BOOKS
Both Sides of the Nuclear Controversy Reviewed by Winston M. Manning
The controversy over nuclear power continues, and there is little likelihood that it will be resolved soon. "Nuclear Power: Both Sides" is an interesting collection of essays that will help readers understand why the issues are so hard to resolve. About two years before publication of this book, the National Academy of Sciences issued the CONAES report, "Energy in Transition, 1985-2010" (Final Report of the Committee on Nuclear and Alternative Energy Systems), which deals with the subject in more detail and in a more technical vein. One of the CONAES committee members was Kenneth Boulding, a noted economist, and a comment of his, appended to that report, is still very relevant. He wrote, "I am glad to accept the report as the product of four years of very hard work on an extremely intractable problem, in regard to which there are unusually wide but legitimate divergences of opinion. It may be that the most significant conclusion of this report is its constant emphasis on the profound uncertainties that beset even the most crucial aspects of this problem. This is cold comfort to the decision makers, whose position indeed is not to be envied." Little wonder that the essays in "Nuclear Power: Both Sides" are often divergent! One of the editors of "Nuclear Power: Both Sides" is Michio Kaku, an associate professor of nuclear physics at City College of New York. The other is Jennifer Trainer, a writer and free-lance editor. In their introduction, the editors allude to Kaku's affiliation with the antinuclear movement, but I found the book to be even-handed. The 21 essays are about equally divided between pronuclear and antinuclear viewpoints. Not surprisingly, some are very one-sided, 38
July 4, 1983 C&EN
but does not foreclose the possibility that nuclear power may prove itself Divergent views on the to be a safe technology. For me, the second chapter, on radesirability of power diation, illustrates with special poignancy the conflict between profrom the atom suggest and antinuclear positions. Karl Morgan's essay "Underestimating why the issues involved the Risks" and Bernard Cohen's are so hard to resolve "Exaggerating the Risks" appear at first reading to be quite divergent in assessing radiation risks, but a closer "Nuclear Power: Both Sides'' by look shows that the divergence is Michio Kaku and Jennifer Trainer, more a matter of emphasis than of W. W. Norton & Co., 500 Fifth Ave., substance. Actually, both authors New York, N.Y. 10110, 1982, 280 support nuclear power, but Morgan argues that the permissible exposure pages, $14.95 limits should be lowered. In addiWinston M. Manning was director of thetion, he recommends "bold steps to chemistry division of Argonne National reduce all unnecessary medical exLaboratory from 1946 to 1965 and anposures." associate director at Argonne from 1965 Bernard Cohen does a rather conto 1971. His long-time concern about vincing job of putting radiation risks environmental matters has intensified hisin perspective by comparing them, in interest in the debate on the nation's en-their effect on life span (slight), with ergy problems such mundane but more risky activities as smoking a cigarette or driving an automobile coast to coast. For the most part, though, I found his but most acknowledge points of presentation overzealous. John Gofman's essay in this chapconcern, as well as strengths, in the ter reflects his uncompromising popositions they advocate. The presentation is organized sition in support of individual under seven chapter headings: A human rights. One can admire his Brief History, Radiation, Reactor idealism and his candor, but the exSafety, Nuclear Waste Disposal, tremist views he expresses will cause Economics, Beyond Light-Water Re- many readers to discount his arguactors, and Where Do We Go From ments. Allen Brodsky, a health Here? The first chapter is a single physicist at the Nuclear Regulatory essay; the other six each contain two Commission, provides a more balto four essays, plus a several-page anced discussion of radiation risks in introduction by the editors. The ed- his essay, "Protecting the Public." itors' comments help to ameliorate In the other chapters, the differthe divergence between some indi- ences of opinion among contributors vidual essays. are more muted, although still noIn an eloquent first chapter, Boyd ticeable. In the chapter on reactor Norton reviews the highlights— safety, Jan Beyea stresses the very political and technical—of nuclear grim consequences of a highly imenergy development in the U.S. from probable accident (improbable but the Manhattan Project era to the early not impossible, in his view). Anthony 1980s. The review is critical of the Nero, on the other hand, acknowlnuclear establishment in this country edges the reality of a serious safety (public and private, past and present) problem and the need for constant
vigilance, but concludes, from his best estimates of probabilities and consequences, that nuclear power is "safe enough." Here is a dilemma, well addressed by Kenneth Boulding in the comment I quoted earlier. In the chapter on nuclear waste, Fred Donath stresses the manageability of waste disposal problems, while Robert Pohl emphasizes the difficulties and uncertainties. The reader, however, can identify a middle ground of tacit agreement. Several scientists who have made notable contributions to the development of nuclear reactors, including Alvin Weinberg, Robert Avery, and Hans Bethe, write in support of the nuclear option for generating electricity. Avery and Bethe provide a clearly written, nontechnical essay explaining the breeder reactor concept, with emphasis on the sodiumcooled mixed plutonium-uranium oxide type. They express confidence that breeder reactors can (and will) be operated safely and economically. They view the weapons-proliferation problem as manageable. Some of the more constructive opponents of nuclear power seek to identify alternative approaches to central-station generation of electricity. Almost all agree that greatly expanded use of coal should be avoided and that the possibilities of solar energy should be aggressively explored. "Nuclear Power: Both Sides" places more emphasis on the short-range possibilities of solar energy (especially its decentralized, on-site applications) than on the more speculative long-range possibilities (large-scale photovoltaic, for example). I have more reservations than the book expresses about large-scale wood-burning and "gasohol" production. Wood and especially corn have other more important end-uses, and wood-burning compares with coal in its pollution problems. In a well-written essay in the chapter on economics, Ralph Nader and Richard Pollock cite a recent Department of Energy study that "showed that harnessed renewable energy resources could make California, our most energy-intensive state, fully energy self-sufficient by the year 2025 while doubling its population and tripling its state
economy." Except for this one general statement, "Nuclear Power: Both Sides" pays little attention to the noteworthy recent development in the western U.S., especially California, of alternative energy sources for producing electricity. For example, the geothermal capability of Pacific Gas & Electric is now 1 million kW (equal to the power output of a large nuclear unit) and is scheduled to increase to 1.7 million kW by 1992. Except for hydroelectric energy, geothermal steam is the company's lowest-cost source of electric generation. The company is aggressively developing wind power and recently began operating a 2500-kW wind turbine. In addition, it has purchase contracts involving more than 200 renewable resource projects that have added more than 240,000 kW to the company's system, with an additional 940,000 kW committed to come on-line. California's favorable terrain and weather facilitate this development of renewable energy sources. However, substantial success in California and nearby states probably would spread to other areas. For reasons listed in my review of another book, "The War Against the Atom" (C&EN, April 11, page 49), I am optimistic that nuclear power will overcome its problems. But it does have drawbacks, including those mentioned in that review. Prudence requires a continuing strong commitment to exploring and developing various alternatives now in view. The progress in California is encouraging. I expect that "Nuclear Power: Both Sides" probably will not gain a large number of converts to either side. However, it will give readers—both scientists and nonscientists—a better understanding of the issues. It is recommended reading for anyone with more than a passing interest in the future of energy production and consumption in this country. • Random Fields: Analysis and Synthesis. Erik Vanmarcke. xii + 382 pages. MIT Press, 28 Carleton St., Cambridge, Mass. 02142. 1983. $45. Soil Analysis: Instrumental Techniques and Related Procedures. Keith A. Smith, editor, xii + 562 pages. Marcel Dekker Inc., 270 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016.1983. $69.50.
Tunneling Spectroscopy. Paul K. Hansma, editor, xviii + 493 pages. Plenum Press, 233 Spring St., New York, N.Y. 10013.1982. $65. The Two Faces of Chemistry. Luciano Caglioti. xvi + 218 pages. MIT Press, 28 Carleton St., Cambridge, Mass. 02142. 1983. $17.50. World Fertilizer Atlas. 7th Ed. British Sulphur Corp. 118 pages. British Sulphur Corp., Parnell House, 25 Wilton Rd., London SW1V 1NH, England. 1983. $190.
Paperbacks Coal Conversion and the Environment. D. Dennis Mahlum, Robert H. Gray, W. Dale Felix, editors, xii + 607 pages. National Technical Information Center, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, Va. 22161. 1981. $8.50. Direct Use of the Sun's Energy. Farrington Daniels, xvii + 374 pages. Yale University Press, 92A Yale Station, New Haven, Conn. 06520.1983. $7.95. Directory of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Firms U.S.A. 1982/1983 Ed. 255 pages. Sittig & Noyes, 84 Main St., Kingston, N.J. 08528. $127. The Dosimetry of Pulsed Radiation. ICRU Report 34. vii + 47 pages. International Commission on Radiation Units & Measurements, 7910 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, Md. 20814. 1982. $15. James Clerk Maxwell: A Biography. Ivan Tolstoy, xiii + 184 pages. University of Chicago Press, 5801 South Ellis Ave., Chicago, 111. 60637.1983. $6.95. Oslo Symposium 1982: Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction. Joan Frost Urstad, Gerd Borgen, editors, viii + 355 pages. Society of Chemical Industry, 14 Belgrave Sq., London SW1X8PS,U.K. 1982. £35. Principles of Biotechnology. Alan Wiseman, editor, ix + 217 Pages. Methuen, 733 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017.1982. $23.95. Residence Time Distribution Theory in Chemical Engineering. A. Petho, R. D. Noble, editors, xii + 286 pages. Verlag Chemie International Inc., 1020 N.W. 6th St., Deerfield Beach, Fla. 33441.1982. $57.50. Too Hot To Handle? - Social and Policy Issues in the Management of Radioactive Wastes. Charles A. Walter, Leroy C. Gould, Edward J. Woodhouse, editors, xiii + 209 pages. Yale University Press, 92A Yale Station, New Haven Conn. 06520.1983. $20 hardcover, $5.95 paperback. July 4,1983 C&EN 39
