Energy News Digest for May 1, 2013

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http://www.energynewsdigest.blogspot.com/

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

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for May 1, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/05/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-may-1.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Data Farms Changing Oregon Electric Co-op Loads (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/data-centers-changing-electric-coops-loads/55363

Talking Columbia River Treaty (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/talking-columbia-river-treaty/

California Officials Split On How to Divvy Up $500 Million in Clean-Energy Funds (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/30/5381682/california-officials-split-on.html

Idaho - Cox Communications is Off City of Ketchum’s Broadband Committee – Mayor says survey is irresponsible (Idaho Mountain Express, Sun Valley, ID)

http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005147106#.UYEsCnek3yA

Citing ‘Environmental Terrorism,’ Oregon House Passes Bills Targeting Tree-Sitters, Environmental Activists (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/04/citing_environmental_terrorism.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Talking Columbia River Treaty
• Fitch Rates Tacoma’s Electric System Revenue Bonds ‘AA-’; Outlook Stable
• Cowlitz PUD Set to Take over Stretch of Power Lines near Volcano
• Seattle City Light Named Tree Line USA Utility by Arbor Day Foundation
• Costs for San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown Exceed $550 Million, May Be Retired
• A New Authority for Nuclear Waste
• Flow of Tainted Water Is Latest Crisis at Japan Nuclear Plant
• New York Governor Asks Con Ed to Freeze Bonuses for Top Executives
• Kentucky - Electricity Deal Saves 650 Jobs at Century Aluminum Smelter
• Editorial – Selling Off the Tennessee Valley Authority: The Stupid Party Strikes Again
• Young Coho Salmon Are Being Reintroduced to Area Waterways in Hopes They’ll Return to Spawn Naturally
• Union River Estuary Work near Belfair to Resume
• Citing ‘Environmental Terrorism,’ Oregon House Passes Bills Targeting Tree-Sitters, Environmental Activists
• California - MidAmerican, SunPower Begin “Major Construction” at Antelope Valley
• Colorado - House Oks Renewable Energy Increase for Rural Electric Co-Ops
• California Officials Split On How to Divvy Up $500 Million in Clean-Energy Funds
• Belkin’s Internet of Things Dreams Extend to Energy & Water Management
• McDonald’s Testing Energy-Efficient Restaurant in Cleveland
• Cowlitz PUD Adding Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles
• Lacey Alternative Energy Fair Educates, Entertains
• Electric Car Maker Files for Bankruptcy Protection
• Data Farms Changing Oregon Electric Co-op Loads
• Idaho - Cox Communications is Off City of Ketchum’s Broadband Committee
• Comcast Net Income Rises 17% - Higher Cable Bills Pump Up Revenues
• Time’s Ripe for Broadband Internet Activism in Rural Alaska
• Obama Ally, Former Cable Lobbyist Likely Pick for FCC
• Even Gamification Execs Hate the Term Gamification
• Bud Light Offers Proof That Facebook Ads Work
• Ten Reasons No One Wants You in Their Meetings
• Washington State Rep Dave Upthegrove Announces Candidacy for King County Council Seat
• Washington State Public Hospitals Win a Public Records Fight
• Deputies Searching for Woman after Man Found Dead in Olympia
• Road Work Scheduled for Shelton Springs Road
• Shelton Hospital Set to Celebrate Completion of Construction Project May 9

WORD OF THE DAY

Xenophobia • \zen-uh-FOE-bee-yuh\ • Noun - Fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign.

Xenophobia

Fresh winds bring changing seasons

Don’t fear the new times

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

Talking Columbia River Treaty (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/talking-columbia-river-treaty/

Fitch Rates Tacoma’s Electric System Revenue Bonds ‘AA-’; Outlook Stable (BusinessWire)

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130430007085/en/Fitch-Rates-Tacoma-Electric-System-Revenue-Bonds

Cowlitz PUD Set to Take over Stretch of Power Lines near Volcano (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/12da1b54-b131-11e2-8f97-001a4bcf887a.html

Seattle City Light Named Tree Line USA Utility by Arbor Day Foundation (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&rss=1&id=170080

Costs for San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown Exceed $550 Million, May Be Retired (Associated Press)

http://www.scpr.org/news/2013/04/30/37069/costs-for-san-onofre-nuclear-power-plant-shutdown/

A New Authority for Nuclear Waste (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2013/04/30/a-new-authority-for-nuclear-waste/

Flow of Tainted Water Is Latest Crisis at Japan Nuclear Plant (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/world/asia/radioactive-water-imperils-fukushima-plant.html?hp&_r=0

New York Governor Asks Con Ed to Freeze Bonuses for Top Executives (NY Times)

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/cuomo-asks-con-ed-to-freeze-bonuses-for-top-executives/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Kentucky - Electricity Deal Saves 650 Jobs at Century Aluminum Smelter (Louisville Courier-Journal, KY)

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130429/NEWS01/304290071/Deal-saves-650-jobs-Century-Aluminum-smelter

Editorial – Selling Off the Tennessee Valley Authority: The Stupid Party Strikes Again (Powerline)

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/04/the-stupid-party-strikes-again.php

FISH & WILDLIFE

Young Coho Salmon Are Being Reintroduced to Area Waterways in Hopes They’ll Return to Spawn Naturally (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/1049005-8/young-coho-salmon-are-being-reintroduced-to-area

Union River Estuary Work near Belfair to Resume (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/apr/30/union-river-estuary-work-to-resume/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Citing ‘Environmental Terrorism,’ Oregon House Passes Bills Targeting Tree-Sitters, Environmental Activists (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/04/citing_environmental_terrorism.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California - MidAmerican, SunPower Begin “Major Construction” at Antelope Valley (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/04/midamerican-sunpower-begin-major-construction-at-antelope-valley?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-May1-2013

Colorado - House Oks Renewable Energy Increase for Rural Electric Co-Ops (North Colorado Business Report)

http://www.ncbr.com/article/20130430/NEWS/130439986

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

California Officials Split On How to Divvy Up $500 Million in Clean-Energy Funds (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/30/5381682/california-officials-split-on.html

Belkin’s Internet of Things Dreams Extend to Energy & Water Management (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2013/04/30/belkins-internet-of-things-dreams-extend-to-energy-and-water-management/

McDonald’s Testing Energy-Efficient Restaurant in Cleveland (Columbus Morning Call, OH_)

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/morning_call/2013/05/mcdonalds-in-cleveland-testing-energy.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Cowlitz PUD Adding Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/01092108-aee4-11e2-b032-001a4bcf887a.html

Lacey Alternative Energy Fair Educates, Entertains (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2013/04/30/lacey-alternative-energy-fair-educates-entertains/

Electric Car Maker Files for Bankruptcy Protection (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/business/global/02iht-coda02.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Data Farms Changing Oregon Electric Co-op Loads (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/data-centers-changing-electric-coops-loads/55363

Idaho - Cox Communications is Off City of Ketchum’s Broadband Committee – Mayor says survey is irresponsible (Idaho Mountain Express, Sun Valley, ID)

http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005147106#.UYEsCnek3yA

Comcast Net Income Rises 17% - Higher Cable Bills Pump Up Revenues (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/business/media/comcast-posts-17-rise-in-net-income-despite-a-dip-in-revenue-at-nbcuniversal.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Time’s Ripe for Broadband Internet Activism in Rural Alaska (Alaska Dispatch)

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130430/times-ripe-broadband-internet-activism-rural-alaska

Obama Ally, Former Cable Lobbyist Likely Pick for FCC (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/01/business/technology-investor-is-reported-choice-for-fcc.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Even Gamification Execs Hate the Term Gamification (Silicon Valley Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2013/04/30/even-gamification-execs-hate-the-term.html

Bud Light Offers Proof That Facebook Ads Work (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2013/04/30/bud-light-facebook-ads/

Ten Reasons No One Wants You in Their Meetings (U-S News & World Report)

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/05/01/10-reasons-no-one-wants-you-in-their-meetings

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Rep Dave Upthegrove Announces Candidacy for King County Council Seat (B-Town Blog)

http://b-townblog.com/2013/04/30/rep-dave-upthegrove-announces-candidacy-for-julia-pattersons-council-seat/

Washington State Public Hospitals Win a Public Records Fight (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2013/04/29/washington-state-public-hospitals-win.html

GENERAL NEWS

Deputies Searching for Woman after Man Found Dead in Olympia (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Deputies-searching-for-woman-after-man-found-dead-in-Olympia-205513071.html

Road Work Scheduled for Shelton Springs Road (Mason Web-TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/10067

Shelton Hospital Set to Celebrate Completion of Construction Project May 9 (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/04/26/2522488/shelton-hospital-set-to-celebrate.html

DIVERSIONS

Eastside Student Channels Rick Astley, Gets Prom Date

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Prom-proposal-204957121.html

Hitler’s Food Taster Kept Wartime Job a Secret until Age 95

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_23117131

School Bans Voodoo Doughnut Presenter after Career Day Language

http://www.kgw.com/news/School-bans-Voodoo-Donut-presenter-after-Career-Day-language-204906571.html

$100 Bills Remain One of America’s Leading Exports

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/04/09/100-bills-are-becoming-one-of-americas-leading-exports/?wprss=rss_business

SONG OF THE DAY

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_b7RDuLwcI

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for April 30, 2013 – Hot Shots Edition

Puget Sound Energy Automatic Rate Hike Escalator Plan Opposed (Puget Sound Buisness Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2013/04/pse-utility-rate-hike-escalater-plan.html

Pacific Northwest Residents Overwhelmingly View Hydropower as a Clean, Renewable Energy Resource (Northwest RiverPartners, Mason County PUD 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1211

Cormorant hazing saves juvenile salmon on Oregon Coast as state also gathers data for kill permits

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/04/cormorant_hazing_saves_juvenil.html

BC Hydro Smart Meters Provoke Class Action Lawsuit (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/04/29/bc-hydro-smart-meter-class-action.html?cmp=rss

Op/Ed - Tax Change Would Hike Price of Crucial Public Projects – Klein, Gaines, Carrasco (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/04/30/2578154/tax-change-would-hike-price-of.html

Controversy over Electric Car Charging Stations in Bremerton (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Bremerton-considering-installation-of-electric-car-charging-stations-205326521.html

Energy News Digest for April 29, 2013

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for April 29, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2013/04/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for-april_29.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Scammers Busted Stealing 40,000 Pounds of Copper from Seattle City Light (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2261792

Mason County Can’t Afford To Pay for Belfair Sewer System (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/apr/28/mason-county-cant-afford-to-pay-for-belfair/

Energy Conservation on Bainbridge Island Hits Goal Set by Puget Sound Energy (Bainbridge Island Review, WA)

http://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/204883531.html

City Of Olympia Has $5.7 Million Update of Water Meters in Works - Updated technology at Olympia homes will send readings remotely to city (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/04/29/2524747/57-million-update-of-water-meters.html#emlnl=Newsletter_-_Daily_News_Digest

Longview Adopts New Zoning Rules for Residential Windmills (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/longview-adopts-new-zoning-rules-for-residential-windmills/article_bf60dd2c-aee3-11e2-9ea1-001a4bcf887a.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Scammers Busted Stealing 40,000 Pounds of Copper from Seattle City Light
• Cowlitz PUD Weighing Changes to Commercial, Residential Rate Ratio
• Mylar Balloon Knocks Out Power to Wenatchee
• Montana – Damage Control: Glencore Affirms Commitment to Restarting Columbia Falls Plant
• In the Northwest, Rising Coal Exports to Asia Stir Huge Fight
• Grant County PUD Receives a Clean Audit from State
• California - Man Electrocuted in ‘Industrial Accident’ Identified as Winchester Resident
• FERC Refines “Bulk Electric System” Definition, Adopts New Cybersecurity Standards Proving Value of the Definition
• Expanding Efforts to Attract Young Nuclear Energy Professionals
• Dumbest Guys in the Room: Does Wall Street Understand Utilities?
• Nevada Co-op Seeks to Involve Youth
• Fish Managers Request End to Summer Salmon Transport from McNary; Cite System Improvements
• $27.4 Million Fish Collection Facility Opens in Effort to Restore Salmon/Steelhead above Detroit Dam
• Mine Project Threatens Bristol Bay Salmon Fishery: EPA Report
• City Of Olympia Has $5.7 Million Update of Water Meters in Works
• California - Delta Tunnel Project to Radically Change Sacramento County Landscape
• Longview Adopts New Zoning Rules for Residential Windmills
• Want a Solar Home? Consider Batteries
• Biomass Plants’ Environmental Benefits Up for Debate
• Renewables Provide Half of Germany’s Power - For a Few Hours
• Energy Conservation on Bainbridge Island Hits Goal Set by Puget Sound Energy
• Five Ways to Save on Electricity, Energy in Your Home
• United Kingdom - Big Brother to Switch Off Your Fridge
• Interior Alaska Spring Prep Sports Are on Hold Because of the Cold
• Students in Pasco Race Electric Carts
• Obama Administration to Add 10,000 Hybrids for ‘Green’ Government Fleet
• Sacramento Plans Solar-Powered ‘Smart’ Parking Meters
• From Coast to Coast with the Power of the Sun
• Gigabit Internet in Vermont is Cheaper than Google Fiber
• Tullahoma, Tennessee to Offer 1-Gigabit Internet Starting May 1
• Washington State Legislature Passes Bill to Monitor Social Media in the Workplace
• LivingSocial Hacked - More Than 50 Million Customer Names, Emails, Birthdates & Encrypted Passwords Accessed
• Starbucks Presses Social Media Onward
• Inslee Wants Legislature to Come Back May 13
• Mason County Can’t Afford To Pay for Belfair Sewer System
• Cybertheft Heists $1 Million from Leavenworth Hospital
• Death at Home of DB Cooper Chute Packer Ruled a Homicide
• Pink Slips for 132 Providence Workers in Washington State
• Squaxin Island Tourism Director Appointed to Washington Tourism Alliance
• Report Finds Dirtier West Coast Trucks End Up In Oregon

WORD OF THE DAY

Persnickety • \purr-SNICK-uh-tee\ • Adjective - 1a: fussy about small details: fastidious b: having the characteristics of a snob 2: requiring great precision

“No I will not have the beef tongue for my breakfast entrée, I will not eat anything that came out of a cow’s mouth.” sniffed the newly minted, persnickety English lord. “Give me fried eggs, over easy.”

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

Scammers Busted Stealing 40,000 Pounds of Copper from Seattle City Light (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2261792

Cowlitz PUD Weighing Changes to Commercial, Residential Rate Ratio (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-weighing-changes-to-commercial-residential-rate-ratio/article_4eb97334-aee0-11e2-b74d-001a4bcf887a.html

Mylar Balloon Knocks Out Power to Wenatchee (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/apr/27/mylar-balloon-knocks-out-power-to-wenatchee/

Montana – Damage Control: Glencore Affirms Commitment to Restarting Columbia Falls Plant - Representatives say power contract talks are optimistic but metal market is a deterrent (Flathead Beacon, Kalispell, MT)

http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/glencore_affirms_commitment_to_restarting_cfac_plant/33121/

In the Northwest, Rising Coal Exports to Asia Stir Huge Fight (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020875828_coalexportmontanaxml.html

Grant County PUD Receives a Clean Audit from State (iFiber One News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/grantcounty/grant-county-pud-receives-a-clean-audit-from-state/article_0a3ab8d2-aee3-11e2-bf66-001a4bcf6878.html

California - Man Electrocuted in ‘Industrial Accident’ Identified as Winchester Resident (Southwest Riverside News Network, CA)

http://www.swrnn.com/2013/04/25/man-electrocuted-in-industrial-accident-identified-as-winchester-resident/

FERC Refines “Bulk Electric System” Definition, Adopts New Cybersecurity Standards Proving Value of the Definition (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

http://www.energynaturalresourceslaw.com/2013/04/ferc-refines-bulk-electric-system-definition-adopts-new-cybersecurity-standards-proving-value-of-the.html

Expanding Efforts to Attract Young Nuclear Energy Professionals (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/ansorg/216361/waste-management-conference-expands-efforts-attract-young-nuclear-professionals

Dumbest Guys in the Room: Does Wall Street Understand Utilities? (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2013/04/27/dumbest-guys-in-the-room-does-wall-street-understand-utilities/

Nevada Co-op Seeks to Involve Youth (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/newsmakers/local-initiatives/nevada-electric-coop-youth-ambassador-program/55346

FISH & WILDLIFE

Fish Managers Request End to Summer Salmon Transport from McNary; Cite System Improvements (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/426309.aspx

$27.4 Million Fish Collection Facility Opens in Effort to Restore Salmon/Steelhead above Detroit Dam (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/426310.aspx

Mine Project Threatens Bristol Bay Salmon Fishery: EPA Report (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2013/04/26/mine-project-threatens-bristol-bay-salmon-fishery-epa-report/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

City Of Olympia Has $5.7 Million Update of Water Meters in Works - Updated technology at Olympia homes will send readings remotely to city (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/04/29/2524747/57-million-update-of-water-meters.html#emlnl=Newsletter_-_Daily_News_Digest

California - Delta Tunnel Project to Radically Change Sacramento County Landscape (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/28/5377328/delta-tunnel-project-to-radically.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Longview Adopts New Zoning Rules for Residential Windmills (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/longview-adopts-new-zoning-rules-for-residential-windmills/article_bf60dd2c-aee3-11e2-9ea1-001a4bcf887a.html

Want a Solar Home? Consider Batteries (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2013/0427/Want-a-solar-home-Consider-batteries

Biomass Plants’ Environmental Benefits Up for Debate (Redding Record Searchlight, CA)

http://www.redding.com/news/2013/apr/27/biomass-plants-environmental-benefits-up-for/

Renewables Provide Half of Germany’s Power - For a Few Hours (Real Clear Energy)

http://www.realclearenergy.org/charticles/2013/04/26/renewables_provide_half_germanys_power_-_for_one_day_106986.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Conservation on Bainbridge Island Hits Goal Set by Puget Sound Energy (Bainbridge Island Review, WA)

http://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/204883531.html

Five Ways to Save on Electricity, Energy in Your Home (Hampton-N Hampton Patch)

http://hampton-northhampton.patch.com/articles/5-ways-to-save-on-electricity-energy-in-your-home

United Kingdom - Big Brother to Switch Off Your Fridge: Power Giants to Make Millions - But You Must Pay For ‘Sinister’ Technology (The Daily Mail, UK)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2315863/Big-brother-switch-fridge-Power-giants-make-millions--pay-sinister-technology.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Interior Alaska Spring Prep Sports Are on Hold Because of the Cold (Fairbanks News-Miner, AK)

http://www.newsminer.com/sports/high_school/interior-spring-prep-sports-are-on-hold-because-of-the/article_50eb4d1c-ad7d-11e2-8776-0019bb30f31a.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Students in Pasco Race Electric Carts (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/22098228/students-in-pasco-race-electric-carts

Obama Administration to Add 10,000 Hybrids for ‘Green’ Government Fleet (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2013/0426/Obama-administration-to-add-10-000-hybrids-for-green-government-fleet

Sacramento Plans Solar-Powered ‘Smart’ Parking Meters (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/29/5379130/sacramento-plans-solar-powered.html

From Coast to Coast with the Power of the Sun (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2013/04/28/179597476/from-coast-to-coast-with-the-power-of-the-sun?ft=1&f=10

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Gigabit Internet in Vermont is Cheaper than Google Fiber (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/5995487/gigabit-internet-in-vermont-is-cheaper-than-google-fiber

Tullahoma, Tennessee to Offer 1-Gigabit Internet Starting May 1 (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=216370&issueID=27005

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Washington State Legislature Passes Bill to Monitor Social Media in the Workplace (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Wash-Legislature-approves-social-media-rules-205017471.html

LivingSocial Hacked - More Than 50 Million Customer Names, Emails, Birthdates & Encrypted Passwords Accessed (All Things Digital)

http://allthingsd.com/20130426/livingsocial-hacked-more-than-50-million-customer-names-emails-birthdates-and-encrypted-passwords-accessed/

Starbucks Presses Social Media Onward (Seattle Times, WA)

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020862483_starbuckssocialxml.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Inslee Wants Legislature to Come Back May 13 (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Parties-far-apart-as-Legislature-adjourns--205165201.html

GENERAL NEWS

Mason County Can’t Afford To Pay for Belfair Sewer System (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/apr/28/mason-county-cant-afford-to-pay-for-belfair/

Cybertheft Heists $1 Million from Leavenworth Hospital (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/apr/26/cybertheft-heists-1-million-from-leavenworth/

Death at Home of DB Cooper Chute Packer Ruled a Homicide (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Sheriff-Woodinville-mans-death-ruled-a-homicide-205013021.html

Pink Slips for 132 Providence Workers in Washington State (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2013/04/29/pink-slips-for-132-providence-workers-in-washington-state/

Squaxin Island Tourism Director Appointed to Washington Tourism Alliance (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/55597-squaxin-island-tourism-director-appointed-to-washington-tourism-alliance

Report Finds Dirtier West Coast Trucks End Up In Oregon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/blog/ecotrope/report-finds-dirtier-west-coast-trucks-end-up-in-oregon/

DIVERSIONS

Mamma Mia! Bookie Offers Odds on ABBA Reunion

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/25/entertainment-us-abba-idUSBRE93O0WT20130425

Rare 1913 Nickel Fetches Over $3.1 Million at Auction

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/26/nickel-1913-liberty/2115307/

80-Year-Old Accidentally Swallows $5,000 Diamond

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/26/diamond-80-year-old-woman-swallows/2115411/

The Resurgence of Vinyl Records: Why Analog Lives On

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2013/0426/The-resurgence-of-vinyl-records-why-analog-lives-on

SONG OF THE DAY

Abba - Mamma Mia (This video of 1970’s AWSOME!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unfzfe8f9NI

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.