Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Special Weather Statement for Western Washington (National Weather Service)
Special Weather Statement
Target Areas Include:
- Hood Canal Area
- Southwest Interior
- Olympics
Other Areas Included in this Statement:
- Admiralty Inlet Area
- Central Coast
- East Puget Sound Lowlands
- Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca
- Everett and Vicinity
- Lower Chehalis Valley Area
- North Coast
- San Juan County
- Seattle, Bremerton Area
- Tacoma Area
- West Slopes Central Cascades and Passes
- West Slopes Northern Cascades and Passes
- Western Skagit County
- Western Strait of Juan De Fuca
- Western Whatcom County
A Strong Front Will
Move Through The Area Friday
A strong frontal system will reach the area on Friday with
heavy snow expected in the mountains. One to two feet of new snow is possible
by Saturday morning. A winter storm watch is currently in effect for this.
Locally windy conditions are also possible over the lowlands
as the front moves through. Most areas will become breezy Friday as the front
moves ashore and some areas will become windy. Southerly winds of 20 to 35 mph
with gusts to 40 to 50 mph are possible. The strongest winds will likely be
near the coast and over the north interior. Winds will turn more westerly and
gradually taper Friday night as the front moves inland.
The University of Washington weather model seems to show
that most of the wind activity will occur from about 6 AM through Noon on
Friday: http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/loops/wxloop.cgi?mm5d2_slp+///1
Lastly...large swells are expected to impact the coast late Friday
night and Saturday. Waves are predicted to reach 22 or 23 feet on Saturday before
subsiding. At minimum, dangerous surf conditions can be anticipated on Saturday.
The tides will also need to be monitored for the possibility of minor coastal
flooding, especially for those low-lying coastal communities that are typically
impacted by large ocean swells.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Telephone Scam Hits Franklin County PUD (Franklin County PUD)
(PASCO, WA) -- Franklin PUD is warning customers of a
telephone scam targeting utility customers.
Franklin PUD customers have reported receiving collection calls from
individuals claiming they work for Franklin PUD, the customer is past due on
their electric bill, and the PUD has a truck standing by to shut off their
power. These calls are targeting
Hispanic businesses. The PUD wants to remind customers about potential scams
that may be committed over the phone.
These are not legitimate calls from Franklin PUD.
Franklin PUD does make courtesy collection calls after
customers have received a “Final Notice” bill insert on past due accounts. We do not solicit customers by phone just for
payment. If customers do make a payment
by phone, Franklin PUD gives them a confirmation code.
Any suspicious activity like this should be reported to
Franklin PUD and your local police department.
And if customers are unsure if a call actually is from Franklin PUD,
they should hang up and call Franklin PUD customer service at
509-547-5591. We strive to make our
customers aware of potential scams so they can protect themselves from becoming
victims of identity theft and other fraudulent activities.
Special Weather Statement for Mason County (National Weather Service)
Target
Areas:
- Hood Canal Area
- Olympics
- Seattle, Bremerton Area
- Southwest Interior
A Strong
Front Will Move Through the Area Friday
A strong
frontal system will reach the area on Friday with heavy snow likely over the
mountains.
The
heaviest accumulations are expected over the north cascades where one to two
feet is possible by Saturday morning. The Olympics and central cascades could
also get a foot or more by Saturday morning.
Breezy to
windy conditions are also likely over the lowlands with as the front moves
through.
South to
southeast winds will increase Thursday night at the coast and over the north
interior. Most areas will become breezy to windy Friday as the front moves
onshore.
Southerly
winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 or 45 mph are possible.
The
strongest winds will likely be near the coast and over the north interior.
Winds will turn more westerly and gradually taper Friday night as the front
moves inland.
In checking
the University of Washington weather model, it looks like the system will roll
over the region at about 3:00 AM through 11:00 AM Friday: http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/loops/wxloop.cgi?mm5d2_slp+///1
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Bonneville Power Administration Launches Science Lab Videos For National Engineers Month (Bonneville Power Administration)
(PORTLAND, OR)
-- The Bonneville Power
Administration is launching two new education videos designed to inspire the
next generation of scientists and engineers. The videos are part of BPA’s
“Science Lab” series that features funny and energetic BPA engineers conducting
simple experiments with things you find around the house.
The
new episodes are “How to Build a Turbine,”
which challenges kids to create their own energy-generating turbine device
using paper cups, tape and a shop vacuum; and “The Great Marble Drop,”
that tests young people’s ability to design an apparatus that will transport
a marble and drop it on a target.
There’s no
“right” way to conduct these experiments. Rather, students are challenged to
use scientific inquiry and engineering design to solve the problem. “We want
kids to work together to devise solutions, test them and then try again,”
explains co-host Mike Hulse, who guides viewers through the experiments with
the help of fellow BPA electrical engineer Kellie Robinson. The ability to
study a problem, develop a hypothesis and test and refine a solution is at the
heart of many engineering and scientific careers.
BPA
produces its Science Lab videos to connect students to science and engineering.
Recent statistics show that science and engineering jobs are growing at twice
the rate of non-technical careers, but that only 4 percent of high school
freshmen are going on to graduate from college with those degrees.
“Math
and science are important building blocks for young people interested in
pursuing a career in the energy industry or other technical fields,” says BPA
Administrator Bill Drummond.
The
video series, which BPA launched with its “How to Build a Motor”
video in 2010, illustrates electricity-related phenomenon such as
electromagnetism, and kinetic and mechanical energy. They also provide a steady
diet of the scientific and engineering method — try, test, fail and try again.
The videos can be used by middle and high school teachers in class, or teachers
can watch the videos and duplicate the simple, hands-on experiments in class.
The series also targets kids and parents who are looking for experiments to do
at a science fair or at home.
Simplicity
and fun are hallmarks of the videos. The experiments call for basic supplies
found around the house such as batteries, magnets, tape, wire and the
occasional appliance like a shop vacuum set to blower mode. And viewers have
responded to the enthusiasm and personality Kellie and Mike bring to performing
the experiments. One YouTube viewer commented, “I’m going to be trying this
with my kids as soon as I get home. To be honest, I’m a little jealous of your
job!”
Robinson
says the best part is attracting new talent to the field. “We love our jobs and
we want kids to see that engineering and science-based careers can be lot of
fun.”
As
the biggest power marketer in the Northwest and operator of about 75 percent of
the region’s high-voltage transmission system, BPA recognizes that our smart
energy future rests on the shoulders of the next generation of engineers,
designers and scientists.
“We need the next generation to be equipped with the skills to design new applications and technologies essential to operating a smarter, more sophisticated electric power system,” adds Drummond.
“We need the next generation to be equipped with the skills to design new applications and technologies essential to operating a smarter, more sophisticated electric power system,” adds Drummond.
The
new videos were posted as part of a soft launch in August and have a few
hundred views. The original Science Lab video, “How to Build a Motor,” has over
5,000 views. BPA expects to release a new Science Lab video later this year.
BPA
funds activities and a variety of programs that support science, technology,
engineering and math, often called STEM education. To learn more about the
agency’s educational materials and programs, or to request an in-class
presentation, visit BPA’s Community and Education Web
page or contact
education coordinator Christy
Adams.
February is National Engineers Month, and BPA and other organization have teamed up with Business Education Compact to promote STEM education through classroom and hands-on experiences. Visitwww.becpdx.org to learn more.
February is National Engineers Month, and BPA and other organization have teamed up with Business Education Compact to promote STEM education through classroom and hands-on experiences. Visitwww.becpdx.org to learn more.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Thurston County PUD Appoints New Commissioner to Board (Thurston County PUD, Olympia, WA)
(OLYMPIA) -- Last
night (February 12, 2012) the Thurston Public Utility District Commissioners appointed
Russell E. Olsen as the District 2 PUD Commissioner. Mr. Olsen will serve as
the PUD Commissioner until the elections are certified in November 2014. Mr.
Olsen is filling the PUD seat vacated by Alan M. Corwin at the end of December
2012.
As
the District 2 Commissioner, Mr. Olsen will represent the area of the County
that encompasses Lacey (borders are the same as County Commissioners), the Yelm
area and the City of Rainer.
Mr.
Olsen is the Unit Supervisor of the Voluntary Clean-up Program where he
supervises 13 professional staff members for the Northwest Regional Office of
Toxics Clean-up Program of the Washington State Department of Ecology. He
has a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Martin’s University and a Masters of
Public Administration degree from Seattle University. He also was a General
Manager for the American Golf Corporation before his entry into public service.
Mr. Olsen grew up in the Thompson Place neighborhood, outside of Lacey,
attended Olympic View Elementary, graduated from North Thurston High School and
has been married to Rebecca Olsen for 14 years. They have a seven year old son.
Mr.
Olsen has extensive knowledge and experience in strategic planning, policy and
budget development, implementation, and assessment. The PUD is confident that
his excellent professional expertise and strong people skills will serve the
citizens of Thurston County and the customers of the PUD well. Mr. Olsen may be
contacted at rolsen@thurstonpud.org.
Washington State Governor's Energy Section of "Working Washington Agenda" (Washington State Governor)
Clean Energy, Climate
Action and Plentiful Water
Energy is the lifeblood of Washington’s economy. Historically,
affordable electricity has helped industries grow across our state. And today,
clean, renewable energy is attracting new businesses and creating new jobs.
Governor Inslee recognizes that to compete effectively with other states and
countries, Washington must remain at the forefront of clean energy innovation and
development.
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