Chairman Jeff Burks (UT) called the meeting to order and outlined the agenda and meeting objectives. He welcomed to the meeting Deputy Energy Secretary T.J. Glauthier and Jim Souby, Executive Director of the Western Governors’ Association.
Discussion with Glauthier
The Board discussed with Deputy Secretary Glauthier the missed opportunities to capitalize on synergies between the interests of the West and DOE. Specific issues discussed included: coal R&D and climate change; electric system reliability; renewables; sulfur in gasoline; and western needs and DOE programs. As a result, the Board: (1) agreed to provide Glauthier information on the Board’s pending proposal to DOE to support the work of the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation and the Western Governors’ Association’s pending proposal to support the work of the Pollution Prevention Forum of the Western Regional Air Partnership; (2) agreed to send a team of Board representatives to discuss with DOE the fit between DOE programs and western needs; and (3) asked for assistance in evaluating the impact of pending EPA standards for sulfur in gasoline on prices and refinery operations in PADD IV.
WestStart Update
Mike Gage, CEO and President of WestStart/CalStart, briefed the Board on the next steps in implementing WestStart, the western advanced transportation technologies consortium.
State/Provincial Innovations
The Board received presentations by British Columbia on Canadian greenhouse gas emissions trading, by California and Utah on energy efficiency in oil fields; by Nevada on the state’s solar portfolio standard; by California on cooperatives for aggregating consumers; by California on the phase-out of MTBE; by Arizona on the Million Solar Roofs program; by Colorado on the linkage between Y2K and energy; by Oregon on smart jitneys; by Utah on energy management for state government; by Washington on renewables and energy efficiency as trade and economic development opportunities; and by Wyoming on the TaBoRR (Tank Bottom Recovery and Remediation) process.
Business Meeting
Doug Larson, Executive Director called the roll.
Alberta - Not present
Arizona - Amanda Ormond
British Columbia - Warren Bell
California - Bill Keese
Colorado - Rick Grice
Montana - Art Compton/Alan Davis
Nebraska - Bob Harris
Nevada - Rose McKinney-James
New Mexico - Jennifer Salisbury
Oregon - Phil Carver
Saskatchewan - Trevor Dark
Utah - Jeff Burks
Washington - Tony Usibelli
Wyoming - John Nunley
Minutes: Bill Keese (CA) moved and Alan Davis (MT) seconded approval of the minutes of the October 22-23 meeting of the Board. Motion was approved.
WGA Priorities: Jim Souby, Executive Director of the Western Governors’ Association, briefed the Board on the governors’ energy-related priorities and upcoming meeting in Jackson, Wyoming.
Work Plan and Budget: Following a briefing by Doug Larson, Executive Director, and a report by the Executive Committee, Alan Davis (MT) moved and Jennifer Salisbury (NM) seconded the following motion to:
1) Approve the proposed budget and work plan; 2) authorize the acceptance of funds in the areas of radioactive waste, regional electricity cooperation, mine reclamation, transportation (including alternative fuels), and energy efficiency and renewable energy; 3) authorize the Executive Committee (Chairman, First Vice Chairman, Second Vice Chairman, and Treasurer) to approve, between meetings of the Board, the acceptance of funds in other areas, upon the written advice of members of the Board; 4) direct the Executive Director to fill staff vacancies, contingent upon a reasonable expectation that adequate revenues would be available to sustain such a position for at least two years; and 5) authorize the Executive Committee to approve the exact cost-of-living increase for employees based on a survey of state cost-of-living increases.
The budget includes a $3,000 dues increase for both Board members and Associate Board members. This is the first increase in dues in 25 years. Motion was approved.
Election of Officers: Jennifer Salisbury (NM) nominated the following people to serve as officers of the Western Interstate Energy Board in the coming year: John Nunley (WY), Chairman; John Savage (OR), First Vice Chairman; Rose McKinney-James (NV), Second Vice Chair; and Bill Keese (CA), Treasurer. Phil Carver (OR) seconded the nominations. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed and the slate of officers was elected by acclamation. Rose McKinney-James (NV) nominated and Phil Carver (OR) seconded the nomination of the following officers for the Western Interstate Nuclear Board: John Nunley, Chairman; Rose McKinney-James, Vice Chairman; and Bill Keese, Treasurer. Nominations were closed and the slate was elected by acclamation.
Next meeting: Following discussion, the Board instructed staff to find accommodations for a meeting the third week of October in Steamboat Springs, Boise, Coeur d’Alene or Monterey and coordinate the meeting with a meeting of the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.