American Electric Power (AEP) which is one of the largest electric power generators and distributers in the United states has joined forces with T. Boone Pickens to promote the Pickens Plan.
AEP has signed on as a corporate sponsor to the Pickens Plan. In a press release, AEP says:
“The Pickens Plan calls for reducing dependence on foreign oil, expanded use of renewable energy, a new 21st-century power grid, increased conservation and efficiency initiatives, and a program to shift heavy-duty fleet vehicles to domestic fuels to offset foreign oil, diesel and gasoline use.”
Over the past two years, AEP has contracted for 903.4 MW of wind generation capacity. The company has committed to adding 1,000 MW of renewable wind energy to its generation mix by 2011.
To move wind and solar energy from where it is produced to where it is needed, the Pickens Plan calls for the development of an extra-high voltage transmission system to facilitate that expanded use of renewable electricity generation. Extra-high voltage transmission is necessary to transport renewable energy.
Talking about that element of the Pickens Plan, Michael G. Morris, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer said:
“For years, AEP has been the most vocal advocate for development of an extra-high voltage transmission superhighway that will efficiently transport electricity to support economic development and energy security, and The Pickens Plan clearly supports that vision.”
Boone said:
“I am thrilled that AEP is supporting the Pickens Plan. AEP has always been a leader in the electric power industry, and their involvement in our campaign underscores a commitment to energy independence and the transformation of our grid into a state-of-the-art network that can truly manage our renewable resources into the future.
“AEP is one of the growing number of for-profit and non-profit organizations that have embraced our plan. With the support of companies like AEP and our Army of 1.5 million members, we can move forward on our plan to bring natural gas into the transportation cycle for heavy duty trucks, which will significantly reduce our economically devastating dependence on foreign oil. Natural gas is the bridge fuel we can use until sophisticated electric vehicles are ready for consumer use.”
American Electric Power (AEP) is one of the largest power generators and distributors in the US. AEP owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a network of almost 39,000 miles. Its electric utilities serve more than 5 million customers in 11 states and have more than 38,000 MW of largely coal-fired generating capacity.
— The Pickens Team