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1 -: I' o (~ ~, ..... ..... W 22 DEPLETION OF SURFACE VVATER SUPPLIES The largest single item of cost in the production of electric energy, except from hydroelectric plants, is that of fuel. Gas of relatively low but usable heat value will be produced in great volumes at oil shale retorts. These fuel gases would have to be wasted if they could not be used for the production of power in the immediate area. Additional gas of high heat value will be produced as a result of refining operations; this byproduct could be piped elsewhere but could be used most economically in areas near the refineries. . Chemical industries making use of the byproducts from the .process- ing of oil shale could well be so extensive that the capital investments and payrolls would exceed those required for the oil shale industry itself. Such developments would in turn attract other industries for the manufacture of products used in the basic industries. All in all, while we cannot subscribe to the concept of an industrial development rivaling any other in the United States, we can foresee a degree of ind~strialization that would dwarf the agricultural economy of the regIOn. ,;.; ., PROCESSING OF COAL There are many who visualize similar industrial developments resulting from the processing of the great coal deposits in western Colorado. Although this is within the realm of possibility, it is highly improbable because of economic obstacles. Coal is widely distributed throughout the United States, much of it within a few hundred miles of the center of population of the entire country and equally close to established chemical industries. The deposits in western Colorado are remote from major centers of popula- tion. Furthermore, the cost of gasoline and related products made from coal would be so much more than the cost of obtaining the same products from shale oil that the use of coal for such purposes to supply the Pacific coast market would be a last resort. . In brief, while processing of coal is probably inevitable on a large scale in the United States, there is little likelihood that more than a few small plants will be builtin western Colorado. This will not preclude mining of coal for fuel or coke to supply industries in the area. :; POPULATION INCREASE < There can be no substantial development of industry without a corresponding increase in population. Labor will be required to oper- ate the mines from which oil shale is obtained, more labor will be engaged in refining operations, and each industry attracted to the area will likewise employ labor. The families of these men will swell the . population. In the communities which will be needed to house those working in industry there will have to be many other people engaged . in trade and in service occupations. The total population, based on ratios prevalent elsewhere, can be expected to be about six times as great as the number of persons actually on industrial payrolls. . Various estimates have been made of the personnel required to perform various steps in the processing of oil shales. These range :from about 47,000 persons to 64,000 persons required for III 1 million barrel per day industry, but the 2 most recent estimates indicate .50,000persons for 1 million barrels of daily capacity. If this value be ,multiplied by 6, a total population of 300,000 persons would be directly ;supported in the area by the oil-shale industry. :v -, . . (". ~i, " ;i~ < .' ;".