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<br />001022
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<br />Power Plant Siting: State of Maryland
<br />After the controversy surrounding the siting of the
<br />Calven Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, the State of
<br />Maryland decided to improve its advance planning
<br />and site evaluation procedures. The result is the
<br />Power Plant Siting Program. At the most general
<br />level, it includes:
<br />
<br />Preparation by the State's utilities of a ten-year plan
<br />of utility needs and proposed sites. (The State will
<br />not act unless a site has been listed);
<br />State evaluation of sites proposed by the utilities.
<br />At the present time, evaluation of each site takes
<br />18 months at a cost of over $1 million; jf suitable,
<br />the site is recommended to the State Public Service
<br />Commission for approval;
<br />Acquisition by the State of four to eight sites. in
<br />advance, as alternatives for the utilities if their sites
<br />are not suitable. The criteria for selection are based
<br />on needs of the utilities, and engineering and en.
<br />vironmental factors, plus impact on the community;
<br />Funding for the entire program is derived from the
<br />Environmental Trust Fund. specifically from a
<br />surcharge on electricity charges. For 1976 the
<br />surcharge is .22 mills/kilowatt hour, which nets
<br />about $7 million.
<br />
<br />Contact: Director, Power Plant Siting Program.
<br />Maryland State Department of Natural
<br />Resources, State Office Building, Annapolis,
<br />Maryland 21401,13011267-1261
<br />
<br />An increasing number of studies are being done at
<br />the regional level. This is otten the appropriate level
<br />at which to analyze impacts and devise organizational
<br />and financing strategies. Some of these regions are
<br />multi-county, "areawide districts" established by the
<br />States. In other cases, the region is a multi-state area
<br />uniquely impacted by energy development, for exampfe,
<br />the coastal zones affected by Outer Continental Shelf
<br />exploration activity. Several recent examples of
<br />regional analyses follow:
<br />
<br />Areawide Districts: Colorado West Area Council of
<br />Governments
<br />The potential for producing oil from 0;1 shale on
<br />the Western slope of the Colorado Rockies has been
<br />discussed for decades. The discussion became much
<br />more serious in the 1960's, as companies prepared for
<br />leasing of Federal lands for mining. The oil shale
<br />industry could bring an additional 50,000 to 150,000
<br />persons to this four-country region which now has
<br />85,000 persons in 14,300 square miles.
<br />The counties cooperated with the State of Colorado,
<br />Federal agencies and 13 oil companies on a series of
<br />studies on oil shale development starting in 1971. As
<br />
<br />the studies were underway, the counties formally
<br />organized as the Colorado West Area Council of
<br />Governments (19721, to coordinate the planning of
<br />cities and counties dealing with oil shale impacts. One
<br />major product of these studies is the Tax Lead Time
<br />Study ISee page 301. The CWACG reviews applica-
<br />tions of local governments for State and Federal funds.
<br />It now serves as the Regional Planning Agency for EPA
<br />(Environmental Protection Agency) "Section 208"
<br />Wastewater Treatment Planning. CWACG is funded
<br />by State and local contributions, and grants from
<br />HUD 701, EPA and EDA (Economic Development
<br />Administration).
<br />
<br />Contact: John Patrick Halligan, Executive Director,
<br />Colorado West Area Council of Govern-
<br />ments, Box 351, Rifle, Colorado B1650,
<br />(303) 625.1723
<br />
<br />Studies Under Interagency Agreement: HUD Section
<br />701 Comprehensive Planning Program, and FEA
<br />In August 1975, the Department of Housing and
<br />Urban Development and the Federal Energy Adminis-
<br />tration signed an agreement to encourage State planning
<br />for solutions to the Nation's energy needs and to coor-
<br />dinate energy planning activities among State, regional
<br />and local government officials. Several major projects
<br />are underway with joint assistance of HUD and FEA
<br />under this agreement. These include:
<br />
<br />1) Policy and Decision Needs: Mid-Atlantic Governors
<br />Resources Advisory Council (MAGRACl
<br />The States of New York, New Jersey, Delaware,
<br />Maryland and Virginia are conducting a study to assist
<br />in developing a coordinated response to the impacts
<br />that would result from offshore exploration and pro-
<br />duction activity. The work program, coordinated for
<br />the five States by the State of Delaware, includes tasks
<br />to:
<br />
<br />Assess institutional systems and roles at all levels;
<br />Develop a decision flow chart for significant State
<br />and local information needs and management de-
<br />cisions relating to offshore resource exploration
<br />activities from 1975 to 1985, and
<br />Determine siting requirements and impacts of off-
<br />shore developments.
<br />
<br />Contact: Director, Planning Office, State of Delaware,
<br />Thomas Coil ins Building, Dover, Delaware
<br />19901, (302) 678-4271
<br />
<br />2) Guide to Decision.Making: State of Utah
<br />The State of Utah has for several years been develop-
<br />ing a State/regional planning program called the "Utah
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