Oilman Fights Causes of Global Warming
T. Boone Pickens Plan for Natural Gas, Wind Energy
Sep 10, 2008
According to T. Boone Pickens, oilman turned environmentalist, we [Americans] are transferring $700 billion fossil fuel energy dollars each year to foreign countries which he says is “...four times the annual cost of the Iraq war...I’ve been an oil man all my life...if we create a new renewable energy network, we can break our addiction to foreign oil.” One of his projects is to stop foreign oil addiction, and help solve environmental issues by organizing and influencing Congress to create financial incentives for switching to cleaner, cheaper renewable energy sources.
Clean Renewable Energy for Texas Panhandle
Pickens predicts his Texas project will use wind energy to produce enough electricity to power 1.3 million homes. He organized a coalition of landowners in the Texas panhandle, and they have filed documents that outlines plans for “...the world’s largest wind farm.”
In 2001, he reincorporated the Pickens Fuel Corporation to Clean Energy Corporation, now a major provider of vehicular natural gas. He believes natural gas to be the best alternative stating, “...a domestic resource that reduces our foreign oil consumption...less expensive than petroleum and hydrogen...”
Environmental Impact of Natural Gas
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL], providing the U.S. Department of Energy with technological and scientific research, has information on their site illustrating that natural gas carbon emissions are about half that of coal. Since wind energy does not add to global warming, Pickens wind power to generate electricity is his only renewable energy project. The NREL does not consider natural gas a renewable energy.
Facts About Solar Energy, Bioenergy, Wind Energy, Geothermal Power
The NREL names bioenergy, geothermal power, wind energy, and solar energy as renewable energies not affecting global warming. Bioenergy is derived from plants and plant related products such as waste. Geothermal power is heat from the earth accessed by drilling into the surface. According to the NREL technical research is ongoing for deep earth drilling to access hot rocks, magma, and hot water. Solar panels and windmills for producing energy are listed as renewable sources.
Difference Between Al Gore, T. Boone Pickens Clean Energy Solutions
The Al Gore Climate Project, We Campaign, and other Gore clean energy solutions include 100% renewable energy sources. Gore’s projects call for 100% elimination of use of fossil fuels in 10 years. Pickens plan is 50% renewable energy and 50% non renewable energy.
The Pickens case for natural gas is its abundance and cost. Also, according to NREL, natural gas is one of the least polluting fossil fuels that add to global warming. Visitors to his website will learn about his contribution to cleaner energy, and how he has invested his own money and time to grow natural gas and wind energy in the U.S. Also, he is organizing people to influence clean energy legislation.
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