Energy News Digest for January 6, 2014

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for January 6, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/01/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_6.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Offshore ‘Click Farms’ Big Business for Those Trying to Make Money from Duping Social Media (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/01/offshore_click_farms_big_busin.html

East Sand Cormorant Colony Increasing; Estuary’s Single Most Significant Source of Smolt Mortality (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/429387.aspx

Apple Plans Solar Array at Central Oregon Data Center, Says Prineville Mayor (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/apple-plans-to-build-solar-array-at-its-central-oregon-data-center-says-prineville-mayor/

Michigan: Lansing Utility Chief under Fire after Storm Response – Went on New York Vacation (WZZM, Grand Rapids, MI)

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/277514/2/Lansing-utility-chief-under-fire-after-storm-response

Efforts to Improve the Efficiency of Natural Gas Furnaces Have Chilled (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/jan/05/efforts-to-improve-the-efficiency-of-natural-gas-f/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Michigan: Lansing Utility Chief under Fire after Storm Response – Went on New York Vacation
• Settlement Talks Planned in Montana Power Co-Op Bankruptcy
• Finding Hot Spots in Mason County - Infrared Inspection for Safety & Reliability
• Botched Tree Removal - Fallen Tree, Power Line Blocks Vancouver Street
• Judge: Environmental Groups’ Lawsuit over Eastern Washington Coal Trains Can Proceed
• FirstEnergy Utilities Offer Cold Weather Tips
• Ratings Firm: Electric Co-op Finances Solid
• Co-op Clutter Becomes Treasure
• Nepal Extends Power Cut to 12 Hours per Day as Dry Season Comes
• East Sand Cormorant Colony Increasing; Estuary’s Single Most Significant Source of Smolt Mortality
• No Snow is No Fun
• California: Sierra Snow Survey Points to Dry Year Ahead
• Colorado River Drought Forces a Painful Reckoning for States
• California: Outrage in Owens Valley a Century after Los Angeles Began Taking Its Water
• Americans’ View of Clean Energy Rebounds
• Study: Wind Energy Needs Controls to Minimize Risk of Instability on the Grid
• New National Renewable Energy Laboratory Tests Wind Turbines’ Performance
• Hawaiian Electric Considers Wood Pellets as Fuel
• Efforts to Improve the Efficiency of Natural Gas Furnaces Have Chilled
• Apple Plans Solar Array at Central Oregon Data Center, Says Prineville Mayor
• Worried About the Yahoo Malware Outbreak? If You’re in U-S, You’re Probably Safe
• Offshore ‘Click Farms’ Big Business for Those Trying to Make Money from Duping Social Media
• Australian Olympians Say They’ll Defy Sochi Social Media Ban
• Flu-Related Death Toll Doubles in Washington State
• Tahuya Man Arrested After Standoff
• Frigid Air Threatens Coldest U-S Weather in Two Decades
• ‘Polar Vortex’ Pushes Subzero Temps into Midwest
• Shades of Gray in Union’s OK of Boeing 777X Offer
• ‘The System is Broken’: Staffing Issues Plague Washington State Ferries
• DNR to Enhance Recreation Opportunities in Green Mountain & Tahuya State Forests

WORD OF THE DAY

Mimesis • \muh-MEE-siss\ • Noun - Imitation, mimicry.

Mark was justifiably proud of his art. The attention to detail, the use of bold and subtle hues, and feather soft brush strokes. All his skills and artistic powers fit flawlessly…to a point. He just could not restrain his tendency to produce mimesis reminiscent of those “follow you around the room eyes” in the style of Walter Keane. “It’s just creepy,” was the verdict of his 13-year-old daughter.

Here’s what I mean

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

Michigan: Lansing Utility Chief under Fire after Storm Response – Went on New York Vacation (WZZM, Grand Rapids, MI)

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/277514/2/Lansing-utility-chief-under-fire-after-storm-response

Settlement Talks Planned in Montana Power Co-Op Bankruptcy (Associated Press)

http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/settlement-talks-planned-in-power-co-op-bankruptcy/article_bb2f9282-1cfe-5541-8f46-d2887f5f56eb.html

Finding Hot Spots in Mason County - Infrared Inspection for Safety & Reliability (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=1318

Botched Tree Removal - Fallen Tree, Power Line Blocks Vancouver Street (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/jan/05/fallen-tree-power-line-blocks-vancouver-street/

Judge: Environmental Groups’ Lawsuit over Eastern Washington Coal Trains Can Proceed (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/jan/03/judge-environmental-groups-lawsuit-over-eastern-wa/

FirstEnergy Utilities Offer Cold Weather Tips (Yahoo! Finance)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/firstenergy-utilities-offer-cold-weather-210000316.html

Ratings Firm: Electric Co-op Finances Solid (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/business-finance/fitch-ratings-report-electric-cooperatives-finances/64650

Co-op Clutter Becomes Treasure (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/electric-cooperative-history-artifacts-on-display-in-oregon-and-minnesota/64684

Nepal Extends Power Cut to 12 Hours per Day as Dry Season Comes (China Daily)

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/xinhua/2014-01-05/content_10964101.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

East Sand Cormorant Colony Increasing; Estuary’s Single Most Significant Source of Smolt Mortality (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/429387.aspx

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

No Snow is No Fun (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2014/jan/04/no-snow-is-no-fun/

California: Sierra Snow Survey Points to Dry Year Ahead (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/01/03/6044593/sierra-snow-survey-points-to-dry.html

Colorado River Drought Forces a Painful Reckoning for States (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/us/colorado-river-drought-forces-a-painful-reckoning-for-states.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

California: Outrage in Owens Valley a Century after Los Angeles Began Taking Its Water (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/01/05/6046630/outrage-in-owens-valley.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Americans’ View of Clean Energy Rebounds (Houston Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2014/01/06/americans-view-of-clean-energy-rebounds.html

Study: Wind Energy Needs Controls to Minimize Risk of Instability on the Grid (The Energy Collective)

https://theenergycollective.com/cnunez/323441/wind-energy-needs-controls-minimize-risk-instability-grid-study-says

New National Renewable Energy Laboratory Tests Wind Turbines’ Performance (The Journal Advocate, Sterling, CO)
http://www.journal-advocate.com/sterling-local_news/ci_24842409/new-national-renewable-energy-labratory-tests-wind-turbines-performance

Hawaiian Electric Considers Wood Pellets as Fuel (Associated Press)

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/01/03/3850627/hawaiian-electric-considers-wood.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Efforts to Improve the Efficiency of Natural Gas Furnaces Have Chilled (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/jan/05/efforts-to-improve-the-efficiency-of-natural-gas-f/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Apple Plans Solar Array at Central Oregon Data Center, Says Prineville Mayor (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/apple-plans-to-build-solar-array-at-its-central-oregon-data-center-says-prineville-mayor/

Worried About the Yahoo Malware Outbreak? If You’re in U-S, You’re Probably Safe (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/01/05/worried-about-the-yahoo-malware-outbreak-if-youre-in-u-s-youre-probably-safe/?wprss=rss_business

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Offshore ‘Click Farms’ Big Business for Those Trying to Make Money from Duping Social Media (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/01/offshore_click_farms_big_busin.html

Australian Olympians Say They’ll Defy Sochi Social Media Ban (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/01/05/australian-olympians-social-media-ban-sochi/

GENERAL NEWS

Flu-Related Death Toll Doubles in Washington State (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Flu-related-deaths-double-in-Wash-State-238736331.html

Tahuya Man Arrested After Standoff (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/11916

Frigid Air Threatens Coldest U-S Weather in Two Decades (Bloomberg News)

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-01-05/polar-pig-threatens-u-dot-s-dot-with-coldest-weather-in-two-decades

‘Polar Vortex’ Pushes Subzero Temps into Midwest (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/us/article/Polar-vortex-pushes-subzero-temps-into-Midwest-5116789.php

Shades of Gray in Union’s OK of Boeing 777X Offer (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140105/BIZ/701059975

‘The System is Broken’: Staffing Issues Plague Washington State Ferries (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/The-system-is-broken-Commuters-upset-over-ferry-glitch-238741701.html

DNR to Enhance Recreation Opportunities in Green Mountain & Tahuya State Forests (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/local-news/101786

DIVERSIONS

Phil Everly & Brother Don Were Architects of Harmony

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2022596884_apxobitphileverlyremembrance.html

NFL Fines Lynch for Not Talking

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/jan/06/nfl-fines-lynch-for-not-talking/

The Interior of the Lego Simpsons Home Takes Its Awesome Level Up to 11

http://lego.gizmodo.com/the-interior-of-the-lego-simpsons-home-takes-its-awesom-1495484255/

Man’s Blood Alcohol Content Too High for Police to Measure

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/oddnews/man%E2%80%99s-blood-alcohol-content-too-high-for-police-to-measure-215215735.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Everly Brothers Country Music Hall of Fame Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk1TnSjNzLE

Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRyrWN-fftE

Don’t Speak - No Doubt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1jAoiDTRb4

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 January 3, 2014

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

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 January 3, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/01/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_3.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Heavy Snow, Dangerous Cold Bite Northeastern U-S (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/heavy-snow-dangerous-cold-snarl-travel-northeastern-u-032324616.html

TransAlta’s Downsizing Pinches Lewis County Revenue (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022586422_transaltarevenuexml.html?syndication=rss

Idaho Solar Developer Fights to Keep Project Alive (Associated Press)

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2014/01/02/3421308/idaho-solar-developer-fights-to.html

Op/Ed: Don't Dilute Oregon's Renewable Power Standards (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/01/dont_dilute_oregons_renewable.html

Washington State Residents May See Battling Gun Initiatives Before Legislature (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/01/washington_residents_likely_to.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• TransAlta’s Downsizing Pinches Lewis County Revenue
• FERC Urged to Clarify Order on Cybersecurity Standards
• San Francisco Botches Energy Co-Op Rollout
• New England: Grid Operator Decides Brayton Point Plant Should Stay Open for Electricity Reliability
• Yakima Basin Storage Alliance Funding $100K Water Study
• Idaho Solar Developer Fights to Keep Project Alive
• Op/Ed: Don't Dilute Oregon's Renewable Power Standards
• 'Bird-Friendly' Turbines on Altamont Pass Sought by Researchers, Energy Companies
• For The Birds (And the Bats): Eight Ways Wind Power Companies Are Trying to Prevent Deadly Collisions
• ALEC’s Attack on Renewables Arrives in Colorado
• Montana: NorthWestern Energy Seeking to Fund Conservation Projects
• Bulbageddon Is Upon Us
• Editorial: California Needs to Find Smart Way to Recycle Dim Bulbs
• Buzzword Bingo - Can a Better Taxonomy Help Behavioral Energy Efficiency?
• EPA Proposal Could Shift War on Renewable Fuels
• Four Reasons Why Environmentalists Are Wrong About Energy
• Is Industrial Hemp the Ultimate Energy Crop?
• Yes, American Broadband Sucks: Here's the Real Reason Why
• Commotion Comes Out of Beta, Vying to Create a Broadband Commons
• Football Playoffs, Super Bowl XLVIII to Be Streamed Online for (Mostly) Free
• Barbed Wire Fences Were an Early DIY Telephone Network
• Privacy Experts Warn About Dangers of Image Theft via Online Photo Scraping
• Tip: Burglars Use Social Media to Target Homes
• Three Social Media Trends You Should Know About
• Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
• Washington State Residents May See Battling Gun Initiatives Before Legislature
• Feisty Liberal Washington State Senator Adam Kline Won’t Seek Re-Election
• Heavy Snow, Dangerous Cold Bite Northeastern U-S
• Washington Ski Resorts Forced to Move Snow Around
• U-S Plywood Industry's Plea for Help Rejected - Firms Complain of Chinese 'Dumping' on Domestic Market
• New Mason County Economic Development Council Director Announced
• First Baby at Mason General Hospital in 2014

WORD OF THE DAY

Taxonomy • \tack-SAWN-uh-mee\ • Noun - The process or system of describing the way in which different living things are related by putting them in groups.

Brad’s kitchen junk drawer was a perfect example of how to obsessively apply taxonomic principles never seen before, or since. Even his misshapen lint was organized by various methods: pocket lint and other variants; the apparent substance that made up the lint balls; even the color of the multitudinous materials that went into the lint was taken into account.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

TransAlta’s Downsizing Pinches Lewis County Revenue (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022586422_transaltarevenuexml.html?syndication=rss

FERC Urged to Clarify Order on Cybersecurity Standards (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=247758&issueID=34764

San Francisco Botches Energy Co-Op Rollout (Public CEO)

http://www.publicceo.com/2014/01/san-francisco-botches-energy-co-op-rollout/

New England: Grid Operator Decides Brayton Point Plant Should Stay Open for Electricity Reliability (Boston Business Journal, MA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass_roundup/2014/01/iso-rejects-brayton-closure-request.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Yakima Basin Storage Alliance Funding $100K Water Study (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/1803417-8/storage-alliance-funding-100k-water-study

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Idaho Solar Developer Fights to Keep Project Alive (Associated Press)

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2014/01/02/3421308/idaho-solar-developer-fights-to.html

Op/Ed: Don't Dilute Oregon's Renewable Power Standards (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/01/dont_dilute_oregons_renewable.html

'Bird-Friendly' Turbines on Altamont Pass Sought by Researchers, Energy Companies (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_24826841

For The Birds (And the Bats): Eight Ways Wind Power Companies Are Trying to Prevent Deadly Collisions (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/article/for-the-birds-and-the-bats-8-ways-wind-power-companies-are-trying-to-prevent-deadly-collisions/

ALEC’s Attack on Renewables Arrives in Colorado (Boulder Weekly, CO)

http://www.boulderweekly.com/article-12131-alecrss-attack-on-re.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Montana: NorthWestern Energy Seeking to Fund Conservation Projects (KBZK-TV, Bozeman, MT)

http://www.kbzk.com/news/northwestern-energy-seeking-to-fund-conservation-projects/

Bulbageddon Is Upon Us - The new year is bringing new efficiency standards that will spell the end for the common incandescent light bulb (C/NET News)

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-17889_7-57616368/bulbageddon-is-upon-us/

Editorial: California Needs to Find Smart Way to Recycle Dim Bulbs (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/01/03/6042758/editorial-california-needs-to.html

Buzzword Bingo - Can a Better Taxonomy Help Behavioral Energy Efficiency? (The Energy Collective: Can energy efficiency programs be improved by better organization and focus?)

http://theenergycollective.com/katherinetweed/322881/can-better-taxonomy-help-behavioral-energy-efficiency

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

EPA Proposal Could Shift War on Renewable Fuels (Politico)

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/environmental-protection-agency-renewable-fuels-gasoline-100687.html

Four Reasons Why Environmentalists Are Wrong About Energy (MarketWatch)

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/4-reasons-why-environmentalists-are-wrong-about-energy-2014-01-03

Is Industrial Hemp the Ultimate Energy Crop? (The Conversation)

http://theconversation.com/is-industrial-hemp-the-ultimate-energy-crop-20707

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Yes, American Broadband Sucks: Here's the Real Reason Why (Computerworld)

http://blogs.computerworld.com/internet/23334/american-broadband-sucks-itbwcw

Commotion Comes Out of Beta, Vying to Create a Broadband Commons (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2014/01/02/commotion-comes-out-of-beta-vying-to-create-a-broadband-commons/

Football Playoffs, Super Bowl XLVIII to Be Streamed Online for (Mostly) Free (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2014/01/03/football-playoffs-superbowl-xlviii-to-be-streamed-online-for-mostly-free/

Barbed Wire Fences Were an Early DIY Telephone Network (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/barbed-wire-fences-were-an-early-diy-telephone-network-1493157700

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Privacy Experts Warn About Dangers of Image Theft via Online Photo Scraping (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Privacy+experts+warn+about+dangers+image+theft+online+photo/9339412/story.html

Tip: Burglars Use Social Media to Target Homes (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2014/01/03/social-media-identity-theft-home-videos/4248601/

Three Social Media Trends You Should Know About (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/01/01/social-media-trends/

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/01/03/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-223/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Residents May See Battling Gun Initiatives Before Legislature (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/01/washington_residents_likely_to.html

Feisty Liberal Washington State Senator Adam Kline Won’t Seek Re-Election (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2014/01/02/feisty-liberal-sen-adam-kine-wont-seek-reelection/

GENERAL NEWS

Heavy Snow, Dangerous Cold Bite Northeastern U-S (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/heavy-snow-dangerous-cold-snarl-travel-northeastern-u-032324616.html

Washington Ski Resorts Forced to Move Snow Around (Associated Press)

http://mynorthwest.com/174/2425015/Washington-ski-resorts-forced-to-move-snow-around

U-S Plywood Industry's Plea for Help Rejected - Firms Complain of Chinese 'Dumping' on Domestic Market (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/01/02/plywood-industry-plea-for-help-rejected/4288667/

New Mason County Economic Development Council Director Announced (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/9968-new-mason-county-edc-director-announced

First Baby at Mason General Hospital in 2014 (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/11897

DIVERSIONS

North Carolina Politician Writes Resignation Letter in Klingon

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/NC-politician-writes-resignation-letter-in-Klingon-5110825.php

Pick the Winner: Doritos Super Bowl Ad Competition

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/03/finalists-doritos-super-bowl-ad-competition/4303895/

Cricket Holy War on as Anglicans Accept Vatican Challenge

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/20/us-cricket-vatican-idUSBRE9BJ16820131220

Obamas' Christmas Gift for Godmother Delivered to Wrong Family

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/02/us-usa-obamas-gift-idUSBREA010XE20140102

SONG OF THE DAY

Hector Berlioz - Dies Irae

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iw6bCO-nzM

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 January 2, 2013

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

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 January 2, 2013

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/01/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Olympic Mountain Snowpack Running Low at Just 24 Percent of Normal Levels (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140102/news/301029991/olympic-snowpack-running-low-at-just-24-percent-of-normal-levels

Oregon: Dry Run - Eugene-Springfield Has Driest Year on Record (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/rg/news/local/30937191-75/record-snow-winter-inches-eugene.html.csp

Court Zaps Idaho Falls' Plan to Build Power Lines Using Eminent Domain (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/12/31/64180.htm

Editorial: Wind Energy Tax Credit Has Blown Its Course; Let Expiration Stand (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/jan/02/editorial-wind-energy-tax-credit-has-blown-its/

Cold Facts: More Record Lows than Highs in USA in 2013 (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/12/31/record-cold-temperatures/4264237/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Court Zaps Idaho Falls' Plan to Build Power Lines Using Eminent Domain
• Tri-Cities Group Studies Small Nuclear Reactor
• Orcas Power & Light Turns Dial Up on Energy
• Pacific Gas & Electric Projects 2.8 Percent Increase in Residential Gas/Electric Bills
• Pacific Gas & Electric - Electric, Gas Rates to Change at Start of 2014
• Fierce Winter Storm Bearing Down on Northeast U-S
• Is New England Baking the Books on Oil-Fired Carbon Emissions?
• Massachusetts Makes Smart Grid Mandatory
• Moody's & Fitch Agree: 2014 Credit Outlook for Public Power is Stable
• A Huge Fall Chinook Run Saves Season for Columbia River Tribal Fishers
• Olympic Mountain Snowpack Running Low at Just 24 Percent of Normal Levels
• Oregon: Dry Run - Eugene-Springfield Has Driest Year on Record
• Mt. Hood Snowpack Levels Way Below Normal
• California: Folsom Lake’s Decline Exposes Gold Rush History
• Editorial: Wind Energy Tax Credit Has Blown Its Course; Let Expiration Stand
• Texas: Wind Power Advocates Stay Calm as Tax Credit Dies Down
• U-S Solar Panel Maker Seeks to Close Loophole in Duties on Chinese Products
• Connecticut: Man Says Groton Wind Turbine Project Turned His Dream House into Nightmare
• New York: Wind Turbines Get Turn to Power Hudson Valley Homes
• The End of the Bulb as We Know It? Not Quite
• New Oregon Rule Aims to Make TVs More Efficient
• Report: Smart Thermostat Maker Nest Now Worth $2 Billion
• Cold Facts: More Record Lows than Highs in USA in 2013
• Compared to the Two Previous Years, 2013 Was a Paper Tiger
• Helicopter Rescues All 52 Passengers from Stranded Ship in Antarctica
• World's Climate Warming Faster Than Feared, Scientists Say
• Ford Creates Plug-In Car That Runs on Sunlight
• Will Electric Cars Help or Hinder Climate Action?
• Why S.F. Broadband Is Slower, Costlier Than Everywhere Else
• A Snapchat Security Breach Affects 4.6 Million Users. Did Snapchat Drag Its Feet on a Fix?
• Hacker Group Takes over Microsoft Skype Social Media Accounts
• What Are the Social Media Expectations for 2014?
• Marijuana Legalization: Long Lines on First Day of Colorado Legal Pot Sales
• Pot Opponents Predict 'Hogwild' Colorado Trainwreck
• Mason County Adopts 2014 Budget
• Target Faces New Problem with Gift Cards
• First-Time Shelton Mom Has Thurston County's First Baby of New Year
• Seattle Fifth-Graders Try to Solve Bertha’s Big Mystery

WORD OF THE DAY

Pococurante • \POE-koe-kyoo-rant-tee\ • Adjective - Indifferent, nonchalant

Another new year? Brad’s pococurante attitude towards the linear passage of time was in direct contract to the interest he had in the New Year’s college bowl games, which he used to mark the passage of time. It was a passage littered with “Cheetos” and the crumbs of deep fried pork rinds.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Shelton-Area Weather Forecast for January 2, 2014

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Court Zaps Idaho Falls' Plan to Build Power Lines Using Eminent Domain (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/12/31/64180.htm

Tri-Cities Group Studies Small Nuclear Reactor (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Tri-Cities-group-studies-small-nuclear-reactor-238367211.html

Orcas Power & Light Turns Dial Up on Energy (Islands’ Weekly, Lopez Island, WA)

http://www.islandsweekly.com/news/238269551.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Projects 2.8 Percent Increase in Residential Gas/Electric Bills (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/31/6038695/pge-projects-28-percent-increase.html

Pacific Gas & Electric - Electric, Gas Rates to Change at Start of 2014 (PGE Currents)

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/12/31/pg-increase-will-pay-for-clean-energy-safety-and-reliability/

Fierce Winter Storm Bearing Down on Northeast U-S (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/fierce-winter-storm-bearing-down-northeast-us-131628675.html

Is New England Baking the Books on Oil-Fired Carbon Emissions? (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2014/01/01/in-new-england-baking-the-books-on-oil-fired-carbon-emissions/

Massachusetts Makes Smart Grid Mandatory (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/jeffstjohn/322761/massachusetts-makes-smart-grid-mandatory

Moody's & Fitch Agree: 2014 Credit Outlook for Public Power is Stable (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=246808&issueID=34763

FISH & WILDLIFE

A Huge Fall Chinook Run Saves Season for Columbia River Tribal Fishers (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/multimedia/index.ssf/2013/12/a_huge_fall_chinook_run_saves.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Olympic Mountain Snowpack Running Low at Just 24 Percent of Normal Levels (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140102/news/301029991/olympic-snowpack-running-low-at-just-24-percent-of-normal-levels

Oregon: Dry Run - Eugene-Springfield Has Driest Year on Record (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://www.registerguard.com/rg/news/local/30937191-75/record-snow-winter-inches-eugene.html.csp

Mt. Hood Snowpack Levels Way Below Normal (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Mt-Hood-snowpack-levels-way-below-normal-238303201.html

California: Folsom Lake’s Decline Exposes Gold Rush History (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/31/6038870/folsom-lakes-decline-exposes-gold.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Editorial: Wind Energy Tax Credit Has Blown Its Course; Let Expiration Stand (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/jan/02/editorial-wind-energy-tax-credit-has-blown-its/

Texas: Wind Power Advocates Stay Calm as Tax Credit Dies Down (San Antonio Express-News, TX)

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/eagle-ford-energy/article/Wind-power-advocates-stay-calm-as-tax-credit-dies-5105623.php

U-S Solar Panel Maker Seeks to Close Loophole in Duties on Chinese Products (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/01/business/energy-environment/us-solar-panel-maker-seeks-to-close-loophole-in-duties-on-chinese-products.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Connecticut: Man Says Groton Wind Turbine Project Turned His Dream House into Nightmare (New Hampshire Union-Leader)

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20140102/NEWS05/140109932

New York: Wind Turbines Get Turn to Power Hudson Valley Homes (Journal News, White Plains, NY)

http://www.lohud.com/article/20140101/NEWS04/301010049/Wind-turbines-get-turn-power-Hudson-Valley-homes

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

The End of the Bulb as We Know It? Not Quite (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/end-bulb-we-know-it-not-quite

New Oregon Rule Aims to Make TVs More Efficient (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/new-oregon-rule-aims-to-make-tvs-more-efficient/

Report: Smart Thermostat Maker Nest Now Worth $2 Billion (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/01/02/nest-2-billion/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Cold Facts: More Record Lows than Highs in USA in 2013 (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/12/31/record-cold-temperatures/4264237/

Compared to the Two Previous Years, 2013 Was a Paper Tiger (The Weather Channel)

http://www.weather.com/news/science/environment/compared-2-previous-years-2013-was-paper-tiger-20140101

Helicopter Rescues All 52 Passengers from Stranded Ship in Antarctica (NBC News)

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/02/22140649-helicopter-rescues-all-52-passengers-from-stranded-ship-in-antarctica

World's Climate Warming Faster Than Feared, Scientists Say (The Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/10546128/Worlds-climate-warming-faster-than-feared-scientists-say.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Ford Creates Plug-In Car That Runs on Sunlight (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/01/02/ford-solar-cmax/4285449/

Will Electric Cars Help or Hinder Climate Action? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/lindsay-wilson/322816/will-electric-cars-help-or-hinder-climate-action

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Why S.F. Broadband Is Slower, Costlier Than Everywhere Else (San Francisco Weekly, CA)

http://www.sfweekly.com/2014-01-01/news/broadband-comcast-internet-access-public-utilities/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

A Snapchat Security Breach Affects 4.6 Million Users. Did Snapchat Drag Its Feet on a Fix? (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/01/01/a-snapchat-security-breach-affects-4-6-million-users-did-snapchat-drag-its-feet-on-a-fix/?wprss=rss_business

Hacker Group Takes over Microsoft Skype Social Media Accounts (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2014/01/02/hacker-group-takes-over.html

What Are the Social Media Expectations for 2014? (Louisville Business First, KY)

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/socialmadness/2014/01/what-are-the-social-media-expectations.html

GENERAL NEWS

Marijuana Legalization: Long Lines on First Day of Colorado Legal Pot Sales (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2014/0102/Marijuana-legalization-Long-lines-on-first-day-of-Colorado-legal-pot-sales

Pot Opponents Predict 'Hogwild' Colorado Trainwreck (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/12/31/marijuana-opponents-predict-hogwild-colorado-trainwreck

Mason County Adopts 2014 Budget (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/11880

Target Faces New Problem with Gift Cards (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2014/01/02/target-faces-new-and-different.html

First-Time Shelton Mom Has Thurston County's First Baby of New Year (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/01/01/2911236/first-time-mom-from-shelton-has.html

Seattle Fifth-Graders Try to Solve Bertha’s Big Mystery (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022578298_berthaessaysxml.html?syndication=rss

DIVERSIONS

China Wal-Mart Surprise: How Did Fox Meat Get into Donkey Products?

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2014/0102/China-Wal-Mart-surprise-How-did-fox-meat-get-into-donkey-products

The Science of Chocolate

http://gizmodo.com/the-science-of-chocolate-1493026167

Why Does Pine-Sol No Longer Smell Like Pine?

http://consumerist.com/2014/01/02/why-does-pine-sol-no-longer-smell-like-pine/

Brewery Responds to Starbucks’ Cease & Desist Letter with $6 Check

http://news.yahoo.com/brewery-responds-starbucks-letter-6-check-222821063--finance.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Ray Charles - Georgia on My Mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZceOIAh1i0

Willie Nelson - Georgia on My Mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfDVv1ASJ3M

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.