You’re living proof that you don’t have to have a law degree to go far in politics.
That’s right. I’m an agricultural scientist. I’ve been around the world: 37 countries. I lived in Saudi Arabia for seven years and speak Arabic.
The Saudis obviously have their energy needs pretty well taken care of. Name a country outside of the Middle East that’s been proactive in developing an energy plan.
Argentina.
I thought you would have said Brazil with its cane-based ethanol.
They clearly do, but I like Argentina, especially Patagonia, because it’s a lot like Montana. It’s good, big old, rugged country, big mountains, beautiful rivers, great fishing. It’s still rough country. And when you arrive in Buenos Aires, the first thing you notice when you get in a car and drive from the airport into the city is that it runs on natural gas.
You mean you can choose between gasoline or diesel and compressed natural gas?
There’s no choice. You can’t find a gasoline car in Buenos Aires. For that matter you can’t find a gas station within the city limits. You’ve got to get outside the city before you can even find any that sell gasoline or diesel because they all run on compressed natural gas.
Pretty impressive, isn’t it?
I’m telling you. Here’s a country that’s 20 years ahead of us and using compressed natural gas. You want to see what America should do? Get on a plane and fly to Buenos Aires.
INTERVIEW CONDUCTED, CONDENSED, AND EDITED BY ERIC O’KEEFE