1.1A resolution1.2memorializing the Governor to take action to prepare a plan of response and 1.3preparation to meet the challenges of Peak Oil.1.4WHEREAS, world oil production is nearing its point of maximum production (Peak Oil) 1.5and within a few years thereafter will enter a prolonged period of irreversible decline leading to 1.6ever-increasing prices; and  1.7WHEREAS, the United States has only two percent of the world's oil reserves, produces 1.8eight percent of the world's oil, and consumes 24 percent of the world's oil, of which nearly 70 1.9percent is imported from foreign countries; and  1.10WHEREAS, the decline in global oil production threatens to increase resource competition 1.11and geopolitical instability, and lead to greater impoverishment and global economic crisis; and  1.12WHEREAS, national oil companies own approximately 80 percent of remaining oil 1.13reserves and 55 percent of remaining gas reserves, and resource nationalism is increasingly 1.14dominating decisions of oil and gas development and trade relationships; and  1.15WHEREAS, the availability of affordable petroleum is critical to the functioning of our 1.16transportation system, the production of our food and of petrochemical-based consumer goods, 1.17the paving of roads, the lubrication of all machinery, and myriad other parts of the economy; and1.18WHEREAS, Minnesota is entirely dependent on external supplies of petroleum, including 1.19the crude oil processed in refineries within the state; and2.1WHEREAS, price signals of petroleum scarcity are likely to come too late to trigger 2.2effective mitigation efforts in the private sector, and governmental intervention at all levels of 2.3government will likely be required to avert social and economic adversity; and2.4WHEREAS, the Department of Energy-sponsored study (the Hirsch Report) on mitigation 2.5of Peak Oil demonstrated that a 20-year lead time is required for effective mitigation; and2.6WHEREAS, alternative sources of transport fuels from coal and natural gas both require 2.7high-energy inputs and increase total carbon emissions, and biomass-based fuels are incapable of 2.8being produced in sufficient quantity to offset the anticipated decline in petroleum production; and2.9WHEREAS, substitution of petroleum with other fossil fuels threatens even greater damage 2.10to water, air, soil, and species diversity through their extraction and combustion; and2.11WHEREAS, North American production of natural gas most likely peaked in 2002, and an 2.12increasing percentage of Minnesota's electricity supply is generated from natural gas; and2.13WHEREAS, Minnesota has demonstrated leadership in confronting challenges of 2.14environmental quality and energy security, promoting environmental and economic equity, and 2.15has a rich diversity of citizens committed to maintaining the state's long-term viability; NOW, 2.16THEREFORE, 2.17BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the State of Minnesota acknowledges the 2.18challenges of Peak Oil; and 2.19BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports the undertaking of a statewide 2.20assessment study in order to inventory state activities and their corollary resource requirements, 2.21evaluating the impact in each area to a decline in petroleum availability and to higher prices, with 2.22the aim of developing a comprehensive state plan of action and response to Peak Oil; and2.23BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor task appropriate state agencies to develop 2.24a statewide assessment; and2.25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is 2.26directed to prepare an enrolled copy of this memorial and transmit it to the Governor of the 2.27State of Minnesota.