Power-plus-steam N-plant jeopardized

A court ruling for additional hearings has jeopardized plans for a Michigan nuclear plant that is the first designed to both generate electricity for utility customers and process steam for an industrial plant. While no shortage of electricity will result from the order, industrial customers will have to pay a higher price for electricity. Delays in the ERDA- and Nuclear Regulatory Commission-approved project will raise construction costs and will require further expenses to replace nuclear power with coal- or oil-fired electricity. Consumers Power Co. plans two equal units, one to generate 506 megawatts of electricity and four million pounds of steam, and the other to generate 855 megawatts of electricity. Show-cause hearings result from environmental groups which claim more consideration is needed of the effects on the environment of radioactive waste fuel reprocessing and storage, adequate safeguards, and the need for further generating capacity if conservation efforts are carried out. The court's basic objection was the highly technical language of reports submitted. There is some question about the court's authority to halt the project at this juncture. (DCK)