Carlo Dal Monte

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Carlo Dal Monte, Director of Energy, Catalyst Paper

Carlo Dal Monte began his career in the pulp and paper industry in 1993, when he joined Fletcher Challenge Canada – Elk Falls Division as a process engineer. In 2003, he moved to the Catalyst Paper's Port Alberni Division where he worked as a Machine Manager. In May of 2008, he was appointed Director of Energy for Catalyst Paper, where he applies his operations experience to reduce the company's energy costs and increase its energy efficiency.

Who do you represent on BC Hydro's engagement initiatives?
I represent Catalyst Paper Corporation, and through our membership in the Joint Industry Electricity Steering Committee (JIESC), I also represent the interests of large industrial customers and the pulp and paper industry.

What are some of your responsibilities as Director of Energy for Catalyst Paper?
Catalyst Paper is BC Hydro's biggest customer, and I am the primary contact for our account. I provide internal support on all energy matters including electricity, natural gas and biomass, and work with our two Energy Managers who work at the mill level to reduce our energy consumption in partnership with Power Smart.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
In my role, I work with people from BC Hydro, the government, and industry. I enjoy interacting with different people who bring many different perspectives to the table.

What are the top organizational challenges that are facing your company?
At a fundamental level the biggest challenges facing Catalyst Paper are the drop in demand for pulp and paper products as well as the strengthening Canadian dollar. From an energy conservation perspective our challenge is continuing our commitment to sustainability with bricks and mortar investment while remaining successful in a shrinking marketplace against competition receiving massive government subsidies without any market-wide carbon policy framework that recognizes the benefits of products made with a low carbon footprint.

What are your top BC Hydro interests?
Industrial customers are approximately one-third of the provincial electricity load, by far the most concentrated users of electrical energy. This presents BC Hydro with opportunities to explore. For example, smart meter technology is already installed for the large industrial customers. Rather than waiting to implement this province-wide, BC Hydro has an opportunity to run pilot projects with customers who already have smart meters installed in order to determine what the benefits are for BC Hydro, its customers and the province as a whole and develop the most cost effective strategy.

Efficiency is another key issue for us since BC Hydro's costs are reflected in our rates. Large industrial customers have implemented many changes and made difficult decisions to survive the downturn in the global economy. We know that resources are not infinite. While utilities may feel consumer pressure to always say "yes", industrial customers are more often the voice that says, "No, there are not enough resources and we can't afford to do this right now." This is the perspective that I bring to BC Hydro's engagement initiatives.

We also want to be considered a valuable energy partner. The most effective demand-side management (DSM) measures are in the industrial sector as the return on investment (ROI) far outweighs any measures that are implemented in any other sector. We have a lot to offer in regards to energy conservation and efficiency.

What BC Hydro initiatives are you currently involved in?
I have been a member of the Electricity Conservation and Efficiency (EC&E) Advisory Committee since May of 2008. So far, I have really enjoyed the process. The EC&E Advisory Committee is a diverse and interesting group to work with. I am also a member of the Large Industrial DSM Working Group.

What motivates you to engage with BC Hydro?
Catalyst Paper is BC Hydro's single largest customer, and our hydro bill is a significant operating expense. It is in our best interest to engage with BC Hydro at all levels.

What strengths do you bring to the engagement table?
I bring a constant focus on cost-efficiency and a process engineering discipline – competencies you might expect from a large industrial customer – and I also bring my personal experience in the industry.

Do you feel your stakeholder interests are given due consideration?
Yes, I think so. I think the issue with these types of groups is that it takes a while to clearly define what the real motivators and interests are for each of the stakeholders. My sense is that we are still laying down the groundwork.

What are your top two recommendations to help BC Hydro become more stakeholder-focused and better able to meet your interests?
BC Hydro should view industry as a business partner – to enable industrial development across economic sectors. The conservation programs should be viewed in a broader scope that includes all ratepayers, with a goal of driving growth in the province and to reducing costs for both parties.