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| What is PNWER? |
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The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a regional U.S.- Canadian forum dedicated to encouraging global economic competitiveness and preserving our world-class natural environment. PNWER is recognized by both the United States and Canada as the "model" for regional and bi-national cooperation because of its proven success. PNWER is a respected voice and resource for our region, and provides the public and private sectors a cross-border forum for unfiltered dialogue that capitalizes upon the synergies between business leaders and elected officials who work to advance our region's global competitiveness. | |
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2009 19th Annual Summit
July 12 - 16 2009
Boise, Idaho
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Hotel Information
The PNWER room blocks have expired. If the Grove hotel is full, please be sure to check for availability at the Hampton Inn & Suites, and Hotel 43, and be sure to still mention the PNWER summit as you will receive the negotiated rate. Please Click Here for accomodation information.
Keynote Speakers
Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter
David Bieter, Mayor, City of Boise
Congressman Walt Minnick
Premier Floyd Roland, Northwest Territories
Dean Allen, CEO McKinstry
Steve Wright, Administrator, BPA
Steve Reynolds, CEO, Puget Sound Energy
Doug Bloom, President, Spectra Energy Transmission
Jack Lemley, Executive Advisor, Lemley International
US Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu (invited)
US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke (invited)
Canadian Minister of State for Sport Gary Lunn (invited)
US Senator Mike Crapo (invited)
US Senator Jim Risch (invited)
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| News from the PNWER Region |
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PNWER in the News |
Boise confab to address U.S.-Canada issues
The Pacific Northwest Economic Region, a consortium of state and provincial officials from the U.S. and Canada along with government and business leaders from both nations, will hold its 19th annual "summit" meeting in Boise this year, July 12-16, the first time the organization has held its annual conference here. Gov. Butch Otter announced the conference today, saying it's a chance to work on economic issues and "also to trade a lot of ideas." The conference will focus on clean energy technologies, it'll include an animal health summit and an energy institute for state and provincial lawmakers, a roundtable of university presidents from throughout the region, and an array of cross-border discussions.
Idaho businesses to help pay for conference
More than 400 people may come to cross-border economic event, an organizer says.
BY DAN POPKEY - dpopkey@idahostatesman.com
Published: 06/18/09
Idaho businesses have contributed more than $100,000 to host the 19th annual meeting of a regional economic development and environmental organization for five Northwest states and Northwest Canada.
"I'm excited about it," said Gov. Butch Otter at a Wednesday news conference touting the meeting of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, which runs from July 12 through July 16 at the Boise Centre on The Grove.
"The importance of Canada to Idaho can't be overestimated," said state Rep. Max Black, R-Boise, a former president of PNWER. "Canada bought $1 billion in goods from Idaho last year."
Roy Eiguren, a Boise lawyer and co-chairman of the host committee, said more than 400 officials and business leaders from the U.S. and Canada are expected.
Read Complete Article
Our View: Private and public sectors must collaborate to build Idaho's economy
- Idaho Statesman Published: 06/24/09 State government cannot build Idaho's economy by itself. It's going to take strong international trade partnerships, and collaboration with the private sector. A regional economic summit, headed to Boise from July 12 to 16, underscores the value of both relationships. The sponsor is the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, an organization covering five states (Idaho, Alaska, Montana, Oregon and Washington), three Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan) and the Yukon Territory. The region's economic clout matches its geographic reach. Pooled together, its annual gross regional product of more than $350 billion would rank as the 11th largest industrial economy in the world. Read Complete Article
Government of Canada Support to Identify Job Opportunities Linked to Pipeline Project
The Government of Canada is sponsoring a research project that will help identify job opportunities for the Alaska Gas Pipeline. The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "Our government is helping identify future job opportunities for Canadians by working with partners across the country and supporting large-scale research projects such as the Alaska Pipeline," said Minister Day. "This is an important step in advancing the Alaska Pipeline project, which will create jobs for Canadians." Under the project, the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) will conduct interviews with representatives of public and private stakeholders in a range of sectors, such as energy, environment, economic development and transportation, about the demand for labour, materials, and goods and services. The findings will be compiled in a report that will be shared with other stakeholders. "The Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline project, if constructed, will be the largest infrastructure project ever built in North America. PNWER commends Human Resources and Skills Development Canada for its leadership in supporting this survey of workforce needs for this important project," said the Honourable John van Dongen, President of PNWER. Read Complete Article |
| Alaska |
As Alaska Glaciers Melt, It's Land That's Rising
JUNEAU, Alaska - Global warming conjures images of rising seas that threaten coastal areas. But in Juneau, as almost nowhere else in the world, climate change is having the opposite effect: As the glaciers here melt, the land is rising, causing the sea to retreat.
Morgan DeBoer, a property owner, opened a nine-hole golf course at the mouth of Glacier Bay in 1998, on land that was underwater when his family first settled here 50 years ago.
"The highest tides of the year would come into what is now my driving range area," Mr. DeBoer said.
Climate change' forces Eskimos to abandon village
(CNN) -- The indigenous people of Alaska have stood firm against some of the most extreme weather conditions on Earth for thousands of years. But now, flooding blamed on climate change is forcing at least one Eskimo village to move to safer ground.
The community of the tiny coastal village of Newtok voted to relocate its 340 residents to new homes 9 miles away, up the Ninglick River. The village, home to indigenous Yup'ik Eskimos, is the first of possibly scores of threatened Alaskan communities that could be abandoned.
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| Alberta |
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New federal $1 billion clean energy research fund critical to carbon challenge
The federal government plans to invest $1 billion over the next five years to develop clean energy technologies. The Clean Energy Fund, launched in May, will work in the same way as the Alberta government's $2 billion fund for carbon and capture and storage (CCS) demonstration projects. A substantial amount of the federal funding is expected to be spent in Alberta, as the province is the largest carbon producer.
"Industry and government collaboration in energy research is a key element to positioning Canada as a leading low carbon energy user, producer and exporter," said Geoff Pradella, Vice-President of Public & Government Affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "We've made this recommendation to both levels of government and are pleased with the strong commitment."
Alberta Environment Implements the Remediation Certificate Program
Alberta Environment has developed the Remediation Certificate Program to encourage the remediation of sites by providing closure of regulatory liability against changing remediation guidelines. Remediation certification is a voluntary process that provides assurance that additional remediation is not required if guidelines are amended or updated.
Remediation certificates will provide lending institutions, investors, and the public assurance that substance releases have been remediated to the satisfaction of Alberta Environment for a defined land use.
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| British Columbia |
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NDP's Billion Dollar Idea to Green BC's Economy
Wary support from some enviros. Too risky say Libs.
The NDP is announcing plans for a $1-billion-a-year green bond this morning, but critics say it will take more than that to fight climate change and restore the party's environmental image.
"The purpose for this is to find a way to engage British Columbians in the fight against climate change," the NDP's environment critic Shane Simpson told The Tyee in an interview yesterday. It will also help the province transition to a green economy, he said. "It's going to be committed to green investment in British Columbia." Read Complete Article
Rebound in B.C. tourism expected after slow 2009
The 2010 Olympics will help B.C. post "modest" tourism growth next year after the global economic downturn forces revenues down by four to six per cent this year,
Tourism B.C. vice-chairman Kevin Walker said Wednesday.
But Walker told The Vancouver Sun editorial board that the industry would be in far worse shape without the Games.
"There's no doubt about it that this year is a corrective year," Walker said. "But we'd be suffering a lot more than we are right now, but for a lot of the pre-Olympic marketing and messaging that's been going on." Read Complete Article |
| Idaho |
Idaho Leads the Nation in Green Jobs Growth
Nordic Windpower employs seven people in Idaho now, but by the end of this year the wind-turbine manufacturer expects to have 25 employees in its Pocatello plant.
"We are using Idaho for a launch pad to support customers all over the country," said Prakash Ramachandran, Nordic Windpower's chief financial officer.
Nordic isn't alone. The Pew Research Center found that between 1998 and 2007, Idaho jobs in the wind, solar, biofuel and energy efficiency industries grew at a rate of 126.1 percent, while overall Idaho jobs grew by 13.8 percent.
Read Complete Article
Idaho Receives $194,300 in Economic Recovery Funds to Improve Water Quality, Create Jobs
(Seattle, Wash.- May 19, 2009) In an effort to improve water quality and create jobs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $194,300 to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. A total of $39 million will be awarded nationally to states for Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) grants, which will keep and create jobs to help prevent water pollution and protect human health and the environment. "The Recovery Act investments are meeting urgent needs for economic growth and protecting human health and the environment," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Communities across the nation can count on green jobs to help pull them out of this downturn and ensure the long-term strength of our economy and our environment." Read Complete Article |
| Montana |
Montana's Economic Recovery Depends on Small Business
Montana's economic recovery will depend on small business. That message isdriven home in the newly updated Montana Small Business Profile released todayby the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The mostrecent data show that the state has 31,544 small employers, and they employ97.8% of the state`s workforce.
"Montana depends on small business for jobs and economic growth," said ShawneMcGibbon, Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "During this time of financialstress and economic instability, policymakers need to remember that the state`ssmall businesses provide the economic base for its families and communities."
Asbestos cleanup 'emergency' declared in Montana town
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A northwest Montana town where asbestos contamination has killed more than 200 people will get more than $130 million in cleanup and medical assistance from the Obama administration, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday.
The declaration is the first issued by the agency, which has grappled with the "toxic legacy" of a mine outside Libby, Montana, since 1999, Administrator Lisa Jackson said.
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| Oregon |
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Oregon Leads Nation In Clean-Energy Jobs
Oregon has the largest number of clean-energy jobs per capita in the nation, according to a study released Wednesday. Kristian Foden-Vencil has the details.
As part of its climate change initiative, the Pew Charitable Trusts wanted to figure out how many jobs are in the clean energy economy and what's driving their creation.
Spokeswoman, Phyllis Cuttino, says they found that Oregon was a leader with 19,000 workers and about 1600 businesses. Read Complete Article
Oregon forces pollution cuts at PGE's coal-fired power plant
Oregon's Environmental Quality Commission today approved new rules requiring Portland General Electric to spend $470 million over the next nine years to clean up pollution at its Boardman coal plant.
The unanimous vote ended a multi-year process to reduce haze pollution in scenic and wildlife areas, as required by federal law. Read Complete Article |
| Saskatchewan |
Saskatchewan could produce more conventional oil than Alberta: Boyd
Saskatchewan could soon surpass Alberta in conventional oil production, Saskatchewan's energy minister says.
"The positive trend line for Saskatchewan is increasing and Alberta is going the other direction ... and it's great news for the province," Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said Monday at an oil industry conference in Regina.
Nearly 1,000 delegates from SaskatchewanNew Environmental Regulation Model for Saskatchewan
New Environmental Regulation Model for Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is adopting a new, results-based model for environmental regulation that will improve protection of the environment, while promoting innovative new tools in environmental management.
"Under a results-based environmental model, the regulations will describe the environmental protection that is to be achieved, but will leave the 'how' to those who run the plants, factories and mines," Environment Minister Nancy Heppner said. "They will have the flexibility to design effective environmental safeguards that make sense for their operations. The government's job will be to ensure that they do what they promise to do."
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| Washington |
Gregoire orders state agencies to cut greenhouse-gas emissions
Gov. Chris Gregoire on Thursday ordered the state to reach agreement with its single largest polluter to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by half over the next 15 years.
On a day when nearly 1,000 people waving signs and banners rallied on Seattle's waterfront in support of efforts to tackle global warming, Gregoire told state agencies to take several actions to reduce the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
Seattle Workshop Heralds New Era for Geothermal Energy Potential in the Pacific Northwest
Earlier this month, more than 175 people attended the U.S. Geothermal Energy Technology, Finance and Development Workshop in Seattle and learned that the Pacific Northwest is once again on the map for geothermal energy exploration and development.
Organized by the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) and Gold Level Sponsors, Enel North America, Ormat Technologies and Pratt and Whitney Power Systems, the workshop included a Pacific Northwest regional update as well as updates from U.S. industry leaders about their latest projects and technologies. Read Complete Article |
| Yukon |
Government of Canada supports Yukon Conservation Society
Whitehorse, Yukon - The Government of Canada is helping the Yukon Conservation Society (YCS) deliver economic and environmental benefits to the region through three projects. John Duncan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (INAC) and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, made the announcement today.
"These projects support economic development while also contributing to our understanding of the Yukon's unique environment," said Mr. Duncan. "Economic development and environmental protection are key components of our Government's Northern Strategy."
Through Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED), the YCShas received more than $187,000 for three projects.
Canada's western premiers gather in Yukon to look for ways out of recession
DAWSON CITY, Yukon - Canada's western premiers are pitching free trade as the shining light out of the recession and the alternative to the "Buy America" stance south of the border.
The western premiers are gathering in Dawson City, Yukon where strengthening economic competitiveness and ensuring a responsible energy future are expected to be major issues during official meetings starting Thursday.
The annual Western Premiers' Conference is being attended by the leaders of Canada's four western provinces and three northern territories.
Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie, whose government is hosting the forum for the first time since 2002, said the conference is an excellent way to strengthen relationships between neighbouring jurisdictions
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