Even the loss of 130 sturgeon a year on the Hudson, immaterial to population dynamics, was considered unacceptable. Power stations needing vast watcr-sucton intakes rapidly became taboo. Instead of fish-habitat being used to cool them, air is now used. Combined cycle-gas and steam systems are being built. There is less heat to dispose of because more of the energy generated is directly usable.
Plants are more compact.
Dry cooling is the message. There are seven new stations in Britain, two of which, at Rye House and Dam Head Creek, use no water.