The transition from oil and natural gas will be a time of tremendous change, both in the way we live and in the shape of the economy. The communities that make the smoothest transitions are those whose residents, businesses, and public and non-profit agencies know how to work together to adapt, to create solutions, and to support one another as they face economic and social disruption. Community is therefore the glue underlying the Task Force recommendations.

The Task Force recommends a community campaign to raise awareness and unite Portlanders around a vision of sustainable energy. In a more general sense, the Task Force sees a need for ongoing programs and systems that build community. Without strong community cohesion, the economic impacts of rising energy prices could readily devolve into broader social problems with people feeling isolated and with little or no hope for help or for the future.

Peak oil is part of a broader context in which escalation of oil and gas prices provides one powerful reason to move even faster in the direction of sustainability. Portland’s community visioning project, visionPDX, shows the promise of demonstrating once again that Portlanders have a vision of a community that is connected, accessible, independent and sustainable. The changes that Portlanders have already made in development patterns, transportation choices, green building and clean energy have slowed the upward trend in consumption at the same time that the local economy has generated jobs for a growing population. 

The Task Force believes that integrated community-wide efforts, led by a City Council that provides unwavering support for further progress, can achieve dramatic reductions in energy consumption while at the same time improving quality of life.  The Task Force believes strongly that success is possible, but only if Portlanders mobilize their creativity and desire to change and plan for the future.  While it is necessary for the City Council to align its services, investments and regulations with our recommendations, that alone is not sufficient. The greater task is to foster a can-do spirit in support of a truly sustainable community. 

Action items:

a)  Research public understanding of Portland’s energy future, including peak oil, and develop effective ways to communicate regarding energy issues.  

b)  Leverage existing programs to communicate with the public about Portland’s energy future, including global warming, peak oil, and potential for oil supplies to be interrupted by geopolitical events. Messages can be integrated into programs that promote transportation options, reduce waste, encourage recycling, encourage energy efficiency and promote local food.

c)  Design and implement a highly visible information campaign which would integrate peak oil issues into a broader context of energy and sustainability. Provide resources that connect households and businesses to assistance programs and information they need to take action. City Council members play an important role focusing community attention on its energy goals and helping people see how their actions contribute. 

d)  Work with community-based organizations to provide information about options and resources to help citizens prepare to mitigate the impacts of oil and natural gas price increases on their lives. Strengthen community networks.

e)  Design competitions or incentives for neighborhoods or businesses to meet reduction targets.

f)   Work with schools to educate students about peak oil and related issues.

g)  Integrate peak oil into visionPDX and other strategic planning projects. Peak oil should be discussed wherever Portlanders envision and plan for the future.

h)  Plan for public schools to be used as distribution points for public services and community support. Design mechanisms to cover the full costs to the schools of providing these services.

i)   Facilitate development of local business networks or barter systems that build community and broaden economic opportunity.