ML24346A029
| ML24346A029 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Diablo Canyon, Davis Besse  |
| Issue date: | 12/16/2024 |
| From: | Kimberly Conway NRC/NMSS/DREFS/EPMB1 |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML24346A023 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML24346A029 (1) | |
Text
Enclosure 1 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Summary of Public Meetings
Title:
Public Meetings to Receive Comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the License Renewal of Diablo Canyon Units 1 and 2 Meeting Identifiers: 20241314 and 20241316 Date of Meetings: Thursday, November 14, 2024, and Wednesday, November 20, 2024 Locations: Webinar (11/14) and San Luis Obispo, California (11/20)
Type of Meeting: Comment-Gathering Meetings Purpose of the Meetings:
To provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff's environmental review of the license renewal environmental report for Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2 (Diablo Canyon) as documented in its draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) and provide an opportunity for public comment on the NRC staff's findings.
General Details:
The NRC staff held two public meetings to receive comments on its draft SEIS (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) ML24299A167) as part of the Diablo Canyon license renewal environmental review. The first meeting was a virtual meeting held via Microsoft Teams on November 14, 2024, which started at 10:00 a.m.
Pacific Standard Time (PST) and ended at approximately 11:52 a.m. PST. The second meeting was an in-person meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott in San Luis Obispo, California, on November 20, 2024, which started at 6:00 p.m. PST and ended at approximately 9:27 p.m. PST. Both meetings followed the same agenda, beginning with a review of meeting ground rules and an introduction of the NRC staff, followed by a presentation by the NRC staff on the license renewal process and the preliminary findings in the draft SEIS. The presentation emphasized that comments on the draft SEIS were welcome to help the NRC staff refine the document. During both meetings, there was an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the NRC staffs presentation and review process in addition to an opportunity to provide oral comments on the draft SEIS.
Approximately 140 people attended the meeting on November 14, 2024, and approximately 150 people attended the meeting on November 20, 2024. These numbers include the NRC staff in attendance. Participants included members of the public, local representatives, as well as representatives of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and several non-governmental organizations.
Summary of Presentation:
The NRC staff began its presentation with an overview of the status of the Diablo Canyon operating licenses. PG&E submitted its license renewal application for Diablo Canyon on November 7, 2023 (ML23311A154). Diablo Canyon Units 1 and 2 were first licensed in November 1984 and August 1985, respectively. The current initial operating licenses have expiration dates in November 2024 and August 2025. On March 2, 2023, the NRC staff granted PG&E an exemption from the NRCs Timely Renewal Provision that would allow for PG&E to submit a sufficient license renewal application for Diablo Canyon by December 31, 2023, and the existing licenses will not be deemed to have expired until the NRC has made a final determination on the license renewal application. If a license renewal is granted, it will be for an additional 20 years beyond the current expiration dates.
The staff has developed a generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) that addresses a number of issues common to all nuclear power plants. The staff is supplementing that GEIS with a SEIS that addresses issues that are specific to Diablo Canyon. The staff also reexamined the conclusions reached in the GEIS to determine if there is any new and significant information that would change those conclusions.
Per the draft SEIS preliminary findings, impacts on a majority of the resource areas analyzed by the NRC staff for the proposed action (i.e., license renewal) were determined to be small. For historical and cultural resources, the preliminary finding is that the license renewal would not adversely affect known historic properties. For environmental justice, the preliminary finding is that the action would have no disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority and low-income populations.
The NRC staff also noted its preliminary findings related to special status species and habitats, which are discussed in detail in Section 3.8 of the draft SEIS. For species and habitats under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the NRC staffs preliminary findings are that license renewal may affect but is not likely to adversely affect the following species: California red-legged frog, California condor, California least tern, Hawaiian petrel, Marbled murrelet, Short-tailed albatross, and Southern sea otter.
For species and habitats under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service, the NRC staffs preliminary findings are as follows: License renewal may affect and is likely to adversely affect the green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, and Pacific olive ridley sea turtle. License renewal may affect but is not likely to adversely affect black abalone, gray whale, and humpback whale. And license renewal may affect but is not likely to destroy or adversely modify the critical habitats of the black abalone and humpback whale.
The NRC staff also shared slides that discussed the preliminary findings for Essential Fish Habitat and Sanctuary Resources. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, license renewal would have no more than minimal adverse effects on the designated essential fish habitat of the species listed in Section 3.8 of the draft SEIS. Under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, license renewal may affect but is not likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure sanctuary resources of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.
The presentation noted that the NRC does not make the decision as to whether a plant should continue to operate. The preliminary recommendation of the draft SEIS is that the adverse environmental impacts of license renewal for Diablo Canyon for an additional 20 years beyond the current expiration dates are not so great that preserving the option of license renewal for energy-planning decisionmakers would be unreasonable.
The staff explained that the draft SEIS was published and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on October 25, 2024. On November 1, 2024, a notice was published in the Federal Register informing the public that the draft SEIS was available, which began a 45-day comment period. Public comments on the Diablo Canyon draft SEIS are due December 16, 2024.
In addition to providing comments at the two public meetings, comments can be submitted via the following methods: (1) mail to Office of Administration Mailstop TWFN7A60M, U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; (2) submit online using the Federal Rulemaking website at regulations.gov (Docket ID: NRC-2023-0192); or (3) submit electronically by email to DiabloCanyonEnvironmental@nrc.gov.
Public Participation Themes:
November 14, 2024, Virtual Meeting 22 speakers provided comments during the meeting. A majority of speakers were supportive of the proposed license renewal and provided favorable comments on the draft SEIS. The NRC staff received comments on a range of topics including: the effects of continued operations on climate change; grid reliability concerns; the economic impacts of both continued operations and shutdown; the consideration of decarbonization goals (i.e.,
California Senate Bill 100) and grid reliability issues in the no-action alternative; emissions estimates and assumptions associated with new energy sources; land stewardship and protection of resources; impacts to aquatic resources from once-through cooling systems; impacts on raptors from wind component of the renewables combination alternative; future demand based on the State of Californias electrification goals; seismic hazards and concerns related to seismic characterization; assumptions related to transportation infrastructure in the Avila Beach area; impacts of uranium mining to support operations; and concerns related to reactor pressure vessel embrittlement.
November 20, 2024, In-Person Meeting 60 speakers provided comments during the meeting. A majority of speakers were supportive of the proposed license renewal and provided favorable comments on the draft SEIS. The NRC staff received comments on a range of topics including: the effects of continued operations on climate change; grid reliability concerns; the reasonableness of the alternatives to the proposed action; the need for realistic assumptions related to emissions for new energy sources; the economic impacts of both continued operations and shutdown; greenhouse gas emissions; land stewardship and protection of resources; future demand based on the State of Californias electrification goals; seismic hazards and concerns related to seismic characterization; consideration of potential earthquake-generated tsunamis; impacts of uranium mining to support operations; long-term management of spent fuel and shipment of radioactive waste; and concerns related to reactor pressure vessel embrittlement. Four commenters provided additional printed reference material to add to the meeting record (ML24346A027).
A complete accounting of the comments provided during both meetings can be found in the meeting transcripts which are available in the NRCs ADAMS public electronic reading room under the accession numbers listed below, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
Action Items/Next Steps:
The NRC staff will address the comments received during the public comment period as part of the review of the Diablo Canyon license renewal application. The NRC staff will include an analysis of comments in NUREG-1437, Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Supplement 62, Regarding Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2, Final Report.
References:
November 14, 2024, Meeting Meeting description and agenda - ML24319A049 NRC staff presentation - ML24319A009 Meeting transcript - ML24346A024 November 20, 2024, Meeting Meeting description and agenda - ML24322A004 NRC staff presentation - ML24320A103 Meeting transcript - ML24346A026 Printed documents provided to NRC staff during public comments - ML24346A027 List of Attendees November 14, 2024, Public Meeting to Recent Comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Diablo Canyon License Renewal NAME AFFILIATION Amanda Leatherman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Anthony Jones NRC Brett Klukan NRC Brian Harris NRC Briana Arlene NRC Elias Haddad NRC Gerry Stirewalt NRC Harrison Ngo NRC Jazmin Flores NRC Jeffrey Rikhoff NRC Jennifer Beaton NRC Jennifer Davis NRC Jenny Weil NRC John Parillo NRC Julio Lara NRC Kim Conway NRC Lauren Gibson NRC Leah Parks NRC Michele Sampson NRC Michelle Rome NRC Peter Lom NRC Rachel Qian NRC Riley Maynard NRC Robert Hoffman NRC Ryan Alexander NRC Sam Cohen NRC Stephen Koenick NRC Ted Smith NRC Victor Dricks NRC Ace Hoffman Adam Stein Breakthrough Institute Alberto Sifuentes Alexis Waiss Amanda Olafsson April Rice Benjamin Grodjesk Bill Crewe Bo Gould Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
Brandy Lopez PG&E Brendan Pittman Carina Corral PG&E Carl Wurtz Fission Transition Carlos Cortez Chloe Nelson U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Christopher Burnham Dan Nally Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Daniel See David Weisman Dawn Ortiz-Legg County of San Luis Obispo Deb Luchsinger Dona Mendoza Doris Dylan George Eric Blocher Eric Daniels PG&E Eric Greening Eric Meyer Evie Smet Francene McClintock Gary Kirkland Harpreet Bhalla California Department of Water Resources Heather Hoff Heather Neely Henry Sommer Huey Haydt Ingrid Nordby Deep Fission James Hopf James Madigan Jeanne Ruppelius Jearl Strickland Jen Stakich Deep Fission Jessica Lovering Good Energy Collective Joel Blum John D Joy Jiang Julie Mansfield-Wells Justin Cochran California Energy Commission Kay Nutt Kelley Abbas County of San Luis Obispo Kelly Robinson Kirsten Chojnicki Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Kris Vardas PG&E Kristen Kelley Kurt McClave Larry Lauren Coiro Linda Seeley Lucinda Calvo California State Lands Commission Madison Schroder Generation Atomic Marcia Alter Matt Meyer Matt Miller Matthew Noenickx Melanie Mariotti California Energy Commission Michael Clayton Michael Cannon Michael Richardson Michelle Olsofsky PG&E Mike C.
Mohammad Arshad Nina Babiarz Paul Guill Duke Energy Philip Hult Generation Atomic Shaina Mason Sofia Bouhrizi
Électricité de France Stefanie Iacob Suzanne Hosn Tracey Goldsbary PG&E Trevor Rebel PG&E Rachel Whalen San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Robbie Thorson Robert Budnitz Ryan Pickering Sari Domingues Shannon Dellaquila Silvia Santini Spencer Toohill Susan Biesek Trudy Meyer Tyler Gibson Van Snyder Walter French List of Attendees November 20, 2024, Public Meeting to Recent Comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Diablo Canyon License Renewal NAME AFFILIATION Amanda Leatherman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Brian Harris NRC Briana Arlene NRC Jennifer Davis NRC Jenny Weil NRC Kim Conway NRC Lance Rakovan NRC Michele Sampson NRC Michelle Rome NRC Nancy Martinez NRC Ryan Alexander NRC Victor Dricks NRC Lindsey Renaud Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Aaron Hanke Office of County of Santa Barbara Supervisor Bob Nelson Abraham Contreras International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Local 639 Adam Verdin Aidan Valdez IBEW Local 639 Alberto Pizana IBEW Local 639 Alex Linn IBEW Local 639 Allyson Grijalva Cannon Corp.
Alvaro Preciado Mayor, City of Avenal Amber Arnold IBEW Local 639 Andrea Chmelik California State Assembly Andrea Echeverri Andrea Seastrand Former Congress Member Anthony Aguirre IBEW Local 639 Arianne Petersen PG&E Austin Lancaster IBEW Belinda Popovich Santa Maria Valley Railroad Benjamin Ramos IBEW Local 639 Bill Crewe Pelican Point Homeowners Association Bo Gould Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
Brandon Eifert Cameron El Jarraras IBEW Local 639 Carina Corral PG&E Carl Wurtz Fission Transition Chris Romero IBEW Christopher Burnham PG&E Christopher Foster IBEW Local 639 Cody Dobbs Diablo Canyon Power Plant Colton Hobbs Cory Black IBEW Local 639 Daniel Boyd IBEW Local 639 Darryl Capps Retired PG&E Daryl Gale David Baldwin Pipefitters Local 403 David Gonzalez Retired PG&E David Wilson Retired PG&E David Yadeta IBEW Local 639 Deb Luchsinger Preferred Licensing Services/California Department of Water Resources Debbie Arnold San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors Devani Samuelson IBEW Dina Lundquist Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce Donald Malone Retired PG&E Elizabeth Ruiz PG&E Erin Bowe Ernesto DelaTorre IBEW Eugene Khan Fereshteh Bunk Mothers for Nuclear Fernanda Lucas Promotores San Luis Obispo Frank Ortega Pipefitters Local 403 Garrett Oliveira IBEW Local 639 Garried Mitchell IBEW Gene Nelson Californians for Green Nuclear Power Greg Haas Office of U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal Jack Johnson IBEW Local 639 James Lowrie PG&E James White Jane Swanson Mothers for Peace Jared Lintner IBEW Jared Roda IBEW Local 639 Jeff Chambers South County Chamber of Commerce Jeff Heller Jenelle Osborne Mayor, City of Lompoc Jennifer Klay Jeremy Saricki Pipefitters Local 403 Jessica Lovering Good Energy Collective Jill ZamEk Jim Jennings PG&E Joe Pivavaroff John Beymer Retired PG&E John Lindsay Joseph Cunningham IBEW Joseph Fitzer IBEW Local 639 Josh Erstrom PG&E Josh Hjerrild IBEW Local 639 Josh Medrano Labor Council Jude Fledderman Retired Julia Huang PG&E Kara Woodruff Office of California State Senator John Laird Karen Tillman California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)
Keilah Crichton Pipefitters Local 403 Kelly Van Buren County of San Luis Obispo Ken Thompson Avila Valley Advisory Council Kevin Dziuba IBEW Local 639 Kevin O'Mahoney Pipefitters Local 403 Kody Steil IBEW Local 639 Larry Parker Larry Trager Liam Brown Cal Poly Linda Cordero Linda Parks Mothers for Peace Liz Summer Marcos Ramos IBEW Local 639 Mark Simonin IBEW Local 639 Marni Lynn Ager Mothers for Peace Marvin Daniels Mary Reneau Matt Ortiz IBEW Local 639 Max Threlazi IBEW Local 639 Megan Groves Michael Foote Regional Economic Action Coalition (REACH)
Mike Brown Coalition of Labor, Agriculture, and Business of San Luis Obispo County Mike Cordero Santa Maria City Council Neil Hebert PG&E Nick Garza IBEW Local 639 Nikita Orlov IBEW Local 639 Olivia Tran Cal Poly Patricia Kohlen Rachel Dion Robert Tyler PG&E Roberto Vazquez IBEW Local 639 Rudy Salazar Randsburg Project Rudy Schalk Cal Poly Sam Stitzer IBEW Local 639 Sarah Howland PG&E Scott Lathrop yak titu titu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe Sebastian Scott IBEW Local 639 Sherry Lewis Mothers for Peace Stacy Inman Pismo Beach City Council Steve Lavagnino Santa Barbara County Steven Smid Pipefitters Local 403 Susan Strachan County of San Luis Obispo Susannah Brown Suzanne Hosn PG&E Thomas Gutierrez Trevor Rebel PG&E Trevor Sanders Ironworkers Union Local 155 Vanessa Ramos Vicki Conner EconAlliance Vidya Schalk Cal Poly W. Yip Walter Reil Retired PG&E Zachary Mousherrafie Cal Poly NiCE (Nuclear is Clean Energy)