Learn more about T. Boone's plan

By Kevyn Bowling

Now that a gallon of gas now cost about as much as a watered-down six-pack of beer, it is time to look for alternative energy options. T. Boone Pickens, a man who made his billions off black gold, is unsuspectingly the man who has offered one of those options.

His ideas are collectively known as the Pickens Plan, and the whole thing is surprisingly simple.

Twenty-two percent of our nation's electricity comes from natural gas. It is estimated that 20 percent of our nation's electricity could come from wind power. Pickens wants to build windmills along what he calls the nation's “wind belt,” from Texas to North Dakota. That would free up the natural gas to be used in cars as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). It sells around $1.25 a gallon right now.

This natural gas could reduce our dependence on foreign oil by as much as 38 percent a year. We spend around $700 billion dollars a year on foreign oil, so this equates to around $300 billion annually in savings.

Pickens says this can be achieved with the right leadership. He hasn't endorsed either candidate, but wants them both to make the Pickens Plan a priority to be addressed in the first 100 days of their first term. He says his plan can be completed in 10 years. Have you seen those commercials about “We” demanding things like cleaner air and such? That is Pickens speaking in the commercial. Pickens says that the plan is just to bridge us over until we find alternative sources of energy, and that the government needs to invest in research for these alternatives.

A lot of people seem to think Pickens plan is a good idea, but there are some critics. These who oppose Pickens say he underestimates how much natural gas has to be used for electricity. Others say the plan is not enough. My response to that complaint is simply this: As compared to what other plan?

I'm sure Pickens has investments aligned to reap big rewards if this plan plays out, but if it helps everyone, what's wrong with the idea man taking home the most cake? Nothing, as far as I am concerned.

Visit www.pickensplan.com. If you like what you see, you can join the e-mail list. So far, about over 1.3 million people have signed up to learn more about the Pickens Plan.