Energy Secretary Steven Chu Not to Serve a Second Term

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the resignation of Energy Secretary Steven Chu and the implications for future energy policy, particularly regarding nuclear power and renewable energy sources. Participants express their hopes for the next Secretary of Energy and reflect on the challenges faced in promoting various energy technologies.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express hope that the next Secretary of Energy will take nuclear power seriously, emphasizing its potential role in the energy mix.
  • Concerns are raised about the political pressures and challenges that hinder the advancement of nuclear energy, particularly referencing the Yucca Mountain repository situation.
  • Some argue that the current administration's focus on renewable energy technologies, such as wind and solar, may overshadow nuclear energy, which they believe is being unfairly neglected.
  • There are claims that the financial burdens associated with nuclear waste storage and the legal complexities surrounding it contribute to the difficulties in advancing nuclear power.
  • Participants discuss the potential for natural gas to replace coal in the short term, suggesting that this may delay the urgency for nuclear energy solutions.
  • Some participants highlight the importance of a diverse energy strategy, suggesting that a mix of energy sources, including renewables, is necessary for future energy security.
  • There are differing opinions on the effectiveness and future viability of renewable energy sources, with some expressing skepticism about their long-term benefits compared to fossil fuels.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for serious consideration of nuclear power in future energy policy, but there are multiple competing views regarding the viability and effectiveness of renewable energy sources versus fossil fuels. The discussion remains unresolved with no consensus on the best path forward.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific political and legal challenges affecting nuclear energy, including the status of the Yucca Mountain project and the implications of federal policies on energy technology funding. There are also mentions of regional differences in energy production and pricing, particularly in Canada.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals involved in energy policy, nuclear engineering, environmental science, and those following developments in renewable energy technologies.

  • #61
Mute said:
Was it an old episode of the radio show, or were they airing an old interview? If not, then I have some bad news about Neil Armstrong which you may not have heard yet...

I believe they mentioned that also. Neil, the live one, mentioned that it will be a really sad day when the last human who had walked on the moon had died. We've done some interesting things since, but we are a species entranced with exploring. We cannot just sit here, on this semi-full planet, and whine about taxes.
 
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  • #62
Astronuc said:

I have decided that Mr. Moniz is more than acceptable for the position:

Moniz, 68, received a BSc in physics from Boston College in 1966 before being awarded a PhD in theoretical physics from Stanford University in 1972. He then joined MIT a year later, serving as head of the department from 1991 to 1995.

Unlike Chu when he took over the role of US energy secretary four years ago, Moniz has direct experience of Washington. Under the administration of Bill Clinton, he served as associate director for science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy from 1995 to 1997 and spent the next four years as under-secretary of energy in the DOE. "Physics sometimes looked easy compared to doing the people's business," he noted about his role in office in an interview in 2009 with Boston College. Moniz then returned to MIT and in 2006 became the first director of the MIT Energy Initiative.

06/05/2004 2:30 PM KresgeErnest Moniz, Director, MIT Energy Initiative; Dean Kamen, Founder, DEKA ResearchDescription: As an energy source, oil is hard to beat. In spite of reports to the contrary, there's still lots of it available 1 trillion barrels and the cost of extracting and harnessing it for use in transportation and industry is cheap. But, Ernest Moniz reminds us, the energy equation needs to include some important new factors: insecurity of supply and environmental stewardship. The price and convenience of fossil fuels decreases quickly when you take into account the costs of global warming and ensuring stability in the Middle East. If the U.S. ever develops a serious energy policy, says Moniz, here are some key objectives: ...

And he has great hair.
Great scientists need great hair.
He also has a nice smile.
I like him 100%

PW-2013-03-05-Moniz.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #63
Oh yeah, the hair does it for me. He's in.
 
  • #64
Evo said:
Oh yeah, the hair does it for me. He's in.

:smile:
 
  • #65
Yay!

Apparently Prof. Chu has some spare time on his hands.
He's coming to where I work to give a lecture this month.
Only employees can go.

Ha ha! Sucks to be you!

I'm going.

:smile:9
 
  • #66
Professor Chu has entered the room. :smile:
 
  • #67
OmCheeto said:
Professor Chu has entered the room. :smile:

Kind of boring. I knew nearly everything he talked about.

The fun though started about 20 minutes ago when I brought out Linus Pauling's 1935 book; "Introduction to Quantum Physics", which I'd intended him to sign, but my bartender went off on De Broglie, and then the bar erupted in a total nerdiness.

(They are now discussing computer programming.)

Life is good.

ps. De Broglie would have made a great Energy Secretary also, based on:
1. Crazy Hair
2. Huge Brain!

180px-Broglie_Big.jpg

I do believe my bartender was the one who told me quite a while ago that Einstein looked at Louis's paper, and said; "Give this kid a PhD!"
 

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