When it came time to select this year’s most important energy stories, who did Forbes turn to? T. Boone Pickens.

The BP oil spill was just one of seven noteworthy events that the lifelong energy entrepreneur singled out in 2010. Among the others that Pickens keyed in on were China’s aggressive strategy to supply the energy needs of its rapidly expanding economy, America’s opportunity to develop its enormous supplies of shale gas, Congress’s complacent attitude about establishing an energy plan for the U.S., and our country’s addiction to dangerous sources of foreign oil.

Access the entire slide show HERE.