Pickens Plan District Group FL-01

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Comment by Jeff Greene on October 13, 2009 at 4:11pm

Dear Fellow Pickens Plan members:

I have been impressed with your level of response as well as your passion relating to the recent message about environmental groups and their opposition to oil and gas exploration. In fairness to all sides; I believe it is important to add some further perspective on this issue. After checking with House and Senate Sponsors and the focus of future legislation as well as advocacy groups on this issue, I have been told the following considerations are being made right now:

1. Drilling will be banned in the traditional 3 mile state waters around Florida. The New “open area” will be the 3-9 nautical mile area that is traditionally federal waters but Florida and Texas own due to historical reasons.
2. The proposal does NOT allow drilling. It merely lifts the ban and requires the Governor and Cabinet to receive proposals for leases and then permits. There is no requirement to drill and if the Trustees determine drilling is not economically viable or environmentally safe, they would reject the proposals. (and keep the $5M application fee).
3. No permanently equipment visible from shore will be allowed. Temporary rigs may be used between 3 and 9 miles, but cannot be in place for more than 6 months.
4. Many coastal areas of military and environmental concern would be off limits.
5. The state of Florida will receive MINIMALLY 20.5% of all revenue received from the sale of oil and gas – The state is effectively a 20.5% revenue share partner in the agreement – and potentially more depending upon the bids of the participants.
6. Funding received from the proposal will be spent on the following areas: Future and alternative fuel developments (Including specifically infrastructure and end-user grants for CNG Vehicles), environmental restoration and enhancement projects, local governments, education, economic development and promotion for arts and tourism.
7. In order to ensure the best companies and best trained employees are involved; a $5M non refundable application fee would be required as well as a $500 Million bond prior to any drilling activity by each entity engaged in the process. An apprentice type training program will also be required as well as the best materials and pipes to ensure accident free drilling activity. Florida will have the world’s highest standards for drilling if it is allowed here.
8. I have also been told that revenue could become available immediately from application fees, advanced royalty fees and advanced payments. AND that oil and gas revenue would flow in 12-18 months after a permit is issued. So the funding is not a – “years out” issue – it is short term available.

Many of you may wish to oppose this plan, but let me respectfully remind you that the Pickens Plan is about many things, but it is Certainly about using American made fuels (some renewable, some fossil) to power our cars and homes. CNG is a huge part of our plan and massive amounts of natural gas lie in the Gulf’s eastern planning region and Florida waters. To suggest we don’t need to enhance our supply of American fuels seems inconsistent with our mission and that is the basis of support for this proposal. Secondly, the fact that it can be done – and will ONLY Be done with massive environmental protections, huge financial protection measures and with the best trained labor available makes it more appealing. And lastly, yes, the money matters too. Florida is in Deep, Deep financial peril. After cuts of nearly $7B in the past two years, our leaders tell us we will face another $7B in cuts over the next two years. Tax increases in a recession make no sense, so a wealth event like oil and gas exploration may be our only way out as a state. AND, that the legislative leaders want to expand and fund CNG infrastructure as well as deployment of vehicle filling equipment only adds to the allure of this proposal for Pickens Plan supporters.

Please visit www.EnergyFLA.com to join the move in Florida to enhance our supply of American fuels.

I hope you will join me in supporting this effort – and ensuring that the legislature knows the Pickens Plan is behind it – and fully expects CNG to benefit in the years ahead to help eliminate the balance of trade deficit americ now has with its energy needs.

Comment by Jeff Greene on August 2, 2009 at 1:58pm

I would like to thank Brandon Jordon for leading this district. Please give your support to Brandon and feel free to let me know what I can do to help.

Jeff Greene
Florida State Leader

Comment by Mike Pickens on June 24, 2009 at 12:55pm

I am your new regional leader, please let me hear from you !

Comment by Renee Klink on April 3, 2009 at 11:17am

District members, we’re at the third and final day of the Virtual March, and today we are focusing on getting action on a bill to establish a 21st century transmission system and a National Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). As Boone points out, twenty-eight states now have an RES – which directs electric utilities to produce a set percentage of their power using alternative sources by a date certain.

Let’s make a great final push. Please use this link to contact Congress and the President again today and send a message to them about renewable energy! Thanks to all who have participated in the Virtual March this week!

Comment by Renee Klink on April 2, 2009 at 8:49am

Thanks to all of you who have taken action in the Virtual March so far! It’s Day Two, and the focus today is on oil imports -- the March 2009 numbers show we imported 65 percent of the oil we used -- so let’s contact our Members of Congress again today about reducing America’s dependency on foreign oil. You can do this by phone, of course, and we have also set up links to e-mail Congress or contact your members via Facebook and Twitter about today's issue.

When you’ve done this, please leave a note here on our group page to let other members know you’ve taken action, and tell us if you received any information or feedback from the members’ offices.

Also, if you are a business owner or part of an organization that would like to take part in the Virtual March, please let me know and we’ll recognize you as a partner on the Pickens Plan Virtual March page!

Comment by Renee Klink on April 1, 2009 at 1:01pm

Thanks for sharing the information with district group members, Brandon!

Among other actions, we're encouraging everyone to send a single e-mail today, tomorrow, and Friday. It’s a simple thing to do, but it has tremendous impact.

You can also use this link to ask Congress and President Obama to support the NAT GAS Act of 2009.

Thank you for your support.

Comment by Brandon Jordan on April 1, 2009 at 8:36am

Virtual March Contact your elected officials today


President & Congress Governor & State Legislators

President
• Barack Obama (D) Barack Obama

Senators
• Bill Nelson (D)Bill Nelson
• Mel Martinez (R)Mel Martinez

Representatives
• Jeff Miller (R-1)Jeff Miller


Governor
• Charlie Crist (R)Charlie Crist

Senate
• Durell Peaden (R-2)Durell Peaden

House of Representatives
• Brad Drake (R-5) Brad Drake

Comment by Renee Klink on March 4, 2009 at 9:53am

Hi district members, have you signed up for the Virtual March on Washington yet? It's April 1-3. We want to continue to have an impact on how the Administration formulates American energy policy, and the Army will focus its energy during those three days on e-mails, calls and faxes to every Member of Congress.

Click here for more information about the Virtual March! And let's all make the commitment to recruit 10 other people to take part.

Comment by Brandon Jordan on February 25, 2009 at 8:42am

FLORIDA RENEWABLE ENERGY TOUR 2009
FEBRUARY 24TH THROUGH 28TH:
DISCUSSING JOB CREATION, INVESTMENTS, AND ENERGY SECURITY

FROM WEST PALM TO ORLANDO, FL – Renewable Energy advocates, industry leaders, utilities representatives, and government officials will be gathering in 5 cities in 5 days throughout the state. The first four days will feature town hall discussions with local legislators and renewable energy advocates, leading to the final event in Orlando on Saturday the 28th, featuring legislators from across the State of Florida as well as top names in the renewable energy world. Discussion topics will include stimulating jobs and inward investments in Florida, the proposed Florida Renewable Portfolio Standard energy bill and policies such as Feed in Tariffs and other energy incentives with a special highlight on the historical progress of Gainesville, Fl., the first municipality in the United States to establish a Feed in Tariff policy. The tour will travel Florida, answering a very important question: "How can we use the demand for renewable energy to create jobs and economic recovery?

“The Florida economy needs new engines of growth; renewables can add hundreds of thousands of jobs here; the catalyst will be energy policies such as Gainesville’s solar feed in tariff that lead to long term investment security.” says John Burges of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy.


Speakers will include: Representative Paige Kreegel, Representative Seth McKeel, Representative Gary Aubuchon, Representative Mary Brandenburg, Representative Maria Sachs, Representative Keith Fitzgerald, Barry Rockwell of SMA, Jerry Karnas of the Environmental Defense Fund, John Burges of Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy, Pete DeNapoli of Solar World, Ed Regan of Gainesville Regional Utilities, Tim Morgan of Morgan Electric, John Hutchens of Casto Lifestyle Properties, Brett Hutchens of Casto Lifestyle Properties, Dr. Roger Messenger, and Mike Antheil of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy. Invited speakers include Senator Lee Constantine, Senator Mike Bennett, Representative Mark Pafford, Representative Kurt Kelly, and Representative William Snyder and many other State Legislators and Renewable Energy Leaders.


Event Schedule:

Tuesday, February 24th
West Palm Beach Town Hall, 5 to 7 pm
Pine Jog Environmental Center Room 101 & 102
6301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL.

Wednesday, February 25th
Lakeland Town Hall, 5 to 7pm
University of South Florida Polytechnic
3433 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, FL 33803

Thursday, February 26th
Sarasota Town Hall, 4 to 6 pm
Selby Auditorium, USF Campus, Sarasota - Manatee
8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243

Friday, February 27th
Ft. Myers Town Hall, 4 to 6 pm
Hilton Garden Inn
12600 University Drive., Fort Myers, FL 33907

Saturday, February 28th
Final Event - Keiser University Orlando, 9:30am to 2 pm
5600 Lake Underhill Road., Orlando, Florida 32807

The Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy “FARE” is a coalition of concerned individuals, businesses, communities, associations, utilities, policy makers, non-profits, and renewable energy producers. FARE is dedicated to educating and engaging Floridians on effective Renewable Energy Policies.

Let Sunshine Power the Sunshine State!

Visit www.FAREnergy.org to register now!

Comment by Brandon Jordan on February 25, 2009 at 8:40am

The Real Oil Crisis

• America is facing major threats to our economy, national security and
environment, and foreign oil is at the heart of all 3 issues.

• Since 1970, our oil imports have grown from 24% to nearly 70%.

• America uses 25% of the world’s oil, but only has 4% of the population
and just 3% of the world’s oil reserves.

• This addiction exposes our economy to price fluctuations. 4 of the last 5
recessions have followed significant jumps in oil prices.
Investing in America

• High oil prices and an outflow between $350 and $700 billion a year are devastating our economy.

• The solution to foreign oil and the economy are one and the same: Investing in a new energy infrastructure for
America would create more than 3.45 million new jobs while keeping our money in here at home instead of
sending it overseas.

• There are 244 million cars and trucks in
America. To end dependence on foreign
oil, we have to use something other than
foreign oil to run those vehicles.
We Can’t Just Drill Our Way Out

• America imports 12 million barrels a day,
and Saudi Arabia only produces 9 million
a day.

• Does anyone think there is more
undiscovered oil here than
in all of Saudi Arabia? That doesn’t pass
the laugh test.
There is a Way

• Within 10 years, 22% of our electricity
can come from wind and solar — helping
conserve America’s natural gas for use in

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