The Energy News Digest: Energy News Digest for March 31, 2014

Four Injured in Natural Gas Pipeline Rupture near Plymouth (Tri-City Herald, WA)
Woman Electrocuted, Falls from Beaverton Electric Tower (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)
Flathead Electric Rates to Increase (The Western News, Libby, MT)
Mason PUD 3 Linemen Complete Electricity Restoration to Nearly 1,400 Customers in Kamilche, Lynch Rd Area South of Shelton (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)
Fitch Rates Energy Northwest Bonds ‘AA’; Outlook Stable (BusinessWire)
utility2utility: Central Lincoln People’s Utility District (Intelligent Utility)
Seattle City Light Serves Up South Lake Union Art, Electric - At South Lake Union’s Denny Substation, City Light is merging electricity with art (Crosscut Seattle)
Companies Seek Public Support for Vancouver Oil Terminal (Associated Press)
Embattled Utilities Face ‘Talent Storm’ (Forbes Magazine)
LIHEAP Advocates Make Push for Greater Funding on Capitol Hill (The Energy Collective)
What a Waste – Vermont Yankee is in Beautiful Condition (The Energy Collective)
Spencer Abraham & Bill Daley Join Nuclear Matters, Add to Growing Support for Campaign (Nuclear Matters)
Backed by APPA’s DEED Program, Soybean-Based Electric Transformer Oil Got Its Start at Municipal Utility in Waverly, Iowa (American Public Power Association)
Electricity Flickers in Crimea as Russia Takeover Looms (Electric Light & Power)
Federal Judge Sides with Wild-Fish Advocates on Hatchery Issue in Elwha River’s Restoration (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
U-S Supreme Court Rejects Alaska Appeal over Fishing Rights (Associated Press)
Anglers Protest Steelhead Fishing Rules on Skagit River (Associated Press)
Oregon Railroad Defies State Order to Stop Work in Salmonberry River (Northwest Public Radio)
Puget Sound Summer Salmon Forecasts Come to Light Ahead of Monday’s State Fisheries Meeting (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)
Technology Provides Much More Information for Anglers, But We’re Still at the Mercy of Mother Nature’s Whims (Oregonian, Portland)
Snowpack in Cascades Checks Out OK (Everett Herald, WA)
As Portland’s Largest Water Users Bankroll Utility District Campaign, Opponents Question Who Benefits (Oregonian, Portland)
California Regulators Protect Rooftop Solar From Utilities (KCET-TV, Burbank, CA)
Africa: And Then There Was Light - The Turbines of Peres (Radio Netherlands)
Indiana: Governor Pence Lets Energy Program Expire without Signing Bill (Indianapolis Star, IN)
Energy Efficiency: Still the Best Value (Pacific Gas & Electric, CA)
Converting to LED Lights: Everything You Need to Know (The Guardian, UK)
Climate Report Warns of Death, Flooding, and Economic Loss (Bloomberg News)
Heartland Institute Says More Carbon Dioxide Is Good for the Planet (Midwest Energy News)
California Climate-Change Fight Results in Utility Bill Credits (SF Chronicle, CA)
Are Walmart’s Green Claims Simply Greenwashing? (Renewable Energy World)
Solar Decathlon Houses Make Up a Solar Village to Test Microgrid Technology (Renewable Energy World)
Opinion: Tacoma Must Be Careful Not to be Left behind in Digital High-Speed Dust (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)
Opinion: Seattle Mayor’s CenturyLink Giveaway Sure to Create Controversy (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)
Home Broadband, Video Usage Patterns Will Force Changes in Access, Aggregation Networks (Fierce Telecom)
A Vision beyond Cable for Comcast after Merger (NY Times)
Let’s Count the Ways in Which the NY Times’ Love Letter to the Comcast Merger Is Full of Bull (Consumerist)
How a Picture Captured a Co-op Bond (Electric Co-op Today)
Report: Google+ Brand Posts Get Twice the Engagement of Tweets (Mashable)
Power Shaming: IPO-Bound Opower Lands in Penny Arcade (Washington Business Journal, DC)
Officials Update Oso Mudslide Death Count; 30 Still Missing (Everett Herald, WA)
Emergency Crews Face Toxic Challenge in Washington State Mudslide (Reuters)
Today is the Deadline to Remove Studded Tires (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)
400 Attend Marijuana Business Conference in Eugene (Associated Press)
British Columbia’s Bigleaf Maple Syrup Producers Hard Hit by a Cold February (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

WORD OF THE DAY

Laissez-faire • \less-say - FARE\ • Noun - 1: a doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance of peace & property rights 2: a philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference especially with individual freedom of choice & action

I’ll let this definition stand on its own. Don’t wanna get involved. Move along, nothing to see here. That’s a good laddie.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Mason County Area Weather Forecast for March 31, 2014

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Four Injured in Natural Gas Pipeline Rupture near Plymouth (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/03/31/2904040/natural-gas-facility-on-fire-near.html

Woman Electrocuted, Falls from Beaverton Electric Tower (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Woman-electrocuted-falls-over-60-feet-from-Beaverton-electric-tower-253114221.html

Flathead Electric Rates to Increase (The Western News, Libby, MT)

http://www.thewesternnews.com/news/article_8a799c12-b6bb-11e3-a64b-0019bb2963f4.html

Mason PUD 3 Linemen Complete Electricity Restoration to Nearly 1,400 Customers in Kamilche, Lynch Rd Area South of Shelton (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1366

Fitch Rates Energy Northwest Bonds ‘AA’; Outlook Stable (BusinessWire)

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140328005567/en/Fitch-Rates-Energy-Northwest-WA-Elec-Rev#.UznFHLS9aws

utility2utility: Central Lincoln People’s Utility District (Intelligent Utility)

http://www.intelligentutility.com/article/14/03/utility2utility-central-lincoln-people-s-utility-district

Seattle City Light Serves Up South Lake Union Art, Electric - At South Lake Union’s Denny Substation, City Light is merging electricity with art (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2014/03/25/arts/119281/art-rising-denny-substation/

Companies Seek Public Support for Vancouver Oil Terminal (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140331/BIZ/140339895

Embattled Utilities Face ‘Talent Storm’ (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2014/03/31/embattled-utilities-face-talent-cliff/

LIHEAP Advocates Make Push for Greater Funding on Capitol Hill (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/lisadundon/361031/liheap-advocates-make-push-greater-funding-capitol-hill

What a Waste – Vermont Yankee is in Beautiful Condition (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/rodadams/360846/what-waste-vermont-yankee-beautiful-condition

Spencer Abraham & Bill Daley Join Nuclear Matters, Add to Growing Support for Campaign (Nuclear Matters)

http://www.nuclearmatters.com/news/press-releases/spencer-abraham-and-bill-daley-join-nuclear-matters-add-to-growing-support-for-campaign

Backed by APPA’s DEED Program, Soybean-Based Electric Transformer Oil Got Its Start at Municipal Utility in Waverly, Iowa (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=260159&issueID=40399

Electricity Flickers in Crimea as Russia Takeover Looms (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/articles/2014/03/electricity-flickers-in-crimea-as-russia-takeover-looms.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Federal Judge Sides with Wild-Fish Advocates on Hatchery Issue in Elwha River’s Restoration (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140331/NEWS/303319995/federal-judge-sides-with-wild-fish-advocates-on-hatchery-issue-in

U-S Supreme Court Rejects Alaska Appeal over Fishing Rights (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/court-rejects-alaska-appeal-fishing-rights-23126629

Anglers Protest Steelhead Fishing Rules on Skagit River (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Anglers-protest-steelhead-fishing-rules-on-Skagit-River-253210091.html

Oregon Railroad Defies State Order to Stop Work in Salmonberry River (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/oregon-railroad-defies-state-order-stop-work-salmonberry-river

Puget Sound Summer Salmon Forecasts Come to Light Ahead of Monday’s State Fisheries Meeting (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/reeltimenorthwest/2014/02/28/puget-sound-summer-salmon-forecasts-come-to-light-ahead-of-mondays-state-fisheries-meeting/

Technology Provides Much More Information for Anglers, But We’re Still at the Mercy of Mother Nature’s Whims (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2014/03/post_111.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Snowpack in Cascades Checks Out OK (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140331/NEWS01/140339888/Playing-catchup-in-Cascades

As Portland’s Largest Water Users Bankroll Utility District Campaign, Opponents Question Who Benefits (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/03/as_portlands_largest_water_use.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California Regulators Protect Rooftop Solar From Utilities (KCET-TV, Burbank, CA)

http://www.kcet.org/news/rewire/government/state-regulators-protect-rooftop-solar-from-utilities.html

Africa: And Then There Was Light - The Turbines of Peres (Radio Netherlands)

http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/and-then-there-was-light-turbines-peres

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Indiana: Governor Pence Lets Energy Program Expire without Signing Bill (Indianapolis Star, IN)

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/27/gov-pence-will-allow-energy-efficiency-program-end/6984117/

Energy Efficiency: Still the Best Value (Pacific Gas & Electric, CA)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2014/03/28/energy-efficiency-still-the-best-value/

Converting to LED Lights: Everything You Need to Know (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/28/led-lights-information

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Report Warns of Death, Flooding, and Economic Loss (Bloomberg News)

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-03-31/climate-report-warns-of-death-flooding-and-economic-loss

Heartland Institute Says More Carbon Dioxide Is Good for the Planet (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2014/03/31/heartland-institute-says-more-co2-is-good-for-the-planet/

California Climate-Change Fight Results in Utility Bill Credits (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Calif-climate-change-fight-results-in-utility-5360311.php

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Are Walmart’s Green Claims Simply Greenwashing? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/03/are-walmarts-green-claims-simply-greenwashing?cmpid=rss

Solar Decathlon Houses Make Up a Solar Village to Test Microgrid Technology (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/03/solar-decathlon-houses-make-up-a-solar-village-to-test-microgrid-technology?cmpid=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Opinion: Tacoma Must Be Careful Not to be Left behind in Digital High-Speed Dust (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/03/30/3124091/tacoma-must-be-careful-not-to.html

Opinion: Seattle Mayor’s CenturyLink Giveaway Sure to Create Controversy (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2023266140_briercolumn31xml.html

Home Broadband, Video Usage Patterns Will Force Changes in Access, Aggregation Networks (Fierce Telecom)

http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/home-broadband-video-usage-patterns-will-force-changes-access-aggregation-n/2014-03-30

A Vision beyond Cable for Comcast after Merger (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/29/business/a-vision-for-comcast-in-a-post-merger-world.html?ref=business&_r=1

Let’s Count the Ways in Which the NY Times’ Love Letter to the Comcast Merger Is Full of Bull (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/03/29/lets-count-the-ways-in-which-the-ny-times-love-letter-to-the-comcast-merger-is-full-of-bull/

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

How a Picture Captured a Co-op Bond (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/newsmakers/co-op-news-newsmakers/how-a-picture-captured-a-co-op-bond/68283

Report: Google+ Brand Posts Get Twice the Engagement of Tweets (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/03/31/google-plus-twitter-engagement/

Power Shaming: IPO-Bound Opower Lands in Penny Arcade (Washington Business Journal, DC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/techflash/2014/03/power-shaming-ipo-bound-opower-lands-in-penny.html

GENERAL NEWS

Officials Update Oso Mudslide Death Count; 30 Still Missing (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140330/NEWS01/140339903

Emergency Crews Face Toxic Challenge in Washington State Mudslide (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/31/us-usa-mudslide-washingtonstate-idUSBREA2L0R020140331

Today is the Deadline to Remove Studded Tires (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Monday-is-deadline-to-remove-studded-tires-253194571.html

400 Attend Marijuana Business Conference in Eugene (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/03/400_attend_marijuana_business.html

British Columbia’s Bigleaf Maple Syrup Producers Hard Hit by a Cold February (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/b-c-s-bigleaf-maple-syrup-producers-hard-hit-by-a-cold-february-1.935962

DIVERSIONS

A Carousel in His House! Local Enthusiast Brings Amusement Ride Inside

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/25113235/a-carousel-in-his-house-local-enthusiast-brings-amusement-ride-inside

‘Harry Potter’ Magic Will Continue in a Three-Movie Spinoff

http://mashable.com/2014/03/31/harry-potter-spin-off-trilogy-three-films/

Lightning Blasts Hole in Roof of Seattle Chapel

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/mar/31/lightning-blasts-hole-in-roof-of-chapel/

Spy Toolkit: The Coolest Espionage Gadgets throughout History

http://mashable.com/2014/03/31/spy-tools-infographic/

SONG OF THE DAY

Barbra Streisand - You’ll Never Walk Alone (song from the musical “Carousel.”)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RYUp7gYHwg

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.

The Energy News Digest

Monday, March 31, 2014

Energy News Digest for March 31, 2014

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