Mr. Veniez is ready to take your calls (well if Mr. Good is so inclined)

Daniel Ven-yezz (as he was described today) but better known to the North Coast as Dan Veniez, will be on CKNW Radio’s, the Bill Good Show tomorrow (Wednesday) morning during the 11 to 1130 hour segment.

Apparently Mr. Veniez is eager to discuss with Mr. Good, the state of British Columbia’s forestry industry and share his thoughts on what needs to be done to get things back on track in the woodlands, the heartland and the provinces saw and pulp mills…

It should be an interesting review for Mr. Veniez, who, when he’s not handling the fate of the Ridley Terminals organization has of late has become a frequent contributor to the letters to the editor pages of the Vancouver newspapers. Of course, his main impact on the North coast once upon a time was that of the leading man of the Tales of New Skeena when he became a rather famous/infamous player on the local scene of a number of years ago.

Never one who is shy from the media, Mr. Veniez would frequently appear during those days of the past when he once was a frequent guest on CHTK’s long since departed talk show days, offering up his thoughts on the state and fate of Skeena Forest Products, which as we all know has long since been transferred to the absentee land barons of Beijing.

Apparently getting the broadcasting bug once again, he takes his talking points to the provinces most listened to talk show hosted by the iconic Good.

It should all make for a fascinating bit of talk radio for those that have some time to tune in, and hey, if Bill Good is inclined in taking questions tomorrow, take some time to make a call and offer up some opinions from the long since forgotten empire of the Northwest…

For those who have radios that don't pull in those Vancouver stations, here's the live streaming link, click on the listen live icon at the top for the streaming audio.

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If you miss the show you can check for it in the CKNW audio vault later in the day.

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Update: Mr. Veniez appeared during the 11 am to 11:30am hour segment of the Wednesday program.

Focused on coal now, but still thinking of the forests

Dan Veniez still has the North coast’s forest industry on his mind, while he currently is running the show at Ridley Island; he still apparently has a fond spot in his heart for the regions once mighty forest industry.

Veniez was leading the eventually unsuccessful charge in 2002 at the time to try and rebuild the Skeena Pulp Mill empire, so with his past experience in matters of forestry has offered up his thoughts once again through the familiar instrument of the printed and published word.

First quoted in a Vancouver Sun article on August 17 and then with his own Letter to the Editor on August 20, that in response to this article from Ric Slaco on the state of our forest industry these days...

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A clarion call for revival
Vancouver Sun
Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Ric Slaco's op-ed piece Tuesday ("B.C.'s forests can lead fight against climate change") was a terrific reminder of the intrinsic value of B.C.'s forest industry, particularly at a time when market gloom pervades its leadership and policy makers.

When forests aren't rehabilitated to stay healthy, as in the northwest, the economy suffers and so does the environment. For example, most people are unaware that the forests along the Smithers to Prince Rupert corridor are net emitters of CO2.

Changing that requires an ambitious plan to harvest and replant those trees. The fibre can feed pulp mills and go into clean energy, such as pellet and bio-refinery projects. Such a renewal would have a dramatic and positive impact on investment, jobs and first nations.

Slaco's important contribution should be front and centre in a process led by the premier and minister of forests to bring the forest industry into the 21st century.

Daniel D. Veniez
Chairman, Ridley Terminals
Vancouver

The Daily News provided a synopsis of sorts of the Veniez rebuttal, published in the local paper on August 22.

Ridley Terminals keeps eye on forestry
Adapting to change integral for the forestry industry
By Robyn Burns
Special to the Daily News
Friday August 22, 2008
Pages one and three

A port industry leader believes that the forest industry in B. C. is in dire need of a facelift. Daniel Veniez, Ridley Terminals Chairman is standing by this point.

An article published this week in the Vancouver Sun prompted him to respond with a passionate letter-to-the-editor.

He responded to the special editorial written by Ric Slaco, Chair of B. C. Forestry Climate Change Working Groups and VP of Interfor.

Slaco’s article outlined how B. C. wood products make a difference and he called for change in the forest industry.

“This was music to my ears; I’ve been preaching this for years,” Veniez said.

According to Slaco, using forest fibre to its full potential is not only an economic answer for B. C., but it’s a way to lower carbon emissions in the province.

Veniez believes that imagination and thinking outside of the box is what will save the forest industry in this province.

The numerous mill closures throughout the North in recent months may have some industry leaders guessing, what’s next?

A price tag of $5 million bought Veniez and George Petty the assets of Skeena Cellulose Inc. in 2002. By 2003 they had to walk away.

According to Veniez, 60 per cent of the forest in the North West of the province is dead. He believes that with an aggressive harvest and reforestation program the forestry industry can be rejuvenated.

“Our stretch of geography can make a real difference,” he said.

Recent studies have brought concerns over carbon emissions to the forefront.

Many industries are now on the hunt for alternative energy sources.

Veniez believes that rotting wood is a viable option in creating bio energy fuels.

“there is a high demand for places where alternative energies could be developed and 50 per cent of the fibre basket is (rotten) and it can’t be used for anything else,” Veniez said.

“I see tremendous opportunities to create some real jobs.”

He said that the Provincial Government’s good intentions just aren’t enough.

“The government has shown that it can’t manage the forest industry and shouldn’t be asked to.”

The Port of Prince Rupert sits at the backdrop of this potential economic future Veniez sees.

”The port is a huge advantage,” he said.

A lack of imagination in the Legislature is what Veniez contributes to what he calls a self induced decline in the forest industry over the last 15 years.

Veniez said, “It’s time to change the paradigm to think and focus on the fundamentals, we’ve got a rotting fibre basket.”