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 Northwest turns to natural gas
- Power resources topic of meeting – Grant County PUD plans to push for power conservation
- Pacific Power rates going up?
- Avista rate increases challenged
- Joe Kelliher’s forecast is for electricity rates to keep on rising
- Whidbey Island public power debate set
- Fluid debate over gas supply
- Building nuclear plants may push Tennessee Valley Authority debt limit
- State to honor Wenatchee Valley workers for heroic acts
- Nisqually Tribe helps to restore 300 acres for juvenile salmon
- City of Tacoma looks to plot long-term strategy for afflicted Wapato Lake
- Scientists monitor growing Lake Erie algae bloom
- University of California hits tree-sitters with expensive surprise
- Simpson's evolution – Company moves from pulp and paper to lumber and energy
- Growing Number of Wind Farms Demand Labor
- Kitsap Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Project Wins $2.5 Million Federal Grant
- Richland net metering project – Going green pays for homeowner
- California Public Utilities Commission says no to renewable energy measure
- N.Y. Tests Turbines to Produce Power – City Taps Current Of the East River
- Human Waste Used As Manure For Switchgrass Crops Turned To Biofuel
- Are tankless (natural gas) water heaters worth the cost?
- NEW HAMPSHIRE – Church’s energy forum offers homeowners’ advice
- Oklahoma residents kill their lights to save energy
- First US greenhouse gas auction set for Thursday
- Environmentalists see flaws in pollution credit program
- Help offered to replace wood stoves
- OREGON – Redmond couple told Qwest tech cut phone line
- Google browser's tracking feature alarms developers, privacy advocates
- Another Small Citywide Wi-Fi Network Fades Out
- Connect Maine: 90% Broadband Penetration by 2010
- Comcast to Install Speed Bumps for Bandwidth Hogs
- Two dead in crash in Shelton, drinking suspected
- Cache found on Olympic Peninsula shooter, including slain officer's service weapon
- Mistake stalls Washington State development grants
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Magus • \MAY-guss\ • noun – 1a: a member of a hereditary priestly class among the ancient Medes and Persians often capitalized: one of the traditionally three wise men from the East paying homage to the infant Jesus 2: magician, sorcerer
“Do not refer to us as the information technology staff any longer,” announced the Elbonian computer technician. “We are now the Microsoft Magus (Or is it Magi), protectors of data; and miracle workers with software.”
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 Northwest turns to natural gas – ENW is expected to unveil a plan within the next two months for a natural gas plant at the Port of Kalama, according to a state energy official (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/09/22//area_news/10427264.txt
Power resources topic of meeting – Grant County PUD plans to push for power conservation by supporting a state incentive in January to pay for solar water heaters in homes and businesses (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2008/09/19/news/news04.txt
Pacific Power rates going up? (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/7817
Avista rate increases challenged (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1596762~Avista_rate_increases_challenged.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Joe Kelliher’s forecast is for electricity rates to keep on rising (The Telegram and Gazette, Worcester, MA)
http://www.telegram.com/article/20080920/NEWS/809200345/1116
Whidbey Island public power debate set (Whidbey Examiner, Coupeville, WA)
http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=1729&TM=59588.92
Fluid debate over gas supply – A look at the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal planned for the Columbia River. What's the project (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1221792914291940.xml&coll=7
Building nuclear plants may push Tennessee Valley Authority debt limit (The Associated Press)
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080918/BUSINESS/809180340/1003/business
State to honor Wenatchee Valley workers for heroic acts – Two Chelan PUD employees rescued a man from drowning… (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080920/NEWS04/709209868
FISH & WILDLIFE
Nisqually Tribe helps to restore 300 acres for juvenile salmon (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/590189.html
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
City of Tacoma looks to plot long-term strategy for afflicted Wapato Lake (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/487452.html
Scientists monitor growing Lake Erie algae bloom – Giant floating fields of algae are back in strength this year on Lake Erie and scientists are trying to figure out why (The Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008192142_apboomingalgaebloom.html?syndication=rss
University of California hits tree-sitters with expensive surprise (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/22/BAUB131HLG.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Simpson's evolution – Company moves from pulp and paper to lumber and energy (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/488148.html
Growing Number of Wind Farms Demand Labor (KEPR-TV, Pasco, WA)
http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/28675034.html
Kitsap Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Project Wins $2.5 Million Federal Grant (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/sep/19/seed-project-wins-25-million-federal-grant/?partner=RSS
Richland net metering project – Going green pays for homeowner (Tri City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/322775.html
California Public Utilities Commission says no to renewable energy measure (Sacramento Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2008/09/15/daily86.html?ana=from_rss
N.Y. Tests Turbines to Produce Power – City Taps Current Of the East River (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/19/AR2008091903729.html?nav=rss_nation
Human Waste Used As Manure For Switchgrass Crops Turned To Biofuel (KNDO-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9043139
CONSERVATION
Are tankless (natural gas) water heaters worth the cost? (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/consumer/28449824.html
NEW HAMPSHIRE – Church’s energy forum offers homeowners’ advice (The Cabinet, Milford, NH)
http://www.cabinet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080920/MILFORD01/809199909
Oklahoma residents kill their lights to save energy (Oklahoma University Daily)
http://www.oudaily.com/news/2008/sep/22/residents-kill-their-lights-save-energy/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
First US greenhouse gas auction set for Thursday (Associated Press)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080921/carbon_auction.html?.v=1
Environmentalists see flaws in pollution credit program – Western states: Advocates say credit auctions would raise money for needed work (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1221787512166630.xml&coll=7
Help offered to replace wood stoves – A state agency has $160,000 available to coax people out of their old, smoke-spewing heaters (The Everett Herald, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080920/NEWS01/709209918/-1/RSS02
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
OREGON – Redmond couple told Qwest tech cut phone line – Phone utility investigating report of disgruntled worker (KTVZ-TV, Bend OR)
http://www.ktvz.com/global/story.asp?s=9043160&ClientType=Printable
Google browser's tracking feature alarms developers, privacy advocates – But web surfers can opt out, sort of (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10510989?source=rss
Another Small Citywide Wi-Fi Network Fades Out – Boynton Beach throws in the towel (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Another-Small-Citywide-WiFi-Network-Fades-Out-97877
Connect Maine: 90% Broadband Penetration by 2010 – Can the state of Maine meet its broadband goals? (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Connect-ME-90-Broadband-Penetration-by-2010-97898
Comcast to Install Speed Bumps for Bandwidth Hogs (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/
GENERAL NEWS
Two dead in crash in Shelton, drinking suspected (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1599679~2_dead_in_crash_in_Shelton__drinking_suspected.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines
Cache found on Olympic Peninsula shooter, including slain forest officer's service weapon (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080922/NEWS/809220307
Mistake stalls Washington State development grants – It was big money for Vancouver, Mount Vernon, Yakima and Whitman County: millions of dollars to help with redevelopment efforts (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/379918_waterfront20.html?source=rss
DIVERSIONS
Woman named Bacon wins Idaho hog-calling title
http://www.examiner.com/a-1599544~Woman_named_Bacon_wins_Idaho_hog_calling_title.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines
Wis. man convicted of robbing toddler's piggy bank
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080919/ap_on_fe_st/odd_piggy_bank_robbery;_ylt=Aox60sI4_uTYkyevY5Y4KCPtiBIF
SoCal officials to pave over music-making asphalt
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/odd_musical_road;_ylt=AorFacB3lI4QPhzqX2bMIdvtiBIF
Monday, September 22, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Energy News Digest for September 19, 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)
- OREGON – Feds approve controversial liquefied natural gas terminal
- Columbian Editorial – In Our View: LNG battle rages
- Warren Buffet’s MidAmerican Energy to buy Constellation for $4.7B
- MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, piece by piece
- Baltimore Sun Columnist – What could have gone wrong at Constellation?
- Chelan PUD seeks public comment on rate changes
- CANADA – TransAlta takeover looks unlikely
- In Montana, coal's future enters governor's race
- Dayton Daily News Editorial – Comparing how power companies respond to crisis
- MICHIGAN – Governor will sign bills to raise power rates, increase alternative energy
- Boston Globe Columnist – Smart electricity: New England states have laid out an ambitious agenda to slow the growth in electricity use
- FERC Decision Reaffirms PJM's Reliability Pricing Model, Supports Competition
- Salmon industry aid $70 million short – $100 million in disaster relief released to West Coast salmon
- Privately Owned Fisheries May Help Shore Up Stocks
- Seattle Post Intelligencer Editorial – Overfishing: It's quota time
- Shoshone-Bannock Tribes join other tribes, federal agencies and states on fish agreements
- Groups aim to spend money on fish, not court
- OREGON – Klamath Dam protesters rally in Portland
- Chinook transported above Condit Dam on the White Salmon River
- Chinook fishing reopens Saturday in lower Columbia River
- CANADA – Declining salmon runs blamed for wilderness tourism slump
- Bread Stays on Menu for Carp at Pennsylvania Lake
- Hundreds flock to Monroe to watch migrating birds
- Court ruling – EPA must limit builders' water pollution
- MONTANA – Water usage discussed in Flathead
- Planet is running out of clean water, new film warns
- Oregon State gets wave energy grant
- Georgia utility to build biomass-fueled power plants
- CALIFORNIA – Big push for energy-efficient construction
- How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient
- Google's 'Smart Grid' idea? Get the government to pay for it
- Enviros: Western climate plan lets polluters slide
- Chicago Unveils Multifaceted Plan to Curb Emissions of Heat-Trapping Gases
- Permafrost May Not Thaw Even During Global Warming
- CALIFORNIA – Study says greening will raise state's economy
- Old Farmer's Almanac predicts global cooling
- Google's U.S. share of Web search reaches 63 percent
- Study Ranks Washington 6th In Nation For State Government Technology Service
- Snip! Nearly One-Fifth of Homes Have No Landline
- WaMu launches effort to reassure anxious customers
- State facing a projected $3.2 billion deficit in next budget
- Lumber production hits decade low
- Cell tower worker who fell and later died was not using safety harness
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Euphony • \YOO-fuh-nee\ • noun – *1: pleasing or sweet sound; especially: the acoustic effect produced by words so formed or combined as to please the ear 2: a harmonious succession of words having a pleasing sound
Good grief, two JRR Tolkien references in one week! But I have to admit, this is a good example of today’s word of the day: euphony. “…Cellar door is a combination of words in the English language once characterized by JRR Tolkien to have an especially beautiful sound. In his 1955 essay ‘English and Welsh’: Most English-speaking people...will admit that cellar door is 'beautiful', especially if dissociated from its sense (and from its spelling). More beautiful than, say, sky, and far more beautiful than beautiful…” – Wikipedia.
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
OREGON – Feds approve controversial liquefied natural gas terminal (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/09/15/daily30.html?ana=from_rss
Columbian Editorial – In Our View: LNG battle rages
http://columbian.com/article/20080919/OPINION02/809189952/-1/opinion
Warren Buffet’s MidAmerican Energy to buy Constellation for $4.7B (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/09/18/financial/f063037D63.DTL&feed=rss.business
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, piece by piece (Baltimore Sun, MD)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-midamerican0919-side,0,1650032.story
Baltimore Sun Columnist – What could have gone wrong at Constellation? (Maryland)
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/hancock/blog/2008/09/what_could_have_gone_wrong_at.html
Chelan PUD seeks public comment on rate changes (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080918/NEWS04/709185216
CANADA – TransAlta takeover looks unlikely (National Post)
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/tradingdesk/archive/2008/09/18/transalta-takeover-looks-unlikely.aspx
In Montana, coal's future enters governor's race (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1595569~In_Montana__coal_s_future_enters_governor_s_race.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines
Dayton Daily News Editorial – Comparing how power companies respond to crisis (Ohio)
http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/oh/story/opinions/editorial/2008/09/18/ddn091808powerxxmg.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=22
MICHIGAN – Governor will sign bills to raise power rates, increase alternative energy (The Detroit News)
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080918/METRO/809180450
Boston Globe Columnist – Smart electricity: New England states have laid out an ambitious agenda to slow the growth in electricity use (Gordon van Welie is president and CEO of ISO New England Inc)
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/09/18/smart_electricity/
NEWS RELEASE – FERC Decision Reaffirms PJM's Reliability Pricing Model, Supports Competition (Yahoo! Business)
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080918/20080918006364.html?.v=1
FISH & WILDLIFE
Salmon industry aid $70 million short – $100 million in disaster relief released to West Coast salmon fishermen: $70 million less than the amount Congress approved to help (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/18/MN7513001E.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Privately Owned Fisheries May Help Shore Up Stocks (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/science/19fish.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Seattle Post Intelligencer Editorial – Overfishing: It's quota time
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/379726_fished.html?source=rss
News Release – Shoshone-Bannock Tribes join other tribes, federal agencies and states on fish agreements (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/227968/
Groups aim to spend money on fish, not court – Struggle…has stepped away from the courthouse and is shifting to the gravel riverbeds of the Columbia River basin (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/321810.html
OREGON – Klamath Dam protesters rally in Portland (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1594937~Klamath_Dam_protesters_rally_in_Portland.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Chinook transported above Condit Dam on the White Salmon River (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20080919/NEWS02/809189914/-1/news
Chinook fishing reopens Saturday in lower Columbia River (Salem Statesman Journal, OR)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/OUTDOORS/80919001/1034/SPORTS
CANADA – Declining salmon runs blamed for wilderness tourism slump (Globe and Mail, Canada)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080919.wbcsalmon19/BNStory/National/home
Bread Stays on Menu for Carp at Pennsylvania Lake (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/us/19carp.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Hundreds flock to Monroe to watch migrating birds (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008189290_swifts19m0.html
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
EPA must limit builders' water pollution – U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a California suit by the Natural Resources Defense Council (Los Angeles Times, CA)
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cleanwater19-2008sep19,0,4915271.story
MONTANA – Water usage discussed in Flathead – “…state gave utility company Avista water rights on the Clark Fork River, putting extreme limits on water rights for Flathead County residents…” (KAJ, Kalispell)
http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=9039151
Planet is running out of clean water, new film warns (CNN)
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/09/17/water.crisis/
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon State gets wave energy grant (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1595765~Oregon_State_gets_wave_energy_grant.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Georgia utility to build biomass-fueled power plants (Atlanta Business Chronicle)
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/09/15/daily78.html?ana=from_rss
CONSERVATION
CALIFORNIA – Big push for energy-efficient construction (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/19/BU3D130NBR.DTL
How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient – Here’s expert advice to help you slash your utility bills (Mother Earth News)
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/2008-10-01/How-To-Lower-Utility-Bills.aspx
Google's 'Smart Grid' idea? Get the government to pay for it (The Register)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/19/google_ge_smart_grid_ploy/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Enviros: Western climate plan lets polluters slide (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/enviros_western_climate_plan_l.html
Chicago Unveils Multifaceted Plan to Curb Emissions of Heat-Trapping Gases (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/us/19chicago.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1221840390-t7GuUl5Itx8QfKmGl2Be8A
Permafrost May Not Thaw Even During Global Warming (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/23/science/23obsperm.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
CALIFORNIA – Study says greening will raise state's economy (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/17/MNVQ13000N.DTL&feed=rss.news
Old Farmer's Almanac predicts global cooling (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080918/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_almanac_weather;_ylt=AiGiS1xUgDlvshXgxoXHrH_tiBIF
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Google's U.S. share of Web search reaches 63 percent (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN1841833120080918?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest
Study Ranks Washington 6th In Nation For State Government Technology Service (KNDO-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9037611
Snip! Nearly One-Fifth of Homes Have No Landline (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/snip-nearly-one-fifth-of-homes-have-no-landline/
GENERAL NEWS
WaMu launches effort to reassure anxious customers (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/09/15/daily36.html?ana=from_rss
State facing a projected $3.2 billion deficit in next budget (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/379644_forecast19.html
Lumber production hits decade low (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/09/15/daily29.html?ana=from_rss
Port Angeles – Cell tower worker who fell and later died was not using safety harness (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080919/NEWS/809190303
DIVERSIONS
Trapped In Vent, Museum Burglar Calls Police – Man Tells Police 'He's A Special Agent'
http://www.kirotv.com/news/17503721/detail.html
Accused Drug Dealer Adds Gas Tax to Price of Dope, Police Say
http://www.kirotv.com/money/17503324/detail.html
Tiny Toads Take Over Neighborhood – Puddles Left By Tropical Storm Fay Become Breeding Ground
http://www.kirotv.com/family/17510078/detail.html
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
- OREGON – Feds approve controversial liquefied natural gas terminal
- Columbian Editorial – In Our View: LNG battle rages
- Warren Buffet’s MidAmerican Energy to buy Constellation for $4.7B
- MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, piece by piece
- Baltimore Sun Columnist – What could have gone wrong at Constellation?
- Chelan PUD seeks public comment on rate changes
- CANADA – TransAlta takeover looks unlikely
- In Montana, coal's future enters governor's race
- Dayton Daily News Editorial – Comparing how power companies respond to crisis
- MICHIGAN – Governor will sign bills to raise power rates, increase alternative energy
- Boston Globe Columnist – Smart electricity: New England states have laid out an ambitious agenda to slow the growth in electricity use
- FERC Decision Reaffirms PJM's Reliability Pricing Model, Supports Competition
- Salmon industry aid $70 million short – $100 million in disaster relief released to West Coast salmon
- Privately Owned Fisheries May Help Shore Up Stocks
- Seattle Post Intelligencer Editorial – Overfishing: It's quota time
- Shoshone-Bannock Tribes join other tribes, federal agencies and states on fish agreements
- Groups aim to spend money on fish, not court
- OREGON – Klamath Dam protesters rally in Portland
- Chinook transported above Condit Dam on the White Salmon River
- Chinook fishing reopens Saturday in lower Columbia River
- CANADA – Declining salmon runs blamed for wilderness tourism slump
- Bread Stays on Menu for Carp at Pennsylvania Lake
- Hundreds flock to Monroe to watch migrating birds
- Court ruling – EPA must limit builders' water pollution
- MONTANA – Water usage discussed in Flathead
- Planet is running out of clean water, new film warns
- Oregon State gets wave energy grant
- Georgia utility to build biomass-fueled power plants
- CALIFORNIA – Big push for energy-efficient construction
- How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient
- Google's 'Smart Grid' idea? Get the government to pay for it
- Enviros: Western climate plan lets polluters slide
- Chicago Unveils Multifaceted Plan to Curb Emissions of Heat-Trapping Gases
- Permafrost May Not Thaw Even During Global Warming
- CALIFORNIA – Study says greening will raise state's economy
- Old Farmer's Almanac predicts global cooling
- Google's U.S. share of Web search reaches 63 percent
- Study Ranks Washington 6th In Nation For State Government Technology Service
- Snip! Nearly One-Fifth of Homes Have No Landline
- WaMu launches effort to reassure anxious customers
- State facing a projected $3.2 billion deficit in next budget
- Lumber production hits decade low
- Cell tower worker who fell and later died was not using safety harness
These and links to more stories in today’s Energy News Digest
WORD OF THE DAY
Euphony • \YOO-fuh-nee\ • noun – *1: pleasing or sweet sound; especially: the acoustic effect produced by words so formed or combined as to please the ear 2: a harmonious succession of words having a pleasing sound
Good grief, two JRR Tolkien references in one week! But I have to admit, this is a good example of today’s word of the day: euphony. “…Cellar door is a combination of words in the English language once characterized by JRR Tolkien to have an especially beautiful sound. In his 1955 essay ‘English and Welsh’: Most English-speaking people...will admit that cellar door is 'beautiful', especially if dissociated from its sense (and from its spelling). More beautiful than, say, sky, and far more beautiful than beautiful…” – Wikipedia.
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
OREGON – Feds approve controversial liquefied natural gas terminal (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/09/15/daily30.html?ana=from_rss
Columbian Editorial – In Our View: LNG battle rages
http://columbian.com/article/20080919/OPINION02/809189952/-1/opinion
Warren Buffet’s MidAmerican Energy to buy Constellation for $4.7B (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/09/18/financial/f063037D63.DTL&feed=rss.business
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, piece by piece (Baltimore Sun, MD)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-midamerican0919-side,0,1650032.story
Baltimore Sun Columnist – What could have gone wrong at Constellation? (Maryland)
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/hancock/blog/2008/09/what_could_have_gone_wrong_at.html
Chelan PUD seeks public comment on rate changes (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080918/NEWS04/709185216
CANADA – TransAlta takeover looks unlikely (National Post)
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/tradingdesk/archive/2008/09/18/transalta-takeover-looks-unlikely.aspx
In Montana, coal's future enters governor's race (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1595569~In_Montana__coal_s_future_enters_governor_s_race.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines
Dayton Daily News Editorial – Comparing how power companies respond to crisis (Ohio)
http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/oh/story/opinions/editorial/2008/09/18/ddn091808powerxxmg.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=22
MICHIGAN – Governor will sign bills to raise power rates, increase alternative energy (The Detroit News)
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080918/METRO/809180450
Boston Globe Columnist – Smart electricity: New England states have laid out an ambitious agenda to slow the growth in electricity use (Gordon van Welie is president and CEO of ISO New England Inc)
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/09/18/smart_electricity/
NEWS RELEASE – FERC Decision Reaffirms PJM's Reliability Pricing Model, Supports Competition (Yahoo! Business)
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080918/20080918006364.html?.v=1
FISH & WILDLIFE
Salmon industry aid $70 million short – $100 million in disaster relief released to West Coast salmon fishermen: $70 million less than the amount Congress approved to help (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/18/MN7513001E.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Privately Owned Fisheries May Help Shore Up Stocks (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/science/19fish.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Seattle Post Intelligencer Editorial – Overfishing: It's quota time
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/379726_fished.html?source=rss
News Release – Shoshone-Bannock Tribes join other tribes, federal agencies and states on fish agreements (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/227968/
Groups aim to spend money on fish, not court – Struggle…has stepped away from the courthouse and is shifting to the gravel riverbeds of the Columbia River basin (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/321810.html
OREGON – Klamath Dam protesters rally in Portland (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1594937~Klamath_Dam_protesters_rally_in_Portland.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Chinook transported above Condit Dam on the White Salmon River (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20080919/NEWS02/809189914/-1/news
Chinook fishing reopens Saturday in lower Columbia River (Salem Statesman Journal, OR)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/OUTDOORS/80919001/1034/SPORTS
CANADA – Declining salmon runs blamed for wilderness tourism slump (Globe and Mail, Canada)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080919.wbcsalmon19/BNStory/National/home
Bread Stays on Menu for Carp at Pennsylvania Lake (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/us/19carp.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Hundreds flock to Monroe to watch migrating birds (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008189290_swifts19m0.html
WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT
EPA must limit builders' water pollution – U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a California suit by the Natural Resources Defense Council (Los Angeles Times, CA)
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cleanwater19-2008sep19,0,4915271.story
MONTANA – Water usage discussed in Flathead – “…state gave utility company Avista water rights on the Clark Fork River, putting extreme limits on water rights for Flathead County residents…” (KAJ, Kalispell)
http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=9039151
Planet is running out of clean water, new film warns (CNN)
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/09/17/water.crisis/
RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Oregon State gets wave energy grant (The Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1595765~Oregon_State_gets_wave_energy_grant.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines
Georgia utility to build biomass-fueled power plants (Atlanta Business Chronicle)
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/09/15/daily78.html?ana=from_rss
CONSERVATION
CALIFORNIA – Big push for energy-efficient construction (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/19/BU3D130NBR.DTL
How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient – Here’s expert advice to help you slash your utility bills (Mother Earth News)
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/2008-10-01/How-To-Lower-Utility-Bills.aspx
Google's 'Smart Grid' idea? Get the government to pay for it (The Register)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/19/google_ge_smart_grid_ploy/
CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT
Enviros: Western climate plan lets polluters slide (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/enviros_western_climate_plan_l.html
Chicago Unveils Multifaceted Plan to Curb Emissions of Heat-Trapping Gases (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/us/19chicago.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1221840390-t7GuUl5Itx8QfKmGl2Be8A
Permafrost May Not Thaw Even During Global Warming (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/23/science/23obsperm.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
CALIFORNIA – Study says greening will raise state's economy (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/17/MNVQ13000N.DTL&feed=rss.news
Old Farmer's Almanac predicts global cooling (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080918/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_almanac_weather;_ylt=AiGiS1xUgDlvshXgxoXHrH_tiBIF
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Google's U.S. share of Web search reaches 63 percent (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN1841833120080918?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest
Study Ranks Washington 6th In Nation For State Government Technology Service (KNDO-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9037611
Snip! Nearly One-Fifth of Homes Have No Landline (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/snip-nearly-one-fifth-of-homes-have-no-landline/
GENERAL NEWS
WaMu launches effort to reassure anxious customers (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/09/15/daily36.html?ana=from_rss
State facing a projected $3.2 billion deficit in next budget (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/379644_forecast19.html
Lumber production hits decade low (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/09/15/daily29.html?ana=from_rss
Port Angeles – Cell tower worker who fell and later died was not using safety harness (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080919/NEWS/809190303
DIVERSIONS
Trapped In Vent, Museum Burglar Calls Police – Man Tells Police 'He's A Special Agent'
http://www.kirotv.com/news/17503721/detail.html
Accused Drug Dealer Adds Gas Tax to Price of Dope, Police Say
http://www.kirotv.com/money/17503324/detail.html
Tiny Toads Take Over Neighborhood – Puddles Left By Tropical Storm Fay Become Breeding Ground
http://www.kirotv.com/family/17510078/detail.html
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
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
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
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
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
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
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