Conemaugh Station - Executive Summary |
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INTRODUCTION GPU Generation, Inc. (GPU Genco) operates a coal-fired, electric power generating station near New Florence, Pennsylvania. This 1,750-acre facility is located 13 miles northwest of Johnstown, PA, between the Conemaugh River and legislative route 32008. Conemaugh station employs almost 200 full-time staff and a considerable number of contract employees. The secondary economic impact of the facility on its many material and services suppliers is significant. For example, the station provides employment for an estimated 1200 coal miners and about 100 trucking jobs. The station is a major component of the billion-dollar power development in the Chestnut Ridge area. The station was constructed by investor-owned utilities representing four eastern states. GPU Genco operates Conemaugh station as agent for the following utility owners (with percentage of ownership): - Atlantic City Electric, based in Pleasantville, N.J. (3.83%) - Baltimore Gas and Electric, based in Ba ltimore, Md. (10.56%) - Delmarva Power and Light, based in Wilmington, Del. (3.72%) - Metropolitan Edison, based in Reading, Pa. (16.45%) - Pennsylvania Power and Light, based in Allentown, Pa. (11.39%) - PECO Energy, based in Philadelphia, Pa. (20.72%) - Potomac Electric Power, based in Washington, D.C. (9.72%) - Public Service Electric and Gas, based in Newark, N.J. (22.50%) - UGI, based in Kingston, Pa. (1.11%) The facility generates 1700 MW of power from two identical, 850 MW units. Each unit has a state-of-the-art pollution control system: electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) for particulate, wet limestone scrubbers for sulfur dioxides, and special burners to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. 1. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POLICIES AT THE STATIONARY SOURCE GPU Genco's policy is to comply with all applicable regulatory requirements, including those for accidental release prevention and emergency response. 2. THE STATIONARY SOURCE AND REGULATED SU BSTANCES HANDLED a. PRIMARY ACTIVITIES - This facility is a coal-fired, electric power generating station. b. USE OF REGULATED SUBSTANCES - Anhydrous ammonia is used at Conemaugh station as a fluegas conditioner. The ammonia improves the ability of the ESPs to remove particulate from the flue gas. In this process, the ammonia is converted to ammonium sulfate and removed from the flue gas as particulate. No other toxic or flammable materials are stored at the facility in quantities above the regulatory threshold. c. QUANTITIES HANDLED OR STORED - The anhydrous ammonia is transported, stored and conveyed as a liquid up to evaporators. A single 18,000-gallon tank located outdoors adjacent to the Unit No. 2 ESP is used to store the anhydrous ammonia liquid. The storage tank is kept under pressure to maintain the ammonia in liquid form. 3. THE WORST-CASE RELEASE SCENARIO AND THE ALTERNATIVE RELEASE SCENARIO a. THE SCENARIOS - The worst-case release scenario assumes that the ammon ia storage tank catastrophically ruptures and the entire contents are released onto the pavement in 10 minutes. The quantity released in the 10-minute event is calculated as: 18,000 gallons * 5.66 lb/gal = 101,880 lb b. The alternative release scenario assumes that the entire contents of a 4,000-gallon ammonia tank truck are spilled into the paved unloading area over a 10-minute period (due to, for example, an unloading hose rupture). The quantity released in the 10-minute event is calculated as: 4,000 gallons * 5.66 lb/gal = 22,640 lb c. DISTANCES TO ENDPOINT - The offsite consequences of these accidental releases were evaluated with a screening computer dispersion model (RMP*COMP, version 1.06). Offsite consequence analysis of the worst-case scenario must include highly improbable weather conditions: a wind speed of 1.5 m/s (3.4 mph), "F" atmospheric stability class, and the highest daily maximum temperature and average humidity observed over the previous three years. The more typical meteorological parameters used in analyzing the alternative release scenario include a mean wind speed of 9.1 mph and "D" atmospheric stability. The maximum calculated distance to the endpoint using the RMP*COMP model is 3.6 miles for the worst-case scenario. This represents the maximum downwind distance that the catastrophic release (under worst-case weather conditions) could pose a hazard to the public. For the alternative release scenario, the maximum calculated distance to the endpoint using the RMP*COMP model is a more realistic 0.3 miles. 4. GENERAL ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM AND CHEMICAL-SPECIFIC PREVENTION STEPS There are many safety programs in place at the station to minimize the potential for the accidental releases of ammonia considered by this plan. For example: - A comprehensive process safety management (PSM) program has been implemented for all ammonia process equipment. This includes daily visual inspections, periodic mechanical integrity c hecks, and operator training. - The ammonia storage tank is a registered pressure vessel that is built to exacting standards. - Ammonia tank trucks are only unloaded during daylight hours on weekdays. - The tank is normally only filled to 88% full (not 100% as assumed in the worst-case scenario). 5. FIVE-YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY - No accidents as defined in 40 CFR Part 68 have occurred during the past five years at this site. 6. THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM - In the unlikely event that an accidental release of ammonia would occur, the station has prepared a detailed written emergency response plan. This plan has been in place for many years, and yearly "spill drills" are held to test the plan under simulated conditions. 7. PLANNED CHANGES TO IMPROVE SAFETY - All station safety programs, including the emergency response program, are reviewed periodically for improvement opportunities. |