Cross-border group, The Pacific Northwest Economic Region, covering Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta and the Yukon has bold agenda – Forum will tackle power, security, disease

How to get people and goods across the U.S.-Canadian border faster and with less hassle, without jeopardizing homeland security. What to do with all the tourists headed our way for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. What to do with the oil, natural gas and electricity being developed in Canada and Alaska. How to handle a pandemic.

Government, business and organization officials from five Northwest states and two Canadian provinces and one territory will convene in Seattle next week to discuss a lengthy agenda of common issues, including those four.

The Pacific Northwest Economic Region http://www.pnwer.org/ also will install as its president for the coming year state Rep. Glenn Anderson (R-Fall City).

The organization — covering Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta and the Yukon — is designed to provide a forum for swapping ideas and figuring out how to resolve common and cross-border problems.

By BILL VIRGIN
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Full Story: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/231865_pnwer09.html