Problem Solver Steve Green Talks Wildfires
The water bomber plane could have made a difference
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- At one time, Steve Green had the help needed for the raging wild fires in the western U.S.––the Water Bomber––sitting in a hangar in Wisconsin.
Green partnered with American Champion Aircraft and designed a plane with the capabilities of releasing enough water and retardant in one drop to cover an entire football field. It was to be part of a strategic plan which, initially, 50 to 100 Water Bombers would be strategically positioned and linked to a NASA satellite that detects lightning strikes and identifies a wild fire at the size of two acres––insuring a quick response and limiting risk.
These planes would carry infrared, which could have saved the Arizona hot shot fireman that died June 28, 2013.
The Water Bomber could fly low and slow, drop the retardant to pin pointed areas, re-fuel, water up and take off in a field or short road within minutes. "We had a working plane ready for production at a cost of $250,000 each and hit a road block. Today, those planes could be helping to save lives, homes, businesses and vegetation."
The Water Bomber was presented to congressmen. Although the concept was well received there was a lack of funds creating the shutdown of the project. "We not only had the idea, we had the plane and it worked. With wildfires raging in the west it is sad that the answer is there, but the funds weren't. So much could have been saved."
Each time Green hears about fires across the country he is disheartened that the Water Bomber project, which could increase the efficiency to put out these dangerous and devastating fires, never came to fruition.
Green is known for his world record tornado adventures and, most recently, for his energy project.
In 2008 he revealed an energy and jobs program designed to use Yellowstone's caldera as a source of unlimited power. "This can be done without producing carbon emissions," he said.
After Green presented his plan to congressmen, he was told there were no funds available for a project of this magnitude and it would be impossible to use a National Park, even though the plan showed the potential to create millions of jobs and reduce America's carbon footprint, while helping to stabilize entitlement programs, fund infrastructure repairs and rebuild.
"I have spent the last 20 years trying to get someone to use common sense to fix our county's problems. I've put it all out there for ridicule and inspection," he said. Green pointed out that Iceland powers the entire country with a geothermal plant inside a national park. "Why can't we?"
Green has been speaking with Skuli Johannsson, who heads Kaldera Green Energy in Iceland, for the past 10 years. "Skuli and I agree this should be done and we are ready to help."
Green quoted Teddy Roosevelt from a speech made in Olathe, Kansas in 1910, "Conservation means as much to develop as it does to conserve, when it's for the betterment of all."
"Since NASA now agrees with me on the energy program, I can move on to having a little fun and will focus on a couple of other projects, like racing in the Indy 500 at age 60 and other problems I hope to solve, including why something that can help in the raging fires was not funded."
View a previous press release from 2009:
New 'Water Bomber' Ready to Enter the Fight
Sep 04, 2009
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-water-bomber-ready-to-enter-the-fight-62079032.html
Contact:
Steve Green
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330-608-5603
SOURCE Steve Green
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