600th Post! Energy News Digest for March 15, 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

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         Aberdeen City Council Says Savings Aren’t Worth Keeping Street Lights Off

·         Citizens Gather in Castle Rock to Discuss BPA Transmission Line Plan

·         Clallam PUD Moves Supplies into Remodeled Costco Site in Sequim

·         Great Expectations along the Columbia River, as PNNL Reels in Big Energy Problems

·         Strange Bedfellows – Seattle City Light Advisors, Managers to Join Union

·         2.6% Hike for Conservation - Idaho to Study Avista Request for Six Months

·         Montana Electric Co-Op Appeals Ruling That Requires Release of Great Falls Power Plant Documents

·         Judge Orders Port of Astoria to Renew Oregon LNG Lease

·         Mason PUD 3 to Conduct Tree Trimming on Cougar Smith & Muller Road

·         Dalles Dam - Tours Offered of Dam in Oregon’s Columbia Gorge

·         New York Issues New Rules to Make Power Plants Switch to Fish-Friendly Cooling Towers

·         Toronto Star Columnist - Why Paying More for Electricity Is Good for You

·         Oregon Fishermen May Get to Catch More Chinook Salmon in 2010

·         Oregon to Have Its First Sport Chinook Season Since 2007

·         Above Lower Granite: Record Steelhead Return Continues

·         18,000 Salmon Fry Released, Killed by Vandals in Mill Creek

·         Montana - Electric Co-Op, Audubon Society Team Up to Build New Osprey Nest Platform

·         Pygmy Rabbits - Endangered Bunnies Breeding Again

·         How Long Will Kitsap’s Water Last? Group Ponders Study to Find Out

·         New Washington State Pipeline a Symbol of New Water Policy

·         Divers Remove 50 Tons of Nets, Crab Pots, Fishing Gear from State Marine Waters

·         Everett Courts Water-Bottling Company

·         Burning Wood as Renewable Power Draws Scrutiny in Oregon & Nationwide

·         Wind Power’s Dirty Secret: It Has a Carbon Footprint

·         Nevada Wind Turbine Factory to Create 1,000 Jobs, Backers Say

·         California - High Desert Residents Struggle With Wind Turbine Regulations

·         Colorado - Aspen Pumps up Effort for Hydropower

·         California - Sacramento Municipal Utility District Plans Solar Panels along Highway 50

·         Considering Renewables? Our Guide to Green, Clean Energy in the Home

·         Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling - Bill Would Let Lights Shine a Bit ‘Greener’

·         Businesses Bidding Farewell to Outdated Fluorescent Lighting

·         WA Offers Residential & Consumer Energy Related Rebates

·         Alaska - Chugach Electric Association Tries Energy Monitors to Lower Power Costs

·         EPA Studying Own Carbon-Trading System, Official Says

·         Delaware Gains $2 Million in Carbon Credit Sale

·         Energy Bills to Go Up With Tough European Union Clampdown on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

·         More Daylight Means Power Savings, Right? Well ... Maybe

·         Wait! Daylight Saving Time Will Cost Me Money?

·         Charging Ahead: Electric Vehicle Rollout on Track in NW

·         Pennsylvania - Solar-Powered Trash Cans Spark Rhubarb

·         Connecticut Would Waive Student Loans in ‘Green’ Jobs

·         Data Center - Shhh! Unnamed Company’s Code-Named Project Could Happen Here

·         Kitsap PUD Seeks Stimulus Grant to Extend Fiber Optic Network

·         NoaNet’s Benefits - Grant Pays for Broadband Upgrades in Yakima County

·         Fiber-Optic Pact With CPI Up for Consideration Thursday by Port Angeles City Council

·         Nebraska - Falls City Hopes to Hit Home Run With Fiber Optic Network

·         FCC Unveiling Sweeping National Broadband Plan

·         Effort to Widen US Internet Access Sets Up Battle

·         FCC Releases Internet Speed Test Tool

·         Cisco Says New Routing System Will Triple Internet Speed

·         Douglas Deputies Want Separate Internet Policy

·         Clallam, Port Angeles Might Go After Coveted Spot in Google Broadband Project

·         Renton Wants Help Going After Google’s Fiber Optic Network

·         Reno-Sparks Eyes Google’s Giga-Fast Net Connection

·         Chanute, Kansas is Ready for Google

·         McCleary Not Ready to Give up Mark Reed Hospital to Elma

·         Baird Endorses Heck for 3rd Congressional District

·         Thief Uses Dead Toddler’s ID for Tax Write-Off

WORD OF THE DAY

Zaftig • \ZAHF-tig\ • adjective - Having a full rounded figure: pleasingly plump

The throbbing tom-tom, the wailing sax, the blaring trumpets all worked the audience into a frenzy. Each red-blooded American male had plunked down a sawbuck to take in a show featuring the zaftig goddess Mae West. Unfortunately, all they got was Mae East; a passable, generic substitute, but not as good as the real thing.

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

Aberdeen City Council Says Savings Aren’t Worth Keeping Street Lights Off (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2010/03/11/local_news/doc4b99400c7223a932570987.txt

Citizens Gather in Castle Rock to Discuss BPA Transmission Line Plan (The Daily News, Longview, WA)

http://www.tdn.com/news/local/49babee0-2dad-11df-bc1c-001cc4c002e0.html

Clallam PUD Moves Supplies into Remodeled Costco Site in Sequim (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100313/news/303139999

Great Expectations along the Columbia River, as PNNL Reels in Big Energy Problems (Xconomy Seattle)

http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2010/03/12/great-expectations-along-the-columbia-river-as-pnnl-reels-in-big-energy-problems/

Strange Bedfellows – Seattle City Light Advisors, Managers to Join Union (Seattle Post-Intelligercer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/198015.asp?source=pimail

2.6% Hike for Conservation - Idaho to Study Avista Request for Six Months (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/mar/13/idaho-to-study-avista-request-for-six-months/

Montana Electric Co-Op Appeals Ruling That Requires Release of Great Falls Power Plant Documents (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/economy/mont-electric-co-op-appeals-ruling-that-requires-release-of-great-falls-power-plant-documents-87363647.html

Judge Orders Port of Astoria to Renew Oregon LNG Lease (The Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/03/judge_orders_port_of_astoria_t.html

Mason PUD 3 to Conduct Tree Trimming on Cougar Smith & Muller Road (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=695

Dalles Dam - Tours Offered of Dam in Oregon’s Columbia Gorge (Oregon Travel Daily)

http://www.oregontraveldaily.com/news/dallesd031310_230.php

New York Issues New Rules to Make Power Plants Switch to Fish-Friendly Cooling Towers (Associated Press)

http://www.sfexaminer.com/economy/new-york-issues-new-rules-to-make-power-plants-switch-to-fish-friendly-cooling-towers-87383272.html

Toronto Star Columnist - Why Paying More for Electricity Is Good for You

http://www.thestar.com/business/cleanbreak/article/779813--hamilton-why-paying-more-for-electricity-is-good-for-you

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon Fishermen May Get to Catch More Chinook Salmon in 2010 (The Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/03/oregon_fishermen_may_get_to_ca.html

Oregon to Have Its First Sport Chinook Season Since 2007 (Salem Statesman-Journal, OR)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20100313/OUTDOORS/3130313/1034/SPORTS/Oregon-to-have-its-first-sport-Chinook-season-since-2007

Above Lower Granite: Record Steelhead Return Continues, Big Increase in Wild Spring Chinook Expected (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/379769.aspx

18,000 Salmon Fry Released, Killed by Vandals in Mill Creek (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_fish_killing.html?source=pimail

Montana - Electric Co-Op, Audubon Society Team Up to Build New Osprey Nest Platform (Billings Gazette, MT)

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_414cbf8a-2e6e-11df-b39a-001cc4c002e0.html

Pygmy Rabbits - Endangered Bunnies Breeding Again (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/mar/13/endangered-bunnies-breeding-again/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

How Long Will Kitsap’s Water Last? Group Ponders Study to Find Out (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/mar/11/how-long-will-kitsaps-water-last-group-ponders/?partner=RSS

New Washington State Pipeline a Symbol of New Water Policy (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/14/1172456/new-wa-pipeline-a-symbol-of-new.html

Divers Remove 50 Tons of Nets, Crab Pots, Fishing Gear from State Marine Waters (Associated Press)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/03/13/1108320/divers-remove-nets-crab-pots-from.html

Everett Courts Water-Bottling Company (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100312/NEWS01/703129883/-1/rss02

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Burning Wood as Renewable Power Draws Scrutiny in Oregon & Nationwide (The Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/03/burning_wood_for_renewable_pow.html

Wind Power’s Dirty Secret: It Has a Carbon Footprint “…The more wind power…the more backup power is needed, & often it’s coal or natural gas…” (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/87439577.html

Nevada Wind Turbine Factory to Create 1,000 Jobs, Backers Say (NY Times)

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/nevada-wind-turbine-factory-to-create-1000-jobs-backers-say/

California - High Desert Residents Struggle With Wind Turbine Regulations (San Bernardino County Sun, CA)

http://www.sbsun.com/ci_14676339

Colorado - Aspen Pumps up Effort for Hydropower - Contract for $2.3 million issued to build pipeline to divert water from creeks (The Aspen Times, CO)

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100315/NEWS/100319876/1077&ParentProfile=1058

California - Sacramento Municipal Utility District Plans Solar Panels along Highway 50 (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/14/2603891/smud-plans-solar-panels-along.html

Considering Renewables? Our Guide to Green, Clean Energy in the Home (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/energy-saving-trust/clean-energy-in-the-home

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling - Bill Would Let Lights Shine a Bit ‘Greener’ (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/15/1172775/bill-would-let-lights-shine-a.html

Businesses Bidding Farewell to Outdated Fluorescent Lighting (Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA)

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/business/energy/article/BULB14_20100313-194805/330211/

WA Offers Residential & Consumer Energy Related Rebates (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/energy/archives/198157.asp?source=rss

Alaska - Chugach Electric Association Tries Energy Monitors to Lower Power Costs (Associated Press)

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=12139129

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

EPA Studying Own Carbon-Trading System, Official Says (Bloomberg News)

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-15/epa-studying-own-carbon-trading-system-official-says-update1-.html

Delaware Gains $2 Million in Carbon Credit Sale - Auction helps curb greenhouse gases (The Newcastle News Journal, DE)

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100314/NEWS02/3140339

Energy Bills to Go Up With Tough European Union Clampdown on Greenhouse Gas Emissions (The Times of London, UK)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7061938.ece

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

More Daylight Means Power Savings, Right? Well ... Maybe (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/mar/12/more-daylight-means-power-savings-right-well-maybe/

Wait! Daylight Saving Time Will Cost Me Money? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Money/new-economy/2010/0313/Wait!-Daylight-Saving-Time-will-cost-me-money

Charging Ahead: Electric Vehicle Rollout on Track in NW (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/6907-charging-ahead-electric-vehicle-rollout-track-nw/

Pennsylvania - Solar-Powered Trash Cans Spark Rhubarb (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/03/12/25507.htm

Connecticut Would Waive Student Loans in ‘Green’ Jobs (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011344611_apusstudentloanforgiveness.html?syndication=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Data Center - Shhh! Unnamed Company’s Code-Named Project Could Happen Here (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/mar/12/shhh-unnamed-companys-code-named-project-could/

Kitsap PUD Seeks Stimulus Grant to Extend Fiber Optic Network (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/mar/15/kitsap-pud-seeks-stimulus-grant-to-extend-fiber/?partner=RSS

NoaNet’s Benefits - Grant Pays for Broadband Upgrades in Yakima County (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/03/13/p-grant-pays-for-broadband-upgrades-in-county-p

Fiber-Optic Pact With CPI Up for Consideration Thursday by Port Angeles City Council (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100315/news/303159996

Nebraska - Falls City Hopes to Hit Home Run With Fiber Optic Network (Lincoln Journal-Star, NE)

http://journalstar.com/news/local/article_8ee12a88-2f0e-11df-9a71-001cc4c002e0.html

FCC Unveiling Sweeping National Broadband Plan (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011351005_apustecfccbroadband.html?syndication=rss

Effort to Widen US Internet Access Sets Up Battle (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/business/media/13fcc.html?th&emc=th

FCC Releases Internet Speed Test Tool (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62B08720100312

Cisco Says New Routing System Will Triple Internet Speed (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011300638_cisco10.html

Douglas Deputies Want Separate Internet Policy (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/mar/13/douglas-deputies-want-separate-internet-use-policy/

GA-GA FOR GOOGLE

Clallam, Port Angeles Might Go After Coveted Spot in Google Broadband Project (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100315/news/303159995

Renton Wants Help Going After Google’s Fiber Optic Network (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/sound/416581_sound87497037.html?source=rss

Reno-Sparks Eyes Google’s Giga-Fast Net Connection (Reno Gazette-Journal, NV)

http://www.rgj.com/article/20100315/NEWS/3150325/1321/news

Chanute, Kansas is Ready for Google (KOAM-TV, Pittsburg, KS)

http://www.koamtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12131341

GENERAL NEWS

McCleary Not Ready to Give up Mark Reed Hospital to Elma (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2010/03/14/local_news/doc4b9c91a549b33369529338.txt

Baird Endorses Heck for 3rd Congressional District (The Daily News, Longview, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_138b54e2-2f10-11df-a5f6-001cc4c03286.html

Thief Uses Dead Toddler’s ID for Tax Write-Off (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/416496_idtheft11.html?source=rss

DIVERSIONS

‘Mission: Impossible’ Star Peter Graves Dies in LA

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/14/1172665/mission-impossible-star-peter.html

Man Steals Nearly $500 from Tacoma Girl Scout

http://www.kirotv.com/news/22825056/detail.html

400-Pound Suspect Had $26,000 in Bra

http://www.komonews.com/news/offbeat/87617382.html

Move Over, Mr. Whipple; Flo’s on the Floor

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/mar/13/move-over-mr-whipple-flos-on-the-floor/

SONG OF THE DAY

Lalo Schifrin - Mission Impossible Theme Song (RIP Peter Graves)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2WYqrdCPhU