Energy News Digest for September 30, 2013

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for September 30, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/09/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_30.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

With Water Treaty Set to Expire, Future of Columbia River Up for Debate (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/debating-the-future-of-the-columbia-river/article14584669/

Pacific Northwest Tribes Exult as Nearly One Million Chinook Return to Columbia River (Indian Country Today)

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/09/26/northwest-tribes-exult-nearly-one-million-fall-chinook-return-columbia-river-151454

NorthWestern to Buy PPL Montana’s 11 Hydropower Dams (The Missoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/northwestern-to-buy-ppl-montana-s-hydropower-dams/article_24859418-26ee-11e3-a055-001a4bcf887a.html

Longtime Foes Unite Over Water Plan for Eastern Washington (Seattle Times - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021921558_yakimawaterxml.html

Credits to Spur Renewable Energy Sources Seen Set to End (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-30/credits-to-spur-renewable-energy-sources-seen-set-to-end-taxes.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• With Water Treaty Set to Expire, Future of Columbia River Up for Debate
• Editorial: The Pacific Northwest Needs an Overhauled Columbia River Treaty
• NorthWestern to Buy PPL Montana’s 11 Hydropower Dams
• Spokane Tribe Hopeful Its Long Wait for Payment over Grand Coulee Dam Will End
• Restoration of Electricity Continues for Tahuya Area Residents – 980 Customers Remain
• ‘Smart Meter’ Project: Port Angeles City Council to Consider Request for $99,000 ‘Smart Meter’ Consultant
• 81 Legislators Urge Progress on Yucca Mountain Licensing
• Small Modular Reactor Use Denounced By Scientists Group
• Fitch Affirms Energy Northwest’s Wind Project Revenue Bonds at ‘A-’; Outlook Stable
• Cascade Natural Gas Planning Price Increase
• Old, Crumbling Dams Pose Potential Hazards across Michigan
• Returning Chinook ‘Through the Roof’
• More Room to Spawn
• Longtime Foes Unite Over Water Plan for Eastern Washington
• Study: Charred Forests in Columbia Basin Headwaters Leads to Changed Snow Runoff Patterns
• Credits to Spur Renewable Energy Sources Seen Set to End
• Other Western States Outpacing New Mexico on Renewable Energy
• Forget Eagle Deaths, Wind Turbines Kill Humans
• Company Works to Promote Power of Ductless Heat Pumps
• Why Efficiency Is Harder in Industrial Facilities than Commercial Buildings
• Washington State Governor’s Climate Panel Looks at Uphill Haul
• High-Speed Broadband Networks with a Safety Net
• Google Launches Huge Overhaul of Search Algorithm - Which You Probably Didn’t Notice
• Broadband from the Bell Tower: The Church That Became an Internet Hub
• Is Your Business Spending Too Much Time on Facebook?
• Facebook Editing Function Raises Concern over Misuse
• This Is Why No One Follows You on Twitter

WORD OF THE DAY

Foofaraw • \FOO-fu-raw\ • Noun - 1: frills & flashy finery 2: a disturbance or to-do over a trifle: fuss

Pretty foofaraw

Lipstick on a pig, yahoo

Punch drunk from outage

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

With Water Treaty Set to Expire, Future of Columbia River Up for Debate (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/debating-the-future-of-the-columbia-river/article14584669/

Editorial: The Pacific Northwest Needs an Overhauled Columbia River Treaty (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/09/the_northwest_needs_an_overhau.html

NorthWestern to Buy PPL Montana’s 11 Hydropower Dams (The Missoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/northwestern-to-buy-ppl-montana-s-hydropower-dams/article_24859418-26ee-11e3-a055-001a4bcf887a.html

Spokane Tribe Hopeful Its Long Wait for Payment over Grand Coulee Dam Will End (McClatchy News Service)

http://www.macon.com/2013/09/30/2688570/tribe-hopeful-its-long-wait-for.html

Restoration of Electricity Continues for Tahuya Area Residents – 980 Customers Remain (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1271

‘Smart Meter’ Project: Port Angeles City Council to Consider Request for $99,000 ‘Smart Meter’ Consultant (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130930/NEWS/309309990/smart-meter-project-port-angeles-city-council-to-consider-request

81 Legislators Urge Progress on Yucca Mountain Licensing (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/09/28/2599480/81-legislators-urge-progress-on.html

Small Modular Reactor Use Denounced By Scientists Group (Akin Standard, SC)

http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20130927/AIK0101/130929542/1004/small-modular-reactor-use-denounced

Fitch Affirms Energy Northwest’s Wind Project Revenue Bonds at ‘A-’; Outlook Stable (Yahoo! Finance)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fitch-affirms-energy-northwest-wind-173100189.html

Cascade Natural Gas Planning Price Increase (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/09/27/2597314/cascade-natural-gas-planning-price.html

Old, Crumbling Dams Pose Potential Hazards across Michigan (McClatchy News Service)

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20130930/NEWS26/309300003/Old-crumbling-dams-pose-potential-hazards-across-Michigan

FISH & WILDLIFE

Pacific Northwest Tribes Exult as Nearly One Million Chinook Return to Columbia River (Indian Country Today)

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/09/26/northwest-tribes-exult-nearly-one-million-fall-chinook-return-columbia-river-151454

Returning Chinook ‘Through the Roof’ (The Eatonville Dispatch, WA)

http://www.dispatchnews.com/?p=3179

More Room to Spawn (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/sep/28/new-railroad-bridge-clears-century-old-obstacle-for-young-salmon/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Longtime Foes Unite Over Water Plan for Eastern Washington (Seattle Times - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021921558_yakimawaterxml.html

Study: Charred Forests in Columbia Basin Headwaters Leads to Changed Snow Runoff Patterns (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/428442.aspx

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Credits to Spur Renewable Energy Sources Seen Set to End (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-30/credits-to-spur-renewable-energy-sources-seen-set-to-end-taxes.html

Other Western States Outpacing New Mexico on Renewable Energy (Albuquerque Business First, NM)

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2013/09/27/other-western-states-exceed-nm-renewable.html

Forget Eagle Deaths, Wind Turbines Kill Humans (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2013/09/29/forget-eagle-deaths-wind-turbines-kill-humans/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Company Works to Promote Power of Ductless Heat Pumps (Olympian, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/09/29/2749304/company-works-to-promote-power.html

Why Efficiency Is Harder in Industrial Facilities than Commercial Buildings (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/stephenlacey/279661/why-efficiency-so-much-harder-industrial-facilities-commercial-buildings

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Governor’s Climate Panel Looks at Uphill Haul (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2013/09/28/washington-governor/116667/governors-climate-panel-looks-ways-get-moving/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

High-Speed Broadband Networks with a Safety Net (The Hill)

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/324911-high-speed-broadband-netwroks-with-a-safety-net

Google Launches Huge Overhaul of Search Algorithm - Which You Probably Didn’t Notice (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2013/09/27/google-launches-huge-overhaul-of-search-algorithm-which-you-probably-didnt-notice/

Broadband from the Bell Tower: The Church That Became an Internet Hub (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/29/broadband-bell-tower-st-andrews-church-paull

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Is Your Business Spending Too Much Time on Facebook? (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/09/30/facebook-small-business/

Facebook Editing Function Raises Concern over Misuse (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24330771

This Is Why No One Follows You on Twitter (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/09/30/twitter-followers/

DIVERSIONS

Chevrolet Dealer’s Old, Undriven Cars Auctioned Off

http://www.usatoday.com/story/driveon/2013/09/30/lambrecht-chevrolet-auction-nebraska/2894401/

Quack! Wisconsin Bill, No Pun Intended, Seeks to Legalize Rubber Duck Races

http://www.tribtown.com/view/story/5e34b3d472d148e68baa4a64081dbd8d/WI-ODD--Duck-Races

Jewels on French Mountain May Be from Plane Crash

http://news.yahoo.com/jewels-french-mountain-may-plane-crash-175511263.html

Boeing Turns Aging Planes into Drones for Air Force Target Practice

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/boeing-turns-aging-planes-into-drones-for-air-force-target-practice-010653391.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Shirley Bassey - Diamonds Are Forever

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

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 September 27, 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 September 27, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/09/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_27.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FOUR STORIES

Stormy Weekend to Bring a Lot of Rain to the Mountains (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Stormy-weekend-to-bring-a-lot-of-rain-to-the-mountains-225379282.html

Puget Sound Energy to Pay $275,000 Fine for North Seattle Home Explosion (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/PSU-to-pay-275k-fine-for-North-Seattle-home-explosion-225434022.html

Why Is Solar Power Booming in Snohomish County? (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/Solar-power-doubles-in-Snohomish-Countykeeps-growing--225419522.html

Google Says Data Center Expansion in the Dalles Will Cost $600 Million (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2013/09/google_says_data_center_expans.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Puget Sound Energy to Pay $275,000 Fine for North Seattle Home Explosion
• Ex-Seattle Utilities Employee Pleads Guilty to $1.1 Million Theft
• Idaho: Rupert Electric Rates to Increase by Four Percent
• B-C Hydro Executive Takes Home $1 Million Pay Packet Again
• Northern Wasco PUD Offers New Billing Option, Adds Weatherization Cap
• Coal Makes Comeback in U-S Power Generation
• National Grid Settles with Northeast U-S Workers Who Waited Months for Pay after Superstorm
• Work Under Way to Squirrel-Proof Tampa Electric Company Lines
• Dolphins, Whales Likely to Get Added Protections under Court Ruling
• Wild Salmon: Are Their Best Days All Behind Them?
• Wild Washington King Salmon Gets Waxed by Costco Frozen, Farm Raised in Blind Taste Test
• Contra Costa County: PG&E Continues Work to Protect Endangered Butterfly near Antioch Dunes
• Why Is Solar Power Booming in Snohomish County?
• California: As More Go Solar, Grid Users Forced to Pay Up
• Cost of Solar Set to Plummet with New 44.7% Efficiency Record
• Vestas Receives Largest Order in Three Years
• California: Eagle Conservation Effort at Solano Wind Energy Project Is First of Its Kind
• Space Heaters: Wallet Saver or Eater?
• U-S Is Making a Dent in Its Climate Change Goals
• Global Warming ‘Extremely Likely’ to be Man-Made, U-N Panel Says
• Google Says Data Center Expansion in the Dalles Will Cost $600 Million
• Intel Needs Partner for Its TV Initiative, Sources Say
• Nearly 78 Percent of American Homes Have Broadband & Nine Percent Cord Cutters
• Seattle Is a Hub of Big Data & Cloud Innovation, Say TechNW Panelists
• Bill Gates Admits ‘Ctrl-Alt-Del’ Was a ‘Mistake’
• New Look, Better Search for BPA’s Transmission Website
• Stormy Weekend to Bring a Lot of Rain to the Mountains
• Special Weather Statement Issued for Weekend Rain, Possibly Blustery Conditions
• Green Diamond Opens Lands, Starts Rewards Program
• Timber Payments for Oregon Counties Clears Last Congressional Hurdle
• Grocery Workers Authorize Strike - If It Comes to That

WORD OF THE DAY

Hoary • \HORE-ee\ • Adjective – 1: showing characteristics of age, especially having gray or white hair 2: ancient.

Brad’s male-pattern-blindness irritated his charming wife to no end. He would stand before the humming refrigerator, tendrils of cold, misty air wafting around his cranium, as he looked for things as simple as a bottle of catsup, or a jar of pickles. What disturbed his wife (her name was Trudy) the most was his overlooking of boxes of hoary leftovers from “Outback”, “Olive Garden” and other restaurants whose rumination added a pungent odor to the kitchen with each foray into the fridge.

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

Puget Sound Energy to Pay $275,000 Fine for North Seattle Home Explosion (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/PSU-to-pay-275k-fine-for-North-Seattle-home-explosion-225434022.html

Ex-Seattle Utilities Employee Pleads Guilty to $1.1 Million Theft (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Ex-Seattle-utilities-employee-pleads-guilty-to-11-million-embezzlement-225415462.html

Idaho: Rupert Electric Rates to Increase by Four Percent (Weekly News Journal, Burley, ID)

http://www.minicassia.com/news/local/article_d3a46132-26cf-11e3-b72f-001a4bcf6878.html

B-C Hydro Executive Takes Home $1 Million Pay Packet Again (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-hydro-executive-takes-home-1m-pay-packet-again-1.1869523?cmp=rss

Northern Wasco PUD Offers New Billing Option, Adds Weatherization Cap (The Dalles Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2013/sep/26/pud-offers-new-billing-option-adds-weatherization-/

Coal Makes Comeback in U-S Power Generation - Higher natural gas prices cause utilities to burn more polluting coal (Scientific American – Couldn’t resist a little jab, could you?)

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=coal-makes-comeback-in-us-power-generation

National Grid Settles with Northeast U-S Workers Who Waited Months for Pay after Superstorm (Associated Press)

http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/national-grid-settles-mass-ny-ri-workers-waited-213028351.html

Work Under Way to Squirrel-Proof Tampa Electric Company Lines (Tampa Tribune, FL)

http://tampatribune.com/news/teco-lines-get-squirrel-proofed-20130925/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Dolphins, Whales Likely to Get Added Protections under Court Ruling (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Dolphins-whales-likely-to-get-added-protections-under-US-court-ruling-225380532.html

Wild Salmon: Are Their Best Days All Behind Them? (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2013/09/27/environment/116498/what-will-it-take-wild-salmon-return-record-number/

Wild Washington King Salmon Gets Waxed by Costco Frozen, Farm Raised in Blind Taste Test (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2362963

Contra Costa County: PG&E Continues Work to Protect Endangered Butterfly near Antioch Dunes (Pacific Gas & Electric)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/09/26/contra-costa-county-pge-continues-work-to-protect-endangered-butterfly-near-antioch-dunes/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Why Is Solar Power Booming in Snohomish County? (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/Solar-power-doubles-in-Snohomish-Countykeeps-growing--225419522.html

California: As More Go Solar, Grid Users Forced to Pay Up (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/As-more-go-solar-grid-users-forced-to-pay-up-4847318.php

Cost of Solar Set to Plummet with New 44.7% Efficiency Record (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/tinacasey/279671/cost-solar-set-plummet-new-447-efficiency-record

Vestas Receives Largest Order in Three Years (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/09/vestas_receives_largest_order.html

California: Eagle Conservation Effort at Solano Wind Energy Project Is First of Its Kind (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/09/27/5772735/eagle-conservation-effort-at-solano.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Space Heaters: Wallet Saver or Eater? (Northern Michigan Review, Petoskey, MI)

http://www.petoskeynews.com/news/featured/pnr-space-heaters-wallet-saver-or-eater-20130927,0,3535437.story

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

U-S Is Making a Dent in Its Climate Change Goals (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/26/climate-change-progress/2877611/

Global Warming ‘Extremely Likely’ to be Man-Made, U-N Panel Says (Associated Press)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/global-warming-extremely-likely-to-be-man-made-un-panel-says-1.1870378

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Says Data Center Expansion in the Dalles Will Cost $600 Million (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2013/09/google_says_data_center_expans.html

Intel Needs Partner for Its TV Initiative, Sources Say (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/09/intel_needs_partner_to_keep_tv.html

Nearly 78 Percent of American Homes Have Broadband & Nine Percent Cord Cutters (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2013/09/26/nearly-78-percent-of-american-homes-have-broadband/

Seattle Is a Hub of Big Data & Cloud Innovation, Say TechNW Panelists (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2013/09/seattle-is-the-hub-of-big-data-cloud.html

Bill Gates Admits ‘Ctrl-Alt-Del’ Was a ‘Mistake’ (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Bill-Gates-Ctrl-Alt-Del-mistake-225385052.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

New Look, Better Search for BPA’s Transmission Website (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/New-look-better-search-for-BPAs-Transmission-website.aspx

GENERAL NEWS

Stormy Weekend to Bring a Lot of Rain to the Mountains (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Stormy-weekend-to-bring-a-lot-of-rain-to-the-mountains-225379282.html

Special Weather Statement Issued for Weekend Rain, Possibly Blustery Conditions (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1261

Green Diamond Opens Lands, Starts Rewards Program (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/6059-green-diamond-opens-lands-starts-rewards-program

Timber Payments for Oregon Counties Clears Last Congressional Hurdle (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2013/09/timber_payments_for_oregon_cou.html

Grocery Workers Authorize Strike - If It Comes to That (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130926/BIZ/709269886

DIVERSIONS

Our Universe Might Just Be Fourth-Dimensional Black Hole Vomit

http://gizmodo.com/our-universe-might-just-be-fourth-dimensional-black-hol-1410271260

TomTato Combines Two Plants in One

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/tomtato-combines-two-plants-into-one-231215239.html

Pilots Fall Asleep on Long-Haul Flight to UK

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/26/us-airlines-pilots-asleep-idUSBRE98P12Y20130926

China Puffer Fish Tower Prompts a Huff about State Spending

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/27/us-china-fish-idUSBRE98Q0FT20130927

SONG OF THE DAY

Bing Crosby - Swinging on a Star

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

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 September 26, 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 September 26, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/09/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_26.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Heavy Weekend Rains Forecast in Western Washington (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Heavy-weekend-rains-forecast-in-Western-Washington-4845271.php

Dams Help the Pacific Northwest Cope with Climate Change (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/dams-help-nw-cope-climate-change

Editorial: Proposed Changes to International Treaty May Have Impact on Local Electricity Rates (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/11244

Op/Ed: Columbia River Treaty Renewal Chance To Reopen Salmon Passages (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/sep/26/columbia-treaty-renewal-chance-to-reopen-salmon/

Run-Ins between People, Sea Lions Turn Violent in Westport (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/eco/Sea-lions-225110802.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Port Angeles Utility Bills to Rise? You’ll Get a Chance to Speak Out – Twice
• Alaska: Utilities, State Say $1 Billion Needed for Grid Upgrades
• Puget Sound Energy Discusses New Agate Pass Service Towers at Public Meeting
• Mason County PUD 1 Receives Communication Awards
• Fight over Energy Finds a New Front in a Corner of Idaho
• The Average Price of Electricity, Country by Country
• Power Failure Snarls New York City Commute for Thousands
• Florida’s Electric Utilities Under Fire
• Utilities Dumbstruck By Big Data from Smarter Grid
• Run-Ins between People, Sea Lions Turn Violent in Westport
• Stop Fish Kills, Restore Salmon Run on White River
• Salmon Will Again Enter Mission Creek from Budd Inlet
• Editorial: Proposed Changes to International Treaty May Have Impact on Local Electricity Rates
• Op/Ed: Columbia River Treaty Renewal Chance to Reopen Salmon Passages
• Construction Set to Begin on Final Phase of Chewuch Canal Project
• What Happens If You Add Lots of Wind & Solar Power to the Grid?
• Geothermal Generation Gaining New Customers
• Nonrenewable Renewables?
• Ohio Renewable Energy Standards Rollback Would Harm Economy, Group Says
• Energy Adviser: Energy-Saving Tips for Renters
• Use People’s Competitive Spirit to Get Them to Reduce Energy Use
• Dams Help the Pacific Northwest Cope with Climate Change
• Climate Change Stars Fade, Even If Risks Rise
• Op/Ed: Lower Temp on Climate Change Hype
• Editorial: Google Just One Brick in Columbia River Gorge Foundation
• You Can Google It: The Search Giant Turns 15
• Google Adopts Seven New Tech Hubs in North America
• Twitter Launches Emergency Alerts for Phones
• Former Senate Democratic Campaign Head Allegedly Stole Thousands to Fuel Gambling, Drinking Habit
• Heavy Weekend Rains Forecast in Western Washington
• Weekend Hydrologic Outlook for Mason County
• Are You Ready For Winter? It’s Coming Whether You Like It or Not
• Wild Weather Tied to Unusual Jet Stream Activity
• Living in a Flood Zone? Check Your Insurance. It May Be About to Go Up
• Commissioner Identifies Way to Save Mason County $5 Million
• Darigold Workers Reject Latest Contract Offer, Strike Possible
• Guitar Makers Slow to Respond to Figured Maple Thefts

WORD OF THE DAY

Tergiversation • \ter-jiv-er-SAY-shun\ • Noun - 1: evasion of straightforward action or clear-cut statement: equivocation 2: desertion of a cause, position, party, or faith

“This is the best money can buy,” the scandal-plagued CEO puffed to his attending sycophants around the board room table. His outspread arms directed their attention to the imposing group of public affairs experts ringing the mahogany-paneled corporate sanctuary. “The tergiversation about our pending stock issue will be so dense and impenetrable that it will make a black hole look like child’s play.”

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

Port Angeles Utility Bills to Rise? You’ll Get a Chance to Speak Out – Twice (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130926/NEWS/309269985/port-angeles-utility-bills-to-rise-17-percent-youll-get-a-chance-to

Alaska: Utilities, State Say $1 Billion Needed for Grid Upgrades (Transmission & Distribution World)

http://tdworld.com/bet-you-haven039t-seen/utilities-state-say-1b-needed-grid-upgrades-alaska

Puget Sound Energy Discusses New Agate Pass Service Towers at Public Meeting (Bainbridge Review, WA)

http://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/225046282.html

Mason County PUD 1 Receives Communication Awards (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/11238

Fight over Energy Finds a New Front in a Corner of Idaho (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/us/fight-over-energy-finds-a-new-front-in-a-corner-of-idaho.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

The Average Price of Electricity, Country by Country (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/lindsay-wilson/279126/average-electricity-prices-around-world-kwh

Power Failure Snarls New York City Commute for Thousands - Broken circuit could take two to three weeks to repair (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/26/power-failure-commuters-new-york-connecticut/2876761/

Florida’s Electric Utilities Under Fire - Can outrage at Duke Energy & nuclear cost recovery affect next year’s elections? (Creative Loafing, Tampa, FL)

http://cltampa.com/tampa/floridas-electric-utilities-under-fire/Content?oid=4263346#.UkRRUhDcB8E

Utilities Dumbstruck By Big Data from Smarter Grid (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2013/09/25/utilities-dumbstruck-by-big-data-from-smarter-grid/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Run-Ins between People, Sea Lions Turn Violent in Westport (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/eco/Sea-lions-225110802.html

Stop Fish Kills, Restore Salmon Run on White River - The Army Corps of Engineers’ antiquated dam & trap facilities need replacing (Seattle Times - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2021898043_donaldjerryopedsalmondam26xml.html

Salmon Will Again Enter Mission Creek from Budd Inlet (Olympian, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/09/26/2743406/salmon-will-again-enter-mission.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Editorial: Proposed Changes to International Treaty May Have Impact on Local Electricity Rates (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/11244

Op/Ed: Columbia River Treaty Renewal Chance To Reopen Salmon Passages (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/sep/26/columbia-treaty-renewal-chance-to-reopen-salmon/

Construction Set to Begin on Final Phase of Chewuch Canal Project (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

http://methowvalleynews.com/2013/09/25/construction-set-to-begin-on-final-phase-of-chewuch-canal-project/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

What Happens If You Add Lots of Wind & Solar Power to the Grid? (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/25/what-happens-if-you-add-lots-of-wind-and-solar-power-to-the-grid/

Geothermal Generation Gaining New Customers (The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, CA)

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20130925/BUSINESS0302/309250017/Geothermal-generation-gaining-new-customers

Nonrenewable Renewables? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/robertrapier/279266/nonrenewable-renewables

Ohio Renewable Energy Standards Rollback Would Harm Economy, Group Says (Columbus Business First, OH)

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2013/09/25/energy-standards-rollback-would-harm.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Adviser: Energy-Saving Tips for Renters (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/sep/26/energy-saving-tips-for-renters/

Use People’s Competitive Spirit to Get Them to Reduce Energy Use (Wall Street Journal)

http://blogs.wsj.com/experts/2013/09/25/use-peoples-competitive-spirit-to-get-them-to-reduce-energy-use/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Dams Help the Pacific Northwest Cope with Climate Change (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/dams-help-nw-cope-climate-change

Climate Change Stars Fade, Even If Risks Rise (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/26/climate-change-ipcc-leaders-idINDEE98P06P20130926?irpc=932

Op/Ed: Lower Temp on Climate Change Hype (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/09/25/climate-change-un-report-global-warming-column/2872425/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Editorial: Google Just One Brick in Columbia River Gorge Foundation (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/09/google_just_one_brick_in_colum.html

You Can Google It: The Search Giant Turns 15 (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/interactive/2871455/

Google Adopts Seven New Tech Hubs in North America (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/09/25/google-tech-hubs/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Launches Emergency Alerts for Phones (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/Twitter-launches-emergency-alerts-for-phones-4842908.php

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Former Senate Democratic Campaign Head Allegedly Stole Thousands to Fuel Gambling, Drinking Habit (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2013/09/25/former-senate-democratic-campaign-head-allegedly-stole-thousands-to-fuel-gambling-drinking-habit/

GENERAL NEWS

Heavy Weekend Rains Forecast in Western Washington (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Heavy-weekend-rains-forecast-in-Western-Washington-4845271.php

Weekend Hydrologic Outlook for Mason County (National Weather Service, Seattle, WA)

http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WA124F18B34FC4.HydrologicOutlook.124F18C0BF9CWA.SEWESFSEW.75a43901a4d29c662d0b38d4b936c0ae

Are You Ready For Winter? It’s Coming Whether You Like It or Not (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2362049

Wild Weather Tied to Unusual Jet Stream Activity (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2013/09/25/225754902/wild-weather-tied-to-unusual-jet-stream-activity?ft=1&f=3

Living in a Flood Zone? Check Your Insurance. It May Be About to Go Up (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2013/0925/Living-in-a-flood-zone-Check-your-insurance.-It-may-be-about-to-go-up

Commissioner Identifies Way to Save Mason County $5 Million (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/5942-commissioner-identifies-way-to-save-county-5m

Darigold Workers Reject Latest Contract Offer, Strike Possible (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2013/09/25/darigold-workers-reject-latest-contract-offer-strike-possible/

Guitar Makers Slow to Respond to Figured Maple Thefts (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/guitar-makers-slow-respond-figured-maple-thefts

DIVERSIONS

Average Washington Pot User Consumes 123 Joints per Year

http://q13fox.com/2013/09/25/average-washington-pot-user-consumes-123-joints-per-year/

Passerby Captures Lion Roaming Streets of Kuwait

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/09/08/oukoe-uk-kuwait-lion-idUKBRE98704120130908

Wild Pigs Menace Suburban Atlanta

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/24/us-usa-georgia-pigs-idUSBRE98N19I20130924

British Government Tax Adviser Quits After Giving Avoidance Tips

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/09/14/uk-britain-tax-idUKBRE98D07F20130914

SONG OF THE DAY

Moody Blues – Steppin’ in a Slide Zone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6KvgdYPWJQ

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.