This report is about the Panama Canal, built and operated by the United States, slices the Republic of Panama in half and the relations between the United states and Panama.

The objective of the Vee-Trough/Vacuum Tube Collector (VTVTC) Project was to prove the usefulness of vee-trough concentrators in improving the efficiency and reducing the cost of collectors assembled from evacuated tube receivers. The VTVTC was analyzed rigorously and various mathematical models were developed to calculate the optical performance of the vee-trough concentrator and the thermal performance of the evacuated tube receiver. A test bed was constructed to verify the mathematical analyses and compare reflectors made out of glass, Alzak and aluminized FEP Teflon. Tests were run at temperatures ranging from 95 to 180/sup 0/C during the months of April, May, June, July and August 1977. Vee-trough collector efficiencies of 35 to 40% were observed at an operating temperature of about 175/sup 0/C. Test results compared well with the calculated values. Test data covering a complete day are presented for selected dates throughout the test season. Predicted daily useful heat collection and efficiency values are presented for a year's duration at operation temperatures ranging from 65 to 230/sup 0/C. Estimated collector costs and resulting thermal energy costs are presented. Analytical and experimental results are discussed along with a complete economic evaulation. Recommendations for the continuation of the project are presented.

A brief narrative outline is presented of a scenario for the development of the Atlantic Coastal Plain hydrothermal resources for geothermal space heating and cooling. Listed below are the basic assumptions made in the construction of this scenario. Since this scenario is to serve as a planning document, the steps involved in geothermal development are listed and time-phased. The most critical steps in this process are indicated. This scenario summarizes geothermal development in the entire Atlantic Coastal Plain. Separate, more detailed scenarios for each specific resource area are planned as precursors to possible implementation planning.

This report includes statements by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the board, TAAC Chairman, and the director of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA). The report discusses the year in review regarding the work in progress, organization and operations of OTA.

The focus of this report is the construction of nuclear power plants abroad, especially the problem of assuring that none of the plutonium produced in these plants is diverted for use in weapons.

Abstract: "The Precambrian rocks of Colorado consist of a metaphoric complex more than 1,700 million years in age, three groups of igneous rocks about 1,700, 1,400, and 1,000 million years in age, here designated informal age groups, and two areally restricted units of sedimentary rocks, one between 1,400 and 1,700 million years in age and one between 950 and 1,400 million years. A systematic nomenclature for many of the rocks does not exist, but the present state of knowledge will permit establishment of a comprehensive nomenclature. Numerous formal names that have been applied to elements of the Precambrian assemblage are appraised and classified in a table, and eight names are abandoned."

A report that provides details about fire assaying techniques to separate and concentrate the noble metals from many varieties of samples.

A report about mapping in the northern and central parts of the Piceance Creek basin of northwestern Colorado where several relatively thin dominantly marlstone units tongue northward into the Eocene Uinta Formation.

A brief narrative outline is given of a scenario for the development of geothermal heating and cooling, (1) in the Hot Springs, Little Rock, and Pine Bluff area of central Arkansas, and (2) in the southern Arkansas area. Basic assumptions about details of the scenario and the data included therein are listed. The scenario in chart form is included. (MHR)

This report contains state-by-state fact sheets; selected scenarios for Arkansas, South Dakota, and the Coastal Plain; ERDA/DOD interfacing at selected bases in Region 5, other activities of interest; and a summary of action items/future plans. (MHR)

Seismic monitoring of the northern section of the Imperial Valley region in southern California has been underway since 1973. A description of the 22-station network and a list of preliminary data on earthquakes recorded by the network from April 1977 through June 1977 are presented. (JGB)

The following subjects are discussed: the district of Puna prior to geothermal development, socioeconomic conditions, alternative modes of geothermal development, social benefits and costs of geothermal development, and geothermal development policy and its direction. (MHR)

The Nevada Operations Office of the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) has contracted with Petroleum Technology Corporation (PTC) to perform a gas stimulation program by chemical explosive fracturing (CEF) in the Canyon sands of the Val Verde - Kerr Basin of Sutton County, Texas. This lenticular tight sand deposit, underlying much of southwestern Texas, contains large volumes of natural gas. To date this formation has yielded only marginal amounts of gas because of its low porosity and permeability. The semi-arid environment of the Aldwell/Sawyer field is characterized by dry arroyos and xeric vegetation. Population is sparse and sheep ranching is the primary occupation. Because of the existence of previously drilled oil and gas wells, road and pipeline construction will be minimal. Impacts from this two well project are expected to be minimal and be confined to temporary surface disruption and increased erosion at the well site.

Second volume of a report from a high-sensitivity airborne radiometric and magnetic survey of the Van Horn and Pecos quadrangles including maps documenting geophysical and geochemical data.

Second volume of a report documenting a high-sensitivity airborne radiometric and magnetic survey of the Van Horn and Pecos quadrangles including magnetic, ancillary and radiometric data.

Final report documenting a high-sensitivity airborne radiometric and magnetic survey of the Newark quadrangles including the survey description, specifications, data processing methods, interpretation methods, and regional geologic review.

Second volume of a report documenting a high-sensitivity airborne radiometric and magnetic survey of the Newark quadrangle including maps documenting geophysical and geochemical data, as well as magnetic, ancillary and radiometric data.

Abstract: This report documents the Federal/State regulatory permitting actions in 12 case histories of nuclear power station licensing in nine different states. General observations regarding Federal/State siting roles in the siting process include: new regulations, with the exceptions of those imposed by NEPA, were not found to be the source of significant delay; interventions were the sources of significant delay in only two cases; in only two cases was a local agency a source of delay; no one factor was found to be a source of delay, rather several factors often combined to cause delay; it is still too early to assess the influence of State power plant siting laws on the licensing process; clarification of the word "delay" is needed; water related issues predominate in State permitting requirements associated with delay; generalizations on the sources and nature of delay in the licensing process are difficult to make because of site specific characteristics; and frequently problems outside the Federal/State realm have had, or can have, a delaying effect on the process. Eleven of the case histories are illustrated with a logic network that gives the actions of the utilities in addition to the Federal/State permits.

Final report documenting the statistical analysis of an aerial gamma-ray and magnetic survey of the Red River Area including the Ardmore, Sherman, Abilene, and Dallas quadrangles in north Texas and southern Oklahoma. Quadrangle-specific maps and data are published as separate volumes.

Second volume of a final report documenting aerial gamma-ray and magnetic survey maps of the Red River Area. This volume contains maps and statistical data for the Dallas Quadrangle located in northern Texas.

Second volume of a final report documenting aerial gamma-ray and magnetic survey maps of the Red River Area. This volume contains maps and statistical data for the Sherman Quadrangle including portions of northern Texas and southern Oklahoma.

From abstract: Results of an ERDA-sponsored, high-sensitivity, airborne gamma-ray spectrometer and magnetometer survey of a portion of the Delta, Utah, NTMS, 1:250,000 scale quadrangle, carried out under Bendix Field Engineering Corporation Subcontract 76-019-L are discussed. The objective of the survey was to evaluate the Delta area as a uraniferous province, i.e., a region showing surface indications of a generally higher uranium content, and evidence of geochemical uranium enrichment over the other natural radioactive elements, where detailed exploration for uranium would likely be successful. The known presence of late stage Tertiary rhyolites and granites associated with fluorite and uranium occurrences and one productive uranium mine strongly suggested that the area is such a uraniferous province. A DC-3 aircraft equipped with a gamma-ray spectrometer using nine large-volume NaI detectors, two 400 channel analyzers, and ancillary geophysical and electronic equipment was employed for data collection.

Second volume of a report on aerial gamma-ray and magnetic survey of the Delta area of Utah, containing illustrations such as histograms, anomaly maps at a reduced scale of 1:500,000, and magnetic profiles related to the survey.

The proposed project: Pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act, as amended, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's regulations in Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, an application with an accompanying Environmental Report, was filed by Northeast Utilities (hereinafter referred to as the applicant) for construction permits for two generating units designated as the Montague Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2 (Docket Nos. 50-496 and 50-497), each of which is powered by a boiling water reactor (BWR) and is designed for initial operation at approximately 3579 megawatts thermal (MWt) with a net electrical output of 1150 megawatts electric (MWe). A safety design rating of 3759 (MWt) has been used in assessing the impact in this report. Condenser cooling will be accomplished through the use of natural-draft cooling towers. Makeup water for the cooling towers will be obtained from the Connecticut River, and the tower discharge (blowdown) will be returned to the Connecticut River. The proposed facilities will be located on the 1900-acre Montague Plain in the Town of Montague, Franklin County, in northwestern Massachusetts about 1.8 miles east of the Connecticut River and about 3.5 miles east-southeast of the Town of Greenfield, Massachusetts, the largest community within 10 miles with a …