Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
s oCioeConoMiCs
Direct impacts would include the creation of new jobs for construction workers and the
associated income and taxes generated by the project. As an example, the number of
construction workers required for a 150-mile (241-kilometer) length of pipeline is only
about 230 annual direct workers (fewer than 175 for an equivalent length of a transmis-
sion line or a petroleum pipeline). Indirect impacts are those impacts that would occur
as a result of the new economic development and would include things such as new
jobs at businesses that support the expanded workforce or that provide project materi-
als and the associated income and taxes. Construction of an energy transmission proj-
ect may affect the value of residential properties located adjacent to the ROW (there
are conflicting reports as to whether these would be adverse, beneficial, or neutral).
e nVironMentAl J ustiCe
If significant impacts were to occur in any of the resource areas and were to dispro-
portionately affect minority or low-income populations, there could be an environ-
mental justice impact. Issues that could be of concern are noise, dust, visual impacts,
and habitat destruction from construction activities and possible impacts associated
with new access roads.
ENERGY TRANSMISSION OPERATIONS IMPACTS
Typical activities during the operation and maintenance phase include operation of
compressor stations or pump stations, ROW inspections, ROW vegetation clearing,
and maintenance and replacement of facility components. Environmental impacts that
could occur during the operation and maintenance phase would mostly occur from
long-term habitat change with the ROW, maintenance activities (e.g., ROW vegetation
clearing, facility component maintenance or replacement), noise (e.g., compressor sta-
tion, corona discharge), the presence of workers, and potential spills (e.g., oil spills).
A ir Q uAlity
Veh icula r traffic and machinery would continue to produce small amounts of fugitive
dust and exhaust emissions during the operation and maintenance phase. These emis-
sions would not likely cause an exceedance of air quality standards nor have any impact
on climate change. Trace amounts of ozone would be produced by corona effects from
transmission lines (e.g., less than 1.0 part per billion, which is considerably less than air
quality standards). Routine venting of pipelines and breakout tanks (for liquid petro-
leum products and crude oil) would also cause localized air quality impacts.
C ulturAl r esourCes
Impacts during the operations and maintenance phase could include damage to cul-
tural resources during vegetation management and other maintenance activities,
unauthorized collection of artifacts, and visual impacts. This threat is present when
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