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:
I use low energy lightbulbs, have double paned windows, have installed insulation for increased energy efficiency and have studied alternative energy since 1993 beginning in university.
What excites you about this campaign?
One can get people to lobby congress and cause change, but there needs to be a clear, specific message. When one lobbies, it is vital to have clear points to tell these Representatives, not just generalities. Otherwise, they don't know what to do. One must tell them specifically what to do. T. Boone - what specifically shall I rally my people to do?
What do you want to do to help?
First I need to be informed what the plan actually entails. Specifically. Then, I can be a leader to motivate people with a focused, consistent course of action with clear expectations. In this way the objections can be anticipated and easily overcome and winning more support is inevitable.
Comment Wall (23 comments)
You need to be a member of PickensPlan to add comments!
Denise - This may be 10yrs into future - but - Have you read this article on giant leap for SOLAR energy out of M.I.T.? “…Until now, (8-5-08) solar power has been a daytime-only energy source, because storing extra solar energy for later use is prohibitively expensive and grossly inefficient. With today's announcement, MIT researchers have hit upon a simple, inexpensive, highly efficient process for storing solar energy…”
No, that wasn't the reason for the invite. That is one precious dog face. We have two New Zealand Pomeranians and they are so wonderful. The hook for me was Atlanta and then I read your profile, so I felt that it was important to share some dialogue with someone from this part of the continental US. We need to network and share ideas.
I travel to Atlanta for business often, most recently there for the WBENC’s (Women Business Enterprise National Council) annual WIB (Women In Business) conference in June 08 http://www.wbenc.com/ .
My minister has hosted many women’s conferences in Atlanta – and I have attended.
I am also in Atlanta often with NASCAR - as I serve on the National Board of Directors for the Speedway Children's Charities and this is my 7th term. I have been a volunteer for this charity for the past 13 years. http://www.speedwaycharities.org
In addition to owning and running my own business--Lone Star Web, Inc. http://www.lonestarweb.com , I am a National Partner and Texas Rep for WIPP Women Impacting Public Policy (bipartisan). We are 505,000 strong - making us a very powerful and respected voice on Capital Hill, as well as with our individual State Senators and House of Representative members.
Please logon and check out WIPP:
http://www.wipp.org/index.asp
TEXAS
http://www.wipp.org/statedetail.asp?state=TX
Thank you for your reply and I hope that I have answered your question.
We could use some help with an exciting approach to the problem...
Please visit the group "Paradigm Shift Institute", a proposed nonprofit organization dedicated to education, innovation, entrepeneurship, and solving national and global problems.
We are going to be having more of a get together, get to know everyone to maybe see what expertise everyone has. Would love you to join us and if you have some ideas for the meeting please advise!
I have including a letter to your congressman to help change the laws. yourlettertoyourcongressman.doc
This is what Picken's plan is all about . My plan is simpler, changethe definition of net metering from "customer premise" to have the location of the private generator be in same load and service area. The you can have both high altitude wind turbines (HAWT) and concentrated solar generators on the same property producing electricity for "your power company." In stead of some national grid costing trillion; let embrace the distributed grid concept of Germans who have very successfully added solar and wind to their mix.
Denise, you are so right! We need a "plan for the plan" with specific step-by-step objectives, timeline, laws introduced by Congress and state legislatures, funding proposals,and a "pay as you go" that the Democrats passed years ago but has been ignored.
I heard that Pickens plans to put up the first half of the cost for his "wind farm", and wants government money for the second half. Do you know anything about that?
My view, is simply to introduce the PP (Pickens Plan) to my Senators, and Congressman, Jay Inslee, who is a big proponent of alternative energy already, and local legislators, whom I know, and am campaigning for.
I see a need to develop a "basket" of alternative energy sources, including wind, solar, geothermal, co-generation, microhydro, biogas, and tidal when cost is significantly reduced.
Did you click on the CNG link on PP and find local stations? We have several. Our own "Bio-Lyle" has a "still" in his basement to produce bio-diesel and teaches several classes a year on how to do the same.
Radical ideas: Cancel all "fun"/waste of fuel activities, such as hydroplane and car races, or apply carrot and stick methods to switch to alternative fuels. Replace all electric motors from treadmills with generators to power the lights at exercise facilities. Put all these bike racers on stationary bikes to produce electricity and make productive use of all that energy!
Did you know that there is a jet that has flown on canola oil as fuel?
Thank you, Marilynn. Do you know of any way to communicate with the administrator of this site for suggestions? Jay
I like the blog. It seems sometimes, some people use this site for a romantic encounter, or date matching profile! I always read the blog before I ask to request a friend. We are here for alternative energy, not alternative love line.....LOL. You sound intelligent, and authentic. It seems like you have alot to offer to the plan. I am a small town, hard working guy that wants to make a BIG difference. And get out of this sludge of oil we are now in.
Winds here in Oregon are very dead at times. So I am exploring ways that across the "clean energy board", A home owner can build cheap, and easy energy alternatives. I am trying to make my own wind turbine system and construct it on the "working mans plan". I think that if we can show people that anyone can tackle this & do-it-yourself type of mentality, it's very empowering, and you get a strong sense of accomplishment!
I want to thank you for your comment and I am happy to tell you that I, sam fleet,richard bradford, and others are working on new idea to get the wind power to NYC and other cities. I believe I have an idea that might make transporting the wind to NYC work. It appears be financable with incentives and may overcome the barriers regarding the tranmisson lines and grids. If am right, you will have a great story to tell your children and grandkids.
We the people of the United States of America deserve a coherent energy policy that looks toward an energy independent future.
There are numerous examples of nations working toward energy independence. Brazil, for example, has already achieved this goal through sugar cane ethanol and increases in their domestic drilling program, resulting in stable fuel prices not subject to international fluctuations. Please note that many Brazilian alternative fuel vehicles are manufactured by Ford and General Motors but are not available for purchase in the United States.
Iran has initiated a government-subsidized program to convert all cars to natural gas or bifuel (natural gas and gasoline) capability, and to make both fuels available at filling stations.
China’s alternative fuel of choice is methanol. It’s more corrosive than ethanol but doesn’t require organic food sources to produce, instead being made from coal, natural gas, organic or industrial wastes, or even power stations’ smokestack emissions, reducing greenhouse gases and fueling cars at the same time.
There are many other nations that are either working toward energy independence or have already achieved it, including Iceland, India, Israel, Denmark, and Sweden. The too-often vocalized opinion that the United States is incapable of achieving this same goal is absurd.
For too long we have been hostage to external influences over which we have no control. Reliance upon foreign oil has allowed the politics of our international friends no less than those of our enemies to undercut our economic and industrial freedom. This must stop.
Also for too long we have been polluting our own land, air, and water. All forms of toxic emissions must be reduced to preserve a heritage for our descendants.
The elements for energy independence and a more livable environment are present throughout America, including natural gas, wind and solar power, and nuclear energy. The necessary technology is readily available to achieve this goal, allowing for electricity generation and transportation needs by alternative and cleaner means. All that has been lacking is a logical plan to put these pieces together and the leadership to see it through.
Such a plan has recently been proposed by Mr. T. Boone Pickens. As a citizen of these United States, I ask you to support the modify Pickens Plan in your sphere of political influence and to help us achieve energy independence for now and for our children’s future. Enclose is copy of modify Pickens’ plan
Sincerely,
Our Plan that we would like to be enacted into legislation
1. We need a modern, updated national grid system capable of handling alternative energy sources from multiple providers as advocated by the Pickens Plan. We propose that Congress legislate this national grid for harvesting wind, solar, and other power sources from appropriate locations, including the interior wind corridor, offshore wind sources, the solar corridor in the Southwestern states, and others as established through ongoing research and development. Design and preparation for upgrades and/or new construction should be undertaken in the next 24 months, financed by Federal loan guarantees and a $500Bn grant building program.
2. We need a national net metering standard enacted for all states.
Discussion: Net metering is a tariff that allows you (the people) to have your own renewable energy system located at your house or place of business, allowing you to generate electricity on your premises and trade it against your power usage. Essentially, this means your power meter would run backward when you generated power.
A tariff limitation of 10 kW or 100 kW, as is the case in some states, is generally too small for many businesses. The limitation is tied to transmission line capability, and a recent study conducted in Oregon concluded that 2 MW is an appropriate limitation standard. Several states, including California, Nevada, Oregon, and now New York, have already enacted that standard.
Solution: Make 2 MW the national standard for the net metering tariff limitation and apply it both to individual premises, such as residences or businesses, and to community solar or wind parks.
3. We need community solar and wind farms, not only to supply power within local load and service areas, but also to supply electricity to the grid through net metering. However, the current definition of “customer” in the concept of net metering limits its application to individual locations, such as a residence or business, and does not allow for the application of community co-ops. We need to change that definition to allow for such local initiatives within load and service areas, and to allow for orderly grid management of distributed energy systems.
4. We need a comprehensive incentives program, much like the Europeans but different. We need an energy trust of $50Bn, to be managed by the states, as incentives for individuals, businesses, and industries. These incentives can take the form of either tax credits or rebates to encourage the adoption of the renewable energy technology.
5. We have the technology today for wind and solar energy production, and private venture groups are funding all manner of systems. For example, organic dyes developed by the MIT and new work by spectral spitting by the University of Delaware have the potential for solar efficiencies 50%. In addition to these private groups, the Department of Energy has enacted a $10Bn loan guarantee program, which in June 2008 entered its second round of solicitations. We need to support this program. As well, the SBA’s Office of Technology includes award programs to encourage high-tech and alternative energy research and development projects among America’s small businesses. We need to pass their new Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs to provide $300K for phase I (startups) and $2.1Mn for Phase II (expansion and evaluations) with a national goal of $2Bn for these programs.
6. We need a real incentive, not only for American manufacturers to develop more fuel-efficient and alternative energy cars for the American marketplace, but also for Americans to buy and drive these cars.
Discussion: Today Americans are faced with increasing inflationary pressures on their pocketbooks, with higher prices in the areas of energy, food, clothing, and housing. Many Americans are unable to purchase more fuel-efficient cars or convert their current cars to run on alternative fuels. Currently available and future alternatives include the 30 electric car companies in America, some of which have products ready for the market, as well as large automobile manufacturers with forward-looking NG, Flex, hybrid, and electrical cars.
Solution: We need a Federal tax credit ranging from $4K to $16K to assist with the cost of upgrading American automobiles to a minimum mileage of 35 MPG, with an additional $1K credit for every 5 MPG increase above that level.
In addition, the current tax credit of $4K for converting a vehicle from burning gasoline to natural gas should be increased to 50% of the cost of conversion over a three-year period.
7. Finally, we need to enact a 10-year Production Tax Credit for wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources, forcing an end to the “stop and go” policy of past Congresses.
Comment Wall (23 comments)
You need to be a member of PickensPlan to add comments!
Join this Ning Network
Take a look -
fuelcelltoday.com
No, that wasn't the reason for the invite. That is one precious dog face. We have two New Zealand Pomeranians and they are so wonderful. The hook for me was Atlanta and then I read your profile, so I felt that it was important to share some dialogue with someone from this part of the continental US. We need to network and share ideas.
I travel to Atlanta for business often, most recently there for the WBENC’s (Women Business Enterprise National Council) annual WIB (Women In Business) conference in June 08 http://www.wbenc.com/ .
My minister has hosted many women’s conferences in Atlanta – and I have attended.
I am also in Atlanta often with NASCAR - as I serve on the National Board of Directors for the Speedway Children's Charities and this is my 7th term. I have been a volunteer for this charity for the past 13 years. http://www.speedwaycharities.org
In addition to owning and running my own business--Lone Star Web, Inc. http://www.lonestarweb.com , I am a National Partner and Texas Rep for WIPP Women Impacting Public Policy (bipartisan). We are 505,000 strong - making us a very powerful and respected voice on Capital Hill, as well as with our individual State Senators and House of Representative members.
Please logon and check out WIPP:
http://www.wipp.org/index.asp
TEXAS
http://www.wipp.org/statedetail.asp?state=TX
Thank you for your reply and I hope that I have answered your question.
Please keep in touch.
Kim
We could use some help with an exciting approach to the problem...
Please visit the group "Paradigm Shift Institute", a proposed nonprofit organization dedicated to education, innovation, entrepeneurship, and solving national and global problems.
Best Regards,
Norman
We are going to be having more of a get together, get to know everyone to maybe see what expertise everyone has. Would love you to join us and if you have some ideas for the meeting please advise!
keith
This is what Picken's plan is all about . My plan is simpler, changethe definition of net metering from "customer premise" to have the location of the private generator be in same load and service area. The you can have both high altitude wind turbines (HAWT) and concentrated solar generators on the same property producing electricity for "your power company." In stead of some national grid costing trillion; let embrace the distributed grid concept of Germans who have very successfully added solar and wind to their mix.
I heard that Pickens plans to put up the first half of the cost for his "wind farm", and wants government money for the second half. Do you know anything about that?
My view, is simply to introduce the PP (Pickens Plan) to my Senators, and Congressman, Jay Inslee, who is a big proponent of alternative energy already, and local legislators, whom I know, and am campaigning for.
I see a need to develop a "basket" of alternative energy sources, including wind, solar, geothermal, co-generation, microhydro, biogas, and tidal when cost is significantly reduced.
Did you click on the CNG link on PP and find local stations? We have several. Our own "Bio-Lyle" has a "still" in his basement to produce bio-diesel and teaches several classes a year on how to do the same.
Radical ideas: Cancel all "fun"/waste of fuel activities, such as hydroplane and car races, or apply carrot and stick methods to switch to alternative fuels. Replace all electric motors from treadmills with generators to power the lights at exercise facilities. Put all these bike racers on stationary bikes to produce electricity and make productive use of all that energy!
Did you know that there is a jet that has flown on canola oil as fuel?
Thank you, Marilynn. Do you know of any way to communicate with the administrator of this site for suggestions? Jay
Winds here in Oregon are very dead at times. So I am exploring ways that across the "clean energy board", A home owner can build cheap, and easy energy alternatives. I am trying to make my own wind turbine system and construct it on the "working mans plan". I think that if we can show people that anyone can tackle this & do-it-yourself type of mentality, it's very empowering, and you get a strong sense of accomplishment!
I want to thank you for your comment and I am happy to tell you that I, sam fleet,richard bradford, and others are working on new idea to get the wind power to NYC and other cities. I believe I have an idea that might make transporting the wind to NYC work. It appears be financable with incentives and may overcome the barriers regarding the tranmisson lines and grids. If am right, you will have a great story to tell your children and grandkids.
We the people of the United States of America deserve a coherent energy policy that looks toward an energy independent future.
There are numerous examples of nations working toward energy independence. Brazil, for example, has already achieved this goal through sugar cane ethanol and increases in their domestic drilling program, resulting in stable fuel prices not subject to international fluctuations. Please note that many Brazilian alternative fuel vehicles are manufactured by Ford and General Motors but are not available for purchase in the United States.
Iran has initiated a government-subsidized program to convert all cars to natural gas or bifuel (natural gas and gasoline) capability, and to make both fuels available at filling stations.
China’s alternative fuel of choice is methanol. It’s more corrosive than ethanol but doesn’t require organic food sources to produce, instead being made from coal, natural gas, organic or industrial wastes, or even power stations’ smokestack emissions, reducing greenhouse gases and fueling cars at the same time.
There are many other nations that are either working toward energy independence or have already achieved it, including Iceland, India, Israel, Denmark, and Sweden. The too-often vocalized opinion that the United States is incapable of achieving this same goal is absurd.
For too long we have been hostage to external influences over which we have no control. Reliance upon foreign oil has allowed the politics of our international friends no less than those of our enemies to undercut our economic and industrial freedom. This must stop.
Also for too long we have been polluting our own land, air, and water. All forms of toxic emissions must be reduced to preserve a heritage for our descendants.
The elements for energy independence and a more livable environment are present throughout America, including natural gas, wind and solar power, and nuclear energy. The necessary technology is readily available to achieve this goal, allowing for electricity generation and transportation needs by alternative and cleaner means. All that has been lacking is a logical plan to put these pieces together and the leadership to see it through.
Such a plan has recently been proposed by Mr. T. Boone Pickens. As a citizen of these United States, I ask you to support the modify Pickens Plan in your sphere of political influence and to help us achieve energy independence for now and for our children’s future. Enclose is copy of modify Pickens’ plan
Sincerely,
Our Plan that we would like to be enacted into legislation
1. We need a modern, updated national grid system capable of handling alternative energy sources from multiple providers as advocated by the Pickens Plan. We propose that Congress legislate this national grid for harvesting wind, solar, and other power sources from appropriate locations, including the interior wind corridor, offshore wind sources, the solar corridor in the Southwestern states, and others as established through ongoing research and development. Design and preparation for upgrades and/or new construction should be undertaken in the next 24 months, financed by Federal loan guarantees and a $500Bn grant building program.
2. We need a national net metering standard enacted for all states.
Discussion: Net metering is a tariff that allows you (the people) to have your own renewable energy system located at your house or place of business, allowing you to generate electricity on your premises and trade it against your power usage. Essentially, this means your power meter would run backward when you generated power.
A tariff limitation of 10 kW or 100 kW, as is the case in some states, is generally too small for many businesses. The limitation is tied to transmission line capability, and a recent study conducted in Oregon concluded that 2 MW is an appropriate limitation standard. Several states, including California, Nevada, Oregon, and now New York, have already enacted that standard.
Solution: Make 2 MW the national standard for the net metering tariff limitation and apply it both to individual premises, such as residences or businesses, and to community solar or wind parks.
3. We need community solar and wind farms, not only to supply power within local load and service areas, but also to supply electricity to the grid through net metering. However, the current definition of “customer” in the concept of net metering limits its application to individual locations, such as a residence or business, and does not allow for the application of community co-ops. We need to change that definition to allow for such local initiatives within load and service areas, and to allow for orderly grid management of distributed energy systems.
4. We need a comprehensive incentives program, much like the Europeans but different. We need an energy trust of $50Bn, to be managed by the states, as incentives for individuals, businesses, and industries. These incentives can take the form of either tax credits or rebates to encourage the adoption of the renewable energy technology.
5. We have the technology today for wind and solar energy production, and private venture groups are funding all manner of systems. For example, organic dyes developed by the MIT and new work by spectral spitting by the University of Delaware have the potential for solar efficiencies 50%. In addition to these private groups, the Department of Energy has enacted a $10Bn loan guarantee program, which in June 2008 entered its second round of solicitations. We need to support this program. As well, the SBA’s Office of Technology includes award programs to encourage high-tech and alternative energy research and development projects among America’s small businesses. We need to pass their new Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs to provide $300K for phase I (startups) and $2.1Mn for Phase II (expansion and evaluations) with a national goal of $2Bn for these programs.
6. We need a real incentive, not only for American manufacturers to develop more fuel-efficient and alternative energy cars for the American marketplace, but also for Americans to buy and drive these cars.
Discussion: Today Americans are faced with increasing inflationary pressures on their pocketbooks, with higher prices in the areas of energy, food, clothing, and housing. Many Americans are unable to purchase more fuel-efficient cars or convert their current cars to run on alternative fuels. Currently available and future alternatives include the 30 electric car companies in America, some of which have products ready for the market, as well as large automobile manufacturers with forward-looking NG, Flex, hybrid, and electrical cars.
Solution: We need a Federal tax credit ranging from $4K to $16K to assist with the cost of upgrading American automobiles to a minimum mileage of 35 MPG, with an additional $1K credit for every 5 MPG increase above that level.
In addition, the current tax credit of $4K for converting a vehicle from burning gasoline to natural gas should be increased to 50% of the cost of conversion over a three-year period.
7. Finally, we need to enact a 10-year Production Tax Credit for wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources, forcing an end to the “stop and go” policy of past Congresses.
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