Boone tells AP "USA Needs a 10-Year Plan"

The Associated Press filed this piece Tuesday afternoon:

Associated Press

06/22/10 4:25 PM EDT

DALLAS — Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens says Americans are ready for the challenge if President Barack Obama will commit to a 10-year plan to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Pickens said Tuesday he believes the U.S. has enough natural gas reserves to “replace dirty foreign oil.” Speaking at the Sustainable Innovation Summit in Dallas, Pickens reiterated his belief that wind and solar power also are keys to energy independence.

The Texas oilman said nothing has happened in the two years since Obama pledged to implement a 10-year plan for exploring alternative energy sources.

Pickens criticized the U.S. for being behind China in trying to solve energy problems.

— The Pickens Team