Energy News Digest for February 19, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 19, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1RcgYFd

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

http://1.usa.gov/1QoYUuF

Olympic Mountains – Winter Weather Advisory

http://1.usa.gov/1cx8nJX

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Oregon Legislature Moving Fast on Coal, Renewables Deal (Pamplin Media Group, Portland, OR)

http://portlandtribune.com/sl/293849-171299-legislature-moving-fast-on-coal-and-renewables-deal-before-independently-verifying-ratepayer-impact-

Idaho Eyed as Potential Site for Small Nuclear Reactors (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/energy/article/E-Idaho-eyed-as-potential-site-for-small-nuclear-6839879.php

The Surprisingly Huge Energy Footprint of the Booming Marijuana Industry (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/18/this-could-be-a-big-problem-for-the-booming-marijuana-industry/

Clallam PUD Eyes Sequim Solar Power Project (Sequim Gazette, WA)

http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/369147621.html

Another Month, another Heat Record on Earth (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/articles/2016-02-17/the-heat-goes-on-earth-sets-9th-straight-monthly-record

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Oregon Legislature Moving Fast on Coal, Renewables Deal
• Idaho Eyed as Potential Site for Small Nuclear Reactors
• Kshama Sawant Wants an Environmentalist to Run Seattle City Light
• Snohomish PUD Responds after Loud Public Meeting
• Okanogan PUD Awards Bid for Twisp-Pateros Transmission Line
• Op/Ed: Bonneville Power Administration’s Credibility Is on the Line
• Engineering Students Win Grants to Develop Innovations for Electric Utilities
• Pacific Gas & Electric Profits Slump During 2015 as Company Prepares for San Bruno Trial
• Smart Grid Getting Smarter as New Technology Reduces Outage Time for Pacific Gas & Electric Customers
• Electricity Regulation Is Back at the Supreme Court, Again
• Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner Ostendorff Will Step Down in June
• Skagit PUD, Anacortes Extend Deadline for Drafting Water Rights Transfer Policy
• Report Says Contaminated Flint Water among Most Expensive In the U-S
• Clallam PUD Eyes Sequim Solar Power Project
• Oregon: Milwaukie Mayor Hopes City Changes Can Spark Solar Revolution
• North Portland Solar Plant to Lay Off 40 in Restructuring
• SolarCity Moves Away from Its MyPower Solar Loan Product
• Op/Ed: Oregon Electricity Ratepayers about to be Ripped Off with So-Called ‘Clean Energy’ Bill
• Visualizing the Power of Today’s Solar Panels: An Infographic
• Editorial: Bright Ideas – Simple Changes to Save Energy & Prosper Economically
• The Surprisingly Huge Energy Footprint of the Booming Marijuana Industry
• Clark County Hit Especially Hard by Oregon Pot Sales
• Oregon Dispensaries See Huge Revenue Spike from Rec Sales, But Picture Not All Rosy
• Another Month, another Heat Record on Earth
• Why the U-S Is Cutting Carbon Emissions No Matter What Happens with the Supreme Court
• ‘Consequences’ for the US If It Quits Paris Climate Deal
• A Chat with the Portland Designer Behind Seattle’s $32 Million ‘Living’ Office Building
• Douglas County Audited over Data Center Tax Break Refunds
• Comcast to Credit Customers for Major Outage…If You Ask
• Apple CEO Opposes Court Order to Help FBI Unlock iPhone
• Bitcoin Mining Company Settles FTC Charges over Deceiving Customers
• Lacey City Councilman’s Comments on Facebook Test Social Media Guidelines for Public Officials
• Winners of the 2016 World Press Photo Contest
• Washington State Drops Revenue Projections $78 Million for Current Budget
• Mason County Sheriff Hands Roadside Litter, Courthouse Security Back to Commissioners
• Update: Mason Transit Manager Makes Statement after Resignation
• Congressman Kilmer Holds Town Hall in Shelton
• Oregon: Grant County Sheriff Viewed as ‘Security Leak,’ State Seeks Investigation
• Oh Great, Now ‘Anti-El Niño’ Is on Its Way

WORD OF THE DAY

Rictus • \RIK-tus\ • noun 1: the gape of a bird's mouth 2a: the mouth orifice *b: a gaping grin or grimace.

Beowulf’s insincerity was evident: his facial rictus did not reflect any smile or flicker of emotion in his cold, dark eyes.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Oregon Legislature Moving Fast on Coal, Renewables Deal (Pamplin Media Group, Portland, OR)

http://portlandtribune.com/sl/293849-171299-legislature-moving-fast-on-coal-and-renewables-deal-before-independently-verifying-ratepayer-impact-

Idaho Eyed as Potential Site for Small Nuclear Reactors (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/energy/article/E-Idaho-eyed-as-potential-site-for-small-nuclear-6839879.php

Kshama Sawant Wants an Environmentalist to Run Seattle City Light (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA – I’d say SCL already has a pretty good record on this…)

http://mynorthwest.com/992/2915500/Kshama-Sawant-wants-an-environmentalist-to-run-Seattle-City-Light

Snohomish PUD Responds after Loud Public Meeting (My Everett News, WA)

http://myeverettnews.com/2016/02/17/pud-responds-after-loud-public-meeting/

Okanogan PUD Awards Bid for Twisp-Pateros Transmission Line (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2016/feb/17/okanogan-pud-awards-bid-for-twisp-pateros-transmission-line/

Op/Ed: Bonneville Power Administration’s Credibility Is on the Line (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/opinion/mailbag/bpa-s-credibility-is-on-the-line/article_f9075b59-292d-577b-a1f9-9a9f7e5f6795.html

Engineering Students Win Grants to Develop Innovations for Electric Utilities (Pamplin Media Group, Portland, OR)

http://www.pamplinmedia.com/sl/293866-171305-engineering-students-win-grants-to-develop-innovations-for-electric-utilities

Pacific Gas & Electric Profits Slump During 2015 as Company Prepares for San Bruno Trial (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_29531835/pg-e-profits-slump-during-2015-company-prepares?source=rss

Smart Grid Getting Smarter as New Technology Reduces Outage Time for Pacific Gas & Electric Customers (PG&E Currents)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2016/02/17/video-smart-grid-getting-smarter-as-new-technology-reduces-outage-time-for-pge-customers/

Electricity Regulation Is Back at the Supreme Court, Again (The Energy Collective)

http://www.theenergycollective.com/ari-peskoe/2322533/electricity-regulation-back-supreme-court-again

Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner Ostendorff Will Step Down in June (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/nuclear-regulatory-commissioner-ostendorff-will-step-down-in-june/414110/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Skagit PUD, Anacortes Extend Deadline for Drafting Water Rights Transfer Policy (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, WA)

http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/pud-anacortes-extend-deadline-for-drafting-water-rights-transfer-policy/article_dd98ffea-2064-52dc-94e3-f8b31f902a37.html

Report Says Contaminated Flint Water among Most Expensive In the U-S (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-michigan-water-idUSKCN0VP2SD

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Clallam PUD Eyes Sequim Solar Power Project (Sequim Gazette, WA)

http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/369147621.html

Oregon: Milwaukie Mayor Hopes City Changes Can Spark Solar Revolution (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/milwaukie/index.ssf/2016/02/milwaukie_mayor_hopes_city_cha.html

North Portland Solar Plant to Lay Off 40 in Restructuring (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/02/northportland-solar-plant-to-lay-off-40-in.html

SolarCity Moves Away from Its MyPower Solar Loan Product (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/solarcity-moves-away-from-its-mypower-solar-loan-product/414161/

Op/Ed: Oregon Electricity Ratepayers about to be Ripped Off with So-Called ‘Clean Energy’ Bill (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/02/oregon_electricity_ratepayers.html

Visualizing the Power of Today’s Solar Panels: An Infographic (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2016/02/visualizing-the-power-of-today-s-solar-panels-an-infographic.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Editorial: Bright Ideas – Simple Changes to Save Energy & Prosper Economically (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/bright-ideas-simple-changes-to-save-energy-and-prosper-economically/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

The Surprisingly Huge Energy Footprint of the Booming Marijuana Industry (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/18/this-could-be-a-big-problem-for-the-booming-marijuana-industry/

Clark County Hit Especially Hard by Oregon Pot Sales (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-marijuana-pot-slows-sales-washington-clark-county/

Oregon Dispensaries See Huge Revenue Spike from Rec Sales, But Picture Not All Rosy (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mjbizdaily.com/oregon-dispensaries-seeing-huge-revenue-spikes-rec-sales-picture-not-rosy/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Another Month, another Heat Record on Earth (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/articles/2016-02-17/the-heat-goes-on-earth-sets-9th-straight-monthly-record

Why the U-S Is Cutting Carbon Emissions No Matter What Happens with the Supreme Court (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/17/why-the-u-s-is-cutting-carbon-emissions-no-matter-what-happens-with-the-supreme-court/

‘Consequences’ for the US If It Quits Paris Climate Deal (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35605916

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

A Chat with the Portland Designer Behind Seattle’s $32 Million ‘Living’ Office Building (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/02/a-chat-with-the-portland-designer-behind-seattles.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Douglas County Audited over Data Center Tax Break Refunds (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/2389-2/

Comcast to Credit Customers for Major Outage…If You Ask (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-To-Credit-Customers-For-Major-Outage-If-You-Ask-136312

Apple CEO Opposes Court Order to Help FBI Unlock iPhone (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-shooting-timcook-idUSKCN0VQ0XW

Bitcoin Mining Company Settles FTC Charges over Deceiving Customers (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-bitcoin-butterflylabs-idUSKCN0VR23K

MARKETING & MEDIA

Lacey City Councilman’s Comments on Facebook Test Social Media Guidelines for Public Officials (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article60691866.html

Winners of the 2016 World Press Photo Contest (The Atlantic Magazine)

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/02/winners-of-the-2016-world-press-photo-contest/463431/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Drops Revenue Projections $78 Million for Current Budget (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/politics/state/2016/02/17/state-drops-revenue-projections-78-million-current-budget/80508710/

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Sheriff Hands Roadside Litter, Courthouse Security Back to Commissioners (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26811-sheriff-hands-roadside-litter-courthouse-security-back-to-mason-commissioners

Update: Mason Transit Manager Makes Statement after Resignation (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26783-mason-transit-manager-resigns-under-pressure

Congressman Kilmer Holds Town Hall in Shelton (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/19123

Oregon: Grant County Sheriff Viewed as ‘Security Leak,’ State Seeks Investigation (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/02/grant_county_sheriff_viewed_as.html

Oh Great, Now ‘Anti-El Niño’ Is on Its Way (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/el-nino-is-almost-over-but-anti-el-nino-is-on-its-wa-1759892435

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Truthers Think Gravity Waves Are a Hoax to Convince Us the World Is Round

http://gizmodo.com/truthers-think-gravity-waves-are-a-hoax-to-convince-us-1759506141

A Special Place in Hell – Tourists Swarmed a Baby Dolphin for Photos, Then Left It for Dead

http://mashable.com/2016/02/18/young-dolphin-argentina/

Store Straightens Croissants Because Curved Pastries Are Hard Work

http://mashable.com/2016/02/18/straight-croissants-tesco/

 ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Author Harper Lee Dies

http://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article61278362.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Elmer Bernstein – Theme from “To Kill a Mockingbird”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t98LWNwUhI

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their websites 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 17, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 17, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1VnQuSt

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

High Density Power User Moratorium Extended by Chelan PUD (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/high-density-moratorium-extended-by-chelan-pud/

Snohomish PUD Customers Pack House Demanding Answers for Their Escalating Bills (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kiro7.com/news/seen-on-kiro-7/snohomish-pud-customers-pack-house-demanding-answers-for-their-escalating-bills/89914255

Oregon: State Utility Regulators Were Silenced by Governor on Big Energy Bill (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/02/state_utility_regulators_were.html

Groups Sue Feds over Lack of Steelhead Recovery Plan (Associated Press)

http://q13fox.com/2016/02/16/groups-sue-feds-over-lack-of-steelhead-recovery-plan/

Mason Transit Manager Resigns under Pressure (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26783-mason-transit-manager-resigns-under-pressure

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• High Density Power User Moratorium Extended by Chelan PUD
• Snohomish PUD Customers Pack House Demanding Answers for Their Escalating Bills
• Oregon: State Utility Regulators Were Silenced by Governor on Big Energy Bill
• Oregon: Since You Asked – Where Do We Get Electricity? Coal or Hydro?
• Smart Meters “Dramatically Underutilized” With Lack of Access to Data
• From the Ashes of Some Coal Plants, New Energy Rises
• Growth, Infrastructure Challenges Set Stage for Fewer, Larger US Utilities
• Groups Sue Feds over Lack of Steelhead Recovery Plan
• Hatchery Life Changes Fish Genetics, Oregon Study Finds
• Oregon Conservation Projects to Receive More than $20 Million in 2016
• Nevada Regulators Deny ‘Grandfathering’ Provision for Existing Rooftop Solar Users
• Warm Beach Camp Solar System Supports Snohomish PUD Power Grid
• El Niño Not Cause of 2015 “Wind Drought”
• Ohio: Cost to Power a Hospital Outlined in New Regulatory Filing
• Washington State Scrutinizing Cannabis Pesticide Use
• Op/Ed: Time for a Carbon Tax
• That’s the Brakes: Utilizing Stored Energy from Public Transit for Grid Services
• Grass Greener, Internet Faster? Why Seattle Is Mapping Broadband Speeds across the City
• Spokane: Is Your Internet Up to Speed?
• AT&T Will Start Testing 5G This Year
• Google Plans to Double the Size of Kirkland Engineering Office
• Google’s Project Loon Will Be Tested By Real Carriers This Year
• Why Brand Matters for Electric Cooperatives
• CBS All Access Streaming Service Bungles the Grammy Awards
• Why Do Consumers Increasingly Want to Be Less Connected, Not More?
• Four Ways to Optimize Your Facebook Ads
• States Form Clean-Power Pact after SCOTUS Stay
• Mason Transit Manager Resigns under Pressure
• Seattle Set to Break Wettest Winter Records
• Mason County Commissioners Appoint McFadden as Interim Public Works Director
• Bombardier to Cut About 7,000 Jobs, Hire for Growth Areas
• That Grated Parmesan on Your Pasta May Contain Nine Percent Wood
• German Shorthaired Pointer Westminster’s Top Dog

WORD GRAMMAR TIP OF THE DAY

The Oxford Comma Is Extremely Important, Everyone Should Be Using It (Buzzfeed – Contains PG-13 Language, and puns)

http://www.buzzfeed.com/adamdavis/the-oxford-comma-is-extremely-important-and-everyone-should#.fj2GyGzw8

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

High Density Power User Moratorium Extended by Chelan PUD (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/high-density-moratorium-extended-by-chelan-pud/

Snohomish PUD Customers Pack House Demanding Answers for Their Escalating Bills (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kiro7.com/news/seen-on-kiro-7/snohomish-pud-customers-pack-house-demanding-answers-for-their-escalating-bills/89914255

Oregon: State Utility Regulators Were Silenced by Governor on Big Energy Bill (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/02/state_utility_regulators_were.html

Oregon: Since You Asked – Where Do We Get Electricity? Coal or Hydro? (Medford Mail-Tribune, OR)

http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160216/NEWS/160219764

Smart Meters “Dramatically Underutilized” With Lack of Access to Data (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=45227

From the Ashes of Some Coal Plants, New Energy Rises (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2016/02/17/466033966/from-the-ashes-of-some-coal-plants-new-energy-rises

Growth, Infrastructure Challenges Set Stage for Fewer, Larger US Utilities (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/mergermarket/2016/02/16/growth-infrastructure-challenges-set-stage-for-fewer-larger-us-utilities/#653915f14502

FISH & WILDLIFE

Groups Sue Feds over Lack of Steelhead Recovery Plan (Associated Press)

http://q13fox.com/2016/02/16/groups-sue-feds-over-lack-of-steelhead-recovery-plan/

Hatchery Life Changes Fish Genetics, Oregon Study Finds (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2016/02/hatchery_life_changes_fish_gen.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oregon Conservation Projects to Receive More than $20 Million in 2016 (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/02/oregon-conservation-projects-to-receive-more-than.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Nevada Regulators Deny ‘Grandfathering’ Provision for Existing Rooftop Solar Users (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/nevada-regulators-deny-grandfathering-provision-for-existing-rooftop-sola/413980/

Warm Beach Camp Solar System Supports Snohomish PUD Power Grid (Stanwood Camano News, WA)

http://www.scnews.com/news/article_4a25adbe-d1de-11e5-9744-6f037a7ad73a.html

El Niño Not Cause of 2015 “Wind Drought” (DNV GL)

https://www.dnvgl.com/news/dnv-gl-study-el-nino-not-cause-of-2015-wind-drought--57798

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Ohio: Cost to Power a Hospital Outlined in New Regulatory Filing (Dayton Business Journal, OH)

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/blog/morning_call/2016/02/cost-to-power-a-hospital-outlined-in-new.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Washington State Scrutinizing Cannabis Pesticide Use (Marijuana Business Daily)

https://mjbizdaily.com/washington-state-scrutinizing-mj-pesticide-use/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Op/Ed: Time for a Carbon Tax (Brookings Institution)

http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2016/02/16-oil-prices-carbon-tax-dervis-foda

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

That’s the Brakes: Utilizing Stored Energy from Public Transit for Grid Services (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/thats-the-brakes-utilizing-stored-energy-from-public-transit-for-grid-ser/413905/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Grass Greener, Internet Faster? Why Seattle Is Mapping Broadband Speeds across the City (Geekwire)

http://www.geekwire.com/2016/is-the-broadband-faster-on-the-other-side-of-the-fence-city-of-seattle-creates-app-to-compare-internet/

Spokane: Is Your Internet Up to Speed? (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/31210579/is-your-internet-up-to-speed

AT&T Will Start Testing 5G This Year (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/02/15/att-will-start-testing-5g-this-year/

Google Plans to Double the Size of Kirkland Engineering Office (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2016/02/google-plans-to-double-the-size-of-kirkland.html

Google’s Project Loon Will Be Tested By Real Carriers This Year (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/googles-project-loon-will-be-tested-by-real-carriers-th-1759353354

MARKETING & MEDIA

Why Brand Matters for Electric Cooperatives (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/trends-reports-analyses/why-brand-matters-for-electric-cooperatives/89359

CBS All Access Streaming Service Bungles the Grammy Awards (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/CBS-All-Access-Streaming-Service-Bungles-The-Grammy-Awards-136301

Why Do Consumers Increasingly Want to Be Less Connected, Not More? Horizon Media finds growing desire to unplug (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/why-do-consumers-increasingly-want-be-less-connected-not-more-169654

Four Ways to Optimize Your Facebook Ads (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/4-ways-to-optimize-your-facebook-ads/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

States Form Clean-Power Pact after SCOTUS Stay (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2016/02/16/states-form-clean-power-pact-after-scotus-stay.htm

GENERAL NEWS

Mason Transit Manager Resigns under Pressure (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26783-mason-transit-manager-resigns-under-pressure

Seattle Set to Break Wettest Winter Records (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2914659/Seattle-set-to-break-wettest-winter-records

Mason County Commissioners Appoint McFadden as Interim Public Works Director (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26781-mason-county-commissioners-appoint-mcfadden-as-interim-public-works-director

Bombardier to Cut About 7,000 Jobs, Hire for Growth Areas (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/02/17/bombardier-to-cut-about-7000-jobs-hire-for-growth-areas/

That Grated Parmesan on Your Pasta May Contain Nine Percent Wood (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/02/16/that-grated-parmesan-on-your-pasta-may-contain-9-percent-wood/

German Shorthaired Pointer Westminster’s Top Dog (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/16/german-shorthaired-pointer-westminsters-top-dog/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

If You Hate Telemarketers, You’ll Love This Robot Designed to Waste Their Time

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2016/02/16/if-you-hate-telemarketers-youll-love-this-robot-designed-to-waste-their-time/

How “The Martian” Is Helping to Sell Actual Potatoes – Astronaut Poop Not Included

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/how-martian-helping-sell-actual-potatoes-astronaut-poop-not-included-169665

Impatient Patient Floods Bathrooms, Three Emergency Rooms

http://koin.com/2016/02/16/impatient-patient-floods-bathrooms-3-emergency-rooms/

For $500, Your Kid Can Have Their Own Battery-Powered Tesla with Top Speed of Six MPH

http://q13fox.com/2016/02/16/for-500-your-kid-can-have-their-own-battery-powered-tesla-with-top-speed-of-6-mph/

SONG OF THE DAY

The Martian OST – The Martian Score Suite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYY02-XIsD0

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their websites 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 16, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 16, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1To8y0J

Flood Watch for Mason County

http://1.usa.gov/157dzFc

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Conservation Can Likely Meet Power Needs of Pacific Northwest States (Associated Press)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/latest-news/article60438341.html

Controversial Energy Bill Gains Traction in Oregon – The bill would eliminate the use of coal power in Oregon by 2030 (Associated Press)

http://koin.com/2016/02/15/controversial-energy-bill-gains-traction-in-oregon/

Comcast Service Restored for Most after Monday’s Nationwide Outage (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/02/comcast_cable_tv_internet_outa.html

Oregon’s U-S Senators: Portland's Toxic Air is a 'Public Health Emergency' (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2016/02/oregon_senators_portlands_toxi.html

U-S Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Dead at 79 (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/02/13/u-s-supreme-court-justice-antonin-scalia-dead-at-79/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Conservation Can Likely Meet Power Needs of Pacific Northwest States
• Controversial Energy Bill Gains Traction in Oregon
• Washington State Senate Passes TransAlta Sales Tax Break Bill
• Cross-Border Coalition Urges Collaboration in Modernizing U-S/Canada Columbia River Treaty
• Avista Wants to Install 265 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Eastern Washington
• Ruralite Wins Haggard Award
• Puerto Rico Approves Bill to Restructure Power Company
• How a Supreme Court Decision Affects Your Electricity Bill
• How Utility Executives See the Future of the Electricity Business
• Belfair's Salmon Center Spawns Dreams
• Colville Tribes’ Risky Bid: Bring Back Pronghorn Antelope; BPA Money Helps
• Elwha: Roaring Back to Life
• Oregon’s U-S Senators: Portland's Toxic Air is a 'Public Health Emergency'
• Oregon: Salem Solar Plant to Lay Off 50
• Coalition Forms to Promote Community Solar Power
• Canadian Wind Energy Association Pulls Out Of British Columbia
• Op/Ed: Answer Not Entirely Blowin’ in the Wind
• Including Washington State – 17 Governors Announce Clean Energy, Transportation Agreement
• LEDs Clobber CFLs; Turn Indoor Farming into New Growth Market
• Using Electricity Wisely in an All-Electric Future
• Life in the Cloud: Energy Reality Bites Millennials
• Environmentalists Target Georgia Bill That Makes Energy Consumption a ‘Trade Secret’
• Out-of-State Pot Investors May Be Coming to Oregon
• Editorial: California – Awash in Cash, State’s Marijuana Businesses Can’t Take It to the Bank
• Green Bonds Grow in California
• Poo Power: Fueling Schools & Teaching Students a Lesson
• Comcast Service Restored for Most after Monday’s Nationwide Outage
• As Facebook & Apple Expand, Prineville Makes Room for Mysterious New Data Center
• Gearing Up for the Cloud, AT&T Tells Its Workers: Adapt, or Else
• Google Says it Will Not Participate in 2016 U-S Airwaves Auction
• 1930s Electricity Co-Ops Take Internet Initiative
• Google Shutting Down Picasa Photo Service
• No One Knows How to Use Twitter’s New Timeline
• The Perfect Email – Make your messages short & sweet—but not too short or too sweet
• How to Write Emails If You Want People to Actually Respond
• U-S Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Dead at 79
• Local Reaction to U-S Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's Death
• How the Politics of the Next U-S Supreme Court Nomination Will Play Out
• A Crowded Race for Washington State Lieutenant Governor
• Brady Olson, Lacey Teacher Who Tackled Shooter, Cancels Campaign for Statehouse
• Morning in “the Americas” – Vancouver, B-C Featured in Marco Rubio Campaign Ad
• Three to Run for Mason County Commissioner, District One
• El Niño Just Made That Mysterious Warm Blob in the Ocean Disappear
• Cowlitz Tribe Celebrates Homecoming, Casino
• Feb 21-27 is Engineer’s Week – When Was the Last Time You Thanked an Engineer?
• Girls Basketball – Mary M. Knight Heading to District Championship Feb 20
• Taylor Swift Tops Grammys with Historic, Feminist Album of the Year Win

WORD OF THE DAY

Immutable • \ih-MYOO-tuh-bul\ • Adjective – Not capable of or susceptible to change.

The invisible hand swung back and paused at the apex if its backswing. The immutable force of the market place had been battling a slow start in its contest against the dialectic of Marxist theology. Suddenly the hand moved forward and flung the 16-pound ball down the alley…picking up the 7-10 spare. “YOU WIN!” Exclaimed the Keynesian scorekeeper. “Yeah, but in the long run you’ll all be dead,” chortled the ghost of Thomas Malthus.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Conservation Can Likely Meet Power Needs of Pacific Northwest States (Associated Press)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/latest-news/article60438341.html

Controversial Energy Bill Gains Traction in Oregon – The bill would eliminate the use of coal power in Oregon by 2030 (Associated Press)

http://koin.com/2016/02/15/controversial-energy-bill-gains-traction-in-oregon/

Washington State Senate Passes TransAlta Sales Tax Break Bill (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2016/02/washington-state-senate-passes.html

Cross-Border Coalition Urges Collaboration in Modernizing U-S/Canada Columbia River Treaty (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/436053.aspx

Avista Wants to Install 265 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Eastern Washington (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/feb/14/avista-wants-to-install-265-electric-vehicle-charg/

Ruralite Wins Haggard Award (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/newsmakers/co-op-news-newsmakers/ruralite-wins-haggard-award/89210

Puerto Rico Approves Bill to Restructure Power Company (Associated Press)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/business/national/puerto-rico-approves-bill-to-restructure-power-company/article_4984b7d8-d4e2-5603-b7cc-b18d6bad09ab.html

How a Supreme Court Decision Affects Your Electricity Bill (Scientific American)

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-a-supreme-court-decision-affects-your-electricity-bill/

How Utility Executives See the Future of the Electricity Business (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/how-utility-executives-see-the-future-of-the-electricity-business/413916/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Belfair's Salmon Center Spawns Dreams (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local/belfairs-salmon-center-spawns-dreams-2b9b855f-480d-04e4-e053-0100007fdd4e-368894071.html?d=mobile

Colville Tribes’ Risky Bid: Bring Back Pronghorn Antelope; BPA Money Helps (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/colville-tribes-risky-bid-bring-back-pronghorn-antelope/

Elwha: Roaring Back to Life (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://projects.seattletimes.com/2016/elwha/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oregon’s U-S Senators: Portland's Toxic Air is a 'Public Health Emergency' (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2016/02/oregon_senators_portlands_toxi.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Oregon: Salem Solar Plant to Lay Off 50 (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/02/salem-solar-plant-to-lay-off-50.html

Coalition Forms to Promote Community Solar Power (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=45186

Canadian Wind Energy Association Pulls Out Of British Columbia (National Wind Watch)

https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/02/15/canadian-wind-energy-association-pulls-out-of-b-c/

Op/Ed: Answer Not Entirely Blowin’ in the Wind (Vancouver Columbian, WA – and another quarter for Bobby Zimmerman)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/16/brunell-answer-not-entirely-blowin-in-the-wind/

Including Washington State – 17 Governors Announce Clean Energy, Transportation Agreement (Associated Press)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/governors-announce-clean-energy-transportation-agreement/article_e5bcc0bb-cb4f-5b71-b8eb-3b3d1da0f1e2.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

LEDs Clobber CFLs; Turn Indoor Farming into New Growth Market (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/djwamsted/2322333/leds-clobber-cfls-turn-indoor-farming-new-growth-market

Using Electricity Wisely in an All-Electric Future (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/using-electricity-wisely-in-an-all-electric-future/89187

Life in the Cloud: Energy Reality Bites Millennials (Boston Herald, MA)

http://www.bostonherald.com/opinion/op_ed/2016/02/as_you_were_saying_energy_reality_bites_millennials

Environmentalists Target Georgia Bill That Makes Energy Consumption a ‘Trade Secret’ (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA)

http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2016/02/15/environmentalists-target-georgia-bill-that-makes-energy-consumption-a-trade-secret/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Out-of-State Pot Investors May Be Coming to Oregon – Another pot bill would remove state criminal liability for banks that do business (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2016/02/15/out-of-state-pot-investors-may-be-coming-to-oregon/

Editorial: California – Awash in Cash, State’s Marijuana Businesses Can’t Take It to the Bank (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/california-forum/article59624016.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Green Bonds Grow in California (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_29520288/green-bonds-grow-california?source=rss

Poo Power: Fueling Schools & Teaching Students a Lesson (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2016/feb/11/poo-power-fuelling-schools-and-teaching-students-a-lesson

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Comcast Service Restored for Most after Monday’s Nationwide Outage (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/02/comcast_cable_tv_internet_outa.html

As Facebook & Apple Expand, Prineville Makes Room for Mysterious New Data Center (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2016/02/as_facebook_and_apple_expand_p.html?ath=b8ce803c49a1eb2e89d6cdad1d455d23#cmpid=nsltr_stryheadline

Gearing Up for the Cloud, AT&T Tells Its Workers: Adapt, or Else (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/14/technology/gearing-up-for-the-cloud-att-tells-its-workers-adapt-or-else.html?_r=0

Google Says it Will Not Participate in 2016 U-S Airwaves Auction (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-alphabet-auction-idUSKCN0VL2AV

1930s Electricity Co-Ops Take Internet Initiative (Associated Press)

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/02/14/1930s-electricity-co-ops-take-internet-initiative/

MARKETING & MEDIA

Google Shutting Down Picasa Photo Service (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2016/02/12/google-shutting-down-picasa-photo-service/

No One Knows How to Use Twitter’s New Timeline (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/02/12/how-twitter-just-caused-a-lot-of-confusion-for-londons-subways/

The Perfect Email – Make your messages short & sweet—but not too short or too sweet (The Atlantic Magazine)

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/02/the-perfect-email/462624/

How to Write Emails If You Want People to Actually Respond (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/02/16/want-to-get-more-responses-for-your-emails-write-like-a-third-grader/?wprss=rss_business

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

U-S Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Dead at 79 (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/02/13/u-s-supreme-court-justice-antonin-scalia-dead-at-79/

Local Reaction to U-S Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's Death (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/politics/2016/02/14/local-reaction-justice-antonin-scalias-death/80368958/

How the Politics of the Next U-S Supreme Court Nomination Will Play Out (SCOTUS Blog)

http://www.scotusblog.com/2016/02/how-the-politics-of-the-next-nomination-will-pay-out/

A Crowded Race for Washington State Lieutenant Governor (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/politics/state/2016/02/12/crowded-race-washington-lieutenant-governor/80324252/

Brady Olson, Lacey Teacher Who Tackled Shooter, Cancels Campaign for Statehouse (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article60571146.html

Morning in “the Americas” – Vancouver, B-C Featured in Marco Rubio Campaign Ad (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/marco-rubio-campaign-ad-vancouver-1.3449589?cmp=rss

GENERAL NEWS

Three to Run for Mason County Commissioner, District One (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/19086

El Niño Just Made That Mysterious Warm Blob in the Ocean Disappear (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/that-mysterious-warm-blob-in-the-ocean-just-disappeared-1759406760

Cowlitz Tribe Celebrates Homecoming, Casino (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/14/cowlitz-tribe-celebrates-homecoming-casino/

​Feb 21-27 is Engineer’s Week – When Was the Last Time You Thanked an Engineer? (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/techflash/2016/02/when-was-the-last-time-you-thanked-an-engineer.html

Girls Basketball – Mary M. Knight Heading to District Championship Feb 20 (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/19081

Taylor Swift Tops Grammys with Historic, Feminist Album of the Year Win (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/music/index.ssf/2016/02/taylor_swift_grammy_awards_album_year.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Long Lunch: Spanish Civil Servant Skips Work for Years without Anyone Noticing

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/12/long-lunch-spanish-civil-servant-skips-work-for-years-without-anyone-noticing?CMP=fb_gu

Ohio Woman Assaults Husband with Mini Baseball Bat Because He Didn’t Buy Her a Valentine’s Day Gift

http://q13fox.com/2016/02/15/ohio-woman-assaults-husband-with-mini-baseball-bat-because-he-did-buy-her-a-valentines-day-gift/

Invasive Species BBQ

http://www.opb.org/television/programs/ofg/segment/invasive-species-bbq/

Woman Falls 60 Feet in Department Store, Lands on Display Bed

http://mashable.com/2016/02/10/woman-falls-department-store-bed/#Tfi2FRMzhsqi

SONGS OF THE DAY

10CC – Dreadlock Holiday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C03qmWmnNI0

Madonna – Holiday

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

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their websites 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.