Friday, September 28, 2018

Energy News Digest for September 28, 2018


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The Energy News Digest is on Facebook, on Twitter, and online on the News Digest Blog.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS




HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Killer Whales Face Dire PCBs Threat (NY Times)

Orca Task Force Recommendations Include Focus on Salmon Runs; Non-Native Game Fish To ‘Predatory’ (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

Coal Power Plant That Feeds Puget Sound Energy Is Back on Line (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Columbia River Electric Generation in 2018 Remains Normal Despite Above-Normal Water Flow (U-S Energy Information Administration)

Big Money Pours into Fight over Washington State Carbon Fee Initiative (Associated Press)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1.      Coal Power Plant That Feeds Puget Sound Energy Is Back on Line
2.      Columbia River Electric Generation in 2018 Remains Normal Despite Above-Normal Water Flow
3.      How to Jump-Start a Micro Nuclear Reactor Industry in the U-S
4.      Woman Loses $1,400 to Scam by Fake Avista Workers
5.      Snohomish PUD Hits 350,000 Customer Mark
6.      Grant PUD Leader Reports to Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce
7.      Federal Court Again Upholds State Nuclear Subsidies, This Time in New York
8.      Chief of U-S Grid Watchdog, NERC, Says He’s Not Involved with President Trump’s Coal Bailout
9.      Including Electrocution Lawsuit - Supreme Court Takes Up Five Cases for Start of New Term
10.   Florida Dog Electrocuted by Utility Box Lid during Routine Walk
11.   Killer Whales Face Dire PCBs Threat
12.   The Lingering Curse That’s Killing Killer Whales
13.   Orca Task Force Recommendations Include Focus on Salmon Runs; Non-Native Game Fish To ‘Predatory’
14.   Canada: Practice of Fishing Unknown Stocks of Marine Salmon Raises Concern over Sockeye Run
15.   Evergreen Grad’s ‘Rodents of Unusual Size’ Sounds Like a Horror Film -- And Maybe It Is
16.   U-S House Committee Votes to Relax Endangered Species Act
17.   Securities & Exchange Commission Announces Securities Fraud Charges against Elon Musk
18.   88% of Voters Say Utilities Shouldn’t Block Residential Solar: SEIA
19.   In Kansas, demand charges could take a bite out of solar customers’ savings
20.   Video: Electric Vehicles Can Collectively Power Entire Cities with Their Batteries
21.   Grant PUD Commissioners Discuss Fiber Optic Network Buildout Funding
22.   What Would Make Wave, Comcast Service Better? Kitsap County Wants to Know
23.   Cities Are Teaming Up to Offer Broadband, and the FCC Is Mad
24.   Ransomware Attack Hits Port of San Diego
25.   Controversial Oyster Pesticide Ruled ‘Too Risky’ for Washington State Waters
26.   Bureau of Reclamation Awards Nearly $76 Million for Cle Elum Dam Work
27.   Big Money Pours into Fight over Washington State Carbon Fee Initiative
28.   Columnist: Washington State’s Proposed Carbon Tax: Smart Move in a Scary Time
29.   Shawn Vestal: Washington State Officials Say Legal Pot Economy Is Plateauing
30.   Alexa Can Be Hacked–By Chirping Birds
31.   U-S Supreme Court Will Hear Yakama Tribal Member’s Gas Tax Case in Late October
32.   Police Chief: Threat to Shelton High School ‘Not Credible’
33.   Mason County to Lift Burn Ban Monday
34.   Boeing Wins $9.2 Billion Contract for New Air Force Training Jet
35.   Micronesia: Everybody on Plane Survives Crash Landing in Pacific Lagoon
36.   Teens Arrested for Robbing Auburn Convenience Store as Clerk Suffered Heart Attack
37.   Keyhole Valley Brews Beer on a Shelton-Area Ranch

WORD OF THE DAY

Obdurate • \AWB-duh-rut\ • Adjective - 1a: stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing b: hardened in feelings 2: resistant to persuasion or softening influences

Brittani’s obdurate attitude regarding the woozy effect of “Axe” body spray used by her new boyfriend was unfathomable to her mall-walking friends. “Like, do you have to wear a gas-mask to be around him,” sniffed Candi as they strutted past Bath & Body Works, their bejeweled “smart phones” winking in and out with reflections from a stray spotlight at the “Empire Floors” kiosk. “Anytime you can actually see waves of fragrance should be a warning sign,” mumbled Nanci, who was absently sipping on her “Orange Julius”.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.    Coal Power Plant That Feeds Puget Sound Energy Is Back on Line (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

2.    Columbia River Electric Generation in 2018 Remains Normal Despite Above-Normal Water Flow (U-S Energy Information Administration)

3.    How to Jump-Start a Micro Nuclear Reactor Industry in the U-S (GreenTech Media)

4.    Woman Loses $1,400 to Scam by Fake Avista Workers (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

5.    Snohomish PUD Hits 350,000 Customer Mark (My Everett News, WA)

6.    Grant PUD Leader Reports to Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce (Star of the Grand Coulee, WA)

7.    Federal Court Again Upholds State Nuclear Subsidies, This Time in New York (Utility Dive)

8.    Chief of U-S Grid Watchdog, NERC, Says He’s Not Involved with President Trump’s Coal Bailout (Washington Examiner)

9.    Including Electrocution Lawsuit - Supreme Court Takes Up Five Cases for Start of New Term (Courthouse News Service)

10. Florida Dog Electrocuted by Utility Box Lid during Routine Walk (CBS News)

FISH & WILDLIFE

11. Killer Whales Face Dire PCBs Threat (NY Times)

12. The Lingering Curse That’s Killing Killer Whales (Atlantic Magazine)

13. Orca Task Force Recommendations Include Focus on Salmon Runs; Non-Native Game Fish To ‘Predatory’ (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

14. Canada: Practice of Fishing Unknown Stocks of Marine Salmon Raises Concern over Sockeye Run (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

15. Evergreen Grad’s ‘Rodents of Unusual Size’ Sounds Like a Horror Film -- And Maybe It Is (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

16. U-S House Committee Votes to Relax Endangered Species Act (The Hill, Washington, DC)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

17. Securities & Exchange Commission Announces Securities Fraud Charges against Elon Musk (Courthouse News Service)

18. 88% of Voters Say Utilities Shouldn’t Block Residential Solar: SEIA (Utility Dive)

19. In Kansas, demand charges could take a bite out of solar customers’ savings (Energy News Network)

20. Video: Electric Vehicles Can Collectively Power Entire Cities with Their Batteries (Mashable)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

21. Grant PUD Commissioners Discuss Fiber Optic Network Buildout Funding (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

22. What Would Make Wave, Comcast Service Better? Kitsap County Wants to Know (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

23. Cities Are Teaming Up to Offer Broadband, and the FCC Is Mad (Wired Magazine)

24. Ransomware Attack Hits Port of San Diego (Mashable)

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

25. Controversial Oyster Pesticide Ruled ‘Too Risky’ for Washington State Waters (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

26. Bureau of Reclamation Awards Nearly $76 Million for Cle Elum Dam Work (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

27. Big Money Pours into Fight over Washington State Carbon Fee Initiative (Associated Press)

28. Columnist: Washington State’s Proposed Carbon Tax: Smart Move in a Scary Time (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

29. Shawn Vestal: Washington State Officials Say Legal Pot Economy Is Plateauing (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

30. Alexa Can Be Hacked–By Chirping Birds (Fast Company)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

31. U-S Supreme Court Will Hear Yakama Tribal Member’s Gas Tax Case in Late October (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

32. Police Chief: Threat to Shelton High School ‘Not Credible’ (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

33. Mason County to Lift Burn Ban Monday (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

34. Boeing Wins $9.2 Billion Contract for New Air Force Training Jet (Reuters)

35. Micronesia: Everybody on Plane Survives Crash Landing in Pacific Lagoon (Associated Press)

36. Teens Arrested for Robbing Auburn Convenience Store as Clerk Suffered Heart Attack (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

37. Keyhole Valley Brews Beer on a Shelton-Area Ranch (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

You Can Thank Millennials for the Declining Divorce Rate, Study Says

Remember the Historic Grange in Tumwater? Now It’s a Historic Starbucks

Boo! A Halloween Display So Scary That Neighbor Calls 911

Photos from Japanese Space Rovers Show Asteroid Is … Rocky

SONG OF THE DAY

Mark Knopfler – Romeo & Juliet

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

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.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Energy News Digest for September 27, 2018


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, and on Twitter.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS




HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Avista Sale Includes Protections Against Canadian Government Influence & Rate Hikes, Consultant Says (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Disasters Declared for Salmon Fisheries along West Coast – Unusually Warm & Poor Ocean Conditions (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

Mason PUD 1 Opposes Carbon Emissions Fee Measure (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Mason PUD 3 in Line to Receive State Funding for Public-Private Broadband Partnership through the Local Fiberhood Program (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

NuScale Sees 'Pivotal' Step in Selecting Manufacturer for Small Modular Reactor (Utility Dive)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1.      Avista Sale Includes Protections Against Canadian Government Influence & Rate Hikes, Consultant Says
2.      Avista Executives to Receive $18 Million Payout on Day of Sale
3.      NuScale Sees 'Pivotal' Step in Selecting Manufacturer for Small Modular Reactor
4.      The Bonneville Power Administration’s Financial Reserves & Leverage Policy Processes Conclude
5.      Grant PUD Rate Increases Expected to Slow Down after 2019
6.      Jefferson PUD Readies for Budget Hearing October 1
7.      State Auditor Issues Grays Harbor PUD a Clean Report
8.      Peninsula Light Company Moves Toward Full System Automation with Survalent
9.      BC Hydro Says Smartphone, Tablet, 'Obsession' Behind Shift in Electricity Use
10.   Utilities Helped Puerto Rico Fix Its Power Grid. Now They Face Hefty Tax Bills.
11.   Illinois: End PJM Capacity Market?
12.   Disasters Declared for Salmon Fisheries along West Coast – Unusually Warm & Poor Ocean Conditions
13.   Returning Salmon Numbers Drop to 20-Year Lows
14.   Willapa Salmon Fisheries Re-Open, Some Remain Closed
15.   500,000 Sign Petition to Breach Snake River Dams in Effort to Save Orcas
16.   Another Southern Resident Orca Is Ailing – At Least Three Whales Are Pregnant
17.   Yakama Nation Will Put 5,000 Logs into Yakima River Tributaries to Enhance Ecosystem
18.   98 Mountain Goats Moved from Olympics to Cascades; 11 Die Before or During Relocation
19.   The Sun Sets. The Wind Dies. But Energy Data Is Relentless.
20.   Cheaper Battery Is Unveiled as a Step to a Carbon-Free Grid
21.   Nevada Approves Four-Part Plan to Integrate More Distributed Energy Resources
22.   Mason PUD 3 in Line to Receive State Funding for Public-Private Broadband Partnership through the Local Fiberhood Program
23.   Washington State Economic Revitalization Funding Boosts High-Speed Internet in Mason County
24.   State of Washington Providing Financial Support to Expand High Speed Internet in Whitman County
25.   Twisp Commissions Study of Broadband Services
26.   U-S Voters Say Government 'Needs to Do More' for Rural Broadband, New Poll Finds
27.   A Bitcoin Miner Tests Investor Appetite: What to Watch Today
28.   Utilities, Carmakers Launch Campaign to Cut U-S Transportation Energy Use 50% By 2050
29.   Sacramento Municipal Utility District Joins National Auto, Utility, Labor & Environmental Leaders
30.   Electric Carmakers Turn to Congress as Tax Credits Dry Up
31.   Federal Money Flowing to Modernize Central Oregon Irrigation
32.   Mason PUD 1 Opposes Carbon Emissions Fee Measure
33.   Mason PUD 3 Discusses Carbon Fee Initiative
34.   I-1631 A Mixed Bag for Cowlitz PUD
35.   Washington State's Carbon Fee Will Make History – Unless Big Oil Can Stop It
36.   Irony: Big Oil Fights President Trump on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
37.   Google Overhauls Search to Show More Pictures, Videos & Context
38.   A Telemarketer Made About 21 Million Robocalls in 3 Months. The FCC Just Fined It $82 Million.
39.   Ilwaco Budget Higher Thanks to Marijuana Taxes
40.   How Bug Ranching Can Fix the Food System
41.   Money Pouring into Washington State Coffers Brings Updated Budget Forecast
42.   Sweeping Changes -- Including Library Closures -- Proposed in Timberland Facilities Plan
43.   Flu Broke Records for Deaths, Illnesses in 2017-2018, New CDC Numbers Show
44.   Uber to Pay Washington $5.8 Million Over Major Data Breach
45.   Winter Forecast for the Pacific Northwest
46.   John Dodge’s Deadly Wind Blows into Olympia

WORD OF THE DAY

Orotund ● /ORE-uh-tunned/ ● Adjective – 1: marked by fullness, strength, and clarity of sound: sonorous. 2: excessively elevated or inflated: pompous, bombastic

Rhapsody in Blue
Gorgeous, orotund music
A Gershwin classic


ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

1.    Avista Sale Includes Protections Against Canadian Government Influence & Rate Hikes, Consultant Says (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

2.    Avista Executives to Receive $18 Million Payout on Day of Sale (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

3.    NuScale Sees 'Pivotal' Step in Selecting Manufacturer for Small Modular Reactor (Utility Dive)

4.    The Bonneville Power Administration’s Financial Reserves & Leverage Policy Processes Conclude (Bonneville Power Administration)

5.    Grant PUD Rate Increases Expected to Slow Down after 2019 (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, Wa)

6.    Jefferson PUD Readies for Budget Hearing October 1 (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

7.    State Auditor Issues Grays Harbor PUD a Clean Report (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

8.    Peninsula Light Company Moves Toward Full System Automation with Survalent (Cision PR Web)

9.    BC Hydro Says Smartphone, Tablet, 'Obsession' Behind Shift in Electricity Use (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

10. Utilities Helped Puerto Rico Fix Its Power Grid. Now They Face Hefty Tax Bills. (NY Times)

11. Illinois: End PJM Capacity Market? (RTO Insider)

FISH & WILDLIFE

12. Disasters Declared for Salmon Fisheries along West Coast – Unusually Warm & Poor Ocean Conditions (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

13. Returning Salmon Numbers Drop to 20-Year Lows (NCW Life Channel, East Wenatchee, WA)

14. Willapa Salmon Fisheries Re-Open, Some Remain Closed (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

15. 500,000 Sign Petition to Breach Snake River Dams in Effort to Save Orcas (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

16. Another Southern Resident Orca Is Ailing – At Least Three Whales Are Pregnant (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

17. Yakama Nation Will Put 5,000 Logs into Yakima River Tributaries to Enhance Ecosystem (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

18. 98 Mountain Goats Moved from Olympics to Cascades; 11 Die Before or During Relocation (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

19. The Sun Sets. The Wind Dies. But Energy Data Is Relentless. (NY Times)

20. Cheaper Battery Is Unveiled as a Step to a Carbon-Free Grid (NY Times)

Nevada Approves Four-Part Plan to Integrate More Distributed Energy Resources (Utility Dive)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

22. Mason PUD 3 in Line to Receive State Funding for Public-Private Broadband Partnership through the Local Fiberhood Program (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

23. Washington State Economic Revitalization Funding Boosts High-Speed Internet in Mason County (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

24. State of Washington Providing Financial Support to Expand High Speed Internet in Whitman County (KQQQ Radio, Pullman, WA)

25. Twisp Commissions Study of Broadband Services (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

26. U-S Voters Say Government 'Needs to Do More' for Rural Broadband, New Poll Finds (KMUW Radio, Wichita, KS)

27. A Bitcoin Miner Tests Investor Appetite: What to Watch Today (NY Times)

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

28. Utilities, Carmakers Launch Campaign to Cut U-S Transportation Energy Use 50% By 2050 (Utility Dive)

29. Sacramento Municipal Utility District Joins National Auto, Utility, Labor & Environmental Leaders – Pledge to Cut Transportation Energy Use in Half (Electric Energy Online)

30. Electric Carmakers Turn to Congress as Tax Credits Dry Up (The Hill, Washington, DC)

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

31. Federal Money Flowing to Modernize Central Oregon Irrigation (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

32. Mason PUD 1 Opposes Carbon Emissions Fee Measure (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

33. Mason PUD 3 Discusses Carbon Fee Initiative (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

34. I-1631 A Mixed Bag for Cowlitz PUD (Longview Daily News, WA)

35. Washington State's Carbon Fee Will Make History – Unless Big Oil Can Stop It (The Stranger)

36. Irony: Big Oil Fights President Trump on Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Courthouse News Service)

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

37. Google Overhauls Search to Show More Pictures, Videos & Context (Washington Post)

38. A Telemarketer Made About 21 Million Robocalls in 3 Months. The FCC Just Fined It $82 Million. (Washington Post)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

39. Ilwaco Budget Higher Thanks to Marijuana Taxes (Chinook Observer, Long Beach, WA)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

40. How Bug Ranching Can Fix the Food System (Crosscut Seattle)

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

41. Money Pouring into Washington State Coffers Brings Updated Budget Forecast (Associated Press)

GENERAL NEWS

42. Sweeping Changes -- Including Library Closures -- Proposed in Timberland Facilities Plan (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

43. Flu Broke Records for Deaths, Illnesses in 2017-2018, New CDC Numbers Show (Washington Post)

44. Uber to Pay Washington $5.8 Million Over Major Data Breach (Associated Press)

45. Winter Forecast for the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

46. John Dodge’s Deadly Wind Blows into Olympia (Thurston Talk, Olympia, WA)

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Sales Are Booming at a Manhattan Typewriter Store, Mostly Thanks to Young People (And Tom Hanks)

Bicyclist tries to hitch ride to Belfair on back of dump truck (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Found Tied, Taped & Starving, Dog Makes Miraculous Comeback in Yakima

Ruin the Holidays with These Mac & Cheese Candy Canes

SONG OF THE DAY

Forever Autumn - Justin Hayward (War of the Worlds Soundtrack)

Ukulogics – Forever Autumn (War of the Worlds – NOT on the Soundtrack)

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

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.