Hello, Gay, I have a question for you, Dan, and the City Council regarding this project.
With every expert in the energy industry predicting dramatic rises in the cost of petroleum due to skyrocketing global demand and supply problems related to peaking production, why are city leaders contemplating such expensive autocentric transportation infrastructure changes as this, which discourage biking and walking and transit use? Has the City council asked any questions about the energy implications related to the proposed Lake Street change? This seems to me to be the most important single question to ask. Energy experts such as Matthew Simmons (manages over $56 billion in energy investments) and energy experts across the political spectrum are fairly screaming to get our attention regarding this. It will not be affordable for most people to own and operate a car within 20 or 30 years, and there is no "magical" technical fix to make it otherwise. Petroleum accounts for over 40% of our energy use as well as an important manufacturing raw material. Petroleum prices are likely to triple in the next few years, and will be even higher in 20 years. How does the widening of Lake Street take into account the fact that many people who drive there now will not be able to afford to do so in the coming years? I urge you to help educate our city leaders about the dramatic impact that changes in energy supply and prices will have on our transportation choices in the coming years. Cities who plan for this now with transit will have a great competitive edge over those who do not take the changing energy scene into account. Thanks for asking the e-democracy list about the Lake Street proposal. -- pedaling for peace, eco-justice, and a local living economy from Kingfield -- Gary Hoover REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
