Thursday, August 21, 2008 12:17 PM EDT
Council embraces peak oil report
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Task force asked to provide next steps in dealing with energy crisis
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 Task force asked to provide next steps in dealing with energy crisis. |
They have proposed steps ranging from creating a municipal power authority to painting bike lanes on Westerly streets.
The Peak Oil Task Force has now been directed to continue its work to chart the town response to rising energy prices.
The task force presented a final report to the Town Council on Monday, and was instructed to work with the town solicitor to draft proposed ordinances to carry out its recommendations.
The group’s nine-page document not only eyes alternative energy sources, but makes recommendations to assist residents expected to be hit hard this winter by rising heating costs.
Peak oil refers to when worldwide oil production hits a high and subsequently declines. The timing is uncertain, although a U.S. Department of Energy report says global oil production peaked in 2005, said Patricia Hval, task force co-chair. Peak oil is expected to impact the town and its residents in myriad ways, including increased energy prices, more expensive road maintenance and higher food prices.
Councilors welcomed the report on Monday and encouraged the task force to continue its work, recommending actions.
Councilor Michelle Buck thanked the group for submitting “such a comprehensive report” and council President Mary Jane DiMaio applauded the “fantastic job.”
Councilor Christopher Duhamel encouraged the task force to work closely with the separate Alternate Energy Subcommittee.
“We have a daunting array of recommendations,” Hval told councilors. “It will take courage and it will take a commitment in order to bring these things to fruition.”
The numerous proposals include creating a community crisis fund to help cover energy and basic needs for residents in need, and creating a public or volunteer shuttle service for qualified low-income residents and senior citizens or create a subsidy program for taxis.
On a larger scale, the task force recommended that the town establish a written Westerly Municipal Energy Policy and invest in upgrading municipal buildings to increase their energy efficiency.
To help residents rely less on vehicles, the group proposed reconsidering land use and zoning regulations to place residences closer to downtown and shopping areas, repainting roads with bike lanes, facilitating a free bicycle program and creating community gardens and greenhouses on town land.
Hval said this winter, in light of rising energy costs, many residents will be unable to afford to heat their homes. The task force proposed the town set up a shelter where people can go to keep warm and relax laws to allow extended families to live together.
“It really is that critical,” she said.
Frederick Presley, task force co-chairman, said the task force document is not all “doom and gloom.”
He said Westerly has an opportunity to lead and is “perfectly situated” to utilize wind and wave power. He said communities that embrace change will be best suited to move forward and prosper.
Hval said she would be able to continue to serve on the task force, but other members were only available for the short-term. She recommended the council form a citizens’ advisory committee — “something to really just keep this going.”
The task force has scheduled a talk at the Westerly Public Library on Sept. 9, when Hval said she planned to seek new task force members.
The Peak Oil Task Force has now been directed to continue its work to chart the town response to rising energy prices.
The task force presented a final report to the Town Council on Monday, and was instructed to work with the town solicitor to draft proposed ordinances to carry out its recommendations.
The group’s nine-page document not only eyes alternative energy sources, but makes recommendations to assist residents expected to be hit hard this winter by rising heating costs.
Peak oil refers to when worldwide oil production hits a high and subsequently declines. The timing is uncertain, although a U.S. Department of Energy report says global oil production peaked in 2005, said Patricia Hval, task force co-chair. Peak oil is expected to impact the town and its residents in myriad ways, including increased energy prices, more expensive road maintenance and higher food prices.
Councilors welcomed the report on Monday and encouraged the task force to continue its work, recommending actions.
Councilor Michelle Buck thanked the group for submitting “such a comprehensive report” and council President Mary Jane DiMaio applauded the “fantastic job.”
Councilor Christopher Duhamel encouraged the task force to work closely with the separate Alternate Energy Subcommittee.
“We have a daunting array of recommendations,” Hval told councilors. “It will take courage and it will take a commitment in order to bring these things to fruition.”
The numerous proposals include creating a community crisis fund to help cover energy and basic needs for residents in need, and creating a public or volunteer shuttle service for qualified low-income residents and senior citizens or create a subsidy program for taxis.
On a larger scale, the task force recommended that the town establish a written Westerly Municipal Energy Policy and invest in upgrading municipal buildings to increase their energy efficiency.
To help residents rely less on vehicles, the group proposed reconsidering land use and zoning regulations to place residences closer to downtown and shopping areas, repainting roads with bike lanes, facilitating a free bicycle program and creating community gardens and greenhouses on town land.
Hval said this winter, in light of rising energy costs, many residents will be unable to afford to heat their homes. The task force proposed the town set up a shelter where people can go to keep warm and relax laws to allow extended families to live together.
“It really is that critical,” she said.
Frederick Presley, task force co-chairman, said the task force document is not all “doom and gloom.”
He said Westerly has an opportunity to lead and is “perfectly situated” to utilize wind and wave power. He said communities that embrace change will be best suited to move forward and prosper.
Hval said she would be able to continue to serve on the task force, but other members were only available for the short-term. She recommended the council form a citizens’ advisory committee — “something to really just keep this going.”
The task force has scheduled a talk at the Westerly Public Library on Sept. 9, when Hval said she planned to seek new task force members.
regular wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:48 AM:
" I agree with "man." this is another example where The sun SHOULD be investigatig but is not. I've posted a number fo times this suggestion but somehow they never make it. Telling people what happened at the meeting is fine but where's the beef? INVESTIGATE investigatoter reporter! "
Voter wrote on Aug 20, 2008 4:52 PM:
" We have the tides, a river, and plenty of wind at our fingertips. Lets encourage alternative energy companies to come down and invest in our area. We'll add jobs to our town in the process. The town should pass stricter rules for new homes to be insulated better and offer property tax entergy credits for current home owners who make their homes more energy efficient. "
the man wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:16 PM:
" This is well done and deserves everyone's thanks and praise. Remember, this was a volunteer group who devoted many hours to do a very valuable task for the town. However, the town employees who are responsible on a day to day basis, should deal with such energy issues as the cost of fuel and methods of economizing throughout the entire town departments. Does anybody realize that the town municipal departments, i.e., police, public works, other separate departments and then, the school department, all buy their fuel for vehicles from different vendors?? Doesn't that thought just raise some questions as to the basic problems we have with our overall town management and fiscal responsibility. The standard answer will come back that it 'has been looked at and they are doing volume purchasing where it is feasible'. Guess what?? Not true !! The Westerly Sun should do a true expose and investigative study and report,digging into the details and then have the guts to print the results. This is the stuff that people in Westerly are interested in and understand; not some relatively esoteric study about future Energy goals and such. Who spent what for fuel?? How many separate contracts. etc.? "
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