FedEx: Pickens Plan not the answer for energy sustainability; points to diesel-electric hybrids

In Tennessee, FedEx has drawn itself into a discussion of the merits of the Pickens Plan, which calls for the rapid expansion of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles as a path towards energy independence. FedEx director of sustainability Mitch Jackson argued that substituting one fossil fuel for another was not the solution, and pointed towards FedEx’s fleet of diesel-electric hybrids as a better solution. Jackson acknowledged that diesel is made from crude oil, but said it was more efficient than natural gas.

Pickens responded that “Jackson’s Proposed “Sustainability Strategy for Vehicles” is a merry-go-round that will keep America dependent upon foreign oil for decades to come,” and said that “not only does Jackson need to do more homework on the domestic availability and clean air benefits of natural gas, he needs to realize that deploying vehicles that use slightly less foreign oil – vehicles that have little testing or are not available in the marketplace – will not solve America’s energy crisis.”

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