Monday, September 14, 2009

Energy News Digest for September 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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Natural Gas Costs Flame Out
• Alaska - New Gas Contract for Chugach Electric May Be No Bargain
• TransAlta Emissions - Environmentalists’ Claims Disputed by Ecology Department
• Look Up! Volunteer construction worker injured by power line
• Editorial - Tennessee Valley Authority Calls For Input But Shuts Public Out
• Tennessee Valley Authority Nominee: Utility's Problems Same As In 1970s
• San Francisco Power Plant To Remain Open Through 2010
• Minnesota Utility Quits Big Stone II - $1.6 billion coal-fired power plant
• EPA Says It Will Review 79 Coal Mining Requests
• South Carolina - Copper Thefts at Santee Electric Cooperative
• U.S. Climate Bill Should Not Delay Grid Overhaul: FERC
• What Is Obama's Plan For The Northwest's Imperiled Salmon?
• Columnist - Rocky Barker: Will Obama Broach Dam Breaching?
• Fishermen Spat Leads To Puyallup River Closures
• New Washington State Fish And Wildlife Director Knows Job
• EPA Puts Limits on Three Pesticides to Protect Salmon
• Fix the Road; Fix the Stream
• Friends Help Fox Creek Salmon
• California - Key Salmon Spawning Rivers All But Dry
• Canada - Sockeye Salmon on the Wane
• Idaho - Boise River Chinook Harvest Is Over
• Fish Salvage Starts At Idaho's Sixmile, Gunnel Reservoirs
• Idaho to Reintroduce Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
• WA State Lets Fishermen Sell Salmon-Eating Squid
• Dangerous Germ Found on Puget Sound Beaches
• Deadly Algae Closes Leland, Gibbs Lakes To Recreational Use
• Clark County Upgrade Boosts Sewer Capacity By 45 Percent
• Water Deal Eludes California Lawmakers At Session's End
• Mother Nature’s Little Helpers - The busy beaver
• Port of Shelton Announces Land Option with Alternative Energy Company
• California - Schwarzenegger To Veto Renewable Energy Bills
• Colorado Utility's Rebuff Of Wyoming Wind Surprises –
• Op/Ed - Critics Say Wind Turbines Hurt Land Values
• Wisconsin - Biomass Plant Plan Triggers Questions
• Meeting the Energy Challenge through Conservation in Oregon
• Op/Ed - Energy conservation, personal sacrifice has become a necessity
• Carbon Price Drops In Northeast Auction
• Pollution Auction - Good for Acid Rain, But Can It Slow Climate Change?
• Protecting Climate Change Refugees
• News Digest Flashback - Bogus Trend Story of the Week
• Environmental Groups Spar over Certifications of Wood and Paper Products
• Op/Ed - Algae Farms Can Clean Up Power Plants’ Carbon
• Sailing Ships – California says Wind Power Isn’t Green Enough For the Lady Washington
• Lobbying Firm Says It Only Forged 13 Letters, Not 14
• Good Housekeeping's New Green Seal: Not That Green, Actually
• $100 Million Question: Where is Broadband In US?
• Assessing the Internet: Great Creator or Destroyer?
• Twitter Changes Terms Of Service to Allow Ads
• Regulators Seize Lacey-Based Venture Bank
• Mason Officials Want Residents to Trade Burn Barrels for Compost Bins
• Initiative 1033 - Backers of Revenue Cap Initiative Lose Bid to Change Ballot Wording
• State Considers Selling Company Naming Rights On Ferries
• Heat Bares Ice at Mount Rainier

WORD OF THE DAY

Munificent • \myoo-NIF-uh-sunt\ • adjective - 1: very liberal in giving or bestowing: lavish

Barty was in hog heaven. He was eating chicken-fried steak at his favorite hash house, lavished with the munificent ministrations of the waitress, who kept plying him with complimentary bacon…fried just right to a crispy crunch.

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

Natural Gas Costs Flame Out - Natural-gas prices are increasingly unlikely to cause much discontent this winter (Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090913/BIZ01/709139952/-1/BIZ

Alaska - New Gas Contract for Chugach Electric May Be No Bargain (Alaska Journal of Commerce)
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/091109/oil_img_001.shtml

TransAlta Emissions - Environmentalists’ Claims Disputed by Ecology Department (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/articles/2009/09/12/news//doc4aab4daf3d9c1192494207.txt

Look Up! Volunteer construction worker injured by power line (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/12/volunteer-construction-worker-injured-power-line/

Daily News Journal Editorial - Tennessee Valley Authority Calls For Input But Shuts Public Out
http://www.dnj.com/article/20090913/NEWS05/909130326/TVA+calls+for+input+but+shuts+public+out

Tennessee Valley Authority Nominee: Utility's Problems Same As In 1970s (Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN)
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090912/APF/909120730

San Francisco Power Plant To Remain Open Through 2010 (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2214054~SF_power_plant_to_remain_open_through_2010.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Minnesota Utility Quits Big Stone II - $1.6 billion coal-fired power plant in South Dakota (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009849020_apusbigstoneottertail.html?syndication=rss

EPA Says It Will Review 79 Coal Mining Requests (Associated Press)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/12/epa-says-it-will-review-79-coal-mining-requests/

South Carolina - Copper Thefts at Santee Electric Cooperative (WPDE-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC)
http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=349247

U.S. Climate Bill Should Not Delay Grid Overhaul: FERC “…(Wellinghof) I would hope the Senate would consider looking at a (transmission) bill separately, if in fact the climate bill does seem to be stalled…” (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58A45U20090911

FISH & WILDLIFE

What Is Obama's Plan For The Northwest's Imperiled Salmon? “…Based on interviews with those familiar with the Obama administration's discussions, Tuesday's unveiling will not dramatically alter the approach we've known from the previous administration…” (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/09/what_is_obamas_plan_for_the_no.html

Idaho Statesman Columnist - Rocky Barker: Will Obama Broach Dam Breaching?
http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/898982.html

Fishermen Spat Leads To Puyallup River Closures (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/59069032.html

New Washington State Fish And Wildlife Director Knows Job - Anderson hopes to enhance outdoor activity opportunities after removal of ‘interim’ from title (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/877907.html

EPA Puts Limits on Three Pesticides to Protect Salmon (Associated Press)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11114916

Fix the Road; Fix the Stream - New Culvert On Evergreen State College Campus Will Mimic Nature (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/970114.html

Friends Help Fox Creek Salmon (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/09/14/area_news/doc4aadea4ec5869136838687.txt

California - Key Salmon Spawning Rivers All But Dry (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/13/MN5I19CVKD.DTL

Canada - Sockeye Salmon on the Wane: Salmon in the Pink on Fraser River (Globe and Mail, Canada)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/salmon-in-the-pink-on-fraser-river/article1284895/

Idaho - Boise River Chinook Harvest Is Over (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/969429.html

Fish Salvage Starts At Idaho's Sixmile, Gunnel Reservoirs – Hybrid fish will be eliminated (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/968420.html

Idaho to Reintroduce Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/969450.html

WA State Lets Fishermen Sell Salmon-Eating Squid (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009859480_apwahumboldtsquid.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Dangerous Germ Found on Puget Sound Beaches (KIRO-TV, Seattle) http://www.kirotv.com/news/20875990/detail.html

Deadly Algae Closes Leland, Gibbs Lakes To Recreational Use (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090913/news/309139989

Clark County Upgrade Boosts Sewer Capacity By 45 Percent (Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090912/NEWS02/909129993/

Water Deal Eludes California Lawmakers At Session's End (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iMcz9ocS8CdxPM6ZyRBpUq9Yro8QD9ALKENG2

Mother Nature’s Little Helpers - The busy beaver may be key to region’s water issues (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/13/busy-beavers-may-be-key-water-storage/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Port of Shelton Announces Land Option with Alternative Energy Company (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146:port-of-shelton-announces-land-option-with-energy-company&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

California - Schwarzenegger To Veto Renewable Energy Bills (Associated Press)
http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090913/UPDATES01/90912021/Schwarzenegger+to+veto+renewable+energy+bills+

Colorado Utility's Rebuff Of Wyoming Wind Surprises - Xcel Rejected Southeast Wyoming Wind Developers (Associated Press)
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/20888390/detail.html

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Op/Ed - Critics Say Wind Turbines Hurt Land Values
http://www.jsonline.com/business/59088607.html

Wisconsin - Biomass Plant Plan Triggers Questions - Papermakers concerned about price of wood (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI)
http://www.jsonline.com/business/59087912.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Meeting the Energy Challenge through Conservation in Oregon (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/09/meeting_the_energy_challenge_t.html

Alaska Journal of Commerce Op/Ed - Energy conservation, personal sacrifice has become a necessity
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/091109/opi_7_001.shtml

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Carbon Price Drops In Northeast Auction (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/11/financial/f133834D87.DTL&feed=rss.business

Pollution Auction - Good for Acid Rain, But Can It Slow Climate Change? (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112795024&ft=1&f=2

Protecting Climate Change Refugees - Communities hardest hit by climate change are also the poorest. Their right to compensation and protection needs to be made into law (Guardian, UK)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/sep/13/climate-change-refugees-law

News Digest Flashback - Bogus Trend Story of the Week: "Climate Fears Are Driving 'Ecomigration' Across Globe." (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2212229/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Environmental Groups Spar over Certifications of Wood and Paper Products (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/science/earth/12timber.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Billings Gazette Op/Ed - Algae Farms Can Clean Up Power Plants’ Carbon
http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/guest/article_a463df08-9f54-11de-a466-001cc4c03286.html

Sailing Ships – California says Wind Power Isn’t Green Enough For the Lady Washington (Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/09/12/local_news/doc4aab565b993cb859656624.txt

Lobbying Firm Says It Only Forged 13 Letters, Not 14 (Washington Post)
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2009/09/lobbying_firm_says_it_only_for.html

Good Housekeeping's New Green Seal: Not That Green, Actually (Consumerist)
http://consumerist.com/5357723/good-housekeepings-new-green-seal-not-that-green-actually

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

$100 Million Question: Where is Broadband In US? (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009856089_apustecthe350millionmap.html?syndication=rss

Assessing the Internet: Great Creator or Destroyer? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/09/13/assessing-the-internet-great-creator-or-destroyer/

Twitter Changes Terms Of Service to Allow Ads (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13316808

GENERAL NEWS

Regulators Seize Lacey-Based Venture Bank (KIRO Radio, Seattle, WA)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=211623

Mason Officials Want Residents to Trade Burn Barrels for Compost Bins (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/sep/13/mason-officials-want-residents-to-trade-burn-for/?partner=RSS

Initiative 1033 - Backers of Revenue Cap Initiative Lose Bid to Change Ballot Wording (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/968267.html

State Considers Selling Company Naming Rights On Ferries (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009850506_ferrynaming12m.html?syndication=rss

Heat Bares Ice at Mount Rainier (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/13/heat-bares-ice-at-mount-rainier/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Driver Dons Monkey Masks to Elude Tickets - Arizona Man Faces 37 Tickets, $6,700 In Fines
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/20859369/detail.html

Washington State Judicial Candidate Mistaken For SC Rep who Heckled President
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11114755

Bad Neighbor - Man Signs For Package, Pawns Contents
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090911/BREAKINGNEWS/90911005/1006/NEWS01/Police++Man+signed+for+neighbor+s+package++pawned+it

Puyallup 911 Dispatcher Gives Birth on 9-11 at 9:11
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/969529.html

DIY Roads In India After Endless Govt Delays: Report
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090908/od_afp/indiaroadoffbeat_20090908110446

SONG OF THE DAY

Bette Midler - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUxUbYUHExs

Friday, September 11, 2009

Energy News Digest for September 11, 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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)


• BPA Hopes - Columbia Falls Aluminum Operations Extended Again
• City Of Aberdeen to Lease Water Rights to Grays Harbor Energy
• Montana - Meeting Set to Discuss Great Falls Power Plant
• California Utilities Sign $900M Natural Gas Pact
• Two Florida PSC Staffers Resign As Nuclear Plant Weighed
• Idaho - Rare Salmon Get Boost at Redfish
• Columbia River Tour Tracks Salmon Migration
• Five Transient Orcas Seen In South Sound
• Killer Whales Strain to "Talk" Over Ship Noise
• Biologist says Dwindling British Columbia Salmon Stocks Poorly Managed
• British Columbia - Tiny Fish at Heart of Big Legal Win For Endangered Species
• Oregon Timber Operators Sue Obama Administration
• EPA Vows to Be Chesapeake Watchdog
• Radar Ridge Wind Power Project Deemed Wildlife Safe
• Portland - Vestas Looking At Existing Buildings for Headquarters
• California Lawmakers Weigh Rules on Renewable Energy
• Puget Sound Energy Names Burns & McDonnell Design Engineer for Snake River Wind Energy Project
• Suntech: Oregon Market Is Too Small
• Idaho Man Gets Money to Put Solar Panels in Highways
• Self-Guided Tour of Solar Homes Upcoming in Kittitas County
• Long Eclipsed by the West, Eastern States Angle to Stake Claim in Renewables Push
• The War over Wind - Critics Say Green Groups Are Too Tight With Industry
• German Geothermal Project Leads to Second Thoughts After the Earth Rumbles
• United Kingdom - Planning Blamed For Liquidation of Micro Wind Generation Firm
• Editorial - Smart grid offers leap forward on power usage
• Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market Windows, Doors & Insulation
• Theft Charges for Ex-Owner of Window & Door Factory
• As Hill Debate on Climate Flounders, EPA Plows Ahead on Emission Rules
• Don't Count on Carbon Offsets to Solve Climate Change, Group Says
• A Carbon Tax for France & a Dramatic Plan to Cut Emissions in Japan
• Car Dealers Appeal Ruling on California Emissions
• Greenland's Melt Mystery Unfolds, At Glacial Pace
• Arctic Shortcut Beckons Shippers as Ice Thaws
• California's Compost Law Could Spark New Trend, & Fines
• Clean Energy Future Has Humble Beginnings
• Really Big Potato Battery! Trees Could Be the Ultimate in Green Power
• Data Center Energy Use Will Likely Be Part of Coming Federal Requirements
• Dell to Hang Up On Idaho Call Center
• Class Action Lawsuit Claims AT&T Profits from Phone Thefts
• 9/11 Marked With Mourning & a Spirit of Service
• Former Mason Budget Director Files Claim Alleging Discrimination
• Judge Shields Signatures in Gay-Rights Referendum
• Washington Tops College Student Swine Flu Rate
• Can You Save Money By Motorcycle Commuting? Not Really

WORD OF THE DAY

Ennead • \ENN-ee-ad\ • noun – A group of nine

The US Supreme Court, an ennead of the brightest legal minds in the nation. One wonders what the Friday potlucks behind the huge bronze doors are like. I like to imagine they’re having a great time, chowing down and wearing big “Red Lobster”-like bibs over their black, silk robes during their noon-hour repast.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast & 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

Columbia Falls Aluminum Operations Extended Again “…BPA agreed to let CFAC shop in the open market to buy power without jeopardizing its position as a Bonneville customer….” (Flathead Beacon, Kalispell, MT)
http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/columbia_falls_aluminum_company_open_through_october/12916/

City Of Aberdeen to Lease Water Rights to Grays Harbor Energy (Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/09/10/local_news/doc4aa93bbad5c76408089942.txt

Montana - Meeting Set to Discuss Great Falls Power Plant (Associated Press)
http://www.kxmb.com/News/434939.asp

California Utilities Sign $900M Natural Gas Pact (Sacramento Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2009/09/07/daily55.html?ana=from_rss

Two Florida PSC Staffers Resign As Nuclear Plant Weighed (Electricity Forum)
http://www.electricityforum.com/news/sep09/PSCstaffersresignamidFPLratehikerequest.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Idaho - Rare Salmon Get Boost at Redfish: Sockeye released into lake after second summer of high returns (Idaho Mountain Express & Guide, Sun Valley)
http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005127810

River Tour Tracks Salmon Migration - NOAA scientists research fish populations in Columbia River estuaries (Daily Astorian, OR)
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=63936

Five Transient Orcas Seen In South Sound (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/966869.html

Killer Whales Strain to "Talk" Over Ship Noise (National Geographic)
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/09/090910-killer-whales-ships.html

Biologist says Dwindling British Columbia Salmon Stocks Poorly Managed (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/09/09/bc-salmon-suzuki-foundation.html

British Columbia - Tiny Fish at Heart of Big Legal Win For Endangered Species (BC Local News)
http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/58664377.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oregon Timber Operators Sue Obama Administration (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/5792-oregon-timber-operators-sue-obama-administration/

EPA Vows to Be Chesapeake Watchdog - Agency Says It Will Strictly Enforce Pollution Rules to Try to Restore the Estuary (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/10/AR2009091002645.html?wprss=rss_business

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Radar Ridge Wind Power Project Deemed Wildlife Safe (Chinook Observer, Longview, WA)
http://www.chinookobserver.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=30321&TM=36067.46#B2

Portland - Vestas Looking At Existing Buildings for Headquarters (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/09/vestas_looking_at_existing_bui.html

California Lawmakers Weigh Rules on Renewable Energy (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g-95_hW8k5bE1za44MIkrEhQIxlQD9AKR8O80

Puget Sound Energy Names Burns & McDonnell Design Engineer for Snake River Wind Energy Project (North American Wind Power)
http://www.nawindpower.com/naw/e107_plugins/content/content_lt.php?content.4587

Suntech: Oregon Market Is Too Small (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/09/07/daily23.html?ana=from_rss

Idaho Man Gets Federal Money to Develop His Idea of Putting Solar Panels in Highways (Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/895850.html

Self-Guided Tour of Solar Homes Upcoming in Kittitas County (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/09/10/self-guided-tour-of-solar-homes-upcoming-in-kittitas-county

Long Eclipsed by the West, Eastern States Angle to Stake Claim in Renewables Push (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/09/10/10greenwire-long-eclipsed-by-the-west-eastern-states-angle-83896.html

The War over Wind – Critics Say Green Groups Are Too Tight With Industry (The Daily Page, Madison, WI)
http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=26856

Honey, I Broke the Planet! - German Geothermal Project Leads to Second Thoughts After the Earth Rumbles (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/science/earth/11quake.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

United Kingdom - Planning Blamed For Liquidation of Micro Wind Generation Firm (New Energy Focus)
http://newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=2993&section=Wind

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Spokesman-Review Editorial - Smart grid offers leap forward on power usage
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/11/smart-grid-offers-leap-forward-on-power-usage/

Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market Windows, Doors & Insulation (TMC Net)
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/09/11/4364638.htm

Theft Charges for Ex-Owner of Window & Door Factory – Moved inventory to another state to start a new business (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/us/11republic.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

As Hill Debate on Climate Flounders, EPA Plows Ahead on Emission Rules (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/09/10/10greenwire-as-hill-debate-on-climate-flounders-epa-plows-47515.html

Don't Count on Carbon Offsets to Solve Climate Change, Group Says (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/09/dont_count_on_carbon_offsets_t.html

Sacre vert! A Carbon Tax for France & a Dramatic Plan to Cut Emissions in Japan. But America is behind (Economist Magazine)
http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14437359

Car Dealers Appeal Ruling on California Emissions (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009842664_apuscaliforniapollution3rdldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

Greenland's Melt Mystery Unfolds, At Glacial Pace (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009841746_apclimate09greenlandsmelt.html?syndication=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Arctic Shortcut Beckons Shippers as Ice Thaws (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/science/earth/11passage.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

California's Compost Law Could Spark New Trend, & Fines (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/environment/2009/sep/California-s-Compost-Law-Could-Spark-New-Trend-.html

Clean Energy Future Has Humble Beginnings (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58A0JT20090911

Really Big Potato Battery! Trees Could Be the Ultimate in Green Power (New Scientist)
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17767-trees-could-be-the-ultimate-in-green-power.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Ready For Regulation? Data Center Energy Use Will Likely Be Part of Coming Federal Requirements (Processor)
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/P3123/37p23/37p23/37p23.asp&guid=

Dell to Hang Up On Idaho Call Center (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/967564.html

Class Action Lawsuit Claims AT&T Profits from Phone Thefts (Courthouse News)
http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/09/11/Class_Claims_AT&T_Profits_from_Phone_Thefts.htm

GENERAL NEWS

9/11 Marked With Mourning & a Spirit of Service (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/20838690/detail.html

Former Mason Budget Director Files Claim Alleging Discrimination (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/sep/10/former-mason-budget-director-files-claim/?partner=RSS

Judge Shields Signatures in Gay-Rights Referendum (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009843284_webref7111m.html?syndication=rss

Washington Tops College Student Swine Flu Rate (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/966828.html

Can You Save Money By Motorcycle Commuting? Not Really (Consumerist)
http://consumerist.com/5356991/can-you-save-money-by-motorcycle-commuting-not-really

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Gender-Questioned Sprinter Gets Makeover
http://www.kirotv.com/sports/20837332/detail.html

Cat in Ohio Survives 26 Days under Fire Debris
http://www.kirotv.com/news/20835120/detail.html

UPS Driver Is Champion Parking Violator
http://www.kirotv.com/news/20812471/detail.html

Wisconsin Dad, Son Excel at Cricket-Spitting
http://www.kirotv.com/sports/20796240/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Buddy Holly & the Crickets - True Love Ways
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYI9uaLdSZM&feature

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Energy News Digest for September 10, 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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Environmental Group Reacts to TransAlta Emissions Reduction Plan
• Chelan County PUD Selling Lehman Brothers Debt
• California - Regulators Reject San Diego Utility Wildfire Plan
• Rising Temps Melt Electric Utilities' Business Models
• Wisconsin Appeals Court Rules Farm Can Sue Alliant Energy over Stray Voltage
• TransAlta Extends Canadian Hydro Buyout Offer
• Fishing Groups Push Sec. Locke on Salmon Populations
• Puget Sound Salmon - 'Pink Fever' Brings Out Salmon Fishers, Poachers
• First the Skok, Now This - Record Fishing Crowds Trashing Puyallup River
• Wash. Wildlife Police Concerned About Sturgeon Poaching on Columbia River
• Scientists Taking A Close Look At the Columbia River Estuary
• Cynic Alert - Why Is Gordon Smith Weighing In On Dam Breaching?
• The Future of Salmon in Denmark
• From Deep Pacific, Ugly and Tasty, With a Catch
• DOE Considers Building another Hanford Landfill
• State Of Emergency Declared For Green River Flooding Potential
• Snoqualmie Valley Residents Fear Dam-Lowering Project
• $250 Million for West Lewis County Wind Power Project
• Op/Ed - Whidbey Wind Is Sold To California
• Wind-Energy Rush Threatens Historic Sites
• Push for Renewable Energy Lauded, But Divisions over Details Remain
• South Dakota - Wind Farm Is a Burst of Energy for State
• US House Passes $1 Billion Wind Energy Bill
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Photovoltaic Power
• Another Company Leaves 'Mixed Messaging' Coal Alliance
• Carbon Trading like Any Commodity, Panel Told
• Senate Democrats Skeptical About Climate Bill
• New Ag Chairwoman May Not Change Senate Dynamic on Climate Bill Push
• Musical Chairs in the Senate Present Worries for Enviros
• Let's Talk Trash - A Cheaper, Greener Way to Deal with Garbage
• New Microsoft Data Center Opening In Redmond Ridge
• Grant County PUD Restarts Dark Fiber Sales
• Feds Give Details on 2,200 Broadband Stimulus Requests
• Fairpoint Will Miss Maine & Vermont Broadband Expansion Commitments
• Chattanooga Finally Getting Its Fiber
• Mason County Deputies Getting Office in Belfair Safeway
• Olympia Nonprofit Volunteer Charged: 62 Felony Counts
• A New Tune at KPLU
• Wal-Mart to Staff: Bye-Bye Paycheck, Hello Debit Card

WORD OF THE DAY

Futurity • \fyoo-TOOR-uh-tee\ • noun - 1: time to come: future 2: the quality or state of being future 3: future events or prospects

The past is not done
It lives to futurity
It sticks like cheap gum

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

Environmental Group Reacts to TransAlta Emissions Reduction Plan (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Environmental-Group-Reacts-to-TransAlta-=1&blockID=74192&feedID=410

Chelan County PUD Selling Lehman Brothers Debt (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)
http://www.kpq.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1363

California - Regulators Reject San Diego Utility Wildfire Plan (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2210645~Regulators_reject_San_Diego_utility_wildfire_plan.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Rising Temps Melt Electric Utilities' Business Models (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/09/10/10greenwire-rising-temps-melt-electric-utilities-business-72148.html

Wisconsin Appeals Court Rules Farm Can Sue Alliant Energy over Stray Voltage (Associated Press)
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Wis-appeals-court-Farm-can-apf-103190156.html?x=0&.v=2

TransAlta Extends Canadian Hydro Buyout Offer (Associated Press)
http://www.cnbc.com/id/32765930

FISH & WILDLIFE

Fishing Groups Push Sec. Locke on Salmon Populations (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/5784-fishing-groups-push-sec-locke-salmon-populations/

Puget Sound Salmon - 'Pink Fever' Brings Out Salmon Fishers, Poachers (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/58159952.html

First the Skok, Now This - Record Fishing Crowds Trashing Puyallup River (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_090909ENB-puyallup-river-trash-TP.1650c535d.html?rss

Wash. Wildlife Police Concerned About Sturgeon Poaching on Columbia River (KUOW Radio, Seattle)
http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=18373

Scientists Taking A Close Look At the Columbia River Estuary (Daily Astorian, OR)
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=63936

Cynic Alert - Why Is Gordon Smith Weighing In On Dam Breaching? (The Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2009/09/why_is_gordon_smith_weighs_in.html

The Future of Salmon in Denmark (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/5782-future-salmon-denmark/

From Deep Pacific, Ugly and Tasty, With a Catch (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/science/10fish.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

DOE Considers Building another Hanford Landfill (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/874221.html

State Of Emergency Declared For Green River Flooding Potential (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/58526582.html

Snoqualmie Valley Residents Fear Dam-Lowering Project (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/409898_snoqualmie09.html?source=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

$250 MILLION FOR WEST LEWIS COUNTY WIND POWER PROJECT (DOTY) – A New York based energy company has $250 million plans to harvest the wind near Doty. EverPower has hopes to build up to 50-wind turbines on remote Weyerhaeuser property. The wind turbines – which could reach 330-feet into the air - would be placed on a single ridge near the border of Lewis and Grays Harbor County. The so-called “Coyote Crest Wind Park” could produce 120-megawatts. It’s enough power to supply power to 25,000 homes. (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

Whidbey News-Times Op/Ed - Whidbey Wind Is Sold to California - PSE/Macquarie started off in true form by secretly selling all its green wind energy to California!
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/opinion/letters/58146272.html

Wind-Energy Rush Threatens Historic Sites - Public funds being used to destroy historic treasures (Outlook Online, Portland, OR)
http://www.theoutlookonline.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=125201796695922700

Push for Renewable Energy Lauded, But Divisions over Details Remain (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13302045

South Dakota - Wind Farm Is a Burst of Energy for State (Sioux Falls Argus Leader, SD)
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090910/NEWS/909100335/1003/BUSINESS

US House Passes $1 Billion Wind Energy Bill – To make wind turbines more efficient and reliable (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/09/MN9119KRFA.DTL

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Photovoltaic Power at Rancho Seco (Sacramento Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2009/09/07/daily24.html?ana=from_rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Another Company Leaves 'Mixed Messaging' Coal Alliance (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/09/09/09greenwire-another-company-leaves-mixed-messaging-coal-al-88273.html

Carbon Trading like Any Commodity, Panel Told (Houston Chronicle, TX – This is NOT a confidence builder…)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6611010.html

Senate Democrats Skeptical About Climate Bill (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5883HD20090909

New Ag Chairwoman May Not Change Senate Dynamic on Climate Bill Push (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/09/10/10climatewire-new-ag-chairwoman-may-not-change-senate-dyna-32661.html

Musical Chairs in the Senate Present Worries for Enviros (Newsweek Magazine)
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2009/09/09/musical-chairs-in-the-senate-present-worries-for-enviros.aspx

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Let's Talk Trash - A Cheaper, Greener Way to Deal with Garbage (Newsweek Magazine)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/215120?from=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

New Microsoft Data Center Opening In Redmond Ridge “…Microsoft will also be scaling back its plans to expand a much larger data center in Grant County…” (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoftpri0/2009832638_newmicrosoftdatacenteropeninginredmondridge.html?syndication=rss

Grant County PUD Restarts Dark Fiber Sales (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2009/09/09/news/doc4aa82e4f71546640143354.txt

Feds Give Details on 2,200 Broadband Stimulus Requests (San Francisco Business Times)
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/09/07/daily54.html?ana=from_rss

Here are the applications from Washington State (BroadbandUSA)
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/applications/results.cfm?org=&keywords=&projtype=&program=&state=WA

Fairpoint Will Miss Maine & Vermont Broadband Expansion Commitments - Utter incompetence versus wimpy regulators. Get ready, fight! (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Fairpoint-Will-Miss-Broadband-Expansion-Commitments-104382

Chattanooga Finally Getting Its Fiber - $200 million local investment offers 15,20,50 Mbps tiers (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Chattanooga-Finally-Getting-Its-Fiber-104379

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Deputies Getting Office in Belfair Safeway (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/sep/09/mason-county-deputies-getting-office-in-belfair/?partner=RSS

Olympia Nonprofit Volunteer Charged: 62 Felony Counts (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/965832.html

A New Tune at KPLU (Tacoma Daily Index)
http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1619470&more=0

Wal-Mart to Staff: Bye-Bye Paycheck, Hello Debit Card - The Nation's Largest Employer Eliminates Physical Paychecks in Favor of Cards, Direct Deposit (ABC News)
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wal-mart-employees-debit-cards-paychecks/Story?id=8494124&page=1

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Pigeon transfers data faster than South Africa's Telkom
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE5885PM20090909?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Over Bathtub Pictures - Outraged Parents Sue Wal-Mart, And Arizona for Taking Kids
http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/09/10/Outraged_Parents_Sue_Wal-Mart_And_Arizona_for_Taking_Kids.htm

2,400-Lb Ore. Horse Rescued From Hole
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/58307442.html

Woman Uses 'Because I'm Pretty' Sign to Deter Police Stops
http://www.kirotv.com/news/20810835/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Ernie - Rubber Ducky
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Wkq8iouEY&feature=related

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Energy News Digest for Setpember 9, 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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Hearings Set On NW Power Plan
• Yakima - Accident Leaves 1,450 without Power
• FERC-NERC-WECC - Chelan PUD to Pay $42,000 for Rule Violations
• State Pollution Board Upholds Energy Northwest Fine
• Fitch Affirms Arrowrock Hydroelectric Project Revenue Bonds at 'BBB+'
• A ‘Nuclear Renaissance’ Stumbles Forward
• Chesapeake CEO Convinced Compressed Natural Gas Popularity Will Grow
• Developing World's Energy Needs Set Stage for Fight
• Flores Hopes Fish Plan Sticks
• Idaho - Biologists to Release Sockeye into Redfish Lake
• Columbia River and Tributary Fish Checks
• British Columbia Bears Dying From Salmon Shortage
• Huge Squid Appear En Masse Around Clallam Bay/Sekiu
• Half of Fish Consumption Attributed to Aquaculture
• Montana - Restoration River: Unlocking Upper Clark Fork's Potential
• Entiat Sewage to Get Chelan PUD Boost
• Suntech Snubs Oregon
• Suntech Says Solar Demand Has Turned Up
• Bechtel to build solar plants for BrightSource
• States Sharing the Sea for Wind Industry
• How Do You Grow A Wind-Power Startup To Utility-Grade?
• Earth Talk - Compare Costs of Alternative Energy
• Pellet Stoves Have Positives and Negatives
• Naval Base Kitsap Facilities Recognized for Conservation
• ‘Smart Grid’ To Get Test
• San Francisco Green Buildings Standard Seen As Flawed
• Workshop Uses Power Of Faith To Save Energy
• At Last, an LED Bulb worth Talking About
• Energy Bill's Proponents Prepare Counterattack
• Coalition Launches Campaign to Pass Climate Bill
• Electric rates will increase
• Stimulus Money to Train Scientists to Store Carbon to Fight Global Warming
• Storing Carbon Dioxide Could Be Britain’s New Oil Industry
• Bid to Make ‘Green’ Palm Oil Advances
• Eugene Named A ‘Smarter City’
• Are Blackboards More Environmentally Friendly Than Whiteboards?
• Comcast Launches 100Mbps Business Service to Take on Telcos
• Connected Nation Bails on Kentucky
• Ex-Yahoo Executive to Lead AOL's E-Mail Effort
• For Green Data Centers, Tech Firms Pick Up Where LEED Left Off
• 28 Have Sought Life-Ending Prescriptions under Washington State Law
• Soaring Forest Service leases to drive families out of cabins they've had for generations
• Large Marijuana Grows Dangerous To Environment & Humans
• North Mason Chamber's Proposed Name Change Raises Eyebrows
• Challenges Facing Gorge Cities Mount
• Olympia Looks to Ease Traffic Congestion at Busiest Intersection
• State Department Contractor electrocuted in Iraqi shower
• Olympic National Park Will Be On New U.S. Quarter
• Bellingham Offers Key to "Daily Show" Host

WORD OF THE DAY

Solipsism • \SO-lup-siz-um \ • noun – A theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing; also: extreme egocentrism

Norbert’s pudgy fingers reached for another chocolate bon bon. “It’s good to the King,” he mused through his hazy, and all to frequent, bouts of solipsism. After the life-altering “bee in the motorcycle helmet” incident, Norbert sensed that he was the reincarnation of Louis the 14th of France…the “Sun King”, as ordained by God. His wife merely rolled her eyes and handed him another powdered wig.

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

Hearings Set On NW Power Plan (Idaho Business Review)
http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2009/09/08/Hearings-set-on-NW-power-plan

Yakima - Accident Leaves 1,450 without Power; Truck Driver Cited (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/09/08/truck-snaps-utility-power-leaving-1-000-without-power

FERC-NERC-WECC - Chelan PUD to Pay $42,000 for Rule Violations “…Manager puts it succinctly, ‘“Not only have we seen a plethora of new regulations and standards coming out…these are being interpreted and developed ... right up to the day of the audit, in many cases.’” (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/sep/09/chelan-pud-to-pay-42000-for-rule-violations/

State Pollution Board Upholds Energy Northwest Fine (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009826558_webwaste08.html?syndication=rss

Fitch Affirms Arrowrock Hydroelectric Project Revenue Bonds at 'BBB+' (Yahoo! Finance)
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Fitch-Affirms-Boise-Kuna-bw-2662308920.html?x=0&.v=1

A ‘Nuclear Renaissance’ Stumbles Forward (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/a-nuclear-renaissance-stumbles-forward/

Chesapeake CEO Convinced Compressed Natural Gas Popularity Will Grow (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/08/financial/f145445D95.DTL&feed=rss.business

Developing World's Energy Needs Set Stage for Fight (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/08/AR2009090804019.html?nav=rss_email/components

FISH & WILDLIFE

Flores Hopes Fish Plan Sticks - Terry Flores is hoping the third time will be the charm for the Northwest Salmon Plan (Dalles Chronicle, OR)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2009/09/news09-0809-01.shtml

Idaho - Biologists to Release Sockeye into Redfish Lake (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/964770.html

Columbia River and Tributary Fish Checks (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2009827361_columbia_river_and_tributary_f.html

British Columbia Bears Dying From Salmon Shortage, Globe Says (Bloomberg News)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=a4Wi3OaH9XC0

Huge Squid Appear En Masse Around Clallam Bay/Sekiu -- Why? (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090909/news/309099988

Half of Fish Consumption Attributed to Aquaculture, Study Finds (Yale Environment 360)
http://e360.yale.edu/content/digest.msp?id=2044

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Montana - Restoration River: Unlocking Upper Clark Fork's Potential for Recreation, Wildlife (Missoulian, MT)
http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/article_edba697c-9c36-11de-8792-001cc4c03286.html

Entiat Sewage to Get Chelan PUD Boost (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/sep/09/entiat-sewage-to-get-pud-boost/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Suntech Snubs Oregon (Portland Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/09/07/daily8.html?ana=from_rss

Suntech Says Solar Demand Has Turned Up (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE5874TB20090908

Bechtel to build solar plants for BrightSource (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/09/BUPE19K87F.DTL&feed=rss.business

States Sharing the Sea for Wind Industry (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/09/09/09climatewire-states-sharing-the-sea-for-wind-industry-58551.html

How Do You Grow A Wind-Power Startup To Utility-Grade? (Massachusetts High Tech)
http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2009/09/07/weekly9-How-do-you-grow-a-wind-power-startup-to-utility-grade.html

Earth Talk - Compare Costs of Alternative Energy: Is it better to go with your utility's renewable power option or install your own solar or wind power? (Christian Science Monitor)
http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/09/08/earth-talk-compare-costs-of-alternative-energy/

Pellet Stoves Have Positives and Negatives (KYTV-TV, Springfield, MO)
http://www.ky3.com/news/contactky3reports/57716177.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Naval Base Kitsap Facilities Recognized for Conservation (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/sep/09/naval-base-kitsap-facilities-recognized-for/

‘Smart Grid’ To Get Test - Led by Battelle, utilities will incorporate tools to better manage electricity use (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/09/smart-grid-to-get-test/

San Francisco Green Buildings Standard Seen As Flawed (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/09/BU1A19K7LM.DTL&feed=rss.business

Workshop Uses Power Of Faith To Save Energy - Cool Congregations shows how people can cut their carbon footprint (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/19842902-46/story.csp#ID:19842902

At Last, an LED Bulb worth Talking About - Other LEDs disappoint, but the new bulb from Philips has the power to drag low-carbon spotlights out of the shadows (The Guardian, UK)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2009/sep/09/led-light-bulb

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Energy Bill's Proponents Prepare Counterattack - While Washington focuses on health care, another battle looms in the Senate for carbon cap-and-trade legislation (BusinessWeek)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32757053/ns/business-businessweekcom/

Coalition Launches Campaign to Pass Climate Bill (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/08/AR2009090802295.html?wprss=rss_business

Electric rates will increase (Sioux Falls Argus Leader, SD)
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090909/VOICES09/909090319/1057/COLUMNISTS

Stimulus Money to Train Scientists to Store Carbon to Fight Global Warming (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/09/stimulus_money_to_train_scient.html

Storing Carbon Dioxide Could Be Britain’s New Oil Industry (Times of London, UK)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/earth-environment/article6826737.ece

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Bid to Make ‘Green’ Palm Oil Advances (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/business/energy-environment/10palm.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Eugene Named A ‘Smarter City’ - A group ranks the leaders high in the “environmental vanguard’’ (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/19846539-46/story.csp#ID:19846539

Are Blackboards More Environmentally Friendly Than Whiteboards? (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2227692/?from=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Comcast Launches 100Mbps Business Service to Take on Telcos (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/09/08/comcast-launches-100mbps-business-service-to-take-on-telcos/

Connected Nation Bails on Kentucky - After state demands too much of the organization (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Connected-Nation-Bails-On-Kentucky-104356

Ex-Yahoo Executive to Lead AOL's E-Mail Effort (Associated Press)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/08/AR2009090803219.html?wprss=rss_technology

For Green Data Centers, Tech Firms Pick Up Where LEED Left Off (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/09/08/for-green-data-centers-tech-firms-pick-up-where-leed-left-off/

GENERAL NEWS

28 Have Sought Life-Ending Prescriptions Under Washington State Law (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009827702_death09m.html

Soaring Forest Service leases to drive families out of cabins they've had for generations (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/traveloutdoors/2009827693_cabin09m.html?syndication=rss

Large Marijuana Grows Dangerous To Environment & Humans (Associated Press)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11096117

North Mason Chamber's Proposed Name Change Raises Eyebrows (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/sep/08/north-mason-chambers-proposed-name-change-raises/?partner=RSS

Challenges Facing Gorge Cities Mount - Mixed messages abound at first-ever bi-state gathering (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090909/NEWS02/709099958/

Olympia Looks to Ease Traffic Congestion at Busiest Intersection (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/871211.html

State Department Contractor electrocuted in Iraqi shower (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/08/national/w150306D79.DTL&feed=rss.business

Olympic National Park Will Be On New U.S. Quarter (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/09/07/daily15.html?ana=from_rss

Bellingham Offers Key to "Daily Show" Host (Associated Press)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_090909WAB-AP-bellingham-key-jon-stewart-LJ.16274cc85.html?rss

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Owners Say Horses Indicate Early Winter
http://www.kirotv.com/news/20794400/detail.html

Fanboys Rejoice - Tolkien Settlement Clears Way for 'Hobbit' Movies
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13291548

Police: Robber Returned To Ask Victim Out
http://www.kirotv.com/money/20798748/detail.html

Vermont Group Tries To Take Chili's Pepper Sign
http://www.kirotv.com/news/20793784/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Otis Redding – Respect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JGJXmpKGXY

Aretha Franklin – Respect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0XAI-PFQcA

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Energy News Digest for September 8, 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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• North Korea Opens Dams; Six Missing In Resulting Flooding
• South Korea Demands Apology from North over Dam Incident
• Editorial - Permit For Montana Gas-Fired Plant Good News For Energy Future
• Editorial - It's Time for More Clarity on Great Falls' Utility Venture
• Natural Gas Hits a Roadblock in New Energy Bill
• Texas - Bills To Rise Without Nuke Investment
• Volkswagen Plans to Sell Domestic Gas Fired Power Plants for Homes
• Charging Customers to Mail Their Bills Makes Some Mad
• Baltimore Gas & Electric Plan to Divulge Customer Information under Fire
• Pennsylvania - Utilities' Smart Meters Save Money, But Erode Privacy
• Stock Market Batters Constellation Energy Fund to Close Nuke Plants
• Op/Ed - Electricity Deregulation Gives Alberta Consumers More Choices
• Smart-Grid Competition Heats Up With Involvement of Telecom Technology
• Op/Ed - Gordon Smith: Common ground can preserve green energy, salmon & jobs
• No Answers in British Columbia’s Sudden Salmon Collapse
• West Coast Fishermen Embark On New Wave Of Fishing
• Chilean Fish Virus Boosts British Columbia Salmon Prices
• Yakima - Removal of Cowiche Creek Diversion Dams A Boon to Fish
• Drought-Stricken Streams Threaten California Salmon
• Op/Ed - How Fishing Can Aid Wild Salmon
• Two Tunneling Machines on Brightwater Sewer Project Are Damaged
• Dams, Water Conservation at Issue in Water Reform
• Wyoming Community Blames Oil & Gas Well ‘Fracking’ For Water Woes
• Northwest Kayakers Descend Tieton River during Fall Dam Releases
• Editorial - A Second Wind Is Needed On Climate & Energy Bill
• TransAlta’s Canadian Wind Farm Fire Source Remains Mystery
• Researchers Look for Ways to Eliminate Bird, Bat Deaths from Wind Turbines
• Study Finds Risk to Some Birds Nesting Near Oil Fields in Alaska
• Op/Ed - Windmills Are Killing Our Birds: One standard for oil companies, another for green energy sources
• Idaho Charter School Uses Turbine as Teaching Tool
• Developer: Colorado Wind Farm Will Feed Power into California
• Cantwell: US, China Must Cooperate On Clean Energy
• Seeds for Change - Rural Electric Co-Ops & Renewable Energy
• North Carolina Utilities Squawk at Deal to Buy Chicken-Waste Power
• Renewables Impact on the Grid? Answers from Telecom History
• Recycling Fridge Could Win You an Organized Garage Courtesy of Tacoma Power
• Bellingham Cold Storage Project Saves Power
• Recession Pushes Businesses to Rethink, Curtail Energy Usage
• California State Fees on Greenhouse Gas Output Could Be Near
• Portland, Seattle among Top 10 Green Cities in the World
• Obama 'Green Jobs' Adviser Quits Amid Controversy
• Energy Makeover Illustrates Potential of Green Job
• Editorial - Finally, Investors Are Choosing Green Industry
• Demand Heavy For Broadband Stimulus Funds
• Tulalip.Com? Tribes Aim To Enter Telecom Biz
• Cable Makes Big Push for Tax on Satellite TV
• Rains Soak Olympic National Park Fires
• Satsop, Ten Years down The Road
• Satsop: Company Realizes Potential in Massive Former Turbine Building
• Legends Casino Facing Hefty Fine
• For Sale: Centralia Post Office, Slightly Used
• Stealing Headlines: Hartford Courant Competitors Seethe over Web Site

WORD OF THE DAY

Marmoreal • \marh-MOR-ee-ul\ • adjective - Of, relating to, or suggestive of marble or a marble statue especially in coldness or aloofness

Daphne’s beauty was stunning. As she glided through the cubicles on her way to the corner office every gopher’s head turned to follow her progress. Her one flaw was the marmoreal air with which she treated her office mates. “O Pygmalion, become flesh and leave your stony bearing,” wailed one of her suitors…but his pleas were all for naught.

WEATHER

Shelton Forecast & 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

North Korea Opens Dams; Six Missing In Resulting Flooding (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009818720_flood07.html?syndication=rss

South Korea Demands Apology from North over Dam Incident (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/world/asia/09korea.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Great Falls Tribune Editorial - Permit for Montana Gas-Fired Plant Good News for Energy Future
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090906/OPINION01/909060304/Permit+for+gas-fired+plant+good+news+for+energy+future

Great Falls Tribune Editorial - It's Time for More Clarity on Great Falls' Utility Venture
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090908/OPINION01/909080304/It+s+time+for+more+clarity+on+Great+Falls++utility+venture

Natural Gas Hits A Roadblock In New Energy Bill (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/07/business/07gas.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Texas - Bills To Rise Without Nuke Investment (San Antonio Express News, TX)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/57578942.html

Volkswagen Plans to Sell Domestic Gas Fired Power Plants for Homes (Power Engineering)
http://pepei.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=6&ARTICLE_ID=368778&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

Charging Customers to Mail Their Bills Makes Some Mad (Oregonian)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/complaintdesk/2009/09/charging_customers_to_mail_the.html

Baltimore Gas & Electric Plan to Divulge Customer Information under Fire (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2009/09/07/story9.html?ana=from_rss

Pennsylvania - Utilities' Smart Meters Save Money, But Erode Privacy (Philadelphia Inquirer, PA)
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20090906_Utilities__smart_meters_save_money__but_erode_privacy.html

Stock Market Batters Constellation Energy Fund to Close Nuke Plants (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2009/09/07/story8.html?ana=from_rss

Edmonton Journal Op/Ed - Electricity Deregulation Gives Alberta Consumers More Choices
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Electricity+deregulation+gives+Alberta+consumers+more+choices/1969063/story.html

Smart-Grid Competition Heats Up With Involvement of Telecom Technology (Bloomberg News)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009813989_smartgrid06.html?syndication=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

East Oregonian Op/Ed - Gordon Smith: Common Ground Can Preserve Green Energy, Salmon & Jobs “…Removal of the Snake River dams would devastate the region & further damage a fragile economy by hampering commerce for Northwest farmers & shippers, raising electricity rates for small businesses & citizens of the Northwest & increasing the region's carbon emissions….”
http://eastoregonian.com/main.asp?SectionID=14&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=97445&TM=19714.59

No Answers in British Columbia’s Sudden Salmon Collapse (Globe & Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/no-answers-in-bcs-sudden-salmon-collapse/article1277846/

West Coast Fishermen Embark On New Wave Of Fishing (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009812996_apusfishingcatchshare.html?syndication=rss

Chilean Fish Virus Boosts British Columbia Salmon Prices (Vancouver Sun, BC)
http://www.vancouversun.com/Chilean+fish+virus+boosts+salmon+prices/1970231/story.html

Yakima - Removal of Cowiche Creek Diversion Dams A Boon to Fish (Yakima Herald-Republic)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/09/05/removal-of-cowiche-creek-diversion-dams-a-boon-to-fish

Drought-Stricken Streams Threaten California Salmon (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2204341~Drought_stricken_streams_threaten_Calif__salmon.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Daily News Op/Ed - How Fishing Can Aid Wild Salmon
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/09/06/readers/doc4aa40ae425b14116057185.txt

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Two Tunneling Machines on Brightwater Sewer Project Are Damaged — and 300 Feet Deep (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009822764_brightwater08m.html?syndication=rss

Dams, Water Conservation at Issue in Water Reform (Sacramento Bee, CA)
http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/2166129.html

Wyoming Community Blames Oil & Gas Well ‘Fracking’ For Water Woes (Associated Press – And I thought Frack was a “Battlestar Galactica” curse word…)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/06/financial/f133957D60.DTL&feed=rss.business

Northwest Kayakers Descend Tieton River during Fall Dam Releases (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/5760-northwest-kayakers-descend-tieton-river-during-fall-dam-releases/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregonian Editorial - A Second Wind Is Needed On Climate & Energy Bill
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/09/a_second_wind_is_needed_on_cli.html

TransAlta’s Canadian Wind Farm Fire Source Remains Mystery (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2009/09/08/nb-wind-farm-fire-investigation-607.html

Researchers Look for Ways to Eliminate Bird, Bat Deaths from Wind Turbines (Vermont Public Radio)
http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/85746/

Study Finds Risk to Some Birds Nesting Near Oil Fields in Alaska (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/08/science/08bird.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Wall Street Journal Op/Ed - Windmills Are Killing Our Birds: One standard for oil companies, another for green energy sources
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203706604574376543308399048.html

Idaho Charter School Uses Turbine as Teaching Tool (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/963071.html

Developer: Colorado Wind Farm Will Feed Power into California (SNL Interactive)
http://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-10010918-15662

Cantwell: US, China Must Cooperate On Clean Energy (Associated Press)
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/09/07/business-as-china-us-clean-energy_6854214.html

Seeds for Change - Rural Electric Co-Ops Have Lagged Behind Other Utilities In Shifting To Alternative Energy. That's starting to change (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204619004574320094291018298.html

North Carolina Utilities Squawk at Deal to Buy Chicken-Waste Power (Charlotte Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/09/07/story13.html?ana=from_rss

Renewables Impact on the Grid? Answers from Telecom History (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/09/renewables-impact-on-the-grid-answers-from-telecom-history?cmpid=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Recycling Fridge Could Win You an Organized Garage Courtesy of Tacoma Power (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/870900.html

Bellingham Cold Storage Project Saves Power (Bellingham Herald, WA)
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/602/story/1056084.html

Recession Pushes Businesses to Rethink, Curtail Energy Usage (Houston Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/09/07/focus5.html?ana=from_rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California State Fees on Greenhouse Gas Output Could Be Near (San Diego Union Tribune, CA)
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/06/state-fees-greenhouse-gas-output-could-be-near/?california&zIndex=161390

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Portland, Seattle among Top 10 Green Cities in the World (People’s Daily, China)
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/92900/6751296.html

Obama 'Green Jobs' Adviser Quits Amid Controversy (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5itKcwMMlf6EtyLvYW9VjF2xcVK7gD9AHR9NG0

Energy Makeover Illustrates Potential of Green Jobs (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)
http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_13278176

San Jose Mercury News Editorial - Finally, Investors Are Choosing Green Industry
http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_13282902

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Demand Heavy for Broadband Stimulus Funds (Business First Of Buffalo)
http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2009/09/07/story3.html?ana=from_rss

Tulalip.Com? Tribes Aim to Enter Telecom Biz (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/09/07/story2.html?ana=from_rss

Cable Makes Big Push for Tax on Satellite TV (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/07/BUSR19HTB7.DTL&feed=rss.business

GENERAL NEWS

Rains Soak Olympic National Park Fires (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/20776901/detail.html

Satsop, Ten Years down The Road (Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/09/07/local_news/doc4aa4559e67fbb156119054.txt

Satsop: Company Realizes Potential in Massive Former Turbine Building on Fuller Hill (Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/09/07/local_news/doc4aa457e67be15773960722.txt

Legends Casino Facing Hefty Fine (KNDO-TV, Tri-Cities)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11082664

For Sale: Centralia Post Office, Slightly Used (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/05/sale-post-office-slightly-used/

Hartford Courant Competitors Seethe over Web Site – Courant “aggregating” content from local competitors & republishing it (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/04/financial/f120900D48.DTL&feed=rss.business

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

McDonald's Loses Fight against McCurry Indian Restaurant
http://www.kirotv.com/money/20787740/detail.html

Girl Poses As 71-Year-Old to Save On Tuition
http://www.kirotv.com/money/20711308/detail.html

Pennsylvania Man Fires Cannon, Hits Neighbor's House
http://www.kirotv.com/news/20723866/detail.html

Man Allegedly Calls 911 to Say He's Hungry
http://www.kirotv.com/news/20709803/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Bing Crosby - Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eih67rlGNhU