A list of action items needed NOW to have an impact.
I'm by no means an expert on alternative fuel, and I will defer that discussion to others more qualified than myself. But I do have a couple ideas that would be helpful ensuring the PickensPlan results in action. My list is by no means a complete list, and I welcome everyone to contribute so this issue has some lasting impact.
So here goes:
0. Provide a list of legislative items that support the PickensPlan and make it a reality. The list should be clear on what needs to be done, how it supports the success of the PickensPlan, and how to best achieve it via legislation. I don't pretend to understand all the things needed to fully support the plan; this list would show where we need to go but not necessarily dictate how to get there.
1. Setup an email campaign from PickensPlan to every US Senate and House member and anyone running in '08 that allows members of PickensPlan to send an email asking - no, better yet, demanding - they support the PickensPlan. Everyone visiting is asked for their zip code so channeling the emails to the appropriate office or person should be fairly straightforward.
2. Using the same email tools and response engines to give every person running at the national level (the state lever would be great too but probably would not have the impact the US Senate, House and Presidency would have) to either support the PickensPlan or not. No middle ground here. Tell us you're either in or out. No debate.
2a. Post a map of the US that allows PickensPlan members to click down to their home state and their home district to see where the candidates stand. Using colors would be good - red you're out, green you're in. This would be a very handy tool for voters, which I presume you are since you're actively looking at the PickensPlan. It would also be great to allow each person running to post their support (or not) of the PickensPlan and state what they plan to do specifically in support of the PickensPlan if they get elected.
2b. Then after the elections track everyone's voting record and give them a pass or failing grade. This would need to be done on a non-partisan basis lest this become a Dem vs. Rep issue. Every bill related to energy planning should either receive PickensPlan support or not, and then track the voting record of every single vote. This would be a great way of keeping score after the election so we can use it against the blow hards pandering for votes in the next election cycle.
3. Challenge everyone running (and I'm focusing on those running because we can - hopefully - have an impact on whether they get elected or not) to declare publicly their support (or not) and post it on PickensPlan.
The idea is to move the PickensPlan forward into concrete action items that we can all vote on in the fall regardless of political affiliation. Good idea? Bad idea?
On a more practical set of issues it would be very helpful to provide the tools to help people take action themselves. For example, in the other Forum pages there's a lot of talk about converting cars to NG. Well it would be helpful to have links to pages that actually show you how to convert a car, and if there aren't links then generate a How To guide. Other things that would be helpful would be a map to NG stations, how to use your home NG supply to fill your car (if that's possible), things to consider to convert your car, etc. This information would allow individuals to take action on their own to move the plan forward because, call me a cynic if you want, I don't expect anything of substance to come out of Washington in the short run.
So here goes:
0. Provide a list of legislative items that support the PickensPlan and make it a reality. The list should be clear on what needs to be done, how it supports the success of the PickensPlan, and how to best achieve it via legislation. I don't pretend to understand all the things needed to fully support the plan; this list would show where we need to go but not necessarily dictate how to get there.
1. Setup an email campaign from PickensPlan to every US Senate and House member and anyone running in '08 that allows members of PickensPlan to send an email asking - no, better yet, demanding - they support the PickensPlan. Everyone visiting is asked for their zip code so channeling the emails to the appropriate office or person should be fairly straightforward.
2. Using the same email tools and response engines to give every person running at the national level (the state lever would be great too but probably would not have the impact the US Senate, House and Presidency would have) to either support the PickensPlan or not. No middle ground here. Tell us you're either in or out. No debate.
2a. Post a map of the US that allows PickensPlan members to click down to their home state and their home district to see where the candidates stand. Using colors would be good - red you're out, green you're in. This would be a very handy tool for voters, which I presume you are since you're actively looking at the PickensPlan. It would also be great to allow each person running to post their support (or not) of the PickensPlan and state what they plan to do specifically in support of the PickensPlan if they get elected.
2b. Then after the elections track everyone's voting record and give them a pass or failing grade. This would need to be done on a non-partisan basis lest this become a Dem vs. Rep issue. Every bill related to energy planning should either receive PickensPlan support or not, and then track the voting record of every single vote. This would be a great way of keeping score after the election so we can use it against the blow hards pandering for votes in the next election cycle.
3. Challenge everyone running (and I'm focusing on those running because we can - hopefully - have an impact on whether they get elected or not) to declare publicly their support (or not) and post it on PickensPlan.
The idea is to move the PickensPlan forward into concrete action items that we can all vote on in the fall regardless of political affiliation. Good idea? Bad idea?
On a more practical set of issues it would be very helpful to provide the tools to help people take action themselves. For example, in the other Forum pages there's a lot of talk about converting cars to NG. Well it would be helpful to have links to pages that actually show you how to convert a car, and if there aren't links then generate a How To guide. Other things that would be helpful would be a map to NG stations, how to use your home NG supply to fill your car (if that's possible), things to consider to convert your car, etc. This information would allow individuals to take action on their own to move the plan forward because, call me a cynic if you want, I don't expect anything of substance to come out of Washington in the short run.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Terry McGinn on -
I agree but I believe that you left out one important action item as follows:
Create a list of model projects that can be achieved in a short timeline by private funded sources and collect technologists who can submit concepts that can make a difference. Use the site to funnel money and efforts into action by avoiding governmental waste and fillibustering.
You cannot veto private sucess.
We need to make it like SBIR Project or seeded new venture projects on a grand scale but with serious oversite. Imagine what $10 from 10 million people and 5 for 1 matching could achieve.
After all I am sure ExxonMobil would put up 10% of their profits. They say they care!!
In other words take a cue from Pickens and bypass the government control since their 20 year track record is dismal and their agenda is opposed to energy conservation or power down projects.
(Its all about the lobbiests). Look at the Big Dig and the FAA and Homeland Security and Emergency Management and New Orleans and..........
-
Permalink Reply by Sam Houston on -
I think this is good! I like many who have responded ask what’s init for Pickens? I hope that he is like many Americans tired of the standard responses from those who’s real desire are another political job or payment for one. That he is doing what’s right because it’s right no strings attached. But we will have to wait for the outcome. I have been reading various ideas throughout pickensplan.com by all different people from all over and am inspired by the response.
-
Permalink Reply by SJC on -
Since we have limited resources, I would do two things in the shorter and longer terms.
1) Convert as many cars as we can to ANG with home fueling
2) Build as many biomass gasification to methane plants as we can possibly afford as close to the biomass source and natural gas pipelines as we can.
-
Permalink Reply by Capt. John Beebe on -
Hi Jeff Marquis,
I support your great ideas put forth. Let me expand on your more practical set of issues . For those of us that can't convert a gasoline car to ng and want to purchase one...this is what you need to do. Call up your favorite car dealership and explain that you just got a $50,000. dollar pre-approved car loan check from your bank to buy a new car. ( I actually just got one in the mail from USAA. ) They will put you through to a salesperson right away. Tell the sales person you would like to purchase a natural gas powered car that you can fill up at your house garage. They don't have any except in CA. and maybe NY. When he or she says they don't have any....ask about hydrogen, then electric plug in, then compressed air, and finally with a gasp...ask if they sell any of the flex fuel cars. They just don't have them. Finally, say your sorry, but you won't settle for anything less. Urge them to actually start selling what we want!
We as consumers vote everyday with our purchases. We have to use our dollar voting power wisely. Tell them what you want....don't let them sell you a gasoline powered vehicle.
Does this work....of course it does ! Just look at Ford and GM stock values. They are falling. They are scrambling to shift from truck production to small car production. We as consumers have to point them in the direction we want them to go, by telling the dealers that we only want a natural gas-powered car that we can fill at our home.
I try and call a dealer everyday. This is something everyone can do now. Do it!
Capt. John Beebe
-
Permalink Reply by neil cox on -
I agree: those who know can help by giving us the minute details about most every topic. On natural gas, I saw one inference of a 10,000 psi tank to hold very high pressure natural gas. That sounds expensive, perhaps not yet available and possibly dangerous. I'm guessing we use the fuel injection system only if we run out of natural gas and have to revert to gasoline. The natural gas CH4 is mixed with about ten? times as much air (20 times by weight?) and drawn into the air intake. Someone typed 14.7 times for gasoline, but did not say volume or weight? How do we prevent back flow at the air intake which would release some of the natural gas into the atmosphere. .
What steps are necessary to prevent burning in the air intake as in carborator fires back when cars had carborators? How do we insure the natural gas does not continue to flow if the moter stalls or is turned off? Most of these questions apply also to high pressure hydrogen conversion of an internal combustion engine and possibly to LPG = licquid petroleum gas which I presume is somewhat different from LNG = liquid natural gas?. Neil
-
Permalink Reply by Phil McQuillan on -
Hello readers,
The Pickens Plan website would be a lot more productive if more people used the discussion Push The Plan: Cut & Paste Ideas found at http://push.pickensplan.com/forum/topic/show?id=2187034%3ATopic%3A4... - here's where they will be able to find a selection of Sample letters to Congressmen, sample personal Invites, etc.
Active members are encouraged to post their Sample letters here so that others have easy and user friendly access to them. Could I get some of you to post your letters on the Push The Plan: Cut & Paste Ideas discussion area? A much larger selection of ideas to choose from will benefit all of us. Please CONTRIBUTE something and I will make sure it is included in the list where it will stay always in the top section. In other words, Reply to the Discussion titled Push The Plan: Cut & Paste Ideas and I'll paste your sample letter in near the top where it will remain. Your cooperation will be a great help in "pushing" the Plan. Thank you.
-
Permalink Reply by Jeff Marquis on -
Sorry, I've been out of the loop for a while dealing with business. Here are a couple sites that you can use to find your representatives in the House and Senate.
www.house.gov
Enter your zip code (with its 4 digit extension) and you will get a link to your Congressman's web page. Click and write them. Based on my experience you'll get an autoresponder returned that says they'll get back to you via snail mail.
www.senate.gov
Enter your state and you will get links to your state's Senator's web page. Again, click and write them. Again, you'll get an autoresponder stating they'll get back to you via snail mail.
YOU SHOULD WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TODAY! And if your representatives are up for re-election contact the other party running against your representative asking him or her specifically if they support the Pickens Plan. This will help focus the issue on not just your sitting represenatives (who are not likely to get anything done between now and the November elections) but those aspiring to be your representative.
Politicians understand votes! Let them know you plan to vote for or against them based on this issue!
Ask them the specific question about i.) whether they support the Pickens Plan, ii.) what have they done to support it thus far (if they're currently in Congress), and iii.) what they will commit to doing if they get elected. And be sure to let them know that you expect them to meet their commitments supporting the Pickens Plan specifically.
Personally, I could care less if they have other agendas to support with regards to energy policy. I want them to support the Pickens Plan first because it's the only viable alternative I've seen that is focused on i.) reducing our dependence on foreign oil (and the myriad problems sending $700B annually overseas to mostly hostile nations) and ii.) a vision to create electrical energy via wind to offset the rise in NG consumption to fuel cars. IMHO this is a plan that can work and do so in as short a timeframe as anything else I've seen.
And, finally, with oil seeming to be headed down in price WE MUST NOT RELENT IN OUR PURSUIT OF THIS CAUSE! Demand that your elected officials are solidly behind the Pickens Plan!
-
Permalink Reply by sunny on -
Nature Gas for cars ?
There must reasons, Why 53 Countries include Italy, Holland, Japan, Korea.... prefer LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) than CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). All those Government give tax break or money up to 50% of conversion fee or Incentives coupon support to the user of LPG.
Pickens are right,
NG (Natural Gas) is a lot cheaper and can pipe to the users, but its' butane and mileage is way lower than gasoline or LPG. and CNG's tank need 10 more times pressure than LPG, I would not want to drive my car with a heavy bomb.
But in USA ,
I have found out the big problem is LPG price, unless strong support by the Congress, we are now paying LPG same price as Gasoline, though, 90% or more LPG produce in USA, so we are still intentionally leaking US dollar to the MId-East.
Check here for USA fuel prices,
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/afpr_apr_08.pdf ,
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/propane_laws.html
Sunny, at, solarcar2@gmail.com
-
Permalink Reply by Brad Joesten on -
Thank You!! This should help Tremendously in reaching our inactive government leaders and perhaps even make them notice.
Brad and Tina
Loading feed 
© 2009 Created by PickensPlan
Badges | Community Guidelines | Report an Issue | Privacy | Terms of Service
