Table 8.2 Environmental impacts of operating
1000-MW(e)-equivalent electric power plants for non-nuclear alternative
generating technologies |
|
Resource |
Alternative |
Land use |
Ecology |
Aesthetics |
Water quality |
Air quality |
Waste |
Human health |
Socioeconomic |
Cultural |
Wind
|
61,000 ha (150,000 acres) of which 3,000 acres occupied by turbines,
rest available for agriculture (Pimentel 1994)
|
Bird collisions, loss of much of thousands of acres of habitat (Pimentel
1994); interference with animal migration routes (Pace 1991)
|
Substantial visual and some noise impact in any location (Pace 1991;
SERI/TP-260-3674; Rader 1989)
|
Negligible (Pace 1991)
|
Negligible (Pace 1991)
|
Very minor amounts from maintenance of equipment, vegetation
|
Very minor risks from accidents, noise
|
Relatively low work force, assessed plant value—fewer potential long-term
community benefits than large baseload plants
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
plant or transmission lines
|
Photovoltaic cells
|
14,000 ha (35,000 acres); no other compatible uses (Pimentel 1994; Pace
1991)
|
Loss of 14,000 ha (35,000 acres) of natural habitat and some agricultural
land (Pimentel 1994)
|
Substantial visual impact in any location (Hamrin and Rader 1993)
|
Small runoff from panels could cause sedimentation
|
Negligible
|
Very minor amounts from maintenance of equipment, vegetation; some toxics
|
Some risk to maintenance workers
|
Relatively small work force, assessed plant value—fewer long-term community
benefits than large baseload plants
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
plant or transmission lines
|
Solar thermal
|
5,700 ha (14,000 acres); no other uses (Pimentel 1994; Pace 1991)
|
5,700 ha (14,000 acres) of natural habitat lost and some agricultural
land (Pimentel 1994)
|
Substantial visual impact; reflected sunlight (Pimentel 1994; Pace 1991;
Hamrin and Rader 1993)
|
Minor amounts used except where water is cooling agent (Rader 1989);
possible contamination from cleaning agents (Rader 1989); some runoff
potential
|
Minor emissions of pollutants during normal operations, greater risks
with accidents (Pimentel 1994)
|
Very minor amounts from maintenance of equipment, vegetation
|
Possible eye damage from reflected sunlight; occupational hazards from
exposure to heat transfer fluids (Pace 1991); some risk to maintenance
workers
|
Relatively small work force, assessed plant value—fewer long-term community
benefits than large baseload plants
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
plant or transmission lines
|
Table 8.2 (continued) |
|
Resource |
Alternative |
Land use |
Ecology |
Aesthetics |
Water quality |
Air quality |
Waste |
Human health |
Socioeconomic |
Cultural |
Hydroelectric
|
400,000 ha (1 million acres); no other uses (Pimentel 1994)
|
400,000 ha (1 million acres) of natural habitat and agricultural
lands lost; disruption of spawning, migration routes (Rader 1989); killing
of fish thru eutro-phication, passage through dam, water temperature change
(Moreira and Poole 1993); altered flora, fauna populations
|
1 million acres visually impacted (Pimentel 1994; Hamrin and Rader 1993)
|
Increased sedimentation (Moreira and Poole 1993); temperature changes,
competition for water and arid regions (Rader 1989)
|
Negligible
|
Minor amounts from equipment replacement, reservoir clearing
|
Some risks for recreational boating, swimming deaths; risk of dam failure;
some risk to maintenance workers
|
Small work force, high assessed value—some potential long-term economic/
community impacts, changes in recreation (free-flowing stream to lake)
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
plant or transmission lines
|
Table 8.2 (continued) |
|
Resource |
Alternative |
Land use |
Ecology |
Aesthetics |
Water quality |
Air quality |
Waste |
Human health |
Socioeconomic |
Cultural |
Geothermal
|
2800 ha (7000 acres)— possible subsidence; potential for other uses on
unused land (DOE/EP-0093; OECD 1987)
|
Loss of much of 2800 ha (7000 acres) of natural habitat and some agri-cultural
land (DOE/EP-0093)
|
Visual impacts to portions of affected areas (Rader)
|
Potential contamination of surface and groundwater from disposal of geothermal
fluid (OECD 1987)
|
Potential release of various toxic gases to atmosphere, especially H2S;
CO2 is greatest emission (Pace 1991, Brower 1992)
|
Minor amounts from equipment replacement, vegetation maintenance, heavy
metals sludge (Brower 1992)
|
Very minor risks from toxic gas released, accidents to workers; noise
(Brower 1992)
|
Relatively small work force, assessed plant value—fewer long-term community
benefits than large baseload plants
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
plant or transmission lines
|
Wood wastes
|
About 160,000 to 320,000 ha (400,000 to 800,000 acres) for forest residue
recovery. About 12 ha (30 acres) per 20 MW of facility operated (OTA
1993)
|
Considerable potential for loss of natural habitat and biodiversity;
increased soil erosion and nutrient loss (OTA 1993)
|
Some visual impacts from residue recovery. Limited visual impacts from
plant structure
|
Approximately same water requirements as coal
|
Not significant with residue recovery. Emission of regulated pollutants,
can be effectively controlled
|
Considerable fly ash, can be used as fertilizer and soil conditioner
|
Occupational risks high, same as for agriculture. Particulates important,
but can be controlled
|
Source of income and employment in rural areas. Moderate size work force
at plant site
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
residue recovery area, plant or transmission lines
|
Municipal solid waste
|
About 12 ha (30 acres) per 20 MW of facility operated
|
Potentially positive impacts if landfills are displaced
|
Limited visual impacts from plant structure. Potential odors
|
Approximately same water requirements as coal
|
Emissions of regulated pollutants more significant than other technologies
|
Considerable fly ash, must meet regulations
|
Risks from toxics and particulates, safety of municipal solid waste handlers
|
Moderate size work force at plant sites
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
plant or transmission lines
|
Table 8.2 (continued) |
|
Resource |
Alternative |
Land use |
Ecology |
Aesthetics |
Water quality |
Air quality |
Waste |
Human health |
Socioeconomic |
Cultural |
Energy crops
|
About 400,000 ha (1 million acres) for crop production. About 12
ha (30 acres) per 20 MW of facility operated
|
Impacts depend on prior land use, may either enhance or reduce biodiversity,
habitat (Wright 1994; Ranney and Mann 1994)
|
Some visual impacts from harvesting. Limited visual impacts from plant
structure
|
Irrigation not used for growing. Approximately same water requirements
as coal
|
Not significant with production of energy crops. Emissions of regulated
pollutants, can be effectively controlled (Wright 1994)
|
Considerable fly ash, can be used as fertilizer and soil conditioner
|
Occupational risks high, same as for agriculture. Particulate important,
but can be controlled (Rader 1989)
|
Source of income and employment in rural areas. Moderate size work force
at plant site
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
cropping area, plant or transmission lines
|
Coal
|
700 ha (1,700 acres) for plant site (DOE/EP-0093) and 9070 ha (22,400
acres) for entire fuel cycle (WASH-1224)
|
Habitat loss (including nationally from acid precipita-tion; DOE/ EIS-0146);
impingement, entrainment; waste heat to receiving water body; cooling
tower drift, fogging; bird collisions
|
Limited visual impacts from plant structure, additional from plume
|
860,000 m3 (700 acre-ft) per quad (1012 Btu) energy
produced (based on thermal efficiency relative to nuclear)
|
Emission of CO2, regulated pollutants, more than other technologies
(Loftness 1984); also radionuclides
|
Large amounts of fly ash, scrubber sludge, other solid waste— must meet
regulations (DOE/EP-0093)
|
Public risks (cancer, emphysema) from inhalation of toxics and particulates;
safety risk to workers
|
250 workers— moderate long-term economic community benefits (UDI-021-89)
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
plant or transmission lines
|
Table 8.2 (continued) |
|
Resource |
Alternative |
Land use |
Ecology |
Aesthetics |
Water quality |
Air quality |
Waste |
Human health |
Socioeconomic |
Cultural |
Natural gas
|
45 ha (110 acres) for plant site (DOE-EP-0093) and 1500 ha (3,600 acres)
for entire fuel cycle (WASH-1224)
|
Habitat loss, impingement, entrainment; waste heat to receiving water
body; cooling tower drift, fogging; bird collisions
|
Limited visual impacts from plant structure, some from plume
|
817,000 m3 (662 acre-ft) water used per quad (1012
Btu) energy produced (based on thermal efficiency relative to nuclear)
|
Emissions of CO2 and NOx regulated pollutants,
radionuclides less than coal, no SO2 (Loftness 1984)
|
Some solid waste produced— must meet regulations (DOE/EP-0093)
|
Some public risks (cancer, emphysema) from inhalation of toxics and particulates;
safety risk to workers
|
150 workers— moderate long-term economic, community benefits (UDI-021-89)
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
plant or transmission lines
|
Oil
|
50 ha (120 acres) for plant site (DOE/EP-0093) and 650 ha (1,600 acres)
for entire fuel cycle (WASH-1224)
|
Habitat loss (including nationally from acid precipita-tion; DOE/EIS-0146);
impingement, entrainment; waste heat to receiving water body; cooling
tower drift, fogging; bird collisions
|
Limited visual impacts from plant structure, some from plume
|
860,000 m3 (700 acre-ft) water per quad (1012 Btu)
energy produced (based on thermal efficiency relative to nuclear)
|
Emissions of CO2, SO2, and NOx, regulated
pollutants, radionuclides less than coal (Loftness)
|
Moderate (<coal) amounts of scrubber sludge, particulates— must meet
regulations (DOE/EP-0093)
|
Some public risks (cancer, emphysema) from inhalation of toxics and particulates;
safety risks to workers
|
200 workers— moderate long-term economic community benefits (UDI-021-89)
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
plant or transmission lines
|
Table 8.2 (continued) |
|
Resource |
Alternative |
Land use |
Ecology |
Aesthetics |
Water quality |
Air quality |
Waste |
Human health |
Socioeconomic |
Cultural |
Advanced light-water reactor
|
80–200 ha (500–1000 acres) for plant site, plus exclusion acres and 400
ha (1500– 2000 acres) for entire fuel cycle
|
Habitat loss, impingement, entrainment; waste heat to receiving water
bodies; cooling tower drift and fogging; bird collisions
|
Limited visual impacts from plant structure, some from plume
|
910,000 m3 (740 acre-ft) water per quad (1012 Btu)
energy produced (based on thermal efficiency relative to nuclear)
|
Very little CO2 or regulated pollutants— from vehicles not
facility
|
Some spent fuel, slightly more mixed waste and low-level waste than license
renewal
|
<1% of natural radiation sources; safety risks to workers
|
700 workers— substantial long-term economic, community benefits (UDI-021-89)
|
Relatively small unless important site-specific resource affected by
plant or transmission lines
|
Conservation
|
Minimal
|
Minimal
|
Minimal
|
Minimal
|
Minimal
|
Minimal
|
Minor impacts regarding radon, perhaps other contaminants (Pace 1991)
|
Increased jobs in conservation technologies
|
Minimal
|
Imported power
|
Operating impacts of hydro and coal plants similar to those in U.S.
|
Operating impacts of hydro and coal plants similar to those in U.S.
|
Operating impacts of hydro and coal plants similar to those in U.S.
|
Operating impacts of hydro and coal plants similar to those in U.S.
|
Operating impacts of hydro and coal plants similar to those in U.S.
|
Operating impacts of hydro and coal plants similar to those in U.S.
|
Operating impacts of hydro and coal plants similar to those in U.S.
|
Operating impacts of hydro and coal plants similar to those in U.S.
|
Cultural impacts to tribes in northern Canada could produce more social
conflict than in United States
|
Table 8.2 (continued) |
|
Resource |
Alternative |
Land use |
Ecology |
Aesthetics |
Water quality |
Air quality |
Waste |
Human health |
Socioeconomic |
Cultural |
Delayed retirement
|
Very few acres affected (DOE/EIS-0146)
|
Very few acres affected—no impact
|
Minimal changes unless cooling tower installed
|
Substantial improvement if closed-cycle system replaces once-through
(Bretz 1994), otherwise little change. Improvement to distant water bodies
adversely affected by acid precipitation (DOE/EIS-0146)
|
> 90% SO2 and NOx emissions of conventional
coal plant removed (DOE/EIS-0146, Bretz 1994)
|
For integrated gasification combined cycle: 40% waste of pulverized coal
plant; for atmospheric fluidized bed: possibly double the amount from
pulverized coal plant (DOE/EIS-0146)
|
Substantial public health improvement compared with conventional, pulverized
coal plant; safety risks to workers
|
Moderate employment and tax revenue from first coal plant extended for
longer period
|
No change
|