Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Energy News Digest for September 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.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Money Approved For More Seismic Studies at Dams
• Utah OKs Continued Disposal Of Depleted Uranium
• Oregon - Ashland May Raise Power Rates
• California - Diablo Canyon Reactor Restarted After Repairs
• Who's Looking At Natural Gas Now? Big Oil
• BC Hydro Defends $600,000 Olympic Ticket Contest
• Chelan PUD Won't Pay For Wenatchee's Riverfront Improvements
• Columbia River's Hanford Reach area opens for steelhead fishing
• State AG Sides with Ecology in Kittitas Co. Wells Dispute
• California - Opponents Sue to Stop Marin Desalination Plant
• Canada's wind industry aims high
• Are Smart Grids Too Smart?
• Analysis: Miles to Go On Long Road to Climate Deal
• California Utility Quits Alliance over Climate Change
• After a Tornado, a Kansas Town Rebuilds Green
• Debate Begins About Fuel Ratings on Electric Cars
• Washington Governor Appoints Panel to Review Broadband Requests
• Twitter's Stone Says No Ads In 2009
• Yahoo to Spend $100M in Bid for More Brand Buzz
• Obama to World: Don't Expect America to Fix It All
• Study Says Washington Ninth-Best State for Business
• Sequim Rejects Former Lacey City Manager
• Victoria Protest Group Vows to Disrupt Start of 2010 Olympic Torch Relay
• Pages of Inappropriate E-Mails Put Hanford Employee under Scrutiny

WORD OF THE DAY

Popinjay • \PAH-pin-jay\ • noun - A strutting supercilious person

The Defense Secretary of Ruritania, attending NATO exercises in Belgium, cut an impressive figure in his flamboyant dress uniform. His proclamations about troop movements and grand strategy would have been more impressive had not this bristling little popinjay commanded an army of more than three soldiers.

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

Money Approved For More Seismic Studies at Dams (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/sep/22/money-approved-for-more-seismic-studies-at-dams/

Utah OKs Continued Disposal Of Depleted Uranium (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009921856_apusdepleteduranium.html?syndication=rss

Oregon - Ashland May Raise Power Rates (Mail Tribune, Medford, OR)
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090922/NEWS07/909229998/-1/NEWSMAP

California - Diablo Canyon Reactor Restarted After Repairs (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2229962~Diablo_Canyon_reactor_restarted_after_repairs.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Who's Looking At Natural Gas Now? Big Oil (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113080237&ft=1&f=3

BC Hydro Defends $600,000 Olympic Ticket Contest (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/09/22/bc-hydro-olympic-tickets-lotto-icbc.html

Chelan PUD Won't Pay For Wenatchee's Riverfront Improvements (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/sep/22/pud-wonat-pay-for-cityas-riverfront-improvements/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia River's Hanford Reach area opens for steelhead fishing, including a portion not open since 1996 (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2009920375_columbia_rivers_hanford_reach.html?syndication=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

State AG Sides with Ecology in Kittitas Co. Wells Dispute (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/09/22/state-ag-sides-with-ecology-in-kittitas-co-wells-dispute

California - Opponents Sue to Stop Marin Desalination Plant (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2230638~Opponents_sue_to_stop_Marin_desalination_plant.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

RENEWABLE & ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Canada's wind industry aims high (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58L42F20090922

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Are Smart Grids Too Smart? (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/detail?entry_id=48115

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Analysis: Miles to Go On Long Road to Climate Deal (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iyr7eKs68bpTnBETOuMfypAQue3gD9ASIL7O0

California Utility Quits Alliance over Climate Change (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/business/energy-environment/23utility.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

After a Tornado, a Kansas Town Rebuilds Green (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/realestate/commercial/23kansas.html

Debate Begins About Fuel Ratings on Electric Cars (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/environment/2009-09-22-electric-car-fuel-ratings_N.htm

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Washington Governor Appoints Panel to Review Broadband Requests (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/09/21/daily17.html?ana=from_rss

Twitter's Stone Says No Ads In 2009 (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE58L4C520090922?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology

Yahoo to Spend $100M in Bid for More Brand Buzz (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009921060_apustecyahooadcampaign1stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

GENERAL NEWS

Obama to World: Don't Expect America to Fix It All (Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090923/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama;_ylt=AmE9vxozU0YOW3nAYj51GEd34T0D;_ylu=X3oDMTI5OGY5c2duBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkwOTIzL3VzX29iYW1hBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMgRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNvYmFtYXRvd29ybGQ-

Study Says Washington Ninth-Best State for Business (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/09/21/daily21.html?ana=from_rss

Sequim Rejects Former Lacey City Manager (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/979591.html

Victoria Protest Group Vows to Disrupt Start of 2010 Olympic Torch Relay (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Victoria+protest+group+vows+disrupt+start+2010+Olympic+torch+relay/2020212/story.html

Cautionary Tale - Pages of Inappropriate E-Mails Put Hanford Employee under Scrutiny (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11180000

DIVERSIONS

Iran - No Curvy Mannequins in Shop Windows
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE58L3PI20090922?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Hog Lawsuits Raising Stink In Missouri
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/23/financial/f000042D39.DTL&feed=rss.business

One in seven Germans wants Berlin Wall back?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090917/od_nm/us_wall_odd;_ylt=AnIq.Xl3Y_4cRZZVRaq2lQXtiBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTJncXV1OHV2BGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMDkwOTE3L3VzX3dhbGxfb2RkBHBvcwM3BHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDb25laW5zZXZlbmdl

SONG OF THE DAY

Marx Brothers - Lydia the Tattooed Lady
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4zRe_wvJw8&feature=related

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Energy News Digest for September 22, 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)

• Montana Urged To Lease Coal Reserves
• Rediscovering Natural Gas by Hitting Rock Bottom
• Rural Alaska Energy - Dreading the Diesel Deadline
• Opponents Ask Salazar to Halt Offshore Drilling
• Editorial - A Plan for Columbia River Salmon Recovery to Please A Critic
• Op/Ed - Obama Decision Protects NW Salmon
• Op/Ed - Start On Dam Removal Now
• Willamette Coho Run On Pace to Set A Record
• Chum Salmon Fishery Suspended In Northern Yukon
• See Spawning Spring Chinook Salmon Saturday
• Farm-Fresh Fish - With a Catch
• Killer whales show off in South Sound
• "The Cove" Could Halt Japan's Dolphin Slaughter
• Toxins Shut Mussel, Clam Harvesting In Oregon
• Mini-Golf Course Plots Salmon's Life Journey
• Chehalis River - Study Finds Sites OK for Dams
• Montana - Environmental Groups Log Former Plum Creek Lands
• Editorial - Cleaning up the Chesapeake
• Wind Power Advances A Big Advantage for Cowlitz PUD
• PacifiCorp Looks to Renewables for Future Power Needs
• Bird Deaths Present Problem at Wind Farms
• Wind-Turbine Makers Press for Green Mandates
• Stimulating through Subsidy - Does It Work?
• New York - Crane Collapse: Operator at Wind Farm Escapes Injury
• Cow Poop-To-Power Plant Now Online
• Benton PUD Takes Lead in Putting In 'Smart Meters'
• Oregon Conservation Plan Means More Upgrades Ahead
• Conservation Starter
• HP Plans To Trim Energy Use
• Smart Grid Project Cuts Electricity Usage
• States Can Sue Utilities Over Emissions
• California Plans to Levy Greenhouse Gas Fees
• Emissions of CO2 Set for Best Drop in 40 Years
• Murkowski CO2 Amendment Could Have Broad Reach
• DOE Chief says Clean-Tech Progress More Important than U.N. Climate Treaty
• Refitted to Bury Emissions, West Virginia Coal Plant Draws Attention
• Tesla Founders End Bitter Legal Fight
• Drink Responsibly - Which Is Better For The Planet, Beer Or Wine?
• F.C.C. Calls Open Internet Rules Vital
• Comcast 'Honors' FCC Authority on Neutrality
• FCC Fires Back at Comcast in Net Neutrality Legal Battle
• Washington State Proposes 7.6 Percent Workers' Comp Rate Hike
• Former Classmate - Onalaska Native Brings Bikes to Africa

WORD OF THE DAY

Cantankerous • \kan-TANK-uh-rus\ • adjective - Difficult or irritating to deal with

“A little water displacement formula 40 should loosen that reluctant bolt,” twanged the ancient mechanic to his fresh faced apprentice. “Just call it WD-40 you cantankerous old fool,” thought the sweaty young man as he strained to remove the rusty bolt from the header of the creaky combine.

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

Montana Urged To Lease Coal Reserves (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2228755~Montana_urged_to_lease_coal_reserves.html?cid=rss-Montana_Headlines

Rediscovering Natural Gas by Hitting Rock Bottom (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113043935&ft=1&f=3

Rural Alaska Energy - Dreading the Diesel Deadline (Alaska Dispatch)
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/news/rural-alaska/2033-dreading-diesel-deadline

Opponents Ask Salazar to Halt Offshore Drilling (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009914495_apusoffshoredrilling2ndldwritethru.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Seattle Times Editorial - A Plan for Columbia River Salmon Recovery to Please A Critic
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2009914632_edit22fish.html

SF Chronicle Op/Ed - Obama Decision Protects NW Salmon
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/22/EDOR19QC3F.DTL&feed=rss.opinion

Spokesman Review Op/Ed - Start On Dam Removal Now (note credentials used in posting opinion)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/22/start-on-dam-removal-now/

Willamette Coho Run On Pace to Set A Record (Salem Statesman Journal, OR)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090921/OUTDOORS/90921016/1034/SPORTS

Chum Salmon Fishery Suspended In Northern Yukon (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/09/21/yukon-chum-salmon.html

See Spawning Spring Chinook Salmon Saturday (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/09/21/see-spawning-spring-chinook-salmon-saturday

Farm-Fresh Fish - With a Catch: Aquaculture Boom Raises Concerns (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/19/AR2009091900928.html

Killer whales show off in South Sound - Violations: Some boaters appear to be herding orcas (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/888229.html

"The Cove" Could Halt Japan's Dolphin Slaughter (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/environment/2009/sep/-The-Cove--Could-Halt-Japan-s-Dolphin-Slaughter-.html

Toxins Shut Mussel, Clam Harvesting In Oregon (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/21/financial/f160823D45.DTL&feed=rss.business

Mini-Golf Course Plots Salmon's Life Journey (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/sep/21/Mini-golf-course-plots-salmons-life-journey/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Chehalis River - Study Finds Sites OK for Dams: Two spots are suitable for construction, says report (The Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/977631.html

Montana - Environmental Groups Log Former Plum Creek Lands For Sake Of Preservation, Access (The Missoulian, MT)
http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/article_b398c586-a5a0-11de-b938-001cc4c002e0.html

Washington Post Editorial - Cleaning up the Chesapeake: Draft reports on the state of the bay signal more aggressive federal action.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/21/AR2009092103109.html?nav=rss_opinions

RENEWABLE & ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Wind Power Advances A Big Advantage for Cowlitz PUD, Officials Say (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/09/21/area_news/doc4ab82b7d87ffd892189214.txt

PacifiCorp Looks to Renewables for Future Power Needs (Idaho Business Review)
http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2009/09/21/PacifiCorp-looks-to-renewables-for-future-power-needs

Bird Deaths Present Problem at Wind Farms (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2009-09-21-wind-farms_N.htm

Wind-Turbine Makers Press for Green Mandates (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125358112175629695.html

Stimulating through Subsidy - Does It Work? (Energy Priorities)
http://energypriorities.com/entries/2009/09/stimulating_through_sub.php

New York - Crane Collapse: Operator at Wind Farm Escapes Injury (The Courier, Bath, NY)
http://www.steubencourier.com/news/x1073704913/Crane-collapse-Operator-at-wind-farm-escapes-injury

Cow Poop-To-Power Plant Now Online (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/410362_cow22.html?source=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Benton PUD Takes Lead in Putting In 'Smart Meters' (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/888354.html

Oregon Conservation Plan Means More Upgrades Ahead (Associated Press)
http://gazettetimes.com/business/article_d2be03b0-a4f4-11de-be71-001cc4c002e0.html

Conservation Starter (Helena Independent Record, MT)
http://www.helenair.com/news/local/article_8cced23a-a733-11de-8b48-001cc4c03286.html

HP Plans To Trim Energy Use (Portland Business Journal)
http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/09/21/daily1.html?ana=from_rss

Smart Grid Project Cuts Electricity Usage (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/smart-grid-project-cuts-electricity-usage/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

States Can Sue Utilities Over Emissions (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/science/earth/22carbon.html

California Plans to Levy Greenhouse Gas Fees (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/19/MNCK19O6HC.DTL

Emissions of CO2 Set for Best Drop in 40 Years (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/science/earth/22emissions.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Murkowski CO2 Amendment Could Have Broad Reach (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/09/22/22climatewire-murkowski-co2-amendment-could-have-broad-reac-8171.html

DOE Chief says Clean-Tech Progress More Important than U.N. Climate Treaty (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/09/21/21greenwire-clean-tech-progress-more-important-than-un-cli-10686.html

Refitted to Bury Emissions, West Virginia Coal Plant Draws Attention (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/science/earth/22coal.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Tesla Founders End Bitter Legal Fight - The co-founders of the electric car company Tesla Motors Inc. have settled their legal battle with laudatory statements of each other's accomplishments (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009913475_apusteslafoundersfight.html?syndication=rss

Drink Responsibly - Which Is Better For The Planet, Beer Or Wine? (Slate Magazine)
http://www.slate.com/id/2229095/?from=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

F.C.C. Calls Open Internet Rules Vital (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/technology/internet/22net.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Comcast 'Honors' FCC Authority on Neutrality - Except When Suing Them to Prove They Have None (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Honors-FCC-Authority-On-Neutrality-104569

FCC Fires Back at Comcast in Net Neutrality Legal Battle (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/09/21/fcc-fires-back-at-comcast-in-net-neutrality-legal-battle/

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Proposes 7.6 Percent Workers' Comp Rate Hike (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/60076817.html

Former Classmate - Onalaska Native Brings Bikes to Africa (Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/articles/2009/09/22/life/doc4ab7bdff5b590767981610.txt

DIVERSIONS

Mass. Postal Worker Admits To Stealing 30,000 DVDs
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009919531_apuspostalworkertheft.html?syndication=rss

Maine Worker Finds New Hire Is Lost Brother
http://www.kirotv.com/family/21055486/detail.html

Cursive Writing May Be Fading Skill, But So What?
http://www.kirotv.com/education/21003548/detail.html

67M to 1 Shot! British Woman Makes 2 Holes-In-One
http://www.kirotv.com/sports/20984399/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

James Brown - Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtqDB2spyG0

Monday, September 21, 2009

Energy News Digest for September 21, 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)

• Warmth Won't Break The Bank This Winter
• Columbian Editorial - Good Energy News
• Re-Regulation Foes Point to Jump in Baltimore Gas & Electric Competitors
• Plugged-In Age Feeds a Hunger for Electricity
• New York - Sullivan Miffed over Hydroelectric-Plant Plan
• Martha’s Vineyard Energy Cooperative Outlined as Powerful Idea for the Island
• Governments Use Social Media - With Caution
• Editorial - Progress for Salmon
• Editorial - Habitat Plan Safeguards Dams As Well As Salmon
• Editorial - Latest Salmon Plan Flawed, But Northwest's Best Bet
• Op/Ed - It's Time to Implement Plans That Will Benefit Salmon
• Missoulian Op/Ed - Salmon Blueprint Mindful Of Montana
• Op/Ed - Terry Flores: The Administration Joins the Majority on Salmon Plan
• NY Times Editorial - Not There on Salmon
• Skokomish Watershed Work Helps Fish
• Elwha Fish Hatchery Contract Awarded
• Fall Chinook Jack Surge At Lower Granite Breaking Records; Outnumber Adult Fish
• Wash., Trollers Team Up To Improve Chinook Harvest
• Researchers Track Idaho Salmon to Learn Why Some Delay Migration to the Ocean
• Nez Perce’s McCoy Oatman Named New Chair of Tribal Fish Commission
• Belfair Sewer Project Bids Accepted, Groundbreaking Set
• Chehalis River Dam Sites Identified
• Grant Will Support Further Study of Water Storage Options
• Oregon Lakes and Reservoirs Seeing High Algae Levels This Year
• Obama Avoids a 'War on the West'
• Brazilian Prosecutors Take On Alcoa for Razing Rain Forest
• Washington State - California's Appetite for Green Power Could Boost Rates Here
• Renewable Power Decisions Create A Tangled Web
• Texas - Advocates Concerned Austin Energy Plans Will Hurt Poor, Elderly
• How Might Tidal Project Affect Marine Life? Snohomish PUD Gets Grant to Find Out
• Wave Energy Will Be Done 'The Oregon Way,' Johnson Says
• Small Wind Projects Get Better Price in Idaho (
• Montana - Small Power Struggle: Independents Say Setting Up in Montana is Difficult
• Disputed Solar Energy Project in California Desert is Dropped
• Rooftop Solar Setback in California
• Canada - New Hydroelectric System for Whistler
• Op/Ed - Positively Clean Energy – Biomass
• United Kingdom - Parts Arrive to Fix Damaged Wind Turbine
• High-Tech Materials May Boost Geothermal Appeal
• Spinning Flywheels Said To Make Greener Energy
• Electricity to Burn? Despite Low Rates, NCW Sees Benefits to Conservation
• Home Energy Q&A
• US Battles for Credibility on Climate Change
• Editorial - Regulating Carbon
• Wyoming - State Crafts Plan for Carbon Sequestration
• Audit Finds Waste in 'Green' Projects
• FCC To Announce New Net Neutrality Rules Monday
• With Broadband, Quality Should Trump Penetration
• Vermont - Communications Company Having Trouble Connecting
• Tacoma - Click! Says False Cable Sales Pitches Go Door To Door
• Qwest Will Take Over Malheur Bell in Oregon
• The Triumph of Web 2.5
• Allen Could Lose Control of Charter
• Apple Lied to FCC about Blocking Google Voice
• Old-Fashioned Medicine Needs Assist From WiFi
• Federal Role Was Crucial to Internet
• Broadband Derailed By Fears of Mutant Garlic
• Criminally Insane Killer Apprehended in Goldendale
• Critics Say Natural Resource Reform Is Too Little, Too Late
• The Bully of Puget Sound
• Installing Fire Sprinklers in Homes Could Become a Requirement
• Want To Read All About It Online? It May Cost You

WORD OF THE DAY

Laodicean • \lay-ah-duh-SEE-un\ • adjective - Lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics

“…therefore, we admonish you to cast off your Laodician attitude towards your parish duties, and renew your vow of enthusiasm for your work…” read the Papal missive to the newly ordained priest. “Whatever,” he muttered as he reverently placed the ornately crested letter on top of the fifteen others he had received over the past three months.

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

Warmth Won't Break The Bank This Winter: Prices for natural gas and heating oil down substantially from a year ago (Trading Markets)
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2536234/

Columbian Editorial - Good Energy News: Natural gas bills expected to decline soon, and technology could bring more good news
http://columbian.com/article/20090921/OPINION02/709219994/-1/OPINION

Re-Regulation Foes Point to Jump in Baltimore Gas & Electric Competitors (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2009/09/21/story7.html?ana=from_rss

Plugged-In Age Feeds a Hunger for Electricity (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/business/energy-environment/20efficiency.html?hp

New York - Sullivan Miffed over Hydroelectric-Plant Plan: It claims NY City's reservoir project excludes locals (Times Herald Record, Middletown, NY)
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090920/NEWS/909200320

Martha’s Vineyard Energy Cooperative Outlined as Powerful Idea for the Island (Martha’s Vineyard Gazette, MA)
http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?22987

Governments Use Social Media - With Caution (Denver Business Journal)
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/09/21/story3.html?ana=from_rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbian Editorial - Progress for Salmon: New federal plan supported by three states; it's time to let the scientists take over
http://www.columbian.com/article/20090920/OPINION02/709209981/-1/OPINION

Spokesman Review Editorial - Habitat Plan Safeguards Dams As Well As Salmon
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/20/habitat-plan-safeguards-dams-as-well-as-salmon/

Tri-City Herald Editorial - Latest Salmon Plan Flawed, But Northwest's Best Bet
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinions/story/723398.html

Idaho Statesman Op/Ed - Bill McDonald and Steve Wright: It's Time to Implement Plans That Will Benefit Salmon
http://www.idahostatesman.com/readersopinion/story/905974.html

Missoulian Op/Ed - Salmon Blueprint Mindful Of Montana
http://www.missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/article_2bd8e786-a6b6-11de-86c4-001cc4c03286.html

Idaho Statesman Op/Ed - Terry Flores: The Administration Joins the Majority on Salmon Plan
http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/story/905972.html

NY Times Editorial - Not There on Salmon
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/opinion/20sun2.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Skokomish Watershed Work Helps Fish - Three miles returned to breeding habitat (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/environment/story/974622.html

Elwha Fish Hatchery Contract Awarded (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.konp.com/local/5109

Fall Chinook Jack Surge At Lower Granite Breaking Records; Outnumber Adult Fish (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
http://www.cbbulletin.com/356408.aspx

Wash., Trollers Team Up To Improve Chinook Harvest (Associated Press)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_salmon_genetics.html

Researchers Track Idaho Salmon to Learn Why Some Delay Migration to the Ocean (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/09/researchers_track_idaho_salmon.html

Nez Perce’s McCoy Oatman Named New Chair of Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
http://www.cbbulletin.com/356400.aspx

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Belfair Sewer Project Bids Accepted, Groundbreaking Set (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/sep/18/belfair-sewer-project-bids-accepted-set/?partner=RSS

Chehalis River Dam Sites Identified - Consultants Issue Geotechnical Status, Point to Challenges and Positive Attributes (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/articles/2009/09/19/news//doc4ab47a68ee1ee044835239.txt

Grant Will Support Further Study of Water Storage Options (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/09/18/09-19-09-money-for-water-study-dl

Oregon Lakes and Reservoirs Seeing High Algae Levels This Year (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/5847-oregon-lakes-and-reservoirs-seeing-high-algae-levels-year/

Obama Avoids a 'War on the West': Some Environmentalists Are Disappointed, but Western Republicans and Natural Resource Groups Are Surprised - in a Good Way (Idaho Statesman, Boise)
http://www.waterworld.com/index/display/news_display/s-135500099.html

Brazilian Prosecutors Take On Alcoa for Razing Rain Forest (Bloomberg News)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009895836_alcoabrazil20.html

RENEWABLE & ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Washington State - California's Appetite for Green Power Could Boost Rates Here “…once a green-energy credit was purchased (by California), the electricity left over could not be used by Washington utilities to meet I-937 requirements…” (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009902849_greenpower20m.html?syndication=rss

Renewable Power Decisions Create A Tangled Web (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/20/BU1S19PACH.DTL&feed=rss.business

Texas - Advocates Concerned Austin Energy Plans Will Hurt Poor, Elderly: Push for renewable energy, other reasons, are expected to drive up electricity rates (Austin American-Statesman, TX)
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/09/21/0921energyconcerns.html

How Might Tidal Project Affect Marine Life? Snohomish PUD Gets Grant To Find Out (Everett Herald, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090919/NEWS01/709199901

Wave Energy Will Be Done 'The Oregon Way,' Johnson Says (Daily Astorian, OR)
http://www.dailyastorian.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&ArticleID=64138

Small Wind Projects Get Better Price in Idaho (Missoulian, MT)
http://www.missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_2c38a600-a5a1-11de-aa21-001cc4c03286.html

Montana - Small Power Struggle: Independents Say Setting Up in Montana is Difficult (The Missoulian, MT)
http://www.missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_24bf46d0-a5a2-11de-aa22-001cc4c03286.html

Disputed Solar Energy Project in California Desert is Dropped (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/science/earth/19mojave.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

China's Factory Muscle Tilts U.S. Solar Playing Field (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/09/chinese_solar_startups_take_on_1.html

Rooftop Solar Setback in California (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/rooftop-solar-setback-in-california/

Canada - New Hydroelectric System for Whistler: It's claimed The Fitzsimmons Creek Renewable Energy Project will provide enough energy to power the whole resort (Planet Ski)
http://www.planetski.eu/news/833

SF Chronicle Op/Ed - Positively Clean Energy – Biomass
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/20/EDH319P8M6.DTL&feed=rss.opinion

United Kingdom - Parts Arrive to Fix Damaged Wind Turbine: Energy Cause still unknown of last month's fire at Kent Hills facility (The Telegraph Journal, UK)
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/798096

High-Tech Materials May Boost Geothermal Appeal (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/977051.html

Spinning Flywheels Said To Make Greener Energy (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009907388_apusflywheelpower.html?syndication=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Electricity To Burn? Despite Low Rates, NCW Sees Benefits to Conservation (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/sep/18/electricity-burn/

Home Energy Q&A (Wilton Villager, Norwalk, CT)
http://wiltonvillager.com/story/475194

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

US Battles for Credibility on Climate Change (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009890415_apususclimatechange.html?syndication=rss

Washington Post Editorial - Regulating Carbon: The EPA is getting ready. Congress? Not so much. And that's about to become a huge problem.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/20/AR2009092001965.html?nav=rss_opinions

Wyoming - State Crafts Plan for Carbon Sequestration (Billings Gazette, MT)
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_624e8c06-a654-11de-86bd-001cc4c002e0.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Audit Finds Waste in 'Green' Projects - Energy Dept. Acknowledges Problems With Outsourcing, Need for Oversight (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/20/AR2009092001917.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC To Announce New Net Neutrality Rules Monday - Agency leaks news to most major news outlets (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-To-Announce-New-Net-Neutrality-Rules-Monday-104543

With Broadband, Quality Should Trump Penetration (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/09/19/with-broadband-quality-should-trump-penetration/

Vermont - Communications Company Having Trouble Connecting (National Public Broadcasting)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113005531&ft=1&f=10

Tacoma - Click! Says False Cable Sales Pitches Go Door To Door (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/885054.html

Qwest Will Take Over Malheur Bell in Oregon (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/976347.html

The Triumph of Web 2.5 - The well-deserved success of Mint.com, and what other Web businesses can learn from it (Newsweek Magazine)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/215692?from=rss

Allen Could Lose Control of Charter (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/09/14/daily54.html?ana=from_rss

Apple Lied to FCC about Blocking Google Voice - Google offers unredacted FCC response (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Apple-Lied-To-FCC-About-Blocking-Google-Voice-104545

Old-Fashioned Medicine Needs Assist From WiFi (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113018106&ft=1&f=3

Federal Role Was Crucial to Internet (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009908939_internet21.html?syndication=rss

Broadband Derailed By Fears of Mutant Garlic - Nova Scotia farmer derails tower over crop mutation fears (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Broadband-Derailed-By-Fears-Of-Mutant-Garlic-104538

GENERAL NEWS

Criminally Insane Killer Apprehended in Goldendale (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009909446_mentalinstitution21m.html?syndication=rss

Critics Say Natural Resource Reform Is Too Little, Too Late (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/5834-wa-gov-tackles-natural-resource-reform-critics-say-its-too-little-too-late/

The Bully of Puget Sound - Seattle has a great international brand, but locally, the Emerald City image is tarnished (Crosscut Seattle)
http://crosscut.com/2009/09/18/mossback/19241/

Installing Fire Sprinklers in Homes Could Become a Requirement (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11159141

Want To Read All About It Online? It May Cost You (Examiner.com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2226935~Want_to_read_all_about_it_online__It_may_cost_you.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

DIVERSIONS

Shelton Man Fears Losing 'Service Snake' (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_091809WAB-service-snake-shelton-KS.19223b6e3.html?rss

The Man Who Made Oz: Frank Baum and the First American Fairy Tale.
http://www.slate.com/id/2228592/?from=rss

Closed-Minded Retailer Bans Jedi Religious Garb “…If Jedi walk around our stores with their hoods on, they’ll miss lots of special offers…”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6204199/Jedi-ejected-from-Tesco-for-wearing-hood.html

NY Group Tests Composting Of Pooch Poop
http://www.kirotv.com/money/20979887/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole IZ - Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ltAGuuru7Q

Friday, September 18, 2009

Energy News Digest for Septembetr 18, 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)

· Cowlitz PUD Hearing To Address Rate
· Montana - Official Warns Electrical Rates Could Double If Intertie
· Political Headwinds Hit a Reactor Project on the
· Derivatives Bill May Raise Electric, Gas
· Skokomish Watershed Work Helps Fish
· Debate On New Sport Fishing Rules
· Lewis County - Flood Plans on Display at Open House
· Health Ills Abound as Farm Runoff Fouls
· State Lands Commissioner Wants To Branch Out To Wind, Biomass
· BPA Hopes Meter Will Help Manage Wind Farm
· Demand Grows For 'Green' Homes Using Renewable
· Save Energy & Money this Fall with Snohomish PUD Programs
· Energy-Efficient Lampposts Unveiled in Central Park
· California May Pull Plug On Big TVs That Guzzle Energy
· Contraception Vital In Climate Change
· "Quiet" Sun can also hit Earth with wild winds
· A Green Label Alone Isn’t Going to Sell Eco-Friendly
· San Francisco Gets World's First In-Airport Carbon Offset Kiosks
· Verizon Boss Hangs Up on Landline Phone Business
· Customers Unhappy With Early Clearwire
· Is Twitter Worth $1 Billion
· Wash. Expected To Lose About $238M in Tax
· No Criminal Charges against Troopers for Clubbing Seagulls
· Tribal Cops Can Pursue Beyond Reservation
· Wisconsin Paper Faces Backlash for Outing Web
· DOT Building A Road Out Of...Styrofoam?

WORD OF THE DAY

Truncated • \TRUN-kayt-ed \ • noun – 1: having the apex replaced by a plane section and especially by one parallel to the base 2a: cut short: curtailed b: lacking an expected or normal element (as a syllable) at the beginning or end

Please enjoy today’s truncated energy news digest.

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

Cowlitz PUD Hearing To Address Rate Increase (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/09/18/area_news/doc4ab3262c80131174002308.txt

Montana - Official Warns Electrical Rates Could Double If Intertie Built (Montana Standard)
http://m.mtstandard.com/mtstandard/db_19597/contentdetail.htm;jsessionid=DF0B26C49B9E205798D7A08448B2C90A?contentguid=fxiBas92&detailindex=3&pn=0&ps=4&full=true

Political Headwinds Hit a Reactor Project on the Chesapeake (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/09/18/18climatewire-political-headwinds-hit-a-reactor-project-on-84809.html

Derivatives Bill May Raise Electric, Gas Rates (Energy Tribune)
http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=2318

FISH & WILDLIFE

Skokomish Watershed Work Helps Fish - Three miles returned to breeding habitat (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/974622.html

Debate On New Sport Fishing Rules Begins (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/883800.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Lewis County - Flood Plans on Display at Open House: Retention dams could provide low impact hydropower (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/articles/2009/09/17/news//doc4ab2725362a40748647002.txt

Health Ills Abound as Farm Runoff Fouls Wells (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/us/18dairy.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

State Lands Commissioner Wants To Branch Out To Wind, Biomass Energy (Disses Radar Ridge – The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/article/20090918/NEWS02/709189938/State+lands+commissioner+wants+to+branch+out+to+wind++biomass+energy

BPA Hopes Meter Will Help Manage Wind Farm Power (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009887243_apwawindfarmmeter.html

Demand Grows For 'Green' Homes Using Renewable Energy (Muskegon Chronicle. MI)
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2009/09/chroniclecory_morseadam_bearup.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Save Energy & Money this Fall with Snohomish PUD Programs (Lake Stevens Journal, WA)
http://www.lakestevensjournal.com/county-state/article.exm/2009-09-17_save_energy___money_this_fall_with_pud_programs

Energy-Efficient Lampposts Unveiled in Central Park (WNYC, New York, NY)
http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/140928

California May Pull Plug On Big TVs That Guzzle Energy (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-bigtvs18-2009sep18,0,1102526.story

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Contraception Vital In Climate Change Fight (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE58H10320090918?feedType=nl&feedName=ustopnewsearly

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

"Quiet" Sun can also hit Earth with wild winds (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE58H0L620090918?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

A Green Label Alone Isn’t Going to Sell Eco-Friendly Phones (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/09/17/juniper-sees-big-opportunities-little-traction-in-green-handsets/

San Francisco Gets World's First In-Airport Carbon Offset Kiosks (Tree Hugger)
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/san-francisco-gets-worlds-first-in-airport-carbon-offset-kiosks.php?dcitc=th_rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Verizon Boss Hangs Up on Landline Phone Business (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/verizon-boss-hangs-up-on-landline-phone-business/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Customers Unhappy With Early Clearwire Launches - Poor customer support, low speeds, and high latency (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Customers-Unhappy-With-Early-Clearwire-Launches-104511

Is Twitter Worth $1 Billion? (Associated Press)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13358249?nclick_check=1

GENERAL NEWS

Wash. Expected To Lose About $238M in Tax Revenue (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009887723_apwarevenueforecast2ndldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

No Criminal Charges against Troopers for Clubbing Seagulls (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2009887877_no_criminal_charges_against_tr.html?syndication=rss

Tribal Cops Can Pursue Beyond Reservation (Associated Press)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11150172

Wisconsin Paper Faces Backlash for Outing Web Critic (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009887604_apusanonymousonline.html?syndication=rss

DOT Building A Road Out Of...Styrofoam? (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/59652362.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Foul Ball! Toddler Tosses Back Dad's Prized Catch - Dad simply wanted a souvenir. He got a ballpark full of cheers and a national television appearance instead.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2009885787_apbbnphilliestoddlerstoss.html?syndication=rss

Burning Man Fire Victim's Suit Goes Up In Smoke
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/17/BAHN19OMPU.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea

Man Litters National Park with 3,000 Golf Balls
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009887874_apusoddhurlingballs.html?syndication=rss

Chicken Frequents KFC Drive-Through
http://www.kirotv.com/news/20963808/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Kenny Loggins - I'm Alright (Theme from Caddyshack)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WQNMWBSGUQ

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Energy News Digest for September 17, 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)

• Jefferson PUD Prepares to Go to Community on Bid to Acquire Electrical Service
• Dam Tourism: Nation's Highest-Wattage Hydroelectric Wonders Are In Washington
• New Jersey - Nation's Oldest Nuclear Plant Showing Its Age
• Panel Says Electrical Grid Vulnerable To Terrorist Attack
• Natural Gas Prices Set To Slump
• Shares of Itron Rise on Stimulus View
• Audit: King Co. Utilities Wasting Tens of Millions
• Hastings Says Dam Removal Alternative Is Political
• Feds Push For Salmon Recovery
• Congressmen Question NOAA Head on Snake River Dam Removal
• Editorial - Obama Did Little for Dam Breaching Advocates
• Gregoire, Obama Administration Ink $40.5M Salmon Deal
• Washington State Signs Agreement with Federal Action Agencies
• Fishery: It's Only a Test
• Pink Fishing Winding Down, But Coho Picking Up Slack
• That’s my Tribe - Salmon People Feast: Cowlitz Tribal Gatherings
• Scientist Won’t ID Beaches That Tested Positive for Bacteria
• Toxic Soup Danger in Green River Flood Threat
• Puget Sound-Area Organizations Join to Fight Water Pollution
• Shellfish Gathering Closed In Bellingham Harbor
• Obama's Ocean Task Force to Recommend New Policy
• Weevils get to work in Capitol Lake – Milfoil
• Comments Favor Name Proposal for ‘Salish Sea’
• Editorial - Harvest Wind an Impressive Energy Project
• State Could Shine As Solar Hub
• United Kingdom - Caithness Man Killed In Accident at Wind Farm
• Michigan - New Program Pays Biomass Plant Suppliers
• Tucson Electric Power Plans Vast Solar Power Plants
• New York - Residential Windmill Gives Man Independence from Electric Bills
• Obama Administration Pushes Climate Talks into 2010
• Climate Bill Drifts Into a Potomac Fog
• Another Health-Care Casualty: The Cap-&-Trade Bill
• Cap-&-Trade Memos Fire up the Skeptics
• A Few Western Glaciers Growing; What's Up With That?
• World’s Oceans Were Warmest on Record in June through August
• Dong Energy: 'Clean' Denmark's Dirty Secret
• Op/Ed - Energy 'Sprawl' & the Green Economy
• Carbon Footprint - Will Eugene Green Its Sooty Foot?
• College Students Protest Coal Use on Campuses
• I.B.M. Sets Out to Make a City in Iowa ‘Smarter’
• Cable Beating Telcos in Phone Service
• Florida - Comcast, Springfield Cable Disagreement Leads to Arrest
• Google Updates Browser, Plans to Gain Share
• School Bus Hit In Belfair, Driver & Kids Unhurt
• Judge Accused of Assuming Clerk's ID to Attack Opponent
• Venture Bank Stock Likely Has No Value

WORD OF THE DAY

Proffer • \PRAH-fer\ • verb - To present for acceptance: tender, offer

I proffer this verse
Henry Gibson said mildly
Rest in peace my friend

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

Jefferson PUD Prepares to Go to Community on Bid to Acquire Electrical Service (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090917/news/309179992

Dam Tourism: Nation's Highest-Wattage Hydroelectric Wonders Are In Washington (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2009880632_nwwdams17.html

New Jersey - Nation's Oldest Nuclear Plant Showing Its Age (Associated Press)
http://www.lakewyliepilot.com/427/story/468103.html

Panel Says Electrical Grid Vulnerable To Terrorist Attack (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2009-09-16-electrical-grid-attack_N.htm

Natural Gas Prices Set To Slump: Expert (Commodity Online)
http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Natural-gas-prices-set-to-slump-Expert-21154-3-1.html

Shares of Itron Rise on Stimulus View (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009887116_apusitronmover.html?syndication=rss

Audit: King Co. Utilities Wasting Tens of Millions (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/179318.asp?source=pimail

FISH & WILDLIFE

Hastings Says Dam Removal Alternative Is Political (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/882785.html

Feds Push For Salmon Recovery - Plan includes: habitat, harvest activities, hatchery production, hydropower operations (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)
http://eastoregonian.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=97892&SectionID=13&SubSectionID=48

Congressmen Question NOAA Head on Snake River Dam Removal (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/09/congressman_questions_noaa_hea.html

Idaho Statesman Editorial - Obama Did Little for Dam Breaching Advocates
http://www.idahostatesman.com/editorial/story/902713.html

Gregoire, Obama Administration Ink $40.5M Salmon Deal - Oregon, which is suing over federal dam plan, left out in the cold (Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://www.columbian.com/article/20090917/NEWS02/709179949/Gregoire++Obama+administration+ink+$40.5M+salmon+deal

News Release - Washington State Signs Agreement with Federal Action Agencies - Improvements promote Columbia River estuary, a key nursery for fish (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/326582/

Fishery: It's Only a Test - Research project explores ways to catch more hatchery fish & fewer wild salmon & steelhead (Daily Astorian, OR)
http://www.dailyastorian.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&ArticleID=64115

Pink Fishing Winding Down, But Coho Picking Up Slack (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/story/973526.html

That’s my Tribe - Salmon People Feast: Cowlitz Tribal Gatherings Offer Traditional as well as Multi-Cultural Foods (Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/articles/2009/09/16/life/doc4ab12c62b4836236057640.txt

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Scientist Won’t ID Beaches That Tested Positive for Bacteria (Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/09/16/local_news/doc4ab124990d31b460543084.txt

Toxic Soup Danger in Green River Flood Threat (KIRO Radio, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=213382

Puget Sound-Area Organizations Join to Fight Water Pollution (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/973458.html

Shellfish Gathering Closed In Bellingham Harbor (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009880753_apwabellinghamshellfish.html?syndication=rss

Obama's Ocean Task Force to Recommend New Policy (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2222404~Obama_s_ocean_task_force_to_recommend_new_policy.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Weevils get to work in Capitol Lake - Milfoil: Aquatic bug used in fight against invasive plant (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/973440.html

Comments Favor Name Proposal for ‘Salish Sea’ (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/882628.html

RENEWABLE & ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Peninsula Gateway Editorial - Harvest Wind an Impressive Energy Project (Gig Harbor)
http://www.gateline.com/opinion/story/5112.html

State Could Shine As Solar Hub (Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090917/BIZ01/709179983/-1/BIZ

United Kingdom - Caithness Man Killed In Accident at Wind Farm (The Press & Journal, UK)
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1400260?UserKey=

Michigan - New Program Pays Biomass Plant Suppliers (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i4kkYcH25RUuxdNcEsfar8GN3_VgD9AOLAN00

Tucson Electric Power Plans Vast Solar Power Plants (Arizona Daily Star)
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/biz-topheadlines/309323.php

New York - Residential Windmill Gives Man Independence from Electric Bills (Star Gazette, Elmira, NY)
http://www.stargazette.com/article/20090916/NEWS01/909160398/Residential+windmill+gives+man+independence+from+electric+bills

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Obama Administration Pushes Climate Talks into 2010 (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/09/17/17climatewire-obama-administration-pushes-climate-talks-in-22433.html

Climate Bill Drifts Into a Potomac Fog (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/09/17/17climatewire-climate-bill-drifts-into-a-potomac-fog-96749.html

Another Health-Care Casualty: The Cap-&-Trade Bill (Time Magazine)
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1924295,00.html

Cap-&-Trade Memos Fire up the Skeptics (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/16/AR2009091603524.html?wprss=rss_business

A Few Western Glaciers Growing; What's Up With That? (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/5822-few-western-glaciers-growing-whats/

World’s Oceans Were Warmest on Record in June through August (Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=abvAze6O9_d0

Dong Energy: 'Clean' Denmark's Dirty Secret - State-owned Dong Energy trades on its green image at home while outsourcing the dirty end of its energy portfolio with coal-fired power stations elsewhere in Europe (The Guardian, UK)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2009/sep/17/greenwash-dong-energy

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Wall Street Journal Op/Ed - Energy 'Sprawl' & the Green Economy: We're about to destroy the environment in the name of saving it
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203440104574404762971139026.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Carbon Footprint - Will Eugene Green Its Sooty Foot? (Eugene Weekly, OR)
http://www.eugeneweekly.com/2009/09/17/coverstory.html

College Students Protest Coal Use on Campuses (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gVCVG4hH1GoEOQI8lf3shK-JgOVAD9AOO4P81

I.B.M. Sets Out to Make a City in Iowa ‘Smarter’ (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/the-smartest-us-city-is-dubuque/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Cable Beating Telcos in Phone Service - According to latest study by J.D. Power & Associates (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Cable-Beating-Telcos-In-Phone-Service-104505

Florida - Comcast, Springfield Cable Disagreement Leads to Arrest (News Herald, Panama City, FL)
http://www.newsherald.com/news/springfield-77508-arrest-cable.html

Google Updates Browser, Plans to Gain Share (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE58E5KJ20090915?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology

GENERAL NEWS

School Bus Hit In Belfair, Driver & Kids Unhurt (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/973375.html

Judge Accused of Assuming Clerk's ID to Attack Opponent (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_091609WAB-AP-municipal-judge-investigated-TP.1873ddc93.html?rss

Venture Bank Stock Likely Has No Value - Letter to shareholders says all value believed gone (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/973439.html

DIVERSIONS

Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary Dies
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/mary-travers-of-peter-paul-and-mary-dies/?partner=rss&emc=rss

'Laugh-In' actor Henry Gibson dies at 73
http://www.examiner.com/a-2220875~_Laugh_In__actor_Henry_Gibson_dies_at_73.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Snuggie among New Styles at Fashion Week
http://www.kirotv.com/money/20927124/detail.html

Australian Cat Strays 2,400 Miles, Returns Home
http://www.kirotv.com/family/20941067/detail.html

Pool Ball Lays Out Would-Be Robber
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/882624.html

SONGS OF THE DAY

Peter Paul & Mary - Day Is Done (Mary Travers, R.I.P.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U9bKhXyNGg&feature=related

Phoebe Snow - Poetry Man (Henry Gibson, R.I.P.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OxTVxGhHFM

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Energy News Digest for September 16, 2009

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

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Montana - BPA Transmission Line Rebuild on Schedule
• City of Port Angeles Takes Wholesale Power Hike
• Including SnoPUD - Two Local Hydro Projects Get Funding From DOE
• Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Project Faces 'Fierce' Competition
• San Diego - Wildfire Prevention Plan to Pull Plug on Power
• West Virginia Still Weighing Tax on New High-Voltage Power Lines
• Minnesota - Xcel Takes Bid for Expanded Nuclear Plant to Judge
• Homeless Nuclear Waste
• EPA To Place Limits On Power Plant Water Pollution
• Oregonian Editorial - It's Time to Get Columbia Salmon Out Of the Courtroom
• Obama Administration Submits Salmon Plan
• The Obama Administration Reveals Its Salmon Plan
• Dam Breaching in Latest Version of Federal Salmon Plan
• Obama Administration Puts Forward Salmon Plan
• Obama Administration Gives Court New Adaptive Management Plan To Bolster 2008 Salmon BiOp
• Obama Follows Bush on Salmon Recovery
• Oh, Rocky - Salmon decision gets mixed, predictable reactions
• Obama Administration Affirms Science in Salmon Plan for Columbia-Snake Rivers
• News Release - Obama Administration Follows Flawed Bush Salmon Plan
• Obama Administration Sticks with the Bush Approach on Columbia River Salmon
• New Northwest Salmon Plan Modifies Bush Approach
• Preliminary Tests Yield Possible Cause of Death for Dozens of Birds
• Killer Whales Die without King Salmon
• Columbia River & Tributary Fish Checks
• Media Advisory - This Thursday, BPA Takes Kids Wading In Icicle Creek
• Comment Sought On Condit Dam Removal
• Washington State Releases Clean Spokane River Plan
• California - Schwarzenegger Orders More Renewable Energy - His Way
• Ferndale Company to Make Cutting-Edge Fuel from Wood
• Oregon - Ocean Dunes Development Gets Green Light
• Maryland Turning To Offshore Wind Energy
• Wind-Farm Lease Buyouts Coming To New York
• A Major Price Drop for Solar Panels
• Colorado Electric Coop Offers Unique Solar Leasing Program
• Canada - Tidal Power Project Approved For Bay of Fundy
• Whole Foods Completes Major Purchase of Renewable Energy Credits
• Faulty Wind Turbines Costly To Minnesota Family
• White House Is Prepared to Set First National Limits on Greenhouse Gases
• 2010? Reid's Comments Add Uncertainty to Climate Vote's Timing
• Obama Admin: Cap & Trade Could Cost Families $1,761 per Year
• Electric Cars May Be Closer To Charging Up Auto Market
• Climate Change Depresses Beer Drinkers
• Chattanooga: EPB fiber optics available to 17,000 homes
• Comcast Raises Cable Modem Rental Fee
• After Outcry, T-Mobile Drops Paper Billing Fee
• Washington State's Jobless Rate Resumes Its Climb: 9.2% for August
• Port Of Kalama Wine Bottle Plant Shutting Down
• Chewy Chicken Feet May Quash a Trade War

WORD OF THE DAY

Sternutation • \ster-nyuh-TAY-shun\ • noun - The act, fact, or noise of sneezing

Matt was caught between the devil & the deep blue sea. On one hand, the occasional sternutation from the other side of the wall rattled the pictures on his “vanity wall.” On the other hand, the sneezes from across the office reached a high frequency that changed the channel on his remote-controlled radio.

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

Montana - BPA Transmission Line Rebuild on Schedule (The Western News, Libby, MT)
http://www.thewesternnews.com/articles/2009/09/15/news/doc4aafc7ab476b2729162948.txt

City of Port Angeles Takes Wholesale Power Hike (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.konp.com/local/5099

Including SnoPUD - Two Local Hydro Projects Get Funding From DOE (Daily Journal of Commerce)
http://www.djc.com/news/en/12010078.html

Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Project Faces 'Fierce' Competition (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009878988_apusgaspipelineproject.html?syndication=rss

San Diego - Wildfire Prevention Plan to Pull Plug on Power (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/16/BAPO19K5QN.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea

West Virginia Still Weighing Tax on New High-Voltage Power Lines (Fort Mills Times, SC)
http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/760833.html

Minnesota - Xcel Takes Bid for Expanded Nuclear Plant to Judge (The Electricity Forum)
http://www.electricityforum.com/news/sep09/Xcellookstoexpandnuclearstorageatfacility.html

Homeless Nuclear Waste - Some 60,000 metric tons of radioactive waste is stored at nuclear power plants across the country, awaiting federal action that’s already a decade late (Christian Science Monitor)
http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/09/15/homeless-nuclear-waste/

EPA To Place Limits On Power Plant Water Pollution (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009871081_apuspowerplantpollution.html?syndication=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregonian Editorial - It's Time to Get Columbia Salmon Out Of the Courtroom “…the new administration took a long, hard look at the plan to restore Columbia salmon, & was impressed by what it saw…”
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/09/its_time_to_get_columbia_salmo.html

Obama Administration Submits Salmon Plan - The Obama administration says it will be more aggressive in protecting declining Pacific Northwest salmon runs & will study breaching some dams as a last resort in a long-awaited management plan (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009870855_apussalmondams.html?syndication=rss

Obama Speeds Effort to Save Salmon, Renews Dam-Removal Option (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/09/obama_administration_adds_an_i.html

Dam Breaching in Latest Version of Federal Salmon Plan - White House: Study considers action ‘last resort’ if runs reach decline trigger (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/881239.html

Obama Administration Puts Forward Salmon Plan (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/5818-obama-administration-puts-forward-salmon-plan/

Obama Administration Gives Court New Adaptive Management Plan To Bolster 2008 Salmon BiOp (Columbia Basin Bulletin)
http://www.cbbulletin.com/355765.aspx

Obama Follows Bush on Salmon Recovery (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/us/politics/16salmon.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Oh, Rocky - Salmon decision gets mixed, predictable reactions (Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/environment/story/900969.html

News Release - Obama Administration Affirms Science in Salmon Plan for Columbia-Snake Rivers (Northwest River Partners)
http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=594

News Release - Obama Administration Follows Flawed Bush Salmon Plan Despite Scientific, Economic & Legal Failings - Administration avoids sound science & legal guidance (Earth Justice, et. al.)
http://www.earthjustice.org/news/press/2009/us-commerce-department-follows-flawed-bush-salmon-plan-despite-scientific-economic-and-legal-failings.html

Obama Administration Sticks with the Bush Approach on Columbia River Salmon (Crosscut Seattle)
http://crosscut.com/2009/09/15/science-environment/19237/

New Northwest Salmon Plan Modifies Bush Approach - Monitoring could trigger dam removals in Washington State. Some conservationists aren't satisfied (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-salmon-dams16-2009sep16,0,3655234.story

Washington Coast - Preliminary Tests Yield Possible Cause of Death for Dozens of Birds: Hypothermia (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090916/news/309169991

Killer Whales Die without King Salmon (Discovery Channel)
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/09/16/killer-whale-salmon.html

Columbia River & Tributary Fish Checks (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2009872830_columbia_river_and_tributary_f_1.html

Media Advisory - This Thursday, BPA Takes Kids Wading In Icicle Creek (Bonneville Power Administration)
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/325856/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Comment Sought On Condit Dam Removal (Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20090916/NEWS02/909159984/

Washington State Releases Clean Spokane River Plan - Big cuts in phosphorus proposed (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/16/state-releases-clean-river-plan/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California - Schwarzenegger Orders More Renewable Energy - His Way (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-power16-2009sep16,0,3412344.story

Ferndale Company to Make Cutting-Edge Fuel from Wood (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/410148_sky15.html?source=rss

Oregon - Ocean Dunes development gets green light (Siuslaw News, Florence, OR)
http://www.thesiuslawnews.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=2622

Maryland Turning To Offshore Wind Energy - State considers huge turbines off Ocean City, launches impact study (Baltimore Sun, MD)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/bal-md.windmill16sep16,0,7774897.story

Wind-Farm Lease Buyouts Coming To New York (Press Republican, Plattsburg, NY)
http://www.pressrepublican.com/0100_news/local_story_257225219.html

A Major Price Drop for Solar Panels - Solar power has suddenly become more affordable. (Christian Science Monitor)
http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/09/14/a-major-price-drop-for-solar-panels/

Colorado Electric Coop Offers Unique Solar Leasing Program (Cooler Planet)
http://solar.coolerplanet.com/News/9150902-colorado-electric-coop-offers-unique-solar-leasing-program.aspx

Canada - Tidal Power Project Approved For Bay of Fundy: Most Extreme Tides in the World (Globe & Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/tidal-power-project-approved-for-bay-of-fundy/article1288762/

Whole Foods Completes Major Purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (Austin Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2009/09/14/daily20.html?ana=from_rss

Faulty Wind Turbines Costly To Minnesota Family (WCCO Radio, Minneapolis, MN)
http://wcco.com/local/faulty.wind.turbines.2.1186107.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

White House Is Prepared to Set First National Limits on Greenhouse Gases (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/15/AR2009091503146.html?wprss=rss_politics

2010? Reid's Comments Add Uncertainty to Climate Vote's Timing (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/09/16/16climatewire-2010-reids-comments-add-uncertainty-to-clima-48964.html

Obama Admin: Cap & Trade Could Cost Families $1,761 per Year (CBS News)
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/09/15/taking_liberties/entry5314040.shtml

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Electric Cars May Be Closer To Charging Up Auto Market (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009873449_electriccars16.html

Climate Change Depresses Beer Drinkers (New Scientist)
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327253.400-climate-change-depresses-beer-drinkers.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Chattanooga: EPB fiber optics available to 17,000 homes (Times Free Press, Chattanooga, TN)
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/sep/15/chattanooga-epb-fiber-optics-available-17000-homes/?breakingnews

Comcast Raises Cable Modem Rental Fee - Market by market, beginning this fall (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Raises-Cable-Modem-Rental-Fee-104477

After Outcry, T-Mobile Drops Paper Billing Fee (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/15/financial/f142734D24.DTL&feed=rss.business

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State's Jobless Rate Resumes Its Climb: 9.2% for August (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009871427_webjobs15.html?syndication=rss

Port Of Kalama Wine Bottle Plant Shutting Down (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/971713.html

Chewy Chicken Feet May Quash a Trade War (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/business/global/16chickens.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Hybrid Man-Eating Pythons? Florida Is On Alert.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0915/p02s01-usgn.html

Fake Cop Arrested After Stopping Mayor
http://www.kirotv.com/politics/20924752/detail.html

Universal Reveals Details of New Harry Potter Park
http://www.kirotv.com/travelgetaways/20921703/detail.html

Town Left in the Dark for Two Months
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE58E5GB20090915?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Train Misses Drunken Teen Napping On Track
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE58D4LB20090914?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

SONG OF THE DAY

The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Take Five
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmDDOFXSgAs