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.
THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER
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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES
More Heat to Sizzle Central United States - Heat Wave Breaks Records in 41 Cities (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)
Why America’s Power Grid is Weathering the Heat Wave - Several factors, including energy efficiency, have helped ease the load on the system (Christian Science Monitor)
Thieves Hit Bonneville Power Administration Substation in Tacoma; Reward Offered (Bonneville Power Administration)
California - Wind Farms Multiply, Fueling Clashes With Nearby Residents (Los Angeles Times, CA)
Group Gains OK from Oregon Secretary of State to Launch Non-Tribal Gill-Net Ban Initiative (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Why America’s Power Grid is Weathering the Heat Wave
- Another Reason We Need the Smart Grid: Record Heat
- Fish at Center of Wind Power Dispute
- Thieves Hit Bonneville Power Administration Substation in Tacoma; Reward Offered
- Idaho Decision on Avista Electricity, Natural Gas Rate Hikes Not Imminent
- Montana – Northwest Energy’s Rates Still near the Top
- Editorial - Contentious Montana Power Line Issue in Limbo
- Coos Bay in Running for Terminal to Export Coal to Asia; Other Port Candidates
- Bellingham Mayoral Candidates Stake Out Positions on (Coal) Cargo Terminal
- Massachusetts Union Supports Delay in NStar, Northeast Utilities Merger
- Energy Challenges for Post-Nuclear Germany
- Group Gains OK from Oregon Secretary of State to Launch Non-Tribal Gill-Net Ban Initiative
- Re-Introducing Chinook to Okanogan Basin; Another Proposal for an ESA ‘Experimental’ Designation
- Agency Wants Info on Okanogan River Chinook Salmon
- Kalispel Tribe Restoring Native Trout in Pend Oreille Tributary
- Lewis River Salmon & Steelhead Will Benefit from Two Fish Passage Projects
- Elwha River Reborn as Landscape Transforms
- Anderson Lake Toxin Levels Remain Lethal
- Yakima River Basin -- More Users, More Conflicts
- Yakima River Basin -- A New Water Era Begins
- Yakima River Basin -- Frequently Asked Water Questions
- Yakima River Basin -- A Timeline
- Oregon - Controversial Willow Creek Dam, Built to Prevent Repeat of Deadly 1903 Flood in Heppner, Saves the Day
- California - Wind Farms Multiply, Fueling Clashes With Nearby Residents
- California - Yolo County Drafts Measure to Protect Agricultural Lands from Solar Projects
- Wind Turbines Growing Taller & More Powerful
- Editorial - Not In My (Desert) Backyard, Either
- Oregon - State Must Buy Recreation Land to Compensate for Huge Solar Project Near Wilsonville
- Less Red Tape on Solar Projects Would Mean More Jobs, Study Says
- Project That Aids Tennessee Valley Authority Solar Program Hits Bump
- Editorial - Hydro Power Should be Allowed as Renewable Energy Source
- Clean Power’s New Best Friend: The Humble Hot Water Heater
- Wind Power Protests in Denmark? Blockade against Danish Test Centre for Giant Wind Turbines
- Climate One Panelists Say Consumers Would Conserve Energy if They Knew More about Their Daily Usage
- Australia - Combet Slams Attacks on Carbon Tax Plan
- Australia Considers Killing Camels for Carbon Credits
- Melting Arctic Ice Releasing Banned Toxins, Warn Scientists
- Brookings ‘Green Economy’ Report Undercounts Portland Jobs
- Are the Modest Sales of Electric Cars Encouraging?
- AAA to Offer Roadside Charging for Stalled Electric Vehicles
- Idahoan’s Idea to Pave Road in Solar Panels Gets Federal Funding
- SolarWorld-Powered Electric Airplane Debuts
- Composting Plant Vexes Rainier-Area Residents
- Couple Pioneers Green Lifestyle
- A Look Inside Facebook Seattle
- Montana - Fiber Optic Expansion Includes Flathead
- John Deere Fights Broadband That Disrupts GPS
- What Makes Millennials Click?
- Washington State Initiative Campaigns Each Spent $1 Million to Make Ballot
- Law May Give Inslee $1 Million Campaign Boost in Run for Washington State Governor
- Oregon Congressman Faces Calls to Resign After Accusations
- More Heat to Sizzle Central United States - Heat Wave Breaks Records in 41 Cities
- Security Camera System Malfunctions at Women’s’ Prison near Belfair
- Shelton Skin-Care Products Company Suddenly Closes
- Saturday Motorcycle Crash Blocks 101 Near Shelton for Hours
- Forest Fire Fee a Solution for Strapped Western States
- Nearly 300,000 Washington Drivers Suspended for Failure to Pay Tickets
- What Washington State City Gets to Work Earliest?
- From the “Get a Grip” Department - ‘Haboobs’ Stir Critics in Arizona
- AP Sources: NFL, Players Set on Terms of Deal
WORD OF THE DAY
Panache • \puh-NAWSH\ • Noun - 1: an ornamental tuft (as of feathers) especially on a helmet 2: dash or flamboyance in style and action: verve
The atmospheric scientist loved his work. Field trips to the eastern plains of Oregon to proclaim the dangers of the looming stacks of a coal-fired power plant; his espousing the dangers of particulates emitted from wood-burning power plants; all delivered with a soft, whispering voice that made his acolytes wonder why ANYONE would dare use such technologies. As an extra special touch of panache, the erstwhile professor would end each semester with a salmon barbeque feast served by his very own hands. Hands blackened and anointed by the billowing, greasy charcoal emissions from his $500 Char Griller Trio - Gas/Charcoal Grill and Smoker. Yum!
SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Why America’s Power Grid is Weathering the Heat Wave - Several factors, including energy efficiency, have helped ease the load on the system (Christian Science Monitor)
Another Reason We Need the Smart Grid: Record Heat (GigaOM)
Fish at Center of Wind Power Dispute - Water over the dam is no longer considered harmful to salmon, wind power advocates say (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)
Thieves Hit Bonneville Power Administration Substation in Tacoma; Reward Offered (Bonneville Power Administration)
Idaho Decision on Avista Electricity, Natural Gas Rate Hikes Not Imminent (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)
Montana – Northwest Energy’s Rates Still near the Top -- But Other Regional Utilities Creeping Upward (Billings Gazette, MT)
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_35cdb136-ca49-5a48-ba67-99038cbdbf53.html
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_35cdb136-ca49-5a48-ba67-99038cbdbf53.html
Editorial - Contentious Montana Power Line Issue in Limbo (Helena Independent Record, MT)
http://helenair.com/news/opinion/editorial/contentious-power-issue-in-limbo/article_fb1644aa-b5bc-11e0-9086-001cc4c03286.html
http://helenair.com/news/opinion/editorial/contentious-power-issue-in-limbo/article_fb1644aa-b5bc-11e0-9086-001cc4c03286.html
Coos Bay in Running for Terminal to Export Coal to Asia; Other Port Candidates (Oregonian, Portland)
Bellingham Mayoral Candidates Stake Out Positions on (Coal) Cargo Terminal (Bellingham Herald, WA)
Massachusetts Union Supports Delay in NStar, Northeast Utilities Merger (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015702713_apusnortheastutilitiesnstar.html
Energy Challenges for Post-Nuclear Germany (Public Radio International)
FISH & WILDLIFE
Group Gains OK from Oregon Secretary of State to Launch Non-Tribal Gill-Net Ban Initiative (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
Re-Introducing Chinook to Okanogan Basin; Another Proposal for an ESA ‘Experimental’ Designation (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
Agency Wants Info on Okanogan River Chinook Salmon (Courthouse News Service)
Kalispel Tribe Restoring Native Trout in Pend Oreille Tributary (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)
Lewis River Salmon & Steelhead Will Benefit from Two Fish Passage Projects (Seattle Times)
Elwha River Reborn as Landscape Transforms - The Elwha River is re-emerging as reservoirs are drawn down in preparation for the beginning of dam removal (Seattle Times)
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
Anderson Lake Toxin Levels Remain Lethal (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
Yakima River Basin -- More Users, More Conflicts (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)
Yakima River Basin -- A New Water Era Begins (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)
Yakima River Basin -- Frequently Asked Water Questions (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)
Yakima River Basin -- A Timeline (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)
Oregon - Controversial Willow Creek Dam, Built to Prevent Repeat of Deadly 1903 Flood in Heppner, Saves the Day (Oregonian, Portland)
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
California - Wind Farms Multiply, Fueling Clashes With Nearby Residents (Los Angeles Times, CA)
California - Yolo County Drafts Measure to Protect Agricultural Lands from Solar Projects (Sacramento Bee, CA)
Wind Turbines Growing Taller & More Powerful (Los Angeles Times, CA)
Editorial - Not In My (Desert) Backyard, Either (Midwest Energy News)
Oregon - State Must Buy Recreation Land to Compensate for Huge Solar Project Near Wilsonville (Oregonian, Portland)
Less Red Tape on Solar Projects Would Mean More Jobs, Study Says (Sacramento Bee, CA)
Project That Aids Tennessee Valley Authority Solar Program Hits Bump - Fewer customers pay extra on bills to fund program (The Tennessean, Nashville)
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110723/NEWS11/307230037/Project-aids-TVA-solar-program-hits-bump
Editorial - Hydro Power Should be Allowed as Renewable Energy Source (Daily Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
Clean Power’s New Best Friend: The Humble Hot Water Heater - Pilot includes: BPA, GridMobility, Mason PUD 3 & Allyn Technologies (GigaOM)
Wind Power Protests in Denmark? Blockade against Danish Test Centre for Giant Wind Turbines (WindWahn, Denmark)
CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY
Climate One Panelists Say Consumers Would Conserve Energy if They Knew More about Their Daily Usage (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Australia - Combet Slams Attacks on Carbon Tax Plan (Sydney Morning Herald, AUS)
Australia Considers Killing Camels for Carbon Credits (Environmental Leader)
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/06/10/australia-considers-killing-camels-for-carbon-credits/
Melting Arctic Ice Releasing Banned Toxins, Warn Scientists (The Guardian, UK)
BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI
Brookings ‘Green Economy’ Report Undercounts Portland Jobs (Sustainable Business Oregon)
Are the Modest Sales of Electric Cars Encouraging? (National Public Radio)
AAA to Offer Roadside Charging for Stalled Electric Vehicles (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Idahoan’s Idea to Pave Road in Solar Panels Gets Federal Funding (Northwest Public Radio)
SolarWorld-Powered Electric Airplane Debuts (Sustainable Business Oregon)
Composting Plant Vexes Rainier-Area Residents - Growth, permit violations, lack of roof lead to excessive odor, runoff problems (Olympian, WA)
Couple Pioneers Green Lifestyle (Salem Statesman Journal, OR – Ed Pet Peeve: you don’t install a “solar system” on top of your house. Unless it is very small, all the planets & central star(s) will crush it. A “solar energy system” seems much more practical & less heavy…without the eventual hazard of a black hole…)
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
A Look Inside Facebook Seattle (KING-TV, Seattle)
Montana - Fiber Optic Expansion Includes Flathead: Ronan company using federal money to expand fiber-optic lines (Daily Interlake, Kalispell, MT)
John Deere Fights Broadband That Disrupts GPS (USA Today)
What Makes Millennials Click? (GigaOM)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Washington State Initiative Campaigns Each Spent $1 Million to Make Ballot (Associated Press)
Law May Give Inslee $1 Million Campaign Boost in Run for Washington State Governor (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
Oregon Congressman Faces Calls to Resign After Accusations (Associated Press)
GENERAL NEWS
More Heat to Sizzle Central United States - Heat Wave Breaks Records in 41 Cities (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)
Security Camera System Malfunctions at Women’s’ Prison near Belfair (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
Shelton Skin-Care Products Company Suddenly Closes (Olympian, WA)
Saturday Motorcycle Crash Blocks 101 Near Shelton for Hours (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
Forest Fire Fee a Solution for Strapped Western States (Associated Press)
Nearly 300,000 Washington Drivers Suspended for Failure to Pay Tickets (Northwest Public Radio)
What Washington State City Gets to Work Earliest?
From the “Get a Grip” Department - ‘Haboobs’ Stir Critics in Arizona (NY Times – What’s next, we stop using the word “algebra”, or stop using the “Hindu-Arabic Numeral system?” Sheesh…)
AP Sources: NFL, Players Set on Terms of Deal (Associated Press)
DIVERSIONS
Medford Woman’s Beer-Based Soap Recipe Takes Off
Unsteady Forklift Smashes $1 Million Worth of Wine, and a Nation Mourns
Two Titles & Growing for Olympian’s Beard
Slick Thieves Make Off With Used Frying Oil
SONG OF THE DAY
Paul Davis - A Little Bit of Soap
