Hey Army!

We’ve had some big news in the past few weeks and I wanted to share some of the biggest news with you today. American Electric Power Company, one of the major suppliers of electric energy in the United States, has signed on to the Pickens Plan to help us push for a 21st Century transmission grid.

AEP operates in 11 states and owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system — so they are a key part of realizing our vision for wind. To bring more renewable energy to market, we must have transmission.

The Chairman, President and CEO of American Electric Power is a good friend and a very smart guy named Mike Morris. I want to introduce him to you because he gets it. And, because AEP has over 5 million customers, they get it, too.

Mike, say a few words to the 1.4 million members of the New Energy Army.

Thank you Boone. At American Electric Power we support a more diversified and domestic-based energy supply mix, increased energy efficiency and greater investment in new energy technologies. Energy will play a central role in our economic recovery and support for modernizing our electric system is stronger than ever. We know that as alternative energy sources continue to come to be harnessed, we will need a smarter, modern and more efficient transmission system that can move that energy from where it is being produced, often in remote locations, to where it is needed at any given time. Imagine meeting the high demand for electricity on a hot summer day in New York with power that includes wind from Kansas and a few hours later shifting that power to meet the same needs in southern California. We can’t do that today. We will only be able to do this if we modernize our transmission grid.

We want to be able to continue to deliver electric power where it is needed, when it is needed as efficiently and cleanly as possible. This is not only good business, for AEP, but it is good for America as we all work together to rebuild our economy. Boone?

Thank you, Mike. The Pickens Plan is much stronger for having partners like AEP. The Army is marching forward along a broader front because AEP is on board.

-T. Boone Pickens and Michael Morris

P.S.  AEP and the Pickens Plan are partners in the Virtual March on Washington that will take place April 1-3. Will you join us?

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T. Boone Pickens Jr. is one of Texas’s richest oil men who’s making a small fortune every minute thanks to the high oil prices. He’s also now seemingly setting his safety net by building the largest wind farm in the world (he says). The farm will have a 4,000 megawatts generating capability, enough to be able to power 1.3 million houses with green energy.

To become a Texas wind tycoon, Pickens is going to invest $12 billion in the project with an expected 15% – 25% return on the money.

“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 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 said.

Though he’s not a fan of the current President, Pickens is confident that the federal wind energy production tax credit will pass Congress, because the United States needs to develop more alternate energy sources, including wind.

“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.”

When a Texas oil man worth $3 billion (according to Forbes), bets against oil on renewable energy like wind or solar power you may want to think again which boat you’ll be in for the next few years.

Here’s the whole interview on the Living on Earth Show.

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