The Energy News Digest: 07/07/10

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Energy News Digest for July 7, 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

Heat Wave to Roll over Western Washington – Mason County’s Public Utility Districts Urge Customers to be Prepared (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=742

Bonneville Power Administration - Sudden Surplus Calls for Quick Thinking (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/sudden-surplus-calls-for-quick-thinking/

Interim Chelan PUD General Manager Named (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.kpq.com/7-6-10---Interim-Chelan-Co--PUD-GM-named/7628085

Mason County Wood Power - ADAGE Submits Permit Applications to Mason County (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/2630-adage-submits-permit-applications-to-mason-county

Six Initiatives Appear Headed for Fall Ballot (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012268546_initiatives03m.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

· Heat Wave to Roll over Western Washington – Mason County’s Public Utility Districts Urge Customers to be Prepared

· As Eastern US Power Demand Soars, Grid Holds Up ... So Far

· Bonneville Power Administration - Sudden Surplus Calls for Quick Thinking

· Interim Chelan PUD General Manager Named

· Washington State Lawmakers Want Nuclear Waste Repository

· Editorial - NRC judges made the right call on Yucca Mountain

· Fitch Upgrades Benton County Public Utility District Revenue Bonds to ‘A+’

· Pacific Gas & Electric to Pay Bereaved Mother $5 Million in Wrongful Death Lawsuit

· Vermont - CVPS Argues Against Subsidies for Low Income Vermonters

· Op/Ed - Vermont Utility Apologizes for Insensitivity

· Wisconsin - Utility Discounts to Factories Called Unfair in Lawsuit

· Kansas - City Approves Permit for New Hydroelectric Power Plant

· Natural Gas - Fracas Erupts over ‘Fracking’ Practices

· ‘Smart’ Meters Blamed for Higher Electric Bills during Colder-Than-Normal Winter

· Beijing Shuts Aluminum Smelters to Meet Energy Targets

· Falling Stadium Light Poles Recalled by Feds

· Ocean Chinook Restriction Relaxed off Columbia Mouth, Washington Coast

· British Columbia Fishers Expecting Bumper Salmon Run

· Local Angler Lands a Lunker: A 39-Pounder

· Tough Year for Salmon-Munching Terns & Cormorants

· Lake Washington’s Sockeye Run Still Down

· Post Falls Approves Suit against EPA over Phosphorus-Reduction Plan for the Spokane River

· EPA: Clean-Air Rule Would Overturn Bush-Era Plan

· Mexican Town Evacuated Amid Fears Dam Will Burst

· Mason County Wood Power - ADAGE Submits Permit Applications to Mason County

· Bad First Date – Traverse City May Drop Renewable Energy Goal of ‘30 by 20’

· Minnesota - Project Finds Burning Corn Cobs with Coal Is a Viable Fuel Opportunity

· Editorial - Considerations for Factoring Biomass into Clean Energy

United Kingdom

- Government Is ‘Split’ over Leith Biomass Plant Scheme

· California - No Bids Necessary for Big Solar Projects, & That Can Cost You

· Bellingham Food Co-Op Joins Puget Sound Energy to Promote Green Power

Spain

to Cut Subsidies to Renewable Energy Producers

· Ten Key Clean Energy Policies for Senate Legislation

· Habitat for Humanity of Mason County Completes First Built Green Home

· Conservation Groups Defend Washington State Energy Standards

· Green Homes Gain Market Share

· How Many BTUs Does My Air Conditioner Need?

· Energy Needs of

China

’s Consumers Swamping Efficiency Gains

· Is Global Warming Causing the Heat Wave?

· Pacific Gas & Electric Opposes California Proposition to Halt Global Warming Law

· Dutch Agency Admits Mistake in Climate Report

Inquiry Finds Emails Do Not Undermine Climate Science

· Op/Ed – Pacific Northwest Should Lead America’s Clean-Energy Revolution

· Alaska - Electric Car Possibility Sparks Interest of Juneau Utility

· Rising CO2 May Lead Nemo to Danger

· Sugary-Drink Ban Starts to Affect San Francisco Sites

· Six Initiatives Appear Headed for Fall Ballot

· Resident Loses Free Speech Suit against Jefferson County

· Washington State Agencies Take Day Off

· As Temps Rise, Heat Records in Danger of Falling

· Four Arrested After Monday Shooting Incident at Collins Lake

· Switch to a CFL - Hot-Burning Lamp Bulb Caused $475,000 Fire, Official Says

· Post Office Wants to Raise Stamp Price

· Everett Schools Make Kids Walk to School to Save Money

· Lobbyists Try to Reframe Distracted Driving Issue

WORD OF THE DAY

Antaean • \an-TEE-un\ • adjective - 1: mammoth *2: having superhuman strength

Oswald Slugfest guffawed at his puny opponent, unaware of Milton Milquetoast’s antaean strength. Unlike the mythical Antaeas (whose superhuman strength came from his contact with the earth), Miltie’s strength came from contact with his magical, horn-rimmed glasses. Only after the ambulance had hauled away Ozzie’s battered remains did Milton strip his coke-bottle glasses from his pinched face for a well deserved rest.

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

Heat Wave to Roll over Western Washington – Mason County’s Public Utility Districts Urge Customers to be Prepared (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=742

As Eastern

Power Demand Soars, Grid Holds Up ... So Far (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2012292253_apusheatwavepowergrid.html

Bonneville Power Administration - Sudden Surplus Calls for Quick Thinking (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/sudden-surplus-calls-for-quick-thinking/

Interim Chelan PUD General Manager Named (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.kpq.com/7-6-10---Interim-Chelan-Co--PUD-GM-named/7628085

Washington State Lawmakers Want Nuclear Waste Repository (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012297502_apwahanfordyuccamountain.html

Editorial - NRC judges made the right call on Yucca Mountain (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/07/07/1254832/nrc-judges-made-the-right-call.html

Fitch Upgrades Benton County Public Utility District Revenue Bonds to ‘A+’ (Earth Times)

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/press/1-washingtons-revs-a,1372135.html

Pacific Gas & Electric to Pay Bereaved Mother $5 Million in Wrongful Death Lawsuit – Utility employee had blacked out from diabetic episode (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_15452319

Vermont - CVPS Argues Against Subsidies for Low Income Vermonters (Times Argus, Montpelier, VT – Thanks to Samuel Insull for the tip)

http://www.timesargus.com/article/20100701/NEWS01/7010354/0/OPINION02

Op/Ed - Vermont Utility Apologizes for Insensitivity (Rutland Herald, VT)

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100702/OPINION/707029995

Wisconsin - Utility Discounts to Factories Called Unfair in Lawsuit (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI)

http://www.jsonline.com/business/97906344.html

Kansas - City Approves Permit for New Hydroelectric Power Plant (Lawrence Journal World & News, KS)

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jul/07/city-approves-permit-new-power-plant/

Natural Gas - Fracas Erupts over ‘Fracking’ Practices (Houston Business Journal – with all due deference to “Battlestar Galactica”)

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/07/05/story3.html

‘Smart’ Meters Blamed for Higher Electric Bills during Colder-Than-Normal Winter (The Monitor, McAllen, Texas)

http://www.themonitor.com/articles/mcallen-40527-bills-meters.html

Beijing Shuts Aluminum Smelters to Meet Energy Targets (Sydney Morning Herald,

Australia

)

http://www.smh.com.au/business/beijing-shuts-smelters-to-meet-energy-targets-20100706-zyzy.html

Falling Stadium Light Poles Recalled by Feds (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2012293046_apusfallinglightpoles.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Ocean Chinook Restriction Relaxed off Columbia Mouth, Washington Coast (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2010/07/ocean_chinook_restriction_rela.html

British Columbia Fishers Expecting Bumper Salmon Run (National Post,

Canada

)

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/fishers+expecting+bumper+salmon/3243186/story.html

Local Angler Lands a Lunker: A 39-Pounder (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/jul/06/local-angler-lands-a-lunker-a-39-pounder/

Tough Year for Salmon-Munching Terns & Cormorants - Predators, Flooded Nests, Food Shortages (Chinook Observer, Long Beach, WA)

http://www.chinookobserver.com/main.asp?SectionID=12&SubSectionID=30&ArticleID=34748

Lake Washington’s Sockeye Run Still Down (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012293861_sockeye07m.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Post Falls Approves Suit against EPA over Phosphorus-Reduction Plan for the Spokane River (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jul/06/post-falls-approves-suit-against-epa/

EPA: Clean-Air Rule Would Overturn Bush-Era Plan (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2012290515_apusepacleanair.html

Mexican Town Evacuated Amid Fears Dam Will Burst (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2012289977_aplttropicalweathermexico.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Mason County Wood Power - ADAGE Submits Permit Applications to Mason County (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/2630-adage-submits-permit-applications-to-mason-county

Bad First Date – Traverse City May Drop Renewable Energy Goal of ‘30 by 20’ (Traverse City Record Eagle, MI)

http://record-eagle.com/local/x302724322/L-P-may-drop-energy-goal-of-30-by-20

Minnesota - Project Finds Burning Corn Cobs with Coal Is a Viable Fuel Opportunity (West Central Tribune, Willmar, MN)

http://www.wctrib.com/event/article/id/69545/

Editorial - Considerations for Factoring Biomass into Clean Energy (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/04/AR2010070403818.html

United Kingdom

- Government Is ‘Split’ over Leith Biomass Plant Scheme (The Scotsman,

)

http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Government-is-39split39-over-.6398983.jp

California - No Bids Necessary for Big Solar Projects, & That Can Cost You (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_15436612

Bellingham Food Co-Op Joins Puget Sound Energy to Promote Green Power (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/07/04/1507831/bellingham-co-op-joins-pse-to.html

Spain

to Cut Subsidies to Renewable Energy Producers (AFP)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iNQSIn1cUpgJrGdfvnCKQLkP0dag

Ten Key Clean Energy Policies for Senate Legislation (Natural Resources Defense Council)

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jpresswood/ten_key_clean_energy_policies.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Habitat for Humanity of Mason County Completes First Built Green Home (South Sound Business Examiner) -- Habitat For Humanity will receive a level 5 Built Green Certificate on Thursday from Olympia Master Builders for its home at 111 E. Cedar Grove Lane, Shelton. The certification is for the first of two homes Habitat for Humanity of Mason County is committed to building Built Green in Mason County this year. Mason County PUD No. 3 certified the home as Energy Star under the Energy Star Program. PUD staff says the home is extremely tight and efficient with a ductless heat pump. It presented the PUD with a confirmation of one of the lowest blower door tests the utility has ever done. OMB’s Built Green program focuses on providing greater energy efficiency, reducing pollution, healthier indoor air, reduction of water usage and the preservation of natural resources. Built Green homes are designed to provide homeowners with comfortable, durable, environmentally friendly homes that are cost-effective to own and operate. The homes are crafted to exceed building codes and provide homeowners with years of healthy, quality living, while protecting the environment.

Conservation Groups Defend Washington State Energy Standards (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=12762622

Green Homes Gain Market Share (Portland Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2010/07/05/daily3.html

How Many BTUs Does My Air Conditioner Need? (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2010/07/how-many-btus-does-my-air-conditioner-need.html

Energy Needs of

China

’s Consumers Swamping Efficiency Gains (NY Times)

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/05/energy-needs-of-chinas-consumers-swamping-efficiency-gains/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Is Global Warming Causing the Heat Wave? (Discovery News)

http://news.discovery.com/earth/is-global-warming-causing-the-heatwave.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Opposes California Proposition to Halt Global Warming Law (ABC News)

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11102630

Dutch Agency Admits Mistake in Climate Report (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/07/05/science/earth/AP-Climate.html

Inquiry Finds Emails Do Not Undermine Climate Science (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66627120100707

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Op/Ed – Pacific Northwest Should Lead America’s Clean-Energy Revolution (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/07/northwest_should_lead_americas.html

Alaska - Electric Car Possibility Sparks Interest of Juneau Utility (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

http://www.adn.com/2010/07/05/1354637/electric-car-possibility-sparks.html

Rising CO2 May Lead Nemo to Danger (Australia Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/07/2946968.htm

Sugary-Drink Ban Starts to Affect San Francisco Sites - Coca-Cola is out, & soy milk is now part of San Francisco’s official city policy (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/06/BAMU1E8QKR.DTL

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Six Initiatives Appear Headed for Fall Ballot (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012268546_initiatives03m.html

Resident Loses Free Speech Suit against Jefferson County; Unsure if He’ll Appeal (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100707/news/307079987/resident-loses-free-speech-suit-against-jefferson-county-unsure-if

Washington State Agencies Take Day Off - Two affected Tuesday; list released of more coming Monday (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/07/07/1296605/agencies-take-day-off.html

GENERAL NEWS

As Temps Rise, Heat Records in Danger of Falling (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/422961_heatwave06.html

Four Arrested After Monday Shooting Incident at Collins Lake (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)