ML16015A369
| ML16015A369 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Turkey Point  |
| Issue date: | 04/03/2012 |
| From: | NRC/OGC |
| To: | Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel |
| SECY RAS | |
| References | |
| RAS 28493, ASLBP 15-935-02-LA-BD01, 50-250-LA, 50-251-LA | |
| Download: ML16015A369 (12) | |
Text
NRC-022 Submitted Nov. 10, 2015 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20059 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Official Hearing Exhibit September 7, 2010. Entered into force NUCLEAR REGULATORY For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
In the Matter of: FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY September 7, 2010. COMMISSION Nicholas J. DiFrancesco, ASLBP #:
Docket #:
[FR Doc. 2012-7931 Filed 4-2-12; 8:45 am] Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch 3-(Turkey Point Nuclear Generating, Units 3 and 4)
Exhibit #:
Admitted:
BILLING CODE 4710-49-P [Docket No. 50-374; 2012-0083] 2, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Rejected:
Other:
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
15-935-02-LA-BD01 Exelon Generation Company, LLC; [FR Doc. 2012-7949 Filed 4-2-12; 8:45 am]
Notice of Withdrawal of Application for BILLING CODE 7590-01-P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Amendment to Facility Operating 05000250 & 05000251 NRC-022-00-BD01 Identified: 1/4/2016 License National Science Board; Sunshine Act NUCLEAR REGULATORY 1/4/2016 Meetings; Notice COMMISSION Withdrawn:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) has [Docket Nos. 50-250 and 50-251; NRC-Stricken:
The National Science Boards granted the request of Exelon 2011-0259]
Committee on Programs and Plans Task Generation Company (the licensee) to Force on Unsolicited Mid-Scale withdraw its October 26, 2011, License Amendment To Increase the Research, pursuant to NSF regulations application for proposed amendment to Maximum Reactor Power Level, Florida (45 CFR part 614), the National Science Facility Operating License No. NPF-18 Power & Light Company, Turkey Point, Foundation Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. Units 3 and 4 for the LaSalle County Station, Unit 2, 1862n-5), and the Government in the located in LaSalle County, Illinois. AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b), hereby gives notice in regard to the scheduling The proposed amendment would Commission.
of a teleconference for the transaction of have revised license condition 2.C.(32) ACTION: Final environmental assessment National Science Board business and to require the installation of NETCO- and finding of no significant impact.
other matters specified, as follows: SNAP-IN inserts to be completed no later than December 31, 2012. In
SUMMARY
- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory DATE AND TIME: Monday, April 16, 2012, Commission (NRC or the Commission) addition, license condition 2.C.(31) 1-2 p.m. EDT. is considering issuing an amendment for would be revised to apply until March Renewed Facility Operating License SUBJECT MATTER: (1) Chairs opening 31, 2012, and a new license condition Nos. DPR-31 and DPR-41, issued to remarks; and (2) Discussion of a revised 2.C.(34) was proposed to prohibit fuel Florida Power & Light Company (FPL or draft of the final report of the NSB Task storage after March 31, 2012, in spent the licensee) for operation of the Turkey Force on Unsolicited Mid-Scale fuel pool storage rack cells that had not Point (PTN), Units 3 and 4, to increase Research. been upgraded with the NETCO-SNAP- the maximum power level from 2300 IN inserts. megawatts thermal (MWt) to 2644 MWt STATUS: Open.
The Commission had previously for each unit. The proposed power LOCATION: This meeting will be held by issued a Notice of Consideration of increase is approximately 15-percent teleconference at the National Science Issuance of Amendment published in over the current licensed thermal Board Office, National Science the Federal Register on January 10, power, including a 13-percent power Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., 2012 (77 FR 1514). However, by letter uprate and a 1.7-percent measurement Arlington, VA 22230. A public listening dated January 6, 2012, the licensee uncertainty recapture, and room will be available for this withdrew the proposed change. approximately a 20-percent increase teleconference meeting. All visitors from the original licensed power level of must contact the Board Office [call For further details with respect to this action, see the application for 2200 MWt. The NRC did not identify 703-292-7000 or send an email message any significant environmental impacts to nationalsciencebrd@nsf.gov] at least amendment dated October 26, 2011, and the licensees letter dated January 6, associated with the proposed action 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> prior to the teleconference for based on its evaluation of the the public room number and to arrange 2012, which withdrew the application for license amendment. Documents may information provided in the licensees for a visitors badge. All visitors must application and other available report to the NSF visitor desk located in be examined, and/or copied for a fee, at the NRCs Public Document Room information, and has prepared this final the lobby at the 9th and N. Stuart Streets Environmental Assessment (EA) and entrance on the day of the (PDR), located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1-F21, 11555 Finding of No Significant Impact teleconference to receive a visitors (FONSI) for the proposed action.
badge. Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852. Publicly available ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID UPDATES AND POINT OF CONTACT: Please documents created or received at the NRC-2011-0259 when contacting the refer to the National Science Board Web NRC are accessible electronically NRC about the availability of site www.nsf.gov/nsb for additional through the Agencywide Documents information regarding this document.
information and schedule updates (time, Access and Management System You may access information related to place, subject matter or status of (ADAMS) in the NRC Library at http:// this document, which the NRC meeting) may be found at http:// www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. possesses and is publicly-available, www.nsf.gov/nsb/notices/. Point of Persons who do not have access to using the following methods:
contact for this meeting is: Matthew B.
- Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to ADAMS or who encounter problems in mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Wilson, National Science Board Office, http://www.regulations.gov and search accessing the documents located in 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA for Docket ID NRC-2011-0259. Address ADAMS should contact the NRC PDR 22230. Telephone: (703) 292-7000. questions about NRC dockets to Carol Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-Gallagher; telephone: 301-492-3668; Ann Bushmiller, 397-4209, or 301-415-4737 or by email email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov.
Senior Counsel to the National Science Board. to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.
- NRCs Agencywide Documents
[FR Doc. 2012-8062 Filed 3-30-12; 11:15 am] Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 19th day Access and Management System BILLING CODE 7555-01-P of March 2012. (ADAMS): You may access publicly-VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
20060 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices available documents online in the NRC FONSI for the proposed action on recirculating cooling canals that are Library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading- November 17, 2011 (76 FR 71379), and used to cool the heated water rm/adams.html. To begin the search, established December 19, 2011, as the discharged by Units 1 through 4. Unit 5 select ADAMS Public Documents and deadline for submitting public has mechanical draft cooling towers for then select Begin Web-based ADAMS comments. By letters dated December 9, the steam generation cycle using water Search. For problems with ADAMS, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. from the Upper Floridan Aquifer (UFA) please contact the NRCs Public ML11347A194), and December 12, 2011 as makeup and routing cooling tower Document Room (PDR) reference staff at (ADAMS Accession No. ML12027A023), blowdown to the cooling canal system.
1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by comments were received from FPL and The five units and supporting email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The Mr. Steve Torcise, Jr., of the Atlantic equipment (excluding the cooling canal ADAMS accession number for each Civil, Inc., respectively. The FPL system) occupy approximately 130 ac document referenced in this notice (if comments provided new estimates on (53 ha).
that document is available in ADAMS) the number of additional workers In June 2009, FPL submitted an is provided the first time that a needed to support the outage work application for a combined construction document is referenced. implementing the proposed Extended permit and operating license (COL) for
- NRCs PDR: You may examine and Power Uprate (EPU) and revised the two Westinghouse Advanced Passive purchase copies of public documents at projected outage times necessary to 1000 (AP1000) pressurized-water the NRCs PDR, Room O1-F21, One implement the EPU. The FPL comments reactors (PWRs) designated as PTN, White Flint North, 11555 Rockville have been incorporated into this final Units 6 and 7.
Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. EA with no change to the FONSI Background Information on the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: conclusion. The Atlantic Civil, Inc. Proposed Action Jason Paige, Project Manager, Plant comments have been incorporated into this final EA with no change to the By application dated October 21, Licensing Branch 2-2, Division of 2010, the licensee requested an Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of FONSI conclusion and are summarized in the Summary of Comments amendment to its license for an EPU for Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. PTN Units 3 and 4 to increase the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, (ADAMS Accession No. ML12075A035).
Also, by letter dated January 12, 2012 licensed thermal power level from 2300 Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: MWt to 2644 MWt for each unit. This 301-415-5888; email: (ADAMS Accession Number ML12019A348), the Southeast Regional represents an increase of approximately Jason.Paige@nrc.gov. 15-percent above the current licensed Office of the U.S. Department of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: thermal power, including a 13-percent Interiors National Park Service power uprate and a 1.7-percent I. Introduction provided comments on the draft EA and measurement uncertainty recapture.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory draft FONSI. Since these comments This change requires NRC approval Commission (NRC) is considering were received after the comment period prior to the licensee implementing the issuance of an amendment for Renewed deadline of December 19, 2011, the NRC EPU. The proposed action is considered Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-31 will address these comments using an EPU by the NRC because it exceeds and DPR-41, issued to FPL for operation separate correspondence.
the typical 7-percent power increase of the PTN, Units 3 and 4, for a license II. Environmental Assessment that can be accommodated with only amendment to increase the maximum minor plant changes. An EPU typically power level from 2300 MWt to 2644 Plant Site and Environs involves extensive modifications to the MWt for each unit. In accordance with The PTN site is located on 11,000 nuclear steam supply system contained Title 10 of the Code of Federal acres (ac) (4,450 hectares (ha)) in within the plant buildings.
Regulations (10 CFR) 51.21, the NRC has Floridas South Miami-Dade County The licensee plans to make extensive prepared this final EA and FONSI for approximately 25 miles (mi) (40 physical modifications to the plants the proposed action. The proposed kilometers [km]) south of Miami, secondary side (i.e., non-nuclear) steam power increase is approximately Florida. The nearest city limits are supply system to implement the 15-percent over the current licensed Florida City approximately 8 miles (13 proposed EPU. These modifications thermal power, including a 13-percent km) to the west, Homestead at would occur during separate refueling power uprate and a 1.7-percent approximately 4.5 miles (7 km) to the outages for each unit. The EPU-related measurement uncertainty recapture, and northwest and Key Largo at work for Unit 3 is scheduled for the approximately a 20-percent increase approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of spring 2012 outage and Unit 4 during from the original licensed power level of the PTN site. The PTN site is bordered the fall 2012 outage. The EPU, if 2200 MWt. The NRC did not identify to the east by Biscayne National Park approved by the NRC, would be any significant environmental impacts (BNP), to the north by the BNP and implemented following each units associated with the proposed action Homestead Bayfront Park, and on the refueling outage in 2012.
based on its evaluation of the west and south by FPLs 13,000 ac Approximately 800 people are information provided in the licensees (5,260 ha) Everglades Mitigation Bank. employed at PTN Units 3 and 4 on a application and other available The PTN site consists of five electric full-time basis with increases of information. For further details with generating units. Units 3 and 4 at the approximately 600-900 during refueling respect to the proposed action, see the PTN site are nuclear reactors; Units 1, outages. The licensee estimates that it mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES licensees application dated October 21, 2, and 5 are fossil-fueled units and are will need approximately 2500 workers 2010, as supplemented by letters dated not covered by the proposed licensing for implementation of the EPU resulting December 14, 2010 (ADAMS Accession action. Each nuclear reactor is a in a potential maximum outage/EPU No. ML103560167), and April 22, 2011 Westinghouse pressurized light-water workforce of approximately 3400 during (ADAMS Accession No. ML11115A114). reactor with three steam generators each of the EPU outages.
The NRC published a notice in the producing steam that turns turbines to As part of the overall process to Federal Register requesting public generate electricity. The site features a obtain approval for the EPU, in review and comment on a draft EA and 5,900 ac (2,390 ha) system of closed, September 2007, FPL submitted a VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20061 Petition to Determine Need for included an Environmental Report (ER) modifications. Therefore, land use Expansion of Electrical Power Plants to with FPLs analysis of the reasonably conditions would not change at the PTN the Florida Public Service Commission foreseeable impacts to the environment site. Also, there would be no land use (FPSC). The petition contained FPLs from the construction and operation of changes along transmission line analysis for meeting the need for electric the two new units along with an corridors and no new transmission lines system reliability, integrity, and environmental description of the would be required. The PTN Units 3 providing adequate electricity at a existing PTN site. The NRC staff used and 4 electric switchyard would be reasonable cost; how the proposed EPU information from the licensees license expanded to accommodate new is the most cost-effective alternative amendment request for the EPU, the equipment, which will be expanded on available; and why there are no FESs, SEIS-5 to NUREG-1437, previously disturbed or already renewable energy sources and documents related to the FDEP site developed portions of the PTN site.
technologies or conservation measures certification process, and information Since land use conditions would not reasonably available to FPL that would provided in the Turkey Point COL change at the PTN site, and because any avoid or mitigate the need for the Environmental Report to perform its EA land disturbance would occur within proposed EPU. On January 7, 2008, the for the proposed EPU for PTN Units 3 previously disturbed areas, there would FPSC issued a Final Order Granting and 4. be little or no impact to aesthetic Petition for Determination of Need In order to implement the EPU, resources in the vicinity of PTN Units approving the proposed expansion of significant modifications will be 3 and 4. Therefore, there would be no PTN Units 3 and 4 based on compliance required to the steam and power significant impact from EPU-related with conditions required by the state. conversion equipment located within plant modifications on land use and The Need for the Proposed Action the buildings of PTN Units 3 and 4. Two aesthetic resources in the vicinity of the changes outside of the reactor buildings PTN site.
As stated in the FPLs application, the including a change to the electric proposed action is to provide an Air Quality Impacts switchyard to accommodate new additional supply of electric generation electrical equipment and construction of Major air pollution emission sources in the State of Florida without the need a temporary warehouse for EPU-related at the PTN site are regulated by the to site and construct new facilities. The equipment would occur in developed FDEPs Division of Air Resource proposed EPU will increase the portions of the power plant site. Management under the Prevention of electrical output for each unit by about Modifications to the secondary side (i.e., Significant Deterioration program.
104 megawatts electric (MWe), from non-nuclear) of each unit include the Nonradioactive emission sources at PTN about 700 MWe to about 804 MWe. following: Replacing the high-pressure Units 3 and 4 consist of four 2.5 MWe Environmental Impacts of the Proposed turbine, modifying condensate pump emergency generators, five smaller Action operations, installing fast acting backup emergency generators, and various automatic feedwater isolation valves, general purpose generators regulated As part of the original licensing replacing two feedwater heaters, under a Florida Title V Air Operating process for PTN Units 3 and 4, the NRC published a Final Environmental providing supplemental cooling for Permit. There will be no changes to the Statement (FES) in July 1972. The FES selected plant systems, implementing emissions from these sources as a result contains an evaluation of the potential electrical upgrades, system of the EPU.
environmental impacts associated with modifications to accommodate greater Some minor and short duration air the operation of PTN Units 3 and 4 over steam and condensate flow rates, and quality impacts would occur during their licensed lifetimes. In 2002, the changing system setpoints and implementation of the EPU at the PTN NRC evaluated the environmental associated software. site. The main source of air emissions impacts of renewing the operating The sections below describe the would come from the vehicles driven by license of PTN Units 3 and 4 for an potential nonradiological and outage workers needed to implement additional 20 years beyond its current radiological impacts to the environment the EPU. However, air emissions from operating license. The NRC concluded that could result from the proposed the EPU workforce, truck deliveries, and that the overall environmental impacts EPU. construction/modification activities of license renewal were small. This would not be significantly greater than Nonradiological Impacts previous refueling outages at the PTN evaluation is presented in NUREG-1437, Generic Environmental Impact Land Use and Aesthetic Impacts site.
Statement for License Renewal of Potential land use and aesthetic Upon completion of the proposed Nuclear Plant, Supplement 5, Regarding impacts from the proposed EPU include EPU, nonradioactive air pollutant Turkey Point, Units 3 and 4 (EIS impacts from plant modifications at the emissions would not increase.
Supplement No. 5 (SEIS-5)) issued in PTN site. While some plant components Therefore, there would be no significant January 2002 (ADAMS Accession Nos. would be modified, most plant changes impact on air quality in the region ML020280119, ML020280202, and related to the proposed EPU would during and following implementation of ML020280226). Additionally, in occur within existing structures, the proposed EPU.
October 2008, the State of Florida buildings, and fenced equipment yards Water Use Impacts Department of Environmental Protection housing major components within the (FDEP) completed a thorough and developed part of the site. As previously Surface Water mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES comprehensive review under the discussed, EPU-related modifications at The PTN Units 3 and 4 are located in Florida Electrical Power Plant Siting Act the PTN plant site would occur within the low-lying areas of coastal Miami-and issued a site certification to FPL the developed portions of the power Dade County on the western shore of approving the proposed EPU for PTN plant site. Biscayne Bay. There are no significant Units 3 and 4. In June 2009, FPL Existing parking lots, road access, freshwater surface bodies outside of the submitted an application for a COL for equipment lay-down areas, offices, PTN site (i.e., lakes, major rivers, or two AP1000 PWRs designated as PTN, workshops, warehouses, and restrooms dams), but there is a network of canals, Units 6 and 7. The COL application would be used during plant such as the Everglades National Park-VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
20062 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices South Dade Conveyance System, in Each nuclear unit discharges resources by exceeding State or County addition to local drainage canals that approximately 5.35 billion British water quality standards, or the either control drainage from southeast Thermal Units (BTU) per hour of waste monitoring plan is inconsistent with the Florida to Biscayne Bay or provide heat to the CCS. Under the proposed goals and objectives of the freshwater to the Everglades National EPU, the quantity of waste heat Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Park. The most significant surface water discharged by each nuclear unit to the Plan Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands body on the PTN site is the closed-cycle CCS would increase to approximately Project. Additional measures could cooling canal system (CCS), permitted 6.10 billion BTU per hour. This results include enhanced monitoring, by the State of Florida as an industrial in a net total increase of 1.5 billion BTU modeling, or mitigation. Abatement wastewater facility, used for the cooling in waste heat discharged by both actions provided in the CoC include:
of heated water discharged from the nuclear units. The licensee calculated mitigation measures to comply with main condensers and auxiliary systems that the maximum change in water State and local water quality standards, of PTN Units 1 through 4. temperature due to the proposed EPU which may include methods to reduce The CCS covers approximately 5,900 would be approximately 2.0 °F to 2.5 °F and mitigate salinity levels in ac (2,390 ha) of the PTN site with a large (1.1 °C to 1.4 °C) for a total maximum groundwater; operational changes to the system of north-south aligned 168 miles water temperature up to 108.6 °F (42.6 PTN cooling canal system to reduce of interconnected earthen canals to °C) for water entering the CCS and a 0.9 environmental impacts; and other dissipate heat through surface °F (0.5 °C) increase with a total measures required by FDEP in evaporation. The canals are a closed maximum water temperature up to 92.8 consultation with SFWMD and Miami-recirculating loop that serves as the °F (33.8 °C) for the water returning to Dade County to reduce the ultimate heat sink for PTN Units 3 and the power plants. The licensee environmental impacts to acceptable
- 4. The CCS is operated under an calculated that the higher water levels.
industrial wastewater facility No temperature will increase water losses The field data on surface water Discharge National Pollutant Discharge from the CCS due to evaporation monitoring currently available are being Elimination System (NPDES) permit resulting in a slight increase in salinity reviewed by FPL, FDEP, SFWMD, and from the FDEP (NPDES permit number of approximately 2 to 3 ppt. stakeholders for the development of a FL0001562) for water discharges to an In accordance with the FDEP site water budget model. The data and other onsite closed-loop recirculation cooling certification process for the proposed documentation show that there is EPU, FPL must meet state imposed canal system. The seasonal temperature indirect surface water communication requirements contained in the of the canal water ranges from between the CCS and Biscayne Bay.
Conditions of Certification (CoC). The approximately 85 °F to 105 °F (29 °C to Approving the proposed EPU license CoC was developed based on 40 °C) for heated water entering the CCS amendment is not expected to cause interactions by FPL with the FDEP and with cooled water returning to the significant impacts greater than current other stakeholders, including power plants at approximately 70 °F to operations because the monitoring plan opportunities for public comment, 90 °F (21 °C to 32 °C). Additionally, the will provide data for FPL and state during the FDEP site certification CCS water is hyper-saline (twice the agencies to assess the effectiveness of process. The inclusion of stakeholders salinity of Biscayne Bay) with seasonal current environmental controls and recommendations into the CoC formed variations ranging from approximately the basis for FDEP recommending additional limits and controls could be 40 to 60 parts per thousand (ppt). approval of the site certification imposed if the impacts are larger than The CCS does not discharge directly application for the proposed EPU. The expected. Therefore, there would be no to fresh or marine surface waters. CoC requires FPL to have a program to significant impact to surface water Makeup water to replace water lost due monitor and assess the potential direct resources following implementation of to evaporation comes from used plant and indirect impacts to ground and the proposed EPU.
process water that has been treated, surface water from the proposed EPU. Groundwater incident rainfall, storm water runoff, The monitoring includes measuring and from infiltration and exchange of water temperature and salinity in the Southeastern Miami/Dade County is saline water with local groundwater and CCS and monitoring the American underlain by two aquifer systems; the Biscayne Bay. Because the PTN canals crocodile populations at the PTN site. unconfined Biscayne Aquifer and the are unlined, there is an exchange of The monitoring plan expands FPLs Floridan Aquifer System (FAS). The water between the PTN canal system monitoring of the CCSs ground and Biscayne Aquifer has been declared a and local groundwater and Biscayne surface water to include the land and sole-source aquifer by the U.S.
Bay. An interceptor ditch is located water bodies surrounding the PTN site Environmental Protection Agency along the west side of the CCS. During such as Biscayne Bay. (EPA). The Biscayne Aquifer underlying the dry season, when the natural The implementation of the CoC the PTN site, however, contains saline groundwater gradient is from Biscayne monitoring plan is an ongoing program to saltwater in this area and is not Bay and Card Sound toward the coordinated by FDEP. The results of the usable as a potable water supply. The Everglades, water is pumped from the monitoring will be publicly available FAS underlies approximately 100,000 interceptor ditch to the CCS to create an via a South Florida Water Management square miles (258,000 km2) in southern artificial groundwater gradient from the District (SFWMD) Web site. If the Alabama, southeastern Georgia, Everglades into the ditch. This process proposed EPU is approved by the NRC, southern South Carolina, and all of mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES is used to minimize the flow of hyper- the CoC monitoring plan would Florida. The FAS is a multiple-use saline water from the CCS toward the continue to assess the environmental aquifer system in that where it contains Everglades. Maintenance of the CCS impacts. The CoC allows FDEP to freshwater, it is the principal source of includes mechanical removal of impose additional measures if the water supply. Where the aquifer submerged, rooted marine plants on an monitoring data is insufficient to contains saltwater, such as along the approximate 3-year cycle and removal adequately evaluate environmental southeastern coast of Florida, treated of terrestrial woody vegetation from the changes, or if the data indicates a sewage and industrial wastes are canal berms on a 10-year cycle. significant degradation to aquatic injected into it.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20063 Recharge of groundwater at the PTN revised CoC approved by the FDEP after south, the system exhibits a north-south site varies seasonally between surface consultation with SFWMD and Miami- temperature gradient. Therefore, while recharge during the rainy season and Dade County. the northeast portion of the system may saline recharge from the ocean during Approving the proposed EPU license increase by 2.0 °F to 2.5 °F (1.1 °C to the dry season. As a result, there is a amendment is not expected to cause 1.4 °C) under EPU conditions, the large seasonal variation in the salinity of significant impacts greater than current temperature increase attributable to the the groundwater near the surface at the operations because the monitoring plan EPU would decrease as water moves PTN site. However, below about 40 ft will provide data for FPL and state south through the system. The increased (12 meters (m)) into the Biscayne agencies to assess the effectiveness of discharge temperatures will cause aquifer, relatively high salinity (greater current environmental controls and additional evaporative losses to the than 28 ppt) exists year round. Florida additional limits and controls could be cooling canal system. The Florida classifies the groundwater in this area as imposed if the impacts are larger than Department of Environmental Protection G-III based on its salinity. This expected. Therefore, there would be no predicted that an additional 2 to 3 classification is used to identify significant impact to the groundwater million gallons per day (7,600 to 11,000 groundwater that has no reasonable following implementation of the cubic meters per day) will be lost to potential as a future source of drinking proposed EPU. evaporation under EPU conditions. The water due to high total dissolved solids. Aquatic Resources Impacts increased evaporation would, in turn, The current and proposed operations increase the cooling canals salinity of at the PTN site do not require the The discharges of chemicals and 40 to 60 ppt by 2 to 3 ppt. Due to the withdrawal of groundwater. The potable heated wastewater from PTN Units 3 north-south temperature gradient, water and general service water supply and 4 have the potential to impact evaporative losses would be greater in at the PTN site are provided by Miami- aquatic biota from the proposed EPU. the northern portion of the canal Dade County public water supply. This Biscayne Bay and Card Sound are system, and thus, salinity will also potable water comes from the Biscayne shallow, subtropical marine waters demonstrate a north-south gradient.
Aquifer, which occurs at or close to the located between the mainland and a The cooling canal system supports a ground surface and extends to a depth grouping of barrier islands that form the variety of aquatic species typical of of about 70 ft (21 m) below the surface. northernmost Florida Keys. These shallow, subtropical, hyper-saline The PTN Units 3 and 4 use waters contain a variety of marine life, environments, including phytoplankton, approximately 690 gallons per minute including seagrass, sponges, mollusks, zooplankton, marine algae, rooted (2612 liters per minute (L/min)) of crustaceans, fish, sea turtles, and marine plants, crabs, and estuarine fish. The potable water. The licensee is not mammals. The portion of Biscayne Bay most abundant fish in the cooling canal requesting an increase in water supply adjacent to Turkey Point is part of system is killifish (Family under the proposed EPU. Therefore, no Biscayne National Park, which includes Cyprinidontidae). The aquatic species significant impacts to offsite users of the the mainland shore, the bay, the keys, found within the cooling canal system Miami-Dade public water supply are and offshore coral reefs. The Intracoastal are subtropical or tropical and readily expected. Waterway traverses Biscayne Bay and adapt to hyper saline environments. The As discussed in the surface water Card Sound, and a barge passage runs aquatic populations within the cooling impacts section, the FPLs from the Intracoastal Waterway to the canal system do not contribute any implementation of the CoC monitoring fossil-fueled facility at the PTN site. commercial or recreational value plan is ongoing and consists of an Biscayne Bay and Card Sound would be because the cooling canal system is integrated system of surface, unaffected by the proposed EPU because owner-controlled and closed to the groundwater, vadose zone, and ecologic FPL does not withdraw or discharge to public.
sampling. Fourteen groundwater any natural water body. Because aquatic organisms in the monitoring well clusters at selected sites Turkey Points cooling system cooling canal system are unable to travel have been constructed in accordance receives heated water discharged from to or from Biscayne Bay, Card Sound, or with the monitoring plan and an the two reactors as well as from the two any other natural water body, changes to associated quality assurance plan. The fossil fueled electric generating stations. the conditions within the cooling canal field data collected prior to The cooling system spans about 5,900 ac system would not affect any aquatic implementation of the proposed EPU (2,400 ha) spread out over a 5 mi by 2 species populations in the natural will be used to characterize existing mi (8 km by 3.2 km) area of the site. The aquatic habitats. Therefore, the staff environmental conditions from current heated water is discharged into a series concludes that there would be no PTN operations. The CoC allows the of 32 feeder channels that dissipate the significant impacts to aquatic resources FDEP to require additional measures if heat. The feeder channels merge into a as a result of the proposed EPU.
the pre- and post-EPU monitoring data single collector canal that returns the are insufficient to evaluate changes as a cooled water to the plants through a Terrestrial Resources Impacts result of the EPU. If the data indicate an main return canal and six return The PTN site is situated on low, adverse impact, additional measures, channels. swampy land that was previously including enhanced monitoring, Under EPU conditions, the cooling mangrove-covered tidal flats. Mangrove modeling or mitigation, would likely be canal system would increase in both swamps extend inland approximately 3 required to evaluate or to abate such temperature and salinity. The licensee to 4 mi (5 to 6.5 km), and undeveloped impacts. predicts that discharged water would portions of the site remain under 1 to 3 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Abatement actions provided in the increase a maximum of an additional inches (2 to 8 centimeters) of water, CoC include: (1) Mitigation measures to 2.5 °F (1.4 °C), which would increase even during low tide. Of the 24,000-ac offset such impacts of the proposed EPU the change in temperature as water (9,700-ha) site, approximately 11,000-ac necessary to comply with State and passes through the condensers from 16.8 is developed for PTN Units 3 and 4, the local water quality standards; (2) °F to 18.8 °F (9.3 to 10.4 °C). Because cooling canal system, and three FPL-operational changes in the cooling canal condenser cooling water discharges at owned fossil fuel units.
system to reduce impacts; and (3) other the northeastern corner of the cooling The impacts that could potentially measures to abate impacts specified a canal system flows west, and then affect terrestrial resources include loss VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:51 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
20064 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices of habitat, construction and transport and erosion is not a concern Service (as appropriate), must ensure refurbishment-related noise and lighting because activity would only take place that actions the agency authorizes, and sediment transport or erosion. on previously developed land and best funds, or carries out are not likely to Because all activities associated with management practices would ensure jeopardize the continued existence of the EPU would occur on the developed that no loose sediment is transported to any listed species or result in the portion of the site, the proposed EPU wetland areas, tidal flats, or waterways. destruction or adverse modification of would not directly affect any natural The staff concludes that the proposed critical habitat.
terrestrial habitats and would not result EPU would have no significant effect on terrestrial resources. In order to fulfill its duties under in loss of habitat. Noise and lighting section 7 of the ESA, the NRC prepared would not impact terrestrial species Threatened and Endangered Species and submitted a biological assessment beyond what would be experienced Impacts to the FWS on September 9, 2011, in during normal operations because Under Section 7 of the Endangered order to determine the potential effects refurbishment and construction Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), of the proposed EPU on Federally listed activities would take place during Federal agencies, in consultation with species. The following Table identifies outage periods, which are already the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the species that the NRC considered in periods of heightened activity. Sediment (FWS) or the National Marine Fisheries its biological assessment.
TABLE OF FEDERALLY LISTED SPECIES OCCURRING IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ESA Scientific name Common name status (a)
Aquatic Invertebrates Acropora cervicornis ....................................................................... staghorn coral ................................................................................ PT Acropora palmate ............................................................................ elkhorn coral .................................................................................. PT Birds Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis ................................................... Cape Sable seaside sparrow ........................................................ E Charadrius melodus ........................................................................ piping plover .................................................................................. T Dendroica kirtlandii .......................................................................... Kirtlands warbler (b) ....................................................................... E Mycteria americana ......................................................................... wood stork ..................................................................................... E Polyborus plancus audubonii .......................................................... Audubons crested caracara (b) ...................................................... T Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus .................................................... Everglade snail kite ....................................................................... E Vermivora bachmanii ...................................................................... Bachmans warbler (b) .................................................................... E Fish Pristis pectinata ............................................................................... smalltooth sawfish ......................................................................... E Flowering Plants Amorpha crenulata .......................................................................... crenulate lead-plant ....................................................................... E Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. Deltoidea ........................................... deltoid spurge ................................................................................ E Chamaesyce garberi ....................................................................... Garbers spurge ............................................................................. T Cucurbita okeechobeensis ssp. Okeechobeensis .......................... okeechobee gourd (b) ..................................................................... E Galactia smallii ................................................................................ Smalls milkpea .............................................................................. E Halophia johnsonii ........................................................................... Johnsons sea grass ...................................................................... T Jacquemontia reclinata ................................................................... beach jacquemontia ...................................................................... E Polygala smallii ............................................................................... tiny polygala ................................................................................... E Insects Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus ................................................ schaus swallowtail butterfly ........................................................... E Mammals Puma concolor ................................................................................ mountain lion(b) .............................................................................. T/SA Felis concolor coryi ......................................................................... Florida panther .............................................................................. E Trichechus manatus ........................................................................ West Indian manatee .................................................................... E Reptiles mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Alligator mississippiensis ................................................................ American alligator .......................................................................... T/SA Caretta caretta ................................................................................ loggerhead sea turtle ..................................................................... T Chelonia mydas .............................................................................. green sea turtle ............................................................................. E Crocodylus acutus ........................................................................... American crocodile ........................................................................ T Dermochelys coriacea ..................................................................... leatherback sea turtle .................................................................... E Drymarchon corais couperi ............................................................. eastern indigo snake ..................................................................... T VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20065 TABLE OF FEDERALLY LISTED SPECIES OCCURRING IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTYContinued ESA Scientific name Common name status (a)
Eretmochelys imbricata ................................................................... hawksbill sea turtle ........................................................................ E Lepidochelys kempii ........................................................................ Kemps ridley sea turtle (c) ............................................................. E Snails Orthalicus reses .............................................................................. Stock Island tree snail (b) ............................................................... T (a) E
= endangered; PT = proposed threaten; T = threatened; T/SA = threatened due to similarity of appearance.
(b) Species not previously considered in 2001 biological assessment for Turkey Point.
(c) The Kemps ridley is not listed by the FWS as occurring in Miami-Dade County. However, the species occurs in the neighboring Monroe County and FPL has reported the species occurrence in Biscayne Bay and Card Sound.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In the biological assessment, the NRC resources in the vicinity of PTN Units trailers. According to the 2010 census concluded that the proposed EPU may 3 and 4 and the switchyard. housing data, there were approximately adversely affect the American crocodile 122,000 vacant housing units in Miami-Socioeconomic Impacts (Crocodylus acutus). The NRC Dade County available to meet the concluded that the proposed EPU would Potential socioeconomic impacts from demand for rental housing.
not adversely affect the remaining 30 the proposed EPU include increased Additionally, there are over 200,000 species listed in the Table above. The demand for short-term housing, public available public lodging NRC also concluded that the proposed services, and increased traffic in the accommodations in Miami-Dade EPU may adversely modify the cooling region due to the temporary increase in County. Therefore, a temporary increase canal system, which is designated as a the number of workers at the PTN site in plant employment for this duration critical habitat for the American required to implement the EPU. The would have little or no noticeable effect crocodile. proposed EPU could also increase tax on the availability of housing and public The FWS responded to NRCs payments due to increased power services in the region.
biological assessment on October 25, generation. The principal road access to the PTN Approximately 800 people are site is via East Palm Drive (SW 344 2011. In their letter, the FWS concluded employed at PTN Units 3 and 4 on a Street). East Palm Drive is a two-lane that the proposed EPU may affect, but full-time basis with increases of road for approximately half of its length is not likely to adversely affect, the approximately 600-900 during periodic from the PTN plant to Florida City, American crocodile. The FWS also refueling outages. These workers reside where it intersects with U.S. Highway 1 noted that the proposed EPU is unlikely primarily in Miami-Dade County, approximately 14 km (9 miles) from the to result in modification to designated Florida. The licensee estimates that it PTN site. Increased traffic volumes American crocodile critical habitat. This will need approximately 2500 workers during normal refueling outages letter fulfilled the NRCs requirements for implementation of the EPU resulting typically have not degraded the level of under Section 7 of the ESA.
in a potential maximum outage/EPU service capacity on local roads. The FPL Based on the FWSs conclusions, the workforce of approximately 3400 during evaluation asserts that the projected NRC concludes that the proposed EPU each of the EPU outages. The licensee traffic will remain well within the would not significantly impact estimates that the outages to implement Miami-Dade County peak hour capacity.
threatened or endangered species. the EPU will last approximately 160 Therefore, the roadways used by plant Historic and Archaeological Resources days for Unit 3 and 130 days for Unit workers and the public are expected to Impacts 4. As previously discussed, EPU-related operate at an acceptable level of service modifications would take place during as designated by Miami-Dade County.
As reported in the SEIS-5, the NRC the spring and fall 2012 refueling However, the additional number of reviewed historic and archaeological outages for Units 3 and 4, respectively. workers and truck material and site files at the Florida Department of Once EPU-related plant modifications equipment deliveries needed to support State, Division of Historical Resources; have been completed, the size of the EPU-related plant modifications could the National Park Service Southeast refueling outage workforce would return cause short-term level of service impacts Archaeological Center; and at Biscayne to normal levels, with no significant on access roads in the immediate National Park; and confirmed that no increases expected during future vicinity of PTN. During periods of high historic or archaeological and historic refueling outages. The size of the regular traffic volume (i.e., morning and architectural sites have been recorded plant workforce is not expected to be afternoon shift changes), work on the PTN site. As previously affected by the proposed EPU. schedules could be staggered and discussed, EPU-related plant Most of the EPU-related plant employees and/or local police officials modifications would take place within modification workers would be could be used to direct traffic entering existing buildings and facilities at PTN, expected to relocate temporarily to and leaving the PTN site to minimize mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES except for the expansion of the Miami-Dade County, resulting in short- level of service impacts on SW 334th switchyard on previously disturbed term increases in the local population Street (East Palm Drive).
land. Since ground disturbance or along with increased demands for Tangible personal property construction-related activities would public services and housing. Because (principally business equipment) and not occur outside of previously plant modification work would be short- real property (namely land and disturbed areas, there would be no term and up to half a year, most workers permanent buildings) are subject to significant impact from the proposed would stay in available rental homes, property tax in Florida as administered EPU on historic and archaeological apartments, mobile homes, and camper- by the local government. For 2007, FPL VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
20066 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices paid approximately $6.9 million to persons of Hispanic or Latino origin Nonradiological Cumulative Impacts Miami-Dade County and the Miami- comprising the largest minority group The NRC considered potential Dade school district in real property (82 percent) in 2009. cumulative impacts on the environment taxes for PTN Units 3 and 4. Future According to 2000 census data, low- resulting from the incremental impact of property tax payments could take into income populations comprised the proposed EPU when added to other account the increased value of PTN approximately 98,000 families and past, present, and reasonably Units 3 and 4 as a result of the EPU and 488,000 individuals (approximately 13 foreseeable future actions. For the increased power generation. and 16 percent, respectively) residing purposes of this analysis, past actions Due to the short duration of EPU- within a 50-mi (80-km) radius of the are related to the construction and related plant modification activities, PTN site.
The 2009 Federal poverty threshold licensing of PTN Units 3 and 4, present there would be little or no noticeable was $22,490 for a family of four with actions are related to current operations, effect on tax revenues generated by one related child under 18 years. and future actions are those that are temporary workers residing in Miami-According to census data in the 2009 reasonably foreseeable through the end Dade County. Therefore, there would be no significant adverse socioeconomic American Community Survey 1-Year of station operations including impacts from EPU-related plant Estimate, the median household income operations under the EPU.
for Florida was $53,500, with 11 percent The application to build two new modifications and operations under of families and 15 percent of individuals nuclear units at the PTN site is EPU conditions in the vicinity of the determined to be living below the considered a reasonably foreseeable PTN site.
Federal poverty threshold. Miami-Dade future action that is considered in this Environmental Justice Impacts County had a lower median household review. A COL application was The environmental justice impact income average ($42,000) than the State submitted by FPL to the NRC in June analysis evaluates the potential for of Florida and also had higher 2009, for the construction and operation disproportionately high and adverse percentages of county families (14 of two Westinghouse AP1000 units at human health and environmental effects percent) and individuals (18 percent), the PTN site along with the construction on minority and low-income respectively, living below the poverty of transmission corridors. It is expected, populations that could result from level. however, that the proposed EPU, if activities associated with the proposed approved, would be completed prior to EPU at the PTN site. Such effects may Environmental Justice Impact Analysis the construction of the new units. Thus, include human health, biological, Potential impacts to minority and the cumulative impacts briefly cultural, economic, or social impacts. low-income populations would mostly discussed in this section consider PTN Minority and low-income populations consist of environmental and Units 3 and 4 operations (under the are subsets of the general public socioeconomic effects (e.g., noise, dust, EPU) combined with the environmental residing in the vicinity of the PTN site, traffic, employment, and housing impacts from the proposed construction and all are exposed to the same health impacts). Radiation doses from plant and operation of PTN Units 6 and 7.
and environmental effects generated operations after the EPU are expected to It is important to note that submitting from activities at PTN Units 3 and 4. continue to remain below regulatory the COL application does not commit The NRC considered the demographic limits. FPL to build two new nuclear units, and composition of the area within a 50-mi Noise and dust impacts would be does not constitute approval of the (80-km) radius of the PTN site to short-term and limited to onsite proposal by the NRC. The COL determine the location of minority and activities. Minority and low-income application will be evaluated on its low-income populations and whether populations residing along site access merits and after considering and they may be affected by the proposed and the primary commuter roads evaluating the environmental and safety action. through Florida City, Florida (e.g., U.S. implications of the proposal, the NRC Minority populations in the vicinity Highway 1 and East Palm Drive) could will decide whether to approve or deny of the PTN site, according to the U.S. experience increased commuter vehicle the licenses. Environmental impacts of Census Bureau data for 2000, comprise traffic during shift changes. Increased constructing and operating PTN Units 6 approximately 70 percent of the demand for rental housing during EPU- and 7 will depend on their actual design population (approximately 2,170,000 related plant modifications could characteristics, construction practices, individuals) residing within a 50-mile disproportionately affect low-income and power plant operations. These (80-kilometer) radius of the PTN site. populations. However, due to the short impacts will be assessed by the NRC in The largest minority group was duration of the EPU-related work and a separate National Environmental Hispanic or Latino (approximately the availability of rental housing, Policy Act (NEPA) document. The 1,465,000 persons or 47 percent), impacts to minority and low-income cumulative impacts presented in this followed by Black or African Americans populations would be short-term and EA may differ from those impacts (approximately 670,000 persons or limited. According to 2010 census assessed for the COL.
about 22 percent). information, there were approximately For some resource areas (e.g., air According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 122,000 vacant housing units in Miami- quality, water, aquatic, terrestrial about 83 percent of the Miami-Dade Dade County and approximately 20,000 resources, and threatened and County population identified vacant housing units in Monroe County. endangered species), the contributory themselves as minorities, with persons Based on this information and the effect of ongoing actions within a region mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES of Hispanic or Latino origin comprising analysis of human health and are regulated and monitored through a the largest minority group (63 percent). environmental impacts presented in this permitting process (e.g., NPDES and According to 2009 American environmental assessment, the proposed 401/404 permits under the Clean Water Community Survey census data 1-year EPU would not have disproportionately Act) under State or Federal authority. In estimate, as a percent of total high and adverse human health and these cases, impacts are managed as population, the minority population of environmental effects on minority and long as these actions are in compliance Miami-Dade County increased low-income populations residing in the with their respective permits and approximately one percent, with vicinity of the PTN site. conditions of certification.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20067 Units 6 and 7 of the PTN site would PTN Units 6 and 7. Less mobile animals, Land needed for the proposed PTN be constructed on undeveloped land such as reptiles, amphibians, and small Units 6 and 7 has been surveyed for immediately south of PTN Units 3 and mammals, would incur greater mortality historical and archaeological sites. The
- 4. The EPU modifications to PTN Units than more mobile animals, such as survey identified no new or previously 3 and 4 are expected to be completed birds. Although undisturbed habitat recorded historic or archaeological before the proposed PTN Units 6 and 7 would be available for displaced resources within or adjacent to the are constructed. animals during construction, increased proposed site.
Units 6 and 7 of the PTN site would competition for available habitat may Socioeconomic impacts from the have a closed-cycle cooling system result in local population stresses. As construction and operation of PTN utilizing cooling towers with makeup construction activities end, habitats Units 6 and 7 would occur several years water from Biscayne Bay and treated could be restored either naturally or after the EPU. The large construction wastewater from Miami-Dade County. through mitigation activities.
and operation workforces combined Waste water discharges are expected to Terrestrial species and habitat could be disposed of by deep well injection. be affected by PTN Units 6 and 7 with ongoing operation of PTN Units 3 Impacts to water resources for PTN cooling system operations. As described and 4 under the EPU would have a Units 3 and 4 and PTN Units 6 and 7 in the Environmental Report for the new noticeable effect on socioeconomic would occur separately, and any units, the primary source of makeup conditions in local communities from potential cumulative impacts would not water would be treated waste water the increased demand for temporary and be significantly greater than current from the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer permanent housing, public services operations. Department. If not enough reclaimed (e.g., public schools), and increased Units 6 and 7of the PTN site water is available to meet the needs of traffic.
transmission lines, and related PTN Units 6 and 7, then seawater would Nonradiological Impacts Summary infrastructure improvements would be be withdrawn from under Biscayne Bay constructed and operated according to via radial collector wells. Because of As discussed above, the proposed Federal and State regulations, permit this situation, the operation of EPU would not result in any significant conditions, existing procedures, and mechanical draft cooling towers can nonradiological impacts. Table 1 established best management practices. result in salt deposition (i.e., salt drift); summarizes the nonradiological Nevertheless, wildlife may be destroyed a greater risk of avian collision environmental impacts of the proposed or displaced during land clearing for mortality; and noise. EPU at PTN Units 3 and 4.
TABLE 1
SUMMARY
OF NONRADIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Land Use ................................................... The proposed EPU is not expected to cause a significant impact on land use conditions and aes-thetic resources in the vicinity of the PTN.
Air Quality ................................................. The proposed EPU is not expected to cause a significant impact to air quality.
Water Use ................................................. The proposed EPU is not expected to cause impacts significantly greater than current operations.
No significant impact on groundwater or surface water resources.
Aquatic Resources .................................... The proposed EPU is not expected to cause impacts significantly greater than current operations.
No significant impact to aquatic resources due to chemical or thermal discharges.
Terrestrial Resources ................................ The proposed EPU is not expected to cause impacts significantly greater than current operations.
No significant impact to terrestrial resources.
Threatened and Endangered Species ...... The proposed EPU would not cause impacts significantly greater than current operations. No signifi-cant impact to federally-listed species.
Historic and Archaeological Resources .... No significant impact to historic and archaeological resources on site or in the vicinity of the PTN.
Socioeconomics ........................................ No significant socioeconomic impacts from EPU-related temporary increase in workforce.
Environmental Justice ............................... No disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority and low-income populations in the vicinity of the PTN site.
Cumulative Impacts .................................. The proposed EPU would not cause impacts significantly greater than current operations. To ad-dress potential cumulative impacts for water and ecological resources, a monitoring plan for the PTN site has been implemented. The State of Florida has authority to impose limits on nonradio-logical discharges to abate any significant hydrology and ecology impacts.
The NRC staff has not identified any significant cumulative impacts associated with construction and operation of Units 6 and 7; however, the NRC will prepare a separate Environmental Impact State-ment documenting the potential impacts associated with the construction and operation of Units 6 and 7.
Radiological Impacts radioactive gaseous, liquid, or solid systems, gases collected during system Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid waste systems. venting, gases used for tank cover gas, Effluents and Solid Waste and gases generated in the Radioactive Gaseous Effluents radiochemistry laboratory. The The PTN uses waste treatment The gaseous waste management licensees evaluation determined that systems to collect, process, recycle, and systems include the radioactive gaseous implementation of the proposed EPU mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES dispose of gaseous, liquid, and solid wastes that contain radioactive material system, which manages radioactive would not significantly increase the in a safe and controlled manner within gases generated during the nuclear inventory of carrier gases normally NRC and EPA radiation safety fission process. Radioactive gaseous processed in the gaseous waste standards. The licensees evaluation of wastes are principally activation gases management system, since plant system plant operation at the proposed EPU and fission product radioactive noble functions are not changing and the conditions shows that no physical gases resulting from process operations, volume inputs remain the same. The changes would be needed to the including continuous degasification of analysis also showed that the proposed VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
20068 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices EPU would result in an increase in the the FES for PTN Units 3 and 4. The Occupational Radiation Dose at EPU equilibrium radioactivity in the reactor existing equipment and plant Conditions coolant, which in turn increases the procedures that control radioactive The licensee stated that the in-plant radioactivity in the waste disposal releases to the environment will radiation sources are expected to systems and radioactive gases released continue to be used to maintain increase approximately linearly with the from the plant. The bounding increases radioactive liquid releases within the proposed increase in core power level.
in effluent releases estimated by the dose limits of 10 CFR 20.1302 and To protect the workers, the licensees licensee from the proposed EPU are 17.1 ALARA dose standards in Appendix I to radiation protection program monitors percent for noble gases, 17.6 percent for 10 CFR Part 50. radiation levels throughout the plant to gaseous radionuclides with short half- establish appropriate work controls, lives, and 15.3 percent for tritium while Radioactive Solid Wastes training, temporary shielding, and a higher secondary side moisture Radioactive solid wastes include protective equipment requirements so carryover could result in a bounding solids recovered from the reactor that worker doses will remain within increase of 25.3 percent in iodine coolant systems, solids that come into the dose limits of 10 CFR Part 20 and releases.
The licensees evaluation concluded contact with the radioactive liquids or ALARA.
that the proposed EPU would not gases, and solids used in the reactor In addition to the work controls change the radioactive gaseous waste coolant system operation. The licensee implemented by the radiation protection systems design function and reliability evaluated the potential effects of the program, permanent and temporary to safely control and process the waste. proposed EPU on the solid waste shielding is used throughout PTN Units The projected gaseous release following management system. The largest volume 3 and 4 to protect plant personnel EPU would remain bounded by the of radioactive solid waste is low-level against radiation from the reactor and values given in the FES for PTN Units radioactive waste (LLRW), which auxiliary systems containing radioactive 3 and 4. The existing equipment and includes sludge, oily waste, bead resin, material. The licensee determined that plant procedures that control spent filters, and dry active waste that the current shielding design is adequate radioactive releases to the environment result from routine plant operation, to offset the increased radiation levels will continue to be used to maintain that are expected to occur from the refueling outages, and routine radioactive gaseous releases within the proposed EPU since:
maintenance. Dry active waste includes dose limits of 10 CFR 20.1302 and the
- Conservative analytical techniques paper, plastic, wood, rubber, glass, floor as low as is reasonably achievable were used to establish the shielding sweepings, cloth, metal, and other types (ALARA) dose objectives in Appendix I requirements, of waste generated during routine
- Conservatism in the original design to 10 CFR Part 50. maintenance and outages. basis reactor coolant source terms used Radioactive Liquid Effluents The licensee manages LLRW to establish the radiation zones, and The liquid waste management system contractually and continues to ship
- Plant Technical Specification 3.4.8, collects, processes, and prepares Class A, B, and C LLRW offsite for which limits the reactor coolant radioactive liquid waste for disposal. processing and disposal. concentrations to levels significantly Radioactive liquid wastes include EnergySolutions, Inc. (with a Class A below the original design basis source liquids from various equipment drains, disposal facility located in Clive, Utah) terms.
floor drains, the chemical and volume is currently under contract with FPL for Based on the above, the staff control system, steam generator the processing and disposal of Class A concludes that the proposed EPU is not blowdown, chemistry laboratory drains, LLRW. Studsvik, Inc., is under contract expected to significantly affect radiation laundry drains, decontamination area with FPL for processing, storage, and levels within the plants and, therefore, drains and liquids used to transfer solid disposal of Class B and C LLRW. there would not be a significant radioactive waste. The licensees As stated by the licensee, the radiological impact to the workers.
evaluation shows that the proposed EPU proposed EPU would not have a Offsite Doses at EPU Conditions implementation would not significantly significant effect on the generation of The primary sources of offsite dose to increase the inventory of liquid radioactive solid waste volume from the members of the public from PTN Units normally processed by the liquid waste primary reactor coolant and secondary 3 and 4 are radioactive gaseous and management system. This is because the side systems since the systems functions liquid effluents. The contribution of system functions are not changing and the volume inputs remain the same. The are not changing and the volume inputs radiation shine from plant buildings and proposed EPU would result in a 15.3- remain consistent with historical stored radioactive solid waste was percent increase in the equilibrium generation rates. The waste can be evaluated by the licensee and found to radioactivity in the reactor coolant handled by the solid waste management be negligible. As previously discussed, which in turn would impact the system without modification. The operation at the proposed EPU concentrations of radioactive nuclides equipment is designed and operated to conditions will not change the in the waste disposal systems. process the waste into a form that radioactive waste management systems Since the composition of the minimizes potential harm to the abilities to perform their intended radioactive material in the waste and workers and the environment. Waste functions. Also, there would be no the volume of radioactive material processing areas are monitored for change to the radiation monitoring radiation and there are safety features to mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES processed through the system are not system and procedures used to control expected to significantly change, the ensure worker doses are maintained the release of radioactive effluents in current design and operation of the within regulatory limits. The proposed accordance with NRC radiation radioactive liquid waste system will EPU would not generate a new type of protection standards in 10 CFR Part 20 accommodate the effects of the waste or create a new waste stream. and Appendix I to 10 CFR Part 50.
proposed EPU. The projected liquid Therefore, the impact from the proposed Based on the above, the offsite effluent release following EPU would EPU on the management of radioactive radiation dose to members of the public remain bounded by the values given in solid waste would not be significant. would continue to be within NRC and VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20069 EPA regulatory limits and, therefore, Regulatory Guide 1.183, Alternative demonstrate that the dose to members of would not be significant. Radiological Source Terms (AST) for the public from radioactive effluents is Evaluating Design Basis Accidents at within the limits of 10 CFR Part 20 and Spent Nuclear Fuel Nuclear Power Reactors. On June 25, 40 CFR Part 190. To evaluate the Spent fuel from PTN Units 3 and 4 is 2010, the licensee submitted a projected dose at EPU conditions for stored in the plants spent fuel pool and supplement to LAR 196 to revise the PTN Units 3 and 4, the NRC staff in dry casks in the Independent Spent radiological dose consequence analyses. increased the actual dose data contained Fuel Storage Installation. The PTN Units The analyses for LAR 196 are applicable in the reports by 15 percent. The 3 and 4 are licensed to use uranium- for the power level in the proposed projected doses at EPU conditions dioxide fuel that has a maximum EPU. The NRC evaluated the proposed remained within regulatory limits.
enrichment of 4.5 percent by weight changes in LAR 196 separately from the Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that uranium-235. Approval of the proposed EPU. there would not be a significant EPU would increase the maximum fuel In LAR 196, the licensee reviewed the cumulative radiological impact to enrichment to 5 percent by weight various design-basis accident (DBA) members of the public from increased uranium-235. The average fuel assembly analyses performed in support of the radioactive effluents from PTN Units 3 discharge burnup for the proposed EPU proposed EPU for their potential and 4 at the proposed EPU operation.
is expected to be approximately 52,000 radiological consequences and megawatt days per metric ton uranium concluded that the analyses adequately A COL application was submitted in (MWd/MTU) with no fuel pins account for the effects of the proposed June 2009 to the NRC to construct and exceeding the maximum fuel rod EPU. The licensee states that the results operate two new AP1000 reactor plants burnup limit of 62,000 MWd/MTU. The of the revised AST analysis were found on the PTN site designated as Units 6 licensees fuel reload design goals will to be acceptable with respect to the and 7. The FPL radiological assessment maintain the fuel cycles within the radiological consequences of postulated of the radiation doses to members of the limits bounded by the impacts analyzed DBAs, since the calculated doses meet public from the proposed two new in 10 CFR Part 51, Table S-3Table of the exposure guideline values specified reactors concluded that the doses would Uranium Fuel Cycle Environmental in 10 CFR 50.67 and General Design be within regulatory limits. The staff Data, and Table S-4Environmental Criteria 19 in Appendix A of 10 CFR expects continued compliance with Impact of Transportation of Fuel and Part 50. regulatory dose limits during PTN Units Waste to and from One Light-Water- The results of the NRCs evaluation 3 and 4 operations at the proposed EPU Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor, as and conclusion approving the proposed power level. Therefore, the staff supplemented by NUREG-1437, changes submitted in LAR 196 are concludes that the cumulative Volume 1, Addendum1, Generic documented in a Safety Evaluation radiological impacts to members of the Environmental Impact Statement for related to Amendment Nos. 244 and 240 public from increased radioactive License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, for PTN Units 3 and 4, respectively effluents from the combined operations Main Report, Section 6.3 (ADAMS Accession No. ML110800666) of PTN Units 3 and 4 at EPU conditions Transportation Table 9.1, Summary of and the proposed two new reactors Radiological Cumulative Impacts findings on NEPA issues for license would not be significant.
renewal of nuclear power plants. The radiological dose limits for protection of the public and workers As previously discussed, the licensee Therefore, there would be no significant has a radiation protection program that impacts resulting from spent nuclear have been developed by the NRC and EPA to address the cumulative impact maintains worker doses within the dose fuel. limits in 10 CFR Part 20 during all of acute and long-term exposure to Postulated Design-Basis Accident Doses radiation and radioactive material. phases of PTN Units 3 and 4 operations.
Postulated design-basis accidents are These dose limits are specified in 10 The NRC staff expects continued evaluated by both the licensee and the CFR Part 20 and 40 CFR Part 190. compliance with NRCs occupational NRC to ensure that PTN Units 3 and 4 The cumulative radiation dose to the dose limits during operation at the can withstand normal and abnormal public and workers are required to be proposed EPU power level. Therefore, transients and a broad spectrum of within the regulations cited above. The the staff concludes that operation of postulated accidents without undue public dose limit of 25 millirem (0.25 PTN Units 3 and 4 at the proposed EPU hazard to the health and safety of the millisieverts) in 40 CFR Part 190 applies levels would not result in a significant public. to all reactors that may be on a site and impact to the workers cumulative On June 25, 2009, the licensee also includes any other nearby nuclear radiological dose.
submitted license amendment request power reactor facilities. There is no Radiological Impacts Summary (LAR) number 196 (LAR 196), other nuclear power reactor or uranium Alternative Source Term to the NRC, to fuel cycle facility located near PTN As discussed above, the proposed update its design-basis accident Units 3 and 4. The NRC staff reviewed EPU would not result in any significant analysis. In LAR 196, the licensee several years of radiation dose data radiological impacts. Table 2 requested NRC approval to use a set of contained in the licensees annual summarizes the radiological revised radiological consequence radioactive effluent release reports for environmental impacts of the proposed analyses using the guidance in NRCs PTN Units 3 and 4. The data EPU at PTN Units 3 and 4.
TABLE 2
SUMMARY
OF RADIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Radioactive Gaseous Effluents ................. Amount of additional radioactive gaseous effluents generated would be handled by the existing sys-tem.
Radioactive Liquid Effluents ..................... Amount of additional radioactive liquid effluents generated would be handled by the existing system.
Occupational Radiation Doses ................. Occupational doses would continue to be maintained within NRC limits.
Offsite Radiation Doses ............................ Radiation doses to members of the public would remain below NRC and EPA radiation protection standards.
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20070 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices TABLE 2
SUMMARY
OF RADIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTSContinued Radioactive Solid Waste ........................... Amount of additional radioactive solid waste generated would be handled by the existing system.
Spent Nuclear Fuel ................................... The spent fuel characteristics will remain within the bounding criteria used in the impact analysis in 10 CFR Part 51, Table S-3 and Table S-4.
Postulated Design-Basis Accident Doses Calculated doses for postulated design-basis accidents would remain within NRC limits.
Cumulative Radiological ........................... Radiation doses to the public and plant workers would remain below NRC and EPA radiation protec-tion standards.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action permanent changes are involved and the searching on http://www.regulations.gov As an alternative to the proposed temporary impacts are within under Docket ID 2012-0078.
action, the NRC staff considered denial previously disturbed areas at the site You may submit comments by the of the proposed EPU (i.e., the no- and the capacity of the plant systems. following methods:
Accordingly, the NRC has determined it
- Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to action alternative). Denial of the is not necessary to prepare an http://www.regulations.gov and search application would result in no change environmental impact statement for the for Docket ID 2012-0078. Address in the current environmental impacts.
proposed action. questions about NRC dockets to Carol However, if the EPU were not approved Gallagher; telephone: 301-492-3668; for PTN Units 3 and 4, other agencies Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day of March 2012.
email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov.
and electric power organizations may be
- Mail comments to: Cindy Bladey, required to pursue other means, such as For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Chief, Rules, Announcements, and fossil fuel or alternative fuel power Jason C. Paige, Directives Branch (RADB), Office of generation, to provide electric Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch 2- Administration, Mail Stop: TWB generation capacity to offset future 2, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, B01M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory demand. Construction and operation of Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. Commission, Washington, DC 20555-such a fossil-fueled or alternative-fueled [FR Doc. 2012-7947 Filed 4-2-12; 8:45 am] 0001.
plant could result in impacts in air BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
- Fax comments to: RADB at 301-quality, land use, and waste 492-3446.
management greater than those For additional direction on accessing identified for the proposed EPU for PTN NUCLEAR REGULATORY information and submitting comments, Units 3 and 4. Furthermore, the COMMISSION see Accessing Information and proposed EPU does not involve Submitting Comments in the
[NRC-2012-0078]
environmental impacts that are SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of significantly different from those Biweekly Notice of Applications and this document.
originally identified in the PTN Unit 3 Amendments to Facility Operating SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
or Unit 4 FES, and NUREG-1437, SEIS- Licenses and Combined Licenses
- 5. Involving No Significant Hazards I. Accessing Information and Considerations Submitting Comments Alternative Use of Resources A. Accessing Information The action does not involve the use of Background any different resources than those Please refer to Docket ID 2012-0078 Pursuant to Section 189a. (2) of the when contacting the NRC about the previously considered in the PTN Unit Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended 3 or Unit 4 FES. availability of information regarding this (the Act), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory document. You may access information Agencies and Persons Consulted Commission (the Commission or NRC) related to this document, which the In accordance with its stated policy, is publishing this regular biweekly NRC possesses and is publicly available, the NRC staff consulted with the FDEP, notice. The Act requires the by the following methods:
SFWMD, Miami-Dade County, BNP, and Commission publish notice of any
- Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Go to FWCC regarding the environmental amendments issued, or proposed to be http://www.regulations.gov and search impact of the proposed action and issued and grants the Commission the for Docket ID 2012-0078.
specifically regarding the monitoring authority to issue and make
- NRCs Agencywide Documents and mitigation plan that formed the immediately effective any amendment Access and Management System basis of the Florida agencies to an operating license or combined (ADAMS): You may access publicly recommending approval to the FDEP for license, as applicable, upon a available documents online in the NRC the proposed EPU subject to the CoC determination by the Commission that Library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-during the State of Florida site such amendment involves no significant rm/adams.html. To begin the search, certification process. hazards consideration, notwithstanding select ADAMS Public Documents and the pendency before the Commission of then select Begin Web-based ADAMS III. Finding of No Significant Impact a request for a hearing from any person. Search. For problems with ADAMS, On the basis of the details provided in This biweekly notice includes all please contact the NRCs Public the EA, the NRC concludes that granting notices of amendments issued, or Document Room (PDR) reference staff at proposed to be issued from March 8, mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES the proposed EPU license amendment is 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by not expected to cause impacts 2012, to March 21, 2012. The last email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.
significantly greater than current biweekly notice was published on Documents may be viewed in ADAMS operations. Therefore, the proposed March 20, 2012 (77 FR 16271). by performing a search on the document action of implementing the EPU for PTN ADDRESSES: You may access information date and docket number.
Units 3 and 4 will not have a significant and comment submissions related to
- NRCs PDR: You may examine and effect on the quality of the human this document, which the NRC purchase copies of public documents at environment because no significant possesses and is publicly available, by the NRCs PDR, Room O1-F21, One VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
NRC-022 Submitted Nov. 10, 2015 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20059 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Official Hearing Exhibit September 7, 2010. Entered into force NUCLEAR REGULATORY For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
In the Matter of: FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY September 7, 2010. COMMISSION Nicholas J. DiFrancesco, ASLBP #:
Docket #:
[FR Doc. 2012-7931 Filed 4-2-12; 8:45 am] Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch 3-(Turkey Point Nuclear Generating, Units 3 and 4)
Exhibit #:
Admitted:
BILLING CODE 4710-49-P [Docket No. 50-374; 2012-0083] 2, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Rejected:
Other:
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
15-935-02-LA-BD01 Exelon Generation Company, LLC; [FR Doc. 2012-7949 Filed 4-2-12; 8:45 am]
Notice of Withdrawal of Application for BILLING CODE 7590-01-P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Amendment to Facility Operating 05000250 & 05000251 NRC-022-00-BD01 Identified: 1/4/2016 License National Science Board; Sunshine Act NUCLEAR REGULATORY 1/4/2016 Meetings; Notice COMMISSION Withdrawn:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) has [Docket Nos. 50-250 and 50-251; NRC-Stricken:
The National Science Boards granted the request of Exelon 2011-0259]
Committee on Programs and Plans Task Generation Company (the licensee) to Force on Unsolicited Mid-Scale withdraw its October 26, 2011, License Amendment To Increase the Research, pursuant to NSF regulations application for proposed amendment to Maximum Reactor Power Level, Florida (45 CFR part 614), the National Science Facility Operating License No. NPF-18 Power & Light Company, Turkey Point, Foundation Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. Units 3 and 4 for the LaSalle County Station, Unit 2, 1862n-5), and the Government in the located in LaSalle County, Illinois. AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b), hereby gives notice in regard to the scheduling The proposed amendment would Commission.
of a teleconference for the transaction of have revised license condition 2.C.(32) ACTION: Final environmental assessment National Science Board business and to require the installation of NETCO- and finding of no significant impact.
other matters specified, as follows: SNAP-IN inserts to be completed no later than December 31, 2012. In
SUMMARY
- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory DATE AND TIME: Monday, April 16, 2012, Commission (NRC or the Commission) addition, license condition 2.C.(31) 1-2 p.m. EDT. is considering issuing an amendment for would be revised to apply until March Renewed Facility Operating License SUBJECT MATTER: (1) Chairs opening 31, 2012, and a new license condition Nos. DPR-31 and DPR-41, issued to remarks; and (2) Discussion of a revised 2.C.(34) was proposed to prohibit fuel Florida Power & Light Company (FPL or draft of the final report of the NSB Task storage after March 31, 2012, in spent the licensee) for operation of the Turkey Force on Unsolicited Mid-Scale fuel pool storage rack cells that had not Point (PTN), Units 3 and 4, to increase Research. been upgraded with the NETCO-SNAP- the maximum power level from 2300 IN inserts. megawatts thermal (MWt) to 2644 MWt STATUS: Open.
The Commission had previously for each unit. The proposed power LOCATION: This meeting will be held by issued a Notice of Consideration of increase is approximately 15-percent teleconference at the National Science Issuance of Amendment published in over the current licensed thermal Board Office, National Science the Federal Register on January 10, power, including a 13-percent power Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., 2012 (77 FR 1514). However, by letter uprate and a 1.7-percent measurement Arlington, VA 22230. A public listening dated January 6, 2012, the licensee uncertainty recapture, and room will be available for this withdrew the proposed change. approximately a 20-percent increase teleconference meeting. All visitors from the original licensed power level of must contact the Board Office [call For further details with respect to this action, see the application for 2200 MWt. The NRC did not identify 703-292-7000 or send an email message any significant environmental impacts to nationalsciencebrd@nsf.gov] at least amendment dated October 26, 2011, and the licensees letter dated January 6, associated with the proposed action 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> prior to the teleconference for based on its evaluation of the the public room number and to arrange 2012, which withdrew the application for license amendment. Documents may information provided in the licensees for a visitors badge. All visitors must application and other available report to the NSF visitor desk located in be examined, and/or copied for a fee, at the NRCs Public Document Room information, and has prepared this final the lobby at the 9th and N. Stuart Streets Environmental Assessment (EA) and entrance on the day of the (PDR), located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1-F21, 11555 Finding of No Significant Impact teleconference to receive a visitors (FONSI) for the proposed action.
badge. Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852. Publicly available ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID UPDATES AND POINT OF CONTACT: Please documents created or received at the NRC-2011-0259 when contacting the refer to the National Science Board Web NRC are accessible electronically NRC about the availability of site www.nsf.gov/nsb for additional through the Agencywide Documents information regarding this document.
information and schedule updates (time, Access and Management System You may access information related to place, subject matter or status of (ADAMS) in the NRC Library at http:// this document, which the NRC meeting) may be found at http:// www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. possesses and is publicly-available, www.nsf.gov/nsb/notices/. Point of Persons who do not have access to using the following methods:
contact for this meeting is: Matthew B.
- Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to ADAMS or who encounter problems in mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Wilson, National Science Board Office, http://www.regulations.gov and search accessing the documents located in 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA for Docket ID NRC-2011-0259. Address ADAMS should contact the NRC PDR 22230. Telephone: (703) 292-7000. questions about NRC dockets to Carol Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-Gallagher; telephone: 301-492-3668; Ann Bushmiller, 397-4209, or 301-415-4737 or by email email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov.
Senior Counsel to the National Science Board. to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.
- NRCs Agencywide Documents
[FR Doc. 2012-8062 Filed 3-30-12; 11:15 am] Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 19th day Access and Management System BILLING CODE 7555-01-P of March 2012. (ADAMS): You may access publicly-VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
20060 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices available documents online in the NRC FONSI for the proposed action on recirculating cooling canals that are Library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading- November 17, 2011 (76 FR 71379), and used to cool the heated water rm/adams.html. To begin the search, established December 19, 2011, as the discharged by Units 1 through 4. Unit 5 select ADAMS Public Documents and deadline for submitting public has mechanical draft cooling towers for then select Begin Web-based ADAMS comments. By letters dated December 9, the steam generation cycle using water Search. For problems with ADAMS, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. from the Upper Floridan Aquifer (UFA) please contact the NRCs Public ML11347A194), and December 12, 2011 as makeup and routing cooling tower Document Room (PDR) reference staff at (ADAMS Accession No. ML12027A023), blowdown to the cooling canal system.
1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by comments were received from FPL and The five units and supporting email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The Mr. Steve Torcise, Jr., of the Atlantic equipment (excluding the cooling canal ADAMS accession number for each Civil, Inc., respectively. The FPL system) occupy approximately 130 ac document referenced in this notice (if comments provided new estimates on (53 ha).
that document is available in ADAMS) the number of additional workers In June 2009, FPL submitted an is provided the first time that a needed to support the outage work application for a combined construction document is referenced. implementing the proposed Extended permit and operating license (COL) for
- NRCs PDR: You may examine and Power Uprate (EPU) and revised the two Westinghouse Advanced Passive purchase copies of public documents at projected outage times necessary to 1000 (AP1000) pressurized-water the NRCs PDR, Room O1-F21, One implement the EPU. The FPL comments reactors (PWRs) designated as PTN, White Flint North, 11555 Rockville have been incorporated into this final Units 6 and 7.
Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. EA with no change to the FONSI Background Information on the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: conclusion. The Atlantic Civil, Inc. Proposed Action Jason Paige, Project Manager, Plant comments have been incorporated into this final EA with no change to the By application dated October 21, Licensing Branch 2-2, Division of 2010, the licensee requested an Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of FONSI conclusion and are summarized in the Summary of Comments amendment to its license for an EPU for Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. PTN Units 3 and 4 to increase the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, (ADAMS Accession No. ML12075A035).
Also, by letter dated January 12, 2012 licensed thermal power level from 2300 Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: MWt to 2644 MWt for each unit. This 301-415-5888; email: (ADAMS Accession Number ML12019A348), the Southeast Regional represents an increase of approximately Jason.Paige@nrc.gov. 15-percent above the current licensed Office of the U.S. Department of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: thermal power, including a 13-percent Interiors National Park Service power uprate and a 1.7-percent I. Introduction provided comments on the draft EA and measurement uncertainty recapture.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory draft FONSI. Since these comments This change requires NRC approval Commission (NRC) is considering were received after the comment period prior to the licensee implementing the issuance of an amendment for Renewed deadline of December 19, 2011, the NRC EPU. The proposed action is considered Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-31 will address these comments using an EPU by the NRC because it exceeds and DPR-41, issued to FPL for operation separate correspondence.
the typical 7-percent power increase of the PTN, Units 3 and 4, for a license II. Environmental Assessment that can be accommodated with only amendment to increase the maximum minor plant changes. An EPU typically power level from 2300 MWt to 2644 Plant Site and Environs involves extensive modifications to the MWt for each unit. In accordance with The PTN site is located on 11,000 nuclear steam supply system contained Title 10 of the Code of Federal acres (ac) (4,450 hectares (ha)) in within the plant buildings.
Regulations (10 CFR) 51.21, the NRC has Floridas South Miami-Dade County The licensee plans to make extensive prepared this final EA and FONSI for approximately 25 miles (mi) (40 physical modifications to the plants the proposed action. The proposed kilometers [km]) south of Miami, secondary side (i.e., non-nuclear) steam power increase is approximately Florida. The nearest city limits are supply system to implement the 15-percent over the current licensed Florida City approximately 8 miles (13 proposed EPU. These modifications thermal power, including a 13-percent km) to the west, Homestead at would occur during separate refueling power uprate and a 1.7-percent approximately 4.5 miles (7 km) to the outages for each unit. The EPU-related measurement uncertainty recapture, and northwest and Key Largo at work for Unit 3 is scheduled for the approximately a 20-percent increase approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of spring 2012 outage and Unit 4 during from the original licensed power level of the PTN site. The PTN site is bordered the fall 2012 outage. The EPU, if 2200 MWt. The NRC did not identify to the east by Biscayne National Park approved by the NRC, would be any significant environmental impacts (BNP), to the north by the BNP and implemented following each units associated with the proposed action Homestead Bayfront Park, and on the refueling outage in 2012.
based on its evaluation of the west and south by FPLs 13,000 ac Approximately 800 people are information provided in the licensees (5,260 ha) Everglades Mitigation Bank. employed at PTN Units 3 and 4 on a application and other available The PTN site consists of five electric full-time basis with increases of information. For further details with generating units. Units 3 and 4 at the approximately 600-900 during refueling respect to the proposed action, see the PTN site are nuclear reactors; Units 1, outages. The licensee estimates that it mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES licensees application dated October 21, 2, and 5 are fossil-fueled units and are will need approximately 2500 workers 2010, as supplemented by letters dated not covered by the proposed licensing for implementation of the EPU resulting December 14, 2010 (ADAMS Accession action. Each nuclear reactor is a in a potential maximum outage/EPU No. ML103560167), and April 22, 2011 Westinghouse pressurized light-water workforce of approximately 3400 during (ADAMS Accession No. ML11115A114). reactor with three steam generators each of the EPU outages.
The NRC published a notice in the producing steam that turns turbines to As part of the overall process to Federal Register requesting public generate electricity. The site features a obtain approval for the EPU, in review and comment on a draft EA and 5,900 ac (2,390 ha) system of closed, September 2007, FPL submitted a VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20061 Petition to Determine Need for included an Environmental Report (ER) modifications. Therefore, land use Expansion of Electrical Power Plants to with FPLs analysis of the reasonably conditions would not change at the PTN the Florida Public Service Commission foreseeable impacts to the environment site. Also, there would be no land use (FPSC). The petition contained FPLs from the construction and operation of changes along transmission line analysis for meeting the need for electric the two new units along with an corridors and no new transmission lines system reliability, integrity, and environmental description of the would be required. The PTN Units 3 providing adequate electricity at a existing PTN site. The NRC staff used and 4 electric switchyard would be reasonable cost; how the proposed EPU information from the licensees license expanded to accommodate new is the most cost-effective alternative amendment request for the EPU, the equipment, which will be expanded on available; and why there are no FESs, SEIS-5 to NUREG-1437, previously disturbed or already renewable energy sources and documents related to the FDEP site developed portions of the PTN site.
technologies or conservation measures certification process, and information Since land use conditions would not reasonably available to FPL that would provided in the Turkey Point COL change at the PTN site, and because any avoid or mitigate the need for the Environmental Report to perform its EA land disturbance would occur within proposed EPU. On January 7, 2008, the for the proposed EPU for PTN Units 3 previously disturbed areas, there would FPSC issued a Final Order Granting and 4. be little or no impact to aesthetic Petition for Determination of Need In order to implement the EPU, resources in the vicinity of PTN Units approving the proposed expansion of significant modifications will be 3 and 4. Therefore, there would be no PTN Units 3 and 4 based on compliance required to the steam and power significant impact from EPU-related with conditions required by the state. conversion equipment located within plant modifications on land use and The Need for the Proposed Action the buildings of PTN Units 3 and 4. Two aesthetic resources in the vicinity of the changes outside of the reactor buildings PTN site.
As stated in the FPLs application, the including a change to the electric proposed action is to provide an Air Quality Impacts switchyard to accommodate new additional supply of electric generation electrical equipment and construction of Major air pollution emission sources in the State of Florida without the need a temporary warehouse for EPU-related at the PTN site are regulated by the to site and construct new facilities. The equipment would occur in developed FDEPs Division of Air Resource proposed EPU will increase the portions of the power plant site. Management under the Prevention of electrical output for each unit by about Modifications to the secondary side (i.e., Significant Deterioration program.
104 megawatts electric (MWe), from non-nuclear) of each unit include the Nonradioactive emission sources at PTN about 700 MWe to about 804 MWe. following: Replacing the high-pressure Units 3 and 4 consist of four 2.5 MWe Environmental Impacts of the Proposed turbine, modifying condensate pump emergency generators, five smaller Action operations, installing fast acting backup emergency generators, and various automatic feedwater isolation valves, general purpose generators regulated As part of the original licensing replacing two feedwater heaters, under a Florida Title V Air Operating process for PTN Units 3 and 4, the NRC published a Final Environmental providing supplemental cooling for Permit. There will be no changes to the Statement (FES) in July 1972. The FES selected plant systems, implementing emissions from these sources as a result contains an evaluation of the potential electrical upgrades, system of the EPU.
environmental impacts associated with modifications to accommodate greater Some minor and short duration air the operation of PTN Units 3 and 4 over steam and condensate flow rates, and quality impacts would occur during their licensed lifetimes. In 2002, the changing system setpoints and implementation of the EPU at the PTN NRC evaluated the environmental associated software. site. The main source of air emissions impacts of renewing the operating The sections below describe the would come from the vehicles driven by license of PTN Units 3 and 4 for an potential nonradiological and outage workers needed to implement additional 20 years beyond its current radiological impacts to the environment the EPU. However, air emissions from operating license. The NRC concluded that could result from the proposed the EPU workforce, truck deliveries, and that the overall environmental impacts EPU. construction/modification activities of license renewal were small. This would not be significantly greater than Nonradiological Impacts previous refueling outages at the PTN evaluation is presented in NUREG-1437, Generic Environmental Impact Land Use and Aesthetic Impacts site.
Statement for License Renewal of Potential land use and aesthetic Upon completion of the proposed Nuclear Plant, Supplement 5, Regarding impacts from the proposed EPU include EPU, nonradioactive air pollutant Turkey Point, Units 3 and 4 (EIS impacts from plant modifications at the emissions would not increase.
Supplement No. 5 (SEIS-5)) issued in PTN site. While some plant components Therefore, there would be no significant January 2002 (ADAMS Accession Nos. would be modified, most plant changes impact on air quality in the region ML020280119, ML020280202, and related to the proposed EPU would during and following implementation of ML020280226). Additionally, in occur within existing structures, the proposed EPU.
October 2008, the State of Florida buildings, and fenced equipment yards Water Use Impacts Department of Environmental Protection housing major components within the (FDEP) completed a thorough and developed part of the site. As previously Surface Water mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES comprehensive review under the discussed, EPU-related modifications at The PTN Units 3 and 4 are located in Florida Electrical Power Plant Siting Act the PTN plant site would occur within the low-lying areas of coastal Miami-and issued a site certification to FPL the developed portions of the power Dade County on the western shore of approving the proposed EPU for PTN plant site. Biscayne Bay. There are no significant Units 3 and 4. In June 2009, FPL Existing parking lots, road access, freshwater surface bodies outside of the submitted an application for a COL for equipment lay-down areas, offices, PTN site (i.e., lakes, major rivers, or two AP1000 PWRs designated as PTN, workshops, warehouses, and restrooms dams), but there is a network of canals, Units 6 and 7. The COL application would be used during plant such as the Everglades National Park-VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
20062 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices South Dade Conveyance System, in Each nuclear unit discharges resources by exceeding State or County addition to local drainage canals that approximately 5.35 billion British water quality standards, or the either control drainage from southeast Thermal Units (BTU) per hour of waste monitoring plan is inconsistent with the Florida to Biscayne Bay or provide heat to the CCS. Under the proposed goals and objectives of the freshwater to the Everglades National EPU, the quantity of waste heat Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Park. The most significant surface water discharged by each nuclear unit to the Plan Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands body on the PTN site is the closed-cycle CCS would increase to approximately Project. Additional measures could cooling canal system (CCS), permitted 6.10 billion BTU per hour. This results include enhanced monitoring, by the State of Florida as an industrial in a net total increase of 1.5 billion BTU modeling, or mitigation. Abatement wastewater facility, used for the cooling in waste heat discharged by both actions provided in the CoC include:
of heated water discharged from the nuclear units. The licensee calculated mitigation measures to comply with main condensers and auxiliary systems that the maximum change in water State and local water quality standards, of PTN Units 1 through 4. temperature due to the proposed EPU which may include methods to reduce The CCS covers approximately 5,900 would be approximately 2.0 °F to 2.5 °F and mitigate salinity levels in ac (2,390 ha) of the PTN site with a large (1.1 °C to 1.4 °C) for a total maximum groundwater; operational changes to the system of north-south aligned 168 miles water temperature up to 108.6 °F (42.6 PTN cooling canal system to reduce of interconnected earthen canals to °C) for water entering the CCS and a 0.9 environmental impacts; and other dissipate heat through surface °F (0.5 °C) increase with a total measures required by FDEP in evaporation. The canals are a closed maximum water temperature up to 92.8 consultation with SFWMD and Miami-recirculating loop that serves as the °F (33.8 °C) for the water returning to Dade County to reduce the ultimate heat sink for PTN Units 3 and the power plants. The licensee environmental impacts to acceptable
- 4. The CCS is operated under an calculated that the higher water levels.
industrial wastewater facility No temperature will increase water losses The field data on surface water Discharge National Pollutant Discharge from the CCS due to evaporation monitoring currently available are being Elimination System (NPDES) permit resulting in a slight increase in salinity reviewed by FPL, FDEP, SFWMD, and from the FDEP (NPDES permit number of approximately 2 to 3 ppt. stakeholders for the development of a FL0001562) for water discharges to an In accordance with the FDEP site water budget model. The data and other onsite closed-loop recirculation cooling certification process for the proposed documentation show that there is EPU, FPL must meet state imposed canal system. The seasonal temperature indirect surface water communication requirements contained in the of the canal water ranges from between the CCS and Biscayne Bay.
Conditions of Certification (CoC). The approximately 85 °F to 105 °F (29 °C to Approving the proposed EPU license CoC was developed based on 40 °C) for heated water entering the CCS amendment is not expected to cause interactions by FPL with the FDEP and with cooled water returning to the significant impacts greater than current other stakeholders, including power plants at approximately 70 °F to operations because the monitoring plan opportunities for public comment, 90 °F (21 °C to 32 °C). Additionally, the will provide data for FPL and state during the FDEP site certification CCS water is hyper-saline (twice the agencies to assess the effectiveness of process. The inclusion of stakeholders salinity of Biscayne Bay) with seasonal current environmental controls and recommendations into the CoC formed variations ranging from approximately the basis for FDEP recommending additional limits and controls could be 40 to 60 parts per thousand (ppt). approval of the site certification imposed if the impacts are larger than The CCS does not discharge directly application for the proposed EPU. The expected. Therefore, there would be no to fresh or marine surface waters. CoC requires FPL to have a program to significant impact to surface water Makeup water to replace water lost due monitor and assess the potential direct resources following implementation of to evaporation comes from used plant and indirect impacts to ground and the proposed EPU.
process water that has been treated, surface water from the proposed EPU. Groundwater incident rainfall, storm water runoff, The monitoring includes measuring and from infiltration and exchange of water temperature and salinity in the Southeastern Miami/Dade County is saline water with local groundwater and CCS and monitoring the American underlain by two aquifer systems; the Biscayne Bay. Because the PTN canals crocodile populations at the PTN site. unconfined Biscayne Aquifer and the are unlined, there is an exchange of The monitoring plan expands FPLs Floridan Aquifer System (FAS). The water between the PTN canal system monitoring of the CCSs ground and Biscayne Aquifer has been declared a and local groundwater and Biscayne surface water to include the land and sole-source aquifer by the U.S.
Bay. An interceptor ditch is located water bodies surrounding the PTN site Environmental Protection Agency along the west side of the CCS. During such as Biscayne Bay. (EPA). The Biscayne Aquifer underlying the dry season, when the natural The implementation of the CoC the PTN site, however, contains saline groundwater gradient is from Biscayne monitoring plan is an ongoing program to saltwater in this area and is not Bay and Card Sound toward the coordinated by FDEP. The results of the usable as a potable water supply. The Everglades, water is pumped from the monitoring will be publicly available FAS underlies approximately 100,000 interceptor ditch to the CCS to create an via a South Florida Water Management square miles (258,000 km2) in southern artificial groundwater gradient from the District (SFWMD) Web site. If the Alabama, southeastern Georgia, Everglades into the ditch. This process proposed EPU is approved by the NRC, southern South Carolina, and all of mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES is used to minimize the flow of hyper- the CoC monitoring plan would Florida. The FAS is a multiple-use saline water from the CCS toward the continue to assess the environmental aquifer system in that where it contains Everglades. Maintenance of the CCS impacts. The CoC allows FDEP to freshwater, it is the principal source of includes mechanical removal of impose additional measures if the water supply. Where the aquifer submerged, rooted marine plants on an monitoring data is insufficient to contains saltwater, such as along the approximate 3-year cycle and removal adequately evaluate environmental southeastern coast of Florida, treated of terrestrial woody vegetation from the changes, or if the data indicates a sewage and industrial wastes are canal berms on a 10-year cycle. significant degradation to aquatic injected into it.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20063 Recharge of groundwater at the PTN revised CoC approved by the FDEP after south, the system exhibits a north-south site varies seasonally between surface consultation with SFWMD and Miami- temperature gradient. Therefore, while recharge during the rainy season and Dade County. the northeast portion of the system may saline recharge from the ocean during Approving the proposed EPU license increase by 2.0 °F to 2.5 °F (1.1 °C to the dry season. As a result, there is a amendment is not expected to cause 1.4 °C) under EPU conditions, the large seasonal variation in the salinity of significant impacts greater than current temperature increase attributable to the the groundwater near the surface at the operations because the monitoring plan EPU would decrease as water moves PTN site. However, below about 40 ft will provide data for FPL and state south through the system. The increased (12 meters (m)) into the Biscayne agencies to assess the effectiveness of discharge temperatures will cause aquifer, relatively high salinity (greater current environmental controls and additional evaporative losses to the than 28 ppt) exists year round. Florida additional limits and controls could be cooling canal system. The Florida classifies the groundwater in this area as imposed if the impacts are larger than Department of Environmental Protection G-III based on its salinity. This expected. Therefore, there would be no predicted that an additional 2 to 3 classification is used to identify significant impact to the groundwater million gallons per day (7,600 to 11,000 groundwater that has no reasonable following implementation of the cubic meters per day) will be lost to potential as a future source of drinking proposed EPU. evaporation under EPU conditions. The water due to high total dissolved solids. Aquatic Resources Impacts increased evaporation would, in turn, The current and proposed operations increase the cooling canals salinity of at the PTN site do not require the The discharges of chemicals and 40 to 60 ppt by 2 to 3 ppt. Due to the withdrawal of groundwater. The potable heated wastewater from PTN Units 3 north-south temperature gradient, water and general service water supply and 4 have the potential to impact evaporative losses would be greater in at the PTN site are provided by Miami- aquatic biota from the proposed EPU. the northern portion of the canal Dade County public water supply. This Biscayne Bay and Card Sound are system, and thus, salinity will also potable water comes from the Biscayne shallow, subtropical marine waters demonstrate a north-south gradient.
Aquifer, which occurs at or close to the located between the mainland and a The cooling canal system supports a ground surface and extends to a depth grouping of barrier islands that form the variety of aquatic species typical of of about 70 ft (21 m) below the surface. northernmost Florida Keys. These shallow, subtropical, hyper-saline The PTN Units 3 and 4 use waters contain a variety of marine life, environments, including phytoplankton, approximately 690 gallons per minute including seagrass, sponges, mollusks, zooplankton, marine algae, rooted (2612 liters per minute (L/min)) of crustaceans, fish, sea turtles, and marine plants, crabs, and estuarine fish. The potable water. The licensee is not mammals. The portion of Biscayne Bay most abundant fish in the cooling canal requesting an increase in water supply adjacent to Turkey Point is part of system is killifish (Family under the proposed EPU. Therefore, no Biscayne National Park, which includes Cyprinidontidae). The aquatic species significant impacts to offsite users of the the mainland shore, the bay, the keys, found within the cooling canal system Miami-Dade public water supply are and offshore coral reefs. The Intracoastal are subtropical or tropical and readily expected. Waterway traverses Biscayne Bay and adapt to hyper saline environments. The As discussed in the surface water Card Sound, and a barge passage runs aquatic populations within the cooling impacts section, the FPLs from the Intracoastal Waterway to the canal system do not contribute any implementation of the CoC monitoring fossil-fueled facility at the PTN site. commercial or recreational value plan is ongoing and consists of an Biscayne Bay and Card Sound would be because the cooling canal system is integrated system of surface, unaffected by the proposed EPU because owner-controlled and closed to the groundwater, vadose zone, and ecologic FPL does not withdraw or discharge to public.
sampling. Fourteen groundwater any natural water body. Because aquatic organisms in the monitoring well clusters at selected sites Turkey Points cooling system cooling canal system are unable to travel have been constructed in accordance receives heated water discharged from to or from Biscayne Bay, Card Sound, or with the monitoring plan and an the two reactors as well as from the two any other natural water body, changes to associated quality assurance plan. The fossil fueled electric generating stations. the conditions within the cooling canal field data collected prior to The cooling system spans about 5,900 ac system would not affect any aquatic implementation of the proposed EPU (2,400 ha) spread out over a 5 mi by 2 species populations in the natural will be used to characterize existing mi (8 km by 3.2 km) area of the site. The aquatic habitats. Therefore, the staff environmental conditions from current heated water is discharged into a series concludes that there would be no PTN operations. The CoC allows the of 32 feeder channels that dissipate the significant impacts to aquatic resources FDEP to require additional measures if heat. The feeder channels merge into a as a result of the proposed EPU.
the pre- and post-EPU monitoring data single collector canal that returns the are insufficient to evaluate changes as a cooled water to the plants through a Terrestrial Resources Impacts result of the EPU. If the data indicate an main return canal and six return The PTN site is situated on low, adverse impact, additional measures, channels. swampy land that was previously including enhanced monitoring, Under EPU conditions, the cooling mangrove-covered tidal flats. Mangrove modeling or mitigation, would likely be canal system would increase in both swamps extend inland approximately 3 required to evaluate or to abate such temperature and salinity. The licensee to 4 mi (5 to 6.5 km), and undeveloped impacts. predicts that discharged water would portions of the site remain under 1 to 3 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Abatement actions provided in the increase a maximum of an additional inches (2 to 8 centimeters) of water, CoC include: (1) Mitigation measures to 2.5 °F (1.4 °C), which would increase even during low tide. Of the 24,000-ac offset such impacts of the proposed EPU the change in temperature as water (9,700-ha) site, approximately 11,000-ac necessary to comply with State and passes through the condensers from 16.8 is developed for PTN Units 3 and 4, the local water quality standards; (2) °F to 18.8 °F (9.3 to 10.4 °C). Because cooling canal system, and three FPL-operational changes in the cooling canal condenser cooling water discharges at owned fossil fuel units.
system to reduce impacts; and (3) other the northeastern corner of the cooling The impacts that could potentially measures to abate impacts specified a canal system flows west, and then affect terrestrial resources include loss VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:51 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
20064 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices of habitat, construction and transport and erosion is not a concern Service (as appropriate), must ensure refurbishment-related noise and lighting because activity would only take place that actions the agency authorizes, and sediment transport or erosion. on previously developed land and best funds, or carries out are not likely to Because all activities associated with management practices would ensure jeopardize the continued existence of the EPU would occur on the developed that no loose sediment is transported to any listed species or result in the portion of the site, the proposed EPU wetland areas, tidal flats, or waterways. destruction or adverse modification of would not directly affect any natural The staff concludes that the proposed critical habitat.
terrestrial habitats and would not result EPU would have no significant effect on terrestrial resources. In order to fulfill its duties under in loss of habitat. Noise and lighting section 7 of the ESA, the NRC prepared would not impact terrestrial species Threatened and Endangered Species and submitted a biological assessment beyond what would be experienced Impacts to the FWS on September 9, 2011, in during normal operations because Under Section 7 of the Endangered order to determine the potential effects refurbishment and construction Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), of the proposed EPU on Federally listed activities would take place during Federal agencies, in consultation with species. The following Table identifies outage periods, which are already the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the species that the NRC considered in periods of heightened activity. Sediment (FWS) or the National Marine Fisheries its biological assessment.
TABLE OF FEDERALLY LISTED SPECIES OCCURRING IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ESA Scientific name Common name status (a)
Aquatic Invertebrates Acropora cervicornis ....................................................................... staghorn coral ................................................................................ PT Acropora palmate ............................................................................ elkhorn coral .................................................................................. PT Birds Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis ................................................... Cape Sable seaside sparrow ........................................................ E Charadrius melodus ........................................................................ piping plover .................................................................................. T Dendroica kirtlandii .......................................................................... Kirtlands warbler (b) ....................................................................... E Mycteria americana ......................................................................... wood stork ..................................................................................... E Polyborus plancus audubonii .......................................................... Audubons crested caracara (b) ...................................................... T Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus .................................................... Everglade snail kite ....................................................................... E Vermivora bachmanii ...................................................................... Bachmans warbler (b) .................................................................... E Fish Pristis pectinata ............................................................................... smalltooth sawfish ......................................................................... E Flowering Plants Amorpha crenulata .......................................................................... crenulate lead-plant ....................................................................... E Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. Deltoidea ........................................... deltoid spurge ................................................................................ E Chamaesyce garberi ....................................................................... Garbers spurge ............................................................................. T Cucurbita okeechobeensis ssp. Okeechobeensis .......................... okeechobee gourd (b) ..................................................................... E Galactia smallii ................................................................................ Smalls milkpea .............................................................................. E Halophia johnsonii ........................................................................... Johnsons sea grass ...................................................................... T Jacquemontia reclinata ................................................................... beach jacquemontia ...................................................................... E Polygala smallii ............................................................................... tiny polygala ................................................................................... E Insects Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus ................................................ schaus swallowtail butterfly ........................................................... E Mammals Puma concolor ................................................................................ mountain lion(b) .............................................................................. T/SA Felis concolor coryi ......................................................................... Florida panther .............................................................................. E Trichechus manatus ........................................................................ West Indian manatee .................................................................... E Reptiles mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Alligator mississippiensis ................................................................ American alligator .......................................................................... T/SA Caretta caretta ................................................................................ loggerhead sea turtle ..................................................................... T Chelonia mydas .............................................................................. green sea turtle ............................................................................. E Crocodylus acutus ........................................................................... American crocodile ........................................................................ T Dermochelys coriacea ..................................................................... leatherback sea turtle .................................................................... E Drymarchon corais couperi ............................................................. eastern indigo snake ..................................................................... T VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20065 TABLE OF FEDERALLY LISTED SPECIES OCCURRING IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTYContinued ESA Scientific name Common name status (a)
Eretmochelys imbricata ................................................................... hawksbill sea turtle ........................................................................ E Lepidochelys kempii ........................................................................ Kemps ridley sea turtle (c) ............................................................. E Snails Orthalicus reses .............................................................................. Stock Island tree snail (b) ............................................................... T (a) E
= endangered; PT = proposed threaten; T = threatened; T/SA = threatened due to similarity of appearance.
(b) Species not previously considered in 2001 biological assessment for Turkey Point.
(c) The Kemps ridley is not listed by the FWS as occurring in Miami-Dade County. However, the species occurs in the neighboring Monroe County and FPL has reported the species occurrence in Biscayne Bay and Card Sound.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In the biological assessment, the NRC resources in the vicinity of PTN Units trailers. According to the 2010 census concluded that the proposed EPU may 3 and 4 and the switchyard. housing data, there were approximately adversely affect the American crocodile 122,000 vacant housing units in Miami-Socioeconomic Impacts (Crocodylus acutus). The NRC Dade County available to meet the concluded that the proposed EPU would Potential socioeconomic impacts from demand for rental housing.
not adversely affect the remaining 30 the proposed EPU include increased Additionally, there are over 200,000 species listed in the Table above. The demand for short-term housing, public available public lodging NRC also concluded that the proposed services, and increased traffic in the accommodations in Miami-Dade EPU may adversely modify the cooling region due to the temporary increase in County. Therefore, a temporary increase canal system, which is designated as a the number of workers at the PTN site in plant employment for this duration critical habitat for the American required to implement the EPU. The would have little or no noticeable effect crocodile. proposed EPU could also increase tax on the availability of housing and public The FWS responded to NRCs payments due to increased power services in the region.
biological assessment on October 25, generation. The principal road access to the PTN Approximately 800 people are site is via East Palm Drive (SW 344 2011. In their letter, the FWS concluded employed at PTN Units 3 and 4 on a Street). East Palm Drive is a two-lane that the proposed EPU may affect, but full-time basis with increases of road for approximately half of its length is not likely to adversely affect, the approximately 600-900 during periodic from the PTN plant to Florida City, American crocodile. The FWS also refueling outages. These workers reside where it intersects with U.S. Highway 1 noted that the proposed EPU is unlikely primarily in Miami-Dade County, approximately 14 km (9 miles) from the to result in modification to designated Florida. The licensee estimates that it PTN site. Increased traffic volumes American crocodile critical habitat. This will need approximately 2500 workers during normal refueling outages letter fulfilled the NRCs requirements for implementation of the EPU resulting typically have not degraded the level of under Section 7 of the ESA.
in a potential maximum outage/EPU service capacity on local roads. The FPL Based on the FWSs conclusions, the workforce of approximately 3400 during evaluation asserts that the projected NRC concludes that the proposed EPU each of the EPU outages. The licensee traffic will remain well within the would not significantly impact estimates that the outages to implement Miami-Dade County peak hour capacity.
threatened or endangered species. the EPU will last approximately 160 Therefore, the roadways used by plant Historic and Archaeological Resources days for Unit 3 and 130 days for Unit workers and the public are expected to Impacts 4. As previously discussed, EPU-related operate at an acceptable level of service modifications would take place during as designated by Miami-Dade County.
As reported in the SEIS-5, the NRC the spring and fall 2012 refueling However, the additional number of reviewed historic and archaeological outages for Units 3 and 4, respectively. workers and truck material and site files at the Florida Department of Once EPU-related plant modifications equipment deliveries needed to support State, Division of Historical Resources; have been completed, the size of the EPU-related plant modifications could the National Park Service Southeast refueling outage workforce would return cause short-term level of service impacts Archaeological Center; and at Biscayne to normal levels, with no significant on access roads in the immediate National Park; and confirmed that no increases expected during future vicinity of PTN. During periods of high historic or archaeological and historic refueling outages. The size of the regular traffic volume (i.e., morning and architectural sites have been recorded plant workforce is not expected to be afternoon shift changes), work on the PTN site. As previously affected by the proposed EPU. schedules could be staggered and discussed, EPU-related plant Most of the EPU-related plant employees and/or local police officials modifications would take place within modification workers would be could be used to direct traffic entering existing buildings and facilities at PTN, expected to relocate temporarily to and leaving the PTN site to minimize mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES except for the expansion of the Miami-Dade County, resulting in short- level of service impacts on SW 334th switchyard on previously disturbed term increases in the local population Street (East Palm Drive).
land. Since ground disturbance or along with increased demands for Tangible personal property construction-related activities would public services and housing. Because (principally business equipment) and not occur outside of previously plant modification work would be short- real property (namely land and disturbed areas, there would be no term and up to half a year, most workers permanent buildings) are subject to significant impact from the proposed would stay in available rental homes, property tax in Florida as administered EPU on historic and archaeological apartments, mobile homes, and camper- by the local government. For 2007, FPL VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
20066 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices paid approximately $6.9 million to persons of Hispanic or Latino origin Nonradiological Cumulative Impacts Miami-Dade County and the Miami- comprising the largest minority group The NRC considered potential Dade school district in real property (82 percent) in 2009. cumulative impacts on the environment taxes for PTN Units 3 and 4. Future According to 2000 census data, low- resulting from the incremental impact of property tax payments could take into income populations comprised the proposed EPU when added to other account the increased value of PTN approximately 98,000 families and past, present, and reasonably Units 3 and 4 as a result of the EPU and 488,000 individuals (approximately 13 foreseeable future actions. For the increased power generation. and 16 percent, respectively) residing purposes of this analysis, past actions Due to the short duration of EPU- within a 50-mi (80-km) radius of the are related to the construction and related plant modification activities, PTN site.
The 2009 Federal poverty threshold licensing of PTN Units 3 and 4, present there would be little or no noticeable was $22,490 for a family of four with actions are related to current operations, effect on tax revenues generated by one related child under 18 years. and future actions are those that are temporary workers residing in Miami-According to census data in the 2009 reasonably foreseeable through the end Dade County. Therefore, there would be no significant adverse socioeconomic American Community Survey 1-Year of station operations including impacts from EPU-related plant Estimate, the median household income operations under the EPU.
for Florida was $53,500, with 11 percent The application to build two new modifications and operations under of families and 15 percent of individuals nuclear units at the PTN site is EPU conditions in the vicinity of the determined to be living below the considered a reasonably foreseeable PTN site.
Federal poverty threshold. Miami-Dade future action that is considered in this Environmental Justice Impacts County had a lower median household review. A COL application was The environmental justice impact income average ($42,000) than the State submitted by FPL to the NRC in June analysis evaluates the potential for of Florida and also had higher 2009, for the construction and operation disproportionately high and adverse percentages of county families (14 of two Westinghouse AP1000 units at human health and environmental effects percent) and individuals (18 percent), the PTN site along with the construction on minority and low-income respectively, living below the poverty of transmission corridors. It is expected, populations that could result from level. however, that the proposed EPU, if activities associated with the proposed approved, would be completed prior to EPU at the PTN site. Such effects may Environmental Justice Impact Analysis the construction of the new units. Thus, include human health, biological, Potential impacts to minority and the cumulative impacts briefly cultural, economic, or social impacts. low-income populations would mostly discussed in this section consider PTN Minority and low-income populations consist of environmental and Units 3 and 4 operations (under the are subsets of the general public socioeconomic effects (e.g., noise, dust, EPU) combined with the environmental residing in the vicinity of the PTN site, traffic, employment, and housing impacts from the proposed construction and all are exposed to the same health impacts). Radiation doses from plant and operation of PTN Units 6 and 7.
and environmental effects generated operations after the EPU are expected to It is important to note that submitting from activities at PTN Units 3 and 4. continue to remain below regulatory the COL application does not commit The NRC considered the demographic limits. FPL to build two new nuclear units, and composition of the area within a 50-mi Noise and dust impacts would be does not constitute approval of the (80-km) radius of the PTN site to short-term and limited to onsite proposal by the NRC. The COL determine the location of minority and activities. Minority and low-income application will be evaluated on its low-income populations and whether populations residing along site access merits and after considering and they may be affected by the proposed and the primary commuter roads evaluating the environmental and safety action. through Florida City, Florida (e.g., U.S. implications of the proposal, the NRC Minority populations in the vicinity Highway 1 and East Palm Drive) could will decide whether to approve or deny of the PTN site, according to the U.S. experience increased commuter vehicle the licenses. Environmental impacts of Census Bureau data for 2000, comprise traffic during shift changes. Increased constructing and operating PTN Units 6 approximately 70 percent of the demand for rental housing during EPU- and 7 will depend on their actual design population (approximately 2,170,000 related plant modifications could characteristics, construction practices, individuals) residing within a 50-mile disproportionately affect low-income and power plant operations. These (80-kilometer) radius of the PTN site. populations. However, due to the short impacts will be assessed by the NRC in The largest minority group was duration of the EPU-related work and a separate National Environmental Hispanic or Latino (approximately the availability of rental housing, Policy Act (NEPA) document. The 1,465,000 persons or 47 percent), impacts to minority and low-income cumulative impacts presented in this followed by Black or African Americans populations would be short-term and EA may differ from those impacts (approximately 670,000 persons or limited. According to 2010 census assessed for the COL.
about 22 percent). information, there were approximately For some resource areas (e.g., air According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 122,000 vacant housing units in Miami- quality, water, aquatic, terrestrial about 83 percent of the Miami-Dade Dade County and approximately 20,000 resources, and threatened and County population identified vacant housing units in Monroe County. endangered species), the contributory themselves as minorities, with persons Based on this information and the effect of ongoing actions within a region mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES of Hispanic or Latino origin comprising analysis of human health and are regulated and monitored through a the largest minority group (63 percent). environmental impacts presented in this permitting process (e.g., NPDES and According to 2009 American environmental assessment, the proposed 401/404 permits under the Clean Water Community Survey census data 1-year EPU would not have disproportionately Act) under State or Federal authority. In estimate, as a percent of total high and adverse human health and these cases, impacts are managed as population, the minority population of environmental effects on minority and long as these actions are in compliance Miami-Dade County increased low-income populations residing in the with their respective permits and approximately one percent, with vicinity of the PTN site. conditions of certification.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20067 Units 6 and 7 of the PTN site would PTN Units 6 and 7. Less mobile animals, Land needed for the proposed PTN be constructed on undeveloped land such as reptiles, amphibians, and small Units 6 and 7 has been surveyed for immediately south of PTN Units 3 and mammals, would incur greater mortality historical and archaeological sites. The
- 4. The EPU modifications to PTN Units than more mobile animals, such as survey identified no new or previously 3 and 4 are expected to be completed birds. Although undisturbed habitat recorded historic or archaeological before the proposed PTN Units 6 and 7 would be available for displaced resources within or adjacent to the are constructed. animals during construction, increased proposed site.
Units 6 and 7 of the PTN site would competition for available habitat may Socioeconomic impacts from the have a closed-cycle cooling system result in local population stresses. As construction and operation of PTN utilizing cooling towers with makeup construction activities end, habitats Units 6 and 7 would occur several years water from Biscayne Bay and treated could be restored either naturally or after the EPU. The large construction wastewater from Miami-Dade County. through mitigation activities.
and operation workforces combined Waste water discharges are expected to Terrestrial species and habitat could be disposed of by deep well injection. be affected by PTN Units 6 and 7 with ongoing operation of PTN Units 3 Impacts to water resources for PTN cooling system operations. As described and 4 under the EPU would have a Units 3 and 4 and PTN Units 6 and 7 in the Environmental Report for the new noticeable effect on socioeconomic would occur separately, and any units, the primary source of makeup conditions in local communities from potential cumulative impacts would not water would be treated waste water the increased demand for temporary and be significantly greater than current from the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer permanent housing, public services operations. Department. If not enough reclaimed (e.g., public schools), and increased Units 6 and 7of the PTN site water is available to meet the needs of traffic.
transmission lines, and related PTN Units 6 and 7, then seawater would Nonradiological Impacts Summary infrastructure improvements would be be withdrawn from under Biscayne Bay constructed and operated according to via radial collector wells. Because of As discussed above, the proposed Federal and State regulations, permit this situation, the operation of EPU would not result in any significant conditions, existing procedures, and mechanical draft cooling towers can nonradiological impacts. Table 1 established best management practices. result in salt deposition (i.e., salt drift); summarizes the nonradiological Nevertheless, wildlife may be destroyed a greater risk of avian collision environmental impacts of the proposed or displaced during land clearing for mortality; and noise. EPU at PTN Units 3 and 4.
TABLE 1
SUMMARY
OF NONRADIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Land Use ................................................... The proposed EPU is not expected to cause a significant impact on land use conditions and aes-thetic resources in the vicinity of the PTN.
Air Quality ................................................. The proposed EPU is not expected to cause a significant impact to air quality.
Water Use ................................................. The proposed EPU is not expected to cause impacts significantly greater than current operations.
No significant impact on groundwater or surface water resources.
Aquatic Resources .................................... The proposed EPU is not expected to cause impacts significantly greater than current operations.
No significant impact to aquatic resources due to chemical or thermal discharges.
Terrestrial Resources ................................ The proposed EPU is not expected to cause impacts significantly greater than current operations.
No significant impact to terrestrial resources.
Threatened and Endangered Species ...... The proposed EPU would not cause impacts significantly greater than current operations. No signifi-cant impact to federally-listed species.
Historic and Archaeological Resources .... No significant impact to historic and archaeological resources on site or in the vicinity of the PTN.
Socioeconomics ........................................ No significant socioeconomic impacts from EPU-related temporary increase in workforce.
Environmental Justice ............................... No disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority and low-income populations in the vicinity of the PTN site.
Cumulative Impacts .................................. The proposed EPU would not cause impacts significantly greater than current operations. To ad-dress potential cumulative impacts for water and ecological resources, a monitoring plan for the PTN site has been implemented. The State of Florida has authority to impose limits on nonradio-logical discharges to abate any significant hydrology and ecology impacts.
The NRC staff has not identified any significant cumulative impacts associated with construction and operation of Units 6 and 7; however, the NRC will prepare a separate Environmental Impact State-ment documenting the potential impacts associated with the construction and operation of Units 6 and 7.
Radiological Impacts radioactive gaseous, liquid, or solid systems, gases collected during system Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid waste systems. venting, gases used for tank cover gas, Effluents and Solid Waste and gases generated in the Radioactive Gaseous Effluents radiochemistry laboratory. The The PTN uses waste treatment The gaseous waste management licensees evaluation determined that systems to collect, process, recycle, and systems include the radioactive gaseous implementation of the proposed EPU mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES dispose of gaseous, liquid, and solid wastes that contain radioactive material system, which manages radioactive would not significantly increase the in a safe and controlled manner within gases generated during the nuclear inventory of carrier gases normally NRC and EPA radiation safety fission process. Radioactive gaseous processed in the gaseous waste standards. The licensees evaluation of wastes are principally activation gases management system, since plant system plant operation at the proposed EPU and fission product radioactive noble functions are not changing and the conditions shows that no physical gases resulting from process operations, volume inputs remain the same. The changes would be needed to the including continuous degasification of analysis also showed that the proposed VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
20068 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices EPU would result in an increase in the the FES for PTN Units 3 and 4. The Occupational Radiation Dose at EPU equilibrium radioactivity in the reactor existing equipment and plant Conditions coolant, which in turn increases the procedures that control radioactive The licensee stated that the in-plant radioactivity in the waste disposal releases to the environment will radiation sources are expected to systems and radioactive gases released continue to be used to maintain increase approximately linearly with the from the plant. The bounding increases radioactive liquid releases within the proposed increase in core power level.
in effluent releases estimated by the dose limits of 10 CFR 20.1302 and To protect the workers, the licensees licensee from the proposed EPU are 17.1 ALARA dose standards in Appendix I to radiation protection program monitors percent for noble gases, 17.6 percent for 10 CFR Part 50. radiation levels throughout the plant to gaseous radionuclides with short half- establish appropriate work controls, lives, and 15.3 percent for tritium while Radioactive Solid Wastes training, temporary shielding, and a higher secondary side moisture Radioactive solid wastes include protective equipment requirements so carryover could result in a bounding solids recovered from the reactor that worker doses will remain within increase of 25.3 percent in iodine coolant systems, solids that come into the dose limits of 10 CFR Part 20 and releases.
The licensees evaluation concluded contact with the radioactive liquids or ALARA.
that the proposed EPU would not gases, and solids used in the reactor In addition to the work controls change the radioactive gaseous waste coolant system operation. The licensee implemented by the radiation protection systems design function and reliability evaluated the potential effects of the program, permanent and temporary to safely control and process the waste. proposed EPU on the solid waste shielding is used throughout PTN Units The projected gaseous release following management system. The largest volume 3 and 4 to protect plant personnel EPU would remain bounded by the of radioactive solid waste is low-level against radiation from the reactor and values given in the FES for PTN Units radioactive waste (LLRW), which auxiliary systems containing radioactive 3 and 4. The existing equipment and includes sludge, oily waste, bead resin, material. The licensee determined that plant procedures that control spent filters, and dry active waste that the current shielding design is adequate radioactive releases to the environment result from routine plant operation, to offset the increased radiation levels will continue to be used to maintain that are expected to occur from the refueling outages, and routine radioactive gaseous releases within the proposed EPU since:
maintenance. Dry active waste includes dose limits of 10 CFR 20.1302 and the
- Conservative analytical techniques paper, plastic, wood, rubber, glass, floor as low as is reasonably achievable were used to establish the shielding sweepings, cloth, metal, and other types (ALARA) dose objectives in Appendix I requirements, of waste generated during routine
- Conservatism in the original design to 10 CFR Part 50. maintenance and outages. basis reactor coolant source terms used Radioactive Liquid Effluents The licensee manages LLRW to establish the radiation zones, and The liquid waste management system contractually and continues to ship
- Plant Technical Specification 3.4.8, collects, processes, and prepares Class A, B, and C LLRW offsite for which limits the reactor coolant radioactive liquid waste for disposal. processing and disposal. concentrations to levels significantly Radioactive liquid wastes include EnergySolutions, Inc. (with a Class A below the original design basis source liquids from various equipment drains, disposal facility located in Clive, Utah) terms.
floor drains, the chemical and volume is currently under contract with FPL for Based on the above, the staff control system, steam generator the processing and disposal of Class A concludes that the proposed EPU is not blowdown, chemistry laboratory drains, LLRW. Studsvik, Inc., is under contract expected to significantly affect radiation laundry drains, decontamination area with FPL for processing, storage, and levels within the plants and, therefore, drains and liquids used to transfer solid disposal of Class B and C LLRW. there would not be a significant radioactive waste. The licensees As stated by the licensee, the radiological impact to the workers.
evaluation shows that the proposed EPU proposed EPU would not have a Offsite Doses at EPU Conditions implementation would not significantly significant effect on the generation of The primary sources of offsite dose to increase the inventory of liquid radioactive solid waste volume from the members of the public from PTN Units normally processed by the liquid waste primary reactor coolant and secondary 3 and 4 are radioactive gaseous and management system. This is because the side systems since the systems functions liquid effluents. The contribution of system functions are not changing and the volume inputs remain the same. The are not changing and the volume inputs radiation shine from plant buildings and proposed EPU would result in a 15.3- remain consistent with historical stored radioactive solid waste was percent increase in the equilibrium generation rates. The waste can be evaluated by the licensee and found to radioactivity in the reactor coolant handled by the solid waste management be negligible. As previously discussed, which in turn would impact the system without modification. The operation at the proposed EPU concentrations of radioactive nuclides equipment is designed and operated to conditions will not change the in the waste disposal systems. process the waste into a form that radioactive waste management systems Since the composition of the minimizes potential harm to the abilities to perform their intended radioactive material in the waste and workers and the environment. Waste functions. Also, there would be no the volume of radioactive material processing areas are monitored for change to the radiation monitoring radiation and there are safety features to mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES processed through the system are not system and procedures used to control expected to significantly change, the ensure worker doses are maintained the release of radioactive effluents in current design and operation of the within regulatory limits. The proposed accordance with NRC radiation radioactive liquid waste system will EPU would not generate a new type of protection standards in 10 CFR Part 20 accommodate the effects of the waste or create a new waste stream. and Appendix I to 10 CFR Part 50.
proposed EPU. The projected liquid Therefore, the impact from the proposed Based on the above, the offsite effluent release following EPU would EPU on the management of radioactive radiation dose to members of the public remain bounded by the values given in solid waste would not be significant. would continue to be within NRC and VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices 20069 EPA regulatory limits and, therefore, Regulatory Guide 1.183, Alternative demonstrate that the dose to members of would not be significant. Radiological Source Terms (AST) for the public from radioactive effluents is Evaluating Design Basis Accidents at within the limits of 10 CFR Part 20 and Spent Nuclear Fuel Nuclear Power Reactors. On June 25, 40 CFR Part 190. To evaluate the Spent fuel from PTN Units 3 and 4 is 2010, the licensee submitted a projected dose at EPU conditions for stored in the plants spent fuel pool and supplement to LAR 196 to revise the PTN Units 3 and 4, the NRC staff in dry casks in the Independent Spent radiological dose consequence analyses. increased the actual dose data contained Fuel Storage Installation. The PTN Units The analyses for LAR 196 are applicable in the reports by 15 percent. The 3 and 4 are licensed to use uranium- for the power level in the proposed projected doses at EPU conditions dioxide fuel that has a maximum EPU. The NRC evaluated the proposed remained within regulatory limits.
enrichment of 4.5 percent by weight changes in LAR 196 separately from the Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that uranium-235. Approval of the proposed EPU. there would not be a significant EPU would increase the maximum fuel In LAR 196, the licensee reviewed the cumulative radiological impact to enrichment to 5 percent by weight various design-basis accident (DBA) members of the public from increased uranium-235. The average fuel assembly analyses performed in support of the radioactive effluents from PTN Units 3 discharge burnup for the proposed EPU proposed EPU for their potential and 4 at the proposed EPU operation.
is expected to be approximately 52,000 radiological consequences and megawatt days per metric ton uranium concluded that the analyses adequately A COL application was submitted in (MWd/MTU) with no fuel pins account for the effects of the proposed June 2009 to the NRC to construct and exceeding the maximum fuel rod EPU. The licensee states that the results operate two new AP1000 reactor plants burnup limit of 62,000 MWd/MTU. The of the revised AST analysis were found on the PTN site designated as Units 6 licensees fuel reload design goals will to be acceptable with respect to the and 7. The FPL radiological assessment maintain the fuel cycles within the radiological consequences of postulated of the radiation doses to members of the limits bounded by the impacts analyzed DBAs, since the calculated doses meet public from the proposed two new in 10 CFR Part 51, Table S-3Table of the exposure guideline values specified reactors concluded that the doses would Uranium Fuel Cycle Environmental in 10 CFR 50.67 and General Design be within regulatory limits. The staff Data, and Table S-4Environmental Criteria 19 in Appendix A of 10 CFR expects continued compliance with Impact of Transportation of Fuel and Part 50. regulatory dose limits during PTN Units Waste to and from One Light-Water- The results of the NRCs evaluation 3 and 4 operations at the proposed EPU Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor, as and conclusion approving the proposed power level. Therefore, the staff supplemented by NUREG-1437, changes submitted in LAR 196 are concludes that the cumulative Volume 1, Addendum1, Generic documented in a Safety Evaluation radiological impacts to members of the Environmental Impact Statement for related to Amendment Nos. 244 and 240 public from increased radioactive License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, for PTN Units 3 and 4, respectively effluents from the combined operations Main Report, Section 6.3 (ADAMS Accession No. ML110800666) of PTN Units 3 and 4 at EPU conditions Transportation Table 9.1, Summary of and the proposed two new reactors Radiological Cumulative Impacts findings on NEPA issues for license would not be significant.
renewal of nuclear power plants. The radiological dose limits for protection of the public and workers As previously discussed, the licensee Therefore, there would be no significant has a radiation protection program that impacts resulting from spent nuclear have been developed by the NRC and EPA to address the cumulative impact maintains worker doses within the dose fuel. limits in 10 CFR Part 20 during all of acute and long-term exposure to Postulated Design-Basis Accident Doses radiation and radioactive material. phases of PTN Units 3 and 4 operations.
Postulated design-basis accidents are These dose limits are specified in 10 The NRC staff expects continued evaluated by both the licensee and the CFR Part 20 and 40 CFR Part 190. compliance with NRCs occupational NRC to ensure that PTN Units 3 and 4 The cumulative radiation dose to the dose limits during operation at the can withstand normal and abnormal public and workers are required to be proposed EPU power level. Therefore, transients and a broad spectrum of within the regulations cited above. The the staff concludes that operation of postulated accidents without undue public dose limit of 25 millirem (0.25 PTN Units 3 and 4 at the proposed EPU hazard to the health and safety of the millisieverts) in 40 CFR Part 190 applies levels would not result in a significant public. to all reactors that may be on a site and impact to the workers cumulative On June 25, 2009, the licensee also includes any other nearby nuclear radiological dose.
submitted license amendment request power reactor facilities. There is no Radiological Impacts Summary (LAR) number 196 (LAR 196), other nuclear power reactor or uranium Alternative Source Term to the NRC, to fuel cycle facility located near PTN As discussed above, the proposed update its design-basis accident Units 3 and 4. The NRC staff reviewed EPU would not result in any significant analysis. In LAR 196, the licensee several years of radiation dose data radiological impacts. Table 2 requested NRC approval to use a set of contained in the licensees annual summarizes the radiological revised radiological consequence radioactive effluent release reports for environmental impacts of the proposed analyses using the guidance in NRCs PTN Units 3 and 4. The data EPU at PTN Units 3 and 4.
TABLE 2
SUMMARY
OF RADIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Radioactive Gaseous Effluents ................. Amount of additional radioactive gaseous effluents generated would be handled by the existing sys-tem.
Radioactive Liquid Effluents ..................... Amount of additional radioactive liquid effluents generated would be handled by the existing system.
Occupational Radiation Doses ................. Occupational doses would continue to be maintained within NRC limits.
Offsite Radiation Doses ............................ Radiation doses to members of the public would remain below NRC and EPA radiation protection standards.
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20070 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / Notices TABLE 2
SUMMARY
OF RADIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTSContinued Radioactive Solid Waste ........................... Amount of additional radioactive solid waste generated would be handled by the existing system.
Spent Nuclear Fuel ................................... The spent fuel characteristics will remain within the bounding criteria used in the impact analysis in 10 CFR Part 51, Table S-3 and Table S-4.
Postulated Design-Basis Accident Doses Calculated doses for postulated design-basis accidents would remain within NRC limits.
Cumulative Radiological ........................... Radiation doses to the public and plant workers would remain below NRC and EPA radiation protec-tion standards.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action permanent changes are involved and the searching on http://www.regulations.gov As an alternative to the proposed temporary impacts are within under Docket ID 2012-0078.
action, the NRC staff considered denial previously disturbed areas at the site You may submit comments by the of the proposed EPU (i.e., the no- and the capacity of the plant systems. following methods:
Accordingly, the NRC has determined it
- Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to action alternative). Denial of the is not necessary to prepare an http://www.regulations.gov and search application would result in no change environmental impact statement for the for Docket ID 2012-0078. Address in the current environmental impacts.
proposed action. questions about NRC dockets to Carol However, if the EPU were not approved Gallagher; telephone: 301-492-3668; for PTN Units 3 and 4, other agencies Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day of March 2012.
email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov.
and electric power organizations may be
- Mail comments to: Cindy Bladey, required to pursue other means, such as For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Chief, Rules, Announcements, and fossil fuel or alternative fuel power Jason C. Paige, Directives Branch (RADB), Office of generation, to provide electric Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch 2- Administration, Mail Stop: TWB generation capacity to offset future 2, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, B01M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory demand. Construction and operation of Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. Commission, Washington, DC 20555-such a fossil-fueled or alternative-fueled [FR Doc. 2012-7947 Filed 4-2-12; 8:45 am] 0001.
plant could result in impacts in air BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
- Fax comments to: RADB at 301-quality, land use, and waste 492-3446.
management greater than those For additional direction on accessing identified for the proposed EPU for PTN NUCLEAR REGULATORY information and submitting comments, Units 3 and 4. Furthermore, the COMMISSION see Accessing Information and proposed EPU does not involve Submitting Comments in the
[NRC-2012-0078]
environmental impacts that are SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of significantly different from those Biweekly Notice of Applications and this document.
originally identified in the PTN Unit 3 Amendments to Facility Operating SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
or Unit 4 FES, and NUREG-1437, SEIS- Licenses and Combined Licenses
- 5. Involving No Significant Hazards I. Accessing Information and Considerations Submitting Comments Alternative Use of Resources A. Accessing Information The action does not involve the use of Background any different resources than those Please refer to Docket ID 2012-0078 Pursuant to Section 189a. (2) of the when contacting the NRC about the previously considered in the PTN Unit Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended 3 or Unit 4 FES. availability of information regarding this (the Act), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory document. You may access information Agencies and Persons Consulted Commission (the Commission or NRC) related to this document, which the In accordance with its stated policy, is publishing this regular biweekly NRC possesses and is publicly available, the NRC staff consulted with the FDEP, notice. The Act requires the by the following methods:
SFWMD, Miami-Dade County, BNP, and Commission publish notice of any
- Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Go to FWCC regarding the environmental amendments issued, or proposed to be http://www.regulations.gov and search impact of the proposed action and issued and grants the Commission the for Docket ID 2012-0078.
specifically regarding the monitoring authority to issue and make
- NRCs Agencywide Documents and mitigation plan that formed the immediately effective any amendment Access and Management System basis of the Florida agencies to an operating license or combined (ADAMS): You may access publicly recommending approval to the FDEP for license, as applicable, upon a available documents online in the NRC the proposed EPU subject to the CoC determination by the Commission that Library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-during the State of Florida site such amendment involves no significant rm/adams.html. To begin the search, certification process. hazards consideration, notwithstanding select ADAMS Public Documents and the pendency before the Commission of then select Begin Web-based ADAMS III. Finding of No Significant Impact a request for a hearing from any person. Search. For problems with ADAMS, On the basis of the details provided in This biweekly notice includes all please contact the NRCs Public the EA, the NRC concludes that granting notices of amendments issued, or Document Room (PDR) reference staff at proposed to be issued from March 8, mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES the proposed EPU license amendment is 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by not expected to cause impacts 2012, to March 21, 2012. The last email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.
significantly greater than current biweekly notice was published on Documents may be viewed in ADAMS operations. Therefore, the proposed March 20, 2012 (77 FR 16271). by performing a search on the document action of implementing the EPU for PTN ADDRESSES: You may access information date and docket number.
Units 3 and 4 will not have a significant and comment submissions related to
- NRCs PDR: You may examine and effect on the quality of the human this document, which the NRC purchase copies of public documents at environment because no significant possesses and is publicly available, by the NRCs PDR, Room O1-F21, One VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 02, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1