Portland has a significant high-technology sector, and energy comprises a relatively small proportion of delivered high-tech product costs, despite using commercial aviation as the primary delivery mode. Although chip production is energy-intensive, electricity still accounts for a small proportion of producers’ overall cost structure. Even as the cost of air freight increases, customers in the high-tech sector likely will be willing to pay more for the chips because chips are a high-value commodity. Peak oil’s greater impact on the high-tech sector will be through the possibility of declining demand for some of its products as peak oil negatively impacts its customers and decreases demand. These negative impacts may be partially offset or even balanced by increasing demand for high-tech components in devices that increase energy efficiency. In general, the high-tech sector is probably less vulnerable than many to increased oil prices and has many opportunities to benefit.
Portland is home to several major transportation equipment manufacturers. Any shift from long-haul trucking and aviation shipping modes to r