Energy News Digest for August 31, 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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Comment Period Ends for Columbia Falls Aluminum Company’s Power Deal (Daily Interlake, Kalispell, MT)

http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_372a1c6c-d360-11e0-aa26-001cc4c03286.html

Editorial - State Renewable Energy Act Past Due for Major Overhaul (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/08/30/1620629/state-renewable-energy-act-past.html

Data Centers – Washington State Ecology Issues More Generator Permits (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/aug/31/ecology-issues-more-generator-permits/

Budget Cuts Threaten NOAA’s Weather Forecasts (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/31/140079532/budget-cuts-threaten-noaas-weather-forecasts?ft=1&f=3

Belfair Water District Newsletter Slams County, One of Its Own Commissioners (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/13517-water-district-newsletter-slams-county

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Comment Period Ends for Columbia Falls Aluminum Company’s Power Deal
• Editorial - State Renewable Energy Act Past Due for Major Overhaul
• California - Substandard Pipeline Just One of Pacific Gas & Electric’s San Bruno Failures, Federal Board Finds
• Natural Gas Rises as Power Demand Returns in East
• How One Co-op Coped with Irene
• Dominion Linemen Risk Danger to Restore Power
• Iowa - Missouri River Energy Services Plans to Build Hydro Facility
• West Virginia Jury Awards $7 Million in 2007 Electric Plant Explosion Death
• Baltimore Gas & Electric Weighs Text, Email Notifications for Peak Rewards Members
• Smaller Fish Tags Improves Monitoring Fish Survival
• Shellfish Farmers Confront Silent Watershed Crises
• Belfair Water District Newsletter Slams County, One of Its Own Commissioners
• Study Finds Bacteria from Dog Feces in Detroit’s Sky
• Arizona - Owner of Shutdown-Plagued Snowflake Biomass Power Plant Improves Operations
• Rising Biomass Demand Could Drive Land Grabs
• Clallam County PUD & N Olympic Library System Partner to Help Save Energy
• Consumer Reports: Are New LED Light Bulbs As Good As the Inefficient Incandescents?
• Texas Drought Could Threaten Endangered Species
• Can Water Treaties Be Climate-Proofed?
• Portland Plans for Transit All Powered by Electricity
• Fancy Batteries in Electric Cars Pose Recycling Challenges (
• Sierra Magazine – University of Washington: America’s No. 1 Green Campus
• Scientists Discover Microbes That Turn Newspaper Into Biofuel
• Data Centers – Washington State Ecology Issues More Generator Permits
• US Files Suit to Block AT&T Merger With T-Mobile
• Intel Forms Unit to Focus on Supercomputers for US
• hieve ‘100 Percent Renewable Energy’ Milestone
• Politico: McKenna/Inslee No. 1. Governor’s Race in USA
• Feds’ COBRA Subsidy to End
• Budget Cuts Threaten NOAA’s Weather Forecasts
• Mason Commissioners Revise Qualifications for Candidates to Fill Vacancy on Board
• Fire Ban in Effect So Be Careful In the Woods During the Holiday Weekend
• Another Severed Foot Found in British Columbia Waters
• If the Pacific Northwest Had a Massive Earthquake: What Would Happen
• Bainbridge Chamber Hires Ex-North Mason Chamber CEO Frank Kenny
• Lost Trust in Trust Exercise - Student Says Leadership Class Ruined Him

WORD OF THE DAY

Torpor • \TORE-perr\ • Noun - 1a : a state of mental and motor inactivity with partial or total insensibility b: a state of lowered physiological activity typically characterized by reduced metabolism, heart rate, respiration, and body temperature that occurs in varying degrees especially in hibernating and estivating animals 2: apathy, dullness

Like lizards on a cold day, the cubicle dwellers on the tenth floor began falling into torpor at their desks; their QWERTY keyboards making square impressions into their flaccid faces. “My nefarious plan worked,” the young mail boy mused as he strolled, unencumbered, through the maze of offices. “A full serving of doughnuts and glazed pastries at mid-morning…sugar crash by noon. Excellent.”

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

Comment Period Ends for Columbia Falls Aluminum Company’s Power Deal (Daily Interlake, Kalispell, MT)

http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_372a1c6c-d360-11e0-aa26-001cc4c03286.html

Editorial - State Renewable Energy Act Past Due for Major Overhaul (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/08/30/1620629/state-renewable-energy-act-past.html

California - Substandard Pipeline Just One of Pacific Gas & Electric’s San Bruno Failures, Federal Board Finds (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/31/3873677/substandard-pipeline-just-one.html

Natural Gas Rises as Power Demand Returns in East (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016065815_apusoilprices.html

How One Co-op Coped with Irene (Electric Co-Op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/how-one-co-op-coped-with-irene/33349

Dominion Linemen Risk Danger to Restore Power (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/31/140079522/dominion-linemen-risk-danger-to-restore-power?ft=1&f=3

Iowa - Missouri River Energy Services Plans to Build Hydro Facility (Echo Press, Alexandria, MN)

http://www.echopress.com/event/article/id/87273/group/homepage/

West Virginia Jury Awards $7 Million in 2007 Electric Plant Explosion Death (Insurance Journal)

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2011/08/30/212861.htm

Baltimore Gas & Electric Weighs Text, Email Notifications for Peak Rewards Members (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)

http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2011/08/30/bge-weighs-text-email-notifications.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Smaller Fish Tags Improves Monitoring Fish Survival (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndu.com/story/15363537/fish-tagging-improves-monitoring-fish-survival

Shellfish Farmers Confront Silent Watershed Crises (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2011/08/31/food/21255/Shellfish-farmers-confront-silent-watershed-crises/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Belfair Water District Newsletter Slams County, One of Its Own Commissioners (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/13517-water-district-newsletter-slams-county

Study Finds Bacteria from Dog Feces in Detroit’s Sky (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110821/NEWS02/708219922/-1/News

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Arizona - Owner of Shutdown-Plagued Snowflake Biomass Power Plant Improves Operations (Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ)

http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2011/08/30/20110830snowflake-power-plant-owner-improves-operations.html

Rising Biomass Demand Could Drive Land Grabs (CNET News)

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20099522-54/rising-biomass-demand-could-drive-land-grabs/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Clallam County PUD & N Olympic Library System Partner to Help Save Energy (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=160513

Consumer Reports: Are New LED Light Bulbs As Good As the Inefficient Incandescents? (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2011/08/consumer-reports-are-new-led-lightbulbs-as-good-as-the-inefficient-incandescents.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Texas Drought Could Threaten Endangered Species (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016055855_apusdroughtendangeredspecies.html?syndication=rss

Can Water Treaties Be Climate-Proofed? (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/can-water-treaties-be-climate-proofed/?partner=rss&emc=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Portland Plans for Transit All Powered by Electricity (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/automobiles/portland-plans-for-transit-all-powered-by-electricity.html?_r=1

Fancy Batteries in Electric Cars Pose Recycling Challenges (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/business/energy-environment/fancy-batteries-in-electric-cars-pose-recycling-challenges.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Sierra Magazine – University of Washington: America’s No. 1 Green Campus (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/08/30/uw-americas-no-1-green-campus-sierra-mag/

Scientists Discover Microbes That Turn Newspaper Into Biofuel (Green Car Reports)

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1065578_scientists-discover-microbes-that-turn-newspaper-into-biofuel

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Data Centers – Washington State Ecology Issues More Generator Permits (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/aug/31/ecology-issues-more-generator-permits/

US Files Suit to Block AT&T Merger With T-Mobile (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/story/2011-08-31/US-will-block-ATampTs-merger-with-T-Mobile/50202512/1?csp=34tech

Intel Forms Unit to Focus on Supercomputers for US (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Intel-forms-unit-to-focus-on-supercomputers-for-US-2147562.php

Level 3’s Data Center Facilities in London & Amsterdam Achieve ‘100 Percent Renewable Energy’ Milestone “…including wind power, hydroelectric power & solar power…” (TMC-Net)

http://dark-fiber.tmcnet.com/topics/dark-fiber/articles/213328-level-3s-data-center-facilities-london-amsterdam-achieve.htm

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Politico: McKenna/Inslee No. 1. Governor’s Race in USA (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/08/30/politico-mckennainslee-no-1-gov-s-race-in-usa/

Feds’ COBRA Subsidy to End (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/31/3873398/feds-cobra-subsidy-to-end.html

GENERAL NEWS

Budget Cuts Threaten NOAA’s Weather Forecasts (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/31/140079532/budget-cuts-threaten-noaas-weather-forecasts?ft=1&f=3

Mason Commissioners Revise Qualifications for Candidates to Fill Vacancy on Board (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/aug/30/mason-commissioners-revise-qualifications-for-to/

Fire Ban in Effect So Be Careful In the Woods During the Holiday Weekend (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2016055119__the_washington_state_departme.html

Another Severed Foot Found in British Columbia Waters (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/128726393.html

If the Pacific Northwest Had a Massive Earthquake: What Would Happen (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/08/30/if-the-pacific-northwest-had-a-massive-earthquake-what-would-happen/

Bainbridge Chamber Hires Ex-North Mason Chamber CEO Frank Kenny (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal)

http://kpbj.com/breaking_news/2011-08-30/bainbridge_chamber_hires_ex_north_mason_chamber_ceo_frank_kenny

Lost Trust in Trust Exercise - Student Says Leadership Class Ruined Him (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/08/30/39373.htm

DIVERSIONS

All in the Head: Why the Return Trip Always Seems Shorter

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/story/2011-08-30/All-in-the-head-Why-the-return-trip-always-seems-shorter/50193384/1?csp=34tech

Eww! Fish Guts Spill Onto Street

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/128712028.html

Oops: $53,000 in Gold, Jewelry Thrown Away

http://www.kirotv.com/money/29024776/detail.html

‘Blind’ Man To Sail Around the World Alone

http://www.kirotv.com/travelgetaways/29024136/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Christopher Cross - Sailing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9NkBxxHxAc

Energy News Digest for August 30, 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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

College Study Finds Warmer, Drier Weather across Olympic Peninsula in 30-Year Span (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110830/news/308309995/college-study-finds-warmer-drier-weather-across-peninsula-in-30-year

Six Transient Orca Whales Visit Sound, Attract Illegal Attention (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/08/30/1778446/6-transient-orca-whales-visit.html

More Than Half of Irene Power Outages Are Fixed (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016054944_apusireneenergy.html

Would Burying Power Lines Reduce Power Outages? (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/29/140042767/would-burying-power-lines-reduce-power-outages?ft=1&f=2

Snohomish PUD Drilling for Geothermal Power (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2011/08/snohomish-pud-drilling-for-geothermal.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• More Than Half of Irene Power Outages Are Fixed
• Thunderstorm Winds Shear Kootenai Power Poles
• Would Burying Power Lines Reduce Power Outages?
• Oregon - City of Bandon to Increase Electric Rates by Five Percent
• Consultant Asks Grant County PUD to Adjust Reserves
• $12 Billion May Not be Enough to Finish Hanford Vitrification Plant
• British Columbia - Hydro Boss: Province to Abandon Power Push
• Federal Safety Panel Chairman Faults PG&E, Regulators in Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion
• Texas State Senator Faults Power Industry for Rolling Blackout Threat
• Gov’t Boosts Inspection at Virginia Reactors near Quake
• Germany Dims Nuclear Plants, but Hopes to Keep Lights On
• Six Transient Orca Whales Visit Sound, Attract Illegal Attention
• Lake Cle Elum Fish Ladder Clears Hurdle
• Shocking Trout to Protect Them
• ‘Smart Collar’ in the Works to Manage Wildlife Better
• Much Cleaner Water in Chehalis River Basin
• Vice President of Engineering Firm Appointed to Columbia River Gorge Commission
• Snohomish PUD Drilling for Geothermal Power
• City of Spokane OKs Waste-to-Energy Deal
• SoloPower Leases 225,250 Square Feet in North Portland
• Business Booms at British Columbia Bioenergy Project
• California Pushes Wind & Geothermal Energy
• Wind Farm Worker Crushed When Bulldozer Rolls Over
• Texas - Wind Turbine Erupts Into Flames Southwest Of Abilene
• First Solar: California’s Renewable Initiative Is “Fabulously Successful”
• Arizona Utilities Not the Only Ones Getting High Interest in Incentives
• Nevada Cooperative Joins California ISO, Opening Path for More Renewable Power
• Germany-Greece in Talks over Massive Solar Project
• North Mason School District Completes Energy & Water-Saving Projects
• Op/Ed - Saving a Little Energy Now Adds Up Later
• Energy-Efficient Homes Seem to Sell Faster, Fetch Higher Prices
• Do ‘Green Buildings’ Come With a Higher Price Tag?
• News Release - New Apartment? New Opportunities to Save on Electric Costs
• College Study Finds Warmer, Drier Weather across Olympic Peninsula in 30-Year Span
• Editorial - Like Weather, Science Changes
• NASA Scientist Says Obama Will Be ‘Greenwashing’ About Climate Change if He Approves Keystone XL Pipeline
• Editorial - A Hotter Utah
• Report: Oregon Will Have 33,000 Electric Vehicle Chargers by 2017
• Cantwell Urges Farmers to Sign Up to Grow Jet Fuel Crop
• Panda Poop May Be a Treasure Trove of Microbes for Making Biofuel
• Governments Cut Computing Costs in the Cloud
• After Dramatic Growth, Ashburn Expects Even More Data Centers
• Internet Advertisers Begin Offering New Do Not Track Icon
• CalPERS Drops Fitch from Suit over Investment Ratings
• PIMCO Says Betting Against US Debt Was a Mistake
• Mason County Sets Out Commissioner Replacement Process for District Three Position
• Hidden Earthquake Faults Revealed at Mount Hood, Oregon
• State Audit Reveals Embezzlement at University of Washington
• Deadlines to Upgrade Street Signs Throughout the Country Eliminated

WORD OF THE DAY

Puissant • \PWIH-sawnt\ • Adjective - Having puissance: powerful

Franklin was smug about his new composting company, conveniently located on one of the busiest downtown blocks of his hometown tourist community. Unfortunately for him, and the adjacent food court, the puissant aroma of his piles of varied and sundry souvenir bags of exotic manures were not the draw that was expected on a hot, humid Labor Day weekend.

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

More Than Half of Irene Power Outages Are Fixed (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016054944_apusireneenergy.html

Thunderstorm Winds Shear Kootenai Power Poles (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/aug/29/thunderstorm-winds-shear-kootenai-power-poles/

Would Burying Power Lines Reduce Power Outages? (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/29/140042767/would-burying-power-lines-reduce-power-outages?ft=1&f=2

Oregon - City of Bandon to Increase Electric Rates by Five Percent (Bandon Western World, OR)

http://www.bandonwesternworld.com/articles/2011/08/30/news/doc4e56e49f9d8f9779505671.txt

Consultant Asks Grant County PUD to Adjust Reserves (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/article_5ce101be-cf73-11e0-97e6-001cc4c03286.html

$12 Billion May Not be Enough to Finish Hanford Vitrification Plant (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/128676533.html

British Columbia - Hydro Boss: Province to Abandon Power Push: Revamped self-sufficiency plan could save ‘hundreds of millions’ (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/Hydro+boss+Province+abandon+power+push/5281462/story.html

Federal Safety Panel Chairman Faults PG&E, Regulators in Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016054969_apuspipelineexplosionntsb.html

Texas State Senator Faults Power Industry for Rolling Blackout Threat (KPRC-TV, Houston, TX)

http://www.click2houston.com/news/29018971/detail.html

Gov’t Boosts Inspection at Virginia Reactors near Quake (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016048365_apusnuclearplantearthquake.html

Germany Dims Nuclear Plants, but Hopes to Keep Lights On (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/science/earth/30germany.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Six Transient Orca Whales Visit Sound, Attract Illegal Attention (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/08/30/1778446/6-transient-orca-whales-visit.html

Lake Cle Elum Fish Ladder Clears Hurdle (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/08/29/lake-cle-elum-fish-ladder-clears-hurdle

Shocking Trout to Protect Them (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/29/shocking-trout-to-protect-them/?partner=rss&emc=rss

‘Smart Collar’ in the Works to Manage Wildlife Better (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/us/30collars.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Much Cleaner Water in Chehalis River Basin (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/08/30/1801366/much-cleaner-water-in-chehalis.html

Vice President of Engineering Firm Appointed to Columbia River Gorge Commission (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2011/08/vice_president_of_engineering_firm_appointed_to_columbia_river_gorge_commission.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Snohomish PUD Drilling for Geothermal Power (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2011/08/snohomish-pud-drilling-for-geothermal.html

City of Spokane OKs Waste-to-Energy Deal (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/aug/30/city-oks-waste-to-energy-deal/

SoloPower Leases 225,250 Square Feet in North Portland (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/08/solopower_leases_225250_square.html

Business Booms at British Columbia Bioenergy Project “…studies…show emissions results that are as good as, or better than, natural gas….” (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Business+booms+bioenergy+project/5309084/story.html

California Pushes Wind & Geothermal Energy (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/08/29/39363.htm

Wind Farm Worker Crushed When Bulldozer Rolls Over (KTVU-TV, Oakland, CA)

http://www.ktvu.com/news/29020134/detail.html

Texas - Wind Turbine Erupts Into Flames Southwest Of Abilene (KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX)

http://www.ktxs.com/big_country_news/28979055/detail.html

First Solar: California’s Renewable Initiative Is “Fabulously Successful” (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaynejung/2011/08/29/first-solar-californias-renewable-initiative-is-fabulously-successful/?feed=rss_home

Arizona Utilities Not the Only Ones Getting High Interest in Incentives (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/business/2011/08/arizona-utilities-not-the-only-ones.html

Nevada Cooperative Joins California ISO, Opening Path for More Renewable Power (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.t-and_d.transmission.2011.08.Nevada_cooperative_joins_California_ISO__opening_path_for_more_renewable_power.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

Germany-Greece in Talks over Massive Solar Project (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/08/germany-greece-in-talks-over-massive-solar-project?cmpid=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

North Mason School District Completes Energy & Water-Saving Projects

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/aug/29/nmsd-completes-energy--and-water-saving-projects/

Op/Ed - Saving a Little Energy Now Adds Up Later (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/opinion/article_ab4cd5f8-d0fe-11e0-84a1-001cc4c03286.html

Energy-Efficient Homes Seem to Sell Faster, Fetch Higher Prices (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/28/business/la-fi-harney-20110828#038

Do ‘Green Buildings’ Come With a Higher Price Tag? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Green-Economics/2011/0830/Do-green-buildings-come-with-a-higher-price-tag

News Release - New Apartment? New Opportunities to Save on Electric Costs (PR Newswire)

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-apartment-new-opportunities-to-save-on-electric-costs-128660708.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

College Study Finds Warmer, Drier Weather across Olympic Peninsula in 30-Year Span (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110830/news/308309995/college-study-finds-warmer-drier-weather-across-peninsula-in-30-year

Editorial - Like Weather, Science Changes (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/aug/30/like-weather-science-changes/

NASA Scientist Says Obama Will Be ‘Greenwashing’ About Climate Change if He Approves Keystone XL Pipeline (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/08/26/26climatewire-hansen-says-obama-will-be-greenwashing-about-72041.html?partner=rss

Editorial - A Hotter Utah (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/52478254-82/global-standards-warming-caused.html.csp

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Report: Oregon Will Have 33,000 Electric Vehicle Chargers by 2017 (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/08/report-oregon-will-have-33000-ev.html

Cantwell Urges Farmers to Sign Up to Grow Jet Fuel Crop (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/business/2011/08/23/cantwell-urges-farmers-to-sign-up-to-grow-jet-fuel-crop/

Panda Poop May Be a Treasure Trove of Microbes for Making Biofuel (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/08/panda-poop-may-be-a-treasure-trove-of-microbes-for-making-biofuel?cmpid=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Governments Cut Computing Costs in the Cloud (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-08-29/Governments-willing-to-spend-to-upgrade-tech-systems/50179884/1?csp=34tech

After Dramatic Growth, Ashburn Expects Even More Data Centers (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/after-dramatic-growth-ashburn-expects-even-more-data-centers/2011/06/09/gIQAZduLjJ_story.html?wprss=rss_business

Internet Advertisers Begin Offering New Do Not Track Icon (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2011/08/internet-advertisers-begin-offering-new-do-not-track-icon-/1?csp=34money

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

CalPERS Drops Fitch from Suit over Investment Ratings (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/30/3870652/calpers-drops-fitch-from-suit.html

PIMCO Says Betting Against US Debt Was a Mistake (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/30/us-pimco-treasuries-mistake-idUSTRE77S67420110830

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Sets Out Commissioner Replacement Process for District Three Position (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/aug/29/mason-sets-out-commissioner-replacement-process/

Hidden Earthquake Faults Revealed at Mount Hood, Oregon (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/08/hidden_earthquake_faults_revealed_at_mount_hood_oregon.html

State Audit Reveals Embezzlement at University of Washington (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=537732

Deadlines to Upgrade Street Signs Throughout the Country Eliminated (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-08-30/Cities-get-reprieve-on-changing-street-signs/50181162/1?csp=34news

DIVERSIONS

Drunken Burglar Didn’t Realize Home He Was Breaking Into Was Sheriff’s

http://www.kirotv.com/news/29015879/detail.html

Prevention: Evidence of Heart Benefits from Chocolate

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/health/30prevention.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

JP Patches Makes One of Last Appearances Saturday

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/08/27/j-p-patches-makes-one-of-last-appearances-saturday/

Earthquake Helps ‘Cure’ Man’s Deafness

http://www.kirotv.com/news/29013261/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Hot Chocolate – Every 1’s a Winner

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

Energy News Digest for August 29, 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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Energy Northwest: Draft Study Finds No License Extension Concerns for Nuclear Power Plant (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/08/24/1614040/energy-northwest-draft-study-finds.html

Corps of Engineers to Build Island in Oregon’s Malheur Lake to Lure Salmon-Eating Caspian Terns Away from The Columbia River (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/08/corps_of_engineers_to_build_is.html

Issue of Vancouver, Washington Biomass Plant Will Get a Public Hearing (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/aug/29/issue-biomass-plant-will-get-public-hearing/

Oregon - Morrow County Decides Against Enforcing State Noise Requirements on Willow Creek Wind Project (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/08/morrow_county_decides_against_enforcing_state_noise_requirements_on_willow_creek_wind_project.html

California Panel Reaffirms Carbon Trading Program (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/25/local/la-me-cap-trade-20110825#038

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Energy Northwest: Draft Study Finds No License Extension Concerns for Nuclear Power Plant
• Wind-Vs-Water Dispute Heads to Federal Court
• Oregon - Vandals Blamed for South Willamette Valley Power Outage
• Washington State Gathering Comments on Wells Dam Water Quality
• Federal Grant Aids Salish-Kootenai Tribes in Preparing to Acquire Flathead River’s Kerr Dam
• Colorado - Boulder Learning from Portland's Attempt at Municipalization
• Grant County PUD Customers Testify Against Rate Increases
• Avista Agrees To Settlement of Idaho Rate Increase Request
• Clean Energy Future of Oregon Depends on Conservation, Renewables & Smart Grid, Says Report
• Mason County PUD 3 to Conduct Tree Trimming on Tahuya River Drive
• Man Electrocuted Trying to Save New York Child
• Ohio Landlord Pleads No Contest in Four Tenant Deaths
• Nuclear Power Plants for Settlements on the Moon & Mars
• Corps of Engineers to Build Island in Oregon’s Malheur Lake to Lure Salmon-Eating Caspian Terns Away from The Columbia River
• Killing Sea Lions to Save Salmon, Again
• Concerns Raised Over Hood Canal’s Tarboo Creek Salmon
• Editorial - A Salmon Stream Worth Protecting
• Elwha Dam Removal Celebration Plans Swinging Into Place
• Elwha River Hatchery to Hurt Recovery, Critics Say
• Editorial - Punching Holes in the Concrete: The Northwest is about to witness the largest dam removals in US history
• Op/Ed - Long-Awaited Recovery Plan: Restoring Salmon & Steelhead in the Willamette
• Hells Canyon to be Loaded with Fall Chinook Hatchery Surplus; Bag Limit Six Daily, None On Jacks
• British Columbia Whalewatchers Attack Starvation Claim
• Efforts to Clean Up Puget Sound Get a New Push
• Seattle Ratepayers Will Foot $500K Bill to Remove $1.8M Rain Gardens That Didn't Work
• Oregon Begins Allowing Graywater Irrigation in 2012
• Issue of Vancouver, Washington Biomass Plant Will Get a Public Hearing
• Oregon - Morrow County Decides Against Enforcing State Noise Requirements on Willow Creek Wind Project
• California - Altamont Pass Wind Farm Gets Major Upgrade
• Wind Farms Under Fire for Bird Kills
• Texas Wind Energy Fails, Again
• Regs Run Amok: SMUD's 'Solar Highways' Face Many Regulatory Speed Bumps
• Renewable Energy Corporation to Continue Shutdown of Norwegian Manufacturing Plants
• Down on the Farm: Nuts to Renewable Energy
• Energy Concerns Up Front as Obama Seeks Closer Relationship with Tribes
• Grants Turn on New Light Bulbs in North Central Washington School Districts
• How Much Money Can New Lighting Save Your Business?
• News Release - Idaho Falls Power Selects Elster for AMI Smart Grid Project
• Residents Cut Energy Bills 11% in Smart Meter Test
• Strange Bedfellows Back Bill Using Mortgages to Spur Energy Retrofits
• California Panel Reaffirms Carbon Trading Program
• Carbon Capture, Without the Coal
• Seattle Among First to Try Capturing Sewer Pipe Heat for Buildings
• Sewage-Powered Hydrogen Fueling Station Opens in California
• Ultra-Green Office Building Breaking Ground
• Grant County - iFiber Builds New Studio for Channel 1
• Verizon Touts $94M Washington State Investment in 2011
• Diversity Lacking In Washington State Government, Analysis Finds
• Hurricane Irene Damage Could Reach Billions
• NOAA Weather Satellites Are in Jeopardy
• Prisons Ask Facebook to Disable Inmate Accounts

WORD OF THE DAY

Potentate • \POTE-tun-tate\ • Noun - Ruler, sovereign; broadly: one who wields great power or sway

“Now THIS is the crown of kings,” crowed the vain potentate after the huge, 150 pound, jewel encrusted coronet was lowered carefully over his brow. “Nod yes if you like it, milord,” whispered the goldsmith into the imperial ear. One nod was all it took to end the short reign of “Oswald the Pencil Neck.” (Some Foley artists would say that twisting fresh celery would give the appropriate sound effect. Others would opt for snapping dry bamboo.)

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

Energy Northwest: Draft Study Finds No License Extension Concerns for Nuclear Power Plant (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/08/24/1614040/energy-northwest-draft-study-finds.html

Wind-Vs-Water Dispute Heads to Federal Court (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/08/northwest-companies-take.html

Oregon - Vandals Blamed for South Willamette Valley Power Outage (Associated Press)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110829/UPDATE/110829004/Vandals-blamed-south-Willamette-Valley-power-outage-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Washington State Gathering Comments on Wells Dam Water Quality (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/aug/26/state-gathering-commentson-wells-dam-water-quality/

Federal Grant Aids Salish-Kootenai Tribes in Preparing to Acquire Flathead River’s Kerr Dam (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/411834.aspx

Colorado - Boulder Learning from Portland's Attempt at Municipalization: Oregon city offers lessons on energy through failed bid to municipalize (Boulder Daily Camera, CO)

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_18767154

Grant County PUD Customers Testify Against Rate Increases (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_dc1ce31a-cf6b-11e0-b1eb-001cc4c03286.html

Avista Agrees To Settlement of Idaho Rate Increase Request (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/aug/26/avista-agrees-settlement-rate-increase-request/?prefetch=1

Clean Energy Future of Oregon Depends on Conservation, Renewables & Smart Grid, Says Report (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/08/conservation_smart_grids_and_r.html

Mason County PUD 3 to Conduct Tree Trimming on Tahuya River Drive - Project Begins August 29th. (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=906

Man Electrocuted Trying to Save New York Child (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/man-electrocuted-trying-save-ny-child-193711899.html

Ohio Landlord Pleads No Contest in Four Tenant Deaths - Overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from a generator…in a rental home that didn't have heat or electricity (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_18764732

Nuclear Power Plants for Settlements on the Moon & Mars (ZD Net)

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/emergingtech/nuclear-power-plants-for-settlements-on-the-moon-and-mars/2779

FISH & WILDLIFE

Corps of Engineers to Build Island in Oregon’s Malheur Lake to Lure Salmon-Eating Caspian Terns Away from The Columbia River (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/08/corps_of_engineers_to_build_is.html

Killing Sea Lions to Save Salmon, Again (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/killing-sea-lions-to-save-salmon-again/?partner=rss

Concerns Raised Over Hood Canal’s Tarboo Creek Salmon (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/aug/25/concerns-raised-over-tarboo-creek-salmon/

Editorial - A Salmon Stream Worth Protecting (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/aug/27/our-view-a-salmon-stream-worth-protecting/?partner=RSS

Elwha Dam Removal Celebration Plans Swinging Into Place (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110828/NEWS/308289998/elwha-dam-removal-celebration-plans-swinging-into-place

Elwha River Hatchery to Hurt Recovery, Critics Say (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016005701_hatchery25m.html

Editorial - Punching Holes in the Concrete: The Northwest is about to witness the largest dam removals in US history (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/08/punching_holes_in_the_concrete.html

Op/Ed - Long-Awaited Recovery Plan: Restoring Salmon & Steelhead in the Willamette (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/08/long-awaited_recovery_plan_res.html

Hells Canyon to be Loaded with Fall Chinook Hatchery Surplus; Bag Limit Six Daily, None On Jacks (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/411840.aspx

British Columbia Whalewatchers Attack Starvation Claim (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/travel/Whalewatchers+attack+starvation+claim/5252964/story.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Efforts to Clean Up Puget Sound Get a New Push (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/08/29/1800060/efforts-to-clean-up-puget-sound.html

Seattle Ratepayers Will Foot $500K Bill to Remove $1.8M Rain Gardens That Didn't Work (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/28989932/detail.html

Oregon Begins Allowing Graywater Irrigation in 2012 (Salem Statesman Journal, OR)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110826/UPDATE/110826004/1001

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Issue of Vancouver, Washington Biomass Plant Will Get a Public Hearing (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/aug/29/issue-biomass-plant-will-get-public-hearing/

Oregon - Morrow County Decides Against Enforcing State Noise Requirements on Willow Creek Wind Project (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/08/morrow_county_decides_against_enforcing_state_noise_requirements_on_willow_creek_wind_project.html

California - Altamont Pass Wind Farm Gets Major Upgrade (Santa Cruz Sentinel, CA)

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_18778973

Wind Farms Under Fire for Bird Kills (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/wind-farms-under-fire-for-bird-kills/2011/08/25/gIQAP0bVlJ_story.html

Texas Wind Energy Fails, Again (National Review Online)

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/275673/texas-wind-energy-fails-again-robert-bryce#

Regs Run Amok: SMUD's 'Solar Highways' Face Many Regulatory Speed Bumps (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/28/3864651/green-plan-in-slow-lanesmuds-solar.html

Renewable Energy Corporation to Continue Shutdown of Norwegian Manufacturing Plants through End of 2011 _...silicon production in the US…would continue to run at full capacity…” (PV Tech)

http://www.pv-tech.org/news/rec_to_continue_shutdown_of_norwegian_manufacturing_plants_through_end_of_2

Down on the Farm: Nuts to Renewable Energy (KQED Radio, San Francisco, CA)

http://blogs.kqed.org/climatewatch/2011/08/24/another-renewable-energy-frontier-farm-biomass/

Energy Concerns Up Front as Obama Seeks Closer Relationship with Tribes (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/08/24/24greenwire-energy-concerns-up-front-as-obama-seeks-closer-64144.html?partner=rss&

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Grants Turn on New Light Bulbs in North Central Washington School Districts (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/aug/25/grants-turn-on-new-lightbulbs-in-ncw-school/

How Much Money Can New Lighting Save Your Business? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2011/08/how-much-money-can-new-lighting-save-your-business

News Release - Idaho Falls Power Selects Elster for AMI Smart Grid Project

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/idaho-falls-power-selects-elster-for-ami-smart-grid-project-2011-08-29

Residents Cut Energy Bills 11% in Smart Meter Test (PC World)

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/238874/residents_cut_energy_bills_11_in_smart_meter_test.html

Strange Bedfellows Back Bill Using Mortgages to Spur Energy Retrofits (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/08/25/25greenwire-strange-bedfellows-back-bill-using-mortgages-t-32634.html?partner=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California Panel Reaffirms Carbon Trading Program (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/25/local/la-me-cap-trade-20110825#038

Carbon Capture, Without the Coal (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/08/25/carbon-capture-without-the-coa/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Seattle Among First to Try Capturing Sewer Pipe Heat for Buildings (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2011/08/tapping-seattles-sewer-pipes-for.html

Sewage-Powered Hydrogen Fueling Station Opens in California (PC World)

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20097576-54/sewage-powered-hydrogen-fueling-station-opens-in-ca/

Ultra-Green Office Building Breaking Ground (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016016390_bullitt28.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Grant County - iFiber Builds New Studio for Channel 1 (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/tech/article_9b3fe192-cf68-11e0-bea6-001cc4c03286.html

Verizon Touts $94M Washington State Investment in 2011 (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/08/23/verizon-touts-94m-washington-state.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Diversity Lacking In Washington State Government, Analysis Finds (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016044439_gregoirediversity29m.html

GENERAL NEWS

Hurricane Irene Damage Could Reach Billions (Associated Press)

http://www.kirotv.com/weather/29012705/detail.html

NOAA Weather Satellites Are in Jeopardy - Critical Satellite to Hurricane Forecasts to Die in 2016 (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/weather/28963212/detail.html

Prisons Ask Facebook to Disable Inmate Accounts (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/WA-prisons-ask-Facebook-to-disable-inmate-accounts-128588233.html

DIVERSIONS

Hoquiam Rite Aid Greets First Shoplifter During Grand Opening

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3027

Slippery Thieves Net Trout Catch in Hatchery Heist

http://www.kirotv.com/news/28970312/detail.html

Man Accused Of Stuffing Snakes In Shorts

http://www.kirotv.com/news/28973184/detail.html

Buy $1M Engagement Ring From Costco?

http://www.kirotv.com/family/28990782/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Gary Lewis & the Playboys - This Diamond Ring

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPeUNxV4O1E