We want to Invest in the Pickens Plan

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Comment by Jim Morgan on July 6, 2009 at 8:01am

On March 4, T Boone Pickins plan officially declared Brian Sorrentino, CEO of SYNJ, Syndication Inc, "Co-leader" of Maryland's 6th district. He will be interfacing with business and politics in order to gain support and funding for various aspects of the plan.

http://ih.advfn.com/p.php?pid=nmona&cb=1245008445&article=36701096&symbol=NO%5ESYNJ

SYNJjust recently purchased Pinnacle Energy, which itself just purchased a number of bio-fuel conversion units from Methes Energy Canada, and has a number of other plans in the works. SYNJ is currently, in my opinion, ridiculously undervalued, still trading under a penny, but since the addition of Pinnicle has been growing incredibly fast. To me, with the CEO's affiliation with the plan, it seems like an investment in this company would be an investment in the plan itself, I won't kid you, I've put my money where my mouth is. I want our country to be energy independent

Comment by John Reed on July 4, 2009 at 6:37am

I am a Director of a Company that has been converting diesel and gasoline engines to run on CNG for more than a decade. I can tell you that the biggest hurdle to adoption of CNG technology in the USA has been the turf war between CARB (the California Air Resources Board) and the US EPA over just who exactly is the overlord of exhaust emissions.
These two agencie's unwillingness to streamline, clarify or adjust regulations for new technology is legendary.
My company currently has the product and capability to convert 85% of existing in use heavy duty diesel engines to run more efficiently ( more power, zero PM, 30% less CO2, etc) on CNG or LNG than on any form of "clean diesel fuel" for less than $10,000 per engine, but CARB won't allow it...
In California, thousands of trucking, construction and agricultural diesels must be retro-fitted with Particulate Matter (PM) filtration systems or be moved out of the state by this December. The cost of these systems range from $8,000-$25,000 per engine. This ruling will wipeout entire businesses, and thousands of jobs. The retrofitting of these diesel engines actually causes them to use more fuel for the same work, thereby increasing our dependence on foreign oil, and actually increasing Green House Gas production.
CARB will not allow conversion of these very same engines to run on CNG, even though it pays for itself through decreased fuel costs, eliminates PM pollution ( the target of all this legislation), and decreases CO2 and GHG production as dictated by AB32.
Conversion fulfills all the goals, but CARB won't let it happen.
HOW are they stopping it?
According to CARB, if you convert an existing in use heavy duty diesel engine to run on CNG or LNG, they consider it a BRAND NEW engine, and the converting party must now Guarantee/Warranty the motor as if new. For on road engines, this means for 500,000 miles, and the engine must meet 2012 exhaust emissions standard. Doesn't matter if the engine is 10, 20 or 50 years old.
Additionally, as a BRAND NEW motor, each model/engine variant must be CARB and EPA certified to pass the 2012 standard at a cost of over $350,000 per engine per model per year of production.
What if you sell retrofit filters instead? You only have to warranty your retrofit equipment for two years, and there is no requirement to warranty the motor at all. If your system kills the engine, too bad for the owner...
Certification of these retrofits involves a simple durability testing, and they can be certified across a Family of motors covering many variants and model years with a single certification..
We actually sell the PM filters to other companies here in CA making retrofit kits, but we pulled out of that business ourselves because it is THE WRONG SOLUTION.
If CARB would simply allow CNG conversion to be treated the same as the retrofit kits, we could convert thousands of AG pumps in the Central Valley, and eliminate a large reason why they are a federal "non-attainment" area in terms of clean air. We could convert the entire fleet of container carriers at the Ports of LA and Long Beach, allowing them to expand operations as they would now fall well below the air pollution cap that has held back expansion. This creates JOBS.
So if you really want to "INVEST" in the Pickens Plan, invest some time in calling California Legislators and tell them to clean house at CARB...
Oh wait, these are the same idiots that still can't pass a budget....
Dr. John Reed
Omnitek Engineering

Comment by Tim Anderson on July 3, 2009 at 7:50pm

When you figure out a way to let us invest let me know.

Comment by Joseph Chiang on July 3, 2009 at 7:10pm

Can someone stop this Johnathan Green from sending out SPAM?

Comment by Patrick O'Keefe on June 30, 2009 at 11:36am

All you have to do is visit our results on the NYSE - "AMN" Ameron is an infrastructure company commited to growing with wind sector. Quite a jump since last week and we been building towers since 2005.

Comment by Richard Barnard on June 10, 2009 at 8:05am

Bonnie

I agree with Wiliam. How do we get your intelligent, articulate voice heard? Your post was probably the only one in the last couple of months that showed any common sense.

Richard Barnard

Comment by William Engwer on June 9, 2009 at 4:30pm

Bonnie, you're right on target, and you explain the truth of the situation well. I've wondered about the hysteria to go electric and fuel-cell when there's a huge amount that can be saved just by implementing a little intelligent conservation, and utilizing existing tech that can be deployed, as you say, virtually overnight, like CNG for vehicles.

I was hoping that the current administration would choose an energy policy adviser who had some practical, technical knowledge of the hardware involved and its limitations but was disappointed in the choice. Of course, as long as the solution to America's energy crisis is portrayed as trainloads of cash and government involvement, Joe Mainstreet doesn't have to take any personal responsibility for making things better, and limiting personal responsibility is always good politics.

Wouldn't it be nice to hear Mr. Obama address the nation and say most of what you've said in your post? Come to think of it, how do we get your intelligent, articulate voice heard by the people who most need to hear what you have to say? Wm.Engwer

Comment by Bonnie S on June 9, 2009 at 3:55am

Just to educate you:

First, there is not lots of capital out there. Despite the nice yield curve, banks are not lending, even to high quality outfits. Also, for fear of getting taken over by our government, they’re trying like hell to give back any TARP money they were stupid enough to take in the first place.

How has the stock market divided the capital pool, putting the smaller investor at risk? This makes no sense. And if you had invested since the first of the year, you'd be sitting pretty, no matter how many bad decisions you made (as long as it was in the stock market).

And if you study, you'll find our administration actually supports and subsidizes (and buys) those crappy companies guilty of bad accounting, bad management, etc. at the expense of smaller smart and ethical companies. Lets see...GM? Chrysler? AIG?

And speaking of energy investing, which this site is supposed to be about.

Too many people (virtually all our brain-dead congress and our executive branch too) want to jump right to electric vehicles, solar and wind energy without much of a clue how expensive it will be and how long it will take. This is OK and I think it should be done, but they're missing the big bang-for-the-buck in the meantime. For example, our current wind energy use is about 1.7% worldwide. To double this or quadruple this will take a lot of money and time. Meanwhile, no one pays much attention to what can be done virtually overnight, and that’s energy conservation. I guess because its too easy, doesn’t generate news and isn’t cool. But isn’t it better to NOT use energy than to find new ways to produce and use it?

If you’re looking for energy investments that will actually make you money, I’d concentrate on energy conservation rather than high tech alternates. Concerning wind, the technology has reached its zenith. I don’t care how many (apparently) cool looking machines you see, it comes down to aerodynamics and just good mechanical to electrical conversion. There just ain’t no bypassing physics. Concerning solar, the costs are so far from parity, it ain’t even close. Certainly, we need to pursue, but look for the low-hanging-fruit. How about smart grid (a very good idea). Check out IBM or CSCO or that company that put in the system in Boulder, CO (can’t remember their name). How about efficient motors? Check out GE, Siemens, Baldor. How about more efficient cars? Watch out for Ford and Mitsubishi. How about insulation? Try Owens Corning. How about CNG vehicles? Try CLNE.

Now, if you really wanna support that outfit that’s developing some sort of dream machine in the garage, go for it. After all, this is what dreams are made of. But be prepared. Chances are you’ll lose (but you might win big) and your money sure won’t be liquid. If you’re going to do this, follow the money. Arno: If I can believe you, you might be involved in maybe a winner. The thing is to follow the money if you can. However, most decent startup outfits won’t touch the small investor. They want contracts with people that “know their shit” and most investors don’t even touch companies that don’t show real promise or aren’t already “in-the-black”.

Please make sure your comments are backed up with evidence in the future.

Comment by Arno Lundin on June 4, 2009 at 10:54am

I have no idea I just support those like Paul and the one I have been grateful to be a part of which Bonnie may not like but there are enough others way more into using the technology once the all the dots and t's are done. Paul's comments were clearly understood. Bonnie broad comments like no one likes your idea are unfounded and reflect no quantifiable answer. The angst is this : There is lots of capital out there and Many technologies on the shelf not getting the capital to proceed. The pet project I worked with is not one of them it has full government, international and industry support and financial support. Paul's deal should have a backer a deep pocket beside him. The stock market has divided the capital pool which has put the smaller investor at risk. The financial industry is trying to alleviate its costs of raising capital because it is costing to much to raise funds. There is much that needs to be done to restore confidence in capital markets and news releases of illegal accounting and outright fraud by large public companies don't help the plan. Bonnie you can dislike what ever you like your still ok . Paul I hope you find a deep pocket. I look for the win for everyone.

Comment by Paul on June 3, 2009 at 10:43pm

Hey Bonnie,

Yes, No, I'm not pissed at Business people as much as I'm frustrated and annoyed. You said I don't know anything about them... Well that's somewhat correct. What can you tell me about them?

I do know that they like to assign tasks & deadlines to engineers, and expect the engineers to perform like well trained seals. I also know that when asked to provide deliverables they refuse to commit to a timetable and always seem to need 45 days to get *anything* negotiated. They see uncertainty in everything technical and lack the attention span to receive the proof that the engineering is rock solid.

I also know that like to use memorandum ( of understanding) that only convey intent and disclaimers, while being devoid of knowledge ( an interesting play on the word understanding).

In all fairness they do have some admirable qualities. They know that when the going gets tough the shrewd walk away. And that attitude creates 'opportunity' for the next wave.

And in the spirit of fairness Engineers can be terribly annoying to work with too. They are perfectionists. They will keep improving the technology right up to the last possible moment. If it weren't for business (small "b") people, we'd be using version "0.99 rev 856-j tertiary release candidate". And it would be *almost* perfect... :^)

OK that's enough, sorry Bonnie. So what can you tell me about Business (capital "B") people that I might have missed, or you suspect that I'm wrong about? Please be blunt, be brutal, don't hold back (like I did). ^_^

Until there is mutual understanding an communication there can be no progress. This is my call to action -- let's share a little knowledge. Here, now, otherwise this little forum truly has no purpose. Let's breathe a little life into it.

The Light is Green!

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