,^os^,
| ? UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
%t PHOl^ REGION VIII
I860 LINCOLN STREET
DENVER COLORADO 80203
MAY 2 S 157/
8EA
Dear
In August 1976, the United States Environmental Protection Agency,
in cooperation with the State of Montana, established the EPA Montana
Energy Operations Office in Helena, Montana. The challenge of this
office is to develop an effective mechanism for transferring energy
research results from the laboratory to the decision-makers. As a first
step in fulfilling this challenge, a survey was initiated in the Fall
of 1976 to summarize the federal energy effort in the State of Montana
for FY '76. The report "Federally Sponsored Energy Research in the
Northern Great Plains — Montana" 1s the product of the survey. This
document is directed towards those policy level personnel who are in
the position of making financial decisions regarding research programs.
As part of an ongoing energy research Information transfer process, the
Region's Office of Energy Activities has been involved in working with
the State of Montana as well as other states in the Region on a "one-
to-one" information exchange basis. This approach is primarily designed
to identify existing or potential energy development problems and
identify specific energy research results or experts that have the
capability to help resolve the problem situation. To complement the "one-
to-one" exchange, the Environmental Protection Agency is presently
developing, in cooperation with other federal agencies, a Regional Energy
Information Library in Denver that will allow decision-makers to gain
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2
better access to energy research information. Simultaneously, the EPA
Montana Energy Operations Office is closely working with the State of
Montana to assist in developing an integrated statewide energy information
transfer system.
Developments for the future include a second document (to be issued in
late summer) that will present technical abstracts, contact points for
additional technical information, and report bibliographies for energy
research that is in progress or completed in the State of Montana. It
is anticipated that this document will be made available to the statewide
integrated energy information system and distributed to those individuals
that require current energy information system and distributed to those
individuals that require current energy research information.
Over the past year, a great deal has occurred in the energy area. EPA
has worked closely with the states in the Region to transfer energy research
information. With expected development pressures in the Region to
increase, we know that we will have to work harder to transfer this energy
research information in a timely manner to the users. Your help and
suggestions are solicited in assisting us in developing effective
mechanisms for accomplishing this goal.
Sincerely,
Jonn A. Green
Regional Administrator
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EPA-908/j-77-004
FEDERALLY SPONSORED ENERGY RESEARCH IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS
MONTANA
FY 1976
Allen S. Lefohn
Montana Energy Operations Office
State Capitol
Helena, Montana 59601
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF ENERGY ACTIVITIES
REGION VIII
DENVER, COLORADO 80295
March 1977
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Denver Regional Office, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publication. Mention of
trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.
i.
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ABSTRACT
In August 1976, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation
with the State of Montana, established the EPA Montana Energy Operations Office.
An objective of this office is to develop an effective mechanism for transferring
energy research results from the laboratory to the decision-makers. As a way
to fulfill part of this challenge, a survey was initiated in the Fall of 1976 to
summarize the federal energy effort in the State of Montana, This report is a
summary of the information obtained from numerous state and federal publications.
Recommendations regarding further actions on various aspects of energy research
are included. The report serves primarily as an informative document to inform
researchers, state and federal government officials, industry, and decision-makers
at all government levels how and where the federal energy research dollar is being
directed in Montana.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A very large number of persons have contributed to the development of
this summary report. I would like to express my warmest thanks to all.
Members of the following agencies and institutions have been particularly
helpful: the Montana Energy Advisory Council (MEAC), State of Montana; the
Office of Energy Activities, Environmental Protection Agency, Denver, Colorado;
the Office of Research and Development, Environmental Protection Agency,
Washington, D.C.; and the Old West Regional Commission, Washington, D.C.
Critical contributions or review of the present document were provided
by James Nybo, Sharon Solomon, Terry Wheeling, and Nancy McLane of the Montana
Energy Advisory Council, and members of the Office of Energy Activities, Environ-
mental Protection Agency, Denver, Colorado.
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CONTENTS
Page
Abstract ii.
Acknowledgements iii.
List of Tables v.
SECTIONS
I. Overview 1
II. Introduction 3
III. Results 6
IV. Conclusions and Recommendations 7
V. References 33
iv.
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TABLES
No. Page
1. National Energy R&D Federal Expenditures 9
2. Federally Sponsored Energy Research Conducted
in Montana 10
3. Air Quality/Meteorology 11
4. Alternative Sources 12
5. Biological (Fish, Vegetation, and Wildlife) 13
6. Coal 17
7. Economics 19
8. Energy Policy 20
9. Geology and Soils 21
10. Governmental Studies 21
11. Land (Use, Ownership, and Reclamation) 22
12. Oil, Gas, Electricity, and Uranium 27
13. Population/Demographic 28
14. Resource Allocation 28
15. Sociological Studies 29
16. Water Quality 30
17. Water Use/Supply 32
v.
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I. OVERVIEW
Since the Arab oil embargo of late 1973, the energy situation of the
United States has been the focus of much analysis and comment. The importance
of energy to the nation was real long before this point of public and govern-
ment revelation. The significance of energy in the American life style has
been steadily increasing over the past several decades. For example, gross
U.S. energy demand has risen at about 4 percent a year since 1950 until 1973
(U.S. Department of the Interior, 1975). Similarly, for many years electric
power demand grew at an annual rate of about 7 percent (U.S. Federal Energy
Administration). While the growth rate for electricity fell to about 1 percent
in 1974, and in 1975 to 2 percent (U.S. Department of the Interior, 1975), the
demand for both gross energy and electricity increased by mid-1976 markedly
over 1975 levels (Environmental Quality Council, 1976). National gross energy
consumption has fluctuated over the last three years and projections through the
year 2000 show an average exponential increase of 2.91 percent per year over
the 1972 levels (72.2 quadrillion BTU), (U.S. Energy Research and Development
Administration, 1975).
i t
Despite a probable lower rate of growth in U.S. energy consumption
during the next quarter century, there probably will be substantial changes
in the physical forms, geographic sources and means of production of U.S. energy
supplies by the year 2000 (Federal Energy Administration, February 1976). With
greater dependence on coal, the Northern Great Plains Region will experience
greater development pressures (Nehring, 1976). In excess of 1.5 trillion
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tons of coal are estimated to lie at all depths within the Region. About 10
percent of this total amount is actually measured, or at least strongly indicated
by local measurements, and is also mineable. This amount equals 160 billion tons
and presently represents 37 percent (by weight) of the Nation's coal reserve
base. Of this 160 billion tons, half is located within areas where mining by
surface methods is feasible (Montana 42.6 billion tons; North Dakota 16.0 billion
tons; South Dakota 0.4 billion tons; and Wyoming 21.2 billion tons (Northern
Great Plains Resources Program, February 1974). Besides these vast quantities
of coal, it is the relatively low cost combined with low sulfur content by
weight (in comparison to eastern coals) that attracts the coal industry towards
the West.
The coal resource is extensive. It provides an alternative
fuel for use of increasingly scarce natural gas and increasingly costly residual
fuel oil by electrical utilities. However, its use is not without problems. The
mining, transport and conversion of coal may have several adverse effects on the
environment. In addition, socio-economic effects (boom town and bust) indirectly
impact local areas as well as state institutional systems through population changes
associated with developments in each phase of the coal fuel cycle.
It is the public concern for the health, environmental, social and welfare
impacts of energy-related activities that has become a critical factor in defining
the growth trajectory for domestic energy production. These public concerns are
directed at observable as well as suspected deleterious aspects of the discovery,
extraction, transport and conversion of fuels, as well as their ultimate use.
During the next several years, the nation will be faced with a series
of critical energy-related decisions of utmost priority and importance. The need
for increasing the nation's energy supply must be balanced against the need for
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minimizing environmental impacts caused by energy production. Any environmental
program that is implemented must provide to the nation the basic understanding
necessary to project, evaluate, and monitor environmental effects and to suggest
appropriate control technology. Successful implementation of an environmental
research program will affect all aspects of the energy self-sufficiency program
and will be a significant determinant of ultimate energy resource use and
development patterns.
The ultimate limitation to resource development is the amount of environ-
mental degradation that the American people are willing to accept for secure, abun-
dant energy supplies. The principal intermediate constraints are the availability of
capital and materials, the availability and selection of suitable sites, the economic,
social and environmental costs of power generation and delivery systems, the
relative efficiencies and availability of alternative energy sources, the avail-
ability of effective resource management systems, and the state of pollution
control and abatement technologies.
Rational and effective decision-making concerning future coal supply and
demand options will depend greatly upon the application of science and engineering
to forecast the amount and kinds of effects that will result from various energy
production and use options.
II. INTRODUCTION
As a result of a national need for assessing the impacts of various
energy-producing activities on the environment, the federal government has
launched an extensive research program. In FY '76, the federal government spent
approximately $300 million (Energy Research and Development Administration, 1976)
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in research and analysis for the specific purpose of assessing the impacts of
various energy producing activities on the environment. Table 1 summarizes the
total FY '76 and FY '77 federal effort. Results from various energy-related
projects are now beginning to be published by the federal agencies who are
sponsoring these activities. Recognizing the need for transferring the results
of these studies to decision-makers, this report attempts to identify the federally-
funded energy research projects that are conducted in the State of Montana. Federal
research dealing with technology development was included in the survey. It is
anticipated that as new technology breakthroughs occur , appropriate environmental
assessment activities will be sponsored to assess possible environmental impacts.
The extensive research information systems established by the Montana Energy
Advisory Council (MEAC), (Nybo, 1976a), and the Old West Regional Commission (Old
West Regional Commission, 1975) provided the momentum for initiating this search to
identify how and where the federal research dollar is being directed in Montana.
The accuracy and completeness of these information systems are susceptible to
error, but it is believed these information data bases are reasonably comprehensive.
Those studies that are carried out over a several state area are identified and
appropriate funding levels are listed. Future reports will be published and will
describe federal energy research activities in the states of Wyoming, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.
Information describing ongoing, federally-funded Montana energy research
is organized as follows:
Air Quality/Meteorology (baseline monitoring),
Alternate Sources (solar, wind, geothermal, small-scale hydro power),
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Biological (fish, vegetation and wildlife),
Coal (conversion and new technologies),
Economics (impacts on local economics),
Energy Policy,
Geology and Soils,
Governmental Studies (impacts on local governments),
Land (use, ownership and reclamation),
Oil, Gas, Electricity and Uranium (transmission, explorative, and new sources),
Population/Demographic,
Resource Allocation (energy conservation and fuel substitution),
Sociological Studies,
Water Quality (baseline monitoring and impact degradation),
Water Use/Supply (allocation, diversion, water rights).
The Old West Regional Commission and the Montana Energy Advisory Council
monitor the energy research that is being sponsored by the federal government,
the State of Montana, industry, university system, and the combination of state
and federal government, and industry and federal government. Their sources
of energy research information include university research offices, individual
researchers, state agencies, federal agencies, Smithsonian Science Information
Exchange, Oakridge National Laboratory Energy Information Center, Montana
Congressional delegates, newspaper and newsletter articles, and industry.
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III. RESULTS
Federal funding for energy research in Montana represents approximately
90 percent of the total spent by the federal government, Montana, and industry
(Nybo, 1976b). Tables 2 through 17 summarize the federal effort in Montana.
Because the state does have vast resources of coal, a substantial amount of the
federally-sponsored research does deal with the development of coal and with
ameliorating the effects associated with this development. For example, of the
total energy research dollars spent during FY '76 in Montana by the U.S. Govern-
ment ($9.7M), 15.3 percent was associated with coal technology development projects.
Environmental assessments associated with biological research represented 17.6
percent of the federal effort. Land reclamation activities comprised 15.2 percent.
Water quality and water use monitoring programs (11.8 percent and 10.5 percent,
respectively) were directed toward assessing baseline conditions and developing
control measures in the State of Montana. Air quality and meteorology studies
represented approximately 4.3 percent of the total funds that the federal govern-
ment spent on energy research projects in the state. Energy policy research did
receive approximately 2.3 percent of the effort. Geology and soils received
0.5 percent, governmental studies 3.2 percent, population/demographic 0.4 percent,
and resource allocation 7.9 percent. Alternative energy sources research and
sociological studies were funded at 1.6 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively.
The Environmental Protection Agency provided approximately 31.8 percent
of the federal funds for energy research in and for Montana. Most of this research
was associated with air quality, water quality, meteorology, biological assessment,
economic and energy policy research efforts. On the other hand, ERDA, which contributed
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18.1 percent of the federal energy research funds for the State of Montana,
committed most of its resources toward coal technology development. The Depart-
ment of the Interior (27.9 percent) devoted a majority of its resources to the
area of water use and supply and land reclamation. The Department of Agriculture
(5.5 percent) directed its research toward the land reclamation and biological
assessments. The Old West Regional Commission (6.3 percent) sponsored governmental
studies, population/demographic and sociological studies. The Water Resources
Council (7.9 percent) sponsored resource allocation research.
IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
As anticipated, the Environmental Protection Agency is heavily involved in
assessing environmental impacts of energy activities in the State of Montana. On
the other hand, the Energy Research and Development Administration in the State
of Montana is committed toward development of various coal-oriented technologies.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture was heavily involved in land reclamation
activities and the U.S. Department of the Interior was involved in water use and
supply determinations and land reclamation. While the federal involvement has
been heavily directed toward engineering/physical and biological monitoring, there
has been very little research sponsored by the federal government in the socio-
economic research area. It is unclear why little emphasis on this area has developed.
This low-level of federal effort may reflect the lack of any one federal agency having
clear responsibility for assessing socio-economic impacts. In addition, it may reflect
that presently the emphasis on the environmental impact statement procedure is one of
biological and physical characterization. It might be assumed that federal research
efforts in the socio-economic area could be increased if additional emphasis were
given to this area during the EIS review process.
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It is also apparent that federally sponsored research in Montana dealing
with alternative sources (renewable energy supplies) and resource allocation
(conservation programs) is minimal. Additional effort needs to be directed
towards those energy areas that can provide adequate supplies with socially
acceptable environmental impact.
As part of an ongoing energy research information transfer process, the
Environmental Protection Agency has been involved in working with the decision-
makers on a "one-to-one" information exchange basis. This approach is primarily
designed to identify existing or potential energy development problems and
identify specific energy results or experts that have the capability to help
resolve the problem situation. As a part of this approach, a second document
will be issued that will present technical abstracts, contact points for additional
technical information, and report bibliographies for energy research that is in
progress or completed in the State of Montana.
The energy decisions that Northern Great Plains states, such as the State
of Montana, will have to face over these coming years will be very critical to
regional development as well as to the national energy supply. The research
activities that are being sponsored by the federal government will play a major
role in providing the data that assist the states and the national government
in making these major decisions. The challenge to the federal government is how
to develop viable information systems that will allow the decision-makers to
astutely apply the research data and results that are presently being generated.
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Table 1
National Energy R&D Federal Expenditures
Agency FY '76 FY ' 77
$(m) $(M)
ERDA 1800.0 2413.0
USDI 150.0 161.5
EPA 120.0 120.0
NRC 86.0 103.2
NASA 1.0 0.8
NSF 74.2 106.9
Total 2231.2 2905.4
Source: Energy Research and Development Administration, "A National Plea for
Energy Research, Development, and Administration: Creating Energy Choices for
the Future 1976", Volume 2, P. XVII.
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FEDERALLY SPONSORED ENERGY RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN MONTANA
$ (K) — FY '76
NSF
USD A
EPA
USDI
FEA
ERDA
OTHER
TOTAL
PERCENT
Air Quality/Meteorology
—
—
420
—
—
—
—
420
4.3
Alternative Sources
—
—
40
33
—
—
80
153
1.6
Biological
—
186
1,005
143
—
370
—
1,704
17.6
Coal
52
—
—
151
23
1,256
—
1,482
15.3
Economics
—
20
217
1
32
—
—
270
2.8
Energy Policy
—
—
222
3
—
—
—
225
2.3
Geology & Soils
—
—
—
50
—
—
—
50
0.5
Government Studies
—
—
—
—
—
—
314
314
3.2
Land
—
304
116
967
—
76
10
1,473
15.2
Oil, Gas, Elec., Ur.
—
—
—
290
14
51
—
355
3.7
Population/Demographic
—
—
—
—
—
—
39
39
0.4
Resource Allocation
—
—
—
—
—
—
767
767
7.9
Sociological Studies
—
18
—
—
—
—
258
276
2.9
Water Quality
—
—
1,066
82
—
—
—
1,148
l-»
H
00
Water Use/Supply
34
—
—
987
—
—
—
1,021
10.5
Total
86
528
3,086
2,707
69
1,753
1,468
9,697
100.0
Percent
0.9
5.5
31.8
27.9
0.7
18.1
15.1
100
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Table 3
AIR QUALITY / METEOROLOGY
Project Title
Study and Monitoring of Fort
Union Basin - Air Quality-
Sponsoring
Agency
EPA
Eastern Montana Air Quality
Monitoring
EPA
Pilot Balloon Observations
in the Northern Great Plains
Temperature Soundings in the
Northern Great Plains
EPA
Integrated Aerosol Charac-
terization Monitoring -
Colstrip, Montana
Health Study Phase I & II
EPA
EPA
Air Monitoring Character- EPA
ization at the Hay Coulee
Site, Colstrip, Montana
A Remote Sensing Study of EPA
the Bioenvironmental Effects
of Stack Emissions from the
Colstrip, Montana, Power
Plant
£00
72
31
Investigator
D. Maughan, Montana
Department of Health
and Environmental
Sciences
D. Maughan, Montana
Department of Health
and Environmental
Sciences
32
Aeromet, Norman,
Oklahoma
132
Pueschel and McNice,
NOAA, Boulder, Colorado
20
118
D. Haddow, Department
of Health and Environ-
mental Sciences
R. Lewis, EPA, Corvallis
Oregon
15
J. Taylor, Montana State
University
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Table 4
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
Project Title
Color Infrared Aerial
Photography — Geothermal
Resource Areas in Montana
and Wyoming 1/
Geothermal Reconnaissance
of Southwestern Montana
State of Montana Solid
Waste Management and
Resource Recovery Study
National Center for
Appropriate Technology
Review Report — Missouri
River — North Dakota,
South Dakota, Nebraska
and Montana If
Sponsoring
Agency $(K)
USDI 13
USDI 20
EPA 40
Community 50
Services
Admin.
U.S. Army 30
Corps of
Engineers
Investigator
J. Stroebele, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife
Service, Billings, Mt.
R. Chadwick, Montana
State University
T. Carmody, Solid Waste
Management Bureau,
Helena, Montana
MHD Institute, Butte,
Montana
C. Garvey, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers,
Omaha, Neb.
1/ Total project funded at $26K.
2/ Total project funded at $133 K.
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Table 5
BIOLOGICAL (FISH, VEGETATION & WILDLIFE)
Project Title
Reproduction Biology of
Genus Artemisia L. in
Eastern Montana
Assessment and Implementation
of In-Stream Studies for the
Northern Great Plains
Toxic Effects on the Aquatic
Biota From Coal and Oil Shale
Development _3/
Sponsoring
Agency
USDA
EPA
EPA
$00
4
25
287
Investigation of the Bioenvir- EPA
onmentaL Impact of Fossil Fuel
Power Plants in the Fort Union
Basin, Montana
Effects of Coal Extraction USDI
and Related Development on
Wildlife Population
Distribution and Abundance of USDI
Breeding Birds on Surface
Mineable Coal Lands in the
Northern Great Plains
Habitat Requirements and EPA
Locations of Spawning and
Nursery Areas in the East
Poplar River, Montana
Monitoring Plant Community EPA
Changes Due to Fossil Fuel
Power Plants in Eastern
Montana
52
12
56
Investigator
T. Weaver, Montana
State University
A. Silverman, University
of Montana
R. K. Skogerboe and
V. Thurston, Colorado
State and Montana State
University
C. C. Gordon, University
of Montana
R. Phillips, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife
Res. Center, Denver,
Colorado
J. Hickey, University
of Wisconsin
J. Keiser, Montana Water
Quality Bureau, Billings,
Montana
J. Taylor, Montana State
University
A Cooperative Evaluation of USDA
Potential Air Pollution Injury
and Damage to Coniferous
Habitats on National Forest
Lands Near Colstrip, Montana
36
C. C. Gordon, University
of Montana
3/ Total project is funded at $ 575K.
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Table 5 Cont'd.
Project Title
Rosebud Creek Study
Sponsoring
Agency
EPA
$(K) Investigator
22 A. Elser, Mt. Fish and
Game, Helena, Mt.
An Evaluation of the
Environmental Impact of
the Existing Surface
Mining Methods for West-
ern Coal Mines kj
Ranking of Wildlife Values
on Federal Coal Lands
EPA
58
USDI
26
W. Kelly, Mathematica,
Inc., Princeton, N.J.
J. Wambaugh, Mt. Fish
and Game, Helena, Mt.
Predicted Impact of Coal
Development on the Fishery
Resources of the Tongue
River Reservoir, Mt.
Survey of Grasses, Forbs
and Shrubs in Preparation
for Land Reclamation
Prediction of the Effects
of Energy Development on
the Aquatic Resources of
Two Upper Missouri River
Reservoir Ecosystems 5/
Decker-Birney Wildlife
Study.
Fisheries Investigations
of the Yellowstone River,
as Related to Water Quality
Investigations of the
Yellowstone River, Montana
Impact of Coal Strip Mining
on the Aquatic Resources of
Sarpy Creek Drainage, Mt.
USDI
USDA
EPA/USDI
USDI
USDI
USDI/EPA
20 R. Penkal, Montana State
University
36 D. Eddleman, University
of Montana
12/12 B. Nelson, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Services,
Pierre, S.D.
17 S. Knapp, Montana Fish
and Game, Birney, Mt.
26 L. Peterman, Montana
Fish and Game, Miles
City, Montana
6/17 R. Gregory, Montana
State University
4/ Total project is funded at $173K.
5/ Total project is funded at $25K/$25K.
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Table 5 Cont'd.
Project Title
Impact of Energy Development
on the Wildlife of North-
western Wyoming, Northwestern
South Dakota and Southeastern
Montana 6/
Effects of SO2 and Other Coal-
Fired Plant Emissions on Pro-
ducer, Invertebrate Consumer
and Decomposer Structure and
Function in an Eastern Montana
Grassland
Use of Lichens as Indicators
and Predictors of Air Pollution
Around a Coal-Fired Power Plant
Physiological Responses of
Vegetation to Coal-Fired
Power Plants
Investigations of the Effects
of Coal-Fired Power Plant Em-
missions Upon Insects
Effects of Coal-Fired Power
Plant Emissions on Vertebrate
Animals in Southeastern
Montana
The Field Experimental Com-
ponent: Evaluation of the
Zonal Air Pollution Systems
Atmospheric Sciences: Poten-
tial of Energy Extraction and
Conversion Processes in the
Northern Great Plains for
Sulfur, Fluorine, Heavy Metals
Contamination in Terrestrial
and Aquatic Ecosystems and Its
Impact on Plant Community Pro-
ductivity and Stability In-
cluding Secondary Effects on
Animal Species in the Food
Chain
Sponsoring
Agency
USDI
$(K)
15
EPA
155
EPA
EPA
EPA
EPA
15
30
28
200
EPA
ERDA
40
370
Investigator
F. Schitoskey, South
Dakota State University
J. Dodd, Colorado
State University
S. Eversman, Montana
State University
D. Tingey, EPA,
Corvallis, Oregon
J. Bromenshenk
University of Montana
R. Lewis, EPA,
Corvallis, Oregon
E. Lewis, EPA,
Corvallis, Oregon
J. 0'Toole, ERDA,
Ames, Iowa
6/ Total project funded at $44K.
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Table 5 Cont'd.
Project Title
Effects of Species Root
Distribution in Soil Biota —
Genesis Hydrological Char-
acteristics
Sponsoring
Agency
USDA
$(K) Investigator
110 G. Nielsen, Agricul-
tural Experiment
Station, Montana
State University
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COAL
Table 6
Project Title
Field Evaluation of Low
Sulfur Subbituminous Coal
Reserves in the Fort Union
Basin of Montana and
Wyoming V
Field Sampling of Future
Strip Mine Areas, Fort Union
Region, Eastern Montana
MHD Systems Instrumentation
and Control — Recovery and
Utilization of Dilute Nitric
Oxide From a MHD Generator
Sponsoring
Agency
USDI
USDI
ERDA
$(K) Investigator
100 R. Matson, Montana Bureau
of Mines and Geology,
Butte, Montana
10 R. Matson, Montana Bureau
of Mines and Geology,
Butte, Montana
42 F. P. McCandless, Montana
State University
Preliminary Design of a
Direct-Fired, Falling-Bed
Air Preheater for a MHD
Generator Test Facility
Physical Properties of Coal
Slags Related to MHD Systems
MHD Systems, Instrumentation
and Control — MHD System
Instrumentation and Data
Acquisition
Slag Physical Properties
Slag Flow Characteristics
and N0X Kinetics in MHD
Heat Exchangers
MHD Systems, Instrumentation
and Control (Cycle Analysis
and Control)
ERDA
ERDA
ERDA
ERDA
ERDA
ERDA
82 R. Mussulman, Montana
State University
73 G. Lapeyre, Montana
State University
47 R. Johnson, Montana
State University
71 V. H. Schmidt, Montana
State University
307 H. W. Townes, Montana
State University
95 D. Pierre, Montana
State University
Tj Total project funded at $200K.
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Table 6 Cont'd.
Project Title
MHD Systems, Instrumentation
and Control - Inverter
Sponsoring
Agency
ERDA
Coal Hydrogenation and Hydro- NSF
cracking Using a Metal Chloride-
Gaseous HC1 Catalyst System
Catalytic Hydrogenation of ERDA
Coal Derived Liquids
Environmental Effects From ERDA
Leaching of Coal Conversion
By-Products
Heat Transfer From Horizontal NSF
Finned Tube Bundles in a
Fluidized Bed
Characterization of Coal ERDA
for Open-Cycle MHD Power
Generation System
$(K)
42
28
52
75
24
118
Corrosion Studies of Pre-
Heater Materials - Task B
ERDA
130
Preparation of Coals
for Utilization in
Direct Coal-Fired MHD
Generation - Task C
An Analysis of the
Applicability of the
Production of Synthetic
Liquid Fuels From Coal
in Montana
ERDA
122
FEA
Cost/Demand Analysis
FEA
20
Limits and Cost Sensitivity USDI 41
of Alternate Parting Handling
Methods
Investigator
R. Durnford, Montana
State University
F. P. McCandless
Montana State University
F. P. McCandless, Montana
State University
W. VanMeter, University
of Montana
W. Genetti, Montana
State University
F. E. Diebold, Montana
College of Mineral
Sciences and Tech.,
Butte, Montana
W. D. Callister
Montana College of
Mineral Sciences and
Tech., Butte, Montana
G. F. Ziesing, Montana
College of Mineral
Sciences and Tech.,
Butte, Montana
J. McBride, University
of Montana
MHD Institute, Butte,
Montana
T. Finch, Montana
College of Mineral Sciences
and Technology, Butte,
Montana
- 18 -
-------
Table 7
ECONOMICS
Project Title
Estimate Economic, Social
and Cultural Consequences
of Coal and Oil Shale Devel-
opment to Support Integrated
Assessment Studies 8/
Economics of Coal and Oil
Shale Development on Environ-
mental Quality in Rural Areas
9/
Western Regional Energy Devel-
opment Study — Phase III —
Socioeconomic Impacts and
Secondary Impacts 10/
Economic Analysis of Oil
Refining in Montana
Site Tradeoff Study
State Government's Use of
Funds Allocated from Mineral
Leasing Act Receipts 11/
Sponsoring
Agency
EPA/USDA
$(K)
92/20
EPA
57
EPA
68
FEA
FEA
USDI
30
Investigator
USDA, Economic Research
Division, Washington, D.C.
J. Green, Colorado State
University
J. Gilmore, University
of Denver
P. E. Polzin, University
of Montana
D. Brelsford, MHD Insti-
tute, Butte, Montana
M. Johnson, University
of Montana
8/ Total project funded at $460K/$100K.
9/ Total project funded at $115K.
10/ Total project funded at $270K.
11/ Total project funded at $5K.
- 19 -
-------
Table 8
ENERGY POLICY
Project Title
Laws Relating to Wildlife
and Energy Development 12/
Technology Assessment of
Western Energy Resource
Development 13/
Energy-Environment
Information Transfer
System
Sponsoring
Agency
USDI
EPA
EPA
$(K) Investigator
3 R. Beck, University of
North Dakota
217 J. White, University of
Oklahoma
C. C. Gordon, University
of Montana
12/ Total project funded at $15K.
13/ Total project funded at $1,300K.
- 20 -
-------
GEOLOGY & SOILS
Table 9
Project Title
Geochemical Survey of the
Western Coal Regions 14/
Sponsoring
Agency
USDI
$(K) Investigator
50 J. Connor, U.S.G.S.,
Denver, Colorado
GOVERNMENTAL STUDIES
Table 10
Project Title
Montana Community Technic-
al Assistance Program
Sponsoring
Agency
OWRC
$(K) Investigator
314 Montana Department of
Community Affairs
14/ Total project funded at $500K.
- 21 -
-------
Table 11
LAND (USE. OWNERSHIP AND RECLAMATION)
Sponsoring
Agency
USDA
Project Title
Premining Evaluation of
Overburden at Coal Strip
Mining Areas of Powder
River Basin, Wyoming-
Montana
Effects of Different USDA
Rehabilitation Treatment
Methods on Surface Runoff
Quantity and Quality and
Erosional Behavior of
Surface Mine Spoils in the
Intermountain West 15/
Photo Interpretation as USDA
a Tool for Assessing the
Revegetation of Surface
Mined Areas 16/
Demonstration of Revegetation USDA
Techniques
Effects of Fertilizer Rate USDA
and Time of Application
on a Mine Spoil Rehabilitation
Seeding
Characterization of Physical USDA
and Chemical Properties of
Spoils 17/
Preliminary Evaluation of USDA
Strip Mine Spoils and Methods
for Their Revegetation.
Commodity: Coal 18/
Energy Minerals Rehabilitation USDI
Inventory and Analysis -- EMRIA
19/
15/ Total project funded at $80K.
16/ Total project funded at $16K.
~\Jl Total project funded at $190K.
"18/ Total project funded at $20K.
19/ Total project funded at $821K.
$(K)
26
25
63
547
Investigator
T. Yamamoto, South
Dakota School of Mines
and Tech
P. E. Packer
Forestry Sci. Lab.
Logan, Utah
B. Richardson
Forestry Sci. Lab.
Logan, Utah
F. Kenney, Decker
Coal Company, Sheridan,
Wyoming
R. L. Meyn, Montana State
University
F. Sandoval, Northern
Great Plains Research
Center, North Dakota
F. Sandoval, Northern
Great Plains Research
Center, North Dakota
R. Kuhlman, U.S. Bureau
of Land Management,
Denver, Colorado
- 22 -
-------
Table 11 Cont'd.
Sponsoring
Agency
ERDA
Project Title
Establishment, Succession
and Stability of Vegetation
on Surface Mined Lands in
Eastern Montana
Column Leaching Studies of EPA
Coal Mine Spoil Material
Evaluation of Solid Waste USDA
as Physical and Chemical
Amendments in Revegetation
of Coal Surface Mine Spoils
Trend-Surface Analysis of USDA
Powder River Basin, Wyoming-
Montana, and Williston Basin,
North Dakota 20/
Remote Sensing Resources NASA
Project
Program Development for USDA
Measurement of Erodibility
of Spoil Banks
Effects of Surface Configura- EPA
tion in Water Pollution
Control 21/
Effect of Selective Replace- USDI
ment of Coal Surface Mine
Overburden Strata on Soil
and Hydrology Relationships
Establishment and Seed Devel- USDA
opment of Species Grown on Re-
claimed Areas
Development of a Simulation USDA
Model for Evaluation of
Surface Mining Operations
and Reclamation Plans 22/
20/ Total project funded at $9K.
21/ Total project funded at $269K.
22/ Total project funded at $13K.
$(K) Investigator
76 B. Sindelar, Montana
State University
2 G. Pagenkopf, Montana
State University
27 H. Peavy, Montana
State University
5 T. Yamamoto, Forest Res.
Lab., S.D. School of
Mines and Technology
South Dakota
10 Larry Reddin, Montana Dept.
of Natural Resources and
Conservation, Helena, Mt.
10 W. Hunt, Montana State
University
108 R. Hodder, Montana State
University
420 R. Hodder, Montana State
University
50 L. Wiesner, Montana
State University
D. Gibson, Montana State
University
- 23 -
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Table 11 Cont'd.
Project Title
Performance of Individual
Species in Various Grass
Mixtures Growing on Mine
Overburden Piles 23/
Sponsoring
Agency $(K)
USDA 2
Hydromulching as an Alter- USDA 7
native Mulching Method on
High Sodium Surface Mine
Disturbances
Develop Grass, Shrub and
Tree Planting Techniques
on Coal Surface Mine Spoils
24/
USDA
Develop Automatic Irrigation
Systems for Grasses, Shrubs
and Trees 25/
Development of Improved Var-
ieties of Grasses Tolerant
to Acid and Saline Soils for
Reclamation of Surface Mined
Areas 26/
USDA
USDA
Develop Criteria for Utiliza-
tion of Irrigation to Ameliorate
Adverse Site Conditions for
Initial Plant Cover Establish-
ment
USDA
Efficiency of CC^ Fixation of USDA 3
Plants on Different Mine
Spoils 27/
Evaluate and Determine Species USDA 6
Adaptability on Surface Mine
Overburden and Spoils Resulting
From Coal Mining in Eastern
Montana Assessed by Greenhouse
Bioassay Techniques
23/ Total project
24/ Total project
25/ Total project
26/ Total project
27/ Total project
funded
at
$13K.
funded
at
$7K.
funded
at
$2K.
funded
at
$20K.
funded
at
$8K.
Investigator
R. Brown, Intermountain
Forest and Research Sta-
tion, Logan, Utah
B. Richardson, Inter-
mountain Forest and
Research Station, Logan,
Utah
S. Monson, Intermountain
Forest and Research Sta-
tion, Logan, Utah
B. Richardson, Inter-
mountain Forest and Re-
search Station, Logan, Utah
D. Dewey, U.S. Agriculture
Research Service, Logan,
Utah
B. Richardson, Inter-
mountain Forest and
Research Station, Logan,
Utah
R. Brown, Intermountain
Forest and Research
Station, Logan, Utah
R. Richardson, Inter-
mountain Forest and
Research Station, Logan,
Utah
- 24 -
-------
Table 11 Cont'd.
Sponsoring
Project Title Agency $(K)
The Influence of Topsoil USDA 10
Depth on Plant Cover
Establishment and Growth
on Sodi Coal Mine Over-
burden Piles
Reduction of High Sodium USDA 7
Content in Coal Mine Spoils
with Time
Development of Rehabili-
tation Methods for Alpine
Disturbances 28/
USDA
Develop Seed Sources for USDA
Adapted Alpine Plants for
Use in Alpine Surface Mine
Revegation 29/
Effect of Different Revege- USDA
tation Techniques on Success-
ional Trends on Mine Spoils 30/
Performance of Species in Mix- USDA
tures Growing on Alpine Mine
Spoils
Species Adaptability to Alpine USDA 3
Mine Spoils Assessed by Bio-
assay Techniques
Nitrogen Fixation in Non- USDA 1
Leguminous Plants Used for
Surface Mine Revegetation 31/
Identify Plant Species Adapted USDA 2
for Growth and Establishment
on Alpine Mine Spoils 32/
28/ Total prolect funded at $4K.
29/ Total project funded at $5K.
30/ Total project funded at $11K.
31/ Total project funded at $3K.
Investigator
B. Richardson, Intemountain
Forest and Research Station,
Logan, Utah
B. Richardson, Intermountain
Forest and Research Station,
Logan, Utah
R. Brown, Intermountain
Forest and Research Station,
Logan, Utah
R. Brown, Intermountain
Forest and Research Station,
Logan, Utah
R. Brown, Intermountain
Forest and Research Station,
Logan, Utah
R. Brown, Intermountain
Forest and Research Station,
Logan, Utah
R. Brown, Intermountain
Forest and Research Station,
Logan, Utah
R. Brown, Intermountain
Forest and Research Station,
Logan, Utah
R. Brown, Intermountain
Forest and Research Station,
Logan, Utah
- 25 -
-------
Table 11 Cont'd.
Project Title
Reclamation Potential of
Energy Disturbed Lands 33/
Sponsoring
Agency
USDI/EPA
$(K) Investigator
5/6 P. Packer, Intermountain
Forest and Research Station,
Logan, Utah
33/ Total project funded at $36K/$40K.
- 26 -
-------
Table 12
OIL, GAS, ELECTRICITY & URANIUM
Project Title
Test of Oil "Wash" Method,
Bell Creek Fields, Montana
Sponsoring
Agency
ERDA
$00
37
Investigator
R. Branish, Gary
Operating Company,
Colorado
Uranium Water & Sediment
Geochemistry of Boulder
Batholith, Western Montana
Western Energy Expansion
Study
ERDA
USDI
14
290
A. Silverman, University
of Montana
J. Davies, Bureau of
Reclamation, Billings,
Montana
Northern Tier Crude Oil
Study
FEA
14
J. Nybo, Montana Energy
Advisory Council, Helena,
Montana
- 27 -
-------
Table 13
POPULATION/DEMOGRAPHIC
Project Title
Montana Futures Process
Sponsoring
Agency
OWRC
$(K) Investigator
39 G. Hoven, Mt. Department
of Community Affairs,
Helena, Montana
Table 14
RESOURCE ALLOCATION
Project Title
Yellowstone River Basin and
Adjacent Coal Area Level "B"
Study — Energy Analyses 34/
Sponsoring
Agency
U.S. Water
Resources
Council
$(K) Investigator
767 K. Corrigall, Missouri
River Basin Commission
34/ Total project funded at $2,300K.
- 28 -
-------
Table 15
SOCIOLOGICAL STUDIES
Project Title
Bridging Resource and Social
Variables: A Project to Learn
How to Plan for and Manage
'People Problems' Associated
With Resource-Related Develop-
ment
The Socioeconomic Impact of
Energy Development of the Crow
and Northern Cheyenne Indian
Tribes
Sponsoring
Agency
USDA
mi
18
OWRC
258
Investigator
R. Gold, University
of Montana
J. Nordstrom, Northern
Cheyenne Research
Project
- 29 -
-------
Table 16
WATER QUALITY
Sponsoring
Project Title Agency $(K)
Potential Impacts to Ground- EPA 275
water and Surface-water
Quality and Quantity From
Proposed Energy Development
on the Northern Cheyenne
Reservation, Montana
Water Quality Effects of Coal EPA 24
Development on the Tongue
River Reservoir
Water Quality Effects of EPA 24
Canadian Coal Development
on the East Poplar River,
Montana
Study and Monitoring of Fort EPA 58
Union Basin — Water Quality
Ground Water Analyses of EPA 38
Shallow Aquifers in the
Tongue, Yellowstone and
Missouri Drainage
Water Quality and Biological EPA 28
Monitoring Program for Energy
Resource Areas — Montana
Effects of Surface Configur- EPA 259
ation in Water Pollution
Control on Semi-Arid Mined
Lands
A Model for Predicting Ion EPA 6
Concentration in the Yellow-
stone River Basin Between
Miles City and Billings,
Montana: A Management Tool
Water Resources Aspects of USDI 18
Coal Transportation by Slurry
Pipeline 35/
35/ Total project funded at $55K.
Investigator
W. Woessner, Northern
Cheyenne Reservation,
Busby, Montana
J. Keiser, Montana Water
Quality Bureau, Billings,
Montana
J. Keiser, Montana Water
Quality Bureau, Billings,
Montana
D. Willems, Montana Water
Quality Bureau, Helena,
Montana
G. Pike, USGS, Helena,
Montana
G. Pike, USGS, Helena,
Montana
W. VanVoast, Montana
State University
R. Karp, Montana State
University
J. Moore, Water Resources
Res. Center, Fayetteville,
Arkansas
- 30 -
-------
Table 16 Cont'd.
Project Title
Compilation of Hydro-
geological Data for
Southeastern Montana
Nonpoint Source Water
Quality Project
A Cooperative Program to
Evaluate Surface and
Ground Water Problems
Associated with Potential
Strip Mine Sites 36/
Hydrological Reconnais-
sance of the Fort Union
Formation
Chanel Changes in the Powder
River 37/
Sponsoring
Agency $(K)
EPA 20
EPA 58
EPA 276
USDI 9
USDI 20
35
Investigator
M. Miller, Montana Bureau
of Mines and Geology,
Butte, Montana
R. Choriki, Montana
Testing Lab., Great
Falls, Montana
R. Koob, P. Rechard, T.
Williams, North Dakota
State, University of
Wyoming, Montana State
University, and Montana
College of Mineral
Sciences and Technology
W. VanVoast, Montana
State University
R. Meade, USGS, Lakewood,
Colorado
E. Cushing, USGS, Lakewood,
Colorado
Hydrology of the Madison USDI
Limestone and Associated
Rocks in Parts of Montana,
Nebraska, North Dakota, South
Dakota and Wyoming 38/
36/ Total project funded at $629K.
37/ Total project funded at $28K.
38/ Total project funded at $1,300K.
- 31 -
-------
Table 17
WATER USE / SUPPLY
Project Title
Effects of Mining and
Related Activities on
the Shallow Ground-
Water System
Collection of Surface-
Water, Ground-Water
and Quality of Water
Data in Southeastern
Montana
Hydrologic Effects of
Surface Mining, Land
Rehabilitation and
Land Use as Defined by
Rainfall Simulation 39/
Evaluation and Monitoring
of the Hydrologic Impact
of Cabin Creek, B.C., Coal
Pit Mining Upon the North
Fork of the Flathead River
Investigation of the
Implications of Yellow-
stone River Flow Reserva-
tion in Montana
Water Conservation on
Rangelands and Mine Spoils
of the Northern Plains 40/
Regionwide Evaluation of
Available Hydrologic Data,
Water Resource Consider-
ations for the Proposed
Eastern Montana Coal
Development
Sponsoring
Agency
USDI
$00
187
USDI
750
USDI
USDI
USDI
33
USDI
NSF
34
Investigator
G. Pike, USGS, Helena,
Montana
G. Pike, USGS, Helena,
Montana
G. Lusby, USGS,
Denver, Colorado
W. Weber, University
of Montana
H. Boeker, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service,
Washington, D.C.
G. Schuman, US ARS,
Cheyenne, Wyoming
R. Curry, University
of Montana
39/ Total project funded at $75K.
40/ Total project funded at $6K.
- 32 -
-------
V. REFERENCES
1. Energy Research and Development Administration 1976. A National Plan for
Energy Research, Development, and Administration: Creating Energy Choices for
the Future, Volume 2, p. XVII.
2. Environmental Quality Counci1. 1976. "Environmental Quality -- 1976",
p. 105.
3. Federal Energy Administration, National Energy Outlook, Washington, D.C.,
February 1976.
4. Nehring, Richard, and B. Zycher, 1976. "Coal Development and Government
Regulation in the Northern Great Plains: A Preliminary Report", Rand Corporation,
R-1981-NSF/RC. p. 2.
5. Northern Great Plains Resources Program. February 1974. National and
Regional Energy Considerations Work Group Report: Discussion Draft.
6. Nybo, J.H., and Kathy Albertsen van Hook. 1976a. "Montana Energy
Research" published by Montana Energy Advisory Council, p. 110.
7. Nybo, J.H., and Kathy Albertsen van Hook. 1976b. "Montana Energy
Research" published by Montana Energy Advisory Council. Helena, Montana, p. 4.
8. Old West Regional Commission and USDA Forest Service, Surface Environment
and Mining. 1975. Energy Research Information System -- Quarterly Report,
Volume 1, No. 1.
9. U.S. Department of the Interior, supra notes 256 and 257; U.S. Department
of the Interior, Bureau of M:nes, "U.S. Energy Use Down in 1974 After Two Decades
of Increases", News Release, Table 2, April 3, 1975.
10. U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration. 1975. "Sourcebook
for Energy Assessment", M. Beller ed., National Center for Analysis of Energy
Systems, Brookhaven National Laboratory, BNL 50483. Pp. 126-128.
11. U.S. Federal Energy Administration, supra note 258, p. XXIV.
- 33 -
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1 REPORT NO
4 TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Federally Sponsored Energy Research in the Northern
Great Plains — Montana
3 RECIPIENT'S ACCESSIOI^NO
5 REPORT DATE
March 1977
6 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7 AUTHOR(S)
Allen S. Lefohn
8 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO
9 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Montana Energy Operations Office
Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII
Office of Energy Activities
Denver, Colorado 80295
10 PROGRAM ELEMENT NO
11 CONTRACT/GRANT NO
12 SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Energy Activities
Region VIII, Denver, Colorado 80295
13 TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Summary of FY 176 Data
14 SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
REGION VIII
15 SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
This project is part of the EPA-planned and coordinated Federal Interagency
Energy/Environment R&D Program.
16 ABSTRACT
In August 1976, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with
the State of Montana, established the EPA Montana Energy Operations Office.
The challenge of this office is to develop an effective mechanism for trans-
ferring energy research results from the laboratory to the decision-makers.
As a way to fulfill part of this challenge, a survey was initiated in the
Fall of 1976 to summarize the federal energy effort in the State of Montana.
This report is a summary of the information obtained from numerous state and
federal publications. Recommendations regarding further actions on various
aspects of energy research are included. The report serves primarily as an
informative document to inform researchers, state and federal government
officials, and decision-makers at all government levels how and where the
federal energy research dollar is being directed in Montana.
17
(Circle One or More)
KEY WORDS ANO DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TEFIMS
C COSATI I ICld/Groiip
Ecology
Em jronments
Earth Atmosphere
Envwonmentel Engineering
C.oogrophy
Hydrology limnology
Biochemistry
Earth Hydrosphere
Combustion
Refining
Energy Conversion
Physical Chemistry
Materials Hand ling
inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemical Engineering
Contains all of above.
i
*
6F 8A 8F
8H 10A 10B
7 B 7 C 13B
1R DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
19 SECURITY CLASS (1 his Report)
Unclassified
21 NO OF PAGES
39
20 SECURITY CLASS (This pane)
Unclassified
22 PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
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