Student named State Director of Pickens Plan

Logan Berry is pictured with T. Boone Pickens at a recent Pickens Plan gathering in Washington, DC.

July 27, 2009

This semester, rising junior Logan Berry will be taking 16 hours of classes as he settles into his new role as Director of the Pickens Plan for South Carolina. Recently appointed to the statewide position, Berry is responsible for raising awareness for billionaire T. Boone Pickens’ Plan for energy independence.

“I believe that the general consensus of America right now is that domestic energy, including alternative energy, is going to be a large contributor to ending the recession,” Berry said.

While main components of the Pickens Plan include shifting fleet vehicles to natural gas and using wind to produce electricity, Berry says it’s important to know that the Pickens Plan does not solely support alternative energy.

“The plan supports any domestic energy for the short term while focusing on gradually converting to alternative later on down the road,” he said.

As State Director, Berry will lobby state legislators to support the plan that already has nearly two million supporters. According to Berry, the Pickens Plan is one that democrats and republicans can agree with.

“In order for politicians to improve their appeal to voters, they need to display that they are working diligently to solve our energy crisis,” Berry said.

He will also work with Congress to offer more incentives to businesses to use domestic and alternative energy and raise awareness for the plan among South Carolinians.

“The technology currently available can show a quick return on the investment if paired with both state and federal tax incentives,” he said.

Ed Matricardi, the Regional Director for the Pickens Plan for South Carolina and seven other eastern states, said that Berry was a “natural selection” for the position.

“As one of the Pickens Plan strong supporters in South Carolina,” Matricardi said, “Logan has been a key part of our effort to help educate and organize fellow South Carolinians who support the Pickens Plan to share their position with the policy makers in Washington.

“In addition to his longtime support,” Matricardi added, “Logan understands the importance of these issues for his generation and future generations. He is knowledgeable on the issues and was a natural selection to serve as State Director for the Pickens Plan.”

At PC Berry has been involved in several environmentally sustainable efforts as a member of the Green Hose Committee, one comprised of students, faculty, and staff members who direct the college’s sustainability program. He also serves as a member of the all-student Reshaping our Routine committee, which aims to educate the campus on the school’s current economic status and assess the ways students could be a part of saving money.

The Phi Kappa Phi fraternity member also welcomes freshmen to PC as a Hose Leader and introduces prospective students to PC as a Stirling.

posted by Stacy Dyer '96
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