This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explains energy and land use problems have acute political dimensions, as instanced by the violence which erupted at US gas stations during the 1974 oil crisis, or by the “food related” riots. It begins with the contention that “the case for including an energy dimension in the land use planning process is both simple and compelling.” The book argues that virtually all energy/environmental problems originate in conflicting land use, even though most environmental concerns tend to be defined in terms of resources, or of some other environmental quality. It also argues that nuclear wastes require long range planning because of the long range hazards they pose: “any nuclear waste policy must be based on the hazardous life of the waste if it is to be both responsible and realistic.