Carbon and Nuclear Free in 40 Years?

Arjun Makhijani, President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, believes the U.S. can get rid of nuclear and high-carbon fossil fuels within 40 years. In this interview with Chief Correspondent Tyler Suiters, he talks about his plan.

Makhijani says it can't be done overnight, but the dangerous or high emitting plants can be phased out. He says he got the idea from his friend and mentor, David Freeman, for former head of the Tennessee Valley Authority, who once advocated getting rid of nuclear, coal and oil and converting entirely to solar.

Skeptical at first, but Makhijani did a study of all technology to find out of the plan was technically or economically feasible. But to his surprise, he found that over 40 years, the U.S. could afford to phase out all energy sources that he says most people consider controversial -- a threat to the climate or public safety.