PLA-7164, Annual Environmental Operating Report (Non-Radiological)
| ML14120A019 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Susquehanna  |
| Issue date: | 04/28/2014 |
| From: | Franke J Susquehanna |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| PLA-7164 | |
| Download: ML14120A019 (22) | |
Text
Jon A. Franke PPL Susquehanna, LLC Site Vice President 769 Salem Boulevard Berwick, PA 18603 TeL 570.542.2904 Fax 570.542.1504 jfranke@pplweb.com APR 2 8 2014 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attention: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NON-RADIOLOGICAL) Docket Nos. 50-387 PLA-7164 and 50-388 The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Annual Environmental Operating Report (Non-Radiological) is hereby submitted for the calendar year 2013 in accordance with the Environmental Protection Plan (EPP).
There are no regulatory commitments identified in this letter.
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Mr. John L. Tripoli, Manager- Nuclear Regulatory Affairs at (570) 542-3100.
Attachment:
Annual Environmental Operating Report (Non-Radiological)
Copy: NRC Region I Ms. C. Copeyon, U.S. Dept. of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Mr. J. E. Greives, NRC Sr. Resident Inspector Mr. J. A. Whited, NRC Project Manager Mr. L. J. Winker, PA DEP/BRP
Attachment 1 to PLA-7164 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRADIOLOGICAL) for SSES Units 1 and 2 TEAM SUSQUEHANNA.
Generating Exctllcnce
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Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Units 1 & 2
Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Units 1 & 2 Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological)
- ------"**~**~*"**-*2 0 13 Annual Report
2013 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRADIOLOGICAL)
PPL Susquehanna, LLC Berwick, PA April 2014
SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECT IC STATION ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT
{NON RADIOLOGICAL) 2013 Prepared by: Date: 4 j, t../ /1 tf Jerrold L. McCormick Sr. Environmental Scientist Reviewed by: Date: *'1 /J~1/ll.j Dominic R. D'Angelo r Manager- Plant Chemistry I Environmental
/'1 1/
I Approved by: Date:
TEAM SUSQUEHANNA.
Generating Excellence
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Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Units 1 & 2 2013 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRADIOLOGICAL)
Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-14 & NPF-22 Docket Nos. 50-387 & 50-388 Prepared by Chemistry- Environmental Services PPL Susquehanna, LLC Berwick, PA April2014
FOREWORD PPL's Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (SSES) 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 1970's, 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 station output of 2,700 MWe.
In total PPL Susquehanna, LLC presently owns 2,365 acres of land on both sides 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, 1,573 acres of land is jointly owned between PPL (90%)
and Allegheny Electric Cooperative ( 10% ). Approximately 487 acres of this land is used for generation facilities and associated maintenance facilities, laydown areas, parking lots, and roads. Approximately 130 acres of this land is leased to local farmers.
PPL also maintains a 401-acre nature preserve, the Susquehanna Riverlands, which is located between SSES and the river; U.S. Route 11 separates the Susquehanna Riverlands from the plant site.
To the north of SSES on the river, PPL owns the 65-acre Gould Island.
On the east side of the river, PPL owns an additional 717 acres of mostly undeveloped land, which includes natural recreational and wildlife areas.
This report discusses environmental commitments and impacts from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. 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 2-3 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 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 Table 2.1-1 American Shad Impingement Monitoring (2013) 6-2 Figure 5.1-1 Auditing Organization Chart (2013) 6-3 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 2013 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 (EPPJ to Operating Licenses No. NPF-14 and No. NPF-22. The 2013 report is the 32n 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 In May 2013, 241,810 American shad (A/osa sapidissima) fry were stocked in the Susquehanna River at the Tunkhannock Park Boat Access, approximately 50 miles upriver from the Susquehanna SES intake (telephone conversation, Josh Tryninewski, PFBC, August 2013). As a result, we sampled the wash-water from the trash bars and traveling screens at the intake building to see if any shad migrating downriver were impinged.
Mesh sample boxes were suspended at the end of the wash-water canals to capture any fish impinged from September 18 through 5 October 2013.
No American shad were collected during this period, or during any previous sampling effort. However, 16 fish of 7 other species were collected (Table 2.1-1 ). Most of these fish were either young-of-the-year or juveniles. In addition, 12 crayfish and 1 snail were found.
The intake is located along the west river bank in slower current than exists near mid-river, and PA FBC personnel reported that juvenile shad avoid slow currents when migrating downriver. Therefore, the position of 2-1
the intake could be an influential factor in not having observed impinged American shad to date.
Biofouling Mollusk Monitoring The biofouling mollusk monitoring program continued at the Susquehanna SES in 2013. The focus of this monitoring is to survey the Susquehanna River and the ESSW Spray Pond for the presence of live Asian Clams and Zebra Mussels. This work is done by a combination of scuba diving, wading, and examination of removed structures so that substrates in the river and the pond can be inspected.
Asian clams are now abundant in the Susquehanna River near the Susquehanna SES, but no Zebra Mussels have yet been observed in the immediate vicinity of the plant. There have been reports of a few zebra mussels observed in areas along the river, including an island a couple of miles below the plant, but none of these observations yet suggest an established adult population.
Three of the ESSW Pump House screens in the ESSW Spray Pond were removed for cleaning and inspection in June. As a result 97 living mussel specimens were collected from the screens -- the largest concentration of zebra mussels that we have yet observed. A scuba inspection for biofoulers present in the ESSW Spray Pond was done on 3 September 2013, but none were observed in the pond basin. However, this inspection was performed after a vendor had removed an estimated 3,800 yds 3 of sediment from the ESSW Spray Pond.
On 9 September the ESSW Spray Pond was treated with Nalco H150M biocide. The associated detoxification of the ESSW Spray Pond was achieved using Nalco 1315.
2.2 Terrestriallssues 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 2-2
Sound level surveys were conducted during preoperation and operational periods and are completed. There were no noise complaints received during 2013.
- 2.2.3 Maintenance of Transmission Line Corridors Transmission line corridor vegetation maintenance and inspection records are maintained by PPL-EU Vegetation Management and are available upon request. There were no adverse environmental impacts to transmission corridors reported in 2013. Records wil l be maintained for five years.
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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 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 2013. Furthermore, station activities did not impact any previously unknown cultural resources in 2013.
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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 2013, 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. Demolition of Peach Stand Building along US Route 11
- 2. Restoration of the rip-rap at the North Stormwater Outfall
- 3. Installation of new crane pads at River Intake Structure and Sewage Treatment Plant
- 4. 8 ft x 8 ft expansion of "C" Supplemental Decay Heat Removal concrete pump foundation, including a 2ft x 2 ft electrical conduit trench from hand hole to local disconnect panel
- 5. 2013 Repaving Projects
- 6. Paving of Learning Center Flow Loop Lab Walkway
- 7. Installation of Gas Analyzer Racks in Main transformer containments
- 8. Installation of New Stormwater System at Learning Center
- 9. 2013 Containment Structure Upgrades
- 10. Firing Range Paving Work
- 11. Heat Trace Repairs at Domestic Water Storage Tank
- 12. BPI Inspection; Excavation inside U2 CST Containment
- 13. BPI Inspection; 3 inch JCD34-1 CWPH Piping
- 14. Driveway Improvements along US RT. 11
- 15. STP Sand Piper Pump Air Line Replacement 3-1
3.2 Reporting Related to NPDES Permits and State Certifications There were no significant 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 Regu lations PERMIT NO.
Air; GP-11 General Plan Approval for one 1,105 bhp Diesel Generator to support Supplemental Decay Heat GP-11-40-001 Removal Air; GP-11 General Plan Approval for two 415 bhp Diesel Generators to support Supplemental Decay GP-11-40-002 Heat Removal Township and County Permits were issued during the year to support the demolition of the Peach Stand Building, and the installation of a new storm water management system at the Learning Center.
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4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 4.1 Unusual or Important Environmental Events During 2013 there were two operating occurrences reviewed as part of the Significant Environmental Event evaluation program. Both Significant Environmental Event reviews were initiated to document evaluations prior to Electric Utilities' removal of Danger Trees located within the SSES Bulk Transmission Line Right of Way. These evaluations were required because the Danger Trees qualified as habitat for the endangered Indiana bat. The removal of the Danger Trees was completed without negatively impacting an Indiana bat; therefore, 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 Monitoring With the exception of ongoing aquatic 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.
4.2.2 Maintenance of Transmission Line Corridors In 2013, PPL EU Vegetation Management 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 I 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 2012 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 2013.
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 2013. 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 defined by the Environmental Protection Plan that required reporting in 2013.
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6.0 ATTACHMENTS Table 2.1-1 America Shad Impingement Monitoring (2013)
Figure 5.1-1 Auditing Organization Chart (2013) 6-1
TABLE 2.1-1 SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION 2013 AMERICAN SHAD IMPINGEMENT PROGRAM
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2013 18 Sep 1100 Shad lr:lfil=t 18 September - 5 October 2013 L*J l~ il -r.* r** ~'= l:.J ~'"f"ll l=-1 11 Fish One net set to begin sampling. Delayed start due to river intake Other maintenance.
20 Sep 0930 0 1 rock bass 1 crayfish 20 Sep 0930 Second net set to begin sampling.
21 Sep 1430 0 2 channel catfish 1 tessellated darter 22 Sep 0830 0 0 1 crayfish 23 Sep 0840 0 0 heavy debris 24 Sep 0830 0 0 1 snail 25 Sep 0800 0 1 channel catfish 26 Sep 0830 0 0 27 Sep 0930 0 1 channel catfish 1 crayfish heavy debris 28 Sep 1430 0 1 rock bass 1 crayfish 1 bluntnose minnow heavy debris 1 green sunfish 29 Sep 1030 0 2 rock bass heavy debris 1 sunfish spp.
30 Sep 0845 0 0 1 crayfish heavy debris 1 Oct 0845 0 1 pumpkinseed 3 crayfish heavy debris 2 Oct 0900 0 1 rock bass heavy debris 3 Oct 1700 0 1 bluegill heavy debris 1 channel catfish 4 Oct Could not check or pull the nets due to wash water running continuously all day.
Work Control Center contacted.
5 Oct 0900 0 0 4 crayfish heavy debris 5 Oct 0900 Nets removed due to heavy debris. Sampling ended.
0 TOTALS 0 16 fish - 7 species 12 crayfish 1 snail 5 channel catfish 5 rock bass All crayfish 1 tessellated darter collected 1 bluntnose minnow were 1 green sunfish Orconectes 1 pumpkinseed obscurus.
1 bluegill 1 sunfish s ~~
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FIGURE 5.1-1 AUDITING ORGANIZATION CHART (2013)
Sr. Vice-President &
Chief Nuclear Officer I
Sr. Director- Env.
Manager-1------1 *--- ----- ----- Mgmt (Auditing Nuclear Oversight Support as needed)
Vice President-Site Operations Plant Manager-Nuclear Operations NuclearGM-Operations Manager- Plant Chemistry I Environmental Chemistry Environmental Services 6-3