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Environmental Impact Statement - radioactive monticello

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<strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Impact</strong>s of Alternatives<br />

discharge having a higher temperature and increased concentration of dissolved solids relative<br />

to the receiving body of water and intermittent low concentrations of biocides. In addition to the<br />

cooling tower blowdown, process waste streams and sanitary wastewater might also be<br />

discharged. All discharges would be regulated through a NPDES permit. Finally, some erosion<br />

and sedimentation would probably occur during construction (NRC 1996). These adverse<br />

effects would be localized and temporary.<br />

A natural gas-fired plant at an alternate greenfield site is assumed to use a closed-cycle cooling<br />

system with cooling towers. The staff assumed that surface water would be used for cooling<br />

makeup water and discharge. Intake and discharge would involve relatively small quantities of<br />

water compared to the coal alternative. The impact on'the surface -water would depend on the<br />

volume of water needed for makeup water, the discharge volume, and the characteristics of the<br />

receiving body of water. The staff expects that these impacts would range from SMALL to<br />

MODERATE.<br />

* Water Use and Quality-Groundwater<br />

Use of groundwater is possible for a natural gas-fired plant at an alternate site. Any<br />

groundwater withdrawal would require a permit from the local permitting authority. Overall,<br />

impacts to groundwater use and quality of a new natural gas-fired plant with a closed-cycle<br />

cooling system at an alternate site are considered SMALL to MODERATE, depending on the<br />

* volume of groundwater withdrawn and the characteristics of the groundwater source.<br />

* Air Quality<br />

Natural gas is a relatively clean-burning fuel. The gas-fired alternative would release similar<br />

types of emissions, but in lesser quantities than the coal-fired alternative.<br />

A new gas-fired generating plant located in Minnesota would likely need a PSD permit and an<br />

operating permit under the Clean Air Act. A new combined-cycle natural gas power plant would<br />

also be subject to the new source performance standards for such units at 40 CFR Part 60,<br />

Subparts Da and GG. These regulations establish emission limits for particulates, opacity, SO.,<br />

and NOX.<br />

In March 2005, the EPA issued CAIR, which will permanently cap emissions of SO 2 and NOx in<br />

the eastern United States (70 CFR 25162). CAIR achieves large reductions of SO 2 and/or NOx<br />

emissions across 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia. When fully implemented,<br />

CAIR will reduce SO emissions in these states by over 70 percent and NO, emissions by over<br />

60 percent from 2003 levels. This will result in $85 to $100 billion in health benefits and nearly<br />

$2 billion in visibility benefits per year by 2015, and will substantially reduce premature mortality<br />

in the eastern United States. The benefits will continue to grow each year with further<br />

implementation. By 2015, CAIR will help Minnesota sources reduce emissions of SO 2 by<br />

40,000 tons, or 36 percent, and emissions of NOx by 53,000 tons, or 59 percent (EPA 2005a).<br />

NUREG-1437, Supplement 26 8 -22 August 2006 1

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