Potential Environmental Effects of 765-kV Transmission Lines: Views Before the New York State Public Service Commission, Cases 26529 and 26559, 1976-1978

November 1979

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Prepared by:

Barry Scott-Walton, Kristin M. Clark, Buford R. Holt, David C. Jones, Samuel D. Kaplan, John S. Krebs, Peter Polson, Richard A. Shepherd, James R. Young of SRI International

 

U.S. Department of Energy

Assistant Secretary for Environment

Environmental Control Technology Division

Washington, D.C. 20545

 

Under Contract No. DE-AM-03-76SF0015

Project Agreement DE-AT03-76-EV70120

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

PREFACE

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND SCHEDULE FOR OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINE DEVELOPMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

I. AUDIBLE NOISE

• The Terminology Used to Describe Sound Levels
• The Transmission Line Noise Spectrum
• Effects of Transmission Line Noise on Understanding Speech and on Sleep
• Community Response to Transmission Line Noise Conclusions
• Recommendations
• Bibliography

II. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS UNDER TRANSMISSION LINES AND BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: EFFECTS AND/OR HAZARDS

• The Electric and Magnetic Fields Around UHV Lines
• Hazard Definition and Assumptions
• Scientific Evidence in Hazard Determination
• Limitations
• Interpretation of the Hearings
• Major Considerations in the Experts' Testimony
• Conclusions
• DOE Research Activities
• Recommendations
• Bibliography

III. SPARKS AND CURRENTS FELT WHEN TOUCHING VEHICLES PARKED UNDER TRANSMISSION LINES

• Currents and Spark Discharges from Vehicles Under 765-kV Lines
• Effects of Steady-State Currents
• Effects of Transient Currents
• Effects of Shock Currents Received Under 765-kV Lines
• Major Data Gaps and Unresolved Questions
• Conclusions
• Recommendations
• Bibliography

IV. POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF TRANSMISSION LINE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON CARDIAC PACEMAKERS

• Normal Heart Operation
• Pacemaker Types
• The History of Pacemaker Development
• Pacemaker Response to EMI
• The Catheter as a Sensor of Electromagnetic Fields
• EMI Effects on a Pacemaker's Owner
• Testimony Suggesting Ways to Minimize Problems
• Data Gaps and Unresolved Questions
• Conclusions
• Recommendations
• Bibliography

V. OZONE

• Ozone Production Rates
• Ozone Concentrations and Ozone Background
• Biological Effects of Ozone Produced by Transmission Lines
• Data Gaps and Unresolved Questions
• Conclusions
• Recommendations
• Bibliography

VI. Appendix: A BRIEF HISTORY, INCLUDING A LIST OF THE LEGAL FIRMS AND WITNESSES THAT APPEARED, OF THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION COMMON RECORD HEARINGS IN CASES 26529 AND 26559 AS EXERPTED FROM THE FINAL JUDGMENT

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