Lights Out!: Ten Myths About (and Real Solutions to) America's Energy Crisis [Hardcover]

Spencer Abraham (Author), William Tucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 6, 2010

In this timely book, former Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham debunks the myths that warp our current debate over energy, and offers new solutions to the real problems we face in America.

Drawing on the very latest thinking from experts in industry and academia, and his own experiences running America's Energy Department, he proposes a fresh approach to meeting our daunting energy threats.  This book effectively answers how America and the world can overcome the challenges of rising global energy demand, geopolitical disruptions of the energy marketplace, and the environmental impact of producing and using energy.  What emerges is a pragmatic energy strategy that calls for blending a variety of energy sources including nuclear, clean coal, solar, wind, and natural gas with a more determined effort at improving energy efficiency through the deployment of smart energy grids and buildings, to help meet our challenges while preserving our economy and environment. 

Coming in the midst of a national debate about global warming, energy dependence and rising energy prices and rich with anecdotes from the author's service in the Senate and cabinet, this book is a clarion call that will help shape our energy future.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A highly readable primer on many of the Nation’s energy problems.  Spence Abraham, a former Secretary of Energy and U.S. Senator, has a good time cutting the many widespread myths about energy down to size – and making his readers face the hard realities about energy.  To these he appends his own recommended solutions.  Abraham is particularly delightful in skewering political illusions, perhaps most notably, that out there at the end of the rainbow is that perennial promise of U.S. Energy Independence.”--James Schlesinger, Former Secretary of Energy and Former Secretary of Defense

"Spencer Abraham pulls no punches as he takes on both the myths and the realities of our comprehensive energy enterprise.  This is a straight-talking "must-read" for anyone who wants to understand the enormous complexities and tough choices that face our society as we face the energy crisis that touches our daily lives, effects our environment and gets to the heart of our national security."--Vice Admiral Richard H. Truly, U.S. Navy, (Ret.), former astronaut, NASA Administrator  and Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

"Lights Out! discusses the myths and facts of the global energy challenge while proposing clear-minded, practical solutions.  Most enlightening and frustrating are the contradictions of establishing the appropriate long-term energy strategy within the short-term constraints of politics.  Mr.. Abraham is in a unique place to tell this story, and he doesn't disappoint.  The book is an interesting mix of folksy story-telling, technical analysis, and political intrigue.”--Jacques Nasser, Chairman, BHP Billiton, Former CEO, Ford Motor Company

"A very insightful and comprehensive  assessment of the energy challenges facing our country with thoughtful roadmaps for the future by someone who understands first hand  the technical as well as the political challenges to implement policies and solutions. Excellent read , with a good sense of humor , for the interested general public.”--Dr. Charles Elachi, Director, Jet Propulsion Lab, Cal Tech

“Secretary Abraham shines the ‘light on’ practical common-sense solutions for America’s energy needs. His book is an important history and timely contribution to the seemingly endless national debate. Read this and act or it will truly be LIGHTS OUT.”  --John Engler, former Governor of Michigan, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers

“Lending his powerful voice to the importance of energy efficiency, former Senator and Energy Secretary Abraham creates a compelling case for green building – the fastest and cheapest path to reducing emissions, conserving energy and water, saving people money and creating jobs.”--Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chairman, U.S. Green Building Council

About the Author

Spencer Abraham was America's 10th and longest serving Secretary of Energy.  He was previously a U.S. Senator (R-Mich).  He is now the Chairman and CEO of The Abraham Group, an international business/strategic consulting firm based in Washington, D.C.  His clients include a number of businesses in the energy sector and he serves on the Boards of several energy and non energy firms.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1 edition (July 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031257021X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312570217
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #347,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lights Out! An illuminating strategy on how to how to solve our energy crisis, July 7, 2010

By 

DC Policy Guy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lights Out!: Ten Myths About (and Real Solutions to) America's Energy Crisis (Hardcover)

Every election year, we hear politicians promising to make America "energy independent." But as former U.S. Secretary Spencer Abraham writes in his excellent and insightful new book "Lights Out: Ten Myths About (and Real Solutions To) America's Energy Crisis (St. Martin's Press): "We aren't ever going to provide ourselves with all our energy. We live in an interdependent world and we might as well get used to it." Neither Obama nor any other President going back Nixon has been totally candid about the fact that "energy independence" is a mirage, which ultimately leads policymakers to spend an inordinate amount of time and resources on unrealistic solutions to solve our energy crisis, from subsidizing ethanol to creating a "Manhattan project" for energy independence.

Instead, we must rid ourselves of this notion that energy independence can be ultimately achieved, and instead devise a more realistic strategy for cutting down some of our dependency on foreign oil and diversifying our sources of energy away from fossil fuels. In "Lights Out," Abraham outlines policy strategy to establish a power generation mix of 30 percent nuclear, 30 percent renewable sources (including hydropower) plus energy efficiency gains, and 30 percent natural gas by 2030, costing $150-250 billion over twenty years, which is far less costly than a cap-and-trade program or an EPA command-and-control regulatory approach advocated by President Obama.

It's a great read, and very timely as the Senate prepares to debate energy policy legislation.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended! Lights Out is a great read!, July 16, 2010

By 

Eric - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lights Out!: Ten Myths About (and Real Solutions to) America's Energy Crisis (Hardcover)

Lights Out!: Ten Myths About (and Real Solutions to) America's Energy Crisis is a real page turner. The Former Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham provides insightful information about the issues and myths regarding our nation's energy issues. Unlike other books that deal with energy issues, this book really captures the reader's interest and is hard to put down. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking to become knowledgeable on America's energy crisis and how to possibly solve our problems. A must read!

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars poorly written with limited substance, imagination, November 24, 2010

By 

NM Rugger "Aengus" (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lights Out!: Ten Myths About (and Real Solutions to) America's Energy Crisis (Hardcover)

I'm not sure what book the other reviewers read, but it must not have been this one. The first 90 pages can be thrown out completely. A boring mish-mash of outdated DOE slides pulled from a recycle bin that the author must have packed by mistake when he left office. The information may have some elements of fact, but leave out any substance and are extremely poorly presented. The author could have spent a few dollars on a Tufte seminar. The remaining portion of the book vacillates between dull, obvious political jibes and self-pity about what could be done if the politicians in charge and John Q Public were as smart as the author. I would have understood and survived a self-congratulating chapter on what he did of substance during his reign as Sec of Energy, but that wouldn't have added substantially to the number of pages in the book. In general, the book lacks substance and imagination and does little to address the real myths about energy. Even when solid data and studies exist for some of his ideas, he relies instead on vague arguments doing more harm than good.