Energy News Digest for December 30, 2014

The Energy News Digest will be out of circulation December 31, cogitating on the end of 2014 and considering the promise of 2015 and its attendant football feast. Have a wonderful New Year’s celebration.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 30, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/q692loe

COLD! Area Forecast Discussion

http://tinyurl.com/83p7reg

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Temperatures Plunge in Western Washington State (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/temperatures-plunge-western-washington/njcs6/

Vermont’s Sole Nuclear Power Plant Ends Operations - Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant ends operations after 42 years of producing electricity (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/vermonts-sole-nuclear-power-plant-184117768.html;_ylt=AwrTceEfNaJUF1kAUwQPxQt

Up in Smoke: WA Pot Firms Say Their Profits Are Getting Burned Down by Tax Bills (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2014/12/08/politics-government/123042/pot-marijuana-excise-taxes-washington-state-280e/

Alaska: Commercial Fishing Threatens Endangered Sea Lions, Groups Say (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/12/30/commercial-fishing-threatens-endangered-sea-lions-groups-say.htm

Is Microsoft About to Put Internet Explorer Out of Its Misery? (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2014/12/is-microsoft-about-to-put-internet-explorer-out-of.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Vermont’s Sole Nuclear Power Plant Ends Operations Japan’s Nuclear Jitters Might Spur Exports of U-S Energy
2. Klickitat PUD’s ‘Audacious’ Pumped Storage Project Starting to Look like a Winner
3. Western Power Lines Taking Shape
4. Governor Inslee Names Ann Rendahl to Washington State Utilities & Transportation Commission
5. Mason PUD 3 Commission Report – December 23, 2014 Business Meeting
6. Alaska: Commercial Fishing Threatens Endangered Sea Lions, Groups Say
7. Monarch Butterfly Eyed for Possible U-S Endangered Species Protection
8. Small Hydro Is Renewable Energy the New Congress Might Just Get Behind
9. Program That Backed Solyndra Now Showing Successes
10. How Can Business Owners, Schools & Municipalities Benefit from Community Solar?
11. Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s New Water Heater Promises Big Savings
12. How Smart Glass Windows Slash Energy Bills
13. This Lamp’s Very Structure Is Its Light Source, Too
14. Up in Smoke: WA Pot Firms Say Their Profits Are Getting Burned Down by Tax Bills
15. Marijuana Grower Hopes to Outlast Early Ups & Downs
16. Dangerous Hash Oil Labs Expose Holes in Washington State Pot Laws
17. Alaska Lawyers’ Group Exploring Marijuana Issues
18. Sacramento Valley’s Powerhouse Rice Crop One Step Closer to Cap & Trade
19. California Rangeland Loss Could Worsen Climate Change
20. Poll Finds Support for EPA Low Ahead of Standoff with Congress
21. Electric Cars Get Big Boost in Germany
22. Plastic Bag Supporters Petition to Challenge Ban in California
23. Is Microsoft About to Put Internet Explorer Out of Its Misery?
24. Want to See Broadband’s Future? Check Out the Airline Industry
25. Movie Studios Claim That Google Fiber Leads To More Piracy
26. Sony Hackers ‘Shared’ Stolen Employee Login Data
27. The Next Big Turning Point in the Net Neutrality Debate
28. American Workers Say Internet Makes Them More Productive
29. Twitter Account to Overly Thirsty Brands: Stop Saying the Word ‘Bae’
30. Turns Out “Bae” Means Something Entirely Different
31. Facebook Friend Request Nearly Costs Woman Thousands
32. Harsh TripAdvisor Reviewer’s Anonymity Protected: Oregon Coast Hotel Drops $74,999 Defamation Suit
33. New Republican-Led Panel Will Focus on Energy & Environment
34. Temperatures Plunge in Western Washington State
35. Inland Pacific Northwest Braces for Dangerous Temps
36. Bodies, Debris from Missing AirAsia Plane Pulled from Sea Near Indonesia
37. Body Found In Search for Mount Rainier Snowshoer
38. Washington State Fines Tenino Fireworks Company for Explosion, Violations
39. Washington State Governor Proposes Change to Sales Tax Exemption
40. Copper Wire Thieves Turned Off Coulon Park’s Clam Lights

WORD OF THE DAY

Tempus Fugate • \temp-uss FYOO-jet\ • “Foreign Term” - Latin - Time flies

Days flew by this year

Tempus Fugate, won’t come back

Find treasure each day

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Vermont’s Sole Nuclear Power Plant Ends Operations - Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant ends operations after 42 years of producing electricity (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/vermonts-sole-nuclear-power-plant-184117768.html;_ylt=AwrTceEfNaJUF1kAUwQPxQt

Japan’s Nuclear Jitters Might Spur Exports of U-S Energy (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/static/features/Yen2Trade/Nuclear-jitters-could-spur-energy-exports.html?brand=tch

Klickitat PUD’s ‘Audacious’ Pumped Storage Project Starting to Look like a Winner (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/12/audacious-pumped-storage-project-starting-to-look.html

Western Power Lines Taking Shape (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/12/30/3565467_western-power-lines-taking-shape.html

Governor Inslee Names Ann Rendahl to Washington State Utilities & Transportation Commission (Washington State Governor)

http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/releases/article.aspx?id=395

Mason PUD 3 Commission Report – December 23, 2014 Business Meeting (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1469

FISH & WILDLIFE

Alaska: Commercial Fishing Threatens Endangered Sea Lions, Groups Say (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/12/30/commercial-fishing-threatens-endangered-sea-lions-groups-say.htm

Monarch Butterfly Eyed for Possible U-S Endangered Species Protection (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/30/us-usa-butterflies-idUSKBN0K800Y20141230

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Small Hydro Is Renewable Energy the New Congress Might Just Get Behind (KUNC Radio, Greeley, CO)

http://www.kunc.org/post/small-hydro-renewable-energy-new-congress-might-just-get-behind

Program That Backed Solyndra Now Showing Successes (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20141229/BIZ02/141229135

How Can Business Owners, Schools & Municipalities Benefit from Community Solar? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2014/12/how-can-business-owners-schools-and-municipalities-benefit-from-community-solar?cmpid=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s New Water Heater Promises Big Savings (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/12/neeas-new-water-heater-promises-big-savings.html

How Smart Glass Windows Slash Energy Bills (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/How-smart-glass-windows-slash-energy-bills-5984083.php

This Lamp’s Very Structure Is Its Light Source, Too (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/this-lamps-very-structure-is-its-light-source-too-1676331806

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Up in Smoke: WA Pot Firms Say Their Profits Are Getting Burned Down by Tax Bills (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2014/12/08/politics-government/123042/pot-marijuana-excise-taxes-washington-state-280e/

Marijuana Grower Hopes to Outlast Early Ups & Downs (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/12/29/3563334_marijuana-grower-hopes-to-outlast.html?rh=1

Dangerous Hash Oil Labs Expose Holes in Washington State Pot Laws (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Dangerous-hash-oil-labs-expose-holes-in-state-pot-laws-287115181.html

Alaska Lawyers’ Group Exploring Marijuana Issues (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/alaska-lawyers-seeing-gray-on-marijuana-issues/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Sacramento Valley’s Powerhouse Rice Crop One Step Closer to Cap & Trade (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/health-and-medicine/article5151954.html

California Rangeland Loss Could Worsen Climate Change (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.modbee.com/news/local/article5147958.html

Poll Finds Support for EPA Low Ahead of Standoff with Congress (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/poll-finds-support-for-epa-low-ahead-of-standoff-with-congress/347746/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Electric Cars Get Big Boost in Germany (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2014/1230/Electric-cars-get-big-boost-in-Germany

Plastic Bag Supporters Petition to Challenge Ban in California (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/12/30/plastic-bag-supporters-petition-to-challenge-ban-in-california/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Is Microsoft About to Put Internet Explorer Out of Its Misery? (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2014/12/is-microsoft-about-to-put-internet-explorer-out-of.html

Want to See Broadband’s Future? Check Out the Airline Industry (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2014/12/29/want-to-see-broadbands-future-check-out-the-airline-industry/

Movie Studios Claim That Google Fiber Leads To More Piracy (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/12/29/movie-studios-claim-that-google-fiber-leads-to-more-piracy/

Sony Hackers ‘Shared’ Stolen Employee Login Data (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30632711

The Next Big Turning Point in the Net Neutrality Debate (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/12/30/the-next-big-turning-point-in-the-net-neutrality-debate/

American Workers Say Internet Makes Them More Productive (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/30/american-workers-say-internet-makes-them-more-productive/?partner=rss&emc=rss

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Account to Overly Thirsty Brands: Stop Saying the Word ‘Bae’ (TIME Magazine)

http://time.com/3648656/twitter-brands-bae/

Turns Out “Bae” Means Something Entirely Different (Refinery 29)

http://www.refinery29.com/2014/10/76711/bae-definition

Facebook Friend Request Nearly Costs Woman Thousands (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2014/12/29/facebook-friend-request-nearly-costs-woman-thousands/

Harsh TripAdvisor Reviewer’s Anonymity Protected: Oregon Coast Hotel Drops $74,999 Defamation Suit (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/12/anonymous_tripadvisor_reviewer.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

New Republican-Led Panel Will Focus on Energy & Environment “…watch over the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the departments of agriculture, energy & interior…” (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2014/12/30/new-house-oversight-panel-will-focus-on-energy-and-environment/

GENERAL NEWS

Temperatures Plunge in Western Washington State (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/temperatures-plunge-western-washington/njcs6/

Inland Pacific Northwest Braces for Dangerous Temps (KXLY-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-news/inland-northwest-braces-for-dangerous-temps/30452452

Bodies, Debris from Missing AirAsia Plane Pulled from Sea Near Indonesia (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/30/us-indonesia-airplane-idUSKBN0K601C20141230

Body Found In Search for Mount Rainier Snowshoer (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/search-underway-mount-rainier-national-park/njcQM/

Washington State Fines Tenino Fireworks Company for Explosion, Violations (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-fines-fireworks-company-for-explosion-violations-287050101.html

Washington State Governor Proposes Change to Sales Tax Exemption (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/inslee-proposes-change-to-sale-tax-exemption/

Copper Wire Thieves Turned Off Coulon Park’s Clam Lights (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/copper-wire-thieves-turned-out-coulon-parks-clam-l/njchR/

DIVERSIONS

So You Call Yourself an Oregon Ducks Football Fan? Take Our Quiz (Using the scientific method of guessing I got a score of 50%)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Sports/2014/1229/So-you-call-yourself-an-Oregon-Ducks-football-fan-Take-our-quiz/Home-field

No Kidding, Jack Daniels Names Son Jim Beam…

http://q13fox.com/2014/12/29/no-kidding-jack-daniels-names-son-jim-beam/

Our Windowless Megachurches Are Killing the Stained Glass Industry

http://gizmodo.com/our-windowless-megachurches-are-killing-the-stained-gla-1676030404

A Baltimore Truck Driver Has Won the Maryland Lottery for a Second Time

http://time.com/3649186/maryland-lottery-winner-twice-jackpot/

SONG OF THE DAY

Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel - Whiskey River

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blt23VNXY4A

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

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

Energy News Digest for December 29, 2014

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 29, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/pb6slbx

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Report: Washington State Carbon Emissions Dropped in 2011 (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20141224/NEWS01/141229480

EPA Wrestles with Role of Nuclear Plants in Carbon Emission Rules (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/26/business/energy-environment/epa-wrestles-with-role-of-nuclear-plants-in-carbon-emission-rules-.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

California: New Pacific Gas & Electric Emails Show More Unethical Dealings with California Regulators (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-pge-emails-show-more-unethical-dealings-with-california-regulators/347140/

Race to Build on the Columbia River Could Block Pacific Oil Route (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/28/us/race-to-build-on-river-could-block-pacific-oil-route.html?_r=0

Editorial: Even Boeing Says Hydropower is Renewable Energy (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/12/26/3328914_our-voice-even-boeing-says-hydropower.html?sp=/99/1426/962/&rh=1

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. California: New Pacific Gas & Electric Emails Show More Unethical Dealings with California Regulators
2. EPA Wrestles with Role of Nuclear Plants in Carbon Emission Rules
3. UMass-Dartmouth Report Details Impact of Vermont Yankee Closing
4. Video: Anonymous Donors Pay Tacoma Family’s Utility Bills
5. Have Your Cake & Easement, Too
6. Fish Recovery Plan Paying Off on Yakima River
7. Kitsap County Proposal for Hood Canal Geoduck Farm Dropped
8. Geoduck Clam Farming Opportunities Sowing Seeds for a British Columbia Turf War
9. Race to Build on the Columbia River Could Block Pacific Oil Route
10. Water Source for Almonds in California May Run Dry
11. Editorial: Even Boeing Says Hydropower is Renewable Energy
12. Utility CEOs to Congress: No New Tax Credits for Wind Energy
13. Germans Balk at Plan for Wind Power Lines
14. Editorial: No Steam behind Wind Energy Tax Credits
15. New Mexico: State Solar Industry to Fight PNM’s Proposed Rooftop Fee
16. Don’t Let the New Gadgets Santa Brought be a Drain on Your Electricity
17. As the Marijuana Industry Looks to the Legislature, Job Prospects Continue to Expand
18. Pair Charged in $20,000 Robbery of Snohomish County Medical Marijuana Grower
19. Pot Pie, Redefined? Chefs Start to Experiment With Cannabis
20. ‘Free’ Pot Offered by Vancouver Medical Marijuana Dispensary
21. Report: Washington State Carbon Emissions Dropped in 2011
22. California Fuel Prices Going Up As Its Greenhouse Gas Controls Hit Gasoline, Diesel Sales
23. California Carbon Funds Are an Uncertain Benefit for High-Speed Rail
24. Battle Ground Home Goes Super Green with Geothermal, Solar Energy
25. Are Google & Gmail Really the Enemy of China?
26. Xbox Live Goes Offline as Microsoft Gets Caught in the Middle of a Hacker Turf War
27. Pinterest Cashes in on Success of Promoted Pins, Opening It to All Advertisers
28. U-S Police Struggle to Uncover Threats on Social Media
29. Facebook Apologizes for Pain Caused by ‘Year in Review’ Posts
30. Consumerist End-Of-The-Week Flickr Finds
31. Cantwell Says She’ll Play Defense as Ranking Democrat on U-S Senate Energy Panel
32. Energy Policy Seen Ripe for Compromise in GOP Congress
33. GOP Congress: Five Energy Priorities
34. AirAsia QZ8501: Indonesia Plane ‘At Bottom of Sea’
35. Oregon, Washington State Minimum Wage Set for Increase
36. Lawsuit for Washington State Wildfire Claims Prepared
37. New $48 Million Thurston County Jail Sits Empty
38. Unpopular License Plate Law Dies, Drivers Not Entirely Pleased
39. Seattle, Portland Could Set Records for Warmth in 2014
40. Man Stabs Co-Worker at Christmas Party, Police Say

WORD OF THE DAY

Desultory • \DEH-sult-tore-ee\ • Adjective - 1: marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose 2: not connected with the main subject 3: disappointing in progress, performance, or quality.

The local sports announcer was booster, perhaps too enthusiastic. The 3-13 team trotted onto its tattered home field for its last game of the year, another sacrifice to their league opponents (a la the “Washington Generals” of Globetrotters fame) and another expected, desultory performance. “They never gave up, no matter what the score,” pronounced the reporter. But quietly, his inner voice answered “of course not, the rules don’t let you do that until the time runs out at the end of the game.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

California: New Pacific Gas & Electric Emails Show More Unethical Dealings with California Regulators (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-pge-emails-show-more-unethical-dealings-with-california-regulators/347140/

EPA Wrestles with Role of Nuclear Plants in Carbon Emission Rules (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/26/business/energy-environment/epa-wrestles-with-role-of-nuclear-plants-in-carbon-emission-rules-.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

UMass-Dartmouth Report Details Impact of Vermont Yankee Closing (VT Digger, Montpelier, VT)

http://vtdigger.org/2014/12/24/umass-dartmouth-report-details-impact-vermont-yankee-closing/

Video: Anonymous Donors Pay Tacoma Family’s Utility Bills (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/tacoma/2014/12/26/tacoma-power-port-slowdown-electricity-water/20929917/

Have Your Cake & Easement, Too (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/newsmakers/co-op-news-newsmakers/have-your-cake-and-easement-too/76647

FISH & WILDLIFE

Fish Recovery Plan Paying Off on Yakima River (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/2770223-8/fish-recovery-plan-paying-off-on-yakima-river

Kitsap County Proposal for Hood Canal Geoduck Farm Dropped (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20141228/NEWS/312289945/proposal-for-hood-canal-geoduck-farm-dropped

Geoduck Clam Farming Opportunities Sowing Seeds for a British Columbia Turf War (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/clam-farming-opportunities-sowing-seeds-for-a-turf-war/article22209916/?cmpid=rss1

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Race to Build on the Columbia River Could Block Pacific Oil Route (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/28/us/race-to-build-on-river-could-block-pacific-oil-route.html?_r=0

Water Source for Almonds in California May Run Dry (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/28/us/water-source-for-almonds-in-california-may-run-dry.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Editorial: Even Boeing Says Hydropower is Renewable Energy (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/12/26/3328914_our-voice-even-boeing-says-hydropower.html?sp=/99/1426/962/&rh=1

Utility CEOs to Congress: No New Tax Credits for Wind Energy (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/utility-ceos-to-congress-no-new-tax-credits-for-wind-energy/325571/

Germans Balk at Plan for Wind Power Lines (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/25/world/europe/germans-balk-at-plan-for-wind-power-lines.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Editorial: No Steam behind Wind Energy Tax Credits (Denver Post, CO)

http://www.denverpost.com/editorials/ci_27077586/no-steam-behind-wind-energy-tax-credits

New Mexico: State Solar Industry to Fight PNM’s Proposed Rooftop Fee (Albuquerque Business First, NM)

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/blog/morning-edition/2014/12/state-solar-industry-to-fight-pnms-proposed.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Don’t Let the New Gadgets Santa Brought be a Drain on Your Electricity (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/12/24/dont-let-the-new-gadgets-santa-brought-be-a-drain-on-your-electricty/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

As the Marijuana Industry Looks to the Legislature, Job Prospects Continue to Expand (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/12/27/3497210_as-the-marijuana-industry-looks.html?rh=1

Pair Charged in $20,000 Robbery of Snohomish County Medical Marijuana Grower (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20141227/NEWS01/141229316

Pot Pie, Redefined? Chefs Start to Experiment With Cannabis (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/29/us/pot-pie-redefined-chefs-start-to-experiment-with-cannabis.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

‘Free’ Pot Offered by Vancouver Medical Marijuana Dispensary (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/free-pot-offered-by-vancouver-medical-marijuana-dispensary-1.2885350?cmp=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Report: Washington State Carbon Emissions Dropped in 2011 (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20141224/NEWS01/141229480

California Fuel Prices Going Up As Its Greenhouse Gas Controls Hit Gasoline, Diesel Sales (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_27218752/california-fuel-prices-going-up-its-green-house?source=rss

California Carbon Funds Are an Uncertain Benefit for High-Speed Rail (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/transportation/article4956447.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Battle Ground Home Goes Super Green with Geothermal, Solar Energy (Battle Ground Reflector, WA)

http://www.thereflector.com/home_scene/article_c937d0f2-7ff8-11e4-86c4-c712256488a2.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Are Google & Gmail Really the Enemy of China? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2014/1229/Are-Google-and-Gmail-really-the-enemy-of-China

Xbox Live Goes Offline as Microsoft Gets Caught in the Middle of a Hacker Turf War (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2014/12/xbox-live-goes-offline-as-microsoft-gets-caught-in.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Pinterest Cashes in on Success of Promoted Pins, Opening It to All Advertisers (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/12/29/pinterest-promoted-pins-all-advertisers/

U-S Police Struggle to Uncover Threats on Social Media (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/26/us-usa-police-socialmedia-idUSKBN0K40MD20141226

Facebook Apologizes for Pain Caused by ‘Year in Review’ Posts (TIME Magazine)

http://time.com/3647800/facebook-apologizes-year-review-post-pain/

Consumerist End-Of-The-Week Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/12/24/consumerist-end-of-the-week-flickr-finds/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Cantwell Says She’ll Play Defense as Ranking Democrat on U-S Senate Energy Panel (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/12/26/3330536/cantwell-says-shell-play-defense.html

Energy Policy Seen Ripe for Compromise in GOP Congress (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-05/energy-policy-seen-ripe-for-compromise-in-gop-congress.html

GOP Congress: Five Energy Priorities (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2014/1119/GOP-Congress-5-energy-priorities/Keystone-after-all

GENERAL NEWS

AirAsia QZ8501: Indonesia Plane ‘At Bottom of Sea’ (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30620647

Oregon, Washington State Minimum Wage Set for Increase (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/oregon-washington-minimum-wage-set-increase

Lawsuit for Washington State Wildfire Claims Prepared (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Lawsuit-for-Washington-wildfire-claims-prepared-286957841.html

New $48 Million Thurston County Jail Sits Empty (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/New-48-million-Thurston-County-Jail-sits-empty-287017551.html

Unpopular License Plate Law Dies, Drivers Not Entirely Pleased (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2014/12/29/unpopular-license-plate-law-dies-drivers-not-entirely-pleased/

Seattle, Portland Could Set Records for Warmth in 2014 (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/seattle-portland-could-set-records-warmth-2014

Man Stabs Co-Worker at Christmas Party, Police Say (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/man-stabs-co-worker-christmas-party-police-say/njbYW/

DIVERSIONS

Who Don’t You Want to Live Next To? Survey Says ... Justin Bieber!

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/12/29/who-dont-you-want-to-live-next-to-survey-says.html

Sunnyside Battles Hitchcock-Style Crow Infestation

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/2755663-8/sunnyside-battles-hitchcock-style-crow-infestation

Camo Returns! The Cat Went Missing After It Was Accidentally Sold with a Mattress

http://www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/index.ssf/2014/12/camo_returns_the_cat_hid_in_a.html

Nevada Goats Help Eat, Recycle Christmas Trees

http://news.yahoo.com/nevada-goats-help-eat-recycle-christmas-trees-184812588.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Player - Baby Come Back

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz5fO2aKTSg

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

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

Energy News Digest for December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas from the Energy News Digest. The digest will be away from the intertubewebs December 24 & 25 for the holidays. May you find peace, love and enjoyment in the season.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 24, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/m5bg8zm

Coastal Flood Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

http://tinyurl.com/lq4vtj4

Goodbye Hawaii, Hello Ridge (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2014/12/goodbye-hawaii-hello-ridge.html

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Mountain Snow Could Slow Christmas Eve Travel (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/mountain-snow-could-slow-christmas-eve-travel/njZhb/

Portland LED Specialist Lands another $1 Million in Investments (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/12/portland-led-specialist-lands-another-1m-in.html

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark Defends Peace River Dam as a 100-Year Plan (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-premier-christy-clark-defends-site-c-as-a-100-year-plan-1.2883064?cmp=rss

Peace River Dam Approval Leaves Two Northern British Columbia Wind Projects Up in the Air (Business Vancouver, BC)

http://www.biv.com/article/2014/12/site-c-approval-leaves-two-northern-bc-wind-projec/

Portland LED Specialist Lands another $1 Million in Investments (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/12/portland-led-specialist-lands-another-1m-in.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. British Columbia Premier Christy Clark Defends Peace River Dam as a 100-Year Plan
2. Public Gets Chance to Comment on New Idaho Power Line West
3. Columbia River PUD Says GM Resigning after Settlement
4. Commissioner Tom Farmer Takes Oath of Office – Mason PUD 3 Board Elects Officers for 2015
5. California: Governor Appoints New President & New Commissioner for Embattled PUC
6. Rhode Island Regulators Approve Steep Electric Rate Increase; Will Phase in 24 Percent over 12 Months
7. Hacking of South Korean Nuclear Reactors Poses No Danger
8. If Cyberwar Erupts, America’s Electric Grid is a Prime Target
9. How Southern Company Generates Electricity
10. Peace River Dam Approval Leaves Two Northern British Columbia Wind Projects Up in the Air
11. Renewable Energy Companies Use New Clout in Statehouses
12. Biomass: Holiday Trees Help Light Co-op Homes
13. Solar Panel Maintenance Poses Unforeseen Challenge in Developing World Electrification
14. Portland LED Specialist Lands another $1 Million in Investments
15. Video: Pot Shops Court Holiday Shoppers
16. Despite Legalization, Illegal Marijuana Grows Continue on Public Lands
17. Map: Cities & Counties That Do & Don’t Allow Marijuana Businesses
18. Climate Change is Melting Mount Rainier’s Glaciers at Unprecedented Rates
19. Restored Forests Breathe Life into Efforts against Climate Change
20. Squirrels & Beavers: Meet the Rodents Making Global Warming Worse
21. How Solar Power & Electric Cars Could Make Suburban Living Awesome Again
22. North Korea Outage a Case Study in Online Uncertainties
23. Phone Companies Would Like to Cut Your Landline Cord for You
24. Cutting the Cord: Happiness Is a Cut Cord, Survey Says
25. The Switchboard: Google & Microsoft Take Aim at Wi-Fi Blocking Hotel Chains
26. Facebook Kicks Off NFL Partnership with Ad-Supported Video Clips
27. Seven Things People Hate about Your Website
28. Instagram Could Be One of the Best Deals of the Last Decade
29. Rieder: Clooney Emerges as Hero in Sony Mess
30. Mountain Snow Could Slow Christmas Eve Travel
31. Garbage Rates, Rogue Trees - The City of Shelton Report for Dec. 23
32. The Interview is Coming to YouTube, Google Play, & Xbox Video Today
33. ‘Nut Rage’: Prosecutors Seek Arrest for Korean Air Executive
34. Why Our Christmas Music is Still Stuck in the 1950s

WORD OF THE DAY

Fissile • \FISS-sull\ • Adjective - 1: capable of being split or divided in the direction of the grain or along natural planes of cleavage 2: capable of undergoing fission

Doctor Ambrose loved his routine afternoon daydreams. Unlike the whimsical imaginings of “Walter Mitty,” a confusing, fissile relationship between dreaming and reality, Ambrose’s daydreams were whiskery and dark. Think “Wizard of Oz” versus “Sin City.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark Defends Peace River Dam as a 100-Year Plan (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-premier-christy-clark-defends-site-c-as-a-100-year-plan-1.2883064?cmp=rss

Public Gets Chance to Comment on New Idaho Power Line West (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/12/23/3557083_public-gets-chance-to-comment.html?rh=1

Columbia River PUD Says GM Resigning after Settlement (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/columbia-river-pud-says-gm-resigning-after-settlement/article_94dd7118-8b47-11e4-b189-9f6c60716c9c.html

Commissioner Tom Farmer Takes Oath of Office – Mason PUD 3 Board Elects Officers for 2015 (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1468

California: Governor Appoints New President & New Commissioner for Embattled PUC (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27195481/governor-appoints-new-president-and-new-commissioner-embattled?source=rss

Rhode Island Regulators Approve Steep Electric Rate Increase; Will Phase in 24 Percent over 12 Months (Associated Press)

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2014/12/23/rhode-island-regulators-approve-steep-electric-rate-increase-will-phase-in-over/

Hacking of South Korean Nuclear Reactors Poses No Danger (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/12/24/hacking-of-south-korean-nuclear-reactors-poses-no-danger/

If Cyberwar Erupts, America’s Electric Grid is a Prime Target (Christian Science Monitor)

http://news.yahoo.com/cyberwar-erupts-americas-electric-grid-prime-target-150319790.html

How Southern Company Generates Electricity (Mother Nature Network)

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/energy/sponsorvideo/how-southern-company-generates-electricity

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Peace River Dam Approval Leaves Two Northern British Columbia Wind Projects Up in the Air (Business Vancouver, BC)

http://www.biv.com/article/2014/12/site-c-approval-leaves-two-northern-bc-wind-projec/

Renewable Energy Companies Use New Clout in Statehouses (Stateline)

http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/state_national_news/renewable-energy-companies-use-new-clout-in-statehouses/article_bed2830c-2c2b-57b5-bfe5-f7284e8d14ad.html

Biomass: Holiday Trees Help Light Co-op Homes (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/efficiency-conservation/environmental-stewardship/holiday-trees-help-light-co-op-homes/76689

Solar Panel Maintenance Poses Unforeseen Challenge in Developing World Electrification (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/adamhashian/2176101/solar-panel-maintenance-poses-unforeseen-challenge-developing-world-electrificat

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Portland LED Specialist Lands another $1 Million in Investments (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/12/portland-led-specialist-lands-another-1m-in.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Video: Pot Shops Court Holiday Shoppers (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/12/23/recreational-marijuana-pot-holiday-shopping/20839499/

Despite Legalization, Illegal Marijuana Grows Continue on Public Lands (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/despite-legalization-illegal-marijuana-grows-continue-public-lands

Map: Cities & Counties That Do & Don’t Allow Marijuana Businesses (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2014/12/04/map-cities-and-counties-that-do-and-dont-allow-marijuana-businesses/#28887101=0

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Change is Melting Mount Rainier’s Glaciers at Unprecedented Rates (Nature World News)

http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/11393/20141222/climate-change-is-melting-mount-rainiers-glaciers-at-unprecedented-rates.htm

Restored Forests Breathe Life into Efforts against Climate Change (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/science/earth/restored-forests-are-making-inroads-against-climate-change-.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Squirrels & Beavers: Meet the Rodents Making Global Warming Worse (The Weather Channel)

http://www.weather.com/science/environment/news/rodents-global-warming-climate-change

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

How Solar Power & Electric Cars Could Make Suburban Living Awesome Again (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/12/24/how-solar-power-and-electric-cars-could-make-suburban-living-awesome-again/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

North Korea Outage a Case Study in Online Uncertainties (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/NKorea-outage-a-case-study-in-online-uncertainties-5977311.php

Phone Companies Would Like to Cut Your Landline Cord for You (Chicago Tribune, IL)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-no-more-landlines-1217-biz-20141217-story.html#page=1

Cutting the Cord: Happiness Is a Cut Cord, Survey Says (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2014/12/20/cutting-the-cord-happiness/20662845/

The Switchboard: Google & Microsoft Take Aim at Wi-Fi Blocking Hotel Chains (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/12/24/the-switchboard-google-and-microsoft-take-aim-at-wifi-blocking-hotel-chains/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Kicks Off NFL Partnership with Ad-Supported Video Clips (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/techflash/2014/12/facebook-kicks-off-nfl-partnership-with-ad.html

Seven Things People Hate about Your Website (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/12/24/website-faux-pas/

Instagram Could Be One of the Best Deals of the Last Decade (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2014/12/23/instagram-could-be-one-of-the-best-deals-of-the-last-decade/

Rieder: Clooney Emerges as Hero in Sony Mess (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/rieder/2014/12/22/george-clooney-emerges-as-hero-in-awful-sony-mess/20757945/

GENERAL NEWS

Mountain Snow Could Slow Christmas Eve Travel (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/mountain-snow-could-slow-christmas-eve-travel/njZhb/

Garbage Rates, Rogue Trees - The City of Shelton Report for Dec. 23 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/20514-city-of-shelton-report-dec-23

The Interview is Coming to YouTube, Google Play, & Xbox Video Today (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/the-interview-is-coming-to-youtube-1674553266

‘Nut Rage’: Prosecutors Seek Arrest for Korean Air Executive (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30595519

Why Our Christmas Music is Still Stuck in the 1950s (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/12/23/why-our-christmas-music-is-still-stuck-in-the-50s/

DIVERSIONS

There’s a Blizzard Warning in Effect For ... Hawaii?!

http://mashable.com/2014/12/24/blizzard-warning-hawaii/

Check to Make Sure That Box Spring You Buy Off Craigslist Doesn’t Come with a Free Cat

http://consumerist.com/2014/12/24/check-to-make-sure-that-box-spring-you-buy-off-craigslist-doesnt-come-with-a-free-cat/

The Origin of the Candy Cane

http://gizmodo.com/the-origin-of-the-candy-cane-1482189978

The Very American History of Christmas Lights

http://gizmodo.com/the-very-american-history-of-christmas-lights-1674051648

SONGS OF THE DAY - From the Ridiculous to the Sublime

Mystery Science Theater 3K/Reddit – Let’s Have a Patrick Swayze Christmas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq8WhYTRbC8

Mystery Science Theater 3K - Merry Christmas; If That’s OK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq8WhYTRbC8

Mel Torme - The Christmas Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wap-4v5CZLM

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.