Press conference with Boone- Houston

This morning I had the privilege of attending the press conference in Houston which Boone spoke at. During the event, which was hosted by Transtar ( a consortium responsible for providing Transportation Management and Emergency Management services to the Houston area) Pickens released the U.S. Department of Energy Information Administration’s figures on imported Oil to the United States. For the month of January alone the U.S. imported 67.4 percent of its oil, which amounts to 408.7 million barrels. Boone hit the nail on the head when he explained that over that 31 day period we gave $17 million away to countries that “aren’t very nice to us.” Accompanied by State Representative Beverly Woolley, the two emphasized that the US could put that $17 billion a month towards better uses such as updating and repairing infrastructure which in turn could produce jobs, and create more efficient highways. What I took most interest in was Boone’s proposal to convert 345,000 large trucks/semi’s to natural gas. An accomplishment of such would PROVE to the American Transport Industry, and the American people that domestic natural gas is a viable and feasible alternative to foreign oil. In response to an NBC reporter’s question about what the average every-day American can do to help, Pickens said “join the Energy Army”. He wants us to know that every single person that joins the New Energy Army makes a difference; my favorite quote from Boone today “ When meeting with members of congress and the senate I used to have to wait 30 minutes to see them, now they wait 30 minutes to see me. It’s power when you have a million plus people walking with you.” After the press conference, a fellow member of the Energy Army and I had the opportunity to personally meet and speak with Boone. I told him he shouldn’t have left Texas a&m, but cited that after dropping his basketball scholarship he didn’t have many other options. I asked him if the existing infrastructure for natural gas was solid enough to support the large volume of natural gas transport which would accompany a switch over to NGV’s. He explained to me that although the infrastructure is widespread and found all the way across America, that further modification and construction would be necessary over time. What I like about Boone is that he’s a modest man with a plan. He realizes that the Pickens Plan could not and would not work without the work and dedication of every single one of us, and he tries to establish relationships with individuals on a personal level. As the press conference was finishing, a man whose name I do not know yelled out to Boone “there are two members of the Army here today.” Without missing a beat, Boone walked over to where we were standing and greeted us both. He realizes that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and it really feels good to know that he does appreciate every part (person) that walks the path with him. After meeting him today, and seeing the passionate dedication a man of 80 years can have for change and the future of his country, I feel that my potential to make positive change in America is limitless. I’d like to thank Geoff Bailey, and the group of staff accompanying Boone for their hospitality, and kindness. My experience was rewarding, and something I will never forget.