ML041910394
| ML041910394 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Point Beach  (DPR-024) |
| Issue date: | 07/01/2004 |
| From: | Westlake K Environmental Protection Agency |
| To: | Kuo P NRC/NRR/DRIP/RLEP |
| References | |
| B-19J | |
| Download: ML041910394 (2) | |
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4 01 XUNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY E
REGION 5 77 WEST JACKSON BOULEVARD CHICAGO, IL 60604-3590 JUL 0 1 2004 REPLY TO THE ATnENTION OF:
B-19J Pao-Tsin Kuo, Program Director License Renewal and Environmental Impacts Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Re:
Scoping Comments for the Proposed Operating License Renewal for the Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin
Dear Mr. Kuo:
On June 15 and 16, 2004, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) attended a public meeting and site audit held by the'U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the proposed operating license renewal for the Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. The NRC held the scoping meeting and site audit to engage interested parties prior to preparing the draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the license renewal. In accordance with our responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 309 of the'Cleah Air Act, we are offering scoping comments.
The U.S. EPA recommends the NRC consider the following points for developing the draft SEIS:
'1. TidraftSEISThoutdIstuss planned or potential power uprates at Point Beach and the estimated resulting increases in radiological emissions, spent fuel, and other emissions.
Although U.S. NRC's regulations (10 C.F.R §. 51.53(c)(2)) state that an applicant's environmental report need not discuss the demand for power, we consider power uprates to be reasonably foreseeable actions that contribute to a cumulative radiological impact, under 40 C.F.R § 1508.7 and therefore should be discussed in U.S. NRC's draft SEIS. In addition, the draft SEIS should discuss spent fuel storage capacity and spent fuel transportation issues that may arise from power uprates. The draft SEIS should describe impacts of power uprates on all environmental sectors, as may be relevant.
- 2.
We expect the draft SEIS to discuss the' effects of thermal discharge on the lake and fish communities. Currently, the State of Wisconsin does not have active thermal water quality
'standards', though an advisory group is'in the process of developing new standards. The new standards may be in place, or exist in draft form, by the time of license renewal. The draft RwD1R Recycled/Recyclable.Prnted with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Recycled Paper (40% Posloonsumer)
SEIS should address the applicability of the upcoming State standards to Point Beach.
Regardless of permit conditions, however, temperature effects from plant operation should be included in the draft SEIS, as part of assessing impacts to the environment.
- 3. During the plant audit tour it was mentioned that Point Beach will need to comply with the newly revised Clean Water Act Section 316(b), which regulates impacts of cooling water intakes. The draft SEIS should indicate modifications planned by the applicant to comply with the rule.
- 4.
As part of describing site hydrogeology, the draft SEIS should discuss the on-site drinking water wells, drinking water quality, and treatment of the drinking water. In addition, we believe the potential for ground waterecontamination should be described in the draft SEIS, especially with regard to the abandoned settling pond.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide scoping comments. We look forward to reviewing the draft SEIS. If you have any questions, please call Anna Miller of my staff at (312) 886-7060.
Sincerely, Kenneth A. Westlakythief Environmental Plafiing and Evaluation Branch Office of Strategic Environmental Analysis