Editing 79-12-B6 (section)

= Power =

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=== Transcript ===
The emotional campaign against nuclear power not only exaggerates the hazards of
using such power to generate electricity, but is equally irrational in its advocacy of
a solar power as a substitute. This is the theme of a book authored by Professor
Beckmann of the University of Colorado entitled "[[media:beckmann_soft-technology.pdf|Why Soft Technology Will Not Be
America's Energy Salvation]]."

Perhaps I should explain that "soft technology" is the term applied not only to
the sun as an energy source, but to others as well--geothermal, hydropower, and so forth.
Now before you get a chip on your shoulder thinking the Professor is writing off
solar power entirely, let me assure you that his book starts out by declaring that:
"Solar energy is a good thing." And he advocates using it wherever it's practical. I
think it's safe to say we all agree.

Quoting him, he says of solar power: "It can supplement more concentrated and more
versatile sources of energy when only small amounts of energy are needed. It is well
suited for residential space heating and cooling and for domestic water heating,
certainly in Florida and the Southwest."

Here are some of the examples he uses to point up the reality of solar energy and
its limits. Visualize the sun shining unobstructed and perpendicular on a collecting
panel of about eleven square-feet. That is what it takes to produce one kilowatt. Now,
compare that to coal. It only takes a little under one pound of coal to make one kilowatt
of electricity. Held in the sun, that lump of coal would cast a shadow of about fifteen
square inches. The sun would have to shine on that fifteen inch square for almost three
months out in the Arizona desert where it shines twelve hours a day to produce one
kilowatt hour of energy.

Dr. Beckmann says the energy source which, per unit of energy produced, costs less
in human lives and health than any other concentrated source is nuclear. Then he draws
another comparison, illustrating that solar energy would have a considerable impact on
the environment.

To construct a 1,000 megawatt solar plant, you'd assemble 35,000 tons of aluminum,
two million tons of concrete, 600,000 tons of steel, 7,500 tons of copper, 75,000 tons
of glass, 1,500 tons of chromium, titanium and other materials. All of that totals an
amount of materials 1,000 times greater than the amount needed to build a coal-fired or
nuclear plant that would produce the same power.

Professor Beckmann suggests that proponents of "soft power" aren't just against
nuclear power, they are against an increase in power, period. They oppose dams for
hydro-electric power, off-shore drilling for oil, pipelines and even geothermal
development. One environmental group actually opposes geothermal operations within one mile
of thermal pools, hot springs, mud pots, and so forth. That means that they are for
geothermal development anywhere except where there is geothermal energy to be had. In
other words, they are against growth. Dr. Peter Beckmann should be required reading.
The title again, "Why Soft Technology Will Not Be America's Energy Salvation." 

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=== Details ===
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<TR><TD WIDTH="150">Batch Number</TD><TD WIDTH="150">{{PAGENAME}}</TD></TR>
<TD>Production Date</TD><TD>08/??/[[Radio1979|1979]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Book/Page</TD><TD>[[Radio_Commentary_Books#Reagan.27s_Path_to_Victory|RPtV-469]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Audio</TD><TD></TD></TR>
<TD>Youtube?</TD><TD>No</TD></TR>
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===Added Notes===

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