Natural gas an answer to oil, Pickens says in Peoria

WEST PEORIA ? The man behind the Pickens Plan came to Peoria today to acknowledge the opening of a natural gas fueling station at the Peoria Disposal Co.

T. Boone Pickens, the Texas oil tycoon who said he's on a mission to get the United States off OPEC oil, commended the trash hauler for adopting natural gas along with its purchase of 12 natural-gas-powered garbage trucks.

"This is a great day for me. There's a feeling of success when companies switch over to natural gas," Pickens told 225 people in attendance at a dedication ceremony held at Peoria Disposal.

Pickens pointed out that Americans paid $1 trillion for Mideastern oil over the past 10 years and stand to pay more than $2 trillion for oil over the next decade.

Not if Pickens can help it.

"I want to get 8 million heavy-duty trucks converted to natural gas. That will save 3 million barrels of oil a day," he said. Pickens said a tax credit that is part of the highway bill now being considered in Washington, D.C., could accelerate that conversion.

Also speaking at the event were Caterpillar Inc. chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman, Ameren Illinois CEO Scott Cisel and U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria.

Oberhelman outlined Caterpillar's expanding involvement with natural gas, adding that Caterpillar gas turbines are involved in the delivery of natural gas nationally, driving natural gas from "the wellhead to your gas range at home."

The natural gas fueling station is also open to the public, said Peoria Disposal vice president Matt Coulter. The station received its first customer Friday morning when Don Shay, a board member with the Peoria bus company, filled his converted Lexus SUV with natural gas.

Making appearances at the opening of natural-gas fueling stations is nothing new for Pickens.

"We were at a big one in Dallas on Thursday and in Chicago last month. I've probably been to (the opening of) 100 stations. Every one is a big thrill, but this ranks in the top 1 percent. It's a great setup," he said.

The Pickens Plan, a blueprint for energy independence, was launched in July 2008, said Pickens. "I've honestly spent $100 million of my own money," he said.

"This is a national security issue for me. The opportunity (for energy independence) is here," he said.

Steve Tarter can be reached at (309) 686-3260.
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Source: http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x453926204/Natural-gas-an-answer-to-oil-Pickens-says-in-Peoria

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