FLW Outdoors announced today that the Pickens Plan, a program designed to help gain energy independence for the United States, will become a prominent fixture on the FLW Tour in 2011. The plan will be represented on the Tour by veteran Randy Blaukat (pictured), who returns to competition this year after a one-season absence.
Developed by financier T. Boone Pickens, who last year became an equity partner in FLW, the plan is a collection of coordinated steps that form a comprehensive approach to addressing the energy concerns facing the country. A major component is ensuring that the public’s voice will be heard by Congress and the White House.
Trisha Blake, president of FLW Outdoors Marketing Division, said: “The Pickens Plan is dedicated to gaining energy independence for the U.S., and we want our anglers and fans at the front of efforts to greater utilize domestic energy resources and conservation efforts. Educating the public is the first step in improving our energy independence, and by using the resources of FLW Outdoors, we can help in numerous ways.”
Said Pickens: “I’m grateful that FLW is working to expand the reach of our initiative. This is a key audience for us and will ultimately help expand the effectiveness of our program.”
Blaukat, who's often outspoken on environmental issues, is an ardent supporter of the Pickens Plan. He and his family reside in an off-grid solar home in Joplin, Mo.
"As a lifelong environmentalist and professional angler, being able to represent the Pickens Plan for FLW is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "The initiatives that Boone is laying out have tremendous bipartisan political support and have received praise from both the environmental and business communities alike.
"In addition to being in the best interests for the U.S. on a national-security level, the Pickens Plan also has tremendous potential to create a huge new sector of environmentally sustainable jobs, while securing domestic, long-term, green, alternative energy sources for the U.S. and the rest of our planet."
