Traveling the Power Line: From the Mojave Desert to the Bay of Fundy (Our Sustainable Future)
*Starred Review* Flip a switch and voilà, the lights come on. Bump up the thermostat, and kiss that winter chill goodbye. It’s magic, really, or might as well be for all the average user knows about the origin of the electricity that makes one’s life run smoother, brighter, warmer, faster. To investigate such established sources of energy as nuclear, natural gas, and coal as well as cutting-edge technologies involving wind, solar, hydropower, tidal, and biomass production, Couch traveled from her resource-rich home state, Wyoming, to visit producers of various forms of electrical power around the country. Whether motivated by concerns over global warming, disturbed by the nation’s dependency on foreign suppliers, or troubled by the depletion of natural resources, the debate over how to become a more energy-efficient nation is, well, a highly charged one. There is no simple solution, and no process is perfect, but as Couch demonstrates, all have important roles to play in our nation’s energy policy. In clear and straightforward terms, Couch demystifies the science and takes an equitable and even-handed approach to the politics involved in energy production. The result is an accessible primer and essential guide to crucial issues surrounding critical challenges. --Carol Haggas