Sunday, March 1, 2009

Energy News Digest for February 27, 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)

- Avista, BPA Reach Proposed Settlement Of Lengthy Fight
- Maryland - Energy firms fight reregulation
- Recovery in Action: Minnesota and Oregon
- DOE to Expedite Disbursement of Funds Received via Stimulus Act
- Dallas Morning News Editorial - Do Texans Pay Too Much For Electricity?
- U.S. Renewable Energy Faces Weak Economy and Old Grid
- Will Americans Learn To Love 'Smart Grid'?
- BPA, tribes and Washington advance first Fish Accord project
- Helping salmon downstream, emotional
- Court Won't Stop the Killing of Salmon-Eating Sea Lions
- South Kitsap District Waits for Federal Stimulus Ship to Come In
- Energy Company Looks for Biomass Location in Idaho
- $25 Billion to Promote Electric Cars Is Untouched
- GM Volt May Be Less-Effective Green Car than Prius
- Texas Green Energy to Grow Flush With Fed Cash
- N.C. Regulators Put Brakes on Save-A-Watt
- Rich-Nation 2020 Greenhouse Gas Cuts Seen At 15 Percent
- Australia Tackles Farm Animal Gas Emissions
- Time Warner Cable Getting Slammed By Denial Of Service Attack
- Senate bars FCC from revisiting Fairness Doctrine
- Man at Center of Belfair Attack, Fiery Standoff Identified
- Legislators Look to Reign in "Abuse" of Public Records Request

WORD OF THE DAY

Hackle • \HACK-ul\ • noun - 1: one of the long feathers on the neck or back of a bird 2: hairs (as on a dog's neck) that can be erected *3: temper, dander

Whistling past the graveyard, Abernathy’s little hairs started to stand up on the back of his neck. Clearly coming back in harmony from the Smith mausoleum in perfect harmony was another, unworldly whistle. His hackles raised, he switched from “Misty” into the “William Tell” Overture as he quickly ran from the scene.

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, BPA Reach Proposed Settlement Of Lengthy Fight (Spokane Business Journal)
http://www.spokanejournal.com/article.php?id=4279

Maryland - Energy firms fight reregulation - Constellation, Pepco lead State House battle (Gazette.com)
http://www.gazette.net/stories/02272009/businew172956_32470.shtml

Recovery in Action: Minnesota and Oregon (The White House)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/23/Recovery-in-Action-Minnesota-and-Oregon/

DOE to Expedite Disbursement of Funds Received via Stimulus Act (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/02/doe-to-expedite-disbursement-of-funds-received-via-stimulus-act

Dallas Morning News Editorial - Do Texans Pay Too Much For Electricity?
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/02/do-texans-pay-t.html

U.S. Renewable Energy Faces Weak Economy and Old Grid (Reuters)
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20090223/tpl-uk-usa-renewables-grid-analysis-02bfc7e.html

Will Americans Learn To Love 'Smart Grid'? (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/02/27/27greenwire-will-americans-learn-to-love-smart-grid-9911.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

BPA, tribes and Washington advance first Fish Accord project - Klickitat fish ladder upgrade will boost key species, create jobs (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/257435/

Helping salmon downstream, emotional “…survival per mile traveled in the Fraser River, is lower than it is through the eight dam hydropower system in the Snake and Columbia…” (KMNT-TV, Twin Falls, ID)
http://www.kmvt.com/news/local/40391337.html

Court Won't Stop the Killing of Salmon-Eating Sea Lions (Examiner.Com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1874120~Court_won_t_stop_killing_salmon_eating_sea_lions.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

South Kitsap District Waits for Federal Stimulus Ship to Come In (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/feb/26/south-kitsap-schools-waits-for-federal-stimulus/?partner=RSS

RENEWABLE & ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Energy Company Looks for Biomass Location in Idaho (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/770910.html

$25 Billion to Promote Electric Cars Is Untouched (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/business/energy-environment/27green.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

GM Volt May Be Less-Effective Green Car than Prius “…A rechargeable auto with the Volt's target range of 40 miles on electricity is "not cost-effective in any scenario…” (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11794018

Texas Green Energy to Grow Flush With Fed Cash (Austin American Statesman, TX)
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2009/02/26/texas_green_energy_to_grow_flu.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

N.C. Regulators Put Brakes on Save-A-Watt (Charlotte Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/02/23/daily50.html?ana=from_rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Rich-Nation 2020 Greenhouse Gas Cuts Seen At 15 Percent (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE51P31K20090226?feedType=nl&feedName=ustopnewsearly

Australia Tackles Farm Animal Gas Emissions (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/international/2009/feb/Australia-Tackles-Farm-Animal-Gas-Emissions.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Time Warner Cable Getting Slammed By Denial Of Service Attack (Consumerist)
http://consumerist.com/5161168/time-warner-cable-getting-slammed-by-denial-of-service-attack

Senate bars FCC from revisiting Fairness Doctrine (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008789917_apfairnessdoctrine.html?syndication=rss

GENERAL NEWS

Man at Center of Belfair Attack, Fiery Standoff Identified (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/40388727.html

Legislators Look to Reign in "Abuse" of Public Records Requests (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/40398317.html

DIVERSIONS

Octo-Mess: Eight-Legged Resident Blamed for Flood at Santa Monica Aquarium
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11794140

Preschoolers Pitch In To Help Rescued Dogs
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_022609WAB-kids-help-puppy-mill-dogs-SW.853335a.html?npc

How Many Billion Dollars for That Tank of Gas?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008790918_webbigbill27.html?syndication=rss

Woman Claims To find $5 Bill inside Coconut (There’s gotta be a Gilligan’s Island joke in here somewhere)
http://www.kirotv.com/money/18803615/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Elvis Costello – Alison
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI4Qel8qvW0&feature=related

Energy News Digest for February 26, 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)

- Portland General Electric Reports Lower Earnings
- Senate Leader Outlines 3 Steps to Meeting Obama's Energy Goals
- Sources: Obama Cuts Funds for Nev. Nuclear Dump
- Obama's Energy Boost
- West Coast Salmon Numbers Up, Fishing Prospects Dim
- Forecast Predicts another Dire Year for Ocean Salmon Fishing
- South Sound Anglers Will See Big Pink Run
- Groups Welcome Rule to Protect Threatened Orcas
- Suit Threatened Over Levee Trees
- Mr. Whipple Left It Out: Soft Is Rough on Forests
- Mason County Requesting Funds for Solar Street Lights
- Company Moves Forward With Grays Harbor Offshore Energy Project
- 23 Governors Push Renewable Electricity Standard
- Wind Energy Still Slow In California
- Energy Pulse Commentary - Stimulating Wind May Take Some Time
- Solar-Car Evangelist's Journey Detours through Palo Alto
- Preparing for a Flood of Energy Efficiency Spending
- Bogus Trend Story of the Week - "Climate Fears Are Driving 'Ecomigration' Across Globe."
- How the Carbon Casino Pits Ecologist against Ecologist
- Broadband Expansion Is Popular in Stimulus Plans
- DirecTV, DISH Ask U.S. Lawmakers for Rural Incentives
- Yahoo Not Opposed To Deal with Microsoft
- FCC Fines Small Telecom Firms on Customer Information Safety Rules
- The Dark Lord of Broadband Tries to Fix Comcast's Image
- Obama Chooses Locke to Run Commerce Department
- In His Third Attempt, Obama Nominates Gary Locke for Commerce Secretary
- Obama Cabinet Strengthened By Northwest Talent
- Washington Legislature Nears Halfway Mark
- Unemployment Over 13 Pct in Three WA Counties:
- Tracking those highway stimulus dollars online

WORD OF THE DAY

Ablution • \uh-BLOO-shun\ • noun - 1a: the washing of one's body or part of it (as in a religious rite) b: the act or action of bathing 2: (plural) British: a building housing bathing and toilet facilities on a military base.

As he aged, Ambrose’ daily ablutions became increasingly complex. Washcloth for his neck, brush for his back, pressure washing for his feet, special soap for his back, a different soap for his front, another for his hands, and another for his face and hair. Every morning his puzzled coworkers would sniff the odd assortment of soap fragrances and stand in wild wonder; trying to figure out if he had experienced an unfortunate accident in the local “Bodyworks” store.

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

Portland General Electric Reports Lower Earnings (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/02/23/daily27.html?ana=from_rss

Senate Leader Outlines 3 Steps to Meeting Obama's Energy Goals (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/02/25/25greenwire-reid-outlines-3-steps-to-meeting-obamas-energy--9864.html

Sources: Obama Cuts Funds for Nev. Nuclear Dump (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008786982_apobamayuccamountain.html?syndication=rss

Obama's Energy Boost (MSNBC)
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/02/25/1808536.aspx

FISH & WILDLIFE

West Coast Salmon Numbers Up, Fishing Prospects Dim (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/40326027.html

Forecast Predicts another Dire Year for Ocean Salmon Fishing (The Oregonian, Portland)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/02/forecast_is_for_another_dire_y.html

South Sound Anglers Will See Big Pink Run (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/outdoors/story/638868.html

Groups Welcome Rule to Protect Threatened Orcas (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008786665_apcanadakillerwhaleprotection.html?syndication=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Suit Threatened Over Levee Trees (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008787794_weblevees26.html?syndication=rss

Mr. Whipple Left It Out: Soft Is Rough on Forests (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/science/earth/26charmin.html?_r=1

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Mason County Requesting Funds for Solar Street Lights (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/6486/reftab/1632/t/COUNTY-REQUESTING-FUNDS-FOR-SOLAR-STREET-LIGHTS/Default.aspx

Company Moves Forward With Grays Harbor Offshore Energy Project (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/02/25/local_news/02news.txt

23 Governors Push Renewable Electricity Standard (Red Green and Blue)
http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/02/24/23-governors-push-renewable-electricity-standard/

Wind Energy Still Slow In California (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11784557?nclick_check=1

Energy Pulse Commentary - Stimulating Wind May Take Some Time
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_display.cfm?a_id=1959

Solar-Car Evangelist's Journey Detours through Palo Alto (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11784673

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Preparing for a Flood of Energy Efficiency Spending (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/business/energy-environment/26efficiency.html?_r=1

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Bogus Trend Story of the Week - "Climate Fears Are Driving 'Ecomigration' Across Globe." (Slate magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2212229/?from=rss

How the Carbon Casino Pits Ecologist against Ecologist (The Tyee Online)
http://thetyee.ca/News/2009/02/25/Eco-V-Eco/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Broadband Expansion Is Popular in Stimulus Plans (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/business/worldbusiness/26broadband.html

DirecTV, DISH Ask U.S. Lawmakers for Rural Incentives (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE51N5YE20090224?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology

Yahoo Not Opposed To Deal with Microsoft (San Jose Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11785752

FCC Fines Small Telecom Firms on Customer Information Safety Rules (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11782076

The Dark Lord of Broadband Tries to Fix Comcast's Image (Wired Magazine)
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/17-02/mf_brianroberts?currentPage=all

GENERAL NEWS

Obama Chooses Locke to Run Commerce Department (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008784642_apobamacommerce5thldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

In His Third Attempt, Obama Nominates Gary Locke for Commerce Secretary (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/politics/2009/feb/Obama-Goes-for-Three-With-Locke-at-Commerce.html

Seattle Times Staff Columnist - Obama Cabinet Strengthened By Northwest Talent
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008786620_opina26joni.html?syndication=rss

Washington Legislature Nears Halfway Mark (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008784237_apwaxgroutlook.html?syndication=rss

Unemployment Over 13 Pct in Three WA Counties: Cowlitz, Grays Harbor and Lewis (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_022509WAB-lewis-county-unemployment-TP.309ba90.html?npc

Tracking those highway stimulus dollars online (Everett Herald, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090225/BLOG13/902259977/0/NEWS03

DIVERSIONS

Man Blames Seattle Construction for Sewage Geyser
http://www.examiner.com/a-1870554~Man_blames_Seattle_construction_for_sewage_geyser.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Police Say Drunk Man Let 10-Year-Old Drive
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/18792216/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Eric Clapton & Friends - White Room
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvnWuOjJDh4

Energy News Digest for February 25, 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)

- With Mason PUD 3 Assistance - City Of Shelton to Switch Traffic Lights to L-E-D
- Ferry County PUD Won’t Give Bonneville Power Administration Rebates
- Columbian Op/Ed - Washington View: Clean Coal Can Be Mined For Energy Solutions
- US Interior Secretary Says Department Will Play Large Role in Transmission
- California Governor Proposes One-Stop Permitting for Electricity Transmission
- Stimulus Doesn’t Require Utility 'Decoupling,' Key Democrat Says
- Chicago Tribune Op/Ed - Solving Our Nation's Energy Predicament
- Oregon and Washington Plan to Resume Trapping Sea Lions
- Salmon Restoration Focus of Meetings
- Smelt Dipping Best Its Been in Years
- Port Of Portland, Audubon Society at Odds over Island
- Washington Fish and Wildlife May Cut More Than 100 Employees
- Southern Oregon Dam Awaits Removal; Questions Raised
- Canada - Aging Dam Threatens Major B.C. Fishery
- Los Angeles Times Editorial - California's Dry Future
- Olympia’s Artesian Well Will Stay Open
- Towers in Manhattan Gather Heat for Power
- Pacific Gas and Electric Announces Solar Power Initiative
- WA Governor's Plan to Cap Emissions Faces Challenges
- Economic Crisis Complicates California’s Goals on Climate
- Seattle Times Op/Ed - Create Incentive to Cut Emissions with Carbon Price
- Exaggeration a Common Pitfall of Climate Change Dialogue
- Obama Prefers Congress to EPA in Tackling Climate
- Study: Antarctic Glaciers Slipping Swiftly Seaward
- Qwest: $1 Billion Would Provide 95% DSL Coverage
- Google Pays for E-Mail Outage with 15-Day Credit
- Security of Adobe PDF Readers Compromised
- Jurassic Web
- Obama to Name Locke on Wednesday
- Washington Lawmakers Face Wednesday Bill Deadline
- Deputies Looking for Belfair Pizzeria Robber
- Washington Legislature Unveils $340M Highway Stimulus Plan
- Seattle Shut Out Of State’s Stimulus Money
- Stimulus leaves out Pierce projects

WORD OF THE DAY

Nosh • \nosh\ • verb - to eat a snack: munch

“A little nosh won’t hurt,” pondered Charles as the biology professor droned on about the natural progression of species. Just as the tasty cookie reached the student’s lips the professor thundered, “I home you brought enough for everyone MISTER Darwin!”

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

With Mason PUD 3 Assistance - City Of Shelton to Switch Traffic Lights to L-E-D (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1897/smid/3468/ArticleID/6475/reftab/1632/t/CITY-TO-SWITCH-TRAFFIC-LIGHTS-TO-L-E-D/Default.aspx

Ferry County PUD Won’t Give Bonneville Power Administration Rebates (Omak Chronicle, WA)
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n090224a.shtml

Columbian Op/Ed - Washington View: Clean Coal Can Be Mined For Energy Solutions
http://columbian.com/article/20090225/BIZ01/702259962/-1/BIZ

US Interior Secretary Says Department Will Play Large Role in Transmission (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/02/us-interior-secretary-says-department-will-play-large-role-in-transmission?src=rss

California Governor Proposes One-Stop Permitting for Electricity Transmission (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/02/24/24greenwire-schwarzenegger-proposes-onestop-permitting-for--9837.html

Stimulus Doesn’t Require Utility 'Decoupling,' Key Democrat Says (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/02/24/24greenwire-stimulus-does-not-require-decoupling--markey-9846.html

Chicago Tribune Op/Ed - Solving Our Nation's Energy Predicament (T. Boone Pickens)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-oped0224energyfeb24,0,1215284.story

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon and Washington Plan to Resume Trapping Sea Lions (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008780086_aporsealions.html

Salmon Restoration Focus of Meetings - Plan targets habitat in East Fork of the Lewis River (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090224/NEWS02/702249960/

Smelt Dipping Best Its Been in Years (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/outdoors/story/637553.html

Port Of Portland, Audubon Society at Odds over Island (The Oregonian, Portland)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/02/port_of_portland_audubon_socie.html

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife May Cut More Than 100 Employees (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/money/18785436/detail.html

Southern Oregon Dam Awaits Removal; Questions Raised (The Oregonian, Portland)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/southern_oregon_dam_awaits_rem.html

Canada - Aging Dam Threatens Major B.C. Fishery (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Aging+threatens+major+fishery/1325085/story.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Los Angeles Times Editorial - California's Dry Future: The state may experience a water shortage this year. Residents have no choice but to use less and pay more for it
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-brick24-2009feb24,0,3291692.story?track=rss

Olympia’s Artesian Well Will Stay Open - Thurston County PUD Agrees to Test Water Regularly (The Olympian, Olympia, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/768968.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Towers in Manhattan Gather Heat for Power (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/realestate/commercial/25cogen.html?_r=1

Pacific Gas and Electric Announces Solar Power Initiative (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/02/24/financial/f174247S89.DTL&feed=rss.business

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

WA Governor's Plan to Cap Emissions Faces Challenges (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008782259_apwacapandtrade.html?syndication=rss

Economic Crisis Complicates California’s Goals on Climate (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/science/earth/25carbon.html?partner=rss

Seattle Times Op/Ed - Create Incentive to Cut Emissions with Carbon Price - Gov. Gregoire's proposed cap-and-trade approach to helping the state meet reduced carbon-emission targets would actually kill jobs and not make a difference for years
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008777644_opinb24myers.html?syndication=rss

Exaggeration a Common Pitfall of Climate Change Dialogue (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/science/earth/25hype.html?_r=1&partner=rss

Obama Prefers Congress to EPA in Tackling Climate (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/02/23/23climatewire-obama-prefers-congress-to-epa-when-it-comes-t-9800.html

Study: Antarctic Glaciers Slipping Swiftly Seaward (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008783734_apununwarmingantarctic.html?syndication=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Qwest: $1 Billion Would Provide 95% DSL Coverage - Carrier continues to complain about $7 billion plan “…Qwest's sudden concern…is a little disingenuous, given they have a history of spending millions of dollars to crush town and city efforts to wire themselves…” (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Qwest-1-Billion-Would-Provide-95-DSL-Coverage-101048

Google Pays for E-Mail Outage with 15-Day Credit (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11775351

Security of Adobe PDF Readers Compromised (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9899899

Jurassic Web - The Internet of 1996 is almost unrecognizable compared with what we have today (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2212108/?from=rss

GENERAL NEWS

Obama to Name Locke on Wednesday (Associated Press)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/40250452.html

Washington Lawmakers Face Wednesday Bill Deadline (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1868104~Washington_lawmakers_face_Wednesday_bill_deadline.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Deputies Looking for Belfair Pizzeria Robber (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/feb/24/deputies-looking-for-belfair-pizzeria-robber/?partner=RSS

Washington Legislature Unveils $340M Highway Stimulus Plan (The Olympian, Olympia)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/768454.html

Seattle Shut Out Of State’s Stimulus Money (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008783007_stimulus25m.html?syndication=rss

Stimulus leaves out Pierce projects (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/government/story/637493.html?source=rss

DIVERSIONS

Stay Married and Save the Planet
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE51N4ST20090224?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Too Much Playstation Can Cause Painful Lumps?
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE51N4TE20090224?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Notorious Greek Prisoner Escapes by Helicopter-Again
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090223/od_nm/us_greece_escape_odd;_ylt=AlyPJjOUkqt0I_LxeXC7iA_tiBIF

SONG OF THE DAY

Smash Mouth - I’m a Believer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUyu5prWjTE&NR=1

The Monkees - I'm a Believer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfuBREMXxts

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Energy News Digest for February 24, 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)

- Puget Sound Energy Parent Company Sale Completed
- Bonneville Inherits the Wind…And the Stimulus
- Low Snowpack Could Mean Water, Power Shortages
- Future Energy Park Could Be the Leading Industry in the Tri-Cities
- Itronix Official: 300 Jobs Cut In Spokane Area
- Maryland Customers Howl As Utility Bills Skyrocket
- U.S. Supreme Court Turns Down Utilities over Mercury Emissions
- Nuclear Deal: Senate Chose Savings, Jobs, Future
- Harry Reid: Federal Action Trumps States’ Rights on Energy
- Taylor Shellfish Company sues state in shellfish lease controversy
- EPA aims to buoy fish numbers: Rules halted in 2007 would affect power plants near water
- Project Looks to Return Tributary in Rogue River Basin to Its Original Channel
- Oregon snowpack below average, at 82 percent
- Fixing Yakima County dams
- Army Corps Cracks Down On Flunking Levees
- Oregon - Future of Incinerator Debated
- Tax Break Bill Could Lure Solar Company to Clark County
- Montana - Catching the Wind
- Converting Power Plant to Biomass Will Cost Xcel $58.1 Million
- Midwest Govs Seek To Bolster Alternative Energy
- Paved with Renewable Mandates
- Europe Considers A Tariff On Biofuels
- Connecticut - Price Shock for Wallingford Power Consumers?
- Expert: Climate Change Could Mean 'Extended World War'
- Gore Pulls Slide of Disaster Trends
- Politics in the Guise of Pure Science
- We're #1 In Broadband (Sort Of)
- Broadband: Damned Lies Edition
- Overpaid Laid-Off Microsoft Workers Get To Keep Extra Money
- Major Yahoo Reorganization Looms
- Micron To Cut Another 2,000 Jobs In Idaho
- Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke may be next commerce secretary
- GOP's Rossi, Others Say Locke Would Be Good Pick
- Bailout Frenzy Triggers Backlash
- Software Problems Delay Mason County Tax Statements
- Executive Sessions Bill in Trouble
- WSU Extension and 4-H Bracing for Budget Cuts, Possible Closure
- Washington State House Approves Ban on Campaign Lies
- State sends $1 food stamp checks to 250,000

These and links to more stories in today’s energy news digest.

WORD OF THE DAY

Onerous • \AH-nuh-rus\ • adjective - *1: involving, imposing, or constituting a burden: troublesome 2: having legal obligations that outweigh the advantages

Straining at their harnesses, the muscular draft horses tried in vain to pull the onerous weight of the beer wagon up the steep, winding road. Each of the magnificent animals cursed the day that they rejected a northeast Montana farmer’s offer of employment for that of a brewer near Glacier National Park. “Ah for a nice stroll with a grain wagon across the lightly rolling cropland near Saco,” mused old Dobbin to his harness-mate.

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

Puget Sound Energy Parent Company Sale Completed (Associated Press)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/401133_pse24.html?source=rss

Bonneville Inherits the Wind…And the Stimulus (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/bonneville-inherits-the-wind-and-the-stimulus/

Low Snowpack Could Mean Water, Power Shortages (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18780258/detail.html

Future Energy Park on Hanford Site Could Be the Leading Industry in the Tri-Cities (KNDU-TV Tri Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9892966

Itronix Official: 300 Jobs Cut In Spokane Area (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1867523~Itronix_official__300_jobs_cut_in_Spokane_area.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Maryland Customers Howl As Utility Bills Skyrocket - Companies blame new rates, calendar, cold weather (The Baltimore Sun, MD)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-te.bz.utility24feb24,0,339311.story

U.S. Supreme Court Turns Down Utilities over Mercury Emissions (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008775321_apscotusmercurypollution.html?syndication=rss

Atlanta Journal Constitution Op/Ed - Nuclear Deal: Senate Chose Savings, Jobs, Future
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/02/24/mooreed_0224.html
Harry Reid: Federal Action Trumps States’ Rights on Energy (Wall Street Journal)
http://blogs.wsj.com/environmentalcapital/2009/02/23/harry-reid-federal-action-trumps-states-rights-on-energy/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Taylor Shellfish Company sues state in shellfish lease controversy (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008777566_webtaylorshellfish23.html?syndication=rss

EPA aims to buoy fish numbers: Rules halted in 2007 would affect power plants near water (The Blade, Toledo, OH)
http://dev.scoop.com/remote/article/include/75134037/53616c7465645f5fa0d48b5e5d5f3df9e5388c1e6bf1b7a09d8a90b43c7009df

Project Looks to Return Tributary in Rogue River Basin to Its Original Channel (Mail Tribune, Medford, OR)
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090223/NEWS/902230305/-1/rss01

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oregon snowpack below average, at 82 percent (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1866441~Oregon_snowpack_below_average__at_82_percent.html?cid=rss-Oregon_Headlines

Fixing Yakima County Dams - Fruit companies working to make 'high-hazard unpermitted dams' safer before reservoirs fill (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)
http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/2009/02/21/fixing-the-dams

Army Corps Cracks Down On Flunking Levees (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-02-23-levees_N.htm?csp=34

Oregon - Future of Incinerator Debated: Forums will address county's contract expiration in 2014 (The Statesman Journal, Salem, OR)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090223/GREEN/902230334/1001

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Tax Break Bill Could Lure Solar Company to Clark County (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090223/NEWS02/702239971/

Montana - Catching the Wind: Lincoln Turbine Tool Company Leads Way in Cutting-Edge Industry (The Missoulian, MT)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2009/02/23/news/local/znews01.txt

Converting Power Plant to Biomass Will Cost Xcel $58.1 Million (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI)
http://dev.scoop.com/remote/article/include/75240223/53616c7465645f5f8ec6d7b817e15a19e4c98ac266b25af0803b4d5f20b94a27

Midwest Govs Seek To Bolster Alternative Energy (Associated Press)
http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2009/02/23/midwest_govs_seek_to_bolster_alternative_energy/
Paved with Renewable Mandates “…Senate majority leader Harry Reid will be pushing for the Senate to adopt a national renewable energy portfolio within the next two weeks…” (American Spectator)
http://spectator.org/archives/2009/02/24/paved-with-renewable-mandates

Europe Considers A Tariff On Biofuels (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/business/global/24biofuel.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Connecticut - Price Shock for Wallingford Power Consumers? "…we never said conservation programs would lower (customers') rates…We said it would lower their consumption." (Record-Journal, Meriden, CT)
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=20267903&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592709&rfi=6

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Expert: Climate Change Could Mean 'Extended World War' (Fox News)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,498133,00.html

Gore Pulls Slide of Disaster Trends (NY Times)
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/gore-pulls-slide-of-disaster-trends/?ref=science

Politics in the Guise of Pure Science (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/science/24tier.html?_r=1&8dpc

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

We're #1 In Broadband (Sort Of) - Assuming you look at completely irrelevant data like SMS use (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Were-1-In-Broadband-Sort-Of-101021

Broadband: Damned Lies Edition (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/02/23/broadband-damned-lies-edition/

Overpaid Laid-Off Microsoft Workers Get To Keep Extra Money (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoft/2008778512_microsoftpay24.html?syndication=rss

Major Yahoo Reorganization Looms (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11772433?nclick_check=1

Micron To Cut Another 2,000 Jobs In Idaho (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008777766_apidmicronlayoffs1stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

GENERAL NEWS

Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke may be next commerce secretary (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/401137_locke24.html?source=rss

GOP's Rossi, Others Say Locke Would Be Good Pick (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/401204_lockewash24.html?source=rss

Bailout Frenzy Triggers Backlash (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008778075_housefair24.html?syndication=rss

Software Problems Delay Mason County Tax Statements (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/feb/23/software-problems-delay-mason-county-tax/?partner=RSS

Executive Sessions Bill in Trouble (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/02/23/local_news/04news.txt

WSU Extension and 4-H Bracing for Budget Cuts, Possible Closure (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008778252_budgetfears24m.html?syndication=rss

Washington State House Approves Ban on Campaign Lies (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1867417~Wash__House_approves_ban_on_campaign_lies.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

State sends $1 food stamp checks to 250,000 (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/02/23/breaking_news/doc49a2d6eb85f94538408144.txt
DIVERSIONS

Beauty and the Brain, Women Use More Than Men
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008776581_apscibeautyandthebrain.html?syndication=rss

Skydiver OK after Crashing Into Power Lines
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18770069/detail.html

Magpies Build Urban Nest Using Scrap Metal Twigs
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18776826/detail.html

Bill Extends Restraining Order Protection to Pets
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/40206817.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Archies - Sugar Sugar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANtMdzOFIVQ

Monday, February 23, 2009

Energy News Digest for February 23, 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)

- State Senator Pridemore Targets Centralia Coal Plant’s Tax Credits
- Puget Wind Power May Go South
- Oregonian Op/Ed - Bonneville: Powering Up the Northwest Economy
- We should be thankful that Bobby Jindal does not run the BPA
- Cuts at power companies raise red flags about reliability
- Peggy Fowler calls it quits after 35 years at Portland General Electric
- Oregon Appeals Court Allows Taller Power Poles
- Oregon State University Professor: Nuclear Power Has Bright Future
- California Power Company Denied On Clean Power Study
- Colorado Governor, Others Ask Obama to Support 'Clean Coal' Technologies
- Getting Data on Your Electricity Consumption
- Virginia - Electric Sticker Shock
- Seattle P-I Editorial - Washington Century: Salmon – Snake Dam Removal
- Idaho Statesman Columnist - Barker: Salmon Judge Sets Stage for Settlement
- Rare Sea Otter Sighted On Oregon Coast
- Resident Orcas on Verge Of Collapse
- Jefferson PUD Eyes Port Townsend City Water
- Seattle Times Editorial - Seattle Water Customers Pay Their Own Rebate
- Drought to Cut off Federal Water to California Farms
- Next Up: A National Renewable Portfolio Standard?
- Energy Stimulus May Power Port of Vancouver
- Home Solar Firms See Wave of Mergers
- Texas Home Power Producers Not Assured Of Payment for Generating Excess Electricity
- Seattle Times Columnist - Reality Check on Plug-In Cars
- Electric Cars Still Years Away From Paying Off
- Snohomish County PUD Offers 10 Easy Energy Savers for Businesses
- Cap-And-Invest Approach Good for Environment and Economy
- Greenhouse Gas Plan Could Raise Kentucky Electric Bills
- British Fight Climate Change with Fish And Chips
- Internet Domain Names Grow To 177M
- New Bill Would Require Wi-Fi Hotspot Owners Retain Data
- Minnesota - North St. Paul Caught In Middle of Fiber Optic Fight
- Internet Taking Piece of Cable TV Business
- Web Fails To Access a Screen in Our Lives: TVs
- Allyn Standoff, Fire Leaves Man Dead, Woman Critical
- Mileage Tax Idea Gains Steam
- Mason County Still Building, Despite Economy
- Ex-FAA Worker Accused of Stealing Plane, Yacht
- Daughter Fills Father's 16th District Seat

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Pleonasm • \PLEE-uh-naz-um\ • noun - 1: the use of more words than those necessary to denote mere sense: redundancy 2: an instance or example of pleonasm

Join the competition for the most exemplary, fantastic, and mind-blowing pleonasm you can come up with. Anymore, “it was a dark and stormy night” seems tame when compared to some of the entries in the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest.
http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/

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

State Senator Pridemore Targets Centralia Coal Plant’s Tax Credits (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
Http://Columbian.Com/Apps/Pbcs.Dll/Article?AID=/20090222/NEWS02/702229714/

Puget Wind Power May Go South - PSE Has Agreed To Sell Virtually All The Green Power Produced By Its Wind Farms For The Next Two Years To Southern California Edison (Seattle Times)
Http://Seattletimes.Nwsource.Com/Html/Businesstechnology/2008771283_Sundaybuzz22.Html?Syndication=Rss

Oregonian Op/Ed - Bonneville: Powering Up the Northwest Economy
Http://Www.Oregonlive.Com/Opinion/Index.Ssf/2009/02/Bonneville_Powering_Up_The_Nor.Html

Columbian Columnist - Leery in Louisiana; timid in Texas - All Northwesterners should be thankful that Bobby Jindal does not run the Bonneville Power Administration…
http://www.columbian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090222/OPINION03/702229724

Cuts at power companies raise red flags about reliability (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2009-02-22-utility-cuts_N.htm

Peggy Fowler calls it quits after 35 years at Portland General Electric (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/02/23/story5.html?ana=from_rss

Oregon Appeals Court Allows Taller Power Poles (Examiner.Com)
Http://Www.Examiner.Com/A-1863921~Oregon_Appeals_Court_Allows_Taller_Power_Poles.Html?Cid=Rss-Oregon_Headlines

Oregon State University Professor: Nuclear Power Has Bright Future (Examiner.Com)
Http://Www.Examiner.Com/A-1865341~OSU_Professor__Nuclear_Power_Has_Bright_Future.Html?Cid=Rss-Oregon_Headlines

California Power Company Denied On Clean Power Study (Reuters – Similar To Kalama Power Project)
Http://Uk.Reuters.Com/Article/Behindthescenes/Iduktre51k0mt20090221

Colorado Governor, Others Ask Obama to Support 'Clean Coal' Technologies (Denver Business Journal)
Http://Www.Bizjournals.Com/Denver/Stories/2009/02/16/Daily69.Html

Getting Data on Your Electricity Consumption (SF Chronicle)
Http://Www.Sfgate.Com/Cgi-Bin/Article.Cgi?F=/C/A/2009/02/22/BU2B161PBG.DTL&Feed=Rss.Business

Virginia - Electric Sticker Shock (Tricities.Com)
Http://Www.Tricities.Com/Tri/News/Local/Article/Electric_Sticker_Shock/20721/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Seattle Post Intelligencer Editorial - Washington Century: Salmon – Snake Dam Removal
Http://Seattlepi.Nwsource.Com/Opinion/400916_Salmoned.Html

Idaho Statesman Columnist - Barker: Salmon Judge Sets Stage for Settlement
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/676678.html

Rare Sea Otter Sighted On Oregon Coast (KING-TV, Seattle)
Http://Www.Nwcn.Com/Topstories/Stories/NW_022009ORB-Sea-Otter-Ks.36108de7.Html

Resident Orcas On Verge Of Collapse “…Treating Them Like A Financial Resource — With Tourist-Filled Boats Chasing After Them — We Run The Risk Of Consuming Them Down To The Last One…” (Seattle Times)
Http://Seattletimes.Nwsource.Com/Html/Opinion/2008767685_Opinc22anderson.Html?Syndication=Rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Jefferson PUD Eyes Port Townsend City Water (Peninsula Daily News)
Http://Www.Peninsuladailynews.Com/Article/20090221/News/302219996

Seattle Times Editorial - Seattle Water Customers Pay Their Own Rebate
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008768034_edita21water.html

Drought to Cut off Federal Water to California Farms (Examiner.Com)
Http://Www.Examiner.Com/A-1863317~Drought_To_Cut_Off_Federal_Water_To_Calif__Farms.Html?Cid=Rss-California_Headlines

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Next Up: A National Renewable Portfolio Standard? (NY Times)
Http://Greeninc.Blogs.Nytimes.Com/2009/02/20/Next-Up-A-Renewable-Portfolio-Standard/

Energy Stimulus May Power Port Of Vancouver - Cantwell Visit Highlights Bill’s Wind Energy Provisions, Which Could Boost Business, Jobs The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
Http://Www.Columbian.Com/Apps/Pbcs.Dll/Article?AID=/20090221/NEWS02/702219968

Home Solar Firms See Wave of Mergers (Contra Costa Times, CA)
Http://Www.Contracostatimes.Com/Business/Ci_11742236?Source=Rss

Texas Home Power Producers Not Assured Of Payment For Generating Excess Electricity (Fort Worth Star Telegram)
Http://Www.Star-Telegram.Com/804/Story/1216652.Html

Seattle Times Columnist - Reality Check on Plug-In Cars
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2008771363_danny22.html

Electric Cars Still Years Away From Paying Off (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101024296&ft=1&f=3

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Snohomish County PUD Offers 10 Easy Energy Savers For Businesses (Edmonds Beacon, WA)
Http://Www.Edmondsbeacon.Com/Index.Php?Option=Com_Content&View=Article&Id=724:Pud-Offers-10-Easy-Energy-Savers-For-Businesses&Catid=79&Itemid=185

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Seattle Times Op/Ed - Cap-And-Invest Approach Good for Environment and Economy
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008773754_opinb23butler.html

Greenhouse Gas Plan Could Raise Kentucky Electric Bills “…restrictions on carbon emissions could mean an end to electric rates that are among the lowest in the nation…” (Lexington Herald-Leader, KY)
http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/703885.html

British Fight Climate Change With Fish And Chips (NY Times)
Http://Www.Nytimes.Com/2009/02/22/Science/Earth/22cook.Html?_R=1

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Internet Domain Names Grow To 177M (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Http://Www.Bizjournals.Com/Seattle/Stories/2009/02/16/Daily42.Html?Ana=From_Rss

New Bill Would Require Wi-Fi Hotspot Owners Retain Data (Broadband Reports)
Http://Www.Dslreports.Com/Shownews/New-Bill-Would-Require-Wifi-Hotspot-Owners-Retain-Data-101002

Minnesota - North St. Paul Caught In Middle Of Fiber Optic Fight (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Http://Www.Startribune.Com/Local/East/40009047.Html?Elr=Karksd:Adyaep:Kd:Aut:Adyaep:Kd:Auid3apc:_Yyc:Auu

Internet Taking Piece of Cable TV Business (SF Chronicle)
Http://Www.Sfgate.Com/Cgi-Bin/Article.Cgi?F=/C/A/2009/02/22/BUAQ161OOT.DTL&Feed=Rss.Business

Web Fails To Access a Screen in Our Lives: TVs (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008773810_nettv23.html

GENERAL NEWS

Allyn Standoff, Fire Leaves Man Dead, Woman Critical (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/feb/22/standoff-leaves-man-dead-woman-critical/?partner=RSS

Mileage Tax Idea Gains Steam (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
Http://Www.Mynorthwest.Com/?Nid=11&Sid=136762

Mason County Still Building, Despite Economy (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
Http://Www.Kitsapsun.Com/News/2009/Feb/22/Mason-County-Still-Building-Despite-Economy/?Partner=RSS

Ex-FAA Worker Accused of Stealing Plane, Yacht (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008774009_fraud23.html?syndication=rss

Daughter Fills Father's 16th District Seat (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008774021_staterep23m.html?syndication=rss

DIVERSIONS

Mice Fall from Ceiling Of Florida Courthouse
Http://Www.Kirotv.Com/News/18758936/Detail.Html

Woman's Hair Weave Stops Bullet
Http://Www.Kirotv.Com/News/18757381/Detail.Html

Arkansas Cemetery Double-Booked Burial Plots
http://www.kirotv.com/money/18750575/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Heat Wave - Marilyn Monroe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0-0ygVvv4c

Friday, February 20, 2009

Energy News Digest for February 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)

- Chelan County PUD Gets License for Rocky Reach Dam
- BPA: Ready for a new (power) Act?
- Transmission Line among First Regional Stimulus Projects
- Oregonian Op/Ed - BPA's $246 million project - first in a series
- Cantwell is a New Leader on the Senate Energy Committee
- New Reactors Must Handle Plane Strike
- Maryland - Lawmakers, Consumer Advocates Urge Energy Re-Regulation
- Re-Regulating Maryland's Electricity Will Cost Maryland Customers More Money
- Texas - Experts, Companies Weigh In On Electricity Prices
- Chelan PUD Crew Braves Frigid Waters to Check on Salmon Spawning Results
- Ocean Fishing Shutdown Possible As Few Chinook Return To Sacramento
- Oregon - Steelhead Arrive At Wallowa Fish Hatchery
- Lead in Water Harmed Sons, D.C. Man Claims
- Energy Northwest Deal Aims To Power Up With Biomass
- Western Washington to Get Biomass Plant
- Biomass Burnout - Regional Ban on Wood Stove Burning In Effect
- Utah - Schools Could Reap Millions in Renewable-Energy Push
- Cost of Solar Installation Has Fallen In Decade
- Meltdown 101: Will The Sun Soon Power Our Homes?
- New Zealand - Conservation Minister Criticizes DOC over Wind Farm Deal
- Solar-Power Parking Meters to Be Tested In San Diego
- Oregon lawmakers want to help you be more energy efficient
- Taking Liberties with LEED
- Full State House To Consider Cap on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Olympian Editorial - State Should Be At Forefront of Green Economy
- Coalition Wants Forests Included In Federal Climate Change Policy
- NY Times Editorial Page - Who Should Regulate Greenhouse Gases?
- Skepticism Arises Over Rural Broadband Stimulus
- Quincy Trying To Reach Cable Representatives
- The Rise of the Mega Data Center
- $8 Billion Shortfall Forecast For Washington State Budget
- Boeing Lays off 1,100 Workers
- Ellensburg Paper Lays off Six, Outsources Printing
- Mason County Man Pleads Guilty To Robbery of Gig Harbor Bank
- Clark County Gives A Lot More Than It Receives On Transportation
- GOP Governors Flip-Flop on Accepting Stimulus Funds

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Grandiloquent – • \grand-ILL-oh-kwence\ • noun - A lofty, extravagantly colorful, pompous, or bombastic style, manner, or quality especially in language

Standing astride the speaker’s platform, Abernathy’s florid, grandiloquent speech was designed to stir the latent, languid passions of the audience to take up the zither as an instrument of peace, love and understanding in the world. His impassioned plea was only slightly undermined by the fact that the audience was made up of ukulele players who had wandered into the hall by mistake, expecting a class on making felt picks. Another shortcoming was pointed out by Abernathy’s assistant, who whispered “XYZ” halfway through the thundering oration.

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

Chelan County PUD Gets License for Rocky Reach Dam (Associated Press)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_rocky_reach_dam.html

BPA: Ready for a new Act? Internecine squabbles over hydroelectric power in the Northwest might lead to a new Power Act, possibly opening up the Columbia River system so that other states benefit, such as California (Crosscut, Seattle)
http://crosscut.com/2009/02/20/energy-utilities/18655/

Transmission Line among First Regional Stimulus Projects (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/4316-transmission-line-among-first-regional-stimulus-projects-green-lighted/

Oregonian Op/Ed - BPA's $246 Million Project - First In a Series
http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2009/02/bpas_246_million_project_first.html

Cantwell is a New Leader on the Senate Energy Committee (KNDO-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9875686

New Reactors Must Handle Plane Strike (Associated Press)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/us/18nuke.html

Maryland - Lawmakers, Consumer Advocates Urge Energy Re-Regulation: Soaring bills drive bid for re-regulation (Baltimore Sun, MD)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.reregulate20feb20,0,1182240.story

News Whiz - Re-Regulating Maryland's Electricity Will Cost Maryland Customers More Money - Not Lower their Energy Bills (Elecgric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&id=105670

Texas - Experts, Companies Weigh In On Electricity Prices (Dallas Morning News)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-elecprices_20bus.ART0.State.Edition1.3c60d87.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Chelan County PUD Fisheries Crew Braves Frigid Waters to Check on Salmon Spawning Results (Wenatchee World)
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090219/NEWS04/702199925/1003/rss1003

Ocean Fishing Shutdown Possible As Few Chinook Return To Sacramento (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/02/ocean_fishing_shutdown_possibl.html

Oregon - Steelhead Arrive At Wallowa Fish Hatchery (Wallowa County Chieftan, OR)
http://www.wallowacountychieftain.info/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=61&ArticleID=18172

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Lead in Water Harmed Sons, D.C. Man Claims (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/17/AR2009021701193.html?nav=rss_email/components

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Energy Northwest Deal Aims To Power Up With Biomass (Associated Press)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/39881747.html

Western Washington To Get Biomass Plant - legislator hopes to see it built on Olympic Peninsula (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090220/news/302209994

Biomass Burnout - Regional Ban on Wood Stove Burning In Effect: Effort to reduce unhealthy smoke levels ends Saturday (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090220/NEWS02/702209979/

Utah - Schools Could Reap Millions In Renewable-Energy Push (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11743559

Cost of Solar Installation Has Fallen In Decade (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/20/BU0T1619FG.DTL&feed=rss.business

Meltdown 101: Will The Sun Soon Power Our Homes? (Associated Press – written by Elmer Gantry…)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jTYsQQTKqbOMGfVp94k72Q6GccbQD96ET04G0

New Zealand - Conservation Minister Criticizes DOC over Wind Farm Deal (Stuff, NZ)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4854118a11.html

Solar-Power Parking Meters to Be Tested In San Diego (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1861916~Solar_power_parking_meters_to_be_tested_in_SD.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Oregon Lawmakers Want To Help You Be More Energy Efficient (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1235021109209010.xml&coll=7

Taking Liberties with LEED (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/taking-liberties-with-leed/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Full State House To Consider Cap On Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Bill would allow businesses to auction permits (Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Great, more energy derivative investments…)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/400845_capandtrade20.html?source=rss

Olympian Editorial - State Should Be At Forefront Of Green Economy (Sure, but can it afford to pay the price?)
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/762747.html

Coalition Wants Forests Included In Federal Climate Change Policy (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/02/coalition_wants_forests_includ.html

NY Times Editorial Page - Who Should Regulate Greenhouse Gases?
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/the-epa-puts-on-the-heat/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Skepticism Arises Over Rural Broadband Stimulus (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/19/AR2009021902473.html?wprss=rss_technology

Quincy Trying To Reach Cable Representatives - Hoping fiber will provide another option (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2009/02/19/news/doc499daaac54c7a089592979.txt

The Rise of the Mega Data Center (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/02/19/the-rise-of-the-mega-data-center/

GENERAL NEWS

$8 Billion Shortfall Forecast For Washington State Budget (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008765126_revenue20m.html

Boeing Lays off 1,100 Workers (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_022009WAB-boeing-layoffs-LJ.34668a43.html?npc

Ellensburg Paper Lays off Six, Outsources Printing (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-1860907~Ellensburg_paper_lays_off_6__outsources_printing.html?cid=rss-Washington_Headlines

Mason County Man Pleads Guilty To Robbery Of Gig Harbor Bank (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/632643.html

Clark County Gives A Lot More Than It Receives On Transportation - It gains 79 cents in road projects for every tax dollar it contributes (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA – Includes link to the report…check out your county, it’s easy and fun!)
http://columbian.com/article/20090219/NEWS02/702199992/-1/news

GOP Governors Flip-Flop on Accepting Stimulus Funds (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/politics/2009/feb/GOP-Governors-Flip-Flop-On-Accepting-Stimulus-Funds.html

DIVERSIONS

Defendant’s E-Mails Lead to Higher Bail
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/630221.html

Girl Scout Cookies Revive Diabetic Woman
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18749843/detail.html

Tennessee Woman Charged In Five-Year Cancer 'Charade'
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11743367

Geronimo’s Heirs Sue Secret Yale Society over His Skull
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/20/us/20geronimo.html

Man Forgets Thousands of Dollars in Toilet
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE51I54620090219?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

SONG OF THE DAY

Rhapsody in Blue – Andre Previn (Interpretation)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lkBfb7qKCI

Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin (Original – If you haven’t heard the original, this will be quite a shock…)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QxWxsK8_3s

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Energy News Digest for February 19, 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)

- The Secretaries, the Stimulus and the Smart Grid
- BPA outlines major transmission expansion for Pacific Northwest
- America’s Future Wind Web?
- Okanogan PUD Transmission Proposal
- Snohomish PUD Rate Hike: About $40.92 A Year Per Household
- Seattle City Light - 'Round up' your utility payment to help needy
- Chattanooga Free Press - Will TVA Change Its Ways?
- California - Smallest Fall Run of Chinook Salmon Reported
- Sportfishing-Led Group Suggests Restrictions on Columbia Gill-Netters
- Oregon Senate Oks Surcharge for Klamath Dam Removal
- Fish Get Assist At Little Goose Dam On Snake River
- Two new orca calves spotted in Puget Sound
- E-Book on History of Columbia Basin Salmon Recovery Litigation Available
- $603,000 Lewis River Project Washed Away
- California Taps Sea For Water Needs
- Energy Northwest to Develop Biomass Plants
- Grays Harbor PUD May Be Interested In Small Hydro Lake Sylvia Park
- Montana - Talk Of Bio-Gen Plant At Columbia Falls Aluminum Company
- California's Renewable Energy Goals Feasible
- Yakima Solar Street Light Goes Green
- 'Cap And Trade' Emissions Bill Passes Out Of House Committee
- Effort To Work Climate Change Into Growth Management Falls Short
- Greenhouse Gases Likely To Face EPA Regulation
- Poking Holes In Connected Nation
- Evergreen Travel Funds Missing
- Newspaper Publishers Seek Tax Cut

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

WORD OF THE DAY

Whipsaw • \WIP-saw\ • verb – 1: to saw with a whipsaw *2: to beset or victimize in two opposite ways at once, by a two-phase operation, or by the collusive action of two opponents

The country is being whipsawed by a lively discussion about climate change, carbon credits, cap and trade, cap and reduce, holding your breath, taking “Beano” with every meal, killing all cows and wearing hair shirts.

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

The Secretaries, the Stimulus and the Smart Grid (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/the-secretaries-the-stimulus-and-the-smart-grid/

BPA outlines major transmission expansion for Pacific Northwest (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/254785/

America’s Future Wind Web? Wind power could feed 20 percent of the US energy diet. But first, the country needs a new energy network (Christian Science Monitor)
http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2009/02/18/americas-future-wind-web/

Okanogan PUD Transmission Proposal: Property Owners Reject Need For Condemnation In PUD Lawsuit (Methow Valley News)
http://www.methowvalleynews.com/story.php?id=918

Snohomish PUD Rate Hike: About $40.92 A Year Per Household (The Herald)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090218/NEWS01/702189797

Seattle City Light - 'Round up' your utility payment to help needy (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_021909WAB-utility-bill-help-SW.30096a00.html

Chattanooga Free Press - Will TVA Change Its Ways?
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/feb/18/will-tva-change-its-ways/?opiniontimes

FISH & WILDLIFE

California - Smallest Fall Run of Chinook Salmon Reported (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/18/MN9I160HP4.DTL

Sportfishing-Led Group Suggests Restrictions on Columbia Gill-Netters (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/02/legislature_may_move_columbia.html

Oregon Senate Oks Surcharge for Klamath Dam Removal (The Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/02/senate_oks_surcharge_for_klama.html

Fish Get Assist At Little Goose Dam On Snake River - Advanced American Construction of Portland set to install 150-ton spillway weir (Daily Journal of Commerce)
http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2009/02/17/Fish-get-assist-at-Little-Goose-Dam-on-Snake-River-Advanced-American-Construction-of-Portland-set-to

Two new orca calves spotted in Puget Sound (KIRO Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=135565

News Release - E-Book on History of Columbia Basin Salmon Recovery Litigation Now Available (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
http://world-wire.com/news/0902190001.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

$603,000 Lewis River Project Washed Away - Officials had misgiving about how well it would work (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/article/20090219/NEWS02/702199954

California Taps Sea For Water Needs - Drought, demand renew debate over desalination (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/400469_deslination18.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Energy Northwest to Develop Biomass Plants - Leaders of Energy Northwest are coming up with plans to make energy from waste in forests (Tri-City Herald)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/482630.html

Residents Gather To Discuss Proposed Lake Sylvia Park Closure – Grays Harbor PUD may be interested in small hydro (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/02/18/local_news/03news.txt

Montana - Talk Of Bio-Gen Plant At Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (Hungry Horse News, MT)
http://www.hungryhorsenews.com/articles/2009/02/19/news/doc499c3753149ee733418150.txt

California's Renewable Energy Goals Feasible (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/19/BUH2160HP3.DTL

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Yakima Solar Street Light Goes Green (KNDU-TV, Yakima)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=9868397

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

'Cap And Trade' Emissions Bill Passes Out Of House Committee (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/400641_capandtrade19.html

Effort To Work Climate Change Into Growth Management Falls Short - Bills before Legislature include no consequences if state’s goals are ignored (The Columbian)
http://columbian.com/article/20090219/NEWS02/702199948/

Greenhouse Gases Likely To Face EPA Regulation (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008759077_gas19.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Poking Holes In Connected Nation - Broadband mapping group could actually harm rural broadband (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Poking-Holes-In-Connected-Nation-100958

GENERAL NEWS

Evergreen Travel Funds Missing - College says professor has not accounted for $50,000 collected from students in past 4 years (The Olympian)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/761799.html

Newspaper Publishers Seek Tax Cut (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/39811877.html

DIVERSIONS

Utility Worker Kills Attacking 2-Pound Chihuahua
http://www.examiner.com/a-1859951~Utility_worker_kills_attacking_2_pound_Chihuahua.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Police: Doughnut Shop Worker Slashes Man's Tires
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090219/ap_on_fe_st/odd_coffee_tires_slashed;_ylt=AvVLDooYffMI.g9BOJq6z3PtiBIF

Suspect Trips Over His Pants While Fleeing Police
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090219/ap_on_fe_st/odd_pants_trip;_ylt=AvO6EyuCgZIvKLHBzfp4i97tiBIF

Cleaner Waters Attract Sharks
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090213/od_nm/us_sharks_odd;_ylt=Arfjc0NB3DTEw.L2jAmq6TvtiBIF

SONG OF THE DAY

While my Guitar Gently Weeps - Jake Shimabukuro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puSkP3uym5k