Energy News Digest for February 20, 2014

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 20, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/02/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_20.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

‘Incredible’ Fall Chinook Run Forecast for Columbia River (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/feb/20/outdoors-incredible-Columbia-fall-chinook-run/

Google Fiber Takes a Fresh Look at Portland & Eight Other Metro Areas (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2014/02/google_fiber_gigabit_portland.html

U-S Energy Department Expected to OK Nuclear Power Plant Loan (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/feb/19/energy-department-expected-to-ok-deal/

California Drought: Farmers Cut Back Sharply, Affecting Jobs & Food Supply (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2014/0219/California-drought-Farmers-cut-back-sharply-affecting-jobs-and-food-supply-video

Washington State Cuts Size, Number of Legal Pot Grows (Associated Press)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Report-Wash-may-get-millions-from--246235301.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• U-S Energy Department Expected to OK Nuclear Power Plant Loan
• Power restored to most of Burien & White Center
• Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Faces New Obstacle in Nebraska after Judge Rules For Landowners
• South Carolina: Electric Co-Op Linemen Recognized after Brush with Death
• Stray Voltage Is Electrifying Doorknobs in New York City Today
• ‘Incredible’ Fall Chinook Run Forecast for Columbia River
• California Drought: Farmers Cut Back Sharply, Affecting Jobs & Food Supply
• Op/Ed: Front Porch - In the Dark on Light Bulb Phase-Out
• At Newark Airport, the Lights Are On, and They’re Watching You
• Bainbridge Island architects design Habitat for Humanity’s second Passive House on West Coast
• Google Fiber Takes a Fresh Look at Portland & Eight Other Metro Areas
• The Future of Google Fiber: Why the Search Giant is Betting on Broadband
• Map Showing Prospective Google Fiber Cities
• Smoky Waters Offers to Work with Wahkiakum PUD for High Speed Internet
• Oregon’s Bend Broadband Boosts Caps, Raises Prices
• America’s Ten-Year Experiment in Broadband Investment Has Failed
• Facebook Buys WhatsApp for $19 Billion
• Welcome to the Club - Hawaiian Electric Finally Connects with Social Media
• Washington State Cuts Size, Number of Legal Pot Grows
• Report: Pot Sales Expected to Bring $190 Million to Washington State Coffers
• Stormy Winter Weather to Continue Thursday
• City of Shelton Meeting Covers Shelton Hills Project
• Grays Harbor Paper Mill Reduced to a Big Tag Sale

WORD OF THE DAY

Crepitate • \KREP-uh-tayt\ • Verb - To make a crackling sound: to make a series of short, sharp noises

Yummy “Rice Crispies”

Crepitating breakfast meal

Hear snap, crackle, pop!

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

U-S Energy Department Expected to OK Nuclear Power Plant Loan (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/feb/19/energy-department-expected-to-ok-deal/

Power restored to most of Burien & White Center (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2014/02/nearly-8000-customers-without-power-in-the-burien-white-center-area/?syndication=rss

Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Faces New Obstacle in Nebraska after Judge Rules For Landowners (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2014/02/20/keystone-pipeline-faces-new-obstacle-in-nebraska?s_cid=rss:keystone-pipeline-faces-new-obstacle-in-nebraska

South Carolina: Electric Co-Op Linemen Recognized after Brush with Death (WIS-TV, Columbia, SC)
http://www.wistv.com/story/24764880/electric-co-op-lineman-recognized-after-brush-with-death

Stray Voltage Is Electrifying Doorknobs in New York City Today (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/stray-voltage-is-electrifying-doorknobs-in-nyc-today-1526247074

FISH & WILDLIFE

‘Incredible’ Fall Chinook Run Forecast for Columbia River (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/feb/20/outdoors-incredible-Columbia-fall-chinook-run/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

California Drought: Farmers Cut Back Sharply, Affecting Jobs & Food Supply (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2014/0219/California-drought-Farmers-cut-back-sharply-affecting-jobs-and-food-supply-video

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Op/Ed: Front Porch - In the Dark on Light Bulb Phase-Out (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/feb/20/front-porch-in-the-dark-on-light-bulb-phase-out/

At Newark Airport, the Lights Are On, and They’re Watching You (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/18/business/at-newark-airport-the-lights-are-on-and-theyre-watching-you.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Bainbridge Island architects design Habitat for Humanity’s second Passive House on West Coast (Kitsap Business Journal, WA)

http://kpbj.com/business_daily/2014-02-20/bainbridge_island_architects_design_habitat_for_humanitys_second_passive_h

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Fiber Takes a Fresh Look at Portland & Eight Other Metro Areas (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2014/02/google_fiber_gigabit_portland.html

The Future of Google Fiber: Why the Search Giant is Betting on Broadband (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2014/02/19/google-fiber-expansion/

Map Showing Prospective Google Fiber Cities (Google)

https://fiber.google.com/newcities/

Smoky Waters Offers to Work with Wahkiakum PUD for High Speed Internet (Wahkiakum Eagle Skamokawa, WA)

http://www.waheagle.com/news/article.exm/2014-02-19_smoky_waters_offers_to_work_with_pud_for_high_speed_internet

Oregon’s Bend Broadband Boosts Caps, Raises Prices (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Bend-Broadband-Boosts-Caps-Raises-Prices-127841

America’s Ten-Year Experiment in Broadband Investment Has Failed (Bloomberg News)

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-20/americas-10-year-experiment-in-broadband-investment-has-failed

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Buys WhatsApp for $19 Billion (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2014/02/19/facebook-buys-whatsapp-for-19-billion.html

Welcome to the Club - Hawaiian Electric Finally Connects with Social Media (Pacific Business News, HI)

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/2014/02/hawaiian-electric-finally-connects.html

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Cuts Size, Number of Legal Pot Grows (Associated Press)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Report-Wash-may-get-millions-from--246235301.html

Report: Pot Sales Expected to Bring $190 Million to Washington State Coffers (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Report-Pot-sales-expected-to-bring-190-million-in-tax-revenue-246203611.html

Stormy Winter Weather to Continue Thursday (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/02/20/3057473/stormy-winter-weather-to-continue.html

City of Shelton Meeting Covers Shelton Hills Project (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/11947-city-meeting-covers-shelton-hills-project

Grays Harbor Paper Mill Reduced to a Big Tag Sale (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/paper-mill-reduced-big-tag-sale

DIVERSIONS

U-S Lottery Winner Scoops $425 Million Jackpot; Sixth Biggest Ever

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-usa-lottery-idUSBREA1J08L20140220

Clear Your Calendars: Viking Apocalypse Scheduled for Saturday

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/clear-your-calendars--viking-apocalypse-scheduled-for-saturday-171032391.html

Cleaning Woman in Italy Throws Out Artworks

http://news.yahoo.com/cleaning-woman-italy-throws-artworks-204817818.html

Finns give reindeer fluorescent antler makeovers

http://news.yahoo.com/finns-reindeer-fluorescent-antler-makeovers-134728022.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Richard Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRU1AJsXN1g

In Norse mythology, a Valkyrie is one of a host of female figures who decide which soldiers die in battle and which live. Selecting among half of those who die in battle, the Valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals, where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied by ravens, and sometimes connected to swans or horses.

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 February 19, 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 February 19, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/02/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_19.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

String of Storms Hits State; Snowpack Builds to 80% of Normal - Progress Expected To Continue Into the Early Part of Spring (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/feb/18/string-of-storms-hits-state-snowpack-builds-to-80/

Changes Are Coming to Northwest Natural Resource Policy (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/changes-are-coming-northwest-natural-resource-policy

Editorial: Do Not Compromise the Energy Independence Act (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/02/19/2992489/do-not-compromise-the-energy-independence.html

Columnist: Peter Johnson He Pulled the Plug on Nuclear Excess (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2014/02/18/peter-johnson-he-pulled-the-plug-on-nuclear-excess/

FCC to Try Again on ‘Net Neutrality’ (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/business/fcc-to-propose-new-rules-on-open-internet.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Columnist: Peter Johnson He Pulled the Plug on Nuclear Excess
• U-S Army Corps of Engineers Plans Narrower Review of Washington Coal-Export Plan
• Grays Harbor PUD Outage Totals Down in 2013
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District Names Director of Customer Service
• String of Storms Hits State; Snowpack Builds to 80% of Normal - Progress Expected To Continue Into the Early Part of Spring
• Recent Storms Bring Snowpack above Drought Levels - For Now
• Water-Saving Apps Turn Conservation into a Money-Saving Game
• Editorial: Do Not Compromise the Energy Independence Act
• U.K. Wind Expansion Scrapped on Concern Birds May Be Harmed
• Farmers’ Electric Cooperative: The #1 Solar Utility Is in…Iowa?
• In Praise of the Humble Smart Plug: Are Outlets the Gateway for the Internet of Things?
• Clean Energy Offers Boost for Remote Island Nations
• FCC to Try Again on ‘Net Neutrality’
• Here’s the FCC’s New Plan to Bring Back Net Neutrality
• CFO: Google Fiber Network Boosted Kansas City’s Bond Rating
• Microsoft’s Rebranded OneDrive Cloud Storage is Now Here
• Wireless System Could Offer a Private Fast Lane for Video
• Google to Glass Users: Don’t Be a ‘Glasshole’
• Chevron Says Sorry for Fracking Fire the Only Way It Knows How: With Pizza Coupon
• Changes Are Coming to Northwest Natural Resource Policy
• First Cannabis Lease Approved At Port of Shelton
• Belfair Shoplifter Dies after Deputy & Security Guard Perform CPR
• Lake Cushman Robbery Suspect Caught
• Benton County Firefighter: “I Died & Those Guys Were Able to Save Me”
• Watch for Companies to Claim ‘Jack Frost Ate Our Profits’

WORD OF THE DAY

Aseptic • \ā-ˈSEP-tick\ • Adjective - 1a:  preventing infection b:  free or freed from pathogenic microorganisms 2: lacking vitality, emotion, or warmth.

The harsh, green fluorescent light in the aseptic waiting room hammered the eyes of the downcast patients like so many small, blunt instruments. Occasionally, one of the ancient light tubes would hum and flicker, adding a hideously counterpoint to the easy listening music piped into the soul-crushing room. The Percy Faith Orchestra never sounded more depressing.

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

Columnist: Peter Johnson He Pulled the Plug on Nuclear Excess (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2014/02/18/peter-johnson-he-pulled-the-plug-on-nuclear-excess/

U-S Army Corps of Engineers Plans Narrower Review of Washington Coal-Export Plan (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/feb/18/corps-narrower-review-washington-coal-export-plan/

Grays Harbor PUD Outage Totals Down in 2013 (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kxro.wordpress.com/2014/02/19/pud-outage-totals-down-in-2013/

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Names Director of Customer Service (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2014/02/19/smud-names-director-of-customer-service.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

String of Storms Hits State; Snowpack Builds to 80% of Normal - Progress Expected To Continue Into the Early Part of Spring (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/feb/18/string-of-storms-hits-state-snowpack-builds-to-80/

Recent Storms Bring Snowpack above Drought Levels - For Now (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/1940135-8/recent-storms-bring-snowpack-above-drought-levels-

Water-Saving Apps Turn Conservation into a Money-Saving Game (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_25143169/water-saving-apps-turn-conservation-into-money-saving

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Editorial: Do Not Compromise the Energy Independence Act (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/02/19/2992489/do-not-compromise-the-energy-independence.html

U.K. Wind Expansion Scrapped on Concern Birds May Be Harmed (Bloomberg News)

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-02-19/u-dot-k-dot-wind-expansion-scrapped-on-concern-birds-may-be-affected

Farmers’ Electric Cooperative: The #1 Solar Utility Is in…Iowa? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2014/02/the-1-solar-utility-is-iniowa?cmpid=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

In Praise of the Humble Smart Plug: Are Outlets the Gateway for the Internet of Things? (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2014/02/18/in-praise-of-the-humble-smart-plug-are-outlets-the-gateway-for-the-internet-of-things/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Clean Energy Offers Boost for Remote Island Nations (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2014/0219/Clean-energy-offers-boost-for-remote-island-nations

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC to Try Again on ‘Net Neutrality’ (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/business/fcc-to-propose-new-rules-on-open-internet.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Here’s the FCC’s New Plan to Bring Back Net Neutrality (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/02/19/heres-the-fccs-new-plan-to-bring-back-network-neutrality/?wprss=rss_technology

CFO: Google Fiber Network Boosted Kansas City’s Bond Rating (Telecompetitor)

http://www.telecompetitor.com/cfo-google-fiber-network-boosted-kansas-citys-bond-rating/

Microsoft’s Rebranded OneDrive Cloud Storage is Now Here (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/microsofts-rebranded-onedrive-cloud-storage-is-now-her-1525760947

Wireless System Could Offer a Private Fast Lane for Video (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/technology/wireless-system-could-offer-a-private-fast-lane.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Google to Glass Users: Don’t Be a ‘Glasshole’ (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/techchron/2014/02/19/google-to-glass-users-dont-be-a-glasshole/

Chevron Says Sorry for Fracking Fire the Only Way It Knows How: With Pizza Coupon (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/02/18/chevron-says-sorry-for-fracking-fire-the-only-way-it-knows-how-with-pizza-coupon/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Changes Are Coming to Northwest Natural Resource Policy (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/changes-are-coming-northwest-natural-resource-policy

GENERAL NEWS

First Cannabis Lease Approved At Port of Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/11898-first-cannabis-lease-approved-at-port

Belfair Shoplifter Dies after Deputy & Security Guard Perform CPR (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/12279

Lake Cushman Robbery Suspect Caught (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/11939-robbery-suspect-caught

Benton County Firefighter: “I Died & Those Guys Were Able to Save Me” (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Fire-Shocked-by-power-line-I-died-and-those-guys-were-able-to-save-me-246079281.html

Watch for Companies to Claim ‘Jack Frost Ate Our Profits’ (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/us-usa-weather-corporate-warnings-idUSBREA1I09120140219

DIVERSIONS

Richard Sherman Surprises Little Seahawks Supporters on Queen Latifah Show

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2461210

Cats May See Things That Are Invisible To Us

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/19/newser-cats-dogs-vision/5607195/

McDonald’s Worker Fired after Paying for Food Donation

http://wivb.com/2014/02/18/mcdonalds-worker-fired-after-paying-for-food-donation/

Devo’s Bob Casale Dead of Heart Failure

http://q13fox.com/2014/02/18/devos-bob-casale-dead-of-heart-failure/#axzz2tmi9l4Zr

SONG OF THE DAY

Devo – Satisfaction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jadvt7CbH1o

Devo - Whip It

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIEVqFB4WUo

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 February 18, 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 February 18, 2014

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/02/energy-news-digest-word-cloud-for_18.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Lawsuits Could Lead to Changes at Northwest Fish Hatcheries (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Lawsuits-could-lead-to-changes-at-Wash-fish-hatcheries-245996161.html

Lake Cushman Update: Electricity Restored after Repairs Made to Underground Power Lines (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1346

Seattle Mayor Prefers Publicly-Funded Internet Utility, Wants to ‘Evaluate Relationship with Comcast’ (GeekWire)

http://www.geekwire.com/2014/mayor-ed-murray-public-broadband/

As Decision Looms on SolarWorld Trade Case, Not All Solar Companies Welcome China Fight (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/02/as_decision_looms_on_solarworl.html

Renters Need to be Part of Energy-Saving Conversation (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/02/16/2987788/renters-need-to-be-part-of-energy.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Lake Cushman Update: Electricity Restored after Repairs Made to Underground Power Lines
• Portland General Electric Asks for New 4.6 Percent Rate Increase, Announces Earnings
• Grant PUD Enhances Public Access
• You May Recognize these names - 2014 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study
• Duke Energy to Sell Ohio Power Plants
• Police: One Man Electrocuted, Four Charged in Warehouse Break-In
• Congress Passes Bill to Extend Cuts to Credit Payments to Issuers of Build America Bonds, New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds
• Australian Aluminum Outgunned by Cheap, Coal-Free Rivals
• Lawsuits Could Lead to Changes at Northwest Fish Hatcheries
• Study Examines Recycling of Cowlitz Summer Steelhead
• Colville Tribe Names New Fish, Wildlife Director
• As Decision Looms on SolarWorld Trade Case, Not All Solar Companies Welcome China Fight
• Seattle Company Pursues Wind Energy in Ocean
• FERC Grants New Permit for 240-MW Alaska Tidal Energy Project
• Google to Become 100 Percent Reliant on Renewable Energy, Exec Says
• Renters Need to be Part of Energy-Saving Conversation
• Orcas Power & Light Invests in Energy Savings to Keep Member Costs Down
• California: Elk Grove Explores LED Future for Street Lamps
• One in Five Electrical Appliances ‘Has Misleading Energy Efficiency Claims’
• Ninth Circuit Denies Rehearing in Greenhouse Gas Case - Continues to Struggle with Standing in Climate Litigation
• Debate over Deviant Weather Patterns Centers on Climate Change
• Billionaire Environmentalist Plows Ahead with Global Warming Campaign
• Three Corporations Using 100% Renewable Energy
• U-S Green Building Council Releases the Top 10 States in Nation for LEED Green Building
• Seattle Mayor Prefers Publicly-Funded Internet Utility, Wants to ‘Evaluate Relationship with Comcast’
• Utah Cities Score Broadband Deal That Rivals Kansas City & Google
• Charter Upgrades to Faster, Better, Digital Services for Tri-City Area
• PayPal President to Employees: Use Our New Service — Or Else
• Kickstarter Data Breach: ‘We’re Incredibly Sorry’
• After a McMocking, McDonald’s Provides a Straightforward Answer to Simple Question
• Cover Story: The Fascinating Anatomy of a Magazine Cover
• Clint Didier to Run for Doc Hastings’ U-S House Seat from Washington State
• Parade of Winter Storms Continues through Washington State
• Meat Recall Expanded to Include Oregon & Washington State
• Washington State House Votes to Allow Industrial Hemp
• Washington at Center of U-S Microbrewery Growth

WORD OF THE DAY

Tenterhook • \TENT-terr-hook\ • Noun - A sharp hooked nail used especially for fastening cloth on a tenter (a frame for stretching or holding cloth) In a state of uneasiness, strain, or suspense.

I thought I was having a tiny stroke watching Canadian TV coverage of skating over the weekend. Describing the tension of the competitors waiting for their routines, she said they were on tenderhooks. Each time she said it, I involuntarily shouted at the inanimate television set, “that’s TENTERHOOKS!” Which, upon reflection, was a poorly executed imitation of an outburst from Basil Fawlty.

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

Lake Cushman Update: Electricity Restored after Repairs Made to Underground Power Lines (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1346

Portland General Electric Asks for New 4.6 Percent Rate Increase, Announces Earnings (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/02/pge_asks_for_new_46_percent_ra.html

Grant PUD Enhances Public Access (Crescent Bar Chronicle, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/crescent_bar_chronicle/news/article_41fed712-982b-11e3-8163-0019bb2963f4.html

You May Recognize these names - 2014 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study (JD Power)

http://www.jdpower.com/content/press-release/T1WCkY0/2014-electric-utility-business-customer-satisfaction-stud.htm

Duke Energy to Sell Ohio Power Plants (Cincinnati Business Courier, OH)

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2014/02/duke-energy-to-sell-ohio-power-plants.html

Police: One Man Electrocuted, Four Charged in Warehouse Break-In (Ann Arbor News, MI)

http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2014/02/police_1_man_electrocuted_to_d.html

Congress Passes Bill to Extend Cuts to Credit Payments to Issuers of Build America Bonds, New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (American Public Power Association)

http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppw/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=253884&issueID=30556

Australian Aluminum Outgunned by Cheap, Coal-Free Rivals (Renew Economy)

http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/australian-aluminium-outgunned-cheap-coal-free-rivals-83817

FISH & WILDLIFE

Lawsuits Could Lead to Changes at Northwest Fish Hatcheries (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Lawsuits-could-lead-to-changes-at-Wash-fish-hatcheries-245996161.html

Study Examines Recycling of Cowlitz Summer Steelhead (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/feb/13/outdoors-recycling-cowlitz-summer-steelhead/

Colville Tribe Names New Fish, Wildlife Director (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2014/feb/18/colville-tribe-names-new-fish-wildlife-director/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

As Decision Looms on SolarWorld Trade Case, Not All Solar Companies Welcome China Fight (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/02/as_decision_looms_on_solarworl.html

Seattle Company Pursues Wind Energy in Ocean (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestnews/1939089-8/seattle-company-pursues-wind-energy-in-ocean

FERC Grants New Permit for 240-MW Alaska Tidal Energy Project (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/02/ferc-grants-new-permit-for-240-mw-alaska-tidal-energy-project?cmpid=rss

Google to Become 100 Percent Reliant on Renewable Energy, Exec Says (Opposing Views)

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/technology/google-become-100-percent-reliant-renewable-energy-exec-says

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Renters Need to be Part of Energy-Saving Conversation (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/02/16/2987788/renters-need-to-be-part-of-energy.html

Orcas Power & Light Invests in Energy Savings to Keep Member Costs Down (San Juan Islander, Friday Harbor, WA)

http://www.sanjuanislander.com/island-newshome/more/local-business/8567-opalco-invests-in-energy-savings-to-keep-member-costs-down

California: Elk Grove Explores LED Future for Street Lamps (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/02/16/6163720/elk-grove-explores-led-future.html

One in Five Electrical Appliances ‘Has Misleading Energy Efficiency Claims’ (The Telegraph, UK)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/10644917/One-in-five-electrical-appliances-has-misleading-energy-efficiency-claims.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Ninth Circuit Denies Rehearing in Greenhouse Gas Case - Continues to Struggle with Standing in Climate Litigation (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

http://www.energynaturalresourceslaw.com/2014/02/ninth-circuit-denies-rehearing-in-greenhouse-gas-case-continues-to-struggle-with-standing-in-climate.html

Debate over Deviant Weather Patterns Centers on Climate Change (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2014/02/17/debate-over-deviant-weather-patterns-centers-on-climate-change/

Billionaire Environmentalist Plows Ahead with Global Warming Campaign (USA Today)

http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2014/02/18/billionaire-environmentalist-ramps-up-global-warming-campaign/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Three Corporations Using 100% Renewable Energy (Daily Finance)

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2014/02/15/3-corporations-using-100-renewable-energy/

U-S Green Building Council Releases the Top 10 States in Nation for LEED Green Building (USGBC)

http://www.usgbc.org/articles/usgbc-releases-top-10-states-nation-leed-green-building

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Seattle Mayor Prefers Publicly-Funded Internet Utility, Wants to ‘Evaluate Relationship with Comcast’ (GeekWire)

http://www.geekwire.com/2014/mayor-ed-murray-public-broadband/

Utah Cities Score Broadband Deal That Rivals Kansas City & Google (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/2014/02/17/utah-cities-score-broadband-deal-that-rivals-kansas-city-and-google/

Charter Upgrades to Faster, Better, Digital Services for Tri-City Area (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/24744276/charter-upgrades-to-faster-better-digital-services-for-tri-city-area

PayPal President to Employees: Use Our New Service — Or Else (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2014/02/paypal-president-to-employees-start.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Kickstarter Data Breach: ‘We’re Incredibly Sorry’ (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2014/02/kickstarter_data_breach_were_i.html

After a McMocking, McDonald’s Provides a Straightforward Answer to Simple Question (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2014/02/17/after-a-mcmocking-mcdonalds-provides-a-straightforward-answer-to-simple-question/

Cover Story: The Fascinating Anatomy of a Magazine Cover (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/cover-story-the-fascinating-anatomy-of-a-magazine-cove-1524542884

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Clint Didier to Run for Doc Hastings’ U-S House Seat from Washington State (KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/24746399/clint-didier-to-run-for-doc-hastings-us-house-seat

GENERAL NEWS

Parade of Winter Storms Continues through Washington State (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Parade-of-winter-storms-continues-through-Wash-state-245982971.html

Meat Recall Expanded to Include Oregon & Washington State (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/Meat-recall-expanded-to-include-Ore--Wash-246006261.html

Washington State House Votes to Allow Industrial Hemp (Associated Press)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Wash-House-votes-to-allow-industrial-hemp-245896921.html

Washington at Center of U-S Microbrewery Growth (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/feb/17/washington-at-center-of-us-microbrewery-growth/

DIVERSIONS

Hawaii Could Adopt the Ukulele as Its Official State Instrument under a Proposed Bill (It isn’t already?)

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/245320621.html

Why Just Cutting the Mold Off That Leftover Pizza Probably Isn’t a Good Idea

http://consumerist.com/2014/02/18/why-just-cutting-the-mold-off-that-leftover-pizza-probably-isnt-a-good-idea/

Requiem for Norway’s Glorious Olympic Curling Pants

http://mashable.com/2014/02/18/norway-curling-pants/

Steve Jobs Time Capsule Finally Uncovered After 30 Years

http://mashable.com/2014/02/18/steve-jobs-time-capsule/

SONG OF THE DAY

Richard Harris - MacArthur Park

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

Donna Summer - MacArthur Park Suite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF_o7aSjl_E

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.