A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy [Hardcover]

Pete V. Domenici (Author), Sam Nunn (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 2004

The book takes a proactive and, at times, provocative look at nuclear power and argues that it is the source of energy for the future of the United States. Senator Pete V. Domenici (R-New Mexico) will argue that after weighing the costs and benefits of all other legitimate forms of energy production (coal, oil, wind, hydro) nuclear power will not only reduce American dependence on the Middle East oil but it is the most "green" source. Domenici is the primary author and sponsor of the energy bill weaving its way through the Senate—the nuclear energy portion of the bill will, among other things, assist in the financing of the construction of three new nuclear power plants (the first in 30 years). Sprinkled throughout this otherwise serious book will be 30 years worth of anecdotes and insights into the personalities behind the political process and policymaking.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Senator Domenici's leadership on energy issues is not 'limited' to the United States. Especially in the field of nuclear energy, when Senator Domenici speaks, the world listens. His thorough grasp of all issues, his great intellect quietly and effectively applied, his ability to stay above the political fray and consider issues objectively, his personal graciousness and his integrity, have earned this U.S. Senator from New Mexico worldwide respect. That he has, over time, reached the conclusion that nuclear energy must play a great role in the future peace and welfare of our world resounds around the globe, even in unexpected quarters. That he shows the personal and political courage to champion his vision should earn the undying gratitude of the international community. Thank you, Senator. (Anne Lauvergeon )

A thoughtful and enjoyable book by the Senate's leading energy expert. A Brighter Tomorrow makes a compelling case that nuclear power (along with renewables and coal) must be one of the main energy sources for the planet by the end of the century. It tells a fascinating story of how we came to where we are, including all the mistakes along the way, and why and how to move ahead. Highly recommended. (Burton Richter, Ph.D. )

A Brighter Tomorrow manifests the passions and dream that Senator Pete Domenici has developed over the past decades concerning the role nuclear power must play in securing a sustainable energy future for the U.S. and indeed the world. The book is certain to help broaden the horizon of not only American people, but also the public in Japan, where utilization of nuclear energy is being actively promoted for peaceful purposes. I sincerely hope that this book will reach as many readers in the world as possible. (Youichi Fuji-ie )

Senator Pete Domenici, a public servant/leader of the highest caliber, has written A Brighter Tomorrow as an act of conscience. He is compelled to make the public understand that future generations of people on earth can have a good and healthy quality of life only if they have a safe, secure, clean, and affordable supply of energy. He brings together scientific fact, technological analysis, public policy reality, legislative experience, and intelligent vision to argue compellingly that nuclear energy is an indispensable element of that supply, and that we had better get on with the task of developing it. Domenici neither shies away nor pulls his punches in addressing the tough issues of waste disposal, nuclear proliferation, and regulatory policy. Anyone who feels responsibility toward future generations, or who cares about the earth's environment, must read this important book. (Charles M. Vest )

Pete strongly believes, as he writes, 'that nuclear energy, appropriately designed to avoid proliferation concerns and to operate safely, can play a major role in energizing the rest of the world.' If you want to understand these issues—agree or not—you have to hear out this outstanding senate leader. He has mastered the details, studied the obstacles, and dedicated his career to moving them safely out of the way. (Senator Sam Nunn )

A staunch supporter of nuclear energy, Domenici describes his path to becoming a believer and criticizes the politicians and leaders who he says have stood in the way of progress. (Nuclearfuel )

Domenici builds the case for a nuclear power comeback. (James W. Brosnan Red Deer Advocate )

U.S. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., delivers a strong case for increased reliance on nuclear energy. (Forth Worth Star )

Senator Domenici takes a proactive look at enery resources and presents the case that nuclear power must be a major contributor. (City Life )

...sound and compelling...thoughtful, passionately written...Highly recommended. (A.M. Strauss CHOICE )

Domenici is refreshingly straightforward....It is refreshing to see a U.S. Senator take the risk of such strong public advocacy for nuclear power. Domenici has cemented his position as a nuclear statesman ranking with such historical bipartisan political figures from the early days of nuclear energy as Reps Chet Holifield and Craig Hosmer. (John Zink Power Engineering )

This thoughtful, passionately written book should be read by anyone seeking to be well informed about the broad range of energy issues that our nation now confronts. Summing Up: Highly Recommended. All levels. (A.M. Strauss CHOICE )

This book is... full of important information about nuclear power, as well as some interesting history on the Republican senator's path to power. (Michael Coleman Sunday Journal )

About the Author

Republican Pete V. Domenici has been in the United States Senate representing the state of New Mexico since 1972, and is one of its most influential members. He has been called Congress's chief apostle for nuclear power. Dr. Julian J. Steyn is co-founder and principal of the Washington D.C. consulting firm, Energy Resources International, Inc. Blythe J. Lyons is a consultant with Energy Resources International, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (September 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742541886
• ISBN-13: 978-0742541887
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 3.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,272,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book - Senator Domenici has my vote!, April 9, 2005

By 

Ron Bengtson "AmericanEnergyIndependence.com" (Boise, Idaho USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy (Hardcover)

Senator Domenici has written a compelling story, one that will give you an insider's view of the politics and history of nuclear energy in America. A brighter tomorrow - fulfilling the promise of nuclear energy is a must read for anyone who cares about energy independence. The book is also a good read if you just want to know what happened to nuclear energy development in the USA.

Pete Domenici has written more than just a history of nuclear energy - he also tells us about the current efforts in Congress to revitalize the nuclear industry. The need for nuclear energy today cannot be overstated, because it is the only proven, emission free energy source that can provide reliable baseload electricity to our national grid.

Imagine if you could fill the gas tank in you car once, and then drive continuously for a full year without needing to fill up again. That is what nuclear fuel does for a nuclear power plant. This means that nuclear energy is not vulnerable to the problems of short term price swings created by spikes in demand. Nuclear energy will never suffer the fuel shortages and price swings that threaten power plants that are dependent on natural gas.

In this book, Senator Pete Domenici, who is the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, describes what he believes would be the solution to the problem of nuclear waste. Only the most fearful and foolish people believe technology has reached its limits. It is self-evident that technology will advance beyond our present capabilities. Many futurists would say that is an understatement. Because scientific knowledge is growing geometrically, it is certain that future technology will be capable of reducing or eliminating the dangers of nuclear waste.

The Senator has proposed that spent nuclear fuel be transferred from the nuclear plant on site storage pools, to a federal interim storage site where it would be kept above ground for the next 50 to 75 years - Safely guarded and available for research. During that 50-75 years extensive investment in reprocessing and transmutation technology will advance to the point where spent nuclear fuel will no longer be considered a problem. The radioactivity can be changed so that it decays to the level of natural uranium in less than 500 years, rather than thousands of years. And the total volume, which is already small by comparison to any other type of waste, would be less than 5% of the volume removed from a power plant today, because of advanced fuel reprocessing.

Senator Domenici cites Dr. Denis Beller's essay, Atomic Time Machines. The essay can be found on the internet at AmericanEnergyIndependence.com in the nuclear section where it is title "back to the nuclear future". Dr. Beller describes the technology, called Transmutation, which can neutralize radioactive material.

I think the book gave a fair and accurate description of the anti-nuclear groups. The Senator exposes the deceptive practices of the anti-nuclear groups. Nuclear energy is not a right-wing conspiracy. Congressional support for nuclear energy is a bipartisan initiative, one that includes support from Democrats and prominent environmentalists:

"Environmental opposition to nuclear energy is the greatest misunderstanding and mistake of the century."

-James Lovelock, leading environmentalist, creator of the Gaia theory.

I believe if John Muir were alive today, he would join James Lovelock and Senator Domenici in support of nuclear energy. John Muir was not afraid of technology. He would have understood that nuclear energy is a technology that can help preserve our natural wilderness and at the same time help to advance economic progress.

Make Energy Not War

Future wars could be prevented if everyone who has taken a stand against the war in Iraq would turn their passion toward the goal of American Energy Independence. Standing against war is not enough - Standing together for Energy Independence will create a positive political force and a shared national dream - Peace through energy independence.

Nuclear energy is vital to fulfill the promise of energy independence.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some Good Points!, December 30, 2005

By 

Loyd E. Eskildson "Pragmatist" (Phoenix, AZ.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy (Hardcover)

Senator Domenici believes that most opposition to nuclear power plants is emotional and uninformed. For example, nuclear power plants in U.S. submarines dock regularly around the world without objection (except one port in New Zealand), France generates about 80% of its electric power from nuclear plants and reprocesses the fuel to reduce the amount of waste by a factor of four, and transporting an equivalent amount of fuel to a coal-fired plant involves 14,000 times more motive power.

"A Brighter Tomorrow" also informs us that nuclear power requires only 1/120th the land of wind or solar power; the fuel cost for nuclear generated power is only 26% of the total, vs. 85% for natural gas.

Hopefully efforts by Senator Domenici will succeed in reducing our reliance on carbon-based energy sources, thereby reducing air pollution, global warming, reliance on the mid-East, indirect subsidization of terrorism, need for U.S. military involvement in the mid-East, and vulnerability to oil production declines predicted to occur within ten years. (Yes, little electricity is used for transportation - however, Domenici sees the possibility of generating hydrogen for autos from nuclear power plants.)

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars But why Subsidies, April 29, 2005

By 

Stephen C. Baer "Steve Baer" (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy (Hardcover)

A Brighter Tomorrow, Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy

Senator Pete V. Domenici with Blythe J. Lyons and Julian J Steyn

Rowman and Littlefield, USA 2004

There are many reasons to be grateful to Senator Domenici for writing this book. Nuclear power provides inexpensive electricity and heat when and where you need it without demanding trainloads of coal or tankers of oil or gas to feed the power plant. Nuclear fuel, with its essential U-235 is one million times as energy rich as coal, and we have abundant supplies remaining in the USA.

Who could explain the extraordinary safety record of nuclear power, yet the inordinate fear of nuclear power plants? It does not make sense. Senator Domenici sees clearly and throughout the book explains his efforts to do what is right, not what is fashionable. Unfortunately fashion has ruled and today, despite the great success and proven safety of nuclear power, we have no new power plants. Instead we have unfounded fears and smug empty-headed victors threatening to unfound other parts of our economy. They frighten the public away from nuclear power by convincing the public that because a lot of radiation can kill people rapidly a little radiation spread around the globe will surely kill millions slowly. This isn't true. Our schools and newspapers should do as Senator Domenici recommends, try and spread what is true. Radiation near our nuclear power plants and submarines is safe. In fact, it probably prolongs life. We creatures thrive in low levels of radiation. There is a word for it, Hormesis, and many studies of the phenomenon. Today, understanding that radiation does not lead to doom is as important as knowing the world is round, not flat.

Reading A Brighter Tomorrow is made difficult by replacing names with initials. Who can remember the dozens and dozens of code initials? IAEA, NTI, HEU, FSU. I picked these off a page opened at random, page 146. If the words were spelled out, the book would only be a page or two longer and the reader would understand what he was reading.

I would recommend that the senator do a second edition with a chapter explaining what goes on in a nuclear reactor, how elements are transformed and heat generated. But Senator Domenici is up to something so destructive I worry how we will fare with or without nuclear power. Free enterprise is evidently now a thing of the past. Senator Domenici, in the first ten chapters convinces the reader that nuclear power is economical. Then on chapter 11, page 215, he states that he tirelessly supports a 1.8¢ / kWh tax credit for new nuclear power plants. (He also supports the same subsidy for solar and wind power) Multiply it out for yourself. On page 207 read that we need 335 GWE of new power plants (I presume subsidized nuclear). At 1.8¢ per kWh the product is $6,030,000 per hour.

Five thousand hours of that in a year is thirty billion dollars! Senator Domenici will rob us blind. What can he be thinking? Those who use the electricity should pay for it. If it is bad for us to burn fossil fuels then let's raise the price of doing so, not arrange subsidies for certain favored alternatives.

Lobbyists and politicians must worry that raising prices might cause our appetite for electricity to slacken; that we will turn the lights off in the day and hang the clothes on clotheslines. Thus, they plan to have taxes pay for our power. So, we'll know we better use it because we already paid for it.