Comments on: T. Boone Pickens Plan to Be Dependant On Natural Gas

By: Alternative Source News

Alternative Source News — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:33:28 +0000

In our local paper it had a headline –

Will falling wind speed curb turbine plans?

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/648631

Wind speed are getting less because of Global warming. I would have thought the opposite

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:05:50 +0000

I live in Texas and have seen them hauling some of those giant blades for their windmills- pretty cool. It shouldn’t be counted on as THE solution- I agree- but it does help. The more I read on this issue, the more convinced I am that there isn’t going to be a magic bullet for our energy woes. We are going to have to look to a combination of solutions, which includes- yes- lighter, more fuel efficient cars.

By: WhatTheHolyHeck

WhatTheHolyHeck — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:14:58 +0000

His plan is (1) unrealistic as the infrastructure changes would take far longer than it would to to liberate the last of our natural gas resources, (2) pointless if it depends upon non-renewable resources for any major restructuring of our infrastructure, and (3) totally self-serving. Why is this guy – a hard-line GOP apologist – being lauded for his “innovative plan” that will benefit himself more than anyone else?

By: DaveBP

DaveBP — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:41:15 +0000

With these ‘oil folks’ it seems to be trend to perpetuate the petroleum industry in any way they can and if changing some names to, say, natural gas, then why not! I guess they just haven’t gotten it yet!

By: Damon Clifford

Damon Clifford — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:38:55 +0000

I think that tidal power has a role in the overall energy production. I believe that it is more beneficial to areas near the ocean where they can set up the generators. I wrote a post about tidal energy earlier this year.

By: gavelect

gavelect — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:50:33 +0000

Well what about tidal power? The innovative (and controversial) UK wave hub being built on the Firth has been giving the go ahead - Energy that gets produced underwater and that can’t be seen to the naked eye must be hailed as a great achievement. As long is it does not have a negative impact in the local marine life the more of green and clean energy we can put into the Scottish Power grid is fantastic. Surely this has to be considered.

By: Damon Clifford

Damon Clifford — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:31:42 +0000

Thanks for the comment John.

I think that Pickens has a great plan. However, we do not want to spend the time and money developing vehicles that run on natural gas and overhauling the infrastructure at stations across America just to have to do it again in 20 years. Even Pickens himself says it would take 10 years to complete his plan. Even though natural gas is America’s top resource, many people believe that it’s about to peak as well. You have to remember when natural gas was $1-$2/MMBTU, they used to set it on fire and let it burn because they couldn’t sell it. If natural gas was depleted in 20 years, we would be stuck in the same position we are today and have to invest more time and money into setting up a new/different infrastructure.

I’m not against using natural gas. I believe that natural gas can be used to produce the electricity for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles until we can develop sustainable energy sources to provide for the transportation energy.

That way, Pickens can still sell his natural gas and we begin to have more emission free vehicles on the road.

The technology for electric vehicles is here. There are many companies in California (and around the world) that already have working vehicles that are all electric or electric hybrids. Check out some of the companies that I’ve covered for the Auto X PRIZE competition.

Now, it’s just a matter of getting those vehicles mass produced. You’re starting to see companies like Mercedes and Volkswagen buy and partner with these electric car companies so they produce them for mass consumption.

By: John Gavin

John Gavin — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:06:30 +0000

You have not fully understood the impetus behind Pickens’ plan to use natural gas in our vehicles. The impetus is the fact that our economy is losing $700 billion annually in foreign oil imports that is growing as the price of oil rises. This loss of American assets is leading the US towards an economic catastrophe.

Pickens believes that with our vast supply of untapped natural gas resources, we can replace the oil used in transportation with natural gas in a less costly and FASTER manner than other alternatives and thereby offset the dollars exported to foreign oil and gasoline producers. It comes down to a matter of time due to the current recession that is exacerbating the economic effects of oil imports.

Waiting for your ideal solution to be developed will not quickly offset the economic downturn that is already accelerating. So, time is of the essence! Pun intended.

Pickens believes his plan will provide additional time for alternatives to be developed that may actually supplant his natural gas solution. He supports the development of all energy alternatives but the current plan is the preferred solution due to the rapidity with which it can be implemented to reduce foreign oil imports.