TulsaNow

You may have heard about the study that ranks Tulsa near the bottom of cities prepared for $4 gas and $100+ a barrel oil prices. We ranked 49th in the nation, just above bottom-scraping OKC. (Small consolation when you watch the dollars whizzing by at the gas pump.) Aside from the pain in your pocketbook, what does this mean for Tulsa?

In a global economy, cities compete for jobs and workers. One of the factors that corporations consider when contemplating moving to a new city is: "Are transportation costs predictable, or will they surge as the price of oil rises?" Cities without reliable, efficient public transit are vulnerable to unpredictable increases in transportation costs. This makes them less desirable and less competitive than cities that plan for transit and sustainability.

This knowledge is a tough pill to swallow for a city that identifies itself as the "former oil capitol of the world." Perhaps this is why you'll still hear elected officials refer to public transit and alternative mobility strategies as "fluff" when discussing a $2 billion package to "fix" the streets.

If Tulsa is to thrive in the future, it's time to re-examine our priorities. Business as usual isn't going to cut it anymore. Today's "fluff" may just be the foundation of our future.

Read the article on CNNMoney.com: www.money.cnn.com

You can also hear an interview with Warren Karlenzig, author of "How Green is Your City?" on Smart City Radio. www.smartcityradio.com (Click on the "listen" link and scroll to the second half of the show.)