Why is W. supporter and TX oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens supporting alt energy plans?

Question

Pickens said the plan could cut the amount the country spends annually on foreign oil from $700 billion to $400 billion. He proposed the following steps:

1. Using the United States' wind corridor, private industry will fund the installation of thousands of wind turbines in the wind belt, generating enough power to provide 20 percent or more of the country's electricity supply.

2. Again funded by the private sector, electric power transmission lines will be built, connecting these wind power generating sites with the power grid, providing energy to the population centers in the Midwest, South and Western regions of the country.

3. With the energy from wind now available to serve the large population centers in key areas of the country, the natural gas that was historically used to fuel natural gas-fired power plants can be redirected and used as a fuel for private cars and thousands of vehicles in the transportation system. This reduces the need for imported gasoline and diesel fuels.

According to Ray Bradley of the Institute for Energy Research, who has analyzed the plan, the Pickens plan relies on special government mandates and large subsidies.

Effects on the environment

The Pickens Plan significantly reduces carbon dioxide emmisions because it shifts a percentage of electricity production from combustion to carbon neutral wind power. Automobiles would still produce carbon dioxide whether combusting natural gas or gasoline, but combustion of gasoline produces much larger amounts of nitrogen oxides than combustion of natural gas. Nitrogen oxides are a major air pollutant and cause brownish atmospheric smog.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/t-boone-pickens-statement-us/story.aspx?guid={6C12D6A7-8E15-4F26-9400-80611CEF9B48}&dist=hppr

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._Boone_Pickens#Political_interests_and_contributions

Answer 1

Because Pickens can smell a billion dollar idea!

Answer 2

smoke and mirrors my friend smoke and mirrors - its politically motivated - PERIOD.

If they were really interested in alt energy sources we would be using them already.

besides, we are not running out of oil. Do you believe everything you are told.

tell santa I said hey

Answer 3

It's called capitalism. Maybe they mentioned the idea in your leftist textbooks, but forgot to tell you that it works...

Answer 4

Bush put quite a bit of money into alternate fuels in the budget too.  As a matter of fact his ranch in Crawford runs on alternate fuels (unlike Gore's mansion.)

Answer 5

Pickens is 80 years old and a billionaire, he's not doing this to make money. At his age, I think he actually cares about leaving a good legacy and genuinely wants to make his plan happen for the good of the country.

I think it's a good plan and I've seen nothing out there nearly as comprehensive. What's smart is the natural gas aspect. Cars can be converted quickly to run on natural gas because the technology is already available. Wind technology is also available and can be done quickly. Both are also very cost effective. Government subsidies are necessary to get things going now. It would be one of the best investments we could ever make as taxpayers.

BTW, people do not realize that significant advances have been made in the development of solar power through nano technolgy. See nanosolar.com. Many predict solar will be lower than 5 cents per kilowatt in less than 7 years. We just need to hang on until then!

Answer 6

He not only supports alternative energy sources, but is collaborating with Gore, and Ted Turner in these areas.Not all Bush supporters are total idiots, but too many of them are.