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Book Review: Robert Hefner's 'The Grand Energy Transition'

Fitz: Perhaps I'm not making my point on LNG clear. I wasn't proposing it for middle class car transport, but for use in long haul trucking. The main issue is that LNG would enable wide use NOW because with only a few carefully sited locations (several already exist) large trucks on long haul routes could rely on available fuel to greatly reduce cost and pollution. This is already being implemented by several west coast ports to reduce pollution in the harbors and surrounding areas.

While many object to nuclear power generation, my difficulty is with the long life waste generated by the current generation of light water reactors. A solution for this exists with more advanced fast reactors and Argonne Labs has built and tested such a solution, the IFR reactor. This system does away with the uranium mining issues as it consumes present nuclear waste and depleted uranium which are available now in quantity. This solution can be placed into service with additional development in a reasonable time frame while research continues on fusion technology which most think is quite some time in our future even if research efforts are ramped up. We will require a significant amount of baseload electrical power generation if we are to replace coal and wind and solar cannot produce those quantities with current technology. It seems we are being side tracked by thinking "clean coal" might be a solution and are not pushing forward on advanced nuclear technology as a result. That is a huge mistake in my opinion, but it is being sold by vested interests.

Book Review: Robert Hefner's 'The Grand Energy Transition'

Fitz: We can agree to disagree over LNG use, but in the longer term I see gas as a transition fuel. You are correct about closing coal burning for electric power generation. I think the long term solution lies with advanced fast nuclear reactors that will solve both our carbon and long life nuclear waste problems. Tom Blees has written and interesting book "Prescription for the Planet" that discusses this and other related subjects and is worth reading.

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Book Review: Robert Hefner's 'The Grand Energy Transition'

LNG actually make sense for long haul truck fuel considering our present gas refueling infrastructure. Sufficient LNG fuel can be carried for long trips and only a few strategically located LNG refueling locations would allow replacement of diesel fuel now for much of the long haul industry, saving them quite a bit of fuel costs in the process. Several of the large truck makers have introduced LNG fueled models and Australia is moving in this direction for their long haul trucking industry.