Pickens Plan District Group FL-13

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Comment by Jeff Greene on October 13, 2009 at 6:57pm

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 amy oconnor on September 1, 2009 at 11:56am

GREAT NEWS !!
Solar Cell Equipment Manufacturer Plans 125 New Jobs





Bradenton, FL – Mustang Vacuum Systems LLC announced today that it will relocate and expand its manufacturing operation in Manatee County where the company plans to add 125 jobs in the next two years at an annual average wage of more than $44,000. “The Economic Development Council, Manatee Chamber of Commerce (EDC) was pleased to help Mustang Vacuum Systems find the right location for the company’s expansion,” said Eric Basinger, EDC executive director. “Mustang was located in Sarasota County for four years, and in partnership with Sarasota County, Manatee County government and the State of Florida, we were able to keep this fine company – and its growing number of higher-wage jobs – in the region.”

Comment by Roger & Pamela on August 3, 2009 at 2:50pm

Friends, as stated elsewhere, but nearing official status now, we are putting our foot forward where we can! Our family farms are in Indiana, and we have signed the initial contract to participate in wind farms. We are proud that hopefully the inspections will go well and we will have some of these blowing and producing alternate energy.

Comment by Roger & Pamela on August 3, 2009 at 2:44pm

See Jeff Greene's Letter to the Editor above! The heat is being turned up asking our Florida politicians to support the Pickens Plan, or give us a better idea or two! Very good job Jeff!

Comment by Roger & Pamela on August 3, 2009 at 2:41pm

As of 8/3/2009, we are pleased to hold at least the Bronze Medal for Pickens Plan District recruits among Florida Districts at 237. First place stands at 253. You can see that by clicking the Leaderboard Link above!

Comment by Don Baldauf on August 2, 2009 at 4:51pm

Hello District 13

The Constitutional Amendment Petition for has been approved by the state and is now on www.FloridaOil.org Please check it out, It extends our state territories to 125 miles from shore giving the state control rather than the feds. It also requires the state to start leasing for domestic use within 18 months. I know a lot of you are interested in alternatives but until then we need to stop buying from people that hate us.

I have also decided not to pull out of the Congressional race for District 13, so I guess I will see Vern in the primary.

Thanks,

Don

Comment by Jeff Greene on August 2, 2009 at 2:10pm

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

Jeff Greene
Florida State Leader

Comment by JANET MARTINDALE on June 25, 2009 at 10:57am

In case no one has posted this- there are Youtube videos on how to make your own wind turbine. Just do a search on Youtube, & several examples will pop up.

Comment by Roger & Pamela on June 25, 2009 at 5:27am

Welcome to Mike Pickens as our new Regional Leader! We are looking to Mike and our District FL-13 members for ideas or good connections with our District political leaders that could result in support from them. To date, all we seem to receive in response are standard staff member no-answer type responses.

Anyone have special connections?

Comment by Mike Pickens on June 24, 2009 at 12:52pm

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

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