Energy News Digest for January 30, 2008

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)

* Energy Dept. Pulls Support for FutureGen
* News Release – BPA will miss employee killed in fatal traffic accident
* Idaho Power sets winter demand record
* Report: Cost of building Black Rock reservoir exceed benefit
* Black Rock – Yakima River water not a win-win
* Oregonian Commentary – A paradigm shift in resolving Klamath Dam conflict
* For salmon tracking: Digital Angel Secures $6 Million Three-Year Contract
* Officials warn of salmon population 'collapse' in California’s Central Valley
* Alaska fishermen push for Farm Bill benefits
* Environmental group hopes river logs aid salmon
* Olympian Editorial – DNR debris removal a welcome service.
* Seattle Times Guest columnist – Risky timber practices worsened December flooding
* Entiat, private investor may get PUD land
* Seattle Times Op/Ed – Put through the wringer by fast-rising water rates
* Bill would benefit public power projects like Energy Northwest wind farms
* Clean energy groups face 'tough road' in getting tax-credit extensions in stimulus package
* Boardman to get ethanol demonstration plant
* Maryland – Wind farms hit opposition
* Cape Wind Passes Agency Test
* New York – Second Long Island wind energy project proposed
* Canada – McGuinty's clothes call
* Global warming takes center stage in South Sound
* Are firms telling little green lies?
* Travel – Fuzzy math on carbon footprints
* United Kingdom – Gas ad was hot air, says watchdog
* Yahoo to lay off 1,000 workers
* Vista at one year: Progress and pain
* Damaged Cable Cuts Internet in Mideast
* Clearwire, Sprint said to resume WiMax joint venture talks
* Shelton Man, Jason French, Killed In Wrong-Way Freeway Crash
* $5,000 worth of electrical wire stolen from Thurston County development
* Tips helped nab metal thieves
* Kidney Thefts Shock India
* Walla Walla County in running for $1.2 billion silicon chip plant
* What is a Recession, Who Decides When It Starts, and When Do They Decide?

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Foozle • \FOO-zul\ • verb – To manage or play awkwardly: bungle

Watching Abercrombie in aerobics class was like watching a large, ponderous bear attempt ballet…only not as good. Just about every move barked out by the harridan leading the class led to a foozled step by Abercrombie. Many times he endangered his fellow classmates with flailing arms or a mistaken left step when a right one was ordered.

WEATHER

Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944

(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Energy Dept. Pulls Support for FutureGen – The U.S. Department of Energy, frustrated by ballooning costs for an ambitious plan to build a virtually emissions-free power plant, told federal lawmakers Tuesday it plans to pull its support for the $1.8 billion project in Illinois, lawmakers said. (Associated Press, via the San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/01/29/financial/f134224S01.DTL&feed=rss.business

News Release – BPA will miss employee killed in fatal traffic accident (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/190306/

Idaho Power sets winter demand record (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association OnLine)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5Cihllhkt%5BUok%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv

WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT

Report: Cost of building Black Rock reservoir exceed benefit (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/342151.html

Black Rock – Yakima River water not a win-win. Putting more water into the Yakima River basin might be a good deal for farmers, fish and regional economies, but it wouldn't be worth the cost to the federal government (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/9599860p-9511334c.html

Oregonian Commentary – A paradigm shift in resolving conflict. A proposed agreement for restoration of the Klamath Basin -- the result of two years of negotiations by a score of diverse representatives -- has now been released and deserves the thoughtful consideration of all Oregonians.
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1201568120311960.xml&coll=7

News Release – For salmon tracking: Digital Angel Secures $6 Million Three-Year Contract from Bonneville Power Administration (Yahoo! Finance)
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080130/20080130005276.html?.v=1

Officials warn of salmon population 'collapse' in California’s Central Valley (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8109785?source=rss&nclick_check=1

Alaska fishermen push for Farm Bill benefits – Just these once, wild-harvest fishermen in Alaska and nationwide want to be lumped in with fish farmers. They're pushing for a version of the federal farm bill that redefines "farm" to include "a commercial fishing enterprise." (Juneau Empire)
http://juneauempire.com/stories/012908/loc_241684747.shtml

Environmental group hopes river logs aid salmon (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080130/NEWS01/785320005/-1/RSS01

Olympian Editorial – DNR debris removal a welcome service. Officials at the state Department of Natural Resources have stepped up and agreed to coordinate removal of woody debris in the upper Chehalis River Valley deposited during the December flooding.
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/342381.html

Seattle Times Guest columnist – Risky timber practices worsened December flooding
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004152372_goldmark30.html?syndication=rss

Entiat, private investor may get PUD land – The city of Entiat and companies owned by local developer Calvin White will benefit from land deals approved Monday by Chelan County PUD commissioners. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/NEWS04/464295601/1025/rss1025

Seattle Times Op/Ed – Put through the wringer by fast-rising water rates. Is it just me, or did other Snohomish-area residents feel absolutely railroaded with the recent water- and utility-rate increase from the city of Snohomish?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004152317_snomilburn30.html?syndication=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Bill would benefit public power projects like Energy Northwest wind farms – The Legislature is considering a bill that would front cash incentives owed by the federal government to public developers of wind farms and other environmentally friendly power projects. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/business/v-rss/story/9600450p-9511923c.html

Clean energy groups face 'tough road' in getting tax-credit extensions in stimulus package – President Bush's encouraging words about clean energy are meaningless without a tax credit for wind, solar and other renewable power. (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8110550?source=rss

Boardman to get ethanol demonstration plant – Pacific Ethanol will build a demonstration plant to produce ethanol from byproducts such as corn stalks, wheat straw and poplar trees with the help of up to $24.3 million from the Department of Energy. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9599859p-9511333c.html

Maryland – Wind farms hit opposition: Foes target clearing of state forest land (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association OnLine)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CihkmrtrXUok%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv

Cape Wind Passes Agency Test – The first proposed offshore wind energy facility in the United States passed a significant test with the mid-January release of a federal review as it starts what is expected to be its final year of permitting. (Energy Pulse Commentary)
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1658

New York – Second Long Island wind energy project proposed. A Hauppauge company is proposing its second wind energy project south of Long Island, this one to serve Nassau and Suffolk electricity customers instead of those in the city. (Newsday)
http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzleft0130,0,635566.story?track=rss

CONSERVATION

Canada – McGuinty's clothes call. It might have taken five years, but the government of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has finally unveiled a sensible conservation measure that doesn't revolve around banning anything except for bans. (The Windsor Star)
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/editorial/story.html?id=4e9e1687-5c31-491e-b2b8-e41070f85263

New Hampshire – Sen. Ted Gatsas: For higher electric rates, residents should get a guaranteed benefit (Union Leader)
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Sen.+Ted+Gatsas%3A+For+higher+electric+rates%2C+residents+should+get+a+guaranteed+benefit&articleId=e9490b11-76ed-4380-8b91-a4eed28139d3

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Global warming takes center stage in South Sound (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/342943.html

Are firms telling little green lies? Web site takes on ad claims that environmental facts may not back up (Portland Tribune)
http://portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=120155613148190600

Travel – Fuzzy math on carbon footprints (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/mcgee/2008-01-30-fuzzy-math_N.htm

United Kingdom – Gas ad was hot air, says watchdog. A TV and press ad campaign for British Gas has been banned by the advertising watchdog for making false green claims about an energy tariff. (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/30/asa.advertising1?gusrc=rss&feed=media

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Yahoo to lay off 1,000 workers (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1190055~Yahoo_to_lay_off_1_000_workers.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Vista at one year: Progress and pain – Windows upgrade fuels revenue and frustrations (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/349265_msftvista30.html?source=rss

Damaged Cable Cuts Internet in Mideast – Internet outages disrupted business and personal usage across a wide swathe of the Middle East on Wednesday after an undersea cable in the Mediterranean was damaged, government officials and Internet service providers said. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004153779_apmideastinternetoutages30.html?syndication=rss

Pay Per Gig – If you are an Internet-crazy movie lover in Beaumont, Tex., life may soon take a miserable turn for you. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/29/AR2008012903205.html?nav=rss_email/components

Clearwire, Sprint said to resume WiMax joint venture talks (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1188299~Clearwire__Sprint_said_to_resume_WiMax_joint_venture_talks.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

GENERAL NEWS

Shelton Man, Jason French, Killed In Wrong-Way Freeway Crash (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15164411/detail.html

$5,000 worth of electrical wire stolen from Thurston County development (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/342948.html

Tips helped nab metal thieves – Citizens' tips were invaluable in leading sheriff's deputies to arrest two women suspected of being involved in a recent rash of metal theft, Cowlitz County Sheriff Bill Mahoney said Tuesday. (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/30/area_news/10083246.txt

Kidney Thefts Shock India (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/world/asia/30kidney.html?ex=1359349200&en=b4c62469af7d7c0f&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Walla Walla County in running for $1.2 billion silicon chip plant – A potential development in Wallula would be the single largest economic development project in county history and could bring 300 jobs with it. (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)
http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2008/01/29/local_news/local02.txt

Congressional Research Reports – What is a Recession, Who Decides When It Starts, and When Do They Decide?
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RS22793

DIVERSIONS

Japanese firm offers "heartache leave" for staff – Lovelorn staff at a Japanese marketing company can take paid time off after a bad break-up with a partner, with more "heartache leave" on offer as they get older.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080128/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_japan_leave;_ylt=AhprdsAJ8w8pTcNDsUN5LgTtiBIF

Boy Parks Bike In Wrong Place, Goodwill Store Sells It
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/15176575/detail.html

Nose means new Thai PM in sign language – Sign language interpreters in Thailand have run afoul of some ruling party supporters by holding their noses to refer to the new prime minister.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_fe_st/thailand_prime_minister_nose;_ylt=Aqg2yolmlyFYG5dVc8mN8VDtiBIF

Pot Clinics Add Vending Machines – Medical Marijuana Clinics Lower Costs, Add Safety
http://www.kirotv.com/health/15173267/detail.html

Energy News Digest for January 29, 2008

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)

* Idaho Statesman Opinion – Idaho must face reality; power supply is limited
* BPA offering $3,000 reward for information and conviction of vandals who damaged elk habitat
* Pole attachment hijnks – A classic rivalry rekindled in Olympia
* California – One killed, two injured in collapse at Pacific Gas & Electric site
* PacifiCorp drops plans for coal plant in Wyoming
* Indiana gives last OK for Duke Energy coal gasification plant
* Colorado – Xcel threatened with lawsuit over clean air standards
* Con Edison: Stray voltage shocks drop 78 percent in New York City
* Former Anderson partners settle with SEC on Enron
* Allegheny Energy settles Merrill Lynch case
* Congressional Research Reports – Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities
* United Kingdom – Power solution: pray, protest, go green
* Final "Black Rock" Study Set to be Released
* Cities worry about costs of meeting Spokane River cleanup goals
* It's Time To Drink Toilet Water
* Puget Sound orcas feeding in California…again
* Company investigating Mount Baker for geothermal power
* New Zealand – In a spin over energy conservation
* Wal-Mart chief offers an energy manifesto
* EU industry unites to promote energy-saving lamps
* Intel: biggest corporate buyer for renewable credits
* Canadian government downplays concerns over emissions exclusions
* Alaska Communications Systems to invest $95M in fiber optic cable to the Lower 48
* FCC to release USF reform proposals
* What if the Internet went down...and didn't come back up?
* Broadband Over Power Lines Goes Green “
* Congressional Research Reports – Net Neutrality: Background and Issues
* Peacock Ridge Developer To Start Annexation Into City Of Shelton
* MOU Takes Port Of Shelton Annexation Off The Table
* SBA closing disaster center in Belfair
* Clark County – Panasonic plant to close, lay off 89
* Grant County EDC investigates missing money
* E-mail ruling raises open-records issues
* 55 mph Speed Limit Resurfaces
* Ex-lawmaker Paul Conner dies at 82

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

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

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

WEATHER

Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944

(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Idaho Statesman Opinion – Idaho must face reality; power supply is limited. When promoting Idaho, the state's leaders have long promoted plentiful, cheap power. But you cannot sell what you do not have. (I know, let’s remove enough generation from the Snake River to light up Seattle!)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/editorial/story/276732.html

News Release – BPA offering $3,000 reward for information and conviction of vandals who damaged elk habitat near Lowell, Ore. (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/190227/

Pole attachment hijnks – A classic rivalry rekindled in Olympia (Tri-City Herald, Chrus Mulick)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/blogs/mulick/v-rss/story/9598253p-9509816c.html

California – One killed, two injured in collapse at Pacific Gas & Electric site (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8108011?source=rss&nclick_check=1

PacifiCorp drops plans for coal plant in Wyoming (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/01/28/daily1.html?ana=from_rss

Indiana gives last OK for Duke Energy coal gasification plant (Business Courier of Cincinnati)
http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/01/28/daily7.html?ana=from_rss

Colorado – Xcel threatened with lawsuit over clean air standards (Denver Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/01/28/daily20.html?ana=from_rss

Con Edison: Stray voltage shocks drop 78 percent in New York City – Con Edison reported a 78-percent decline in the number of electric shocks since 2004, when its safety efforts began. (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/318417/22/ARTCL/none/none/1/Con-Edison:-Stray-voltage-shocks-drop-78-percent-in-NYC/

Former Anderson partners settle with SEC on Enron (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUKN2849270820080128?rpc=44

Allegheny Energy settles Merrill Lynch case (Pittsburgh Business Times)
http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/01/28/daily1.html

Congressional Research Reports – Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RL34331

United Kingdom – Power solution: pray, protest, go green. Prayer, protest and turning to greener forms of energy - this is how religious leaders, a trade union and environmental activists proposed dealing with the country’s power crisis today. (The Times of London)
http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=694215

WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT

Final "Black Rock" Study Set to be Released – The Bureau of Reclamation will release their final report on the Yakima River Basin Storage Study on Tuesday morning. (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=7785176

Cities worry about costs of meeting Spokane River cleanup goals (Coeur D’Alene Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1181914~Cities_worry_about_costs_of_meeting_Spokane_River_cleanup_goals.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines

It's Time To Drink Toilet Water – Recycling sewage is safe and efficient, so why aren't we doing it? (Slate Magazine – I love the story graphic!)
http://www.slate.com/id/2182758/nav/ais/

Puget Sound orcas feeding in California…again – Relocation seen as sign that state salmon stock is low (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349107_orcas29.html?source=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Company investigating Mount Baker for geothermal power (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/341257.html

New Zealand – In a spin over energy conservation. Inglewood High School is giving energy production a spin with the installation of a new power-generating wind turbine. (Taranaki Daily News)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4379721a6554.html

CONSERVATION

Wal-Mart chief offers an energy manifesto – Wal-Mart has pledged to cut the energy used by many of its products 25 percent, to force the chain's suppliers to meet stricter ethical standards, and to apply its legendary cost-cutting skills to help other companies deliver health care for their employees. (CNET News)
http://www.news.com/Wal-Mart-chief-offers-an-energy-manifesto/2100-11392_3-6227449.html?tag=fd_nbs_ent&tag=nl.e703

EU industry unites to promote energy-saving lamps (Reuters)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKL2813430120080128

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Intel: biggest corporate buyer for renewable credits (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/01/28/daily8.html?ana=from_rss

Canadian government downplays concerns over emissions exclusions – The Harper government is downplaying its proposal to overlook up to 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution from the oil and gas industry in its plan to fight global warming. (CanWest News Service)
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=dbf229db-3913-4087-b81c-b9702b12bae4&k=64317

San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed – Address climate change through land use
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/29/EDJJUNNF9.DTL&feed=rss.opinion

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Alaska Communications Systems to invest $95M in fiber optic cable to the Lower 48 (Alaska Journal of Commerce)
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/012008/hom_20080120004.shtml

FCC to release USF reform proposals “…The board's flagship recommendation was to specifically earmark a portion of the fund to help pay for the costs of deploying broadband Internet networks across the country…” (Associated Press, via BusinessWeek)
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8UBSFLO0.htm

Verizon FiOS – Fiber optics lives up to ads (Washington Times)
http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080129/TECHNOLOGY01/902552270/1020/TECHNOLOGY

Broadband's Growing 'Need for Speed' – Telecom and cable providers will beef up their networks even as economic malaise curbs demand for high-speed Internet services (BusinessWeek)
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2008/tc20080127_181692.htm?campaign_id=rss_tech

What if the Internet went down...and didn't come back up? (Network World)
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/012208-internet-went-down.html

Broadband Over Power Lines Goes Green “…The BPL industry has mostly switched from pushing broadband to providing demand response systems to electric utilities…” (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/01/25/bpl-goes-green/

Congressional Research Reports – Net Neutrality: Background and Issues
http://opencrs.com/document/RS22444

GENERAL NEWS

PEACOCK RIDGE DEVELOPER TO START ANNEXATION INTO CITY OF SHELTON – The Shelton City Commission has authorized city staff to ask the developer of Peacock Ridge to begin the annexation process. Earlier this month, the developer, Boston Harbor Land Company, explained their concerns over how to annex to the City Commission. Dave Prutzman said that if the City were to annex just the Company's 240 acres there would be an enclave of unincorporated Mason County surrounded by the City which may not be the best situation. Prutzman also stated that some adjacent property owners may not support annexation and that could stop annexation all together. Boston Harbor Land Company said it would do further research and find out where those property owners stand on annexation. Since that January 15th meeting, the City's Administrator Dave O'Leary did some research himself. O'Leary discovered that the development property does not make up the 60% of assessed value needed to approve annexation. However, O'Leary did get a legal opinion on leaving enclaves and according to the City's Attorney, that situation may not be desirable but should be pursued. Based on this opinion, O'Leary suggested the City Commission ask the developer to proceed with the annexation petition. The Commissioners agreed and unanimously authorized the request. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)

M-O-U TAKES PORT OF SHELTON ANNEXATION OFF THE TABLE – The Shelton City Commission has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (M-O-U) with the Port of Shelton that will locate Regional Sewer and Water lines across port property and allow future connection without requiring annexation. The Port is granting an easement for the lines to cross property adjacent to Sanderson Field and to cross the Port's Business Park North. Originally, the easement prohibited Port connection without annexation. With this M-O-U that is no longer the case. The agreement states “…when port connections to the system become necessary, advisable or otherwise desired by the port, provided capacity exists, annexation will not be a prerequisite to such connections…” Rates will also be negotiated on “a fair and equitable basis.” The M-O-U also recognizes that annexation may occur in the future when mutually desirable. The City put the Memorandum of Understanding in resolution form. The Port of Shelton Commission is expected to approve the M-O-U Tuesday during its study session at 2pm. (KMAS Radio, Shelton)

Lawmakers eye storm recovery – Gov. Chris Gregoire says the work to rebuild and avoid future catastrophes like the December wind- and rainstorms and flooding along the Chehalis River still is a mammoth undertaking. (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/341640.html

SBA closing disaster centers in Belfair, Long Beach, Raymond (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01282008news269345.cfm

Clark County – Panasonic plant to close, lay off 89 (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/business/businessNews/2008/01/01282008_Panasonic-plant-to--close-lay-off-89.cfm/

Grant County EDC investigates missing money – Office manager placed on leave (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/01/28/news/news01.txt

E-mail ruling raises open-records issues – Under Washington's open-records laws, e-mails written on public computers are public records. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004150783_records29m.html?syndication=rss

Mystery solved: Oregon town inks economic development deal (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1183219~Mystery_solved__Oregon_town_inks_economic_development_deal.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

55 mph Speed Limit Resurfaces (NW Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3521

Ex-lawmaker Paul Conner dies at 82 – Paul Conner, an orphan who grew to serve as a popular state legislator on the North Olympic Peninsula for 35 years, has died. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080129/NEWS/801290307

DIVERSIONS

Homemade sweets: Okay after all – The Eastmont School Board voted for everything except banning homemade treats Monday night.
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080128/NEWS04/248905623/1001/rss1001

New York State Employee Arrested For Selling Historic Documents On eBay
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cmp/20080129/tc_cmp/205920627

Man struggles to return from the dead
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2969508720080129?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Frugal librarian amassed $8 million art trove
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2956910420080129?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Energy News Digest for January 28, 2008

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)

* Snow showers still in the forecast
* Company official confirms Idaho nuclear plant plans scuttled
* Whatcom County drops Alaska power project
* Montana – Powder River Basin eyed for new coal-to-gas plants
* Power pole struggle continues in Olympia
* British Columbia Hydro bills could jump 25 per cent over 3 years
* FPL Quarterly Profit Falls 16 Percent
* State senator out to kill electric deregulation in Pennsylvania
* Tri-City Herald Opinion – Easy answers elusive for salmon vs. sea lions
* Columbia, Snake Rivers Infested With Invasive Species
* Whale migration routes studied in preparation for wave energy
* 'We're not done yet': Water plant feted in mega-project to remove Elwha dams
* Water Well Debate Heats Up in Washington
* Great Lakes' Lower Water Levels Propel a Cascade of Hardships
* Port of Benton reaches pellet-energy deal
* Britain will need 12,500 wind farms to satisfy European Union targets
* Congress Conjures Up an Energy Deficit
* California – Renewable energy will have to hold for now
* British Columbia –Smart meter orders for B.C. Hydro in fast mode
* Clark PUD Energy Advisor – How much do you spend to power those black boxes?
* Colleges shine light on carbon output
* In Oregon and U.S., green groups are mostly white
* Value of U.S. House's Carbon Offsets Is Murky
* Waterville renaissance – Business is booming in this tiny plateau town Waterville
* Cisco to Sell Faster Switch for Flood of Remote Data
* Comcast to charge for bill payments when using live customer service representative
* Neighborhood copper wiring tempts thieves in Thurston County
* Thieves steal public art, sell the metal
* Sacagawea statue found at Bend scrap metal yard
* Neatherlin to Run Again in 35th District
* Yelm in the crosshairs – Disillusioned former students target Ramtha

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Solon • \SOE-lun\ • noun – 1: a wise and skillful lawgiver *2: a member of a legislative body

The solon with the impressive mane of white hair stood to speak in the assembled chamber that is the State Senate. On and on he droned about the minutia of taxes on fruits and vegetables, meats and fish, milk and dairy. The senator from Springfield was in a woozy haze from all this talk about food and taxes. After two hours of the onslaught, all he saw was a huge talking food pyramid with a white wig.

From Merriam-Webster – Solon was a particularly wise lawgiver in ancient Athens who was born in approximately 630 B.C. and lived until about 560 B.C. He was one of the Seven Wise Men of Greece, and he implemented a number of reforms in Athenian law. In English, his name has been used generically since at least 1625 to refer to any wise statesman. Contemporary American journalists, with whom the term is especially popular, have extended the meaning even further to include any member of a lawmaking body, wise or not. In fact, today the word is sometimes used ironically for a legislator who displays a marked lack of wisdom, rather than a profusion of it.

WEATHER

Snow showers still in the forecast (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_012708WX_KING_weather_sunday_SW.638d21e9.html

Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944

(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Company official confirms Idaho nuclear plant plans scuttled – An executive of a company looking to locate a nuclear energy plant in Idaho says it just didn't pencil out. (Associated Press, via the Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/340505.html

Whatcom County drops Alaska power project – However, Whatcom County PUD No. 1 interested in stepping forward as a partner (Bellingham Herald)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/302688.html

Montana – Powder River Basin eyed for new coal-to-gas plants (Associated Press, via Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1180563~Powder_River_Basin_eyed_for_new_coal_to_gas_plants.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines

Power pole struggle continues in Olympia – Despite local lawmakers' best efforts to crush a bill that could give telecommunications companies the upper hand in disputes with public utilities, the legislation is closer to becoming law. (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/26/area_news/10077602.txt

British Columbia Hydro bills could jump 25 per cent over 3 years – Residential electricity costs could jump by hundreds of dollars annually by 2011, driven by a projected 25 per cent hike in rates and aggressive conservation measures, according to B.C. Hydro documents. (Victoria Times-Columnist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=753aafa9-8e0c-4fef-8aa3-3dbe2af5f4ff&k=27876

FPL Quarterly Profit Falls 16 Percent – The largest U.S. wind power company said it was hit by losses from trading in energy markets (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/business/business-fpl.html?ex=1359262800&en=4d5dc2ed5c38ead1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

State senator out to kill electric deregulation in Pennsylvania (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5CignposnSUkg%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv

WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT

Tri-City Herald Opinion – Easy answers elusive for salmon vs. sea lions: The days appear to be numbered for a few salmon-poaching sea lions who use the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River as their own all-you-can-eat buffet.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/opinions/v-rss/story/9595192p-9506738c.html

Columbia, Snake Rivers Infested With Invasive Species (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3517

Whale migration routes studied in preparation for wave energy (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/14482992.html

'We're not done yet': Water plant feted in mega-project to remove Elwha dams (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080127/NEWS/801270302

Water Well Debate Heats Up in Washington (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3515

Great Lakes' Lower Water Levels Propel a Cascade of Hardships (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/26/AR2008012601748.html?wpisrc=rss_nation

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Port of Benton reaches pellet-energy deal – The Port of Benton has made a deal with an Oregon pellet maker and a Western Washington company to turn local agricultural waste into pellets and create energy for the area's power grid. (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-rss/story/9593239p-9504731c.html

Britain will need 12,500 wind farms to satisfy European Union targets (The Independent, United Kingdom)
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/britain-will-need-12500-wind-farms-to-satisfy-eu-targets-773145.html

Congress Conjures Up an Energy Deficit – Let's understand a simple fact. You cannot squeeze any more energy out of a gallon of gasoline than already exists. If you mix it with an additive which itself provides less energy, what you get is less energy. (Energy Pulse Commentary)
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1656

California – Renewable energy will have to hold for now. Bear Valley Electric Service will have to wait on plans to use wastewater to make electricity (Big Bear Grizzly)
http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/articles/2008/01/28/news/latest_news/tbbarwa.txt

CONSERVATION

British Columbia –Smart meter orders for B.C. Hydro in fast mode. Those smart meters the provincial government promised everyone last year appear to be in hurry-up mode. (Victoria Times-Columnist)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=19117278-6319-44a7-b04f-1a77e84535df&k=35687

Clark PUD Energy Advisor – How much do you spend to power those black boxes? (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/lifeHome/lifeHomeNews/2008/01/01272008_How-much-do-you-spend-to-power-those-black-boxes.cfm

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Colleges shine light on carbon output – Evergreen, South Puget Sound, Saint Martin's, Centralia College join nationwide campaign (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/340731.html

In Oregon and U.S., green groups are mostly white – Environmental leadership across the nation has little diversity, which two Portlanders work to change (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1201325108143650.xml&coll=7

Washington Post Editorial – A European Climate Plan: An intriguing approach that meshes well with bills on Capitol Hill
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/27/AR2008012701591.html?nav=rss_opinions

Value of U.S. House's Carbon Offsets Is Murky – Some Question Effectiveness of $89,000 Purchase to Balance Out Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/27/AR2008012702400.html?nav=rss_email/components

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Waterville renaissance – Business is booming in this tiny plateau town Waterville renaissance. “…Fast Internet service via the Douglas County PUD's fiber-optic network keeps them connected to the big-city worlds they left behind…” (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/NEWS04/539371083/1002

Cisco to Sell Faster Switch for Flood of Remote Data (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/technology/28cisco.html?_r=1&ex=1359262800&en=767ad8b614258f99&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Comcast to charge for bill payments when using live customer service representative (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1201314319142580.xml&coll=7

GENERAL NEWS

Neighborhood copper wiring tempts thieves in Thurston County (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/339170.html

Thieves steal public art, sell the metal – High metal prices make statues attractive to thieves seeking quick cash (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080128/NEWS01/362877302/-1/RSS01

Sacagawea statue found at Bend scrap metal yard (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/01/sacagawea_statue_found_at_bend.html

Neatherlin to Run Again in 35th District (Kitsap Sun, may require free registration)
http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jan/25/neatherlin-to-run-again-in-35th-district/

Yelm in the crosshairs – Disillusioned former students target Ramtha; Critics claim they were ‘brainwashed’ (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/339950.html

DIVERSIONS

For some, State of the Union rife with drinking opportunities – Young policy wonks will take a shot whenever Bush says 'nuclear'
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8098947?source=rss&nclick_check=1

Dude! How great are those new Bud Light ads?
http://www.slate.com/id/2182846/fr/rss/

Where's the rest of my mouse? (Understatement of the year: “…Understandably, he lost his appetite…”)
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2844777120080128?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Energy News Digest for January 24, 2008

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)

* Chance of new snow this weekend across Washington
* Washington Columbia reactor to cut output to 40 pct
* South Africa declares electricity emergency
* Washington to set Chinook rules Feb. 2
* Federal orca recovery plan short on specific proposals
* California – Fishing ban sought on American River
* Daily Astorian Editorial – Why kill salmon for California?
* State House OKs public works package – Cowlitz PUD projects may benefit
* California Program Makes Toilet Water Drinkable
* California – Little energy behind state solar plant effort
* Oregonian Editorial – Give the guv some credit
* Indiana – Lawmakers reject renewable energy bill
* Hydro Doesn’t Have to Be Big
* Letting it all hang out; Province's move to end ban on clotheslines sign of changing attitudes
* Bill would add greenhouse gas concerns to growth management law
* Higher Storm Waves: Sign Of Climate Change?
* Centralia College Hosts Week of Climate Change Events
* Olympian Editorial – Schools on track with green efforts
* Construction to begin on East Wenatchee data center
* Grant County PUD commissioners review plans for fiber
* FCC's Airwaves Auction Draws $2.78 Billion in Bids
* News Release – CableOrganizer.com Cites the Top 5 Reasons Fiber Optic Technology
* Go Daddy Super Bowl ad finally passes muster, will tout censored commercial
* Copper thefts bedevil state road crews, endanger motorists
* Computer Crackdown – Nine D.C. Workers Fired For Looking at Porn

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Scarify • \SKAIR-uh-fye\ • verb – 1: to make scratches or small cuts in (as the skin) 2: to lacerate the feelings of *3: to cut or soften the wall of (a hard seed) to hasten germination 4: to clear ground of debris in preparation for replanting, as in logging clean up

Ambrose wandered aimlessly through the wasteland that was his backyard. A stunted tree with a crazily angled swing off a cracked limb; an abandoned fish pond filled with frogs eggs and mosquito larvae; and his barren garden plot, half an acre of rocky soil that looked as if God had scarified it as a part of a biblical curse. “hmm, maybe potatoes this year,” he pondered.

WEATHER

Chance of new snow this weekend across Washington (Associated Press, via the Columbian)
http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01252008news267921.cfm

Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944

(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Washington Columbia reactor to cut output to 40 pct (Reuters)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN2429150520080125

South Africa declares electricity emergency (Yahoo! News)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080125/ap_on_re_af/south_africa_electricity_2

WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT

Washington to set Chinook rules Feb. 2 (The Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/25/this_day/10075243.txt

Federal orca recovery plan short on specific proposals (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/264467.html

California – Fishing ban sought on river. Two-month lull on American would help steelhead, group says. (Sacramento Bee, may require free registration)
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/661086.html

Daily Astorian Editorial – Why kill salmon for California? Fish agency asks why we spend billions for fish recovery and dredge for LNG
http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=392&ArticleID=48576

State House OKs public works package – Cowlitz PUD projects may benefit (Daily News, Longview)
http://tdn.com/articles/2008/01/24/area_news/10074053.txt

California Program Makes Toilet Water Drinkable (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18409513&ft=1&f=3

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California – Little energy behind state solar plant efforts. Audit finds that any such projects would face major bureaucratic and economic hurdles. (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-solar25jan25,1,2458479.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

Oregonian Editorial – Give the guv some credit. The Legislature should give Ted Kulongoski better energy tax credits for the next time he goes recruiting
http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1201227903211800.xml&coll=7

Indiana – Lawmakers reject renewable energy bill (Indianapolis Star)
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080125/LOCAL/801250485/0/BUSINESS

Hydro Doesn’t Have to Be Big (Miller-McCune)
http://www.miller-mccune.com/main/article/142

CONSERVATION

Virginia – Commissaries ‘going green’ with fluorescent lights (Belvoir Eagle)
http://www.belvoireagle.com/index.php/news-articles/commissaries_going_green_with_fluorescent_lights/

Letting it all hang out; Province's move to end ban on clotheslines sign of changing attitudes about the environment (Brantford Expositor, Ontario)
http://www.brantfordexpositor.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=873472&auth=Michelle+Ruby

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Bill would add greenhouse gas concerns to growth management law (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1179779~Bill_would_add_greenhouse_gas_concerns_to_growth_management_law.html

Higher Storm Waves: Sign Of Climate Change? (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=3514

College Hosts Week of Climate Change Events – Centralia College will hold four Lyceum speaking engagement next week as a part of Focus the Nation. (The Chronicle, Centralia)
http://www.chronline.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1201201557&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&

Olympian Editorial – Schools on track with green efforts
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/338271.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Construction to begin on East Wenatchee data center (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/NEWS04/996583521/1001

Grant County PUD commissioners review plans for fiber (The Star of Grand Coulee)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1013&dept_id=618552&newsid=19226208&PAG=461&rfi=9

FCC's Airwaves Auction Draws $2.78 Billion in Bids (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/24/AR2008012403174.html?wpisrc=rss_technology

News Release – CableOrganizer.com Cites the Top 5 Reasons Fiber Optic Technology Tops Copper for Computer Networking Applications (Market Wire)
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=812668

Go Daddy Super Bowl ad finally passes muster, will tout censored commercial (The Business Journal of Phoenix)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/01/21/daily46.html?ana=from_rss

GENERAL NEWS

Copper thefts bedevil state road crews, endanger motorists (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1179835~Copper_thefts_bedevil_state_road_crews__endanger_motorists.html

Computer Crackdown – Nine D.C. Workers Fired For Looking at Porn an average of 200 times per day. Investigators Seize Office Computers (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/23/AR2008012302511.html?wpisrc=rss_technology

DIVERSIONS

It's official: mail is slow as snails
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2423750920080124?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Spanish driver sues dead crash cyclist for damage
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSEIC55622520080125?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

“Too cold to walk" for car thieves – A group of teenage car thieves took a joy ride to a court-ordered counseling program aimed to keep them away from stealing cars
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080123/od_nm/thieves1_dc;_ylt=AtrPNVlqn3K4t31lQAFknhjtiBIF

Farmer hides castle from building inspectors – A farmer built an entire mock castle behind a screen of hay bales and lived there concealed for four years to evade planning regulations
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080125/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_castle;_ylt=AsOBBBwvUyrIDrv4.nkEUoDtiBIF

Energy News Digest for January 24, 2008

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)

* Bill calls for study of nuclear power
* Tri-City Herald Opinion – Sense and nonsense about nuclear power
* Southeast U.S. drought could force nuke-plant shutdowns
* North Dakota council forbidden to consider pollution in power-plant proposals
* NorthWestern Energy Announces Site Selection for Proposed Electric Generation Plant
* High court rejects Enron investors
* Ephrata flags at half-mast for Claussen
* Utility Poles Walk Away In Lewis County
* Environmental groups weigh in against Okanogan PUD dam plan
* PSE reaches deal to sell Lake Tapps
* Lewis County PUD Intrigued By Flood Control Proposal
* Idaho – We still need a lot of snow to fill reservoirs this spring
* Culverts add obstacles to salmon, state, politics
* Puget Sound killer whales need clean water, fish to survive
* Eugene Register Guard – Allocation: Where’s Solomon now that the salmon need him?
* State censures Port Angeles water plan, but city says supply safe
* California – Farmers find water more profitable than crops
* Oregon’s green energy tax credits taking heat
* Michigan – Manure 'biodigester' turning out electricity
* The Cost-Effectiveness of Compact Fluorescents in Commercial Buildings
* Walla Walla – St. Mary awarded $400,765 for energy efficiency
* 39th: U.S. green ranking not to be envied
* Growth, climate change debated
* State's top industries warm to Gregoire's climate change legislation
* Nickels urges government to cut greenhouse gas emissions
* Seattle Times Editorial – Building a response to climate change
* More Snow in Antarctica
* Greenhouse Gas Makes Food Less Nutritious
* World Wide Packets selling for $290M
* Oops! Charter Accidentally Deletes 14,000 Users' E-mail
* Minnesota – Solar Wi-Fi service won't see light of day
* HBO Putting Shows Online, at No Additional Charge
* Tennessee – Area’s future may be high in Fiber optics
* California – Copper probe nets 140 suspects
* Wal-Mart widens its green focus
* Thieves convert car part into fast cash

These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Cabal • \kuh-BAHL\ • noun – *: the artifices and intrigues of a group of persons secretly united in a plot (as to overturn a government); also: a group engaged in such artifices and intrigues 2: club, group

The “Lord of the Rings” fanboys were aghast. It wasn’t until it was too late that they discovered an anti-Gandalf cabal of Saruman clones in center of their role playing community. “The White Wizard takes your game piece,” crowed the leader of the renegade group, as he reached forth his “Cheetos”-stained fingers to snatch the small, collector’s edition statue of the Gray Wizard off the game board.

WEATHER

Forecast for Mason County, Washington
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sew&smap=1&textField1=47.21528&textField2=-123.09944

(NOTE: Some readers have noted that the NWS forecast has not been updated regularly. Apparently there is a refresh issue with the weather web site. If you visit and the forecast isn’t updated, press F5 or refresh the web page. That should take care of the issue)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Bill calls for study of nuclear power – A study bill before the Legislature would require a task force to consider the merits of adding new nuclear generation to the state's power mix to help to curb global warming. "…If the objective of an environmentalist is to have a lesser reliance on hydroelectric power, where does that leave you?..." (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/legislature/story/335939.html

Tri-City Herald Opinion – Sense and nonsense about nuclear power. Jerome Delvin is coming face to face with the Bizarro World of environmental extremism.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/opinions/v-rss/story/9589486p-9501111c.html

Southeast U.S. drought could force nuke-plant shutdowns “…shutdowns probably wouldn't result in blackouts. But they could lead to shockingly higher electric bills…” (Associated Press, via the Bellingham Herald)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/354/story/299620.html

North Dakota council forbidden to consider pollution in power-plant proposals – When deciding whether a new power plant is in the public interest, to what extent should the government consider the pollution it will produce? (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, via Power Marketing Association Online)
http://powermarketers.netcontentinc.net/newsreader.asp?ppa=8knpp%5E%5Cigfossy%5BUie%7D38%7Dbfen%5Fv

Montana – NorthWestern Energy Announces Site Selection for Proposed Electric Generation Plant (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/AQTH03524012008-1.htm

High court rejects Enron investors – A suit sought to recover from major banks money lost in the energy giant's collapse (The Associated press, via the Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/120105511930190.xml&coll=7

Ephrata flags at half-mast for Claussen – Honoring former Grant County PUD commissioner (Columbia Basin Herald)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/01/23/news/news01.txt

Longview woman presses PUD over new rate for the disabled (Daily News, Longview)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/01/24/top_story/10073682.txt

UTILITY POLES WALK AWAY IN LEWIS COUNTY – Why would you want them? Lewis County authorities are left with a head-scratcher after someone made off with utility poles. Someone took up to 20 poles from a Lewis County facility in Ethel. Each is valued at $500. Authorities say it appears someone used a tractor to remove the poles. (KELA Radio, Centralia/Chehalis)

WATER, FISH & THE ENVIRONMENT

Environmental groups weigh in against Okanogan PUD dam plan – Large dam would be built on the Similkameen River near the Canadian border. (Wenatchee World)
http://www.wenworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/NEWS04/533742611/1001

PSE reaches deal to sell Lake Tapps – Nearby cities wanted lake, but power company had agreement with east King County group (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/262358.html

LEWIS COUNTY PUD INTRIGUED BY FLOOD CONTROL PROPOSAL – Levees break. Dikes can be overtopped. So why not control flooding by damming the upper basin of the Chehalis River? The Lewis County PUD says they are open to the possibility of what they call water retention projects. PUD leaders believe the project could be used to generate electricity, and possibly provide water to Pe Ell. (KELA Radio, Centralia/Chehalis)

Idaho – We still need a lot of snow to fill reservoirs this spring. Snowpack in many Idaho river basins have climbed to normal or higher, but the next two months will be critical. (Idaho Statesman)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/272671.html

Culverts add obstacles to salmon, state, politics (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004142062_culverts24m.html

Puget Sound killer whales need clean water, fish to survive (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_orca_recovery.html

Eugene Register Guard – Allocation: Where’s Solomon now that the salmon need him?
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=52909&sid=40&fid=1

State censures Port Angeles water plan, but city says supply safe – The state Department of Health has "red-coded" the city's water system, saying it has not complied with a plan to meet possible emergencies. (Peninsula Daily News)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080124/NEWS/801240306

California – Farmers find water more profitable than crops. Soaring prices prompt sales of irrigation supplies, not sowing of seeds (Contra Costa Times)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8063924?source=rss&nclick_check=1

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Green energy tax credits taking heat – Oregon's pumped-up tax break for renewable energy businesses has created "a land rush" of companies seeking the benefit, surprising lawmakers who want to make sure the loss of tax money is worth the gains in clean energy. (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1201148706278210.xml&coll=7

Michigan – Manure 'biodigester' turning out electricity (Muskegon Chronicle)
http://www.mlive.com/news/chronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1201191330168820.xml&coll=8

CONSERVATION

The Cost-Effectiveness of Compact Fluorescents in Commercial Buildings (Energy Pulse Commentary)
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1655

Walla Walla – St. Mary awarded $400,765 for energy efficiency. An energy efficient system at St. Mary Medical Center has not only resulted in savings. It's yielded earnings. (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)
http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2008/01/24/local_news/local10.txt

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

39th: U.S. green ranking not to be envied – A new international ranking of environmental performance puts the United States at the bottom of the Group of 8 industrialized nations and 39th among the 149 countries on the list. (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004139788_climate23.html

Growth, climate change debated – Washington cities, counties, Realtors, home builders, contractors and business groups Tuesday lined up against a bill that would put climate change in the state's Growth Management Act. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/01/01232008_Growth-climate-change-debated.cfm?newsletter=2

State's top industries warm to Gregoire's climate change legislation (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/01/01242008_States-top-industries-warm-to-Gregoires-climate-change-legislation.cfm?newsletter=2

Nickels urges government to cut greenhouse gas emissions – 'Stop ignoring or denying' global warming, mayor says (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/348455_warming24.html?source=rss

Seattle Times Editorial – Building a response to climate change. News accounts of the frightful consequences of climate change are finally being offset by political progress on global warming.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2004133325_climed21.html

More Snow in Antarctica – There’s new evidence from an Antarctic ice core that the popular image of the melting poles doesn’t quite fit reality at the southern one. (NY Times)
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/more-snow-in-antarctica/index.html?ex=1358917200&en=cd6a9a0e1ad1235f&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Greenhouse Gas Makes Food Less Nutritious (Yahoo! News – It also makes you ten pounds heavier, six inches shorter, and a lousy dancer)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/greenhousegasmakesfoodlessnutritious;_ylc=X3oDMTI1NzZyc3Q3BFJfYWlkAwRSX2RtbgN5YWhvby5jb20EUl9maWQDYmRhMGMzMzU0NTFiYmY2YjY0Y2Q0MWRlYjBiYWRlNDYEUl9sdHADMQ--

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

World Wide Packets selling for $290M (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/01/21/daily14.html?ana=from_rss

Oops! Charter Accidentally Deletes 14,000 Users' E-mail – Tells customers they can't recover the lost data (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/01/24/financial/f112846S49.DTL&feed=rss.business

Minnesota – Solar Wi-Fi service won't see light of day. St. Louis Park wants to discard all of the powered-by-the-sun wireless Internet equipment that has been installed in the past year. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
http://www.startribune.com/local/west/14166576.html

HBO Putting Shows Online, at No Additional Charge (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/business/media/21hbo.html?_r=1&ex=1358658000&en=0345119a0e82c1c7&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Funny That HBO Is Putting Shows Online, Just As Parent Time Warner Starts Charging Extra For Bandwidth (Techdirt)
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080121/05154719.shtml

Massachusetts – Cable TV rates on the rise (Boston Globe)
http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2008/01/cable_tv_rates.html

Tennessee – Area’s future may be high in Fiber optics. When Johnson City Power Board commissioners decide just how heavily to invest (if at all) in fiber optic technology and infrastructure, the results of their decision will have a lasting economic and environmental impact. (Johnson City Press)
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Detail.php?Cat=HOMEPAGE&ID=61207

GENERAL NEWS

California – Copper probe nets 140 suspects. San Jose and Santa Clara police have arrested more than 140 people after a yearlong undercover investigation into copper theft turned into a sting that nabbed everyone from alleged car thieves to a bombmaker who created explosives triggered by cell phone, authorities said Wednesday. (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/24/BAO8UKEPF.DTL

Wal-Mart widens its green focus - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which launched a broad environmental push in late 2005, wants to expand that focus to other issues including energy prices, international trade and U.S. health care costs. (Tacoma News Tribune)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/263546.html

Thieves convert car part into fast cash – Most people don't think much about their cars' catalytic converters until these exhaust-system components are stolen. (The Columbian)
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/01/01242008_Thieves-convert-car-part-into-fast-cash.cfm?newsletter=2

DIVERSIONS

Haggis ban an offal burden? Scotland is considering lobbying the United States to lift a ban on haggis, hoping to boost sales of the sheep-stomach-based national dish. (Hank’s Haggis Hut is waiting!)
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2241717520080122?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Lost Fla. Cat Turns Up In Suitcase In Texas – Stranger Finds Cat After Mistakenly Taking Wrong Bag
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15120337/detail.html

Ribbit! This green isn't part of salad. You just don't want to eat some greens. That's how a Brooklyn mom felt when she found a tiny frog comfortably nestled in the leaves of organic lettuce she was preparing to eat.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080124/ap_on_fe_st/odd_frog_in_lettuce;_ylt=Ajov4dRXuCbQm45ogHk71xjtiBIF

Italian aqueduct loses more water than it delivers
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080124/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_italy_water;_ylt=Arjil9ly41klroF6PJN0eDDtiBIF