Energy News Digest for February 11, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 11, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ksabt2z

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To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGESTTWITTER FEED

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Apple Investing $850 Million in California Solar Farm (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/10/us-apple-cook-idUSKBN0LE2RN20150210

Montana Coal Plant to Shut Down in August (Associated Press)

http://www.kxly.com/news/northwest/montana-coal-plant-to-shut-down-in-august/31194970

California: Appeals Court Rejects Challenges to Fish Hatcheries’ Impact (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article9708359.html

Washington State Governor’s Cap-And-Trade Bill Needs More Votes (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2015/02/10/politics-government/123928/jay-inslee-carbon-cap-trade-house-vote-legislature/

School Board Votes to Close Shelton High Pool (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21305-shelton-pool-to-close#comments

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Montana Coal Plant to Shut Down in August
2. Energy Quote of the Day: GOP Releases “Architecture of Abundance” Legislative Framework
3. FERC Proposes $5 Million Fine against Maxim, Subsidiaries Tied to Alleged Manipulation
4. NRECA Pushes for More LIHEAP Funds
5. Pacific Gas & Electric Urges Customers to Be Safe & Keep Metallic Balloons Secure on Valentine’s Day
6. Before 1948, LA’s Power Grid Was Incompatible with the Rest of the U-S
7. California: Appeals Court Rejects Challenges to Fish Hatcheries’ Impact
8. Despite Low Snowpack, There’s no Need to Panic
9. Apple Investing $850 Million in California Solar Farm
10. Build it, We Dare you – Why are Green Groups Unhappy with Apple’s Big Solar Buy?
11. California: Google Buys Altamont Wind Energy to Power Googleplex
12. Hundreds Protest Salt River Project’s Proposed $50 per Month Solar Charge in Arizona
13. The Great Solar Panel Debate: To Lease or to Buy?
14. Should You Be Worried About Solar Leasing? Utilities Think So
15. Obama Sets Goal to Raise $2 Billion from Private Sector for Clean Energy Technology
16. Europe Loses Billions in Badly Sited Renewable Power Plants
17. LED Outdoor Lighting: $6 Billion Annual Savings Opportunity Ripe for the Picking
18. Give your Water Heater a Little Love this Valentine’s Day
19. Study: 85% of Broadband Households Tried to Save on Energy in 2014
20. Colorado Collected About $76 Million in Recreational Marijuana Revenue in 2014
21. Traditional Colleges Enter Cannabis Education
22. Washington State Governor’s Cap-And-Trade Bill Needs More Votes
23. Climate Change: California Lawmakers to Introduce Sweeping New Measures to Increase Renewable Energy, Cut Fossil Fuel Use
24. Panel Urges More Research on Geoengineering as a Tool against Climate Change
25. How to Turn Carbon Dioxide into Rock & Bury It Forever – Hopefully
26. CenturyLink Internet Map: Sluggish Speeds Persist in Portland Neighborhoods amid Gigabit Rollout
27. Otter Aide: Idaho Broadband Impasse Threatens $245 Million in Federal Funding
28. FCC Dissenter Takes on Net Neutrality Proposal
29. Republicans Are About to ‘Benghazi All Over Again’ on Net Neutrality
30. Louisiana: Lafayette May Petition FCC for Muni-Broadband Help
31. U-S Bill Seeks more Wi-Fi Airwaves Alongside Smart Cars
32. Samsung Smart TV Can Hear, Transmit Owners’ Conversations
33. Samsung: Our Televisions Aren’t Secretly Eavesdropping on You
34. Here Is the Captivating Ad Format Facebook Hopes Will Wow Its Users
35. Tim Eyman Mortgages House to Get Back in the Initiative Game
36. Ouch: Portland to Homeowners - Fix Your Own Unimproved Street
37. School Board Votes to Close Shelton High Pool
38. Pioneer School Bond Passing
39. Pilot OK after Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing along Hood Canal
40. Driver Crashes after Fleeing from Mason County Deputy
41. Port Townsend Paper Sold to Atlanta Holding Company
42. Union Says Little Progress in U-S Refinery Contract Talks
43. Questionable Recruiting: Jackie Robinson West Stripped of Its National Little League Title
44. Jon Stewart Leaving Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show’
45. Brian Williams Suspended From NBC for Six Months without Pay

WORD OF THE DAY

Contumely • \kahn-TOO-muh-lee\ • Noun – Harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt; also: an instance of such language or treatment

For the rest of his life, Alberto had an unnatural fear of salad. It started innocently enough at a grade school play, where he starred in the role of a tasty stalk of celery. Unfortunately, his method acting and the upstaging of the “lesser vegetables” were overbearing. So much so, that all the other children dressed as vegetables unleashed a contumely attack that had to be broken up by the teachers, who were dressed as salad spoons.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Montana Coal Plant to Shut Down in August (Associated Press)

http://www.kxly.com/news/northwest/montana-coal-plant-to-shut-down-in-august/31194970

Energy Quote of the Day: GOP Releases “Architecture of Abundance” Legislative Framework (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/10/energy-quote-of-the-day-gop-releases-architecture-of-abundance-legislative-framework/

FERC Proposes $5 Million Fine against Maxim, Subsidiaries Tied to Alleged Manipulation (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43150

NRECA Pushes for More LIHEAP Funds (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/legislation/nreca-pushes-for-more-liheap-funds/77780

Pacific Gas & Electric Urges Customers to Be Safe & Keep Metallic Balloons Secure on Valentine’s Day (PG&E Currents)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2015/02/10/video-pge-urges-customers-to-be-safe-and-keep-metallic-balloons-secure-on-valentines-day/

Before 1948, LA’s Power Grid Was Incompatible with the Rest of the U-S (Gizmodo)

http://southland.gizmodo.com/before-1948-las-power-grid-was-incompatible-with-the-r-1683629042

FISH & WILDLIFE

California: Appeals Court Rejects Challenges to Fish Hatcheries’ Impact (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article9708359.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Despite Low Snowpack, There’s no Need to Panic (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/2902242-8/despite-low-snowpack-theres-no-need-to-panic

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Apple Investing $850 Million in California Solar Farm (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/10/us-apple-cook-idUSKBN0LE2RN20150210

Build it, We Dare you – Why are Green Groups Unhappy with Apple’s Big Solar Buy? (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/11/why-are-green-groups-unhappy-with-apples-big-solar-buy/

California: Google Buys Altamont Wind Energy to Power Googleplex (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27503195/google-buys-altamont-wind-energy-power-googleplex

Hundreds Protest Salt River Project’s Proposed $50 per Month Solar Charge in Arizona (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/hundreds-protest-salt-river-projects-proposed-50-per-month-solar-charge-i/363004/

The Great Solar Panel Debate: To Lease or to Buy? (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2015/02/10/384958332/the-great-solar-panel-debate-to-lease-or-to-buy

Should You Be Worried About Solar Leasing? Utilities Think So (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/business-technology/should-you-be-worried-about-solar-leasing-utilities-think-so/

Obama Sets Goal to Raise $2 Billion from Private Sector for Clean Energy Technology (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/02/10/obama-seeks-2-billion-in-private-dollars-for-clean-energy

Europe Loses Billions in Badly Sited Renewable Power Plants (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jnyangon/2192076/europe-lose-100-billion-badly-sited-renewable-power-plants

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

LED Outdoor Lighting: $6 Billion Annual Savings Opportunity Ripe for the Picking (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/nrdcswitchboard/2191381/led-outdoor-lighting-6-billion-annual-savings-opportunity-ripe-picking

Give your Water Heater a Little Love this Valentine’s Day (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2015/02/10/water-heater-maintenance/

Study: 85% of Broadband Households Tried to Save on Energy in 2014 (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/study-85-of-broadband-households-tried-to-save-on-energy-in-2014/363068/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Colorado Collected About $76 Million in Recreational Marijuana Revenue in 2014 (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2015/02/marijuana_news_colorado_collec.html

Traditional Colleges Enter Cannabis Education (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/traditional-colleges-enter-cannabis-education/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Governor’s Cap-And-Trade Bill Needs More Votes (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2015/02/10/politics-government/123928/jay-inslee-carbon-cap-trade-house-vote-legislature/

Climate Change: California Lawmakers to Introduce Sweeping New Measures to Increase Renewable Energy, Cut Fossil Fuel Use (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_27498110/climate-change-california-lawmakers-introduce-sweeping-new-measures

Panel Urges More Research on Geoengineering as a Tool against Climate Change (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/science/panel-urges-more-research-on-geoengineering-as-a-tool-against-climate-change.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

How to Turn Carbon Dioxide into Rock & Bury It Forever – Hopefully (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/how-to-turn-carbon-dioxide-into-rock-and-bury-it-foreve-1685082681

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CenturyLink Internet Map: Sluggish Speeds Persist in Portland Neighborhoods amid Gigabit Rollout (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/centurylink_internet_map_slugg.html

Otter Aide: Idaho Broadband Impasse Threatens $245 Million in Federal Funding (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/02/10/3638273_otter-aide-broadband-impasse-threatens.html?rh=1

FCC Dissenter Takes on Net Neutrality Proposal (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/10/f-c-c-dissenter-takes-on-net-neutrality-proposal/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Republicans Are About to ‘Benghazi All Over Again’ on Net Neutrality (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/02/10/republicans-are-about-to-benghazi-all-over-again-on-net-neutrality/

Louisiana: Lafayette May Petition FCC for Muni-Broadband Help (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Lafayette-May-Petition-FCC-For-MuniBroadband-Help-132604

U-S Bill Seeks more Wi-Fi Airwaves Alongside Smart Cars (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/10/us-usa-internet-autos-idUSKBN0LE2SY20150210

Samsung Smart TV Can Hear, Transmit Owners’ Conversations (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27497516/samsung-smart-tv-can-hear-transmit-owners-conversations

Samsung: Our Televisions Aren’t Secretly Eavesdropping on You (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/02/10/samsung-our-televisions-arent-secretly-eavesdropping-on-you/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Here Is the Captivating Ad Format Facebook Hopes Will Wow Its Users (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/here-captivating-ad-format-facebook-hopes-wows-its-users-162839

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Tim Eyman Mortgages House to Get Back in the Initiative Game (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/02/10/tim-eyman-mortgages-house-to-get-back-in-the-initiative-game/

Ouch: Portland to Homeowners - Fix Your Own Unimproved Street (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/2015/02/10/portlands-unimproved-roads-anger-drivers-neighbors/23204429/

GENERAL NEWS

School Board Votes to Close Shelton High Pool (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21305-shelton-pool-to-close#comments

Pioneer School Bond Passing (Mason Web-TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14344

Pilot OK after Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing along Hood Canal (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2708193/Pilot-OK-after-small-plane-makes-emergency-landing-along-Hood-Canal

Driver Crashes after Fleeing from Mason County Deputy (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Driver-crashes-after-fleeing-from-Mason-County-deputy-291398051.html

Port Townsend Paper Sold to Atlanta Holding Company (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150211/NEWS/302119980/port-townsend-paper-corp-sold-to-atlanta-holding-company

Union Says Little Progress in U-S Refinery Contract Talks (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/11/us-refineries-labor-strike-idUSKBN0LE2YZ20150211

Questionable Recruiting: Jackie Robinson West Stripped of Its National Little League Title (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/12/sports/jackie-robinson-west-stripped-of-its-national-little-league-title.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Jon Stewart Leaving Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show’ (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/11/us-television-jonstewart-idUSKBN0LF00920150211

Brian Williams Suspended From NBC for Six Months without Pay (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/business/media/brian-williams-suspended-by-nbc-news-for-six-months.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

DIVERSIONS

Neil Armstrong’s Secret Stash of Lunar Mission Artifacts Found in a Closet

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/02/neil_armstrong.html

Why You’d Want to Go on a One-Way Trip to Mars

http://gizmodo.com/why-youd-want-to-go-on-a-one-way-trip-to-mars-1684834681

If You Inherit a Bunch of Jewelry, Don’t Brag About It on Facebook

http://mashable.com/2015/02/09/facebook-jewelry-robbed/

Man Suspected of Trying to Break into Apartment Building Gets Stuck in Wall, Has to Be Cut Out

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/10/man-suspected-of-trying-to-break-into-apartment-building-gets-stuck-in-wall-has-to-be-cut-out/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Beatles – Day Tripper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKL6oQPDGOU

Jimi Hendrix – Day Tripper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgHA9Fuor60

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 February 10, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 10, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/lv833aa

Landslide Danger – Special Weather Statement

http://tinyurl.com/ofus42f

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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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

Minority Groups Back Energy Companies in Fight against Solar Power “…Low-income households…paying higher…bills to subsidize solar arrays that only wealthier people can afford…” (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-solar-race-20150209-story.html

British Columbia: Sea Lion Flash Mobs Prey on Fishermen’s Catch (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/lion+flash+mobs+prey+fishermen+catch/10800488/story.html

Avista Seeking Washington State Rate Hikes in 2016 (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/10/avista-seeking-washington-rate-hikes-in-2016/

Lawsuit Over Ocean Acidification in Oregon, Washington Gets a Hearing in Seattle (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/02/ocean_acidification_seattle.html

Mayor Moves to End Seattle’s Cable Franchise Districts (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/mayor-moves-end-seattles-cable-franchise-districts/nj7J9/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Avista Seeking Washington State Rate Hikes in 2016
2. Pacific Gas & Electric Earns $1.44 Billion in 2014, $131 Million in Its Fourth Quarter
3. GOP Plans for ‘Era of Abundance’ in Energy
4. Annexation: Indiana Co-ops Fight Seizure of Members, Revenue
5. Ohio: AEP Wants To Charge More for Smart Meters
6. Pacific Gas & Electric Reacted Fast to Ex-PUC Chief’s Complaint about Size of His Bill
7. British Columbia: Sea Lion Flash Mobs Prey on Fishermen’s Catch
8. Decommissioning Abandoned Roads to Protect Fish
9. Video: Port Orchard Homeowners Fight Special Utility District
10. Why Lots of Rain Offers Little Relief to Drought-Stricken California
11. Water Manager Faces Discipline for Urinating in San Francisco Reservoir
12. Minority Groups Back Energy Companies in Fight against Solar Power
13. Duke Buys Controlling Interest in Commercial Developer REC Solar
14. Researchers Help Guard Sunken Tribe Artifacts from Offshore Wind Turbines
15. New Tool Monitors Effects of Tidal, Wave Energy on Marine Habitat
16. Wisconsin: Judge Sides with Solar Panel Users on Size Restrictions
17. Stockholm Power Goes Green as Biomass Ousts Coal
18. State Looks to Share Marijuana Taxes with Cities to Encourage Communities to Welcome Pot Businesses
19. Lawsuit Over Ocean Acidification in Oregon, Washington Gets a Hearing in Seattle
20. Canada: Climate Scientist Andrew Weaver Wins Defamation Suit against National Post
21. California Utility Aims to Quadruple the State’s EV Charging Stations
22. A Biofuel Debate: Will Cutting Trees Cut Carbon?
23. Mayor Moves to End Seattle’s Cable Franchise Districts
24. Time Warner Cable’s High-Speed Internet 97 Percent Profit Margin is a Big, Bright Red Flag; Critics Rebuked
25. FCC Chief Delivers Details on His Net Neutrality Strategy
26. Twitter Sees Surge in Government Requests for Data
27. Six Ways to Improve Your Facebook Page Results
28. Oregon Attorney General Says She’s Investigating Governor Kitzhaber
29. Ports’ Strife Could Cause Customers to ‘Write Off West Coast’
30. Nevada Asbestos Discovery – In Nevada, a Controversy in the Wind
31. Watch Brazen Car Prowler Hit Truck as Owner Pumps Gas Feet Away at Olympia Station
32. Barking Dog Could Cost North Seattle Family Its Home

WORD OF THE DAY

Antinomian • \ant-tin-NOME-ee-un\ • noun – 1: one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation 2: one who rejects a socially established morality.

Unused to the niceties of attending regular church services, the city’s new waste management official sauntered into the gracefully arched sanctuary exuding the very essence of his antinomian past. “Yep,” he uttered before his gravelly voice was drowned out by the organ, “I guessed that I should join y’all for singin’ and prayin’ at least once a year.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Avista Seeking Washington State Rate Hikes in 2016 (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/10/avista-seeking-washington-rate-hikes-in-2016/

Pacific Gas & Electric Earns $1.44 Billion in 2014, $131 Million in Its Fourth Quarter (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27496987/pg-e-earns-1-44-billion-2014-131

GOP Plans for ‘Era of Abundance’ in Energy (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/232188-house-gop-targets-pipeline-permits-workforce-in-energy-policy-plan

Annexation: Indiana Co-ops Fight Seizure of Members, Revenue (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/indiana-co-ops-fight-annexation-revenue-losses/77825

Ohio: AEP Wants To Charge More for Smart Meters (Columbus Business First, OH)

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/ohio-energy-inc/2015/02/energy-roundup-aep-wants-to-charge-more-for-smart.html?page=all

Pacific Gas & Electric Reacted Fast to Ex-PUC Chief’s Complaint about Size of His Bill (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/pge/ci_27492122/pg-e-reacted-fast-ex-puc-chiefs-complaint?source=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

British Columbia: Sea Lion Flash Mobs Prey on Fishermen’s Catch (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/lion+flash+mobs+prey+fishermen+catch/10800488/story.html

Decommissioning Abandoned Roads to Protect Fish (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Decommissioning-abandoned-roads-to-protect-fish.aspx

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Video: Port Orchard Homeowners Fight Special Utility District (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2015/02/09/port-orchard-phillips-road-ulid/23152289/

Why Lots of Rain Offers Little Relief to Drought-Stricken California (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2015/0209/Why-lots-of-rain-offers-little-relief-to-drought-stricken-California-video

Water Manager Faces Discipline for Urinating in San Francisco Reservoir (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/water-manager-faces-discipline-urinating-reservoir-205519886.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Minority Groups Back Energy Companies in Fight against Solar Power “…Low-income households…paying higher…bills to subsidize solar arrays that only wealthier people can afford…” (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-solar-race-20150209-story.html

Duke Buys Controlling Interest in Commercial Developer REC Solar (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/duke-buys-controlling-interest-in-commercial-developer-rec-solar/362409/

Researchers Help Guard Sunken Tribe Artifacts from Offshore Wind Turbines (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/energy/article/Researchers-help-guard-sunken-tribe-artifacts-6071122.php

New Tool Monitors Effects of Tidal, Wave Energy on Marine Habitat (UW Today, Seattle, WA)

http://www.washington.edu/news/2015/02/05/new-tool-monitors-effects-of-tidal-wave-energy-instruments-on-marine-habitat/

Wisconsin: Judge Sides with Solar Panel Users on Size Restrictions (Wisconsin Public Radio)

http://www.wpr.org/judge-sides-solar-panel-users-size-restrictions

Stockholm Power Goes Green as Biomass Ousts Coal (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/02/stockholm-power-goes-green-as-biomass-ousts-coal?cmpid=rss

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

State Looks to Share Marijuana Taxes with Cities to Encourage Communities to Welcome Pot Businesses (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150210/news/302109981/state-looks-to-share-marijuana-taxes-with-cities-to-encourage

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Lawsuit Over Ocean Acidification in Oregon, Washington Gets a Hearing in Seattle (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/02/ocean_acidification_seattle.html

Canada: Climate Scientist Andrew Weaver Wins Defamation Suit against National Post (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/climate-scientist-andrew-weaver-wins-defamation-suit-against-national-post-1.2950286?cmp=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

California Utility Aims to Quadruple the State’s EV Charging Stations (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2015/02/09/california-utility-aims-to-quadruple-the-states-ev-charging-stations/

A Biofuel Debate: Will Cutting Trees Cut Carbon? (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/business/economy/a-biofuel-debate-will-cutting-trees-cut-carbon.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Moves to End Seattle’s Cable Franchise Districts (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/mayor-moves-end-seattles-cable-franchise-districts/nj7J9/

Time Warner Cable’s High-Speed Internet 97 Percent Profit Margin is a Big, Bright Red Flag; Critics Rebuked (Huffington Post)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-kushnick/time-warner-cables-high-s_b_6642210.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

FCC Chief Delivers Details on His Net Neutrality Strategy (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/09/fcc-chairman-tom-wheeler-net-neutrality/23130701/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Sees Surge in Government Requests for Data (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31358194

Six Ways to Improve Your Facebook Page Results (Social Media Commander)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/improve-your-facebook-page-results/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Oregon Attorney General Says She’s Investigating Governor Kitzhaber (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/oregon-attorney-general-says-shes-investigating-governor-kitzhaber

GENERAL NEWS

Ports’ Strife Could Cause Customers to ‘Write Off West Coast’ (Silicon Valley Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2015/02/10/ports-strife-could-cause-customers-to-write-off.html

Nevada Asbestos Discovery – In Nevada, a Controversy in the Wind (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/10/science/a-controversy-in-the-wind.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Watch Brazen Car Prowler Hit Truck as Owner Pumps Gas Feet Away at Olympia Station (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2015/02/watch_thief_hit_truck_as_owner.html

Barking Dog Could Cost North Seattle Family Its Home (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/Barking-dog-could-cost-North-Seattle-family-its-6072740.php

DIVERSIONS

Girl Scout Targets California Marijuana Dispensary for Maximum Sales – Again

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2015/02/09/girl-scout-targets-calif-marijuana-dispensary-for-maximum-sales-again/#10916101=0

Some Museums Banning Selfie Sticks Because “Duck Face” Is Not Art

http://consumerist.com/2015/02/09/some-museums-banning-selfie-sticks-because-duck-face-is-not-art/

This Cat Broke Out of a Shelter & Returned to His Original Rescuer

http://time.com/3702917/cat-from-shelter-to-rescuer/

Science Finally Determines How Many Licks it Takes to Get to the Center of a Tootsie Pop

http://time.com/3702741/tootsie-pop-science/

SONG OF THE DAY

Velvet Underground – Candy Says

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t59gz0bTTfk

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 February 9, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 9, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ozccqus

Special Weather Statement for Landslide Danger

http://tinyurl.com/lq4o4hm

Flood Warning for Skokomish River in Mason County

http://tinyurl.com/mbf625p

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

Six Claim Racial Bias in Suit with Utilities in Seattle Public Utilities Bill-Fixing Scandal (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025656541_spulawsuit1xml.html

Amazon Plans Up to Eleven More Oregon Data Centers If Tax Situation Addressed (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/amazon_plans_up_to_11_more_ore.html

Idaho Regulators Shorten Renewable Power Contracts (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/idaho-regulators-shorten-renewable-power-contracts/361902/

2014 Snake River Fall Chinook Redd Estimate Highest Total since Surveys Began in 1988 (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433115.aspx

Disaster on the Slopes: Record-Low Snow Year Continues (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/09/disaster-on-the-slopes-record-low-snow-year-continues/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Six Claim Racial Bias in Suit with Utilities in Seattle Public Utilities Bill-Fixing Scandal
2. Mason PUD 3 Working to Restore Electricity to Belfair Elementary School
3. Editorial: Enloe Project Making Strange Bedfellows
4. Is Your Electric Co-op Prepared to Handle a Crisis?
5. Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl – Pacific Northwest High School Students Give Their Brains a Serious Workout
6. Western Area Power Administration Budget Request Holds Steady for Fourth Year in a Row
7. Warning System for Solar Storms Is Kept on Earth for Now
8. 2014 Snake River Fall Chinook Redd Estimate Highest Total since Surveys Began in 1988
9. British Columbia: Quesnel Dragon Lake Trout Endangered by Koi Infestation
10. Upgrades at Oregon’s Foster Dam Fish Passage Facility Aimed at ESA-Listed Salmonids
11. Nile River May Be Running Out of Fish
12. Disaster on the Slopes: Record-Low Snow Year Continues
13. Could a Pineapple Express Save California from Drought?
14. The Dam Truth: How the U-S Army Corps of Engineers Manages Heavy Rain Storms
15. House Legislation Would Block Implementation of Waters of the U-S Rule
16. Idaho Regulators Shorten Renewable Power Contracts
17. Rocky Barker: Idaho Solar Dispute Shouldn’t Be Like Wind War
18. Intellectual Property Battles Roil the Wind Power Industry
19. The Hottest New Thing in Energy This Year? Wind Power
20. California: Interior Secretary Will Dedicate Large Solar Plant
21. Public Service Co. of New Mexico Plans 40,000-Panel Solar Farm near Santa Fe
22. Voters Favor Renewable Focus
23. Energy Smart Industrial: Five Years of Enormous Savings
24. Snohomish PUD Sees Energy Use Rise & Fall with the Super Bowl
25. Jefferson County Commissioners to Look Again at Marijuana Businesses Moratorium at Monday Meeting
26. Oregon Cities Pushing for Power to Tax, Ban Cannabis Sales
27. District of Columbia Sees Loophole in Congress’s Move to Halt Marijuana Law
28. Power Theft Suspect: Nearly 800 Marijuana Plants Found in Grow Operation Next to Day Care
29. Washington State’s Marijuana Law Hurts Idaho Police Recruitment
30. Report Says Emotions, Not Science, Rule U-S Climate Change Debate
31. Inslee a Student of California’s Carbon-Cap Lessons
32. University Of Hawaii Researchers Say Climate Change is Affecting Major Big Island Storms
33. Amazon Plans Up to Eleven More Oregon Data Centers If Tax Situation Addressed
34. FCC & Net Neutrality: What You Really Need to Know
35. Your Old Landline Could Get an Early Retirement
36. Virtual Private Networks Dissolve National Boundaries Online, for Work & Movie-Watching
37. Washington State Government Asked to Provide Nearly Every Email Ever Sent
38. Technicalities: Oregon Governor Kitzhaber Recall Efforts Could Prove Futile, For Now
39. Business Owners Voice Frustration over Temporary Port Shutdown
40. Mud, Not Flood, Now Primary Worry along Duckabush River
41. Is Winter Over?
42. Mystery of the ‘Milky Rain’ in Eastern Washington Solved?
43. Trade Stories: Building Boats at the Taylor Shellfish Fabrication Shop with Brian Omdahl
44. Post Season Mason County High School Basketball

WORD OF THE DAY

Weltschmerz • \VELT-shmertz\ • Noun - 1: mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal state 2: a mood of sentimental sadness

“Ah, to live in the world of the 1500’s, when things were simpler…and you knew where you stood,” sighed the grizzled English lord to his bootblack. His state of weltschmerz was only slightly tempered by the historic realities of disease, dirt, body odor, and rampant halitosis.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Six Claim Racial Bias in Suit with Utilities in Seattle Public Utilities Bill-Fixing Scandal (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025656541_spulawsuit1xml.html

Mason PUD 3 Working to Restore Electricity to Belfair Elementary School (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1487

Editorial: Enloe Project Making Strange Bedfellows (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, Oroville, WA)

http://www.gazette-tribune.com/opinion/enloe-project-making-strange-bedfellows/69551/

Is Your Electric Co-op Prepared to Handle a Crisis? (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/is-your-co-op-prepared-to-handle-a-crisis/77749

Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl – Pacific Northwest High School Students Give Their Brains a Serious Workout (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/02/at_bpa_regional_science_bowl_h.html

Western Area Power Administration Budget Request Holds Steady for Fourth Year in a Row (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43124

Warning System for Solar Storms Is Kept on Earth for Now (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/09/science/warning-system-for-solar-storms-is-kept-on-earth-for-now.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

2014 Snake River Fall Chinook Redd Estimate Highest Total since Surveys Began in 1988 (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433115.aspx

British Columbia: Quesnel Dragon Lake Trout Endangered by Koi Infestation (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/quesnel-dragon-lake-trout-endangered-by-koi-infestation-1.2945523?cmp=rss

Upgrades at Oregon’s Foster Dam Fish Passage Facility Aimed at ESA-Listed Salmonids (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433109.aspx

Nile River May Be Running Out of Fish (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/02/09/nile-egypt-fish/23113811/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Disaster on the Slopes: Record-Low Snow Year Continues (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/09/disaster-on-the-slopes-record-low-snow-year-continues/

Could a Pineapple Express Save California from Drought? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0207/Could-a-Pineapple-Express-save-California-from-drought-video

The Dam Truth: How the U-S Army Corps of Engineers Manages Heavy Rain Storms (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/The-dam-truth-How-the-Army-Corps-of-Engineers-manages-heavy-rain-storms-291021051.html

House Legislation Would Block Implementation of Waters of the U-S Rule (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43122

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Idaho Regulators Shorten Renewable Power Contracts (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/idaho-regulators-shorten-renewable-power-contracts/361902/

Rocky Barker: Idaho Solar Dispute Shouldn’t Be Like Wind War (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/02/09/3635636_solar-dispute-shouldnt-be-like.html?rh=1

Intellectual Property Battles Roil the Wind Power Industry (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2015/02/intellectual-property-battles-roil-the-wind-power-industry?cmpid=rss

The Hottest New Thing in Energy This Year? Wind Power (Wired Magazine)

http://www.wired.com/2015/02/countries-generating-wind-power/

California: Interior Secretary Will Dedicate Large Solar Plant (KESQ-TV, Palm Springs, CA)

http://www.kesq.com/news/interior-secretary-will-dedicate-large-solar-plant/31170858

Public Service Co. of New Mexico Plans 40,000-Panel Solar Farm near Santa Fe (Albuquerque Business First, NM)

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/blog/morning-edition/2015/02/pnm-plans-40-000-panel-solar-farm-near-santa-fe.html

Voters Favor Renewable Focus (Morning Consult)

http://themorningconsult.com/2015/02/renewables-win-voters/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Smart Industrial: Five Years of Enormous Savings (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Energy-Smart-Industrial-five-years-of-enormous-savings.aspx

Snohomish PUD Sees Energy Use Rise & Fall with the Super Bowl (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150206/BLOG31/150209293

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Jefferson County Commissioners to Look Again at Marijuana Businesses Moratorium at Monday Meeting (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150206/news/302069972/jefferson-county-commissioners-to-look-again-at-marijuana-businesses

Oregon Cities Pushing for Power to Tax, Ban Cannabis Sales (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/oregon-cities-pushing-for-power-to-tax-rec/

District of Columbia Sees Loophole in Congress’s Move to Halt Marijuana Law (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/us/politics/district-of-columbia-sees-loophole-in-congresss-move-to-halt-marijuana-law.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Power Theft Suspect: Nearly 800 Marijuana Plants Found in Grow Operation Next to Day Care (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/05/nearly-800-marijuana-plants-found-in-grow-operation-next-to-daycare-prosecutors-say/

Washington State’s Marijuana Law Hurts Idaho Police Recruitment (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/marijuana/2015/02/07/marijuana-law-hurts-idaho-police-recruitment/23049909/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Report Says Emotions, Not Science, Rule U-S Climate Change Debate (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/05/us-climatechange-science-politics-idUSKBN0L92IN20150205

Inslee a Student of California’s Carbon-Cap Lessons (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025634069_californiacapandtradexml.html

University Of Hawaii Researchers Say Climate Change is Affecting Major Big Island Storms (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/news/articles/2015/02/08/researchers-climate-change-affecting-hawaii-island-storms

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Amazon Plans Up to Eleven More Oregon Data Centers If Tax Situation Addressed (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/amazon_plans_up_to_11_more_ore.html

FCC & Net Neutrality: What You Really Need to Know (CNET News)

http://www.cnet.com/news/fcc-and-net-neutrality-what-you-really-need-to-know/

Your Old Landline Could Get an Early Retirement (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/your-old-landline-could-get-an-early-retirement/2015/02/07/c7733ff0-aed7-11e4-8876-460b1144cbc1_story.html

Virtual Private Networks Dissolve National Boundaries Online, for Work & Movie-Watching (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/in-ways-legal-and-illegal-vpn-technology-is-erasing-international-borders/?partner=rss&emc=rss

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Government Asked to Provide Nearly Every Email Ever Sent (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-government-asked-to-provide-nearly-every-email-ever-sent-291020681.html

Technicalities: Oregon Governor Kitzhaber Recall Efforts Could Prove Futile, For Now (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/kitzhaber-recall-efforts-could-prove-futile-now

GENERAL NEWS

Business Owners Voice Frustration over Temporary Port Shutdown (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Port-of-Seattle-weekend-shutdown-longshoreman--291215181.html

Mud, Not Flood, Now Primary Worry along Duckabush River (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2015/02/07/mud-not-flood-now-primary-worry-along-duckabush-river/23056409/

Is Winter Over? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/02/is-winter-over.html

Mystery of the ‘Milky Rain’ in Eastern Washington Solved? (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/Mystery-of-the-milky-rain-in-Eastern-Washington-solved--291226971.html

Trade Stories: Building Boats at the Taylor Shellfish Fabrication Shop with Brian Omdahl (Filson Life)

http://www.filson.com/filson-life/2015/02/trade-stories-taylor-shellfish/

Post Season Mason County High School Basketball (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14325

DIVERSIONS

Internet Trolls Weigh In – Should Vermont Have an Official Latin Motto?

http://www.wcax.com/story/27849008/should-vermont-have-an-official-latin-motto

Forgotten Copy of Magna Carta Found in Scrapbook

http://time.com/3700712/magna-carta-scrapbook/

Seattle Police Bike Made Famous by Seahawks’ Bennett Auctioned Off

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/SPD-bike-made-famous-by-Seahawks-Bennett-6069849.php

Grower Uses Classical Music to Enhance Marijuana Potency

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/grower-uses-classical-music-to-enhance-potency/

SONG OF THE DAY

Walter Murphy – A Fifth of Beethoven

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MFbn8EbB4k

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.