The Energy News Digest: Energy News Digest for August 30, 2010

Monday, August 30, 2010

Energy News Digest for August 30, 2010

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Oregon Regulators, Portland General Electric in Showdown over Closing Boardman Coal Plant (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/08/oregon_regulators_pge_in_showd.html

Tacoma Public Utilities Might Seek Rate Hikes (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/08/24/1312252/tpu-might-seek-rate-hikes.html

Contract to Remove Elwha Dams Goes to Montana Firm (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012733909_elwha27m.html

Grays Harbor, Pacific County PUD’s Explore Tidal Energy (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012722544_apwawillapabaytidal.html

City of Vancouver City Gets Cloudy Forecast on Biomass Plant - Project being mulled by county could produce dark smoke downtown, official says (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/aug/30/city-gets-cloudy-forecast-on-biomass-plant-project/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

· Oregon Regulators, Portland General Electric in Showdown over Closing Boardman Coal Plant

· Tacoma Public Utilities Might Seek Rate Hikes

· Grant PUD Talks about Surcharge Monday

· Idaho Power - Environmental Impact Statement for the Swan Falls Hydroelectric Project

· Northern Wasco County PUD Eyes White River Falls Power

· Aluminum Manufacturer Alcoa Spends $680,000 to Lobby on Climate, Financial Issues

· PUD 3 Commission to Hold Hearing on Integrated Resource Plan - Aug 31

· Bellevue: Tree Trimmer Killed By Tree

· Maine Regulators to Review Utility Takeover

· Giant Metal Humanoids in Running to Conduct Iceland's Electricity

· Contract to Remove Elwha Dams Goes to Montana Firm

· Dam Removal Contract Comes in $13 Million under Estimate

· Peninsula Company Will Gain Millions As Subcontractor In Elwha Dam Removal Project

· Amended Complaint Filed in Columbia River Salmon Lawsuit

· Salmon Season on the Skokomish

· Huge Salmon Runs Bring Cash Bonanza for US & Canadian Fishermen

· Critics Say Canadian Salmon Run Botched By the Government

· Alaska Salmon Haul a Surprise

· Pikeminnow Season Extended

· Avista Adjusting Water Flow At Spokane Falls

· Klamath Basin's Water Worries Extend to Wells

· Canadian Government Approves Plan to Treat Vancouver Island Sewage – Finally

· Disgusting Algae's Spread Perplexes Scientists in California

· Grays Harbor, Pacific County PUD’s Explore Tidal Energy

· City of Vancouver City Gets Cloudy Forecast on Biomass Plant

· Port Townsend Mill's Proposed Biomass Generator Draws Heat

· California - Modesto Irrigation District to Weigh Power Deal For Wood-Burn Plant

· Editorial - Achieving 'Green' Through Biomass

· Colorado - Biomass Plant Proposed in Vail

· Michigan - DTE Energy Invests in Wood-Based Electricity, Landfill Gas

· Wisconsin - Environmental Review Not Needed For Biomass Plant

· Wind Forecast Accuracy Takes On Added Importance

· Recipients Seek Renewed Grants for Renewable Energy Projects

· California - Wind Turbine Projects Run into Resistance

· Maine Wind Farm Not Soothing To All Ears - Turbines’ Sounds Have Town Divided

· California - Green Goal Line in Sight: 33 Percent Renewable Electricity Bill Nearing Key Votes

· Editorial - Smart Grid Projects Good For Economy, Efficiency

· Washington State Weatherization Program Receives $10 Million

· Devices That Help Plug Electrical Leaks

· Not Such A Bright Idea - Making Lighting More Efficient Could Increase Energy Use

· Pacific Northwest Forests Offer Carbon Dilemma

· Obama Administration Sides with Utilities in Supreme Court Case about Climate Change

· Cap-and-Trade Is Beginning to Raise Some Concerns

· Environmental Groups Face Their Future in Climate-Change Debate

· UN Climate Change Panel to be Warned over Reports

· Climate Policy Wars: People Want Affordable Solutions

· How to Stop Idling Trucks from Wasting 1.2 Billion Gallons of Fuel Annually in the US

· Chelan County PUD Will Accept Feds $25 Million Fiber Grant

· Editorial - Chelan County PUD: a Real Lesson on Making Decisions

· Edmonds - City Owned Fiber Optics Starting to Pay Off

· Idaho - City of Sandpoint Hits Slow Lane for Fiber-Optic Network

· Ten Oregon Counties May be Facing a Whopping Cable Bill

· Intel Buying Infineon's Wireless Operations

· Microsoft Co-Founder Allen Sues Apple, Google, Other Tech Giants over Patents

· Technology Notebook: Google Unveils Its Internet Phone Service

· Governor and DNR Commissioner Cases & the limits Power of the State Attorney General

· Shelton City Commission to Discuss Next Steps for Fire Services Monday

· Struggling Cities Shut Firehouses in Budget Crisis

· State Representative John McCoy Resigns as Quil Ceda General Manager

· Unusually Heavy Rain for August in Western Washington

· Farmers' Almanac: Kinder, Gentler Winter on Tap

· Late Summer Brings a Spider Population Boom in Washington State

· Solutions Sought For $240,000 Teacher Overpayment in Centralia

· Smart and Fast, Marine Mammals Are Guarding Our Military Bases

WORD OF THE DAY

Panjandrum • \pan-JAN-drum\ noun • - A powerful personage or pretentious official

Ooh look, the internet collective that is the world’s lexicological panjandrum has threatened the existence of the Oxford English Dictionary.

Internet may phase out printed Oxford Dictionary (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2012752481_apeubritaindictionarysdemise.html

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

Oregon Regulators, Portland General Electric in Showdown over Closing Boardman Coal Plant (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/08/oregon_regulators_pge_in_showd.html

Tacoma Public Utilities Might Seek Rate Hikes (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/08/24/1312252/tpu-might-seek-rate-hikes.html

Grant PUD Talks about Surcharge Monday (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/politics/article_23ff5502-b229-11df-a816-001cc4c002e0.html

Idaho Power - Environmental Impact Statement for the Swan Falls Hydroelectric Project on the Snake River (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/eis/2010/08-26-10.asp

Northern Wasco County PUD Eyes White River Falls Power (Dalles Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2010/08/08-25-10-02.shtml

Aluminum Manufacturer Alcoa Spends $680,000 to Lobby on Climate, Financial Issues – Bonneville Power Administration energy one focus of lobbying effort (Canadian Business)

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/market_news/article.jsp?content=D9HP790O3

PUD 3 Commission to Hold Hearing on Integrated Resource Plan - Aug 31 (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=760

Bellevue: Tree Trimmer Killed By Tree (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_tree_trimming_death.html

Maine Regulators to Review Utility Takeover (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2012761114_apusemerapucmaine.html

Giant Metal Humanoids in Running to Conduct Iceland's Electricity (Gawker – Note: comment section may contain PG-13 or worse language)

http://m.gawker.com/5614627/giant-metal-humanoids-in-running-to-conduct-icelands-electricity

FISH & WILDLIFE

Contract to Remove Elwha Dams Goes to Montana Firm (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012733909_elwha27m.html

Dam Removal Contract Comes in $13 Million under Estimate (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100827/NEWS/308279992/dam-removal-contract-comes-in-13-million-under-estimate

Peninsula Company Will Gain Millions As Subcontractor In Elwha Dam Removal Project (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100829/news/308299987/peninsula-company-will-gain-millions-as-subcontractor-in-dam-removal

Amended Complaint Filed in Columbia River Salmon Lawsuit (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/08/26/1315547/amended-complaint-filed-in-salmon.html

Salmon Season on the Skokomish (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/aug/27/salmon-season-on-the-skokomish/

Huge Salmon Runs Bring Cash Bonanza for US & Canadian Fishermen (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012724093_frasersockeye.html

Critics Say Canadian Salmon run botched by the Government - Expert says Ottawa too late in opening sockeye fishery (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Salmon+botched+critics/3456806/story.html

Alaska Salmon Haul a Surprise (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

http://www.adn.com/2010/08/28/1429386/alaska-salmon-haul-a-surprise.html

Pikeminnow Season Extended (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/08/29/1319466/pikeminnow-season-extended.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Avista Adjusting Water Flow At Spokane Falls (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/08/26/1348037/utility-adjusting-water-flow-at.html

Klamath Basin's Water Worries Extend to Wells (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/08/tapping_wells_in_klamath_basin.html

Canadian Government Approves Plan to Treat Vancouver Island Sewage - Finally (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/08/26/1348231/canadian-govt-approves-plan-to.html

Disgusting Algae's Spread Perplexes Scientists in California (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/30/2991654/disgusting-algaes-spread-perplexes.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Grays Harbor, Pacific County PUD’s Explore Tidal Energy (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012722544_apwawillapabaytidal.html

City of Vancouver City Gets Cloudy Forecast on Biomass Plant - Project being mulled by county could produce dark smoke downtown, official says (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/aug/30/city-gets-cloudy-forecast-on-biomass-plant-project/

Port Townsend Mill's Proposed Biomass Generator Draws Heat (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100829/news/308299980/port-townsend-mills-proposed-biomass-generator-draws-heat

California - Modesto Irrigation District to Weigh Power Deal For Wood-Burn Plant (Modesto Bee, CA)

http://www.modbee.com/2010/08/30/1315605/mid-to-weigh-power-deal-for-wood.html

Editorial - Achieving 'Green' Through Biomass (Modesto Bee, CA)

http://www.modbee.com/2010/08/14/1294776/achieving-green-through-biomass.html

Colorado - Biomass Plant Proposed in Vail: Pine beetle problem could offer valuable alternative energy solutions to Vail Valley (SKI Magazine)

http://www.skinet.com/ski/resorts/2010/08/biomass-plant-proposed-in-vail

Michigan - DTE Energy Invests in Wood-Based Electricity, Landfill Gas (Michigan Messenger)

http://michiganmessenger.com/41274/dte-energy-invests-in-wood-based-electricity-landfill-gas

Wisconsin - Environmental Review Not Needed For Biomass Plant (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, WI)

http://www.jsonline.com/business/101699508.html

Wind Forecast Accuracy Takes On Added Importance (Oregon Public Radio)

http://opbnews.org/article/11598-wind-forecast-accuracy-takes-added-importance/

Recipients Seek Renewed Grants for Renewable Energy Projects - Idaho wind farm among federal aid beneficiaries (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/aug/30/recipients-seek-renewed-grants-for-renewable/

California - Wind Turbine Projects Run into Resistance (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/business/energy-environment/27radar.html

Maine Wind Farm Not Soothing To All Ears - Turbines’ Sounds Have Town Divided (Boston Globe, MA)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2010/08/30/maine_wind_farm_not_soothing_to_all_ears/

California - Green Goal Line in Sight: 33 Percent Renewable Electricity Bill Nearing Key Votes (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_15917969

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Editorial - Smart Grid Projects Good For Economy, Efficiency (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/aug/25/editorial-smart-grid-projects-good-for-economy/

Washington State Weatherization Program Receives $10 Million (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/aug/27/weatherization-funding/

Devices That Help Plug Electrical Leaks (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/garden/26hometech.html

Not Such A Bright Idea - Making Lighting More Efficient Could Increase Energy Use, Not Decrease It (The Economist,)

http://www.economist.com/node/16886228?story_id=16886228

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Pacific Northwest Forests Offer Carbon Dilemma (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/08/30/1320328/nw-forests-offer-carbon-dilemma.html

Obama Administration Sides with Utilities in Supreme Court Case about Climate Change (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/26/AR2010082606632.html

Cap-and-Trade Is Beginning to Raise Some Concerns (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/30/business/energy-environment/30green.html

Environmental Groups Face Their Future in Climate-Change Debate (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/29/AR2010082903699.html

UN Climate Change Panel to be Warned over Reports (Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/7969460/UN-climate-change-panel-to-be-warned-over-reports.html

Climate Policy Wars: People Want Affordable Solutions (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2010/08/20/climate/20042/Climate-policy-wars:-People-want-affordable-solutions/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

How to Stop Idling Trucks from Wasting 1.2 Billion Gallons of Fuel Annually in the US (Earth & Industry)

http://earthandindustry.com/2010/08/how-to-stop-idling-trucks-from-wasting-1-2-billion-gallons-of-fuel-annually-in-the-u-s/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Chelan County PUD Will Accept Feds $25 Million Fiber Grant (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/aug/25/pud-will-accept-25-million-fiber-grant/

Editorial - Chelan County PUD: a Real Lesson on Making Decisions (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/aug/28/a-real-lesson-on-making-decisions/

Edmonds - City Owned Fiber Optics Starting to Pay Off (Edmonds Beacon, WA)

http://www.edmondsbeacon.com/news/article.exm/2010-08-26_city_owned_fiber_optics_starting_to_pay_off_

Idaho - City of Sandpoint Hits Slow Lane For Fiber-Optic Network Bonner County Daily Bee, Sandpoint, ID)

http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/articles/2010/08/25/news/doc4c74ac8d48ea7606100525.txt

Ten Oregon Counties May be Facing a Whopping Cable Bill (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/08/post_35.html

Intel Buying Infineon's Wireless Operations (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2012759438_apeugermanyinfineonintel.html

Microsoft Co-Founder Allen Sues Apple, Google, Other Tech Giants over Patents (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/27/AR2010082705753.html

Technology Notebook: Google Unveils Its Internet Phone Service (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100829/BIZ/708299916/-1/RSS03

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Governor and DNR Commissioner Cases - Cases May Limit Power of State Attorney General Rob Mckenna (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/08/28/1318272/cases-may-limit-power-of-state.html

Shelton City Commission to Discuss Next Steps for Fire Services Monday (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/3114-shelton-city-commission-to-discuss-next-steps-for-fire-services-monday

Struggling Cities Shut Firehouses in Budget Crisis (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/us/27cuts.html

State Representative John McCoy Resigns as Quil Ceda General Manager - Will start an economic development and public policy consulting firm (Indian Country Today)

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/northwest/McCoy-resigns-as-Quil-Ceda-general-manager-101647263.html

GENERAL NEWS

Unusually Heavy Rain for August in Western Washington (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/08/30/1351971/unusually-heavy-rain-for-august.html

Farmers' Almanac: Kinder, Gentler Winter on Tap (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2012758749_apusfarmersalmanac.html

Late Summer Brings a Spider Population Boom in Washington State (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Late-summer-brings-a-spider-population-boom-in-WA-101728368.html

Solutions Sought For $240,000 Teacher Overpayment in Centralia (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/08/27/1317757/solutions-sought-for-240000-teacher.html

Smart and Fast, Marine Mammals Are Guarding Our Military Bases (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2012662209_pacificpdolphins29.html