Environment DEC
From the December 2003 issue
Indian Point Draft Permit Released for Public Review
The draft State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit for the Indian Point nuclear steam electric generating station is available for public review and comment. Notice of the draft permit was published in the November 12, 2003 Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB), and is subject to a 90-day public comment period, to end February 6, 2004.
Indian Point
The Indian Point nuclear steam electric generating station is owned and operated by Entergy Nuclear Indian Point Units No. 2 and No. 3, LLC. Indian Point Units 2 and 3 generate a combined 1,910 megawatts of electric power, primarily serving the metropolitan New York area. The facility uses about 2.5 billion gallons of water per day, drawn in through three intake structures, to cool its reactor units.
Discharge Permit Authority
DEC is authorized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to the Clean Water Act (CWA) to issue SPDES permits for facilities that discharge regulated pollutants. Discharges of heat to water are considered a pollutant under the CWA. Indian Point's cooling water discharge contains heat subject to this authority. The intake system is also regulated under the CWA and state regulations, which require that the location, design, construction and capacity of the intake system reflect the Best Technology Available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts.
The Hudson River Estuary is an important habitat for several fish species. DEC has documented that the intake systems at Indian Point contribute to significant loss of aquatic organisms in the estuary. The draft permit contains new conditions to reduce impacts from the cooling water intake and to address thermal discharge.
Draft Permit Requirements
DEC staff have determined that closed-cycle cooling is the BTA to minimize environmental impacts of this facility. However, the draft permit specifies that several additional design engineering and regulatory issues must be addressed before construction begins, including submission of various reports. The draft permit also recognizes that any changes to the Indian Point facility are subject to review by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which issues Indian Point its operating license. Also, the draft permit stipulates that construction of a closed-cycle system is contingent upon Entergy Nuclear Indian Point Units No. 2 and No. 3, LLC. receiving a license extension from the NRC.
The draft permit sets forth additional requirements, including immediate steps to reduce adverse impacts from the continued operation of the existing water intake system while BTA is implemented.
Landmark Dates
In addition to the 90-day public comment period, the permit will be the subject of a DEC legislative public hearing, issues conference and if necessary, an adjudicatory hearing.
- Legislative hearings are scheduled for 2 pm and 7 pm on both January 28 and 29, 2004 at the Esplanade Hotel at 95 South Broadway, White Plains, Westchester County.
- The issues conferences will be held at the same location at 10 am on both March 3 and 4, 2004.
- If necessary, the issues conference will be extended through March 5, 2004.
Written responses or requests for copies of the draft permit should be sent to Betty Ann Hughes, NYSDEC, Division of Environmental Permits, 625 Broadway, Fourth Floor, Albany, NY 12233-1750.
