T. Boone Pickens Discusses Rise in Gas Prices

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahomans are starting to feel a little pain at the gas pump once again. The average price of gas is $2.43 per gallon, which is up more than 50 cents from last month.

NEWS 9 spoke with oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens about thee rise in gas prices. He doesn't expect prices to drop, meaning many drivers could be left frustrated when filling up.

"I think they're terrible. I think they've gone up extremely fast and I don't really see there's any reason," said Debi Bays.

As the cost of a gallon rises, it hurts drivers, many who don't have extra money to throw into the tank.

"There's always places to go but, you kind of just make it one run now, versus going back and forth," Cheryl Walker-Hinson said.

"I'll give you the problem we're facing briefly, and that is, we're importing oil from people who hate us," said T. Boone Pickens.

Pickens recently arrived from Washington D.C. where he met with lawmakers working on bills to implement his plan. His goal is rely on natural gas and wind power, instead of foreign oil.

Learn more about Pickens Plan.

"It's really the only thing that we have that can reduce that dependency or we have to find a lot more oil which is unlikely," Pickens said.

As Pickens stresses the need to switch, he expects consumers pay $3 per gallon by the end of the year.

"Saudi Arabia was producing 9.5 million barrels a year ago, and now they're at 7.5 million, so they'll just adjust the price by cutting back on supply," the oil tycoon said.

Pickens will keep pushing for his plan, calling this the most monumental year ever for energy.

"It's all going to come together," Pickens said. "This administration, they want it. They're going to have it and it's the right thing for the country."

Pickens said his plan is moving forward, despite the economic downturn. He does admit, it's tough to get financing now for wind and the price of natural gas isn't high enough to make it work.

More on News9.com:

• Mayor Cornett Endorses Pickens Plan
• Pickens Pushes for Alternative Fuels
• Town Hall Meeting Showcases Pickens Plan
• Pickens Plan Offers Perks at Gas Pump
• Pickens Looks to New Methods of Communication
• Pickens Unveils Energy Plan