Energy News Digest for December 14, 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

Governor Weighing Changes to Washington State Clean-Energy Law (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/14/1913334/gov-weighing-changes-to-wash-clean.html

Puget Sound Energy Accused of Charging Improper Fee (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Regulators-accuse-PSE-of-improper-fee-charges-135593863.html

Environmental Group Sues to Protect West Coast 'Forage Fish' (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/environmental-group-sues-protect-forage-fish/

Washington State House Makes Budget Progress (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/14/1944501/house-makes-budget-progress.html

Washington State Jobless Rate Drops to 8.7 Percent (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017012949_jobs15.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Puget Sound Energy Accused of Charging Improper Fee
• Cowlitz PUD Commissioners Approve 2012 Budget – Includes 18 Percent Rate Increase
• Oregon - Power Purchase Costs Fuel Springfield Utility Board Rate Hike
• Coal Controversy - Bellingham Group Sues Shipping Terminal Company over Clean-Water
• Pacific Gas & Electric Assumes Civil Liability For San Bruno Pipeline Blast
• Arizona - Residents Concerned about Proposed Power Line Project
• Feds Move Closer to Approving New Nuclear Reactor Design
• Small Reactors Could Figure Into US Energy Future
• Fight among Nation's Top Nuclear Regulators Gets Airing Before Congress
• Add Quakes to Rumblings Over Natural Gas Rush
• Oklahoma – Seismologist says Fracking Is not the Cause of Earthquakes
• Holiday Decorating Injuries Up, As Gov’t Agency Urges Safety Stringing Lights, Burning Candles
• Environmental Group Sues to Protect West Coast 'Forage Fish'
• Environmental Groups Say Fed Flood Insurance Promotes Coastal Development & Harms Big Fish
• Canadian Fish Health Regulations Called Inadequate
• Washington State Agency Targeting Northern Pike in Columbia River Basin
• Canada - Scientists, Land Professionals Protest BC Hydro's Plan to Close Wildlife Offices
• Saving the Unloved Chum Salmon
• Eagle-Watching Season on Upper Skagit River
• Disasters Doom Texas Oyster Crop
• Thousands of Birds Make Crash Landing in Utah
• Clark Public Utilities Raises Water Rates by 14 Percent
• Inevitable, or in Limbo? A Dam for the Mekong
• Governor Weighing Changes to Washington State Clean-Energy Law
• Big North Carolina Wind Project a 'No Go' for Now
• The Battle to Extend Wind Incentives
• Production Tax Credit in Limbo
• First Solar Cuts 2011 Financial Estimates
• Energy Efficiency - A Season for Savings
• Prosser Plant Creating Biofuel from Grass, Mustard
• Op/Ed - Why Electric Cars Are Inefficient Polluters
• Wave Cable Gets Sequim Franchise
• Google Fiber Sticks to Vague Schedule
• Verizon Upgrades Network for a 100 Gig World
• Minnesota Winters Are a Selling Point for Data Centers
• Utah Company Wraps Up $1 Billion Case against Microsoft
• Washington State House Makes Budget Progress
• Darcy Burner: The Far Afield Washington State Congressional Candidate
• Washington State Jobless Rate Drops to 8.7 Percent
• A Cellphone Ban for Drivers? Don't Count On It in Washington State
• New Shelton Race Track Holds Fundraiser
• Lake Cushman Campground to Re-Open
• Aloha Man Admits to Attacking His Neighbor for Trimming Shade Trees
• Feds to Phase Out Dollar Coins, Biden Says

WORD OF THE DAY

Kibosh • \KYE-bosh\ • Noun - Something that serves as a check or stop

“When the rotors spin, the cash rolls in,” mused the investment banker as he idly twirled his gold watch at the end of the sparkling diamond fob. The potential loss of his tax credits was nothing more than a shadowy, unimportant thought in his perfectly coiffed head. He knew that his high-priced “K-Street” lobbying firm would put the kibosh on any efforts to kill his newly-found investment windfall.

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

Puget Sound Energy Accused of Charging Improper Fee (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Regulators-accuse-PSE-of-improper-fee-charges-135593863.html

Cowlitz PUD Commissioners Approve 2012 Budget – Includes 18 Percent Rate Increase (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/pud-commissioners-approve-budget/article_d272b234-25fd-11e1-827e-0019bb2963f4.html

Oregon - Power Purchase Costs Fuel Springfield Utility Board Rate Hike: The BPA and corroding water pipes force SUB to increase its electric and water budgets (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/27313365-41/sub-budget-percent-power-million.html.csp

Coal Controversy - Bellingham Group Sues Shipping Terminal Company over Clean-Water (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/13/1912293/bellingham-group-sues-company.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Assumes Civil Liability For San Bruno Pipeline Blast - Says it will compensate victims (Associated Press)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/pgande-assumes-civil-liability-for-san-bruno-blast-will-compensate-victims/2011/12/13/gIQAwzmbsO_story.html

Arizona - Residents Concerned about Proposed Power Line Project (KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ)

http://www.kold.com/story/16310073/residents-concerned-about-proposed-new-power-line-project

Feds Move Closer to Approving New Nuclear Reactor Design (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/12/14/national/a092353S76.DTL

Small Reactors Could Figure Into US Energy Future (Phys.Org)

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-12-small-reactors-figure-energy-future.html

Fight among Nation's Top Nuclear Regulators Gets Airing Before Congress (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/1214/Fight-among-nation-s-top-nuclear-regulators-gets-airing-before-Congress

Add Quakes to Rumblings Over Natural Gas Rush (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/science/some-blame-hydraulic-fracturing-for-earthquake-epidemic.html?_r=2&src=dayp

Oklahoma – Seismologist says Fracking Is not the Cause of Earthquakes (Tulsa World, OK)

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20111214_11_A1_CUTLIN152192

Holiday Decorating Injuries Up, As Gov’t Agency Urges Safety Stringing Lights, Burning Candles (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/holiday-decorating-injuries-up-as-govt-agency-urges-safety-stringing-lights-burning-candles/2011/12/13/gIQA23XxrO_story.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Environmental Group Sues to Protect West Coast 'Forage Fish' (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/environmental-group-sues-protect-forage-fish/

Environmental Groups Say Fed Flood Insurance Promotes Coastal Development & Harms Big Fish (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/12/13/42190.htm

Canadian Fish Health Regulations Called Inadequate - Ex-government biologist questions federal assurances on salmon virus (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Fish+health+regulations+called+inadequate/5849560/story.html

Washington State Agency Targeting Northern Pike in Columbia River Basin (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/13/1912298/state-agency-targeting-northern.html

Canada - Scientists, Land Professionals Protest BC Hydro's Plan to Close Wildlife Offices (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/Scientists+land+professionals+protest+Hydro+plan+close+wildlife+offices/5814952/story.html

Saving the Unloved Chum Salmon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org//article/saving-unloved-chum-salmon/

Eagle-Watching Season on Upper Skagit River (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017004690_apwaeaglewatching1stldwritethru.html

Disasters Doom Texas Oyster Crop (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-13/algae-threatens-texas-oyster-season/51889730/1?csp=34news

Thousands of Birds Make Crash Landing in Utah (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/14/1913101/thousands-of-birds-make-crash.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Clark Public Utilities Raises Water Rates by 14 Percent (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/13/clark-public-utilities-raises-water-rates-14-perce/

Inevitable, or in Limbo? A Dam for the Mekong (NY Times)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/inevitable-or-in-limbo-a-dam-for-the-mekong/?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Governor Weighing Changes to Washington State Clean-Energy Law (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/14/1913334/gov-weighing-changes-to-wash-clean.html

Big North Carolina Wind Project a 'No Go' for Now (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/power_city/2011/12/big-nc-wind-project-a-no-go-for-now.html

The Battle to Extend Wind Incentives (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/geoffrey-styles/72110/battle-extend-wind-incentives

Production Tax Credit in Limbo (EnergyBiz Insider)

http://www.scoop.com/remote/article/include/305686808/53616c7465645f5fd221a627c2a14e0fafd086ccdd87bea81c8b55ad42451a34e444366c6a819480

First Solar Cuts 2011 Financial Estimates (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017009451_apusfirstsolaroutlook.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Efficiency - A Season for Savings (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/efficiency-conservation/energy-efficiency/holiday-season-energy-savings-led-lights/36957

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Prosser Plant Creating Biofuel from Grass, Mustard (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/dec/13/prosser-plant-creating-biofuel-from-grass-mustard/

Op/Ed - Why Electric Cars Are Inefficient Polluters (Shore News, NJ)

http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/index.php/politics/19232-why-electric-cars-are-inefficient-polluters.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Wave Cable Gets Sequim Franchise (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111214/news/312149991/wave-cable-gets-sequim-franchise

Google Fiber Sticks to Vague Schedule (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Google-Fiber-Sticks-to-Vague-Schedule-117423

Verizon Upgrades Network for a 100 Gig World (Gigaom)

http://gigaom.com/broadband/verizon-upgrades-network-for-a-100-gig-world/

Minnesota Winters Are a Selling Point for Data Centers (Minneapolis-St Paul Business Journal, MN)
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/morning_roundup/2011/12/minnesota-winters-are-a-selling-point.html

Utah Company Wraps Up $1 Billion Case against Microsoft (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017004730_apusantitrustlawsuitmicrosoft.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State House Makes Budget Progress (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/14/1944501/house-makes-budget-progress.html

Darcy Burner: The Far Afield Washington State Congressional Candidate (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/12/12/darcy-burner-the-far-afield-candidate/

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Jobless Rate Drops to 8.7 Percent (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017012949_jobs15.html

A Cellphone Ban for Drivers? Don't Count On It in Washington State (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017008888_cellphone14m.html

New Shelton Race Track Holds Fundraiser (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/20053-track-holds-fundraiser

Lake Cushman Campground to Re-Open (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/19968-lake-cushman-campground-to-re-open

Aloha Man Admits to Attacking His Neighbor for Trimming Shade Trees (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/aloha/index.ssf/2011/12/aloha_man_admits_to_attacking.html

Feds to Phase Out Dollar Coins, Biden Says (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-12-13/dollar-coins/51885500/1?csp=34news

DIVERSIONS

A Pet in the One Percent: Woman Leaves $13 Million to Her Cat

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/12/13/a-pet-in-the-one-percent-woman-leaves-13-million-to-her-cat/

Man Fakes Heart Attack after Getting Pulled Over

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Man-fakes-heart-attack-after-getting-pulled-over-135333163.html

Laura Nyro's Lasting, Eclectic Musical Legacy

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/10/143499121/laura-nyros-lasting-eclectic-musical-legacy?ft=1&f=7

Soda or Pop? How Washington State Talks About Soft Drinks

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/12/09/soda-or-pop-how-washington-talks-about-soft-drinks/

SONG OF THE DAY

Laura Nyro - Stoned Soul Picnic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwSNbC9zK-w

Energy News Digest for December 13, 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

French Nuclear Giant Areva to Post Large Loss (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/12/12/financial/f090058S57.DTL

Washington State House Passes Bill to Aid Cle Elum Solar Project (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/12/1911068/house-passes-bill-to-aid-cle-elum.html

Washington State Lawmakers Announce $479M in Budget Cuts (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/washington-state-lawmakers-announce-479m-budget-cu/nFzxY/

Mason County PUD 3 Adopts $57 Million 2012 Budget - Renewable Energy Costs & Bonneville Power Administration Increase to Affect Local Rates (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=954

Big Spring Chinook Run Forecast for Columbia River (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/12/big-spring-chinook-run-forecast-columbia-river/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• French Nuclear Giant Areva to Post Large Loss
• Household Electricity Bills Skyrocket
• Mason County PUD 3 Adopts $57 Million 2012 Budget - Renewable Energy Costs & Bonneville Power Administration Increase to Affect Local Rates
• Mason County PUD 1 Overnight Power Outage 12/19 - 12/20
• EPA To Unveil Stricter Rules For Power Plants
• Indiana - Ex-Regulatory Chief's Indictment is Latest Black Eye
• When Dogs, Roosters or Bulls Attack
• Big Spring Chinook Run Forecast for Columbia River
• Clark County Groups Receive $925,383 for Fish Projects
• Op/Ed - Federal Salmon Plan Stands Strong
• Northern California Oyster Farm Dispute Spreads to Capitol Hill
• Op/Ed - Shellfish: Restoring Past to Benefit Future
• Rare sighting of blue whales off Washington State Coast
• Belfair Sewer Project on Mason County Commission Agenda
• Stage 1 Burn Ban for Mason County
• Quality of Air? That’s as Murky as Western Sky
• Washington State House Passes Bill to Aid Cle Elum Solar Project
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratories Studies Storing Wind Power Underground
• Cow Manure to Power New King County Power Plant
• GridMobility Winner 2011 Cleantech Open Global Business Competition Smart Power Category
• Pacific Gas & Electric CEO Lays Off Solar Investor Group
• Wind Leading to Midwest Energy Transmission Congestion
• United Kingdom - Over-Reliance On Wind Farms 'Will Lead To Power Cuts'
• Wind Energy is Turning Out New Fields of Study in Texas
• New York - Trash Burner Ends Subsidy Bid
• Power Savings on Auto Pilot
• Energy Conservation Spurs LED Lighting Acceptance
• Top Five Energy Efficiency Smartphone Apps
• Canada Pulls Out of Kyoto Protocol
• Climate Strategists: To Cut Emissions, Focus On Forests
• Solar-Powered Seattle Home Uses Clever, Quirky Ways to be Green
• Electric Cars Trump Flex-Fuel Cars on Places to Fill Up
• The ‘Green’ Debate on Christmas Trees: Fresh vs. Fake?
• Washington, DC: We’ll See Your 1 Gig, Raise You 100 Gig
• Tweets Cause US Death Row Conviction to be Overturned
• Washington State Lawmakers Announce $479M in Budget Cuts
• Jay Inslee Faces Challenges in Washington State Governor’s Race
• Four Dead in Chopper Crash at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
• Occupy Portland Protesters Block Work at Three Port of Portland Terminals
• Boeing Lands Biggest Order in Its History
• Seattle Schools Face $50M in 'Glass Palace' Headquarters Debt
• Downtown Shelton Goes Retro with Revamped Neon Lights
• Conviction Upheld for Warden Metal Thief
• Editorial - State Of California Needs Mettle to Stop Metal Thieves
• FCC: TV Commercials Will Be A Lot Quieter One Year from Now

WORD OF THE DAY

Swivet • \ SWIV-utt\ • Noun - A state of extreme agitation

Anne was a-swivet

Over the loss of her trivet

Burn marks on the counter

From a hot pot encounter

Was said to be the cause of 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

French Nuclear Giant Areva to Post Large Loss (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/12/12/financial/f090058S57.DTL

Household Electricity Bills Skyrocket (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/story/2011-12-13/electric-bills/51840042/1?csp=34news

Mason County PUD 3 Adopts $57 Million 2012 Budget - Renewable Energy Costs & Bonneville Power Administration Increase to Affect Local Rates (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=954

Mason County PUD 1 Overnight Power Outage 12/19 - 12/20 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/19958-overnight-power-outage-1219-1220

EPA To Unveil Stricter Rules For Power Plants (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/13/143592187/epa-to-unveil-new-rules-for-power-plants

Indiana - Ex-Regulatory Chief's Indictment is Latest Black Eye: Former regulatory agency chairman is accused of having secret discussions with utility (Indianapolis Star, IN)

http://www.indystar.com/article/20111213/BUSINESS/112130315/Ex-IURC-chief-s-indictment-latest-black-eye-Duke-scandal

When Dogs, Roosters or Bulls Attack (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/trends-reports-analyses/animals-attack-electric-co-op-workers/37163

FISH & WILDLIFE

Big Spring Chinook Run Forecast for Columbia River (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/12/big-spring-chinook-run-forecast-columbia-river/

Clark County Groups Receive $925,383 for Fish Projects (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/12/clark-county-groups-receive-925383-fish-projects/

Op/Ed - Federal Salmon Plan Stands Strong (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/columns/2011/12/federal-salmon-plan-stands-strong.html

Northern California Oyster Farm Dispute Spreads to Capitol Hill (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_19516880

Op/Ed - Shellfish: Restoring Past to Benefit Future (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://m.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/dec/09/my-turn-shellfish-restoring-past-to-benefit/

Rare sighting of blue whales off Washington State Coast (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Rare-sighting-of-blue-whales-off-Wash-coast-135520128.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Belfair Sewer Project on Mason County Commission Agenda (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/19961-belfair-water-project

Stage 1 Burn Ban for Mason County (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3493

Quality of Air? That’s as Murky as Western Sky (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/us/air-quality-difficult-to-gauge-in-dustier-american-west.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Washington State House Passes Bill to Aid Cle Elum Solar Project (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/12/1911068/house-passes-bill-to-aid-cle-elum.html

Pacific Northwest National Laboratories Studies Storing Wind Power Underground (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/11/1940973/pnnl-studies-storing-wind-power.html

Cow Manure to Power New King County Power Plant (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=592603

GridMobility Winner 2011 Cleantech Open Global Business Competition Smart Power Category (PR-Web)

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/12/prweb9027351.htm

Pacific Gas & Electric CEO Lays Off Solar Investor Group (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2011/12/pge-ceo-lays-off-solar-investor-group.html

Wind Leading to Midwest Energy Transmission Congestion - Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, affecting both the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) and the PJM Interconnection Energy Biz Insider)

http://www.scoop.com/remote/article/include/305367707/53616c7465645f5f4178727db026ffd54f13001c90669ebda01a7cb2ee069057eb17ca3485842373

United Kingdom - Over-Reliance On Wind Farms 'Will Lead To Power Cuts' (The Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/8949993/Over-reliance-on-wind-farms-will-lead-to-power-cuts.html

Wind Energy is Turning Out New Fields of Study in Texas (San Antonio Express-News, TX)

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Wind-energy-is-turning-out-new-fields-of-study-in-2398759.php

New York - Trash Burner Ends Subsidy Bid - Environmental groups opposed aid extension designed for wind, solar (Albany Times-Union, NY)

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Trash-burner-ends-subsidy-bid-2393598.php

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Power Savings on Auto Pilot (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/business/marriott-in-deal-to-reduce-energy-use-at-hotels.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1323803244-im/Q0PPGkOTK+eRdOt2PFA

Energy Conservation Spurs LED Lighting Acceptance (EDN)

http://www.edn.com/article/520290-Energy_conservation_spurs_LED_lighting_acceptance.php

Top Five Energy Efficiency Smartphone Apps (Climate Progress)

http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2011/12/10/385006/top-5-energy-efficiency-smartphone-apps/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Canada Pulls Out of Kyoto Protocol (CBS News)

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57341730/canada-pulls-out-of-kyoto/

Climate Strategists: To Cut Emissions, Focus On Forests (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/10/143454111/climate-activists-to-cut-emissions-focus-on-forests?ft=1&f=7

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Solar-Powered Seattle Home Uses Clever, Quirky Ways to be Green (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/12/09/solar-powered-home-uses-clever-quirky.html

Electric Cars Trump Flex-Fuel Cars on Places to Fill Up (USA Today)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/12/recharging-easier-to-find-for-electric-cars-than-e85-for-flex-fuel-cars/1

The ‘Green’ Debate on Christmas Trees: Fresh vs. Fake? (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/the-green-debate-on-christmas-trees-fresh-vs-fake/2011/12/07/gIQAk3mLjO_story.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Washington, DC: We’ll See Your 1 Gig, Raise You 100 Gig (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/broadband/d-c-well-see-your-1-gig-raise-you-100-gig/

Tweets Cause US Death Row Conviction to be Overturned (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16108000

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Lawmakers Announce $479M in Budget Cuts (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/washington-state-lawmakers-announce-479m-budget-cu/nFzxY/

Jay Inslee Faces Challenges in Washington State Governor’s Race (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111211/NEWS01/712119939#Jay-Inslee-faces-challenges-in-governor%26%23146s-race%0A

GENERAL NEWS

Four Dead in Chopper Crash at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Northwest Cable News Network)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/135490743.html

Occupy Portland protesters block work at three Port of Portland terminals (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/12/occupy_portland_protestors_pre.html

Boeing Lands Biggest Order in Its History (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=592868

Seattle Schools Face $50M in 'Glass Palace' Headquarters Debt (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017001813_johnstanford13m.html

Downtown Shelton Goes Retro with Revamped Neon Lights (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://shelton.komonews.com/news/business/698772-downtown-shelton-goes-retro-revamped-neon-lights

Conviction Upheld for Warden Metal Thief (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/crime-fire/article_d718bf92-24e8-11e1-9984-0019bb2963f4.html

Editorial - State Of California Needs Mettle to Stop Metal Thieves (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/13/4118248/state-needs-mettle-to-stop-metal.html

FCC: TV Commercials Will Be A Lot Quieter One Year from Now (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2011/12/fcc-tv-commercials-will-be-a-lot-quieter-one-year-from-now.html

DIVERSIONS

North Korea is Threatening South Korea with "Psychological Warfare" Because of Christmas Lights

http://gizmodo.com/5867308/north-korea-is-threatening-south-korea-with-psychological-warfare-because-of-christmas-lights

Bell-Ringers Aim to Break National Record (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-11/salvation-army-bell/51799548/1?csp=34news

Here Is the Official Color of Next Year

http://gizmodo.com/5867074/here-is-the-official-color-of-next-year

Authorities Say Man Published Obituary for His Still-Living Mother to Get Paid Time Off

http://www.kwtx.com/news/headlines/Hey_Im_Not_Dead_Yet_135344888.html?ref=888

SONG OF THE DAY

George Harrison - It Don't Come Easy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p5yzdCa2GE

Ringo Starr - It Don't Come Easy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGlOUc0LTiE