William Tucker speaking in Idaho Falls March 5

The author of Terrestrial Energy will speak to the American Nuclear Society

William Tucker, the noted author of a new and well-received book on nuclear energy, will speak to the Idaho Section of the American Nuclear Society at the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls, ID, on Thursday, March 5. (map) The event is open to the public. Social hour with no host bar at 6:30 PM. Dinner served at 7:15 PM. [Idaho ANS Poster]

William Tucker first told us about his new book on nuclear power Terrestrial Energy in a guest blog post published by the New York Times last August.

The book will be available for purchasing and signing for $20 (retails for $27.50) at the meeting.

RSVP to: Nikki Iwert-Bays 208-526-7785 or email her at idahoamericannuclearsociety@gmail.com by close of business on Tuesday, March 3rd. The cost of dinner is $25.00. There is no charge if you just want to hear Tucker speak starting about 8:00 PM.

. . . more information on Tucker and his book.

The power of the atom is found in a journey to the center of the earth

Tucker is an advocate for nuclear energy and he positions it in comparison to coal, solar, wind, and geothermal sources. He's also an award winning journalist who has garnered kudos from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times among others.

He writes clearly pointing out that the concentration of power in the nucleus of the atom is incredible. The disintegration of a single uranium atom produces two million times more energy than the breaking of carbon-hydrogen bonds in coal, oil, or natural gas. it also has zero carbon emissions and emits zero greenhouse gases.

Here's a slice from the NYT blog post . . .

What is the source of this energy? Amazingly, 50 to 90 percent of the earth’s heat (no one is sure of the exact figure) comes from the radioactive breakdown of uranium and thorium, which make up two percent of the earth’s crust. The energy released from these radioactive elements is enough to raise the earth’s internal temperature to 7,000 degrees Fahrenheit — hotter than the surface of the sun.

So here’s a suggestion. Instead of digging down ten miles to access terrestrial energy, why not use its source on the surface?

What Tucker is talking about is not the Yellowstone hot spot. He's talking about the nuclear fuel cycle which starts with mining uranium and ends with the recycling of spent nuclear fuel.

No question he's going to drive the geothermal, solar and wind people nuts. Big coal, which has been mounting a campaign to turn back the advance of nuclear energy, has some explaining to do when it comes to greenhouse gases and the the amount of energy, pound for pound, you get from uranium compared to coal.

Early readers of the book, even one or two nukes, think it is worth your time. Kirk Sorensen, at Energy from Thorium writes,

"Terrestrial Energy" is outstanding . . . this is a book that I would recommend without reservation to all of my friends and colleagues who are concerned about the severe energy crisis that is only beginning. I promise you, no matter how much you know about energy and energy policy (and I don't consider myself a novice in the field) you will learn more, or at the very least have a greater insight into these issues after reading Mr. Tucker's book."

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Terrestrial Energy: How Nuclear Energy Will Lead the Green Revolution and End America's Energy Odyssey ISBN-13: 9780910155762

Tucker's book was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal on 12/17/08

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