Q&A: Nic Rivers
Nic Rivers is a partner at MK Jaccard and Associates, where he provides analysis and advice to governments, non-government organizations, and firms on climate change and energy policy, economics, and technology. Rivers is also pursuing a PhD at Simon Fraser University in Resource and Environmental Management, with a focus on evaluation of domestic climate policy options.
What does your research at Simon Fraser University entail?
My research involves the application of quantitative models to public policy questions in the environmental management field. I regularly publish in academic journals related to climate change and energy economics, and have also published articles, opinion pieces, and a book for a wider audience entitled "Hot Air: Meeting Canada's Climate Change Challenge" that I co-wrote with Mark Jaccard and Jeffrey Simpson.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I enjoy the challenge of providing rigorous analysis of pressing public policy questions. I like the flexibility to pursue problems that I find interesting, and the opportunities for public engagement.
What are your top two or three energy interests?
I am particularly interested in the environmental implications of energy consumption and production. My focus has been on climate change, and I am especially interested in the degree to which government policy can affect behaviour and technology adoption related to energy consumption and production.
What are your top two or three BC Hydro interests?
I am interested in understanding and improving the effectiveness of Demand Side Management and conservation programs, as well as the use of electricity rates to shape consumer electricity consumption.
What BC Hydro initiatives are you currently involved in?
I am currently a member of the Electricity Conservation and Efficiency (EC&E) Advisory Committee as well as the Rates Working Group.
What motivates you to engage with BC Hydro?
I became involved with BC Hydro's Energy Conservation and Efficiency (EC&E) Advisory Committee because I felt I had something to contribute to this endeavour. I was also interested in the opportunity to learn more about Demand Side Management and conservation from both practitioners and the utility.
Do you feel your stakeholder interests are given due consideration?
Yes; BC Hydro's engagement initiatives have been conducted effectively.
Last Modified: Mar 25, 2010
