Environmental Considerations for Preparing Permit Applications of New Nuclear Power Plants Located in Greenfield Sites Available to Purchase

Nuclear power generation has become an increasingly attractive alternative in the United States (U.S.) power market due to several factors: growing demand for electric power, increasing global competition for fossil fuels, concern over greenhouse gas emissions and their potential impact on climate change, and the desire for energy independence. Assuring the protection of people and the environment are of paramount concern to nuclear power generators and regulators as we move towards a possible nuclear renaissance. Thus, sound engineering design is of utmost important and potential environmental and safety concerns must be carefully evaluated and disposition during permitting of the new nuclear power plants. Areas to be considered in order to alleviate these concerns include the following: • Site meteorology and dispersion conditions of the area; • Evaluation of radiological consequence during normal plant operation and emergency conditions; • Water availability for plant cooling system; • Evaluation of potential land use, water use, ecological and socioeconomic impacts of the proposed action. This paper focuses on site suitability evaluation for greenfield sites through site characterization, examination of challenges/constraints in deployment of available technology/plant systems, and mapping of permitting compliance strategy. Case studies related to selection of plant systems based on the environmental site conditions, preferred compliance plan, and public acceptance, are included.