Energy News Digest for April 8, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for April 8, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/lhfe6y4

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Apple Plans ‘Major, Major Expansion’ of Oregon Data Center (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/04/apple_plans_major_major_expans.html

Feds to Consider Endangered Species Listing for Spotted Owl (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Feds-to-consider-endangered-species-listing-for-spotted-owl--298999731.html

Power Surge Knocks Out Electrical Service in Parts of Washington, D-C Region (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/scattered-power-outages-reported-across-dc-area/2015/04/07/8f4e8b84-dd49-11e4-a500-1c5bb1d8ff6a_story.html

Tight Puget Sound Housing Market Creating ‘Buyer Anxiety’ (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/money/markets/real-estate/2015/04/07/puget-sound-march-home-sales/25406247/

Op/Ed: Russ Skolrood – I-937’s “One-Size Fits All” Model an Ill Fit for Grays Harbor (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/opinion/letters/russ-skolrood-i-937-s-one-size-fits-all-model-ill-fit-grays-harbor

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Power Surge Knocks Out Electrical Service in Parts of Washington, D-C Region
2. Oregon Bill Would Require Transmission Lines Minimize Farm Impacts
3. Bonneville Power Administration-PacifiCorp Transmission Complaint Sent to Hearing
4. Grays Harbor PUD Looking to Refinance Bonds, Could Save an Estimated $5 Million
5. Maryland: Family Died Of Gas Poisoning after Utility Cut Power to Home
6. Can a New Generation of Startups Revolutionize the Nuclear Industry?
7. FERC Employees Negotiate for Industry Jobs under Agency’s Eye
8. Report: The Way We Power Our Homes May Be on the Verge of a Major Change
9. Feds to Consider Endangered Species Listing for Spotted Owl
10. Editorial: Study Finds Good Payoff for Habitat Restoration
11. Desperate from Drought, California Turns to Desalination
12. In Drought, Californians Lacking Water Meters Let It Flow
13. Carly Fiorina Blames Environmentalists for California Drought
14. Op/Ed: Russ Skolrood – I-937’s “One-Size Fits All” Model an Ill Fit for Grays Harbor
15. Is Solar City a Threat to Electric Co-ops?
16. Why Utilities Could Soon Face Massive Load Defection & How They Can Prevent It
17. Shared Solar Tries Again to Light Up Connecticut
18. For Solar to Take Off, It Needs a Longer Runway
19. A Texas Wind Power Company Is Scrapping Its Eastern Shore Project amid Political Opposition
20. Energy Efficiency Products Top Homeowner Clean Energy Purchases
21. EPA & DOE Honor 2015 Energy Star Partners of the Year for Leadership on Energy Efficiency, Acting on Climate
22. Oregon: AmeriCorps Team in Bend, Promoting Energy Conservation
23. Thousands of Marijuana Plants Lost In Fire at Legal Seattle Grow Operation
24. Seattle Marijuana Startup Scores Lots of Green – The Paper Kind
25. Woodland Accepts Marijuana Industry – Tweak to Ordinance Will Allow Issuing of Business Licenses
26. Oregon Lawmakers Consider Letting Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Temporarily Sell Recreational Pot
27. Poll Highlights the Rapidly Growing Power of Cannabis in Politics
28. Teens’ Climate-Change Suit Hits Court with Call to Protect Our Air
29. Rand Paul Says EPA Wants to Police Your Hotel Shower
30. Apple Plans ‘Major, Major Expansion’ of Oregon Data Center
31. Google Who? Oregon Cities Want Their Own Fiber Networks
32. Op/Ed: Investment in Broadband Grows, Electrical Rates Rise – Coincidence?
33. New Mexico: CenturyLink’s Dodd: ‘We’re Fighting Hard for Broadband’
34. ‘Star Wars’ Saga Available to Stream, Download Friday
35. Following Complaint from Comcast, Ad Board Recommends DirecTV Discontinue Rob Lowe Ads
36. Who Won the Battle of March Madness Brands?
37. Scientists Swarm around the Twitter Hashtag #IAmAScientistBecause
38. Scientists Link ‪Selfies to Narcissism, ‪Addiction & Mental Illness
39. ‘Star Wars’ Saga Available to Stream, Download Friday
40. Map: The Most Liberal & Conservative Towns in Each State
41. Tight Puget Sound Housing Market Creating ‘Buyer Anxiety’
42. Commissioner: Log Shipping Slump Erodes Port of Port Angeles Revenue
43. Welcome to Shelton - With a Brand New Sign
44. Thieves Steal Brass Vases from Olympia Grave Sites
45. Common Weed Could Become New Northwest Cash Crop

WORD OF THE DAY

Chanteuse • \shant-TOOZ\ • Noun – Songstress; especially: a woman who is a concert or nightclub singer.

The darkened nightclub’s atmosphere had an atmosphere of its own. Cigarette smoke coiling to the ceiling, its path dimly lit by the subdued lights at each table. The clinking of ice cubes in whisky glasses, the muddled crowd noise that masked conversations, intimate or otherwise deepened the mood. Without warning, a spotlight cut through the darkness, hushing the crowd and revealing the night’s entertainment: a blond chanteuse named “Sally Blue.” Her light, breathy voice caressed the ears of the entire audience, making it seem as if every note, nuance in phrasing, and whisper was meant just for that one person. She held the room in the palm of her hand, and she knew it.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Power Surge Knocks Out Electrical Service in Parts of Washington, D-C Region (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/scattered-power-outages-reported-across-dc-area/2015/04/07/8f4e8b84-dd49-11e4-a500-1c5bb1d8ff6a_story.html

Oregon Bill Would Require Transmission Lines Minimize Farm Impacts (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA)

http://union-bulletin.com/news/2015/apr/07/bill-would-require-transmission-lines-minimize-far/

Bonneville Power Administration-PacifiCorp Transmission Complaint Sent to Hearing (Argus Media)

http://www.argusmedia.com/News/Article?id=1018810

Grays Harbor PUD Looking to Refinance Bonds, Could Save an Estimated $5 Million (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/pud-looking-refinance-bonds-could-save-estimated-5-million

Maryland: Family Died Of Gas Poisoning after Utility Cut Power to Home (Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg)

http://www.vagazette.com/news/chi-family-dead-maryland-20150407,0,7970087.story

Can a New Generation of Startups Revolutionize the Nuclear Industry? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/stephenlacey/2214176/can-new-generation-startups-revolutionize-nuclear-industry

FERC Employees Negotiate for Industry Jobs under Agency’s Eye (E&E Publishing)

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060016380

Report: The Way We Power Our Homes May Be on the Verge of a Major Change (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/04/07/study-the-way-we-get-electricity-may-be-on-the-verge-of-a-major-change/?wprss=rss_national

FISH & WILDLIFE

Feds to Consider Endangered Species Listing for Spotted Owl (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Feds-to-consider-endangered-species-listing-for-spotted-owl--298999731.html

Editorial: Study Finds Good Payoff for Habitat Restoration (Daily Astorian, OR)
http://www.dailyastorian.com/editorials/20150407/editorial-study-finds-good-payoff-for-habitat-restoration

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Desperate from Drought, California Turns to Desalination (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-08/california-sees-salvation-in-seawater-as-drought-drags-on

In Drought, Californians Lacking Water Meters Let It Flow (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/08/us-usa-california-drought-idUSKBN0MZ14V20150408

Carly Fiorina Blames Environmentalists for California Drought (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/carly-fiorina-california-drought-116711.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Op/Ed: Russ Skolrood – I-937’s “One-Size Fits All” Model an Ill Fit for Grays Harbor (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/opinion/letters/russ-skolrood-i-937-s-one-size-fits-all-model-ill-fit-grays-harbor

Is Solar City a Threat to Electric Co-ops? (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/is-solar-city-a-threat-to-electric-co-ops/79833

Why Utilities Could Soon Face Massive Load Defection & How They Can Prevent It (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/why-utilities-could-soon-face-massive-load-defection-and-how-they-can-prev/383558/

Shared Solar Tries Again to Light Up Connecticut (Hartford Courant, CT)

http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-ctm-shared-solar-connecticut-20150407-story.html#page=1

For Solar to Take Off, It Needs a Longer Runway (Morning Consult)

http://morningconsult.com/2015/04/for-solar-to-take-off-it-needs-a-longer-runway/

A Texas Wind Power Company Is Scrapping Its Eastern Shore Project amid Political Opposition (Associated Press)

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/atlarge/2015/04/a-texas-wind-power-company-is-scrapping-its-eastern-shore-project-amid-political-opposition/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Efficiency Products Top Homeowner Clean Energy Purchases (Energy Efficient Markets)

http://energyefficiencymarkets.com/energy-efficiency-products-top-homeowner-clean-energy-purchases/

EPA & DOE Honor 2015 Energy Star Partners of the Year for Leadership on Energy Efficiency, Acting on Climate (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/04/07/epa-and-doe-honor-2015-energy-star-partners-of-the-year-for-leadership-on-energy-efficiency-acting-on-climate/

Oregon: AmeriCorps Team in Bend, Promoting Energy Conservation (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

http://www.ktvz.com/news/AmeriCorps-team-in-Bend-promoting-energy-conservation/32236066

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Thousands of Marijuana Plants Lost In Fire at Legal Seattle Grow Operation (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/2-alarm-fire-breaks-out-commercial-building-interb/nkpnk/

Seattle Marijuana Startup Scores Lots of Green – The Paper Kind (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/health-care-inc/2015/04/seattle-pot-startup-scores-lots-of-green-the-paper.html

Woodland Accepts Marijuana Industry – Tweak to Ordinance Will Allow Issuing of Business Licenses (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/apr/07/woodland-accepts-marijuana-industry/

Oregon Lawmakers Consider Letting Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Temporarily Sell Recreational Pot (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/investigators/Lawmakers-considering-letting-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-temporarily-sell-recreational-pot-299007801.html

Poll Highlights the Rapidly Growing Power of Cannabis in Politics (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/poll-highlights-the-emerging-political-power-of-cannabis/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Teens’ Climate-Change Suit Hits Court with Call to Protect Our Air (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/04/arguments_in_oregon_teens_clim.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Rand Paul Says EPA Wants to Police Your Hotel Shower (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/rand-paul-says-epa-wants-to-police-your-hotel-shower-20150407

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Apple Plans ‘Major, Major Expansion’ of Oregon Data Center (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/04/apple_plans_major_major_expans.html

Google Who? Oregon Cities Want Their Own Fiber Networks (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/04/google_who_hillsboro_gresham_l.html

Op/Ed: Investment in Broadband Grows, Electrical Rates Rise – Coincidence? (Journal of the San Juan Islands, Friday Harbor – Don’t miss the comments, most insightful)

http://www.sanjuanjournal.com/opinion/298936311.html

New Mexico: CenturyLink’s Dodd: ‘We’re Fighting Hard for Broadband’ (Albuquerque Business First, NM)

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/blog/bizventures/2015/04/centurylinks-dodd-were-fighting-hard-for-broadband.html

‘Star Wars’ Saga Available to Stream, Download Friday (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27864403/star-wars-sells-streaming-rights-m-go

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Following Complaint from Comcast, Ad Board Recommends DirecTV Discontinue Rob Lowe Ads (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/07/following-complaint-from-comcast-ad-board-recommends-directv-discontinue-rob-lowe-ads/

Who Won the Battle of March Madness Brands? (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/who-won-battle-march-madness-brands-163932

Scientists Swarm around the Twitter Hashtag #IAmAScientistBecause (NY Times)

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/scientists-swarm-around-the-twitter-hashtag-iamascientistbecause/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Scientists Link ‪Selfies to Narcissism, ‪Addiction & Mental Illness (Complete Health & Happiness)

http://complete-health-and-happiness.com/selfies-narcissism-addiction-mental-illness/

‘Star Wars’ Saga Available to Stream, Download Friday (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27864403/star-wars-sells-streaming-rights-m-go

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Map: The Most Liberal & Conservative Towns in Each State (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/04/07/map-the-most-liberal-and-conservative-towns-in-each-state/?wprss=rss_business

GENERAL NEWS

Tight Puget Sound Housing Market Creating ‘Buyer Anxiety’ (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/money/markets/real-estate/2015/04/07/puget-sound-march-home-sales/25406247/

Commissioner: Log Shipping Slump Erodes Port of Port Angeles Revenue – 40 to 60 Percent Decline Expected at Terminal (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150408/NEWS/304089983/commissioner-log-shipping-slump-erodes-port-of-port-angeles-revenue

Welcome to Shelton - With a Brand New Sign (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/22295-welcome-to-shelton

Thieves Steal Brass Vases from Olympia Grave Sites (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Thieves-steal-brass-vases-from-Olympia-grave-sites-298984291.html

Common Weed Could Become New Northwest Cash Crop (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/common-weed-could-become-new-northwest-cash-crop

DIVERSIONS

American Pie Lyrics Sell for $1.2 Million

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32208584

What Do American Pie’s Lyrics Mean?

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-32196117

Follow-Up File – Sculptor Behind ‘Scary’ Lucille Ball Statue Offers to Replace it for Free

http://time.com/3773304/scary-lucille-ball-statue/

Comic genius Stan Freberg dies

http://koin.com/2015/04/08/comic-genius-stan-freberg-dies/

Stan Freberg - St. George & The Dragonet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUdFLyNCeI4

SONG OF THE DAY

Don McLean – American Pie

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

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 April 7, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for April 7, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/qa7erqw

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST BLOG & TWITTER FEED

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Yakima Valley Water Supply Outlook Takes Big Drop in Latest Estimate (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/3060586-8/water-supply-outlook-takes-big-drop-in-latest

Advocacy Group Names Columbia River Nation’s Second Most Endangered (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/04/columbia_river_named_nations_2.html

Video: Seattle City Light’s ‘Self-Healing’ Power Lines Could Shorten Outages (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/seattle/2015/04/06/self-healing-power-lines-could-shorten-outages/25388285/

How Western Canada Glaciers Will Melt Away (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/how-western-canada-glaciers-will-melt-away-1.3022242?cmp=rss

Stand-Off in Olympia before Washington State Budget Negotiations Even Begin (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/stand-olympia-budget-negotiations-even-begin

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Video: Seattle City Light’s ‘Self-Healing’ Power Lines Could Shorten Outages
2. Oregon: Springfield Utility Board Eyes Electricity Rate Increase
3. Bonneville Power Administration Reaches Settlements with Four Whistleblowers in Hiring Scandal
4. Bonneville Power Administration Offering Grants in Science & Energy Education
5. Senate Bill in the Works to Expand FERC’s Authority to Site Power Lines
6. Eight Family Members Die in Maryland Generator Tragedy
7. Inside the Utility Industry’s 2015 Playbook
8. Survey: Customers Want Prepaid Utility Options
9. April is National Safe-Digging Month – Pacific Gas & Electric Reminds Customers to Call 811 before Digging
10. Managers Likely to Cancel West Coast Sardine Fishery
11. Advocacy Group Names Columbia River Nation’s Second Most Endangered
12. Yakima Valley Water Supply Outlook Takes Big Drop in Latest Estimate
13. Editorial: Evergreen, Ever Vigilant – Amid western drought, state must plan for how our future might look
14. Radiation from 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Meltdown in Japan Detected on British Columbia Coast
15. IRS Paves the Road for a Windy 2016
16. Net Metering Versus Self-Generation for Solar Energy
17. Utilities May Lose More Grid-Connected Customers, & Billions of Dollars
18. Washington State Senate Votes to Eliminate Marijuana Excise Taxes
19. Chart of the Week: Much of Oregon Set for Messy Grand Re-Opening
20. Hemp Advocate Rand Paul Announces Candidacy for President
21. How Western Canada Glaciers Will Melt Away
22. Here’s How Tom Steyer Will Attack GOP 2016 Hopefuls on ‘Climate Denial’ & Koch Ties
23. What Americans Think about Climate Change in Seven Maps
24. Sea-Tac One of Top Ten Techie Airports, Plans to Spend $10 Million to Boost Wi-Fi
25. Nine Ways to Humanize Your Brand with Social Media
26. Pinterest Marketing: Your Complete Guide to Pinterest Success
27. FTC Asked to Investigate “YouTube Kids” for Deceptively using ads Targeted at Toddlers
28. Crowdsourcing Cows: Tillamook Invites Fans to Guide the Company through a New Online Community
29. Stand-Off in Olympia before Washington State Budget Negotiations Even Begin
30. Poll Says Washington State Divided on Olympia Budget Brawl
31. Oregon’s Former First Lady: Hayes Emails Show She Wanted Policy Agenda Kept Secret
32. Lightning Hits Vancouver Redwood, Debris Flies for Blocks
33. Seattle Brewery Forced to Change Beer Name after ‘Cease-&-Desist’

WORD OF THE DAY

Anfractuous • \an-FRACK-chuh-wuss\ • Adjective - Full of windings & intricate turnings: tortuous.

Benny’s head was swimming. The HR staffer was guiding him to his desk in the cubicle farm using a GPS unit. Walking past the same water cooler for the third time convinced the new hire that regardless of the technological assistance, they were both lost in the anfractuous pathways that led to the small hutch that would be his home away from home for the next 30 years. “All I can say,” muttered Ben, is that there had darned well be some cheese at the end of this maze.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Video: Seattle City Light’s ‘Self-Healing’ Power Lines Could Shorten Outages (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/seattle/2015/04/06/self-healing-power-lines-could-shorten-outages/25388285/

Oregon: Springfield Utility Board Eyes Electricity Rate Increase (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/32940583-75/sub-expected-wednesday-to-increase-residential-electric-rates-starting-in-may.html.csp

Bonneville Power Administration Reaches Settlements with Four Whistleblowers in Hiring Scandal (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/04/bonneville_reaches_settlements.html

Bonneville Power Administration Offering Grants in Science & Energy Education (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-offering-grants-in-science-and-energy-education.aspx

Senate Bill in the Works to Expand FERC’s Authority to Site Power Lines (Governor’s Wind Energy Coalition)

http://www.governorswindenergycoalition.org/?p=12389

Eight Family Members Die in Maryland Generator Tragedy (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2015/0407/Eight-family-members-die-in-generator-tragedy-in-Maryland

Inside the Utility Industry’s 2015 Playbook (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/inside-the-utility-industrys-2015-playbook/383267/

Survey: Customers Want Prepaid Utility Options (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/survey-customers-want-prepaid-utility-options/383216/

April is National Safe-Digging Month – Pacific Gas & Electric Reminds Customers to Call 811 before Digging (PG&E Currents)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2015/04/06/april-is-national-safe-digging-month-pge-reminds-customers-to-call-811-before-digging/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Managers Likely to Cancel West Coast Sardine Fishery (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/managers-likely-to-cancel-west-coast-sardine-fishery/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Advocacy Group Names Columbia River Nation’s Second Most Endangered (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/04/columbia_river_named_nations_2.html

Yakima Valley Water Supply Outlook Takes Big Drop in Latest Estimate (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/3060586-8/water-supply-outlook-takes-big-drop-in-latest

Editorial: Evergreen, Ever Vigilant – Amid western drought, state must plan for how our future might look (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/apr/07/evergreen-ever-vigilant/

Radiation from 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Meltdown in Japan Detected on British Columbia Coast (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/radiation-from-2011-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-detected-on-bc-coast/article23812476/?cmpid=rss1

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

IRS Paves the Road for a Windy 2016 (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/04/irs-paves-the-road-for-a-windy-2016?cmpid=rss

Net Metering Versus Self-Generation for Solar Energy (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jim-greenberger/2213681/net-metering-vs-self-generation-solar-pv

Utilities May Lose More Grid-Connected Customers, & Billions of Dollars “…solar panels…with battery storage is…a decade away…” (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2015/04/07/utilities-may-lose-more-grid-connected-customers-and-billions-of-dollars/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Washington State Senate Votes to Eliminate Marijuana Excise Taxes (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/washington-senate-votes-to-eliminate-marijuana-excise-taxes/

Chart of the Week: Much of Oregon Set for Messy Grand Re-Opening (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/chart-week-much-oregon-set-messy-grand-re-opening/

Hemp Advocate Rand Paul Announces Candidacy for President (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/hemp-advocate-rand-paul-announces-candidacy-for-president/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

How Western Canada Glaciers Will Melt Away (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/how-western-canada-glaciers-will-melt-away-1.3022242?cmp=rss

Here’s How Tom Steyer Will Attack GOP 2016 Hopefuls on ‘Climate Denial’ & Koch Ties (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/here-s-how-tom-steyer-will-attack-gop-2016-hopefuls-on-climate-denial-and-koch-ties-20150406

What Americans Think about Climate Change in Seven Maps (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/04/what-americans-think-about-climate-change-in-seven-maps?cmpid=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Sea-Tac One of Top Ten Techie Airports, Plans to Spend $10 Million to Boost Wi-Fi (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/04/sea-tac-one-of-top-10-techie-airports-plans-to.html

The CIA, Co-ops & Cybersecurity (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/the-cia-co-ops-and-cybersecurity/79818

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Nine Ways to Humanize Your Brand with Social Media (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/humanize-your-brand-with-social-media/

Pinterest Marketing: Your Complete Guide to Pinterest Success (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/pinterest-marketing-guide/

FTC Asked to Investigate “YouTube Kids” for Deceptively using ads Targeted at Toddlers (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27862648/ftc-asked-investigate-youtube-kids-deceptively-targeting-toddlers

Crowdsourcing Cows: Tillamook Invites Fans to Guide the Company through a New Online Community (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/04/crowdsourcing-cows-tillamook-invites-fans-to-guide.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Stand-Off in Olympia before Washington State Budget Negotiations Even Begin (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/stand-olympia-budget-negotiations-even-begin

Poll Says Washington State Divided on Olympia Budget Brawl (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/04/06/state-divided-on-not-really-tuned-in-to-olympia-budget-brawl-poll/

Oregon’s Former First Lady: Hayes Emails Show She Wanted Policy Agenda Kept Secret (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/investigators/Emails-released-by-state-show-Cylvia-Hayes-detailed-policy-for--298839681.html

GENERAL NEWS

Lightning Hits Vancouver Redwood, Debris Flies for Blocks (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/vancouver/2015/04/06/lightning-strikes-vancouver-redwood-debris-flies-for-blocks/25360779/

Seattle Brewery Forced to Change Beer Name after ‘Cease-&-Desist’ (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-brewery-forced-to-change-beer-name-after-cease-and-desist--298832911.html

DIVERSIONS

Burger King to Cover Wedding Costs, Buy Gifts for Newly Engaged Couple for Whopper of a Reason

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/07/burger-king-to-cover-wedding-costs-buy-gifts-for-newly-engaged-couple-for-whopper-of-a-reason/

Baby Hummingbird a ‘Very Lucky Little Bird’ after Being Trapped Inside Easter Bouquet

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Baby+hummingbird+very+lucky+little+bird+after+being+trapped/10949283/story.html

‘I Was Shocked’: Mom Finds Bags of Pot in Toddler’s Easter Present

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/I-was-shocked-Mom-finds-bags-of-pot-in-toddlers-Easter-present-298801431.html

Meet the Award-Winning Seeing-Eye Cat

http://time.com/3758912/seeing-eye-cat/

SONG OF THE DAY

Seals & Crofts – Hummingbird

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B412Ij9IAnc

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 April 6, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for April 6, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/lvjby5m

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Green Energy from the Columbia Gorge Proving Costly to Cowlitz PUD Ratepayers (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/18118cd0-db2b-11e4-80c2-8749c5b81f01.html

Group Launches Initiative for a Carbon Tax in Washington State (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/group-launches-initiative-carbon-tax-washington

Washington State Governor Puts Focus on Climate Goals, and Less on Debate (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/us/politics/washington-governor-puts-focus-on-climate-goals-and-less-on-debate.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FERC Calls for Hearing in BPA-PacifiCorp Dispute; Encourages Parties to Settle (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43538

Sparse Snowpack in Olympics Close to Worst in America's West (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150406/NEWS/304069976/sparse-snowpack-in-olympics-close-to-worst-in-americas-west

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. FERC Calls for Hearing in BPA-PacifiCorp Dispute; Encourages Parties to Settle
2. Idaho: Commissioner Says Farmers Unhappy with Caribou County Transmission Line Route
3. New Deputy Power Manager Announced for Grand Coulee Dam
4. Critics Say Pacific Gas & Electric Minimizes Quake Risks at Nuclear Plant
5. U-S Senator Harry Reid's Exit Removes Obstacle to Yucca Nuclear Waste Site
6. A Rural Colorado Utility Bucks Against Its Power Supplier
7. Part III: How Do You Teach Customers Algebra If They Don't Know How to Multiply?
8. Editorial: Swimming Upstream to Save a Victim of California’s Water Crisis – Delta smelt nears extinction despite years of efforts
9. Tackling a Sustainable Industry for Atlantic Salmon Farming
10. Sparse Snowpack in Olympics Close to Worst in America's West
11. University of Washington UW Looking for Help to Measure Olympic Peninsula Rainfall
12. California: Storms Will Boost Reservoirs And Bring Snow to Mountains But Won’t Be ‘Drought-Busting’
13. Below Culmback Dam – Spectacular Gorge on Sultan River Will Open to Kayakers April 25
14. Green Energy from the Columbia Gorge Proving Costly to Cowlitz PUD Ratepayers
15. Cowlitz Wind Energy by the Numbers
16. Op/Ed: Washington State Must Step Up Game on Renewable Energy
17. Build More Renewables, “We Dare You” – Wind Gets Cheaper, But Energy for Building Turbines Wanes
18. Nonhydro Electricity Storage Increasing as New Policies Are Implemented
19. Energy Northwest, Bonneville Power Administration Integrate Additional DR Resource into Project
20. U-S Justice Medical Marijuana Enforcements Proceed Despite Congressional Mandate
21. Marijuana Trimmers Use Tiny Scissors But Eye Big Careers
22. Taiwan Expanding into Indoor, LED-Lit, Pesticide-Free Farms
23. Group Launches Initiative for a Carbon Tax in Washington State
24. Washington State Governor Puts Focus on Climate Goals, and Less on Debate
25. ALEC: This Conservative Group is Tired of Being Accused of Climate Denial, And Is Fighting Back 
26. Google Is Forcing Big Broadband Providers to Boost Speeds
27. Google Gmail Users Hit by Software Glitch
28. Canadian Telecom Companies Set Example for A La Carte TV Fees
29. Philadelphia Won’t Show Results of Comcast Customer Survey to Anyone – Except Comcast
30. Publication of New Internet Rules to Prompt Cheers and Challenges
31. Every Wi-Fi Router Should Look Like the USS Enterprise
32. Spring Tweeting: Mariners Receive Social Media Training
33. Washington State Governor Rescinds Travel Ban after Indiana Changes ‘Religious Freedom’ Law
34. Oregon Governor's Office Releases 94,000 Cylvia Hayes Emails
35. Local Taxes Burned Up Along with Springfield, Oregon Mill – The Firm which Purchased OPP Assets
36. Super Bowl Ticket-Resale Company Shrugged When Its Brokers Reneged
37. $93,000 Raised for Richland Florist Who Refused Gay Couple

WORD OF THE DAY

Duende • \doo-END-day\ • noun - The power to attract through personal magnetism & charm.

The high-powered car salesman prowled through the gleaming new cars on his sprawling lot, his duende was described as potent as the musk aftershave that legend decreed was purchased by the barrel, and secretly stored with the windshield wiper blades on the bowels of the auto shop. No customer would withstand either his personality, or his cologne…as one or the other led to the signing of a contract for escape…similar to a wolf chewing off its leg to get out of a trap.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

FERC Calls for Hearing in BPA-PacifiCorp Dispute; Encourages Parties to Settle (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43538

Idaho: Commissioner Says Farmers Unhappy with Caribou County Transmission Line Route (KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls)

http://www.localnews8.com/news/commissioner-farmers-unhappy-with-caribou-county-transmission-line-route/32181980

New Deputy Power Manager Announced for Grand Coulee Dam (Bureau of Reclamation)

http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=49126

Critics Say Pacific Gas & Electric Minimizes Quake Risks at Nuclear Plant (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/PG-E-minimizes-quake-risks-at-nuclear-plant-6179531.php

U-S Senator Harry Reid's Exit Removes Obstacle to Yucca Nuclear Waste Site (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/237845-reids-exit-removes-obstacle-to-yucca-nuclear-waste-site

A Rural Colorado Utility Bucks Against Its Power Supplier (High Country News)

https://www.hcn.org/articles/rural-electric-cooperative-asks-government-for-more-freedom

Part III: How Do You Teach Customers Algebra If They Don't Know How to Multiply? (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/part-iii-how-do-you-teach-customers-algebra-if-they-dont-know-how-to-mult/371209/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Editorial: Swimming Upstream to Save a Victim of California’s Water Crisis – Delta smelt nears extinction despite years of efforts (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dan-morain/article17351492.html

Tackling a Sustainable Industry for Atlantic Salmon Farming (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/tackling-a-sustainable-industry-for-atlantic-salmon-farming/article23794936/?cmpid=rss1

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Sparse Snowpack in Olympics Close to Worst in America's West (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150406/NEWS/304069976/sparse-snowpack-in-olympics-close-to-worst-in-americas-west

University of Washington UW Looking for Help to Measure Olympic Peninsula Rainfall (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/uw-looking-for-help-to-measure-rainfall/

California: Storms Will Boost Reservoirs And Bring Snow to Mountains But Won’t Be ‘Drought-Busting’ (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/weather/article17463782.html

Below Culmback Dam – Spectacular Gorge on Sultan River Will Open to Kayakers April 25 (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150405/BLOG49/150409660/Spectacular-gorge-on-Sultan-River-will-open-to-kayakers-April-25-

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Green Energy from the Columbia Gorge Proving Costly to Cowlitz PUD Ratepayers (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/18118cd0-db2b-11e4-80c2-8749c5b81f01.html

Cowlitz Wind Energy by the Numbers (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/energy-by-the-numbers/article_5b731778-db2b-11e4-8585-77ae138ed7a7.html

Op/Ed: Washington State Must Step Up Game on Renewable Energy (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/apr/05/state-must-step-up-game-on-renewable-energy/

Build More Renewables, “We Dare You” – Wind Gets Cheaper, But Energy for Building Turbines Wanes (Interlochen Public Radio, MI)

http://interlochenpublicradio.org/post/wind-gets-cheaper-energy-building-turbines-wanes

Nonhydro Electricity Storage Increasing as New Policies Are Implemented (U-S Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=20652

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Northwest, Bonneville Power Administration Integrate Additional DR Resource into Project (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43537

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

U-S Justice Medical Marijuana Enforcements Proceed Despite Congressional Mandate (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/doj-enforcements-proceed-despite-congressional-mandate/

Marijuana Trimmers Use Tiny Scissors But Eye Big Careers (Associated Press)

http://www.kxly.com/news/northwest/marijuana-trimmers-use-tiny-scissors-but-eye-big-careers/32200596

Taiwan Expanding into Indoor, LED-Lit, Pesticide-Free Farms (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/apr/04/taiwan-expanding-into-indoor-led-lit-pesticide-fre/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Group Launches Initiative for a Carbon Tax in Washington State (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/group-launches-initiative-carbon-tax-washington

Washington State Governor Puts Focus on Climate Goals, and Less on Debate (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/us/politics/washington-governor-puts-focus-on-climate-goals-and-less-on-debate.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

ALEC: This Conservative Group is Tired of Being Accused of Climate Denial, And Is Fighting Back (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/04/05/this-conservative-group-is-tired-of-being-accused-of-climate-denial-and-is-fighting-back/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Is Forcing Big Broadband Providers to Boost Speeds (Vox)

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/4/8341199/google-comcast-broadband-race

Google Gmail Users Hit by Software Glitch (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32194202

Canadian Telecom Companies Set Example for A La Carte TV Fees (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/apr/05/canadian-telecom-companies-set-exle-for-a-la/

Philadelphia Won’t Show Results of Comcast Customer Survey to Anyone – Except Comcast (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/06/philadelphia-wont-show-results-of-comcast-customer-survey-to-anyone-except-comcast/

Publication of New Internet Rules to Prompt Cheers and Challenges (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com//2015/04/05/publication-of-net-neutrality-rules-to-prompt-cheers-and-challenges/

Every Wi-Fi Router Should Look Like the USS Enterprise (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/every-wi-fi-router-should-look-like-the-uss-enterprise-1695903201

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Spring Tweeting: Mariners Receive Social Media Training (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2742819/Spring-tweeting-Mariners-receive-social-media-training

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Governor Rescinds Travel Ban after Indiana Changes ‘Religious Freedom’ Law (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/04/03/inslee-rescinds-travel-ban-after-indiana-changes-religious-freedom-law/

Oregon Governor's Office Releases 94,000 Cylvia Hayes Emails (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/cylvia_hayes_john_kitzhaber_em.html

GENERAL NEWS

Local Taxes Burned Up Along with Springfield, Oregon Mill – The Firm which Purchased OPP Assets (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/32932741-75/plywood-mill-lost-to-fire-will-get-reduction-in-property-taxes.html.csp

Super Bowl Ticket-Resale Company Shrugged When Its Brokers Reneged (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/ticketnetwork-just-shrugged-when-its-brokers-reneged/?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=Newsline&utm_campaign=Newsline

$93,000 Raised for Richland Florist Who Refused Gay Couple (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/04/05/3496047_85k-raised-for-washington-florist.html?rh=1

DIVERSIONS

Hungry Sea Lion Pulls Man Holding Fish Off Boat in California

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/06/us-usa-california-sealion-idUSKBN0MX06G20150406

Judge Rules: Woman Can Serve Elusive Husband Divorce Papers via Facebook Message

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/06/judge-rules-woman-can-serve-elusive-husband-divorce-papers-via-facebook-message/

Seattle-Area Apartments Use DNA Testing to Catch Dog Owners Who Don't Pick Up Pet Droppings

http://www.usnews.com/news/offbeat/articles/2015/04/04/dna-testing-for-dog-poop-on-the-rise-in-seattle-area

Lynyrd Skynyrd Drummer Bob Burns Dies in Car Crash

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32188511

SONG OF THE DAY

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Tuesday's Gone

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

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.