Renewable Energy Bonds for Energy Independence

January 17, 2009

Senator Dorgan,

I am an Electronic Technician Chief in the US Navy with 27 years service. I am outlying an idea to assist current plans in America for achieving energy independence.

In WWII America sold war bonds supporting the war effort. When young, my mother told me her primary school raised enough money through bonds to build a tank to sup

port troops.

The following is a letter to Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota by Mike Kendall. Mike is promoting the concept of renewable energy bonds to help finance community-owned or cooperative renewable energy development.

Selling energy bonds for RE (Renewable Energy) development would lower foreign oil imports. Bonds sold as “Energy S” could support new solar trough plants, “Energy W” to support wind farms, Energy “H” to support hydroelectric plants, Energy “T” to support RE transportation such as electric bullet train routes powered by RE, Energy "C" COOPS for small communities only needing a small quantity of turbines, and Energy “I” for needed infrastructure high voltage power lines to the RE site. Bonds will have the project name and include an artist’s perspective of the project and an American flag as well as the name of the purchaser. President Obama had great success with the internet during his campaign. In a similar manner, using the internet, energy bonds could have a website listing current projects and an “electronic checkout” could purchase a bond $25 or higher. Simpler methods of payment such as “PAYPAL” and credit cards would be available and after an electronic purchase is complete a color print out of the bond is available with a follow up of the bond in the mail. The website would limit quantity of projects for each category until funding is complete. After complete, a new project will be available. A tab on the site will show history and status of previous projects. Purchasers may take great pride in “collecting” and displaying bonds of various RE projects and participating at different levels of financial support. Solar trough plants in California and Arizona can provide a major portion of electric needs. North Dakota has potential to support 1/3 of our nations electric needs in it’s class 4 wind zone areas. Mid sized hydro-electric has not been used in America to it’s full potential. Following the example of our neighbor, Canada, it would provide a significant increase in percentage of electric production. Developing all three we could provide the majority of our electric and heating needs through renewable energy in a "New New Deal" fashion allowing natural gas for transportation as T. Boone Pickens is working for and domestic reserves of coal and oil to fulfill the remaining portion of electric needs. Bullet train routes have proven a viable alternative to commercial domestic air service and when powered by RE, America would be in the forefront of world technology as an Energy “T” project. Example, I heard of discussion for a commuter train from Denver to Colorado springs. Such a route built as a renewable energy project with charter requirement legally requiring to only purchase electricity from available renewable energy sources would be a model example. There are many train routes as potential projects. Jobs created would bolster the economy and strengthen national security. I would take great pride in print outs of bonds with graphics of each project I supported and many other Americans would also. The energy bonds could have tax breaks. BLM lands may be a viable place to start for some projects. North Dakota would benefit from Energy bonds as the number 1 wind potential state in America. I urge you to consider introducing a bill for energy bonds in the Senate.

Very Respectfully,

Mike Kendall

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