Energy News Digest for July 22, 2013

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for July 22, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/07/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-july_22.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Ray of Hope for Smaller Utilities Seeking to Lighten Regulatory Load: FERC Rejects Registration of Southern Louisiana Co-op (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

http://www.energynaturalresourceslaw.com/2013/07/ray-of-hope-for-smaller-utilities-seeking-to-lighten-regulatory-load-ferc-rejects-registration-of-so.html

Fitch: Bonneville Power Administration Removals Hold Limited Credit Concerns (Yahoo! Finance)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fitch-bonneville-power-removals-hold-161100191.html

Oregon: Shepherds Flat Developers Took Full Advantage Federal, State & Local Taxpayer Subsidies to Fund $2 Billion Wind Farm (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/07/shepherds_flat_wind_farm_devel.html

Drought, High Temperatures Kill 60 Percent of Wild Chinook in Middle Fork John Day River (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/427522.aspx

E-Rate: FCC Backs Plan to Update a Fund That Helps Connect Schools to the Internet (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/20/business/media/fcc-backs-plan-to-update-a-fund-that-helps-connect-schools-to-the-internet.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Ray of Hope for Smaller Utilities Seeking to Lighten Regulatory Load: FERC Rejects Registration of Southern Louisiana Co-op
• Fitch: Bonneville Power Administration Removals Hold Limited Credit Concerns
• Montana: Bonneville Power Administration Shuts Down Power Line for Crews to Work West Mullan Fire
• California May Recover Millions if JP Morgan Settles with FERC
• July 23 Webinar Reviews Columbia River Treaty Draft
• Oregon: Bond Refinancing to Save Emerald PUD $3 Million
• New Commander Named to Head Army Corps’ Northwestern Division
• Powerful History – Hydroelectricity from the Skagit River
• Rising Natural Gas Prices Boost Electric Prices
• Moniz Reshuffles Department of Energy Management
• New Jersey: Early Retirement for Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant?
• Maryland: Pepco’s New Advance Infrastructure Surcharge a First in the State
• Industry Groups Seek Emergency Delay of “Critical Infrastructure Protection” Version 4 Cybersecurity Standards
• Maryland: In Baltimore's Booming Neighborhoods, Growth Comes with Power Outages
• Drought, High Temperatures Kill 60 Percent of Wild Chinook in Middle Fork John Day River
• Washington State Governor Inslee Picks Salmon Recovery Coordinator
• Visiting Orcas Thrill Kitsap County Crowds as They Fearlessly Hunt Seals
• Bonneville Power Administration Gives $20,000 toward Kennewick Salmon Project
• Puget Sound Waters to Run Red near Joint Base Lewis McChord
• Power Outage Causes Sewage Spill into Everett's Port Gardner Bay
• Federal Officials Seek Fire Protection for Water Supplies
• Chelan County PUD Launches New Tool for Lake-Level Watchers
• Oregon: Future of Mirror Pond Dam Remains Murky
• Oregon: Shepherds Flat Developers Took Full Advantage Federal, State & Local Taxpayer Subsidies to Fund $2 Billion Wind Farm
• Oregon: Editorial - Wind Farms Pose Too Big a Risk for County
• Wind Farm Bird Deaths More Than Thought
• More in Snohomish County Getting Power from Solar Panels
• Lodi May Be Testing Ground for Pacific Gas & Electric Company Compressed Air Power Plant
• Complaint Tests Utilities' Pull As Indiana Advocates Push for More Renewable Energy
• Heartland Institute Study: Consumers Unwilling to Pay More for Renewable Energy
• Carbon-Cost Change Seen by Republicans as Raising Prices
• Does the CIA Want to Control the Weather?
• E-Rate: FCC Backs Plan to Update a Fund That Helps Connect Schools to the Internet
• Intel Sees Opportunity in Data Centers
• Apple Developer Website Taken Down After Hacker Attack
• Op/Ed – U-S World Leader in Broadband Connections
• Instagram Looks to Hire D-C Manager, Become Destination for Political Content
• What If You Could Only Communicate Using Internet Memes? Welcome to Yarrly
• Inslee Adminstration Set to Debut Strategic Plan Next Month
• Two Deaths in Olympic National Park over Weekend
• Pavement Repairs on Shelton’s 101 Ramps
• Amid Safety Concerns, Big Port of Vancouver Oil Shipping Terminal Is Up for Approval this Week
• Portland Smokers Who Light Up on Oxygen Therapy Spark Alarming Trend
• Mars Heist: Red Planet Was Robbed of Most of Its Atmosphere Billions of Years Ago

WORD OF THE DAY

Irascible • \ir-RASS-uh-bul\ • Adjective - Marked by hot temper & easily provoked anger

Irascible: see the comic Lewis Black…or Don Rickles.

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

Ray of Hope for Smaller Utilities Seeking to Lighten Regulatory Load: FERC Rejects Registration of Southern Louisiana Co-op (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

http://www.energynaturalresourceslaw.com/2013/07/ray-of-hope-for-smaller-utilities-seeking-to-lighten-regulatory-load-ferc-rejects-registration-of-so.html

FERC Ruling on South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association Deregistration from Bulk Power System Regulations (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - Links to site to view ruling)

https://sites.google.com/site/newsdigestcafe/southern-louisiana-electric-cooperative

Fitch: Bonneville Power Administration Removals Hold Limited Credit Concerns (Yahoo! Finance)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fitch-bonneville-power-removals-hold-161100191.html

Montana: Bonneville Power Administration Shuts Down Power Line for Crews to Work West Mullan Fire (KECI-TV, Missoula, MT)

http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/bpa-shuts-down-power-line-for-crews-to-work-west-mullan-fire/-/14594602/21093466/-/x0wm2oz/-/index.html

California May Recover Millions if JP Morgan Settles with FERC (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/20/5581383/california-may-recover-millions.html

July 23 Webinar Reviews Columbia River Treaty Draft (Capital Press)

http://www.capitalpress.com/content/mw-Treaty-webinar-brief-071013

Oregon: Bond Refinancing to Save Emerald PUD $3 Million (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=226267&issueID=27064

New Commander Named to Head Army Corps’ Northwestern Division (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/427513.aspx

Powerful History – Hydroelectricity from the Skagit River (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, WA)

http://www.individual.com/storyrss.php?story=179276908&hash=283fcaffc5a30bb60d701e775fd0dfca

Rising Natural Gas Prices Boost Electric Prices (Associated Press)

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/20/3511212/rising-natural-gas-prices-boosts.html

Moniz Reshuffles Department of Energy Management (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/moniz-reshuffles-department-energy-management-0

New Jersey: Early Retirement for Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant? (Asbury Park Press, NJ)

http://www.app.com/article/20130717/NJNEWS/307170126/Early-retirement-for-Oyster-Creek-

Maryland: Pepco’s New Advance Infrastructure Surcharge a First in the State (Gaithersburg Gazette, MD)

http://www.gazette.net/article/20130719/NEWS/130718906/1029/pepco-x2019-s-new-advance-surcharge-a-first-in-the-state&template=gazette

Industry Groups Seek Emergency Delay of “Critical Infrastructure Protection” Version 4 Cybersecurity Standards (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=227063&issueID=27064

Maryland: In Baltimore's Booming Neighborhoods, Growth Comes with Power Outages (Baltimore Sun, MD)

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-07-20/news/bs-md-ci-power-outages-demand-20130720_1_upper-fells-point-power-outages-baltimore-gas

FISH & WILDLIFE

Drought, High Temperatures Kill 60 Percent of Wild Chinook in Middle Fork John Day River (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/427522.aspx

Washington State Governor Inslee Picks Salmon Recovery Coordinator (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/07/20/2630331/inslee-picks-salmon-recovery-coordinator.html

Visiting Orcas Thrill Kitsap County Crowds as They Fearlessly Hunt Seals (Seattle Times - Paywall Advisory – who was fearlessly hunting seals; the crowds or the Orcas?)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021431408_transientorcasxml.html

Bonneville Power Administration Gives $20,000 toward Kennewick Salmon Project (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/07/20/2479317/bpa-gives-20000-toward-kennewick.html

Puget Sound Waters to Run Red near Joint Base Lewis McChord (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5779

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Power Outage Causes Sewage Spill into Everett's Port Gardner Bay (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Power-outage-causes-sewage-spill-into-Everetts-Port-Gardner-Bay-216307381.html

Federal Officials Seek Fire Protection for Water Supplies (Associated Press)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/07/20/2662730/federal-officials-seek-fire-protection.html

Chelan County PUD Launches New Tool for Lake-Level Watchers (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/jul/19/pud-launches-new-tool-for-lake-level-watchers/

Oregon: Future of Mirror Pond Dam Remains Murky (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/future-of-mirror-pond-dam-remains-murky/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon: Shepherds Flat Developers Took Full Advantage Federal, State & Local Taxpayer Subsidies to Fund $2 Billion Wind Farm (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/07/shepherds_flat_wind_farm_devel.html

Oregon: Editorial - Wind Farms Pose Too Big a Risk for County (Baker City Herald, OR)

http://www.bakercityherald.com/Editorials/Wind-farms-pose-too-big-a-risk-for-county

Wind Farm Bird Deaths More Than Thought (Birdwatch News)

http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/channel/newsitem.asp?c=11&cate=__14606

More in Snohomish County Getting Power from Solar Panels (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130721/NEWS01/707219903/0/sports01

Lodi May Be Testing Ground for Pacific Gas & Electric Company Compressed Air Power Plant (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)

http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_e44ab8c4-a6e0-551c-9db6-19af048dc034.html

Complaint Tests Utilities' Pull As Indiana Advocates Push for More Renewable Energy (Indianapolis Star, IN)

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/0f7a23ed67c84728a18d012401331be9/IN--Exchange-Renewable-Energy-Battles/

Heartland Institute Study: Consumers Unwilling to Pay More for Renewable Energy (Heartland Institute)

http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2013/07/21/study-consumers-unwilling-pay-more-renewable-energy

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Carbon-Cost Change Seen by Republicans as Raising Prices (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-18/carbon-cost-change-seen-by-republicans-as-raising-prices.html

Does the CIA Want to Control the Weather? (RedOrbit)

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112902362/cia-weather-climate-change-global-warming-manipulation-control-071913/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

E-Rate: FCC Backs Plan to Update a Fund That Helps Connect Schools to the Internet (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/20/business/media/fcc-backs-plan-to-update-a-fund-that-helps-connect-schools-to-the-internet.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Intel Sees Opportunity in Data Centers (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2013/07/intel-sees-opportunity-in-data-centers.html

Apple Developer Website Taken Down After Hacker Attack (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-22/apple-developer-website-taken-down-after-hacker-attack.html

Op/Ed – U-S World Leader in Broadband Connections (The Detroit News, MI)
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130719/OPINION01/307190007

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram Looks to Hire D-C Manager, Become Destination for Political Content (Ad Age)

http://adage.com/article/digital/instagram-destination-political-content/243182/

What If You Could Only Communicate Using Internet Memes? Welcome to Yarrly (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2013/07/20/what-if-you-could-only-communicate-using-internet-memes-welcome-to-yarrly/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Inslee Adminstration Set to Debut Strategic Plan Next Month - New Effort Dovetails With Lean Management Initiative (Washington Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/inslee-adminstration-set-to-debut-strategic-plan-next-month-new-effort-dovetails-with-lean-management-initiative/

GENERAL NEWS

Two Deaths in Olympic National Park over Weekend (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/8867

Pavement Repairs on Shelton’s 101 Ramps (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/2739-pavement-repairs-on-101-ramps

Amid Safety Concerns, Big Port of Vancouver Oil Shipping Terminal Is Up for Approval this Week (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/07/amid_safety_concerns_big_port.html

Portland Smokers Who Light Up on Oxygen Therapy Spark Alarming Trend (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/07/smokers_who_light_up_while_rec.html

Mars Heist: Red Planet Was Robbed of Most of Its Atmosphere Billions of Years Ago (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2013/0719/Mars-heist-Red-Planet-was-robbed-of-most-of-its-atmosphere-billions-of-years-ago

DIVERSIONS

This Is Earth from 900 Billion Miles Away

http://mashable.com/2013/07/22/earth-saturn-nasa-cassini/

Star Wars Home of Anakin Skywalker Threatened by Dune

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23375344

Another 'Super Moon' to be Visible Monday Night

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Another-super-moon-to-be-visible-Monday-night-216368091.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Mozart-Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehqc17iiBBU

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Energy News Digest for July 19, 2013

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for July 19, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/07/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-july_19.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

U-S House Oversight Committee to Investigate Bonneville Power Administration Hiring Problems & Retaliation against Whistleblowers (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/07/house_oversight_committee_to_i.html

Oregon Congressman DeFazio Wins Top Democratic Position on House Natural Resources Committee (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2013/07/rep_defazio_wins_top_democrati.html

British Columbia Smart Meter Holdouts Have Other Options But at a Cost (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/07/18/bc-smart-meters.html

Effort Underway to Form Portland Public Utility District (KXL Radio, Portland, OR)

http://www.kxl.com/07/18/13/Effort-Underway-to-Form-Portland-PUD/landing.html

Oyster House in Ashes - Raging Fire Destroys Landmark Olympia Seafood Restaurant (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Raging-fire-destroys-landmark-Olympia-seafood-restaurant--216154361.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• U-S House Oversight Committee to Investigate Bonneville Power Administration Hiring Problems & Retaliation against Whistleblowers
• British Columbia Smart Meter Holdouts Have Other Options But at a Cost
• Fallout over California Nuclear Energy Debacle Underway
• California Keeps Its Energy Cool in Summer Scorcher
• Seattle Engineering Students Win Awards for Seattle City Light Projects
• Editorial – Columbia River; Just the Way it Flows
• New England poised for energy-use record
• Massachusetts - Seawater Temps Too High for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Cooling
• NRC Cites Tennessee Valley Authority Again at Nation’s Worst-Rated Nuclear Plant
• Southern Company Challenged on Nuclear Plant Costs
• Colorado - Boulder Staff Urges City to Create Utility
• Xcel Energy Criticizes Boulder’s Ability to Provide Efficient, Cheap Power
• Congratulations, Utilities! Customer Satisfaction is Way In in the U-S
• Who Decides How Your Power is Generated, Priced & Delivered?
• Oregon Congressman DeFazio Wins Top Democratic Position on House Natural Resources Committee
• ‘Blackfish’ Centers on the Dangers of Orcas in Captivity
• Effort Underway to Form Portland Public Utility District
• U-S Senate Confirms Gina McCarthy as EPA Administrator
• Snohomish County Septic Firm Fined for Dumping Waste
• Washington State Legislature Extends Renewable Energy Tax Benefits
• China’s Feud with West on Solar Leads to Tax
• Americans Continue to Use More Renewable Energy Sources
• Is Renewable Energy Just ‘Hamburger Helper’?
• Renewable Energy in Spain: The Cost Del Sol - Sustainable Energy Meets Unsustainable Costs
• Britain to Limit Funding for New Power-Only Biomass Plants
• NEEA Continues to Deliver Lasting Market Change to the Northwest
• Are Geothermal Heat Pumps Ready for the Mainstream?
• Energy Efficiency Could Be Lifeline for Aging Paper Mills
• Pacific Northwest Key in Fight against Climate Change, Environmentalist Says
• Washington State Governor’s Climate Change Workgroup Selects National & International Programs to be Studied
• Carbon Tax Gaining Popularity, But Not With Lawmakers
• Disbelief on Farm in Climate Change
• Wretched Week for a Typical Trio of Climate Contrarians
• Oregon - St. Helens Couple Goes Off the Grid in Eco Dome
• Cover Your Eyes: NASA, ESA Set to Bring Broadband Speeds to Space Using Lasers
• Microsoft Stock Slides As Company Books $900 Million Loss on Surface Tablet
• Rural Areas Feel “Government Disconnect”
• U-S Interior Secretary Jewell Dives into Pressing Issues
• Long-Suffering Detroit Finally Turns to Bankruptcy
• GOP Says Washington State Congresswoman Is in Trouble - In Illinois
• Oyster House in Ashes - Raging Fire Destroys Landmark Olympia Seafood Restaurant
• Montana - Evacuation Zone Widens near Superior Fire
• Lightning Strikes Injure Ten in Colorado, Three in Montana
• Drought Conditions Expand Across Inland Pacific Northwest
• Heat Wave Spreads across U-S. When Will It End?
• Cute Little Voter Stickers Go the Way of the Dodo
• Beneath Soothing Lavender, A Tiff in Sequim

WORD OF THE DAY

Umbrage • \um-BRIDGE\ • Noun - 1: shade, shadow 2 a: vague suggestion: hint b: a reason for doubt 3: a feeling of resentment at some often fancied slight or insult

“A slight of the first order,” sniffed the designer to her fresh-faced digital design assistant. “When I say an RGB of 152-0-46, I mean it. NOT this dreck of 151-0-46.” The umbrage felt by the rookie designer was slightly eased by the fact that her boss was wearing a clashing yellow shirt with an ugly, bright PURPLE tie.

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 Oversight Committee to Investigate Bonneville Power Administration Hiring Problems & Retaliation against Whistleblowers (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/07/house_oversight_committee_to_i.html

British Columbia Smart Meter Holdouts Have Other Options But at a Cost (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/07/18/bc-smart-meters.html

Fallout over California Nuclear Energy Debacle Underway (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2013/07/19/fallout-over-nuclear-energy-debacle-underway/?ss=business:energy

California Keeps Its Energy Cool in Summer Scorcher (National Geographic Magazine)

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2013/07/130717-california-heat-wave-electric-grid/

Seattle Engineering Students Win Awards for Seattle City Light Projects (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=225987&issueID=27063

Editorial – Columbia River; Just the Way it Flows (Grand Coulee Star, WA)

http://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2013/07/17/opinion/just-the-way-it-flows/2646.html

New England poised for energy-use record (New Hampshire Union-Leader)

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130718/NEWS05/130719244

Massachusetts - Seawater Temps Too High for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Cooling (Cape Cod Online, MA)

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130718/NEWS/307180318

NRC Cites Tennessee Valley Authority Again at Nation’s Worst-Rated Nuclear Plant (Chattanooga Times-Free Press, TN)

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/jul/18/tva-cited-again/

Southern Company Challenged on Nuclear Plant Costs (Associated Press)

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/18/3506383/southern-co-challenged-on-nuclear.html

Colorado - Boulder Staff Urges City to Create Utility (Denver Business Journal, CO)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/morning_call/2013/07/boulder-staff-urges-city-to-create.html

Xcel Energy Criticizes Boulder’s Ability to Provide Efficient, Cheap Power (Huffington Post)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/16/xcel-city-costs-discount_n_3605553.html

Congratulations, Utilities! Customer Satisfaction is Way In in the U-S (Renew Grid)

http://www.renewgridmag.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.10121#.UegbZ3ddCzc

Who Decides How Your Power is Generated, Priced & Delivered? (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2013/07/18/who-decides-how-your-power-is-generated-priced-and-delivered/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon Congressman DeFazio Wins Top Democratic Position on House Natural Resources Committee (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2013/07/rep_defazio_wins_top_democrati.html

‘Blackfish’ Centers on the Dangers of Orcas in Captivity (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Movies/2013/0719/Blackfish-centers-on-the-dangers-of-orcas-in-captivity

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Effort Underway to Form Portland Public Utility District (KXL Radio, Portland, OR)

http://www.kxl.com/07/18/13/Effort-Underway-to-Form-Portland-PUD/landing.html

U-S Senate Confirms Gina McCarthy as EPA Administrator (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/07/18/senate-confirms-gina-mccarthy-as-next-epa-administrator-in-59-to-40-vote/?wprss=rss_congress&clsrd

Snohomish County Septic Firm Fined for Dumping Waste (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130719/NEWS01/707199901

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Washington State Legislature Extends Renewable Energy Tax Benefits (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/energy/2013/07/17/state-legislature-extends-renewable-energy-tax-benefits/

China’s Feud with West on Solar Leads to Tax (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/19/business/energy-environment/chinas-feud-with-west-on-solar-leads-to-tax.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Americans Continue to Use More Renewable Energy Sources (Phys.Org)

http://phys.org/news/2013-07-americans-renewable-energy-sources.html

Is Renewable Energy Just ‘Hamburger Helper’? (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidferris/2013/07/18/is-renewable-energy-just-hamburger-helper/

Renewable Energy in Spain: The Cost Del Sol - Sustainable Energy Meets Unsustainable Costs (The Economist Magazine)

http://www.economist.com/news/business/21582018-sustainable-energy-meets-unsustainable-costs-cost-del-sol

Britain to Limit Funding for New Power-Only Biomass Plants (Reuters)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/07/18/uk-britain-biomass-subsidies-idUKBRE96H14820130718

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

NEEA Continues to Deliver Lasting Market Change to the Northwest (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/17/5574249/neea-continues-to-deliver-lasting.html

Are Geothermal Heat Pumps Ready for the Mainstream? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2013/07/are-geothermal-heat-pumps-ready-for-the-mainstream?cmpid=rss

Energy Efficiency Could Be Lifeline for Aging Paper Mills (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2013/07/19/energy-efficiency-could-be-lifeline-for-aging-paper-mills/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Pacific Northwest Key in Fight against Climate Change, Environmentalist Says (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/state-and-regional/washington/northwest-key-in-fight-against-climate-change-environmentalist-says/article_f801f8c4-efdd-11e2-ab97-0019bb2963f4.html

Washington State Governor’s Climate Change Workgroup Selects National & International Programs to be Studied (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/governors-climate-change-workgroup-selects-national-and-international-programs-to-be-studied/

Carbon Tax Gaining Popularity, But Not With Lawmakers (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=203361113&ft=1&f=2

Disbelief on Farm in Climate Change (Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, IN)

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130719/EDIT07/307199991/1147/EDIT07

Wretched Week for a Typical Trio of Climate Contrarians (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2013/jul/19/climate-change-contrarian-wretched-week

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Oregon - St. Helens Couple Goes Off the Grid in Eco Dome (KGW TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/St-Helens-couple-goes-off-the-grid-with-an-eco-dome-215606491.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Cover Your Eyes: NASA, ESA Set to Bring Broadband Speeds to Space Using Lasers (Engadget)

http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/18/nasa-esa-to-bring-broadband-speeds-to-space-via-lasers/

Microsoft Stock Slides As Company Books $900 Million Loss on Surface Tablet (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/07/microsoft_stock_slides_as_comp.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Rural Areas Feel “Government Disconnect” (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/2695-rural-areas-feel-government-disconnect

U-S Interior Secretary Jewell Dives into Pressing Issues (Seattle Times - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021422974_jewellvisitxml.html?syndication=rss

Long-Suffering Detroit Finally Turns to Bankruptcy (Associated Press)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/07/19/2476061/long-suffering-detroit-finally.html

GOP Says Washington State Congresswoman Is in Trouble - In Illinois (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2013/07/18/illinois-voters-will-punish-delbene-republicans/

GENERAL NEWS

Oyster House in Ashes - Raging Fire Destroys Landmark Olympia Seafood Restaurant (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Raging-fire-destroys-landmark-Olympia-seafood-restaurant--216154361.html

Montana - Evacuation Zone Widens near Superior Fire (Associated Press)

http://www.khq.com/story/22874417/firefighters-pulled-off-fire-near-superior-eds-apnewsnow-will-be-updated-missoula-mont-ap-strong-winds-accompanying-a-storm-wednesday-afternoon

Lightning Strikes Injure Ten in Colorado, Three in Montana (Associated Press)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/07/18/2475758/lightning-strikes-injure-10-in.html

Drought Conditions Expand Across Inland Pacific Northwest (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/drought-conditions-expand-across-inland-northwest

Heat Wave Spreads across U-S. When Will It End? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Latest-News-Wires/2013/0718/Heat-wave-spreads-across-US.-When-will-it-end

Cute Little Voter Stickers Go the Way of the Dodo (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/07/17/2682292/cute-little-voter-stickers-go.html?storylink=rss

Beneath Soothing Lavender, A Tiff in Sequim (Seattle Times - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021422916_lavenderfestivalxml.html?syndication=rss

DIVERSIONS

Rules of English Spelling - Revealed!

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Verbal-Energy/2013/0717/Rules-of-English-spelling-revealed

Could Snail Slime be France’s Next Miracle Beauty Cure?

http://news.yahoo.com/could-snail-slime-frances-next-miracle-beauty-cure-153054014.html

Colorado Town to Consider Drone Hunting License, Bounty

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/drone-hunting-colorado-172357477.html

Noises in Tourist’s Head Were from Flesh-Eating Maggots (this story is NOT for the faint of heart!)

http://news.yahoo.com/noises-tourists-head-were-flesh-eating-maggots-165941024.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Ella Fitzgerald - Summertime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2bigf337aU

Norah Jones - Summertime

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.