Energy News Digest for December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every one of you (now, that’s redundant) on the energy news digest distribution list. Be looking out next week for the year-end word of the day compendium. Have a wonderful holiday everyone.

The news digest will be wallowing in egg nog and holiday sentiment December 26 & 27, and will return on the 28th.

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

Do Not Tempt the Gods - Mayor, Pacific Gas & Electric Vow No Repeat of Candlestick Blackouts (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2017079709_apusstadiumpoweroutage.html

Wind Farm on North Vancouver Island Clears Hurdle (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Wind+farm+north+Island+clears+hurdle/5903606/story.html

Montana Blocks Out-Of-State Trout Egg Shipments (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017074304_apusmontanagovwildlifeshipments.html

Sprint Plans Upgrades for 176 Cell Sites in Washington (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://techflash.com/seattle/2011/12/sprint-plans-upgrades-for-176-3g-cell.html

Tri-Cities, Washington - Donations on Electric Bills Make Huge Difference (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndo.com/story/16382033/donations-on-electric-bills-make-huge-difference

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Do Not Tempt the Gods - Mayor, Pacific Gas & Electric Vow No Repeat of Candlestick Blackouts
• Energy Assistance Programs in Puget Sound Region
• Tri-Cities, Washington - Donations on Electric Bills Make Huge Difference
• Grant PUD Approves $497 Million Budget - 6.8 Percent Rate Increase (
• Idaho - Valley More Prepared for Blackouts: County Emphasizes Reliance on Neighbors & Backup Supplies
• Alleged Copper Thieves Thought They Had License to Steal, Literally
• Chelan PUD Board Spars over Twice-A-Month Schedule
• How Much Dam Energy Can We Get?
• Op/Ed - Nuclear Power: Generating Electricity & Jobs
• Electric Grid in Texas Faces Multiple Challenges - Will the lights stay on in 2012?
• More Trouble for Ameren Missouri's Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Plant
• Shale Boom May Help Lead US to Energy Independence
• NRECA Says EPA Too Hasty on Air Rule
• Montana Blocks Out-Of-State Trout Egg Shipments
• A Call to Protect Humble Fish, for Seabirds’ Sake
• Washington State Supreme Court Rules No Exempt Well Water Limit for Livestock
• Secret Santa Pays Off Water Bills for Six Poulsbo Customers
• Charities Give Christmas Gift of Water
• Wind Farm on North Vancouver Island Clears Hurdle
• Can California Meet Its Lofty Energy Goals?
• Flying Too Close to the Sun: German Solar Companies Fall on Hard Times
• South Carolina - US DOE Awards Massive Performance Contract For Biomass Project
• Consumers Have More Options to Reduce Energy Bills
• GigaOM’s Top Ten Green Stories of 2011
• Sprint Plans Upgrades for 176 Cell Sites in Washington
• Oregon Senator Ron Wyden Leaps into Middle of Internet Piracy Fight
• Go Daddy Hit with Backlash over Internet Legislation Support
• Internet Close to 220 Million Domain Names
• Missouri - Google Fiber Also Inspires Holiday Poetry
• Ten Things Our Kids Will Never Worry About Thanks to the Information Revolution
• Eight Arrested in East Lewis County Meth Operation
• There’s Nothing Jolly about It: Your Odds of Winding up in the Emergency Room Soar around Christmas
• Obama Issues Disaster Declaration for West Alaska
• Analysts Rank WSU Online Program Number Four in the US
• Battleship Iowa Prepares for Its Final Voyage
• One of Four Arlington Graves Still Require Verification

WORD OF THE DAY

Perquisite • \PER-kwuh-zut\ • Noun – 1: a privilege or profit made in addition to regular pay 2: gratuity, tip 3: something held or claimed as an exclusive right or possession

Andy was stubborn, his prerequisite to being hired at the energy marketing firm was having the perquisite of a “virtual world,” where he could have absolute power (“Bow down before Me!)…and escape from the trading desk where he would merely have an oligarch’s power. A subtle nuance, he knew, but a nuance he felt was worth fighting for. The “perk” was eventually granted, much to Andy’s satisfaction.

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

Do Not Tempt the Gods - Mayor, Pacific Gas & Electric Vow No Repeat of Candlestick Blackouts (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2017079709_apusstadiumpoweroutage.html

Energy Assistance Programs in Puget Sound Region (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Energy-assistance-programs-in-Puget-Sound-region-136106293.html

Tri-Cities, Washington - Donations on Electric Bills Make Huge Difference (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndo.com/story/16382033/donations-on-electric-bills-make-huge-difference

Grant PUD Approves $497 Million Budget - 6.8 Percent Rate Increase (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/22/ephrata/

Idaho - Valley More Prepared for Blackouts: County Emphasizes Reliance on Neighbors & Backup Supplies (Idaho Mountain Express, Sun Valley, ID)

http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005140041

Alleged Copper Thieves Thought They Had License to Steal, Literally (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/23/alleged-copper-thieves-thought-they-had-license/

Chelan PUD Board Spars over Twice-A-Month Schedule “…Of the 28 PUDs affiliated with the state PUD association…19 of them, not including Chelan, meet only twice monthly…” (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/22/pud-board-spars-over-twice-a-month-schedule-do/

How Much Dam Energy Can We Get? (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/how-much-dam-energy-can-we-get/

Op/Ed - Nuclear Power: Generating Electricity & Jobs (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/12/22/2321545/generating-electricity-and-jobs.html

Electric Grid in Texas Faces Multiple Challenges - Will the lights stay on in 2012? Texas electricity experts cannot say for certain (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/23/business/energy-environment/electric-grid-in-texas-faces-multiple-challenges.html

More Trouble for Ameren Missouri's Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Plant (St Louis Dispatch, MO)
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/more-trouble-for-ameren-s-taum-sauk-plant/article_3e850e06-2ce1-11e1-b336-0019bb30f31a.html

Shale Boom May Help Lead US to Energy Independence (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017075814_energy23.html

NRECA Says EPA Too Hasty on Air Rule (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/regulatory-watch/epa/nreca-says-epa-too-hasty-on-air-rule/37814

FISH & WILDLIFE

Montana Blocks Out-Of-State Trout Egg Shipments (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017074304_apusmontanagovwildlifeshipments.html

A Call to Protect Humble Fish, for Seabirds’ Sake (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/science/scientists-urge-protection-of-forage-fish-for-seabirds-sake.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Washington State Supreme Court Rules No Exempt Well Water Limit for Livestock (Associated Press)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Court-No-exempt-well-water-limit-for-livestock-136082508.html

Secret Santa Pays Off Water Bills for Six Poulsbo Customers (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Secret-Santa-pays-off-water-bills-for-6-Poulsbo-customers-136113808.html

Charities Give Christmas Gift of Water (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-12-20/clean-water-matt-damon-charity-christmas/52170462/1?csp=34news

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Wind Farm on North Vancouver Island Clears Hurdle (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Wind+farm+north+Island+clears+hurdle/5903606/story.html

Can California Meet Its Lofty Energy Goals? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Green-Economics/2011/1223/Can-California-meet-its-lofty-energy-goals

Flying Too Close to the Sun: German Solar Companies Fall on Hard Times (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2011/1222/Flying-too-close-to-the-sun-German-solar-companies-fall-on-hard-times

South Carolina - US DOE Awards Massive Performance Contract For Biomass Project (Biomass Magazine)

http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/6045/doe-awards-massive-performance-contract-for-biomass-project/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Consumers Have More Options to Reduce Energy Bills (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/story/2011-12-22/home-enegry-bills/52170058/1

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

GigaOM’s Top Ten Green Stories of 2011 (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/gigaoms-top-10-green-stories-of-2011/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Sprint Plans Upgrades for 176 Cell Sites in Washington (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://techflash.com/seattle/2011/12/sprint-plans-upgrades-for-176-3g-cell.html

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden Leaps into Middle of Internet Piracy Fight (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/12/wyden_in_middle_of_internet_pi.html

Go Daddy Hit with Backlash over Internet Legislation Support (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/go-daddy-hit-with-sopa-backlash/2011/12/23/gIQAJjneDP_story.html

Internet Close to 220 Million Domain Names (San Francisco Business Times)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2011/12/22/internet-close-to-220-million-domain.html

Missouri - Google Fiber Also Inspires Holiday Poetry (Kansas City Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2011/12/google-fiber-also-inspires-holiday.html

Ten Things Our Kids Will Never Worry About Thanks to the Information Revolution (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamthierer/2011/12/18/10-things-our-kids-will-never-worry-about-thanks-to-the-information-revolution/

GENERAL NEWS

Eight Arrested in East Lewis County Meth Operation (Associated Press)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/22/8-arrested-in-lewis-county-meth-operation/

There’s Nothing Jolly about It: Your Odds of Winding up in the Emergency Room Soar around Christmas (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Theres-nothing-jolly-about-it-your-odds-of-winding-up-in-the-emergency-room-soar-around-Christmas-136127498.html

Obama Issues Disaster Declaration for West Alaska (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017079781_apusakberingseastormdeclaration.html

Analysts Rank WSU Online Program Number Four in the US (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/12/22/1762322/education-analysts-rank-wsu-online.html

Battleship Iowa Prepares for Its Final Voyage (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/22/MNR61MFME6.DTL

One of Four Arlington Graves Still Require Verification (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2011-12-22/arlington-cemetery-report/52171962/1?csp=34news

DIVERSIONS

Good Grief - North Korea Reports Blinding Blue Flashes as Sky ‘Writhes in Grief’ over Kim Death

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-reports-blinding-blue-flashes-as-sky-writhes-in-grief-over-kim-death/2011/12/22/gIQA0lbkCP_story.html

Santa's Mastery of Science Creates Christmas Magic

http://www.wral.com/entertainment/holiday/story/10523973/

Are These The Sickest Stuffed Animals Ever? Now Artist Faces JAIL over Taxidermy

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2075978/The-nightmarish-hybrid-taxidermy-land-Franken-artist-jail.html

‘Ninja Cow’ Beguiles Nebraska Town

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/ninja-cow-beguiles-nebraska-town-162519267.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Ann & Nancy Wilson - Here is Christmas

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

Energy News Digest for December 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.

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

EPA Unveils 'Historic' Air Pollution Rules. Can Power Industry Cope? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1221/EPA-unveils-historic-air-pollution-rules.-Can-power-industry-cope

Environmental Groups Sue US over Flood Management - Concerns over Fish & Wildlife (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017066748_apwaflooddevelopmentlawsuit2ndldwritethru.html

Oregon - Initial Ocean Zoning Maps Hem in Wave Energy Developers (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

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

Federal Stimulus - Wireless Internet for Whole City, Port Angeles City Council Decides (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111222/news/312229989/wireless-internet-for-whole-city-port-angeles-city-council-decides

Christmas Could Be Turning Point in Washington State Weather (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017067862_apwachristmasweather.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• EPA Unveils 'Historic' Air Pollution Rules. Can Power Industry Cope?
• What the EPA’s New Rules on Coal-Plant Toxics Mean for the Pacific Northwest
• New EPA Rule on Coal Plant Pollution Adds Uncertainty to Future of Portland General Electric's Boardman Plant
• Feds Seeks Contractors for Emergency Gate Work at 980-MW McNary Dam
• Kittitas County PUD to Fix Issues without Outside Auditor
• Idaho Power Finishes Meter Upgrades
• Maryland - Pepco fined $1 million by Public Service Commission: Days after Asking for Rate Hike
• Massachusetts Governor Hits NStar on Outages - New demand could zap Northeast Utilities merger
• Federal Regulators Approve Nuclear Reactor Design for First New Plant in a Generation
• US Natural Gas Supplies Shrank Last Week
• Environmental Groups Sue US over Flood Management - Concerns over Fish & Wildlife
• Avista - Trucking Trout to Their Native Streams
• Arsenic-Laced Dirt Carted Off as Crews Replace Yards in North Everett
• LOTT Buys Olympia Brewery Land for Future Treatment Plant
• Oregon - Corps Estimates at Least $3.5 Million Needed to Repair Parts of Willamette Falls Locks
• Oregon - Initial Ocean Zoning Maps Hem in Wave Energy Developers
• Wind Developer Get Reprieve for Eastern Idaho Projects
• Minnesota Wind Turbine Project Prompts Federal Subsidy Battle
• California - Public Schools are Finding Learning Opportunities
• Maryland’s Chicken Poop: So Powerful it Can Electrify a Prison
• Save Energy, Unplug the Beer Fridge
• US Aids British Probe of Hacked Climate-Scientist Emails
• Carbon Emission Fees for Flights Upheld
• Seattle Building Solar Picnic Shelters With Your Donations
• Federal Stimulus - Wireless Internet for Whole City, Port Angeles City Council Decides
• More Than 1,000 Federal Data Center Closures Planned by 2015
• This Norwegian Data Center Is Built in a Cave and Cooled by Fjords
• Amazon Finalizes Deal to Open Two Centers in Tennessee
• Microsoft Pulling Out of Consumer Electronics Show after 2012 Event
• Rhapsody Tops 1 Million Subscribers in US
• China Hack of Chamber of Commerce Highlights ‘Spear-Phishing’ Dangers
• No Drama This Year over Holiday Displays Near Washington State Capitol Campus
• Christmas Could Be Turning Point in Washington State Weather
• Winter Solstice: Time to Celebrate Brighter Days Ahead
• King Tides Return to Western Washington
• Business Burglaries Plague Belfair; Detectives Net Suspect
• GEICO Overcharged 25,000 Customers, Gets Fined
• Astronomers Say Earth May Have Two Moons Right Now

WORD OF THE DAY

Pied–à–terre • \pee-yay-deh-TERR\ • Noun - A temporary or second lodging

“Excuse me, did you just say what I thought you said?” snorted the power supply manager of the New York resort community to the itinerant energy analyst. “Of course not,” came the short response. “I just said that you had so many customers with a vacation home, a ‘pied–à–terre,’ that a larger daily charge would help make up for their lower consumption. What did you think I said, something naughty?”

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

EPA Unveils 'Historic' Air Pollution Rules. Can Power Industry Cope? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1221/EPA-unveils-historic-air-pollution-rules.-Can-power-industry-cope

What the EPA’s New Rules on Coal-Plant Toxics Mean for the Pacific Northwest (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://earthfix.opb.org/energy/article/what-the-epas-new-rules-on-coal-plant-toxics-means/

New EPA Rule on Coal Plant Pollution Adds Uncertainty to Future of Portland General Electric's Boardman Plant (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/12/new_epa_rule_on_coal_plant_pol.html

Feds Seeks Contractors for Emergency Gate Work at 980-MW McNary Dam (HydroWorld)

http://www.hydroworld.com/index/display/article-display.articles.hrhrw.tendersandnotices.tenders.2011.12.u_s_-seeks_contractors0.html.html

Kittitas County PUD to Fix Issues without Outside Auditor (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/kittitas-county-pud-to-fix-issues-without-outside-auditor/article_524ae078-2c0a-11e1-959c-0019bb2963f4.html

Idaho Power Finishes Meter Upgrades (Twin Falls Times-News, ID)

http://magicvalley.com/news/local/twin-falls/idaho-power-finishes-meter-upgrades/article_faf88d7f-e039-5636-b0d9-c2f3936f6aa3.html

Maryland - Pepco fined $1 million by Public Service Commission: Days after Asking for Rate Hike (WJLA-TV, Washington, DC)

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/12/pepco-fined-1-million-by-public-service-commission-70620.html

Massachusetts Governor Hits NStar on Outages - New demand could zap Northeast Utilities merger (Boston Herald, MA)

http://bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1390364&position=0

Federal Regulators Approve Nuclear Reactor Design for First New Plant in a Generation (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/industries/federal-regulators-approve-nuclear-reactor-design-for-first-new-plant-in-a-generation/2011/12/22/gIQADRLbBP_story.html?wprss=rss_national

US Natural Gas Supplies Shrank Last Week (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/US-natural-gas-supplies-shrank-last-week-2419945.php

FISH & WILDLIFE

Environmental Groups Sue US over Flood Management - Concerns over Fish & Wildlife (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017066748_apwaflooddevelopmentlawsuit2ndldwritethru.html

Avista - Trucking Trout to Their Native Streams (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/trucking-the-trout-to-their-native-streams/?partner=rss&emc=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Arsenic-Laced Dirt Carted Off as Crews Replace Yards in North Everett (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111222/news01/712229940/-1/

LOTT Buys Olympia Brewery Land for Future Treatment Plant (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/22/1922309/lott-buys-brewery-land-for-future.html

Oregon - Corps Estimates at Least $3.5 Million Needed to Repair Parts of Willamette Falls Locks, But Other Problems Could Prevent Reopening (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/west-linn/index.ssf/2011/12/corps_estimates_at_least_35_mi.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon - Initial Ocean Zoning Maps Hem in Wave Energy Developers (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

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

Wind Developer Get Reprieve for Eastern Idaho Projects (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2011/12/22/rockybarker/wind_developer_get_repreive_eastern_idaho_projects

Minnesota Wind Turbine Project Prompts Federal Subsidy Battle (Scripps News Service)

http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/66228

California - Public Schools are Finding Learning Opportunities (Monterrey County Weekly, CA)

http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/2011/dec/22/bright-spots/

Maryland’s Chicken Poop: So Powerful it Can Electrify a Prison (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/rosenwald-md/post/marylands-chicken-poop-so-powerful-it-can-electrify-a-prison/2011/12/22/gIQARjCaBP_blog.html?wprss=rosenwald-md

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Save Energy, Unplug the Beer Fridge (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia)

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/save-energy-unplug-the-beer-fridge-20111221-1p5pb.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

US Aids British Probe of Hacked Climate-Scientist Emails (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2017066496_climatehacking21.html

Carbon Emission Fees for Flights Upheld (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/business/global/court-upholds-europes-plan-to-charge-airlines-for-carbon-emissions.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Seattle Building Solar Picnic Shelters With Your Donations (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=597724

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Federal Stimulus - Wireless Internet for Whole City, Port Angeles City Council Decides (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111222/news/312229989/wireless-internet-for-whole-city-port-angeles-city-council-decides

More Than 1,000 Federal Data Center Closures Planned by 2015 (Washington Business Journal, DC)

www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2011/12/more-than-1000-federal-data-center.html

This Norwegian Data Center Is Built in a Cave and Cooled by Fjords (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/5870367/this-norwegian-data-center-is-built-in-a-cave-and-cooled-by-fjords

Amazon Finalizes Deal to Open Two Centers in Tennessee (Associated Press)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/22/amazon-finalizes-deal-to-open-2-centers-in-tenn/

Microsoft Pulling Out of Consumer Electronics Show after 2012 Event (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/microsoft-pulling-out-of-consumer-electronics-show-after-2012-event/2011/12/21/gIQAC0uFAP_story.html?wprss=rss_technology

Rhapsody Tops 1 Million Subscribers in US (Associated Press)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-12-22/rhapsody-subscribers/52159318/1?csp=34tech

China Hack of Chamber of Commerce Highlights ‘Spear-Phishing’ Dangers (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/china-hack-of-chamber-of-commerce-highlights-spear-phishing-dangers/2011/12/21/gIQAia709O_story.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

No Drama This Year over Holiday Displays Near Washington State Capitol Campus (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/22/1954760/christians-jews-atheists-all-get.html

GENERAL NEWS

Christmas Could Be Turning Point in Washington State Weather (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017067862_apwachristmasweather.html

Winter Solstice: Time to Celebrate Brighter Days Ahead (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1222/Winter-solstice-time-to-celebrate-brighter-days-ahead

King Tides Return to Western Washington (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/King-tides-return-to-Western-Washington-136069253.html

Business Burglaries Plague Belfair; Detectives Net Suspect (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/dec/21/business-burglaries-plague-belfair-detectives/

GEICO Overcharged 25,000 Customers, Gets Fined (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/GEICO-overcharged-25-000-customers-gets-fined-2417829.php

Astronomers Say Earth May Have Two Moons Right Now - A big one and a tiny one (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/12/21/astronomers-say-earth-may-have-two-moons-right-now/

DIVERSIONS

NORAD Santa Trackers Stand by for Another Big Day

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/NORAD-Santa-trackers-stand-by-for-another-big-day-2419344.php

Margarine Still Missing After Stolen Truck Found

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017070185_apusmissingmargarine.html

Mistletoe Gets the Kiss-Off

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/garden/a-mistletoe-shortage-threatens-a-holiday-kissing-tradition.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Plump Passengers Prompt Change on Washington Ferries

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/21/plump-passengers-prompt-change-washington-ferries/

SONG OF THE DAY

Bette Midler - On a Slow Boat to China

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49wLAmd2INs