Alternative Energy: What is Our Plan?
One of the biggest hurdles that the next President will have to face is what to do about our dependence on foreign oil. No longer is it the elephant in the room. It's a real problem that must be strategized about. And quickly, according to the opinions of some economists and environmentalists. McCain calls for outright off-shore drilling. Obama up until this weekend was against it, but has now tweaked his position in favor of some possible off-shore drilling if environmental concerns are taken into consideration.
You know when I was in high school in the early '80's our Political Science class studied the "issues" of the future. The environment and energy were two of those issues. It was not savvy at the time to have any concern whatsoever about these issues, but what we studied back then has come back to haunt us today. Now almost seemingly overnight all of that has changed, the need for alternative energy sources is a bona fide need. What was it that sparked the change in attitude? Gas prices. The price of oil has made most of us stand up and take a look at what the real problem is, our dependence on foreign oil. Some of us have cut back in driving. It is common on weekends to see deserted highways. It is not as important to get out and drive as it once was. And it's a domino effect, high gas prices have spawned higher food prices. We have for the most part curbed our driving habits , and because we have one can point to a dip in gas prices, just a little. My opinion, though, is that high gas prices are here to stay.
The question then becomes, what is our plan for the future as it relates to our dependence on foreign oil and the search for alternative energy sources?
Boone Pickens. A Texas oilman who by his own account is worth $4 billion. If you haven't seen his commercials for wind energy, then maybe you need to. Pickens recently told the Economist that the United States imports 70% of oil spending $700 billion a year. He goes on to say that this is an addiction, a crisis and a trap. And that we must pursue alternative energy sources as we once fiercely shot for going to the moon.
The Pickens Plan calls for 20% of our power to come from wind energy by 2030, something that the Department of Energy stated that could be done back in May. In the Economist article, Pickens wants Americans to reach that goal by building wind farms throughout the windy corridor that runs up the country from Texas to the Dakotas. Pickens to the Senate that his company Mesa Power has already invested $2 billion to build a wind farm in Pampa, Texas a small town in the panhandle. He also will pay for the transmission lines to carry the power to Dallas because he cannot wait for the state to build the infrastructure. Although what the Pickens Plan calls for will be expensive, Pickens, according to the article, believes that it will free up natural gas that is being used for electricity to be used in automobiles. Americans would switch to natural gas vehicles and we would not have to import so much oil. Texas already leads the country in wind energy.
Pickens also states that our dependence on foreign oil also is a national security crisis, what happens he asks if oil is suddenly cut off? I wonder the same thing. What would we do? Would we be able to sustain our quality of life if there is no oil?
The Economist did refer to Pickens' Plan as quirky. I am not too sure I would agree. The plan seems doable. Boone Pickens has spent his life giving to charitable causes. I can think of no other cause worthy than our sustainability. Pickens as he states is a Republican, an oilman and seems to be a savvy businessman, who can't wait on the Government to do something about the energy crisis. He has taken matters into his own hands. I would argue not your traditional stereotypical environmentalist. Rare or not, Pickens is putting his money where he says he is, he is making an effort to do something about our current addiction on foreign oil. Read more about the Pickens Plan here.
You know when I was in high school in the early '80's our Political Science class studied the "issues" of the future. The environment and energy were two of those issues. It was not savvy at the time to have any concern whatsoever about these issues, but what we studied back then has come back to haunt us today. Now almost seemingly overnight all of that has changed, the need for alternative energy sources is a bona fide need. What was it that sparked the change in attitude? Gas prices. The price of oil has made most of us stand up and take a look at what the real problem is, our dependence on foreign oil. Some of us have cut back in driving. It is common on weekends to see deserted highways. It is not as important to get out and drive as it once was. And it's a domino effect, high gas prices have spawned higher food prices. We have for the most part curbed our driving habits , and because we have one can point to a dip in gas prices, just a little. My opinion, though, is that high gas prices are here to stay.
The question then becomes, what is our plan for the future as it relates to our dependence on foreign oil and the search for alternative energy sources?
Boone Pickens. A Texas oilman who by his own account is worth $4 billion. If you haven't seen his commercials for wind energy, then maybe you need to. Pickens recently told the Economist that the United States imports 70% of oil spending $700 billion a year. He goes on to say that this is an addiction, a crisis and a trap. And that we must pursue alternative energy sources as we once fiercely shot for going to the moon.
The Pickens Plan calls for 20% of our power to come from wind energy by 2030, something that the Department of Energy stated that could be done back in May. In the Economist article, Pickens wants Americans to reach that goal by building wind farms throughout the windy corridor that runs up the country from Texas to the Dakotas. Pickens to the Senate that his company Mesa Power has already invested $2 billion to build a wind farm in Pampa, Texas a small town in the panhandle. He also will pay for the transmission lines to carry the power to Dallas because he cannot wait for the state to build the infrastructure. Although what the Pickens Plan calls for will be expensive, Pickens, according to the article, believes that it will free up natural gas that is being used for electricity to be used in automobiles. Americans would switch to natural gas vehicles and we would not have to import so much oil. Texas already leads the country in wind energy.
Pickens also states that our dependence on foreign oil also is a national security crisis, what happens he asks if oil is suddenly cut off? I wonder the same thing. What would we do? Would we be able to sustain our quality of life if there is no oil?
The Economist did refer to Pickens' Plan as quirky. I am not too sure I would agree. The plan seems doable. Boone Pickens has spent his life giving to charitable causes. I can think of no other cause worthy than our sustainability. Pickens as he states is a Republican, an oilman and seems to be a savvy businessman, who can't wait on the Government to do something about the energy crisis. He has taken matters into his own hands. I would argue not your traditional stereotypical environmentalist. Rare or not, Pickens is putting his money where he says he is, he is making an effort to do something about our current addiction on foreign oil. Read more about the Pickens Plan here.
Comments