Power to the People: How the Coming Energy Revolution Will Transform an Industry, Change Our Lives, and Maybe Even Save the Planet.

In a series of provocative essays, the energy and environment correspondent for The Economist considers the problem of securing enough energy for modern society and then identifies three hopeful trends. Vaitheeswaran argues that the nature of the energy industry thwarts development of efficient and environmentally friendly forms of power. As a result, people throughout the world have experienced massive power outages, pollution, global warming, and danger from nuclear power. Our salvation, asserts the author, is three pronged. First, the liberalization of gas and electricity markets could spur innovation. Second, increasing environmental awareness should encourage cleaner alternatives for power generation and transport. Finally, Vaitheeswaran puts his faith in hydrogen energy and fuel cell technology for the future. He asserts that a fuel cell-powered sports utility vehicle would "emit absolutely none of the usual tailpipe gases that contribute to smog or global warming," satisfying consumers and environmentalists alike. This example is typical of how Vaitheeswaran carefully straddles political lines and seeks solutions attractive to both capitalists and environmentalists. The book also provides profiles of the pioneers in this field and updates on the status of new technologies headed for the marketplace. FS&G, 2003, 358 p., hardcover, $25.00.