T. Boone Pickens Statement on Meeting with Alaska Governor and Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin

“I was pleased to meet with Governor Palin today to discuss what I believe is the key issue facing our country today: ending our dangerous addiction to foreign oil. With Americans now more than ever focused on our economic stability, it is increasingly important to garner bipartisan support for a plan to break this staggering dependency that is costing us up to $700 billion every year. Our economic and national security is at stake.

“What was clear from today’s meeting is that Governor Palin is concerned about our energy future. During our discussion, I emphasized that the most vital components of any credible energy policy to be enacted by the next administration must reduce our dependence on foreign oil by at least 30 percent over the next decade, must utilize proven and existing technologies, and must be comprised entirely of domestic resources. We discussed the Pickens Plan in great detail, and I told her that to date it is the only plan I have seen that meets these requirements.

“I cannot speak for Governor Palin, but I believe she has taken note of the progress we have made in building an army of one million supporters who are active in pushing this issue high onto the national agenda that will get us on the path to energy independence. In fact, more than 100,000 have joined us in the last week alone, signaling to me that even during this period of Wall Street turmoil, Americans are very worried about the cost of energy and the lack of any credible plan to address this crisis.

“I will continue to make myself available to the candidates, and soon the President and Vice President-elect, as they seek expert advice on how to solve this national economic and national security issue.”