Operation of Midland Plant Units 1 and 2, Docket Nos. 50-329 and 50-330, Midland County, Michigan

A final environmental impact statement (EPA No. 820516F) on the proposed issuance of an operating license to start units 1 and 2 of the Midland (Michigan) nuclear plant described the design output of the plant at 2454 MW of thermal energy, which would be used to produce both process steam and electrical energy. A once-through flow of water from the Tittabawasee River would supply an 880 acre cooling pond. The units would improve electrical reliability for the power system and diversify the fuel supply. The plant would employ 700 people who would earn $20 million in wages and would pay $67.8 million in state and local taxes. Negative impacts would be the displacement of 1235 acres of land, including 715 acres of prime farmland. Water consumption would be about 28 cubic feet per second, and would alter the concentration of dissolved solids in the river and affect its water storage capacity. There would be hazards to waterfowl and degradation of two archaeological sites. The Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulations require the impact study