Power Plant Siting

The primary objectives of performing siting studies for thermal power plants are to identify sites which (1) have the least amount of adverse environmental impact; satisfy the guidelines and criteria of various regulatory agencies; are economically attractive to the utility; and have a reasonably high degree of public acceptance. Secondary objectives of siting that are more legalistic and protective in nature include the comprehensiveness of evaluation, objectivity of data interpretation, and documentation of methodology and results. Siting methodology, data requirements and data evaluation are discussed. (LCL)