A Burnaby-based "distinguished" professor is set to lead and oversee B.C.'s public energy utilities.
Mark Jaccard was appointed chief executive officer (CEO), as well as chair, of the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) Sept. 14.
Jaccard is a professor at Simon Fraser University's (SFU) School of Resource and Environmental Management, and has been on the post-secondary's faculty since 1988.
This will be Jaccard's second stint in the BCUC's top seats after serving as chair and CEO from 1992 to 1997, and his mandate will be to regulate energy utilities like BC Hydro, FortisBC and ICBC.
"I look forward to returning to the BCUC at this pivotal time in the energy industry," said Jaccard in a statement from the BCUC.
"We have a great team here at the BCUC and I'm looking forward to working together on behalf of British Columbians."
"Mr. Jaccard has deep experience and knowledge of sustainable energy policies," added B.C. premier David Eby in a provincial release.
"I am confident this will enrich his oversight of the important work being done to protect affordability for ratepayers and rise to the urgent challenge of climate change by growing B.C.'s clean economy."
Jaccard holds a Ph.D. in energy economics from the University of Grenoble, according to his SFU profile, with a research focus on the design and application of energy-economy-emissions (EEE) models for assessing climate policies.
Among his other notable services have includes:
- Canada's National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, 2006-09
- BC's Climate Action team (2008-11)
- Appointment to the Royal Society of Canada, 2009
- Contributions to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 1990-present
- Climate Solutions Council, 2020-23
Jaccard currently teaches Energy and Materials for a Sustainable Climate and Society for graduate students (REM 650) and third-year undergraduates (REM 350).
He takes over for David Morton after an eight-year tenure as BCUC's chair and CEO.
