I support Boone Pickens move towards wind energy. I feel as a country, the USA is selling out. There a very few alternative energy sources which are viable in todays market place. While Mr. Pickens may have a financial interest in wind energy development, at least he is putting his money where his mouth is. Today we are probably okay but tomorrows generation will pay for our excesses. We can find a balance ...
Photo Voltaic Systems, while still pricey, are THE answer for the moment! We installed boht PV and Thermal cell systems and have increased our property value bu nearly $100K! Not mentioning the $'s saved from the get-go in energy costs and that the systems will pay for the installation and purchase within a window of 508 years out! This, on top of the real estate "bump" we have gained make this investment the most clearly positive move a home owner / small business owner can make and realize gains from the firsrt electron.
Any questions and I'll be more than happy to share my experiences with you!
You bring up a great point Michael. Just the other day, someone told me that they did not support T-Boone Pikcens because he stood to make a profit as a result. I really don't see the problem if he does. I wonder if the increase in profits could ever hope to make up for the personal investment he has made in positive change for this country. One of the things I find to be truely amazing, is that Mr. Pickens has never asked his army for a single cent. I don't think we have ever been asked for anything but a very trivial investment of the time and energy it takes to write our politicians and find other supporters.
There are many individuals out there who make Billions of our dollars who have no vested interest in us or our economy. They include foreign interests such as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Why would be begrudge a man an honest dollar taking a personal stake in, and doing something that supports positive change, while willing handing over money to those that do not. That is assuming he could ever hope to recoup the massive expenditure of his time, money, and energy in to this project.
T-Boone Pickens could have supported the status quo, and he probably would have made a lot of money doing it, but instead he has chosen to give very deeply of his own time and money. It would almost be the equivalent of selling off a two million dollar home for a three million dollar lottery ticket. If he makes some of that money back, or by some miracle, even manages to make an honest buck from doing so, good for him.
All of this talk and writing around to one another is a start of a good dialogue but WE must and will take ACTION!
#1 make the switch to solar here in So. Cal.! It's now affordabel with many options for payment. Getting off of the Grid is important in any way you can. Few of us have the property of the finances to fund wind turbine projects. We can support their development on a huge scale which will need to be part of the energy infrastructure but in the meantime, I promise you, it will make a huge difference if we,
#2 Practice conservation! The abilities we have at our disposal is what, as individuals we can do right now! There is a great business opportunity in helping others, individuals, small businesses and corporation campuses where energy efficiency can stream-line their utility costs.
I propose we work within the structure and organization of the core Picken's Plan organization to form a business model which gives people the power to make and see change immediately!
Join me in think tanking this proposition of helpful evaluation in choosing conservation practices and alternative energy options which are right for each situation.
Feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts and your own resources which may apply to creating this new business. WE, The So. Cal. Pickens Plan Support Group have the potential to create a completely different approach to this problem as we also help T. Boone recieve the support he needs getting his Plan in place.
Let's roll up our sleeves and get down to changing the way Americans live and help them save needlessly spent and hard earned $'s !
Listen to T. Boone Pickens! He states himself it will take help on many fronts to make this entire plan work and we, brought together by this Plan, unite our resources and create a new business just as Mr. Pickens would want.
IMHO; Everyone of us should have read or be reading "Hot, Flat and Crowded" by Tom Freidman, a Pulitzer Prize winner from his past works and has done a masterful job with his research and information offered in this one.
If there were any concerns regarding how significant this "alternative energy revolution" is, all questions and inquiries are well-stated and presented in concise, understandable language but the most intriguing thing about this book is it offers a real PLAN for what actions need be taken from right now, forward!
While not mentioned specifically, The Pickens Plan fits very neatly within that time-line horizon.
This Army of Mr. Pickens NEEDS "something" to DO! There are now approximately 1.5 Million of us. This is a good number of very motivated folks. The first 2 million or so we can figure to be willing to go above and beyond the status quo of the general society and we will be the first to accept many things.
For Example: My family and I practice the 3 R's of conservation very well and have formed these as habits now with no real thought process anymore. To review, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Then, after much research, have chosen Sun Power's 225 Panels and Techno-solis water heating tubes for heating the pool. Our electricty bill is $18 per YEAR and the Natural Gas bills in peak months are never over $50 per month. These are considerable savings all while lessening our carbon footprint significantly. The PV cells alone account for roughly 1000lbs. of CO2 per month!
Wind turbines are fine and I would like to call someone's attention who is in some close quarters with Mr. Pickens to point out a unique area our here in So. Cal. which is one of the top windiest places of earth which only a few scientists are aware of. The placement of turbines there would mean a great deal to consumers along the mid and southern coasts of California.
In closing, I am IN the Pickens Army and am awaiting a call to action. Until then, I encourage everyone of us to practice the 3 R's because no matter what else happens, lowering our consumption will never be a bad thing!