Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Pickens' plan should spark energy debate
by Midland Reporter-Telegram
Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens made an American fortune by drilling for oil. Now he says the future resides in alternative fuels, including wind power, and he's putting his money where his mouth is.
Pickens'company, Mesa Power LP, is building a wind farm near Pampa that would be the largest in the world. American Wind Energy Association spokeswoman Susan Williams Sloan said it eventually could generate more than five times the 735 megawatts produced at the present largest wind farm near Abilene. One megawatt is enough to power 250 homes in Texas.
To hear Pickens talk about wind power can be a bit discombobulating to those in the energy business, but when he talks, people listen. He's gone from boom to bust and back in oil and he sure isn't afraid to tackle a new challenge. Besides, he thinks the time has come when America can't drill itself out of the current energy crisis.
Pickens' plan is relatively simple. Over the coming decade, he wants to build enough turbines in the nation's "wind belt" from Texas to North Dakota to provide more than 20 percent of the nation's electricity needs. Pickens says that would free up enough natural gas to reduce foreign oil imports by 38 percent, ostensibly accelerating the trend to cars powered by something other than oil.
Pickens believes his plan would cost $1.2 trillion, but it would allow the United States to keep at least a third of the $700 billion it annually sends abroad for oil. Naturally, he wants help from the government to aid his vision. He wants Congress to either extend construction tax credits set to expire at year's end or establish other incentives for new wind generation.
It would appear Pickens' message will at least get an ear since the upcoming presidential race between Barak Obama and John McCain surely will deal with energy issues. It is doubtful the American public will let that issue slide by as gas heads past the $4 per gallon mark.
We don't know if Pickens' energy plan is the answer to America's energy woes, but at least an energy "voice" is on the scene. That can't be a bad thing. We hope Pickens does start a national energy debate that results in a plan the nation can live and prosper with.
It's time the United States seriously approaches a widespread slate of energy issues to develop a clear path to the future.
Pickens'company, Mesa Power LP, is building a wind farm near Pampa that would be the largest in the world. American Wind Energy Association spokeswoman Susan Williams Sloan said it eventually could generate more than five times the 735 megawatts produced at the present largest wind farm near Abilene. One megawatt is enough to power 250 homes in Texas.
To hear Pickens talk about wind power can be a bit discombobulating to those in the energy business, but when he talks, people listen. He's gone from boom to bust and back in oil and he sure isn't afraid to tackle a new challenge. Besides, he thinks the time has come when America can't drill itself out of the current energy crisis.
Pickens' plan is relatively simple. Over the coming decade, he wants to build enough turbines in the nation's "wind belt" from Texas to North Dakota to provide more than 20 percent of the nation's electricity needs. Pickens says that would free up enough natural gas to reduce foreign oil imports by 38 percent, ostensibly accelerating the trend to cars powered by something other than oil.
Pickens believes his plan would cost $1.2 trillion, but it would allow the United States to keep at least a third of the $700 billion it annually sends abroad for oil. Naturally, he wants help from the government to aid his vision. He wants Congress to either extend construction tax credits set to expire at year's end or establish other incentives for new wind generation.
It would appear Pickens' message will at least get an ear since the upcoming presidential race between Barak Obama and John McCain surely will deal with energy issues. It is doubtful the American public will let that issue slide by as gas heads past the $4 per gallon mark.
We don't know if Pickens' energy plan is the answer to America's energy woes, but at least an energy "voice" is on the scene. That can't be a bad thing. We hope Pickens does start a national energy debate that results in a plan the nation can live and prosper with.
It's time the United States seriously approaches a widespread slate of energy issues to develop a clear path to the future.
 |
 |
|
| Canada wages all-out attack against tobacco | Complex does generate cash for Midland |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of mywesttexas.com.
Oh cmon wrote on Jul 15, 2008 9:09 PM:
" "The output of wind farms is too low to replace the energy it took to build the farm."
That's gotta be on of the dumbest things ever said.
Care to cite your stupidity? "
That's gotta be on of the dumbest things ever said.
Care to cite your stupidity? "
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, however we reserve the right to delete any post we see that may be considered slanderous, excessive and/or foul language, or any post that we may deem inappropriate.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
News
Sports
Business
Entertain
Life
White wrote on Jul 14, 2008 6:45 PM: