PLA-8102, Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) PLA-8102

Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) PLA-8102

ML24116A223
Person / Time
Site:	Susquehanna
Issue date:	04/11/2024
From:	Casulli E Susquehanna, Talen Energy
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk
References
PLA-8102
Download: ML24116A223 (1)

Text

EdwardCasulli Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC SiteVic ePresident 769 Salem Boulevard Berwick, PA 18603 TALEN~

Tel. 570.542.3795 Fax 570.542.1504 ENERGY Edward.Casulli@TalenEnergy.com

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 10 CFR 50.4 Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001

SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION 2023 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRADIOLOGICAL) Docket No. 50-387 PLA-8102 andNo.50-388

The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (SSES) Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) is hereby submitted for the calendar year 2023 in accordance with the SSES Environmental Protection Plan, Section 5.4.1.

There are no new or revised regulatory commitments contained in this submittal.

Should you have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact Ms. Melisa Krick, Manager - Nuclear Regulatory Affairs at (570) 542-1818.

E. Casulli

Attachment:

2023 Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological)

Copy: NRC Region I Ms. A. Klett, NRC Project Manager Ms. J. England, NRC Senior Resident Inspector Mr. M. Shields, PA DEP/BRP Mr. R. Anderson, USFWS Ecological Services Document Control Desk PLA-8102

Electronic Copy:

E. Casulli D. Jones B. Sooy K. Ervin M. Krick B. Yarzebinski T. Williams A. Siple (NSRB)

C. Johnson (DBD)

DCS Attachment to PLA-8102

2023 Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological)

SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION

ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRADIOLOGICAL) 2023

Prepared by: *JVlh, h

• Date: 4 /r/vt Kathleen M. Ervin Sr. Environmental Scientist -Nuclear

Reviewed by: 11~ ~ Date: 4.g 24 Beth Ann Sooy Manager - Plant Chemistry/ Environmental

Approved by: Date: '-1 Ut /2"!

er.Jones Plant Manager-Nuclear TEAM SUSQUEHANNA Oet1ert1ti11g Excellttt t

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Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Units 1 & 2

2023 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRADIOLOGICAL)

Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-14 & NPF-22 Docket Nos. 50-387 & 50-388

Prepared by Chemistry - Environmental Services Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC Berwick, PA March 2024 FOREWORD

The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station is a nuclear electrical generating facility with two boiling-water reactors and generators located just west of the Susquehanna River, approximately 5 miles northeast of Berwick, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The station was constructed in the 1970s, with Unit 1 beginning commercial operation on June 8, 1983, and Unit 2 beginning commercial operation on February 12, 1985. Units 1 and 2 each generate a net 1,350 megawatts (MWe), for a total statio n output of 2,700 MWe.

In total, Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC presently owns 1,152 acres of land on the west side of the Susquehanna River. Generally, this land is characterized by open deciduous woodlands interspersed with grasslands and orchards.

On the west side of the river, 1,087 (1,152 minus 65 acre Gould Island) acres of land is jointly owned between Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC (90%) and Allegheny Electric Cooperative (10%). The land uses on the west side of the river include generation and associated maintenance facilities, laydown areas, parking lots, roads, a nature preserve (the Susquehanna Riverlands), and agricultural leases to local farmers.

To the north of the station along the river, Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC owns 100% of the 65-acre Gould Island. The property on the east side of the river, across from the station was transferred to other Talen Energy entities in 2021.

This report discusses environmental commitments and impacts from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. In summary, the report documents that Susquehanna Nuclears environmental commitments were met and that there was no significant adverse environmental impact from station operation.

i TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE NO.

Foreword i

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 2-3

2.2.1 Studies Previously Completed 2-3 2.2.2 Sound Level Survey 2-3 2.2.3 Maintenance of Transmission Line Corridors 2-3

2.3 Cultural Resources Issues 2-3

3.0 CONSISTENCY REQUIREMENTS 3-1

3.1 Plant Design and Operation 3-1 3.2 Reporting Related to NPDES Permits and State Certifications 3-2 3.3 Changes Required for Compliance with other Environmental 3-2 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

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 Non-routine Reports 5-2

6.0 ATTACHMENTS 6-1

Table 2.1-1 American Shad Impingement Monitoring (2023) 6-2 Figure 5.1-1 Auditing Organization Chart (2023) 6-5

iii 1.0 OBJECTIVE

The Licensee has developed procedures and guidelines to ensure that operation of Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (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 2023 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 2023 report is the 42nd 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.

1-1 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).

The PaDEP is responsible for regulating the water quality permit for the Susquehanna SES. The stations operational NPDES Permit No. PA-0047325 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 stations stormwater system, which flows into Lake Took-a-While, and eventually into the Susquehanna River. The permit requires the station to submit monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports for these outfalls to the PaDEP.

Susquehanna SESs NPDES Permit was reissued on September 1, 2011, and expired on August 31, 2016. The station submitted its NPDES Permit renewal application (PLE-0025782) to PaDEP on February 9, 2016.

PaDEP has since confirmed that the submitted renewal application was administratively complete, but has not yet provided the station a new NPDES Permit. Until a new permit is issued to the station, the conditions of the most recently expired NPDES Permit apply.

NOTE: A copy of the NPDES Permit renewal application (PLE-0025782) was provided to the NRC in 2016 as part of the submittal process.

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.

American Shad

Environmental lab personnel sampled wash-water from the trash bars and traveling screens at the intake building during October and November to see if American shad were impinged by the Susquehanna SES.

Fish sampling containers, made from aluminum-framed boxes sided with wire mesh, were suspended by jib cranes at the ends of each of the wash-water canals from the trash bars and traveling screens. The sampling containers were deployed from 02 October through 22 November, 2023, 2-1 and checked daily. No American shad were collected during this period or during any previous sampling year. However, 13 fish of 6 other species were collected (Table 2.1-1). Most of these fish were bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus, 3 specimens), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus, 3 specimens), or rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris, 3 specimens).

Biofouling Mollusk Monitoring

The biofouling mollusk monitoring program continued at the Susquehanna SES in 2023. The purpose of this monitoring is to survey the Susquehanna River and the Emergency Service Water (ESW) Spray Pond for the presence of live Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) that could affect the operation of Susquehanna Nuclear LLC. This monitoring is generally performed through a combination of scuba diving, wading, and examination of natural or artificial substrates in the river and the ESW Spray Pond.

Asian clams are now abundant in the Susquehanna River near the Susquehanna SES, and zebra mussels are also abundant in Lake Took-a-while, a 24-acre recreational lake owned by Talen Energy. The lake drains to the Susquehanna River through a remnant of the North Branch Canal and presents a pathway for zebra mussel introduction to the river.

As a result, this area has been monitored closely since zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Took-a-while in 2016. Three adult mussels were observed in the outfall area of the river in 2017, but no specimens were found in 2023. At this time there is no evidence of a reproductive population of zebra mussels in the Susquehanna River near Susquehanna Nuclear LLC.

A scuba inspection for biofoulers in the ESW Spray Pond was completed on 10 July, 2023 by divers from the environmental laboratory, and 92 live specimens of zebra mussels and two Asian clams were collected during that inspection. Separate diving evolutions were completed in July and September 2023 in the eight pump intake bay pits, and dozens of zebra mussels were observed on the walls. Additionally, four of the ESW pump house screens were removed in 2023 for cleaning and were examined for biofoulers; 76 live zebra mussels were found attached to the screens.

The ESW Spray Pond was most recently treated with a non-oxidizing biocide for mollusk control on 31 August 2020. Inspections during 2019 of ESW Spray Pond substrates by scuba and the ponds intake screens during an annual cleaning cycle, revealed the presence of 320 live zebra mussels and 15 Asian clams.

At present, zebra mussels in the Susquehanna River do not appear to pose an immediate threat to plant operation. However, monitoring 2-2 continues for mussels in the ESW Spray Pond, the river intake area, plant cooling systems, and Lake Took-a-While.

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 pre-operation and operational periods and are completed. No noise complaints due to station operation were received during 2023.

2.2.3 Maintenance of Transmission Line Corridors

Transmission line corridor vegetation maintenance and inspection records are maintained by PPL-Electric Utilities Vegetation Management. No herbicide work was performed in these corridors during 2023. 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-11 (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 station maintenance and operation to sites 36LU15, 36LU16, 36LU49, 36LU51, 36LU43, and 36LU105.

Per the Foreword to this report, Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC transferred numerous land parcels surrounding the station to other Talen entities over the course of 2021. One of those transferred parcels was parcel 19SL which contains site 36LU43. As required, Susquehanna Nuclear consulted with the Pa. Historic Museum Commission (PHMC) regarding this real estate transfer, and the PHMC stated that the requirement to 2-3 protect site 36LU43 becomes the responsibility of the new owner -

regardless of whether the new owner is a federally-licensed entity or not.

Therefore, moving forward, the responsibility for mitigating anthropogenic impacts to site 36LU43 will no longer reside with Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC.

2-4 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 enviro nment. 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 an environmental evaluation be completed and the NRC be notified if an activity meets any of the criteria. 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 2023, 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 following activities were reviewed:

1. Danger Tree Removals

2. Excavation for 0X159 and 2X101E Oil Clean Up

3. Soil Boring for 2X101E/F Transformer Oil Spills

4. Applied EcoScience Sewer Line Repair

5. South Building Air Conditioning Chiller Replacement

3.2 Reporting Related to NPDES Permits and State Certifications

There were several non-compliances or special reporting requirements associated with implementation of NPDES Permit No. PA0047325 during 2023. They are as follows;

1. March Sewage Treatment Plant administrative non-compliance (CR-2023-03774)

3-1

2. May Unintended Bypass of the cooling tower water back to the Susquehanna River (CR-2023-08831)

3. June Cooling Tower Blowdown Free Available Chlorine exceedance (CR-2023-11234)

4. Nov 30 - Sanitary Sewer Overflow offsite in farm field (CR-2023-18471)

5. Nov 30 - Unanticipated bypass from river intake (CR-2023-18477)

6. Dec 5 - Unanticipated bypass of from debris handler (CR-2023-18798)

7. Dec 20 - Unanticipated bypass from the intake screen de-icing valve (CR-2023-19426)

Since Susquehanna SES has an NPDES permit, state certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act is not required.

3.3 Changes Required for Compliance with Other Environmental Regulations

There were no new regulatory changes incorporated into Susquehanna SESs nonradiologoical environmental compliance program in 2023.

3-2 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

4.1 Unusual or Important Environmental Events

Several Danger Trees were removed during 2023 that qualified as Indiana Bat habitat. The danger trees were evaluated by biologists prior to their removal. The evaluations determined that the removals did not harm any Indiana Bats; hence no notification was necessary to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These removals are summarized and documented in Significant Environmental Evaluation 24-001.

In summary, there were no significant or adverse environmental effects related to station operation, and there were no EPP non-compliances.

4.2 Environmental Monitoring

4.2.1 General Monitoring

With the exception of ongoing water quality monitoring required for compliance with the NPDES permit, 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.

4-1 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 Nuclear Oversight. The Manager-Nuclear Oversight is responsible for verifying compliance with the EPP. The Site VP -

Susquehanna is responsible for environmental monitoring and for providing any related support concerning licensing. The Manager - Plant Chemistry 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.

An audit of compliance with the EPP program was last conducted in October 2023 as part of a regularly scheduled Chemistry Program Audit.

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.

5-1 5.3 Changes in Environmental Protection Plan

No changes were made to the EPP during 2023.

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 2023. It provides summaries and analyses of environmental protection activities required in Subsection 4.2 of the EPP for the reporting period.

5.4.2 Non-routine Reports

There were no Unusual or Important Environmental Events as defined by the Environmental Protection Plan that required reporting in 2023.

5-2 6.0 ATTACHMENTS

Table 2.1-1

American Shad Impingement Monitoring (2023)

Figure 5.1-1

Auditing Organization Chart (2023)

6-1 TABLE 2.1-1

SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION 2023 AMERICAN SHAD IMPINGEMENT PROGRAM 02 October - 22 November 2023

Date Time Items Found on Trash Bar/Traveling Screen 2023 Shad Fish Crayfish Other Comments Sampling equipment was staged on 21 August, but the debris handler was down for maintenance.

Fish baskets were deployed once debris handler was operative on 02 October @1230.

02 Oct 1930 0 0 0 0 Light leaves/debris 03 Oct 1400 0 0 0 0 Light leaves/debris 04 Oct 1500 0 1 bluegill 1 0 Heavy leaves/debris 05 Oct 1930 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 06 Oct 1930 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 09 Oct 1530 0 1 flathead catfish 0 0 Light leaves/debris 10 Oct 1700 0 0 0 0 Light leaves/debris 11 Oct 1445 0 1 pumpkinseed 0 0 Light leaves/debris 12 Oct 1730 0 1 rock bass 0 0 Light leaves/debris 13 Oct 1500 0 1 rock bass 0 0 Moderate leaves/debris 16 Oct 1700 0 1 bluegill 0 0 Moderate leaves/debris 17 Oct 1700 0 0 0 0 Moderate leaves/debris 18 Oct 1600 0 0 0 0 Moderate leaves/debris 19 Oct 1630 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris

• Baskets filling within 1 hour*

20 Oct 1915 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 23 Oct 1700 0 0 1 0 Heavy leaves/debris 24 Oct 1630 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris

6-2 TABLE 2.1-1

Date Time Items Found on Trash Bar/Traveling Screen 2023 Shad Fish Crayfish Other Comments 25 Oct 1645 0 1 pumpkinseed 0 0 Moderate leaves/debris 26 Oct 1730 0 1 bluegill 0 0 Moderate leaves/debris 27 Oct 1700 0 1 catfish species 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 30 Oct 1600 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 31 Oct 1630 0 1 rock bass 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 01 Nov 1645 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 02 Nov 1630 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 03 Nov 1400 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 06 Nov 1630 0 1 spotfin shiner 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 07 Nov 1500 0 1 pumpkinseed 0 0 Heavy 1 smallmouth bass leaves/debris 08 Nov 1630 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 09 Nov 1615 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 10 Nov 1430 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 13 Nov 1500 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 14 Nov 1615 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 15 Nov 1600 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 16 Nov 0930 - - - - *Debris handler inoperative*

17 Nov 1430 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 20 Nov 1600 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 21 Nov 1445 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris 22 Nov 1330 0 0 0 0 Heavy leaves/debris Baskets withdrawn on 22 Nov @1330; 2023 American shad impingement monitoring complete.

6-3 TABLE 2.1-1 (continued)

Date Time Items Found on Trash Bar/Traveling Screen I 2023 Shad Fish Crayfish Other Comments

TOTALS 0 13 fish - 6 species 2* 0 3 bluegill 3 pumpkinseed 3 rock bass 1 catfish species 1 flathead catfish 1 smallmouth bass 1 spotfin shiner

• All crayfish collected were Faxonius obscurus.

6-4 FIGURE 5.1-1 AUDITING ORGANIZATIONAL CHART (2023)

Sr. Vice-President & Chief Nuclear Officer I I

Manager - Quality Assurance I I

Site VP - Susquehanna

Plant Manager - Nuclear

I I Manager - Plant Chemistry

Chemistry - Environmental Services

6-5