ML25069A534
| ML25069A534 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oconee  |
| Issue date: | 03/07/2025 |
| From: | Kajumba N US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4 |
| To: | Lance Rakovan Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards |
| References | |
| Download: ML25069A534 (0) | |
Text
March 7, 2025 Lance Rakovan U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Mail Stop T-4B72 Washington, DC 20555-0001 RE: EPA Comments on the Site-Specific Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Supplement 2, Second Renewal, Regarding Subsequent License Renewal for Oconee Nuclear Station Units 1, 2, and 3 Final Environmental Impact Statement; CEQ#: 20250018.
Dear:
Lance Rakovan:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reviewed the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC) final Environmental Impact Statement (final EIS) for the Site-Specific EIS for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Supplement 2, Second Renewal, Regarding Subsequent License Renewal for Oconee Nuclear Station Units 1, 2, and 3, in accordance with Section 309 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The CAA Section 309 role is unique to the EPA. Among other things, CAA Section 309 requires the EPA to review and comment on the environmental impact of any proposed federal action subject to NEPAs environmental impact statement requirements and to make its comments public.
As stated in the final EIS, the purpose of the proposed project is to provide an option that allows for power generation capability beyond the term of the current renewed nuclear power plant operating licenses. The facility operating license for Units 1, 2, and 3 expires on February 6, 2033. The subsequent relicensing would renew the Duke Energy Facility Operating License for the Oconee, Units 1, 2, and 3, respectively, for an additional 20 years. If the NRC renews the operating licenses, Duke Energy would be authorized to operate Oconee Nuclear Station Unit 1 until February 6, 2053, Unit 2 until October 6, 2053, and Unit 3, until July 19, 2054. These units are located at Oconee Station, which is located predominantly in eastern Oconee County, with a small portion located in Pickens County, South Carolina.
The final EIS evaluates a no action alternative, a proposed action alternative, along with three energy replacement alternatives if the operating licenses are not renewed. The no action alternative would result in NRC not issuing license renewal. The proposed action is for the renewal of the operating licenses. The three commercially viable replacement energy alternatives considered included 1) new nuclear, 2) a natural gas fired power plant, and 3) a combination of solar photovoltaic, offshore wind,
2 small modular reactors, and demand-side management. According to the final EIS, the environmentally preferred alternative is the proposed action alternative.
The EPA provided comments on the Notice of Intent on 11/25/2023 and the draft EIS on 4/1/2024. The EPA notes that our previous comments were addressed in this final EIS. Therefore, the EPA has no additional comments.
The EPA appreciates the opportunity to review the final EIS for the Subsequent License Renewal for Oconee Nuclear Station. If you have any questions regarding our comments, please contact Mr. Larry Long of the NEPA Section at (404) 562-9460, or by e-mail at long.larry@epa.gov.
Sincerely, Ntale Kajumba NEPA Section Manager