Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean-Energy Economy

Congressman Jay Inslee puts forth his view toward a solution to fuel prices and climate change. The field is rather crowded right now for books on this topic. Inslee approaches the angle of the economy and jobs more fully than his competitors. He remains more neutral on hydrogen, nuclear, and clean coal, while encouraging wind, solar, and tidal energy. Inslee puts forth Ten Energy Enlightenments. 1. Opportunity Is Best Found in Crisis 2. Boldness Is Required - Tinkering at the Edges Didn't Put a Man on the Moon 3. We Must Reject the Tyranny of the Present 4. There Are No Silver Bullets 5. Everybody Needs to Get on the Bus 6. If Government Sets the Road Signs, the Market Will Drive 7. Failure Is an Option 8. Prejudices Are Best Left at the Door 9. Clean Energy Will Be Powered by New Politics 10. No More Free Lunches "Failure Is an Option" is one that has been forgotten. As a nation it seems that fear of risk in the short-term is setting America up for absolute failure in the long-term. Like Apollo 13, failure is a necessary part of exploration. Inslee sizes up energy situation and climate change well, and does thorough descriptions of energy alternatives - solar, wind, biofuels, clean coal, nuclear, tidal. His description of the "Four Horsemen of the Energy Apocalypse" is memorable. 1. Inertia - ideas can represent change in investments, policies and behavior. Inertia wears down efforts to change the status quo. 2. Special interests 3. Miasma of ideology - issues are viewed through an ideological prism rather than a scientific, pragmatic one. 4. Fear - we cannot adopt policies that can succeed. I would add one more. Fashion. Once ideas sit for too long the media will migrate back to other things, such as Britney, Paris or Lindsay.

The thing I like about this book is that it was a great crossover book for both my boyfriend and I. I don't follow energy issues nearly as closely as he does. I need a book that isn't too dry and keeps my interest, but provides the information I need to come up to speed on solutions to global warming and energy independence. This book accomplishes that by relaying that information through personal stories of individuals throughout the country, and contrasting their efforts with national policy. At the same time, judging from my partner's perspective, he was very happy with the book providing him with the latest on this fast moving subject and offering insights into the best investment opportunities in the clean energy space. The book also had some interesting anecdotes about interactions with politicians like Bill Clinton. The only thing that I think can be considered a down side for the book is that it could have given the status of its policy proposals in Congress. However, I do recognize that doing this could make the whole book outdated when new laws are finally passed. I think I speak for my partner and I when I say that it was inspiring. Finally, a proposed solution (or plan at least) to this problem!

I love Jay Inslee and I think he is a great politician, BUT, solving the global warming climate crises ISN'T Rocket Science! It is within our grasp today. American waste twice as much energy as Europeans to achieve the same lifestyle and per-capita GDP. That's just stupid. Fixing much of this is trivial: I bought CFLs, turn off the lights when not in the room, saved 50% on my electrical bill, and applied 10% of that savings to sign up for my electrical utilities "100% green" option to make sure my electricity is coming only from solar and windmills. And I saved myself money. That ISN'T Rocket Science. Rather it is common sense -- something that has been conspicuously absent from American Politics for the last 30 years! And for God's Sake Buy A Prius!

The writing is a bit on the florid side in places, however, Congressman Inslee and his team have put together a well balanced presentation of the global climate crisis along with a comprehensive plan for a solution. Like President Kennedy's call to put a man on the moon, Congressman Inslee is calling on all to be part of the solution to our dependence on foreign oil and to reduce our CO2 footprint. I believe he is correct in his statement that there is no silver bullet solution, but rather a million parts that must come together to create a solution, from conservation, to planning buildings as if energy matters, to investing in research for new energy sources. I appreciated Congressman Inslee's proposed "American Energy Policy". The economic concept of creating a class of green collar workers from current displaced workers is intriguing. This book is written so that you don't have to be a scientist or an environmental activist to understand, it is a good look at what we can and should be doing.

Excellent, this is a very scholarly, comprehensive, objective, and informative compendium of just about all energy aspects. Worthwhile the time to really understand the challenge we all face!