Whether you’re building a new house or have an existing one, “Basics of Energy Efficient Living” shares the principles behind energy efficient living. Have you ever wondered: What is R-value? How much energy could I get from my creek? Can I use alternative energy in the city? How much heat will it take to keep my house warm? How much heat will I lose if I put in a bigger window? Learn what it takes to save energy, then take the next step and collect your own. Find out how much (more…)

Pickens is 80 years old and in the top 120 wealthiest people in the world, with a net worth of over $3 billion. He has been so influential in the past 20 years, he even considered running for President in 1988.

Just watch this recent commercial to get an idea of how Mr. Pickens is spending his vast wealth recently:

Pickens is putting together an New Energy Army of 2 million people by Inauguration Day 2009.  Already, nearly 1.4 million have signed up (including yours truly).  Pickens will work closely with President-Elect Obama to help bring renewable energy to reality!

As proclaimed on the Pickens Plan website:

“America is in a hole and it’s getting deeper every day. We import 70% of our oil at a cost of $700 billion a year – four times the annual cost of the Iraq war. I’ve been an oil man all my life, but this is one emergency we can’t drill our way out of. But if we create a new renewable energy network, we can break our addiction to foreign oil. On January 20, 2009, a new President gets sworn in. If we’re organized, we can convince Congress to make major changes towards cleaner, cheaper and domestic energy resources. To get this done, I need your help. Check out the plan. If you think it’s worth fighting for, please join our effort.”

The Plan calls for building new wind generation facilities that will produce 20% of America’s electricity.  It will also aim towards using natural gas as a transportation fuel.  Add in solar energy, and the combination of power generated right here at home can replace more than one-third of our foreign oil imports.  Under the Pickens Plan, we can accomplish this within a decade.

Now, since this is a solar blog, you may be wondering why I’m talking about a Plan that calls primarily for wind power.  Mr. Pickens is laying plans for solar energy investments with a Solar Power Think Tank on the Pickens Plan.  Pickens realizes that “solar has to be part of the solution” and has gathered members to help brainstorm solar solutions.

I have signed up at the Pickens Plan and I urge you to do the same.  Join the Solar Power Think Tank, as well.  Inauguration Day is about 2 weeks away and new promise for a renewable energy future is here!