Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Energy News Digest for July 15, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for July 15, 2015

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:

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Record Warm Ocean Temperatures Pose Threat to B-C Salmon – Salmon face double threat from weather changes (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Washington State Governor Blames GOP for Climate Failures (Associated Press)

California: Marin Clean Energy Reaches to Idaho, Oregon for Credits (Marin Independent Journal, CA)

Tieton Firefighters Can Only Watch as Live Power Wires Keep Them from Blaze (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

Marijuana Opponents Using Racketeering Law to Fight Industry (Associated Press)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Tieton Firefighters Can Only Watch as Live Power Wires Keep Them from Blaze
  • Rain Causes Pole Fires, Power Outages around Spokane
  • Small Nuclear Reactors: Search for Washington State Site is Planned
  • Moody’s Maintains Aa3 on Tacoma Power’s Electric System Revenue Bonds – Outlook Stable
  • British Columbia: International Brotherhood of Electrical Works & BC Hydro Ratify Agreement
  • State Auditor: Snoqualmie Pass PUD Head Misused $20K Worth of District Assets
  • Front Porch: Snohomish PUD Announces Grants
  • Bonneville Power Administration Shares New Collection of Historical Films
  • New Mexico: Utility Says Rejecting Plan Would Force Closure of Power Plant
  • When the Lights Went Out in New York: A Tale of Two Nights
  • These Are the Ten Dirtiest Power Companies in the U-S
  • Record Warm Ocean Temperatures Pose Threat to B-C Salmon
  • River Temperatures Prompt Call to Close Fisheries
  • Sage Grouse Flies into U-S Species Protection Crossfire
  • Report: Canadian Wildlife Officer Suspended for Refusing to Kill Bear Cubs
  • Water Theft is Symptom of Bigger Troubles in Wapato Irrigation Project
  • California: Marin Clean Energy Reaches to Idaho, Oregon for Credits
  • Minnesota Community Solar Coming to Xcel Energy Customers
  • Harnessing the Power of the Wind: ‘It’s a Much Better Alternative’
  • Yelm High Class Explores Wind, Solar Technology
  • Amazon Cloud Services to Buy Power Generated by Wind Farm
  • Oklahoma: Osage Nation Prays for the End of Wind Developments
  • Solar Industry Rallies in Support of Federal Tax Incentives
  • Michigan Cities Gearing Up for Fight with Utilities over LED Streetlights
  • Three Questions with a Portland General Electric Smart Grid Expert
  • Marijuana Opponents Using Racketeering Law to Fight Industry
  • Severe Drought Could Hamper California Recreational Marijuana Efforts
  • Fifteen Unlicensed Dispensaries Targeted near Seattle
  • Washington State Governor Blames GOP for Climate Failures
  • Carbon Tax Initiative in Washington State
  • Washington State Lawmakers Extend Sales Tax Break on Electric Vehicles
  • Tesla Co-Founder Sees Big Changes for Utilities
  • Who Killed the Urban Electric Car?
  • Port of Walla Walla’s Broadband Plans Back to Square One
  • Comcast’s Super-Fast Internet Costs $300 a Month
  • Here’s What High Speed Municipal Broadband Looks Like in a Town 200 Miles Away – Let’s Do This, Seattle
  • Obama to Announce Project for More Broadband in Public Housing
  • Comcast to Launch $15-Per-Month Internet TV Service
  • Here’s How Data Caps Really Affect Your Internet Use, According to Data
  • Small Businesses Struggle to Prove Facebook ROI: New Research
  • Thirteen Vintage WPA Posters from the Bay Area
  • Structure Fire on Harstine Island
  • Teen Plane Crash Survivor Arrives Home; Skagit County Searchers Find Wreckage
  • British Columbia to Consider Impounding Cars If Drivers Throw Cigarette Butts
  • California: Recreational Drones Pose Increasing Risk to Firefighting
  • Shelton at Number 19 – These 20 Places in Washington Make the Best Sandwiches EVER
WORD OF THE DAY

Ambuscade • \AM-buss-kade\ • noun - A trap in which concealed persons lie in wait to attack by surprise; also: the persons so concealed or their position

The intricate maze built of copy-paper boxes by the utility’s information services staff had a dual purpose: funnel abusers of the print-limit policy into a single line; and make escape past the carefully organized ambuscade of printer police virtually impossible. The camouflage of those lying in wait was impressive…at first glance; they appeared as innocent boxes of copy paper. However, tear-away panels stood ready to release an onslaught of hidden IS workers at the ambush point.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Tieton Firefighters Can Only Watch as Live Power Wires Keep Them from Blaze (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

Rain Causes Pole Fires, Power Outages around Spokane (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

Small Nuclear Reactors: Search for Washington State Site is Planned (Crosscut Seattle)

Moody’s Maintains Aa3 on Tacoma Power’s Electric System Revenue Bonds – Outlook Stable (Moody’s Investors Service)

British Columbia: International Brotherhood of Electrical Works & BC Hydro Ratify Agreement (Electric Energy Online)

State Auditor: Snoqualmie Pass PUD Head Misused $20K Worth of District Assets (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

Front Porch: Snohomish PUD Announces Grants (Everett Herald, WA)

Bonneville Power Administration Shares New Collection of Historical Films (Bonneville Power Administration)

New Mexico: Utility Says Rejecting Plan Would Force Closure of Power Plant (Associated Press)

When the Lights Went Out in New York: A Tale of Two Nights (Huffington Post)

These Are the Ten Dirtiest Power Companies in the U-S (Grist Online)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Record Warm Ocean Temperatures Pose Threat to B-C Salmon – Salmon face double threat from weather changes (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

River Temperatures Prompt Call to Close Fisheries (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Sage Grouse Flies into U-S Species Protection Crossfire (Reuters)

Report: Canadian Wildlife Officer Suspended for Refusing to Kill Bear Cubs (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Water Theft is Symptom of Bigger Troubles in Wapato Irrigation Project (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

California: Marin Clean Energy Reaches to Idaho, Oregon for Credits (Marin Independent Journal, CA)

Minnesota Community Solar Coming to Xcel Energy Customers (Minnesota Public Radio)

Harnessing the Power of the Wind: ‘It’s a Much Better Alternative’ (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

Yelm High Class Explores Wind, Solar Technology (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Amazon Cloud Services to Buy Power Generated by Wind Farm (Associated Press)

Oklahoma: Osage Nation Prays for the End of Wind Developments (Tulsa World, OK)

Solar Industry Rallies in Support of Federal Tax Incentives (Triangle Business Journal, NC)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Michigan Cities Gearing Up for Fight with Utilities over LED Streetlights (Midwest Energy News)

Three Questions with a Portland General Electric Smart Grid Expert (Portland Business Journal, OR)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Marijuana Opponents Using Racketeering Law to Fight Industry (Associated Press)

Severe Drought Could Hamper California Recreational Marijuana Efforts (Marijuana Business Daily)

Fifteen Unlicensed Dispensaries Targeted near Seattle (Marijuana Business Daily)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Governor Blames GOP for Climate Failures (Associated Press)

Carbon Tax Initiative in Washington State (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Washington State Lawmakers Extend Sales Tax Break on Electric Vehicles (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Tesla Co-Founder Sees Big Changes for Utilities (Electric Co-op Today)

Who Killed the Urban Electric Car? (The Energy Collective)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Port of Walla Walla’s Broadband Plans Back to Square One (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA)

Comcast’s Super-Fast Internet Costs $300 a Month (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

Here’s What High Speed Municipal Broadband Looks Like in a Town 200 Miles Away – Let’s Do This, Seattle (The Stranger – PG-13 Language)

Obama to Announce Project for More Broadband in Public Housing (Reuters)

Comcast to Launch $15-Per-Month Internet TV Service (Associated Press)

Here’s How Data Caps Really Affect Your Internet Use, According to Data (Washington Post)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Small Businesses Struggle to Prove Facebook ROI: New Research (Social Media Examiner)

Thirteen Vintage WPA Posters from the Bay Area (SF Chronicle, CA)

GENERAL NEWS

Structure Fire on Harstine Island (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Teen Plane Crash Survivor Arrives Home; Skagit County Searchers Find Wreckage (Associated Press)

British Columbia to Consider Impounding Cars If Drivers Throw Cigarette Butts (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

California: Recreational Drones Pose Increasing Risk to Firefighting (Sacramento Bee, CA)

Shelton at Number 19 – These 20 Places in Washington Make the Best Sandwiches EVER (Only in Your State)

DIVERSIONS

Pluto’s Not Just a Dwarf Planet, It’s Now a Meme

The Danes Are Going to Complete a Karmic Circle by Recycling Urine into Beer

Guy Adopts Two Puppies, Finds Out They’re Actually Bears – Oops

Judge Rules in Battle of the Ukulele Orchestras

SONG OF THE DAY

John Lennon – Instant Karma!

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.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Energy News Digest for July 10, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for July 10, 2015 (40% Chance of Rain Monday)

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:

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Pacific Northwest Fish Expenses Hit $782 Million (Electric Co-op Today)

Low River Flows Prompt Eugene Water & Electric Board Turbine Shutdown at Trail Bridge Dam (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

California Utilities Want Distributed Generation to Count towards Renewables Mandate (Utility Dive)

Haze from Canadian Wildfires Spreads over Washington, Other States (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

Washington Legislature Set to Adjourn after Final Votes (Associated Press)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Low River Flows Prompt Eugene Water & Electric Board Turbine Shutdown at Trail Bridge Dam
  • Feds Approve Snohomish PUD’s Two Small Hydroelectricity Projects
  • Columbia River PUD Explores Rate Increases as Power Costs Spike
  • Idaho Falls Power Costs May Decrease
  • Man Gets 21 Days for Stealing Copper Wire from Grant PUD
  • Power Trade Rises between U-S & Canada, Boosting Reliability
  • United States – Canada Electricity Trade Increases
  • What About Nuclear Power Isn’t Good?
  • Seabrook Atomic Plant Helping to Keep the Lights on in Vermont
  • NRC Reopens Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant License Extension Case
  • Colorado: Boulder Asks State Regulators for Approval to Transfer Utility Assets to City
  • Louisiana: Allen Parish Man Electrocuted While Stealing Copper Wire
  • Smart Grid Backers: Energy Tests Show Promise, More Work Needed for Full U-S Rollout
  • Utilities Risk Losing Commercial Customers without New Approach
  • Pacific Northwest Fish Expenses Hit $782 Million
  • West Coast Drought Producing ‘Unprecedented’ Lethal Conditions for Salmon, Trout
  • As Willamette Project Dam Work Inches Along, Corps Works Out Deadline Extension
  • Clark County Waterways Restoration Projects in the Works
  • World’s Seabird Population Down 70 Per Cent, Say UBC Researchers
  • California Utilities Want Distributed Generation to Count towards Renewables Mandate
  • Colorado Power Cooperative Looks Again at Rates after Jump in Solar Customers
  • New Plan Will Fund Solar Energy for Low-Income Americans
  • Living Comfortably: A Consumer’s Guide to Home Energy Upgrades
  • Many People Have No Idea How to Use Their Thermostats — And It’s Costing Them
  • How Much Energy Does the Internet Use? And Other Science Explainers
  • New Pot Report Details Year 1 in Washington State
  • Black Market Weed is Legal Marijuana’s Biggest Road Block
  • The Oregonian’s Marijuana Seeds Have Sprouted – Watch Them Grow 24/7 via Live-Stream
  • Warming World Giving Bumblebees the Squeeze, Says Study
  • News Release: IDACORP Sustainability Report Goes “Above the Lines”
  • How Much Does Your State Care about the Environment?
  • ‘Cloud Tax’ Upsets Chicago Tech Community: ‘Life Just Got 9 Percent Harder’
  • The United States Wants to Push Back the Date It Gives Up Symbolic Control of the Internet
  • Moving from Frame Relay to Network Generation IP Requires Extensive Migration Plans for Utilities
  • How to Use Facebook’s New News Feed Controls
  • Digital Life: How to Sign Off on Work Email
  • Washington Legislature Set to Adjourn after Final Votes
  • Washington State Senators Take Votes to Wrap Up Longest Legislative Session
  • Troy Who? Auditor’s Office Keeps Going under Jan Jutte’s Steady Hand
  • Haze from Canadian Wildfires Spreads over Washington, Other States
  • Highway 3 Work in Belfair Begins This Week
  • Removing Trees Part of City of Shelton Sidewalk Repairs
  • Johns Prairie Road Closure Monday
  • Utility, Environmental Group Disagree on Risk Level for Tacoma Oil Train Terminals
  • Sawmills Struggle to Break Even with “Thinning” On Public Lands
WORD OF THE DAY

Garderobe • \GAR-drohb\ • Noun – 1: a wardrobe or its contents 2: a private room: bedroom 3: privy, toilet.

It’s a garderobe built for “The King” enthused the overbearing, red-faced realtor to his prospective client. The seams on the salesman’s suit strained as he made expansive gestures with a chubby arm at the bathroom’s color television, bulging magazine rack, and upholstered privy seat. “But when you said ‘The King’ I thought you meant Elvis, not Don King,” the buyer muttered in a soft, guttural sigh.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Low River Flows Prompt Eugene Water & Electric Board Turbine Shutdown at Trail Bridge Dam (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

Feds Approve Snohomish PUD’s Two Small Hydroelectricity Projects (Everett Herald, WA)

Columbia River PUD Explores Rate Increases as Power Costs Spike (Pamplin Media Group, Portland, OR)
http://www.pamplinmedia.com/scs/83-news/265752-139260-pud-explores-rate-increases-as-power-costs-spike
http://www.addison-eagle.com/news/2015/jul/10/seabrook-atomic-plant-helping-keep-lights-vermont/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/originals/ct-chicago-cloud-tax-tech-reaction-bsi-20150702-story.html



Idaho Falls Power Costs May Decrease (Local News 8, Idaho Falls, ID)

Man Gets 21 Days for Stealing Copper Wire from Grant PUD (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

Power Trade Rises between U-S & Canada, Boosting Reliability (Utility Dive)

United States – Canada Electricity Trade Increases (U-S Energy Information Administration)

What About Nuclear Power Isn’t Good? (Forbes Magazine)

Seabrook Atomic Plant Helping to Keep the Lights on in Vermont (Addison Eagle, VT)

NRC Reopens Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant License Extension Case (Utility Dive)

Colorado: Boulder Asks State Regulators for Approval to Transfer Utility Assets to City (American Public Power Association)

Louisiana: Allen Parish Man Electrocuted While Stealing Copper Wire (KATC-TV, Lafayette LA)

Smart Grid Backers: Energy Tests Show Promise, More Work Needed for Full U-S Rollout (Portland Business Journal, OR)

Utilities Risk Losing Commercial Customers without New Approach (The Energy Collective)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Pacific Northwest Fish Expenses Hit $782 Million (Electric Co-op Today)

West Coast Drought Producing ‘Unprecedented’ Lethal Conditions for Salmon, Trout (KCBS-TV, San Francisco, CA)

As Willamette Project Dam Work Inches Along, Corps Works Out Deadline Extension (Oregonian, Portland)

Clark County Waterways Restoration Projects in the Works (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

World’s Seabird Population Down 70 Per Cent, Say UBC Researchers (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

California Utilities Want Distributed Generation to Count towards Renewables Mandate (Utility Dive)

Colorado Power Cooperative Looks Again at Rates after Jump in Solar Customers (Denver Business Journal, CO)

New Plan Will Fund Solar Energy for Low-Income Americans (CNBC)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Living Comfortably: A Consumer’s Guide to Home Energy Upgrades (Breaking Energy)

Many People Have No Idea How to Use Their Thermostats — And It’s Costing Them (Washington Post)

How Much Energy Does the Internet Use? And Other Science Explainers (Gizmodo)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

New Pot Report Details Year 1 in Washington State (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Black Market Weed is Legal Marijuana’s Biggest Road Block (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

The Oregonian’s Marijuana Seeds Have Sprouted – Watch Them Grow 24/7 via Live-Stream (Oregonian, Portland)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Warming World Giving Bumblebees the Squeeze, Says Study (The Weather Network)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

News Release: IDACORP Sustainability Report Goes “Above the Lines” (Electric Energy Online)

How Much Does Your State Care about the Environment? (Grist Online)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

‘Cloud Tax’ Upsets Chicago Tech Community: ‘Life Just Got 9 Percent Harder’ (Chicago Tribune, IL)

The United States Wants to Push Back the Date It Gives Up Symbolic Control of the Internet (Washington Post)

Moving from Frame Relay to Network Generation IP Requires Extensive Migration Plans for Utilities (Breaking Energy)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

How to Use Facebook’s New News Feed Controls (Washington Post)

Digital Life: How to Sign Off on Work Email (USA Today)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington Legislature Set to Adjourn after Final Votes (Associated Press)

Washington State Senators Take Votes to Wrap Up Longest Legislative Session (Crosscut Seattle)

Troy Who? Auditor’s Office Keeps Going under Jan Jutte’s Steady Hand (Everett Herald, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

Haze from Canadian Wildfires Spreads over Washington, Other States (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

Highway 3 Work in Belfair Begins This Week (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Removing Trees Part of City of Shelton Sidewalk Repairs (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Johns Prairie Road Closure Monday (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Utility, Environmental Group Disagree on Risk Level for Tacoma Oil Train Terminals (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

Sawmills Struggle to Break Even with “Thinning” On Public Lands (Northwest Public Radio)

DIVERSIONS

‘Lawrence of Arabia’ Star Omar Sharif Dies at 83

Lost Dog Walks 35 Miles in 9 Days to Make Its Way Home

Six of Top 10 U-S Cities for Coffee Drinkers Are in Washington State

Musician Collapses Wearing All His Clothes to Beat Budget Airline Fees

SONG OF THE DAY

Maurice Jarre – Lawrence of Arabia, Soundtrack Suite

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.


Thursday, July 2, 2015

Energy News Digest for July 2, 2015

Enjoy the Independence Day Weekend. The founding fathers had a lot riding on their signing of the Declaration of Independence: their livelihoods, and literally their lives. As Ben Franklin memorably stated at the signing, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for July 2, 2015

Record Warm Temperatures for June in Western Washington (National Weather Service, Seattle)

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:

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Drought Reduces Hydroelectric Output (Capital Press)

California PUC Floats New Electricity Rate Plan – Proposal Is Blasted “…could boost power rates by as much as $10 a month for 80 percent of California’s residential consumers…” (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

Marijuana Growing Spikes Denver Energy Demand (The Cannabist, Denver, CO)

Chinook, Sockeye Seasons Extended on Columbia River (Longview Daily News, WA)

Washington State Government Has a Budget – Legislature Isn’t Finished (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Drought Reduces Hydroelectric Output
  • California PUC Floats New Electricity Rate Plan – Proposal Is Blasted
  • Klickitat PUD Pumped Storage on Hold for Now
  • What the Supreme Court MATS Ruling Means for Utilities & the EPA Clean Power Plan
  • Puerto Rico Power Authority Avoids Default with $415 Million Bond Payment
  • Weak Power Grids in Africa Stunt Economies & Fire Up Tempers
  • Germany to Shut Down Coal-Fired Plants, Extend Power Grid –Sources
  • Chinook, Sockeye Seasons Extended on Columbia River
  • Sport Fishing Ban Urged By Conservationists as Temperature in British Columbia Rivers Rise
  • Washington State Endangered Species Initiative Gains Enough Signatures
  • Drought Conditions Dry Up Swim Areas & Boat Launch at Alder Lake
  • Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Flows Forward with Federal Funds Proposal
  • Kitsap PUD Assumes Operation of Two More Bainbridge Island Water Systems
  • Rain Shadow Radiance: Solar Energy Captures Interest in Sequim
  • White House Rejects Biomass as Carbon Neutral
  • BPA Conservation Credits: Plenty of Business Tax Changes That Started July 1
  • Video: Renton Schools Turn Up Learning with LED Lights
  • Energy Adviser: Methods to Beat the Heat Are Many
  • Marijuana Growing Spikes Denver Energy Demand
  • New York Marijuana Development Firm Buys West Eugene Factory from Eugene Water & Electric Board
  • Pot Now Legal in Oregon; Washington State Shops Reap Benefit
  • Thurston County Residents Invited to Take Survey on Clean Energy & Climate Change
  • News Release: British Columbia Celebrates Five Consecutive Carbon Neutral Years
  • Toyota, Nissan, Honda Back Hydrogen Stations for Fuel Cells
  • Siemens to Open Plant to Turn Electricity from Wind into Hydrogen
  • FBI Seeking Fiber-Optic Cable Vandals in Wake of Recent Bay Area Attacks
  • Seattle City Council Member Urges Grass Roots Broadband Revolution after Ten Years of Failing to Fix Broken Broadband Duopoly
  • Jim Beam (Yes, the Whiskey Maker) Says We Need Broadband Competition
  • How States Are Fighting to Keep Towns from Offering Their Own Broadband
  • How the Internet is Ruining Your Memory
  • Facebook Just Updated Its Logo Ever So Slightly – Can You Tell the Difference?
  • Washington State Government Has a Budget – Legislature Isn’t Finished
  • Washington State’s Capital Budget Funds Critical Local Projects for Shelton, Belfair & Bremerton
  • About 2,100 Acres Burns near Quincy
  • Wenatchee Blaze That Destroyed 29 Homes Was Human-Caused; Fire Now 83% Contained
  • Even Washington’s Drought Can’t Stop Fireworks Now
  • Oregon: Four Preteen Boys Will Be Charged in Eugene Civic Stadium Fire
  • Mason County Commissioners Comment on Wilson Recycling Closure
WORD OF THE DAY

Tortuous • \TOR-chuh-wus\ • adjective *1: marked by repeated twists, bends, or turns : winding 2a: marked by devious or indirect tactics: crooked, tricky b: circuitous, involved

Out of the tortuous plot, huge vocabulary and over 600 pages of text, there’s only one line from James Joyce’s novel “Ulysses” that I remember: “Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stair head, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed. A yellow dressing gown, ungirdled, was sustained gently behind him by the mild morning air.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Drought Reduces Hydroelectric Output (Capital Press)

California PUC Floats New Electricity Rate Plan – Proposal Is Blasted “…could boost power rates by as much as $10 a month for 80 percent of California’s residential consumers…” (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

Klickitat PUD Pumped Storage on Hold for Now (Goldendale Sentinel, WA)

What the Supreme Court MATS Ruling Means for Utilities & the EPA Clean Power Plan (Utility Dive)

Puerto Rico Power Authority Avoids Default with $415 Million Bond Payment (The Guardian, UK)

Weak Power Grids in Africa Stunt Economies & Fire Up Tempers (NY Times)

Germany to Shut Down Coal-Fired Plants, Extend Power Grid –Sources (Reuters)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Chinook, Sockeye Seasons Extended on Columbia River (Longview Daily News, WA)

Sport Fishing Ban Urged By Conservationists as Temperature in British Columbia Rivers Rise (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

Washington State Endangered Species Initiative Gains Enough Signatures (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Drought Conditions Dry Up Swim Areas & Boat Launch at Alder Lake (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Flows Forward with Federal Funds Proposal (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

Kitsap PUD Assumes Operation of Two More Bainbridge Island Water Systems (Bainbridge Island Review, WA)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Rain Shadow Radiance: Solar Energy Captures Interest in Sequim (Sequim Gazette, WA)

White House Rejects Biomass as Carbon Neutral (Utility Dive)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

BPA Conservation Credits: Plenty of Business Tax Changes That Started July 1 (Bellingham Herald, WA)

Video: Renton Schools Turn Up Learning with LED Lights (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Energy Adviser: Methods to Beat the Heat Are Many (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Marijuana Growing Spikes Denver Energy Demand (The Cannabist, Denver, CO)

New York Marijuana Development Firm Buys West Eugene Factory from Eugene Water & Electric Board (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

Pot Now Legal in Oregon; Washington State Shops Reap Benefit (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Thurston County Residents Invited to Take Survey on Clean Energy & Climate Change (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

News Release: British Columbia Celebrates Five Consecutive Carbon Neutral Years (Electric Energy Online)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Toyota, Nissan, Honda Back Hydrogen Stations for Fuel Cells (Associated Press)

Siemens to Open Plant to Turn Electricity from Wind into Hydrogen (Reuters)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FBI Seeking Fiber-Optic Cable Vandals in Wake of Recent Bay Area Attacks (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

Seattle City Council Member Urges Grass Roots Broadband Revolution after Ten Years of Failing to Fix Broken Broadband Duopoly (Techdirt)

Jim Beam (Yes, the Whiskey Maker) Says We Need Broadband Competition (Washington Post)

How States Are Fighting to Keep Towns from Offering Their Own Broadband (Techdirt)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

How the Internet is Ruining Your Memory (Washington Post)

Facebook Just Updated Its Logo Ever So Slightly – Can You Tell the Difference? (AdWeek)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Government Has a Budget – Legislature Isn’t Finished (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Washington State’s Capital Budget Funds Critical Local Projects for Shelton, Belfair & Bremerton (WA House Republican Caucus)

GENERAL NEWS

About 2,100 Acres Burns near Quincy (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

Wenatchee Blaze That Destroyed 29 Homes Was Human-Caused; Fire Now 83% Contained (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

Even Washington’s Drought Can’t Stop Fireworks Now (KPLU Radio, Tacoma, WA)

Oregon: Four Preteen Boys Will Be Charged in Eugene Civic Stadium Fire (Oregonian, Portland)

Mason County Commissioners Comment on Wilson Recycling Closure (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Donald Trump Piñatas for Sale in Mexico after Inflammatory Immigrant Remarks

California Cancer Patient with Amnesia Faces Identity Crisis

Someone Smuggled This Teahouse into an LA Park without Anyone Noticing

The Powers That Be Are Taking the Pop Out of Bubble Wrap Because They Hate Us

SONG OF THE DAY

Josh Groban – Try to Remember (from “The Fantasticks”)

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.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Energy News Digest for July 1, 2015 – Hot Shots Edition

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for July 1, 2015

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST BLOG & TWITTER FEED

The news digest is also available at the following web site:

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP STORIES

The Super Heroes of 2015: Northwest Reservoir Managers (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

Fish Fighting for Survival with Drought (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

Facing El Nino Conditions, City Light Buys Power When It Should Be Selling (Crosscut Seattle)

Rumors of Energy Efficiency's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated (Utility Dive)

Frontier Restores Cable TV Service in Oregon, Washington State (Oregonian, Portland)

Simpson Lumber Company Completes Sale of Shelton Mill Assets (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Crowds Count Down to Legalization of Marijuana in Oregon, Then Light Up (Reuters)

WILDFIRE EXTRA COVERAGE

Wildfire Forces Evacuations near Quincy (Associated Press)

Officials Rule Out Natural Causes in Wenatchee Blaze (Associated Press)

Idiot Alert: Arsonists Spark Nine Brush Fires along I-5 near Marysville (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

SONG OF THE DAY

Electric Light Orchestra – Mr. Blue Sky

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.