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.-.~ '~ ., Cj rl ,. ") -.. AQUATRAIN April 1983 .-, ....' Section 6. Benefits, Costs, and Project Support Additional economic benefits include jobs that the project would create, particularly during construction, as well as coal royalties and severance taxes which would enhance State and Federal treasuries. Additional jobs would include: * * * * Operation and maintenance of the pipeline system New and expanded coal and trona mining and processing facilities Construction and operation of new powerplants and port facilities New and expanded industries created by: low-cost transportation of coal and other commodities, increased freshwater supplies, and stabilized electric rates to the consumer (through low-cost delivery of high-quality coal and/or coal products) Environmentally, AQUATRAIN would: * Help reduce the salinity of the Colorado River, thus reducing salinity damage in agricultural, municipal, and industrial use * Help reduce, and in some cases, eliminate nitrous-oxide emissions from oil and gas powerplants in metropolitan areas by substituting grade coal and/or coal products to be burned in powerplants located away from heavily populated areas * Allow orderly growth of the use of western U.S. coal reserves * Conserve oil and gas for other beneficial uses, lowering the need for future synfuels projects AQUATRAIN offers positive benefits to society by reducing damages caused by saline water and preserving water quality for consumption, recreation, and other use. The underground pipeline system would provide esthetic benefits by reducing the number of above-ground facilities related to energy transportation, such as freight cars and long-distance, high-voltage power lines. AQUATRAIN would help meet the water quality standards adopted by the Basin States and EPA while protecting the integrity of water quality agreements made pursuant to the U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty of 1944. AQUATRAIN would also help retain the usefulness of water for agricultural, municipal, and industrial users in the U.S. and Mexico. Costs The costs of AQUATRAIN are not fully known and will be explored during project planning. Economic costs, as well as impacts on society and the environment, are being and will continue to be addressed. 21