Ryan Jones, Idaho State Leader
-Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Ryan Jones. I attend Idaho State University and am currently studying instrumentation and controls. I am learning the hard skills necessary to work in the energy industry and more specifically the natural gas industry. In addition, I work for ESTEC which is the new Energy Systems Technology Education Center at ISU. We organize science days for elementary schools in east Idaho by bringing energy related activities to to the classroom with the idea of stimulating kids interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These four disciplines are an essential ingredient as the United States prepares for stagnate and or declining oil production.
– Why are you part of the Pickens Plan?
I am in the school of thought that global oil production is very near if not already past peak production. New oil fields are extremely challenging to find and produce. Giant fields are declining in production. Leaving us with oil sand projects, deep sea production, and dependence on OPEC. It’s extremely difficult to get an accurate field by field assessment of OPEC’s oil reserves and production. We are not sure what they have and what they can produce. It does not make economic sense for our economy to depend on these guys especially in a world where demand will far outstrip supply. We have the resources and the work ethic to reduce the dependency. The Pickens Plan is the plan that will start the process of decreasing our
dependence on OPEC oil. Coupled with global warming, this is the most pressing issue facing my generation but we are ready to roll!
– Tell us about things you’ve done to promote the Pickens Plan
I’ve promoted the plan by talking to government leaders at the local and state level. Idaho’s governor Butch Otter was one of the first governor’s to sign the Pickens Plan pledge. I’ve used the local papers for promotion by writing Op-Eds or by them doing stories on my involvement with the Pickens Plan. I’ve used the website to send BoonCams or articles to my network of people throughout Idaho and the country. I wear the Pickens Plan trucker hat which can be a great conversation starter.
-Share one idea for what you’d like to accomplish through your work with the Pickens Plan in the next 3 months.
Idaho’s congressional leaders Rep. Simpson, Sen. Crapo, and Sen. Risch have not signed the Pickens Plan. I’d like to see leaders at the federal level become more involved with the dependency problem and sign on to the plan. We have 2010 elections right around the corner and my vote goes to the canidates that understand and support our mission.
“Meet the Army” is a series here on Daily Pickens featuring New Energy Army members and how they are making a difference by being involved in the Pickens Plan. Who knows, maybe we’ll see you here soon! Click here to join your State and District Groups and get involved.