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home > by publication type > academic modules > Academic Module: Nuclear Energy: Balancing Benefits and Risks
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September 2007
| Author: | Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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This module features teaching notes by CFR fellow Charles D. Ferguson, the author of Nuclear Energy, along with other resources to supplement the text. In the report, Ferguson examines the benefits and limits of nuclear power, arguing that the United States and international partners must find effective ways to address risks if the use of nuclear energy is to be realistically expanded.
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April 2007
| Author: | Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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Council Special Report No. 28
This report examines the contributions that an expanded use of nuclear energy can make to improving energy security and reducing global warming while balancing these benefits against the risks and lingering questions over nuclear energy’s safety and security.
CFR.org backgrounders provide succinct introductions to current political and economic issues.
Updated: April 11, 2007
| Author: | Lee Hudson Teslik, Associate Editor |
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President Bush, in his January 31, 2006, State of the Union address, proposed an Advanced Energy Initiative to reduce American dependency on foreign energy sources. The following is a summary of U.S. energy sources and their potential for reducing America’s need for imports.
Updated: October 23, 2007
| Author: | Carin Zissis |
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India’s burgeoning economy is placing strains on its inefficient power sector and raising questions about the country’s ability to meet its energy demands.
April 25, 2006
| Author: | Lionel Beehner |
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Chernobyl's impact, even twenty years on, remains a hotly debated topic. The anniversary comes amid calls from some, including green activists, to rethink the merits of nuclear power.
April 14, 2006
| Author: | Eben Kaplan, Associate Editor |
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Nuclear power remains an important source of electricity in the United States, but many are concerned security at nuclear plants is inadequate to thwart terrorist attacks.
October 2006
Task Force Report No. 58
This report argues that the lack of sustained attention to energy issues is undercutting U.S. foreign policy and national security.
June 2006
| Authors: | Michael A. Levi, David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment and Director of the Program on Energy Security and Climate Change Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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Council Special Report No. 16
This Council Special Report addresses the controversial nuclear deal between the United States and India, offering practical recommendations for promoting U.S.-India relations while strengthening nonproliferation.
June 2004
| Author: | David G. Victor, Adjunct Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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Climate change is one of the most complex issues facing policy-makers today. David G. Victor, a leading expert on environmental policy, takes a fresh look at this issue and persuasively marshals arguments for three distinct approaches to combat the problem, casting each as a presidential speech. A must-read for environmentalists, educators, and anyone else interested in the issue, Climate Change is a most useful reference in the growing public debate about how best to meet this environmental challenge.
March/April 2007
| Author: | Ray Takeyh, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies |
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Summary
Writing in Foreign Affairs, CFR's Ray Takeyh says resuming diplomatic and economic ties with Tehran could bolster Iran's pragmatists and sideline its radicals.
January/February 2007
| Author: | Ashton B. Carter, Ford Foundation Professor of Science and International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University |
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Summary
Carter's update to his July/August 2006 essay "America's New Strategic Partner?"
July/August 2006
| Author: | Ashton B. Carter, Ford Foundation Professor of Science and International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University |
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Summary
January/February 2006
| Author: | David G. Victor, Adjunct Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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Summary
September/October 2005
| Authors: | David Zweig Bi Jianhai |
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Summary
Chinese foreign policy is now driven by China's unprecendented need for resources. In exchange for access to oil and other raw materials to fuel its booming economy, Beijing has boosted its bilateral relations with resource-rich states, sometimes striking deals with rogue governments or treading on U.S. turf. Beijing's hunger may worry some in Washington, but it also creates new grounds for cooperation.
January/February 2000
| Authors: | Richard Rhodes Denis Beller |
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Summary
The world needs more energy, and there is one clean, efficient, and safe way to get it: nuclear power. As the global appetite for electricity grows, atomic power -- which scarcely pollutes, generates relatively little solid waste, and is far more efficient than the alternatives -- should be embraced. A worldwide effort to develop and share nuclear technology is in all our interests.
April 30, 2007
| Author: | Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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April 28, 2007
| Author: | Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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January 9, 2007
| Author: | Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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September 19, 2006
| Author: | Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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September 12, 2006
| Authors: | Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology William C. Potter, Director, Center for Nonproliferation Studies |
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April 26, 2006
| Author: | Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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April 18, 2006
| Author: | Michael A. Levi, David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment and Director of the Program on Energy Security and Climate Change |
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March 16, 2006
| Author: | David G. Victor, Adjunct Senior Fellow for Science and Technology |
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February 20, 2006
| Authors: | Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology Svend Soeyland |
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June 2007
Nuclear Power Joint Fact-Finding
Author: The Keystone Center
May 2007
The Future of Nuclear Power: The Role of Nuclear Power in a Low Carbon UK Economy
Author: Department of Trade and Industry, Government of the United Kingdom
May 2007
Author: World Nuclear Association
The World Nuclear Association's website has many briefing and position papers on various aspects of nuclear energy (www.world-nuclear.org).
May 2007
The Economics of Nuclear Power
Author: Greenpeace International
Updated March 9, 2007
Nuclear Power: Outlook for New U.S. Reactors
Authors: Larry Parker and Mark Holt, Congressional Research Service
February 2007
Does Nuclear Nonproliferation Have a Future? Market-Based Atomic Power
Author: Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center
Summer 2006
Insurmountable Risks: The Dangers of Using Nuclear Power to Combat Global Climate Change
Author: Brice Smith, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
Insurmountable Risks: The Dangers of Using Nuclear Power to Combat Global Climate Change, produced by the nonprofit Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER), documents accident, proliferation, and contamination threats associated with reviving the nuclear industry as part of the efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The book also details economically competitive alternative fuel sources which can address U.S. and world electricity needs.
July 2003
Author: Interdisciplinary MIT Study Group
An interdisciplinary MIT faculty group decided to study the future of nuclear power because of a belief that this technology is an important option for the United States and the world to meet future energy needs without emitting carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants. Other options include increased efficiency, renewables, and carbon sequestration, and all may be needed for a successful greenhouse gas management strategy. This study, addressed to government, industry, and academic leaders, discusses the interrelated technical, economic, environmental, and political challenges facing a significant increase in global nuclear power utilization over the next half century and what might be done to overcome those challenges.
This concept map provides a visual overview of nuclear power with clickable links to helpful resources on topics related to nuclear issues.
Alsos: Digital Library for Nuclear Issues
Nuclear weapons and nuclear power have greatly influenced history from 1945 to the present. This digital library provides an annotated bibliography of over 2,000 books, articles, films, CDs, and websites about a broad range of nuclear issues.
The Nuclear Energy Institute is the policy organization of the nuclear energy and technologies industry and participates in both the national and global policy-making process. NEI's objective is to ensure the formation of policies that promote the beneficial uses of nuclear energy and technologies in the United States and around the world.
Council on Foreign Relations Workshop: American Nuclear Energy in a Globalized Economy, Session I: What is the Current Status of Nuclear Energy in the United States and the World, and Where is it Headed?
Related Project: Nuclear Energy Roundtable
| Introductory Speaker: | Charles Ferguson, Fellow for Science and Technology, Council on Foreign Relations |
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| Presider: | Matthew L. Wald, Transportation Correspondent, The New York Times |
| Speakers: | Albert V. Carr Jr., Adjunct Professor, Washington and Lee University Law School |
| Thomas B. Cochran, Director, Nuclear Program, Natural Resources Defense Council | |
| Christian Nadal, President, Electricite de France International North America, Inc. |
Council on Foreign Relations Workshop: American Nuclear Energy in a Globalized Economy, Session II: What is the Investment Climate for Nuclear Energy?
Related Project: Nuclear Energy Roundtable
| Introductory Speaker: | Charles D. Ferguson, Fellow for Science and Technology, Council on Foreign Relations |
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| Presider: | Margaret Ryan, Editorial Director, Coal and Global Nuclear Group |
| Speakers: | Jim Harding, Harding Consulting |
| Mark Holt, Director, Energy and Minerals Section, Congressional Research Service | |
| Ray Ganthner, Senior Vice President, New Plants Development, AREVA NP | |
| James Rogers, Chairman, President, and CEO, Duke Energy Corporation |
Council on Foreign Relations Workshop: American Nuclear Energy in a Globalized Economy, Session III: Can Nuclear Energy Go Beyond the Energy Policy Act of 2005?
Related Project: Nuclear Energy Roundtable
| Introductory Speaker: | Charles Ferguson, Fellow for Science and Technology, Council on Foreign Relations |
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| Presider: | Michael A. Levi, Fellow for Science and Technology, Council on Foreign Relations |
| Speakers: | Ruth Greenspan Bell, Director, IIDEA, Resources For the Future |
| Angelina Howard, Vice President, Nuclear Energy Institute | |
| Daniel Rosenblum, Co-Director, Carbon Tax Center |
A Foreign Policy Mandate? Thirty Years of Oil and Gas (Session 1)
Related Projects: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives, Nexus of Science, Technology, and Foreign Policy
| Speakers: | David L. Goldwyn, President, Goldwyn International Strategies |
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| J. Robinson West, Chairman, PFC Energy | |
| Presider: | Sebastian Mallaby, Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, Deputy Director of Studies, and Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations |
Transcript: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives: Session I: A Foreign Policy Mandate: Thirty Years of Oil And Gas
Audio: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives: Session 1: A Foreign Policy Mandate? Thirty Years of Oil and Gas (Audio)
This meeting is on the record.
The Range of the Possible: Energy Alternatives in the Market (Session 2)
Related Projects: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives, Nexus of Science, Technology, and Foreign Policy
| Speakers: | John E. Bryson, Chairman and CEO, Edison International; cofounder, Natural Resources Defense Council |
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| Vijay Vaitheeswaran, Correspondent, The Economist; Author of "POWER TO THE PEOPLE" | |
| Presider: | Sebastian Mallaby, Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, Deputy Director of Studies, and Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations |
Transcript: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives: Session II: Energy Alternatives in the Market
Audio: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives: Session 2: The Range of the Possible: Energy Alternatives in the Market (Audio)
This meeting is on the record.
What Next? Government Action and the Policy Puzzle (Session 3)
Related Projects: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives, Nexus of Science, Technology, and Foreign Policy
| Speakers: | Brian Bilbray, Member, U.S. House of Representatives (R-CA) |
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| James E. Rogers, Chairman, President and CEO, Duke Energy | |
| Timothy E. Wirth, President, United Nations Foundation | |
| Presider: | Sebastian Mallaby, Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, Deputy Director of Studies, and Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations |
Transcript: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives: Session III: Government Action and the Policy Puzzle
Audio: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives: Session 3: What Next? Government Action and the Policy Puzzle (Audio)
This meeting is on the record.
Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives: Keynote Address (Session 4)
Related Projects: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives, Nexus of Science, Technology, and Foreign Policy
| Speaker: | James E. Rogers, Chairman, President and CEO, Duke Energy |
|---|---|
| Presider: | Sebastian Mallaby, Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, Deputy Director of Studies, and Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations |
Transcript: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives: The United States' Future Need for Power and Energy
Audio: Panacea or Pipe Dream? Energy Policy and the Search for Alternatives: Session 4: A Conversation with James E. Rogers (Audio)
This meeting is on the record.
World Energy Outlook 2006: Mapping a New Energy Future
| Speaker: | Fatih Birol, Chief Economist and Head of the Economic Analysis Division, International Energy Agency |
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| Presider: | Jad Mouawad, Energy Reporter, The New York Times |
Phone: (212) 434-9600
Email: meetings@cfr.org
Transcript: Mapping a New Energy Future [Rush Transcript; Federal News Service]
Audio: Mapping a New Energy Future (Audio)
Video: Mapping a New Energy Future (Video)
This meeting is on the record.
Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Iran's Nuclear Development and Production: A Status Report
Related Project: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium
| Speakers: | Charles D. Ferguson, Fellow for Science & Technology, Council on Foreign Relations |
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| Mark Fitzpatrick, Senior Fellow for Nonproliferation, International Institute for Strategic Studies; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary Of State for Nonproliferation | |
| Daniel Poneman, Senior Fellow, Forum for International Policy; Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Nonproliferation and Export Controls, National Security Council | |
| Presider: | Carla Anne Robbins, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent, Wall Street Journal |
Transcript: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Iran's Nuclear Development and Production: A Status Report [Rush Transcript; Federal News Service, Inc.]
Audio: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Iran's Nuclear Development and Production: A Status Report
Video: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Iran's Nuclear Development and Production--A Status Report (video)
This meeting is on the record.
Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Iran's Motives and Strategy
Related Project: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium
| Speakers: | Patrick Clawson, Deputy Director for Research, Washington Institute for Near East Policy |
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| Mahmood Sariolghalam, Professor of International Relations, School Of Economics and Political Science, National University of Iran | |
| Karim Sadjadpour, International Crisis Group | |
| Presider: | Deborah Amos, National Public Radio |
Transcript: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Iran's Motives and Strategy [Rush Transcript; Federal News Service, Inc.]
Audio: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Iran's Motives and Strategy
Video: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Iran's Motives and Strategy (video)
This meeting is on the record.
Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Policy Options for the United States
Related Project: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium
| Speakers: | Reuel Gerecht, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute |
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| Kenneth M. Pollack, Director of Research, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institution | |
| Presider: | Richard N. Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations |
Transcript: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Policy Options for the United States [Rush Transcript; Federal News Service, Inc.]
Audio: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Policy Options for the United States
Video: Iran's Nuclear Program Symposium: Policy Options for the United States (video)
This meeting is on the record.
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In this Council Special Report, the authors make a strong case that the Bush administration’s policy of diplomatic isolation of Syria is not serving U.S. interests, and offer informed history and thoughtful analysis of the country and its external behavior.
Complete list of Council Special Reports.
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