Energy News Digest for December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas from the Energy News Digest. The digest will be away from the intertubewebs December 24 & 25 for the holidays. May you find peace, love and enjoyment in the season.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 24, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/m5bg8zm

Coastal Flood Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

http://tinyurl.com/lq4vtj4

Goodbye Hawaii, Hello Ridge (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2014/12/goodbye-hawaii-hello-ridge.html

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Mountain Snow Could Slow Christmas Eve Travel (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/mountain-snow-could-slow-christmas-eve-travel/njZhb/

Portland LED Specialist Lands another $1 Million in Investments (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/12/portland-led-specialist-lands-another-1m-in.html

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark Defends Peace River Dam as a 100-Year Plan (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-premier-christy-clark-defends-site-c-as-a-100-year-plan-1.2883064?cmp=rss

Peace River Dam Approval Leaves Two Northern British Columbia Wind Projects Up in the Air (Business Vancouver, BC)

http://www.biv.com/article/2014/12/site-c-approval-leaves-two-northern-bc-wind-projec/

Portland LED Specialist Lands another $1 Million in Investments (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/12/portland-led-specialist-lands-another-1m-in.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. British Columbia Premier Christy Clark Defends Peace River Dam as a 100-Year Plan
2. Public Gets Chance to Comment on New Idaho Power Line West
3. Columbia River PUD Says GM Resigning after Settlement
4. Commissioner Tom Farmer Takes Oath of Office – Mason PUD 3 Board Elects Officers for 2015
5. California: Governor Appoints New President & New Commissioner for Embattled PUC
6. Rhode Island Regulators Approve Steep Electric Rate Increase; Will Phase in 24 Percent over 12 Months
7. Hacking of South Korean Nuclear Reactors Poses No Danger
8. If Cyberwar Erupts, America’s Electric Grid is a Prime Target
9. How Southern Company Generates Electricity
10. Peace River Dam Approval Leaves Two Northern British Columbia Wind Projects Up in the Air
11. Renewable Energy Companies Use New Clout in Statehouses
12. Biomass: Holiday Trees Help Light Co-op Homes
13. Solar Panel Maintenance Poses Unforeseen Challenge in Developing World Electrification
14. Portland LED Specialist Lands another $1 Million in Investments
15. Video: Pot Shops Court Holiday Shoppers
16. Despite Legalization, Illegal Marijuana Grows Continue on Public Lands
17. Map: Cities & Counties That Do & Don’t Allow Marijuana Businesses
18. Climate Change is Melting Mount Rainier’s Glaciers at Unprecedented Rates
19. Restored Forests Breathe Life into Efforts against Climate Change
20. Squirrels & Beavers: Meet the Rodents Making Global Warming Worse
21. How Solar Power & Electric Cars Could Make Suburban Living Awesome Again
22. North Korea Outage a Case Study in Online Uncertainties
23. Phone Companies Would Like to Cut Your Landline Cord for You
24. Cutting the Cord: Happiness Is a Cut Cord, Survey Says
25. The Switchboard: Google & Microsoft Take Aim at Wi-Fi Blocking Hotel Chains
26. Facebook Kicks Off NFL Partnership with Ad-Supported Video Clips
27. Seven Things People Hate about Your Website
28. Instagram Could Be One of the Best Deals of the Last Decade
29. Rieder: Clooney Emerges as Hero in Sony Mess
30. Mountain Snow Could Slow Christmas Eve Travel
31. Garbage Rates, Rogue Trees - The City of Shelton Report for Dec. 23
32. The Interview is Coming to YouTube, Google Play, & Xbox Video Today
33. ‘Nut Rage’: Prosecutors Seek Arrest for Korean Air Executive
34. Why Our Christmas Music is Still Stuck in the 1950s

WORD OF THE DAY

Fissile • \FISS-sull\ • Adjective - 1: capable of being split or divided in the direction of the grain or along natural planes of cleavage 2: capable of undergoing fission

Doctor Ambrose loved his routine afternoon daydreams. Unlike the whimsical imaginings of “Walter Mitty,” a confusing, fissile relationship between dreaming and reality, Ambrose’s daydreams were whiskery and dark. Think “Wizard of Oz” versus “Sin City.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark Defends Peace River Dam as a 100-Year Plan (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-premier-christy-clark-defends-site-c-as-a-100-year-plan-1.2883064?cmp=rss

Public Gets Chance to Comment on New Idaho Power Line West (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/12/23/3557083_public-gets-chance-to-comment.html?rh=1

Columbia River PUD Says GM Resigning after Settlement (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/columbia-river-pud-says-gm-resigning-after-settlement/article_94dd7118-8b47-11e4-b189-9f6c60716c9c.html

Commissioner Tom Farmer Takes Oath of Office – Mason PUD 3 Board Elects Officers for 2015 (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1468

California: Governor Appoints New President & New Commissioner for Embattled PUC (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27195481/governor-appoints-new-president-and-new-commissioner-embattled?source=rss

Rhode Island Regulators Approve Steep Electric Rate Increase; Will Phase in 24 Percent over 12 Months (Associated Press)

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2014/12/23/rhode-island-regulators-approve-steep-electric-rate-increase-will-phase-in-over/

Hacking of South Korean Nuclear Reactors Poses No Danger (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/12/24/hacking-of-south-korean-nuclear-reactors-poses-no-danger/

If Cyberwar Erupts, America’s Electric Grid is a Prime Target (Christian Science Monitor)

http://news.yahoo.com/cyberwar-erupts-americas-electric-grid-prime-target-150319790.html

How Southern Company Generates Electricity (Mother Nature Network)

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/energy/sponsorvideo/how-southern-company-generates-electricity

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Peace River Dam Approval Leaves Two Northern British Columbia Wind Projects Up in the Air (Business Vancouver, BC)

http://www.biv.com/article/2014/12/site-c-approval-leaves-two-northern-bc-wind-projec/

Renewable Energy Companies Use New Clout in Statehouses (Stateline)

http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/state_national_news/renewable-energy-companies-use-new-clout-in-statehouses/article_bed2830c-2c2b-57b5-bfe5-f7284e8d14ad.html

Biomass: Holiday Trees Help Light Co-op Homes (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/efficiency-conservation/environmental-stewardship/holiday-trees-help-light-co-op-homes/76689

Solar Panel Maintenance Poses Unforeseen Challenge in Developing World Electrification (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/adamhashian/2176101/solar-panel-maintenance-poses-unforeseen-challenge-developing-world-electrificat

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Portland LED Specialist Lands another $1 Million in Investments (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/12/portland-led-specialist-lands-another-1m-in.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Video: Pot Shops Court Holiday Shoppers (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/12/23/recreational-marijuana-pot-holiday-shopping/20839499/

Despite Legalization, Illegal Marijuana Grows Continue on Public Lands (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/despite-legalization-illegal-marijuana-grows-continue-public-lands

Map: Cities & Counties That Do & Don’t Allow Marijuana Businesses (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2014/12/04/map-cities-and-counties-that-do-and-dont-allow-marijuana-businesses/#28887101=0

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Change is Melting Mount Rainier’s Glaciers at Unprecedented Rates (Nature World News)

http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/11393/20141222/climate-change-is-melting-mount-rainiers-glaciers-at-unprecedented-rates.htm

Restored Forests Breathe Life into Efforts against Climate Change (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/science/earth/restored-forests-are-making-inroads-against-climate-change-.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Squirrels & Beavers: Meet the Rodents Making Global Warming Worse (The Weather Channel)

http://www.weather.com/science/environment/news/rodents-global-warming-climate-change

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

How Solar Power & Electric Cars Could Make Suburban Living Awesome Again (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/12/24/how-solar-power-and-electric-cars-could-make-suburban-living-awesome-again/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

North Korea Outage a Case Study in Online Uncertainties (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/NKorea-outage-a-case-study-in-online-uncertainties-5977311.php

Phone Companies Would Like to Cut Your Landline Cord for You (Chicago Tribune, IL)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-no-more-landlines-1217-biz-20141217-story.html#page=1

Cutting the Cord: Happiness Is a Cut Cord, Survey Says (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2014/12/20/cutting-the-cord-happiness/20662845/

The Switchboard: Google & Microsoft Take Aim at Wi-Fi Blocking Hotel Chains (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/12/24/the-switchboard-google-and-microsoft-take-aim-at-wifi-blocking-hotel-chains/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Kicks Off NFL Partnership with Ad-Supported Video Clips (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/techflash/2014/12/facebook-kicks-off-nfl-partnership-with-ad.html

Seven Things People Hate about Your Website (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/12/24/website-faux-pas/

Instagram Could Be One of the Best Deals of the Last Decade (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2014/12/23/instagram-could-be-one-of-the-best-deals-of-the-last-decade/

Rieder: Clooney Emerges as Hero in Sony Mess (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/rieder/2014/12/22/george-clooney-emerges-as-hero-in-awful-sony-mess/20757945/

GENERAL NEWS

Mountain Snow Could Slow Christmas Eve Travel (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/mountain-snow-could-slow-christmas-eve-travel/njZhb/

Garbage Rates, Rogue Trees - The City of Shelton Report for Dec. 23 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/20514-city-of-shelton-report-dec-23

The Interview is Coming to YouTube, Google Play, & Xbox Video Today (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/the-interview-is-coming-to-youtube-1674553266

‘Nut Rage’: Prosecutors Seek Arrest for Korean Air Executive (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30595519

Why Our Christmas Music is Still Stuck in the 1950s (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/12/23/why-our-christmas-music-is-still-stuck-in-the-50s/

DIVERSIONS

There’s a Blizzard Warning in Effect For ... Hawaii?!

http://mashable.com/2014/12/24/blizzard-warning-hawaii/

Check to Make Sure That Box Spring You Buy Off Craigslist Doesn’t Come with a Free Cat

http://consumerist.com/2014/12/24/check-to-make-sure-that-box-spring-you-buy-off-craigslist-doesnt-come-with-a-free-cat/

The Origin of the Candy Cane

http://gizmodo.com/the-origin-of-the-candy-cane-1482189978

The Very American History of Christmas Lights

http://gizmodo.com/the-very-american-history-of-christmas-lights-1674051648

SONGS OF THE DAY - From the Ridiculous to the Sublime

Mystery Science Theater 3K/Reddit – Let’s Have a Patrick Swayze Christmas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq8WhYTRbC8

Mystery Science Theater 3K - Merry Christmas; If That’s OK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq8WhYTRbC8

Mel Torme - The Christmas Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wap-4v5CZLM

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 December 23, 2014

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 23, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/mgsfop4

Flood Watch in Effect for Mason County

http://tinyurl.com/l83u55u

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Lawsuits Could ‘Destroy’ Recreational Cannabis in Washington State (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/lawsuits-could-destroy-rec-marijuana-in-washington-state/

Businesses: Carbon Tax Would Impact Citizens (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/12/22/businesses-carbon-tax-would-impact-citizens/20788185/

Chinook Salmon at Risk of Catastrophe Due to Climate Change, UBC Researcher Warns (The Province, Vancouver, BC)
http://www.theprovince.com/technology/environment/Chinook+salmon+risk+catastrophe+climate+change/10673760/story.html

Lawsuit against U-S Army Corps of Engineers Complicates Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Plans in Warrenton (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/12/lawsuit_againts_army_corps_of.html

Storms Bring Massive Amounts of Elwha River Sediment Downstream (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20141223/NEWS/312239990/storms-bring-massive-amounts-of-elwha-river-sediment-downstream

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Lawsuit against U-S Army Corps of Engineers Complicates Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Plans in Warrenton
2. Natural Gas Falls to Two-Year Low with No Cold in Sight
3. Editorial: Could British Columbia’s Peace River Dam’s ‘Clean’ Power Actually Fuel Dirty Energy?
4. Nuclear: Carbon Free, but Not Free of Unease
5. Update: Power Restored - Outage on North Shore Rd West of Belfair
6. Snohomish PUD Offers Safety Reminders for Winter Storms
7. Telephone Scam Targets Vera Water & Power Customers
8. Op/ED: Counting Our Many Blessings at Year’s End
9. Power Giant Alstom to Pay Record $772 Million to Settle Bribery Charges
10. Construction of Central America’s Biggest Hydroelectric Dam is Nearly Finished in Costa Rica
11. Chinook Salmon at Risk of Catastrophe Due to Climate Change, UBC Researcher Warns
12. Storms Bring Massive Amounts of Elwha River Sediment Downstream
13. Every River in the U-S, Colored According to the Way It Flows
14. City of Kittitas Wins Solar Project Funding Grant
15. The Rise & Fall of Wind Power in America
16. Solar & Wind Provide 70 Percent of New US Generating Capacity in November 2014
17. Energy-Storage Plans Gain Ground in California
18. Are Virtual Power Plants the Future of European Utilities?
19. Lawmakers Voice Concerns about Solar Leasing Marketing Strategies in Letter to FTC Chair
20. Lawsuits Could ‘Destroy’ Recreational Cannabis in Washington State
21. Pierce County Pot Ban Upheld by Judge
22. Medical Pot Grower Burglarized Twice in Two Months
23. Tribes Tread Carefully into Marijuana Discussions
24. Nebraska Wants Only Mexican Weed; Suit Means Washington Needs Homegrown
25. Chart of the Week: The Impact of a Holiday on Washington State Marijuana Sales
26. Businesses: Carbon Tax Would Impact Citizens
27. California: Punitive Protest - Will State Gas Prices Soar in Protest of 2015 Environmental Law?
28. Losing Paradise: Climate Change is Changing Mount Rainier
29. Electric Cars Hurt Most among Renewables on Oil’s Slump
30. Composting Requirements, Penalty Fines to Begin in Seattle
31. North Korea’s Internet Links Restored amid U-S Hacking Dispute
32. Downing North Korea’s Internet Not Much of a Scalp
33. The Man Who Can See the Internet
34. “In House” Network Operations Center System Saves PUD $80,000
35. The New ‘Obamaphone’ is Broadband
36. Twitter Shares Jump on Analyst Speculation That Its CEO Won’t Last the Year
37. Please Never Leave Coca-Cola a Voice Mail Again
38. This Infographic Shows How Worried Digital Advertisers Are About Viewability
39. Shelton HS Teacher/Coach Pleads Guilty to Sex Charges
40. Mason County Safeway Stores to Become Haggen
41. Ski Areas Barely Open for Christmas
42. Seattle Unsettled By Massive Drill Tunneling through Downtown
43. Keurig Recalls 6.6 Million Popular Home Brewing Machines
44. Egg Prices Rise as New California Regulations Kick In
45. Do E-Readers Really Harm Sleep? Depends What You Call an E-Reader
46. Sony Announces Limited Release for ‘The Interview’

WORD OF THE DAY

Jostle • \JOSS-sull\ • verb - 1a: to come in contact or into collision b: to make one’s way by pushing & shoving c: to exist in close proximity 2: to vie in gaining an objective: contend

In “A Christmas Carol” the Spirit of Christmas Present used his torch to sprinkle food with the Christmas spirit and dispensed drops of water to restore good humor. This ministration included those who, in the hustle and bustle of the holiday, jostled each other in the humming crowds and became angry about their physical encounters.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Lawsuit against U-S Army Corps of Engineers Complicates Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Plans in Warrenton (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/12/lawsuit_againts_army_corps_of.html

Natural Gas Falls to Two-Year Low with No Cold in Sight (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-22/natural-gas-tops-commodity-losers-as-inventory-surplus-emerges.html

Editorial: Could British Columbia’s Peace River Dam’s ‘Clean’ Power Actually Fuel Dirty Energy? (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/could-b-c-s-site-c-dam-s-clean-power-actually-fuel-dirty-energy-1.2879785?cmp=rss

Nuclear: Carbon Free, but Not Free of Unease (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/23/science/nuclear-carbon-free-but-not-free-of-unease-.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Update: Power Restored - Outage on North Shore Rd West of Belfair (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1467

Snohomish PUD Offers Safety Reminders for Winter Storms (North County Outlook, Marysville, WA)

http://www.northcountyoutlook.com/story/2014/12/24/news/pud-offers-safety-reminders-for-winter-storms/7393.html

Telephone Scam Targets Vera Water & Power Customers (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/27674425/telephone-scam-targets-vera-water-and-power-customers

Op/ED: Counting Our Many Blessings at Year’s End “…Sufficient water supplies kept our electric rates…among the lowest in the world, while providing migrating salmon with ample stream flows…” (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/dec/23/brunell-counting-our-many-blessings-at-years-end/

Power Giant Alstom to Pay Record $772 Million to Settle Bribery Charges (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/power-giant-alstom-to-pay-record-772-million-to-settle-bribery-charges/2014/12/22/a864a68e-89f8-11e4-a085-34e9b9f09a58_story.html?wprss=rss_business

Construction of Central America’s Biggest Hydroelectric Dam is Nearly Finished in Costa Rica (Tico Times, San José, Costa Rica)

http://www.ticotimes.net/2014/12/19/construction-of-central-americas-biggest-hydroelectric-dam-is-nearly-finished-in-costa-rica

FISH & WILDLIFE

Chinook Salmon at Risk of Catastrophe Due to Climate Change, UBC Researcher Warns (The Province, Vancouver, BC)
http://www.theprovince.com/technology/environment/Chinook+salmon+risk+catastrophe+climate+change/10673760/story.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Storms Bring Massive Amounts of Elwha River Sediment Downstream (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20141223/NEWS/312239990/storms-bring-massive-amounts-of-elwha-river-sediment-downstream

Every River in the U-S, Colored According to the Way It Flows (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/every-river-in-the-u-s-colored-according-to-the-way-i-1674447918

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

City of Kittitas Wins Solar Project Funding Grant (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/inbrief/city-of-kittitas-wins-solar-project-funding-grant/article_8789d9f6-87a6-11e4-ab5e-8fb126313556.html

The Rise & Fall of Wind Power in America (Vox)

http://www.vox.com/2014/12/22/7432407/wind-power-tax-credit

Solar & Wind Provide 70 Percent of New US Generating Capacity in November 2014 (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/12/solar-and-wind-provide-70-percent-of-new-us-generating-capacity-in-november-2014?cmpid=rss

Energy-Storage Plans Gain Ground in California (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/22/business/energy-environment/california-picks-energy-storage-over-some-new-power-plant-bids.html?ref=energy-environment&_r=1

Are Virtual Power Plants the Future of European Utilities? (Intelligent Utilities)

http://www.intelligentutility.com/article/14/12/are-virtual-power-plants-future-european-utilities

Lawmakers Voice Concerns about Solar Leasing Marketing Strategies in Letter to FTC Chair (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=300951&issueID=44400

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Lawsuits Could ‘Destroy’ Recreational Cannabis in Washington State (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/lawsuits-could-destroy-rec-marijuana-in-washington-state/

Pierce County Pot Ban Upheld by Judge (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/December-2014/Pierce-pot-ban-upheld-by-judge/

Medical Pot Grower Burglarized Twice in Two Months (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/medical-pot-grower-burglarized-twice-2-months/njYTg/

Tribes Tread Carefully into Marijuana Discussions (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20141222/BIZ02/141229739

Nebraska Wants Only Mexican Weed; Suit Means Washington Needs Homegrown (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2014/12/19/nebraska-wants-only-mexican-weed-suit-means-washington-needs-homegrown/#13522103=0&29340101=0

Chart of the Week: The Impact of a Holiday on Washington State Marijuana Sales (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/chart-of-the-week-the-impact-of-holidays-on-recreational-marijuana-sales-in-wa/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Businesses: Carbon Tax Would Impact Citizens (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/12/22/businesses-carbon-tax-would-impact-citizens/20788185/

California: Punitive Protest - Will State Gas Prices Soar in Protest of 2015 Environmental Law? (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Will-state-gas-prices-soar-in-protest-of-2015-5974297.php

Losing Paradise: Climate Change is Changing Mount Rainier (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/12/21/3488928_losing-paradise-climate-change.html?sp=/99/224/&rh=1

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Electric Cars Hurt Most among Renewables on Oil’s Slump (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-22/electric-cars-hurt-most-in-renewables-industry-from-oil-s-slump.html

Composting Requirements, Penalty Fines to Begin in Seattle (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/composting-requirements-penalty-fines-begin-seattl/njY6w/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

North Korea’s Internet Links Restored amid U-S Hacking Dispute (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/north-koreas-internet-links-restored-amid-u-hacking-040510492--finance.html

Downing North Korea’s Internet Not Much of a Scalp (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/downing-north-koreas-internet-not-much-scalp-081945500.html

The Man Who Can See the Internet (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/12/23/the-man-who-can-see-the-internet-2/

“In House” Network Operations Center System Saves PUD $80,000 (Grays Harbor PUD)

https://www.ghpud.org/index.php/stay-informed/news-releases/147-in-house-network-operations-center-system-saves-pud-80k

The New ‘Obamaphone’ is Broadband (Cable News Network)

http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/23/technology/innovationnation/obama-broadband-lifeline-obamaphone/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Shares Jump on Analyst Speculation That Its CEO Won’t Last the Year (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/12/22/twitter-shares-jump-on-analyst-speculation-that-its-ceo-wont-last-the-year/

Please Never Leave Coca-Cola a Voice Mail Again (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/12/23/coca-cola-dumps-voice-mail/

This Infographic Shows How Worried Digital Advertisers Are About Viewability (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/infographic-shows-how-worried-digital-advertisers-are-about-viewability-162054

GENERAL NEWS

Shelton HS Teacher/Coach Pleads Guilty to Sex Charges (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/20482-shelton-hs-teacher-coach-pleads-guilty

Mason County Safeway Stores to Become Haggen (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14035

Ski Areas Barely Open for Christmas (Oregon Public Radio)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/ski-areas-barely-open-for-xmas/

Seattle Unsettled By Massive Drill Tunneling through Downtown (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-seattle-sinking-20141223-story.html

Keurig Recalls 6.6 Million Popular Home Brewing Machines (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2014/12/23/keurig-recalls-6-6-million-popular-home-brewing-machines/

Egg Prices Rise as New California Regulations Kick In (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/egg-prices-rise-new-california-regulations-kick

Do E-Readers Really Harm Sleep? Depends What You Call an E-Reader (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2014/12/23/do-e-readers-really-harm-sleep-depends-what-you-call-an-e-reader/

Sony Announces Limited Release for ‘The Interview’ (Associated Press)

http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/celebrities/article4865142.html

DIVERSIONS

One Person Tests 18 Different Oreo Flavors, Somehow Survives

http://consumerist.com/2014/12/23/one-person-tests-18-different-oreo-flavors-somehow-survives/

After You Return Something To A Store, Where Does It Go?

http://consumerist.com/2014/12/22/after-you-return-something-to-a-store-where-does-it-go/

Journalist Gets High While Reporting Next to Pile of Burning Drugs

http://metro.co.uk/2014/12/22/journalist-gets-high-while-reporting-next-to-pile-of-burning-drugs-4996454/

WalMart Issues Apology after Kicking Out Klamath Falls Carolers

http://www.opb.org/news/blog/newsblog/walmart-issues-apology-after-kicking-out-klamarth-falls-carolers/

SONG OF THE DAY

Final Farewell:

Joe Cocker -With A Little Help from My Friends - 1969 Woodstock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRzKUVjHkGk

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 December 22, 2014

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 22, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/o5egdvv

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Governor Inslee’s Cap-And-Trade Plan for Carbon Emitters Could Hit 130 Enterprises (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/12/20/3551595_inslee-cap-and-trade-plan-for.html?sp=/99/296/331/326/&rh=1

Olympic Mountain Snowpack 23 Percent of Normal - Too Soon to Worry about 2015 Water Supply, Officials Say (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20141222/news/312229948/olympic-snowpack-23-percent-of-normal-8212-but-too-soon-to-worry

Draft Plan Unveiled for Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line (Boise Weekly, ID)

http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2014/12/20/draft-plan-unveiled-for-boardman-to-hemingway-transmission-line

Wind Farm Operator PacifiCorp Energy Pleads Guilty in Bird Deaths at Wind Farms in Wyoming (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2014/12/19/pacificorp-energy-pleads-guilty-in-bird-deaths

Oregon, Washington Seek to Juice Electric Car Sales with More Incentives (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/oregon-washington-seek-juice-electric-car-sales-more-incentives

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Draft Plan Unveiled for Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line
2. Some Things Change When it Comes to British Columbia Dams. Some Remain the Same
3. Wyoming/Idaho: Two Yellowstone Co-ops Ink Management Pact
4. Op/Ed: Independent Public Power Can Re-Energize Klamath
5. Colorado: FERC Rules It Must Play a Role in Transfer of Assets for Boulder Municipalization
6. California Public Utilities Commission Names Interim Chief
7. FERC Proposes $30 Million in Penalties for Powhatan Trading Firm
8. Final Environmental Impact Statement for Upper Drum-Spaulding Hydroelectric Project, Lower Drum Hydroelectric Project, Creek Hydroelectric Project, & Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project
9. Power Sector Employment Declines, Except for Renewable Electricity Generators
10. Leave It to Beavers: California Joins Other States in Embracing the Rodent
11. Olympic Mountain Snowpack 23 Percent of Normal - Too Soon to Worry about 2015 Water Supply, Officials Say
12. Wind Farm Operator PacifiCorp Energy Pleads Guilty in Bird Deaths at Wind Farms in Wyoming
13. Columbia Basin College’s Million Dollar Solar Energy Project Will Save Big – 100 Kilowatt System
14. Arizona Regulators Approve Tucson Electric Power Bid to Own Rooftop Solar
15. OP/Ed: 96 Percent Carbon-Free Power
16. Californians Pay for Bay Bridge Flaws, But Wind Farm Recoups Costs from Same Contractor
17. Michigan: Off-Key Carolers Sing for Higher Renewable Energy Standards
18. Video: Platform for a Modern Grid - Customer Engagement
19. Minnesota Vikings Spend $1.2 Million on LED Stadium Light Upgrade
20. Washington State Lottery Process Dishes Out Three More Pot Licenses
21. Governor Inslee’s Cap-And-Trade Plan for Carbon Emitters Could Hit 130 Enterprises
22. PDF File: List of Entities with Major Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Washington State
23. Interior Announces New Wildlife, Climate Studies at Northwest Climate Science Center
24. Oregon, Washington Seek to Juice Electric Car Sales with More Incentives
25. Puget Sound Energy Offers New Rebate on Faster Chargers for Electric Vehicles
26. CenturyLink Strikes Cable TV Deal with Portland; Service Could Begin in 2015
27. Google Fiber Puts Portland, Other Cities on Hold
28. FCC Mysteriously Lost Hundreds of Thousands Net Neutrality Comments
29. Was The Sony Hack a Practice Run for Later Attempts on Utilities?
30. How Social Media Affects Business
31. Mason County Mills Not Involved - Interfor Buys Two Simpson Lumber Company Mills in Washington State Plus Two More in Southeast
32. Idaho Nuclear Waste Shipments in Limbo
33. Storm Repairs in Jefferson County at Least $1.7 Million
34. Port Angeles Considering Indigenous People’s Day
35. ROXY: Playing Pop, Rock Hits Since ‘98

WORD OF THE DAY

Epithet • \EPP-uh-teth\ • Noun - 1: a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing 2: a disparaging or abusive word or phrase 3: the part of a taxonomic name identifying a subordinate unit within a genus

Epithets zinged across the conference room like nuclear missiles, obscene gerunds dropping like bowling balls, misnomers crashing like broken glass (similes succeeding as well as lead balloons). And that was just the discussion over the consent agenda at the local council meeting in the small, normally serene northwest community.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Draft Plan Unveiled for Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line (Boise Weekly, ID)

http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2014/12/20/draft-plan-unveiled-for-boardman-to-hemingway-transmission-line

Some Things Change When it Comes to British Columbia Dams. Some Remain the Same (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/some-things-change-when-it-comes-to-dams-some-remain-the-same/article22175016/?cmpid=rss1

Wyoming/Idaho: Two Yellowstone Co-ops Ink Management Pact (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/business-finance/montana-and-wyoming-co-ops-sign-management-deal/76364

Op/Ed: Independent Public Power Can Re-Energize Klamath (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)

http://www.heraldandnews.com/members/independent-public-power-can-re-energize-klamath/article_15cecf30-88a8-11e4-98cd-3f4fcbcfc9be.html

Colorado: FERC Rules It Must Play a Role in Transfer of Assets for Boulder Municipalization (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=300946&issueID=44399

California Public Utilities Commission Names Interim Chief (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/blog/morning-roundup/2014/12/cpuc-pgande-scandal-sullivan-peevey-clanon.html

FERC Proposes $30 Million in Penalties for Powhatan Trading Firm (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-proposes-30m-in-penalties-for-powhatan-trading-firm/346403/

Final Environmental Impact Statement for Upper Drum-Spaulding Hydroelectric Project, Lower Drum Hydroelectric Project, Creek Hydroelectric Project, & Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/eis/2014/12-19-14.asp

Power Sector Employment Declines, Except for Renewable Electricity Generators (Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=19271#

FISH & WILDLIFE

Leave It to Beavers: California Joins Other States in Embracing the Rodent (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/pets-animals/ci_27181986/leave-it-beavers-california-joins-other-states-embracing

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Olympic Mountain Snowpack 23 Percent of Normal - Too Soon to Worry about 2015 Water Supply, Officials Say (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20141222/news/312229948/olympic-snowpack-23-percent-of-normal-8212-but-too-soon-to-worry

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Wind Farm Operator PacifiCorp Energy Pleads Guilty in Bird Deaths at Wind Farms in Wyoming (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2014/12/19/pacificorp-energy-pleads-guilty-in-bird-deaths

Columbia Basin College’s Million Dollar Solar Energy Project Will Save Big – 100 Kilowatt System (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/CBCs-million-dollar-solar-energy-project-will-save-big-286515491.html

Arizona Regulators Approve Tucson Electric Power Bid to Own Rooftop Solar (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/ariz-regulators-approve-tucson-electric-power-bid-to-own-rooftop-solar/346389/

OP/Ed: 96 Percent Carbon-Free Power (Ravalli Republic, Hamilton, MT)

http://ravallirepublic.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_8b1ee534-8891-11e4-be93-9bccb2728dd9.html

Californians Pay for Bay Bridge Flaws, But Wind Farm Recoups Costs from Same Contractor (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/investigations/bay-bridge/article4748610.html

Michigan: Off-Key Carolers Sing for Higher Renewable Energy Standards (Michigan Public Radio – OK, I see a trombone, but where’s the banjo, accordion & ukulele?)

http://michiganradio.org/post/key-carolers-sing-higher-renewable-energy-standards

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Video: Platform for a Modern Grid - Customer Engagement (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Platform-for-a-modern-grid-customer-engagement.aspx

Minnesota Vikings Spend $1.2 Million on LED Stadium Light Upgrade (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, MN)

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/sports-business/2014/12/vikings-spend-1-2m-on-led-stadium-light-upgrade.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Washington State Lottery Process Dishes Out Three More Pot Licenses (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2014/12/22/3-more-pot-stores-may-be-coming-to-your-town/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Governor Inslee’s Cap-And-Trade Plan for Carbon Emitters Could Hit 130 Enterprises (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/12/20/3551595_inslee-cap-and-trade-plan-for.html?sp=/99/296/331/326/&rh=1

PDF File: List of Entities with Major Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Washington State (WA Department of Ecology – How ironic, REC Silicon is on this list)

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/docs/ECYlistofEntitieswithMajorGHGEmissions12-18-14_F.pdf

Interior Announces New Wildlife, Climate Studies at Northwest Climate Science Center (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/432798.aspx

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Oregon, Washington Seek to Juice Electric Car Sales with More Incentives (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/oregon-washington-seek-juice-electric-car-sales-more-incentives

Puget Sound Energy Offers New Rebate on Faster Chargers for Electric Vehicles (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/kpbj/pse-offers-new-rebate-on-faster-chargers-for-evs

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CenturyLink Strikes Cable TV Deal with Portland; Service Could Begin in 2015 (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2014/12/centurylink_strikes_cable_tv_d.html

Google Fiber Puts Portland, Other Cities on Hold (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2014/12/google-fiber-puts-portland-other-cities-on-hold.html

FCC Mysteriously Lost Hundreds of Thousands Net Neutrality Comments (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/fcc-mysteriously-lost-hundreds-of-thousands-net-neutral-1673298286

Was The Sony Hack a Practice Run for Later Attempts on Utilities? (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/was-the-sony-hack-a-practice-run-for-later-attempts-on-utilities/346387/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

How Social Media Affects Business (Rob Wotton, LinkedIn)

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-social-media-affects-robert-wotton%2C-mba

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Mills Not Involved - Interfor Buys Two Simpson Lumber Company Mills in Washington State Plus Two More in Southeast (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20141222/news/312229928/interfor-buys-two-mills-in-washington-state-plus-two-more-in

Idaho Nuclear Waste Shipments in Limbo (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/12/22/3554717_nuke-waste-shipments-in-limbo.html?rh=1

Storm Repairs in Jefferson County at Least $1.7 Million (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20141221/news/312219983/storm-repairs-in-jefferson-county-at-least-17-million

Port Angeles Considering Indigenous People’s Day (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Port-Angeles-considering-Indigenous-Peoples-Day-286464471.html

ROXY: Playing Pop, Rock Hits Since ‘98 (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/12/21/3481585_roxy-playing-pop-rock-hits-since.html?rh=1

DIVERSIONS

Residents Riled over Medical Marijuana Shop’s Christmas Display of Pot-Smoking Santa

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Residents-Riled-Over-Christmas-Display-of-Santa-Smoking-Pot--286028811.html

We Love Them Yeah, Yeah, Yeah & Yeah! - The Beatles’ popularity, again on an upswing.

http://www.usnews.com/news/the-beatles-50-years-later/articles/2014/12/22/we-love-them-yeah-yeah-yeah-and-yeah

Japan: ‘Solo Weddings’ for Single Women

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-30574801

Captive Orangutan Has Human Right to Freedom, Argentine Court Rules

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/21/us-argentina-orangutan-idUSKBN0JZ0Q620141221

SONG OF THE DAY

Beatles - She Loves You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0YifXhm-Zc

The Beatles - A Hard Day’s Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSm0M-BbVdY

Randy Bachman - The Real Opening Chord to A Hard Day’s Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwfH9oAiPH0

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.