The Energy News Digest: 02/05/15

As Scandal Subsides, Pacific Northwest Energy Giant Turns Its Attention to the Future
Tacoma Public Utilities Named Tops for Business
British Columbia to Restore Rate-Setting Power to Utilities Commission after Critical Report
Mason PUD 1 Celebrates 80 Years of Public Service
Portland Water & Sewer Utility Costs on the Rise Again
North Dakota: Fargo Wants to Bury Old Power Lines, But Price Is Steep for Sights Unseen
APPA CEO to Participate in FERC Conference on Clean Power Plan
Obama Administration Proposed Budget Ends Strategic Review of Tennessee Valley Authority
Indiana Senate Considers Limits on Municipal Electricity Service Annexations
Natural Gas Slumps to 29-Month Low on Mixed Weather Outlook
Maps: Oklahoma’s Earthquake Problem is Getting Worse
Summer Chinook Fishing Proposals Split Anglers
Barges Sit for Hours behind Locks That May Take Decades to Replace
Oregon: Umatilla County Says Proposed Wind Farm Lacks Detail on Transmission
British Columbia Firms See a Future in Power Storage Systems
Wahkiakum PUD Commission Considers Renewable Energy Program
Op/Ed: Wind Production Tax Credit Opposition Seeks Skewed Energy Market
Wisconsin: Scott Walker’s Budget Includes $250,000 to Study ‘Wind Energy System-Related Health Issues’
Shelton’s Conversion to LED Lights, with Mason PUD 3
New LED Lights at Safeco Field Get a First Big Test
Energy Adviser: Recycling Appliances Pays Off in Many Ways
Water Heater Fix Part of Keystone Bill
Rope Tricks: Washington Senate Votes to Legalize Hemp Farming as Oregon Starts Writing Permits
Marijuana Bill Would Significantly Change Washington State’s Criminal Laws
Real Estate Issues in a Flourishing Cannabis Market: Q&A with Oregon Broker Zack Stratford
California: Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Is Not Just Smoke
Washington State GOP Offers Its Own Slate of Clean-Energy Bills
Top Republicans Say They Want to Reduce Washington State Carbon Emissions, Too
Opinion: Washington State Cap & Trade, or No Cap & All Tax?
FERC & EPA’s Clean Power Plan
Governor Inslee, Some Washington State Legislators Pushing Electric-Car Ownership
U-S Lawmakers Push Bill to Reform Renewable Fuel Mandate
FCC Plans Strong Hand to Regulate the Internet
News Guide: Net Neutrality & What It Could Mean to Your Life Online & Your Pocketbook
Wireless Industry’s Hilariously Awful Anti-Title II Video
Inside Idaho’s Broadband Mess
Complaining Comcast Customer Renamed “Super B**ch” on Her Cable Bill
Twitter & Google Said to Reach Deal on Search
Tricked into Quoting Hitler, Coca-Cola Suspends Automated Tweet Campaign
Editorial: Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber Must Resign
Triple Atmospheric River Event to Hit the West Coast
West Coast Port Lockout Could Be Days Away
Lawsuit Challenges Tribe’s Control of Lake Quinault
Anthem Health Insurer Says Cyberattack Stole Data of Millions
U-S Senator: Allow Restaurant Employees to Skip Hand-Washing
Test Reveals Importance of Washing Hands to Stay Healthy
NBC’s Brian Williams Apologizes for Falsely Claiming He Was Fired on In Iraq

WORD OF THE DAY

Restive • \RES-tiv\ • adjective – 1: stubbornly resisting control: balky *2: marked by impatience or uneasiness: fidgety

Albert tossed and turned all night. Finally, in his restive state he drifted off into a fitful sleep and dreamed about eating a giant marshmallow. He awoke the next morning; a cold sweat covering his body. Then he made a horrendous discovery under the covers at the end of his bed: the dismembered head of the Sta-Puft marshmallow man, swimming in a pool of marshmallow cream. Ahhhhhhhhhh Ahhhhhhhh. Half a continent away, the owner of “Generic Marshmallow, Inc.” was enjoying a wistful smile…. (Sorry Mr. Coppola)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

As Scandal Subsides, Pacific Northwest Energy Giant Turns Its Attention to the Future (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/as-scandal-subsides-nw-energy-oversight-giant.html

Tacoma Public Utilities Named Tops for Business (South Sound Business Examiner, WA)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/February-2015/Tacoma-Public-Utilities-named-tops-for-business/

British Columbia to Restore Rate-Setting Power to Utilities Commission after Critical Report (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/energy-watchdog-needs-more-independence-bc-government-told/article22791687/?cmpid=rss1

Mason PUD 1 Celebrates 80 Years of Public Service (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14295

Portland Water & Sewer Utility Costs on the Rise Again (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/02/04/portland-utility-costs-on-the-rise-again/

North Dakota: Fargo Wants to Bury Old Power Lines, But Price Is Steep for Sights Unseen (Inforum, Fargo, ND)

http://www.inforum.com/news/3671844-fargo-wants-bury-old-power-lines-price-steep-sights-unseen

APPA CEO to Participate in FERC Conference on Clean Power Plan (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43098

Obama Administration Proposed Budget Ends Strategic Review of Tennessee Valley Authority (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43094

Indiana Senate Considers Limits on Municipal Electricity Service Annexations (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/indiana-senate-considers-limits-on-muni-annexes/360835/

Natural Gas Slumps to 29-Month Low on Mixed Weather Outlook (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-04/natural-gas-falls-as-mixed-weather-outlook-signals-weak-demand

Maps: Oklahoma’s Earthquake Problem is Getting Worse (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/03/maps-oklahomas-earthquake-problem-is-getting-worse/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Summer Chinook Fishing Proposals Split Anglers (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/05/summer-chinook-fishing-proposals-Columbia/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Barges Sit for Hours behind Locks That May Take Decades to Replace (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/us/barges-sit-for-hours-behind-locks-that-may-take-decades-to-replace.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon: Umatilla County Says Proposed Wind Farm Lacks Detail on Transmission (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20150204/county-says-proposed-wind-farm-lacks-detail-on-transmission

British Columbia Firms See a Future in Power Storage Systems (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/firms+future+power+storage+systems/10788117/story.html

Wahkiakum PUD Commission Considers Renewable Energy Program (The Wahkiakum Eagle, Cathlamet, WA)

http://www.waheagle.com/story/2015/02/05/news/pud-commission-considers-renewable-energy-program/9394.html

Op/Ed: Wind Production Tax Credit Opposition Seeks Skewed Energy Market (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/231627-wind-ptc-opposition-seeks-skewed-energy-market

Wisconsin: Scott Walker’s Budget Includes $250,000 to Study ‘Wind Energy System-Related Health Issues’ (Huffington Post)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/04/walker-wind-energy-health_n_6616692.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Shelton’s Conversion to LED Lights, with Mason PUD 3 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/2014-04-07-17-28-24/21187-shelton-s-conversion-to-led-lights-with-pud-3

New LED Lights at Safeco Field Get a First Big Test (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/sports/mlb/mariners/2015/02/04/led-lights-safeco-field-mariners/22850857/

Energy Adviser: Recycling Appliances Pays Off in Many Ways (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/05/energy-adviser-cycling-appliances-pays-off/

Water Heater Fix Part of Keystone Bill (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/legislation/water-heater-fix-part-of-keystone-bill/77652

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Rope Tricks: Washington Senate Votes to Legalize Hemp Farming as Oregon Starts Writing Permits (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-senate-votes-legalize-hemp-farming-oregon-starts-writing-permits

Marijuana Bill Would Significantly Change Washington State’s Criminal Laws (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2015/02/05/marijuana-bill-would-significantly-change-washingtons-criminal-laws/

Real Estate Issues in a Flourishing Cannabis Market: Q&A with Oregon Broker Zack Stratford (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/real-estate-issues-in-a-thriving-market-qa-with-oregon-realtor-zack-stratford/

California: Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Is Not Just Smoke (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/02/04/medical-marijuana-lawsuit-is-not-just-smoke.htm

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State GOP Offers Its Own Slate of Clean-Energy Bills (Seattle Times, WA – via National Wind Watch)

https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/02/05/washington-gop-offers-its-own-slate-of-clean-energy-bills-for-state/

Top Republicans Say They Want to Reduce Washington State Carbon Emissions, Too (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/02/04/3623868_top-republicans-say-they-want.html?rh=1

Opinion: Washington State Cap & Trade, or No Cap & All Tax? (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/opinion-cap-trade-cap-tax/

FERC & EPA’s Clean Power Plan (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/04/ferc-and-epas-clean-power-plan/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Governor Inslee, Some Washington State Legislators Pushing Electric-Car Ownership (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025624550_electriccarsxml.html

U-S Lawmakers Push Bill to Reform Renewable Fuel Mandate (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/231761-lawmakers-push-bill-to-reform-renewable-fuel-mandate

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC Plans Strong Hand to Regulate the Internet (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/technology/fcc-wheeler-net-neutrality.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

News Guide: Net Neutrality & What It Could Mean to Your Life Online & Your Pocketbook (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/02/05/news-guide-net-neutrality-and-what-it-could-mean-to-you

Wireless Industry’s Hilariously Awful Anti-Title II Video (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Wireless-Industrys-Hilariously-Awful-AntiTitle-II-Video-132539

Inside Idaho’s Broadband Mess (KIVI-TV, Nampa, ID)

http://www.jrn.com/kivitv/news/Inside-Idahos-broadband-mess-290870901.html

Complaining Comcast Customer Renamed “Super B**ch” on Her Cable Bill (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/02/05/complaining-comcast-customer-renamed-super-bch-on-her-cable-bill/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter & Google Said to Reach Deal on Search (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/twitter-said-to-reach-search-deal-with-google/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Tricked into Quoting Hitler, Coca-Cola Suspends Automated Tweet Campaign (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/coca-cola-suspends-makeithappy-social-campaign-162775

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Editorial: Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber Must Resign “…Who knew following the trail of ‘clean energy’ money could make you feel so dirty?...” (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/02/john_kitzhaber_must_resign_edi.html

GENERAL NEWS

Triple Atmospheric River Event to Hit the West Coast (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/02/triple-atmospheric-river-event-to-hit.html

West Coast Port Lockout Could Be Days Away (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150204/BIZ02/150209538

Lawsuit Challenges Tribe’s Control of Lake Quinault (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/lawsuit-challenges-tribe-s-control-lake-quinault

Anthem Health Insurer Says Cyberattack Stole Data of Millions (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/business/hackers-breached-data-of-millions-insurer-says.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

U-S Senator: Allow Restaurant Employees to Skip Hand-Washing (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/national/US-Senator-Allow-restaurant-employees-to-skip-hand-washing-290795081.html

Test Reveals Importance of Washing Hands to Stay Healthy (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/05/test-reveals-importance-of-washing-hands-to-stay-healthy/

NBC’s Brian Williams Apologizes for Falsely Claiming He Was Fired on In Iraq (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/02/04/brian-williams-apologizes-for-falsely-claiming-he-was-fired-on-in-iraq/

DIVERSIONS

Hello Vancouver! Washington’s Most Romantic City? It’s Not ‘Sleepless’ or ‘50 Shades’ Seattle

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2015/02/washingtons-most-romantic-city-its-not-sleepless.html

Man Who Lived Modestly Leaves Millions in Surprise Donations

http://news.yahoo.com/man-lived-modestly-leaves-millions-surprise-donations-135358404.html

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Urine for Drug Tests – “Urine Luck” one of the varieties

http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-man-pleads-guilty-selling-fake-urine-drug-145319157.html

Gun Found Inside Book Donated to Maine Goodwill Store

http://news.yahoo.com/gun-found-inside-book-donated-maine-goodwill-store-144105580.html

SONG OF THE DAY

John Paul Young - Love Is in the Air

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQFrSR2c7fY

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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

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

The Energy News Digest

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Energy News Digest for February 5, 2015

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