W.H. Hannum, G.E. Marsh, G.S. Stanford - Scientific American, 2005 December: Nuclear reactors that use a fast neutron spectrum, and pyrometallurgical processing to recycle fuel, are efficient.

Norman Soloman - 2005 May 5: Reviews the political decisions that are increasing the availability of nuclear weapons. The author contends that we have to forego the benefits of nuclear power because it causes the spread of nuclear weapons. I don't agree with this position. Shutting down nuclear power plants in some countries will not eliminate the interest in nuclear weapons. However, the problem involves many levels of political, military, and cultural maneuvering and the spread of nuclear weapons seems to be one of the unhappy outcomes of all this.

Stewart Brand - 2005 May: Why environmentalists need new thinking about population growth, urbanization, genetically engineered organisms, and nuclear power. The environmentalist movement is dominated by dogmatic zealots who have a narrow concept of what needs to be done next. For these fanatics new information that demands a new approach is unwelcome. However, lots of new information is available. For instance, the world's human population has levelled off and is beginning to decline because most people live in cities where raising children is difficult. Environmentalists need to re-think their concerns. The big issue is climate change. We need to de-carbonize our energy production. The environmentalist's quasi-religious opposition to nuclear power is preventing this change. We are at a dangerous point where one more nuclear accident, even a small one, could seal off this avenue of hope. We need a revitalized nuclear initiative now.

Larry Foulke and H. Sterling Burnett - 2005 Mar 28: A summary of the facts about nuclear energy: clean, safe, reliable, inexpensive. A good summary of the attributes of reactors - inexpensive, safe, and clean. The claims about the efficiency and cost of pebble bed reactors are interesting. Also, the authors point out how new reactors can be built now for lower costs because we can standardize the components. Initially every reactor was unique, and consequently, expensive.

Larry Foulke and H. Sterling Burnett - 2005 Mar 28: Nuclear plants cannot explode, used once fuel can be handled safely, and terrorists cannot cause a disaster. This article lists the basic facts about nuclear power plants in the USA, pointing out how safe they are. At one point the author implies that nuclear power plants have to be shut down due to age. While many accept this, I don't. They should be built to be repaired and used for a very long time. A second point also bothered me - the statement that plutonium from a commercial reactor could be used to construct a bomb. This is simply not true.

James Muckerheide - 2005 Jul: The nuclear power industry can be the wealth generating machine for the next century. We need to do more in the world to bring everyone into the economic mainstream. Our current methods of generating energy are leading us into resource wars, world scale pollution, high costs associated with energy alternatives that are detrimental to our well being. our energy demand will be three times larger in 2050 than it was in 2000. Nuclear energy can be produced as a reasonable cost. It may be possible to satisfy one third of the 2050 demand using nuclear technology. That will be eighteen times our current nuclear energy output. To achieve both the cost and quality factors needed, a mass production approach will have to be used to build reactors. This will involve a large scale industrial increase in basic products such as cement and steel. The initiative will have to be strategically planned and closely monitored. The benefits of this world scale project would be significant. The world could be a much better place for almost everyone.

David B. Barber - 2005 Mar 24: A review of the advantages of nuclear energy production and electrical energy distribution for the vehicle transportation system. Nuclear reactors can make electricity which can be carried to automobile users now through the grid. In the parking lot the electricity can charge the batteries of hybrid gasoline-battery vehicles. This approach is affordable, familiar, and solves the green house gas pollution problem.

M. Shellenberger and T. Nordhaus - 2005 Jan 13: Global warming politics in a post-environmental world Environmentalists have made little progress in finding a solution for global warming because they are organized into special interest groups that have too much to lose as a result of the changes needed to solve this problem. However, a solution must be found. A step back, and a fresh start is needed with a bolder, and bigger vision. The arrogance of environmentalists is seen in the way they recruit support. They always ask others to help them, and they never offer to help anyone else. Consequently, support is shallow. Environmental organizations now have large staffs and large budgets. The people running these outfits will not disrupt the status quo that pays them so well. These organizations cannot propose the kinds of actions necessary to combat global warming. They do not solicit the feedback needed from the population to steer toward workable changes. This balkanization of interests is not restricted to environmentalists. Unions and industry organizations are acting in the same way, defending narrowly defined positions. Improvements are impossible in this deadlocked stand-off. The answer is to propose strategies that offer an inclusive and hopeful vision of the future, and consequently gain wide support.

RWDI AIR Inc. and DSS Management Consultants Inc. - 2005 Apr: The Nuclear/Gas scenario is the most beneficial course for Ontario. This report presents the results of a cost benefit analysis that compared Ontario's current coal fired electricity generation with three other alternatives: gas, gas and nuclear, and cleaner coal technology. The gas and nuclear option is by far the most beneficial option.

Peter W. Huber and Mark P. Mills - 2005 Dec: An outline of energy use in the USA with a rational for supplying the needed energy through nuclear reactors. City Journal Winter 2005 Why the U.S. Needs More Nuclear Power by Peter W. Huber, Mark P. Mills A good summary of the energy use issues, and how current needs can be met through the use of nuclear reactors. The most interesting idea here is the description of hybrid cars that can be charged through the grid. They don't exist yet, but it sure looks like we need them.