Task Force: Bellingham Should Plan For Future Without Oil

KGMI News Reporting kgmi@kgmi.com

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- A task force looking at the impacts of possible oil and energy shortages in the future made some recommendations to the Bellingham City Council this week. Peak Oil Task Force member Jim McCabe said the city should plan for a future with less fuel and energy resources and create emergency plans for sudden and severe shortages. “Peak oil is generally viewed as the point at which the world can no longer produce enough oil or when the amount of oil it’s producing peaks,” he said. The task force recommends including the impacts of more expensive and less available fossil fuels into all government and business planning processes. “Our emergency planning systems within the county and the city already have to incorporate things like fuel shortages,” said McCabe. “But what we need to do is get the organizations thinking longer term, you know, planning for a long emergency.” Other ideas include fostering land use patterns and transportation systems that will make it easier for people to shift trips from autos and trucks to other types of transportation, and seeking partnerships with businesses, universities and other government agencies to evaluate and address economic impacts of a future with less oil. kgmi.com

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