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Executiue Summary <br />• The long-term planning horizon (2036 and beyond) recognizes that energy development <br />activity in the study area may continue beyond the next 27 years, with no certain endpoint. <br />For purposes of this study 2050 is the endpoint of the long-term planning horizon. <br />Three production scenarios (i.e., low, medium, and high) represent the three general production <br />output criteria specific to each industry. The assumptions supporting the development of each of <br />these energy production scenarios were based upon available published reports, empirical data, <br />and personal communications with industry representatives and other professional groups <br />(Personal Communications 2008). These production scenarios reflect the current documentation <br />and research available for the four energy sectors. The scenarios provide a range that varies <br />from a very limited production alternative (low production scenario) to an expanded production <br />option that maximizes development (high production scenario). <br />• The low production scenario uses existing and available production information in the near- <br />term planning horizon, increasing at a steady rate of development through the mid- and long- <br />term planning horizons. <br />• An intermediate scenario, medium production, represents assumptions that are between the <br />low and high production scenarios, incorporating some inherent limitations, such as the <br />available direct electrical generation capacity, that are part of the energy extraction and <br />development processes. <br />• The high production scenario is based upon forecasted maximum development assumptions <br />cited by various sources and represents a level of maXimum potential water demand in the <br />study area. <br />Direct Water Demands <br />In general, direct water demands include the amount of fresh water needed for the construction, <br />operation, production, and reclamation activities to support the energy extraction and <br />development processes. Note that some of the extraction processes are net producers of water. <br />Under the assumptions established for this study, the direct water demands for natural gas, coal, <br />and uranium remain relatively stable under all three planning horizons and production scenarios <br />(Figure ES-2, Summary of Direct Water Demands). Oil shale development, however, may <br />increase current annual water demands from approximately 8,590 acre-feet per year in the <br />~+~ ES-5 <br />