1/16 Semiahmoo Bay, WA emissions, new calf, Inslee sez, BC pipe, BC LNG, replacing Ranker, blood moon

Semiahmoo Bay

Semiahmoo Bay
The bay derives its name from that of the Semiamu Indians, who lived on its shores. It purportedly translates as "half-moon," but its pronunciation and meaning is so similar to the English "semi-moon" that the definition is suspect--particularly since early ethnologists failed to make note of any phonetic coincidences. Semiahmoo community on the peninsula that separates the bay and Drayton Harbor was a boom town during British Columbia's Fraser River gold rush in 1858. (Washington State Place Names)

Washington's greenhouse gas emissions spiked 6 percent in most recent tally
Washington legislators a decade ago wrote into law a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. But the latest tally of the state’s emissions shows we’re trending in the wrong direction to meet that target and more aggressive emissions goals years ahead. Emissions spiked about 6.1 percent from 2012-2015, due in part to increasing fossil-fuel-generated electricity and a booming economy, according to a new Washington Department of Ecology inventory of greenhouse gas emissions published Monday.... The state sent more than 97 million metric tons of greenhouses gases into the atmosphere in 2015, compared with just 90 million in 1990. Although emissions are rising, the 2015 figure represents progress from the year 2000, when emissions topped out at nearly 109 million metric tons. Evan Bush reports. (Seattle Times) See also: From skiing to salmon runs, the national climate report predicts a Northwest in peril  Evan Bush reports. (Seattle Times)

If you like to watch: VIDEO: Puget Sound's new bouncing baby orca
We're getting our first look at the new orca calf recently born to the L pod. The Center for Whale Research released pictures and video of L-124, no word yet on the sex. Researchers say it appears to be about three weeks old and was seen bouncing between members of the L pod. Angela King reports. (KUOW)

Inslee calls for action on climate change, mental health and orcas in State of the State address
Warning that Washington state is at a "tipping point," Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday delivered a State of the State address that called on lawmakers to address carbon pollution, "transform" the mental health system and save Puget Sound orcas. "Today offers us two choices," Inslee said. "One, do we reflect on the success of our current story and decide we've done enough? Or two, do we rise up and write one of the worthiest chapters of our time that tells future generations who we are?" Austin Jenkins reports. (NW News Network)

B.C. chief says First Nations preparing Trans-Mountain Pipeline bid
First Nations that support construction of the Trans-Mountain Pipeline expansion are close to making a bid for a stake in the project, a leader involved in the bid told a Kamloops radio station over the weekend. Chief Mike LeBourdais of the Whispering Pines First Nation, a community to the north of Kamloops, told Radio NL that the group has met with banks, industry and other potential equity participants. With a federal election expected by November, LeBourdais told Radio NL’s Shane Woodford that “we are going to put a pre-emptive bid” in front of government, probably by April or May. The Whispering Pines community is one of 43 First Nations in B.C. and Alberta that have reached impact benefit agreements with the Trans-Mountain project, if it goes ahead. Derrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

B.C. chiefs gather in Smithers to support Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs
Hereditary chiefs opposed to a natural gas pipeline in Wet'suwet'en territory in northern British Columbia are holding a gathering of solidarity on Wednesday that is expected to attract Indigenous leaders from across British Columbia. Chief Judy Wilson, secretary treasurer of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said she was planning to attend the meeting and other members of the group had already flown to Smithers.... Coastal GasLink says it has signed agreements with all 20 elected First Nations bands along the pipeline route to LNG Canada's $40-billion export facility in Kitimat, B.C. But the project has come until scrutiny because five hereditary clan chiefs within the Wet'suwet'en say the project has no authority without their consent. (Canadian Press)

Democrats working to replace Sen. Ranker
With news of the resignation of Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, Democrats in the state’s 40th Legislative District are beginning the process of nominating potential replacements. With the legislative session underway, Democratic leadership in the district plan to move quickly to appoint a replacement, said Bob Doll, co-chair of the 40th District Democrats Executive Board.... As of Monday afternoon, at least four candidates had made public their interest in the seat: former state Rep. Kristine Lytton, Whatcom County Councilman Rud Browne, Anacortes City Councilwoman Liz Lovelett and San Juan County Councilman Jamie Stephens. Brandon Stone reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Blood moon to grace Vancouver skies Jan. 20
Celestial lovers mark Jan. 20 on your diary, or set a reminder, because a total lunar eclipse will be gracing the skies over Metro Vancouver starting at 8:41 p.m. that night. According to Gary Boyle, a columnist with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, a lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, earth and moon line up perfectly. This doesn’t occur every month, as the moon has a slight incline in its orbit and often misses earth’s shadow. A lunar eclipse is simply the full moon sliding into earth’s shadow, so there’s no need for special filters to view it — like with a solar eclipse. During the total eclipse the moon will turn copper orange as the earth blocks light from the sun, leading to the term blood moon. Unlike the short solar eclipse, the lunar eclipse will last a few hours. David Carrigg reports. (Vancouver Sun)


Now, your tug weather--West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  828 PM PST Tue Jan 15 2019   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON 
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE  WEDNESDAY NIGHT  
WED  E wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 7 ft at  16 seconds. A chance of rain. 
WED NIGHT  E wind 25 to 35 kt. Combined seas 8 to 10 ft with a  dominant period of 16 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening  then rain after midnight.


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