Continuous spectrum analysis: An approach for analyzing alternatives and impacts of potential projects.

摘要

The Hanford Site, located in southeastern Washington State, is owned by the US Government and managed by the US Department of Energy, Richland Field Office (RL). Two coal-fired steam plants currently supply steam for various uses in the 200 Areas of the Hanford Site. These steam plants have outlived their usefulness and need to be replaced. A reliable source of steam is needed to support future environmental remediation and waste management activities. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, requires that all federal actions must be evaluated before a final decision can be made to pursue a proposed action or one of its alternatives. The NEPA process is expected to begin early in the planning process for a proposed action. Normally, the NEPA process is implemented by first preparing a preliminary engineering study of the proposed action and its alternatives. Once this study has been completed, it provides the data and is used as the basis for preparing an analysis of the potential impacts required under NEPA. Under NEPA, all reasonable alternatives for replacing the current steam supply system must be considered and evaluated. Possible alternatives include renovating the existing steam plants or constructing a new gas-fired boiler to replace the existing plants. Because of its high efficiency, it also appears reasonable that a cogeneration plant could be constructed that would produce both steam and electricity. The alternative of taking no action to replace the existing steam supply system (i.e., no-action) and continuing to operate the existing steam plants must also be analyzed under the NEPA process.