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
Wind is a feasible solution to a very serious problem facing our country today and for the future. And if Mr. Pickens or other corporate leaders can profit from it I say go for it. Competition is the great equalizer. What we need is an energy alternative that can compete with oil.
Harnessing wind power sounds really nice, but if we were exploiting our own oil reserves this would not be the issue. The enviro Nazi’s will stop this just like they stopped nuclear.
Problem with wind power is it is only generated when the wind blows.
I just saw your TV ad on wind-turbin power.
Our country is capable of making these great strides. I believe there are many that share your vision…I wish they had the courage, and capabilities that you do.
I am embarrassed that we don’t prioritize our battles. There are poor, hungry , and destitute people in this world.
I’m not wishing to slight the people in remote world locations…But many who need help ‘can be found in every major city in America’. Apparantly President Bush hasn’t seen them. Or maybe he doesn’t care. I have found his leadership nauseating.
He knew the importance of finding alternative energy and fuels when he took office. More people like yourself, should push-on. I applaude you, and wish you well at every turn.
May God Speed.
Respectfully Yours,
Carol Ann Moxham
I believe the government should put together a think tank (with top scientists) like they did when they funded the Manhattan project. They can come up with a brilliant new solution - probably something we have never even thought of….and if we put our heads and hearts into seriously finding a solution and get the whole nation involved - monetarily, fundraising concerts, walks, stickers, motto’s etc. etc. etc. …if we do this -there is nothing our country can not do!
Good ideas but ther is room for improvement (i.e. promote bringing on line immediately cane sugar and switchgrass as a better source for ethanol to provide clean and green non-toxic fuel for the 8 million or so flex fuel vehicals already on our highways with more coming. We nned to promote (require?) distribution comliance and eliminate obstructive red tape. Then focus on battery (solar?) hybrids for future development and promotion.
THANK YOU MR. PICKENS FOR PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND A PLAN!
The president couldn’t or wouldn’t do this because he is on lease to special interests.
An electrical engineer from Detroit.
Just so you’ll know, I worked for Husky Oil as chief cost analyst (1977/1980), doing exploratory drilling on the Naval Petroleum reserve in the Alaskan Arctic, so I appreciate, to some degree, what it takes to set up a drilling rig, etc.
Now, my question to you is, why are you allowing British Petroleum to harvest the abundant natural gas in Alaska’s Arctic … and pipe it directly into Canada!!! Husky capped off several natural gas and oil wells 1977/1980 on the Naval Petroleum reserve, so I KNOW it is abundant, eager and ready to harvest. Besides, natural gas does NOT require the costly process of refining; just a peculiar oder. Hopefully it is not a done deal with British Petroleum … please find out.
There is also geothermal energy in remote areas of Alaska. In 1977 getting to it was at issue - I’ve forgotten the location - but as I recall was a considerable field of energy. Besides ‘they and more they’s’ were still, rightfully, basking in the success of the Alaska pipeline - a phenomenal feat to put it mildly.
With the all the new technology perhaps Alaska geothermal energy could become a consideration for development.
Large “pockets” of Geothrmal energy is being harvested in Nevada and Utah as we speak.
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Sir, How do we produce energy when the wind doesn’t blow - As well during the night, when winds generally diminish ?