T. Boone Pickens Says Peak Oil Reached, Plans World’s Largest Wind Farm
When one of Texas’s richest oil men bets big on wind energy, it gets attention. Yesterday NPR’s Living on Earth broadcast an interview with Mr. Pickens, who shared the salient facts about his planned wind project:
- It will be the largest in the world, he reckons, at 4,000 megawatts
- It will provide enough power for 1,300,000 homes
- It’s a $10 billion dollar project from which he plans a 15%-25% profit
Asked why he is investing in wind now, Pickens replied:
“For a number of years I’ve watched the wind turbines develop — and I feel like it’s time for it. I think that oil has peaked at 85 million barrels in the world. We’ve got to develop other forms of energy — wind, I think solar will be next, and I hope I’m still around to be in the solar deal.” (Pickens is 80 years old.
But what if Congress doesn’t vote to extend the wind Production Tax Credit?
- » See also: Storing Renewable Energy in Boxes of Air
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“Well, I think they’ll vote on it. They’ll either do that or they’ll give some kind of carbon credit because, the wind has to be developed in the United States. We’re now importing 72 percent of the oil we use every day. I think everybody can see that we’re gonna break the country if we pay 700 billion dollars a year for, uh, imported oil……I’ve got a good team of people that are knowledgeable in wind energy, and I don’t worry about it. I think it’s a good project, and it’ll do well and we’ll make money. And it’ll help the country.”
I took a look at Pickens’s bio on Wikipedia. He grew up poor but worked hard. He became a geologist in the 50’s, which “were difficult times for the oil industry and petroleum geologists.” He stuck at it and obviously his bet on oil paid off; Pickens is worth $3 billion now. But he’s moving on — to wind. Find out more about this story in the current issue of Fast Company.
T. Boone Pickens on ethanol: Which is Worse: Exporting $1 Billion Per Week or Growing Fuel?
More on Wind Power:
- Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines: The Future of Micro Wind? [w/video]
- The “Unlimited” Potential of American Wind Power: AWEA
- Top Five Micro Wind Turbines
Image credit: www.boonepickens.com
I’m not too hot on the idea of wind power. They are eye sores. I live in Vegas and you see them everywhere near Tecachapi and Livermore, CA. For those of you haven’t seen one, believe me they are outright ugly against our environment. I calculated that to supply 105 million U.S. households would require 53 million windmills throughout the country on about 27 million acres of land. It also has PCB disposal issues and EPA will have to figure that problem out as well. I wrote Mr. Pickens to see if we can build platforms for them in the ocean (bad idea). Remember Senator Kennedy also believes windmills are eyesores and doesn’t want them near his area either. Also have to make sure these windmills are working to their potential because an Indian company is being sued here now for several hundered prototypes that are installed but not meeting the efficiency guarantee. Boone however is thinking outside the box which I give him credit for.
Kents comment about the amount of land required for 53 million windmills would be 27 million acres of land. A DOE study estimates there are 11,502,000 arces suitable for wind farms.Wind farms are just a dream and I think Pickins is looking to make money in land he is planing to buy or allready ownes . Maybe his old oil fields fit into his plan.
Hello All–If Mark’s production prices are right,
then I agree that the usa should go for wind farms
bigtime. I have sent letters to NH official before
I read Pickens Plan, but my slant was ” Gradual
Total Electrification ” of our economy, on a cost
effective basis. The only problem I see is the
” aesthetics argument “, which I say, it is time to
ignore. Our Oil Crisis is much more important.
The problem and solution lie with you and me. We can choose to use energy or not. IF WE DO NOT like the price or it’s source, then use our God given intelligence to find acceptable alternitives. This is the only thing we will have control over.
Let’s not spend our time blaming Big Oil, politicians, or question Pickens motivation.
There is no question that fortunes will be made by those with solutions to the worlds major problems. Let us happily pay and reward those solutions.
The answer lies with you and me.
Hello there, I do agree with him 100% on wind power, and solar power, God gave us the sun and the wind free, Why NOT USE IT, it is common sense,and America can save BILLIONS OF $ for other better things to do for AMERICAN PEOPLE and our country to help make our country stronger again.. I think our country needs a great man with a super mind to celar upour growing problems..in /America.
Horrah for Mr Pickens. Bright fellow and I couldn’t agree more. C J HAY
Some of the bloggers are saying no to the tax credit, not wanting T. Boone to profit at their expense. Wake up dummies, we need this, and if you hadn’t been alseep for the last decade you would know that T. Boone is also investing a large chunk of HIS money.
Also, run a talley on the gifts T. Boone has given to medical reasearch, universities, etc.. Get the picture yet. Looks to me like something besides greed is at work here.
Excellent, it is so wonderful to see someone come up with a plan that is feasible and clean.
I would like to invest in the future of America, where do we sign up.
I just wish more wealthy Americans who owe so much to this country, would step up and combine their resources with Mr. Pickens to make it happen sooner rather than later. How about Mr. Gates or Buffet? If America could retool for WWII in a few short years, why can’t we make this happen sooner rather than later. If there is money to be made by those that take the risk, good for them since it will be good for us too. Crank up some of these idle factories to turn out the turbines!
I’d say Mr. Pickens is genuinely concerned about the future of his country, the future of the world he is leaving behind for his children and grandchildren, just like the rest of us. I can’t see it is profits he is after. Let’s face it, the man is 84 years old, he certainly can’t take his money with him after he is dead.
Does anyone remember the initial price of a calculator? Well, they are very cheap today. I am not so worried about someone’s current calculation of 15 cents per Kilowatt-Power.
Why all the criticism? Geez, at least someone is stepping out and showing some leadership. Our nation will never get anywhere if all we do is talk about alternative energy. It’s time to do something about it. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, and try again“, try something different, something new but try something, anything.
I am a white girl. After 9-11, I finally knew what ‘racism’ felt like, I am hated because of who I am, an American. I say it’s time to take back our power and become self-reliant…however we do it!
I am incredibly impressed with the simplicity of Mr. Pickens approach to our energy needs. I hope that he will be around long enough to guide the country through the rough times ahead.