Energy News Digest for March 11, 2014

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

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for March 11, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/03/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-march_11.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Grant PUD: Wanapum Dam Will Not Fail - Managers, Commissioners Speak of Cooperation (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_38b586ec-a686-11e3-ba58-0019bb2963f4.html

Columbia Generating Station Had Three Special Inspections in 2013 (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/03/10/2869361/columbia-generating-station-had.html

Sea Lions Feast on Big Columbia River Smelt Run (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/mar/10/sea-lions-feast-on-big-smelt-run-columbia-river/

Officials: Storms Make Washington State Drought Unlikely (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Officials-Storms-make-Washington-drought-unlikely-249355821.html

GAO: Broadband Stimulus Helped Lower Prices, Boost Speeds (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/GAO-Broadband-Stimulus-Helped-Lower-Prices-Boost-Speeds-128091

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Grant PUD: Wanapum Dam Will Not Fail - Managers, Commissioners Speak of Cooperation
• Irrigation Impacted by Lower Reservoir Water at Wanapum Dam
• Columbia Generating Station Had Three Special Inspections in 2013
• Washington State Supreme Court Hears Final Arguments in Transmission Line Case
• Avista Selects Local Contractor for Upgrades to Historic Post Falls Hydroelectric Development Project
• Planned Outage at Lake Cushman
• Natural Gas Industry Struggles to Keep Promises
• Op/Ed: Snipers Won’t Black Out U-S Power Grid, But Sun May
• BPA: Technology Innovation Recognizes Becker, Barton & Kosterev with Project Awards
• Sea Lions Feast on Big Columbia River Smelt Run
• In Severe Drought Plan, California Salmon May Be Moved by Truck
• Utilities Seek to Save Birds from Power Lines - And Vice Versa
• Light Pollution ‘Affects Bats’ Tropical Seed Dispersal’
• Officials: Storms Make Washington State Drought Unlikely
• Vestas Expects to Add 850 Colorado Workers
• California Electric Grid Sets Solar Generation Record
• Nuclear Energy Rising at the Expense of Renewable Power
• Making It Easier to Plan Offshore Wind Farms
• Biomass Plants: Go Small & It Could Help Stabilize the National Power Grid
• U-S House of Representatives OKs Efficiency Bill for Large Water Heaters
• Gas Prices May Jump from California Emissions Law
• Up All Night: U-S Senate Dems Keep the Lights Lit in Climate Change Talkathon
• Mascot Madness: How Climate Change is Hurting School Spirit
• GAO: Broadband Stimulus Helped Lower Prices, Boost Speeds
• New Fiber Installation Makes North Carolina a ‘Gigabit State’ - With or without Google
• The Future of the Internet: Dark & Ubiquitous
• Comcast: We’re Lobbying Congress for You, the People!
• Utility Spending on Grid Monitoring to Hit $50 Billion by 2023: Navigant Research
• Sheryl Sandberg on Why We Should Ban ‘Bossy’
• 30th District’s Tracey Eide Won’t Seek Re-Election to Washington State Senate
• Law Would Require Officials to Get Training on Public Record Requests
• Seattle Archdiocese, FBI Investigate Data Breach
• Immigrant Hunger Strikers in Washington State Could Be Force-Fed
• Malaysian Military Says Missing Jet Went 300 Miles Off Course
• Avalanche Triggered by Explosives Takes Out Crystal Mountain Chairlift
• Colorado Rakes in $2 Million in Pot Profits for January
• Marijuana News: Pot Growing Operations Gobble Up Industrial Space in Denver

WORD OF THE DAY

Somnambulant • \sawm-NAM-byuh-lunt\ • Adjective - 1: walking or having the habit of walking while asleep 2:  resembling or having the characteristics of a sleepwalker

Matt came to a realization of his surroundings with an abrupt start. Like a somnambulant long-haul trucker, his consciousness returned just before Exit 24 off I-205. “That’s funny,” the fresh faced power supply manager mused. “Last thing I remember was the Hamilton sign at Napavine…”

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

Grant PUD: Wanapum Dam Will Not Fail - Managers, Commissioners Speak of Cooperation (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_38b586ec-a686-11e3-ba58-0019bb2963f4.html

Irrigation Impacted by Lower Reservoir Water at Wanapum Dam (iFiberOne News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/irrigation-impacted-by-lower-reservoir-water-at-wanapum-dam/article_351becde-a89c-11e3-a82d-001a4bcf6878.html

Columbia Generating Station Had Three Special Inspections in 2013 (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/03/10/2869361/columbia-generating-station-had.html

Washington State Supreme Court Hears Final Arguments in Transmission Line Case (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, Oroville, WA)

http://www.gazette-tribune.com/news/supreme-court-hears-final-arguments-in-transmission-line-case/67390/

Avista Selects Local Contractor for Upgrades to Historic Post Falls Hydroelectric Development Project (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/detail_news.php?ID=473566&cat=;90

Planned Outage at Lake Cushman (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/12647-planned-outage-in-lake-cushman

Natural Gas Industry Struggles to Keep Promises (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/natural-gas-industry-struggles-to-keep-promises/2014/03/10/d745714a-a8a3-11e3-8a7b-c1c684e2671f_story.html

Op/Ed: Snipers Won’t Black Out U-S Power Grid, But Sun May (CNBC)

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101480302

BPA: Technology Innovation Recognizes Becker, Barton & Kosterev with Project Awards (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Technology-Innovation-recognizes-Becker-Barton-and-Kosterev-with-project-awards.aspx

FISH & WILDLIFE

Sea Lions Feast on Big Columbia River Smelt Run (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/mar/10/sea-lions-feast-on-big-smelt-run-columbia-river/

In Severe Drought Plan, California Salmon May Be Moved by Truck (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/03/10/6226163/in-severe-drought-plan-california.html

Utilities Seek to Save Birds from Power Lines - And Vice Versa (Midwest Energy News)

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2014/03/11/illinois-utility-protects-birds-from-power-lines-and-vice-versa/

Light Pollution ‘Affects Bats’ Tropical Seed Dispersal’ (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26529564

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Officials: Storms Make Washington State Drought Unlikely (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Officials-Storms-make-Washington-drought-unlikely-249355821.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Vestas Expects to Add 850 Colorado Workers (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2014/03/vestas-expects-to-add-850-colorado.html

California Electric Grid Sets Solar Generation Record (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/10/utilities-california-solar-idUSL2N0M724F20140310

Nuclear Energy Rising at the Expense of Renewable Power (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2014/03/09/nuclear-energy-rising-at-the-expense-of-renewable-power/

Making It Easier to Plan Offshore Wind Farms (Phys.Org)

http://phys.org/news/2014-03-easier-offshore-farms.html

Biomass Plants: Go Small & It Could Help Stabilize the National Power Grid (Science 2.0)

http://www.science20.com/news_articles/biomass_plants_go_small_and_it_could_help_stabilize_national_power_grid-131382

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

U-S House of Representatives OKs Efficiency Bill for Large Water Heaters (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/legislation/house-approves-efficiency-bill-for-large-water-heaters/67504

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Gas Prices May Jump from California Emissions Law (ABC News)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/gas-prices-jump-california-emissions-law-22838029?singlePage=true

Up All Night: U-S Senate Dems Keep the Lights Lit in Climate Change Talkathon (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2014/03/11/on-senate-floor-dems-talk-all-night-about-climate

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Mascot Madness: How Climate Change is Hurting School Spirit (National Wildlife Federation)

http://www.nwf.org/news-and-magazines/media-center/reports/archive/2014/03-11-14-mascot-madness.aspx

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

GAO: Broadband Stimulus Helped Lower Prices, Boost Speeds (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/GAO-Broadband-Stimulus-Helped-Lower-Prices-Boost-Speeds-128091

New Fiber Installation Makes North Carolina a ‘Gigabit State’ - With or without Google (Triangle Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/techflash/2014/03/new-fiber-installation-makes-north-carolina-a.html

The Future of the Internet: Dark & Ubiquitous (Live Science)

http://www.livescience.com/44001-future-of-the-internet.html

Comcast: We’re Lobbying Congress for You, the People! (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Were-Lobbying-Congress-For-You-The-People-128087

Utility Spending on Grid Monitoring to Hit $50 Billion by 2023: Navigant Research (Telecom Engine)

http://www.telecomengine.com/article/utility-spending-grid-monitoring-hit-50-billion-2023-navigant-research

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

Sheryl Sandberg on Why We Should Ban ‘Bossy’ (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2014/03/sheryl-sandberg-on-why-we-should-ban-bossy.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

30th District’s Tracey Eide Won’t Seek Re-Election to Washington State Senate (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023098743_eidedownxml.html?syndication=rss

Law Would Require Officials to Get Training on Public Record Requests (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140311/NEWS01/140319858

GENERAL NEWS

Seattle Archdiocese, FBI Investigate Data Breach (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Seattle-Archdiocese-FBI-investigating-data-breach-249383301.html

Immigrant Hunger Strikers in Washington State Could Be Force-Fed (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/11/us-usa-immigration-washington-idUSBREA2A08N20140311

Malaysian Military Says Missing Jet Went 300 Miles Off Course (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Malaysian-military-says-missing-jet-went-350-miles-off-course-249485371.html

Avalanche Triggered by Explosives Takes Out Crystal Mountain Chairlift (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Avalanche-triggered-by-explosives-takes-out-Crystal-Mountain-chairlift-249380061.html

Colorado Rakes in $2 Million in Pot Profits for January (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Colo-rakes-in-2m-in-pot-sales-for-January-249353491.html

Marijuana News: Pot Growing Operations Gobble Up Industrial Space in Denver (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/03/marijuana_news_pot_growing_ope.html

DIVERSIONS

Colorado Man Could Sue Divers Who Saved Him from Submerged Car

http://gma.yahoo.com/colorado-man-could-sue-divers-saved-him-submerged-214038116--abc-news-topstories.html

Two-Year-Old Saves Mom by Using FaceTime

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/two-year-old-saves-mom-using-facetime/nd9j3/

Family Calls 911 after Crazed Cat Attacks Baby, Holds Owners Hostage

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/family-calls-911-after-crazed-cat-attacks-baby-hol/nd9c9/

Greatest Pharmacist Ever Prescribes Anti-Monster Spray for 6-Year-Old

http://gizmodo.com/greatest-pharmacist-ever-prescribes-anti-monster-spray-1541252081

SONG OF THE DAY

Randy Newman - Monsters Inc. Theme Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0NOWC_wD_Y

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 March 10, 2014

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 March 10, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/03/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-march_10.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Wanapum Dam Stabilized, But Fish Passage & Power Problems Remain Worries (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/03/central_washington_dam_stabili.html

President’s Budget Request Includes $1 Billion for Bureau of Rec; $17 Million Basin Salmon Recovery (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/429927.aspx

Major Sewage Spill Contaminates Port Angeles Harbor (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/9518

Op/Ed: ‘Double Paying’ for Clean Energy Hurts Consumers (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/03/08/3022749/double-paying-for-clean-energy.html

6.9-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off Northern California Coast (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/local/usgs-61-magnitude-earthquake-hits-norcal-coast/nd8zk/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Wanapum Dam Stabilized, But Fish Passage & Power Problems Remain Worries
• British Columbia: Peace River’s Site C Dam Not Approved, Yet BC Hydro Planning Two Work Camps
• Tacoma Could Gain State’s First Natural Gas Liquefaction Plant
• Clark Public Utilities Earns Recognition for Its Service
• Nuclear Plant Safety Improves Despite Lapses, Watchdog Group Says
• After Fukushima, Utilities Prepare for Worst
• Sequim Looks to Expand Utility Box Art Program; Designs, Sponsors Sought
• Eliminating Federal Ties Would Be Credit Negative for Tennessee Valley Authority, Moody’s Says
• Western Area Power Administration Seeks Comments on Draft Strategic Plan for the Next Ten Years
• Check Your Utility Bill for Fraud from This New Scam
• President’s Budget Request Includes $1 Billion for Bureau of Rec; $17 Million Basin Salmon Recovery
• BPA Letter Explains Coded-Wire Tag Funding Policy to Northwest
• Safeway & Kroger Won’t Sell Genetically Engineered Salmon
• Major Sewage Spill Contaminates Port Angeles Harbor
• Kalaloch’s Big Cedar Tree Split by March Storm
• Op/Ed: ‘Double Paying’ for Clean Energy Hurts Consumers
• Nippon Paper Mill Workers Back at Port Angeles Facility; Some Systems Still Coming Online
• Google Reaps Tax Breaks in $1.4 Billion Clean Energy Bet
• Solar Plants Threaten Tortoise, Greens Say
• Mapping the World One Small Hydropower Plant at a Time
• Energy Efficiency Ain’t Got No Respect
• New Baby, What’s the Cost
• Washington State Governor Inslee to GOP: Untwist Knickers over Carbon Standards
• California State Mission: Connecting Electric Vehicles to the Grid
• Idaho to Reimburse Schools That Skipped Wi-Fi Contract
• FCC Seeks Input on Boosting E-Rate Broadband Speeds
• Here’s What Lack Of Broadband Competition Looks Like In Map Form
• For Once, A Facebook Redesign You Shouldn’t Hate
• Facebook: Talking About ‘Us’ & ‘Them’
• Trust in the Internet ‘Now Missing’
• Public Comments: How Much Talk is Too Much?
• OP/Ed: Stop Dinging State Schools for Timber Money
• 6.9-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off Northern California Coast
• Skokomish River Flooding Makes for Hazardous Driving Conditions
• Bible for Business-Site Selectors Overlooks Pacific Northwest
• Transit Ridership Reaches Highest Level since 1956

WORD OF THE DAY

Billingsgate • \BILL-lings-gayt\ • Noun - Coarsely abusive language

Frantically the lion sought to scramble up the bole of the tree. Twice he leaped high enough to catch the lowest branches with his paws but both times, he fell backward to the earth. Each time he became more furious. His growls and roars were incessant and horrible. All the time Tarzan sat grinning down upon him taunting him in jungle billingsgate for his inability to reach him and mentally exulting that always, Numa was wasting his already waning strength.

“Tarzan the Untamed”

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Shelton Area Weather for March 10, 2014

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Wanapum Dam Stabilized, But Fish Passage & Power Problems Remain Worries (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/03/central_washington_dam_stabili.html

British Columbia: Peace River’s Site C Dam Not Approved, Yet BC Hydro Planning Two Work Camps (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/site-c-dam-not-approved-yet-b-c-hydro-planning-two-work-camps-1.887138

Tacoma Could Gain State’s First Natural Gas Liquefaction Plant (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/03/08/3022730/tacoma-could-gain-gas-plant.html

Clark Public Utilities Earns Recognition for Its Service - Award puts utilities in the company of Apple, Amazon (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/mar/09/championing-customers-recognition-for-its-service/

Nuclear Plant Safety Improves Despite Lapses, Watchdog Group Says (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-safety-nuclear-plants-improves-20140307,0,533470.story

After Fukushima, Utilities Prepare for Worst (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/10/business/after-fukushima-utilities-prepare-for-worst.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Sequim Looks to Expand Utility Box Art Program; Designs, Sponsors Sought (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140310/news/303109969/sequim-looks-to-expand-utility-box-art-program-designs-sponsors

Eliminating Federal Ties Would Be Credit Negative for Tennessee Valley Authority, Moody’s Says (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=256890&issueID=34810

Western Area Power Administration Seeks Comments on Draft Strategic Plan for the Next Ten Years (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=256788&issueID=34810

Check Your Utility Bill for Fraud from This New Scam (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/josephsteinberg/2014/03/09/check-your-utility-bill-for-fraud-from-this-new-scam/

FISH & WILDLIFE

President’s Budget Request Includes $1 Billion for Bureau of Rec; $17 Million Basin Salmon Recovery (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/429927.aspx

BPA Letter Explains Coded-Wire Tag Funding Policy to Northwest Congressional Delegation (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/429940.aspx

Safeway & Kroger Won’t Sell Genetically Engineered Salmon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/radio/programs/thinkoutloud/segment/safeway-and-kroger-wont-sell-ge-salmon/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Major Sewage Spill Contaminates Port Angeles Harbor (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/9518

Kalaloch’s Big Cedar Tree Split by March Storm (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/local-news/125075

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Op/Ed: ‘Double Paying’ for Clean Energy Hurts Consumers (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/03/08/3022749/double-paying-for-clean-energy.html

Nippon Paper Mill Workers Back at Port Angeles Facility; Some Systems Still Coming Online (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140310/NEWS/303109981/nippon-paper-mill-workers-back-at-port-angeles-facility-some-systems

Google Reaps Tax Breaks in $1.4 Billion Clean Energy Bet (Bloomberg News)

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-03-10/google-reaps-tax-breaks-in-1-dot-4-billion-clean-energy-bet-tech

Solar Plants Threaten Tortoise, Greens Say (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/03/10/65971.htm

Mapping the World One Small Hydropower Plant at a Time (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/03/mapping-the-world-one-small-hydropower-plant-at-a-time?cmpid=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Efficiency Ain’t Got No Respect (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/03/energy-efficiency-aint-got-no-respect?cmpid=rss

New Baby, What’s the Cost (Portland General Electric)

http://www.portlandgeneral.com/residential/news/articles/2014_february/baby.aspx

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Governor Inslee to GOP: Untwist Knickers over Carbon Standards (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/spincontrol/2014/mar/06/inslee-gop-untwist-knickers-over-carbon-standards/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

California State Mission: Connecting Electric Vehicles to the Grid (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2014/03/07/state-mission-connecting-electric.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Idaho to Reimburse Schools That Skipped Wi-Fi Contract (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/mar/07/idaho-reimburse-schools-skipped-wifi-contract/

FCC Seeks Input on Boosting E-Rate Broadband Speeds (Multichannel News)

http://www.multichannel.com/policy/fcc-seeks-input-boosting-e-rate-broadband-speeds/148728

Here’s What Lack Of Broadband Competition Looks Like In Map Form (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/03/07/heres-what-lack-of-broadband-competition-looks-like-in-map-form/

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

For Once, A Facebook Redesign You Shouldn’t Hate (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/03/09/for-once-a-facebook-redesign-you-shouldnt-hate/?wprss=rss_business

Facebook: Talking About ‘Us’ & ‘Them’ (Facebook)

https://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-data-science/talking-about-us-and-them/10152107038848859

Trust in the Internet ‘Now Missing’ (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-26512369

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Public Comments: How Much Talk is Too Much? (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023076946_publiccommentxml.html

OP/Ed: Stop Dinging State Schools for Timber Money (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2023076747_nealkirbyopedtimbereducationmoneyxxxml.html

GENERAL NEWS

6.9-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off Northern California Coast (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/local/usgs-61-magnitude-earthquake-hits-norcal-coast/nd8zk/

Skokomish River Flooding Makes for Hazardous Driving Conditions (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Skokomish-River-flooding-makes-for-hazardous-driving-conditions-249220951.html

Bible for Business-Site Selectors Overlooks Pacific Northwest (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2023067679_biztaltoncol09xml.html

Transit Ridership Reaches Highest Level since 1956 (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/10/transit-ridership-grew-in-2013/6137911/

DIVERSIONS

Thousands of Bees Attack Woman in California

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Thousands-of-bees-attack-woman-in-California-5300385.php

Seahawks: Tacoma Furniture Store Pays Up for Percy Harvin’s Super Bowl Kick Return

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2473816/Tacoma-furniture-store-pays-up-for-Percy-Harvins-Super-Bowl-kick-return

Shelton’s Paul Bunyan Statue is a Mysterious as its Fabled Namesake (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2014/03/09/shelton-paul-bunyan/

22 Incredible Images Show What the Future Looked Like 100 Years Ago

http://gizmodo.com/22-incredible-images-show-what-the-future-looked-like-1-1538688261

SONG OF THE DAY

Moody Blues - Nights in White Satin (from the Album, Days of Future Passed)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lazdg-eqmQ

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 March 7, 2014

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for March 7, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/03/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-march_7.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Too Many Gawkers Spur Closing of Shoreline near Cracked Wanapum Dam on Columbia River (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/03/too_many_gawkers_spur_closing.html

Washington State Supreme Court Weighs Uses of Public Lands in Okanogan PUD Power Line Case (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

http://methowvalleynews.com/2014/03/06/high-court-weighs-uses-of-public-lands-in-powerline-case/

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes to Pay $18.3M for Kerr Dam; New Name Planned (The Missoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/dd9491d6-a4af-11e3-8d95-001a4bcf887a.html

Anticipated Salmon Run Could Overwhelm Fraser River This Summer, Experts Say (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/anticipated-salmon-run-could-overwhelm-fraser-river-this-summer-experts-say/article17336330/

Tribes Challenge Snohomish PUD Tidal Turbine Proposal (South Whidbey Record, WA)

http://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/news/248634141.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Too Many Gawkers Spur Closing of Shoreline near Cracked Wanapum Dam on Columbia River
• Grant PUD Commissioners Updated on Cracked Wanapum Spillway
• Power Production Stopped at Chelan PUD’s Rock Island Dam
• Washington State Supreme Court Weighs Uses of Public Lands in Okanogan PUD Power Line Case
• Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes to Pay $18.3M for Kerr Dam; New Name Planned
• Michael Ferrier, Mason PUD 1 Lineman Provides Aid to Disaster
• Lewis County PUD Hires New Human Resources Manager
• Alaska: Interior Electric Co-Op Golden Valley Electric Association Scrambling for Fuel Source
• Maryland:  Electric Customers Opting Out of Smart Meters May Be Shocked by Monthly Charges
• EPA Chief Says New U-S Energy Rules Won’t Hobble Business
• Anticipated Salmon Run Could Overwhelm Fraser River This Summer, Experts Say
• Great Salmon Season Projected
• Full Water Supply Predicted for Yakima Basin Irrigators
• Blasting On Hold at Glines Canyon as Elwha River Flows Ten Times Normal
• A Dry California Town Struggles to Save Its Water Supply
• Tribes Challenge Snohomish PUD Tidal Turbine Proposal
• SoloPower Systems Further In the Red after Missing another Payment on $10 Million State Loan
• Solar Panel Maker Is First to Default in China’s Domestic Bond Market
• Benton City LED Lights are Going In
• Climate Consultant Refutes Fuel Cost Increase Assumption
• City of Beaverton Commits to 100% Wind Power
• Can Solar Power Help Marijuana Growers?
• In Tennessee, Four Bills Seek to Reverse Restrictions on Public Broadband
• Texas: Thought of Comcast Merger Scares AT&T into Expanding Gigabit Fiber Service
• Ohio: Holding Your Breath for Google Fiber? Local Network Plans to Offer Speeds Just as Fast
• Kansas City Locals Annoyed by Google Fiber Cabinet Placement
• New Scam Targets Netflix Subscribers
• FCC Seeks Limits on TV Stations, to Curb Cable Costs
• Getty to Let Bloggers and Others Use Photos Free
• Bizarre New Sleep Disorder on the Rise: Sleep Texting
• British Energy Company’s Gassy PSA Is Fracking Hilarious
• North Mason School Leader David Peterson Selected as Next Nampa, Idaho Superintendent
• We “Spring Ahead” Sunday Morning
• Pacific Ocean Smackdown: El Niño versus Polar Vortex?
• Albertsons Merges with Safeway
• Editorial: Simpson Hands Off Its Pulp Mill with Honor
• Judge Dismisses Sequim Woman’s Olympic National Park Shutdown Ticket

WORD OF THE DAY

Vortex • \VORE-tex\ • Noun - A mass of spinning air, liquid, etc., that pulls things into its center.

Unwittingly, the small shop owner’s new lighting created a vortex of controversy. The vintage theater sign, it’s hundreds of blinking and chasing incandescent lights, was unveiled in the trendy hipster neighborhood to the hoots of environmental purists. “You’re killing the planet,” shouted one fellow…his full-length leather coat’s collar flopping around his neck, interfering with his cellphone, various pockets engorged with electronic devices emitting high levels of RF, their batteries packed chock full of a chemical stew that could kill an elephant if released into the environment.

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

Too Many Gawkers Spur Closing of Shoreline near Cracked Wanapum Dam on Columbia River (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/03/too_many_gawkers_spur_closing.html

Grant PUD Commissioners Updated on Cracked Wanapum Spillway (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_2574a112-a550-11e3-b9b1-0019bb2963f4.html

Power Production Stopped at Chelan PUD’s Rock Island Dam (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/energy/article/Power-production-stopped-at-Rock-Island-5297277.php

Washington State Supreme Court Weighs Uses of Public Lands in Okanogan PUD Power Line Case (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

http://methowvalleynews.com/2014/03/06/high-court-weighs-uses-of-public-lands-in-powerline-case/

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes to Pay $18.3M for Kerr Dam; New Name Planned (The Missoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/local/dd9491d6-a4af-11e3-8d95-001a4bcf887a.html

Michael Ferrier, Mason PUD 1 Lineman Provides Aid to Disaster (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/12517-pud1-lineman-provides-aid-to-disaster

Lewis County PUD Hires New Human Resources Manager (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

http://www.chronline.com/news/article_714c401c-a628-11e3-8f88-0019bb2963f4.html

Alaska: Interior Electric Co-Op Golden Valley Electric Association Scrambling for Fuel Source (Alaska Journal of Commerce)

http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/March-Issue-2-2014/Interior-electric-co-op-GVEA-scrambling-for-fuel-source/

Maryland:  Electric Customers Opting Out of Smart Meters May Be Shocked by Monthly Charges (Gaithersburg Gazette, MD)

http://www.gazette.net/article/20140306/NEWS/140309598/-1/electric-customers-opting-out-of-smart-meters-may-be-shocked-by

EPA Chief Says New U-S Energy Rules Won’t Hobble Business (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/06/us-ceraweek-mccarthy-idUSBREA2528V20140306

FISH & WILDLIFE

Anticipated Salmon Run Could Overwhelm Fraser River This Summer, Experts Say (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/anticipated-salmon-run-could-overwhelm-fraser-river-this-summer-experts-say/article17336330/

Great Salmon Season Projected (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140306/NEWS/303069988/lee-horton-8217-s-outdoors-great-salmon-season-projected

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Full Water Supply Predicted for Yakima Basin Irrigators (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/1988085-8/full-water-supply-predicted-for-yakima-basin-irrigators

Blasting On Hold at Glines Canyon as Elwha River Flows Ten Times Normal (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140307/news/303079965/blasting-on-hold-at-glines-canyon-as-elwha-river-flows-10-times-normal

A Dry California Town Struggles to Save Its Water Supply (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/08/us/a-dry-california-town-struggles-to-save-its-water-supply.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Tribes Challenge Snohomish PUD Tidal Turbine Proposal (South Whidbey Record, WA)

http://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/news/248634141.html

SoloPower Systems Further In the Red after Missing another Payment on $10 Million State Loan (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/money/index.ssf/2014/03/solopower_systems_further_in_the_red_after_missing_2nd_straight_payment_on_10_million_state_loan.html

Solar Panel Maker Is First to Default in China’s Domestic Bond Market (NY Times)

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/03/07/solar-panel-maker-is-first-to-default-in-chinas-domestic-bond-market/?partner=rss&emc=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Benton City LED Lights are Going In (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/24910350/benton-city-led-lights-are-going-in

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Consultant Refutes Fuel Cost Increase Assumption (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/03/07/3083633/climate-consultant-refutes-cost.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

City of Beaverton Commits to 100% Wind Power (North America Wind Power)

http://www.nawindpower.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.12694

Can Solar Power Help Marijuana Growers? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2014/03/can-solar-power-help-marijuana-growers?cmpid=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

In Tennessee, Four Bills Seek to Reverse Restrictions on Public Broadband (Ars Technica)

http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/03/in-tennessee-four-bills-seek-to-reverse-restrictions-on-public-broadband/

Texas: Thought of Comcast Merger Scares AT&T into Expanding Gigabit Fiber Service (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/03/07/thought-of-comcast-merger-scares-att-into-expanding-gigabit-fiber-service/

Ohio: Holding Your Breath for Google Fiber? Local Network Plans to Offer Speeds Just as Fast (Cincinnati Business Courier, OH)
http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/03/07/holding-your-breath-for-google-fiber.html

Kansas City Locals Annoyed by Google Fiber Cabinet Placement (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Kansas-City-Locals-Annoyed-by-Google-Fiber-Cabinet-Placement-128050

New Scam Targets Netflix Subscribers (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/new-scam-targets-netflix-subscribers/nd7fG/

FCC Seeks Limits on TV Stations, to Curb Cable Costs (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/07/business/media/fcc-seeks-limits-on-tv-stations-to-curb-cable-costs.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

Getty to Let Bloggers and Others Use Photos Free (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/07/business/media/getty-to-let-bloggers-and-others-use-photos-free.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Bizarre New Sleep Disorder on the Rise: Sleep Texting (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/problemsolver/Bizarre-new-sleep-disorder-on-the-rise-Sleep-Texting--248907711.html

British Energy Company’s Gassy PSA Is Fracking Hilarious (Mashable – Note: flatulence humor…lots of it!)

http://mashable.com/2014/03/06/gassy-psa-fracking/

GENERAL NEWS

North Mason School Leader David Peterson Selected as Next Nampa, Idaho Superintendent (Idaho Press Tribune, Nampa)

http://www.idahopress.com/news/local/david-peterson-selected-as-next-nampa-superintendent/article_67b73748-a612-11e3-a32f-0019bb2963f4.html

We “Spring Ahead” Sunday Morning (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/03/we-spring-ahead-sunday-morning-kela.html

Pacific Ocean Smackdown: El Niño versus Polar Vortex? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2014/0306/Pacific-Ocean-smackdown-El-Nino-vs.-Polar-Vortex

Albertsons Merges with Safeway (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/albertsons-merges-safeway/nd7Z7/

Editorial: Simpson Hands Off Its Pulp Mill with Honor (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/03/07/3083642/simpson-hands-off-its-pulp-mill.html

Judge Dismisses Sequim Woman’s Olympic National Park Shutdown Ticket (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140307/news/303079964/judge-dismisses-sequim-woman-8217-s-olympic-national-park-shutdown

DIVERSIONS

Dufur Five-Year-Old’s Pet Rooster Can Stay ‘For Now’ (livestock issues in Dufer? Really?)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Dufur-5-year-old-Ayla-Macnab-pet-rooster-Dallas-allowed-to-stay--248913501.html

Welcome to Southwest Airlines - Passenger Upset over No First Class Seating Diverts Plane to Portland

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Passenger-upset-over-no-first-class-seating-diverts-plane-to-PDX-248868291.html

One In Ten Americans Think HTML Is an STD, Study Finds

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_25290925

Is Stonehenge Just a Giant Glockenspiel? (For ancient aliens? J)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2014/0306/Is-Stonehenge-just-a-giant-glockenspiel-video

SONG OF THE DAY

Harry Nilsson - Put the Lime in the Coconut

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA9OqUuA6a0

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.