Final Environmental Statement: Related to the Operation of Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Unit 2(NUREG-0498, Supplement 2) – Final Report

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• Publication Information
• Abstract

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• NUREG-0498
  • Supplement 2, Volume 1 – Introduction through Chapter 9 (PDF – 19.14 MB)
  • Supplement 2, Volume 2 – Appendices (PDF – 32.23 MB)

Publication Information

Manuscript Completed: May 2013
Date Published: May 2013

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555-0001

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Abstract

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) prepared this supplemental final environmental statement in response to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) application for a facility operating license. The proposed action requested is for the NRC to issue an operating license for a second light-water nuclear reactor at the Watts Bar Nuclear (WBN) Plant in Rhea County, Tennessee.

TVA received construction permits (CPs) for two units at the WBN site and began construction in 1973. In 1978, the NRC issued a final environmental statement related to the operating license for WBN Units 1 and 2. On March 4, 2009, the NRC received an update to the application from TVA for a facility operating license to possess, use, and operate WBN Unit 2. The NRC published the notice of the receipt of application and the opportunity for hearing in the Federal Register on May 1, 2009. NRC regulations in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 51.92, "Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement," require the NRC staff to prepare a supplement to the final environmental statement if there are substantial changes in the proposed action relevant to environmental concerns or if there are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts. The same regulation permits the NRC staff to prepare a supplement when, in its opinion, preparation of a supplement will further the interests of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

This supplement documents the NRC staff’s environmental review related to the operating license for WBN Unit 2. The NRC staff evaluated a full scope of environmental topics, including land and water use, air quality and meteorology, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, radiological and nonradiological impacts on humans and the environment, historic and cultural resources, socioeconomics, and environmental justice. The NRC staff’s evaluations are based on (1) the application submitted by TVA, including the environmental report and previous environmental impact statements and historical documents, (2) consultation with other Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, (3) the NRC staff’s independent review, and (4) the NRC staff’s consideration of comments related to the environmental review received during the public scoping process.