T. Boone Pickens, the founder of the Pickens Plan to reduce America’s dependence on OPEC oil, today issued a statement congratulating President Barack Obama on his Presidential memo which orders that that by December 31st 2015, all new light duty vehicles leased or purchased by agencies must be alternative fueled vehicles.

Boone’s statement read:

“I applaud President Obama for the Federal Fleet Memorandum issued today, calling for the use of alternative fuel vehicles in the Federal fleet. This is the leadership we need on this critically important issue - we simply have to get America off OPEC oil. This is a great move and I hope the President’s next step will be to lobby Congress to pass the NAT GAS Act - HR 1380 - which will reduce our dependence on OPEC oil, improve our national security and help our economy grow.”

To read the press release click HERE.

– The Pickens Team

T. Boone Pickens took his signature Pickens Plan to Pennsylvania last week where he was joined by two members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation - Rep. Jim Gerlach and Rep. Pat Meehan - at West Chester University.

According to West Chester facilities director Greg Cuprak, 25 percent of the university’s fleet now runs on natural gas. The natural-gas conversions cost $8,000 per truck. Thanks to low-cost natural gas, however, fuel costs are $2 per gallon less than when using imported diesel.

“They plow snow fine and that’s the toughest thing you can do with a pickup truck,” said Larry Krackov, foreman of the university’s garage. “They really got a work out this winter.”

U.S. natural gas reserves are equal to approximately 700 million barrels of oil. That’s almost three times the estimated crude oil reserves in Saudi Arabia. Yet the U.S. has no energy plan, which is why Pickens supports H.R. 1380, which is cosponsored by Representatives Gerlach and Meehan.

“When we talk about energy issues, I believe it is a question of national security,” Rep. Meehean told local media. “I am concerned about the continued reliance on we have on foreign oil.”

Read more HERE.

In his monthly update on the level of foreign oil imports in the U.S., energy expert T. Boone Pickens said that based on the latest figures from the Federal Reserve Economic Database, the U.S. imported 61 percent of its oil in April 2011. That represented more than a million barrels a day, 344 million barrels for the month which means we were sending approximately $42.5 billion, or $1.42 billion a day - seven days a week - to foreign countries.

Boone Pickens said:

“April’s oil import numbers are the highest we have ever seen and the implications are disturbing. This is a national security threat of the highest order. Our addiction to OPEC oil is so severe that it constitutes the greatest transfer of wealth in history. We are subsidizing terrorism by spending billions of dollars every month buying OPEC oil. President Obama recognized this threat when he implored Congress to pass legislation to encourage natural gas use in heavy-duty transportation.

“We must protect ourselves from the threat of OPEC nations, many of which continue to experience armed conflict and demonstrate hostility towards America. By relying on them for something as crucial as our energy, we allow ourselves to be held hostage by dictators and unstable regimes.”

The NAT GAS Act (H.R. 1380), which is currently being considered by two House Committees, encourages the use of domestic natural gas to fuel heavy-duty vehicles, simultaneously improving our national security and strengthening our economy. The legislation currently has 179 bipartisan co-sponsors from across the country - that includes Tea Party members from the Republican Study Committee; the Black Caucus; and, the Blue Dog Coalition which endorsed the bill just last week. Additionally, President Barack Obama has declared his support for using natural gas to wean America off OPEC oil and secure our energy future.

The Pickens Plan to encourage more heavy-duty vehicles to run on domestic resources is included in the NAT GAS Act. The Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman John Sullivan (R-OK), Congressman Dan Boren (D-OK), Congressman John Larson (D-CT) and Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX).

Pickens concluded:

“The only way to reduce our dependence on these nations is to utilize our vast domestic resources. We have an enormous supply of domestic natural gas that can replace OPEC oil today. Natural gas is cleaner, cheaper, abundant, and it’s ours. Ultimately, this effort will enhance national security, create American jobs, and improve our economy and environment.”

– The Pickens Team

T. Boone Pickens will appear with MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan at a town hall event at Oklahoma State University on Thursday, March 31 to discuss the effects of the Middle East/North Africa unrest and the Japanese nuclear accident on U.S. energy policy.

Pickens will be joined by

– James Woolsey - former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

– Bob Deans - Natural Resources Defense Council

– Ashwin Madia - VoteVets.org

The town hall is part of a three-day “Steel on Wheels” series that Ratigan is conducting in Oklahoma. The purpose, according to an MSNBC new release is to:

Bring in people from politics, the oil and gas industries, to the people of the Green and Nuclear movements to come up with a plan that frees America from the Mid-East oil vice.”

The town hall will be steamed live on Dylan Ratigan’s website beginning at 8 PM Eastern.

– The Pickens Team

T. Boone Pickens has been tracking the amount of money America spends on foreign oil for over two years. The latest figures show the U.S. imported 58 percent of its oil, or 341 million barrels in October 2010, sending approximately $28 billion to foreign countries during the month of October.

The news doesn’t look like it will get better soon. Boone said,

“Despite a slight drop in demand, U.S. spending on foreign oil rose last month. With prices now above $85 a barrel and rising, we have every reason to believe next month’s figures will be worse.”

He added:

“Last December I correctly predicted oil would reach $85 a barrel by the end of 2010. In 2011, you’ll see oil hit $90-$95 a barrel, and it could get as high as $100 a barrel. Getting off OPEC oil and onto our own resources should be the number one priority in America. Our abundant supply of domestic natural gas can replace foreign oil at the pump immediately.

“President Obama acknowledged that addressing our energy future may very well be one of the only legislative priorities his Administration can tackle given the results of last week’s midterm elections. There is no reason to wait until the next Congress is sworn in-the time to act is now.”

Pickens’ analysis was bolstered by the news agency Reuters which reported on Thursday:

“Oil climbed to 25-month highs above $88 a barrel on Thursday, lifted by increased demand in the world’s top two oil consuming nations and after OPEC revised up its 2011 demand growth forecast.”

Reuters reported that “oil prices are on course to rise further above a previous range of $70-$80 a barrel where they have mostly traded for a year.” A commodities analyst for Credit Suisse in Singapore was quoted as saying, “We think prices are on their way for a test of the $90 mark.”

Pickens’ plan to encourage more heavy duty fleet vehicles to run on natural gas is included in several pieces of legislation, including The NAT GAS Act (H.R. 1835 and S. 1408), the American Power Act (S. 1733), introduced by Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the Next Generation Energy Security Act (S. 3535), introduced by Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Richard Burr (R-NC), the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act, introduced by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and the Promoting Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles Act of 2010 (S. 3815), introduced by Senator Reid.

– The Pickens Team

T. Boone Pickens, energy expert and creator of the Pickens Plan to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, released the following statement regarding energy legislation unveiled today by Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.):

“Senators Kerry and Lieberman are to be commended for a plan that recognizes the economic and national security threat of our ever-increasing dependence on foreign oil, particularly OPEC oil.  Achieving energy security is not easy and I applaud their focus on a broad energy package that includes replacing foreign oil/diesel/gasoline with cleaner, abundant domestic natural gas in America’s heavy duty vehicle fleets.  I look forward to working with them in the coming weeks to focus attention on that aspect of their legislation. More than 1.6 million Americans have signed on to my campaign to solve the foreign oil crisis, and I’m going to see to it that this objective is achieved as the legislative process evolves. Using natural gas as a transportation fuel is a non-partisan issue.  The time to act is now.”

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