Wind is the Solution Department of Energy Aaron Grove, Jenni Lee, Liz Zhao, Madeline Grande, Elena Woiciechowska

Where we are… The United States imports 70% of oil up from 24% in 1970 At current oil prices, we will send $700 billion dollars out of the country this year alone — four times the annual cost of the Iraq war. Projected over the next 10 years the cost will be $10 trillion — it will be the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of mankind. Every day 85 million barrels of oil are produced around the world. And 21 million of those are used here in the United States - 25% of the world's oil demand, used by just 4% of the world's population.

Continued As an alternative to oil, natural gas is a cheap, effective and versatile fuel; however, less than 1% of natural gas is currently used for transportation. 22% of natural gas energy is used to generate electricity. 98% of the natural gas used in the United States is from North America, but 70% of our oil is purchased from foreign nations.

Where we want to be… Decrease import of foreign oil. By doing so, decrease America’s dependence on foreign oil, and increase national security. Conserve natural gas, which can be substituted for transportation fuel – oil. Find alternative energy for generation of electricity – especially natural gas.

T. Boone Pickens and the Pickens Plan Plan: Build wind facilities that stretch north - south (Texas to North Dakota), which will produce 20% of the electricity for the US. Argument: The use of wind power to generate electricity will dramatically reduce our use of natural gas in that fashion. Instead, this natural gas will be used solely for transportation fuels. This has the potential to reduce our dependency on foreign oil by more than one third.

Why Wind? The Great Plains States are home to the greatest wind energy potential in the world. The Department of Energy reports that 20% of America's electricity can come from wind. North Dakota alone has the potential to provide power for more than a quarter of the country.

The Policy Loan Pickens Plan money according to a set plan with a required payback beginning in This will generate electricity through natural power and reduce our dependency on foreign oil. Accepting this loan will also permit congress to oversee and check the progress of this monumental project.

The Cost Building wind facilities in the corridor that stretches from the Texas panhandle to North Dakota could produce 20% of the electricity for the United States at a cost of $1 trillion. It would take another $200 billion to build the capacity to transmit that energy to cities and towns. The cost may seem too much at first glance, but remember that this is a one-time cost. Also, compared to the $700 billion we spend on foreign oil every year, it is a lot cheaper.

Plan for loaning money Year $ billion TOTAL after 15 years: 1.24 trillion dollars It will be given out as a loan with 1% annual interest As the plan starts to show profit in towards its end of construction, private companies would start investing, which would allow the government spending to decrease.

The Policy Loan Pickens Plan money according to a set plan with a required payback beginning in This will generate electricity through natural power and reduce our dependency on foreign oil. Accepting this loan will also permit congress to oversee and check the progress of this monumental project.