ML21253A250

Advanced Reactors GEIS Docs - Lr and Anr GEIS Presentation

ML21253A250
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Issue date:	08/31/2021
From:	NRC
To:	NRC/NMSS/DREFS
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Download: ML21253A250 (24)

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From:

Davis, Jennifer Sent:

Tuesday, August 31, 2021 3:31 PM To:

Tansey Moore Cc:

Willingham, Laura; Talley, Sandra

Subject:

LR and ANR GEIS Presentation Attachments:

NETWG meeting Sept 1, 2021 LR and ANR GEIS - with active links.pdf Importance:

High Hi Tansey, It was great meeting you earlier today. We realized that a few of our hyperlinks were not working in our PDF file, so we have fixed that in the attached updated file.

Thank you, Jennifer Jennifer A. Davis Senior Project Manager Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (301) 415-3835

License Renewal and Advanced Reactor Generic Environmental Impact Statement Rulemaking Efforts Jennifer Davis, Sr. Environmental Project Manager Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. NRC Laura Willingham, Environmental Project Manager Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. NRC

2 Rulemaking at NRC

• The process of developing regulations is called rulemaking.

• The NRC initiates a new rule or a change to an existing rule when there is a need to do so to protect the public health and safety, or for other regulatory reasons.

• Additionally, any member of the public may petition the NRC to develop, change, or rescind a rule.

• Commission approval is required before staff begins work on a new rulemaking activity.

• For further information: https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/rulemaking/rulemaking-process.html

3 The Rulemaking and NEPA Review Process for the LR & ANR GEISs Issue Notice of Intent Scoping Develop Proposed Rule and Draft GEIS Issue Proposed Rule Package (Includes Draft GEIS)

Issue Final Rule (Includes Final GEIS)

(opportunities for public comment)

Commission Rulemaking Decision Evaluate Comments &

Develop Final Rule and Final GEIS Commission Review and Approval Commission Review and Approval

4 LR GEIS Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, authorizes the NRC to issue commercial nuclear power plant operating licenses for up to 40 years, and NRCs regulations allow for the renewal of these operating licenses for up to an additional 20 years.

There are no specific limitations in the AEA or the NRCs regulations restricting the number of times a license may be renewed NUREG-1437, Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (LR GEIS), assesses the scope and impact of environmental effects associated with license renewal at any nuclear plant site.

Plant-specific supplements to the LR GEIS are prepared for each license renewal application.

5 LR GEIS Cont'd

• Summarizes findings from a detailed inquiry into the environmental impacts of reactor license renewal.

• Identifies and evaluates generic impacts (same or similar) at all nuclear plants or a particular subset of plants.

• Identifies nuclear plant/site-specific impacts needing to be addressed in supplements to the LR GEIS.

6 LR GEIS Review and Update

• Basis for Review:

Appendix B to Subpart A of 10 CFR Part 51, 10-year review and update, if necessary LR GEIS Findings summarized in Table B-1 in Appendix B

• Categorization of impact issues Category 1 Impacts same or similar to all nuclear power plants (or a subset of plants)

Consider any new and significant information Category 2 Requires nuclear plant/site-specific analysis

7 LR GEIS Review and Update Cont'd Incorporate lessons learned from previous plant-specific environmental reviews Identify new environmental impact issues Incorporate changes to environmental laws and regulations Identify environmental issues and concerns that need to be evaluated and updated in the LR GEIS Consider proposals for other changes to the LR GEIS and in license renewal environmental reviews

8 LR GEIS Current Status NRC published a scoping notice in the Federal Register on August 4, 2020 (85 FR 47252), that summarized the results of the NRC staffs preliminary review and invited public comments and proposals for other areas of the LR GEIS that should be updated.

Initiated a 90-day public comment period

Four public webinars conducted - August 19 and 27, 2020 (an afternoon and evening session each day)

Scoping Summary Report issued on June 30, 2021 (ADAMS Accession No. ML21039A576).

NRC forwarded the Scoping Notice and Scoping Summary Report to Federally-recognized Tribes via State and Tribal Communications (STC) letter.

Staff submitted the Rulemaking Plan to the Commission in July 2021 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20364A007).

If approved by the Commission, the staff will prepare the draft LR GEIS and develop the proposed rule.

9 ANR GEIS Key Framework The Advanced Nuclear Reactor (ANR) GEIS evaluates, construction, operation and decommissioning for 16 resource areas such as land use, visual, ecology, air quality, water use, among others.

The ANR GEIS uses a technology neutral, performance-based approach that utilizes a plant and site parameter envelope (PPE/SPE).

Most environmental issues are decoupled from reactor power level.

The plant and site parameter values and assumptions were developed to bound the maximum number of designs and sites.

Category 1 issues are environmental issues that are generically resolved as SMALL; while Category 2 issues impacts cannot be determined because they are project-specific and are not analyzed in the ANR GEIS.

It is anticipated that an applicant for any advanced reactor would be able to use the ANR GEIS (LWRs, Non-LWRs, SMRs, fusion reactors).

10 Environmental Issues 100 Category 1 Issues; 19 Category 2 Issues; 2 Not Categorized Issues The environmental issues for each resource area and their categorization are located in the background slides.

11 ANR GEIS Implementation

• ANR applicants may use the GEIS Category 1 findings in the Environmental Report provided:

Project meets the PPE/SPE values and assumptions used in the ANR GEIS for the environmental issue, and there is no new and significant information between the time the ANR GEIS is finalized and when the applicant submits their application NRC staff would:

verify the PPE/SPE demonstration for Category 1 issues, review the applicants process for determining new and significant information, produce a Supplemental EIS that focuses on Category 2 issues and Category 1 issues that could not meet the PPE/SPE values and assumptions while incorporating the demonstrated ANR GEIS findings Staff is developing guidance for both applicants and staff on implementing the use of the ANR GEIS.

12 ANR GEIS Current Status On September 21, 2020, the Commission approved development of the ANR GEIS and directed the staff to codify the findings through rulemaking (SRM-SECY-20-0020, ADAMS Accession No. ML20265A112).

Scoping Summary Report issued on September 25, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20260H180).

STC letter sent to Tribes and State contacts to solicited comments during scoping.

Emailed Scoping Summary Report to Tribes and State contacts (ADAMS Accession No. ML21224A280).

STC letter Opportunity to Observe NRC Periodic Advanced Reactor Stakeholder Meeting Staff has completed writing sections for the draft ANR GEIS.

Staff is developing the proposed rule package, which includes:

proposed rule language, revisions to guidance documents, regulatory analysis, and other related rulemaking documents.

Proposed rule package due to the Commission in November 2021.

13 Tribal Interactions

• LR GEIS If rulemaking is approved, staff will conduct public meetings and other outreach activities to solicit feedback If rulemaking is approved, issue State and Tribal Correspondence (STC) letters to solicit comments on the draft GEIS and proposed rule

• ANR GEIS STC letters to solicit comments on the draft GEIS and proposed rule Continued interactions at public meetings as appropriate (such as the Advanced Reactor Stakeholder Meetings)

• Future NETWG meetings and other interactions, as requested

14 Jennifer Davis, LR GEIS Project Manager Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, & Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Email: Jennifer.Davis@nrc.gov Phone: 301-415-3835 Contact Information Laura Willingham, ANR GEIS Project Manager Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, & Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Email: Laura.Willingham@nrc.gov Phone: 301-415-0857

15 Background Slides

16 Acronyms ADAMS = Agencywide Documents Access and Management System AEA = Atomic Energy Act of 1954 ANR GEIS = Advanced Nuclear Reactor Generic Environmental Impact Statement CFR = Code of Federal Regulations EIS = Environmental Impact Statement FR = Federal Register GEIS = Generic Environmental Impact Statement LR GEIS = Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants LWR = Light-Water Reactor NEPA = National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 NRC = U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission PPE = Plant Parameter Envelope SMR = Small Modular Reactor SPE = Site Parameter Envelope STC = State and Tribal Correspondence

17 ANR GEIS Environmental Issues DRAFT - PRELIMINARY TEXT Issue Category Land Use Impacts Construction Onsite Land Use 1

Offsite Land Use 1

Impacts to Prime and Unique Farmland 1

Coastal Zone and Compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Act 1

Operation Onsite Land Use 1

Offsite Land Use 1

Visual Impacts Construction Visual Impacts in Site and Vicinity 1

Visual Impacts from Transmission Lines 1

Operation Visual Impacts During Operations 1

Air Quality Impacts Construction Emissions of Criteria Pollutants and Dust During Construction 1

Greenhouse Gas Emissions During Construction 1

Operation Emissions of Criteria and Hazardous Air Pollutants during Operation 1

Greenhouse Gas Emissions During Operation 1

Cooling System Emissions 1

Emissions of Ozone and NOx during Transmission Line Operation 1

18 ANR GEIS Environmental Issues (Contd)

DRAFT - PRELIMINARY TEXT Issue Category Water Resource Impacts Construction Surface Water Use Conflicts during Construction 1

Groundwater Use Conflicts due to Excavation Dewatering 1

Groundwater Use Conflicts due to Construction-Related Groundwater Withdrawals 1

Water Quality Degradation due to Construction-Related Discharges 1

Water Quality Degradation due to Inadvertent Spills during Construction 1

Water Quality Degradation due to Groundwater Withdrawal 1

Water Quality Degradation due to Offshore or In-Water Construction Activities 1

Water Use Conflict Due to Plant Municipal Water Demand 1

Degradation of Water Quality from Plant Effluent Discharges to Municipal Systems 1

Operation Surface Water Use Conflicts during Operation due to Water Withdrawal from Flowing Water Bodies 1

Surface Water Use Conflicts during Operation due to Water Withdrawal from Non-flowing Water Bodies 1

Groundwater Use Conflicts Due to Building Foundation Dewatering 1

Groundwater Use Conflicts Due to Groundwater Withdrawals for Plant Uses 1

Surface Water Quality Degradation Due to Physical Effects from Operation of Intake and Discharge Structures 1

Surface Water Quality Degradation Due to Changes in Salinity Gradients Resulting from Withdrawals 1

Surface Water Quality Degradation Due to Chemical and Thermal Discharges 2

Groundwater Quality Degradation Due to Plant Discharges 1

Water Quality Degradation due to Inadvertent Spills and Leaks during Operation 1

Water Quality Degradation due to Groundwater Withdrawals 1

Water Use Conflict from Plant Municipal Water Demand 1

Degradation of Water Quality from Plant Effluent Discharges to Municipal Systems 1

19 DRAFT - PRELIMINARY TEXT Issue Category Terrestrial Ecology Impacts Construction Permanent and Temporary Loss, Conversion, Fragmentation, and Degradation of Habitats 1

Permanent and Temporary Loss and Degradation of Wetlands 1

Effects of Building Noise on Wildlife 1

Effects of Vehicular Collisions on Wildlife 1

Bird Collisions and Injury from Structures and Transmission Lines 1

Important Species and Habitats - Resources Regulated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 2

Important Species and Habitats - Other Important Species and Habitats 1

Operation Permanent and Temporary Loss or Disturbance of Habitats 1

Effects of Operational Noise on Wildlife 1

Effects of Vehicular Collisions on Wildlife 1

Exposure of Terrestrial Organisms to Radionuclides 1

Cooling Tower Operational Impacts on Vegetation 1

Bird Collisions and Injury from Structures and Transmission Lines 1

Bird Electrocutions from Transmission Lines 1

Water Use Conflicts with Terrestrial Resources 1

Effects of Transmission Line ROW Management on Terrestrial Resources 1

Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Flora and Fauna 1

Important Species and Habitats - Resources Regulated under the ESA of 1973 2

Important Species and Habitats - Other Important Species and Habitats 1

ANR GEIS Environmental Issues (Contd)

20 DRAFT - PRELIMINARY TEXT Issue Category Aquatic Ecology Impacts Construction Runoff and sedimentation from construction areas 1

Dredging and filling aquatic habitats to build intake and discharge structures 1

Building transmission lines, pipelines, and access roads across surface water bodies 1

Important Species and Habitats - Resources Regulated under the ESA and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 2

Important species and habitats - Other Important Species and Habitats 1

Operation Stormwater runoff 1

Exposure of aquatic organisms to radionuclides 1

Effects of refurbishment on aquatic biota 1

Effects of maintenance dredging on aquatic biota 1

Impacts of transmission line ROW management on aquatic resources 1

Impingement and entrainment of aquatic organisms 1

Thermal impacts on aquatic biota 2

Other effects of cooling-water discharges on aquatic biota 2

Water use conflicts with aquatic resources 1

Important Species and Habitats - Resources Regulated under the ESA and Magnuson-Stevens Act 2

Important species and habitats - Other Important Species and Habitats 1

ANR GEIS Environmental Issues (Contd)

21 DRAFT - PRELIMINARY TEXT Issue Category Historic and Cultural Resources Impacts Construction Construction impacts on historic and cultural resources 2

Operation Operation impacts on historic and cultural resources 2

Radiological Environment Impacts Construction Radiological dose to construction workers 1

Operation Occupational doses to workers 1

Maximally exposed individual annual doses 1

Total population annual doses 1

Nonhuman biota doses 1

Nonradiological Environment Impacts Construction Building impacts of chemical, biological, and physical nonradiological hazards 1

Building impacts of Electromagnetic Fields N/A Operation Operation impacts of chemical, biological, and physical nonradiological hazards 1

Operation impacts of Electromagnetic Fields N/A Noise Impacts Construction Construction-related noise 1

Operation Operation-related noise 1

ANR GEIS Environmental Issues (Contd)

22 DRAFT - PRELIMINARY TEXT Issue Category Radiological Waste Management Impacts Operation Low-level radioactive waste 1

Onsite spent nuclear fuel management 1

Mixed waste 1

Nonradiological Waste Management Impacts Construction Construction nonradiological waste 1

Operation Operation nonradiological waste 1

Postulated Accidents Impacts Operation Design Basis Accidents Involving Radiological Releases 1

Accidents Involving Releases of Hazardous Chemicals 1

Severe Accidents 2

Severe Accident Mitigation Design Alternatives 1

Acts of Terrorism 1

Socioeconomics Impacts Construction Community Services and Infrastructure 1

Transportation Systems and Traffic 1

Economic Impacts 1

Tax Revenue Impacts 1

Operation Community Services and Infrastructure 1

Transportation Systems and Traffic 1

Economic Impacts 1

Tax Revenue Impacts 1

ANR GEIS Environmental Issues (Contd)

23 DRAFT - PRELIMINARY TEXT Issue Category Environmental Justice Impacts Construction Construction Environmental Justice Impacts 2

Operation Operation Environmental Justice Impacts 2

Fuel Cycle Impacts Operation Uranium Recovery 1

Uranium Conversion 1

Enrichment 1

Fuel Fabrication(a) 1 Reprocessing 1

Storage and Disposal of Radiological Wastes 1

Transportation of Fuel and Waste Impacts Operation Transportation of Unirradiated ANR Fuel 1

Transportation of Radioactive Waste from ANRs 1

Transportation of Irradiated Fuel from ANRs 1

Decommissioning Impacts Decommissioning 1

Issues Applying Across All Resources Climate Change 2

Cumulative Impacts 2

Non-Resource Related Issues Purpose and Need 2

Need for Power/Project 2

Site Alternatives 2

Energy Alternatives 2

System Design Alternatives 2

ROW = right-of-way.

(a)

Fuel fabrication impacts for metal fuel and liquid fueled molten salt are not included in the staffs generic analysis ANR GEIS Environmental Issues (Contd)