Sep 24
Approaching Critical Mass
2007 at 7:44 am | posted by Rep. Craig Frank 1 comment
The need for proven, safe, and efficient alternative power generation in Utah (and the United States) is at critical mass.
In support of the implementation of responsible nuclear energy policy was the Deseret Morning News’ Editorial Page this morning. Click HERE to read article.
In an effort to suspend portions of Utah lawmakers’ 2006 responsible energy initiative (Rep. Roger Barrus, Chief Sponsor), which includes the continuing investigation into the utilization of nuclear energy, Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. signed a personal pledge with Governor Schwarzenegger, to increase green reliance and awareness. (See also, recent statement by Huntsman.)
Not part of the green package–responsible nuclear energy.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
A new APTA, American Public Transit Association, study is out which calculates total GHG emission reductions for public transit. It was done by SAIC. It is considerably better done than other reports commissioned by APTA.
The report is at http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/climate_change.pdf or .cfm
The net GHG reduction impact of all transit in America is calculated at 6.9 million metric tons per year.
Does that ring any bells? It should, if you read their article. It is slightly more than 1% of all car GHG emissions, but less than 1/2% of combined car and truck GHG emissions, nationally.
These are tiny effects for national transit that is on course to consume over one trillion dollars in the future on the assumption that it can reduce GHG, and do other things that it has failed to do for a century.
But….
A single typical 1,000 MW nuclear reactor which displaces equivalent coal-generated capacity will prevent the release of 7 million metric tons of GHG. Now that is a big performer!
(Dr. Max W. Carbon, Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison, in his book , Nuclear Power: Villain of Victim?, p.60)
Of course, it is not fair to compare transit to nuclear GHG reductions. One new 1,000 MW nuclear reactor would do as much for “Global Warming” as the entire transit industry. It is not fair to transit and rail pushers everywhere, to notice things like that.
Mike Packard