News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 21, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names two to Northwest power planning council

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today appointed Tom Karier of Spokane and Larry Cassidy of Vancouver to the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council.

"Larry and Tom will make a solid and effective team on the Council," Locke said. "Between them, they have experience in fish and wildlife issues, business, academic analysis of energy and natural resources, and labor negotiations. They also bring geographic breadth and understanding to a set of issues that affect the whole Northwestern region."

Karier, 41, currently is an associate dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences and a professor of economics at Eastern Washington University in Cheney. He earned his master's and doctorate degrees in economics from the University of California at Berkeley, studying energy and natural resources. As a professor at Eastern, Karier teaches classes in energy, natural resources and environmental economics.

Karier assumes his duties July 1, and his term on the Council will expire Jan. 15, 2001. He replaces Ken Casavant, whose term expired.

Cassidy, 58, is the president and owner of Flo-Rite Products Co. of Vancouver, an international distributor of plumbing and hardware products. He served as a member of the Washington State Game Commission from 1973-85, serving as its chairman from 1977-81. He also served as president of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, national vice president of Trout Unlimited, and as a member of the National Marine Fisheries Commission under former President Richard Nixon. He currently serves on the John Day Snake River Regional Advisory Committee with the Department of the Interior, and holds membership in Trout Unlimited, Fly Fishing Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Northwest Steelheaders.

Cassidy replaces Mike Kreidler, whose resignation from the Council becomes effective Oct. 1. Cassidy assumes his duties Oct. 1, and his term expires Jan. 15, 2002.

Each will earn an annual salary of $77,446.

The Council was established by an act of Congress and by the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The Council is responsible for planning the acquisition of electric power in the Northwest, including planning for conservation of electricity.

It also is responsible for producing a regional plan to protect and rebuild fish and wildlife populations in the Columbia River Basin that have been affected by hydroelectric dams.

Public hearings and public involvement in these plans are a major component of the Council's activities.

Each of the four states has two members on the Council, appointed by their respective governors. The other members are:

Oregon: John Bergiotto and one vacant position
Idaho: Mike Field and Todd Maddock
Montana: John Etchart and Stan Grace.

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