The Energy News Digest

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Energy News Digest for October 10, 2012

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

Intalco Gets Long-Awaited Ten-Year Power Deal for Ferndale-Area Smelter (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/10/09/2722408/ferndale-area-smelter-intalco.html

Washington State Patrol Asks Drivers to Prepare for Rainy Weather (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/10/09/2279469/wsp-asks-drivers-to-prepare-for.html

Special Weather Statement Issued for Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington (National Weather Service)

http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WA124CC9A7F170.SpecialWeatherStatement.124CC9AADEA8WA.PQRSPSPQR.1be7a26e0a3a0f9d615d50f39f124c76

Salmon Make a Comeback in California (NBC News - Video Starts On Page Load)

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/49351299#49351299

Final Word on China Solar Duties Due (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/namarchetti/122481/final-word-china-solar-duties-due-sort

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

Intalco Gets Long-Awaited Ten-Year Power Deal for Ferndale-Area Smelter
News Release - Bonneville Power Administration Proposal Extends Alcoa Contract Ten Years: Proposal subject to public review
Alcoa cuts demand outlook, posts $143M loss – China Slowdown, Payment over Bribe Allegation
Tacoma Utilities Proposes Power, Water Rate Hikes
Bonneville Power Administration Overcomes Challenging Weather & Unusually Low Energy Prices to Make Annual Treasury Payment in Full & On Time
Common Ground: Public Power History Will Be Discussed in Wenatchee Wednesday
Editorial - Public Power Week Was No Gimme
Natural Gas Pipeline Meeting Announced for Chehalis
Montana Wholesale Co-Op's Offshoot Reorganizes
Smart Meter Fires: Can the Power Industry Manage the Risks?
Salmon Make a Comeback in California
Phase 2 of Belfair Sewer Rejected
Judge to Consider Cross-Border Columbia River Pollution Case
Final Word on China Solar Duties Due
Wyoming - Interior Department Authorizes Chokecherry & Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project Site
No Wind Tax Credit Could Mean Fewer Jobs
Another Round of Layoffs at Colorado Vestas Plant
Energy Trust Releases Tool for Calculating Wind Energy Potential
German Renewable Surcharge to Rise by 47 Percent
LED Trail Blazes into Emerging Lighting Market
How Does a $59.95 Duct Cleaning Result in a $1529 Bill?
Electric Cars Letting off Too Much Steam
T5 Plans Oregon Data Center
Greenpeace & Data Centers: A Tough Love
Is Mobile Broadband a Luxury or Human Right?
Washington State Public Lands Candidates Trade Words in Yakima
Valley Fire Captain Fired over Using Work Computer for Religious Emails
Washington State Patrol Asks Drivers to Prepare for Rainy Weather
Special Weather Statement Issued for Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington
Wildfire Crews Face Tight Funds, Longer Season

WORD OF THE DAY

Lenticular • \len-TICK-yuh-lerr\ • Adjective - 1: having the shape of a double-convex lens 2: of or relating to a lens 3: provided with or utilizing lenticules

Check out these cool pictures of lenticular clouds over Mount Rainier:

http://tinyurl.com/9hozrpt

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

Intalco Gets Long-Awaited Ten-Year Power Deal for Ferndale-Area Smelter (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/10/09/2722408/ferndale-area-smelter-intalco.html

News Release - Bonneville Power Administration Proposal Extends Alcoa Contract Ten Years: Proposal subject to public review (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2012/10/news-release-bonneville-power.html

Alcoa cuts demand outlook, posts $143M loss – China Slowdown, Payment over Bribe Allegation (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2019385971_apusearnsalcoa.html

Tacoma Utilities Proposes Power, Water Rate Hikes (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/10/10/2326563/utility-rate-hikes-proposed.html

Bonneville Power Administration Overcomes Challenging Weather & Unusually Low Energy Prices to Make Annual Treasury Payment in Full & On Time (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2012/10/bonneville-power-administration.html

Common Ground: Public Power History Will Be Discussed in Wenatchee Wednesday (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/oct/09/common-ground-public-power-history-will-be/

Editorial - Public Power Week Was No Gimme (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/oct/10/talking-it-over-public-power-week-was-no-gimme/

Natural Gas Pipeline Meeting Announced for Chehalis (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2012/10/natural-gas-pipeline-meeting-announced.html

Montana Wholesale Co-Op's Offshoot Reorganizes (Helena Independent Record, MT)

http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/wholesale-co-op-s-offshoot-reorganizes/article_89d306c3-7410-59de-892a-7663a8f23c59.html

Smart Meter Fires: Can the Power Industry Manage the Risks? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jimpierobon/120846/purported-smart-meter-fires-how-power-industry-can-get-facts-manage-risks

FISH & WILDLIFE

Salmon Make a Comeback in California (NBC News - Video Starts On Page Load)

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/49351299#49351299

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Phase 2 of Belfair Sewer Rejected (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/41082-phase-2-of-belfair-sewer-rejected

Judge to Consider Cross-Border Columbia River Pollution Case (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/judge-consider-cross-border-columbia-river-pollution-case

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Final Word on China Solar Duties Due (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/namarchetti/122481/final-word-china-solar-duties-due-sort

Wyoming - Interior Department Authorizes Chokecherry & Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project Site (Associated Press)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/oct/09/interior-department-authorizes-chokecherry-and/

No Wind Tax Credit Could Mean Fewer Jobs (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/no-wind-tax-credit-could-mean-fewer-jobs

Another Round of Layoffs at Colorado Vestas Plant (Denver Business Journal, CO)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2012/10/09/another-round-of-layoffs-at-colorado.html

Energy Trust Releases Tool for Calculating Wind Energy Potential (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/10/energy-trust-releases-tool-for.html

German Renewable Surcharge to Rise by 47 Percent (Reuters)

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL6E8LAB3720121010

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

LED Trail Blazes into Emerging Lighting Market (Sustainable Business Oregon)

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/10/led-trail-blazes-into-emerging.html

How Does a $59.95 Duct Cleaning Result in a $1529 Bill? (The Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2012/10/09/how-does-a-59-95-duct-cleaning-result-in-a-1529-bill/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Electric Cars Letting off Too Much Steam (EnergyBiz Insider)

http://www.scoop.com/remote/article/include/397021506/53616c7465645f5fa3392ff0543a852c1e843d37a603c70cd2f1dc9bc7f71be6087b39124af894f2

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

T5 Plans Oregon Data Center (Atlanta Business Chronicle, GA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2012/10/10/t5-plans-oregon-data-center.html

Greenpeace & Data Centers: A Tough Love (Data Center Dynamics)

http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/focus/archive/2012/10/greenpeace-and-data-centers-tough-love

Is Mobile Broadband a Luxury or Human Right? (CNN Money)

http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/09/technology/mobile/broadband-human-right/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Public Lands Candidates Trade Words in Yakima (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/10/09/public-lands-candidates-trade-words-in-yakima

Valley Fire Captain Fired over Using Work Computer for Religious Emails (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/oct/09/valley-fire-captain-fired-over-religious-emails/

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Patrol Asks Drivers to Prepare for Rainy Weather (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/10/09/2279469/wsp-asks-drivers-to-prepare-for.html

Special Weather Statement Issued for Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington (National Weather Service)

http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WA124CC9A7F170.SpecialWeatherStatement.124CC9AADEA8WA.PQRSPSPQR.1be7a26e0a3a0f9d615d50f39f124c76

Wildfire Crews Face Tight Funds, Longer Season (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Wildfire-crews-face-tight-funds-longer-season-3927187.php

DIVERSIONS

Huge Cannabis Plant Found in Elderly Couple's Garden - Flea Market Plant Thrived

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/oct/08/cannabis-plant-elderly-couples-garden?CMP=OTCNETTXT8115

Depressed? It Could Be All the Sunshine

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=1341057

Electricity Museum Hopes to Juice Interest with MegaZapper

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019387752_sparks10m.html

SONG OF THE DAY

John Fogerty - Change in the Weather

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

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Energy News Digest for October 9, 2012

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

Two Sprint Fiber Optic Cuts Grounded Alaska Airlines (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019376636_apusalaskaairlinesdelays7thld.html

Washington State Governor takes sides against Thurston County Public Power Proposal (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/10/08/2278599/gregoire-takes-sides-against-thurston.html

Rain Coming, But Wildfire Danger Will Remain (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/oct/08/rain-coming-but-wildfire-danger-will-remain/

Port Angeles Officials Clip Cable to Begin Citywide Internet Service (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121009/NEWS/310099998/port-angeles-officials-clip-cable-to-begin-citywide-internet-service

Connecticut Considers Large Canadian Hydropower - Energy strategy sees renewables goals falling short (RenewablesBiz)

http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/12/10/connecticut-considers-canadian-hydropower

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

Washington State Governor takes sides against Thurston County Public Power Proposal
Chelan PUD Officials Expect No Rate Hikes for 2013
Federal Way Asking for Public's Help Catching Wire Thieves
Grant PUD Plans Archaeology Days
Coincidental with Smart Meter Switch - Pepco Vows to Fix Erroneous Bills for Maryland Customers
Space Heater Safety Tips
Idaho Scientists Take another Look at Salmon Recommendation Formula
Orcas Moving South into Puget Sound
Editorial – California Water: San Francisco Should Say 'Yes' to Hetch Hetchy Alternatives
Connecticut Considers Large Canadian Hydropower
Op/Ed - Circle the Wagons for Montana-Made Energy
Funny Business Alleged at Texas Wind Farm
Fine-Tuning USDA Efficiency Plan
Experts Link Forest Fire Severity to Climate Change
Two Sprint Fiber Optic Cuts Grounded Alaska Airlines
Port Angeles Officials Clip Cable to Begin Citywide Internet Service
Washington State Patrol Begins Switch to Digital Radio System
Facebook’s 5% Solution in Data Centers
Robocall Firm Says It Erred in Calls to Oregonians Regarding Their Voter Registration
Rain Coming, But Wildfire Danger Will Remain
Doubts over Rise in West's Gas Price
Report: Plenty of Job Openings for Washington State Workers
Samish Indians Lose Claim for Past Benefits
Would Farmers Grow Hemp if Voters Legalize It?
The 'Golden Week:' Larch in the High Cascades

WORD OF THE DAY

Viand • \VIE-und\ • Noun - 1: an item of food; especially: a choice or tasty dish 2: provisions, food

Alberto was ready for the “Big One.” Instead of buying into a survivalist shelter scheme, he built his own concrete bunker deep beneath his house. Stocked with the most outstanding canned viands he could find, he was secure in the knowledge that the coming apocalypse would pass him by. It was only until it was too late that he discovered his fatal flaw: he had forgotten to supply his shelter with a can opener.

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

Washington State Governor takes sides against Thurston County Public Power Proposal (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/10/08/2278599/gregoire-takes-sides-against-thurston.html

Chelan PUD Officials Expect No Rate Hikes for 2013 (Chelan Mirror, WA)

http://lakechelanmirror.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=6736

Federal Way Asking for Public's Help Catching Wire Thieves (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Fed-Way-asking-for-publics-help-catching-wire-thieves-173216011.html

Grant PUD Plans Archaeology Days (Crescent Bar Chronicle, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/crescent_bar_chronicle/news/article_b5f6c8a0-0f38-11e2-b715-001a4bcf887a.html

Coincidental with Smart Meter Switch - Pepco Vows to Fix Erroneous Bills for Maryland Customers (WTOP Radio, Washington, DC)

http://wtop.com/41/3070164/Pepco-vows-to-fix-erroneous-bills-for-Md-customers

Space Heater Safety Tips (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kndu.com/story/19768510/space-heater-safety-tips

FISH & WILDLIFE

Idaho Scientists Take another Look at Salmon Recommendation Formula (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/10/idaho_scientists_take_another.html

Orcas Moving South into Puget Sound (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/oct/08/orcas-moving-south-into-puget-sound/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Editorial – California Water: San Francisco Should Say 'Yes' to Hetch Hetchy Alternatives, Prop. F (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/09/4893345/endorsements-san-francisco-should.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Connecticut Considers Large Canadian Hydropower - Energy strategy sees renewables goals falling short (RenewablesBiz)

http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/12/10/connecticut-considers-canadian-hydropower

Op/Ed - Circle the Wagons for Montana-Made Energy (Billings Gazetee, MT)

http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/guest/guest-opinion-circle-the-wagons-for-montana-made-energy/article_ab266221-1011-55fc-904c-3b60ba74538a.html

Funny Business Alleged at Texas Wind Farm (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/10/09/51101.htm

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Fine-Tuning USDA Efficiency Plan (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/energy-environment/nreca-supports-usda-efficiency-plan/49026

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Experts Link Forest Fire Severity to Climate Change (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Experts-link-forest-fire-severity-to-climate-change-173217211.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Two Sprint Fiber Optic Cuts Grounded Alaska Airlines (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019376636_apusalaskaairlinesdelays7thld.html

Port Angeles Officials Clip Cable to Begin Citywide Internet Service (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121009/NEWS/310099998/port-angeles-officials-clip-cable-to-begin-citywide-internet-service

Washington State Patrol Begins Switch to Digital Radio System (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/10/09/2279234/wsp-to-switch-radio-systems-to.html

Facebook’s 5% Solution in Data Centers (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/facebooks-5-percent-solution-in-data-centers/?partner=rss&emc=rss

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Robocall Firm Says It Erred in Calls to Oregonians Regarding Their Voter Registration (Ore – I must admit, the story had me with the opening sentence: “Oregon political consultant Tim Trickey…”)

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2012/10/robocall_firm_says_it_erred_in.html

GENERAL NEWS

Rain Coming, But Wildfire Danger Will Remain (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/oct/08/rain-coming-but-wildfire-danger-will-remain/

Doubts over Rise in West's Gas Price “…gas production last week was almost as high as a year ago & stockpiles of gasoline and blending components combined were equal to this time last year…” (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20121008/BIZ/710089882

Report: Plenty of Job Openings for Washington State Workers (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=1310422

Samish Indians Lose Claim for Past Benefits (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/10/09/51111.htm

Would Farmers Grow Hemp if Voters Legalize It? (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Would-farmers-grow-hemp-if-voters-legalize-it-173168531.html

The 'Golden Week:' Larch in the High Cascades (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/connelly/article/The-Golden-Week-Larch-in-the-high-Cascades-3919737.php

DIVERSIONS

Man Dies after Live Roach-Eating Contest in Florida

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/10/08/2278555/man-dies-after-live-roach-eating.html