Lt. Governor Brad Owen of Washington discusses foreign trade with PNWER President, Hon. Mel Knight in Olympia, WA.

PNWER delegates met in Olympia January 18-19. We had an hour-long meeting with Jay Manning, Governor Gregoire's Chief of Staff in which we discussed the Columbia River Treaty Symposium, being held during our 2011 Annual Summit in Portland, Oregon; the importance of the second train to B.C. for Washington State; and the new Interstate 5 bridges over the Columbia to both Washington and Oregon. Among other meetings and activities, delegates presented to the Senate  Economic Development, Trade, and Innovation Committee on PNWER's efforts to develop a regional innovation strategy, focusing on the clean technology sector.     

PNWER delegates in Boise

During the Boise visit, January 20-21, delegates met with the Idaho Department of Commerce and Agriculture to discuss the regional value of attracting foreign direct investment to enhance the Lewiston port for grain shipments. 

We had a very good meeting with Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter.  

Gov. Otter suggested PNWER as a neutral organization to request research data on the cost of the wildlands designation on BLM lands by Secretary Salazar, and praised the PNWER "Cost of Not Building Transmission" study.

Delegates also met with the Idaho DOT Director, and the entire Transportation Board, and discussed excess load limit shipments from Lewiston bound for Billings, MT to a Conoco - Phillips refinery, and additional shipments bound for the Oil Sands in Alberta.  

PNWER Delegates meet with Governor Brian Schweitzer in Montana

Our visit to Helena took place January 25-26. Our delegates met with Governor Brian Schweitzer, who was focused on concerns about RPS standards in Washington excluding Montana wind; a coal terminal on the west coast for Montana and Wyoming shipments; and the political situation in British Columbia and Alberta. As a result of this meeting, Rep. Morris has introduced a bill in WA state to allow renewable power (wind) from anywhere in the WECC jurisdictions (all of the western US and Canada)

PNWER attendees discussed excess load limit requests from Exxon and Conoco to transit heavy equipment for the oil sands through Montana with Jim Lynch, Director of the Transportation Department. 

We also had good meetings with the new Senate President and Speaker of the House.

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber meets with PNWER delegates during the visit to Salem.

Highlights of the successful February 2-3 Oregon visit included a meeting with Governor John Kitzhaber, in which the Governor was invited to speak at the Portland Summit, and invite the other governors and premiers to the Summit;  and the Governor expressed his interest in transportation, energy, and jobs for Oregon, all of which demand regional collaboration.

Among our other events, we held meetings with the Co-Speakers Arnie Roblan and Bruce Hana, and Senate President Peter Courtney. Delegates gave presentations to the House and Senate Energy, Environment, and Natural Resource Committee on PNWER and the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute.