Report of the City of Portland Peak Oil Task Force

This report, Descending the Oil Peak: Navigating the Transition from Oil and Natural Gas, published in March, 2007, details how a tightening supply of oil could impact the economy, lifestyles, and livability of the Portland/Vancouver region.

Excerpt from the introduction:

Every day, businesses, government agencies and households around the world plan and make decisions based on the assumption that oil and natural gas will remain plentiful and affordable. In the past few years, powerful evidence has emerged that casts doubt on that assumption and suggests that global production of both oil and natural gas is likely to reach its historic peak soon. This phenomenon is referred to as “peak oil.” Given both the continuous rise in global demand for these products and the fundamental role they play in all levels of social, economic and geopolitical activities, the consequences of such an event are enormous. This report assesses Portland’s vulnerabilities in the face of wide-ranging changes in global energy markets and provides an initial set of recommendations for addressing that challenge thoughtfully and prudently.

The full 86-page report may be downloded in PDF format: