Energy News Digest for December 20, 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

Weather Eye: Winter Officially Starts Wednesday (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/20/weather-eye-winter-officially-starts-wednesday/

Survey Finds Consensus on Better Salmon Habitat But Not On Dam Removal (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://earthfix.opb.org/water/article/survey-finds-agreement-for-helping-salmon-with-hab/

Salmon Forecasts Give Anglers Reason for Additional Christmas Cheer (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://sportsyakima.com/2011/12/northwest-sportsman-salmon-forecasts-give-anglers-reason-for-additional-christmas-cheer/

First Wind Secures $210 Million for SE Washington State Wind Farm (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/12/19/first-wind-secures-210-million-for-e.html

BC Hydro Not Complying With Customer Notifications for Smart Meters: Privacy Commissioner (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Hydro+complying+with+customer+notifications+smart+meters+privacy+commissioner/5882618/story.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• BC Hydro Not Complying With Customer Notifications for Smart Meters: Privacy Commissioner
• California – Pacific Gas & Electric Proposal OKs SmartMeter Opt-Out - For a Fee
• Grays Harbor PUD Adopts 2012 Budget – No Rate Increase Anticipated
• $1.5 Million Awarded to Families in Colorado Hydroelectric Plant Fire
• Employees Return To Scene of SoCal Edison Shooting - An Employee Killed Two Co-Workers & Himself Last Week
• California Utility Promises to do Better after Late November Windstorm Outages
• Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers, et. al. - Hooray For Hydropower?
• Melanie Dressel Named to Puget Sound Energy, Puget Energy Boards
• Stadium Goes Dark—Twice—During Monday Night Football Game in San Francisco
• How Natural Gas Planners Pulled a Quick One on Oregon
• Utilities in Power Squeeze as States Tie Mergers to Clean Energy
• Survey Finds Consensus on Better Salmon Habitat But Not on Dam Removal
• Salmon Forecasts Give Anglers Reason for Additional Christmas Cheer
• Thurston, Mason Counties Get $2 Million for Salmon Recovery
• Study of Hood River Steelhead Finds Natural Selection in Hatcheries Causes Rapid Productivity Declines in the Wild
• Washington State Board Removing Eagle from Critical Habitat List
• Bonneville Power Administration &Friends of the Columbia Gorge Reach Agreement on National Scenic Area Protection Measures
• Illuminating the Perils of Pollution, Nature’s Way
• First Wind Secures $210 Million for SE Washington State Wind Farm
• South Kitsap Students to Measure What’s Blowing in the Wind
• Google & KKR Investing In Development of California Solar Power Project
• Clean-Energy Households Poised to Pay Renewable Energy Tariff Like other Customers
• Missouri Initiative Seeks to Increase Renewable Energy
• United Kingdom - Queen Finally Goes Green as Windsor Castle Turns to Hydroelectric Power
• General Electric Says LEDs May Be 80% of Market by 2020
• European Parliament Eyes Boosting Carbon Prices
• Tigard-Based Agilyx Snares $25 Million Venture Capital Round
• South Dakota - Ethanol Plants Add to Pollution: Industry Tops in State for Toxic Emissions
• Grant PUD reduces Power penalty for Microsoft Data Center
• Google’s Ex-Green Energy Chief Lands at Facebook
• AT&T’s Bid for T-Mobile: It’s a Dead Deal
• Google & Bing Fight Off ‘Content Farms’ in Effort to Improve Online Searches
• Small Utilities Find Energy ‘Smarts’ in the Cloud
• Weather Eye: Winter Officially Starts Wednesday
• AP Data: States Shed Thousands of Public Employees
• Oregon mills claim Canadians drive down wood cost
• Blizzard Closes Highways from New Mexico to Kansas
• Despite an Unusual Run of Giant Earthquakes, The Northwest’s Risk Likely Unchanged
• Seattle Bans Plastic Bags, and Sets a Five Cent Charge for Paper
• Lawmakers Fight over Perceived Christmas Tree Tax
• Cougar Gold Cheese in High Demand

WORD OF THE DAY

Subterfuge • \SUB-terr-fyooj\ • Noun - 1: deception by artifice or stratagem in order to conceal, escape, or evade 2: a deceptive device or stratagem

When racing with your luge

Beware of the subterfuge

Opponents may cheat

(Good Grief…what a HORRIBLE haiku!)

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

BC Hydro Not Complying With Customer Notifications for Smart Meters: Privacy Commissioner (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Hydro+complying+with+customer+notifications+smart+meters+privacy+commissioner/5882618/story.html

California – Pacific Gas & Electric Proposal OKs SmartMeter Opt-Out - For a Fee (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/20/MNHS1MEGPQ.DTL

Grays Harbor PUD Adopts 2012 Budget – No Rate Increase Anticipated (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3530

$1.5 Million Awarded to Families in Colorado Hydroelectric Plant Fire (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/20/us-colorado-fire-compensation-idUSTRE7BJ00220111220

Employees Return To Scene of SoCal Edison Shooting - An Employee Killed Two Co-Workers & Himself Last Week (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017054742_apusofficeshootingcalifornia.html

California Utility Promises to do Better after Late November Windstorm Outages (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017049582_apusutilitywindstormapology.html

Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers, et. al. - Hooray For Hydropower? (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/12/20/hooray-for-hydropower/

Melanie Dressel Named to Puget Sound Energy, Puget Energy Boards (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.t-and_d.2011.12.Melanie_Dressel_named_to_Puget_Sound_Energy__Puget_Energy_boards.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

Stadium Goes Dark—Twice—During Monday Night Football Game in San Francisco (TIME Magazine)

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/12/20/stadium-goes-dark-twice-during-monday-night-football-game-in-san-francisco/

How Natural Gas Planners Pulled a Quick One on Oregon (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2011/12/16/energy-utilities/21692/How-natural-gas-planners-pulled-a-quick-one-on-Oregon/

Utilities in Power Squeeze as States Tie Mergers to Clean Energy (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-16/utilities-in-power-squeeze-as-states-tie-mergers-to-clean-energy.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Survey Finds Consensus on Better Salmon Habitat But Not On Dam Removal (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://earthfix.opb.org/water/article/survey-finds-agreement-for-helping-salmon-with-hab/

Salmon Forecasts Give Anglers Reason for Additional Christmas Cheer (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://sportsyakima.com/2011/12/northwest-sportsman-salmon-forecasts-give-anglers-reason-for-additional-christmas-cheer/

Thurston, Mason Counties Get $2 Million for Salmon Recovery (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/20/1952159/thurston-mason-get-2-million-for.html

Study of Hood River Steelhead Finds Natural Selection in Hatcheries Causes Rapid Productivity Declines in the Wild (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/12/study_of_hood_river_steelhead.html

Washington State Board Removing Eagle from Critical Habitat List (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-board-removing-eagle-from-critical-habitat-list-135874038.html

Bonneville Power Administration &Friends of the Columbia Gorge Reach Agreement on National Scenic Area Protection Measures (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/1261887/

Illuminating the Perils of Pollution, Nature’s Way (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/science/a-pollution-fight-powered-by-bioluminescent-sea-creatures.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

First Wind Secures $210 Million for SE Washington State Wind Farm (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/12/19/first-wind-secures-210-million-for-e.html

South Kitsap Students to Measure What’s Blowing in the Wind (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – And, another 25 cents for Robert Zimmerman)

www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/dec/19/sk-students-to-measure-whats-blowing-in-the-wind/

Google & KKR Investing In Development of California Solar Power Project (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/google-and-kkr-investing-in-development-of-california-solar-power-project/2011/12/20/gIQA1Tyo6O_story.html

Clean-Energy Households Poised to Pay Renewable Energy Tariff Like other Customers (Arizona Republic, Phoenix)

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/12/19/20111219arizona-clean-energy-households-to-pay-tariff.html

Missouri Initiative Seeks to Increase Renewable Energy (Bloomberg)

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9RNNAQO0.htm

United Kingdom - Queen Finally Goes Green as Windsor Castle Turns to Hydroelectric Power (The Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/queen-elizabeth-II/8966322/Queen-finally-goes-green-as-Windsor-Castle-turns-to-hydroelectric-power.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

General Electric Says LEDs May Be 80% of Market by 2020 (Bloomberg)

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-20/ge-lighting-s-sylvester-says-leds-may-be-80-of-market-by-2020.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

European Parliament Eyes Boosting Carbon Prices (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017052711_apeucarbontrading.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Tigard-Based Agilyx Snares $25 Million Venture Capital Round (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/12/tigard-based_agilyx_snares_25.html

South Dakota - Ethanol Plants Add to Pollution: Industry Tops in State for Toxic Emissions (Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, SD)

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111218/NEWS/312180036/1001/news

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Grant PUD reduces Power penalty for Microsoft Data Center (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/ephrata/article_3af667ca-2a6c-11e1-80fa-001871e3ce6c.html

Google’s Ex-Green Energy Chief Lands at Facebook (Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2011/12/20/googles-ex-green-energy-chief-lands.html

AT&T’s Bid for T-Mobile: It’s a Dead Deal (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017052213_tmobileattdeal20.html

Google & Bing Fight Off ‘Content Farms’ in Effort to Improve Online Searches (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/google-and-bing-fight-off-content-farms-in-effort-to-improve-online-searches/2011/12/15/gIQANOsn4O_story.html

Small Utilities Find Energy ‘Smarts’ in the Cloud (Green Bang)

http://www.greenbang.com/small-utilities-find-energy-smarts-in-the-cloud_20933.html

GENERAL NEWS

Weather Eye: Winter Officially Starts Wednesday (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/20/weather-eye-winter-officially-starts-wednesday/

AP Data: States Shed Thousands of Public Employees (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017043967_apusbrokenbudgetsbythenumbers.html

Oregon mills claim Canadians drive down wood cost (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017049620_aporcheaplumber1stldwritethru.html

Blizzard Closes Highways from New Mexico to Kansas (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1220/Blizzard-closes-highways-from-New-Mexico-to-Kansas

Despite an Unusual Run of Giant Earthquakes, The Northwest’s Risk Likely Unchanged (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/12/despite_an_unusual_run_of_gian.html

Seattle Bans Plastic Bags, and Sets a Five Cent Charge for Paper (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/us/seattle-bans-plastic-bags-and-sets-a-5-cent-charge-for-paper.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Lawmakers Fight over Perceived Christmas Tree Tax (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/19/143972797/lawmakers-fight-over-perceived-christmas-tree-tax?ft=1&f=2

Cougar Gold Cheese in High Demand (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/20/1919881/cougar-gold-in-high-demand.html

DIVERSIONS

Man Finds $2,500 in House, Returns to Former Owners

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/boston/12006160092657/man-finds-2-500-in-house-returns-to-former-owners/#ixzz1gccpyiDE

Woman Caught Making Meth inside S. Tulsa Wal-Mart

http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Woman-caught-making-meth-inside-S-Tulsa-Walmart/Rgu31vt1m0me-p0WwKsN_w.cspx

Western WA Santa Mailman Fighting to Keep Suit On – Follows complaint by fellow worker “It’s against the dress code”

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Western-WA-Santa-mailman-fighting-to-keep-suit-on-135919198.html

War on Christmas Department - Climate Change Puts Santa at Risk

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2011/12/16/20111216-climate-change-puts-santa-at-risk.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Three Dog Night - Mama Told Me (Not To Come)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkM7uWBjUrI

Energy News Digest for December 19, 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

Ecology's Change in Haze Plan Targets TransAlta Pollution (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017040814_airpollution18m.html

AP Impact: EPA Rules Threaten Older Power Plants (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017047247_apuscoalplantretirements.html

New Codes Aim to Cut Energy Use (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/us/new-codes-aim-to-cut-energy-use.html?_r=1

Fisher Communications Completes Sale of Fisher Plaza (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/12/16/fisher-communications-completes-sale.html

Thinning Oregon Forests Develops Spotted Owl Habitat, Chases Away Flying Squirrels -- The Owls' Chief Prey (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/12/another_oregon_forest_conundru.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Ecology's Change in Haze Plan Targets TransAlta Pollution
• AP Impact: EPA Rules Threaten Older Power Plants
• How AP Estimated Power Plant Closures Due to EPA
• Washington State Commission Approves Avista Rate Increases
• Wyoming, California, Arizona - Duke Energy Venture Plans $3.5 Billion Transmission Line
• Mason County PUD No. 1 - Overnight Power Outage Tonight
• Missing Man's Body Found by PUD Employee in Klickitat County
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratories Operator Earns $8.5M in Performance Pay
• Pacific Northwest Power Traders Use Web for Deals
• Feds on the Hunt for Possible Yucca Mountain Replacement
• Op/Ed – Decoupling: Updating Rates Key to Energy Efficiency
• 35 Cents per kWh - Oahu Electric Rates Hit another Record High
• Brazil Judge Allows Dam Construction to Continue
• Thinning Oregon Forests Develops Spotted Owl Habitat, Chases Away Flying Squirrels -- The Owls' Chief Prey
• Elwha Dam Demolition to Resume as Fish Window Closes Early
• Eagles at Lake Coeur d'Alene in Record Numbers
• Yeah, We've Heard this Before: Big Salmon Run Predicted for 2012
• How to Catch, Store, And Use Rainwater
• EPA Selects Four Pacific Northwest Groups for Environmental Justice Grants
• Oregon - Biomass Tax Credit Created $12M in Economic Activity
• Attorneys Make Arguments in Umatilla County Wind Power Appeal
• Minnesota - Wind Farm Tensions Flare over Eagle Study: Developers Say Opponents Baiting Eagles with Animal Carcasses
• California - Editorial: Failed Windmill Plan another Sign of Lack of Commitment to Green Energy in Marin
• Alaska - Biomass Generators Set to Run in Fairbanks
• Op/Ed - Rethink Renewable Energy Mandates
• United Kingdom - Money-Spinning Wind Turbines Blow Nothing but an Ill Wind for Residents
• New Codes Aim to Cut Energy Use
• Despite Delay, the 100-Watt Bulb Is on Its Way Out
• Breweries Warm Up to Solar Thermal Heating
• Geothermal Heat Pumps Generate Savings
• $62 Million Oregon Sustainability Center Steeped in Uncertainty
• Stevens Pass One of the Greenest Ski Areas
• Fisher Communications Completes Sale of Fisher Plaza
• Do Build Your Own Data Centers Make Sense Anymore?
• O'Brien: FCC Chair Making Progress to Bridge the Digital Divide
• FCC Wants Input on New Universal Service Rule
• Another Microsoft Antitrust Trial after Utah Jury Deadlock?
• 'Disgruntled Employee' Disrupts DSLExtreme Service
• In US, Many More Dreading than Anticipating 2012 Campaign - Seven in 10 say they can't wait for the campaign to be over
• Redistricting Panel Redraws Western Washington Maps
• Washington State Governor's Race Seems All Locked Up
• Filed a Complaint Online About Tacoma Worker? It Might Have Vanished
• Times: Seattle Cartoonist David Horsey Joins L.A. Times
• Olympia Could Have Driest December in 63 Years
• Unimpressed Skiers Ask: Where's the Spectacular La Nina Snow?
• States’ Sales-Tax Deduction to Expire for 2012
• Way Too Much Crackdown for a Few Days of Bad Air
• Kalakala Sold For $1 to Person Who Will Return Ferry 'To Her Full Glory'
• “Valiantly Clinging to Death” N. Korean dictator Kim Jong Il dead at 69

WORD OF THE DAY

Raillery • \RAYL-uh-ree\ • Noun - 1: good-natured ridicule: banter 2: jest

“Oh sure,” whined Jack Frost. “It’s all good fun until someone gets hurt.” The raillery at the “All Seasons” ball had gone astray, as the Indian Summer folks started chasing Jack throwing errant rays of sunshine…their sunbeams impaling themselves on his back until he looked like a shining porcupine with mange.

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

Ecology's Change in Haze Plan Targets TransAlta Pollution (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017040814_airpollution18m.html

AP Impact: EPA Rules Threaten Older Power Plants (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017047247_apuscoalplantretirements.html

How AP Estimated Power Plant Closures Due to EPA (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017047288_apuscoalplantretirementsmethodology.html

Washington State Commission Approves Avista Rate Increases (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/17/state-commission-approves-avista-rate-increases/

Wyoming, California, Arizona - Duke Energy Venture Plans $3.5 Billion Transmission Line (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/power_city/2011/12/duke-energy-venture-plans-35-billion.html

Mason County PUD No. 1 - Overnight Power Outage Tonight (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/19958-overnight-power-outage-1219-1220

Missing Man's Body Found by PUD Employee in Klickitat County (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017047548_apwaklickitatbody.html

Pacific Northwest National Laboratories Operator Earns $8.5M in Performance Pay (Associated Press)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/19/pnnl-operator-earns-85m-in-performance-pay/

Pacific Northwest Power Traders Use Web for Deals (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/n-w-power-traders-use-web-for-deals/37453

Feds on the Hunt for Possible Yucca Mountain Replacement (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-12-18/nuclear-waste-yucca-mountain/52046526/1?csp=34news

Op/Ed – Decoupling: Updating Rates Key to Energy Efficiency (Arizona Republic, Phoenix)

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2011/12/18/20111218energy-efficiency-dirks-croucher.html

35 Cents per kWh - Oahu Electric Rates Hit another Record High (Pacific Business News)

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2011/12/Oahu-electric-bills-hit-another-record.html

Brazil Judge Allows Dam Construction to Continue (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Brazil-judge-allows-dam-construction-to-continue-2409402.php

FISH & WILDLIFE

Thinning Oregon Forests Develops Spotted Owl Habitat, Chases Away Flying Squirrels -- The Owls' Chief Prey (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/12/another_oregon_forest_conundru.html

Elwha Dam Demolition to Resume as Fish Window Closes Early (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111219/news/312199998/dam-demolition-to-resume-as-fish-window-closes-early

Eagles at Lake Coeur d'Alene in Record Numbers (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Eagles-at-Lake-Coeur-dAlene-in-record-numbers--135796283.html

Yeah, We've Heard this Before: Big Salmon Run Predicted for 2012 (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2011/12/19/outdoors/yeah_weve_heard_big_salmon_run_predicted_2012

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

How to Catch, Store, And Use Rainwater (Sunset Magazine)

http://www.sunset.com/garden/earth-friendly/catch-and-save-rainwater-00400000038636/

EPA Selects Four Pacific Northwest Groups for Environmental Justice Grants (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://earthfix.opb.org/communities/article/epa-selects-four-pacific-northwest-groups-for-envi/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon - Biomass Tax Credit Created $12M in Economic Activity (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/12/biomass-tax-credit-created-50m-in.html

Attorneys Make Arguments in Umatilla County Wind Power Appeal (East Oregonian, Pendleton)

http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/17/attorneys-make-arguments-in-umatilla-county-wind-power-appeal/

Minnesota - Wind Farm Tensions Flare over Eagle Study: Developers Say Opponents Baiting Eagles with Animal Carcasses (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, MN)

http://www.startribune.com/local/135774858.html

California - Editorial: Failed Windmill Plan another Sign of Lack of Commitment to Green Energy in Marin (Marin Independent Journal, CA – We want renewable energy, and we dare you to build it!)

http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_19565671

Alaska - Biomass Generators Set to Run in Fairbanks (Juneau Empire, AK)

http://juneauempire.com/state/2011-12-12/biomass-generators-set-run-fairbanks#.Tu-CtM2wWAI

Op/Ed - Rethink Renewable Energy Mandates (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70610.html

United Kingdom - Money-Spinning Wind Turbines Blow Nothing but an Ill Wind for Residents ((The Sunday telegraph, UK)

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/money-spinning-wind-turbines-blow-nothing-but-an-ill-wind-for-residents/story-e6frezz0-1226224671897

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

New Codes Aim to Cut Energy Use (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/us/new-codes-aim-to-cut-energy-use.html?_r=1

Despite Delay, the 100-Watt Bulb Is on Its Way Out (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/17/business/energy-environment/100-watt-bulb-on-its-way-out-despite-bill.html

Breweries Warm Up to Solar Thermal Heating (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/12/16/breweries-warm-up-to-solar-thermal.html

Geothermal Heat Pumps Generate Savings (Imperial Valley News, Yuma, AZ)

http://imperialvalleynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11809&Itemid=23

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

$62 Million Oregon Sustainability Center Steeped in Uncertainty (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/12/62_million_oregon_sustainabili.html

Stevens Pass One of the Greenest Ski Areas (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=596074

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Fisher Communications Completes Sale of Fisher Plaza (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/12/16/fisher-communications-completes-sale.html

Do Build Your Own Data Centers Make Sense Anymore? (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cloud/do-byo-data-centers-make-sense-anymore/

O'Brien: FCC Chair Making Progress to Bridge the Digital Divide (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_19558486

FCC Wants Input on New Universal Service Rule (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/12/17/42335.htm

Another Microsoft Antitrust Trial after Utah Jury Deadlock? (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2011/12/another-microsoft-antitrust-trial.html

'Disgruntled Employee' Disrupts DSLExtreme Service - All Customers Being Told to Change Passwords (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Disgruntled-Employee-Disrupts-DSLExtreme-Service-117487

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

In US, Many More Dreading than Anticipating 2012 Campaign - Seven in 10 say they can't wait for the campaign to be over (Gallup)

http://www.gallup.com/poll/151592/Dreading-Anticipating-2012-Campaign.aspx

Redistricting Panel Redraws Western Washington Maps (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017033979_apwaredistricting1stldwritethru.html

Washington State Governor's Race Seems All Locked Up (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017040414_primary18m.html

Filed a Complaint Online About Tacoma Worker? It Might Have Vanished (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/17/1949658/filed-a-complaint-online-about.html

Times: Seattle Cartoonist David Horsey Joins L.A. Times (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Cartoonist-David-Horsey-joins-LA-Times-135862153.html

GENERAL NEWS

Olympia Could Have Driest December in 63 Years (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/19/1918770/olympia-could-have-driest-december.html

Unimpressed Skiers Ask: Where's the Spectacular La Nina Snow? (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Unimpressed-skiers-ask-Wheres-the-spectacular-La-Nina-snow-135835228.html

States’ Sales-Tax Deduction to Expire for 2012 (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017040410_pnsalestax18m.html

Way Too Much Crackdown for a Few Days of Bad Air (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/18/1949853/way-too-much-crackdown-for-a-few.html

Kalakala Sold For $1 to Person Who Will Return Ferry 'To Her Full Glory' (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/19/1951353/kalakala-sold-for-1-to-person.html

“Valiantly Clinging to Death” N. Korean dictator Kim Jong Il dead at 69 (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017047216_kimjongil19.html

DIVERSIONS

Scientist Wants to Make Snowflake Formation Crystal-Clear

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/story/2011-12-18/snowflakes-form/52049686/1?csp=34tech

'Whatever' Wins Crown for Most Annoying Conversation Stopper

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2017034534_whatever17.html

Seahawks Photographer Gets Single Shot to Capture Most Memorable Moment

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=594854

Cars Powered With Coke and Mentos Battle for Mileage Supremacy

http://gizmodo.com/5868554/cars-powered-with-coke-and-mentos-battle-for-mileage-supremacy

SONG OF THE DAY

Brenda White - Christmas in the Northwest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYr9z0gTm2s