Albi Mason's Page
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- Are you interested in becoming an organizer in your area?
- Yes
- Tell us about your experience with alternative energy:
- I have long been a proponent of solar and wind power. I do not even own a clothes dryer. Back in the 1950s, my brother worked with a company that was involved with natural gas conversion along the east coast of the U.S., and he educated our family early on about the benefits of natural gas appliances over electrical appliances. I grew up knowing that the "live better electrically" campaign was a shuck.
- What excites you about this campaign?
- That finally we have a "perfect storm" where the general public can no longer ignore the need to explore alternative forms of energy in the U.S. The oil monopoly has had their way for far too long and it is now pretty obvious that each and every American is going to have to stand up and demand more economical, home-grown energy. We can no longer leave it up to our legislators and federal government to make energy policy decisions for us, as they will just continue to limp along with their failed energy policy of oil drilling. We need to forget about oil drilling and concentrate on wind power, solar energy, and natural gas. Seeking alternative forms of energy is no longer just an ecological issue, it is a pocketbook issue -- and that is what gets everyone's attention. Now it is finally possible to mount a massive grass roots campaign in the U.S. and take charge of our energy policies. It is a pitiful state of affairs to see the U.S. economy in a downward spiral as it is, we should be the richest country in the world, and we should be on the cutting edge of alternative energy development. WE NOW HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO GO ALTERNATIVE. I believe that people will now be open minded about alternative energy and receptive to change.
- What do you want to do to help?
- I would be interested in organizing on the local level with town meetings, petition drives, door to door education and mobilization, rallies, etc.
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27FEB09
Honorable Speaker of the House Congresswoman Pelosi,
I am an Electronic Technician Chief in the US Navy with 27 years service stationed overseas. I’m outlying an idea to assist and work with current plans for achieving energy independence. I urge you, as speaker of the house and the driving force to form the select committee on energy independence and global warming, consider for discussion and introduction into the house US Treasury Savings Bonds for Energy Independance.
In WWII America sold war bonds supporting the war effort. When young, my mother told me her primary school raised enough money through bonds to build a tank to support troops. I am impressed with the patriotism and purpose of our greatest generation that accomplished so much.
Selling energy bonds for RE (Renewable Energy) development would lower foreign oil imports and assist with the complex problem of funding. Bonds sold as “Energy S” could support new solar trough plants, “Energy W” to support wind farms, Energy “H” to support hydroelectric plants, Energy “T” to support RE transportation such as electric bullet train routes powered by RE, Energy "C" COOPS for small communities only needing a small quantity of turbines, and Energy “I” for needed infrastructure high voltage power lines to the RE site. Bonds will have the project name and include an artist’s perspective of the project and an American flag. President Obama had great success with the internet during his campaign. In a similar manner, using the internet, energy bonds could have a website listing current projects and an “electronic checkout” could purchase a bond $25 or higher. Simpler methods of payment such as “PAYPAL” and credit cards would be available and after an electronic purchase is complete a color print out of the bond is available with a follow up of the bond in the mail. The website would limit quantity of projects for each category until funding is complete. After a project becomes funded, a new project will be available. A tab on the site will show history and status of previous projects. Purchasers may take great pride in “collecting” and displaying bonds of various RE projects and participating at different levels of financial support. Solar trough plants in the multi-hundred MW size capacity with molten salt energy storage in California, Arizona, and West Texas can provide a major portion of electric needs. North Dakota has potential to support 1/3 of our nations electric needs in it’s class 4 wind zone areas. There are plenty of suitable proposed wind turbine farms now around the nation to significantly increase our RE if funded. Mid sized hydro-electric has not been used in America to it’s full potential. Following the example of our neighbor, Canada, it would provide a significant increase in percentage of electric production. Developing all three we could provide the majority of our electric and heating needs through renewable energy in a "New New Deal" fashion allowing natural gas for transportation as T. Boone Pickens is working for. Bullet train routes have proven a viable alternative to commercial domestic air service and when powered by electricity provided by RE suppliers America would be in the forefront of world technology. Example, I heard of discussion for a commuter train from Denver to Colorado Springs. Such a route built as a renewable energy project with charter requirement legally requiring to only purchase electricity from available renewable energy sources would be a model example. There are many train routes, city bus systems, and government vehicles that can be converted to run from alternative energy sources and fuels. Jobs created would bolster the economy, lower trade deficit, and strengthen national security. I would take great pride in print outs of bonds with graphics of each project I supported and many other Americans would also. The energy bonds could have tax breaks. BLM lands may be a viable place to start for some projects.
I contacted the US treasury department and was told that the marketing department for savings bonds closed several years ago. I was told there would be problems because savings bonds are at the federal level while the projects will be at the state and local level. I disagree and believe that these can easily be figured out in the way of grants to the state and local level using money from the bonds for those specific projects. I was told to check out auctions on the www.treasurydirect.gov website and found them to not apply to citizens wanting to buy savings bonds to support a cause such as energy independance. I was told by the treasury department to look into CREB (Clean Renewable Energy Bonds). I found CREB to be large scale funding that a citizen would not be able to participate in as a US Treasury Energy Independance Bond would provide. If given the tools to participate directly, the power of the citizens of the United States to help achieve energy independance could not be denied. Americans mean well and the Energy Independance Savings bond program will give citizens the power at their level to make it happen. If marketed through a web page, commercials, and to federal employees the word would get out and participation would spread like wildfire.
Mr. Paul Gipe, a resident of Bakersfield CA, an author of several books about wind energy, and recipient of multiple awards as a pioneer in the industry since the 1970's has put a letter I wrote to Senator Dorgan on this subject as well as an older letter I wrote on wind COOP in JAN07. These websites are:
http://www.wind-works.org/coopwind/RenewableEnergyBondsforEnergyIndependence.html
and
http://www.wind-works.org/articles/AmericanEnergyIndependencethroughCooperativeInvestmentinWindEnergy.html
Sincerely and very respectfully,
ETC(SW/AW) Mike Kendall USN
Mailing address: PSC 476, Box 879, FPO AP, 96322 USA
Telephone (803) 265-4756, Email: michael.kendall@ymail.com
Remeber me?? Never did hear back form you. Are we still going to try to plan a meeting? Hopefully with more participants this time. I have spoken with other younger supporters that are seemingly interested in joining our cause, don't let the OPEC arabs fool you, this downward trend won't last, I believe it's a trick to get America off track with what we need to accomplish which is to attain independence from arab oil.
Take Care
Pat Lis
Check out a new elecrtic airplane at www.CoolingEarth.org
The future is ours! I am working on 11 new solar projects in N California.
With a good energy plan, we drill now, the oil is available for 15 years, so in 7 or so years we can be a net exporting nation again which helps pay for our renewable energy to solve climate change- HaveFun
I think the problem on most peoples minds is how am I going to get to work or even afford to look for work if fuel costs keep going up. What's captivated me most about Boone's plan is using CNG to get to work, but CNG technology hasn't really taken root in Florida yet.
Let us instead look at ways we can easily reduce demand on the commodity to reduce cost. As an IT guy, I know the technology exists because of the Internet to let people work from home reducing knowledge workers needs or even customer service folks needs to even go into the office. The government should offer business large incentives to let their people work from home. People can use inexpensive routers to securely connect to their companys network, do data entery, and even make phone calls through their companys phone system using voice over IP.
Sorry I wasn't able to be there today. I had every intention of surprising you. However, I wound up spending most of the day at Halifax hospital - had another flare up but all is well for now. Was extremely pleased to hear that all went well with your meeting.
As an organizer in your area, I want to recommend a couple of things. There are 3 Groups with a wealth of information that will be helpful. Please consider joining them:
Organizers & Leaders
OnLine Action Army
Guides & Materials for New Members
Also "Friend" Renee Klink. She is the New Energy Army Regional Leader for Florida and may be able to add some in-sight for organizing.
Gator
Be well and good luck.
Lu
luanetodd@yahoo.com
What kind of turn out are you expecting for tomorrow?
Gator
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