Energy News Digest for May 6, 2011

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

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Northwest Wind Power to Double, but Inconsistency Creates Grid Nightmare (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/05/northwest_wind_power_to_double.html

Montana’s US Senators Press for Columbia Falls Aluminum to Reopen (KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT – Still waitin’ on those thank you notes…)

http://www.kaj18.com/news/senators-press-for-columbia-falls-aluminum-to-reopen/

It’s Not All Doom & Gloom for Salmon & Steelhead; They’ve Thrived for Years (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/04/30/1994585/its-not-all-doom-and-gloom-for.html

Oregon - Seneca Sawmill Celebrates Eugene Biomass Plant Opening, Three Protestors Arrested (KVAL-TV, Eugene, OR)

http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Seneca-Sawmill-celebrates-Eugene-biomass-plant/XFTJb0nvo0uEmckrB5XNpg.cspx

Bonneville Power Administration Seeks Efficiency Gains at Columbia Generating Station (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/05/bpa-seeks-efficiency-gains/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         Bonneville Power Administration Seeks Efficiency Gains at Columbia Generating Station

·         Hanford Nuclear Plant Midway Through Refueling

·         Montana’s US Senators Press for Columbia Falls Aluminum to Reopen

·         Natural Gas Most Likely to Replace Coal at Centralia’s Big Power Plant

·         Mason County PUD 3’s New Headquarters Project on Track for End of Year Opening

·         Chelan PUD Agrees to Break Cost Caps

·         Bonneville Power Administration Rolls Back Renewable Energy Incentives

·         Editorial - Mountain States’ Regional Transmission Plans Need Formal Public Review

·         Portland General Electric Posts Strong First Quarter, Increases Forecast

·         Pacific Gas & Electric to Replace 1,600 Defective SmartMeters that Inflated Customers' Electric Bills

·         Montana - Mission Valley Power Informs Customers of Rate Hike at Appreciation Dinner

·         Linemen Use Helicopter Training to Stay Safe

·         Renegade Trampoline Knocks Out Power to 11,000

·         May 10 – Harstine Point: Underground Power Line Replacement Project Set to Begin

·         Federal Hydropower Investments in the West

·         Utilities Finding New Ways to Use Social Media

·         It’s Not All Doom & Gloom for Salmon & Steelhead; They’ve Thrived for Years

·         Columbia River’s Chinook Salmon Run Making Up for Late Start

·         Editorial - Judge Should OK Columbia River Salmon Proposal

·         Congress Unlikely to Step In on Columbia River Salmon

·         PBS Documentary Looks At the State of Pacific Northwest Salmon Runs

·         Canadian Salmon Inquiry Too Secretive, Participant Complains

·         Fluoride Foes File Suit Against Port Angeles, Forks

·         2007 Flood Skewed Chehalis Data, Studies Show

·         Northwest Wind Power to Double, but Inconsistency Creates Grid Nightmare

·         Massachusetts Congressman Weighs In On Pacific Northwest Water vs. Wind Question

·         Renewable Energy Group Focusing on Five SE Washington State Counties

·         Vestas Profits Down, Revenue Up

·         Oregon - Seneca Sawmill Celebrates Eugene Biomass Plant Opening, Three Protestors Arrested

·         Massachusetts Drops Backing for Wood Power

·         Norway's Renewable Energy Corporation Sees Q2 Impact from Italian Order Delays

·         Utilities Look to Renewables as Natural Gas Dwindles

·         United Kingdom - Hydro-Power Plan for Berkshire & Oxfordshire Thames

·         North Carolina - Davidson County Turns Trash into Electricity

·         Clark Public Utilities’ Energy Adviser: EnergyStar Labels Help Consumers

·         Sacramento Municipal Utility District Program Helps With Home Energy Audits

·         Political Doubt Hinders Carbon Sequestration Projects

·         United Kingdom - Carbon Accounting System is Mad as a Hatter

·         Jet Fuel from Timber Scraps?

·         Scotland Toasts New Whisky-Powered Bioenergy Plant

·         Ham Radio Volunteers Worry about Spectrum Plan

·         Internet Consumes More Energy than Auto Industry

·         Editorial - In the Tech Industry, Power Management Is a Key to Going Green

·         Lucrative Contract for Former State Manager Leads to Investigation inside Oregon Agency

·         New Mason County Racetrack Moves Forward

·         Third Hearing on Prison Sites Tonight in Shelton

WORD OF THE DAY

Animus • \ANN-uh-muss\ • Noun - 1: basic attitude or governing spirit: disposition, intention 2: a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will 3: an inner masculine part of the female personality in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung

My animus for thick, spongy restaurant pancakes has no bounds. The pancake, cooked thin and almost crepe-like, should be able to stand on its own (so to speak), with just the right amount of butter and syrup. It should not be a vehicle for carrying such flavor enhancements into your alimentary tract.

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

Bonneville Power Administration Seeks Efficiency Gains at Columbia Generating Station (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/05/bpa-seeks-efficiency-gains/

Hanford Nuclear Plant Midway Through Refueling (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Hanford-nuclear-plant-midway-through-refueling-1363603.php

Montana’s US Senators Press for Columbia Falls Aluminum to Reopen (KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT – Still waitin’ on those thank you notes…)

http://www.kaj18.com/news/senators-press-for-columbia-falls-aluminum-to-reopen/

Natural Gas Most Likely to Replace Coal at Centralia’s Big Power Plant (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/natural-gas-most-likely-replace-coal-big-power-plant/

Mason County PUD 3’s New Headquarters Project on Track for End of Year Opening (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/may/02/pud-3s-new-headquarters-project-track-end-year-ope/

Chelan PUD Agrees to Break Cost Caps (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/may/03/pud-agrees-to-break-cost-caps/

Bonneville Power Administration Rolls Back Renewable Energy Incentives (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/05/bpa-rolls-back-renewable-energy.html

Editorial - Mountain States’ Regional Transmission Plans Need Formal Public Review (The MIssoulian, MT)

http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/article_e0dbe42e-7722-11e0-8a5f-001cc4c03286.html

Portland General Electric Posts Strong First Quarter, Increases Forecast (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2011/05/05/pge-posts-strong-q1-increases-forecast.html

Pacific Gas & Electric to Replace 1,600 Defective SmartMeters that Inflated Customers' Electric Bills (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_17975857

Montana - Mission Valley Power Informs Customers of Rate Hike at Appreciation Dinner (Char-Koosta News, Pablo, MT)

http://www.charkoosta.com/2011/2011_05_05/MVP_rate_hike_noted_at_appreciation_dinner.html

Linemen Use Helicopter Training to Stay Safe (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndo.com/story/14583807/linemen-use-helicopter-training-to-stay-safe

Renegade Trampoline Knocks Out Power to 11,000 (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/apr/30/renegade-trampolice-knocks-out-power-11000/

May 10 – Harstine Point: Underground Power Line Replacement Project Set to Begin (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=859

Federal Hydropower Investments in the West; Committee: House Natural Resources; Subcommittee: Water & Power (Hydro-World)

http://www.hydroworld.com/index/display/news_display.1411169436.html

Utilities Finding New Ways to Use Social Media - AEP Using Facebook to Address Legal Challenges to New Power Plant (Intelligent Utilities)

http://www.intelligentutility.com/article/11/05/utilities-finding-new-ways-use-social-media

FISH & WILDLIFE

It’s Not All Doom & Gloom for Salmon & Steelhead; They’ve Thrived for Years (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/04/30/1994585/its-not-all-doom-and-gloom-for.html

Columbia River’s Chinook Salmon Run Making Up for Late Start (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2011/may/04/chinook-salmon-run-making-late-start/

Editorial - Judge Should OK Columbia River Salmon Proposal (Salem Statesman Journal, OR)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110504/OPINION/105040424/Judge-should-OK-Columbia-River-salmon-proposal

Congress Unlikely to Step In on Columbia River Salmon - The judge would have to throw out the plan to restore the runs, experts say, and that’s not expected to happen

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/05/01/1630568/congress-unlikely-to-step-in-on.html

PBS Documentary Looks At the State of Pacific Northwest Salmon Runs (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2014980381_pbs_documentary_looks_at_the_s.html

Canadian Salmon Inquiry Too Secretive, Participant Complains (Globe & Mail)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/salmon-inquiry-too-secretive-participant-complains/article2005034/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Fluoride Foes File Suit Against Port Angeles, Forks (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/121055274.html

2007 Flood Skewed Chehalis Data, Studies Show (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/05/04/1640499/consultant-2007-flood-affected.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Northwest Wind Power to Double, but Inconsistency Creates Grid Nightmare (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/05/northwest_wind_power_to_double.html

Massachusetts Congressman Weighs In On Pacific Northwest Water vs. Wind Question (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/05/sen-markey-weighs-in-water-vs-wind.html

Renewable Energy Group Focusing on Five SE Washington State Counties (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/05/03/1475445/renewable-energy-group-focusing.html

Vestas Profits Down, Revenue Up (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2011/05/04/vestas-profits-down-revenue-up.html

Oregon - Seneca Sawmill Celebrates Eugene Biomass Plant Opening, Three Protestors Arrested (KVAL-TV, Eugene, OR)

http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Seneca-Sawmill-celebrates-Eugene-biomass-plant/XFTJb0nvo0uEmckrB5XNpg.cspx

Massachusetts Drops Backing for Wood Power (United Press International)

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/05/04/Mass-drops-backing-for-wood-power/UPI-70361304543158/

Norway's Renewable Energy Corporation Sees Q2 Impact from Italian Order Delays (Reuters)

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE7411K820110502

Utilities Look to Renewables as Natural Gas Dwindles (Peninsula Clarion, Kenai, AK)

http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/050111/new_822831582.shtml

United Kingdom - Hydro-Power Plan for Berkshire & Oxfordshire Thames (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-13248771

North Carolina - Davidson County Turns Trash into Electricity (WGHP-TV, NC)

http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-story-trash-electricity-110504,0,6872238.story

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Clark Public Utilities’ Energy Adviser: EnergyStar Labels Help Consumers (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/may/05/energy-adviser-energystar-labels-help-consumers/

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Program Helps With Home Energy Audits (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2011/04/29/smud-program-helps-with-home-energy.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Political Doubt Hinders Carbon Sequestration Projects (Nature News)

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110505/full/news.2011.271.html

United Kingdom - Carbon Accounting System is Mad as a Hatter (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/01/carbon-accounting-emissions-imported-goods

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Jet Fuel from Timber Scraps? Sounds Like the Perfect Pacific Northwest Marriage (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2011/05/03/energy-utilities/20877/Jet-fuel-from-timber-scraps--Sounds-like-the-perfect-Northwest-marriage/

Scotland Toasts New Whisky-Powered Bioenergy Plant (The Guardian, UK)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/04/whisky-energy-biomass-scotland-speyside

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Ham Radio Volunteers Worry about Spectrum Plan (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/30/135873302/ham-radio-volunteers-worry-about-spectrum-plan?ft=1&f=2

Internet Consumes More Energy than Auto Industry (Signal News)

http://signalnews.com/internet-consumes-more-energy-than-auto-industry386

Editorial - In the Tech Industry, Power Management Is a Key to Going Green (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_17953436

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Lucrative Contract for Former State Manager Leads to Investigation inside Oregon Agency - Allowed a state manager to retire and then return to work as a $90-an-hour consultant (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/lucrative_contract_for_former.html

GENERAL NEWS

New Mason County Racetrack Moves Forward (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/6085-new-racetrack

Third Hearing on Prison Sites Tonight in Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/5999-third-hearing-on-prison-sites

DIVERSIONS

Sign of the Times: Is Cursive a Dying Art in Classrooms?

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/05/02/sign-of-the-times-is-cursive-a-dying-art-in-classrooms/

On This Day: The Hindenburg Crashes

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/May-June-08/On-this-Day--The-Hindenburg-Crashes.html

Woman Gets New Accent after Dentist Visit

http://www.kirotv.com/health/27798974/detail.html

Swiss 'JetMan' to Soar into Grand Canyon

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110506/od_afp/usaviationswissoffbeat_20110506135110

SONG OF THE DAY

Joe Cocker - The Letter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xraj86LNgYc

Energy News Digest for April 29, 2011

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

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

TransAlta Plans New Natural Gas Plant in Washington State (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014905696_apwaxgroffcoal.html

Study Questions Federal Spending on Broadband (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-04-28-broadband-spending-questioned_n.htm?csp=34money

Pilot Program to Haze Sea Lions at Willamette Falls Finds Mixed Results (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/west-linn/index.ssf/2011/04/pilot_program_to_haze_sea_lions_at_willamette_falls_finds_mixed_results.html

Columbia River Pikeminnow Season Opens - Catch a Tagged Northern Pikeminnow & win $500 (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/1073963/

Drivers Filling Up on Anger, Worry (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014904210_gasprices29m.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

·         TransAlta Plans New Natural Gas Plant in Washington State

·         Comment Period on Boardman Coal-Fired Power Plant Reopened

·         Seattle City Light: Penalty for Stealing Copper Could be Death

·         State of Oregon Clears Way for NW Natural Venture in Wyoming Wells

·         Snohomish Business Journal - Executive of the Year Steve Klein Sparks PUD’s Conservation Efforts

·         Contractor Needed for Snohomish PUD Growth Spurt

·         Tacoma Utility Volunteers Bring Safety, Efficiency to Two Local Homes

·         More Natural Gas & Nuclear - Exelon-Constellation Deal Could Create ‘Clean Energy’ Giant

·         Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chief Questions Blackout Plans for US Plants

·         California - Pacific Gas & Electric Worked On Some Documents with Erasable Ink

·         Editorial - Power Line Upgrade Costs Would Hit Michigan Unfairly

·         Chevron’s Profits Rise 36 Percent to $6.2 Billion in First Quarter

·         Pilot Program to Haze Sea Lions at Willamette Falls Finds Mixed Results

·         Columbia River Pikeminnow Season Opens

·         Yakama Nation Releases Sturgeon into the Columbia River

·         Chelan-Douglas Researchers Go on a Poop-Finding Mission

·         States Start Banning Felt-Sole Waders

·         Idaho - High Water Raises Concerns about Hayden Dam

·         Longview Approves Contract for Biosolids Plan

·         Sun Energy Power, Inc. - Sun Sets on Solar Energy Group

·         Wisconsin State Regulators Balk at Price Tag for Rothschild Biomass Plant

·         Is Wind Energy the New Wedge Issue for Conservatives?

·         Spring Cleaning Your Energy Bill

·         North Carolina - Electricity Hogs to Get Letters

·         Court Asked to Dismiss Lawsuit over Climate Change Prank

·         Should Eco-Friendly Liquefaction Replace Cremation?

·         College Students Push to Restrict Bottled Water

·         Study Questions Federal Spending on Broadband

·         Yahoo Mail Outage

·         Amazon Apologizes for Server Outage, Offers Credit

·         Amazon Parts with South Carolina - No Tax Break Equals ‘No Go’

·         Wireless Carriers Say They Get Consent to Use Location Data

·         Poll: Washington Voters Pessimistic About Future

·         Drivers Filling Up on Anger, Worry

·         Seattle Teacher Passwords Stolen, Grades Changed

·         Weyerhaeuser Turns First Quarter Profit on Timberlands Sale

·         Earth Day on Oakland Bay

·         Microsoft Changes Disability Policy Following KING 5 Report

·         Sugar Farmers Sue over ‘Corn Sugar’ Campaign

WORD OF THE DAY

Trichotillomania • \trick-kuh-tillah-MANE-ee-uh\ • Noun - An abnormal desire to pull out one’s hair

A bald man with trichotillomania; think about it.

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

TransAlta Plans New Natural Gas Plant in Washington State (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014905696_apwaxgroffcoal.html

Comment Period on Boardman Coal-Fired Power Plant Reopened (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2010/10/29/comment-period-on-boardman-extended.html

Seattle City Light: Penalty for Stealing Copper Could be Death (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2014898209_city_light_penalty_for_stealin.html

State of Oregon Clears Way for NW Natural Venture in Wyoming Wells (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2011/04/28/puc-clears-way-for-nw-natural-venture.html

Snohomish Business Journal - Executive of the Year Steve Klein Sparks PUD’s Conservation Efforts (Snohomish County Business Journal, WA)

http://www.snohomishcountybusinessjournal.com/article/20110428/SCBJ01/704289807/-1/SCBJ

Contractor Needed for Snohomish PUD Growth Spurt (Everett Herald, WA)

http://heraldnet.com/article/20110429/BLOG47/110429766/-1/NEWS

Tacoma Utility Volunteers Bring Safety, Efficiency to Two Local Homes (Tacoma Daily Index, WA)

http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1966982&more=0

More Natural Gas & Nuclear - Exelon-Constellation Deal Could Create ‘Clean Energy’ Giant (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/04/29/29climatewire-exelon-constellation-deal-could-create-clean-83126.html

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chief Questions Blackout Plans for US Plants (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/04/28/national/w110227D27.DTL

California - Pacific Gas & Electric Worked On Some Documents with Erasable Ink (SF Chronicle, CA)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/29/BA1J1J9AA5.DTL

Editorial - Power Line Upgrade Costs Would Hit Michigan Unfairly (Detroit Free Press, MI)

http://www.freep.com/article/20110429/OPINION01/304300003/1068/opinion

Chevron’s Profits Rise 36 Percent to $6.2 Billion in First Quarter (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/04/chevrons_profits_rise_36_perce.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Pilot Program to Haze Sea Lions at Willamette Falls Finds Mixed Results (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/west-linn/index.ssf/2011/04/pilot_program_to_haze_sea_lions_at_willamette_falls_finds_mixed_results.html

Columbia River Pikeminnow Season Opens - Catch a Tagged Northern Pikeminnow & win $500 (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/1073963/

Yakama Nation Releases Sturgeon into the Columbia River (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndu.com/story/14537456/yakama-nation-release-sturgeon-into-the-columbia-river

Chelan-Douglas Researchers Go on a Poop-Finding Mission (Associated Press)

http://www.kval.com/outdoors/featured/120823944.html

States Start Banning Felt-Sole Waders (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2011-04-28-rock-snot-felt-sole-wader-ban_n.htm?csp=34news

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Idaho - High Water Raises Concerns about Hayden Dam (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/apr/28/high-water-raises-concerns-about-hayden-dam/

Longview Approves Contract for Biosolids Plan (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_1a84a44c-7221-11e0-a2cf-001cc4c002e0.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Sun Energy Power, Inc. - Sun Sets on Solar Energy Group (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/apr/29/he-worked-so-much-on-his-own-the-organization-wasn/

Wisconsin State Regulators Balk at Price Tag for Rothschild Biomass Plant (Wausau Daily Herald, WI)

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20110429/WDH0101/110429043/State-regulators-Rothschild-biomass-plant-too-expensive

Is Wind Energy the New Wedge Issue for Conservatives? (North American Wind Power)

http://www.nawindpower.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.7757

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Spring Cleaning Your Energy Bill (PR Newswire)

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spring-cleaning-your-energy-bill-120898914.html

North Carolina - Electricity Hogs to Get Letters (Raleigh News & Observer, NC)

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/04/29/1161782/electricity-hogs-to-get-letters.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Court Asked to Dismiss Lawsuit over Climate Change Prank (Salt Lake Tribune, UT)

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/51715311-79/koch-group-company-attorney.html.csp

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Should Eco-Friendly Liquefaction Replace Cremation? (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/04/28/should-eco-friendly-liquefaction-replace-cremation/

College Students Push to Restrict Bottled Water (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/college_students_push_to_restrict_bottled_water/2011/04/20/AFeXBUEF_story.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Study Questions Federal Spending on Broadband (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-04-28-broadband-spending-questioned_n.htm?csp=34money

Yahoo Mail Outage (Associated Press)

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2088106.shtml

Amazon Apologizes for Server Outage, Offers Credit (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Amazon-apologizes-for-server-outage-offers-credit-120967034.html

Amazon Parts with South Carolina - No Tax Break Equals ‘No Go’ (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/04/29/1633603/amazon-parts-with-south-carolina.html

Wireless Carriers Say They Get Consent to Use Location Data (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_17951103

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Poll: Washington Voters Pessimistic About Future (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2014909518_washingtonvotercrankinessatrecordhigh.html

GENERAL NEWS

Drivers Filling Up on Anger, Worry (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014904210_gasprices29m.html

Seattle Teacher Passwords Stolen, Grades Changed (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=14536020

Weyerhaeuser Turns First Quarter Profit on Timberlands Sale (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014905645_apusearnsweyerhaeuser.html

Earth Day on Oakland Bay (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/5627-earth-day-on-oakland-bay

Microsoft Changes Disability Policy Following KING 5 Report (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Microsoft-changes-disability-policy-following-KING-5-report-120925459.html

Sugar Farmers Sue over ‘Corn Sugar’ Campaign (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014898831_apuscornsugarlawsuit.html

DIVERSIONS

How Long Can You Survive on Beer Alone? Long Enough to Develop Scurvy

http://www.slate.com/id/2292403/

The Best Place to Discover New Life Forms? Truck Stops

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/04/28/the-best-place-to-discover-new-life-forms-truck-stops/

Man in Cow Suit Steals 26 Gallons of Milk From Wal-Mart

http://www2.insidenova.com/news/2011/apr/27/walmart-cow-suit-milk-shoplifting-ar-1000251/

Calling Animals ‘Pets’ is Insulting, Academics Claim

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8479391/Calling-animals-pets-is-insulting-academics-claim.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1scr_tDRsMs