Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Dave Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
DATE:	August 28, 2008
RE:	Peak Oil Task Force Resolution

At the August 12, 2008 City Commission meeting, following a presentation by the Sustainability Action Network (SAN), the City Commission directed staff to work with the Mayor, members of the SAN and Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) to determine the best course of review for this issue.  Discussion in the follow-up meeting resulted in a recommendation to establish the Mayor’s Task Force on Peak Oil, which would be a separate task force from the SAB and the Mayor’s Climate Protection Task Force, but which would coordinate closely with these two existing groups.

By adopting the attached resolution, the City of Lawrence will create the Mayor’s Peak Oil Task Force to develop a response plan in active consultation with the community that will address both a sudden crisis-related reduction of fossil fuels and a long term depletion of fossil fuels.   The Task Force will:  assess Lawrence’s exposure to diminishing supplies of oil and natural gas and make recommendations to address vulnerabilities; seek input on negative impacts of peak oil and propose solutions; acquire and study data on the issues of peak oil and natural gas depletion and the related economic and societal consequences; develop recommendations regarding strategies the City can take to mitigate the impacts of declining energy supplies; develop an emergency plan, if deemed appropriate; and propose methods of educating the public about peak oil.  This Task Force will also coordinate with existing boards, commissions and task forces studying environmental issues.

Like the Mayor’s Climate Protection Task Force, it is anticipated that this group would complete their work and make recommendations to the City Commission within a year after appointment.

Action Requested

Consider adopting Resolution No. 6795, establishing the Mayor’s Peak Oil Task Force, if appropriate.