Foreign Policy: Prime Numbers: The Nuclear Option

Prime Numbers: The Nuclear Option

By Charles D. Ferguson, Michelle M. Smith

Page 1 of 1

January/February 2009

After a decades-long slowdown, nuclear power once again dominates the global energy debate. Dozens of countries are vying to join the nuclear power club and hundreds of new reactors are on the drawing board. But despite the hype, it will not be the miracle cure for energy dependence or global warming that boosters promise.

Charles D. Ferguson, the Philip D. Reed senior fellow for science and technology, works on the Council on Foreign Relations’ Nuclear Energy Education in the 21st Century Project.
Michelle M. Smith, research associate for nuclear policy, works on the Council on Foreign Relations’ Nuclear Energy Education in the 21st Century Project.