FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Normandeau Develops and Implements an Innovative Strategy for
the Exelon/Amergen Oyster Creek Generating Station Winter Shut Down
Bedford, NH. April 10, 2006 – Exelon/Amergen,
a New Jersey-based energy company, turned to Normandeau Associates
to help develop and implement an innovative strategy for a critical
maintenance winter shutdown of their Oyster Creek generating station.
The utility was concerned because previous shutdowns during the winter
months have caused large numbers of cold-intolerant fish to die when
water temperatures in the discharge canal dropped rapidly.
Normandeau, as part of a team of expert engineers, nuclear operators, safety specialists and fisheries biologists, focused on developing a strategy to mitigate the environmental effects of the generating station shutdown on the cold-intolerant fish. This team worked closely with New Jersey regulatory agencies to ensure that planned actions would meet applicable state environmental requirements.
The team’s strategy included the following measures:
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To minimize reduction in water temperatures, the outage was started during milder winter weather conditions.
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To control the rate of temperature decline in the discharge canal, generating station power was reduced slowly.
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Cold-sensitive fish were carefully removed from the discharge canal and processed so fish could be donated to local food banks or aquarium.
- To create a warm water haven for the remaining fish, the team deployed large mobile heating units and placed special containment booms and nets in the discharge canal.
Normandeau coordinated key personnel and equipment from three of its office locations to provide the team with continuous 24-hour on-site support before, during and after the shutdown from January 27 through February 4, 2006. In addition, senior Normandeau scientists provided fisheries consultation to:
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Support the development of the approved mitigation strategy.
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Monitor ongoing thermal conditions in the discharge canal.
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Develop visual underwater surveys to monitor the presence and condition of fish in and near the thermal refuge and adjacent ambient water.
As a result of the careful planning and expertise provided by Normandeau Associates and the environmental team, actions to minimize adverse effects of the shutdown resulted in a loss of less than 90 fish. These actions provided an environmentally sensitive shutdown strategy that met with New Jersey state regulatory agency approval.
About
Normandeau Associates, Inc.
Normandeau Associates, Inc., in business for over 35 years, is an employee-owned
company known throughout the U.S. for its technical excellence and outstanding
client service. The company specializes in natural resource management,
water quality monitoring and modeling, habitat restoration, environmental
monitoring, and offers considerable project experience in these areas.
The Normandeau team has extensive expertise in the biological, chemical
and physical sciences and related areas such as environmental planning.
Normandeau Associates was founded in 1970 as a privately owned company.
In July 2000, the company became employee-owned. Company management believes
that employee ownership will further enhance technical excellence and
ability to solve client environmental problems effectively and efficiently.
Our professional team works closely with clients, regulators and the
public to seek solutions that enhance economic development, meet regulatory
requirements, and protect and restore our natural resources and water
quality. For more information about Normandeau Associates, Inc. visit
our website at www.normandeau.com.
Normandeau Associates Media Contact
Elizabeth Evarts
Marketing
603.472.5191 Ext 115
bevarts@normandeau.com
