10/6 Gumboot chiton, Zinke, Trump's Interior, Trump's coal, Colstrip shutdown, methane rule

Gumboot chiton [Jerry Kirkhart/Flickr]

Gumboot Chiton Cryptochiton stelleri
The gumboot chiton (aka the giant western fiery chiton) is the largest of the chitons, growing to 36 cm (14 in) and over 2 kg (4.4 lb). It is found along the shores of the northern Pacific Ocean from Central California to Alaska, across the Aleutian Islands to the Kamchatka Peninsula and south to Japan.[2][3] It inhabits the lower intertidal and subtidal zones of rocky coastlines…. Unlike most chitons, the gumboot's valves are completely hidden by its leathery upper skin or girdle, which is usually reddish-brown, brown, and occasionally orange in color. The gumboot chiton's appearance has led some tidepoolers to fondly refer to it as the "wandering meatloaf." (Wikipedia)

Interior Department whistleblower resigns, calling Ryan Zinke’s leadership a failure
An Interior Department executive turned whistleblower who claimed the Trump administration retaliated against him for publicly disclosing how climate change affects Alaska Native communities resigned Wednesday. Joel Clement, a scientist and policy expert, was removed from his job by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke shortly after the disclosure and reassigned to an accounting position for which he has no experience. Clement was among dozens of senior executive service personnel who were quickly, and perhaps unlawfully, reassigned in June, but he was the only person who spoke out. Darryl Fears reports. (Washington Post) See also: Interior Department rejects 25 endangered species petitions, including several linked to climate change  Chris Mooney and Dino Grandoni report. (Washington Post)

Trump Nominates a Coal Lobbyist to Be No. 2 at E.P.A.
President Trump on Thursday nominated Andrew R. Wheeler, a coal lobbyist with links to outspoken deniers of established science on climate change, to help lead the Environmental Protection Agency. In announcing Mr. Wheeler, a former aide to Senator James M. Inhofe, to be deputy administrator of the agency, the White House tapped an experienced legislative hand reviled by environmental activists but hailed by industry as having the know-how to dismantle Obama-era fossil fuel regulations. Lisa Friedman reports. (NY Times)

$10M to help with Colstrip power plant shutdown is too much, Washington State council says l
Not everyone is sold on a $10 million golden parachute pledged to Colstrip to help the community adapt to the eventual closure of the West’s second-largest coal-fired power plant. Washington State’s Public Council argues that the $10 million Colstrip transition package is too much and that customers of Colstrip co-owner Puget Sound Energy shouldn’t have to pony up. Public Council represents Washington consumer interests. Council’s Regulatory Analyst Carla Colamonici tells Washington utility regulators that Puget’s stockholders should pick up the tab…. Washington’s Utility and Transportation Commission is considering a legal settlement that would resolve several rate issues for Puget Sound Energy, while also setting terms for the utility’s exit from Colstrip power plant. Puget owns the largest share of Colstrip, which is co-owned by six utilities. Tom Lutey reports. (Billings Gazette)

Federal judge reinstates Obama-era rule on methane emissions
Rebuffing the Trump administration, a federal judge on Wednesday ordered the Interior Department to reinstate an Obama-era regulation aimed at restricting harmful methane emissions from oil and gas production on federal lands. The order by a judge in San Francisco came as the Interior Department moved to delay the rule until 2019, saying it was too burdensome to industry. The action followed an earlier effort by Interior to postpone part of the rule set to to take effect next year. U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Laporte of the Northern District of California said Interior had failed to give a “reasoned explanation” for the changes and had not offered details why an earlier analysis by the Obama administration was faulty. She ordered the entire rule reinstated immediately. Matt Daly reports. (Associated Press)

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  258 AM PDT Fri Oct 6 2017  
TODAY  SW wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 6 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning then  rain likely in the afternoon.
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt easing to 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 12 seconds. Rain  likely in the evening then a chance of rain after midnight.
SAT  W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 2 ft or less. W swell 8 ft at 10 seconds. Showers likely in  the morning then showers in the afternoon.
SAT NIGHT  W wind 15 to 25 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 11 ft at 12 seconds.
SUN  NW wind to 10 kt in the morning becoming light. Wind waves  1 ft or less. W swell 11 ft at 14 seconds.

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