Energy News Digest for February 5, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 5, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/pwkh5zy

Mason County Flood Watch

http://tinyurl.com/kw5lvbu

Special Weather Statement – Rain!

http://tinyurl.com/neww2wf

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

As Scandal Subsides, Pacific Northwest Energy Giant Turns Its Attention to the Future (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/as-scandal-subsides-nw-energy-oversight-giant.html

Tacoma Public Utilities Named Tops for Business (South Sound Business Examiner, WA)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/February-2015/Tacoma-Public-Utilities-named-tops-for-business/

Shelton’s Conversion to LED Lights, with Mason PUD 3 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/2014-04-07-17-28-24/21187-shelton-s-conversion-to-led-lights-with-pud-3

Oregon: Umatilla County Says Proposed Wind Farm Lacks Detail on Transmission (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20150204/county-says-proposed-wind-farm-lacks-detail-on-transmission

Rope Tricks: Washington Senate Votes to Legalize Hemp Farming as Oregon Starts Writing Permits (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-senate-votes-legalize-hemp-farming-oregon-starts-writing-permits

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. As Scandal Subsides, Pacific Northwest Energy Giant Turns Its Attention to the Future
2. Tacoma Public Utilities Named Tops for Business
3. British Columbia to Restore Rate-Setting Power to Utilities Commission after Critical Report
4. Mason PUD 1 Celebrates 80 Years of Public Service
5. Portland Water & Sewer Utility Costs on the Rise Again
6. North Dakota: Fargo Wants to Bury Old Power Lines, But Price Is Steep for Sights Unseen
7. APPA CEO to Participate in FERC Conference on Clean Power Plan
8. Obama Administration Proposed Budget Ends Strategic Review of Tennessee Valley Authority
9. Indiana Senate Considers Limits on Municipal Electricity Service Annexations
10. Natural Gas Slumps to 29-Month Low on Mixed Weather Outlook
11. Maps: Oklahoma’s Earthquake Problem is Getting Worse
12. Summer Chinook Fishing Proposals Split Anglers
13. Barges Sit for Hours behind Locks That May Take Decades to Replace
14. Oregon: Umatilla County Says Proposed Wind Farm Lacks Detail on Transmission
15. British Columbia Firms See a Future in Power Storage Systems
16. Wahkiakum PUD Commission Considers Renewable Energy Program
17. Op/Ed: Wind Production Tax Credit Opposition Seeks Skewed Energy Market
18. Wisconsin: Scott Walker’s Budget Includes $250,000 to Study ‘Wind Energy System-Related Health Issues’
19. Shelton’s Conversion to LED Lights, with Mason PUD 3
20. New LED Lights at Safeco Field Get a First Big Test
21. Energy Adviser: Recycling Appliances Pays Off in Many Ways
22. Water Heater Fix Part of Keystone Bill
23. Rope Tricks: Washington Senate Votes to Legalize Hemp Farming as Oregon Starts Writing Permits
24. Marijuana Bill Would Significantly Change Washington State’s Criminal Laws
25. Real Estate Issues in a Flourishing Cannabis Market: Q&A with Oregon Broker Zack Stratford
26. California: Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Is Not Just Smoke
27. Washington State GOP Offers Its Own Slate of Clean-Energy Bills
28. Top Republicans Say They Want to Reduce Washington State Carbon Emissions, Too
29. Opinion: Washington State Cap & Trade, or No Cap & All Tax?
30. FERC & EPA’s Clean Power Plan
31. Governor Inslee, Some Washington State Legislators Pushing Electric-Car Ownership
32. U-S Lawmakers Push Bill to Reform Renewable Fuel Mandate
33. FCC Plans Strong Hand to Regulate the Internet
34. News Guide: Net Neutrality & What It Could Mean to Your Life Online & Your Pocketbook
35. Wireless Industry’s Hilariously Awful Anti-Title II Video
36. Inside Idaho’s Broadband Mess
37. Complaining Comcast Customer Renamed “Super B**ch” on Her Cable Bill
38. Twitter & Google Said to Reach Deal on Search
39. Tricked into Quoting Hitler, Coca-Cola Suspends Automated Tweet Campaign
40. Editorial: Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber Must Resign
41. Triple Atmospheric River Event to Hit the West Coast
42. West Coast Port Lockout Could Be Days Away
43. Lawsuit Challenges Tribe’s Control of Lake Quinault
44. Anthem Health Insurer Says Cyberattack Stole Data of Millions
45. U-S Senator: Allow Restaurant Employees to Skip Hand-Washing
46. Test Reveals Importance of Washing Hands to Stay Healthy
47. NBC’s Brian Williams Apologizes for Falsely Claiming He Was Fired on In Iraq

WORD OF THE DAY

Restive • \RES-tiv\ • adjective – 1: stubbornly resisting control: balky *2: marked by impatience or uneasiness: fidgety

Albert tossed and turned all night. Finally, in his restive state he drifted off into a fitful sleep and dreamed about eating a giant marshmallow. He awoke the next morning; a cold sweat covering his body. Then he made a horrendous discovery under the covers at the end of his bed: the dismembered head of the Sta-Puft marshmallow man, swimming in a pool of marshmallow cream. Ahhhhhhhhhh Ahhhhhhhh. Half a continent away, the owner of “Generic Marshmallow, Inc.” was enjoying a wistful smile…. (Sorry Mr. Coppola)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

As Scandal Subsides, Pacific Northwest Energy Giant Turns Its Attention to the Future (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/as-scandal-subsides-nw-energy-oversight-giant.html

Tacoma Public Utilities Named Tops for Business (South Sound Business Examiner, WA)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/February-2015/Tacoma-Public-Utilities-named-tops-for-business/

British Columbia to Restore Rate-Setting Power to Utilities Commission after Critical Report (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/energy-watchdog-needs-more-independence-bc-government-told/article22791687/?cmpid=rss1

Mason PUD 1 Celebrates 80 Years of Public Service (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14295

Portland Water & Sewer Utility Costs on the Rise Again (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/02/04/portland-utility-costs-on-the-rise-again/

North Dakota: Fargo Wants to Bury Old Power Lines, But Price Is Steep for Sights Unseen (Inforum, Fargo, ND)

http://www.inforum.com/news/3671844-fargo-wants-bury-old-power-lines-price-steep-sights-unseen

APPA CEO to Participate in FERC Conference on Clean Power Plan (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43098

Obama Administration Proposed Budget Ends Strategic Review of Tennessee Valley Authority (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43094

Indiana Senate Considers Limits on Municipal Electricity Service Annexations (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/indiana-senate-considers-limits-on-muni-annexes/360835/

Natural Gas Slumps to 29-Month Low on Mixed Weather Outlook (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-04/natural-gas-falls-as-mixed-weather-outlook-signals-weak-demand

Maps: Oklahoma’s Earthquake Problem is Getting Worse (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/03/maps-oklahomas-earthquake-problem-is-getting-worse/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Summer Chinook Fishing Proposals Split Anglers (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/05/summer-chinook-fishing-proposals-Columbia/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Barges Sit for Hours behind Locks That May Take Decades to Replace (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/us/barges-sit-for-hours-behind-locks-that-may-take-decades-to-replace.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon: Umatilla County Says Proposed Wind Farm Lacks Detail on Transmission (East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20150204/county-says-proposed-wind-farm-lacks-detail-on-transmission

British Columbia Firms See a Future in Power Storage Systems (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/firms+future+power+storage+systems/10788117/story.html

Wahkiakum PUD Commission Considers Renewable Energy Program (The Wahkiakum Eagle, Cathlamet, WA)

http://www.waheagle.com/story/2015/02/05/news/pud-commission-considers-renewable-energy-program/9394.html

Op/Ed: Wind Production Tax Credit Opposition Seeks Skewed Energy Market (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/231627-wind-ptc-opposition-seeks-skewed-energy-market

Wisconsin: Scott Walker’s Budget Includes $250,000 to Study ‘Wind Energy System-Related Health Issues’ (Huffington Post)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/04/walker-wind-energy-health_n_6616692.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Shelton’s Conversion to LED Lights, with Mason PUD 3 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/2014-04-07-17-28-24/21187-shelton-s-conversion-to-led-lights-with-pud-3

New LED Lights at Safeco Field Get a First Big Test (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/sports/mlb/mariners/2015/02/04/led-lights-safeco-field-mariners/22850857/

Energy Adviser: Recycling Appliances Pays Off in Many Ways (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/05/energy-adviser-cycling-appliances-pays-off/

Water Heater Fix Part of Keystone Bill (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/legislation/water-heater-fix-part-of-keystone-bill/77652

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Rope Tricks: Washington Senate Votes to Legalize Hemp Farming as Oregon Starts Writing Permits (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-senate-votes-legalize-hemp-farming-oregon-starts-writing-permits

Marijuana Bill Would Significantly Change Washington State’s Criminal Laws (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2015/02/05/marijuana-bill-would-significantly-change-washingtons-criminal-laws/

Real Estate Issues in a Flourishing Cannabis Market: Q&A with Oregon Broker Zack Stratford (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/real-estate-issues-in-a-thriving-market-qa-with-oregon-realtor-zack-stratford/

California: Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Is Not Just Smoke (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/02/04/medical-marijuana-lawsuit-is-not-just-smoke.htm

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State GOP Offers Its Own Slate of Clean-Energy Bills (Seattle Times, WA – via National Wind Watch)

https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/02/05/washington-gop-offers-its-own-slate-of-clean-energy-bills-for-state/

Top Republicans Say They Want to Reduce Washington State Carbon Emissions, Too (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/02/04/3623868_top-republicans-say-they-want.html?rh=1

Opinion: Washington State Cap & Trade, or No Cap & All Tax? (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/opinion-cap-trade-cap-tax/

FERC & EPA’s Clean Power Plan (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/04/ferc-and-epas-clean-power-plan/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Governor Inslee, Some Washington State Legislators Pushing Electric-Car Ownership (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025624550_electriccarsxml.html

U-S Lawmakers Push Bill to Reform Renewable Fuel Mandate (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/231761-lawmakers-push-bill-to-reform-renewable-fuel-mandate

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC Plans Strong Hand to Regulate the Internet (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/technology/fcc-wheeler-net-neutrality.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

News Guide: Net Neutrality & What It Could Mean to Your Life Online & Your Pocketbook (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/02/05/news-guide-net-neutrality-and-what-it-could-mean-to-you

Wireless Industry’s Hilariously Awful Anti-Title II Video (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Wireless-Industrys-Hilariously-Awful-AntiTitle-II-Video-132539

Inside Idaho’s Broadband Mess (KIVI-TV, Nampa, ID)

http://www.jrn.com/kivitv/news/Inside-Idahos-broadband-mess-290870901.html

Complaining Comcast Customer Renamed “Super B**ch” on Her Cable Bill (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/02/05/complaining-comcast-customer-renamed-super-bch-on-her-cable-bill/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter & Google Said to Reach Deal on Search (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/twitter-said-to-reach-search-deal-with-google/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Tricked into Quoting Hitler, Coca-Cola Suspends Automated Tweet Campaign (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/coca-cola-suspends-makeithappy-social-campaign-162775

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Editorial: Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber Must Resign “…Who knew following the trail of ‘clean energy’ money could make you feel so dirty?...” (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/02/john_kitzhaber_must_resign_edi.html

GENERAL NEWS

Triple Atmospheric River Event to Hit the West Coast (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/02/triple-atmospheric-river-event-to-hit.html

West Coast Port Lockout Could Be Days Away (Associated Press)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150204/BIZ02/150209538

Lawsuit Challenges Tribe’s Control of Lake Quinault (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/lawsuit-challenges-tribe-s-control-lake-quinault

Anthem Health Insurer Says Cyberattack Stole Data of Millions (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/business/hackers-breached-data-of-millions-insurer-says.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

U-S Senator: Allow Restaurant Employees to Skip Hand-Washing (Associated Press)

http://www.katu.com/news/national/US-Senator-Allow-restaurant-employees-to-skip-hand-washing-290795081.html

Test Reveals Importance of Washing Hands to Stay Healthy (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/05/test-reveals-importance-of-washing-hands-to-stay-healthy/

NBC’s Brian Williams Apologizes for Falsely Claiming He Was Fired on In Iraq (Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/02/04/brian-williams-apologizes-for-falsely-claiming-he-was-fired-on-in-iraq/

DIVERSIONS

Hello Vancouver! Washington’s Most Romantic City? It’s Not ‘Sleepless’ or ‘50 Shades’ Seattle

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2015/02/washingtons-most-romantic-city-its-not-sleepless.html

Man Who Lived Modestly Leaves Millions in Surprise Donations

http://news.yahoo.com/man-lived-modestly-leaves-millions-surprise-donations-135358404.html

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Urine for Drug Tests – “Urine Luck” one of the varieties

http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-man-pleads-guilty-selling-fake-urine-drug-145319157.html

Gun Found Inside Book Donated to Maine Goodwill Store

http://news.yahoo.com/gun-found-inside-book-donated-maine-goodwill-store-144105580.html

SONG OF THE DAY

John Paul Young - Love Is in the Air

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQFrSR2c7fY

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 4, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 4, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ps77qeb

Flood Watch for Mason County

http://tinyurl.com/ngtfjjt

Special Weather Statement for Rainy Conditions

http://tinyurl.com/qb5aqsc

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Major Storms in the Pacific Northwest to Bring Feet of Rain & Snow (The Vane, Gawker)

http://thevane.gawker.com/major-storms-in-the-pacific-northwest-to-bring-feet-of-1649405442

Clark Public Utilities’ Community Solar Program Embraced (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/04/clark-public-utilities-community-solar-popular/

In Texas Suburbia, Solar Not Always Welcome (Dallas Morning News, TX)

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/20150203-in-texas-suburbia-solar-not-always-welcome.ece

Chelan PUD Moratorium Extended on Big Power Requests (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2015/feb/03/pud-moratorium-extended-on-big-power-requests/

CenturyLink, Pursuing Cable TV in Portland, Already Looking Toward Suburbs (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/centurylink_pursuing_cable_tv.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Chelan PUD Moratorium Extended on Big Power Requests
2. Moratorium Extended on Large Electrical Load Customers in Chelan County
3. Centralia City Light Looks to Sell Excess Power; Hoping for Better Market
4. Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Port Foes Try New Strategy to Block Development
5. Propane/Butane Shipping: Port of Longview, Haven Energy Delay Announcement of Lease Terms
6. Editorial: Smudgy Horizons for the No-Coal Energy Bill
7. British Columbia: BC Hydro Bracing for Rare February Subtropical Storms
8. RIP FutureGen: Energy Department Kills Troubled Bush-Era Coal Electricity Project
9. Judge Allows Hearings on Summer Closings of New York Nuclear Plant to Protect Hudson River Fish
10. Minnesota: Investigation – Xcel Failures Led to Reactor Cost Overruns
11. Rolling Blackouts Expected in Northern Michigan after Power Plant Substation Explosion
12. Former FERC Chief Jon Wellinghoff Speaks Out on Grid Security & Distributed Generation
13. Public Input Published on Olympic National Park Wilderness, Mountain Goat Plans
14. Clark Public Utilities’ Community Solar Program Embraced
15. In Texas Suburbia, Solar Not Always Welcome
16. Report: Wind & Solar Energy Have Tripled Since 2008
17. Grays Harbor PUD Board Opposes Initiative 937, Eight Years Later
18. Colorado: Senate Republicans Slash Renewable Energy Standards on Initial Vote
19. Arizona: Salt River Project Loves Renewable Energy? Well, Not Quite
20. Joe’s CREB Shack
21. Oregon: Marijuana Hearing Packs Chamber
22. Oregon: Ready, Set, Grow – State OKs Industrial Hemp Rules
23. Green Energy Creating More Jobs, Investments in California
24. CenturyLink, Pursuing Cable TV in Portland, Already Looking Toward Suburbs
25. U-S FCC Chairman Reveals Latest Net Neutrality Proposal
26. Live Super Bowl Stream Disappoints
27. Twitter Finally Reveals Its Plan to Make Money from All Those Free Tweets Posted Everywhere
28. How to Deal with Social Media Trolls
29. How Doonesbury Helped Make Pandora a Success
30. Major Storms in the Pacific Northwest to Bring Feet of Rain & Snow
31. Washington to Receive More than $21 Million in Standard & Poors’ Multistate Settlement
32. Peninsula Credit Union: Can ‘Lotteries’ at Banks Get People to Save More?
33. 20 Student Athletes Out at Centralia College after Wild Party
34. Potatoes Back on the OK List for WIC Recipients
35. Latest Cowlitz Casino Decision Appealed – Tribe seeks to establish reservation along I-5 near La Center
36. Staples to Buy Office Depot for $6.3 Billion
37. ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Sequel to be Published in July

WORD OF THE DAY

Veracity • \vuh-RASS-uh-tee\ • Noun – 1: devotion to the truth: truthfulness 2: conformity with truth or fact: accuracy 3: something true

“Who ate the strawberries?” was the guttural question posed by the querulous Captain Queeg. His attempts to use scoops of sand to disprove the veracity of his officers and crew would have been laughable, except for the fact that he was dead serious.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Chelan PUD Moratorium Extended on Big Power Requests (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2015/feb/03/pud-moratorium-extended-on-big-power-requests/

Moratorium Extended on Large Electrical Load Customers in Chelan County (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://pro.kpq-am.tritonflex.com/common/more.php?m=15&r=1&item_id=24331

Centralia City Light Looks to Sell Excess Power; Hoping for Better Market (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.chronline.com/news/article_712c46ca-abd8-11e4-b64f-a727e1b0dede.html

Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Port Foes Try New Strategy to Block Development (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-lng-foes-try-new-strategy-to-block-development/

Propane/Butane Shipping: Port of Longview, Haven Energy Delay Announcement of Lease Terms (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/port-of-longview-haven-energy-delay-announcement-of-lease-terms/article_713be734-ac0e-11e4-92ab-0b104bbd0cee.html

Editorial: Smudgy Horizons for the No-Coal Energy Bill (Oregonian, Portland, OR)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/02/smudgy_horizons_for_the_no-coa.html

British Columbia: BC Hydro Bracing for Rare February Subtropical Storms (Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Hydro+bracing+rare+February+subtropical+storms/10784091/story.html

RIP FutureGen: Energy Department Kills Troubled Bush-Era Coal Electricity Project (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/rip-futuregen-energy-department-kills-troubled-bush-era-coal-electricity-project-20150203

Judge Allows Hearings on Summer Closings of New York Nuclear Plant to Protect Hudson River Fish (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/04/us-energy-entergy-indianpoint-idUSKBN0L81OH20150204

Minnesota: Investigation – Xcel Failures Led to Reactor Cost Overruns (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, MN)

http://www.startribune.com/business/290607771.html

Rolling Blackouts Expected in Northern Michigan after Power Plant Substation Explosion (Grand Rapids Press, MI)

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/02/further_outages_expected_in_no.html

Former FERC Chief Jon Wellinghoff Speaks Out on Grid Security & Distributed Generation (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/chipregister1/2015/02/03/former-ferc-chief-jon-wellinghoff-speaks-out-on-grid-security-and-distributed-generation/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Public Input Published on Olympic National Park Wilderness, Mountain Goat Plans (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150204/NEWS/302049990/public-input-published-on-olympic-national-park-wilderness-mountain

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Clark Public Utilities’ Community Solar Program Embraced (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/04/clark-public-utilities-community-solar-popular/

In Texas Suburbia, Solar Not Always Welcome (Dallas Morning News, TX)

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/20150203-in-texas-suburbia-solar-not-always-welcome.ece

Report: Wind & Solar Energy Have Tripled Since 2008 (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/04/report-wind-and-solar-energy-have-tripled-since-2008/

Grays Harbor PUD Board Opposes Initiative 937, Eight Years Later (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/pud-board-opposes-i-937-8-years-later/

Colorado: Senate Republicans Slash Renewable Energy Standards on Initial Vote (Denver Post, Colorado)

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27451572/senate-republicans-slash-renewable-energy-standards-initial-vote

Arizona: Salt River Project Loves Renewable Energy? Well, Not Quite (Arizona Republic, Phoenix)

http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2015/02/02/srp-wind-rooftop-solar/22770167/

Joe’s CREB Shack (Politico)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2015/02/joes-creb-shack-politico.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Oregon: Marijuana Hearing Packs Chamber (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/32731859-75/hundreds-gather-to-weigh-in-on-recreational-marijuana-rules.html.csp

Oregon: Ready, Set, Grow – State OKs Industrial Hemp Rules (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/ready-set-grow-state-oks-industrial-hemp-rules.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Green Energy Creating More Jobs, Investments in California (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27450581/california-creates-most-clean-tech-jobs-paying-investors

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CenturyLink, Pursuing Cable TV in Portland, Already Looking Toward Suburbs (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/centurylink_pursuing_cable_tv.html

U-S FCC Chairman Reveals Latest Net Neutrality Proposal (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/u-fcc-chairman-reveals-latest-net-neutrality-proposal-162455480--finance.html

Live Super Bowl Stream Disappoints (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Live-Super-Bowl-Stream-Disappoints-132497

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Finally Reveals Its Plan to Make Money from All Those Free Tweets Posted Everywhere (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/twitter-finally-reveals-its-plan-make-money-all-those-free-tweets-posted-everywhere-162743

How to Deal with Social Media Trolls (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/social-media-trolls/

How Doonesbury Helped Make Pandora a Success (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2015/02/04/how-doonesbury-helped-make-pandora-a-success/

GENERAL NEWS

Major Storms in the Pacific Northwest to Bring Feet of Rain & Snow (The Vane, Gawker)

http://thevane.gawker.com/major-storms-in-the-pacific-northwest-to-bring-feet-of-1649405442

Washington to Receive More than $21 Million in Standard & Poors’ Multistate Settlement (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/washington-receive-more-21m-multistate-settlement

Peninsula Credit Union: Can ‘Lotteries’ at Banks Get People to Save More? (Wall Street Journal)

http://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-TOTALB-2773

20 Student Athletes Out at Centralia College after Wild Party (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/20-student-athletes-out-at-Centralia-College-290725671.html

Potatoes Back on the OK List for WIC Recipients (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_27449150/potatoes-back-ok-list-wic-recipients

Latest Cowlitz Casino Decision Appealed – Tribe seeks to establish reservation along I-5 near La Center (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/03/cowlitz-casino-decision-appealed/

Staples to Buy Office Depot for $6.3 Billion (NY Times)

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/staples-to-buy-office-depot-for-6-3-billion/?partner=rss&emc=rss

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Sequel to be Published in July (Associated Press)

http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_27448662/second-harper-lee-novel-be-published-july

DIVERSIONS

Man Arrested While Trying to Pay Property Taxes with $600 in Intricately Folded $1 Bills

http://consumerist.com/2015/02/03/man-arrested-while-trying-to-pay-property-taxes-with-600-in-intricately-folded-1-bills/

Puns Abound after Seattle Cops Catch Robber Stashing Loot Where Sun Doesn’t Shine

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2703138/Puns-abound-after-Seattle-cops-catch-robber-stashing-loot-where-sun-doesnapost-shine

Woman Climbs through Drive-Thru to Cook Burger

http://koin.com/2015/02/03/woman-climbs-through-drive-thru-to-cook-burger/

The Secret to Enjoying Haggis: Lots of Scotch

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/03/the-secret-to-enjoying-haggis-lots-of-scotch/

SONG OF THE DAY

Elmer Bernstein – To Kill a Mockingbird Suite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5cKSMI6_8k

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 3, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 3, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/k5ghqdl

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

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Heavy Rain Forecast Mid-Week across Washington (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/ap/washington/heavy-rain-forecast-mid-week-across-washington/nj3pG/

Climate Activists Expand Grassroots Efforts While CarbonWA Prepares to Collect Initiative Signatures (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/climate-activists-expand-grassroots-effort-carbonwa-finalizes-initiative/

Jefferson County Commissioners Take No Action on Pot Moratorium – Makes Feb. 11 Expiration a Possibility (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150203/news/302039995/jefferson-commissioners-take-no-action-on-pot-moratorium-making-feb

California PUC: Peevey Urged Pacific Gas & Electric to Lobby Jerry Brown, But Warned, ‘You Will Miss Arnold’ (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article8965094.html

Apple Will Repurpose Arizona Sapphire Plant as $2 Billion Data Center (Oregonian, Portland)

www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/apple_will_repurpose_arizona_s.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. California PUC: Peevey Urged Pacific Gas & Electric to Lobby Jerry Brown, But Warned, ‘You Will Miss Arnold’
2. Orcas Power & Light Rate Increase Explained
3. Longest-Serving Idaho Public Utilities Commission Regulator to Step Down
4. Stoller Middle School of Beaverton, Oregon Emerges Undefeated In BPA Regional Science Bowl - Advance to National Competition
5. Which States Face Most Risk from EPA Rules? – West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida & Arizona
6. Smart Sensors for Power Grid Could Ease Disruptions
7. Energy Information Administration: Vermont Yankee Closure Leaves New England Looking for Power
8. Arkansas: Man Charged with Stealing Power, Water
9. Restrict Commercial Shellfish Harvesting, Peninsula Residents Ask Government Leaders
10. Tracking Columbia River Salmon with Tiny Tags
11. What Is Community Solar? It’s Coming To California
12. New Pacific Gas & Electric Program Offers Customers 100% Solar Option
13. Op/ED: A $48 Billion Opportunity for U-S Electric Customers
14. Jefferson County Commissioners Take No Action on Pot Moratorium
15. Washington State Looks to Share Marijuana Taxes with Cities
16. Washington State Legislature: Mixing & Mashing to Ease Strain on Pot Issues
17. Olympia: An Extra Long Time for Pot
18. Pot Marketers Must Get Creative as Digital Ad Networks Just Say No
19. Climate Activists Expand Grassroots Efforts While CarbonWA Prepares to Collect Initiative Signatures
20. But Seriously, Folks – This Stand-Up Economist Says Republicans Will Like His Carbon Tax
21. British Columbia: Elizabeth Ball Seeks ‘Dark Sky’ Legislation for Vancouver Light Pollution
22. Apple Will Repurpose Arizona Sapphire Plant as $2 Billion Data Center
23. AT&T to Sell Data Centers Worth $2 Billion: Sources
24. Republican Lawmakers Urge President Obama to Work with Them on Internet Rules
25. The Whole World Is Sucking Down Mobile Data Like It’s Water
26. Amazon Prime Is Big, But How Big?
27. Infographic: How Digital Is Changing Local Ad Spending
28. Here Is Why Twitter Still Beats Facebook for Super Bowl Brands
29. ‘Selfies’ to Blame for Plane Crash that Killed Two
30. Washington State Lawmakers Consider ‘Lane Splitting’ for Motorcyclists
31. Is It Time to Eliminate Daylight Saving Time?
32. Heavy Rain Forecast Mid-Week across Washington
33. Washington State Files $17 Million Lawsuit for Skagit Bridge Collapse
34. Groups Work to Digitize Old Newspapers – Thanks to Small Town Papers in Shelton
35. Want Your Home Value to Soar? Buy near a Starbucks

WORD OF THE DAY

Coulrophobia • \KOLE-ruh-fobe-eeyah\ • Noun - An extreme fear of clowns.

The psychiatrist had one piece of advice for his client, who was being treated for chronic coulrophobia by confronting his fears in a visit to a local circus: “If the circus performers attack,” he whispered as an aside, “always go right for the juggler.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

California PUC: Peevey Urged Pacific Gas & Electric to Lobby Jerry Brown, But Warned, ‘You Will Miss Arnold’ (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article8965094.html

Orcas Power & Light Rate Increase Explained (Islands Weekly, Eastsound, WA)

http://www.islandsweekly.com/news/290546971.html

Longest-Serving Idaho Public Utilities Commission Regulator to Step Down (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/02/03/3625303_longest-serving-puc-regulator.html?rh=1

Stoller Middle School of Beaverton, Oregon Emerges Undefeated In BPA Regional Science Bowl - Advance to National Competition (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Stoller-emerges-undefeated-at-BPAs-Middle-School-Science-Bowl.aspx

Which States Face Most Risk from EPA Rules? – West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida & Arizona (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/trends-reports-analyses/which-states-face-most-risk-from-epa-rules/77611

Smart Sensors for Power Grid Could Ease Disruptions (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/business/energy-environment/smart-sensors-for-power-grid-could-ease-disruptions.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Energy Information Administration: Vermont Yankee Closure Leaves New England Looking for Power (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/eia-vermont-yankee-closure-leaves-new-england-looking-for-power/359714/

Arkansas: Man Charged with Stealing Power, Water (KY3-TV, Springfield, MO)

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/man-charged-with-stealing-utility-services/21048998_31053444

FISH & WILDLIFE

Restrict Commercial Shellfish Harvesting, Peninsula Residents Ask Government Leaders (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/02/02/3620223_restrict-commercial-shellfish.html?rh=1

Tracking Columbia River Salmon with Tiny Tags (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

http://kuow.org/post/tracking-columbia-river-salmon-tiny-tags

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

What Is Community Solar? It’s Coming To California (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2015/01/30/what-is-community-solar-its-coming-to-california/

New Pacific Gas & Electric Program Offers Customers 100% Solar Option (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-pge-program-offers-customers-100-solar-option/359647/

Op/ED: A $48 Billion Opportunity for U-S Electric Customers (Huffington Post)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johnnbsp/a-48-billion-opportunity-_1_b_6573794.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Jefferson County Commissioners Take No Action on Pot Moratorium – Makes Feb. 11 Expiration a Possibility (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150203/news/302039995/jefferson-commissioners-take-no-action-on-pot-moratorium-making-feb

Washington State Looks to Share Marijuana Taxes with Cities (Associated Press)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/marijuana/2015/02/02/washington-looks-to-share-marijuana-taxes-with-cities/22779087/

Washington State Legislature: Mixing & Mashing to Ease Strain on Pot Issues (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2015/02/02/under-the-dome/123831/mixing-and-mashing-ease-strain-pot-issues/

Olympia: An Extra Long Time for Pot (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2015/02/02/under-the-dome/123817/olympia-week-pot-menu/

Pot Marketers Must Get Creative as Digital Ad Networks Just Say No (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/pot-marketers-must-get-creative-digital-ad-networks-just-say-no-162682

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Climate Activists Expand Grassroots Efforts While CarbonWA Prepares to Collect Initiative Signatures (Washington State Wire, Olympia, WA)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/climate-activists-expand-grassroots-effort-carbonwa-finalizes-initiative/

But Seriously, Folks – This Stand-Up Economist Says Republicans Will Like His Carbon Tax (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/people/but-seriously-folks-this-stand-up-economist-says-republicans-will-like-his-carbon-tax/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

British Columbia: Elizabeth Ball Seeks ‘Dark Sky’ Legislation for Vancouver Light Pollution (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/elizabeth-ball-seeks-dark-sky-legislation-for-vancouver-light-pollution-1.2943019?cmp=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Apple Will Repurpose Arizona Sapphire Plant as $2 Billion Data Center (Oregonian, Portland)

www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/apple_will_repurpose_arizona_s.html

AT&T to Sell Data Centers Worth $2 Billion: Sources (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/02/us-at-t-divestiture-idUSKBN0L62C520150202

Republican Lawmakers Urge President Obama to Work with Them on Internet Rules (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/02/us-usa-internet-neutrality-idUSKBN0L622H20150202

The Whole World Is Sucking Down Mobile Data Like It’s Water (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2015/02/03/the-whole-world-is-sucking-down-mobile-data-like-its-water/

Amazon Prime Is Big, But How Big? (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/03/amazon-prime-10-years-old-anniversary/22755509/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Infographic: How Digital Is Changing Local Ad Spending (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/infographic-how-digital-changing-local-ad-spending-162670

Here Is Why Twitter Still Beats Facebook for Super Bowl Brands (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/here-are-numbers-behind-twitter-and-facebooks-biggest-super-bowl-ever-162723

‘Selfies’ to Blame for Plane Crash that Killed Two – Evidence found at scene shows pilot & passenger taking pictures before crash (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/02/03/ntsb-selfies-to-blame-for-plane-crash-that-killed-2

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Lawmakers Consider ‘Lane Splitting’ for Motorcyclists (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/lawmakers-consider-lane-splitting-motorcyclists/nj3qb/

Is It Time to Eliminate Daylight Saving Time? (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2702713/Is-it-time-to-eliminate-Daylight-Saving-Time

GENERAL NEWS

Heavy Rain Forecast Mid-Week across Washington (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/ap/washington/heavy-rain-forecast-mid-week-across-washington/nj3pG/

Washington State Files $17 Million Lawsuit for Skagit Bridge Collapse (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-files-17-million-lawsuit-for-Skagit-bridge-collapse-290587341.html

Groups Work to Digitize Old Newspapers – Thanks to Small Town Papers in Shelton (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150202/NEWS01/150209875

Want Your Home Value to Soar? Buy near a Starbucks (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2702455/Want-your-home-value-to-soar-Buy-near-a-Starbucks

DIVERSIONS

The Name Game - Where Northwest Towns Got Their Names

http://nwpr.org/post/name-game-where-northwest-towns-got-their-names

Albanian Highwaymen Outwitted by Chinese Karate Skills

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/02/us-albania-china-karate-idUSKBN0L61SG20150202

Every Single Trick to Make the Best Paper Airplane in the World

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/every-single-trick-to-make-the-best-paper-airplane-in-t-1683370419

80 Monopoly sets made with real money inside

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/02/03/monopoly-real-money-france/22791765/

SONG OF THE DAY

U2 – Where the Streets Have No Name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FsrPEUt2Dg

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.