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GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas, LLC, Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor Environmental Report
	ML23261A593
Person / Time
Site:	Vallecitos, Vallecitos Nuclear Center File:GEH Hitachi icon.png
Issue date:	08/18/2023
From:	; Environmental Resources Management
To:	; Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
Shared Package
ML23261A591	List: ML23261A592; ML23261A593; ML23261A594; ML23261A595; ML23261A596;
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Vallecitos Nuclear Center GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor Environmental Report Initial Report

Date: August 18, 2023

Prepared for:

Vallecitos Nuclear Center 6705 Vallecitos Road, Sunol, CA 94586 Email: Jeffrey.Smyly@ge.com Phone: 1-925-719-1427

Prepared By:

Surf to Snow Environmental Resource Management, Inc. (S2S) 2246 Camino Ramon San Ramon, CA 94583 Table of Contents List of Acronyms and Abbreviations........................................................................................... iv

1. Introduction and Summary................................................................................................ !

1.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 History and Background........................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Purpose..................................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Decommissioning Alternatives................................................................................................ 3 1.5 Summary and Conclusions....................................................................................................... 4

2. Site and Facility Description............................................................................................... 4 2.1 Location of the Site.................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Description ofthe Vallecitos Nuclear Center........................................................................... 5 2.3 Facility Description.................................................................................................................. 6

3. Decommissioning Activities and Plans............................................................................... 8 3.1 Preparation For Removal of Boiling Water Reactor Vessel.................................................... 8 3.2 Removal of Boiling Water Reactor Vessel.............................................................................. 9 3.3 Radioactive and Non-Radioactive Waste Management........................................................... 9

3. 3.1 Radioactive........................................................................................................................ 9

3. 3. 2 Non-Radioactive: Lead and Asbestos................................................................................ 9 3.4 Demobilization....................................................................................................................... 10 3.5 Schedule and Resources......................................................................................................... 10

4. Environmental Effects of Decommissioning Activities.................................................. 10 4.1 Land Use................................................................................................................................. lO 4.1.1 On-Site Land Use............................................................................................................. 13 4.1. 2 Off-Site Land Use............................................................................................................ 13 4.1.3 Land Use Effects.............................................................................................................. 13 4.2 Water Use............................................................................................................................... 13 4.2.1 Water Use During Construction...................................................................................... 14 4.2.2 Water Supply Effects........................................................................................................ 14 4.3 Water Quality......................................................................................................................... 14

4. 3.1 Water Quality Impacts..................................................................................................... 14

4. 3. 2 Potential Releases During Construction......................................................................... 14

4. 3. 3 Water Quality Efficts....................................................................................................... 15 4.4 Air Quality.............................................................................................................................. 15

4. 4.1 Climate, Meteorology and Topography........................................................................... 15

4. 4. 2 Regional Air Quality Conformity 1................................................................................... 16

4. 4. 3 Local Ambient Air Quality 1.............................................................................................. 21

4. 4. 4 Fugitive Dust................................................................................................................... 23

4. 4. 5 Equipment and Vehicle Emissions................................................................................... 23

4. 4. 6 Asbestos........................................................................................................................... 23 4.4. 7 Airborne Radioactive Waste............................................................................................ 23 4.4.8 Air Quality Efficts........................................................................................................... 23 4.5 Aquatic Ecology..................................................................................................................... 24

4. 5.1 Evaluation of Aquatic Ecology Efficts.................................................................................. 24

4. 5. 2 Aquatic Ecology Efficts Conclusion...................................................................................... 25

Page i

4. 6 Terrestrial Ecology................................................................................................................. 26

4. 6.1 Evaluation of Terrestrial Ecology Effects............................................................................. 26

4. 6. 2 Terrestrial Ecology Efficts Conclusion................................................................................. 26 4.7 Threatened and Endangered Species...................................................................................... 27

4. 7.1 Evaluation of Threatened and Endangered Species Efficts.................................................. 27

4. 7. 2 Threatened and Endangered Species Effects Conclusion..................................................... 28

4. 8 Radiological............................................................................................................................ 29 4.8.1 Worker and Public Exposure........................................................................................... 29

4. 8. 2 Radiological Accident Analyses...................................................................................... 29

4. 8. 3 Radiological Environmental Monitoring......................................................................... 30

4. 8. 4 Radiation Protection Program........................................................................................ 30 4.8.5 Radiological Efficts......................................................................................................... 31

4. 9 Occupational........................................................................................................................... 31

4. 9.1 Occupational Safety and Health Administration............................................................. 31 4.9.2 Health and Saftty Plan.................................................................................................... 31

4. 9. 3 Occupational Effects........................................................................................................ 32 4.10 Socioeconomics...................................................................................................................... 3 2 4.1 0.1 Socioeconomic Effects..................................................................................................... 32 4.11 Environmental Justice............................................................................................................ 32 4.11.1 Environmental Justice Efficts.......................................................................................... 33 4.12 Cultural and Historic Resources............................................................................................. 33 4.12.1 Afficted Environment....................................................................................................... 33 4.12. 2 Cultural, Historic, And Archaeological Resources Efficts............................................. 34 4.13 Aesthetics............................................................................................................................... 34 4.14 Noise....................................................................................................................................... 34 4.14.1 Construction.................................................................................................................... 34 4.14. 2 Noise Receptors in the Vicinity of the Proposed Work.................................................... 35 4.14.3 Noise in the Vicinity of the Proposed Work..................................................................... 36 4.14.4 NoiseEfficts.................................................................................................................... 36 4.15 Transportation......................................................................................................................... 36 4.15.1 Construction and Workforce............................................................................................ 37 4.15. 2 Vessel Disposal................................................................................................................ 3 7 4.15. 3 Transportation Effects..................................................................................................... 3 7 4.16 Irretrievable Resources........................................................................................................... 37 4.16.1 Irreversible and Irretrievable Resources......................................................................... 37 4.16. 2 Irreversible and Irretrievable Resources Efficts............................................................. 38 4.17 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................................................ 38 4.17.1 Current and Foreseeable Actions.................................................................................... 38

5. Summary of Environmental Effects................................................................................. 38 5.1 Land Use................................................................................................................................. 39 5.2 WaterUse............................................................................................................................... 39 5.3 Water Quality......................................................................................................................... 39 5.4 Air Quality.............................................................................................................................. 39 5.5 Aquatic Ecology..................................................................................................................... 39 5.6 Terrestrial Ecology................................................................................................................. 39

5. 7 Threatened and Endangered Species...................................................................................... 40

5. 8 Radiological............................................................................................................................ 40

5. 9 Occupational........................................................................................................................... 40 5.1 0 Socioeconomics...................................................................................................................... 40 5.11 Environmental Justice............................................................................................................ 40

Page ii 5.12 Cultural and Historic Resources............................................................................................. 40 5.13 Aesthetics............................................................................................................................... 40 5.14 Noise....................................................................................................................................... 41 5.15 Transportation......................................................................................................................... 41 5.16 Irretrievable Resources........................................................................................................... 41

6. Environmental Effects of Accidents and Decommisssioning Events............................41 6.1 Protective Action Guidelines.................................................................................................. 41 6.2 Accident and Exposure Analyses Related to Decommissioning Events................................ 41

7. Facility Radiological Status and Environmental Monitoring........................................ 42 7.1 Effluent Monitoring Program................................................................................................. 42 7.1.1 Water Effluent........................................................................................................................ 4 2 7.1.2 Air Effluent............................................................................................................................. 42 7.1.3 VBWR Decommissioning Effluents...................................................................................... 42 7.2 Environmental Monitoring..................................................................................................... 43 7.3 Final Status Survey................................................................................................................. 45

8. REGULATORY APPROVAL......................................................................................... 46 8.1 Federal Requirements............................................................................................................. 46 8.2 State and Local Requirements................................................................................................ 46

9. References........................................................................................................................... 48

10. Appendix A:....................................................................................................................... 49

Page iii LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

A ----------------------------------------------------------------------

AEC Atomic Energy Commission A LARA As Low As Reasonably Achievable AMM A voidance and Minimization Measures APE Area of Potential Effects B -------------------------------------------------------------------------

BMP Best Management Practices BSA Biological Study Area c --------------------------------------------------------------------

CA California CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife CFR Code of Federal Regulations CNPS California Native Plant Society CPPR Construction Permit Power Reactor CRLF California red-legged frog CTS California tiger salamander CWA Clean Water Act D -------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE U.S. Department of Energy DPR Developmental Power Reactor E -------------------------------------------------------------------------

ER Environmental Report ESA Endangered Species Act ESADA Empire States Atomic Development Associates EVESR ESADA Vallecitos Experimental Superheat Reactor F

FEW fresh emergent wetland FSW Forested shrub wetland FT Federally Threatened G --------------------------------------------------------------------

GE General Electric GEH General Electric - Hitachi GElS Generic environmental impact statement GETR GE Test Reactor (GETR)

H -------------------------------------------------------------------------

HASP Health and Safety Plan HEPA High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter L

LPSDAR Limited Post Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report LLRW Low-level radioactive Waste M ____________________________________________________________________ __

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act N ----------------------------------------------------------------------

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service

Page iv NMSS Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------

OSHA The Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSL Optically Stimulated Luminescence owus Other Waters of the U.S.

p PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric s

S2S Surf to Snow Environmental Resource Management, Inc.

SFDFW San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer SR State Route T ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

THPO Tribal Historic Preservation Officer TLD Thermoluminescent Dosimeter TX Texas u ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

USACE U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers USCB US Census Bureau USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service v ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

VBWR Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor VNC Vallecitos Nuclear Center voc volatile organic compound VV ____________________________________________________________________ __

WPT Western pond turtle

Page v

1. INTRODUCTION AND

SUMMARY

1.1 INTRODUCTION

General Electric (GE)-Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) operates a nuclear facility located in Sunol, California (see Figure 1-1). This document identifies the facility, Vallecitos Nuclear Center, as VNC.

It is the intent of GEH to decommission the Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor (VBWR) at the VNC and terminate its Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license Developmental Power Reactor (DPR) -1. This decommissioning and license termination will be conducted in accordance with the applicable requirements of 10 CFR 50.82 as identified in removing and disposing of materials and decontaminating both facilities meeting conditions for unrestricted release in accordance with the criteria for decommissioning in 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 20.1401 and 20.1402. For the VBWR license termination, the residual radioactive materials will remain under the Empire State Atomic Development Associates Incorporate (ESADA) Vallecitos Experimental Superheat Reactor (EVESR) license until it is terminated.

GEH has prepared this Environmental Report (ER) to evaluate the potential radiological and non radiological impacts associated with the removal and disposal of the VBWR in Building 300 Area atVNC.

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Figure 1-1: Regional Area Map This ER is submitted in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.82 (a)(9) and 10 CFR 51.53 (d) to address the post-operating license stage of the facility. As required by these regulations this ER addresses new information and environmental changes associated with the proposed termination activities.

The NRC prepared a generic environmental impact statement (GElS), NUREG-0586, Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities to assess the environmental effects associated with decommissioning alternatives for various types of nuclear facilities.

Page 1 This evaluation led to the following conclusions:

1. The technology for decommissioning nuclear facilities is established and while technical improvements in decommissioning techniques are to be expected, decommissioning at the present time can be performed safely and at a reasonable cost. Radiation dose to the public due to decommissioning activities should be very small and be primarily due to the transportation of decommissioning waste to waste burial facilities. Radiation dose to decommissioning workers should be a small fraction of their exposure experienced over the operating lifetime of the facility and be well within the occupational exposure limits imposed by regulatory requirements. Decommissioning costs are reasonable and are, at least for the larger facilities such as reactors, a small fraction of the present worth of commissioning costs (i.e., less than 10%).

2. Decommissioning nuclear facilities is not an imminent health and safety problem. However, planning for decommissioning as an integral activity prior to commissioning as well as during facility life is a critical item that can have an impact on health and safety as well as cost.

Essential to such planning activity is reasonable assurance that funds will be available for performing required decommissioning activities at the cessation of facility operations.

3. Decommissioning of a nuclear facility generally has a positive environmental impact. At the end of the facility life, termination of a nuclear license is the goal. Termination requires decontamination of the facility so that the level of any residual radioactivity remaining in the facility or on the site is low enough to allow unrestricted use of the facility and site.

Commitment of resources, compared to operational aspects, is generally small. The major environmental impact of decommissioning is the commitment of small amounts of land for waste burial in exchange for reuse of the facility and site for other purposes. Since in many instances, such as at a reactor facility, the land is a valuable resource, return of this land to the commercial or public sector is highly desirable.

Where applicable, the VNC information is compared to the generic assessments ofNUREG-0586.

1.2 HISTORY AND BACKGROUND GE was issued license Construction Permit Power Reactor (CPPR)-3 to construct and operate the VBWR on May 14, 1956, as DPR. License CX-2 to operate DPR was issued July 29, 1957, and initial criticality was achieved on August 3, 1957. License DPR-1 was issued to GE on August 31, 1957, and full power was attained on October 19, 1957.

The VBWRceased operations on December 9, 1963, was defueled on December 24 ofthat same year, and GE was issued a license to possess but not operate the VBWR reactor on September 9, 1965. The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) issued GE an Order to Dismantle the VBWR on July 25, 1966. On October 22, 2007, license DPR-1 amendment 21 was issued, transitioning ownership of the VBWR from GE to GEH. From approximately 1956 to 1963, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) installed and operated a turbine generator at VNC. From 1965 through 1975, and 1981 through 1982, portions ofVNC were used by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct research work. GE also conducted research operations as a DOE subcontractor and later transitioned these operations to a private corporation in 1998.

1.3 PURPOSE The purpose of this ER is to present a current evaluation of the actual or potential environmental impacts resulting from the preparation, removal, and disposal ofthe VBWR vessel. The vessel removal is the remaining component that is inseparable from the DPR-llicense.

Page 2 The ER is to support the review and approval to remove and dispose of the vessel. The ER concludes all ofthe environmental effects as SMALL as noted in Table 1-1.

Environment Resource Environmental Effect Land Use SMALL Water Use SMALL Water Quality SMALL Air Quality SMALL Aquatic Ecology SMALL Terrestrial Ecology SMALL Threatened and Endangered Species SMALL Radiological SMALL Occupational SMALL Socioeconomics SMALL Environmental Justice SMALL Cultural and Historic Resources SMALL Aesthetics SMALL Noise SMALL Transportation SMALL Irretrievable Resources SMALL Table 1-1 Summary of Environmental Effects

1.4 DECOMMISSIONING ALTERNATIVES The decommissioning alternatives described in NUREG-0586, Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities are: NO ACTION, DECON (immediate dismantlement), and SAFSTOR (long term storage followed by dismantlement).

NO ACTION: The alternative to decommissioning at the end of the licensing period is a "no action" alternative, implying that a licensee would simply abandon or leave the facility after ceasing operation.

DECON: A phase of reactor decommissioning in which structures, systems, and components that contain radioactive contamination are removed from a site and safely disposed of at a commercially operated low-level waste disposal facility or decontaminated to a level that permits the site to be released for unrestricted use.

SAFES TOR: A long-term storage condition for a permanently shut down nuclear power plant.

During SAFSTOR, radioactive contamination decreases substantially, making subsequent decontamination and demolition easier and reducing the amount oflow-level radioactive waste (LLRW) requiring disposal.

The VBWR was shut down in 1963 and NRC issued a possession-only license in 1965. The license was renewed in 1973 and has remained effective under the provisions of 10 CFR 50.51(b). The facility has been maintained in SAFSTOR condition. Since then, it has been

Page 3 maintained in a monitored condition and the plant structures, external to the containment vessel, have been dismantled. In recognition of this GEH has evaluated several options for decommissioning of the facility in light of current facility conditions and factors external to the facility. Since the facility has been maintained in a condition equivalent to SAFSTOR for nearly 60 years, radioactivity levels at the facility have decayed naturally, hereby reducing occupational radiation exposure during future decontamination activities.

The two decommissioning alternatives that have been evaluated are: SAFSTOR with dismantlement deferred an additional30 years; and DECON-Immediate Dismantlement and Site Restoration. The NO ACTION alternative, as described in NUREG-0586, implies that a licensee would abandon or leave a facility as is. This is not a viable decommissioning alternative and, therefore, is not considered. The most appropriate alternative for the facility is Immediate Dismantlement and Site Restoration for the following reasons:

It can be accomplished at this time with no significant impact on the health and safety of the workers, public, and the environment.

Nearly sixty years of radioactive decay have already reduced radiation exposure rates.

The majority of personnel exposure savings to be gained from deferring dismantlement have already been achieved.

Degradation of containment vessel systems and structural components (e.g., polar crane and related equipment) which are needed to support dismantlement activities could start to occur.

A LLRW disposal facility is currently available to accept out of compact waste. Future export to the compact waste facility is uncertain, as well as associated costs for disposal.

It eliminates the ongoing maintenance expense.

The licensee submitted a Limited Post Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report in 2022 that describes a change to DECON of the VBWR. A license termination plan is scheduled to be submitted to NRC in September 2023. The spent fuel has been removed from both the reactor and the site.

1.5

SUMMARY

AND CONCLUSIONS This Environmental Report demonstrates that the removal and disposal of the reactor vessel will not result in any significant impact on the health and safety of the workers and public or on the environment. All ofthe environmental effects are SMALL.

2. SITE AND FACILITY DESCRIPTION 2.1 LOCATION OF THE SITE The VNC site is located at 6705 Vallecitos Road (north side of State Route (SR) 84) in the unincorporated area of Sunol, Alameda County, California; a map is included as Figure 2-1. The site is east of San Francisco Bay, approximately 35 air miles east-southeast of San Francisco, and 20 air miles north of San Jose.

The properties surrounding the site are primarily used for agriculture and cattle raising, with some residences, which are mostly to the west of the property. The nearest cities are Pleasanton, with a population of approximately 80,000, located 4.1 miles to the north-northwest, and Livermore with a population of approximately 90,000, located 6.2 miles to the northeast.

Page 4 Dublin

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Figure 2-1: Vicinity Map

2.2 DESCRIPTION

OF THE VALLECITOS NUCLEAR CENTER The original VNC site is understood as an approximate 1600-acre site, which includes both the GE property (approximately 610 acres) and the VNC property (approximately 997 acres). The fenced area, commonly referred to as the Site Developed Area, encompasses the buildings and structures associated with all operations at the Site. The Site (Figures 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3) is bounded on the west, north, and east by hilly terrain; in some places, the hills are about 400 ft (120m) above the general Site elevation. Vallecitos Road (SR 84) is at the southern boundary of the Site, from which an expanse of gently rolling grassland extends north for about 1.2 mi (2 km) at which point mountains form a northern barrier; completing the geographical encirclement of the Site.

The VBWR licensed area, also known as the Building 300 area, is approximately 3.2 acres within the 105.8-acre Site Developed Area. Maps of the areas are included in Figures 2-2 and 2-3.

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2.3 FACILITY DESCRIPTION The VBWR (DPR-1 Docket 50-18) is licensed as a power reactor under Part 50, "Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities," of Title 10 of the CFR. The unit has permanently ceased operation and is in SAFSTOR with all nuclear fuel removed from the vessel unit.

VBWR is located in the Building 300 Area within the Site Developed Area shown in Figure 2-3.

Page 6 Figure 2-3: Building 300 Area

The Building 300 Area is primarily retired and contains the remaining buildings listed in Table 2-1 and shown in Figure 2-4.

AREA BUILDING DESCRIPTION

300 Metallurgy and chemical building 301 VBWR containment building 302 Gas tech development building (turbine building) 300 304 URC assembly building 348 Stress corrosion facility 351 EVESR containment building 352 EVESR condenser building

Table 2-1: Facilities at Building 300 Area

Page 7 Figure 2-4: Area 300 Buildings

3. DECOMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES AND PLANS The proposed work consists of dismantling all systems and components inside the containment structure and removal of the boiling water reactor vessel. This is a general summary of the proposed activities to be conducted at the VBWR for DECON and license termination.

3.1 PREPARATION FOR REMOVAL OF BOILING WATER REACTOR VESSEL Piping and structural steel will be rigged, sectioned, and lowered. Demolition will be via cutting torches, handsaws, or reciprocating saws depending upon the pipe diameter and material. Cut lines and rigging points will be determined in the field by the rigger(s). Lead paint will be removed from cut lines where practical. Concrete bioshield segmentation via core bores and diamond wire cutting will be employed to access and cut the VBWR Vessel bottom support to allow vessel removal.

Localized ventilation controls will consist of a flex duct with a flame arrestor, connected to filtered negative air machines. Local containments or ventilation will be employed as necessary for contamination control purposes. Piping penetrations at the containment wall will be capped or sealed.

Scaffolds will be erected throughout various areas of the operating floor to access piping and valves. Alternatively, a narrow scissor lift may be utilized.

As stated in the license, all fuel has been removed from the reactor and transferred from the facility. In addition, some of the equipment used in the operation of the reactor (i.e., nuclear instrumentation, pumps, etc.) has been previously removed under separate actions. All residual

Page 8 radiological materials would be transferred to the EVESR license and addressed in the decommissioning activities for the EVESR license.

3.2 REMOVAL OF BOILING WATER REACTOR VESSEL The proposed method is the removal of the boiling water reactor vessel by constructing a temporary opening in the roof approximately 12 feet in diameter. A protective covering will be used over the roof hole.

Man-lift and cutting tools would be used to remove the section of the roof. A boom crane would be used to lift and remove the vessel from the building and onto a tractor-trailer for hauling to an approved disposal site in Texas.

3.3 RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT 3.3.1 RADIOACTIVE

The characterization of VBWR has generally followed the MultiAgency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual MARSSIMLdescribed process. This process included a Historical Site Analysis (HSA) and Scoping surveys, followed by Characterization surveys. Characterization will continue during the dismantling and remediation process, with surveys post vessel removal being used for a final radiological characterization prior to VBWR license termination request.

The removal and disposal of the reactor vessel, with associated internals, will leave the VBWR facility with minimal residual radioactive materials under License DPR-1, Docket 50-18.

The primary objective is to remove the reactor vessel, which contains the majority of the remaining radioactive material; and remediate the bio shield, as necessary for meeting ALARA. Based on current known radiological conditions of the external ventilation system, spent fuel pool and the external sump, no additional remediation is thought needed from an ALARA standpoint. Soil remediation is not anticipated as there is no soil associated with the VBWR license. Radiological remediation will be sufficient as needed for ensuring the potential radiation exposures to both workers and public from remaining radioactive materials will be ALARA with potential doses within 25 mrem/year. Residual radioactive materials will be controlled to prevent spread and contamination of the environment.

Following the removal of the reactor vessel, structures will be surveyed as necessary; contaminated materials will be remediated or removed and disposed of as radioactive waste. Residual contaminated structural surfaces that will be transferred to the EVESR license have been assessed). Any additional surveys necessary to determine remaining activity will be performed post dismantling I remediation. Decontamination will be performed only if determined to be ALARA for worker protection.

3.3.2 NON-RADIOACTIVE

LEAD AND ASBESTOS Lead: All elemental lead in the form of brick has been removed and disposed of offsite. No elemental lead is expected in the areas currently inaccessible given the VBWR vessel location in the fixed bio shield. Should l ead be found, it will be surveyed and/or sampled for radioactive contamination for characterization and disposal. The material will be packaged in transport containers, as necessary, removed from the containment building and eventually transported for disposal. Options for the beneficial reuse oflead will be evaluated and the most cost-effective method for final disposition pursued.

Page 9 Lead Containing Coatings: Demolition work performed during the decommissioning activities for VBWR may require the removal of lead containing coatings. The most likely potential need for abatement will be cutting of dome structures to support VBWR vessel removal. Upon identification of these areas, a qualified lead abatement subcontractor, or qualified remediation team workers, will be used to remove the lead containing coatings. Any work performed that requires a torch to metal that has a lead containing coating, will have the coating removed by a qualified abatement subcontractor or qualified remediation team worker. The activities will be performed prior to any torch to metal work or grinding and will comply with the GEH and Vallecitos Site Specific Safety and Health Manual.

Asbestos Abatement: Asbestos containing materials have been abated in the VBWR containment and all generated material has been disposed of. Should asbestos be identified during the remaining work activities, it will be removed and packaged for disposal prior to any decommissioning activities in areas where these materials exist. Removal and disposal of asbestos will be accomplished by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

3.4 DEMOBILIZATION Demobilization will include remediation ofthe sump, decontaminating and removing, if feasible, all project equipment and materials brought on site, disposal of project-generated waste such as concrete from expansion joint areas, reactor pit, etc., and returning the work area to a clean, safe condition. All equipment and materials will be decontaminated, as necessary, using standard non-destructive (e.g., damp wiping) methods and surveyed to meet limits for unrestricted release.

Items exceeding the limits for unrestricted release will be packaged and disposed as LLRW.

3.5 SCHEDULE AND RESOURCES The overall schedule duration to plan, prepare the site, remove the VBWR vessel, and subsequently demobilize from the VBWR is approximately six to eight months. The expected duration of on-site activities is between three and four weeks.

Up to 30 workers may be present at VBWR during the on-site decommissioning activities.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF DECOMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES 4.1 LAND USE For the purposes of assessing decommissioning impacts, NRC defines operational areas in the Decommissioning GElS as, the portion of the plant site where most or all of the site activities occur, such as reactor operation, materials and equipment storage, parking, substation operation, facility service, and maintenance. This includes areas within the protected area fences, the intake, discharge, cooling, and associated structures as well as surrounding paved, graveled, maintained landscape, or other maintained areas.

The property is located in the unincorporated area of Sunol, California on the north side of Vallecitos Road (SR 84), which is a two-and four-lane paved highway. Approximately 1,400 acres of the Property are leased for raising feed crops and cattle grazing. Land use near the property is agricultural, including orchards, vineyards, and pastures, although grazing is predominant. A small residential population exists along the western boundary of the property.

The nearest incorporated area is the City of Pleasanton, located four miles to the north-northwest.

There is light industrial activity within a 10-mile radius of the property. A United States Veterans Administration hospital is located about four miles to the east.

Page 10 It

Figure 4-1: Regional Area Map

The 997-acre VNC site property along with the 610-acre GEH property encompasses approximately 1,600 acres. The VNC Site Developed Area shown in Figure 4-2 is 105.8 acres of the 1,600 acres. The VBWR and EVESR are located in the Building 300 Area shown in Figures 4-2 and 4-3. The VNC site also includes the Building 100 Area and Building 400 Area that host operations, maintenance, and administrative structures and activities. The other shutdown (test) reactor, GETR is located in the Building 200 Area. During the operation and since the shutdown ofVBWR, they have been supported by the site for maintenance, material storage, staff offices, site infrastructure, parking, etc. Therefore, the operational area for decommissioning ofVBWR is the Site Developed Area.

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Page 12 Figure 4-3: Aerial View ofVBWR Site

4.1.1 ON-SITE LAND USE The activities at VNC to remove and dispose of the boiling water reactor vessel do not have any measurable impact to on-site land use. There would be no change to land use caused by the activities to prepare and remove the vessel. The major activity expected to occur is the temporary staging of equipment at the Site Developed Area. This activity would not change the fundamental purpose of the site.

Up to approximately 30 temporary workers are needed to support the activity requiring the use of existing on-site parking, training, site security access, office space, and change areas.

Activities would occur at the VNC's Site Developed Area, and no on-site land use would occur during the removal of the vessel.

4.1.2 OFF-SITE LAND USE No offsite land is needed to support the preparation and removal, and disposal of the vessel.

Existing public roads and highways would be used to transport workers and equipment. All activities would be within the Site Developed Area.

No off-site land is required to build, extend, or improve roads, highways and if required railways to transport the vessel to an approved site in Texas.

4.1.3 LAND USE EFFECTS The impacts on land use are not detectable or destabilizing since activities to remove the boiling water vessel would be all on the VNC Site Developed Area and the transport of the vessel for disposal would not require any new or improvements to the transportation infrastructure.

The potential impact to on-site and off-site is SMALL; impacts are not detectable or destabilizing and no new or improvements to the transportation infrastructure, respectively.

4.2 WATER USE

Page 13 For the purposes of assessing decommissioning impacts, as noted in Section 4.3.5 ofthe GElS, aquatic ecology includes "all of the plants, animals, and species assemblages in the rivers, streams, oceans, estuaries, or any other aquatic environments near a nuclear power facility." This section will focus on protected aquatic habitat regulated by the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. The facility currently has adequate water supply for operations and maintenance activities.

4.2.1 WATER USE DURING CONSTRUCTION Decommissioning activities will have a temporary increase in water use for VBWR for such activities as concrete cutting and dust abatement during the dismantling and transportation process, however this temporary increase will be minimal and of short duration. The majority of the impacts for dismantling of the VWBR will be on paved and previously disturbed areas of the facility. These water uses will be supplied by the existing VNC potable water supply and GEH will ensure that water use is within existing water rights/allocations and withdrawal permits.

Wastewater streams created from these water uses will be managed and treated within existing VNC wastewater infrastructure and in accordance with their permits. There is no visible or detectable water in the vessel. The vessel is sealed through either welded or bolted means dependent on penetration. Bolted flanges will be additionally sealed with RTV to meet disposal site criteria. In the case of an inadvertent release, existing protocols will be used to manage and clean up the release.

4.2.2 WATERSUPPLYEFFECTS GEH concludes that the water supply will not be impacted by the project, therefore the impacts would be categorized as SMALL.

4.3 WATER QUALITY Decommissioning activities with the potential for impacting both surface and ground water quality include decontamination and dismantlement activities. Since work may occur year-round, there is a risk of storm water runoff from structure dismantlement areas and accidental releases (spills) are also potential sources of pollutants entering surface waters during decommissioning.

This section considers the impact on water quality during the removal of the boiling water reactor vessel.

4.3.1 WATER QUALITY IMPACTS VNC will continue to manage water in accordance with its existing infrastructure, permits, and Best Management Practices (BMPs). The existing spill control and prevention practices and procedures will also remain in place and may be modified as necessary for decommissioning activities. Any land-disturbing activities will be conducted in accordance with BMPs for soil management and in accordance with state and local erosion control and sediment permits and regulations. It is not anticipated that there will be any direct contact with groundwater due to the lack of excavation for this activity. Any water used during the dismantling of the boiling water reactor vessel will be treated and managed in accordance with the current onsite treatment facility. No offsite removal or disposal of wastewater is anticipated. All wastewaters will be collected and treated within existing VNC wastewater treatment infrastructure. VNC will continue to sample existing monitoring wells on site according to the existing monitoring plan.

4.3.2 POTENTIAL RELEASES DURING CONSTRUCTION If there happens to be an inadvertent spill or discharge ofhazardous or contaminated material during construction, those materials will be contained and cleaned up in accordance with current Spill Prevention Plans as well as other established procedures at the facility. Additionally, there

Page 14 will be temporary BMP measures implemented and installed before construction to help prevent accidental contamination of ground water. Those plans will be in compliance with both State and Federal Laws protecting natural resources such as ground water. All construction vehicles will be inspected to make sure they are in good working order with no leaks of oil or hydraulic fluid.

Refueling of vehicles will take place on approved paved surfaces away from bare soil and any existing waterways.

4.3.3 WATER QUALITY EFFECTS GEH concludes that compliance with the standard erosion control and BMPs listed in current permits and plans impacts to water quality would be categorized as SMALL.

4.4 AIR QUALITY The activities to remove and dispose of the boiling water reactor vessel at VNC do not have any measurable impact on the local air quality, and no significant criteria or hazardous air pollution emissions occur. Any potential air quality-related emission associated with the removal of the vessel at VNC result from gaseous pollutant emissions from diesel-powered construction equipment and fugitive dust emissions.

The following construction equipment would be required to remove the vessel:

Mobile crane

Yz ton pickup truck

Man-lift

Forklift

Portable generators

Portable air compressors

Thermal cutting/welding equipment

- An Over-The-Road transport vehicle will transport the reactor vessel off-site to a nearby rail yard. The reactor vessel will then be loaded into a railcar for transport to an approved LLRW disposal facility in TX.

Approximately up to 30 workers during onsite activities for approximately 3 to 4 weeks.

4.4.1 CLIMATE, METEOROLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY 1 The project is located within the Livermore Valley climatological subregion of the San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin (SFBAAB), as defined by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Air basins have natural characteristics that limit the ability of natural processes to either dilute or transport air pollutants. The major determinants of air pollution transport and dilution are climatic and topographic factors such as wind, atmospheric stability, terrain that influences air movement, and sunshine. Wind and terrain can combine to transport pollutants away from upwind areas, while solar energy can chemically transform pollutants in the air to create secondary photochemical pollutants such as 03.

1 SR 84 Expressway Widening and SR 84/1-680 Interchange Improvements Project Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment with FONSI. State of California, Department of Transportation, and the Alameda County Transportation Commission. April2018? U.S. Census Bureau. Census Geography Profile Block Group. Livermore and Sunol: U.S.

Census Bureau, 2020.

Page 15 The Bay Area has a Mediterranean climate characterized by wet winters and dry summers.

During the summer, a high-pressure cell centered over the northeastern Pacific Ocean results in stable meteorological conditions and a steady northwesterly wind flow that keep storms from affecting the California coast. During the winter, the Pacific high-pressure cell weakens, resulting in increased precipitation and the occurrence of storms. The highest air pollutant concentrations in the Bay Area generally occur during inversions, when a surface layer of cooler air becomes trapped beneath a layer of warmer air. An inversion reduces the amount of vertical mixing and dilution of air pollutants in the cooler air near the surface.

The Livermore Valley is a sheltered inland valley within the Diablo Range near the eastern border of the SFBAAB. In the summer, the Livermore Valley is characterized by clear skies and relatively warm weather with maximum temperatures ranging from the high 80s to low 90s (degrees Fahrenheit). Cold water upwelling along the coast and hot inland temperatures during the summer can cause a strong onshore pressure gradient, which translates into a strong afternoon wind. In the winter, the air flow in the Livermore Valley is often affected by local conditions.

Winter temperatures are mild and usually range from the high 30s to low 60s (degrees Fahrenheit). The mean precipitation in the winter is about 14 inches.

For the Livermore Valley, the air pollution potential is high, especially for photochemical pollutants. The Livermore Valley not only traps locally generated pollutants but can be the receptor of 03 and 03 precursors from San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties.

4.4.2 REGIONAL AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY 1 The BAAQMD monitors pollutants of concern and air quality conditions throughout the SFBAAB. Table 4-1 includes a summary ofthe applicable air quality standards and the SFBAAB's attainment status with respect to the air quality standards. For the NAAQS, the SFBAAB is currently designated a maintenance area for the 8-hour CO standard and a nonattainment area for the 8-hour 03 standard and 24-hour PM2 5 standard. For the California Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS), the SFBAAB is designated a nonattainment area for the 1-hour and 8-hour 03 standards, the annual average and 24-hour PMw standards, and the annual average PM2 5 standard. The SFBAAB is classified as attainment or unclassified for the remaining NAAQS and CAAQS.

Page 16 Table 4-2: State and Federal Criteria Air Pollutant Standards, Effects, and Sources

State Project Federal Pollutant Averaging State Federal Principal Health and Atmospheric Typical Sources Area Project Area Time Standard Standard Effects Attainment Attainment Status Status 1 hour1.157407e-5 days 2.777778e-4 hours 1.653439e-6 weeks 3.805e-7 months 0.09 ppm -3 High concentrations irritate lungs. Long-Low-altitude ozone is almost entirely Non attainment term exposure may cause lung tissue organic compounds formed from reactive organic gases/volatile damage and cancer. Long-term nitrogen oxides ROG or VOC) and exposure damages plant materials and (NOx) in the presence of Ozone (03) 0.070 ppm (4th reduces crop productivity. Precursor sunlight and heat. Common precursor Nonattainment 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months 0.070 ppm highest in 3 organic compounds include many known emitters include motor vehicles and other (Marginal) years) toxic air contaminants. Biogenic VOC internal combustion engines, solvent may also contribute. evaporation, boilers, furnaces, and industrial processes.

CO interferes with the transfer of oxygen Combustion sources, especially gasoline-Attainment-Carbon 1 hour1.157407e-5 days 2.777778e-4 hours 1.653439e-6 weeks 3.805e-7 months 20 ppm 35ppm to the blood and deprives sensitive powered engines, and motor vehicles. CO Maintenance Monoxide tissues of oxygen. CO also is a minor is the traditional signature pollutant for on-Attainment (CO) precursor for photochemical ozone. road mobile sources at the local and 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months 9.0 ppm1 9 ppm Colorless, odorless. neighborhood scale. (Moderate) 150 ~g/m3 Irritates eyes and respiratory tract. Dust-and fume-producing industrial and Respirable (expected Decreases lung capacity. Associated agricultural operations; combustion smoke Particulate 24 hours2.777778e-4 days 0.00667 hours 3.968254e-5 weeks 9.132e-6 months 50 ~g/m3 6 number of days with increased cancer and mortality. & vehicle exhaust; atmospheric chemical Matter above standard Contributes to haze and reduced reactions; construction and other dust-Nonattainment Unclassified (PM10)4 <or equal to 1) visibility. Includes some toxic air & other producing activities; unpaved road dust Annual 20 ~g/m3 --4 PM10. sources. aerosol and solid compounds are part of and re-entrained paved road dust; natural

24 hours2.777778e-4 days 0.00667 hours 3.968254e-5 weeks 9.132e-6 months --- 35 ~g/m3 Annual 12 ~g/m3 12.0 ~g/m3 Increases respiratory disease, lung Combustion including motor vehicles, other Attainment-damage, cancer, and premature death. mobile sources, and industrial activities; Unclassified Fine Reduces visibility and produces surface residential and agricultural burning; also (Annual Particulate Secondary soiling. Most diesel exhaust particulate formed through atmospheric chemicals and Nonattainment standard);

Matter Standard matter-a toxic air 15 ~g/m3 (98th contaminant-is in photochemical reactions involving other Non attainment (PM2.5)4 (annual; percentile over 3 other the PM2.5 size range. Many toxic & pollutants NOX, sulfur oxides (SOx), (Moderate; 24-also for --- aerosol and solid compounds are ROG. hour standard) conformity years part of PM2.5. ammonia, and process4) 1 hours1.157407e-5 days 2.777778e-4 hours 1.653439e-6 weeks 3.805e-7 months 0.18 ppm 0.100 ppm5 Irritating to eyes and respiratory tract. Attainment Nitrogen Colors atmosphere reddish-brown. Motor vehicles and other mobile or standard); (Annual Dioxide Contributes ppm 0.053 ppm contamination of stormwater. Part to acid rain & nitrate portable engines, especially diesel; Attainment (N02) Annual 0.030 of the refineries; industrial operations. Designation "NOx" group of ozone precursors. pending (1-hour standard)

Page 17 State Project Federal Pollutant Averaging State Federal Principal Health and Atmospheric Typical Sources Area Project Area Time Standard Standard Effects Attainment Attainment Status Status 0.75 ppm6 (99th 1 hour1.157407e-5 days 2.777778e-4 hours 1.653439e-6 weeks 3.805e-7 months 0.25 ppm percentile over 3 Fuel combustion (especial local and high-years) Irritates respiratory tract; injures lung sulfur oil), chemical plants, sulfur recovery Sulfur 3 hours3.472222e-5 days 8.333333e-4 hours 4.960317e-6 weeks 1.1415e-6 months ---0.5 ppm? tissue. Can yellow plant leaves. plants, metal processing; some natural Designation Dioxide sources 0.14 ppm (for Destructive to marble, iron, steel. like active volcanoes. Limited Attainment (S02) 24 hours2.777778e-4 days 0.00667 hours 3.968254e-5 weeks 9.132e-6 months 0.04 ppm Contributes certain areas) to acid rain. Limits visibility. contribution possible from heavy -duty pending diesel vehicles if ultra-low sulfur fuel not Annual --- certain 0.030 ppm (for used.

areas)

Monthly 1.5 ~g/m3 ---

Calendar 1.5 ~g/m3 (for Disturbs gastrointestinal system. Lead-based industrial processes like Quarter --- certain areas) Causes anemia, kidney disease, and battery production and smelters. Lead Lead (Pb)9 neuromuscular and neurological paint, leaded gasoline. Aerially deposited N/A Attainment Rolling 3-dysfunction. Also a toxic air lead from older gasoline use may exist in in month ---0.15~g/m39 contaminant and water pollutant. soils along major roads average Premature mortality and respiratory Industrial processes, refineries and oil Sulfate 24 hours2.777778e-4 days 0.00667 hours 3.968254e-5 weeks 9.132e-6 months 25 ~g/m3 --- toxic air effects. Contributes to acid rain. Some fields, mines, natural sources like volcanic Attainment N/A contaminants attach to sulfate areas, salt-covered dry lakes, and large aerosol particles. sulfide rock areas.

Colorless, flammable, poisonous. Industrial processes such as: refineries Hydrogen Respiratory irritant. Neurological and oil fields, asphalt plants, livestock Sulfide 1 hours1.157407e-5 days 2.777778e-4 hours 1.653439e-6 weeks 3.805e-7 months 0.03 ppm --- damage and premature death. operations, sewage treatment plants, and Unclassified N/A (H2S) Headache, nausea. Strong odor. mines. Some natural sources like volcanic areas and hot springs.

Visibility of 10 miles or Reduces visibility. Produces haze.

more NOTE: not directly related to the Visibility Regional Haze program under FCAA, See particulate matter above.

Reducing 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months (Tahoe:30 --- which is oriented primarily toward Unclassified N/A Particles miles) at visibility issues in National Parks and May be related more to aerosols than to (VRP) relative other "Class I" areas. However, some solid particles.

humidity issues and measurements methods are less than similar.

70%

Vinyl Neurological effects, liver damage, No information ChlorideS 24 hours2.777778e-4 days 0.00667 hours 3.968254e-5 weeks 9.132e-6 months 0.01 ppm --- cancer. Industrial processes. available N/A

Page 18 State Project Federal Pollutant Averaging State Federal Principal Health and Atmospheric Typical Sources Area Project Area Time Standard Standard Effects Attainment Attainment Status Status Also considered a toxic air contaminant.

Notes: ppm~ parts per million; 11g/m3 ~micrograms per cubic meter 1 State standards are "not to exceed" or "not to be equaled or exceeded" unless stated otherwise.

2 Federal standards are "not to exceed more than once a year" or as described above.

3 Prior to June 2005, the !-hour ozone NAAQS was 0.12 ppm. Emission budgets for !-hour ozone are still in use in some areas where 8-hour ozone emission budgets have not been developed, such as the S.F. Bay Area.

4 Annual PMIO NAAQS revoked October 2006; was 50 11g/m3 24-hr. PM2sNAAQS tightened October 2006; was 65 11g/m3 Annual PM2.s NAAQS tightened from 15 11g/m3 to 12flg/m3 December 2012 and secondary annual standard set at 15 11g/m3 5 Finall-hour N02 NAAQS published in the Federal Register on 2/9/2010, effective 3/9/2010. Initial area designation for California (20 12) was attainmentlunclassifiable throughout.

Project-level hot spot analysis requirements do not currently exist. Near-road monitoring starting in 2013 may cause re-designation to nonattainment in some areas after 2016.

6 US EPA finalized a !-hour S02 standard of 75 ppb (parts per billion [thousand million]) in June 2010. Nonattainment areas have not yet been designated as of 9/2012.

7 Secondary standard, set to protect public welfare rather than health. Conformity and environmental analysis address both primary and secondary NAAQS.

8 The CARB has identified vinyl chloride and the particulate matter fraction of diesel exhaust as toxic air contaminants. Diesel exhaust particulate matter is part of PM 10 and, in larger proportion, PM2.s. Both the CARB and USEP A have identified lead and various organic compounds that are precursors to ozone and PM2.s as toxic air contaminants. There are no exposure criteria for adverse health effect due to toxic air contaminants, and control requirements may apply at ambient cone entrations below any criteria levels specified above for these pollutants or the general categories of pollutants to which they belong.

9 Lead NAAQS are not considered in Transportation Conformity analysis.

Page 19 4.4.3 LOCAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY 1 The BAAQMD operates a network of air monitoring sites throughout the SFBAAB. The nearest and most representative air monitoring station to the project area is currently the Livermore station at 793 Rincon Avenue in Livermore, approximately 3.5 miles north of the project area.

The criteria air pollutants monitored at this station are 03, N02, and PM2s. The nearest station where CO levels are measured is the Oakland station, located at 9925 International Boulevard, approximately 17 miles northwest of the project area. The nearest station where PMw levels are measured is the Concord station, located at 2956-A Treat Boulevard, approximately 22 miles north of the project area. These stations are considered representative of the project area as they are located within the closest proximities to the project area and experience similar meteorological conditions. Table 4-2 presents ambient air quality data recorded at the three stations from 2011 through 2015. As Table 4-2 shows, exceedances of California standards for 1-hour 03 occurred in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015. Exceedances ofthe California standards for 24-hour PMw occurred once in 2011. The national and California standards for 8-hour 03 were exceeded in all five years. Exceedances of the national standards for 24-hour PM2s occurred in 2011, 2013, and 2014. No exceedances of either the state or national standards were recorded for CO.

Page 21 Table 4-2: Criteria Air Pollutants Data Summary {Livermore, Oakland, and Concord Air Monitoring Stations)

Pollutant Standard 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

1-Hour Maximum concentration (ppm) 0.115 0.102 0.096 0.093 0.105 Days> CAAQS (0.09 ppm) 3 2 3 0 1 Ozone (0 3) 8-Hour Maximum Concentration (ppm) 0.084 0.090 0.077 0.080 0.081 Days >NAAQS (0.075 ppm) 2 3 1 4 1 Days> CAAQS (0.07 ppm) 9 4 2 7 7 24-Hour Maximum Concentration (i-Jgfm3) 55.9 33.7 47.6 40.8 22.5 Particulate Days >CAAQS (50 i-Jgfm3) 1 0 0 0 0 Matter (150 i-Jg/m3) 0 0 0 0 0 (PM1o) Days >NAAQS Annual Annual Arithmetic Mean (i-Jglm3) a 15.2 12.3 15.5 13.8 12.5 24-Hour Particulate Maximum Concentration (i-Jgfm3) 45.5 31.1 40.2 42.9 31.2 Matter Days >NAAQS (35 i-Jgfm3) 2 0 4 1 0 (PM2.5l Annual

Annual Arithmetic Mean (i-Jg/m3) 8.5 6.6 8.7 7.6 8.8 1-Hour Maximum Concentration (ppm) 4.1 2.9 3.6 2.8 2.4 Carbon Days >CAAQS (20 ppm) 0 0 0 0 0 Monoxide Days >NAAQS (35 ppm) 0 0 0 0 0 (CO) 8-Hour

Maximum Concentration (ppm) 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.5 1.4 Days> CAAQS (9.0 ppm) 0 0 0 0 0 1-Hour Maximum Concentration (ppm) 0.057 0.053 0.051 0.049 0.050 Nitrogen Days >NAAQS (0.10 ppm) 0 0 0 0 0 Dioxide Days >CAAQS (0.18 ppm) 0 0 0 0 0 (N02)

Annual Annual Arithmetic Mean (ppm) 0.011 0.011 0.012 0.010 0.010 Source: CARB 2017a. California Air Quality Data (PST) Query Tool. https://www.arb.ca.gov/aqmis2/aqdselect.php Notes: 11g/m3 =micrograms per cubic meter; ppm= parts per million Ambient data for S02 and airborne lead are not included in this table since the SFBAAB is currently in compliance with state and federal standards for these pollutants

Page 22 4.4.4 FUGITIVE OUST Outside activities would be on VNC's Site Developed Area on pavement or graveled area. Since there is no earth moving or use of unpaved roadways and work areas, there is no source for fugitive dust.

4.4.5 EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE EMISSIONS Of the combustion sources, vehicle emissions would be the dominant source. Vehicles that would be operating on the site during construction would consist of a variety of vehicles and construction equipment and vehicles used for workers traveling to the site. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions would be from the storage and loading of diesel fuel and gasoline for onsite construction equipment.

Up to 30 workers over an approximate 3-to-4-week period would occur to prepare and remove the vessel.

4.4. 6 ASBESTOS Asbestos containing materials have been abated in the VBWR containment and all generated material has been disposed of. Should asbestos be identified during the procedure to prepare for the vessel removal, it will be removed and packaged for disposal prior to any decommissioning activities in areas where these materials exist. Removal and disposal of asbestos will be accomplished by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Additional asbestos materials discovered during decontamination activities will be abated by the asbestos contractor as needed.

4.4.7 AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVE WASTE Activities would be performed in a manner that reduces or eliminates generation of airborne radioactive materials.

Activities will be performed in a manner that reduces/eliminates generation of airborne radioactive materials. To keep exposure to airborne radioactivity As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), the following processes/procedures will be used as determined appropriate in accordance with the VNC Radiation Protection program:

Enclosures will be used during major cutting and demolition activities to prevent the spread of airborne radioactive materials.

Portable ventilation systems with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters will be used for minimizing work area airborne and limiting releases to the environment.

Fixatives and/or protective covering will be used for preventing generation of airborne activity during movement of highly contaminated components. Dry surfaces will be wetted to minimize resuspension during demolition activities.

There are no radioactive gases at VBWR that require evaluation and control; all radioactive noble gases have decayed or previously released under appropriate control and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

4.4.8 AIR QUALITY EFFECTS The predominant potential for the removal of the vessel would be particulate matter and fugitive dust. This material would generally be released and remain within the building.

No earth movement or use of unpaved roads and work area are required for the vessel removal, therefore no fugitive dust.

Page 23 The mix of vehicles used for work transportation or activities associated with the preparation, removal and disposal of the vessel is significantly less than during plant construction, the change in air quality should not be detectable or destabilizing at this site.

Supplement 1 ofNUREG-0586 concludes the impacts of decommissioning on air quality are neither detectable nor destabilizing. Therefore, the impact to air quality is SMALL.

4.5 AQUATIC ECOLOGY For the purposes of assessing decommissioning impacts, as noted in Section 4.3.5 ofthe GElS, aquatic ecology includes "all of the plants, animals, and species assemblages in the rivers, streams, oceans, estuaries, or any other aquatic environments near a nuclear power facility." This section will focus on protected aquatic habitat regulated by the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.

4.5.1 EVALUATION OF AQUATIC ECOLOGY EFFECTS To support the preparation of the LPSDAR and accurately evaluate any potential impacts to aquatic species and their habitat from decommissioning activities, Kleinfelder performed a delineation of aquatic resources within the fenced portion of GEH' s facilities, which encompassed a 106-acre Biological Study Area (BSA). The report, titled Preliminary Delineation of Aquatic Resources for the Vallecitos Nuclear Center Decommissioning Project (Aquatic Delineation Report), was prepared in September 2022 for submission to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to comply with Section 404 of the CWA. The delineation followed the routine methods and guidelines described in the USACE Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACE 1987) and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (USACE 2008), and the guidelines described in the Corps Regulatory Guidance Letter No. 05-05 Ordinary High Water Mark Identification (USACE 2005).

Based on desktop evaluations of aerial imagery, topographical maps, and soil maps of the study areas as well as field investigations, the Aquatic Delineation Report concluded that there were four potentially jurisdictional non-wetland waters or other waters of the U.S. (OWUS) and two wetland features within the study area. OWUS included three unnamed ephemeral channels (0.486 acre) and one open water pond feature (1.00 acre), which totaled approximately 1.486 acres, and two wetland features (forested/shrub wetland and fresh emergent wetland) totaling approximately 4.68 acre. In addition, 290.72linear feet (0.077 acre) of potentially jurisdictional culverted waters of the U.S. were identified in the BSA.

As displayed in the Aquatic Resources Map in the Aquatic Delineation Report, the closest features to the VBWR are a forested shrub wetland (FSW) approximately 300 feet to the west.

Further west, the FSW transitions into fresh emergent wetland (FEW) and then an open water pond (locally known as Lake Lee) mapped as OWUS. In addition, there are non-jurisdictional waters and associated culverts mapped approximately 250 feet northwest ofVBWR. The Aquatic Delineation Report is available upon request due to the lack of aquatic habitat within or adjacent to the VBWR facility.

Lake Lee provides potentially suitable habitat for aquatic species, such as turtles, frogs, and salamanders, among other species. Potential impacts to these species will be further discussed in Section 5.06 and 5.07.

The VBWR facility is located in disturbed habitat consisting of graded and graveled areas and paved roads surrounding the facilities. There will be no direct impacts to aquatic habitat (jurisdictional or non-jurisdictional waters) or undisturbed land as all work areas, staging locations, and equipment will be confined to developed areas and no ground disturbing activities are anticipated as part of the decommissioning. No direct impacts will occur to aquatic habitats,

Page 24 and although not anticipated, decommissioning activities could have a potential to indirectly impact aquatic habitats near the VBWR via storm water runoff from structure dismantlement/decontamination and/or accidental releases (spills). Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Avoidance and Minimization Measures (AMMs)will be implemented to mitigate any potential indirect impacts to aquatic features. VNC will continue to manage stormwater in accordance with its existing infrastructure, permits, and BMPs. The existing spill control and prevention practices and procedures will also remain in place and be modified as necessary for decommissioning activities.

4.5.2 AQUATIC ECOLOGY EFFECTS CONCLUSION Potential impacts to aquatic ecology are considered SMALL, temporary, and mitigatable. With implementation of the standard erosion control, BMPs, and the AMMs listed below, no detectable impacts to aquatic features are anticipated.

Dry Season Construction. Scheduling construction activities in the dry season, generally between May and October, is recommended, primarily for any off pavement staging or planned ground disturbing activity.

Environmental Training and Clearance Survey. Prior to construction, a qualified biologist may provide construction personnel with environmental training. The training should include a discussion of the listed species and other sensitive biological resources potentially occurring in the VNC, as well as a description of their habitats, their legal status and protection under the federal and State Endangered Species Acts, and a list of measures being taken to reduce impacts to biological resources during Project construction and implementation. A brochure with color photos of listed species should also be provided to construction personnel. The qualified biologist should also conduct a survey of all work areas prior to construction to identify any special-status species for avoidance.

Wetland Avoidance. No construction impacts, dredge, or fill to any wetlands or waterways should occur. Site work away from aquatic habitats. If work is planned within any potentially jurisdictional aquatic features, coordination with the USACE, California Department ofFish and Wildlife (CDFW), and the Regional Water Quality Control Board may be required.

Standard Best Management Practices. The potential for adverse effects to water quality could be avoided by implementing the following suggested temporary and permanent BMPs:

a) No discharge of pollutants from vehicles and equipment cleaning should be allowed into storm drains or water courses.

b) Vehicle and equipment fueling, and maintenance operations should be located at least 50 feet away from water courses, and secondary containment should be provided c) Concrete waste should be collected in washouts, and water from curing operations should be collected and disposed of so it does not enter water courses.

d) Dust control should be implemented, including using water trucks and tackifiers to control dust in excavation and fill areas, rocking temporary access road entrances and exits, and covering temporary stockpiles when weather conditions require.

e) Coir rolls should be installed along or at the base of slopes during construction to capture sediment, and temporary organic hydro-mulching should be applied to all unfinished disturbed and graded areas.

f) Monofilament plastic should not be used for erosion control.

Page 25 g) All grindings and asphaltic-concrete waste should be stored within previously disturbed areas absent of habitat and at a minimum of 150 feet from any aquatic habitat, culvert, or drainage feature.

4.6 TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY For the purposes of assessing decommissioning impacts, as noted in Section 4.3.6 ofthe GElS, "terrestrial ecological resources may be impacted during the decommissioning process via direct or indirect disturbance of native plant or animal communities in the vicinity of the plant site."

This section will focus on non-listed/native species and birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA). Based on Executive Order 13186 in 2001, it is the responsibility of federal agencies, such as the NRC, "to ensure the protection of migratory birds and to consider potential impacts to migratory birds during the preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents." The next section, section 5.07, will focus on endangered and threated species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973.

4. 6.1 EVALUATION OF TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY EFFECTS A comprehensive biological report titled Biological Resources Report Vallecitos Nuclear Center Decommissioning Project (Bio Report), prepared by Kleinfelder in 2022 and available in ADAMS as ML22264A328, evaluated the potential for migratory birds to nest within the Biological Study Area (BSA) which encompasses a 1 06-acre area surrounding building 200 and building 300, where VBWR is located. According to the Wildlife Species with Potential to Occur in the BSA table included in the Bio Report, seven birds with an agency designated status were identified as having a potential to use the BSA. Of those seven, six (American peregrine falcon, golden eagle, great blue heron, prairie falcon, tricolored blackbird, and burrowing owl) have a low potential to occur and one (California least tern) is not expected to occur. Along with the six species with protected status in the Bio Report table, there is potential for other migratory bird species to use the BSA for nesting habitat.

The grasslands, trees/shrubs, and riparian areas within the BSA provide suitable nesting habitat, however there are also certain species like the killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) that nest on barren ground. During the onsite survey conducted by Kleinfelder in 2022, the only nests identified during the survey were swallow nests located on certain buildings and structures within the BSA.

Decommissioning activities for VBWR will be restricted to previously disturbed/graded areas, however there are trees and riparian habitat approximately 300 feet away that could be used for nesting by migratory birds. No tree or vegetation removal will be necessary to facilitate decommissioning activities, however, migratory birds could be indirectly temporarily disturbed from increased noise and activity associated with project related activities. In addition, there is potential for swallows to be nesting on nearby buildings.

4. 6.2 TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY EFFECTS CONCLUSION There is a potential for project related activities to temporarily disturb nesting birds, however the impacts would be considered small, and can be further reduced through the implementation of avoidance and minimization measures (AMMs), listed below.

There will be no direct or indirect impacts on native plants from the decommissioning activities associated with VBWR as all work and equipment will be confined to previously disturbed areas.

With implementation of the AMMs listed below no detectable impacts (alterations to habitat or local population size, direct mortality) are anticipated.

Environmental Training and Clearance Survey. Prior to construction, a qualified biologist should provide construction personnel with environmental training. The training

Page 26 should include a discussion of the listed species and other sensitive biological resources potentially occurring in the VNC, as well as a description of their habitats, their legal status and protection under the federal and State Endangered Species Acts, and a list of measures being taken to reduce impacts to biological resources during Project construction and implementation. A brochure with color photos of listed species should also be provided to construction personnel. The qualified biologist should also conduct a survey of all work areas prior to construction to identify any special-status species for avoidance.

Preconstruction Surveys and Work Window for Nesting Birds. Iftree and vegetation removal, clearing and grubbing, or construction must occur during nesting bird season (February 1 to September 30), a qualified biologist should conduct a preconstruction survey for nesting birds within seven days of construction. To the extent practicable, clearing, and grubbing activities should be conducted during the non-nesting season (October 1 to January 31). If there is a significant break during active construction, a new survey is recommended prior to resuming work.

No-Disturbance Buffer for Nesting Birds. If work is to occur within 300 feet of active raptor nests or 50 feet of active passerine nests, a no-disturbance buffer should be established at a distance sufficient to minimize disturbance based on the nest location, topography, cover, the species' sensitivity to disturbance, and the intensity/type of potential disturbance.

Active Swallow Nest Removal. If construction occurs on structures with active swallow nests or within 100 feet of active swallow nests, nests should be scraped off and old nesting material removed during non-nesting season (October 1 to January 31). If nest building is observed after this process, a qualified biologist should conduct frequent nest checks at an interval suitable to avoid new nest establishment. Nest checks may need to be as frequent as once daily.

4. 7 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES This section reviews potential impacts to State and Federally protected species as well as potential impacts to their habitat, especially designated critical habitat, as set forth by the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the CDFW. Any potential impacts will be evaluated and mitigated, as appropriate.

For the purposes of assessing decommissioning impacts on threatened and endangered species, Section 4.3.7.2 of the GElS regarding decommissioning of nuclear power plants states that "The greatest potential for impact to protected species is associated with physical alteration or dismantlement of the facilities, landscape, or aquatic environment." In terms of quantifying and evaluating impacts, the GElS further states that "Impacts to endangered or threatened species are considered detectable if there are changes (attributable to the facility) in the species behavior or in the local population size that are greater than normal year-to-year variation. Impacts would be considered destabilizing if they result in direct mortality or major behavior changes (such as abandonment of most suitable habitat areas in the plant vicinity) or if they otherwise jeopardize the local population."

4. 7.1 EVALUATION OF THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES EFFECTS A comprehensive biological report titled Biological Resources Report Vallecitos Nuclear Center Decommissioning Project (Bio Report), prepared by Kleinfelder in 2022 and available in ADAMS as ML22264A328, evaluated a 106-acre biological study area (BSA) that included Building 200 (GETR) and Building 300, which encompasses VBWR and EVE SR. Kleinfelder's biological resources review consisted of searches of California Native Plant Society (CNPS),

Page 27 CDFW, and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) databases for federal and state threatened, endangered, and other special-status species occurrences. Biologists generated a USFWS list for the BSA using their Information Planning and Consultation (IPaC) tool, as referenced in the Bio Report. All species included on the USFWS were evaluated in the Bio Report. Biologists also conducted field reconnaissance to evaluate the habitat conditions and suitability of the survey area. Using these results, site photographs, and aerial imagery, Biologists assessed the BSA for potential presence of special-status species or their habitats.

Through desktop reviews and onsite surveys, the Bio Report identified five special status species that have a moderate or moderate/high potential to occur within the BSA; California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) (Federally Threatened-FT, California species of special concern-SSC),

California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) (FT, State Threatened-ST), San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat (Neotomafoscipes annectens) (SSC), western pond turtle (Emys marmorata) (SSC), and pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) (SSC).

The VBWR facility is located in disturbed habitat consisting of graded and graveled areas and paved roads surrounding the facilities. The closest riparian and grassland habitat is approximately 300 feet to the west. Desktops reviews showed that there is no critical habitat for listed species recorded within the BSA. During the VBWR decommissioning activities, a hole will be cut in the top of the dome facility using a crane stationed on graded land. The vessel will be removed, loaded onto a truck, and properly disposed of. The top of the dome tank will be welded shut. All decommissioning project related activities and equipment will be confined to previously disturbed areas. As such, there will be no impacts to critical habitat, protected species habitat, or any undeveloped habitat. No vegetation or tree removal is anticipated to facilitate decommissioning activities. Since all work will take place on previously disturbed land and vegetation removal is anticipated, rare plants are not expected to occur or be impacted by the VBWR decommissioning activities. As stated in the Bio Report, "Due to the highly disturbed and paved nature of the work sites within the building 200 and 300 Areas, the location within an urbanized landscape, and lack of recent species occurrences, the Project is not expected to directly impact state or federally listed wildlife species."

However, there is potential for California red-legged frog (CRLF), California tiger salamander (CTS), and western pond turtle (WPT) to use the aquatic habitat to the west ofVBWR. In addition, CRLF and CTS could use the grasslands surrounding VBWR as dispersal and refuge habitat. Moreover, woody areas with trees and shrubs in the vicinity could potentially provide habitat for the San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat (SFDFW) to build middens, however no direct or indirect impacts should occur to WPT or SFDFW middens since all work will occur within paved areas. Buildings and structures throughout the BSA provide marginally suitable roosting habitat for the pallid bat, while aquatic features and grassland habitat provide potential foraging habitat for them. There is a potential to encounter CTS or CRLF, especially during a rain event, as they disperse from the aquatic habitat to find burrows in the grasslands. However, since most of the work is scheduled to take place in the dry season and there will be no ground disturbing impacts to potential burrows, the risk of impacting CTS or CRLF is very low. The risk to these species can be reduced even further with the implementation of avoidance and minimization measures (AMMs).

4. 7.2 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES EFFECTS CONCLUSION The risk of impacting threatened or endangered species as a result of VBWR decommissioning activities is considered low. Impacts are considered small, temporary, and mitigatable. With implementation of the AMMs listed below, no detectable impacts (alterations to habitat or local population size, or direct mortality) are anticipated.

Page 28

Dry Season Construction. Scheduling construction activities in the dry season, generally between May and October, is recommended, primarily for any off pavement staging or planned ground disturbing activity.

Environmental Training and Clearance Survey. Prior to construction, a qualified biologist should provide construction personnel with environmental training. The training should include a discussion of the listed species and other sensitive biological resources potentially occurring in the VNC, as well as a description of their habitats, their legal status and protection under the federal and State Endangered Species Acts, and a list of measures being taken to reduce impacts to biological resources during Project construction and implementation. A brochure with color photos of listed species should also be provided to construction personnel. The qualified biologist should also of survey all work areas to before construction to identify any special-status species for avoidance.

Avoidance of Burrows. To the greatest extent practicable, work should remain on paved surfaces or on previously disturbed areas to prevent impacts to burrows or potential habitats. Park vehicles and equipment on paved or gravel surfaces. Use established access roads.

Preconstruction Survey for Roosting Bats. If work is to begin from October 15 to March 1 or April 15 to August 3 (sensitive periods to bats), a qualified biologist should conduct a preconstruction survey at least one week prior to the start of construction.

Likewise, if there is a significant break in construction, a repeat survey is recommended.

4.8 RADIOLOGICAL The NRC considers radiological doses to workers and members of the public when evaluating the potential consequences of decommissioning activities. Radioactive materials are present in the reactor and support facilities after operations cease and the fuel has been removed from the reactor core. Exposure to these radioactive materials during decommissioning may have consequences for workers. Members of the public may also potentially be exposed to radioactive materials that are released into the environment during the decommissioning process. All decommissioning activities were assessed to determine their potential for radiation exposures that may result in negative health effects to workers and the public. This section considers the impacts on workers and the public during to prepare and remove the boiling water reactor vessel.

4.8.1 WORKER AND PUBLIC EXPOSURE Due to limited quantities of radioactive materials and the low levels of radioactivity, potential releases of radioactivity to the surrounding environment are considered minimal, well within the limits of 10 CFR 20. Decommissioning activities will be performed under the VNC Radiation Protection Program and in a manner that minimizes potential for creating airborne activity and controls any liquid waste existing or generated.

4.8.2 RADIOLOGICAL ACCIDENT ANALYSES Table ES-1 ofNUREG-0586, Final GElS provides a summary ofthe environmental impacts of decommissioning nuclear power facilities. Since all special nuclear material and used nuclear fuel have been removed before decommissioning, the only possible accidents are those characterized in NUREG-0586 as "other radiological- (nonfuel)- related accidents" which are identified in Table ES-1 as having a SMALL impact on the environment.

Page 29 4.8.3 RADIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING GEH VNC conducts routine radiological environmental monitoring covering all operations at the VNC site. The program includes the routine sampling of air, vegetation, soil, and groundwater.

Samples are analyzed for radioactivity and results are evaluated to ensure any releases from the site are well within regulatory limits and are consistent with ALARA practices. Dosimeters (Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLDs)/Optically stimulated luminescence (OSLs)) are placed around the site to monitor ambient radiation levels and evaluate any increase attributable to facility operations. This program will continue during the decommissioning activities to verify that the decommissioning activities have little to no impact on the environment and public health and safety. VNC uses an established process to evaluate non-routine activities (e.g.,

decommissioning activities) and will evaluate the need to enhance monitoring requirements using best management practices and apply such measures in the project specific plans as identified.

4.8.4 RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM All radiological decommissioning work activities will be performed under the VNC Radiation Protection (RP) Program, using current VNC work processes, Radiation Work Permits (RWPs),

and As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) reviews and approvals. The VNC RP Program supports all radiological operations at VNC; this program fully implements the requirements of 10 CFR 20 and has undergone years of NRC inspection. Throughout the various VNC operations, contaminated structures, systems, and components were/are decontaminated in order to perform maintenance or repair actions. The techniques used during such operations are the same or similar to the techniques used during decommissioning to reduce personnel exposure to radiation and contamination and to prevent the spread of contamination from established contaminated areas.

The performance of the dismantling and remediation activities will be evaluated, planned, and controlled under the VNC Work Control Process. This process integrates a detailed examination of the hazards, risks, and safety measures necessary for worker protection. The RP RWP process is an integral element of this work planning and control.

ALARA evaluations are an integral part of the RWP process. ALARA goals will be established for major dismantling activities, such as the reactor vessel removal; pre-job brief will be conducted; doses will be tracked using electronic personal (radiation) dosimeters (EPDs),

appropriate radiation safety measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection, will be evaluated. RP job coverage is provided where needed for monitoring RP practices, controlling exposures, and minimizing dose.

The only major dismantling/decommissioning activity is the reactor vessel removal. A preliminary dose estimate has been performed for the removal and packaging of the reactor vessel. This estimate is summarized in the following table. Dose rates from gamma exposure have been estimated based on characterization surveys supplemented by the reactor vessel dose profile estimated by DW James Consulting [6]. There are no other major work activities that are anticipated to represent potentially significant radiological work. However, all work processes will be conducted under the RP Program, including pre-job dose estimates, and establishing RP controls.

Page 30 ALARA Dose Estimate for Reactor Vessel Removal

Number Cumulative Dose Project Step Gamma Dose Rate (estimate) Exposure Time (hours) Workers Estimate (person-rem)

Install equipment for 1 mrem/h (general area on 539' 8 hour9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months s/day for 20 days = 6 0.48 (539')

VBWR vessel removal level); 10 mrem/h (lower-level 160 hours0.00185 days 0.0444 hours 2.645503e-4 weeks 6.088e-5 months 4.8 (lower-level) general area)

Lift vessel & move to 1 mrem/h (general area) on 539' 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months for 1 day GA = 8 2 0.016 (539')

outside Containment level - middle of building, 15 hours1.736111e-4 days 0.00417 hours 2.480159e-5 weeks 5.7075e-6 months , 4 hours4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months for 3 Days 0.36 mrem/hr@ 2m estimated on @ 2m from vessel mid lower VBWR Vessel - mid core core = 12 hours1.388889e-4 days 0.00333 hours 1.984127e-5 weeks 4.566e-6 months region Place vessel on 15 mrem/h @ 2m estimated on 3 hours3.472222e-5 days 8.333333e-4 hours 4.960317e-6 weeks 1.1415e-6 months 2 0.09 transport equipment lower VBWR Vessel - mid core region Total 5. 75 person-rem

4.8.5 RADIOLOGICAL EFFECTS GEH concludes that the radiological impacts of decommissioning activities at the VNC are bound by those in the decommissioning GElS I prior environmental assessments. The impact is categorized as SMALL.

4.9 OCCUPATIONAL Occupational issues are related to human health and safety. This section includes physical, chemical, ergonomic, and biological hazards; it does not include radiological impacts.

4.9.1 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is designed to increase the safety of workers in the workplace. It provides that the Department of Labor is expected to recognize the dangers that may exist in workplaces and establish employee safety and health standards. Applicable regulations are found in 29 CFR 1910 for general industry and 29 CFR 1926 for construction activities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates mitigation requirements and mandates proper training and equipment for workers.

4.9.2 HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN General work practices and controls are identified in VNC's Health and Safety Program (HSP) to address the applicable health and safety regulations contained within Federal and State of California OSHA regulations, VNCs regulatory and license requirements, and recognized industry standards. The HSP was developed to support the decommissioning work ofVBWR EVESR and GETR nuclear facilities.

This HSP supplements project work plans and/or instructions for the administration, development, and issuance of project-specific procedures and/or job hazard analyses to ensure proper work controls. Unforeseeable site conditions or changes in the scope of work may warrant a reassessment of protection levels or controls and will be addressed in task-oriented work plans or work instructions.

Page 31 4.9.3 OCCUPATIONAL EFFECTS Training and strict adherence to the HSP would protect workers from physical, chemical, ergonomic, and biological hazards. GEH concludes the occupational impacts of decommissioning activities at the VNC as SMALL.

4.10 SOCIOECONOMICS There are two primary pathways that create socioeconomic impacts on the area surrounding VNC. The first is expenditures in the local community by the facility workforce and direct purchases of goods and services. The second is the effects on local government tax revenues and services.

The NRC indicates socioeconomic changes related to direct expenditures in the local community are considered not detectable if there is little or no impact on housing values, education, and other public services, and local government finances, are not distinguishable from normal background variation due to other causes. Impacts on housing are considered not detectable when no discernable change in housing availability occurs, changes in rental rates and housing values are similar to those occurring statewide, and little or no housing construction or conversion occurs.

Socioeconomic changes related to tax revenues and services (education, transportation, public safety, social services, public utilities, and tourism and recreation) are not considered detectable if the existing infrastructure (facilities, programs, and staff) could accommodate changes in demand related to plant closure and decommissioning without a noticeable effect on the level of service.

4.10.1 SOCIOECONOMIC EFFECTS VNC currently has a workforce of 50 to 60. VNC is scheduled to be decommissioned by 2030.

The ongoing maintenance and surveillance activities at the shutdown at VBWR have assigned staff. Workforce reduction at VNC, if any, as a result oftransitioning the reactors from shutdown to decommissioning and completion of decommissioning will be SMALL. This transition is also not expected to impact VNC's tax liability that would affect state and local tax revenues.

GEH will self-perform and/or engage a qualified contractor(s) to conduct the preparation and removal of the boiling water reactor vessel with strict adherence to NRC and both Federal and State of California OSHA safety standards, practices, and procedures. This work will commence as early as 2023 for 3 to 4 weeks with up to 30 workers.

This small workforce will have zero to SMALL impact, both adverse due to demand for community services or benefits due to workers' wages and spending, on the local socioeconomic conditions.

4.11 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Most ofthe environmental justice impacts relate to land use, environmental and human health, and socioeconomics. Impacts due to onsite land disturbance are likely to be not detectable because the amounts of land disturbance are generally very small and usually occur in areas of the site previously disturbed by construction or operation of the facility. Impacts from disturbances to offsite land will generally not occur because offsite land generally is not disturbed as a result of decommissioning.

Socioeconomic impacts on minority and low-income populations due to plant closure could range from nondetectable to destabilizing, depending on the distribution of job impacts within the community and the effects of plant closure on local tax revenues and public services; however, the impact of decommissioning would generally not be detectable.

Page 32 GEH has assessed the concerns of environmental justice as it relates to the effects of VBWR decommissioning. GEH examined the geographic distribution of minority and low-income populations within a 50-mile radius of the VNC site using the US Census Bureau (USCB) 2020 Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) for minority populations and the USCB 2020 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for low-income populations. Minority populations are disbursed throughout the region. Low-income populations are sparse and concentrated in cities.

None of the locations of identified low-income minority populations when considered in the context of impact pathways described in this section are expected to be disproportionately impacted.

The minority populations closest to the VNC site are about 1.8 miles from the plant in USCB Block Group 060014507011. In 2020, the block group contains an Asian population and an Aggregate and Hispanic population.) 23 The closest low-income block group that meets the guidance criteria for both individuals and families, using the region as the geographic area for comparison, is located 3.9 miles north ofthe VNC site (Block Group 060014507411). 1 4.11.1 ENVIRONMENTALJUSTICE EFFECTS GEH determined that impacts from decommissioning activities to all resource areas will be SMALL. No disproportionately high and adverse impact or effects on members of the public, including minority and low-income populations, are expected to result from the decommissioning ofVBWR and EVESR.

4.12 CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES Cultural resources include any sites, buildings, structures, objects, or districts that are of value for their associative significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture.

Cultural resources that meet the eligibility requirements for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places are considered "historic properties" for the purposes of review under the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act. The Federal agency (in this case the NRC) is responsible for identifying cultural resources that meet the definition of historic properties and that may be affected by a project, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), or, if appropriate, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) having jurisdiction over the state or tribal lands in which the project is located.

The NRC is also responsible for including other consulting parties during the identification process, particularly federally recognized Native American tribes. Disagreements between the parties are resolved by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

4.12.1 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT A baseline cultural resources assessment (Appendix A) for the VNC site was performed by Montrose Environmental in June 2023.

A cultural resources record search was conducted at the Northwest Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System, at California State University, Sonoma, for cultural resource records and studies on file for the VNC site and vicinity. The search consisted of a review of records for built environment as well as archaeological resources within 0.25 miles of the VN C. The following State of California inventories were reviewed for the VN C site:

2 U.S. Census Bureau. Census-Geography Profile Block Group. Livermore and Sunol: U.S.

Census Bureau, 2020.

3 -. Census - Geography Profile State. Livermore and Sunol : US Census Bureau, 2020.

Page 33

Five views: An Ethnic Historic Site Survey for California,

California Points of Historical Interest,

California Historical Landmarks,

Archaeological Determinations of Eligibility, and

Build Environment Resources Directory for Contra Costa County.

Appendix A Section 4(f) of the Caltrans' SR-84 Widening Project's Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment documented two resources in the project site as possible historic properties: a prehistoric archaeological site; and the GE-Hitachi Vallecitos Nuclear Center. The GE-Hitachi Vallecitos Nuclear Center may be significant for its association with early nuclear power research and generation.

4.12.2 CULTURAL, HISTORIC, AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES EFFECTS The activities to prepare and remove the boiling water reactor would not include any ground disturbance activities with the potential to disturb archeological sites and would not affect the qualities that would make the Vallecitos Nuclear Center eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Although the removal of the VBWR vessel would require a temporary opening in the roof, the extraction would require only an approximately 12-foot-in-diameter hole in a portion of the building that is not visible from ground level in the Operating Area. The hole will be carefully created with man-lifts and cutting tools to avoid disturbance to other portions of the building. Following the extraction, the building's roof will be restored as close to pre-project conditions as possible, with materials that are compatible with the existing building fabric.

GEH concludes the potential impacts on cultural, historic, and archeological resources are SMALL.

4.13 AESTHETICS The NRC indicates that decommissioning activities could have impacts on aesthetic resources.

However, there are no regulations that relate to the degree to which aesthetics may be impacted by a Federal project. In addition, the landscape has been previously altered by the facility, so decommissioning activities would likely not have an adverse impact on aesthetics.

The facility is located in a rural area of Alameda County in which there are minimal visual receptors, including highways and roads, residences, or sensitive receptors such as schools or parks. The removal of the VBWR will ultimately not change the visual characteristics of the facility.

The impacts to aesthetic resources will not be impacted by the project, therefore impacts would be considered small.

4.14 NOISE Noise is defined as unwanted or disturbing sound. High levels of noise can damage hearing, cause sleep deprivation, interfere with communication, and disrupt concentration. Even at low levels, noise can be a source of irritation, annoyance, and disturbance to people and communities when it significantly exceeds normal background sound levels. In the context of protecting public health and welfare, noise implies adverse effects on people and the environment.

4.14.1 CONSTRUCTION Construction activities at VNC to prepare and remove the boiling water reactor vessel would require the use of heavy equipment such as a crane and dump truck, as well as the use of

Page 34 generators, compressors, pneumatic tools, and jackhammer. Noise generated from this type of equipment would range from 70 to 90 dBa at approximately 50 feet.

NOISE-GENERATING CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT 4 EQUIPMENT TYPE SPL LMAX AT 50 FEET All Other Equipment > 5 hp 85 Compressor (air) 78 Concrete Saw 90 Mobile Crane 81 Flat Bed Truck 74 Generator 81 Jackhammer 89 Man Lift 75 Pickup Truck 75 Pneumatic Tools 85 Welder/Torch 74 The following construction equipment would be required to remove the vessel:

Mobile crane

Yz ton pickup truck

Man-lift

Forklift

Portable generators

Portable air compressors

Thermal cutting/welding equipment

An Over-The-Road transport vehicle will transport the reactor vessel off-site to a nearby rail yard. The reactor vessel will then be loaded into a railcar for transport to an approved LLRW disposal facility in TX.

Approximately up to 30 workers during onsite activities for approximately 3 to 4 weeks.

4.14.2 NOISE RECEPTORS IN THE VICINITY OF THE PROPOSED WORK The determination of noise impacts is based on the relationship between the ambient noise levels and the established noise abatement criteria for the project area. Noise-sensitive areas are created to represent common noise environments within the same activity category, and are represented by receptors, which represent a discrete or representative location within a noise-sensitive area.

Activity categories include land uses such as residences, hotels, motels, active sports areas, schools, places of worship, hospitals, parks, and others.

A small residential population exists along the western boundary of the property; approximately

%miles from the work site. The nearest sizable town is Pleasanton, located four miles to the

4 Federal Highway Administration. 2005. Acoustical Measurement in FHW A Roadway Construction Noise Model User's Guide. FHWA-HEP-05-054.

Page 35 north-northwest. There is light industrial activity within a 10-mile radius of the property. A United States Veterans Administration hospital is located about four miles to the east.

4.14.3 NOISE IN THE VICINITY OF THE PROPOSED WORK Noise sources in the vicinity of the site include ambient noise from the natural setting and highway noise from State Route 84.

4.14.4 NOISE EFFECTS The noise would come predominantly from construction equipment and traffic. Construction activities would be temporary and limited to daytime working hours. The nearest residence is approximately 0.75 miles west from the work area and the closest recreational area (Sunol Mount Regional Preserve) is approximately 0.3 south ofthe work area.

In some cases, such as the use of equipment to demolish concrete, the noise level offsite cold be sufficiently loud (60 to 65 dBA at the nearest receptor) that activities may need to be curtailed during early morning and evening hours; however, concrete demolition to remove the vessel would be inside the building and the noise level is expected to be much less to the nearest receptor.

Noise level during operations would be within the U.S. Department ofHousing and Urban Development guidelines 5. In addition, GEH commissioned an environmental noise survey in 2022 and resulted in operational noise levels for Alameda County being below designated for both day and night activities. Alameda's Countywide Noise Element are based on Federal noise level standards.

Local agencies typically do not set noise level limits for construction activities occurring during allowed hours (usually between 7 AM and 6 PM). They require that construction contractors use available noise suppression devices and techniques to minimize disturbance to nearby businesses and residences. Significance criteria for construction related noise activities are not established because of the temporary nature of noise generated from construction activities.

The potential noise impacts are not detectable or destabilizing and therefore, the impacts are SMALL.

4.15 TRANSPORTATION GE-Hitachi (GEH) plans to use trucks and common carriers to deliver equipment and materials to prepare, remove and dispose of the boiling water reactor vessel at VNC. Workers would commute from home or nearby lodging. Up to approximately 30 workers would be at the site from approximately 3 to 4 weeks.

The mode of transportation for construction would be ranging from tractor trailer for a crane, dump truck, flatbed trucks and pickups. The primary transportation mode for the workforce to and from the site will be by car, truck, or van.

Existing highways and roads would be used by workers, trucks, and common carriers. The shipment of the reactor vessel for disposal will be via truck and rail to Texas.

5 U.S. Department ofHousing and Urban Development. 2009. The Noise Guidebook.

Page 36 4.15.1 CONSTRUCTION AND WORKFORCE Shipments of materials and equipment to prepare and remove the vessel are minimal and for only a short period of time; approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Construction equipment and supplies, including heavy equipment, would be from local sources and distance traveled would be minimal.

The workforce would commute from nearby lodging facilities.

4.15.2 VESSEL DISPOSAL The reactor vessel and internals assembly has been characterized as Class A waste in accordance with 10 CFR Part 61. GEH has determined intact removal and disposal is the best method for the scope of work to be performed. No Class Cor Greater Than Class C (GTCC) is present at the VBWR facility. NP All LLRW will be packaged and shipped for disposal in accordance with applicable US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations for Class 7 (Radioactive)

Hazardous Material. The transportation of decommissioning waste over public roads and private railways involves no additional technical considerations beyond those for routine shipments of radioactive material.

Applicable regulations covering transport of radioactive material can be found in 10 CFR Parts 71 (NRC) and 49CFR Subchapter C (DOT Hazardous Material Regulations). NP Transportation via both highways and rail will be used for the LLRW generated during reactor removal operations. An on-site rail siding does not exist at VNC, so rail shipments will originate as truck shipments to a nearby rail transload facility. Shipments to Andrews County, TX may travel across Interstates 680, 580 and 205 for a total distance ofless than 50 miles on public highwa.

4.15.3 TRANSPORTATION EFFECTS The shipment of equipment, materials, and workforce commute to prepare and remove the vessel would be from nearby locations for a short duration and would not significantly impact the overall traffic volume or compromise the safety of the public. The disposal of the vessel would only require one shipment and not significantly impact overall traffic volume or compromise the safety of the public.

The transportation impacts are not detectable or destabilizing; therefore, the potential transportation impacts are SMALL.

4.16 IRRETRIEVABLE RESOURCES Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing Actions Associated with National Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) Programs [NUREG-1748 (NRC, 2003)], defines an "irreversible" commitment and an "irretrievable" commitment as follows:

"Irreversible" refers to the commitment of environmental resources that cannot be restored.

"Irretrievable" refers to the commitment of material resources that once used cannot be recycled or restored for other uses by practical means.

4.16.1 IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE RESOURCES Implementation to prepare and remove the boiling water reactor vessel would involve the consumption of fuel, oil, and lubricants for construction vehicles, and loss of natural resources.

These resources are irreversible in that they would be used for the removal of the vessel when they could have been used for other purposes. Human labor would also be expended and is considered an irretrievable resource.

Page 37 Most impacts would be short term and temporary or, iflong lasting, would be negligible.

Therefore, it would not result in major irreversible commitment of resources.

4.16.2 IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE RESOURCES EFFECTS The potential impacts of removing the boiling water vessel on irreversible and irretrievable resources are SMALL.

4.17 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Cumulative impacts are those that result from past, present, and foreseeable future actions in the area, combined with the potential impacts of this proposed project. The proposed project will not have significant impacts on the environment; therefore, no cumulative impacts would be expected from the proposed project.

4.17.1 CURRENT AND FORESEEABLE ACTIONS In addition, there are no current projects in the proposed project area. A recently completed Caltrans project, the widening of State Route 84 (SR 84) is located just south of the proposed project. It was concluded that impacts from the project would not result in incremental effects that would be cumulatively considerable.

There are not any resources that would be affected cumulatively by the proposed project.

5.

SUMMARY

OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS The decommissioning activities to prepare, remove and dispose of the boiling water reactor are not anticipated to require activities, techniques, or methods beyond those considered by NRC in the Decommissioning GElS, NUREG-0586. In the Decommissioning GElS, NRC issued generic determinations for all the environmental issues with the exceptions of threatened and endangered species and environmental justice, which require site-specific assessments. Site-specific assessments are also required for land use when offsite areas are needed to support decommissioning, and terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, and cultural resources when decommissioning activities are planned for areas outside of the operational area.

For the purposes of assessing decommissioning impacts, NRC defines operational areas in the Decommissioning GElS as "the portion of the plant site where most or all of the site activities occur, such as reactor operation, materials and equipment storage, parking, substation operation, facility service, and maintenance. This includes areas within the protected area fences, the intake, discharge, cooling, and associated structures as well as surrounding paved, graveled, maintained landscape, or other maintained areas." The 997-acre VNC site property along with the 610 acre GEH property encompasses approximately 1,600 acres. The VNC Site Developed Area is 105.8 acres ofthe 1,600 acres.

All the decommissioning activities and supporting activities such as staging, managing equipment and waste, and decommissioning staff workspace and parking are anticipated to be confined to the VNC operational area (i.e., existing developed area ofVNC). Primary decommissioning construction activities (e.g., dismantlement, excavation, staging, and decontamination) are anticipated to occur within or be localized around the Building 300 Area.

NRC has established a standard of significance for assessing environmental impacts. Each impact is assigned one of the follow three significance levels:

SMALL: The environmental effects are not detectable or are so minor that they would neither destabilize nor noticeably alter any important attribute of the resource.

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MODERATE: The environmental effects are sufficient to noticeably alter but not destabilize important attributes of the resource.

LARGE: The environmental effects are clearly noticeable and are sufficient to destabilize important attributes of the resource.

Summarized below are the significance levels for the respective resource areas.

5.1 LAND USE SMALL: The activities to prepare, remove, and dispose of the boiling water reactor vessel alter the land use of the existing site, as well, as not require additional land outside ofVNC.

Preparation would be in an existing building and activities associated with removing the vessel would be on VNC's Site Operated Area. Transport and disposal would use existing roads, highways and rail, and an existing approved LLRW disposal site.

Mitigation: None required.

5.2 WATER USE SMALL: Water use during construction would be temporary and for a short duration. Supply is from GEH's existing source. No significant use of water would occur during the preparation and disposal ofthe vessel.

Mitigation: None required.

5.3 WATER QUALITY SMALL: Activities would be in paved or graveled areas and not require ground disturbing activities. The facility's existing system and plans would avoid inadvertent discharge in the event of a rainstorm.

Mitigation: Non required.

5.4 AIR QUALITY SMALL: Activities to prepare the removal are inside an existing building. Equipment to support the preparation and removal would use paved or graveled areas not generating fugitive dust. The mix of vehicles for work and transportation is significantly less than during plant construction.

Mitigation: In the event of equipment or vehicles use unpaved or graveled areas, dust control measures would be employed.

5.5 AQUATIC ECOLOGY SMALL: No direct impacts will occur to aquatic habitats. Although not anticipated, decommissioning activities could have a potential to indirectly impact aquatic habitats via stormwater runoff from structure dismantlement/decontamination and/or accidental releases (spills).

Mitigation: Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Avoidance and Minimization Measures (AMMs)will be implemented to mitigate any potential indirect impacts to aquatic features. Thus, potential impacts to aquatic ecology are considered small, temporary, and mitigatable.

5.6 TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY

Page 39 SMALL: There will be no direct or indirect impacts on native plants from the decommissioning activities as all work and equipment will be confined to previously disturbed areas. There is a potential for project related activities to disturb nesting birds indirectly temporarily, however the impacts would be considered small, and can be further reduced through the implementation of AMMs.

Mitigation: Implement AMMs.

5. 7 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES SMALL: The risk of impacting threatened or endangered species as a result of decommissioning activities is considered low. Impacts are considered small, temporary, and mitigatable.

Mitigation: With implementation of the AMMs, no detectable impacts (alterations to habitat or local population size, or direct mortality) are anticipated.

5.8 RADIOLOGICAL SMALL: VNC uses an established process to evaluate non-routine activities (e.g.,

decommissioning activities) and all activities would be performed under the VNC Radiation Protection Program. All nuclear fuel has been removed prior to decommissioning.

Mitigation: None required.

5.9 OCCUPATIONAL SMALL: Training and strict adherence to VNC's Health and Safety Program would protect workers from physical, chemical, ergonomic, and biological hazards.

Mitigation: None required.

5.10 SOCIOECONOMICS SMALL: The small workforce up to 30 for 3 to 4 weeks would not increase demand for community services or impact VNC's tax liability.

Mitigation: None required.

5.11 ENVIRONMENTALJUSTICE SMALL: Locations of identified low-income populations are not near the proposed work area; the closest low-income block group is located 3.9 miles north ofVNC.

Mitigation: None required.

5.12 CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES SMALL: Work activities do not require ground disturbance that may affect cultural resources and the rooftop would be restored to near pre-construction appearance.

Mitigation: None Required 5.13 AESTHETICS SMALL: The work area is distant from sensitive receptors. The boiling water reactor vessel is inside the existing building and not visible; removal of it would not have any aesthetic impacts.

The temporary hole cut in the roofto remove the vessel would be restored to near pre construction appearance with indiscernible aesthetic effects.

Mitigation: None Required.

Page 40 5.14 NOISE SMALL: Noise generating equipment would operate during daytime working hours and only for a short duration of up to approximately 3 to 4 weeks. A significant amount of work would occur inside the existing building to prepare the removal of the vessel. Noise level during operations would be within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines.

Mitigation: None required.

5.15 TRANSPORTATION SMALL: The shipment of equipment, materials and workforce commute would be from nearby locations for a short period of time and not significantly impact the overall volume of traffic or compromise the safety of the public.

Mitigation: None required.

5.16 IRRETRIEVABLE RESOURCES SMALL: The consumption of irreversible resources, such as fuel, oil, and lubricant, is for a short term and temporary.

Mitigation: None required.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS AND DECOMMISSSIONING EVENTS 6.1 PROTECTIVE ACTION GUIDELINES The EPA has established protective action guides 6 (PAGs) that specify the potential offsite dose levels at which actions should be taken to protect the health and safety of the public. The EPA PAGs are based on the total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) resulting from the exposure to external sources and the committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE) incurred from the significant internal pathways (inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption) during the early, intermediate, and late phases of an event.

Because there is no irradiated fuel being removed or transported from the site, there are no radioactive noble gases or radioiodines available for release. This preempts the possibility of accidental offsite radiological releases that could approach the PAGs for the thyroid. As a result, the PAG for TEDE is the limiting criteria for the removal and transport of the boiling water reactor vessel.

6.2 ACCIDENT AND EXPOSURE ANALYSES RELATED TO DECOMMISSIONING EVENTS Compliance with NRC & DOT regulations for packaging & transport of radioactive material protects from the release of radioactive material. Appropriate notifications and emergency response measures will be made in accordance with Emergency Response Guide 162 (Radioactive Materials -Low to Moderate Level Radiation) in the unlikely event of an incident in transport. Emergency Response Instructions and Information will accompany the shipment in accordance with 49CFR Part 172 Subpart G.

6 EPA -400/R -17/001. P A G Manual: Protective Action Guides and Planning Guidance for Radiological Incidents. January 2017

Page 41

7. FACILITY RADIOLOGICAL STATUS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING 7.1 EFFLUENT MONITORING PROGRAM GEH VNC's effluent monitoring program includes measuring radioactive constituents in water discharged through the site sanitary and industrial wastewater systems and air discharged through building exhaust stacks.

7.1.1 WATER EFFLUENT Effluent water discharged from VNC is made up of industrial wastewater, sanitary wastewater, and clean water.

Industrial wastewater discharges are held in one of three available 50,000-gallon retention basins used for non-potable purposes. Sanitary waste (sludge) is collected in an Imhoff tank before undergoing sand filtration and chlorination by addition of sodium hypochlorite solution. Processed sanitary wastewater is collected in a fourth 50,000-gallon retention basin.

Samples are collected from each retention basin prior to discharge via on-site irrigation. In addition, composite samples from all basin discharges are accumulated and analyzed at specified intervals for gross alpha, gross beta, tritium, and a variety of non-radiological constituents. After July 1st, 2003, no discharges to surface water have been made from these sources. Effluent releases continue to be monitored so that no surface runoff occurs.

Discharges of clean water consist of storm water runoff and small quantities of water with no known contaminants. These waters flow directly to drainage ditches that enter Vallecitos Creek.

7.1.2 AIR EFFLUENT While several operations at GEH VNC use exhaust stacks, there is no regularly active ventilation at the VBWR containment. For operating stacks, air is collected from single or multiple operating areas via a ventilation system comprised of ductwork, particulate filtration systems, blowers, and exhaust stack.

Air effluent is monitored or sampled to determine particulate and halogen releases. Noble gas releases, which are primarily Argon-41, are obtained from charts or electronic integrators on monitoring equipment. Local action levels for each stack are generally established as 10% of the license release limits.

7.1.3 VBWR DECOMMISSIONING EFFLUENTS Radioactive air and water effluents from VBWR decommissioning activities will be controlled at the source of generation. Work controls will be evaluated and implemented for minimizing the generation of airborne activity and preventing release of liquid radioactive waste. These measures ensure that the potential for offsite releases are minimized and maintained well within the limits of 10 CFR 20 for exposure to members of the public.

If exhaust stacks are required to safely complete decommissioning activities, air effluent monitoring and sampling will be implemented in the same manner as other stacks at VNC. No radioactive liquid releases to the offsite environment will be allowed. Any industrial and sanitary effluent water will collected and analyzed for radioactivity prior to discharge via on-site irrigation as described previously.

Page 42 7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING In addition to effluent monitoring, GEH VNC performs environmental monitoring to verify adequacy of controls and ensure any offsite releases are ALARA and well below established regulatory limits for exposures to members ofthe public. Samples of ambient air, groundwater, stream bottom sediment, and vegetation are collected at the periodicities defined in GEH VNC local procedures. A summary ofthe environmental monitoring program is shown in Table 7-1.

GEH VNC employs four environmental air samplers and located approximately 90 degrees apart around the operating facilities of the site. Each air sampler is equipped with a membrane filter and charcoal cartridge. The membrane filters are changed weekly and counted for gross alpha and beta radioactivity; the charcoal filter is changed as needed to monitor releases of radioiodine.

Groundwater is monitored by sampling eight wells located on or near GEH VNC. Water is drawn from the wells either quarterly or annually and analyzed for gross alpha, gross beta, strontium-90, and tritium activity. Wells GN, GP, and GS are sampled quarterly, and wells MW-1, MW-7, MW-8, MW-9S, MW-9D, MW-10, and EVESR-SE are sampled annually. These groundwater wells are shown in Figure 7-1. Samples of vegetation and stream bottom sediment are collected annually and analyzed for gross alpha and gross beta activity. Vegetation is collected at two points, one near the easternmost stream crossing the south boundary of GEH VNC and one west of the GEH VNC boundary, about 500 feet down Little Valley Road. Stream bottom sediment is collected from the stream at the southwest boundary of the site near the retention basins.

GEH VNC also has 20 environmental dosimeters around the vicinity of the site for dose monitoring. The external dosimetry processing laboratory reports the measurements for each dosimeter, which is reviewed for compliance 10 CFR 20.1301. The location of the each dosimeter is shown in Figure 7-2, denoted by numbers 1 through 20.

Page 43 Number of Sample Type Sample Sampling Frequency Analysis Locations Groundwater 10 Quarterly (3) or Annually (7) Gross alpha, gross beta, Wells tritium, Sr-90

Sediment 1 Annually Gross alpha, gross beta

Vegetation 2 Annually Gross alpha, gross beta Continuous. Gross alpha, gross beta, Ambient Air 4 charcoal cartridge collected radioiodine (charcoal Air filter collected weekly,

as needed only)

Environmental 20 Annual Gamma dose Dosimeters

Table 7-1: Summary of Environmental Monitoring Program

VALLECITOS ROAD (HWY 84)

Figure 7-1: Air Sampling Locations and Gamma Monitoring Points

Page 44 Figure 7-2: Groundwater Well Sampling

7.3 FINAL STATUS SURVEY With the transfer of residual radioactive material from the VBWR license to EVESR license, there is no final status survey. The final status survey plan will be submitted in its entirety as a component of the EVESR License Termination Plan prior to April 15, 2028.

Page 45

8. REGULATORY APPROVAL This section provides a summary of the Federal, state, and local approvals applicable to the preparation and removal of boiling water reactor vessels.

8.1 FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS NRC: The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, gives the NRC regulatory jurisdiction over the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of the facility specifically with regard to assurance of public health and safety.

8.2 STATE AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS California Department of Transportation: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has discretionary authority with respect to highways under its jurisdiction and may, upon application and if good cause appears, issue a special permit to operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles or special mobile equipment of a size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum limitations specified in the California Vehicle Code. The Caltrans Transportation Permits Issuance Branch is responsible for the issuance of these special transportation permits for oversize/overweight vehicles on the State Highway System.

Alameda County: Construction/demolition related permits are not anticipated but would be obtained if required.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): The TCEQ's mission is to protect the State of Texas' public health and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development having clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste. TCEQ is responsible for licensing the Texas LLRW waste disposal facility and sets the disposal rates for LLRW.

Generators of commercial low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) seeking to utilize the Texas Compact Waste Disposal Facility ( CWF) are required to receive advanced approval prior to placing any shipment ofLLRW in transit. No shipment may be accepted for disposal unless advance notification has been provided and the waste shipment has been inspected by the TCEQ.

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): DSHS regulates shipping and transportation ofLLRW to the Texas Disposal Facility.

Transport of radioactive material would require a license by DSHS unless exempted under Texas Administrative Code §289.257(c) 257-2 (c)

Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (TLLRWDCC): The TLLRWDCC is responsible for setting policies and rules providing for the efficient management of the Texas LLRW disposal facility under the Texas and Vermont waste disposal compact agreement. The TLLRWDCC is independent and not a State agency.

An agreement with TLLRWDCC would be required for the importation of LLRW for disposal that was generated in a non-party state.

Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission: The Southwestern Low Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission, established under Public Law 100-712, is the governing body for the Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact among Arizona, California, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

California, as the host state, is required to develop a regional disposal facility. A regional disposal facility has not yet been developed, so the Commission's key duties include controlling the

Page 46 exportation oflow-level waste out of the region. As a separate legal entity, it can make recommendations and comments appropriate to its charge under law to do whatever is reasonably necessary to ensure that low-level waste is safely disposed of and managed within the region.

LLRW generators of the need to submit a petition to the Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission (SWLLRWCC) for an export permit, prior to shipping LLRW outside of California.

Page 47

9. REFERENCES

1. NRC. Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities, Supplement 1. s.l. : NUREG-0586, Supplement 1, Volume 1, 2002.

2. Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for the Vallecitos Site. Sunol, California: s.n., November 19, 2019

3. Kleinfelder. Gaber, Christine. Biological Resources Report. Rancho Cordova: Kleinfelder, 2022.

4. Kleinfelder. Preliminary Delineation of Aquatic Resources for the Vallecitos Nuclear Center Decommissioning Project. Alameda County, Ca. September 2022.

5. United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical Report Y-87-1. U.S. Army Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. 100 pp. plus appendices.

6. USACE. 2008. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual:

Arid West (Version 2.0) ed. J.S. Wakely, R.W. Lichvar, and C.V. Noble. ERDC/EL TR-08-23.

Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.

7. USACE. 2005. Regulatory Guidance Letter No. 05-05 Ordinary High Water Mark Identification.

December 7, 2005. Accessed via:

http ://www. usace.army.mil /Portals /2/docs /civilworks/RGLS/rgl05-05.pdf

8. State of California, Department of Transportation, and the Alameda County Transportation Commission. 2018. SR 84 Expressway Widening and SR84/I-680 Interchange Improvement Project. Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment with Finding ofNo Significant Impact.

9. Federal Highway Administration. 2005. Acoustical Measurement in FHW A Roadway Construction Noise Model User's Guide. FHWA-HEP-05-054.

10. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2009. The Noise Guidebook.

11. U.S. Census Bureau. Census-Geography Profile Block Group. Livermore and Sunol: U.S.

Census Bureau, 2020.

12. U.S. Census-Geography Profile State. Livermore and Sunol: US Census Bureau, 2020

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10. APPENDIX A:

Montrose Environmental Vallecitos Nuclear Center: Cultural Resources Screening (June 2023)

Appendices

v t e Letter Sequence Request
EPID:L-2023-LLA-0138, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas, LLC, Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor Environmental Report (Open)
Initiation Request, Request Acceptance... Administration Questions 22 February 2024 22 February 2024 Answers Results Approval... Other:
MONTHYEAR2023-08-18 [Table View]

ML23261A593

Text

SUMMARY

1.1 INTRODUCTION

SUMMARY

2.2 DESCRIPTION

3.3.2 NON-RADIOACTIVE

SUMMARY

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