Product Description

A timely and thought-provoking solution to the world's energy shortfall

The dramatic increases in oil and natural gas prices, the finite supply of fossil fuels, and concerns over emissions and global warming are forcing us to consider alternatives. In this measured and knowledgeable book, energy experts Alan Herbst and George Hopley argue that the time has come for the U.S. to revitalize its nuclear generation assets in order to successfully meet growing domestic electricity requirements and lessen our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Nuclear Energy Now provides an informed look at the benefits and drawbacks associated with this controversial alternative to traditional energy sources.

It opens with a brief overview of commercial nuclear development in the U.S. during the past half-century and moves on to discuss what the future may hold if new initiatives-supported by the Energy Policy Act of 2005-gain traction. Along the way, readers will find informed insights into why the need for nuclear power has become so critical and how we can safely add capacity in the coming years. Exploring all of the issues related to developing America's nuclear energy capabilities safely and cost-effectively, Nuclear Energy Now is a must-read for anyone concerned about our oil dependency, the environment, and future of the nation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #690696 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 230 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780470051368
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Inside Flap

Over the past sixty years, we've seen the successful transformation of the atom from a military weapon to a vast source of electricity that powers many of our everyday activities—from surfing the Web to running a washing machine. And while nuclear energy is still viewed with some skepticism, decades of reliable output from this source have clearly illustrated its enormous potential.

Energy experts Alan Herbst and George Hopley understand the essential issues surrounding this industry, and in Nuclear Energy Now, they provide you with a balanced look at the benefits and drawbacks associated with this effective alternative to traditional energy sources, and discuss why the time has come for the United States to revitalize its nuclear generation assets.

Nuclear Energy Now opens with a brief overview of commercial nuclear development in the United States during the past half-century and moves on to discuss what the future may hold if new initiatives—supported by the Energy Policy Act of 2005—gain traction. Along the way, you'll discover why the need for nuclear power has become so critical and how we can safely add capacity to our national system in the coming years.

Filled with in-depth insights and practical advice, Nuclear Energy Now explores all of the issues related to developing America's nuclear energy capabilities and:

• Identifies the strategic steps the U.S. government has taken to "jump start" this critical industry

• Outlines the favorable economic and environmental aspects of nuclear power

• Details nuclear technology's proven safety record as well as its ongoing operational upgrades

• Examines nuclear power's growing global footprint and chronicles its current and past successes in Europe and the Far East

Nuclear power, with its proven track record and ability to produce tremendous amounts of energy from modest amounts of relatively inexpensive fuel, cannot be ignored—especially in today's environment of increasing energy demand and geopolitical instability. Engaging and informative, Nuclear Energy Now clears up many of the pervasive misconceptions regarding this proven technology and provides you with an unbiased look at how nuclear energy can power our country well into the twenty-first century.

From the Back Cover
Praise for Nuclear Energy Now

"Herbst and Hopley do a brilliant job of dispelling?myths about the alleged health risks?of nuclear power. This book will be a major catalyst in rallying public support for this efficient, environmentally friendly, and safe source of energy for America."
—Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan, President, American Council on Science and Health

"Nuclear Energy Now addresses the two most critical technical problems for the United States: improving our energy generation capacity and lowering the emissions of greenhouse gasses. The U.S. energy community needs more people like Alan Herbst and George Hopley, energy experts who, in this book, successfully explain the benefits of nuclear power generation and resolve many of the flawed assumptions that have delayed the United States in building a domestic nuclear power infrastructure."
—Robert Hotto, Chief Scientist, Chai Energy

"Alan Herbst and George Hopley have really captured the growing public mandate to build more nuclear power plants, as well as discuss the clean air benefits that they bring to help reduce our problematic CO2 emissions that are leading to global warming. This book is a must read for all Americans who care about our national security and who want to put an end to our energy dilemma and force our government to embark upon establishing an energy policy that really addresses the concerns future generations will inherit."
—David Perez, CEO and Chairman, Surge Global Energy, Inc.

About the Author
Alan M. Herbst has twenty years' experience in energy consulting and is the General Partner of Utilis Energy, LLC, a strategic consulting firm based in New York. In recent years, he has focused his efforts on emerging energy technologies and markets, specifically nuclear power, the Alberta oil sands, coal gasification technologies, and the growing global LNG market. Herbst has also held energy analysis and consulting positions with the PIRA Energy Group and Standard & Poor's. He has an MBA in finance and international business from New York University's Stern School of Business.

George W. Hopley is Associate Director of commodity research at Barclays Capital in New York. He analyzes wholesale power and gas markets; distributes daily, weekly, and quarterly reports to an estimated 1,500 clients; and assists the sales and trading team and other parts of the bank. Prior to his current position at Barclays, Hopley served as senior director of research and analysis for Duke Energy in Houston, a director of market research at Enron North America, and an economist at PIRA Energy Group in New York.

Customer Reviews

We Need to Embrace Nuclear Energy Now
NEN is filled with tons of facts, yet is a quick read and a very good primer on the subject of nuclear energy. For those who are concerned about carbon emissions, nuclear energy is the ONLY economically viable alternative to petroleum for electricity generation. Anyone who thinks solar and wind can fill this void is simply wrong. It takes hundreds of windmills to produce the same power as a single nuclear or coal plant. Solar cells are approximately 20% efficient, and like wind farms, require vast tracts of land. Additionally, both are entirely dependent on weather conditions. Sheryl Crow's vacuous endorsement of these "alternatives" on the Bill Maher show once again demonstrates the majority's poverty of understanding of these basic facts. This is not surprising; nuclear energy has received a bad rap from environmentalists for decades. Issues with waste and proliferation are easily solvable with prudent policies. The real problem is fear: an intense, quivering fear cultivated by the environmental movement that leaves us incapable of dealing with our energy problems in an intelligent manner.

Although I am not a global warming catastrophist, I believe it is prudent to limit what we pump into the atmosphere. Sure, driving hybrid cars helps a little, but remember that all of our automobiles combined emit less than half of the carbon produced by our power plants. The greatest single strategy to limit carbon emissions is producing electricity with nuclear power. Environmentalists need to abandon their religious dogma and accept this fact; otherwise, they relinquish their right to shrill hectoring about global warming.

Here is what I would propose as a simple roadmap to lower CO2 emissions:

1) Gradually phase out all coal/gas/oil power plants and replace with nuclear plants.
2) Continue to develop rapid-recharge high-capacity lithium ion battery technology for automobiles.
3) Investigate other energy storage alternatives like ultracapacitors, which may be practical in the near future.
4) Reform and streamline industrial processes to reduce emissions.
5) Investigate prudent sources of ethanol (no corn, please) and biodiesel fuels.
6) Continue nuclear fusion research.

Damming with faint praise
This book purports to support nuclear power and then doesn't make much of a case for it. I am sorry that I wasted my money on this book.

Try Power to Save the World: The Truth About Nuclear Energy by Gwyneth Craven who is a 30 year green activist and makes a fact based argument for nuclear. She puts forward all the standard arguments against nuclear and shows how they don't hold up. She spent 8 years researching her book with another environmentalist who works at the Sandia National Laboratory.

no bad, nevertheless.....
If you are only interested in economic, this book is your book.

However,if you want to learn something about Nuclear Energy and you are no an enginer "A CASE FOR NUCLEAR-GENERATED ELECTRICITY ... or why I think nuclear power is cool and why it is important that you think so too", written by Scott W. Heaberlin is your book.

"THE REVENGE OF GAIA" written by James Lovelock is your book if you are the kind of guy who enjoys learning and who is worried about environmental isuues.

Have a look in internet ....EFN - Environmentalists For Nuclear Energy.

Bye and thanks. I afraid of my English is a bit sad. See you.