Document: NUREG-1555
Document ID: ccbea725-7fae-4453-bfec-b565c95a8e44
Document Type: esrp
Title: IMPACTS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Source: NUREG-1555
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1555/initial/
Revision Date: 2007-10
Chapter: 5
Section ID: 5.3.4
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
1972 Noise Control Act. When noise levels are below the levels that result in hearing loss, impacts have been judged primarily in terms of adverse public reactions to the noise. The principal sources of noise from plant operations include natural-draft and mechanical-draft cooling towers. Other occasional noise sources may include auxiliary equipment, such as pumps to supply cooling water from a remote reservoir. Generally, power- plant sites do not result in offsite noise levels greater than 10 dB(A) above background (NRC 1996). Noise level increases larger than 10 dB(A) would be expected to lead to interference with outdoor speech communication, particularly in rural areas or low-population areas where the day-night background noise level is in the range of 45-55 dB(A). Surveys around major sources of noise, such as major highways or airports, have found that when the day-night level increases beyond 60 to 65 dB(A), noise complaints increase significantly. Noise levels below 60 to 65 dB(A) are considered to be of small significance (NRC 1996). (1) Become familiar with the applicable State noise limits for residential areas and other types of land use. (2) Determine whether the plant has or will have cooling towers. ` If no cooling towers are anticipated, then the analysis is complete. ` If cooling towers are present, then compare the anticipated day night average level of noise determined at the site boundary (based on the dB(A-scale)) from the cooling towers with applicable State noise limits. ` If no State noise limits are available and if the day-night noise level is below 60 to 65 dB(A), then no further analysis is needed. ` If the noise levels exceed the State noise limits or in the absence of such limits if the day-night noise level exceeds 65 dB(A), then request that the applicant propose measures for mitigating the impact from the noise. Analyze these mitigation measures and forward them to the reviewer for ESRP 5.10. IV. EVALUATION FINDINGS NUREG-1555