2019 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit

Co-Chairs:
Bruce Agnew, Director, Cascadia Center
Senator Chuck Winder, Idaho State Legislature

The Transportation and Infrastructure Working Groups focuses on the infrastructure of our major corridors and gateways, with a special interest on border infrastructure.

The PNWER Innovative Infrastructure Finance Taskforce promotes best practices for public-private infrastructure financing. P3s are innovative financing models between governments and the public sector to build public infrastructure. The Taskforce leverages public and private sector expertise to educate elected officials on the potential applications of P3s and is working with Congressional leadership to fund the Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Demonstration Program which will create a regional “Center of Excellence to assist state and municipalities access existing and new funding sources; share Canadian expertise in P3 projects; support the alignment of multi-state regulations for cross border infrastructure projects; and support the streamlining of regulatory environment.

Infrastructure Finance Opportunities and Challenges
Elected Perspective: Minister Gordon Wyant, Deputy Premier, Minister Responsible for SaskBuilds
National Perspective: Mark Romoff, CEO, Canadian Council of Public Private Partnerships
Civil Servant Perspective: Kyle Toffan, President and CEO, SaskBuilds

More speakers TBD

U.S. Federal Infrastructure Outlook 

Regional Legislative Update 
Hon. Lori Carr, Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, Government of Saskatchewan
Sen. Jeff Golden, Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Transportation and Economic Development, Oregon
Rep. Terry Gestrin, Transportation and Defense Committee, Idaho State Legislature

More details on the Working Group here.

Working Group Co-chairs: 
Bruce Agnew, Cascadia
Sen. Chuck Winder, Idaho State Legislature

Autonomous, connected, electric and shared (ACES) vehicles can potentially reduce congestion, limit traffic accidents, clean up our air and water, and enhance social equity by reducing the costs of personal mobility. ACES will also revolutionize the supply chain logistics world of marine, surface and air transportation while electrification offers new business opportunities for our bi-national region’s utilities.
     Cross-Border Autonomous Truck Pilot

Autonomous vehicles in agriculture
Seedmaster is a Saskatchewan agriculture machinery manufacturer that has developed an autonomous seeder/farm implement platform called DOT. This cutting-edge technology is also a great example of how Saskatchewan agriculture machinery technology is helping to reduce GHG emission.
Owen Kinch, SeedMaster Manufacturing Inc and Dot Technology Corp

Transportation electrification in Washington State 
Rep. Jake Fey, Washington State Legislature

Connecting the inland northwest
The ALCAN Highway and Highway 97 are critical transportation corridors for the PNWER region. How do we strengthen these inland connections between the Arctic jurisdictions and the rest of the region? What is their value for to the region’s economic development?

Maintaining the Shakwak Agreement
Paolo Gallina, MLA, Government of Yukon
Lt. Governor Kevin Meyer, Alaska

Rail Connections
Mead Treadwell, Former Lt. Governor & Chief Operating Officer,  Alaska to Alberta Rail (A2A)

Action Items
What are the next steps to promote the PNWER agenda?
Looking ahead to the Economic Leadership Forum in Seattle Nov. 17 to 19
Smart Cities
Infrastructure Resilience
Autonomous vehicles

More information on the Working Group here.