outlying), and five different sizes (e.g., less than 2,500, 2,500-5,000) in each of the nine Census regions. The estimated needs of communities are quite specific owing to the level of detail in this study. The model, as explained, forecasts the nature and magnitude of the social and economic effects that a new basic activity is likely to have upon the host county and its communities. It provides a standardized measure of the magnitude of impact by translating the effects of employment and population changes into the dollar costs of adjusting the public service infrastructure. It can and should be applied to an analysis of potential rectenna sites to determine the relative benefits (in terms of increased employment and income) and costs (in terms of housing and services) of alternative siting patterns. The public cost estimates, in fact, may be explicitly considered as a criterion in the final selection of rectenna sites. 3.2.3 Relevance of the Social and Economic Assessment Model (SEAM) to SPS Shifts in the location of basic economic activity that may be induced by the proposed Satellite Power System (SPS) have not been studied and, hence, there is a need for substantial investigation. As indicated above, SEAM is a well developed and usable model. Using this tool as a foundation, ANL researchers will be able to examine the prospective relationships of industrial (i.e., basic employment) and population relocations to rectennae siting and to forecast potential socioeconomic impacts. However, further research is needed to develop the link of industrial relocations to the availability and cost of electric power. This point is discussed further in the next section.
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