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Are you interested in becoming an organizer in your area?: Maybe--But Not Sure What to Organize

Tell us about your experience with alternative energy:: It depends on how you define alternative energy. The initial phase of my career has been in either tradtional petroleum based energy production or its use. During the last 20 years, I have worked in Distributed Energy ( either reduction in energy use strategically or generation of electricity at or near the use of the electricity).

What excites you about this campaign?: The fact that Mr. Pickens, who has been successful in energy production (primarily petroleum and natural gas based) is devoting his personal energy and investments to develop electricity from wind so peak and base power requirements now met by natural gas turbines can be served by alternative energy including wind. Addressing the challenges of transporting electricity from areas where it can be generated by wind to where it is required will be very exciting and has the potential to refocus our investments in the electrical GRID.

What do you want to do to help?: 1. Better understand the general approach in the plan.
2. Clarify those specific questions that may not be sufficiently addressed by what has been published.
3. Attempt to understand how the infrastructure for compressed natural gas for transportation can be developed beyond its use in medium duty trucks that return to a CNG fueling location each day .
4. Determine whether this plan is the best way to use my experience and knowledge in increasing the use of alternative energy sources in Western North Carolina and eventually the southeastern United States.

Western North Carolina has the potential to become a center for the development and application of alternative energy. As most of you know, there is an obstacle to the development of wind generated electricity on the ridges of western NC. An interpretation of the so-called "ridge law" by NC's attorney general has inhibited the development of one of the two areas in NC with significant wind potential. The challenge that the US will face should wind resources be developed (as I understand the plan) will be in the development of an adequate electrical grid capable of transporting the western US generated electricity to those areas of the country that currently meet their peak electrical demand through the use of natural gas powered turbines. Compressed natural gas is being successfully used as a transportation fuel in fleet applications where the fleet returns to a CNG fueling facility each night. The development of the CNG fueling infrastructure for non-fleet transportation will be a challenge, but one that can be addressed. In parallel with the development of the CNG fueling infrasturcture, the development of adequate natural gas pipeline capacity serving western NC will require a financial investment that the current uncertainty in the equity and credit markets may present problems. In short: Infrastructure requires money and the availability of money requires a strong business case and a market capable of acting on a strong business case. I look forward to comments on this regional blog and the opportunity to generate interest in how western NC may help and benefit from clean energy opportunities.

Dan Kincaid's Blog

Clean Energy Opportunities in Western NC

Posted on October 7, 2008 at 9:56pm —

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At 9:02pm on October 7, 2008, Kim Anderson said…: WELCOME and thank you for joining Pickens Plan. I am a volunteer greeter - here to help guide you with some ways that you can help.

EMAIL A LETTER TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
The creators of this site have given us the ability, with little effort, to send a letter to our Representatives in Washington and Governor, too. Please go to "THE PLEDGE" (at the very top of this page on the blue header). On the top of the pledge page there are three rectangular buttons- two blue, and ONE RED BUTTON, that reads "CONTACT CONGRESS". Fill in the short, standard form. Done!

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE PLEDGE
Carry some copies with you and get as many as you can signed and faxed back to Boone. This is how we build our numbers fast! Be a part of the "100 CLUB" by faxing in 100 signed pledges. Let me know when you are done and I will add you to that growing list!

BRING 5 FOLKS TO JOIN
The more members we have the bigger our voice to Congress! With enough members, they will finally have to listen to us, instead of the lobbyists and special interests, who will certainly try to derail this historic effort.

THERE IS NO TIME TO DELAY
…to wait and see…or to see if someone else will step up to the plate. It is time for US to roll up our sleeves and go to work. Right now momentum is working in our favor, but if gas prices retreat, the public will forget the pain, and our moment may be lost. Now is our chance to be a part of the solution!

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Check out an informative video "Topeka, Kansas Town Hall Meeting": http://www.pickensplan.com/news/2008/08/04/video-of-the-topeka-town-hall

PERSONAL ACTION OPTIONS
We need to do more than “preach to the choir”. Sharing ideas with each other is encouraging but that will not 1) increase our membership nor 2) influence public policy. If you know someone in the press or someone who blogs - get them to cover this. Ask those in the public eye to support this plan.

A GROUP FOR EVERYONE
Check out the many groups for Solar, CNG, your area, etc. Connect, learn and share. We grow stronger with your input.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST
We can always use new, fresh Welcome Wagon “drivers”! If you have some free time during the day, let me know - there are directions on the blog on my page.

PLEASE feel free to FRIEND ME so we can keep in touch and share ideas!

Thanks again for joining this historical effort. WE CAN DO THIS!
BEST
Kim