Energy News Digest for September 21, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for September 21, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/nkjgutw

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

Whistling Ridge Wind Farm Faces New Legal Challenge – Petition seeks to block BPA decision to allow wind farm on grid (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/18/whistling-ridge-faces-new-legal-challenge/

Water in Columbia, Willamette Rivers Lowest in Years (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/09/18/water-in-columbia-willamette-lowest-in-years/

Canada: First Nations Lose Bid to Nullify Government OK for Peace River Dam Site (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/first-nations-lose-bid-to-nullify-government-ok-for-site-c-dam/article26443972/?cmpid=rss1

Killing Cormorants to Save Salmon: 11,000 in Crosshairs of Controversial Program (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/killing-cormorants-to-save-salmon-in-crosshairs-of-controversial-program/article_3839300e-5fa0-11e5-a16a-47abd533cb16.html

Water in Columbia, Willamette Rivers Lowest in Years (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/09/18/water-in-columbia-willamette-lowest-in-years/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Canada: First Nations Lose Bid to Nullify Government OK for Peace River Dam Site
• Idaho Falls Keeps Hydropower Heritage Alive
• Nebraska’s Unique Public Power System Facing Market Pressure
• Vancouver Neighbors Hope New Lights Will Deter Illegal Activity by Bike Path – Thanks to Clark Public Utilities
• Oregon: Nguyen Given Year-Long Contract to Manage Columbia River PUD
• Editorial: City Council Should Keep Exceptional Tacoma Public Utilities Director
• Dam Safety & Security
• Puerto Rico Utility Fails to Extend Contract with Insurers
• The Top Ten Trends Transforming the Electric Power Sector
• Killing Cormorants to Save Salmon: 11,000 in Crosshairs of Controversial Program
• Shoshone-Paiute Tribes on Duck Valley Reservation Harvest Salmon in Owyhee First Time in 87 Years
• Northwest Power & Conservation Council Report Recommends Steps for ‘Long-Term Cost Planning’ for Fish/Wildlife Program
• Does California Water District’s Dam Blocking Salmon Violate State Law?
• California Fishing License Fees Ruled Unfair
• Water in Columbia, Willamette Rivers Lowest in Years
• Puget Sound ‘S.O.S.’ Act Announced by Congressmen
• Flushing the Toilet Has Never Been Riskier
• Whistling Ridge Wind Farm Faces New Legal Challenge
• South Dakota: Wind Farm Blames Utilities for $800 Million Bill
• A Good Rate Design is Hard to Find: Experts Push Utility-Solar Compromise
• Public Power: A Lone Star Leader in Solar
• Huge Solar, Wind Projects Have Biggest Impact on Hawaii’s Environment, New Report Says
• Five Unexpected States That Are Growing Renewable Energy in the U-S
• LED Streetlight Conversion Project Saves Energy, Money for Public Power Utility
• Should I Stop Plugging In My Laptop?
• Oregon’s Legal Sale of Marijuana Comes with Reprieve
• Seattle Climatologist: Time to Get Real about Climate Change Issues
• Climate Change: Biggest Threat to Plants May Be Competition, Not Heat
• Energy Department Selects Five Projects in First Step to Produce Fresh Water from Carbon Dioxide Storage Sites
• The Curious Case of the Green Ribbons at the 2015 Emmy Awards
• Older Pierce County Wood Stoves Become Illegal October 1
• Editorial:  Imagine California Electric Utilities as Disrupters
• The Nonprofit Bringing High-School Broadband into the Modern Era
• Electric Co-ops Develop High-speed Internet Service
• Are Internet Providers Ripping Off Some of Their Biggest Customers? This Data May Tell
• Check Your iPhone, iPad Apps: Malware Gets into the App Store
• Skype Service Disrupted for Some Users Worldwide
• Web Companies Are Fighting in Court for the FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules
• Retailers’ Use of Their Fans’ Photos Draws Scrutiny
• Move Over, Millennials, Here Comes Generation Z
• How Facebook Actually Helps You Look on the Bright Side of Life
• Adrian Frutiger Dies at 87; His Type Designs Show You the Way
• Scout Leader Found Alive & Well on Mt. Washington after Missing for 24 Hours
• Seattle Teachers Vote to Ratify a Tentative Agreement
• Kelso Teachers Vote to Continue Strike, Defying Judge’s Order
• Jobless Rates Fall in 29 States in August amid Job Gains
• Traffic Nightmare This Week as Chinese President Visits Seattle
• Chinook Press White House for Federal Recognition as Tribe
• Your Guide to Dieselgate: Volkswagen’s Diesel Cheating Catastrophe

WORD OF THE DAY

Sublimate • \SUB-lih-mayt\ • Verb – 1: to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state 2: to direct the expression of (a desire or impulse) from a primitive to a more socially and culturally acceptable form.

For the love of Jane, Tarzan sublimated his jungle instincts and wild tendencies. That is, until he was out of her sight in the jungle. Then, look out.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Canada: First Nations Lose Bid to Nullify Government OK for Peace River Dam Site (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/first-nations-lose-bid-to-nullify-government-ok-for-site-c-dam/article26443972/?cmpid=rss1

Idaho Falls Keeps Hydropower Heritage Alive (Twin Falls Times News, ID)

http://magicvalley.com/idaho-falls-keeps-hydropower-heritage-alive/article_6aa30e31-14fd-5aef-8261-7267705c561d.html

Nebraska’s Unique Public Power System Facing Market Pressure (Midwest Energy News)

http://midwestenergynews.com/2015/09/21/nebraskas-unique-public-power-system-facing-market-pressure/

Vancouver Neighbors Hope New Lights Will Deter Illegal Activity by Bike Path – Thanks to Clark Public Utilities (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Vancouver-neighbors-hope-new-lights-will-deter-illegal-activity-by-bike-path-328426121.html

Oregon: Nguyen Given Year-Long Contract to Manage Columbia River PUD (Pamplin Media Group, OR)

http://www.pamplinmedia.com/scs/83-news/273485-149152-nguyen-given-year-long-contract-to-manage-pud

Editorial: City Council Should Keep Exceptional Tacoma Public Utilities Director (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/op-ed/article35769195.html

Dam Safety & Security (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/print/hydro/volume-34/issue-7/departments/dam-safety-and-security.html

Puerto Rico Utility Fails to Extend Contract with Insurers (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-19/puerto-rico-utility-fails-to-extend-forbearance-with-insurers

The Top Ten Trends Transforming the Electric Power Sector (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/the-top-10-trends-transforming-the-electric-power-sector/405798/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Killing Cormorants to Save Salmon: 11,000 in Crosshairs of Controversial Program (Yakima Herald Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/killing-cormorants-to-save-salmon-in-crosshairs-of-controversial-program/article_3839300e-5fa0-11e5-a16a-47abd533cb16.html

Shoshone-Paiute Tribes on Duck Valley Reservation Harvest Salmon in Owyhee First Time in 87 Years (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/435020.aspx

Northwest Power & Conservation Council Report Recommends Steps for ‘Long-Term Cost Planning’ for Fish/Wildlife Program (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/435015.aspx

Does California Water District’s Dam Blocking Salmon Violate State Law? (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/investigations/the-public-eye/article35835900.html

California Fishing License Fees Ruled Unfair

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/09/18/california-fishing-license-fees-ruled-unfair.htm

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Water in Columbia, Willamette Rivers Lowest in Years (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/09/18/water-in-columbia-willamette-lowest-in-years/

Puget Sound ‘S.O.S.’ Act Announced by Congressmen (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2015/09/19/puget-sound-recovery-salmon-sos-act/72498216/

Flushing the Toilet Has Never Been Riskier – Some of today’s sewers were built before bathrooms as we know them existed & It’s time to upgrade (The Atlantic)

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/09/americas-sewage-crisis-public-health/405541/

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Whistling Ridge Wind Farm Faces New Legal Challenge – Petition seeks to block BPA decision to allow wind farm on grid (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/18/whistling-ridge-faces-new-legal-challenge/

South Dakota: Wind Farm Blames Utilities for $800 Million Bill (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/09/18/wind-farm-blames-utilities-for-800m-bill.htm

A Good Rate Design is Hard to Find: Experts Push Utility-Solar Compromise (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/a-good-rate-design-is-hard-to-find-experts-push-utility-solar-compromise/405894/

Public Power: A Lone Star Leader in Solar (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2015/09/20/bill-loveless-solar-energy-san-antonio-doyle-beneby/72408486/

Huge Solar, Wind Projects Have Biggest Impact on Hawaii’s Environment, New Report Says (Pacific Business News, HI)

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2015/09/18/huge-solar-wind-projects-have-biggest-impact-on.html

Five Unexpected States That Are Growing Renewable Energy in the U-S (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lyndseygilpin/2015/09/21/5-unexpected-states-that-are-growing-renewable-energy-in-the-us/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

LED Streetlight Conversion Project Saves Energy, Money for Public Power Utility (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=44524

Should I Stop Plugging In My Laptop? (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/living/should-i-stop-plugging-in-my-laptop/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Oregon’s Legal Sale of Marijuana Comes with Reprieve (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/us/oregons-legal-sale-of-marijuana-comes-with-reprieve.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Seattle Climatologist: Time to Get Real about Climate Change Issues (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2813041/Seattle-climatologist-Time-to-get-real-about-climate-change-issues

Climate Change: Biggest Threat to Plants May Be Competition, Not Heat (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2015/0920/Climate-change-Biggest-threat-to-plants-may-be-competition-not-heat

Energy Department Selects Five Projects in First Step to Produce Fresh Water from Carbon Dioxide Storage Sites (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/09/18/energy-department-selects-five-projects-in-first-step-to-produce-fresh-water-from-co2-storage-sites/

The Curious Case of the Green Ribbons at the 2015 Emmy Awards (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/09/20/transparent-green-ribbons/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Older Pierce County Wood Stoves Become Illegal October 1 (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/crime/article35920068.html

Editorial:  Imagine California Electric Utilities as Disrupters (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dan-morain/article35769372.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The Nonprofit Bringing High-School Broadband into the Modern Era (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/shinal/2015/09/18/non-profit-bringing-high-school-broadband-into-modern-era/72416414/

Electric Co-ops Develop High-speed Internet Service (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/emerging-technologies/telecom-emerging-technologies/electric-co-ops-developing-high-speed-internet-service/85226

Are Internet Providers Ripping Off Some of Their Biggest Customers? This Data May Tell (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/09/17/are-internet-providers-ripping-off-their-business-customers-this-data-may-tell/

Check Your iPhone, iPad Apps: Malware Gets into the App Store (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/techchron/2015/09/21/check-your-iphone-ipad-apps-malware-gets-into-the-app-store/

Skype Service Disrupted for Some Users Worldwide (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/technology/skype-service-disrupted-for-some-users-worldwide.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Web Companies Are Fighting in Court for the FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/09/21/internet-companies-are-rushing-to-defend-the-fccs-net-neutrality-rules-in-court/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Retailers’ Use of Their Fans’ Photos Draws Scrutiny (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/business/media/retailers-use-of-their-fans-photos-draws-scrutiny.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Move Over, Millennials, Here Comes Generation Z (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/20/fashion/move-over-millennials-here-comes-generation-z.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

How Facebook Actually Helps You Look on the Bright Side of Life – It might change the way you approach social media (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/why-facebook-and-gratitude-go-together-166957

Adrian Frutiger Dies at 87; His Type Designs Show You the Way (NY Times)

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/09/20/arts/design/adrian-frutiger-dies-at-87-his-type-designs-show-you-the-way.html?referrer=&_r=1

GENERAL NEWS

Scout Leader Found Alive & Well on Mt. Washington after Missing for 24 Hours (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/17133

Seattle Teachers Vote to Ratify a Tentative Agreement (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/09/20/seattle-teachers-vote-to-ratify-the-tentative-agreement/

Kelso Teachers Vote to Continue Strike, Defying Judge’s Order (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/328503541.html

Jobless Rates Fall in 29 States in August amid Job Gains (Associated Press)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/jobless-rates-fall-29-states-144401226.html

Traffic Nightmare This Week as Chinese President Visits Seattle (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/traffic/2015/09/18/traffic-nightmare-next-week-chinese-president-visits-seattle/72420382/

Chinook Press White House for Federal Recognition as Tribe (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/09/chinook_press_white_house_for.html

Your Guide to Dieselgate: Volkswagen’s Diesel Cheating Catastrophe (Jalopnik)

http://jalopnik.com/your-guide-to-dieselgate-volkswagens-diesel-cheating-c-1731857018

DIVERSIONS

With Half-Court Shot, College Student Won Tuition, Car, Fame

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article35944098.html

Priest Builds Lego Replica of the Vatican

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/trending-now/priest-builds-lego-replica-of-the-vatican-180857470.html

The New York Jets Want to Sell You a $50 Bagel Sandwich

http://mashable.com/2015/09/18/jets-bagel-sandwich/

Iowa School Board Candidate Runs Unopposed, Still Gets No Votes

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2015/09/21/iowa-school-board-candidate-runs-unopposed-still-gets-no-votes/

SONG OF THE DAY

Eric Carmen - All by Myself

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN9CjAfo5n0

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their websites 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 September 18, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for September 18, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ob6megc

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

Energize Eastside Critics Say Puget Sound Energy Must Follow Federal Rules to Justify New Power Lines (Bellevue Reporter, WA)

http://www.bellevuereporter.com/news/326481091.html

Thank Your Public Power Neighbors: Electric Bills to Drop 3.5 Percent for Pacific Power Washington Customers with Regional Power Credit (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/30027692/electric-bills-to-drop-35-percent-for-pacific-power-washington-customers-with-regional-power-credit

Northwest Power & Conservation Council Moves Ahead with Plan to Assess Potential Salmon Habitat Blocked by Grand Coulee (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/435022.aspx

Earth’s Record Streak of Record Heat Keeps Sizzling (Associated Press)

http://www.aol.com/article/2015/09/17/earths-record-streak-of-record-heat-keeps-sizzling/21237398/

Concerns over Possible Facebook ‘Dislike’ Button (Reuters)

https://nz.news.yahoo.com/technology/a/29550102/concerns-over-possible-dislike-button/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Energize Eastside Critics Say Puget Sound Energy Must Follow Federal Rules to Justify New Power Lines
• Thank Your Public Power Neighbors: Electric Bills to Drop 3.5 Percent for Pacific Power Washington Customers with Regional Power Credit
• Oregon: Columbia River PUD Announces Rate Increase
• Oregon: City Increases Electric Rates by Four Percent
• Pacific Gas & Electric Power Line May Have Sparked Deadly California Blaze
• Pacific Gas & Electric Repairing Grid as California Wildfires Leave Thousands without Power
• Moody’s Assigns Aa3 to Grant PUD’s 2015 Revenue Bonds; Outlook Stable
• Northwest Natural Asks Oregon to Slash Customers’ Gas Rates
• NE U-S: National Grid – Gas Constraints Lead to 21% Winter Rate Hike
• Copper Thieves Cutting Lights on SR 16 in Tacoma
• Tennessee Valley Authority Kicks Off a Potential Nuclear Energy Rebirth
• Secretary Moniz Unveils Roadmap to Double U-S Energy Productivity by 2030
• Improving Utility Smart Metering, Energy Services & Conservation
• Northwest Power & Conservation Council Moves Ahead with Plan to Assess Potential Salmon Habitat Blocked by Grand Coulee
• Agency Resumes Killing Cormorants to Help Salmon Migration on Columbia River
• Canada Sidesteps Protection of Endangered Fish, Study Finds
• Raw British Columbia Oysters Back on the Menu as Ban Lifted
• Saving the Sage Grouse: A Series Exploring Sage Grouse Conservation
• GOP Senators Move to Overturn Obama’s Water Rule
• Oregon Community Solar: Central Electric Cooperative Facility to Get Solar Panels
• Global Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing Production Slows in Recent Years
• We Need Better Home Energy Storage. These Companies Are Working On It
• California’s Renewable Energy Bill Is Costly for Covanta Waste-to-Energy Plant
• Wisconsin ‘Health Hazard’ Ruling Could Shock Wind Industry
• Renewable Energy to Power Sacramento State Buildings
• Idaho: Weiser Installs LED Bulbs in Street Lights
• Future of Electric Co-op Water Heater Load Response
• The Future Is Now
• Week in Review: More Marijuana Licenses in WA, Huge Sales Spike in CO & Supply Issues in NV
• Earth’s Record Streak of Record Heat Keeps Sizzling
• David Letterman Heads to India for National Geographic Climate Change Series
• WSU Biofuel Project Has New Benefit after Oil Prices Drop
• Op/Ed: Energy & the New Luddites
• Comcast Agrees to Pay $33 Million in California Privacy Breach
• Broadband Group to Test Internet Speeds at Montana Schools
• Gigabit Broadband: What’s the Business Case?
• FCC: Net Neutrality Doesn’t Violate Internet Service Providers’ First Amendment Rights
• Seven Ways to Deal with Insider Threats to Cybersecurity
• Concerns over Possible Facebook ‘Dislike’ Button
• Facebook’s New Ad Service to Charge Only after Full-Scroll
• Facebook & Twitter User Behavior Changes: New Research
• Johnson & Johnson Pull Ads from “The View” Because Nurses Do Indeed Wear Stethoscopes
• Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
• Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley’s Case File Exceeds 80,000 Pages
• Washington State’s Largest Fire Almost Contained
• Mason County Jail Inmate Found Dead; Suicide Suspected
• UW Prof: ‘Godzilla’ El Nino to Vanquish Warm ‘Blob’ of Ocean Waters
• Blinded by the Light? Homeowner Upset with WSDOT after Lamp Post Goes Up near Window
• Where Vandals Target Western Parks

WORD OF THE DAY

Skullduggery • \skull-DUGG-ur-ree\ • Noun – Underhanded or unscrupulous behavior; also, a devious device or trick

Unfortunately for the corporate leader, the skullduggery of his support staff had so undermined his credibility with the stockholders that everything he said at the annual meeting was met with loud peals of laughter. Initially he thought that they were laughing along with him at some large, inside joke. That is, until his aide whispered in his ear, “Sir, they’re not laughing WITH you, they’re laughing BESIDE you. And that’s a BIG difference.”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Energize Eastside Critics Say Puget Sound Energy Must Follow Federal Rules to Justify New Power Lines (Bellevue Reporter, WA)

http://www.bellevuereporter.com/news/326481091.html

Thank Your Public Power Neighbors: Electric Bills to Drop 3.5 Percent for Pacific Power Washington Customers with Regional Power Credit (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/30027692/electric-bills-to-drop-35-percent-for-pacific-power-washington-customers-with-regional-power-credit

Oregon: Columbia River PUD Announces Rate Increase (St Helens Chronicle, OR)

http://www.thechronicleonline.com/news/crpud-announces-rate-increase/article_89475e72-5c8e-11e5-ab7b-2b1dc17914a8.html

Oregon: City Increases Electric Rates by Four Percent (Bandon Western World, OR)

http://theworldlink.com/bandon/news/govt-and-politics/city-increases-electric-rates-by-percent/article_338f0805-c1f3-5dd5-93d4-f2fb29d8aeb1.html

Pacific Gas & Electric Power Line May Have Sparked Deadly California Blaze (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-man-reported-missing-northern-california-fire-33797725

Pacific Gas & Electric Repairing Grid as California Wildfires Leave Thousands without Power (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/pge-repairing-grid-as-california-wildfires-leave-thousands-without-power/405786/

Moody’s Assigns Aa3 to Grant PUD’s 2015 Revenue Bonds; Outlook Stable (Moody’s Investor Service)

https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-assigns-Aa3-to-Grant-County-Public-Utility-District-2--PR_334764

Northwest Natural Asks Oregon to Slash Customers’ Gas Rates (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2015/09/nw-natural-asks-oregon-to-slash-customers-gas.html

NE U-S: National Grid – Gas Constraints Lead to 21% Winter Rate Hike (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/national-grid-gas-constraints-lead-to-21-winter-rate-hike-2/405859/

Copper Thieves Cutting Lights on SR 16 in Tacoma (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/tacoma/2015/09/18/copper-thieves-cutting-lights-sr-16-tacoma/72381840/

Tennessee Valley Authority Kicks Off a Potential Nuclear Energy Rebirth (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2015/09/17/tennessee-valley-authority-kicks-off-a-potential-nuclear-energy-rebirth/

Secretary Moniz Unveils Roadmap to Double U-S Energy Productivity by 2030 (Utility Dive)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/09/17/secretary-moniz-unveils-roadmap-to-double-u-s-energy-productivity-by-2030/

Improving Utility Smart Metering, Energy Services & Conservation (Eurekalert)

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-09/uoma-iu091415.php

FISH & WILDLIFE

Northwest Power & Conservation Council Moves Ahead with Plan to Assess Potential Salmon Habitat Blocked by Grand Coulee (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/435022.aspx

Agency Resumes Killing Cormorants to Help Salmon Migration on Columbia River (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/33510960-75/agency-resumes-killing-cormorants-to-help-salmon-migration-on-columbia-river.html.csp

Canada Sidesteps Protection of Endangered Fish, Study Finds (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/marine-fish-sara-1.3232508?cmp=rss

Raw British Columbia Oysters Back on the Menu as Ban Lifted (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/raw-bc-oysters-back-on-the-menu-as-ban-lifted/article26413469/

Saving the Sage Grouse: A Series Exploring Sage Grouse Conservation (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/saving-sage-grouse-series-exploring-sage-grouse-conservation

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

GOP Senators Move to Overturn Obama’s Water Rule (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/254108-gop-senators-move-to-overturn-obamas-water-rule

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Oregon Community Solar: Central Electric Cooperative Facility to Get Solar Panels (Bend Bulletin, OR)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3516905-151/central-electric-facility-to-get-solar-panels#

Global Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing Production Slows in Recent Years (U-S Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=22912

We Need Better Home Energy Storage. These Companies Are Working On It (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/news/we-need-better-home-energy-storage-these-companies-are-working-on/

California’s Renewable Energy Bill Is Costly for Covanta Waste-to-Energy Plant (Modesto Bee, CA)

http://www.modbee.com/news/article35653536.html

Wisconsin ‘Health Hazard’ Ruling Could Shock Wind Industry (Midwest Energy News)

http://midwestenergynews.com/2015/09/17/wisconsin-health-hazard-ruling-could-shock-wind-industry/

Renewable Energy to Power Sacramento State Buildings (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article35643843.html#emlnl=Morning_Newsletter

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Idaho: Weiser Installs LED Bulbs in Street Lights (Ontario Argus-Observer, OR)

http://www.argusobserver.com/news/weiser-installs-led-bulbs-in-street-lights/article_b0c68102-5d5c-11e5-9a3c-9b53de6094d1.html

Future of Electric Co-op Water Heater Load Response (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/efficiency-conservation/energy-efficiency/future-of-co-op-water-heater-load-response/85024

The Future Is Now (American Public Power Association)

http://publicpower.org/Media/magazine/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=44475

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Week in Review: More Marijuana Licenses in WA, Huge Sales Spike in CO & Supply Issues in NV (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mjbizdaily.com/week-in-review-more-recreational-marijuana-shops-in-wa-huge-sales-spike-in-co-supply-issues-in-nv/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Earth’s Record Streak of Record Heat Keeps Sizzling (Associated Press)

http://www.aol.com/article/2015/09/17/earths-record-streak-of-record-heat-keeps-sizzling/21237398/

David Letterman Heads to India for National Geographic Climate Change Series (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/09/17/david-letterman-climate-change-national-geographic/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

WSU Biofuel Project Has New Benefit after Oil Prices Drop (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2015/09/17/wsu-biofuel-research-benefits/32554629/

Op/Ed: Energy & the New Luddites (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellynch/2015/09/17/energy-and-the-new-luddites/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Comcast Agrees to Pay $33 Million in California Privacy Breach (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/Comcast-agrees-to-pay-33M-in-California-privacy-6512631.php

Broadband Group to Test Internet Speeds at Montana Schools (Great Falls Tribune, MT)

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2015/09/16/broadband-group-test-internet-speeds-montana-schools/32502183/

Gigabit Broadband: What’s the Business Case? (Light Reading)

http://www.lightreading.com/gigabit/fttx/gigabit-broadband-whats-the-business-case-/a/d-id/718255

FCC: Net Neutrality Doesn’t Violate Internet Service Providers’ First Amendment Rights (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/09/18/fcc-net-neutrality-doesnt-violate-internet-service-providers-first-amendment-rights/

Seven Ways to Deal with Insider Threats to Cybersecurity (The Business Journals)

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/technology/2015/09/ways-to-deal-with-insider-cybersecurity-threats.html

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Concerns over Possible Facebook ‘Dislike’ Button (Reuters)

https://nz.news.yahoo.com/technology/a/29550102/concerns-over-possible-dislike-button/

Facebook’s New Ad Service to Charge Only after Full-Scroll (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/facebooks-ad-charge-only-full-scroll-131347776--finance.html

Facebook & Twitter User Behavior Changes: New Research (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/facebook-and-twitter-user-behavior-changes-new-research/

Johnson & Johnson Pull Ads from “The View” Because Nurses Do Indeed Wear Stethoscopes (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/09/18/johnson-johnson-pull-ads-from-the-view-because-nurses-do-indeed-wear-stethoscopes/

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/09/18/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-304/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley’s Case File Exceeds 80,000 Pages (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/troy-kelley-case-file-exceeds-80000-pages

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State’s Largest Fire Almost Contained (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/washingtons-largest-fire-almost-contained

Mason County Jail Inmate Found Dead; Suicide Suspected (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Mason-County-Jail-inmate-found-dead-suicide-suspected-328147411.html

UW Prof: ‘Godzilla’ El Nino to Vanquish Warm ‘Blob’ of Ocean Waters (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/UW-Prof-Godzilla-El-Nino-to-vanquish-warm-blob-of-ocean-waters-323888471.html?mobile=y

Blinded by the Light? Homeowner Upset with WSDOT after Lamp Post Goes Up near Window (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/09/16/homeowners-upset-with-wsdot-after-light-pole-goes-up-as-part-of-i-405-project/

Where Vandals Target Western Parks (High Country News)

https://www.hcn.org/issues/47.15/where-vandals-target-western-parks

DIVERSIONS

Dog Stands Guard for Week Protecting Trapped Friend

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Dog-stands-guard-for-week-protecting-trapped-friend-328218541.html

Ahmed Mohamed, Teen Arrested for Homemade Clock, Transferring To another School

http://q13fox.com/2015/09/18/ahmed-mohamed-teen-arrested-for-homemade-clock-transferring-to-another-school/

District Won’t Fire Praying Bremerton Football Coach

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2015/09/17/district-wont-fire-praying-bremerton-football-coach/72371194/

Bee Stings, Research That Makes You Go ‘Huh?’ Win Ig Nobels

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Bee-stings-research-that-makes-you-go-huh-win-6511790.php

SONG OF THE DAY

Madonna – Like a Prayer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc2BXCEeJMg

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their websites 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 September 11, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for September 11, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/oshcknl

The Battle of the Almanacs: What Will Our Winter Bring? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-battle-of-almanacs-what-will-our.html

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

Kerr Dam: Montana Tribes Celebrate Purchase of Hydroelectric Dam (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/09/11/montana-tribes-celebrate-purchase-of-hydroelectric-dam.htm

Did California Try to Go Too Far in Fight against Climate Change? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2015/0911/Did-California-try-to-go-too-far-in-fight-against-climate-change

A Look at the Future of Montana's Wind Power (ABC-Fox, Montana)

http://www.abcfoxmontana.com/story/29995400/a-look-at-the-future-of-montanas-wind-power

Too Few Pink Salmon Prompts Skagit Tribe to Close Fishery (Associated Press)

http://q13fox.com/2015/09/11/too-few-pink-salmon-prompts-skagit-tribe-to-close-fishery/

CenturyLink May Pay $2.8 Million 911 Fine (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/September-2015/CenturyLink-may-pay-28M-911-fine/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Kerr Dam: Montana Tribes Celebrate Purchase of Hydroelectric Dam
• Duke Energy to Pay Fine over Power Plant Violations
• South Carolina Official Threatens to Sue over Nuke Fuel Project
• Editorial: Storm a Stark Reminder for Preparedness
• Link To: The U-S Department of Energy’s Quadrennial Energy Review
• Why Microgrids Need Standards
• Too Few Pink Salmon Prompts Skagit Tribe to Close Fishery
• North Olympic Peninsula: Salmon Teeming In Area Rivers
• Pendleton Birders Keeping Watch for Return of Tiny Swifts
• Will the Sage Grouse Win the West?
• Mason County: Beard's Cove Estuary Restoration Nearly Complete
• Court Injunction Blocking ‘Waters of the U-S’ Rule Applies to 13 States, Not Entire Country
• A Look at the Future of Montana's Wind Power
• Despite Green Claims, Rocky Mountain Power Undermining Renewables in Utah
• The Man Who Lobbies for the Sun
• How Origami Can Make Solar Panels More Efficient
• Did California Try to Go Too Far in Fight against Climate Change?
• Huge Study to Use Drought Data to Plan for Future
• New York’s Natural Gas Pipelines Are Leakier than Your Grandpa
• CenturyLink May Pay $2.8 Million 911 Fine
• Google Fiber Considers Three New Cities
• FCC's Sohn Urges Cities to Build Own Broadband
• Apple Wants to Guide Your News Consumption with News App
• Ikea Just Had the Perfect Reaction to the Apple Pencil
• We Will Never Forget - September 11, 2001
• Tribute in Light Captures Grief and Joy of 9/11 Anniversary
• More Belfair Traffic Headaches Expected Today
• El Nino Shifts Into Overdrive, But Still Unlikely to Bust Western Drought or Break Records
• As Big Wildfires Become Routine, Communities Face Cascading Consequences
• Maple Cutter Pleads Guilty to Poaching
• Southern Oregon Firm Becomes First in the U-S to Be Certified for New Wood Product
• Seattle Enlists Legal Help to Fight NRA Lawsuit over Gun Tax

WORD OF THE DAY

Obverse • \AHB-verss\ • Noun – 1 : the side of a coin or currency note bearing the chief device and lettering; broadly: a front or principal surface 2: a counterpart having the opposite orientation or force; also: something that is opposed to some other often specified thing: an opposite 3: a proposition inferred immediately from another by denying the opposite of what the given proposition affirms.

Coin flip, team calls heads

Bounce. Bounce. Obverse side appears

Other team receives

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Kerr Dam: Montana Tribes Celebrate Purchase of Hydroelectric Dam (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/09/11/montana-tribes-celebrate-purchase-of-hydroelectric-dam.htm

Duke Energy to Pay Fine over Power Plant Violations (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/us/duke-energy-to-pay-fine-over-power-plant-violations.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

South Carolina Official Threatens to Sue over Nuke Fuel Project (Associated Press)

http://news.yahoo.com/carolina-official-threatens-sue-over-nuke-fuel-project-142226502--finance.html

Editorial: Storm a Stark Reminder for Preparedness (South Whidbey Record, Coupeville, WA)

http://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/opinion/325782001.html

Link To: The U-S Department of Energy’s Quadrennial Energy Review (U-S Department of Energy)

http://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/09/f26/Quadrennial-Technology-Review-2015.pdf

Why Microgrids Need Standards (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/why-microgrids-need-standards/405483/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Too Few Pink Salmon Prompts Skagit Tribe to Close Fishery (Associated Press)

http://q13fox.com/2015/09/11/too-few-pink-salmon-prompts-skagit-tribe-to-close-fishery/

North Olympic Peninsula: Salmon Teeming In Area Rivers – Wild Coho Retention Available Off Sekiu through Monday (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150911/news/309119982/outdoors-salmon-teeming-in-area-rivers-wild-coho-retention

Pendleton Birders Keeping Watch for Return of Tiny Swifts (Salem Statesman-Journal)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2015/09/11/birders-keeping-watch-for-return-of-tiny-swifts/72057748/

Will the Sage Grouse Win the West? (New Yorker Magazine)

http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/will-the-sage-grouse-win-the-west

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Mason County: Beard's Cove Estuary Restoration Nearly Complete (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/north-mason/beards-cove-estuary-restoration-nearly-complete_44268168

Court Injunction Blocking ‘Waters of the U-S’ Rule Applies to 13 States, Not Entire Country (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=44469

RENEWABLE ENERGY

A Look at the Future of Montana's Wind Power (ABC-Fox, Montana)

http://www.abcfoxmontana.com/story/29995400/a-look-at-the-future-of-montanas-wind-power

Despite Green Claims, Rocky Mountain Power Undermining Renewables in Utah (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/report-despite-green-claims-rocky-mountain-power-undermining-renewables-i/405457/

The Man Who Lobbies for the Sun (Morning Consult)

http://morningconsult.com/2015/09/the-man-who-lobbies-for-the-sun/

How Origami Can Make Solar Panels More Efficient (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2015/0911/How-origami-can-make-solar-panels-more-efficient

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Did California Try to Go Too Far in Fight against Climate Change? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2015/0911/Did-California-try-to-go-too-far-in-fight-against-climate-change

Huge Study to Use Drought Data to Plan for Future (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2015/09/10/drought-study/72036348/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

New York’s Natural Gas Pipelines Are Leakier than Your Grandpa (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/news/new-yorks-natural-gas-pipelines-are-leakier-than-your-grandpa/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CenturyLink May Pay $2.8 Million 911 Fine (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/September-2015/CenturyLink-may-pay-28M-911-fine/

Google Fiber Considers Three New Cities (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/09/10/google-fiber-expansion-high-speed-internet-irvine-san-diego-louisville/72026866/

FCC's Sohn Urges Cities to Build Own Broadband – Says Don't Wait for Incumbents to Supply Requisite Service (Multichannel News)

http://www.multichannel.com/news/fcc/fccs-sohn-urges-cities-build-own-broadband/393671

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Apple Wants to Guide Your News Consumption with News App (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_28744514/apple-wants-guide-your-news-consumption-news-app

Ikea Just Had the Perfect Reaction to the Apple Pencil (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/ikea-just-had-perfect-reaction-apple-pencil-166821

GENERAL NEWS

We Will Never Forget - September 11, 2001 (Associated Press)

http://www.khq.com/story/30008463/we-will-never-forget-september-11-2001

Tribute in Light Captures Grief and Joy of 9/11 Anniversary (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/nyregion/tribute-in-light-captures-grief-and-joy-of-9-11-anniversary.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

More Belfair Traffic Headaches Expected Today - Hood Canal Bridge opening Friday, Sept 11 Could Delay Traffic for Up to Four Hours (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/16994

El Nino Shifts Into Overdrive, But Still Unlikely to Bust Western Drought or Break Records (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/news/articles/2015/09/10/fed-upgrade-el-nino-to-strong-but-not-as-big-as-1997-98

As Big Wildfires Become Routine, Communities Face Cascading Consequences (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/09/11/3980048_as-big-wildfires-becomes-routine.html?rh=1

Maple Cutter Pleads Guilty to Poaching (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/maple-cutter-pleads-guilty-poaching

Southern Oregon Firm Becomes First in the U-S to Be Certified for New Wood Product (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/33492391-75/southern-oregon-firm-becomes-the-first-in-the-u.s-to-be-certified-for-new-wood-product.csp

Seattle Enlists Legal Help to Fight NRA Lawsuit over Gun Tax (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/sep/11/seattle-enlists-legal-help-to-fight-nra-lawsuit/

DIVERSIONS

Headsetgate? Patriots’ Radio Network Drowns Out Steelers’ Coaches

http://q13fox.com/2015/09/11/headsetgate-patriots-radio-network-drowns-out-steelers-coaches/

Fired Hungarian Camerawoman Apologizes for Kicking Migrants

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34218313

Meet the Adorable Two-Legged Disabled Dog Who Runs Around Just Like a T-Rex

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/meet-adorable-two-legged-disabled-095429698.html#ppshzPT

College Graduate Pays Parking Tickets over 40 Years Later

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/college-graduate-pays-parking-tickets-over-40-years-185317901.html#BlPVpK3

SONG OF THE DAY

John Denver – I'm Sorry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY-8TRCt5XE

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their websites 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.