Pickens Plan District Group FL-20

Add a Comment

58 Comments

Comment by amy oconnor on November 9, 2009 at 1:18pm

When cleaning up my email accounts, I realized that I unfortunately neglected to add this letter to this group...i apologize for my error.



Dear Ms. O'Connor:

Thank you for contacting me about new clean energy jobs. I believe a comprehensive new energy strategy is critically needed in the United States and that doing nothing is simply not an option. During the past eight years, our dependence on foreign oil has increased, average American household energy costs went up $1,100, American job growth was the slowest of any administration in 75 years, and carbon pollution was ignored for far too long. Simply put, we need action now.

That is why in late June 2009 I was proud to vote in favor of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed the House of Representatives and is now pending in the Senate. This important comprehensive energy legislation will revitalize our economy by creating millions of new jobs, increase our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and preserve our planet by reducing the pollution that causes global warming.

Contrary to the fears that H.R. 2454 will harm our economy, this legislation will strengthen our economy in both the short term and long term. This bill will unleash private sector investment in clean energy, creating millions of new jobs that can’t be shipped overseas and that will make America the global innovation leader. America is always at its best when it leads in innovation, and H.R. 2454 will put us back on top. It will not be easy, but a transition to a low-carbon economy is not only doable, but necessary. The legislation is also carefully crafted to protect jobs now, while helping energy†intensive industries like the steel, iron, and paper industries transition to a cleaner, more profitable future. And it makes farmers and ranchers a part of the solution, with carbon†offsetting crops and forests, and biofuel and wind farms to repower America.

I want to assure you that that this legislation will transition our nation to a clean energy economy while protecting the average American from dramatic increases in electricity costs. Transitioning off of foreign oil dependence and creating millions of jobs will have minimal impact on average household budgets— just 22 to 30 cents a day—less than a postage stamp – or $80 to $111 per year according to both the EPA and the Congressional Budget Office. The bill helps all consumers with price spike protection, and with additional monthly energy refunds so those in need will see no cost. And in the long run, investing in energy efficiency technology will save the average American household more than $4,000 by 2030.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act will also make us energy independent. Right now, the United States spends $700 billion a year for foreign energy -- a lot of it to nations that do not always share our democratic ideals. This legislation, when combined with vehicle efficiency and biofuel standards enacted in 2007, will curb our use of foreign oil by more than 5 million barrels a day by 2030 – as much as we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela. This is good for Americans and good for national security.

H.R. 2454 is also necessary to avoid the worst effects of global warming caused by human-related carbon emissions into the atmosphere. To be clear, doing nothing about global warming would cost much more than this plan. One of the most respected studies says that doing nothing will end up costing between five to twenty percent of the entire world economy. Doing nothing means rising surface temperatures, rising sea levels, adverse health effects and displaced populations.

This bill will put America back where it should be, leading the world on this important issue and back on a road to the prosperity that American ingenuity and American labor has always produced.

Again, thank you for contacting my office. Correspondence from constituents like you is essential to my work in Congress, and I hope that you will continue to inform me of your concerns. I value your input as I work to shape national policies to reflect the views of Florida’s 20th District. To keep abreast of my work, visit my website at wassermanschultz.house.gov and sign up for my periodic newsletter. If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact my office at 954-437-3936 or 202-225-7931.
- Show quoted text -

Comment by amy oconnor on November 3, 2009 at 8:39pm

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/nov/02/guest-commentary-natural-gas-powered-vehicles-shou/

GREAT FOR FLORIDA

Last week the phrase “The Sunshine State” went from being a license-plate motto to being an accurate description of how Florida is leading the way to a cleaner energy future in America.

The announcement by President Barack Obama of a $200 million grant to Florida Power & Light to provide many of its customers with “smart meters” is part of a major effort by the administration to begin the process of building a 21st-century electric transmission grid. FPL is one of the largest suppliers of solar power in the country and the nation’s largest supplier of electricity from alternative energy sources. FPL was not alone. Seven other companies in Florida received grant money as well to help modernize the grid.

Florida is also on the leading edge of electrical generation using natural gas. Natural gas has typically been used as a “peaking” fuel for electricity — when demand for electricity is higher than traditional coal-fired plants can provide, natural gas turbines are fired up to make up the difference. Natural-gas plants are also used in conjunction with solar and wind generation because of the cyclical nature of those production techniques.

Natural gas produces about half the greenhouse gases as coal, so why hasn’t natural gas been a bigger player in electrical generation before? It’s because we thought we had very limited reserves in the United States so the price was too high.

All that has changed over the past decade as new drilling techniques have allowed the recovery of vast amounts of natural gas from the huge shale deposit in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Appalachia.

We now know that by using those “unconventional” sources we have enough natural gas to meet our needs for the next 118 years. A study by the Potential Gas Committee in conjunction with the Colorado School of Mines suggested reserves of about 2,000 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of technically recoverable natural gas. By my analysis, we have about twice as much energy in the continental United States than all the oil reserves in Saudi Arabia.

Natural gas, along with solar, wind, hydro, biomass and nuclear, is crucial to providing the additional electricity we will need in the United States in the coming decades.

But there is another use for natural gas which can have a more immediate impact on our economy, our environment and our national security: As a transportation fuel.

When I launched the Pickens Plan in July 2008, legislation to advance renewables — wind and solar power — was dead in the water. We got it moving, and the fruits of our labor are paying off as that legislation begins an aggressive path forward in Washington. So it’s more important than ever that we turn to the second significant element of the plan — backing foreign oil out of transportation.

About 70 percent of the oil we import is refined into gasoline or diesel to fuel our 250 million cars and light trucks and our 6.5 million heavy-duty trucks. In September, we imported 357 million barrels of oil, which represents nearly two-thirds of our oil needs. It cost us about $25 billion.

We can begin to change from a foreign oil-based transportation system to a natural-gas system immediately. Unlike battery and hydrogen technology which are in the developmental stages and which may take decades to implement, natural gas is a proven technology for powering cars and trucks.

Around the world, there are some 10 million vehicles running on natural gas (NGVs). Only about 130,000 are in the United States. The reason? Oil has been cheap.

But oil will never be cheap again. The world’s supply of oil has just about peaked and we will be competing with the other industrialized nations for a decreasing amount of oil. China, recognizing this fact, has locked up about 5.2 billion barrels of oil to be delivered over the next 20 years.

As we continue to depend on oil from Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Venezuela, we place our energy needs in countries from unstable regions, ones that do not have our best interests at heart, or both. We need to make a change.

By beginning immediately to replace gasoline and diesel vehicles with NGVs we can jump-start an entirely new industrial sector, we can clean up the environment and we will be safer from the threat of disruptions of oil deliveries from suppliers who can sell their oil elsewhere.

Natural gas is a full partner in the alternative-energy arena. Florida is showing the rest of the nation the direction we should all be going.

Pickens is scheduled to give the keynote speech today at the Global Financial Leadership Conference at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples. He is chairman and CEO of BP Capital, which operates energy-focused commodity and equity funds. He is also the largest shareholder in Clean Energy, the largest provider of vehicular natural gas in North America.

Comment by amy oconnor on October 28, 2009 at 5:46pm

UCF has been awarded a $7.5 million research grant to study ways to make photovoltaic solar cells more efficient in capturing and converting solar energy into electricity, and less costly to manufacture.

Courtesy of Enterprise Florida Inc

Comment by Jeff Greene on October 13, 2009 at 6:56pm

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 23, 2009 at 3:09pm

Pasco Company Scores a $200M Trade Agreement to Help China "Go Green"

http://efloridainnovation.com/index.php?post_id=529616#

Great for China what about the U.S. ?? ( ...may bring more than 1,000 green jobs to Pasco Co. in the coming years.) Sorry for being SO negative but WE NEED GREEN JOBS NOW

Why can't "our" companies help "our" efforts to become more green ???? Why aren't they making these deals with "our" government ?
2 Key Words - "Government Mandate".....

we do not have one !!!

Dais has signed a five-year contract with Genertec – America (overseas subsidiary of China General Technology (Group) Holding, Limited, which is a state-owned company) to sell breakthrough heating/cooling, and water clean-up products built around the innovative Dais nanotechnology materials.

Dais products are expected to reduce energy usage, energy costs and CO2 emissions, supporting a government mandate to lower the carbon footprint in China - one of the most populated countries in the world.

Comment by amy oconnor on August 19, 2009 at 12:42pm

Courtesy of Geoff Bailey of District TX-16


Good Afternoon!

We are smack dab right in the middle of August Recess. Members of Congress (MOC) are back in their districts, holding events and Town Hall meetings. This is our time to shine army! While the majority of the current Town Hall meetings are focusing on Health Care, other issues are covered as well. I would encourage you to attend your MOC Town Hall and ask them a few quick questions:

1. What is your plan to end our dependence on foreign oil?
2. If you don’t have a plan, do you support the Pickens Plan?
3. If so, would you sign the Pickens Pledge?
4. Are you a Co-Sponsor of HR 1835, “The Natural Gas Act of 2009?” It’s a vital piece of legislation that, for the first time, gives the right incentives for natural gas to become a viable transportation fuel alternative to foreign oil. It currently has 77 bipartisan Co-Sponsors in the House – split almost evenly between Republicans and Democrats.

To find out where your MOC is having their next Town Hall meeting, visit their website and email/call their office for more information. You can do that here: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml or by calling the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Also, don’t forget about your Senators! S 1408 is the sister bill of HR 1835 and we need to make sure all 100 members of the United States Senate have signed up as Co-Sponsors! You can check out where your Senators are having Town Halls in your area by emailing/calling their offices for dates and locations. You can do that here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm or by calling the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Together, we can end our dependence on foreign oil. But it is going to take all of us working together. The effort we put in today will give us the secure energy future we want for tomorrow!

Geoff
Geoffrey@pickensplan.com

****************************************************************

Hi Everyone -

These are FANTASTIC QUESTIONS and IDEAS -
Please use them to your advantage to make your voices heard and gain members and Pledges and Grow The Plan !!!

I know that school is starting soon (well here in S Fla it is anyway) and we are all busy. I feel bad and am guilty for not doing more here but I did call Representative Wasserman Schultz's office today and asked when she will be hosting a townhall before she returns to DC. Her assistant advised me that they are planning one however they are not ready to release the date time and location as of today. If you have joined her mailing list, you WILL BE notified of the TH and I will Definitely post the info as soon as I get it as I plan to stay on top of this !!!! I did not want her TH to be our First meet n greet however it may end up that way - so unless we can plan to get together beforehand, i hope to see 100% attendance if at all possible - i realize that life throws us curve balls every day - as a matter of fact, 3 of mine are named Ryan, Matt and Megan

****To which ever members plan to attend - hopefully as many as possible to show that we are Serious about The Plan and how much this means to us ******
and on that note - once we know where and when, please RSVP here as a comment if you are going to definitely be there, along with how many people you are dragging with you kicking and screaming or not.

Start getting your stuff together now - gather your thoughts, print out the DOCS that I posted the directions for earlier this month and if you are like me, practice speaking to your mirror. And we do want as much visibility as we can get and Pickens Plan signs would be good. Like "More Foreign Oil means Less American Jobs" etc etc. real facts and not scare tactics make sense !

And since there is Strength in Numbers, try getting whoever you know to go with you...Whether they are D-20 members or not !!!!! Grab your neighbor who is interested in saving the Environment but does not know what to do to help or how to get started....and ask them to tell 10 people and so on and so on and so on !! If there are Gremlins there who try and thwart the health care portion of this meeting I intend to advise them to cease & desist and please allow Mrs WS to speak because we want to ask her about her thoughts on The Plan and ask her to Pledge. It will be captured on film which, if there is a riot, will may be shown on National TV - CNN, MSNBC, etc. I will bring the questions listed here and someone who really loves public speaking can talk to their heart's content and i will have your back and tell everyone else to sit down and be quiet and allow you and Ms WS to have a dialog.

ps. i am an activist (since I could talk says my family) and just so you know - i am very interested in the health care debacle that is going on !! When I was laid off from my job I lost my health insurance. But the more I hear and see the more I am angry, scared, and really angry. I am NOT knocking Democracy or the 2nd Amendment but there is a way to ask your questions and get your point across and name calling and Hysterical shouting is not IT ! And I want our townhall to mean something and not be a circus. Thank goodness she is planning one, i was afraid she wouldn't.


Thanks for all you do !!!

Amy



we need little pickens emoticons like wind turbines and green symbols

Comment by Luis A. D'Agostino on August 16, 2009 at 8:14am

The Sunshine is not shining when it comes to solar energy. Together we can make a difference. Let's do it!

Comment by Jeff Greene on August 15, 2009 at 1:11pm

Below are the responses to the questions raised by the GHG Subcommittee’s Transportation working group. Please share with the subcommittee members.

1. What is the existing process to purchase alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) in Broward County?
As a part of Fleet’s annual budget process, existing alternative fuel vehicles are reviewed for replacement based on replacement criteria. Existing alternative vehicles selected for replacement are budgeted to be replaced with an “alternative fuel” vehicle.
2. Does the County use its own purchasing agreements or the State’s procurement list to purchase AFVs?
Procurement for replacement of alternative fuel vehicles is included in Fleet Services annual procurement process through the Broward County Purchasing Division. Fleet Services do not use State contracts for vehicle procurement.
3. What is the county’s fleet replacement schedule and if we have a policy in place that all replacements or new purchases will include the most fuel-efficient vehicle in class? If so, can we have a copy? There is also concern about the cities’ vehicle fleet and may want to use our policy as a model for the cities.
The minimum current replacement schedule is based on age/mileage replacement criteria of 10 years / 100,000 miles. Vehicles meeting the minimum criteria are further reviewed based on vehicle condition. Fuel efficiency ratings is one of the specification items, but is not the sole determining factor.
4. What % of our county fleet is AFVs? 9.6%
5. Do we have a goal to increase the % of AFV in the County fleet? The FY10 budget has already been established and does not include a specific goal to increase AFVs in the fleet. However, one of our recent Audit recommendations is to immediately review current utilization of existing alternative fuel vehicles and to make necessary adjustments to ensure maximum utilization of all AFVs.

Responses provided by Broward County Fleet Services.

Comment by amy oconnor on August 5, 2009 at 1:10pm

T Boone Pickens is appearing at the
National Clean Energy Summit 2.0:
August 10 2009 Las Vegas Nevada

Jobs and the New Economy


AGENDA

9:00 AM Doors Open

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Roundtable: Building the Clean-Energy Economy
Welcome and opening remarks by:
- United Nations Foundation President, Former Senator Tim Wirth (D-CO), Moderator
- Dr. Neal Smatresk, acting president, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
- Former Vice President Al Gore
- John D. Podesta, President and CEO, Center for American Progress Action Fund

Moderated discussions:
- The macro economic case for clean-energy investment
- Bringing energy-efficiency retrofits to scale
- Promoting the market for renewable energy and energy infrastructure

Participants include:
- Denise Bode - CEO, American Wind Energy Association
- Lucien Bronicki - Founder and Chairman, Ormat Technologies
- Dr. Stephanie Burns - CEO, Dow Corning
- Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
- Secretary Steven Chu - U.S. Department of Energy
- General Wesley Clark - Chairman, Growth Energy
- Former Vice President Al Gore
- Nevada State Senator Steven Horsford
- Van Jones - White House Council on Environmental Quality
- Rose McKinney James - Energy Foundation Board
- Aubrey McLendon - CEO, Chesapeake Energy Corporation
- Terry O’Sullivan - General President, Laborers’ International Union of North America
- T. Boone Pickens - Boone Pickens Capital Management
- John D. Podesta - President and CEO, Center for American Progress Action Fund
- Marc Porat - Serious Materials and Pegasus Investments
- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
- Stevee Roell - President and CEO, Johnson Controls
- Keith Schwer - Director, UNLV Center for Business and Economic Research
- Secretary Hilda L. Solis - U.S. Department of Labor
- Danny Thompson - Executive Secretary Treasurer, Nevada State AFL-CIO
- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - Los Angeles, California
- John Woolard - President and CEO, Bright Source Energy
- Michael Yackira - CEO, Nevada Energy
- Former Senator Tim Wirth (D-CO) - United Nations Foundation, Moderator

12:30 - 2:00 PM Lunch

2:00 - 3:30 PM Clean-energy policy community town hall:

Special remarks:
- President Bill Clinton

Participants include:
- Vice President Al Gore
- Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)
- T. Boone Pickens
- John D. Podesta, Moderator

Comment by amy oconnor on August 2, 2009 at 5:48pm

Governor Charlie Crist’s Video Message
Regarding Renewable Energy
July 31, 2009

Florida is quickly becoming the focal point for renewable energy development in the nation. We are supporting research and development of clean, renewable energy such as biofuels, solar, wind, and ocean energy.

The Centers of Excellence at our state universities are advancing this research and development. I am proud of the work being done with solar energy at University of Central Florida, ethanol at University of Florida and ocean energy at Florida Atlantic.

Floridians are exploring the production of ethanol using sugar and citrus waste. This development is important because these sources do not compete with food production and minimize the need for water and fertilizer.

Careful study of these biofuels is part of the solution for meeting Florida's future energy needs. And this progress is good for Florida’s economy because we know there is gold in green.

Florida’s economy is built on innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit. The development of green technology and renewable energies has spurred that spirit.

Florida continues to stand out as a national leader in terms of our greatest resource – our people. We have a talented workforce with extraordinary expertise.

I am committed to injecting capital into Florida’s clean energy economy and creating “green collar” jobs. Florida’s green tech business hub is good for Florida’s economy – and it also protects Florida’s natural environment for generations to come.

May God continue to bless are beautiful state.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6