Ed Blansitt

Readers, who like me appreciate historical documentaries and informative non-fiction, will want to read “The Green Nuclear Option” by retired Navy Captain and naturalist author William D. Needham (as well as the introduction and his experience summary on the book cover). He presents concise explanations of nuclear science as context for an interesting historical perspective on development, uses and economics of nuclear power. This thoughtful book presents the evolution of nuclear technology from its original use in creating devastating weapons to its current military and civilian uses in powering naval vessels and generating electricity. Nuclear accidents, particularly those at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima are discussed in detail. Lapses in design and controls contributing to each are explained. These accidents as well as concerns about nuclear waste that collectively raised fears about the safety and use of nuclear power generation are explored as are experiences and methods of safely employing the technology. He discusses the limitations of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar and presents a strong case supporting nuclear power as the most readily available clean energy source and solution to addressing the challenges of our planet’s changing climate. Readers will likely find value, as I did, in the objective presentation of topics discussed in this book.