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 Used Nuclear Material
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) stringently control and oversee the management of nuclear fuels and their radioactive byproducts per specific requirements.
Palo Verde and other nuclear power plants produce two forms of radioactive waste: high-level waste and low-level waste. High-level waste consists of relatively small amounts of spent uranium fuel. This spent fuel is highly radioactive for many years, but can be safely isolated in above- or below-ground storage.
We have existing fuel storage pools at Palo Verde and have recently constructed a new facility for on-site dry storage of used fuel, while we are awaiting the completion of the Nuclear Waste Storage facility in Nevada. DOE has announced the repository cannot be completed before 2010 and it does not intend to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel prior to that date.
With the existing storage pools and the addition of the new facility, we believe spent fuel storage methods will be available for use by Palo Verde to allow continued safe operation through the term of the operating license for each of Palo Verde's three units. On average, Palo Verde replaces 200 fuel assemblies annually.
Some low-level waste has been stored on-site in a low-level waste facility. APS is currently shipping low-level waste to off-site facilities. APS believes interim, low level waste storage methods are or will be available for use by Palo Verde to allow its continued use and to safely store low-level waste until a permanent disposal facility is available. Low-level waste includes used protective clothing, resins, filters, etc.
Hazardous Waste
We have specific programs in place to reduce and minimize hazardous waste. In addition, we track our hazardous waste shipped offsite through regulatorily required waste manifests.
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APS Hazardous Waste Generation
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Year
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Tons
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2003
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193(a)
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2002
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105(b)
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2001
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242(c)
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2000
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78(d)
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1999
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24
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(a) In 2003, hazardous waste numbers are higher because of two specific events. Our Yucca Power Plant performed a boiler cleaning and the waste was determined to be hazardous, and our Cholla Power Plant generated large amounts of anti-freeze from decommissioning of some plant equipment.
(b) In 2001 and in 2002 baseline numbers were higher because:
(c) The increase in the amount of hazardous waste generated in 2001 resulted from separate incidents at our Cholla Power Plant that required a one-time cleanup. In last year’s EHS Report, 2001 hazardous waste numbers were estimated at 180.4 tons.
(d) Waste figures for 2000 include 55.4 tons of soil removed during remediation of the Prescott Manufactured Gas Plant.
Non-Hazardous Waste
Our facilities employ a wide variety of pollution prevention activities based on their individual and diverse needs. The Deer Valley Service Center is charged with managing the waste and recycling for our service centers. Through a centralized facility, we are able to implement a variety of reuse and recycling activities.
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WASTE FROM APS OPERATIONS
NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE
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Waste Stream
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Volume Generated 2003 (tons)
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Volume Generated 2002 (tons)
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Volume Generated 2001 (tons)
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Volume Generated 2000(tons)
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Volume Generated 1999 (tons)
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Solid
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23,061
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52,546(a)
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12,053
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6,988
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127,398
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Vegetative
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8,160
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28,000
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13,800
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10,800
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N/A
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Coal Combustion Waste
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2,670,924
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2,138,135
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2,586,017
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2,158,500
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2,524,748
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Other Electricity Manufacturing Waste
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48,126
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--
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--
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--
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--
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Total
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2,750,271
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2,166,135
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2,611,870
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2,176,288
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2,652,146(b)
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(a)MGP solid waste was not previously counted.
(b) Includes 120,851 tons of metal recycled at our Deer Valley Service Center.
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