Energy News Digest for January 31, 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.

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.

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

Chinese Wind Firm Sues to Void Oregon Sale Blocked by Obama for National Security Reasons (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonatwar/2013/01/chinese_wind_firm_sues_to_void.html

Oregon & Washington Set Spring Salmon & Sturgeon Seasons for Columbia River (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2013/01/oregon_and_washington_set_spri.html

Downed Line Causes 14,000 Thurston County Puget Sound Energy Customers to Lose Power (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/01/30/2403926/downed-line-causes-14000-thurston.html

Bonneville Power Administration Extends Comment Period for Transmission Line Project (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/bpa-extends-comment-period-for-transmission-line-project/article_b2a20686-6b42-11e2-8811-0019bb2963f4.html

Chelan PUD Weighs Lifting Moratorium on New Fiber Hookups (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/jan/30/pud-weighs-lifting-moratorium-on-new-fiber-hookups/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Downed Line Causes 14,000 Thurston County Puget Sound Energy Customers to Lose Power
• Power outage hits Everett
• Bonneville Power Administration Extends Comment Period for Transmission Line Project
• Thurston PUD Will Interview All Five Commissioner Applicants as a Group
• U-S Natural Gas Supplies Shrank Last Week
• Natural Gas Prices Expected to Remain Low in 2013
• Georgia Nuclear Power Plant Could be Solyndra Redux, Report Says
• Areva Sales Rise as Nuclear Business Picks Up
• Can Obama Do for the Grid What Eisenhower Did for Highways?
• Force Majeure Matters: Split Fifth Circuit Decision Reminds Energy Contract Drafters that Such Clauses Have Serious Consequences
• Pacific Gas & Electric Grants Reprieve to Oakland's Gnomes
• Oregon & Washington Set Spring Salmon & Sturgeon Seasons for Columbia River
• Columbia River Sturgeon Fisheries Face Cutbacks for the Fourth Year in a Row
• How Much Fish You Eat Determines Water Quality in Idaho
• Chinese Wind Firm Sues to Void Oregon Sale Blocked by Obama for National Security Reasons
• State of Oregon Recommends Pacific City (Again) as Wave-Energy Site
• Can the Wave Energy Industry Produce - On A Large Scale?
• Snohomish PUD Tackles Green Energy Storage Dilemma
• Air Monitoring Devices Installed in Port Angeles; One Coming to Sequim Next Month
• Facing Expiring Tax Credit, Wind Industry Posts Record Year
• Spanish Solar's Lasting PV Hangover
• France Will Dim Its Lights to Conserve Energy
• Three Things Everyone Should Know About British Columbia’s Carbon Tax
• Chelan PUD Weighs Lifting Moratorium on New Fiber Hookups
• Time Warner Boosts My Speed, Cuts My Bill: I Just Happen to Live near Google Fiber
• Here be Cables: An Old-School Map of Undersea Internet Pipes
• Large Turnout Derails Crude by Rail Workshop in Aberdeen
• Bridge over Troubled Waters - Herrera Beutler, Other Lawmakers Ask for 'Full Study' of Columbia River Crossing
• Magnitude 3.7 Earthquake near Amboy, In Southwest Washington State
• Yikes! Major Asian Gypsy Moth Infestation Discovered on Ship in Tacoma
• Personal Income Posts Biggest Gain in Eight Years
• Hostess Picks Lead Bidders for Twinkies

WORD OF THE DAY

Nomothetic • \naw-muh-THET-ick\ • adjective - Relating to, involving, or dealing with abstract, general, or universal statements or laws.

The belief in a parallel universe - one in which lost pens, pencils, socks, cellphone chargers and other missing minutiae endure in a meaningful and rich existence – has taunted common philosophers more than the meaning of life. To make a nomothetic statement that these items slip through a crack in time and space that exists in sock drawers, washing machines, and poorly sewn pockets seems to make sense. I would wonder if you could reach through such pan dimensional rifts and pull out that missing “Cross” pen or that second argyle sock that you desperately searched for the hour before your sousaphone recital.

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

Downed Line Causes 14,000 Thurston County Puget Sound Energy Customers to Lose Power (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/01/30/2403926/downed-line-causes-14000-thurston.html

Power outage hits Everett (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130130/NEWS01/130139993

Bonneville Power Administration Extends Comment Period for Transmission Line Project (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/bpa-extends-comment-period-for-transmission-line-project/article_b2a20686-6b42-11e2-8811-0019bb2963f4.html

Thurston PUD Will Interview All Five Commissioner Applicants as a Group (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/01/30/2404281/thurston-pud-will-interview-all.html

U-S Natural Gas Supplies Shrank Last Week (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/US-natural-gas-supplies-shrank-last-week-4239238.php

Natural Gas Prices Expected to Remain Low in 2013 (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2013/01/31/natural-gas-prices-expected-to-remain.html

Georgia Nuclear Power Plant Could be Solyndra Redux, Report Says (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2013/0130/Georgia-nuclear-power-plant-could-be-Solyndra-redux-report-says

Areva Sales Rise as Nuclear Business Picks Up (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020255769_apeufranceareva.html

Can Obama Do for the Grid What Eisenhower Did for Highways? (New York Times, NY)

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/31/can-obama-do-for-the-grid-what-eisenhower-did-for-highways/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Force Majeure Matters: Split Fifth Circuit Decision Reminds Energy Contract Drafters that Such Clauses Have Serious Consequences (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

http://www.energynaturalresourceslaw.com/2013/01/force-majeure-matters-split-fifth-circuit-decision-reminds-energy-contract-drafters-that-such-clause.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Grants Reprieve to Oakland's Gnomes (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/PG-amp-E-grants-reprieve-to-Oakland-s-gnomes-4230428.php

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon & Washington Set Spring Salmon & Sturgeon Seasons for Columbia River (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2013/01/oregon_and_washington_set_spri.html

Columbia River Sturgeon Fisheries Face Cutbacks for the Fourth Year in a Row (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2020255622_columbia_river_sturgeon_fisher_1.html

How Much Fish You Eat Determines Water Quality in Idaho (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/how-much-fish-you-eat-determines-water-quality-idaho

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Chinese Wind Firm Sues to Void Oregon Sale Blocked by Obama for National Security Reasons (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonatwar/2013/01/chinese_wind_firm_sues_to_void.html

State of Oregon Recommends Pacific City (Again) as Wave-Energy Site (Coast River Business Journal, Astoria, WA)

http://www.crbizjournal.com/news/article_e16a21fc-69e8-11e2-b838-001a4bcf887a.html

Can the Wave Energy Industry Produce - On A Large Scale? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/celinerottier/179236/can-wave-energy-industry-produce-large-scale

Snohomish PUD Tackles Green Energy Storage Dilemma (Everett Herald Business Journal, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130130/SCBJ02/701309910/1011/BIZ02

Air Monitoring Devices Installed in Port Angeles; One Coming to Sequim Next Month (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130131/news/301319989/air-monitoring-devices-installed-in-port-angeles-one-coming-to

Facing Expiring Tax Credit, Wind Industry Posts Record Year (The Hill, Washington, D-C)

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/280175-facing-expiring-tax-credit-wind-industry-posts-record-year

Spanish Solar's Lasting PV Hangover (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/christophercoats/2013/01/31/spanish-solars-lasting-pv-hangover/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

France Will Dim Its Lights to Conserve Energy (New York Times, NY)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/31/world/europe/paris-lights-to-be-dimmed-to-save-energy.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Three Things Everyone Should Know About British Columbia’s Carbon Tax – In Pictures (Sightline Daily)

http://daily.sightline.org/2013/01/30/three-things-everyone-should-know-about-bcs-carbon-tax-in-pictures/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Chelan PUD Weighs Lifting Moratorium on New Fiber Hookups (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/jan/30/pud-weighs-lifting-moratorium-on-new-fiber-hookups/

Time Warner Boosts My Speed, Cuts My Bill: I Just Happen to Live near Google Fiber (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2013/01/30/time-warner-boosts-my-speed-cuts-my-bill-i-just-happen-to-live-near-google-fiber/

Here be Cables: An Old-School Map of Undersea Internet Pipes (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2013/01/31/here-be-cables-an-old-school-map-of-undersea-internet-pipes/

GENERAL NEWS

Large Turnout Derails Crude by Rail Workshop in Aberdeen (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5098

Bridge over Troubled Waters - Herrera Beutler, Other Lawmakers Ask for 'Full Study' of Columbia River Crossing (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/jan/30/herrera-beutler-others-ask-full-study-crc/

Magnitude 3.7 Earthquake near Amboy, In Southwest Washington State (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Magnitude-37-earthquake-near-Amboy-in-SW-Wash-189117281.html

Yikes! Major Asian Gypsy Moth Infestation Discovered on Ship in Tacoma (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Major-Asian-Gypsy-Moth-infestation-discovered-on-ship-in-Port-of-Tacoma-189032731.html

Personal Income Posts Biggest Gain in Eight Years (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/31/us-usa-economy-spending-idUSBRE90U0PO20130131

Hostess Picks Lead Bidders for Twinkies (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/texas/article/Hostess-picks-lead-bidders-for-Twinkies-4237490.php

DIVERSIONS

New Record for the Biggest Wave Ever Surfed?

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2013/0130/New-record-for-the-biggest-wave-ever-surfed-video

Monkeys Attack Village in Eastern Indonesia

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2020241638_apasindonesiamonkeyrampage.html

Icelandic Girl Wins Right to Use Her Given Name

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2020251557_apeuicelandgirlwithnoname.html

Search Is on for Golden Cookie Stolen in Germany

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020238316_apeuoddgermanystolencookie.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Of Course: The Beach Boys - Catch a Wave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLgWbH-qhVo

Energy News Digest for January 30, 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.

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.

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

Latest Effort May Lead to More Irrigation in Eastern Oregon, Proponent Says (Capital Ag Press)

http://www.capitalpress.com/content/ml-columbia-river-symposium-012913-art

Oregon to Haze Salmon-Munching Sea Lions on Willamette River (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/01/oregon_to_haze_salmon-munching.html

Bonneville Power Administration Schedules Cowlitz County Public Meetings over New Line Proposal (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/bpa-schedules-cowlitz-county-public-meetings-over-new-line-proposal/article_7a17d2e0-6a6c-11e2-908c-0019bb2963f4.html

Clatskanie Ethanol, Crude Plant Sells for $95 Million (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/real-estate-daily/2013/01/clatskanie-ethanol-crude-plant-sells.html

How Snowy is It? Snow Survey Hydrologists Postpone Snow Survey on Mt. Hood Due to Heavy Snow (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2013/01/how_snowy_is_it_snow_survey_hy.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Bonneville Power Administration Schedules Cowlitz County Public Meetings over New Line Proposal
• Tacoma City Council to Weigh Water, Power Rate Hikes
• Mason County PUD 3 Commissioner Linda Gott Elected President of Energy Northwest Board of Directors
• Westar to Pay $1.6 Million to Settle Transmission Tariff Violation Charges
• Hawaii Lawmakers Urge Utilities to Focus on Consumers
• North American Utilities Planning Significant System Upgrades
• Oregon to Haze Salmon-Munching Sea Lions on Willamette River
• Making Sense of Columbia River Salmon Returns
• Cats Kill Billions of Creatures Every Year According to New Study
• Latest Effort May Lead to More Irrigation in Eastern Oregon, Proponent Says
• Dry January Shrinks California Snowpack
• EPA Air Quality Rules Face another Setback
• Port Townsend Paper Mill Files Appeal of Landfill Decision
• Solar Advocates Balking at Arizona's Renewable Waivers Discussion
• Ohio Regulator Tied to Group Opposing Renewables
• Report: Nest is Shipping 40,000 Thermostats a Month
• Comverge Leverages Broadband for Residential Demand Response
• Missoula City Council Passes Plan to be Carbon Neutral by 2025
• Clatskanie Ethanol, Crude Plant Sells for $95 Million
• Editorial - Thurston County Takes Lead in Building Green
• Reinventing the Washington State Energy Lobby
• Electric Cars & the Power Grid: How Are They Coming Together?
• Low-Speed, High-Priced Broadband
• Competition, High Bills Hurt Cable Companies
• Washington State Governor Announces New Cabinet Appointments
• Deep Federal Spending Cuts Are Likely, Lawmakers Say, With No Deal on Sequester in Sight
• Gary Alexander to Serve Double Duty as Thurston County Auditor, State Lawmaker
• Dangerous Shelton-Area Suspect Sought
• Small Earthquake in Olympic National Forest
• How Snowy is It? Snow Survey Hydrologists Postpone Snow Survey on Mt. Hood Due to Heavy Snow
• At Least 100 Batteries Failed on Boeing 787 Fleet
• Vaccination Rates for Adults ‘Unacceptably Low,’ U-S Says
• Green Thumb? Washington State Looks for Pot Consultant
• College Bound - Signing Event for Shelton Athletes
• Actor Jim Nabors Marries Male Partner in Seattle

WORD OF THE DAY

Mala Fide • \mal-uh FYE-dee\ • Adverb or Adjective - With or in bad faith.

Hidden in fine print

Mala Fide, bad intent

I now own you, Bud

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

Bonneville Power Administration Schedules Cowlitz County Public Meetings over New Line Proposal (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/bpa-schedules-cowlitz-county-public-meetings-over-new-line-proposal/article_7a17d2e0-6a6c-11e2-908c-0019bb2963f4.html

Tacoma City Council to Weigh Water, Power Rate Hikes (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/01/30/2454672/council-to-weigh-water-power-rate.html

Mason County PUD 3 Commissioner Linda Gott Elected President of Energy Northwest Board of Directors (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1181

Westar to Pay $1.6 Million to Settle Transmission Tariff Violation Charges (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=204992&issueID=26942

Hawaii Lawmakers Urge Utilities to Focus on Consumers (Associated Press)

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/energy/article/Lawmakers-urge-utilities-to-focus-on-consumers-4233703.php

North American Utilities Planning Significant System Upgrades (Renew Grid)

http://www.renew-grid.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.9497#.UQlPw3fkp8E

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon to Haze Salmon-Munching Sea Lions on Willamette River (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/01/oregon_to_haze_salmon-munching.html

Making Sense of Columbia River Salmon Returns (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Making-sense-of-salmon-returns.aspx

Cats Kill Billions of Creatures Every Year According to New Study (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2013/0129/Cats-kill-billions-of-creatures-every-year-according-to-new-study

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Latest Effort May Lead to More Irrigation in Eastern Oregon, Proponent Says (Capital Ag Press)

http://www.capitalpress.com/content/ml-columbia-river-symposium-012913-art

Dry January Shrinks California Snowpack (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/29/5148611/second-snow-survey-of-the-season.html

EPA Air Quality Rules Face another Setback (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/01/30/54385.htm

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Port Townsend Paper Mill Files Appeal of Landfill Decision (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130130/news/301309993/port-townsend-paper-mill-files-appeal-of-landfill-decision

Solar Advocates Balking at Arizona's Renewable Waivers Discussion (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/business/2013/01/solar-advocates-balking-at-arizonas.html

Ohio Regulator Tied to Group Opposing Renewables (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Ohio-regulator-tied-to-group-fighting-renewables-4232377.php

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Report: Nest is Shipping 40,000 Thermostats a Month (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/01/30/nest-raises-80-million/

Comverge Leverages Broadband for Residential Demand Response (GreenTech Grid)

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/comverge-leverages-broadband-for-residential-demand-response

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Missoula City Council Passes Plan to be Carbon Neutral by 2025 (The Missoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/missoula-city-council-passes-plan-to-be-carbon-neutral-by/article_2468de06-69d2-11e2-baac-001a4bcf887a.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Clatskanie Ethanol, Crude Plant Sells for $95 Million (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/real-estate-daily/2013/01/clatskanie-ethanol-crude-plant-sells.html

Editorial - Thurston County Takes Lead in Building Green (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/01/30/2403254/thurston-county-takes-lead-in.html

Reinventing the Washington State Energy Lobby (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2013/01/28/environment/112708/Environmental-priorities-coalition-Legislature-201/

Electric Cars & the Power Grid: How Are They Coming Together? (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2013/01/28/electric-cars-and-the-power-grid-how-are-they-coming-together/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Low-Speed, High-Priced Broadband (WBUR Radio, Boston, MA)

http://radioboston.wbur.org/2013/01/29/broadband

Competition, High Bills Hurt Cable Companies (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2013/01/30/170630094/competition-high-bills-hurt-cable-companies?ft=1&f=3

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Governor Announces New Cabinet Appointments (Governor Jay Inslee, WA)

http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/20130129.aspx

Deep Federal Spending Cuts Are Likely, Lawmakers Say, With No Deal on Sequester in Sight (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/deep-spending-cuts-are-likely-lawmakers-say-with-no-deal-on-sequester-in-sight/2013/01/29/286d4f94-6a1f-11e2-ada3-d86a4806d5ee_story.html?wprss=rss_business

Gary Alexander to Serve Double Duty as Thurston County Auditor, State Lawmaker (Seattle Times, WA)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/01/29/gary-alexander-to-serve-double-duty-as-thurston-county-auditor-state-lawmaker/

GENERAL NEWS

Dangerous Shelton-Area Suspect Sought (Mason Web-TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/9099

Small Earthquake in Olympic National Forest (Mason Web-TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/9092

How Snowy is It? Snow Survey Hydrologists Postpone Snow Survey on Mt. Hood Due to Heavy Snow (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2013/01/how_snowy_is_it_snow_survey_hy.html

At Least 100 Batteries Failed on Boeing 787 Fleet (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020241385_787deadbatteriesxml.html

Vaccination Rates for Adults ‘Unacceptably Low,’ U-S Says (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2020241201_vaccinationadultsxml.html

Green Thumb? Washington State Looks for Pot Consultant (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020241647_apuspotconsultant1stldwritethru.html

College Bound - Signing Event for Shelton Athletes (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/48800-signing-event-for-shelton-athletes

Actor Jim Nabors Marries Male Partner in Seattle (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020241553_apuspeoplenabors1stldwritethru.html

DIVERSIONS

Watch Five Huge Power Station Towers Collapse in Super Slow Motion

http://gizmodo.com/5979594/watch-four-huge-power-station-towers-collapse-in-super-slow-motion

This Japanese Restaurant Has a Dirty Little Secret

http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/this-japanese-restaurant-has-a-dirty-little-secret--164612162.html

I Can’t Think of a Better Wedding Ring than This Cool Titanium Utility Ring

http://gizmodo.com/5979842/i-cant-think-of-a-better-wedding-ring-than-this-cool-titanium-utility-ring

Incredible Photo Shows Pillars of Fire Bursting from Manholes in Downtown Omaha (Ed. Note: please be aware that there is PG-13 Language in this posting)

http://gawker.com/5979692/incredible-photo-shows-pillars-of-fire-bursting-from-manholes-in-downtown-omaha

SONG OF THE DAY

Chase - Get It On

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVt_M1bY_Sw

Energy News Digest for January 29, 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.

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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices: https://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Energy Northwest Announces Newly Elected Officers to Board of Directors - Mason PUD 3's Gott Elected President (Energy Northwest)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/01/energy-northwest-announces-newly.html

New Manager, Tony Webb to Lead Grant PUD (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/jan/28/webb-to-lead-grant-pud/

Editorial - Bonneville Power Administration, The Next 75 Years (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2020235307_editbpawrightxml.html

California - Altamont Pass Turbines Kill Fewer Birds (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Altamont-Pass-turbines-kill-fewer-birds-4230640.php

U-S Internet Speed Better But Still Lags (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/technology/dotcommentary/article/U-S-Internet-speed-better-but-still-lags-4226130.php

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Energy Northwest Announces Newly Elected Officers to Board of Directors
• New Manager, Tony Webb to Lead Grant PUD
• Editorial - Bonneville Power Administration, The Next 75 Years
• Oregon DEQ to Hold Meeting on Troutdale Gas-Fired Power Plant Proposal
• Why the Change from Coal to Natural Gas Should Matter to You
• Using a Tweet to Get the Power Back on Faster
• South Carolina - Hero Foils Copper Theft Suspects
• Fall Protection Seen as Likely to Become Industry Standard or Mandate
• Iran-Donated Power Plants Won’t Dent Afghans’ Energy Needs
• Idaho - 60,000 Salmon Fry Die at McCall Hatchery
• California - Drakes Bay Attorneys Argue for Injunction to Keep Oyster Operation Open
• Columbia River Oil Spill Leads to $405,000 State Fine
• California - Altamont Pass Turbines Kill Fewer Birds
• Automakers Turn to Wind, Solar to Power Plants
• Why Expanded Alternative Energy Increases the Need for Natural Gas
• Smart Grid May be Shortest Route to Obama's Green Energy Goals
• California - Cap-And-Trade Overseers Beat Lawsuit
• Why Boulder Has to Buy Out their Electric Utility for a Clean Energy Future
• U-S Internet Speed Better But Still Lags
• Editorial - The Washington State Legislature Considers the Emergency Clause
• Benton Commissioners Select Sharon Brown for Washington State Senate Seat
• So-So Snowpack Gets Big Boost as Cascade Snow Machine Goes Full Tilt
• Washington State Vows to Try to Keep Weed in State - But How?
• Paramedics Attacked at Centralia Gas Station Aided by Good Samaritan
• Months after Ribbon-Cutting, Seattle Public Utilities Waste Transfer Facility Still Not Open
• Plumbing Company Facing Lawsuit over Spam Text Messages

WORD OF THE DAY

Whelm • \WELM\ • Verb - 1: to cover or engulf completely with usually disastrous effect 2: to overcome in thought or feeling: overwhelm 3: to pass or go over something so as to bury or submerge it.

Ok, so we use the word overwhelm when something is swept over by an opposing force (The Urak Hai and Nazgul overwhelmed Osgiliath during the “War of the Ring.”) If one uses the term overwhelm instead of whelm, isn’t that like saying “very pregnant”, or highly illegal? Either way, whelm just doesn’t sound as impressive.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Energy Northwest Announces Newly Elected Officers to Board of Directors - Mason PUD 3's Gott Elected President (Energy Northwest)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/01/energy-northwest-announces-newly.html

New Manager, Tony Webb to Lead Grant PUD (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/jan/28/webb-to-lead-grant-pud/

Editorial - Bonneville Power Administration, The Next 75 Years (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2020235307_editbpawrightxml.html

Oregon DEQ to Hold Meeting on Troutdale Gas-Fired Power Plant Proposal (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/real-estate-daily/2013/01/deq-holds-meeting-on-troutdale-power.html

Why the Change from Coal to Natural Gas Should Matter to You (Triangle Business Journal, Raleigh, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/2013/01/why-the-change-from-coal-to-natural.html

Using a Tweet to Get the Power Back on Faster (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2013/01/29/using-a-tweet-to-get-the-power-back-on-faster/

South Carolina - Hero Foils Copper Theft Suspects (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/copper-theft/electric-cooperatives-copper-theft-suspects-arrested/51812

Fall Protection Seen as Likely to Become Industry Standard or Mandate (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=204679&issueID=26941

Iran-Donated Power Plants Won’t Dent Afghans’ Energy Needs – Electricity at $1 per kilowatt hour compared with an American-built plant at perhaps 23 cents (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2020235632_iranafghanpowerxml.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Idaho - 60,000 Salmon Fry Die at McCall Hatchery (KTVB-TV, Boise, ID)

http://www.ktvb.com/news/60000-salmon-fry-die-at-McCall-hatchery-188765101.html

California - Drakes Bay Attorneys Argue for Injunction to Keep Oyster Operation Open (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_22456997

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Columbia River Oil Spill Leads to $405,000 State Fine (Seattle Times, WA)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/01/columbia-river-oil-spill-leads-to-405000-state-fine/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California - Altamont Pass Turbines Kill Fewer Birds (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Altamont-Pass-turbines-kill-fewer-birds-4230640.php

Automakers Turn to Wind, Solar to Power Plants (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2013/0128/Automakers-turn-to-wind-solar-to-power-plants

Why Expanded Alternative Energy Increases the Need for Natural Gas (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jemillerep/178096/expanded-wind-and-solar-power-increase-need-natural-gas

Smart Grid May be Shortest Route to Obama's Green Energy Goals (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2013/01/23/smart-grid-may-be-shortest-route-to-obamas-green-energy-goals/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California - Cap-And-Trade Overseers Beat Lawsuit (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Cap-and-trade-overseers-beat-lawsuit-4230639.php

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Why Boulder Has to Buy Out their Electric Utility for a Clean Energy Future (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/article/why-boulder-has-to-buy-out-their-electric-utility-for-a-clean-energy-future/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

U-S Internet Speed Better But Still Lags (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/technology/dotcommentary/article/U-S-Internet-speed-better-but-still-lags-4226130.php

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Editorial - The Washington State Legislature Considers the Emergency Clause (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/edcetera/2020238049_the_washington_legislature_con.html

Benton Commissioners Select Sharon Brown for Washington State Senate Seat (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/20756358/benton-co-commissioners-select-sharon-brown-for-state-senate-seat

GENERAL NEWS

So-So Snowpack Gets Big Boost as Cascade Snow Machine Goes Full Tilt (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2013/01/so-so_snowpack_gets_big_boost.html

Washington State Vows to Try to Keep Weed in State - But How? (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020236117_apuslegalizingmarijuana.html

Paramedics Attacked at Centralia Gas Station Aided by Good Samaritan (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Drivers-steps-in-after-man-attacks-2-paramedcis-188768861.html

Months after Ribbon-Cutting, Seattle Public Utilities Waste Transfer Facility Still Not Open (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2186711

Plumbing Company Facing Lawsuit over Spam Text Messages (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Plumbing-company-facing-lawsuit-over-span-text-messages-188790161.html

DIVERSIONS

A Beautiful Look at the Galaxy that Will Collide With Us in 4 Billion Years

http://gizmodo.com/5979855/a-beautiful-look-at-the-galaxy-that-will-collide-with-us-in-4-billion-years

1913 Nickel Will Probably Fetch Millions at Auction

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2013/01/1913_nickel_will_probably_fetc.html

Florida Man Accused of Fraud after Name Change in 'Act of Love'

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/28/us-florida-driving-license-idUSBRE90R15320130128

Piano Man Ends 27-Year Run at Tacoma Mall Nordstrom

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020232623_apwanordstrompianoman.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Billy Joel - Piano Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nDpUyqN1FM