In order to increase energy literacy and educate British Columbians about the natural gas supply chain and the many benefits natural gas brings to our lives, Spectra Energy Transmission West and FortisBC are partnering to deliver are partnering to deliver a new natural gas education program, Natural Gas: Benefits for B.C. 

On Thursday, April 25, the natural gas education program will be visiting the Prince George Chamber of Commerce. John Turner, Director Energy Solutions for FortisBC, and Douglas Bloom, President, Canadian LNG for Spectra Energy, will be delivering a joint presentation.

This presentation will illustrate how B.C.’s natural gas industry is…

• a critical component of our economy
• a key revenue source
• creating jobs
• innovative
• a clean energy solution 

Prior to assuming his current role in 2013, Bloom served as president of Spectra Energy Transmission’s Western Canada operations, responsible for its four businesses: BC Pipeline, BC Field Services, Midstream, and Natural Gas Liquids.

Bloom joined the company in 1987 as a regulatory affairs supervisor for Westcoast Energy in Vancouver. Following a series of management positions, he was appointed vice president, customer service and marketing in 1994. In 1996, Bloom was named vice president of business services, responsible for the company’s engineering and construction, supply chain, information technology, human resources and administrative functions. Following Duke Energy’s acquisition of Westcoast Energy, Bloom was named vice president of business integration. He was then named vice president of strategic planning and risk management for Duke Energy Gas Transmission, and in 2003 was appointed president of Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, a joint venture of Spectra Energy, Emera Inc. and ExxonMobil Corporation.

Bloom holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics, both from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. He chairs the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, a trade organization representing Canada’s transmission pipeline industry. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Business Council of British Columbia.

John Turner
Director, Energy Solutions
FortisBC Energy Inc.

In 1993, John Turner joined Centra Gas in Fort St. John as Area Manager.  In 1997, he moved to Victoria where he was appointed Regional Manager, Customer Service.  Following the company’s acquisition, John relocated to the Mainland in 2004 to assume the role of Regional Manager, Distribution Operations, for FortisBC (previously Terasen Gas) in Surrey.
 
In 2008, he was promoted to Director, Energy Solutions.  This department is responsible for all the company’s sales activities and account management for commercial and industrial customers.  Most recently, his focus has been on expanding sales and customer service activities beyond the foundational role of natural gas and integrating alternative energy solutions.
 
Prior to joining FortisBC, John was an engineer with a major Canadian oil and gas producer.  John has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and an MBA from the University of Victoria.  He has served as Regional Chair for the B.C. Science Council, and Co-Chair of Victoria’s Community Economic Development Corporation.