The September Oil Import numbers have been released and the news is not good. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the U.S. Department of Energy we imported 357 million barrels of oil in September at a cost of $25 billion. We imported 63 percent of the oil we required in September which is up three percentage points from August’s totals.

T. Boone Pickens, through the Pickens Plan, has been reporting on the monthly oil numbers since December 2008 to help publicize the enormous financial, economic, environmental and national security impact our continued dependence on foreign oil represents.

In the press release about the monthly oil import numbers, Boone said,

“Continuously importing 60-70 percent of our oil each month is a major national security risk.

“On an annualized basis, we’re sending almost a quarter of a trillion dollars to help the economies of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Venezuela instead of sending it to the economies of our own states abundant in natural gas—the only immediately available domestic fuel alternative.

“Americans can’t afford to be distracted by falling gasoline prices.”

The single most important piece of legislation now in Congress to address our continued dependence on foreign oil is the NAT GAS Act which is H.R. 1835 in the U.S. House and S. 1408 in the U.S. Senate.

In the importance of this legislation, Boone said,

“In 1960 there were less than 75 million passenger vehicles on America’s roads—that number is now over 250 million. Nearly all of them run on imported gasoline or diesel.

“Taxis, 18-wheelers, municipal and school buses, state and municipal cars, express delivery trucks, and utility fleets are all prime candidates to take advantage of the NAT GAS Act. We must get on our own resources.”

The House bill has 89 bi-partisan co-sponsors. The Senate Bill was introduced by four Senators – Two Republicans and Two Democrats including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev). Action is expected during this Session of Congress.

– The Pickens Team

Continues to Import 65% of Oil Supply

Pickens Warns Western Leaders of Risks if Dependence Continues

Denver, CO – August 13, 2009 – Speaking as a special guest at the Project New West Summit, energy expert T. Boone Pickens updated Western senators, governors and state leaders on the level of foreign oil imported by the United States in July 2009.

Pickens said that based on the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), the U.S. imported 65 percent of its oil, or 374 million barrels in July 2009, sending approximately $24 billion, or $537,381 per minute, overseas to foreign governments.

“While no one wants to see our country spending $24 billion a month on foreign oil, what’s most frightening is that we are still importing 65 percent of our supply, threatening national security,” Pickens said.  “But there is an answer to breaking our addiction to foreign oil and it starts with natural gas.  Natural gas is cleaner, cheaper and there is enough of it in the U.S. to meet our energy needs for the next 100 years.  Using our own natural resources will not only reduce our dependence on foreign oil, it will also create jobs and strengthen America’s economic security.”

Pickens’ comments come on the heels of a public policy white paper this week from the Center for American Progress (CAP) and the Energy Future Coalition that urges wider use of natural gas as a fuel for America’s heavy duty trucks and fleets to offset foreign oil and diesel use. The report, written by CAP President and CEO John Podesta and former U.S. Senator Timothy Wirth from Colorado, said recent technology advancements have created an unprecedented opportunity to use natural gas, which emits 25 percent less carbon dioxide than gasoline and diesel, as a bridge fuel for the 21st century.

“This is especially relevant to Coloradans,” Pickens said.  “According to the EIA, seven of the nation’s 100 largest natural gas fields are found in Colorado, giving this state a chance to be one of the leading providers of this great resource.  We’re not there yet, but with legislation like the NAT GAS Act, which provides incentives to use natural gas as a transportation fuel, we can see our goal of energy independence moving closer.”

The NAT GAS Act of 2009, H.R. 1835, was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 1 and has 77 bipartisan cosponsors.  The Senate version of this bill, S. 1408, was introduced on July 8 by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT).

Since January 2009, the U.S. has imported more than 2.6 billion barrels of oil.  A study released in June by the Potential Gas Committee, a group of academics and industry specialists supported by the Colorado School of Mines, estimates that we have more than 2,000 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves.

Dallas, TX, June 18, 2009 – T. Boone Pickens offered the following statement today in response to the release of a study by the Potential Gas Committee estimating that natural gas reserves have surged by 35 percent.

“Today’s report substantiates what I’ve been saying for years: there’s plenty of natural gas in the U.S.  I launched the Pickens Plan a year ago to help reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and using our abundant supply of natural gas as a transition fuel for fleet vehicles and heavy-duty trucks is a key element of that plan.  On the same day this report is going out, diesel prices are again on the rise, squeezing the trucking industry.  Now more than ever we need to take action to enact energy reform that will immediately reduce oil imports.

“The 2,074 trillion cubic feet of domestic natural gas reserves cited in the study is the equivalent of nearly 350 billion barrels of oil, about the same as Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves.

“Legislation like H.R. 1835– The NAT GAS Act– provides the incentives and long-term stability to make the move from imported oil, diesel and gasoline to domestic natural gas, enabling major corporations, municipalities operating fleets, and individual owner-operators the option to buy American at the pump.”

U.S. Sent $21.6 Billion Overseas and Imported 366 Million Barrels of Oil in May 2009

Dallas – June 5, 2009 –Today energy expert T. Boone Pickens provided his sixth consecutive monthly update on the level of United States’ oil importation.

Pickens said that based on the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), the U.S. imported 65 percent of its oil, or 366 million barrels, in May 2009, sending approximately $21.6 billion, or $484,087 per minute, overseas to foreign governments.

“If you’ve opened a paper or turned on the news this week, the bankruptcy filing of General Motors has dominated the headlines,” said Pickens, architect of the Pickens Plan to reduce dependence on foreign oil.  “While there were many mitigating factors that contributed to its demise, I can’t help but point out that GM, along with the rest of the U.S. automakers, failed to keep up with innovations widely adopted elsewhere across the globe that could help wean this country off its oil addiction.  I hope that as the company restructures under the watchful eye of the U.S. government it will make serious investments in developing vehicles that run on fuels such as natural gas that are available in this country, in addition to the investment in electric cars.  Our staggering dependence on foreign oil is responsible for more than two-thirds of our trade deficit, and it’s killing our economy and putting our national security at risk; the automakers need to take some responsibility for getting us to this crisis point and participate in the solution of this critical issue. “

For the first five months of this year, the U.S. has imported 1.874 billion barrels, after spending approximately $475 billion on imported oil in 2008.

Pickens continued, “My army of more than 1.5 million Americans understands the threat importing nearly 70 percent of oil has on our national security and economy.  President Obama has continually said that he is committed to significantly reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil during his term. We cannot waste anymore time, we need true energy reform now. I am confident that we will see Congress tackle important legislation in the coming months addressing the energy crisis.

“It remains critical to track our progress as a country as we work to reduce the amount of oil we import. I will continue to highlight our foreign oil dependence number every month, and I hope that we soon see a significant reduction.”

U.S. Sent $18 Billion Overseas and Imported 386 Million Barrels of Oil in March 2009

Washington, DC– April 2, 2009 –On the second of the three day Pickens Plan Virtual March on Washington, energy executive T. Boone Pickens provided his fourth consecutive monthly update on the level of United States’ imports of foreign oil.  Speaking directly to his New Energy Army and participants in the Virtual March through a video message, Pickens stressed the importance of reducing oil dependency, urging action by pushing Washington to enact true energy reform immediately (Pickens’ web message can be found at www.pickensplan.com).

Pickens said that based on the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), the U.S. imported 65 percent of its oil, or 386 million barrels in March 2009, sending approximately $18 billion, or $403,226 per minute, overseas to foreign governments.

“Millions of Americans are joining me and 32 other partner organizations from the private and public sector and other advocacy groups in a historic Virtual March on Washington to encourage our leaders to develop and enact a real energy policy that reduces our dependence on foreign oil,” said Pickens. “Last month alone, we sent $18 billion overseas, importing 386 million barrels of oil. If we had a real and sensible energy policy, we could keep that money here in the U.S., enabling us to hire over a million new teachers, or to create the broadband infrastructure needed to connect every household and business in the country, or to even restore the National Mall. We must harness our domestic resources to keep the money we spend on energy overseas right here instead, creating jobs and building important projects for America.”

Key elements of the Pickens Plan that called for expanded use of renewable energy and the development of a new national power grid were included in the stimulus legislation proposed by President Obama and passed by Congress. Yesterday, Pickens appeared with Congressmen Boren, Larson, and Sullivan on Capitol Hill to unveil the NAT GAS Act of 2009, which will provide immediate incentives and long term stability to expand the use of domestic fuels, to replace foreign oil/diesel/gasoline– a significant focus of The Pickens Plan.

In February, the U.S. imported 62 percent of its oil, or 339 million barrels.  In total, the U.S. spent approximately $475 billion on imported oil in 2008.

Pickens continued, “Last month, AT&T made a significant commitment to reducing foreign oil dependency by announcing it would replace 8,000 vehicles in its fleet to run on natural gas.  The NAT GAS Act introduced yesterday in the House will incentivize major companies, municipalities, and owner-operators alike to follow suit. With the public and private sectors working together, we can and will reduce foreign oil imports and get closer to energy independence.”

###

Washington, DC, April 1, 2009 – T. Boone Pickens offered the following statement of support for H.R. 1835, the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act, which was introduced today by Congressmen Dan Boren, John Larson, and John Sullivan.

“I applaud Congressmen Boren, Larson, and Sullivan for introducing the NAT GAS Act today.  In doing so, they’re showing that a bi-partisan approach to energy policy is not only possible, but do-able.

“America’s national and economic security depends on moving off foreign oil as quickly as possible. Natural gas is the cleanest, most abundant, most economical domestic fuel to replace imported diesel.  The U.S. has enough natural gas reserves to last us more than 118 years—we should turn to it as an immediate replacement for foreign oil in fleets and heavy duty vehicles.  A battery can’t move an 18-wheeler—the technology isn’t there yet.  Natural gas buys us a bridge to the future.

“The NAT GAS Act will provide the immediate incentives and long-term stability for companies to seriously move from imported diesel and gasoline to domestic natural gas.  Last month, AT&T announced a program to replace 8,000 vehicles—or one fifth of its fleet—to run on natural gas.  I know that this legislation will motivate many others, from major corporations and municipalities operating fleets to individual owner-operators, to choose a truly American fuel at the pump.”

Owens Corning, American Electric Power, and AutoNation Lead the Way

March 18, 2009 –Dallas– Oil executive T. Boone Pickens has joined forces with some of America’s leading corporations in the fight against energy dependency.  Owens Corning, American Electric Power (AEP), and AutoNation have pledged their support and are leading the way in implementing parts of the Pickens Plan.

The Pickens Plan calls for building out our nation’s capacity to produce electricity from wind and solar farms in the Great Plains and the Southwest.  The plan also calls for improved energy efficiency in homes and commercial buildings.  Forty percent of this country’s energy is consumed by buildings.  Collectively, these actions would relieve the need for using natural gas as an electricity production fuel and allow it to be used as a transportation fuel, especially for heavy trucks and fleet vehicles.

“It’s amazing to watch so many companies embrace the Pickens Plan so quickly,” Pickens said.  “American Electric Power has proven to be a leader in the development of a transmission system that facilitates the expanded use of renewable electricity generation.  Owens Corning is producing the materials that enable green applications like wind energy and PINK fiberglass insulation for homes.  Just last week AT&T committed to upgrade 8,000 of its fleet vehicles to run on natural gas over the next five years. If more companies follow suit and use domestic natural gas as a substitute for imported gasoline and diesel fuel, we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil by 50 percent over the next decade.”

“T. Boone Pickens has invested considerable time and resources developing a plan to help maximize the use of domestic energy resources and reduce dependence on foreign oil,” said Michael G. Morris, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer.  “American Electric Power is proud to work beside him as we advocate for and help develop the transmission system needed to efficiently transport electricity to support economic development and energy security.”

“Reducing the amount of foreign oil this country uses will not only help the economy by keeping American dollars here, it is also essential for national security,” AutoNation Chairman and CEO Mike Jackson said.  “T. Boone Pickens recognizes that the time to act is now and I am proud to join him in his mission to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

The Pickens Pledge reads:

We will no longer stand by and watch as America’s national security and economy become more dependent on the unstable foreign nations that we rely on for nearly 70% of the oil we use each day.

We spend nearly $700 billion every year buying foreign oil, which represents the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of mankind.

The new President and the 111th Congress need to enact an energy plan that reduces our foreign oil dependence by at least 30% within ten years.

This plan must include proven American technology and resources; the development of new energy sources; and the expansion and modernization of the national electrical grid to transport renewable energy to homes and businesses.

Delaying any further means tacit support for continuing America’s addiction to foreign oil.

I join with T. Boone Pickens and his army of supporters in calling for an Energy Independence Plan to be enacted within the first 100 days of the new administration.

Upgrade will take place over the next five years

Dallas, TX, March 11, 2009 – T. Boone Pickens offered the following statement today supporting AT&T’s decision to upgrade 8,000 of its fleet vehicles to run on natural gas over the next five years:

“I have long believed that reducing our dependence on foreign oil and securing America’s energy future requires more than action in Washington, but strong leadership from the private sector. AT&T’s decision today to upgrade 8,000 of its fleet vehicles to run on natural gas is a demonstration of real American corporate leadership that will be good for their bottom line, the environment and the country.  AT&T recognizes that our reliance on foreign oil is one of the greatest threats to our national security—hopefully others will follow their lead.

“One of America’s largest companies has studied the issue and is making a change.  This action should send a strong signal to other companies and to our leaders in Washington that not only is switching to natural gas vehicles the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Smart American companies can be green and profitable and they don’t have to trade one for the other. AT&T is to be commended for its efforts and the example they are setting for the rest of the country.

“With Congress considering energy legislation in the coming days and months, I am continuing my call to implement a real national energy policy that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil through natural gas in our transportation system and rebuild our energy grid to tap into renewable sources of energy like wind and solar. This effort will create jobs, will make the nation’s economy stronger, will clean up the environment and will make us a better, safer and more independent nation.”

I want to take a few minutes and tell you about how the Pickens Plan is starting to have a real impact.

This morning, Randall Stephenson, Chairman and CEO of AT&T made an important announcement - a very important announcement.

AT&T is going to replace 17 percent of its fleet - which is one of the largest in America - with vehicles running on natural gas and other renewable fuels. They are going to purchase 8,000 truck chassis built an U.S. automaker and then they’ll work with domestic suppliers to convert those chassis to run on natural gas.

AT&T will also be working with natural gas suppliers to build the fueling facilities they will need for these vehicles.

Here’s what you need to know: A big portion of AT&T’s fleet is going to domestic natural gas and is using vehicles built in America to do it.

AT&T is also going to replace some 7,100 cars which are running on gasoline with cars using battery and other alternative sources. When this is done, AT&T will have one of the largest alternative fueled fleets in history.

When a company the size and reputation of AT&T takes a leadership role like this, you know that other companies - large and small - are going to sit up straight and take a good hard look. AT&T isn’t in the business of losing money, so this kind of investment in a domestic transportation fuel has to have a positive impact on their bottom line. It is also better for the environment and better for America because every gallon-equivalent of natural gas AT&T vehicles burn is a gallon of diesel or gasoline we don’t have to import from the Middle East, Africa or Venezuela.

I believe this is going to be a big momentum play. When other fleet operators put their transportation teams on this, you’re going to see a major shift away from imported diesel and onto domestic natural gas.

– Boone

AMERICANS UNITE TO VIRTUALLY MARCH ON WASHINGTON FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

T. Boone Pickens to Lead “Pickens New Energy Army” and Other Americans In Effort to Make One Million Impressions on Congress and Obama Administration; Seizing Unprecedented Opportunity to Make the U.S. Energy Independent and Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil

March 10, 2009 – Oil executive T. Boone Pickens today announced that he is organizing a Virtual March on Washington D.C. for Energy Independence on April 1-3, 2009. In three days that will change America forever, Pickens is calling on the “Pickens New Energy Army” and other Americans to reach out to Congress, asking them to take action now to develop a comprehensive U.S. energy plan that will make the country energy independent and reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. During this period, virtual marchers will call, email, fax and personally meet with members of Congress and their staffs with the goal of taking over one million actions to stress the importance of a comprehensive national energy reform that will encourage energy conservation and efficiency, and make the nation safer, cleaner and energy independent.

Owens Corning, a world leader in building materials systems and glass fiber reinforcements, American Electric Power (AEP) owner of the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), representing hundreds of wind energy advocates from around the world, AutoNation, the world’s largest automotive retailer, selling nearly 450,000 vehicles a year and servicing 5 million customers, Genmar Holdings, Inc, the largest privately held recreational boat manufacturer in the world, and FLW Outdoors, the world’s largest and most prestigious tournament fishing organization, along with a dozen other organizations, will support Pickens in the virtual march on Washington.

“Achieving energy independence and reducing our dependence on foreign oil are not partisan problems; they are American problems, and the Pickens New Energy Army is committed to supporting a national energy plan that will help save this nation and rebuild our economy,” Pickens said. “Americans are united and the Pickens New Energy Army is motivated and passionate about delivering the message that after 40 years, the time is now to put a plan in place and to end America’s staggering addiction to foreign oil. Along with our partners, we are going to rally Americans to deliver that message to Congress. There has never been a virtual march of this magnitude and we are certain it will leave a strong impression on Washington. The time to act is now.”

The Pickens New Energy Army has a large, active supporter base on its own social network, http://push.pickensplan.com, as well as other social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more information about the Virtual March, please visit http://www.pickensplan.com/virtualmarch/.

T. Boone Pickens appeared on CNBC today and predicted oil prices would rise to $75 by the end of 2009 “and then, if the world’s economy recovers” go up from there.

He reiterated his position that the world oil production is now capped at 85 million barrels a day. When the economy was at full steam “we were using 87 million barrels a day,” Boone said. “If the economies recover then oil prices will go right back up” due to supply and demand.

Boone talked about the Monthly Oil Import Numbers he has been releasing each month since December. “In February we imported 62 percent of our oil,” he reported. “That percentage was 66 percent in December and 67 percent in January. We spent $13 billion on foreign oil in February,” Boone said. “That is $328,000 per hour sent to foreign governments.”

Pickens predicted that oil prices are steadily rising because “OPEC needs the money” to fund their internal programs. “I’ll predict that you’ll see 60 [dollars per barrel] before you see 40.”

Pickens was speaking at the ECOnomics conference in California which was sponsored by the Wall Street Journal.

To see the CNBC coverage of Boone’s interview and watch the clip, click HERE.

– The Pickens Team

The Energy Debate Heats Up in Washington

U.S. Sent $13 Billion Overseas and Imported 339 Million Barrels of Oil in February 2009

Santa Barbara, CA – March 5, 2009 – Speaking at The Wall Street Journal’s ECOnomics conference, today energy expert T. Boone Pickens provided his third consecutive monthly update on the level of United States’ imports of foreign oil, at the same time that President Obama and Congress begin to forge a national energy policy.

Pickens said that based on the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), the U.S. imported 62 percent of its oil, or 339 million barrels in February 2009, sending approximately $13 billion, or $328,709 per minute, overseas to foreign governments.

“The stimulus package, the President’s new budget, and the national energy debate are underway across the country, and for the first time in 40 years, there is a serious discussion about how we get this country more energy independent,” said Pickens. “Last month alone, we imported nearly 339 million barrels of oil at a cost of $13 billion, streaming revenue overseas and in many cases, filling the national treasuries of dictators and governments whose interests are not aligned with the United States’.  At the same time, our own economy is in crisis.  For America to recover from this recession, to save existing jobs and to create new jobs that will keep up with advancing technologies, we must harness our domestic energy resources and get off of foreign oil.  The Pickens Plan is the way there.”

Key elements of the Pickens Plan that called for expanded use of renewable energy and the development of a new national power grid were included in the recent stimulus legislation proposed by President Obama and passed by Congress. The second phase of the plan, expanding the use of domestic fuels such as natural gas, to replace foreign oil/diesel/gasoline, is expected to be a key focus of an energy plan.

In January, the U.S. imported 67.4 percent of its oil, up from 66.5 percent in December 2008.  In total, the U.S. spent approximately $475 billion on imported oil in 2008.

Pickens continued, “The good news is that we have a President who has repeatedly said that he is committed to substantially decreasing foreign oil imports during his term.  I believe that he wants to do this. I will continue to publish the monthly import numbers to track our progress and hope that soon we will start to see a reduction in how much foreign oil we import.”

Stimulus Provides A Start for Energy Investment But More Needs to Be Done to Reduce Nation’s Dependence on Foreign Oil and to Develop Serious Energy Policy

Dallas, TX, February 17, 2009 - T. Boone Pickens offered the following comment today on the progress made on energy policy and investment through President Obama’s signing of the economic stimulus legislation:

“The stimulus has made some important progress through investments in renewable energy, the funding to rebuild our nation’s transmission grid and on conservation.  These are certainly an important part of the Pickens Plan.  It will create jobs and will move the country in the right direction on our energy policy.  But as I have said previously, this is only a start.”

“We must continue to focus on reducing our dependence on foreign oil and the only way to do that is using our abundant supply of domestic fuels in transportation.  We must tap into the potential of natural gas and until we do that, then we are not close to solving our problem.  I will continue my efforts and am focusing the more than 1.4 million members of the Pickens Army to deliver the message on foreign oil to the leadership in Washington, particularly as it moves forward with energy legislation in the coming months.”

For the third straight year, the Honda GX – a car which runs on compressed natural gas – has been named the “greenest car” for sale in America by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

The ACEEE, according to MSN.com is “dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of protecting the environment and strengthening the economy.”

It ranked the top 12 energy efficient vehicles and found that the GX’s “combination of high efficiency and near-zero emissions makes it the cleanest vehicles on the road today, scoring 57 points from ACEEE.”

The three hybrids in the “Clean Dozen” ranked second (Toyota Prius), third (Honda Civic) and 12th (Toyota Camry Hybrid) all scored behind the Honda GX.

To read the entire article and to see the chart of the top 12 cleanest cars, click HERE.

– The Pickens Team

Joining Together Historic Group of Leaders to Tackle National Energy Policy

NCEP to Set Goal of Developing Key Principles for U.S. Energy Policy

Washington, DC, February 13, 2009 – The Center for American Progress Action Fund today released the formal agenda and the participants in “National Clean Energy Project: Building the New Economy” forum on Monday, February 23, 2009 at the Newseum in Washington, DC. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a longtime champion of building a clean energy economy, is honorary chair.

The National Clean Energy Project includes a distinguished panel of participants.  President Bill Clinton will address the panelists. Vice President Al Gore will address the panelists and join the discussion.

The event will kick off with opening remarks from former U.S. Senator and United Nations Foundation President Timothy Wirth followed by brief comments from the Honorary Chairman of the event, Senator Reid, Vice President Al Gore, as well as by business leader and clean energy advocate T. Boone Pickens and Center for American Progress Action Fund President John Podesta.  These speakers will touch on the key themes of the forum, including over coming clean energy infrastructure challenges, and reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion among the invited participants moderated by Mr. Wirth.  The discussion will focus on guiding the transformation of our nation’s energy policies with particular attention on modernizing the electricity grid, integrating energy efficiency and distributed generation into its operation and regulation, rapidly increasing transmission capacity for renewable energy and reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil through natural gas, plug-in hybrids and batteries in the transportation and distribution system.

The National Clean Energy Project builds on the August 2008 “National Clean Energy Summit” sponsored by Senator Reid, the Center for American Progress Action Fund, the University of Nevada Las Vegas.   The participants in the summit concluded that inadequate access to transmission was one of the most significant barriers to widespread development of renewable energy.

The goal of this forum will be to discuss the best, most cost-effective options to “green the grid” and lay the groundwork for a broad national consensus between as many key stakeholders as possible on a clean energy agenda that will reduce emissions, increase reliability and affordability, and make us more secure and competitive. This important event will influence the development of a new and better national energy policy and should help speed its adoption.

Among the list of confirmed participants in the roundtable are many top leaders in government, business, labor and non-government organizations including:

-     Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
-     Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar
-     Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
-     House Energy Independence and Global Warming Select Committee Chair Ed Markey (D-MA)
-     Senate Energy and Water Subcommittee Chairman, Appropriations Committee Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
-     Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Acting Chairman Jon Wellinghoff
-     Former Governor George Pataki (R-NY)
-     Owens-Corning CEO Michael Thaman
-     Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and Former CEO Lee Scott
-     American Electric Power President & CEO Mike Morris
-     Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope
-     Riverkeeper Alliance Chief Prosecuting Attorney Robert Kennedy, Jr.
-     American Wind Energy Association CEO Denise Bode
-     National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners President Fred Butler
-     Green for All Founder and President Van Jones
-     Service Employees International Unions President Andy Stern
-     U.S. Green Building Council President & CEO Rick Fedrizzi
-     Sea Change Foundation President Nat Simons

Comments from Participants:

“On February 23rd, the best minds on energy and the environment will come together to tackle critical issues that are necessary to achieve energy policy transformation in this country,” Senator Reid said.  “This forum will build on the discussion that was started back in August at the National Clean Energy Summit, where we gained valuable insight on the hurdles preventing America from becoming energy independent, including a grid that does not provide enough access to transmission and the need to tap one of our own domestic resources natural gas in the transportation and distribution system in our country.  In bringing together these top energy leaders, we can identify solutions that will accelerate the development of a comprehensive and effective energy policy in this country.”

“This a great opportunity to build upon the conversation Senator Harry Reid started during his National Clean Energy Summit last summer in Las Vegas. If we resolve ourselves, we will create a clean energy revolution that will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, strengthen our economy, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and oil and save our planet,” Gore said. “I look forward to working with Senator Reid, Secretary Chu, Secretary Salazar and the New Administration on aggressively pursuing a Clean Energy agenda.”

“We need to show the country that we are serious about establishing a national energy plan.  This forum will propel the discussion and build momentum around a core set of clean energy objectives, including greening the grid and reducing our reliance on foreign oil.” Podesta said.

“America is dependent on foreign oil, there’s no question about it.  But there are several things we can do to change that and The National Clean Energy Project will bring these solutions to the forefront,” Pickens said.  “I look forward to being part of the discussion as we examine alternative energy sources, including wind, solar and natural gas and find ways to overcome the barriers that have been standing in our way up to this point.  America can break its dependence on foreign oil and this forum with top energy leaders is a great step in making sure that happens.”

About the National Clean Energy Project

Convened by the Center for American Progress Action Fund President John Podesta the event will focus on modernizing and expanding the electricity grid, integrating energy efficiency and distributed generation into operation and regulation, rapidly increasing transmission capacity for renewable energy and reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil by examining short- and long-term solutions to replace foreign oil with domestic resources to fuel vehicles and trucks, including natural gas. The Honorary Chairman for the event will be Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

Additional Details on the National Clean Energy Project

DATE AND TIME:

Monday, February 23, 2009
10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

LOCATION:

Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

EVENT SCHEDULE:

10:15-10:35 AM  National Clean Energy Project: Building the New Economy (open to media, live audience of 100-150)
·     Opening Remarks and Participant Introductions: UN Foundation President Tim Wirth Moderator opens and introduces the table of participants
·     Remarks: Senator Harry Reid – Vision
·     Remarks: T. Boone Pickens – Dependence on Oil
·     Remarks: John Podesta – Challenge: Infrastructure

10:35 AM -12:30 PM Moderated Discussion of Primary Principles

·     Principle One – How do we build the modern electricity grid?
·     Principle Two – How do we reduce our reliance on foreign oil?

1:00 PM Press Conference – Presentation of Discussion and Common Principles