Energy News Digest for July 8, 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

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

EPA Issues Tougher Rules for Power Plants (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/science/earth/08epa.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Without Indian Point Nuclear Power, Could New York City Keep the Lights On? (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/07/idUS379753327820110707

Our New ‘Normal’ Weather: Wetter & Warmer (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015541919_climate08m.html

Three Groups Appeal Longview Fibre’s Biomass Permit (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_fa855018-a904-11e0-a1ba-001cc4c03286.html

Crews Fortify Remaining BC Hydro Towers as Utility Probes Collapse That Caused Chaos (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Crews+fortify+remaining+Hydro+towers+utility+probes+collapse+that+caused+chaos/5065109/story.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Without Indian Point Nuclear Power, Could New York City Keep the Lights On?
• Has Time Run Out to Replace Indian Point’s Nuclear Power?
• EPA Issues Tougher Rules for Power Plants
• EPA Tells Coal-Fired Plants to Reduce Pollution. Some May Just Shut Down
• Crews Fortify Remaining BC Hydro Towers as Utility Probes Collapse That Caused Chaos
• City to Talk Electricity, Water Meters at Port Angeles’ Farmer’s Market
• Bring Energy Manipulators to Heel - Cantwell
• Aluminum Maker Alcoa Will Start 2Q Earnings Season
• Fish-Friendly Fund Marks $7.3 Million Success in Central Oregon
• Sandy River Chinook Salmon Returns Looking Good for Anglers
• Fish Shift Up West Coast Predicted by Climate Study
• Celebrity Op/Ed - Change of Course Needed to Protect Fisheries
• Newborn Orca Spotted Among Returning Whales
• Keep Distance, Don’t Urinate: Olympic National Park Revises Plan in Wake of Goat-Goring Death
• Polar Bear Origins: Polar Bears Have Irish Ancestry, Suggests DNA Study
• Simpson Air Permit Renewal for Shelton Lumber Mill
• Belfair Business Group Unhappy with Mason County Sewer Fees
• Full Water Supply for Yakima Basin
• Federal Judge Signs Off on Northwest Forest Protections
• Yellowstone River - Montana Pulls Out of Oil-Spill Cleanup Team
• Energy, Environmental, Recreational & Tribal Interests Voice Opinions on National Ocean Policy
• Three Groups Appeal Longview Fibre’s Biomass Permit
• Klamath Biomass Plant Gets Key Approval
• Sequim Shelves Solar Ordinance
• Clark Public Utilities Energy Adviser: Solar Heat Works Even in Northwest
• Ka-Ching - Should California Simply Adopt German Solar Tariffs?
• Wind Power Construction Costlier in Umatilla County
• Wampanoags Try to Stop Giant Wind Farm on Nantucket Sound
• State of Oregon Phases Out Much-Maligned Business Energy Tax Credit
• Missouri Judge Sides with Challengers of Renewable Energy Law
• Global Green Energy Spending Increases 32% in 2010
• Comparing All Renewable Fuels, Heat & Electricity to Nuclear isn’t Productive
• Bhutan’s Hydropower Ambitions
• Oregon’s ‘Cool Schools’ Legislation Passes, But Will It Work?
• Carlsborg Couple ‘Paid to Drive’ with Electric Car-Solar Power Combination
• US Senators Push Deal to End Ethanol Subsidies This Month
• Egg Producers & Humane Society Urging Federal Standard on Hen Cages
• Verizon Hangs Up on Unlimited Data Plans, Says Hello to Tiered Service
• Netflix: Is It Broadband’s Cash Cow or Data Hog?
• How Much Data Are We Using, Really?
• Data Center Boom May Make Way for Glut
• Editorial - Congress Needs to Pass National ‘Amazon Bill’
• When Will the (Traditional) Telephone Hang Up?
• Ham Radio Hangs On
• Is Android Microsoft’s Next Cash Cow?
• Google+ Version for Businesses Coming Soon?
• 56-Nation Internet Review Shows Wide Differences
• Animal Welfare Group Drops Washington State Chicken Initiative
• Sponsor Says Legal Pot Initiative Won’t Make Ballot
• Is Washington a 2012 “Battleground” State?
• Sam Reed’s Gift to Washington’s Independent Voters
• Oregon - Brad Witt Formally Announces Congressional Candidacy in David Wu’s District
• Seattle Candidates Can Now Rip Opponents in Voters’ Guide
• Our New ‘Normal’ Weather: Wetter & Warmer
• Mason County-Wide Burn Ban
• Washington State Governor Names New Prisons Director
• UK’s News of the World to Close Amid Phone-Hacking Scandal
• Fatties R Us: Washington Obesity Rate Nearly Doubles
• Who Uses Cash Anymore? Fewer & Fewer Americans Do
• Texas Rangers Fan Death Leaves Players Distraught

WORD OF THE DAY

Penchant • \PEN-chunt\ • Noun - A strong and continued inclination; broadly: liking

The two office workers’ penchant for the nose-jolting flavor of wasabi almonds began to create a buzz throughout the cubicles. One enterprising secretary started a secret pool to guess how long it would take for flames to start shooting from the nut-obsessed gourmands.

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

Without Indian Point Nuclear Power, Could New York City Keep the Lights On? (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/07/idUS379753327820110707

Has Time Run Out to Replace Indian Point’s Nuclear Power? (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/08/idUS277322520720110708

EPA Issues Tougher Rules for Power Plants (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/science/earth/08epa.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

EPA Tells Coal-Fired Plants to Reduce Pollution. Some May Just Shut Down (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0707/EPA-tells-coal-fired-plants-to-reduce-pollution.-Some-may-just-shut-down

Crews Fortify Remaining BC Hydro Towers as Utility Probes Collapse That Caused Chaos (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Crews+fortify+remaining+Hydro+towers+utility+probes+collapse+that+caused+chaos/5065109/story.html

City to Talk Electricity, Water Meters at Port Angeles’ Farmer’s Market “...the old meters are wearing out - and many of them are no longer accurate…”  (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/7035

Bring Energy Manipulators to Heel - Cantwell (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/07/07/bring-energy-manipulators-to-heel-cantwell/

Aluminum Maker Alcoa Will Start 2Q Earnings Season (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015539535_apusalcoaearningspreview.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Fish-Friendly Fund Marks $7.3 Million Success in Central Oregon (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/07/fish-friedly-fund-marks-73m-success.html

Sandy River Chinook Salmon Returns Looking Good for Anglers (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/story/15046431/chinook-salmon-returns-looking-good-for-anglers

Fish Shift Up West Coast Predicted by Climate Study (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=9091

Celebrity Op/Ed - Change of Course Needed to Protect Fisheries (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/08/3755100/change-of-course-needed-to-protect.html

Newborn Orca Spotted Among Returning Whales (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/jul/07/newborn-orca-spotted-among-returning-whales/

Keep Distance, Don’t Urinate: Olympic National Park Revises Plan in Wake of Goat-Goring Death (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110708/news/307089996/keep-distance-don-8217-t-urinate-olympic-national-park-revises

Polar Bear Origins: Polar Bears Have Irish Ancestry, Suggests DNA Study (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2011/0707/Polar-bear-origins-Polar-bears-have-Irish-ancestry-suggests-DNA-study

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Simpson Air Permit Renewal for Shelton Lumber Mill (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/10192-simpson-air-permit-renewal

Belfair Business Group Unhappy with Mason County Sewer Fees (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/10190-bbg-unhappy-with-sewer-fees

Full Water Supply for Yakima Basin (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/07/07/1558747/environment-full-water-supply.html

Federal Judge Signs Off on Northwest Forest Protections (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015535119_apornorthwestforestrule.html

Yellowstone River - Montana Pulls Out of Oil-Spill Cleanup Team (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-07-07-montana-oil-spill-yellowstone_n.htm?csp=34news

Energy, Environmental, Recreational & Tribal Interests Voice Opinions on National Ocean Policy (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2011/07/energy_environmental_recreatio.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Three Groups Appeal Longview Fibre’s Biomass Permit (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_fa855018-a904-11e0-a1ba-001cc4c03286.html

Klamath Biomass Plant Gets Key Approval (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/07/klamath-biomass-plant-gets-key-approval.html

Sequim Shelves Solar Ordinance - The city is holding back on renewable energy requirements for new developments (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/7037

Clark Public Utilities Energy Adviser: Solar Heat Works Even in Northwest (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jul/07/solar-heat-works-even-in-northwest/

Ka-Ching - Should California Simply Adopt German Solar Tariffs? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/07/should-california-simply-adopt-german-solar-tariffs?cmpid=rss

Wind Power Construction Costlier in Umatilla County (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/125214194.html

Wampanoags Try to Stop Giant Wind Farm on Nantucket Sound (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/07/08/37981.htm

State of Oregon Phases Out Much-Maligned Business Energy Tax Credit - New tax breaks will be offered (Portland Tribune, OR)

http://portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=131006729507944500

Missouri Judge Sides with Challengers of Renewable Energy Law (Bloomberg Businesweek)

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9OASGGG0.htm

Global Green Energy Spending Increases 32% in 2010 (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2011-07-07-green-energy-spending_n.htm?csp=34money

Comparing All Renewable Fuels, Heat & Electricity to Nuclear isn’t Productive (Climate Progress)

http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2011/07/07/262451/comparing-all-renewable-fuels-heat-and-electricity-to-nuclear-isn%E2%80%99t-helpful/

Bhutan’s Hydropower Ambitions (Public Radio International)

http://www.pri.org/business/global-development/bhutan-hydropower-ambitions4786.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Oregon’s ‘Cool Schools’ Legislation Passes, But Will It Work? (Estacada News, OR)

http://www.estacadanews.com/news/story.php?story_id=131005787135450700

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Carlsborg Couple ‘Paid to Drive’ with Electric Car-Solar Power Combination (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110708/NEWS/307089994/carlsborg-couple-8216-paid-to-drive-with-electric-car-solar-power

US Senators Push Deal to End Ethanol Subsidies This Month (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/senators-push-deal-to-end-ethanol-subsidies-this-month/2011/07/07/gIQAd5i61H_blog.html?wprss=2chambers

Egg Producers & Humane Society Urging Federal Standard on Hen Cages (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/business/egg-producers-and-humane-society-urging-federal-standard-on-hen-cages.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Verizon Hangs Up on Unlimited Data Plans, Says Hello to Tiered Service (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2011/0707/Verizon-hangs-up-on-unlimited-data-plans-says-hello-to-tiered-service

Netflix: Is It Broadband’s Cash Cow or Data Hog? (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/broadband/netflix-is-it-broadbands-cash-cow-or-data-hog/

How Much Data Are We Using, Really? (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/faster-forward/post/how-much-data-are-we-using-really/2011/07/07/gIQAa8BU2H_blog.html?wprss=faster-forward

Data Center Boom May Make Way for Glut (Washington, DC Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2011/07/data-center-boom-may-make-way-for-glut.html

Editorial - Congress Needs to Pass National ‘Amazon Bill’ (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/08/3755091/congress-needs-to-pass-national.html

When Will the (Traditional) Telephone Hang Up? (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2011/07/07/when-will-the-traditional-telephone-hang-up/

Ham Radio Hangs On (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Arts/2011/0706/Ham-radio-hangs-on

Is Android Microsoft’s Next Cash Cow? (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015541246_microsoftandroid08.html

Google+ Version for Businesses Coming Soon? (Dallas Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2011/07/07/google-version-for-businesses-coming.html

56-Nation Internet Review Shows Wide Differences (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015542998_apeuinternetreport.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Animal Welfare Group Drops Washington State Chicken Initiative (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015535343_apwainitiatives.html

Sponsor Says Legal Pot Initiative Won’t Make Ballot (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/125212629.html

Is Washington a 2012 “Battleground” State? (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2015535332_iswashingtona2012battlegroundstate.html

Sam Reed’s Gift to Washington’s Independent Voters (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/edcetera/2015539659_secretary_of_state_sam_reed.html

Oregon - Brad Witt Formally Announces Congressional Candidacy in David Wu’s District (Oregonian, Portland)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2011/07/brad_witt_formally_announces_c.html

Seattle Candidates Can Now Rip Opponents in Voters’ Guide (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2015535533_seattle_candidates_can_now_rip.html

GENERAL NEWS

Our New ‘Normal’ Weather: Wetter & Warmer (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015541919_climate08m.html

Mason County-Wide Burn Ban (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/10191-county-wide-burn-ban

Washington State Governor Names New Prisons Director (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=9086

UK’s News of the World to Close Amid Phone-Hacking Scandal (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/phone-hacking-scandal-closes-news-of-the-world/2011/07/07/gIQAy5RA2H_story.html?wprss=rss_business

Fatties R Us: Washington Obesity Rate Nearly Doubles (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Fatties-R-Us-Washington-obesity-rate-nearly-1456393.php

Who Uses Cash Anymore? Fewer & Fewer Americans Do (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/07/07/who-uses-cash-anymore-fewer-and-fewer-americans-do/

Texas Rangers Fan Death Leaves Players Distraught (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2011/0708/Texas-Rangers-fan-death-leaves-players-distraught

DIVERSIONS

It’s Complicated - Family Fights Government over Rare ‘Double Eagle’ Gold Coins

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/family-fights-government-over-rare-double-eagle-gold-151853030.html

Why the Rich Shoplift More Than the Poor

http://moneyland.time.com/2011/07/06/why-the-rich-shoplift-more-than-the-poor/#ixzz1RRuXfCVi

Antique Piggy Bank from eBay Stuffed with $133 in Cash

http://consumerist.com/2011/07/antique-piggy-bank-from-ebay-stuffed-with-133-in-cash.html

Chik-Fil-A: Dress Like a Cow, Eat for Free

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Saving-Money/2011/0708/Chik-fil-A-Dress-like-a-cow-eat-for-free

SONG OF THE DAY

John Stewart – Gold

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-SjdN6kuew

Energy News Digest for July 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

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Bremerton Fiber Optic Cable Cut Knocks Out Service for Wave Broadband Customers (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/jul/06/bremerton-fiber-optic-cable-cut-knocks-out-for/

Montana Residents Upset with Lack of Yellowstone River Spill Information (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-07-07-montana-exxon-oil-spill_n.htm?csp=34news

Lewis County PUD Set to Consider Possible Double Digit Rate Hike (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Lewis-County-PUD-set-to-consider-possibl=1&blockID=527087&feedID=410

University of Washington Tacoma Study: Salmon Often Mislabeled (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/07/1735663/salmon-often-mislabeled.html

Wednesday Was Hottest of 2011 So Far (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theweatherbeat/2015529744_wednesday_was_hottest_of_2011_so_far.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Lewis County PUD Set to Consider Possible Double Digit Rate Hike
• Columbia River PUD Readies for Rate Hike
• Idaho Power Predicts Low Growth in Electricity Demand over 20 Years
• Hungry Horse Dam Started with a Bang
• Natural Gas Use for Electricity Generation Jumps; Trade Group Defends Shale Gas Potential
• New York - Dirtier Air & Higher Costs Possible if Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant Closes, Report Says
• Haste vs. Procrastination on Nuclear Waste
• Virginia - Bird Flies on to Electric Line; Thousands Lose Power
• Georgia Power Fights Copper Theft with “Fingerprinted” Wire
• University of Washington Tacoma Study: Salmon Often Mislabeled
• Feds Seek Comments on Pygmy Rabbit Plan
• Big, Crafty Raccoon Dining at Walla Walla Aviary
• Montana Residents Upset with Lack of Yellowstone River Spill Information
• Public Meeting on Tap for Mason County’s Belfair Sewer Policy
• Urination Saga in Portland Reservoir Reveals Gap in Protecting Water Supply after 9/11
• Op/Ed - A Chance to Reclaim California’s Hetch Hetchy Valley
• Port Townsend Shines on Solar Tour This Saturday
• Oregon Governor’s Biomass Fable
• New Hampshire - How Negotiations Failed to Save the Berlin Biomass Plant
• Wisconsin - Oneidas’ Proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility on Green Bay’s West Side Faces Scrutiny from Feds, Activists
• Are Rooftop Wind Turbines a Good Deal?
• US Backs Project to Produce Fuel from Corn Waste
• United Nations Reports Surging Investments in Renewable Energy
• Itron, Avista Testing to Demonstrate Smart Grid Reliability
• GOP Bill Weakens Light Bulb Efficiency Law
• Canada - Consumers Will Pay to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
• Officials Doubt Washington State’s Rank in Litter Control
• Oregon Could Lead in Green Chemistry, Portland State Study Says
• Turns Out Airplanes Help Make Rain Near Airports
• Guest Blog: To Print or Not to Print? What Really Matters to Forests
• Animal Rights Groups Disagree, Scramble to Define ‘Humane’ in Egg Debate
• Bremerton Fiber Optic Cable Cut Knocks Out Service for Wave Broadband Customers
• Mason-Kitsap County Broadband Outage
• What Do We Do Without Cable TV & Internet? Much of Peninsula Finds Out with Outage
• Montana Too - Phone Service Goes Out for Six Hours
• Call Center in Pasco to Close
• Can You Get Broadband in Washington State? New Map Helps You Find Out
• California Affiliates Hurt by Tax Bill Targeting Amazon.Com
• Arizona Officials Help Amazon Celebrate Third Facility
• Amazon to Build Fourth Distribution Center in Indiana
• New Round of Layoffs Begins in Washington State Government
• Four Washington State Initiatives Likely to Meet Friday Signature Deadline
• Proposal Would Cut Washington Timber Payments
• Wednesday Was Hottest of 2011 So Far
• Earth Liberation Front? Ex-Olympia Man Suspected in Arson Arrives from China
• Study Calls Oregon Best for Manufacturing
• Beware Giant Hogweed & Its Burning, Blinding Sap
• Machu Picchu in Danger from Too Many Tourists

WORD OF THE DAY

Axiomatic • \acks-see-uh-MATT-ick\ • Adjective - 1: Taken for granted: self-evident 2: based on or involving an axiom or system of axioms

“My fellow gentlemen,” roared Cyrano de Bergerac, “My axiomatic argument about the existence of true love is as plain as the nose on my face!” The muffled laughter from the group of ruffians was exactly the response that the large-nosed orator was seeking.

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

Lewis County PUD Set to Consider Possible Double Digit Rate Hike (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Lewis-County-PUD-set-to-consider-possibl=1&blockID=527087&feedID=410

Columbia River PUD Readies for Rate Hike (St. Helens Chronicle, OR)

http://thechronicleonline.com/news/local_news/article_91901cea-a7f7-11e0-bf6c-001cc4c03286.html

Idaho Power predicts low growth in electricity demand over 20 years (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2011/07/06/rockybarker/idaho_power_predicts_low_growth_electricity_demand_over_20_years

Hungry Horse Dam started with a bang (Hungry Horse News, MT)

http://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/hungryhorsenews/article_e909feae-a7df-11e0-b5bd-001cc4c03286.html

Natural Gas Use for Electricity Generation Jumps; Trade Group Defends Shale Gas Potential (The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City)

http://newsok.com/natural-gas-use-for-electricity-generation-jumps-trade-group-defends-shale-gas-potential/article/3583351?custom_click=pod_headline_business

New York - Dirtier Air & Higher Costs Possible if Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant Closes, Report Says (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/07/nyregion/dirtier-air-and-higher-costs-may-follow-indian-point-closing.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Haste vs. Procrastination on Nuclear Waste (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/07/haste-vs-procrastination-on-nuclear-waste/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Virginia - Bird Flies on to Electric Line; Thousands Lose Power (WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA)

http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/Bird_Flies_On_To_Electric_Line_Thousands_Lose_Power_125018609.html

Georgia Power Fights Copper Theft with “Fingerprinted” Wire (Atlanta Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2011/07/ga-power-fights-copper-theft-with.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

University of Washington Tacoma Study: Salmon Often Mislabeled (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/07/1735663/salmon-often-mislabeled.html

Feds Seek Comments on Pygmy Rabbit Plan (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/story/15036896/us-government-seeks-comments-on-pygmy-rabbit-plan

Big, Crafty Raccoon Dining at Walla Walla Aviary (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/125121974.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Montana Residents Upset with Lack of Yellowstone River Spill Information (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-07-07-montana-exxon-oil-spill_n.htm?csp=34news

Public Meeting on Tap for Mason County’s Belfair Sewer Policy (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/jul/06/public-meeting-on-tap-for-belfair-sewer-policy/

Urination Saga in Portland Reservoir Reveals Gap in Protecting Water Supply after 9/11 (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/urination-saga-in-portland-reservoir-reveals-gap-in-protecting-water-supply-after-911/2011/07/07/gIQANqGn1H_story.html

Op/Ed - A Chance to Reclaim California’s Hetch Hetchy Valley (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/06/ED691K3SK2.DTL

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Port Townsend Shines on Solar Tour This Saturday (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=29577

Oregon Governor’s Biomass Fable (Natural Resource Report)

http://naturalresourcereport.com/2011/07/kitzhabers-biomass-fable/

New Hampshire - How Negotiations Failed to Save the Berlin Biomass Plant (New Hampshire Public Radio)

http://www.nhpr.org/how-negotiations-failed-save-berlin-biomass-plant

Wisconsin - Oneidas’ Proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility on Green Bay’s West Side Faces Scrutiny from Feds, Activists (Green Bay Press-Gazette, WI)

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110707/GPG0101/107070500/Proposed-biomass-facility-feeling-heat

Are Rooftop Wind Turbines a Good Deal? (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/07/07/are-rooftop-wind-turbines-a-good-deal/

US Backs Project to Produce Fuel from Corn Waste (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/07/business/energy-environment/us-backs-plant-to-make-fuel-from-corn-waste.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

United Nations Reports Surging Investments in Renewable Energy (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015534663_apeuclimaterenewableenergy.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Itron, Avista Testing to Demonstrate Smart Grid Reliability (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/jul/07/itron-working-with-avista-in-a-test-to/

GOP Bill Weakens Light Bulb Efficiency Law (The Hill)

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/170019-house-to-vote-on-bill-aimed-at-watering-down-light-bulb-efficiency-law

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Canada - Consumers Will Pay to Reduce Greenhouse Gases, Says Quebec Minister (Winnipeg Free Press, Manitoba)

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/greenpage/125088879.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Officials Doubt Washington State’s Rank in Litter Control (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jul/07/officials-doubt-states-rank-in-litter-control/

Oregon Could Lead in Green Chemistry, Portland State Study Says, But ‘Fragmented’ Approach Hinders Progress (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/07/oregon_could_lead_in_green_che.html

Turns Out Airplanes Help Make Rain Near Airports - Strange cloud holes appear after planes take off & land (Associated Press)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/jul/07/turns-out-airplanes-help-make-rain-near-airports/

Guest Blog: To Print or Not to Print? What Really Matters to Forests (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://ecotrope.opb.org/2011/07/guest-blog-to-print-or-or-not-to-print-what-really-matters-to-forests/

Animal Rights Groups Disagree, Scramble to Define ‘Humane’ in Egg Debate (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/07/animal_rights_groups_disagree.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Bremerton Fiber Optic Cable Cut Knocks Out Service for Wave Broadband Customers (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/jul/06/bremerton-fiber-optic-cable-cut-knocks-out-for/

Mason-Kitsap County Broadband Outage (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/10094-fiber-optic-outage

What Do We Do Without Cable TV & Internet? Much of Peninsula Finds Out with Outage (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110707/news/307079993/what-do-we-do-without-cable-tv-and-internet-much-of-peninsula-finds

Montana Too - Phone Service Goes Out for Six Hours (The Daily Interlake, Kalispell, MT)

http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_50043a7e-a7fa-11e0-aef6-001cc4c002e0.html

Call Center in Pasco to Close (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/07/06/1557162/call-center-in-pasco-to-close.html

Can You Get Broadband in Washington State? New Map Helps You Find Out (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Can-you-get-broadband-New-map-helps-you-find-out-1454919.php

California Affiliates Hurt by Tax Bill Targeting Amazon.Com (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/07/3752677/california-affiliates-hurt-by.html

Arizona Officials Help Amazon Celebrate Third Facility (NW Cable News)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Arizona-officials-help-Amazon-celebrate-3rd-facility-125152019.html

Amazon to Build Fourth Distribution Center in Indiana (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015523413_apusamazondistributioncenter.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

New Round of Layoffs Begins in Washington State Government (Associated Press)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/07/1735685/new-round-of-layoffs-begins-in.html

Four Washington State Initiatives Likely to Meet Friday Signature Deadline (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015517774_initiatives06m.html

Proposal Would Cut Washington Timber Payments (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/07/06/ore-timber-payment-losses-could-be-huge.html

GENERAL NEWS

Wednesday Was Hottest of 2011 So Far (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theweatherbeat/2015529744_wednesday_was_hottest_of_2011_so_far.html

Earth Liberation Front? Ex-Olympia Man Suspected in Arson Arrives from China (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/06/1715105/ex-olympia-man-suspected-in-arson.html

Study Calls Oregon Best for Manufacturing (Portland Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2011/07/study-calls-oregon-best-for.html

Beware Giant Hogweed & Its Burning, Blinding Sap (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/07/06/beware-giant-hogweed-and-its-burning-blinding-sap/

Machu Picchu in Danger from Too Many Tourists (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/07/MNGU1K732V.DTL

DIVERSIONS

Three California Women Accused of Using School PTA to Recruit Investors in Get-Rich-Quick Scam

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/3-california-women-accused-of-using-school-pta-to-recruit-investors-in-get-rich-quick-scam/2011/07/06/gIQAt4A20H_story.html

First the Crows, Now Pigeons Remember That You Hate Them, Will Probably Plot Revenge Later

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/07/06/pigeons-remember-that-you-hate-them-will-probably-plot-revenge-later/

Man, These People Really Hate PowerPoint

http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2011/07/06/man-these-people-really-hate-powerpoint/

SONG OF THE DAY

Hedwig’s Theme (Listen closely enough & you can hear shades of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, et. al. – Thanks John Williams)

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