Socioeconomic impacts of power plants

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5334251

Gilmore, J S; Hammond, D; Moore, K D; Johnson, J F

The major findings of a two-year study of socioeconomic impacts resulting from power plant construction and operation are summarized. Research findings are based on 12 retrospective case studies (separately published) of power plants and their impacts on surrounding communities and on a review of more than 600 documents. Impact assessment models were reviewed and classified. No one model appears to be satisfactory for impact assessment in those areas where impacts are likely to be significant. Sensitivity analysis or the simultaneous application of several models is suggested to reflect the range of potential impacts that may result from a project. Actual and projected construction employment were compared and were generally found to differ considerably, largely due to unplanned circumstances associated with the various projects and beyond the control of the project manager. The geographic extent of site influence was found to be generally greater than expected because workers were willing to commute considerable distances. Secondary economic impacts, including employment multipliers, were analyzed and found to be relatively minor. The local service-to-construction worker ratio did not exceed 0.2 in most cases. Housing demand and supply and local government fiscal impacts were also assessed. The predominant housing pattern for construction workers consisted of mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and rental units. There was little demand for permanent housing. The fiscal impacts of a power plant on the local area varied tremendously depending on the plant ownership and applicable state and local tax laws. Additional findings discussed in the report include the effects on community standards, traffic impacts, public perception of impacts, and labor union influences.

• Research Organization: Denver Research Inst., CO (USA); Browne, Bortz and Coddington, Denver, CO (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5334251
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EA-2228; ON: DE82902077
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
296001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power Generation-- (-1989)
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
CONSTRUCTION
ECONOMIC IMPACT
EMPLOYMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUELS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MATERIALS
OPERATION
PERSONNEL
POWER PLANTS
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS