Oil, Wind and T. Boone Pickens

The number of plans that I've seen dealing with the huge problem of producing energy in the United States is very small.  Changing that number to include only the plans which might be feasible drops the number to zero.  I encourage all citizens of this country to watch the following video and I say this in a direct attempt to get people visiting the site, www.pickensplan.com.  If you are thinking about moving on without watching the video, please read on below for just a moment so that I may attempt to convince you otherwise.

Oil Import Statistics

The facts Mr. Pickens relays here are known.  In 1960, the U.S. imported about 10% of its oil.  As we reached our peak oil production in 1973 (almost 40 years ago), the number had increased to 24%.  In 1991, the number was 42%, approaching half.  We were still producing almost 60% on our own.  Today, in 2008, we are importing a whopping 70% of our oil at a cost of 700 billion dollars annually. 

A couple of months after a purchase has been made, the oil is gone.  The cash is also gone and will remain outside the borders of this country, much of it in the hands of those who can't stand even to look at Americans.  This is a very ugly situation.  Politicians attempting to lessen the problem in the eyes of the citizens by removing the so called gas tax should be...  Oh, nevermind that.  (to be fair, ethanol is not the save-all either)

The Pickens Plan and It’s Critics

There are two parts of most videos that I've seen of Boone Pickens. First, the problem that we face is clearly, and I mean very clearly defined.  It is this first part that I find most compelling as he displays the hard facts and analysis of our situation.  Second, he proposes a method for the lessening of our dependency primarily through wind farming although he is careful not to limit his vision to only that. As he moves towards his proposal, I get a bit more skeptical, primarily because he is moving from the fact phase into the phase which involves risk.  I think that it would be valid for any thinking person to be skeptical about the value of wind farms in reducing our oil demand.  Adding that Mr. Pickens, a billionaire oil entrepreneur, is investing substantially in those farms reinforces the need for a second look.  My take is that he has an understanding of the huge problem this country is facing and seeks to be part of a solution in which he can make some serious cash.  Note that I said part of a solution. This plan is not the be-all end-all plan for decades to come but neither is it only temporary.  It is a completely valid set of ideas for the reduction of our foreign oil dependence in the near future.

If nothing else, our current situation must be realized by the public.  Possible solutions must be honestly discussed and debated by our elected officials.

The consequences of doing nothing are dire. 

Comments

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I read somewhere that people were criticizing Boone. But his approach seemed all-encompassing. Being more independent and increasing our efficiency and eco-friendly ways.