He's a billionaire, a philanthropist and a man who said he has come up with a solution to the country's energy crisis.
T. Boone Pickens talked about that plan Thursday at the University of Texas.
"We have no energy plan – we are all going to suffer," Pickens said.
It may have sounded like a bleak forecast at first, but Pickens preached good news.
"I see natural gas as the bridge to the next generation of fuel," he said.
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Energy plan
Pickens spells out his idea in the Pickens Plan.
 
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He's spreading his idea, called the Pickens Plan, from coast to coast. His main objective is to cut dependence on foreign oil and use natural gas and wind energy to replace it.
"It has to be fixed quick, and you have the answer, I have given you the solution," Pickens said.
Skeptics of the plan said the renewable energy portion is good, but Pickens forgets about a bigger problem related to the environment.
"This is not a comprehensive plan that addresses climate change and he's talking about replacing oil with natural gas – one expensive hydrocarbon for another," skeptic Andy Wilson said.
Another criticism is that Pickens has been a huge investor in wind power and stands to gain from his plan.
"I've got all the money I need, I'm not trying to make money off this," Pickens said. "I am trying to save the country."
Pickens' current quest is to get Presidential hopefuls to see hope in his plan, a goal some say is very important.
"He's really pushing the candidates to deal with these issues that our generation is going to have to come up and face so I think it's really important," student Daniel Weisman said.
Pickens' name has been tossed around the political ring. When asked about plans to hold office, he said absolutely not.
"No not that, I'd rather go to jail," he said.
Pickens said he's pushing a discussion more than a plan, and if you don't like his, he pushes you to come up with a better one.
Pickens admitted in July he told the media that he would be voting for Sen. John McCain for President.
Since that time, he's said he is still considering both candidates and their energy plans.
