Energy News Digest for February 29, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 29, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1Rfvvxv

Flood Watch for Mason County

http://1.usa.gov/1Rfvvxv

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington State Regulators Withdraw Proposed Carbon-Cap Rule – Industries would have had to reduce emissions 5 percent every 3 years (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/26/regulators-withdraw-proposed-carbon-cap-rule/

Washington State Considers Nation’s First Carbon Emissions Tax (Associated Press)

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CARBON_TAX_WASHINGTON?

Oregon Created a Tax Break for Google Fiber – But Comcast May Be the Big Winner (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2016/02/oregon_created_a_tax_break_for.html

Washington State Turns Up Heat for Victoria Sewage Plant, Eyes Travel Curbs (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/washington+turns+heat+victoria+sewage+plant+eyes+travel+curbs/11749709/story.html

West Coast Sardine Populations, Long Sinking, Look Even Worse in Forecast (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/west-coast-sardine-populations-long-sinking-look-even-worse-in-forecast/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Fukushima Disaster: Ex-Tepco Executives Charged with Negligence
• British Columbia: Ruling on Peace River Dam Protest Camp Expected Today
• Idaho: Heyburn Gets Electrical Upgrades, Higher Bills
• With Monthly Bills Comes Sticker Shock for Many Snohomish PUD Customers
• British Columbia: BC Hydro Seeks Four Per Cent Interim Rate Hike
• APPA-Supported Bill to Fix Key Power Law Advances
• US Warns of Mosul Dam Collapse in Northern Iraq
• West Coast Sardine Populations, Long Sinking, Look Even Worse in Forecast
• Summer, Fall Salmon Season Planning Begins Tuesday
• Whales with a Dam Problem
• Monarch Butterfly Migration Rebounds, Easing Some Fears
• Washington State Turns Up Heat for Victoria Sewage Plant, Eyes Travel Curbs
• Good News, Bad News for Kitsap Streams
• Grays Harbor PUD & City of Hoquiam Remove Harbor Paper Water
• A Dirty Secret: Side Sewers Can Become a Homeowner’s Nightmare
• No Appeal on Challenge to Federal Plan to Limit Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay
• Oregon: With Newport Facility in Sight, Wave Energy Prepares for $1 Million Win in Salem
• Wind Power Will Soon Surpass Hydro as the Largest Source of Clean Energy in the U-S
• Buffett: Wind & Solar Power Competition Challenges Utilities
• Lots of LEDs Mean Lots of Questions
• Would Out-Of-State Money Help or Hurt Washington State’s Pot Industry?
• Pot Is Power Hungry: Why the Marijuana Industry’s Energy Footprint Is Growing
• Washington State Regulators Withdraw Proposed Carbon-Cap Rule
• Washington State Considers Nation’s First Carbon Emissions Tax
• Voter Initiative Seeks to Puts Price on Carbon
• The Suddenly Urgent Quest to Remove Carbon Dioxide from the Air
• Future Biorefinery in Boardman Will Turn Farm Waste into Renewable Energy
• Oregon Created a Tax Break for Google Fiber – But Comcast May Be the Big Winner
• Kentucky: Google Fiber Thanks Louisville for Pole Attachment Ordinance
• Missouri: AT&T Gave $62,000 to Lawmakers Months before Vote to Limit Muni Broadband
• California: AT&T to Answer for Internet Outages
• Facebook Reactions: What Marketers Need to Know
• Facebook Is Making a Map of Everyone in the World
• Editorial: Don’t Act Yet on Washington State Public Records Act
• Fourth Belfair Shooting Victim Identified
• Mason County Sheriff’s Office Releases Sequence of Belfair Standoff/Homicide/Suicide
• Washington State Officials Preparing for Massive Earthquake Drill
• ‘Super Lice’ Outbreak Hits 25 States, Including Washington State
• Plans for Capitol Lake to Open Up for Public Comment
• Yosemite Landmarks Set to Lose Famous Names in ‘Ugly Divorce’

WORD OF THE DAY

Decalogue • \DECK-uh-log\ • Noun – 1: capitalized: Ten Commandments 2: a basic set of rules carrying binding authority

Here’s My Decalogue

God said to trembling Moses

Now, use them wisely

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Fukushima Disaster: Ex-Tepco Executives Charged with Negligence (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35684098

British Columbia: Ruling on Peace River Dam Protest Camp Expected Today – BC Hydro argues a protest group of local farmers & First Nations is illegal & costing millions (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ruling-on-site-c-protest-camp-expected-today-1.3468959?cmp=rss

Idaho: Heyburn Gets Electrical Upgrades, Higher Bills (Twin Falls Times News, ID)

http://magicvalley.com/news/local/mini-cassia/heyburn-gets-electrical-upgrades-higher-bills/article_3e89790b-47ce-5a8d-bdb2-6f9a542c4344.html

With Monthly Bills Comes Sticker Shock for Many Snohomish PUD Customers (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20160228/NEWS01/160229221

British Columbia: BC Hydro Seeks Four Per Cent Interim Rate Hike (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/b-c-hydro-seeks-four-per-cent-interim-rate-hike-1.2185444

APPA-Supported Bill to Fix Key Power Law Advances (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=45315

US Warns of Mosul Dam Collapse in Northern Iraq (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35690616

FISH & WILDLIFE

West Coast Sardine Populations, Long Sinking, Look Even Worse in Forecast (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/west-coast-sardine-populations-long-sinking-look-even-worse-in-forecast/

Summer, Fall Salmon Season Planning Begins Tuesday (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/26/summer-fall-salmon-season-planning-begins-tuesday/

Whales with a Dam Problem (One Earth)

http://www.onearth.org/earthwire/southern-resident-orcas-salmon-lower-snake-river-dams

Monarch Butterfly Migration Rebounds, Easing Some Fears (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/28/world/americas/monarch-butterfly-migration-rebounds-easing-some-fears.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Washington State Turns Up Heat for Victoria Sewage Plant, Eyes Travel Curbs (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/washington+turns+heat+victoria+sewage+plant+eyes+travel+curbs/11749709/story.html

Good News, Bad News for Kitsap Streams (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/good-news-bad-news-for-kitsap-streams-2ca0add1-de60-1708-e053-0100007fdf1e-370396931.html?d=mobile

Grays Harbor PUD & City of Hoquiam Remove Harbor Paper Water (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

https://kxro.wordpress.com/2016/02/26/pud-and-city-of-hoquiam-remove-harbor-paper-water-2/

A Dirty Secret: Side Sewers Can Become a Homeowner’s Nightmare (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/a-dirty-secret-side-sewers-can-become-a-homeowners-nightmare/

No Appeal on Challenge to Federal Plan to Limit Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-02-29/high-court-rejects-challenge-to-chesapeake-bay-cleanup-plan

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Oregon: With Newport Facility in Sight, Wave Energy Prepares for $1 Million Win in Salem (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/02/with-newport-facility-in-site-wave-energy-prepares.html

Wind Power Will Soon Surpass Hydro as the Largest Source of Clean Energy in the U-S (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2016/02/wind-power-will-soon-surpass-hydro-as-the-largest-source-of-clean-energy-in-the-us.html

Buffett: Wind & Solar Power Competition Challenges Utilities (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-27/buffett-wind-and-solar-power-competition-challenges-utilities

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Lots of LEDs Mean Lots of Questions (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/lots-of-leds-mean-lots-of-questions/89800

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Would Out-Of-State Money Help or Hurt Washington State’s Pot Industry? (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/out-of-staters-may-get-ok-to-invest-in-washingtons-pot-industry/

Pot Is Power Hungry: Why the Marijuana Industry’s Energy Footprint Is Growing (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/27/marijuana-industry-huge-energy-footprint

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Regulators Withdraw Proposed Carbon-Cap Rule – Industries would have had to reduce emissions 5 percent every 3 years (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/26/regulators-withdraw-proposed-carbon-cap-rule/

Washington State Considers Nation’s First Carbon Emissions Tax (Associated Press)

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CARBON_TAX_WASHINGTON?

Voter Initiative Seeks to Puts Price on Carbon (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/voter-initiative-seeks-to-puts-price-on-carbon/article_ebfd2b1f-c406-535c-b4d9-f3302a8ec31c.html

The Suddenly Urgent Quest to Remove Carbon Dioxide from the Air (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/26/weve-reached-the-point-where-we-need-these-bizarre-technologies-to-stop-climate-change/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Future Biorefinery in Boardman Will Turn Farm Waste into Renewable Energy (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/31338798/future-biorefinery-in-boardman-will-turn-farm-waste-into-renewable-energy

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Oregon Created a Tax Break for Google Fiber – But Comcast May Be the Big Winner (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2016/02/oregon_created_a_tax_break_for.html

Kentucky: Google Fiber Thanks Louisville for Pole Attachment Ordinance (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2016/02/26/google-fiber-thanks-louisville-pole-ordinance/81006926/

Missouri: AT&T Gave $62,000 to Lawmakers Months before Vote to Limit Muni Broadband (Ars Technica)

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/02/att-gave-62k-to-lawmakers-months-before-vote-to-limit-muni-broadband/

California: AT&T to Answer for Internet Outages (Mad River Union, Arcata, CA)

http://madriverunion.com/att-to-answer-for-internet-outages/

MARKETING & MEDIA

Facebook Reactions: What Marketers Need to Know (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/facebook-reactions-what-marketers-need-to-know/

Facebook Is Making a Map of Everyone in the World (The Atlantic Magazine)

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/02/facebook-makes-a-new-map-of-everyone-in-the-world/470487/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Editorial: Don’t Act Yet on Washington State Public Records Act – The Public Records Act is under attack once again from public agencies who must abide by it (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/dont-act-yet-on-public-records-act/

GENERAL NEWS

Fourth Belfair Shooting Victim Identified (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/19312

Mason County Sheriff’s Office Releases Sequence of Belfair Standoff/Homicide/Suicide (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/19306

Washington State Officials Preparing for Massive Earthquake Drill (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2923206/Washington-officials-preparing-for-massive-earthquake-drill

‘Super Lice’ Outbreak Hits 25 States, Including Washington State (NY Post)

http://nypost.com/2016/02/26/super-lice-outbreak-hits-25-states/

Plans for Capitol Lake to Open Up for Public Comment (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/article63098202.html

Yosemite Landmarks Set to Lose Famous Names in ‘Ugly Divorce’ (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yosemite-trademarks-idUSKCN0W21G9

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

In An Upset, ‘Spotlight’ Wins Best Picture at Oscars

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/28/in-an-upset-spotlight-wins-best-picture-at-oscars/

Oregon: Shockingly, Salem’s Plan to Unleash 75 Lawn Care Goats on the City Did Not End Well

http://gizmodo.com/shockingly-salems-plan-to-unleash-75-lawncare-goats-on-1761570563

Trolled: Donald Trump Retweets Post with Quote from Mussolini

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/02/28/donald-trump-retweets-post-likening-him-to-mussolini/?smid=tw-nytpolitics&smtyp=cur&_r=2

Washington State Investigating after Salma Hayek’s Dog Found Dead near Yelm

http://www.khq.com/story/31337799/washington-investigating-after-salma-hayeks-dog-found-dead

SONG OF THE DAY

The Kinks – Celluloid Heroes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTJVclgwS5g

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 February 26, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 26, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1S6mD21

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Report: Man Says He Shot Wife, Children in Belfair (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2921384/Deputies-called-to-report-of-4-shot-near-Belfair

Coal, Climate Change Clash in Colstrip – Residents Defend Fuel That Built This Town (Great Falls Tribune, MT)

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2016/02/24/coal-climate-change-clash-colstrip/80878776/

Windstorm Damages Add Up for Avista – Part of Rate Increase Tagged for Storm Expenses (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/feb/24/windstorm-damages-add-up-for-avista/

These States Are Setting Wind Energy Records – And Suing over Obama’s Climate Plans (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/25/these-states-are-adding-tons-of-wind-energy-and-suing-over-obamas-climate-plans/

AT&T Sues Louisville over ‘Google Fiber’ Proposal – Decries Use of Its Poles by Other Service Providers (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2016/02/25/att-sues-louisville-google-fiber-proposal/80955724/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Coal, Climate Change Clash in Colstrip – Residents Defend Fuel That Built This Town
• Windstorm Damages Add Up for Avista – Part of Rate Increase Tagged for Storm Expenses
• Three Ways Mason PUD 3 is Building a Better Power Grid in Mason County
• British Columbia: Politicians Say BC Hydro is Obscuring Data on Temporary Foreign Workers
• Alaska Co-op Sees Federal Role in Affordable Power
• Mason PUD 3 Commission Cancels March Regular Meetings & Reschedules
• Feds Advise Utilities to Pull Plug on Internet after Ukraine Attack
• Federal Budget for Fiscal 2017 Does Not Raise Idea of Selling TVA
• DC Regulators Reject Exelon-Pepco Deal, But Could Reconsider
• Massachusetts: Attorney General Says Gas Pipeline Vet Could Drain $650,000
• Government & Environment Concerns over Salmon Extinction in Warming Columbia & Snake Rivers
• Colville Tribe Seeks Community Input Concerning Bonneville Power Administration Purchased Properties
• NOAA Fisheries Releases Critical Habitat Designation for Lower Columbia River Coho
• Cantwell Pushes NOAA to Reduce Delays in Approving Hatchery Genetic Management Plans
• Environmentalists Sue for More Rules to Protect Sage Grouse
• The Slowly Fading (But Near Normal) Pacific Northwest Snowpack
• Could El Niño Turn Into a Dud for California?
• These States Are Setting Wind Energy Records – And Suing over Obama’s Climate Plans
• How Utilities & Their Regulators Will Determine the Future of Solar – Washington State is a Long Way from Grid Price Parity
• FERC Chairman: Energy Storage Potential “Game Changer”
• California: Pacific Gas & Electric ‘Far Surpassed’ State Renewable Energy Goal
• The Hidden Genius of Geothermal HVAC Systems
• Scientists Say California Methane Leak Was Biggest Ever In U-S
• EPA Awards Washington State University Students nearly $15,000 for 'TrashWalls' Project Proposal
• AT&T Sues Louisville over ‘Google Fiber’ Proposal – Decries Use of Its Poles by Other Service Providers
• Apple Goes to Court, and FBI Presses Congress to Settle iPhone Privacy Fight
• Old Fire Towers Could Help Broadband Expansion in Northern Wisconsin
• City of Montesano Back On Social Media
• Gorgeous New WPA-Style Posters Celebrate the U-S Energy Revolution
• Yankees Get Lesson in Handling Defeat from Russell Wilson
• Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
• Congressman Reichert Calls for Probe into Health of Aluminum Industry
• Editorial: Governor Kate Brown Doubles Down On Muzzling of Oregon’s No-Coal Plan Critics
• Report: Man Says He Shot Wife, Children in Belfair
• Daytime Traffic Alert for Downtown Shelton – State Route 3 Gas-Line Work Delays Could Last a Month
• Semi-Truck Roll Over Blocks SR 108
• Geocacher Finds Homemade Bombs at Everett Park
• State's Newest Ferry Out of Commission Due to Corrosion
• Resilient Mason County WA – Bouncing Back with Teamwork
• Cowlitz Tribe to Launch Brand, Begin Employee Search for Casino

WORD OF THE DAY

Keelhaul ● /KEEL-hawl/ ● Verb - 1: to haul under the keel of a ship as punishment or torture 2: to rebuke severely.

Word Origin (Merriam Webster) – In the mid-1600s, British monarchs were intent on using their powerful navy to expand their empire. Insubordination was not tolerated, and mutinous sailors were disciplined severely to discourage others from similar rebellion. Keelhauling was one of the worst penalties that could befall a renegade mariner. Although they definitely practiced the gruesome punishment, the British did not invent it—the Dutch did. Keelhaul is a translation of the Dutch word kielhalen, "to haul under the keel of a ship." Even after the practice was banned on European naval vessels in the mid-1800s, the word keelhaul remained in English as a term for a severe scolding.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Coal, Climate Change Clash in Colstrip – Residents Defend Fuel That Built This Town (Great Falls Tribune, MT)

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2016/02/24/coal-climate-change-clash-colstrip/80878776/

Windstorm Damages Add Up for Avista – Part of Rate Increase Tagged for Storm Expenses (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/feb/24/windstorm-damages-add-up-for-avista/

Three Ways Mason PUD 3 is Building a Better Power Grid in Mason County (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0sQPFblyM8

British Columbia: Politicians Say BC Hydro is Obscuring Data on Temporary Foreign Workers (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-hydro-is-obscuring-data-on-temporary-foreign-workers-ndp/article28846604/?cmpid=rss1

Alaska Co-op Sees Federal Role in Affordable Power (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/energy-environment/alaska-co-op-sees-federal-role-in-affordable-power/89742

Mason PUD 3 Commission Cancels March Regular Meetings & Reschedules (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1594

Feds Advise Utilities to Pull Plug on Internet after Ukraine Attack (Washington Times)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feds-advise-utilities-to-pull-plug-on-internet-after-ukraine-attack/article/2584235?custom_click=rss

Federal Budget for Fiscal 2017 Does Not Raise Idea of Selling TVA (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=45298

DC Regulators Reject Exelon-Pepco Deal, But Could Reconsider (Associated Press)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/business/national/dc-regulators-reject-exelon-pepco-deal-but-could-reconsider/article_29cf87d8-b7fd-52cc-af19-76d62a0b4523.html

Massachusetts: Attorney General Says Gas Pipeline Vet Could Drain $650,000 (Boston Herald, MA)

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2016/02/ag_gas_pipeline_vet_could_drain_650g

FISH & WILDLIFE

Government & Environment Concerns over Salmon Extinction in Warming Columbia & Snake Rivers (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/2570-2/

Colville Tribe Seeks Community Input Concerning Bonneville Power Administration Purchased Properties (Tribal Tribune, Nespelem, WA)

http://www.tribaltribune.com/news/article_fffb9958-dc08-11e5-8f3c-cb8f834b7326.html

NOAA Fisheries Releases Critical Habitat Designation for Lower Columbia River Coho (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/436110.aspx

Cantwell Pushes NOAA to Reduce Delays in Approving Hatchery Genetic Management Plans (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/436108.aspx

Environmentalists Sue for More Rules to Protect Sage Grouse (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Environmentalists-sue-for-more-rules-to-protect-6853901.php

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

The Slowly Fading (But Near Normal) Pacific Northwest Snowpack (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-slowly-fading-but-near-normal.html

Could El Niño Turn Into a Dud for California? (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article62463397.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

These States Are Setting Wind Energy Records – And Suing over Obama’s Climate Plans (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/25/these-states-are-adding-tons-of-wind-energy-and-suing-over-obamas-climate-plans/

How Utilities & Their Regulators Will Determine the Future of Solar – Washington State is a Long Way from Grid Price Parity (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/how-utilities-and-their-regulators-will-determine-the-future-of-solar/

FERC Chairman: Energy Storage Potential “Game Changer” (Fuelfix)

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2016/02/25/ferc-chairman-energy-storage-potential-game-changer/

California: Pacific Gas & Electric ‘Far Surpassed’ State Renewable Energy Goal (Solar Industry Magazine)

http://solarindustrymag.com/pge-far-surpassed-state-renewable-energy-goal

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

The Hidden Genius of Geothermal HVAC Systems (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2016/02/the-hidden-genius-of-geothermal-hvac-systems.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Scientists Say California Methane Leak Was Biggest Ever In U-S (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-methane-idUSKCN0VY2QY

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

EPA Awards Washington State University Students nearly $15,000 for 'TrashWalls' Project Proposal (Utility Dive)

http://www.wastedive.com/news/epa-awards-college-students-nearly-15k-for-trashwalls-project-proposal/414436/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AT&T Sues Louisville over ‘Google Fiber’ Proposal – Decries Use of Its Poles by Other Service Providers (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2016/02/25/att-sues-louisville-google-fiber-proposal/80955724/

Apple Goes to Court, and FBI Presses Congress to Settle iPhone Privacy Fight (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/26/technology/apple-unlock-iphone-fbi-san-bernardino-brief.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Old Fire Towers Could Help Broadband Expansion in Northern Wisconsin (Wisconsin Public Radio)

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/3954601-old-fire-towers-could-help-broadband-expansion-northern-wisconsin

MARKETING & MEDIA

City of Montesano Back On Social Media (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/city-montesano-back-social-media

Gorgeous New WPA-Style Posters Celebrate the U-S Energy Revolution (Vox)

http://www.vox.com/2016/2/24/11107908/department-of-energy-posters

Yankees Get Lesson in Handling Defeat from Russell Wilson (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/sports/nfl/seahawks/2016/02/22/yankees-get-lesson-handling-defeat-russell-wilson/80768048/

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/02/26/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-323/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Congressman Reichert Calls for Probe into Health of Aluminum Industry (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/2567-2/

Editorial: Governor Kate Brown Doubles Down On Muzzling of Oregon’s No-Coal Plan Critics (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/02/kate_brown_doubles_down_on_muz.html

GENERAL NEWS

Report: Man Says He Shot Wife, Children in Belfair (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2921384/Deputies-called-to-report-of-4-shot-near-Belfair

Daytime Traffic Alert for Downtown Shelton – State Route 3 Gas-Line Work Delays Could Last a Month (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26914-traffic-alert-state-route-3-gas-line-work-delays-could-last-a-month

Semi-Truck Roll Over Blocks SR 108 (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/semi-truck-roll-blocks-sr-108/

Geocacher Finds Homemade Bombs at Everett Park (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/everett/2016/02/25/geocacher-finds-homemade-bombs-everett-park/80957266/

State's Newest Ferry Out of Commission Due to Corrosion (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2016/02/25/wsf-ferry-samish-out-commission-due-corrosion/80954090/

Resilient Mason County WA – Bouncing Back with Teamwork (Tazdo Consulting)

http://tadzoconsulting.blogspot.com/2016/02/resilient-mason-county-wa-bouncing-back.html?spref=fb&m=1

Cowlitz Tribe to Launch Brand, Begin Employee Search for Casino (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-tribe-to-launch-brand-begin-employee-search-for-casino/article_5f4c4d55-c0d9-5a23-98c3-266207d44474.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Canadian Banned From Owning Turtles after Smuggling 38 in Pants

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-crime-turtles-idUSKCN0VY2RF

Police Arrest Man Who Taunted Them Online, Taunt Him Back

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/police-arrest-man-who-taunted-them-online-taunt-him-back/article_6c3dc3b6-09af-5888-a0a5-d479d538d37e.html

Gnome Homes Enchant a Pennsylvania Park, Until They’re Evicted

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/27/us/gnomes-harrisburg-park.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Five Things You Didn't Know About Leap Day

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/02/26/leap-day-february-29-calendar/80618064/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Cowsills - The Rain, the Park & Other Things

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsqlAGsPkY0

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 February 25, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 25, 2016

http://tinyurl.com/h68vcvc

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Montana: Hungry Horse Dam Project Could Cost $200 Million
• Argument Analysis: Will the New FERC Case before the U-S Supreme Court Turn Out to be Easy?
• New Agreement Sparks Hope for Ferndale Smelter’s Future
• John Janney Named New CFO at Grant PUD
• Montesano Has New CFO – Doug Streeter from Grays Harbor PUD
• Oregon: Columbia River PUD Recall Fails
• Centralia Utilities Phone Scam
• Mystery of Why Oregon Occupiers' Power Wasn't Cut Is Solved
• Former CIA Director Warns of Nuclear-Generated Electromagnetic Pulse Attack
• Wastewater Entering Puget Sound Contains Drugs like Prozac
• Groups Ask for Emergency Measures to Protect Columbia/Snake River Salmon Runs
• Oregon: Sea Lions Take Over Rainier City Dock
• Oregon: Detroit Lake Is 35 Feet Higher than Last Year
• Why Utilities Want to Eliminate Coal & Double Renewables in Oregon
• County, City to Purchase Solar Panels from Missoula Electric Cooperative
• Your Home Water Heater May Soon Double as a Battery
• Facebook Deletes Pages of Pot Shops in Washington State
• Carbon-Tax Initiative’s Backers Say It’s Flawed, Needs Legislative Fix
• Op/Ed: Don’t Give Oregon’s Utilities Monopoly Authority over EV Charging
• Made in Seattle: New Device Speeds Up Data Center Openings
• 'Wow': Facebook Launches 'Reactions' Worldwide
• Mason County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Runaway Teen in Shelton
• Shelton City Commissioners Divided on Construction Fee Reduction Plan – “Growth Should Pay for Growth”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Montana: Hungry Horse Dam Project Could Cost $200 Million (The Daily Interlake, Kalispell, MT)
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/members/dam-project-could-cost-million/article_6fd66a00-db64-11e5-846a-d32edff326e9.html

Argument Analysis: Will the New FERC Case before the U-S Supreme Court Turn Out to be Easy? (SCOTUS Blog)

http://www.scotusblog.com/2016/02/argument-analysis-will-the-new-ferc-case-turn-out-to-be-easy/

New Agreement Sparks Hope for Ferndale Smelter’s Future (KGMI Radio, Bellingham, WA)

http://kgmi.com/news/007700-ferndale-alcoas-intalco-smelter-may-be-staying-open/

John Janney Named New CFO at Grant PUD (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/community/john-janney-named-new-cfo-at-grant-pud/article_64848ca4-da97-11e5-8d8c-7b3f5c8e7fc2.html

Montesano Has New CFO – Doug Streeter from Grays Harbor PUD (KXRO-Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/montesano-new-cfo/

Oregon: Columbia River PUD Recall Fails (St Helens Chronicle, OR)

http://m.thechronicleonline.com/news/crpud-recall-fails/article_06091930-da90-11e5-8c7e-f707409248b7.html?mode=jqm

Centralia Utilities Phone Scam (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2016/02/centralia-utilities-phone-scam-kela.html

Mystery of Why Oregon Occupiers' Power Wasn't Cut Is Solved (E&E Publishing)

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060032910

Former CIA Director Warns of Nuclear-Generated Electromagnetic Pulse Attack (PJ Media)

https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/2016/02/22/former-cia-director-warns-of-nuclear-generated-electromagnetic-pulse-attack/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Wastewater Entering Puget Sound Contains Drugs like Prozac (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2016/02/24/wastewater-entering-puget-sound-contains-drugs-like-prozac/80866726/

Groups Ask for Emergency Measures to Protect Columbia/Snake River Salmon Runs (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20160224/groups-ask-for-emergency-measures-to-protect-salmon-runs

Oregon: Sea Lions Take Over Rainier City Dock (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/local/sea-lions-take-over-rainiers-city-dock/55233358

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oregon: Detroit Lake Is 35 Feet Higher than Last Year (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2016/02/24/detroit-lake-is-35-feet-higher-than-last-year/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Why Utilities Want to Eliminate Coal & Double Renewables in Oregon (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/02/why-the-utilities-want-to-eliminate-coal-and.html

County, City to Purchase Solar Panels from Missoula Electric Cooperative (The Missoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/county-city-to-purchase-solar-panels-from-missoula-electric-cooperative/article_90488890-f3e9-5bac-9667-a62b74c826b9.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Your Home Water Heater May Soon Double as a Battery (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/24/the-secret-power-of-your-most-boring-home-appliance/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Facebook Deletes Pages of Pot Shops in Washington State (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/31309658/facebook-deletes-pages-of-pot-shops-in-washington-state

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Carbon-Tax Initiative’s Backers Say It’s Flawed, Needs Legislative Fix (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/carbon-tax-initiative-flawed-needs-legislative-fix-say-backers/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Op/Ed: Don’t Give Oregon’s Utilities Monopoly Authority over EV Charging (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/02/don-t-give-oregon-s-utilities-monopoly-authority.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Made in Seattle: New Device Speeds Up Data Center Openings (Puget Sound Business Journal, Seattle, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2016/02/made-in-seattle-new-device-speeds-up-data-center.html

MARKETING & MEDIA

'Wow': Facebook Launches 'Reactions' Worldwide (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-reactions-idUSKCN0VX1L7

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Runaway Teen in Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26900-mason-sheriff-s-office-seeks-runway-teen-in-shelton

Shelton City Commissioners Divided on Construction Fee Reduction Plan – “Growth Should Pay for Growth” (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26876-city-commissioners-divided-on-construction-fee-reduction-plan

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST BLOG & 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 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.