In a keynote address yesterday in Richmond, T. Boone Pickens urged elected officials and private-sector leaders to push for America to get on its own energy resources. According to the Daily Press:
Speaking Wednesday before hundreds of people at the Governor’s Conference on Energy in Richmond, Pickens said newly purchased state and federal vehicles should be required to run on domestic fuel sources. That could include everything from electric cars to vehicles powered by propane and compressed natural gas. “The solution is to get on our own resources,” he said.
Pickens made a point of criticizing America’s leadership for failing to develop an energy plan over the past four decades. Cheap oil gradually lulled the U.S. into a dangerous addiction to imported oil that is now hampering economic recovery.
In a related story, The New York Times reports that the U.S. trade deficit widened sharply in August with more than half the $46 billion attributable to foreign oil:
Imports of petroleum products rose 3.5 percent to $27.6 billion, the highest level since April, as the average price of a barrel of imported crude oil rose to $73.47, up from $72.09 in July. That was the highest price since May.
Enjoy a great video clip featuring a spirited dialogue between Gov. Bob McDonnell and Boone Pickens at the Governor’s Energy Conference HERE.