Those that watch Motorweek on PBS will be familiar with the Clean Cities report. It highlights a different player each week. Basically, in 1993 the Clean Cities Initiative was passed. It's various government entities, utility companies and private companies that are using alternative fuel vehicles to save money and help the environment. Well, to save money and the environment is just a bonus that doesn't cost them anything. Most would probably do the same thing if it only saved the money and had zero impact on the environment.
Anyway, 20 years later, they've saved 34M tons of of greenhouse gases. That's 1.7M tons per year. Now, if we told the tree huggers to shut up and went to nuclear power for 100% of the U.S. electric usage rather than the current 20%, we would save that same 1.7M tons of greenhouse gases not in one year but in 15 hours. Every 15 hours another 1.7M tons, or another years worth of Clean Cities. It will take the Clean Cities almost 600 years to eliminate as much greenhouse gas as nuclear would eliminate in 1 year.
Anyway, 20 years later, they've saved 34M tons of of greenhouse gases. That's 1.7M tons per year. Now, if we told the tree huggers to shut up and went to nuclear power for 100% of the U.S. electric usage rather than the current 20%, we would save that same 1.7M tons of greenhouse gases not in one year but in 15 hours. Every 15 hours another 1.7M tons, or another years worth of Clean Cities. It will take the Clean Cities almost 600 years to eliminate as much greenhouse gas as nuclear would eliminate in 1 year.