This Lump Power the Planet?
• Energy Company Hits Biodiesel Jackpot in Seattle Alley
• Choose the Right Light for the Job
• Puget Sound Energy to Present Renewable Energy Options in Port Townsend
• Energy Audits Pay Dividends in Pilot
• ‘Listen Up, Bonehead:’ Smart Grid Prepares to Talk Back
• San Diego Gas & Electric Offering Twinkly Trade-Ins
• Leaders Will Delay Deal on Climate Change
• Atlanta Journal Constitution Op/Ed - Is Cap-&-Trade Fair?
• Apocalypse Fatigue: Losing the Public on Climate Change
• Farmers vs. Greens: A Fossil Fuel Debate
• Jellyfish Swarm Northward in Warming World
• Pend Oreille Valley Network - Internet Service Provider Wins Fed Grant
• Layoffs be Darned - Oregon Call Center That Got State Aid Will Stay Open
• Utah - Brigham City Approves UTOPIA Proposal
• Re-Opens
• Google’s Secret Chrome Plan for Browser Domination
• Major Players Using Wi-Fi for Marketing
• First of Two Potent Storms Strikes Northwest
• High Winds & Rain Expected Again Tonight
• Early Morning Fatal Shooting in Olympia
• Shelton Hunters’ Detainment by Tribal Police under ‘Careful’ Review
• In Mason County, More Eligible for H1N1 Vaccine
• Mistakes in Typography Grate the Purists
• 2009 Leonid Meteor Shower to Peak Tuesday

WORD OF THE DAY

Perspicuous • \per-SPIK-yuh-wus\ • adjective - Plain to the understanding especially because of clarity and precision of presentation

Jimmy Durante was justifiably proud of his show-biz success. “The reason for my perspicuous good fortune is as plain as the nose on my face,” he exclaimed.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast & Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Jefferson PUD Commissioner Dana Roberts Dies (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20091115/news/311159989

Benton PUD, City of Richland May Raise Utility Rates (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/955541.html

Portland General Electric’s Coal Dilemma - Utility weighs the cost of closing a controversial plant by 2020 (Portland Business Journal)
http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/11/16/story10.html?ana=from_rss

Snohomish PUD Works on a Plan for People & Fish - The PUD is renewing a hydropower permit & hopes to improve the Sultan River’s environment & recreation (Everett Herald, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091116/NEWS01/711169890/-1/RSS02

Tuesday’s ‘Dirty Jobs’ Show to Feature Rocky Reach Dam (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/nov/14/wenatchee-tuesdays-dirty-jobs-show-to-feature/

PNGC Power Takes First Resource Action under New Business Model (PNGC)
http://www.pngcpower.com/newsroom/news_releases.aspx?ID=59

Idaho - Power Plant Could Be City-Owned (Keizer Times, ID)http://www.keizertimes.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=12020

Alaska - Golden Valley Electric Association Coal Plant Deal Nearly Done (Alaska Journal of Commerce)
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/111309/loc_1_001.shtml

Progress Energy Shutters North Carolina Nuke Plant for Work (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/utilitiesSector/idUSN1649216320091116

Nuclear Energy High On US Senate’s Climate Agenda (AFP)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gGEsohiTbcA_8e9bhBZr0Y2iS8JQ

Natural Gas Producers Say Permit Process Makes Meeting Demand Difficult (Denver Business Journal)
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/11/16/focus1.html?ana=from_rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Ninth Circuit Panel Hears Oral Arguments on Lethal Removal of California Sea Lions (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
http://www.cbbulletin.com/365077.aspx

Cutthroat Running in the Cowlitz River (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Cutthroat-Running-In-The-Cowlitz=1&blockID=90382&feedID=410

Idaho Welcomes Surge of Sockeyes (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/nov/15/idaho-welcomes-surge-of-sockeyes/

Steelhead Dream Comes True At Last (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/nov/14/steelhead-dream-comes-true-at-last/

Chefs Serve Salmon with Warning on Alaska Fishes’ Future (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=241014

California - Judge Says Seals May Stay At San Diego Cove (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2319603~Judge_says_seals_may_stay_at_San_Diego_cove.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Group to Consider Lifting Louisiana Oyster Moratorium (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010282023_apusoystermoratorium.html?syndication=rss

Alaska Fights to Reverse Polar Bear Listing (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010281675_apuspolarbearpolitics.html?syndication=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oregon Pot Raids Find another Problem: Fertilizer Dumped in Streams (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/oregon_pot_raids_find_another.html

Smelt Becomes Ammo in California Water Wars (Courthouse News)
http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/11/16/Smelt_Becomes_Ammo_in_Water_Wars.htm

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Gig Harbor-based Peninsula Light Company to Enter Power-generating Business (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/nov/13/gig-harbor-based-peninsula-light-company-enter-pow/

Talk of Wyoming Wind Tax Whips up Debate (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010281911_apustaxingwind.html?syndication=rss

Montana - For Some in Area, Answer to High Energy Costs is Blowin’ in the Wind (Great Falls Tribune, Montana – And, another 25 cent royalty payment to Bob Zimmerman)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20091114/LIFESTYLE/911140306/For-some-in-area-answer-to-high-energy-costs-is-blowin-in-the-wind

Is Solar Power Expensive or Competitive? (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/is-solar-power-expensive-or-competitive/

Can Solar Or Wind Cut Your Power Bill? (Timberjay, Ely MN)
http://www.timberjay.com/detail/6145.html

Research Shows Solar Panel Supply Glut Past Peak (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSN1347412520091113

Maine - Island’s Energy is Up: Vinalhaven residents hope for lower electric rates from their new wind turbines, which some say are too noisy. (Portland Press Herald, ME)
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=296430&ac=PHnws

Could This Lump Power the Planet? Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Lab are betting $3.5 billion in taxpayer money on a tiny pellet that could produce an endless supply of safe, clean energy (Newswek Magazine)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/222792

Energy Company Hits Biodiesel Jackpot in Seattle Alley (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Energy-company-hits-jackpot-in-Seattle-alley-70078382.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Choose The Right Light for The Job - Compact fluorescents use less energy & last longer than other bulbs, but aren’t always preferred (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/home/story/954186.html

Puget Sound Energy to Present Renewable Energy Options in Port Townsend (Port Townsend Leader, WA)
http://www.ptleader.com/Main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=25647

Energy Audits Pay Dividends in Pilot - E3 initiative helping manufacturers become more productive, efficient (Business First of Columbus)
http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/11/16/story5.html?ana=from_rss

‘Listen Up, Bonehead:’ Smart Grid Prepares to Talk Back (Burlington Free Press, VT)
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20091115/LIVING09/91113029/-Listen-up--bonehead---Smart-grid-prepares-to-talk-back

San Diego Gas & Electric Offering Twinkly Trade-Ins - Crowds lining up for LED Christmas lights (San Diego Union-Tribune, CA)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/15/sdge-offering-twinkly-trade-ins/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Leaders Will Delay Deal on Climate Change (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/world/asia/15prexy.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Atlanta Journal Constitution Op/Ed - Is Cap-&-Trade Fair?
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/is-cap-and-trade-199630.html

Apocalypse Fatigue: Losing the Public on Climate Change (Yale Environment 360)
http://e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2210

Farmers vs. greens: A fossil fuel debate (Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA)
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091115/OPINION/911139930/1042?&tc=autorefresh

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Jellyfish Swarm Northward in Warming World (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010281717_apclimate09jellyfishmenace.html?syndication=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Pend Oreille Valley Network - Internet Service Provider Wins Fed Grant (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/1036345.html

Layoffs be Darned - Oregon Call Center That Got State Aid Will Stay Open (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/11/call_center_that_got_state_aid.html

Utah - Brigham City Approves UTOPIA Proposal (Cache Valley Daily, UT)
http://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/local/70035847.html

Community’s Wi-Fi Network Shuttered by MPAA Re-Opens - After week of bad press, Sony suddenly feels cooperative (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/WiFi-Network-Shuttered-By-MPAA-ReOpens-105492

Google’s Secret Chrome Plan for Browser Domination (Yahoo! Tech)
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/pcworld/20091113/tc_pcworld/googlessecretchromeplanforbrowserdomination

Major Players Using Wi-Fi for Marketing (Associated Press)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091115/BIZ/711159931/-1/rss03

GENERAL NEWS

First of Two Potent Storms Strikes Northwest (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/70186277.html

High Winds & Rain Expected Again Tonight (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/storm/2010282151_webstorm16m.html?syndication=rss

Early Morning Fatal Shooting in Olympia (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Early-morning-fatal-shooting-in-Olympia-70192742.html

Shelton Hunters’ Detainment by Tribal Police under ‘Careful’ Review of Jefferson County Prosecutor (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20091116/news/311169995

In Mason County, More Eligible for H1N1 Vaccine (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1037950.html

Mistakes in Typography Grate the Purists (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/arts/16iht-design16.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

2009 Leonid Meteor Shower to Peak Tuesday
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/science/2009/November/2009-Leonid-Meteor-Shower-to-Peak-Tuesday.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Metal Thieves Nab 1,500-Pound Historic Cannon from Vallejo Cemetery
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13781814?nclick_check=1

Plans to encase Detroit home in ice move forward
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010269894_apusicehousedetroit.html?syndication=rss

Suspect Returns to Crime Scene for Cell Phone
http://www.kirotv.com/news/21608692/detail.html

Drilling for Vintage Scotch Whiskey on Frozen Continent of Antarctica
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/956287.html

SONG OF THE DAY

A Mighty Wind is Blowin’ - New Main Street Singers, The Folksmen and Mitch & Mickey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVh0Iq_85aw