Limited water resources in California have resulted in intense competition for available supplies. Environmental and institutional constraints presently limits the potential for siting thermal electric power plants near coastal waters of California. Consequently, the search for viable sites has moved inland, away from the coast, where the utility companies must compete with various interests such as agriculture, for water supplies necessary for cooling purposes. A power plant siting proposal before the Energy Commission serves as an example of the varied considerations which must be made as a result of the current dilemma.
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