Energy News Digest for November 21, 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

First Bankruptcy Hearing for Southern Montana Electric Co-Op to Be Held (KAJ-TV, Kalispell, MT)

http://www.kaj18.com/news/1st-hearing-for-so-mt-electric-co-op-to-be-held/

US Senator Cantwell Warns Seniors, Low Income Could Lose Heating Aid (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016814069_heatingassistance21m.html

Sea Lions Raid Columbia, Grow Taste for Sturgeon (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/20/sea-lions-raid-columbia-grow-taste-for-sturgeon/

Clark County Event Center Gets Energy Boost - Solar panels installed free of charge will reap savings for county (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/nov/19/event-center-gets-energy-boost-solar-panels-instal/

Data Centers in Oregon: High Tech Meets High Desert (Three Part Series) (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/11/data_clouds_settle_in_oregon_w.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• First Bankruptcy Hearing for Southern Montana Electric Co-Op to Be Held
• US Senator Cantwell Warns Seniors, Low Income Could Lose Heating Aid
• Snohomish PUD Low-Income & Senior Energy Assistance Available
• Chelan PUD Advises Winter Prep for Outages
• Tennessee Valley Authority Revenue Rises Almost Nine Percent in Fiscal 2011
• Pay Freeze for Tennessee Valley Authority Employees, But CEO Salary Up $352,000 to $3.95 Million
• Massachusetts Legislature - Frustrated Senators Ready for Look at Energy Industry
• Northeast US - Don’t Overlook Electricity’s Power
• Cyberattack on Illinois Water Utility May Confirm Stuxnet Warnings
• Hacker Says Texas Town Used Three Character Password to Secure Internet Facing SCADA System
• Sea Lions Raid Columbia, Grow Taste for Sturgeon
• Pelicans Face New Threat on Oregon Coast: Junk Food
• Squaxin Tribe, Three Local South Puget Sound Cities to Run Water-Restoration Fund
• Ocean Advisory Group Maps Out What Works for Oregonians & Oregon's Coast
• Clark County Event Center Gets Energy Boost
• Editorial - Energy Northwest Makes Wise Choice on Radar Ridge
• SolarWorld, Its California Plant Gone Dark, Prepares in Oregon for Industry Shakeout While Battling China
• Bankrupt Energy Firm Beacon Power to Sell Assets
• Kitzhaber Joins Call for Renewable Energy Tax Credit Extension
• Oregon - Plant Would Convert Waste to Energy
• Mason County PUD 3 Partner Wins 'Smart Power' Prize
• As New Wind Farm Looms, Wyoming County Eyes Its Wind Projects, Power Lines
• British Columbia - Wind Power Project Generates Learning Opportunity
• New Hydropower Development: Alaskan Opportunity
• Op/Ed - NorthWestern Energy Defends Its Energy Efficiency Programs
• Snohomish PUD - Alstom Selected for Washington State Smart Grid Project
• Tennessee - Habitat Gets High Marks for Low-Energy Homes
• Holiday Lights That Dazzle - Electric Bills That Shock
• AT&T Developing a Home Energy Service
• UN: Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases Hit Record
• Congress Kills Request for National Climate Service
• What Will Climate Change Mean for California?
• San Francisco May Not Be as Green as Advertised, Energy Experts Say
• Electric Car Drivers Eschew Public Charging Stations So Far
• Hybrid Cars Safer - And More Dangerous
• Report: Washington State Residents Use 2 Billion Plastic Bags Each Year
• Longview Reaping Benefits from Recycling
• Data Centers in Oregon: High Tech Meets High Desert (Part 1 of 3)
• Google Searches for Privacy, Finds a Community (Part 2 of 3)
• Oregon is a Great Deal for Server Farms. Is the Deal Too Good? (Part 3 of 3)
• CenturyLink Is Imposing Usage Caps - 150 GB for Slower than 1.5 Mbps, 250 GB Otherwise
• Clearwire Slammed as CEO Reportedly Mulls Default
• Gates Testifies In $1 Billion Lawsuit against Microsoft
• As Washington State Makes Cuts, Lawsuits Are Flying
• Public Records Ruling - Record-Breaking Judgment against DSHS
• Federal Debt Supercommittee Members Brace for Failure
• The Deficit Deal That Wasn’t: Hopes Are Dashed
• Stimulus Funds Helped Some Stocks Soar
• Prepare for a Wet & Windy Thanksgiving Week
• Washington State Scrambles To Fight Massive Tree Die-Offs
• State Treasurer Requests Bill to Prevent Wenatchee Arena Default
• Editorial - What Choice Do We Have? We Unwisely Borrowed $42 Million for an Arena without a Firm Means to Repay
• Lewis County Museum to Reopen amid Cash Probe
• A Familial Plug - Marysville Ready to Hang Artists’ Wreaths throughout City (Everett Herald, WA – Go Big Sister!)

WORD OF THE DAY

Eschew • \ess-SHOO or ess-SCUE\ • Verb - To avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds: shun

Even as a child I eschewed hot cereal; there was something about the texture of the gloppy stuff. I warned my gramma that I couldn’t keep it down; she didn’t believe me, until I had my first bite. She was a believer then.

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

First Bankruptcy Hearing for Southern Montana Electric Co-Op to Be Held (KAJ-TV, Kalispell, MT)

http://www.kaj18.com/news/1st-hearing-for-so-mt-electric-co-op-to-be-held/

US Senator Cantwell Warns Seniors, Low Income Could Lose Heating Aid (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016814069_heatingassistance21m.html

Snohomish PUD Low-Income & Senior Energy Assistance Available (Arlington Times, WA)

http://www.arlingtontimes.com/news/134088343.html

Chelan PUD Advises Winter Prep for Outages (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/nov/21/pud-advises-winter-prep-for-outages/

Tennessee Valley Authority Revenue Rises Almost Nine Percent in Fiscal 2011 (Memphis Business Journal, TN)

http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2011/11/18/tva-revenue-rises-almost-9-percent-in.html

Pay Freeze for Tennessee Valley Authority Employees, But CEO Salary Up $352,000 to $3.95 Million (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/story/2011-11-18/tva-ceo-pay-rises-during-salary-freeze/51299218/1?csp=34money

Massachusetts Legislature - Frustrated Senators Ready for Look at Energy Industry (Boston Herald, MA)

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20111117downing_frustrated_senators_ready_for_look_at_energy_industry/

Northeast US - Don’t Overlook Electricity’s Power (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/business/never-underestimate-the-power-of-electricity.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Cyberattack on Illinois Water Utility May Confirm Stuxnet Warnings (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1118/Cyberattack-on-Illinois-water-utility-may-confirm-Stuxnet-warnings

Hacker Says Texas Town Used Three Character Password to Secure Internet Facing SCADA System (Threat Post)

http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/hacker-says-texas-town-used-three-character-password-secure-internet-facing-scada-system-11201

FISH & WILDLIFE

Sea Lions Raid Columbia, Grow Taste for Sturgeon (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/20/sea-lions-raid-columbia-grow-taste-for-sturgeon/

Pelicans Face New Threat on Oregon Coast: Junk Food (Daily Astorian, OR)

www.dailyastorian.com/free/pelicans-face-new-threat-on-oregon-coast-junk-food/article_33c1a3b4-121d-11e1-b388-001cc4c03286.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Squaxin Tribe, Three Local South Puget Sound Cities to Run Water-Restoration Fund (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/11/20/1884989/squaxins-3-local-cities-to-run.html

Ocean Advisory Group Maps Out What Works for Oregonians & Oregon's Coast – The “Visual-Shed Component?” (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/11/_ocean_advisory_group_closing.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Clark County Event Center Gets Energy Boost - Solar panels installed free of charge will reap savings for county (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/nov/19/event-center-gets-energy-boost-solar-panels-instal/

Editorial - Energy Northwest Makes Wise Choice on Radar Ridge (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/20/1724746/energy-northwest-makes-wise-choice.html

SolarWorld, Its California Plant Gone Dark, Prepares in Oregon for Industry Shakeout While Battling China (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/11/solarworld_its_california_plan.html

Bankrupt Energy Firm Beacon Power to Sell Assets (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Bankrupt-energy-firm-Beacon-Power-to-sell-assets-2276944.php

Kitzhaber Joins Call for Renewable Energy Tax Credit Extension (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://assets.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/index.php/articles/2011/11/kitzhaber-joins-call-for-renewable.html

Oregon - Plant Would Convert Waste to Energy: A new Eugene company wants to use farm and food byproducts to make gas and generate electricity (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/27197781-41/waste-plant-eugene-compost-electricity.html.csp

Mason County PUD 3 Partner Wins 'Smart Power' Prize (South Sound Business Examiner, WA)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/pud-3-partner-wins-smart/

As New Wind Farm Looms, Wyoming County Eyes Its Wind Projects, Power Lines (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)

http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/as-new-wind-farm-looms-wyoming-county-eyes-its-wind/article_a4005645-0d3a-502b-bcfa-008a601038a5.html

British Columbia - Wind Power Project Generates Learning Opportunity (Penticton Western News, BC)

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/134050788.html

New Hydropower Development: Alaskan Opportunity (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/11/new-hydropower-development-alaskan-opportunity?cmpid=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Op/Ed - NorthWestern Energy Defends Its Energy Efficiency Programs (Helena Independent Record, MT)

http://helenair.com/news/opinion/northwestern-energy-defends-its-energy-efficiency-programs/article_3e0ee028-140e-11e1-8340-001cc4c03286.html

Snohomish PUD - Alstom Selected for Washington State Smart Grid Project (Smart Meters)

http://www.smartmeters.com/the-news/smart-grid-news/2801-alstom-selected-for-washington-state-smart-grid-project.html

Tennessee - Habitat Gets High Marks for Low-Energy Homes (The Tennessean, Nashville)

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111120/NEWS11/311200049/Habitat-gets-high-marks-low-energy-homes

Holiday Lights That Dazzle - Electric Bills That Shock (Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, FL)

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-11-19/business/fl-energy-holiday-lights-20111119_1_holiday-lights-light-displays-steven-and-beverly-scalabrin

AT&T Developing a Home Energy Service (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/att-developing-a-home-energy-service/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

UN: Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases Hit Record (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016815353_apeuungreenhousegases.html

Congress Kills Request for National Climate Service (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/congress-nixes-national-climate-service/2011/11/18/gIQAxYvIgN_story.html

What Will Climate Change Mean for California? (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/20/4067839/what-will-climate-change-mean.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

San Francisco May Not Be as Green as Advertised, Energy Experts Say (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/us/san-francisco-may-not-be-as-green-as-advertised-energy-experts-say.html?_r=1

Electric Car Drivers Eschew Public Charging Stations So Far (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/electric_car_drivers_eschew_public_charging_stations_so_far/

Hybrid Cars Safer - And More Dangerous (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1118/Hybrid-cars-safer-and-more-dangerous

Report: Washington State Residents Use 2 Billion Plastic Bags Each Year (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Report-Wash-residents-use-2-billion-plastic-bags-each-year-134212513.html

Longview Reaping Benefits from Recycling (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016813886_apwalongviewrecycling.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Data Centers in Oregon: High Tech Meets High Desert (Part 1 of 3) (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/11/data_clouds_settle_in_oregon_w.html

Google Searches for Privacy, Finds a Community (Part 2 of 3) (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/11/google_searches_for_privacy_fi.html

Oregon is a Great Deal for Server Farms. Is the Deal Too Good? (Part 3 of 3) (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/11/do_centers_get_more_than_they.html

CenturyLink Is Imposing Usage Caps - 150 GB for Slower than 1.5 Mbps, 250 GB Otherwise (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/CenturyLink-is-Imposing-Usage-Caps-117116

Clearwire Slammed as CEO Reportedly Mulls Default (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Clearwire-slammed-as-CEO-reportedly-mulls-default-2276532.php

Gates Testifies In $1 Billion Lawsuit against Microsoft (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/21/gates-testifies-1-billion-lawsuit-against-microsof/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

As Washington State Makes Cuts, Lawsuits Are Flying (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016807200_lawsuits20m.html

Public Records Ruling - Record-Breaking Judgment against DSHS (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Record-Breaking-Fine-Against-DSHS-134162983.html

Federal Debt Supercommittee Members Brace for Failure (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/debt-supercommittee-members-brace-for-failure/2011/11/20/gIQA5bqJfN_story.html?wprss=rss_congress

The Deficit Deal That Wasn’t: Hopes Are Dashed (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/us/politics/deficit-deal-fell-apart-after-seeming-agreement.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Stimulus Funds Helped Some Stocks Soar (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/story/2011-11-20/stimulus-stocks/51323470/1

GENERAL NEWS

Prepare for a Wet & Windy Thanksgiving Week (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016814015_weather21m.html

Washington State Scrambles To Fight Massive Tree Die-Offs (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016814224_deadforest21m.html

State Treasurer Requests Bill to Prevent Wenatchee Arena Default (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/11/18/1882232/state-treasurer-requests-bill.html

Editorial - What Choice Do We Have? We Unwisely Borrowed $42 Million for an Arena without a Firm Means to Repay (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/nov/19/what-choice-do-we-have/

Lewis County Museum to Reopen amid Cash Probe (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/20/museum-to-reopen-amid-cash-probe/

A Familial Plug - Marysville Ready to Hang Artists’ Wreaths throughout City (Everett Herald, WA – Go Big Sister!)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111118/NEWS01/711189884

DIVERSIONS

Students Fight Back Against Chocolate Milk Ban

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Students-fight-back-against-chocolate-milk-ban-134155593.html

Chinese Children Endure 'World's Most Dangerous School Run'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8890836/Chinese-children-endure-worlds-most-dangerous-school-run.html

Theft Victim Catches Alleged Crook Returning Merchandise at Store

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/11/08/theft-victim-catches-alleged-crook-returning-merchandise-at-store/

SONG OF THE DAY

Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough (A Cappella)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtsj7NgEeRw

Michael McDonald - Ain`t No Mountain High Enough

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

Energy News Digest for November 18, 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

Special Weather Statement - Mix of Rain & Snow Showers Possible Across Lowlands of

Western Washington through Saturday Morning (National Weather Service Seattle)

http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WA20111118122700SpecialWeatherStatement20111119003000WA.SEWSPSSEW.d20e34fab57885c734c9d845b51c01d4

Connecticut Utility CEO Out amid Post-Storm Criticism (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/AP-Distraction-cited-in-Conn-utility-CEO-ouster-2274346.php

Salmon Groups Ask Redden To Push Columbia River Settlement Talks (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2011/11/17/rockybarker/salmon_groups_ask_redden_push_settlement_talks

Oregon - Developers Drop Plans for Two Wind Farms on Steens Mountain Slopes (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/11/developers_drop_plans_for_two.html

Facebook’s Prineville Data Center Earns LEED Gold (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/11/facebooks-prineville-data-center.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Connecticut Utility CEO Out Amid Post-Storm Criticism (
• Southern Montana Electric Seats Beartooth Member; Rescinds Rate Hike
• EPA Rules Could Shut 13,000 Megawatts of Midwest Coal Plants
• From Edison’s Trunk, Direct Current Gets another Look
• France Needs to Upgrade All Nuclear Reactors
• Utility Reform Eluding Japan after Nuclear Plant Disaster
• Aging Dams Threatened by Climate Change
• US Natural Gas Supplies Grew Last Week
• Metal Theft Threatens Co-ops, Crooks
• Mayor’s Last-Ditch Effort to Save Detroit Would Privatize 88,000 Streetlights
• The Chimera of Customer Satisfaction in the Utility Secto
• Salmon Groups Ask Redden To Push Columbia River Settlement Talks
• With Condit Dam Breached, Cabin Owners nearby Facing Winter without Water, They Worry
• Oregon - Developers Drop Plans for Two Wind Farms on Steens Mountain Slopes
• Grays Harbor PUD Responds to Radar Ridge Decision
• Wind Farm Effort’s End Blamed on Agency - Fish & Wildlife Says Investors Didn’t Understand Process
• Clallam PUD Loses $300,000 in Cancellation of Wind Farm Project
• Washington Wind Farm Canceled Due To Seabird
• Dutch Fall Out of Love with Windmills
• Meanwhile, Wind Industry Sees Big Gains – Will it Last?
• Investment Continues to Flow into Marine Energy: Siemens & OpenHydro Ride the Tide
• Congressional Panel Hears Defense of Loan to Solyndra
• Wal-Mart’s Progress on Renewables Has Been Very Slow
• NEEA Updates Northern Climate Specification for Heat Pump Water Heaters
• Americans Waking Up to Light Bulb Changeover
• Space Heaters Popular, But Come with Tradeoff
• Report: Climate Change Worsens Extreme Weather Events
• Science Panel: Get Ready for Extreme Weather
• Do Alaska’s Little Lemmings Play Special Role in Climate Change?
• GridMobility among Honorees - Cleantech Open Announces Winners
• Oregon Built Environment & Sustainable Technologies Launches Expanded $1M Grant Program
• Environmentalists Ask Seattle to Ban Plastic Bags
• Cooking-Oil Supply Nears ‘Critically Low’ Level
• Facebook’s Prineville Data Center Earns LEED Gold
• Fighting Cancer at 100 Gigabits per Second
• SOPA Fight over ‘Internet Censorship’ Attracts Yahoo, Google
• Norway Hit by Major Data-Theft Attack
• Sacramento Heating Company’s Website Turns Steamy
• Internet Insecurity: The 25 Worst Passwords of 2011
• Washington State Faces Nearly $1.4 Billion Deficit in Latest Forecast
• Congressional Supercommittee Appears Unlikely To Reach Federal Debt Agreement
• Op/Ed - The Federal Tax Exemption on Municipal Bonds is Worth Keeping
• Special Weather Statement - Mix of Rain & Snow Showers Possible Across Lowlands of
• Western Washington
• Western Washington Mountains Get Heavy Snowfall; Ski Areas to Open
• Washington Jobless Rate Falls to Nine Percent
• Olympia McDonald’s Worker Arrested in Credit Card Case
• Police Make Arrest in Stolen Church Bell Case
• 4-H: WSU Budget Cuts Leave 4-H Clubs in Decline

WORD OF THE DAY

Chimera • \KIE-mirr-uh\ • Noun - 1a capitalized: a fire-breathing she-monster in Greek mythology having a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a serpent’s tail b: an imaginary monster compounded of incongruous parts 2: an illusion or fabrication of the mind; especially: an unrealizable dream 3: an individual, organ, or part consisting of tissues of diverse genetic constitution

Chimera: see the pro-I-937 section of the 2006 Washington State voter’s pamphlet – “…Initiative 937 Saves Energy & Saves Us Money:  I-937 gives us cheaper, renewable alternatives like wind and solar…”

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

Connecticut Utility CEO Out amid Post-Storm Criticism (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/AP-Distraction-cited-in-Conn-utility-CEO-ouster-2274346.php

Southern Montana Electric Seats Beartooth Member; Rescinds Rate Hike (Billings Gazette, MT)

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/southern-montana-electric-seats-beartooth-member-rescinds-rate-hike/article_b91d0356-0622-5f89-8e80-aae22d9f6f19.html

EPA Rules Could Shut 13,000 Megawatts of Midwest Coal Plants (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/18/us-utilities-midwestiso-coal-idUSTRE7AH19M20111118

From Edison’s Trunk, Direct Current Gets another Look (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/business/energy-environment/direct-current-technology-gets-another-look.html

France Needs to Upgrade All Nuclear Reactors (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/17/us-france-nuclear-tests-idUSTRE7AG0HQ20111117

Utility Reform Eluding Japan after Nuclear Plant Disaster (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/world/asia/after-fukushima-fighting-the-power-of-tepco.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Aging Dams Threatened by Climate Change (The Downey Patriot, CA)

http://thedowneypatriot.com/bookmark/16473944-Aging-dams-threatened-by-climate-change

US Natural Gas Supplies Grew Last Week (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/US-natural-gas-supplies-grew-last-week-2274269.php

Metal Theft Threatens Co-ops, Crooks (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/newsmakers/co-op-voices/electric-cooperatives-metal-thefts/36560

Mayor’s Last-Ditch Effort to Save Detroit Would Privatize 88,000 Streetlights (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1117/Mayor-s-last-ditch-effort-to-save-Detroit-would-privatize-88-000-streetlights

The Chimera of Customer Satisfaction in the Utility Sector: EcoPinion Consumer Survey Points to Nuances & Need for Alternative Customer Metrics (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=161914

FISH & WILDLIFE

Salmon Groups Ask Redden To Push Columbia River Settlement Talks (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2011/11/17/rockybarker/salmon_groups_ask_redden_push_settlement_talks

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

With Condit Dam Breached, Cabin Owners nearby Facing Winter without Water, They Worry (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/11/with_condit_dam_breached_cabin.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon - Developers Drop Plans for Two Wind Farms on Steens Mountain Slopes (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/11/developers_drop_plans_for_two.html

Grays Harbor PUD Responds to Radar Ridge Decision (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3382

Wind Farm Effort’s End Blamed on Agency - Fish & Wildlife Says Investors Didn’t Understand Process (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/nov/18/wind-farm-efforts-end-blamed-on-agency/

Clallam PUD Loses $300,000 in Cancellation of Wind Farm Project (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111118/news/311189978/clallam-pud-loses-300000-in-cancellation-of-wind-farm-project

Washington Wind Farm Canceled Due To Seabird (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/18440-washington-wind-farm-canceled-due-to-seabird-

Dutch Fall Out of Love with Windmills (Financial Post, Canada)

http://business.financialpost.com/2011/11/18/dutch-fall-out-of-love-with-windmills/

Meanwhile, Wind Industry Sees Big Gains – Will it Last? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/11/meanwhile-wind-industry-sees-big-gains-will-it-last?cmpid=rss

Investment Continues to Flow into Marine Energy: Siemens & OpenHydro Ride the Tide (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/11/investment-continues-to-flow-into-marine-energy-siemens-and-openhydro-ride-the-tide?cmpid=rss

Congressional Panel Hears Defense of Loan to Solyndra (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/business/energy-environment/energy-secretary-defends-solyndra-loan.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Wal-Mart’s Progress on Renewables Has Been Very Slow “…Because wind & solar power generally cost more…Wal-Mart can’t or won’t buy clean energy on a scale that matters…” (Grist Online)

http://www.grist.org/business-technology/2011-11-17-walmarts-progress-on-renewables-has-been-very-slow

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

NEEA Updates Northern Climate Specification for Heat Pump Water Heaters (PR Newswire)

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neea-updates-northern-climate-specification-for-heat-pump-water-heaters-134059733.html

Americans Waking Up to Light Bulb Changeover (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/americans-waking-up-to-light-bulb-changeover/

Space Heaters Popular, But Come with Tradeoff (Canton Republic, OH)
http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x1944401231/Space-heaters-popular-but-come-with-tradeoff

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Report: Climate Change Worsens Extreme Weather Events (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/globalwarming/story/2011-11-17/report-blames-climate-change-for-more-extreme-weather-events/51276310/1?csp=34news

Science Panel: Get Ready for Extreme Weather (Associated Press)

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700199030/Science-panel-Get-ready-for-extreme-weather.html

Do Alaska’s Little Lemmings Play Special Role in Climate Change? (Alaska Dispatch)

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/do-alaskas-little-lemmings-play-special-role-climate-change

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

GridMobility among Honorees - Cleantech Open Announces Winners (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/cleantech-open-announces-winners/

Oregon Built Environment & Sustainable Technologies Launches Expanded $1M Grant Program (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/11/oregon-best-launches-expanded-1m.html

Environmentalists Ask Seattle to Ban Plastic Bags (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016793394_plasticbags18m.html

Cooking-Oil Supply Nears ‘Critically Low’ Level (Bloomberg News)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/18/BUR61M0HGK.DTL

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Facebook’s Prineville Data Center Earns LEED Gold (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/11/facebooks-prineville-data-center.html

Fighting Cancer at 100 Gigabits Per Second (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cloud/fighting-cancer-at-100-gigabits-per-second/

SOPA Fight over ‘Internet Censorship’ Attracts Yahoo, Google (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2011/1117/SOPA-fight-over-Internet-censorship-attracts-Yahoo-Google

Norway Hit by Major Data-Theft Attack (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Norway-hit-by-major-data-theft-attack-2273974.php

Sacramento Heating Company’s Website Turns Steamy (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/18/4063757/sacramento-heating-companys-website.html

Internet Insecurity: The 25 Worst Passwords of 2011 (AOL Daily Finance)

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/11/15/internet-insecurity-the-25-worst-passwords-of-2011/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Faces Nearly $1.4 Billion Deficit in Latest Forecast (Associated Press)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/State-faces-nearly-14B-deficit-in-latest-forecast-134050718.html

Congressional Supercommittee Appears Unlikely To Reach Federal Debt Agreement (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supercommittee-appears-unlikely-to-reach-agreement/2011/11/17/gIQAjk43VN_story.html?wprss=rss_congress

Op/Ed - The Federal Tax Exemption on Municipal Bonds is Worth Keeping (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2016792850_guest18mcintire.html

GENERAL NEWS

Special Weather Statement - Mix of Rain & Snow Showers Possible Across Lowlands of

Western Washington through Saturday Morning (National Weather Service Seattle)

http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WA20111118122700SpecialWeatherStatement20111119003000WA.SEWSPSSEW.d20e34fab57885c734c9d845b51c01d4

Western Washington Mountains Get Heavy Snowfall; Ski Areas to Open (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-western-washington-mountains-getting-heavy-snowfall-20111117,0,3659532.story

Washington Jobless Rate Falls to Nine Percent (Associated Press)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Washington-jobless-rate-falls-to-9-percent-134050858.html

Olympia McDonald’s Worker Arrested In Credit Card Case (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/11/17/1880593/olympia-mcdonalds-worker-arrested.html

Police Make Arrest in Stolen Church Bell Case (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/134097643.html

4-H: WSU Budget Cuts Leave 4-H Clubs in Decline (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/18/1722515/4-h-wsu-budget-cuts-leave-4-h.html

DIVERSIONS

Airline Makes Stranded Passengers Pay for Fuel

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/11/airline-makes-stranded-passengers-pay-for-fuel/

Nude Hiking in Alps is a No-No

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/11/18/41557.htm

John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Peace Poster Sells for $154,000

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/11/18/john-lennon-and-yoko-onos-peace-poster-sells-for-154000/

Tribe Takes on ‘Twilight’ Silliness: We ‘Do Not Turn into Wolves’

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/11/16/tribe-takes-on-twilight-silliness-we-do-not-turn-into-wolves/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Ballad of John & Yoko - The Beatles (see poster above at about 1:35)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxx-dOHias8