Solvent refined coal demonstration projects; NEPA problems and resolutions

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

OSTI ID:5752360

DeCicco, S G

After approximately three years of preparatory work, the Final Environmental Statements for the two proposed Solvent Refined Coal demonstration projects (SRC-I and SRC-II) have been completed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and issued by the Department of Energy. These EISs were prepared in a climate of political, technological, and environmental uncertainties. New regulations on EIS preparation, the emerging SRC technology, and the absence of any prior EISs on direct coal liquefaction projects made these EISs pioneering, precedent-setting documents. The problems that arose during the EIS preparation tended to fall into three categories: policy, technical, and institutional. This report probes behind the scenes of these 1300-page documents to share the experience gained in uncovering and solving the major problems. The bottom line of the whole experience is that despite these problems, NEPA works. The concluding section of the report summarizes recommendations for those facing EISs on synfuel or similarly controversial technologies. Many of the lessons learned are transferable to othe sponsors and other projects.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5752360
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-8165; ON: DE82008104
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010405* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
017000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Legislation & Regulations
COAL LIQUEFACTION
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
LAWS
LIQUEFACTION
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORNL
RECOMMENDATIONS
SRC PROCESS
SRC-II PROCESS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS