Energy News Digest for February 25, 2013

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

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

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD (JUST BECAUSE I CAN)

Energy News Digest word cloud for February 25, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/02/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_25.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Drought Conditions Unlikely in Washington State This Year (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/21311828/drought-conditions-unlikely-in-washington-this-year

Traditionally Green Strategists Now Pushing Pacific Northwest Coal Ports (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020421425_coalstrategistsxml.html

Snohomish PUD’s Studies Support Proposed Mini-Dam on Skykomish River (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130225/NEWS01/702259932/1038/COMM0601

If Forecasts Are Right, The Columbia Will be Great for Salmon Fishing (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2020421554_outn24.html

Microsoft’s Azure Service Breaks Down After Company Lets Online Security Certificate Expire (Associated Press)

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/microsoft-s-azure-service-breaks-down-after-company-lets-online-security-certificate-expire-1.79152

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Traditionally Green Strategists Now Pushing Pacific Northwest Coal Ports
• Editorial: Demand Rebates for Victims of California Energy Scams
• Pacific Gas & Electric Boosts Training after Electrocutions
• FERC: Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Middle Fork American River Hydroelectric Project in California
• The Ant, the Grasshopper & Electricity Prices in New England
• Chesapeake Energy Sells Stake in Oklahoma Land to China’s Sinopec for $1.02 Billion
• Sparks Fly in New Hampshire over Hydro-Quebec’s Northern Pass Power Line - Designed to bring hydropower to the Northwest U-S
• Energy Secretary Chu to Return to Stanford
• U-S Supreme Court Narrows Antitrust Exemptions for Local Government Entities
• Touchstone Energy Cooperative Marks 15 Years
• If Forecasts Are Right, The Columbia Will be Great for Salmon Fishing
• Editorial - Thumbs Up to Federal Judge for Common-Sense Ruling on Sea Lions
• Drought Conditions Unlikely in Washington State This Year
• Montana Judge Strikes Down Significant Component of Proposed Tribal Water Rights Compact
• Snohomish PUD’s Studies Support Proposed Mini-Dam on Skykomish River
• Shepherd’s Flat Wind Farm’s $30 Million in Tax Credits Will Be Reviewed by Oregon Energy Department
• U-S Court Dismisses Chinese Firm’s Claims against Obama over Wind Farm
• A New Hope in Energy Storage? Tests at Bonneville Power Administration’s Ross Complex could be key to solving Northwest power grid woes
• Renewable Energy Law - Greens Versus the Poor: Washington State’s 2006 Initiative is Creating Problems That Will Burden Electricity Consumers
• British Columbia - Work Continues on Huge Electrical Generation Plant at Harmac
• Maryland, District of Columbia Utilities Pay Paper Mills Burning ‘Black Liquor’ for Alternative Fuel Credits
• Washington State Installing LED Lights on Highway 101 Next Week
• Shedding Light on the Types of Bulbs
• Pennsylvania - Energy Audit Helpful Step in Improving Home’s Efficiency
• California’s Second Carbon Permit Auction Beats Expectations
• Congress Should Aim for Greenhouse Gas Reductions in Energy Bills That Address Other Topics, APPA Says
• Flipping The Switch: What it Takes to Prioritize Electric Cars
• NASA: A Nuclear Reactor to Replace Your Water Heater
• Microsoft’s Azure Service Breaks Down After Company Lets Online Security Certificate Expire
• Google expands free Wi-Fi in The Dalles
• GM Bringing 4G Broadband to New Autos in 2014 with AT&T
• Twitter Hackings Put Focus on Security for Brands
• No Surprises on Deadline Day as Policy Bills Live & Die, but Senate Democrats Raise a Ruckus
• Editorial - In Defense of Rogue Washington State Senators Rodney Tom & Tim Sheldon
• Washington State Could Lose Millions if Feds Don’t Reach Budget Deal
• Kate Upton & Ryan Gosling Explain the Sequester
• Snohomish County Exec - Aaron Reardon’s Swift Rise Comes to an Abrupt End
• Bell, California - Using the “Dumb” Defense: Mayor in Corruption Case is Uneducated
• Six Leaking Tanks Are Hanford Nuke Site’s Latest Woe
• Plundering of Timber Lucrative for Thieves, A Problem for Washington State
• Quinault Indian Nation Suing Neighboring School Districts, Including Mary M. Knight, for Discrimination
• Director of Democrats’ Campaign Group in Washington State under Investigation
• Seattle Times to Begin Charging for Online Access

WORD OF THE DAY

Roseate • \ROZE-ee-ut\ • Adjective - 1: resembling a rose especially in having a pink color 2: overly optimistic: viewed favorably

Barbara smirked at the overoptimistic view of her companion regarding the energy savings from latest window installation. “The company promised I would save up to sixty percent off my electricity bill with these quintuple-paned windows,” the fresh-faced homeowner enthused. “Interesting that you would have such a roseate outlook on your $60,000 purchase,” Babs cooed, “Especially since you heat with natural gas.”

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

Traditionally Green Strategists Now Pushing Pacific Northwest Coal Ports (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020421425_coalstrategistsxml.html

Editorial: Demand Rebates for Victims of California Energy Scams (Riverside Press-Enterprise, CA)

http://www.pe.com/opinion/editorials-headlines/20130223-editorial-demand-rebates-for-victims-of-energy-scams.ece

Pacific Gas & Electric Boosts Training after Electrocutions (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/PG-amp-E-boosts-training-after-electrocutions-4303523.php

FERC: Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Middle Fork American River Hydroelectric Project in California (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/eis/2013/02-22-13.asp

The Ant, the Grasshopper & Electricity Prices in New England (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/the-ant-and-the-grasshopper/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Chesapeake Energy Sells Stake in Oklahoma Land to China’s Sinopec for $1.02 Billion (Associated Press)

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/chesapeake-energy-sells-stake-in-oklahoma-land-to-china-s-sinopec-for-1-02-billion-1.80138

Sparks Fly in New Hampshire over Hydro-Quebec’s Northern Pass Power Line - Designed to bring hydropower to the Northwest U-S (Toronto Star, Ontario)

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/02/23/sparks_fly_in_new_hampshire_over_hydroquebecs_northern_pass_power_line.html

Energy Secretary Chu to Return to Stanford (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/politics/2020411060_apusenergysecretary.html

U-S Supreme Court Narrows Antitrust Exemptions for Local Government Entities (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

http://www.energynaturalresourceslaw.com/2013/02/us-supreme-court-narrows-antitrust-exemptions-for-local-government-entities.html

Touchstone Energy Cooperative Marks 15 Years (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/annual-meeting-articles-2013/nreca-2013-annual-meeting-touchstone-energy-anniversary/53133

FISH & WILDLIFE

If Forecasts Are Right, The Columbia Will be Great for Salmon Fishing (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2020421554_outn24.html

Editorial - Thumbs Up to Federal Judge for Common-Sense Ruling on Sea Lions (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/02/25/2891837/our-voice-thumbs-up-to-federal.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Drought Conditions Unlikely in Washington State This Year (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/21311828/drought-conditions-unlikely-in-washington-this-year

Montana Judge Strikes Down Significant Component of Proposed Tribal Water Rights Compact (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/425146.aspx

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Snohomish PUD’s Studies Support Proposed Mini-Dam on Skykomish River (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130225/NEWS01/702259932/1038/COMM0601

Shepherd’s Flat Wind Farm’s $30 Million in Tax Credits Will Be Reviewed by Oregon Energy Department (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/02/shepherds_flat_wind_farms_30_m.html

U-S Court Dismisses Chinese Firm’s Claims against Obama over Wind Farm (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/23/us-usa-china-windfarm-idUSBRE91M00T20130223

A New Hope in Energy Storage? Tests at Bonneville Power Administration’s Ross Complex could be key to solving Northwest power grid woes (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/feb/24/a-new-hope-in-energy-storage-bonneville-ross-wind/

Renewable Energy Law - Greens Versus the Poor: Washington State’s 2006 Initiative is Creating Problems That Will Burden Electricity Consumers (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/feb/25/greens-versus-the-poor/

British Columbia - Work Continues on Huge Electrical Generation Plant at Harmac (Nanaimo Daily News, BC)

http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=fad2bfe6-0ceb-45ee-9199-bd5669119d9d

Maryland, District of Columbia Utilities Pay Paper Mills Burning ‘Black Liquor’ for Alternative Fuel Credits (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/md-dc-utilities-pay-paper-mills-burning-black-liquor-for-alternative-fuel-credits/2013/02/22/440078da-696b-11e2-95b3-272d604a10a3_story.html?wprss=rss_business

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Washington State Installing LED Lights on Highway 101 Next Week (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/02/22/2433424/state-installing-led-lights-on.html#emlnl=Newsletter_-_Daily_News_Digest

Shedding Light on the Types of Bulbs (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/sbattaglia/188891/shedding-some-light-types-light-bulbs

Pennsylvania - Energy Audit Helpful Step in Improving Home’s Efficiency (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA)

http://triblive.com/business/headlines/3032220-74/energy-audit-percent#axzz2LvdrxloX

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California’s Second Carbon Permit Auction Beats Expectations (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_22650233

Congress Should Aim for Greenhouse Gas Reductions in Energy Bills That Address Other Topics, APPA Says (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=208191&issueID=26960

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Flipping The Switch: What it Takes to Prioritize Electric Cars (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/02/23/172778466/flipping-the-switch-what-it-takes-to-prioritize-electric-cars?ft=1&f=2

NASA: A Nuclear Reactor to Replace Your Water Heater (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2013/02/22/nasa-a-nuclear-reactor-to-replace-your-water-heater/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Microsoft’s Azure Service Breaks Down After Company Lets Online Security Certificate Expire (Associated Press)

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/microsoft-s-azure-service-breaks-down-after-company-lets-online-security-certificate-expire-1.79152

Google expands free Wi-Fi in The Dalles (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2013/02/google_expands_free_wi-fi_in_t.html

GM Bringing 4G Broadband to New Autos in 2014 with AT&T (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-25/gm-bringing-4g-broadband-to-new-vehicles-next-year-with-at-t.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Hackings Put Focus on Security for Brands (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/technology/twitter-hacks-force-companies-to-confront-security-on-social-media.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

No Surprises on Deadline Day as Policy Bills Live & Die, but Senate Democrats Raise a Ruckus (Washington Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/no-surprises-on-deadline-day-as-policy-bills-live-and-die-but-senate-democrats-raise-a-ruckus/

Editorial - In Defense of Rogue Washington State Senators Rodney Tom & Tim Sheldon (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2020415054_thanhtancolumntomsheldonxml.html

Washington State Could Lose Millions if Feds Don’t Reach Budget Deal (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020428631_washingtoncutsxml.html

Kate Upton & Ryan Gosling Explain the Sequester (Gawker – Very clever, but note the comment section may contain PG-13 language)

http://gawker.com/5986069/kate-upton-and-ryan-gosling-explain-the-sequester

Snohomish County Exec - Aaron Reardon’s Swift Rise Comes to an Abrupt End (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020421954_reardoncareerxml.html

Bell, California - Using the “Dumb” Defense: Mayor in Corruption Case is Uneducated (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Defense-Mayor-in-corruption-case-is-uneducated-4295975.php

GENERAL NEWS

Six Leaking Tanks Are Hanford Nuke Site’s Latest Woe (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020418519_apushanfordleak3rdldwritethru.html

Plundering of Timber Lucrative for Thieves, A Problem for Washington State (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020427922_timbertheftxml.html

Quinault Indian Nation Suing Neighboring School Districts, Including Mary M. Knight, for Discrimination (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Taholah-192922381.html

Director of Democrats’ Campaign Group in Washington State under Investigation (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/02/director_of_democrats_campaign.html

Seattle Times to Begin Charging for Online Access (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-Times-to-begin-charging-for-online-access-192873601.html

DIVERSIONS

Woman ‘Shot’ & Wounded as She Cooks a Snack after Bullets Left in Her OVEN Explode

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2282057/Woman-shot-wounded-cooks-snack-bullets-left-OVEN-explode.html?ICO=most_read_module

California School District Sued over Yoga Program – “…the…classes are inherently religious, in violation of the separation between church & state…”

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2020398255_apusyogalawsuit.html

Fragments of Ancient Continent Buried under Indian Ocean

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21551149

Dope Tests in Ice Fishing? No, Beer Doesn’t Count

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/sports/ice-fishermen-not-immune-to-dopings-reach.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

SONG OF THE DAY

Donovan – Atlantis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leI7sfmipuI

Energy News Digest for February 22, 2013

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

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

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD (JUST BECAUSE I CAN)

Energy News Digest word cloud for February 22, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/02/word-cloud-for-energy-news-digest_22.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

B-C Hydro Vows to Continue to Fight U-S Ruling on Power Sales to California (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/b-c-vows-to-continue-to-fight-u-s-ruling-on-power-sales-to-california-1.78110

Pacific Gas & Electric Suffers Fourth-Quarter Loss - Weighed down by natural gas & environmental expenses (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_22637273

Poulsbo Envy? - Port Orchard Market could be Helped by Free Wi-Fi, Better Foot Ferry Service (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/feb/21/year-round-market-in-port-orchard-could-be-by-wi/

Washington State Legislator Pushes for Lower Taxes for REC Silicon (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/politics/article_68690ec0-7b9b-11e2-bc85-0019bb2963f4.html

New Washington State Transportation Secretary Supports Gas Tax, Tolls (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/New-transportation-secretary-supports-gas-tax-tolls-192391741.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• B-C Hydro Vows to Continue to Fight U-S Ruling on Power Sales to California
• Pacific Gas & Electric Suffers Fourth-Quarter Loss
• Idaho Power Reaches Deal on Incentive Programs
• Utah Legislation Would Make PacifiCorp Customers Pay for Blue Castle Nuclear Plant
• Chelan County PUD - Hoisting a Tall One
• Credit Outlook is Stable for Public Power Sector This Year, Credit Rating Experts Say
• Déjà Vu - Kentucky Utility, Smelter Electricity Rate Dispute Getting More Attention
• Portable Generators Pose Safety Risk after Snowstorm
• Neighbors Left to Foot Community’s Swimming Pool Electricity Bill
• Alaska State Lawmaker Proposes Bounty on Sea Otters
• Gelatinous Sea Creatures Appear on Washington State Coast
• Flouride Debate: What Does Scientific Research Say?
• Washington State Legislator Pushes for Lower Taxes for REC Silicon
• Ecofys Study: Pacific Northwest Water Heaters Help Wind Turbines
• First Solar Hits Milestone at California Plant
• Wind Blows German Power Swings to Five-Year High
• How to Choose the Best Bulbs to Replace Incandescent
• To Save Energy Facebook Putting Older Photos in “Cold Storage”
• Poulsbo Envy? - Port Orchard Market could be Helped by Free Wi-Fi, Better Foot Ferry Service
• Nielsen to Begin Counting Broadband Viewing Homes
• Learning Social Media Tricks from the Big Boys
• New Washington State Transportation Secretary Supports Gas Tax, Tolls
• Automatic Federal Budget Cuts Could Affect 30,000 Washington State Workers
• The Sequester - Answers to Questions on Capital’s Top Topic
• $49 Million North Mason Bond Goes on April Ballot
• Remember What Storms Are Like? Nature to Provide Reminder
• National Parks on a Precipice
• Native American Tribes Venture Out of Casino Business
• Are We in the Coho Lot? Port Of Portland Adding Parking Guidance Tech to Long-Term Parking Lot
• Al-Qaeda’s High-Tech Drone-Dodging Tips Revealed

WORD OF THE DAY

Dowager • \dow (as in ouch)-uh-jurr\ • Noun - 1: A widow holding property or a title from her deceased husband 2: a dignified elderly woman

One of the lucky few, the dowager queen of Ruritania made it out of the vile political stew that was the Balkans in the early 1900’s with nearly all her finances intact.

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

B-C Hydro Vows to Continue to Fight U-S Ruling on Power Sales to California (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/b-c-vows-to-continue-to-fight-u-s-ruling-on-power-sales-to-california-1.78110

Pacific Gas & Electric Suffers Fourth-Quarter Loss - Weighed down by natural gas & environmental expenses (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_22637273

Idaho Power Reaches Deal on Incentive Programs (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Idaho-Power-reaches-deal-on-incentive-programs-4297610.php

Utah Legislation Would Make PacifiCorp Customers Pay for Blue Castle Nuclear Plant (SNL Financial)

http://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-17023933-14379

Chelan County PUD - Hoisting a Tall One (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/feb/21/hoisting-a-tall-one/

Credit Outlook is Stable for Public Power Sector This Year, Credit Rating Experts Say (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=207822&issueID=26959

Déjà Vu - Kentucky Utility, Smelter Electricity Rate Dispute Getting More Attention (Associated Press)

http://www.kentucky.com/2013/02/21/2525495/utility-smelter-dispute-getting.html

Portable Generators Pose Safety Risk after Snowstorm (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/21/portable-generators-pose-safety-risk-after-snowstorm/1937001/

Neighbors Left to Foot Community’s Swimming Pool Electricity Bill (The Olive Press, Spain)

http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2013/02/22/neighbours-left-to-foot-swimming-pool-electricity-bill/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Alaska State Lawmaker Proposes Bounty on Sea Otters (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/02/alaska_state_lawmaker_proposes.html

Gelatinous Sea Creatures Appear on Washington State Coast (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/02/gelatinous_sea_creatures_appea.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Flouride Debate: What Does Scientific Research Say? (Portland Tribune, OR)

http://portlandtribune.com/sl/128422-flouride-debate-what-does-scientific-research-say

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Washington State Legislator Pushes for Lower Taxes for REC Silicon (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/politics/article_68690ec0-7b9b-11e2-bc85-0019bb2963f4.html

Ecofys Study: Pacific Northwest Water Heaters Help Wind Turbines (Green Energy News)

http://www.green-energy-news.com/nwslnks/clips213/feb13021.html

First Solar Hits Milestone at California Plant (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/business/2013/02/first-solar-hits-milestone-at.html

Wind Blows German Power Swings to Five-Year High (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/02/wind-blows-german-power-swings-to-five-year-high?cmpid=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

How to Choose the Best Bulbs to Replace Incandescent (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/02/22/2484777/how-to-choose-the-best-bulbs-to.html

To Save Energy Facebook Putting Older Photos in “Cold Storage” (Triangle Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2013/02/22/facebook-putting-older-photos-in-cold.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Poulsbo Envy? - Port Orchard Market could be Helped by Free Wi-Fi, Better Foot Ferry Service (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/feb/21/year-round-market-in-port-orchard-could-be-by-wi/

Nielsen to Begin Counting Broadband Viewing Homes (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020402652_apustvnewviewers.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Learning Social Media Tricks from the Big Boys (NY Times)

http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/22/learning-social-media-tricks-from-the-big-boys/?partner=rss&emc=rss

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

New Washington State Transportation Secretary Supports Gas Tax, Tolls (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/New-transportation-secretary-supports-gas-tax-tolls-192391741.html

Automatic Federal Budget Cuts Could Affect 30,000 Washington State Workers (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2208472

The Sequester - Answers to Questions on Capital’s Top Topic (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/22/us/politics/questions-and-answers-about-the-sequester.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

GENERAL NEWS

$49 Million North Mason Bond Goes on April Ballot (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/feb/21/49-million-north-mason-bond-to-go-on-april/

Remember What Storms Are Like? Nature to Provide Reminder (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Hey-remember-what-storms-are-like-Mother-Nature-to-provide-reminder-192322821.html

National Parks on a Precipice (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/22/national-parks-on-a-precipice/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Native American Tribes Venture Out of Casino Business (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2013/02/21/172630938/native-american-tribes-venture-out-of-casino-business?ft=1&f=2

Are We in the Coho Lot? Port Of Portland Adding Parking Guidance Tech to Long-Term Parking Lot (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2013/02/21/port-of-portland-adding-parking.html

Al-Qaeda’s High-Tech Drone-Dodging Tips Revealed (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/02/22/al-qaeda-drone-dodging/

DIVERSIONS

Monster Goldfish Found In Lake Tahoe Probably Dumped from Aquarium

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2013/0221/Monster-goldfish-found-in-Lake-Tahoe-probably-dumped-from-aquarium

The Shark Whisperer: Watch the Heart-Stopping Video of Fearless Female Diver Who Can Swim with Killer Great Whites & Live

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2279607/Ocean-Ramsey-The-chilling-moment-fearless-diver-swims-directly-path-great-white-shark.html

Cops Follow Juice Box Trail to Dali Art Thief

http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/02/20/55027.htm

Oregon Lawmakers Make Dull & Boring Tourism Move

http://seattletimes.com/html/politics/2020395949_apusxgrdullandboring.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Robbie Williams - Mack the Knife

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2P2Ev_0BRM&NR=1

George Shearing - Mack the Knife

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB-XryJRBo0

Liberace - Mack the Knife

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD7dw_BW_UI

OK, and here’s Bobby Darin - Mack the Knife

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQbyAFj7t2I

Energy News Digest for February 21, 2013

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

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

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD (JUST BECAUSE I CAN)

Energy News Digest word cloud for February 21, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/02/word-cloud-for-energy-news-digest_21.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

New California Power Sales Ruling Could Cost BPA More than $60 Million (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/new-ruling-could-cost-bpa-more-than-60m/

Jay Inslee, Washington State Legislature Working to Keep the Evergreen State Ever Green (Seattle Times, WA)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/02/21/working-to-keep-the-evergreen-state-ever-green/

Washington State Investment Board Admits Alternative Energy Not a Good Investment (Seattle Times)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/02/21/alternate-energy-a-good-investment/

Obama Settles on EPA, Energy Department Nominees: Source (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/20/us-obama-cabinet-epa-energy-idUSBRE91J0ZE20130220

Special Weather Statement for Western Washington (National Weather Service)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/02/special-weather-statement-for-western.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• New California Power Sales Ruling Could Cost BPA More than $60 Million
• Warm Weather Contributes to Avista’s Lower 2012 Income
• Obama Settles on EPA, Energy Department Nominees: Source
• Wenatchee Substation Project Will Provide More Reliable Service to Alcoa, Support Local Jobs
• Including $2.9 Million for Alaska’s Kotzebue Electric Association - Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding to Improve Rural Electric Service for Customers in 12 States
• Editors Rebel against Ratepayer Financing for Nuclear Plants
• Tennessee Valley Authority, B&W Sign Small Modular Reactor Agreement under DOE Program
• Who Will Clean Up After the Nuclear Plants?
• In New England, a Natural Gas Trap
• U-S Natural Gas Supplies Fell Last Week
• J.D. Power & Associates Reports: State Governments & Electric Utilities Provided More Effective Emergency Responsiveness during Hurricane Sandy than Local & Federal Governments
• California - Study Proves Predation as Drain on Native Salmon
• Jefferson County ‘Getting Closer’ to Net-Pen Permits
• Survey Finds That Fish Are Often Not What Label Says
• Pacific Salmon is British Columbia’s Official Fish
• Editorial - Roll On, Oregon House Republicans, Roll On
• Washington River among New York Times’ 46 Top World Destinations
• Chinese Dare Officials to Swim in Polluted
• Jay Inslee, Washington State Legislature Working to Keep the Evergreen State Ever Green
• Washington State Investment Board Admits Alternative Energy Not a Good Investment
• Iceland Looks to Export Power Bubbling From Below
• Why Is Gaia Angry With Me? Baby Boomers Produce Highest Carbon Emissions
• Seattle Will Pay $500,000 to Settle Yellow Pages Lawsuit
• Oregon - Forest Grove Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Finish First Year with More than 70 Charges
• Presto! Alaska Inventor Turns Wood Stove Heat into Electricity
• Kansas City Fiber Dig Causes Massive Gas Explosion - Kills One Local, Injures Fifteen Others
• Apple Moves Rapidly on Its Oregon Data Center
• FCC Approves Wireless Signal Boosters, With Caveats
• NTCA: Uncertainty Drove 69% of Rural Telcos to Cancel Projects
• Cable Is Taking the Fast Train to Oblivion
• FCC Broadband Performance Report Shows Improvement But Misses Big Picture – How do We Stack Up?
• Tech Predictions for 2013: It’s All About Mobile
• Where Life is Tweet: Study Ranks #Happy Places
• Despite Appearances the Washington Legislature is Working on the Budget
• Snohomish County Council Strips Reardon of Control over Tech Operations
• Norm Dicks Says His Six-Figure Pension is Fair
• Bickering, Lax Oversight Contributed to $800,000 Oregon City Error, Report Contends
• Winter Storm to Blow into Washington Friday
• Special Weather Statement for Western Washington
• Skokomish Tribe Sues State over Hunting Rights
• Copper Wire Stolen from Sea-Tac Runway Lighting System
• Four-Year-Old Girl Rescues Younger Sister from Crash That Killed Mother
• Mason County Seniors to Purchase Pavilion for New Center
• Everett Baristas Accused of Serving More than Coffee
• City of Shelton Looking Into Regulations for Bikini Baristas
• Two Major U-S Companies Charged in ‘Honeygate’

WORD OF THE DAY

Bogart • \BOE-gart\ • Verb - 1: bully 2: to use or consume without sharing.

The Girl Scout cookies I purchased at work are going home today. I will try not to bogart the tasty tidbits from the rest of the household.

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

New California Power Sales Ruling Could Cost BPA More than $60 Million (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/new-ruling-could-cost-bpa-more-than-60m/

Warm Weather Contributes to Avista’s Lower 2012 Income (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/feb/20/warm-weather-contributes-lower-2012-income-avista/

Obama Settles on EPA, Energy Department Nominees: Source (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/20/us-obama-cabinet-epa-energy-idUSBRE91J0ZE20130220

Wenatchee Substation Project Will Provide More Reliable Service to Alcoa, Support Local Jobs (North Central Washington TV)

http://www.ncwtv.com/substation-project-will-provide-more-reliable-service-to-alcoa-support-local-jobs-6410/

Including $2.9 Million for Alaska’s Kotzebue Electric Association - Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding to Improve Rural Electric Service for Customers in 12 States (USDA)

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2013/02/0027.xml&contentidonly=true

Editors Rebel against Ratepayer Financing for Nuclear Plants (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2013/02/20/editors-rebel-against-ratepayer-financing-for-nuclear-plants/

Tennessee Valley Authority, B&W Sign Small Modular Reactor Agreement under DOE Program (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=208002&issueID=26958

Who Will Clean Up After the Nuclear Plants? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0220/Who-will-clean-up-after-the-nuclear-plants

In New England, a Natural Gas Trap (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/16/business/electricity-costs-up-in-gas-dependent-new-england.html

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

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/02/21/2283619/us-natural-gas-supplies-fell-last.html

J.D. Power & Associates Reports: State Governments & Electric Utilities Provided More Effective Emergency Responsiveness during Hurricane Sandy than Local & Federal Governments (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=169104

FISH & WILDLIFE

California - Study Proves Predation as Drain on Native Salmon (Western Farm Press)

http://westernfarmpress.com/government/study-proves-predation-drain-native-salmon

Jefferson County ‘Getting Closer’ to Net-Pen Permits (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130221/NEWS/302219991/jefferson-county-getting-closer-to-net-pen-permits

Survey Finds That Fish Are Often Not What Label Says (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/us/survey-finds-that-fish-are-often-not-what-label-says.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Pacific Salmon is British Columbia’s Official Fish (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/pacific-salmon-is-b-c-s-official-fish-1.77712

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Editorial - Roll On, Oregon House Republicans, Roll On (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2013/02/steve_duin_roll_on_oregon_hous.html

Washington River among New York Times’ 46 Top World Destinations (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2013/02/19/washington-river-among-ny-times%E2%80%99-46-top-world-destinations/#10058-34

Chinese Dare Officials to Swim in Polluted Rivers (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020398344_apaschinapollutedrivers.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Jay Inslee, Washington State Legislature Working to Keep the Evergreen State Ever Green (Seattle Times, WA)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/02/21/working-to-keep-the-evergreen-state-ever-green/

Washington State Investment Board Admits Alternative Energy Not a Good Investment (Seattle Times)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/02/21/alternate-energy-a-good-investment/

Iceland Looks to Export Power Bubbling From Below (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/world/europe/iceland-weighs-exporting-the-power-bubbling-from-below.html?pagewanted=all

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Why Is Gaia Angry With Me? Baby Boomers Produce Highest Carbon Emissions (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/15/booming/baby-boomers-produce-highest-carbon-emissions.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Seattle Will Pay $500,000 to Settle Yellow Pages Lawsuit (Seattle Times, WA)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/02/seattle-will-pay-500000-to-settle-yellow-pages-lawsuit/

Oregon - Forest Grove Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Finish First Year with More than 70 Charges (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/forest-grove/index.ssf/2013/02/forest_grove_electric_vehicle.html

Presto! Alaska Inventor Turns Wood Stove Heat into Electricity (Alaska Dispatch)

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/presto-alaska-inventor-turns-wood-stove-heat-electricity

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Kansas City Fiber Dig Causes Massive Gas Explosion - Kills One Local, Injures Fifteen Others (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Kansas-City-Fiber-Dig-Causes-Massive-Gas-Explosion-123221

Apple Moves Rapidly on Its Oregon Data Center (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2013/02/apple_moves_rapidly_on_its_ore.html

FCC Approves Wireless Signal Boosters, With Caveats (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/02/20/fcc-signal-boosters/

NTCA: Uncertainty Drove 69% of Rural Telcos to Cancel Projects (Telecompetitor)

http://www.telecompetitor.com/ntca-uncertainty-drove-69-of-rural-telcos-to-cancel-projects/

Cable Is Taking the Fast Train to Oblivion (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/02/17/michael-wolff-cables-fast-train-to-oblivion/1926749/

FCC Broadband Performance Report Shows Improvement But Misses Big Picture – How do We Stack Up? (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markgibbs/2013/02/20/fcc-broadband-performance-report-shows-improvement-but-misses-big-picture/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Tech Predictions for 2013: It’s All About Mobile (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/tech-predictions-for-2013-its-all-about-mobile/

Where Life is Tweet: Study Ranks #Happy Places (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/20/happiest-cities-geotags-twitter/1933587/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Despite Appearances the Washington Legislature is Working on the Budget (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2207863

Snohomish County Council Strips Reardon of Control over Tech Operations - Move follows revelations of apparent online harassment of political enemies (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130220/NEWS01/702209905

Norm Dicks Says His Six-Figure Pension is Fair (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/02/21/2483385/rep-dicks-says-his-six-figure.html

Bickering, Lax Oversight Contributed to $800,000 Oregon City Error, Report Contends – “…staffed with employees who for whatever reason dislike each other or had no desire to work together…” (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-city/index.ssf/2013/02/dysfunction_lax_oversight_cont.html

GENERAL NEWS

Winter Storm to Blow into Washington Friday (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/50412-winter-storm-to-blow-into-washington-friday-

Special Weather Statement for Western Washington (National Weather Service)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/02/special-weather-statement-for-western.html

Skokomish Tribe Sues State over Hunting Rights (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/feb/20/skokomish-tribe-sues-state-over-hunting-rights/

Copper Wire Stolen from Sea-Tac Runway Lighting System (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Copper-wire-stolen-from-Sea-Tac-runway-lighting-system-192058141.html

Four-Year-Old Girl Rescues Younger Sister from Crash That Killed Mother (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2013/02/20/4-year-old-girl-rescues-younger-sister-from-crash-that-killed-mother/

Mason County Seniors to Purchase Pavilion for New Center (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/50397-seniors-to-purchase-pavilion

Everett Baristas Accused of Serving More than Coffee (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/3-Everett-Baristas-accused-of-serving-more-than-coffee-192190891.html

City of Shelton Looking Into Regulations for Bikini Baristas (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/9266

Two Major U-S Companies Charged in ‘Honeygate’ (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2020398689_honeystingxml.html

DIVERSIONS

Ancient Wine Press Possibly Found Under Tel Aviv City Street

http://news.yahoo.com/ancient-wine-press-possibly-found-under-tel-aviv-170047765.html

Man Riding Motorized Shopping Cart Accused of Setting Fire inside Wal-Mart as Diversion to Shoplift

http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2013/02/20/whitehall-man-riding-motorized-shopping-cart-accused-of-setting-fire-inside-walmart-as-diversion-to-shoplift.html

Seattle Fish Thrower Becomes Surprising Commercial Star (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Pike-Place-Market-fish-thrower-becomes-commercial-star-191930871.html

The Most Expensive Starbucks Drink Seems Like an Unappetizing, Bad Idea

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2205952

SONG OF THE DAY

Eric Burdon & War - Spill the Wine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W77Kwh6f0TE