Energy News Digest for July 27, 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

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Bonneville Power Administration Raises Rates for Some Northwest Public Utilities by 7.8 Percent (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/07/bpa_raises_rates_for_some_nort.html

Bonneville Power Administration Settles Residential Exchange Dispute (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/07/bpa-settles-residential-exchange-dispute.html

Cowlitz County PUD Votes To Defer Collection on Bills if Federal Debt-Ceiling Deal Falls Through (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_f2d3a414-b81d-11e0-8610-001cc4c002e0.html

Washington State Treasurer Weighs in on Debt Ceiling Crisis (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/07/27/washington-state-treasurer-weighs-in.html

Facebook Plans Second Data Center Building in Prineville (Oregonian, Portland – Stand by for predictable Greenpeace blast…)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2011/07/facebook_plans_second_data_center_building_in_prin.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Bonneville Power Administration Raises Rates for Some Northwest Public Utilities by 7.8 Percent
• News Release – Bonneville Power Administration Adopts New Wholesale Power Rate
• Cowlitz County PUD Votes To Defer Collection on Bills if Federal Debt-Ceiling Deal Falls Through
• Bonneville Power Administration Settles Residential Exchange Dispute
• News Release - Bonneville Power Administration Adopts Residential Exchange Settlement
• Grays Harbor PUD Not Among BPA Settlement Supporters
• Gregoire Is a Firm Neutral on the Coal Port Proposal
• Squirrelly Outages Driving East Wenatchee Neighbors Nuts
• ‘Roll on Columbia’ - Woody’s Time with the Bonneville Power Administration
• Colorado - Boulder Combs Through Energy Proposals for City-Operated Electrical Utility
• Under Public Power, San Franciscans Will Pay More
• Vermont Electric Votes for $12 Million Transmission Line Upgrade to Carry Wind-Generated Power
• Humane Society: Sea Lions Get Reprieve at Dam
• Idaho - Summer Steelhead Making Their Way into the Clearwater River
• Canada - Feds Silence Nanaimo Scientist over Salmon Study
• Project Adds Woody Structures to River
• Killer Whale Sounds Fail to Urge Gray Whale to Sea
• A Stimulus Plan for Seafood: Tear Down Those Dams
• Belfair Residents Continue Opposition to Sewer Rates & Charges
• Thirteen Mile King County Sewage Tunnel Nearly Complete
• wners
• Bremerton Seeks More Bang for its Clean-Water Buck
• California - Storing Water for a Dry Day Leads to Suits
• California Governor Promises to “Crush” Solar Opponents
• British Columbia - Gold River’s Bid to Burn Garbage from Metro Vancouver Smolders
• Maine – Tribes Say Wind Power Plan May Interfere With Sacred Ceremonies
• Solar Cells Printed on Paper Could be Next Cheap Power Source
• PenLight Giving Away & Installing CFL Bulbs
• Texans Take a Shine to In-Home Energy Displays
• Melting Ice Forces Polar Bears to Swim Farther, Study Finds
• Texas Agricultural Losses Could Set New Record Amid Drought
• Federal Program Looks to Oregon to Help Spur Biofuel Development
• Developing Electric Cars That Recharge As You Drive
• Facebook Plans Second Data Center Building in Prineville
• Google Begins Engineering for Kansas City Fiber
• Congressional Democrats Want Cost Estimate for ‘Dig Once’ Broadband
• Looming Threat for Netflix: Charging Consumers for Data Use
• Fox Network Erects Internet Video Paywall - Non-Cable Customers to See 8 Day Delay
• Amazon Pushes California toward Referendum on Online Sales Tax
• First Mason County Candidates’ Forum Tonight in Belfair
• Mason County Commission Redistricting Hearing Held
• US Senate Confirms Gary Locke as Ambassador to China
• Primary Election Will Offer Key Hint in Race for Snohomish County Council
• Washington State Treasurer Weighs in on Debt Ceiling Crisis
• How a Debt Downgrade May Affect Consumers
• Debt Ceiling Phone Calls Flood Congressional Offices
• Port of Port Angeles to Pay for Wild Olympics Campaign Study
• Judge Says Maytown Gravel Mining Can Start
• Third Bone Site in Oak Harbor Acknowledged, City Cleared of Wrongdoing
• Clallam County Treasurer’s Office Theft by One or Many?
• Five Washington Cities on 100 ‘Best Places to Live’ List

WORD OF THE DAY

Volition • \voe-LISH-shun\ • Noun - 1: an act of making a choice or decision; also: a choice or decision made 2: the power of choosing or determining: will

Belvedere was considered the hapless sad sack of the office. It seemed that every endeavor he undertook was doomed to failure, no matter what good intentions he had. His latest venture to house feral civet cats in the basement of the office building came to naught, after he discovered the creature’s scent glands produced such an overpowering stench that the building had to be evacuated several times before the maintenance workers found the source. “Next time you get a bright idea,” thundered the overall-bedecked maintenance supervisor, “don’t act on your own volition…ask me first so I can put an end to any idea you come up with.”

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 Raises Rates for Some Northwest Public Utilities by 7.8 Percent (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/07/bpa_raises_rates_for_some_nort.html

News Release – Bonneville Power Administration Adopts New Wholesale Power Rate (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/1148047/

Cowlitz County PUD Votes To Defer Collection on Bills if Federal Debt-Ceiling Deal Falls Through (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_f2d3a414-b81d-11e0-8610-001cc4c002e0.html

Bonneville Power Administration Settles Residential Exchange Dispute (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/07/bpa-settles-residential-exchange-dispute.html

Grays Harbor PUD Not Among BPA Settlement Supporters (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2899

News Release - Bonneville Power Administration Adopts Residential Exchange Settlement: Historic agreement resolves long-running battle, stabilizes wholesale power rates (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1582/1148083/

Gregoire Is a Firm Neutral on the Coal Port Proposal (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/20430/Gregoire-is-a-firm-neutral-on-the-coal-port-proposal/

Squirrelly Outages Driving East Wenatchee Neighbors Nuts (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/jul/26/squirrelly-outages-driving-neighbors-nuts/

‘Roll on Columbia’ - Woody’s Time with the Bonneville Power Administration (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/roll-columbia-woodys-time-bpa/

Colorado - Boulder Combs Through Energy Proposals for City-Operated Electrical Utility (Boulder Daily Camera, CO)

http://www.dailycamera.com/energy/ci_18556523

Under Public Power, San Franciscans Will Pay More (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2011/07/sfclean-power-costs-more-than-pge.html

Vermont Electric Votes for $12 Million Transmission Line Upgrade to Carry Wind-Generated Power (Associated Press)

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/d5a9cfa1c57446ccad3b277af8bb8f07/VT--Electric-Vote/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Humane Society: Sea Lions Get Reprieve at Dam (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015733047_aporsealionsdam.html

Idaho - Summer Steelhead Making Their Way into the Clearwater River (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2015735874_steelhead_making_their_way_int.html

Canada - Feds Silence Nanaimo Scientist over Salmon Study - New research helps explain why salmon stocks are dwindling (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Feds+silence+Nanaimo+scientist+over+salmon+study/5163289/story.html

Project Adds Woody Structures to River (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/project_adds_woody_structures_to_river/

Killer Whale Sounds Fail to Urge Gray Whale to Sea (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Killer-whale-sounds-fail-to-urge-gray-whale-to-sea-1605783.php

A Stimulus Plan for Seafood: Tear Down Those Dams - The ruins of the Industrial Revolution block rivers & streams throughout the Northeast—leaving fisheries in ruins, too (The Atlantic)

http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/07/a-stimulus-plan-for-seafood-tear-down-those-dams/242510/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Belfair Residents Continue Opposition to Sewer Rates & Charges (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/11351-residents-continue-opposition

Thirteen Mile King County Sewage Tunnel Nearly Complete (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/story/15157010/13-mile-king-county-sewage-tunnel-nearly-complete

Kennewick Irrigation District Plan for Water Rates Upsets Owners (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/26/1758873/kid-plan-for-water-rates-upsets.html

Bremerton Seeks More Bang for its Clean-Water Buck (Sightline Daily)

http://daily.sightline.org/2011/07/26/bremerton-seeks-more-bang-for-its-clean-water-buck/

California - Storing Water for a Dry Day Leads to Suits (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/science/earth/27waterbank.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California Governor Promises to “Crush” Solar Opponents (Business Green)

http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2097175/governor-brown-promises-crush-californias-solar-opponents

British Columbia - Gold River’s Bid to Burn Garbage from Metro Vancouver Smolders (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Jack+Knox+Gold+River+burn+garbage+from+Metro+Vancouver+smoulders/5165537/story.html

Maine – Tribes Say Wind Power Plan May Interfere With Sacred Ceremonies (Portland Press-Herald, ME)

http://www.pressherald.com/news/tribes-wind-plan-may-interfere-with-sacred-ceremonies_2011-07-26.html

Solar Cells Printed on Paper Could be Next Cheap Power Source (Bloomberg News)

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/world/52265668-68/cells-solar-power-research.html.csp

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

PenLight Giving Away & Installing CFL Bulbs (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/jul/25/penlight-giving-away-and-installing-cfl-bulbs/

Texans Take a Shine to In-Home Energy Displays (CNET News)

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20084090-54/texans-take-a-shine-to-in-home-energy-displays/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Melting Ice Forces Polar Bears to Swim Farther, Study Finds (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/melting-ice-forces-polar-bears-to-swim-farther-study-finds/2011/07/19/gIQAq9Q5YI_story.html?wprss=rss_national

Texas Agricultural Losses Could Set New Record Amid Drought (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015737906_apusfoodandfarmtexasdrought.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Federal Program Looks to Oregon to Help Spur Biofuel Development (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/07/federal_program_looks_to_orego.html

Developing Electric Cars That Recharge As You Drive (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/07/electric-cars-wireless-recharging-haloipt/1?csp=34money

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Facebook Plans Second Data Center Building in Prineville (Oregonian, Portland – Stand by for predictable Greenpeace blast…)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2011/07/facebook_plans_second_data_center_building_in_prin.html

Google Begins Engineering for Kansas City Fiber - As 1 Gbps Customers Come Online in Stanford, CA (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Google-Begins-Engineering-For-Kansas-City-Fiber-115368

Congressional Democrats Want Cost Estimate for ‘Dig Once’ Broadband (The Hill)

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/173537-house-dems-want-analysis-of-laying-fiber-optic-cable-along-highways

Looming Threat for Netflix: Charging Consumers for Data Use (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/looming-threat-for-netflix-charging-consumers-for-data-use/2011/07/26/gIQAqTSmbI_story.html?wprss=rss_business

Fox Network Erects Internet Video Paywall - Non-Cable Customers to See 8 Day Delay (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Fox-Erects-Internet-Video-Paywall-115384

Amazon Pushes California toward Referendum on Online Sales Tax (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2011/0726/Amazon-pushes-California-toward-referendum-on-online-sales-tax

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

First Mason County Candidates’ Forum Tonight in Belfair (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/11352-first-candidates-forum-tonight-in-belfair

Mason County Commission Redistricting Hearing Held (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/11351-residents-continue-opposition

US Senate Confirms Gary Locke as Ambassador to China (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Gary-Locke-confirmed-as-Ambassador-to-China-126252423.html

Primary Election Will Offer Key Hint in Race for Snohomish County Council (Everett Herald, WA)

http://heraldnet.com/article/20110726/NEWS01/707269965

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Treasurer Weighs in on Debt Ceiling Crisis (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/07/27/washington-state-treasurer-weighs-in.html

How a Debt Downgrade May Affect Consumers (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/your-money/how-a-us-debt-downgrade-may-affect-consumers.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Debt Ceiling Phone Calls Flood Congressional Offices (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Debt-ceiling-phone-calls-flood-Congressional-offices-126221783.html

Port of Port Angeles to Pay for Wild Olympics Campaign Study (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110727/news/307279993/port-of-port-angeles-to-pay-for-wild-olympics-campaign-study

Judge Says Maytown Gravel Mining Can Start - Appeal coming, says group seeking new studies (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/27/1739028/judge-says-gravel-mining-can-start.html

Third Bone Site in Oak Harbor Acknowledged, City Cleared of Wrongdoing (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/sound/article/Third-bone-site-in-Oak-Harbor-acknowledged-city-1604570.php

Clallam County Treasurer’s Office Theft by One or Many? Attorneys sum up after accused ex-cashier takes stand (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110727/news/307279986/treasurer-8217-s-office-theft-by-one-or-many-attorneys-sum-up-after

Five Washington Cities on 100 ‘Best Places to Live’ List (Puget Sound Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/07/26/five-washington-cities-on-100-best.html

DIVERSIONS

Florida Mayor, 84, Says ‘Grass’ in Yard Was Not Hers

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015742058_apusfloridamayormarijuanaplants.html

Lucas Loses UK Battle over “Star Wars” Stormtrooper Helmets

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2015738532_apeubritainstormtrooperbattle.html

Colorado Parks Division Sued over Christo Project

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015742115_apuscoloradoparkschristo.html

Here’s a link to view some of Christo’s “art”

http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/

Wild Cougar Traveled East 1,500 Miles, Tests Find

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/nyregion/wild-cougar-traveled-east-1500-miles-tests-find.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

SONG OF THE DAY

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Travelin’ Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6TZxaJKPvU

Energy News Digest for July 26, 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

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

After Clipping Power Line - Autopsy Set For Pilot Killed In Chelan-Area Chopper Crash (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/jul/26/autopsy-set-for-pilot-killed-in-chopper-crash/

Hydropower Dam Removal Ramps Up in the Northwest This Fall (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/07/hydropower_dam_removal_ramps_u.html

Chehalis Power Dropping(s) Into Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Chehalis-Power-droppings-into-greenhouse=1&blockID=527307&feedID=410

Tortoises vs Solar Power in the Mojave Desert (KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA)

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/state&id=8270963

Local Governments Brace for Unknown Fallout from Debt Stalemate (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=9174

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• After Clipping Power Line - Autopsy Set For Pilot Killed In Chelan-Area Chopper Crash
• California - Power Provider Shutting Five Contra Costa Plants
• Wind Complaint Overblown - National Electric Cooperative Association Says FERC Should Dismiss Case
• New Transmission Lines: Coming to an Area Near You?
• Bainbridge Utility Ratepayers Get Rare Win in Legal Battle with City
• Biting the Bullet, Vermont Yankee Orders Fuel
• US Department Of Energy Cites Savannah River Nuclear for Safety Violations
• Tennessee Awaits Tons of German Nuclear Waste
• East Africa Drought Reaches Kenya’s Electricity Grid
• Hydropower Dam Removal Ramps Up in the Northwest This Fall
• Dozens of Fish Die in Richland Irrigation Pond
• Giant Palouse Earthworm Doesn’t Qualify for Endangered Species Act Protection
• Disease Resistant Oregon & Washington State Whitebark Pines Tested
• Banking On New Wetlands When Old Ones Vanish
• Two States Protect Lake Tahoe, But One Eyes Changes
• Op/Ed - Scooping Pet Poop Protects Puget Sound
• Chehalis Power Dropping(s) Into Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project
• Tortoises vs Solar Power in the Mojave Desert
• Kansas - Wind Projects’ Costs Irk Utilities in Nine-State Pool
• Cooperative South Dakota Wind Farm Nets 600 Local Owners
• California Governor Pushes Renewable Energy Goal at UCLA Conference
• Loch Ness Water Monster - Hydro Power Scheme to Go on Stream Three Years After Opening
• Analysis: Ontario Green Energy Plan Feels the Heat
• Pacific Energy Concepts Turns a Profit While Focusing on Conservation
• Growing Number of States Paying Utilities to Meet Energy Efficiency Goals
• National Energy Conference in Salt Lake Brings Attention to Utah’s Outdated Home Codes
• Maryland - Baltimore Gas & Electric Pushed Air-Conditioner Cutoff Plan Too Far
• Study: Saving Owls & Salmon Also Stores Carbon
• Time Running out to Change California’s Cap-And-Trade Program
• Scientists Warn That Fires Could Consume Yellowstone Forests
• State’s Green Idea for RV Waste Costly to Taxpayers
• Editorial - An Ex-Greenpeacer’s Praise of Forestry
• Do Your Part: Consider Environment Before Firing Up Grill
• Black Hole Has 140 Trillion Times More Water than Earth’s Oceans
• State of the Internet: What Are the Fastest Cities in the World
• Sour Blackberries - RIM Cuts 2,000 Jobs. Can the Company Bounce Back?
• Apple Considering Hulu Bid
• Local Governments Brace for Unknown Fallout from Debt Stalemate
• Democrats Dems Challenge Washington State Initiative Curbing Tax Increases
• Oregon Congressman Wu Resigns: How is His Replacement Elected?
• Here’s the Post Office Closure List for Washington State
• Belfair Water District Dinged in Records Request Case
• Distracted Driver Hits Woman at Lakewood Gas Station
• Really? The Claim: Air-Conditioning Can Cause Colds

WORD OF THE DAY

Grotesque • \grow-TESK\ • Adjective - 1: fanciful, bizarre 2: absurdly incongruous 3: departing markedly from the natural, the expected, or the typical

The darkness hung over the huge square before the Notre Dame cathedral, enveloping Vic with despair and woe as if a black, stifling blanket was thrown across the dome of the sky, blotting out all stars and the watery, waning moon. Vic’s novel was going nowhere until he imagined the grotesque gargoyles of the imposing church hoarsely whispering “sanctuary…sanctuary” directly to him…and him alone.

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

After Clipping Power Line - Autopsy Set For Pilot Killed In Chelan-Area Chopper Crash (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/jul/26/autopsy-set-for-pilot-killed-in-chopper-crash/

California - Power Provider Shutting Five Contra Costa Plants (Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA)

http://www.contracostatimes.com/top-stories/ci_18547334

Wind Complaint Overblown - National Electric Cooperative Association Says FERC Should Dismiss Case (Electric Cooperatives Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/energy-environment/wind-complaint-overblown-nreca/32002

New Transmission Lines: Coming to an Area Near You? (Forbes Magazine)

http://blogs.forbes.com/ericagies/2011/07/25/new-transmission-lines-coming-to-an-area-near-you/

Bainbridge Utility Ratepayers Get Rare Win in Legal Battle with City (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/jul/25/bainbridge-utility-ratepayers-get-rare-win-in/

Biting the Bullet, Vermont Yankee Orders Fuel (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/25/biting-the-bullet-vermont-yankee-orders-fuel/?partner=rss&emc=rss

US Department Of Energy Cites Savannah River Nuclear for Safety Violations (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display.articles.electric-light-power.generation.nuclear.2011.07.DOE_cites_Savannah_River_Nuclear_for_safety_violations.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

Tennessee Awaits Tons of German Nuclear Waste (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/07/26/138473259/two-states-protect-lake-tahoe-but-one-eyes-changes?ft=1&f=3

East Africa Drought Reaches Kenya’s Electricity Grid (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2011/0726/East-Africa-drought-reaches-Kenya-s-electricity-grid

FISH & WILDLIFE

Hydropower Dam Removal Ramps Up in the Northwest This Fall (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/07/hydropower_dam_removal_ramps_u.html

Dozens of Fish Die in Richland Irrigation Pond (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015730173_apwafishkill.html

Giant Palouse Earthworm Doesn’t Qualify for Endangered Species Act Protection (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/07/giant_palouse_earthworm_doesnt_qualify_for_endangered_species_act_protection.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Disease Resistant Oregon & Washington State Whitebark Pines Tested (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/story/15142281/disease-resistant-or-wa-whitebark-pines-tested

Banking On New Wetlands When Old Ones Vanish (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=9176

Two States Protect Lake Tahoe, But One Eyes Changes (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/07/26/138473259/two-states-protect-lake-tahoe-but-one-eyes-changes?ft=1&f=3

Op/Ed - Scooping Pet Poop Protects Puget Sound (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/26/1737815/scooping-pet-poop-protects-puget.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Chehalis Power Dropping(s) Into Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://www.kelaam.com/pages/localnews?Chehalis-Power-droppings-into-greenhouse=1&blockID=527307&feedID=410

Tortoises vs Solar Power in the Mojave Desert (KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA)

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/state&id=8270963

Kansas - Wind Projects’ Costs Irk Utilities in Nine-State Pool (Wichita Eagle, KS)

http://www.kansas.com/2011/07/24/1946074/wind-projects-costs-irk-utilities.html

Cooperative South Dakota Wind Farm Nets 600 Local Owners (Clean Technica)

http://cleantechnica.com/2011/07/26/cooperative-south-dakota-wind-farm-nets-600-local-owners/

California Governor Pushes Renewable Energy Goal at UCLA Conference (Los Angeles Times, CA)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/07/gov-brown-pushes-12-gigawatt-renewable-energy-goal-at-ucla-conference.html

Loch Ness Water Monster - Hydro Power Scheme to Go on Stream Three Years After Opening (The Scotsman, UK)

http://news.scotsman.com/inverness/Hydro-power-scheme-to-go.6806166.jp

Analysis: Ontario Green Energy Plan Feels the Heat - An ambitious plan to feed renewable energy into the power grid…is under fire & could flame out altogether in the autumn (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/21/us-energy-green-idUSTRE76K6HE20110721

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Pacific Energy Concepts Turns a Profit While Focusing on Conservation (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jul/25/two-shades-of-green/

Growing Number of States Paying Utilities to Meet Energy Efficiency Goals (Solve Climate)

http://solveclimatenews.com/news/20110726/energy-efficiency-utilities-xcel-energy-minnesota-midwest

National Energy Conference in Salt Lake Brings Attention to Utah’s Outdated Home Codes (Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT)

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705388167/National-energy-conference-in-Salt-Lake-brings-attention-to-Utahs-outdated-home-codes.html

Maryland - Baltimore Gas & Electric Pushed Air-Conditioner Cutoff Plan Too Far (Baltimore Sun, MD)

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-hancock-bge-peak-rewards-20110726,0,2102967.column

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Study: Saving Owls & Salmon Also Stores Carbon (Associated Press)

http://www.kndu.com/story/15146680/study-saving-owls-and-salmon-also-stores-carbon

Time Running out to Change California’s Cap-And-Trade Program (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2011/07/25/time-running-out-to-change-cap-and-trade.html

Scientists Warn That Fires Could Consume Yellowstone Forests (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/globalwarming/2011-07-25-climate-change-fires-yellowstone_n.htm?csp=34news

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

State’s Green Idea for RV Waste Costly to Taxpayers (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/28662514/detail.html

Editorial - An Ex-Greenpeacer’s Praise of Forestry (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/edcetera/2015689707_a_ex-greenpeacers_praise_of_fo.html

Do Your Part: Consider Environment Before Firing Up Grill (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/jul/25/consider-environment-before-firing-up-grill/

Black Hole Has 140 Trillion Times More Water than Earth’s Oceans (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/07/24/black-hole-has-140-trillion-times-more-water-than-earths-oceans/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

State of the Internet: What Are the Fastest Cities in the World (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/broadband/state-of-the-internet-what-are-the-fastest-cities-in-the-world/

Sour Blackberries - RIM Cuts 2,000 Jobs. Can the Company Bounce Back? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2011/0725/RIM-cuts-2-000-jobs.-Can-the-company-bounce-back

Apple Considering Hulu Bid (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-07-25-apple-hulu-bid_n.htm?csp=34money

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Local Governments Brace for Unknown Fallout from Debt Stalemate (Northwest Public Radio)

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=9174

Democrats Dems Challenge Washington State Initiative Curbing Tax Increases (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/25/1737211/dems-education-leaders-to-sue.html

Oregon Congressman Wu Resigns: How is His Replacement Elected? (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/07/david_wu_resigns_how_is_his_re.html

GENERAL NEWS

39 Post Offices May be Closed in Washington (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/28668521/detail.html

Here’s the Post Office Closure List for Washington State (US Postal Service)

http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/expandedaccess/states/washington.htm

Belfair Water District Dinged in Records Request Case (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/11271-belfair-water

Distracted Driver Hits Woman at Lakewood Gas Station (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/26/1737773/distracted-driver-hits-woman-at.html

Really? The Claim: Air-Conditioning Can Cause Colds (NY Times)

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/25/really-the-claim-air-conditioning-can-cause-colds/?partner=rss&emc=rss

DIVERSIONS

Fight over Dish Washing Gets Dirty in North Kelso Home

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_35a0b9c8-b74a-11e0-88a0-001cc4c002e0.html

Seattle Among the Most Social Cities, Tacoma Among the Least

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Seattle-among-the-most-social-cities-Tacoma-among-the-least-126139513.html

Washington State Store Brews Harry Potter-Style ‘Butter Beer’

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015724289_apwaharrypotterbutterbeer1stldwritethru.html

South African Man Wakes After 21 Hours In Morgue Fridge

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/jul/25/safrican-man-wakes-after-21-hours-in-morgue-fridge/

SONG OF THE DAY

10CC - Dreadlock Holiday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C03qmWmnNI0