[The Selectboard's wish to combine peak oil preparedness efforts with climate change preparedness efforts is a good one; indeed, approaching them separately can lead to favoring solutions for one that would worsen the other. Whether dissolution of the Task Force at this moment serves to more closely integrate these issues, though, remains to be seen.

This article reprinted by permission from Bob Audette. - Ed.]

by Bob Audette

BRATTLEBORO -- After thanking the Peak Oil Task Force for a job well done, the Selectboard disbanded the group with the caveat it might call on the members to pursue mitigation strategies to reduce the town's dependence on fossil fuels and cut down on its production of greenhouse gases.

The task force was formed in 2007 by the Selectboard to research the issue of peak oil and present a report to the town, which it did in March.

The original mandate for the task force was a two-step process, said Tim Stevenson, its chairman. The first step was to present its report. The second step was to develop mitigation strategies "In various areas of civic and public life," he said.

To move on the second step required the board's approval, said Stevenson.

"If the Selectboard did nothing more than become a very vocal spokesbody for sustainability, energy efficiency, conservation, weaning ourselves away from fossil fuels and building a strong local economy, I would say bless you."

"I can see your group continuing to come up with mitigation strategies and educational information for the town," said Selectboard Chairman Dick DeGray. "But working in conjunction with (Brattleboro Climate Protection Director) Paul Cameron. I don't want this group going off on one tangent and Paul in another."

DeGray suggested keeping the task force together to provide recommendations based on its work with Cameron and a climate protection plan that was put in place by a previous Selectboard in 2003.

The climate protection plan calls for the town to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent by 2010, said Board member Jesse Corum, a goal the town has already met.

He suggested peak oil members meet with both Cameron and Post Oil Solutions to determine what steps should be taken next.

"Put your energy and time into that," he said, adding he would vote to disband the task force.

Post Oil Solutions concentrates on developing sustainability projects in the county, while the task force focused on bringing a "higher level of understanding and involvement" to the energy crisis, said Stevenson, who said he would not be averse to disbanding the task force.

"We need a unified approach to the question of energy," said Stevenson. "But it might mean disbanding this body."

The town is working on a new capital improvement plan that will identify what can be done to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, said Town Manager Barbara Sondag.

In addition, she said, it's also considering a district energy project that would supply heat and hot water to many of the buildings in downtown.

"At some point we need to really just get a handle on what we are doing," she said, and unify the town's efforts.

The board voted 3-2 to disband the group, with DeGray and Rich Garant voting in opposition.

"It would be a big mistake and disservice to the citizens of this town if we were to do anything other than to encourage this group," said Garant.

The board asked Sondag to invite Cameron to its next meeting on May 20 to discuss how the town can integrate the task force's findings with the work already being done.

Photo credit: Lynze Marzulla