refinery complexes at waterfront sites; however, a petrochemical plant has 

 no direct need for a coastal waterfront location. Appropriate tracts of 

 land away from the waterfront are preferred petrochemical plant sites, 

 offering the advantage of lower costs for land, elimination of shoreline 

 ecological disruption, and lessened risk of pollution. 



Freshwater requirements may be a limiting factor where water supplies 

 are scarce. Water needs for a petrochemical plant vary with plant 

 capacity, types of processes, and the characteristics of cooling systems. 

 Estimates of water needs range from 7 to 24 MMGD for large petrochemical 

 plants, and as low as 0.5 MMGD for a small ancillary plant [24]. Improved 

 water-use technology should permit reduction of water consumption by as 

 much as 50 percent by year 1985 and an additional 20 percent by 2000 [25]. 



Electric power requirements range from 450 to 600 million kwh a year 

 for major petrochemical plants, equal to the power needs of as many as 

 75,000 people. 



Fuel availability is also an important requirement. Fuel oil con- 

 sumption may be approximately 8,700 B/D [8]. In addition, natural gas 

 (often used as boiler fuel in petrochemical plants), available at a 

 low price, has attracted new petrochemical plants to the Gulf Coast. 



Adequate road access to the site is required for materials and 

 commuter traffic. During construction, which may take up to 3 years, 

 the work force may reach 2,500. 



In most instances, the plant will receive feedstock through pipe- 

 lines, and depending on distance to the market and volume of products, 

 pipelines may also carry some of the products. A pipeline corridor of at 

 least 150 feet width may be required to link the petrochemical plant to 

 either a gas processing plant or a refinery (see Overland Transmission 

 Systems, Subproject 11). Rail and truck transportation may deliver 

 materials and chemicals to the plant and deliver petrochemical products 

 to the market, especially to local market areas. 



3.8.3 Potential Sources of Disturbance 



Petrochemical plants, like other major facilities related to petroleum 

 development, may produce a number of adverse effects on fish and wildlife 

 and their habitats. Major impact-generating factors include large fresh- 

 water demand, large volumes of wastewater effluents, large volumes of 

 solid waste, extensive site preparation, and great runoff potential. Many 

 other sources of disturbance to fish and wildlife may become significant, 

 such as electric power requirements and hazardous chemical spills. 



Air pollution, noise, and odors from petrochemical plants probably 

 have only minor effects on fish and wildlife. However, these disturbances 

 do directly affect people and are major considerations in the siting, 

 design, construction, and operation of petrochemical plants. 



64 



