Mandate a Man to Fish?: Technological advance in cooling systems at U.S. thermal electric plants. Issue 2 (28th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peredo‐Alvarez, Victor M.; Bellas, Allen S.; Trainor‐Guitton, Whitney J.; Lange, Ian
• Is Part Of: Water resources research. Volume 52:Issue 2(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 1418
• Page End: 1426
• Publication Date: 2016-02-28
• Subjects: water withdrawals -- thermal pollution -- innovation -- environmental policy; Hydrology -- Periodicals; 333.91
• DOI: 10.1002/2015WR017676
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1397

Abstract

Abstract: Steam‐based electrical generating plants use large quantities of water for cooling. The potential environmental impacts of water cooling systems have resulted in their inclusion in the Clean Water Act's (CWA) Sections 316(a), related to thermal discharges and 316(b), related to cooling water intake. The CWA mandates a technological standard for water cooling systems. This analysis examines how the performance‐adjusted rates of thermal emissions and water withdrawals for cooling units have changed over their vintage and how these rates of change were impacted by imposition of the CWA. Results show that the rate of progress increased for cooling systems installed after the CWA whilethere was no progress previous to it. Key Points: Water cooling systems at power plants alter waterbodies The Clean Water Act regulated what type of system could be used This regulation is associated with an improved environmental performance of systems