2014 Pacific Energy Forum

The Asia-Pacific is the most economically dynamic region in the world and sits at the forefront of global efforts to effectively meet growing energy needs and combat climate change. World energy markets have undergone a seismic shift in the past ten years, driven by Asia’s rising demand and the commercial viability of new energy supplies. Meanwhile, technology has introduced new advances in resource utilization and mechanisms to increase energy efficiency.

Broad and fundamental global energy shifts, along with rapidly evolving technologies and capabilities, suggest that Asia and North America need to fundamentally reconsider their current energy relationship. Adjustments are vital across the spectrum of potential trade and investment opportunities. These changes demand not only policy adjustments but a shift in world view and the development of new, more integrated and competitive energy markets.

The 2014 Pacific Energy Forum gathered leading experts from Asia, the United States, and Canada to assess the key policy questions that North America and Asia face in determining the future trans-Pacific energy relationship. This invitation-only event brought Asian views into the ongoing discussion in Canada and United States about the future energy relationship between North America and Asia. The Forum included discussion of the economic, security, and environmental implications of increasing energy exports from North America to Asia.

The Pacific Energy Forum was co-hosted by The National Bureau of Asian Research and the Slade Gorton Policy Center, in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, and with support from the Government of Canada and the China Energy Fund Committee.

Forum Report and Photo Gallery

2014 Forum Report | Photo Gallery

Forum Papers and Interviews

The 2014 Pacific Energy Forum organizers commissioned policy papers and interviewed top experts in the field on the Forum theme as a resource for stakeholders in the region. The papers and interviews framed the discussion for participants in advance of the Forum.

Working Papers

“A New Era of Coal: The ‘Black Diamond’ Revisited” by Shoichi Itoh

“Fueling Sustained Growth: Strengthening Energy Markets for Economic Development” by Han Phoumin

“Exporting Coal from the U.S. Pacific Northwest: Potential Impacts of Removing an Energy Transportation Constraint” by Mark Thurber

Interviews

Learning from China: A Blueprint for the Future of Coal in Asia? with Armond Cohen

“Building Social License: Harnessing the Environmental Impact Assessment for Social Capital” with Brian Yates

Topics Discussed

The forum convened policymakers, industry leaders, and other high-level experts to:

• Assess energy and environmental projections for the Asia-Pacific region and the role that enhanced trans-Pacific ties might play and identify market and policy dynamics that will shape the relationship in the future
• Evaluate models for understanding the market and environmental impact of increased North American energy exports
• Discuss the role of global energy markets in ensuring healthy economies and energy and environmental security
• Facilitate use of innovative technology and policy solutions to energy and environmental challenges
• Coordinate efforts to make effective use of available technology and limited resources
• Provide recommendations to encourage positive trans-Pacific energy and environmental cooperation

NOTE: The opening session included presentation and discussion of the Asian Development Bank’s annual Asia Development Outlook (ADO).

Featured Speakers

Featured speakers included:

Nate Aden, University of California, Berkeley

Armond Cohen, Clean Air Task Force

Cal Dallas, Government of Alberta

Congressman Norm Dicks, The National Bureau of Asian Research; Van Ness Feldman LLP

Richard J. Ellings, The National Bureau of Asian Research

Senator Slade Gorton, Slade Gorton Policy Center at The National Bureau of Asian Research

Stephen P. Groff, Asian Development Bank

Mikkal Herberg, The National Bureau of Asian Research; University of California, San Diego

Patrick Ho, China Energy Fund Committee

Ayaka Jones, Energy Information Administration

Anthony Jude, Asian Development Bank

Joseph Kalt, Harvard University

Chulsu Kim, Institute for Trade and Investment, Lee International IP & Law Group

Jeffrey Kupfer, Asia Society

Congressman Rick Larsen, U.S. House of Representatives (WA-2)

Tadashi Maeda, Japan Bank for International Cooperation

Colin Marshall, Cloud Peak Energy

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, U.S. House of Representatives (WA-5)

Meredith Miller, The National Bureau of Asian Research

Hironori NAkanishi, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Japan

Han Phoumin, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

Andy Roberts, Wood Mackenzie

Congressman Adam Smith, U.S. House of Representatives (WA-9)

Edith St-Hilaire, Consulate General of Canada in Seattle

Mark Thurber, Stanford University

Richard W. Westerdale, U.S. Department of State

Yuen Pau Woo, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

Ben Yamagata, Coal Utilization Research Council; Van Ness Feldman LLP

Brian Yates, SNC Lavalin

Phyllis Yoshida, U.S. Department of Energy

2014 Pacific Energy Forum Organizers

NBR organized the event with the Slade Gorton Policy Center in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and with the support of the Government of Canada and the China Energy Fund Committee.

Media Coverage

China Pursues More Controls on Coal (Radio Free Asia)

U.S. LNG export can have large impact overseas (The Globe and Mail)

Northwest Coal Terminals Could Export 100 Million Tons Yearly, Expert Says (Puget Sound Business Journal)

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