Energy News Digest for January 30, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 30, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/mot8dqs

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington State Lands Commissioner Loses PUD Right-Of-Way Battle (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-lands-commissioner-loses-pud-right-way-battle

Snowpack at Record Lows: ‘Staring Climate Change Right in the Eye’ (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Snowpack-at-record-lows-Staring-climate-change-right-in-the-eye-290331471.html

Renewable Energy Mandate Revisions Resurface in Olympia (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/renewable-energy-mandate-revisions-resurface-olympia/

NRC Staff: Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Storage Poses No Safety Concerns (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/nrc-staff-yucca-mountain-nuclear-waste-storage-poses-no-safety-concerns/358641/

FCC Votes to Make 25 Mbps the New Minimum Definition of Broadband (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/01/29/fcc-votes-to-make-25-mbps-the-new-minimum-definition-of-broadband/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Washington State Lands Commissioner Loses PUD Right-Of-Way Battle
2. Washington State Supreme Court Ruling: Okanogan County Public Utility District vs State of Washington, Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands
3. NRC Staff: Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Storage Poses No Safety Concerns
4. San Bruno: Criminal Probe Widens, Pacific Gas & Electric to Release 65,000 Emails, More Commissioners Involved
5. Cowlitz PUD Rate Committee to Begin Meeting in March
6. Police: Copper Wire Thieves Turn Out Lights in Newcastle
7. Why 50 Million Smart Meters Still Haven’t Fixed America’s Energy Habits
8. Georgia Power’s Vogtle Nuclear Plant Delayed another 18 Months
9. Op/Ed: Community-Owned Energy: How Nebraska Became the Only State to Bring Everyone Power from a Public Grid
10. Mexican Residents Block U-S Backed Plan for Hydroelectric Plant near Vital Community Waterways
11. Grant PUD to Buy Three Houses to Reduce Emergency Reaction Time at Hatchery
12. Snowpack at Record Lows: ‘Staring Climate Change Right in the Eye’
13. January’s Disappearing Snowpack
14. Renewable Energy Mandate Revisions Resurface in Olympia
15. Washington State Solar Battle Heats Up, Splitting Installer Trade Groups
16. Oregon: Next Steps on Ashland Biomass Project
17. Offshore Wind Farm Leases Draw Few Bids from Wary Industry
18. Vote on Wind Production Tax Credit Extension Fails in Senate
19. Op/Ed: Allowing Wind to Thrive without the Production Tax Credit
20. Region Funds Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s 2015-2019 Strategic & Business Plans
21. Portland Developer Teams with Startup on Energy-Smart Apartments
22. California, U-S Energy Plan to Aid Apartment Dwellers
23. The First Super Bowl Played Under LEDs Will Use 75 Percent Less Power
24. Infographic: Super Energy Facts before the Big Game
25. La Center Joins Other Cities in Banning Marijuana Sales
26. Marijuana Taxes Net $22.5 Million in Six Months
27. Oregon Congressman Blumenauer to FDIC: Let Banks Work with Pot Businesses
28. The Emissions Keystone Would Give Off Are Little Compared to Just About Everything
29. Obama’s Climate Plan Could Threaten U-S Forests
30. Biofuels’ Climate Change Benefits Questioned
31. FCC Votes to Make 25 Mbps the New Minimum Definition of Broadband
32. Cablevision Sues Verizon, Claims “Fastest Wi-Fi” Ads Are Misleading
33. Rochester, Minnesota May Launch Its Own Broadband Service
34. This Wireless Carrier is Paying $40 Million Because It Put Limits on ‘Unlimited’ Data
35. Portland TV Station Website Shuts Down Reader Comments
36. Crazy Like a Fox: Marshawn Lynch Making Millions By Battling with Media
37. Can’t Say Super Bowl: Strict Trademark Gags Radio Hosts, Businesses
38. Finances: Google Stumbles Amid Mobile Ad Competition
39. Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
40. Ninth Circuit Senior Judge Arthur Alarcón, Dies at 89
41. Mitt Romney Isn’t Running for President
42. Hey Look! It’s Jaime Herrera Beutler - The 25 Most Influential Washington Women Under 35
43. Pair File another Public Records Lawsuit against North Mason Schools
44. Central Washington State Residents Say Natural Resources Failed Them in Battling Carlton Complex Fires
45. Search for Submerged Aircraft in Hood Canal Is Suspended for Lack of Evidence
46. Feds Accuse 15 People of Stealing Yakama Nation Scholarship Funds
47. Telemarketer Helps Rescue Oregon Woman during Attack
48. Shelton Businessman on National E-Payments Board
49. Representative MacEwen Files Bill To Require Fines Levied against Pro-Athletes Go to Local Charities
50. On Leadership: Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll Has Learned His Lesson
51. Washington State Lt. Governor Puts Quinault Salmon on the Line for Super Bowl

WORD OF THE DAY

Sanctimonious • \sank-tuh-MOE-nee-us\ • adjective – hypocritically pious or devout

Garner was growing restless. The droning speech of the sanctimonious energy trader grated on his ears. At the words “the market will cure all ills” the audience at the public power conference started laughing and tittering until the trader stalked out of the room.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Washington State Lands Commissioner Loses PUD Right-Of-Way Battle (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-lands-commissioner-loses-pud-right-way-battle

Washington State Supreme Court Ruling: Okanogan County Public Utility District vs State of Washington, Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands

http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.showOpinion&filename=889490MAJ

NRC Staff: Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Storage Poses No Safety Concerns (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/nrc-staff-yucca-mountain-nuclear-waste-storage-poses-no-safety-concerns/358641/

San Bruno: Criminal Probe Widens, Pacific Gas & Electric to Release 65,000 Emails, More Commissioners Involved (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27422435/san-bruno-criminal-probe-widens-pg-e-release

Cowlitz PUD Rate Committee to Begin Meeting in March (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-rate-committee-to-begin-meeting-in-march/article_cc4a2304-a83d-11e4-a926-cb8228b3c5d4.html

Police: Copper Wire Thieves Turn Out Lights in Newcastle (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/police-copper-wire-thieves-turn-out-lights-newcast/njzkz/

Why 50 Million Smart Meters Still Haven’t Fixed America’s Energy Habits (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/01/29/americans-are-this-close-to-finally-understanding-their-electricity-bills/

Georgia Power’s Vogtle Nuclear Plant Delayed another 18 Months (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/georgia-powers-vogtle-nuclear-plant-delayed-another-18-months/358785/

Op/Ed: Community-Owned Energy: How Nebraska Became the Only State to Bring Everyone Power from a Public Grid (TruthOut)

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/28833-community-owned-energy-how-nebraska-became-the-only-state-to-bring-everyone-power-from-a-public-grid

Mexican Residents Block U-S Backed Plan for Hydroelectric Plant near Vital Community Waterways (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015/01/30/us-backed-mexico-dam-project-triggered-protest-rare-defeat

FISH & WILDLIFE

Grant PUD to Buy Three Houses to Reduce Emergency Reaction Time at Hatchery (iFiber One News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/grant-pud-to-buy-three-houses-to-reduce-emergency-reaction/article_2d018f0e-a800-11e4-96ff-4fa01f7614e1.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Snowpack at Record Lows: ‘Staring Climate Change Right in the Eye’ (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Snowpack-at-record-lows-Staring-climate-change-right-in-the-eye-290331471.html

January’s Disappearing Snowpack (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/01/januarys-disappearing-snowpack.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Renewable Energy Mandate Revisions Resurface in Olympia (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/renewable-energy-mandate-revisions-resurface-olympia/

Washington State Solar Battle Heats Up, Splitting Installer Trade Groups (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/washington-state-solar-battle-heats-up-splitting-installer-trade-groups/358661/

Oregon: Next Steps on Ashland Biomass Project (Jefferson Public Radio, Ashland, OR)

http://ijpr.org/post/next-steps-ashland-biomass-project

Offshore Wind Farm Leases Draw Few Bids from Wary Industry (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/30/business/energy-environment/offshore-wind-farm-leases-draw-few-bids-from-wary-industry.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Vote on Wind Production Tax Credit Extension Fails in Senate (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/vote-on-wind-ptc-extension-fails-in-senate/358640/

Op/Ed: Allowing Wind to Thrive without the Production Tax Credit (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/231077-allowing-wind-to-thrive-without-the-ptc

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Region Funds Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s 2015-2019 Strategic & Business Plans (Business Wire)

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2454366

Portland Developer Teams with Startup on Energy-Smart Apartments (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/01/meet-the-portland-investment-firm-thats-eying-the.html

California, U-S Energy Plan to Aid Apartment Dwellers (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27420757/california-u-s-energy-plan-aid-apartment-dwellers

The First Super Bowl Played Under LEDs Will Use 75 Percent Less Power (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/the-first-super-bowl-played-under-leds-will-use-75-perc-1682559078

Infographic: Super Energy Facts before the Big Game (Pacific Gas & Electric Currents)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2015/01/28/infographic-super-energy-facts-before-the-big-game/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

La Center Joins Other Cities in Banning Marijuana Sales (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/jan/29/la-center-joins-other-cities-in-banning-marijuana/

Marijuana Taxes Net $22.5 Million in Six Months (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150130/BIZ/150139951

Oregon Congressman Blumenauer to FDIC: Let Banks Work with Pot Businesses (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2015/01/blumenauer-to-fdic-let-banks-work-with-pot.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

The Emissions Keystone Would Give Off Are Little Compared to Just About Everything (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/the-emissions-keystone-would-give-off-are-little-compared-to-just-about-everything-20150129

Obama’s Climate Plan Could Threaten U-S Forests (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/01/obama-climate-plan-threatens-us-forests-114718.html#.VMutKEfF98E

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Biofuels’ Climate Change Benefits Questioned (Bend Bulletin, OR)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/2831595-151/biofuels-climate-change-benefits-questioned#

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC Votes to Make 25 Mbps the New Minimum Definition of Broadband (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/01/29/fcc-votes-to-make-25-mbps-the-new-minimum-definition-of-broadband/

Cablevision Sues Verizon, Claims “Fastest Wi-Fi” Ads Are Misleading (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/01/29/cablevision-sues-verizon-claims-fastest-wifi-ads-are-misleading/

Rochester, Minnesota May Launch Its Own Broadband Service (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, MN)

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/morning_roundup/2015/01/rochester-minn-may-launch-its-own-broadband.html

This Wireless Carrier is Paying $40 Million Because It Put Limits on ‘Unlimited’ Data (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/01/28/this-wireless-carrier-is-paying-40-million-because-it-put-limits-on-unlimited-data/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Portland TV Station Website Shuts Down Reader Comments “…It’s time to be honest about what comment boards have morphed into over the years…” (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/jan/29/portland-tv-station-website-shuts-down-reader-comm/

Crazy Like a Fox: Marshawn Lynch Making Millions By Battling with Media (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2699954/Marshawn-Lynch-making-millions-by-battling-with-media

Can’t Say Super Bowl: Strict Trademark Gags Radio Hosts, Businesses (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27425439/cant-say-super-bowl-strict-trademark-gags-radio?source=rss

Finances: Google Stumbles Amid Mobile Ad Competition (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/01/google_stumbles_amid_mobile_ad.html

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/01/30/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-274/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Ninth Circuit Senior Judge Arthur Alarcón, Dies at 89 (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/01/30/9th-circuit-senior-judge-arthur-alarc-243-n-89.htm

Mitt Romney Isn’t Running for President (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/01/30/mitt-romney-isnt-running-for-president

Hey Look! It’s Jaime Herrera Beutler - The 25 Most Influential Washington Women Under 35 (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/pictures-video/the-25-most-influential-washington-women-under-35-20130711

GENERAL NEWS

Pair File another Public Records Lawsuit against North Mason Schools (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/north-mason/pair-file-another-public-records-lawsuit-against-nmsd

Central Washington State Residents Say Natural Resources Failed Them in Battling Carlton Complex Fires (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/jan/30/central-washington-residents-say-natural/

Search for Submerged Aircraft in Hood Canal Is Suspended for Lack of Evidence (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150130/news/301309977/search-for-submerged-aircraft-in-hood-canal-is-suspended-for-lack-of

Feds Accuse 15 People of Stealing Yakama Nation Scholarship Funds (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/2867520-8/fbi-dozen-arrested-in-yakama-nation-scholarship-theft

Telemarketer Helps Rescue Oregon Woman during Attack (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/crime/2015/01/30/sales-call-leads-to-rescue-of-beaten-oregon-woman/22580775/

Shelton Businessman on National E-Payments Board (South Sound Business Examiner, WA)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/January-2015/Shelton-rep-on-natl-e-payments-board/

Representative MacEwen Files Bill To Require Fines Levied against Pro-Athletes Go to Local Charities (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14218

On Leadership: Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll Has Learned His Lesson (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2015/01/30/seattle-seahawks-coach-pete-carroll-has-learned-his-lesson/

Washington State Lt. Governor Puts Quinault Salmon on the Line for Super Bowl (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/lt-gov-owen-puts-quinault-salmon-line-super-bowl

DIVERSIONS

Pitbull-Dachshund Mix With Tiny Feet & a Huge Head Sparks Adoption Frenzy

http://mashable.com/2015/01/29/pitbull-dachshund-puppy/

Dozens of Bats Cause Mayhem in Arkansas Courtroom; Official Says Hundreds Roost in Elevator Shaft

http://www.usnews.com/news/offbeat/articles/2015/01/30/bats-cause-mayhem-send-people-screaming-from-arkansas-court

Alabama Troopers Say Interstate Crash Caused by Tractor-Trailer Driver Pulling His Own Tooth

http://www.usnews.com/news/offbeat/articles/2015/01/30/crash-on-interstate-caused-by-trucker-pulling-his-tooth

These Balloonists Just Broke a Decades-Old Distance Record

http://gizmodo.com/these-balloonists-just-broke-a-decades-old-distance-rec-1682687707

SONG OF THE DAY

Glen Campbell - By the Time I Get to Phoenix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vflqJOp_0Wk

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 January 29, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 29, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/pkt9gjw

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

Proposed Klickitat PUD Pumped Storage Hydro Project Holds Meetings - Five-year plan to build hydroelectric project could bring new jobs (Goldendale Sentinel, WA)

http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2015/01/28/news/proposed-pud-project-holds-meetings/5379.html

Washington State Fishery Managers Set Smelt, Spring Chinook Seasons (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/state-fishery-managers-set-smelt-spring-chinook-seasons/article_38ec3142-a76b-11e4-8e75-7f70ae85fc3e.html

Now That Growing Pot Is Legal, Can It Also Be More Energy Efficient? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/now-that-growing-pot-is-legal-can-it-also-be-more-energy-efficient/

Washington‐Made Solar Products Power Award-Winning Bainbridge Island Development (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/kpbj/washingtonmade-solar-products-power-award-winning-development

Survey: Trust Is Key to Utility-Customer Relationship (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/survey-trust-is-key-to-utility-customer-relationship/358096/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Proposed Klickitat PUD Pumped Storage Hydro Project Holds Meetings - Five-year plan to build hydroelectric project could bring new jobs
2. Survey: Trust Is Key to Utility-Customer Relationship
3. Grant PUD to Sell Dozen Homes at Wanapum Village
4. 2014: A High-Visibility Year for Bonneville Power Administration’s Synchrophasor Program
5. Texas: Energy Company Stands behind High Electricity Bills
6. Former EPA Administrator Browner Pushes for More Nuclear Power
7. Oklahoma Worries about Swarm of Earthquakes & Connection to Oil Industry
8. Washington State Fishery Managers Set Smelt, Spring Chinook Seasons
9. U-S Senate Votes to Keep Lesser Prairie Chicken on ‘Threatened’ List
10. Where Rhinos Once Roamed, A Habitat for Sensitive Willamette Valley Species Emerges in Oregon Wine Country – Thanks to some Bonneville Power Administration Money
11. California: Measuring Sierra Snowpack Is a Lot More Complex than It Looks
12. Washington‐Made Solar Products Power Award-Winning Bainbridge Island Development
13. Solar Panels Get Heat from Beaverton Residents
14. Solar Parking Lots Sound Like a Great Idea. Why Aren’t They Catching On?
15. Consumers’ Bureau & FTC Say They Understand Concerns about Solar Leasing Practices
16. Buffalo Jump? Is Surging U-S Wind Power Headed Off a Cliff?
17. Energy Smart Industrial: Five Years of Enormous Savings - Program has saved industries more than 647 million kWh of electricity
18. Energy Adviser: Incentives, Loans Help Conserve Energy
19. Why People Use Less Energy on Super Bowl Sunday
20. Now That Growing Pot Is Legal, Can It Also Be More Energy Efficient?
21. Marijuana News: U-S Attorney General Nominee Opposes Legal Pot
22. Dude! Legal Marijuana America’s Fastest-Growing Industry – Report
23. Prominent Investment Firm Pumps Money into Cannabis Tech Company
24. 12,000 Joints Rolled for Super Bowl ‘12th Pack’
25. Can We Harvest Lightning for the Power Grid?
26. Grant PUD Expands Wireless Broadband Network
27. Google Fiber in Portland, Apple Data Center in Prineville Could Both Hinge on Obscure Oregon Tax Law
28. Google Says Net Neutrality Won’t Curb Expansion of Google Fiber
29. Oregon Official: As Comcast Critics Pounce, Kate Brown Doesn’t Want to Talk about Her Letter Supporting Cable Giant
30. Amazon Starts Cloud Email Service for Businesses
31. Facebook Tops Wall Street Revenue Target in Fourth
32. Tips on Shooting Slo-Mo Video with iPhone
33. Tri-City Legislators Propose Bill to Explore Eastern Washington Seceding from State
34. Comcast Customer Service Renames Spokane Couple with Profanity on Billing Address
35. Video: Students Use Seahawks to Learn Leadership

WORD OF THE DAY

Myrmidon • \MURR-muh-don\ • noun – 1: A member of a warlike Thessalian people who followed Achilles on the expedition against Troy 2: A loyal follower, especially one who executes orders without question, protest, or pity.

Alfonse was chosen to meet with the irritated customers over how they had been treated. It wasn’t so much that he was the paragon of human strength or struck fear in the hearts of anyone. It was that Alfonse was considered the ultimate myrmidon, or “good soldier”. He would bleat the company’s party line regardless of logic, precedence or legality until all in the room were exhausted by his efforts.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Proposed Klickitat PUD Pumped Storage Hydro Project Holds Meetings - Five-year plan to build hydroelectric project could bring new jobs (Goldendale Sentinel, WA)

http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2015/01/28/news/proposed-pud-project-holds-meetings/5379.html

Survey: Trust Is Key to Utility-Customer Relationship (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/survey-trust-is-key-to-utility-customer-relationship/358096/

Grant PUD to Sell Dozen Homes at Wanapum Village (iFiber One News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/grant-pud-to-sell-dozen-homes-at-wanapum-village/article_934af74c-a750-11e4-b9fd-23799675c5ad.html

2014: A High-Visibility Year for Bonneville Power Administration’s Synchrophasor Program (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/2014-A-high-visibility-year-for-BPAs-synchrophasor-program.aspx

Texas: Energy Company Stands behind High Electricity Bills (KTRK-TV, Houston, TX)

http://abc13.com/news/energy-company-stands-behind-high-electricity-bills/494921/

Former EPA Administrator Browner Pushes for More Nuclear Power (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/former-epa-admin-browner-pushes-for-more-nuclear-power/358086/

Oklahoma Worries about Swarm of Earthquakes & Connection to Oil Industry (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/oklahoma-worries-over-swarm-of-earthquakes-and-connection-to-oil-industry/2015/01/28/eca21234-a71a-11e4-a2b2-776095f393b2_story.html?wprss=rss_business

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington State Fishery Managers Set Smelt, Spring Chinook Seasons (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/state-fishery-managers-set-smelt-spring-chinook-seasons/article_38ec3142-a76b-11e4-8e75-7f70ae85fc3e.html

U-S Senate Votes to Keep Lesser Prairie Chicken on ‘Threatened’ List (Associated Press)

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article8555249.html

Where Rhinos Once Roamed, A Habitat for Sensitive Willamette Valley Species Emerges in Oregon Wine Country – Thanks to some Bonneville Power Administration Money (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/01/where_rhinos_once_roamed_a_hab.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

California: Measuring Sierra Snowpack Is a Lot More Complex than It Looks (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_27413525/california-drought-measuring-sierra-snowpack-is-lot-more

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Washington‐Made Solar Products Power Award-Winning Bainbridge Island Development (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/kpbj/washingtonmade-solar-products-power-award-winning-development

Solar Panels Get Heat from Beaverton Residents (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/01/28/solar-panels-get-heat-from-beaverton-residents/

Solar Parking Lots Sound Like a Great Idea. Why Aren’t They Catching On? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Energy/2015/0128/Solar-parking-lots-sound-like-a-great-idea.-Why-aren-t-they-catching-on

Consumers’ Bureau & FTC Say They Understand Concerns about Solar Leasing Practices (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43069

Buffalo Jump? Is Surging U-S Wind Power Headed Off a Cliff? (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/01/28/is-surging-us-wind-power-headed-off-a-cliff/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Smart Industrial: Five Years of Enormous Savings - Program has saved industries more than 647 million kWh of electricity (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2015/01/energy-smart-industrial-five-years-of.html

Energy Adviser: Incentives, Loans Help Conserve Energy (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/jan/29/incentives-loans-help-conserve-energy/

Why People Use Less Energy on Super Bowl Sunday (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/01/28/why-people-use-less-energy-on-super-bowl-sunday/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Now That Growing Pot Is Legal, Can It Also Be More Energy Efficient? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/now-that-growing-pot-is-legal-can-it-also-be-more-energy-efficient/

Marijuana News: U-S Attorney General Nominee Opposes Legal Pot (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2015/01/marijuana_news_us_attorney_gen.html

Dude! Legal Marijuana America’s Fastest-Growing Industry – Report (RT)

http://rt.com/usa/226323-us-marijuana-industry-report/

Prominent Investment Firm Pumps Money into Cannabis Tech Company (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/prominent-investment-firm-pumps-money-into-cannabis-tech-company/

12,000 Joints Rolled for Super Bowl ‘12th Pack’ (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/seattle/2015/01/28/12th-pack-marijuana-cannabis-12000-joints/22497465/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Can We Harvest Lightning for the Power Grid? (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/statoil/2015/01/28/can-we-harvest-lightning-for-the-power-grid/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Grant PUD Expands Wireless Broadband Network (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://pro.kpq-am.tritonflex.com/common/more.php?m=15&r=1&item_id=24191

Google Fiber in Portland, Apple Data Center in Prineville Could Both Hinge on Obscure Oregon Tax Law (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/01/google_fiber_in_portland_apple.html

Google Says Net Neutrality Won’t Curb Expansion of Google Fiber (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/01/29/google-says-net-neutrality-wont-curb-expansion-of-google-fiber/

Oregon Official: As Comcast Critics Pounce, Kate Brown Doesn’t Want to Talk about Her Letter Supporting Cable Giant (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2015/01/as_comcast_critics_pounce_kate.html

Amazon Starts Cloud Email Service for Businesses (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/01/amazon-starts-cloud-email-service-for-businesses.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Tops Wall Street Revenue Target in Fourth Quarter (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/29/us-facebook-results-idUSKBN0L12IU20150129

Tips on Shooting Slo-Mo Video with iPhone (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/01/28/shooting-slow-motion-video-with-iphone/22462269/

GENERAL NEWS

Tri-City Legislators Propose Bill to Explore Eastern Washington Seceding from State (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/01/28/3382947_tri-city-legislators-want-eastern.html?rh=1

Comcast Customer Service Renames Spokane Couple with Profanity on Billing Address (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2699724/Comcast-customer-service-renames-couple-with-profanity-on-billing-address

Video: Students Use Seahawks to Learn Leadership (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/videos/news/local/2015/01/28/students-use-seahawks-to-learn-leadership/22499989/

DIVERSIONS

Farmer Herds His Happy Cows into Smiley-Face Formation

http://mashable.com/2015/01/28/farmer-herds-cows-smiley-face/

Simulator Runs Super Bowl Matchup 50,000 Times, And the Winner Is ...

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/simulator-runs-super-bowl-matchup-50-000-times--and-winner-is-----022252004.html

“Bare Shoulders” – Teen Forced to Wear Winter Coat or Leave School Dance

http://q13fox.com/2015/01/29/teen-forced-to-wear-winter-coat-or-leave-school-dance-mother-asks-are-shoulders-now-pornographic/

Chocolate Was Once Considered a Powerful Cure-All Drug

http://factually.gizmodo.com/chocolate-was-once-considered-a-powerful-cure-all-drug-1682399613

SONG OF THE DAY

John Denver - Sunshine on My Shoulders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFPMH-Lk4v8

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 January 28, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 28, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/osadyfb

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

Tribal Members Could Kill Columbia River Sea Lions under New Bill (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/01/tribal_members_could_kill_colu.html

Washington State Governor’s Cap-And-Trade Plan Makes Polluters Pay (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Gov-Inslees-cap-and-trade-plan-makes-polluters-pay-290015891.html

Report: Washington State, Oregon Could Vastly Expand Renewable Power Production (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/washington-and-oregon-have-opportunity-to-vastly-expand-renewable-power-production-report-says/

What Utility Execs Think the Future Holds (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/what-utility-execs-think-the-future-holds/356710/

Streetlight Upgrades:  New LED Lights for Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21045-new-led-lights-for-shelton

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. What Utility Execs Think the Future Holds
2. California: Natural Gas Role in State's Low-Carbon Future Comes with Caveats
3. Natural Gas Prices Drop Following Strong Production Growth
4. Mayor Decides to Back San Francisco Clean Power Program, But With Conditions
5. New Mexico: PNM-Backed Poll Finds Little Support for Santa Fe Municipal Utility Plan
6. Five Things You Might Have Forgotten to Put in Your Emergency Kit
7. Tribal Members Could Kill Columbia River Sea Lions under New Bill
8. Could Salmon Be Reintroduced above Grand Coulee Dam?
9. Local Dam Removal Initiative Finds Footing in Washington, D-C
10. Southern California's Water Supply Threatened by Next Major Quake (National Public Radio)
11. Report: Washington State, Oregon Could Vastly Expand Renewable Power Production
12. West Virginia Lawmakers Send Renewable Energy Act Repeal to Governor
13. Can You Turn Your Home into a Hydroelectric Plant?
14. Streetlight Upgrades:  New LED Lights for Shelton
15. The Most Energy-Efficient States in America
16. Jefferson Commissioner Favors Letting Pot Business Moratorium Expire – Two Are Left Undecided after Public Hearing
17. Spokane Valley Hears Public Comment on Medical Marijuana Moratorium
18. Marijuana Vending Machine to Debut in Seattle
19. California Tribe Inks Medical Marijuana Deal
20. Vermont Lawmakers Mulling Idea of Legalizing Marijuana
21. Washington State Governor’s Cap-And-Trade Plan Makes Polluters Pay
22. Washington State Rep. Shelly Short: Governor’s Carbon Tax Would Hurt Middle-Income Wage Jobs
23. A Tax or a Cap? Debating the Path to Pricing Carbon in Oregon
24. Kitzhaber: Carbon Fuel Standard Unrelated to Road Fixes
25. On Climate Change, 'Not a Scientist' Not Enough for Some U-S Republicans
26. FERC Details Reliability, Infrastructure Questions for Western Conference on EPA Plan
27. Portland Brewery Puts Low-Carbon Beer on Tap
28. Grant PUD Yet to Allocate Bulk of $7.5 Million Fiber Optic Budget
29. California Schools to Get Help with Broadband Infrastructure
30. FCC Says It Will 'Act Against' Hotels That Block Wi-Fi Hotspot Access
31. How the Cable Industry is Trying to Reshape the Economics of the Internet
32. Snapchat Adds News, Entertainment Content to Messaging Service
33. Facebook to Sell Real-Time Super Bowl Ads, Taking on Twitter
34. The Super Bowl is Turning into Digital Advertising's Biggest Day
35. Promotion Pairs Electric Cars, Paperless Billing
36. After Blizzard, Oceanfront Massachusetts Cleans Up from Flooding
37. City of Shelton’s Sidewalks to No-Where May Be Going Somewhere!
38. Russell Wilson Writes about NFC Championship Victory – And a Little Red Button

WORD OF THE DAY

Retronym • \ReT-troh-nim\ • noun – A term (such as analog watch or snail mail) that is newly created and adopted to distinguish the original or older version, form, or example of something from other, more recent versions, forms, or examples.

Brutus transition from pen and paper to digital recording and texting went smoothly. However, after a year his handwriting and comprehension had atrophied to such a state that he couldn’t decipher the retronymistic written, cursive notes from his technologically hindered friends. His presences in their lives dwindled a bit each day, until one day, he blipped out…becoming a cypher in their analog address book.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

What Utility Execs Think the Future Holds (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/what-utility-execs-think-the-future-holds/356710/

California: Natural Gas Role in State's Low-Carbon Future Comes with Caveats (E&E Publishing)

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060012339

Natural Gas Prices Drop Following Strong Production Growth (U-S Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=19751

Mayor Decides to Back San Francisco Clean Power Program, But With Conditions (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Lee-decides-to-back-S-F-clean-power-program-but-6041780.php

New Mexico: PNM-Backed Poll Finds Little Support for Santa Fe Municipal Utility Plan (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/pnm-backed-poll-finds-little-support-for-santa-fe-municipal-utility-plan/357574/

Five Things You Might Have Forgotten to Put in Your Emergency Kit (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/blog/newsblog/5-things-you-might-have-forgot-to-put-in-your-emergency-kit/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Tribal Members Could Kill Columbia River Sea Lions under New Bill (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/01/tribal_members_could_kill_colu.html

Could Salmon Be Reintroduced above Grand Coulee Dam? (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/could-salmon-be-reintroduced-above-grand-coulee-dam

Local Dam Removal Initiative Finds Footing in Washington, D-C (San Juan Journal, WA)

http://www.sanjuanjournal.com/news/289995221.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Southern California's Water Supply Threatened by Next Major Quake (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2015/01/27/381887197/southern-california-s-water-supply-threatened-by-next-major-quake

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Report: Washington State, Oregon Could Vastly Expand Renewable Power Production (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/washington-and-oregon-have-opportunity-to-vastly-expand-renewable-power-production-report-says/

West Virginia Lawmakers Send Renewable Energy Act Repeal to Governor (Associated Press)

http://www.charlestondailymail.com/article/20150127/ARTICLE/150129349

Can You Turn Your Home into a Hydroelectric Plant? (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/statoil/2015/01/27/can-you-turn-your-home-into-a-hydroelectric-plant/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Streetlight Upgrades:  New LED Lights for Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21045-new-led-lights-for-shelton

The Most Energy-Efficient States in America (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/fjlm45fimm/no-1-massachusetts-3/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Jefferson Commissioner Favors Letting Pot Business Moratorium Expire – Two Are Left Undecided after Public Hearing (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150128/news/301289983/jefferson-commissioner-favors-letting-pot-business-moratorium-expire

Spokane Valley Hears Public Comment on Medical Marijuana Moratorium (KXLY-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-news/spokane-valley-hears-public-comment-on-marijuana-moratorium/30958870

Marijuana Vending Machine to Debut in Seattle (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Marijuana-vending-machine-to-debut-in-Seattle-289989151.html

California Tribe Inks Medical Marijuana Deal (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/california-tribe-inks-mmj-deal/

Vermont Lawmakers Mulling Idea of Legalizing Marijuana (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/01/28/vermont-lawmakers-mulling-idea-of-legalizing-marijuana/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Governor’s Cap-And-Trade Plan Makes Polluters Pay (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Gov-Inslees-cap-and-trade-plan-makes-polluters-pay-290015891.html

Washington State Rep. Shelly Short: Governor’s Carbon Tax Would Hurt Middle-Income Wage Jobs (Washington State House Republicans)

http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/news/short-carbon-tax-voicer-012715/

A Tax or a Cap? Debating the Path to Pricing Carbon in Oregon (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/01/a-tax-or-a-cap-debating-the-path-to-pricing-carbon.html

Kitzhaber: Carbon Fuel Standard Unrelated to Road Fixes (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/kitzhaber-carbon-fuel-standard-unrelated-road-fixes

On Climate Change, 'Not a Scientist' Not Enough for Some U-S Republicans (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/27/us-usa-politics-climatechange-insight-idUSKBN0L00D620150127

FERC Details Reliability, Infrastructure Questions for Western Conference on EPA Plan (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43060

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Portland Brewery Puts Low-Carbon Beer on Tap (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/portland-brewery-puts-low-carbon-beer-tap

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Grant PUD Yet to Allocate Bulk of $7.5 Million Fiber Optic Budget (iFiber One, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/grant-pud-yet-to-allocate-bulk-of-million-fiber-optic/article_3edcb1b8-a68e-11e4-b020-4b26d63db8e2.html

California Schools to Get Help with Broadband Infrastructure (Government Technology)

http://www.govtech.com/education/Schools-to-Get-Help-With-Broadband-Infrastructure.html

FCC Says It Will 'Act Against' Hotels That Block Wi-Fi Hotspot Access (Washington, DC Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/techflash/2015/01/fcc-says-it-will-act-against-hotels-that-block-wi.html

How the Cable Industry is Trying to Reshape the Economics of the Internet (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/01/26/how-the-cable-industry-is-trying-to-reshape-the-economics-of-the-internet/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Snapchat Adds News, Entertainment Content to Messaging Service (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/27/us-snapchat-content-idUSKBN0L02DM20150127

Facebook to Sell Real-Time Super Bowl Ads, Taking on Twitter (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/facebook-sell-real-time-super-bowl-ads-taking-120527031--nfl.html

The Super Bowl is Turning into Digital Advertising's Biggest Day (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/super-bowl-turning-digital-advertisings-biggest-day-162524

Promotion Pairs Electric Cars, Paperless Billing (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/newsmakers/local-initiatives/paperless-billing-and-vehicle-charging-promotio/77414

GENERAL NEWS

After Blizzard, Oceanfront Massachusetts Cleans Up from Flooding (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/28/us-usa-weather-idUSKBN0KW26Z20150128

City of Shelton’s Sidewalks to No-Where May Be Going Somewhere! (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21063-sidewalks-to-no-where-may-be-going-somewhere

Russell Wilson Writes about NFC Championship Victory – And a Little Red Button (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/27953706/russell-wilson-writes-about-nfc-championship-victory

DIVERSIONS

Marshawn Lynch Finally Talks ... in Funny, Weird Ads for Skittles & Progressive

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/marshawn-lynch-finally-talks-funny-weird-ads-skittles-and-progressive-162579

Suspected Thief Discovered Hanging Upside Down from Window

http://mashable.com/2015/01/28/suspected-thief-hanging-from-window/

Balloon Crew Heading across Pacific Move Little, Layer Much

http://www.khq.com/story/27958779/balloon-crew-heading-across-pacific-move-little-layer-much

Why Do AM Radio Signals Travel Farther at Night Than in the Day?

http://gizmodo.com/why-do-radio-signals-travel-farther-at-night-than-in-th-1681994293

SONG OF THE DAY

Harry Chapin – WOLD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1TUgWGuKM8

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.