Lyon is an author well-informed to comment on energy, having worked in the oil and gas industry, but more crucially, having obtained degrees in physics and chemistry. In other words, he 'understands' the gravity of the problem the world faces - of depleting oil reserves- and makes the mostly unimpeachable point that public policy (particularly towards renewable energy) cannot practically outrun the fundamentals of science. Put another way, every prior energy revolution has delivered more with less (wood to coal, coal to oil). Renewables breaks this paradigm, and so will not work. Any politician that tells you otherwise is either ignorant, or lying, according to Lyon. He is an author that writes plainly yet effectively and does not shy from pulling punches. Some critics have questioned his use of static cost curves (of energy sources) in the debate. I would nuance the contentions of Lyon by framing any energy discussion about being 'and' rather than 'either/or' - we need all the inputs we can get to meet demand. Lyon says embrace nuclear. Add in geothermal and we're getting there. Everyone should read this to be better informed.
By Richard Lyon