Energy News Digest for March 4, 2016

The energy news digest will be on the road March 7-10. Look for possible tidbits of interest on the News Digest blog site (http://www.energynewsdigest.blogspot.com/) or on Twitter (http://twitter.com/energydigest) as the mood stirs.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 4, 2016

http://tinyurl.com/gn3x2t4

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Pacific Northwest Much Better Than Last Year – Basin Snowpack, Water Supply Forecasts near Average (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/436168.aspx

Senate Vote Sends Oregon Renewable Energy Plan to Governor (Portland Tribune, OR)

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/296176-173578-senate-vote-sends-renewable-energy-plan-to-governor

Seattle-Based GigabitNow Figured Out a Way to Bring Internet to Areas Telecoms Won't Touch (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2016/03/seattle-based-gigabitnow-figured-out-a-way-to.html

Legal Marijuana Is Finally Doing What the Drug War Couldn’t (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/03/03/legal-marijuana-is-finally-doing-what-the-drug-war-couldnt/?wprss=rss_business

Overshadowed Legislation Incentivizes Utility-Scale Solar in Oregon (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/03/overshadowed-legislation-incentivizes-utility.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Senate Vote Sends Oregon Renewable Energy Plan to Governor
• Tomorrow’s Nuclear Reactors Are Closer than You Think
• Disciplinary Decision on Hold While Port Angeles Utility Slush Fund Investigation Continues
• Peace River Dam Site Not the Best Choice for British Columbia’s Energy Needs, Report Author Says
• Seattle City Light Launches New Electrical Service Request Application
• Technology Innovation Summit Hosts Annual Research & Development Portfolio Review
• Court: California Utility Still on Hook to Pay Housing Costs after Natural Gas Leak
• Bird Poop Apparently Caused New York Nuclear Reactor Outage
• Pension Benefit Cuts Planned at TVA, Breaking a Federal Firewall
• Utilities Cautioned About Potential for a Cyberattack after Ukraine’s
• Northwest Power & Conservation Council’s Science Review Panel Looks at Broad Strategy to Restore John Day River Watershed
• Science Review Gives Colville Tribes’ Resident Fish Hatchery Management Plan Thumbs Up
• Cowlitz River Now Yields Highest Winter Steelhead Catches in March & April
• Pacific Northwest Much Better Than Last Year – Basin Snowpack, Water Supply Forecasts near Average
• California: Snowpack Level Falls Short of Water Needs
• Overshadowed Legislation Incentivizes Utility-Scale Solar in Oregon
• Future of U-S Solar Threatened in Nationwide Fight over Incentives
• Jewell Pushes U-S Interior Budget That Stresses Renewable Energy
• Ocean Energy Projects Key to Getting Hawaii to 100% Renewable, State Energy Czar Says
• EIA: FERC Order 745 to Spark Swift Growth in Demand Response Markets
• Advocating for Efficiency in the Clean Power Plan
• Amazon Extends Its Smart Home Push with Two New Gadgets & Support for Nest
• Legal Marijuana Is Finally Doing What the Drug War Couldn’t
• Oregon Marijuana Banking Bill Heading to Governor’s Desk
• Is Marijuana Necessary to Implement the Washington State Budget?
• Seattle-Based GigabitNow Figured Out a Way to Bring Internet to Areas Telecoms Won't Touch
• Google Fiber's Video Subscriber Growth Surges 79 Percent in 2015
• Analyst: Google Fiber Has Just 53,000 TV Customers
• FCC commissioner: Expect a broadband Internet Tax
• Don't Click 'Like' on Facebook Again Until You Read This
• The Human Problem at the Heart of Snapchat’s Employee Data Breach
• Apple Launches Support Page on Twitter; Instantly Gets 50,000 Followers
• Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
• Adjourn Without a Budget? Overtime Session? Both on Table in Olympia
• Oregon Legislature Adjourns 2016 Session
• Kittitas County: Effort to Create New County Launched by Upper County Group
• Despite Progress, Federal Energy Bill Remains Out of Reach
• Three Children Die in Centralia House Fire
• Shelton Retailer Helps People with Epilepsy
• Clark County, Others Ask Judge to Halt Cowlitz Casino Construction until Appeal Is Heard
• Sometimes to Prevent Fires, You Have to Set Fires: Lawmakers Mull DNR Reforms
• British Columbia Allergy Season Gets an Early Start, Says Doctor

WORD OF THE DAY

Zaftig (ZOFF-tig) adjective – Having a full rounded figure: pleasingly plump

The amber liquid

Housed in bottle so zaftic

Fuels internal fire

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Senate Vote Sends Oregon Renewable Energy Plan to Governor (Portland Tribune, OR)

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/296176-173578-senate-vote-sends-renewable-energy-plan-to-governor

Tomorrow’s Nuclear Reactors Are Closer than You Think (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2016/03/03/tomorrows-nuclear-reactors-are-closer-than-you-think/

Disciplinary Decision on Hold While Port Angeles Utility Slush Fund Investigation Continues (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160304/NEWS/303049968/disciplinary-decision-on-hold-while-utility-slush-fund-investigation

Peace River Dam Site Not the Best Choice for British Columbia’s Energy Needs, Report Author Says (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/site-c-not-the-best-choice-for-bcs-energy-needs-report-author-says/article29024804/?cmpid=rss1

Seattle City Light Launches New Electrical Service Request Application (Electric Energy Online)

http://www.electricenergyonline.com/detail_news.php?ID=567179&cat=;90

Technology Innovation Summit Hosts Annual Research & Development Portfolio Review (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Technology-Innovation-hosts-annual-RD-portfolio-review.aspx

Court: California Utility Still on Hook to Pay Housing Costs after Natural Gas Leak (Associated Press)

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CALIFORNIA_GAS_LEAK

Bird Poop Apparently Caused New York Nuclear Reactor Outage (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/bird-poop-apparently-caused-ny-nuclear-reactor-outage-37373196

Pension Benefit Cuts Planned at TVA, Breaking a Federal Firewall (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/04/business/pension-benefit-cuts-planned-at-tva-breaking-a-federal-firewall.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Utilities Cautioned About Potential for a Cyberattack after Ukraine’s (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/us/politics/utilities-cautioned-about-potential-for-a-cyberattack-after-ukraines.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FISH & WILDLIFE

Northwest Power & Conservation Council’s Science Review Panel Looks at Broad Strategy to Restore John Day River Watershed (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/436161.aspx

Science Review Gives Colville Tribes’ Resident Fish Hatchery Management Plan Thumbs Up (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/436159.aspx

Cowlitz River Now Yields Highest Winter Steelhead Catches in March & April (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/lifestyles/cowlitz-river-now-yields-highest-winter-steelhead-catches-in-march/article_ab37fdda-da3e-59cf-ba35-61b7935740c2.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Pacific Northwest Much Better Than Last Year – Basin Snowpack, Water Supply Forecasts near Average (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/436168.aspx

California: Snowpack Level Falls Short of Water Needs (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/02/us/california-snowpack-level-falls-short-of-water-needs.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Overshadowed Legislation Incentivizes Utility-Scale Solar in Oregon (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/03/overshadowed-legislation-incentivizes-utility.html

Future of U-S Solar Threatened in Nationwide Fight over Incentives (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-solar-policy-states-insight-idUSKCN0W35CN

Jewell Pushes U-S Interior Budget That Stresses Renewable Energy (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2016/03/jewell-pushes-us-interior-budget-that-stresses-renewable-energy.html

Ocean Energy Projects Key to Getting Hawaii to 100% Renewable, State Energy Czar Says (Pacific Business News, HI)

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/2016/03/ocean-energy-projects-key-to-getting-hawaii-to-100.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

EIA: FERC Order 745 to Spark Swift Growth in Demand Response Markets (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/eia-ferc-order-745-to-spark-swift-growth-in-demand-response-markets/414997/

Advocating for Efficiency in the Clean Power Plan (The Energy Collective)

http://www.theenergycollective.com/usgbc/2323346/advocating-efficiency-clean-power-plan

Amazon Extends Its Smart Home Push with Two New Gadgets & Support for Nest (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/03/03/amazon-extends-its-smart-home-push-with-two-new-gadgets-and-support-for-nest/?wprss=rss_business

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Legal Marijuana Is Finally Doing What the Drug War Couldn’t (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/03/03/legal-marijuana-is-finally-doing-what-the-drug-war-couldnt/?wprss=rss_business

Oregon Marijuana Banking Bill Heading to Governor’s Desk (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mjbizdaily.com/oregon-marijuana-banking-bill-heading-to-governors-desk/

Is Marijuana Necessary to Implement the Washington State Budget? (Washington State Wire)

http://washingtonstatewire.com/blog/marijuana-necessary-implement-budget/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Seattle-Based GigabitNow Figured Out a Way to Bring Internet to Areas Telecoms Won't Touch (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2016/03/seattle-based-gigabitnow-figured-out-a-way-to.html

Google Fiber's Video Subscriber Growth Surges 79 Percent in 2015 (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-alphabet-googlefiber-idUSKCN0W52GP

Analyst: Google Fiber Has Just 53,000 TV Customers (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Analyst-Google-Fiber-Has-Just-53000-TV-Customers-136432

FCC commissioner: Expect a broadband Internet Tax (Washington Examiner)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/fcc-commissioner-expect-a-broadband-internet-tax/article/2584747?custom_click=rss

MARKETING & MEDIA

Don't Click 'Like' on Facebook Again Until You Read This (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2016/03/04/dont-click-like-facebook-again-until-you-read/81264440/

The Human Problem at the Heart of Snapchat’s Employee Data Breach (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/03/01/the-human-problem-at-the-heart-of-snapchats-employee-data-breach/

Apple Launches Support Page on Twitter; Instantly Gets 50,000 Followers (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-twitter-idUSKCN0W529C

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2016/03/04/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-324/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Adjourn Without a Budget? Overtime Session? Both on Table in Olympia (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/adjourn-without-budget-overtime-session-both-table-olympia

Oregon Legislature Adjourns 2016 Session – Legislative session ended 3 days ahead of schedule (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2016/03/03/oregon-legislature-adjourns-2016-session/

Kittitas County: Effort to Create New County Launched by Upper County Group (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/members/effort-to-create-new-county-launched-by-upper-county-group/article_2c31808c-e163-11e5-a9d2-df67d074cac6.html

Despite Progress, Federal Energy Bill Remains Out of Reach (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2016/03/03/despite-progress-energy-bill-remains-out-of-reach/

GENERAL NEWS

Three Children Die in Centralia House Fire (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2016/03/04/three-children-dead-in-centralia-house-fire/

Shelton Retailer Helps People with Epilepsy (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/27001-shelton-retailer-helps-people-with-epilepsy

Clark County, Others Ask Judge to Halt Cowlitz Casino Construction until Appeal Is Heard (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/clark-county-others-ask-judge-to-halt-casino-construction-until/article_7c014c2f-5e9f-54bd-86e2-ebc557bb0e32.html

Sometimes to Prevent Fires, You Have to Set Fires: Lawmakers Mull DNR Reforms (The Lens, Business Institute of Washington)

http://thelens.news/2016/03/03/sometimes-to-prevent-fires-you-have-to-set-fires-lawmakers-mull-dnr-reforms/

British Columbia Allergy Season Gets an Early Start, Says Doctor (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-allergy-season-1.3475617?cmp=rss

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Driver Arrested for Homemade License Plate

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/03/04/driver-arrested-homemade-license-plate/81307902/

Romanians Make Fun of Bernie Sanders for Tweet about Internet Speed

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2016-03-03/romanians-make-fun-of-bernie-sanders-over-internet-tweet

Best-Selling Author Explains the Complexity of Pairing Wine with Girl Scout Cookies

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2925450/Bestselling-author-explains-the-complexity-of-pairing-wine-with-Girl-Scout-cookies

Empty Paper Towel Dispenser in Men's Restroom Leads to $990,000 Lawsuit against Walmart

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2016/02/empty_paper_towel_dispenser_in.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Eagles – Life in the Fast Lane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tcXblWojdM

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST BLOG & TWITTER FEED

The news digest is also available at the following web site:

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

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

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 March 3, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 3, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1RL8TaT

Flood Warning for Skokomish River

http://1.usa.gov/1L6HdOl

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Day after Indictment – Former Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon Dies in Car Crash (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-chesapeake-enrgy-mcclendon-idUSKCN0W42ME

Oregon Lawmakers Approve Pioneering Pro Climate Coal Bill (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-03-02/oregon-lawmakers-approve-pioneering-pro-climate-coal-bill

Clean Nuclear Energy Future One Step Closer (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/2016/03/02/clean-nuclear-energy-future-one-step-closer/81203614/

U-S Supreme Court Justice Rejects State Request to Block Mercury & Air Toxics Standards Implementation (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/chief-justice-rejects-state-request-to-block-mats-implementation/414985/

Oregon Tax Breaks Approved for Comcast, Frontier, Google (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2016/03/02/tax-breaks-approved-for-comcast-frontier-google/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Day after Indictment – Former Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon Dies in Car Crash
• Clean Nuclear Energy Future One Step Closer
• Chelan PUD Awarded $1.4 Million for Wildfire Restorations
• March 10 – Planned Mason PUD 3 Power Outage for Lake Cushman Area for BPA Substation Maintenance
• March 10 Scheduled Power Outage for Mason PUD 1
• EPA Head Bullish on Clean Power Plan – Supreme Court Setback Can be Dealt With
• LIHEAP Action Day Push for $4.7 Billion
• An Electric Education for Missouri Co-op Members
• Dwindling California Salmon Put Fishing Season in Peril
• Forecasters Offer Conservative Guess on Columbia/Yakima Salmon Runs after Last Year’s Hot Weather
• U-S Supreme Court Justice Rejects State Request to Block Mercury & Air Toxics Standards Implementation
• Breaking: Puget Soundkeeper & Others Sue EPA (Again) Alleging Failure to Adopt Water Quality Standards
• Oregon State Senator Skeptical of Community Solar Benefits for Rural Residents
• Lost RECs – Vermont Consumers Receive No Renewable Energy despite Industry’s Growth
• United Kingdom: ‘Store More Energy in Water’, Says Scottish Power
• Alaska Village Awarded Federal Grant for River Turbine Design
• Washington State Legislature OK’s Growing of Industrial Hemp
• Future of Pot Farms Hazy in Chelan County
• Oregon Lawmakers Approve Pioneering Pro Climate Coal Bill
• Does a Carbon Tax Work? Ask British Columbia
• Editorial: No on Carbon Tax Initiative 732
• Editorial: Examine Carbon Tax
• Solar Fight Turns to Presidential-Style Bare-Knuckle Campaign Tactics
• Oregon Tax Breaks Approved for Comcast, Frontier, Google
• New Canadian ‘Skinny’ TV Bundles Hammer Users with Fees
• Verizon to Begin Making a Mockery of Net Neutrality This Week
• Canva: How to Easily Create Quality Social Media Images
• Washington Supreme Court Puts Nail in Coffin of State Auditor Recall Effort
• Washington State Senators Pursue Police-Fire-Teachers Pension Merger
• It’s a Popular Job: Eight Aspire to be Lieutenant Governor
• Port of Shelton Commissioners Dismiss Executive Director
• Shutty Announces Bid for Mason County Commissioner District 2
• El Niño’s Parade of ‘Atmospheric River’ Storms Is Finally Coming to California

WORD OF THE DAY

Greek Tragedy (greek TRAj-uh-dee) Noun – In ancient Greek theatre, a play in which the protagonist, usually a man of importance & outstanding personal qualities, falls to disaster through the combination of a personal failing & circumstances with which he cannot deal.

Big Energy Czar

Fiery car crash ends his life

Sad. Greek tragedy

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Day after Indictment – Former Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon Dies in Car Crash (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-chesapeake-enrgy-mcclendon-idUSKCN0W42ME

Clean Nuclear Energy Future One Step Closer (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/2016/03/02/clean-nuclear-energy-future-one-step-closer/81203614/

Chelan PUD Awarded $1.4 Million for Wildfire Restorations (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/2675-2/

March 10 – Planned Mason PUD 3 Power Outage for Lake Cushman Area for BPA Substation Maintenance (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1595

March 10 Scheduled Power Outage for Mason PUD 1 (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/19331

EPA Head Bullish on Clean Power Plan – Supreme Court Setback Can be Dealt With (The Energy Times)

http://tdworld.com/news/epa-head-bullish-clean-power-plan

LIHEAP Action Day Push for $4.7 Billion (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/public-policy-watch/legislation/liheap-action-day-push-for-4-7-billion/90018

An Electric Education for Missouri Co-op Members (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/an-electric-education-for-new-mac-co-op-members/89350

FISH & WILDLIFE

Dwindling California Salmon Put Fishing Season in Peril (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article63699517.html

Forecasters Offer Conservative Guess on Columbia/Yakima Salmon Runs after Last Year’s Hot Weather (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/forecasters-offer-conservative-guess-on-salmon-runs-after-last-year/article_3d3d5c3a-e117-11e5-b97b-473a85d1f1b7.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

U-S Supreme Court Justice Rejects State Request to Block Mercury & Air Toxics Standards Implementation (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/chief-justice-rejects-state-request-to-block-mats-implementation/414985/

Breaking: Puget Soundkeeper & Others Sue EPA (Again) Alleging Failure to Adopt Water Quality Standards (Science, Law & the Environment)

http://www.sciencelawenvironment.com/2016/02/breaking-puget-soundkeeper-and-others-sue-epa-again-alleging-failure-to-adopt-water-quality-standards-for-washington-that-account-for-higher-fish-consumption-rates/

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Oregon State Senator Skeptical of Community Solar Benefits for Rural Residents (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/03/senator-skeptical-of-community-solar-benefits-for.html

Lost RECs – Vermont Consumers Receive No Renewable Energy despite Industry’s Growth (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/report-vermont-consumers-receive-no-renewable-energy-despite-industrys-gr/414737/

United Kingdom: ‘Store More Energy in Water’, Says Scottish Power (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35666993

Alaska Village Awarded Federal Grant for River Turbine Design (Associated Press)

http://www.alaskapublic.org/2016/03/01/village-awarded-federal-grant-for-river-turbine-design/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Washington State Legislature OK’s Growing of Industrial Hemp (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/legislature-oks-growing-industrial-hemp/

Future of Pot Farms Hazy in Chelan County (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/2680-2/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Oregon Lawmakers Approve Pioneering Pro Climate Coal Bill (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-03-02/oregon-lawmakers-approve-pioneering-pro-climate-coal-bill

Does a Carbon Tax Work? Ask British Columbia (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/02/business/does-a-carbon-tax-work-ask-british-columbia.html?ref=energy-environment&_r=2

Editorial: No on Carbon Tax Initiative 732 (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/opinion/no-on-initiative/article_3f707a72-0a24-58d6-aa04-f8d0a460f4a3.html

Editorial: Examine Carbon Tax (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/mar/02/in-our-view-examine-carbon-tax/

Solar Fight Turns to Presidential-Style Bare-Knuckle Campaign Tactics (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/solar-fight-turns-to-presidential-style-bare-knuckle-campaign-tactics/414730/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Oregon Tax Breaks Approved for Comcast, Frontier, Google (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2016/03/02/tax-breaks-approved-for-comcast-frontier-google/

New Canadian ‘Skinny’ TV Bundles Hammer Users with Fees (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/New-Canadian-Skinny-TV-Bundles-Hammer-Users-With-Fees-136410

Verizon to Begin Making a Mockery of Net Neutrality This Week (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Verizon-to-Begin-Making-a-Mockery-of-Net-Neutrality-This-Week-136409

MARKETING & MEDIA

Canva: How to Easily Create Quality Social Media Images (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-easily-create-quality-social-media-images/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington Supreme Court Puts Nail in Coffin of State Auditor Recall Effort (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-supreme-court-puts-nail-coffin-state-auditor-recall-effort

Washington State Senators Pursue Police-Fire-Teachers Pension Merger (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article63367867.html

It’s a Popular Job: Eight Aspire to be Lieutenant Governor (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20160302/BLOG13/160309825/It%27s-a-popular-job-8-aspire-to-be-lieutenant-governor

GENERAL NEWS

Port of Shelton Commissioners Dismiss Executive Director (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26994-port-commissioners-dismiss-director

Shutty Announces Bid for Mason County Commissioner District 2 (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/19368

El Niño’s Parade of ‘Atmospheric River’ Storms Is Finally Coming to California (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2016/03/03/el-nino-atmospheric-river-storms-california/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Detectives: Fake Teen Doctor Stole $34,000 from Patient

http://q13fox.com/2016/03/02/detectives-fake-teen-doctor-stole-34000-from-patient/

Sheriff: Man Taking Selfies with Gun Fatally Shoots Himself

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/weird_news/sheriff-man-taking-selfies-with-gun-fatally-shoots-himself/article_5f471841-b60f-5252-9ee7-804ec9abdd7a.html

Cache of Century-Old Ty Cobb Baseball Cards Found

http://koin.com/ap/cache-of-century-old-ty-cobb-baseball-cards-found/

Man Tricks Package Thief with Dog Poop

http://www.khq.com/story/31370815/man-tricks-package-thief-with-dog-poop

SONG OF THE DAY

George Gershwin – Concerto in F

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVHhKU5tVOA

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:

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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 March 2, 2016

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 2, 2016

http://1.usa.gov/1ToHPSk

Flood Warning for Mason County

http://1.usa.gov/1niR5K0

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Two Large Outages in One Day Affect Mason PUD 3 Customers (Mason POUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1597

Puget Sound Energy’s Proposed Higher-Voltage Power Poles Spark Debate over Safety & Need on Eastside (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/proposed-higher-voltage-power-poles-spark-debate-over-safety-and-need-on-eastside/

Cowlitz PUD Commission Votes to Oppose Carbon Initiative (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-commission-votes-to-oppose-carbon-initiative/article_e14fd07b-237e-5fd5-8977-e38dbbd1299b.html

Puget Sound Coho Return Forecasts 'Critical' in Most Areas (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2016/03/01/coho-return-forecasts-critical-most-areas/81182364/

Registration Opens March First for Mason PUD 1’s Community Solar (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/19320

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Two Large Outages in One Day Affect Mason PUD 3 Customers
• Winds Knock Out Power to 10,000 Cowlitz PUD Customers
• High Winds Down Trees, Cut Power in Clark County
• 75,000 Customers Lose Power in Western Washington Storm
• Puget Sound Energy’s Proposed Higher-Voltage Power Poles Spark Debate over Safety & Need on Eastside
• Oregon Lawmakers Advance Measure to Phase Out Coal from Power Supply
• Snohomish County PUD Weighing Billing Alternatives
• BC Hydro Granted Injunction against Peace River Dam Protesters
• Alcoa Hiring Temporary Employees for Ferndale Smelter Work
• Op/Ed: Whatcom View: China’s Manipulations of Aluminum Prices Costing U-S Jobs
• California: Pacific Gas & Electric Could Face Fines of Up to $652 Million in Gas Records Probe
• U-S Supreme Court Skeptical Maryland State Subsidies Didn't Overstep FERC Jurisdiction
• Report Says Cheap Natural Gas Leads to More Petrochemical Plants & Pollution
• Puget Sound Coho Return Forecasts 'Critical' in Most Areas
• Washington State Correcting Fish-Passage Barriers
• Drone Captures Large Alaska Salmon Homecoming
• Oregon DEQ Chief Leaving Amid Air Quality Controversy
• How Does Portland's Air Quality Compare to Other Cities?
• Clark County to Cowlitz Tribe: Halt Work Tied to Casino Wastewater System
• Registration Opens March First for Mason PUD 1’s Community Solar
• The U-S Relied More on Electricity from Renewable Sources in 1950 than Today
• British Columbia Energy Minister Says Clean Power Projects Aren’t the Priority
• Bill Gates: It Is Surprisingly Hard to Store Energy
• Warren Buffett Discusses NV Energy, Solar Rates, & Elon Musk
• 'Only a Matter of Time' – U-S Offshore Wind Struggles to Get Off the Ground
• Little-Noticed, Rules for Home Appliances Dwarf Clean Power Plan
• Op/Ed: Avista Conservation Energy Report Card Spurs New Goal
• Bill That Aims to Bring Smaller Medical Marijuana Producers into Recreational Market Passes Oregon Senate
• Cowlitz PUD Commission Votes to Oppose Carbon Initiative
• Op/Ed: Costs Killing Animal Waste Power
• Bitcoin Miners Have Discovered Washington
• Google Fiber's Long Portland Courtship Frustrates Customers, But Maybe Not Google
• Idaho’s High Court Says Contract for Broadband in Schools is Void
• Judge Says U-S Can’t Make Apple Give iPhone Data
• Pine Tree Sprouts Overnight in Pasco
• Five Things to Do During Your First Week as a Social Media Manager
• After a Decade Of Silence, Did Justice Clarence Thomas Find His Voice?
• Belfair Murder-Suicide: Four Were Slain ‘Execution-Style’ in Chicken Coop
• Man Who Killed Four in Mason County Had Long Criminal History
• Shelton Gas Line Work Begins, Delays First Street Traffic
• Belfair Highway Work Raises Questions
• City of Shelton Takes First Step to Reduce Building Fees
• Department of Ecology Employee Accused of Stealing from Celebration Fund

WORD OF THE DAY

Enfant Terrible • \on-fahnt tuh-REEB-luh\ • Noun - 1a: a child whose inopportune remarks cause embarrassment b: a person known for shocking remarks or outrageous behavior 2: a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde

At 88, Barney was the youngest member of the “Shady Lanes Retirement Home.” Even at the time of life when it becomes OK to blithely blurt out what you really feel about something, He was considered the facility’s “Enfant Terrible” for his truly outrageous, yet painfully accurate, observations of life in the elder care wing.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Two Large Outages in One Day Affect Mason PUD 3 Customers (Mason POUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=1597

Winds Knock Out Power to 10,000 Cowlitz PUD Customers (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/winds-knock-out-power-to-cowlitz-pud-customers/article_d7d4a550-d56e-5798-a119-8787396b3a46.html

High Winds Down Trees, Cut Power in Clark County – Electricity restored to most of the 1,900 customers affected (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/mar/01/windstorm-to-persist-through-this-evening/

75,000 Customers Lose Power in Western Washington Storm (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article63431067.html

Puget Sound Energy’s Proposed Higher-Voltage Power Poles Spark Debate over Safety & Need on Eastside (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/proposed-higher-voltage-power-poles-spark-debate-over-safety-and-need-on-eastside/

Oregon Lawmakers Advance Measure to Phase Out Coal from Power Supply (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/oregon-lawmakers-advance-measure-phase-out-coal-power-supply

Snohomish County PUD Weighing Billing Alternatives (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2016/03/01/snohomish-county-pud-weighing-billing-alternatives/81162012/

BC Hydro Granted Injunction against Peace River Dam Protesters (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-hydro-injunction-site-c-protesters-1.3469570?cmp=rss

Alcoa Hiring Temporary Employees for Ferndale Smelter Work (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article63224912.html

Op/Ed: Whatcom View: China’s Manipulations of Aluminum Prices Costing U-S Jobs (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article62238292.html

California: Pacific Gas & Electric Could Face Fines of Up to $652 Million in Gas Records Probe (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_29577444/pg-e-could-face-puc-fines-up-652?source=rss

U-S Supreme Court Skeptical Maryland State Subsidies Didn't Overstep FERC Jurisdiction (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/supreme-court-skeptical-maryland-state-subsidies-didnt-overstep-ferc-juris/414680/

Report Says Cheap Natural Gas Leads to More Petrochemical Plants & Pollution (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/29/report-cheap-natural-gas-leads-to-more-plants-and-pollution/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Puget Sound Coho Return Forecasts 'Critical' in Most Areas (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2016/03/01/coho-return-forecasts-critical-most-areas/81182364/

Washington State Correcting Fish-Passage Barriers – For WSDOT, upgrading culverts regular part of road improvement (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/mar/01/state-correcting-fish-passage-barriers/

Drone Captures Large Alaska Salmon Homecoming (The Weather Channel)

https://www.facebook.com/TheWeatherChannel/videos/10153908810945921/?fref=nf

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oregon DEQ Chief Leaving Amid Air Quality Controversy (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/03/oregon-deq-chief-leaving-amid-air-quality.html

How Does Portland's Air Quality Compare to Other Cities? (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/03/how-does-portlands-air-quality-compare-to-other.html

Clark County to Cowlitz Tribe: Halt Work Tied to Casino Wastewater System (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/29/clark-county-to-tribe-halt-work-tied-to-wastewater-sytem/

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Registration Opens March First for Mason PUD 1’s Community Solar (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/19320

The U-S Relied More on Electricity from Renewable Sources in 1950 than Today (Quartz)

http://qz.com/623371/the-us-relied-more-on-electricity-from-renewable-sources-in-1950-than-today/

British Columbia Energy Minister Says Clean Power Projects Aren’t the Priority (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-energy-minister-says-clean-power-projects-arent-the-priority/article28961898/?cmpid=rss1

Bill Gates: It Is Surprisingly Hard to Store Energy (LinkedIn Pulse)

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/surprisingly-hard-store-energy-bill-gates?trk=eml-b2_content_ecosystem_digest-network_publishes-43-null&midToken=AQFj3ILv_PL0nQ&fromEmail=fromEmail&ut=3W1ZaDKK27x781

Warren Buffett Discusses NV Energy, Solar Rates, & Elon Musk (Las Vegas Sun, NV)

http://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/mar/01/warren-buffett-nv-energy-solar-rates-elon-musk/

'Only a Matter of Time' – U-S Offshore Wind Struggles to Get Off the Ground (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/only-a-matter-of-time-us-offshore-wind-struggles-to-get-off-the-ground/414215/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Little-Noticed, Rules for Home Appliances Dwarf Clean Power Plan (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-03-01/little-noticed-rules-for-home-appliances-dwarf-clean-power-plan

Op/Ed: Avista Conservation Energy Report Card Spurs New Goal (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/feb/29/doug-clark-avista-energy-report-card-spurs-new-goa/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Bill That Aims to Bring Smaller Medical Marijuana Producers into Recreational Market Passes Oregon Senate (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2016/02/bill_that_aims_to_bring_smalle.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Cowlitz PUD Commission Votes to Oppose Carbon Initiative (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-commission-votes-to-oppose-carbon-initiative/article_e14fd07b-237e-5fd5-8977-e38dbbd1299b.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Op/Ed: Costs Killing Animal Waste Power (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, WA)

http://www.kpbj.com/columnists/don-brunell--costs-killing-animal-waste-power-2cb07edf-38d7-148c-e053-0100007fe1be-370340811.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Bitcoin Miners Have Discovered Washington – Drawn by cheap hydropower, cyber entrepreneurs are encountering concerns about their appetite for electricity (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2016/03/bitcoin-miners-have-discovered-washington/

Google Fiber's Long Portland Courtship Frustrates Customers, But Maybe Not Google (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2016/02/google_fibers_protracted_portl.html

Idaho’s High Court Says Contract for Broadband in Schools is Void (Idaho Statesman, Boise)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article63368487.html

Judge Says U-S Can’t Make Apple Give iPhone Data (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/29/judge-u-s-cant-make-apple-give-iphone-data/

Pine Tree Sprouts Overnight in Pasco (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/31361112/pine-tree-sprouts-overnight-in-pasco

MARKETING & MEDIA

Five Things to Do During Your First Week as a Social Media Manager (Hootsuite)

https://blog.hootsuite.com/first-week-as-a-social-media-manager/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

After a Decade Of Silence, Did Justice Clarence Thomas Find His Voice? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2016/0229/After-a-decade-of-silence-did-Justice-Clarence-Thomas-find-his-voice

GENERAL NEWS

Belfair Murder-Suicide: Four Were Slain ‘Execution-Style’ in Chicken Coop (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26978-4-in-family-were-slain-execution-style-in-chicken-coop

Man Who Killed Four in Mason County Had Long Criminal History (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/fourth-victim-of-belfair-shooting-identified-as-neighbor/

Shelton Gas Line Work Begins, Delays First Street Traffic (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/26952-gas-line-work-begins-delays-1st-street-traffic

Belfair Highway Work Raises Questions (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://pugetsoundblogs.com/roadwarrior/2016/02/25/belair-highway-work-raises-questions/

City of Shelton Takes First Step to Reduce Building Fees (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/19323

Department of Ecology Employee Accused of Stealing from Celebration Fund (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/crime/article63303727.html

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

George Kennedy, Oscar Winner for 'Cool Hand Luke,' Dies at 91

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/george-kennedy-dead-cool-hand-721400

High School Basketball Team Blows State Title Game after Premature Celebration

http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/hs-basketball-team-blows-state-title-after-premature-celebration-022916

Celebrate National Pig Day with These Snorting, Cavorting Swine

http://time.com/4228049/national-pig-day-photos/

Greenland Games Forced To Bring In Snow as Temperatures Rise

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-greenland-sport-snow-idUSKCN0W344Q

SONG OF THE DAY

Lalo Schifrin – Cool Hand Luke, Main Title

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2cKAbqWMLg

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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.