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<br />, '002$87 <br /> <br />. . <br /> <br />;; .; <br /> <br />Atomic fusion has been under study for 10 to 15 <br />years. Very difficult theoretical and practical prob- <br />lems remain for solution. Large-scale plants may <br />someday be developed. If utilized they might displace <br />nuclear-fueled (fission) atomic plants. <br />MHD is the source most likely to be developed, <br />although many problems remain. The expected heat <br />source would be fossil fuels. Because of the increased <br />efficiency attainable, there would be savings in fuels <br />and a reduction in waste heat. Such plants may come <br />into use late in the study period. <br /> <br />Conclusions <br /> <br />The predicted magnitude of the electric power <br />load by 2020 (26.5 times 1965 load) requires the <br />continuation of technical studies as they relate to the <br />environment, to the construction of generation and <br />transmission facilities, and to economics. <br />With the widespread concern for the environment, <br />if the electric power load is to be met in an orderly <br />manner, the public, through its governmental and <br />legislative agencies, must decide (a) what <br />environmental standards and criteria must be met by <br />power facilities, (b) what increase in price of power is <br /> <br />Electric Power <br /> <br /> <br />acceptable for environmental controls, ( c) where <br />powerplants can he located, and (d) what <br />transmission line routings are acceptable. In addition, <br />it is concluded that: <br /> <br />I. Meeting cooling water needs for electric power <br />production is a major problem, except at <br />coastal locations . <br />2. Power generation and transmission facilities <br />have important impacts on land and water <br />resources. <br />3. Additional research is needed on: control of <br />pollutants and particulate matter; control of <br />radioactive wastes from nuclear-fueled plants; <br />environmental effects of low-grade waste heat <br />in cooling waters on rivers, estuaries, and the <br />ocean; and on beneficial uses of heated cooling <br />water. <br />4. A demonstration dual-purpose power and <br />desalting plant with a capacity of at least 50 <br />million gallons per day is needed to test the <br />combination of power and water production. <br />5. Possible geothermal power and water sources in <br />the Imperial and Yuma Valleys should be <br />investigated adequately to establish feasibility <br />or nonfeasibility. <br /> <br />57 <br />