Energy News Digest for July 23, 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

Alaskans Wonder Where the King Salmon Have Gone (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018743439_disappearringkings22m.html

Snohomish PUD Geothermal Energy Project a Bust after Drilling Hits Bedrock (Everett Herald, WA)

http://heraldnet.com/article/20120723/NEWS01/707239951

Union Resident Drowns Friday in Hood Canal (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/35254-union-wa-resident-drowns-in-hood-canal

Op/Ed - Mason County PUD 1 & PUD 3 Oppose Washington, DC Tinkering with Pacific Northwest Energy System (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1062

Union Resident Drowns Friday in Hood Canal (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/35254-union-wa-resident-drowns-in-hood-canal

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Op/Ed - Mason County PUD 1 & PUD 3 Oppose Washington, DC Tinkering with Pacific Northwest Energy System
• Editorial - Montanans Can't Be Guinea Pigs for Energy Plans
• The Future of the Grid: Why Modernizing our Nation's Aging Grid is Critical
• Editorial - Hydropower: Tapping Our Local Energy
• Maryland - PSC Rejects Most of Pepco Rate Increase Request - Cites the company's history of substandard performance
• Hot Weather=Hot Profits - American Electric Power Profit Rises for Second Quarter
• Texas Struggles to Keep Up with Power Demand
• Electric Bill Prepay Eases Summer Bill Shock
• We're Headed to $8 Natural Gas
• U-S Utilities May Return to Coal as Natural Gas Prices Rise
• Pedernales Co-op Loses Bid to Collect $250,000 from Insurer over Thefts by Former General Manager
• NRG Energy to Buy GenOn in $1.7 Billion Stock Deal
• Improper Installation? - Judge Nixes Lawsuit over Soldier's Electrocution in Iraq
• Alaskans Wonder Where the King Salmon Have Gone
• 2011 Avian Predation Report: Cormorants Consume 20 Million Salmonids, Terns Take 4.8 Million
• Skeptical Idaho Ranchers Mark Salmon Project's 20th Year
• Idaho, Tribe Break Ground on New Sockeye Hatchery
• Klamath River - Tea Party Blocks Pact to Restore a West Coast River
• Twelve-Foot Sturgeon Caught near Chilliwack Weighed 1,100 Pounds
• Solution for Plight of Columbia River Basin Irrigators May be Near
• Snohomish PUD Geothermal Energy Project a Bust after Drilling Hits Bedrock
• Washington State Board Forgives Portion of Alternative Energy Loan to Grays Harbor PUD
• Maine Company Leading Way as Tidal Energy Comes of Age
• Five Smart Energy Projects with Big Potential
• Bremerton’s Distributed Energy Management: Cleantech Open 2012 Semifinalist
• Washington State, Environmentalists Clash over Cutting Refineries' Greenhouse Gases
• Op/Ed - Why We Need a National Carbon Fee & Dividend
• Widespread Drought Is Likely to Worsen
• The Greenest Commercial Building on Earth Rises in Seattle
• 'Green' Home Brings in Nine Percent More Green, California Study Finds
• Report Highlights Clean Energy Might of Small Cities
• California is Nation's Key Player in Electric Vehicle Sales & Development
• Faraday Cage? Wi-Fi Lawsuit against Portland Public Schools Dismissed by Federal Judge
• Complacent Telcos Deliver Americans Third Rate Broadband Service at High Prices
• Low Income Residents Want to Share Google Fiber - But Google Turns Down Proposal
• Crowded Field Seeks to Oust Washington State’s Lt. Gov. Owen
• Washington State’s Sixth District House Seat: Candidates Reveal Strategies for Finding Consensus
• Embattled Pacific Mayor: 'It's Mutiny. It's Mutiny.'
• Hidden California State Parks Funds Spark Outrage
• Union Resident Drowns Friday in Hood Canal
• NCAA Fines Penn State $60 Million, Strips Victories
• Chief Joseph War Shirt Auctions for $877,500
• Fight over Grays Harbor County Superior Court Security Has Cost $277,000
• We’re All Clowns Today - Obituary: "J.P. Patches," Seattle's Beloved TV Clown

WORD OF THE DAY

Welkin • \WELL-kin\ • Noun - 1a: the vault of the sky: firmament b: heaven 2: the upper atmosphere

“Your praises will reach the welkin for sure, my lord,” whined the simpering jester to his imposing, whiskered king. “Foregoing hosiery in the hot weather will surely catch on with the gentry.” “Forsooth, get ready for a hairy summer,” the jester murmured to himself.

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

Op/Ed - Mason County PUD 1 & PUD 3 Oppose Washington, DC Tinkering with Pacific Northwest Energy System (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1062

Editorial - Montanans Can't Be Guinea Pigs for Energy Plans (Great Falls Tribune, MT)

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20120723/OPINION/207230306

The Future of the Grid: Why Modernizing our Nation's Aging Grid is Critical (Natural Resources Defense Council)

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/czichella/the_future_of_the_grid_why_mod.html

Editorial - Hydropower: Tapping Our Local Energy (Baker City Herald, OR)

http://www.bakercityherald.com/Editorials/Tapping-our-local-energy

Maryland - PSC Rejects Most of Pepco Rate Increase Request - Cites the company's history of substandard performance (WTOP Radio, Washington, DC)
http://www.wtop.com/46/2952841/PSC-rejects-most-of-Pepco-rate-increase

Hot Weather=Hot Profits - American Electric Power Profit Rises for Second Quarter (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-20/american-electric-profit-rose-on-warmer-weather-correct-.html

Texas Struggles to Keep Up with Power Demand (KEYE-TV, Austin, TX)

http://weareaustin.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_2925.shtml

Electric Bill Prepay Eases Summer Bill Shock (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/trends-reports-analyses/prepay-eases-summer-bill-shock/46506

We're Headed to $8 Natural Gas (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/richardfinger/2012/07/22/were-headed-to-8-00-natural-gas/

U-S Utilities May Return to Coal as Natural Gas Prices Rise (CNBC)

http://www.cnbc.com/id/48262854

Pedernales Co-op Loses Bid to Collect $250,000 from Insurer over Thefts by Former General Manager (Austin American-Statesman, TX)

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/pedernales-co-op-loses-bid-to-collect-250-2419794.html

NRG Energy to Buy GenOn in $1.7 Billion Stock Deal (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/NRG-Energy-to-buy-GenOn-in-1-7B-stock-deal-3726270.php

Improper Installation? - Judge Nixes Lawsuit over Soldier's Electrocution in Iraq (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/07/20/48585.htm

FISH & WILDLIFE

Alaskans Wonder Where the King Salmon Have Gone (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018743439_disappearringkings22m.html

2011 Avian Predation Report: Cormorants Consume 20 Million Salmonids, Terns Take 4.8 Million (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/421730.aspx

Skeptical Idaho Ranchers Mark Salmon Project's 20th Year (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/viewart/20120722/UPDATE/120722022/Skeptical-ranchers-mark-salmon-project-s-20th-year

Idaho, Tribe Break Ground on New Sockeye Hatchery (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/07/20/2180587/state-tribe-break-ground-on-new.html

Klamath River - Tea Party Blocks Pact to Restore a West Coast River (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/19/us/two-years-after-pact-to-restore-river-no-changes.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Twelve-Foot Sturgeon Caught near Chilliwack Weighed 1,100 Pounds (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/foot+sturgeon+caught+near+Chilliwack+weighed+pounds/6970523/story.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Solution for Plight of Columbia River Basin Irrigators May be Near (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/article_e658bd14-d2ac-11e1-8b7b-001a4bcf887a.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Snohomish PUD Geothermal Energy Project a Bust after Drilling Hits Bedrock (Everett Herald, WA)

http://heraldnet.com/article/20120723/NEWS01/707239951

Washington State Board Forgives Portion of Alternative Energy Loan to Grays Harbor PUD (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/sections/news/local/state-board-forgives-portion-loan-pud.html

Maine Company Leading Way as Tidal Energy Comes of Age (Portland Press-Herald, ME)

http://www.pressherald.com/news/maine-company-leading-way-as-tidal-energy-comes-of-age_2012-07-22.html

Five Smart Energy Projects with Big Potential (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/5-smart-energy-projects-with-big-potential/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Bremerton’s Distributed Energy Management: Cleantech Open 2012 Semifinalist (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/energy/2012/07/20/distributed-energy-management-cleantech-open-2012-semifinalist/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State, Environmentalists Clash over Cutting Refineries' Greenhouse Gases (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018743232_refineries22m.html

Op/Ed - Why We Need a National Carbon Fee & Dividend (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2018736866_guest23davisoldham.html

Widespread Drought Is Likely to Worsen (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/20/science/earth/severe-drought-expected-to-worsen-across-the-nation.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

The Greenest Commercial Building on Earth Rises in Seattle (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2012/07/23/architecture/109684/greenest-commercial-building-earth-rises-seattle/

'Green' Home Brings in Nine Percent More Green, California Study Finds (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2018702566_harney22.html

Report Highlights Clean Energy Might of Small Cities (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/07/report-highlights-clean-energy-might.html

California is Nation's Key Player in Electric Vehicle Sales & Development (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/22/4646208/california-is-nations-key-player.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Faraday Cage? Wi-Fi Lawsuit against Portland Public Schools Dismissed by Federal Judge (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/07/wi-fi_lawsuit_against_portland.html

Complacent Telcos Deliver Americans Third Rate Broadband Service at High Prices (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/bruceupbin/2012/07/21/americans-suffer-from-third-rate-broadband-at-high-prices/

Low Income Residents Want to Share Google Fiber - But Google Turns Down Proposal (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Low-Income-Residents-Want-to-Share-Google-Fiber-120474

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Crowded Field Seeks to Oust Washington State’s Lt. Gov. Owen (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018743210_apwalieutenantgovernor4thldwritethru.html

Washington State’s Sixth District House Seat: Candidates Reveal Strategies for Finding Consensus (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jul/20/candidates-reveal-strategies-for-finding/

Embattled Pacific Mayor: 'It's Mutiny. It's Mutiny.' (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Embattled-Pacific-mayor-Its-mutiny-Its-mutiny-163255216.html

Hidden California State Parks Funds Spark Outrage (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/21/4646682/hidden-parks-funds-spark-outrage.html

GENERAL NEWS

Union Resident Drowns Friday in Hood Canal (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/35254-union-wa-resident-drowns-in-hood-canal

NCAA Fines Penn State $60 Million, Strips Victories (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jul/23/ncaa-fines-penn-state-strips-victories/

Chief Joseph War Shirt Auctions for $877,500 (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jul/23/chief-joseph-war-shirt-auctions-for-877500/

Fight over Grays Harbor County Superior Court Security Has Cost $277,000 (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/07/21/2180949/fight-over-grays-harbor-co-court.html

We’re All Clowns Today - Obituary: "J.P. Patches," Seattle's Beloved TV Clown (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018749756_chriswedesobit23m.html

DIVERSIONS

Space Smells Like Seared Steak, Hot Metal, Astronauts Report

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0723/Space-smells-like-seared-steak-hot-metal-astronauts-report

Tony Robbins Event Leaves 21 Burned after They Walk on Hot Coals

http://www.q13fox.com/news/nationworld/sns-la-lanews-tony-robbins-event-leaves-21-20120721,0,1492113.story

New Corporate Bonding Tactic: Juice Cleanse - Because nothing says 'team spirit' like subsisting on 1,200 calories!

http://www.newser.com/story/149960/new-corporate-bonding-tactic-juice-cleanse.html

Mom Hacks into School Computer System, Changes Her Kids’ Grades

http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/07/22/mom-hacks-into-school-computer-system-changes-her-kids-grades/

SONG OF THE DAY

Brook Adams – Walkin’ on Water

http://www.brookadams.com/meta/walkin-on-water.m3u

Energy News Digest for July 20, 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

Federal Plan to Update Grids for Cleaner Energy May Mean Power Rates Double (Great Falls Tribune, MT)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20120719/NEWS01/207190301/Federal-plan-update-grids-cleaner-energy-may-mean-power-rates-double

Op/Ed - Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners Think Feds Are Overstepping (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/sections/opinion/letters/reader-opinion-%E2%80%94-pud-commissioners-think-feds-are-overstepping.html

Chelan PUD Appeals Federal Court Ruling in Telecom Managers’ Lawsuit (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/jul/18/pud-appeals-federal-court-ruling-in-managers/

What Is Killing Baby Birds on the Oregon Coast? (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/What-is-killing-baby-birds-on-the-Oregon-Coast-162934506.html

Native Americans Seek Plan to Respond to Climate Changes They Say Affect Their Way of Life (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/native-americans-seek-plan-to-respond-to-climate-changes-they-say-affect-their-way-of-life/2012/07/19/gJQAlpTuwW_story.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Federal Plan to Update Grids for Cleaner Energy May Mean Power Rates Double
• Op/Ed - Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners Think Feds Are Overstepping
• Eugene Water & Electric Board: Power, Water Rate Increases Needed
• Sinkhole Discovered in Centralia City Light’s Yelm Canal
• Grant County PUD - Ninth Turbine Going in at Wanapum Dam
• Mason County PUD 3 Reaches 33 Consecutive Years of State Audits with Clean Findings
• Op/Ed - Thurston Voters Will Pick a Power Provider
• Oregon - Coal Export Critics Pressure Gov. John Kitzhaber to Delay Permit Approvals
• Feds: California Nuclear Plant Didn’t Mislead Regulators
• How to Expand Nuclear Power without Attracting (Too Much) Attention
• New York City - At Con Ed, the Managers Are Tasked With Repairs
• In the Southeast, a Struggle for the Future of Utilities
• Talking leadership with Jon Wellinghoff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Texas - Power Struggle: Local Woman Uses Gun to Stop Worker from Installing Smart Meter
• What Is Killing Baby Birds on the Oregon Coast?
• Lake Washington Sockeye Counts Waning, But Still Well on Its Way to Being a Good Return
• Solo Sockeye - Lonesome Larry Hits 20-Year Anniversary
• Discovery of Deadly Salmon Virus in Freshwater Fish Puts Pressure on British Columbia to Conduct Wider Study
• PacifiCorp Not Done Having Blast at Condit Dam Site
• Study Suggests Multi-Pronged Solutions to Chehalis River Flooding
• Tolerable Risk vs. Terrible Catastrophe: Dams & the Big One
• Dabob Bay - Washington State Governor Praises Hood Canal Mitigation Program
• New Director Aims to Shore Up Puget Sound Agency
• America’s Big Drought: Time to Rethink Water Conservation
• Report: SolarWorld CEO Forgoes Pay Until Profits Return
• California - Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One Project Vandalized
• Using Electricity Rate Data to Sell Solar
• Texas - Expensive Wood Waste Power Plant to Push Up Austin Electric Bills
• Congressmen Probe FAA’s Cape Wind Approval
• Renewable Energy Corporation Reports Improved Margins, Heavy Loss in 2Q 2012
• Power Play: Can Utilities Turn Energy Efficiency Into Fun & Games?
• Report: Efficient Homes Are Key to Strong Housing Market
• Climate Savers Merges With Green Grid
• Native Americans Seek Plan to Respond to Climate Changes They Say Affect Their Way of Life
• Dumping Iron in the Ocean Could Slow Global Warming, Say Scientists
• Probe Into Leak of Climate Change Emails Is Closed
• When Is Green Not Green Enough? Dispute Swirls Around Two Seattle Projects
• Sustainability Brings BPA Highest Award in Federal Electronics Challenge
• Chelan PUD Appeals Federal Court Ruling in Telecom Managers’ Lawsuit
• FCC Says Broadband Providers Getting Close to Advertised Speeds
• AT&T Wins Ruling on U-Verse Street Boxes in San Francisco
• Facebook Comes to OSCON to Promote Open Data Center Design
• This Data Center Is Protected by a Fortress of Defense
• Mason County Ballots for Primary Election in Mail
• Four Candidates in 35th District Call Education, Jobs Priorities
• Olympia Spending $100K to Fix Downtown Parking Problems
• Controversial Mayor of Pacific Arrested by Own Police Force
• Stabbing & Robbery at Shelton Burger King
• 12 Dead in ‘Dark Knight’ Colorado Theater Shooting
• Thunderstorms, Severe Weather Possible in Puget Sound Area
• Microsoft Posts First Quarterly Loss as It Writes Down ‘07 Acquisition
• British Columbia Claims ‘Total Victory’ In Softwood Dispute with U-S

WORD OF THE DAY

Ponderous • \PAWN-duh-russ\ • Adjective - 1: of very great weight 2: unwieldy or clumsy because of weight & size 3: oppressively or unpleasantly dull: lifeless

“Weekend at Bernies”

Hauling a ponderous weight

Bad script, bad movie

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

Federal Plan to Update Grids for Cleaner Energy May Mean Power Rates Double (Great Falls Tribune, MT)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20120719/NEWS01/207190301/Federal-plan-update-grids-cleaner-energy-may-mean-power-rates-double

Op/Ed - Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners Think Feds Are Overstepping (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/sections/opinion/letters/reader-opinion-%E2%80%94-pud-commissioners-think-feds-are-overstepping.html

Eugene Water & Electric Board: Power, Water Rate Increases Needed (KVAL TV, Eugene, OR)
http://www.kval.com/news/consumertips/New-budget-woes--EWEB-rate-hikes--162965626.html

Sinkhole Discovered in Centralia City Light’s Yelm Canal (Nisqually Valley News, Yelm, WA)

http://www.yelmonline.com/articles/2012/07/19/first_report/doc500852ba8a3e7233661285.txt

Grant County PUD - Ninth Turbine Going in at Wanapum Dam (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_304f5582-d036-11e1-afa4-0019bb2963f4.html

Mason County PUD 3 Reaches 33 Consecutive Years of State Audits with Clean Findings (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1060

Op/Ed - Thurston Voters Will Pick a Power Provider (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/07/19/2178288/thurston-voters-will-pick-a-power.html

Oregon - Coal Export Critics Pressure Gov. John Kitzhaber to Delay Permit Approvals (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/07/coal_export_critics_pressure_g.html

Feds: California Nuclear Plant Didn’t Mislead Regulators (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0719/Feds-California-nuclear-plant-didn-t-mislead-regulators

How to Expand Nuclear Power without Attracting (Too Much) Attention (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/07/18/how-to-increase-nuclear-power-without-attracting-attention/

New York City - At Con Ed, the Managers Are Tasked With Repairs (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/18/nyregion/con-ed-managers-splice-cables-or-hold-flashlights.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

In the Southeast, a Struggle for the Future of Utilities (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/john-wilson/94881/devil-we-know-visionary-jim-rogers-meets-southeastern-skepticism

Talking leadership with Jon Wellinghoff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-leadership/talking-leadership-with-jon-wellinghoff-of-the-federal-energy-regulatory-commission/2012/07/18/gJQAAgsstW_story.html

Texas - Power Struggle: Local Woman Uses Gun to Stop Worker from Installing Smart Meter (KHOU-TV, Houston, TX)

http://www.khou.com/news/Harris-County-woman-uses-gun-to-stop-worker-from-installing-smart-meter-162948266.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

What Is Killing Baby Birds on the Oregon Coast? (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/What-is-killing-baby-birds-on-the-Oregon-Coast-162934506.html

Lake Washington Sockeye Counts Waning, But Still Well on Its Way to Being a Good Return (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2018713769_lake_washington_sockeye_counts_6.html

Solo Sockeye - Lonesome Larry Hits 20-Year Anniversary (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/lonesome-larry-hits-20-year-anniversary

Discovery of Deadly Salmon Virus in Freshwater Fish Puts Pressure on British Columbia to Conduct Wider Study (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Discovery+deadly+salmon+virus+freshwater+fish+puts+pressure+conduct/6959470/story.html

PacifiCorp Not Done Having Blast at Condit Dam Site - Utility requests OK to use dynamite to ease dam’s removal (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jul/19/pacificorp-not-done-having-blast-at-condit/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Study Suggests Multi-Pronged Solutions to Chehalis River Flooding (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/sections/news/local/study-suggests-multi-pronged-solutions-chehalis-flooding.html

Tolerable Risk vs. Terrible Catastrophe: Dams & the Big One (Oregon Public Broad casting)

http://news.opb.org/article/tolerable_risk_vs._terrible_catastrophe_dams_and_the_big_one/

Dabob Bay - Washington State Governor Praises Hood Canal Mitigation Program (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jul/18/governor-praises-hood-canal-mitigation-program/

New Director Aims to Shore Up Puget Sound Agency (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/new-director-aims-shore-puget-sound-agency

America’s Big Drought: Time to Rethink Water Conservation (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2012/0719/America-s-big-drought-Time-to-rethink-water-conservation

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Report: SolarWorld CEO Forgoes Pay Until Profits Return (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2012/07/solarworld-ceo-forgoes-pay-until.html

California - Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One Project Vandalized (Solar Feeds)

http://www.solarfeeds.com/antelope-valley-solar-ranch-one-project-vandalized/

Using Electricity Rate Data to Sell Solar (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/using-electricity-rate-data-to-sell-solar/

Texas - Expensive Wood Waste Power Plant to Push Up Austin Electric Bills (Austin American-Statesman, TX)

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/expensive-wood-waste-power-plant-to-push-up-2418737.html

Congressmen Probe FAA’s Cape Wind Approval (Boston Herald, MA)
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20220717congressmen_probe_faas_cape_wind_approval/

Renewable Energy Corporation Reports Improved Margins, Heavy Loss in 2Q 2012 (Solar Server)

http://www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/current/2012/kw29/rec-reports-improved-margins-heavy-loss-in-2q-2012.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Power Play: Can Utilities Turn Energy Efficiency Into Fun & Games? (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/climate-energy/power-play-can-utilities-make-energy-efficiency-fun/

Report: Efficient Homes Are Key to Strong Housing Market (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/namarchetti/95251/report-efficient-homes-are-key-strong-housing-market

Climate Savers Merges With Green Grid (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/07/climate-savers-merges-with-green-grid.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Native Americans Seek Plan to Respond to Climate Changes They Say Affect Their Way of Life (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/native-americans-seek-plan-to-respond-to-climate-changes-they-say-affect-their-way-of-life/2012/07/19/gJQAlpTuwW_story.html

Dumping Iron in the Ocean Could Slow Global Warming, Say Scientists (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0719/Dumping-iron-in-the-ocean-could-slow-global-warming-say-scientists-video

Probe Into Leak of Climate Change Emails Is Closed (The Independent, UK)
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/probe-into-leak-of-climate-change-emails-is-closed-7957246.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

When Is Green Not Green Enough? Dispute Swirls Around Two Seattle Projects (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2018728847_livingbuilding20.html

Sustainability Brings BPA Highest Award in Federal Electronics Challenge (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/corporate/BPANews/ArticleTemplate.cfm?ArticleId=article-20120718-01

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Chelan PUD Appeals Federal Court Ruling in Telecom Managers’ Lawsuit (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/jul/18/pud-appeals-federal-court-ruling-in-managers/

FCC Says Broadband Providers Getting Close to Advertised Speeds (PC World)

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/259526/fcc_broadband_providers_getting_close_to_advertised_speeds.html

AT&T Wins Ruling on U-Verse Street Boxes in San Francisco (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2012/07/att-wins-ruling-on-u-verse-street-boxes.html

Facebook Comes to OSCON to Promote Open Data Center Design (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2012/07/facebook_comes_to_oscon_to_pro.html

This Data Center Is Protected by a Fortress of Defense (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/5927062/this-data-center-is-protected-by-a-fortress-of-defense

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Mason County Ballots for Primary Election in Mail (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/6467

Four Candidates in 35th District Call Education, Jobs Priorities (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/07/18/2177984/four-candidates-in-35th-district.html

Olympia Spending $100K to Fix Downtown Parking Problems (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Olympia-spending-100K-to-fix-downtown-parking-problems--163117316.html

Controversial Mayor of Pacific Arrested by Own Police Force (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/crime-law/controversial-mayor-pacific-arrested-own-police-fo/nPykK/

GENERAL NEWS

Stabbing & Robbery at Shelton Burger King (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/6492#more-6492

12 Dead in ‘Dark Knight’ Colorado Theater Shooting (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-20/shooting-movie-theater-denver/56351098/1?csp=34news

Thunderstorms, Severe Weather Possible in Puget Sound Area (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=709639

Microsoft Posts First Quarterly Loss as It Writes Down ‘07 Acquisition (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018727719_microsoftearnings20.html

British Columbia Claims ‘Total Victory’ In Softwood Dispute with U-S (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/claims+total+victory+softwood+dispute+with/6953265/story.html

DIVERSIONS

Georgia Woman Calls 911 to Complain About Mug Shot; Gets Arrested Again

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/georgia-woman-calls-911-complain-mug-shot-gets-184622953.html

‘Goat Man’ Spotted in Mountains of Northern Utah

http://news.yahoo.com/goat-man-spotted-mountains-northern-utah-174919341.html

Water-Only Café Opens to Flood of Criticism in New York City

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/water-only-cafe-york-molecule-200935488.html

More Than 1,000 Turtles Slowly Escape Captivity

http://news.yahoo.com/more-1-000-turtles-slowly-escape-captivity-123346692.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Foghat - Slow Ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCNcgoyG_0