PPRP – CEIR-19 DNR Publication No. 12-102920-260 Maryland Power Plants and the Environment A review of the impacts of power plants and transmission lines on Maryland's natural resources December 2017 Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr., Governor u Boyd K. Rutherford, Lt. Governor The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) seeks to preserve, protect and enhance the living resources of the state. Working in partnership with the citizens of Maryland, this worthwhile goal will become a reality. This publication provides information that will increase your understanding of how DNR strives to reach that goal through its many diverse programs. Mark J. Belton, Secretary Maryland Department of Natural Resources The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or physical or mental disability. This document is available in alternative format upon request from a qualified individual with a disability. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Tawes State Office Building 580 Taylor Avenue Annapolis, Maryland 21401-2397 Toll Free in Maryland: 1-877-620-8DNR x8660 Outside Maryland: 1-410-260-8660 TTY users call via the Maryland Relay www.dnr.maryland.gov Printed on Recycled Paper PPRP – CEIR – 19 DNR Publication No. 12-102920-260 Maryland Power Plants and the Environment A review of the impacts of power plants and transmission lines on Maryland's natural resources December 2017 MARYLAND POWER PLANTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (CEIR-19) Table of Contents Chapter 1 – Background ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 The Role of PPRP ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Power Plant and Transmission Line Licensing ................................................................................. 2 Chapter 2 –Power Generation, Transmission, and Use in Maryland .......................................................... 6 2.1 Electricity Generation in Maryland .................................................................................................. 6 2.1.1 Fossil Fuels .............................................................................................................................. 10 2.1.2 Nuclear ..................................................................................................................................... 13 2.1.3 Distributed Generation ............................................................................................................. 14 2.1.4 Demand Response .................................................................................................................... 16 2.1.5 Renewable Resources .............................................................................................................. 18 2.2 New and Proposed Power Plant Construction ................................................................................ 36 2.3 Electric Transmission...................................................................................................................... 38 2.3.1 New and Proposed Transmission Projects ............................................................................... 41 2.3.2 Transmission Line Designs ...................................................................................................... 41 2.4 Electricity Distribution.................................................................................................................... 44 2.5 Maryland Electricity Consumption ................................................................................................. 46 2.5.1 Maryland Electricity Consumption Forecast ........................................................................... 49 2.5.2 Generation: Comparison with Consumption ........................................................................... 53 Chapter 3 – Markets, Regulation, and Oversight ...................................................................................... 55 3.1 Wholesale Markets and PJM .......................................................................................................... 55 3.1.1 Wholesale Energy Pricing........................................................................................................ 57 3.1.2 Power Plant Construction ........................................................................................................ 59 3.2 Retail Electricity Markets and Billing ............................................................................................ 61 MARYLAND POWER PLANTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (CEIR-19) 3.2.1 Maryland Retail Electric Supply .............................................................................................. 62 3.2.2 Retail Electric Billing .............................................................................................................. 63 3.3 Transmission and Distribution System Planning and Reliability ................................................... 66 3.3.1 Reliability ................................................................................................................................. 67 3.3.2 Transmission Congestion ......................................................................................................... 68 3.3.3 PJM Transmission Planning .................................................................................................... 68 3.3.4 State Distribution System and Reliability Planning................................................................. 70 3.4 The Role of Federal Entities ........................................................................................................... 71 3.4.1 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ................................................................................. 71 3.4.2 The Role of the NRC ............................................................................................................... 75 3.4.3 The Role of the EPA ................................................................................................................ 76 Chapter 4 – Impacts of Power Generation and Transmission ................................................................... 78 4.1 Air Quality ...................................................................................................................................... 79 4.1.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................. 79 4.1.2 Emissions from Power Plants .................................................................................................. 84 4.1.3 Impacts from Power Plant Air Emissions ................................................................................ 94 4.1.4 Recent and Developing National and State Air Regulatory Drivers Affecting Power Plants 101 4.2 Impacts to Water Resources.......................................................................................................... 103 4.2.1 Generating Facilities .............................................................................................................. 103 4.2.2 Transmission Lines ................................................................................................................ 137 4.3 Impacts to Terrestrial Resources ................................................................................................... 146 4.3.1 Generating Facilities .............................................................................................................. 148 4.3.2 Transmission Lines ................................................................................................................ 156 4.4 Socioeconomics and Land Use Issues .......................................................................................... 165 4.4.1 Generation Technologies and Socioeconomic Focus ............................................................ 165 MARYLAND POWER PLANTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (CEIR-19) 4.4.2 Scenic Quality in Electric Generation and Transmission Assessments ................................. 173 4.5 Radiological Issues ....................................................................................................................... 187 4.5.1 Pathways to Exposure ............................................................................................................ 187 4.5.2 Nuclear Power Plants and Maryland...................................................................................... 188 4.5.3 Monitoring Programs and Results ......................................................................................... 189 4.5.4 Emergency Response ............................................................................................................. 194 4.5.5 Radioactive Waste ................................................................................................................. 194 4.6 Power Plant Combustion By-Products.......................................................................................... 196 4.6.1 CCB Generation and Characteristics ..................................................................................... 196 4.6.2 Regulation of CCBs ..............................................................................................................