Organization Structure
Officers
The elected officers of PNWER include a President, two First Vice Presidents (one from the US and one from Canada) and two second Vice Presidents (one from each country). Officers must be elected legislators, or an elected governor or premier, from participating jurisdictions at the time of their election and remain in office for their tenure as a PNWER Officer. A copy of the PNWER Officer Handbook discussing PNWER's organizational structure and delegate responsibilities can be found here.
Executive Committee
President
Sen. Mike Cuffe Montana Vice President, Canada Richard Gotfried, MLA Alberta Vice President, U.S. Sen. Chuck Winder Idaho Vice President, Canada Rick Glumac, MLA British Columbia |
Immediate Past President
Larry Doke, MLA Saskatchewan Past President Sen. Arnie Roblan (ret.) Oregon State/Provincial Leads: Rep. Chris Tuck Alaska Rick Glumac, MLA British Columbia Sen. Chuck Winder Idaho |
Sen. Mike Cuffe
Montana Sen. Lew Frederick Oregon Caroline Wawzonek, MLA Northwest Territories Larry Doke, MLA Saskatchewan Sen. Jim Honeyford Washington Paolo Gallina, MLA Yukon |
Private Sector Representatives:
Canada Co-Chair David Bennett FortisBC U.S. Co-Chair Dan Kirschner NW Gas Association PNWER CEO Matt Morrison |
Delegate Council
The Delegate Council consists of four legislators (plus alternates) from each jurisdiction, as well as the governors / premiers (or a designated representative) from each of the states / provinces / territories. It is expected that in the states, each legislative caucus selects one of the four delegates and also may select alternates. In the provinces and territories, the government is encouraged to appoint delegates from both the government and opposition. The delegates from each jurisdiction are encouraged to hold meetings to discuss priority issues for the jurisdiction, as well as provide reports to their leadership on PNWER action items. The appointed delegates from each jurisdiction also should meet annually to select a lead delegate to serve on the PNWER executive committee. The lead delegate may also serve on the PNWER Foundation Board of Directors.
The Delegate Council is responsible for coordinating the agendas from the public sectors of each jurisdiction, promoting participation in each working group, working with sponsors and promoting sponsorship, as well as ensuring that the PNWER organization continues to adhere to its original mission and regulations as outlined in PNWER’s rules and regulations.
The Delegate Council is responsible for coordinating the agendas from the public sectors of each jurisdiction, promoting participation in each working group, working with sponsors and promoting sponsorship, as well as ensuring that the PNWER organization continues to adhere to its original mission and regulations as outlined in PNWER’s rules and regulations.
Bold = PNWER Officers /
State, Provincial and Territorial Leads
State, Provincial and Territorial Leads
Private Sector Council
Every PNWER private sector member sits on the PSC; this includes business, the non-elective public sector, NGOs, local governments, and other non-profit organizations. Each jurisdiction selects one of their private sector members to serve as the chair of their private sector council, and the chair will then sit on the Executive Committee ex-officio. Each jurisdiction may develop its own private sector council to support the work of PNWER in their jurisdiction. In addition, from among the chairs of each jurisdiction, one is selected of the PSC from Canada, and one from the US to serve as PSC Co-Chairs.
The purpose of the PSC is to provide a forum for the private sector to meet and discuss issues of concern and communicate these through the working groups and the Private Sector Council to the PNWER Executive Committee. Furthermore, each state, province, territory delegation is encouraged to hold meetings as needed in their own jurisdiction and promote business leadership within all aspects of PNWER.
The purpose of the PSC is to provide a forum for the private sector to meet and discuss issues of concern and communicate these through the working groups and the Private Sector Council to the PNWER Executive Committee. Furthermore, each state, province, territory delegation is encouraged to hold meetings as needed in their own jurisdiction and promote business leadership within all aspects of PNWER.
Private Sector Representatives:
Canada Co-Chair David Bennett Director, FortisBC U.S. Co-Chair Dan Kirschner Executive Director, Northwest Gas Assoc. Alaska
Casey Sullivan, Marathon Petroleum Hans Neidig, ExxonMobil Alberta Amanda Affonso, Enbridge Jim Donihee, CEPA Riley Georgson, Transalta Mike Simpson, Devon Energy Scott Thon, AltaLink British Columbia Colin Smith, APEGBC David Bennett, FortisBC Don Dalik, Fasken Martineau Ken Davis, Quad-Lock Marcia Smith, Teck Glenn Wonders, AME BC Emilie de Rosenroll, South Island Prosperity Partnership |
Idaho
Ken Dey, J.R. Simplot Patrick Kole, Idaho Potato Commission Norm Semanko, Idaho Water Users Assn. Bob Naeurbout, Idaho Dairymen's Assn. John Revere, INL/Battelle Jesse Ronnow, Zions Bank Luke Russell, Hecla Mining Jennifer Visser, Idaho Power Montana Mike Halligan, The Washington Companies Diane Smith, American Rural Claudia Rapkoch, Northwestern Energy Northwest Territories Darrell Beaulieu, Denendeh Investments Pawn Chugh, NWT BDIC Oregon Dan Kirschner, NWGA Sunny Radcliffe, PGE Kent Yu, Seft Consulting Ken Nicholas, EQL Energy Curt Abbott, Oregon PUD Association |
Saskatchewan
Shawna L. Argue, APEGS Scott Rudderham, Canpotex Allan Migneault, AJM Janice Tranberg, Saskcanola Washington Bruce Agnew, Cascadia Center Pam Brady, BP Johan Hellman, BNSF Nina Odell, PSE DeLee Shoemaker, Microsoft Megan Ouellette, Alaska Airlines Ryan Eddy, PNNL Bob Sailer, PNWLG Yukon Stanley Noel, Dena Nezzidi Development Corporation |
Past Presidents
Larry Doke, MLA (Ret.) | SK | 2018-19
Sen. Arnie Roblan (Ret.) | OR | 2017-18 Dan Ashton, MLA | BC | 2016-17 Sen. Curt McKenzie (Ret.) | ID | 2015-16 Hon. David Ramsay (Ret.) | NT | 2014-15 Sen. Kevin Ranker (Ret.) | WA | 2013-14 Hon. Lyle Stewart, MLA | SK | 2012-13 |
Rep. Mike Schaufler (Ret.) | OR | 2011-12
Hon. Mel Knight, MLA (Ret.) | AB | 2010-11 Sen. Lesil McGuire (Ret.) | AK | 2009-10 Hon. John van Dongen, MLA (Ret.) | BC | 2008-09 Rep. George Eskridge (Ret.) | ID | 2007-08 Hon. Jim Kenyon, MLA (Ret.) | YK | 2006-07 |
Rep. Glenn Anderson (Ret.) | WA | 2005-06
Hon. Rob Renner, MLA (Ret) | AB | 2004-05 Sen. Fred Dyson (Ret.) | AK | 2003-04 Hon. Barry Penner, MLA (Ret.) | BC | 2002-03 Rep. Jeff Morris (Ret.) | WA | 2001-02 |
Statutes
PNWER was created by statute in 1991 by the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington and the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The Yukon Territory was added in 1999, Saskatchewan was added in 2008 and the Northwest Territories was added in 2009. Below are several of the statutes and motions to create PNWER.
Washington State Statute
Idaho State Statute
Montana State Statute
Oregon State Statute
Alberta
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Northwest Territories
Idaho State Statute
Montana State Statute
Oregon State Statute
Alberta
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Northwest Territories