Realistic Ideas for a Post-Carbon Washington County
One of the key goals of Washington County Peak Oil is to motivate positive changes in the County and among our citizens to reduce our risks from energy depletion. In that context, this forum is dedicated to putting forth realistic ideas that will will:
1) Reduce petroleum consumption by local citizens, and
2) Be realistically achievable.
I'll start with this idea:
Dropping the highway speed limits to 55mph would mean that all drivers would have to think about the change and why it occurred, and as such it would be a powerful way of getting the public’s attention. Drivers would have to factor in a little longer time in their driving, but in addition to saving fuel lives would be saved and accidents reduced.
The rules: You are encouraged to add ideas to this forum, and to discuss those added by others. Stay on point. Peak Oil affects everyone, regardless of their social background, politics, religion, orientation, or station in life. Keep it civil -- we don't bash each other or make partisan political statements here -- we post thoughtful responses in the spirit of courteous, healthy debate to find real solutions. If you agree or disagree with an idea then please state why you feel that way -- don't attack or insult the person who presented it. If you think an idea won't work, or isn't realistic, don't just post your dissent -- offer a constructive solution as well.
The moderator reserves the right to remove any post that violates the spirit of this forum, or the Washington County Peak Oil group guiding principles.
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July 12th, 2007
Here's another issue - Measure 37
The first paragraph of Measure 37 reads, "If a public entity enacts or enforces a new land use regulation or enforces a land use regulation enacted prior to the effective date of this amendment that restricts the use of private real property or any interest therein and has the effect of reducing the fair market value of the property, or any interest therein, then the owner of the property shall be paid just compensation. " [Original here]
The measure was confusing. An unexpectedly large number of land owners immediately applied for Measure 37 "protection" fearing they wouldn't be able to sell their land to developers or get their cash out of it. This is the map of Measure 37 claims for farmland with "prime" soils in Washington County, as of July, 2007:
Pretty scary.
Here's one of the problems -- Measure 37 actually encourages further suburban/exurban development. This is a problem for a few reasons:
1) As energy and fuel become more and more expensive, so will our food supply. This will put enormous pressure on the local agriculture industry to produce sufficient food for our local residents, rather than importing food from afar
2) If farmers with prime- and high-value soils sell their lands to developers to build subdivisions, there goes the valuable farmland.
3) More suburban and exurban development means the development of much more infrastructure, like roads, highways, strip malls, further traffic gridlock, sprawl, and more fuel use.
HB 2640, just approved by the legislature, includes the ballot title for Measure 49, the Measure 37 reform package that will be on the upcoming November ballot:
How do you think we should vote on this new Measure (49)?
July 1st, 2007
realistic Washington County Ideas
Peter-
Thank you for starting this forum topic- I like your 'The Rules'- can we add this to our forum 'banner' or be included in every forum topic submission?
More on topic: The ability for Washington County to change driving speeds would only be available in areas in which they have juridiction- unincorporated Washington County. I believe this decrease in driving speed idea could provide a measurable way in lowering WA county petroleum consumption- as well as additional safety benefits.
Other ideas:
Hillsboro collects a gasoline tax as well as Tigard. A specific WA County or 'Metro Portland' gas tax could provide Revenue streams for not only 'lifeboat building' but a truly sustainable future for the Portland Metro Area-
ODOT has conducted a study on alternative sources of 'road tax'
see: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/OIPP/docs/2005LegislativeReport.pdf
page 25 has a paragraph on Peak Oil.
I believe the taxpayers will be into higher taxes if they can see tangible results done with the money:
Perhaps high speed rail between Portland/Salem etc...