The grassroots battle against nuclear power, told by a historian who did time on both sides of the issue. CRITICAL MASSES tells how the citizens of California--from the tiny town of Wasco in the Central Valley to the vast suburbs of Los Angeles--challenged the threat of nuclear power, transformed the anti-nuclear movement, and helped change the face of U.S. politics. 21 photos.

The near-unanimous consensus among climate scientists is that the massive burning of gas, oil, and coal is having cataclysmic impacts on our atmosphere and climate. These climate and environmental impacts are particularly magnified and debilitating for low-income communities and communities of color. Energy democracy tenders a response and joins the environmental and climate movement with broader movements for social and economic change in this country and around the world. Energy Democracy brings together racial, cultural, and generational perspectives to show what an alternative, democratized energy future can look like. The book will inspire others to take up the struggle to build the energy democracy movement.

The electricity industry, one of the largest and most vital sectors of the U.S. economy, has changed dramatically in recent years. After being heavily regulated for more than a century by authorities at all levels, deregulation is taking center stage, allowing for enormous efficiency gains. Electric Choices explores the difficult questions surrounding deregulation and urges Americans to continue the transition to a market-based model.

This book is the product of the good will and hardwork of many people. The contributors, all recognized experts in their fields, are thanked for providing thoughtful, informative chapters and for accommodating editorial suggestions and revisions. Westview Press is thanked for providing the opportunity to address a serious omission in the energy literature. The Geography Department at the University of Maryland made a similarly generous commitment of secretarial staff and faciltiies. Allen Eney aided in the construction of computerized maps. Many skilled, conscientious individuals at state energy offices, public utility commissions, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other organizations supplied essential data and produced many of the analytic studies that underlie the contents of the book. Patti Leedham provided patient and expert typing through numerous revisions of the chapters and many tables. Patricia Sawyer provided essential guidance, support, and proofreading throughout the entire effort.