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Title: Energy Technologies for the West: possible effects of energy technology on land, water, and air resources. Workshop held in San Francisco, California, 21 September 1976

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7217076· OSTI ID:7217076

John Fraser, Association of California Water Agencies, spoke on the effect of energy technology on California's water resources. He pointed out that by the year 2000, a water deficiency of about 2,250,000 acre-feet will exist in California; therefore, many agencies will not indefinitely commit supplies of fresh water for power plant cooling. Legislation for siting power plants along the coastline is summarized. Dr. James Liverman, ERDA, noted a remark by Mr. Fraser that, in its national plan, ERDA ''does not appear to pay much attention to the water issue''; he agrees, but says ERDA is committed to working with the Water Resources Council, with establishments in each state. Professor Robert Hagan, Univ. of California, reports on a program to investigate the energy required to develop water, or, in short, to move water to where it is to be used; water which may be associated with the use and conservation of water; the energy associated with waste-water treatment; and waste-water reuse. Speaker Zock Willey, Environmental Defense Fund, briefly evaluated the environmental impact of an energy technology by saying that the public has a right to know and say what the risks are in terms of the trade-offs. Russ Freeman, EIA, says he doesn't believe it possible to have an energy program in the traditional concept of a government program. EPA has learned that energy is an input to every societal process and pollution is an output from virtually everything that society does. The final speaker, Fayne L. Tucker, Lake County Air Pollution Control District, reviewed the potential of geothermal resources, saying that it is believed the Lake County government can, with the state and Federal government, plan geothermal development. It is also believed the Geysers should be considered as a payoff area. An extensive question and answer session completed the workshop. (MCW)

Research Organization:
Energy Research and Development Administration, Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI ID:
7217076
Report Number(s):
TID-27444
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English