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[Adventurer]

November 7, 2008 -- Updated 1402 GMT (2202 HKT)

Pickens: Greener U.S. would boost security, economyStory Highlights
Pickens: Natural gas the only alternative fuel that can "move an 18-wheeler"

Billionaire says U.S. has had "zero energy plan" for 40 years

He says he has discussed energy with Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, Al Gore

Wind power infrastructure alone could create millions of jobs, he says

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Billionaire T. Boone Pickens says he doesn't know "where bottom is" regarding the U.S. economy, but he believes weaning America off foreign oil will create jobs and improve national security.


T. Boone Pickens says he has spoken to Barack Obama, and the president-elect knows what needs to be done.

The upcoming Barack Obama administration gets it, said the chairman of BP Capital Management during an interview with CNN chief national correspondent John King on Thursday.

King and Pickens talked about politics, Pickens' new book, "The First Billion is the Hardest" and the billionaire's Pickens Plan -- which proposes developing alternative sources of energy, including natural gas, wind and solar.

King: If you remember those ads on TV, they were urging Americans to get off [their] addiction to foreign oil. T. Boone Pickens, thanks for being with us. Let's start with your thoughts -- you met the man, President-elect Obama -- your thoughts on him in the context of, do you think he will do what you think is necessary when it comes to energy independence.

Pickens: You know, I had an hour-plus visit with him on energy, very good meeting. And I think he understands what has to be done. What we have to do is to get off of foreign oil, not totally. That's going to be extremely hard to do. But I think you can reduce it very comfortably 30 percent within 10 years.

Now, remember, John, we've gone 40 years with no energy plan. Zero energy plan.

King: In the context of this -- and I don't think anybody disputes the crisis and the need to act urgently -- but now versus before this financial meltdown, in terms of government resources to do what you think needs to be done, does that hurt your effort and hurt the cause that the government essentially has a lot less money and a lot less optimism that more money will be coming in in the middle of all of this?

PICKENSISRIGHT

[Tiger Beer]

Good article, but that isn't exactly true that the U.S. hasn't had an energy policy in over 40 years.

They've had plenty, but they have been very oil-centric.

[canuckistan]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/nov/09/miniature-nuclear-reactors-los-alamos