14
Table 2.4. Ranking of industrial energy systems by uskr's options for action System
Purchase equipment
Cooperate with others
Purchase fuel or energy
Low- and intermediate-Btu gas
X
X
X
Small reactors
X
X
X
Fluidized-bed combustor
X
X
X
Conventional firing
X
X
X
Large reactors
X
X
Liquid fuels
X
X
Solvent-xefiied coal
X
X X
High-Btu gas
Table 2.5. Ranking of industxial energy systems by date of earliest commercializationor application System
Date
Conventional firing, low-sulfur coal Conventional firing, stackgas cleanin@ Low-Btu gas IntermediateBtu gas Fluidized-bed combustof Solvent-refined coaln Liquid fue1.P Large nuclear power plants Small nuclear power plant@ High-Btu gas"
1976 1976 1976-78 1976-78 1977-79 1979-81 1981-83 198 1-84 1981-84 197gb
'Not commercially demonstrated. bEarliest commercialization date is 1978; however, the capacity will not be large enough to have any impact on total gas supply.
2.3 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS 2.3.1 Nuclear
The environmental consideration of greatest concern with nuclear power is health and safety of the public. This issue is complex, but it basically involves protection of people against any harmful exposure to ionizing radiation. In the safety review of nuclear plants, the AEC considers both plant design features and environmental characteristics that could adversely affect the plant's safety performance or the radiological consequences of accidents. Without exception, nuclear power plants