Individuals consulted by the Economic Change Subcommittee
Art Ayers
Marge Bare, Meadows Group Realty Oregon
Joe Cortright, Impresa Consulting
Dave Ervin, Portland State University
Regina Hauser, Oregon Natural Step Network
Sheila Martin, Portland State University
Tom Potiowsky, Oregon Office of Economic Analysis
Ted Reichelt, Intel
Brian Rohter, New Seasons
Sarah Severn, Nike
Stuart Simon, Safeway
Amy VanVliet, State of Oregon
Dennis Wilde, Gerding Edlen
Economic Change Subcommittee
Preliminary Recommendations
October 25, 2006
1. The City should adopt recommendations of the Transportation and Land Use committee to foster alternative transportation and land use. Two of the biggest challenges to business competitiveness are commuting and moving freight. For example, we should support mixed use zones, that include small decentralized (neighborhood) manufacturing.
2. Set some big goals regarding reduction of fossil fuel use. Establish benchmarks and measurable goals with timeframe by industry sector. Consider adoption of the Oil Depletion Protocol, with a plan to meet the goal. Determine how much fossil fuel use comes from which sectors, from which activities, etc. This information may also be broken down per capita, per household, by square mile/neighborhood/block.
3. Identify and promote post-peak oil business opportunities. These might include sustainable building design services; renewable energy and conservation services and products; sustainable industrial design; repair/re-use/extending lifetime of various products, including remodeling of existing buildings. Catalog/inventory what we import from out-of-state and abroad, what products and services we will need, what resources we have available locally and establish programs (or plans) to produce those products or substitutes locally.
4. Encourage businesses to assess how they will be impacted by peak oil and natural gas taking into account their own energy intensity, that of their suppliers, as well as their customer’s purchasing changes. Encourage business to re-invent themselves. Some businesses or business divisions may have to be re-invented in order to thrive in a less energy intensive environment.
5. Conduct a comprehensive examination of existing programs to see if they’re adequate to help businesses adapt to changes required by peak oil - to assist existing businesses to survive, and new ones to get started. This includes regulations, incentives, infrastructure, business assistance and job retraining programs.
6. Outreach and education. Use case studies, personal impact calculators, business evaluations as tools to determine what impacts will be on their business sector. Ramp up OSD education efforts, coordinate with PDC and other industry specific business associations.