The Energy News Digest: 800th Post - Energy News Digest for February 22, 2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

800th Post - Energy News Digest for February 22, 2011

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.

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Six Inches of Puget Sound Area Snow Possible (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1330:six-inches-of-snow-possible&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=106

Grays Harbor County Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant OK to Expand (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014276519_apwasatsopnaturalgas.html

Cowlitz Falls Dam Offline Since January - The heavy storm that slammed into east Lewis County in mid-January did more than leave the area’s roads awash (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/02/19/1551670/cowlitz-falls-dam-offline-since.html

Washington State’s Climate Change Efforts Fall Short - Collapse of Cap-&-Trade System Makes 2020 Goal Unlikely (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/feb/20/states-climate-change-efforts-fall-short/

Wind Power Battles to Stay an Economic Bright Spot in Idaho - Despite a few setbacks, some Idaho developers have a shot at keeping a tax break they say is boosting jobs (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/02/22/1536923/wind-power-battles-to-stay-an.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

· Grays Harbor County Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant OK to Expand

· Cowlitz Falls Dam Offline Since January

· Jefferson PUD Meets Tuesday on Puget Sound Energy Contracts, Agreements

· Yakama Power Gains in Its Bid to Compete

· Closing TransAlta - Coal-Fired Plant Is Not in Our State’s Future

· Op/Ed - Facts, Not Hysteria, Are Needed in Coal Debate

· Op/Ed - Closure of Power Plant Not Based on Realities

· Mason PUD 3 Receives International Financial Reporting Award - Sixth Straight Award

· NorthWestern Energy Planning Montana Systems Upgrade

· Texas Power Failures Thrust Deregulation into Public Glare

· Alaska - Kenai Plant Closure Could Disrupt Gas Flow

· Westinghouse Announces Small Modular Nuclear Reactor

· Dynegy’s Top Management to Resign in Wake of Failed Deals

· New Twist in Georgia Electricity Co-op’s Troubles

· Utility Overcharged Homeowners by $11,000 after Getting Their Meter Mixed Up

· Along the Columbia, Concerns for Salmon & Energy Production

· Arkansas - Fish Hatchery Crisis Brewing; US Fish & Wildlife Service Wants to Stop Funding

· This University Is About Salmon - And More

· 18.90 Pound Hatchery Chinook Wins Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby

· State Requires Shoreline Programs to Incorporate Geoduck Farming Standards

· Mayors from Oakville to Aberdeen: Dump Levies for Dams

· Are FEMA Maps Useful?

· Danger Pent Up Behind Aging Dams

· Feds Want to Expand Willapa Refuge

· Capitol Land Trust Grows with Region’s Generosity

· Olympic Peninsula Water Company with Only Seven Customers Charged with 105 Violations

· Wind Power Battles to Stay an Economic Bright Spot in Idaho

· Oregon Governor’s Biomass Strategy Faces Hurdles

· Port Angeles - Biomass CHP Project for US Paper Mill

· California - Utilities’ Renewable Energy Pacts Expensive “…contracts that will cost them over $6 billion more than they would otherwise pay…”

· Small-Scale Hydropower Sees More Interest in Wyoming

· South Dakota - Wind Industry Wants Safety Law Changed

· Canada - Northern New Brunswick Wind Turbines Frozen Solid

· Oregon - SolarWorld leader Bob Beisner Leaving Oregon for California Job

· A Lease on Solar Panels? Some States Pitch In

· Do Your Part: Use Electricity Wisely, Lessen Unsafe Waste

· California Builder to Lure Buyers with Energy Bill Savings

· Light Future: Vermont Towns Turning to LED Lights

· Washington State’s Climate Change Efforts Fall Short

· Washington’s Greenhouse Emissions on the Decline “…inventory treats biofuels as if they have no impact on the climate…”

· Study: Sea Level Rise to Swamp Coastal Cities by 2100

· Pump & Dump Scheme in Global Warming

· Climate Change Extending Ragweed Season, Hay Fever Misery, Study Finds

· National Project to Install Hundreds of Electric Charging Stations in Oregon

· Green Roof Collapses in Illinois

· Renewable Energy at Risk - Scientists Call for New Sources of Critical Elements

· Weather Radar Clutter Is Boon to Study Birds, Bugs & Bats

· Oregon - Personal Telco Deploys MetroFi’s Old Wi-Fi Gear in North Portland

· WiMax Should Reach 1 Billion by 2012

· Wealthiest in Washington, DC Area Get Best High-Speed Internet Values, Study Says

· Banned from the Internet for Life?

· One Gig - Home Internet May Get Even Faster in South Korea

· Thousands Rally Under Capitol Dome in Olympia to Show Union Solidarity

· Cutoff Day Dooms Dozens of Measures in Washington Legislature

· Washington Governor Gregoire Vetoes Pay Cut, Data Center Hold

· Bills in Olympia Seek to Rein in Records ‘Fishing’

· Washington Senate Panel Approves Bill to ‘Modernize’ Initiative Process

· Congressman David Wu Tells Good Morning America: I Have Regrets, Sought Mental Help

· Six Inches of Puget Sound Area Snow Possible

· Winter Storm Watch Issued for Parts of Region for Midweek Storm

· Four American Hostages, Two from Seattle, Killed by Pirates, US Says

· Washington Congressman in New Zealand at Time of Earthquake

· Washington State Lands Commissioner Seeks to Raise Logging Fees

· 787 Dreamliner Teaches Boeing Costly Lesson on Outsourcing

WORD OF THE DAY

Brummagem • \BRUM-uh-jumm\ • Adjective - Not genuine: spurious; also: cheaply showy: tawdry

The tinker had an eye for genuine articles…and could spot the various brummagem trinkets hawked at the community fair as “treasures from afar.”

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

Grays Harbor County Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant OK to Expand (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014276519_apwasatsopnaturalgas.html

Cowlitz Falls Dam Offline Since January - The heavy storm that slammed into east Lewis County in mid-January did more than leave the area’s roads awash (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/02/19/1551670/cowlitz-falls-dam-offline-since.html

Jefferson PUD Meets Tuesday on Puget Sound Energy Contracts, Agreements (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=28716

Yakama Power Gains in Its Bid to Compete (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/02/21/yakama-power-gains-in-its-bid-to-compete

Closing TransAlta - Coal-Fired Plant Is Not in Our State’s Future, & Senate Bill Offers Best Compromise (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/feb/20/closing-transalta/

Op/Ed - Facts, Not Hysteria, Are Needed in Coal Debate (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal)

http://kpbj.com/business_weekly/2011-02-21/facts_not_hysteria_are_needed_in_coal_debate

Op/Ed - Closure of Power Plant Not Based on Realities (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/02/19/1549346/closure-of-power-plant-not-based.html

Mason PUD 3 Receives International Financial Reporting Award - Sixth Straight Award (Mason County PUD 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=832

NorthWestern Energy Planning Montana Systems Upgrade (KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT)

http://www.kpax.com/news/northwestern-planning-montana-systems-upgrade/

Texas Power Failures Thrust Deregulation into Public Glare (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/us/20ttelectricity.html

Alaska - Kenai Plant Closure Could Disrupt Gas Flow (Anchorage Daily News, AK)

http://www.adn.com/2011/02/20/1713690/kenai-plant-closure-could-disrupt.html

Westinghouse Announces Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.generation.nuclear.2011.02.Westinghouse_announces_small_modular_nuclear_reactor.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

Dynegy’s Top Management to Resign in Wake of Failed Deals (NY Times)

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/dynegys-top-management-resigns-suddenly/

New Twist in Georgia Electricity Co-op’s Troubles (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/02/22/34326.htm

Utility Overcharged Homeowners by $11,000 after Getting Their Meter Mixed Up (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2011/02/homeowner-overpays-11000-in-power-bills.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Along the Columbia, Concerns for Salmon & Energy Production (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/science/earth/20columbia.html

Arkansas - Fish Hatchery Crisis Brewing; US Fish & Wildlife Service Wants to Stop Funding (Baxter Bulletin, AR)

http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/20110222/NEWS01/102220328

This University Is About Salmon - And More (The Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/02/20/1550642/this-university-is-about-salmon.html

18.90 Pound Hatchery Chinook Wins Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2014295558_1890_pound_hatchery_chinook_wi.html

State Requires Shoreline Programs to Incorporate Geoduck Farming Standards (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/feb/21/state-requires-shoreline-programs-to-incorporate/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Mayors from Oakville to Aberdeen: Dump Levies for Dams (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Mayors-from-Oakville-to-Aberdeen-Dump-le=1&blockID=413375&feedID=410

Are FEMA Maps Useful? Chehalis River - Their purpose is to stop development that contributes to flooding (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/02/22/1552158/are-fema-maps-useful.html

Danger Pent Up Behind Aging Dams (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/science/22dam.html

Feds Want to Expand Willapa Refuge (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014285340_apwawillaparefugeexpansion.html

Capitol Land Trust Grows with Region’s Generosity (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/02/20/1550310/land-trust-grows-with-regions.html

Olympic Peninsula Water Company with Only Seven Customers Charged with 105 Violations, Fined (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110220/news/302209978/water-company-with-only-seven-customers-charged-with-105-violations

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Wind Power Battles to Stay an Economic Bright Spot in Idaho - Despite a few setbacks, some Idaho developers have a shot at keeping a tax break they say is boosting jobs (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/02/22/1536923/wind-power-battles-to-stay-an.html

Oregon Governor’s Biomass Strategy Faces Hurdles (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/116535708.html

Port Angeles - Biomass CHP Project for US Paper Mill (Power Gen Worldwide)\

http://www.powergenworldwide.com/index/display/articledisplay/4186337108/articles/powergenworldwide/distributed-generation/cogeneration-chp/2011/02/biomass-chp_project.html

California - Utilities’ Renewable Energy Pacts Expensive “…contracts that will cost them over $6 billion more than they would otherwise pay…” (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/02/18/BUO11HQDPR.DTL

Small-Scale Hydropower Sees More Interest in Wyoming (Casper Star Tribune, WY)

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_ce2b0ac1-cb5e-50c8-ba4f-df97e92e572a.html

South Dakota - Wind Industry Wants Safety Law Changed: Group says it is too costly to alter existing towers (Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, SD)

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110222/NEWS/102220321/1001

Canada - Northern New Brunswick Wind Turbines Frozen Solid (Global-TV, Montreal)

http://www.globalmontreal.com/technology/Northern+Brunswick+wind+turbines+frozen+solid/4286952/story.html

Oregon - SolarWorld leader Bob Beisner Leaving Oregon for California Job (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/solarworld_leader_bob_beisner.html

A Lease on Solar Panels? Some States Pitch In (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/22/133870498/a-lease-on-solar-panels-some-states-pitch-in?ft=1&f=3

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Do Your Part: Use Electricity Wisely, Lessen Unsafe Waste (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/21/use-electricity-wisely-lessen-unsafe-waste/

California Builder to Lure Buyers with Energy Bill Savings (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_17384237

Light Future: Vermont Towns Turning to LED Lights (Burlington Free Press, VT)

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110220/LIVING09/102200304/Light-Future-Vermont-towns-turning-to-LED-lights

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State’s Climate Change Efforts Fall Short - Collapse of Cap-&-Trade System Makes 2020 Goal Unlikely (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/feb/20/states-climate-change-efforts-fall-short/

Washington’s Greenhouse Emissions on the Decline “…inventory treats biofuels as if they have no impact on the climate…” (KUOW Radio, Seattle)

http://kuow.org/program.php?id=22684

Study: Sea Level Rise to Swamp Coastal Cities by 2100 (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2011/02/sea-level-rise-coastal-cities-usa-2100-climate-change-global-warming/1?csp=34tech

Pump & Dump Scheme in Global Warming (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/02/22/34324.htm

Climate Change Extending Ragweed Season, Hay Fever Misery, Study Finds (LA Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-ragweed-season-20110221,0,4285251.story

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

National Project to Install Hundreds of Electric Charging Stations in Oregon (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2011/02/national_project_to_install_hundreds_of_electric_charging_stations_in_oregon.html

Green Roof Collapses in Illinois (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/18/green-roof-collapses-in-illinois/

Renewable Energy at Risk - Scientists Call for New Sources of Critical Elements (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/19/business/global/19rare.html

Weather Radar Clutter Is Boon to Study Birds, Bugs & Bats (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/research/2011-02-18-weather-radar-bats-birds-bugs_N.htm?csp=34news

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Oregon - Personal Telco Deploys MetroFi’s Old Wi-Fi Gear in North Portland (Oregonian, Portland)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/siliconforest/2011/02/personal_telco_deploys_metrofi.html

WiMax Should Reach 1 Billion by 2012 (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/WiMax-Should-Reach-1-Billion-By-2012-112828

Wealthiest in Washington, DC Area Get Best High-Speed Internet Values, Study Says (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/18/AR2011021807243.html

Banned from the Internet for Life? (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=429233

One Gig - Home Internet May Get Even Faster in South Korea (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/technology/22iht-broadband22.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Thousands Rally Under Capitol Dome in Olympia to Show Union Solidarity (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/26938750/detail.html

Cutoff Day Dooms Dozens of Measures in Washington Legislature (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/22/cutoff-day-dooms-dozens-of-measures-in-washington/

Washington Governor Gregoire Vetoes Pay Cut, Data Center Hold (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/02/18/1549157/gregoire-vetoes-pay-cut-data-center.html

Bills in Olympia Seek to Rein in Records ‘Fishing’ - Public agencies are begging the state Legislature to grant them relief from a seemingly unlikely culprit: the state Public Records Act (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014281074_recordsbills20m.html

Washington Senate Panel Approves Bill to ‘Modernize’ Initiative Process (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/19/senate-panel-approves-bill-to-modernize/

Congressman David Wu Tells Good Morning America: I Have Regrets, Sought Mental Help (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/congressman_david_wu_tells_goo.html

GENERAL NEWS

Six Inches of Puget Sound Area Snow Possible (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1330:six-inches-of-snow-possible&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=106

Winter Storm Watch Issued for Parts of Region for Midweek Storm (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/116624633.html

Four American Hostages, Two from Seattle, Killed by Pirates, US Says (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110222/ap_on_re_af/piracy