Energy News Digest for March 2, 2018

After communing with public power purveyors this week, the energy news digest just escaped the brutal N’Easter that is beating up on the eastern U-S.

Occasionally clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook, and on Twitter.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 2, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington State’s Carbon Tax Bill Dies in Legislature (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/03/01/washington-states-carbon-tax-bill-dies-in-legislature/

Washington State Coalition to Push Carbon-Pricing Ballot Measure (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2018-03-02/washington-coalition-to-push-carbon-pricing-ballot-measure

Investor-Owned Utilities Salivate over President Trump’s Idea to Splinter TVA & Bonneville Power Administration (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2018/03/01/investor-owned-utilities-salivate-over-trumps-idea-to-splinter-tva-and-bpa/#3be956b82318

Utility Industry Descends on Washington, DC with an Ax to Grind (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/utility-industry-descends-on-washington-with-an-ax-to-grind/article/2649932

Inslee Vetoes Public Records Bill as Washington State Lawmakers Acknowledge ‘We Made a Mistake’ (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/inslee-vetoes-public-records-bill-lawmakers-acknowledge-we-made-mistake

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Investor-Owned Utilities Salivate over President Trump’s Idea to Splinter TVA & Bonneville Power Administration
• Utility Industry Descends on Washington, DC with an Ax to Grind
• TVA & the Power Marketing Administrations - Time to Saddle Up & Ride Again
• As Washington State Looks for Cleaner Power, a Montana Coal Town Faces an Uncertain Future
• Longview, WA – Potential Fisher’s Lane Tenant Aims to Power Supercomputers
• Hearings Set for Possible Cascade Natural Gas Rate Increase
• British Columbia: Regulators Reject Freeze - BC Hydro Rates Going Up 3 Percent
• Jefferson PUD Picks New General Manager: Candidate Has Ties to Olympic Peninsula
• British Columbia: Peace River Dam Project Faces Rising Costs Owing to Work Stoppage, BC Hydro Says
• Itron Reports $57 Million in Income, Anticipates Revenue Growth for 2018
• Oklahoma: Norman Taxpayers on the Hook for Estimated $30,000 after Suspected Copper Thieves Strike Light Poles
• Power Nearly Restored to U-S Virgin Islands with Public Power Mutual Aid
• The Subtle Art of Making Substations Bulletproof
• Is Bitcoin a Waste of Electricity, or Something Worse?
• Low Returns Expected to Restrict Washington’s Salmon Fisheries
• Judge Simon Changes Court Schedule to Allow for Deschutes River Spill Consideration
• Chinook Salmon Are Shrinking; Orcas May Be among the Culprits
• Op/Ed: 40 Million Reasons to Save Our Dams – Columbia A& Snake River Dams Are the Lifeblood of Central Washington
• Independent Power Producers, Utilities, & Greens Push PURPA Recommendations in Washington State
• Portland General Electric Looks to Uncork Renewable Energy Bidding
• Cost of Green Energy: More Pollution Producing Plants
• Arlington to Get Microgrid Facility to Test Clean Energy Initiatives
• Kentucky: Utilities Spending Big to Snuff Rooftop Solar. Will Consumers Get Stuck with the Tab?
• A Gun-Owning Trump Fan’s New Crusade: Clean Energy
• Washington State First to Pass Tough Net Neutrality Law
• Cable Tax Break Repeal Dies in Oregon Senate, Preserving Millions in Savings for Comcast & Frontier
• Oops: Equifax Just Discovered 2.4 Million More Victims in Data Breach
• Team of Rivals: Utilities, Enviros Unite to Push Electric Vehicles
• The House That Spied on Me – By Choice
• Chelan PUD: Ecology Awards Clean Water Grants for Area Projects
• February Snow, Cold Helps Make Up for January; Basin Water Supply Forecast 111 Percent of Normal
• North Pole Surges above Freezing in the Dead of Winter, Stunning Scientists
• Marijuana Odor Rules Prompt Clash between Spokane Regional Clean Air Board Members
• They’re Hosting Parasitic Worms in Their Bodies to Help Treat a Neglected Disease
• Inslee Vetoes Public Records Bill as Washington State Lawmakers Acknowledge ‘We Made a Mistake’
• President Trump to Impose Sweeping Steel & Aluminum Tariffs
• Washington State’s Carbon Tax Bill Dies in Legislature
• Washington State Coalition to Push Carbon-Pricing Ballot Measure
• Forecast for National Weather Service Is Cloudy, with a Chance of Budget Cuts
• Even Hockey Fans Surprised by Volume, Speed of NHL Seattle Season-Ticket Deposits

WORD OF THE DAY

De Rigueur • \duh ree-GURR\ • Adjective - Prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom: proper.

During my student stint at The Evergreen State College, periodic potlucks were a wonderful way to sample various vegan/sustainable dietary offerings (including home-made beer, yum). A socially-conscious menu was considered de rigueur, but it was hard to achieve for those like me who lived a fair distance from the school. Therefore, Kentucky Fried Chicken was my standard offering. At every potluck I was berated for bringing “Corporate Meat” to the gathering.

I never went home with leftovers.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Investor-Owned Utilities Salivate over President Trump’s Idea to Splinter TVA & Bonneville Power Administration (Forbes Magazine)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2018/03/01/investor-owned-utilities-salivate-over-trumps-idea-to-splinter-tva-and-bpa/#3be956b82318

Utility Industry Descends on Washington, DC with an Ax to Grind (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/utility-industry-descends-on-washington-with-an-ax-to-grind/article/2649932

TVA & the Power Marketing Administrations - Time to Saddle Up & Ride Again (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/blog/tva-and-pmas-time-saddle-and-ride-again

As Washington State Looks for Cleaner Power, a Montana Coal Town Faces an Uncertain Future (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/as-washington-state-looks-for-cleaner-power-a-montana-coal-town-faces-an-uncertain-future/

Longview, WA – Potential Fisher’s Lane Tenant Aims to Power Supercomputers (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/potential-fisher-s-lane-tenant-aims-to-power-supercomputers/article_5beef5f3-5023-5fc0-aa1f-89d908e24244.html

Hearings Set for Possible Cascade Natural Gas Rate Increase (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/20180302/hearings_set_for_possible_natural_gas_rate_increase

British Columbia: Regulators Reject Freeze - BC Hydro Rates Going Up 3 Percent (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-hydro-freeze-rejected-threepercent-1.4558357

Jefferson PUD Picks New General Manager: Candidate Has Ties to Olympic Peninsula (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/news/pud-picks-new-general-manager-candidate-has-ties-to-olympic/article_392e9204-1c15-11e8-b04b-532f1c0289d8.html

British Columbia: Peace River Dam Project Faces Rising Costs Owing to Work Stoppage, BC Hydro Says (Globe & Mail, Canada)

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/site-c-faces-rising-costs-owing-to-work-stoppage-bc-hydro-says/article38124678/?cmpid=rss1

Itron Reports $57 Million in Income, Anticipates Revenue Growth for 2018 (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/feb/28/itron-reports-57-million-in-income-anticipates-rev/

Oklahoma: Norman Taxpayers on the Hook for Estimated $30,000 after Suspected Copper Thieves Strike Light Poles (KFOR-TV, Oklahoma City, OK)

http://kfor.com/2018/02/23/norman-taxpayers-on-the-hook-for-estimated-30000-after-suspected-copper-thieves-strike-light-poles/

Power Nearly Restored to U-S Virgin Islands with Public Power Mutual Aid (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/power-nearly-restored-us-virgin-islands-with-public-power-mutual-aid

The Subtle Art of Making Substations Bulletproof (Greentech Media)

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/the-subtle-art-of-making-substations-bulletproof#gs.j=Xpe2Q

Is Bitcoin a Waste of Electricity, or Something Worse? (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/business/economy/bitcoin-electricity-productivity.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Low Returns Expected to Restrict Washington’s Salmon Fisheries (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/low-returns-expected-to-restrict-washington-s-salmon-fisheries/article_cbcd6256-1d6a-11e8-ace2-336e21619b03.html

Judge Simon Changes Court Schedule to Allow for Deschutes River Spill Consideration (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440287.aspx

Chinook Salmon Are Shrinking; Orcas May Be among the Culprits (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/environment/article/Chinook-salmon-are-shrinking-and-Alaska-s-12717597.php

Op/Ed: 40 Million Reasons to Save Our Dams – Columbia A& Snake River Dams Are the Lifeblood of Central Washington (Sunnyside Daily Sun, WA)

http://www.dailysunnews.com/news/2018/feb/28/40-million-reasons-save-our-dams/

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Independent Power Producers, Utilities, & Greens Push PURPA Recommendations in Washington State (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ipps-utilities-and-greens-push-purpa-recommendations-in-washington-state/518111/

Portland General Electric Looks to Uncork Renewable Energy Bidding (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/03/02/pge-looks-to-uncork-renewable-energy-bidding.html

Cost of Green Energy: More Pollution Producing Plants (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.koin.com/news/the-cost-of-green-energy-is-more-pollution_20180208091110815/960310396

Arlington to Get Microgrid Facility to Test Clean Energy Initiatives (North County Outlook, Marysville, WA)

http://www.northcountyoutlook.com/story/2018/02/28/news/arlington-to-get-facility-to-test-clean-energy-initiatives/11939.html

Kentucky: Utilities Spending Big to Snuff Rooftop Solar. Will Consumers Get Stuck with the Tab? (Lexington Herald-Leader, KY)

http://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article202714969.html

A Gun-Owning Trump Fan’s New Crusade: Clean Energy (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/business/energy-environment/debbie-dooley-energy.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Washington State First to Pass Tough Net Neutrality Law (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Washington-State-First-to-Pass-Tough-Net-Neutrality-Law-141340

Cable Tax Break Repeal Dies in Oregon Senate, Preserving Millions in Savings for Comcast & Frontier (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2018/03/tax_break_repeal_dies_in_orego.html

Oops: Equifax Just Discovered 2.4 Million More Victims in Data Breach (Fast Company)

https://www.fastcompany.com/40538059/oops-equifax-just-discovered-2-4-million-more-victims-in-data-breach

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

Team of Rivals: Utilities, Enviros Unite to Push Electric Vehicles (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/team-of-rivals-utilities-enviros-unite-to-push-electric-vehicles/517330/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

The House That Spied on Me – By Choice (Gizmodo)

https://gizmodo.com/the-house-that-spied-on-me-1822429852

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Chelan PUD: Ecology Awards Clean Water Grants for Area Projects (NCW Life Channel, East Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.ncwlife.com/ecology-awards-clean-water-grants-area-projects/

February Snow, Cold Helps Make Up for January; Basin Water Supply Forecast 111 Percent of Normal (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440289.aspx

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

North Pole Surges above Freezing in the Dead of Winter, Stunning Scientists (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/02/26/north-pole-surges-above-freezing-in-the-dead-of-winter-stunning-scientists/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Marijuana Odor Rules Prompt Clash between Spokane Regional Clean Air Board Members (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/marijuana-odor-rules-prompt-clash-between-spokane-regional-clean-air/article_eb718698-1e30-11e8-a104-3f4a8909c694.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

They’re Hosting Parasitic Worms in Their Bodies to Help Treat a Neglected Disease (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/health/parasitic-worms-schistosomiasis-trial.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Inslee Vetoes Public Records Bill as Washington State Lawmakers Acknowledge ‘We Made a Mistake’ (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/inslee-vetoes-public-records-bill-lawmakers-acknowledge-we-made-mistake

President Trump to Impose Sweeping Steel & Aluminum Tariffs (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/business/trump-tariffs.html

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State’s Carbon Tax Bill Dies in Legislature (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/03/01/washington-states-carbon-tax-bill-dies-in-legislature/

Washington State Coalition to Push Carbon-Pricing Ballot Measure (Associated Press)

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2018-03-02/washington-coalition-to-push-carbon-pricing-ballot-measure

Front & Centered Website

http://frontandcentered.org/

Forecast for National Weather Service Is Cloudy, with a Chance of Budget Cuts (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2018/03/01/589600456/forecast-for-national-weather-service-is-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-budget-cuts

Even Hockey Fans Surprised by Volume, Speed of NHL Seattle Season-Ticket Deposits (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/03/01/even-hockey-fans-in-our-area-are-surprised-by-speedy-nhl-season-ticket-deposits/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Drunk Man Takes $1,600 Uber from West Virginia to New Jersey

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/drunk-man-takes-uber-from-west-virginia-to-new-jersey/article_3b269aa9-49fd-5de6-a45c-4f1a2d0a12ab.html

Dulles Airport: Pilot Reports Hellish, Vomit-Filled Landing in Middle of Strengthening Nor’easter

https://mashable.com/2018/03/02/pilot-reports-hellish-turbulence-dc-flight-noreaster/#0MDatXEMiaqC

Heat Lamp for Pet Tarantulas Sparks Olympia House Fire

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article203082424.html

Official: Oregon College Campus Overrun by Wild ‘Gangster’ Turkeys

http://komonews.com/news/local/theyre-not-scared-of-humans-ore-college-overrun-by-wild-gangster-turkeys

SONG OF THE DAY

Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others – While My Guitar Gently Weeps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

George Harrison & Eric Clapton – While My Guitar Gently Weeps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDs2Bkq6UU4

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for February 23, 2018

Programming Note:

The Energy News Digest will be incommunicado February 26 – March 1. Check the news digest Twitter feed or Facebook page occasionally to see if any hard, shiny gems have been posted during the interim.

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Occasionally clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 23, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Decision on Snake Dam Removal Has Senator Murray, Representative Newhouse at Odds (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article201669989.html

Irony, Hells Canyon Fish Passage is Thy Name: Idaho Power to Appeal FERC’s Decision on Oregon Law (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440260.aspx

Portland General Electric Seeks 4.8% Rate Increase (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/02/23/portland-general-electric-seeks-4-8-rate-increase.html

Climate Activists Protest Puget Sound Energy Plan to Keep Using Coal (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2018/02/22/climate-activists-protest-puget-sound-energy-plan-to-keep-using-coal/

Electric Transportation Bills Hit the House Committee (iFiberOne News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/regional_news/electric-transportation-bills-hit-the-house-committee/article_75879f22-1830-11e8-b374-1fc400fa6a7e.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Decision on Snake Dam Removal Has Senator Murray, Representative Newhouse at Odds
• Irony, Hells Canyon Fish Passage is Thy Name: Idaho Power to Appeal FERC’s Decision on Oregon Law
• Portland General Electric Seeks 4.8% Rate Increase
• Climate Activists Protest Puget Sound Energy Plan to Keep Using Coal
• New Permit Would Allow Eight Times More Pollution from Oregon Power Plant
• Immigration & Customs Enforcement Wants Info on a Seattle City Light Customer – The Utility Is Asking Why
• Grant PUD’s Low Electrical Rates Generate Flood of Inquiries
• Commentary: What’s Not to Like in Trump’s Infrastructure Plan? – Kind Words for BPA Asset Selloff
• Washington State Plans to Reopen Fishing on Skokomish River
• Spring Chinook Are Coming. See What the Fishing Season Looks Like
• Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife ODFW Trapping Sea Lions at Willamette Falls, Relocating to Oregon Coast
• Including Washington State & Oregon – Publication of Net Neutrality Rule Prompts Challenge by 24 States
• Oregon’s Effort to Restore Net Neutrality Moves Forward
• Electric Transportation Bills Hit the House Committee
• Washington State Carbon Tax Passes in Fiscal Committee, Gets Lukewarm Support from Some Democrats
• Within Minutes of Each Other, Washington State Senate & House Agree to Shield Many of Their Records from the Public

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Decision on Snake Dam Removal Has Senator Murray, Representative Newhouse at Odds (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article201669989.html

Irony, Hells Canyon Fish Passage is Thy Name: Idaho Power to Appeal FERC’s Decision on Oregon Law (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440260.aspx

Portland General Electric Seeks 4.8% Rate Increase (Portland Business Journal, OR)

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/02/23/portland-general-electric-seeks-4-8-rate-increase.html

Climate Activists Protest Puget Sound Energy Plan to Keep Using Coal (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2018/02/22/climate-activists-protest-puget-sound-energy-plan-to-keep-using-coal/

New Permit Would Allow Eight Times More Pollution from Oregon Power Plant (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/new-permit-would-allow-eight-times-more-pollution-from-oregon-plant/283-522287855

Immigration & Customs Enforcement Wants Info on a Seattle City Light Customer – The Utility Is Asking Why (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-light-requests-details-after-federal-immigration-authorities-seek-customer-information/

Grant PUD’s Low Electrical Rates Generate Flood of Inquiries (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/20180223/low_electrical_rates_generate_flood_of_inquiries

Commentary: What’s Not to Like in Trump’s Infrastructure Plan? – Kind Words for BPA Asset Selloff (Bond Buyer)

https://www.bondbuyer.com/opinion/how-municipal-professionals-may-react-to-trumps-infrastructure-plan

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington State Plans to Reopen Fishing on Skokomish River (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2018/02/22/state-plans-reopen-fishing-skokomish-river/363768002/

Spring Chinook Are Coming. See What the Fishing Season Looks Like (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article201586019.html#emlnl=Afternoon_Newsletter

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife ODFW Trapping Sea Lions at Willamette Falls, Relocating to Oregon Coast (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/440261.aspx

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Including Washington State & Oregon – Publication of Net Neutrality Rule Prompts Challenge by 24 States (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/publication-of-net-neutrality-rule-prompts-challenge-by-24-states/

Oregon’s Effort to Restore Net Neutrality Moves Forward (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2018/02/oregon_lawmakers_move_forward.html

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

Electric Transportation Bills Hit the House Committee (iFiberOne News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/regional_news/electric-transportation-bills-hit-the-house-committee/article_75879f22-1830-11e8-b374-1fc400fa6a7e.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State Carbon Tax Passes in Fiscal Committee, Gets Lukewarm Support from Some Democrats (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

https://washingtonstatewire.com/carbon-tax-passes-fiscal-committee-gets-lukewarm-support-democrats/

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Within Minutes of Each Other, Washington State Senate & House Agree to Shield Many of Their Records from the Public (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/without-debate-state-senate-approves-open-records-bill-that-keeps-many-lawmakers-records-closed/

SONG OF THE DAY

Yuja Wang Plays Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CTp2Nk9OxI

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for February 22, 2018

Occasionally clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

The Energy News Digest is on Facebook, and on Twitter.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 22, 2018

Marine Forecast for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

Olympic Mountain Forecast for Mason County

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Chelan PUD Outlines Approach to Large Power Load Requests by Cryptocurrency Miners (Ifiberone News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/wenatchee/chelan-pud-outlines-approach-to-large-power-load-requests-by/article_9fe6a68a-176f-11e8-b59a-2356ae4a904b.html

Avista Customers Expected to Reap Savings on Rates from Federal Tax Reform (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/feb/21/avista-customers-expected-to-reap-savings-on-rates/

Oregon Lawmakers Move toward Repealing Tax Break worth Millions to Comcast, Frontier (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2018/02/oregon_lawmakers_move_toward_r.html

President Trump's Plan for Energy Star Sparks Industry Uproar (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/374940-trumps-plan-for-energy-star-sparks-industry-uproar

Washington State Legislators Pushing to Make Some of Their Records Secret (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/feb/22/legislature-trying-to-get-around-ruling-to-release/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Chelan PUD Outlines Approach to Large Power Load Requests by Cryptocurrency Miners
• Bitcoin Miners Are Flocking to Oregon for Cheap Electricity. Should We Give Them a Boost?
• Avista Customers Expected to Reap Savings on Rates from Federal Tax Reform
• Tennessee Valley Authority & Power Marketing Administrations: Time to Saddle Up & Ride Again
• Editorial: Trump Renews DOA Proposal on Bonneville Power Administration Grid
• Déjà Vu: South Carolina Utility to Pay Millions to Preserve Abandoned Reactor Site
• Georgia: NRC Says Vogtle Employees Falsified Inspection Reports, Proposes $145K Fine
• United Kingdom: Energy Company Promises to Pay Customers to Use Electricity
• Oregon & Washington State Regulators Set Salmon Season
• Listen Up: Northwest Researchers Have Started Tracking Salmon with Sound
• Satellites See Big Fishing's Footprint on the High Seas
• Washington State Panel Inches Forward on Kittitas County Solar Review
• Alaska Regulators Rule in Golden Valley Electric Association's Favor in Dispute with Delta Wind Farm
• Unalaska Revisits Wind Power, Hoping for a Renewable Energy Source
• Wind Power Results in Very Few Bird Deaths Overall
• Oregon Lawmakers Move toward Repealing Tax Break worth Millions to Comcast, Frontier
• Trump: Broadband Buildout Situation 'Intolerable'
• Average Broadband Speeds in the U-S Are Slower Than in Almost Every Other Country
• The FCC's New Broadband Availability Map is a Misleading Joke
• Net Neutrality
• Electric Vehicles' Future Relies on Cobalt. It's Often Mined By Children & Is Soaring in Price
• President Trump's Plan for Energy Star Sparks Industry Uproar
• California Water Planner Blasted for Sitting on Dam Funds
• Olympia Mayor Joins 200 Mayors in Opposing Trump Repeal of the Clean Power Plan
• See How Mount Rainier Glaciers Have Vanished over Time, with This Eye-Opening Photo Project
• Why Facebook Messenger Will Dominate 2018
• In an Era of ‘Smart’ Things, Sometimes Dumb Stuff Is Better
• Washington State Legislators Pushing to Make Some of Their Records Secret
• Contact with Staff Restricted for Washington State Lawmaker Accused of Inappropriate Behavior
• White House Praises Experimental Oregon Mileage Tax
• Trump Administration Signals Support for Mileage Tax to Pay for Infrastructure Plan
• State Patrol: Bangor Nuclear Submarine Base Closed by Potential Threat
• Brrr… Western WA Breaks Cold Weather Records
• Staying Warm, Safe during This Week’s Cold Snap
• Shelton Leaders Set March 3 to Award Major Sewer Project Contract
• Students in Bellingham, Across US Walk Out of Class to Protest Gun Violence
• Missing Foot Found on Vancouver Island Matched to Body of Washington State Senior
• Mason EDC Honors Two Community Business Leaders for Their Support

PHRASE OF THE DAY – HORRIBLE HAIKU

Gravitational Crystalline Sloughing

The act of snow falling from tree limbs, power lines, roofs, or other places during a thaw.

Gravitational

Crystalline Sloughing, Heads up

“Twang!” the limbs recoil

This is a phrase a former journalist friend and I made up today as he described snow falling from fir trees in his back yard. Sounds impressive. No?

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Chelan PUD Outlines Approach to Large Power Load Requests by Cryptocurrency Miners (Ifiberone News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/wenatchee/chelan-pud-outlines-approach-to-large-power-load-requests-by/article_9fe6a68a-176f-11e8-b59a-2356ae4a904b.html

Bitcoin Miners Are Flocking to Oregon for Cheap Electricity. Should We Give Them a Boost? (Willamette Week, Portland, OR)

http://www.wweek.com/news/business/2018/02/21/bitcoin-miners-are-flocking-to-oregon-for-cheap-electricity-should-we-give-them-a-boost/

Avista Customers Expected to Reap Savings on Rates from Federal Tax Reform (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/feb/21/avista-customers-expected-to-reap-savings-on-rates/

Tennessee Valley Authority & Power Marketing Administrations: Time to Saddle Up & Ride Again (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/blog/tva-and-pmas-time-saddle-and-ride-again

Editorial: Trump Renews DOA Proposal on Bonneville Power Administration Grid (Albany Democrat Herald, OR)

http://democratherald.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-trump-renews-doa-proposal-on-bpa-grid/article_b022e590-c713-55c5-8c8e-a33291089ff0.html

Déjà Vu: South Carolina Utility to Pay Millions to Preserve Abandoned Reactor Site (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/02/22/us/ap-us-nuclear-reactors-south-carolina.html

Georgia: NRC Says Vogtle Employees Falsified Inspection Reports, Proposes $145K Fine (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nrc-says-vogtle-employees-falsified-inspection-reports-proposes-145k-fine/517574/

United Kingdom: Energy Company Promises to Pay Customers to Use Electricity (The Guardian, UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/feb/22/energy-company-promises-to-pay-customer-to-use-electricity

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon & Washington State Regulators Set Salmon Season (KAST Radio, Astoria, OR)

http://www.kast1370.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4794:regulators-set-salmon-season&catid=17&Itemid=101

Listen Up: Northwest Researchers Have Started Tracking Salmon with Sound (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

https://www.nwpb.org/2018/02/21/listen-up-northwest-researchers-have-started-tracking-salmon-with-sound/

Satellites See Big Fishing's Footprint on the High Seas (CNBC)

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/22/the-associated-press-satellites-see-big-fishings-footprint-on-the-high-seas.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY & SELF STORAGE

Washington State Panel Inches Forward on Kittitas County Solar Review (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/state-panel-inches-forward-on-solar-review/article_44a0b52b-5a9a-54da-9fff-a13809117345.html

Alaska Regulators Rule in Golden Valley Electric Association's Favor in Dispute with Delta Wind Farm (Anchorage Daily News Miner, AK)

http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/alaska-regulators-rule-in-gvea-s-favor-in-dispute-with/article_a2bb55ba-1781-11e8-8661-b3e2dc2fa587.html

Unalaska Revisits Wind Power, Hoping for a Renewable Energy Source (Alaska Public Media)

https://www.alaskapublic.org/2018/02/21/unalaska-revisits-wind-power-hoping-for-a-renewable-energy-source/

Wind Power Results in Very Few Bird Deaths Overall (Clean Technica)

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/02/21/wind-power-results-bird-deaths-overall/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Oregon Lawmakers Move toward Repealing Tax Break worth Millions to Comcast, Frontier (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2018/02/oregon_lawmakers_move_toward_r.html

Trump: Broadband Buildout Situation 'Intolerable' (Broadcasting & Cable)

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/trump-broadband-buildout-situation-intolerable/171934

Average Broadband Speeds in the U-S Are Slower Than in Almost Every Other Country (Business Insider)

http://www.businessinsider.com/broadband-speeds-in-different-countries-charts-2018-2

The FCC's New Broadband Availability Map is a Misleading Joke (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/The-FCCs-New-Broadband-Availability-Map-is-a-Joke-141303

Net Neutrality (Bloomberg News)

https://www.bloomberg.com/quicktake/net-neutrality

I SING THE CAR ELECTRIC

Electric Vehicles' Future Relies on Cobalt. It's Often Mined By Children & Is Soaring in Price (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-electric-car-cobalt-battery-20180222-story.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

President Trump's Plan for Energy Star Sparks Industry Uproar (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/374940-trumps-plan-for-energy-star-sparks-industry-uproar

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

California Water Planner Blasted for Sitting on Dam Funds (Courthouse News Service)

https://www.courthousenews.com/california-water-planner-blasted-for-sitting-on-dam-funds/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Olympia Mayor Joins 200 Mayors in Opposing Trump Repeal of the Clean Power Plan (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/olympia-mayor-joins-mayors-in-opposing-trump-repeal-of-the/article_a8a1e262-1760-11e8-a714-8fda13eadaf5.html

See How Mount Rainier Glaciers Have Vanished over Time, with This Eye-Opening Photo Project (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/see-how-mount-rainier-glaciers-have-vanished-over-time-with-this-eye-opening-photo-project/

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & MEDIA

Why Facebook Messenger Will Dominate 2018 (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/digital/dana-gibber-headliner-labs-guest-post-why-facebook-messenger-will-dominate-2018/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI – SEETHING STEW OF SCIENCE

In an Era of ‘Smart’ Things, Sometimes Dumb Stuff Is Better (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/21/technology/personaltech/smart-things-dumb-stuff.html

GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Washington State Legislators Pushing to Make Some of Their Records Secret (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/feb/22/legislature-trying-to-get-around-ruling-to-release/

Contact with Staff Restricted for Washington State Lawmaker Accused of Inappropriate Behavior (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/contact-with-staff-restricted-for-washington-state-lawmaker-accused-of/article_fcec6fb0-17e0-11e8-adb6-cb00eb44dc21.html

White House Praises Experimental Oregon Mileage Tax (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/02/white_house_praises_experiment.html

Trump Administration Signals Support for Mileage Tax to Pay for Infrastructure Plan (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-administration-signals-support-for-mileage-tax-to-pay-for-infrastructure-plan/article/2649739

GENERAL NEWS

State Patrol: Bangor Nuclear Submarine Base Closed by Potential Threat (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://komonews.com/news/local/state-patrol-navys-nuclear-submarine-base-closed-by-potential-threat

Brrr… Western WA Breaks Cold Weather Records (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/article/weather/blog/brrr-western-wa-breaks-cold-weather-records/281-522111967

Staying Warm, Safe during This Week’s Cold Snap (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/02/21/staying-warm-safe-during-this-weeks-cold-snap/

Shelton Leaders Set March 3 to Award Major Sewer Project Contract (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/shelton-leaders-set-march-to-award-major-sewer-project-contract/article_3c42e06e-175e-11e8-9e56-177c194dd2ab.html

Students in Bellingham, Across US Walk Out of Class to Protest Gun Violence (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2018/02/21/students-in-bellingham-across-us-walk-out-of-class-to-protest-gun-violence/

Missing Foot Found on Vancouver Island Matched to Body of Washington State Senior (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/missing-foot-jordan-river-bc-1.4546658?cmp=rss

Mason EDC Honors Two Community Business Leaders for Their Support (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/mason-edc-honors-community-business-leaders-for-their-support/article_405fe9fc-17f0-11e8-821d-57116407d985.html

SKUNKS IN THE CELLAR – DIVERSIONS

Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire - Got Skunks in Your Home? Don't Use a Smoke Bomb

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/got-skunks-in-your-home-don-t-use-a-smoke/article_a0f5f69e-2d3d-50a9-92b0-b654e38d0dfa.html

Massachusetts Transit Bosses under Fire for $100,000 Bathroom

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/massachusetts-transit-bosses-under-fire-for-k-bathroom/article_630cf91b-4f1c-5bc2-a8e8-4893be9a0862.html

Meet Elizabeth Swaney, the American Skier Who Scammed Her Way into the Olympics

https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/meet-elizabeth-swaney-the-american-skier-who-scammed-her-way-to-the-olympics/

Toy Makers Turn to the Toilet for Poop-Inspired Toys

http://q13fox.com/2018/02/20/toy-makers-turn-to-the-toilet-for-poop-inspired-toys/

SONG OF THE DAY

Igor Stravinsky – Firebird Suite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9oaS_qvYc0

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.