Energy News Digest for December 31, 2012

The energy news digest will be relaxing from its New Year’s Eve repast January 1, so no newsy tidbits until Wednesday. Meanwhile, best wishes to all for a most excellent 2013.

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

Hurricane Sandy Alters Utilities’ Calculus on Upgrades “…it is typically far cheaper for the company, & its customers, to skip the prevention measures & just clean up the mess afterward…” (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/29/business/hurricane-sandy-alters-utilities-calculus-on-upgrades.html?adxnnl=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Washington State Representative Wants State to Recognize Hydropower as Renewable Energy Resource (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/12/31/2221091/rep-haler-wants-state-to-recognize.html

Record Count - Sockeye Salmon by the Numbers (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/30/2418502/515700.html

Miles of Fish Recovery Fences in Northeastern Oregon Taking Toll on Wildlife, Critics Say (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/12/miles_of_fish_recovery_fences.html

Netflix Blames Amazon for Christmas Eve Outage (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/26/net-us-companies-netflix-idUSBRE8BO06H20121226

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Hurricane Sandy Alters Utilities’ Calculus on Upgrades
• Op/Ed - SMUD: Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds Shouldn’t Be in ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Talks
• Mason County PUD 3’s Mason Substation Rebuild Project continues in Downtown Shelton
• Cowlitz PUD Employees Give Local Food Banks a Major Boost
• Avista Warns of Employee Imposters
• Texas - Drizzle Mixing With Dust Leads to Power Outages across Area
• Maine - Brookfield Buying 19 Hydroelectric Dams
• Tennessee Valley Authority Says Nuke Plant is on Schedule
• Japan’s New Leader Endorses Nuclear Plants
• U-S Sailors Sue Japanese Utility over Radiation
• In Brazil, A River Dam Collides with the Past
• Record Count - Sockeye Salmon by the Numbers
• Miles of Fish Recovery Fences in Northeastern Oregon Taking Toll on Wildlife, Critics Say
• Dozens of Birds Killed at Long Beach – Beach Drivers Suspected
• Fish Stories - Just One Record in Ample Year
• Scarce Water Fuels Conflict over Future
• Ireland Has Some Awesome-Looking Water Towers
• Washington State Representative Wants State to Recognize Hydropower as Renewable Energy Resource
• Editorial - The Cost of Too Much Wind Rises
• Op/Ed - Biomass a Good Source of Renewable Energy
• Vermont Utility Calls for Moratorium on Renewable Energy Mandates
• North Carolina - Freeze Green-Energy Law, A GOP Leader Says
• Why Solar Costs More in the U-S than in Germany
• Greens Fight Power Line from Baja California Wind Farm
• Great Britain’s Wind Farm Turbines Wear Sooner Than Expected, Says Study
• 2013: A Tipping Year for Climate Change?
• Editorial - California’s Climate-Change Experiment
• Netflix Blames Amazon for Christmas Eve Outage
• Goliath Vs Goliath...Amazon Takes on Apple & Google
• FCC Paves the Way for Better In-Flight Broadband
• Google Fiber is Tech News Site’s Top Story of 2012
• Congressman Norm Dicks Busy in Last Days of 36-Year Career
• Headhunters for Hire - Inslee Hires Area Agency to Help Fill Cabinet
• Internal Review Says Washington State’s 911 Agency Wasted $700,000
• Nine Die When Bus Plunges Off Icy Oregon Highway
• Air Quality Concerns; Residents Asked to Reduce Burning
• Privatizing Liquor in Washington State Hasn’t Brought Price Down
• Op/Ed - Op-ed: Protect the Olympic Peninsula with the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild & Scenic Rivers Act
• Newspaper on Cape Cod Apologizes for a Veteran Reporter’s Fabrications
• Approaching Comet May Outshine the Moon

WORD OF THE DAY

Gustatory • \GUSS-tuh-tore-ee\ • Adjective - Relating to or associated with eating or the sense of taste.

Harvey’s Haggis Hut was all a-tremble with anticipation. The Scottish Highland Games were scheduled over the holidays in Saco, Montana. After the locals’ eschewing of the gustatory delights of the sheep-innards concoction, Harvey was hopeful that the arrival of the hale and hearty Scotsmen (and women) would turn things around…if they had the “stomach” for it. (Sorry about the double pun here)

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

Hurricane Sandy Alters Utilities’ Calculus on Upgrades “…it is typically far cheaper for the company, & its customers, to skip the prevention measures & just clean up the mess afterward…” (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/29/business/hurricane-sandy-alters-utilities-calculus-on-upgrades.html?adxnnl=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Op/Ed - SMUD: Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds Shouldn’t Be in ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Talks (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/29/5080924/tax-exempt-municipal-bonds-shouldnt.html

Mason County PUD 3’s Mason Substation Rebuild Project continues in Downtown Shelton (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1167

Cowlitz PUD Employees Give Local Food Banks a Major Boost (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-employees-give-local-food-banks-a-major-boost/article_ef1fa598-513c-11e2-8d31-0019bb2963f4.html

Avista Warns of Employee Imposters (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/28/avista-warns-employee-imposters/

Texas - Drizzle Mixing With Dust Leads to Power Outages across Area (Austin American-Statesman, TX)

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/drizzle-mixing-with-dust-leads-to-power-outages-ac/nThPm/

Maine - Brookfield Buying 19 Hydroelectric Dams (Power Engineering)

http://www.power-eng.com/news/2012/12/29/brookfield-buying-19-hydro-dams.html

Tennessee Valley Authority Says Nuke Plant is on Schedule (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/power-supply/power-plants/tva-says-nuke-plant-is-on-schedule/51145

Japan’s New Leader Endorses Nuclear Plants (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/31/world/asia/japans-new-prime-minister-backs-more-nuclear-plants.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

U-S Sailors Sue Japanese Utility over Radiation (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/28/fukushima-sailors-lawsuit/1797053/

In Brazil, A River Dam Collides with the Past (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-amazon-dam-20121230,0,2259355.story

FISH & WILDLIFE

Record Count - Sockeye Salmon by the Numbers (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/30/2418502/515700.html

Miles of Fish Recovery Fences in Northeastern Oregon Taking Toll on Wildlife, Critics Say (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/12/miles_of_fish_recovery_fences.html

Dozens of Birds Killed at Long Beach – Beach Drivers Suspected (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/dozens-of-birds-killed-at-long-beach/article_95f9a830-5252-11e2-ae99-0019bb2963f4.html

Fish Stories - Just One Record in Ample Year (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/30/just-one-record-in-le-year/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Scarce Water Fuels Conflict over Future (Bloomberg News)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Scarce-water-fuels-conflict-over-future-4154517.php

Ireland Has Some Awesome-Looking Water Towers (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/5972034/ireland-has-the-coolest+looking-water-towers

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Washington State Representative Wants State to Recognize Hydropower as Renewable Energy Resource (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/12/31/2221091/rep-haler-wants-state-to-recognize.html

Editorial - The Cost of Too Much Wind Rises (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/dec/29/the-cost-of-too-much-wind-rises/

Op/Ed - Biomass a Good Source of Renewable Energy (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, WA)

http://kpbj.com/business_daily/2012-12-31/biomass_a_good_source_of_renewable_energy

Vermont Utility Calls for Moratorium on Renewable Energy Mandates (WCAX-TV, Burlington, VT)

http://www.wcax.com/story/20445873/vt-utility-calls-for-moratorium-on-renewable-energy-mandates

North Carolina - Freeze Green-Energy Law, A GOP Leader Says (Charlotte Observer, NC)

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/12/30/3755431/freeze-nc-green-energy-law-a-gop.html

Why Solar Costs More in the U-S than in Germany (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2012/12/28/solar-cost-united-states-germany/

Greens Fight Power Line from Baja California Wind Farm (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/12/31/53514.htm

Great Britain’s Wind Farm Turbines Wear Sooner Than Expected, Says Study (The Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/9770837/Wind-farm-turbines-wear-sooner-than-expected-says-study.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

2013: A Tipping Year for Climate Change? (KPLU Radio, Tacoma, WA)

http://kplu.org/post/2013-tipping-year-climate-change

Editorial - California’s Climate-Change Experiment (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/californias-climate-change-experiment/2012/12/30/942d4c40-4fb5-11e2-839d-d54cc6e49b63_story.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Netflix Blames Amazon for Christmas Eve Outage (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/26/net-us-companies-netflix-idUSBRE8BO06H20121226

Goliath Vs Goliath...Amazon Takes on Apple & Google - Amazon wants to become a fully-fledged tech company up against Google & Apple (The Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9770827/Goliath-vs-Goliath...Amazon-takes-on-Apple-and-Google.html

FCC Paves the Way for Better In-Flight Broadband (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2012/1228/FCC-paves-the-way-for-better-in-flight-broadband

Google Fiber is Tech News Site’s Top Story of 2012 (Kansas City Business Journal, MO)

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2012/12/google-fiber-is-ars-technicas-top.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Congressman Norm Dicks Busy in Last Days of 36-Year Career (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020011545_dicks29m.html

Headhunters for Hire - Inslee Hires Area Agency to Help Fill Cabinet (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/29/2417493/inslee-hires-area-agency-to-help.html

Internal Review Says Washington State’s 911 Agency Wasted $700,000 (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020024599_911system31m.html

GENERAL NEWS

Nine Die When Bus Plunges Off Icy Oregon Highway (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020024725_oregonbuscrash31m.html

Air Quality Concerns; Residents Asked to Reduce Burning (Mason Web-TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/8807

Privatizing Liquor in Washington State Hasn’t Brought Price Down (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20121231/NEWS01/712319941

Op/Ed - Op-ed: Protect the Olympic Peninsula with the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild & Scenic Rivers Act (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2020010866_ralphmunroopedxml.html?syndication=rss

Newspaper on Cape Cod Apologizes for a Veteran Reporter’s Fabrications (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/29/us/cape-cod-paper-apologizes-for-reporters-misdeeds.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Approaching Comet May Outshine the Moon (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/28/us-space-comet-idUSBRE8BR0KQ20121228

DIVERSIONS

Calling All Design Geeks - These Pantone Color Swatch Scarves Can Match Anything

http://gizmodo.com/5972065/these-pantone-color-swatch-scarves-can-match-anything

Investigating the Anatomy of the Musical Earworm

http://www.npr.org/2012/12/30/168292517/investigating-the-anatomy-of-the-musical-earworm?ft=1&f=10

Man Eats Entire ‘Hobbit’ Menu at Denny’s in 20 Minutes

http://mashable.com/2012/12/29/dennys-hobbit/

Lake Superior State’s 38th List of Banished Words

http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2020025132_apusbannedwordslist.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Dj Skeptyk - Colors of the Rainbow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qh1Rw6S2nE

Energy News Digest for December 28, 2012

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

Chelan PUD Storm Cleanup Is in the Millions (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/dec/28/storm-cleanup-is-in-the-millions/

Developers of Wind Farms Run a Race against the Calendar (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/science/earth/wind-farm-developers-race-against-end-of-tax-credit.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Idaho Power Uses Cloud Seeding to Enhance Winter Snowpack (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

http://kuow.org/post/idaho-power-uses-cloud-seeding-enhance-winter-snowpack

Call Center Companies See Potential in Inland Pacific Northwest (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/12/call_center_operators_see_pote.html

Developers of Wind Farms Run a Race against the Calendar (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/science/earth/wind-farm-developers-race-against-end-of-tax-credit.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Chelan PUD Storm Cleanup Is in the Millions
• Idaho Power Uses Cloud Seeding to Enhance Winter Snowpack
• Clark Public Utilities Outgoing Commissioner: We Always Put Customers First
• Southern Company Faces Risks on Mississippi Clean Coal Power Plant
• Spring Chinook Forecast Almost Half Less of Last Year’s Return in Tributaries Above Bonneville Dam
• Hood Canal Council Faces Scrutiny from Mason County Commissioners
• Turning Christmas Trees into Salmon Habitat
• Oregon - Snapping Turtles Nearly Eradicated From Beaverton’s Koll Center Wetlands
• Mason County Boil Water Advisory Lifted
• EPA Chief Resigns: Declared Carbon Dioxide a Pollutant
• Developers of Wind Farms Run a Race against the Calendar
• Wind Energy: Boom Sputters as Industry Tax Credit is Set to Expire
• California - Panel Approves Biomass Project near Truckee
• Alaska - Biomass Saves Big Bucks to Heat, Power Rural Schools
• Ocean Energy Contenders Race to Market
• Carbon Taxes Make Ireland Even Greener
• GigaOM’s Top Ten Cleantech Posts of 2012
• Call Center Companies See Potential in Inland Pacific Northwest
• Our Broadband Coverage Maps Still Stink - Threatening Funding For Under-Connected States
• North Carolina among States Where Telecom Companies, Legislatures Limit Broadband, Bloomberg Reports
• Everyone Spent Christmas Day Activating Their Shiny New Gadgets & Downloading Apps
• Editorial - Norm Dicks: Embodiment of a Better Congress
• Washington State Lt. Governor Owen to Start Peace Talks in Senate Friday
• Storm Rakes Half of Nation; Arkansas Still Dark
• Washington Ending Year with Drier Weather
• Three Flu Deaths Already Reported in Washington State
• New Mason County Commissioner Neatherlin Sworn In
• Public Meetings for Managing Wilderness Areas in Olympic National Park
• Washington State Fines Insurance Company Aetna $1 Million
• Washington State’s Minimum Wage Goes Up on New Year’s Day
• Deep in the Woods, Pot Growing Thrives

WORD OF THE DAY

Thrall • \thrawl\ • Noun - 1a: a servant slave: bondman; also: serf b : a person in moral or mental servitude 2a: a state of servitude or submission b: a state of complete absorption

Terry Jacks singing

The earworm holds me in thrall

Save me; please help me

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

Chelan PUD Storm Cleanup Is in the Millions (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/dec/28/storm-cleanup-is-in-the-millions/

Idaho Power Uses Cloud Seeding to Enhance Winter Snowpack (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

http://kuow.org/post/idaho-power-uses-cloud-seeding-enhance-winter-snowpack

Clark Public Utilities Outgoing Commissioner: We Always Put Customers First (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/dec/27/qa-with-clark-public-utilities-carol-curtis-30-yea/

Southern Company Faces Risks on Mississippi Clean Coal Power Plant (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020004395_apmssouthernsbigbet.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Spring Chinook Forecast Almost Half Less of Last Year’s Return in Tributaries Above Bonneville Dam (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2020007372_spring_chinook_forecast_almost.html

Hood Canal Council Faces Scrutiny from Mason County Commissioners (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/dec/27/hood-canal-council-faces-scrutiny-from-mason/

Turning Christmas Trees into Salmon Habitat (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://ecotrope.opb.org/2012/12/giving-christmas-trees-to-salmon/

Oregon - Snapping Turtles Nearly Eradicated From Beaverton’s Koll Center Wetlands (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2012/12/snapping_turtles_nearly_eradic.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Mason County Boil Water Advisory Lifted (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4970

EPA Chief Resigns: Declared Carbon Dioxide a Pollutant (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2012/12/27/epa-administrator-resigns-declared-carbon-dioxide-a-pollutant/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Developers of Wind Farms Run a Race against the Calendar (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/science/earth/wind-farm-developers-race-against-end-of-tax-credit.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Wind Energy: Boom Sputters as Industry Tax Credit is Set to Expire (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2012/1228/Wind-energy-Boom-sputters-as-industry-tax-credit-is-set-to-expire

California - Panel Approves Biomass Project near Truckee (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/28/5079504/panel-approves-biomass-project.html

Alaska - Biomass Saves Big Bucks to Heat, Power Rural Schools (Alaska Journal of Commerce)

http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/December-Issue-1-2012/Biomass-saves-big-bucks-to-heat-power-rural-schools/

Ocean Energy Contenders Race to Market (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/12/ocean-energy-contenders-race-to-market?cmpid=WNL-Friday-December28-2012

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Carbon Taxes Make Ireland Even Greener (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/science/earth/in-ireland-carbon-taxes-pay-off.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

GigaOM’s Top Ten Cleantech Posts of 2012 (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/gigaoms-top-10-cleantech-posts-of-2012/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Call Center Companies See Potential in Inland Pacific Northwest (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/12/call_center_operators_see_pote.html

Our Broadband Coverage Maps Still Stink - Threatening Funding For Under-Connected States (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Our-Broadband-Coverage-Maps-Still-Stink-122560

North Carolina among States Where Telecom Companies, Legislatures Limit Broadband, Bloomberg Reports (Mountain Express, Ashville, NC)

http://www.mountainx.com/article/47580/North-Carolina-among-states-where-telecom-companies-legislatures-limit-broadband-Bloomberg-reports

Everyone Spent Christmas Day Activating Their Shiny New Gadgets & Downloading Apps (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2012/12/28/everyone-spent-christmas-day-activating-their-shiny-new-smartphones-tablets-downloading-apps/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Editorial - Norm Dicks: Embodiment of a Better Congress - To understand what Washington will lose when Norm Dicks leaves Congress five days from now, you have to meet the man (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/28/2416355/norm-dicks-embodiment-of-a-better.html

Washington State Lt. Governor Owen to Start Peace Talks in Senate Friday (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/27/2366309/lt-gov-owen-to-start-senate-peace.html

GENERAL NEWS

Storm Rakes Half of Nation; Arkansas Still Dark (Associated Press)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2012/12/28/storm-weather/1795557/

Washington Ending Year with Drier Weather (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2162776

Three Flu Deaths Already Reported in Washington State (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020003802_fludeaths28.html

New Mason County Commissioner Neatherlin Sworn In (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/8802

Public Meetings for Managing Wilderness Areas in Olympic National Park (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/46359-public-meetings-for-managing-wilderness-areas-in-onp

Washington State Fines Insurance Company Aetna $1 Million (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20121228/BIZ/712289928

Washington State’s Minimum Wage Goes Up on New Year’s Day (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/States-minimum-wage-goes-up-on-New-Years-Day-185054251.html

Deep in the Woods, Pot Growing Thrives (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/28/pot-marijuana-national-parks/1795477/

DIVERSIONS

So, You Find Certain Words Annoying? Whatever

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/27/us-poll-annoyingwords-idUSBRE8BQ0GZ20121227

Mason Now Top Boy Name in Washington; Sophia Still Tops for Girls

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Mason-now-most-popular-boy-baby-name-in-Washington-Sophia-still-tops-for-girls-184984991.html

Wild Dolphins Giving Gifts to Humans is a Real Thing That Happens

http://gizmodo.com/5971544/wild-dolphins-giving-gifts-to-humans-is-a-real-thing-that-happens

Judge Orders Parents Away from Daughter - To her, Mom & Dad are stalkers who tracked calls & keystrokes

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121225/NEWS0107/312230085/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Bee Gees – Words

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6glY4HPTeTY

Energy News Digest for December 27, 2012

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

Pacific Northwest Snowfall Eases Drought Concerns ... For Now (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/671801-8/snowfall-eases-drought-concerns-for-now

Climate Change Could Cut Western Water Runoff by Ten Percent (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-climate-change-water-supplies-20121226,0,5925540.story

Avista Electricity & Natural Gas Rate Hikes Approved for Next Two Years (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/26/avista-rate-hikes-approved-next-2-years/

Idaho Supreme Court sides with PacifiCorp in Tax Fight (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/12/idaho_supreme_court_sides_with.html

Rules Trap Former Pacific Power Customers in Catch 22 (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA)

http://union-bulletin.com/news/2012/dec/24/rules-trap-former-pacific-power-customers-in/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Avista Electricity & Natural Gas Rate Hikes Approved for Next Two Years
• Idaho Supreme Court sides with PacifiCorp in Tax Fight
• Rules Trap Former Pacific Power Customers in Catch 22
• Report Says Downed Puget Sound Energy Power Line Caused Pinehurst Home Explosion
• Highway 2 Open, Lake Wenatchee & Plain Power Mostly Restored
• Columbia River PUD Board Approves 2013 Budget
• Mason County PUD 3 Commissioner Bruce Jorgenson Sworn in for Fourth Term
• Emerald PUD Selects Kevin Parrish for Board Vacancy
• Ashton Reservoir - East Idaho Dam Set to Reopen After Work Project
• Ailing California Nuclear Power Plant Faces Questions on Restart
• New York - Con Ed Considers Flying Drones for Future Disaster Response
• Pepco’s Smart Meter Installation behind Schedule
• Marriage Leads to Demotion for Nashville Electric Service Utility Worker
• High Energy Costs Plaguing Europe
• Iran Media Report New Cyberattack by Stuxnet Worm – Targets Power Plant
• New Colville Tribal Hatchery to Boost Columbia Fish Production Starting this Spring
• Pacific Northwest Snowfall Eases Drought Concerns ... For Now
• EPA Administrator Jackson Announces Resignation
• British Columbia Offshore Wind Signs Up Siemens, and Hopes
• 2013: A Cloudy Forecast for Renewable Energy, With a Silver Lining
• North Carolina - Power Company Wants to Pay Less for Solar Energy
• Christmas Trees Will Be Recycled to Create Electricity for California Residents
• New York City’s Law Tracking Energy Use Yields Some Surprises
• Climate Change Could Cut Western Water Runoff by Ten Percent
• California Law Tests Company Responses to Carbon Costs
• Who’s Killing the Electric Car? Consumers
• Rules Urge Bigger Hybrid, Electric Car Signage to Protecting Firefighters, Tow-Truck Drivers
• Why Are U-S Firms Going ‘Green’: CEOs or Customers?
• ‘The Cloud’ Challenges Amazon
• Why Your Computer is Getting Cheaper but Your Broadband Bill Isn’t
• Owen to Broker Deal - Washington State’s Lieutenant Governor Plans Meeting Friday with Senate Dems, New Majority Coalition
• Eyman Readies Washington State I-517, Adding Six Months to Get Signatures
• Pacific Council Strikes Last-Minute Deal to Save City
• Early Snow Lays Thick Snowpack for Pacific NW Ski Resorts
• Mason County Unemployment Up
• Japan Tsunami’s Floating Debris to Keep Hitting the Pacific Coast This
• Oak Tree Restaurant & Casino Abruptly Closes - Struggling Business Promises to Reopen

WORD OF THE DAY

Mise-en-scène • \meez-awn-SENN\ • noun - 1a: the arrangement of actors and scenery on a stage for a theatrical production b: stage setting 2a: the physical setting of an action (as of a narrative or a motion picture): context b: environment, milieu

The utility’s accounting department had the misfortune to work for a supervisor whose hobbies included improv theater…based on “Star Trek’s” Klingon mythology. To the staff’s immense displeasure, the last day of each work week had been converted from casual Friday to the Klingon ritual “Rite of passage.”

At the start of each Friday, along employees dressing in costume, the board room was converted into a mise-en-scène of Klingon finery. Each employee, from the mail boy to the head accountant was required to chant “Today I am a Warrior. I must show you my heart. I travel the river of blood.” Thankfully, members of the gauntlet used rolled up newspapers to whack the participants as they fled the room, instead of traditional Klingon painsticks.

(I am ashamed I know even THIS much about Klingons)

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

Avista Electricity & Natural Gas Rate Hikes Approved for Next Two Years (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/26/avista-rate-hikes-approved-next-2-years/

Idaho Supreme Court sides with PacifiCorp in Tax Fight (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/12/idaho_supreme_court_sides_with.html

Rules Trap Former Pacific Power Customers in Catch 22 (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA)

http://union-bulletin.com/news/2012/dec/24/rules-trap-former-pacific-power-customers-in/

Report Says Downed Puget Sound Energy Power Line Caused Pinehurst Home Explosion (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Report-Downed-power-line-caused-2011-Pinehurst-home-explosion--184848351.html

Highway 2 Open, Lake Wenatchee & Plain Power Mostly Restored (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/dec/26/highway-2-now-open/

Columbia River PUD Board Approves 2013 Budget (Coast River Business Journal, Astoria, OR)

http://www.crbizjournal.com/news/article_27864966-4f88-11e2-9f4b-001a4bcf887a.html

Mason County PUD 3 Commissioner Bruce Jorgenson Sworn in for Fourth Term (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1165

Emerald PUD Selects Kevin Parrish for Board Vacancy (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/web/updates/29228360-46/parrish-board-hill-pleasant-business.html.csp

Ashton Reservoir - East Idaho Dam Set to Reopen After Work Project (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/25/2364746/e-idaho-dam-set-to-reopen-after.html

Ailing California Nuclear Power Plant Faces Questions on Restart (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019995365_apusnuclearplantproblems.html

New York - Con Ed Considers Flying Drones for Future Disaster Response (New York Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2012/12/26/con-ed-considers-flying-drones-disaster.html

Pepco’s Smart Meter Installation behind Schedule (Washington, D-C Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/morning_call/2012/12/pepcos-smart-meter-installation.html

Marriage Leads to Demotion for Nashville Electric Service Utility Worker (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2012/12/26/marriage-leads-to-demotion/1792691/

High Energy Costs Plaguing Europe (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/27/business/energy-environment/27iht-green27.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Iran Media Report New Cyberattack by Stuxnet Worm – Targets Power Plant (Associated Press)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2012/12/25/stuxnet-iran-cyberattack/1790327

FISH & WILDLIFE

New Colville Tribal Hatchery to Boost Columbia Fish Production Starting this Spring (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2019995483_new_colville_tribal_hatchery_t.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Pacific Northwest Snowfall Eases Drought Concerns ... For Now (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/671801-8/snowfall-eases-drought-concerns-for-now

EPA Administrator Jackson Announces Resignation (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/politics/2019999567_apusepaadministrator.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

British Columbia Offshore Wind Signs Up Siemens, and Hopes (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/namarchetti/164416/bc-offshore-wind-signs-siemens-and-hopes

2013: A Cloudy Forecast for Renewable Energy, With a Silver Lining (TIME Magazine)

http://science.time.com/2012/12/27/2013-a-cloudy-forecast-for-renewable-energy-with-a-silver-lining/

North Carolina - Power Company Wants to Pay Less for Solar Energy (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/energy/article/Power-company-wants-to-pay-less-for-solar-energy-4146537.php

Christmas Trees Will Be Recycled to Create Electricity for California Residents (KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA)

http://www.ksby.com/news/christmas-trees-will-be-recycled-to-create-electricity-for-california-residents/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

New York City’s Law Tracking Energy Use Yields Some Surprises (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/25/science/earth/new-york-citys-effort-to-track-energy-efficiency-yields-some-surprises.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Change Could Cut Western Water Runoff by Ten Percent (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-climate-change-water-supplies-20121226,0,5925540.story

California Law Tests Company Responses to Carbon Costs (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/25/business/energy-environment/california-manufacturers-weigh-costs-of-new-greenhouse-gas-rules.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Who’s Killing the Electric Car? Consumers (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2012/1227/Who-s-killing-the-electric-car-Consumers

Rules Urge Bigger Hybrid, Electric Car Signage to Protecting Firefighters, Tow-Truck Drivers (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2012/12/25/hybrid-electric-car-first-responder-firefighter-police-badging/1785597/

Why Are U-S Firms Going ‘Green’: CEOs or Customers? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2012/1226/Why-are-US-firms-going-green-CEOs-or-customers

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

‘The Cloud’ Challenges Amazon (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/27/technology/latest-netflix-disruption-highlights-challenges-of-cloud-computing.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Why Your Computer is Getting Cheaper but Your Broadband Bill Isn’t (Gigaom)

http://gigaom.com/2012/12/07/why-your-computer-is-getting-cheaper-but-your-broadband-bill-isnt/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Owen to Broker Deal - Washington State’s Lieutenant Governor Plans Meeting Friday with Senate Dems, New Majority Coalition (Washington State Wire)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/owen-to-broker-deal-lieutenant-governor-plans-meeting-friday-with-senate-dems-new-majority-coalition/

Eyman Readies Washington State I-517, Adding Six Months to Get Signatures (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/26/2365590/eyman-says-he-is-ready-to-file.html

Pacific Council Strikes Last-Minute Deal to Save City (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Pacific-council-strikes-last-minute-deal-to-save-city-184892601.html

GENERAL NEWS

Early Snow Lays Thick Snowpack for Pacific NW Ski Resorts (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019999573_apidsnowpackskiresorts.html

Mason County Unemployment Up (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/8789#more-8789

Japan Tsunami’s Floating Debris to Keep Hitting the Pacific Coast This Winter (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/5971389/fukushima-debris-to-keep-hitting-the-pacific-coast-this-winter

Oak Tree Restaurant & Casino Abruptly Closes - Struggling Business Promises to Reopen (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/dec/24/oak-tree-casino-abruptly-closes/

DIVERSIONS

Pizza-Flavored Beer - They’re Not Selling Just a Garden Variety Brew

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/17127916-418/campton-hills-couple-builds-their-brand-unusual-brew-to-be-featured-on-brit-tv.html

World’s Largest Gluten-Free Pizza Weighs 50,000 Pounds

http://grist.org/food/worlds-largest-gluten-free-pizza-weighs-50000-pounds/

City Government Busts Old-Timey Soda Fountain for Selling Old-Timey Candy Cigarettes

http://consumerist.com/2012/12/27/city-government-busts-old-timey-soda-fountain-for-selling-old-timey-candy-cigarettes/

Southern California Couple Unlawfully Wedded for 48 Years

http://news.yahoo.com/calif-couple-unlawfully-wedded-48-years-195012881.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Dean Martin - That's Amore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q22UBqZcB9g