Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: f0baf50b-5bb7-4783-b2f9-9586e09c97e1
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Stations + HISTORY - HISTORY 02/2017 – DG-4026 , Proposed Revision 3 09/2014 – Periodic Review of Revision 2 – Revise (Rev. 3)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1611/ML16116A068.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.2
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
torage or backup power is included. However, the feasibility and environmental impacts of energy storage or backup power would have to be included in the evaluation of the alternative. Once reasonable alternatives have been identified, the ER should evaluate the environmental impacts of those alternatives for comparison to the impacts of the proposed action. In general, applicants should assume siting of alternative energy facilities at the proposed plant site unless the proposed site would not be suitable for the particular alternative. For alternatives that require a cooling system, the ER should assume a cooling system similar to that evaluated for the proposed project. The environmental impacts of each reasonable alternative should be compared to the impacts of the proposed action. The ER should indicate whether any of the alternatives is environmentally preferable to the proposed action. If none of the alternatives are environmentally preferable, then no further action is needed. If any of the alternatives are found to be environmentally preferable, then the ER should determine whether such alternatives are obviously superior to the proposed action by considering other factors (e.g., cost [capital and operating costs], fuel availability, and regulatory issues). As part of the comparison of reasonable energy alternatives, the ER should compare greenhouse gas emissions associated with each alternative to the emissions from the proposed project. 9.3 Site-Selection Process The ER should describe the process used by the applicant to identify possible sites for the new nuclear plant and to select the proposed site. The basic steps that should be described in the site-selection process are shown in Figure 9-1. 20 A baseload power plant is designed to operate continuously to supply all or part of the system’s minimum load (DOE/EIA’s “Electric Power Industry Terms and Definitions,” (Ref. 95)). Baseload power plants typically have annual load capacity factors