Nuclear Revolution
Powering the Next Generation
Published on 26. November 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-88890-357-0 (ISBN)
Description
Skyrocketing energy prices are placing downward pressure on economic growth throughout the world. There seems to be no relief in sight, with hundreds of millions without access to reliable energy and with global energy consumption expected to grow by 50 percent over the next 30 years. Some would impose energy rationing-or in other words, slow human progress. But with nearly 46 percent of the world's population living on less than $5.50 per day, slowing human progress is unacceptable. The only solution is more energy and lots of it.
Jack Spencer, in his upcoming book, Going Nuclear: Reestablishing American Commercial Nuclear Dominance, argues that nuclear energy offers real answers to power our homes and industries, clean our air and water, and maybe even take us to Mars. However, we have been getting nuclear power wrong for decades.
Skeptics say that nuclear energy is too expensive and threatens the world with the proliferation of nuclear weapons material and radioactive waste. Proponents say that nuclear power needs and deserves the support of the state and the taxpayer, cradle to grave. The time has come, Spencer argues, to think big nuclear energy and pull it out of the time capsule that pop culture, environmental activists, lobbyists, peaceniks, and policymakers are all too content to leave nuclear in.
Spencer writes that while the government-industry partnership that defined the early years of America's commercial nuclear rise was essential to the nation's security, reluctance to modernize that relationship has prevented the American nuclear industry from reaching its full potential. In its place, Spencer offers an alternative that shatters how we think about nuclear energy policy and realigns the responsibilities of government and industry with the incentives that will drive America to success.
Going Nuclear describes why government intervention in the nuclear industry is a problem, how to move from the status quo to something new, and why such reforms will kick off an era of nuclear entrepreneurship and innovation. Over 70 years ago, nuclear energy entered the scene with great promise. Now more than ever, the world needs that promise delivered, and America can lead the way.
Jack Spencer, in his upcoming book, Going Nuclear: Reestablishing American Commercial Nuclear Dominance, argues that nuclear energy offers real answers to power our homes and industries, clean our air and water, and maybe even take us to Mars. However, we have been getting nuclear power wrong for decades.
Skeptics say that nuclear energy is too expensive and threatens the world with the proliferation of nuclear weapons material and radioactive waste. Proponents say that nuclear power needs and deserves the support of the state and the taxpayer, cradle to grave. The time has come, Spencer argues, to think big nuclear energy and pull it out of the time capsule that pop culture, environmental activists, lobbyists, peaceniks, and policymakers are all too content to leave nuclear in.
Spencer writes that while the government-industry partnership that defined the early years of America's commercial nuclear rise was essential to the nation's security, reluctance to modernize that relationship has prevented the American nuclear industry from reaching its full potential. In its place, Spencer offers an alternative that shatters how we think about nuclear energy policy and realigns the responsibilities of government and industry with the incentives that will drive America to success.
Going Nuclear describes why government intervention in the nuclear industry is a problem, how to move from the status quo to something new, and why such reforms will kick off an era of nuclear entrepreneurship and innovation. Over 70 years ago, nuclear energy entered the scene with great promise. Now more than ever, the world needs that promise delivered, and America can lead the way.
Reviews / Votes
"Jack Spencer tells it the way it is and needs to be to make nuclear energy an affordable choice for America. Read this thoughtful and provocative book written by one of America's great conservative thinkers." -- WILLIAM MARTIN * Former Deputy Energy Secretary; Chair, Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee * Members of Congress agree on very few things. Bipartisanship is extremely rare in politics today. Confronting and containing an expansive China is one policy where there is widespread consensus. The other area of agreement, surprisingly, is the indispensable role of nuclear energy in the twenty-first century. In his thought-provoking new book, Nuclear Revolution, Jack Spencer chronicles this transformation in energy politics and policy and offers an alternative free-market approach to realizing nuclear's full potential. Driven by climate concerns and energy security risks globally-and with AI now surging energy demand-nuclear is the one clean, secure, and abundant energy source. Spencer's candid assessment of where we have over-subsidized, over-regulated, and overblown expectations is an important wake-up call and a timely prescription for rethinking energy policy in the US and globally. -- Scott Campbell * President, Howard Baker Forum; Director, U.S.-Japan Roundtable on Nuclear Energy; Senior Strategic Advisor, Baker Donelson * Jack Spencer makes a convincing and entertaining argument that nuclear power, while an essential part of the American energy portfolio, is not a cureall for whatever risk one might assign to climate change, nor is it likely to prosper from increased federal 'support.' Along the way, he cuts holes in the politicians, special interest groups, and bureaucrats who have decided to make choices for the rest of us with respect to everything from cars to uranium fuel, and who have, in his words, 'created entire narratives about energy scarcity and environmental degradation to justify their power grabs.' Buy the book, get some popcorn, and enjoy the ride. -- Mike McKenna * President, MWR Strategies, and contributing editor at The Washington Time * "In Nuclear Revolution, Jack Spencer lays out the conservative's approach to igniting a resurgence of nuclear energy in the U.S. You may not agree with his take, but he brings receipts to the discussion and provides a point of view that can't be ignored." -- Criag Piercy, Executive Director and CEO, American Nuclear Society "President Ronald Reagan said "Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it:" As Jack points out in Nuclear Revolution, the same holds true of the government's view of this vital component of our nation's energy mix. Policy failures, fearmongering, and just plain bad decision-making has veered the nuclear power industry way off track. Jack breaks these down one by one and corrects the many myths about nuclear technology along the way. No one knows what the future holds for nuclear power, but this book provides a policy roadmap to at least give it a greater opportunity to compete for the reliable electrons necessary to power our future." -- Thomas Pyle, President, Institute for Energy Research "Members of Congress agree on very few things. Bipartisanship is extremely rare in politics today. Confronting and containing an expansive China is one policy where there is widespread consensus. The other area of agreement surprisingly is the indispensable role of nuclear energy in the 21 st Century. In his thought-provoking new book, Nuclear Revolution, Jack Spencer chronicles this transformation in energy politics and policy and offers an alternative free market approach to realizing nuclear' s full potential. Driven by climate concerns, energy security risks globally , and now with AI, surging energy demand, nuclear energy is the one clean, secure, and abundant energy source. Spencer's candid assessment of where we have over- subsidized, over-regulated, and overblown expectations is an important wake-up call and a timely prescription for re-thinking energy policy in the US and globally." -- Scott Campbell. President of the Howard Baker Forum; Director of the US-Japan Roundtable on Nuclear Energy; Senior Strategic Advisor, Baker Donelson, Washington, DC "Jack makes a convincing and entertaining argument that nuclear power, while an essential part of the United States' energy portfolio, is neither a cure-all for whatever risk one might assign to climate change, nor likely to prosper from increased federal "support." Along the way, he cuts holes in the politicians, special interest groups, and bureaucrats who have decided to make choices for the rest of us with respect to everything from cars to uranium fuel, and who have - in his words -- "created entire narratives about energy scarcity and environmental degradation to justify their power grabs." Buy the book, get some popcorn, and enjoy the ride. -- Mike Mckenna, President of MWR Strategies and contributing editor at The Washington Times "The economic and environmental advantages of nuclear power are clear. Although some argue that nuclear energy is too expensive, the majority of the costs are tied to construction. As Jack points out in Nuclear Revolution, reactors don't need to take decades to complete. Streamlining the government approval process can make nuclear energy cost-effective and Jack brings an interesting perspective on how to achieve that." -- Florence Lowe-Lee, President and Founder, Global America Business Initiative (GABI)More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Canada
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Self-cover
With translucent dust cover
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
329 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-88890-357-0 (9780888903570)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Jack Spencer is a senior research fellow for energy and environmental policy, specializing in domestic and international nuclear energy policy, in the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment at the Heritage Foundation. Spencer publishes on numerous issues relating to nuclear energy and is Heritage's go-to expert on nuclear waste management, technological advances, nuclear fuel, industry subsidies, and international approaches to nuclear energy. He also hosts the weekly Heritage Foundation-produced podcast The Power Hour, where he interviews top guests on energy and environment issues.
Spencer has testified before Congress on numerous occasions, including on nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear waste management, and the role of nuclear in America's energy mix. He also testified before the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future on how to solve the country's nuclear waste dilemma. Spencer oversaw the production of Powering America, a documentary film about the commercial nuclear energy industry, and served as a member of the Department of Energy landing team, working with career DOE staff to develop a departmental guide for incoming political leadership. Previously, Spencer oversaw research on a wide range of domestic economic and trade issues as vice president of the Institute for Economic Freedom at the Heritage Foundation. Prior to that, he served as director of the Roe Institute, where he spearheaded research initiatives on federal spending, taxes, regulation, energy, and the environment. He also served as a senior legislative analyst for Babcock & Wilcox, providing research, analysis, communications strategy, and outreach support for commercial nuclear power and navy nuclear programs.
He is a graduate of Columbia University.
Stephen Moore (born February 16, 1960) is an American conservative writer and television commentator on economic issues. He co-founded and served as president of the Club of Growth from 1999 to 2004. Moore is a former member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board. He worked at The Heritage Foundation from 1983 to 1987 and again since 2014. Moore advised Herman Cain's2012 presidential campaign and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
Moore advocates tax cuts and supply-side economic policies. Moore's columns have appeared in outlets such as the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Times.
Spencer has testified before Congress on numerous occasions, including on nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear waste management, and the role of nuclear in America's energy mix. He also testified before the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future on how to solve the country's nuclear waste dilemma. Spencer oversaw the production of Powering America, a documentary film about the commercial nuclear energy industry, and served as a member of the Department of Energy landing team, working with career DOE staff to develop a departmental guide for incoming political leadership. Previously, Spencer oversaw research on a wide range of domestic economic and trade issues as vice president of the Institute for Economic Freedom at the Heritage Foundation. Prior to that, he served as director of the Roe Institute, where he spearheaded research initiatives on federal spending, taxes, regulation, energy, and the environment. He also served as a senior legislative analyst for Babcock & Wilcox, providing research, analysis, communications strategy, and outreach support for commercial nuclear power and navy nuclear programs.
He is a graduate of Columbia University.
Stephen Moore (born February 16, 1960) is an American conservative writer and television commentator on economic issues. He co-founded and served as president of the Club of Growth from 1999 to 2004. Moore is a former member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board. He worked at The Heritage Foundation from 1983 to 1987 and again since 2014. Moore advised Herman Cain's2012 presidential campaign and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
Moore advocates tax cuts and supply-side economic policies. Moore's columns have appeared in outlets such as the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Times.