ML18026A586
| ML18026A586 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Susquehanna  |
| Issue date: | 11/25/1980 |
| From: | Gears G Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17138B595 | List: |
| References | |
| ISSUANCES-OL, NUDOCS 8012020664 | |
| Download: ML18026A586 (12) | |
Text
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD In the Matter of
)
PENNSYLVANIA POWER 5 LIGHT COMPANY AND ALLEGHENY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
)
(Susquehanna Steam Electric
)
Station, Units 1 and 2)
)
Docket Nos. 50-387 O.L.
50-388 O.L.
AFFIDAVIT OF GERALD GEARS I, Gerald Gears, being duly sworn, dispose and state:
g:
By whom are you employed, and describe the work you perform?
A:
I am employed by the Environmental Engineering Branch, Division of Engineering, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S.
Nuclear Regu-latory Commission.
A copy of my professional qualifications is attached to this affidavit.
g:
Have you read "Applicants'otion for Partial Summary Disposition of Contention 17 (Ozone)", filed August 22,
- 1980, and the documents attached
- thereto, including the affidavit of Robert F.
Lehman?
A:
Yes.
g:
Would you describe the scope of the subject matter addressed in your affidavi t?
A:
I have been asked to evaluate the potential environmental effects of ozone generated by the 500 kV transmission lines associated with the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2.
g:
Are such 500 kV transmission lines considered ultra high voltage lines?
A:
No, generally, transmission lines below 800 kV are considered extra high voltage lines.
g:
How do transmission lines generate ozone?
A:
All transmission lines contain slight surface irregularities.
Elec-tricityy passing through these lines can result in electrical or corona discharges to the surrounding atmosphere due to these irregularities.
Corona discharge frequently results in the production of ozone.
How much ozone is generated by extra high voltage (EHY) transmission lines such as the Susquehanna 500 kV lines?
A:
Results of six extensive field tests concerning the measurement of ozone from EHV lines indicate that ozone concentrations due to
transmission lines were barely distinguishable from the ambient back-ground ozone concentrations.~
All reported field measurements 1 2/
resulted in no more than I ppb ozone under fair weather conditions.
During foul weather, small amounts of ozone (20 ppb) were measured at the approximate height of a transmission line but no ozone was detected at ground level.
g:
Are there other approaches besides field measurements which can be used to determine ozone concentrations?
A:
Yes.
Ozone production rates by transmission lines have'been determined under carefully controlled laboratory conditions.
These rates are then used with atmospheric dispersion models to calculate theoretical concen-trations of ozone.
g:
Have such theoretical predictions been employed for EHV lines?
A:
~12/
Yes.
Numerous calculations have been performed for EHV lines,~
including Applicants'HV lines.
These ozone generation models made some unrealistic assumptions, such as a very low velocity wind prevail-ing in one fixed and avoiding direction over very long periods of time during inclement weather.
In addition, many models did not consider ozone decay rates, which tend to reduce ground level ozone concentra-tions.
- Thus, these predictions resulted in unrealistically high ozone levels.
What are the ozone generation values predicted by these models?
A:
The maximum ground level concentration of ozone for a 765 kV EHV line has been calculated to be approximately 20 ppb.
- However, when ozone Q2 decay rates are incorporated into the model, the concentration under ideal weather conditions for ozone generation is estimated to be between 7 to 9 ppb at ground level.
This calculated peak is limited to the cen-ter of the right-of-way, downward of several models of straight line.
Concentrations decrease away from the line to 2.5 ppb at 100 meters and 0.5 ppb or less at 150 meters.~3/
g:
What effect would an increase in ozone from the transmission lines have on the surrounding area?
A:
Background
ozone concentrations along the proposed Susquehanna right-of-way vary from 20 to 50 ppb.
As stated earlier, field measurements showed that ozone concentrations due to transmission lines were barely distinguishable from the ambient background ozone concentrations.
Based on data from theoretical
- models, I conclude that maximum ground level concentrations of ozone would fall between 7 to 9 ppb.
EPA has promulgated a primary and a secondary abmient air quality standard for ozone.
The primary standard is based on criteria which provide an adequate margin of safety and which are necessary for the protection of human health.
The secondary standard is designed to
protect the public welfare and takes into consideration, amoung other things, effects on soils, waters, crops, vegetation, animals, wildlife, weather, visibility, climate, and effects on economic values.
8oth the
'rimary and secondary ambient air quality standards for ozone are 120 ppb, not to be exceeded as a peak one-hour concentration on more than one day per year.
I conclude that the maximum theoretical concentra-tion of 7 to 9 ppb ozone when added to the ambient background along the Susquehanna rightof-way would not exceed the national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for ozone.
- Thus, because the EPA standards consider all potential environmental effects from ozone, I conclude that ozone generation from transmission at this site would not result in any adverse environmental impacts.
I hereby certify that the above statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Ge d
E. Gears Subscribed and sworn to before me tnis 25th day of November 1980 "c,~ L,
'/
Pi&~~,
zg Nota Pub li c My Commission expires:
Jul 1
1982
References 1.
G.
F. Schiefelbein.
Alternative Electric Transmission Systems and Their Environmental Impact.
Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, August 1977.
2.
IIT Research Institute.
Evaluation of Health and Environmental Effects of Extra High Voltage (EHV) Transmission.
Final Report Prepared for the Environmental Protection Agency.
February 1979.
3.
B. Scott-Walton, et al.
Potential Environmental Effects of 765-kV Transmission Lines:
Views Before the New York State Public Service Commission, Cases 26529 and 26559, 1976-1978.
U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE/EV-0056).
November 1979.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS GERALD E.
GEARS NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C.
I am currently employed as a Senior Land-Use Analyst in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Division of Site Safety and Environmental Analysis, in the Environmental Specialists
- Branch, USNRC.
As a member of the Terrestrial Resources Section of this branch since 1974, I have responsibility for the review of applicants'nvironmental Reports at both Construction Permit and Operating License Stage for completeness and environmental acceptability of proposed projects as they may affect natural ecological resources, agricultural resources, land use pattern and other impacts on the terrestrial environment.
It is also my responsibility to provide written evaluation of terrestrial resources for inclusion in both FES-CP and FES-OL Stages.
I also act as a
consultant to other NRC branches and provide analyses of terrestrial problems through technical assistance requests from other groups.
Review and modifications of applicants'nvironmental technical specifications at the operating license stage is another of my responsibilities.
My work also involves the preparation of environmental standard review plans, regulatory guides and staff position papers dealing with terrestrial resources.
As a Terrestrial Ecologist I have among other tasks in recent months prepared analyses on alternate site selection and alternative transmission corridors for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Units 1, 2, and 3, written the terrestrial resource-related sections for the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station and Arkansas One, Unit 2, Environmental Impact State-ments (EIS), and the Indian Point, Unit 2, and Indian Point, Unit 3, EISs pertaining to closed-cycle cooling alternatives, and the Watts Bar-OL EIS.
I have prepared and presented testimony as the staff's expert witness in the contested North Anna Nuclear Power Station, Marble Hill and Seabrook environmental hearings.
I am a member of the Interagency Advisory Committee on Electric Field Effects from High Voltage Lines which is charged with the task of funding research to develop safety guidelines for transmission lines.
I am also the NRC representative on a Fish and Wildlife Service Review Committee charged with the development of a manual for improving transmission system rights-of-way construction and operation practices.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Oregon State University (1972),
a Bachelor of Arts and Science in German and Russian from Villanova University (1966),
and a Master of Science in Agronomy from the University of Florida (1974).
While at the University of Florida (1972-1974), I undertook research in the areas of Resource Management and Ecosystem Modeling.
My formal educa-tion program has encompassed and emphasized studies in agriculture, economics, botany, soil fertility, including tropical and arid soils, plant physiology, crop production, range resources, aquatic plant ecology, computer modeling and resource assessment techniques.
Using analog and digital computer hardware combined with an energy based resource analysis language, I developed and expanded various ecosystem models for the study of alternative uses of native vegetation and urban wastes in cooperation with members of the Department of
Agronomy, the Department of Forestry (Resource Management Section) and the Department of Environmental Engineering of the University of Florida.
From 1969 to 1970, I was employed as a teacher at Aquinas Institute, a
secondary school in Rochester, New York.
From 1966 to 1969, I was employed as an agricultural extension agent by the Indian Government in cooperation with the Peace Corps in the State of Maharashtra.
I organized and conducted demonstration projects in this capacity in order to investigate the feasi5ility of employing alternative methods of crop production in vi'llage level situations.
This assignment provided experiences in the utilization and evaluation of alterna-tive agricultural resource managemen't methods in a unique cultural setting.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD In the Matter of PENNSYLVANIA POWER ALLEGHENY ELECTRIC (Susquehanna Steam Units 1 and 2)
)
)
AND LIGHT CO.
)
COOPERATIVE, INC.
)
)
Electric Station,
)
)
Docket Nos.
50-387 50-388 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that copies of NRC STAFF ANSWER IN SUPPORT OF APPLICANTS'OTION FOR PARTIAL
SUMMARY
DISPOSITION OF CONTENTION 17 (OZONE), dated November 25, 1980, in the above-captioned proceeding, have been served on the following, by deposit in the United States mail, first class, or, as indicated by an asterisk through deposit in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's internal mail system, this 25th day of November, 1980:
- Charles Bechhoefer, Esq.,
Chairman Atomic Safety 8 Licensing Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555
- Mr. Glenn 0. Bright, Member Atomic Safety 5 Licensing Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555
- Dr. Oscar H. Paris, Member Atomic Safety 8 Licensing Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555 Jay Silberg, Esq.
- Shaw, Pittman, Potts and Trowbridge 1800 M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
20036 Bryan A. Snapp, Esq.
Pennsylvania Power 5 Light Company Two North Ninth Street Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101 Dr. Judith H. Johnsrud Co-Director Environmental Coalition on Nuclear Power 433 Orlando Avenue State College, Pennsylvania 16801 Mr. Thomas M. Gerusky, Director Bureau of Radiation Protection Department of Environmental Resources Commonwealth of Pennsylvania P. 0.
Box 2063 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 Ms. Colleen Marsh Box 538A, RD84 Mountain Top, Pennsylvania 17120 Mrs. Irene Lemanowicz, Chairperson The Citizens Against Nuclear Dangers P. 0.
Box 377 RD81 Berwick, Pennsylvania 18503
- Richa rd S.
Sa1 zman, Esq.,
Cha irma n Atomic Safety
& Licensing Appeal Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555
- Dr. John H. Buck, Member Atomic Safety
& Licensing Appeal Boa'rd U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555
- Mr. Thomas S. Moore, Member Atomic Safety
& Licensing Appeal Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555
~Atomic Safety
& Licensing Board Panel U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555 "Atomic Safety
& Licensing Appeal Board Panel U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555
- Secretary U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN:
Chief, Docketing
& Service Branch Washington, D.C.
20555 Susquehanna Environmental Advocates P. 0.
Box 1560 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Mr. Robert M. Gallo Resident Inspector P. 0.
Box 52 Shickshinny, Pennsylvania 18655 Karin W. Carter, Esq.
Department of Environmental Resources 505 Executive House P. 0.
Box 2357 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 essica H. Laverty Counsel for HRC Staff
's I