Energy News Digest for March 30, 2017

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

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 30, 2017

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Northwest’s Biggest Climate Polluter: Scrapping Clean Power Plan Won’t Affect Us (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/northwest-s-biggest-climate-polluter-scrapping-clean-power-plan-won-t-affect-us

Lower Deschutes Water Quality Lawsuit Can Go Forward, Judge Simon Rules (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/lower-deschutes-water-quality-mix-machine-pge-lawsuit/

Sockeye to Be Moved from Flood-Threatened Idaho Hatchery (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/article/20170329/AP/303299858

Snohomish PUD Installs Second Energy Storage System (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/articles/2017/03/snohomish-pud-installs-second-energy-storage-system.html

Twitter Will No Longer Count Usernames against Character Limit in Replies (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/03/30/twitter-will-no-longer-count-usernames-against-character-limit-in-replies/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Northwest’s Biggest Climate Polluter: Scrapping Clean Power Plan Won’t Affect Us
• Grant PUD Work Proceeding on Priest Rapids Refurbishment
• Lewis County PUD Rate Increase
• Bonneville Power Administration Hosts Gathering to Brainstorm Hot Topic in Electric Industry
• Oregon: Power Outage – Future of Cove Hydro Plant Cloudy
• New Energy Northwest Fountain Captures Importance of Nuclear Power
• Westinghouse Files for Bankruptcy, in Blow to Nuclear Power
• Fusion: A Dream of Clean Energy at a Very High Price
• Mapping How the United States Generates Its Electricity
• Reliability: We’ll Be There Before the Pizza
• Sockeye to Be Moved from Flood-Threatened Idaho Hatchery
• Trout Lost at Chelan Hatchery from Heavy Rain Will Be Replaced by Other Hatcheries
• Columbia River Steelhead Fishing Restrictions, Closures Loom
• Oregon: Gov. Kate Brown Fires Majority of State Environmental Commissioners
• Lower Deschutes Water Quality Lawsuit Can Go Forward, Judge Simon Rules
• Columbia River Threatens Woodland Homes
• Snohomish PUD Installs Second Energy Storage System
• Oregon Legislature Wrestles With Extending Rooftop Solar Incentive – Or Letting It Die
• Washington State UTC Will Revise PURPA Policy
• Xcel Energy Plans Investment in 11 Wind Farms across Seven States
• Study: Efficiency Programs Return Results – But Not In All Buildings
• Slew of New Bills Aim to Reform Marijuana Laws at Federal Level
• The Only Certainty in Trump’s Climate Orders? More Lawsuits
• Why President Trump’s Environmental Order Will Have Little Impact on the Tennessee Valley Authority
• A Political Organization That Doubts Climate Science is Sending This Book to 200,000 Teachers
• Physicist Wants to Beam Solar Energy Back from Moon’s Surface
• Wastewater: The Best Hidden Energy Source You’ve Never Heard Of
• Anacortes: Fiber Optics Coming to City via Water Pipes
• What the Repeal of Online Privacy Protections Means for You
• What Makes a Cyberattack? Experts Lobby to Restrict the Term
• Twitter Will No Longer Count Usernames against Character Limit in Replies
• Twitter Just Ruined Twitter
• Facebook Added ‘Paid’ to Branded Content – More Pages Can Now Start Publishing It
• Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Announces City Lawsuit against Trump Administration for Immigration Executive Order
• Energy Department Climate Office Bans Use of Phrase ‘Climate Change’
• Four Dead, Power Cut after Storms Hit Texas & Neighboring States
• City of Shelton Seeks Input on Railroad Avenue Changes
• Wells Fargo Will Pay $110M to Settle Lawsuits over Unauthorized Accounts
• Forecasts for This Past Winter Were Mostly Awful – Blame the Fickle Pacific Ocean

WORD OF THE DAY

Cadre • \COD-ray\ • Noun - 1: frame, framework 2: a nucleus or core group especially of trained personnel able to assume control and to train others; broadly: a group of people having some unifying relationship 3: a cell of indoctrinated leaders active in promoting the interests of a revolutionary party 4: a member of a cadre.

It was the most formidable tiger team ever assembled. The cadre of engineers had the unenviable task of designing the first “Ohio-Arts” ten-foot capable tiddlywink chip.

Note: A tiger team is a group of experts assigned to investigate and/or solve technical or systemic problems. A 1964 paper defined the term as “a team of undomesticated and uninhibited technical specialists, selected for their experience, energy, and imagination, and assigned to track down relentlessly every possible source of failure in a spacecraft subsystem.” (Wikipedia)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Northwest’s Biggest Climate Polluter: Scrapping Clean Power Plan Won’t Affect Us (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/northwest-s-biggest-climate-polluter-scrapping-clean-power-plan-won-t-affect-us

Grant PUD Work Proceeding on Priest Rapids Refurbishment (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/article/20170330/ARTICLE/170339993

Lewis County PUD Rate Increase (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/03/lewis-county-pud-rate-increase-kela.html

Bonneville Power Administration hosts gathering to brainstorm hot topic in electric industry (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-hosts-gathering-to-brainstorm-hot-topic-in-electric-industry.aspx

Oregon: Power Outage – Future of Cove Hydro Plant Cloudy (LaGrande Observer, OR)

http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/home/5190350-151/power-outage-future-of-cove-hydro-plant-cloudy

New Energy Northwest Fountain Captures Importance of Nuclear Power (KNDO/KNDU,-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/35028247/new-energy-northwest-fountain-captures-importance-of-nuclear-power

Westinghouse Files for Bankruptcy, in Blow to Nuclear Power (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/29/business/westinghouse-toshiba-nuclear-bankruptcy.html

Fusion: A Dream of Clean Energy at a Very High Price (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/science/fusion-power-plant-iter-france.html?_r=0

Mapping How the United States Generates Its Electricity (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/power-plants/?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.e1061346adda

Reliability: We’ll Be There Before the Pizza (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/magazine/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=47666

FISH & WILDLIFE

Sockeye to Be Moved from Flood-Threatened Idaho Hatchery (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/article/20170329/AP/303299858

Trout Lost at Chelan Hatchery from Heavy Rain Will Be Replaced by Other Hatcheries (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/trout-lost-at-chelan-hatchery-from-heavy-rain-will-be-replaced-by-other-hatcheries/

Columbia River Steelhead Fishing Restrictions, Closures Loom (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/mar/30/steelhead-fishing-restrictions-closures-loom/

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

Oregon: Gov. Kate Brown Fires Majority of State Environmental Commissioners (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2017/03/gov_kate_brown_fires_majority.html

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Lower Deschutes Water Quality Lawsuit Can Go Forward, Judge Simon Rules (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/lower-deschutes-water-quality-mix-machine-pge-lawsuit/

Columbia River Threatens Woodland Homes (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/columbia-threatens-woodland-homes/article_c12db58d-1a1c-5c97-ab04-073431cfec8e.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Snohomish PUD Installs Second Energy Storage System (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/articles/2017/03/snohomish-pud-installs-second-energy-storage-system.html

Oregon Legislature Wrestles With Extending Rooftop Solar Incentive – Or Letting It Die (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/03/30/oregon-legislature-wrestles-with-extending-rooftop.html

Washington State UTC Will Revise PURPA Policy (CH& Energy Blog)

https://www.cairncross.com/blog/candh-energy-blog/utilities-transportation-commission/washington-utc-will-revise-purpa-policy

Xcel Energy Plans Investment in 11 Wind Farms across Seven States (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/03/xcel-energy-plans-investment-in-11-wind-farms-across-seven-states.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Study: Efficiency Programs Return Results – But Not In All Buildings (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/study-efficiency-programs-return-results-but-not-in-all-buildings/439245/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Slew of New Bills Aim to Reform Marijuana Laws at Federal Level (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/03/30/slew-of-new-bills-aim-to-reform-marijuana-laws-at-federal-level/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

The Only Certainty in Trump’s Climate Orders? More Lawsuits (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/the-only-certainty-in-trumps-climate-orders-more-lawsuits/439356/

Why President Trump’s Environmental Order Will Have Little Impact on the Tennessee Valley Authority (Nashville Business Journal, TN)

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/03/29/why-trump-s-environmental-order-will-have-little.html

A Political Organization That Doubts Climate Science is Sending This Book to 200,000 Teachers (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/03/29/a-political-organization-that-doubts-climate-science-is-sending-this-book-to-200000-teachers/?tid=sm_fb&utm_term=.383b6644f850

Hmmm. The picture of the dam on the cover of the previously mentioned book looks very familiar….

http://www.seattle.gov/light/damtours/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – DRIVING ON SUNSHINE

Physicist Wants to Beam Solar Energy Back from Moon’s Surface (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucedorminey/2017/03/28/physicist-wants-to-beam-solar-energy-back-from-moons-surface/#28633a9e5743

Wastewater: The Best Hidden Energy Source You’ve Never Heard Of (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2017/03/29/wastewater-the-best-hidden-energy-source-youve-never-heard-of-alternative-energy-clean/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Anacortes: Fiber Optics Coming to City via Water Pipes (Go Anacortes, WA)

http://m.goanacortes.com/all_access/article_d05da474-0e85-11e7-af70-2b5e2185fb03.html

What the Repeal of Online Privacy Protections Means for You (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/29/technology/personaltech/what-the-repeal-of-online-privacy-protections-means-for-you.html?emc=edit_th_20170330&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=31289114

What Makes a Cyberattack? Experts Lobby to Restrict the Term (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/What-makes-a-cyberattack-Experts-lobby-to-11033145.php

MARKETING & MEDIA

Twitter Will No Longer Count Usernames against Character Limit in Replies (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/03/30/twitter-will-no-longer-count-usernames-against-character-limit-in-replies/

Twitter Just Ruined Twitter (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/twitter-just-ruined-twitter-1793843817

Facebook Added ‘Paid’ to Branded Content – More Pages Can Now Start Publishing It (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/digital/facebook-paid-branded-content-pages/

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Announces City Lawsuit against Trump Administration for Immigration Executive Order (Washington Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/mayor-ed-murray-announces-city-lawsuit-trump-administration-immigration-executive-order/

Energy Department Climate Office Bans Use of Phrase ‘Climate Change’ (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/energy-department-climate-change-phrases-banned-236655

GENERAL NEWS

Four Dead, Power Cut after Storms Hit Texas & Neighboring States (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-weather-idUSKBN17026M

City of Shelton Seeks Input on Railroad Avenue Changes (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/24774

Wells Fargo Will Pay $110M to Settle Lawsuits over Unauthorized Accounts (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2017/03/wells_fargo_to_pay_110m_to_set.html

Forecasts for This Past Winter Were Mostly Awful – Blame the Fickle Pacific Ocean (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/mar/29/forecasts-for-this-past-winter-were-mostly-awful-b/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

‘Tonight Show’ Puppies Pick Oregon to Win National Championship

http://www.kgw.com/mb/sports/ncaa/ducks/tonight-show-puppies-pick-oregon-to-win-national-championship/426764569

Georgie the Beloved Hospital Cat Moves on to New Pastures

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/georgie-royal-jubilee-victoria-cat-1.4044854?cmp=rss

Crayola Decides To Weed ‘Dandelion’ Hue from Its Crayon Garden

https://consumerist.com/2017/03/30/crayola-decides-to-weed-dandelion-hue-from-its-crayon-garden/

Creator Joel Hodgson on the Return of Mystery Science Theater 3000 & the Hidden Beauty of Bad Movies

http://io9.gizmodo.com/creator-joel-hodgson-on-the-return-of-mystery-science-t-1793682355

SONG OF THE DAY

Mystery Science Theater 3000 – Closing Theme

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

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Energy News Digest for March 29, 2017

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

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 29, 2017

Flood Warning for the Skokomish River

Special Weather Statement for Landslides

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Regulators, Puget Sound Energy Reach $1.5 Million Settlement Over 2016 Greenwood Explosion (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Regulators-PSE-reach-settlement-over-2016-11034429.php

Higher Rates, Colder Temps Led to Big Bills, City Light Says (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/city-light-acknowledges-multiple-factors-in-higher-bills/426309851

As Trump Halts Federal Action on Climate Change, Cities & States Push On (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/as-trump-halts-federal-action-on-climate-change-cities-and-states-push-on/2017/03/27/8d093b8c-1319-11e7-ada0-1489b735b3a3_story.html

Governor Inslee’s Carbon Tax Gets Little Love from Washington State Lawmakers (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article141136373.html

UW Professor: The Information War Is Real, And We’re Losing It (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/uw-professor-the-information-war-is-real-and-were-losing-it/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Regulators, Puget Sound Energy Reach $1.5 Million Settlement Over 2016 Greenwood Explosion
• Higher Rates, Colder Temps Led to Big Bills, City Light Says
• Franklin PUD to Raise Rates May 1, 2017
• Pacific PUD Ends Tokeland Expansion Plans
• Clallam County PUD Warns of Potential Scams
• Central Lincoln PUD Chosen for National Grid Modernization Study Program
• Longview, Kalama Ports Join Regional Group to Fight Dam Removal
• Snake River: Ice Harbor Dam Lock Returns to Service
• Local PUDs Pass Resolution Supporting Columbia Generating Station
• Making the Case for Nuclear Energy: Five Questions
• South Carolina: Santee Cooper Board Keeps Secret a Plan to Address Financial Woes at South Carolina Nuclear Plant
• Editorial: The Fight for Green Power Has to Go Nuclear
• Arizona Electric Power Cooperative on the Hook for $7 Million in Taxes
• Policy Shift Helps Coal, but Other Forces May Limit Effect
• Raw Oysters Linked To Norovirus Outbreak in Seattle
• Nine Years after Accidental Fish Kill, Wapato Lake to Get Algae Treatment Again
• Long Beach Remains Closed for Razor Clam Digging; Copalis & Mocrocks Will Open
• California: Massive Whale Formation Gathers Off Pt. Reyes
• Overflowing Sewage Puts Puyallup Mobile Home Residents in a Fix That Stinks
• Wenatchee Facility Source of Biodiesel in Columbia River
• Court Halts Timber Sale in Southern Oregon for Environmental Study
• Washington State Lawmakers Seek Solution to Fight over Rural Water Uses
• Skagit PUD Looks at Land Purchase as Way to Protect Water
• Decades-Old Green Power Law Is a Fresh Nuisance to U-S Utilities
• Grays Harbor College Is LEED Certified for the Second Time
• As Trump Halts Federal Action on Climate Change, Cities & States Push On
• EPA Administrator Takes Fire from Conservatives in Climate Showdown
• Faraday Pulls Plug on Massive Electric Car Factory
• The World’s Largest Brewer Commits to 100% Renewable Electricity
• Congress Just Gave Internet Providers the Green Light to Sell Your Browsing History without Consent
• Vote to Repeal U-S Broadband Privacy Rules Sparks Interest in VPNs
• Survey Says Tacoma Is a ‘Connected’ City
• Tennessee: Broadband Internet Still Rare in Rural Communities
• Broadband Internet Expansion: Fight Brewing Over How to Pay for It All
• UW Professor: The Information War Is Real, And We’re Losing It
• NBC Hears Your Internet Whining & Will Air the 2018 Winter Olympics Live
• Governor Inslee’s Carbon Tax Gets Little Love from Washington State Lawmakers
• Op/Ed: State Carbon Tax Would Be Harmful
• Mason County Unemployment Rate Down in February
• Olympia Area One of Fastest Growing Regions in the U-S
• Studded Tires Must Be Removed Friday
• Tacoma Power Plans Siren Test April 5 at Cushman Dam on Lake Kokanee
• Seattle Has Had Almost No Sunny Days since October
• Without More Sand, SoCal Stands to Lose Big Chunk of Its Beaches

WORD OF THE DAY

Tomb ● \toom\ ● Noun – 1a: an excavation in which a corpse is buried: grave b: a place of interment 2: a house, chamber, or vault for the dead 3: a building or structure resembling a tomb.

Silence of the tomb

Shelob waits in the shadows

She sees you, precious

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Regulators, Puget Sound Energy Reach $1.5 Million Settlement Over 2016 Greenwood Explosion (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Regulators-PSE-reach-settlement-over-2016-11034429.php

Higher Rates, Colder Temps Led to Big Bills, City Light Says (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/city-light-acknowledges-multiple-factors-in-higher-bills/426309851

Franklin PUD to Raise Rates May 1, 2017 (Franklin PUD, Pasco, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/03/franklin-pud-to-raise-rates-may-1-2017.html

Pacific PUD Ends Tokeland Expansion Plans (Chinook Observer, Long Beach, WA)

http://www.chinookobserver.com/co/local-news/20170328/pud-ends-tokeland-expansion-plans

Clallam County PUD Warns of Potential Scams (Sequim Gazette, WA)

http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/clallam-county-pud-warns-of-potential-scams/

Central Lincoln PUD Chosen for National Grid Modernization Study Program (Siuslaw News, Florence, OR)

http://www.thesiuslawnews.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=10492

Longview, Kalama Ports Join Regional Group to Fight Dam Removal (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/longview-kalama-ports-join-regional-group-to-fight-dam-removal/article_2d718bc5-1588-58bd-8393-1364d099ad1f.html

Snake River: Ice Harbor Dam Lock Returns to Service (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/mar/28/ice-harbor-dam-lock-returns-to-service/

Local PUDs Pass Resolution Supporting Columbia Generating Station (Benton PUD, Franklin PUD, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/03/local-puds-pass-resolution-supporting.html

Making the Case for Nuclear Energy: Five Questions (Northwest Clean Energy)

https://northwestcleanenergy.com/2017/03/28/making-the-case-for-nuclear-energy-5-questions/

South Carolina: Santee Cooper Board Keeps Secret a Plan to Address Financial Woes at South Carolina Nuclear Plant (Charleston Post & Courier, SC)

http://www.postandcourier.com/business/santee-cooper-board-keeps-secret-a-plan-to-address-financial/article_3199e80a-1314-11e7-9ec3-9f123e8c89bd.html

Editorial: The Fight for Green Power Has to Go Nuclear (New York Post)

https://nypost.com/2017/03/26/the-fight-for-green-power-has-to-go-nuclear/

Arizona Electric Power Cooperative on the Hook for $7 Million in Taxes (Arizona Daily Star, Tucson)

http://tucson.com/business/tucson/southeast-arizona-electric-cooperative-on-the-hook-for-million-in/article_22dbd10a-e90c-5db6-9ff0-d5fc53909a2e.html

Policy Shift Helps Coal, but Other Forces May Limit Effect (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/28/business/energy-environment/trump-coal-executive-order-impact.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Raw Oysters Linked To Norovirus Outbreak in Seattle (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/03/29/raw-oysters-linked-to-norovirus-outbreak-in-seattle/

Nine Years after Accidental Fish Kill, Wapato Lake to Get Algae Treatment Again (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article141350118.html

Long Beach Remains Closed for Razor Clam Digging; Copalis & Mocrocks Will Open (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/long-beach-remains-closed-for-razor-clam-digging-copalis-and-mocrocks-will-open/

California: Massive Whale Formation Gathers Off Pt. Reyes (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Massive-whale-formation-gathers-off-Pt-Reyes-11031121.php

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

Overflowing Sewage Puts Puyallup Mobile Home Residents in a Fix That Stinks (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article141332978.html

Wenatchee Facility Source of Biodiesel in Columbia River (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2017-03-28/wenatchee-facility-source-of-biodiesel-in-columbia-river

Court Halts Timber Sale in Southern Oregon for Environmental Study (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2017/03/court_halts_oregon_timber_sale.html

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Washington State Lawmakers Seek Solution to Fight over Rural Water Uses (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/mar/28/washington-lawmakers-seek-solution-to-fight-over-r/

Skagit PUD Looks at Land Purchase as Way to Protect Water (Skagit Valley Herald, Mt Vernon, WA)

http://www.goskagit.com/news/local_news/skagit-pud-looks-at-land-purchase-as-way-to-protect/article_e8715b0e-5a70-594c-8d4a-211dd1c7861a.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Decades-Old Green Power Law Is a Fresh Nuisance to U-S Utilities (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-solar-law-idUSKBN1700EM

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Grays Harbor College Is LEED Certified for the Second Time (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/ghc-leed-certified-2nd-time/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

As Trump Halts Federal Action on Climate Change, Cities & States Push On (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/as-trump-halts-federal-action-on-climate-change-cities-and-states-push-on/2017/03/27/8d093b8c-1319-11e7-ada0-1489b735b3a3_story.html

EPA Administrator Takes Fire from Conservatives in Climate Showdown (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/pruitt-climate-change-236572

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – DRIVING ON SUNSHINE

Faraday Pulls Plug on Massive Electric Car Factory (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2017/03/28/faraday-pulls-plug-on-massive-factory.html

The World’s Largest Brewer Commits to 100% Renewable Electricity (Clean Technica)

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/03/29/worlds-largest-brewer-commits-100-renewable-electricity/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Congress Just Gave Internet Providers the Green Light to Sell Your Browsing History without Consent (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/congress-just-gave-internet-providers-the-green-light-t-1793698939

Vote to Repeal U-S Broadband Privacy Rules Sparks Interest in VPNs (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-internet-privacy-idUSKBN17005Y

Survey Says Tacoma Is a ‘Connected’ City (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/March-2017/Survey-says-Tacoma-is-a-connected-city/

Tennessee: Broadband Internet Still Rare in Rural Communities (WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN)

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/broadband-internet-still-rare-in-rural-communities/424045107

Broadband Internet Expansion: Fight Brewing Over How to Pay for It All (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/broadband-internet-expansion-fight-brewing-over-how-to-pay-for-it-all/article/2618318?custom_click=rss

MARKETING & MEDIA

UW Professor: The Information War Is Real, And We’re Losing It (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/uw-professor-the-information-war-is-real-and-were-losing-it/

NBC Hears Your Internet Whining & Will Air the 2018 Winter Olympics Live (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2017/03/28/nbc-olympics-live/#qHZmLZKCgkq3

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Governor Inslee’s Carbon Tax Gets Little Love from Washington State Lawmakers (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article141136373.html

Op/Ed: State Carbon Tax Would Be Harmful (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/mar/28/brunell-state-carbon-tax-would-be-harmful/

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Unemployment Rate Down in February (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/24745

Olympia Area One of Fastest Growing Regions in the U-S (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/olympia/olympia-region-one-of-fastest-growing-in-the-us/426290912

Studded Tires Must Be Removed Friday (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/studded-tires-must-removed-friday/

Tacoma Power Plans Siren Test April 5 at Cushman Dam on Lake Kokanee (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/tacoma-power-plans-siren-test-on-april-at-cushman-dam/article_715b1dd4-13e5-11e7-8884-9f6ab37482d9.html

Seattle Has Had Almost No Sunny Days since October (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Seattle-has-had-almost-no-sunny-days-since-October-11034669.php

Without More Sand, SoCal Stands to Lose Big Chunk of Its Beaches (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2017/0328/Without-more-sand-SoCal-stands-to-lose-big-chunk-of-its-beaches

SHELOB WAITS IN THE SHADOWS – DIVERSIONS

Washington State Ranks among Top 5 for UFO Sightings, Says Author of New Book

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/science/article/Washington-4th-in-nation-for-UFO-sightings-says-11030520.php

Maybe We Should Stop Using Internet Votes to Name Things

http://mashable.com/2017/03/28/footy-mcfooty-face-boaty-mcboatface/#7jNF8N5DgOq4

“You brought the Birds. You’re evil” – Birds Blamed for Fire at Massachusetts Water Treatment Plant

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/birds-blamed-for-fire-at-massachusetts-water-treatment-plant/article_4d3d0d36-6f9a-53ac-b329-37fd49e19d73.html

Spiders Could Theoretically Eat Every Human on Earth in One Year

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/mar/29/spiders-could-theoretically-eat-every-human-on-ear/

SONG OF THE DAY

Fleetwood Mac – Landslide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXonGAEPQp8

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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 March 28, 2017

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

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 28, 2017

Flood Watch for Skokomish River

Special Weather Statement for Landslide Danger

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Judge: More Water for Fish, Less For Power from Columbia, Snake Dams (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article141154428.html

President Trump Signs Executive Order Unwinding Obama Climate Policies (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/28/climate/trump-executive-order-climate-change.html

Op/Ed: Many Local Governments Impeding Broadband Service Improvements (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article141074548.html

Low Income Energy Assistance Program Funds on the Line with President Trump’s Budget (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/liheap-utility-funds-on-the-line-with-trump-budget/

Streetlight Fight in Rome: Golden Glow vs. Harsh LED (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/world/europe/rome-streetlights-led-lights.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• President Trump Signs Executive Order Unwinding Obama Climate Policies
• Why Utilities Don’t Think Trump Will Stop the Clean Energy Transition
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program Funds on the Line with President Trump’s Budget
• Bonneville Power Administration Collaborates with Southern Partner to Improve Regional Operations
• Montana House Gives Preliminary Nod to Colstrip Operating Loans
• Rate Hikes Coming to Grant PUD Customers
• Capturing Generator Efficiently gains – Lawmakers Seek to Reduce Resident Energy Bills
• Man Electrocuted by Downed Power Line in Gold Bar
• Snohomish PUD Issues Reminder about Spring Digging
• California: Oroville Dam Spillway Shut Down Again as State Officials Work on Long-Term Plan
• Public Power, Others Back 50-Year Default Policy for New Hydro Projects
• In Search of a Quorum: Three Potential FERC Nominees Bring Deep Business & Energy Backgrounds
• Judge: More Water for Fish, Less For Power from Columbia, Snake Dams
• Port Angeles to Sue National Park Service in Dispute over Elwha River Water Facilities
• For Water Users on Colorado River, a Mind-Set of Shared Sacrifice
• Washington County at the Epicenter of Oregon’s Solar Jobs Surge
• Streetlight Fight in Rome: Golden Glow vs. Harsh LED
• Tribal Cannabis Update: First Peoples Move Ahead
• How Climate Change May Be Driving Extreme Weather
• Op/Ed: Many Local Governments Impeding Broadband Service Improvements
• Watch Out, Snapchat: Facebook Launches Stories, Camera Effects
• The ‘Rogue’ Government Twitter Account That Wasn’t
• Washington State House Democrats Propose $3 Billion Tax Package, GOP Predicts Special Session
• Attorney General Sessions Escalates Threats against Sanctuary Cities
• Seattle Mayor ‘Willing to Risk Losing Every Penny’ over ‘Sanctuary’ Status
• Head of Washington State Public Disclosure Commission Stepping Down In May
• Truck Runs Out of Control, Plunges into Island Lake
• Shelton’s Del’s Feed to Move into New Tractor Supply Store
• Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman Diagnosed with Colon Cancer
• How a Team in Seattle, of All Places, Changed Hockey Forever

WORD OF THE DAY

Biophilia • \bye-oh-FILL-ee-uh\ • Noun - A hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature’

“Lo, I am one with the lion’s pride,” exulted the wool-clad environmental enthusiast, stepping from his shiny, black Range Rover into the hot environment of the circling, big cats. His ill-conceived biophilia would soon make him into multiple parts INSIDE the pride. And the circle of life continued on the arid plains of Africa.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

President Trump Signs Executive Order Unwinding Obama Climate Policies (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/28/climate/trump-executive-order-climate-change.html

Why Utilities Don’t Think Trump Will Stop the Clean Energy Transition (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/why-utilities-dont-think-trump-will-stop-the-clean-energy-transition/439138/

Low Income Energy Assistance Program Funds on the Line with President Trump’s Budget (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/liheap-utility-funds-on-the-line-with-trump-budget/

Bonneville Power Administration Collaborates with Southern Partner to Improve Regional Operations (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-collaborates-with-southern-partner-to-improve-regional-operations.aspx

Montana House Gives Preliminary Nod to Colstrip Operating Loans (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/montana-house-gives-preliminary-nod-to-colstrip-operating-loans/439132/

Rate Hikes Coming to Grant PUD Customers (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2017/mar/24/rate-hikes-coming-to-grant-pud-customers/

Capturing Generator Efficiently gains – Lawmakers Seek to Reduce Resident Energy Bills (The Lens, The Business Institute of Washington)

http://thelens.news/2017/03/24/lawmakers-seek-to-reduce-resident-energy-bills/

Man Electrocuted by Downed Power Line in Gold Bar (Everett Herald, WA)

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/man-electrocuted-by-downed-power-line-in-gold-bar/

Snohomish PUD Issues Reminder about Spring Digging (My Everett News, WA)

https://myeverettnews.com/2017/03/27/pud-issues-reminder-for-spring-digging/

California: Oroville Dam Spillway Shut Down Again as State Officials Work on Long-Term Plan (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article141054803.html

Public Power, Others Back 50-Year Default Policy for New Hydro Projects (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=47801

In Search of a Quorum: Three Potential FERC Nominees Bring Deep Business & Energy Backgrounds (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/in-search-of-a-quorum-3-potential-ferc-nominees-bring-deep-business-and-en/438797/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Judge: More Water for Fish, Less For Power from Columbia, Snake Dams (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article141154428.html

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Port Angeles to Sue National Park Service in Dispute over Elwha River Water Facilities (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/port-angeles-to-sue-park-service-in-dispute-over-elwha-river-water-facilities/

For Water Users on Colorado River, a Mind-Set of Shared Sacrifice (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Inhabit/2017/0327/For-water-users-on-Colorado-River-a-mind-set-of-shared-sacrifice

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Washington County at the Epicenter of Oregon’s Solar Jobs Surge (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/03/28/washington-county-at-the-epicenter-of-oregons.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Streetlight Fight in Rome: Golden Glow vs. Harsh LED (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/world/europe/rome-streetlights-led-lights.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Tribal Cannabis Update: First Peoples Move Ahead (Canna Law Blog)

http://www.cannalawblog.com/tribal-cannabis-update-first-peoples-move-ahead/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

How Climate Change May Be Driving Extreme Weather (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2017/0327/How-climate-change-may-be-driving-extreme-weather

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Op/Ed: Many Local Governments Impeding Broadband Service Improvements (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article141074548.html

MARKETING & MEDIA

Watch Out, Snapchat: Facebook Launches Stories, Camera Effects (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/03/28/watch-out-snapchat-facebook-launches-stories-camera-effects/99713162/

The ‘Rogue’ Government Twitter Account That Wasn’t (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2017/03/24/rogue-national-park-twitter-account-emails/#NssnRbMPAOqQ

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Washington State House Democrats Propose $3 Billion Tax Package, GOP Predicts Special Session (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-democrats-propose-3b-tax-package-gop-predicts-special-session

Attorney General Sessions Escalates Threats against Sanctuary Cities (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2017/0328/Attorney-General-Sessions-escalates-threats-against-sanctuary-cities

Seattle Mayor ‘Willing to Risk Losing Every Penny’ over ‘Sanctuary’ Status (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/584330/seattle-mayor-willing-to-risk-losing-every-penny-over-sanctuary-status/

Head of Public Disclosure Commission stepping down in May (Associated Press)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/head-of-public-disclosure-commission-stepping-down-in-may/article_ad11848b-82e2-545d-a654-b7c6d2ef349d.html

GENERAL NEWS

Truck Runs Out of Control, Plunges into Island Lake (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/truck-runs-out-of-control-plunges-into-island-lake/article_2dfdb59c-133b-11e7-8a12-23ed05f9d5c1.html

Shelton’s Del’s Feed to Move into New Tractor Supply Store (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/del-s-feed-in-shelton-to-move-into-new-tractor/article_1fb024a0-1342-11e7-b002-436a87fad77e.html

Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman Diagnosed with Colon Cancer (Associated Press)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/secretary-of-state-will-undergo-treatment-for-colon-cancer/425957399

How a Team in Seattle, of All Places, Changed Hockey Forever (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/sports/hockey/seattle-metropolitans-stanley-cup-seattle-ice-arena.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

The Crazy, Amazing Life of Immigrant Nikola Tesla

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2017/03/25/the-crazy-amazing-life-of-immigrant-nikola-tesla/#44b6637dd567

Cat Lovers Rejoice: A New Study Shows Your Cat Actually Does Want to Hang Out with You

http://mashable.com/2017/03/27/science-says-cats-do-like-humans/

Massive Gold Coin worth Millions Stolen from German Museum

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/mar/27/massive-gold-coin-worth-millions-stolen-from-germa/

Crayola Is Getting Rid of One Crayon Color from Its 24-Count Box

https://consumerist.com/2017/03/28/crayola-is-getting-rid-of-one-crayon-color-from-its-24-count-box/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Hues Corporation - Rock the Boat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smmMSMSYf2c

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.

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.