The state has fined PPL for two fish kills at its Brunner Island power plant along the Susquehanna River in York County, across from Bainbridge.
Previous fish kills had occurred at Brunner Island in 2002, 2005 and 2006.
In addition to a $77,500 fine for the two fish kills in October 2007 and this past March, the state Department of Environmental Protection has ordered PPL to take actions to prevent future fish kills.
On Oct. 16, 2007, approximately 2,600 fish were killed when the water temperature in the plant's discharge channel dropped suddenly. The temperature swing was caused by operational changes at the plant when debris clogged river-water intake screens, DEP said.
"Fish generally avoid the discharge channel during warm-weather months, but are attracted to the warm temperatures when the weather is cold," said Rachel Diamond, DEP southcentral regional director, in a press release.
"Sudden swings in water temperature can lead to thermal shock, which can be fatal to fish."
The Brunner Island coal-fired plant draws nearly 800 million gallons of cooling water daily from the river. It is sent back into the river through the discharge channel, located slightly downriver of the plant.
On March 18, at least 204 fish entered a section of the discharge channel by swimming over a weir during flooding conditions. When floodwaters receded, the fish were trapped out of water and died, DEP said.
PPL has been ordered to take these steps to avoid future fish kills:
• Make structural improvements to the debris management system near the river.
• Submit plans to prevent fish access to the discharge channel.
• Make improvements to a digital control system to allow for more timely notifications of temperature swings.
• Submit operating procedures for DEP approval to be followed to prevent and eliminate future heat-shock fish kills.
In addition to paying the fine, PPL has agreed to pay up to $50,000 for any future fish kills, DEP said.
Staff writer Ad Crable can be reached at acrable@LNPnews.com or 481-6029.
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