Geoscience BC Welcomes New Geothermal Technical Advisory Committee Members
Vancouver, BC – July 7, 2021 – The appointment of three new volunteers to Geoscience BC’s Geothermal Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will help to further widen the expertise of groups that identify, plan, develop and review our independent, relevant and public earth science research in British Columbia.
Brian Abraham (Dentons Canada LLP), Brian Fairbank and Peter Nilsen (Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development) have joined the Geothermal TAC following a call for applications in March 2021.
Brian Abraham is counsel with Dentons Canada LLP with his practice involving all phases of mining from exploration, development and production through to reclamation. He provides advice on all forms of title reviews, options, leases, purchase and joint-venture agreements during the phases of mineral exploration and permitting. He also advises on socioeconomic, engineering, consulting, construction, operator, equity and debt financing, smelter, processing agreements and reclamation agreements. Brian has long-term interest in geothermal energy dating back to Mount Meager exploration and is active in mining industry matters and committees. He is also a member of Engineers & Geoscientists BC and the law societies of British Columbia and Yukon.
Brian Fairbank has accumulated over 40 years of professional experience in the geothermal industry encompassing engineering, exploration, resource assessment, business management and project finance. With geothermal specialists Nevin Sadlier-Brown Goodbrand Ltd. between 1977 and 1986, he was an active participant in the discovery of the Meager Creek Geothermal System (on behalf of BC Hydro) and many other foundational geothermal studies in western Canada for various public and private entities. As principal of Fairbank Engineering Ltd. from 1986 to 2005, Brian worked extensively on geothermal prospects and regions in the BC and Yukon cordillera, the southwestern US Basin and Range Province and in East Africa. As the founder of Blue Mountain Power Corp. (1992) and Nevada Geothermal Power (2002), Brian is credited with the discovery of the Blue Mountain Geothermal system in Humboldt County, Nevada and the subsequent development of the 49.5MW Faulkner 1 binary geothermal plant, brought online in October 2009 under a sales agreement with Sierra Power, the northern Nevada power utility. Brian received a B.A.Sc. (Geology) degree from the University of British Columbia in 1973 and subsequently, was a registered member of Engineers & Geoscientists BC from 1978 to 2019.
Peter Nilsen comes to the Committee with a background in planning, engineering, sustainability and energy systems. He is a Professional Engineer and a Certified Energy Manager with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of British Columbia. He has worked in private sector development, consulting and local government, most recently with the City of Dawson Creek as Development Services Manager, where he promoted the city's groundbreaking geothermal power production feasibility study among industry partners. He is currently employed with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development. Based in Dawson Creek he works for the Fort Nelson District as Senior Authorizations Officer.
“The expertise and experience of these new TAC members will add to the Geothermal TAC’s knowledge of geoscience and geothermal resources in British Columbia,” said Geoscience BC President and CEO, Gavin C. Dirom. “We are grateful to have Brian Abraham, Brian Fairbank and Peter Nilsen volunteering their time and contributing their valuable expertise to Geoscience BC’s network of experts.”
About Geoscience BC
Geoscience BC generates independent, public geoscience research and data about British Columbia’s minerals, energy and water resources. This advances knowledge, informs responsible development, encourages investment and stimulates innovation.
Our collaboration with the resource sectors, academia, communities, Indigenous groups and government develops and shares unbiased and credible earth science research and data.
Geoscience BC is a not for profit society incorporated under the BC Societies Act.
Visit www.geosciencebc.com or follow us @GeoscienceBC to find out more.
For more information, please contact:
Richard Truman
Geoscience BC
604-662-4147/778-929-1662
truman@geosciencebc.com
Brian Abraham (Dentons Canada LLP), Brian Fairbank and Peter Nilsen (Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development) have joined the Geothermal TAC following a call for applications in March 2021.
Brian Abraham is counsel with Dentons Canada LLP with his practice involving all phases of mining from exploration, development and production through to reclamation. He provides advice on all forms of title reviews, options, leases, purchase and joint-venture agreements during the phases of mineral exploration and permitting. He also advises on socioeconomic, engineering, consulting, construction, operator, equity and debt financing, smelter, processing agreements and reclamation agreements. Brian has long-term interest in geothermal energy dating back to Mount Meager exploration and is active in mining industry matters and committees. He is also a member of Engineers & Geoscientists BC and the law societies of British Columbia and Yukon.
Brian Fairbank has accumulated over 40 years of professional experience in the geothermal industry encompassing engineering, exploration, resource assessment, business management and project finance. With geothermal specialists Nevin Sadlier-Brown Goodbrand Ltd. between 1977 and 1986, he was an active participant in the discovery of the Meager Creek Geothermal System (on behalf of BC Hydro) and many other foundational geothermal studies in western Canada for various public and private entities. As principal of Fairbank Engineering Ltd. from 1986 to 2005, Brian worked extensively on geothermal prospects and regions in the BC and Yukon cordillera, the southwestern US Basin and Range Province and in East Africa. As the founder of Blue Mountain Power Corp. (1992) and Nevada Geothermal Power (2002), Brian is credited with the discovery of the Blue Mountain Geothermal system in Humboldt County, Nevada and the subsequent development of the 49.5MW Faulkner 1 binary geothermal plant, brought online in October 2009 under a sales agreement with Sierra Power, the northern Nevada power utility. Brian received a B.A.Sc. (Geology) degree from the University of British Columbia in 1973 and subsequently, was a registered member of Engineers & Geoscientists BC from 1978 to 2019.
Peter Nilsen comes to the Committee with a background in planning, engineering, sustainability and energy systems. He is a Professional Engineer and a Certified Energy Manager with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of British Columbia. He has worked in private sector development, consulting and local government, most recently with the City of Dawson Creek as Development Services Manager, where he promoted the city's groundbreaking geothermal power production feasibility study among industry partners. He is currently employed with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development. Based in Dawson Creek he works for the Fort Nelson District as Senior Authorizations Officer.
“The expertise and experience of these new TAC members will add to the Geothermal TAC’s knowledge of geoscience and geothermal resources in British Columbia,” said Geoscience BC President and CEO, Gavin C. Dirom. “We are grateful to have Brian Abraham, Brian Fairbank and Peter Nilsen volunteering their time and contributing their valuable expertise to Geoscience BC’s network of experts.”
About Geoscience BC
Geoscience BC generates independent, public geoscience research and data about British Columbia’s minerals, energy and water resources. This advances knowledge, informs responsible development, encourages investment and stimulates innovation.
Our collaboration with the resource sectors, academia, communities, Indigenous groups and government develops and shares unbiased and credible earth science research and data.
Geoscience BC is a not for profit society incorporated under the BC Societies Act.
Visit www.geosciencebc.com or follow us @GeoscienceBC to find out more.
For more information, please contact:
Richard Truman
Geoscience BC
604-662-4147/778-929-1662
truman@geosciencebc.com