Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 239cc7c1-f2cb-46cc-945d-8009db28aa6c
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: General Site Suitability Criteria for Nuclear Power Stations + HISTORY - HISTORY 12/2023 – DG-4034 , Proposed Revision 4 12/2011 – DG-4021 , Proposed Revision 3 02/1995 – DG-4004, Second Proposed Revision 2 11/1992 – DG-4003, Proposed Revision 2 (Rev. 4)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2312/ML23123A090.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-10
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.7
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
ions. It should also address the potential increase in the number of hours of fogging or icing caused by station operation. Some sites are prone to severe fogging or icing because of local atmospheric conditions. For example, these conditions are most likely in areas of unusually high moisture content that are protected from large-scale airflow patterns. The greatest impact is generally on transportation or electrical transmission systems in the vicinity of a site. 2.1.4 Cooling Tower Plume Drift Cooling tower plume drift could affect nearby transportation and industrial activities or have environmental or aesthetic impacts. 2.1.4.2 Relevant Regulations DG-4034, Page 30 • 10 CFR Part 51, “Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions” 2.1.4.3 Related Guidance • NUREG-1555, “Standard Review Plans for Environmental Reviews for Nuclear Power Plants: Environmental Standard Review Plan” 2.1.4.4 Considerations, Regulatory Experience, and Staff Position Plumes often extend a few miles in length before dissipating; the plumes themselves or their shadows could have aesthetic impacts. Visible plumes emitted from cooling towers may affect nearby transportation or industrial activities. For example, plumes in the vicinity of airports could pose a hazard to aviation. Concentrations of chemicals, dissolved solids, and suspended solids in cooling tower drift could affect terrestrial biota and cause unacceptable damage to vegetation and other resources. Water vapor from cooling tower plumes can interact with emissions from nearby industrial facilities (e.g., plumes from nearby fossil-fueled units) to form noxious or toxic substances that could adversely affect public health or cause unacceptable levels of damage to biota, structures, and other resources. The degree of impact will depend on the distance between the nuclear and industrial sites, the hours per year of plume interaction, the type and concentration of chemical