![dek](https://content.time.com/time/photoessays/2008/poy_2008/walkup/poy08_wu_pickens.jpg)
Pro: The suddenly ubiquitous billionaire is hawking a wind power alternative energy plan. It requires massive turbine construction stretching the Great Plains, from Texas to the Canadian border. At a minimum, he's brought wind energy into the national conversation. And he just might be rich enough to pull it off.
Con: Pickens is asking for federal subsidies that would improve his financial stake. Can an old corporate raider really save the earth?