Energy News Digest for September 30, 2011 (The Continental Edition)

The energy news digest will be off the air, making an across-the-pond visit October 3-17…returning October 18.

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

Grays Harbor PUD Lineman Stable, Recovering (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3170

August Capitol Campus Outage in Olympia Could Have Been Deadly (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/09/29/1820085/capitol-campus-outage-could-have.html

Natural Gas Explosion - Seattle City Light Disputes Fallen Line’s Role (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Seattle-City-Light-downplays-role-played-in-Seattle-gas-explosion-130818083.html

SolarWorld Reportedly Preparing Complaint Accusing China of Unfair Solar Trade (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/09/solarworld_reportedly_helping.html

Cap & Trade Wins California State Supreme Court Ruling (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/28/BARF1LAT96.DTL

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Grays Harbor PUD Lineman Stable, Recovering
• Lineman Shocked by Live Powerline in Aberdeen
• August Capitol Campus Outage in Olympia Could Have Been Deadly
• Natural Gas Explosion - Seattle City Light Disputes Fallen Line’s Role
• US Natural Gas Supplies Increased Last Week
• Help Prevent Future Lewis County Power Bill Sticker Shock
• Montana - Western Electricity Coordinating Council Affirms MSTI Transmission Line’s Path Rating
• Itron Welcomes France’s Decision to Deploy Smart Meters
• Puget Sound Coho Salmon Counts Up
• Oxygen Conditions Improve in Hood Canal
• Editorial - Brightwater Sewage-Treatment Plant More Than a Passing Fancy
• House GOP Looks to Curb EPA Rules on Concrete
• SolarWorld Reportedly Preparing Complaint Accusing China of Unfair Solar Trade
• Umatilla County to Discuss New Wind Farm
• Can The Wind Industry Survive Without Federal Tax Credits?
• Editorial - Biofuel Grants Show Promise for Region, Nation
• Environmentalists Cast Doubts on Biofuel Plans
• California - Solar Projects Bring Discontent to Farmers
• Cowlitz County to Start Efficiency Retrofit on County Buildings
• How Much Energy Do YOU Use Brewing A Pot Of Coffee & Toasting Bread?
• Cap & Trade Wins California State Supreme Court Ruling
• Canadian Arctic Nearly Loses Entire Ice Shelf
• Canadian Environment Minister Not Surprised by Projected Climate Change Costs
• United Kingdom - Are Americans Warming to the Threat of Climate Change?
• Putting the Carbon Emissions Genie Back In the Bottle
• Electric Vs. Gas Lawnmowers: Which Is Cheaper?
• Paris Readies Electric Car-Sharing Program
• Washington State School State Superintendent: More Cuts Will ‘Hurt Kids’
• Editorial - In Our View: A+ for Sonntag
• How Sam Reed Bent His Sword Against KIRO-TV
• Boeing 737 Nearly Flies Upside Down Due To All Nippon Co-Pilot Error
• Dozens Arrested In Drug Raid at Pennsylvania Boeing Plant
• Washington State Minimum Wage Likely Going Over $9 Hour
• City of Shelton Marijuana Garden Moratorium
• La Nina Set to Bring Another “Tougher” Winter to North Olympic Peninsula
• More Bad News for Bank Customers: Debit Card Fees
• Vancouver, WA Mom Who Tried To Sell Baby at Taco Bell to Be Freed

WORD OF THE DAY

Fenestration • \fenn-uh-STRAY-shun\ • Noun - 1: the arrangement, proportioning, & design of windows & doors in a building 2: an opening in a surface (as a wall or membrane)

Ok, say you live in a house that is completely made of glass, no walls, no shutters, nothing. Would you say that it is made up entirely of one fenestration…or none, and what about the door?

Just asking. Have a great day.

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 PUD Lineman Stable, Recovering (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3170

Lineman Shocked by Live Powerline in Aberdeen (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/29342470/detail.html

August Capitol Campus Outage in Olympia Could Have Been Deadly (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/09/29/1820085/capitol-campus-outage-could-have.html

Natural Gas Explosion - Seattle City Light Disputes Fallen Line’s Role (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Seattle-City-Light-downplays-role-played-in-Seattle-gas-explosion-130818083.html

US Natural Gas Supplies Increased Last Week (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/US-natural-gas-supplies-increased-last-week-2194890.php

Help Prevent Future Lewis County Power Bill Sticker Shock (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)                                                                                           

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2011/09/help-prevent-future-lewis-county-power.html

Montana - Western Electricity Coordinating Council Affirms MSTI Transmission Line’s Path Rating (PR Newswire)

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/western-electricity-coordinating-council-affirms-msti-transmission-lines-path-rating-130810113.html

Itron Welcomes France’s Decision to Deploy Smart Meters (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.meetering.2011.09.Itron_welcomes_the_France_s_decision_to_deploy_smart_meters_.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Puget Sound Coho Salmon Counts Up (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/sep/30/puget-sound-coho-counts-up/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oxygen Conditions Improve in Hood Canal (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/sep/29/oxygen-conditions-improve-in-hood-canal/

Editorial - Brightwater Sewage-Treatment Plant More Than a Passing Fancy (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2016360595_lance30a.html

House GOP Looks to Curb EPA Rules on Concrete (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-09-29/concrete-lobbying-EPA-regulation-GOP-Republicans/50611212/1?csp=34news

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

SolarWorld Reportedly Preparing Complaint Accusing China of Unfair Solar Trade (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/09/solarworld_reportedly_helping.html

Umatilla County to Discuss New Wind Farm (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/umatilla-county-to-discuss-new-wind-farm/article_20f3f37e-ea0c-11e0-9781-001cc4c002e0.html

Can The Wind Industry Survive Without Federal Tax Credits? (Grist Online)

http://www.grist.org/wind-power/2011-09-30-can-the-wind-industry-survive-without-federal-tax-credits

Editorial - Biofuel Grants Show Promise for Region, Nation (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/sep/30/editorial-biofuel-grants-show-promise-for-region/

Environmentalists Cast Doubts on Biofuel Plans (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016349230_biofuels29m.html

California - Solar Projects Bring Discontent to Farmers (Imperial Valley Press, El Centro, CA)

http://www.ivpressonline.com/news/ivp-solar-projects-bring-discontent-to-farmers-20110929,0,7369951.story

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Cowlitz County to Start Efficiency Retrofit on County Buildings (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_7b0587dc-eb02-11e0-b546-001cc4c002e0.html

How Much Energy Do YOU Use Brewing A Pot Of Coffee & Toasting Bread? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jimpierobon/66368/how-much-energy-do-you-use-brewing-pot-coffee-and-toasting-6-slices-bread

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Cap & Trade Wins California State Supreme Court Ruling (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/28/BARF1LAT96.DTL

Canadian Arctic Nearly Loses Entire Ice Shelf (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016366486_apcncanadaarcticice.html

Canadian Environment Minister Not Surprised by Projected Climate Change Costs (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Climate+change+could+cost+Canada+billions+report/5476473/story.html

United Kingdom - Are Americans Warming to the Threat of Climate Change? (The Daily Telegraph, UK)

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/geoffreylean/100108414/are-americans-warming-to-the-threat-of-climate-change/

Putting the Carbon Emissions Genie Back In the Bottle (Gigaom)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/putting-the-carbon-emissions-genie-back-in-the-bottle/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Electric Vs. Gas Lawnmowers: Which Is Cheaper? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Simple-Dollar/2011/0929/Electric-vs.-gas-lawnmowers-Which-is-cheaper

Paris Readies Electric Car-Sharing Program (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Paris-readies-electric-car-sharing-program-2196477.php

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State School State Superintendent: More Cuts Will ‘Hurt Kids’ (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130818663.html

Editorial - In Our View: A+ for Sonntag: State auditor will leave lasting benefits when he retires next year (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/sep/29/a-for-sonntag/

How Sam Reed Bent His Sword Against KIRO-TV (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2011/09/30/media/21360/How-Sam-Reed-bent-his-sword-against-KIRO-TV/

GENERAL NEWS

Boeing 737 Nearly Flies Upside Down Due To All Nippon Co-Pilot Error (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/29344744/detail.html

Dozens Arrested In Drug Raid at Pennsylvania Boeing Plant (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016355127_apusaircraftplantraid.html

Washington State Minimum Wage Likely Going Over $9 Hour (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/WA-minimum-wage-likely-going-over-9-hour--130827108.html

City of Shelton Marijuana Garden Moratorium (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/15438-marijuana-garden-moratorium

La Nina Set to Bring Another “Tougher” Winter to North Olympic Peninsula (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/7270

More Bad News for Bank Customers: Debit Card Fees (Associated Press)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/09/30/1845877/more-bad-news-for-bank-customers.html

Vancouver, WA Mom Who Tried To Sell Baby at Taco Bell to Be Freed (NW Cable News Network)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/mom-tried-to-sell-baby-Taco-Bell-freed-130850303.html

DIVERSIONS

Is This Chicken Too Sexy? PETA Thinks So.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/is-this-chicken-too-sexy-peta-thinks-so-2572348/

Man Who Fled Up Tree Arrested After 9-Hour Standoff

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130847453.html

Two-Faced Cat Lives 12 Years, Sets Record

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/sep/30/two-faced-cat-lives-12-years-sets-record/

SONG OF THE DAY

Jimi Hendrix - The Wind Cries Mary

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

The Abridged Energy News Digest for September 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

Columbia Generating Station - Nuclear Plant Back on Grid Just as Its Future Is Debated (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/nuclear_plant_back_on_grid_just_as_its_future_is_debated/

US, Canada Ponder Terms for Shared Columbia River (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/u.s._canada_ponder_terms_for_shared_columbia_river/

Oregon - Seneca’s Biomass Plant Near Eugene Fails First Pollution Test: An environmental agency fines the company $9,856, but says the emissions pose no threat to human health (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/26942508-41/plant-seneca-nitrogen-pollution-emissions.html.csp

Official Hears Arguments over Proposed Vancouver, WA Biomass Plant (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/sep/28/Official-hears-biomass-plant-arguments-vancouver/

Data Center Campus Joins Existing Quincy, Washington Centers “…take advantage of central Washington's low-cost hydropower from Columbia River dams…” (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/09/28/1818399/data-center-campus-joins-existing.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Columbia Generating Station - Nuclear Plant Back on Grid Just as Its Future Is Debated
• US, Canada Ponder Terms for Shared Columbia River
• Substations Swapping Out Copper Wire for Less Valuable Substitute
• Two More Underground Gas Leaks Found Near Seattle-Area Home Explosion
• Editorial – Electricity Rates: OTEC Equality
• New York - Con Edison's 100th Substation Wins LEED Certification
• Glendale Water & Power Completes Itron Smart Meter Installation
• A Rush of Data from Removal of Dams on Elwha, White Salmon
• Watching the Decline of Oxygen in Hood Canal
• Congress: Doc Hastings Takes Aim at 'Ocean Zoning'
• If You Don't Clean Up after Dogs, You Contribute to Pollution, Residents Told
• Oregon - Seneca’s Biomass Plant Near Eugene Fails First Pollution Test
• Official Hears Arguments over Proposed Vancouver, WA Biomass Plant
• Imperium Renewables Awarded by USDA Program
• Sixth Annual Clallam County Solar Tour Set
• Solar Energy Isn't as Green as It Used to Be
• Interiors: Wood-Burning Stoves Back In Style
• British Columbia Truckers Aim to Earn Carbon Credits through Fuel-Saving Program
• Turning a Pile of Logging Slash Into Fuel
• Rainwater Industry Goes Beyond the Barrel in Portland
• Inside Seattle's Super-Eco Homes
• Green Homes: Where the Floors Are Made of Recycled Toilets
• Data Center Campus Joins Existing Quincy, Washington Centers
• Google Inc. plans to build 3 data centers in Asia for $200 million
• FCC Sued Over New Internet Rules
• Check Out the Future of Wi-Fi - Gigabit Speeds
• Washington State Retirees Plan to Sue for Return of Cost-Of-Living Adjustments
• Road Pain: How Federal Cuts Will Hurt Northwest Towns, Rural Areas
• Cramped in Coach, or the Science of Sleep

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

Columbia Generating Station - Nuclear Plant Back on Grid Just as Its Future Is Debated (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/nuclear_plant_back_on_grid_just_as_its_future_is_debated/

US, Canada Ponder Terms for Shared Columbia River (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/u.s._canada_ponder_terms_for_shared_columbia_river/

Substations Swapping Out Copper Wire for Less Valuable Substitute (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130744973.html

Two More Underground Gas Leaks Found Near Seattle-Area Home Explosion (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/2-more-gas-leaks-found-near-home-130731648.html

Editorial – Electricity Rates: OTEC Equality (Baker City Herald, OR)

http://www.bakercityherald.com/Editorials/OTEC-equality

New York - Con Edison's 100th Substation Wins LEED Certification (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.energy-efficiency.2011.09.Con_Edison_s_100th_substation_wins_LEED_certification.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

Glendale Water & Power completes Itron smart meter installation (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.meetering.2011.09.Glendale_Water___Power_completes_Itron_smart_meter_installation.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

A Rush of Data from Removal of Dams on Elwha, White Salmon (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/09/27/a-rush-of-data-from-removal-of-dams-on-elwha-white-salmon

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Watching the Decline of Oxygen in Hood Canal (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2011/09/27/watching-the-decline-of-oxygen-in-hood-canal/

Congress: Doc Hastings Takes Aim at 'Ocean Zoning' (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/09/28/1659469/congress-hastings-takes-aim-at.html

If You Don't Clean Up after Dogs, You Contribute to Pollution, Residents Told (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/09/28/1818763/if-you-dont-clean-up-after-dogs.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon - Seneca’s Biomass Plant Near Eugene Fails First Pollution Test: An environmental agency fines the company $9,856, but says the emissions pose no threat to human health (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/26942508-41/plant-seneca-nitrogen-pollution-emissions.html.csp

Official Hears Arguments over Proposed Vancouver, WA Biomass Plant (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/sep/28/Official-hears-biomass-plant-arguments-vancouver/

Imperium Renewables Awarded by USDA Program (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3158

Sixth Annual Clallam County Solar Tour Set (Sequim Gazette, WA)

http://search.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2011-09-28_sixth_annual_clallam_county_solar_tour_set

Solar Energy Isn't as Green as It Used to Be - The solar market has plummeted, stalling green projects (The Morning Call, Allentown, PA)
http://articles.mcall.com/2011-09-28/news/mc-bethlehem-historic-solar-cost-20110928_1_solar-market-solar-power-alternative-energy-systems

Interiors: Wood-burning stoves back in style (Freeport Journal Standard, IL)

http://www.journalstandard.com/mysource/home_and_garden/x26171288/Interiors-Wood-burning-stoves-back-in-style

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

British Columbia Truckers Aim to Earn Carbon Credits through Fuel-Saving Program (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/truckers+earn+carbon+credits+through+fuel+saving+program/5467322/story.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Turning a Pile of Logging Slash Into Fuel (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Biofuel-from-trees--Govt-bets-80-million-to-say-it-does--130747933.html

Rainwater Industry Goes Beyond the Barrel in Portland (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/rainwater-industry-goes-beyond-barrel-portland/

Inside Seattle's Super-Eco Homes (Seattle Magazine)

http://www.seattlemag.com/article/lifestyle/home-garden/inside-seattles-super-eco-homes

Green Homes: Where the Floors Are Made of Recycled Toilets (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://ecotrope.opb.org/2011/09/green-homes-where-the-floors-are-made-of-recycled-toilets/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Data Center Campus Joins Existing Quincy, Washington Centers “…take advantage of central Washington's low-cost hydropower from Columbia River dams…” (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/09/28/1818399/data-center-campus-joins-existing.html

Google Inc. plans to build 3 data centers in Asia for $200 million (SF Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2011/09/28/google-to-build-3-data-centers-asia.html

FCC Sued Over New Internet Rules (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/09/28/financial/f134507D37.DTL

Check Out the Future of Wi-Fi - Gigabit Speeds (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2011/09/29/check-out-the-future-of-wi-fi-gigabit-speeds/

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Retirees Plan to Sue for Return of Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/09/28/1842917/state-retirees-plan-to-sue-for.html

Road Pain: How Federal Cuts Will Hurt Northwest Towns, Rural Areas (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2011/09/27/west/21346/Road-pain:-How-federal-cuts-will-hurt-Northwest-towns%2C-rural-areas/

Cramped in Coach, or the Science of Sleep (NY Times)

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/cramped-in-coach-or-the-science-of-sleep/?hpw

Energy News Digest for September 28, 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 Nuclear Power Plant Back On Grid (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/09/28/1659298/nuclear-plant-back-on-grid-after.html

How A Fallen Tree Can Make A House Explode - The electrical arcing that Puget Sound Energy says caused a natural-gas explosion on Monday (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016337715_gasleakexplain28m.html

Electrical Utility Sued After Massive Texas Wildfire (Associated Press)

http://mynorthwest.com/15/553334/Power-utility-sued-after-massive-Texas-wildfire

Renewable Energy Corporation to Assess Permanent Closedown of Parts of the Production Capacity in Norway (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/28/idUS51167+28-Sep-2011+HUG20110928

Public Hearing on Simpson Lumber Company’s Waterfront Air Quality Permit (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/15275-public-hearing-simpson-timber

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Energy Northwest Nuclear Power Plant Back On Grid
• How A Fallen Tree Can Make A House Explode
• Electrical Utility Sued After Massive Texas Wildfire
• Texas - Utility Tree-Cutting Challenges in Bastrop County
• Grant County PUD Commissioners Approve Rate Increase Distribution
• Oregon – Forest Grove Power Costs Get Passed Along
• Mason County PUD No. 3 to Purchase Renewable Energy Credits
• Should Florida Power & Light Customers Pre-Pay For Nuclear Energy Plants?
• Group Backs New Standard Following Connecticut Power Plant Blast
• California - Call for Caution on State Energy Tax Breaks
• In North Dakota, Flames of Wasted Natural Gas Light the Prairie
• Northern Pikeminnow Reward Program on Columbia River Extended
• Elwha River Flows Freely Past Destroyed Dam Portion
• Busting Up Klamath River Dams Could Be Boon to Tribes & Salmon
• Hatchery Steelhead Opens on Columbia River
• Olympic National Forest Clearcuts Sought in Exchange for Wild Olympics
• Fluoride Question Will be Floated to Port Orchard Water Customers
• Editorial - Howard Hanson, A Dam Site Better
• Renewable Energy Corporation to Assess Permanent Closedown of Parts of the Production Capacity in Norway
• Judge Refuses To Extend Sale Timeline for Solyndra
• NY Power Authority Trustees Vote to End Proposed Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project
• Three Maine Wood Pellet Producers Receive Biofuel Grants
• Farmers Harvesting the Power of Solar Energy
• Ductless Heat Pumps Get a Northwest Push
• Kitsap County Farmers, Others in ‘Food Chain’ Can Get Free Energy Audits
• California - Bridgelux Cuts Jobs, Shifts Focus in How It Makes LED Systems
• Smart Energy: Kitchen Appliances That Save You ‘Green’
• UW, WSU to Receive $80 Million to Develop Biofuels
• Census Data: Portland Region Still Car-Dependent, Despite Bike & Public Transit Commuting
• Report Says Vehicle Fuel Should Be the Priority, Not Electricity
• Amazon.com Unveils Kindle Fire Tablet to rival iPad
• Google+ Rockets on Search-Engine Promo
• Survey Sees Major Expansion of World’s Data Centers
• Liquor Battle Already Approaching Total Cash Raised in Last Year’s I-1100 Fight
• Public Hearing on Simpson Lumber Company’s Waterfront Air Quality Permit
• First Lawsuit Filed In Columbia River I-5 Bridge Project
• US Ambassador Gary Locke Admired, Reviled in China

WORD OF THE DAY

Redoubt • \ri-ˈDOW-T\ • Noun - 1a: a small usually temporary enclosed defensive work b: a defended position: protective barrier 2: a secure retreat: stronghold

A snow fort, a blue woolen blanket draped over a folding card table, barriers made out of couch cushions. Seems like the redoubts we made as children were much more comforting and safe than the cubicle walls that now enclose our daily lives.

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 Nuclear Power Plant Back On Grid (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/09/28/1659298/nuclear-plant-back-on-grid-after.html

How A Fallen Tree Can Make A House Explode - The electrical arcing that Puget Sound Energy says caused a natural-gas explosion on Monday (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016337715_gasleakexplain28m.html

Electrical Utility Sued After Massive Texas Wildfire (Associated Press)

http://mynorthwest.com/15/553334/Power-utility-sued-after-massive-Texas-wildfire

Texas - Utility Tree-Cutting Challenges in Bastrop County: Trees Cut on Private Property, Upsetting Some (KXAN-TV, Austin, TX)

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/tree-cutting-challenges-in-bastrop-co.

Grant County PUD Commissioners Approve Rate Increase Distribution (Grant County PUD)

http://www.gcpud.org/yourPud/newsRoom/newsreleases/2011/092711%20Revenue%20Increase.html

Oregon – Forest Grove Power Costs Get Passed Along (Forest Grove Times, OR)

http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=131717711555703900

Mason County PUD No. 3 to Purchase Renewable Energy Credits (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/15276-renewable-energy-purchased

Should Florida Power & Light Customers Pre-Pay For Nuclear Energy Plants? (Palm Beach Post, FL)

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/sep/27/should-fpl-customers-pre-pay-for-nuclear-plants/

Group Backs New Standard Following Connecticut Power Plant Blast (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016333326_apuspowerplantexplosion.html

California - Call for Caution on State Energy Tax Breaks (Bloomberg News)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/27/BUJC1LAB2E.DTL

In North Dakota, Flames of Wasted Natural Gas Light the Prairie (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/business/energy-environment/in-north-dakota-wasted-natural-gas-flickers-against-the-sky.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Northern Pikeminnow Reward Program on Columbia River Extended (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2016336670_northern_pikeminnow_reward_pro.html?syndication=rss

Elwha River Flows Freely Past Destroyed Dam Portion (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110928/NEWS/309289984/elwha-river-flows-freely-past-destroyed-dam-portion

Busting Up Klamath River Dams Could Be Boon to Tribes & Salmon (Indian Country)

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/09/busting-up-klamath-river-dams-could-be-boon-to-tribes-and-salmon/

Hatchery Steelhead Opens on Columbia River (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/sep/27/hatchery-steelhead-opens-on-local-rivers/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Olympic National Forest Clearcuts Sought in Exchange for Wild Olympics (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110928/news/309289994/olympic-national-forest-clearcuts-sought-in-exchange-for-wild-olympics

Fluoride Question Will be Floated to Port Orchard Water Customers (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/sep/27/fluoride-question-will-be-floated-to-port-water/

Editorial - Howard Hanson, A Dam Site Better (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2016336524_edit28corps.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Renewable Energy Corporation to Assess Permanent Closedown of Parts of the Production Capacity in Norway (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/28/idUS51167+28-Sep-2011+HUG20110928

Judge Refuses To Extend Sale Timeline for Solyndra (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016332351_apussolyndrabankruptcy.html

NY Power Authority Trustees Vote to End Proposed Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project (New York Power Authority)

http://www.nypa.gov/Press/2011/110927b.html

Three Maine Wood Pellet Producers Receive Biofuel Grants (Bangor Daily News, ME)

http://bangordailynews.com/2011/09/27/business/three-maine-wood-pellet-producers-receive-biofuel-grants/?ref=latest

Farmers Harvesting the Power of Solar Energy (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/energynow/66136/farmers-harvesting-power-solar-energy

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Ductless Heat Pumps Get a Northwest Push (Oregon Public Radio)

http://earthfix.opb.org/energy/article/northwest-power-users-contemplate-ways-to-save-mon/

Kitsap County Farmers, Others in ‘Food Chain’ Can Get Free Energy Audits (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/sep/26/farmers-others-in-food-chain-can-get-free-energy/

California - Bridgelux Cuts Jobs, Shifts Focus in How It Makes LED Systems (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_18989405

Smart Energy: Kitchen Appliances That Save You ‘Green’ (North Jersey.Com)

http://www.northjersey.com/community/house_gardening/130488843_Smart_Energy__Kitchen_appliances_that_save_you__green_.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

UW, WSU to Receive $80 Million to Develop Biofuels (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/UW-WSU-to-receive-80-million-to-develop-biofuels-130699408.html

Census Data: Portland Region Still Car-Dependent, Despite Bike & Public Transit Commuting (Oregonian, Portland)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/09/census_data_portland_region_st.html

Report Says Vehicle Fuel Should Be the Priority, Not Electricity (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/transportation-fuel-challenge-dogs-the-u-s/?partner=rss&emc=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Amazon.com Unveils Kindle Fire Tablet to rival iPad (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Amazoncom-unveils-Kindle-Fire-tablet-to-rival-iPad-130700398.html

Google+ Rockets on Search-Engine Promo (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-09-27/google-popularity-increases/50574872/1?csp=34tech

Survey Sees Major Expansion of World’s Data Centers (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/technology/worlds-data-centers-expected-to-grow-survey-says.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Liquor Battle Already Approaching Total Cash Raised in Last Year’s I-1100 Fight (Publicola)

http://publicola.com/2011/09/20/liquor-battle-already-approaching-total-cash-raised-in-last-years-i-1100-fight/

GENERAL NEWS

Public Hearing on Simpson Lumber Company’s Waterfront Air Quality Permit (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/15275-public-hearing-simpson-timber

First Lawsuit Filed In Columbia River I-5 Bridge Project (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130701378.html

US Ambassador Gary Locke Admired, Reviled in China (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016335870_locke28.html

DIVERSIONS

Seattle Band Heart Nominated for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=553230

Sleepbox Is a Tiny Hotel Room for Airport Layovers

http://gizmodo.com/5840904/sleepbox-is-a-tiny-hotel-room-for-airport-layovers

Sorry for Your (Job) Loss - Hallmark Unveils Sympathy Card Line for Layoffs

http://www.kirotv.com/money/29314990/detail.html

Massive Silver Haul Found On Shipwreck - British Steamship Sunk By German U-Boat

http://www.kirotv.com/news/29305583/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Heart - Even It Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLhxF-Un39k&ob=av2n