Bradley Clark, PhD (Interviewed Mar 12, 2009)
Topic: Renewable Energy
Category: Stakeholder/Expert/Citizen
What is it? A phone interview with Bradley Clark, a nuclear engineer who advocates using nuclear power for base load energy.
Author: Josh Clark (No Relation)
Support: Dr. Clark is an expert on nuclear power generation and speaks on behalf of nuclear power, which he describes as a safe and efficient way to replace coal for electricity generation. According to Dr. Clark, we will need base load energy (energy that can be consistently generated) to supplement renewable energy sources, which can fluctuate due to natural causes.
Audience and Agenda: Dr. Clark formerly worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory, a joint venture between the University of California and the Department of Energy. He is presently researching methods to increase nuclear efficiency and trying to eradicate the misconceptions many people have about nuclear power. As a nuclear engineer, he has extensive knowledge of the subject, but this may make him slightly biased toward nuclear power.
Usefulness: Nuclear Power is highly misunderstood, and it is the only emissions-free way to guarantee a steady supply of power in any environment with existing technology. Most of this electricity is currently generated by coal. Dr. Clark explained that nuclear power can produce base load energy safer and more efficiently than coal, and that fears of nuclear reactors are largely unfounded. They are typically based on a lack of knowledge, and as people learn the truth about nuclear, they tend to warm up to it.
Filed under: Citizen, Interviews, Source Notes
