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

by Jay Inslee, Bracken Hendricks

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy ignited America’s Apollo Project and sparked a revolution in space exploration. Today the New Apollo Energy Project is poised to revolutionize the production of energy and thereby save our planet. The nation that built the world’s most powerful rockets, its most advanced computers, and its most sophisticated life support systems is ready to create the world’s most powerful solar energy systems, its most advanced wind energy turbines, and its most sophisticated hybrid cars. This will result in nothing less than a second American Revolution. Who are the dreamers in California who believe they can use mirrors and liquid metal to wring more electricity from a ray of sunshine than anyone else on earth can?
 
Who are the innovators who have built a contraption that can turn the energy of a simple wave off the Oregon coast into burnt toast in Idaho? Who are the scientists in Massachusetts who have invented a battery that now runs your hand drill and will soon run your car? Readers will meet them all in this book. They will learn how the new energy economy will grow, the research that is required, and the legislation that must be passed to make the vision a reality.
 
This is a thoughtful, optimistic book, based on sound facts. No one before has tied together the concepts of economic growth and greenhouse gas reductions with such concrete examples. No one has previously told the real stories of the people who are right now on the front lines of the energy revolution. The co-authors, one a U.S. Congressman who is the primary sponsor of the New Apollo Energy Act, and the other the founder of the Apollo Alliance, have joined their experience, expertise, and passion for a clean energy future to lay out the path to stop global warming and gain energy independence.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Science, Environment, Climate Change

416 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Jay Inslee, who was first elected as a member of Congress from Washington State in 1992, is deeply aware of the political and policy challenges and opportunities. He serves on the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Bracken Hendricks is a senior fellow at one of the nations leading think tanks, the Center for American Progress. Hendricks is a founder and former Executive Director of the Apollo Alliance, a coalition of environmental, business and labor organizations dedicated to building a new energy future for America.
"

Reviews

[Christoph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book occupies a fairly unique genre, one I call political-aspirationist. Its basically a genre of books written, co-written, or written with the aide of ghost-writers by politicians who wish to establish the legitimacy of their career by laying early ground work to tack onto their political CVs later down the road when they start making moves for big offices. Its sort of a dry run for public office on a bigger stage because it requires them to advocate issues and inspire a political base while still holding all the marbles in their mouths, as it were. This work is a classical and fairly decent job of such an endeavor. Mr. Inslee, now governor of the State of Washington and who was a Representative from that state at the time of this writing basically pulls out all the stops from firing up the base, to dog-whistling, to invoking politicians of now and times past, while actually interjecting some substance, primarily on the issue of sustainability and the new green economy, and coherent thought. The bottom line, though, if you aren't already drinking this kool-aid you won't be buying what he's selling, but if you are a moderate to liberal who supports a specific set of democratic causes such as environmentalism and neo-liberal economic positions then you will probably enjoy this book and as such, will prepare for Mr. Inslee's inevitable appearance on the grand scene sometime in the next four to six years.

Focusing on the actual substance for a moment, this book actually has some pretty strong construction around the topic of sustainability and the green economy. The authors give full disclosure of their involvement in biofuels and cellulosic ethanol and then proceed to explain why their state, but really the nation benefit and can benefit more from investments in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and biofuels. They go into some pretty wonky details such as the (then) future of companies like A123 (which has actually gone bankrupt and is being sold to Chinese private equity, but thats another issue), the potential of Texas wind farms, the public benefit of municipal energy consortiums who focus on renewable energy, such as Seattle City Light, the global and economic realities of countries who have invested in cellulosic ethanol such as Brazil, the types of jobs available to low-income and low-skilled Americans (evermore in this current economy being squeezed out of the work force), and the list goes on. To quite a large extent, Inslee does not just make a bunch of hand-waving arguments but actually digs into some hard facts and figures and cites sources on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, their are definitely some short-comings. The need to stay on balance in a solidly moderate liberal, though still somewhat divided, state means the need to call-out potential or possibly current donors for being, so honorable, such as Dow and "coal". Of course, both of these institutions are essentially antithetical to the notion of sustainability, but to call these deep pockets to task would be political suicide.

Mr. Inslee has a seemingly bright and strong future in the coming Democratic political elite, the question is less if he can capitalize on his merits but how. Hopefully, he sticks true to his cause that he champions extremely strongly in this work and doesn't morph into the dreaded inevitability of diluted political aspirations. As I say, its inevitable really, because those who actually stick to causes especially those that oppose a given order of political elite end up like another former politician evoked in this work, that being Senator Paul Wellstone.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not an easy book to read -- which is a shame. There are some powerful ideas here and lots of information people should hear, with regularity.

[Jon Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written almost 12 years ago. When you consider that, it is impressive how right the authors turned out to be in recognizing the risk associated with climate change and the necessity to take bold action against it.

At the same time, it’s also sad to see how little recognition their ideas got at the time, and even sadder how little has been done over the last decade to act on them.

To its credit, the book contains a lot of core principles on how to think about climate change that are extremely relevant today and should be applied to any rational climate policy. For example, how it is necessary to try anything and everything that shows promise and expect that some will fail, that it will be many things to solve the problem instead of one silver bullet.

On the other hand, outside of those principles, a lot of the book is a sort of survey on what was happening in technology and policy in the United States then, and so feels a little dated. It would be really nice to see an update to the book that comments on how things turned out and discusses new developments since then.

In contrast with other books about climate change, there is also a lot of hope and optimism in this one - it isn’t all doom, but only if we can put it at the highest priority and mobilize the entire country like we did for the original Apollo missions 50 years ago.

The book makes a strong case for doing just that, and as we see what’s happening around the world today, the plan that the book sets forth is one hundred times more imperative today.

It appears that this Jay Inslee guy could be the president to make it really happen - he literally wrote the book!

A note on the Kindle edition: it sucks. While it was mostly readable, it doesn’t have any chapter markers in the menu to help orient yourself. You can’t change the font, and I found the thinness of the font it’s in a little annoying. Also, the spacing between sentences isn’t always proper, so if you try to make highlights (there’s a lot of good stuff in the book) it often picks up one word before or after the sentence. Shame on the publisher for such a half-assed e-book!

[Monica Meagher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needs a revision - references seem dated.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertainment-0 Stars
Education- 1 Star
Readability- 1 star
Innovation- 0 Stars
Inspiration- 1 Stars


Inslee does a good job of covering all the available alternatives to carbon energy. He seems pretty optimisitc about things. I think the main reason not to be optimistic is the dependance we have on political will power to get changes made. We have had energy issues since the 70's and we see what a bang up job we have done up till now. I don't see that changing much.

I think he could have come out more strongly against nuclear power. It doesn't make money, and it is dangerous forever. That's a mighty long time.

Also I found it odd that in one chapter he talks about coal mining destroying peoples homes and how bad it is, and a couple later how we should be considering "clean coal". Inslee says we need to leave all options on the table, and prioritize, but I think that will cause us to lose focus on where we should be going. For the record I think solar and wind are the way to go. It can be cheap, clean and available for everyone.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot I could say about this book but I'm in a rush right now. Therefore, I will keep it simple. I am witnessing so many people, mostly men, get into the new green economy. They are the creative, inventor types.. and the entreprenurial types and are basically starting their own businesses involving hydrogen, solar and wind power. This book explains why we're seeing more mainstream people get into the 'green movement' and also provide evidence that it can be done.

I had no idea that Brazil was 100% energy independent or that Denmark obtained 20% of their power from wind. If we could just adopt a fraction of the innovations that other countries have already successfully implemented we would drastically reduce our usage of foreign oil.

In short, this is the counterpoint to The Long Emergency and I found this book quite motivating.

[Hubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very wonky overview of climate change solutions from about 15 years ago. Works better as a well-documented history of environmental / climate movement. Covers a wide variety of issues, including renewable resources, solar, wind, policy, and multiple perspectives including those from business and religious communities. Some recommendations don't hold up well after 15 years, e.g. biomass is no longer seen by some as a viable renewable energy resource. Though nominally co-authored, I think the director of the Apollo institute is the primary author of the more technical stuff, and Governor Inslee is there to provide the inserts / insights in between chapters.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of where we are in energy policy in this country and steps to take in changing for a better future. The book is easy to read and well organized. Written by a policy maker (Congressman Inslee, D - Washington State) I give it a hearty thumbs up and a 'must read' for anyone seriously interested in where we are headed with our energy future and the environment.

[Jefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty much what Obama talked about on the campaign trail - not just being green for the sake of the environment, but a dedicated retooling of our industry (and agriculture) to invigorate our economy, combat global warming, and promote social justice

haven't heard any rumors of Jay Inslee for Energy Secretary

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this along with Fred Krupp's "Earth: the Sequel" for a double dose of optimism and hope that our energy infrastructure can be rebuilt on a sustainable basis. There are lots of good ideas and technologies out there that have been tested and demonstrated in various ways and just need a level playing field to be deployed on a commercially viable scale.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to feel "good", or at least better, about climate change? Read this - it's important. It does NOT argue that climate change is not real, man-made and threatening; far from it. It argues that there are real, pragmatic things that we can and should be doing about it ASAP.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm being challenged to think in terms of creativity and diversity in addressing the issues of sustainable energy. This is on a book discussion group at the University of Puget Sound and is written by a local congressman.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last! An encouraging word. this book chronicles positive measures being taken in our country to 'go green'.
An optimistic and reasonable action plan that is implemented right now.

A jumpstart for a sustainable,green economy.

Take a look, its encouraging.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book talked primarily about using clean sources of energy to prevent pollution of our environment. The book had some interesting points, but seemed to start repeating the same cases for the United States to make changes.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this informative and optimistic look at our energy future. The book is quickly becoming dated as new technology has changed the energy market so dramatically in the four years since this was published.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world has no shortage of voices crying about the problems we face, it is refreshing to hear one that offers not only a viable solution, but a plan of action to implement it.

[Kathy McC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good information. Material is presented in an easy to understand format. I enjoyed the comparisons to the race for alternate energy sources and Kennedy's space race in the 60s.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great introduction to the issues of Clean Energy. A little long winded in some area. Somewhat basic for me.

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth the read, but not fantastic.