4.4.11 Electromagnetic Disturbances Significant electromagnetic disturbances from the SPS may occur from microwave coupling with electronic systems at distances of up to 100 km from the rectenna site.Functional degradation can affect military radar, law enforcement, emergency, and utility communications, and other susceptible systems. However, it is anticipated that modifications (currently undefined both technically and from a cost point of view) could be made to these systems to mitigate these effects. Other electromagnetic disturbances related to SPS activities may be anticipated. Rocket effluents may induce ionospheric alterations that may affect communication systems relying on the ionosphere. Debris clouds consisting of orbiting gaseous and particulate effluents could interfere with radioastronomy and radionavigation. The likelihood and severity of these occurrences is unknown but is currently under investigation in the environmental assessment of the SPS. High-intensity electromagnetic fields generated around power transmission lines have, in some instances, caused radio and TV disturbances in fringe reception areas. This effect is thought to be of minor concern. However, it is common to all centralized energy technologies and is likely to increase with the higher transmission-line voltages. 4.4.12 Radioactive Emissions Radiation releases containing trace radioactive materials result from the burning of fossil fuels^23 an(j an other activities in the nuclear fuel cycle.20,117 gpg activities do not result in emission of ionizing radiat ion. The study of airborne radioactive particles from coal combustion has not been comprehensive. Radioactive effluents originate in coal and are emitted with the stack gases. Uranium, thorium, and radon constitute the radioactive emissions of coal combustion, which may release on the order of 1.2 Ci annually, depending on the nuclide concentration in the coal seam. Radioactive airborne releases from a 1,250-MW coal plant are considerably below the amount resulting from a comparably-sized boiling water reactor. Standards limiting radioactive emissions from fossil-fueled power plants do not currently exist but could be promulgated under the Federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977. Low-level radiation emissions from routine operation of nuclear power facilities are greatest during power generation and milling activities. In addition, fuel reprocessing is required by the LMFBR, and causes the release of larger amounts of radionuclides, primarily krypton, than would be released from an LMFBR power plant. The use of exclusion zones around nuclear facilities reduces the off-site exposure. Radiation emissions are below the levels established by federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations (10 CFR* 20, 10 CFR 50), and are characterized as having low welfare impact. However, the radiation threshold level beneath which an effect will not be observed is uncertain, and therefore these standards are being reexamined. *Code of Federal Regulations
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