When discussing the pros and cons of nuclear energy, opponents generally bring up three main concerns: nuclear waste storage, perceived risk of nuclear power generation, and proliferation. In previous podcasts with Professor Burton Richter both storage and risk factors were extensively addressed. In this interview with
Per Peterson, professor of nuclear engineering at UC Berkeley, we discuss nuclear proliferation.
The interview is conducted by Jared Kruzek, a student in my class on renewable energy at Stanford, and the questions were composed by him with fellow students for the class project. The result is an interesting overview of the topic with insightful comments.

In Al Gore's movie "an inconvenient truth", he mentions

Burton Richter is professor emeritus at Stanford University, a 1976 Nobel Prize winner and an expert on nuclear energy. This is the last in our five-part series with Richter.

Part four of our interview with nuclear energy expert, Stanford University Professor Emeritus and 1976 Nobel Prize Winner Burton Richter.

The third installment of our interview with Burton Richter, professor emeritus at Stanford University, 1976 Nobel Prize winner and an expert on nuclear energy.

Listen to the second part of the interview with Burton Richter, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University, 1976 Nobel Prize winner and an expert on nuclear energy.

I know: nuclear energy has long had a bad name in the US. I believe, however, that it is an essential part of our future energy portfolio. Nuclear energy is clean, its generation is efficient, its resources are still abundant. Yes, nuclear waste treatment is a great concern. But, what are the current alternatives? I would rather deal with nuclear waste, for which I think we can find solutions, than with an increase in coal-based electricity generation.

To start a debate on the pros and cons of nuclear energy, and hopefully clarify some of the issues associated with it, I talked with Professor Burton Richter, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University, former director of the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, and 1976 nobel prize winner. This is part I of a series of four podcasts. I think you will find them insightful.

Everywhere you look, it seems, you’ll find another story on cleantech. If you’re curious about the investment community around this fast-growing (and increasingly-hyped) industry, you’ll want to hear what Erik Straser has to say. Here, he speaks with some of my students at Stanford University about his views on the cleantech industry and current energy policies. Erik leads the cleantech investment of Mohr Davidow Ventures. It’s his job to seek out promising start-ups in solar energy, biofuels, energy storage, industrial biotech and clean coal.

Erik Straser leads the cleantech investment of Mohr Davidow Ventures. It’s his job to seek out promising start-ups in solar energy, biofuels, energy storage, industrial biotech and clean coal. My students asked this energetic PhD about his research into companies, his investment strategies, his current projects, and his general views on the cleantech industry and existing energy policies.

The interview is in two parts. Here, we discuss general research and investment strategies.

Meet Professor Pam Matson, dean of the School of Earth Sciences at Stanford University and renowned scientist. Pam is super-excited about the opportunities that ever-increasing levels of private and industrial funding for energy and environmental research offer. How can universities contribute to finding sustainable energy sources and solutions to global warming? And, is there a risk that research at academic institutions, which should be unbiased, is tainted because of industrial funding? Hear what Pam has to say and meet this energetic leader.