UK-based ODAC (in cooperation with Post Carbon Institute) has prepared a new report aimed specifically at local government in the UK called Preparing for Peak Oil: Local Authorities and the Energy Crisis.

The Cleveland City Council passed this resolution in June 2008, recognizing the problem of peak oil and calling upon the mayoral administration to collaborate with them in convening a working group to investigate the risk and make recommendations.

On October 27, the council of the town of Chapel Hill passed this resolution, recognizing the challenge of peak oil. The council recognized an obligation to inform the citizens of the potential risks, and directed that the issue be integrated into the Sustainability Committee's Sustainability Work Plan.

On October 22, 2008, the City Council of Nevada City passed this resolution recognizing the problem of peak oil and authorizing the creation of an "Energy Solutions Task Force." The coordination of the task force is assigned to local nonprofit community groups.

On October 22, 2008, the City council of Nevada City, California voted to adopt resolution #2008-58 regarding future energy scarcity and Peak Oil. Specifically, the resolution supports continued efforts to reduce the City's dependence on petroleum, natural gas, and other forms of energy imported to the area. The resolution also calls for the formation of an Energy Solutions Task Force to investigate local vulnerabilities to more expensive and less available energy inputs, and to suggest specific local mitigation strategies.

This report from the newly-formed UK Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security is the first multi-company alarm bell to be sounded on peak oil. It sets out a series of practical recommendations for Government, including action to grasp the significant economic and environmental opportunities from a step-change in investment in renewable energy and sustainable transport.

The risk to the UK from falling oil production in coming years is greater than the threat posed by terrorism, according to an industry taskforce report published today. The report, from the Peak Oil group, warns that the problem of declining availability of oil will hit the UK earlier than generally expected - possibly within the next five years and as early as 2011.

An interview with David MacLeod of Sustainable Bellingham about the formation and goals of the joint Bellingham / Whatcom County Energy Resource Scarcity / Peak Oil task force.

Whether it is plastered on the side of a bus to promote public transit or peering out from the window of a locally-owned business, support for sustainability is gaining ground in Whatcom County. As one potential solution to globally diminishing natural resources, sustainability, among other things, will be studied as part of an Energy Resource Scarcity Task Force.

Renewable energy has emerged as a serious issue among politicians at all levels in the United States. Peak oil is a different story, however. Federal, state and local leaders will continue to misunderstand the energy crisis we face if they ignore the new energy production constraints of the 21st century.