The Oil Independent Oakland by 2020 task force's draft final report has been released and will be presented at The Special Public Works Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, which begins at 10:30 am. The OIO Action Plan is item 5 on the Agenda. If you wish to speak on the item, you must submit a completed Speaker Card to the Clerk at the meeting before the item is called, or you may sign up to speak online. You may also download the Legislative Analyst Memorandum, which summarizes the Action Plan.

On October 17, 2006, the Oakland City Council adopted legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Nancy Nadel, creating a Task Force to help make Oakland oil independent by 2020. The legislation was endorsed by various groups, including the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, the Oakland Apollo Alliance, and Bay Localize. [Press Release]

Inspired by Sweden's landmark national action plan that articulates programs and policy measures expected to reduce Sweden's oil consumption by 40-50% by 2020, Oakland hopes to provide a similar model for cities in the U.S. which are facing an absence of state and federal leadership on sustainable energy policy.

The Oil Independent Oakland (OIO) By 2020 Task Force, composed of local, regional, and national experts including Richard Heinberg, developed a robust oil independence plan, consolidating measures from around the world that can be used locally to reduce oil consumption citywide. The action plan recommended bold initiatives to not only reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, but to also establish Oakland as a national leader in the green economy and green jobs creation, while seeking to reduce Oakland's energy dependence.

Top Recommendations

1. Adopt the Oil Depletion Protocol, thereby committing the City of Oakland to reduce oil consumption in the entire city of Oakland by 3% per annum
2. Reconfigure the city into multiple Urban Villages that co-locate residential, commercial, retail, and possibly light industrial. This involves and number of steps including updating the General Plan, design review guidelines, and zone.
3. Develop and implement a Public Transit Master Plan. This also involves an update to the General Plan and the task force strongly urges Oakland to consider a municipal streetcar system.

Enabling Recommendations

1. Establish and Oil and Gas team charged with management of Oakland's oil independence activities
2. Develop financing options including a local carbon tax and regional congestion charging
3. Embark on a massive public outreach and education campaign

Preparedness Recomendation

1. Develop Contingency Plans for oil price and availability shocks

Some minor tweaking of the report is expected after the report is presented to Council. For information updates or to download the draft final report and appendix (right click and Save Link As…), visit the Oakland Oil Independent by 2020 task force page at EnergyPreparedness.net.