Energy News Digest for September 30, 2015 – Hot Shots Edition

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for September 30, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/nttjx6v

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 STORIES

What Does a Continued Drought Mean for Seattle's Electric Utility? (The Stranger)

http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2015/09/29/22934078/what-does-a-continued-drought-mean-for-seattles-electric-utility

Power Outage in Spokane County Leaves 30,000 in the Dark (KREM-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.krem.com/story/news/local/spokane-county/2015/09/30/power-outage-around-spokane-leaves-30000-in-the-dark/73075172/

BC Hydro Rates Should Be Lowered for Low-Income Customers, Says Advocate (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-hydro-rates-low-income-families-1.3249801?cmp=rss

Jefferson PUD Budget Hearing October 5 (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/news/pud-budget-hearing-oct/article_f0542220-66fd-11e5-9c0f-73a614a18242.html

Utility Expert Tapped to Lead Oregon Governor's Energy Efforts (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/09/utility-experttapped-to-lead-oregon-governors.html

Oregon: FERC Staff Issues the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Jordan Cove Liquefaction and Pacific Connector Pipeline Projects (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/eis/2015/09-30-15-eis.asp

Two Groups File Lawsuit over Leavenworth Federal Fish Hatchery (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/2-groups-file-lawsuit-over-Leavenworth-federal-fish-hatchery-330031541.html

Oregon Cannabis Growers Say Supply Won't Match Demand at First (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/marijuana/2015/09/29/oregon-cannabis-growers-say-supply-wont-match-demand-first/73063498/

Costco Photo Center Website Hacked, Personal Info Stolen (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/30/costco-photo-center-website-hacked-personal-info-stolen/

Small Town Spotlight: Allyn, Washington (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/videos/entertainment/television/programs/evening/2015/09/28/small-town-spotlight-allyn-washington/73014336/

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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

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

Energy News Digest for September 29, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for September 29, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/o66sy44

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

Oregon Energy Department’s Chief Financial Officer Resigns amid Ongoing Problems with Incentive Programs (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/09/energy_departments_chief_finan.html

Editorial: Don’t Let Protectionism over Solar Energy Kill Moses Lake Jobs (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/sep/29/editorial-dont-let-protectionism-kill-moses-lake-j/

Angler Nears $100K in Six Months of Pikeminnow Rewards (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2015/sep/29/angler-nears-100k-six-months-pikeminnow-rewards/

Feds to Release Final Bull Trout Recovery Plan for Pacific Northwest States (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/feds-release-final-bull-trout-recovery-plan-states-34110471

Oregon Farmers near Boardman Seek Lawmakers’ Help on Transmission Line (Wallowa County Chieftain, Enterprise, OR)

http://www.wallowa.com/wcc/capital-bureau/20150928/farmers-seek-lawmakers-help-on-transmission-line

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Oregon Energy Department’s Chief Financial Officer Resigns amid Ongoing Problems with Incentive Programs
• Oregon Farmers near Boardman Seek Lawmakers’ Help on Transmission Line
• California ISO welcomes Idaho Power plan to explore Energy Imbalance Market
• Man Injured in San Francisco Transformer Explosion Goes Home from Hospital
• Exelon Asks Washington, DC Regulators to Reconsider Vote on Merger with Pepco
• New Hampshire Utilities Grapple with Confusion over ‘Grid Modernization’
• Communicators Share Tips On Price-Increase Communications
• Lineman’s Lingo Explained in Co-op Video
• Angler Nears $100K in Six Months of Pikeminnow Rewards
• Feds to Release Final Bull Trout Recovery Plan for Pacific Northwest States
• Commercial Fishermen to Get Three Days for Columbia Coho
• Feds Investigate Large Number of Endangered Guadalupe Fur Seals Dying along California Coast
• California Cities Face Hidden Downside of Water Conservation: Lost Revenue
• Editorial: Don’t Let Protectionism over Solar Energy Kill Moses Lake Jobs
• Big Utilities Enter Market for Small Rooftop Solar
• Washingtonians Recycle 422,000 Fluorescent Lights in First Months of New Program
• From 2008 – PUD 3 to Provide for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling
• Is Your Home About to Get a Lot Smarter?
• Douglas County Imposes Pot Growing Moratorium
• South Dakota Tribe to Open Nation’s First Marijuana Resort
• If Everyone Gets Electricity, Can the Planet Survive?
• GOP Voters Support Clean Energy But Tired of Climate Change Politics
• California Puts Pacific Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging Program on Hold
• Artisanal Pizza is Boosting the Coal Industry
• Belgian Scientists Look for Biofuel Clues in Panda Poo
• Oregon: City of Warrenton Website Hacked; City Says Personal Information Safe
• First, Microsoft Tested ‘White-Space’ Internet at Seattle Center – Now It’s Rolling Out to 500,000 Villages in Rural India
• Comcast Wants You to Watch the Internet on Your TV
• Handing Over Control of the Internet is Unconstitutional, Republicans Say
• NTIA Says BTOP Delivered on Broadband Promises
• If You’re Using iOS9, Check This Setting to Make Sure You Don’t Blow through Your Data Plan
• With Facebook Down & Everyone Looking to Twitter, Brands Missed Their Moment
• Facebook & Google, Two Giants in Digital Ads, Seek More
• How to Launch a Career in Social Media Marketing
• How to Drive Website Traffic with Instagram
• U-S Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Won’t Run For House Majority Leader
• Congress Moves On Spending Bill as Shutdown Deadline Looms
• ‘Rapid Response Teams’ Organized for Mass Layoffs at Haggen Grocery Stores
• Donation from Our Community Credit Union Supports Shelton Splash
• Tree Crashes Down, Neighbors Blame Snohomish County Code
• State Board Announces Public Investment for Economic Development Feasibility Study in Mason County
• Don’t Fall for This Facebook Hoax

WORD OF THE DAY

Triskaidekaphobia • \triss-kie-deck-uh-FOE-bee-uh\ • noun – Fear of the number 13

“Friday the Thirteenth, pshaw,” exclaimed Fergus. Triskaidekaphobia had never been a part of his foibles, until the day he unwittingly walked under a ladder while a black cat crossed his path…all while stepping on a crack in the sidewalk. His mother never forgave him for the pain it brought her. However, inexplicably, Fergus received a Christmas card from his mother’s chiropractor from that year on.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Oregon Energy Department’s Chief Financial Officer Resigns amid Ongoing Problems with Incentive Programs (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/09/energy_departments_chief_finan.html

Oregon Farmers near Boardman Seek Lawmakers’ Help on Transmission Line (Wallowa County Chieftain, Enterprise, OR)

http://www.wallowa.com/wcc/capital-bureau/20150928/farmers-seek-lawmakers-help-on-transmission-line

California ISO welcomes Idaho Power plan to explore Energy Imbalance Market (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/detail_news.php?ID=546517&cat=;90

Man Injured in San Francisco Transformer Explosion Goes Home from Hospital (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Man-injured-in-S-F-transformer-explosion-goes-6536432.php

Exelon Asks Washington, DC Regulators to Reconsider Vote on Merger with Pepco (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/exelon-asks-dc-regulators-to-reconsider-vote-on-merger-with-pepco/2015/09/28/b0806f0a-662b-11e5-8325-a42b5a459b1e_story.html

New Hampshire Utilities Grapple with Confusion over ‘Grid Modernization’ (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=44562

Communicators Share Tips On Price-Increase Communications (Conduit)

https://conduitnw.org/Pages/Article.aspx?rid=804

Lineman’s Lingo Explained in Co-op Video (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/newsmakers/local-initiatives/linemans-lingo-explained-in-co-op-video/85535

FISH & WILDLIFE

Angler Nears $100K in Six Months of Pikeminnow Rewards (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2015/sep/29/angler-nears-100k-six-months-pikeminnow-rewards/

Feds to Release Final Bull Trout Recovery Plan for Pacific Northwest States (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/feds-release-final-bull-trout-recovery-plan-states-34110471

Commercial Fishermen to Get Three Days for Columbia Coho (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/28/commercials-to-get-three-days-for-columbia-coho/

Feds Investigate Large Number of Endangered Guadalupe Fur Seals Dying along California Coast (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/news/articles/2015/09/29/large-numbers-of-guadalupe-fur-seals-dying-off-california

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

California Cities Face Hidden Downside of Water Conservation: Lost Revenue (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2015/09/28/444236951/california-cities-face-hidden-downside-of-water-conservation-lost-revenue

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Editorial: Don’t Let Protectionism over Solar Energy Kill Moses Lake Jobs (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/sep/29/editorial-dont-let-protectionism-kill-moses-lake-j/

Big Utilities Enter Market for Small Rooftop Solar (Associated Press)

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ce51b24b29da496c8e0e63f9ef712263/big-utilities-enter-market-small-rooftop-solar

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Washingtonians Recycle 422,000 Fluorescent Lights in First Months of New Program (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA – )

http://kbkw.com/washingtonians-recycle-422000-fluorescent-lights-in-first-months-of-new-program/

From 2008 – PUD 3 to Provide for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling (Mason PUD 3, Shelton WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=425

Is Your Home About to Get a Lot Smarter? (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34378047

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Douglas County Imposes Pot Growing Moratorium (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://pro.kpq-am.tritonflex.com/common/more.php?m=15&r=1&item_id=32521

South Dakota Tribe to Open Nation’s First Marijuana Resort (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/south-dakota-tribe-open-nations-1st-marijuana-resort-34126195

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

If Everyone Gets Electricity, Can the Planet Survive? (Atlantic)

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/09/energy-access-sdgs-un-climate-change/407734/

GOP Voters Support Clean Energy But Tired of Climate Change Politics (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gop-voters-support-clean-energy-but-tired-of-climate-change-politics/article/2572975

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

California Puts Pacific Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging Program on Hold (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/cpuc-puts-pge-electric-vehicle-charging-program-on-hold/406382/

Artisanal Pizza is Boosting the Coal Industry (Smithsonian Magazine)

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/artisanal-pizza-boosting-coal-industry-180956756/?no-ist

Belgian Scientists Look for Biofuel Clues in Panda Poo (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/28/us-belgium-energy-panda-idUSKCN0RS1MH20150928

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Oregon: City of Warrenton Website Hacked; City Says Personal Information Safe (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/09/warrenton_website_hacked_city.html

First, Microsoft Tested ‘White-Space’ Internet at Seattle Center – Now It’s Rolling Out to 500,000 Villages in Rural India (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/09/first-microsoft-tested-white-space-internet-at.html

Comcast Wants You to Watch the Internet on Your TV (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/09/29/comcast-wants-you-to-watch-the-internet-on-your-tv/?wprss=rss_business

Handing Over Control of the Internet is Unconstitutional, Republicans Say (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/09/29/handing-over-control-of-the-internet-is-unconstitutional-republicans-say/?wprss=rss_business

NTIA Says BTOP Delivered on Broadband Promises (Multichannel News)

http://www.multichannel.com/news/fcc/ntia-says-btop-delivered-broadband-promises/394137

If You’re Using iOS9, Check This Setting to Make Sure You Don’t Blow through Your Data Plan (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/09/28/if-youre-using-ios9-check-this-setting-to-make-sure-you-dont-blow-through-your-data-plan/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

With Facebook Down & Everyone Looking to Twitter, Brands Missed Their Moment (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/facebook-down-and-everyone-looking-twitter-brands-missed-their-moment-167215

Facebook & Google, Two Giants in Digital Ads, Seek More (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/business/media/facebook-and-google-two-giants-in-digital-ads-seek-more.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

How to Launch a Career in Social Media Marketing (U-S News & World Report)

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2015/09/29/how-to-launch-a-career-in-social-media-marketing

How to Drive Website Traffic with Instagram (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-drive-website-traffic-with-instagram/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

U-S Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Won’t Run For House Majority Leader (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/09/28/rep-cathy-mcmorris-rodgers-wont-run-for-house-majority-leader/

Congress Moves On Spending Bill as Shutdown Deadline Looms (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2015/0928/Congress-moves-on-spending-bill-as-shutdown-deadline-looms

GENERAL NEWS

‘Rapid Response Teams’ Organized for Mass Layoffs at Haggen Grocery Stores (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/rapid-response-teams-organized-mass-layoffs-haggen-grocery-stores

Donation from Our Community Credit Union Supports Shelton Splash - Helps Meet Funding Need for Immediate Community Pool Repairs (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/17255

Tree Crashes Down, Neighbors Blame Snohomish County Code (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2015/09/28/silver-peaks-development-pacific-ridge-homes-arborist-tree/73009124/

State Board Announces Public Investment for Economic Development Feasibility Study in Mason County (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1552

Don’t Fall for This Facebook Hoax (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/09/29/dont-fall-for-this-facebook-hoax/

DIVERSIONS

Bundle of Marijuana Falls from Sky, Crashes through Family’s Carport

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/09/29/bundle-marijuana-sky-crushes-dog-house/73017348/

Flea Market Find: Burmese Python Nestled in Clothes

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/09/29/flea-market-find-burmese-python-nestled-clothes-florida/73024008/

Two Geniuses Post Selfies with Stolen Money, Are Promptly Arrested

http://mashable.com/2015/09/28/bank-robbers-selfies-stolen-money/

Father-Daughter Duo Is Central Washington State Fair’s Power Couple

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/father-daughter-duo-is-fair-s-power-couple/article_0ad85758-666b-11e5-bda4-4f43b35e42c6.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Jethro Tull - Bungle in the Jungle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5HEUp--ZjM

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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

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

Energy News Digest for September 28, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for September 28, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/qzmmy79

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

Possibility of another Low-Snow Winter Has Irrigators Scrambling (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/possibility-of-another-low-snow-winter-has-irrigators-scrambling/article_a49bcb54-64db-11e5-8728-e3f7aaaf8fda.html

Officials: Klamath River Fish Healthy after Flow Increase (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article36709815.html

Shell to Cease Alaska Offshore Arctic Drilling (Associated Press)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/ap/top-news/shell-says-it-will-cease-alaska-offshore-arctic-dr/nnpqn/

Community Solar Energizes Public Power Communities (Conduit)

https://conduitnw.org/Pages/Article.aspx?rid=806

Thurston County Survey Shows Strong Local Support for Clean Energy (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2015/09/27/survey-shows-strong-local-support-for-clean-energy/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Shell to Cease Alaska Offshore Arctic Drilling
• Snohomish PUD Issues Bonds to Help Fund New Generation Projects
• BC Hydro Preps for Rate Review
• Drought Dries Up Pacific Gas & Electric Hydro Reservoir in Northern California
• Portland Stops Auto Pay for Utility Bills – System Doesn’t Meet Current Credit Card Security Standards
• Can Liquefied Natural Gas, Hydro Projects Jolt These British Columbia Ghost Towns Back to Life?
• Massachusetts: Tough Times, No Easy Answers for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant
• Florida: Nuclear Fallout – Crystal River Area Tops Nation in GDP Loss after Plant Closure
• Candidate Clinton Calls For Sweeping U-S Power Grid Upgrades
• Officials: Klamath River Fish Healthy after Flow Increase
• Salmon to Swim above Shasta Dam for First Time in Nearly 80 Years
• Vancouver Lake Restoration Efforts Aim to Improve Water Flow
• Puyallup Hatchery to Celebrate Second Annual Salmon Homecoming
• Idaho Sues over Interior’s Sage Grouse Ruling
• New Jersey: Advocates Say Oyster Farming May Hurt Threatened Shorebirds
• Possibility of another Low-Snow Winter Has Irrigators Scrambling
• Irrigation, Aquaculture among Top Users of Idaho Water
• After Years of Low Bills, U-S Water Customers Will Pay More
• Canada Elections: Is Tom Mulcair In Favor of Exporting Bulk Water?
• Community Solar Energizes Public Power Communities
• California Solar Users Would Lose Savings If Proposal Is OKed; SolarCity Describes ‘Catastrophic’ Future
• New York: Finger Lakes Wineries Turn to Solar Power
• Pork Industry Wants Duke to Use North Carolina Swine Waste at Plants
• Can I Mix & Match Different Types of Eco-Friendly Lightbulbs?
• Oregon Retail Pot Sales Start October 1 – But Not Everywhere
• Microsoft Leads Movement to Offset Emissions with Internal Carbon Tax
• Thurston County Survey Shows Strong Local Support for Clean Energy
• Op/Ed: This Fall, Let’s Clear the Air by Retiring Woodstoves
• Portable Wind Turbines Power Phones or Homes
• ViaWest Opens Third Data Center in Hillsboro
• Net Neutrality Could Become the Biggest Face-Off on Corporate Speech since Citizens United
• What’s Rural America Clicking On?
• How to Manage Your Facebook Page Effectively
• Mobile Streaming Apps: Can They Work for Co-ops?
• U-S Government Shutdown Averted as Lawmakers Mull Boehner Resignation
• McMorris Rodgers Pursuing Majority Leader Position in Congress, According to Politico
• Fifth Student Dies after Aurora Bridge Collision
• Haggen Plans to Lay Off 612 Workers in Washington State
• Mt St Helens: Work on Temporary Fix for Spirit Lake Tunnel to Begin in October
• Could Volkswagen Scandal Be Diesel Car’s Death Knell?
• Strong Evidence Mars Has Streams of Salt Water in Summertime
• OysterFest Grows Larger, Expands Into New Space
• Where to Get Free (Or Discounted) Coffee for National Coffee Day Sept. 29

WORD OF THE DAY

Catbird Seat • \KAT-berd-SEET\ • noun – A position of great prominence or advantage.

In the cat bird seat

Nothing can bring me down, yes?

Hubris is thy name

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Shell to Cease Alaska Offshore Arctic Drilling (Associated Press)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/ap/top-news/shell-says-it-will-cease-alaska-offshore-arctic-dr/nnpqn/

Snohomish PUD Issues Bonds to Help Fund New Generation Projects (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=44557

BC Hydro Preps for Rate Review (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-hydro-preps-for-rate-review/article26556170/?cmpid=rss1

Drought Dries Up Pacific Gas & Electric Hydro Reservoir in Northern California (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/drought-dries-up-pge-hydro-reservoir-in-northern-california/406300/

Portland Stops Auto Pay for Utility Bills – System Doesn’t Meet Current Credit Card Security Standards (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/09/28/portland-stops-auto-pay-for-utility-bills/

Can Liquefied Natural Gas, Hydro Projects Jolt These British Columbia Ghost Towns Back to Life? (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/can-lng-hydro-projects-jolt-these-b-c-ghost-towns-back-to-life-1.2070262

Massachusetts: Tough Times, No Easy Answers for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant (Boston Globe, MA)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/09/26/pilgrim-nuclear-power-plant-faces-significant-headwinds-stay-open/RQCmRnjs0oiPsQXLprElpM/story.html

Florida: Nuclear Fallout – Crystal River Area Tops Nation in GDP Loss after Plant Closure (Tampa Bay Times, FL)

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/energy/nuclear-fallout-crystal-river-area-tops-nation-in-gdp-loss-after-plant/2246899

Candidate Clinton Calls For Sweeping U-S Power Grid Upgrades (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/254790-clinton-stakes-a-position-on-grid-cybersecurity

FISH & WILDLIFE

Officials: Klamath River Fish Healthy after Flow Increase (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article36709815.html

Salmon to Swim above Shasta Dam for First Time in Nearly 80 Years (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article36495522.html

Vancouver Lake Restoration Efforts Aim to Improve Water Flow (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/28/vancouver-lake-restoration-efforts-aim-to-improve-water-flow/

Puyallup Hatchery to Celebrate Second Annual Salmon Homecoming (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/community/puyallup-herald/ph-news/article36609396.html

Idaho Sues over Interior’s Sage Grouse Ruling (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/sep/26/idaho-sues-over-interiors-sage-grouse-ruling/

New Jersey: Advocates Say Oyster Farming May Hurt Threatened Shorebirds (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Advocates-Oyster-farming-may-hurt-threatened-6531647.php

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Possibility of another Low-Snow Winter Has Irrigators Scrambling (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/possibility-of-another-low-snow-winter-has-irrigators-scrambling/article_a49bcb54-64db-11e5-8728-e3f7aaaf8fda.html

Irrigation, Aquaculture among Top Users of Idaho Water (Associated Press)

http://www.khq.com/story/30123203/irrigation-aquaculture-among-top-users-of-idaho-water

After Years of Low Bills, U-S Water Customers Will Pay More (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150926/BIZ02/150929292

Canada Elections: Is Tom Mulcair In Favor of Exporting Bulk Water? (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-bulk-water-mulcair-spin-cycle-1.3244247

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Community Solar Energizes Public Power Communities (Conduit)

https://conduitnw.org/Pages/Article.aspx?rid=806

California Solar Users Would Lose Savings If Proposal Is OKed; SolarCity Describes ‘Catastrophic’ Future (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-solar-net-metering-20150927-story.html

New York: Finger Lakes Wineries Turn to Solar Power (Democrat & Chronicle, NY)

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/money/business/2015/09/27/solar-panels-finger-lakes-wineries/72930468/

Pork Industry Wants Duke to Use North Carolina Swine Waste at Plants (Winston-Salem Journal, NC)

http://m.journalnow.com/news/state_region/pork-industry-wants-duke-to-use-nc-swine-waste-at/article_183ba47c-c7b5-5d32-832d-d7989cea5c5a.html?mode=jqm

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Can I Mix & Match Different Types of Eco-Friendly Lightbulbs? (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/living/can-i-mix-and-match-cfls-and-leds/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Oregon Retail Pot Sales Start October 1 – But Not Everywhere (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/oregon-retail-pot-sales-start-october-1-not-everywhere

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Microsoft Leads Movement to Offset Emissions with Internal Carbon Tax (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/business/energy-environment/microsoft-leads-movement-to-offset-emissions-with-internal-carbon-tax.html?emc=edit_th_20150927&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=71692764

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Thurston County Survey Shows Strong Local Support for Clean Energy (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2015/09/27/survey-shows-strong-local-support-for-clean-energy/

Op/Ed: This Fall, Let’s Clear the Air by Retiring Woodstoves (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/op-ed/article36623529.html

Portable Wind Turbines Power Phones or Homes (Discovery News)

http://news.discovery.com/tech/alternative-power-sources/portable-wind-turbines-power-phones-or-homes.htm

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

ViaWest Opens Third Data Center in Hillsboro (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/index.ssf/2015/09/new_data_center_opens_in_hills.html

Net Neutrality Could Become the Biggest Face-Off on Corporate Speech since Citizens United (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/09/28/net-neutrality-could-become-the-biggest-face-off-on-corporate-speech-since-citizens-united/?wprss=rss_business

Zuckerberg Pushes Internet for Everyone in UN Speech (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/09/26/zuckerberg-pushes-internet-everyone-un-speech/72874378/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

What’s Rural America Clicking On? (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/whats-rural-america-clicking-on/85480

How to Manage Your Facebook Page Effectively (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-manage-your-facebook-page-effectively/

Mobile Streaming Apps: Can They Work for Co-ops? (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/mobile-streaming-apps-can-they-work-for-co-ops/85413

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

U-S Government Shutdown Averted as Lawmakers Mull Boehner Resignation (Morning Consult)

http://morningconsult.com/2015/09/the-coming-week-shutdown-averted-as-lawmakers-mull-boehner-resignation/

McMorris Rodgers Pursuing Majority Leader Position in Congress, According to Politico (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/sep/26/mcmorris-rodgers-pursuing-majority-leader-position/

GENERAL NEWS

Fifth Student Dies after Aurora Bridge Collision (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/ntsb-investigators-coming-seattle-wake-horrific-cr/nnnbF/

Haggen Plans to Lay Off 612 Workers in Washington State (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/09/haggen-plans-to-lay-off-612-workers-in-washington.html

Mt St Helens: Work on Temporary Fix for Spirit Lake Tunnel to Begin in October (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/investigations/2015/09/26/work-temporary-fix-spirit-lake-tunnel-begin-october/72882454/

Could Volkswagen Scandal Be Diesel Car’s Death Knell? (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/volkswagen-diesel-emissions-1.3244085?cmp=rss

Strong Evidence Mars Has Streams of Salt Water in Summertime (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/sep/28/strong-evidence-mars-has-streams-salt-water-summer/

OysterFest Grows Larger, Expands Into New Space (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2015/09/27/oysterfest-shelton/

Where to Get Free (Or Discounted) Coffee for National Coffee Day Sept. 29 (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/09/28/where-to-get-free-or-discounted-coffee-for-national-coffee-day-sept-29/

DIVERSIONS

Washington State School District Says Tag Won’t Be Banned at Recess

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/wash-school-district-says-tag-wont-be-banned-reces/nnpnB/

Super Blood Moon Seen from Seattle & Across the World

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/the-super-blood-moon-around-the-world/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_life

Moon Bloopers, a NASA Study

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/09/falling-all-over-the-moon/406738/

Father & Son Fishing Trip Nets Two Kittens in Willamette River

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Father-and-son-fishing-trip-nets-2-kittens-in-Willamette-River-329653781.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Joe South – Games People Play

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5znh58WITU8

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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

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

Energy News Digest for September 25, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for September 25, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/oqy5gcl

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

Drought in 2016 for Washington State? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/09/drought-in-2016-for-washington-state.html

Investors Are Mining for Water, the Next Hot Commodity (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/business/energy-environment/private-water-projects-lure-investors-preferably-patient-ones.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Op/Ed: Governor Jay Inslee – ‘Fear Mongers’ Will Not Stop Us from Setting Carbon Cap (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/gov-jay-inslee-fear-mongers-will-not-stop-us-from-setting-carbon-cap/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_opinion

Second-Largest Dam in the Nation Becomes More Powerful, Efficient (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Second-largest-dam-in-the-nation-becomes-more-powerful-efficient.aspx

Indiana Advocates Say Utilities Are Scaling Back Efficiency Efforts (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/indiana-advocates-say-utilities-are-scaling-back-efficiency-efforts/406257/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Second-Largest Dam in the Nation Becomes More Powerful, Efficient
• Special Meeting Set to Deal with Damaged Okanogan PUD Facilities
• Small-Scale Nuclear Fusion May Be a New Energy Source
• Colorado: After PUC Rebuke, Boulder Signals New Flexibility in Muni Proceeding
• Northwest Public Power Association Announces 2015 Excellence in Communication Awards
• Scams! - The Next Generation
• Columbia Fall Chinook Run to Top 1.1 Million
• California: Rescue Center Overwhelmed with Starving Seabirds – Rising Ocean Temperatures Cited
• Investors Are Mining for Water, the Next Hot Commodity
• California: How a Wind-Energy Project Proposed Off Morro Bay's Coast Would Work
• British Columbia: Vancouver’s SolShare Energy Hopes To Raise $1 Million for Community-Owned Solar-Power Projects
• Indiana Advocates Say Utilities Are Scaling Back Efficiency Efforts
• Winter Is Coming: Home Improvements You Need to Make
• Zuli’s Smartplug Heads to Lowe’s Next Week – Should Most People Care?
• Op/Ed: Governor Jay Inslee – ‘Fear Mongers’ Will Not Stop Us from Setting Carbon Cap
• Judge Dismisses Challenge to Oregon Climate Change Program
• Oregon: Climate Trust Lands $1 Million to Sequester More Carbon
• Green Power House Rises from the Ashes
• Denver Zoo Ditches Plans to Burn Elephant Dung for Electricity
• Nine Massive U-S Companies Pledge to Go 100% Renewable
• Are Automatic Toilets Wasteful?
• Utility Industry Casts Doubt on FERC's Proposed Cyber Standards
• Ad Blockers Rise as Ads Annoy, Bog Down Websites
• Could a Bank Deny Your Loan Based on Your Facebook Friends?
• Some Millennials Digging into News, Contrary to Stereotype
• Community Driven Success & Inter-Generational Teams: NWPPA 2015 NIC Keynote
• OP/Ed: Why Americans Can’t Write
• Speaker John Boehner Resigns U-S House Seat
• Who's Next? Possible Boehner Successors as Speaker
• Drought in 2016 for Washington State?
• Aurora Bridge Back Open after Deadly Bus, 'Ducks' Crash
• Shelton’s Lake Boulevard/Pioneer Way Improvement Project
• Mason County: OysterFest to Change Location
• Unable to Call 911, Hostage Uses Facebook to Find Help
• Home Demolitions Rising along with Tension in Portland Neighborhoods

WORD OF THE DAY

Katzenjammer • \KAT-zun-jam-er\ • noun – *1: hangover 2: distress 3: a discordant clamor

“The katzenjammer inside my head keeps Exedrin from going into the red,” opined Foster Brooks. Yet another night of witless debauchery: tins of smoked oysters swilled down with cheap, generic beer produced a pounding, clanging, throbbing pain right in the center of the downcast lush’s brain.

BTW, the history of the term Katzenjammer is explained well in this excerpt from Merriam Webster: Have you ever heard a cat wailing and felt that you could relate? Apparently some hungover German speakers once did. "Katzenjammer" comes from the German "Katze" (meaning "cat") and "Jammer" (meaning "distress"). English speakers borrowed the word for their hangovers (and other distressful inner states) in the 19th century and eventually applied it to outer commotion as well. The word isn't as popular in English today as it was around the mid-20th century, but it's well-known to many because of the "Katzenjammer Kids," a long-running comic strip featuring the incorrigibly mischievous twins Hans and Fritz.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Second-Largest Dam in the Nation Becomes More Powerful, Efficient (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Second-largest-dam-in-the-nation-becomes-more-powerful-efficient.aspx

Special Meeting Set to Deal with Damaged Okanogan PUD Facilities (Omak Chronicle, WA)

http://www.omakchronicle.com/news/2015/sep/24/special-meeting-set-deal-damaged-pud-facilities/

Small-Scale Nuclear Fusion May Be a New Energy Source (Phys.org)

http://phys.org/news/2015-09-small-scale-nuclear-fusion-energy-source.html

Colorado: After PUC Rebuke, Boulder Signals New Flexibility in Muni Proceeding (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/after-puc-rebuke-boulder-signals-new-flexibility-in-muni-proceeding/406248/

Northwest Public Power Association Announces 2015 Excellence in Communication Awards (Northwest Public Power Association – Links to PDF File)

http://www.nwppa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015-EIC-Awards.pdf

Scams! - The Next Generation (Conduit)

https://conduitnw.org/Pages/Article.aspx?rid=799

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia Fall Chinook Run to Top 1.1 Million (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/23/columbia-fall-chinook-run-to-top-1-1-million/

California: Rescue Center Overwhelmed with Starving Seabirds – Rising Ocean Temperatures Cited (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article36338667.html#emlnl=Morning_Newsletter

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Investors Are Mining for Water, the Next Hot Commodity (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/business/energy-environment/private-water-projects-lure-investors-preferably-patient-ones.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY

California: How a Wind-Energy Project Proposed Off Morro Bay's Coast Would Work (San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA)

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/09/23/3822477_wind-farm-ocean-morro-bay-project.html?rh=1

British Columbia: Vancouver’s SolShare Energy Hopes To Raise $1 Million for Community-Owned Solar-Power Projects (The Georgia Straight, BC)

http://www.straight.com/life/542026/vancouvers-solshare-energy-hopes-raise-1-million-community-owned-solar-power-projects

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Indiana Advocates Say Utilities Are Scaling Back Efficiency Efforts (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/indiana-advocates-say-utilities-are-scaling-back-efficiency-efforts/406257/

Winter Is Coming: Home Improvements You Need to Make (The Energy Collective)

http://www.theenergycollective.com/trengels/2274973/winter-coming-home-improvements-you-need-make

Zuli’s Smartplug Heads to Lowe’s Next Week – Should Most People Care? (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2015/09/24/zulis-smartplug-heads-to-lowes-next-week-should-most-people-care/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Op/Ed: Governor Jay Inslee – ‘Fear Mongers’ Will Not Stop Us from Setting Carbon Cap (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/gov-jay-inslee-fear-mongers-will-not-stop-us-from-setting-carbon-cap/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_opinion

Judge Dismisses Challenge to Oregon Climate Change Program (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/green/2015/09/24/judge-dismisses-challenge-oregon-climate-change-program/72776238/

Oregon: Climate Trust Lands $1 Million to Sequester More Carbon (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/09/climate-trust-lands-1m-to-sequester-morecarbon.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Green Power House Rises from the Ashes (Flathead Beacon, Kalispell, MT)
http://flatheadbeacon.com/2015/09/24/green-power-house-rises-from-the-ashes/

Denver Zoo Ditches Plans to Burn Elephant Dung for Electricity (Denver Post, CO)

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28877025/denver-zoo-ditches-plans-burn-elephant-dung-electricity

Nine Massive U-S Companies Pledge to Go 100% Renewable (Think Progress)

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/23/3704565/more-big-businesses-pledge-100-percent-renewable/

Are Automatic Toilets Wasteful? (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/living/are-automatic-toilets-wasteful/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Utility Industry Casts Doubt on FERC's Proposed Cyber Standards (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/utility-industry-casts-doubt-on-fercs-proposed-cyber-standards/406253/

Ad Blockers Rise as Ads Annoy, Bog Down Websites (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/Ad-blockers-rise-as-ads-annoy-bog-down-websites-6524211.php

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Could a Bank Deny Your Loan Based on Your Facebook Friends? (The Atlantic)

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/09/facebooks-new-patent-and-digital-redlining/407287/

Some Millennials Digging into News, Contrary to Stereotype (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/Some-millennials-digging-into-news-contrary-to-6528718.php

Community Driven Success & Inter-Generational Teams: NWPPA 2015 NIC Keynote (Conduit)

https://conduitnw.org/Pages/Article.aspx?rid=797

OP/Ed: Why Americans Can’t Write (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-americans-cant-write/2015/09/24/6e7f420a-6088-11e5-9757-e49273f05f65_story.html?wprss=rss_opinions

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Speaker John Boehner Resigns U-S House Seat (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2015/09/speaker_john_boehner_resigns_u.html

Who's Next? Possible Boehner Successors as Speaker (USA Today)

http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2015/09/25/john-boehner-successors/

GENERAL NEWS

Drought in 2016 for Washington State? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/09/drought-in-2016-for-washington-state.html

Aurora Bridge Back Open after Deadly Bus, 'Ducks' Crash (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/seattle/2015/09/25/aurora-bridge-back-open-after-deadly-bus-ducks-crash/72792962/

Shelton’s Lake Boulevard/Pioneer Way Improvement Project (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/24949-lake-boulevard-pioneer-way-improvement-project

Mason County: OysterFest to Change Location (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/north-mason/oysterfest-to-change-location_12678461

Unable to Call 911, Hostage Uses Facebook to Find Help (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Police-rescue-couple-held-hostage-after-Facebook-message-sent-for-help-328584761.html

Home Demolitions Rising along with Tension in Portland Neighborhoods (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/investigations/2015/09/24/home-demolitions-rising-along-tension-portland-neighborhoods/72749470/

DIVERSIONS

McDonald's Worker Stops Working to Help Customer with Disability Eat

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/09/25/mcdonalds-employee-disabled-customer-eat-alone/72789400/

'Pope Dogs' Craze Triggered by Papal Visit

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34357640

The Rise of Humblebragging

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/25/the-rise-of-humblebragging/

Japan's 105-Year-Old 'Golden Bolt' Sets Sprint Record, Misses Personal Best

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/24/us-japan-centenarian-idUSKCN0RO0IW20150924

SONG OF THE DAY

Donny Hathaway - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HFDAp8XVrk

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.