Energy News Digest for February 26, 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 26, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/02/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_26.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Seamless Transition Promised in Jefferson County PUD Electrical Service Takeover (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130226/NEWS/302269994/seamless-transition-promised-in-pud-electrical-service-takeover

Storm Costs Approach $3 Million for Chelan PUD (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/feb/26/storm-costs-approach-3-million-for-pud/

Columbia Managers Dial Back Flows For Spawning Chum to Save Water for Upper Spring Chinook (The Dalles Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2013/feb/25/columbia-managers-dial-back-flows-spawning-chum-sa/

Is the U-S Losing the Broadband Race? As it Turns Out, We Look a Lot Like Danica Patrick (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/halsinger/2013/02/26/is-the-u-s-losing-the-broadband-race-as-it-turns-out-we-look-a-lot-like-danica-patrick/

U-S Senate Schedules Confirmation Hearing on Sally Jewell’s Nomination as Interior Secretary (Associated Press)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/02/26/senate-schedules-confirmation-hearing-on-sally-jewells-nomination-as-interior-secretary/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Seamless Transition Promised in Jefferson County PUD Electrical Service Takeover
• Storm Costs Approach $3 Million for Chelan PUD
• No School at Sehome High Tuesday after Transformer Explodes
• Bonneville Power Administration to Update Vancouver City Council on I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project
• Energy Northwest - The First Amendment Bombs Nuclear Energy by Accident
• Moody’s Downgrades Chelan PUD Debt over Revenue Volatility – But Improves Outlook to Stable
• Texas - Live Wire Electrocutes Kids in Back Yard
• American Electric Power Agrees to Close Three Coal Plants in Emissions Settlement
• National Rural Electric Co-op Association Concerned with FERC Rulings
• Hints from Heloise: Play It Safe Around Electricity
• Energy Revolution Promises to Transform East Africa
• Columbia Managers Dial Back Flows For Spawning Chum to Save Water for Upper Spring Chinook
• The Pinniped Watch: So Far, Only One Sea Lion at Bonneville, Stellers Less Abundant than Past Years
• Pesticides & Pacific Salmon: The Long & Winding Litigation Road Gets Longer as the Fourth Circuit Strikes Down NMFS’s Biological Opinion
• California Oyster Farm Facing Shutdown Wins Reprieve
• Fluoride Referendum Qualifies for Portland’s May 2014 Ballot
• Grant County, REC Silicon Settle Property Tax Fight
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District to Study Residential, Commercial Use of Solar
• A Dam in the Wilderness, a Legislature Out of Control, And Rep. Lindsey Holmes
• Missouri - Clean Energy Advocates Cry Foul over Hydropower Legislation
• Blazing Tires Will No Longer Power Illinois Homes
• On Our Radar: Prison Term for Biodiesel Fraud
• This Billboard Sucks Water Out of the Air & Delivers It to Families Below
• Is the U-S Losing the Broadband Race? As it Turns Out, We Look a Lot Like Danica Patrick
• Millions Said to Be Wasted on U-S Broadband Expansion
• Colorado - Eagle-Net Broadband Controversy Set for Congressional Hearings
• Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 10 Browser Coming to Windows 7 PCs
• Yahoo Renews Debate over Working from Home
• U-S Senate Schedules Confirmation Hearing on Sally Jewell’s Nomination as Interior Secretary
• Partial Merger of Mason County Fire Districts Nine & Six Hits Snag
• Washington State Senate Explores Shift to 401(K)-Style Plans
• Charges over Olympian’s Inappropriate Child Images Dismissed Due to Unlawful Search
• C. Everett Koop, Former Surgeon General, Dies at Age 96

WORD OF THE DAY

Pugilism • \PEW-juh-liz-um\ • Noun – Boxing

“The sweet science,” mused a young Howard Cosell. “Seems like pugilism is more of a sweat science…”

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

Seamless Transition Promised in Jefferson County PUD Electrical Service Takeover (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130226/NEWS/302269994/seamless-transition-promised-in-pud-electrical-service-takeover

Storm Costs Approach $3 Million for Chelan PUD (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/feb/26/storm-costs-approach-3-million-for-pud/

No School at Sehome High Tuesday after Transformer Explodes (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/02/26/2895033/fire-erupts-in-sehome-high-electrical.html

Bonneville Power Administration to Update Vancouver City Council on I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2013/02/bonneville_power_administratio_5.html

Energy Northwest - The First Amendment Bombs Nuclear Energy by Accident (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2013/02/24/the-first-amendment-bombs-nuclear-energy-by-accident/

Moody’s Downgrades Chelan PUD Debt over Revenue Volatility – But Improves Outlook to Stable (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/feb/26/moodys-downgrades-pud-debt-over-revenue-volatility/

Texas - Live Wire Electrocutes Kids in Back Yard (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/02/26/55171.htm

American Electric Power Agrees to Close Three Coal Plants in Emissions Settlement (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/aep-agrees-to-close-3-coal-plants-in-emissions-lawsuit/2013/02/25/a11f1a96-7f5d-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df_story.html

National Rural Electric Co-op Association Concerned with FERC Rulings - Asking for a clarification or rehearing of its final rule on a revised Bulk Electric System definition (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/regulatory-watch/power-regulation/nreca-concerned-with-ferc-rulings/52321

Hints from Heloise: Play It Safe Around Electricity (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/23/5201626/play-it-safe-around-electricity.html

Energy Revolution Promises to Transform East Africa (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21549380

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia Managers Dial Back Flows For Spawning Chum to Save Water for Upper Spring Chinook (The Dalles Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2013/feb/25/columbia-managers-dial-back-flows-spawning-chum-sa/

The Pinniped Watch: So Far, Only One Sea Lion at Bonneville, Stellers Less Abundant than Past Years (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/425155.aspx

Pesticides & Pacific Salmon: The Long & Winding Litigation Road Gets Longer as the Fourth Circuit Strikes Down NMFS’s Biological Opinion (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

http://www.energynaturalresourceslaw.com/2013/02/pesticides-and-pacific-salmon-the-long-and-winding-litigation-road-gets-longer-as-fourth-circuit-str.html

California Oyster Farm Facing Shutdown Wins Reprieve (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/02/26/55193.htm

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Fluoride Referendum Qualifies for Portland’s May 2014 Ballot (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/11/fluoride_referendum_qualifies.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Grant County, REC Silicon Settle Property Tax Fight (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/politics/article_4297eee8-7d33-11e2-8daa-001a4bcf887a.html

Sacramento Municipal Utility District to Study Residential, Commercial Use of Solar (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2013/02/26/smud-solar-grid-residential-commercial.html

A Dam in the Wilderness, a Legislature Out of Control, And Rep. Lindsey Holmes (Alaska Dispatch)

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/dam-wilderness-legislature-out-control-and-rep-lindsey-holmes

Missouri - Clean Energy Advocates Cry Foul over Hydropower Legislation (KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO)

http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=771472

Blazing Tires Will No Longer Power Illinois Homes (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/climate-energy/no-more-burning-tires-illinois/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

On Our Radar: Prison Term for Biodiesel Fraud (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/on-our-radar-prison-term-for-biodiesel-fraud/?partner=rss&emc=rss

This Billboard Sucks Water Out of the Air & Delivers It to Families Below (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/living/this-billboard-sucks-water-out-of-the-air-and-delivers-it-to-families-below/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Is the U-S Losing the Broadband Race? As it Turns Out, We Look a Lot Like Danica Patrick (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/halsinger/2013/02/26/is-the-u-s-losing-the-broadband-race-as-it-turns-out-we-look-a-lot-like-danica-patrick/

Millions Said to Be Wasted on U-S Broadband Expansion (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-26/millions-said-to-be-wasted-on-u-s-broadband-expansion.html

Colorado - Eagle-Net Broadband Controversy Set for Congressional Hearings (Denver Business Journal, CO)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2013/02/25/eagle-net-controversy-set-for.html

Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 10 Browser Coming to Windows 7 PCs (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_22670794/microsofts-internet-explorer-10-browser-coming-windows-7

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Yahoo Renews Debate over Working from Home (Albuquerque Business First, NM)

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/blog/morning-edition/2013/02/yahoo-renews-debate-over-working-at-home.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

U-S Senate Schedules Confirmation Hearing on Sally Jewell’s Nomination as Interior Secretary (Associated Press)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/02/26/senate-schedules-confirmation-hearing-on-sally-jewells-nomination-as-interior-secretary/

GENERAL NEWS

Partial Merger of Mason County Fire Districts Nine & Six Hits Snag (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/50836-partial-merger-of-mcfd-9-with-mcfd-6-hits-snag

Washington State Senate Explores Shift to 401(K)-Style Plans (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/ap/legislative/wash-senate-explores-shift-to-401k-style-plans/nWZLB/

Charges over Olympian’s Inappropriate Child Images Dismissed Due to Unlawful Search (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Child-porn-charges-dismissed-due-to-illegal-search-193078801.html

C. Everett Koop, Former Surgeon General, Dies at Age 96 (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2013/02/c_everett_koop_former_surgeon.html

DIVERSIONS

Awesome Thermochromic Jeans Changes Colors with Heat

http://gizmodo.com/5986889/awesome-thermochromic-jeans-change-colors-with-heat

Bear Grylls Seeks Adventure in Latest Air New Zealand Video

http://mashable.com/2013/02/26/bear-grylls-air-new-zealand/

Just How Incomprehensibly Massive Is the Universe? (Hint: Even Bigger Than That)

http://gizmodo.com/5986798/just-how-incomprehensibly-massive-is-the-universe-hint-even-bigger-than-that

Total Perspective Vortex – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_in_The_Hitchhiker’s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy#Total_Perspective_Vortex

Honey, It’s Electric: Bees Sense Charge on Flowers

http://www.npr.org/2013/02/22/172611866/honey-its-electric-bees-sense-charge-on-flowers?ft=1&f=3

SONG OF THE DAY

Eric Idle - The Galaxy Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIy76M-4txo

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