Thursday, May 21, 2009

Energy News Digest for May 21, 2009

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org


TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Grays Harbor County PUD Calls Off Rate Increase
- Power Project Generates Walla Walla-Hi FFA Championship
- NW Natural Gas Refunds Ratepayers
- U.S. Natural Gas Boom: The Race to Tap Shale's Potential
- Georgia Coal Plant Project Loses Two More Coalition Members
- With Salmon Facing Extinction, Will Pols Continue "Treading Water"?
- Wenatchee World Editorial - Salmon and the Perpetual War
- Hazing Sea Lions to Protect Salmon
- Vancouver Island salmon numbers on rise
- Puget Sound Fish Counters
- Washington State Dept. of Wildlife Struggling With Cuts
- Vancouver Island Natives Plan To Kill Sea Otters for Pelts
- Naming the inland waters of the Pacific Northwest the Salish Sea
- Oregon House OKs Greener Dishwasher Soap
- New King County Sewage Plant behind Schedule and Over Budget
- New Project Uses Slash for Electrical Power
- Enough With Birds, Farmer Claims Wind Turbines Kill Goats
- Iowa Co-Op’s Increase Because Of Renewable Energy
- Wind Turbines Becoming Growth Industry in Ohio
- Herald Op/Ed - Winds of Change
- PenLight Hires Company to Conduct Energy Efficiency Survey
- Gregoire Signs Order To Reduce Greenhouse Gases
- Seattle's Day to Tell EPA How to Fix Climate
- Poor Economy: Carbon Dioxide Emissions Drop in 2008
- Oregon Power Companies Divided Over Pollution Plan
- Shareholders to Push Idaho Power for Greener Standards
- Idaho Statesman Op/Ed - Idaho Power is Steps behind the Energy-Efficiency Movement
- New Web site reports greenhouse gas emissions
- America's climate-change bill is weaker and worse than expected
- Yahoo Eyes Acquisitions, Social Media
- State Sues to Recover $100 Million Lost In Stock Market
- Former Idaho Attorney General - Bureau of Indian Affairs Leader Chosen
- Barbecue Coals Cause $200,000 Fire at Mukilteo Home

WORD OF THE DAY

Plenary • \PLEE-nuh-ree\ • adjective – 1: complete in every respect: absolute, unqualified 2: fully attended or constituted by all entitled to be present

The plenary session of the Abercrombie County Rock and Mineral Society crumbled into bitter recriminations after some members had been found throwing rocks in the vicinity of the local florist’s greenhouses. “But we weren’t LIVING in the glass house,” whined the reprobates, “so throwing stones near houses in which we did not live was OK!”

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Grays Harbor County PUD Calls Off Rate Increase (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/05/20/local_news/doc4a1443fe7be5d017557002.txt

Power Project Generates Walla Walla-Hi FFA Championship (Walla Walla Union Bulletin)
http://union-bulletin.com/articles/2009/05/20/local_news/090520local04wahiffakids.txt

NW Natural Gas Refunds Ratepayers (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/05/18/daily38.html?ana=from_rss

U.S. Natural Gas Boom: The Race to Tap Shale's Potential (Popular Mechanics)
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/earth/4318390.html

Georgia Coal Plant Project Loses Two More Coalition Members (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/2009/05/21/coal0521.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Seattle P-I Columnist - With Salmon Facing Extinction, Will Pols Continue "Treading Water"?
http://www.seattlepi.com/connelly/406433_joel21.html

Wenatchee World Editorial - Salmon and the Perpetual War
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090520/OP02/705209882/1025/rss1025

Hazing Sea Lions to Protect Salmon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/5024-hazing-sea-lions-protect-salmon/

Vancouver Island salmon numbers on rise (Nanaimo Daily News, BC)
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/regional/Vancouver+Island+salmon+numbers+rise/1609807/story.html

Puget Sound Fish Counters (KUOW-Radio, Seattle)
http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=17557

Washington State Dept. of Wildlife Struggling With Cuts (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/749971.html

Vancouver Island Natives Plan To Kill Sea Otters for Pelts (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)
http://www.timescolonist.com/Technology/Vancouver+Island+band+plans+kill+otters+pelts/1612728/story.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Sea Change - Washington State will officially consider altering the map by naming the inland waters of the Pacific Northwest the Salish Sea (Crosscut, Seattle)
http://crosscut.com/2009/05/20/mossback/19007/

Oregon House OKs Greener Dishwasher Soap (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2027180~Ore__House_OKs_greener_dishwasher_soap.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

New King County Sewage Plant behind Schedule and Over Budget (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/406434_brightwater21.html?source=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

New Project Uses Slash for Electrical Power (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090520/NEWS04/705209874/1025/rss1025

Enough With Birds, Farmer Claims Wind Turbines Kill Goats (British Broadcasting Corporation)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8060969.stm

Iowa Co-Op’s Increase Because Of Renewable Energy (Osceola Sentinel-Tribune, IA)
http://www.osceolaiowa.com/articles/2009/05/20/24198238/index.xml

Wind Turbines Becoming Growth Industry in Ohio (The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH)
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2009/05/wind_turbines_turning_into_gro.html

Herald Op/Ed - Winds of Change (United Kingdom)
http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/editorial/display.var.2509413.0.Winds_of_change.php

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

PenLight Hires Company to Conduct Energy Efficiency Survey (Peninsula Gateway, Gig Harbor, WA)
http://www.gateline.com/104/story/4253.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Gregoire Signs Order To Reduce Greenhouse Gases (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009247078_apwaepaclimategregoire1stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

Seattle's Day to Tell EPA How to Fix Climate (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009245410_greenhousegas21m0.html

Poor Economy: Carbon Dioxide Emissions Drop in 2008 (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12413989

Oregon Power Companies Divided Over Pollution Plan (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/05/oregon_power_companies_divided.html

Shareholders to Push Idaho Power for Greener Standards (The New West)
http://www.newwest.net/city/article/shareholders_to_push_idaho_power_for_greener_standards/C108/L108/

Idaho Statesman Op/Ed - Idaho Power is Steps behind the Energy-Efficiency Movement
http://www.idahostatesman.com/OPINION/story/776181.html

New Web site reports greenhouse gas emissions (Portland Business Journal – PNW Looks Good)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/05/18/daily41.html?ana=from_rss

Handouts and loopholes - America's climate-change bill is weaker and worse than expected (The Economist)
http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13705417

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Yahoo Eyes Acquisitions, Social Media (Yahoo! Technology)
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20090521/tc_nm/us_summit_yahoo_1

GENERAL NEWS

State Sues to Recover $100 Million Lost In Stock Market (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/169125.asp?source=pimail

Former Idaho Attorney General - Bureau of Indian Affairs Leader Chosen (Associated Press)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/us/politics/21brfs-BUREAUOFINDI_BRF.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Barbecue Coals Cause $200,000 Fire at Mukilteo Home (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090521/NEWS01/705219904/-1/RSS02

DIVERSIONS

Bank Mistakenly Deposits $6M in Couple's Account
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/21/international/i021829D42.DTL&feed=rss.business

Game Of Lighter Fluid Tag Ends Badly
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=169972

Drink Up: Space Station Recycling Urine to Water
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009243427_apusspaceurine.html?syndication=rss

Household Drill to Head Saves Boy's Life
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19509317/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Partridge Family Opening TV Theme Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOiKa51ll-k

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Energy News Digest for May 20, 2009

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org


TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- NERC: Electricity Reliability Looking Good This Summer
- Lightning Storm Blows Transformers, Starts Fires
- Chelan PUD Could Speed Up Chelan Dam Rehabilitation
- Pumped Hydro Energy Storage: It Takes a Heck of a Long Time
- Avista Wants to Lower Natural Gas Rates
- Kulongoski Replaces Oregon Energy Director
- BC Power Grid Goes under the Microscope
- Nuclear Cleanup Awards Questioned
- Dwindling Coal Supply: Good for Environment, Bad for Economy
- Texas Electric Rates Are Mostly Below 12 Cents Now
- Salmon-Recovery Plan Needs Work, Judge Says
- Dam Breaching an Option to Protect Salmon, U.S. District Judge Says
- LA Times Op/Ed - If Salmon Can't Be Saved, Snake River Dams May Have To Go
- Chinook seasons set for South Fork and Upper Salmon
- Scientist Discovers Beavers Building Prime Salmon Habitat in Skagit Delta
- California - New Salmon Barrier Is No Substitute for Real Delta Protections
- Endangered Blue Whales Resurfacing In Alaska
- Shellfish isn't the only draw at this weekend's ShrimpFest in Brinnon
- River Currents Pick Up Amid Slow-Motion Spring
- Tribes Tout Walla Walla Water Swap
- Tribal Water Project for Puget Sound Honored
- Pennsylvania Nonprofit Interested in Belfair Sewer Project
- Water Main Break Floods North Seattle Streets, Homes
- King County Judge's Basement Flooded With Sewage
- Wind Power - Yakamas Say Development Is Damaging Sacred Cultural Sites
- Washington wind turbines claim first known eagle victim
- Vancouver, WA Wind Turbine Training to Begin
- Energy Industry Warns Of Green Bandwagon Effect
- Idaho Wind Farm Donates Turbines to Schools
- Vestas Names New Local President
- Hoquiam - Idled Imperium biodiesel plant may reopen next year
- Seattle Times Op/Ed - Time to Scale up the New Energy Economy
- Utilities Start to Use Google's Power Savings Software
- Energy Program Saves Michigan School District Nearly $500,000
- Cap-and-Trade Debate Drags On in House Energy Committee
- Environmentalists Attack House Global Warming Deal
- North Dakota Regulators Oppose 'Cap and Trade' Carbon Rules
- Oregon Greenhouse Legislation Would Weaken Economy
- Climate Bill Could Be a $750 Billion Boon for Consumers
- Washington Post Editorial - Let's Have Cap and No Trade
- Thursday – EPA Hearing: Gregoire, Rockefeller to Testify About Greenhouse Gases
- Department of Information Services Plans Meeting on Future Buildings
- How Much Bandwidth Can You Buy With $15,000?
- 50Mbps Fiber Lines for $99.95 per Month in 17 States
- Yahoo Upgrades Search Engine
- Call Center Will Close Olympia Operations
- Qwest Wants to Avoid 'Speed Game'
- The Race to Provide Wi-Fi at 30,000 Feet
- Confusion over Dueling Digital TV Conversions
- Social Networking: Members Can Become ‘Fans’ Of Richland
- Bosses Concerned About Facebook, Twitter
- What Type Of Emailer Are You?
- Unofficial Mason County Election Results
- One Case of Swine Flu Confirmed In Mason County
- Major Pieces Are In Place for Hood Canal Floating Bridge
- WA planners looking to Cut Columbia River Bridge Project
- Gregoire Agrees to Limit Cuts to State Auditor Brian Sonntag's Budget
- Panel freezes pay for Washington elected officials
- Gregoire OKs Delay of Washington State Family Leave Program
- Oregon House OKs Changes to State’s Initiative System
- KGY Radio Eager to Use New Tower
- Olive Garden Settles Credit-Card Suit with $9 Appetizer Voucher

WORD OF THE DAY – HAIKU STYLE

Deasil • \DEE-zil\ • noun – clockwise

Ride the tidal surge
Inner tube in deasil spin
Give me ‘Dramamine’

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

NERC: Electricity Reliability Looking Good This Summer (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=362700&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

Lightning Storm Blows Transformers, Starts Fires (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19513740/detail.html

Chelan PUD Could Speed Up Chelan Dam Rehabilitation (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090519/NEWS04/705199945/-1/WEATHER?Chelan-PUD-could-speed-up-Chelan-dam-rehabilitation

Pumped Hydro Energy Storage: It Takes a Heck of a Long Time (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/earthToTech/idUS334429218720090518

Avista Wants to Lower Natural Gas Rates (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/05/18/daily23.html?ana=from_rss

Kulongoski Replaces Oregon Energy Director (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/05/kulongoski_replaces_oregon_ene.html

BC Power Grid Goes under the Microscope - An inquiry is in the early stages of examining B.C.'s potential (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.vancouversun.com/Technology/power+grid+goes+under+microscope/1607857/story.html

Nuclear Cleanup Awards Questioned - Firms Cited for Errors Get Funding (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/17/AR2009051702254.html?wprss=rss_business

Dwindling Coal Supply: Good for Environment, Bad for Economy (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/environment/2009/may/Dwindling-Coal-Supply--Good-for-Environment--Bad-for-Economy.html

Texas Electric Rates Are Mostly Below 12 Cents Now (Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX)
http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/1382435.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Salmon-Recovery Plan Needs Work, Judge Says - A judge is telling federal agencies they need to do more to help Columbia Basin salmon survive, or he will find the latest restoration plan in violation of the Endangered Species Act. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009235669_salmon19m.html

Dam Breaching an Option to Protect Salmon, U.S. District Judge Says (Idaho Statesman, Boise)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/775091.html

LA Times Op/Ed - If Salmon Can't Be Saved, Snake River Dams May Have To Go
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2009/05/salmon-recovery-snake-river-dams-columbia-river-endangered-species.html

Chinook seasons set for South Fork and Upper Salmon (Idaho Statesman, Boise)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/Extras/IdahoOutdoors/story/772417.html

Scientist Discovers Beavers Building Prime Salmon Habitat in Skagit Delta (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009231736_beavers18m.html

California - New Salmon Barrier Is No Substitute for Real Delta Protections (IndyBay, CA)
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/05/18/18595753.php

Endangered Blue Whales Resurfacing In Alaska (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009235492_bluewhales19.html

Shellfish Isn't the Only Draw at This Weekend's Shrimpfest in Brinnon (Port Townsend Leader)
http://www.ptleader.com/Main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=24242

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

River Currents Pick Up Amid Slow-Motion Spring (The Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090519/NEWS04/705199899/1001/NEWS04

Tribes Tout Walla Walla Water Swap - Umatilla Basin plan provides a blueprint (East Oregonian, Hermiston)
http://eastoregonian.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=92671&SectionID=13&SubSectionID=48

Tribal Water Project for Puget Sound Honored (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090520/NEWS01/705209818

Pennsylvania Nonprofit Interested in Belfair Sewer Project (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/17/pennsylvania-nonprofit-interested-in-belfair/?partner=RSS

Water Main Break Floods North Seattle Streets, Homes (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19506207/detail.html

King County Judge's Basement Flooded With Sewage (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/406341_sewer19.html?source=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Wind Power - Yakamas Say Development is Damaging Sacred Cultural Sites (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/2009/05/16/yakamas-say-development-is-damaging-sacred-cultural-sites

At Goodnoe Hills Wind Project - Washington Wind Turbines Claim First Known Eagle Victim (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090519/NEWS02/705199958/

Wind Turbine Training to Begin - Vancouver-based program will produce technicians following its July launch (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090520/BIZ01/705209972/-1/BIZ

Energy Industry Warns Of Green Bandwagon Effect (Washington Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/05/18/story11.html?ana=from_rss

Idaho Wind Farm Donates Turbines to Schools (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/855319.html

Vestas Names New Local President (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/05/18/daily4.html?ana=from_rss

Hoquiam - Idled Imperium biodiesel plant may reopen next year (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009235360_imperium19.html?syndication=rss

Seattle Times Op/Ed - Time to Scale up the New Energy Economy: The federal finding that climate pollution hurts public health is not the only reason society should step up efforts to combat climate change
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2009234432_opinb19golden.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Utilities Start to Use Google's Power Savings Software (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905200951DOWJONESDJONLINE000671_FORTUNE5.htm

Energy Program Saves Michigan School District Nearly $500,000 (The News-Herald, Southgate, MI)
http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2009/05/20/news/doc4a130d476022e199642787.txt

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Cap-and-Trade Debate Drags On in House Energy Committee (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/19/AR2009051903177.html?wprss=rss_politics

Environmentalists Attack House Global Warming Deal (Time Magazine)
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898896,00.html

North Dakota Regulators Oppose 'Cap and Trade' Carbon Rules (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009239304_apuscarbonregulationnorthdakota.html?syndication=rss

Salem Statesman Op/Ed - Oregon Greenhouse Legislation Would Weaken Economy
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090520/OPINION/905200446/1049

Climate Bill Could Be a $750 Billion Boon for Consumers, Study Finds (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/climate-bill-could-be-a-750-billion-boon-for-consumers-study-finds/

Washington Post Editorial - Let's Have Cap and No Trade
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/18/AR2009051802647.html

Thursday – EPA Hearing: Gregoire, Rockefeller to Testify About Greenhouse Gases (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/18/gregoire-rockefeller-to-testify-about-greenhouse/?partner=RSS

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Olympia: Department of Information Services Plans Meeting on Future Buildings (The Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/853995.html

How Much Bandwidth Can You Buy With $15,000? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/05/20/how-much-bandwidth-can-you-buy-with-15000/

50Mbps Fiber Lines for $99.95 per Month in 17 States (Geek.com)
http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/50mbps-fiber-lines-for-9995-per-month-in-17-states-20090518/

Yahoo Upgrades Search Engine (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12404040

Call Center Will Close Olympia Operations (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/747850.html

Qwest Wants to Avoid 'Speed Game' - As if they actually had a choice (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Qwest-Wants-To-Avoid-Speed-Game-102503

The Race to Provide Wi-Fi at 30,000 Feet (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/business/19road.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Confusion over Dueling Digital TV Conversions (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_051809DTV-two-digital-conversions-TP.16a241d6.html?rss

FACEBOOK: Social Networking Website Members Can Become ‘Fans’ Of Richland (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/582404.html?mi_email=Tri-City%20Herald_PM+%26+Breaking+News

Bosses Concerned About Facebook, Twitter (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/05/18/daily12.html?ana=from_rss

What Type Of Emailer Are You? (Yahoo! Technology)
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/142158

GENERAL NEWS

Unofficial Mason County Election Results - Fire Five EMS levy passing; Fire Eight levies failing; North Mason Capital Levy just passing (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/7299/reftab/1632/Default.aspx

One Case of Swine Flu Confirmed In Mason County; State Total Now 441 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/7304/reftab/1632/Default.aspx

Major Pieces Are In Place for Hood Canal Floating Bridge (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009240402_webbridge20.html?syndication=rss

WA planners looking to Cut Columbia River Bridge Project (The Associated Press)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_i_5_project.html?source=pimail

Gregoire Agrees to Limit Cuts to State Auditor Brian Sonntag's Budget (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2009238622_gregoire_agrees_to_limit_cuts.html?syndication=rss

Statewide Elected Officials & Judges - Panel freezes pay for Washington elected officials (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009241436_apwapayfreeze.html?syndication=rss

Gregoire OKs Delay of Washington State Family Leave Program (KIRO-Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=169127

Oregon House OKs Changes to State’s Initiative System “…background checks on all prospective signature gatherers…turn in signature sheets once a month…not allowed to collect as a volunteer for one cause while simultaneously gathering for another cause as a paid worker (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2024378~House_OKs_changes_to_Ore__initiative_system.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

KGY Radio Eager to Use New Tower - Radio signal expected to be stronger with higher structure (The Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/852499.html

Olive Garden Settles Credit-Card Suit with $9 Appetizer Voucher (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009235363_olivegarden19.html?syndication=rss

DIVERSIONS

2 Fired For Urinating Into Old Faithful - Employees Caught On Live Webcam
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19465748/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_12pm&tmi=sea_12pm_1_02000205152009&ts=H

Hawaiian Shirts Ride Wave of Popularity
http://www.theolympian.com/living/story/854048.html

Cell Phones Can Spark More Than Just Conversations
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/45445817.html

Omaha Man Blames Casino Drinks, Drugs for Big Debt
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/747684.html

The Star Report: You Can Call Him Zimmy: Bob Dylan's Bad Early Poetry
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12404545

SONG OF THE DAY

Manfred Mann – The Mighty Quinn (Written by Bob Dylan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liIQLIx2Onw

Bob Dylan - Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svyTF3WItiE

Friday, May 15, 2009

Energy News Digest for May 15, 2009

The energy news digest is taking a li’l ol’ vacation down the Oregon coast May 18 & 19. Let’s hope sneaker waves and angry seal mommies aren’t among the dangers! All new stories will return on Wednesday, May 20.

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Andrew Munro Named President of National Hydropower Association
- Former Montana Governor Joins Avista Board
- Fed Energy Chief Announces Billions for Clean Coal
- Areva Nuclear Fuel Plant Celebrates 40 Years in Richland
- Yucca Mountain: Dead and costly
- Oregon - Copper Wire Stolen From BPA Facility in Gold Beach
- Nine Cents per kWh – Montana Power Rates Lowest Since Summer
- Illinois - Ameren may seek rate increase to recoup storm recovery costs
- Utah's Energy Outlook is Surging
- California Raises Net Metering Cap to 10%
- A Way To Save Salmon, Or Just A Shift In Who Gets To Catch And Kill Them?
- Oregonian Op/Ed - Columbia River Salmon: Selective Fishing for All
- Chief Joseph Hatchery gets green light
- Restoring the River of Life
- Let the Hype Begin - Copper River Salmon Shipment Lands in Seattle
- A Little Taste of Fish, Bugs and Stream Work
- Chasing Rainbows, and Their Cousins, on North Carolina’s Trout Trail
- Olympian Editorial - Taylor, DNR Can Put Shellfish Case behind Them
- Gas Barge Scrapes Hull at the Dalles Lock
- Daily News Editorial - Channel-Deepening Finish Line in Sight
- East Oregon Snowpack Higher Than Average
- EPA Sued For Not Combating Ocean Acidification
- Tribe Remains Silent on N. Idaho Land Swap
- Corporate Green Supplants Corporate Greed
- In California, Desalination of Seawater as a Test Case
- Solar and Wind Groups Lobby FERC to Lead Grid Expansion
- Power Plants Eye North Florida Forests for Green Fuel
- Climate Change: Garbage Gets Fresh Look as Source of Energy
- Florida Town Closes the Loop on Poop Power
- Supporting Alternative Energy Companies Cuts Carbon Emissions
- 'Green' Light Bulbs Poison Workers
- Experts: Energy Vampires A Growing Threat
- LEDs, Lighting Efficiency, and the Rebound Effect
- House Approves 'Green Schools' Bill
- Study Halves Prediction of Rising Seas
- Congressional Climate Legislation Finds Democratic Opponents
- Ads Target Key Votes on Climate Bill
- Wall Street Journal Editorial - Indiana Says 'No Thanks' to Cap and Trade
- NY Times Op-Ed - Empire of Carbon
- Verizon May Reach 80% FiOS Penetration
- Verizon Deal Not Likely To Cost Jobs, Officials Say
- The Rise of the Rural Super Telco
- Frustration, Distress over Google Outage
- Shelton-Based Airplane - Report Rules Out Icing in 2007 Crash of Skydiver's Plane
- G.M. Notifying 1,100 Dealers That They Will Be Dropped
- GM Won't Release List of Dealers Cut From Corporate Network
- Map: Chrysler Dealers - Who's Getting Shut Down
- Port Of Tacoma Could Lay Off 20 Percent of Staff
- Mason County Taxable Retail Sales Down
- Rapid Rise in Some WASL Scores Suspicious
- Hood Canal - Navy to Study 2nd Trident Weapons Wharf at Bangor
- Kitsap Commissioners Moving Slowly on Forest Zoning Issue
- Gregoire: 'We Want To Be the Home of Aerospace'
- Effort to Oust Portland Mayor Kicks Off

WORD OF THE DAY

Unctuous • \UNK-choo-uss\ • adjective - 1. Of the nature or quality of an unguent or ointment; fatty; oily; greasy 2. Having a smooth, greasy feel, as certain minerals. 3. Insincerely or excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech; marked by a false or smug earnestness or agreeableness.

After spending four excruciating hours listening to the unctuous sales pitch from a “no money down” real estate shyster, Ambrose left the meeting with three things: a headache crying out for the strongest remedy he could find; a cheap combination flashlight, radio, can opener, espresso maker; and a strong desire for a long, hot shower with plenty of soap.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Andrew Munro Named President of National Hydropower Association (Columbia Basin herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2009/05/14/news/doc4a0c617a1b8bc468716338.txt

Former Montana Governor Joins Avista Board (Associated Press)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=10363490

Fed Energy Chief Announces Billions for Clean Coal (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/15/national/w092716D66.DTL&feed=rss.business

Areva Nuclear Fuel Plant Celebrates 40 Years in Richland (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=10366175

Yucca Mountain: Dead and costly - Killing major federal projects is easier said than done (Associated Press)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090514/NEWS02/705149878/1024/rss1024

Oregon - Copper Wire Stolen From BPA Facility in Gold Beach (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/copper_wire_is_stolen_from_bpa.html

Nine Cents per kWh – Montana Power Rates Lowest Since Summer (Billings Gazette, MT)
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/05/15/news/state/30-power.txt

Illinois - Ameren May Seek Rate Increase to Recoup Storm Recovery Costs (The Southern, Carbondale IL)
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2009/05/14/breaking_news/doc4a0cacfe8afec518149967.txt

Utah's Energy Outlook is Surging (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705303601,00.html

California Raises Net Metering Cap to 10% (Seeking Alpha)
http://seekingalpha.com/article/137842-california-raises-net-metering-cap-to-10

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregonian Op/Ed - A Way To Save Salmon, Or Just A Shift In Who Gets To Catch And Kill Them?
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/05/comment_of_the_day_4.html

Oregonian Op/Ed - Columbia River Salmon: Selective Fishing for All
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/05/columbia_river_salmon_selectiv.html

Chief Joseph Hatchery Gets Green Light (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090514/NEWS04/705149892?Chief-Joseph-Hatchery-gets-green-light

Restoring the River of Life - Undoing years of damage done by hydropower dams is a daunting task (Mother Nature Network)
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/restoring-the-river-of-life

Let the Hype Begin - Copper River Salmon Shipment Lands in Seattle (Associated Press)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_051509FOB-AP-copper-river-salmon-LJ.6711648.html?rss

A Little Taste of Fish, Bugs and Stream Work (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090514/NEWS04/705149863/1001/NEWS04

Chasing Rainbows, and Their Cousins, on North Carolina’s Trout Trail (NY Times)
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/travel/escapes/15fly.html?partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/travel/escapes/15fly.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Olympian Editorial - Taylor, DNR Can Put Shellfish Case behind Them
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/851521.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Gas Barge Scrapes Hull at the Dalles Lock (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/851992.html

Daily News Editorial - Channel-Deepening Finish Line in Sight (Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/05/15/editorial/doc4a0cacacb75ec696775370.txt

East Oregon Snowpack Higher Than Average (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2015785~E__Oregon_snowpack_higher_than_average.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

EPA Sued For Not Combating Ocean Acidification (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009220782_apwaimpairedocean.html?syndication=rss

Tribe Remains Silent on N. Idaho Land Swap (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/851829.html

Corporate Green Supplants Corporate Greed (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/168730.asp?source=pimail

In California, Desalination of Seawater as a Test Case (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/science/earth/15water.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Solar and Wind Groups Lobby FERC to Lead Grid Expansion (GreenTechGrid)
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/solar-and-wind-groups-lobby-ferc-to-lead-grid-expansion-5750/

Power Plants Eye North Florida Forests for Green Fuel - Companies are turning to trees as a green fuel as coal power becomes more expensive (Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville, FL – ya know, there’s a reason that there’s not much of “Sherwood Forest” left in England…)
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-05-15/story/power_plants_eye_north_florida_forests_for_green_fuel

Climate Change: Garbage Gets Fresh Look as Source of Energy (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124233937494621157.html#mod=rss_whats_news_us_business

Florida Town Closes the Loop on Poop Power (Fast Company, scatological headlines always make me smile…)
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/florida-town-closes-loop-poop-power

Supporting Alternative Energy Companies Cuts Carbon Emissions (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/x-7048-Seattle-Green-Business-Examiner~y2009m5d15-Supporting-alternative-energy-companies-cuts-carbon-emissions

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

'Green' Light Bulbs Poison Workers - Hundreds of factory staff are being made ill by mercury used in bulbs destined for the West (The Times of London, UK)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6211261.ece

Experts: Energy Vampires A Growing Threat (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/environment/stories/NW_051409ENV-energy-vampires-KS.34ad8f8.html

LEDs, Lighting Efficiency, and the Rebound Effect (Electronics, Design, Strategy News)
http://www.edn.com/blog/1470000147/post/1960044596.html

House Approves 'Green Schools' Bill (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104145841&ft=1&f=1001

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Study Halves Prediction of Rising Seas (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/science/earth/15antarctica.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Congressional Climate Legislation Finds Democratic Opponents (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104155967&ft=1&f=2

Ads Target Key Votes on Climate Bill (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124233900613221129.html

Wall Street Journal Editorial - Indiana Says 'No Thanks' to Cap and Trade: No honest person thinks this will make a dent in climate change.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124234844782222081.html

NY Times Op-Ed - Empire of Carbon
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/opinion/15krugman.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Verizon May Reach 80% FiOS Penetration - Now that they've offloaded pesky rural customers to Frontier (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Verizon-May-Reach-80-FiOS-Penetration-102454

Verizon Deal Not Likely To Cost Jobs, Officials Say (The Herald, Everett, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090514/BIZ/705149761/-1/RSS03

The Rise of the Rural Super Telco - Frontier, Centurytel, Fairpoint: the future of rural America? (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/The-Rise-Of-The-Rural-Super-Telco-102469

Frustration, Distress over Google Outage (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/15/BUPE17KKIJ.DTL&feed=rss.business

GENERAL NEWS

Shelton-Based Airplane - Report Rules Out Icing in 2007 Crash of Skydiver's Plane (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/7259/reftab/1632/t/REPORT-RULES-OUT-ICING-IN-2007-CRASH-OF-SKYDIVER-S-PLANE-/Default.aspx

G.M. Notifying 1,100 Dealers That They Will Be Dropped (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/16/business/16auto.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

GM Won't Release List of Dealers Cut From Corporate Network (Trading Markets)
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2330804/

Map: Chrysler Dealers - Who's Getting Shut Down (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/storysupplement/chryslerdealerclosings/CA.html

Port Of Tacoma Could Lay Off 20 Percent of Staff Port Of Tacoma Could Lay Off 20 Percent of Staff (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19466533/detail.html

Mason County Taxable Retail Sales Down (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/7258/reftab/1632/t/TAXABLE-RETAIL-SALES-DOWN-IN-COUNTY/Default.aspx

Rapid Rise in Some WASL Scores Suspicious (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19464935/detail.html

Hood Canal - Navy to Study 2nd Trident Weapons Wharf at Bangor (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/851897.html

Kitsap Commissioners Moving Slowly on Forest Zoning Issue - What would happen if they allow growth to quadruple in some of the most remote, forested areas of the county (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/14/kitsap-commissioners-moving-slowly-on-forest/?partner=RSS

Gregoire: 'We Want To Be the Home of Aerospace' (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/45057622.html

Effort to Oust Portland Mayor Kicks Off (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/45059917.html

DIVERSIONS

Students, Prom Suspended After Food Fight
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19463141/detail.html

Father Arrested For Allegedly Forcing Son's Tattoo
http://www.examiner.com/a-2015926~Father_arrested_for_allegedly_forcing_son_s_tattoo.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Fishy Selling Practices At Kansas City Restaurants: 85% Of The Fish On The Menu Is Not The Fish On The Menu (Note: comments section may contain PG-13 language)
http://consumerist.com/5254115/fishy-selling-practices-at-kansas-city-restaurants-85-of-the-fish-on-the-menu-is-not-the-fish-on-the-menu

Bogus Trend of the Week: Raising Backyard Chickens The press lays dozens and dozens of eggs.
http://www.slate.com/id/2218390/?from=rss

Woman Sues Cemetery Owner Claiming Pet Monkey's Grave Wasn't Neat and Tidy
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12372369

SONG OF THE DAY

Gin Blossoms - Found Out About You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tXShNtyvRs&feature=PlayList&p=33D6477AB666D53D&index=0

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Energy News Digest for May 14, 2009

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Chronicle Editorial - Dams Once Again Being Considered Across Washington State
- Hydropower May Be the Solution to Energy Storage Problem
- Montana - Rainbow Dam upgrade still planned
- Penlight’s Rates an Investment for the Future
- California - State Has Enough Electricity for Summer
- Florida - Osprey Nest Causes Power Outage on Marco Island
- BPA Seeks More Smart Grid Projects Partners
- Women in Trades Career Fair Encourages Girls to “Go Green”
- Bonneville Jack Salmon Counts On Record Rate
- N.W. Lawmakers Fight To Save Salmon Fund
- West Linn: The "Aluminum Hatch" Ebbs and Flows With the Willamette's Fisheries
- Oregon - State Will Stock South Fork of Yamhill River for First Time in a Decade
- Ringold Area Bank Salmon Fishery on Columbia River to Close Soon
- Comments Sought On Proposed Hatchery and Fishery Reform Policy
- Washington State Dept of Fish and Wildlife Announces Layoffs
- A Few More Winters Before Howard Hanson Dam Fixed
- Rising Calls to Regulate California Groundwater
- San Diego Water Board OKs Huge Desalination Plant
- Feds Hunt for Former Water Company Worker in $9 Million Theft
- The Next Big Thing in Wind: Slow Wind, Huge Turbines
- Coyote Ridge Prison near Connell is Using Solar Panels to Save Energy
- Wave Power Coming On Slow Rollers
- Utah - Utility's Energy-Credit Program Draws Multitudes
- Mason County PUD No. 3 and EDC Promote Conservation Programs
- Tapping Into Students' Brain Power
- Sequim to Conduct Climate Change Survey
- Climate Policy Tracker Tracks Progress in 33 States
- Will BC Premier's Win Bring The Carbon Tax Back To Life?
- The Top 10 Green Living Myths
- Google Glitch Disrupts Search Engine, E-Mail
- Comcast's Digital Transition Creates Digital Confusion
- The Internet Apocalypse Is Ahead Of Schedule
- Oregon - State Radio Upgrade Faces Disconnect
- Cisco To Supply Clearwire With Wimax Devices
- FCC Hits Streets to Publicize Digital TV Switch
- Evergreen State College Missing Costly Gadgets
- Olympia Rock Station to Shift to All News

WORD OF THE DAY

Bludge • \BLUJ\ • verb - 1: to avoid work or responsibility *2: to get something from or live on another by imposing on hospitality or good nature: sponge.

The sharp knock on the front door rang throughout the house like a rifle shot. It was Christmas, and “Sparky” knew it was time for the annual visit of his bludging relatives.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Chronicle Editorial - Dams Once Again Being Considered Across Washington State
http://www.chronline.com/articles/2009/05/13/opinion/our_views/doc4a0b0871a13a9031444992.txt

Hydropower May Be the Solution to Energy Storage Problem (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/4974-hydropower-may-be-solution-energy-storage-problem/

Montana - Rainbow Dam Upgrade Still Planned (Associated Press)
http://www.abcmontana.com/news/state/44986632.html

Penlight’s Rates an Investment for the Future (Peninsula Gateway, Gig Harbor, WA)
http://www.gateline.com/opinion/story/4196.html

California - State has enough electricity for summer (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/14/BU7V17K67U.DTL&feed=rss.business

Florida - Osprey Nest Causes Power Outage on Marco Island (Fort Myers News-Press, FL)
http://www.news-press.com/article/20090513/NEWS01/90513046/1075

BPA Seeks More Smart Grid Projects Partners (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/05/11/daily40.html?ana=from_rss

Women in Trades Career Fair Encourages Girls to “Go Green” (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/273772/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Bonneville Jack Salmon Counts On Record Rate (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2009/05/bonneville_jack_salmon_counts.html

N.W. Lawmakers Fight To Save Salmon Fund - Regional members of Congress appeal to Locke to preserve fish & habitat program (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/article/20090513/NEWS02/705139956/N.W.+lawmakers+fight+to+save+salmon+fund

West Linn: The "Aluminum Hatch" Ebbs and Flows With the Willamette's Fisheries (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2009/05/west_linn_the_aluminum_hatch_e.html

Oregon - State Will Stock South Fork of Yamhill River for First Time in a Decade (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/05/state_will_stock_south_fork_of.html

Ringold Area Bank Salmon Fishery on Columbia River to Close Soon (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2009217065_ringold_area_bank_salmon_fishe.html

Comments Sought On Proposed Hatchery and Fishery Reform Policy (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2009217080_comments_sought_on_proposed_ha.html

Washington State Dept of Fish and Wildlife Announces Layoffs (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/44939997.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

A Few More Winters Before Howard Hanson Dam Fixed (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/44910072.html

Rising Calls to Regulate California Groundwater (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/science/earth/14aquifer.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

San Diego Water Board OKs Huge Desalination Plant (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2014138~San_Diego_water_board_OKs_huge_desalination_plant.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Feds Hunt for Former Water Company Worker in $9 Million Theft (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/14/BA4U17KGAE.DTL&feed=rss.news

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

The Next Big Thing in Wind: Slow Wind, Huge Turbines (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10233108-54.html

Coyote Ridge Prison near Connell is Using Solar Panels to Save Energy (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=10358886

Wave Power Coming On Slow Rollers (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/4972-wave-power-coming-slow-rollers/

Utah - Utility's Energy-Credit Program Draws Multitudes (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)
http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_12364152

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Mason County PUD No. 3 and EDC Promote Conservation Programs (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/7246/reftab/1632/t/PUD-3-AND-EDC-PROMOTE-CONSERVATION-PROGRAMS/Default.aspx

Tapping Into Students' Brain Power - Program Looks to Classrooms for Ideas on Reducing Energy Use (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051301481.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Sequim to Conduct Climate Change Survey; Forks Slow In Addressing Issue (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090513/news/305139995

Climate Policy Tracker Tracks Progress in 33 States (Environmental Leader)
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/05/14/climate-policy-tracker-tracks-progress-in-33-states/

Canada - Will B.C. Premier's Win Bring The Carbon Tax Back To Life? (Globe And Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090514.wbcelectionclimate14art22282/BNStory/politics/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20090514.wbcelectionclimate14art22282

The Top 10 Green Living Myths (Christian Science Monitor)
http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/05/13/the-top-10-green-living-myths/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Glitch Disrupts Search Engine, E-Mail (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12369406

Comcast's Digital Transition Creates Digital Confusion (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12364064

The Internet Apocalypse Is Ahead Of Schedule (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/The-Internet-Apocalypse-Is-Ahead-Of-Schedule-102431

Oregon - State Radio Upgrade Faces Disconnect (The Oregonian, Portland)
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/05/state_radio_upgrade_faces_disc.html

Cisco To Supply Clearwire With Wimax Devices (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/13/financial/f194219D01.DTL&feed=rss.business

FCC Hits Streets to Publicize Digital TV Switch (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051302107.html?wprss=rss_technology

GENERAL NEWS

College Missing Costly Gadgets - Evergreen: Audit Shows $100,000 in Equipment Lost (The Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/localnewsfeed/story/849134.html

Olympia Rock Station to Shift to All News - The Eagle: Owners sign deal with Seattle’s KOMO; 10 to 15 employees of 97.7 FM will lose their jobs (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/business/story/849181.html#Comments_Container

DIVERSIONS

Funky Office Fridge Sends 7 to Hospital - Hazmat Team Responds to Clean Up Old Lunches, Disinfectant
http://www.kirotv.com/health/19445205/detail.html

$20,000 - Postal Worker Accused of Stealing, Selling Stamps
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19439741/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Donovan - Sunshine Superman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD0NFCVQTqs&feature=related

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Energy News Digest for May 13, 2009

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

To subscribe, email
jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Okanogan PUD pays $75,000 for 2005 Methow fire
- Maintenance Fluke to Blame For April 23 Skagit Power Outage
- Chelan County PUD Still Seeing Red in Budget
- Two Regional Coal Companies to Merge in $2 Billion Deal
- Illinois - Rock Energy Files Lawsuit against Village of Rockton Acquisition
- High Growth Reported for Nuclear Energy Technologies Worldwide
- Smart Grid Electricity Costs Less, Wastes Less
- Survey Uncovers Utilities' Main Priorities
- Fisheries Managers Revising Salmon Projections
- NW Power Council OKs Colville Fish Hatchery
- Puget Sound Energy Salmon-Protection Efforts Receive National Recognition
- Hood Canal Sport Shrimp Season Extended to Include This Saturday
- Climate Change Cutting Wash. Cascade Snowpack
- Stimulus Money To Help Finish Columbia Deepening
- Idaho Cuts Water Quality Monitoring Program
- Washington Post Editorial - Federal Action on the Bay
- California - Judge Rules Desalinization Plant Decision Was Appropriate
- Turning Off Wind Turbines Saves Bats
- Oregon - Clean Energy Is a Breeze - Small wind turbines spin interest
- Alaska - Winds of Change Slow to Come to Seward
- United Kingdom- $3B pledge jump-starts massive offshore wind project
- Pacific Gas & Electric Strikes Huge Solar Power Deal With BrightSource
- Maine - Paper Mill Officials Lobby for Fuel Credit
- The Forgotten Piece of the Smart Grid: Energy Storage
- Bubble Trouble - Pacific Ethanol Considers Bankruptcy
- Chelan PUD’s Weatherization Loans Losing Out
- Cell Phones, TVs Undo Efficiency Gains: Study
- For LED Technology - Idaho seeks stimulus money for Micron
- Democrats to Relax House Emissions Bill
- OMB Criticizes EPA Finding on Greenhouse Gases
- White House Memo Challenges EPA Finding on Warming
- Tallying Climate Bill’s Cost to Consumers
- Carbon Geography of the United States
- Chehalis Pulls Plug on Citywide Wi-Fi Project
- Verizon Selling Washington Rural Phone Line Business to Frontier
- F.C.C.: Landline Number Move Should Take 1 Day, Not 4
- Data Storage Opens Up New Source of Work for IT Firms
- Rackspace Posts 21 Percent Hike in First-Quarter Earnings
- After a Shaky 2008, U.S. Broadband Growth Picks Up
- New Docs Show FCC Glossed Over BPL Flaws
- Ask.com CEO Leaving; President to Take Over Role
- Google Unveils A Series of New Search Features
- Washington Econ Forecasters Say Turning Point Near
- Gov OKs Tax Cut for Newspapers
- Columbia River Gorge panel braces for budget cuts
- Oregon Electronics Recycling Has Too Much Junk

WORD OF THE DAY

Clamor • \CLAM-err\ • noun - 1a: noisy shouting b: a loud continuous noise 2: insistent public expression (as of support or protest)

The doors of the “Price Cut” stores were rattling and bending inwards at locations throughout the country the day after Thanksgiving. The press of howling, ravenous shoppers clamoring for the new “Kick Me Elmo” doll was much greater than the cynical toy manufacturer had hoped.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Okanogan PUD pays $75,000 for 2005 Methow fire - PUD denies negligence in fire started by dead tree falling on power line (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090512/NEWS04/705129968/-1/PRINTINDEX?Okanogan-PUD-pays-$75-000-for-2005-Methow-fire-

Maintenance Fluke to Blame For April 23 Skagit Power Outage (Associated Press)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=10355658

Chelan County PUD Still Seeing Red in Budget (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090512/NEWS04/705129960/1001/NEWS04

Two Regional Coal Companies to Merge in $2 Billion Deal (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/12/AR2009051202032.html?wprss=rss_business

Illinois - Rock Energy Files Lawsuit against Village of Rockton Acquisition (WREX-TV, Rockford, IL)
http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=10342104

High Growth Reported for Nuclear Energy Technologies Worldwide (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=362051&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

Smart Grid Electricity Costs Less, Wastes Less (The Tennessean)
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090513/NEWS01/905130412/Smart+grid+electricity+costs+less++wastes+less

Survey Uncovers Utilities' Main Priorities (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=362015&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Fisheries Managers Revising Salmon Projections (Associated Press)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/fisheries_managers_revising_sa.html

NW Power Council OKs Colville Fish Hatchery (The Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/848999.html

News Release - Puget Sound Energy Salmon-Protection Efforts Receive National Recognition (Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&id=111417

Hood Canal Sport Shrimp Season Extended to Include This Saturday (Port Townsend Leader, WA)
http://www.ptleader.com/Main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=24181

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Climate Change Cutting Wash. Cascade Snowpack (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/848848.html

Stimulus Money to Help Finish Columbia Deepening (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009215294_apwacolumbiadredging.html?syndication=rss

Idaho Cuts Water Quality Monitoring Program (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/849626.html

Washington Post Editorial - Federal Action on the Bay: President Obama wades into the Chesapeake
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/12/AR2009051203232.html?nav=rss_opinions

California - Judge Rules Desalinization Plant Decision Was Appropriate (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009213088_apuscalifdesalinationplant.html?syndication=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Turning Off Wind Turbines Saves Bats (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/05/11/daily21.html?ana=from_rss

Oregon - Clean Energy Is a Breeze - Small wind turbines spin interest from homeowners, schools, city (The Astorian, OR)
http://www.dailyastorian.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&ArticleID=60840

Alaska - Winds of Change Slow to Come to Seward (KTUU, Anchorage, AK)
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=10351955

United Kingdom- $3B pledge jump-starts massive offshore wind project (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/05/12/12greenwire-3b-pledge-jump-starts-massive-offshore-wind-pr-19116.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Strikes Huge Solar Power Deal With BrightSource (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12359880

Maine - Paper Mill Officials Lobby for Fuel Credit (Mainebiz.com)
http://www.mainebiz.biz/news44572.html

The Forgotten Piece of the Smart Grid: Energy Storage (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/05/13/the-forgotten-piece-of-the-smart-grid-energy-storage/

Bubble Trouble - Pacific Ethanol Considers Bankruptcy (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/05/11/daily28.html?ana=from_rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Chelan PUD’s Weatherization Loans Losing Out - wants to get out of the home weatherization-loan business, commissioners learned (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090512/NEWS04/705129927/1025/rss1025

Cell Phones, TVs Undo Efficiency Gains: Study (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE54C4K420090513

For LED Technology - Idaho seeks stimulus money for Micron (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/849740.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Democrats to Relax House Emissions Bill - Deal Courts Industrial-State Votes (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/12/AR2009051203962.html?wprss=rss_business

OMB Criticizes EPA Finding on Greenhouse Gases (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104065600&ft=1&f=2

White House Memo Challenges EPA Finding on Warming (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009210631_apusepaclimate.html?syndication=rss

Tallying Climate Bill’s Cost to Consumers (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/tallying-climate-bills-cost-to-consumers/

Carbon Geography of the United States (The Guardian, UK)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8504944

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Chehalis Pulls Plug on Citywide Wi-Fi Project - Council Member Calls Implementation of Plan a ‘Fiasco’ as City Looks to Recoup Only $5,000 of $26,000 Investment (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/articles/2009/05/13/news//doc4a09c28aebd40825348265.txt

Verizon Selling Washington Rural Phone Line Business to Frontier (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/05/11/daily37.html?ana=from_rss

F.C.C.: Landline Number Move Should Take 1 Day, Not 4 (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/05/13/technology/AP-US-TEC-FCC-Number-Portability.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Data Storage Opens Up New Source of Work for IT Firms - Contractors Shift Focus to Cloud Computing, Virtualization (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051103378.html?wprss=rss_technology

Rackspace Posts 21 Percent Hike in First-Quarter Earnings (San Antonio Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2009/05/11/daily15.html?ana=from_rss

After a Shaky 2008, U.S. Broadband Growth Picks Up (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/05/13/after-a-shaky-2008-u-s-broadband-growth-picks-up/

New Docs Show FCC Glossed Over BPL Flaws - Surprising, well, nobody (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/New-Docs-Show-FCC-Glossed-Over-BPL-Flaws-102422

Ask.com CEO Leaving; President to Take Over Role (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12352895

Google Unveils A Series of New Search Features (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009213345_googlerefine13.html?syndication=rss

GENERAL NEWS

Washington Econ Forecasters Say Turning Point Near (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009214801_apwastateeconomy.html?syndication=rss

Gov OKs Tax Cut for Newspapers (Associated Press)
http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/44843807.html

Columbia River Gorge panel braces for budget cuts - Effort to measure conditions faces uncertain future (The Columbian, Vancouver, OR)
http://www.columbian.com/article/20090513/NEWS02/705139954/Gorge+panel+braces+for+budget+cuts

Oregon Electronics Recycling Has Too Much Junk (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2012987~Oregon_electronics_recycling_has_too_much_junk.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

DIVERSIONS

“Titanic” Stars Aid the Disaster’s Last Survivor
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Europe/2009/may/Titanic-Stars-Aid-Last-Survivor.html

A “Finger of God” Story - Rowdy Partier Bangs on Neighbor's Door, Gets a Big Surprise
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/44883537.html

Top Baby Names in Washington? Ethan, Olivia
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/05/11/daily31.html?ana=from_rss

SONG OF THE DAY

Bill Withers - use me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3hBYTkI-sE