PickensPlan » Blog Archive » In Response to Today’s Energy Speech From Sen. Barack Obama

August 4th, 2008 at 3:15 pm

You’re a Republican that believes in drilling for oil. I heard you state that you believe we SHOULD drill for our OWN OIL everyplace possible that is American to help gain our independence from foreign oil, as well as the wind and solar. You need to clarify that position to the public..............so the leftwing does not continue to "twist" your words and distort their meaning. They are playing you like a puppet. Please make your oil drilling position clear.

August 4th, 2008 at 3:57 pm

Eric Schneider

I'm not sure Mr. Pickens is being anything but upfront about his position on oil. He is, of course, an "oil man", and that is the source of his wealth. Mr. Pickens Plan is tackling one problem: eliminate our dependency on foreign oil. This is an economic campaign, but due to the nature of the solution, it spills over to other conversations about energy conservation, global warming, cleaner energy sources, oil drilling etc... I think it's virtually impossible, however, for his plan not to appeal to even those who are against US drilling because of the huge provision for alternative, cleaner energy sources. www.pickensplanopportunity.com

August 4th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

Orontes

Nonsense…. Mr. Pickens not informed or deliberately telling lies. Since 1970 when the Gold Standard eliminated out of the U.S Currency, the U.S. uses foreign oil as the underlying value of the U.S. Dollar. Now that many countries switching to Euro’s, oil prices rises, the Dollar falls in value. The U.S. worked out a con-game with CIA installed and supported Bedouin puppet regimes in Arabia, in order to support the Dollar, by getting them to agree to hold on to Dollar pricing for oil exports and cash reserves. These multi-trillion worth of reserves are repatriated thru supposed investments back to U.S. Treasury. In fact the physical cash Dollars never leaves the U.S. holdings Fed banks, they just electronically debit one account and credit the other. The U.S. will do anything; including going to wars in the Middle East to insure that Oil is priced in Dollars and that the value of Barrel of oil is not less than $150.00. This way the U.S. Government gets to repatriates Trillions back to the U.S. out of Japan, China and other trading partners that the U.S. is running huge trade deficits with. Without that scam, the U.S. will be bankrupt in one week. The U.S. Government has no interest whatsoever in advancing Alternative energies, lowering oil imports or the value thereof because it perceives such policies as detrimental to the Economy and Government budget. If Mr. Pickens is not aware of this complex arrangement, contact us for additional information.

August 4th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

Tim Kizer

With considerable thought and one caveat I am 100% behind the Pickens Plan. I fear an onslaught of irresponsible practices in the methods of getting to and using our domestic energy resources. The current practices of most natural gas harvesting is appalling and unnecessary. Harvesting natural gas, oil and wind from the nations landscape does not have to be devastating to fish, wildlife and their respective habitat. There are responsible practices that do not stand in the way of profit and protect our natural resources at the same time that should be a mandatory inclusion to any "plan"--the Pickens Plan included. Being in the alternative energy business I am all for business and industry positively affecting their bottom line and know for a fact it can be profitably and harmless to the landscape. The Pickens Plan would be greatly served by getting conservation organizations such as the TRCP.org involved up front.

August 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Ahmed Bin Akhmed

Poor Americans, so many snake oil salesmen, one running for President and the other all the way to the Bank cashing in on GAS.

August 4th, 2008 at 4:31 pm

Garrett

Julie, I think the public is aware of the fact that Mr. Pickens has called for drilling everywhere possibly while in the meantime planning serious longterm solutions. Why are you Republicans wasting our time with a drop in the bucket effort to end our dependence on foreign oil? This is not a solution to anything. Why not just sell 70 million barrels of oil from the emergency reserve as Democrats are calling for. We have got to get real about ending our dependence on foreign oil as Barack Obama's plan laid out earlier today. I haven't heard any specifics from Mr. McCain. The problem, whether McCain or Obama becomes the next president is getting the American people to realize that we must all make major sacrifices to solve this problem. We can't sit back and expect a president or handful of people to enact some magic and painless policy. Respectfully, Garrett

August 4th, 2008 at 6:16 pm

Randell Young

Just keep in mind that Boone is not opposed to drilling, either offshore, in the shale deposit areas or in Alaska. He's for it. It's a way to help get from point A to point B. He just doesn't see it as a long-term solution. Also keep in mind that while the U.S. uses 25 percent of the world's oil, according to The World Bank, we also account for about 26 percent of the world's total gross domestic product. So measured in terms of total productive output, are use of oil is not at all out of line. Boone is also not in favor of a return to the windfall profits tax of the seventies. This tactic did not produce the revenues it was expected to generate and it had the unintended effect of reducing investment in domestic oil production. Obama is a Marxist. He's all about wealth and income redistribution. That doesn't work. It's great that he has been pressured (by Boone) into taking notice of this issue but Obama is still against clean coal, nuclear and natural gas. We've got a ways to go before we can get too excited about an Obama energy conversion and, even if he were to speak the words, he's already shifted so many positions for political reasons that the only we can be sure of is that, at the end of the day, he sees the economy as a zero-sum game. And he wants the power to pick the winners.

August 4th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

S J Fallon

Only if one believes that the price of a gallon of gasoline is going to return to pre-Iraq war levels does the Pickens Plan seem to call for personal sacrifice. I don't see that at all. What I see is a way forward. What I see is a way to harness and redirect existing technology which will place the United States at the top of the heap of alternative energy developers and exporters. Why stop at meeting our domestic needs? Scientists know how to "beam" streams of pure energy off of satellites. In order to address this problem as it must be addressed, Americans will need to get worked up over its potential benefits. Once you get the American people excited about an idea, it's impossible to stop it. A truly holistic approach is called for: The four-day work week is a very good idea and should be adopted. Raising the "CAFE" standards, of course. Trading China our clean-coal technology in exchange for reducing our trade deficit with that country. Improving America's highways produces dramatic improvements in fuel economy. Requiring our courts and schools to set schedules that recognize the realities of traffic conditions in the area would work wonders to eleviate unneccessary traffic congestion and save lots of fuel. Building high-speed, trucks-only interstates makes a lot of sense and the trucking industry loves the idea and is willing to pay for it. Requiring major retailers to turn off all the TV sets they keep running day and night will save energy and also work to convince the public that it's time to change our wasterful ways in general. People who plant trees in order to cool their homes with shade instead of running a/c should be encouraged to do so instead of being penalized for using a little more water than the neighbor who runs the a/c day and night. Consumption and supply . . . we need to hit this problem from both ends at once. We can do this and all it will take is the will to make if happen. The money will flow but now in the right direction.

August 5th, 2008 at 1:36 am

Coil

Julie, You are an American too. There is nothing political about our need for new energy sources. Educate yourself, help our country. God Bless, Coil

August 5th, 2008 at 5:35 am

Warren Meddoff

As an activist, active for over thirty years in demanding sustainability and protection of the environment, I have found that T. Boone Pickens is the first leader to stand up for a rational approach to the most pressing of social and economic problems facing this great nation. Mr. Pickens exemplifies what is needed to save not only the United States but our planet. R. Warren Meddoff

August 5th, 2008 at 8:00 am

Sam

To those people who suggest that Mr. Pickens is only in it for the money, I find that argument without merit. Why would someone his age, as wealthy as he is simply want more money? More to the point, of all the people with such incredible wealth and power in this country, I don't see any of the rest of them trying to do something like this. To those that simply want to drill anywhere and everywhere, I think that he has made his position absolutely clear that this would be like giving more drugs to an addict. It is important that we think about future generations, it is time to let go of oil being a viable source of energy. It is bankrupting us and driving up the prices of everything. Even though gas is also a fossil fuel at least it is clean and we have far, far, more of that than oil. It can serve as a transitional fuel while we work to develope cleaner technologies.

August 5th, 2008 at 9:30 am

C S N

Life long Republican, have now changed to Independent, and support Sen Obama. Somewhat disappointed in T.Boone Pickens reply (posted here) to Sen Obama's energy speech yesterday in Lansing MI. Wouldn't you think that T. Boone would be thrilled to hear how Barack Obama is totally in favor of Alternate energy solutions? Listened to Anne Korin, director for Institute for the Analysis of Global Security on CSpan last evening. She is both very conservative, and very intelligent. Anne Korin explained every facet of the problem of oil-dependency, surprisingly very much similar to Barack Obama's views as to what actions have to be implemented to wean our nation away from needing imported oil. Anne also remarked that one may hold conservative values, (as does she), but that it's a mistake to link values with any political party. I think she's correct! She repeated what I've felt: Republicans held control of House-Senate-Presidency for SIX of the prior eight years! Why couldn’t Republican Party have accomplished Energy Solutions during 6 of those past 8 years?

August 5th, 2008 at 9:33 am

C S N

Life long Republican, have now changed to Independent, and support Sen Obama. Somewhat disappointed in T.Boone Pickens reply (posted here) to Sen Obama's energy speech yesterday in Lansing MI. Wouldn't you think that T. Boone would be thrilled to hear how Barack Obama is totally in favor of Alternate energy solutions? Listened to Anne Korin, director for Institute for the Analysis of Global Security on CSpan last evening. She is both very conservative, and very intelligent. Anne Korin explained every facet of the problem of oil-dependency, surprisingly very much similar to Barack Obama's views as to what actions have to be implemented to wean our nation away from needing imported oil. Anne also remarked that one may hold conservative values, (as does she), but that it's a mistake to link values with any political party. I think she's correct! She repeated what I've felt: Republicans held control of House-Senate-Presidency for SIX of the prior eight years! Why couldn’t Republican Party have accomplished Energy Solutions during 6 of those past 8 years?

August 5th, 2008 at 9:44 am

Gary Richards

I support the Pickens Plan for energy independance as a workable plan to reduce or eliminate our increasing need for imported oil. Importing oil has become more than an expense for us. It is threatening our economy and security, and increasingly the need for oil is considered before the interests of freedom and democracy whose values we should hold dearly. I am excited about the secondary benefits of incorporating solar and wind generated electricity into our economy. A cleaner, more sustainable energy source that creates new possibilitys for industrys and services will have a dramatic possitive effect for our future.

August 5th, 2008 at 11:25 am

Jim Hickey

I think T. Boone made his position perfectly clear when he was interviewed on Larry King last evening. I also agree with him that we need to do as much as possible, as quickly as possible to free ourselves from foreign oil. It will take decades for renewable resources to offset fossil fuel use (particularly oil) so extracting the resources that are available to us is key. Even after the point were renewables are used to supply most of our energy (electricity) needs, we will still need petroleum for other purposes. Having a viable domestic resource is crucial. The one thing we can't allow to happen at this point in time is to back away from renewable energy sources as was done in the 80s (after a significant renewable energy research push due in the early 80s after the embargoes of the 70s). We need to keep our collective "eyes on the ball" and pressure our representatives to advance our ultimate energy independence.

August 5th, 2008 at 11:28 am

Mark Maupin

Julie, Get a clue....... This is not a political battle! Further, I believe Mr. Pickens has said we cannot drill our way out of this. Check the numbers; at peak the trans-Alaskan pipeline moved a little over 2 million barrels a day. Today it is at about half of that. Yes, production rises and then declines. Suppose we opened up ANWR, offshore and wherever else we can (by the way, I am in favor) , the total US production would probably increase by 1 to 2 million barrels a day for a few years. We in the US consume over 20 million barrels a day. The world consumes over 80 million barrels per day. With China, India and other emerging economies and oil consumption, this is a world problem. We need more than just a 10% boost to solve the problem here at home. Our problem is much larger than drilling a few wells. Do some study on "Peak Oil". also, poke around http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/info_glance/petroleum.html to see the numbers. Mr. Pickens is trying to do the right thing for America. His plan is better than anything else I have seen. Please quit trying to make this a political issue. Mark Maupin

August 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Terri Lindgren

It is sad to see anyone worried about political affiliation here. This problem concerns us all and there is no one simple answer to it. I like Mr Pickens plan of action, all the others simply talk and knock any plan that doesn't agree with their own. With our energy and fuel needs it will take a huge break through to sustain our way of life. Hopefully this plan will hold us until we get there. And to those worried about a guy out to make a profit...what if it is what he wants? Who cares if the plan benefits all of us why shouldn't those gambling with their own money make a profit? This is still THE USA right?

August 5th, 2008 at 1:30 pm

George Clifford Massengale

Julie Marker's comment "They are playing you like a puppet." I think not. I think you would have a better understanding of Mr. Pickens if you read more of the comments and watch the videos on his site. As someone stated; "He is out to save America"; and that I believe.

August 5th, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Jeff Gyurky

I am very excited by Mr. Pickens' plan, and by recent advances in alternative fuel technology at MIT including recent discoveries regarding fuel cell catalysts and solar energy collectors. I encourage everyone to read about them from the MIT news page at: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/

August 5th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

Katherine Nielsen

I watched Mr. Pickens on Larry King Live last night. The most impressive thing I heard was the absence of blame. He didn't blame a political party, a president, or even the American people. He simply stated that we didn't need alternatives as much in the past. Oil was cheap and the supply was steady. This is no longer the case. His plan, when viewed completely with all the details, is sustainable and smart. I am so glad he said that alternative energies could, and perhaps should, be developed privately. I believe that government involvement will dramatically slow the process. I hope the Pickens Plan motivates others to action. I'm in ~Katherine

August 5th, 2008 at 4:03 pm

Lloyd M. Knapp

I think T. Boone has clarified his position perfectly. A) He has said we cannot drill our way out of this. B) He has stated that U.S. oil resources only amount to 3-4% of the worlds known oil resources. The pitiful amounts in ANWR and the OCS areas are a mer pittance, one more quick fix for a countyr addicted to oil, and then it would be gone, gone, gone. And we would sitll be addicts, at the mercy of the oil sheiks. We need to turn and fairly face our energy future. The cheap choices are gone, The party is over. The bar lights are coming on, and that sweet little blonde left the bar with that other guy 2 hours ago. It's time to go home, sleep it off, and in the morning we need to move on. It's over.

August 5th, 2008 at 5:16 pm

Dan McWherter

Why is it that one particular political party is so against americans being able to retrieve our own oil to get us through this incredibly rough patch? No one political party wants alternatives to oil more than the other. It's the means of getting to that land of energy independence that we disagree on. One side wants to do everything, drill, develop wind, develop solar, develop nuclear power, etc, etc, etc...... The other side doesn't really have a coherent plan. The only thing I hear is we need to develop alternatives. We will throw billions and billions of dollars at this "alternative" energy "plan" and......What? (Hope?) Release 70 million barrels so that we can reduce the price of gas for a very short amount of time? What type of plan is that? You can't be serious about energy independence and think this is a solution. So when the country wakes and the 70 million barrels have been consumed, now what? Release more and more and more until we've used up the EMERGENCY oil reserve. An overwhelming majority of americans think that we should use all means necessary to keep this country rolling. That includes drilling for our own oil. Don't be fooled into thinking that we can get through this without drilling for our own oil. It simply can't happen without a GIGANTIC impact on our economy

August 5th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

Marcel Fauci

I hope you and Barack can find more common ground. I have been following the alternative energy issue for a long time and I am very please to see the traction it has been having this election. I think you and Barack can offer a lot to each other. Since you are a Republican you might not have been giving him too much attention until recently, maybe you have. I think, though; that he has been very much on point regarding the political future of energy in America. He talks nonstop in Ohio and Michigan about reigniting their industrial job market with windmill and or solar production. If he wins I hope you are invited to his energy meetings because he seems particularly interested in what you are pitching. I know that John McCain's advisor Jim Woolsey has similar views about energy independence. He is more into plug-in electric, like Obama, for transportation. I think both natural gas and plug-in electric hybrids would together offset even more of our dependence on foreign oil. Maybe we can hope for a 50% reduction then.

August 6th, 2008 at 3:44 am

Nancy Parker

I am hoping that the REPUBLICAN candidate will be able to see the value of the Pickens Plan and CLEAN wind and natural gas solutions rather than increased drilling and more dirty oil. We must PUSH the Pickens Plan! I am on board.

August 6th, 2008 at 3:55 am

Randall Hulsmeyer

In a perfect example of preaching to the choir, yes, Mr. Pickens has clearly defined his position on drilling. The fact is, the general public is not aware of the full plan including domestic drilling. In our 3 second society, buzz terms become the embedded message that define opinions. Informed listeners understood what Mr. Pickens meant when he said, "we can't drill our way out of this problem." This is not the case for the average American. If we are going to win this war, we need every American on board. We have a LONG way to go in our attempt to educate and engage the other 299,800,000 Americans. My suggestion, drop your own "left" or "right" attitude and get on the "US" (or the U.S.) plan. Face the facts and don't be afraid of the truth. We have a LOT of work to do here.

August 6th, 2008 at 4:44 am

John Getz

Politics HAS to be TOTALLY OMMITTED from PickensPlan, period. Especially about or from those candidates who will say and do anything to get elected, regardless of personal history and record (read "Democrat" or "Obama").

August 6th, 2008 at 4:45 am

Michael Jolicoeur

Mr Pickens is correct when he challenges both candidates running for President that weaning ourselves off of our oil dependancy should be foremost on their agendas. It will take vision

August 6th, 2008 at 4:59 am

Taylor J. Smith

The main effect of the miltary adventure in Iraq, whether intended or not, was to reduce Iraqi oil production and raise the price of oil. Those benefiting from this don't want the supply situation to change. But Iraqi oil prodcution is increasing. So what can the owners of oil wells do? Answer: Threaten an attack on the Iranian oil fields by either Israel or the U.S. -- even Iran is playing this card as it rattles its missiles. However, the threat is not working any more; and there is a real possibility that oil will plunge past the Saudi "fair price" of $70/barrel to $40/barrel before the end of 2008. WE MUST THINK NOW HOW TO COMBAT THE THREAT OF CHEAP OIL. AMERICAN NATIONAL SECURITY IS AT STAKE.

August 6th, 2008 at 5:05 am

Ray Weatherford

Mr. Pickens is by his own admission an oil man but the first man willing to stand up and do something positive for this county. Lets stand up together and support what he is trying to do. I have heard the argument that he stands to make himself even richer with new investments is solar and wind. Well who cares if he makes money as long as during the process something good comes to this country and the world. You have my support and those people I have talked to. I hear your name more every day. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MR. PICKENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 6th, 2008 at 5:36 am

Mitchell Greene

Politics, EVERYTHING is Politics. There is no escaping that fact. The PickensPlan is utilizing the power of the Politic to force change. Hence the TV, Radio, Web and Video presence. In this case, I actually believe the person behind the politic is actually in belief of it! The 'professional' Politicians, (i.e. everyone in D.C.), are people I do NOT believe. I see Senator Obama's speech as just another leeching of an idea to further his objective, agenda and pursuit of the White House. Nothing more. He does not believe in it. Nor does McCain. But they will say it. What happens AFTER they achieve the White House? Will they put the might of the United States behind it? I think not. An example is the politicians in charge of a little town in California, Apple Valley. The home of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. I used to live there. The town counsel voted down a proposed wind farm.. for reason of their personal taste and idea of esthetics!! But Pickens, the person behind the PickensPlan, and in a more general scope, a belief in alternative energy, Pickens I believe.

August 6th, 2008 at 5:50 am

Adam

Taylor J Smith, this is not a forum to discuss what your beliefs are of the Iraq war. I agree with the others that Mr. Pickens is the first one to stand up and propose a viable solution to reduce our dependency and I don't even care if he makes money off of it. Innovative thinkers should be able to make a profit. Do not rely on any government for everything, as you will be continually disappointed. Also, unless I am mistaken, I don't think Mr. Pickens has backed either candidate and realizes that this is bigger than two parties. So leave the politics out of it. Keep up the good work Mr. Pickens, as I believe this could be just the start of something great!

August 6th, 2008 at 5:58 am

Jim Hebert

T. Boon Pickins said on Larry King that we could do both (Transportation and Electricity Production) with Natural Gas. I would add that we can do even more than that if the States would review certain policies and laws within their borders with respect to Natural Gas. Currently there is leakage allowed based on safety considerations. The permissable levels increase as the distance from the receiving facility increases. Considering the amount of gas transmission lines and the number of facilities the gas is sent to, it would seem prudent to address the leackage problem from even stricter limits in the interest of conservation which would also have the effect of reducing the another ecological burden. We need to upgrade the Natural Gas delivery sustem across the US. If fiber optics can replace copper wires, we certainly should be able to develop an improved and less prone to leakage Natural Gas transmission system. But lets do it from start to finish within the borders of AMERICA. Note to politicians: I am talking about JOBS for AMERICANS in AMERICA. these are not for another giveaway program to further weaken this nation and ultimately destroy this country. The time to start is NOW. On a personal note, Liberman and McCain both recently pointed to the failure of "leaders" to adequately address or ENERGY situation. I would suggest that "leaders" is the wrong description. Leaders identify problems and take action to correct. If T. Boon believes that the wind corridor is the center of the nation I would suggest that if we had a political techonoligy that could reverse the "R" wind or the "D" wind in Washington DC we could power the world.

August 6th, 2008 at 6:07 am

D. Thomas

These comments are all very interesting. I hope I can say this without stepping on anyone's toes ... it has occured to me that the only way that we can stay together as a supportive group for Mr. Picken's plan is to remove politics from the discussion. He himself is not basing his plan on politics. Mr. Pickens would like both Democrats and Republicans to jump on board. We don't want the members' comments on this website to become dominated by arguments that would sidetrack everything. On a more positive note, I am very encouraged by the media's interest in Picken's Plan. It seems like the idea is catching on! Good job, and let's keep spreading the word!

August 6th, 2008 at 6:14 am

Daniel Clamage

>Why not just sell 70 million barrels of oil from the emergency reserve as Democrats are calling for Yeah that'll work for maybe three months. It's not a long-term solution. We need an "everything above" approach to self-sufficiency. We'll ALWAYS need oil, for other products as well as gasoline. The failed energy policy of the past 30 years is the one where we decided to quit drilling for our own oil and bought it elsewhere in the world. Where did the oil come from, that is now in the strategic reserve (BTW it's called a "strategic" reserve for a reason)? It got drilled out of somebody else's backyard. So yes WE CAN drill our way out of this failed policy because it's a reversal of 30 years of failed domestic energy policy. And YES we also need to develop alternative energy sources. But some of those are at least 10-20 years away (i.e., biofuels). Barack Obama's energy plan relies heavily on technologies that not only don't currently exist, they may not exist for 10-20 years, if ever. It's pie-in-the-sky daydreaming. When Obama tells us we'll have to suffer first before switching from oil to something else, he's showing just how naive he is and has no comprehension of energy. NO we needn't suffer, any more than people suffered when we moved from burning wood/charcoal to oil to nuclear. Or when we shifted from horses to trains to automobiles. Nobody suffered economic hardship as technology improved. McCain's energy policy is an "everything above" approach. It makes a lot more sense than what the Democrats are selling. Our Representatives went on a 5 week vacation without addressing the most pressing and critical economic policy of the year. Everybody should call their reps and tell them to get their butts back to work! We need action NOW, not after the Nov election is over (which is very obviously the reason why the Democrats have chosen to waste valuable time on stupid stuff, instead of tackling the tough items on the agenda). Queen Pelosi said she "has to save the planet!" which is why she won't allow drilling for our own oil -- she swallowed the Man-Made Global Warming kool-aid. Which as theories go, has no evidence that can't already be attributed to the recent natural global warming caused by the sun. She's afraid we'll pump more CO2 into the atmosphere and extinguish life as we know it. What a pile of horse manure. CO2 is plant food. Wind energy will supply us with perhaps 20% of the energy we need (probably less after we factor in energy loss across high-power transmission lines). The other 80% will have to come from other sources -- nuclear, clean coal (the technology for which is just now being developed), etc. Biofuels from cellulose is still years away. Shale oil is also a few years away from being developed, but some idiot put the shackles on that one. We have to pursue every avenue, every technology that we can now, in order to become self-sufficient. Don't put all of our eggs in one basket!

August 6th, 2008 at 6:21 am

jack price

Mr. Pickens reminds me of Ross Perot. Perot's efforts to educate America about its deficent issue worked for a number of years. The 1994 Contract with America brought about a budget surplus....... if Mr. Pickens stays away from being an Obama or McCain supporter he has the same great possibilities for success as Perot did.

August 6th, 2008 at 6:27 am

Gerald McClain

This is great!!! Now the one with the best conservation plan will win. The people need direction for more conservation: less use of auto, switch light blubs to florescent and install ground source heat pumps. Geothermal heat pumps can save 50% of the energy used by homes and businesses. No more out side compressors. The earth 5 feet down stays about 50 degrees to 60 degrees providing near constant temperature that is brought into the home or business through a earth loop of pipe into the heat pump. The heat pump takes the place of your conventional heating/cooling system, but at a savings of about 50% in energy cost. Conservation is more important than drilling for more oil and can drive down the cost of fuel. Why has the price of gasoline decreased…. because we are conserving our driving? More conservation techniques will drive the price lower. The pure talk of conservation techniques such as use of ground source heat pumps will drive more people into replacing their conventional heating/cooling system into using ground source heat pumps. The first Presidential Candidate who talks about a plan for conservation and includes ground source heat pumps will win.

August 6th, 2008 at 6:27 am

James Winterstein

Great comments here. One more - we cannot remove "politics" from the equation, but we should remove "partisan politics," in my opinion. Because of the way our government functions, one way or another making the "rules of engagement," for any project of this magnitude, we must include politicians and the political process, but that does not need to stop the Pickens plan. What too many Americans seem to forget or ignore is the process by which we affect our politicians - who represent us. Two things, therefore - everyone must get out and vote and also write to the legislators who represent us and secondly, we must all refer friends and colleagues to support the Pickens Plan. Jim

August 6th, 2008 at 6:30 am

Walt Griffin

We must look at all the resources that we have to break our dependency on foreign oil; yes this includes drilling offshore and drilling within the boarders of the US. We must quit sending all of America’s wealth overseas for oil and start keeping it in the US. Alternative energy sources is a part of the answer to the big problem facing us a nation just as much as off-shore drilling for oil is a part of the answer. Anyone who discounts any part of the answer to our problem needs to get their head out of the sand and look around; neither party has the complete answer and everyone must work together to break our dependency on foreign oil.

August 6th, 2008 at 6:35 am

Bill Smit

Here's a classic example of Free enterprise trumping government beauracracy to resolve the energy crisis. When there's an incentive - free enterprise steps to the plate. USA is an awesome country! On a recent Sunday morning news show ... Al Gore was excited to hear about T's plan - and then he later commented that beauracracy was holding us from moving forward with new energies/ideas. I don't think he realized he was giving a prime example of why government should be small. I'm all for wind, solar and nuclear power (and future energy products/systems - which highly educated individuals will discover/create). Nuclear designs of the past are like tube tv set designs. Today's nuclear plant designs are like super computers and getting better. ALL the nuclear waste (new plant designs create less too) can fit in less space than ONE small municipal landfill. Everyone must read/understand Hubbert curve/Peak Oil. USA Oil production was predicted to and did peak in the 70's, and world oil would peak around 2000 (google M King Hubbert, hubbert curve and peak oil). Also google Maryland congressman Roscoe Barlett Sr (professor, research scientist and inventor). Listen to Roscoe's peak oil speeches he's presented to congress. We need to treat this oil crisis with more effort than the Manhatten project. Energy is like air - we need it to live and work. Let's save the strategic reservse for our children or use it for future plastic/material production - once we've weaned ourselves from oil. In the meantime - it's for strategic purposes - public hands off. Last - I highly doubt that the reason US went to war was to jack up the price of oil. America is too loving of a nation to risk human life - for a few oil people to make money. No major offense ... but the comment sounds like a Hollywood fair tale story, or like a 9/11 conspiracy story. Let's focus on going forward and find solutions vs being critics.

August 6th, 2008 at 7:21 am

Paul Harrington

Alternatives are here right now. Right off we could cut our consumption without much pain by reducing waste, cutting down on unnescessary use and simply conserving. We should do that anyway. Driving less and driving more fuel efficient vehicles, carpooling, taking public transportation, walking or riding a bike is easy. We have done that in our household and reduced our gas bill to less than it was when gas was below $2.00 per gallon. I overheard a group talking on the radio about their project retrofitting used small cars with electric motors and lithium batteries for a few thousand dollars. The cars get over a hundred miles on a charge. Oil companies are making record profits. Drilling for oil offshore or in Alaska is only going subsize that profit even more and why blame them. We're the ones who are feeding their pockets. Taking oil from the Strategic Oil Reserve doesn't make sense either. That's for emergencies. Other alternatives are also readily available. We just need to end the debate, stop whining about the place we allowed ourselves to get in and do it.

August 6th, 2008 at 7:23 am

Scott Crawford

Entering in political preferences and the different opinions associated with those parties, as well as entering in environmentalists opinions accomplishes nothing in reference to Mr. Picken's Plan......nothing. Political party bickering and environmentalist trying to stop this and that is like two fire hoses gushing water towards the other....they just splash against each other and go nowhere. Once the hoses are turned off the path clears. Mr. Pickens is working to form a group. Groups work together to achieve goals and purposes. Each individual member has his/her job to help attain those goals and purposes. In forming this group, Mr. Pickens has set himself up to be used by those who have an agenda beyond the purpose of the Picken's Plan. He is a smart, savoy businessman who understands the way of the world and those with agendas. He will use all sides to reach the goals and purposes of the Pickens Plan group.....as well he should. Lighten up all of you that feel a need to use your political ideals, those of you that see a way to enter in your environmentalist opinions. Let Mr Pickens do his work.....he knows what he is doing and he knows you are out there and he wants you to be part of his group. He wants you to help salvage a big mess we all have gotten ourselves into. American history tells us that when we as Americans, set aside our differences, band together as group, we not only can but we do solve problems that threaten our long term survival. This is one of those moments in time. Scott

August 6th, 2008 at 7:27 am

Kenneth Woodberry

I see that some of the bloggers can't seem to separate themselves from narrow minded political ideology. I believe Boone is attempting to promote an apolitical resolution to a problem that is plaguing America that affects everyone whether liberal or conservative. The fact that one politician or another inserts Boone's plan into the political landscape only helps to give it a platform with both major parties. Certainly, I hope that America's energy crisis can be dealt with in a way that 1) lessens the impact on American citizens day to day lives, 2) minimize the threats that can be levied by oil producing nations and MNCs against America and her strategic interests 3) Obliterates any dependence on foreign oil 4) allows me to become wealthy :). So I hope that those of you who blindly attach yourselves to political ideology don't continue to try to use energy policy to divide.

August 6th, 2008 at 7:31 am

joe

There are millions of acres of land that has not been drilled, why go offshore? Offshore won't help for many years. We are in trouble now. Wind and solar is the way to go. Once we have tapped out the millions of acres of land then we can get to offshore drilling. Right now we need help and offshore drilling will not help us. As T Boone has said "we can't drill our way out of it" LeFlore

August 6th, 2008 at 7:44 am

Jerry A Dombrowski

T. Boone made his money on oil BUT isn't he spending BILLIONS on a wind farm in Texas, to impliment his plan now?!! So how can you call him a snake oil salesman is what I'd like to know! J.A.

August 6th, 2008 at 7:58 am

Fred

The oil companies have a fleet of tankers that are not yet paid for, and that they need to use, which would not be needed if the crude came from a location that could pipe it to the refinery. We need to look into ALL options, not just drilling, because "We can't drill our way out of this", and the oil companies will not write off their tanker fleet as a loss..........

August 6th, 2008 at 8:00 am

Mekhong Kurt

Mr. Pickens is the one who pushed me the last inch into a wider energy policy than I had felt best before. That is, when an oilman tells me (A.) "We;re running out of oil -- sooner rather than later," and, (B.) "We need to use *all* sources, including oil, in the short term. Politicans failed at pushing me the last inch. Look at Obama's wish to yank a few tens of millions of gallons out of the "national reserve." That reserve serves much more as a psychological pacifier than as a real rainy-day resource, given its tiny quantity in relationship to our use of oil. Seventy million gallons won't be more than an itsy-bitsy blip on the radar. Then we have McCain's calling for offshore and Alaska drilling. First question, one I've not been able to conclusively answer: What, if anything, have the oil companies done (of any significance) in terms of getting oil from their existing offshore leases into our fuel tanks? I haven't found anything that they've done anything in that regard, except to determine there is, indeed, some oil there. If they know it's there, then why all the clamor to go to new territory, largely unexplored, with its attendant costs? And those costs in the hostile offshore and Arctic environments are extreme, according to friends of mine in the industry -- front-line, on the rigs, both on- and offshore -- who have direct experience, including in northern Alaska and comparable settings. We need oil. We need alternative energy. Most of all, we need a straight talker willing to put his money where his mouth is, thereby giving his mouth -- and his supporters' mouths, by extension -- a very loud sound system. Mr. Pickens appears to be that man. And what one helluva surprise it was for me to learn that this Venerable Oilman was staking a claim in brand-new territory seemingly diametrically opposed to his life-long stance. You keep at it, Mr. Pickens . . .

August 6th, 2008 at 8:06 am

Mekhong Kurt

D. Thomas has made an excellent point: let's leave the political diatribes out of this. I know, I know -- for some folks that jes' ain't possible. "Kill those sneaking, thieving, lying ________" (fill in the blank with your favorite dump-on party or group). But most of us can. There have been sinners on all sides, by every conceivable definition. Let's now focus on a few striving to find a better way than mud-slinging. This seems to be the way Pickens is trying to go. Until -- and unless -- someone exposes him as a charlatan, I'm sticking with him. (Exposing him as a charlatan will take one heck of a smoking gun to convince me, by the way, after all the research I did on Pickens the Man. His record is one of straight-shooting -- even when I disagree with something, I know where he stands.)

August 6th, 2008 at 8:31 am

Michael Phillips

Like all crises in the country, the oil crises is just another in a long line. We have to ask ourselves why? Why is it our government can’t be like a lot of governments around the world an ascertain in advance there is going to be a problem and start working on it before the problem becomes a crises, and the answer is, we have a reactionary government and not a proactive government. People in Washington tell all the lies they can to get there and then do nothing, one thing about Mr. Pickens, he’s willing to put his money were his month is. I think the plan is great, it’s just twenty years to late.

August 6th, 2008 at 8:58 am

Larry

I'm for opening all area's for drilling. By increasing the apparent supply the price will be driven down in the market. Im glad prices got so high we had to move on alternative energy. I feel with the momentum we have we will achieve our goals to improve the earth and our country by completing our changes in energy consumtion. I also oppose any new drilling. We should spend that energy to complete the Pickens Plan and all new energy technologies. Hybrids are being modified to be plug in rechargeables. I liked that. Someone needs to work on replacing the by products of oil. Good bye white vinyl fences. Politics, Politics. Enough said. Come on America lets kick some butt. Larry Urrutia

August 6th, 2008 at 9:19 am

A. Van Gogh

What's amazing to me is that some of these comments are TRYING to make this a partisan issue. I really could care less about Mr. Pickens political affiliation . Every single one of us is paying at the pump, paying higher energy prices in our homes, and exhaustively hurting our environment with "dirty" energy solutions. This is an American issue. Growing globalization is what is effecting the pricing of our energy consumption - that you can thank Republicans for - billions of dollars in debt to China and other countries to allow them to compete, therefore use more energy, indirectly monopolizing this problem we're having now. Whatever the solutions, they will have to be non-partisan. They will require creativity on both sides of the parties to ensure our independence from foreign countries, with new, cleaner technologies that benefit us all. What is appealing to me about the Pickens Plan is that it is realistic and more than not, Mr. Picken's predictions have generally been right over the years.

August 6th, 2008 at 9:34 am

Adrain Desaire

I have worked in the oil fields of Ks. Co. Tx. Ok. Ne. SD. ND. Mt. and never realized there were so many stupid people in the world when it comes to "oil field knowledge." The millions of acres of undrilled land, so many of you talk about, will remain undrilled as geologists have proven there is no oil under that particular piece of land. So many of you scream that the Big Oil companies have leases on millions of acres now, have them drill all of that acreage out first before opening up Alaska and the Oceans and the Gulf to exploration. If there was oil there for the taking, believe me, some Oil Company would have already drilled for it. Don't you think that Big Oil is greedy enough to leave an untapped source lay dorment under the ground? You got to be kidding. Get real people, we are running out of crude oil, and the energy source of the future will be discovered by Big Oil, simply because they are the ones who have the capital to invest and they will reap the rewards of the discovery. T. Boone is one of these Big Oil people and he sounds like he is on the right track. Get on board now or look back and say sadly, "I could have been part of that."

August 6th, 2008 at 9:37 am

Joseph J Dooley Jr

We need action on all fronts now. Tell Congress and their "leaders" to act. Start drilling and get alternative planning like the Pickens plan into action asap. Keep the govt out of the plans as much as possible. You'll see the price of oil continue to decrease steadily. Let's go!

August 6th, 2008 at 9:47 am

Charles Wittmer

Until we show the world we are striving for independence from foreign oil. We will continue to give a large portion of our wealth to the countries that want to dominate our way of life. Maybe Israel will take over Iran and solve one of the problems. We need every type of available energy source we can invent to avoid our dependence on our enemies oil.

August 6th, 2008 at 10:05 am

M. Higginson

John Getz says "politics has to be TOTALLY OMMITTED...especially about or from candidates who will say or do anything to get elected." Then he singles out Obama and Democrats. Isn't that TOTALLY POLITICAL? What is so great about McCain's and Republican records and background? Pickens himself says that he is strongly encouraged by Obama's speech on America's energy future. Could he say the same about McCain? No.

August 6th, 2008 at 10:22 am

William Branvold

Frankly the old political labels, "democrat", "republican", "liberal", "conservative" have lost all relevance. I find I am equally disgusted by the political spew coming from republicans and traditional democrats i.e. lifelong congressional powerbrokers - Pelosi, Reed. What energizes me about both Mr. Pickens and Barak Obama is that they seem intent on developing policy that is results driven, not crafted first and foremost for political gain. There is no one solution to this problem - it requires a multi-faceted approach. Wind, solar, natural gas, additional domestic oil production and yes, even maintaining proper tire inflation pressure - all of this should be done NOW. It is very telling that the McCain campaign was quick to hyperventilate over Obama's tire recommendation. What can every car owner in America do NOW to improve mileage? Maintain their vehicles! No one needs to wait for drilling, for hybrid vehicles or new green infrastructure - simply inflate your tires! To criticize and mock this recommendation lays bare the the true motives and cynicism of these critics. Thanks Mr. Pickens for demonstrating REAL leadership.

August 6th, 2008 at 11:05 am

William Trimble

I don't understand how anyone could be encouraged by Obama's "energy" speech. He stated we need to end the age of oil in our time. It is oil that has made our country the greatest economy on earth. I agree we should end dependance on foreign imports of oil and develop alternate energy sources, but to totally end the use of oil "in our time" would be devistating to our economy and push us into a worse depression.

August 6th, 2008 at 11:54 am

John A Mucha

What we need from everyone is "Numbers, not Adjectives", Pickens included. There is enough wind installed to asses the costs per kWh output. The whole of the US needs about 3.5 TW of power. Right now, that comes from fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas). My calculations suggest that we can supply this by wind alone, and just from the central wind corridor. Note that’s ALL of our energy needs for commercial, industrial, residential and transportation … ALL from wind alone. Other renewables (solar and tidal) could do alone as well. ALL zero-carbon. It won’t be a slam dunk since we’ll still need to store it and “pipe’ it around the nation, but it is a tractable problem and there better be some estimates out there. Otherwise, the Pickens Plan sets the stage for another pile of bull dung, more hype than substance.

August 6th, 2008 at 11:58 am

George J. ONeil, Jr, MD

Senator Obama’s comments today should be a positive sign for all Americans. It will take both sides of the energy debate coming together to solve this huge problem. The Pickens Plan is the only lucid bridge to the future for our country with regards to ending our dependence on foreign oil. It would seem naive to think that we will stop using petroleum any time soon. The perfect alternative fuel may be yet to be discovered, but if we can reduce the amount consumed by switching our use to natural gas for the heavy vehicles (trucks) that move our commercial goods it will buy us time to get to that future. The fight over drilling should not become the central issue here and I have faith that the correct answer for this issue will result from compromise on both sides. What we need right now is a consensus on building a power grid quickly for the wind corridor and make it like the building of the interstate highway system in the 50’s.

August 6th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

michael

you should have heard glen beck and rush tearing both mr pickens and mr obama today. even his callers were joking about driving their big suv's needlessly. i just do not understand why these talk show hosts are so against saving energy and the planet. is conservation a bad word.

August 6th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

John A Mucha

Right now each of consume about 11.5 kW of power each day, compared to 5.4 kW for our European friends. We could cut and we might even become healthier. Or we could get to work. Now, 11.5 kW of power means about 100,000 kWh of energy is used per person. If we charge $0.13/kWh and wind costs $0.03/kWh to generate, that’s $0.10/kWh that could be applied to new wind energy. Over the whole 300 million of us, that’s $3 trillion in just 1 year. We could afford to “tax” us all $0.02/kWh for oil use, coal use, and natural gas use over the next 5 years to create the money to “Get ‘R Done”! Now if I can do this analysis in 10 minutes, what have the people who are “in the business” done in the last few years? DRILL, DRILL, DRILL that’s all I hear. Can you not see that there are millions of jobs that could be created? Can you not see that we would be independent of foreign energy entanglements? Can you not see that WE would become the world’s leading energy EXPORTER? Can you not see? Are you blind?

August 6th, 2008 at 12:50 pm

dylan

Why can't we drill our way out of this situation while alternative energy sources are being refined? There are over 80 billion barrels of oil in Colorado, billions more on the outer continental shelf, an estimated 200 billion barrels in A.N.W.A.R. We have 1/3 of the world's oil reserves. In additioon to drilling here, drilling now we have a responsibility to keep energy prices low for lower income Americans (my family is blessed, we aren't affected by high fuel prices as bad as some are). Wind and solar are in the very begining of being effective. Think of it like the m.p.g. required in automobiles. Wind generators as well as solar pannels need to produce alot more power to be cost effective. If wind power could provide enough energy to power a house, and be affordable then that's when we need the government to get involved (personal tax incentives). Most people can't afford to go out and buy a hybrid vehicle let alone an electric one. Finally there is a company out in CA that has implemented nano technology when manufacturing solar pannels (actually solar shingles).

August 6th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

Thomas Alcock

Mr Pickens, I am not sure if you ever read these responses as they probably all tend to blur together after the first few and wind up in bitter bickering. I am a republican however I applaud you for rising above the politcal fray and not choosing sides as some would hope you would to boost their own party's political popularity. I would be weary of those politicians who might would try to absorb your movement's energy as opposed to using it for the greater good. Although I am not an Obama supporter I am impressed that he actually mentions you by name and is aware of your movement. I just wanted to say to keep the wheel steady and keep trucking. You don't have to get caught up in the political partisan bickering and I am glad you choose not to. Thank you my pickens. I am willing to do whatever it takes to make your plan work.

August 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

Samuel Elliott

This is not a stricty Democratic or strictly Republican issue. Boone made that abundantly clear. Obamas plan is a pipe dream because even if American did resolve to conserve to the point he suggests, our rate of population growth and world wide growth of industrialization will cannot be supported at current production rates especialy if world wide oil production has peaked. I believe it has. First off... Americans dont like being told what to do. How many of you left wigers are gonna shelve your 6000 pound SUV and drive a small car? Not many I should think. The reality is we must change because "more" is "no more". We must adapt with what ever we have. Wind, Solar, NG, Nuke everything is on the table be cause the realiy is that it must be. If that means windmills in HyannisPort, Mr Kennedy, welcome to the new reality. If it means solar in the desert souwthwest, so be it. The Republican party will also respond because they will have no choice. ow the present future without a long range energy plan does not look pretty, but when you cant drive your 6000 pound SUV to work or to get groceries or pick up the kids at school and your AC no longer works and your lights go out it will look oh so much more inviting. Just the facts.

August 6th, 2008 at 2:16 pm

Norman E Welsh

I agree we should not bicker over this issue, whether it is about politics or personal preference about a green alternative to foreign oil. T. Boone is not bickering. I do agree however, that we need bypartisan government action to help our business community AND the consumer to speed the process of developing and implementing alternative energy methods. Without government involvement, it will take far to long to move to alternatives. The government actions however, should be only as a stimulus and not a permanent fixture. Go for it, ALL of us.

August 6th, 2008 at 2:46 pm

John Dougherty

This post is addressed to everyone trying to make this issue a political win for either party. STOP!!! Our journey to Energy Independence will not be realized by trusting a political party, Democratic or Republican; it will be the result of a grass-roots movement that holds elected politicians accountable to OUR collective will. T. Boone has started a dialog. Nothing will kill his plan faster than individuals politicizing the discussion will. Neither John McCain nor Barack Obama owns the problems or the solutions. We need to make it clear that we expect result from our elected officials. Demand details, not sound bites. Reject negative Ad’s, and make this an issue when you receive a telephone survey, if your affiliated with a political party make it known that you’ll break from the party and vote based on this one issue. Simply stated CHOOSE to be A Part of the Solution.

August 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

Paul Harrington

We could significantly reduce our dependence on foriegn oil immediately by cutting out the waste, conserving more and implementing alternative forms of transportation that are ready and waiting for the same assistance that we have given the oil companies for years. If we reduced waste alone we could probably make a tremendous reduction. Oil companies are making outrageous profits and we're complaining but who can blame them. We are doing nothing to cut back and they are taking advantage of our indisretion. Drilling for oil offshore or in Alaska is only going to help fill the pockets of the oil companies even more, at the sametime do little to reduce our dependency. I heard a talk show program on a North Carolina radio station where a group is retrofiting used small cars with electric motors and lithium batteries and getting more than a 100 mile range. And their doing this for just a few thousand dollars per vehicle. If we want alternatives, would like to reduce our dependence on oil and lower our transportation cost, we can do it. We just need to end the debates, stop the whining and DO IT. Just look at what we did in the midst of the depression.

August 6th, 2008 at 4:46 pm

Ralph Hill

I think Mr Pickens has a terriffic idea with his plan. As some have stated, so what if he makes a profit, he is using his money. I read in the Plan that the wind farm in Texas cost over 2 billion dollars. Thats billion with a "B". Exactly how long do you think he will have to run that installlation before he begins to see a return on his investment. I may be wrong, but I don't think it will happen in his lifetime. Go T Boone, I'm with you!!!!!!

August 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm

Vince Cooper

"We have to ask ourselves why? Why is it our government can’t be like a lot of governments around the world an ascertain in advance there is going to be a problem and start working on it before the problem becomes a crises, and the answer is, we have a reactionary government and not a proactive government." Michael - Because most of those other governments haven't sold their soles to corporate interests, and Oil interests are at the head of the feeding trough.

August 6th, 2008 at 6:20 pm

mdughman

I keep reading comments towards Mr. Pickens plan as being "a drop in the bucket". I have an idea, let's just leave "the bucket" empty so we can all set around and bitch about it twenty years from now. C'mon folks, let's get started someplace so at least we can complain in hindsight...

August 6th, 2008 at 6:41 pm

Mickey

I am investing in lithium titanate nanotechnology currently.... I am investing in solar manufacturing for PVs.... I am on board to challenge the gas stations to be part of the electrical grid infrastructure to power EV cars. I am tired of waiting on government to do nothing -- I am investing in the companies that are going to take us past the current gas/oil monopolies for energy. This is a CAPITALISTIC

August 6th, 2008 at 6:44 pm

Mickey

market that can work if we just get the DO NOTHING legislators out of the way.

August 6th, 2008 at 7:18 pm

Hartwell Thomas Rainey, IV

It is my understanding that you are the third largest contributor to the Obama campaign. Is this true? Thank you.

August 6th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

Michael Winkler

As a consultant who has worked in the oil and gas industry as well as alternative energy segments I am very interested in Pickens' overall stated goals. However I would add one additional energy source which would be Nuclear. Given our current growing dependence on foreign oil as well as the rising costs associated with both natural gas and coal that we use for our primary energy/electricity production, we cannot afford to discount the contribution which nuclear can play in our energy future. I see both natural gas and nuclear power as plan B's and the plan C's are a combination of energy sources such as wind, solar as well as those sources undiscovered. The fact of the matter is, Natural gas is in decline in the U.S. and we can probably suck an additional decade out of this resource for either primary power generation or switched over to fuel for cars as Pickens suggest, however this is only a stop-gap measure. Peak oil and gas is most definately upon us given that we have not found any significant oil and gas fields in the last 30 years. We now use 4-5 barrells of oil for every barrell that we currently find. Granted we will most definately increase our drilling and exploration capacity but I think this will only delay our serious response to the most important crisis facing humanity today. We are in denial about Peak Oil and the longer we delay our response to this crisis, the more the world becomes increasing tethered to an oil-dependent society such as the U.S. and Europe has become. India and China are on their way, they are demanding the same level of lifestyle we currently have. To achieve the level of energy consumption that we have would require 4-6 Earth's. We are vastly overshooting our capacity to sustain our current trajectory. There are limits to growtth and the 21st century will be marked with vast decline if we do not powerdown. Otherwise we need to find a few other planets to continue this rapid cycle of endless growth :-) Winky

August 6th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

JOHN NYHAN

There is an oil BOOM RIGHT NOW in N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Montana and parts of Canada. It's called the Bakken Oil Formation and covers over 200,000 square miles. Please Google "Bakken Oil Formation" and then read press releases from these publically traded companies, symbols, EOG, CLR, and XTO. Oil is flowing today, not in 3 or 4 years!! N. Dakota had a record month in July pumping more oil than any month since 1984!! Marathon Oil is investing $1.5 billion in Bakken and smaller companies are scrambling for leases. Farmers are becoming overnight millionaires with royalties from only one or two wells!! Come on people, educate yourselves!! And remember, the Congressional ban on offshore drilling expires September 30. Write your Congressman and tell him or her that you will not vote for them in November unless the offshore ban comes to a vote before the Congressional session ends. Hold their feet to the fire !!!! John Nyhan Rocky River, OH

August 6th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

Boomers Bank » Blog Archive » The Weekly Pickens

[...] On Monday, Senator Barack Obama outlined his energy policy in a speech, mentioning T. Boone Pickens and the Pickens Plan in the process. Sen. Obama’s speech can be found here. T. Boone’s response can be found here. [...]

August 6th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

Andrew Southmayd

Hey guys. Don't obsess on whether this plan favors Republicans or Democrats. Mr. Pickens is financing this movement independently to steer clear of conventional politics and to hopefully enlist support from all perspectives. There are those who might be OK with off-shore drilling but fear any "comprehensive" plan which emphasizes drilling might pay only lip service to renewables. Similarly there are those who oppose comprehensive immigration reform only because they fear border security will not be adequately addressed even though in the final analysis a sensible guest worker program is probably needed. Making the most of all of the resources at home will, of course, be part of the final solution but a profound and irreversible commitment to renewable resources is the first and most difficult step. So when a candidate or business leader of any persuasion endorses the Pickens Plan in any way, Mr. Pickens must welcome that support.

August 7th, 2008 at 4:12 am

Joe

While drilling in new areas may not completely solve the problem, it can help with price volatility in the meanwhile and widespread use of alternative energy sources is still a little way off - so why not use it as a means to make it affordable until those energy sources become more widespread? There are car companies with fuel cell vehicles that are ready to go. If they work - why wouldn't we be finding the technologies to put them on the road? Honda is already leasing vehicles and BMW is in the wings - waiting for us to catch up. We need a hydrogen infrastructure and we are ready to have cars on the road that emit no CO2. While I think that this should have been done long ago - no one has moved to do a thing. As far as politicians, all we hear are speeches during campaigns while neither took any action to alleviate the problem while they were supposedly being paid to do a job in Congress. Both candidates sound like idiots on the matter. (Do you really think that McCain can be trusted to have changed his position and that Obama really polled everyone in America about their tire pressure to know how much oil it would save to pump them to the proper pressure?) Wind technology has been touted as the answer before, but while being praised by politicians - the "I don't want it in my backyard" attitude has prevailed. And it is not only politicians. There are municipalities that won't allow people to put up windmills on their own property because of neighbor complaints. And - I would like to know why, if natural gas is so plentiful, the price shot up when oil did and my heating bill went up considerably over the past few years? I have to do more research into this before I take the word of anyone that this is an answer to oil independence.

August 7th, 2008 at 6:50 am

JHolzhauser

Our founding fathers took huge risks to change our fate. Compromises had to be reached for the sake of all. I believe our "American ingenuity" can change the course of our energy policy and consumption patterns. Funding for experiential education programs based on fact for students in grade schools and high schools is the key to change.

August 7th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Peter

Why can't we consider Mr. Pickens' plan on the merits of the plan instead of politcal party bullshit? (I'd say "rhetoric" but that would be giving rhetoric a bad name!) FACT: We are spending too much money of foreign oil. FACT: The rising cost of energy has forced American jobs overseas. FACT: Nothing will change in America until consumers demand it (see HD TV). FACT: We have the technology to generate vast amounts of renewable energy. FACT: Disciplined people can do their small part to reduce fuel consumption. FACT: Too often, we are a "reactive" society rather than a "proactive" one. FACT: Less expensive is better than too expensive and $4 /gal is too expensive. FACT: Education, not debate, is key for success. FACT: We desperately need change and until someone comes along with a better plan - I'll support Mr. Pickens. Them's the facts! Lead, follow or get out of the way!

August 7th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

patrick "GB" harrison

If Americans want to do something immediately about their skyrocketing gas and diesel costs they should do the simplest thing there is to do, and that is take personal responsibility for increasing MPG while automatically reducing tailpipe emissions. The entire story is here: www.1530MPG.com My wife and I have been using this system for 2 years now and collectively we are saving 18% to 22% (all stats very since our government has mandated our state, Oregon, use the 10% Ethanol which is fouling our fuel filters faster than ever before making it necessary to change them every other month or sooner) on our fuel costs. And this works with any kind of fuel in any kind of combustion engine. It works so well that 3 cities in Florida are now using it in all of their vehicles and the INDY Lite races have mandated use of it there as well. It's the cheapest, easiest, safest way to take personal responsibility to decrease our dependency on foreign oil and clean up our environment before other do. I am starting the American Gaskickers Association to get all Americans united once again and show the world we mean business, and we are not going to stand by while our representatives in Congress continue to pork barrel their way to riches on our hard earned money and do nothing about this serious condition that anyone could have seen coming years ago, especially those closest to the problem. My co-author and I wrote a kid's book, WHO SAYS KIDS CAN'T FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING, to help our nine to twelve year olds establish better fuel habits that include safe and environment friendly decisions when it comes to personal transportation choices. Our book became a #1 Amazon Best Seller in Earth Sciences, Ecology and Environment categories on October 7, 2007 at 7PM PDT. Anyone buying a copy will get a LIFETIME 20% Discount on the system that we use to save money on fuel and help clean our environment while doing so. It is a WIN, WIN, WIN!

August 9th, 2008 at 7:32 am

Bill Gausman

Patrick GB harrison, I know you are trying to sell something. You should really keep your comments factual, though. While I am not a fan of ethanol for fuel, our state, MN, has mandated 10% in our fuel for many years. I have burned nothing but E10 for 12 years, driving over 40K miles per year, and have yet to replace a fuel filter. Nobody I know has had a fuel filter problem any different than they had before E10. Sorry, but that's the facts. On topic, though, I admire Mr. Pickens for standing up and doing what is right. We all have to stand up and do what is right, too. Pickens is working on the supply side, but there is no way a wind farm can get us caught up. Our job is to work on the demand side. When supply can be increased and demand decreased, we can get to the desired independence sooner. How do we do our part? There are a lot of things we can do. With our cars... Slow down on the highway. Keep tire pressures in range. Follow at longer distances. Stay off the brakes. When it is time to replace a vehicle, choose efficiency. With our homes... Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent. When you take a shower, turn the water off when you soap up and scrub down, and turn it back on to rinse. Wake up a little early, open the windows, and let the cool night air help your daily air conditioning load. Learn to tolerate room temperatures that are a little warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter. When it is time to replace windows, choose higher insulating values. When it is time to replace siding, take the opportunity to add substantial insulation underneath the new siding. And beware of the scammers. There is no such thing as something for nothing. There is nothing that gets more energy out of fuel than there is in the fuel. Money spent on scammers is money that is not available to do the real work like buying better windows or insulation. Similarly, beware of the politicians. If one tells you that he has the power to fix this, either he is God or he is lying. It will take all of us working together.

August 9th, 2008 at 3:07 pm

Jon

I like that someone at least has a plan, but I do see a handful of failings in this plan: First and foremost, transmitting electricity over distance causes a dramatic loss of power. Building these wind farms in BFE on the great plains means that by the time power is transmitted to large population centers we will only end up with 20% to 40% of what we generate. If we only use this power locally - say OKC or Wichita - all that will do is put the local power producer out of business. So we might end up burning less coal, but that will not effect our use of foreign oil. Second, "the grand conversion" to CNG cars is not something people can do cheaply or will happen quickly. Nor can we expect companies currently using natural gas for (electric) power generation to willingly abandon their enterprise just "because Pickens says so". Unless the government is going to buy-out these electricity producers (with our tax dollars), I'm sure they will NEED/WANT to stay in business. The other thing that concerns me is that Pickens currently owns the water rights directly under where he wants to build his string of wind farms. He has created a government "water district" that allows him to pump the water from these areas and sell it to the Dallas Ft Worth area. Which indicates a very ulterior motive behind the wind farms. I'm OK with an ulterior agenda - if it really elevates our oil dependence - but there are some big holes in this simple plan.

August 10th, 2008 at 11:24 am

Mike Green

Garrett - there are specifics from McCain. He wants to build 700 nuclear power plants. It will create a hybrid relationship between private energy companies and our government. Hasn't that been a winning combination for America? He could care less that nuclear is the most expensive form of energy production. I have seen total costs from .11 cents to .29 cents/KWh. This brings me to the cost of alternative electricity. I have seen a range of Wind costs from .5-.8cents/KWh for wind. This lends itself to individuals and small operators assisting the middle class owner participation. The same is even more so when it come to solar. The most recent costs projections from Nanosolar and Sunrgi are .5cents/KWh or a buck per watt wholesale. McCain's idea is an accommodation to Big Energy to the exclusion of the working class. Any surprise there from the GOP? I do want to leap into the Pickens Plan. He does have history that braces me with more than a little skepticism. Right off the bat, I hear the Solar words mouthed but not a single reference to it when you go to the site. Why is that? The skeptic in me wonders if it has anything to do with Mr. Picken's investment portfolio being ensconced in Gas and Wind and some oil I presume. One shouldn't say Wind is more efficient giving it preeminence over solar. Nanosolar's cost to manufacture Photo Voltaics' is now .30cents per watt. So you can see, in the infancy of their enterprise they already show potential to reduce Solar electricity below .5cents/KWh Bottom line: McCain is like Bush, on the wrong track. Pickens ought to be more inclusive or he will lose the individual and small business minded people once they understand he is steering us to another condition of total dominance and control by big business. Pain to convert? I don't think so. With the subsidies in place for homeowners and small businesses it very cheap to install PVs adaquate produce an equivalent to ones electric bill, in Florida. This should not be a secret.

August 12th, 2008 at 5:34 am

Taylor J. Smith

We should think of foreign oil as heroin. If it can not be immediately outlawed, at least a $100/barrel tariff should be slapped on it. Is oil money being used to support the Russian invasion of Georgia? Will young Americans be dyibg for oil in the Kazakh War of 2020? With 70% of the oil we use coming from abroad, it is madness to feed our oil addiction by using more oil. The Pickens Plan is a way out. As Mr. Pickens said last night (8-11-08) on the News Hour, we could reduce our oil consumption by 30% within 5 years just by converting trucks to liquified natural gas.

August 29th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

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August 30th, 2008 at 11:47 am

Patti Runchey

Finally!! Someone in a position to influence is standing up to THE number one problem in the US. I say, you go Mr. Pickens!... and I will follow... and every other person who cares at all about the future of our planet better do the same. It is not a political issue...though I've not heard either one of them 'take the bull by the horns'. A lot of beating around the bush (excuse the pun)... but no real plan. Think of an independent America... free of dependence on countries that would just as soon blow us to bits given the opportunity... using our own money to do so!! We say we are leaders of the world? By what measure? War and conquering? We need to lead by example...set ourselves free. We say we are a free country but we are not. We are enslaved... and it is time to liberate ourselves much like we did in 1776. The names of the players have changed, but the game is the same. And no, freedom is not free. It will take time and resources to change... but it will never get done unless we start... I say no time like the present!

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In Response to Today’s Energy Speech From Sen. Barack Obama

Comments100 Responses to “In Response to Today’s Energy Speech From Sen. Barack Obama”

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