Energy waste and nuclear power growth. [More efficient energy use would buy time for decision on a plutonium economy]

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1976 · Bull. At. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7240636

von Hippel, F; Williams, R H

The world's steady advance toward a plutonium economy is based on unnecessarily high projections of the future growth of nuclear power, in the United States, at least. These high projections of nuclear power growth are based in turn upon an assumed pattern of energy use which is economically wasteful and potentially dangerous both to the global environment and international stability. It is therefore of the utmost urgency that the United States develop an energy policy which encourages increased efficiency in energy use. Among other benefits, the authors believe that such a policy would slow the growth of nuclear power to the point where the plutonium recycle decision could be delayed for at least a decade in the United States. They also believe that such an example of ''technological abstinence'' by the world's leading economic power might well inspire similar decisions in other parts of the world. It could also allow time for the development of a safer evolutionary path for fission power.

• Research Organization: Princeton Univ., NJ
• OSTI ID: 7240636
• Journal Information: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 32:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY POLICY
NUCLEAR POWER
FORECASTING
GLOBAL ASPECTS
PLUTONIUM RECYCLE
USA
ENERGY CONSERVATION
FUEL CYCLE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
NORTH AMERICA
POWER
290600* - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy
293000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
210000 - Nuclear Power Plants