PLA-8173, Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) - PLA-8173
| ML25112A093 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Susquehanna  |
| Issue date: | 04/22/2025 |
| From: | Casulli E Susquehanna, Talen Energy |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk |
| References | |
| PLA-8173 | |
| Download: ML25112A093 (1) | |
Text
April 22, 2025 Edward Casulli Site Vice President U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC 769 Salem Boulevard Berwick, PA 18603 Tel. 570.542.3795 Fax 570.542.1504 Edward.Casulli@TalenEnergy.com SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRADIOLOGICAL)
PLA-8173 TALEN~.
ENERGY 10 CFR 50.4 Docket No. 50-387 and No. 50-388 The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (SSES) Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) is hereby submitted for the calendar year 2024 in accordance with the SSES Environmental Protection Plan, Section 5.4.1.
There are no new or revised regulatory commitments contained in this submittal.
Should you have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact Ms. Melisa Krick, Manager-Nuclear Regulatory Affairs at (570) 542-1818.
E. Casulli
Attachment:
2024 Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological)
Copy:
NRC Region I Ms. A. Klett, NRC Project Manager Ms. J. England, NRC Senior Resident Inspector Mr. M. Shields, PA DEP/BRP Mr. R. Anderson, USFWS Ecological Services
Attachment to PLA-8173 2024 Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological)
SUSQUEHANNA STEAM LECTRIC STATION ANNUAL NVIRONMENTAL OP RATING REPORT (NON RADIOLOGICAL) 2024 Prepared by:
Kathleen M. Ervin Sr. Environmental Scientist - Nuclear Reviewed by:
Date:
4/10/25 Beth Ann Sooy Manager - Plant Chemistry/ Environmental Approved by:
Date ~/4>
Plant Manager - Nuclear
Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Units 1 & 2 2024 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT (NONRADIOLOGICAL)
Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-14 & NPF-22 Docket Nos. 50-387 & 50-388 Prepared by Chemistry - Environmental Services Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC Berwick, PA March 2025
i FOREWORD The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station is a nuclear electrical generating facility with two boiling-water reactors and generators located just west of the Susquehanna River, approximately 5 miles northeast of Berwick, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The station was constructed in the 1970s, with Unit 1 beginning commercial operation on June 8, 1983, and Unit 2 beginning commercial operation on February 12, 1985. Units 1 and 2 each generate a net 1,350 megawatts (MWe), for a total station output of 2,700 MWe.
In total, Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC presently owns 1,152 acres of land on the west side of the Susquehanna River. Generally, this land is characterized by open deciduous woodlands interspersed with grasslands and orchards.
On the west side of the river, 1,087 (1,152 minus 65 acre Gould Island) acres of land is jointly owned between Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC (90%) and Allegheny Electric Cooperative (10%). The land uses on the west side of the river include generation and associated maintenance facilities, laydown areas, parking lots, roads, a nature preserve (the Susquehanna Riverlands), and agricultural leases to local farmers.
To the north of the station along the river, Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC owns 100% of the 65-acre Gould Island. The property on the east side of the river, across from the station was transferred to other Talen Energy entities in 2021.
This report discusses environmental commitments and impacts from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. In summary, the report documents that Susquehanna Nuclears environmental commitments were met and that there was no significant adverse environmental impact from station operation.
ii TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION PAGE NO.
Foreword i
Table of Contents ii 1.0 OBJECTIVE 1-1 2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 2-1 2.1 Aquatic Issues 2-1 2.2 Terrestrial Issues 2-3 2.2.1 Studies Previously Completed 2-3 2.2.2 Sound Level Survey 2-3 2.2.3 Maintenance of Transmission Line Corridors 2-3 2.3 Cultural Resources Issues 2-3 3.0 CONSISTENCY REQUIREMENTS 3-1 3.1 Plant Design and Operation 3-1 3.2 Reporting Related to NPDES Permits and State Certifications 3-1 3.3 Changes Required for Compliance with other Environmental Regulations 3-2 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 4-1 4.1 Unusual or Important Environmental Events 4-1 4.2 Environmental Monitoring 4-1 4.2.1 General Monitoring 4-1
iii
SECTION PAGE NO.
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 5-1 5.1 Review and Audit 5-1 5.2 Records Retention 5-1 5.3 Changes in Environmental Protection Plan 5-2 5.4 Plant Reporting Requirements 5-2 5.4.1 Routine Reports 5-2 5.4.2 Non-routine Reports 5-2 6.0 ATTACHMENTS 6-1 Table 2.1-1 American Shad Impingement Monitoring (2024) 6-2 Figure 5.1-1 Auditing Organization Chart (2024) 6-5
1-1 1.0 OBJECTIVE The Licensee has developed procedures and guidelines to ensure that operation of Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (SES) does not adversely affect the environment in the vicinity of the station. Also, these procedures allocate responsibilities and define interfaces necessary to monitor environmental impacts. They include coordination of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements with other federal, state, and local requirements for environmental protection.
The objective of this 2024 Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) is to provide a summary of both environmental programs and procedures. This report is required by the Final Environmental Statement (FES) for the operation of the Susquehanna SES, Unit 1 and 2, NUREG-0564 June 1981, and Appendix B - Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) to Operating Licenses No. NPF-14 and No. NPF-22. The 2024 report is the 43rd Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) submitted to meet EPP requirements.
The Licensee submitted an Environmental Report-Operating License Stage for Susquehanna SES to the NRC in May 1978. This report reviewed the results of the preoperational environmental programs and described the preoperational and proposed operational environmental monitoring programs. The NRC and other agencies reviewed this report and made recommendations for operational environmental monitoring programs which were listed in the FES.
2-1 2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 2.1 Aquatic Issues The aquatic monitoring program for operation of the Susquehanna SES is divided into two parts.
Part 1 includes effluent monitoring required by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP).
The PaDEP is responsible for regulating the water quality permit for the Susquehanna SES. The stations operational NPDES Permit No. PA-0047325 deals with discharge parameters for the Susquehanna SES Sewage Treatment Plant, Cooling Tower blowdown, and miscellaneous low volume waste discharges. The Cooling Tower blowdown also includes in-plant process streams which discharge to the Susquehanna River. Various low volume waste sumps discharge to the stations stormwater system, which flows into Lake Took-a-While, and eventually into the Susquehanna River. The permit requires the station to submit monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports for these outfalls to the PaDEP.
Susquehanna SESs NPDES Permit was reissued on September 1, 2011, and expired on August 31, 2016. The station submitted its NPDES Permit renewal application (PLE-0025782) to PaDEP on February 9, 2016.
PaDEP has since confirmed that the submitted renewal application was administratively complete but has not yet provided the station a new NPDES Permit. Until a new permit is issued to the station, the conditions of the most recently expired NPDES Permit apply.
NOTE: A copy of the NPDES Permit renewal application (PLE-0025782) was provided to the NRC in 2016 as part of the submittal process.
Part 2 of the aquatic monitoring program deals with programs listed in the FES, or recommended by the PaDEP or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
American Shad Environmental lab personnel sampled wash-water from the trash bars and traveling screens at the intake building during October and November to see if American shad were impinged by the Susquehanna SES.
Fish sampling containers, made from aluminum-framed boxes sided with wire mesh, were suspended by jib cranes at the ends of each of the wash-water canals from the trash bars and traveling screens. The sampling containers were deployed from October 8 through November 27, 2024,
2-2 and checked daily. No American shad were collected during this period or during any previous sampling year. However, two fish were collected (Table 2.1-1). These fish were one Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and one Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu).
Biofouling Mollusk Monitoring The biofouling mollusk monitoring program continued at the Susquehanna SES in 2024. The purpose of this monitoring is to survey the Susquehanna River and the Emergency Service Water (ESW) Spray Pond for the presence of live Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) that could affect the operation of Susquehanna Nuclear LLC. This monitoring is generally performed through a combination of scuba diving, wading, and examination of natural or artificial substrates in the river and the ESW Spray Pond.
Asian clams are now abundant in the Susquehanna River near the Susquehanna SES, and zebra mussels are also abundant in Lake Took-a-while, a 24-acre recreational lake owned by Talen Energy. The lake drains to the Susquehanna River through a remnant of the North Branch Canal and presents a pathway for zebra mussel introduction to the river.
As a result, this area has been monitored closely since zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Took-a-while in 2016. Three adult mussels were observed in the outfall area of the river in 2017, but no specimens were found in 2024. At this time there is no evidence of a reproductive population of zebra mussels in the Susquehanna River near Susquehanna Nuclear LLC.
A scuba inspection for biofoulers in the ESW Spray Pond was completed on June 24, 2024 by divers from the environmental laboratory. A large population of zebra mussels was observed in the Spray Pond during that inspection. The population was too numerous to count.
The ESW Spray Pond was subsequently treated with a non-oxidizing biocide for mollusk control on September 23, 2024.
At present, zebra mussels in the Susquehanna River do not appear to pose an immediate threat to plant operation. However, monitoring continues for mussels in the ESW Spray Pond, the river intake area, plant cooling systems, and Lake Took-a-While.
2-3 2.2 Terrestrial Issues 2.2.1 Studies Previously Completed Terrestrial environmental studies, including Cooling Tower Bird Impaction, were completed prior to 1989.
2.2.2 Sound Level Survey Sound level surveys were conducted during pre-operation and operational periods and are completed. No noise complaints due to station operation were received during 2024.
2.2.3 Maintenance of Transmission Line Corridors Transmission line corridor vegetation maintenance and inspection records are maintained by PPL-Electric Utilities Vegetation Management and are available upon request. There were no adverse environmental impacts reported due to herbicide work performed in these corridors during 2024. Records will be maintained for five years.
2.3 Cultural Resources Issues Environmental Protection Plan actions required to satisfy Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations Part 800, relating to archeological sites were completed in 1987. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), in accordance with 36 CFR 800.6 (a)(1), approved the NRC's determination of "no adverse effect" for archeological sites SES-3 (36LU15), SES-6 (36LU16), SES-8 (36LU49), and SES-11 (36LU51) located on the Licensee's property (NRC letter dated October 28, 1987, to ACHP).
As part of the determination-of-effect process, the Licensee committed to, and is taking appropriate measures to mitigate impacts from station maintenance and operation to sites 36LU15, 36LU16, 36LU49, 36LU51, 36LU43, and 36LU105.
Per the Foreword to this report, Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC transferred numerous land parcels surrounding the station to other Talen entities over the course of 2021. One of those transferred parcels was parcel 19SL which contains site 36LU43. As required, Susquehanna Nuclear consulted with the Pa. Historic Museum Commission (PHMC) regarding this real estate transfer, and the PHMC stated that the requirement to protect site 36LU43 becomes the responsibility of the new owner -
2-4 regardless of whether the new owner is a federally-licensed entity or not.
Therefore, moving forward, the responsibility for mitigating anthropogenic impacts to site 36LU43 will no longer reside with Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC.
3-1 3.0 CONSISTENCY REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Plant Design and Operation In accordance with the Environmental Protection Plan (EPP), the Licensee shall prepare and record an environmental evaluation of proposed changes in plant design, operation, or performance of any test or experiment which may significantly affect the environment. Before initiating such activities, the Licensee shall provide a written evaluation and obtain prior approval from the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
Criteria for the need to perform an environmental evaluation include:
(1) A significant increase in any adverse environmental impact previously evaluated by the NRC or Atomic Safety and Licensing Board; (2) A significant change in effluent or power level; or (3) A matter not previously evaluated which may have a significant adverse environmental impact.
The EPP requires that an environmental evaluation be completed and the NRC be notified if an activity meets any of the criteria. If the change, test, or experiment does not meet any of these criteria, the Licensee will document the evaluation and allow the activity to occur.
During operation of the Susquehanna SES in 2024, there were proposed activities that the Licensee reviewed as part of the Unreviewed Environmental Question program. None of these activities were determined to involve an Unreviewed Environmental Question or require prior NRC notification. The following activities were reviewed:
- 1. Danger Tree Removals
- 2. Hicks Ferry Road Culvert Replacement
- 3. Wetlands Drainage to facilitate Cooling Tower Blowdown Inspections
- 4. New Piezometer Test Well
- 5. Excavation for Crane Pads at River Intake 3.2 Reporting Related to NPDES Permits and State Certifications
There were several non-compliances or special reporting requirements associated with implementation of NPDES Permit No. PA0047325 during 2024. They are as follows;
- 1. Overflowing sewage lift station at the Learning Center (CR-2024-03403)
3-2
- 2. Sewage Treatment Plant cBOD exceedance for April monthly average (CR-2024-07732)
- 3. Sewage Treatment Plant Fecal Coliform instantaneous maximum non-compliance (CR-2024-07885)
Since Susquehanna SES has an NPDES permit, state certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act is not required.
3.3 Changes Required for Compliance with Other Environmental Regulations There were no new regulatory changes incorporated into Susquehanna SESs nonradiologoical environmental compliance program in 2024.
4-1 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 4.1 Unusual or Important Environmental Events During 2024 two Danger Trees were discovered fallen that qualified as Indiana Bat habitat. The danger trees were evaluated by biologists upon discovery. The evaluations determined that these trees did not harm any Indiana Bats; hence no notification was necessary to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These removals are summarized and documented in Significant Environmental Evaluation 25-002.
In summary, there were no significant or adverse environmental effects related to station operation, and there were no EPP non-compliances.
4.2 Environmental Monitoring 4.2.1 General Monitoring With the exception of ongoing water quality monitoring required for compliance with the NPDES permit, all monitoring of station operational impacts on aquatic and terrestrial biota listed in the FES and Appendix B of the operating license have been completed.
5-1 5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 5.1 Review and Audit The Licensee has established procedures for an independent group to review and audit compliance with the EPP. Audits of EPP compliance are conducted by Nuclear Oversight. The Manager-Nuclear Oversight is responsible for verifying compliance with the EPP. The Site VP -
Susquehanna is responsible for environmental monitoring and for providing any related support concerning licensing. The Manager - Plant Chemistry is responsible for day-to-day environmental monitoring.
The Auditing Organization Chart (Fig. 5.1-1) lists the groups utilized in reviewing and auditing of the Susquehanna SES environmental programs as well as those responsible for managing these programs.
An audit of compliance with the EPP program was last conducted in October 2023 as part of a regularly scheduled Chemistry Program Audit.
5.2 Records Retention Records and logs relative to environmental aspects of plant operation and audit activities are retained in the Nuclear Records System. This system provides for review and inspection of environmental documents, which are available to the NRC upon request.
All records concerning modifications of plant structures, systems, and components which are determined to potentially affect the continued protection of the environment are retained for the life of the plant. All other records, data, and logs relating to the environmental programs and monitoring are retained for at least five years or, where applicable, in accordance with the requirements of other agencies. Transmission line corridor vegetation maintenance records are maintained by PPL Electrical Utilities per section 2.2.3 of this report.
5-2 5.3 Changes in Environmental Protection Plan No changes were made to the EPP during 2024.
5.4 Plant Reporting Requirements 5.4.1 Routine Reports This Annual Environmental Operating Report (Nonradiological) was prepared to meet routine reporting requirements of the EPP for 2024. It provides summaries and analyses of environmental protection activities required in Subsection 4.2 of the EPP for the reporting period.
5.4.2 Non-routine Reports There were no Unusual or Important Environmental Events as defined by the Environmental Protection Plan that required reporting in 2024.
6-1 6.0 ATTACHMENTS Table 2.1-1 American Shad Impingement Monitoring (2024)
Figure 5.1-1 Auditing Organization Chart (2024)
Table 2.1-1 6-2 SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION 2024 AMERICAN SHAD IMPINGEMENT PROGRAM 08 October - 27 November 2024 Date Time Items Found on Trash Bar/Traveling Screen 2024 Shad Fish Crayfish Other Comments Sampling equipment was staged on 19 August, but the debris handler was down for maintenance.
Fish baskets were deployed once debris handler was operative on 08 October @1000.
08 Oct 1600 0
0 0
0 Light leaves/debris 09 Oct 1615 0
0 0
0 Light leaves/debris 10 Oct 1600 0
0 0
0 Moderate leaves/debris 11 Oct 1615 0
0 1
0 Moderate leaves/debris 14 Oct 1530 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 15 Oct 1615 0
0 0
0 Moderate leaves/debris 16 Oct 1630 0
0 0
0 Light leaves/debris 17 Oct 1600 0
0 0
0 Light leaves/debris 18 Oct 2015 0
0 0
0 Moderate leaves/debris 21 Oct 1600 0
0 0
1-American bullfrog Light leaves/debris 22 Oct 1615 0
0 0
1-American bullfrog Light leaves/debris 23 Oct 1530 0
0 0
0 Moderate leaves/debris 24 Oct 1615 0
0 0
0 Light leaves/debris 25 Oct 1845 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 28 Oct 1530 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 29 Oct 1615 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 30 Oct 1630 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris
Table 2.1-1 6-3 Date Time Items Found on Trash Bar/Traveling Screen 2024 Shad Fish Crayfish Other Comments 31 Oct 1545 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 01 Nov 1600 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 04 Nov 1515 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 05 Nov 1615 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 06 Nov 1515 0
1-Smallmouth Bass 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 07 Nov 1600 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 08 Nov 1515 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 11 Nov 1600 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 12 Nov 1500 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 13 Nov 1445 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 14 Nov 1615 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 15 Nov 1530 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 18 Nov 1615 0
0 0
0 Heavy leaves/debris 19 Nov 1515 0
0 0
0 Light leaves/debris 20 Nov 1545 0
0 0
0 Light leaves/debris 21 Nov 1515 0
0 0
0 Light leaves/debris 22 Nov 1615 0
0 0
0 Light leaves/debris
- Right Basket Broken*
25 Nov 1600 0
0 0
0 Moderate leaves/debris
- Right Basket Fixed &
Deployed*
26 Nov 1745 0
1-Bluegill 0
0 Moderate leaves/debris 27 Nov 1500 0
0 0
0 Moderate leaves/debris Baskets withdrawn on 27 Nov @1500; 2024 American shad impingement monitoring complete.
TABLE 2.1-1 (continued) 6-4
- All crayfish collected were Faxonius obscurus.
Date Time Items Found on Trash Bar/Traveling Screen 2024 Shad Fish Crayfish Other Comments TOTALS 0
2 fish - 2 species 1*
2 1 Bluegill 1 Smallmouth Bass 2 American bullfrog I
FIGURE 5.1-1 AUDITING ORGANIZATIONAL CHART (2024)
6-5
Sr. Vice-President & Chief Nuclear Officer Manager - Quality Assurance Site VP - Susquehanna Plant Manager - Nuclear Manager - Plant Chemistry Chemistry - Environmental Services I
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