All the links in today’s Energy 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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Mostly clear, cold weather forecast for Thanksgiving
- Strait (of Juan de Fuca) power line now slated to light up in August 2009
- No rate increase in proposed Grant PUD budget
- Utility puts couple in dark over easement (PenLight)
- Montana State Land Board OKs Avista dam settlement
- Calpine CEO may be cashing a big bonus
- Nonnative fish impact Western rivers
- Wave energy projects crash into ocean fishing turf
- Homeowners Associations and Solar Panels Don't Always Mix
- California program discounts solar for the poor
- Pacific Ethanol may lose high-profile investor
- Energy Dept. Criticized Over New Standards for Residential Furnaces
- Montana Governor releases goals on emissions
- Oregon’s Multnomah County emissions almost at ’90 levels
- British Columbia to make climate-change targets part of law
- Taxpayers Not Keen To Fund Broadband Subsidies
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Skullduggery • \skull-DUG-uh-ree\ • noun – Underhanded or unscrupulous behavior; also: a devious device or trick
“By hook or crook we will put a crimp in the latest trend to use outdated and hackneyed phrases in headlines,” groused the grizzled assignment editor at the local newspaper. What he didn’t count on was the skullduggery of the linotype operator who had a penchant for “turning himself into police” every Thursday evening so he could arrest scofflaws.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
Mostly clear, cold weather forecast for Thanksgiving across Washington State (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1059146~Mostly_clear__cold_weather_forecast_for_Thanksgiving_across_state.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Port Angeles – Cross-Strait power line now slated to light up in August 2009 – A Canadian high-voltage power line to be sunk in the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Victoria and here now isn't scheduled to be operational until August 2009. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071120/NEWS/711200305
No rate increase in proposed Grant PUD budget – Grant County PUD's proposed $458.7 million budget shows $10.3 million set aside to expand the fiber-optic system and $26.8 million for Wanapum Dam's turbine replacement project. (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2007/11/19/news/news02.txt
Utility puts couple in dark over easement (The News Tribune, Tacoma – looks like some stubborn customers need to read their PenLight bylaws)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/208337.html
Montana State Land Board OKs Avista dam settlement (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1057454~Montana_State_Land_Board_OKs_Avista_dam_settlement.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines
Calpine CEO may be cashing a big bonus – Calpine Corp. wants to pay Chief Executive Robert May a bonus worth $10.9 million when it exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under an incentive program that would pay a total of $66.6 million to 2,200 employees. (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7514212
Power line may trigger surge in rates: Experts say PPL's new transmission wire will benefit New Jersey more than the Valley. “…Power costs tend to increase as you move east, Robert McCullough, a Portland, Ore.-based energy consultant, explained…” (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketers Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CgmrospmVTnk%22EN%26bfem%5Ev
News Release – Ameren Illinois Utilities are Prepared for Severe Winter Weather, Offers Tips to Help Customers When Storms Occur
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=78289
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Nonnative fish impact Western rivers – Oregon and Washington have lowest rates, according to OSU study. About 20 percent of Oregon’s river and stream miles contain nonnative fish and amphibians (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2007/11/20/news/community/6loc01_nonnativefish.txt
His fix for the Yakima River? Pump it up “…a direct pipeline from the pool behind Wanapum Dam…pumping water into a tunnel and open canal that would drop the water into the Roza and Sunnyside canals…” (Yakima Gerald-Republic)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/page/dis/290335500005133
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
(Oh those naughty NIMBY folks) Wave energy projects crash into ocean fishing turf – Storm clouds gather as ocean users compete for priority – There's a new kind of storm rolling into the Oregon coast, and it's driven by conflicting interests in ocean real estate. (The Daily Astorian)
http://dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=46923
Homeowners Associations and Solar Panels Don't Always Mix (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50627&src=rss
California – Program discounts solar for the poor. The cost of going solar just dropped for some low-income California families. Nearly 7,000 such households could get free or discounted solar roofs thanks to a $108 million subsidy program adopted Friday by the state Public Utilities Commission. (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7514243?nclick_check=1
Seattle, Houston companies plan Montana biodiesel project (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1058915~Seattle__Houston_companies_plan_Montana_biodiesel_project.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines
Pacific Ethanol may lose investor – Cascade Investment LLC, a firm owned by Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates, may sell its 21 percent stake in Pacific Ethanol Inc., which has lost almost two-thirds of its market value this year. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/340342_gatesethanol20.html?source=rss
Massachusetts – Air Force Reports No Impact on Radar from Cape Wind (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50625&src=rss
Why the French lag in renewable energy (International Herald Tribune)
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/20/europe/letter.php?WT.mc_id=rssfrontpage
CONSERVATION
Energy Dept. Criticized Over New Standards for Residential Furnaces – As families face record heating bills, the Energy Department issued new requirements yesterday for residential furnaces, although critics say the rules will do little to save consumers money or bring more efficient equipment onto the market. (Associated Press, via the Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/19/AR2007111901449.html?nav=rss_business
News Release – LED Holiday Lighting, Other Energy-Efficiency Measures, Gifts Tame High Winter Energy Costs, Advises Alliance to Save Energy (Alliance to Save Energy)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=78230
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Montana Governor releases goals on emissions (The Missoulian)
http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/11/20/news/local/news04.txt
Oregon – Multnomah County’s emissions almost at ’90 levels. Greenhouse gases decline despite 15 percent increase in population (Portland Tribune – But of course, it’s all in how you measure it)
http://portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=119551154017434500
British Columbia to make climate-change targets part of law (Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071120.wbcgreen20/BNStory/National/home
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Taxpayers Not Keen To Fund Broadband Subsidies – A poll of American taxpayers found little support for expanding telephone Universal Service subsidies to include Internet broadband. (InternetNews.com)
http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3712131
50% of US homes now have broadband Internet access (Connected Home News)
http://www.connected-home-news.com/content/view/527/47/
Comcast CEO: Investors are wrong about us – The CEO of the largest U.S. cable company talks about his company's ailing stock, competition from satellite and phone rivals, and ongoing tussles with the NFL. (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/19/technology/roberts_comcast.fortune/
Hawaii Broadband Taskforce Examines the Future of High-Speed Internet Access (Hawaii Reporter)
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?c02fef99-86cb-4fcb-a5a2-3f7878bfdf0f
GENERAL NEWS
Olympia City Council's hands likely tied on tax – Gov. Chris Gregoire's call for a special legislative session to limit the growth in property tax collections to 1 percent has effectively quashed an effort by the Olympia City Council to raise property tax revenue by up to 6 percent. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/276521.html
Oregon – Initiatives connect to Internet. Come January, voters will be able to print out petitions, sign them and mail them to organizers (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/119543910322040.xml&coll=7
DIVERSIONS
'Sweet Caroline' Was Caroline Kennedy – Neil Diamond held onto the secret for decades, but he has finally revealed that President Kennedy's daughter was the inspiration for his smash hit "Sweet Caroline."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/11/20/entertainment/e065401S05.DTL&feed=rss.news
DRUNK PARTYGOER’S FIT OF RAGE RESULTS IN STABBING OF HOME OWNER – You’ve heard the phrase “ Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” This is an extreme case. Centralia authorities say a homeowner was stabbed at least ten times after taking a drunken partygoer’s keys. The homeowner was treated after being repeatedly stabbed in the head, arms and hands with the small pocket knife. The suspect was later arrested in Grand Mound. (KELA Radio, Centralia/Chehalis)
Stowaway piglet survives toilet roll ordeal – A piglet nicknamed Andrex is recovering after being found in the back of a truck full of toilet paper at a supermarket.
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2071385220071120?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
Donovan, David Lynch Plan University In Scotland – The 'Invincible Donovan University' Will Emphasize Transcendental Meditation
http://kdka.com/health/donovan.david.lynch.2.414944.html
British dog owners go barking mad for fancy dress – Darth Labrador. Dogzilla. Elvis the hound dog. No outfit is too outrageous for man's best friend.The British do love a party animal -- they have gone crazy dressing up their dogs for costume parties.
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2061304520071120?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
When Wild Turkeys Take Over – The cemetery in the quiet college town of Davis, California has been invaded by wild turkeys. The birds are harassing mourners, chasing bicyclists and eating flowers. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16422237&ft=1&f=17
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Energy News Digest for November 19, 2007
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- News Tribune Opinion – A smart move to settle power fight at home.
- BPA ends 70th year in good financial shape
- Pacific Northwest emissions goals set; now comes hard part
- Chinese Dam Projects Criticized for Their Human Costs
- Construction firm pays $15,000 for (repeated) pipeline damage
- A controversial balance for Cowlitz River salmon
- Feds ignore pleas of fisheries; favor keeping four dams, Includes Klamath news release from FERC
- Human waste plagues Lake Roosevelt, other outdoor destinations
- Massachusetts – Energy bill's turbine amendment stirs storm.
- In Energy Sector, Renewables Get Less Federal Support
- Biofuels: Could the Cure Be Worse Than the Disease?
- U.N. Report Describes Risks of Inaction on Climate Change
- Port of Seattle truckers lament the cost of going green
- Is (The Olympic Peninsula) Peninsula turning 'green' enough, yet?
- Inconvenient Truth: Gore Won a Nobel, and Bush Will Host the Winners
- Video, interactivity could nab Web users by 2010
- Electronic trash piling up overseas
- WiMax gives businesses an Internet boost
- Record high diesel prices squeeze businesses
- State Worker Accused Of Supplying Drugs To Teenagers (L&I Safety & Compliance Administrator)
- Man Dies When SUV Falls Down Embankment In NW Mason County
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Besmirch • \bih-SMERCH\ • verb – sully, soil
Today’s example sentence is a do-it-yourself project: (Insert name here) was upset with (Insert sweetheart’s name here). She had done the worst thing he could imagine by besmirching his (Insert a fanboy activity or obsession here). “Never again,” he thundered as he showed here the door. (He actually didn’t force his sweetheart to leave; he just wanted to show off his new Simpson door from McCleary)
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
News Tribune Opinion – A smart move to settle power fight at home. When it comes to working out disputes over the Northwest’s power supply, it’s always smart to keep it in the family. Let the trouble get out of the house, and you never know what might happen.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/207534.html
News Release – BPA ends 70th year in good financial shape, even with low water conditions. The agency started the year with a power rate reduction; rates will stay steady for 2008 (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/182830/
Emissions goals set; now comes hard part – To reach targets, Oregon faces the prospect of cutting cheap, reliable coal energy at a time when power demand is surging. Oregon and Washington set aggressive goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions, but actually meeting those goals could prove much tougher -- and more costly -- than leaders expect. (The Oregonian – Golly…and this surprises anyone?)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1195446342227160.xml&coll=7
Flooding darkens, closes mall stores as underground vault is flooded with heavy rain runoff – A power outage shut much of the Tacoma Mall on Saturday, including Nordstrom, J.C. Penney and smaller retailers. (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/206854.html
Chinese Dam Projects Criticized for Their Human Costs (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/world/asia/19dam.html?ex=1353128400&en=21385d434698a2d3&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Fort Collins, Colorado – A Deeply Green City Confronts Its Energy Needs and Nuclear Worries (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/us/19collins.html?ex=1353128400&en=6872b197287290d7&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Construction firm pays $15,000 for pipeline damage: charged with repeatedly damaging Clark County gas pipelines over a 13-month period.
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2007/11/11162007_Construction-firm-pays-15000-for-pipeline-damage.cfm?newsletter=1
On the record: an interview with Pacific Gas and Electric's Peter Darbee – Peter Darbee is trying to build the country's greenest utility. As head of PG&E Corp. in San Francisco, Darbee has spent much of his tenure trying to convince fellow business executives that global warming is a threat. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/18/BU80TD6ER.DTL&feed=rss.business
Duke Energy fights rising pollution bill: CEO says coal-reliant industries should get time to figure out solutions that avoid rate hikes for customers (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via Power Marketers Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CgmmensqWTkh%22EN%26bfem%5Ev
Clean Energy's Best-Kept Secret: Waste Heat Recovery (Environmental News Network)
http://www.enn.com/energy/article/25399
News Release – Shocking Holiday Statistics: New Electrical Safety Survey Shows How Consumers Often Put Themselves at Risk (Electrical Safety Foundation International)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=78104
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
A controversial balance for Cowlitz River salmon – Sport fishermen used to extol the Cowlitz River as "the fish factory." Now it's pretty much a dead zone -- in more ways than one. (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/290312585466310
Feds ignore pleas of fisheries, favor keeping four dams – Salmon advocates urge fish ladders, but agency favors hauling and trapping instead (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7498736?nclick_check=1
Here’s the news release from FERC – Final Environmental Impact Statement for Relicensing of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project No. 2082-027. Commission staff prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for relicensing of PacifiCorp’s 169-megawatt Klamath Hydroelectric Project, located primarily on the Klamath River in Klamath County, Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. (FERC)
http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/eis/2007/11-16-07.asp
Human waste plagues Lake Roosevelt, other outdoor destinations – The Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is 129 miles of watery beauty that is becoming a giant outdoor toilet, and workers are not pleased. (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP11192007news234492.cfm?newsletter=10
Crab fishermen worry about another late start – A debate over prices, combined with balancing tribal and non-tribal quotas could delay the season for crab fishermen, even though state officials say crabs from Westport and Long Beach will be ready for harvesting Dec. 1. (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/11531496.html
Kokanee doing better in N. Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/274565.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Massachusetts – Energy bill's turbine amendment stirs storm. Environmentalists and coastal lawmakers are vowing to fight a surprise provision in an energy bill that they say would open up virtually the entire Massachusetts coast to unlimited wind turbine development. (Standard-Times, New Bedford)
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071118/NEWS/711180380
In Energy Sector, Renewables Get Less Federal Support – A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) comparing federal electricity subsidies by fuel type shows that renewables such as wind still get only a small share of the overall subsidies awarded to the energy sector. (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50615&src=rss
Biofuels and Food Prices – How much do biofuels benefit the environment, and does growing crops for biofuel manufacturing could drive up food prices. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16389598&ft=1&f=7
Biofuels: Could the Cure Be Worse Than the Disease? (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50616&src=rss
CONSERVATION
Saving energy: Put more money in your pocket – With the arrival of the cold weather and the Grays Harbor County PUD bill, this time of year is when most of us begin to think about making our homes more energy efficient. (The Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/11/18/local_news/03news.txt
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
U.N. Report Describes Risks of Inaction on Climate Change – In its final and most powerful report, a United Nations panel of scientists meeting here describes the mounting risks of climate change in language that is both more specific and forceful than its previous assessments, according to scientists here. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/17/science/earth/17climate.html?_r=1&ex=1353128400&en=a1e50bb9cd54db4a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
California – Report hails state's clean energy push – Group says federal policies hold back progress (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration – lookie lookie at the pretty graphic that says nice things about the Pacific Northwest)
http://www.sacbee.com/341/story/501881.html
Port of Seattle truckers lament the cost of going green – The Port of Seattle, like other Northwest ports, is proposing new emissions standards on its truck fleet that could have a major impact on not only air quality but also the livelihood of its trucking fleet. (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/340095_port17.html?source=rss
Facing a Threat to Farming and Food Supply – Climate change may be global in its sweep, but not all of the globe's citizens will share equally in its woes. And nowhere is that truth more evident, or more worrisome, than in its projected effects on agriculture. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/18/AR2007111800501.html?nav=rss_nation
Is Peninsula turning 'green' enough, yet? It's been six months since "Step-It-Up" rallies across the North Olympic Peninsula drew hundreds and raised public awareness about global warming. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071119/NEWS/711190305
Inconvenient Truth: Gore Won a Nobel, and Bush Will Host the Winners – Maybe he'll bring the slide show. (Washington Post – Boy, I’ll bet THIS meeting will be a bit awkward!)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/16/AR2007111602050.html?nav=rss_politics
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Video, interactivity could nab Web users by 2010 – Enjoy your speedy broadband Web access while you can. The Web will start to seem pokey as early as 2010, as use of interactive and video-intensive services overwhelms local cable, phone and wireless Internet providers (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2007-11-18-slow-internet_N.htm
Electronic trash piling up overseas – Most Americans think they're helping the Earth when they recycle their old computers, televisions and cell phones. But chances are they're contributing to a global trade in electronic trash that endangers workers and pollutes the environment overseas. (Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/340163_ewaste19.html
E-pollution is on the rise: Global electronic waste mishandled in China (Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/340157_chinaewaste19.html
California – Study says county likely to cash in on broadband. Solano County stands to gain nearly 15,000 jobs and millions in payroll in the next decade as a result of Internet technology, a new study reveals. (Vallejo Times-Herald)
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_7492057
WiMax gives businesses an Internet boost (Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/340060_wimaxwork17.html?source=rss
EarthLink exploring Muni Wi-Fi changes – EarthLink Inc., one of the chief evangelists of blanketing cities with wireless Internet service, said Friday is going to consider "strategic alternatives" for that business. (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071116/ap_on_hi_te/earthlink_municipal_wireless_2
Agencies trying to help rural areas to get high-speed Internet (News Gazette, Champaign, Illinois)
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/living/2007/11/18/crossing_the_digital_divide_government
Tennessee – EPB not ready to finance fiber-to-home project – EPB still is studying options to finance its $219 million fiber-to-home initiative, the largest publicly backed project in Chattanooga history. (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)
http://www.timesfreepress.com/absolutenm/templates/local.aspx?articleid=25381&zoneid=77
Tennessee – Judge considers dismissing EPB cable suit. Davidson County judge said Friday she will decide in the next few weeks whether she has jurisdiction to hear a cable-television industry lawsuit challenging plans by public power distributor EPB of Chattanooga to provide cable services. (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)
http://www.timesfreepress.com/absolutenm/templates/local.aspx?articleid=25404&zoneid=77
GENERAL NEWS
Record high diesel prices squeeze businesses – While rising gasoline prices have grabbed headlines the past two years, the cost of diesel fuel quietly set a new record in the Olympia area last week, according to AAA fuel data. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/business/story/274058.html
State Worker Accused Of Supplying Drugs To Teenagers – “…Sanford has been the head of L&I Safety and Compliance and was involved in overseeing the inspection of tower cranes one year ago…” (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14621520/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news
MAN DIES WHEN SUV FALLS DOWN EMBANKMENT IN NW MASON COUNTY – A Lacey man died Friday when his sport utility vehicle fell down a steep embankment on a forest service road near the Hamma Hamma Campground. Pat O’Connell and his fiancée, Katherine Milleson, were taking a drive and stopped to enjoy the view. O’Connell reportedly became worried that SUV was too close to the edge of the road. As he backed up the vehicle, the roadway partially gave way and the S-U-V fell at least 500 feet with him inside. Milleson called 9-1-1 about 4:30 p.m. but didn’t know where she was, and it took rescuers about two hours to locate her. Alcohol might have been a factor in the incident and an investigation is ongoing. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
SHELTON’S NORTHCLIFF PAVING TO BEGIN TUESDAY – Paving on Northcliff is expected this week which will impact where some residents park their cars. Weather permitting; Ace Paving will begin paving the final layer of asphalt at 8am Tuesday. Crews will start with the Terrace Boulevard side of Northcliff. Once pavers cross Terrace Boulevard, Terrace View Road and Poplar Street, NO vehicles will be allowed to cross hot asphalt. On Wednesday, the other half of Northcliff will be paved and similar restrictions will be in place. As new asphalt is vehicle sensitive, it may take four to six hours to reopen the road once the hot asphalt has been applied. Those who live in the area will need to make arrangements to have they vehicle accessible during this time. Residents may park on Barnhard or Eighth Street as foot traffic will be allowed to cross fresh pavement. Parking will also be permitted at the bus pullout south of Terrace Boulevard and on Terrace Boulevard but NOT allowed on Northcliff. Those vehicles will be towed. School and Transit buses will have to be met on North 13th. Again, only foot traffic will be allowed to cross hot asphalt. Access to Northcliff remains restricted to local traffic only and the City of Shelton encourages other motorists to avoid the area, especially between 8am and 6pm Tuesday and Wednesday. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
DIVERSIONS
Police Use Vegetable Oil To Free Burglary Suspect Trapped In Store Vent Shaft
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14617676/detail.html
102 Buried Urns Stolen From Cemetery – Police Say Thief May Want To Sell Metal
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14605245/detail.html
Starting Tuesday, plastic bags illegal at big San Francisco grocery stores
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/19/BA2BTE64K.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- News Tribune Opinion – A smart move to settle power fight at home.
- BPA ends 70th year in good financial shape
- Pacific Northwest emissions goals set; now comes hard part
- Chinese Dam Projects Criticized for Their Human Costs
- Construction firm pays $15,000 for (repeated) pipeline damage
- A controversial balance for Cowlitz River salmon
- Feds ignore pleas of fisheries; favor keeping four dams, Includes Klamath news release from FERC
- Human waste plagues Lake Roosevelt, other outdoor destinations
- Massachusetts – Energy bill's turbine amendment stirs storm.
- In Energy Sector, Renewables Get Less Federal Support
- Biofuels: Could the Cure Be Worse Than the Disease?
- U.N. Report Describes Risks of Inaction on Climate Change
- Port of Seattle truckers lament the cost of going green
- Is (The Olympic Peninsula) Peninsula turning 'green' enough, yet?
- Inconvenient Truth: Gore Won a Nobel, and Bush Will Host the Winners
- Video, interactivity could nab Web users by 2010
- Electronic trash piling up overseas
- WiMax gives businesses an Internet boost
- Record high diesel prices squeeze businesses
- State Worker Accused Of Supplying Drugs To Teenagers (L&I Safety & Compliance Administrator)
- Man Dies When SUV Falls Down Embankment In NW Mason County
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Besmirch • \bih-SMERCH\ • verb – sully, soil
Today’s example sentence is a do-it-yourself project: (Insert name here) was upset with (Insert sweetheart’s name here). She had done the worst thing he could imagine by besmirching his (Insert a fanboy activity or obsession here). “Never again,” he thundered as he showed here the door. (He actually didn’t force his sweetheart to leave; he just wanted to show off his new Simpson door from McCleary)
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
News Tribune Opinion – A smart move to settle power fight at home. When it comes to working out disputes over the Northwest’s power supply, it’s always smart to keep it in the family. Let the trouble get out of the house, and you never know what might happen.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/207534.html
News Release – BPA ends 70th year in good financial shape, even with low water conditions. The agency started the year with a power rate reduction; rates will stay steady for 2008 (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/182830/
Emissions goals set; now comes hard part – To reach targets, Oregon faces the prospect of cutting cheap, reliable coal energy at a time when power demand is surging. Oregon and Washington set aggressive goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions, but actually meeting those goals could prove much tougher -- and more costly -- than leaders expect. (The Oregonian – Golly…and this surprises anyone?)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1195446342227160.xml&coll=7
Flooding darkens, closes mall stores as underground vault is flooded with heavy rain runoff – A power outage shut much of the Tacoma Mall on Saturday, including Nordstrom, J.C. Penney and smaller retailers. (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/206854.html
Chinese Dam Projects Criticized for Their Human Costs (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/world/asia/19dam.html?ex=1353128400&en=21385d434698a2d3&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Fort Collins, Colorado – A Deeply Green City Confronts Its Energy Needs and Nuclear Worries (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/us/19collins.html?ex=1353128400&en=6872b197287290d7&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Construction firm pays $15,000 for pipeline damage: charged with repeatedly damaging Clark County gas pipelines over a 13-month period.
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2007/11/11162007_Construction-firm-pays-15000-for-pipeline-damage.cfm?newsletter=1
On the record: an interview with Pacific Gas and Electric's Peter Darbee – Peter Darbee is trying to build the country's greenest utility. As head of PG&E Corp. in San Francisco, Darbee has spent much of his tenure trying to convince fellow business executives that global warming is a threat. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/18/BU80TD6ER.DTL&feed=rss.business
Duke Energy fights rising pollution bill: CEO says coal-reliant industries should get time to figure out solutions that avoid rate hikes for customers (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News via Power Marketers Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CgmmensqWTkh%22EN%26bfem%5Ev
Clean Energy's Best-Kept Secret: Waste Heat Recovery (Environmental News Network)
http://www.enn.com/energy/article/25399
News Release – Shocking Holiday Statistics: New Electrical Safety Survey Shows How Consumers Often Put Themselves at Risk (Electrical Safety Foundation International)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=78104
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
A controversial balance for Cowlitz River salmon – Sport fishermen used to extol the Cowlitz River as "the fish factory." Now it's pretty much a dead zone -- in more ways than one. (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/290312585466310
Feds ignore pleas of fisheries, favor keeping four dams – Salmon advocates urge fish ladders, but agency favors hauling and trapping instead (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7498736?nclick_check=1
Here’s the news release from FERC – Final Environmental Impact Statement for Relicensing of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project No. 2082-027. Commission staff prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for relicensing of PacifiCorp’s 169-megawatt Klamath Hydroelectric Project, located primarily on the Klamath River in Klamath County, Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. (FERC)
http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/eis/2007/11-16-07.asp
Human waste plagues Lake Roosevelt, other outdoor destinations – The Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is 129 miles of watery beauty that is becoming a giant outdoor toilet, and workers are not pleased. (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP11192007news234492.cfm?newsletter=10
Crab fishermen worry about another late start – A debate over prices, combined with balancing tribal and non-tribal quotas could delay the season for crab fishermen, even though state officials say crabs from Westport and Long Beach will be ready for harvesting Dec. 1. (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/11531496.html
Kokanee doing better in N. Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/274565.html
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Massachusetts – Energy bill's turbine amendment stirs storm. Environmentalists and coastal lawmakers are vowing to fight a surprise provision in an energy bill that they say would open up virtually the entire Massachusetts coast to unlimited wind turbine development. (Standard-Times, New Bedford)
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071118/NEWS/711180380
In Energy Sector, Renewables Get Less Federal Support – A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) comparing federal electricity subsidies by fuel type shows that renewables such as wind still get only a small share of the overall subsidies awarded to the energy sector. (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50615&src=rss
Biofuels and Food Prices – How much do biofuels benefit the environment, and does growing crops for biofuel manufacturing could drive up food prices. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16389598&ft=1&f=7
Biofuels: Could the Cure Be Worse Than the Disease? (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50616&src=rss
CONSERVATION
Saving energy: Put more money in your pocket – With the arrival of the cold weather and the Grays Harbor County PUD bill, this time of year is when most of us begin to think about making our homes more energy efficient. (The Daily World, Aberdeen)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/11/18/local_news/03news.txt
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
U.N. Report Describes Risks of Inaction on Climate Change – In its final and most powerful report, a United Nations panel of scientists meeting here describes the mounting risks of climate change in language that is both more specific and forceful than its previous assessments, according to scientists here. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/17/science/earth/17climate.html?_r=1&ex=1353128400&en=a1e50bb9cd54db4a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
California – Report hails state's clean energy push – Group says federal policies hold back progress (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration – lookie lookie at the pretty graphic that says nice things about the Pacific Northwest)
http://www.sacbee.com/341/story/501881.html
Port of Seattle truckers lament the cost of going green – The Port of Seattle, like other Northwest ports, is proposing new emissions standards on its truck fleet that could have a major impact on not only air quality but also the livelihood of its trucking fleet. (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/340095_port17.html?source=rss
Facing a Threat to Farming and Food Supply – Climate change may be global in its sweep, but not all of the globe's citizens will share equally in its woes. And nowhere is that truth more evident, or more worrisome, than in its projected effects on agriculture. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/18/AR2007111800501.html?nav=rss_nation
Is Peninsula turning 'green' enough, yet? It's been six months since "Step-It-Up" rallies across the North Olympic Peninsula drew hundreds and raised public awareness about global warming. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071119/NEWS/711190305
Inconvenient Truth: Gore Won a Nobel, and Bush Will Host the Winners – Maybe he'll bring the slide show. (Washington Post – Boy, I’ll bet THIS meeting will be a bit awkward!)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/16/AR2007111602050.html?nav=rss_politics
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Video, interactivity could nab Web users by 2010 – Enjoy your speedy broadband Web access while you can. The Web will start to seem pokey as early as 2010, as use of interactive and video-intensive services overwhelms local cable, phone and wireless Internet providers (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2007-11-18-slow-internet_N.htm
Electronic trash piling up overseas – Most Americans think they're helping the Earth when they recycle their old computers, televisions and cell phones. But chances are they're contributing to a global trade in electronic trash that endangers workers and pollutes the environment overseas. (Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/340163_ewaste19.html
E-pollution is on the rise: Global electronic waste mishandled in China (Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/340157_chinaewaste19.html
California – Study says county likely to cash in on broadband. Solano County stands to gain nearly 15,000 jobs and millions in payroll in the next decade as a result of Internet technology, a new study reveals. (Vallejo Times-Herald)
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_7492057
WiMax gives businesses an Internet boost (Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/340060_wimaxwork17.html?source=rss
EarthLink exploring Muni Wi-Fi changes – EarthLink Inc., one of the chief evangelists of blanketing cities with wireless Internet service, said Friday is going to consider "strategic alternatives" for that business. (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071116/ap_on_hi_te/earthlink_municipal_wireless_2
Agencies trying to help rural areas to get high-speed Internet (News Gazette, Champaign, Illinois)
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/living/2007/11/18/crossing_the_digital_divide_government
Tennessee – EPB not ready to finance fiber-to-home project – EPB still is studying options to finance its $219 million fiber-to-home initiative, the largest publicly backed project in Chattanooga history. (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)
http://www.timesfreepress.com/absolutenm/templates/local.aspx?articleid=25381&zoneid=77
Tennessee – Judge considers dismissing EPB cable suit. Davidson County judge said Friday she will decide in the next few weeks whether she has jurisdiction to hear a cable-television industry lawsuit challenging plans by public power distributor EPB of Chattanooga to provide cable services. (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)
http://www.timesfreepress.com/absolutenm/templates/local.aspx?articleid=25404&zoneid=77
GENERAL NEWS
Record high diesel prices squeeze businesses – While rising gasoline prices have grabbed headlines the past two years, the cost of diesel fuel quietly set a new record in the Olympia area last week, according to AAA fuel data. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/business/story/274058.html
State Worker Accused Of Supplying Drugs To Teenagers – “…Sanford has been the head of L&I Safety and Compliance and was involved in overseeing the inspection of tower cranes one year ago…” (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14621520/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news
MAN DIES WHEN SUV FALLS DOWN EMBANKMENT IN NW MASON COUNTY – A Lacey man died Friday when his sport utility vehicle fell down a steep embankment on a forest service road near the Hamma Hamma Campground. Pat O’Connell and his fiancée, Katherine Milleson, were taking a drive and stopped to enjoy the view. O’Connell reportedly became worried that SUV was too close to the edge of the road. As he backed up the vehicle, the roadway partially gave way and the S-U-V fell at least 500 feet with him inside. Milleson called 9-1-1 about 4:30 p.m. but didn’t know where she was, and it took rescuers about two hours to locate her. Alcohol might have been a factor in the incident and an investigation is ongoing. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
SHELTON’S NORTHCLIFF PAVING TO BEGIN TUESDAY – Paving on Northcliff is expected this week which will impact where some residents park their cars. Weather permitting; Ace Paving will begin paving the final layer of asphalt at 8am Tuesday. Crews will start with the Terrace Boulevard side of Northcliff. Once pavers cross Terrace Boulevard, Terrace View Road and Poplar Street, NO vehicles will be allowed to cross hot asphalt. On Wednesday, the other half of Northcliff will be paved and similar restrictions will be in place. As new asphalt is vehicle sensitive, it may take four to six hours to reopen the road once the hot asphalt has been applied. Those who live in the area will need to make arrangements to have they vehicle accessible during this time. Residents may park on Barnhard or Eighth Street as foot traffic will be allowed to cross fresh pavement. Parking will also be permitted at the bus pullout south of Terrace Boulevard and on Terrace Boulevard but NOT allowed on Northcliff. Those vehicles will be towed. School and Transit buses will have to be met on North 13th. Again, only foot traffic will be allowed to cross hot asphalt. Access to Northcliff remains restricted to local traffic only and the City of Shelton encourages other motorists to avoid the area, especially between 8am and 6pm Tuesday and Wednesday. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
DIVERSIONS
Police Use Vegetable Oil To Free Burglary Suspect Trapped In Store Vent Shaft
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/14617676/detail.html
102 Buried Urns Stolen From Cemetery – Police Say Thief May Want To Sell Metal
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14605245/detail.html
Starting Tuesday, plastic bags illegal at big San Francisco grocery stores
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/19/BA2BTE64K.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Friday, November 16, 2007
News Digest for November 16, 2007
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Photographer arrested for taking pictures of transmission lines sues
- UW launches DNA 'fin-printing' project to study salmon
- Grays Harbor County – A NW Timber County Embraces Green
- At Wal-Mart, 'Green' Has Various Shades
- Misdirected: Energy-saving bulbs subsidized by California being sold on eBay
- Global Warming: Real security issue.
- Bathroom Broadband: Faster Internet from your toilet?
- Killer cold on the loose in Pacific Northwest
- DOT says wire thieves posing as state workers
- Shelton couple accused of drugging son to death claim innocence
- Jefferson County planners OK Brinnon-area resort
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Fungible • \FUN-juh-bul\ • adjective – 1: being of such a nature that one part or quantity may be replaced by another equal part or quantity in the satisfaction of an obligation *2: interchangeable 3: flexible
Some of us may remember term “fungible” from economics: “a field goal made in the first quarter of a basketball game is just as important to the outcome of the game as one made in the last seconds of the contest, therefore, the field goals (regardless of when they occur) are fungible.” I never got that, because it doesn’t take into account the momentum shift that can occur from a critical shot.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Professor detained for taking pictures of high voltage transmission lines sues – The electrical substation she photographed had been identified by the Department of Homeland Security as a "critical infrastructure" target. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/339897_photos16.html
Colorado – Group projects rising energy demand. Despite Colorado's drive to develop renewable energy, the state will still need the equivalent of 13 new 350-megawatt plants to satisfy its power needs by 2025, according to a report by an independent research group with ties to the energy industry. (Casper Star-Tribune)
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/11/16/news/regional/87fee75ace4e2bfa87257394006d3c6c.txt
News Release – FERC Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher comments on the power grid and reliability (FERC)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/statements-speeches/kelliher/2007/11-15-07-kelliher-E-2.asp
News Release – FERC acts to improve transmission reliability, lower power costs. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today acted to improve reliability of the interstate transmission system by approving requests for transmission investment incentives for new grid construction. (FERC)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/news-releases/2007/2007-4/11-15-07-E-2.asp
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
UW launches DNA 'fin-printing' project to study salmon – Researchers at the University of Washington plan to use salmon DNA samples they call "fin-printing" to create a genetic database for North Pacific salmon and track their ocean migration. (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP11162007news233103.cfm?newsletter=10
Daily Astorian Editorial – Save the salmon; save fishing: Fishermen of every kind can be the best friends salmon can have. There is a delicate balance on the Columbia River between charter fishing operators, sport and gillnet fishermen, as all angle for advantage in divvying up a minuscule allocation of endangered salmon.
http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=392&ArticleID=46861&TM=9865.945
Return of the river – Gail and John Gorley used to listen and watch as salmon spawned in the spring flowing through their grassy 40-acres in Western Wahkiakum County. (The Daily News)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/11/16/area_news/doc473d36fa48091154129599.txt
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Grays Harbor County – A NW Timber County Embraces Green – On the Washington coast, an economically distressed timber county is going green. Grays Harbor County wants to transform itself from a community of extraction to a community of renewables. (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3353
CONSERVATION
At Wal-Mart, 'Green' Has Various Shades – Environmental Push Earns Mixed Results. “…Wal-Mart would one day create zero waste, be completely supplied by renewable energy and sell more sustainable products. That day remains a long way off…” (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502519.html?nav=rss_business
Energy-saving bulbs subsidized by California being sold on eBay – Boxes of energy-saving light bulbs that California utilities are supposed to distribute within the state to save power are instead turning up on eBay, where anyone in the country can buy them, a watchdog group reported Thursday. As a result, California may not be saving as much power as it planned. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/16/BUA5TD8FG.DTL&feed=rss.business
Ameren rolls energy efficiency plan in Illinois – Two weeks after seeking a $247 million annual increase in electricity and natural gas rates, Ameren Corp. on Thursday announced a sweeping energy efficiency plan in Illinois that could help those same customers lower their bills. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch – But beware of the rate decoupling monster!)
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/DC9BDB6292A6B596862573950012533B?OpenDocument
News Release – Cheaper By the Dozen: PSE&G Offers 12 Tips to Save Money and Keep Warm (CNN Money, via PR Newswire)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYF03016112007-1.htm
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial Board – Global Warming: Real security issue. Warm, warmer, you're getting warmer. If the Senate makes a few smart turns, it could get close to the target of containing climate change.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/339875_warmconged.html?source=rss
Washington Post Editorial – California v. the EPA. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is right to sue the Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502079.html?nav=rss_opinions
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Measuring Broadband: Improving Communications Policymaking through Better Data Collection (The Pew Research Center, via Baller-Herbst – Links to PDF File)
http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Measuring%20Broadband.pdf
Cable Wars Continue – It's another bill that most everyone says is just too high -- cable. But right now, folks in Chattanooga only have one choice for that service. City council members want to change the situation. (WTVC-TV, Chattanooga)
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/city_964473___article.html/cable_council.html
Vermont – Groups urge governor to oppose Verizon sale. Using a wheelbarrow, union leaders, small business representatives and some politicians delivered 2,600 postcards to Gov. Jim Douglas on Wednesday urging him to oppose a plan to sell the Verizon landline telephone system to FairPoint Communications. (Bennington Banner)
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/ci_7467448?source=most_viewed
Web Sites Tear Down That Wall – Rupert Murdoch's announcement this week that he expects to stop charging for access to the Wall Street Journal's Web site is the latest example of a publisher giving up on the subscription-based business model -- a significant shift in the evolution of online content. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502523.html?nav=rss_technology
Fiber for your plumbing? Faster Internet from your toilet? The same sewer pipes that funnel the ickiest waste from Portland homes could someday be used to bring residents the best the Internet has to offer (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/siliconforest/2007/11/fiber_for_your_sewer.html
GENERAL NEWS
KILLER COLD CLAMPS DOWN ON PACIFIC NORTHWEST – You may think you have a killer cold. Now, health experts say there’s a strain of the cold that can actually kill you. It’s struck in Washington, and Oregon. Lewis County Health Department experts say it’s another reason why you should frequently wash your hands, and cover your cough. (KELA Radio, Centralia/Chehalis)
DOT says wire thieves posing as state workers – Theft of copper wire from Washington State Department of Transportation signal boxes has long been a problem in larger cities, but now thieves are spreading out to the Twin Harbors. (Daily World, Aberdeen – Shades of a similar ring that operated in the Washington, DC area a couple of years ago)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/11/15/local_news/09news.txt
Shelton couple accused of drugging son to death claim innocence (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/11421826.html
Jefferson County planners OK Brinnon-area resort – The Jefferson County Planning Commission recommended that the three county commissioners approve a $300 million destination resort south of Brinnon. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071116/NEWS/711160306
Family leave law: Who pays the bill? Washington's new paid family leave law should be financed by the state government's tax surplus for the first four years, a state task force suggested Wednesday. (Associated Press, via the Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/NEWS03/711150006/1001/rss1001
DIVERSIONS
Berkeley man killed by train while talking on cell phone
http://www.examiner.com/a-1052183~Berkeley_man_killed_by_train_while_talking_on_cell_phone.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Loud birds in distress turn out to be no birds
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/11399126.html
Could Your Name Change the Course of Your Life? A study to be published next month says your initials could be holding you back. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16320636&ft=1&f=17
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Photographer arrested for taking pictures of transmission lines sues
- UW launches DNA 'fin-printing' project to study salmon
- Grays Harbor County – A NW Timber County Embraces Green
- At Wal-Mart, 'Green' Has Various Shades
- Misdirected: Energy-saving bulbs subsidized by California being sold on eBay
- Global Warming: Real security issue.
- Bathroom Broadband: Faster Internet from your toilet?
- Killer cold on the loose in Pacific Northwest
- DOT says wire thieves posing as state workers
- Shelton couple accused of drugging son to death claim innocence
- Jefferson County planners OK Brinnon-area resort
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Fungible • \FUN-juh-bul\ • adjective – 1: being of such a nature that one part or quantity may be replaced by another equal part or quantity in the satisfaction of an obligation *2: interchangeable 3: flexible
Some of us may remember term “fungible” from economics: “a field goal made in the first quarter of a basketball game is just as important to the outcome of the game as one made in the last seconds of the contest, therefore, the field goals (regardless of when they occur) are fungible.” I never got that, because it doesn’t take into account the momentum shift that can occur from a critical shot.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Professor detained for taking pictures of high voltage transmission lines sues – The electrical substation she photographed had been identified by the Department of Homeland Security as a "critical infrastructure" target. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/339897_photos16.html
Colorado – Group projects rising energy demand. Despite Colorado's drive to develop renewable energy, the state will still need the equivalent of 13 new 350-megawatt plants to satisfy its power needs by 2025, according to a report by an independent research group with ties to the energy industry. (Casper Star-Tribune)
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/11/16/news/regional/87fee75ace4e2bfa87257394006d3c6c.txt
News Release – FERC Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher comments on the power grid and reliability (FERC)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/statements-speeches/kelliher/2007/11-15-07-kelliher-E-2.asp
News Release – FERC acts to improve transmission reliability, lower power costs. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today acted to improve reliability of the interstate transmission system by approving requests for transmission investment incentives for new grid construction. (FERC)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/news-releases/2007/2007-4/11-15-07-E-2.asp
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
UW launches DNA 'fin-printing' project to study salmon – Researchers at the University of Washington plan to use salmon DNA samples they call "fin-printing" to create a genetic database for North Pacific salmon and track their ocean migration. (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP11162007news233103.cfm?newsletter=10
Daily Astorian Editorial – Save the salmon; save fishing: Fishermen of every kind can be the best friends salmon can have. There is a delicate balance on the Columbia River between charter fishing operators, sport and gillnet fishermen, as all angle for advantage in divvying up a minuscule allocation of endangered salmon.
http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=392&ArticleID=46861&TM=9865.945
Return of the river – Gail and John Gorley used to listen and watch as salmon spawned in the spring flowing through their grassy 40-acres in Western Wahkiakum County. (The Daily News)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/11/16/area_news/doc473d36fa48091154129599.txt
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Grays Harbor County – A NW Timber County Embraces Green – On the Washington coast, an economically distressed timber county is going green. Grays Harbor County wants to transform itself from a community of extraction to a community of renewables. (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3353
CONSERVATION
At Wal-Mart, 'Green' Has Various Shades – Environmental Push Earns Mixed Results. “…Wal-Mart would one day create zero waste, be completely supplied by renewable energy and sell more sustainable products. That day remains a long way off…” (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502519.html?nav=rss_business
Energy-saving bulbs subsidized by California being sold on eBay – Boxes of energy-saving light bulbs that California utilities are supposed to distribute within the state to save power are instead turning up on eBay, where anyone in the country can buy them, a watchdog group reported Thursday. As a result, California may not be saving as much power as it planned. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/16/BUA5TD8FG.DTL&feed=rss.business
Ameren rolls energy efficiency plan in Illinois – Two weeks after seeking a $247 million annual increase in electricity and natural gas rates, Ameren Corp. on Thursday announced a sweeping energy efficiency plan in Illinois that could help those same customers lower their bills. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch – But beware of the rate decoupling monster!)
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/DC9BDB6292A6B596862573950012533B?OpenDocument
News Release – Cheaper By the Dozen: PSE&G Offers 12 Tips to Save Money and Keep Warm (CNN Money, via PR Newswire)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYF03016112007-1.htm
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial Board – Global Warming: Real security issue. Warm, warmer, you're getting warmer. If the Senate makes a few smart turns, it could get close to the target of containing climate change.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/339875_warmconged.html?source=rss
Washington Post Editorial – California v. the EPA. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is right to sue the Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502079.html?nav=rss_opinions
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Measuring Broadband: Improving Communications Policymaking through Better Data Collection (The Pew Research Center, via Baller-Herbst – Links to PDF File)
http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Measuring%20Broadband.pdf
Cable Wars Continue – It's another bill that most everyone says is just too high -- cable. But right now, folks in Chattanooga only have one choice for that service. City council members want to change the situation. (WTVC-TV, Chattanooga)
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/city_964473___article.html/cable_council.html
Vermont – Groups urge governor to oppose Verizon sale. Using a wheelbarrow, union leaders, small business representatives and some politicians delivered 2,600 postcards to Gov. Jim Douglas on Wednesday urging him to oppose a plan to sell the Verizon landline telephone system to FairPoint Communications. (Bennington Banner)
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/ci_7467448?source=most_viewed
Web Sites Tear Down That Wall – Rupert Murdoch's announcement this week that he expects to stop charging for access to the Wall Street Journal's Web site is the latest example of a publisher giving up on the subscription-based business model -- a significant shift in the evolution of online content. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502523.html?nav=rss_technology
Fiber for your plumbing? Faster Internet from your toilet? The same sewer pipes that funnel the ickiest waste from Portland homes could someday be used to bring residents the best the Internet has to offer (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/siliconforest/2007/11/fiber_for_your_sewer.html
GENERAL NEWS
KILLER COLD CLAMPS DOWN ON PACIFIC NORTHWEST – You may think you have a killer cold. Now, health experts say there’s a strain of the cold that can actually kill you. It’s struck in Washington, and Oregon. Lewis County Health Department experts say it’s another reason why you should frequently wash your hands, and cover your cough. (KELA Radio, Centralia/Chehalis)
DOT says wire thieves posing as state workers – Theft of copper wire from Washington State Department of Transportation signal boxes has long been a problem in larger cities, but now thieves are spreading out to the Twin Harbors. (Daily World, Aberdeen – Shades of a similar ring that operated in the Washington, DC area a couple of years ago)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/11/15/local_news/09news.txt
Shelton couple accused of drugging son to death claim innocence (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/11421826.html
Jefferson County planners OK Brinnon-area resort – The Jefferson County Planning Commission recommended that the three county commissioners approve a $300 million destination resort south of Brinnon. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20071116/NEWS/711160306
Family leave law: Who pays the bill? Washington's new paid family leave law should be financed by the state government's tax surplus for the first four years, a state task force suggested Wednesday. (Associated Press, via the Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/NEWS03/711150006/1001/rss1001
DIVERSIONS
Berkeley man killed by train while talking on cell phone
http://www.examiner.com/a-1052183~Berkeley_man_killed_by_train_while_talking_on_cell_phone.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Loud birds in distress turn out to be no birds
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/11399126.html
Could Your Name Change the Course of Your Life? A study to be published next month says your initials could be holding you back. (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16320636&ft=1&f=17
Thursday, November 15, 2007
News Digest for November 15, 2007
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.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Flood Watch Issued For Skokomish
- Benton PUD to cut rates 3.7%
- Clatskanie PUD names Ollila replacement
- An unlucky squirrel causes Canby Utility outage
- Columbia Basin salmon recovery plan gets positive marks
- Wind farm developers withdraw plans for Idaho project
- Green schools save money and energy
- World's Power Plant Emissions Detailed
- Governors Join in Creating Regional Pacts on Climate Change
- New Lincoln City on-ramp to information superhighway goes live
- In Australia, Santas warned 'ho ho ho' offensive to women.
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Williwaw • \WILL-ih-waw\ • noun – *1a: a sudden violent gust of cold land air common along mountainous coasts of high latitudes b: a sudden violent wind 2: a violent commotion
“One more williwaw like that and I’ll be cracking up,” cursed the tense utility dispatcher. The fall and winter storm season had barely begun, and two windstorms had already blustered their way across the region.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
FLOOD WATCH ISSUED FOR SKOKOMISH – A flood watch has been issued for the Skokomish River. According to the National Weather Service, heavy rain over the Olympic Mountains could drive the Skokomish above flood stage late tonight or Friday morning. A vigorous frontal system will produce periods of heavy rain over the Olympic Peninsula tonight and some spots on the south slopes of the Olympics could receive more than three inches of rain. This rainfall could be heavy enough to produce flooding on the Skokomish River. A flood watch means that flooding is possible but not imminent or certain. Residents in the Skokomish Valley should be ready to act quickly if a flood warning is issued. Flood stage is 16 feet. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Benton PUD to cut rates 3.7% – Benton PUD commissioners have settled on a plan to trim residential electric rates by 3.7 percent Jan. 1.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/business/story/9453780p-9365326c.html
Clatskanie PUD names Ollila replacement – The Clatskanie PUD Board Wednesday appointed Janet Willey to fill the seat of former board member Rod Ollila, who was recalled by voters in September. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/11/15/area_news/doc473bf83d05643747463820.txt
Oregon – An unlucky squirrel shorted out a Canby Utility transformer Thursday knocking out power to about 3,000 customers. (Canby Herald, thanks to Canby Utility for the tip)
http://www.canbyherald.com/ArcStoryPage.asp?Database=Story&StoryID=6156
For the morbidly curious, a photo of the ill-fated squirrel is here:
http://www.canbyherald.com/images/1923.jpg
Tree takes out power to thousands in Ferry County – 115K BPA transmission line knocked out (Omak Chronicle)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n071114a.shtml
News Release – Electricity Projected to be Reliable throughout North America in Coming Winter Season (NERC)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=78017
Automated Meter Reading – Franklin PUD, Benton PUD and Pacific Power are all considering installing Automated Meter Reading or AMR's in the Tri-Cities and Yakima areas. (KNDO-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7364280
Montana – Pioneer Press, Guest Commentary, State Rep. Llew Jones: “…I was part of a small group selected by Bonneville Power (BPA) to be flown out to their Portland headquarters and further educated as to the inner workings and future needs of transmission and energy generation…”
http://www.goldentrianglenews.com/articles/2007/11/14/cut_bank_pioneer_press/news/news8.txt
Break-In at Nuclear Site Baffles South Africa – One week after the most serious attack on a nuclear installation in recent memory, the government of South Africa is largely mum about who was behind it, how they broke in or why. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/world/africa/15joburg.html?ex=1352782800&en=56df70127755c52f&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Amaranth, a Collapsed Hedge Fund, Sues JPMorgan Chase (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/business/15hedge.html?_r=1&ex=1352869200&en=4cd399dd1d9a649a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Columbia Basin salmon recovery plan gets positive marks in new incarnation – Washington's two representatives to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council offered the federal government positive first impressions Wednesday for its latest crack at drawing up a Columbia Basin salmon recovery plan. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9455017p-9366543c.html
Report says Canadian salmon industry in danger of collapse (Associated Press, via the Casper Star-Tribune – This, after Alaska announced a bumper harvest?)
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2004/05/06/news/regional/77b674db5844351987256e8c005c376f.txt
Canada – Few B.C.-born salmon returning to spawn. Salmon returns are down significantly around British Columbia, experts say, with the number of Chinook migrating to their birthplace on Vancouver Island falling by as much as 75 per cent (The Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071115.wbcfish15/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20071115.wbcfish15
Approach Arctic fishing with caution – David Benton, Seattle Post-Intelligencer guest columnist: A new fishing area in the Arctic Ocean – one that is opening because of climate change -- should not be developed until sound management practices and catch limits are established.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/339687_fisheries15.html?source=rss
Amid Drought, a Georgian Consumes a Niagara – A homeowner in Marietta, Ga., used 14,700 gallons a day in September on landscaping and his pool, prompting an outcry from other homeowners trying to conserve water. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/us/15water.html?ex=1352782800&en=b8bce43cb6a2ae65&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
World toilet summit flush with promise – There are few international conferences at which delegates can hope to be presented with a souvenir ball of dried human feces. The World Toilet Summit in Delhi may be the only one. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/339617_toiletonline15.html?source=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Wind farm developers withdraw plans for Idaho project (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1048328~Wind_farm_developers_withdraw_plans_for_E__Idaho_project.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
Oregon – Hatfield workshop focuses on ecological concerns of wave energy (Newport News-Times)
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2007/11/14/news/news04.txt
Delaware – Delmarva Power blasts Bluewater's latest offshore wind proposal – Delmarva Power has condemned a new proposal by Bluewater Wind for a proposed 450-MW offshore wind farm, saying the revised bid would still cost the utility's customers $1 billion more than if it bought power at the market price, filings show. (Platt’s News Service)
http://www.platts.com/Electric%20Power/News/6590351.xml?src=Electric%20Powerrssheadlines1
CONSERVATION
Green schools save money and energy – Science teacher Mike Town and his students are working to lower Redmond High School's carbon emissions, one classroom at a time. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2004015249_greenschools15e.html?syndication=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
World's Power Plant Emissions Detailed – U.S. Appears to Be Worst Carbon Dioxide Polluter, but China Is Catching Up Fast (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/14/AR2007111402010.html?nav=rss_nation
(Western) Governors Join in Creating Regional Pacts on Climate Change (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/washington/15climate.html?ex=1352782800&en=7980263dabe14e25&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
News Release – Power Costs Would Dramatically Increase under Lieberman-Warner Legislation (PR NewsWire, via CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/CLTH05615112007-1.htm
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Oregon – New Lincoln City on-ramp to information superhighway goes live (Newport News-Times)
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2007/11/14/news/news06.txt
Comcast Sued Over BitTorrent Blocking – A California man filed suit in state court Tuesday against internet service provider Comcast, arguing that the company's secret use of technology to limit peer-to-peer applications such as BitTorrent violates federal computer fraud laws, their user contracts and anti-fraudulent advertising statutes. (WIRED News)
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/11/comcast-sued-ov.html
Head of Cable Lobby Condemns FCC Report – The head of the cable television industry's lobbying group yesterday took aim at the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, blasting his attempts to place new regulations on cable companies while accusing the agency of manipulating data. (Washington Post – Must….not….point out…..irony)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/14/AR2007111402377.html?nav=rss_technology
XM, Sirius Shareholders Vote to Approve Merger – Shareholders of XM Satellite Radio Holdings and Sirius Satellite Radio yesterday voted to approve the proposed $5 billion merger of the two companies, though the deal still faces scrutiny by federal regulators. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/13/AR2007111300800.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
SHOOTING AND STABBING IN TIMBERLAKES – The Mason County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting and a stabbing in Timberlakes Wednesday night. According to a news release, about 11:45pm, deputies and Mason County Fire District Five medics responded to a request for assistance in the 500 block of East Timberlake Drive East. Upon arrival, they found a 28-year-old Shelton man suffering from gunshot wounds and a 60-year-old Shelton man suffering from stab wounds. Both men were transported to Mason General Hospital and then flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The stabbing victim is listed in critical condition and the shooting victim is listed in serious but stable condition. At this time, it is not clear what took place at the residence or how the two men are related. The Mason County Sheriff's investigators will be releasing more information on this incident later this morning. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
DIVERSIONS
Man in India marries dog as atonement – A man in southern India married a female dog in a traditional Hindu ceremony as an attempt to atone for stoning two other dogs to death
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071113/ap_on_fe_st/india_man_weds_dog;_ylt=AmP9HLzhSQ5hhRbrNWDhEUztiBIF
Australia – Santas warned 'ho ho ho' offensive to women. Santas in Australia's largest city have been told not to use Father Christmas's traditional "ho ho ho" greeting because it may be offensive to women, it was reported Thursday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/lifestyleaustraliachristmasoffbeat;_ylt=AjBq4BCLe8dYY6bXOINcWwntiBIF
Errant text message sends cops to door – Leif Harry Ersland wanted to return a nail gun he borrowed, so he sent a text message to the owner saying "the gun is on the cabin steps."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/odd_norway_misfire;_ylt=AhJXFX7os94qv70sv86se53tiBIF
Woman being 'silly' hit by freight train – A 54-year-old woman was recovering in the hospital after being hit by a Union Pacific freight train in California.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071113/ap_on_fe_st/odd_train_woman_struck;_ylt=AhdyDThfGsA3te1BYrDlNdvtiBIF
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Flood Watch Issued For Skokomish
- Benton PUD to cut rates 3.7%
- Clatskanie PUD names Ollila replacement
- An unlucky squirrel causes Canby Utility outage
- Columbia Basin salmon recovery plan gets positive marks
- Wind farm developers withdraw plans for Idaho project
- Green schools save money and energy
- World's Power Plant Emissions Detailed
- Governors Join in Creating Regional Pacts on Climate Change
- New Lincoln City on-ramp to information superhighway goes live
- In Australia, Santas warned 'ho ho ho' offensive to women.
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Williwaw • \WILL-ih-waw\ • noun – *1a: a sudden violent gust of cold land air common along mountainous coasts of high latitudes b: a sudden violent wind 2: a violent commotion
“One more williwaw like that and I’ll be cracking up,” cursed the tense utility dispatcher. The fall and winter storm season had barely begun, and two windstorms had already blustered their way across the region.
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
FLOOD WATCH ISSUED FOR SKOKOMISH – A flood watch has been issued for the Skokomish River. According to the National Weather Service, heavy rain over the Olympic Mountains could drive the Skokomish above flood stage late tonight or Friday morning. A vigorous frontal system will produce periods of heavy rain over the Olympic Peninsula tonight and some spots on the south slopes of the Olympics could receive more than three inches of rain. This rainfall could be heavy enough to produce flooding on the Skokomish River. A flood watch means that flooding is possible but not imminent or certain. Residents in the Skokomish Valley should be ready to act quickly if a flood warning is issued. Flood stage is 16 feet. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Benton PUD to cut rates 3.7% – Benton PUD commissioners have settled on a plan to trim residential electric rates by 3.7 percent Jan. 1.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/business/story/9453780p-9365326c.html
Clatskanie PUD names Ollila replacement – The Clatskanie PUD Board Wednesday appointed Janet Willey to fill the seat of former board member Rod Ollila, who was recalled by voters in September. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/11/15/area_news/doc473bf83d05643747463820.txt
Oregon – An unlucky squirrel shorted out a Canby Utility transformer Thursday knocking out power to about 3,000 customers. (Canby Herald, thanks to Canby Utility for the tip)
http://www.canbyherald.com/ArcStoryPage.asp?Database=Story&StoryID=6156
For the morbidly curious, a photo of the ill-fated squirrel is here:
http://www.canbyherald.com/images/1923.jpg
Tree takes out power to thousands in Ferry County – 115K BPA transmission line knocked out (Omak Chronicle)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n071114a.shtml
News Release – Electricity Projected to be Reliable throughout North America in Coming Winter Season (NERC)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=78017
Automated Meter Reading – Franklin PUD, Benton PUD and Pacific Power are all considering installing Automated Meter Reading or AMR's in the Tri-Cities and Yakima areas. (KNDO-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7364280
Montana – Pioneer Press, Guest Commentary, State Rep. Llew Jones: “…I was part of a small group selected by Bonneville Power (BPA) to be flown out to their Portland headquarters and further educated as to the inner workings and future needs of transmission and energy generation…”
http://www.goldentrianglenews.com/articles/2007/11/14/cut_bank_pioneer_press/news/news8.txt
Break-In at Nuclear Site Baffles South Africa – One week after the most serious attack on a nuclear installation in recent memory, the government of South Africa is largely mum about who was behind it, how they broke in or why. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/world/africa/15joburg.html?ex=1352782800&en=56df70127755c52f&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Amaranth, a Collapsed Hedge Fund, Sues JPMorgan Chase (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/business/15hedge.html?_r=1&ex=1352869200&en=4cd399dd1d9a649a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Columbia Basin salmon recovery plan gets positive marks in new incarnation – Washington's two representatives to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council offered the federal government positive first impressions Wednesday for its latest crack at drawing up a Columbia Basin salmon recovery plan. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9455017p-9366543c.html
Report says Canadian salmon industry in danger of collapse (Associated Press, via the Casper Star-Tribune – This, after Alaska announced a bumper harvest?)
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2004/05/06/news/regional/77b674db5844351987256e8c005c376f.txt
Canada – Few B.C.-born salmon returning to spawn. Salmon returns are down significantly around British Columbia, experts say, with the number of Chinook migrating to their birthplace on Vancouver Island falling by as much as 75 per cent (The Globe and Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071115.wbcfish15/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20071115.wbcfish15
Approach Arctic fishing with caution – David Benton, Seattle Post-Intelligencer guest columnist: A new fishing area in the Arctic Ocean – one that is opening because of climate change -- should not be developed until sound management practices and catch limits are established.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/339687_fisheries15.html?source=rss
Amid Drought, a Georgian Consumes a Niagara – A homeowner in Marietta, Ga., used 14,700 gallons a day in September on landscaping and his pool, prompting an outcry from other homeowners trying to conserve water. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/us/15water.html?ex=1352782800&en=b8bce43cb6a2ae65&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
World toilet summit flush with promise – There are few international conferences at which delegates can hope to be presented with a souvenir ball of dried human feces. The World Toilet Summit in Delhi may be the only one. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/339617_toiletonline15.html?source=rss
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Wind farm developers withdraw plans for Idaho project (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1048328~Wind_farm_developers_withdraw_plans_for_E__Idaho_project.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
Oregon – Hatfield workshop focuses on ecological concerns of wave energy (Newport News-Times)
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2007/11/14/news/news04.txt
Delaware – Delmarva Power blasts Bluewater's latest offshore wind proposal – Delmarva Power has condemned a new proposal by Bluewater Wind for a proposed 450-MW offshore wind farm, saying the revised bid would still cost the utility's customers $1 billion more than if it bought power at the market price, filings show. (Platt’s News Service)
http://www.platts.com/Electric%20Power/News/6590351.xml?src=Electric%20Powerrssheadlines1
CONSERVATION
Green schools save money and energy – Science teacher Mike Town and his students are working to lower Redmond High School's carbon emissions, one classroom at a time. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2004015249_greenschools15e.html?syndication=rss
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
World's Power Plant Emissions Detailed – U.S. Appears to Be Worst Carbon Dioxide Polluter, but China Is Catching Up Fast (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/14/AR2007111402010.html?nav=rss_nation
(Western) Governors Join in Creating Regional Pacts on Climate Change (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/washington/15climate.html?ex=1352782800&en=7980263dabe14e25&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
News Release – Power Costs Would Dramatically Increase under Lieberman-Warner Legislation (PR NewsWire, via CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/CLTH05615112007-1.htm
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Oregon – New Lincoln City on-ramp to information superhighway goes live (Newport News-Times)
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2007/11/14/news/news06.txt
Comcast Sued Over BitTorrent Blocking – A California man filed suit in state court Tuesday against internet service provider Comcast, arguing that the company's secret use of technology to limit peer-to-peer applications such as BitTorrent violates federal computer fraud laws, their user contracts and anti-fraudulent advertising statutes. (WIRED News)
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/11/comcast-sued-ov.html
Head of Cable Lobby Condemns FCC Report – The head of the cable television industry's lobbying group yesterday took aim at the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, blasting his attempts to place new regulations on cable companies while accusing the agency of manipulating data. (Washington Post – Must….not….point out…..irony)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/14/AR2007111402377.html?nav=rss_technology
XM, Sirius Shareholders Vote to Approve Merger – Shareholders of XM Satellite Radio Holdings and Sirius Satellite Radio yesterday voted to approve the proposed $5 billion merger of the two companies, though the deal still faces scrutiny by federal regulators. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/13/AR2007111300800.html?nav=rss_technology
GENERAL NEWS
SHOOTING AND STABBING IN TIMBERLAKES – The Mason County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting and a stabbing in Timberlakes Wednesday night. According to a news release, about 11:45pm, deputies and Mason County Fire District Five medics responded to a request for assistance in the 500 block of East Timberlake Drive East. Upon arrival, they found a 28-year-old Shelton man suffering from gunshot wounds and a 60-year-old Shelton man suffering from stab wounds. Both men were transported to Mason General Hospital and then flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The stabbing victim is listed in critical condition and the shooting victim is listed in serious but stable condition. At this time, it is not clear what took place at the residence or how the two men are related. The Mason County Sheriff's investigators will be releasing more information on this incident later this morning. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
DIVERSIONS
Man in India marries dog as atonement – A man in southern India married a female dog in a traditional Hindu ceremony as an attempt to atone for stoning two other dogs to death
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071113/ap_on_fe_st/india_man_weds_dog;_ylt=AmP9HLzhSQ5hhRbrNWDhEUztiBIF
Australia – Santas warned 'ho ho ho' offensive to women. Santas in Australia's largest city have been told not to use Father Christmas's traditional "ho ho ho" greeting because it may be offensive to women, it was reported Thursday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/lifestyleaustraliachristmasoffbeat;_ylt=AjBq4BCLe8dYY6bXOINcWwntiBIF
Errant text message sends cops to door – Leif Harry Ersland wanted to return a nail gun he borrowed, so he sent a text message to the owner saying "the gun is on the cabin steps."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/odd_norway_misfire;_ylt=AhJXFX7os94qv70sv86se53tiBIF
Woman being 'silly' hit by freight train – A 54-year-old woman was recovering in the hospital after being hit by a Union Pacific freight train in California.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071113/ap_on_fe_st/odd_train_woman_struck;_ylt=AhdyDThfGsA3te1BYrDlNdvtiBIF
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
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.
The news digest is also available at the following web site:
http://www.energynewsdigest.blogspot.com/
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Energy NW makes last appeal to state panel
- Clark County Utility expects no shift in rates
- Calif. Utility Sued Over Wildfires
- Advocates ask ratepayers to fight relicensing of four Klamath dams
- Wood Smoke Woes - Act now to improve region’s air quality
- Canola crop is no gold rush – Perhaps it was too good to be true.
- Energy Efficiency Leader Appointed Bonneville Environmental
- CO2 producers fingered in CARMA (Carbon Monitoring for Action) database
- Minnesota WiFi roundup
- New Hampshire Court blocks Hanover network
- VeriSign plans to divest most operations
- Woman Finds Boyfriend Dead In Cat Door
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Transpicuous • \tran-SPIK-yuh-wus\ • adjective – Clearly seen through or understood
“I’ll raise you $1,000,” blustered the sharply-dressed card sharp to the players clustered around the dusty table in the rural bar. “I’ll take that bet,” proclaimed the observant ten-year old opponent. “You should never have worn those reflective sunglasses,” the youngster mused silently as he noted the image of a very poor hand in the city-slicker’s sausage-like fingers. “Your bluff is totally transpicuous”
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
SE Washington – Monday winds reach 91 mph on wind farm. In spite of the high winds, little damage was reported in Garfield and Columbia counties. (Walla Walla Union Bulletin)
http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2007/11/13/local_news/local02.txt
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Energy NW makes last appeal to state panel – Public power giant Energy Northwest made its final case Tuesday to a state council to move forward with a $1.5 billion coal gasification plant at the Port of Kalama. (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/11/14//area_news/doc473aa08c17817941980759.txt
Clark County Utility expects no shift in rates – Water and electric rates should hold steady in the coming year under Clark Public Utilities' proposed 2008 budget (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2007/11/11132007_Utility-expects-no-shiftin-rates.cfm/
More work ahead on electricity proposal – Effect on local rates isn’t known yet. While a new recommendation describes how to share benefits of the Columbia Basin federal hydropower system over the next 20 years, how that will affect power bills for public utilities is still anyone’s guess, according to an expert close to the issue. (The Dalles Chronicle)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2007/11/news11-13-07-01.shtml
Public comments sought on West Coast energy corridors – Several federal agencies are requesting public comments on a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement proposing the designation of energy transport corridors in 11 western states, including Oregon. (Bandon Western World)
http://theworldlink.com/articles/2007/11/12/news/doc4738b5748c614508447926.txt
Calif. Utility Sued Over Wildfires – Two families who lost their homes during last month's wildfires in Southern California have filed lawsuits against San Diego Gas & Electric Co. accusing the utility of negligence for failing to clear vegetation around its power lines. (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1047548~Calif__Utility_Sued_Over_Wildfires.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Alaska – Matanuska Electric Association to shelve coal plan for at least five years. Alternatives: Costs, critics pushed utility to look at options. (Anchorage Daily News)
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/mining/story/9443729p-9355148c.html
A Year Later, Prosecutors Fight To Keep Enron's Skilling in Prison (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/13/AR2007111302005.html?nav=rss_business
NY Times Editorial – Where’s That Energy Bill? Two months ago, Washington was filled with hope that Congress would produce an energy bill that would begin to address the two great challenges of oil dependency and climate change. These talks have now reached a dangerous point.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/opinion/14wed1.html?_r=1&ex=1352782800&en=6857879fe21ad3d2&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
News Release – Mason County PUD No. 3 Commission cancels November 20 meeting PUD 3 Web Site)
http://www.masonpud3.org/News/display.asp?NewsID=379
As China's mega dam rises, so do strains and fear (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSPEK6744820071114?feedType=nl&feedName=ustopnewsearly
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals – Calderon vs. IBEW 47 & SoCal Edison – Issue was notice of hearing on termination (Links to PDF File: A cautionary tale of email notification of legal notices)
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/9B465A9AD5C5C3C488257392005D96F7/$file/0556937.pdf?openelement
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Advocates ask ratepayers to fight relicensing of four Klamath dams –The group calls the dams a disaster, but PacifiCorp says they offer cheap, clean hydropower (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1195014343326610.xml&coll=7
Stalking steelhead – Catching just one of these sea-run bruisers is worth the effort (Denver Post)
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_7454411
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Opinion from the News Tribune, Tacoma – Act now to improve region’s air quality – As the calendar marches toward winter, there’s something deep in our DNA that compels some of us to fire up the old wood stove or throw some logs on the fireplace to take the chill out of the air – even if we have other ways to heat our homes.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/203402.html
Canola crop is no gold rush – Perhaps it was too good to be true. A handful of Snohomish County farmers in 2006 produced staggering results when they grew tests plots of canola, an oily grain used to make clean-burning biodiesel. (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071114/NEWS01/711140038
Electric car plugs into power grid – PJM Interconnection will host a presentation and demonstration on Nov. 14, 2007 of an electric vehicle adapted to plug into and receive power dispatch commands from the power grid. (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/311968/22/ARTCL/none/none/1/Electric-car-plugs-into-power-grid/
The New England Patriots Make a Play for Renewable Energy Credits – Constellation NewEnergy the utility that serves Gillette Stadium, is now the "Green Power Behind the Patriots." (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50558&src=rss
CONSERVATION
News Release – Energy Efficiency Leader Appointed Bonneville Environmental Foundation CEO (Bonneville Environmental Foundation)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/partner/story?id=50565&src=rss
Gadgets to Spur Energy Conservation – When the box turns red, it's time to turn off the air conditioner and save electricity. (Technology Review, MIT)
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/19700/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Fascinating note from Dean Boyer, WPUDA: A new data base posted today by CARMA (Carbon Monitoring for Action) list CO2 emissions info for 50,000 power plants worldwide and more than 9,000 in the U.S. The database is searchable many ways, including by utility name or zip code (I note that Mason County PUD No. 3’s Parent Company is the United States, with no data on the overall fuel mix)
http://carma.org/
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Clarksville sees the light – FTTH paves the way for competitive triple play offering in Tennessee (Telecommunications Online)
http://www.telecommagazine.com/newsglobe/article.asp?HH_ID=AR_3719
Minnesota – Higher-flying Wi-Fi: The Minneapolis wireless Internet access project is getting an increasingly positive reception as early service problems recede and the pace of installation picks up. (The Star Tribune)
http://www.startribune.com/154/story/1540333.html
Meanwhile: Polarized in St. Louis Park – The Wi-Fi story is not so happy in St. Louis Park, where an ambitious solar-powered network has run into technical problems and incurred the wrath of some residents who say antenna poles used in the project mar the landscape. (The Star Tribune)
http://www.startribune.com/154/story/1540344.html
New Hampshire: Court blocks Hanover network – A Grafton County Superior Court judge this week granted an injunction against the town of Hanover over its installation of a fiber optics network that a local telecommunications company argues is illegal and unsafe. (The Union Leader)
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Court+blocks+Hanover+network&articleId=e4d462dd-574e-4047-9aa9-e84b68c2adb2
VeriSign plans to divest most operations (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2007/11/12/daily37.html?ana=from_rss
Go Daddy teams with Google (Phoenix Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/11/12/daily13.html?ana=from_rss
Few Friends for Proposal on Media – The Federal Communications Commission’s new deregulatory proposal may actually force some large media companies to shed stations or newspapers. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/business/media/14media.html?ex=1352782800&en=e8d2bd57f01fc6d1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
GENERAL NEWS
CITY OF SHELTON HAS NO FUNDS FOR GAS CONTAMINATION CLEAN UP – The City of Shelton does not have the funds to fully clean up the gas contamination at the intersection of First and Franklin. At this time, the City is not able to fund clearing out all contaminated soil in the right-of-way. So, the City plans on just removing the soil in the trench needed to complete the Sewer Basin Two project. The intersection will then be added to the State Department of Ecology's list of contaminated sites and may be required to clean up the site some time in the future. The contamination at First and Franklin was discovered during the Basin Two project along with contamination at Fourth and Franklin. The Fourth Street location has since been cleaned up. Connection of the pipe at First and Franklin will complete Basin Two and the City will add the cost of contamination clean up to that project. City staff will bring a contract for the clean up of the trench soil to the Shelton City Commission next Monday. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Convoys exit port amid violent confrontation – Demonstrators gathered at the Port of Olympia’s main gate Tuesday night to block military shipments from the port to Fort Lewis, but the Army outflanked them and moved several convoys out another gate. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/271003.html
Businesses could lose 1/3 of workers with flu (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/270401.html
DIVERSIONS
Woman Finds Boyfriend Dead In Cat Door – 32-Year-Old Stuck In Cat Door Dies
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14578224/detail.html
2 Men Fight On Highway During Rush Hour – Two men fighting in the middle of rush-hour traffic on Interstate 17 in Arizona had motorists slamming on their brakes in disbelief as fists flew and tempers flared, Department of Public Safety officers said.
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14591896/detail.html
Anne Frank's tree to be cut – The chestnut tree that comforted Anne Frank while she hid from the Nazis during World War II will be cut down Nov. 21 because it is too diseased to be saved, the city said Tuesday.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004012731_annefranktree14.html
The news digest is also available at the following web site:
http://www.energynewsdigest.blogspot.com/
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- Energy NW makes last appeal to state panel
- Clark County Utility expects no shift in rates
- Calif. Utility Sued Over Wildfires
- Advocates ask ratepayers to fight relicensing of four Klamath dams
- Wood Smoke Woes - Act now to improve region’s air quality
- Canola crop is no gold rush – Perhaps it was too good to be true.
- Energy Efficiency Leader Appointed Bonneville Environmental
- CO2 producers fingered in CARMA (Carbon Monitoring for Action) database
- Minnesota WiFi roundup
- New Hampshire Court blocks Hanover network
- VeriSign plans to divest most operations
- Woman Finds Boyfriend Dead In Cat Door
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Transpicuous • \tran-SPIK-yuh-wus\ • adjective – Clearly seen through or understood
“I’ll raise you $1,000,” blustered the sharply-dressed card sharp to the players clustered around the dusty table in the rural bar. “I’ll take that bet,” proclaimed the observant ten-year old opponent. “You should never have worn those reflective sunglasses,” the youngster mused silently as he noted the image of a very poor hand in the city-slicker’s sausage-like fingers. “Your bluff is totally transpicuous”
WEATHER
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944
SE Washington – Monday winds reach 91 mph on wind farm. In spite of the high winds, little damage was reported in Garfield and Columbia counties. (Walla Walla Union Bulletin)
http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2007/11/13/local_news/local02.txt
ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES
Energy NW makes last appeal to state panel – Public power giant Energy Northwest made its final case Tuesday to a state council to move forward with a $1.5 billion coal gasification plant at the Port of Kalama. (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2007/11/14//area_news/doc473aa08c17817941980759.txt
Clark County Utility expects no shift in rates – Water and electric rates should hold steady in the coming year under Clark Public Utilities' proposed 2008 budget (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2007/11/11132007_Utility-expects-no-shiftin-rates.cfm/
More work ahead on electricity proposal – Effect on local rates isn’t known yet. While a new recommendation describes how to share benefits of the Columbia Basin federal hydropower system over the next 20 years, how that will affect power bills for public utilities is still anyone’s guess, according to an expert close to the issue. (The Dalles Chronicle)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2007/11/news11-13-07-01.shtml
Public comments sought on West Coast energy corridors – Several federal agencies are requesting public comments on a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement proposing the designation of energy transport corridors in 11 western states, including Oregon. (Bandon Western World)
http://theworldlink.com/articles/2007/11/12/news/doc4738b5748c614508447926.txt
Calif. Utility Sued Over Wildfires – Two families who lost their homes during last month's wildfires in Southern California have filed lawsuits against San Diego Gas & Electric Co. accusing the utility of negligence for failing to clear vegetation around its power lines. (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1047548~Calif__Utility_Sued_Over_Wildfires.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines
Alaska – Matanuska Electric Association to shelve coal plan for at least five years. Alternatives: Costs, critics pushed utility to look at options. (Anchorage Daily News)
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/mining/story/9443729p-9355148c.html
A Year Later, Prosecutors Fight To Keep Enron's Skilling in Prison (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/13/AR2007111302005.html?nav=rss_business
NY Times Editorial – Where’s That Energy Bill? Two months ago, Washington was filled with hope that Congress would produce an energy bill that would begin to address the two great challenges of oil dependency and climate change. These talks have now reached a dangerous point.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/opinion/14wed1.html?_r=1&ex=1352782800&en=6857879fe21ad3d2&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
News Release – Mason County PUD No. 3 Commission cancels November 20 meeting PUD 3 Web Site)
http://www.masonpud3.org/News/display.asp?NewsID=379
As China's mega dam rises, so do strains and fear (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSPEK6744820071114?feedType=nl&feedName=ustopnewsearly
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals – Calderon vs. IBEW 47 & SoCal Edison – Issue was notice of hearing on termination (Links to PDF File: A cautionary tale of email notification of legal notices)
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/9B465A9AD5C5C3C488257392005D96F7/$file/0556937.pdf?openelement
WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT
Advocates ask ratepayers to fight relicensing of four Klamath dams –The group calls the dams a disaster, but PacifiCorp says they offer cheap, clean hydropower (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1195014343326610.xml&coll=7
Stalking steelhead – Catching just one of these sea-run bruisers is worth the effort (Denver Post)
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_7454411
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Opinion from the News Tribune, Tacoma – Act now to improve region’s air quality – As the calendar marches toward winter, there’s something deep in our DNA that compels some of us to fire up the old wood stove or throw some logs on the fireplace to take the chill out of the air – even if we have other ways to heat our homes.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/203402.html
Canola crop is no gold rush – Perhaps it was too good to be true. A handful of Snohomish County farmers in 2006 produced staggering results when they grew tests plots of canola, an oily grain used to make clean-burning biodiesel. (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071114/NEWS01/711140038
Electric car plugs into power grid – PJM Interconnection will host a presentation and demonstration on Nov. 14, 2007 of an electric vehicle adapted to plug into and receive power dispatch commands from the power grid. (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/311968/22/ARTCL/none/none/1/Electric-car-plugs-into-power-grid/
The New England Patriots Make a Play for Renewable Energy Credits – Constellation NewEnergy the utility that serves Gillette Stadium, is now the "Green Power Behind the Patriots." (Renewable Energy Access)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50558&src=rss
CONSERVATION
News Release – Energy Efficiency Leader Appointed Bonneville Environmental Foundation CEO (Bonneville Environmental Foundation)
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/partner/story?id=50565&src=rss
Gadgets to Spur Energy Conservation – When the box turns red, it's time to turn off the air conditioner and save electricity. (Technology Review, MIT)
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/19700/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Fascinating note from Dean Boyer, WPUDA: A new data base posted today by CARMA (Carbon Monitoring for Action) list CO2 emissions info for 50,000 power plants worldwide and more than 9,000 in the U.S. The database is searchable many ways, including by utility name or zip code (I note that Mason County PUD No. 3’s Parent Company is the United States, with no data on the overall fuel mix)
http://carma.org/
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Clarksville sees the light – FTTH paves the way for competitive triple play offering in Tennessee (Telecommunications Online)
http://www.telecommagazine.com/newsglobe/article.asp?HH_ID=AR_3719
Minnesota – Higher-flying Wi-Fi: The Minneapolis wireless Internet access project is getting an increasingly positive reception as early service problems recede and the pace of installation picks up. (The Star Tribune)
http://www.startribune.com/154/story/1540333.html
Meanwhile: Polarized in St. Louis Park – The Wi-Fi story is not so happy in St. Louis Park, where an ambitious solar-powered network has run into technical problems and incurred the wrath of some residents who say antenna poles used in the project mar the landscape. (The Star Tribune)
http://www.startribune.com/154/story/1540344.html
New Hampshire: Court blocks Hanover network – A Grafton County Superior Court judge this week granted an injunction against the town of Hanover over its installation of a fiber optics network that a local telecommunications company argues is illegal and unsafe. (The Union Leader)
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Court+blocks+Hanover+network&articleId=e4d462dd-574e-4047-9aa9-e84b68c2adb2
VeriSign plans to divest most operations (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2007/11/12/daily37.html?ana=from_rss
Go Daddy teams with Google (Phoenix Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/11/12/daily13.html?ana=from_rss
Few Friends for Proposal on Media – The Federal Communications Commission’s new deregulatory proposal may actually force some large media companies to shed stations or newspapers. (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/business/media/14media.html?ex=1352782800&en=e8d2bd57f01fc6d1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
GENERAL NEWS
CITY OF SHELTON HAS NO FUNDS FOR GAS CONTAMINATION CLEAN UP – The City of Shelton does not have the funds to fully clean up the gas contamination at the intersection of First and Franklin. At this time, the City is not able to fund clearing out all contaminated soil in the right-of-way. So, the City plans on just removing the soil in the trench needed to complete the Sewer Basin Two project. The intersection will then be added to the State Department of Ecology's list of contaminated sites and may be required to clean up the site some time in the future. The contamination at First and Franklin was discovered during the Basin Two project along with contamination at Fourth and Franklin. The Fourth Street location has since been cleaned up. Connection of the pipe at First and Franklin will complete Basin Two and the City will add the cost of contamination clean up to that project. City staff will bring a contract for the clean up of the trench soil to the Shelton City Commission next Monday. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
Convoys exit port amid violent confrontation – Demonstrators gathered at the Port of Olympia’s main gate Tuesday night to block military shipments from the port to Fort Lewis, but the Army outflanked them and moved several convoys out another gate. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/271003.html
Businesses could lose 1/3 of workers with flu (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/270401.html
DIVERSIONS
Woman Finds Boyfriend Dead In Cat Door – 32-Year-Old Stuck In Cat Door Dies
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14578224/detail.html
2 Men Fight On Highway During Rush Hour – Two men fighting in the middle of rush-hour traffic on Interstate 17 in Arizona had motorists slamming on their brakes in disbelief as fists flew and tempers flared, Department of Public Safety officers said.
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14591896/detail.html
Anne Frank's tree to be cut – The chestnut tree that comforted Anne Frank while she hid from the Nazis during World War II will be cut down Nov. 21 because it is too diseased to be saved, the city said Tuesday.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004012731_annefranktree14.html
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