Energy News Digest for December 31, 2013

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for December 31, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/12/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_31.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Microsoft, Amazon Propel Washington to Most Innovative State – “…Washington State arguably owns the cloud…” (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-19/microsoft-amazon-propel-washington-to-most-innovative-state.html

Study Looking for Gaps in Web Access on North Olympic Peninsula (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131231/NEWS/312319988/study-looking-for-gaps-in-web-access-on-north-olympic-peninsula

Home Electricity Use Plummets: Five Reasons Why (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2013/12/home_electricity_use_plummets.html

Wind’s Tax Credit Winds Down, But Debate at Full Force (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/1230/Wind-s-tax-credit-winds-down-but-debate-at-full-force

When it Comes to Our Need for Electricity, Reliability is Essential (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/mzconsulting/322286/when-it-comes-our-need-electricity-reliability-essential

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• When it Comes to Our Need for Electricity, Reliability is Essential
• Portland General Electric Scammers Target Small Business Owners
• Oregon: Lane Electric Bills Rise 5.2 Percent
• Montana Power Co-Op Members Seek to Hasten Break-Up
• California Utility Regulator Talks Renewable Energy, Safety & More
• Lighting the Rural Countryside since the 1930s - Part II in a Series
• Germany’s Energy Goes Kaput, Threatening Economic Stability
• United Kingdom: Community Offer for Hydro Power
• Smelt Could Be Back on the Menu for Local Fishers
• Proposed Alaska Copper Mine Might Boost One Vital Export, But Hurt Another
• Controversial Idaho Hunting Contest Ends with No Wolves Killed
• For Long-Billed Curlew, a Dangerous Life
• Wind’s Tax Credit Winds Down, But Debate at Full Force
• Where is the U-S Wind Energy Sector Headed?
• Monroe Biogas Firm Powers Up
• Wind-Farm Operations Improperly Curtailed by Duke Energy Indiana, Suit Claims
• Home Electricity Use Plummets: Five Reasons Why
• Home Electricity Use in U-S Falling to 2001 Levels
• Lights Dim on Traditional Bulbs
• U-S DOE Rejects Microwave Oven Efficiency Petition, Sets Up Energy Industry Fight
• How Technology Can Halt Climate Change
• Editorial: Global Warming Researcher Gets Stuck in Ice
• 2014 Is the Year to Reform Energy Subsidies
• San Francisco Turns Christmas into Renewable Energy
• Safely Ring In the New Year with an LED Fireworks Extravaganza
• Microsoft, Amazon Propel Washington to Most Innovative State – “…Washington State arguably owns the cloud…”
• Study Looking for Gaps in Web Access on North Olympic Peninsula
• The Lobbyists & Legislators Who Kill Municipal Broadband in America
• Viewing Where the Internet Goes
• Why Do Android Smartphones Guzzle the Most Data?
• Facebook Still King of Social Networking & 63 Percent of Its Users Check In Daily
• Old on LinkedIn & Rich on Pinterest: Do You Fit Your Social Media Profile?
• In Terms of Social Media, How Will 2013 Be Remembered?
• City of Shelton Commission Meeting
• Washington State Passed Over for FAA Drone Test Site
• Get Ready, Get Set, Get Sick: Flu Season Starts
• Idaho Reports First Flu-Related Death of the Season
• Lack of Snow Means No Skiing Yet at Snoqualmie Pass
• More Washington Residents Moved Out of State than In
• Police: Olympia Driver Took Unsuspecting Passenger on 100 Mph Joyride
• Idaho Potato Drops Tonight. Will This New Year’s Eve Celebration Have a Mash Pit?

WORD OF THE DAY

Imprecate • \IMP-pruh-kayt\ • Verb - To invoke evil on: curse. To utter curses.

See Joel imprecate, with unprintable prose, his spell checker for changing imbricate to imprecate in his example sentence for the December 30 word of the day.

‘Selfie,’ ‘Twerk’ Top School’s Annoying Word List (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/39-selfie-39-39-twerk-39-top-school-050220418.html

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Shelton Area Weather for December 31, 2013

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

When it Comes to Our Need for Electricity, Reliability is Essential (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/mzconsulting/322286/when-it-comes-our-need-electricity-reliability-essential

Portland General Electric Scammers Target Small Business Owners (KGW-TV, Portland, OR – What an unfortunate headline: are the scammers targeting PGE customers, or are they from PGE. Yikes!)

http://www.kgw.com/news/PGE-scammers-target-small-business-owners--238178911.html

Oregon: Lane Electric Bills Rise 5.2 Percent - The utility for rural residents is raising rates to cover a Bonneville Power Administration cost increase (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/rg/news/local/30936432-75/electric-lane-percent-avanzo-bpa.html.csp

Montana Power Co-Op Members Seek to Hasten Break-Up (Associated Press)

http://trib.com/news/state-and-local/power-co-op-members-seek-to-hasten-break-up/article_849b0d02-d773-5213-b610-b9363a7f988e.html

California Utility Regulator Talks Renewable Energy, Safety & More (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-puc-peevey-20131231,0,7691727.story#axzz2p4Qi0QQa

Lighting the Rural Countryside since the 1930s - Part II in a Series (Atkin Age, Isle MN)

http://www.messagemedia.co/aitkin/article_35debe36-715f-11e3-a758-0019bb30f31a.html

Germany’s Energy Goes Kaput, Threatening Economic Stability (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brighammccown/2013/12/30/germanys-energy-goes-kaput-threatening-economic-stability/

United Kingdom: Community Offer for Hydro Power (This is Guernsey, UK)

http://www.thisisguernsey.com/business/city-news/2013/12/31/community-offer-for-hydro-power/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Smelt Could Be Back on the Menu for Local Fishers (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/rg/sports/outdoors/30937358-80/smelt-columbia-river-2010-commercial.html.csp

Proposed Alaska Copper Mine Might Boost One Vital Export, But Hurt Another (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/12/30/2970731/proposed-alaska-mine-might-boost.html

Controversial Idaho Hunting Contest Ends with No Wolves Killed (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/31/us-usa-hunt-idaho-idUSBRE9BU02J20131231

For Long-Billed Curlew, a Dangerous Life (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/12/28/2946587/for-long-billed-curlew-a-dangerous.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Wind’s Tax Credit Winds Down, But Debate at Full Force (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/1230/Wind-s-tax-credit-winds-down-but-debate-at-full-force

Where is the U-S Wind Energy Sector Headed? (The Motley Fool)

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/12/30/where-is-the-us-wind-energy-sector-headed.aspx#.UsLvCxBKZZ8

Monroe Biogas Firm Powers Up (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20131231/NEWS01/712319953/Monroe-biogas-firm-powers-up

Wind-Farm Operations Improperly Curtailed by Duke Energy Indiana, Suit Claims (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/power_city/2013/12/windfarm-operations-improperly-curtailed-by-duke.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Home Electricity Use Plummets: Five Reasons Why (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2013/12/home_electricity_use_plummets.html

Home Electricity Use in U-S Falling to 2001 Levels (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_24816584

Lights Dim on Traditional Bulbs (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2013/12/30/lights-dim-on-traditional-bulbs/#axzz2ozbHAk2P

U-S DOE Rejects Microwave Oven Efficiency Petition, Sets Up Energy Industry Fight (Platts)

http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/washington/us-doe-rejects-efficiency-petition-sets-up-energy-21011240

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

How Technology Can Halt Climate Change (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/30/climate-change-technologies/4041931/

Editorial: Global Warming Researcher Gets Stuck in Ice (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/saunders/article/Global-warming-researcher-gets-stuck-in-ice-5102720.php

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

2014 Is the Year to Reform Energy Subsidies (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2013/12/30/2014-is-the-year-to-reform-energy-taxes-and-subsidies

San Francisco Turns Christmas into Renewable Energy (San Francisco Weekly, CA)

http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2013/12/san_francisco_turns_christmas.php

Safely Ring In the New Year with an LED Fireworks Extravaganza (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/safely-ring-in-the-new-year-with-an-led-fireworks-extra-1492196791

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Microsoft, Amazon Propel Washington to Most Innovative State – “…Washington State arguably owns the cloud…” (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-19/microsoft-amazon-propel-washington-to-most-innovative-state.html

Study Looking for Gaps in Web Access on North Olympic Peninsula (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131231/NEWS/312319988/study-looking-for-gaps-in-web-access-on-north-olympic-peninsula

The Lobbyists & Legislators Who Kill Municipal Broadband in America (Slate Magazine)

http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/12/30/municipal_broadband_s_death_by_lobbyist_san_antonio_has_the_fiber_they_should.html

Viewing Where the Internet Goes (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/31/science/viewing-where-the-internet-goes.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Why Do Android Smartphones Guzzle the Most Data? (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/31/why-do-android-smartphones-guzzle-the-most-data/?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Still King of Social Networking & 63 Percent of Its Users Check In Daily (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2013/12/30/facebook-still-king-of-social-networking-and-63-percent-of-its-users-check-in-daily/

Old on LinkedIn & Rich on Pinterest: Do You Fit Your Social Media Profile? (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/monica-guzman/2013/12/30/old-on-linkedin-and-rich-on-pinterest-do-you-fit-your-social-media-profile/?syndication=rss

In Terms of Social Media, How Will 2013 Be Remembered? (Louisville Business First, KY)

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2013/12/31/in-terms-of-social-media-how-will.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

City of Shelton Commission Meeting (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/9868-12-30-13-city-commission-meeting

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Passed Over for FAA Drone Test Site (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/dec/30/washington-passed-over-faa-drone-test-site/

Get Ready, Get Set, Get Sick: Flu Season Starts (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/30/flu-season-underway-south-central-states-hard-hit/4250721/

Idaho Reports First Flu-Related Death of the Season (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/12/30/2950383/idaho-reports-first-flu-related.html

Lack of Snow Means No Skiing Yet at Snoqualmie Pass (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/Lack-of-snow-means-no-skiing-yet-at-Snoqualmie-5103374.php

More Washington Residents Moved Out of State than In (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2013/12/more-washington-residents-moved-out-of.html

Police: Olympia Driver Took Unsuspecting Passenger on 100 Mph Joyride (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Olympia-Police-Driver-took-unsuspecting-passenger-on-100-mph-joyride-238199171.html

Idaho Potato Drops Tonight. Will This New Year’s Eve Celebration Have a Mash Pit? (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/12/31/2950886/idaho-potato-drops-tonightwill.html

DIVERSIONS

‘Hobbit’ Locations Bring Action, Adventure to Travelers

http://seattletimes.com/html/travel/2022561697_hobbitlocationsnewzealandxml.html?syndication=rss

Power from the People: Human Energy Will Fuel NYC’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

http://grist.org/article/power-from-the-people-human-energy-will-fuel-nycs-new-years-eve-ball-drop/

Let Patrick Stewart Teach You How to Moo in a British Accent

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/12/31/let-patrick-stewart-teach-you-how-to-moo-in-a-british-accent/

Raise Your Hand If You’d Move out Of a House Hit by Cars 11 Times in 30 Years

http://consumerist.com/2013/12/31/raise-your-hand-if-youd-move-out-of-a-house-hit-by-cars-11-times-in-30-years/

SONG OF THE DAY

Hayley Westenra - We’ll Meet Again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBX16iBQ0rI

Johnny Cash - We’ll Meet Again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta7DMNNg0s4

(And no, I won’t post the “Dr. Strangelove” Mash-Up of Nuclear Explosions to this song here….)

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for December 30, 2013

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for December 30, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/12/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_30.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington’s Top Polluters Reduce Greenhouse Gases by 8 Percent (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/dec/29/washingtons-top-polluters-reduce-greenhouse-gases/

Below Normal Snowpack Brings Concern about Washington State Water Supply (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/1785790-8/below-normal-snowpack-brings-concern-about-water-supply

‘Military-Style’ Raid on California Power Station Spooks U-S (Foreign Policy)

http://complex.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/12/24/power-station-military-assault#sthash.FfQqZjJ9.dpbs

Vermont Sees New Round of Power Outages - Driving Conditions to Worsen with Heavy, Wet Snow (Burlington Free Press, VT)

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/viewart/20131229/NEWS02/312290019/

U-S Struggles to Keep Pace in Delivering Broadband Service (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/technology/us-struggling-to-keep-pace-in-broadband-service.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• ‘Military-Style’ Raid on California Power Station Spooks U-S
• Vermont Sees New Round of Power Outages - Driving Conditions to Worsen with Heavy, Wet Snow
• Canada: Ice Storm - Five Questions Everyone’s Asking
• Cold Homes Heat Power Controversy in Michigan
• Buenos Aires Power Supply Disrupted in Heat Wave
• Chelan PUD: Peak Power-Use Was Dec. 10
• Fall River Announces Rate Increase
• Rocky Barker: The Endangered Species Act Survives, But Not All Species Will
• Christmas Trees Are the Ultimate Gift for Fish
• Below Normal Snowpack Brings Concern about Washington State Water Supply
• California Drought Deepens as another Year’s Rains Stay Away
• California Drought Brings Water Rationing Orders
• SolarWorld Finds Further Losses as it Restructures, But They Won’t Affect Business, Managers Say
• New Energy Struggles on Its Way to Markets
• The Solar Net Metering Battle Moves to Colorado
• California Energy-Rebate Program Draws Few Takers
• Washington’s Top Polluters Reduce Greenhouse Gases by 8 Percent
• Exploring Microsoft’s Carbon Price & Its Five Steps to Carbon Neutrality
• It Won’t Be Long Before the Victims of Climate Change Make the West Pay
• Ethanol Loses Friends & Influence as Reform Movement Grows
• Delta Air Lines Caught by Renewable Fuels Mandate
• U-S Struggles to Keep Pace in Delivering Broadband Service
• Datacenter Operator QIP Sues over Faulty Atlanta Facility
• Researcher Says British Teens Consider Facebook “Dead & Buried,” “Not Cool”
• Why Social Networks Are Crazy for Private Messaging
• The Christmas Peak in App Downloads Is Weaker Than Ever
• Sumner Fires Temporary Court Clerk for Sending Herself City Data on 3,600 People
• 2.5 Magnitude Quake Shakes Bremerton
• Look for a Drop in Gas Prices in 2014, Gasbuddy Says
• The Buck Stops Here...At the Port of Shelton
• Mason County Government:  Join City, Port, County & Legislative Officials for Pow Wow
• AP Impact: The World Braces for Retirement Crisis
• 2,500 Pigs Join Debate over Farms vs. Scenery

WORD OF THE DAY

Imbricate • \IM-brih-kut\ • Adjective - Lying lapped over each other in regular order

The imprecated feathers of the ruby throated hummingbird shimmered in the bitter fall sunlight, its’ sharp rays catching the brilliant plumage, putting the best-cut jewel to shame.  

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

‘Military-Style’ Raid on California Power Station Spooks U-S (Foreign Policy)

http://complex.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/12/24/power-station-military-assault#sthash.FfQqZjJ9.dpbs

(From The News Vault) San Jose: Sheriff’s Office Release Video of Attack on PG&E Substation (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_23388359/san-jose-sheriffs-office-release-video-attack-pg

Vermont Sees New Round of Power Outages - Driving Conditions to Worsen with Heavy, Wet Snow (Burlington Free Press, VT)

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/viewart/20131229/NEWS02/312290019/

Canada: Ice Storm - Five Questions Everyone’s Asking (The Toronto Star, Ontario)

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/12/27/ice_storm_five_questions_everyones_asking.html

Cold Homes Heat Power Controversy in Michigan (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/29/michigan-power-outages/4239609/

Buenos Aires Power Supply Disrupted in Heat Wave (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25548150

Chelan PUD: Peak Power-Use Was Dec. 10 (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/dec/28/peak-power-use-was-dec-10/

Fall River Announces Rate Increase (Rexburg Standard-Journal, ID)

http://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/news/fall-river-announces-rate-increase/article_f5425940-6f39-11e3-ac5a-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=jqm

FISH & WILDLIFE

Rocky Barker: The Endangered Species Act Survives, But Not All Species Will (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/12/30/2949255/endangered-species-act-survives.html

Christmas Trees Are the Ultimate Gift for Fish (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2013/12/post_102.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Below Normal Snowpack Brings Concern about Washington State Water Supply (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/1785790-8/below-normal-snowpack-brings-concern-about-water-supply

California Drought Deepens as another Year’s Rains Stay Away (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_24812749

California Drought Brings Water Rationing Orders (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/29/6032646/drought-brings-water-rationing.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

SolarWorld Finds Further Losses as it Restructures, But They Won’t Affect Business, Managers Say (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/12/solarworld_finds_further_losse.html#cmpid=nwsltrhead

New Energy Struggles on Its Way to Markets (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/28/us/new-energy-struggles-on-its-way-to-markets.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

The Solar Net Metering Battle Moves to Colorado (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/hermantrabish/321136/solar-net-metering-battle-moves-colorado

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

California Energy-Rebate Program Draws Few Takers (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/California-energy-rebate-program-draws-few-takers-5097225.php

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington’s Top Polluters Reduce Greenhouse Gases by 8 Percent (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/dec/29/washingtons-top-polluters-reduce-greenhouse-gases/

Exploring Microsoft’s Carbon Price & Its Five Steps to Carbon Neutrality (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jimpierobon/320971/exploring-microsoft-s-carbon-price-and-its-5-steps-carbon-neutrality

It Won’t Be Long Before the Victims of Climate Change Make the West Pay (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/29/poorer-countries-climate-change-case

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Ethanol Loses Friends & Influence as Reform Movement Grows (CNBC)

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101297359

Delta Air Lines Caught by Renewable Fuels Mandate (San Antonio Express-News, TX)

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/eagle-ford-energy/article/Delta-Air-Lines-caught-by-renewable-fuels-mandate-5097109.php

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

U-S Struggles to Keep Pace in Delivering Broadband Service (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/technology/us-struggling-to-keep-pace-in-broadband-service.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Datacenter Operator QIP Sues over Faulty Atlanta Facility (Atlanta Business Chronicle, GA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2013/12/27/datacenter-operator-qip-sues-over.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Researcher Says British Teens Consider Facebook “Dead & Buried,” “Not Cool” (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/techchron/2013/12/27/researcher-says-british-teens-consider-facebook-dead-and-buried-not-cool/

Why Social Networks Are Crazy for Private Messaging (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/12/27/social-networks-private-messaging/

The Christmas Peak in App Downloads Is Weaker Than Ever (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/12/30/christmas-app-downloads/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Sumner Fires Temporary Court Clerk for Sending Herself City Data on 3,600 People (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/12/27/2967063/sumner-fires-temporary-court-clerk.html

GENERAL NEWS

2.5 Magnitude Quake Shakes Bremerton (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/25-magnitude-quake-shakes--237897011.html

Look for a Drop in Gas Prices in 2014, Gasbuddy Says (Houston Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/12/30/look-for-a-drop-in-gas-prices-in-2014.html

The Buck Stops Here...At the Port of Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/9758-the-buck-stops-here-at-the-port-of-shelton

Mason County Government:  Join City, Port, County & Legislative Officials for Pow Wow (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/9757-join-city-port-county-and-legislative-officials-for-pow-wow

AP Impact: The World Braces for Retirement Crisis (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-impact-world-braces-retirement-crisis-054306102--finance.html

2,500 Pigs Join Debate over Farms vs. Scenery (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/28/us/2500-pigs-join-debate-over-farms-vs-scenery.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

DIVERSIONS

These 100 Year-Old Negatives Were Found Frozen in Antarctic Ice

http://gizmodo.com/these-100-year-old-negatives-were-found-frozen-in-antar-1491508725

One Dog, Thousands Inspired by Faith

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/24324448/one-dog-thousands-inspired-by-faith

This Corgi Made a Newborn Baby His Best Friend

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/12/30/this-corgi-made-a-newborn-baby-his-best-friend/

Europeans May Give Up Cinnamon Buns, But They’ll Have to Pry Ours from Our Sticky, Dead Fingers

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_24812583

SONG OF THE DAY

Electric Light Orchestra – Daybreaker

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for December 27, 2013

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for December 27, 2013

http://energynewsdigest.blogspot.com/2013/12/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Rig Downs Poles While Being Transported on Train in Shelton (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/12/26/2902622/live-power-lines-reported-down.html

Reclamation Employee Dies from Injuries Following Fall Monday (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_ca67aeda-6e55-11e3-9911-0019bb2963f4.html

Endangered Species Act marks 40 years (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20131227/NEWS01/712279902

Why LED Retrofits Are the ‘Trojan Horse’ of the Internet of Things (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/heatherclancy/2013/12/26/why-led-retrofits-are-the-trojan-horse-of-the-internet-of-things/

Puget Sound Region’s Economy Looks to Rebound in 2014 (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2013/12/27/puget-sound-regions-economy-looks-to.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Rig Downs Poles While Being Transported on Train in Shelton
• Shelton Woman Trapped in Car by Downed Power Lines
• Reclamation Employee Dies from Injuries Following Fall Monday
• Eastern U-S & Canada: Utility Linemen Brave Cold, Ice to Restore Power
• Some Mainers Could Be without Power Until 2014
• Positions Emerge Ahead of 2014 Columbia River Treaty Deadline
• Avista Fund: Being a Good Neighbor
• Nuclear Safety Regulators Cite Now-Closed San Onofre Power Plant
• Northern Exposure: Canadian Hydro in the Spotlight
• Utilities Mimic Cable with Monthly Fee to Preserve Grid
• Planning, Preparation Crucial to Storm Recovery
• Endangered Species Act marks 40 years
• A King without a Crown: Chinook Vulnerable to Ocean Forces
• Restoring Ranch Land for a Profit, & a ‘Trout Dividend’
• Gagged Fish-Farm Foe Takes Fight against Industry to Scotland
• Op/Ed: An Oyster Allegory Captures Irony & Absurdity
• Interior Head Sally Jewell Brings Outsider’s Perspective to Job
• Energy Adviser: Take a Long View in Terms of Renewable Energies
• Catching Rays in California, & Storing Them
• EIA: Most New Residential Solar PV Projects in California Program Not Owned by Homeowners
• As Solar Power Grows, Dispute Flares Over U-S Utility Bills
• Tennessee Valley Authority Using Tims Dam for Solar Study
• Fitch Ratings: Net Metering Can Destabilize Entire Utility Industry
• Why LED Retrofits Are the ‘Trojan Horse’ of the Internet of Things
• Governor Inslee Honors Washington State Industries That Excel in Energy Efficiency
• How is Global Warming Affecting Precipitation? New Satellite to Help Explain
• Washington State’s 2013 Climate Report Card
• Federal Communications Commission: Mapping Progress - Connect America Fund’s Broadband Expansion
• President Obama Signs Bipartisan Budget Deal, Annual Defense Bill
• Puget Sound Region’s Economy Looks to Rebound in 2014
• Fire Burns Part of Port Angeles Mill
• A Computer Error Lets Travelers Book Rock-Bottom Airfares on Delta

WORD OF THE DAY

Sprite • \SPRĪT\ • Noun – 1: A small creature that has magical powers: an elf or fairy 2a: archaic: soul b: a disembodied spirit: ghost 3a: elf, fairy b: an elfish person.

See the bug-eyed Sprite

Austin Healey’s smiling car

Vroom, vroom: watch it go

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

Rig Downs Poles While Being Transported on Train in Shelton (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/12/26/2902622/live-power-lines-reported-down.html

Shelton Woman Trapped in Car by Downed Power Lines (Northwest Cable News Network – Great interview: her husband had worked for the PUD, so she knew exactly what to do…)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/washington/Lumber-train-pulls-down-power-lines-in-Shelton-237338881.html

Reclamation Employee Dies from Injuries Following Fall Monday (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_ca67aeda-6e55-11e3-9911-0019bb2963f4.html

Eastern U-S & Canada: Utility Linemen Brave Cold, Ice to Restore Power (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/12/26/2903248/utility-linemen-brave-cold-ice.html

Death Threats, Fistfights as Northeast U-S, Canadian Power Outages Linger (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/27/winter-power-outage-maine-michigan-death-threat/4217125/

Some Mainers Could Be without Power Until 2014 - As thousands regain electricity, crews face harsh conditions & extensive damage in areas hit hardest by the ice storm (Portland Press-Herald, ME)
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Utility_crews_back_to_work__but_roughly_35_000_still_without_power_.html

Positions Emerge Ahead of 2014 Columbia River Treaty Deadline (Revelstoke Times-Review, BC)

http://www.revelstoketimesreview.com/news/237102641.html

Avista Fund: Being a Good Neighbor (HydroWorld)

http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/hr/print/volume-32/issue-10/departments/avista-fund-being-a-good-neighbor.html

Nuclear Safety Regulators Cite Now-Closed San Onofre Power Plant (KPBS Radio, San Diego, CA)

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/dec/26/nuclear-safety-regulators-cite-now-closed-san-onof/

Northern Exposure: Canadian Hydro in the Spotlight “…Some U-S states are already working to modify their renewable portfolio standards to include hydropower imported from Canada…” (HydroWorld)

http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/hr/print/volume-32/issue-10/cover-story/northern-exposure-canadian-hydro-in-the-spotlight.html

Utilities Mimic Cable with Monthly Fee to Preserve Grid (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-24/utilities-mimic-cable-with-monthly-fee-to-preserve-grid.html

Planning, Preparation Crucial to Storm Recovery (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/articles/print/volume-91/issue-6/sections/planning-preparation-crucial-to-storm-recovery.html?cmpid=ELPWeeklyDecember202013

FISH & WILDLIFE

Endangered Species Act marks 40 years (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20131227/NEWS01/712279902

A King without a Crown: Chinook Vulnerable to Ocean Forces (Alaska Journal of Commerce)

http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/December-Issue-5-2013/A-king-without-a-crown-Chinook-vulnerable-to-ocean-forces/

Restoring Ranch Land for a Profit, & a ‘Trout Dividend’ (NY Times)

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/12/26/restoring-ranch-land-for-a-profit-and-a-trout-dividend/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Gagged Fish-Farm Foe Takes Fight against Industry to Scotland (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/gagged-fish-farm-foe-takes-fight-against-industry-to-scotland-1.769967

Op/Ed: An Oyster Allegory Captures Irony & Absurdity (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/25/6026514/op-images-an-oyster-allegory-captures.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Interior Head Sally Jewell Brings Outsider’s Perspective to Job (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2022539417_jewellsallyxml.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Energy Adviser: Take a Long View in Terms of Renewable Energies (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/dec/26/take-a-long-view-in-terms-of-renewable-energies/

Catching Rays in California, & Storing Them (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/24/business/energy-environment/catching-some-rays-in-california-and-storing-them.html?partner=yahoofinance&_r=1&

EIA: Most New Residential Solar PV Projects in California Program Not Owned by Homeowners (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/articles/2013/12/eia-most-new-residential-solar-pv-projects-in-california-program-not-owned-by-homeowners.html

As Solar Power Grows, Dispute Flares Over U-S Utility Bills (National Geographic Magazine)

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2013/12/131226-utilities-dispute-net-metering-for-solar/

Tennessee Valley Authority Using Tims Dam for Solar Study (Tullahoma News, TN)

http://www.tullahomanews.com/?p=20839

Fitch Ratings: Net Metering Can Destabilize Entire Utility Industry (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/silviomarcacci/321161/fitch-ratings-net-metering-can-destabilize-entire-utility-industry

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Why LED Retrofits Are the ‘Trojan Horse’ of the Internet of Things (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/heatherclancy/2013/12/26/why-led-retrofits-are-the-trojan-horse-of-the-internet-of-things/

Governor Inslee Honors Washington State Industries That Excel in Energy Efficiency (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Governor-Inslee-honors-Washington-industries-that-excel-in-energy-efficiency.aspx

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

How is Global Warming Affecting Precipitation? New Satellite to Help Explain (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2013/1226/How-is-global-warming-affecting-precipitation-New-satellite-to-help-explain

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Washington State’s 2013 Climate Report Card (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2013/12/24/environment/117539/washienvironment-sustainability-carbon-report-card/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Federal Communications Commission: Mapping Progress - Connect America Fund’s Broadband Expansion (4-Traders)

http://www.4-traders.com/news/FCC-Federal-Communications-Commission--Mapping-Progress-Connect-America-Funds-Broadband-Expansi--17629869/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

President Obama Signs Bipartisan Budget Deal, Annual Defense Bill (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/26/us-usa-obama-idUSBRE9BP0HK20131226

GENERAL NEWS

Puget Sound Region’s Economy Looks to Rebound in 2014 (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2013/12/27/puget-sound-regions-economy-looks-to.html

Fire Burns Part of Port Angeles Mill (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/9308

A Computer Error Lets Travelers Book Rock-Bottom Airfares on Delta (Associated Press)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/27/business/a-computer-error-lets-travelers-book-rock-bottom-airfares-on-delta.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

DIVERSIONS

South Carolina Woman Stabs Fiancé over Wedding Color Scheme

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/26/wedding-color-scheme-stabbing/4215363/

Wisconsin Has a Cheesy Solution for De-Icing Roads. Literally.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2013/12/26/wisconsin-has-a-cheesy-solution-for-de-icing-roads-literally/?wprss=rss_business

‘The Smithsonian’s History of America in 101 Objects’: Why Richard Kurin Chose As He Did

http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2013/1227/The-Smithsonian-s-History-of-America-in-101-Objects-why-Richard-Kurin-chose-as-he-did

Deer Makes Appearance at Pennsylvania Sporting Goods Store

http://news.yahoo.com/deer-makes-appearance-pa-sporting-goods-store-225148502.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Nazareth - Love Hurts

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

Norah Jones & Keith Richards - Love Hurts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yAbOpiAKi8

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.