FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT GROUP
Bulletin No. 1

Welcome! This is an effort by volunteers to enhance communication about “The Pickens Plan,” to suggest means by which individual can contribute, and to suggest groups that individuals can either join or form.

Q. “What Is The Pickens Plan?” See http://www.pickensplan.com/theplan/ for the basics of “The Plan.” And visit the “News” page for recent news and updates from “Boone’s Blog” at http://www.pickensplan.com/news/ . In addition, “The Pickens Plan” has sparked a grass roots effort to make real change and undertake real accomplishments in the near term, not decades away.

Q. “What Can I Do?”

1. Organize. Review the “Groups” already formed and consider joining one or more of them. Or start a new group.

2. Share the Plan, by Spreading The Word. To post a “badge” on your website or blog or social network (MySpace, Facebook, Linkin, Twitter, etc.), see http://www.pickensplan.com/share/. E-mail your acquaintances and provide them with a link to the home page (http://www.pickensplan.com), and encourage them to get involved. Or invite your acquaintances using the “Invite to ‘PickensPlan” tool at http://push.pickensplan.com/main/invitation/new. An “army” is needed for The Pickens Plan to possess enough influence over our elected leaders, and to undertake the efforts necessary to provide the substantive foundation for policy positions.

3. Participate In An Event. Events might include “July 14th - July 18th Grass Roots Pickens Plan Contact Your Legislator Week!!”, or conferences at which exhibitions on energy solutions are presented, or meetings and rallies of groups which were formed via this web site. To see a list of upcoming events, visit http://push.pickensplan.com/events/event/listUpcoming.

4. Share Your Expertise In Groups and Discussion Forums. Whether it be technical in nature, organizing, education, writing, researching, lobbying, or just communicating with others, lend your personal strengths to this grass roots effort. In addition to joining a group and participating in same, consider posing questions or answering them in the Discussion Forums, located at http://push.pickensplan.com/forum.

5. Create Your Profile on Your Own Page at PickensPlan.com; Build Your Own Network of “Friends.” Let people know if you are interested in becoming an organizer, your experiences with alternative energy, what excites you about this campaign, and what you desire to do to help. Add “Friends” and accept invitations from friends. Make comments on the pages of other individuals who have joined.

Q. “What Groups Have Already Been Created?” There are many groups already formed, by state or region or by specific issue or technology or other area of interest. More groups are being formed all the time.

If groups are formed which are later found to be duplicative of other groups, please ascertain if the groups can be merged, or if members of one group can agree to migrate to the other group.

Some of the most active groups currently include:

1. Groups by State See http://push.pickensplan.com/notes/Find_a_Group_by_State.

2. Other Regional Groups.

Canada regions – see Groups by State page, at the bottom of the page. Also see http://push.pickensplan.com/group/canadiansforpickensplan

The Turbine Highway - “a forum for people who live along the corridor that Mr. Pickens is speaking about. From Sweetwater, Texas to Wolf Point, Montana. It’s purpose is to share information with one another.” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/theturbinehighway

Southeast & Gulf Coast “HOPE for America - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/hopeforamerica

3. Other Social Network Groups.

Supporters of PickensPlan on LinkedIn. http://push.pickensplan.com/group/linkedin

Rural Americans for Energy Independence – “To gain support from rural American’s who want to see alternative power and to provide support for farmers and ranchers through changes in energy supply.” Visit the group at http://push.pickensplan.com/group/ruralamericansforchange.

See also Farm-Ranch group at http://push.pickensplan.com/group/farmranch.

See also Ohio-Farm Ranch Group at http://push.pickensplan.com/group/ohiofarmranchgroup

Seniors Online Supporters – “is a place to for us to discuss Pickens Plan, renewable energy, and to share the way we seniors can make a difference. Let’s leave a cleaner, safer and cheaper environment to our children and grandchildren” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/seniorsonlinesupporters

Bloggers for Pickens - “If anybody knows how to create buzz, it’s us…let’s show Pickens the power of Viral” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/bloggersforpickens

Online Action Army - “Sign up to get alerts when we need help making our voice heard online. When a story breaks, or there’s a new post on a blog or website, let’s make sure we’re on top of it. Let’s go to those places and spread to spread the word, and recruit!” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/onlineactionarmy

Seti@Home - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/setihome

4. Groups by Industry, Trade or Profession.

Artists for Green Energy – “A group for artists that are for Green Energy. I have also started a discussion for those who create “Green” themed art.” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/artistsforgreenenergy

Transportation Industry – “A Group “Think Tank” for the Commercial Transportation Industry with the goal of alternative energy sources and supply for the Commercial Industry.” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/transportationindustry

Engineers Developing New Alternative Technology – “To develop a “Think Tank” atmosphere towards developing alternative energy technology for both commercial and private use. There is a need for sharing of experience and ideas for development.” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/engineersdevelopingnewalternative…

Green Architects and Designers Corner – “A place for those of us Architects on the front lines of sustainable design and how we can convince our clients to go green.” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/Greenarchitects

USA Wind Energy - “dealer/installers of small wind and solar, hydro and solar hot water systems” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/usawindenergy

5. College Alumni and/or Student Groups.

College Students for Domestic Energy – “a place where college students can come together and talk intelligently about domestic energy production. Everything from bio-fuels, to solar power is discussed. This is also a place where new statistical information can be shared” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/collegestudentsfordomesticenergy

Ohio State Buckeyes - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/buckeyesforpickensplan

Oklahoma Sooners - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/soonersforpickensplan

Oklahoma State Cowboys - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/cowboysforpickensplan

South Carolina Gamecocks - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/gamecocksforcleanerindependentenergy

Texas Tech - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/texastechstudentsforenergychange

6. General Advocacy Groups.

Striving for Energy Independence – “Getting behind a comprehensive plan to help facilitate our energy independence which is necessary to maintain our position in the World Economy.” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/strivingforenergyindependence

Carbon Neutral – “Moving to a genuinely carbon neutral society will take time. It may take government tax breaks to make alternative energy economically viable.” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/carbonnuetral

Green Planet - “For people of all cultures that wish to encourage, promote and provide materials that may educate mankind in ways that will help improve our environment, health and well-being. Our members support a biocentric lifestyle.” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/greenplanet

Slow Down and Save Money and Gas - a growing grass roots effort by many Americans to slow down and save money and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Many people have realized savings of 25% to 40% overnight. http://push.pickensplan.com/group/slowdownandsavemoneyandgas

Americans for Energy Independence - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/Patriots

Force The Issue – “We need to force the issue, and we need to do it NOW” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/forcetheissue

ReformAutos - “Dedicated to the Reformation of the Automotive Industry” - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/ReformAutos

7. Specific Technology Focus Groups.

American Assn. of Algae Biofuel Producers – “A place for those attempting to produce biodiesel and other fuels using algae and algae oil to ask and answer questions relevant to maximizing algae growth.” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/algaebiofuelsproducers

Solar Power – “Solar Think Tank” for the Pickens Plan. http://push.pickensplan.com/group/solarpower

Cold Water Steam – “Did you know that you can boil water at room temperature? Based upon well-known principals, it is possible to build electrical generation facilities that rely only on the difference between two different temperatures - above ground, and below ground. http://push.pickensplan.com/group/coldwatersteam

Biofuels Digest Readers for Energy Independence. “Coordination point for Biofuels Digest readers supporting energy independence; Biofuels Digest will also provide special updates, interviews and links via email, RSS, and the web” http://push.pickensplan.com/group/biofuelsdigestreadersforenergyind…

Plug-In Electric-Station-Network - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/PlugIn

Natural Gas Vehicle Owners CNGCHAT.com - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/cngchat

8. Investor Groups.

We Want to Invest In the Pickens Plan - Discussions and actions needed to facilitate investments by people in the Pickens Plan, both financially and globally. (Caution: Do not invest funds in any venture proposed prior to receiving all information, including a prospectus or private placement memorandum. Legal, financial and/or tax advice should be acquired by you prior to investing your own funds.) For more information on this group, visit http://push.pickensplan.com/group/wewanttoinvestinthepickensplan

The Small Scale Entrepreneur – “To allow an entrepreneur to discover ways to develop a viable business plan” - http://push.pickensplan.com/group/SmallBusiness

Business Model – Wind Farm. The purpose of this group is to create a business model for establishing wind farms across the United States. As a group we seek professionals with experience in engineering, accountanting, corporate finance, law, advertising, etc. http://push.pickensplan.com/group/businessmodelwindfarm

Q. “What Other Groups Might Be Formed?” It has been suggested that various “support groups” at the national level be formed. These groups would have as their goal the provision of resources and support to the many local groups which are forming. Here is a summary of the possible “Support Groups” which might be formed (as of today, the “Communications Support” group has been formed and is seeking volunteers to assist).

1. Technical Papers Support Group. As I’ve noted before, there may be a need to summarize the research in each area, in order to provide the substantive foundation / justification for the Pickens Plan (and perhaps for the support of other ideas, such as deployment of solar energy in certain locales, deployment of hybrid and other systems to increase mileage, etc.). The “technical papers support group” could suggest a list of technical papers to be written on all of the topics needed. It could suggest a format for the technical papers to be written. It could also identify existing resources (i.e., already published research) and provide access to same for everyone.

2. Technical Papers Writing Sub-Groups. Each sub-group could tackle a specific topic. Perhaps the papers are written in “wiki” format, as a collaborative effort. Someone (with a technical background in each area) would be needed to monitor and guide the wiki-type formulation of the topic. I have already suggested a number of specific ideas for technical papers, around which individual sub-groups could be formed, including:

a. Distribution of generated electrical power - what transmission infrastructure will need to be built?

b. What technological innovations are “at the cusp” of being ready for deployment - i.e., possible within a few years?

c. Storage technologies - battery technology, compressed air, etc.

d. Application of technology to support large power generation facilities;

e. Application of technology to industrial applications and large facilities;

f. Application of technology to office buildings (large and small), and other commercial facilities;

g. Application of technology to homes / residences / apartment buildings (both existing and new).

h. Other aspects of energy conservation (not just energy production);

i. Carbon sequestration;

j. Comparison paper - the “real costs” of different energy sources;

k. The current state of technology (i.e., what can be deployed now) for each alternative energy source, and/or a cost/benefit comparison analysis of each alternative energy source; and

l. Many more (I’m not an expert in any of these technologies, so those who are will need to take the lead in identifying other topics).

By the way, if you want to see a credible effort to distill some of the information on solar energy / wind energy / etc., just check out Wikipedia.com. A more focused (and perhaps more detailed) version of these efforts could be employed.

3. Education Support Group. Transform the work of the technical committees into educational pieces for various audiences. Provide PowerPoint presentations for those who desire to speak to groups (example: Rotarians, VFW meetings, other civic groups). Provide PDF files of printable pamphlets, brochures, posters, charts, and other educational pieces for various uses. Provide instructional materials for use by teachers / professors. Identify existing educational pieces which might already be offered by other groups.

4. Public Policy Support Group. Take the “Pickens Plan” as it now exists and identify specific legislative proposals which can be advanced to:
a. Congress;
b. States; and/or
c. Local governments
Seek out those who are familiar with tax policy, government lobbying efforts, etc., for more ideas in this area. Provide support to all “members” who have joined the Pickens Plan – i.e., sample letters and e-mails that can be written to our elected representatives, ideas for op-eds and letters to the editor for newspapers, etc.

5. Communications Support Group. For suggesting ways of getting the word out, and doing same. Employing all of the “new media” in the process. This is potentially a group consisting of a large committee - of a lot of people. Perhaps this group could be focused on generating a daily, or three-times-a-week, e-mail to all members of The Pickens Plan, on recent developments – new groups which have formed, summaries of the “best ideas” seen in various group discussions, resources which have been made available by the various “support groups,” suggestions for improvement to the web site, etc.

6. Not-For-Profit and Local Government Agencies Support Group. Foster the creation of non-profit groups for the deployment of wind and/or solar technologies at a local level. Provide sample Articles of Incorporation (with instructions to take to a lawyer, to have state-customized), Bylaws, and Minutes. Provide information on selection of technology which can be deployed in small towns or communities. Provide information on possible tax credits and funding sources, including (for existing or created government agencies) municipal bond financing.

7. For-Profit Organization Support Group. Provide a mechanism for for-profit organizations being formed to exchange ideas, and/or provide similar support to that provided to non-for-profit groups. (Caution those forming “for-profit” groups to comply with securities laws, in all respects.)

8. International Activities Support Group. What can be done to spread components of the “Pickens Plan” internationally? (If other countries reduce their need for oil consumption, then this benefits everyone.) Is this a group to be launched later (i.e., let’s get things going in the U.S. first)? Would the group seek to encourage other individuals in other countries to form similar grass-roots efforts? Would this group seek to influence discussions at various international bodies, such as United Nations, WTO, The World Bank, etc.?

9. Influencing Business Leaders Support Group. Provide suggestions and materials which can be utilized to seek to influence our business leaders to invest more in alternative energy research, development, and production. Possibly through shareholder petition initiatives, writing to members of Boards of Directors of various public companies, writing letters to the editor for calls for “business” to do more (for the good of the business and the good of the U.S.A.), etc.

Thank you.

P.S. - If you would like to join and assist the “Communications Support” group, please visit http://push.pickensplan.com/group/communications. Thank you.