Energy News Digest for January 21, 2009 - Plus New Feature: Song of the Day

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

The News Digest Is Also Available At The Following Web Site:
http://www.energynewsdigest.blogspot.com/

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

- Avista Customers Getting Big Bills
- State Auditor Critical of Centralia Utilities Spending
- Idaho Energy Czar: Give Transmission Priority Attention
- San Diego Gas & Electric Power Line to Desert Clears another Hurdle
- Nevada - Critics: Power Line Routes Favor Coal
- Texas - Electricity Rates Can Jolt the Unwary
- Endless Enron - Skilling's Attorneys File New Appeals
- Solar storms: how much grid liability they imply
- Lake Trout Harvest Gives Kokanee Shot at Comeback
- Green River - Damage Restricts Level at Howard Hanson Dam
- Seattle Times Op/Ed - Don't flush pharmaceuticals down the drain
- California Farmers Divided Over Sacramento Delta Canal Proposal
- States Join E.P.A. Study of Pathogens in Ohio River
- New Oregon Wind Farm Site Being Considered
- Solar Power Needs a Bailout Too
- Scripps News Service Op/Ed - Wind, Obama and the Energy Answer
- Phase-Out For Old-Style Light Bulbs Begins In 2012
- Smart Appliances Will Figure out How to Save You Energy
- BPA Surpasses Energy Efficiency Targets
- New Hampshire Hopeful about New Focus on Weatherizing Homes
- Gregoire Pushes Cap-And-Trade Bill
- Carbon Prices Tumble as Global Downturn Bites
- Does Broadband Need a Stimulus?
- Microsoft to delay starting new construction on Redmond campus
- FCC Fines Cable Operators over Channel Changes
- FCC Probes Comcast's Phone Practices
- Switch to Digital TV May Not Be as Smooth as Advertised
- Online Video of Inauguration Sets Records
- State stimulus plan a hard sell, officials say
- Washington State Bankruptcies Increase 40 Percent in 2008
- Port Of Shelton Commission Takes No Action on Manager
- Cox Replaces Hailey as State Rep

These And Links to More Stories in Today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Remora • \rih-MOR-uh\ • noun - 1: any of various marine fishes that have a suction disk on the head by means of which they cling especially to other fishes 2: hindrance, drag

Rudolph Valentino had many drags on his career as he rose to superstardom at the dawn of cinema. One of the least talked about is the presence of his “assistant” Fredo, who followed him, remora-like in hopes that the shine of Rudolph’s romantic reputation would rub off…benefiting him. It did not work, but the nagging presence continued for years, due to a mysterious favor from “Greasy Thumb” Cioppino that the actor could not refuse.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Avista Customers Getting Big Bills - Lots of Avista Utility Customers Are Getting a Surprise in Their Power Bill This Month (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008650779_apwaavistabills.html?syndication=rss

State Auditor Critical of Centralia Utilities Spending (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews/?State-Auditor-Critical-of-Centralia-Util=1&blockID=36557&feedID=410

Idaho Energy Czar: Give Transmission Priority Attention (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/733160.html

San Diego Gas & Electric Power Line to Desert Clears another Hurdle (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/21/state/n044240S05.DTL&feed=rss.business

Nevada - Critics: Power Line Routes Favor Coal - And, they say, feds failed to adequately account for effects on wildlife (Las Vegas Sun, NV)
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/20/critics-power-line-routes-favor-coal/

Texas - Electricity Rates Can Jolt the Unwary (Dallas Morning News, TX)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/012109dnbuselectricity.3f58cc3.html

Endless Enron - Skilling's Attorneys File New Appeals (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/20/financial/f120807S75.DTL&feed=rss.business

Solar storms: how much grid liability they imply (Energy Pulse Commentary)
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1910

FISH & WILDLIFE

Lake Trout Harvest Gives Kokanee Shot at Comeback “…they gobble up endangered bull trout and Kokanee, a landlocked sockeye salmon that once formed the basis of a multimillion-dollar fishery in Lake Pend Oreille…” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_id_mackinaw_harvest.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Green River - Damage Restricts Level at Howard Hanson Dam (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008650646_apwahowardhansondam.html?syndication=rss

Seattle Times Op/Ed - Don't flush pharmaceuticals down the drain
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008651132_opinc21moore.html

California Farmers Divided Over Sacramento Delta Canal Proposal (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008652676_apfarmscenedeltafarmers.html?syndication=rss

States Join E.P.A. Study of Pathogens in Ohio River (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/us/21ohio.html?_r=1&th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1232553269-00/ZPU14FTwbFJwYaeTjzQ

RENEWABLE ENERGY

New Oregon Wind Farm Site Being Considered (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1806557~New_wind_farm_site_being_considered.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Solar Power Needs a Bailout Too (Time Magazine)
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1872345,00.html?xid=rss-health

Scripps News Service Op/Ed - Wind, Obama and the Energy Answer
http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/40139

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Phase-Out For Old-Style Light Bulbs Begins In 2012 (Associated Press)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090120/BIZ/701209778/0/NEWS01

Smart Appliances Will Figure out How to Save You Energy (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/01/smart_appliances_will_soon_fig.html

News Release - BPA Surpasses Energy Efficiency Targets, Plans For Even More Effective Programs (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/249901/

New Hampshire Hopeful about New Focus on Weatherizing Homes (Associated Press)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28750291/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Gregoire Pushes Cap-And-Trade Bill - Emissions Would Come At a Cost (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/396852_cap20.html?source=rss

Carbon Prices Tumble as Global Downturn Bites - Remember that windfall from carbon auctions? Sorry Charlie (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/carbon-prices-tumble-as-global-downturn-bites/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Does Broadband Need a Stimulus? (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/does-broadband-need-a-stimulus/

Microsoft to delay starting new construction on Redmond campus (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoft/2008651775_microsoft21.html

FCC Fines Cable Operators over Channel Changes (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/20/financial/f122828S07.DTL&feed=rss.business

FCC Probes Comcast's Phone Practices – May Be Discriminatory To Other VOIP Providers (Associated Press)
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/01/20/technology/AP-FCC-Comcast.html

Technical Difficulties - Switch to Digital TV May Not Be as Smooth as Advertised (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012004015.html?nav=rss_email%2Fcomponents

Online Video of Inauguration Sets Records (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/us/politics/21video.html?_r=1

GENERAL NEWS

State stimulus plan a hard sell, officials say - Budget woes, deadline dim hopes for Gregoire package (Associated Press)
http://columbian.com/article/20090121/NEWS02/701219923/-1/NEWS

Washington State Bankruptcies Increase 40 Percent in 2008 (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1806065~Wash__bankruptcies_increase_40_percent_in_2008.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Port Of Shelton Commission Sets Officers for 2009 - No Action on Manager (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/6142/reftab/1632/t/PORT-COMMISSION-SETS-OFFICERS-FOR-2009---NO-ACTION-ON-MANAGER/Default.aspx

Cox Replaces Hailey as State Rep - Represents the Ninth District (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2009/01/20/news/doc497641f0d2c48736417990.txt

DIVERSIONS

France Looks Into "Magic Cheese" Case in South America
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE50J78920090120?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

At Art Exhibit – Indian Artist Finds Most of His Pictures on Display Are Fakes
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE50I13J20090120?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Mayor Denies Kissing Ban, Invites All To Pucker Up
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090121/ap_on_fe_st/lt_odd_mexico_kissing_capital;_ylt=AoxRr_Qo2weWAuDJlMhnikztiBIF

Buried Box Yields Texas Treasures after Hurricane
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/21/national/a080309S62.DTL&feed=rss.business

SONG OF THE DAY

Stardust – Nat King Cole (1957)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFyKAUBkdOs

Energy News Digest for January 20, 2009

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)

- Bonners Ferry City Administrator Named Public Power Council Chairman
- BPA Completes Removal of PCB Capacitors
- More Energy for Wanapum Dam
- Montana - NorthWestern Energy Wants To Spur Transmission Access
- Study: Electricity Usage Is Down
- DOE Report Paints Bleak Picture of Our Electric Future
- NY Times Editorial - Energy Inefficient
- Is The Power Grid Ready For Electric Cars?
- Statement of Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher At His Last Open FERC Meeting
- Columbian Op/Ed - Shelton Shellfish Farm Deserves Protection, Respect
- Bounty of Oysters: Nonprofit Shellfish Farm Achieves Goal
- Northwest Tribes Advance DNA Testing On Salmon
- Weasel-Like Fishers Settle into Their New Home in Olympics near Hoodsport
- Montana Group Seeks Native Status for Walleye
- Dredging Under Way at Port of Olympia
- Biomass Bogeyman - Air agency expands burn ban
- Colvilles Explore Wind Energy
- New Developments in Hydropower Can Supercharge Obama's Green Jobs Plan
- Minnesota - Wind, Ethanol Cloud Our Difficult Energy Choices
- Turn Trash into Energy in Your Office Parking Lot
- Iconic Light Bulb Is On the Way Out
- Utilities, Retailer Campaign For Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
- Are Costly Energy Bills Draining Your Wallet? Win the Power Struggle
- 5 Things to Know About Watching TV and Saving Energy
- With an Ultrathin Film, a Big Step Forward for Flexible Electronics
- Can Oregon's Climate Change Plan Survive A Down Economy?
- San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed - Cleaner-Than-Thou Squabbling Hurts Energy Policy
- More-Reflective Crops May Have Cooling Effect
- Qwest Drops Right Of Way Regulation Case against Oregon Cities
- Most of Powell Fiber Optics Completed
- El Paso Times Op/Ed - Imagine how broadband could impact us in El Paso
- Cisco Plans Big Push into Server Market
- IP Networks Will Feel Traffic Pain in 2009
- Cable Carriers Fined For Stalling FCC Price Investigation
- Advanced Data Centers Receives the Largest 'Savings by Design' Reward
- TV Over the Web: Still a Fuzzy Picture
- Yahoo Joining Internet with TV
- 9th Circuit Ruling Bolsters Class Action Suit Against AOL
- Port of Shelton Commission Places Manager on Administrative Leave
- City Of Tacoma Has To Increase Pension Contributions
- Washington Not Officially "Evergreen State"

These And Links to More Stories in Today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Barbican • \BAR-bih-kun\ • noun - An outer defensive work; especially: a tower at a gate or bridge

The approach to the Chief Executive Officer’s office was an impressive array of winding corridors, stern-faced receptionists, and glass walled conference rooms. It wasn’t until the accounting acolytes arrived at the final, burnished, dark wood doors that they realized that the path represented an imposing, complex barbican designed to deter even the stoutest of heart.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
Http://Www.Wrh.Noaa.Gov/Forecast/Mapclick.Php?Textfield1=47.213805&Textfield2=-123.113412&Site=All&Smap=1&Searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Bonners Ferry City Administrator Named Public Power Council Chairman (Boundary County Digest, Bonners Ferry, ID)
http://www.ruralnorthwest.com/artman/publish/article_9310.shtml

BPA Completes Removal of PCB Capacitors (Pacific Builder and Engineer)
http://www.acppubs.com/article/CA6627340.html?industryid=48591

More Energy for Wanapum Dam - Generator Upgrade Begins in 2010 (Grant County PUD)
http://www.gcpud.org/aboutus/news/newsreleases/2009/010509%20generator%20upgrade.htm

Montana - NorthWestern Energy Wants To Spur Transmission Access (Great Falls Tribune, MT)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090117/BUSINESS/901170338

Study: Electricity Usage Is Down - Weather, Rates May Be Factors In 2% Drop in '08 (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/17/AR2009011702460.html?hpid=moreheadlines

DOE Report Paints Bleak Picture of Our Electric Future (ARS Technica)
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20090119-doe-report-paints-bleak-picture-of-our-electric-future.html

NY Times Editorial - Energy Inefficient “…many of the solutions pitched to restructure the country’s energy system and confront global warming rely on a faith in high tech…”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/19/opinion/19mon1.html?_r=1

Is The Power Grid Ready For Electric Cars? (MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28699258/

Statement of Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher at His Last Open FERC Meeting (FERC, Links to PDF File)
http://www.ferc.gov/news/statements-speeches/kelliher/2009/01-15-09.pdf

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbian Op/Ed - Shelton Shellfish Farm Deserves Protection, Respect
http://columbian.com/article/20090120/BIZ01/701209996/-1/BIZ

Bounty of Oysters: Nonprofit Shellfish Farm Achieves Goal (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/living/story/732358.html

Northwest Tribes Advance DNA Testing On Salmon (KBAK, Bakersfield, CA)
http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/technology/37822404.html

Weasel-Like Fishers Settle into Their New Home in Olympics near Hoodsport (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/jan/17/fishers-settle-into-their-new-home/?partner=RSS

Montana group seeks native status for walleye (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1802256~Montana_group_seeks_native_status_for_walleye.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Dredging Under Way at Port of Olympia (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008649083_apwadredgingolympia.html?syndication=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Biomass Bogeyman - Air agency expands burn ban: All wood-burning devices, outdoor burning prohibited (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/732155.html

Colvilles Explore Wind Energy (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/729040.html

New Developments in Hydropower Can Supercharge Obama's Green Jobs Plan “…a series of renewable energy technologies based on hydropower…will speed up the transition…” (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/story?id=54526&src=rss

Minnesota - Wind, Ethanol Cloud Our Difficult Energy Choices (Duluth News Tribune, MI)
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/109796/

Turn Trash into Energy in Your Office Parking Lot (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10140500-54.html?tag=nl.e703

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Iconic Light Bulb Is On the Way Out (Associated Press)
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/16/ap5933324.html

Utilities, Retailer Campaign For Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs (Anchorage Daily News, AK)
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/658593.html

Are Costly Energy Bills Draining Your Wallet? Win the Power Struggle (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cover18-2009jan18,0,1127761.story

5 Things to Know About Watching TV and Saving Energy (Chicago Tribune)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/home/chi-five-energytv-0118jan18,0,5652430.story

With an Ultrathin Film, a Big Step Forward for Flexible Electronics (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/science/20obbend.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Can Oregon's Climate Change Plan Survive A Down Economy? “…prepare for Stella the Steelworker. Thanks to limits on the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, she'll pay higher utility bills at home. Her mill will pay more for electricity, too…” (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/01/can_oregons_climate_change_pla.html

San Francisco Chronicle Op/Ed - Cleaner-Than-Thou Squabbling Hurts Energy Policy
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/20/ED2N15D4SK.DTL&feed=rss.opinion

More-Reflective Crops May Have Cooling Effect (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/science/earth/20obcrops.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Qwest Drops Right Of Way Regulation Case against Oregon Cities (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1801430~Qwest_drops_regulation_case_against_Oregon_cities.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Most of Powell Fiber Optics Completed (Associated Press)
http://www.kxmc.com/News/321452.asp

El Paso Times Op/Ed - Imagine how broadband could impact us in El Paso
http://www.elpasotimes.com/business/ci_11480417

Cisco Plans Big Push into Server Market (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/technology/companies/20cisco.html

IP Networks Will Feel Traffic Pain in 2009 (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10145480-62.html?tag=nl.e703

Cable Carriers Fined For Stalling FCC Price Investigation - Kevin Martin's parting shot at the cable industry (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Cable-Carriers-Fined-For-Stalling-FCC-Price-Investigation-100324

Advanced Data Centers Receives the Largest 'Savings by Design' Reward from Sacramento Municipal Utility District (MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28694727/

TV Over the Web: Still a Fuzzy Picture (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/14/AR2009011403375.html?wprss=rss_technology

Yahoo Joining Internet with TV (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/18/BU7L15B50Q.DTL&feed=rss.business

9th Circuit Ruling Bolsters Class Action Suit Against AOL (Sacramento Bee, CA)
http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1557429.html

GENERAL NEWS

Port of Shelton Commission Places Manager on Administrative Leave (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/6107/reftab/1632/t/PORT-COMMISSION-PLACES-MANAGER-ON-ADMINISTRATIVE-LEAVE/Default.aspx

City Of Tacoma Has To Increase Pension Contributions - City employee pension fund has lost about a third of its value in the stock market slump (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008649048_apwacitypensions.html?syndication=rss

Washington Not Officially "Evergreen State" (KIRO Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=126019

DIVERSIONS

Indiana Man, 72, Shaves Shaggy Eyebrows for Charity
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_fe_st/odd_eyebrows_for_charity;_ylt=AjW.Wkbyhfn8W97uzaDo27XtiBIF

Two Burmese Survive Month at Sea in an Ice Box
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090119/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_australia_fishermen;_ylt=ArKSDI.IXjX2HMVaYzmPQE7tiBIF

Out of Control Texting Reported More and More throughout the Country
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9699888

Web Grief: Funeral Webcasts Gain in Popularity
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008648584_apfuneralwebcasts.html?syndication=rss

Energy News Digest for January 16, 2009

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)

- BPA Finalizes Amendment to Alcoa/Whatcom County PUD Power Sales Agreement
- Puget Energy's Buyout Now On the Fast Track
- FERC Reaffirms Approval of Bradwood Landing Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal
- Seattle Mayor Replaces Utilities Director
- Alaska Sells Clean Coal Power Plant to Golden Valley Electric Co-Op
- Olympic Peninsula Tribes to Receive Compensation for Sockeye Runs
- Oregon Joins Lawsuit against Feds on Endangered Species
- Daily Astorian Editorial - Unwelcome Species Hitching a Ride
- Weather Bashes Washington Hatcheries
- Texas Drought Worsens, Cattle Dying
- For Wind Turbine Manufacturers, the Layoffs Begin
- 'Green' Energy Plan in Obama Stimulus May Be Losing Steam
- Feds: Cape Wind Farm OK for Environment
- BPA What Kind Of Green Power Can You Generate?
- Product Placement - Wind Turbines Installed for Inauguration Day
- Tips for Buying and Using Portable Electric Space Heaters
- Oregon - Ashlanders Challenged To Lose 5,000 Pounds in Low-Carbon Diet
- Industry, Environmentalists Gang Up On Climate
- Paper Details Sites on Mars with Plumes of Methane
- FCC Chairman Martin to Step down Next Week
- More Details on Obama $6 Billion Broadband Plan
- California - Economic Crisis Stalls Palo Alto Fiber Project
- Wireless Carriers Caution of Blockages Tuesday
- Suspect Arrested In Shelton Armed Robbery
- U.S. Senate Releases Second Portion of Bailout Fund
- Gregoire: Building to Revive Economy
- PBJ Poll: Focus On Jobs
- Seattle P-I Columnist - Plan for Worst from Mother Nature

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Shtick • \SH-TICK\ • noun - 1: a usually comic or repetitious performance or routine: bit 2: one's special trait, interest, or activity

“Oh No!” exclaimed Wanda to her lunch companion. “Here comes Gino. He may be the most untalented person in the graphics art department, but his one shtick is the most annoying thing you can imagine.” “It can’t be that bad,” her companion suggested. At that very moment, Gino unleashed his talent on the unsuspecting diners: a falsetto rendition of “Stairway to Heaven”.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

BPA Finalizes Amendment to Alcoa/Whatcom County PUD Power Sales Agreement (Bonneville Power Administration - Links to PDF File)
http://www.bpa.gov/power/pl/regionaldialogue/implementation/documents/2009/DSI/2009-01-09_AlocaLetter.pdf

Here’s The 19 Page Agreement (Bonneville Power Administration - Links to PDF File)
http://www.bpa.gov/power/pl/regionaldialogue/implementation/documents/2009/DSI/2009-01-09_DSI-Amendment_afterImplementationTeam_blackline.pdf

Puget Energy's Buyout Now On the Fast Track (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008636299_pugetenergy16.html?syndication=rss

FERC Reaffirms Approval of Bradwood Landing Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/01/16//area_news/doc496ff2cf5901f857967648.txt

Seattle Mayor Replaces Utilities Director (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008635405_webutilities16m.html?syndication=rss

Alaska Sells Clean Coal Power Plant to Golden Valley Electric Co-Op; Plant to Restart (Platts)
http://www.platts.com/Coal/News/8289010.xml?sub=Coal&p=Coal/News&

FISH & WILDLIFE

Three North Olympic Peninsula Tribes to Receive Compensation for Sockeye Runs (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090116/news/301169994

Oregon Joins Lawsuit against Feds on Endangered Species (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/01/oregon_joins_lawsuit_against_f.html

Daily Astorian Editorial - Unwelcome Species Hitching a Ride: The EPA needs to take action to clean up our waterways
http://www.dailyastorian.com/Main.asp?SectionID=23&ArticleID=57501

Weather Bashes Washington Hatcheries (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/4046-weather-bashes-washington-hatcheries/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Texas Drought Worsens, Cattle Dying (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008635488_apfarmscenedyingcattle.html?syndication=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY

For Wind Turbine Manufacturers, the Layoffs Begin (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/for-wind-turbine-manufacturers-the-layoffs-begin/

'Green' Energy Plan in Obama Stimulus May Be Losing Steam (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-energy-stimulus16-2009jan16,0,922149.story

Feds: Cape Wind Farm OK for Environment (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008636270_apcapewind.html?syndication=rss

News Release - BPA Asks The Region, What Kind Of Green Power Can You Generate? (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/249018/

Product Placement - Wind Turbines Installed For Inauguration Day (Washington Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/01/12/daily105.html?ana=from_rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Minnesota - Otter Tail Power Company Offers Tips for Buying And Using Portable Electric Space Heaters (Perham Enterprise-Bulletin, MI)
http://www.perhameb.com/articles/index.cfm?id=10872&section=news

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Oregon - Ashlanders Challenged To Lose 5,000 Pounds in Low-Carbon Diet (Ashland Daily Tidings, OR)
http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090115/NEWS02/901150315/-1/NEWS01

Industry, Environmentalists Gang Up On Climate (San Francisco)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/16/BUPV15BBN9.DTL&feed=rss.business

Paper Details Sites on Mars with Plumes of Methane - The big unanswered question is what belched? (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/science/space/16mars.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC Chairman Martin to Step down Next Week (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/15/AR2009011503853.html?wprss=rss_technology

More Details On Obama $6 Billion Broadband Plan - RUS, NTIA will each get $2.8 billion for grants/loans (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/More-Details-On-Obama-6-Billion-Broadband-Plan-100274

California - Economic Crisis Stalls Palo Alto Fiber Project: 'Fiber to the Premises' consortium seeks new investors after earlier funding sources blow away (Palo Alto Online, CA)
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=10769

Wireless Carriers Caution of Blockages Tuesday (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99450244&ft=1&f=3

GENERAL NEWS

Suspect Arrested In Shelton Armed Robbery (KMAS Radio, Shelton)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/6101/reftab/1632/t/SUSPECT-ARRESTED-IN-SHELTON-ARMED-ROBBERY/Default.aspx

U.S. Senate Releases Second Portion of Bailout Fund (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/us/politics/16stimulus.html

Gregoire: Building to Revive Economy (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008634902_govstimulus16m.html?syndication=rss

PBJ Poll: Focus On Jobs (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/01/12/daily62.html?ana=from_rss

Seattle P-I Columnist - Plan for Worst from Mother Nature
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/396298_Joel16.html?source=rss

DIVERSIONS

Gun Goes Off In Utah Restroom, Shatters Toilet
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18488344/detail.html

Police: Man Posed As Female Veterinarian
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18487335/detail.html

Shortwave Radio Still Packs an Audible Thrill
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE50D6JF20090114?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology

Energy News Digest for January 15, 2009

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)

- PSE Willing To Sell To Jefferson? Firm Advises PUD To Move Aggressively
- Lewis PUD Has An Interest - Upper Chehalis Flood Control Study Pending
- FERC Gives Approval To Columbia River LNG Terminal
- Study: Sound Orcas Eating More Toxic Salmon
- Chehalis River Salmon Returns Likely Impacted From Two Years Of Egg Destroying Floods
- Fishermen Question Sardine Harvest Limits
- Oregon - Dam Removal Could Aid Coho Salmon
- Forecast Improves For Steelhead, Salmon Anglers
- Fish Poop Helps Balance Ocean's Acid Levels
- National Park Service Punts to Congress On Issue Of Fish Stocking In North Cascades
- Seattle Post Intelligencer Editorial - State Lands: Political Shellfish
- In West Coast Pelican Mystery, Weather Is A Suspect
- Removing Cats To Protect Birds Backfires On Island
- Seattle Post Intelligencer Op/Ed - Fighting For Puget Sound's Future
- Mudslides Create Skagit County PUD Emergency
- Skagit County PUD May Compensate Dewey Beach Residents For Pipe
- Rock Snot Threatens New England
- As Uncle Sam Steps Up, States Back Off Solar Funding
- BC Hydro Changes Tune Over Green Energy Cutbacks
- Light Bulbs: Which Do You Use?
- Alaska - Residents Use Less Energy On Day 2 Of Diesel Power
- Obama Will Spend $6 Billion On Broadband
- High-Speed Web Can't Rely On Stimulus: Obama
- Qwest Closing Seattle Call Center; 235
- Google To Cut 100 Jobs, Close Engineering
- Reports Say Microsoft Considering Thousands of Layoffs
- Wi-Fi Sales Rise on Strong Demand
- Man Robs Shelton Convenience Store
- Governor Proposes $1.2 Billion In Recession Aid
- Seattle Is Nation’s No. 6 Destination for Moves
- National Geographic Promotes Cascades Geotourism

These And Links To More Stories In Today’s Energy News Digest

WORD OF THE DAY

Trattoria • \Trah-Tuh-REE-Uh\ • Noun - Restaurant; Specifically: A Usually Small Italian Restaurant

Oswald was the beaming owner of a new restaurant in Naples. Named “Ozzies Trattoria” it was only slightly more successful in the coming months than his Haggis Hut franchise idea for Denver.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast And Weather Alerts
Http://Www.Wrh.Noaa.Gov/Forecast/Mapclick.Php?Textfield1=47.213805&Textfield2=-123.113412&Site=All&Smap=1&Searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

PSE Willing To Sell To Jefferson? Firm Advises PUD To Move Aggressively (Peninsula Daily News)
Http://Www.Peninsuladailynews.Com/Article/20090115/News/301159992

Lewis PUD Has An Interest - Upper Chehalis Flood Control Study Pending (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
Http://Www.Kelaam.Com/Pages/Localnews/?Upper-Chehalis-Flood-Control-Study-Pendi=1&Blockid=36027&Feedid=410

FERC Gives Approval To Columbia River LNG Terminal (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
Http://News.Opb.Org/Article/4041-Ferc-Gives-Approval-Columbia-River-Lng-Terminal/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Study: Sound Orcas Eating More Toxic Salmon (Associated Press)
Http://Seattlepi.Nwsource.Com/Local/6420ap_Wa_Salmon_Orcas.Html

Chehalis River Salmon Returns Likely Impacted From Two Years Of Egg Destroying Floods (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
Http://Www.Kelaam.Com/Pages/Localnews/?Chehalis-River-Salmon-Returns-Likely-Imp=1&Blockid=35906&Feedid=410

Fishermen Question Sardine Harvest Limits (Examiner.Com)
Http://Www.Examiner.Com/A-1794487~Fishermen_Question_Sardine_Harvest_Limits.Html?Cid=Rss-Oregon_Headlines

Oregon - Dam Removal Could Aid Coho Salmon (Portland Tribune, OR)
Http://Www.Portlandtribune.Com/Sustainable/Story.Php?Story_Id=123178900310067300

Forecast Improves For Steelhead, Salmon Anglers (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Http://Seattlepi.Nwsource.Com/Othersports/396060_Out15.Html

Fish Poop Helps Balance Ocean's Acid Levels (Seattle Times)
Http://Seattletimes.Nwsource.Com/Html/Businesstechnology/2008632330_Apscifishpoop.Html?Syndication=Rss

National Park Service Punts To Congress On Issue Of Fish Stocking In North Cascades (Wenatchee World)
Http://Wenatcheeworld.Com/Article/20090114/NEWS04/701149957/1025/Rss1025

Seattle Post Intelligencer Editorial - State Lands: Political Shellfish
Http://Seattlepi.Nwsource.Com/Opinion/396056_Shellfished.Html?Source=Rss

In West Coast Pelican Mystery, Weather Is A Suspect (NY Times)
Http://Www.Nytimes.Com/2009/01/16/Us/16pelicans.Html?_R=1

Removing Cats To Protect Birds Backfires On Island (Associated Press)
Http://News.Yahoo.Com/S/Ap/20090113/Ap_On_Re_Au_An/As_Australia_Rabbit_Infestation

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Seattle Post Intelligencer Op/Ed - Fighting For Puget Sound's Future
Http://Seattlepi.Nwsource.Com/Opinion/396020_Soundonline16.Html?Source=Rss

Mudslides Create PUD Emergency (Skagit Valley Herald)
Http://Www.Goskagit.Com/Home/Article/Mudslides_Create_Pud_Emergency/

Skagit County PUD May Compensate Dewey Beach Residents For Pipe Breaks (Skagit Valley Herald)
Http://Www.Goskagit.Com/Home/Article/Pud_May_Compensate_Dewey_Beach_Residents_For_Pipe_Breaks/

Rock Snot Threatens New England Streams (Finding Dulcinea)
Http://Www.Findingdulcinea.Com/News/Environment/2009/Jan/Rock-Snot-Threatens-New-England-Streams.Html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

As Uncle Sam Steps Up, States Back Off Solar Funding - Severe Economic Strains Have Led States To Cut Back On Incentive Plans (Associated Press)
Http://Www.Registerguard.Com/Csp/Cms/Sites/Web/Business/5825977-41/Story.Csp

BC Hydro Changes Tune Over Green Energy Cutbacks (Globe And Mail)
Http://Www.Theglobeandmail.Com/Servlet/Story/LAC.20090115.BCPOWER15/Tpstory/Tpnational/Britishcolumbia/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Light Bulbs: Which Do You Use? (NY Times)
Http://Greeninc.Blogs.Nytimes.Com/2009/01/15/Light-Bulbs-Which-Do-You-Use/

Alaska - Residents Use Less Energy On Day 2 Of Diesel Power (Juneau Empire)
Http://Www.Juneauempire.Com/Stories/011509/Loc_377689409.Shtml

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT




TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Obama Will Spend $6 Billion On Broadband - Says A Broader Broadband Plan Will Drop Later (Broadband Reports)
Http://Www.Dslreports.Com/Shownews/Obama-Will-Spend-6-Billion-On-Broadband-100239

High-Speed Web Can't Rely On Stimulus: Obama Aide (Reuters)
Http://Tech.Yahoo.Com/News/Nm/20090114/Wr_Nm/Us_Financial_Stimulus_Internet_2

Qwest Closing Seattle Call Center; 235 Affected (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Http://Www.Bizjournals.Com/Seattle/Stories/2009/01/12/Daily25.Html?Ana=From_Rss

Google To Cut 100 Jobs, Close Engineering Offices (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
Http://Www.Sfgate.Com/Cgi-Bin/Article.Cgi?F=/N/A/2009/01/15/Financial/F050058s27.DTL&Feed=Rss.Business

Reports Say Microsoft Considering Thousands Of Layoffs (The Olympia, Olympia, WA)
Http://Www.Theolympian.Com/Breakingnews/Story/727407.Html

Wi-Fi Sales Rise On Strong Demand (Baltimore Business Journal)
Http://Www.Bizjournals.Com/Baltimore/Stories/2009/01/12/Daily37.Html?Ana=From_Rss

GENERAL NEWS

Man Robs Shelton Convenience Store (KING-TV, Seattle)
Http://Www.King5.Com/Localnews/Stories/NW_011509WAB-Shelton-Convenience-Store-Robbery-SW.6bed45a.Html

Governor Proposes $1.2 Billion In Recession Aid (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Http://Seattlepi.Nwsource.Com/Business/396223_Economy16.Html

Seattle Is Nation’s No. 6 Destination For Moves (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Http://Seattle.Bizjournals.Com/Seattle/Stories/2009/01/12/Daily19.Html

National Geographic Promotes Cascades Geotourism (Associated Press)
Http://Www.Theolympian.Com/Breakingnews/Story/726374.Html

DIVERSIONS

NY Driver, Passenger Switch Places; Both Drunk
Http://News.Yahoo.Com/S/Ap/20090115/Ap_On_Fe_St/Odd_Double_Dwi;_Ylt=Agegwvwh382caxob73obktvtibif

You Can't Fire Me, I'm Drunk!
Http://Www.Reuters.Com/Article/Oddlyenoughnews/Idustre50d6j720090115?Feedtype=RSS&Feedname=Oddlyenoughnews

I Triple-Dog Dare You: Boy's Tongue Stuck On Pole
Http://News.Yahoo.Com/S/Ap/20090115/Ap_On_Fe_St/Odd_Tongue_Pole;_Ylt=Atwps76mrmlkcngj_Gxj80dtibif

Feces-Throwing Monkey On The Loose In Tampa Bay
Http://News.Yahoo.Com/S/Ap/20090115/Ap_On_Fe_St/Odd_Loose_Monkey;_Ylt=Amdpzc.Pkbzrusep2h1yb_Ntibif

Energy News Digest for January 14, 2009

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)

- Massachusetts Residents Sue Electric Utility Unitil Over Storm Response
- Here’s more: Unitil Sued On Ice Storm Response
- Hydropower Evangelist - Chelan PUD Manager Lobbies In Nation’s Capital
- Chelan County PUD - State Legislative Radar
- Clark Public Utilities Customers Not Left Out In The Cold
- Oregon Lawmakers Hit Liquefied-Natural-Gas Plans
- Energy Nominee Shifts His Stance on Gas Prices, Coal
- Clean Coal Portfolio Standard Bill Signed In Illinois
- Bill to Regulate Coal Ash Ponds Introduced
- Constellation Energy Repays Warren Buffett $1B Loan
- European Gas Crisis, A PR Coup For French Nuclear Industry
- Serbian Power Grid Overloaded Amid Gas Dispute
- Florida – 25 percent Progress Energy Rate Increase
- Oregon's Litigation Puts Columbia River's Future At Risk
- Skokomish Tribe, Tacoma Ink Deal on Mason County Dams
- DNR, Taylor Shellfish Company Settle Harvesting Dispute
- Should You Stop Eating Salmon? Yes, says a top scientist
- Possible Damage To Green River Dam
- Dam Discharge That Swamped Pacific Spurs Finger-Pointing
- Forests Around Swift Reservoir Shielded
- Dirty Snow Causes Early Runoff In Cascade
- New Skagit County PUD Commissioner May Help Cancel Fluoride Decision
- California - Water Rationing Likely In This Spring
- Watchdog Calls For Cleaning Up Solar Industry
- Future Cloudy For California Solar Farm
- Forecasting Crucial For Future of Wind Energy
- Cape Wind Still Swirls - First Offshore Wind Farm is Meeting Stiff Resistance
- Kansas Town To Begin Producing Its Own Wind Power
- Home-Based Wind Turbines 'Don't Provide Much Electricity'
- NY Times Editorial - Geothermal Future
- Washington State Democrats Look To Add 25,000 Jobs
- Getting a Consult to 'Green' Your Home
- Alaska - Energy Conservation In Juneau Is now Automatic
- On the Heels of a Bulb Ban, Europe Mulls Pulling the Plug on Large Plasma TVs
- Seattle Times Op/Ed - Weather Response Must Be Grounded In Science
- World 'needs radical cuts' on CO2
- Google Defends Its Pollution, Energy Use
- Internet Service Speed Is Fast-Track Issue for New Administration
- Change Sweeping to the FCC - Obama's Pick Could Shift Focus to Internet
- Wave Broadband Institutes 3GB Daily Cap
- Turmoil over TV Switch Grows
- KeyBank National Call Center In Tacoma To Close
- Energy Nominee Says Cleaning up Hanford is a Moral Obligation
- New Dock Being Installed at Alderbrook Resort
- Tacoma City Council looks for money in Washington, DC

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Epoch • \EP-uk\ • noun - 1a: an event or a time that begins a new period or development b: a memorable event or date 2*a : an extended period of time usually characterized by a distinctive development or by a memorable series of events b: a division of geologic time less than a period and greater than an age

As smug, plump Buck Mulligan strolled down the front steps of the courthouse, he could not help smiling at his legal win. From that date forward, the “Glissando Epoch” would forevermore be remembered as the time when strumming harps were legally required whenever a flashback scene was shown in movies, television, and on radio. Sound effect purveyors cleaned up.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Massachusetts Residents Sue Electric Utility Unitil Over Storm Response (BusinessWeek)
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D95N2P4O1.htm

Here’s more: Unitil Sued On Ice Storm Response (Worcester Telegram & Gazette, MA)
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090114/NEWS/901140573/1116/NEWSREWIND

Hydropower Evangelist - Chelan PUD Manager Lobbies In Nation’s Capital (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090113/NEWS04/701139945

Chelan County PUD - State Legislative Radar (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090113/NEWS04/701139874

Utility's Customers Not Left Out In The Cold - Clark Public Utilities has more federal energy assistance funding this year (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090112/NEWS02/701129961/-1/NEWS

Oregon Lawmakers Hit Liquefied-Natural-Gas Plans - “…bad for landowners, the environment and energy independence…” (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008625307_pipelinefight14.html

Energy Nominee Shifts His Stance: “…that gasoline prices should be higher, and that coal was his ‘nightmare’…” (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/us/politics/13web-chu.html

Clean Coal Portfolio Standard Bill Signed In Illinois (Utility Automation and Engineering)
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=22&ARTICLE_ID=350066&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

Bill to Regulate Coal Ash Ponds Introduced (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/14/national/w102123S90.DTL&feed=rss.business

Constellation Energy Repays Warren Buffett $1B Loan (Baltimore Business Journal, now that’s some sweet action!)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2009/01/12/daily29.html?ana=from_rss

European Gas Crisis, A PR Coup For French Nuclear Industry (The Guardian, UK)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8237579

Serbian Power Grid Overloaded Amid Gas Dispute (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008626845_apeuserbiaenergy.html?syndication=rss

Florida – 25 percent Progress Energy Rate Increase - Large Electric Rate Hike Inspires Legislation (Sun Coast News, FL)
http://suncoastpasco.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/14/pn-large-electric-rate-hike-inspires-legislation/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon's Litigation Puts Columbia River's Future At Risk (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/443014.html

Skokomish Tribe, Tacoma Ink Deal on Mason County Dams (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/jan/12/tribe-tacoma-ink-deal-on-mason-county-dams/?partner=RSS

DNR, Taylor Shellfish Company Settle Harvesting Dispute (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_011309WAB_taylor-shellfish-decision-SW.41aae52.html

Should You Stop Eating Salmon? Yes, says a top University of British Columbia scientist. 'Smart shopping' isn't saving wild stocks (The Tyee Online)
http://thetyee.ca/News/2009/01/13/EatingSalmon/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Possible damage to Green River dam (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1793676~Possible_damage_to_Green_River_dam.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Dam discharge that swamped Pacific spurs finger-pointing (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2008625652_pacific14m0.html?syndication=rss

Forests Around Swift Reservoir Shielded - Deal will protect 20,000 acres from development (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090114/NEWS02/701149946/-1/NEWS

Dirty snow causes early runoff in Cascade (Associated Press – For some reason I can’t get a certain Frank Zappa song out of my head after reading this story…)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=123694

New Skagit County PUD Commissioner May Help Cancel Fluoride Decision (Skagit County Herald)
http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/new_commissioner_may_help_cancel_fluoride_decision1/

California - Water Rationing Likely In This Spring (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1793639~Water_rationing_likely_in_SoCal_this_spring.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Watchdog Calls For Cleaning Up Solar Industry - The process of refining silicon produces waste that can damage the environment. Some newer solar cells use other materials that are themselves toxic and require proper handling (San Francisco Chronicle, CA)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/14/BUI8159KV1.DTL&feed=rss.business

Future Cloudy For California Solar Farm - OptiSolar Inc. lays off nearly half its staff. Money woes raise concerns about its ability to build a solar farm to provide energy to Pacific Gas & Electric customers (Los Angeles Times, CA)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-optisolar13-2009jan13,0,6185689.story

Forecasting Crucial For Future of Wind Energy (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/4032-forecasting-crucial-future-wind-energy/

Cape Wind Still Swirls - First Offshore Wind Farm is Meeting Stiff Resistance (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123181056426575945.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Kansas Town To Begin Producing Its Own Wind Power (Wichita Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2009/01/12/daily3.html?ana=from_rss

Home-Based Wind Turbines 'Don't Provide Much Electricity' - Wind turbines mounted on town houses…often do not provide a great deal of electricity because of a lack of wind in urban areas, according to research into the new technology (Daily Telegraph, UK)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/4224513/Wind-turbines-like-David-Camerons-dont-provide-much-electricity.html

NY Times Editorial - Geothermal Future
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/opinion/14wed2.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Washington State Democrats Look To Add 25,000 Jobs - Legislators rolled out a job-creation plan Tuesday that is heavy on home weatherization, tax cuts for green-energy products and job retraining (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/725711.html

Getting a Consult to 'Green' Your Home - We Hire Eco-Consultants in Four Cities; One Wields a Gizmo to Measure Air Quality (Wall Street Journal – call your public utility to get an energy audit for free!)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123137708569062911.html

Alaska - Energy Conservation In Juneau Is now Automatic, Residents Say (Juneau Empire, AK)
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/011409/loc_377248952.shtml

On the Heels of a Bulb Ban, Europe Mulls Pulling the Plug on Large Plasma TVs (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/on-the-heels-of-a-bulb-ban-europe-mulls-pulling-the-plug-on-large-plasma-tvs/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Seattle Times Op/Ed - Weather Response Must Be Grounded In Science
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008620031_opin13mass.html

World 'needs radical cuts' on CO2 - More carbon dioxide needs to be absorbed than emitted by 2050 in order to prevent catastrophic climate change (BBC News)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7826994.stm

Google Defends Its Pollution, Energy Use (Sacramento Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2009/01/12/daily13.html?ana=from_rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Internet Service Speed Is Fast-Track Issue for New Administration (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/12/AR2009011203179.html?wprss=rss_business

Change Sweeping to the FCC - Obama's Pick, a Venture Capitalist, Could Shift Commission's Focus to Internet (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/13/AR2009011303106.html?wprss=rss_technology

Wave Broadband Institutes 3GB Daily Cap (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Wave-Broadband-Institutes-3GB-Daily-Cap-100176

Turmoil over TV Switch Grows - Some Lawmakers to Join Obama's Call to Push Back Deadline (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/13/AR2009011303060.html?wprss=rss_business

KeyBank National Call Center In Tacoma To Close (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1792381~KeyBank_national_call_center_in_Tacoma_to_close.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

GENERAL NEWS

Energy Nominee Says Cleaning up Hanford is a Moral Obligation (The News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/594149.html

New Dock Being Installed at Alderbrook Resort (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/jan/12/new-dock-being-installed-at-alderbrook-resort/?partner=RSS

Tacoma City Council looks for money in Washington, DC - City will argue that at least some of the stimulus money directly to cities, rather than funneling it all through state governments. They believe that cities, rather than states, are in a position to act quickly with the money. (News Tribune, Tacoma)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/591950.html

DIVERSIONS

Demand for "best job in the world" crashes website
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE50D15K20090114?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

A Neglected Revenue Source For California – Marijuana
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/12/EDA4157U1Q.DTL&feed=rss.opinion

You’re Not Making It Up: You Have Cyberchondria
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/health/2009/jan/Youre-Not-Making-it-Up-You-Have-Cyberchondria.html

Energy News Digest for January 12, 2009

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)

- Slide Causes Shutdown of Swift Dam Powerhouse
- Montana - $195 Million Rainbow Dam Upgrade Delayed
- Snohomish County PUD Wishlist: $1 Billion for Green Energy Efforts
- City of Richland Utility Credit: Saving You Money!
- Grays Harbor County PUD truck stolen, four arrested
- Optimizing Profitability Regarding Aluminum Prices and Electricity Prices
- Keeping Home Life-Support up When Power Goes Out
- Texas- Applause Over Pullout From Coal Venture Is misguided
- Exposing the Myth of Clean Coal Power
- Waste Spills at another T.V.A. Power Plant
- Nuclear Power's Core of Support Gains Strength
- Slovaks to Restart Nuclear Unit Due To Gas Shortage
- Connecticut - Economic Woes Slam Energy Market “Success”
- Monday Update: FERC Chief to Resign
- Judge Won't Hear Plea for Columbia River Salmon Passage
- Washington Offers Small Compromises in Spring Chinook Standoff
- Canadians Agree To Catch Fewer Columbia Salmon
- West Coast Trollers Take Biggest Hit in Salmon treaty
- California - 'Crisis Situation' For Marin's Coho Salmon
- Massive Flooding Has Negative Impact on Young Salmon Survival
- Salmon Researchers Look into Cormorants' Bulging Bellies
- Goldmark Inherits Taylor Shellfish Ruling
- Northwest researchers say 'dirty snow effect' magnifies early snowmelt
- United Kingdom - Wind Energy Supply Dips During Cold snap
- Experts Seek To Strike Wind, Coal Balance
- Evaluating ‘Green Power’ Programs
- Renewing Green Development - New Incentives May Be Needed as Projects Lack Financing
- Oregon Legislature Should Cut Back On Some Tax Credits
- Boise Startup Lights Way to 'Smart Grid'
- Obama's Green Energy Plans Build Hopes, Skepticism
- Baltimore Sun Editorial - Let's Think Big On Energy
- Mid-Columbians Fired Up To Save With Pellet Stoves
- Clatskanie Ethanol Plant Halts Operations
- Promoters Push Solar Panel Recycling as Path to ‘Double Green’
- Maryland - State Freezes Solar Energy Grant Program, Warns of Cuts
- BC Hydro must be 'encouraged' to plan for the right kind of growth
- As It Downsizes, Solo Cup Seeks To Sell Excess Electricity
- Connecticut - Energy Conservation Funds Targeted For Cuts
- Indiana - Waste District Makes It Easy To Recycle Bulbs
- Measuring Your Google Search's Carbon Footprint
- Green My Blog
- Montana Communication Users Still Having Trouble after BPA Line Cut near Libby
- Another $100 Million for Rural WiMAX Operator
- Watch Out For Bogus National Broadband Plans
- A Future in Directing Online Traffic
- Quietly, AOL Becomes an Overseer of Niche Sites
- FCC Chief: Don't Delay DTV Switch
- Microsoft lifts download limit for Windows 7 beta
- Lessons from another Year of Puget Sound Flooding Must Be Embraced
- Washington Lawmakers Start New Legislative Session
- Park Closures Attract Criticism
- $20 Million in Diesel Fuel Stolen From Harbor Island Terminal
- Mason County Has State's First All-Female Bench

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Imbroglio • \im-BROLE-yo\ • noun -1: a confused mass 2a: an intricate or complicated situation b: an acutely painful or embarrassing misunderstanding c: a violently confused or bitterly complicated altercation, embroilment d: scandal.

The high-powered politician saw the handwriting on the wall. The 1998 imbroglio involving Beanie-Baby influence trading started unraveling the moment his “supplier” failed to receive bailout funds for a new venture: soybean-babies.

The example sentence of the day went downhill from there. The editor had a hard time coming up with a suitable sentence that did not include references to seamy and dark-hearted things only found in cheap dime-novels or Lifetime made-for-TV movies. Sorry.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast and Weather Alerts
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?textField1=47.213805&textField2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Shelton%2C%20WA%2C%20USA

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Slide Causes Shutdown Of Swift Dam Powerhouse (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090110/NEWS02/701109972/-1/NEWS

Montana - $195 Million Rainbow Dam Upgrade Delayed: Increasing construction and financing costs cited as reasons (Great Falls Tribune, MT)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090112/NEWS01/901120310/1002/news01

Snohomish County PUD Wishlist: $1 Billion for Green Energy Efforts (Everett Herald, WA)
http://heraldnet.com/article/20090112/NEWS01/701129918

City of Richland Utility Credit: Saving You Money! (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/37368729.html

Grays Harbor County PUD truck stolen, four arrested (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/01/11/local_news/06news.txt

Optimizing Profitability Regarding Aluminum Prices and Electricity Prices – Ed. Note: check out the discussion on sale of purchased electricity vs. its use in aluminum production (Gerson Lehrmnan Group)
http://www.glgroup.com/News/Optimizing-Profitability-Regarding-Aluminum-Prices-and-Electricity-Prices-31340.html

Keeping Home Life-Support Up When Power Goes Out (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/12/national/w002419S61.DTL&feed=rss.business

Texas- Applause Over Pullout From Coal Venture Is misguided - Will they still cheer when the lights go out? (Houston Chronicle, TX)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/steffy/6203552.html

Exposing the Myth of Clean Coal Power (Time Magazine)
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1870599,00.html

Waste Spills at Another T.V.A. Power Plant (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/us/10sludge.html

Nuclear Power's Core Of Support Gains Strength (Houston Chronicle, TX)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6203553.html

Slovaks To Restart Nuclear Unit Due To Gas Shortage (Reuters)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKTRE50923V20090110

Connecticut - Economic Woes Slam Energy Market Success – detractors: “…The system is a pig and you can't put lipstick on it…" (Connecticut Post)
http://www.connpost.com/ci_11430025

Monday Update: FERC Chief to Resign (Now here’s how you localize a story – The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/01/12//area_news/doc496afc0a5ca9d146400486.txt

FISH & WILDLIFE

Judge Won't Hear Plea for Columbia River Salmon Passage (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/440232.html

Washington Offers Small Compromises in Spring Chinook Standoff (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/article/20090109/SPORTS04/701109981/-1/SPORTS

Canadians Agree To Catch Fewer Columbia Salmon (The Oregonian, Portland, WA)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/canadians_agree_to_catch_fewer.html

West Coast Trollers Take Biggest Hit In Salmon treaty - Goal of new Canada-U.S. deal is to conserve endangered stocks (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Jack+Knox+column+West+coast+trollers+take+biggest+salmon+treaty/1163299/story.html

California - 'Crisis Situation' For Marin's Coho Salmon (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/09/BA4C155A50.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea

Massive Flooding Has Negative Impact On Young Salmon Survival (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2008614081_outn11.html

Researchers look into cormorants' bulging bellies - Biologists must find whether birds are feasting on rare salmon (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/704/story/723614.html

Goldmark Inherits Taylor Shellfish Ruling - Sutherland defers decision on profit from illegal planting (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/395539_taylor10.html?source=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Northwest researchers say 'dirty snow effect' magnifies early snowmelt (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/northwest_researchers_say_dirt.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

United Kingdom - Wind Energy Supply Dips During Cold snap - Just when it’s needed most: Britain's wind farms have stopped working during the cold snap due to lack of wind (The Daily Telegraph, UK)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/4208940/Wind-energy-supply-dips-during-cold-snap.html

Experts Seek To Strike Wind, Coal Balance (Great Falls Tribune, MT)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090110/NEWS01/901100329/1002/NEWS01

Evaluating ‘Green Power’ Programs “…Participation rates are generally low - 2 percent on average, largely because wind power is more expensive…” (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/12/evaluating-green-power-programs/

Renewing Green Development - New Incentives May Be Needed as Projects Lack Financing (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/08/AR2009010803752.html?wprss=rss_business

Salem Statesman Journal Editorial - Oregon Legislature Should Cut Back On Some Tax Credits (Calls out some energy tax cuts)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090112/COLUMN0703/901120335/1049/OPINION

Boise Startup Lights Way To 'Smart Grid' - Inovus' SmartPole sets the company up to be a local leader in a national energy revolution (Idaho Statesman, Boise)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/235/story/629155.html

Obama's Green Energy Plans Build Hopes, Skepticism (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/deborahCohen/idUSTRE5086BL20090109

Baltimore Sun Editorial - Let's Think Big On Energy: President-elect Barack Obama has stated that his economic stimulus package will include a major initiative to build an alternative energy infrastructure
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.pickensplan11jan11,0,1381234.story

Mid-Columbians Fired Up To Save With Pellet Stoves (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/915/story/441109.html

Clatskanie Ethanol Plant Halts Operations (The Daily News)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/01/11//area_news/doc4967cb7771ca6555942397.txt

Promoters Push Solar Panel Recycling as Path to ‘Double Green’ (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/12/solar-promoters-push-recycling-as-path-to-double-green/

Maryland - State Freezes Solar Energy Grant Program, Warns of Cuts - More than 400 home, business owners still waiting for subsidy (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2009/01/12/story10.html?ana=from_rss

British Columbia - BC Hydro must be 'encouraged' to plan for the right kind of growth (The Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/Hydro+must+encouraged+plan+right+kind+growth/1153783/story.html

As It Downsizes, Solo Cup Seeks To Sell Excess Electricity (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2009/01/12/story8.html?ana=from_rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Connecticut - Energy Conservation Funds Targeted For Cuts (Associated Press)
http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-ap-ct-connecticutbudgetjan12,0,3516444.story

Indiana - Waste District Makes It Easy To Recycle Bulbs: Use county drop-off sites instead of sneaking them into garbage (Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN)
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090112/BUSINESS/901120343

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Measuring Your Google Search's Carbon Footprint (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10140142-54.html?tag=nl.e703

Green My Blog “…I've seen some blogs with tickers to calculate their carbon footprint. Should I be concerned about mine?...” (Slate Magazine)
http://green.msn.com/Home/Green-My-Blog/?gt1=45002

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Montana Communication Users Still Having Trouble after BPA Line Cut near Libby (KECI-TV, Missoula, MT)
http://www.keci.com/montana_news.php?id=545ad1d37afc778393bb20d524b95e7f

Another $100 Million for Rural WiMAX Operator (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/another-100-million-for-rural-wimax-operator/

Watch Out For Bogus National Broadband Plans - Op/Ed: ISPs that spent millions stifling deployment, now want more subsidies (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Hey-Obama-Watch-Out-For-Bogus-National-Broadband-Plans-100146

A Future in Directing Online Traffic (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/jobs/11starts.html?_r=1

Quietly, AOL Becomes an Overseer of Niche Sites (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/12/business/media/12aol.html

FCC Chief: Don't Delay DTV Switch - Would further confuse an already confused public (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Chief-Dont-Delay-DTV-Switch-100159

Microsoft lifts download limit for Windows 7 beta (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-10140093-75.html?tag=nl.e703

GENERAL NEWS

Lessons from Another Year Of Puget Sound Flooding Must Be Embraced (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008613486_weboped10siemann.html?syndication=rss

Washington Lawmakers Start New Legislative Session (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1789190~Washington_lawmakers_start_new_legislative_session.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Park Closures Attract Criticism - Some say $1 million audit gave few ways to save money (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/localnewsfeed/story/723593.html

$20 Million In Diesel Fuel Stolen From Harbor Island Terminal - Theft took place over 9-10 months at BP distribution center (Seattle Times)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/395641_gastheft12.html?source=rss

Mason County Has State's First All-Female Bench (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/jan/10/mason-county-has-states-first-all-female-bench/?partner=RSS

DIVERSIONS

Eternal Flame Only Lasts Until Gas Bill Arrives
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090110/ap_on_fe_st/odd_extinguished_eternal_flame;_ylt=AsJqSEI13LXub20D0F2VYLLtiBIF

Britain Goes Nuts over Squirrel Flavored Crisps
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090109/wl_uk_afp/britainfoodoffbeat_newsmlmmd;_ylt=Aglza2Zbkn6xcRBV6b7foHGgOrgF

Would-Be Chinese Bride, 107, Seeks First Husband
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090112/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_china_bride_centenarian;_ylt=Ao9QlhjpqlC2wYaUFxc8eq_tiBIF

Drunk Worker Reportedly Starts Fire In Moscow Museum
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090111/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_russia_museum_fire;_ylt=ArzLCITj8BdXKojTs_ryFTTtiBIF