Energy Crunch Draws Pickens' Plan

Oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens says he has a solution that will ease America's addiction to foreign oil.  The OSU grad believes natural gas and wind power could significantly reduce our dependence within a decade.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports you will likely hear a lot about Pickens' push for natural gas and wind in the upcoming months because he's paying millions to make sure that you do.

"I want to talk to you about a huge problem this country has," said T. Boone Pickens.

Al Gore has his power point presentations, and T. Boone now has his whiteboard.  He breaks down his solution to our energy crisis during a five minute video on his new website, pickensplan.com.

It's part of a multi-media blitz by the multi-billionaire that includes commercials, a facebook group, a myspace page, a USA Today cover story and network news appearances.

The message Pickens trying to get across is that wind power can be a great resource.

He believes America could rely on new wind plants in states like Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas for more than 20% of its energy needs.  That's roughly what natural gas accounts for now.

In turn, Pickens proposes that our natural gas be used to fuel cars, hence reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

"There's a big step between having a pretty commercial and actually using the energy," said Dr. Daniel Crunkleton of Tulsa Alternative Energy Institute.

Dr. Daniel Crunkleton heads the Tulsa Alternative Energy Institute.  An advocate of bio-fuels, he says Pickens plan may be a little too simple.       

"Personally I don't really believe that there is going to be one magic technology that's just going to solve all the energy problems," said Dr. Daniel Crunkleton of Tulsa Alternative Energy Institute.

But, Pickens believes if we don't get serious about energy solutions soon, then we'll be fighting a losing battle.

"This comes down to the closest thing to war, while not having war," said T. Boone Pickens.

Pickens is a major player in the natural gas industry, and he is already building the world's largest wind farm in Texas.  But, he told USA Today, "I'm 80 years old, and have $4 billion. I don't need any more money."