Application of modular integrated utility systems technology. Final environmental statement

Technical Report · Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:7199986

The environmental impact associated with installing and operating Modular Integrated Utility Systems (MIUS) is assessed. The MIUS combines several utility services, including electric power, heating and cooling, potable water, fire protection water, liquid waste treatment, and solid waste management for a community. Local consequences were examined as were the effects of the use of alternative MIUS components, subsystems, and processes. The results of analyzing a single hypothetical MIUS application were extended to evaluate nation-wide use of the MIUS concept within constraints of the market projections. In comparison to conventional utility systems, MIUS conserves fuel energy; however, with present technology, MIUS would consume gas or oil, both of which are in limited supply. The impacts of MIUS construction on air and water quality, traffic, land use, community services, and aesthetics would be only slightly greater than the total impact of constructing a large housing development. MIUS operation would result in a ground level air pollutant concentration amounting to only a small percentage of those acceptable by the Primary Federal Air Quality Standards. Impacts on surface water quality and aquatic biota from the MIUS liquid waste treatment system are expected to be small. The potential for adverse effects on aquatic biota is essentially identical for both MIUS and conventional sewage treatment systems; however, it is larger for conventional electric plants than for MIUS. MIUS and conventional utility alternatives use approximately the same amount of land, but the MIUS consumes and withdraws less water. (143 references) (BYB)

• Research Organization: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C. (USA); U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research, Division of Energy, Building Technology and Standards, 451 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20410
• OSTI ID: 7199986
• Report Number(s): HUD-PDR-EIS-75-1F
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
MIUS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
AIR POLLUTION
CONSTRUCTION
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
FUEL CONSUMPTION
LAND USE
POWER PLANTS
WATER QUALITY
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
POLLUTION
290100* - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Analysis & Modeling
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety
530300 - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- Environmental Impact Statements- (-1987)