T. Boone Pickens has a plan for energy consumption and development.
He is traveling across the U.S. to promote the "Pickens Plan," in which he outlines a way for America to become energy independent by focusing on renewable, domestic energy.
The 80-year-old billionaire told a crowd of about 200 people at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Wednesday that his money is not enough to motivate politicians in Washington - he needs the support of Americans.
He said his plan will create a source of sustainable energy for future generations within the next 10 years.
"This is about you, not me," Pickens said. "I can make it to the finish line. I'm 80 years old, but this is about my kids and my grandkids."
Pickens said states like New Mexico are rich in profitable and manageable domestic sources of energy, like wind, natural gas and solar power, capable of quelling the need for foreign oil.
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"Natural gas is cheaper and abundant to the U.S., and it is ours," he said. "I'm going nonpartisan to elevate the question of energy into the campaign."
Pickens has spoken to both presidential candidates about the urgency of the issue.
He said the U.S. imports 70 percent of the oil it uses, and the cost of that oil amounts to more than $700 billion a year.
"We use 21 million barrels (of oil) a day," Pickens said. "That is hard to explain. How did we get in the spot that we're now at $700 billion a year?"
Pickens said the price of oil is only expected to increase, and the U.S. should develop an alternative source of energy.
His solution: wind turbines.
"It's cheaper. It's cleaner. It's domestic, and it's abundant," Pickens said.
Pickens said wind turbines could generate about 20 percent of the nation's power by 2030 and that one 3-megawatt wind turbine can produce the same amount of energy in one year as 12,000 barrels of imported oil.
Ron Alfred, who was in the audience, agreed with Pickens but said the plan might be ineffective with so little infrastructure in place.
"I think there is a desperate need for some alternative sources of energy, but even if it started now, developing the infrastructure is going to take anywhere from eight to 15 years," he said.
Beatríz Rivera, a member of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, said Pickens' presentation only outlined the problem.
"He is just laying out the plan because this is such a big problem," she said. "I believe he wants to create a vision for us to follow. This is just the first step."
Pickens said his plan would replace 22 percent of natural gas used for electricity with wind, solar, biomass and other alternative resources. The natural gas would be used as an alternative to gasoline.
Student Adrian Carver said Pickens' focus seemed profit-driven and that the businessman must see a need in the American marketplace for sustainable energy.
"I thought the conference was a step in the right direction," he said. "If it takes private investment to get the ball rolling toward a sustainable future, so be it."
