Impact Assessment of Power Plants

The conflicting demands of the American public for ever-greater energy supplies and an unsullied environment have created a difficult but not impossible problem for the civil engineer. Part of the solution to this problem is the minimizing of adverse environmental effects of power plant location and operation. A basic component of this effort is the study of the geotechnical aspects both of the existing environment and of proposed power plant construction and operation. Strong points and shortcomings of existing methods are identified and criteria for an improved methodology suggested. Procedures for organization of personnel and conduct of a geotechnical investigation are developed. These procedures are based on recent experience and case histories. Generalized impact assessment of classes of power plants is proposed to be done by committees of utility representatives, government personnel, environmental specialists, design engineers, and public members. It is contended that this would greatly simplify evaluation of specific situations.