Energy for the Public: The Case for Increased Nuclear Fission Energy

The purpose of this book is to inform the public about its choices on energy issues and to help it make realistic decisions based on knowledge of science. Energy is the most prized commodity in our society. It is as basic to life as food and water. It generates the electricity that powers our homes, entertainment, businesses, and industrial plants. All transportation is dependent on energy that propels our cars, trains, airplanes, and ships. Every action--biological, mechanical, and electrical--requires energy. This book, therefore, has connections to every individual and object in the universe.

The public faces difficult choices in the generation of electricity in the future. Carbon dioxide is polluting the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. We face the issue of security for the United States and its citizens. During 2005 gasoline for vehicles skyrocketed to the highest price on record and we are importing more petroleum than ever before. Should California return to deregulation of electricity that was so disastrous in the winter of 2000-2001? This book reviews our options and makes recommendations for the energy to generate electricity and the fuels to transport people and goods.