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If the Pickens plan (which I support) supported a National Energy Lottery (see blog below) proposal and the 4 million followers donated 5 bucks a week for this Energy Raffle, there would be 800 winners a week or 41,600 winners a year of a $25,000 ...
Moving to a genuinely carbon neutral society will take time. It may take government tax breaks to make alternative energy economically viable.
Amnesty America podcast is now live
My interview with the special events coordinator of grassroots efforts is now live on my podcast takingbackAmerica.podomatic.com - many more interviews coming
also new site is up takebackAmerica.webs.com
Moving to a genuinely carbon neutral society will take time. It may take government tax breaks to make alternative energy economically viable. We plan on starting in the heart of New England, Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Moving to a genuinely carbon neutral society will take time. It may take government tax breaks to make alternative energy economically viable. We plan on starting in the heart of New England, Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Profile Information
- Are you interested in becoming an organizer in your area?
- No
- Tell us about your experience with alternative energy:
- Former Director of Engineering for Sun Edison.
Former Nuclear Reactor Operator USS Navy SSN 650.
- What excites you about this campaign?
- Teaming up with like minded individuals who are willing to put family and community in front of their own personal desires.
- What do you want to do to help?
- Lobby and demand energy tax breaks and grants for alternate energy production in Massachusetts.
Comment Wall (86 comments)
- At 10:47pm on January 30, 2009,
Michael Shawn Kendall said… - Hi Mike, Great group you have started with Carbon Neutral! Here is a tool for all of us to get RE projects started (and to reduce emissions as a result) by selling of 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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
- At 11:53am on November 17, 2008,
Luis Garcia VA District 9 Leader said… 
- At 5:32pm on November 4, 2008,
Lou De Frog said… - MIKE
Is it called spamming when you invite all your friends to join Global Development Group? I hope not.
- At 6:32pm on October 4, 2008,
Monte Smith said… - Hey Mike,
Maybe it was the photo of Peter Lori...I don't really know... but Mike...
I want to invite you to check out the Artists Round-Up group.
Because I knew of no other way to do this on this site I decided to create the project in the form of a group. Although, at least in it's beginning stages, the group is really more of a roster for artists to sign in and make themselves know to each other and to all those who are involved in the Pickens Plan than it is an actual group. It is possible though, and not unexpected, that it perhaps will sooner or later evolve into being a genuine group and doing and having as a genuine group.
For now though, I both invite and encourage you to at least go and check the group out. Once you see the set up you'll know whether it's for you or not. And if the purpose of the Artists Round-Up group does not indicate to you maybe there are others you know who might be interested. In such a cirucumstance I would, of course, appreciate your telling them about the group.
http://push.pickensplan.com/group/artistsroundup
Thanks.
Monte
It has been seen.
It has been said.
When the dreams are gone,
The person is dead.
-MS
- At 6:50am on September 29, 2008,
Markie said…
- At 1:24pm on September 10, 2008,
James Artuso said… - Hello,
Just wanted to take a second of your time to invite you to view the solar solution equivalent of the PickensPlan.
www.powur.com/homeenergy1
click View Our Mission and if interested click the back arrow to Become an Ecopreneur.
Also you can see what we offer home owners - www.glenburniesolar.com
Thank You For Your Time
- At 5:31pm on September 7, 2008,
Chris Miller said… - Just wanted to say I liked your call to action for a "Positive Day".
- At 8:17am on August 16, 2008,
Bruce Eric Montgomery said… - Classes teach solar power as clean, green career
Kelly Zito
Friday, August 15, 2008
After a recent layoff ended his 20-year construction career, Javier Hernandez turned to what appears to be one of the rare sunny spots in an otherwise murky economy. Literally.
This summer, amid soaring U.S. fuel prices and increasing worldwide focus on global warming, Hernandez, 63, took the kind of step presidential hopefuls, low-income advocates and Silicon Valley tech lords dream about: He enrolled in a solar panel installation class at San Jose City College.
"We are definitely destroying our planet, and if we destroy the planet, we're destroying ourselves," said Hernandez, who lives in Sunnyvale and considers himself an environmentalist. "Hopefully, I'm going to find a good job after I finish this course, and I can get more experience and eventually bring this technology to (Mexico)."
From a political and economic view, much has been made about "green-collar" jobs. They are "clean" and in the renewable energy arena, are not as likely to go overseas, and could bolster a country hemorrhaging industrial, blue-collar jobs, the argument goes.
But there remains a wide gap between the projected demand for solar, wind and geothermal energy and the expertise necessary to make, install and sell the systems.
That's where Hernandez's class comes in.
He and about 20 others took the second class in solar installation ever offered at San Jose City College. Two evenings a week, the group is learning their way around terms like "photovoltaic modules" (solar panels) and "power inverters" (which convert electricity from direct current to alternating current). During half-day lab classes on Saturdays, they get to design, put together and dismantle systems with their own hands. All for $20 per credit, or $80.
The new green-collar classes - some variations are offered at other community colleges around the Bay Area, such as Cabrillo College - grew out of talks that began two years ago between the education establishment and Silicon Valley's growing solar industry. Eventually, the group was named Solar Tech, and it set out several objectives. Along with streamlining the building permit, utility connection and state rebate systems, the group aimed at advanced training.
Filling the need
Tom McCalmont is the chief executive of Solar Tech and founder of REgrid Power, a Campbell solar design and installation firm. According to a survey by the group, there are currently between 6,900 and 8,000 solar industry workers in the nine-county Bay Area - far short of the 20,000 to 40,000 projected to be needed over the next decade.
"That's a huge need," McCalmont said. "And the nice thing about these jobs is they are green-collar jobs - the types of stable, middle-class jobs that we haven't had in the Bay Area for a number of years now. We have low-paid service jobs or highly paid white-collar jobs."
Roughly speaking, a starting solar panel technician earns up to $19 per hour - about $40,000 per year. Within a couple of years, that can go up to as much as $35 per hour - or nearly $73,000 annually, McCalmont said. Classrooms have primarily focused on solar training because wind, geothermal energy and other sources aren't as widespread and have fewer local businesses.
Savings for home projects
Like Hernandez, Marc Fontana is pursuing solar technology as a second career. Fontana, 52, worked as a software support engineer for Hewlett-Packard for 26 years. After taking early retirement in 2005, Fontana has been getting educated about renewable energy. He also volunteers with a program that puts solar arrays on low-income homes. Eventually, he may become a solar system designer or a HERS rater - someone who uses technology like infrared sensors and blowers to evaluate the energy efficiency of homes and businesses. HERS stands for home energy rating system.
Recently, he installed a 2,500-watt solar system on his own house - another reason some take solar installation classes. Between generous rebates from his local utility, tax credits and savings from his own labor, the system cost him $2,500 - a tenth of the cost of a typical system.
"You won't find a lot of people who can do that because I did the installation myself and I took advantage of the best (local rebate) system in the state," he said.
Rebate deadlock
Though the popularity of renewable energy systems is expected to soar, there are some factors clamping down on the industry's recent growth.
Congress is deadlocked over whether to renew federal tax credits for wind and solar systems for homes and businesses. Though the credits - which max out at $2,000 for residential customers - have helped bolster the industry, they are set to expire at the end of this year. While the House has proposed funding the credits by ending tax subsidies for oil companies and closing a tax loophole for hedge fund managers, Republicans have rejected the ideas, arguing they are stealth tax increases.
As a result, it has been challenging for some recent local graduates to find jobs. Educators who hope to expand renewable energy training classes hope it's just a hiccup. But they are staying in close touch with the industry to tailor classes and curricula during troubled economic times.
"I don't want to flood the market with graduates who can't find jobs," said Kathy Werle, dean of applied sciences at San Jose City College. "Right now we're waiting to see if people get more state and federal incentives. If that happens, there will be growth. But if it doesn't happen... people won't be willing to spend $25,000 on solar systems for their homes."
- Kelly Zito kzito@sfchronicle.com
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/15/BA1C125J23.DTL
http://push.pickensplan.com/group/greenjobsnow
- At 9:40am on August 12, 2008,
Dr. Norman LaFave said… - Hi Mike,
Please take a look at the executive summary on my page and join the group "Paradigm Shift Institute". We are in the process of establishing a nonprofit innovation laboratory in Houston Texas dedicated to inspiring young people to pursue technology careers and to the development of the next-generation of strategic technologies to meet our current global challenges. Alternative energy is a major focus of our program.
Right now, we are in need of people willing to sponsor our efforts or to finding sponsorship for us.
We believe this can be the beginning of an effort that can spread to other areas of the country and create a critical mass of new technology ideas and innovative technologists to meet the challenges.
Any assistance you could provide would be appreciated.
Best Regards,
Norman
- At 10:44am on August 9, 2008,
Joe Shmo said… - I am looking for micro wind companies with a track record ( not easy to find ) that I can invest in, any leads would be greatly appreciated.
I have found one in N. Dakota
Promana ticker PSLU did a reverse split and its assets were taken over via a merger by Crownbutte Wind Power on July 31st 2008, Crownbutte board replaced Promana board July 31st 2008
Crownbutte completed a private placement Aug 1st 2008 to build, own
and operate an approved 200 megawatt wind project with 134 turbines in
southwestern North Dakota estimated cost to build $30,000,000.
Project value upon completion and before tax credits is $50,000,000.
CBWP has been consulting for and building wind power farms in North
Dakota since 1999.
Crownbutte Wind Power
111 5th Ave NE
Mandan, ND 58554
www.crownbutte.com
Stock in new entity is available ticker CBWP now.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
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