Nuclear fission power plants provide about 20% of US electricity, humming away as base-line power for many years without generating CO2. Are there better ways, technically, financially and politically to safely to provide this vital energy? I will review how fission generates heat (very briefly), some history of experiments, how this energy is generated now, and a survey of some of the new ideas, including thorium and molten salt systems. The ideas are not new, since bold studies have tried most of these methods in the past, with mixed results. Nuclear fission offers much, but with two scary problems. The first is the connection to nuclear weapons, and the second is the radioactivity involved. We seem to have an irrational fear of radioactivity, which constrains political options. These issues need to be spoken of, with at least some understanding of the facts. I will present some of the relevant facts, some ideas and plans, but mostly, we will talk about the consequences of continuing or expanded nuclear electricity.