Energy News Digest for January 3, 2017

Occasionally get out the porta-vac to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for January 3, 2017

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Cold Temperatures Forecast for Western Washington State (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/01/cold-temperatures-forecast-kela-radio.html

Puget Sound Energy’s 24-Hour Power Restoration Guarantee Starts January 1 (KING-TV, Seattle, WA – Read the fine print)

http://www.king5.com/mb/news/local/puget-sound-energys-24-hour-power-restoration-guarantee-starts-january-1/380450636

Historical Sites Enter Debate Over Dams (Associated Press)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/4947753-151/historical-sites-enter-debate-over-dams

Feds Say Vermont Utility Was Infiltrated by Russian Hackers (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/fbi-dhs-say-vermont-utility-was-infiltrated-by-russian-hackers/433122/

Washington State Sees Healthy Snowpack Levels (Associated Press)

http://www.khq.com/story/34167014/washington-state-sees-healthy-snowpack-levels

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Puget Sound Energy’s 24-Hour Power Restoration Guarantee Starts January 1
• Historical Sites Enter Debate Over Dams
• Chelan PUD Approves Rock Island Dam Modernization
• Plans for Bend-Area Hydroelectric Project Keep Churning
• Biomass Testing Delayed at Boardman Coal Plant
• Idaho Approves Avista Electricity Rate Hike
• Flathead Electric Cooperative Gets Ready for the Big Chill
• Peace River Dam Inspections Find Issues During Hydroelectric Project’s Construction
• How will Rick Perry run the Department of Energy?
• Deterioration of Iraq’s Massive Mosul Dam Reaches Crisis Point
• Columbia Fishing Fees Could Jump 69 Percent
• Washington State Sees Healthy Snowpack Levels
• New Yellowstone Irrigation Dam Challenged Over Sturgeon Worries
• Just Over 264 Million Gallons - Massive Water Loss from Vancouver Aquifer Blamed on Contractor Error
• British Columbia: Sewage Controversy in Greater Victoria Finally Circled the Drain in 2016
• Klickitat PUD Utility Advises Ways to Cut Bill
• Tips to Save Energy, Money During Colder Weather
• Making Your Home Energy Efficient Without Breaking the Bank
• Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Others Call on Treasury to Make It Easier for Marijuana-Related Businesses to Bank
• Now That Pot’s Legal in California, Here’s How to Grow It Indoors & Outdoors
• Feds Say Vermont Utility Was Infiltrated by Russian Hackers
• Orcas Island: How a Group of Neighbors Created Their Own Internet Service
• Distracted Driver Sues Apple Over a Fatal Car Crash – Was Using ‘FaceTime’ App
• Bitcoin Jumps Above $1,000 for First Time in Three Years
• BPA Moves the Journal Online After 27 Years in Print
• Twitter Might Let Users Edit Tweets Someday
• France Gives Workers the Right to Avoid Work Email After Hours
• Washington State Senator Says He’s Tapped for Trump Transition Team
• Cold Temperatures Forecast for Western Washington State
• Public Works: Mason Road Restrictions Possible During Deep Freeze
• Seattle Was Colder Than Alaska’s Arctic Coast This Morning
• India’s Call-Center Talents Put to a Criminal Use: Swindling Americans

WORD OF THE DAY

Ichthyomania • \ick-thee-oh-MANE-ee-yah\ • An excessive fascination with fish.

Ichthyomancy • \ick-thee-oh-MAN-see\ • 1. Divination by means of the heads or entrails of fishes. 2. Divination by examining the heads and/or entrails of fish for prophetic signs or processing the next fish caught.

Bradford was in heaven. As a rabid ichtyomnaniac, working in the fish processing plant let him play with his semi-frozen charges as if they were ventriloquist dummies. “Hi Folks!” He would exclaim while working the little fish mouths at lunch. It was when he started using ichthyomancy in an attempt to predict the annual salmon runs in the Columbia River that his co-workers started to avoid him like week-old chum.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Puget Sound Energy’s 24-Hour Power Restoration Guarantee Starts January 1 (KING-TV, Seattle, WA – Read the fine print)

http://www.king5.com/mb/news/local/puget-sound-energys-24-hour-power-restoration-guarantee-starts-january-1/380450636

Historical Sites Enter Debate Over Dams (Associated Press)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/4947753-151/historical-sites-enter-debate-over-dams

Chelan PUD Approves Rock Island Dam Modernization (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

http://kpq.com/pud-approves-rock-island-dam-modernization/

Plans for Bend-Area Hydroelectric Project Keep Churning – Application processes continue for proposal at Wickiup Dam (Bend Bulletin, OR)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/4940768-151/plans-for-hydroelectric-project-keep-churning

Biomass Testing Delayed at Boardman Coal Plant (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jan/02/biomass-testing-delayed-at-boardman-coal-plant/

Idaho Approves Avista Electricity Rate Hike (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/dec/29/idaho-approves-avista-electricity-rate-hike/

Flathead Electric Cooperative Gets Ready for the Big Chill (KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT)

http://www.kpax.com/story/34167450/flathead-electric-cooperative-gets-ready-for-the-big-chill

Peace River Dam Inspections Find Issues During Hydroelectric Project’s Construction (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/site-c-inspections-find-issues-during-hydroelectric-projects-construction/article33465803/?cmpid=rss1

How will Rick Perry run the Department of Energy? (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/how-will-rick-perry-run-the-department-of-energy/433089/

Deterioration of Iraq’s Massive Mosul Dam Reaches Crisis Point (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/2017/01/02/507922310/deterioration-of-iraqs-massive-mosul-dam-reaches-crisis-point

FISH & WILDLIFE

Columbia Fishing Fees Could Jump 69 Percent (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://m.tdn.com/lifestyles/hunting-and-fishing/columbia-fishing-fees-could-jump-percent/article_1c366886-0b13-5d41-88af-626f88c590e8.html

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Washington State Sees Healthy Snowpack Levels (Associated Press)

http://www.khq.com/story/34167014/washington-state-sees-healthy-snowpack-levels

New Yellowstone Irrigation Dam Challenged Over Sturgeon Worries (Associated Press)

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/633571633d1c44f3ab7498ee39f578e8/new-yellowstone-dam-challenged-over-sturgeon-worries

Just Over 264 Million Gallons - Massive Water Loss from Vancouver Aquifer Blamed on Contractor Error (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/massive-water-loss-from-vancouver-aquifer-blamed-on-contractor-error-1.6085302

British Columbia: Sewage Controversy in Greater Victoria Finally Circled the Drain in 2016 (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/victoria-sewage-plant-1.3914690?cmp=rss

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Klickitat PUD Utility Advises Ways to Cut Bill (Goldendale Sentinel, WA)

http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2016/12/28/news/utility-advises-ways-to-cut-bill/8360.html

Tips to Save Energy, Money During Colder Weather (My Edmonds News, WA)

http://myedmondsnews.com/2017/01/tips-to-save-energy-money-during-colder-weather/

Making Your Home Energy Efficient Without Breaking the Bank (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/making-your-home-energy-efficient-without-breaking-the-bank-1.3918924?cmp=rss

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Others Call on Treasury to Make It Easier for Marijuana-Related Businesses to Bank (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2017/01/03/sen-elizabeth-warren-others-call-on-treasury-to-make-it-easier-for-marijuana-related-businesses-to-bank/

Now That Pot’s Legal in California, Here’s How to Grow It Indoors & Outdoors (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/living/home-garden/article123185979.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Feds Say Vermont Utility Was Infiltrated by Russian Hackers (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/fbi-dhs-say-vermont-utility-was-infiltrated-by-russian-hackers/433122/

Orcas Island: How a Group of Neighbors Created Their Own Internet Service – Powered by radios in trees, homegrown network serves 50 houses (Ars Technica)

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/11/how-a-group-of-neighbors-created-their-own-internet-service/

Distracted Driver Sues Apple Over a Fatal Car Crash – Was Using ‘FaceTime’ App (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2017/01/03/distracted-driver-sues-apple-over-a-fatal-car.html

Bitcoin Jumps Above $1,000 for First Time in Three Years (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-markets-bitcoin-idUSKBN14M0IF

MARKETING & MEDIA

BPA Moves the Journal Online After 27 Years in Print (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/BPA-moves-the-Journal-online-after-27-years-in-print.aspx

Twitter Might Let Users Edit Tweets Someday (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2016/12/30/twitter-might-let-users-edit-tweets-someday/

France Gives Workers the Right to Avoid Work Email After Hours (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2017/01/02/france-gives-workers-the-right-to-avoid-work-email-after-hours/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Senator Says He’s Tapped for Trump Transition Team (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/donald-trump-washington-senator-don-benton/

GENERAL NEWS

Cold Temperatures Forecast for Western Washington State (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

http://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2017/01/cold-temperatures-forecast-kela-radio.html

Public Works: Mason Road Restrictions Possible During Deep Freeze (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/public-works-mason-road-restrictions-possible-during-deep-freeze/article_1a858f94-cf70-11e6-80b6-df2ddd7c12ab.html

Seattle Was Colder Than Alaska’s Arctic Coast This Morning (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/502017/seattle-coldest-day/

India’s Call-Center Talents Put to a Criminal Use: Swindling Americans (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/03/world/asia/india-call-centers-fraud-americans.html?_r=0

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

‘Hollyweed’: Prankster Alters LA’s Landmark Sign

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-hollywood-prank-idUSKBN14L1BL

WSU Socks Recalled after Surprise Text Printed on the Inside – ‘Go Dawgs’

http://q13fox.com/2016/12/30/wsu-socks-recalled-after-surprise-text-printed-on-the-inside-go-dawgs/

Baggage Handler Locked in Cargo Hold Gets Free Ride on United Flight

http://gizmodo.com/baggage-handler-locked-in-luggage-compartment-gets-free-1790706192

Woman Leaves Entire $1.2 Million Estate to Animal Shelter

https://www.yahoo.com/news/woman-leaves-entire-1-2-million-estate-animal-194728472.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Jewel - Leaving on a Jetplane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYhhDr-i07A

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for December 29, 2016

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 29, 2016

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Worst Cold Snap in Two Years Could Hit Puget Sound Next Week (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/12/28/worst-cold-snap-in-two-years-could-hit-puget-sound-next-week/

Court Rules Washington State’s Lawsuit Against Comcast Can Move Forward (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/dec/28/court-rules-states-lawsuit-against-comcast-can-mov/

Puget Sound Fishing Season Decision Process May Change (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/local/fishing-season-decision-process-may-change/375508501

Shutty Sworn in as Mason County’s Newest Commissioner (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/shutty-sworn-in-as-mason-county-s-newest-commissioner/article_7997cc48-cd79-11e6-9fdb-675d23df7f50.html

Three Shelton Moms, Including Two Mason PUD 3 Employees, Fight Hunger (Mason County Life, Shelton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/communities/mason/2016/12/23/shelton-moms-fight-hunger/95774484/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Pacific Power Unveils Community Memorial for Umpqua Community College Tragedy
• U-S Adoption of Advanced Meters Is Growing
• Pennsylvania: PECO’s Proposal for Prepaid Energy Bills Gets Pushback
• Puget Sound Fishing Season Decision Process May Change
• Forest Biomass Faces Tough Economics as Rural Jobs Generator, OSU Researchers Say
• Washington State Looks to Communities in Renewable-Energy Push
• Energy Adviser: Managing Heat Helps Keep Home Comfortable
• Five U-S Cities, Including Portland, OR – At the Forefront of the Fight Against Climate Change
• Court Rules Washington State’s Lawsuit Against Comcast Can Move Forward
• State Audit Critiques Oregon Business Incentives, Data Center Tax Breaks
• Why You Should Almost Never Use Facebook Live
• Avoid Dull Snapshots: Tips for Taking Stunning Pictures
• Shutty Sworn in as Mason County’s Newest Commissioner
• City of Shelton Approves $48.7 Million Budget for 2017
• Three Shelton Moms, Including Two Mason PUD 3 Employees, Fight Hunger
• Worst Cold Snap in Two Years Could Hit Puget Sound Next Week
• British Columbia: Thousands of Blood Donations Needed Before End of Year, Says Agency
• Area Code 564 Coming to a Phone Number Near You

WORD OF THE DAY

Estival • \ESS-tuh-vul\ • Adjective – Of or relating to the summer

“Pretty hot today Clem,” drawled the old-timer rocking in his creaking chair in front of the Deer Creek Store. “Yup,” muttered Clem. “These here estival winds, supported by a ridge of high pressure are raisin’ a ruckus with my crops. I’ll be back with sports in just a minute,” as he ambled into the store for a copy of the Shelton-Mason County Journal.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Pacific Power Unveils Community Memorial for Umpqua Community College Tragedy (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/dec/28/pacific-power-unveils-community-memorial-for-umpqua-tragedy/

U-S Adoption of Advanced Meters Is Growing (Electric Light & Power)

http://www.elp.com/articles/2016/12/u-s-adoption-of-advanced-meters-is-growing.html

Pennsylvania: PECO’s Proposal for Prepaid Energy Bills Gets Pushback (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2016/12/29/peco-prepaid-energy-bill-smart-meters-utilities.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Puget Sound Fishing Season Decision Process May Change (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.nwcn.com/news/local/fishing-season-decision-process-may-change/375508501

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Forest Biomass Faces Tough Economics as Rural Jobs Generator, OSU Researchers Say (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2016/12/28/forest-biomass-faces-tough-economics-as-rural-jobs.html

Washington State Looks to Communities in Renewable-Energy Push (San Juan Islander, Friday Harbor, WA)

http://sanjuanislander.com/news-articles/government-news/state/23773/washington-looks-to-communities-in-renewable-energy-push

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Energy Adviser: Managing Heat Helps Keep Home Comfortable (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/dec/29/energy-adviser-managing-heat-helps-keep-home-comfortable/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Five U-S Cities, Including Portland, OR – At the Forefront of the Fight Against Climate Change (The Daily Mail, UK)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-4071484/Five-U-S-cities-forefront-fight-against-climate-change.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Court Rules Washington State’s Lawsuit Against Comcast Can Move Forward (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/dec/28/court-rules-states-lawsuit-against-comcast-can-mov/

State Audit Critiques Oregon Business Incentives, Data Center Tax Breaks (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/12/state_audit_critiques_oregon_b.html

MARKETING & MEDIA

Why You Should Almost Never Use Facebook Live (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2016/12/28/why-facebook-live-is-the-worst/

Avoid Dull Snapshots: Tips for Taking Stunning Pictures (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/Avoid-dull-snapshots-Tips-for-taking-stunning-10822978.php#photo-12107282

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Shutty Sworn in as Mason County’s Newest Commissioner (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/shutty-sworn-in-as-mason-county-s-newest-commissioner/article_7997cc48-cd79-11e6-9fdb-675d23df7f50.html

City of Shelton Approves $48.7 Million Budget for 2017 (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.ifiberonenewsradio.com/news/local_news/city-leaders-ok-million-budget-for/article_885d13c6-cd58-11e6-901a-63be4976d00c.html

GENERAL NEWS

Three Shelton Moms, Including Two Mason PUD 3 Employees, Fight Hunger (Mason County Life, Shelton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/communities/mason/2016/12/23/shelton-moms-fight-hunger/95774484/

Worst Cold Snap in Two Years Could Hit Puget Sound Next Week (KCPQ-TV, Seattle/Tacoma, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2016/12/28/worst-cold-snap-in-two-years-could-hit-puget-sound-next-week/

British Columbia: Thousands of Blood Donations Needed Before End of Year, Says Agency (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/canadian-blood-services-donations-1.3913603?cmp=rss

Area Code 564 Coming to a Phone Number Near You (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/499544/area-code-564-coming/

LEAVE THE GUN, TAKE THE CANNOLI – DIVERSIONS

Actress Debbie Reynolds, Mother of Carrie Fisher, Dies One Day After Her Daughter

http://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article123410224.html

Cinnabon Apologizes for Dumb Carrie Fisher Tweet

http://mashable.com/2016/12/28/cinnabon-apologizes-carrie-fisher-tweet/

How One of “The Godfather’s” Best Scenes Compares to What Was Written in the Script (Violence)

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/how-one-of-the-godfathers-best-scenes-compares-to-what-1790571656

Red Solo Cup Developer Robert Hulseman Dies at Age 84

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/national_news/red-solo-cup-developer-robert-hulseman-dies-at-age/article_944056f4-52b5-5b03-bde7-b1d71bb09554.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Godfather (Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-57JsYZlABg

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for December 28, 2016

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for December 28, 2016

The Potential for a Major Cold Spell in the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-potential-for-major-cold-spell-in.html

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Northwest Carbon Footprint Is Low & Getting Lower (LinkedIn)

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/northwest-carbon-footprint-low-getting-lower-gillian-charles

Portland General Electric, Pacific Power EV Plans: Electric Buses & More Charging (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2016/12/28/pge-pacific-power-ev-plans-electric-buses-and.html

New Report Says Washington State’s Pot Sales Will Surpass $2 Billion by 2020 (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/12/27/new-report-says-states-pot-sales-will-surpass-2b.html

New Shelton City Manager Aims to Shake Things Up (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/communities/mason/2016/12/23/new-city-manager-aims-shake-things-up/95793622/

The Potential for a Major Cold Spell in the Pacific Northwest (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-potential-for-major-cold-spell-in.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Cowlitz PUD Commissioner Ned Piper Reflects on 24 Years of Public Power
• New Manager Selected by Tillamook PUD Board
• Clallam PUD’s Temporary Sequim Payment Center Slated to Close Down
• British Columbia Raptor Rehab Treats Birds of Prey Shocked by Power Lines
• Vestas Closes Out 2016 With A Blitz of Wind Turbine Orders
• Tesla & Panasonic Team Up on Solar-Panel Cells
• New Report Says Washington State’s Pot Sales Will Surpass $2 Billion by 2020
• Can the Cannabis Industry Deliver an Organic, Environmentally Sensitive High?
• Northwest Carbon Footprint Is Low & Getting Lower
• Portland General Electric, Pacific Power EV Plans: Electric Buses & More Charging
• Google Fiber Contractor Cutting Dozens of Nashville Jobs
• The AT&T Exec Who Took on Google Fiber in Nashville
• Will Massive Data Breaches Lead Verizon to Dump Yahoo?
• Has the Internet Killed Curly Quotes?
• New Shelton City Manager Aims to Shake Things Up
• County Officials Propose Merging Washington State Counties – Idea Could Save an Estimated $90 Million a Year
• 4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Off Central Oregon Coast
• Snow Blankets Mountains, Cold Snap Coming for Western Washington
• Sky Lanterns Outlawed in Oregon Starting Jan. 1 – Sorry Rapunzel

WORD OF THE DAY

Raiment • \RAY-munt\ • Noun - Clothing, garments

“You are an absolute peacock!” crowed the squawking starling chicks to their oddly dressed mother. She had filched feathers from a variety of bird nests around the neighborhood to come up with a cloak of many colors, the raiment reminiscent of an aviary “crazy quilt.” “Let those darn goldfinches laugh at this,” she bellowed to the murmuration of starlings that had gathered to view the show.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Cowlitz PUD Commissioner Ned Piper Reflects on 24 Years of Public Power (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/q-a-ned-piper-reflects-on-years-of-public-power/article_c6808c23-7bd4-5646-98c2-b4b7a60d7daf.html

New Manager Selected by Tillamook PUD Board (Tillamook Headlight Herald, OR)

http://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/new-manager-selected-by-tillamook-pud-board/article_ec194720-cc8d-11e6-865c-23f45266b28a.html

Clallam PUD’s Temporary Sequim Payment Center Slated to Close Down (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/pud-payment-center-slated-to-close-down/

FISH & WILDLIFE

British Columbia Raptor Rehab Treats Birds of Prey Shocked by Power Lines (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-raptor-rehab-treats-birds-of-prey-shocked-by-power-lines-1.3913533?cmp=rss

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Vestas Closes Out 2016 With A Blitz of Wind Turbine Orders (Denver Business Journal, CO)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2016/12/28/vestas-closes-out-2016-with-ablitz-of-wind-turbine.html

Tesla & Panasonic Team Up on Solar-Panel Cells (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/dec/27/tesla-and-panasonic-team-up-on-solar-panel-cells/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

New Report Says Washington State’s Pot Sales Will Surpass $2 Billion by 2020 (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/12/27/new-report-says-states-pot-sales-will-surpass-2b.html

Can the Cannabis Industry Deliver an Organic, Environmentally Sensitive High? (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/can-cannabis-industry-deliver-organic-environmentally-sensitive-high

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Northwest Carbon Footprint Is Low & Getting Lower (LinkedIn)

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/northwest-carbon-footprint-low-getting-lower-gillian-charles

SCIENCE SWIMS IN A BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Portland General Electric, Pacific Power EV Plans: Electric Buses & More Charging (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2016/12/28/pge-pacific-power-ev-plans-electric-buses-and.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Google Fiber contractor cutting dozens of Nashville jobs

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/12/28/google-fiber-contractor-cutting-dozens-of.html

The AT&T Exec Who Took on Google Fiber in Nashville (Business Journals)

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2016/12/the-at-t-exec-who-took-on-google-fiber-in.html

Will Massive Data Breaches Lead Verizon to Dump Yahoo? (Consumerist)

https://consumerist.com/2016/12/28/will-massive-data-breaches-lead-verizon-to-dump-yahoo/

MARKETING & MEDIA

Has the Internet Killed Curly Quotes? (Atlantic Magazine)

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/12/quotation-mark-wars/511766/?utm_source=feed

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

New Shelton City Manager Aims to Shake Things Up (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/communities/mason/2016/12/23/new-city-manager-aims-shake-things-up/95793622/

County Officials Propose Merging Washington State Counties – Idea Could Save an Estimated $90 Million a Year (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/dec/27/county-officials-propose-merging-counties/

GENERAL NEWS

4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Off Central Oregon Coast (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2016/12/27/earthquake-recorded-off-central-oregon-coast/

Snow Blankets Mountains, Cold Snap Coming for Western Washington (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/weather/article/Snow-blankets-mountains-cold-snap-coming-for-10821537.php

Sky Lanterns Outlawed in Oregon Starting Jan. 1 – Sorry Rapunzel (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/news/local/sky-lanterns-outlawed-starting-jan-1/379457242

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

The Solar System – A Stunning Tour of Our Cosmic Backyard

http://mashable.com/2016/12/27/photo-tour-solar-system/

Teddy Bear Takes Detroit Airport Adventure after Being Found

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/national_news/teddy-bear-takes-detroit-airport-adventure-after-being-found/article_ca2fa406-acde-573d-b260-308dabd4a478.html

This Swarm of Birds Moves Around Like Some Sort of Dark Magic Cloud

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/this-swarm-of-birds-moves-around-like-some-sort-of-dark-1790538981

Carrie Fisher Had Already Completed Her Work on Star Wars: Episode VIII

http://io9.gizmodo.com/carrie-fisher-had-already-completed-her-work-on-star-wa-1790529160

SONG OF THE DAY

Eric Idle – The Galaxy Song - Learn some astronomy in under 3 minutes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIy76M-4txo

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LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.

Energy News Digest for December 27, 2016

Occasionally get out the feather duster to clear the cache & history of your internet browser. It will help when trying to access news sites that count your visits.

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather forecast for December 27, 2016

Winter Weather Advisory for the Olympic Mountains

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Carrie Fisher, Star Wars actress, dies aged 60

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38446753

Richland Nuclear Power Plant Reconnects to the Grid (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article122920379.html

Portland General Electric Restarts Permitting for More Natural Gas (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2016/12/22/pge-restarts-permitting-for-more-natural-gas.html

License Issued for $1 Billion Montana Power Storage Project (Associated Press)

http://www.startribune.com/license-issued-for-1b-montana-power-storage-project/407968606/

Can We Master the Pot Industry’s Energy Appetite? (GreenBiz)

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/can-we-master-pot-industrys-energy-appetite

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Richland Nuclear Power Plant Reconnects to the Grid
• Portland General Electric Restarts Permitting for More Natural Gas
• License Issued for $1 Billion Montana Power Storage Project
• Four U-S Governors, Including Washington & Oregon, Roll Up Sleeves to Tackle Grid Modernization
• Hundreds of Puget Sound Energy Customers without Power in Thurston County
• U-S Attorney’s office for Oregon collects $19M in cases, fines in 2016 – Includes Skamania PUD Line Mile Case
• Cold Weather Impacts Electric Bills
• Twelfth Consecutive Award - Mason PUD 3 Receives International Recognition for Its Financial Reporting
• Electric Rate Increase in Ellensburg to Take Effect January 1
• Columbia River PUD Looks to Annex Floating Homes as Appointment for Director Looms
• Washington State’s White Pelicans, Long Listed as Endangered, Make a Comeback
• Three Dams to Be Removed in American West to Restore Rivers
• Irrigation: Low Energy Spray Demonstrations Planned in Washington State, Oregon
• Alaskans’ Cost of Staying Warm: A Thick Coat of Dirty Air
• Green Energy Can Increasingly Match – Or Beat – Fossil Fuel Prices, Report Says
• California’s Renewable Energy Needs Could Boost Nevada
• In Vermont, Solar, Batteries Key Energy Revolution
• Dubai Plans Pumped Storage Hydro Facility Powered by Solar
• When Will Our Electricity Come from the Sea?
• Skating Rinks Struggle with High Energy Bills
• Ten Things to Ask Before Going Green
• Can We Master the Pot Industry’s Energy Appetite?
• Op/Ed: To Slow Global Warming, We Need Nuclear Power
• Video: The Spa That Runs on Human Waste
• Canada Declares Internet a Necessity – Can It Deliver?
• The Fix Was in to Expand Click, & That’s a Shame
• Why the Computing Cloud Will Keep Growing & Growing
• United Kingdom: The Farmer Who Built Her Own Broadband
• Fake Tree Key to Makeover: Method Commonly Used to Disguise Cell Towers, Consultant Says
• The Best Writing Advice of 2016
• New Washington State Lands Commissioner: Address Climate Change, Rural Growth
• Washington State Undertakes Pilot Study to Replace Gas Tax with a ‘Road User Charge’
• Will State Ban Banners on Capitol Way Bridge in Olympia?
• Midwest Winter Storm Weakens, But Thousands Still without Power
• Cell Service at Mount Rainier: Do You Want to Hear Me Now?
• Washington Ranks as Third Most Innovative State in U-S
• Everyone Crashed Their New Holiday Drone
• Carrie Fisher, Star Wars actress, dies aged 60

WORD OF THE DAY

Cognizance ● /KOG-nuh-zents/ ● Noun – 1: a distinguishing mark or emblem (as a heraldic bearing) 2: knowledge, awareness b: notice, acknowledgment 3: jurisdiction, responsibility

The Force is weakened

Sad cognizance, Leia’s loss

Farewell, sweet princess

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Richland Nuclear Power Plant Reconnects to the Grid (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article122920379.html

Portland General Electric Restarts Permitting for More Natural Gas (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2016/12/22/pge-restarts-permitting-for-more-natural-gas.html

License Issued for $1 Billion Montana Power Storage Project (Associated Press)

http://www.startribune.com/license-issued-for-1b-montana-power-storage-project/407968606/

Four U-S Governors, Including Washington & Oregon, Roll Up Sleeves to Tackle Grid Modernization (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/4-us-governors-roll-up-sleeves-to-tackle-grid-moderization/433033/

Hundreds of Puget Sound Energy Customers without Power in Thurston County (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article123074809.html

U-S Attorney’s office for Oregon collects $19M in cases, fines in 2016 – Includes Skamania PUD Line Mile Case (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/dec/22/u-s-attorneys-office-for-oregon-collects-19m-in-cases-fines-in-2016/

Cold Weather Impacts Electric Bills (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/cold-weather-impacts-electric-bills/

Twelfth Consecutive Award - Mason PUD 3 Receives International Recognition for Its Financial Reporting (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

https://www.pud3.org/blog/articles--blog/pud-3-news-releases/twelfth-consecutive-award-mason-pud-3-receives-international-recognition-for-its-financial-reporting

Electric Rate Increase in Ellensburg to Take Effect January 1 (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/electric-rate-increase-in-ellensburg-to-take-effect-jan/article_070ab4f3-f6a9-55d5-b680-8684714be117.html

Columbia River PUD Looks to Annex Floating Homes as Appointment for Director Looms (Pamplin Group, Portland, OR)

http://portlandtribune.com/scs/83-news/337587-217592-pud-looks-to-annex-floating-homes-as-appointment-for-director-looms

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington State’s White Pelicans, Long Listed as Endangered, Make a Comeback (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/washingtons-white-pelicans-long-listed-as-endangered-make-a-comeback/

Three Dams to Be Removed in American West to Restore Rivers (National Geographic Magazine)

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/11/dam-removal-nelson-dam-matiliha-rogue-river-hewlett-foundation-open-rivers/

WATER, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE

Irrigation: Low Energy Spray Demonstrations Planned in Washington State, Oregon (Capital Press)

http://www.capitalpress.com/Water/20161221/low-energy-spray-demonstrations-planned-in-washington-oregon

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOT LOCKER

Alaskans’ Cost of Staying Warm: A Thick Coat of Dirty Air (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/25/us/alaskans-cost-of-staying-warm-a-thick-coat-of-dirty-air.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Green Energy Can Increasingly Match – Or Beat – Fossil Fuel Prices, Report Says (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2016/1226/Green-energy-can-increasingly-match-or-beat-fossil-fuel-prices-report-says

California’s Renewable Energy Needs Could Boost Nevada (Las Vegas Sun, NV)

http://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/dec/26/californias-energy-needs-could-boost-nevada/

In Vermont, Solar, Batteries Key Energy Revolution (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/In-Vermont-solar-batteries-key-energy-revolution-10818307.php

Dubai Plans Pumped Storage Hydro Facility Powered by Solar (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2016/12/dubai-plans-pumped-storage-hydro-facility-powered-by-solar.html

When Will Our Electricity Come from the Sea? (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-38426389

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Skating Rinks Struggle with High Energy Bills (Associated Press)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/dec/26/skating-rinks-struggle-with-high-energy-bills/

​Ten Things to Ask Before Going Green (The Business Journals)

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2016/12/10-things-to-ask-before-going-green.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Can We Master the Pot Industry’s Energy Appetite? (GreenBiz)

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/can-we-master-pot-industrys-energy-appetite

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Op/Ed: To Slow Global Warming, We Need Nuclear Power (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/21/opinion/to-slow-global-warming-we-need-nuclear-power.html?_r=0

SCIENCE SWIMS IN A BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Video: The Spa That Runs on Human Waste (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38438474

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Canada Declares Internet a Necessity – Can It Deliver? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Technology/2016/1222/Canada-declares-internet-a-necessity.-But-can-it-deliver

The Fix Was in to Expand Click, & That’s a Shame (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/article122532734.html

Why the Computing Cloud Will Keep Growing & Growing (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/25/technology/why-the-computing-cloud-will-keep-growing-and-growing.html?_r=0

United Kingdom: The Farmer Who Built Her Own Broadband (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37974267

Fake Tree Key to Makeover: Method Commonly Used to Disguise Cell Towers, Consultant Says (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/fake-tree-key-to-makeover-method-commonly-used-to-disguise-cell-towers-consultant-says/

MARKETING & MEDIA

The Best Writing Advice of 2016 (Atlantic Magazine)

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/12/the-best-writing-advice-of-2016/511439/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

New Washington State Lands Commissioner: Address Climate Change, Rural Growth (Associated Press)

http://komonews.com/news/local/new-lands-commissioner-address-climate-change-rural-growth

Washington State Undertakes Pilot Study to Replace Gas Tax with a ‘Road User Charge’ (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/dec/26/state-undertakes-pilot-study-to-replace-gas-tax-with-a-road-user-charge/

Will State Ban Banners on Capitol Way Bridge in Olympia? (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article122755769.html

GENERAL NEWS

Midwest Winter Storm Weakens, But Thousands Still without Power (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/dec/27/winter-storm-weakens-but-thousands-still-without-p/

Cell Service at Mount Rainier: Do You Want to Hear Me Now? (Associated Press)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/national_news/cell-service-at-rainier-do-you-want-to-hear-me/article_78a25fbe-84f9-589b-8ea7-42e5c2e9c62d.html

Washington Ranks as Third Most Innovative State in U-S (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/12/23/washington-3rd-most-innovative-bloomberg-stem.html

Everyone Crashed Their New Holiday Drone (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2016/12/26/drone-crash-holidays/

ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWER – DIVERSIONS

Carrie Fisher, Star Wars actress, dies aged 60

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38446753

John Williams Hasn’t Seen a Single Star Wars Movie

http://io9.gizmodo.com/john-williams-hasnt-seen-a-single-star-wars-movie-1790469339

Eight Hidden Benefits to Your Costco Membership

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2016/12/23/8-hidden-benefits-to-your-costco-membership/95793136/

Holy Wow, Oregon Looks Gorgeous from Up Above

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/holy-wow-oregon-looks-gorgeous-from-up-above-1790456849

SONG OF THE DAY

John Williams –Princess Leia’s Theme (Star Wars Soundtrack, BBC Proms)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdlc_Fok4dM

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.

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

Links in the news digest lead to current stories. Media organizations update their websites regularly, which may result in broken links. There may be paywall barriers, unless you are willing to fork over some dough or if you have a clean browser history.