Energy News Digest for December 10, 2010

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Some Rivers 'Certain to Flood' from Coming Heavy Rains (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/weather/26082927/detail.html

Washington State Legislature's Special Budget Session Set for Saturday (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013640931_session10m.html

Montana - Bonneville Power Administration Sweetens Power Deal for Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant (Metal Bulletin)

http://www.metalbulletin.com/Article/2729486/NonFerrous/BPA-sweetens-power-deal-for-Glencores-Mont.-plant.html

Cold Weather & Holiday Lights Boost Natural Gas (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013636509_apusoilprices.html

Sea Lions Killing Sturgeon in Lower Columbia River (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_sea_lions_sturgeon.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         Montana - Bonneville Power Administration Sweetens Power Deal for Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant

·         Residents Upset Over Possible Grant PUD Rate Increases

·         Avista Idaho Rates Subject of Workshop

·         Environmental Quality Commission Approves Early Closure of Oregon's Only Coal-Fired Power Plant

·         Fitch Rates Energy Northwest's Columbia Generating Station Bonds 'AA' & Bonneville Power Implied 'AA'

·         Power Usage Tips Police to Portland Marijuana Grow

·         Seattle City Light to Make Changes in Wake of Dog Electrocution

·         New Hampshire Regulators Say National Grid Not To Blame in Power Shutoff Death

·         Cold Weather & Holiday Lights Boost Natural Gas

·         New Jersey - Oyster Creek Nuclear Closure Deal Draws Some Fire

·         New Jersey's Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant Must Replace New Transformer

·         North Carolina - Alcoa Power Generating Continues Battle for Control of Yadkin Projects

·         North Carolina - Duke Energy Adds Hydroelectric Plants to Its Clean Power Mix

·         Approaches to Boost Hydroelectric Capacity in North America

·         Texas – Pedernales Electric Cooperative Insurance Could Foot Defense Bill if Former Manager is Acquitted, Officials Say

·         Sea Lions Killing Sturgeon in Lower Columbia River

·         Columbia Spring Chinook Salmon Run Will Return to Near Normal for 2011

·         With a Concrete Wall, Researchers Improve Migrating Salmon Survival Rates at the Dalles Dam

·         Oregon Public Broadcasting Show Will Examine Columbia River Cormorants' Eating Habits

·         Southeast Portland: Recently Discovered Coho Salmon Carcasses Upstream on Johnson Creek

·         The Eagles Are Landing – For Lunch

·         US Environmental Protection Agency Delays Stricter Smog, Mercury Limits

·         Wind at Their Backs: Powerful Democrats Help Chinese Energy Firm Chase Stimulus Money

·         Renewable Energy Industry Banking On More Grants

·         Massive Wind Power Project Proposed for Rhode Island

·         Montana - Bitterroot's Lone Rock School to Get Solar Power

·         Solar Developers Race Clock as Sun Sets on Lucrative Incentives

·         New EPA Regulation May Discourage US Biomass Projects

·         New Software Firm to Simplify Green Power Site Selection

·         City of Richland Expands Energy Services Program

·         Kill a Watt: Success Based On Motivating People to Act

·         Climate Change Forecast is Partly Cloudy

·         Future of Kyoto Protocol Remains in Serious Doubt as Cancun Talks Enter Final Day

·         World Bank Will Help Finance Developing Countries’ Carbon Markets

·         California - Most in State Found to Support Carbon-Trading Plan

·         Time to Export Energy Efficiency?

·         FCC Plan Supports Hiking Internet Access by Schools, Libraries

·         New York - Massive Internet Project to Begin: St. Lawrence, Franklin counties will benefit from $33 Million in stimulus funds

·         FCC's Pay-As-You-Go Internet Plan Raises Video, Access Questions

·         Fairpoint Close to Missing Another Merger Condition Deadline

·         Report Says NASA Sold Computers with Sensitive Data

·         Google Tool Lets Companies Back Up E-Mail with Gmail

·         Washington State Legislature's Special Budget Session Set for Saturday

·         Special Session Deal: Here's Some of What's in It

·         Washington State Workers to Lawmakers: Don't Cut My Program

·         Washington State Legislature - Moeller Named To House Speaker Pro-Tem Role

·         US Representative Norm Dicks Elected Top Democrat on Spending Panel

·         Tenth Washington State Congressional District Decision Could Come by Christmas

·         South Carolina’s Labor Chief to Fight Boeing Unionization

·         California - Alameda Councilwoman's Big ($44,000) Legal Bill to City

·         Some Rivers 'Certain to Flood' from Coming Heavy Rains

·         Flood Warning Continues for the Skokomish River

·         Washington State to Get $161 Million in Federal Rail Money

·         Coalition Files Initiative to Free Seattle Taxpayers from Extra Tunnel Costs

·         Credit Card Abuse - Ex-Hanford Worker Gets 20 Months in Prison

·         Tacoma-Based Centralia Outlets Owners File for Bankruptcy

·         Laser Pointer Incidents on Rise; Aviation Officials Worried

WORD OF THE DAY

De Rigueur • \duh ree-GERR\ • Adjective - prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom

The habit of faking a trip over the doorsill when arriving for the Christmas Eve dinner was de rigueur for the Abercrombie family. (Dunno why I wrote this one; its pretty silly. I guess having an example sentence has become de rigueur for the word of the day.)

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 - Bonneville Power Administration Sweetens Power Deal for Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant (Metal Bulletin)

http://www.metalbulletin.com/Article/2729486/NonFerrous/BPA-sweetens-power-deal-for-Glencores-Mont.-plant.html

Residents Upset Over Possible Grant PUD Rate Increases (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_e2d02252-0474-11e0-a10f-001cc4c002e0.html

Avista Idaho Rates Subject of Workshop (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/dec/10/avista-idaho-rates-subject-workshop/

Environmental Quality Commission Approves Early Closure of Oregon's Only Coal-Fired Power Plant (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/12/environmental_quality_commissi.html

Fitch Rates Energy Northwest's Columbia Generating Station Bonds 'AA' & Bonneville Power Implied 'AA' (Biloxi Sun-Herald, MS)

http://www.sunherald.com/2010/12/09/2701930/fitch-rates-energy-northwest-was.html

Power Usage Tips Police to Portland Marijuana Grow (Oregon Public Radio)

http://news.opb.org/article/20401-power-usage-tips-police-marijuana-grow/

Seattle City Light to Make Changes in Wake of Dog Electrocution (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Seattle-City-Light-to-make-changes-in-wake-of-dog-electrocution-111620459.html

New Hampshire Regulators Say National Grid Not To Blame in Power Shutoff Death (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2013636430_apuspowershutoffdeath.html

Cold Weather & Holiday Lights Boost Natural Gas (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013636509_apusoilprices.html

New Jersey - Oyster Creek Nuclear Closure Deal Draws Some Fire (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/oyster-creek-nuclear-deal-draws-fire/

New Jersey's Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant Must Replace New Transformer (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/12/10/financial/f085710S47.DTL

North Carolina - Alcoa Power Generating Continues Battle for Control of Yadkin Projects (Charlotte Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/print-edition/2010/12/10/Alcoa-continues-battle-for-control.html

North Carolina - Duke Energy Adds Hydroelectric Plants to Its Clean Power Mix (Charlotte News Observer, NC)

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/business/duke-energy-adds-hydroelectric-plants-to-its-clean-power-mix

Approaches to Boost Hydroelectric Capacity in North America (HydroWorld)

http://www.hydroworld.com/index/display/article-display/2153853813/articles/hydro-review/volume-29/issue-8/articles/approaches-to-boost-hydroelectric-capacity-in-north-america.html

Texas – Pedernales Electric Cooperative Insurance Could Foot Defense Bill if Former Manager is Acquitted, Officials Say (Austim American Statesman, TX)

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/hillcountry/entries/2010/12/10/pecs_insurance_could_foot_defe.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Sea Lions Killing Sturgeon in Lower Columbia River (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_sea_lions_sturgeon.html

Columbia Spring Chinook Salmon Run Will Return to Near Normal for 2011 (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2010/12/columbia_spring_chinook_salmon.html

With a Concrete Wall, Researchers Improve Migrating Salmon Survival Rates at the Dalles Dam (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/12/engineering_a_fix_for_salmon_a.html

Oregon Public Broadcasting Show Will Examine Columbia River Cormorants' Eating Habits (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/lifestyles/article_a3225990-03fc-11e0-afb3-001cc4c002e0.html

Southeast Portland: Recently Discovered Coho Salmon Carcasses Upstream on Johnson Creek (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/12/southeast_portland_recently_di.html

The Eagles Are Landing – For Lunch (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/dec/10/eagles-are-landing-lunch/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

US Environmental Protection Agency Delays Stricter Smog, Mercury Limits (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013625723_apusepasmog.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Wind at Their Backs: Powerful Democrats Help Chinese Energy Firm Chase Stimulus Money (MSNBC)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40565987/ns/business-going_green/

Renewable Energy Industry Banking On More Grants (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013640091_apuscongressrenewableenergy.html

Massive Wind Power Project Proposed for Rhode Island (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013625910_apriwindpower.html

Montana - Bitterroot's Lone Rock School to Get Solar Power (The Missoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_c5cf4346-040a-11e0-bfb2-001cc4c002e0.html

Solar Developers Race Clock as Sun Sets on Lucrative Incentives (Grist Online)

http://www.grist.org/article/2010-12-08-solar-developers-race-clock-as-lucrative-incentives-sun-set

New EPA Regulation May Discourage US Biomass Projects (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/12/new-epa-regulation-may-discourage-u-s-biomass-projects

New Software Firm to Simplify Green Power Site Selection - Software could help point the way for solar and wind plants, developer says (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101209/BIZ/712099862/-1/rss03

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

City of Richland Expands Energy Services Program (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=13641635

Kill a Watt: Success Based On Motivating People to Act (Oregonian, Portland)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/pdxgreen/2010/12/kill_a_watt_success_based_on_m.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Change Forecast is Partly Cloudy (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2010/12/clouds-climate-change-global-warming-negative-feedback-science/1?csp=34tech

Future of Kyoto Protocol Remains in Serious Doubt as Cancun Talks Enter Final Day (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/12/10/10climatewire-future-of-kyoto-protocol-remains-in-serious-62287.html

World Bank Will Help Finance Developing Countries’ Carbon Markets (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/world-bank-will-help-finance-carbon-markets/

California - Most in State Found to Support Carbon-Trading Plan (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F12%2F09%2FBUNB1GNPUA.DTL

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Time to Export Energy Efficiency? (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS130097123020101209

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC Plan Supports Hiking Internet Access by Schools, Libraries (Government Video)

http://www.governmentvideo.com/article/101004

New York - Massive Internet Project to Begin: St. Lawrence, Franklin counties will benefit from $33 Million in stimulus funds (Watertown Daily Times, NY)

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20101209/NEWS05/312099963

FCC's Pay-As-You-Go Internet Plan Raises Video, Access Questions (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120706533.html

Fairpoint Close to Missing Another Merger Condition Deadline - Plays coy with regulators over 83% DSL deployment obligation (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Fairpoint-Close-To-Missing-Another-Merger-Condition-Deadline-111766

Report Says NASA Sold Computers with Sensitive Data (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B66UG20101207

Google Tool Lets Companies Back Up E-Mail with Gmail (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2010/12/google-launches-tool-to-get-companies-to-back-up-e-mail-with-gmail/1?csp=34tech

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Legislature's Special Budget Session Set for Saturday (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013640931_session10m.html

Special Session Deal: Here's Some of What's in It (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101209/BLOG13/101209801/-1/rss02

Washington State Workers to Lawmakers: Don't Cut My Program (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/111636074.html

Washington State Legislature - Moeller Named To House Speaker Pro-Tem Role (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/dec/10/moeller-named-to-house-speaker-pro-tem-role/

US Representative Norm Dicks Elected Top Democrat on Spending Panel (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/111618529.html

Tenth Washington State Congressional District Decision Could Come by Christmas (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/10th-Washington-district-decision--111640424.html

South Carolina’s Labor Chief to Fight Boeing Unionization (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/12/08/financial/f104649S31.DTL

California - Alameda Councilwoman's Big ($44,000) Legal Bill to City (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/08/BAHS1GN3L5.DTL

GENERAL NEWS

Some Rivers 'Certain to Flood' from Coming Heavy Rains (KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/weather/26082927/detail.html

Flood Warning Continues for the Skokomish River (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/news/4042-flood-warning-continues-for-the-skokomish-river

Washington State to Get $161 Million in Federal Rail Money (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/111623774.html

Coalition Files Initiative to Free Seattle Taxpayers from Extra Tunnel Costs (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Coalition-files-for-initiative-to-free-taxpayers-from-extra-Seattle-tunnel-costs-111621414.html

Credit Card Abuse - Ex-Hanford Worker Gets 20 Months in Prison (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/12/10/1469716/ex-hanford-worker-gets-20-months.html

Tacoma-Based Centralia Outlets Owners File for Bankruptcy (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/09/1458557/owners-of-tacoma-based-centralia.html

Laser Pointer Incidents on Rise; Aviation Officials Worried (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013635844_apusfaalasers.html

DIVERSIONS

Ikea Hands Out Bikes to 12,400 Workers

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101209/BIZ/712099959/-1/rss03

Marysville Man Lands $10,000 Fish

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101208/SPORTS/712099981/1122

Oregon Pit Bull Mix Rescues Blind Dog

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/12/09/1285225/animals-ore-pit-bull-mix-rescues.html

Grab a Sandwich, Lose a $1.9 Million Stradivarius

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B54M220101207

SONG OF THE DAY

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM_sPqqBNdE

Energy News Digest for December 9, 2010

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Potential Heavy Rain Event This Weekend (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/news/4034-potential-heavy-rain-event-this-weekend

New York - Oyster Creek Nuclear Reactor to Close by 2019 (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/nyregion/09nuke.html

Washington State Forest Biomass Supply Research Team Chosen (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20101209/news/312099989/forest-biomass-supply-research-team-chosen

Study Says British Columbia Consumers Need to Pay More for Electricity (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bc-consumers-need-to-pay-more-for-power-study-says/article1830792/

Deadline for Washington State Lawmakers to Set Special Session (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013636216_apwaspecialsession.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         New York - Oyster Creek Nuclear Reactor to Close by 2019

·         US House Approves Money for Nuclear Loan Guarantees

·         Op/Ed – Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Sees ‘Perfect Storm’ on Consumers’ Horizon

·         Fall River Electric Cooperative May Increase Rates Next Year – BPA Wholesale Rates Cited

·         Study Says British Columbia Consumers Need to Pay More for Electricity

·         Money Scarce in Tri-Cities Energy Aid Program

·         EPA Regulations May Shut 50,000 MW of Coal Plants

·         California - Bill Would Force Utilities to Offer Wired Meters

·         Oregon - Falling Power Line Briefly Traps Worker 60 Feet Up Tree in Lake Oswego

·         Texas - Pedernales Electric Cooperative: Ex Manager Takes the Stand, Says He “Did Not Instruct” Lawyer on Payments

·         Hatchery Fish Spawn Concerns over Weakening of Wild Salmon

·         Alaska Fisheries Restricted to Help Steller Sea Lions

·         Major Conservation Easement Granted in Northern Kittitas County

·         Washington State Department of Ecology Won’t Propose Water Fees during Upcoming Legislative Session

·         Puyallup Utility Bills to Rise, Cover Landfill Gas Settlement Cost

·         Oregon Ocean Panel Endorses Three New Marine Reserves

·         Washington State Forest Biomass Supply Research Team Chosen

·         News Release – Washington State DNR Selects Group to Conduct Statewide Forest Biomass Supply Assessment

·         Metro Considers Biogas Plant for Northeast Portland

·         California - Wind Towers Slaying Birds

·         Cuts to Oregon’s Business Energy Tax Credits Nearly Blew Wind Event out of Oregon

·         Colorado - Plan for Large Solar Power Plant Stirs Opposition in Scenic Colorado Valley

·         City Of Sequim’s LED Lights Saving Money

·         Damaged Wires on LED Christmas Lights Cause Fire

·         Florida Public Utilities Company & Central Florida Gas Select APOGEE for Online Energy Efficiency Platform

·         Energy Experts Focus on Policy, Technology

·         Editorial - Good Energy Subsidies, And Bad

·         Idaho - Fiber-Optic Project Sets Spring Date

·         Vermont - State Audit of Burlington Municipal Telecom Due Out Thursday

·         Clearwire Completes $1.33 Billion Debt Offering

·         FCC: 68% of US Connections Slower than 3 Mbps Down, 768kbps Up

·         Microsoft Lands US Department of Agriculture as Cloud Customer

·         Google Says Shut Out Of US Department Of Agriculture Cloud

·         Google Targets Portland to Market New Service

·         CAPS LOCK KEY: An endangered species?

·         Deadline for Washington State Lawmakers to Set Special Session

·         Wall Street Journal: Washington State Budget Deficit Among Nation’s Worst

·         Greens’ Washington State Legislative Agenda: Try, Try Again

·         Save Money by Redrawing Washington’s County Map

·         New Thurston County Prosecutor Fires Five Deputies

·         Potential Heavy Rain Event This Weekend

·         Heavy Snow Forecast in Washington Cascades, Olympics

·         Fired Grays Harbor Employee Files $610,000 Claim

·         Washington State Businesses to Pay Higher Unemployment Taxes

·         Crowd Prompts Mount Vernon Hospital to Lock Down

·         Potentially Toxic BPA Found on Dollar Bills

·         Lead in Christmas Tree Lights Poses Hazard for Kids, Group Says

WORD OF THE DAY

Bombast • \BOM-bast\ • Noun - Pretentious inflated speech or writing

Darby inhaled deeply, filling the lungs encased by his barrel-chest with the air that would be used to sing, heartily, his infamous version of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” He delivered the epic Beatles song with vigorous bombast, causing at least two people in the front row of Albert Hall to faint with exhaustion.

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

New York - Oyster Creek Nuclear Reactor to Close by 2019 (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/nyregion/09nuke.html

US House Approves Money for Nuclear Loan Guarantees (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013635812_apuscongressnuclearenergy.html

Op/Ed – Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Sees ‘Perfect Storm’ on Consumers’ Horizon: Actions of BPA raise specter of rate increases (Blue Mountain Eagle, Grant County OR)

http://www.bluemountaineagle.com/opinion/article_1d773556-0319-11e0-8eb1-001cc4c03286.html

Fall River Electric Cooperative May Increase Rates Next Year – BPA wholesale rates cited (Teton Valley News, Driggs, ID)

http://www.tetonvalleynews.net/news/article_d02cdcd6-0315-11e0-b0b3-001cc4c002e0.html

Study Says British Columbia Consumers Need to Pay More for Electricity (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bc-consumers-need-to-pay-more-for-power-study-says/article1830792/

Money Scarce in Tri-Cities Energy Aid Program (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/12/08/1283985/money-scarce-in-energy-aid-program.html

EPA Regulations May Shut 50,000 MW of Coal Plants (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B82UI20101209

California - Bill Would Force Utilities to Offer Wired Meters (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/08/BABE1GMOAQ.DTL

Oregon - Falling Power Line Briefly Traps Worker 60 Feet Up Tree in Lake Oswego (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/lake-oswego/index.ssf/2010/12/falling_power_line_traps_man_60_feet_up_tree_in_lake_oswego.html

Texas - Pedernales Electric Cooperative: Ex Manager Takes the Stand, Says He “Did Not Instruct” Lawyer on Payments “…said he said he ‘suggested’…an outside lawyer hire his brother as a legislative consultant, but “did not instruct” the lawyer to do so…” (Austin American Statesman, TX)

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/hillcountry/entries/2010/12/08/fuelberg_trial_day_eight_fuelb.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Hatchery Fish Spawn Concerns over Weakening of Wild Salmon - Instead of returning to Sandy hatchery, fish stray & possibly pass on negative genetic traits (Portland Tribune, OR)

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=129177244854611400

Alaska Fisheries Restricted to Help Steller Sea Lions (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013631093_apakendangeredsealions1stldwritethru.html

Major Conservation Easement Granted in Northern Kittitas County (The Daily Record, Ellensburg, WA)

http://dailyrecordnews.com/news/article_1c9e6cd6-0237-11e0-b29d-001cc4c03286.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Washington State Department of Ecology Won’t Propose Water Fees during Upcoming Legislative Session (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_e5657340-032b-11e0-9b9b-001cc4c03286.html

Puyallup Utility Bills to Rise, Cover Landfill Gas Settlement Cost (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/09/1457911/puyallup-utility-bills-to-rise.html

Oregon Ocean Panel Endorses Three New Marine Reserves (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/12/oregon_ocean_panel_endorses_th.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Washington State Forest Biomass Supply Research Team Chosen (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20101209/news/312099989/forest-biomass-supply-research-team-chosen

News Release – Washington State DNR Selects Group to Conduct Statewide Forest Biomass Supply Assessment (Washington State Department of Natural Resources)

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/News/Pages/2010_12_07_biomass_nr.aspx

Metro Considers Biogas Plant for Northeast Portland (Oregonian Public Radio)

http://news.opb.org/article/20343-metro-consideres-biogas-plant-northeast-portland/

California - Wind Towers Slaying Birds (NBC Bay Area TV, CA)

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/Wind-Towers-Slaying-Birds-111464359.html

Cuts to Oregon’s Business Energy Tax Credits Nearly Blew Wind Event out of Oregon (Ecotrope)

http://ecotrope.opb.org/2010/12/betc-cuts-nearly-blew-wind-event-out-of-oregon/

Colorado - Plan for Large Solar Power Plant Stirs Opposition in Scenic Colorado Valley (Solar Home & Business Journal)

http://solarhbj.com/news/in-colorado-solar-power-plant-proposal-stirs-opposition-in-scenic-valley-01189

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

City Of Sequim’s LED Lights Saving Money (Sequim Gazette, WA)

http://www.sequimgazette.com/business/article.exm/2010-12-08_led_lights_saving_money

Damaged Wires on LED Christmas Lights Cause Fire (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://www.kpq.com/12-9-10---Christmas-Lights-Cause-Fire/8744432

Florida Public Utilities Company & Central Florida Gas Select APOGEE for Online Energy Efficiency Platform (PR Newswire)

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/florida-public-utilities-company-and-central-florida-gas-select-apogee-for-online-energy-efficiency-platform-111592094.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Energy Experts Focus on Policy, Technology (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013636121_apnmrenewablesregulation.html

Editorial - Good Energy Subsidies, And Bad (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/opinion/09thu3.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Idaho - Fiber-Optic Project Sets Spring Date (Bonner County Daily Bee, Sandpoint ID)

http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/news/local/article_5fc9b1b6-0366-11e0-a47a-001cc4c03286.html

Vermont - State Audit of Burlington Municipal Telecom Due Out Thursday (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013632517_apusvttroubledtelecom.html

Clearwire Completes $1.33 Billion Debt Offering (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013636272_clearwire10.html

FCC: 68% of US Connections Slower than 3 Mbps Down, 768kbps Up (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-68-Of-US-Connections-Slower-than-3-Mbps-Down-768kbps-Up-111755

Microsoft Lands US Department of Agriculture as Cloud Customer (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoftpri0/2013626227_microsoftlandsusdaas.html

Google Says Shut Out Of US Department Of Agriculture Cloud Computing Deal (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B65H620101208

Google Targets Portland to Market New Service (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/google_targets_portland_to_mar.html

CAPS LOCK KEY: An endangered species? Caps lock key replaced with a search key on the new Google Chrome OS notebook (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2010/1209/Caps-lock-key-An-endangered-species

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Deadline for Washington State Lawmakers to Set Special Session (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013636216_apwaspecialsession.html

Wall Street Journal: Washington State Budget Deficit Among Nation’s Worst (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/231049.asp

Greens’ Washington State Legislative Agenda: Try, Try Again (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/19972/Greens--state-agenda:-Try,-try-again/

Save Money by Redrawing Washington’s County Map - Could Seattle be its own county? And why not consolidate some smaller, rural ones? (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2010/12/09/mossback/20432/Save-money-by-redrawing-Washington-s-map/

New Thurston County Prosecutor Fires Five Deputies (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=13644146

GENERAL NEWS

Potential Heavy Rain Event This Weekend (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.net/news/news/4034-potential-heavy-rain-event-this-weekend

Heavy Snow Forecast in Washington Cascades, Olympics (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013632447_apwaweather.html

Fired Grays Harbor Employee Files $610,000 Claim (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_grays_harbor_claim.html

Washington State Businesses to Pay Higher Unemployment Taxes (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2010/12/08/washington-businesses-to-pay-higher.html

Crowd Prompts Mount Vernon Hospital to Lock Down (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013635819_emergencyroom10m.html

Potentially Toxic BPA Found on Dollar Bills (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/431423_bpa.html

Lead in Christmas Tree Lights Poses Hazard for Kids, Group Says (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_16810869

DIVERSIONS

Wrong Turn Sends Two Cars into Puget Sound – And “Danger Jim Forman” Was There

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Wrong-turn-during-Everett-dinner-run-puts-two-cars-in-Puget-Sound--111569274.html

Custer Flag Could Go for $5 Million

http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2010-12-09-custer-flag_N.htm?csp=34money

Reddish-Pink Color is Predicted as 2011’s Hot Hue

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013631441_apusfeafashioncoloroftheyear.html

Granny’s $100 Ticket -- For Throwing Out Newspaper

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/this_fine_is_trash_8rVbRS4ZFKFhnmMwBngizN

SONG OF THE DAY

The Beatles- A Day in the Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Q9D4dcYng