Dear City and County Council Members, Executive Kremen, and Mayor Pike;

Since Councilmember Weimer proposed a countywide “Peak Oil Task Force” last week, I have been thinking very seriously about the issue.

We have 4-dollar-per-gallon gas prices, we have rising electrical natural gas, propane and heating oil utility costs, and a few years ago we nearly saw the closure of Intalco due to the uncertain electricity market. There is no doubt every person in Whatcom County is directly impacted by energy issues, particularly as it affects their pocketbook, as well as the concerns about environmental impacts of energy component “fallout” - such as exhaust, cfl disposal, petroleum product pollution, CO2 emissions, etc.

Discussion regarding this topic at the local level is prudent and timely. The subject is huge, and will be challenging for all involved to pursue this endeavor with objective insight as to how the actions of local government - along with the citizens of Whatcom County - will have a meaningful and positive impact at a local level.

From the inception of this task force concept, it will be important to define this issue in the most objective terms possible. Therefore I am offering this alternative resolution. Using the resolution Carl proposed, it modifies and objectifies the language in a way that does not attempt a conclusive tone. You might think of it as the difference between the terms “global warming” and “climate change". Thus, “peak oil” becomes “energy resource scarcity", etc.

This is not intended to nit-pick; instead my desire is to have a resolution that is reflective of the concerns of all of our citizens, and does not disenfranchise portions of the community who will automatically reject notions such as “peak oil", increased government
costs (additional taxes or fees), or imposed lifestyle restrictions.

That said, I will support a diverse committee selection, perhaps with advocates willing to explore those concepts, as long as there is balance and room for productive discussion of all issues among the group. Along that line, I might suggest the Executive and the Mayor consider the appointment of John Rawlins (of Whatcom Community College), who has extensively researched “peak oil", and wrote a series of articles on the topic for Whatcom Watch. Simultaneously, our local petroleum industry also could likely be represented on such a task force.

I intentionally added language regarding our electricity supply, because just a few years ago, the situation was getting pretty bad. The industry continues to express concern that future droughts may result in serious consequences to local electrical availability.
Unfortunately, we don’t hear much about that these days when there isn’t quite the “crisis” mentality. I see this task force as being a vehicle for community reconsideration and planning regarding that issue.

It is my hope you will seriously consider adoption of this alternative language, and that we can do so unanimously. My thanks go to the citizens who worked on this language collaboratively, as well as to Mr. Weimer for providing a resolution framework.

Sincerely,

Sam Crawford
Whatcom County Councilmember

P.S. I am pasting in my proposed language below, as well as attaching it in a Word document.

SPONSORED BY: CONSENT
PROPOSED BY: WEIMER/CRAWFORD
INTRODUCTION DATE: MAY 6, 2008

Resolution No. _____________

ESTABLISHING AN ENERGY RESOURCE SCARCITY TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF A POTENTIALLY DYNAMIC MARKET FOR ENERGY RESOURCES ON WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM WHEREAS, proactive planning is critical so that our communities are resilient and prepared in the face of the environmental, economic, and social challenges of what some experts foresee as a time of transition in the market for energy supplies; and

WHEREAS, currently U.S. economic, social and political institutions are dependent on abundant energy supplies; and

WHEREAS, Whatcom County and its citizens and businesses depend on oil, natural gas, and electrical power for their economic welfare and their most critical activities, including transportation, food supply, water delivery, and health care; and

WHEREAS, a debate exists concerning global reserves of oil and natural gas and about the development of economically viable substitutes in the future; and

WHEREAS, a small group of energy industry experts believe that the world will, at some point in the future, arrive at the peak of global oil production, which, in their view could be followed by a decline in available supply, unless new fields are discovered or new technology is developed and utilized; and

WHEREAS, U.S. oil and natural gas production may have peaked in existing production areas and may now be in decline in those areas, in the absence of the development of new production areas our nation appears to be at some risk of a growing dependence on oil and natural gas imported from politically unstable regions; and

WHEREAS, global demand for oil and natural gas continues to increase, and the possibility of decline in global oil production – as shifting environmental priorities limit exploration of new fields – may result in an increase of, in the view of some experts, resource competition, geopolitical instability, and potentially discomforting changes in government, business and consumer resource allocation; and

WHEREAS, there is some uncertainty that energy prices will continue with modest cost increases that can be easily planned for, and we may be, in the longer term, facing a future of somewhat increasing uncertainty in our oil supply and volatility in energy prices; and

WHEREAS, this uncertainty will lead to enormous technological progress and economic opportunity for businesses who invest time and resources in the development of new sources of oil and gas, the extraction of oil from sand and shale, alternative modes of production of power and sources of energy for transportation; and

WHEREAS, Whatcom County currently imports nearly all of its electrical power, at a time when increasing demand for electrical power by government, business, residents, and transportation, substituted for fossil fuel energy, suggests that large-scale electrical generating facilities should be sited in the County; and

WHEREAS, Whatcom County governments, residents and businesses will benefit from greater attention to this topic, as they may not be currently aware of the implications of a possible decline in relatively low-cost energy supplies, such as impacts on transportation, food production and delivery, business and home energy use, land use planning, municipal water and wastewater treatment, and social services; and

WHEREAS, reallocating energy resource choices in a dynamic market almost certainly will result in increased investment in energy and transportation technology, increased manufacturing and construction employment, local green collar jobs, and substantial economic benefits; and

WHEREAS, the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County have each adopted Climate Action Plans, the success of which depends upon reducing carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels; and

WHEREAS, many other communities are developing plans that analyze the impacts of the possibility of energy resource scarcity on their communities and recommend appropriate responses.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council acknowledges the enormous opportunities and challenges of examining energy market progression; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a task force will be established to study and make recommendations regarding the consequences of a dynamic market in energy resources. This task force should examine the energy vulnerabilities of our current infrastructure and consider appropriate changes in order to ensure that economic, social, and environmental infrastructures are resilient in the face of uncertainties brought about by shifting energy markets, and should focus on market-based approaches to solving identified problems. The task force will include up to 18 members selected by the Mayor of Bellingham and the Whatcom County Executive, representing a broad range of government, community and business interests. The task force members guiding each sub- committee will include those with expertise and knowledge of the category to be examined. Sub-committees shall be established to include the categories of:

1) Land Use and Transportation;

2) Food and Agriculture;

3) Public and Social Services (including public education, health, social services, utilities and public safety);

4) Economic Transition and business-sector concerns;

5) Energy, including large-scale electrical generating capacity, and oil refinery capacity and technology;

6) Water;

7) Community Education and Preparation (to most efficiently use available energy resources).

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force’s charge is:

1) To utilize a broad range of sources of current and credible data and information on the issues of oil and natural gas production and the related economic and societal consequences;

2) To seek community and business input on the impacts of possibly declining oil supplies, rising energy prices and proposed adaptations;

3) To develop recommendations to the city and county councils in this calendar year on strategies the city and county governments can take to mitigate the impacts of a dynamic energy resource market in areas including, but not limited to: transportation, business and home energy use, agriculture and food security, health care and social services, land use planning, water and wastewater treatment, and local energy development. These recommendations and proposed outcomes will include suggestions as to appropriate implementing bodies (governmental and non-governmental), and possible funding sources for outcome success. These recommendations should focus on incentives and market-based solutions and not on increased regulation or taxation.

4) To propose methods of educating residents and businesses about this issue in order to optimize the use of fossil fuels, electricity, and other energy sources subject to resource scarcity.
APPROVED this ______ day of _______________ 2008

SPONSORED BY: CONSENT
PROPOSED BY: WEIMER
INTRODUCTION DATE: MAY 6, 2008

RESOLUTION NO. _____________

ESTABLISHING A PEAK OIL TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF DIMINISHING ENERGY RESOURCES ON WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM
WHEREAS, proactive planning is critical so that our communities are resilient and prepared in the face of the environmental, economic, and social challenges of diminishing energy supplies; and

WHEREAS, currently U.S. economic, social and political institutions are dependent on abundant energy supplies; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County and its citizens and businesses depend on oil and natural gas for their economic welfare and their most critical activities, including transportation, food supply, water delivery, health care and electricity; and
WHEREAS, global reserves of oil and natural gas are finite and sufficient substitutes are unlikely to be available in the immediate future; 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; 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, global demand for oil and natural gas continues to increase, and the decline in global oil production threatens to increase resource competition, geopolitical instability, and lead to greater economic disruptions; and
WHEREAS, we can no longer assume that energy prices will continue with modest cost increases that can be easily planned for, but rather we are facing a future of increasing uncertainty in our energy supply and volatility in energy prices; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County governments, residents and businesses will benefit from greater attention to this topic, as they are not currently aware of the full implications of an impending decline in energy supplies, such as impacts on transportation, food production and delivery, business and home energy use, land use planning, municipal water and wastewater treatment, social services, and additional demands on first responders; and
WHEREAS, many of. the options to lessening dependence on fossil fuels could result in local green collar jobs and substantial economic benefits; and

WHEREAS, the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County have each adopted Climate Action Plans, the success of which depends upon reducing carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels; and

WHEREAS, many other communities are developing plans that analyze the impacts of Peak Oil on their communities and recommend appropriate responses.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council acknowledges the enormous challenges of confronting energy vulnerability; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a task force will be established to study and make recommendations regarding the consequences of diminishing energy resources. This task force should examine the energy vulnerabilities of our current infrastructure and consider appropriate changes in order to ensure that economic, social, and environmental infrastructures are resilient in the face of uncertainties brought about by shifting energy markets. The task force will include up to 18 members selected by the Mayor of Bellingham and the Whatcom County Executive, representing a broad range of government, community and business interests. The task force members guiding each sub-committee will include those with expertise and knowledge of the category to be examined. Sub-committees shall be established to include the categories of:
1) Land Use and Transportation;
2) Food and Agriculture;
3) Public and Social Services (including public education, health, social services, utilities and public safety);
4) Economic Transition;
5) Energy and Water;
6) Community Education and Preparation (to reduce dependence on fossil fuels).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force's charge is:
1) To utilize current and credible data and information on the issues of peak oil and natural gas production and the related economic and societal consequences;
2) To seek community and business input on the impacts of declining oil supplies, rising energy prices and proposed adaptations;
3) To develop recommendations to the city and county councils in this calendar year on strategies the city and county governments can take to mitigate the impacts of declining energy supplies in areas including, but not limited to: transportation, business and home energy use, agriculture and food security, health care and social services, land use planning, water and wastewater treatment, and local energy development. These recommendations and proposed outcomes will include suggestions as to appropriate implementing bodies (governmental and non-governmental), and possible funding sources for outcome success.

4) To propose methods of educating residents and businesses about this issue in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

APPROVED this ______ day of _______________ 2008


ATTEST WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON

_______________________________ _______________________________
Dana Brown Davis, Clerk of the Council Carl Weimer, Council Chair


APPROVED AS TO FORM:

_________________________________
Civil Deputy Prosecutor

A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting its shoes on.

Mark Twain

Grace ruins the idea that you are fully in charge.

Baron Miller