Ocean Standards – CWA §316(b) Regulation
Thermal Discharges - Cooling Water Intake Structures
Review Committee for Nuclear Fueled Power Plants
The Statewide Policy on the Use of Coastal and Estuarine Waters for Power Plant Cooling (Policy) contains special provisions for the existing nuclear-fueled power plants that use once-through cooling water technology, including the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant (SONGS), which is operated by Southern California Edison, and the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DC), which is operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). These Policy provisions require the owner or operator of a nuclear facility to undertake specials studies to investigate alternatives for the facility to meet Policy requirements. The Policy requires the establishment of a Review Committee to oversee the special studies.
The Review Committee was convened by the Executive Director of the State Water Board (as required by the Policy) to oversee the special studies, which will investigate ability, alternatives, and cost for two nuclear-fueled power plants to meet the Policy requirements. The special studies will be conducted by an independent third party with engineering experience with nuclear power plants, selected by the Executive Director of the State Water Board, and paid for by the two nuclear-fueled power plants subject to the Policy. The Review Committee includes representatives from the SACCWIS agencies, the nuclear power companies, the environmental community, and staffs of the State Water Board and appropriate Regional Water Boards.
Meetings of the Review Committee are open to the public and shall be noticed at least 10 days in advance of the meeting. All products of the Review Committee will be made available to the public.
The Review Committee was required to provide a report for public comment by October 11, 2011 detailing the scope of the special studies, including the degree to which existing, completed studies can be relied upon. The Review Committee shall provide a final report describing the results of the special studies and shall present the report to the State Water Board by October 1, 2013. The State Water Board shall consider the results of the special studies, and evaluate the need to modify the Policy with respect to the nuclear-fueled power plants.
- Committee Members | Power Plants List
- Final Scope of Work Report | Final Scope of Work Report (red line and strikeout version)
Board Meetings
- November 18, 2014 - State Water Board Meeting
The Once-Through Cooling Policy establishes uniform, technology-based standards to implement federal Clean Water Act section 316(b) at coastal power plants with the goal of reducing harmful effects associated with cooling water intake structures on marine and estuarine life. The Policy provisions require the owner or operator of a nuclear facility to undertake special studies to investigate alternatives to meet Policy requirements. The Policy established a Review Committee to oversee the special studies, investigate ability, alternatives, and cost of compliance. The Policy requires that the State Water Board consider the results of the special studies, and evaluate the need to modify the Policy. The presentation to the State Water Board will provide a background of the requirements of the Once-Through Cooling Policy and provide an overview of the process and results of the special studies conducted for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.- Public Notice
- Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Special Studies Final Report: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
- Pacific Gas and Electric Comments on the Final Report
- Joint Comments of a Group of Committee Members (Revised 11/13/2014)
- These comments jointly submitted by California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies and the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility did not represent an official subcommittee of the Nuclear Review Committee. The group was not created by a formal action of the Nuclear Review Committee and was not subject to the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act.
- Attached Proposed Drawings and Configurations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Meetings
Public Comments
- Draft Scope of Work Report - According to the Policy, this is the report due from the committee for public comment. This report details the scope of the special studies. Comments were due October 20, 2011 by Noon. Below are the comments that were received by this deadline
| Agency / Organization | Representative |
|---|---|
| State Agency Relations | Stephanie Rand on behalf of Mark Krausse |
| NRDC, Heal the Bay, and Surfrider Foundation | Angela Haren Kelley |
| SCE | Bonita M. Bennett on behalf of Michael M. Hertel |
| Public | Carol Georgi |
| Mothers of Peace | Henriette Groot |
Questions or Comments about Power Plant Once-Through Cooling Regulation?
- Permitting Issues - email Renan Jauregui or phone (916) 341-5505
- Policy Issues - email Mariela Carpio-Obeso or phone (916) 341-5858
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