Pickens Plan District Group MT-01

Comment

Comment by Robert Schultz on May 11, 2009 at 2:47pm

Not too sure about how to start neighborhood associations. I live in Spokane, WA and haven't had much contact with my neighborhood association yet, other than the newsletters that come to my mailbox. I did go to a County Commissioners meeting, they have time allotted for public comments, so I spoke about the Pickens Plan, and asked if they had any plans for job training and education to help our county get involved in the "Green Economy." Take a look at your local government website, send an e-mail or give them a call, see who you can talk to, and who shows some interest. I'm still learning as I go, but it's better to try than do nothing.

Robert Schultz
http://push.pickensplan.com/group/nwrenewableenergygroup

Comment by Marilyn M. Trevino on May 11, 2009 at 2:17pm

Thanks for replying Robert! Yes, the cost can be very prohibitive but if you get a possible tax break plus and this is the big plus, if the association can create this as a second income or charity deduction? It is the utility company that will really stand in the way. This endevor needs to be something that is a community effort that gives a reward and helps those that can't afford it. Does that make sense? I haven't seen Jellyfish but I have seen a model sold by a group out of Great Falls. How hard is it to start a neighborhood association? How can we get the utility companies to utilize the power we generate to create value and charity?

Comment by Robert Schultz on May 11, 2009 at 1:27pm

Hi Marilyn. That's exactly what we should be doing, but it's hard for everyone to afford the cost of a windmill and/or solar panels. I've seen small systems for sale with a roof mounted turbine and a solar panel for about $2500, then you have to pay the utility company to get connected to net-metering, and have an electrician check the wiring. One way to make it work might be through neighborhood associations, sharing the costs to install wind turbines and solar panels on public buildings, and negotiating for group discounts for homeowners.

Have you seen the Jellyfish? It is a small wind turbine, that the maker hopes to be able to sell for about $400.
http://www.clariantechnologies.com/main/page_plugin_wind_power.html

Robert Schultz
http://push.pickensplan.com/group/nwrenewableenergygroup

Comment by Marilyn M. Trevino on May 11, 2009 at 12:47pm

Hello! This is my first posting. I think any type of alternative energy, like waste transformation from animal or human is a great idea. It would generate jobs, trucking, plant workers etc.

Has anyone thought of utilizing the small personal wind turbines with a smart grid to generate power? I was thinking that each personal wind turbine would decrease the power for the individual and the excess energy created would be purchased back by the Co-Op (the cooperative would be the citizens of Montana). The energy would decrease power bills for all Montana residents. Like LIEAP program but would help low income folks on up. THen the excess energy above that would be sold out of state. This would create sustainable jobs for Montanans since we would need lineman, grid programers, etc. My thought about this was if it was done on a broader scale throughout Montana and it would not be such an eye sore as the gigantic turbines plus, all Montanan's in the end would own it. Just a crazy thought I have been batting around in my head. Sure, big super companies wouldn't like it because this type of plan would service communities and put a pretty big damper on the top of their food chain but for the normal worker, their jobs would still remain and most certainly increase. just imagine a little wind turbine just like you see a dish or direct tv satelite dish. Creating a little extra income one person at a time. With all the extra folks don't spend on power, they will go out more and have a little more spending money for travel, recreation, home improvement etc.... Tell me what you think? And Thanks!

Comment by Robert Schultz on May 11, 2009 at 11:22am

Hey, maybe the Montana Cattlemen's Association would be interested in some Methane capture technology. It's a discussion we could have with others from CO, WY, ID, WA, OR, and UT.

Is Ethanol a viable alternative, or just another bridge? How about Methane?

http://push.pickensplan.com/group/nwrenewableenergygroup

Comment by Jack Hane on May 7, 2009 at 3:30pm

Jack Hane,
Please remove my name from membership of this organization. Thank you

Comment by Robert Schultz on May 7, 2009 at 2:27pm

Invitation to join the NW Renewable Energy Group
I have started a Regional group, welcoming comments, ideas, and suggestions for Renewable Energy in the NW Region. Including states from the Pacific, Cascade and Rocky Mountain areas. I realize that some of my Pickens Plan friends are outside this region, but you are always welcome to join and add your thoughts to the discussion. We should be looking at best available sources of energy in our region, and ways to improve the power grid to transfer energy from region to region as it is needed.

Robert Schultz
Pickens Plan
WA-05 District Leader

Comment by Jerry McDonald on May 1, 2009 at 6:28am

We get a lot of questions about natural gas and how much there is available in the United States. Below is a good blog entry/article worth sharing in your district groups. Please post comments or create a new discussion. This is going to become a major talking point for the Pickens Plan in the coming weeks.
http://www.pickensplan.com/news/2009/04/30/the-wall-street-journal-on-the-100-year-supply-of-natural-gas/

Comment by Micah Lauer on April 8, 2009 at 8:02pm

Montana Cattlemen's Association
Press Release


Release Date: April 6, 2009
Contact person: Sharon McDonald, Secretary
(406) 259-5433
Email: mca@montanacattlemen.org

MCA ENDORSES PICKENS PLAN
Montana Cattlemen's Association has endorsed the national energy plan put forth by T. Boone Pickens known as the Pickens Plan. This plan, among other things, calls for a huge investment in wind energy and transmission lines to move electricity from rural areas to metropolitan areas.

MCA leadership met with Mr. Pickens while he was in Helena. The plan calls for drastic cuts in the use of foreign oil, and in its place the utilization of natural gas of which the U.S. has in abundance. Presently, as T. Boone Pickens points out, our importation of foreign oil results in the largest transfer of wealth in the history of man. Secondly, he believes we've reached peak worldwide production of 87 million barrels per day. We can only achieve energy independence by utilizing the resources we have: wind, solar, and natural gas.

For farmers and ranchers the $4 per gallon fuel costs we absorbed last summer are not sustainable. MCA President Brett DeBruycker points out, "The winter wheat crop put in the ground last fall with high fuel costs and high fertilizer costs will be problematic come summer harvest."

MCA is also calling for farmers and ranchers to explore the prospect of wind turbines on their farm and ranch homesteads as a means of protecting themselves from high electrical costs. Each farm and ranch will have to determine if such an installation is viable to their respective operation. Such forward thinking fits in with the Pickens Plan.

Finally, MCA Vice-President Kim Baker notes, "The Pickens Plan is the first workable and comprehensive energy plan put forth by the U.S. At this time, it is the only energy plan that fits the needs of Montana's farmers and ranchers."

To more fully learn of the plan visit www.pickensplan.com .


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The Montana Cattlemen’s Association is a grassroots organization working on behalf of Montana’s cattle producers on issues vital to the future of our industry. MCA is dedicated to address the market interests of Montana while working to restore prosperity in rural communities by advancing the interests of agriculture in Montana. MCA is the Montana state affiliate of the United States Cattlemen’s Association. For more information about the Montana Cattlemen’s Association, please visit www.montanacattlemen.org or call 406-259-5433.