Energy News Digest for March 29, 2013

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for March 29, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/03/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-march_29.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Retiring Manager Wyla Wood, Successor Named - Mason County PUD 3 Commission Report for March 26, 2013 (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1197

PUD Ready to Flip Switch in Jefferson (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130329/news/303299982/pud-ready-to-flip-switch-in-jefferson

Op/Ed - CleanHydro Highlights Hydropower & River Values (Mason County PUD No. 3 & PUD No. 1)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1196

Interior Rejects Bias Claim on Klamath Dams (Associated Press)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/viewart/20130328/UPDATE/130328034/Interior-rejects-bias-claim-Klamath-dams

Carbon Offsets Program Slammed by British Columbia’s Auditor General (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/03/27/bc-carbon-neutral-report.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Retiring Manager Wyla Wood, Successor Named - Mason County PUD 3 Commission Report for March 26, 2013
• PUD Ready to Flip Switch in Jefferson
• Op/Ed - CleanHydro Highlights Hydropower & River Values
• Puget Sound Energy’s Green Rep Gets Black Eye
• Avista Rate Case Ok’d by Idaho PUC
• Coal Export Foes Vow to Fight Port Westward Industrial Park Expansion
• Is the U.S. Too Dependent on Natural Gas for Electricity?
• Commodity Futures Trading Commission Exempts Consumer-Owned Utilities from Dodd-Frank Rules 
• Study Links 2011 Quake to Technique at Oil Wells
• Japanese Utility Takes Blame for Nuclear Crisis
• Interior Rejects Bias Claim on Klamath Dams
• PacifiCorp Signs Over 400 Acres along Hood River for Restoration, Recreation
• Preparing for Zebra Mussels in the Pacific Northwest
• Rise in Bee Deaths Alarms Growers
• California Snow Survey Points to Dry Year
• New Front in Western Wind War: FERC Files Suit Against Idaho PUC, Second Suit Waits in Wings
• A Gust of Wind from D-C Helps the Economy
• Arizona Pro-Solar Group Formed to Battle Utilities
• Canadian Hydro-Power: Niagara Tunnel Now Fully Functional
• Op/Ed – New Hampshire: In the Name of Green Energy, Ratepayers Socked with Costly Bills
• Olympia ‘Passive House’ Creates More Energy than It Uses
• Thinking Of Replacement Windows for Your Home? Choose the Right High-Efficiency Window
• Colorado Co-ops Spotlight Efficiency
• Los Angeles Maps Electricity Use at the Block Level
• Editorial - Legislature Should Pass Sensible Bill to Conserve Energy, Water
• Carbon Offsets Program Slammed by British Columbia’s Auditor General
• Washington State Electric Car Bill Would Fine Drivers Who Park at Charging Stations
• Dairy Finds a Way to Let Cows Power Trucks
• Family Converts Forest into Source of Electricity
• Comcast Increasing Internet Speeds at No Additional Cost
• Video - Cheap Broadband Offered to 100 Million Underprivileged
• U-S Senate - Fischer Teams with Al Franken on Broadband Amendmen
• Cybersecurity & the Threat to Networked Business
• Survey Details Data Theft Concerns for U-S Firms in China
• an Teens
• Washington State Legislature - MacEwen Chosen for Leadership Role on Capital Budget Committee
• Washington State Budget - Gov. Inslee Proposes Extension of Temporary Taxes
• Shelton Teen Arrested With BB Gun at School
• Whidbey Landslide May Have Started Moving in 2002
• Mason County Health Director Comments on Health Rankings
• Mariners Are Baseball’s 12th-Most Valuable Team
• Oregon Lawmakers Considering Reversing Ban on Native American Mascots
• Pot Consultant: ‘The World’s Going To Learn A Lot’ From Washington State
• Christians Mark Crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday

WORD OF THE DAY

Fuliginous • \fyoo-LIDJ-uh-nuss\ • Adjective - 1a: sooty b: obscure, murky 2: having a dark or dusky color

Barty was often flummoxed by the fuliginous comic references his co-worker Slartibartfast made regarding his previous life in some sort of city called Magrathea. He much preferred the comic references from his office-mate Moe, whose communications were (for some reason) peppered with much more accessible references to the “Three Stooges.”

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

Retiring Manager Wyla Wood, Successor Named - Mason County PUD 3 Commission Report for March 26, 2013 (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1197

PUD Ready to Flip Switch in Jefferson (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130329/news/303299982/pud-ready-to-flip-switch-in-jefferson

Op/Ed - CleanHydro Highlights Hydropower & River Values (Mason County PUD No. 3 & PUD No. 1)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1196

Puget Sound Energy’s Green Rep Gets Black Eye (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2013/03/26/environment/113508/puget-sound-energys-green-reputation-gets-black-ey/

Avista Rate Case Ok’d by Idaho PUC (Zack’s Equity Research)

https://ebiz.publicpower.org/APPAEbiz/ProductCatalog/Product.aspx?ID=4192

Coal Export Foes Vow to Fight Port Westward Industrial Park Expansion (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/03/coal_export_foes_vow_to_fight.html

Is the U.S. Too Dependent on Natural Gas for Electricity? (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/03/28/is-the-us-too-dependent-on-natural-gas-for-electricity

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Exempts Consumer-Owned Utilities from Dodd-Frank Rules (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=212872&issueID=26984

Study Links 2011 Quake to Technique at Oil Wells (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/29/science/earth/2011-oklahoma-quake-tied-to-wastewater-disposal-at-oil-wells.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Japanese Utility Takes Blame for Nuclear Crisis (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/energy/article/Japanese-utility-takes-blame-for-nuclear-crisis-4394067.php

FISH & WILDLIFE

Interior Rejects Bias Claim on Klamath Dams (Associated Press)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/viewart/20130328/UPDATE/130328034/Interior-rejects-bias-claim-Klamath-dams

PacifiCorp Signs Over 400 Acres along Hood River for Restoration, Recreation (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/03/pacificorp_signs_over_400_acre.html

Preparing for Zebra Mussels in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://earthfix.opb.org/water/article/preparing-for-zebra-mussels-in-the-pnw/

Rise in Bee Deaths Alarms Growers (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/29/5301341/rise-in-bee-deaths-alarms-growersloss.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

California Snow Survey Points to Dry Year (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/28/5300469/snow-survey-points-to-dry-year.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

New Front in Western Wind War: FERC Files Suit Against Idaho PUC, Second Suit Waits in Wings (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

http://www.energynaturalresourceslaw.com/2013/03/new-front-in-western-wind-war-ferc-files-suit-against-idaho-puc-second-suit-waits-in-wings.html

A Gust of Wind from D-C Helps the Economy (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/03/28/wind-energy-gdp/2028229/

Arizona Pro-Solar Group Formed to Battle Utilities (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2013/03/28/arizona-pro-solar-group-formed-to.html

Canadian Hydro-Power: Niagara Tunnel Now Fully Functional (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/ecskris/203201/hydro-power-niagara-tunnel-now-fully-functional

Op/Ed – New Hampshire: In the Name of Green Energy, Ratepayers Socked with Costly Bills (Concord Monitor, NH)

http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/5343599-95/electricity-ratepayers-energy-solar

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Olympia ‘Passive House’ Creates More Energy than It Uses (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/03/28/2481165/passive-house-creates-more-energy.html#storylink=cpy

Thinking Of Replacement Windows for Your Home? Choose the Right High-Efficiency Window (Thurston Talk, Olymia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2013/03/28/replacement-windows-olympia/

Colorado Co-ops Spotlight Efficiency (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/efficiency-conservation/energy-efficiency/colorado-energy-efficient-project/54151

Los Angeles Maps Electricity Use at the Block Level (MIT Technology Review)

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/512991/los-angeles-maps-electricity-use-at-the-block-level/

Editorial - Legislature Should Pass Sensible Bill to Conserve Energy, Water (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2020663736_columndickieenvironmentxml.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Carbon Offsets Program Slammed by British Columbia’s Auditor General (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/03/27/bc-carbon-neutral-report.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Washington State Electric Car Bill Would Fine Drivers Who Park at Charging Stations (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2013/03/washington_electric_car_bill_w.html

Dairy Finds a Way to Let Cows Power Trucks (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/28/us/dairy-finds-way-to-let-cows-power-trucks.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Family Converts Forest into Source of Electricity (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130328/NEWS01/703289947

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Comcast Increasing Internet Speeds at No Additional Cost (Vancouver Columbian, WA – assuming the current cost was appropriate to begin with…)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/mar/29/comcast-increasing-internet-speeds-no-additional-c/

Video - Cheap Broadband Offered to 100 Million Underprivileged (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/03/28/connect2compete-digital-divide-underprivileged-cheap-interent-access/2029565/

U-S Senate - Fischer Teams with Al Franken on Broadband Amendment (Lincoln Jounral Star, NE)

http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/federal-politics/fischer-teams-with-al-franken-on-broadband-amendment/article_0e6c715a-fafd-52d5-ac9c-30825abfa138.html

Cybersecurity & the Threat to Networked Business (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryhawes/2013/03/27/cybersecurity-and-the-threat-to-networked-business/

Survey Details Data Theft Concerns for U-S Firms in China (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/30/business/global/survey-details-data-theft-concerns-for-us-firms-in-china.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Study Reveals Adults Are Texting While Driving Even More than Teens (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/03/28/texting-while-driving/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Legislature - MacEwen Chosen for Leadership Role on Capital Budget Committee (Mason Web-TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/9716

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Budget - Gov. Inslee Proposes Extension of Temporary Taxes (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Gov-Inslee-proposes-extension-of-temporary-taxes-200477541.html

Shelton Teen Arrested With BB Gun at School (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5279

Whidbey Landslide May Have Started Moving in 2002 (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/35-homes-evacuated-near-Whidbey-Island-landslide-200419841.html

Mason County Health Director Comments on Health Rankings (Mason Web-TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/9709

Mariners Are Baseball’s 12th-Most Valuable Team (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2013/03/mariners-are-baseballs-12th-most.html

Oregon Lawmakers Considering Reversing Ban on Native American Mascots (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/politics/Lawmakers-considering-reversing-ban-on-Native-American-mascots-200552381.html

Pot Consultant: ‘The World’s Going to Learn a Lot’ from Washington State (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/pot-consultant-worlds-going-learn-lot-washington

Christians Mark Crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2013/03/christians_mark_crucifixion_of.html

DIVERSIONS

Hysteria Much? Tennessee Lawmakers Confuse Mop Sink for Muslim Foot-Washing Sink

http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20130325/NEWS02/303250057/TN-lawmakers-confuse-mop-sink-Muslim-foot-washing-sink

21-Ton Cheese Theft Ranks Among Biggest Recent Food Heists

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/Cheese-Theft-is-the-Latest-in-String-of-Mysterious-Food-Heists-200459691.html

So Why Do We Get Goosebumps When We’re Cold or Scared?

http://gizmodo.com/5992748/so-why-do-we-get-goosebumps-when-were-cold-or-scared

Authorities Arrest Suspects In Porta-Potty Arsons

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/mar/28/authorities-arrest-suspects-porta-potty-arsons/

SONG OF THE DAY

Lana Del Rey - Chelsea Hotel No 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj_myXdOLV0

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 March 28, 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 March 28, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/03/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-march_28.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Mason County PUD 3 Accepts Manager Retirement; Appoints Successor (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/9698

A Big Dam Fight Ahead - Opponents of Oregon’s Green Energy Law Are Seeking a Major Change (Willamette Weekly, OR)

http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-20438-a_big_dam_fight_ahead.html

Is The Sky The Limit For Wind Power? “…it’s actually possible to have so many turbines that they start to lose power. They steal each other’s wind…” (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2013/03/27/174820893/is-the-sky-the-limit-for-wind-power

Washington State Senator Says Governor’s Climate Change Bill Really Not about Climate (Seattle Times, WA)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/03/27/sen-doug-ericksen-says-governors-climate-change-bill-really-not-about-climate/?syndication=rss

The Mysterious Decline of Puget Sound Herring (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2013/03/27/animals-wildlife/113579/mysterious-decline-Puget-Sound-herring/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Mason County PUD 3 Accepts Manager Retirement; Appoints Successor
• Northern Wasco PUD Phases in Electricity Rate Increases
• Avista to Raise Idaho Natural Gas Rates
• New OMSI Exhibit Gives Visitors Power!
• Balloons - Oh the Humanity! Incident Disrupts Power to 200 in Everett
• Report Confirms Hydroelectric Power’s Value to U-S Transmission Grids
• Natural Gas Prices Highest Since 2011, Capping a Year of Gains
• Vermont Supreme Court denies New England Coalition’s petition to close Vermont Yankee
• Japan Utility Scraps Plan for New Nuke Plant
• Does My Smart Meter Make Me Look Fat?
• The Mysterious Decline of Puget Sound Herring
• Northwest Power & Conservation Council Taking Opinions for Columbia River Fish & Wildlife
• Work Advancing on Eastern Idaho Sockeye Hatchery
• Pacific Northwest Tribes Maximize Steelhead Populations
• Sierra Club Opposes Portland Fluoridation Measure
• A Big Dam Fight Ahead - Opponents of Oregon’s Green Energy Law Are Seeking a Major Change
• Is The Sky The Limit For Wind Power?
• Idaho Expresses Disappointment in FERC Action over Wind Power Projects
• Zephyr Power Line to Thread Southeastern Wyoming
• Scotland Chooses Wind Energy over Trump’s Golf Course
• Oregon & Washington Schools & Businesses Are Top 2013 Energy Star Partners in Saving Energy & Fighting Climate Change
• Blaine Receives $500,000 Grant to Reduce Energy Consumption
• Thurston Energy Announces Extension of Energy Efficiency Rebates to June 21
• Borrow a High-Tech Energy Display from Sacramento Public Utility District
• Washington State Senator Says Governor’s Climate Change Bill Really Not about Climate
• Global Warming Predictions Prove Accurate
• Granite Falls Eco Car Team Ready to Hit the Road
• Solar Plane Prepares for Flight Across America
• Roads Soak Up the Sun. Could We Use That Energy?
• Sprint Confirms Plans to Bring ‘LTE’ Service to Portland ‘Soon’
• Intel, TV Networks near Accord on Cable TV Alternative
• That Internet War Apocalypse Is a Lie
• Court Rejects Antitrust Suit in Victory for Comcast
• Egypt Arrests Three as Undersea Internet Cable Is Cut Off Alexandria
• Smartphone Users Love Their Facebook
• Suspect Killed, Home Bursts into Flames as Hoquiam Standoff Ends
• 35 Homes Evacuated Near Whidbey Island Landslide
• Ten Hanford Managers Indicted in Timecard Scheme
• Fatal Seattle Crash Sheds New Light on Disturbing Gaps in DUI Laws
• Get Studded Tires Off By Monday or Face $124 Fine
• Stolen Gresham Storm Grates Create Hazards
• In Order To Omit Needless Words & Cut Deadwood

WORD OF THE DAY

Heliacal • \hih-LIE-uh-cull\ • Adjective - Relating to or near the sun — used especially of the last setting of a star before and its first rising after invisibility due to conjunction with the sun's rising and setting

Icarus’ heliacal experience was an abject failure. ‘Nuff said.

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

Mason County PUD 3 Accepts Manager Retirement; Appoints Successor (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/9698

Northern Wasco PUD Phases in Electricity Rate Increases (The Dalles Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2013/mar/27/pud-phases-electricity-rate-increases/

Avista to Raise Idaho Natural Gas Rates (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/mar/28/in-brief-avista-to-raise-idaho-natural-gas-rates/

New OMSI Exhibit Gives Visitors Power! (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/New-OMSI-exhibit-gives-visitors-power.aspx

Balloons - Oh the Humanity! Incident Disrupts Power to 200 in Everett (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130327/NEWS01/703279861

Report Confirms Hydroelectric Power’s Value to U-S Transmission Grids (HydroWorld)

http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2013/03/epri-report-confirms-hydroelectric-power-s-value-to-u-s--transmi.html

Natural Gas Prices Highest Since 2011, Capping a Year of Gains (Denver Business Journal, CO)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/earth_to_power/2013/03/natural-gas-prices-highest-since-2011.html

Vermont Supreme Court denies New England Coalition’s petition to close Vermont Yankee (VT Digger, Montpelier, VT)

http://vtdigger.org/2013/03/28/vermont-supreme-court-denies-new-england-coalitions-petition-to-close-vermont-yankee/

Japan Utility Scraps Plan for New Nuke Plant (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020655980_apjapannuclear.html?syndication=rss

Does My Smart Meter Make Me Look Fat? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/christine-hertzog/202726/smart-meter-tech-concerns

FISH & WILDLIFE

The Mysterious Decline of Puget Sound Herring (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2013/03/27/animals-wildlife/113579/mysterious-decline-Puget-Sound-herring/

Northwest Power & Conservation Council Taking Opinions for Columbia River Fish & Wildlife (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/21808931/power-and-conservation-council-taking-opinions-for-columbia-river-fish-wildlife

Work Advancing on Eastern Idaho Sockeye Hatchery (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Work-advancing-on-eastern-Idaho-sockeye-hatchery-4388668.php

Pacific Northwest Tribes Maximize Steelhead Populations (Boise State Public Radio, ID)

http://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/northwest-tribes-maximize-steelhead-populations

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Sierra Club Opposes Portland Fluoridation Measure (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Sierra-Club-opposes-Portland-fluoridation-measure-200280581.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

A Big Dam Fight Ahead - Opponents of Oregon’s Green Energy Law Are Seeking a Major Change (Willamette Weekly, OR)

http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-20438-a_big_dam_fight_ahead.html

Is The Sky The Limit For Wind Power? “…it’s actually possible to have so many turbines that they start to lose power. They steal each other’s wind…” (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2013/03/27/174820893/is-the-sky-the-limit-for-wind-power

Idaho Expresses Disappointment in FERC Action over Wind Power Projects (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/news/2013/03/28/states-utility-group-expresses-disappointment-in-ferc-action.html

Zephyr Power Line to Thread Southeastern Wyoming (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)

http://trib.com/business/energy/c1d73693-13b3-5f29-a49f-54e55b68695a.html

Scotland Chooses Wind Energy over Trump’s Golf Course (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jesse-parent/203231/scotland-chooses-wind-energy-over-trumps-golf-course

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Oregon & Washington Schools & Businesses Are Top 2013 Energy Star Partners in Saving Energy & Fighting Climate Change (Environmental Protection Agency)

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/b799d60b326d752885257b3a0077d0ab?OpenDocument

Blaine Receives $500,000 Grant to Reduce Energy Consumption (The Northern Light, Blaine, WA)

http://www.thenorthernlight.com/news/article.exm/2013-03-27_blaine_receives__500_000_grant_to_reduce_energy_consumption

Thurston Energy Announces Extension of Energy Efficiency Rebates to June 21 (Thurston Talk, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2013/03/27/thurston-energy-announces-extension-of-energy-efficiency-rebates-to-june-21/

Borrow a High-Tech Energy Display from Sacramento Public Utility District (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/news/2013/03/28/borrow-a-high-tech-energy-display-from-smud.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Senator Says Governor’s Climate Change Bill Really Not about Climate (Seattle Times, WA)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/03/27/sen-doug-ericksen-says-governors-climate-change-bill-really-not-about-climate/?syndication=rss

Global Warming Predictions Prove Accurate - Analysis of climate change modeling for past 15 years reveal accurate forecasts of rising global temperatures (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/27/climate-change-model-global-warming

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Granite Falls Eco Car Team Ready to Hit the Road (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130327/NEWS01/130329819

Solar Plane Prepares for Flight Across America (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020656043_apussolarplane.html?syndication=rss

Roads Soak Up the Sun. Could We Use That Energy? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0327/Roads-soak-up-the-sun.-Could-we-use-that-energy

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Sprint Confirms Plans to Bring ‘LTE’ Service to Portland ‘Soon’ (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2013/03/sprint_confirms_plans_to_bring.html

Intel, TV Networks near Accord on Cable TV Alternative (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/03/intel_tv_networks_near_accord.html

That Internet War Apocalypse Is a Lie (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/5992652/that-internet-war-apocalypse-is-a-lie

Court Rejects Antitrust Suit in Victory for Comcast (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/28/business/supreme-court-rejects-antritust-suit-against-comcast.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Egypt Arrests Three as Undersea Internet Cable Is Cut Off Alexandria (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21963100

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Smartphone Users Love Their Facebook (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2013/03/smartphone-users-love-their-facebook.html

GENERAL NEWS

Suspect Killed, Home Bursts into Flames as Hoquiam Standoff Ends (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Standoff-in-Hoquiam-ends-with-suspect-down-home-in-flames-200423521.html

35 Homes Evacuated Near Whidbey Island Landslide (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/35-homes-evacuated-near-Whidbey-Island-landslide-200419841.html

Ten Hanford Managers Indicted in Timecard Scheme (Associated Press)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/hanford/10-Hanford-managers-indicted-in-timecard-scheme-200267141.html

Fatal Seattle Crash Sheds New Light on Disturbing Gaps in DUI Laws (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Fatal-crash-sheds-new-light-on-disturbing-gaps-in-DUI-laws-200341451.html

Get Studded Tires Off By Monday or Face $124 Fine (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/studded-tires-deadline-200219021.html

Stolen Gresham Storm Grates Create Hazards (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Stolen-Gresham-storm-grates-create-safety-hazard-200240211.html

In Order To Omit Needless Words & Cut Deadwood (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Verbal-Energy/2013/0328/In-order-to-omit-needless-words-and-cut-deadwood

DIVERSIONS

City Makes Waves by Removing Easter from Easter Egg Hunt

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/City-makes-waves-by-removing-Easter-from-Easter-egg-hunt-200334871.html

VIDEO: City of Walla Walla Paints Over Giant Purple Octopus

http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/mar/28/video-city-paints-over-giant-purple-octopus/

Chihuahua Saves Girl from Pit Bull Attack

http://q13fox.com/2013/03/27/chihuahua-saves-girl-from-pit-bull-attack/

Restaurant Shames No-Shows on Twitter

http://q13fox.com/2013/03/27/restaurant-shames-no-shows-on-twitter/

SONG OF THE DAY

Fleetwood Mac – Landslide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X30NY6E3fA8

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.