Environmental assessments: A tool for engineers

Examples from the U.S. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) program show that the information collected during the environmental compliance process can be used profitably by engineers and scientists to plan and construct well-designed, safe, and economically-feasible projects in the oceans. Geologic and physical oceanographic data collected for the OTEC-1, Pilot Plant and Seacoast Test Facility programs indicated modifications in initial test plans benefitted field performances and reduced engineering uncertainties in future phases of the projects.