Water law constraints to siting and operating coal-fired electric generation plants in Kentucky

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:7065801

Rosemarin, C S

The purpose of this study was to reveal possible constraints in the applicable laws to increased siting and continued operation of coal-fired power plants in Kentucky. This study includes not only the law of water availability, but some aspects of water quality as well. Kentucky's system of water resource allocation was reviewed to determine whether energy facilities, particularly steam-electric power plants, will be able to depend on a legally sustainable right to water which is physically available, especially during periods of low flow. A primary link between water quantity and quality is then discussed. Water consumption by cooling towers may limit the availability of water for use by additional power plants, other energy conversion systems, and other water users generally. This matter is largely governed by implementation of the section of the Clean Water Act dealing with discharge of thermal effluent.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 7065801
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-7263
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200200* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste Management
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COMBUSTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FOSSIL FUELS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUELS
KENTUCKY
LEGAL ASPECTS
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
OPERATION
OXIDATION
POLLUTION
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
POWER PLANTS
REGULATIONS
RESOURCES
SITE SELECTION
SOUTHEAST REGION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
USA
WATER POLLUTION
WATER REQUIREMENTS
WATER RESOURCES