Below are mailing addresses of government representatives for Washington County. Below the addresses are talking points about peak oil, and energy, that may help you formulate ideas about what to say to your elected officials.

We have found that a letter receives more weight than an email or phone call, and form letters are simply counted rather than read. With that in mind, we encourage you to sit down, write a short note expressing your concern about energy uncertainty, with any factual evidence supporting your concern, and then get a stamp and mail it to your Representative(s). It really does make a difference and it only takes a few minutes.

Federal Officials

Use this convenient form to contact your Federal elected officials, courtesy of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

County Commissioners

Find out who your Commisioner is:
Address:
Honorable (Commisioners name)
Washington County Board of Commissioners
155 N. First Avenue, Suite 300
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Phone: 503-846-8685
Fax: 503-846-4545
E-Mail to: cao@co.washington.or.us

Mayors offices

Cornelius

The Honorable Mayor Bill Bash
City of Cornelius
Mayor’s Office
1355 N. Barlow Street
Cornelius, OR 97113
E-Mail to: bbash@ci.cornelius.or.us

Beaverton

The Honorable Mayor Robert Drake
City of Beaverton
Mayor’s Office
P.O. Box 4755
Beaverton, OR 97076-4755
E-Mail to: mayormail@ci.beaverton.or.us

Hillsboro

The Honorable Mayor Tom Hughes
City of Hillsboro
Mayor’s Office
123 W Main Street
Hillsboro, OR 97123
E-Mail to: mayor@ci.hillsboro.or.us

Tigard

The Honorable Mayor Craig Dirksen
City of Tigard
Mayor’s Office
13125 SW Hall Blvd
Email to: craigd@tigard-or.gov

Tualatin

The Honorable Mayor Lou Ogden
City of Tualatin
Mayor’s Office
18880 SW Martinazzi Ave
Tualatin, OR 97062
E-Mail to: lou.ogden@juno.com

Sherwood

The Honorable Mayor Keith Mays
City of Sherwood
Mayor’s Office
22560 SW Pine Street
Sherwood, OR 97140
E-Mail to: maysk@ci.sherwood.or.us

North Plains

The Honorable Mayor Cheri Olson
City of North Plains
Mayor’s Office
31360 NW Commercial Street
PO Box 371
North Plains, OR 97133
E-Mail to: info@northplains.org

State Legislators

State Senator
Sen. Ginny Burdick (DEM)
District: 018
900 Court Street NE
Suite S-317
Salem, OR 97301-4073
Phone: (503) 986-1718
Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: sen.ginnyburdick@state.or.us

State Representative
Rep. Larry Galizio (DEM)
District: 035
900 Court Street NE
Suite H-390
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 986-1435
Fax: (503) 986-1130
Email: rep.larrygalizio@state.or.us

State Senator
Sen. Bruce Starr (REP)
District: 015
900 Court Street NE
Suite S-205
Salem, OR 97302
Phone: (503) 986-1715
Fax: (503) 986-1773
Email: sen.brucestarr@state.or.us

State Representative
Rep. Chuck Riley (DEM)
District: 029
900 Court Street NE
Suite H-487
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 986-1429
Fax: (503) 986-1130
Email: rep.chuckriley@state.or.us

State Senator
Sen. Ryan Deckert (DEM)
District: 014
900 Court Street NE
Suite S-219
Salem, OR 97301-4068
Phone: (503) 986-1714
Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: sen.ryandeckert@state.or.us

State Representative
Rep. Tobias Read (DEM)
District: 027
900 Court Street, NE
Suite H-489
Salem, OR 97301-4057
Phone: (503) 986-1427
Fax:
Email: rep.tobiasread@state.or.us

State Representative
Sen. Richard Devlin (DEM)
District: 019
900 Court Street NE
Suite S-316
Salem, OR 97301-4073
Phone: (503) 986-1719
Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: sen.richarddevlin@state.or.us

State Representative
Rep. Scott Bruun (REP)
District: 037
900 Court Street NE
Suite H-477
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 986-1437
Fax: (503) 986-1158
Email: rep.scottbruun@state.or.us

Review these talking points

• The last discovery of a super-giant oil field was in 1969
• Ratio of oil consumed to oil discovered each year: Four to one. Typically six billion barrels discovered, and 23 billion consumed
• Of the 64 non-OPEC oil producing countries, more than 50 of them have peaked and the aggregate is a significant decline rate that must be made up by OPEC producers, just to remain flat in global production. The following oil-producing countries are now past peak and officially in decline: Poland, Austria, Germany, Bulgaria, USA, Bahrain, Israel/Palestine, Romania, Iran, Trinidad/Tobago, Kyrgystan, Myanmar, Ghana, Tunisia, Chile, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Morocco, Peru, Albania, Columbia, Spain, Cameroon, Greece, Hungary, Benin, Netherlands, Taiwan, Congo, Jordan, Belarus, Surinam, Georgia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, France, Senegal, Turkey, Japan, Egypt, Papua New Guinea, Mexico, Syria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Gabon, India, Italy, New Zealand, Argentina, Barbados, Uzbekistan, UK, Oman, South Africa, Denmark, Norway, Bangladesh, China, Yemen, Australia, Guatemala
• Five of the six largest fields (super-giant) in the world are officially in decline, as reported by their governments: Burgan (Kuwait) Cantarell (Mexico) North Slope, Alaska (USA) North Sea (UK) Samotlor (Russia). The largest of the six, the Saudi Arabian Ghawar field, according to experts, has most probably also peaked but no official government confirmation has yet been made. Saudi Arabia, in the first half of 2007, was only able to deliver 90% of guaranteed supply contracts to Japan.
• Mexico - In 2006, Cantarell produced 60% of all of Mexico’s oil and is now declining. Cantarell output fell 12 percent in 2006 and is forecast to decline at least 15 percent for 2007. For the first five months of 2007, the field produced 17 percent less than the same period in 2006.
• North Sea production dropped 7.8%, year over year, as compared with April’s figures last year. The UK has now become a net energy importer versus a net energy exporter.
• Although oil company statements that “we are not running out of oil” are factually correct, the implications of global production supply not meeting global demand, for the first time in history, are enormous. For the first time, world governments and corporate entities will be bidding for limited supplies rather than paying a spot price for readily available supplies.
• To date, the largest single month of global petroleum production on Earth was in May of 2005. the world has not produced more oil in a single month since.
• The international Energy Agency (IEA) -- (the official watchdog entity established by the governments of the 26 largest world economies to track oil data globally and keep these governments informed on energy actions and trends) -- estimated in their Mid Term Oil Market Report issued in July of this year (2007), a current global petroleum production decline rate of 1 to 1½ % per year until 2010, followed by an accelerated decline rate of 4-5% per year thereafter. This estimate extrapolates to a potential 15% reduction in oil supplies available to the world by 2012, just five years from now. Simultaneously, global demand to meet "business as usual" growth is increasing at a rate equivalent to about 2% per year, extrapolating to roughly a 10½% increase over five years. The result is a supply shortfall approaching 25% -- within 5 years from now. Even if we ultimately experience only half of that shortfall, we will face catastrophic energy shortages with crippling economic consequences. (Comparatively, the oil crisis and subsequent recession of the 1970’s resulted from an embargo in oil supply of only 3%.)
• The IEA has expressed serious concern about “very tight” global natural gas supplies by 2010.
• At $100 per barrel, the price of oil is up 900% from mid-1999. The price of oil has risen in nine of the past ten years – 57% increase in 2007 alone. Clearly, the market is signaling there is a problem with supply.
• There is a worldwide shortage of drilling equipment – all existing equipment is either in use or is so old it is no longer functional.
• Global oil production reports clearly indicate a global production plateau.
• Multiple credible Geologists and retired Oil Executives have publicly stated that the peak is now being reached or has been reached.
• Experts estimate global decline rates may average about 3% per year from the time of the global peak.
• The IEA has forecast that global demand must reach 120 million barrels per day by 2015 to maintain “business as usual”. If depletion occurs at an average rate of 3% per year, this will result in a global shortage in supplies, versus demand, of approximately 50%.
• Oil extraction from all global sources will be physically unable to meet global demand (the evidence is from the oil industry itself)
• Alternative energy sources like nuclear and alternative fuels will fall far short of compensating for expected shortages of oil. There is simply not enough time to convert over to them, nor are their sufficient resources to generate the equivalent BTU’s of energy from them.
• Canada, the largest supplier of natural gas to the USA, has notified the US government that, due to internal demand and diminishing production, natural gas exports to the USA will be reducing and will cease within approximately 7 years. Demand for natural gas in North America is outstripping supply, especially as power utilities take the remaining gas to generate electricity and Canada uses natural gas to process tar sands.
• Mexico, the largest exporter of oil to the USA, has informed the USA that, due to oil field depletion and rising internal demand, exports will begin diminishing and will ultimately cease within 7 years.
• Massive disruptions to transportation and the economy are expected around 2010 when the final peak of production of all petroleum liquids (globally) is followed by decline.
• Gradual, permanent cutoff of fuel for transport and for industrial machinery will result. Global trade will greatly decline. Some form of rationing will be required.
• Agriculture (food production) depends heavily on fertilizers and pesticides made from petroleum products, as well as for the energy to farm, process and transport products to market. A staggering total of 17 percent of America's energy budget is consumed by agriculture. Expect much higher food prices and disruption in food supplies from outside local areas.
• Half of businesses and residences in Washington County are heated with natural gas. Extraordinary price increases will make this unaffordable for a large sector.
• Half of electricity in Washington County is generated with natural gas. Extraordinary price increases will make electricity less affordable for most, especially for those who also heat with electricity.
• Shortages of the petrochemical raw materials used for roughly 500,000 commonly used products will cause severe price increases.
• Significant impacts (reductions) on virtually all business and government activities. Many businesses will be unable to remain solvent due to supply chain disruptions and materials/transportation costs, or simply because their customers can no longer afford to purchase their products or services. This will result in significant unemployment problems.
• Difficulty of adapting: A major implication is that existing equipment is designed only for liquid fuels. For example, the world's 11,000 airliners cannot run on natural gas, nuclear or coal.
• Hidden problem: Not only will the oil and natural gas supplies dwindle, but the shortages and climbing prices will obstruct industry as it attempts to convert society to other forms of energy. Example: enormous energy requirements to build a new coal-fired power plant, or to mine and transport coal.
• Alternative energy sources will not prevent shortages: Alternative fuels have been studied. As replacements for oil they are not adequate both in quantity or versatility of use. There is insufficient time to design necessary work-arounds to prevent heavy impacts
• When, and how bad: Year when global oil supply first fails to meet global demand: about 2008/2009. Conventional "easy-to-extract" oil peaks around 2005 but non-conventional will fail about 2009)
• Proportion of energy provided by oil: "Oil currently accounts for about 40 percent of world commercial energy supplies" - IEO99, a 1999 report by the US Department of Energy and the International Energy Agency. Oil provides more than 95% of all energy used for transportation, worldwide.
• Service Disruptions to consider: Water supply pumping, sewage disposal, garbage disposal, street/park maintenance, transportation, hospitals & health systems, police, fire services. U.S. Dept. of Defense (land, sea, air) is largest consumer of petroleum in the world. Possibility of wars over remaining oil supplies in plausible.
• Fuel costs will dramatically rise while fuel availability declines affecting transport in general, and commuters
• Oil “shocks” are likely to occur due to supply cushion erosion – unexpected sudden supply shortfalls affecting price and availability
• Construction costs are likely to dramatically increase (diesel-fueled heavy equipment and transport of materials)
• The costs of materials and goods will dramatically increase across the board (e.g. asphalt, lumber, steel, plastics, lubricants, any imported goods, any goods dependent upon long-distance transportation)
• Agricultural yields are likely to fall and food costs will dramatically increase (fertilizer and pesticide production, planting, harvesting, transport, and climate-controlled storage are all almost exclusively dependent upon petroleum.)
• Significant impacts on employment and the economy
• Significant increased demands on government and social services for the unemployed and uninsured
• Reduced fuel and auto/truck tax (due to reduced fuel supplies being sold) to fund government programs
• Significant increases in the cost of natural gas and oil for heating and electricity (in Washington County the vast majority of homes and businesses are heated with natural gas or electricity, and half of our electricity is generated from natural gas.)

Click here for an extensive report (warning: large Word file - 1Mb) that is carefully linked with source information.