ML041610218
| ML041610218 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Browns Ferry  (DPR-033, DPR-052, DPR-068) |
| Issue date: | 06/04/2004 |
| From: | Burzynski M Tennessee Valley Authority |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML041610218 (35) | |
Text
Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402-2801 June 4, 2004 10 CFR 54 10 CFR 51 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Gentlemen:
In the Matter of
)
Docket Nos.
50-259 Tennessee Valley Authority
)
50-260 50-296 BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT (BFN) - UNITS 1, 2, AND 3 - ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR DETERMINATION OF NO NEW AND SIGNIFICANT LICENSE RENEWAL ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION By letter dated December 31, 2003, TVA submitted an application to renew the operating licenses for BFN Units 1, 2, and 3. To assist the Staff in its review of the Environmental Report (ER) contained in the BFN application, the Enclosures provide additional support for the determination of no new and significant license renewal environmental information contained in Section E.5.0 and Attachment E-5 of the ER. discusses the process by which TVA determined that there are no environmental issues related to BFN license renewal which are both new and significant. summarizes TVA's review of each of the 92 license renewal environmental issues listed in Table B-1 of Appendix B to Subpart A of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 51.
This letter contains no new commitments.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact Chuck Wilson, Project Manager for BFN License Renewal Environmental Review, at (423) 751-6153 or clwilson@tva.gov.
Pr~ed onacyed pow
i U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 2 June 4, 2004 I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on this fourth day of June 2004.
Sincerely, Markg.Burzy~
Manager Nuclear Licensing Enclosure cc: State Health Officer Alabama Department of Public Health RSA Tower - Administration Suite 1552 P.O. Box 303017 Montgomery, Alabama 36130-3017 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 23T85 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3415-8931 Mr. Stephen J. Cahill, Branch Chief U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 23T85 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8931 NRC Senior Resident Inspector Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant 10833 Shaw Road Athens, Alabama 35611-6970 NRC Unit 1 Restart Senior Resident Inspector Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant 10833 Shaw Road Athens, Alabama 35611-6970 cc: Continued on page 3
t U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 3 June 7, 2004 cc: Mr. Kahtan N. Jabbour, Senior Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission MS 08G9 One White Flint, North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738 Ms. Eva A. Brown, Project Manager U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission MS 08G9 One White Flint, North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738 Mr. William F. Burton, Senior Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission MS 011F1 Two White Flint, North 11545 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738 Dr. Michael Masnik, Environmental Project Manager (w/Enclosure)
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission MS 011F1 Two White Flint, North 11545 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738 Yoira K. Diaz-Sanabria, Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission MS011F1 Two White Flint, North 11545 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738 Jimi T. Yerokun, Technical Assistant U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission MS011F1 Two White Flint, North 11545 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738
ENCLOSURE 1 DETERMINATION OF NO NEW AND SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION TVA National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Experience In view of its broad responsibilities for the natural and social welfare of the Tennessee Valley Region, TVA has developed expertise in environmental impact assessment. TVA is the steward of the Tennessee River Watershed and has land management and permitting responsibilities, in addition to those related to economic development and power system operation. TVA produces both programmatic and site-specific NEPA reviews primarily using its internal staff. For example, in 1996 TVA produced a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its Shoreline Management policy. The Shoreline Management EIS assessed the impacts of proposed shoreline management permitting standards and established a policy on determining how and when to consider allowing residential development on TVA reservoir shorelines. The impacts of these proposed decisions on 30 reservoirs were assessed by the TVA staff. In February 2004, TVA produced a programmatic EIS for the Reservoir Operations Study, which documented the environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated With potential changes to TVA's existing reservoir operations policy and whether they would produce greater public value.
TVA also serves as a cooperating agency and independently examines numerous environmental review documents produced by other agencies, especially those produced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Highway Administration in the TVA region.
TVA Heritage Proiect The southeastern United States contains some of the most diverse plant and animal communities on earth. Many of these species are found in the TVA Power Service area, and especially, in the Tennessee River basin. In 1976, TVA established an inventory of endangered, threatened, and rare plants and animals, sensitive geological features, natural communities, natural areas, and other sensitive natural resource features. WVA biologists routinely add new information to the database and exchange data with biologists in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and biologists in Natural Heritage Programs in the seven valley states. TVA biologists use information in the database, and theirfamiliarity with the priorities and interests of the other agencies, to ensure that important issues are identified and addressed for TVA projects. Often, early identification reduces the need for formal Endangered Species Act consultations. In light of the large number of federally-listed species in the region, TVA has significant experience in identifying situations where listed species could be affected and formally or informally consulting with FWS. In 1993, the Nature Conservancy presented TVA's Natural Heritage Project with one of its first Outstanding Heritage Program Awards. Conservancy officials said the TVA program provides a unique ecosystem perspective while advancing information management on conservation priorities across the state and region. More recently, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation gave awards to two TVA biologists for their activities relating to rare species.
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l The responsibility for maintaining the Heritage database falls primarily to a nine member TVA staff: three of whom hold PhDs, four with Master's degrees, and the Project Manager has a Master's degree and many years of first-hand experience. The professional responsibility and credibility of the TVA Heritage staff are highly regarded by their peers in state and federal agencies and academia.
NEPA History and Background of Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN)
In 1971, a draft environmental statement was prepared by TVA to evaluate the effects on the environment of construction and operation of BFN. The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), a former regulatory agency of the federal govemment, since superseded by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), participated in the preparation of this three-volume document as a cooperating agency. The draft environmental document was sent to the Council on Environmental Quality and made available to the public for comment on July 14, 1971.
Supplements and additions to the draft were sent to the Council and made available to the public for comment on November 8, 1971. When the final document was issued, it was titled as follows: 'Final Environmental Statement, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3." The AEC concluded on August 28, 1972, that this Final Envronmental Statement was adequate to support the proposed license to operate the plant. The Final Environmental Statement was sent to the Council and made available to the public on September 1, 1972.
BFN Unit 1 began commercial operation in August 1974, Unit 2 in 1975, and Unit 3 in 1977. Unit 1 has been idled since 1983, and extensive work is required to bring the unit up to current standards. After an extended shutdown beginning in 1985 to review the TVA nuclear power program and to correct significant weaknesses, Unit 2 was recovered and returned to service in May 1991, and Unit 3 was recovered and returned to service in November 1995. Since that time, Units 2 and 3 have performed well, with consistently higher levels of availability and generating capacity than most other nuclear generating units and higher levels than those experienced by these two units before 1985.
Anticipating that it would receive applications for renewal of the operating licenses of a significant portion of existing nuclear power plants, in 1996 the NRC prepared a Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (GEIS), NUGEG-1437, to examine the possible environmental impacts that could occuras a result of renewing licenses of individual nuclear power plants under 10 CFR 54. The GEIS, to the extent possible, establishes the bounds and significance of these potential impacts. The analyses in the GEIS encompass all operating light-water reactors. For each type of environmental impact, the GEIS establishes generic findings covering as many plants as possible. The GEIS makes maximum use of environmental and safety documentation from original licensing proceedings and information from state and federal regulatory agencies, the nuclear utility industry, the open literature, and professional contacts. The GEIS identifies 92 environmental issues and reaches generic conclusions on environmental impacts for 69 of those issues that apply to all plants orto plants with specific design or site characteristics. For the remaining 23 issues, further site-specific information is required by the NRC to determine the environmental acceptability of operating license renewal.
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In the fall of 2000, TVA began work on a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Operating License Renewal of BFN in Athens, Alabama, which also included consideration of recovering and restarting Unit 1. Renewal of the operating licenses of all three units would allow operation to continue for an additional 20 years past the current (original) 40-year operating license terms which expire in 2013, 2014, and 2016 for Units 1, 2, and 3, respectively. From the outset of this NEPA review, a principal objective was to comprehensively revisit all environmental subject areas to determine if any new and significant information was available since work on the original Environmental Statement had been completed in 1972. Towards this end, the 92 environmental issues listed in the GEIS were revisited as an additional tool for identifying any new and significant information, and some of these issues were subsequently incorporated into the plans for the SEIS to ensure that it would be as comprehensive as possible. A Notice of Intent to prepare the SEIS was published in the February 15, 2001, Federal Register, which initiated a public and interagency scoping period from February 15 through March 23, 2001. A public scoping meeting was held on March 6, 2001, near Decatur, Alabama, on the campus of Calhoun Community College. Comments and suggestions received at that meeting and during the scoping period were used to identify the scope of the Draft SEIS.
The Draft SEIS was issued for public and interagency review on December 5, 2001. A copy of the Draft SEIS and a letterwere formally transmitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 6, 2001. The Notice of Availability of the Draft SEIS was published in the December 14, 2001, Federal Register. The issuance of the Notice of Availability formally opened a 45-day period for receiving public and interagency comments on the Draft SEIS. Copies of the full Draft SEIS ora 28-page Executive Summary of the Draft SEIS were mailed to federal, state, and local officials and agencies, and members of the public, depending on expressed or anticipated interest. Federal agencies to which copies of the Draft SEIS were sent included the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, and NRC. State of Alabama agencies to which copies of the Draft SEIS were sent included the Department of Environmental Management, Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Forestry Commission, Development Office, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture and Industries, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and the Emergency Management Agency. A second public meeting was held on January 17, 2002, also at Calhoun Community College, to provide the public another opportunity to comment on the Draft SEIS. The public comment period officially closed on January 30, 2002. TVA received comments from 21 people or entities.
Comments received from the public and agency review were considered in completing the Final SEIS, which was issued in March 2002. Comments were received from the EPA and the U.S.
Department of the Interior. A Notice of Availability for the Final SEIS appeared in the Federal Register on April 5, 2002. To ensure the highest degree of public notice and participation in the NEPA process, TVA also requested comment on the Final SEIS tom April 5 to May 6, 2002.
TVA addressed the comments provided within this period in its Record of Decision which was published in the June 18, 2002, Federal Register. Under the selected alternative, TVA decided to seek to renew the operating licenses of all three units for an additional 20 years past the current (original) 40-year operating license terms as well as to recover and restart Unit 1.
Following the publishing of the Record of Decision, significant work began on recovering Unit 1, with the scheduled objective of restarting the unit in 2007.
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Environmental Monitoring Programs TVA has conducted and continues to conduct a numberof environmental monitoring programs in the Tennessee River Valley which have applicability to BFN. For example, TVA has conducted extensive sampling of the fish community in the vicinity of BFN and elsewhere in the Wheeler Reservoir, both in monitoring programs conducted specifically for BFN, and as part of TVA's Reservoir Monitoring Program. A total of 60 species has been collected in recent years by various sampling methods, including gill nets, electiofishing, and cove rotenone. Cove rotenone samples were collected annually from 1969 through 1997 as a component of the TVA environmental monitoring program for BFN, to provide a database on the fish community in the vicinity of BFN, and later to serve as a part of a thermal variance monitoring program.
TVA began a program to systematically monitor the ecological conditions of its reservoirs in 1990. Previously, reservoir studies had been confined to assessments to meet speciic needs as they arose. Reservoir and stream monitoring programs were combined with TVA's fish tissue and bacteriological studies to form an integrated Vital Signs Monitoring Program. Vital Signs Monitoring activities focus on physical/chemical characteristics of waters and sediments, benthic macroinvertebrate community sampling, and fish assemblage sampling. Fish samples were taken in three areas of Wheeler Reservoir from 1990 through 1995, and again in 1997 and 1999 as part of this monitoring program. Areas sampled included the forebay (area of the reservoir nearest the dam), a mid-reservoir transition station in the vicinity of Tennessee River Mile (TRM) 295.9, an upper-reservoir inflow station at TRM 348, and the Elk River Embayment. (BFN is located on the north shore at TRM 294.0. TRM 0.0 is downstream, where the Tennessee River joins the Ohio River in Paducah, KY.)
Reservoir Fish Assemblage Index (RFAI) ratings are based on fish community structure and function. Also considered in the rating are the percentage of the sample represented by omnivores and insectivores, overall number of fish collected, and the occurrence of fish with anomalies such as diseases, lesions, parasites, deformities, etc. In the fall of 2000, additional (i.e., not on the regular RFAI monitoring schedule) electrofishing and gill net samples were taken at the transition station (TRM 295.9) and a newly-established sampling station for future BFN monitoring at TRM 292.5.
Benthic macroinvertebrates are included in the Vital Signs Monitoring Program. Since 1995, Vital Signs samples have been collected in the late fall/winter (November/December).
Depending on reservoir size, as many as three stations are sampled (i.e., inflow, transition, and forebay). In addition to Vital Signs benthic macoinvertebrate monitoring, benthic community sampling in support of BFN thermal variance monitoring was begun in the fall of 2000 and will continue at least through the term of the current permit cycle of five years. Station locations are TRM 296 and TRM 292, upstream and downstream of the BFN diffusers, respectively.
After the year 2000, a team of biologists, including representatives from TVA and state fishery resource agencies in the Tennessee Valley, developed a Sport Fish Index (SFI) to quantify sport fishing quality for individual sport fish species and provide biologists with a reference E1-4
point. Comparison of the population sampling parameters and creel results for a particular sport fish species with expectations of these parameters from a high quality fishery (reference conditions) allows for the determination of fishing quality. In recent years, SFI information has been used to describe the quality of the resident sport fishery in conjunction with compliance monitoring, thermal variance requests, and other regulatory issues at TVA generating facilities in Tennessee and Alabama.
In addition to aquatic biota, other relevant TVA environmental monitoring activities applicable to BFN include compliance monitoring of radiological and non-radiological gaseous and liquid effluents. Liquid releases are controlled in compliance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit, and BFN submits an annual Air Emissions Report to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. TVA maintains cognizance of state and federal air quality monitoring, largely in conjunction with fossil-fueled power plant emissions. The Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP), which began in 1973 to assess the impact of BFN operations on the surrounding environs and the general public, is designed to monitor primary pathways for exposure to humans. The REMP includes measurement of direct radiation levels and sampling of fish, shoreline sediment, river water, air particulates, gaseous radioiodine, milk, soil, and fbod crops.
TVA also routinely conducts various maintenance activities on its thousands of miles of transmission lines, including those connecting BFN. Prior to conducting maintenance activities on specific line segments, the transmission line right-of-way is reviewed by technical specialists in the TVA Regional Natural Heritage and Cultural Resources programs, to identify any resource issues that may occur along the transmission line. These reviews address various aspects and considerations such as wetlands, state-listed and federal-listed threatened and endangered species, archaeological and historic sites and structures, and ecologically significant areas and free-flowing rivers. As explained above, TVA's experts in these areas interface frequently and share data with their counterparts in state and federal governmental agencies.
Collectively, these and other on-going monitoring programs provide TVA with current up-to-date information regarding the environmental health of the Valley, including the BFN environs. These programs have enabled BFN to establish a data continuum tom the original Environmental Statement to the present, and further support the bases for delineation of new and significant environmental issues beyond those addressed in the GEIS.
Review of 92 Environmental Issues Listed in the GEIS Each of the 92 license renewal environmental issues listed in the GEIS and summadzed in 10 CFR 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1, were reviewed by TVA's various subject matter experts that were involved in preparing the SEIS and the subsequent Environmental Report (ER) submitted by TVA as part of its application for BFN License Renewal. The results of this effort were summarized in Attachment E-5 of the ER, which cross-referenced each of the 92 issues with the sections of the SEIS and/or ER that generally or specifically addressed each item.
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In preparation for the NRC/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory BFN site visit on March 30 and 31, 2004, to gather environmental information needed by NRC/PNNL staff in order to prepare a Supplement to the GEIS for BFN License Renewal, TVA revisited each item on the list of 92 issues to explicitly document both the license renewal impacts (separately) and the combined impacts (collectively) of license renewal, Unit 1 recovery and restart, Extended Power Uprate (EPU) of all three units, and various associated activities such as dry cask storage and the use of blended highly-enriched uranium fuel. For license renewal by itself, there is no planned physical modification or refurbishment work necessary to continue operation for an additional 20 years past expiration of the current licenses. This is due to a combination of robust original equipment design and the many testing and maintenance programs (both on-going and being added for the renewed license period) which ensure that deteriorating items are replaced as necessary. Consequently, the environmental impacts of license renewal by itself are minimal, and this is reflected in the attached table, in the column br license renewal impacts.
The first two columns of the attached table contain each of the 92 issues and their corresponding summarized determinations by NRC as to their categorization (i.e., whether the items have been generically addressed or need further site-specific review) and significance (i.e., small, moderate, or large, following the stated definitions in the notes following Table B-1 of Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B). As described above, the third column contains TVA's evaluation of the impacts of license renewal by itself (i.e., essentially looking forward from the expiration of the current operating licenses). The fourth column contains TVA's evaluation of the combined impacts of current and proposed BFN activities, including license renewal, Unit 1 recovery and restart, EPU, dry cask storage, and using blended highly-enriched uranium in the fuel.
Conclusions Charged with environmental stewardship of the Tennessee River Valley, TVA has a capable staff of experts in various environmental subject matter areas which regularly work with their peers in academia and interfacing governmental agencies. TVA experts employ rigorous procedures and possess extensive experience necessary to conduct comprehensive environmental reviews, and they make use of TVA's various monitoring programs conducted over the decades to maintain current and consistent knowledge of the valley environs. From the original Environmental Statement in 1972 through the Supplemental EIS fbr License Renewal in 2002 and the most recent License Renewal ER, TVA has thoroughly analyzed those necessary aspects associated with continuing operations of the BFN units through the renewed license period. Together with revisiting the 1 OCFR51, Table B-1 listing of license renewal environmental issues as documented below, this comprehensive environmental review process has provided assurance that there are no environmental issues related to BFN license renewal which are both new and significant, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.53 (c)(3)(iv).
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ENCLOSURE 2 TVA RESPONSES TO 10CFR51 TABLE B-I LIST OF 92 LICENSE RENEWVAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Surface Water Quality, Hydrology, and Use (for all plants)
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 1. Impacts of 1 SMALL. Impacts are expected Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Reference SEIS § 4.3.6.1. Unit 1 recovery refurbishment on to be negligible during for license renewal).
will involve minor temporary impacts surface water refurbishment because best associated with surface water runoff. Best quality.
management practices will be management practices and compliance employed to control soil erosion with state permit requirements will minimize and spills.
potential impacts.
Reference ER § E.4.4. Since the plant operates in compliance with NPDES regulatory limits, no significant impacts are expected by the plant waste heat on dissolved oxygen and eutrophication in Wheeler Reservoir (over the original 3-unit operation).
- 2. Impacts of 1 SMALL. Water use during Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Reference ER § E.4.15. No significant refurbishment on refurbishment will not increase for license renewal).
change in water usage is expected during surface water appreciably or will be reduced Unit 1 recovery. No effect from EPU.
use.
during plant outage.
- 3. Altered 1 SMALL. Altered current Reference ER § E.4.1. The intake structure Reference ER § E.4.1. Minor increases in current patterns patterns have not been found to and discharge diffusers are located and water use from EPU and Unit I recovery at intake and be a problem at operating nuclear designed to limit current pattern changes in (over the original 2-unit and 3-unit discharge power plants and are not the vicinity of the plant. To date, no operations).
structures.
expected to be a problem during significant adverse environmental impacts the license renewal term.
from altered current patterns have been identified.
- 4. Altered salinity 1 SMALL. Salinity gradients have Not applicable. BFN is located on interior No adverse salinity effects are expected gradients.
not been found to be a problem at nonsaline (fresh) waters, not near estuaries.
from EPU or Unit 1 recovery.
operating nuclear power plants and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.
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ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL
- 5. Altered 1 SMALL. Generally, lake Reference ER § E.4.4. Unlike the current Reference ER § E.4.4. Only minor thermal stratification has not been found patterns in Issue No. 3 above, the weakly localized changes in thermal stratification stratification of to be a problem at operating stratified conditions of the reservoir are result from EPU and Unit I recovery (over lakes.
nuclear power plants and is not locally disturbed by the intake and discharge original 3-unit operation).
expected to be a problem during structures. However, they are reestablished the license renewal term.
as the flow moves downstream of the plant.
Therefore, no significant impacts.
- 6. Temperature 1 SMALL. These effects have not Reference ER § E.4.4. Operation of BFN Reference ER § E.4.4. EPU and Unit 1 effects on been found to be a problem at has not noticeably altered benthic recovery resulted in minor thermal changes sediment nuclear power plants and are not topography or required dredging. The only to Wheeler Reservoir. No adverse effects transport expected to be a problem during noticeable sediment accumulation has been are expected to the benthic capacity.
the license renewal term.
inside the diffuser pipes.
macroinvertebrate community structure in the vicinity of BFN from EPU or Unit 1 recovery.
- 7. Scouring 1 SMALL. Scouring has not been Reference ER § E.4.4. No significant Reference ER § E.4.4. Minor increases in caused by found to be a problem at most scouring or deposition in vicinity of discharge water from EPU and Unit 1 discharged operating nuclear power plants discharge. Diffuser design limits potential recovery (over the original 2-unit and 3-unit cooling water.
and has caused only localized effects.
operations).
effects at a few plants. It is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.
- 8.
1 SMALL. Eutrophication has not Reference ER § E.4.4. Large, highly Reference ER § E.4.4. Reservoir modeling Eutrophication been found to be a problem at productive riverine reservoir with short indicates minor effects from EPU and operating nuclear power plants hydraulic residence time. Therefore, no risk Unit 1 recovery on temperature, dissolved and is not expected to be a of significant impacts.
oxygen, and algal biomass (see ER Table problem during the license E.4-6).
renewal term.
Reference SEIS § 4.2.6.2 and § 4.3.6.2.
chlorine or other concern among regulatory and Main condenser cooling water is not EPU and Unit 1 recovery involve minor biocides.
resource agencies and are not chlorinated; biocide discharges limited to increases in biocide discharges.
expected to be a problem during smaller coolant streams. Regulated by the license renewal term.
NPDES permit and other provisions of the CWA to protect water quality.
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ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 10. Discharge of 1 SMALL. Effects are readily Reference ER § E.4.6 and E.4.7 and SEIS § Reference ER § E.4.6 and E.4.7 and SEIS sanitary wastes controlled through NPDES permit 4.2.6.2 and § 4.3.6.2. Regulated by NPDES
§ 4.2.6.2 and § 4.3.6.2. EPU and Unit I and minor and periodic modifications, if permit and other provisions of the CWA.
recovery involve minor changes in sanitary chemical spills.
needed, are not expected to be a wastes and other minor discharges.
problem during the license renewal term.
- 11. Discharge of 1 SMALL. These discharges No metals are added by BFN and no No metals additions will result from EPU other metals in have not been found to be a changes are being contemplated. Any and Unit 1 recovery.
wastewater.
problem at operating nuclear discharge of metals in the future would power plants with cooling-tower-require a permit modification and effluent based heat dissipation systems limitation.
and have been satisfactorily mitigated at other plants. They are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.
- 12. Water use 1 SMALL. These conflicts have Reference ER § E.4.1, E.4.5-8, and E.4.15.
Reference ER § E.4.1, E.4.5-8, and E.4.15.
conflicts (plants not been found to be a problem at Consumptive use small relative to reservoir.
Minor increases in water use from EPU and with once-operating nuclear power plants Growth in consumptive use over next 30 Unit 1 recovery (over the original 2-unit and through cooling with once-through heat dissipation years will not reduce minimum flows past 3-unit operations).
systems).
systems.
BFN.
- 13. Water use 2 SMALL OR MODERATE. The Reference ER § E.4.1, E.4.5-8, and E.4.15.
Reference ER § E.4.1, E.4.5-8, and E.4.15.
conflicts (plants issue has been a concern at Consumptive use small relative to reservoir.
Minor increases in water use from EPU and with cooling nuclear power plants with cooling Growth in external consumptive use over Unit 1 recovery (over the original 2-unit and ponds or cooling ponds and at plants with cooling next 30 years will not reduce minimum flows 3-unit operations).
towers using towers. Impacts on in-stream and past BFN.
make-up water riparian communities near these from a small plants could be of moderate river with low significance in some situations.
flow).
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Aquatic Ecology (for all plants)
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL
- 14.
1 SMALL. During plant shutdown Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Addressed in SEIS § 3.10.1. The balanced Refurbishment.
and refurbishment there will be for license renewal).
indigenous population of aquatic organisms negligible effects on aquatic biota found in the vicinity of BFN will not be because of a reduction of affected during any plant outage, and no entrainment and impingement of adverse effects are expected from EPU or organisms or a reduced release Unit I recovery.
of chemicals.
- 15.
1 SMALL. Accumulation of No significant impacts are anticipated. BFN No adverse effects are expected from EPU Accumulation of contaminants has been a concern has replaced its copper-bearing condenser or Unit 1 recovery (no copper alloy tubes).
contaminants in at a few nuclear power plants but tubes with stainless steel on all three units.
sediments or has been satisfactorily mitigated The Unit 2 and Unit 3 condenser tubes were biota.
by replacing copper alloy changed to stainless steel AL-6XN and Unit condenser tubes with those of 1 is now UNS S44660 'Sea-Cure" another metal. It is not expected superferritic stainless steel.
to be a problem during the license renewal term.
- 16. Entrainment 1 SMALL. Entrainment of Addressed in SEIS § 3.10.5. Plankton Addressed in SEIS § 3.10.5. No adverse of phytoplankton phytoplankton and zooplankton communities have shown no consistent effects are expected from EPU or Unit I and zooplankton.
has not been found to be a changes in species composition or densities recovery.
problem at operating nuclear in either near or far field of BFN.
power plants and is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.
- 17. Cold Shock.
1 SMALL. Cold shock has been TVA studies have documented that thermal Neither Unit 1 recovery nor EPU will satisfactorily mitigated at releases from BFN have not had a adversely affect the aquatic communities in operating nuclear plants with significant impact on the aquatic the vicinity of BFN.
once-through cooling systems, communities of Wheeler Reservoir. Nuclear has not endangered fish plants do not shut down rapidly and have populations or been found to be a decay heat as a buffer; therefore, cold problem at operating nuclear shock is highly unlikely. Furthermore, with power plants with cooling towers the BFN diffuser configuration, aquatic or cooling ponds, and is not organisms are tempered with ambient water expected to be a problem during temperatures and do not experience a rapid the license renewal term.
temperature change.
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COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 18. Thermal 1 SMALL. Thermal plumes have Addressed in SEIS § 3.10.5. TVA studies Addressed in SEIS § 3.10.5. TVA studies plume barrier to not been found to be a problem at have documented that thermal releases of thermal releases from BFN have migrating fish.
operating nuclear power plants from BFN have not had a significant impact demonstrated that there is no significant and are not expected to be a on the aquatic communities of Wheeler impact on the aquatic communities of problem during the license Reservoir and are not expected to adversely Wheeler Reservoir due to Unit I recovery renewal term.
affect the aquatic communities of Wheeler and EPU.
Reservoir in the future.
- 19. Distribution 1 SMALL. Thermal discharge Addressed in SEIS § 3.10.5. TVA studies Addressed in SEIS § 3.10.5. Neither EPU of aquatic may have localized effects but is have documented that thermal releases nor recovery of Unit 1 is expected to alter organisms.
not expected to affect the larger from BFN have not had a significant impact the distribution of aquatic organisms in geographical distribution of on the aquatic community of Wheeler Wheeler Reservoir.
aquatic organisms.
Reservoir.
- 20. Premature 1 SMALL. Premature emergence Addressed in SEIS § 3.10.2. Benthic Addressed in SEIS § 3.10.2. Premature emergence of has been found to be a localized macroinvertebrate communities rated from emergence is not expected to occur from aquatic insects.
effect at some operating nuclear good to excellent in the vicinity of BFN EPU or recovery of Unit 1.
plants but has not been a problem during annual Vital Signs monitoring.
and is not expected to be a Premature emergence has not been problem during the license recorded during multiple field studies.
renewal term.
- 21. Gas super-1 SMALL. Gas super-saturation BFN has discharge diffusers to promote No gas super-saturation effects are saturation (gas was a concern at a small number rapid mixing in the river and does not have expected from EPU or Unit 1 recovery.
bubble disease).
of operating nuclear power plants discharge canals with resident fish with once-through cooling populations. Gas bubble disease has not systems but has been been recorded during multiple biological satisfactorily mitigated. It has not surveys conducted in the vicinity of BFN.
been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants with cooling towers or cooling ponds and is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.
E2-5
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 22. Low 1 SMALL. Low dissolved oxygen Water released from Guntersville Dam, The aquatic communities from both fish dissolved has been a concern at one located upstream of BFN, is well and benthic macroinvertebrates are not oxygen in the nuclear power plant with a once-oxygenated. These releases are mixed with expected to be adversely affected from discharge.
through cooling system but has the effluent of BFN near the diffusers EPU or recovery of Unit 1.
been effectively mitigated. It has located in the middle of the river channel.
not been found to be a problem at The aquatic communities from both fish and operating nuclear power plants benthic macroinvertebrates have not shown with cooling towers or cooling effects from low dissolved oxygen.
ponds and is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.
- 23. Losses from 1 SMALL. These types of losses Reservoir Fisheries Assemblage and Losses from predation, parasitism, and predation, have not been found to be a benthic macroinvertebrate indices rated disease, if any, are not expected to parasitism, and problem at operating nuclear good to excellent in BFN's annual biological increase from EPU or recovery of Unit 1.
disease among power plants and are not monitoring program. The indication of organisms expected to be a problem during predation, parasitism, and disease has not exposed to sub-the license renewal term.
been noted during annual field lethal stresses.
assessments.
- 24. Stimulation 1 SMALL. Stimulation of Plankton and benthic samples collected in No adverse stimulation of nuisance species of nuisance nuisance organisms has been Wheeler Reservoir have illustrated no is expected from EPU or Unit 1 recovery.
organisms (e.g.,
satisfactorily mitigated at the differences in the occurrences of nuisance shipworms).
single nuclear power plant with a species above or below BFN.
once-through cooling system where previously it was a problem. It has not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants with cooling towers or cooling ponds and is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.
E2-6
Aauatic Ecoloav (for Plants with once-throuah and coolina nond heat dissipation svstemsi COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
Addressed in ER § E.4.2 and SEIS § of fish and LARGE. The impacts of No significant impacts are expected from 3.10.4. Entrainment of larval fish is not shellfish in early entrainment are small at many entrainment of larval fish. BFN is currently expected to increase from EPU or recovery life stages.
plants but may be moderate or monitoring entrainment effects for of Unit 1.
even large at a few plants with comparison to historical entrainment studies once-through and cooling-pond and will update the database to assess any cooling systems. Further, on-effects of future operational changes.
going efforts in the vicinity of these plants to restore fish populations may increase the numbers of fish susceptible to intake effects during the license renewal period such that entrainment studies conducted in support of the original license may no longer be valid. See § 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(B).
Addressed in ER § E.4.3 and SEIS § of fish and LARGE. The impacts of No significant impacts are expected from 3.10.4. Impingement of juvenile and adult shellfish.
impingement are small at many Impingement of juvenile and adult fish. BFN fish is not expected to increase from EPU plants but may be moderate or is currently monitoring impingement effects or recovery of Unit 1.
even large at a few plants with for comparison to historical impingement once-through and cooling-pond studies and will update the database to systems. See § 51.53 assess any effects of future operational (c)(3)(ii)(B).
changes.
- 27. Heat shock.
2 SMALL. MODERATE, OR Addressed in ER § E.4.4 and SEIS § 3.10.5.
Addressed in ER § E.4.4 and SEIS § LARGE. Because of continuing TVA studies have documented that thermal 3.10.5. No adverse heat shock effects are concerns about heat shock and releases from BFN have not had a expected under current permit conditions the possible need to modify significant impact on the aquatic community from EPU or Unit 1 recovery.
thermal discharges in response to of Wheeler Reservoir.
changing environmental conditions, the impacts may be of moderate or large significance at some plants. See § 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(B).
E2-7
Aquatic ecology for plants with cooling-tower-based heat dissipation systems)
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
Addressed in ER § E.4.2 and SEIS § of fish and not been found to be a problem at BFN is currently monitoring entrainment 3.10.4. Entrainment of larval fish is not shellfish in early operating nuclear power plants effects for comparison to historical expected to increase from EPU or recovery life stages.
with this type of cooling system entrainment studies and will update the of Unit 1.
and is not expected to be a database to assess any effects of future problem during the license operational changes.
renewal term.
Addressed in ER § E.4.3 and SEIS § of fish and not been found to be a problem of BFN is currently monitoring impingement 3.10.4. Impingement of juvenile and adult shellfish.
operating nuclear power plants effects for comparison to historical fish is not expected to increase from EPU with this type of cooling system impingement studies and will update the or recovery of Unit 1.
and is not expected to be a database to assess any effects of future problem during the license operational changes.
renewal term.
- 30. Heat shock.
1 SMALL. Heat shock has not Addressed in ER § E.4.4 and SEIS § 3.10.5.
Addressed in ER § E.4.4 and SEIS § been found to be a problem at TVA studies have documented that thermal 3.10.5. No adverse heat shock effects are operating nuclear power plants releases from BFN have not had a expected under current permit conditions with this type of cooling system significant impact on the aquatic community from EPU or Unit 1 recovery.
and is not expected to be a of Wheeler Reservoir.
problem during the license renewal term.
E2-8
Groundwater Use and Quality ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 31. Impacts of 1 SMALL. Extensive dewatering Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Reference ER §§ E.4.5 and E.4.8. Plant refurbishment on during the original constwuction on for license renewal).
discharges from operation are managed to groundwater use some sites will not be repeated meet NPDES requirements, and BMPs are and quality.
during refurbishment on any sites.
employed to mitigate any temporary Any plant wastes produced during construction impacts associated with Unit I refurbishment will be handled in recovery or EPU. Any construction the same manner as in current dewatering would be temporary and operating practices and are not insignificant.
expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.
- 32. Groundwater I SMALL. Plants using less than Reference ER § E.4.5. There is no Reference ER § E.4.5. There is no use conflicts 100 gpm are not expected to groundwater use at BFN now or anticipated groundwater use at BFN associated with (potable and cause any groundwater-water use during the term of renewed licenses. Any Unit I recovery or EPU or any other project.
service water; conflicts.
construction de-watering would be plants that use temporary and insignificant.
<100 gpm).
- 33. Groundwater 2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Reference ER § E.4.5. There is no Reference ER § E.4.5. There is no use conflicts LARGE. Plants that use more groundwater use at BFN now or anticipated groundwater use at BFN associated with (potable and than 100 gpm may cause during the term of renewed licenses. Any Unit 1 recovery or EPU or any other project.
service water, groundwater use conflicts with construction de-watering would be and dewatering nearby groundwater users. See § temporary and insignificant.
plants that use 51.53(c )(3)(ii)(C).
>100 gpm).
E2-9
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS l
ACTIVITIES l
- 34. Groundwater 2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Reference ER § E.4.1 and § E.4.6. The Reference ER § E.4.1 and § E.4.6. No use conflicts LARGE. Water use conflicts may amount of water consumed by BFN is changes of any significance to the amount (plants using result from surface water insignificant relative to the available flow of river water consumed by BFN are cooling towers withdrawals from small water rate in the reservoir. Also, there is no associated with Unit 1 restart or EPU.
withdrawing bodies during low flow conditions groundwater use at BFN now or anticipated Also, there is no groundwater use at BFN make-up water which may affect aquifer during the term of renewed licenses.
associated with Unit 1 recovery or EPU or from a small recharge, especially if other any other project.
river).
groundwater or upstream surface water users come on line before the time of license renewal. See
- 35. Groundwater 2 SMALL, MODERATE OR Reference ER § E.4.7. BFN does not use Reference ER § E.4.7. BFN does not use use conflicts LARGE. Ranney wells can result Ranney wells and has no plans to do so.
Ranney wells and has no plans to do so.
(Ranney wells).
in potential groundwater-water depression beyond the site boundary. Impacts of large groundwater-water withdrawal for cooling tower make-up at nuclear power plants using Ranney wells must be evaluated at the time of application to license renewal.
- 36. Groundwater 1 SMALL. Groundwater quality at Reference ER § E.4.7. BFN does not use Reference ER § E.4.7. BFN does not use quality river sites may be degraded by Ranney wells and has no plans to do so.
Ranney wells and has no plans to do so.
degradation induced infiltration of poor-quality (Ranney wells).
river water into an aquifer that supplies large quantities of reactor cooling water. However, the lower quality infiltrating water would not preclude the current uses of groundwater and is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term:
- 37. Groundwater 1 SMALL. Nuclear power plants BFN is located on interior nonsaline (fresh)
BFN is located on interior nonsaline (fresh) quality do not contribute significantly to waters, not near coastal saltwater sources.
waters, not near coastal saltwater sources.
degradation saltwater intrusion.
(saltwater intrusion).
I 1E2-10
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 38. Groundwater 1 SMALL. Sites with closed-cycle BFN does not utilize closed-cycle cooling BFN does not utilize closed-cycle cooling quality cooling ponds may degrade ponds and is not adjacent to saltwater ponds and is not adjacent to saltwater degradation groundwater-water quality.
sources such as salt marshes.
sources such as salt marshes.
(cooling ponds in Because water in salt marshes is salt marshes).
brackish, this is not a concern for plants located in salt marshes.
- 39. Groundwater 2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Reference ER § E.4.8. BFN does not utilize Reference ER § E.4.8. BFN does not quality LARGE. Sites with closed-cycle cooling ponds.
utilize cooling ponds.
degradation cooling ponds may degrade (cooling ponds groundwater-water quality. For at inland sites).
plants located inland, the quality of the groundwater water in the vicinity of the ponds must be shown to be adequate to allow continuation of current uses. See
Terrestrial Resources ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 40.
2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Reference ER § E.4.9. No plant or animal Refurbishment LARGE. Refurbishment impacts for license renewal).
habitats of any significance will be impacts.
are insignificant if no loss of impacted by the activities or minor important plant and animal habitat structural changes associated with the occurs. However, it cannot be several proposed changes at BFN.
known whether important plant and animal communities may be affected until the specific proposal is presented with the license renewal application. See § 51.53 (c )(3)(ii)(E).
I E2-11
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 41. Cooling 1 SMALL. Impacts from salt drift, BFN typically runs its cooling towers for only The amount of time BFN typically runs its tower impacts on icing, fogging, or increased a few weeks in the peak summer heating cooling towers is not expected to change crops and humidity associated with cooling period. Due in part to the short operating significantly with EPU and Unit 1 recovery.
ornamental tower operation have not been period at this time of year, no noticeable vegetation.
found to be a problem at impacts from salt drift, icing, fogging, or operating nuclear power plants increased humidity are anticipated.
and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.
- 42. Cooling 1 SMALL. Impacts from salt drift, BFN typically runs its cooling towers for only The amount of time BFN typically runs its tower impacts on icing, fogging, or increased a few weeks in the peak summer heating cooling towers is not expected to change native plants.
humidity associated with cooling period. Due in part to the short operating significantly with EPU and Unit 1 recovery.
tower operation have not been period at this time of year, no noticeable found to be a problem at impacts from salt drift, icing, fogging, or operating nuclear power plants increased humidity are anticipated.
and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.
- 43. Bird I SMALL. These collisions have BFN has not experienced bird kills due to The 6tn tower for Unit I restart is collisions with not been found to be a problem at the cooling towers, probably because they approximately the same height as the cooling towers.
operating nuclear power plants are relatively short (-65 feet above ground) others and would therefore not be expected and are not expected to be a and the adjacent spoils berm is higher (-70 to be any different regarding bird kills.
problem during the license feet).
renewal term.
- 44. Cooling pond 1 SMALL. Impacts of cooling Not applicable: BFN does not have cooling Not applicable: BFN does not have cooling impacts on ponds on terrestrial ecological ponds.
ponds.
terrestrial resources are considered to be of resources.
small significance at all sites.
- 45. Power line 1 SMALL. The impacts of right-Reference ER Attachment E-6. TVA TOM Reference ER Attachment E-6. No right-of-way of-way maintenance on wildlife has a line maintenance process that changes to the TVA TOM line maintenance (cutting and are expected to be of small incorporates environmental protections.
process are anticipated for several herbicide significance at all sites.
proposed activities at BFN.
application).
- 46. Bird collision 1 SMALL. Impacts are expected Reference ER Attachment E-6. No problem Reference ER Attachment E-6. No new with power lines.
to be of small significance at all with bird kills has been observed by transmission lines (but some upgrades) are sites.
transmission line maintenance personnel.
needed for Unit 1 restart and EPU.
E2-12
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL
- 47. Impacts of 1 SMALL. No significant impacts Reference SEIS § 3.20.4 and ER Reference SEIS § 3.20.4 and ER electromagnetic of EMF on terrestrial flora and Attachment E-6. No significant impacts of Attachment E-6. Neither Unit I restart, fields on flora fauna have been identified. Such EMF on flora or fauna are known from TVA EPU, nor the other proposed activities will and fauna effects are not expected to be a transmission lines. TVA/TPS personnel increase line voltages. EPU will increase (plants, problem during the license stay abreast of these issues via participation line currents proportionately, but based on agricultural renewal term.
in an EPRI taskforce on EMF effects.
experience with varying line loadings no
- wildlife, meet Florida/New York standards for livestock).
transmission line magnetic field, even with increased EPU currents.
- 48. Floodplains 1 SMALL. Periodic vegetation Reference ER Attachment E-6. TVA Reference ER Attachment E-6 and FSEIS and wetlands on control is necessary in forested standard Best Management Practices are
§ 4.3.14:5. The only change to power lines power line right-wetlands underneath power lines employed to avoid or minimize impacts to currently contemplated for EPU or Unit 1 of-way.
and can be achieved with minimal the identified potential wetland areas and restart is the reconductoring of the Madison damage to the wetland. No floodplains. When wetland avoidance is not to Redstone transmission line (13.2 miles),
significant impact is expected at possible, the appropriate Federal Section which will be done in accordance with TVA any nuclear power plant during 404 Nationwide Permits and State permits environmental protection procedures and the license renewal term.
are obtained for those maintenance Best Management Practices. All other activities that may require permits. TVA has transmission line impacts involve procedures in place to identify potential equipment additions utilizing available wetland areas in transmission line ROWs.
spaces at existing substation and Wetlands specialists perform office-level switchyard facilities. Potential floodplain reviews of National Wetland Inventory data.
impacts would be minor because the only TVA-produced low-elevation aerial activities in these areas would be photographs of transmission line structures associated with transmission line and ROW and surrounding ROW, county soil surveys, maintenance.
and county hydric soils lists to identify the locations of potential wetland areas. TVA uses previously developed subclass review criteria to ensure that maintenance or construction of transmission lines in floodplains would result in minor impacts.
E2-13
Threatened or Endangered Species (all plants)
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES O
- 49. Threatened 2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Reference ER § E.4.10. No refurbishment Reference ER § E.4.10. No candidate or or endangered LARGE. Generally, plant is needed for license renewal. No candidate listed species are known on or immediately species.
refurbishment and continued or listed species are known on or adjacent to lands which may be disturbed operation are not expected to immediately adjacent to BFN lands.
by actions associated with Unit 1 recovery, adversely affect threatened or Therefore, no effects on rare species are EPU, or dry cask storage of spent fuel.
endangered species. However, anticipated for license renewal.
TVA Transmission Operations and consultation with appropriate Maintenance utilizes a line maintenance agencies would be needed at the process that incorporates environmental time of license renewal to protections. Therefore, no effects on rare determine whether threatened or species are anticipated.
endangered species are present and whether they would be adversely affected. See § 51.53 (c)(3)(ii)(E).
Air Quality ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 50. Air quality 2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Reference ER § E.4.1 1. No nonattainment during LARGE. Air quality impacts from for license renewal).
areas are designated at or near BFN. No refurbishment plant refurbishment associated air impacts of any significance are (nonattainment with license renewal are expected associated with Unit 1 restart and EPU.
and to be small. However, vehicle maintenance exhaust emissions could be areas).
cause for concern at locations in or near nonattainment or maintenance areas. The significance of the potential impact cannot be determined without considering the compliance status of each site and the numbers of workers expected to be employed during the outage. See § 51.53 (c)(3)(ii)(F).
- 51. Air quality 1 SMALL. Production of ozone Reference ER Attachment E-6. Since line Reference ER Attachment E-6. Since line effects of and oxides of nitrogen is voltages and line use continue unchanged, voltages and line use are unchanged, no transmission insignificant and does not no impacts are projected for license impacts are projected for EPU and/or Unit lines.
contribute measurably to ambient renewal.
1 restart.
Ilevels of these gasses.
I l
E2-14
Land Use COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 52. On-site land 1 SMALL. Projected on-site land Reference ER § E.3.2. No land use Reference ER § E.3.2. No land use use.
use changes required during changes are projected for license renewal or changes result from EPU. Associated with refurbishment and the renewal through the renewed license period.
Unit 1 recovery, a new admin building has period would be a small fraction of been constructed, and a new mod/fab any nuclear power plant site and building, ISFSI, and 6th cooling tower are would involve land that is being constructed, all on previously controlled by the applicant.
disturbed land (no impact).
- 53. Power line 1 SMALL. Ongoing use of power Reference ER §§ E.3.1.7 and E.3.2. No Reference ER §§ E.3.1.7 and E.3.2. No right-of-way.
line right-of-ways would continue new line right-of-ways or construction of new new line right-of-ways or construction of with no change in restrictions.
transmission lines will be required for new transmission lines will be required for The effects of these restrictions license renewal.
are of small significance.
I Human Health ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL
- 54. Radiation 1 SMALL. During refurbishment, Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Reference SEIS §§ 3.21, 4.2.21, 4.3.21.
exposures to the the gaseous effluents would result for license renewal).
Doses to the public are not expected to public during in doses that are similar to those increase during Unit 1 recovery and mods refurbishment.
from current operation.
for EPU. Any small increase that might Applicable regulatory dose limits occur would still be far below allowable to the public are not expected to limits.
be exceeded.
- 55. Occupational 1 SMALL. Occupational doses Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Reference SEIS §§ 3.21, 4.2.21.1.1, and radiation from refurbishment are expected for license renewal).
4.3.21.1.1. Occupational radiation exposures to be within the range of annual exposures for Unit 1 recovery and during average collective doses modifications for EPU are forecasted to be refurbishment.
experienced for pressurized-water comparable to industry BWR annual reactors and boiling-water average collective dose. Risks for reactors. Occupational mortality occupational radiation exposure mortality risk from all causes including are deemed not greater than those for the radiation is in the mid-range for BWR industry. Regulatory occupational industrial settings.
dose limits will continue to be met.
- 56.
1 SMALL. Occupational health Reference SEIS § 3.20.6 and ER § E.4.12.
Reference SEIS § 3.20.6 and ER § E.4.12.
Microbiological impacts are expected to be Depending upon conditions, BFN has at No tasks necessary for EPU or Unit I organisms controlled by continued times required respiratory protection for recovery are projected to present a threat (occupational application of accepted industrial workers doing certain cooling tower tasks to workers from microbiological pathogens.
health).
hygiene practices to minimize such as basin cleanout. However, based on worker exposures.
past experience, no problems in this area are anticipated.
E2-15
COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 57.
2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Reference ER § E.4.12. Based on past Reference ER § E.4.12. No tasks Microbiological LARGE. These organisms are operational experience with discharged necessary for EPU or Unit 1 recovery are organisms not expected to be a problem at cooling water and cooling tower operation projected to present a threat to the public (public health),
most operating plants except and maintenance, no problems are from microbiological pathogens.
(plants using possibly at plants using cooling anticipated through the renewed license lakes or canals, ponds, lakes, or canals that period.
or cooling towers discharge to small rivers. Without or cooling ponds site-specific data, it is not possible that discharge to to predict the effects generically.
a small river).
See § 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(G).
- 58. Noise.
1 SMALL. Noise has not been Noise is addressed extensively in the SEIS, Noise is addressed in the SEIS, §§ 3.19, found to be a problem at
§§ 3.19, 4.2.19, and 4.3.19. BFN has 4.2.19, and 4.3.19. The only potentially operating plants and is not operated six cooling towers successfully noticeable noise impact of Unit 1 restart is expected to be a problem at any (and without complaint) in the past and, associated with the sixth cooling tower, plant during the license renewal therefore, is expected to continue doing so located at the NW edge of the site adjacent term.
through the renewed license period.
to a subdivision, to be rebuilt and operated a few weeks during hot weather. EPU and Unit I could cause the towers to operate more often but will have no significant noise impacts.
- 59.
2 SMALL. MODERATE, OR Reference ER § E.4.13 and Attachment E-3.
Reference ER § E.4.13 and Attachment Electromagnetic LARGE. Electrical shock The electric shock potential from induced E-3. Neither the restart of Unit I nor the fields, acute resulting from direct access to current of 500-kV and 161-kV transmission EPU will change any of the parameters by effects (electric energized conductors or from lines in the vicinity of BFNP was determined which the electric shock potential of the shock).
induced charges in metallic in accordance with procedures specified by area transmission lines was evaluated (and structures have not been found to EPRI and found to be within safe limits as found to be acceptable).
be a problem at most operating defined by the National Electrical Safety plants and generally are not Code. No changes are being made for expected to be a problem during license renewal that would alter this the license renewal term.
conclusion.
However, site-specific review is required to determine the significance of the electric shock potential of the site. See § 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(H).
1 E2-16
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ABINEDCTIVIPACTS OF ALL
- 60.
N/A UNCERTAIN. Biological and Reference SEIS § 3.20. No significant Reference SEIS § 3.20. Neither Unit 1 Electromagnetic physical studies of 60-Hz impacts of EMF on human health are known restart nor EPU will increase line voltages.
fields, chronic electromagnetic fields have not from TVA transmission lines. TVA lines will EPU will increase line currents effects.
found consistent evidence linking continue to easily meet Florida/New York proportionately, but based on experience harmful effects with field standards for transmission line magnetic with varying line loadings no significant exposures. However, research is field strength. TVAITPS personnel stay impacts of EMF on human health are continuing in this area and a abreast of this issue via participation in the anticipated. Even with increased EPU consensus scientific view has not EPRI taskforce on EMF effects.
currents, TVA lines meet Florida/New York been reached.
standards for transmission line magnetic field strength.
Reference SEIS §§ 3.21, 4.2.21, and exposures to the public will continue at current Doses to the public during the renewed 4.3.21. Doses to the public may increase public (license levels associated with normal license period are projected to remain far slightly with Unit 1 restart and EPU, but renewal term).
operations.
below allowable limits, with no impact to the would remain far below allowable limits.
public.
Reference SEIS §§ 3.21, 4.2.21.1.1, and radiation occupational doses during the Regulatory dose limits will continue to be 4.3.21.1.1. Unit I operation will increase exposures license renewal term are within met and no changes to occupational dose total occupational dose proportionate to a (license renewal the range of doses experienced rates are expected during the renewed three-unit dose complement, and EPU is term).
during normal operations and license term.
expected to increase dose slightly less than normal maintenance outages and a direct proportionality with the increased would be well below regulatory power level. Regulatory dose limits will limits.
continue to be met. No further changes to occupational dose rates are expected.
E2-17
Socioeconomics [and Cultural Resources]
COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 63. Housing 2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Reference ER § E.2.6 and § E.4.14. Since Reference ER § E.2.6 and § E.4.14. The impacts.
LARGE. Housing impacts are operational employment through the influx of temporary workers for Unit I expected to be of small renewed license period is projected to recovery has not had a significant impact significance at plants located in a remain at only 150 workers above that of on housing in the area, and the cumulative medium or high population area current operations, no significant impacts impacts associated with EPU and other and not in an area where growth are anticipated.
projects will be minor.
control measures that limit housing development are in effect. Moderate or large housing impacts of the workforce associated with refurbishment may be associated with plants located in sparsely populated areas or in areas with growth control measures that will limit housing development. See § 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(l).
- 64. Public 1 SMALL. Impacts to public Reference ER § E.2.6 and § E.3.4, and Reference ER § E.2.6 and § E.3.4, and services: public safety, social services, tourism, SEIS § 4.3.13. Since operational SEIS § 4.3.13. Some possible short-term safety, social and recreation are expected to be employment through the renewed license impacts on community services such as services, and of small significance at all sites.
period is projected to remain at only 150 schools were anticipated as a result of the tourism and workers above that of current operations, no temporary Worker influx for Unit I recovery recreation.
significant impacts are anticipated.
but nothing noticeable has materialized.
- 65. Public 2 SMALL OR MODERATE. An Reference ER § E.4.15. Since operational Reference ER § E.4.15. No problems have services: public increased problem with water employment through the renewed license been experienced by local potable water utilities.
shortages at some sites may lead period is projected to remain at only 150 supply utilities in meeting increased to impacts of moderate workers above that of current operations, no demands associated with the temporary significance on public water significant impacts are anticipated.
worker influx associated with Unit I supply availability. See § 51.53 recovery and other projects.
(c)(3)(ii)(l).
- 66. Public 2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Reference ER § E.4.16. The temporary
- services, LARGE. Most sites would for license renewal).
worker influx for Unit 1 recovery and other education experience impacts of small projects has not resulted in any noticeable (refurbishment).
significance, but larger impacts impacts on local schools.
are possible depending on site-and project-specific factors. See
E2-18
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 67. Public 1 SMALL. Only impacts of small Reference ER § E.3.4 and § E.4.14.2, and Reference ER § E.3.4 and § E.4.14.2, and
- services, significance are expected.
SEIS § 4.3.13. Since operational SEIS § 4.3.13. The increase in permanent education employment through the renewed license staffing for Unit 1 operation is only 150, and (license renewal period is projected to remain at only 150 no increase is needed for EPU and other term).
workers above that of current operations, no projects; therefore, impacts are negligible.
significant impacts are anticipated.
- 68. Off-site land 2 SMALL OR MODERATE.
Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Reference ER § E.4.17.1. The increased use Impacts may be of moderate for license renewal).
worker population for Unit 1 recovery and (refurbishment).
significance at plants in low other projects is temporary and small population areas. See § 51.53 compared to the existing population; (c)(3)(ii)(1).
therefore, impacts are negligible.
- 69. Off-site land 2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Reference ER § E.4.17.2. Since operational Reference ER § E.4.17.2. The increase in use (license LARGE. Significant changes in employment through the renewed license permanent staffing for Unit 1 operation is renewal term).
land use may be associated with period is projected to remain at only 150 only 150. No increase is needed for EPU population and tax revenue workers above that of current operations and other projects, and little, if any, growth changes resulting from license and little, if any, growth in the area is in the area is attributable to BFN; therefore, renewal. See § 51.53 (c)(3)(ii)(I).
attributable to BFN, no significant impacts impacts are negligible.
are anticipated.
ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 70. Public 2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Reference ER § E.4.18. Since operational Reference ER § E.4.18. Large temporary
- services, LARGE. Transportation impacts employment through the renewed license influx of workers for Unit 1 recovery and transportation.
(level of service) of highway traffic period is projected to remain at only 150 other projects results in moderate impact generated during plant workers above that of current operations, no on local traffic.
refurbishment and during the term significant impacts are anticipated.
of the renewed license are generally expected to be of small significance. However, the increase in traffic associated with additional workers and the local road and traffic control conditions may lead to impacts of moderate or large significance at some sites. See § 51.53 (c)(3)(ii)(J).
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ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL
- 71. Historic and 2 SMALL, MODERATE, OR Reference ER § E.4.19. While future Reference ER § E.4.19. No impacts to archaeological LARGE. Generally, plant activities related to BFN license renewal are cultural sites are expected for EPU or resources.
refurbishment and continued expected to have an insignificant effect on Unit I restart or other contemplated BFN operation are expected to have no historic properties, each activity will be activities.
more than small adverse impacts reviewed by TVA Cultural Resources on a on historic and archaeological case-by-case basis. These activities will resources. However, the National include new construction or maintenance Historic Preservation Act requires activities that will result in ground the federal agency to consult with disturbance. Affects to historic properties as the State Historic Preservation a result of any future ground disturbance will Officer to determine whether be reviewed in consultation with the there are properties present that Alabama SHPO and all affiliated Indian require protection. See § 51.53 tribes. However, no refurbishment is (c)(3)(ii)(K).
necessary for license renewal, and there is a small likelihood of any such ground disturbances.
- 72. Aesthetic 1 SMALL. No significant impacts Not applicable (no refurbishment is needed Reference SEIS §§ 3.16,4.2.16, and impacts are expected during for license renewal).
4.3.16. No significant changes to site (refurbishment) refurbishment.
appearance are planned for Unit I recovery or other projects (6th cooling tower previously existed; the new admin and mods/fab buildings are dominated by existing structures).
Reference SEIS §§ 3.16, 4.2.16, and impacts (license are expected during the license After license renewal, no further new 4.3.16. No exterior changes to site renewal term).
renewal term.
buildings are planned.
structures are needed for EPU. The only new buildings contemplated are for Unit 1 recovery and restart.
- 74. Aesthetic 1 SMALL. No significant impacts Reference SEIS §§ 3.14, 3.16, 4.2.14, Reference SEIS §§ 3.14, 3.16, 4.2.14, impacts of are expected during the license 4.2.16, 4.3.14, and 4.3.16. No changes to 4.2.16, 4.3.14, and 4.3.16. Other than transmission renewal term.
the transmission lines are contemplated for reconductoring one line, no changes to the lines (license license renewal.
transmission lines are contemplated for renewal term).
II IUnit 1 restart or any other projects.
Postulated Accidents ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS CCOMBINED IMPACTS OFALL
- 75. Design Basis 1 SMALL. The NRC staff has No changes to DBAs are contemplated for The only potential changes to DBAs would Accidents.
concluded that the environmental license renewal.
be addressed in the EPU submittals; no impacts of design basis accidents potential impacts are associated with LR or are of small significance for all Unit 1 restart.
plants.
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ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL
- 76. Severe 2 SMALL. The probability Addressed in ER Attachment E-4. No Addressed in ER Attachment E-4. Updated Accidents.
weighted consequences of changes to the SAMA are required for the SAMA analyses reflect Unit 1 recovery, atmospheric releases, fallout onto period of renewed operating licenses.
EPU, BLEU, and change in fuel vendor.
open bodies of water, releases to groundwater water, and societal and economic impacts from severe accidents are small for all plants. However, alternatives to mitigate severe accidents must be considered for all plants that have not considered such alternatives.
See § 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(L).
Uranium Fuel Cycle and Waste Management COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 77. Off-site 1 SMALL. Off-site impacts of the Addressed in SEIS §§ 3.21, 4.2.21, and Addressed in SEIS §§ 3.21, 4.2.21, and radiological uranium fuel cycle have been 4.3.21. Individually, off-site radiological 4.3.21. Unit 1 restart and operation at EPU impacts considered by the Commission in dose impacts will remain well within will both result in a small increase in off-site (individual Table S-3 of this part. Based on regulatory limits and produce no noticeable radiological dose, but these will remain well effects from information in the GEIS, impacts impacts during the renewed license within regulatory limits and produce no other than the on individuals from radioactive operating period.
noticeable impacts. The volume of low-disposal of spent gaseous and liquid releases level radwaste will increase proportionately, fuel and high including radon-222 and but its characterization will be unchanged.
level waste).
technetium-99 are small.
Operation with BLEU is indistinguishable from current feedstock in these regards.
- 78. Off-site Category 1 (Findings too long to Addressed in SEIS §§ 3.21, 4.2.21, and Addressed in SEIS §§ 3.21, 4.2.21, and radiological repeat here).
4.3.21. Collectively, off-site radiological 4.3.21. Unit I restart and operation at EPU impacts dose impacts will remain well within will both increase collective radiological (collective regulatory limits and produce no noticeable impacts, but these will remain well within effects).
impacts during the renewed license regulatory limits and produce no noticeable operating period.
impacts. BLEU has no effect.
- 79. Off-site Category 1 (Findings too long to Addressed in SEIS §§ 2.2, 2.3, 3.5, 4.2.5, For BLEU, TVA adopted the DOE EIS.
radiological repeat here).
and 4.3.5. Additional spent fuel from the Operation with BLEU is no different than impacts (spent renewed license period would be stored on-with current feed stocks in this or any other fuel and high site in the spent fuel pool or a dry cask regard. Unit 1 restart and EPU will level waste storage system until transferred to DOE at proportionately increase spent fuel and disposal).
the site boundary in accordance with high-level waste, but its characterization is applicable federal law.
no different than that of existing waste materials.
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ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 80.
1 SMALL. The nonradiological Nonradiological impacts of the uranium fuel For BLEU, TVA adopted the DOE EIS, Nonradiological impacts of the uranium fuel cycle cycle have been found to be small and are which included nonradiological impacts of impacts of the resulting from the renewal of an unchanged as the result of continuing the uranium fuel cycle. Those uranium fuel operating license for any plant are operation through the renewed operating nonradiological fuel cycle impacts under cycle.
found to be small.
license period.
TVA control or influence are not expected to change significantly for EPU and Unit 1 restart because the throughput change is small compared to present consumption and is within cycle-to-cycle variations for other reasons.
Reference SEIS §§ 3.3, 4.2.3, and 4.3.3.
waste storage regulatory controls that are in The environmental impacts associated with Unit I recovery and EPU will increase and disposal.
place and the low public doses low-level waste storage and disposal are proportionately the generation of low-level being achieved at reactors ensure minimal.
radwaste, but its characterization and that the radiological impacts to the disposition will remain unchanged, environment will remain small including possible temporary on-site during the term of a renewed storage.
license. The maximum additional on-site land that may be required for low-level waste storage during the term of a renewed license and associated impacts will be small.
Nonradiological impacts on air and water will be negligible. The radiological and nonradiological environmental impacts of long-term disposal of low-level waste from any individual plant at licensed sites are small. In addition, the Commission concludes that there is a reasonable assurance that sufficient low-level waste disposal capacity will be made available when needed for facilities to be decommissioned consistent with NRC decommissioning requirements.
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ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
Reference SEIS §§ 3.4, 4.2.4, and 4.3.4.
storage and regulatory controls and the The state of Alabama has exempted mixed The existing TVA processes for disposal.
facilities and procedures that are waste from RCRA. BFN typically has very management of mixed waste are adequate in place ensure proper handling little mixed waste (-3500 Ibs/yr), but when it for expected volume increases (25-30%)
and storage, as well as negligible does generate mixed waste it typically will associated with EPU and Unit I restart.
doses and exposure to toxic ship it to the Hazardous Waste Storage materials for the public and the Facility in Muscle Shoals which holds a environment at all plants. License permit to receive and disposition mixed renewal will not increase the waste.
small, continuing risk to human health and the environment posed by mixed waste at all plants. The radiological and nonradiological environmental impacts of long-term disposal of mixed waste from any individual plant at licensed sites are small. In addition, the Commission concludes that there is reasonable assurance that sufficient mixed waste disposal capacity will be made available when needed for facilities to be decommissioned consistent with NRC decommissioning requirements.
- 83. On-site 1 SMALL. The expected increase Reference SEIS §§ 2.2.4, 2.3.2, 3.5, 4.2.5, Reference §§ 2.2.4, 2.3.2, 3.5, 4.2.5, and spent fuel.
in the volume of spent fuel from and 4.3.5. BFN is constructing an ISFSI on-4.3.5. The SEIS addressed constructing an additional 20 years of site, which can be used to store spent fuel and operating an ISFSI at BFN. The BFN operation can be safely on-site through the renewed license period ISFSI is designed to safely accommodate, accommodated on-site with small or until DOE takes possession.
with minimal impacts, the (roughly environmental effects through dry proportional) increased fuel throughput or pool storage at all plants, if a associated with Unit 1 restart and EPU on permanent repository or all three units.
monitored retrievable storage is not available.
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ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES
- 84.
1 SMALL. No changes to Reference SEIS §§ 3.3, 4.2.3, 4.2.6, and Reference SEIS §§ 3.3, 4.2.3, 4.2.6, 4.3.3, Nonradiological generating systems are 4.3.3, 4.3.6. The rate of generation of and 4.3.6. Unit 1 recovery will increase the waste.
anticipated for license renewal.
nonradiological waste will be slightly higher rate of generation of nonradiological waste Facilities and procedures are in during the renewed license period due to the but existing disposal contractors can place to ensure continued proper small increase in permanent plant staff, but accept it.
handling and disposal at all existing disposal contractors can accept it.
plants.
- 85.
1 SMALL. The impacts of Reference ER § E.4.21. TVA complies fully Reference ER § E.4.21. No changes to Transportation transporting spent fuel enriched with enrichment and bumup limits and enrichment or bumup limits are anticipated (including spent up to 5 percent uranium-235 with expects to do so throughout the renewed to be necessary for EPU or Unit 1 restart.
fuel).
average burnup for the peak rod license period. No increase in the The throughput of new and spent fuel and to current levels approved by generation of high-level waste is expected high-and low-level radwaste is increased NRC up to 62,000 MWd/MTU and during the renewed license period.
proportionately with Unit 1 restart and EPU, the cumulative impacts of but its characterization is unchanged.
transporting high-level waste to a Some temporary increase in low-level single repository, such as Yucca radwaste is associated with Unit 1 Mountain, Nevada, are found to recovery.
be consistent with the impact value contained in 10 CFR 51.52(c), Summary Table S Environmental Impact of Transportation of Fuel and Waste to and from One Light-Water-Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor. If fuel enrichment or burnup conditions are not met, the applicant must submit an assessment of the implications for the environmental impact values reported in § 51.52.
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Decommissioninq ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS ACTIVITIES l
- 86. Radiation 1 SMALL. Doses to the public will Due largely to improvements in chemistry Reference SEIS § 2.2.5. EPU and Unit 1 doses.
be well below applicable controls, radiation doses during restart would both increase radiation doses regulatory standards regardless of decommissioning are not projected to be very slightly to the public and to plant which decommissioning method significantly different after 60 years of workers during eventual decommissioning.
is used. Occupational doses operation than after 40 years of operation. If For example, both would mean larger would increase no more than 1 planning for decommissioning begins a few associated spent fuel and radwaste man-rem caused by build-up of years prior to cessation of operations, the shipments to permanent repositories at the long-lived radionuclides during the final cycle can utilize chemistry controls end of plant life.
license renewal term.
which result in greatly reduced activation products and much less worker dose.
- 87. Waste 1 SMALL. Decommissioning at Due largely to improvements in chemistry Reference SEIS § 2.2.5. Unit 1 restart and management.
the end of a 20-year license controls, radwaste during decommissioning EPU might have very slight increases in renewal period would generate no is not projected to be significantly different wastes to be removed at the time of more solid wastes than at the end after 60 years of operation than after 40 decommissioning, but no noticeable of the current license term. No years of operation. If planning for impacts.
increase in the quantities of Class decommissioning begins a few years prior C or greater than Class C wastes to cessation of operations, the final cycle would be expected.
can utilize chemistry controls which result in greatly reduced activation products and much less radwaste requiring disposal.
- 88. Air Quality.
1 SMALL. Air quality impacts of License renewal delays decommissioning Reference SEIS § 2.2.5. TVA utilizes decommissioning are expected to which may allow time for technology BMPs to control air quality impacts during be negligible either at the end of improvements, but it otherwise has no any project such as decommissioning.
the current operating term or at impact on air quality.
EPU and Unit I restart would have no the end of the license renewal effect.
term.
- 89. Water 1 SMALL. The potential for License renewal allows additional decay Reference SEIS § 2.2.5. TVA utilizes Quality.
significant water quality impacts time for old spills and contamination which BMPs to control erosion and would from erosion or spills is no greater can reduce the need for soil washing and continue to do so during decommissioning.
whether decommissioning occurs other clean-up uses of water; otherwise, it RWI-007 controls records of spills at BFN.
after a 20-year license renewal has no impact on water quality.
WARL monitors on-site test wells (nothing period or after the original 40-year found except H3 in R3 shallow well, barely operation period, and measures detectable). EPU and Unit 1 restart will are readily available to avoid such have no effect.
impacts.
E2-25
k' ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS C
ACTIVITIES l
- 90. Ecological 1 SMALL. Decommissioning after Delaying decommissioning due to license Reference SEIS § 2.2.5. EPU and Unit 1 resources.
either the initial operating period renewal is not known to have any effects on restart are not projected to have any or after the 20-year license ecological resources.
noticeable impacts on ecological resources renewal period is not expected to at decommissioning.
have any direct ecological impacts.
- 91.
1 SMALL. Decommissioning The most pragmatic approach to minimize Reference SEIS § 2.2.5. EPU and Unit 1 Socioeconomic would have some short-term the overall cost of decommissioning may be restart would have no noticeable impacts.
socioeconomic impacts. The to limit on-site staff and worker exposures socioeconomic impact on eventual impacts would not be increased with concomitant schedule adjustments.
decommissioning (Unit I did operate by delaying decommissioning until This reduction in employment would likely previously, so is already similar to Units 2 the end of a 20-year relicense be a small impact without license renewal and 3 in its decommissioning needs: EPU period, but might be decreased by and even less of an impact with renewal due results in some increases in spent fuel to population and economic growth.
to population and economic growth.
be removed, other impacts very small).
Environmental Justice ISSUE TABLE B-1 FINDINGS LICENSE RENEWAL IMPACTS COMBINED IMPACTS OF ALL
- 92.
Not applicable/None. The need Addressed in ER §§ E.2.6, and E.4.22. The Addressed in ER §§ E.2.6, and E.4.22.
Environmental for and the content of an analysis disadvantaged population percentage is The cumulative impacts of Unit 1 recovery, justice.
of environmental justice will be relatively small in the primary labor market EPU, and other projects have a positive addressed in plant-specific area, but continuing operations via license impact on the job market for disadvantaged reviews.
renewal would avoid negative job impacts of persons without environmental ceasing operations.
degradation.
E2-26