Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Energy News Digest for September 17, 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)

- PUD-financed study cites savings if district assumes East Jefferson County's electrical service
- Strange Bedfellows – hired guns fight PUDs
- As shares drop, Puget Energy investors fret over pending buyout
- Chelan PUD reorganizes for efficiency
- Kelso city manager quits to become Cowlitz County PUD's lawyer
- MONTANA – Flathead growth may cause energy crunc
- Avista Reaches Settlement in Electric and Natural Gas General Rate Cases
- OREGON – Voters defeat liquefied natural gas pipeline measure
- Crews From 31 States in Texas to Restore Power
- Key provisions of US House energy bill
- New York regulators: Con Ed ordered to repay $9M to customers for '07 power outage
- New England governors and Canadian leaders talk power
- Energy Pulse Commentary – Does Your Utility Have Telephone Standards?
- Oregonian Editorial – When the Rogue ran wild
- OREGON – Researchers track cool-water habits of Willamette fish
- Ten pikeminnow anglers land a total of $20,000, ten chances remain
- Wildlife Management: Salmon Fisheries, Yellowstone Wolf Introduction Show What Is Possible
- Ecotrust Looks To Economics To Save Environment
- PPL Montana begins drawdown of Flathead Lake
- Water, sewer rates going up in Port Angeles
- Olympian Editorial – Money, politics likely to weigh into Capitol Lake's fate
- Critics say order to ban washing cars in county, city driveways is all wet
- CALIFORNIA – Berkeley Approves City-Backed Loans for Solar Panels
- The powerlessness of energy subsidies
- MONTANA – Conservation measures to lower temperatures in buildings
- NEW YORK – Clarkstown school district aims to save millions through energy conservation
- North Pole ever closer to having no ice
- Arctic Ocean Ice Retreats Less Than Last Year
- Ohio Outages – Carbon footprints dwindle without power
- How the Web Can Help You Fight Greenwashing
- Critics: Homeland Security unprepared for cyberthreats
- EPA Lets Electronic Waste Flow Freely, GAO Report Says
- Lawmakers See Challenges for TV Transition
- Go Loggers! – Earn high school diploma online through Onalaska district
- Red flag warning for wildfire in Western Washington
- U.S. regulators try to find WaMu buyer: report
- Lehman bankruptcy costs Washington pension fund $130M
- Money Market Fund Says Customers Could Lose Money
- State's jobless rate 6%, a 4-year high
- State agency investigating technician's fatal fall off cell phone tower
- Former Washington state lawmaker accused of mail fraud
- Mason Residents Invited to Be Part of Notification System
- Mason County Appoints New Road Engineer
- Planning behind proposed Brinnon mega-resort sound, state growth board rules

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Misprision • \mis-PRIZH-un\ • noun – 1a: neglect or wrong performance of official duty b: concealment of treason or felony by one who is not a participant in the treason or felony 2: misunderstanding, misinterpretation

“Thanks for your outstanding misprision,” the faltering investment company’s Chairman of the Board said to the outgoing CEO. “Here’s your $20 million severance check, and the $14 million bonus we promised if you’d stay longer than a month on the job!”

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

PUD-financed study cites savings if district assumes East Jefferson County's electrical service (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080917/NEWS/809170309

Strange Bedfellows – hired guns fight PUDs (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/148921.asp

As shares drop, Puget Energy investors fret over pending buyout (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008184353_pugetenergy17.html

Chelan PUD reorganizes for efficiency (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080916/NEWS04/709169948/1005

Kelso city manager quits to become Cowlitz County PUD's lawyer (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/09/17/area_news/10422603.txt

MONTANA – Flathead growth may cause energy crunch – The Bonneville Power Administration will not be able to supply energy for any growth come 2011, which will bring up issues with cost (KAJ-TV, Kalispell, MT)
http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=9021958

News Release – Avista Reaches Multi-Party Settlement in Washington Electric and Natural Gas General Rate Cases (Avista)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/IndustryNews.asp?m=1&id=97063

OREGON – Voters defeat liquefied natural gas pipeline measure (Associated Press)
http://columbian.com/article/20080917/NEWS02/809179995/-1/news

Crews From 31 States in Texas to Restore Power (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/us/17ike.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Key provisions of US House energy bill (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080917/ap_on_go_co/offshore_drilling_glance_1

New York regulators: Con Ed ordered to repay $9M to customers for '07 power outage (Associated Press)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080917/ny_electricity_reliability.html?.v=1

New England governors and Canadian leaders talk power (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008184786_apnewenglandcanadasummit.html?syndication=rss

Energy Pulse Commentary – Does Your Utility Have Telephone Standards?
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1834

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregonian Editorial – When the Rogue ran wild (Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1219101913269500.xml&coll=7&thispage=1

OREGON – Researchers track cool-water habits of Willamette fish (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/researchers_track_coolwater_ha.html

News Release – Ten pikeminnow anglers land a total of $20,000, ten chances remain (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/226837/

Wildlife Management: Salmon Fisheries, Yellowstone Wolf Introduction Show What Is Possible (Science Daily)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917074126.htm

Ecotrust Looks To Economics To Save Environment (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3063-ecotrust-looks-economics-save-environment/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

PPL Montana begins drawdown of Flathead Lake (The Missoulian, MT)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/09/17/news/mtregional/news08.txt

Water, sewer rates going up in Port Angeles (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.konp.com/local/4011

Olympian Editorial – Money, politics likely to weigh into Capitol Lake's fate (Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/587268.html

Critics say order to ban washing cars in county, city driveways is all wet (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20080917/NEWS02/809169891/-1/news

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

CALIFORNIA – Berkeley Approves City-Backed Loans for Solar Panels (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/us/18solar.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

The powerlessness of energy subsidies (The Globe and Mail, Canada)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080917.RREYNOLDS17/TPStory/Business

CONSERVATION

MONTANA – Conservation measures to lower temperatures in buildings (Montana Kaimin, Missoula)
http://www.montanakaimin.com/index.php/news/news_article/conservation_measures_to_lower_temperatures_in_buildings/2859

NEW YORK – Clarkstown school district aims to save millions through energy conservation (The Journal News, White Plains, NY)
http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080917/NEWS03/809170383/-1/SPORTS

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

North Pole ever closer to having no ice – Scientists seek causes for decline (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/379384_arctic17.html

Arctic Ocean Ice Retreats Less Than Last Year (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/science/earth/17ice.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Carbon footprints dwindle without power – As thousands of Ohioans go through another day without power, perhaps there's a silver, or even green, lining (The Columbus Dispatch, OH)
http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/09/17/Greenout.ART_ART_09-17-08_A7_F6BBLRI.html?sid=101

How the Web Can Help You Fight Greenwashing (GigaOM)http://gigaom.com/2008/09/16/how-the-web-can-help-you-fight-greenwashing/

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Critics: Homeland Security unprepared for cyberthreats (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10043665-38.html?tag=nl.e703

EPA Lets Electronic Waste Flow Freely, GAO Report Says (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/16/AR2008091603225.html?nav=rss_technology

Lawmakers See Challenges for TV Transition (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/16/AR2008091603283.html?nav=rss_technology

Go Loggers! – Earn high school diploma online through Onalaska district (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/587809.html

GENERAL NEWS

Red flag warning for wildfire in Western Washington (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/587797.html

U.S. regulators try to find WaMu buyer: report (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSBNG35155320080917?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

Lehman bankruptcy costs Washington pension fund $130M (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/09/15/daily20.html?ana=from_rss

Money Market Fund Says Customers Could Lose Money (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/business/17fund.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

State's jobless rate 6%, a 4-year high – 200,000 find no work; number likely to grow (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/379319_jobs17.html

State agency investigating technician's fatal fall off cell phone tower (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080917/NEWS/809170302

Former Washington state lawmaker accused of mail fraud (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1591329~Former_Wash__state_lawmaker_accused_of_mail_fraud.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Mason Residents Invited to Be Part of Notification System (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/sep/16/mason-residents-invited-to-be-part-of-system/?partner=RSS

Mason County Appoints New Road Engineer (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/5059/reftab/1896/Default.aspx

Planning behind proposed Brinnon mega-resort sound, state growth board rules (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080917/NEWS/809170306

DIVERSIONS

Teen sets record for blowing up balloons with nose
http://www.examiner.com/a-1591083~Teen_sets_record_for_blowing_up_balloons_with_nose.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Auction To Have Paintings By Penguin, Sea Lions
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/17486276/detail.html

"Hitchhiker's Guide" series to ride again
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSLH9268320080917?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Energy News Digest for September 16, 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)

- PacifiCorp completes buy of Chehalis, WA power plant
- Man critically hurt in freak accident with power lines
- Energy bills heating up in Congress
- ALABAMA – Groups ask U.S. to block work at Tennessee Valley Authority nuke plant
- OREGON – The Elk Creek Dam has been notched and water has started to find its way
- Salmon program looks to transfer to nonprofit
- News Release – Farmers to learn energy and water saving techniques
- Pickens Plan blows a breath of fresh air into the debate
- Interest sparked in Walla Walla trash-to-energy concept
- PSE Funds State’s First College-Level Class in Renewable Energy Engineering
- USDA Invests US $4M in Woody Biomass
- Energy Pulse Commentary – Can Chain Retailers Help Save the Utility Grid
- Going green could bring in the green, Washington State House told
- States Aim to Cut Gases by Making Polluters Pay
- Weather History Offers Insight into Global Warming
- Hewlett Packard set to cut 24,600 people
- AFL Telecommunications Acquires the Light Brigade
- Concerns grow over fate of WaMu – Shares of Seattle thrift plummet again
- AIG tumbles, worsening financial carnage
- Cell phone worker falls to death from communications tower
- Seattle's 20-cent plastic-bag fee on hold until citywide vote
- Ramtha's JZ Knight wins civil lawsuit
- State Patrol plane follows laser beam to suspect

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Arcanum • \ar-KAY-num\ • noun – 1: mysterious or specialized knowledge, language, or information accessible or possessed only by the initiate -- usually used in plural 2: elixir

The fanboys laughed with derision at the newest member of the Tolkien fan club. “How did you even get past the screening process without having read ‘The Silmarillion’,” giggled the bearded, imposing president of the mysterious club. “I’ll even bet that your favorite character is Gollum,” he bellowed as his fellow club members howled with laughter at the red-faced plebe’s limited knowledge of the arcanum of JRR Tolkien.

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

PacifiCorp completes buy of Chehalis, WA power plant (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/09/15/daily8.html?ana=from_rss

Man critically hurt in freak accident with power lines (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/379190_power16.html?source=rss

Energy bills heating up in Congress – Laws setting offshore drilling parameters and the extension of tax credits for renewable energy are expected to be introduced on Capitol Hill this week (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/15/news/economy/energy_bills/index.htm?section=money_latest

ALABAMA – Groups ask U.S. to block work at Tennessee Valley Authority nuke plant (The Tennessean, Nashville, TN)
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080914/NEWS01/809140374/1001/RSS01

FISH & WILDLIFE

OREGON – A creek runs through it – The Elk Creek Dam has been notched and water has started to find its way. Now all that's needed is for the fish to return (The Mail Tribune, Medford, OR)
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080914/NEWS/809140323/-1/rss01

Salmon program looks to transfer to nonprofit (Eureka Times, Standard)
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10455185?source=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

News Release – Farmers to learn energy and water saving techniques (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/226505/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Pickens Plan blows a breath of fresh air into the debate (Financial Times of London)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4cac82d6-8387-11dd-907e-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

Interest sparked in trash-to-energy concept – The Port of Walla Walla is eyeing a potential alternative to sending garbage to the landfill, an idea that could generate power and money (The Union Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA)
http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2008/09/15/local_news/080915local02waste%20to%20energy.txt

News Release – PSE Funds State’s First College-Level Class in Renewable Energy Engineering – Gift to WSU Will Launch Course in Wind, Solar and More (Puget Sound Energy)
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080916005341&newsLang=en&cid=1246942884&ei=qMXPSIz1NoWMhQPV9bXPBg&usg=AFQjCNG_qbb2-t6m9JKFG8ybXw4UI36M_Q

USDA Invests US $4M in Woody Biomass (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53584&src=rss

CONSERVATION

Energy Pulse Commentary – Can Chain Retailers Help Save the Utility Grid -- and the Environment -- and Get Paid for Doing It?
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1831

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Going green could bring in the green, Washington State House told (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/317365.html

States Aim to Cut Gases by Making Polluters Pay (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/us/16carbon.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1221577305-pSz5m4U7g6YQnNOCpD8Ogw

Weather History Offers Insight into Global Warming (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/science/earth/16moho.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Hewlett Packard set to cut 24,600 people (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/09/15/daily6.html?ana=from_rss

AFL Telecommunications Acquires the Light Brigade, a leading fiber optic training company and supplier of media and products, located in Tukwila, Washington (News Release – via Yahoo! Business)
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080916/20080916005963.html?.v=1

GENERAL NEWS

Concerns grow over fate of WaMu – Shares of Seattle thrift plummet again (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/379247_wamu16.html

AIG tumbles, worsening financial carnage (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSHKG1567720080916?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

Cell phone worker falls to death from communications tower (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.konp.com/local/4006

Seattle's 20-cent plastic-bag fee on hold until citywide vote, likely next August (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008182101_bagfee16m.html

Ramtha's JZ Knight wins civil lawsuit (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/586115.html

State Patrol plane follows laser beam to suspect (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/586293.html

DIVERSIONS

Biting, picture frame to the face, swinging a sword – Woman faces charge after dishwashing dispute
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080916/ap_on_fe_st/odd_dishwashing_dispute;_ylt=Atr44j4l8TQ_yR2Mhz2dsRftiBIF

Woman mistakes skunk for a cat, gets sprayed
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/odd_not_a_cat;_ylt=AqqOd6NdKP74Mun0.wjVuMntiBIF

Israeli city uses DNA to fight dog poop
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080916/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_israel_dogs;_ylt=AuTuhVv9uEIKcx5km0y6gvPtiBIF

Woman Hides Winning Lottery Ticket In Safe – Maryland Woman Will Take Home About $10 Million After Taxes
http://www.kirotv.com/money/17483771/detail.html

Monday, September 15, 2008

Energy News Digest for September 15, 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)

- Jefferson PUD to formally receive consultant's report on feasibility of providing electrical power
- Anti-PUD group well-funded front for utility
- How will power play? A Q&A with Pacific Power president Pat Reiten
- FERC expected to OK Oregon liquefied natural gas site
- MONTANA – Debate continues over NorthWestern Energy’s Colstrip power proposal
- Energy key issue in Montana governor's election bid
- MINNESOTA – 'Decoupling' plan is splitting fans and foes of the strategy
- Nuclear industry looking for a wave of new hires
- Utilities a good alternative in tough times
- “Salmon Stronghold” – New strategy targets abundant salmon runs
- They're not pretty or good swimmers, but we need lamprey
- Coho fair game on Tuesday
- Otters making comeback in Vancouver Island waters
- Seattle chef inducted into the Pacific Northwest Wild Salmon Hall of Fame
- AP Enterprise: Drugs affect more drinking water
- World's oceans could become "soupy swill" of algae
- Discovery Bay getting back to its old self
- Alcoa to remove PCB pollution in Vancouver
- Wind-Power Politics
- In our view: Gone with the wind? Congress must renew tax credit if it is serious about energy independence
- Critics claim deception in Calif. energy measures
- Energy Independence a Real Possibility for Bainbridge Island
- Lyman Glacier: Frozen reservoir above Lake Chelan is dying
- Idaho Awarded $15M to Study Impact of Climate Change on Snake, Salmon Rivers
- PUDs back fiber-improvement funding to create a new backup circuit within the region’s fiber-optic network
- Call center to expand in Spokane Valley and add 370 jobs
- TEXAS – Best practices for locating data centers makes San Antonio a hot spot
- Business Spotlight: Can Telecommuting Take Root in Kitsap?
- Comcast Emails Subscribers about Bandwidth Caps
- Cable Group Doesn’t Want to Free the Airwaves
- AOL’s Luddites Love Their E-Mail More than Google’s Geeks
- OREGON – Rim Semiconductor locked out of office
- Markets in turmoil by Lehman failure and Merrill sale
- Fires at Evergreen State College likely intentionally set
- Conservation groups sue over lumber pact dollars
- Engineer in fatal California train collision may have been texting
- Liquid asphalt flowing again in Western Washington
- Seattle Seahawks worth $1 billion, says Forbes
- Thieves 'mine' precious metals from Port Angeles vehicles

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Replete • \rih-PLEET\ • adjective – 1: fully or abundantly provided or filled 2a: abundantly fed b fat, stout 3: complete

Albert had been waiting for his traditional birthday feast for weeks: haggis and Yorkshire pudding, replete with treacle tarts and lard sandwiches. Unfortunately for him, in an effort to reign in his weight, his entire family had decided to make his birthday dinner a culinary intervention. The menu included watercress salad, cucumber sandwiches, and celery soup.

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

Jefferson PUD to formally receive consultant's report on feasibility of providing electrical power (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080914/NEWS/809140308

Anti-PUD group well-funded front for utility (The Whidbey Examiner, Coupeville, WA)
http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=1724&TM=63987.22

How will power play? A Q&A with Pacific Power president Pat Reiten (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/7608

FERC expected to OK Oregon liquefied natural gas site (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1221272717110830.xml&coll=7

MONTANA – Debate continues over NorthWestern Energy’s Colstrip power proposal (The Helena Independent-Record, MT)
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2008/09/13/state/70st_080913_psc.txt

Energy key issue in Montana governor's election bid (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1580384~Energy_key_issue_in_Mont__governor_s_election_bid.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines

MINNESOTA – 'Decoupling' plan is splitting fans and foes of the strategy – Minnesota set up revenue guarantees for utilities that promote energy efficiency, but some are questioning the rewards (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, St. Paul, MN)
http://www.startribune.com/business/28314854.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUJ

Nuclear industry looking for a wave of new hires (The Associated Press)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080912/il_nuclear_power_colleges.html?.v=1

Utilities a good alternative in tough times (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/14/BULA12SN7O.DTL&feed=rss.business

FISH & WILDLIFE

“Salmon Stronghold” – New strategy targets abundant salmon runs “…The Bonneville Power Administration…spent $165 million on habitat improvements and fish-related dam operations…” (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28372469.html

They're not pretty or good swimmers, but we need lamprey (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/theyre_not_pretty_or_very_good.html

Coho fair game on Tuesday (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/09/14/local_news/02news.txt

Otters making comeback in Vancouver Island waters – Fur trade nearly wiped out species on the West Coast (The Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=3d7d8c3b-bc3c-4e6d-817e-a4e907de023f

Seattle chef inducted into the Pacific Northwest Wild Salmon Hall of Fame (KIRO-Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=87985

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

AP Enterprise: Drugs affect more drinking water (The Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s//ap/20080911/ap_on_re_us/pharmawater_testing_update

World's oceans could become "soupy swill" of algae: expert – BC not immune to algae bloom outbreaks (The Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=4afe0ae4-f3aa-430e-93b3-3d07594802b3

Discovery Bay getting back to its old self -- shellfish growing to be reopened soon (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080915/NEWS/809150306

Alcoa to remove PCB pollution in Vancouver (The Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/584016.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Wind-Power Politics (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/magazine/14wind-t.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Columbian Editorial – In our view: Gone with the wind? Congress must renew tax credit if it is serious about energy independence (Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20080914/OPINION02/809129949/-1/opinion

Critics claim deception in Calif. energy measures – An increased renewable energy mandate, and a measure to provide alternative fuel vehicle subsidies (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008179982_apapfncaliforniaalternativeenergy.html?syndication=rss

CONSERVATION

Energy Independence a Real Possibility for Bainbridge Island (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/sep/13/energy-independence-a-real-possibility-for/?partner=RSS

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Lyman Glacier: Frozen reservoir above Lake Chelan is dying (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080913/NEWS04/709139998/1025/rss1025

Idaho Awarded $15M to Study Impact of Climate Change on Snake, Salmon Rivers (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4308

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

PUDs back fiber-improvement funding to create a new backup circuit within the region’s fiber-optic network (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080915/BIZ/709159992/1001

Call center to expand in Spokane Valley and add 370 jobs (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/09/08/daily31.html?ana=from_rss

TEXAS – Best practices for locating data centers makes San Antonio a hot spot (San Antonio Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2008/09/15/focus4.html?ana=from_rss

Business Spotlight: Can Telecommuting Take Root in Kitsap? (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/sep/14/how-to-make-telecommuting-work/?partner=RSS

Comcast Emails Subscribers about Bandwidth Caps (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/09/14/comcast-emails-subscribers-about-bandwidth-caps/

Cable Group Doesn’t Want to Free the Airwaves – Discounts Google’s hope of using the white spaces between digital television stations for wireless broadband (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/09/12/cable-group-doesnt-want-to-free-the-airwaves/

AOL’s Luddites Love Their E-Mail More than Google’s Geeks (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/aols-luddites-love-their-e-mail-more-than-googles-geeks/?th&emc=th

OREGON – Rim Semiconductor locked out of office (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/09/08/daily52.html?ana=from_rss

GENERAL NEWS

Markets in turmoil by Lehman failure and Merrill sale (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0927996520080915?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

Fires at Evergreen State College likely intentionally set (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28390129.html

Conservation groups sue over lumber pact dollars – Suing over a decision to give millions of dollars to forestry foundations, saying the money illegally bypassed the U.S. Treasury and Congress (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008176350_apwaforestlawsuit2ndldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

Engineer in fatal California train collision may have been texting (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008180087_traincollision15.html

Liquid asphalt flowing again in Western Washington (Associated Press)
http://columbian.com/article/20080915/NEWS06/309159996/-1/news

Seattle Seahawks worth $1 billion, says Forbes (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/09/08/daily30.html?ana=from_rss

Thieves 'mine' precious metals from Port Angeles vehicles (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080914/NEWS/809140306

DIVERSIONS

Mom allegedly uses daughter's ID to be cheerleader
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080913/ap_on_fe_st/odd_cheerleading_mom;_ylt=AstbZW47Oi.NJPcJD18cPBrtiBIF

NY charity turns down share of $3M lottery jackpot
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080912/ap_on_fe_st/odd_donation_declined;_ylt=AmubWH05qV73raJ5lMsFj.btiBIF

Dutch on edge as 'horror dentists' go on trial
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080912/ap_on_fe_st/odd_bad_dentists;_ylt=Aue3gmLamSLZbqcU6kxIwI3tiBIF

Teacher OK after crashing into bear on a bicycle
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/odd_bicyclist_vs_bear;_ylt=AnHAbtNV7PCFlwEUuk.y4GDtiBIF

Friday, September 12, 2008

Energy News Digest for September 12, 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)

- Seattle Times Op/Ed – Puget Sound Energy change of ownership will benefit the region
- High-voltage shock kills, then revives contract lineman for PGE
- CANADA – Electricity shortage may choke B.C.'s gas patch
- Lower Natural Gas Prices – Xcel proposes lowering electricity rates
- U.S. Senate leader says consensus building on energy
- NEW YORK – Enron Lite: Schumer seeks energy trading investigation
- UNITED KINGDOM – Government admits fuel assistance may lead to increased bills
- OREGON – Wyden energy bill includes county payment extension
- The Changing Utility Workforce and the Evolution of Utility Design
- Consistency is key to great utility customer service
- Oregon State Police investigating waste of fish found in Columbia River net
- Columbia River steelhead, salmon make healthy fall run
- Skagit fishery expands for Coho/Chum
- Idaho has hopes for land sale to Forest Service
- Lewis County to Launch Water Study in Upper Chehalis Basin
- “Wild & Scenic” Rivers Pump Oregon's Economy
- Chesapeake Bay Pollution – Maryland Gets Tough on Chicken Farmers
- Europe Lowers Goals for Biofuel Use
- Thin Film Solar Companies Raise Hundreds of Millions in Funding
- Explosive Growth Reshuffles Top 10 Solar Ranking
- Are we screwing in the wrong bulbs?
- Energy Star has lost some luster
- Buyers of low-fuel cars get a sales tax exemption
- CANADA – Oops! 18,000 told to return $100 climate checks
- CALIFORNIA – San Francisco Still Recovering from Rogue IT Administrator
- Truly Ubiquitous Broadband is Getting Closer
- Without Wi-Fi, mini-computers not as magical
- Comcast Catches a Break In FCC Throttling Fight
- Former Intel worker charged in theft of secret files
- Airline Broadband Fuels Debate Over In-Flight Viewing of “Inappropriate Content”
- Brinnon couple dies in head-on collision on U.S. Highway 101
- Port Of Shelton Celebrates 60th Birthday With Autumn Fest
- Ex-Boeing Worker Admits Cutting Wires On Chinook Helicopter
- 4-day work week seen as '21st century' schedule
- Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle move up on Milken’s ‘best cities’ list
- While Ramtha looks on – Tearful testimony wraps up: Knight-Weaver trial

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Appellation • \ap-uh-LAY-shun\ • noun – *1: an identifying name or title: designation 2: the act of calling by a name 3: a geographical name used to identify wine

“Good Grief,” moaned Ramona. “Here goes that boring appellation bit from Bill Saluga.”

Ray J. Johnson (“You can call me Ray, or your can call me Jay!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_J._Johnson

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

Seattle Times Op/Ed – Puget Sound Energy change of ownership will benefit the region
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008174258_ayersop12.html

High-voltage shock kills, then revives contract lineman for Portland General Electric (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28263494.html

CANADA – Electricity shortage may choke B.C.'s gas patch (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=f28c6a9b-bfe3-402c-b3b3-4e257417dd74

Lower Natural Gas Prices – Xcel proposes lowering electricity rates (Denver Business Journal, CO)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/09/08/daily49.html?ana=from_rss

U.S. Senate leader says consensus building on energy (Associated Press)
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5imPz0z6szykAL-CAKZDEZOAiDREgD9358C500

NEW YORK – Enron Lite: Schumer seeks energy trading investigation – Asks FERC to press for an investigation into electricity trading activities that may have cost New York consumers millions of dollars (Syracuse Post-Standard, NY)
http://www.syracuse.com/business/index.ssf?/base/business-13/1221209769287170.xml&coll=1

UNITED KINGDOM – Government admits fuel assistance may lead to increased bills – The government admitted on Friday that it is unable to stop energy companies passing on the cost of its fuel assistance package to customers (Agence France-Presse)
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hXaoc6oLOsr9NAZ102CiOMxw9rfQ

OREGON – Wyden energy bill includes county payment extension (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/09/08/daily41.html?ana=from_rss

Energy Pulse Commentary – The Changing Utility Workforce and the Evolution of Utility Design
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1825

Consistency is key to great utility customer service (Utility Automation & Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=339397&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon State Police investigating waste of fish found in Columbia River net (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)
http://www.katu.com/news/local/28265414.html

Columbia River steelhead, salmon make healthy fall run – “Some people are going to say that we have turned a corner … and if these numbers keep up, maybe we have,” official says (Hood River News, OR)
http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/2008/073_news_3.htm

Skagit fishery expands for Coho/Chum (Bellingham Herald, WA)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/huntingandfishing/story/547955.html

Idaho has hopes for land sale to Forest Service – “…Money…would also come from a still-unspecified settlement with the BPA to mitigate federal dam impacts on Idaho wildlife habitat…” (The Associated Press)
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/09/12/ap5417738.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Lewis County to Launch Water Study in Upper Chehalis Basin – Bacteria in Wells: State-Funded Investigation to Explore Solutions for Flooded Area (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/rss/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1221157123&archive=

“Wild & Scenic” Rivers Pump Oregon's Economy (Northwest Public Radio)
http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=4299

Chesapeake Bay Pollution – Maryland Gets Tough on Chicken Farmers – Quest to Help Bay Would Stringently Control Manure (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/11/AR2008091103841.html?nav=rss_business

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Europe Lowers Goals for Biofuel Use (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/business/worldbusiness/12biofuels.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Thin Film Solar Companies Raise Hundreds of Millions in Funding (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/another-thin-film-solar-company-rakes-in-venture-capital/?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Explosive Growth Reshuffles Top 10 Solar Ranking (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53559&src=rss

CONSERVATION

Are we screwing in the wrong bulbs? Despite what we’re told, research on mercury poses an awkward question (Portland Tribune, OR)
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122090777173654500

Energy Star has lost some luster – The program saves energy but hasn't kept up with the times (Consumer Reports)
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/resource-center/energy-star-has-lost-some-luster/overview/energy-star-ov.htm

Buyers of low-fuel cars get a sales tax exemption – Hybrids, others must do at least 40 highway miles per gallon (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/378818_greencar12.html?source=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

CANADA – Oops! 18,000 told to return $100 climate checks – $1.8 million of B.C.'s climate action dividend sent to 'residents' who weren't eligible (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=9132a1e8-36f3-4cf7-b5b0-1423dff89bc9&k=61957

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

CALIFORNIA – San Francisco Still Recovering from Rogue IT Administrator – City still trying to find his mystery router (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/San-Fran-Still-Recovering-From-Rogue-IT-Admin-97646

Truly Ubiquitous Broadband is Getting Closer (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/09/11/truly-ubiquitous-broadband-is-getting-closer/

Without Wi-Fi, mini-computers not as magical (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN1146965220080911?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

Comcast Catches a Break In FCC Throttling Fight – FCC appeal will be heard in D.C. Circuit Court (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Catches-a-Break-In-FCC-Throttling-Fight-97658

Former Intel worker charged in theft of secret files (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10040251-83.html?tag=nl.e703

Airline Broadband Fuels Debate Over In-Flight Viewing of “Inappropriate Content” (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Airline-Broadband-Fuels-InFlight-Porn-Debate-97661

GENERAL NEWS

Brinnon couple dies in head-on collision on U.S. Highway 101 (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080912/NEWS/809120309

Port Of Shelton Celebrates 60th Birthday With Autumn Fest (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/5014/reftab/1896/Default.aspx

Ex-Boeing Worker Admits Cutting Wires On Chinook Helicopter (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/money/17452549/detail.html

4-day work week seen as '21st century' schedule – Change may affect culture more than taxpayers' bottom line (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/localnewsfeed/story/582697.html

Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle move up on Milken’s ‘best cities’ list (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/09/08/daily27.html?ana=from_rss

While Ramtha looks on – Tearful testimony wraps up: Knight-Weaver trial (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008175111_webjzknight12m.html?syndication=rss

DIVERSIONS

Verizon Worker Charged in 5,000 Illicit Phone Calls – Tapped into customers’ telephone lines
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1550660/verizon_worker_charged_in_5000_illicit_sex_calls/

$54 Million 'Pants' Lawsuit Headed Back to Court
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0908/552285.html

Lost cat returned home after nine years
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSKUA05610520080910?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Hallucinogenic chocolates doom Berlin sweet shop
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSLC48222220080912?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Follow-Up File: Police find source of dead animals found in Dublin High lockers
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_10441764?source=rss

Energy News Digest for Setpember 11, 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)

- Battle over whether Jefferson PUD should become power provider heats up
- PSE ups ante in public power campaign
- MONTANA – BPA’s Libby to Troy Transmission Line rebuild draws significant local interest
- Business Man wants More Nuclear Power Production in Tri-Cities
- BPA Right of Way Encroachments – West Pasco Fences Have Residents Boxed In
- Faulty City of Richland Wire Fries Home Owner's Electronics, Allegedly
- ILLINOIS – High-powered changes in how you get electricity
- KBR lands deal for Louisiana clean coal plant
- Alaska chum eggs are liquid gold
- Chinook Salmon – Notorious non-biters are elusive as ever
- Puget Sound Coho fishery shows mixed results
- Activities celebrate importance of salmon
- To contain a fish-killing virus – Feds set fish shipment rules for Great Lakes
- Olympia Area to see increase in wastewater '09 fees
- OREGON – Klamath Tribes propose biomass energy plant
- Expanded Biodiesel Plant Opens in Oregon
- Former Refrigerator Factory to Produce PV Panels & Wind Turbines
- UTAH – Solar energy system offers a ray of hope to cash-strapped Clark Planetarium
- Green Power Generated From Cow Manure Flows on Ohio Electric Cooperative Lines
- CALIFORNIA – Energy-saving lights go up on 2 Bay Area bridges
- PenLight to send five free compact Fluorescent lights
- OREGON – Northern Wasco County PUD looks for new ways to save power
- Albuquerque Journal Op/Ed – T. Boone: Where's the Energy Conservation Piece?
- Study says old growth forests bank carbon dioxide
- British Columbia’s carbon tax could be axed for good
- Verizon, Your Hypocrisy is Showing
- Verizon leaps into digital TV
- Remains Are of North Mason Man Who Went Missing in Flood
- Washington human rights commissioner forced to quit
- MONTANA – Plum Creek cutting jobs
- Judge OKs White Pass resort expansion

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Circumlocution • \ser-kum-loke-YOO-shun\ • noun – 1: the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea 2: evasion in speech

Abner’s presence at any public hearing made the small hairs on the back of the clerk’s neck stand up. His famed circumlocution was the stuff of legend, creating crippling injuries in the writing hands of news reporters clerks of boards, and more. The most amazing thing was that Abner had mastered the art of diaphragmatic breathing…so it appeared that during his hours long, droning testimony it appeared that he never had to stop for breath.

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

Battle over whether Jefferson PUD should become power provider heats up (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080911/NEWS/809110303

PSE ups ante in public power campaign (Port Townsend Leader, WA)
http://www.ptleader.com/Main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=21800

MONTANA – BPA’s Libby to Troy Transmission Line rebuild draws significant local interest (The Western News, Libby MT)
http://www.thewesternnews.com/articles/2008/09/10/news/news01.txt

Business Man wants More Nuclear Power Production in Tri-Cities (KNDO-TV, Tri Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=8988787

BPA Right of Way Encroachments – West Pasco Fences Have Residents Boxed In (KEPR-TV, Pasco, WA)
http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/28226194.html

Faulty City of Richland Wire Fries Home Owner's Electronics, Allegedly (KEPR-TV, Pasco, WA)
http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/28118924.html

ILLINOIS – High-powered changes in how you get electricity – State approves rate hike for ComEd to begin developing a new system; critics may appeal, saying customers shouldn't have to pay so much (Chicago Tribune)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-thu-electric-grid-sep11,0,1724894.story

KBR lands deal for Louisiana clean coal plant (Houston Business Journal, TX)
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/09/08/daily38.html?ana=from_rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Alaska chum eggs are liquid gold (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008170888_apakchumcaviar.html?syndication=rss

Chinook Salmon – Notorious non-biters are elusive as ever (Yakima Herald-Republic , WA)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/7494

Puget Sound Coho fishery shows mixed results (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2008172082_fish11.html

Activities celebrate importance of salmon (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/378630_salmonbrief11.html?source=rss

To contain a fish-killing virus – Feds set fish shipment rules for Great Lakes (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008172630_apfishvirus.html?syndication=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Olympia Area to see increase in wastewater '09 fees (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/581361.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

OREGON – Klamath Tribes propose biomass energy plant (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1581530~Klamath_Tribes_propose_biomass_energy_plant.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Expanded Biodiesel Plant Opens in Oregon (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53551&src=rss

Former Refrigerator Factory to Produce PV Panels & Wind Turbines (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53547&src=rss

UTAH – Solar energy system offers a ray of hope to cash-strapped Clark Planetarium (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)
http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_10430277

Green Power Generated From Cow Manure Flows on Ohio Electric Cooperative Lines (MarketWatch)
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/green-power-generated-cow-manure/story.aspx?guid=%7BCC7CC4D8-CC4C-4F09-9BA8-C99A477D8059%7D&dist=hppr

CALIFORNIA – Energy-saving lights go up on 2 Bay Area bridges (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1581440~Energy_saving_lights_go_up_on_2_Bay_Area_bridges.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

CONSERVATION

PenLight to send five free compact Fluorescent lights (The Peninsula Gateway, Gig Harbor, WA)
http://www.gateline.com/104/story/2323.html

OREGON – Northern Wasco County PUD looks for new ways to save power (The Dalles, Chronicle, OR)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2008/09/news09-10-08-03.shtml

Albuquerque Journal Op/Ed – T. Boone: Where's the Energy Conservation Piece?
http://www.abqjournal.com/abqnews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8592&Itemid=31

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Study says old growth forests bank carbon dioxide (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/378569_oldgrowth11.html?source=rss

British Columbia’s carbon tax could be axed for good (The Hook, Canada)
http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Election-Central/2008/09/09/LeeTax/

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Verizon, Your Hypocrisy is Showing – Company’s effort to refute statistics used by organizations that claim the U.S. is falling behind in speed or has really pricey broadband compared with other nations (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/09/10/verizon-your-hypocrisy-is-showing/

Verizon leaps into digital TV – Its fiber-optic service offers 250 channels in Snohomish County (Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080909/BIZ/709099896/0/NEWS01

GENERAL NEWS

Remains Are of North Mason Man Who Went Missing in Flood (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/sep/10/remains-are-of-man-who-went-missing-in-december/?partner=RSS

Washington human rights commissioner forced to quit – An audit showed improper use of rental cars and a state credit card (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/581336.html

MONTANA – Plum Creek cutting jobs – Plum Creek Timber is reducing jobs at its Columbia Falls plant that makes a type of board out of wood waste (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008173073_apmtplumcreeklayoffs.html?syndication=rss

Judge OKs White Pass resort expansion (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008172405_whitepass11m.html?syndication=rss

DIVERSIONS

Ashes from company barbecue started Portland fire
http://www.examiner.com/a-1581178~Ashes_from_company_barbecue_started_Portland_fire.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Screaming ads have TV viewers running – Stop to watch the scenery before you mute out Billy Mays
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/virgin/378575_virgin11.html?source=rss

City Forgets Location Of Time Capsule
http://www.kirotv.com/irresistible/17447794/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000209112008&ts=H

Mouth To Meow-th: Firefighter Revives Cat
http://www.kirotv.com/family/17443402/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_nots&tmi=sea_nots_1_01000209112008&ts=H

Judge Tosses Lawsuits Against 'Borat' – Plaintiffs Signed Agreements, Accepted Money Court Says
http://www.kirotv.com/entertainment/17436389/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_4pm&tmi=sea_4pm_1_06000409102008&ts=H

26 pearls found in one oyster
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008172229_pearls11.html

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Energy News Digest for Setpember 10, 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)

- Seattle Times Editorial –PSE's labyrinth ownership deal
- Randy Hardy: Expert Analysis Shows Proposed New PUDs Competing for BPA Power Will Significantly Increase Electric Rates
- Puget Sound Energy Busy Cutting Contractor Checks
- Post-Intelligencery Columnist – Chasing nuclear energy windmills
- Chelan County PUD Energy Resources manager to receive year’s pay as severance
- Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative vs. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Wyden Wants Alaskan Gas Exports Revoked
- Pa. governor may seek to extend electric rate caps
- Public Utilities Say States Such as Pennsylvania Must Begin Protecting Consumers
- To win the presidential race, it takes energy
- Legal Fees Set in Enron Case
- Kickapoo Nation Sets Sights On Energy Independence
- Washington tribes netting clues on salmon
- Cold water rings dinner bell for West Coast salmon
- Idaho Fish Tales – Salmon migration numbers raise hopes
- IDAHO – Is this salmon recovery?
- Supervisors briefed on Klamath River salmon plague
- 700 North American freshwater fish species at risk, survey says
- Project restores fish habitat on Entiat River
- OREGON – New fish intake is taking shape
- Salmon fish success centered at Bridgeport
- Willapa Bay oyster grower sues state over herbicides
- Creation Of Lake Management District Sent To Mason Lake Property Owners
- Portland Will Use More Well Water In The Future
- Eco-Friendly Burials Take ‘Green’ to the Grave
- Department of Energy installs solar system on DC headquarters
- The Clean Energy Act could mean lower carbon emissions – and lower electric bills
- PENNSYLVANIA – Energy conservation pushed
- Inflate This: Conservation and Efficiency Are Key to Our Energy Future
- To slow global warming, install white roofs
- Listen: The Methane Time Bomb is Ticking Very Loudly! Delaware Is A Broadband Beast – Washington State is Dead Last
- Earthlink Expands Presence In California
- Google-backed project aims to give 3 billion more people Net access
- Massachusetts – New Ashford could be wired this month
- Congress questions high cost of texting
- Pentagon's delay of Air Force tanker decision is victory for Boeing
- Kitsap and Mason Home Prices Rise
- Olympia’s Nuclear-free law loses 5-2 vote
- 120 Foot Wireless Tower Stolen
- Petition to Move Benton County Seat to Kennewick
- Massive particle collider passes first key tests
- Berkeley Tree Protesters Climb Down

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Gestalt • \guh-STALT\ • noun: a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts (think of the statement that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts).

A football team is a perfect example of gestalt; a quarterback, lineman, or running back alone cannot win a game. But as a unit, their varied talents enable the individual talents to overcome defenders and score.

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

Seattle Times Editorial –PSE's labyrinth ownership deal
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008170013_pugeted10.html

Randy Hardy: Expert Analysis Shows Proposed New PUDs Competing for BPA Power Will Significantly Increase Electric Rates (MarketWatch)
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/expert-analysis-shows-proposed-new/story.aspx?guid=%7B88F779FB-4ED8-4E45-A5E3-19B98DA4E2F3%7D&dist=hppr

Puget Sound Energy Busy Cutting Contractor Checks (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews/?PSE-Busy-Cutting-Contractor-Checks=1&blockID=13598&feedID=410

Post-Intelligencery Columnist – Chasing nuclear energy windmills (Seattle, WA)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/378384_jacksononline10.html?source=rss

Chelan County PUD Energy Resources manager to receive year’s pay as severance – Lowe agrees to resign after receiving $178,000 deal (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20080909/NEWS04/709099929

Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative vs. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission “…license to construct, operate, and maintain a new hydroelectric power generating facility at Hebgen Dam on the Madison River in Gallatin County, Montana. (Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals – Links to PDF File)
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/DC442E6BCB77C45C882574BF008063BC/$file/0671944.pdf?openelement

Wyden Wants Alaskan Gas Exports Revoked (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3015-wyden-wants-alaskan-gas-exports-revoked/

Pa. governor may seek to extend electric rate caps – Pennsylvania governor says he would seek to extend electric rate caps if lawmakers don't act (CNN Money)
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/2a3ae451ff9c9b6c574c6275413a2bfc.htm

Public Utilities Say States Such as Pennsylvania Must Begin Protecting Consumers from Big Jumps in Their Electricity Bills by Getting Congress to Fix the System (MarketWatch)
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/states-such-pennsylvania-say-public/story.aspx?guid=%7BCABC5B59-6C55-4065-98DF-B7B5E0DD8C85%7D&dist=hppr

To win the presidential race, it takes energy (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2008-09-10-candidates-energy-policy_N.htm

Legal Fees Set in Enron Case – Lawyers for investors in Enron will get $688 million in fees (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/business/10enron.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Kickapoo Nation Sets Sights On Energy Independence (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53533&src=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington tribes netting clues on salmon – Fish are being caught and tagged for a study, so expect to see fishing equipment out early (The Everett Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080910/NEWS01/709109836/-1/rss02

Cold water rings dinner bell for West Coast salmon (The Associated Press)
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ibLVYcDJgJZFW5xdPsBEqYrhnSugD933IR800

Idaho Fish Tales – Salmon migration numbers raise hopes (Boise Weekly, ID)
http://www.boiseweekly.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A317252

IDAHO – Is this salmon recovery? Officials hope thousands of Redfish Lake sockeye will return someday (Mountain Express, Sun Valley, ID)
http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005122538

Supervisors briefed on Klamath River salmon plague (Eureka Times-Standard, CA)
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10425955?source=rss

700 North American freshwater fish species at risk, survey says (Miami Herald, FL)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/679698.html

Project restores fish habitat on Entiat River (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080909/NEWS04/709099975

OREGON – New fish intake is taking shape – Goal is to be moving fish, improving water quality by April (The Bend Bulletin, OR)
http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080909/NEWS0107/809090423/-1/rss

Salmon fish success centered at Bridgeport (Omak Chronicle, WA)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/spt/s080909k.shtml

Willapa Bay oyster grower sues state over herbicides (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/09/10//area_news/doc48c764a757828519351721.txt

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Mason County Commission To Send Creation Of Lake Management District To Mason Lake Property Owners (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/selectmoduleid/3468/ArticleID/4991/reftab/1896/Default.aspx

Portland Will Use More Well Water In The Future (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/3007-portland-will-use-more-well-water-future/

Eco-Friendly Burials Take ‘Green’ to the Grave (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/environment/Sept-Octo/Eco-Friendly-Burials-Take--Green--to-the-Grave.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Department of Energy installs solar system on DC headquarters (Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2008/09/08/daily37.html?ana=from_rss

Cleaner and cheaper – The Clean Energy Act could mean lower carbon emissions – and lower electric bills (San Francisco Bay Guardian)
http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=7067&volume_id=317&issue_id=395&volume_num=42&issue_num=50&l=1

CONSERVATION

PENNSYLVANIA – Energy conservation pushed (Delco Times, Primus, PA)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20113489&BRD=1675&PAG=461&dept_id=18177&rfi=6

Inflate This: Conservation and Efficiency Are Key to Our Energy Future (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/recolumnists/story?id=53526

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

To slow global warming, install white roofs (Los Angeles Times, CA)
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-roofs10-2008sep10,0,2976609.story

Listen: The Methane Time Bomb is Ticking Very Loudly! (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/story?id=53529&src=rss

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Delaware Is A Broadband Beast – New Akamai study ranks fastest countries, States “…Slowest in the Nation: Washington State once again topped the list of U.S. states with the largest percentage of connections observed at
256 Kbps or below…” (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Delaware-Is-A-Broadband-Beast-97602

Earthlink Expands Presence In California – Will offer cable broadband via Time Warner Cable (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Earthlink-Expands-Presence-In-California-97611

Google-backed project aims to give 3 billion more people Net access (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10037036-94.html?tag=nl.e703

Massachusetts – New Ashford could be wired this month (North Adams Transcript, MA)
http://www.thetranscript.com/ci_10426823

Congress questions high cost of texting – The price of text messaging has doubled industry-wide in the last three years, and Congress wants to know why (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10037221-38.html?tag=nl.e703

GENERAL NEWS

Pentagon's delay of Air Force tanker decision is victory for Boeing (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008170299_webtanker10.html?syndication=rss

Kitsap and Mason Home Prices Rise (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/sep/09/kitsap-and-mason-home-prices-rise/?partner=RSS

Olympia’s Nuclear-free law loses 5-2 vote – Supporters of ordinance fail to sway council (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/579694.html

120 Foot Wireless Tower Stolen – Risk-Taking Thieves Steal Scrap Metal (WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA)
http://www.wjactv.com/news/17432092/detail.html

Fred Staples Gets Ready to File Petition to Move Benton County Seat to Kennewick (KNDO-TV, Tri Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=8981341

Massive particle collider passes first key tests (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008168681_apbigbang.html?syndication=rss

Berkeley Tree Protesters Climb Down (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/us/10tree.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

DIVERSIONS

Airline 'Loses' Corpse – Horrified Hubby Sues
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09092008/news/regionalnews/airline_loses_corpse_128154.htm?CMP=EMC-email_edition&DATE=09092008

Dublin High School lockers stuffed with dead animals
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_10420735?source=rss

Man Says He's Eaten 23K Big Macs Since 1972
http://www.kirotv.com/health/17438058/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_12pm&tmi=sea_12pm_1_02000209102008&ts=H

Postman hoards 20,000 letters in Germany
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL946086520080909?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest