Friday, February 28, 2014

Grant PUD Investigating Crack in Pillar at Wanapum Dam (iFiber One News, Ephrata, WA)

Port Angeles: Nippon Temporarily Shut Down Because of Biomass Fuel Problems at Power Plant (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Bully for Biomass: Washington State Supreme Court Rejects Greenhouse Gas Claims, Upholds Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact for Biomass Facility (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

Bonneville Power Administration, Public Power Beat 2013 Conservation Targets (Bonneville Power Administration)

Washington State Supreme Court: People Have Right to Privacy in Texts (Associated Press)

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 28, 2014


Special Weather Statement - Lowland Snow Possible in Western Washington this Weekend (National Weather Service, Seattle, WA)

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Seattle WA
Posted at 4:06 AM February 28, 2014

See the National Weather service’s “Weather Story” here: http://tinyurl.com/3j99qrg
  • Southwest Interior (South Mason County)
  • Hood Canal Area (North Mason County)
  • San Juan County
  • Western Whatcom County
  • East Puget Sound Lowlands
  • Western Skagit County
  • Everett & Vicinity
  • Seattle/Bremerton Area
  • Tacoma Area
  • Admiralty Inlet Area
  • Lower Chehalis Valley Area
  • Eastern & Western Strait of Juan de Fuca
  • North Coast/Central Coast

Lowland Snow Possible in Western Washington this Weekend

High pressure over southwest Canada will push cold air into Western Washington this weekend through the Fraser River Valley. Meanwhile an upper level trough over British Columbia will generate light precipitation across the region on Saturday. A warm front will then spread light to moderate precipitation through Western Washington Sunday through Monday morning. The best chance of snow accumulation will be in the north part of Western Washington where snow levels will be near the surface. Elsewhere, the higher hilltops and areas near the mountains may also receive a little snow.

There is still a lot of uncertainty in the snowfall amounts and the forecast details are subject to change.

Weather forecast updates are available here: http://tinyurl.com/kyf488k


Thursday, February 27, 2014

Bonneville Power Administration: Mainzer Firms Up BPA Front Office with Appointment of Delwiche & Andrews (Bonneville Power Administration)

Yakima Basin Snowpack Now Just Above Average (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

Spokane Trash Burner Power Bill Dies in Washington State Legislature (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Oregon Energy Department Allows Transfer of $10 Million Tax Credit for Solar Project – Again (Oregonian, Portland)

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 27, 2014


Another Scam is Targeting Lewis County PUD Customers (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(CENTRALIA, WA) -- A scam targeting PUD customers is making the rounds again.  According to Lewis County PUD, callers claiming to be with the local utility are telling customers they have 30 minutes to pay their bills or the electricity will be shut off.  Local customers have called PUD to verify their accounts are not delinquent.  Corey Moses with the PUD says the standard procedure for them is late notices followed by disconnect notices in the mail but not first contact by a phone call warning that your power will be shut off.  She says there is not a limited “now or never” time frame demanding payment.  Instead there is a courtesy call to prevent possible disruptions.  Please contact Lewis County PUD if you feel you have received a suspicious communication in regards to your power bill.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

Anita Decker Named New Executive Director of Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA)

(VANCOUVER, WA) -- The Northwest Public Power Association today (February 24) announced that its board of trustees has selected Anita Decker to be the association’s next executive director, effective April 1.

“The NWPPA Board of Directors vetted many highly qualified candidates and we are confident in our decision to hire Anita,” said NWPPA Board of Trustees First Vice President Ken Weiss. “We strongly believe that her extensive knowledge of electric power in the Northwest coupled with her several decades of experience with BPA and PacifiCorp will not only benefit our members, but it will enrich the Association in the coming years. The board and I are excited to work with her and start this new chapter in NWPPA’s story.”

Decker comes to NWPPA with over 30 years of experience in electric power operations in the Northwest. Most recently, since 2007, she served as Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) chief operating officer, which is the number-three position in the agency. As chief operating officer, she was responsible for BPA’s Power Services; Transmission Services; Environment, Fish & Wildlife; Customer Service; and Internal Business Services. While at BPA, she also served as acting administrator for the Western Area Power Administration during a seven-month detail from August 2012 to April 2013.

Prior to BPA, she spent 27 years with PacifiCorp, rising to the role of vice president. While at PacifiCorp, she worked in various positions of increasing responsibility related to customer service; transmission/distribution construction and maintenance; sales and marketing; human resources; energy conservation; procurement; real estate management; and SAP support functions.

NWPPA is excited to welcome her to our office in April!

Increasing Salmon Spill at Columbia/Snake Dams; Science Panel Lists Biological Risks to Aquatic Life (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

Coal Quandary: Avista Uses Cheap Power, But Inslee Wary (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

U-S Supreme Court Justices Question Obama Climate Change Regulations (Reuters)

Oregon Energy Department Looking to Liquidate Collateral from Failed Solar Facility Loan (Oregonian, Portland)

California Farmers Told Not to Expect U-S Water (Associated Press)

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 24, 2014


Friday, February 21, 2014

Elliot Mainzer Sworn in as 15th Bonneville Power Administration Administrator (Bonneville Power Administration)

Washington State Lawmakers Push for Equity in Renewable Energy Rules (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Many Weigh in on Okanogan PUD Power Line Case (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

Groups Differ on Washington State Nuclear Study Legislation (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Olympic Mountain Snowpack Jumps to 80 Percent of Normal Seasonal Depth (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 21, 2014


Thursday, February 20, 2014

House Technology & Economic Development Committee - Hearing on Incremental BPA Hydro SB 6058

House Technology & Economic Development Committee - Hearing on Incremental BPA Hydro SB 6058

‘Incredible’ Fall Chinook Run Forecast for Columbia River (Vancouver Columbian, WA)



Google Fiber Takes a Fresh Look at Portland & Eight Other Metro Areas (Oregonian, Portland)

U-S Energy Department Expected to OK Nuclear Power Plant Loan (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

California Drought: Farmers Cut Back Sharply, Affecting Jobs & Food Supply (Christian Science Monitor)

Washington State Cuts Size, Number of Legal Pot Grows (Associated Press)

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 20, 2014


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

String of Storms Hits State; Snowpack Builds to 80% of Normal - Progress Expected To Continue Into the Early Part of Spring (Vancouver Columbian, WA)



Changes Are Coming to Northwest Natural Resource Policy (Northwest Public Radio)

Editorial: Do Not Compromise the Energy Independence Act (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

Columnist: Peter Johnson He Pulled the Plug on Nuclear Excess (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

FCC to Try Again on ‘Net Neutrality’ (NY Times)

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 19, 2014


Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Lawsuits Could Lead to Changes at Northwest Fish Hatcheries (Associated Press)

Lake Cushman Update: Electricity Restored after Repairs Made to Underground Power Lines (Mason County PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

Seattle Mayor Prefers Publicly-Funded Internet Utility, Wants to ‘Evaluate Relationship with Comcast’ (GeekWire)

As Decision Looms on SolarWorld Trade Case, Not All Solar Companies Welcome China Fight (Oregonian, Portland)

Renters Need to be Part of Energy-Saving Conversation (Olympian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 18, 2014


Thursday, February 13, 2014

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 13, 2014


Lewis County PUD Rate Increase (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(CHEHALIS, WA) -- Lewis County PUD customers will see their monthly electric bill go up beginning March 1.  The PUD commissioners approved a 6.8 percent rate increase at their meeting on Tuesday.  That amounts to about $6 a month more for the average residential customer using 1,100 kilowatt hours per month.  The rate increase is across the board for both residential and commercial customers.  Corrie Moses with PUD says the increase comes as a result of Bonneville Power Administration raising its power rates to utilities in October.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Oregon Utility Crews Work to Restore Power in Storm (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

Snohomish PUD Dam Proposal Runs into Opposition over Costs, Fish (Everett Herald, WA)

Beginning of the End for Colstrip? Washington UTC Rejects Puget Sound Energy’s Analysis of Coal Plant Economics (GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog)

Low on Natural Gas, California Told to Power Down (Associated Press)

Lawmakers Move toward Compromise to Protect Oregon’s Renewable Energy Mandates (Oregonian, Portland)

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 10, 2014


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Joe Grad Promoted to Franklin PUD Director of Operations (Franklin County PUD, Pasco, WA)

February 4, 2014

(PASCO, WA) On January 20, 2014, Joe Grad was promoted from Superintendent of Transmission and Distribution to Director of Operations at Franklin PUD. In his new role, he will be responsible for all functions of the Operations Department which includes line crews, warehouse, mechanics, substations, meter shop and the operation and maintenance of generation equipment.

Mr. Grad is a longtime employee of Franklin PUD. He started his career in November 1979 as an apprentice lineman, and has also held positions as Journeyman Lineman and General Foreman. His thirty-four years of experience and breadth of understanding within the Operations Department allow him to effectively lead employees and continue to be a respected leader for our utility, our community, and public power. 

Deep Freeze Hits Pacific Northwest this Week (Northwest Cable News Network)

California: Drought Cuts into State’s Hydro Power Supplies (Sacramento Bee, CA)

Tiny Oregon Backwater Minnow is First Fish Taken Off Endangered List (Oregonian, Portland)

Fast Internet is Chattanooga’s New Locomotive (NY Times)

Status Update: Ten Years In, Facebook Still a Force (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for February 4, 2014