FR 2025-06131

The document at hand is a notice published by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. Its primary focus is to inform the public about General Permits that were approved in March 2025. The notice specifies details about a permit related to the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, which allows for emergency and maintenance operations with a designated water usage limit.

Summary of the Document

This notice specifies that during March 2025, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission approved several General Permits. Notably, one such permit has been granted to the Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC, for the operation of a well at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station. This permit covers emergency and maintenance operations, allowing the usage of up to 0.072 million gallons of water per day.

Significant Issues or Concerns

There are several concerns regarding this document:

• Lack of Specific Criteria for Permit Approval: The notice does not outline the criteria or process used in approving these General Permits, raising questions about how decisions are made and ensuring that these decisions are fair and transparent.

• Unclear Definitions: The document lacks a clear definition of what constitutes "emergency/maintenance operations," leading to potential ambiguities about the scope or limitations of the permitted activities.

• Monitoring and Accountability: Details on how the specified water usage limit of 0.072 million gallons per day is monitored or enforced are absent, which might lead to challenges in accountability.

• Environmental and Community Impact: The broader implications of these permits on the local environment and community are not addressed, leaving stakeholders without comprehensive information about potential impacts.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

Broad Public Impact

For the general public, the approval of these permits, particularly for a facility like a nuclear power station, might lead to concerns about environmental safety, water resource management, and transparency in public governance. The notice serves to inform citizens but does not provide the depth of information that might be desired by those affected by the Commission's decisions.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

• Local Communities: Residents in the Luzerne County vicinity could be directly impacted by activities approved under the permit, particularly concerning water usage and environmental implications. Without detailed information, there might be concerns or resistance from these community members.

• Environmental Groups: Organizations focused on environmental protection may critique the lack of clarity around operation definitions and accountability measures, potentially leading to advocacy for more transparency and stringent environmental impact analyses.

• Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC: For the company, the permit represents a positive outcome, allowing continued operations with specific water usage permissions. However, the lack of publicly disclosed criteria might open them to scrutiny or contention from environmental and public interest groups.

Overall, while the notice provides essential information about approvals granted by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, its lack of detail on critical aspects such as the review process, definitions, and environmental impacts, could lead to broader inquiries and potential dissatisfaction among various stakeholders.