Energy News Digest for February 27, 2015 – The Leonard Nimoy Memorial Edition

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 27, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ocls7yp

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

Leonard Nimoy, Spock in ‘Star Trek’ Series, Dies at 83 (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-27/leonard-nimoy-spock-in-star-trek-movies-series-dies-at-83

‘Net Neutrality Essential’ – Washington State, City Officials Cheer FCC’s New Rules (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/02/26/net-neutrality-essential-state-officials-cheeer-fccs-new-rules/

Claim: Oregon State Data Center Managers ‘In Trouble’ for Talking to Kitzhaber-Hayes Investigators (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/claim_state_data_center_manage.html

News Release: New Report Shows Status of Salmon Recovery – More salmon are returning home in some areas, although significant work remains (Washington State Governor’s Office)

http://www.rco.wa.gov/doc_pages/press/2015/140.shtml

Despite Increasing Sales, Legal Washington State Pot Businesses Warn of Impending Disaster if Changes Not Made (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2718007/Despite-increasing-sales-legal-pot-businesses-warn-of-impending-disaster-if-changes-not-made

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Iberdrola’s $3 Billion Deal Creates Mega Utility in U-S Northeast
2. Senate Bill Would Look to Install Crude Oil Pipeline across Washington State
3. Mock Scenarios Prepare Linemen for Emergencies in the Field
4. Western Region to FERC: EPA Should Make Time to Consider Reliability in Proposed Carbon Dioxide Rule
5. News Release: New Report Shows Status of Salmon Recovery
6. Op/Ed: More Salmon – More Wanted
7. Feds Spot Third Baby Orca Born Recently to Imperiled Pods
8. Volunteers Count Fish Eggs to Evaluate Health of Marine Waters
9. Will Low Snowpack Affect Oregon Fire Insurance?
10. Oregon Hits Expired Wastewater Permit Nadir
11. The EPA Just Ripped California’s Big Renewable Energy Plan
12. Are Utilities or States the Leaders in Renewable Energy & Efficiency?
13. Aussie Wave Energy Deployment Makes Splash – Next Project Will Be Real Test
14. Despite Increasing Sales, Legal Washington State Pot Businesses Warn of Impending Disaster if Changes Not Made
15. Even With Washington State Overhaul, Black Market for Pot Could Remain
16. New Store Defies Pierce County Ban on Recreational Pot Sales
17. Republicans Warn Washington to Think Twice about Legalizing Marijuana
18. Farm-to-Table Marijuana Startup Launches with Posh Berkeley Party
19. The Big Melt: Antarctica’s Retreating Ice May Re-Shape Earth
20. Editorial: Will Oregon House Democrats Find Low-Carbon Courage?
21. Idaho Bill Would Let Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Sell Power Back to Grid
22. The FCC Rules against State Limits on City-Run Internet
23. Tax Cuts for Google Fiber, Comcast & Data Centers Move Forward in Oregon Senate – Cities Object
24. ‘Net Neutrality Essential’ – Washington State, City Officials Cheer FCC’s New Rules
25. U-S Senator Cantwell Hails Tough Rules for Internet Providers
26. Highlights of the Net Neutrality Rules
27. The Winners & Losers in the FCC Ruling for Net Neutrality
28. Sorry, But Net Neutrality is Far from Settled
29. The Lamest Official Reactions against Net Neutrality
30. There’s Already a Conspiracy Theory Brewing over Net Neutrality
31. Dutch Offer Preview of Net Neutrality
32. Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
33. Claim: Oregon State Data Center Managers ‘In Trouble’ for Talking to Kitzhaber-Hayes Investigators
34. Cylvia Hayes Suing Oregonian in Email-Blocking Effort
35. Federal Workers Caught Stealing Gas with Taxpayer Money
36. Skookum Rotary’s OysterFest Dollars at Work in the Community
37. Two Suspected Vandals Rescued, Arrested at California Park
38. KXRO Names Daniel Hargrove News Director as Kyle Pauley Exits
39. Leonard Nimoy, Spock in ‘Star Trek’ Series, Dies at 83

WORD OF THE DAY

Nadir • \NAY-deer\ • noun – 1: the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer 2: the lowest point

Dondi had to admit that after a long run as the “blue haired, big-eared darling” of the Sunday comics that having to play a bit parts in the “Nancy” and “Henry” comics represented the nadir of his pulp fiction career.

Lear more about Dondi Here:

http://www.toonopedia.com/dondi.htm

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Iberdrola’s $3 Billion Deal Creates Mega Utility in U-S Northeast (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/iberdrolas-3b-deal-creates-mega-utility-in-the.html

Senate Bill Would Look to Install Crude Oil Pipeline across Washington State (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2015/02/25/4152508_senate-bill-would-look-to-install.html?rh=1

Mock Scenarios Prepare Linemen for Emergencies in the Field (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Mock-scenarios-prepare-linemen-for-emergencies-in-the-field.aspx

Western Region to FERC: EPA Should Make Time to Consider Reliability in Proposed Carbon Dioxide Rule (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43252

FISH & WILDLIFE

News Release: New Report Shows Status of Salmon Recovery – More salmon are returning home in some areas, although significant work remains (Washington State Governor’s Office)

http://www.rco.wa.gov/doc_pages/press/2015/140.shtml

Op/Ed: More Salmon – More Wanted (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/02/26/3659212_more-salmon-and-more-wanted.html?rh=1

Feds Spot Third Baby Orca Born Recently to Imperiled Pods (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/02/feds_spot_third_baby_orca_born.html

Volunteers Count Fish Eggs to Evaluate Health of Marine Waters (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150227/NEWS01/150229387

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Will Low Snowpack Affect Oregon Fire Insurance? (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/02/26/will-low-snowpack-affect-oregon-fire-insurance/

Oregon Hits Expired Wastewater Permit Nadir (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/oregon-hits-expired-wastewater-permit-nadir.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

The EPA Just Ripped California’s Big Renewable Energy Plan (KCET-TV, Beautiful Downtown Burbank, CA)

http://www.kcet.org/news/redefine/rewire/government/drecp/epa-desert-energy-plan-must-do-more-to-protect-wildlife-air-water.html

Are Utilities or States the Leaders in Renewable Energy & Efficiency? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2015/02/are-utilities-or-states-the-leaders-in-renewable-energy-and-efficiency?cmpid=rss

Aussie Wave Energy Deployment Makes Splash – Next Project Will Be Real Test (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/26/aussie-wave-energy-deployment-makes-splash-but-next-project-will-be-real-test/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Despite Increasing Sales, Legal Washington State Pot Businesses Warn of Impending Disaster if Changes Not Made (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2718007/Despite-increasing-sales-legal-pot-businesses-warn-of-impending-disaster-if-changes-not-made

Even With Washington State Overhaul, Black Market for Pot Could Remain (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/even-with-overhaul-black-market-for-pot-could-remain/

New Store Defies Pierce County Ban on Recreational Pot Sales (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/New-store-defies-Pierce-Co-ban-on-recreational-pot-sales-294372801.html

Republicans Warn Washington to Think Twice about Legalizing Marijuana (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/us/as-marijuana-becomes-legal-in-washington-congressional-republicans-warn-city-to-think-twice.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Farm-to-Table Marijuana Startup Launches with Posh Berkeley Party (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Farm-to-table-marijuana-startup-launches-with-6104998.php

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

The Big Melt: Antarctica’s Retreating Ice May Re-Shape Earth (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/The-big-melt-Antarctica-s-retreating-ice-may-6104806.php

Editorial: Will Oregon House Democrats Find Low-Carbon Courage? (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/02/will_enough_house_democrats_ha.html#incart_2box_opinion_index.ssf

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Idaho Bill Would Let Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Sell Power Back to Grid (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/idaho-bill-would-let-ev-charging-stations-sell-power-back-to-grid/369249/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The FCC Rules against State Limits on City-Run Internet (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/02/26/the-fcc-rules-against-state-limits-on-city-run-internet/

Tax Cuts for Google Fiber, Comcast & Data Centers Move Forward in Oregon Senate – Cities Object (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/tax_changes_for_google_fiber_c.html

THE GREAT NET IS A NEUTRAL – MEN IN BLACK EDITION - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY8nCuwSf84

‘Net Neutrality Essential’ – Washington State, City Officials Cheer FCC’s New Rules (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/02/26/net-neutrality-essential-state-officials-cheeer-fccs-new-rules/

U-S Senator Cantwell Hails Tough Rules for Internet Providers (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Sen-Cantwell-hails-tough-rules-for-Internet-providers-294310571.html

Highlights of the Net Neutrality Rules (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27605647/highlights-net-neutrality-rules

The Winners & Losers in the FCC Ruling for Net Neutrality – Mozilla & Netflix celebrate as Comcast & Verizon seethe (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/winners-and-losers-todays-fcc-ruling-net-neutrality-163169

Sorry, But Net Neutrality is Far from Settled (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/02/27/net-neutrality-whats-next/

The Lamest Official Reactions against Net Neutrality (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/the-lamest-official-reactions-against-net-neutrality-1688286927

There’s Already a Conspiracy Theory Brewing over Net Neutrality (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/02/27/theres-already-a-conspiracy-theory-brewing-over-net-neutrality/?wprss=rss_technology

Dutch Offer Preview of Net Neutrality (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/business/dutch-offer-preview-of-net-neutrality.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/02/27/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-278/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Claim: Oregon State Data Center Managers ‘In Trouble’ for Talking to Kitzhaber-Hayes Investigators (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/claim_state_data_center_manage.html

Cylvia Hayes Suing Oregonian in Email-Blocking Effort (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/02/26/cylvia-hayes-suing-oregonian-in-email-blocking-effort/

Federal Workers Caught Stealing Gas with Taxpayer Money (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/26/federal-workers-caught-stealing-gas-with-taxpayer-money/?postshare=2611424994753700

GENERAL NEWS

Skookum Rotary’s OysterFest Dollars at Work in the Community (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21593-oysterfest-dollars-at-work

Two Suspected Vandals Rescued, Arrested at California Park (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/27/us-usa-california-vandalism-idUSKBN0LV0SC20150227

KXRO Names Daniel Hargrove News Director as Kyle Pauley Exits (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/kxro-names-daniel-hargrove-news-director-as-kyle-pauley-exits/

DIVERSIONS

Leonard Nimoy, Spock in ‘Star Trek’ Series, Dies at 83

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-27/leonard-nimoy-spock-in-star-trek-movies-series-dies-at-83

Labrador Retrievers Top Breed in Portland & U-S – Chihuahuas Are Also a Hit, Data Show

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/02/labrador_retrievers_sure_are_p.html

Five History Lessons about Products You Use Every Day

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/02/27/ozy-history-of-everyday-products/24112109/

Why Everyone is Asking ‘What Colour is This Dress?’

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-31659395

SONG OF THE DAY

Star Trek Soundtracks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzuv4VKo6Og

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 February 26, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 26, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/owfmlaq

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

In Net Neutrality Victory, FCC Classifies Broadband Internet Service as a Public Utility (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/technology/net-neutrality-fcc-vote-internet-utility.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Washington State Lawmaker Calls for Focus on Nuclear Energy (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/25/washington-lawmaker-calls-for-focus-on-nuclear/

Lack of Snow May Mean Less Power Generated at Cowlitz PUD’s Swift 2 Plant This Year (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/lack-of-snow-may-mean-less-power-generated-at-swift/article_5efb3f42-bd5d-11e4-8a25-f369e9b7e33b.html

Companies Spend $1 Billion in Latest California Carbon Auction (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article11159852.html

Schools, Kittitas County to Give Back $500,000 to Wind Farm (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/members/schools-county-to-give-back-k-to-wind-farm/article_a7bf9a26-bd16-11e4-94a6-db06fb536c71.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Washington State Lawmaker Calls for Focus on Nuclear Energy
2. Lack of Snow May Mean Less Power Generated at Cowlitz PUD’s Swift 2 Plant This Year
3. Okanogan PUD Still Treading Water on Similkameen, Enloe Dam
4. Grant PUD Commissioners Asked to Reconsider Power Rates for Ag Users
5. Klamath Falls City Council Considers New Agreement with Pacific Power
6. Hydropower & the New (Old) Model for Clean Energy
7. Scams: Phony Klickitat PUD Dunning Strikes Businesses
8. Proposed Drone Rules Could Revolutionize Grid Monitoring
9. Another US Nuclear Plant Shuts Down
10. Spanish Company Spends $3 Billion to Buy U-S Northeast Utility
11. California Communities Seize Control of Their Energy Futures
12. Safety is Theme of New Touchstone Energy Ads
13. Great White Shark Thought to Swim near Washington State Coast, Feed on Seals
14. Japanese Fish Found Alive in Oregon Waters
15. Allan Scholz, Champion of Region’s Fisheries, Leaves Lasting Mark in His Wake
16. U-S Supreme Court Rules That Ditching Undersize Fish Isn’t the Same as Shredding Documents
17. Field Poll: More Californians Want Mandatory Water Rationing
18. Schools, Kittitas County to Give Back $500,000 to Wind Farm
19. Google Invests $300 Million in U-S Residential Solar Projects
20. By the Time You Read This, They’ve Slapped a Solar Panel on Your Roof
21. Cape Wind Chief Calls State Energy Legislation “Promising”
22. Air-Source Heat Pumps
23. Cost vs. Comfort: The Energy Efficiency “Sweet Spot”
24. Franklin County Says No to Marijuana Sales for Six Months
25. Fears of Marijuana Price Crash, ‘Bloodbath’ in Colorado as Regulatory Changes Take Hold
26. Recreational Marijuana Becomes Legal in Washington, DC, Despite Threats from House Republicans
27. Companies Spend $1 Billion in Latest California Carbon Auction
28. Editorial: Focus Legislative Energy on a National Carbon Policy, Not Keystone XL 
29. Instruments Catch Greenhouse Gas in the Act of Warming the Planet
30. Call for Oregon to Subsidize Electric Vehicles Intensifies
31. And the World’s Most Sustainable City Is…
32. In Net Neutrality Victory, FCC Classifies Broadband Internet Service as a Public Utility
33. FCC Passes Net Neutrality: What This Means for Americans
34. FCC Votes 3-2 to Override State Bans of Municipal Broadband
35. The Push for Net Neutrality Arose from Lack of Choice
36. Net Neutrality: As FCC Readies Vote, ‘Things Have Shifted’ for Oregon Lawmakers Walden & Wyden
37. Idaho Governor Approves $3.64 Million Emergency Broadband Fix
38. HP Said to Be in Talks to Buy Aruba Networks for Wi-Fi Technology
39. Shake Shack Earns Major Following on Social Media
40. Google Expands Push into Workplace with Android for Work Effort
41. Washington State Public Agencies Could Appeal Audits under House Measure
42. U-S Senate Panel Votes to Approve Loretta Lynch as Attorney General
43. 35th District Representative Dan Griffey: Passing Bills & Passing Lanes
44. Port Angeles Listed As 16th “Coolest” City in the U-S
45. The 20 Coolest Towns in the U-S
46. Mysterious Bright Spot on Ceres Actually Two Bright Spots
47. Video Leads to Arrest of Pair in Theft of Donation Jar Meant for Young Patient
48. Mad over Missing Tip, Delivery Worker Posts Customer’s Personal Info

WORD OF THE DAY

Imbroglio • \im-BROLE-yo\ • noun -1: a confused mass 2a: an intricate or complicated situation b: an acutely painful or embarrassing misunderstanding c: a violently confused or bitterly complicated altercation, embroilment d: scandal.

The high-powered politician saw the handwriting on the wall. The 1998 imbroglio involving Beanie-Baby influence trading started unraveling the moment his “supplier” failed to receive bailout funds for a new venture: soybean-babies.

The example sentence of the day went downhill from there. The editor had a hard time coming up with a suitable sentence that did not include references to seamy and dark-hearted things only found in cheap dime-novels or Lifetime made-for-TV movies. Sorry.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Washington State Lawmaker Calls for Focus on Nuclear Energy (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/25/washington-lawmaker-calls-for-focus-on-nuclear/

Lack of Snow May Mean Less Power Generated at Cowlitz PUD’s Swift 2 Plant This Year (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/lack-of-snow-may-mean-less-power-generated-at-swift/article_5efb3f42-bd5d-11e4-8a25-f369e9b7e33b.html

Okanogan PUD Still Treading Water on Similkameen, Enloe Dam (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, Oroville, WA)

http://www.gazette-tribune.com/news/pud-still-treading-water-on-similkameen-enloe-dam/69671/

Grant PUD Commissioners Asked to Reconsider Power Rates for Ag Users (iFiber One News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/grant-pud-commissioners-asked-to-reconsider-power-rates-for-ag/article_299f801a-bd3f-11e4-b715-c73e5b300751.html

Klamath Falls City Council Considers New Agreement with Pacific Power (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)

http://www.heraldandnews.com/news/local_news/government/council-considers-new-agreement-with-pacific-power/article_9e94afe8-bd7c-11e4-901d-67aea0281f72.html

Hydropower & the New (Old) Model for Clean Energy (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/sponsored-content/api/energy-tomorrow/hydropower-and-the-new-old-model-for-clean-energy-20150224

Scams: Phony Klickitat PUD Dunning Strikes Businesses (Goldendale Sentinel, WA)

http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2015/02/25/news/phony-pud-dunning-strikes-businesses/5504.html

Proposed Drone Rules Could Revolutionize Grid Monitoring (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/proposed-drone-rules-could-revolutionize-grid-monitoring/367721/

Another US Nuclear Plant Shuts Down (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/26/another-us-nuclear-plant-shuts-down/

Spanish Company Spends $3 Billion to Buy U-S Northeast Utility (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/energy/article/Spanish-company-buying-US-utility-serving-6102733.php

California Communities Seize Control of Their Energy Futures (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/climate-energy/california-communities-seize-control-of-their-energy-futures/

Safety is Theme of New Touchstone Energy Ads (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/business-finance/safety-is-theme-of-new-touchstone-energy-ads/78697

FISH & WILDLIFE

Great White Shark Thought to Swim near Washington State Coast, Feed on Seals (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150226/NEWS/302269981/great-white-shark-thought-to-swim-near-washington-coast-feed-on-seals

Japanese Fish Found Alive in Oregon Waters (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/japanese-fish-found-alive-in-oregon-waters/

Allan Scholz, Champion of Region’s Fisheries, Leaves Lasting Mark in His Wake (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/outdoors/stories/2015/feb/26/rich-landers-allan-scholz-chion-of-regions/

U-S Supreme Court Rules That Ditching Undersize Fish Isn’t the Same as Shredding Documents (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_27596834/ditching-undersize-fish-isnt-same-shredding-documents-supreme

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Field Poll: More Californians Want Mandatory Water Rationing (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/field-polls/article11189105.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Schools, Kittitas County to Give Back $500,000 to Wind Farm (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/members/schools-county-to-give-back-k-to-wind-farm/article_a7bf9a26-bd16-11e4-94a6-db06fb536c71.html

Google Invests $300 Million in U-S Residential Solar Projects (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/26/us-solarcity-google-idUSKBN0LU1M620150226

By the Time You Read This, They’ve Slapped a Solar Panel on Your Roof (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-25/in-the-time-it-takes-to-read-this-story-another-solar-project-will-go-up

Cape Wind Chief Calls State Energy Legislation “Promising” (WWLP-TV, Springfield, MA)

http://wwlp.com/2015/02/25/cape-wind-chief-calls-state-energy-legislation-promising/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Air-Source Heat Pumps (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/25/air-source-heat-pumps/

Cost vs. Comfort: The Energy Efficiency “Sweet Spot” (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/sme/?p=384

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Franklin County Says No to Marijuana Sales for Six Months (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Franklin-County--294130501.html

Fears of Marijuana Price Crash, ‘Bloodbath’ in Colorado as Regulatory Changes Take Hold (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/fears-of-rec-price-crash-bloodbath-in-colorado-as-regulatory-changes-take-hold/

Recreational Marijuana Becomes Legal in Washington, DC, Despite Threats from House Republicans (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/25/d-c-officials-legalizing-pot-despite-threats-from-house-republicans/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Companies Spend $1 Billion in Latest California Carbon Auction (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article11159852.html

Editorial: Focus Legislative Energy on a National Carbon Policy, Not Keystone XL (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/focus-legislative-energy-on-a-national-carbon-policy-not-keystone-xl/2015/02/24/d6241b8c-bc6a-11e4-bdfa-b8e8f594e6ee_story.html

Instruments Catch Greenhouse Gas in the Act of Warming the Planet (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://tinyurl.com/lv5xts4

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Call for Oregon to Subsidize Electric Vehicles Intensifies (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/call-for-oregon-to-subsidize-electric-vehicles.html

And the World’s Most Sustainable City Is… (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/25/and-the-worlds-most-sustainable-city-is/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

In Net Neutrality Victory, FCC Classifies Broadband Internet Service as a Public Utility (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/technology/net-neutrality-fcc-vote-internet-utility.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FCC Passes Net Neutrality: What This Means for Americans (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0226/FCC-passes-net-neutrality-what-this-means-for-Americans

FCC Votes 3-2 to Override State Bans of Municipal Broadband (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2015/02/26/fcc-votes-3-2-to-override-state-bans-of-city-broadband/

The Push for Net Neutrality Arose from Lack of Choice (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/technology/limited-high-speed-internet-choices-underlie-net-neutrality-rules.html

Net Neutrality: As FCC Readies Vote, ‘Things Have Shifted’ for Oregon Lawmakers Walden & Wyden (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/net_neutrality_as_fcc_readies.html

Idaho Governor Approves $3.64 Million Emergency Broadband Fix (Associated Press)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/02/25/3664298_otter-approves-364-million-emergency.html?rh=1

HP Said to Be in Talks to Buy Aruba Networks for Wi-Fi Technology (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27598280/hp-said-be-talks-buy-aruba-networks-wi

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Shake Shack Earns Major Following on Social Media (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/26/shake-shack-earns-major-following-on-social-media/

Google Expands Push into Workplace with Android for Work Effort (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/25/us-google-work-idUSKBN0LT2B820150225

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Public Agencies Could Appeal Audits under House Measure (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/yhr/wednesday/2943379-8/public-agencies-could-appeal-audits-under-house-measure

U-S Senate Panel Votes to Approve Loretta Lynch as Attorney General (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/us/senate-panel-votes-to-approve-loretta-lynch-as-attorney-general.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

35th District Representative Dan Griffey: Passing Bills & Passing Lanes (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/2014-04-07-17-28-24/daybreak/21564-35th-dist-rep-dan-griffey-passing-bills-and-passing-lanes

GENERAL NEWS

Port Angeles Listed As 16th “Coolest” City in the U-S (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/10485

The 20 Coolest Towns in the U-S (Matador Networks)

http://matadornetwork.com/trips/20-coolest-towns-us/

Mysterious Bright Spot on Ceres Actually Two Bright Spots (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2015/0226/Mysterious-bright-spot-on-Ceres-actually-two-bright-spots

Video Leads to Arrest of Pair in Theft of Donation Jar Meant for Young Patient (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/video-leads-arrest-pair-theft-donation-jar-meant-y/nkJ6Q/

Mad over Missing Tip, Delivery Worker Posts Customer’s Personal Info (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Rage-over-the-lack-of-a-tip-leads-to-post-of-food-delivery-customers-personal-info-294156661.html

DIVERSIONS

KFC Tests Sweet Edible Coffee Cup in U-K

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/02/25/kfc-edible-coffee-cup-fast-food-restaurants/23994315/

Infographic: Here’s Just How Much Crappy Beer Americans Are Drinking - The unbearable lightness of being mainstream

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/infographic-heres-just-how-much-crappy-beer-americans-are-drinking-163152

The Girl Who Gets Gifts from Birds

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31604026

Dog Sniffs Way to Find Iowa Hospital Where Owner Was

http://news.yahoo.com/dog-sniffs-way-iowa-hospital-where-owner-234132312.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEAn9dNavT4

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 February 25, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 25, 2015 – 50% Chance of Rain Today

http://tinyurl.com/lgamwuj

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

As Republicans Concede, FCC is Expected to Enforce Net Neutrality (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/25/technology/path-clears-for-net-neutrality-ahead-of-fcc-vote.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Proposals Push Nuclear Energy in Washington State (Associated Press)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/2015/02/24/proposals-push-nuclear-energy-in-washington-state/23966559/

British Columbia’s Low Snow Pack Could Affect Spring Salmon Run (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-s-low-snow-pack-could-affect-salmon-run-in-spring-1.2969992?cmp=rss

Washington State House Bill on Tribal Pot Compacts Passes Committee (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/2942941-8/house-bill-on-tribal-pot-compacts-passes-committee

Proposed Washington State Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Draws Praise, Criticism (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/25/proposed-low-carbon-fuel-standard-draws-praise/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Proposals Push Nuclear Energy in Washington State
2. Avista Reports Financial Results for Fourth Quarter & Fiscal Year 2014
3. Mason PUD 3 Customers Help Others
4. Hoquiam Residents Pressure City Council on Oil
5. Obama Vetoes Bill Pushing Keystone XL Pipeline Approval
6. ComEd Used $60 Million in Ratepayer Money for Charity, “Politically Influential” Donations
7. A Call for Much Bigger Electricity Markets
8. How Can Nuclear Energy Build Trust in a Time When Denying Science is Rampant?
9. British Columbia’s Low Snow Pack Could Affect Spring Salmon Run
10. Report: Columbia Salmon Restoration Won’t Happen Overnight
11. Makah, Quileute & Quinault Native Fishing Rights Headed to Trial
12. Seattle’s New Seawall Also a Highway for Fish
13. Rats Might Not Be the Bad Guys behind Black Death’s 14th-Century Spread after All
14. Proposed $480 Million Wind Farm in Northern British Columbia Would Be Province’s Biggest
15. Texas Tech Researchers Take Part in National Wind Project – Mountain study will be conducted in the Columbia River Gorge
16. Wind Generation Seasonal Patterns Vary across the United States
17. Wave & Tidal Energy in 2015: Finally Emerging from the Labs
18. The Eiffel Tower Is Generating Power with a Hidden Wind Farm on Its Legs
19. Save Energy without Losing Comfort: Data Shows the Formula is Working
20. Washington State House Bill on Tribal Pot Compacts Passes Committee
21. Should Oregon Law Protect Marijuana Growers Like Farmers & Allow Harvesting after Eviction?
22. Washington State Rec Shop Plans to Close, Blames State for Its Troubles
23. Unless Congress Intervenes, Recreational Pot Is About to be Legal in Washington, D-C
24. Proposed Washington State Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Draws Praise, Criticism
25. Survey: Not Enough Oregonians Support a Carbon Tax
26. The Remote Alaskan Village that Needs to be Relocated Due to Climate Change
27. California’s Plastic Bag Ban Suspended by Ballot Referendum
28. The Windmill Could Get a Snazzy Green Facelift, Thanks to Dutch Architects
29. As Republicans Concede, FCC is Expected to Enforce Net Neutrality
30. What is Net Neutrality & What Does It Mean for Me?
31. The Government Loan Program with a 116 Percent Default Rate
32. Now With 2 Million Advertisers, Facebook Is Gaining a Foothold with Small Businesses
33. How Social Proof Can Help Your Website
34. Facebook Cover Photo Do’s & Don’ts
35. How to Enchant Co-op Members
36. Apple to Make Emoji More Racially Diverse in iOS Update
37. How Dirty Media Brought Down Oregon’s Clean-Energy Governor & His Activist Fiancée
38. Crowd Shows Up to Fight for Shelton High Pool
39. Video: Booze-For-Perks Scheme Alleged at Seattle Tunnel Site
40. Man Steals Jeans at Capital Mall; Arrested after Multi-County Pursuit
41. 18-Year-Old Shelton Man Arrested for Hate Crime over Sexual Orientation
42. Motorcycle Collides With Dump Truck on Highway 3 South of Shelton
43. 13,000 Customers Overcharged by Washington State Health Exchange
44. ‘American Sniper’ Jury Finds Chris Kyle’s Killer Guilty of Murder

WORD OF THE DAY

Fortuitous • \for-TOO-uh-tus\ • adjective 1: occurring by chance 2: fortunate, lucky 3: coming or happening by a lucky chance

Albert was absolutely giddy about his fortuitous discovery of a $100 dollar bill on the railroad tracks. Unfortunately, he was unaware his luck was about to change as the 12:40 from Rancho Cucamonga barreled around the corner behind him.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Proposals Push Nuclear Energy in Washington State (Associated Press)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/2015/02/24/proposals-push-nuclear-energy-in-washington-state/23966559/

Avista Reports Financial Results for Fourth Quarter & Fiscal Year 2014 (MarketWatch)

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/avista-corp-reports-financial-results-for-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal-year-2014-and-confirms-2015-earnings-guidance-2015-02-25-7173527

Mason PUD 3 Customers Help Others (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14484

Hoquiam Residents Pressure City Council on Oil (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/hoquiam-residents-pressure-council-oil

Obama Vetoes Bill Pushing Keystone XL Pipeline Approval (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/25/us/politics/as-expected-obama-vetoes-keystone-xl-pipeline-bill.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

ComEd Used $60 Million in Ratepayer Money for Charity, “Politically Influential” Donations (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/comed-used-60m-in-ratepayer-money-for-charity-politically-influential-d/368085/

A Call for Much Bigger Electricity Markets (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/maxluke/2197766/call-much-bigger-electricity-markets

How Can Nuclear Energy Build Trust in a Time When Denying Science is Rampant? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/mzconsulting/2197611/how-can-nuclear-power-build-trust-time-when-denying-science-rampant

FISH & WILDLIFE

British Columbia’s Low Snow Pack Could Affect Spring Salmon Run (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-s-low-snow-pack-could-affect-salmon-run-in-spring-1.2969992?cmp=rss

Report: Columbia Salmon Restoration Won’t Happen Overnight (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2015/feb/24/columbia-salmon-restoration/

Makah, Quileute & Quinault Native Fishing Rights Headed to Trial (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/02/24/native-fishing-rights-headed-to-trial.htm

Seattle’s New Seawall Also a Highway for Fish (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/seattles-new-seawall-also-a-highway-for-fish/

Rats Might Not Be the Bad Guys behind Black Death’s 14th-Century Spread after All (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/02/black_death_gerbils_and_rats.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Proposed $480 Million Wind Farm in Northern British Columbia Would Be Province’s Biggest (Business Vancouver, BC)

http://www.biv.com/article/2015/2/proposed-480m-wind-farm-northern-bc-would-be-provi/

Texas Tech Researchers Take Part in National Wind Project – Mountain study will be conducted in the Columbia River Gorge (Lubbock Avalanche Journal, TX)

http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2015-02-24/texas-tech-researchers-take-part-national-wind-project#.VO0rZS4YEg8

Wind Generation Seasonal Patterns Vary across the United States (U-S Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=20112

Wave & Tidal Energy in 2015: Finally Emerging from the Labs (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/02/wave-and-tidal-energy-in-2015-finally-emerging-from-the-labs?cmpid=rss

The Eiffel Tower Is Generating Power with a Hidden Wind Farm on Its Legs (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/the-eiffel-tower-is-generating-power-with-a-hidden-wind-1687756566

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Save Energy without Losing Comfort: Data Shows the Formula is Working (Energy Efficient Markets)

http://energyefficiencymarkets.com/%EF%BB%BFsave-energy-without-losing-comfort-data-shows-formula-working/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Washington State House Bill on Tribal Pot Compacts Passes Committee (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/2942941-8/house-bill-on-tribal-pot-compacts-passes-committee

Should Oregon Law Protect Marijuana Growers Like Farmers & Allow Harvesting after Eviction? (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/02/should_oregon_law_protect_mari.html

Washington State Rec Shop Plans to Close, Blames State for Its Troubles (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/washington-state-rec-shop-plans-to-close-blames-state-for-its-woes/

Unless Congress Intervenes, Recreational Pot Is About to be Legal in Washington, D-C (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2015/02/25/388901993/unless-congress-intervenes-recreational-pot-is-about-to-be-legal-in-d-c

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Proposed Washington State Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Draws Praise, Criticism (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/25/proposed-low-carbon-fuel-standard-draws-praise/

Survey: Not Enough Oregonians Support a Carbon Tax (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/survey-not-enough-oregonians-support-a-carbon-tax.html

The Remote Alaskan Village that Needs to be Relocated Due to Climate Change (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/24/the-remote-alaskan-village-that-needs-to-be-relocated-due-to-climate-change/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

California’s Plastic Bag Ban Suspended by Ballot Referendum (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/California-s-plastic-bag-ban-suspended-by-ballot-6098874.php

The Windmill Could Get a Snazzy Green Facelift, Thanks to Dutch Architects (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/news/the-windmill-could-get-a-snazzy-green-facelift-thanks-to-dutch-architects/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

As Republicans Concede, FCC is Expected to Enforce Net Neutrality (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/25/technology/path-clears-for-net-neutrality-ahead-of-fcc-vote.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

What is Net Neutrality & What Does It Mean for Me? (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/24/net-neutrality-what-is-it-guide/23237737/

The Government Loan Program with a 116 Percent Default Rate (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/02/agriculture-broadband-loan-default-115434.html#.VO0rey4YEg8

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Now With 2 Million Advertisers, Facebook Is Gaining a Foothold with Small Businesses (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/now-2-million-advertisers-facebook-gains-foothold-small-businesses-163130

How Social Proof Can Help Your Website (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/02/25/social-proof/

Facebook Cover Photo Do’s & Don’ts (Hubspot Blogs)

http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/facebook-cover-photos-best-practices-ht

How to Enchant Co-op Members (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/trends-reports-analyses/how-to-enchant-co-op-members/78643

Apple to Make Emoji More Racially Diverse in iOS Update (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27588794/apple-make-emoji-more-racially-diverse-ios-update

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

How Dirty Media Brought Down Oregon’s Clean-Energy Governor & His Activist Fiancée (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/politics/how-dirty-media-brought-down-oregons-clean-energy-governor-and-his-activist-fiancee/

GENERAL NEWS

Crowd Shows Up to Fight for Shelton High Pool (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21550-crowd-shows-up-to-fight-for-pool

Video: Booze-For-Perks Scheme Alleged at Seattle Tunnel Site (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/2015/02/24/seattle-tunnel-partners-allegations/23972785/

Man Steals Jeans at Capital Mall; Arrested after Multi-County Pursuit (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21547-man-steals-jeans-arrested-after-pursuit

18-Year-Old Shelton Man Arrested for Hate Crime over Sexual Orientation (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/local-news/348798

Motorcycle Collides With Dump Truck on Highway 3 South of Shelton (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14496

13,000 Customers Overcharged by Washington State Health Exchange (KHQ TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/28192287/13000-customers-overcharged-by-washington-health-exchange

‘American Sniper’ Jury Finds Chris Kyle’s Killer Guilty of Murder (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/25/us/american-sniper-trial-jury-finds-ex-marine-guilty-of-murder.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

DIVERSIONS

Oops: Teen Butt-Dials Cops from Underage Drinking Party

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/24/teen-butt-dials-police-from-underage-drinking-party/23965469/

Man Sells Watch He Found at Secondhand Store for $35,000

http://news.yahoo.com/man-sells-watch-found-secondhand-store-35-000-200239571.html

Refracted Rays from Nutella Jar Blamed for UK House Fire

http://news.yahoo.com/refracted-rays-nutella-jar-blamed-uk-house-fire-154726668.html

Brazil Judge in Batista Case Seen Driving Tycoon’s Seized Porsche

http://news.yahoo.com/brazil-judge-batista-case-seen-driving-tycoons-seized-204952504--finance.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Beach Boys – 409

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKKP_cZuk54

Barbershop Quartet – 409

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o07CSzZlO_w

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.