ML19344C805

Response from NEIMA Local Community Advisory Board Questionnaire 11-12-2019 H Danenhower

ML19344C805
Person / Time
Site:	Crystal River
Issue date:	11/12/2019
From:	Duke Energy Corp
To:	Reactor Decommissioning Branch
References
Download: ML19344C805 (3)

Text

From: Duke Energy To: NEIMA108 Resource

Subject:

Response from "NEIMA Local Community Advisory Board Questionnaire" Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2019 4:56:39 PM Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by Duke Energy (heather.danenhower@duke-energy.com) on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 17:05:01 through the IP 148.184.182.46 using the form at https://www.nrc.gov/waste/decommissioning/neima-local-comm-advisory-board-questionnaire.html and resulted in this email to neima108.resource@nrc.gov related-site: Crystal River Nuclear Plant (CR3) in Citrus County, Fla.

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nocab-question1: Yes, to determine Duke Energys engagement strategy for the Crystal River Nuclear Plant located in Citrus County, Fla., the company considered whether forming a community advisory board was necessary.

To determine its stakeholder engagement strategy, Duke Energy conducted eight surveys of stakeholders - including two formal surveys conducted in 2013 and 2019 that provided statistically valid results (meaning the sample size was large enough to explain the general population).

Duke Energy then used this data to design and implement structured stakeholder engagement plans that reflect the specific needs and preferences of the community.

Other research included: Reviewing guidance from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Electric Power Research Institute; benchmarking other decommissioning plants, e.g., Maine Yankee, Zion, Kewaunee, San Onofre and Vermont Yankee; attending a community advisory board meeting at Zion; serving on a Nuclear Energy Institute communications task force with representatives from decommissioning nuclear plants; and analyzing local demographics, economic impacts of the nuclear plants closure and interest from a variety of groups.

nocab-question2: Based on careful consideration and statistically valid data, Duke Energy chose not to form a formal community advisory board. Data show forming a board was not necessary for the Crystal River Nuclear Plant or the best avenue to meet the needs of the Citrus County community.

Instead, every year since the decommissioning was announced in 2013, Duke Energy has maintained an informal community stakeholders group and designed and implemented a structured stakeholder engagement plan based on the well-researched needs and preferences of the community.

According to data, stakeholders prefer receiving information about the nuclear plant's decommissioning through a company newsletter mailed to their home, email, website, face-to-face meetings and traditional media.

In 2013, key community leaders ranked forming a community advisory board as their fourth preferred communications channel out of five specified options.

Other data points helped inform Duke Energys stakeholder engagement strategy and distinguish the Crystal River Nuclear Plant from other decommissioning plants that have community advisory boards.

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The Crystal River Nuclear Plant is part of a large energy complex that has been a vital part of Citrus County for more than 50 years. With other generating units continuing to operate at the site, the complex will remain an industrial facility for decades to come.

Financial contributions to agencies and employee volunteerism programs are continuing, despite the nuclear plants decommissioning.

Since 2012, Duke Energy has contributed more than $1.75 million to Citrus County through Duke Energy Foundation grants and community sponsorships. Of this amount, $1 million was provided in 2013 (after the decommissioning decision was announced) to Citrus County organizations that focus on economic development, workforce development, community vitality and essential services.

In 2018, employees in Citrus County logged more than 2,900 volunteer hours helping nonprofit organizations advance their mission.

In 2019, Duke Energy paid $29 million in local property taxes.

Public opposition of the Crystal River Nuclear Plant has been minimal compared to other decommissioning sites in other states.

Duke Energy invested $1.6 billion to construct a 1,640-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas station at the energy complex to replace generation from plant retirements.

This investment helped address community concerns about economic impacts related to the nuclear plants closure.

The new Citrus Combined Cycle Station generated more than $600 million in economic benefits during construction

and created about 3,000 temporary jobs. The new station will also provide the community $13 million in economic benefits annually during the stations 35-year operational life and about $13.5 million in new property taxes to Citrus County government in 2019.

nocab-question3: Duke Energy's stakeholder engagement plans focus on providing updates about key decommissioning milestones using communications channels stakeholders identified as most valuable, addressing top community concerns and building goodwill and trust in the community.

Between 2013 and 2019, Duke Energy provided 118 stakeholder engagement opportunities, including: 11 written communications; 32 face-to-face interactions, e.g., open houses, meetings, presentations and tours; 18 proactive traditional media opportunities; and 56 community giving events.

nocab-question4: Several examples of effective stakeholder engagement exist among owners of decommissioning nuclear plants across the U.S.

Each is unique. Some licensees have formed community advisory boards; others have not, but both approaches have been successful.

What has worked well in one community might not work well in another.

Duke Energy believes owners of nuclear plants should continue to have the flexibility to tailor their approach to stakeholder engagement to meet specific local needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach is not in the best interest of each community.

nocab-question5: Several examples of effective stakeholder engagement exist among owners of decommissioning nuclear plants across the U.S.

Each is unique. Some licensees have formed community advisory boards; others have not, but both approaches have been successful.

What has worked well in one community might not work well in another.

Duke Energy believes owners of nuclear plants should continue to have the flexibility to tailor their approach to stakeholder engagement to meet specific local needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach is not in the best interest of each community.

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