Portland, OR Implementation of Recommendations from the Peak Oil Task Force

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 3/7/07
Vote: Unanimous
Source File: http://postcarboncities.net/node/35
Text:
RESOLUTION No. 36488
Establish a goal to reduce oil and natural gas use in Portland by 50 percent in 25 years and take related actions to implement recommendations of the Peak Oil Task Force.
WHEREAS, global reserves of oil and natural gas are finite and sufficient substitutes are unlikely to be available in the immediate future; and
WHEREAS, U.S. oil and natural gas production have peaked and are now in decline, ensuring our nation’s continued and growing dependence on oil and natural gas imported from politically unstable regions; and
WHEREAS, a growing body of energy industry experts believe that the world has already arrived at, or will soon arrive at, the peak of global oil production, which will be followed by an inevitable decline in available supply thereafter; and
WHEREAS, global demand for oil and natural gas continue to increase; and
WHEREAS, the City of Portland and its citizens and businesses depend on oil and natural gas for their economic welfare and their most critical activities, including transportation and food supply; and
WHEREAS, a large majority of money spent on fossil fuels leaves Oregon and provides no local economic benefit, while many of the solutions to lessening dependence on fossil fuels result in local jobs and substantial economic benefits; and
WHEREAS, reducing use of oil and natural gas also reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, the primary cause of global warming; and
WHEREAS, City Council adopted Resolution 36407 establishing a citizen Peak Oil Task Force and directing the task force to develop recommendations to City Council on strategies the City can take to mitigate the impacts of declining energy supplies; and
WHEREAS, the Peak Oil Task Force has presented eleven recommendations to City Council that propose reducing oil and natural gas use by 50 percent over 25 years; educating the public; accelerating implementation of land use and transportation policies that reduce oil use; expanding energy efficiency programs; supporting sustainable economic development; strengthening social and economic support systems; and preparing for energy emergencies; and
WHEREAS, the city’s ability to reorganize its transportation system to meet this goal with the requisite investments in walking, bicycling, carpool, and transit infrastructure and programs will require new, additional financial resources; and
WHEREAS, many of the actions that will reduce Portland’s exposure to oil and natural gas will take many years to implement fully, and it is therefore essential to initiate change immediately;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Portland has a goal to reduce oil and natural gas use in Portland by 50 percent by 2030; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Director of the Office of Sustainable Development shall issue a report annually on oil and natural gas use in Portland; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all bureau sustainability plans, developed through the Sustainable City Government Partnership, shall identify and carry out strategies for reducing oil and natural gas use in internal bureau operations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning and Development Bureau Directors shall propose to City Council an action plan to implement the recommendations in the Peak Oil Task Force report that includes funding needs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Commissioner Adams will offer an implementation plan regarding transportation-related issues responsive to the Peak Oil Task Force recommendation within one year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Director of the Office of Sustainable Development shall, in consultation with the Planning and Development Bureau Directors, develop policy options this calendar year to improve building environmental performance, including reducing oil and natural gas use and carbon dioxide emissions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Director of the Office of Sustainable Development shall work in coordination with Commissioner Sten and Saltzman’s offices to revise the Local Action Plan on Global Warming in response to the most recent scientific findings about climate change and to incorporate the recommendations of the Peak Oil Task Force; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the conclusions and recommendations of the Peak Oil Task Force be considered in the City Strategic Plan and updates to the Comprehensive Plan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission and Sustainable Development Commission shall monitor implementation of the recommendations of the Peak Oil Task Force.
Category:City Governments
Category:Energy Policy
Category:Portland
Category:Oregon
Category:Resolutions