Energy News Digest for January 29, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 29, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1m1aBtf

Flood Warning for the Skokomish River

http://1.usa.gov/1niR5K0

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Pacific Northwest Nuclear Plant Faces Inquiry over Performance, Management (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/01/post_235.html

California Votes to Retain System That Pays Solar Users Retail Rate for Excess Power (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/business/energy-environment/california-narrowly-votes-to-retain-system-that-pays-solar-users-for-excess-power.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Popularity of Clark Public Utilities’ Solar Program Could Reduce Subsidies (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/jan/27/popularity-of-utilitys-solar-program-could-reduce-subsidies/

Portland General Electric: Coal-Killing Legislation Would Save Up to $360M over Ballot Measure (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/01/pge-coal-killing-legislation-would-save-up-to-360.html

Avista Addresses Customer Bill Concerns (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/31086794/avista-customers-confused-over-increased-bills

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Pacific Northwest Nuclear Plant Faces Inquiry over Performance, Management
• Avista Addresses Customer Bill Concerns
• Why Has My PUD Bill Doubled This Month? – Powerful Advice: Energy Insights from PUD 3
• Clallam County Public Utility District Gets Clean Washington State Audit
• Clatskanie-Area Oil Terminal Shuts Down; 28 Laid Off
• Judge Revives Lawsuit over Michigan Power Line Death
• Texas: Lawsuit Says Power Cutoff Was Fatal to Man on Oxygen
• Puerto Rico Utility, Creditors Renew Debt Restructuring Agreement, Extend Deadline
• Grant PUD Works to Improve Steelhead Runs
• Hundreds Attend Salmon Conference in Wenatchee
• Canadian Seal Cull Not Yet Warranted Despite Large Salmon Diet Say Researchers
• Washington State Department of Ecology Proposes $1.6 Million to Skagit PUD
• Washington State Water Activists Fight Manure Discharge Legislation
• Popularity of Clark Public Utilities’ Solar Program Could Reduce Subsidies
• Wind Energy Loses Some of Its Breezy Allure
• Portland General Electric, Pacific Power on Why Renewables Require New Gas Infrastructure
• California Votes to Retain System That Pays Solar Users Retail Rate for Excess Power
• Desperate California Utilities Win Effort to Squeeze Money Out of Solar Customers
• Gigantic Wind Turbine with 650 Foot Blades Will Channel the Power of Hurricanes
• Puget Sound Energy Launches Opower’s Bill Advisor
• Portland General Electric: Coal-Killing Legislation Would Save Up to $360M over Ballot Measure
• Could wind, solar slash carbon emissions affordably?
• Mushroom Burial Suit Turns Dead Bodies into Clean Compost
• Big Clouds: Microsoft, Amazon Tap into Largest-Ever Market Opportunity
• FCC Signs Off on 2016 Broadband Progress Report
• In Latest Shakeup, Yahoo Quits Mexico, Argentina
• Facebook Now Offers Live Video for iPhone Users
• Alaska Airlines Apologizes after “Meet Our Eskimo” Branding Effort Offends
• Why Twitter’s Best Days May Be Behind It
• Here Are nine Intriguing Digital Marketing Stats from the Past Week
• Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
• Flood Warnings on Several Rivers; Heavy Mountain Snow Coming
• Washington State Governor Requests Federal Disaster Assistance Following December Storm
• Clallam Bay Corrections Center Still on Lockdown; Beaten Officer’s Condition Improving
• Oregon Standoff Day 28: What You Need to Know Friday
• 500 Employees to Be Laid Off as Bremerton Call Center Closes
• Monster Sinkhole Swallows (Portion Of) Highway 101 in Oregon
• Monstrous Gas Cloud Is Careening Toward the Milky Way: When Will It Hit?

WORD OF THE DAY

Compunction • \kum-PUNK-shun\ • Noun - 1a: anxiety arising from awareness of guilt b: distress of mind over an anticipated action or result 2: a twinge of misgiving: scruple

The dense, dusky silence of the early morning office environment provided the perfect cover for Bosworth’s nefarious activity. Stealing into the break room, the jittery janitor drained the newly made pot of coffee of each caffeinated drop, the carafe making only the slightest tinkling sound as he sat it back on the burner. Did he have any guilt, compunction, hesitation? No, for the voices in his head told him it was OK.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Pacific Northwest Nuclear Plant Faces Inquiry over Performance, Management (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/01/post_235.html

Avista Addresses Customer Bill Concerns (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/31086794/avista-customers-confused-over-increased-bills

Why Has My PUD Bill Doubled This Month? – Powerful Advice: Energy Insights from PUD 3 (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1592

Clallam County Public Utility District Gets Clean Washington State Audit (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160129/news/301299984/clallam-county-public-utility-district-gets-clean-audit-from-state

Clatskanie-Area Oil Terminal Shuts Down; 28 Laid Off (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/clatskanie-area-oil-terminal-shuts-down-laid-off/article_7d37f602-ef97-5daa-84a1-b29a1c4210ee.html

Judge Revives Lawsuit over Michigan Power Line Death (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2016/01/29/judge-revives-lawsuit-over-power-line-death.htm

Texas: Lawsuit Says Power Cutoff Was Fatal to Man on Oxygen (Houston Chronicle, TX)

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Family-sues-power-company-claiming-electricity-6791350.php

Puerto Rico Utility, Creditors Renew Debt Restructuring Agreement, Extend Deadline (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/puerto-rico-utility-creditors-renew-debt-restructuring-agreement-extend-d/412975/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Grant PUD Works to Improve Steelhead Runs (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/pud-works-to-improve-steelhead-runs/article_a1e83172-c61a-11e5-9890-d3226a422c11.html

Hundreds Attend Salmon Conference in Wenatchee (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/hundreds-attend-wenatchee-conference-on-salmon/

Canadian Seal Cull Not Yet Warranted Despite Large Salmon Diet Say Researchers (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/seal-cull-not-yet-warranted-despite-large-salmon-diet-say-researchers-1.3424565?cmp=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Washington State Department of Ecology Proposes $1.6 Million to Skagit PUD (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, WA)

http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/ecology-proposes-million-to-skagit-pud/article_64b359a6-7d5b-5dd0-8b29-a84ce6dda01e.html

Washington State Water Activists Fight Manure Discharge Legislation (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2016/01/28/water-activists-fight-manure-discharge-legislation/79493484/

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Popularity of Clark Public Utilities’ Solar Program Could Reduce Subsidies (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/jan/27/popularity-of-utilitys-solar-program-could-reduce-subsidies/

Wind Energy Loses Some of Its Breezy Allure – Experts say solar power may be ready to emerge (Spokane Journal of Business, WA)

http://www.spokanejournal.com/local-news/wind-energy-loses-some-of-its-breezy-allure/

Portland General Electric, Pacific Power on Why Renewables Require New Gas Infrastructure (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/01/pge-pacific-power-promote.html

California Votes to Retain System That Pays Solar Users Retail Rate for Excess Power (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/business/energy-environment/california-narrowly-votes-to-retain-system-that-pays-solar-users-for-excess-power.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Desperate California Utilities Win Effort to Squeeze Money Out of Solar Customers (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/desperate-california-utilities-win-effort-to-squeeze-mo-1755765770

Gigantic Wind Turbine with 650 Foot Blades Will Channel the Power of Hurricanes (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/gigantic-wind-turbine-with-650-foot-blades-will-channel-1755931181

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Puget Sound Energy Launches Opower’s Bill Advisor (Transmission & Distribution World)

http://tdworld.com/billing/puget-sound-energy-launches-opower-s-bill-advisor

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Portland General Electric: Coal-Killing Legislation Would Save Up to $360M over Ballot Measure (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/01/pge-coal-killing-legislation-would-save-up-to-360.html

Could wind, solar slash carbon emissions affordably? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0129/Could-wind-solar-slash-carbon-emissions-affordably

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Mushroom Burial Suit Turns Dead Bodies into Clean Compost (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/living/mushroom-burial-suit-turns-dead-bodies-into-clean-compost/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Big Clouds: Microsoft, Amazon Tap into Largest-Ever Market Opportunity (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2016/01/big-clouds-microsoft-amazon-tap-into-largest-ever.html

FCC Signs Off on 2016 Broadband Progress Report (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/technology/267397-fcc-signs-off-on-broadband-report

In Latest Shakeup, Yahoo Quits Mexico, Argentina (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_29445665/latest-shakeup-yahoo-quits-mexico-argentina?source=rss

MARKETING & MEDIA

Facebook Now Offers Live Video for iPhone Users (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/jan/28/facebook-now-offers-live-video-for-iphone-users/

Alaska Airlines Apologizes after “Meet Our Eskimo” Branding Effort Offends (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/01/29/alaska-airlines-apologizes-after-meet-our-eskimo-branding-effort-offends/

Why Twitter’s Best Days May Be Behind It (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2016/01/29/why-twitters-best-days-may-be-behind-it/

Here Are nine Intriguing Digital Marketing Stats from the Past Week (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/here-are-9-intriguing-digital-marketing-stats-last-week-169259

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/01/29/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-319/

GENERAL NEWS

Flood Warnings on Several Rivers; Heavy Mountain Snow Coming (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/weather/2016/01/28/flood-warnings-several-rivers-heavy-mountain-snow-coming/79479872/

Washington State Governor Requests Federal Disaster Assistance Following December Storm (Office of Governor Jay Inslee, Olympia, WA)

http://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/gov-inslee-requests-federal-disaster-assistance-following-december-storm

Clallam Bay Corrections Center Still on Lockdown; Beaten Officer’s Condition Improving (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160129/news/301299974/clallam-bay-corrections-center-still-on-lockdown-beaten

Oregon Standoff Day 28: What You Need to Know Friday (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/oregon_standoff_day_28_what_yo.html

500 Employees to Be Laid Off as Bremerton Call Center Closes (Associated Press)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/state/washington/article57224288.html

Monster Sinkhole Swallows (Portion Of) Highway 101 in Oregon (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/01/28/249338/

Monstrous Gas Cloud Is Careening Toward the Milky Way: When Will It Hit? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0129/Monstrous-gas-cloud-is-careening-toward-the-Milky-Way-When-will-it-hit

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

20-Year-Old Woman Insists She’s a Cat Trapped in a Human’s Body

http://mashable.com/2016/01/28/woman-cat/

But how’s the Turf Holding Up? – Super Bowl 50: Broncos Logo Painted in Both End Zones at Levi’s Stadium

http://q13fox.com/2016/01/29/super-bowl-50-broncos-logo-painted-in-both-end-zones-at-levis-stadium/

Unlikely Goat & Tiger Friendship Tragically Ends In Fight

http://mashable.com/2016/01/29/goat-tiger-friends/

Jefferson Airplane’s Paul Kantner Dies at age 74

http://koin.com/2016/01/28/jefferson-airplanes-paul-kantner-dies-at-age-74/

SONG OF THE DAY

Jefferson Starship – Miracles

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

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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

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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 January 28,2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 28, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1Utsr3X

Flood Warning; Increased Landslide Threat (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/18830

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

U-S Senate Begins Debate on Comprehensive Bipartisan Energy Bill (NY Times)

http://nyti.ms/1SMqX7p

Failed Biodiesel Facility Casting Doubt on Longview Oil Refinery (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/failed-biodiesel-facility-casting-doubt-on-longview-oil-refinery/article_d7202891-d5d8-588f-b79d-7e38f18cefbb.html

Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon Seasons Set for 2016 (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2016/01/columbia_river_spring_chinook_3.html

Facebook Reports Soaring Revenue, Buoyed by Mobile Ads (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/technology/facebook-earnings-zuckerberg.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Flood Warning; Increased Landslide Threat (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/18830

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• U-S Senate Begins Debate on Comprehensive Bipartisan Energy Bill
• Energy Bill Faces a Snag from Obama
• Is Obama Blocking Smart Hydropower Development?
• Oregon’s Coal Bill Gets Endorsements as Salem Prepares for 2016 Session
• News Whiz: New Report! Rates Will Remain Steady under Clean Electricity & Coal Transition Plan
• Chelan PUD forum Lets High-Density Power Users Share Their Side of the Story
• Peace River Dam Contractor Lifts Ban on Hiring of University of British Columbia Alumni
• Always Wanted to Own a Powerhouse? Check Out Enloe Dam
• Energy Adviser: Indoor Electrical Safety Takes Preparation
• Editorial: The Supreme Court Rules for Common Sense in Electricity Case
• Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon Seasons Set for 2016
• Fossil Fuels Fuel Tribes’ Fears over Columbia River Gorge Fish
• Two Oregon Rivers Named Scenic Waterways
• Oregon Energy Trust Program Ups the Solar Ante
• Did Solar Lobbying Tactics Sow the Seeds of the Nevada Net Metering Controversy?
• How Utilities & Regulators Differ In Their Approaches to Distributed Energy
• Including Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Falls Power: Public Power Entities Get DOE Funding For Energy R&D Projects
• California Adopts First Energy Standards for Household LEDs
• Winter Energy-Saving Tips
• Potential Kalama Pot Operation May Have Hit a Legal Stone Wall
• Dark Marijuana: Illegal Growers Hide among Colorado’s Legit Fields
• Failed Biodiesel Facility Casting Doubt on Longview Oil Refinery
• Grays Harbor County Government Internet Outage Frustrates Many
• FCC Proposes Changes in Cable Set-Top Box Market
• Facebook Reports Soaring Revenue, Buoyed by Mobile Ads
• Facebook Groups Reaches 1 Billion Users
• Will You Like Facebook’s New Reactions?
• Should You Post Pics of Your Kids Online?
• Pierce County Deputy Prosecutor Who Posted Anonymous Comments Is Reassigned
• Mason County Student Arrested for Rape on North Mason High School Campus
• Belfair Woman Injured by Own Vehicle
• Heavy Rain Could Trigger Landslides in Western Washington
• Malheur Occupation – Five Holdouts Want Charge Dropped for One to End Occupation
• ‘Really Big One’ Article Puts Pacific NW Earthquake Risk on White House Agenda
• A Conspiracy to Steal Secrets of U-S Corn

WORD OF THE DAY

Jeremiad ● \jair-uh-MYE-ud\ ● noun – A prolonged lamentation or complaint; also: a cautionary or angry harangue.

See, round the earth is

Says Neil deGrasse Tyson

Flat it ain’t buddy

The word of the day isn’t in here…but it’s a good example of a jeremiad:

Flat Earth: Watch Neil deGrasse Tyson Drop the Mic in His B.o.B Rap Battle

http://time.com/4197726/flat-earth-tyson-bob-twitter-feud/

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

U-S Senate Begins Debate on Comprehensive Bipartisan Energy Bill (NY Times)

http://nyti.ms/1SMqX7p

Energy Bill Faces a Snag from Obama (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/energy-bill-faces-a-snag-from-obama/article/2581588?custom_click=rss

Is Obama Blocking Smart Hydropower Development? (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/article/is-obama-blocking-smart-hydropower-development/

Oregon’s Coal Bill Gets Endorsements as Salem Prepares for 2016 Session (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/01/oregons-coal-bill-gets-endorsements-as-salem.html

News Whiz: New Report! Rates Will Remain Steady under Clean Electricity & Coal Transition Plan (Renewable Northwest)

http://www.rnp.org/index.php?q=node/Public-Release-RNW001-16

Chelan PUD forum Lets High-Density Power Users Share Their Side of the Story (The Leavenworth Echo, WA)

http://leavenworthecho.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=9904

Peace River Dam Contractor Lifts Ban on Hiring of University of British Columbia Alumni (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/site-c-dam-contractor-lifts-shameful-ban-on-hiring-of-ubc-alumni/article28425170/?cmpid=rss1

Always Wanted to Own a Powerhouse? Check Out Enloe Dam (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/always-wanted-to-own-a-powerhouse-check-out-enloe-dam/article_96b6013e-c512-11e5-a32a-9fd8dd3fb959.html

Energy Adviser: Indoor Electrical Safety Takes Preparation (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/jan/28/energy-adviser-indoor-electrical-safety-takes-preparation/

Editorial: The Supreme Court Rules for Common Sense in Electricity Case (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/opinion/the-supreme-court-rules-for-common-sense-in-electricity-case.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon Seasons Set for 2016 (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2016/01/columbia_river_spring_chinook_3.html

Fossil Fuels Fuel Tribes’ Fears over Columbia River Gorge Fish (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/jan/27/fossil-fuels-fuel-tribes-fears-over-gorge-fish/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Two Oregon Rivers Named Scenic Waterways (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/2-oregon-rivers-named-scenic-waterways/

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Oregon Energy Trust Program Ups the Solar Ante (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/01/energy-trust-program-ups-the-solar-ante.html

Did Solar Lobbying Tactics Sow the Seeds of the Nevada Net Metering Controversy? (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/did-solar-lobbying-tactics-sow-the-seeds-of-the-nevada-net-metering-controv/412780/

How Utilities & Regulators Differ In Their Approaches to Distributed Energy (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/how-utilities-and-regulators-differ-in-their-approaches-to-distributed-ener/412612/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Including Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Falls Power: Public Power Entities Get DOE Funding For Energy R&D Projects (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=45112

California Adopts First Energy Standards for Household LEDs (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/energy/article/California-adopts-first-energy-standards-for-6788989.php

Winter Energy-Saving Tips (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2016/01/27/winter-energy-saving-tips/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Potential Kalama Pot Operation May Have Hit a Legal Stone Wall (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/potential-kalama-pot-operation-may-have-hit-a-legal-stone/article_a89da234-7e42-597c-8439-95fbe216a9e9.html

Dark Marijuana: Illegal Growers Hide among Colorado’s Legit Fields (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2016/0128/Dark-marijuana-Illegal-growers-hide-among-Colorado-s-legit-fields

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Failed Biodiesel Facility Casting Doubt on Longview Oil Refinery (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/failed-biodiesel-facility-casting-doubt-on-longview-oil-refinery/article_d7202891-d5d8-588f-b79d-7e38f18cefbb.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Grays Harbor County Government Internet Outage Frustrates Many (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/county-internet-outage-frustrates-many

FCC Proposes Changes in Cable Set-Top Box Market (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/technology/fcc-proposes-changes-in-set-top-box-market.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

MARKETING & MEDIA

Facebook Reports Soaring Revenue, Buoyed by Mobile Ads (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/technology/facebook-earnings-zuckerberg.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Facebook Groups Reaches 1 Billion Users (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/01/27/facebook-groups-reaches-1-billion-users/79414710/

Will You Like Facebook’s New Reactions? (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35429042

Should You Post Pics of Your Kids Online? (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2016/01/28/should-you-post-pics-your-kids-online/79352622/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Pierce County Deputy Prosecutor Who Posted Anonymous Comments Is Reassigned (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article56750158.html

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Student Arrested for Rape on North Mason High School Campus (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2016/01/27/mason-county-student-arrested-campus-rape/79414682/

Belfair Woman Injured by Own Vehicle (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/18810

Heavy Rain Could Trigger Landslides in Western Washington (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/weather/article56996378.html

Malheur Occupation – Five Holdouts Want Charge Dropped for One to End Occupation (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/five_holdouts_want_charge_drop.html

‘Really Big One’ Article Puts Pacific NW Earthquake Risk on White House Agenda (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://bit.ly/1WPTZSO

A Conspiracy to Steal Secrets of U-S Corn (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/business/international/china-us-monsanto-dupont-corn.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Lizard Found in Kindergartner’s Salad Becomes New Class Pet

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/jan/26/lizard-found-in-kindergartners-salad-becomes-new-class-pet/

Barbie’s New Shapes: Tall, Petite & Curvy

http://www.usatoday.com/videos/money/business/2016/01/28/79454314/

Rome Covers Naked Statues for Iranian President’s Visit

http://mashable.com/2016/01/26/rome-shields-rouhani-from-nude-statues/

Patriots Fan Shows Why You Should Never Get a Super Bowl ‘Champs’ Tattoo before the Super Bowl

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/patriots-fan-super-bowl-50-tattoo

SONG OF THE DAY

Talking Heads - Take Me to the River

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ar2VHW1i2w

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

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 January 27, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 27, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1ROjIve

Special Weather Statement for Threat of Landslides in Mason County

http://1.usa.gov/1PjVjM5

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington Law Would Let Counties Sell Broadband Service When Comcast Won’t (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/01/26/washington-law-would-let-counties-sell-broadband-service-when-comcast-wont/

Chelan PUD Grapples with Heavy Electricity Users (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/chelan-pud-grapples-with-heavy-electricity-users/

USDA on Drought “We Don’t Have Very Many Concerns” (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/usda-on-drought-we-dont-have-very-many-concerns/

Lewis County PUD Warns Customers about Phone Scam (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2016/01/lewis-county-pud-warns-customers-about.html

States Ask Supreme Court to Stay Obama Climate Rules (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/states-ask-supreme-court-to-stay-obama-climate-rules/article/2581503?custom_click=rss

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Chelan PUD Grapples with Heavy Electricity Users
• Lewis County PUD Warns Customers about Phone Scam
• Yakima Police Say Telephone Scammers Pretend to be Collecting Overdue Power Bills
• Wither Aluminum Smelting's Future in the Northwest?
• Snohomish County PUD Grants Boost Young Engineers, Scientists
• New York Regulators Propose Nuclear Power Mandate in New Clean Energy Plan
• USDA on Drought “We Don’t Have Very Many Concerns”
• California: Water Fill Means Big Folsom Dam Spillway Project Hits Milestone
• Victoria Sewage Treatment Plans Inching Along, But Mayors Not In Harmony
• How Much Is Your Solar Power Worth? The Fight over Solar’s Future
• States Ask Supreme Court to Stay Obama Climate Rules
• Coal Miners, Families Pack Salt Lake Hearing on Regional Haze
• Washington Law Would Let Counties Sell Broadband Service When Comcast Won’t
• Committee Tackles Future of Tacoma’s Click! Cable Network
• As FERC Bolsters Cybersecurity Rules, Critics Cite Lack of Secure Communication Standards
• Report: Facebook Rolling Out New Like Button in a Few Weeks
• Twitter, Facebook & Other Social Media Sites Vie for Sports Fans in Real Time
• Washington State Will Get to Vote on Whether Corporations Are People
• U-S Senate Set to Pass Energy Bill This Week
• FBI Sets Up Checkpoints around Oregon Refuge after Confrontation Turns Deadly
• Robert 'LaVoy' Finicum Shot & Killed While Charging Police, Driver Says
• Mason County Unemployment Up in December
• Wendy's Investigating 'Unusual Activity' on Payment Cards
• City Of Shelton’s Permit Fee Cuts Debated
• Including Olympic College: Nine Washington Community Colleges on List of 150 Best in Country
• Cowlitz Casino Construction Starts despite Lawsuit
• Mammoth Bones Unearthed at Oregon State University

WORD OF THE DAY

Kaput • \ku-PUT\ • Adjective – 1: utterly finished, defeated, or destroyed 2: unable to function: useless 3: hopelessly outmoded

I love word origins. Here’s the origin of kaput via Merriam-Webster Dictionary online:

“Kaput” originated with a card game called piquet that has been popular in France for centuries. French players originally used the term “capot” to describe both big winners and big losers. To win all twelve tricks in a hand was called “faire capot” (“to make capot”), but to lose them all was known as “être capot” (“to be capot”). German speakers adopted “capot,” but respelled it “kaputt,” and used it only for losers. When English speakers borrowed the word from German, they started using “kaput” for things that were broken, useless, or destroyed.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Chelan PUD Grapples with Heavy Electricity Users (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/chelan-pud-grapples-with-heavy-electricity-users/

Lewis County PUD Warns Customers about Phone Scam (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2016/01/lewis-county-pud-warns-customers-about.html

Yakima Police Say Telephone Scammers Pretend to be Collecting Overdue Power Bills (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/crime_and_courts/yakima-police-say-telephone-scammers-pretend-to-be-collecting-overdue/article_fc3ea9c0-c48b-11e5-bbfb-570e7aa8ebaf.html

Wither Aluminum Smelting's Future in the Northwest? (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/wither-aluminum-smeltings-future-northwest

Snohomish County PUD Grants Boost Young Engineers, Scientists (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20160127/NEWS01/160129247

New York Regulators Propose Nuclear Power Mandate in New Clean Energy Plan (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-york-regulators-propose-nuclear-power-mandate-in-new-clean-energy-plan/412816/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

USDA on Drought “We Don’t Have Very Many Concerns” (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/usda-on-drought-we-dont-have-very-many-concerns/

California: Water Fill Means Big Folsom Dam Spillway Project Hits Milestone (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article56678118.html

Victoria Sewage Treatment Plans Inching Along, But Mayors Not In Harmony (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/victoria-sewage-treatment-mayors-1.3421476?cmp=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY

How Much Is Your Solar Power Worth? The Fight over Solar’s Future (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/How-much-is-your-solar-power-worth-The-fight-6785537.php

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

States Ask Supreme Court to Stay Obama Climate Rules (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/states-ask-supreme-court-to-stay-obama-climate-rules/article/2581503?custom_click=rss

Coal Miners, Families Pack Salt Lake Hearing on Regional Haze (Associated Press)

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=38278173&nid=148&title=packed-hearing-for-epa-proposal-for-coal-fired-power-plants

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Washington Law Would Let Counties Sell Broadband Service When Comcast Won’t (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/01/26/washington-law-would-let-counties-sell-broadband-service-when-comcast-wont/

Committee Tackles Future of Tacoma’s Click! Cable Network (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/politics-government/article56667178.html

As FERC Bolsters Cybersecurity Rules, Critics Cite Lack of Secure Communication Standards (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/as-ferc-bolsters-cybersecurity-rules-critics-cite-lack-of-secure-communica/412793/

MARKETING & MEDIA

Report: Facebook Rolling Out New Like Button in a Few Weeks (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/01/27/report-facebook-rolling-out-new-like-button-few-weeks/79396958/

Twitter, Facebook & Other Social Media Sites Vie for Sports Fans in Real Time (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_29435417/twitter-facebook-and-other-social-media-sites-vie?source=rss

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Will Get to Vote on Whether Corporations Are People (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/Washington-gets-to-vote-on-whether-corporations-6785583.php

U-S Senate Set to Pass Energy Bill This Week (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/senate-set-to-pass-energy-bill-this-week/article/2581513?custom_click=rss

GENERAL NEWS

FBI Sets Up Checkpoints around Oregon Refuge after Confrontation Turns Deadly (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-oregon-militia-fbi-idUSKCN0V51QU

Robert 'LaVoy' Finicum Shot & Killed While Charging Police, Driver Says (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/militant_shot_and_killed_while.html

Mason County Unemployment Up in December (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/18788

Wendy's Investigating 'Unusual Activity' on Payment Cards (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/wendys-investigating-unusual-activity-payment-cards-36546078

City Of Shelton’s Permit Fee Cuts Debated (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26481-city-permit-fee-cuts-debated

Including Olympic College: Nine Washington Community Colleges on List of 150 Best in Country (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/nine-washington-community-colleges-on-list-of-150-best-in-country/

Cowlitz Casino Construction Starts despite Lawsuit (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2016/01/26/cowlitz-casino-construction-starts-despite-lawsuit/

Mammoth Bones Unearthed at Oregon State University (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2016/01/mammoth_bones_unearthed_at_ore.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Seahawks Fan Petition Calls for Ban on Seahawks Fan Petitions

http://www.king5.com/story/sports/nfl/seahawks/5th-quarter-blog/2016/01/26/petition-calls-cam-newton-ban-centurylink-field/79339444/

Second Teen Dies after Drinking Racing Fuel Mixed with Mountain Dew

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/01/26/second-teen-dies-after-drinking-racing-fuel-mixed-mountain-dew/79378566/

Woman Finds Cat Wedged in Engine after Trip to Spokane

http://legacy.krem.com/story/news/local/spokane-county/2016/01/24/woman-finds-cat-wedged-engine-after-trip-spokane/79269440/

Man Caught Smuggling Live Birds in 'Groin Area' Aboard Flight to Miami

http://katu.com/news/offbeat/man-caught-smuggling-live-birds-in-groin-area-aboard-flight-to-miami

SONG OF THE DAY

Sarah Vaughan - Lullaby of Birdland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8cFdZyWOOs

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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.