Energy News Digest for January 25, 2012

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

Winds Set Back Thurston County Power Restoration - New outages add to 6,400 customers without power (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/25/1962886/winds-set-back-power-restoration.html

Power Restored Overnight In Lake Cushman (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/22564-power-restored-overnight-in-lake-cushman

Lawmakers Seek Compromise on Washington State’s Renewable Energy Mandate (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/25/1997811/lawmakers-seek-compromise-on-energy.html

Behind Iberdrola’s Portland Layoffs - Expiring wind-energy tax credits, declining demand, overloaded grid, cheap natural gas (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/behind_iberdrolas_portland_lay.html

Opponent Groups Say Relicensing of Enloe Dam Would Cost Okanogan PUD Ratepayers (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/jan/25/groups-say-enloe-dam-would-cost-ratepayers/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Winds Set Back Thurston County Power Restoration - New outages add to 6,400 customers without power
• Power Restored Overnight In Lake Cushman
• Strong Winds Create New Outages around Puget Sound
• Professional Pride Powers Workers Who Came to Fix Downed Lines
• Opponent Groups Say Relicensing of Enloe Dam Would Cost Okanogan PUD Ratepayers
• Richland City Council Wants to Phase In Power Rate Increases
• Feds Give Idaho $5.1 Million More To Help Fight Soaring Utility Bills
• A Judge Rules Vermont Can’t Shut Nuclear Plant
• Wanted: Parking Space for Nuclear Waste
• As Smart Meters Roll Out, Opponents Get Organized
• How Member-Owned Electric Cooperatives Evolved
• Americans Approve Tagging of Endangered Killer Whales
• Removing Four Dams in Klamath Basin Will Help Fish, Farms, Federal Report Says
• Op/Ed – State Of California Has Stake in Columbia Salmon Solution
• Wasting the Wastewater
• Lawmakers Seek Compromise on Washington State’s Renewable Energy Mandate
• Oregon – Umatilla Electric Cooperative Wants Break on Renewable Mandate
• Behind Iberdrola’s Portland Layoffs - Expiring wind-energy tax credits, declining demand, overloaded grid, cheap natural gas
• Oregon Must Bail Out Public Fund That Made Bad Loans to Renewable-Energy Projects
• NRECA Backs Iowa Co-op in Wind Flap
• United Kingdom - Government Loses Second Case on Solar Tariff Cut
• Here’s Exactly How Much You’ll Save Doing Laundry in Cold Water
• Tips on Shopping for Energy-Efficient Bulbs
• Ask Umbra: Why are My CFLs Burning Out So Quickly?
• Hey Silicon Valley, Nest Isn’t the Only Smart Thermostat Around
• Global Warming Skeptics to Take Center Stage in Portland
• Weaker Sun Will Not Delay Global Warming: Study
• Oregon Drops Out of Top Ten LEED States
• Washington State Ranks Fifth in Top Ten LEED States
• Washington State Agency Launches Woodstove Replacement Program
• ‘Green’ Logos Used on Products May Aid Consumers - Or Not
• Chattanooga Gets to See What Broadband Competition Looks Like
• Wind: Overnight Gusts Top 100 Mph at Hanford
• Weak Snowpack, Heavy Snow Raising Avalanche Danger
• Solar Storm Sparks Dazzling Northern Lights

WORD OF THE DAY

Ostensible • \ah-STENSE-uh-bull\ • Adjective - 1: intended for display: open to view 2: being such in appearance: plausible rather than demonstrably true or real

“As you can see, my assistant is ostensibly floating in thin air,” crowed the Vitalis-slicked magician to his spellbound audience. The entire crowd was in awe…except for the small child in the front row who started shooting spitballs at the thin, strong wires (which apparently only he could see) holding the scantily clad lady above the dirty, beer stained floor of the tavern stage.

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

Winds Set Back Thurston County Power Restoration - New outages add to 6,400 customers without power (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/25/1962886/winds-set-back-power-restoration.html

Power Restored Overnight In Lake Cushman (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/22564-power-restored-overnight-in-lake-cushman

Strong Winds Create New Outages around Puget Sound (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Winds-topple-trees-knocks-out-power-to-thousands-in-Puget-Sound-138038398.html

Professional Pride Powers Workers Who Came to Fix Downed Lines (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017324206_power25m.html

Opponent Groups Say Relicensing of Enloe Dam Would Cost Okanogan PUD Ratepayers (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/jan/25/groups-say-enloe-dam-would-cost-ratepayers/

Richland City Council Wants to Phase In Power Rate Increases (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/25/1997804/richland-councilwants-to-phase.html

Feds Give Idaho $5.1 Million More To Help Fight Soaring Utility Bills (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=162909

A Judge Rules Vermont Can’t Shut Nuclear Plant (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/science/earth/vermont-cant-shut-down-nuclear-plant-judge-rules.html?_r=1

Wanted: Parking Space for Nuclear Waste (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/wanted-parking-space-for-nuclear-waste/?partner=rss&emc=rss

As Smart Meters Roll Out, Opponents Get Organized (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2012/01/24/as-smart-meters-roll-out-opponents-get-organized/

How Member-Owned Electric Cooperatives Evolved (Agri-View)

http://www.agriview.com/how-member-owned-electric-cooperatives-evolved/article_a544465a-3e36-11e1-8906-0019bb2963f4.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Americans Approve Tagging of Endangered Killer Whales (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Americans+approve+tagging+endangered+killer+whales/6048336/story.html

Removing Four Dams in Klamath Basin Will Help Fish, Farms, Federal Report Says (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/01/removing_4_dams_in_klamath_bas.html

Op/Ed – State Of California Has Stake in Columbia Salmon Solution (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/17/4192348/state-has-stake-in-columbia-salmon.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Wasting the Wastewater (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/wasting-the-wastewater/?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Lawmakers Seek Compromise on Washington State’s Renewable Energy Mandate (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/25/1997811/lawmakers-seek-compromise-on-energy.html

Oregon – Umatilla Electric Cooperative Wants Break on Renewable Mandate (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

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

Behind Iberdrola’s Portland Layoffs - Expiring wind-energy tax credits, declining demand, overloaded grid, cheap natural gas (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/behind_iberdrolas_portland_lay.html

Oregon Must Bail Out Public Fund That Made Bad Loans to Renewable-Energy Projects (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/oregon_must_bail_out_public_fu.html

NRECA Backs Iowa Co-op in Wind Flap (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/business-finance/nreca-backs-iowa-co-op-in-wind-flap/38701

United Kingdom - Government loses second case on solar tariff cut (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16721328

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Here’s Exactly How Much You’ll Save Doing Laundry in Cold Water (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Simple-Dollar/2012/0119/Here-s-exactly-how-much-you-ll-save-doing-laundry-in-cold-water

Tips on Shopping for Energy-Efficient Bulbs (NY Times)

http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/tips-on-shopping-for-energy-efficient-bulbs/

Ask Umbra: Why are My CFLs Burning Out So Quickly? (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/green-home/ask-umbra-why-are-my-cfls-burning-out-so-quickly/

Hey Silicon Valley, Nest Isn’t the Only Smart Thermostat Around (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/hey-silicon-valley-nest-isnt-the-only-smart-thermostat-around-photos/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Global Warming Skeptics to Take Center Stage in Portland (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/01/global_warming_skeptics_to_tak.html

Weaker Sun Will Not Delay Global Warming: Study (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/23/us-sun-global-warming-idUSTRE80M1HG20120123

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Oregon Drops Out of Top Ten LEED States (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/01/oregon-drops-out-of-top-10-leed-states.html

Washington State Ranks Fifth in Top Ten LEED States (US Green Building Council)

http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/News/Top%2010%20States_Jan2012_FINAL.pdf

Washington State Agency Launches Woodstove Replacement Program (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jan/20/agency-launches-stove-replacement-program/

‘Green’ Logos Used on Products May Aid Consumers - Or Not (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ecoconsumer/2017323186_ecoconsumer28m.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Chattanooga Gets to See What Broadband Competition Looks Like - Lower Prices, Better Services, More Attractive to Businesses (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Chattanooga-Gets-to-See-What-Broadband-Competition-Looks-Like-117909

GENERAL NEWS

Wind: Overnight Gusts Top 100 Mph at Hanford (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/25/1800525/wind-overnight-gusts-top-100-mph.html

Weak Snowpack, Heavy Snow Raising Avalanche Danger (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017322836_apusavalanchethreat.html

Solar Storm Sparks Dazzling Northern Lights (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017317290_apeueuropenorthernlights.html

DIVERSIONS

“Shcool” Sign Goes Uncorrected for Months In N.Y.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500523_162-57365110/shcool-sign-goes-uncorrected-for-months-in-n.y/

Dropped Heart Successfully Transplanted in Mexico

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017323497_apltmexicoheartdropped.html

Tourist Stuck For Days after Driving Into Dairy’s Muck Pond

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_19810363

Alaska Woman, 85, Beats Back Moose That Stomped Husband

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/01/alaska-woman-85-beats-back-moose-that-attacked-husband/1?csp=34news

SONG OF THE DAY

Alice Cooper – School’s Out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A8aTgdMwIk

Energy News Digest for January 24, 2012

Back from a fresh week of electricity restoration activities!

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

Windy Day Forecast in Washington State (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/24/1961545/windy-day-forecast-in-washington.html

Lengthy Puget Sound Energy Electricity Outage Frustrates Residents (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/24/1961254/lengthy-outage-frustrates-residents.html

White House Throws In the Towel On Rebecca Wodder, Interior Nominee (The Hill)

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/205455-white-house-throws-in-the-towel-on-interior-nominee

Bonneville Power Administration Eliminates Citizen-Proposed Route for I-5 Corridor Project in Southwest Washington (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2012/01/bonneville_power_administratio_2.html

Oregon Legislature Will Consider Capping Mercury in Fluorescent Bulbs (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/01/oregon_legislature_will_consid.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Lengthy Puget Sound Energy Electricity Outage Frustrates Residents
• Puget Sound Energy May Give $50 Credit for Outage
• Mason County PUD 3 in Clean Up Mode
• Bonneville Power Administration Eliminates Citizen-Proposed Route for I-5 Corridor Project in Southwest Washington
• Increase: Richland Council to Discuss Power Rates Tonight
• Hearing Wednesday in Yakima on Pacific Power Electric Rate Increase Proposal
• Peggy Fowler Leaving Portland General Electric Board is End of an Era
• US Foresees Greater Energy Independence
• Feds Say Natural Gas Production to Soar by 2035
• Austin Energy Could Cut Rate Increase by Relying on Debt
• Tony Clark to FERC - President Obama Announces another Key Administration Post
• Huh? Newt Gingrich Says Electric Co-Ops & Credit Unions are "Government-Sponsored Enterprises" Like Freddie Mac
• White House Throws In the Towel on Rebecca Wodder, Interior Nominee
• Obama’s Pick for DOI Job, Rebecca Wodder, Won’t Face Senate Again
• Skokomish River Report Will Focus on Ecosystem Restoration
• 920-Acre Former Ranch on Columbia River to be Restored to Estuary & Prime Fish Habitat
• Some Plus & Minus Situations Still Exist for Threatened Columbia River Smelt
• Plan to Track Endangered Whales May Harm Them, Expert Says
• Elwha River - Empire of Dirt Gives Way to the Return of the Salmon
• Chemicals from Geothermal Energy Project Concerns Doctor in Bend
• Oregon - Tests Under Way on Paisley-Area Geothermal Power Project
• Boom in Solar Panels Injects NIMBY Battles into Neighborhoods
• Energy Turbines May Be Spinning in New York’s East River by 2013
• Vermont Company's Biomass System Outperforms Expectations
• Oregon Legislature Will Consider Capping Mercury in Fluorescent Bulbs
• How Bainbridge Island Cut Peak Power Consumption
• Assistance Available to Farmers Who Want to Conserve Energy
• Energy Efficiency: Still Awesome, Still Ignored
• US Carbon Dioxide Emissions to Stay Below 2005 Levels as Coal Use Shrinks
• Arctic Ribbon Seal Spotted in Seattle
• Eugene Teen Sues State of Oregon to Save Climate
• Will Our Plugged-In Planet Have a Green or Black Future?
• Editorial – Click! Network Owes the Ratepayers; Give it a Shot at Repaying
• For the Smart Grid, the Wireless Debates are Over
• Gay Marriage in Washington State: Legislature Has the Votes
• Washington State - $1 Billion Legislative Plan Could Put 25,000 People to Work
• Windy Day Forecast in Washington State
• Wind Advisory for Western Washington State
• Entrepreneurs Using Storm Damage to Make Money
• After Solar Flare, Massive Storm Speeds Earthward
• A Raging Solar Storm is Hitting the Earth Right Now

WORD OF THE DAY

Weltschmerz • \VELT-shmertz\ • Noun - 1: mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal state 2: a mood of sentimental sadness

“Ah, to live in the world of the 1500’s, when things were simpler…and you knew where you stood,” sighed the grizzled English lord to his bootblack. His state of weltschmerz was only slightly tempered by the historic realities of disease, dirt, body odor, and rampant halitosis.

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

Lengthy Puget Sound Energy Electricity Outage Frustrates Residents (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/24/1961254/lengthy-outage-frustrates-residents.html

Puget Sound Energy May Give $50 Credit for Outage (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017316950_apwapoweroutages4thldwritethru.html

Mason County PUD 3 in Clean Up Mode (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/22478-mason-county-pud-clean-up

Bonneville Power Administration Eliminates Citizen-Proposed Route for I-5 Corridor Project in Southwest Washington (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2012/01/bonneville_power_administratio_2.html

Increase: Richland Council to Discuss Power Rates Tonight (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/01/23/2363502/increase-richland-council-to-discuss.html

Hearing Wednesday in Yakima on Pacific Power Electric Rate Increase Proposal (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/01/23/hearing-wed-on-electric-rate-increase-proposal

Peggy Fowler Leaving Portland General Electric Board is End of an Era (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2012/01/19/peggy-fowler-leaving-pge-board-is-end.html

US Foresees Greater Energy Independence (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/story/2012-01-23/oil-production/52759732/1?csp=34money

Feds Say Natural Gas Production to Soar by 2035 (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017315330_apusgasproductionwestvirginia.html

Austin Energy Could Cut Rate Increase by Relying on Debt (Austin Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/morning_call/2012/01/austin-energy-could-cut-rate-increase.html

Tony Clark to FERC - President Obama Announces another Key Administration Post (The White House)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/23/president-obama-announces-another-key-administration-post

Huh? Newt Gingrich Says Electric Co-Ops & Credit Unions are "Government-Sponsored Enterprises" Like Freddie Mac (PolitiFact, Tampa Bay Times, FL)

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/jan/23/newt-gingrich/gingrich-repeats-claim-freddie-mac-credit-unions-a/

FISH & WILDLIFE

White House Throws In the Towel On Rebecca Wodder, Interior Nominee (The Hill)

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/205455-white-house-throws-in-the-towel-on-interior-nominee

Obama’s Pick for DOI Job, Rebecca Wodder, Won’t Face Senate Again (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/post/obamas-pick-for-doi-job-wont-face-senate-again/2012/01/20/gIQA8JkSEQ_blog.html

Skokomish River Report Will Focus on Ecosystem Restoration (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jan/22/skokomish-report-will-focus-on-ecosystem/

920-Acre Former Ranch on Columbia River to be Restored to Estuary & Prime Fish Habitat (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/01/920-acre_former_ranch_on_colum.html

Some Plus & Minus Situations Still Exist for Threatened Columbia River Smelt (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2017315944_some_plus_and_minus_situations.html

Plan to Track Endangered Whales May Harm Them, Expert Says (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/plan-to-track-endangered-whales-may-harm-them-expert-says/article2310700/

Elwha River - Empire of Dirt Gives Way to the Return of the Salmon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://earthfix.opb.org/water/article/checking-in-on-the-elwha/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Chemicals from Geothermal Energy Project Concerns Doctor in Bend (Oregonian, Portland – Renewable Projects: build them…we dare you…)

http://news.opb.org/article/chemicals-geothermal-project-concerns-doctor-bend/

Oregon - Tests Under Way on Paisley-Area Geothermal Power Project (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)

http://www.heraldandnews.com/news/article_82f49992-44cb-11e1-add5-001871e3ce6c.html

Boom in Solar Panels Injects NIMBY Battles into Neighborhoods (E&E Publishing)

http://www.eenews.net/public/climatewire/2012/01/24/1

Energy Turbines May Be Spinning in New York’s East River by 2013 (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-23/tidal-energy-project-in-new-york-s-east-river-wins-license.html

Vermont Company's Biomass System Outperforms Expectations (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/01/vermont-companys-biomass-system-outperforms-expectations?cmpid=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Oregon Legislature Will Consider Capping Mercury in Fluorescent Bulbs (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/01/oregon_legislature_will_consid.html

How Bainbridge Island Cut Peak Power Consumption (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/josephromm/74867/video-how-bainbridge-island-cut-peak-power-consumption-10-mw

Assistance Available to Farmers Who Want to Conserve Energy (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/jan/23/assistance-available-to-farmers-who-want-to/

Energy Efficiency: Still Awesome, Still Ignored (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/energy-policy/energy-efficiency-awesome/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

US Carbon Dioxide Emissions to Stay Below 2005 Levels as Coal Use Shrinks (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/24/us-carbon-idUSTRE80N0G220120124

Arctic Ribbon Seal Spotted in Seattle (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017315885_apwasealinseattle1stldwritethru.html

Eugene Teen Sues State of Oregon to Save Climate (KLCC Radio, Eugene, OR)

http://klcc.org/Feature.asp?FeatureID=3094

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Will Our Plugged-In Planet Have a Green or Black Future? In some ways, a greater reliance on Internet makes Mother Earth smile (Kansas City Star, MO)

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/23/3387805/will-our-plugged-in-planet-have.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Editorial – Click! Network Owes the Ratepayers; Give it a Shot at Repaying (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/18/1987625/click-owes-the-ratepayers-give.html

For the Smart Grid, the Wireless Debates are Over (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/for-the-smart-grid-the-wireless-debates-are-over/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Gay Marriage in Washington State: Legislature Has the Votes (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017313695_gaymarriage24m.html

Washington State - $1 Billion Legislative Plan Could Put 25,000 People to Work (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/24/1996017/1-billion-legislative-plan-could.html

GENERAL NEWS

Windy Day Forecast in Washington State (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/24/1961545/windy-day-forecast-in-washington.html

Wind Advisory for Western Washington State (National Weather Service)

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=WAZ511&warncounty=WAC045&firewxzone=WAZ655&local_place1=6+Miles+WNW+Shelton+WA&product1=Wind+Advisory

Entrepreneurs Using Storm Damage to Make Money (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Entreprenueurs-using-storm-damage-to-make-money-137934073.html

After Solar Flare, Massive Storm Speeds Earthward (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0123/After-solar-flare-massive-storm-speeds-Earthward

A Raging Solar Storm is Hitting the Earth Right Now (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/5878656/how-this-huge-solar-storm-is-going-to-affect-you

DIVERSIONS

Massachusetts Dentist Admits Doing Paper Clip Root Canals

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017317310_apuspaperclipsdentist.html

Shhh: Pope Urges Silence to Communicate Better

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-01-24/pope-silence/52764188/1?csp=34news

Awkward! 'Citizen Kane' to be Shown at Hearst Castle

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2017312504_apuscitizenkanehearstcastle.html

Heart Attack in an Envelope - NY Hospital Mistakenly Bills Patients for Millions

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120117/biz/701179915/-1/rss03

SONG OF THE DAY

Herman's Hermits - There's a Kind of Hush

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gatIk3z9a7Y