Who Is the Western Energy Institute?

The Western Energy Institute (WEI) is a regional association serving the electric and gas industries, both public and private, throughout the Western United States and Canada. Our mission is to educate, develop skills and leadership, and facilitate information exchange and networking among employees of member companies, and the companies that serve them.

Based in Portland, Oregon, WEI was formed in October 2000 from two longstanding industry associations - the Western Electric Power Institute (WEPI) founded in 1908 and Pacific Coast Gas Association (PCGA) founded in 1893. WEI's membership is comprised of nearly 40 energy companies, including gas pipeline companies, electric and gas distribution businesses, electric generation companies, power marketers and over 135 industry service providers.

WEI offers a member driven, open learning environment to develop effective leaders and ensure well trained employees. Each year WEI sponsors over 50 different educational and networking programs. These programs address strategic issues, informal benchmarking of business practices and hands on technical training. As the industry's most visible combined gas and electric trade association, WEI is focused on helping member companies thrive in increasingly competitive energy markets.

Our Vision

To provide a regional forum to identify, examine, exchange information and educate energy companies facing common challenges.

Our Mission Statement

To support the electric and natural gas industries by focusing on the unique business and operational issues impacting the western states and provinces.

• Identify like professionals in common disciplines, and provide a forum for them to exchange functional information on developing issues.

• Develop symposiums to discuss topical emerging issues with regulators, government officials, recognized industry experts and special interest groups.

• Support development of Business Acumen for emerging leaders designed to facilitate succession planning.

• Develop employee skills essential to operational excellence in all levels of members companies

• Provide hands-on technical training for frontline personnel, technicians and supervisors.