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What is the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region? (PNWER) and what are its connections to big oil?

By Sasha Izard
May 28, 2026

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Last week, I wrote the following article:

In 2020, Saanich made a “5 year membership agreement” for close to a million dollars to the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP). This is what it was to get in return. – CRD Watch Homepage

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I’d like to shine a spotlight on one of the South Island Prosperity Partnership’s members: The Pacific Northwest Economic Region. (PNWER)

Two years ago, I wrote an Open Letter to SIPP. In the letter, I asked them the following question:

“SIPP’s membership includes an international lobby for many of the biggest fossil fuel companies in North America, if not the world, known as the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, which has a so-called Energy Institute. How does SIPP reconcile that with its oft claimed dedication to climate protection?”

I also asked the following questions:

“I understand that SIPP recently created COAST and the IPC and that significant government funds are headed in those directions. Does SIPP need to remain a middle organization?”

“Will COAST’s activities, including R&D, in any way help to facilitate future offshore oil and gas exploration/extraction and/or global shipping of oil, gas and/or forestry products?”

An Open Letter to the South Island Prosperity Partnership – Sasha Izard

The organization that has received millions of dollars of public funding did not respond to letter.

The South Island Prosperity Partnership is the business of the YYJ Prosperity Association. In the Constitution of the YYJ Prosperity Association (See Appendix A. at the end of this article), among the stated purposes of the organization, it is written:

“2. Creating local economic resilience by prioritizing climate mitigation and adaptation opportunities;

and

3. To receive, administer and distribute funds and property in a manner consistent with the purposes of the Society”

The question is then, how could SIPP receive money from an organization that serves the interests of its members involved in big oil?

SIPP has an FAQ page on its website. At the time of writing the FAQ states:

20. What are the benefits of SIPP membership?

Through SIPP, our members connect to an influential network of business, government, and community leaders who make the region’s economy more resilient, innovative, sustainable and equitable.

By taking a seat at the region’s economic development table, SIPP members can:

expand their networks through valuable peer-to-peer connections at exclusive events like our Executive Leadership Roundtables and the Local Leadership Forum 

amplify their brands through SIPP’s extensive digital platforms and communications networks and enjoy preferential status at events such as the Rising Economy Conference 

add their perspectives on shaping the region’s economy by participating in SIPP’s task forces, working groups and roundtables. 

In other words, SIPP, much like the UDI lobby which it shares membership with, offers influence to its paying corporate member organizations.

As in the article last week, I pointed out that SIPP was intended from the beginning to be an industry-led organization, one that feeds off of public funding.

The following is a screenshot from the South Island Prosperity Partnership’s members page at the time of writing:

(Archived snapshot): Member Directory – South Island Prosperity Partnership

As you will notice following the UDI Capital Region’s logo, is the following SIPP member:

By clicking on that link, the following appears on SIPP’s website:

“The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a statutory public/private non-profit created in 1991 by the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories. PNWER’s goal is to increase the economic well-being and quality of life for all citizens of the region, while maintaining and enhancing our natural environment.”

The organization according to its website is based in the United States, in Seattle, Washington State:

The organization’s website states at top:

PNWER – Pacific NorthWest Economic Region

“Pacific NorthWest Economic Region
​”The gold standard of U.S. – Canada relations”
– Hon. David Wilkins, Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada“

According to the Wikipedia bio for Wilkins at the time of writing:

“David Horton Wilkins (born October 12, 1946) is an American attorney and a former United States Ambassador to Canada during the administration of President George W. Bush.”

David H. Wilkins – Wikipedia

The organization also states:

“PNWER’s mission is to increase the economic well-being and quality of life for all citizens of the region, while maintaining and enhancing our natural environment.“

Although it’s not apparent how it does that with a vast representation of Big Oil, as well as resource extraction/consumption companies, as well as forestry companies among its paying membership and sponsors.

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Members of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region connected to the oil/fossil fuel industry:

The full membership list of the PNWER at the time of writing can be viewed in Appendix B at the end of this article.

Members of the PNWER connected to the oil/fossil fuel industry (I’ve highlighted some of the big oil/fossil fuel names)

American Petroleum Institute
Andeavor
Atco
Avista
BHP Billiton 
BP
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Calumet Montana Refining
CAPP
Cenovus Energy
Cloud Peak Energy
Denbury
Devon Canada
Enbridge
Enmax
ExxonMobil
Federated Co-operatives Limited
FortisBC
Imperial
Jordan Cove LNG
Koch Industries Inc.
Lighthouse Resources Inc.
MDU Resources
Portland General Electric
NorthWestern Energy
NW Natural
PPL Montana
Puget Sound Energy
Shell
Teck
Transalta
TransCanada
Veresen

Members Indirectly connected to the fossil fuel industry:

Alaska Airlines
Calgary Airport Authority
Cruise Line International Association
BNSF Railway
Cement Association of Canada
Government of Alberta
Idaho Power
Nutrien
Northwest Cement Council
Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association
Port of Vancouver
The Washington Companies
Union Pacific

(Note: This list is incomplete, as numerous other member organizations are indirectly tied to the fossil fuel industry)

Various forestry companies are also included among the membership.

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The organization’s sponsors:

The following is a list of sponsors of the PNWER from their website at the time of writing.

Current PNWER Sponsors – PNWER

Note: Digital is the Digital Supercluster a similar type of organization: DIGITAL – Building Canadian Prosperity

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What is LEHI?

The presence of big oil sponsoring LEHI as seen above, provides a clue.

LEHI is the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute, part of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER).

Legislative Energy Horizon Institute – PNWER

Archived version: Legislative Energy Horizon Institute – PNWER

Yes, it’s yet another ‘institute’ that represents industry that just happens to be there to educate politicians etc., and is heavily subsidized by government. Sound familiar?

“The Legislative Horizon Institute North America’s Premier Program for Educating Energy Policy Makers”

“Who is Eligible?

LEHI is the preeminent legislative energy policy institute for legislators and policymakers in North America. All elected state and provincial legislators and governors advisors from the U.S. and Canada are eligible to apply. Emerging leaders and policymakers in energy policy are eligible. See “Apply to the Institute” for the full eligibility requirements and selection criteria.”

“What is LEHI?

Since its inception in 2009, the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute (LEHI) is designed to educate state and provincial legislators, governors advisors, and policymakers on the North American energy infrastructure and delivery system. The Institute’s comprehensive curriculum helps policymakers understand how energy systems and infrastructure work, how energy infrastructure is built and financed, and the regulation and market impacts on energy infrastructure.  

Over 475 legislators, governors advisors, and policymakers have graduated from the class over the past decade, and participants continue to give the Institute positive feedback, rating it as one of the best legislative policy education programs in North America. With major support from the U.S. Department of Energy and Government of Canada, and world-class faculty from academia, industry, and government, the Institute seeks to bring together diverse viewpoints and ensure a well-rounded learning experience. 

The Institute is a two-part program with the first session taking place at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory campus in Richland, WA, in the summer, and the second session taking place in Washington, D.C. in the fall. Graduates of LEHI receive a certificate on energy policy planning through the University of Idaho. “

Line up for your indoctrinations politicians, and don’t forget that the Institute offers Scholarships, Travel, & Accommodations:

The list of LEHI alumni posted is remarkably extensive and is certainly not limited to the Pacific Northwest:

Among the truly vast list of US politicians and to a lesser extent Canadian politicians, you might have noted a few from British Columbia. These include those who have been MLAs in BC: Dan Ashton (BC United), Mike Bernier (BC United) and Rick Glumac (NDP). Glumac was recently President of the PNWER according to an official government press release:

BC Gov News
Archived version: Rick Glumac elected president of Pacific NorthWest Economic Region | BC Gov News

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So there you have it, when lobbying and industry influence, flush with industry money, meets indoctrinating, I mean um ‘educating’ politicians.

Pardon me if the organization looks like one giant front org for industry and US fossil fuel influence on its little brother to the North.

Front organization – Wikipedia

It even reminds a bit of the “Strong Towns” movement which emanated from the US. Its Nanaimo affiliate was an early champion of the failed Bill M216 aka the Professional Reliance Act, which would have allowed overriding municipal decisions by outside private interests.

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Conclusion: Corporate Regionalism

I’ve come to refer to this whole type of phenomenon as corporate regionalism.

Corporate regionalism blurs borders, particularly local ones, as industry and government tied to it, advance its agenda over localized areas, often undermining local democracy to achieve its ends.

One of the most powerful tools that corporate regionalism appears to utilize is amalgamation as a means of assimilating and integrating local governments into centralized governance, whereby industry influence is much easier to concentrate and political access in localities is significantly reduced.

Examples of what could be considered corporate regionalism and the presence of which has been felt on the island:

The South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), the Victoria-Saanich Citizens’ Assembly (note a top SIPP delegate provided a presentation to the assembly), The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, the UDI Capital Region.

Similar in concept are the Digital Supercluster, COAST and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster.

There are many clones of the corporate regionalist approach. They exist far and wide.

Let’s not forget the North Central Local Government Association:

The proposed “Permanent Provincial Housing Policy Roundtable” is an astroturfing effort by the Real Estate Lobby in BC, with the help of a complicit media in the province. Questions must be asked about close to $100 in value gifts to numerous MLAs. – CRD Watch Homepage

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Appendix A: the Constitution of the YYJ Prosperity Association (July 4, 2023):

Appendix B: The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region’s members at the time of writing.

The following is a screenshot of the PNWER’s members at the time of writing.

This is their members page, although how to find it is very difficult on their website. It doesn’t appear in their drop down menu.

Current Members – PNWER

This link is to an Archived version from February 2026.

PNWER Statutory Member Jurisdictions

Alberta

Alaska

British Columbia

Idaho

Montana

Northwest Territories

Oregon

Saskatchewan

Washington

Yukon


Other Government Partners

Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA)

Argonne National Laboratory

Association of Oregon Counties

British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines

Consulate General Canada – Seattle

Consulate General Canada – Denver

City of Seattle

City of Saskatoon

U.S. Coast Guard

Transport Canada

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

Lincoln County, Montana

Idaho National Laboratories (INL)

King County Office of Emergency Management

Global Affairs Canada

Metro (Portland, Oregon)

Oregon Invasive Species Council

Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL)

Portland Bureau of Emergency Management

U.S. Department of Energy

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington Economic Development Commission

Washington State Department of Commerce

Washington State Fusion Center

Washington County

University Partners

Boise State University

Community Colleges of Spokane

Construction Center of Excellence

Mount Royal University 

The Van Horne Institute

Portland State University

Oregon Tech

Oregon Institute of Technology

Oregon State University

University of Alaska – Fairbanks

University of Alberta

University of Calgary

University of Idaho

University of Lethbridge

University of Montana

University of Saskatchewan

University of Regina

University of Washington

Washington State University

Western Washington University

Members

Alaska Airlines

Alberta Beef Producers

ALMA

AltaLink

American Petroleum Institute

Andeavor

AdvantageBC

American Chamber of Commerce in Canada – Western Canada

ASET 

Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC)

Association of Mineral Exploration BC

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA)

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS)

ATCO

Avista

​Battelle

BHP Billiton 

Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana

BNSF Railway

Booz Allen Hamilton

BP

BYD

Business Oregon

The Butchart Gardens

Cameco

Canadian American Business Council

Canadian Animal Health Coalition 

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

Cascadia Center for Regional Development

CleanTech Alliance

Calgary Airport Authority

Calgary Economic Development

Calgary Regional Partnership

Calumet Montana Refining

Capital Power Corporation

CAPP

Canpotex Ltd. 

Cement Association of Canada

Cenovus Energy

Century Link

Certified Electrical Workers of Washington

CEPA

Cloud Peak Energy

CN

Cowles Company

Cruise Line International Association

Denbury

Devon Canada

EID

Eide Bailly

Edmonton Economic Development Corporation 

Enbridge

Engineers and Geoscientists of BC

Enmax

Energy Horizon Corporation

Energy Trust of Oregon

ExxonMobil

Fasken Martineau

Federated Co-operatives Limited

Food Northwest

FortisBC

GHD Group

G7 Generations

Government of Alberta

Harris Greenaway Communications 

HDR

Hecla Mining

Hummingdrone

IBEW Local 48

Idaho Dairymen’s Association

Idaho National Lab

Idaho Potato Commission

Idaho Power

Imperial

International Council of ICF Industries​
Jacobs

Jordan Cove LNG

K + S Potash Canada GP

Keep Washington Competitive 

Koch Industries Inc.

Lighthouse Resources Inc.

League of Oregon Cities

MDU Resources

Microsoft

Midas Gold Idaho

MNP

Montana Farm Bureau

Montana Grain Growers Association

Montana State University

Montana Wood Products Association

Moonbeam

The Mosaic Company 

Nutrien

Nelson Mullins

NIKE

NASCO- North American Strategy for Competitiveness

Northwest Cement Council

NorthWestern Energy

NW Natural

Northwest Territories Business Development & Investment Corporation

North Star Group

One Concern

Oregon Forest Resources Institute

Pacific Power

Pacific Northwest Law Group

PEMCO Insurance 

PBEM

Phillips 66

Plum Creek

Portland General Electric

PPL Montana

PSAC

Puget Sound Energy

Orano

Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association

Oregon People’s Utility District Association

Pacific NorthWest Border Health Alliance

Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition

Port of Vancouver

Portland Business Alliance

RDH Building Science 

SaskCanola

Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association

Simplot

Shell

Spectrum

SSA Marine

St. Luke’s Health System

Surrey Board of Trade

Travel Oregon

Teck

The Washington Companies

Transalta

TransCanada

Tourism Saskatoon

United Grain Corporation

Union Pacific

Vancouver Energy

Van Ness Feldmen

Veresen

Washington Public Utility Districts Association 

Weyerhaeuser

WPUDA

Zions Bank


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See also:

Index of articles and other resources about the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP). – CRD Watch Homepage

Stop Bill M216 Before Local Democracy is Dismantled on Nov 17, 2025 – CRD Watch Homepage

Public Release of the Urban Development Institute (UDI)’s hidden members directory dated to the beginning of 2024. The directory contains dozens of government branches that are hiding their memberships in the registered lobbying organization for development and real estate interests from the public. – CRD Watch Homepage

Too much heat: The UDI pulls down its list of backroom committees that meet with the Government of British Columbia and Local Governments – CRD Watch Homepage

Front organization – Wikipedia

Business unionism – Wikipedia