Aach's post

At the moment I suspect there is little economic intersection between oil and nuclear power in the United States. Oil is used primarily for transportation and as a manufacturing commodity, while nuclear is used solely for electric power production (along with coal, natural gas, hydropower, geothermal, and solar/wind). They are not interchangeable, though I imagine the cost of electriicity does have some minimal effect on the oil market. If we have electric-only or hydrogen cars (H2 is made with electricity) then oil and nuclear would be direct competitors.

That comment aside, I believe one of the difficulties in any discussion of energy policy is that few involved in the discussion have a clear sense of how energy is produced - particularly electric energy. This is certainly true of nuclear energy - where I've worked for 20 years. BUT, it is also true that there has been no good way for the lay person to learn about the real world of nuclear power. Atomic energy is much different than its portrayals in the media, good or bad.

To offer a base of knowledge and perspective , I've written a novel that provides an insider's view of the US nuclear energy industry. It is available at no cost to readers - and they seem to like it, judging from their homepage comments. Whole Earth Catalog founder Stewart Brand (another noted environmentalist taking a second look at nuclear power) has seen the value of this approach and has been kind enough to endorse my book. It's worth taking a look. You might actually find it entertaining as well. http://RadDecision.blogspot.com

Ben's response:

Sounds reasonable to me...

I'd like to see that book or bullet points on in it.

Perhaps we could do a Think Tank on it.

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Posted by James Aach to Wattenblog at 10/05/2006 03:03:52 PM