<a id="pl.1.1"></a><var>1.1</var>A resolution<br/>
<a id="pl.1.2"></a><var>1.2</var>memorializing the Governor to take action to prepare a plan of response and <br/>
<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>preparation to meet the challenges of Peak Oil.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>WHEREAS, world oil production is nearing its point of maximum production (Peak Oil) <br/>
<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>and within a few years thereafter will enter a prolonged period of irreversible decline leading to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>ever-increasing prices; and  <br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>WHEREAS, the United States has only two percent of the world's oil reserves, produces <br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>eight percent of the world's oil, and consumes 24 percent of the world's oil, of which nearly 70 <br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>percent is imported from foreign countries; and  <br/>
<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>WHEREAS, the decline in global oil production threatens to increase resource competition <br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>and geopolitical instability, and lead to greater impoverishment and global economic crisis; and  <br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>WHEREAS, national oil companies own approximately 80 percent of remaining oil <br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>reserves and 55 percent of remaining gas reserves, and resource nationalism is increasingly <br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>dominating decisions of oil and gas development and trade relationships; and  <br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>WHEREAS, the availability of affordable petroleum is critical to the functioning of our <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>transportation system, the production of our food and of petrochemical-based consumer goods, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>the paving of roads, the lubrication of all machinery, and myriad other parts of the economy; and<br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>WHEREAS, Minnesota is entirely dependent on external supplies of petroleum, including <br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>the crude oil processed in refineries within the state; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>WHEREAS, price signals of petroleum scarcity are likely to come too late to trigger <br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>effective mitigation efforts in the private sector, and governmental intervention at all levels of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>government will likely be required to avert social and economic adversity; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>WHEREAS, the Department of Energy-sponsored study (the Hirsch Report) on mitigation <br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>of Peak Oil demonstrated that a 20-year lead time is required for effective mitigation; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>WHEREAS, alternative sources of transport fuels from coal and natural gas both require <br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>high-energy inputs and increase total carbon emissions, and biomass-based fuels are incapable of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>being produced in sufficient quantity to offset the anticipated decline in petroleum production; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>WHEREAS, substitution of petroleum with other fossil fuels threatens even greater damage <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>to water, air, soil, and species diversity through their extraction and combustion; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>WHEREAS, North American production of natural gas most likely peaked in 2002, and an <br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>increasing percentage of Minnesota's electricity supply is generated from natural gas; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>WHEREAS, Minnesota has demonstrated leadership in confronting challenges of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>environmental quality and energy security, promoting environmental and economic equity, and <br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>has a rich diversity of citizens committed to maintaining the state's long-term viability; NOW, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>THEREFORE, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the State of Minnesota acknowledges the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>challenges of Peak Oil; and <br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports the undertaking of a statewide <br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>assessment study in order to inventory state activities and their corollary resource requirements, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>evaluating the impact in each area to a decline in petroleum availability and to higher prices, with <br/>
<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>the aim of developing a comprehensive state plan of action and response to Peak Oil; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor task appropriate state agencies to develop <br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>a statewide assessment; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is <br/>
<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>directed to prepare an enrolled copy of this memorial and transmit it to the Governor of the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>State of Minnesota.<br/>