T. Boone Pickens was recently interviewed to lead off a series focusing on the “leading lights of green business to find tips, strategies and success stories” in helping entrepreneurs and businesses succeed in this new arena.
In the interview, Boone walks through the elements of the Pickens Plan. He lays out the problem:
Think about it — the world produces 85 million barrels a day and we use 21 million in America alone. We have only 4 percent of the population. What are we going to do when China and India catch up with us? That’s a big problem.
And then, in Boone fashion, provides the solution:
Seventy percent of the oil we import goes to [gasoline] or diesel. We have the resources to offset this. Natural gas is our second largest resource next to coal, and the only one that can help with transportation.
The author, Anna Clark wrote:
At a recent town hall meeting you said that if we could get 350,000 18-wheelers to convert to natural gas, we could reduce our imports of foreign oil by 4 percent.
Boone explained why he is focusing his energy on heavy trucks – 18-wheelers:
We’re focused on fleets because one diesel garbage truck emits as much pollution as 350 cars. Heavy-duty trucks are where we can make the biggest difference.
Ms. Clark asked Boone what advice he had for “the next generation of entrepreneurs” who are interested in getting into alternative energy:
This industry is just about to burst open. There is enormous potential. My advice is to get as educated as possible between now and the end of the year. Read about what’s happening in the wind and solar corridors. Also, monitor H.R. 1835. I think we’ll know what we’re looking at by August recess, but certainly by the end of 2009. We will have an energy plan for America for the first time in 40 years. That is where the opportunity is.
To read the entire interview, click HERE.
— The Pickens Team