A Bridge To The Future: Pickens Plan

A replacement for foreign oil, T. Boone Pickens plan can be a bridge to the future. The United States is addicted to foreign oil and its economy is threatened by the millions of barrels of oil imported every year is the belief of Boone Pickens. Foreign oil supplied 24% of the United States oil in 1970. 70% of oil used in the United States will be derived from foreign sources.The world’s oil production reached its apex in 2005, and is now on a downhill slide. The United States uses nearly 25% of world oil production totals. Addiction is the correct term, the citizens of the United States clearly are apathetic to the rise of price of oil. Which it does; without any the influence of peripheral factors, such as increase in demand. The citizens of the United States need to become more aware of the situation, as it is now becoming evident it is quickly developing into a downward spiral. The fact of the matter is, cheap and easy oil is gone.Pickens own statement may very well be the foundation for his plan. “The United States is the Saudi Arabia of wind power.” Indeed, if this is the case, the United States’ dependence on foreign oil should be easy to break. The Great Plains states contain the greatest wind energy potential in the world, by far.Pickens plan is to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by instituting wind power for the mass production of electricity. This would free natural gas resources to power vehicles. This is a simplification of the Pickens plan, however it is plainly recognizable, that it could work. And in a relatively short time span.At this point a 3 MegaWatt wind turbine can produce as much electricity in one year as 12,000 barrels of oil. This is a amazing number. Even more impressive when realized that wind energy is free and self replenishing. Obviously, wind power can produce sizable quantities of electricity.Pickens plan is also beneficial for the environment. Greenhouse gas emissions will be greatly reduced with the implementation of Pickens plan. This may bring about lower air temperatures, which would lower the demand for electricity to energize air conditioning systems. Truly, Pickens plan is multi-faceted, with benefits not to be realized until actual implementation begins.