Pickens Plan District Group MI-06

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Comment by Ivan Golubic on April 15, 2009 at 8:30pm

In addition, in 2009, Italy introduced new incentives for passenger vehicles powered by natural gas (LPG). This is one of the four pillars of the Pickens plan, and it increased sales of LPG cars by 324% to 9% of new vehicle sales for the second largest European market. What can we do to introduce similar actions in the US and Michigan?

Here is the article that talks about Italy’s incentive:

http://www.autonews.com/article/20090414/ANE02/904149997/1186

Comment by Ivan Golubic on April 15, 2009 at 8:00pm

It is nice to read your comment and suggestions on how to move forward in reaching the “Green Goals” for our state. I have spent a little time on researching green options for our state, and would like to get some help in moving forward.

Firstly, unfortunately wind energy on land in Michigan is not an extremely attractive option. Although we have number of spots that may be marginally attractive, the average wind speed on land are somewhat low, and except in northern UP. However, just a few miles or less offshore, the wind speed averages are great. Although the wind is great, there may be other economic obstacles, such as cost of construction due to dept of the late or hash weather conditions in the winter… Thus, I wanted to ask if anyone has any experience or contact with construction of offshore wind farms. With that in mind I wanted to ask what can we do, to influence our government representatives to provide incentives for offshore wind-farming in SW Michigan. Did anyone discuss this with our government officials?

In addition, there are a few other alternatives that we can pursue. I understand that diesel in passenger in the past was not viewed as a green alternative in the past, but there are three major advantages to new diesel power vehicles: it is clean, it uses about 30+% less diesel than gas engines, and it can be made from renewable sources (bio-diesel). What can we do to influence more efficient and effective production and availability of bio-diesel fuels? To my knowledge there is only one gas station in the whole area that sells bio-diesel, and it is located in Eau Clair. I would also like to hear about incentives for new clean diesel vehicles similar to those for hybrids.

Another option that has not been pushed by our government representatives is hybrid diesels… This is mainly due to cost premium for Hybrid and Diesel which would raise the cost of vehicles around 30+% vs. gas engines, but fuel efficiencies may be around 50-75% for mid size vehicles. So while an efficient mid size car gets around 30 MPG today, a hybrid diesel mid size car could easily reach 50MPG with today’s technology. It is an easy and immediate solution but no-one is talking about it.

With that in mind I would propose to organize and request a meeting with Representative Upton and other appropriate officials and ask what are they presently doing to make SW Michigan greener, and would they support actions such as offshore farms with incentives to make it happen in SW Michigan. I am not sure if we have done something like that in the past, but I think it is time to talk about clear tangible plans and goals for our state.

Comment by Jessica Vanden Berg on April 15, 2009 at 2:03am

From the desk of T. Boone Pickens


Hey Army!
Congress is on its Spring break, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of touch. Most U.S. Senators and Representatives are back in their home states and districts willing to meet with and listen to their constituents.
That’s you!
When they left for their recess legislation had been introduced to promote natural gas; to promote energy efficiency; to promote a 21st century transmission grid; and to promote a national Renewable Energy Standard – in short to promote THE PICKENS PLAN.
In my business career I have seen too many people miss out because they thought that getting close was good enough. You and I know that when you are close, that’s the time to turn up the heat and push the ball over the goal line.
Click here to send your Member of Congress an e-mail - today. Drive over to one of their local offices and chat with a staffer. Click here to coordinate an event with fellow Pickens Plan supporters in your area by joining your District Group.
Let’s keep the pressure on and we’ll win for the Pickens Plan, but more important, we’ll win for America.


T. Boone Pickens

Comment by Cl;ifford Ort on March 24, 2009 at 6:07pm

Thanks for having me. I agree with Judy to push wind energy and the power grid to make it work. We also need electric and hybrid vehicles and I include rv's and big trucks in that. All facets of transportation have got to do this. The technology may not exist or be practical yet but it could create jobs to find it and save others to implement it; like the whole auto industry!

Comment by Bob Mansmith on March 14, 2009 at 3:07pm

I liked the article on the news the other night saying our state officials voted to take a 10% pay cut. I didn't like the fact that it won't take effect until 2011.
They need to impliment it NOW. They shouldn't be any different than the rest of us that are having to take them now or loose our jobs.
Now, on to the real topic.
With all the empty plants in our state there is no reason why our elected officials shouldn't be bringing renewable energy manufaturing into the state. We need to find a new source of income for our great state (now that the aut industry is failing).

Comment by Dave Pueschel on March 13, 2009 at 8:53pm

Our governor needs to put some stimulus money where her mouth is all she has done so far is talk . She is all mouth and no action to date

Comment by Judy Todd Johnson on March 10, 2009 at 6:23pm

I think Michigan needs very little to begin windenergy. Our governor wants us to be the leader on this energy.

Comment by Jessica Vanden Berg on March 10, 2009 at 2:42pm

The Pickens Plan is organizing a Virtual March on Washington to be held April 1-3, 2009.


So what is a "Virtual March"?

We are going to utilize the size and unique capabilities of the New Energy Army to have an enormous impact on the White House and Congress. The Army will focus its energy during those three days on e-mails, calls and faxes to every Member of Congress.

Between now and then we will be engaging in a series of activities to get ready for the event, including:

* Contacting Members of Congress through email and phone calls to encourage support for key aspects of the Pickens Plan.

* Recruiting new members of the Army in every Congressional District.

* Submitting letters to the editor and op-eds to newspapers around the country.

* Holding district meetings and house parties with members of the Army to discuss ways to have an impact.

* Participating in webcast events.

We will be communicating with members of the Army via email, Push, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and LinkedIn to build support and enthusiasm for the event. Make sure you are connected to us on any of these platforms where you have a profile!


Be sure to take photos and videos of your activities over the next couple months - we will soon be inviting you to submit items to be featured here on the Virtual March homepage.

Sign up today to participate in the Virtual March and recruit your friends and family to join you!

(If you are interested in visiting your Members of Congress during the virtual march, please contact your Regional and/or District Leader for more information.)

Comment by Judy Todd Johnson on January 25, 2009 at 2:36pm

We are doing pretty well as a state with wind energy. Yes, a long way to go and stimulus is necessary from the federal government. I do not disagree. I, for one, do not want to rely on natural gas or gasoline forever. Yet, we also have untapped oil and natural gas here in the USA which we need the EPA to allow companies to drill.

Comment by Tim Jackson on January 25, 2009 at 9:47am

If former President Bush can hand out billions of US Taxpayers $$ to banks that turn around to give the money to the top executives that caused most of the problems, then why not give the Taxpayers a REAL REBATE to install a decent renewable system? Michigan is a good state for Wind & Solar. We need FEDERAL & STATE TAX INCENTIVE but not in the form of a few hundred dollars. They should be realistic due to the cost of the systems.

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