PLA-6838, Annual Environmental Operating Report (Non-Radiological)
| ML12122A019 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Susquehanna  |
| Issue date: | 04/24/2012 |
| From: | Helsel J Susquehanna |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| PLA-6838 | |
| Download: ML12122A019 (20) | |
Text
Jeffrey M. Helsel Nuclear Plant Manager PPL Susquehanna, LLC 769 Salem Boulevard Berwick, PA 18603 Tel. 570.542.3510 Fax 570.542.1504 jmhelsel@pplweb.com pp,14:ýf AN 2 4 Z012 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attention: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NON-RADIOLOGICAL)
PLA-6838 Docket Nos. 50-387 and 50-388 The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Annual Environmental Operating Report (Non-Radiological) is hereby submitted for the calendar year 2011 in accordance with the Environmental Protection Plan.
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Mr. John L. Tripoli, Manager - Nuclear Regulatory Affairs at (570) 542-3100.
J. M. Helsel
Attachment:
Annual Environmental Operating Report (Non-Radiological)
Copy: NRC Region I Ms. C. Copeyon, U. S. Dept. of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Mr. P. W. Finney, NRC Sr. Resident Inspector Mr. R. R. Janati, DEP/BRP Ms. C. J. Sanders, NRC Project Manager
2011 Annual to PLA-6838 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRADIOLOGICAL) for SSES Units 1 and 2
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SUSQUEHANNA, Generating &cellen*ie Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Units 1 & 2 2011 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRA DIOL OGICA L)
PI' PPL Susquehanna, LLC Berwick, PA April 2012
SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRADIOLOGICAL) 2011 Date:
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Curtis H. Saxton Sr. Environmental Scientist Date:
L/Z 0 /2I Reviewed by:
Manager - Plant Chemistry/ Environmental Date:
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Approved by:
VF,(.b clear Operations
.SUSQUEHANA.
Generating &-rellence Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Units 1 & 2 2011 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRA DIOL OGICA L)
Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-14 & NPF-22 Docket Nos. 50-387 & 50-388 Prepared by Plant Chemistry PPL Susquehanna, LLC Berwick, PA April 2012
FOREWORD The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (Susquehanna SES) consists of two boiling water reactors each with about 1350 megawatts electrical (MWE) net electrical capacity located in Salem Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The site consists of approximately 2,267 acres located along the Susquehanna River approximately five miles northeast of Berwick, Pennsylvania; 628 acres of which, mostly undeveloped and recreational lands, are located on the east side of the Susquehanna River in Conyngham and Hollenback Townships. Under terms of an agreement finalized in January 1978, 90% of the Susquehanna SES is owned by PPL Susquehanna, LLC (Licensee) and 10% by the Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc.
This report discusses environmental commitments and impacts from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. In summary it documents that environmental commitments were met and that there was no significant adverse environmental impact from station operation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION PAGE NO.
Foreword Table of Contents ii 1.0 OBJECTIVE 1-1 2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 2-1 2.1 Aquatic Issues 2-1 2.2 Terrestrial Issues 2-2 2.2.1 Studies Previously Completed 2-2 2.2.2 Sound Level Survey 2-2 2.2.3 Maintenance of Transmission Line Corridors 2-2 2.3 Cultural Resources Issues 2-2 3.0 CONSISTENCY REQUIREMENTS 3-1 3.1 Plant Design and Operation 3-1 3.2 Reporting Related to NPDES Permits and State Certifications 3-3 3.3 Changes Required for Compliance with other Environmental 3-3 Regulations 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 4-1 4.1 Unusual or Important Environmental Events 4-1 4.2 Environmental Monitoring 4-1 4.2.1 General Monitoring 4-1 4.2.2 Maintenance of Transmission Line Corridors 4-1 ii
SECTION PAGE NO.
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 5-1 5.1 Review and Audit 5-1 5.2 Records Retention 5-1 5.3 Changes in Environmental Protection Plan 5-2 5.4 Plant Reporting Requirements 5-2 5.4.1 Routine Reports 5-2 5.4.2 Nonroutine Reports 5-2 6.0 ATTACHMENTS 6-1 Figure 5.1-1 Auditing Organization Chart (2011) 6-2 iii
1.0 OBJECTIVE The Licensee has developed procedures and guidelines to ensure that operation of Susquehanna SES does not adversely affect the environment in the vicinity of the station. Also, these procedures allocate responsibilities and define interfaces necessary to monitor environmental impacts. They include coordination of U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements with other federal, state, and local requirements for environmental protection.
The objective of this 2011 Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) is to provide a summary of both environmental programs and procedures. This report is required by the Final Environmental Statement (FES) for the operation of the Susquehanna SES, Unit 1 and 2, NUREG-0564 June 1981, and Appendix B - Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) to Operating Licenses No. NPF-14 and No. NPF-22. The 2011 report is the 29th Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) submitted to meet EPP requirements.
The Licensee submitted an Environmental Report-Operating License Stage for Susquehanna SES to the NRC in May 1978. This report reviewed the results of the preoperational environmental programs and described the preoperational and proposed operational environmental monitoring programs. The NRC and other agencies reviewed this report and made recommendations for operational environmental monitoring programs which were listed in the FES.
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2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 2.1 Aquatic Issues The aquatic monitoring program for operation of the Susquehanna SES is divided into two parts. Part 1 includes effluent monitoring required by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP).
Monthly discharge monitoring reports are submitted to the PaDEP as part of the permitting requirements. The station's operational NPDES permit No. PA-0047325 was reissued on September 1, 2011, and currently expires on August 31, 2016. Part 2 of the aquatic monitoring program deals with programs listed in the FES or recommended by the PaDEP or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The PaDEP is responsible for regulating the water quality permit for the Susquehanna SES. The NPDES permit deals with discharge parameters for the Susquehanna SES Sewage Treatment Plant, Cooling Tower blowdown, and miscellaneous low volume waste discharges. The Cooling Tower blowdown also includes in-plant process streams which discharge to the Susquehanna River. Various low volume waste sumps discharge to the station's stormwater system, which flows into Lake Took-A-While, and eventually into the Susquehanna River. A copy of the permit renewal application was provided to the NRC in 2010. (PLA-6606, March 26, 2010)
American Shad Maintenance at the Susquehanna SES intake during August and the record flood of the Susquehanna River on 9 September precluded any sampling for out-migrating juvenile American shad (Alosa sapidissima) in 2011.
Biofoulincq Mollusk Monitoring The biofouling mollusk monitoring program continued at the Susquehanna SES in 2011. With the arrival of Asian clams in the vicinity of the plant, the program has shifted the monitoring emphasis to searching for living clams in the Emergency Service Water Spray Pond by scuba. In 2011, there were no living Asian clam specimens observed in the Spray Pond.
However, live zebra mussels were discovered for the first time in the Spray Pond attached to pump screens in the pump forebays. The mussel specimens were large enough to indicate that they had survived previous molluscicide treatments of the pond, probably due to the lack of water 2-1
circulation during treatment into the forebay areas. No mussels have yet been observed living in the main body of the pond.
2.2 Terrestrial Issues 2.2.1 Studies Previously Completed Terrestrial environmental studies including Cooling Tower bird impaction were completed prior to 1989.
2.2.2 Sound Level Survey Sound level surveys were conducted during preoperation and operational periods and are completed. There were no noise complaints received during 2011.
2.2.3 Maintenance of Transmission Line Corridors Transmission line corridor vegetation maintenance and inspection records are maintained by the Project and Contract Management department of PPL Electric Utilities and are available upon request.
There were no adverse environmental impacts to transmission corridors reported in 2011. Records will be maintained for five years.
2.3 Cultural Resources Issues Environmental Protection Plan actions required to satisfy Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations Part 800, relating to archeological sites, were completed in 1987. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), in accordance with 36 CFR 800.6 (a)(1), approved the NRC's determination of "no adverse effect" for archeological sites SES-3 (36LU15), SES-6 (36LU16), SES-8 (36LU49), and SES-1 1 (36LU51) located on the Licensee's property (NRC letter dated October 28, 1987, to ACHP).
As part of the determination-of-effect process, the Licensee committed to and is taking appropriate measures to mitigate impacts from plant maintenance and operation to sites 36LU15, 36LU16, 36LU49, 36LU51, and 36LU43. There was no impact to these sites from plant maintenance and operation in 2011.
As a result of License Renewal reviews, additional programmatic elements to address protection of cultural resource have been developed.
This will allow us to anticipate and prevent impacts to unknown cultural resources that could be affected by station activities.
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3.0 CONSISTENCY REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Plant Design and Operation In accordance with the Environmental Protection Plan (EPP), the Licensee shall prepare and record an environmental evaluation of proposed changes in plant design, operation, or performance of any test or experiment which may significantly affect the environment. Before initiating such activities, the Licensee shall provide a written evaluation and obtain prior approval from the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. Criteria for the need to perform an environmental evaluation include: (1) a significant increase in any adverse environmental impact previously evaluated by the NRC or Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, (2) a significant change in effluent or power level, or (3) a matter not previously evaluated which may have a significant adverse environmental impact.
The EPP requires that if an activity meets any of the criteria to perform an environmental evaluation, the NRC will be notified. If the change, test, or experiment does not meet any of these criteria, the Licensee will document the evaluation and allow the activity to occur.
During operation of the Susquehanna SES in 2011, there were proposed activities that the Licensee reviewed as part of the unreviewed environmental question program. None of these activities were determined to involve an unreviewed environmental question or require prior NRC notification. The activities reviewed were:
- 1.
Installation of a sub-slab radon ventilation (mitigation) system for the plant toolroom.
- 2.
Installation and connection of a new drinking water supply well for PPL Susquehanna Riverlands (PSW ID #2400995).
- 3.
Installation of a new 12 ft x 12 ft storage shed north of S & A Bldg.
- 4.
Installation of a new fall arrest system for South Gatehouse.
- 5.
Submitted Plan Approval application to PaDEP to include particulate emissions from Cooling Towers and Emergency Spray Pond into the Stations State Only [Air] Operating Permit.
- 6.
Dig a soil pit 4' deep, 10' long, 3' wide for Annual Envirothon.
- 7.
Excavate and replace well pump and 100 ft of underground well piping for Stations Drinking Water Wells (TW-1 and TW-2).
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- 8.
Perform infiltration testing to enable Bell Bend Nuclear Project to properly site stormwater/sedimentation basins.
- 9.
Excavate and replace 12 ft of 16" diameter Fiberglass river water makeup line at each Units Cooling Tower.
- 10.
Excavate and install 95 ft electrical conduit in Vicinity of North Gatehouse.
- 11.
Excavate and install 30 ft electrical conduit in Vicinity of North Gatehouse.
- 12.
Excavation and construction of a new Defensive Fighting Position for South Gatehouse.
- 13.
Install two concrete pads on east side of S&A Building for new refrigeration compressors.
- 14.
Pave 17,000 sq ft in front of New Vehicle Maintenance Garage.
- 15.
Reduce 2 earthen mounds under the Montour-Susquehanna #2 230kv transmission line to comply with FERC line to ground clearance requirements.
- 16.
Dig 2 holes to replace directional sign on Main Access Road.
- 17.
Remove vegetation; replace lawn with gravel and pave an 80 ft x 80 ft area to comply with Security Requirements.
- 18.
Excavate and repair the existing wetland flow structure along Hicks Ferry Road.
- 19.
Exploratory 100' excavation to support installation of New Liquid Radwaste Discharge Line.
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3.2 Reporting Related to NPDES Permits and State Certifications There were no noncompliances or special reporting requirements associated with implementation of NPDES Permit No. PA-0047325.
The Susquehanna SES has an NPDES permit; therefore, state certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act is not required.
3.3 Changes Required for Compliance with Other Environmental Regulations During 2011 the Station received a Plan Approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to include Particulate Emissions from the Cooling Towers and Emergency Spraypond into the State Only
[Air] Operating Permit.
During 2011 the Station received a new 5 yr NPDES Permit from the PaDEP effective September 1, 2011 until August 31, 2016.
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4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 4.1 Unusual or Important Environmental Events During 2011, there were no operating occurrences requiring review as part of the significant environmental event evaluation program. There were no significant or adverse environmental effects related to station operation and there were no EPP noncompliances.
4.2 Environmental Monitoring 4.2.1 General Monitorinq With the exception of aquatic monitoring required for compliance with the NPDES permit which continues during operation of the station, all monitoring of station operational impacts on aquatic and terrestrial biota listed in the FES and Appendix B of the operating license have been completed.
4.2.2 Maintenance of Transmission Line Corridors In 2011, the Project and Contract Management department of PPL Electric Utilities maintained transmission line vegetation maintenance and inspection records.
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5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 5.1 Review and Audit The Licensee has established procedures for an independent group to review and audit compliance with the EPP. Audits of EPP compliance are conducted by Quality Assurance. The Manager-Quality Assurance is responsible for verifying compliance with the EPP. The Vice President-Site Operations is responsible for environmental monitoring and for providing any related support concerning licensing. The Manager - Plant Chemistry / Environmental is responsible for day-to-day environmental monitoring.
The Auditing Organization Chart (Fig. 5.1-1) lists the groups utilized in reviewing and auditing of the Susquehanna SES environmental programs as well as those responsible for managing these programs. PPL's Senior Director of Environmental Management is available to provide auditing support as necessary.
An audit of compliance with the EPP program was conducted during 2010 as part of a regularly scheduled Chemistry Program Audit. There were no findings or noncompliances identified as a result of this effort. The program was determined to be effective and well implemented.
5.2 Records Retention Records and logs relative to environmental aspects of plant operation and audit activities are retained in the Nuclear Records System. This system provides for review and inspection of environmental documents, which are available to the NRC upon request.
All records concerning modifications of plant structures, systems and components which are determined to potentially affect the continued protection of the environment are retained for the life of the plant. All other records, data, and logs relating to the environmental programs and monitoring are retained for at least five years or, where applicable, in accordance with the requirements of other agencies. Transmission line corridor vegetation maintenance records are maintained by PPL Electrical Utilities per section 2.2.3 of this report.
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5.3 Changes in Environmental Protection Plan No changes were made to the EPP during 2011.
5.4 Plant Reporting Requirements 5.4.1 Routine Reports This Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) was prepared to meet routine reporting requirements of the EPP for 2011. It provides summaries and analyses of environmental protection activities required in Subsection 4.2 of the EPP for the reporting period.
5.4.2 Nonroutine Reports There were no unusual or Important Environmental Events as identified in the Environmental Protection Plan that required reporting in 2011.
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6.0 ATTACHMENTS Figure 5.1-1 Auditing Organization Chart (2011) 6-1
FIGURE 5.1-1 AUDITING ORGANIZATION CHART (2011) 6-2