Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Energy News Digest for December 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)

• Dec 8 - Oak Park Power Outage
• December 8 - PUD 3 Commission to Hold Hearing on 2010 Budget
• Puget Sound Energy Ready for Surge in Power Demand
• Avista Energy Traders’ Awards Upheld
• Idaho Power on Track to Deliver Shock to Residential Customers
• California Judge Backs Rate Hike for Power Misers
• California - Report Blasts Marin County Public Power Proposal
• Report Says Fairbanks, South Central Could See Big Savings with Central Utility
• US Hydropower Consumption Increases 4%
• Survey Says State Regulators Like Nuclear Power
• “Sticker Shock” A Concern in Nuclear Power
• Was Electric Deregulation Beneficial?
• Texas’ electricity market ranked first in North America
• Tennessee Valley Authority Says Repair Work Will Kill Fish
• Pollution - Dark Side of a Natural Gas Boom
• Kittitas County - Desert Claim Wind Power Project in Governor’s Hands Now
• Construction to Start on Oregon Wave Energy Project
• Wind Power - Vestas to Suspend Production, Furlough Workers at Colorado Plant
• An Effort to Spread Green Power to Coasts
• Putting a Lot of Energy into Energy Conservation
• New Analysis Says Global Warming Is Not Slowing
• Obama, Dem Efforts on Climate Cooled Off
• Op/Ed - Electricity Sector’s Priorities on Climate Change
• Washington Algae Research Gets $2M Boost
• Finding New Power for Old Tractors in Electricity
• Google Introduces Real-Time Results, Photo Search
• Yahoo, Microsoft Finalize Search Deal
• The Bandwidth Hog Does Not Exist
• Washington Cold Spell Could Turn Into Weekend Snow
• Wood Stove Blamed for Kelso House Fire
• Thousands to Honor Fallen Lakewood Officers Today
• Shelton City Commission Holds Final Hearing on 2010 Budget
• Mason County Commission to Hold Continued Budget Hearing Tonight
• US Settles Royalty Dispute with Indian Tribes
• State Rep. Wood Says He’ll Retire at End of Seventh Term
• Capitol Tree Lights up Taxpayers for $13,272
• Giant Waves Crash on Hawaii’s Beaches
• Ad Campaign Tries to Elevate ‘Made in China’ Tag’s Cachet

WORD OF THE DAY

Leviathan • \luh-VYE-uh-thun\ • noun - 1: the political state; especially: a totalitarian state having a vast bureaucracy *2: something large or formidable

The legend of the mysterious Potholes Reservoir leviathan ranged far and wide in bass fishing circles. The mythical creature was said to have a mouth big enough to gobble down small children, and reportedly stalked Canadian geese for fun. In the end, it turned out to be Albert, his scuba-diving second cousin, and a large, fiberglass bass sculpture stolen from the local bait shop many years ago.

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

Dec 8 - Oak Park Power Outage (Mason County PUD No. 3)
http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=639

December 8, 6:00 PM - PUD 3 Commission to Hold Hearing on 2010 Budget (Mason County PUD No. 3)
http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=632

Puget Sound Energy Ready for Surge in Power Demand (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1062871.html

Avista Energy Traders’ Awards Upheld (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/08/in-brief-avista-traders-awards-upheld/

Idaho Power on Track to Deliver Shock to Residential Customers (Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=123889

California Judge Backs Rate Hike for Power Misers - Ruling says San Diego Gas & Electric’s plan follows state law (San Diego Union-Tribune, CA)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/08/judge-backs-rate-hike-power-misers/

California - Report Blasts Marin County Public Power Proposal (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/08/BA071B0HM0.DTL

Alaska - Report Says Fairbanks, South Central Could See Big Savings with Central Utility (Fairbanks Daily News Miner, AK)
http://newsminer.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Report+says+Fairbanks-+Southcentral+could+see+big+savings+with+central+utility%20&id=5033116-Report+says+Fairbanks-+Southcentral+could+see+big+savings+with+central+utility&instance=home_lead_story

US Hydropower Consumption Increases 4% - In Washington & Oregon, the top hydropower-producing states, consumption decreased slightly (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/12/u-s-hydropower-consumption-increases-4-percent?cmpid=rss

Survey Says State Regulators Like Nuclear Power (Power Engineering)
http://pepei.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ONART&PUBLICATION_ID=6&ARTICLE_ID=371541&C=INDUS&dcmp=rss

“Sticker Shock” A Concern in Nuclear Power (Electricity Forum)
http://www.electricityforum.com/news/dec09/Stickershockofnuclearpoweraconcern.html

Was Electric Deregulation Beneficial? (Standard Speaker, Hazleton, PA)
http://www.standardspeaker.com/news/was-electric-deregulation-beneficial-1.466811

Texas’ Electricity Market Ranked First In North America (Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX)
http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/1815892.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Tennessee Valley Authority Says Repair Work Will Kill Fish (Associated Press) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010448739_apustvafishkilltennessee.html?syndication=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Pollution - Dark Side of a Natural Gas Boom (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/business/energy-environment/08fracking.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Kittitas County - Desert Claim Wind Power Project in Governor’s Hands Now (The Daily Record, Ellensburg, WA)
http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2009/12/07/news/doc4b1d4fdabbde9950322720.txt

Construction to Start on Oregon Wave Energy Project (KPIC-TV, Roseburg, OR)
http://www.kpic.com/news/local/78701082.html

Wind Power - Vestas to Suspend Production, Furlough Workers at Colorado Plant (Portland Business Journal)
http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/12/07/daily11.html?ana=from_rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+bizj_portland+%2528Portland+Business+Journal%2529&utm_content=Google+Reader

An Effort to Spread Green Power to Coasts (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/business/energy-environment/08grid.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Putting a Lot of Energy into Energy Conservation (KUOW Radio, Seattle)
http://kuow.org/program.php?id=18954

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

New Analysis Says Global Warming Is Not Slowing (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/science/earth/09climate.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Obama, Dem Efforts on Climate Cooled Off (Associated Press)
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20091208/OPINION/912080307/1049

The Hill Op/Ed - Electricity Sector’s Priorities on Climate Change
http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/71023-electricity-sectors-priorities-on-climate-change

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Washington Algae Research Gets $2M Boost (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/12/07/daily6.html

Finding New Power for Old Tractors in Electricity (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/12/08/financial/f000103S22.DTL&feed=rss.business

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Introduces Real-Time Results, Photo Search (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/187476.asp?source=pimail

Yahoo, Microsoft Finalize Search Deal (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10409809-265.html?tag=nl.e703

The Bandwidth Hog Does Not Exist - One blogger offers an invitation for ISPs to prove otherwise (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/The-Bandwidth-Hog-Does-Not-Exist-105809

GENERAL NEWS

Washington Cold Spell Could Turn Into Weekend Snow (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/1063331.html

Wood Stove Blamed for Kelso House Fire; officials urge caution with home heating (Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/12/07//area_news/doc4b1dc29cc75d6801268247.txt

Thousands to Honor Fallen Lakewood Officers Today (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Thousands-to-honor-fallen-Lakewood-officers-78771187.html

Shelton City Commission Holds Final Hearing on 2010 Budget (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=798:shelton-city-commission-holds-final-hearing-on-2010-budget&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

Mason County Commission to Hold Continued Budget Hearing Tonight (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=797:mason-county-commission-to-hold-continued-budget-hearing-tonight-tuesday&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

US Settles Royalty Dispute with Indian Tribes (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010453226_apusindianmoney1stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

State Rep. Wood Says He’ll Retire at End of Seventh Term (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/08/wood-says-hell-retire-at-end-of-seventh-term/

Capitol Tree Lights up Taxpayers for $13,272 - ‘Holiday tree’ erected under new policy (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1062864.html

Giant Waves Crash on Hawaii’s Beaches (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010449372_apushighwaveshawaii.html?syndication=rss

Ad Campaign Tries to Elevate ‘Made in China’ Tag’s Cachet (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010450393_chinaimage08.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Muppets engage the Web with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/06/muppets-engage-the-web-with-bohemian-rhapsody/

After 50 years, UK ministry shuts down UFO unit
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B416X20091205?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

City Opts for ‘Charlie Brown’ Christmas Tree
http://www.kirotv.com/holidays/21807400/detail.html

What Do Cats Do Home Alone? Cat Cams Have Answers - 22% of Time Spent Looking Out Windows
http://www.kirotv.com/family/21799186/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Leon RedBone & Zooey Deschanel - Baby Its Cold Outside
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJWSDeP4k-M

Monday, December 7, 2009

Energy News Digest for December 7, 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)

• Seattle Mayor Balks At 13.8 Percent Electricity Rate Increase; It’ll Go up Anyway
• Idaho Power schedules public meeting ON East Oregon Transmission Lines
• New NW Power Plan: Conserve More & Clean It Up
• Washington Company Gets $350 Million Grant for Texas Clean Coal Plant
• Nukes Are Necessary, Clean Energy Forum Hears
• Future Unclear for ‘Megatons to Megawatts’ Program
• Editorial - Smart Meters Need Independent Testing
• Editorial - Great Falls’ Energy Road Is Paved With Good Intentions
• North Carolina Court Ruling Orders State to Return $7M to Electricity Co-Op
• Environmental Group Leader Debates Dams in Kennewick
• First Fish Passes through Million-Dollar Deschutes River Passageway
• Deal Portends Better Fishing on Upper Columbia
• Elwha Fish Hatchery Project Back on Track after Bidders’ Protests Dismissed
• Bald eagles flocking to Lake Coeur d’Alene
• BPA Seeks Fluctuating Level of Lake Pend Oreille This Winter
• Portland E. Coli Scare Renews Questions about Covering Reservoirs
• Trees Energize Solar Dispute
• Lewis County Wind Farm Meeting Addresses Residents’ Concerns
• Trimming the Costs of Wind Power
• Wind Industry Takes Root in Farm State’s Fertile Soil
• Chinese Wind Power Companies Target Global Markets
• Oregon Wave Power Project Advances
• Massachusetts - Local Dams Being Targeted for Electricity
• Drive for Geothermal Power Heats up on US Campuses
• Federal Weatherization Program Lagging in Washington State
• Enron Settlement Money Coming to Mason County
• Revisions for PUD 3’s Conservation Program
• Cowlitz PUD Conservation Contest Winner Cut Energy Use by 41 Percent
• US Energy Department Approves 29 States for Appliance Rebates
• Rebates for ENERGY STAR Appliances
• Green Homes Red-Hot: 17% of New Builds Get Energy Star Seal
• U.N. Talks on Climate “Turning Point” Set to Start
• Some Background on the Climate Talks
• For Public, Climate Change Not a Priority Issue
• Gregoire Attending Climate Summit in Copenhagen
• Editorial - That Climate Change E-Mail
• Hacked Climate E-Mail Rebutted by Scientists
• EPA: Greenhouse Gases Endanger Human Health
• Business Fumes over EPA Rule - Carbon-Dioxide Emissions to Face Curbs
• Federal Forests Could Be Tasked With Fighting Global Warming
• Denmark’s Green Credentials Obscure Some Unpleasant Facts
• Power Plants’ Coal Smoke Tarnishes Halo of Electric Cars
• Op/Ed - Seattle Can Lead the World as a Carbon-Neutral City
• Is Seattle Smarter Than Portland?
• Studies: Increased Carbon Dioxide Not All Bad
• Solar-Powered Airplane Has Liftoff
• Google to Unveil New Features Monday
• Rural Alaska - Bringing Broadband to the Bush
• Ten Proposals for Fixing the E-Mail Glut
• On This Day: Japan Bombs US Base at Pearl Harbor
• Northwest Cold Spell to Last All Week
• Unsafe Heater Leads to Union Gap Fire
• Former State House Speaker Bagnariol Dies
• Wash. Lawmaker’s Husband Accused of Sexual Assault
• PNW Timber Program Becomes Vast National Entitlement
• NW Pilots Who Overshot Airport Blame Traffic Controllers
• 1,100 Service Stations Won’t Be Chevron Any Longer
• Supreme Court Considers Sarbanes-Oxley Board
• Lakewood Officer Tina Griswold Was a ‘Ball of Fire’ in a Tiny Package

WORD OF THE DAY

Onager • \AWN-ih-jerr\ • noun – 1: an Asian wild donkey that usually has a broad dorsal stripe & is related to the kiang 2: a heavy catapult used in ancient & medieval times

The ropes creaked, and joints groaned as the massive beams on the onager bent to the will of their sweating, swearing operators. The supervisor, his knotted muscles standing out on his dirt smeared forearms, patted the head of the tribal leader’s onager. “Ye’ll be the first donkey to enter yon city since it was founded,” he drawled. “In fact, we’re sendin’ he air mail.”

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

PUD 3 Holding Budget & PURPA Hearings Tuesday Night (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=790:pud-no-3-holding-budget-a-purpa-hearings-tuesday-night&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

Franklin PUD Considering District Realignment Options (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/983669.html

Priest Rapids Dam Troubles Cost $300,000, Grant PUD Says - Utility had to purchase power to meet demand (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/dec/04/dam-troubles-cost-300000-grant-pud-says/

Seattle Mayor Balks At 13.8 Percent Electricity Rate Increase; It’ll Go up Anyway (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/187246.asp

Idaho Power schedules public meeting ON East Oregon Transmission Lines (Baker City Herald, OR)
http://www.bakercityherald.com/Local-News/Idaho-Power-schedules-public-meeting-set-for-Dec-17

New NW Power Plan: Conserve More & Clean It Up (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)
http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1209

Washington Company Gets $350 Million Grant for Texas Clean Coal Plant (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/78607057.html

Nukes Are Necessary, Clean Energy Forum Hears (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/187289.asp?from=blog_last3

Future Unclear for ‘Megatons to Megawatts’ Program (National Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121125743&ft=1&f=2

SF Chronicle Editorial - Smart Meters Need Independent Testing
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/04/EDTL1AUK3L.DTL&feed=rss.opinion

Great Falls Tribune Editorial - Great Falls’ Energy Road Is Paved With Good Intentions
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20091206/OPINION01/912060306/Great+Falls++energy+road+is+paved+with+good+intentions

North Carolina Court Ruling Orders State to Return $7M to Electricity Co-Op (The Virginian-Pilot, Hampton Roads, VA)
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/ruling-nc-must-return-7m-electricity-coop

FISH & WILDLIFE

Environmental Group Leader Debates Dams in Kennewick (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/yahoonews/story/819333.html

First Fish Passes through Million-Dollar Deschutes River Passageway (Oregon Public Radio)
http://news.opb.org/article/6330-first-fish-passes-through-million-dollar-passageway/

Deal Portends Better Fishing on Upper Columbia (Tri-City Herald, WA)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/1358/story/818271.html

Elwha Fish Hatchery Project Back on Track after Bidders’ Protests Dismissed (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20091204/news/312049992

Bald eagles flocking to Lake Coeur d’Alene - Spawning Kokanee lure eagles to feast (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/06/bald-eagles-flocking-lake-coeur-dalene/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

BPA Seeks Fluctuating Level of Lake Pend Oreille This Winter (Bonner County Daily Be, ID)
http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/articles/2009/12/06/news/doc4b1b4540efdc6323092164.txt

Portland E. Coli Scare Renews Questions about Covering Reservoirs (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/12/e_coli_scare_renews_questions.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Trees Energize Solar Dispute - Couple seek Sequim law to protect sunny harvest (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20091206/news/312069985

Lewis County Wind Farm Meeting Addresses Residents’ Concerns (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)
http://www.chronline.com/articles/2009/12/04/news//doc4b19579bef8fc874430495.txt

Trimming the Costs of Wind Power (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/business/energy-environment/07iht-green07.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Wind Industry Takes Root in Farm State’s Fertile Soil - What can Iowa teach Wyoming? (Billings Gazette, MT)
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_467c1e70-e223-11de-a58c-001cc4c002e0.html

Chinese Wind Power Companies Target Global Markets (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/12/06/financial/f092014S90.DTL&feed=rss.business

Oregon Wave Power Project Advances (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/oregon-wave-power-project-advances/

Massachusetts - Local Dams Being Targeted for Electricity (Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA)
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_13936692?source=most_viewed

Drive for Geothermal Power Heats up on US Campuses (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/12/06/financial/f104811S05.DTL&feed=rss.business

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Federal Weatherization Program Lagging in Washington State (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010445916_apwastimulusweatherization.html?syndication=rss

Enron Settlement Money Coming to Mason County (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=772:enron-settlement-money-coming-to-mason-county-&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

Revisions for PUD 3’s Conservation Program (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=773:revisions-for-pud-3s-conservation-program-&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

Cowlitz PUD Conservation Contest Winner Cut Energy Use by 41 Percent (The Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/12/04/top_story/doc4b1873f8d2ca7784038135.txt

US Energy Department Approves 29 States for Appliance Rebates (Nasdaq)
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200912041643dowjonesdjonline000695&title=us-energy-department-approves-29-states-for-appliance-rebates

Rebates for ENERGY STAR Appliances (US Dept. of Energy Note: Washington’s rebates to begin in February 2010)
http://www.energysavers.gov/financial/index.cfm/mytopic=70020

Green Homes Red-Hot: 17% of New Builds Get Energy Star Seal (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2009-12-03-green-house-energy-star-new-homes_N.htm

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

U.N. Talks on Climate “Turning Point” Set to Start (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/12/06/world/international-uk-climate-copenhagen.html

Some Background on the Climate Talks (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010443496_apclimateqa.html?syndication=rss

For Public, Climate Change Not a Priority Issue (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121105095&ft=1&f=3

Gregoire Attending Climate Summit in Copenhagen (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=251262

NY Times Editorial - That Climate Change E-Mail
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/opinion/06sun3.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Hacked Climate E-Mail Rebutted by Scientists (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/05/MNRL1AV3Q1.DTL&feed=rss.news

EPA: Greenhouse Gases Endanger Human Health (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/nationworld/story/1062038.html

Business Fumes over EPA Rule - Carbon-Dioxide Emissions to Face Curbs (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126013960013179181.html

Federal Forests Could Be Tasked With Fighting Global Warming (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/12/federal_forests_could_be_ask_t.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Denmark’s Green Credentials Obscure Some Unpleasant Facts (Los Angeles Times, CA)
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-copenhagen-climate6-2009dec06,0,1664916.story

Power Plants’ Coal Smoke Tarnishes Halo of Electric Cars (Dallas Morning News, TX)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120509dnbusnuelectriccars.189e3e2.html

Seattle Times Op/Ed - Seattle Can Lead the World as a Carbon-Neutral City
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2010418866_guest04curtis.html?syndication=rss

Is Seattle Smarter Than Portland? (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/12/is_seattle_smarter_than_portla.html

Studies: Increased Carbon Dioxide Not All Bad (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/12/study_carbon_dioxide_speeding.html

Solar-Powered Airplane Has Liftoff (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/technology/2009/dec/Solar-Powered-Airplane-Has-Liftoff.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google to Unveil New Features Monday (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/187286.asp?source=pimail

Rural Alaska - Bringing Broadband to the Bush (Alaska Dispatch)
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/rural-alaska/3142-bringing-broadband-to-the-bush

Ten Proposals for Fixing the E-Mail Glut (NY Times)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/10-proposals-for-fixing-the-e-mail-glut/?partner=rss&emc=rss

GENERAL NEWS

On This Day: Japan Bombs US Base at Pearl Harbor (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/On-This-Day--Japan-Attacked-US-Base-at-Pearl-Harbor.html

Northwest Cold Spell to Last All Week (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010445668_apwacold.html?syndication=rss

Unsafe Heater Leads to Union Gap Fire (KNDU TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11631143

Former State House Speaker Bagnariol Dies (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=252311

Wash. Lawmaker’s Husband Accused of Sexual Assault (Associated Press)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11623490

PNW Timber Program Becomes Vast National Entitlement (Associated Press)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/412974_timber06.html?source=rss

NW Pilots Who Overshot Airport Blame Traffic Controllers (Associated Press)
http://www.king5.com/news/local/NW-pilots-who-overshot-airport-blame-traffic-controllers-78688262.html

1,100 Service Stations Won’t Be Chevron Any Longer (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/981521.html

Supreme Court Considers Sarbanes-Oxley Board (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121146830&ft=1&f=3

Lakewood Officer Tina Griswold Was a ‘Ball of Fire’ in a Tiny Package (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010442902_shootinggriswold07m.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Oregon School Removes Holiday Tree, Bans Santa Claus
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/78647482.html

Federal Workshop on Openness Closed to the Public
http://www.kirotv.com/politics/21884928/detail.html

Vinyl Records & Turntables Are Gaining Sales
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/nyregion/07vinyl.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Brazil Thieves Tunnel Their Way to Nearly $6M
http://www.kirotv.com/money/21885157/detail.html

SONG OF THE DAY

MST3K – Multicultural Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwgVnyxN5eo

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Energy News Digest for December 3, 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)

· Equipment Defect Shuts Down Priest Rapids Dam
· Clallam PUD System Changes Aided Storm Response
· Light at the end of the Enron scandal: $9 million for Washington
· Snohomish PUD Launches New User-Friendly Web Site
· Yucca Mountain Nuclear Disposal Site Is Dead, Says Longtime Advocate
· Smoke Over UW Caused By Faulty Oil/Natural Gas Power Plant Switch
· California Dams to Feel Impact of Climate Change
· Weak Demand Puts Natural Gas Prices At 52-Week Low
· Leavenworth Hatchery Plan Ignites Critics
· Alaska to Refund Nearly $70M In Fishing Fees
· Tough Season May Force Texas Oystermen to Fold
· Montana Ranchers Seek To Curb Residential Wells
· Explosion at Grays Harbor biodiesel plant
· Oregon Governor Changes Course, Supports Phase-Out of Wind Energy Tax
· Lakeview Light & Power: Small utility with big plans
· Study: Wind Farms Have No Effect on Property Value
· Harvesting Electricity That Would Otherwise Go to
· Benton PUD Passes out Free Light Bulbs and Energy
· Cash for Appliances Program to Launch in April
· As Emissions Increase, Carbon 'Sinks' Get
· Google Earth Explores Climate Risks to
· Elusive Goal of Greening U.S. Energy
· In Denmark, Ambitious Plan for Electric Cars
· Google Offers Online News Compromise
· Sweden: A Model for the Broadband Future?
· Comcast Gets NBC from G.E. in Deal That Reshapes TV
· Searchers Find Missing Shelton Mushroom
· Aunt Went to Police When Clemmons Called
· GAO Asks NOAA to Reconsider Fleet Move from Seattle to
· Gregoire Creates Cabinet for Natural Resource
· Study Says Seattle Has Nation’s Worst Traffic

WORD OF THE DAY

Winnow • \WIN-oh\ • verb - 1: to remove (as chaff) by a current of air; also: to free (as grain) from waste in this manner 2: to remove, separate, or select as if by winnowing *3: to narrow or reduce 4: to blow on or fan

Bertie was stunned by the vast amount of material produced as a result of his information request. “I might as well toss this pile in the air and randomly pick a page rather than winnow it down by reading each document,” he whined to the sympathetic secretary.

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

Equipment Defect Shuts Down Priest Rapids Dam (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/dec/02/equipment-defect-shuts-down-priest-rapids-dam/

Clallam PUD System Changes Aided Storm Response (Sequim Gazette, WA)
http://search.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2009-12-02_pud_system_changes_aided_storm_response

Light at the end of the Enron scandal: $9 million for Washington - Attorney General distributes Enron settlement money this week (Washington State Attorney General)
http://www.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?&id=24828

Snohomish PUD Launches New User-Friendly Web Site (Mukilteo Beacon, WA)
http://www.mukilteobeacon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2760:pud-launches-new-user-friendly-web-site&catid=112:city-government&Itemid=213

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Disposal Site Is Dead, Says Longtime Advocate (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/12/02/02climatewire-yucca-mountain-nuclear-disposal-site-is-dead-59660.html

Smoke Over UW Caused By Faulty Oil/Natural Gas Power Plant Switch (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/21786706/detail.html

California Dams to Feel Impact of Climate Change
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/california-dams-to-feel-climate-impacts/

Weak Demand Puts Natural Gas Prices At 52-Week Low (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010411066_apoilprices.html?syndication=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Leavenworth Hatchery Plan Ignites Critics (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/dec/02/leavenworth-hatchery-plan-ignites-critics/

Alaska to Refund Nearly $70M In Fishing Fees (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010414061_apakfishingrefund1stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

Tough Season May Force Texas Oystermen to Fold (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/us/02oyster.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Montana Ranchers Seek To Curb Residential Wells (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010410393_apusfarmscenewaterwoes.html?syndication=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Explosion at Grays Harbor biodiesel plant (KING-TV, Seattle)
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Explosion-at-Grays-Harbor-biodiesel-plant-78374817.html

Oregon Governor Changes Course, Supports Phase-Out of Wind Energy Tax Credit (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/12/kulongoski_changes_course_supp.html

Lakeview Light & Power: Small utility with big plans (Energy Digital)
http://www.energydigital.com/Lakeview-Light---Power--Small-utility-with-big-plans_39314.aspx

Study: Wind Farms Have No Effect on Property Value (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010404615_apuswindfarmshomevalues.html

Harvesting Electricity That Would Otherwise Go to Waste (NY Times)
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/harvesting-electricity-that-would-otherwise-go-to-waste/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Benton PUD Passes out Free Light Bulbs and Energy Tips (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11607533

Cash for Appliances Program to Launch in April (Nashville Business Journal)
http://nashville.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2009/11/30/daily26.html?ana=from_rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

As Emissions Increase, Carbon 'Sinks' Get Clogged - World's oceans, forests becoming less able to absorb CO2 (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/02/AR2009120203732.html?wprss=rss_business

Google Earth Explores Climate Risks to California (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010411093_apuscaliforniaclimatechange.html?syndication=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Elusive Goal of Greening U.S. Energy (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/business/energy-environment/03greenjobs.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

In Denmark, Ambitious Plan for Electric Cars (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/business/energy-environment/02electric.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Telecommunications & Technology

Google Offers Online News Compromise (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE5B13VF20091202?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology

Sweden: A Model for the Broadband Future? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/12/03/sweden-a-model-for-the-broadband-future

Comcast Gets NBC from G.E. in Deal That Reshapes TV (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/business/media/04nbc.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

GENERAL NEWS

Searchers Find Missing Shelton Mushroom Picker (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/21778917/detail.html?treets=sea&tid=2653595907813&tml=sea_4pm&tmi=sea_4pm_1_06000212022009&ts=H

Aunt Went to Police When Clemmons Called Her (Seattle Times)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/1057864.html

GAO Asks NOAA to Reconsider Fleet Move from Seattle to Oregon (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/1056697.html

Gregoire Creates Cabinet for Natural Resource Agencies (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/dec/02/gregoire-creates-cabinet-for-natural-resource/?partner=RSS

Study Says Seattle Has Nation’s Worst Traffic Congestion (Puget Sound Business Journal)
http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/11/30/daily14.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Some Mont. Businesses Angry Over Shopping E-Mail
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010413919_apmtbusinessesangered.html?syndication=rss

Alan Parsons Project Band Co-Founder Woolfson Dies
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2010413970_apeugermanyobitwoolfson.html?syndication=rss

Cambodian Moms-To-Be Chew Tobacco For Nausea
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2010411019_apasmedcambodiapregnanttobaccochewers.html?syndication=rss

Idaho Man Beats Speeding Ticket After 2 Years
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/1057867.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Alan Parsons Project - Games People Playhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myJDOWh0_eU

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Energy News Digest for December 2, 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)

· On This Day: Enron Files the Largest Corporate Bankruptcy in US History
· Clark County - Enron Penalty Aids Local Utility
· Avista Will Distribute Enron Settlement Funds
· Daily News Editorial - Property Owners’ Anger Is Understandable, but New Transmission Line Will Soon Be Needed
· Chelan PUD Budget Has New Holes
· Idaho Clean-Coal Permit Sets National Standard in the Fight against Climate
· North Carolina - Progress Energy to Close down 11 Coal
· California - Feds Probe Switch Problem at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant
· Roughly 70,000 Sockeye Salmon Return To South Okanogan
· Pacific Salmon Named One of “America’s Hottest Species”
· Poison Planned To Keep Asian Carp from Great
· Water Rule Raises Fears for Farms in Chimacum Valley
· Group Says It Will Sue City of Spokane over River PCBs
· Wenatchee World Op/Ed - Columbia Basin Project Goes Badly Astray
· California Projects Historic Low for Water
· New Mexico - Report Says Transmission Key to Renewable Power
· New York Eyes Offshore Wind Farms on Great
· Cape Wind inks power deal with National Grid
· Idaho - Rupert Awarded $100,000 for Energy Improvements
· Associated Press Perspective: Ohio Light Bulb Fight Offers Lessons
· UK Climate Scientist To Temporarily Step Down
· Australia’s Carbon-Trading Legislation Fails
· Five Eco-Crimes We Commit Every Day
· Gates Foundation Grants $3.4 Million for Library Internet Connections
· FCC Chairman Pushes Changes to Expand Broadband Access
· FCC Aims to Expand
· Microsoft Says Black Screens Not Caused By Security Updates
· Reality Check: Global Bing, Yahoo Market Shares Stink
· Deputies Seek Missing Shelton
· E-Mails Show Washington State Battled To Keep Clemmons in
· Prosecutor Gives Details on How Clemmons Was Helped To
· Gregoire Backs Off Move of State Parks into Department of Natural
· Online Readers, Aggregators Need To Pay For News: Murdoch

WORD OF THE DAY

Pundit • \PUN-dit\ • noun - 1: a learned person: teacher *2: authority, critic

Strictly speaking, some talking heads passing themselves off as “pundits” are anything but.

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

On This Day: Enron Files the Largest Corporate Bankruptcy in US History (Finding Dulcinea)
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/December/Enron-Files-the-Largest-Corporate-Bankruptcy-in-U-S--History.html

Clark County - Enron Penalty Aids Local Utility: Settlement will help reduce low-income people’s heating bills (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)
http://columbian.com/article/20091202/BIZ01/712029968/-1/biz

Avista Will Distribute Enron Settlement Funds (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/02/avista-will-distribute-enron-settlement-funds/

Daily News Editorial - Property Owners’ Anger Is Understandable, but New Transmission Line Will Soon Be Needed
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/12/02/editorial/doc4b15a9859f9d5621757301.txt

Chelan PUD Budget Has New Holes (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/dec/01/chelan-pud-budget-has-new-holes/

Idaho Clean-Coal Permit Sets National Standard in the Fight against Climate Change (Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/992165.html

North Carolina - Progress Energy to Close down 11 Coal Plants - Representing 30% of total coal-fired output (Triangle Business Journal)
http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2009/11/30/daily31.html?ana=from_rss

California - Feds Probe Switch Problem at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant (Associated Press)
http://www.ktvu.com/news/21771822/detail.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Roughly 70,000 Sockeye Salmon Return To South Okanogan (Osoyoos Times, BC)
http://www.osoyoostimes.com/news/2009/12/01/roughly-70000-sockeye-salmon-return-to-south-okanagan/

Pacific Salmon Named One of “America’s Hottest Species” (SF Bay Independent Media)
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/12/01/18631036.php

Poison Planned To Keep Asian Carp from Great Lakes (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010403991_apusgreatlakesasiancarp.html?syndication=rss

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Water Rule Raises Fears for Farms in Chimacum Valley (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20091202/news/312029993

Group Says It Will Sue City of Spokane over River PCBs (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/02/group-says-it-will-sue-city-over-river-pcbs/

Wenatchee World Op/Ed - Columbia Basin Project Goes Badly Astray
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/dec/01/basin-project-goes-badly-astray/

California Projects Historic Low for Water Deliveries (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010396482_apcacaliforniawater.html?syndication=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

New Mexico - Report Says Transmission Key to Renewable Power (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010404109_apusenergytransmissionnewmexico.html?syndication=rss

New York Eyes Offshore Wind Farms on Great Lakes (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE5B04J320091201

Cape Wind inks power deal with National Grid (Boston Business Journal)
http://boston.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2009/11/30/daily33.html?ana=from_rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Idaho - Rupert Awarded $100,000 for Energy Improvements (Magic Valley Times-News, ID)
http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_b282877f-3ee9-5dc1-b75f-dba9b8ca7348.html

Associated Press Perspective: Ohio Light Bulb Fight Offers Lessons
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hF4WOkdKCzzMAjJaP99313_e_SAAD9CAKLQO0

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

UK Climate Scientist To Temporarily Step Down - Pending an investigation into allegations that he overstated the case for man-made climate change (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010396116_apeubritainclimatehackedemails.html?syndication=rss

Australia’s Carbon-Trading Legislation Fails (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010403866_apclimateaustralia.html?syndication=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Five Eco-Crimes We Commit Every Day (New Scientist)
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427361.900-five-ecocrimes-we-commit-every-day.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Gates Foundation Grants $3.4 Million for Library Internet Connections (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thebusinessofgiving/2010396684_gates_foundation_grants_34_mil.html?syndication=rss

FCC Chairman Pushes Changes to Expand Broadband Access (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125968577577971313.html?ru=yahoo&mod=yahoo_hs

FCC Aims to Expand USF - But again, they probably should bother to fix it first (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Aims-To-Expand-USF-105752

Microsoft Says Black Screens Not Caused By Security Updates (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/186837.asp?source=pimail

Reality Check: Global Bing, Yahoo Market Shares Stink (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/186810.asp?source=pimail

GENERAL NEWS

Deputies Seek Missing Shelton Woman (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/1055974.html

E-Mails Show Washington State Battled To Keep Clemmons in Custody (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010400203_shootingdoc02m.html

Prosecutor Gives Details on How Clemmons Was Helped To Escape (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/1055556.html

Gregoire Backs Off Move of State Parks into Department of Natural Resources (Everett Herald, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091202/BLOG13/912029999/0/NEWS01

Online Readers, Aggregators Need To Pay For News: Murdoch (Yahoo! Tech)
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/afp/20091201/tc_afp/usmediaindustrynewspapersnewscorpmurdochftc

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Breast-Feeding Mom Says Target Kicked Her Out, Called Police
http://www.freep.com/article/20091201/NEWS02/91201031/1322/Breast-feeding-mom-says-Target-kicked-her-out

Woman Says She Was Pressured Into Buying Car
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/21764175/detail.html

Cost of School Formals Soaring As Teenagers Glam-Up
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE5B03Y020091201?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FoddlyEnoughNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Oddly+Enough%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

Owl swoops down to attack dog on leash
http://www.nwcn.com/news/Owl-swoops-down-to-attack-dog-on-leash-78288942.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Little River Band - The Night Owl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFLdHx2ZXUA

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Energy News Digest for December 1, 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)

• Group & Planned ID Coal Gasification Plant Reach CO2 Emissions Pact
• Jury Says Sempra Didn’t Breach California Power Contract
• Coal Protesters Tie Selves to Generator Bound for South Carolina
• Hoover Dam power plant modernization continuing
• California - Power Line Knocked down After Owl Causes Misfire
• Oil Still Fuels the Green State of Denmark
• Massachusetts Decoupling - State Rulings Set Back National Grid, NStar
• Oregon Seafood Choices on ‘Super Green’ List
• Montana - Changes on Upper Missouri Could Boost Fish, Trees
• Montana Regulators Fine Great Falls Utility over Lack of Renewables
• Hood River Hydroelectric Projects Win Low Impact Certification
• Company Plans 500 Megawatt Wind Farm in Montana
• Editorial - Put Wind to Work
• Ontario Will Pay Farmers 14.5 Cents per kWh for Their Wind Generation
• Forget the Birds - Scottish Wind Farm ‘Could Cause Fighter Jet Crashes’
• Op/Ed - Rhode Island’s Renewable-Energy Suicide
• Energy Secretary Says US Falling Behind in Clean-Energy Race
• Massachusetts - $68m in Solar Rebates Goes Fast
• Federal Aid Helps Save Energy
• Editorial - Watt-Guzzling TVs Latest Target But Not Last
• South Dakota Panel Considers Energy Efficiency in Natural Gas
• NorthWestern Energy & NEEA Offer Energy Efficient Suggestions for Shoppers
• Op/Ed - Climate Change in the Business Sector Vital to Economy
• E-Mail Fracas Shows Peril of Trying to Spin Science
• Penn State Will Investigate ‘Climategate’
• Google Hosts Energy Experts amid Climate Talks
• Verizon Landline Sale Advances
• Analyst Predicts Massive Google Growth
• Charter Communications Emerges From Bankruptcy
• Clearwire 4G Finally Comes to Seattle
• Comcast Releasing Promised Usage Meter
• Baltimore to Ban Lazy Cable Installs
• Online Shopping Off to a Strong Start
• Cop Killer Suspect Shot & Killed by Seattle Police
• Three Persons Accused of Helping Lakewood Police Killer
• Chehalis Bondsman Wouldn’t Have Bonded Suspected Cop Killer
• Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Fires Back at Huckabee
• Lumber Prices Tick Up Slightly, But How Real Is Rebound?
• City of Shelton Has another Draft U-G-A Agreement Ready to Go to Mason County
• Washington State Adopts 7.6 Percent Workers’ Comp Rate Hike
• Fees Soar for Those Who Own Cabins on Federal Land
• Lady Washington Wintering At Columbia River Ports
• “Stealing Lightbulbs” - Ban on State Fund Raids May Be Put to New Jersey Voters

WORD OF THE DAY

Espouse • \is-SPOWS (sounds like house)\ • verb - 1: marry 2: to take up & support as a cause: become attached to

The town crier’s days were numbered. His demise began early one morning as he made his pronouncements beneath the swinging wooden sign of the local butcher…espousing vegetarianism as the cure to all human ills. Unfortunately for him, the butcher was not only his brother-in-law, but the Mayor of the small town. The pink slip arrived the very next day.

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

Group & Planned ID Coal Gasification Plant Reach CO2 Emissions Pact (Associated Press)
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/1054499.html

Jury Says Sempra Didn’t Breach California Power Contract (Bloomberg News)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aYma15YVI7gk

North Carolina - Coal Protesters Tie Selves to Generator Bound for South Carolina (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/11/30/financial/f090545S43.DTL&feed=rss.business

Hoover Dam power plant modernization continuing (Enquirer Herald, Rock Hill, SC)
http://www.enquirerherald.com/365/story/988373.html

California - Power Line Knocked down After Owl Causes Misfire (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2347292~Power_line_knocked_down_after_owl_causes_misfire.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

Oil Still Fuels the Green State of Denmark - Something is rotten: Despite wind power, fossil fuels still dominate electricity production (Globe & Mail, Canada)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/oil-still-fuels-the-green-state-of-denmark/article1382028/

Massachusetts Decoupling - State Rulings Set Back National Grid, NStar (Boston Business Journal)
http://boston.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2009/11/30/daily20.html?ana=from_rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Oregon Seafood Choices on ‘Super Green’ List “…Wild-caught Salmon…abound in the ocean waters off Oregon, Washington & Alaska…” (Oregon Magazine)
http://oregonmag.com/Seared1209.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Montana - Changes on Upper Missouri Could Boost Fish, Trees (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/11/30/financial/f143458S76.DTL&feed=rss.business

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Montana Regulators Fine Great Falls Utility over Lack of Renewables (Great Falls Tribune, MT)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20091201/NEWS01/912010302/PSC-fines-city-utility-over-lack-of-renewables

Hood River Hydroelectric Projects Win Low Impact Certification (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/11/hydroelectric-projects-win-lihi-certification?cmpid=rss

Company Plans 500 Megawatt Wind Farm in Montana (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010391181_apusmontanawind.html?syndication=rss

Anchorage Daily News - Put Wind to Work: In Projects Big & Small, Alaska Turns to Renewable Energy
http://www.adn.com/opinion/view/story/1034827.html

Ontario Will Pay Farmers 14.5 Cents per kWh for Their Wind Generation (Renewable Energy World)
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/12/ontario-will-pay-farmers-14-5-cents-per-kwh-for-their-wind-generation?cmpid=rss

Forget the Birds - Scottish Wind Farm ‘Could Cause Fighter Jet Crashes’ (STV)
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/141137-wind-farm-could-cause-fighter-jet-crashes/

Providence Journal Op/Ed - Rhode Island’s Renewable-Energy Suicide
http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_gebhard28_11-28-09_92GAOBJ_v13.3f8cf39.html

Energy Secretary Says US Falling Behind in Clean-Energy Race (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/internal_ReutersNewsRoom_BehindTheScenes_MOLT/idUSTRE5B006E20091201

Massachusetts - $68m in Solar Rebates Goes Fast: State readying new plan for January (Boston Globe, MA)
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/12/01/68m_in_solar_rebates_goes_fast/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Federal Aid Helps Save Energy - Seven cities will share nearly $500,000 in federal stimulus money for lighting, heating & other conservation projects (Everett Herald, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091201/NEWS01/712019939

News Tribune Editorial - Watt-Guzzling TVs Latest Target But Not Last
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/975711.html

South Dakota Panel Considers Energy Efficiency in Natural Gas (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hUj-8FNAt4ypAPfNLcZVFYC-mh0QD9CA3V6G0

NorthWestern Energy & NEEA Offer Energy Efficient Suggestions for Electronics Shoppers This Holiday Season (Charkoosta News, MT)
http://www.charkoosta.com/2009/2009_11_26/think_green_this_holiday_season.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Columbian Op/Ed - Climate Change in the Business Sector Vital to Economy
http://columbian.com/article/20091201/BIZ01/712019999/-1/biz

E-Mail Fracas Shows Peril of Trying to Spin Science (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/science/01tier.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Penn State Will Investigate ‘Climategate’ (US News & World Report)
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/paper-trail/2009/11/30/penn-state-will-investigate-climategate.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Google Hosts Energy Experts amid Climate Talks (C/NET News)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10406568-265.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Verizon Landline Sale Advances - The Everett City Council & other local governmental bodies approve the transfer to Frontier Communications, but the deal still needs the OK from state & federal regulators (Everett Herald, WA)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091201/BIZ/712019959/-1/rss03

Analyst Predicts Massive Google Growth (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/186716.asp?source=pimail

Charter Communications Emerges From Bankruptcy (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/11/30/financial/f113104S80.DTL&feed=rss.business

Clearwire 4G Finally Comes to Seattle (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/personaltechnology/2010392451_clearwire01.html

Comcast Releasing Promised Usage Meter - Trial launched in Portland, accuracy measured by independent firm (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Releasing-Promised-Usage-Meter-105731

Baltimore to Ban Lazy Cable Installs - New bill would require coax be buried within fifteen days (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Baltimore-To-Ban-Lazy-Cable-Installs-105706

Online Shopping Off to a Strong Start (San Jose Mercury News, CA)
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13896314?nclick_check=1

GENERAL NEWS

Cop Killer Suspect Shot & Killed by Seattle Police (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/975864.html

Three Persons Accused of Helping Lakewood Police Killer (Associated Press)
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=11598330

Chehalis Bondsman Wouldn’t Have Bonded Suspected Cop Killer (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)
http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Station-Chehalis-Bondsman-Wouldnt-Have-B=1&blockID=97448&feedID=410

Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Fires Back at Huckabee (KIRO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=249095

Lumber Prices Tick Up Slightly, But How Real Is Rebound? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
http://news.opb.org/article/6295-lumber-prices-tick-slightly-how-real-rebound/

City of Shelton Has another Draft U-G-A Agreement Ready to Go to Mason County (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)
http://masoncountydailynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=742:city-of-shelton-has-another-draft-u-g-a-agreement-ready-to-go-to-mason-county-&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

Washington State Adopts 7.6 Percent Workers’ Comp Rate Hike (Associated Press)
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=249191

Fees Soar for Those Who Own Cabins on Federal Land (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-11-30-cabins_N.htm

Lady Washington Wintering At Columbia River Ports – Diesel engine too dirty for California marinas (KOMO-TV, Seattle)
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/78157017.html

“Stealing Lightbulbs” - Ban on State Fund Raids May Be Put to New Jersey Voters (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/11/30/financial/f125853S09.DTL&feed=rss.business

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

Movement Under Way in California to Ban Divorce - Effort Meant to Be Satirical Statement
http://www.kirotv.com/family/21762785/detail.html

Barry White Box Set Reveals a Master at Work (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120504764&ft=1&f=3

Arizona Board Sued Over Fish Pedicure Squabble
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/11/30/national/a150131S23.DTL&feed=rss.news

Are You a Twitter ‘Meformer’ or an ‘Informer’?
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/business/story/811377.html?mi_email=Tri-City%20Herald_PM+%26+Breaking+News

SONG OF THE DAY

Barry White w/Luciano Pavarotti - You’re the First, the Last, My Everything
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-McQLoBX_IA

Monday, November 30, 2009

Energy News Digest for November 30, 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)

• Two Apply to Fill Jefferson PUD Vacancy Created by Roberts’ Death
• Phone Glitch Keeps Gig Harbor Electricity Customers in Dark
• Montana - Critics Blast Electric City Power Report
• Naming Rights - Tacoma Power Says No to Dome
• Woodland Considering Utility Tax Increase to Fund New Firefighter Position
• Nevada Power Transmission Line Project Moves Forward
• Pennsylvania - Electricity rates are about to explode (30%) in Berks County
• Maryland Lawmaker Won’t Stand in Way of Re-Regulating Energy Industry
• Paying for Water with Power
• North Carolina - US wanted hydro plant closed
• Virginian Electrocuted - Another hurt taking down temporary lights
• Minnesota Tribe to Rally against Nuclear Expansion
• Entering the Nuclear Age? Duke Energy CEO Wants Federal Control on Energy
• Ohio Electric Supplier Pulls Its Plan for $4B Power Plant
• Wenatchee’s Rocky Reach Dam Sees Huge Steelhead Run
• Prospects Looking Dim Again for Lake Washington Sockeye Fishery
• Columbian Editorial - Salmon in the Creek
• Columbia River Anglers Will Pay New Fee in 2010
• Alaska Fishermen Aim for Higher Quality, Better Prices
• French Oyster Farmers Suffer From Wave of Thefts
• Washington State Considers New Irrigation Water Rights
• Oregon Tax Dollars Blow Away in Wind Projects – Subsidies in question
• Controversial Project Strikes at the Heart of Murrelet Recovery in Washington
• California - Bureaucracy Trips up Renewable Energy Projects
• Port of Longview Profits Soar on Wind Energy
• Wind Turbines Beginning to Energize Alaska
• In the Wind: What’s a Wind Lease?
• Rhode Island Governor to Speak About Offshore Wind Power Plans
• New Jersey Lawmaker Pushing for Windmills on Piers
• Pennsylvania Wind Turbine Plant Laying off 141 Workers
• Solar Panels Causing Some Storms
• Germany Faces Solar Power Component Shortage
• Hearing Set for Massachusetts Bill on Wood Power Plants
• Push for Alternatives to Coal Lights a Fire under Wood-Pellet Industry
• US Unlikely to Use the Ethanol Congress Ordered
• Idaho Ethanol Plant Aims to Reopen as Market Improves
• Mason County: PUD Has Programs, Ideas for Energy-Efficient Home
• Ellensburg to Join in ‘Smart Grid’ Effort
• Puget Sound Energy Offers Tips for Safe & Efficient Ways to Light up the Holidays
• Montana - Multimillion-Dollar Meters
• Conservation pays off for Northern Wasco County PUD
• Ordinary Buildings to Respond to Electricity Demands
• LED Bulbs Save Substantial Energy, a Study Finds
• Protecting the Forests & Hoping for Payback
• Richland Woman Bound for Denmark Climate Conference
• Carbon-Credit Dispute Threatens New Climate Deal
• The Carbon-Subprime Connection: A Cautionary Tale?
• Wall Street Journal Editorial - ‘Cap & Trade Is Dead’
• Hacked E-Mail Data Prompts Calls for Changes in Climate Research
• Washington Post Editorial - It’s Not the Climate; It’s the Cover-up
• New Climate Targets May Not Change Daily Life Much
• Monday Climate Change Meeting Seeks Public Input
• When Trees Fall Next Door, Neighbors Make the
• Airlines Call Christmas Truce in the Green War
• Rural Carriers Quickly Embracing Fiber
• Waterloo, Fastest (Internet) Town in the Midwest
• Nebraska - Recession Slows Plan to Build Bunker Data Centers
• In-Flight Internet Taking Off With Row 44
• Will Cyber Monday End With a Bang or a Whimper?
• Don’t Bet Newspapers Will Get Rich Shunning Google
• Suspect Wanted in Lakewood Police Shootings Not Found in Seattle House
• Former Shelton Officer: Slain female officer remembered
• Huckabee Commuted Sentence of Man Tied to Police Slayings
• Former Evergreen Student, Ecoterrorism Suspect Sentenced in China
• Former Idaho Congressman Loses Appeal in Swindling Case
• Timber Prices Rally; Trade Group Foresees Demand
• Noble Fir Trees Harder to Come by This Christmas
• Signal Fading on Radio Traffic Reports
• You’ve got mail – for 6 years

WORD OF THE DAY

Congruous • \KAHNG-groo-us\ • adjective - 1*a: being in agreement, harmony, or correspondence b: conforming to the circumstances or requirements of a situation: appropriate 2: marked or enhanced by harmonious agreement among constituent elements

The bleary-eyed reviewer slowly turned his gaze from what appeared to be a concerted letter-writing campaign by a certain candy cane company which had been trying to keep its confections in the hands of department store Santas. “The congruous nature of these letters is astounding,” he sighed. “They’re exactly the same, tout the benefits of high fructose corn syrup for children, and are all return addressed to the north pole.”

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

Two Apply to Fill Jefferson PUD Vacancy Created by Roberts’ Death (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20091130/news/311309994

Phone Glitch Keeps Gig Harbor Electricity Customers in Dark (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010357789_penlight26m.html?syndication=rss

Montana - Critics Blast Electric City Power Report: Should Great Falls stay in the electricity business (Great Falls Tribune, MT)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20091128/NEWS01/911280311/Critics+blast+Electric+City+Power+report

Naming Rights - Tacoma Power Says No to Dome: Public utility won’t buy naming rights to icon, but it will help upgrade the lighting (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/974275.html

Woodland Considering Utility Tax Increase to Fund New Firefighter Position (Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/11/28//area_news/doc4b107e7195c89535121130.txt

Nevada Power Transmission Line Project Moves Forward (Associated Press)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/11/29/state/n130245S78.DTL&feed=rss.business

Pennsylvania - Electricity rates are about to explode (30%) in Berks County “…Rate caps put in place to foster competition in the electric generation industry…actually backfired & resulted in 13 years of unrealistically low electric rates in Pennsylvania…” (Reading Eagle, PA)
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=172027

Maryland Lawmaker Won’t Stand in Way of Re-Regulating Energy Industry (Baltimore Business Journal)
http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2009/11/30/story13.html?ana=from_rss

Paying for Water with Power (Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ)
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2009/11/28/20091128biz-srpwater1129.html

North Carolina - US wanted hydro plant closed (News Record, Greensboro, NC)
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/11/29/article/us_wanted_hydro_plant_closed

Virginian Electrocuted - Another hurt taking down temporary lights for repair of water main (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/25/AR2009112501839.html?wprss=rss_metro

Minnesota Tribe to Rally against Nuclear Expansion (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010368434_apusminnesotanuclearpower.html?syndication=rss

Entering the Nuclear Age? Duke Energy CEO Wants Federal Control on Energy (Daily Finance)
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/28/entering-the-nuclear-age-a-utilities-ceo-wants-federal-control/

Ohio Electric Supplier Pulls Its Plan for $4B Power Plant (Toledo Blade, OH)
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091126/BUSINESS01/911260359/-1/BUSINESS05

FISH & WILDLIFE

Wenatchee’s Rocky Reach Dam Sees Huge Steelhead Run (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/nov/25/counters-log-record-run-of-steelhead/

Prospects Looking Dim Again for Lake Washington Sockeye Fishery “…It doesn’t make any sense that the Lake Washington & Fraser River [in British Columbia] sockeye runs were so poor, while the Columbia River was so good…” (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2010379208_outn29.html

Columbian Editorial - Salmon in the Creek: Small victory seen in ongoing local struggle to improve fish habitat
http://columbian.com/article/20091130/OPINION02/711309987/-1/opinion

Columbia River Anglers Will Pay New Fee in 2010 (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/969784.html

Alaska Fishermen Aim for Higher Quality, Better Prices (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010385420_apakbristolbayseafood.html?syndication=rss

French Oyster Farmers Suffer From Wave of Thefts - A shortage of shellfish created by a virus has led rogue growers to steal from their colleagues (Guardian, UK)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/29/french-oyster-farmers-thefts

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Washington State Considers New Irrigation Water Rights (Wenatchee World, WA)
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/nov/28/washington-considers-new-irrigation-water-rights/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon Tax Dollars Blow Away in Wind Projects – Subsidies in question (Oregonian)
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/11/tax_dollars_blow_away_in_wind.html

Controversial Project Strikes at the Heart of Murrelet Recovery in Washington (Conservation NW)
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1201/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=28101

California - Bureaucracy Trips up Renewable Energy Projects (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/26/MN451AP7MF.DTL

Port of Longview Profits Soar on Wind Energy (Daily News, Longview, WA)
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/11/27//area_news/doc4b0f8312597db892509738.txt

Wind Turbines Beginning to Energize Alaska - More Alaskans harness renewable energy (Anchorage Daily News, AK)
http://www.adn.com/3221/story/1032572.html

In the Wind: What’s a Wind Lease? (Queen City News, Helena, MT)
http://www.queencitynews.com/modules.php?sid=10858&thold=0&order=0&file=article&name=News&op=modload

Rhode Island Governor to Speak About Offshore Wind Power Plans (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/11/30/financial/f073858S03.DTL&feed=rss.business

New Jersey Lawmaker Pushing for Windmills on Piers (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010369408_apuswindmillenergynewjersey.html?syndication=rss

Pennsylvania Wind Turbine Plant Laying off 141 Workers (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010368425_apusturbineplantlayoffspennsylvania.html?syndication=rss

Solar Panels Causing Some Storms - Even as California & the federal government encourage solar power, homeowners often have to fight homeowners associations for their right to install the systems (Los Angeles Times, CA)
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-solar-panels30-2009nov30,0,5567208.story

Germany Faces Solar Power Component Shortage (Energy Matters)
http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=680

Hearing Set for Massachusetts Bill on Wood Power Plants (Associated Press)
http://nhbr.com/news/statenewengland/456969-227/hearing-set-for-mass.-bill-on-wood.html

Push for Alternatives to Coal Lights a Fire under Wood-Pellet Industry (Edmonton Journal, Alberta)
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/technology/Push+alternatives+coal+lights+fire+under+wood+pellet+industry/2279107/story.html

US Unlikely to Use the Ethanol Congress Ordered (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/27/business/energy-environment/27ethanol.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Idaho Ethanol Plant Aims to Reopen as Market Improves (Associated Press)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2343033~ID_ethanol_plant_aims_to_reopen_as_market_improves.html?cid=rss-Idaho_Headlines

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Mason County: PUD Has Programs, Ideas for Energy-Efficient Home (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1053551.html

Ellensburg to Join in ‘Smart Grid’ Effort - $600,000 grant will help city contribute to regional energy-sharing project (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/11/26/ellensburg-to-join-in-smart-grid-effort

Puget Sound Energy Offers Tips for Safe & Efficient Ways to Light up the Holidays Electric Energy Online)
http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=123541

Montana - Multimillion-Dollar Meters: NorthWestern Energy gets grant to test smart grid in & around Capitol (Helena Independent-Record, MT)
http://www.helenair.com/news/local/article_38d9c0f0-dd74-11de-bfce-001cc4c002e0.html

Conservation pays off for Northern Wasco County PUD (Dalles Chronicle, OR)
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2009/11/news11-27-09-02.shtml

Ordinary Buildings to Respond to Electricity Demands (R&D Magazine)
http://www.rdmag.com/News/2009/11/Energy-Ordinary-buildings-to-respond-to-electricity-demands/

LED Bulbs Save Substantial Energy, a Study Finds (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/business/energy-environment/30led.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Protecting the Forests & Hoping for Payback (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/science/earth/29trees.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Richland Woman Bound for Denmark Climate Conference (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/972156.html

Carbon-Credit Dispute Threatens New Climate Deal (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/29/AR2009112902405.html?wprss=rss_business

The Carbon-Subprime Connection: A Cautionary Tale? (Financial Times of London, UK)
http://blogs.ft.com/energy-source/2009/11/30/the-carbon-subprime-connection-a-cautionary-tale/

Wall Street Journal Editorial - ‘Cap & Trade Is Dead’
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703499404574558070997168360.html

Hacked E-Mail Data Prompts Calls for Changes in Climate Research (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/28/science/earth/28hack.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Washington Post Editorial - It’s Not the Climate; It’s the Coverup: Scientists have the evidence on their side but toss the unbelievers a bone
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/75066562.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsZ

New Climate Targets May Not Change Daily Life Much (Seattle Tmes)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2010361304_apusclimatecosts.html?syndication=rss

Monday Climate Change Meeting Seeks Public Input (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1049851.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

When Trees Fall Next Door, Neighbors Make the Noise (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/nyregion/29tree.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Airlines Call Christmas Truce in the Green War (The Telegraph, UK)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/kamal-ahmed/6678146/Airlines-call-Christmas-truce-in-the-green-war.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Rural Carriers Quickly Embracing Fiber - Both fiber to the node, & to the home (Broadband Reports)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Rural-Carriers-Quickly-Embracing-Fiber-105701

Waterloo, Fastest (Internet) Town in the Midwest (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/11/30/waterloo-iowa-will-soon-have-faster-internet-than-you-do/

Nebraska - Recession Slows Plan to Build Bunker Data Centers (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010383169_apnebytebunkers.html?syndication=rss

In-Flight Internet Taking Off With Row 44 (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010386245_btinflightinternet30.html?syndication=rss

Will Cyber Monday End With a Bang or a Whimper? (GigaOM)
http://gigaom.com/2009/11/30/will-cyber-monday-end-with-a-bang-or-a-whimper/

Don’t Bet Newspapers Will Get Rich Shunning Google (Examiner.Com)
http://www.examiner.com/a-2345942~Don_t_bet_newspapers_will_get_rich_shunning_Google.html?cid=rss-California_Headlines

GENERAL NEWS

Suspect Wanted in Lakewood Police Shootings Not Found in Seattle House (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/974749.html

Former Shelton Officer: Slain female officer remembered as stickler for officer safety - ‘So hard for me to believe that someone could ambush her,’ former chief says (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/412738_griswold30.html?source=rss

Huckabee Commuted Sentence of Man Tied to Police Slayings (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/412737_suspect230.html?source=rss

Former Evergreen Student, Ecoterrorism Suspect Sentenced in China (Olympian, WA)
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1052656.html

Former Idaho Congressman Loses Appeal in Swindling Case (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/nov/30/former-idaho-congressman-loses-appeal/

Timber Prices Rally; Trade Group Foresees Demand (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010364444_aportimberprices.html?syndication=rss

Noble Fir Trees Harder to Come by This Christmas (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/412702_firs27.html?source=rss

Signal Fading on Radio Traffic Reports (Associated Press)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010369311_apustrafficwatchers.html?syndication=rss

You’ve got mail – for 6 years: Pierce County Employees’ e-mails to be stored in effort to support public accessibility, executive says (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/government/story/972046.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER - DIVERSIONS

‘12 Days of Christmas’ Items’ Cost Would Top $87,000
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/11/29/national/a210210S11.DTL&feed=rss.news

Dog with Name Tag ‘Works’ Drive-Through
http://www.kirotv.com/money/21725311/detail.html

Comatose for 23 Years, Belgian Feels Reborn - Belgian Man Was Conscious During 23-Year ‘Coma’
http://www.kirotv.com/health/21709881/detail.html

Beatles, Ukulele-Style (Nat’l Public Radio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120915943

SONG OF THE DAY

From Me to You - Beatles Ukulele Cover Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw-S-YEDC60