ML041060361
| ML041060361 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Summer  |
| Issue date: | 04/05/2004 |
| From: | Mueller H Environmental Protection Agency |
| To: | NRC/ADM/DAS/RDB |
| References | |
| 69FR9856 00001 | |
| Download: ML041060361 (2) | |
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Rules Review and Directives Branch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop T6-D59 Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 RE:
EPA Review and Comments on Final Generic Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FGSEIS)
License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Supplement 15 Regarding Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station CEQ No. 040092
Dear Sir:
EPA Region 4 reviewed the Final Generic Supplemental EIS (FGSEIS) pursuant to Section 309 of the Clean Air Act and Section 102 (2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The purpose of this letter is to provide the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with EPA's comments regarding potential impacts of the proposed renewal of the Virgil C.
Summer Nuclear Station Operating License (OL).
South Carolina Electric and Gas Company submitted an application to renew the Operating License (OL) for the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station for an additional 20 years. The proposed action, (license renewal), would provide for continued operation and maintenance of existing facilities and transmission lines.
Based on the review of the FGSEIS, environmental concerns remain regarding some aspects of the proposed project. Specifically, protecting the environment involves the continuing need for appropriate storage and ultimate disposition of radioactive wastes generated on-site.
The FGSEIS acknowledges that OL renewal of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station will require continuing radiological monitoring of all plant effluents. Appropriate storage of spent fuel assemblies and radioactive wastes on-site is required, in order to prevent impacts. Page A-20 discusses the Waste Confidence Rule (10 CFR 51.23), in which the Commission generically determined that the spent fuel generated by any reactor can be safely stored onsite for at least 30 years beyond the licensed operating life of the reactor. Ultimately, long-term radioactive waste disposition will require transportation of wastes to a permitted repository site. We note the information on page A-20 of the document, regarding the expected availability of a geological repository within the first quarter of the twenty-first century.-
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In conclusion, the document states that the OL renewal would result in fewer environmental impacts than the feasible alternatives for generating power, and the NRC considers impacts of OL renewal to be small. Overall, the impacts as defined in the FGSEIS appear to be within acceptable limits.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this document. If we can be of further assistance, please contact Ramona McConney of my staff at (404) 562-9615.
Sincerely, Heinz J. Mueller, Chief Office of Environmental Assessment