However today I sent a letter to Boone asking for his help in locating a Commercial wind turbine for an Community College here in Oregon that trains students to become wind energy technicians...
This is the letter:
Dear Mr. Pickens,
I am the Seco…
Invitation to join the NW Renewable Energy Group
I have started a Regional group, welcoming comments, ideas, and suggestions for Renewable Energy in the NW Region. Including states from the Pacific, Cascade and Rocky Mountain areas. I realize that s…
Hi Jason, Here is a tool for all of us to get renewable energy going. I am working the introduction into Congress a bill for US Treasury "Energy Independence Savings Bonds". Savings bonds are normally purchased in $25 increments. This gives a way for just about any American to tighten their belts just a bit by skipping a meal at McDonalds or Pizza Hut and buying an RE savings bond to support a renewable energy project and save money at the same time for themselves. I need help pushing this project, I've faxed and emailed many in Congress/Senate already.If you agree with this plan please consider passing to other people in your district as it will be a great tool to get funding for PickensPlan projects through support of Renewable Energy projects. On my web page is a link for a new group that was started today called “Energy Independence US Treasury Savings Bonds” At your discretion I encourage you to join on the link as one of “my friends” and the join the group if you agree with the goals. I have created a group on PickensPlan called “Energy Independence US Treasury Savings Bonds” . It is currently listed as the number 3 group on the PickensPlan website and I encourage you to check it out, join if you like it, and become friends on my PickensPlan page. My email address is michael.kendall@ymail.com Here is a copy of a fax sent to Nancy Pelosi the other day:
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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
I would be interested in becoming an organizer in the Ocala, Florida area. Not sure how to go about it...please advise. This campaign is what we have needed for some time. Hopefully, we can keep this campaign going, with great emphasis on fairness without gouging. Because, that is what is wrong with WASHINGTON and CONGRESS...GREED!!!! Note, I am not yelling, simply making a point!
Solar Power Conference and Expo, Reflecting Global Scope and Growth, Becomes Solar Power International
Industry Recognizes Solar Power International as Crucial Event to Conduct Global Business
Solar Power International
WASHINGTON--(www.push.pickensplan.com)--Today the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the two nonprofits that have presented the Solar Power Conference and Expo since 2004, announced that effective immediately, the event will be renamed Solar Power International. The new name and logo reflect soaring international participation and underscore the global scope of both the conference agenda and the expo floor.
Solar Power International, taking place October 13-16, 2008, at the San Diego Convention Center, is the largest solar event in the Americas and the premiere destination for global solar companies conducting business in the United States.
The event now known as Solar Power International has grown an unprecedented 40 percent every year since its inception five years ago. This year the organizers expect more than 15,000 attendees, including solar industry professionals, utility executives, investors, engineers and policymakers, with an international contingent of more than 1,500 hailing from at least 70 countries. In 2004 the expo floor had only four exhibitors from outside the U.S. This year the expo features 110 companies based outside the U.S., approximately 25 percent of the total 425 exhibitors.
“Over the past five years we have continually reshaped our event to address the evolving needs of the industry and offer an indispensable link for solar professionals traversing the globe,” said Julia Hamm, executive director of SEPA and chair of Solar Power International. “This year we will welcome more international visitors than our event’s total attendance in 2004. We recognize the solar industry is defined by international exchange, and it remains our top priority to provide a comprehensive, business-to-business event that engages a worldwide audience, highlights global solar innovation and provides the unparalleled networking opportunities our attendees have come to expect.”
“Solar manufacturers, suppliers and other industry participants are global and operate in a global marketplace – even the smallest installer company is affected,” said Rhone Resch, president of SEIA. “As the U.S. solar energy industry has grown, this conference has become an essential event for global solar energy companies that want to do business in the thriving U.S. market. The strong influx of international attendees is an indication of America’s potential to attract investment, create more green-collar jobs and regain our leadership position.”
“The global solar industry increases in size and complexity with each passing year, and the organizers of Solar Power International have kept pace by expanding the conference program while retaining its quality and accessibility,” said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group (SESG), a subsidiary of Sharp Electronics Corp. and the U.S. solar arm of Sharp Corp. “The market for solar energy knows no borders, and Solar Power International continues to be an important event for us to engage with partners and customers from around the world. The event’s location in the heart of the American solar industry is especially significant because global companies like ours have recognized the growth potential of the U.S. market.”
A highlight of the Solar Power International agenda is the annual CEO Panel, which brings together industry leaders from the United States, Spain and Germany to discuss worldwide market development and reducing technology costs. The conference will also feature opening and closing keynote sessions and more than 60 breakout sessions. The 174,000-square-foot expo floor features 425 exhibitors from every corner of the solar industry. Together the conference program and expo floor encompass the complete range of solar energy technologies, including photovoltaics, concentrating photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, solar hot water and space heating and cooling.
Although almost exclusively a business-to-business event, Solar Power International will continue to expand its focus on consumers through a partnership with the nonprofit California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE). Solar Power International coincides with San Diego’s annual Solar Energy Week, creating a comprehensive, week-long schedule addressing both professional and consumer solar interests. Activities for the public will include Family Solar Day on October 12, a public opening of the Solar Power International expo floor on the evening of October 15 and the Tour of Solar Homes on October 18. San Diego Gas & Electric, the Utility Host Sponsor for Solar Power International, will also be promoting Solar Energy Week activities to both its commercial and residential customers.
Last year’s event sold out in advance, so organizers encourage early registration to guarantee participation. To register, find more information and sign up to receive speaker and session updates, please visit www.solarpowerinternational.com.
The Solar Electric Power Association bridges electric utilities and the solar industry to push solar forward more tangibly, one real business at a time. From national conferences to one-on-one counseling and peer matching services, SEPA’s unique joint partnership offers members critical access to the key business relationships and unbiased, actionable intelligence needed to make solar practical and profitable in today’s shifting energy landscape.
www.solarelectricpower.org
Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of solar energy manufacturers, dealers, distributors, contractors, installers, architects, consultants and marketers. Established in 1974, SEIA works to expand the use of solar technologies in the global marketplace, strengthen research and development, remove market barrier, and improve education and outreach for solar. www.seia.org
Contacts:
A&R Edelman James Cortese, 650-762-2813
jcortese@ar-edelman.com
or
SEPA Josephine Mooney, 202-857-0898 ext. 6
jmooney@solarelectricpower.org
or
SEIA Monique Hanis, 202-682-0556 ext. 4
mhanis@seia.org
Jason,
TRANSPORTATION is the master key to basic survival, and the cornerstone of the economy. We all know that transportation presently depends on oil production, and oil production is peaking. We must focus first on transportation – it is the highest priority. The PickensPlan to transition vehicles to natural gas is a great start toward 100% energy independence, but is a stop-gap measure till we can transition to all electric transportation. Electric energy is strained without adding transportation demands; so we must implement drastic efficiency improvement.
Evacuated Tube Transport (ETT) is a patented technology where travel occurs without air friction or rolling resistance (like “Space Travel on Earth”); ETT can accomplish 50 times more transportation per kWh (or carbon credit) than electric cars or trains. ETT is silent, low cost, safe, faster than jets, and is electric so it can make maximum use of wind or PV power. I invite you to visit my page to learn more about ETT
Jason, Thank you for joining the Communications Support Group. We have a "Featured Discussion" on the Forum section which sets forth some commonly asked Q&A. And we've posted a list of "100 Action Steps You Can Take Now." Yes, energy independence is achievable - within 10 years. Welcome to the Group, and to The Pickens Plan. We look forward to collaborating with you. Ron