Today, Premier Gordon Campbell announced his government is getting into bioenergy in a big way. And, as part of that initiative, the "biomass created out of the mountain pine beetle outbreak" is being promoted as a resource that could be used to "stimulate investment and economic diversification while producing clean energy." But what Mr. Campbell didn't mention is that "from an air contaminant point of view, wood combustion can lead to releases of significant amounts of particulate matter" - which can pose "health risks" to British Columbians. And the environment ministry is only just now getting around to hiring a consultant to study the "expected (contaminant and greenhouse gas) emissions from all biomass combustion/gasification systems" - as well as their "emissions reduction potential." All this, according to a request for proposal posted on BC Bid just six days ago. Fancy that! The following is a complete copy of the relevant portion of that bid.

SCHEDULE "A"
A) SERVICES
Introduction and Background

The combustion of wood is carbon (greenhouse gas) neutral as long as the wood is sustainability harvested. Thus, there are obvious benefits to promoting use of this resource to generate energy. However, from an air contaminant point of view, wood combustion can lead to releases of significant amounts of particulate matter (especially PM10 and PM2.5). The most significant health risks to air quality posed by wood combustion are associated with the fine particulates, in particular “inhalable” particulates < 10 μm in diameter and “respirable” particulates < 2.5 μm in diameter.

There are several airshed management plans in place throughout the province that are intended to provide a multi-stakeholder process for coordinating activities in an airshed – to identify and meet community supported air quality goals. The Ministry has committed to a target of achieving or maintaining Canada Wide Standards (CWS) for PM2.5 and ozone in all monitored communities by 2010. To achieve this target, new establishments may be required to meet more stringent specified air emission requirements, based on: 1) specific air quality concerns within an airshed where an airshed management plan is being developed or implemented; or 2) whether the location is within an airshed falling under the “keeping clean areas clean” commitment in the Canada Wide Standards. The overall commitment to provincial air quality is significant. The province of BC has committed to five great goals. Number 4 is to “Lead the world in sustainable environmental management, with the best air and water quality, and the best fisheries management, bar none.”

British Columbia has considerable biomass fuel reserves, particularly as a result of the recent mountain pine beetle infestation. The February 27, 2007 BC Energy Plan identified bioenergy as a potential energy source as part of a clean renewable future along with geothermal, tidal, run-of-river and wind power. BC Hydro is expected to issue a call for independent power projects by April 1, 2008 focused on converting biomass to electricity. It is anticipated that prospective proponents will want to know what BC’s emission limits will be so that design criteria and cost estimates can be prepared.

The lumber, pulp and paper industry sectors have traditionally used biomass fuel. The Ministry is in the process of developing a code of practice (Ministers Regulation) for the primary wood manufacturing industry (http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epdiv/ema_codes_of_practice/) and emission limits for biomass combustion are to be included. Discharges from Pulp Mill operations are covered by Ministry permits. Jurisdictional reviews of both industry sectors have been completed. A detailed investigation for what current technology is capable of with respect to emission discharge performance is not included in these reviews.

Purpose and Tasks

The purpose of this contract is to investigate biomass combustion practices and produce a background report for government agency policy development. Supporting research will focus solely on sources with a rated capacity greater than 0.1 MW, (excluding residential units and wood fired hydronic heaters).

The contractor will review biomass combustion practices from feedstock preparation to emission discharge and prepare a report that:

* Compares air emission performance for various biomass combustion technologies (based on recent stack sampling data and other relevant sources); feedstocks; and after treatment for various rated sizes or capacities (greater than 0.1 MW) and for a variety of applications (e.g. heating; power generation; cogeneration; greenhouse heating);

* Includes an assessment of information from other jurisdictions particularly information made available by the Ministry of Environment;

* Indicates the expected emissions from all biomass combustion/gasification systems and practices, in use, in demonstration or in R&D domestically and internationally, including consideration for various feedstocks and exhaust gas after treatment options. For each, note the key characteristics which would affect the decision to choose that option, including:

* Application
* Emissions reduction potential (the following pollutants should be taken into consideration: criteria air contaminants (CACs), greenhouse gases (GHGs), and toxic air contaminants (notably dioxins, furans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)).
* Capital expenditure;
* Cost recovery;
* Operating cost;
* Feedstock availability and reliability;
* Ancillary benefits (fuel savings, operational efficiencies, maintenance savings); and
* Lifecycle considerations on air or other environmental media - include discussion of any considerations unique to Canada or regions of Canada.

* Provides a comparison of air emissions from current biomass combustion and control technologies, with non-biomass technologies (such as natural gas and oil combustion).

* Indicates achievable emission levels for logical size categories (i.e. megawatts output) for biomass combustion units.

* Includes, for comparative purposes, relevant currently used or business-as-usual non-biomass technologies and best-available non-biomass technologies. For each, include the same key characteristics noted above. For example, include expected emissions using best practices and technologies using natural gas as a fuel for various applications.

DELIVERABLES

The contactor will provide bi-weekly telephone or email progress reports on work being undertaken and planned to producing the final report.

By March 1, 2008, the contactor will produce a draft report for initial review by the Ministry. The report is to detail all sources of information investigated with enough information to easily track down the source (web link, report, individual contact person, etc.) and is to lay out the sources of information used to arrive at logical end conclusions. The contractor will produce one (1) final electronic (i.e. MS_WORD) and six (6) hardcopy reports in English by March 31, 2008.

B) TERM:
From February 1, 2008 to March 31, 2008.

Contrary to columnist belief, Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan must be more popular than ever. After all, according to an email sent out by his community relations manager Anna Lucarino, "over the past several weeks, our office has received many inquiries as to how to purchase memberships, financially contribute or become a volunteer to help support Mayor Sam Sullivan in this year's civic election. As noted in a recent memo from the City Clerk to all of Council, City resources are only to be used for matters directly related to civic business. Therefore, should you wish to learn more about Mayor Sullivan's election campaign or how to become involved, please direct your inquiries to his campaign via www.samsullivan.ca" - a re-election Website which was launched just last Thursday.

But wait a minute. Couldn't the email itself - which was sent to the mayor's contact list via a taxpayer-funded email address - be construed as related to partisan rather than civic business? Responded Ms. Lucarino, "I'm sure some might suggest that. But we were cognizant of some of the delineations between what the city deems is appropriate use of resources here and what is not." And the mayor's office, via the email, was simply trying "to clarify who does what as we near an election." The following is a complete copy of that message.

***

-----Original Message-----
From: Vancouver Mayor's Office
Sent: January 31, 2008 9:52 AM

Subject: Memo regarding political campaign inquiries

Memo regarding political campaign inquiries Over the past several weeks, our office has received many inquiries as to how to purchase memberships, financially contribute or become a volunteer to help support Mayor Sam Sullivan in this year's civic election.

As noted in a recent memo from the City Clerk to all of Council, City resources are only to be used for matters directly related to civic business.

Therefore, should you wish to learn more about Mayor Sullivan's election campaign or how to become involved, please direct your inquiries to his campaign via www.samsullivan.ca.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!

Anna Lucarino
Manager of Community Relations
Office of the Mayor
City of Vancouver

The Campbell administration has hired Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs diplomat in residence Jeremy Kinsman to "identify labour market development opportunities" on behalf of the ministry of economic development. This, according to a notice of intent quietly posted today on BC Bid. The document states Mr. Kinsman, who was Canada's ambassador to the European Union between 2002 until 2007, will also "lead consultations" related to the ministry's labour market development initiatives. The following is a complete copy of the notice.

Labour Market Development Initiatives

Notice is hereby given by the Ministry of Economic Development (the "Ministry") of its intent to contract with Jeremy Kinsman (the "Vendor") to provide the following services, as they relate to the Ministry’s labour market development initiatives:

i. strategic planning and analysis;
ii. leading consultations;
iii. identifying labour market development opportunities and avenues to initiate and access those opportunities; and
iv. other related duties.

Services will be provided on an as, if and when requested basis. The total cost of this contract will not exceed $25,000. The contract term will be for 1 year from contract signing.

The Ministry has chosen not to call for proposals as the Vendor has strong relevant experience that provides the unique mix of qualifications required for this contract, including:

* extensive knowledge of international and transatlantic economic and government relations, as well as experience working internationally through diplomatic channels based on his former role as Canada's ambassador to the European Union from 2002 until 2007 and current role as Diplomat in Residence at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University;

* leading consultations with international stakeholders;
* strategic policy planning experience;
* managing international stakeholder and diplomatic relations; and
* recent experience providing analysis of international political and economic relations.

Is Coalition of Progressive Electors recording secretary Tim Louis considering another bid for civic office? That's the question being asked by a number of party members. And here's the answer: "I haven't made up mind," said Mr. Louis in an interview with Public Eye. But he probably will "over the next three or four months. I'm going to talk to a number of people that I respect: previously presidents of COPE; people who I've sat on elected bodies with" such as Fred Bass, Dermot Foley, Donna Morgan and Anne Roberts "and seek their advice." And, if he runs for a coalition council nomination, what impact does Mr. Louis think that will have on the civic party? "I don't know. I haven't really thought about that question before," he answered. "That's a good question for me to put to the people I'm going to be seeking advice from."

Here at Public Eye, we haven't heard much about newcomers for Non-Partisan Association council nominations. But there's been some talk association parks board member Korina Houghton might be interested in a bid for higher civic office. Asked about the matter, Ms. Houghton told Public Eye, "I haven't decided yet. I would like to run in some capacity to be sure. But I haven't made that decision completely yet" - something she expects to do in "another three months."

Thanks to the premier's former special advisor Ken Dobell, more British Columbians than ever know about the province's Lobbyists Registration Act. This, after Mr. Dobell failed to promptly register as a lobbyist for the city of Vancouver. So is it a coincidence then that the number of consultant lobbyist registrations increased dramatically in April - the same month Mr. Dobell was accused of non-compliance with that law by the provincial New Democrats? And there was another increase in June. This, following the release a May 28 report by information and privacy commissioner David Loukidelis which alleged Mr. Dobell breached the act. Mr. Dobell - who didn't, according to Mr. Loukidelis, intend to hide his consulting work with the city - has denied any wrongdoing. The following is a complete list the number of consultant lobbyist registration per month in 2007, as provided by the office of the information and privacy commissioner.

2007 Consultant Lobbyist Registrations

January - 7
February - 5
March - 7
April - 15
May - 13
June - 27
July - 6
August - 5
September - 4
October - 8
November - 8
December - 17

Last year, the provincial government announced it had appointed a nine-member pharmaceutical task force to "engage in an exploration of pharamceutical policy to provide advice to government on how best to maximize value for patients and value for money as well as examine ways to continuously improve the pharmaceutical approval process." But it seems British Columbians will have wait a little longer for the task force's recommendations. In an interview with Public Eye, chair Don Avison confirmed he met with Health Minister George Abbott yesterday to extend the taskforce's deadline from January 31 to sometime "into the later part of February." Earlier, The Tyee's Andrew Macleod reported on the taskforce's "strong drug industry flavour."

The date and place for the British Columbia Liberal's next convention - the last before the 2009 provincial election - has been set: October 30 in Whistler. Party conventioneers also visited the ski resort in 2004 - encamping at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. So bets are that hotel will host the Liberals again in 2008.

Earlier, we reported former provincial Liberal house leader Graham Bruce was refusing to discussing details of his lobbying work - even refusing to name the president of the company he's working for. And that irritates New Democrat house leader Mike Farnworth. Noting Mr. Bruce was formerly part of an administration that promised to be the most open and accountable government in Canada, Mr. Farnworth stated, "I would have thought that, in keeping with that spirit of openness, Graham would want to talk about his lobbying contracts." Thankfully though, Calvin Darrell Helin - who Public Eye has since learned is the president of the Eagle Group of Companies LLC, does seem to believe in openness and accountability.

Mr. Helin, the president of the Native Investment and Trade Association and chairman of Orca Real Estate Ventures Inc., explained his company hired Mr. Bruce because "he's somebody who - as a former member of government - knows the layout the land. And we have (the exclusive rights to) a product that is one of the most effective emissions reduction additives for diesel fuel. And we're just getting his help...to familiarize (the Campbell administration) with the product that's out there."

At this juncture, Mr. Helin said he "didn't have any definitive ideas" on how the government could use Viscon. But "it's actually something that could have a huge impact on reducing thousands of tonnes of emissions that are currently going into the air."

Michael Butterfield is best known to Victorians as the name behind Butterfield Law Corp. and a regular CFAX 1070 guest. But some have also been promoting him as a potential Victoria council candidate in the upcoming November civic elections. So what does Mr. Butterfield have to say about such talk? Speaking with Public Eye, the former Saanich council candidate said he might "at some point" consider running. "But I've got a young family right now. And I like having my evenings with my family."

Last week, we reported the Knowledge Network will soon be repositioning itself with a possible new name, logo, on-air slogan and look. So does the mean the Campbell administration has approved the Crown corporation's new strategic plan - which was submitted to the government this past fall? Not so, says advanced education communications director Gordon Williams. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Williams explained the repositioning intiative "isn't tied to their strategic plan." Instead, the broadcaster is simply "going through the process of adapting to the changing communications environment. Because much of their visual identity, as you can see, is somewhat dated." Meanwhile, said Mr. Williams, the network's strategic plan remains under review.

Earlier, we reported lobbyist and former provincial Liberal house leader Graham Bruce refused to say why he was contacting the Campbell administration about a Viscon - a fuel additive. But here's one posssibility: according to the manufacturer's Website, when mixed with diesel or gasoline, Viscon will "improve air quality" and "reduce harmful emissions." All of which might appeal to an admistration interested in a greener British Columbia.

Yet another former senior Campbell administration official is lobbying the provincial government on behalf of the private sector. Last month, former house leader Graham Bruce registered to represent the interests of The Eagle Group of Companies. According to the lobbyist registry, Mr. Bruce declared his intent to contact Premier Gordon Campbell and a number of cabinet minister about Viscon - a fuel additive. Asked by Public Eye whether he could elaborate on his activities, Mr. Bruce said, "No" - refusing to even name the president of the company he's working for.

Earlier, we reported Kelly Gleeson had resigned as the public affairs bureau's resource sector executive director, returning to the ministry of children and family development. So who will be fill that post, you may wonder? Well, as expected, the answer is Marisa Adair. Although she won't actually be assuming those responsibilities until the Campbell administration finds someone to replace her as the health ministry's communications director.

With the throne speech just two weeks away, British Columbia's chattering classes are anxiously awaiting its contents - which will outline the government's upcoming legislative agenda. Most agree the speech will focus on the Campbell administration's climate action initiatives, as well as bringing forward ideas inspired by the recent conversation on health. But what will those ideas be? Is the government, for example, going to be giving British Columbians greater flexibility in managing their healthcare choices? Does the government intend to invest more money in e-health projects? And will the throne speech include any proposals concerning the retention and recruitment of healthcare professionals? Inquiring minds want to know!

Last week, the Campbell administration quietly announced it was looking for 300,000 square feet of new leased office space in the provincial capital. That's almost eight times the amount of functional space offered by the Victoria Conference Centre. And it's comparable to the 335,000 square feet of functional space being built by the the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project. In an interview with Public Eye, labour and citizens' services communications director Rob Duffus explained, "This is an approach to the private sector to explore building new leased office space in downtown Victoria. Government space has become fragmented over the years throughout Victoria." So the government is looking to consolidate that space in an effort to "improve efficiency and provide better service to taxpayers. It'll help keep costs down as well."

So does that mean the Campbell administration is considering selling-off some of the government's existing downtown properties? "That hasn't been talked about yet. This is a response to the record low vacancy rate in Victoria. It's been quite a while since new office space was developed. So this is just the initial foray to see if there's private sector interest in developing new leaseable space," replied Mr. Dufus. According to the government's accomodation and real estate services division, the province presently owns 1,180,600 square feet of space in downtown Victoria and leases 2,063,900 square feet. The following is a copy of the bid document seeking the aforementioned office space.

***

Project: 1093435 - Victoria - Request for Expressions of Interest

The purpose of this Request for Expressions of Interest is to solicit information from interested parties about the marketplace’s ability to provide new leased office space in the downtown Victoria area. In order to respond to ministry space consolidation demands, Accommodation and Real Estate Services (ARES) intends to proceed with a Request for Proposals for the provision of up to 300,000 square feet of new leased office space. The space requirements are described as three (3) independent blocks:

Ministry Block 1: 150,000 square feet

Ministry Block 2: 85,000 square feet

Ministry Block 3: 65,000 square feet

The preferred site catchment area boundaries are:

North: Chatham Street / Caledonia Avenue

East: Quadra Street

South: Belleville Street

West: Wharf Street

The space may be provided in a single building or multi-building solutions by a single or multiple Landlords, provided the space reasonably fits the area modules and individual ministry requirements. Respondents may indicate interest in any or all independent Blocks as listed above.

Earlier, we reported the premier's innovation and excellence awards would be "undergoing a significant expansion in 2008/08" - with the cost of its video production component alone almost tripling over last year's ceremonies. But it seems some bureaucrats don't put much stock in those awards. When civil servants were asked "what was the most valuable recognition for a job well done" - 26 percent of respondents choose a personal note from their supervisor, with performance-based pay being the second most popular choice at 24 percent. By comparison, the least popular choice was the premier's awards at two percent. Fancy that! The following is a complete copy of that survey, which was posted on the public service's intranet site and obtained by Public Eye via a freedom of information request.

Poll results: The best reward

Thanks to the many of you who voted on the poll and sent us your feedback.

Four pretty close responses to what you think the most valuable form of recognition is:

* A personal note/thank you from your supervisor;
* Performance-based pay;
* A personal note/thank you from executive;
* Random, with an element of surprise.

For rewards and mementoes most of you are interested in time off or monetary rewards.

Many of you wrote in to say peer recongition should have been on our list. Here's some of your feedback.

* When you start recognizing people, you have to be carefuly about who you aren't recognizing. Many times there is more going on behind the scenes than is obvious to management. Recognition from management is fine if sincere but from within peers is much fairer and often more meaningful.

* Any reward or recognition has to be sincerely given with the person giving the reward having a full understanding of what the recognition is for and what it means. Too many times I have seen people get awards or recognition from higher up, and I am sure the person giving the award has no clue about what the recipient achieved or what it meant for their organization.

* There is nothing worse that having one for each employee gifts handed out as recongition...especially if you get one only a few weeks ahead of everyone, or horrors...are one of the last in the office to get yours. Make the mementos more individual.

And last word to a great comment....

The value of a "thank you" every day is huge!

Posted Jan. 29, 2007

Poll results: The best reward (continued)

Valuable Recognition for a Job Well Done

A personal note from supervisor 199
A personal note from executive 151
Random, surprise 108
Formal team event 58
Annual events 41
Premier's Awards 20
Performance-based Pay 185

What's the Best Reward?

Certificate 51
Desk do-hickey 26
T-shirt 11
Photo 17
Time Off 193
Monetary 159
Anything 88
Nothing 12

Provincial Green leader Jane Sterk has had a tete-a-tete with Premier Gordon Campbell. In an interview, Ms. Sterk said she met with the premier last Friday in his Vancouver office for about 20 minutes. "He's a consumate politician. And he made us feel welcome," she said. "We talked about some of the things that are of interest to the Green Party and may or may not be of interest to the Liberal Party." As for New Democrat leader Carole James, Ms. Sterk said she has met her "casually. But I have not had a formal meeting with her. I think I might do that once we have some sense of what's happening with the electoral boundaries commission."

Last March, Premier Gordon Campbell launched "an aggressive new (public service) recruitment campaign under the brand 'Where ideas work' that promotes the public service as an innovative and dynamic career choice." But, eight months after that campaign was rolled out, many bureaucrats didn't seem to know about that, er, innovative and dynamic new catchphrase. In November, the government's intranet Website posed the following question: "Did you know that Where Ideas Work is the new corporate 'brand' for the BC Public Service." And it turns out fifty-seven percent of survey respondents didn't. Fancy that! The following is a complete copy of that survey, which was obtained by Public Eye via a freedom of information request.

Poll results: Where ideas work

There's not much to say about the results of our poll on the branch for the BC Public Service: there are more of you that didn't know that was the brand than those that did.

Good to know. And even better, all those people who voted 'no' should now be aware of it, so that's a step forward.

We also want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to send in comments to our other questions. We got a lot of comments with really well thought out responses on both questions, so we'll wade through those and have a look at all the great things you've suggested to make this even more of a place where ideas work.

Posted Nov. 13, 2007

Did you know that Where Ideas Work is the corporate "brand" for the BC Public Service?

Yes 106
No 141

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, provincial New Democrat children and family development critic Nicholas Simons shares his thoughts on the state of his portfolio. Save Our Rivers Society board member Tom Rankin discusses Plutonic Power Corporation Inc.'s recent hiring practices. And Moira Stilwell, the head of nuclear medicine at Saint Paul's and Surrey Memorial Hospitals, talks about her bid to become a provincial Liberal candidate. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Bob Russell, Alex Tsakumis and Allan Warnke - debate the week that was in provincial and federal politics. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 8:30 and 10:00. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us, leave a comment below or phone (250) 386-1161 during the show.

Federal Green leader Elizabeth May has suffered a relapse of keyboard-in-mouth disease. Earlier this week, she rejected a call to extend Canada's military mission in southern Afghanistan beyond February 2008, stating, "The Manley Report fails to consider that the recommendation of more (International Security Association Force) forces from a Christian/Crusader heritage will continue to fuel an insurgency that has been framed as a ‘Jihad’." Asked about that controversial comment, former party deputy leader David Chernushenko told Public Eye, "My advice (to Ms. May) would be, get more people to read over press releases before they actually go public...If you don't want people to misinterpret or re-interpret what you have to say, you have to be really clear about what you're trying to say."

Last year, Ian Reid replaced David Perry as provincial New Democrat leader Carole James's chief of staff, leaving the post of caucus policy director vacant. But, next month, Public Eye has learned British Columbia Government and Service Employees Union staff representative Vanessa Geary will be filling the vacancy. Ms. Geary, who has been an executive assistant to union president George Heyman and Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell, was recently elected to Vision Vancouver's board of directors.

On October 22, the western climate initiative asked the public for comments on its workplan. More than 80 organizations and individuals responded to that request by the initiative's November 30 deadline. But, according to a Public Eye analysis, only one of those responses came exclusively from Canada - a submission by Calgary-based power generation company TransAlta Corp.

Asked why that might be, Western Governors' Association air quality program manager Patrick Cummins said, "If that's the case, I don't really have any explanation for that. The materials were made available to anybody and everybody that wanted to look at them." Explained Mr. Cummins, whose association is project managing the climate initiative, "We have a listserv. And we sent information out on that listserv. Everything was posted. And each of the individual jurisdictions sent out notifications on their own lists."

Indeed, a provincial spokesperson confirmed the Campbell administration did inform stakeholders of the opportunity to directly and publicly comment on the regional carbon trading system's workplan. But, instead of doing that, most stakeholders are sending their comments to the government rather than the initiative. And those comments are then being incorporated into British Columbia's overall negotiating position.

The provincial employment and income assistance ministry has budgeted around $100,000 to improve the telephone communication skills of its 800 frontline staff. In an interview with Public Eye, communications director Richard Chambers, explained the training program is meant to improve the staff's ability to deliver ministry services over the phone. "We're committed to this service delivery model. We think we can make it work. And we think there will be two winners if we can deliver our services well by phone," said Mr. Chambers.

"If clients are happy with the service they receive and it works for them, then it's going to be a lot more convenient for hem and less evasive. For us, in the ministry, it means we will have fewer people coming into our offices - fewer waits, fewer backups and fewer people around the buildings. And, ultimately, telephone delivery service could result in significant savings." Earlier today, the government quietly announced that the British Columbia Institute of Technology will be delivering the training program. The following is a complete copy of that announcement, which was posted on BC Bid.

***

Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance
Regional Services Division

NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI) TO CONTRACT
NOI # RO-0801

Notice is hereby given by the Ministry of its intent to contract with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to develop and provide specialized telephone communication soft skills to approximately 800 Ministry staff throughout the province.

The services are expected to result in:
* Exceptional customer service standards for telephone contact between clients and staff;
* A training program appropriate to new and existing staff; and
* An evaluation framework that outlines new learning and additional training required.

To accomplish this, BCIT will:
* Develop a customized curriculum based on needs assessments conducted with staff;
* Develop a customized curriculum that uses real-life examples and scenarios;
* Pilot the curriculum in two workshops to approximately 25 staff each;
* As appropriate, provide full-day workshops in their Call Centre of Excellence training facility. Where this is not feasible, BCIT must be able to reproduce this workshop experience in various facilities throughout the province;
* Provide feedback to workshop participants as well as the Ministry; and
* Provide completion certificate to all successful participants.

The expected Agreement term is for 15 months from approximately February 2008 to approximately May 2009.

The Ministry has chosen not to call for proposals as it believes that BCIT is uniquely qualified to provide these services:
* BCIT is one of the largest post-secondary institutions in British Columbia. Certification is to the certificate, diploma, post-diploma and Bachelor of Technology degree levels in the fields of health, business, computer systems, electrical/electronics, process and renewable resource technologies, construction, and transportation.
* BCIT's goals of educational quality and institutional excellence are measured by high student achievement standards. As a strategy to achieve those goals, the BCIT Board of Governors has allocated significant resources for faculty development, curriculum design, facilities enhancement, and student support services. The goal is to optimize the skill and knowledge development of students in the most flexible, cost effective manner possible.
* The Province of British Columbia has designated BCIT as its provincial training institution for advanced technology. This mandate strengthens BCIT's linkages with business and industry, and emphasizes the Institute's role in preparing job-ready graduates and high performing employees.

Service providers wishing to object to this decision must contact Hee Kim by facsimile at (250) 952-6450 on, or before, 10:00 am Tuesday, February 5, 2008, presenting in writing specific reasons for their objection. If justified, the Ministry will convene a meeting with Ministry representatives and the service providers to receive representations concerning this contract.

The service provider's ability to offer the services resulting in the same or better solutions at the same or a lower cost in the same time frame will be the key criterion with regard to the consideration of objections.

Earlier, we reported BC Hydro Corp. chair Mossadiq Umedaly is remaining chair of Xantrex Technology Inc. - a somewhat controversial decision according to provincial New Democrat energy and mines critic John Horgan. But he's not the only power player on Xantrex's board of directors. GrowthWorks Capital Ltd. president and chief executive officer David Levi, who recently ruminated about running to be mayor of Vancouver, also sits on the board.

Kelly Gleeson has resigned as the provincial public affair bureau's resource sector executive director. Mr. Gleeson was appointed to that post in June. But he's returning, under his own power, to children family development where he'll once again be leading that ministry's communications shop. The following is a complete copy of the email announcing that move.

----- Original Message -----
From: Champion, Denise PAB:EX
To: PAB All Staff
Sent: Thu Jan 24 10:50:43 2008
Subject: Staffing Update

Good Morning,

By now, most of you have heard, that Kelly Gleeson, Executive Director - Resource Sector, is returning to the front line as Communications Director assigned to Children and Family Development Communications. Kelly's contribution to the PAB Executive team will certainly be missed, however, we look forward to working with Kelly again in his new (or is it old?) capacity. Kelly's appointment is effective January 28, 2008.

I am also pleased to announce that, effective February 11, 2008, Dave Crebo has accepted an OIC appointment as Communications Director assigned to Small Business and Revenue Communications, replacing Matt Gordon who recently resigned to take on a new position with the Executive Council, Government of Saskatchewan. Congratulations, Dave!

As always with any change of assignments there will be a transition period as files and knowledge transfer from one incumbent to another. Thank you in advance for your flexibility through this transition period.

Please join me in extending our very best wishes to Kelly and Dave as they undertake their new assignments.

Denise J. Champion

Earlier, we reported senior provincial Liberal political aide David Cyr would be leaving the legislature at the end of the month for Plutonic Power Corporation Inc. Asked for comment on that depature, New Democrat energy and mines critic John Horgan quipped, "So it's just a division of B.C. Liberal Inc. is it? Certainly, these travellers who come out of the public sector and into the private sector after expanding their rolodexes and making connections with regulators and decision-makers is troubling from a public perspective. But certainly I give Plutonic full marks for recruiting people who can swing doors with Liberals."

A unionized constituency assistant has filed two grievances against her employer New Democrat legislator Sue Hammell, Public Eye has exclusively learned. British Columbia Government and Service Employees Union communications director Mary Rowles says the union notified the employer on January 9 that one of those grievances - which was filed in December and concerns an overtime dispute - would be going to arbitration. According to Ms. Rowles, the other grievance was filed against the assistant deputy speaker of the legislature on Tuesday - this one alleging a denial of short-term sick leave.

Ms. Hammell declined repeated opportunities to personally discuss the matter. Instead New Democrat caucus communications director Glen Sanford stated, "As you probably know, there's a collective agreement in place and a process there to resolve disputes. So it's really inappropriate for a MLA or anyone else for that matter to talk about personnel matters outside of that process."

Earlier, we reported senior provincial Liberal aide David Cyr would be leaving the legislature to become Plutonic Power Corporation Inc.'s First Nations and corporate affairs manager. But he's not the only politico getting a new job. Environment Minister Barry Penner's ministerial assistant Jerry Muir is also departing the precincts. But he'll still be getting a paycheque from the taxpayers of British Columbia as a communications advisor for BC Hydro Corp.

Looky who got a Queen's counsel appointment today! Why it's none other than McCarthy Tetrault LLP partner Andrew Wilkinson. The news release announcing that appointment describes Mr. Wilkinson as having a practice that "focuses on government-related litigation, professional negligence, class actions, corporate commercial disputes and contractual claims. An M.D., he teaches with the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia." But our readers will better know him as a lobbyist - as well as being a former provincial Liberal president and Campbell administration deputy minister.

Earlier, we reported just two major provincial companies attended the recent western climate initiative meeting in Portland - a number dwarfed by corporate delegations from some of the American states. Asked about the matter, Business Council of British Columbia executive policy vice-president Jock Finlayson said, "Those who weren't present in Portland did have an opportunity to patch in by phone and be part of the deliberations. And we did that. We had staff people who were plugged into the major sessions that took place in Portland. And I know of a couple other industry representatives from B.C. who were plugged-in as well."

"So, although the low turnout is fair comment, we weren't shut out of it to quite the degree that might suggest. We were plugged-in. And, from our point of view, we were able to get a pretty good sense of what transpired. And we're doing some additional work to make sure we're briefed and up-to-date on what actually happened down in Portland. So we're comfortable where that stands. Although the speed with which the whole thing is moving does create some challenges."

Furthermore, said Mr. Finlayson, the council is pleased to see "more focused consultation between government - the climate action secretariat - and some of the major industry sectors in B.C. that are responsible for part of our emissions inventory" - referring to upcoming climate action sectoral symposiums. "So, for a while, there wasn't a lot of structured consultation - it was a bit more ad hoc. But now there's a more of an organized activity taking place in terms of meetings which we're not directly engaged with because we're not a sector. But a lot of our members will be in some of the industries that have a lot of questions and a lot of issues they want to put on the table. So, hopefully, within the next month or two that piece will come together to a greater extent then we've seen."

When western climate initiative members met in Portland earlier this month, the public was invited to attend and give their views on options for a regional carbon trading system. But just two major companies from British Columbia appear to have shown up - Terasen Gas Inc. and Plutonic Power Corporation Inc. And that's not much compared with the corporate delegations from some of the American states. Asked about their attendance at the event, Plutonic corporate communications director Elisha Moreno said the independent power producer's corporate development director Marc Stachiw was in Portland "marketing and networking with people and trying to find out if there's anything we aren't doing that we could be doing or anything that someone else is doing that we could be doing. There's a whole bunch of different opportunities we look at when we go down there."

So why was Plutonic was one of the only British Columbian companies there? Responded Ms. Moreno, "I know that we've pretty much got our finger on what's going on in the climate change arena. And we monitor that pretty closely. And whenever we have an opportunity that comes up we try to take it on if we can if we've got the staff and availability to do so. I don't know why other companies would have chosen not to attend. I know that Mark got a lot of value out of it when he attended. He brought the materials back. And he shared them with everybody. And there's some really interesting things happening on the climate change front that we're really interested in being a part of it."

And how did Plutonic find out about the Portland meeting? Responded Ms. Moreno, "Mark was on their Website. And we subscribed to their listserv and found out about the conference that way."

The following is a complete list of conference attendees, as provided by the Western governors' association.

***

Susan Culp, Sonoran Institute (Scottsdale, AZ)
Cosimo De Masi, DEMCO Environmental/Tucson Electric Power (Tucson, AZ)
Ira Domsky, Arizona Dept. of Env. Qual. ((Phoenix, AZ))
Ken Evans, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ)
Lori Faeth, Office of the Governor, AZ (Phoenix, AZ)
Phillip Fargotstein, Fennemore Craig, P.C. (Phoenix, AZ)
Michelle Freeark, Arizonza Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. Benson AZ
Richard Hayslip, Salt River Project (Phoenix, AZ)
Debbie Kimberly, Salt River Project (Phoenix, AZ)
Kathy Knoop, SRP (Phoenix, AZ)
John LeSueur, Arizona Corporation Commission (Phoenix, AZ)
Erik Magnuson, Environment Arizona (Phoenix, AZ)
CV Mathai, Arizona Public Service (Phoenix, AZ)
Steve Owens, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (Phoenix, AZ)
David Steele, WEST Associates (Tucson, AZ)
Robert Taylor, Salt River Project (Phoenix, AZ)
Bill Williams, Resolution Copper (Superior, AZ)
Jessica Youle, Arizona Department of Commerce (Phoenix, AZ)
Robert Desbiens, CONSULTEC (Victoria, BC)
Rachel Boston, Government of British Columbia (Victoria, BC)
Tim Lesiuk (British Columbia)
Will McDowall, Community Energy Association (Vancouver, BC)
Ian Neville, Terasen Gas (Surrey, BC)
Elizabeth Sheehan, CDC2/Ecotrust Canada (Vancouver, BC)
Marc Stachiw, Plutonic Power Corporation (Vancouver, BC)
Rafael Aguilera, Verde Group (Sacramento, CA)
Millie Baird, Environmental Defense (California)
Jason Barbose, Environment California (California)
Aimee Barnes, EcoSecurities (Claremont, CA)
Steven Brink, California Forestry Association (Sacramento, CA)
Chris Busch, Union of Concerned Scientists (Berkeley, CA)
Joshua Bushinsky, Pew Center on Global Climate Change (Sacramento, CA)
Dennis Champion, Occidental of Elk Hills, Inc (Tupman, CA)
Millie Chu Baird, Environmental Defense (San Francisco, CA)
Kari Dohn, GCG Rose & Kindel (Sacramento, CA)
Jane Dunn, Cirrincione Northern California Power Agency (Roseville, CA)
Susan Frank, The Better World Group (Mountain View, CA)
Michael Gibbs, California Environmental Protection Agengy (Sacramento, CA)
Bruce Goines, USDA Forest Service (Vallejo, CA)
Kassandra Gough, Calpine Corporation (Sacramento, CA)
Elizabeth Hadley, City of Redding, Electric Utility (Redding, CA)
Audra Hartmann, Dynegy (Sacramento, CA)
Paul Hurt, AES Corporation (Huntington Beach, CA)
Wendy James, Global Warming Action Coalition (Burbank, CA)
LeiLani Johnson Kowal, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (Los Angeles, CA)
Steven Kelly, Independent Energy Producers Association (Sacramento, CA)
Joe Kerecman, APX (Santa Clara, CA)
Douglas Kerner Ellison, Schneider & Harris (Cameron Park, CA)
Ron Kincaid, Markron Technologies LLC (Los Alamitos, CA)
Sergio Knaebel, The Sandler Foundation (San Francisco, CA)
Lewison Lem, PB (San Francisco, CA)
David Ligh, Exxon Mobil Corporation (Sacramento, CA)
Bob Lucas, PG&E (California)
Nader Mansour, Southern California Edison (Rosemead, CA)
Katie McCormack, Energy Foundation (San Francisco, CA)
Rachel McMahon, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (Sacramento, CA)
Tim McRae, British Embassy (San Francisco, CA)
Wes Miller, Evolution Markets, Inc. (San Francisco, CA)
Ralph Moran, BP America (Sacramento, CA)
Mike Murray, Sempra Energy (San Diego, CA)
Reiner Musier, APX (Santa Clara, CA)
Mark Nechodom, USDA Forest Service (Davis, CA)
Lyle Nelson, WEST Associates (Pasadena, CA)
Gabe Petlin, 3Degrees Group, Inc. (San Francisco, CA)
Pedram Pourmand, Southern California Edison (Rosemead, CA)
Gloria Quinn, Southern California Edison (Rosemead, CA)
Alex Rau, Climate Wedge Ltd (San Francisco, CA)
Bill Reynolds, SCC Americas (San Francisco, CA)
Greg San Martin, PG&E (San Francisco, CA)
Marcus Schneider, Energy Foundation (San Francisco, CA)
Danielle Seperas, Calpine (Sacramento, CA)
Mark Skowronski, Markron Technologies LLC (Irvine, CA)
Jan Smutny-Jones, Independent Energy Producers Association (California)
Sue Solger, Chevron, (San Ramon, CA)
Jennifer Stettner, ConocoPhillips (Sacramento, CA)
Scott Tomashefsky, Northern California Power Agency (Roseville, CA)
Mike Tunnell, American Trucking Associations (Roseville, CA)
Lucille Van Ommering, California Air Resources Board (Sacramento, CA)
Derek Walker, Environmental Defense (Sacramento, CA)
Devra Wang, NRDC (San Francisco, CA)
Meredith Wingate, Center for Resource Solutions (San Francisco, CA)
Naomi Cortez, El Paso Corporation (Colorado Springs, CO)
Patrick Cummins, Western Governors' Association (Denver, CO)
David Dittloff, National Wildlife Federation (Boulder, CO)
Jennifer Hayes, USDA Forest Service (Fort Collins, CO)
Pam Inmann, Western Governors' Association (Denver, CO)
John Nielsen, Western Resource Advocates (Boulder, CO)
Barbara Walz, Tri-State Generation and Transmission (Westminster, CO)
Marion Yuen, C-Lock Technology (Denver, CO)
Franz Litz, World Resources Institute (Washington, DC)
Mark Rupp, Office of Gov. Gregoire (WA) (Washington, DC)
Emilie Mazzacurati, Point Carbon (Washington, DC)
Felice Stadler, National Wildlife Federation (Washington, DC)
Kyle Boudreaux, FPL (Juno Beach, FL)
Sonia Hamel, New America Foundation (Arlington, MA)
Paul Smith, Policy Consulting Services (Falmouth, MA)
June Taylor, Center for Climate Strategies (Silver Spring, MD)
Paul Cartwright, Montana Governor's Office (Helena, MT)
Chuck Magraw (Helena, MT)
Eric Stern, Montana Governor's Office (Helena, MT)
Kenneth Colburn, Center for Climate Strategies (Meredith, NH)
Jeff Burks, PNM (Albuquerque, NM)
Sarah Cottrell, State of NM, Office of the Governor (Santa Fe, NM)
Sandra Ely, State of NM - Environmental Protection Division Santa Fe, NM
Ned Farquhar, Natural Resources Defense Council (Albuquerque, NM)
Steven Michel, Western Resource Advocates (Santa Fe, NM)
Jim Norton, State of NM - Environmental Protection Division (Santa Fe, NM)
Thomas Singer, NRDC (Santa Fe, NM)
Robb Thomson, NM CCAE (New Mexico)
Colleen Cripps, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (Carson City, NV)
Leo Drozdoff, NV Div. of Environmental Protection (Carson City, NV)
Steve Huhman, Morgan Stanley (Purchase, NY)
Wolfgang Ortloff, Equator LLC (New York, NY)
Steven Schleimer, Barclays Capital (New York)
Theo Spencer, NRDC (New York, NY)
Tim Thuston, Williams (Tulsa, OK)
John Hutchison (Ontario)
Matt Price, Environmental Defence Canada (Toronto, ON)
James Whitestone, Ministry of the Environment (Toronto, ON)
Lisa Adatto, Oregon Business Association (Beaverton, OR)
Pamela Barrow, Northwest Food Processors Assn (Portland, OR)
Emily Bartha, Sierra Club (Portland, OR)
Allan Bates, Oregon Department of Energy (Salem, OR)
Jeremiah Bauman, Environment (Oregon, OR)
Lee Beyer, Oregon Public Utility Commission (Salem, OR)
Stephen Bicker, NW Natural (Portland, OR)
Diana Bjornskov, PECI (Portland, OR)
David Breen, Port of Portland (Portland, OR)
Peter Brewer, JELD-WEN Inc. (Klamath Falls, OR)
Don Brookhyser, Alcantar & Kahl (Portland, OR)
Cyrus Bullock, Parametrix (Portland, OR)
Chuck Burley, Oregon State Representative (Bend, OR)
Mike Burnett, The Climate Trust (Portland, OR)
Myron Burr, Siltronic Corporation (Portland, OR)
Kim Burt, West Linn Paper Company (West Linn, OR)
Barbara Byrd Oregon AFL-CIO (Salem, OR)
Linc Cannon, Oregon Forest Industries Council (Salem, OR)
Stephen Caruana, Kleinfelder West (Beaverton, OR)
Phil Carver, Oregon Department of Energy (Salem, OR)
Christine Caurant, Sierra Club (Portland, OR)
Peter Cogswell, Bonneville Power Administration (Portland, OR)
Alan Comnes, NRG Energy, Inc. (Portland, OR)
Mathew Cusma, Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (Portland, OR)
Chad Darby, Golder Associates, Inc. (Lake Oswego, OR)
Brent Davies, Ecotrust (Portland, OR)
Christina Davies Waldron SAIC (Portland, OR)
Robert Deal, PNW Research Station, USDA Forest Service (Portland, OR)
Craig Diamond, The Climate Trust (Portland, OR)
Jackie Dingfelder, Oregon State Representative (Portland, OR)
Brian Doherty, Miller Nash LLP (Portland, OR)
Bob Doppelt, University of Oregon Eugene OR
Bo Downen, Public Power Council (Portland, OR)
Bill Drumheller, Oregon Dept of Energy (Salem, OR)
Angus Duncan, Bonneville Envirohnmental Foundation (Portland, OR)
Samantha Duncan, Energy Options (Cottage Grove, OR)
Amy Dvorak, MFA Inc. (Portland, OR)
Michael Early, ICNU (Portland, OR)
Jim Edelson, OR Interfaith Power and Light (Portland, OR)
Jason Eisdorfer, Citizens' Utility Board of Oregon (Portland, OR)
Kevin Emerick, Woodfold Mfg., Inc. Forest Grove OR
Scott Farris, TransCanada (Portland, OR)
Marianne Fitzgerald, Oregon DEQ (Portland, OR)
Kathi Futornick, URS Corporation (Portland, OR)
Dan Galpern, Western Environmental Law Center (Eugene, OR)
Andy Ginsburg, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (Portland, OR)
Ivan Gold, Perkins Coie LLP (Portland, OR)
Robert Grott, NW Enviornmental Business Council (Portland, OR)
Tony Grover, Northwest Power & Conservation Council (Portland, OR)
Steve Gunther, Progressive Products & Svcs, LLC (Portland, OR)
Steve Gutmann, EcoSecurities (Portland, OR)
Stephen Hall, Stoel Rivers LLP (Portland, OR)
Michelle Halle, JELD-WEN Inc. (Portland, OR)
Kenna Halsey, Parametrix (Portland, OR)
John Harrison, Northwest Power and Conservation Council (Portland, OR)
Roy Hemmingway, Consultant (Portland, OR)
Ray Hendricks, Portland General Electric (Portland, OR)
Eric Hesse, TriMet (Portland, OR)
Michael Heumann, Oregon Public Health Division (Portland, OR)
Jenny Holmes, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (Portland, OR)
Dan James, PNGC Power (Portland, OR)
Jesse Jenkins, Renewable Northwest Project (Portland, OR)
Ray Jones, Roseburg Forest Products (Roseburg, OR)
Massoud Jourabchi, NW power and Conservation Council (Portland, OR)
Alexia Kelly, The Climate Trust (Portland, OR)
Danielle Killpack, NIKE (Beaverton, OR)
Dan Kirschner, Northwest Gas Association (Lake Oswego, OR)
Tamara Kranz, URS Corporation (Portland, OR)
Eli Lamb, Green Lightning Consulting LLC (Portland, OR)
Gina LaRocco, Defenders of Wildlife (West Linn, OR)
Suzanne Leta Liou, Renewable Northwest Project (Portland, OR)
Marvin Lewallen, Weyerhaeuser (Beaverton, OR)
David Light, Oregon Insider (Eugene, OR)
Kevin Lynch, PPM Energy, Inc. (Portland, OR)
Brendan McCarthy, Portland General Electric (Portland, OR)
Steve McCoy, OR Dept. of Energy (Salem, OR)
Kate McCutchen, Blue Heron Paper Company Oregon City OR
Steven McGrath, Commercial Solar Ventures (Portland, OR)
Jennifer McKnight, The Nature Conservancy (Portland, OR)
Dan Meek, Utility Reform Project (Portland, OR)
John Montgomery, Ecology and Environment, Inc. (Portland, OR)
Tom O'Connor, Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities Association (Salem, OR)
G. Hossein, Parandvash Portland Water Bureau (Portland, OR)
Sean Penrith, Earth Advantage, Inc. (Portland, OR)
Ellen Porter, Roseburg Forest Products (Roseburg, OR)
Michael Powelson, The Nature Conservancy (Portland, OR)
Ann Radil, Ecos (Portland, OR)
Tobias Read, Nike/State Representative (Beaverton, OR)
Morgan Rider, Ecology and Environment (Portland, OR)
Jennifer Riehl, David Evans and Associates (Portland, OR)
Mike Riley, ATI Wah Chang (Albany, OR)
Patrick Rowe, Sussman Shank (Oregon)
Sam Sadler (Portland, OR)
Stephen Sander, Bonneville Power Administration (Portland, OR)
Joe Savage, Emerald PUD (Eugene, OR)
John Savage, Oregon PUC (Oregon)
Shelly Sayler, Portland General Electric (Portland, OR)
Alex Schay, Carbon Solutions Northwest (Portland, OR)
Janelle Schmidt, Bonneville Power Administration (Portland, OR)
Astrid Scholz, Ecotrust (Portland, OR)
Sallie Schullinger-Krause, Oregon Environmental Council (Portland, OR)
Lisa Schwartz, Oregon Public Utility Commission (Salem, OR)
Bernard Seeger, City of Cascade Locks Cascade Locks OR
Sarah Severn, Nike (Beaverton, OR)
Kimberly Seymour, David Evans and Associates Inc. (Portland, OR)
David Shaw, ORECA (Salem, OR)
Emma Snodgrass, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (Portland, OR)
Christy Splitt, Office of Ben Cannon (Portland, OR)
Scott Stewart, Intel Corp. (Hillsboro, OR)
Carol Thornberg, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (Portland, OR)
Abby Tibbs, Oregon State Senate (Salem, OR)
Mark Trexler, EcoSecurities (Portland, OR)
Judy Uherbelau, Environmental Quality Commission (Portland, OR)
David Van't Hof, State of Oregon (Salem, OR)
Bettina von Hagen, Ecotrust (Portland, OR)
Steve Weiss, NW Energy Coalition (Salem, OR)
Chris West, American Forest Resource Council (Portland, OR)
Jennifer Wetherbee, Oregon Department of Energy (Salem, OR)
Jonathan Williams, Intel (Hillsboro, OR)
Kristen Winemiller, Attorney (Portland, OR)
Don Wolfe, Bonneville Power Administration (Portland, OR)
Tom Wood, Stoel Rives (Portland, OR)
Tom Zelenka, Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (Portland, OR)
Xiaoping Zhou, USDA Forest Service (Portland, OR)
Kenneth Martchek, Alcoa (Pittsburgh, PA)
Robert Noël de Tilly, Government of Quebec (Quebec)
James Campbell, PacifiCorp (Salt Lake City, UT)
Colleen Delaney, Utah Dept of Environmental Quality (Salt Lake City, UT)
Del Draper, The Williams Companies (Salt Lake City, UT)
Justin Farris, Energy Strategies LLC (Salt Lake City, UT)
Scott Gutting, Energy Strategies LLC (Salt Lake City, UT)
Mark Klein, Energy Strategies LLC (Salt Lake City, UT)
Dianne Nielson, State of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
Glade Sowards, Utah Division of Air Quality (Salt Lake City, UT)
Richard Sprott, Dept. of Environmental Quality (Salt Lake City, UT)
Jody Vorwald (Sandy, UT)
Robert Vorwald (Sandy, UT)
Sarah Wright, Utah Clean Energy (Salt Lake City, UT)
Judi Greenwald, Pew Center on Global Climate Change (Arlington, VA)
Jeffrey Wennberg, CCS (Rutland, VT)
Janice Adair Dept. of Ecology (Olympia, WA)
Hedia Adelsman WA Dept. of Ecology (Olympia, WA)
Rick Agnew Van Ness Feldman (Seattle, WA)
Jason Beloso Washington State Department of Transportation (Olympia, WA)
Raymond Benish, C4SEP (Bothell, WA)
Lynn Best, Seattle City Light (Seattle, WA)
Tim Boyd, The TSB Group (Olympia, WA)
Donna Boysen, CCS/Tetra Tech (Bothell, WA)
Clare Breidenich, Western Power Trading Forum (Seattle, WA)
William Bridges, Bonneville Power Administration (Olympia, WA)
Scott Carley, Sierra Club - Cascade Chapter (Seattle, WA)
Gregg Carrington, Chelan County PUD (Wenatchee, WA)
Anthony Chavez, Weyerhaeuser (Federal Way, WA)
Matthew Cohen, Heller Ehrman LLP (Seattle, WA)
Jessica Coven, Climate Solutions (Seattle, WA)
Eric de Place, Sightline Institute (Seattle, WA)
Peggy Duxbury, Seattle City Light (Seattle, WA)
Will Einstein, PSE (Bellevue, WA)
Keith Faretra, Puget Sound Energy (Bellevue, WA)
Rose Feliciano City of Seattle (Seattle, WA)
Nicolas Garcia Tacoma Power (Tacoma, WA)
L. Jay Gregory Longview Fibre Paper & Packaging, Inc. (Longview, WA)
Nancy Hirsh NW Energy Coalition (Seattle, WA)
Doug Howell National Wildlife Federation (Seattle, WA)
Tony Ifie Washington State DNR (Olympia, WA)
Jack Janda WA PUD Association (Washington)
Ken Johnson Puget Sound Energy Bellevue WA
Liz Klumpp BPA (Olympia, WA)
Jim Lazar Microdesign Northwest (Olympia, WA)
Michael Lazarus SEI-US (Seattle, WA)
Kathleen Leotta Parsons Brinckerhoff (Seattle, WA)
Scott Lindsay Northwest Public Power Assoc. Vancouver WA
Kent Lopez WA Rural Electric Cooperative Association (Olympia, WA)
Will Lutgen Northwest Public Power Association (Vancouver, WA)
Ross Macfarlane Climate Solutions (Seattle, WA)
Robert Mack Tacoma Public Utilities (Tacoma, WA)
Jessica Matlock, Snohomish County PUD (Everett, WA)
Adrian Miller, Wa. Forest Protection Association (Olympia, WA)
Andrew Munro, Grant County PUD (Ephrata, WA)
Teri North, Washington Department of Ecology (Olympia, WA)
Greg Nothstein, CTED Energy Policy (Olympia, WA)
Aaron Perry, Rayonier (Hoquiam, WA)
Doug Peters, Growth Management Services WA CTED (Olympia, WA)
Kevin Raymond, The Pacific Forest Trust (Seattle, WA)
Jodie Read, Alcoa (Ferndale, WA)
Spencer Reeder, WA Dept. of Ecology (Olympia, WA)
Sarah Rees, Washington Department of Ecology (Olympia, WA)
Lisa Rennie, Seattle City Light (Seattle, WA)
Lisa Riener, Quinault Nation (Taholah, WA)
Michael Robinson-Dorn, University of Washington School of Law (Seattle, WA)
Leslie Seffern, WA State Attorney General's Office/Ecology Division (Olympia, WA)
Amy Shatzkin, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (Seattle, WA)
Jill Simmons, City of Seattle (Washington)
Collins Sprague, Avista Corp. (Olympia, WA)
Seth Stark, WSDOT (Seattle, WA)
Stephen Thomas, Golder Associates Inc. (Seattle, WA)
Bob Titus, City of Ellensburg (Ellensburg, WA)
Tony Usibelli, CTED (olympia, WA)
Kathryn VanNatta, Northwest Pulp and Paper (Bellevue, WA)
Dave Warren, WA PUD Association (Olympia, WA)
Stacey Waterman-Hoey, CTED Energy Policy (Olympia, WA)
Clark Williams-Derry, Sightline Institute (Seattle, WA)
Scott Woerman, Landau Associates, Inc. (Seattle, WA)
Steve Ellenbecker, Wyoming Governor's Office (Cheyenne, WY)
Greg Schaefer, Arch Coal, Inc. (Wright, WY)
Kalle Applegate, Oregon Trucking Associations Inc.
Erik Bakken
Jane Bloch
Dan Carol, ACORE
Louise Comeau, ICLEI
Cylvia Hayes, NW Energy Coalition
Steven Messner, California Climate Change Services
Stephen Mooney, Carbonetworks Corporation
Bob Russell, Oregon Trucking Associations Inc.
Cameron Smith, Oregon Governor's Office
Linda Whelan, Dynegy

Earlier, we reported senior provincial Liberal political aide David Cyr would be leaving the legislature for Plutonic Power Corporation Inc. Specifically, we've learned he'll be working as the independent power producer's First Nations and corporate affairs manager. But, in an interview with Public Eye, the company's corporate communications director Elisha Moreno declined to confirm the hire saying, "I can't reveal anything about personnel until we actually announce it publicly. We're a public company. And we'll put it up on our Website. We don't pre-announce personnel before we put something up on our Website."

Asked why the company has been hiring so many Campbell administration staffers, Ms. Moreno responded, "I think the way we look at it is we're trying to be the leading green energy company in B.C. And when you're looking at hiring staff you want the very best that are available. And it's a competitive marketplace. And if we need to go out and find really good quality people, we look at the best of the best and we try to recruit the best of the best. And sometimes we don't get who we want. But a lot of times we do. And we do that because we want to be the leader in B.C."

Plutonic Power Corporation Inc. may have added another former provincial Liberal aide to its payroll. It's our understanding David Cyr, ministerial assistant to House Leader and Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Mike de Jong, is leaving the legislature to work for the the independent power producer. Other former Campbell administration staffers presently working for Plutonic include Robert Poore, former executive assistant to Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe, and Tom Syer, former policy co-ordination and issues management deputy chief of staff to Premier Gordon Campbell. Also on Plutonic's staff directory are corporate communications director Elisha Moreno, former BC Hydro Corp. media relations manager, and lands resource management director Bill Irwin, former tourism, sport and art acting assistant deputy minister. Mr. Cyr hasn't yet returned a phone call from Public Eye.

This morning, The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer opined "the public for the most part has been excluded" from discussions about the Campbell administration's climate action plan. And even "the caucus of government MLAs has not yet been granted a proper briefing on emissions trading, carbon taxes and other aspects of the plan." So perhaps Liberal legislators might want to hurry-up and purchase a $1,715 ticket to attend the Conference Board of Canada's Adapting to Climate Change conference, which gets underway today in Ottawa. After all, that's where Premier Gordon Campbell will be delivering a keynote speech tomorrow concerning "what the B.C.'s government's expectations are (regarding climate change) and how it plans to approach this challenge, and what the Premier expects of business and other levels of government." Media who happen to be in the nation's capital are welcome to attend the conference. But it looks like the provincial press won't get an opportunity to listen in on the speech via teleconference. According to conference board senior communications specialist Brent Dowdall, "We're just not doing it. It hasn't been anything that's been requested of us. So it's something that we're not able to do at this point."

Last April, the provincial government introduced legislation making the Knowledge Network a Crown corporation with a mandate to broadcast programming "designed to help British Columbians live their lives, build their careers, and take part in their communities." This, after the Campbell administration made an unsuccessful bid to privatize the channel. And now the network is looking to rebrand itself. According to documents posted yesterday on BC Bid, the broadcaster will be hiring a consultant to "reposition the Network to launch in Fall 2008" with a possible new name, logo, on-air slogan and look. The following is a complete copy of the relevant portion of that document.

8.0 REQUIREMENTS, PROJECT SCOPE AND TIMELINE

Knowledge Network is looking to re-brand itself for Fall of 2008. In order to meet this deadline a Request for Proposal is being tendered on January 21, 2008.

The Request for Proposal is a multi-stage process as follows:

Stage One:

Request for Proposal: January 21 – February 1, 2008

* Agencies are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae, and provide samples of previous work by the closing of the RFP, Friday February 1, 2008, 2:00 p.m. Pacific time.

* Initial enquiries to the RFP will be accepted until January 25 and responses will be sent by January 29.

February 4 – 8:

* KNC will evaluate submissions and create a short-list of firms who will be contacted by February 11.

* Short-listed agencies will be asked to participate in the next stage, a Credentials Review.

Stage Two:

Credentials Review Preparation: February 11 - 22

* Agencies will be provided access to KNC’s Creative Director and team.

* Additional briefing material will be provided, including a complete list of deliverables.

Credential Review Presentations: February 25 - 29

* Presentation to include:
* Agency history, client list and philosophy.
* A minimum of two case studies showing relevant experience.
* Initial observations about Knowledge Network and where you feel it needs to go.
* A preliminary plan and budget.
* Hardcopies of the presentation for the KNC Advisory Team.

On completion of the Credential Review KNC will evaluate the presentations and award the contract by March 17. The successful proponent will reposition the Network to launch in Fall 2008 with the following elements:

* A possible new name or variation on our existing name.
* A new logo or word mark.
* An on-air slogan.
* A complete re-design of KNC’s visual look for broadcast, online and print.
* A series of station IDs with a memorable musical presence.
* Other deliverables as required.

The provincial government may soon be asking businesses for some extra money to help clean up their own environmental messes. According to documents posted today on BC Bid, the environment ministry is looking for a consultant to prepare a report "on the creation of a sustainable funding mechanism to support the province's ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and remediate spills of petroleum hydrocarbons, hazardous materials or other products that if released to the environment would cause pollution as defined in the BC Environmental Management Act." The documents specifically state that funding mechanism must be something "other than government general revenue sources" - such as fines and levies/taxes.

Listed examples incl