Energy News Digest for April 7, 2011

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

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Energy Northwest Looking to Power Up a Kalama Plant by 2013 (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_cd989d1a-60bd-11e0-a404-001cc4c03286.html

Port Angeles Says No to Bonneville Power Administration Settlement (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/6774

Jefferson PUD, Future Electricity Provider, Votes for Bonneville Power Administration’s Proposed Settlement (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110407/NEWS/304079996/jefferson-pud-future-electricity-provider-votes-for-bpas-proposed

US Army Corps of Engineers’ Spill Program to Help Salmon, Steelhead Migration (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/04/02/1612355/corps-spill-program-to-help-salmon.html

Data Center Expansion - Yahoo! Permit Completed (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_ad08741c-607c-11e0-8df5-001cc4c03286.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         Energy Northwest Looking to Power Up a Kalama Plant by 2013

·         Port Angeles Says No to Bonneville Power Administration Settlement

·         Jefferson PUD, Future Electricity Provider, Votes for Bonneville Power Administration’s Proposed Settlement

·         Bonneville Power Administration Chief Outlines Rate Hike That Would Boost Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Bills

·         Tacoma Power Tests New Siren System in Lewis County

·         Lawmakers Smooth Recreational Liability Bumps for Chelan PUD

·         Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative Continues to Grow

·         Hydropower Buzz Gains Momentum with Senate Bills, Administration Investments

·         Enron’s Skilling Won’t Get a New Trial, Appeals Court Says

·         Avista’s Ann Carey Receives National Utility Customer Service Award

·         California - Two Top Execs Will Resign as Pacific Gas & Electric Reorganizes

·         Cal ISO President to Retire

·         Natural Gas Drops after Supply Report; Oil Higher

·         Vermont House Drops Vote on Energy Surcharge

·         National Grid Reports Accounting Problems

·         Report: Smart-Grid Benefits Far Outweigh Costs

·         Copper Prices Climb on Global Demand Expectations

·         Hanford Nuclear Plant Due Back on Line This Summer

·         Japan Disaster Complicates Moves to Clean Energy

·         US Army Corps of Engineers’ Spill Program to Help Salmon, Steelhead Migration

·         Spring Chinook Fishing Season Extended

·         Puget Sound Energy Recognized for Environmental Project on Baker River

·         Oregon Big Fish Project Reels In Big Award

·         Bold Experiment Hopes to Boost Salmon Population in British Columbia Waters

·         EPA: Air-Quality Woes Lead Complaints from Tribal Land Residents

·         At Kittitas Valley Wind Project, Turbines Don’t Always Turn

·         Idaho - As Ethics Charges Fly, Wind Farm Siting Bill Dies

·         West Michigan Lawmakers Propose Total Ban of Wind Turbines on Michigan’s Great Lakes

·         GE to Build Nation’s Largest Solar Power Plant

·         Watch out California, Here Comes the Rest of the US

·         Waste to Energy - Environmental Group Files Petition Against ReVenture with NC Utilities Commission

·         Clark Public Utilities Energy Adviser: It’s Easy to Cut Carbon Footprint

·         Senate Votes down GOP Bill to Curb the EPA

·         Data Center Expansion - Yahoo! Permit Completed

·         Dell to Spend $1 Billion to Build Ten Data Centers

·         Amazon.Com Threatens to Pull Plug on SC Distribution Center

·         GoDaddy Goof Means Some Customers Get Gone - Video of Elephant Shooting Turns into Donations

·         Microsoft, Toyota Team Up on Cloud Services for Vehicles

·         Washington State House Budget Proposal Passes Key Committee

·         Washington State Senate Approves Presidential Primary Suspension

·         Government Shutdown: Oregon Still Gets Social Security, Mail & Bonneville Power

·         What Will Government Shutdown Mean for Hanford?

·         Military Pay Would Be Suspended by Government Shutdown

·         27% Of Communication by Members of Congress is Taunting, Professor Concludes

·         Major Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Strikes Off Japan Coast

·         3.4 Magnitude Earthquake near Mount Rainier

·         Race Enthusiasts Support Shelton-Area Race Track

·         La Nina Keeps Wet Weather Coming

WORD OF THE DAY

Dogsbody • \DOGS-body\ • Noun - Drudge, gopher

“Poker playing dogs notwithstanding, get me a beer,” barked the bulldog to his dogsbody.

SHELTON FORECAST & 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

Energy Northwest Looking to Power Up a Kalama Plant by 2013 (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_cd989d1a-60bd-11e0-a404-001cc4c03286.html

Port Angeles Says No to Bonneville Power Administration Settlement (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/6774

Jefferson PUD, Future Electricity Provider, Votes for Bonneville Power Administration’s Proposed Settlement (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110407/NEWS/304079996/jefferson-pud-future-electricity-provider-votes-for-bpas-proposed

Bonneville Power Administration Chief Outlines Rate Hike That Would Boost Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Bills (Baker City Herald, OR)

http://www.bakercityherald.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81680&Itemid=31

Tacoma Power Tests New Siren System in Lewis County (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Tacoma-Power-tests-new-siren-system-=1&blockID=498486&feedID=410

Lawmakers Smooth Recreational Liability Bumps for Chelan PUD (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/apr/06/lawmakers-smooth-liability-bumps-for-pud-change/

Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative Continues to Grow (Big Sky Business Journal, Billings, MT)

http://www.bigskybusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1860:yvec-continues-to-grow&catid=7:features&Itemid=112

Hydropower Buzz Gains Momentum with Senate Bills, Administration Investments (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/04/06/06greenwire-hydropower-buzz-gains-momentum-with-senate-bil-27504.html

Enron’s Skilling Won’t Get a New Trial, Appeals Court Says (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2011-04-06-enron-skilling-appeal-denied.htm?csp=34money

Avista’s Ann Carey Receives National Utility Customer Service Award (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=152571

California - Two Top Execs Will Resign as Pacific Gas & Electric Reorganizes (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/07/MNPC1IRH8G.DTL

Cal ISO President to Retire (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2011/04/06/cal-iso-president-to-retire.html

Natural Gas Drops after Supply Report; Oil Higher (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014705777_apoilprices.html

Vermont House Drops Vote on Energy Surcharge (Burlington Free Press, VT)

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110407/NEWS03/104070310/1095/Vermont-House-drops-vote-energy-surcharge/Vermont-House-drops-vote-energy-surcharge

National Grid Reports Accounting Problems (Boston Business Journal, MA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2011/04/07/national-grid-reports-accounting.html

Report: Smart-Grid Benefits Far Outweigh Costs (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/power_city/2011/04/report-smart-grid-benefits-far.html

Copper Prices Climb on Global Demand Expectations (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014699490_apuscommoditiesreview.html

NUCLEAR SCIENCE READING ROOM

Hanford Nuclear Plant Due Back on Line This Summer (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014699746_apwanuclearplantoutage.html

Japan Disaster Complicates Moves to Clean Energy (Associated Press)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/7511002.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

US Army Corps of Engineers’ Spill Program to Help Salmon, Steelhead Migration (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/04/02/1612355/corps-spill-program-to-help-salmon.html

Spring Chinook Fishing Season Extended (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/119404864.html

Puget Sound Energy Recognized for Environmental Project on Baker River (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/puget-sound-energy-recognized-environmental

Oregon Big Fish Project Reels In Big Award (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2011/04/big-fish-project-wins-big-award.html

Bold Experiment Hopes to Boost Salmon Population in British Columbia Waters (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bold-experiment-hopes-to-boost-salmon-population-in-bc-waters/article1974142/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

EPA: Air-Quality Woes Lead Complaints from Tribal Land Residents (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/04/06/epa-air-quality-woes-lead-complaints-from-tribal-land-residents

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

At Kittitas Valley Wind Project, Turbines Don’t Always Turn - Company is selling power on spot market (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://dailyrecordnews.com/news/at-kittitas-valley-project-turbines-don-t-always-turn/article_1342474a-6077-11e0-9730-001cc4c002e0.html

Idaho - As Ethics Charges Fly, Wind Farm Siting Bill Dies (Associated Press)

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/04/06/business-us-wind-energy-siting-idaho_8394701.html

West Michigan Lawmakers Propose Total Ban of Wind Turbines on Michigan’s Great Lakes (Muskegon Chronicle, MI)

http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/04/west_michigan_lawmakers_propos.html

GE to Build Nation’s Largest Solar Power Plant (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014705772_apusgesolarpower.html

Watch out California, Here Comes the Rest of the US - California is still a very important solar market; however, it’s losing ground to a diverse range of up-and-coming states (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/04/watch-out-california-here-comes-the-rest-of-the-u-s?cmpid=rss

Waste to Energy - Environmental Group Files Petition Against ReVenture with NC Utilities Commission (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/going_green/2011/04/environmental-group-files-petition.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Clark Public Utilities Energy Adviser: It’s Easy to Cut Carbon Footprint (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/apr/07/its-easy-to-cut-carbon-footprint/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Senate Votes down GOP Bill to Curb the EPA (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-epa-20110407,0,3087158.story

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Data Center Expansion - Yahoo! Permit Completed (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_ad08741c-607c-11e0-8df5-001cc4c03286.html

Dell to Spend $1 Billion to Build Ten Data Centers (Austin Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/04/07/dell-to-spend-1b-to-build-10-data.html

Amazon.Com Threatens to Pull Plug on SC Distribution Center (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014703563_bdigamazon07.html

GoDaddy Goof Means Some Customers Get Gone - Video Of Elephant Shooting Turns Into Donations (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014705421_apafkenyaelephantshootingvideo.html

Microsoft, Toyota Team Up on Cloud Services for Vehicles (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014704494_microsofttoyota06.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State House Budget Proposal Passes Key Committee (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014705238_apwaxgrbudget.html

Washington State Senate Approves Presidential Primary Suspension (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014704030_apwaxgrpresidentialprimary.html

Government Shutdown: Oregon Still Gets Social Security, Mail & Bonneville Power (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/04/government_shutdown_oregon_sti.html

What Will Government Shutdown Mean for Hanford? (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/hanford/119367249.html

Military Pay Would Be Suspended by Government Shutdown (Northwest Cable News Network)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Military-pay-would-be-suspended-by-government-shutdown-119367154.html

27% Of Communication by Members of Congress is Taunting, Professor Concludes (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/27percent_of_communication_by_members_of_congress_is_taunting_professor_concludes/2011/04/06/AF1no2qC_story.html

GENERAL NEWS

Major Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Strikes Off Japan Coast (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2011/0407/Major-magnitude-7.1-earthquake-strikes-off-Japan-coast

3.4 Magnitude Earthquake near Mount Rainier (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Earthquak-119342129.html

Race Enthusiasts Support Shelton-Area Race Track (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/4159-race-enthusiasts-support-race-track-

La Nina Keeps Wet Weather Coming (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/apr/07/la-nina-keeps-wet-weather-coming/

DIVERSIONS

Truck Thefts from Texas Soda Distributors Make Dallas a Hub for Hot Dr Pepper

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2011/04/truck_thefts_from_texas_soda_d.php

Including Snake “Service Animal” - Schrammie: Doling Out Plenty for a Wide Range of Bone-Headed Moves

http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/119338774.html

Lights Out: Holy Site in Israel Goes Dark Because of an Unpaid Electricity Bill (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/lights_out_holy_site_in_israel_goes_dark_because_of_an_unpaid_electricity_bill/2011/04/06/AFX22vpC_story.html

The New Commodore 64, Updated With Its Old Exterior

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/06/the-new-commodore-64-updated-with-its-old-exterior/?partner=rss&emc=rss

SONG OF THE DAY

Little Walter - Boom, Boom (Out Go the Lights)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XagQ3owbBEM

Pat Travers - Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bZTSUt84YA

Energy News Digest for April 6, 2011

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

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

ADAGE Plan for Wood Fired Power Plant near Shelton Officially Over (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/4074-adage-officially-done

Clallam County PUD Makes No Decision on Bonneville Power Administration Settlement (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/6766

Local Seismologists Push for Better Quake Warning Systems (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/119305534.html

Hard to Forecast Spread of Radioactive Water from Japan, But Dilution Means Little Hazard (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/hard_to_forecast_spread_of_radioactive_water_from_japan_but_dilution_means_little_hazard/2011/04/06/AFNTgjnC_story.html

Longview Looks To Trim Costs With New Traffic Signal Bulbs - Federal Stimulus & Cowlitz PUD rebate (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_5e14b0e8-5ff3-11e0-bbf1-001cc4c03286.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         Clallam County PUD Makes No Decision on Bonneville Power Administration Settlement

·         Refueling & Maintenance - Columbia Generating Station Shut Down

·         Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Douglas PUD’s Wells Hydroelectric Project

·         Alcoa Intalco Works Restart Celebration 2011

·         Energy Transmission – Montana’s Eminent Domain Logjam Still Exists; New Proposal Floated

·         California – Pacific Gas & Electric, Utilities Board Criticized in Natural Gas Pipeline Blast

·         Puget Sound Energy Using Traditional & Digital Media to Urge Everyone to Dial 8-1-1 to “Call Before You Dig”

·         Vermont - 55-Cent Charge On Energy Bills For Renewable Power Stirs Pot In Montpelier

·         80% of US Energy to be Made from Clean Energy by 2035

·         Transocean Execs Donating “Safety” Bonuses to Fund for Gulf Oil Spill Victims

·         Rights Group Urges Halt to Brazil Dam in Amazon

·         Hard to Forecast Spread of Radioactive Water from Japan, But Dilution Means Little Hazard

·         Radiation Found in Richland Drinking Water

·         Energy Secretary Steven Chu: ‘Imprudent’ to Close US Nuclear Plants

·         UN Expert: Fukushima Nuclear Accident Not as Bad as Chernobyl

·         Public Utility Districts Tracking Sturgeon Habits

·         For Now above Bonneville Tributaries Not Much Better Than the Fishing Below

·         ADAGE Plan for Wood Fired Power Plant near Shelton Officially Over

·         City of Shelton to Reissue Determination on Simpson Biomass

·         Evergreen State College Sustainable-Energy Project Kaput after Clash of Greener-Than-Thou Crusaders

·         Massachusetts - Biomass Pits Neighbor against Tradesmen

·         A Reality Check for Wind Power Investors  “…BPA…exports more than half of its power production…huh?”

·         North Carolina - This Wind Farm Has a Chance

·         Wind Farm Efficiency Queried by John Muir Trust Study

·         Wind Becomes Spain’s Biggest Energy Source

·         Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition Testifies at US Senate Energy Committee Hearing

·         Fuel Cell Maker ReliOn Raises More Cash

·         Residents Using Solar Panels May See Increase in Annual Costs

·         Longview Looks To Trim Costs With New Traffic Signal Bulbs - Federal Stimulus & Cowlitz PUD rebate

·         Energy Star Standards Could Boost LED Sales

·         Microsoft Tries Plan B with Hohm Energy App

·         New Fresh Water in Arctic Could Shift Gulf Stream

·         ‘Shrillness’ of Greens Contributed to Climate Bill’s Failure in Washington

·         Does Cap-And-Trade Work? Still a Work in Progress

·         Chaos in Energy Sector Drives Gains in Clean Energy

·         White House Pushing Ahead with Airwaves Auction Plan

·         Planned Wireless Internetnetwork Threatens GPS

·         Cell Carriers to Roll Out “Mobile Wallets” in Utah

·         Vote-By-Mail is Now the Law in Washington

·         Washington State Liquor Privatization Plan Raises Some Concerns

·         Harassment Claim - Port of Shelton Legal Fee Reimbursement Made; Another Requested

·         Local Seismologists Push for Better Quake Warning Systems

·         Tumwater - Autopsy Set for Pair Found in Car on I-5 after Chase

·         Mason County Health Rankings Remain Same

·         Beer Just a Tweet Away at Mariners Games

·         Hunt Is On For Remains of Possible Mona Lisa Model

WORD OF THE DAY

Stultify • \STUL-tuh-fye\ • Verb - 1: to cause to appear or be stupid, foolish, or absurdly illogical 2a: to impair, invalidate, or make ineffective: negate b: to have a dulling or inhibiting effect on

The energy supply presentation ground on, seconds seemed like minutes…minutes like hours…hours like; well, you get the idea. The stultifying effects of the impenetrable PowerPoint presentation, text so dense as to have the gravitational pull of a ‘black hole,’ caused Brenda’s mind to wander, ‘Walter Mitty’-like into a fantasy world of unicorns and rainbows. Only the call for the lunch break brought her reluctantly back to the gloomy conference room and a “free” ham sandwich.

SHELTON FORECAST & 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

Clallam County PUD Makes No Decision on Bonneville Power Administration Settlement (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/6766

Refueling & Maintenance - Columbia Generating Station Shut Down (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=14390856

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Douglas PUD’s Wells Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/eis/2011/04-06-11.asp

Alcoa Intalco Works Restart Celebration 2011 (Bonneville Power Administration – Public Power is still waiting for its thank you note…)

http://www.bpa.gov/corporate/BPANews/ArticleTemplate.cfm?ArticleId=article-20110404-01

Energy Transmission – Montana’s Eminent Domain Logjam Still Exists; New Proposal Floated (Billings Gazette, MT)

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_f5b90373-d588-5326-ab08-db0dc37dc896.html

California – Pacific Gas & Electric, Utilities Board Criticized in Natural Gas Pipeline Blast (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/06/MN591IQRTJ.DTL

Puget Sound Energy Using Traditional & Digital Media to Urge Everyone to Dial 8-1-1 to “Call Before You Dig” (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=152507

Vermont - 55-Cent Charge On Energy Bills For Renewable Power Stirs Pot In Montpelier (Burlington Free Press, VT)

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110406/NEWS03/104060301/0/PROMO01/55-cent-charge-energy-bills-stirs-pot-Montpelier?odyssey=nav|head

80% of US Energy to be Made from Clean Energy by 2035 (Renewable Energy World – Whee! Washington State PUDs are already there)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/german-american-chamber-of-commerce-inc-6496/news/article/2011/04/80-of-u-s-energy-to-be-made-from-clean-energy-by-2035?cmpid=rss

Transocean Execs Donating “Safety” Bonuses to Fund for Gulf Oil Spill Victims (Associated Press)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2011-04-06-transocean-bonuses-donated.htm?csp=34money

Rights Group Urges Halt to Brazil Dam in Amazon (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/04/05/international/i142333D87.DTL

NUCLEAR SCIENCE READING ROOM

Hard to Forecast Spread of Radioactive Water from Japan, But Dilution Means Little Hazard (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/hard_to_forecast_spread_of_radioactive_water_from_japan_but_dilution_means_little_hazard/2011/04/06/AFNTgjnC_story.html

Radiation Found in Richland Drinking Water (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/119295429.html

Energy Secretary Steven Chu: ‘Imprudent’ to Close US Nuclear Plants (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/monitor_breakfast/2011/0406/Energy-Secretary-Steven-Chu-Imprudent-to-close-US-nuclear-plants

UN Expert: Fukushima Nuclear Accident Not as Bad as Chernobyl (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_17783170

FISH & WILDLIFE

Public Utility Districts Tracking Sturgeon Habits (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/apr/05/the-fish-trail-puds-tracking-sturgeon-habits/

For Now above Bonneville Tributaries Not Much Better Than the Fishing Below (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2014691762_above_bonneville_tributaries_n.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

ADAGE Plan for Wood Fired Power Plant near Shelton Officially Over (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/4074-adage-officially-done

City of Shelton to Reissue Determination on Simpson Biomass (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/3978-city-to-reissue-determination-on-simpson-biomass

Evergreen State College Sustainable-Energy Project Kaput after Clash of Greener-Than-Thou Crusaders (Seattle Weekly – Ouch!)

http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/04/evergreen_state_college_sustai.php

Massachusetts - Biomass Pits Neighbor against Tradesmen: Tradesmen, neighbors opposed over energy project WWLP-TV, Springfield, MA)

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/springfield-biomass-clean-air-or-jobs

A Reality Check for Wind Power Investors  “…BPA…exports more than half of its power production…huh?” (Seeking Alpha)

http://seekingalpha.com/article/262050-a-reality-check-for-wind-power-investors

North Carolina - This Wind Farm Has a Chance (Raleigh News & Observer, NC)

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/04/05/1105591/this-wind-farm-has-a-chance.html

Wind Farm Efficiency Queried by John Muir Trust Study “…Wind farms are much less efficient than claimed, producing below 10% of capacity for more than a third of the time…” (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12985410

Wind Becomes Spain’s Biggest Energy Source (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/04/wind-becomes-spains-biggest-energy-source?cmpid=rss

Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition Testifies at US Senate Energy Committee Hearing (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/ocean-renewable-energy-coalition-4809/news/article/2011/04/orec-testifies-at-senate-energy-committee-hearing?cmpid=rss

Fuel Cell Maker ReliOn Raises More Cash (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/apr/06/fuel-cell-maker-relion-raises-more-cash/

Residents Using Solar Panels May See Increase in Annual Costs (iStock Analyst)

http://www.istockanalyst.com/business/news/5038729/residents-using-solar-panels-may-see-increase-in-annual-costs

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Longview Looks To Trim Costs With New Traffic Signal Bulbs - Federal Stimulus & Cowlitz PUD rebate (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_5e14b0e8-5ff3-11e0-bbf1-001cc4c03286.html

Energy Star Standards Could Boost LED Sales (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/04/new-standards-could-boost-sales-of-led.html

Microsoft Tries Plan B with Hohm Energy App (CNET News)

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20050946-54.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

New Fresh Water in Arctic Could Shift Gulf Stream (Associated Press)

http://www.democratherald.com/news/world/article_d4a1543d-ef95-52de-af01-4a3cebca0c3d.html

‘Shrillness’ of Greens Contributed to Climate Bill’s Failure in Washington (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/04/05/05greenwire-edf-chief-shrillness-of-greens-contributed-to-37964.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&utm_source=AllTodaysNewsRSS

Does Cap-And-Trade Work? Still a Work in Progress (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014694377_apeueuropetradinginpollution.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Chaos in Energy Sector Drives Gains in Clean Energy (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/funds/2011-04-05-natural-resources-funds.htm?csp=34money

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

White House Pushing Ahead with Airwaves Auction Plan (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/white_house_pushing_ahead_with_airwaves_auction_plan/2011/04/05/AFbMgxlC_story.html

Planned Wireless Internetnetwork Threatens GPS (Associated Press)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-04-06-gps-threats.htm?csp=34tech

Cell Carriers to Roll Out “Mobile Wallets” in Utah (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/04/05/state/n163947D94.DTL

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Vote-By-Mail is Now the Law in Washington (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/04/05/vote-by-mail-is-now-the-law-in-washington/

Washington State Liquor Privatization Plan Raises Some Concerns (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014691260_apwaxgrprivatizingliquor.html

Harassment Claim - Port of Shelton Legal Fee Reimbursement Made; Another Requested (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/4072-legal-fee-reimbursement-made-another-requested

GENERAL NEWS

Local Seismologists Push for Better Quake Warning Systems (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/119305534.html

Tumwater - Autopsy Set for Pair Found in Car on I-5 after Chase (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/04/05/1604998/police-activity-blocking-all-southbound.html

Mason County Health Rankings Remain Same (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/4073-county-health-rankings-remain-same

Beer Just a Tweet Away at Mariners Games (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Beer-just-a-tweet-away-at-Mariners-games-119299199.html

Hunt Is On For Remains of Possible Mona Lisa Model (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/04/05/international/i040209D07.DTL

DIVERSIONS

The Physics Of: Clown Cars

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1800/the-physics-of-clown-cars

Couple Survives Six Natural Disasters on Honeymoon

http://www.kirotv.com/family/27436129/detail.html

Horse Dreams Dashed, German Teen Turns to Cow Luna

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014686063_apeugermanyjumpingcow.html

Police in Nebraska Cite Man on Allegations He Used Vacuum to Steal Money from Laundry Machines

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/police_in_neb_cite_man_on_allegations_he_used_vacuum_to_steal_money_from_laundry_machines/2011/04/05/AF62eFlC_story.html?wprss=rss_national

SONG OF THE DAY

Lou Christie – Lightning Strikes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyRqdzF8swY