Energy Policy Analysis: A Conceptual Framework

Presented in nontechnical terms, this book offers a unique and powerful conceptual framework for analysis of energy technologies (standard and alternative) in terms of their respective dollar costs, environmental costs, and national security costs. Energy technologies examined include coal, nuclear, oil, natural gas, solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, biomass and biogas, energy conservation and efficiency, ocean power, hydrogen, electric power and transmission, and transportation. This three-point framework allows examination of issues and problems associated with implementation of U.S. energy policies in the context of major social goals (such as growth and equity), with treatment of conflicts and trade-offs between energy development and other social values (such as health and safety, cultural, historical, and aesthetic values). These are the key political issues for policy makers formulating national energy policy and decisions makers implementing it. Chapter 1 A Framework for Analysis of Energy Choices; Chapter 2 Coal; Chapter 3 Nuclear; Chapter 4 Oil and Natural Gas; Chapter 5 Solar; Chapter 6 Wind; Chapter 7 Geothermal; Chapter 8 Hydroelectricity; Chapter 9 Biomass; Chapter 10 Conservation and Efficiency; Chapter 11 Ocean; Chapter 12 Hydrogen; Chapter 13 Transportation and Electricity Transmission; Chapter 14 Conclusion;