Clean Energy Investments: Powering B.C.’s 21st Century Economy
Presenting in partnership with:
The Vancouver Board of Trade is excited to be partnering with the Clean Energy Association of British Columbia (CEBC) on the Clean Energy Investments Forum: Powering B.C.'s 21st Century Economy.
While British Columbia may be a tiny fraction of the global economy, the bounty of our natural resource endowment is renown; and this extends to energy resources including clean and renewable fuels. In a climate changing world where finding the balance between protecting the environment and maintaining economic development will become an ever increasing struggle, we in B.C. have examples and opportunities of Clean Energy helping us find the balance.
This half-day forum will explore how clean energy powers British Columbia's economy in a multifaceted and transformative way. This includes enabling B.C.'s most relied upon resource sectors (particularly mining, forestry, and the emerging LNG sector) and empowering rural and First Nation communities to participate in the economy in a meaningful and sustainable way. Across the province, clean and renewable independent power projects (IPPs) are being chosen as solutions to complex issues involving social license, First Nations reconciliation, economic diversification, and job creation.
Energy has long been used as a tool to grow the economy and has helped generate much of the prosperity that the province has historically enjoyed. But in an evolving marketplace with shifting social priorities, all signs point to clean and renewable IPPs for future energy procurement.
The Clean Energy Investments Forum: Powering B.C.'s 21st Century Economy will explore:
- How other resource sectors employ clean energy solutions to enable their specific business goals
- BC Hydro's integral role and how a diversified IPP portfolio will enhance B.C.'s electrical system moving forward How the clean energy sector is embraced by local, provincial and federal government and their visions for IPPs in the future
- How emerging technologies and innovation will affect policy decisions and procurement opportunities and the advantage for B.C. businesses
- Why First Nations choose this sector above all others and the impact IPPs are having and can have on rural communities
Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about a sector that often flies under the radar, but has vast implications for every corner of the province.
OPENING REMARKS:
Iain Black, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Vancouver Board of Trade
Paul Kariya, Executive Director, Clean Energy BC
Dennis Thomas, Tsliel-Waututh Nation
SESSION 1:
Enabling B.C.'s Resource Sectors
Intimate panel on the evolving nature of today's natural resource development and the increasing difficulty of getting to "yes". Come learn how business leaders across natural resource sectors are using clean energy solutions as a business advantage to take their company to the next level socially, environmentally, and economically and how you too can capitalize on the clean energy choices that are sweeping top tier corporations like Google, Apple, and WalMart.
Ross J. Beaty, Alterra Power Corp., Pan American Silver Corp.
Sandy Ferguson, Vice President, Corporate Development, Conifex Timber
Byng Giraud, Vice President Corporate Affairs, Woodfibre LNG (A Pacific Oil & Gas Company)
Grand Chief Edward John (Akile Ch'oh), Hereditary Chief, Tl'azt'en Nation
Jon Kieran, Director of Development, EDF EN (Energies Nouvelles) Canada Inc.
Moderator: Greg D'Avignon, President and CEO, Business Council of British Columbia
SESSION 2:
Enabling Regional Economic Development
British Columbia has a long and largely prosperous history when it comes to natural resource development. However, we all know what it means when there is a downturn in commodity sectors; we need to increase our economic diversification. Come hear how clean energy projects are being utilized as the preferred choice of local governments and First Nations to secure economic stability for struggling communities. This conversation will be further enriched by perspectives from across Canada which will find commonality through clean energy projects being used as a stimulus to economic development, despite these jurisdictions differing in many ways from B.C.
Mike Bernier, MLA, Peace River South
Colleen Giroux-Schmidt, CEBC Chair, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, Innergex Renewables
Gerard Peters (Eppa), Chief Negotiator, In-SHUCK-ch Nation
Merran Smith, Executive Director, Clean Energy Canada
Moderator: Jon Garson, Vice President, Policy Development & Government Relations, BC Chamber of Commerce
SESSION 3:
B.C.'s Clean Energy Future
What does the future hold for B.C.'s Clean Energy Sector? Depending on who you talk to it can either be robust and unlimited, or on the opposite side of the spectrum, holding little or only modest opportunity. Come hear directly from the Minister of Energy and Mines and BC Hydro's CEO to put this debate to rest once and for all.
The Honourable Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review, Province of British Columbia
Kent Brown, President & CEO, Co-Founder, BluEarth Renewables Inc.
Wendy Grant-John, Executive Advisor, Aboriginal Client Services, Deloitte Touche LLP
Jessica McDonald, President & CEO, BC Hydro
Moderator: Paul Kariya, Executive Director, Clean Energy BC
AFTERNOON KEYNOTE:
William Nelson Head of Research, North America, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
In his current capacity William oversees a team of analysts focused on the transformation of the energy sector in North America. This includes the production of in-depth reports and forecasting models. His previous experience includes strategy consulting at the Earth Institute and software design at Electronic Arts. He holds a Bachelors in Physics from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and a Masters in Energy Policy and Finance from Columbia University.
Community Sponsor:
