Range Rover Sport Goes Hybrid, GM Goes Digital, Foxconn Goes All In and West Virginia Plugs Orphan Wells

A phone manufacturer building your next “American” EV might seem crazy—until you see the plan. We explain how Foxconn shifted from making iPhones to building electric cars, why rebadging through a U.S. automaker could unlock scale, and how tariffs, incentives, and dealer networks influence what actually ends up in your driveway. The past offers clues—Chevy LUV, Ford Courier—and the future arrives on private-label platforms.

We then examine the 2025 Range Rover Sport Autobiography, a luxury SUV that blends smooth performance and a commanding view with serious capabilities: adaptive off-road modes, air suspension, real fording depth, and a notable EV-only range on the plug-in hybrid. The highlights are impressive—ride quality, quiet cabin, thoughtful loading aids—while the weak spots are human-centric: a high step-in without helpers, a stubborn touchscreen, and controls that should be better at this price point. It’s modern, tasteful, and above average, yet still seeking top-tier user-interface refinement.

Finally, we look at GM’s plan for a driver-assist system based on a centralized computing platform that is regularly updated over the air. The goal is a vehicle that improves over time; the risks include cybersecurity, redundancy, data privacy, and safe fallback options when hardware ages or updates fail. We also highlight a policy innovation worth noting: West Virginia’s Mountain State Plugging Fund, a public–private model designed to cover thousands of orphaned oil and gas wells without using taxpayer money, transforming scattered liabilities into a structured, growing solution.

If mobility, autonomy, and smart policy matter to you, tune in, subscribe, and share this episode with a friend. Have thoughts or questions? Call or text 872-222-9793 or email talk@techmobility.show and tell us where you stand on Foxconn EVs, eyes-off driving, and state-led fossil fuel cleanup funding.

Chapters

• 1:11 Foxconn’s EV Manufacturing Strategy
• 12:23 2025 Range Rover Sport Autobiography review
• 22:23 GM’s Eyes-Off AI Platform
• 33:32 West Virginia’s Orphan Wells Plan

Transcript

SPEAKER_04: 0:07

Welcome to the Tech Mobility Podcast. Brought to you by Playbook Investors Network. Your strategic partner for unstoppable growth. Visit pincommunity.org to get started. I'm Ken Chester.

SPEAKER_03: 0:21

On the Docket, my review of the Range Rover Sport Autobiography SUV, GM's Eyes Off Driving System, and West Virginia's plan for dead oil and gas wells. To add your voice to the conversation, be it to ask a question, share an opinion, or even suggest a topic for future discussion, call or text the Techmobility Ontline, that number, 872-222-9793, or email the show directly talk at techmobility.show. For those of you who enjoy Substack, you can find me there too, at Ken C Iowa. That's K-E-N, the letter C I O W A. From the Tech Mobility News Desk. We've talked a lot about and continue to talk about the comings and goings of EV manufacturers. Everything from Faraday Future to Lord Town Motors to even Rivion, Tesla, you name it, we've talked about it. One of the more colorful or interesting sidebars in the EV race with the new EV manufacturers coming into the marketplace in the United States is Foxconn. And if you don't recognize the name, Foxconn is typically best known as a Taiwanese company that makes and assembles iPhones for Apple. They they, in the past few years, recently grew, they came to the United States. They actually bought GM's old Lordstown assembly plant. They've since sold it, and we'll talk about that in a minute, but they bought it. And they were in this relationship with a company called Lordstown Motors, and they were going to build this phenomenal vehicle. And they they had a full-size EV pickup truck called the Endurance. Things fell apart. Lordstown Motor got strapped for cash. They actually had bought the plant, turned around, sold it to Foxcom. Foxcom thought they were going to use the plant to do contract work for other EVs because, in the midst of all of this, Foxcom has developed their own EVs. They have no intentions of selling under their own name, but they're planning to build these EVs under other names for other manufacturers. And we'll talk about that in a minute. But meanwhile, so Lordstown Motors goes broke. Foxcom, they get sued, they go back and forth. But Foxcom has the plant. And they're really not building too much in the plant. They're building an EV tractor under contract, I believe, for one small company that we covered, oh, maybe a year, two years ago. But really not using the plant to its fullest potential. But they still hold out hope for building. So meanwhile, they've developed here something called their Model B, which is a compact sporty electric crossover that the company will make for sale in Australia. So they're not even waiting in the United States. They actually are building vehicles right now around the world for other companies. And they're looking to mimic that in the United States. Despite U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles and the end of EV incentives, Foxcom plans to start production of the Model C for the United States in Taiwan. And they say that the Model T, I'm sorry, the Model C for Charlie, Model C plan remains unchanged. For our U.S. customers' initial orders, productions will start in Taiwan, but our goal of manufacturing the Model C in the U.S. has not changed. That begs a few questions. Given the tariffs, because even Taiwan has tariffs, they're not as bad as Chinese, but they got tariffs. Is the company willing to swallow the cost of tariffs in order to get a foothold in the American market? Or have they built this vehicle and designed it in such a way that even with the tariffs, it's still cost competitive? They did not elaborate on that. But one thing is for sure, and we reported this last week. We said that EV sales, EV vehicles are not going away. They won't grow as fast as they would have if we still had the incentive. But a lot of things are going on, and Foxcom is playing into that. One of the big things, and it's something I told you over a year ago was going to happen. I told you that as traditional companies in the automotive space come to market with EVs, they will look for ways to market EVs for less money. They will look to ways to re-engineer the vehicles to cost less to make. They will find ways to engineer to build a scale, meaning they will build a lot of them, making them the cost and getting their investment back over time. That plan has changed a little bit, but again, not surprising in the automotive market. A lot of what you read and hear, people might be saying, oh, EV is all. Hold it. Stop. The auto industry has always been boom and bust. Doesn't matter whether you're building big V8 engines, small four cylinders, it's always been up or down. Typically, gas prices drive it, recession drives it, redesign that didn't go over well drives it. But this is not new. This is merely a setback. But they've already got billions of dollars invested. It is not something that said, oh, well, you know, we're not going to build them anymore. Some programs were at a point where they could pivot to hybrids. Some programs are early enough where they could either delay them or cancel them. Because trust me, they may have spent millions, but they didn't spend billions. It wasn't that far along. They may have canceled plans to build plants, whether they're battery plants or assembly plants for EVs. Yeah, you heard about all of that. But at the bottom line, look at the other side. Hyundai just opened their meta plant. I just drove a vehicle in the past week that was built in that plant in Georgia. Ella Bell, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. I just drove a Hyundai Ionic 5 that was built in that plant. So they're not going away. To get back to these folks, they said, Foxcom has said they are talking to a U.S. automaker about bringing their Model C to market in the United States under that brand. And honestly, that's an old playbook. The Japanese did it first back in the late 60s, early 70s. Chrysler did it with the Dodge Plymouth cult. Mishubishi built that. Chevy Love was built by Izuzu. Ford Courier was built by Mazda. So it's a great way for an automaker that is trying to break into the market with a product to offer a product that can be rebranded and sold at volume. What do you get when you have a major automaker rebrand your product? You get distribution, you get volume, and most importantly, you get scale. It is easier for Foxconn to get scale if it's branded a Mishubishi, a Nissan, a Ford. Because now you're pushing that out to all the dealers, and it's no longer your name on the hood. You built it, you're getting paid per unit, but you're getting the benefit of the distribution system of the larger company, of the more established company. Fun fact Did you know that the Lincoln Nautilus is Chinese made? Did you know that the recently discontinued Volvo S90 at one time was Chinese made? And did you know that the Cadillac, the hybrid version of the Cadillac CT6, the big sedan? Yep, built in China. I bet you didn't know that. But they were. Been going on in the automobile industry for years. It is a win-win. So it could be in the next three to four years that maybe this small attractive vehicle that you're riding in that you just bought might have been made by the same people who made your Apple phone that's sitting right next to you in the vehicle. Who knew? Regardless of the name on the hood. Foxconn's here to stay. EVs are here to stay. This is a thing. And trust me, people don't make decisions like that unless they can make a business case for it. They crunch the numbers, and even with everything now, they still determine the American market is the place to be. Modern, tasteful, and above average. My impressions of the 2025 Range Rover for Sport Autobiography are next. You are listening to the Tech Mobility Show.

SPEAKER_01: 10:20

In business, opportunity doesn't wait, and neither should you. At Playbook Investors Network, we connect visionary entrepreneurs with the strategies, resources, and capital they need to win. Whether you're launching, scaling, or reimagining your business, our network turns ambition into measurable success. Your vision deserves more than a plan. It deserves a playbook that works. Playbook Investors Network, where bold ideas meet bold results. Visit pincommunity.org today.

SPEAKER_02: 10:52

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SPEAKER_03: 11:24

To learn more about the Tech Mobility Show, start by visiting our website. I'm Ken Chester, host of The Tech Mobility Show. The website is a treasure trove of information about me and the show, as well as where to find it on the radio across the country. Keep up with the happenings at the Tech Mobility Show by visiting Techmobility.show. You can also drop us a line at talk at Techmobility.show.

SPEAKER_01: 11:57

That's where Playbook Investors Network comes in. We're your strategic partner for accelerating growth, navigating challenges, and capturing market opportunities before your competition does. Your business is more than an idea. Let's make it an impact. Playbook Investors Network. Your future starts here. Learn more at pincommunity.org.

SPEAKER_03: 12:53

The year was 1995. The vehicle was the Land Rover Discovery III. Hadn't introduced a new vehicle since 1970. And it they showed it, the TV commercial of it, going through the paces and all sorts of things, inclement weather, all of that. Because they wanted to show you rather than tell you. And they let the pictures do the talking. Must have been effective. But I ask you this. When it comes to the modern luxury vehicle, how much luxury is enough? How extreme or rarefied the accommodations need to be to satisfy your desire to be coddled and spoiled by a vehicle? More importantly, how much would that experience be worth to you in hard, cold cash? The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a mid-size SUV manufactured by Jaguar Land Rover. Originally introduced in 2005, a prototype known as Range Stormer was unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit the year before. The first several generations of the Range Rover Sport ride on a chassis adapted from the integrated body frame configuration of that Discovery 3. With the debut in mind of that third, with the debut of the third and current generation of the sport in 2022 for the 2023 model year, the Range Rover Sport is now based on the MLA Flex platform shared with Range Rover. The latest sport is some 400 pounds heavier than the previous model. As one of the four trim levels available within the Range Rover Sport model line, the standard prime mover for the autobiography is the Ingenium 3-liter 6-cylinder twin turbo gasoline extended range plug-in hybrid, that's a mouthful, that makes 543 horsepower and delivers 590 foot pounds of torque. A mild hybrid featuring an Igenium 4.4 liter 8-cylinder twin turbocharged engine produces 523 horsepower and 553 foot pounds of torque. Both engines communicate power to all four wheels because all wheel drive is standard via a ZF HP 8-speed automatic transmission with gear shift paddles. The autobiography also features a two-speed transfer case, adaptive off-road cruise control, four drive modes, and six off-road modes. EPA fuel economy is 21 city, 22 highway for the six-cylinder hybrid, 16 city, 23 highway for the eight-cylinder mild hybrid. Towing capacity is 6,614 pounds for the six-cylinder, 7,716 pounds for the eight-cylinder. Trailer stability assists is standard. The maximum weight and depth is 35.4 inches. Let me stop right here for a minute. I included this on purpose because this thing does have the ability to weigh to almost three feet of water. Three feet. Cargo capacity is 118 cubic feet with the second row seats folded flat. Here's what I liked about the Range Rover Sport Autobiography. Starting with its sculpted exterior good looks and modern, tasteful interior, the sport is very easy to drive at speed and whisper quiet. The driver enjoys an above-average outward view of his surroundings, and I would say almost bolt upright. It's almost as if you are overlooking what's going on. And that's been typical of the Range Rovers, that you are just elevated, almost in the clouds, it seems to me, sometimes. You also enjoy a head-up display so you never have to take your eyes off the road to know what the vehicle is doing. The Range Rover Sport delivers a fluid response to the driver's demands without hesitation. Add right height control, weight sensing control, hill descent control, slope assist. Because this thing will take a crazy slope. And a pure EV mode with a 70-mile range. The driver has endless options to tune the SUV's response to just about every driving situation on or off-road. And did I mention front and rear fog lights? Something that you used to get in Swedish vehicles that you don't see too often in British ones, but this is pretty cool. All of this is just for the driver. Everything I talked about is just for the driver so far. And that's not to mention the 22-way. I said 22-way, adjustable, heated and ventilated, electric memory, front seats, yes, that's passenger and driver, with massage function and winged headrests. Man, you sit in that car, you ain't never want to get out, let alone drive it. As for the rear seat passengers, comfortable rear heated and ventilated seatings, center armrest with storage, and dual cup holders. And I'm going to stop again because typically you're lucky to get heated outboard seats. These are not just heated, they're ventilated too. The rear seats. You got a power rear seat back adjustment, so you can get adjust for rake and get comfortable. And a panoramic sunroof, which makes accommodations very pleasant. The large square cargo area wasn't ignored either. The Range Rover Sport features a rear vehicle height control that can be operated from the open hatch to lower the vehicle height to facilitate vehicle loading. And as a person of short stature, let me tell you, that came in handy and was well worth having. To his credit, the spare tire is also accessible from inside the vehicle just under the cargo area floor, to which I say thank you. Here's what I didn't like about the Range Rover Sport autobiography. First of all, the sport has a high step in height with no hand grips or running boards to facilitate entry and exit. Which means if you're a person of a certain age or getting about is a bit challenging for you, this is going to be more so. I found the infotainment touch screen real quirky and it required a heavy touch. I mean, it's almost like you have to hit it as opposed to press it. I also found it not to be intuitive or convenient, which surprised me because it was so elegant, but it was not user-friendly. Me and multifunction steering wheel controls, we're estranged. We have issues. And unfortunately, this Range Rover Sport Autobiography is no exception. I pointed this out with Volkswagen, the ID4 in particular, not a friend, not a fan, these either. Finally, with all this amazing capability, you would think they would equip this SUV with some really capable off-road tires, or at least some all-weather tires, not all seasons. I said all-weather. Asking for a friend here, but honestly, honestly, Range Rover, truly. Here's the bottom line. While I doubt anyone would truly take an SUV that costs six figures off-roading, the Range Rover Sport Autobiography certainly has the ability to deliver if one's if one was so inclined. The manufacturer suggested retail price for the 2025 Range Rover Sport Autobiography starts from$118,700. Destination charges add$1,625. Extra cost options on the vehicle I tested came to$8,540. Worth every penny. The only issue I overhave is quality. It's a quality question. General Motors plans to bring an eyes off driving system to market by the end of the decade. This is the Tech Mobility Show.

SPEAKER_01: 21:38

We're your co-pilots in success. Because in business, standing still is not an option. Playbook Investors Network, fueling ambition, delivering results. Visit pincommunity.org.

SPEAKER_03: 21:53

Did you know that Tech Mobility has a YouTube channel? Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. Each week, I upload a few short videos of some of the hot topics that I cover during my weekly radio program. I've designed these videos to be informative and entertaining. It's another way to keep up on current mobility and technology news and information. Be sure to watch, like, and subscribe to my channel. That's the Tech Mobility Show on YouTube. Check it out. So I got a question for you. How interactive do you want to be with your car? General Motors is betting that you are willing to be quite interactive, developing a platform where its vehicles will be able to interact with a custom artificial intelligence tool to find restaurant recommendations or address a maintenance issue. And I'm wondering how you feel about that. As usual, I got questions. This is topic B. The more integrated these systems get, I have concerns. The obvious concern is what happens if it goes on the fritz, if it gets compromised, if it's defective. The big question I got is redundancy. GM is going to one central computing platform. And basically going to one big computer that will offer a thousand times the bandwidth to handle the increased AI demands and faster connection speeds. So, first thing on my mind, cybersecurity. You got one point of entry. If it gets corrupted, what's my recourse? My second thing, redundancy. Okay, you got this one platform. What happens if you have a fault or a defect? Then what? Is your vehicle now bricked? Are you done? Does it die wherever you're at and you're just stuck? That's not okay. The article doesn't talk about those things, obviously. And here's the other thing. Do you want GM in your pocket for the rest of your life or the rest of the vehicle? They already have their hands in the pocket. If you've got OnStar, if you've got Sirius XM, they're already in your pocket. And speaking as a GM owner, yeah, they're in my pocket. Do I want them more in my pocket? I don't think so. But this is where they're going. Because by able to make these things available, they're not doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. They're doing it for additional revenue streams and to keep you roped in and to keep you committed to the brand. Because their ambitions envision a future with a deeper level of personalization between customers and their vehicles. And GM wants to leverage their over a hundred years of building vehicles to make this work in a way that's seamless. They're anticipating the rolling this out in the year model year 2028, which basically now is roughly little more than two model years away. And they're going to introduce it on a Cadillac Escalade IQ electric large SUV. I drove that thing. It's amazing. It also has an amazing price tag. Trust me. Yeah. I remember when houses cost that much. When the new system is engaged and it's not clear what it's going to be called, it will display turquoise lighting on the dashboard and on the exterior mirrors. So if you see a GM vehicle in the future that's turquoise colored, then it's kind of driving itself. GM says its system uses LIDAR sensors, radars, and cameras. And the technology is trained on data from real-world driving while simulations are run to test rare situations. Here's one thing I will guarantee you. I don't care if they run 3 billion miles in every single solitary, weird application they can possibly think of. Mankind being mankind will come up with the one they didn't. Guaranteed. Guaranteed. The thing that will never happen, guaranteed it will happen. Because that's how we are. And that's not GM's fault. It is just the human condition. But the two b the two concerns I have are real. They are saying that with their central computing platform and the use of AI, that they'll be able to keep these vehicles as fresh years from now than it was when it was new. GM called it a complete rethinking of vehicle design and how a car is improved over its life cycle. Over the year updates will keep your vehicle as fresh so that if you hold it for 10 years, you trade it in, the that 10-year-old vehicle will have as much capability as a brand new one off the line. The only thing will be is age and time. This is very different from where we are now, which was built in what they call planned obsolescence, which was built in over a hundred years ago. They're getting away from that. You can actually have the choice over time to how you want to improve your vehicle as you drive it. They will make you offers, they will offer a range, they will offer different things they just invented that you'll be able to update your vehicle with and get them now, and you won't have to trade to get a brand new one to get it for a fraction of what a new vehicle would cost. So there are some benefits to this. But redundancy, uh, cybersecurity are two big issues I've got. Because every time you meld these together, you are exposing risk. You are increasing risk. You're putting to so, so to speak, all your eggs in one basket. And when you do that, what happens if you have a fault, a problem, an accident? How will these vehicles react if they've been damaged? Well, these vehicles degrade over time. Will they still be as robust? Because age is something that no matter how many over-the-air upgrades you get, you still can't fight. Age degrades stuff. You go through cycles of heat, bitter cold, heat, dampness, rain over a period of time, over years. Vehicles degrade. They just do. What does that mean for a computer system that is all being, all telling, all knowing, and all in control? Where's the redundancy GM? Where is the cybersecurity GM? What happens if I do get hacked? What steps do you have to mitigate the damage that a hacker could cause if they get into the system? And what does that mean? What happens if an over-the-air update doesn't take? Not like we don't know, uh, those of us who have had problems with Microsoft downloads. You know, what's the fail say? Does it brick the vehicle? Because I can't go forward because it's not done, but I can't go backwards to reclaim it to the prior state. Yeah, I got a bunch of questions this article doesn't ask. Yes, technology's wonderful, till it isn't. That's my concern. This sounds great, but it's an issue of, okay, how much? Number two, what are the protections? Number three, as a private citizen, am I further opening myself up to even more than I had no knowledge of? Number five, obviously, this vehicle, if you're talking personalization, is continuing to collect and remember information about me and whoever drives that vehicle. Who controls it, how long do they keep it, what do they do with it, and can I opt out? Again, the article doesn't talk about that. And superimposed on top of all of This. There are no federal laws protecting you from any of this. And I can totally believe in the future you'll pay an automaker not to have advertising. You'll actually pay him. Because I'm sure they'll say, You can have all this free stuff. We're going to give you all this free stuff. But the problem is you got to deal with all the advertising. And if you don't want the advertising, gee, we'll do the Pandora model. Pay us five, six, ten, twenty dollars a month, we'll make it go away. I'm not okay with that. But again, questions. Questions. Just because you can do a GM doesn't necessarily mean you should. And I want to know more about the consumer protection side. Because there's so much that you're getting that I don't have a say in. And I would like a say. Particularly if you're thinking I'm going to buy this vehicle whenever it rolls out. Because, you know, more importantly, more now than ever, security is even more important now than it's ever been. What happens when oil and gas wells die? West Virginia has a plan for that. We are the Tech Mobility Show.

SPEAKER_02: 31:19

Are you tired of juggling multiple apps and platforms for meetings, webinars, and staying connected? Look no further than AON Meetings.com, the all-in-one browser-based platform that does it all. With AON Meetings, you can effortlessly communicate with clients, host virtual meetings and webinars, and stay in touch with family and friends, all in one place and for one price. Here's the best part. You can enjoy a 30-day free trial. It's time to simplify your life and boost your productivity. AON Meetings.com, where innovation meets connection. Get started today and revolutionize the way you communicate.

SPEAKER_03: 31:52

To learn more about the Tech Mobility Show, start by visiting our website. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. The website is a treasure trove of information about me and the show, as well as where to find it on the radio across the country. Keep up with the happenings at the Tech Mobility Show by visiting Techmobility.show. That's Techmobility.show. You can also drop us a line at talk at Techmobility.show.

SPEAKER_01: 32:22

In business, opportunity doesn't wait, and neither should you. At Playbook Investors Network, we connect visionary entrepreneurs with the strategies, resources, and capital they need to win. Whether you're launching, scaling, or reimagining your business, our network turns ambition into measurable success. Your vision deserves more than a plan. It deserves a playbook that works. Playbook Investors Network, where bold ideas meet bold results. Visit pincommunity.org today.

SPEAKER_03: 32:54

Did you know that Tech Mobility has a YouTube channel? Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. Each week, I upload a few short videos of some of the hot topics that I cover during my weekly radio program. I've designed these videos to be informative and entertaining. It's another way to keep up on current mobility and technology news and information. Be sure to watch, like, and subscribe to my channel. That's the Tech Mobility Show on YouTube. Check it out. So, what do you do with thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells in your state that poses both a physical and health danger to the population? In West Virginia, the answer is the creation of what they call the Mountain State Plugging Fund to retire approximately 20,000, 20,000 old oil and gas wells. And the best part, at no cost to taxpayers. This sounds like a winner. This is topic C. I would start with full disclosure, and my wife's from West Virginia, Logan County, in fact, man, West Virginia. I didn't stop to think. And of course, now that I think about it, it makes total sense. I know, and most people know, of West Virginia as coal country, and it is every bit of that. But I didn't really think it through that they would have been also drilling for oil and gas in that same location. And when you think about it, yeah, same type of pressures, yeah, would have been part of that appellation oil fields from Pennsylvania, because Pennsylvania is just northeast of there. And oil was discovered in western Pennsylvania in the mid to late 1800s, long before Texas, California, Alaska. It was discovered originally in Western Pennsylvania. And here's a killer that I didn't know until I stumbled across it in traveling, Western New York. Western New York State is actually a natural gas producer, as in some places in Ohio. Did not know that. Anyway, getting back to West Virginia. We have talked at length about the thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells across the United States. And the problem is that most states don't have a way to handle it. I mean, number one, you can't find them all. And some of them have been abandoned for years and are and are leaching oil into your water and streams, uh natural gas and methane into the air. So you've got a health issue, a safety issue. And you know, when you think about it, West Virginia doesn't just have that. We haven't even begun to talk about the old abandoned coal mines. That's another story for another time. But here, what they've managed to do is they have made a deal with a oil, a crude oil developer called Diversified. And what Diversified does, their model is a little different. They actually buy these old wells. Diversified energy is the name of the name of it. And they're one of the largest owners of natural gas wells. And they don't have a lot in West Virginia, but they have some. And they buy the older wells because they figure this little bit of dribble is enough to make money because they buy them right. And they work them until they can't get anything. They've agreed with the state that they would plow$70 million into the fund over the next 20 years in the hope that those holdings will grow as much to$650 million through compounding interest and returns. The company agrees to retire at least$1,500 wells while it establishes the fund and at least$250 annually after that. Did I mention not a dime of taxpayer money is being spent? Compare that to Colorado, it has the same problem. Pick a state, Wyoming, Montana, North or South Dakota, parts of Nevada, Utah. They all have the same problem. The worst part of the problem is most of these abandoned wells are not documented. Now, how do they get abandoned? Oil company that worked them, worked them, and either the oil company went out of business and the wells were abandoned, got sold to other companies, they ran them until they couldn't get anymore out of them and just left them. There was no legal obligation for them to properly cap the well and make it safe. And if you're a company that just went broke, you don't have the money to do it no way. And it could be thousands. I think the number just in Colorado was 30,000. Oil and gas wells. And again, the worst part, like West Virginia, most of them are not documented. Because you had a lot of small wildcat companies. You go back 50, 60, 100 years. Regulation wasn't what it was. Some of these have been abandoned for years, just leaking in the woods or you know, dribbling in the woods. Need to be capped. Somebody might fall into them or they might blow up or catch fire or heaven knows what else. America is pockmarked by millions of oil and gas wells that petered out over the decades. But as I mentioned earlier, scattershot record keeping has made precise estimates difficult, if not impossible. Analysts believe a big chunk of that infrastructure is still polluting nearby areas. While at least tens of thousands of wells have been orphaned by companies that have changed ownership or disappeared. I mentioned diversified a minute ago, and they reacted because they had come under criticism for their business model. This Alabama-based company snaps up oiled can old conventional wells that can slowly produce the heating of power generation fuel for decades. It might generate a barrel or two a day. Just slow, kinda easy. You buy it right, it's still 55 gallons of crude oil a day. Hundreds a week. And they make their money that way. But the problem is, those wells are near the end of their lives, and diversified ain't putting that kind of money in them. They're bought dirt cheap, getting what they can get from them. So they made what I thought would be a better deal. Make a deal with the state so they don't force you to do it, come up with some money. This could be a model for the industry. Particularly the majors. You said, okay, here's the deal. In exchange for not person prosecuting you and forcing you to cap all of this, put up$100,$150,$200,$300,000,$400 million one time. We'll give you 10, 15, 20 years to spread the money out. Put it into a fund, let the fund compound. We will use that fund to track down and track and cap all these properly. So that as far as your accounting is concerned, you can account for it. It's not open-ended. We have a guaranteed source of money that we can grow in order to deal with it. Officials in West Virginia said this is not going to be solved overnight. And they figured that even if they had all the money they needed to retire everything in the state, they don't have enough capacity to keep up. And they figure this is the number they actually quoted, they estimate at the rate they're going, it will take them 100 years. No matter what. It's a solution, folks. It is a solution that actually, to me, makes more sense than anything else I've heard.

SPEAKER_04: 41:37

This is the Tech Mobility Podcast.

SPEAKER_01: 41:43

Every great business starts with a spark, but taking it to the next level takes strategy, connections, and capital. That's where Playbook Investors Network comes in. We're your strategic partner for accelerating growth, navigating challenges, and capturing market opportunities before your competition does. Your business is more than an idea. Let's make it an impact. Playbook Investors Network. Your future starts here. Learn more at pincommunity.org.

SPEAKER_03: 42:14

To learn more about the Tech Mobility Show, start by visiting our website. I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. The website is a treasure trove of information about me and the show, as well as where to find it on the radio across the country. Keep up with the happenings at the Tech Mobility Show by visiting Techmobility.show. You can also drop us a line at talk at Techmobility.show.

SPEAKER_02: 42:40

Are you tired of juggling multiple apps and platforms for meetings, webinars, and staying connected? Look no further than AON Meetings.com, the all-in-one browser-based platform that does it all. With AON Meetings, you can effortlessly communicate with clients, host virtual meetings and webinars, and stay in touch with family and friends, all in one place and for one price. Here's the best part. You can enjoy a 30-day free trial. It's time to simplify your life and boost your productivity. AON Meetings.com, where innovation meets connection. Get started today and revolutionize the way you communicate.

SPEAKER_01: 43:13

You've got the drive. Now you need the right partner to make it happen. At Playbook Investors Network, we power ambitious leaders with the tools, insight, and investment connections to move faster, grow stronger, and lead markets. We're more than advisors, we're your co pilots in success. Because in business, standing still is not an option. Playbook Investors Network, fueling ambition, delivering results. Visit pincommunity.org.