Energy News Digest for December 29, 2017

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Best Wishes on a Wonderful 2018:

Time circles the drain

Pleasant memories remain

Flush bad ones away

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 29, 2017

There’s a Special Weather Statement for windy conditions. Mason County may generally see gusty winds up to 30 MPH, with stronger gusts to 45 MPH this afternoon.

A Gale Watch will be in place tonight through tomorrow for the inland waters of Puget Sound and Hood Canal. Wind gusts between 29 and 40 MPH are forecast.

Because of heavy rain through tonight, a Flood Watch is in effect for the Skokomish River.

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Editorial: Columbia River Treaty a Rising Test – Modernizing Deal with Canada Can Reshape Lifestyles in the Pacific Northwest (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/dec/29/in-our-view-river-treaty-a-rising-test/

California: Portland Firm Wants to Build 100-Turbine Wind Project near Burney (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

http://www.redding.com/story/news/2017/12/28/portland-firm-wants-build-100-turbine-wind-project-california/975861001/

Alaska: Chugach Electric Association to Halt Kenai Peninsula Dam Study after Public Outcry (Luxora Leader)

https://luxoraleader.com/utility-to-halt-kenai-peninsula-dam-study-after-public-outcry/314591/

New Wireless Broadband Network Coming to Washington State (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2017/12/28/new-wireless-broadband-network-coming-to-washington/

How Climate Change Deniers Rise to the Top in Google Searches (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/climate/google-search-climate-change.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Editorial: Columbia River Treaty a Rising Test – Modernizing Deal with Canada Can Reshape Lifestyles in the Pacific Northwest
• Alaska: Chugach Electric Association to Halt Kenai Peninsula Dam Study after Public Outcry
• Western Area Power Administration Celebrates 40 years Of Service to the U-S
• Lewis County PUD Gets Clean Audit on Financial Statements
• Bonneville Power Administration Video Captures 2017 Challenges & Achievements
• The Long Wait for Fusion Power May Be Coming to an End
• What Can We Do about Bitcoin’s Enormous Energy Consumption?
• Opinion: Fate of the Pacific Northwest’s Largest Energy Provider May Decide Future of Salmon
• California: Portland Firm Wants to Build 100-Turbine Wind Project near Burney
• Why Coal-Rich Wyoming Is Investing Big in Wind Power
• Florida: Tallahassee Solar Farm Set to Go Live, Light Up Thousands of Homes
• Smart Homes Not Just for Tech Geeks Anymore
• How to Keep Your Smartened-Up Home Safe from Hackers
• Try These Simple Home Energy-Saving Tips to Save Money
• ‘Cannabis Will Be Everywhere’: California Towns Scramble to Prepare for Legal Marijuana Jan. 1
• How Climate Change Deniers Rise to the Top in Google Searches
• Number of Electric Vehicle Charging Points to Rise Significantly in 2018
• What Is the Point of a Solar Road?
• New Wireless Broadband Network Coming to Washington State
• Apple Apologizes for ‘Misunderstanding’ over Batterygate
• Cord Cutters Likely to Have Even More Streaming Choices in 2018
• Popular Chrome Extension Is Secretly Mining Cryptocurrency
• That Game on Your Phone May Be Tracking What You’re Watching on TV
• Washington State Voters Will Likely Get to Weigh in on Police Deadly Force
• Last-Minute Rush to Prepay Taxes Gives Way to Confusion & Anger
• President Trump Targets Amazon in Call for Postal Service to Hike Prices
• Seasonal Influenza: One Mason County Death
• For Seattle Area: Rain, Wind and Then a Dry New Year’s Eve
• It's So Cold in the U-S & Canada That Windows Are Breaking. There's No End in Sight
• Shelton Home Burglary Suspect Taken into Custody
• Scammers Using Court Info to Trick Callers

WORD OF THE DAY

Prehensile • \pre-HEN-sill\ • adjective – *1: adapted for seizing or grasping especially by wrapping around 2: gifted with mental grasp or moral or aesthetic perception

Alberto was mesmerized by his New Year’s Eve blind date. On one hand, he was repulsed by her chewing tobacco habit> He found her ability to toss back a mug of beer by using her prehensile toes was wildly attractive.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Editorial: Columbia River Treaty a Rising Test – Modernizing Deal with Canada Can Reshape Lifestyles in the Pacific Northwest (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/dec/29/in-our-view-river-treaty-a-rising-test/

Alaska: Chugach Electric Association to Halt Kenai Peninsula Dam Study after Public Outcry (Luxora Leader)

https://luxoraleader.com/utility-to-halt-kenai-peninsula-dam-study-after-public-outcry/314591/

Western Area Power Administration Celebrates 40 years Of Service to the U-S (Breaking Energy)

https://breakingenergy.com/2017/12/29/doe-agency-celebrates-40-years-of-service-to-america/

Lewis County PUD Gets Clean Audit on Financial Statements (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://www.chronline.com/news/lewis-county-pud-gets-clean-audit-on-financial-statements/article_7b42dfe2-e795-11e7-8e29-0f7247365074.html

Bonneville Power Administration Video Captures 2017 Challenges & Achievements (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-video-captures-2017-challenges-and-achievements.aspx

The Long Wait for Fusion Power May Be Coming to an End (NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/long-wait-fusion-power-may-be-coming-end-ncna833251

What Can We Do about Bitcoin’s Enormous Energy Consumption? (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/40503695/what-can-we-do-about-bitcoins-enormous-energy-consumption

FISH & WILDLIFE

Opinion: Fate of the Pacific Northwest’s Largest Energy Provider May Decide Future of Salmon (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/letters-from-the-west/article192037249.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

California: Portland Firm Wants to Build 100-Turbine Wind Project near Burney (Redding Record-Searchlight, CA)

http://www.redding.com/story/news/2017/12/28/portland-firm-wants-build-100-turbine-wind-project-california/975861001/

Why Coal-Rich Wyoming Is Investing Big in Wind Power (Christian Science Monitor)

https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2017/1229/Why-coal-rich-Wyoming-is-investing-big-in-wind-power

Florida: Tallahassee Solar Farm Set to Go Live, Light Up Thousands of Homes (Tallahassee Democrat, FL)

http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2017/12/29/tallahassee-solar-farm-set-go-live-light-up-thousands-homes/984263001/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Smart Homes Not Just for Tech Geeks Anymore (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/28/smart-homes-not-just-for-tech-geeks-anymore/#/0

How to Keep Your Smartened-Up Home Safe from Hackers (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/smartened-home-safe-hackers-52031995

Try These Simple Home Energy-Saving Tips to Save Money (CheatSheet)

https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/try-these-simple-home-energy-saving-tips-to-save-money.html/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

‘Cannabis Will Be Everywhere’: California Towns Scramble to Prepare for Legal Marijuana Jan. 1 (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/classic-apps/cannabis-will-be-everywhere-california-towns-scramble-to-prepare-for-legal-marijuana-on-jan-1/2017/12/27/096c8dce-d90c-11e7-b1a8-62589434a581_story.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

How Climate Change Deniers Rise to the Top in Google Searches (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/climate/google-search-climate-change.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Number of Electric Vehicle Charging Points to Rise Significantly in 2018 (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/energy/2017/12/29/number-electric-vehicle-charging-points-rise-significantly-2018/987699001/

What Is the Point of a Solar Road? (Slate Magazine)

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2017/12/solar_roads_are_almost_definitely_not_the_future.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

New Wireless Broadband Network Coming to Washington State (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2017/12/28/new-wireless-broadband-network-coming-to-washington/

Apple Apologizes for ‘Misunderstanding’ over Batterygate (Triad Business Journal)

https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2017/12/29/apple-apologizes-for-misunderstanding-over.html

Cord Cutters Likely to Have Even More Streaming Choices in 2018 (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/12/28/cord-cutters-likely-have-even-more-choices-2018-year-streaming-video/908563001/

Popular Chrome Extension Is Secretly Mining Cryptocurrency (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2017/12/29/chrome-extension-cryptojacking/#vox6oyww3sq7

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

That Game on Your Phone May Be Tracking What You’re Watching on TV (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/28/business/media/alphonso-app-tracking.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Washington State Voters Will Likely Get to Weigh in on Police Deadly Force (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/washington-voters-will-likely-get-weigh-police-deadly-force

Last-Minute Rush to Prepay Taxes Gives Way to Confusion & Anger (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/28/business/economy/irs-prepay-property-tax.html

President Trump Targets Amazon in Call for Postal Service to Hike Prices (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-amazon-com/trump-targets-amazon-in-call-for-postal-service-to-hike-prices-idUSKBN1EN15O

GENERAL NEWS

Seasonal Influenza: One Mason County Death (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/28621

For Seattle Area: Rain, Wind and Then a Dry New Year’s Eve (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/for-seattle-area-rain-wind-and-then-a-dry-new-years-eve/

It's So Cold in the U-S & Canada That Windows Are Breaking. There's No End in Sight (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2017/12/28/arctic-blast-record-cold-us-canada-frigid-new-year/#WD9aDGddjPqw

Shelton Home Burglary Suspect Taken into Custody (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/28610

Scammers Using Court Info to Trick Callers (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.kpq.com/scammers-using-court-info-trick-callers/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Need A Reminder You're Going to Die? The WeCroak App Can Help.

http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/wecroak-app-death-ian-thomas-hansa-bergwall-dying-12442236.php

Will We Get a Sad Poo Emoji? Well, There's a Process

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/smiling-poop-emoji-process-52039827

People in These Cities, Countries Took the Most Steps in 2017, Fitbit Says

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/12/29/people-these-cities-countries-took-most-steps-2017-fitbit-says/990152001/

Should Be Easy to Spot: Cops Nab Escaped Inmate with Skull Face Tattoo after Weeks on Run

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cops-nab-escaped-inmate-face-tattoo-weeks-run-181717251.html

SONG OF THE DAY

A Mighty Wind is Blowin' – A Mighty Wind (Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVh0Iq_85aw

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for December 28, 2017

Occasionally clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 28, 2017

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Higher Energy Costs Accompany Bitter Cold Snap in U-S (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/28/higher-energy-costs-accompany-bitter-cold-snap-in-/

Analysts Blame Tesla after Solar Installations Fall Sharply Nationwide (Pacific Business News, HI)

https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2017/12/28/tesla-solar-installations-fall-solarcity-tsla.html

Op/Ed: Rep Drew MacEwen – Washington State Can Have Energy Independence without Economic Damage from Carbon Tax (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/article191762864.html

Trio of Net Neutrality Challenges Coming from Washington State (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/855007/neutrality-challenges-coming/?

British Columbia Supreme Court Grants Injunction against Fish Farm Protesters (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/marine-harvest-injunction-granted-dec-2017-1.4465928?cmp=rss

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Higher Energy Costs Accompany Bitter Cold Snap in U-S
• Utility Workers, Feds Ready Major New Push to Fix Puerto Rico's Grid
• Power Restored at Disneyland after Outage Halts Rides
• Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line – Extending a Hand
• Tillamook Transmission Line Proposal Meets with Controversy
• Wyoming: Lower Valley Energy Energizes Buried Lines Connecting Town of Teton Village
• PUD 1 Power Outage Planned for Part of Mason County
• Bonneville Power Administration Celebrates Formation of New Tribal Utility
• National Grid Seeks Permit to Bring Canadian Power to Northeast U-S
• British Columbia Supreme Court Grants Injunction against Fish Farm Protesters
• Audio: How Fishermen Are Faring in Washington Months after Atlantic Salmon Spill
• Washington State Bill Could Provide Economic Assistance from Marbled Murrelet Protections
• Coyotes Are Colonizing Cities. Step Forward the Urban Hunter.
• Private-Public Partnership for Conservation: Examples from Oregon, Hawaii, & Maine
• Analysts Blame Tesla after Solar Installations Fall Sharply Nationwide
• Electric Heat Pumps Are Key to Low-Carbon Homes and Buildings
• California Marijuana Start-Ups, Shut Out from Banks, Turn to Private Backing
• Op/Ed: Rep Drew MacEwen – Washington State Can Have Energy Independence without Economic Damage from Carbon Tax
• Video Gaming Disorder Could Soon Be Recognized by the World Health Organization
• Trio of Net Neutrality Challenges Coming from Washington State
• Where Were Netflix & Google in the Net-Neutrality Fight?
• Now That The FCC Is Doing Away with Title II for Broadband, Will Verizon Give Back Taxpayer Subsidies It Got Under Title II?
• How to Repurpose Blog Content into Short-Form Social Media Updates
• Instagram: Here’s How to Tag Someone in a Story Post
• The Library of Congress No Longer Wants All the Tweets
• IRS Says Many Who Prepaid Property Taxes May Still Face Cap on Deductions
• Clark County Treasurer: No, You Can’t Pay Property Tax Early
• Rain Returns to the Lowlands, Heavy Snow Makes Travel Tough over Mountain Passes
• Mason County Unemployment Rises
• Census Data Highlights Pacific Northwest Population Growth
• Repairs on Capitol Lake Dam to Start Next Week
• Here's What Alexa Users Asked Most Over the Holidays

WORD OF THE DAY

Hassock • \HASS-uck\ • noun - 1: a cushion for kneeling b: a padded cushion or low stool that serves as a seat or leg rest

Corpulent Casper Gutman ponderously waddled across the room. The long tube tied to his water pipe wobbled like an obscene umbilical cord as he drew grey, swirling smoke from the bowl on the many-faceted contraption through its length. He grunted heavily as he backed into his overstuffed chair, the tassel on his canted fez draped across one ear. Only the dark, heavy, leather hassock protected his dainty, beslippered feet from the desecration of touching the floor. “Now,” he rasped to the impatient Sam Spade, “I assume you are here to speak with me about ‘the bird’.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Higher Energy Costs Accompany Bitter Cold Snap in U-S (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/28/higher-energy-costs-accompany-bitter-cold-snap-in-/

Utility Workers, Feds Ready Major New Push to Fix Puerto Rico's Grid (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/utility-workers-feds-ready-major-new-push-to-fix-puerto-ricos-grid/article/2644466

Power Restored at Disneyland after Outage Halts Rides (CNN)

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/27/us/california-disneyland-outage/index.html

Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line – Extending a Hand (Baker City Herald, OR)

http://www.bakercityherald.com/news/5872443-151/extending-a-hand

Tillamook Transmission Line Proposal Meets with Controversy (Capital Press)

http://www.capitalpress.com/Oregon/20171227/tillamook-transmission-line-proposal-meets-with-controversy

Wyoming: Lower Valley Energy Energizes Buried Lines Connecting Town of Teton Village (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/wyoming/articles/2017-12-28/wyoming-utility-energizes-buried-lines-connecting-town

PUD 1 Power Outage Planned for Part of Mason County (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article191828094.html

Bonneville Power Administration Celebrates Formation of New Tribal Utility (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-celebrates-formation-of-new-tribal-utility.aspx

National Grid Seeks Permit to Bring Canadian Power to Northeast U-S (Associated Press)

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/national-grid-seeks-permit-to-bring-canadian-power-to-us/

FISH & WILDLIFE

British Columbia Supreme Court Grants Injunction against Fish Farm Protesters (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/marine-harvest-injunction-granted-dec-2017-1.4465928?cmp=rss

Audio: How Fishermen Are Faring in Washington Months after Atlantic Salmon Spill (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2017/12/27/573870570/how-fisherman-are-faring-in-washington-months-after-salmon-spill

Washington State Bill Could Provide Economic Assistance from Marbled Murrelet Protections (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/bill-provide-economic-assistance-marbled-murrelet-protections/

Coyotes Are Colonizing Cities. Step Forward the Urban Hunter. (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/26/us/coyotes-are-colonizing-cities-step-forward-the-urban-hunter.html

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

Private-Public Partnership for Conservation: Examples from Oregon, Hawaii, & Maine (Atlantic Magazine)

https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2017/12/private-public-partnership-for-conservation-examples-from-oregon-hawaii-and-maine/549161/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Analysts Blame Tesla after Solar Installations Fall Sharply Nationwide (Pacific Business News, HI)

https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2017/12/28/tesla-solar-installations-fall-solarcity-tsla.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Electric Heat Pumps Are Key to Low-Carbon Homes and Buildings (The Energy Collective)

http://www.theenergycollective.com/pembina/2418798/electric-heat-pumps-key-low-carbon-homes-buildings

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

California Marijuana Start-Ups, Shut Out from Banks, Turn to Private Backing (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/business/smallbusiness/california-marijuana-start-ups.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Op/Ed: Rep Drew MacEwen – Washington State Can Have Energy Independence without Economic Damage from Carbon Tax (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/article191762864.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Video Gaming Disorder Could Soon Be Recognized by the World Health Organization (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2017/12/27/video-gaming-disorder-could-soon-recognized-world-health-organization/985069001/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Trio of Net Neutrality Challenges Coming from Washington State (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/855007/neutrality-challenges-coming/?

Where Were Netflix & Google in the Net-Neutrality Fight? (Atlantic Magazine)

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/12/netflix-google-net-neutrality/548768/

Now That The FCC Is Doing Away with Title II for Broadband, Will Verizon Give Back Taxpayer Subsidies It Got Under Title II? (TechDirt)

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20171219/17150338850/now-that-fcc-is-doing-away-with-title-ii-broadband-will-verizon-give-back-taxpayer-subsidies-it-got-under-title-ii.shtml

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

How to Repurpose Blog Content into Short-Form Social Media Updates (Social Media Examiner)

https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-repurpose-blog-content-into-short-form-social-media-updates/

Instagram: Here’s How to Tag Someone in a Story Post (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/digital/instagram-heres-how-to-tag-someone-in-a-story-post/

The Library of Congress No Longer Wants All the Tweets (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/technology/library-congress-tweets.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

IRS Says Many Who Prepaid Property Taxes May Still Face Cap on Deductions (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/tax-bill-spawns-new-holiday-ritual-waiting-in-line-to-pay-taxes/2017/12/27/1e7ea59a-eb12-11e7-b698-91d4e35920a3_story.html

Clark County Treasurer: No, You Can’t Pay Property Tax Early (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/dec/27/clark-county-treasurer-no-you-cant-pay-property-tax-early/

GENERAL NEWS

Rain Returns to the Lowlands, Heavy Snow Makes Travel Tough over Mountain Passes (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2017/12/28/rain-returns-to-the-lowlands-heavy-snow-makes-travel-tough-over-mountain-passes/

Mason County Unemployment Rises (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/28593

Census Data Highlights Pacific Northwest Population Growth (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/census-data-highlights-pacific-northwest-population-growth

Repairs on Capitol Lake Dam to Start Next Week (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article191351574.html

Here's What Alexa Users Asked Most Over the Holidays (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Here-s-what-Alexa-users-asked-most-over-the-12455852.php

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

This Haircut Was So Bad the Stylist Was Arrested

http://time.com/5081203/bad-haircut-arrest-madison-wisconsin/

Why This Halifax Bus Driver Plays the Ukulele for Passengers

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/ukulele-bus-driver-halifax-transit-1.4458542

Get Bach to Work: Company Orchestras a German Tradition

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/18/get-bach-to-work-company-orchestras-a-german-tradi/

People Are Putting Anti-Bird Spikes on Trees to Protect Their Fancy Cars, & Humanity Has Hit an All-Time Low

http://mashable.com/2017/12/20/anti-bird-spikes-bristol-uk/#m0Yug2gnIsqT

SONG OF THE DAY

Johann Sebastian Bach –Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMNof7QZuGo

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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GET SOCIAL WITH THE NEWS DIGEST

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for December 27, 2017

Occasionally clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 27, 2017

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Tribes, Environmental Groups Likely to Unite Behind Carbon Tax Initiative for 2018 (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article191268499.html

Portland General Electric Rate Hike Shrinks Even Further (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/12/21/pge-rate-hike-shrinks-even-further.html

Why Americans Are Using a Lot Less Water – The average American has cut daily use by 6 gallons (Christian Science Monitor)

https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2017/1226/Why-Americans-are-using-a-lot-less-water

Starfish Making West Coast Comeback after Syndrome Killed Millions (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/starfish-making-west-coast-comeback-after-syndrome-killed-millions/

Traditional Lightbulbs Set to Vanish from California Store Shelves Starting Jan. 1 (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article191151149.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Portland General Electric Rate Hike Shrinks Even Further
• Idaho Power Scaling Back Plans at Shoshone Falls Facility
• Snohomish PUD Approves Budget – No Planned Increase
• Port Angeles Utility Increase Leaves Electricity Rates Unchanged in 2018
• Eugene Water & Electric Board Water Rate Inching Down; Power Rate Holding Level
• Editorial: A Welcome Step toward New Treaty on Columbia
• New Nuclear Power Plant Gets Thumbs Up from Georgia Regulators
• Utilities Closed Nearly 30 Coal Plants In 2017 Because of Economics. Here Are the Six Most Important
• Could Rate Design Help California’s Struggle with Flat Demand?
• Power Prices Go Negative in Germany, a Positive for Energy Users
• In Pakistan, Questions Raised over GE’s Flagship Power Turbines
• Starfish Making West Coast Comeback after Syndrome Killed Millions
• Invasive ‘Devil Fish’ Make It to Washington State’s Lake Roosevelt
• California Salmon Lose Way after Ride Downstream in Drought
• Commercial Crab Fishing to Open Jan. 15 on the Washington Coast
• Regulators Consider Reducing Pacific Halibut Quota Next Year
• Salmon or Trout: What the Heck is a Steelhead, Anyway?
• Trump Administration Eases Rule against Killing Migratory Birds
• Why Americans Are Using a Lot Less Water – The average American has cut daily use by 6 gallons
• Photos Show Renewable Energy Took a Beating in Puerto Rico
• Three Offshore Wind Developers Submit Proposals for Massachusetts Target
• Oregon: Council Told Ashland Solar Farm Project Not Feasible
• Is Your Grid Communications Infrastructure Ready For Distributed Energy Resources?
• California ISO Launches Renewable Energy Market Report
• Traditional Lightbulbs Set to Vanish from California Store Shelves Starting Jan. 1
• Walla Walla Recognized in Nationwide Competition for Reduction of Energy Use
• Breaking Down the Regulatory Differences among West Coast Cannabis Markets
• Tribes, Environmental Groups Likely to Unite Behind Carbon Tax Initiative for 2018
• Tesla’s Enormous Battery in Australia Is Responding to Outages in Record Time
• The Smart Home Is Officially Here, As Proven by Popular Holiday Gifts
• Governors Inslee & Brown Announce Decision to Opt-In to FirstNet
• Bitcoin Miners Placed on Notice by Chelan PUD
• Bitcoin Goes on a Wild Ride: It May Only Get Crazier
• More Apple iPhone Owners Sue over Software to Slow Older Phones
• Wire the Wilderness? As Cell Service Expands, National Parks Become the Latest Digital Battlegrounds
• Why ‘Secure’ Isn’t Secure Enough in the Utilities Sector
• A Cute Toy Just Brought a Hacker into Your Home
• Yes, More Facebook Friends Are Asking You for Money
• Obama to Prince Harry: Leaders Must Use Care on Social Media
• New Year Brings Higher Minimum Wage, & Paid Sick Leave for Washington Workers
• Behind Seattle’s Government Spending Spree: A Deluge of Taxes, Six-Figure Pay & Officials Eager to Do More
• Will This Mean Flu for You? Neighboring States Showing Widespread Outbreaks
• Weather Service Predicts La Nina Conditions Will Persist Through the Winter; Colder, Wetter
• Washington State Officials Were Planning to Euthanize Wildlife Rescue’s Eleven Fawns; Then Donate Them to Wolf Haven
• Whale-Watching Week Begins at the Oregon Coast
• Navigation Apps Are Turning Quiet Neighborhoods into Traffic Nightmares
• Why People Really Want to Move to Idaho but Are Fleeing Its Neighbor, Wyoming

WORD OF THE DAY

Peripatetic • \pare-uh-pah-TET-tick\ adjective • - Of, relating to, or given to walking b: moving or traveling from place to place

The evening’s peripatetic presentation by the economics professor caused a rush on massage and chiropractic treatment the following morning. Seems his back and forth roaming on stage was more energetic than a Wimbledon tennis volley as the attendees tried in vain to crane their necks left and right to keep up with his pace.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Portland General Electric Rate Hike Shrinks Even Further (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/12/21/pge-rate-hike-shrinks-even-further.html

Idaho Power Scaling Back Plans at Shoshone Falls Facility (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/21/idaho-power-scaling-back-plans-at-shoshone-falls-f/

Snohomish PUD Approves Budget – No Planned Increase (Stanwood Camano News, WA)

https://www.scnews.com/news/article_5790a5cc-e757-11e7-9136-9f4c9f6e4938.html

Port Angeles Utility Increase Leaves Electricity Rates Unchanged in 2018 (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/port-angeles-utility-increase-leaves-electricity-rates-unchanged-in-2018/

Eugene Water & Electric Board Water Rate Inching Down; Power Rate Holding Level (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/36272870-75/eugene-water--electric-board-water-rate-inching-down-power-rate-holding-level.html.csp

Editorial: A Welcome Step toward New Treaty on Columbia (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/editorials/a-welcome-step-toward-new-treaty-on-columbia/article_bb7737da-e6a9-11e7-a5b1-1325cd0f3ba5.html

New Nuclear Power Plant Gets Thumbs Up from Georgia Regulators (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/new-nuclear-power-plant-gets-thumbs-up-from-georgia-regulators/article/2644166

Utilities Closed Nearly 30 Coal Plants In 2017 Because of Economics. Here Are the Six Most Important (The Energy Collective)

http://www.theenergycollective.com/energy-innovation-llc/2418633/utilities-closed-nearly-30-coal-plants-2017-economics-6-important

Could Rate Design Help California’s Struggle with Flat Demand? (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/could-rate-design-help-californias-struggle-with-flat-demand/513234/

Power Prices Go Negative in Germany, a Positive for Energy Users (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/25/business/energy-environment/germany-electricity-negative-prices.html

In Pakistan, Questions Raised over GE’s Flagship Power Turbines (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-generalelectric-pakistan-insight/in-pakistan-questions-raised-over-ges-flagship-power-turbines-idUSKBN1EL0VN

FISH & WILDLIFE

Starfish Making West Coast Comeback after Syndrome Killed Millions (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/starfish-making-west-coast-comeback-after-syndrome-killed-millions/

Invasive ‘Devil Fish’ Make It to Washington State’s Lake Roosevelt (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

http://kuow.org/post/invasive-devil-fish-make-it-washingtons-lake-roosevelt

California Salmon Lose Way after Ride Downstream in Drought (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/california-salmon-lose-way-after-ride-downstream-in-drought/

Commercial Crab Fishing to Open Jan. 15 on the Washington Coast (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/commercial-crab-fishing-open-jan-15-washington-coast/

Regulators Consider Reducing Pacific Halibut Quota Next Year (Associated Press)

http://q13fox.com/2017/12/26/regulators-consider-reducing-pacific-halibut-quota-next-year/

Salmon or Trout: What the Heck is a Steelhead, Anyway? (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/salmon-or-trout-what-the-heck-is-a-steelhead-anyway-1.4461827

Trump Administration Eases Rule against Killing Migratory Birds (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-administration-eases-rule-against-killing-birds/2017/12/26/1be9afe6-ea72-11e7-9f92-10a2203f6c8d_story.html

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Why Americans Are Using a Lot Less Water – The average American has cut daily use by 6 gallons (Christian Science Monitor)

https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2017/1226/Why-Americans-are-using-a-lot-less-water

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Photos Show Renewable Energy Took a Beating in Puerto Rico (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/photos-show-renewable-energy-took-a-beating-in-puerto-rico/article/2644268

Three Offshore Wind Developers Submit Proposals for Massachusetts Target (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/3-offshore-wind-developers-submit-proposals-for-massachusetts-target/513708/

Oregon: Council Told Ashland Solar Farm Project Not Feasible (Ashland Daily Tidings, OR)
http://www.dailytidings.com/news/20171222/council-told-solar-farm-project-not-feasible

Is Your Grid Communications Infrastructure Ready For Distributed Energy Resources? (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/is-your-grid-communications-infrastructure-ready-for-ders/513204/

California ISO Launches Renewable Energy Market Report (Windpower Engineering & Development)

http://www.windpowerengineering.com/business-news-projects/california-iso-launches-renewable-energy-market-report/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Traditional Lightbulbs Set to Vanish from California Store Shelves Starting Jan. 1 (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article191151149.html

Walla Walla Recognized in Nationwide Competition for Reduction of Energy Use (KNDO/KNDU,-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/37101721/walla-walla-recognized-in-nationwide-competition-for-reduction-of-energy-use

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Breaking Down the Regulatory Differences among West Coast Cannabis Markets (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/news/article/cannabis-marijuana-recreational-california-oregon-washington-laws-rules-regulations/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Tribes, Environmental Groups Likely to Unite Behind Carbon Tax Initiative for 2018 (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article191268499.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

Tesla’s Enormous Battery in Australia Is Responding to Outages in Record Time (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://beta.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tesla-battery-australia-20171226-story.html

The Smart Home Is Officially Here, As Proven by Popular Holiday Gifts (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2017/12/27/amazon-echo-dot-alexa-smart-home-top-holiday-2017-gift/#38xN2BQFXsqo

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Governors Inslee & Brown Announce Decision to Opt-In to FirstNet (Governor Jay Inslee, Olympia, WA)

https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/govs-inslee-and-brown-announce-decision-opt-firstnet

Bitcoin Miners Placed on Notice by Chelan PUD (NCW Life Channel, East Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.ncwlife.com/16636-2/

Bitcoin Goes on a Wild Ride: It May Only Get Crazier (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Bitcoin-goes-on-wild-ride-and-it-may-only-get-12451170.php

More Apple iPhone Owners Sue over Software to Slow Older Phones (USA Today)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/12/27/more-apple-iphone-owners-sue-over-software-slow-older-phones/984089001/

Wire the Wilderness? As Cell Service Expands, National Parks Become the Latest Digital Battlegrounds (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/article191683074.html

Why ‘Secure’ Isn’t Secure Enough in the Utilities Sector (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/why-secure-isnt-secure-enough-in-the-utilities-sector/513205/

A Cute Toy Just Brought a Hacker into Your Home (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/technology/connected-toys-hacking.html

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

Yes, More Facebook Friends Are Asking You for Money (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/26/business/facebook-fundraisers-donations.html

Obama to Prince Harry: Leaders Must Use Care on Social Media (Associated Press)

http://koin.com/2017/12/27/obama-to-prince-harry-leaders-must-use-care-on-social-media/

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

New Year Brings Higher Minimum Wage, & Paid Sick Leave for Washington Workers (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries)

http://www.lni.wa.gov/News/2017/pr171220a.asp

Behind Seattle’s Government Spending Spree: A Deluge of Taxes, Six-Figure Pay & Officials Eager to Do More (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/seattle-went-on-a-government-spending-spree-with-a-deluge-of-taxes-six-figure-pay-and-officials-eager-to-do-more/

GENERAL NEWS

Will This Mean Flu for You? Neighboring States Showing Widespread Outbreaks (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/latest-news/article191678469.html

Weather Service Predicts La Nina Conditions Will Persist Through the Winter; Colder, Wetter (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/439970.aspx

Washington State Officials Were Planning to Euthanize Wildlife Rescue’s Eleven Fawns; Then Donate Them to Wolf Haven (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article191713044.html

Whale-Watching Week Begins at the Oregon Coast (Associated Press)

http://koin.com/2017/12/27/whale-watching-week-begins-on-oregon-coast/

Navigation Apps Are Turning Quiet Neighborhoods into Traffic Nightmares (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/24/nyregion/traffic-apps-gps-neighborhoods.html

Why People Really Want to Move to Idaho but Are Fleeing Its Neighbor, Wyoming (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/dec/26/why-people-really-want-to-move-to-idaho-but-are-fl/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Lifelong Best Friends Discover They’re Actually Brothers

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/lifelong-best-friends-discover-they-re-actually-brothers/article_0e174c4f-398a-5045-8a2e-1cd9c79ff8af.html

Woman Stunned to Find Electric Bill Listed as $284 Billion

http://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/woman-stunned-find-electric-bill-listed-284-billion-51994586

Cat Missing Ten Years Found Burned but Alive after Wine Country Fires

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/11/03/cat-missing-10-years-is-found-injured-but-alive-after-wine-country-fires/

The Conspiracy Theorists Who Think the Earth is Hollow: Full of Superior ‘Alien’ Humans, Vikings & Nazis

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5211805/The-conspiracy-theorists-think-Earth-HOLLOW.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu4oy1IRTh8

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