Energy News Digest for August 9, 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

U-S House Committee to Visit Pasco to Hear About Dam, Hydropower Legislation (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/08/09/2248264/us-house-committee-to-visit-pasco.html

$60 Million Upgrade to Cut Longview Paper Plant’s Energy Use by 6 Percent (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2012/08/08/upgrade-to-cut-norpac-energy-use-by-6.html

Idaho Power Defends Proposal to Curtail Wind in Times of Low Demand (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/08/08/rockybarker/idaho_defends_proposal_curtail_wind_times_low_demand

Geothermal Energy Industry Stalls in California, Officials Tell Sacramento Summit (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/09/4708146/geothermal-energy-industry-stalls.html

Wave Broadband Acquired by Equity Firms - deal termed a refinancing with no impact on customers (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120809/NEWS/120809959/wave-broadband-acquired-by-equity-firms-deal-termed-a-refinancing

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• U-S House Committee to Visit Pasco to Hear About Dam, Hydropower Legislation
• Avista Corp Posts $18.2 Million Profit in Second Quarter
• Dump Truck Joy Ride Left Colville Residents in Dark
• The Devil Went Down to Georgia, & the Power Went Down in East Grays Harbor County
• Mason County PUD 3 Power Outage: McLane Cove & Murray Rd. Areas
• Why All the Recent Power Failures at Lairds Corner Substation?
• Lake Cushman Planned Power Outage Thursday Night – Friday Morning
• Tacoma Power Celebrates 100th Anniversary of LaGrande Powerhouse Friday
• U-S Natural Gas Supplies Grew Last Week
• New York – Op/Ed: The High Cost of Closing Indian Point
• Florida - Thief Stole Electricity, But Progress Energy Won’t Give Customer a Break
• Con Edison Cuts Voltage in Many Manhattan Areas
• Vancouver Island Virus Confirmed, Salmon Farms to Cull Fish
• Yellow-Hued Salmon Are Not a New Phenomenon
• Hurry-Up Victoria, B-C Sewage Project Has Politicians Worried
• Willamette Valley Pollution Riles Environmentalists
• Columbia River Gorge - Cascade Locks Mayor Supports Nestle Bottling Plant
• Idaho Power Defends Proposal to Curtail Wind in Times of Low Demand
• Geothermal Energy Industry Stalls in California, Officials Tell Sacramento Summit
• Wind Credit Moving Through Congress, But Future Remains Uncertain
• In Iowa, Romney Leaves a Stance on Wind Power Unsaid
• Wind Power Co. Announces Closures Day after Senator Reid’s Clean Energy Summit
• $60 Million Upgrade to Cut Longview Paper Plant’s Energy Use by 6 Percent
• ComEd Launches Data Center Energy Efficiency Program
• What Soap & the Smart Grid Have in Common
• Profits on Carbon Credits Drive Output of a Harmful Gas
• Local Food is Trendy, But is it Really More Eco-Friendly?
• Wave Broadband Acquired by Equity Firms
• Average U-S Broadband Connection Now 6.7 Mbps
• Pennsylvania - Massive Comcast Cable Service Theft Operation Busted
• Across the Planet, Broadband is Getting Faster & Faster
• Will Stephen Colbert Mess Up Mitt Romney’s VP Rollout?
• Mason County Sheriff’s Searching for Most Wanted Suspect
• Mason Area Fair & Future of the Fairgrounds Discussed at Port of Shelton Meeting
• Body Found on Mount Rainier Was Missing Camper from January Snowstorms
• Copper Wire Thieves Threaten Federal Way Soccer Tournament
• Hottest July Ever in U-S, But What About the Pacific Northwest?
• ‘Sunshine’ Group Rates Government Websites – Overall, Washington State got a B+
• Arizona, Tennessee Top States with High Sales Tax, Washington State is Fourth - Oregon Ties for No. 47
• “Sovereign Citizen” Car Plate Leads to Spokane Standoff

WORD OF THE DAY

Weald • \WEELD\ • Noun - 1: a heavily wooded area: forest 2: a wild or uncultivated usually upland region.

The deeper Alrond, mighty elf-prince, wound his way into the “Weald of the Wolf Friend, Axel of Darberg,” the quieter the dark forest became. The heavy duff on the floor of the “Barnframe Forest Hold” silenced each footstep until the silence seemed louder than the thundering waterfall at the “Crossing of Deemer’s Deep,” where the bejeweled mermaids of Falstar made their home.

(Man, I am horrible at fan fiction)

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

U-S House Committee to Visit Pasco to Hear About Dam, Hydropower Legislation (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/08/09/2248264/us-house-committee-to-visit-pasco.html

Avista Corp Posts $18.2 Million Profit in Second Quarter (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/aug/08/avista-corp/

Dump Truck Joy Ride Left Colville Residents in Dark (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA – And yes, alcohol was involved)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/aug/08/dump-truck-joy-ride-left-colville-residents-in/

The Devil Went Down to Georgia, & the Power Went Down in East Grays Harbor County (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kxro.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/the-devil-went-down-to-georgia-and-the-power-went-down-in-east-county/

Mason County PUD 3 Power Outage: McLane Cove & Murray Rd. Areas (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA – restored at 8:20 PM)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/36552-power-outage-mclane-cove-a-murray-rd-areas

Why All the Recent Power Failures at Lairds Corner Substation? (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120809/news/308099995/why-all-the-recent-power-failures-at-the-lairds-corner-substation

Lake Cushman Planned Power Outage Thursday Night – Friday Morning (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/6939

Tacoma Power Celebrates 100th Anniversary of LaGrande Powerhouse Friday (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=185147&issueID=26820

U-S Natural Gas Supplies Grew Last Week (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/US-natural-gas-supplies-grew-last-week-3775443.php

New York – Op/Ed: The High Cost of Closing Indian Point (New York Post)

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/the_high_cost_of_closing_indian_2e4ScB3tdlZ6lRLKn5S1RM

Florida - Thief Stole Electricity, But Progress Energy Won’t Give Customer a Break (Tampa Bay Times, FL)

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/energy/thief-stole-electricity-but-progress-energy-wont-give-customer-a-break/1244911

Con Edison Cuts Voltage in Many Manhattan Areas (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/09/us-utilities-conedison-idUSBRE8780BY20120809

FISH & WILDLIFE

Vancouver Island Virus Confirmed, Salmon Farms to Cull Fish (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/life/Virus+confirmed+salmon+farms+cull+fish/7063631/story.html

Yellow-Hued Salmon Are Not a New Phenomenon (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120809/SPORTS/708099937

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Hurry-Up Victoria, B-C Sewage Project Has Politicians Worried (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/Hurry+sewage+project+politicians+worried/7063545/story.html

Willamette Valley Pollution Riles Environmentalists (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/willamette-pollution-riles-environmentalists-0

Columbia River Gorge - Cascade Locks Mayor Supports Nestle Bottling Plant (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/08/cascade-locks-mayor-supports-nestle.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Idaho Power Defends Proposal to Curtail Wind in Times of Low Demand (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/08/08/rockybarker/idaho_defends_proposal_curtail_wind_times_low_demand

Geothermal Energy Industry Stalls in California, Officials Tell Sacramento Summit (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/09/4708146/geothermal-energy-industry-stalls.html

Wind Credit Moving Through Congress, But Future Remains Uncertain (Houston Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/drilling-down/2012/08/wind-credit-moving-through-congress-but.html

In Iowa, Romney Leaves a Stance on Wind Power Unsaid (NY Times)

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/in-iowa-romney-leaves-a-stance-on-wind-power-unsaid/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Wind Power Co. Announces Closures Day after Senator Reid’s Clean Energy Summit (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensweet/2012/08/08/wind-power-co-announces-closures-day-after-senator-reids-clean-energy-summit/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

$60 Million Upgrade to Cut Longview Paper Plant’s Energy Use by 6 Percent (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2012/08/08/upgrade-to-cut-norpac-energy-use-by-6.html

ComEd Launches Data Center Energy Efficiency Program (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/08/4706719/comed-launches-data-center-energy.html

What Soap & the Smart Grid Have in Common (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/what-soap-and-the-smart-grid-have-in-common/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Profits on Carbon Credits Drive Output of a Harmful Gas (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/09/world/asia/incentive-to-slow-climate-change-drives-output-of-harmful-gases.html?pagewanted=all

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Local Food is Trendy, But is it Really More Eco-Friendly? (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/story/2012-08-08/local-food/56892452/1?csp=34news

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Wave Broadband Acquired by Equity Firms - deal termed a refinancing with no impact on customers (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120809/NEWS/120809959/wave-broadband-acquired-by-equity-firms-deal-termed-a-refinancing

Average U-S Broadband Connection Now 6.7 Mbps (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Average-US-Broadband-Connection-Now-67-Mbps-120700

Pennsylvania - Massive Comcast Cable Service Theft Operation Busted (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Massive-Comcast-Cable-Theft-Operation-Busted-in-PA-120690

Across the Planet, Broadband is Getting Faster & Faster (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2012/08/08/across-the-planet-broadband-is-getting-faster-faster/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Will Stephen Colbert Mess Up Mitt Romney’s VP Rollout? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Wire/2012/0808/Will-Stephen-Colbert-mess-up-Mitt-Romney-s-VP-rollout

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Sheriff’s Searching for Most Wanted Suspect (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/08/08/2205454/mason-county-sheriffs-searching.html

Mason Area Fair & Future of the Fairgrounds Discussed at Port of Shelton Meeting (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/36554-mason-area-fair-discussed-at-port-meeting

Body Found on Mount Rainier Was Missing Camper from January Snowstorms (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/08/09/2206920/body-found-on-mount-rainier-was.html

Copper Wire Thieves Threaten Federal Way Soccer Tournament (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Copper-wire-theives-threaten-Federal-Way-soccer-tournament-165545666.html

Hottest July Ever in U-S, But What About the Pacific Northwest? (Northwest Cable News Network)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Hottest-July-ever-in-US-but-what-about-NW-165456576.html

‘Sunshine’ Group Rates Government Websites – Overall, Washington State got a B+ (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/aug/08/sunshine-group-rates-government-websites/

Arizona, Tennessee Top States with High Sales Tax, Washington State is Fourth - Oregon Ties for No. 47 (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/08/arizona_tennessee_top_states_w.html

“Sovereign Citizen” Car Plate Leads to Spokane Standoff (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018879462_apwasovereignstandoff.html

DIVERSIONS

D-C Man Orders TV, Gets Assault Rifle Instead

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/DC-man-orders-TV-gets-assault-rifle-instead-3774723.php

Wisconsin Boy, 17, Is the Fastest Texter in America

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Wis-boy-17-is-the-fastest-texter-in-America-3770856.php

Revenge of the iCloud - Suspected Thieves Swipe iPod, Wallet, Then Take Photos of Themselves

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-suspected-thieves-swipe-ipod-wallet-and-then-take-photos-of-themselves-20120808,0,7551649.story

Raccoons Gone Wild Near North Seattle Community College

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018878692_raccoons09m.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Rolling Stones-You Can’t Always Get What You Want

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7knIi3LGf4M

Energy News Digest for August 8, 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

Link to Mason County Auditor’s Office – Lxn Results

http://vote.wa.gov/results/current/Mason/

Consumer-Owned Utilities Weigh In on Next Head of the Bonneville Power Administration (Northwest Public Power Association)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2012/08/consumer-owned-utilities-weigh-in-on.html

Alternative Power, Idaho Utilities Scuffle at PUC Hearing (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/08/07/2203968/alt-power-idaho-utilities-scuffle.html

Funding for an Untapped Renewable Resource: Woody Biomass on Public Lands (KPLU Radio, Tacoma, WA)

http://kplu.org/post/funding-untapped-renewable-resource-woody-biomass-public-lands

Report Recommends Changes at California Salmon Hatcheries (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/08/4703776/report-recommends-changes-at-california.html

Rackspace near $2 Million Deal to Buy 99 Acres for Data Center at the Port of Morrow (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2012/08/rackspace_near_2_million_deal.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Consumer-Owned Utilities Weigh In on Next Head of the Bonneville Power Administration
• Thurston County PUD Race Result Sets Up Public Power to be Big Election Issue
• Op/Ed - No Promise Thurston PUD Could Improve Service
• Portland General Electric’s Second-Quarter Earnings Increase on Lower Energy Costs
• Alaska Electric Cooperative Can't Shield Records from Pot Probe
• Feds Claim Smoking Brush Cutters Caused California Wildfire
• Lump of Coal: Promising Montana Mine Deal Hits Headwinds
• Drawn to Magnets - Chelan County PUD’s Weekly Summer Science Program
• Reports: NRC Freezes New Reactors, License Renewals
• Emails Give Peek into Duke Energy CEO Ouster
• Pacific Gas & Electric Reports $128 Million San Bruno-Related Costs
• Maryland - Pepco Will Ask for Another Rate Hike This Year
• House Bill Would Promote Hydro Power, Block Changes to Power Marketing Administrations
• Natural Gas Giant Tries to Shift Gears
• Report Recommends Changes at California Salmon Hatcheries
• Warm Water Stalls Snake River Steelhead
• Thousands of Fish Die as Midwest Streams Heat Up
• Tiny River Monsters Threaten California Waters
• A Clear & Present Danger: How Glass Kills Birds
• LOTT Water Conservation Reduces Pressure on Olympia Drinking-Water Supplies
• Obligation for Chelan River Kayaking Reduced in New Agreement With American Whitewater
• Alternative Power, Idaho Utilities Scuffle at PUC Hearing
• Funding for an Untapped Renewable Resource: Woody Biomass on Public Lands
• Vermont - Police Arrest Six Who Were Blocking Wind Construction
• U-S Wind Power Hits 50 Gigawatts Milestone, But Future Unclear
• Oregon Defines Acreage Where Controversial Canola Can Be Grown
• Hemp Advocates Tout Potential Jobs In Effort to Gain Support
• Rackspace near $2 Million Deal to Buy 99 Acres for Data Center at the Port of Morrow
• Link to Mason County Auditor’s Office – Lxn Results
• Overall Wrap - McKenna, Inslee, Advance to General Election
• Legislative District 35 - State Representative Pos. 1
• Legislative District 35 - State Representative Pos. 2
• Driscoll, Kilmer Advance in Race to Succeed Norm Dicks
• Heck, Muri Advance in Newly Formed 10th District
• Statewide Races - Drew vs. Wyman Likely; Nickels Out
• Expect $4 Gas after California Refinery Fire, Experts Say
• Log Exports to China Drop Sharply, Improving the Timber Supply to Northwest Mills
• Hot Spell Heats Up Northwest Wildfire Activity

WORD OF THE DAY

Wanderjahr • \VAHN-derr-yar\ • Noun – 1: a year or period of travel, especially following one's schooling and before practicing a profession 2: (formerly) a year in which an apprentice traveled and improved his skills before settling down to the practice of his trade

“I want a wanderjahr,” whined the bright eyed debutant to her prim, tight-lipped mother. “Dear,” purred her gaunt, leathery-faced mother (who reeked of Marlboros and stale ‘Arpege’ perfume) “I need you here, watching over me and doing all my little chores.” (Good God, what is this example sentence; a bad rip off of “Mommy Dearest?” Must stop before going further…gack!)

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

Consumer-Owned Utilities Weigh In on Next Head of the Bonneville Power Administration (Northwest Public Power Association)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2012/08/consumer-owned-utilities-weigh-in-on.html

Thurston County PUD Race Result Sets Up Public Power to be Big Election Issue (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/08/07/2204547/pud-race-result-sets-up-public.html

Op/Ed - No Promise Thurston PUD Could Improve Service (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/08/08/2204757/no-promise-the-pud-could-improve.html

Portland General Electric’s Second-Quarter Earnings Increase on Lower Energy Costs (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/08/pges_second-quarter_earnings_i.html

Alaska Electric Cooperative Can't Shield Records from Pot Probe (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/08/07/49072.htm

Feds Claim Smoking Brush Cutters Caused California Wildfire (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/08/07/49045.htm

Lump of Coal: Promising Montana Mine Deal Hits Headwinds (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://earthfix.opb.org/energy/article/lump-of-coal-promising-mine-deal-hits-headwinds/

Drawn to Magnets - Chelan County PUD’s Weekly Summer Science Program (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/aug/07/drawn-to-magnets/

Reports: NRC Freezes New Reactors, License Renewals (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.generation.nuclear.2012.August.Reports__NRC_freezes_new_reactors__license_renewals.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

Emails Give Peek into Duke Energy CEO Ouster (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/power_city/2012/08/e-mails-give-hints-to-duke-energy-ceo.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Reports $128 Million San Bruno-Related Costs (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/PG-E-reports-128-million-San-Bruno-related-costs-3770511.php

Maryland - Pepco Will Ask for Another Rate Hike This Year (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/pepco-will-ask-for-another-rate-hike-this-year/2012/08/07/4d4680c0-e0ad-11e1-a19c-fcfa365396c8_story.html

House Bill Would Promote Hydro Power, Block Changes to Power Marketing Administrations (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=185795&issueID=26819

Natural Gas Giant Tries to Shift Gears (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2012/08/08/158378110/natural-gas-giant-tries-to-shift-gears?ft=1&f=3

FISH & WILDLIFE

Report Recommends Changes at California Salmon Hatcheries (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/08/4703776/report-recommends-changes-at-california.html

Warm Water Stalls Snake River Steelhead (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/aug/05/warm-water-stalls-snake-steelhead/

Thousands of Fish Die as Midwest Streams Heat Up (Associated Press)

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/story/2012-08-07/fish-kill-midwest-summer-hot-rivers/56859874/1?csp=34news

Tiny River Monsters Threaten California Waters (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_21258025

A Clear & Present Danger: How Glass Kills Birds (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2012/08/08/157657499/a-clear-and-present-danger-how-glass-kills-birds?ft=1&f=3

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

LOTT Water Conservation Reduces Pressure on Olympia Drinking-Water Supplies (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/08/07/2204300/lott-water-conservation-reduces.html

Obligation for Chelan River Kayaking Reduced in New Agreement With American Whitewater (North Central Washington TV)

http://www.ncwtv.com/obligation-for-chelan-river-kayaking-reduced-in-new-agreement-with-american-whitewater-3883/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Alternative Power, Idaho Utilities Scuffle at PUC Hearing (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/08/07/2203968/alt-power-idaho-utilities-scuffle.html

Funding for an Untapped Renewable Resource: Woody Biomass on Public Lands (KPLU Radio, Tacoma, WA)

http://kplu.org/post/funding-untapped-renewable-resource-woody-biomass-public-lands

Vermont - Police Arrest Six Who Were Blocking Wind Construction (Associated Press)

http://www.cnbc.com/id/48548681

U-S Wind Power Hits 50 Gigawatts Milestone, But Future Unclear (The Business Journals)

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/washingtonbureau/2012/08/07/wind-power-hits-50-gigawatts.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Oregon Defines Acreage Where Controversial Canola Can Be Grown (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/08/oregon_defines_acreage_where_c.html

Hemp Advocates Tout Potential Jobs In Effort to Gain Support (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hemp-advocates-tout-potential-jobs-in-effort-to-gain-support/2012/08/07/d63b0342-e0b7-11e1-8fc5-a7dcf1fc161d_story.html?wprss=rss_national

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Rackspace near $2 Million Deal to Buy 99 Acres for Data Center at the Port of Morrow (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2012/08/rackspace_near_2_million_deal.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Link to Mason County Auditor’s Office – Lxn Results

http://vote.wa.gov/results/current/Mason/

Overall Wrap - McKenna, Inslee, Advance to General Election (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018869816_apwaprimaryrdp5thldwritethru.html

Legislative District 35 - State Representative Pos. 1

http://vote.wa.gov/results/current/Legislative-District-35-State-Representative-Pos-1.html

Legislative District 35 - State Representative Pos. 2

http://vote.wa.gov/results/current/Legislative-District-35-State-Representative-Pos-2.html

Driscoll, Kilmer Advance in Race to Succeed Norm Dicks (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Driscoll-Kilmer-advance-in-race-to-succeed-Norm-Dicks-165381326.html

Heck, Muri Advance in Newly Formed 10th District (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018869817_apwacongress10thdistrict.html

Statewide Races - Drew vs. Wyman Likely; Nickels Out (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/text/2018869953.html

GENERAL NEWS

Expect $4 Gas after California Refinery Fire, Experts Say (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/California-refinery-fire-gas-prices-165304566.html

Log Exports to China Drop Sharply, Improving the Timber Supply to Northwest Mills (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/08/log_exports_to_china_drop_shar.html

Hot Spell Heats Up Northwest Wildfire Activity (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/hot-spell-heats-northwest-wildfire-activity

DIVERSIONS

Papa John's: 'Obamacare' Will Raise Pizza Prices (insert joke about “healthy pizza” here)

http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/08/papa-johns-obamacare-will-raise-pizza-prices-131331.html

The Single Most Awesome Photographer at the Olympics

http://gizmodo.com/5932550/the-single-most-awesome-photographer-at-the-olympics

Alaska Airlines Plane Wing Note 'Not Appropriate'

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/08/07/2203856/alaska-airlines-plane-wing-note.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Marvin Hamlisch – End Credits - Sophie's Choice Soundtrack

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

Marvin Hamlisch – A Chorus Line – One

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyZeGOsR9IA

Energy News Digest for August 7, 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

Jorge Carrasco Reconfirmed as Superintendent for Seattle City Light (Northwest Energy Efficiency Council)

http://www.neec.net/news/jorge-carrasco-reconfirmed-superintendent-seattle-city-light

Grays Harbor PUD Announces Sale of Renewable Generation Assets to Harbor Paper (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4438

Op/Ed - High-Speed Broadband Access Essential (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/08/07/2051737/high-speed-access-essential.html

30,000 gallons of untreated sewage may have flowed into bay off Everett (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-30000-gallons-of-untreated-sewage-may-have-flowed-into-bay-off-everett-20120806,0,3881678.story

Mason County Primary Election Day (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)\

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/36454-election-day

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Jorge Carrasco Reconfirmed as Superintendent for Seattle City Light
• Clark Public Utilities Provides Oasis at County Fair
• Op/Ed - The Natural-Gas Revolution: Let's Do This the Right Way
• Ohio Electric Cooperative Aids Copper Theft Sting
• Westar Investigating Spike in Electricity Thefts
• India’s Infrastructure Woes, In Two Charts
• Solar Super Storm Could Knock Out U-S Power Grid – Experts
• The Elwha River - The Nation’s Largest Dam Removal Project
• New Baby Orca Spotted in Western Washington
• Walla Walla County Farmers Worry That Road Project Will Turn Productive Bees into Road Kill
• 30,000 gallons of untreated sewage may have flowed into bay off Everett
• Sparing Sewers All That Restaurant Grease
• Grays Harbor PUD Announces Sale of Renewable Generation Assets to Harbor Paper
• Solar Panels Could Conflict With Urban Trees, Says Expert at Portland Ecology Meeting
• SolarWorld Plans $27 Million Plant Upgrade in Hillsboro
• Green Energy, Politics on Tap for Vegas 'Summit'
• Solar, Wind Power Get Pentagon Boost
• Wind Power Hits 57% Mark in Colorado
• Bloom Energy Says It’s Half Way to Break Even
• Recouping Cost of a Home Wind Turbine May Take More Than a Lifetime
• Best Energy-Efficient Monitors
• How to Parse Climate Change and Extreme Weather?
• Can Any Green Social Networks Have Staying Power?
• Op/Ed - High-Speed Broadband Access Essential
• Op/Ed - In the Olympics of Web Access, U-S Consumers Are Left Behind
• Rural Broadband: Big Telcos Opt Out & Continue to Lobby Against, Others See Opportunity
• Editorial - Defenseless Against Cyberattacks
• Local Governments Could Save Most from Cloud, But Are Least Receptive to It
• Primary Day: Five Things Watch for in Missouri, Michigan & Washington State
• Mason County Primary Election Day
• Drowning Not Cause of Puyallup Man’s Death at Spencer Lake
• Shelton’s Mayor Asks for Impact Fee Moratorium
• Wanted: Cheaper Way to Send Money to Latin America
• NASA Releases Color Photo, Video of Mars Rover Landing

WORD OF THE DAY

Oriflamme • \ORE-uh-flamm\ •  Noun - A banner, symbol, or ideal inspiring devotion or courage

Come follow me boys

The army’s oriflamme flies

Hope we all don’t die

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

Jorge Carrasco Reconfirmed as Superintendent for Seattle City Light (Northwest Energy Efficiency Council)

http://www.neec.net/news/jorge-carrasco-reconfirmed-superintendent-seattle-city-light

Clark Public Utilities Provides Oasis at County Fair – Clark County fairgoers have had their thirst quenched by free water for 30 years (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/aug/06/clark-county-fair-utility-provides-oasis-fairgoers/

Op/Ed - The Natural-Gas Revolution: Let's Do This the Right Way (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2018862670_friedmancolumn07xml.html

Ohio Electric Cooperative Aids Copper Theft Sting (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/co-op-aids-copper-theft-sting/46963

Westar Investigating Spike in Electricity Thefts (KAKE-TV, Wichita, KS)

http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/Westar-Investigating-Spike-In-Electricity-Thefts-165203896.html

India’s Infrastructure Woes, In Two Charts (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/06/indias-infrastructure-woes-in-two-graphs/

Solar Super Storm Could Knock Out U-S Power Grid – Experts (Planet Ark)

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/66120

FISH & WILDLIFE

The Elwha River - The Nation’s Largest Dam Removal Project (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/36380-the-nations-largest-dam-removal

New Baby Orca Spotted in Western Washington (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/New-baby-orca-spotted-in-Western-Washington-165279916.html

Walla Walla County Farmers Worry That Road Project Will Turn Productive Bees into Road Kill (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018863441_bee07m.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

30,000 gallons of untreated sewage may have flowed into bay off Everett (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-30000-gallons-of-untreated-sewage-may-have-flowed-into-bay-off-everett-20120806,0,3881678.story

Sparing Sewers All That Restaurant Grease (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/06/sparing-sewers-all-that-restaurant-grease/?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Grays Harbor PUD Announces Sale of Renewable Generation Assets to Harbor Paper (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4438

Solar Panels Could Conflict With Urban Trees, Says Expert at Portland Ecology Meeting (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/08/solar_panels_could_conflict_wi.html

SolarWorld Plans $27 Million Plant Upgrade in Hillsboro (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/solarworld-plans-27m-upgrade-hillsboro/

Green Energy, Politics on Tap for Vegas 'Summit' - Politics of renewable power to be focus of 'National Clean Energy Summit' in Vegas (Associated Press)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/green-energy-politics-tap-vegas-135652790.html

Solar, Wind Power Get Pentagon Boost (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Solar-wind-power-get-Pentagon-boost-3767317.php

Wind Power Hits 57% Mark in Colorado (CNN Money)

http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/06/news/economy/wind-power-Colorado/index.htm

Bloom Energy Says It’s Half Way to Break Even (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/bloom-energy-says-its-half-way-to-break-even/

Recouping Cost of a Home Wind Turbine May Take More Than a Lifetime (Consumer Reports)

http://news.consumerreports.org/home/2012/08/results-of-consumer-reports-wind-turbine-tests.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Best Energy-Efficient Monitors (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/Best-energy-efficient-monitors-3764693.php

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

How to Parse Climate Change and Extreme Weather? (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/how-to-parse-climate-change-and-extreme-weather/?partner=rss&emc=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Can Any Green Social Networks Have Staying Power? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jimpierobon/100351/let-s-see-if-green-social-network-ozoshare-has-staying-power

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Op/Ed - High-Speed Broadband Access Essential (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/08/07/2051737/high-speed-access-essential.html

Op/Ed - In the Olympics of Web Access, U-S Consumers Are Left Behind (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/07/4699644/in-the-olympics-of-web-access.html

Rural Broadband: Big Telcos Opt Out & Continue to Lobby Against, Others See Opportunity (CivSource)

http://civsourceonline.com/2012/08/06/rural-broadband-big-telcos-opt-out-continue-to-lobby-against-others-see-opportunity/

Editorial - Defenseless Against Cyberattacks (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/defenseless-against-cyberattacks/2012/08/06/cff868d2-dffc-11e1-a421-8bf0f0e5aa11_story.html?wprss=rss_opinions

Local Governments Could Save Most from Cloud, But Are Least Receptive to It (Gigaom)

http://gigaom.com/cloud/local-governments-could-save-most-from-cloud-but-are-least-receptive-to-it/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Primary Day: Five Things Watch for in Missouri, Michigan & Washington State (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/primary-day-five-things-watch-for-in-missouri-michigan-and-washington/2012/08/07/05004d62-e000-11e1-8fc5-a7dcf1fc161d_blog.html?wprss=rss_congress

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Primary Election Day (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)\

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/36454-election-day

Drowning Not Cause of Puyallup Man’s Death at Spencer Lake (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/6872

Shelton’s Mayor Asks for Impact Fee Moratorium (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/6880

Wanted: Cheaper Way to Send Money to Latin America (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120806/BIZ/708069879

NASA Releases Color Photo, Video of Mars Rover Landing (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/story/2012-08-07/mars-rover-video/56840300/1?csp=34tech

DIVERSIONS

Dr. Dre Gets Beats Headphones on Olympians’ Ears, Annoys Actual Sponsor Panasonic

http://consumerist.com/2012/08/dr-dre-gets-beats-headphones-on-olympians-ears-annoys-sponsor-panasonic.html

House Cats Kill More Critters than Thought

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-08-06/house-cats-kill/56831262/1?csp=34news

Composer Marvin Hamlisch Dies at 68 in Los Angeles

http://news.yahoo.com/composer-marvin-hamlisch-dies-68-los-angeles-131751829.html

Possible Da Vinci Painting Found in Scottish Farmhouse; Could be Worth $150 Million

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/possible-da-vinci-painting-found-scottish-farmhouse-could-183847385.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Jerry Douglas - The Boxer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQpUs1qNxMM