Double Jeopardy: Combating Nuclear Terror and Climate Change.

• Author: Alfuth, Eric J.

Double Jeopardy: Combating Nuclear Terror and Climate Change, by Daniel Poneman (MIT Press, 2019). 288 pages, ISBN: 9780262037303.

Nuclear power has been seriously considered a bridge in the transition out of fossil fuels and into a renewable energy future. However, the threat of nuclear terrorism has caused many to resist and seek to phase out existing facilities rather than embracing its potential. In this provocative volume, Daniel Poneman, former United States Deputy Secretary of Energy, argues that nuclear power can give us a double dividend. Not only can it be a champion in our near term fight against carbon based climate change, but it can also replace baseload fossil fuels while reducing the risks of nuclear terrorism. He posits the key to these dividends by outlining thirteen recommendations for the US to follow in leading a global initiative toward advancing nuclear generation. Until grid level electric storage becomes a viable option to support renewables, the path to emission-free electricity still requires a stable base of generation. Coal and natural gas have traditionally been viewed as the baseload fuels, but Poneman discusses why nuclear energy is better positioned to replace fossil fuels and create a seamless transition to an emission-free generation environment.

Wind and solar have grown considerably in terms of installed capacity as the global push toward renewables has helped drive technological improvements. The volatility of electricity production remains a challenge for solar and wind generation as both are unpredictable during storms or time of day. Until grid level electrical storage becomes economically efficient, construction of coal and natural gas power plants will continue despite the associated high carbon costs. The third alternative for baseload generation is nuclear power, which unlike coal or natural gas is considered emission-free. Poneman revisits several historical attempts by the US government to embrace nuclear energy starting with the domination of global enrichment in the 1970s, and utilizes these concepts in forming his list of recommendations outlining how the expansion of renewables needs to include a renewed focus on nuclear energy.

The recommendations provided in the book cover ideas ranging from expanding existing nuclear electricity research efforts, to overcoming the international challenges of balancing a growing nuclear energy industry. The list begins with an evaluation of the...