[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 78 (Friday, April 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21491-21492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9961]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-373 and 50-374]


Commonwealth Edison Company, LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 
2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering 
issuance of amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Nos. NPF-11 and 
NPF-18, issued to Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd, the licensee) for 
operation of LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2, located in LaSalle 
County, Illinois.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would allow ComEd to increase the maximum 
reactor core power level for facility operation from 3323 megawatts-
thermal (MWt) to 3489 MWt, which is a five percent increase in rated 
core power.
    The proposed action is in accordance with ComEd's application for 
amendments dated July 14, 1999, as supplemented by letters dated 
January 21, February 15, February 23, March 10, March 24, March 31, and 
April 7, 2000.

Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed to allow ComEd to increase the 
electrical output of each LaSalle unit and, thus, provide additional 
electrical power to service domestic and commercial areas of the 
licensee's grid. Power uprate has been widely recognized by the 
industry as a safe and cost-effective method to increase generating 
capacity. The proposed uprate will provide the licensee with additional 
operational flexibility.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    ComEd has submitted an environmental evaluation supporting the 
proposed extended power uprate action and provided a summary of its 
conclusions concerning both the radiological and non-radiological 
environmental impacts of the proposed action. Based on its independent 
analyses and the evaluation performed by the licensee, the staff 
concludes that the proposed increase in power is not expected to result 
in a significant environmental impact.

Radiological Environmental Assessment

Radwaste Systems
    ComEd concluded that the operation of the radwaste systems that 
process radioactive effluents at LaSalle would not be impacted by 
operation at uprated power conditions and the slight increase in 
effluents discharged would continue to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 
part 20, ``Standards for Protection Against Radiation,'' and 10 CFR 
part 50, appendix I, ``Numerical Guides for Design Objectives and 
Limiting Conditions for Operation to Meet the Criterion `As Low as is 
Reasonably Achievable' for Radioactive Material in Light-Water-Cooled 
Nuclear Power Reactor Effluents.'' Therefore, power uprate does not 
have an adverse effect on the processing of radioactive effluents and 
there are no significant environmental effects from radiological 
releases.
Dose Consideration
    ComEd evaluated the effects of power uprate on the radiation 
sources within the plant and the radiation levels during normal and 
post-accident conditions. For normal operations, the licensee 
determined that conservatism in the analyses and the margins added to 
calculated doses and specific shield thickness are sufficient to 
accommodate any increases attributed to the five percent increase in 
rated thermal power. For post-accident conditions, the resulting 
radiation levels were determined to be within current regulatory 
limits. In addition, the licensee determined that there would be no 
effect on the plant or habitability or the control room envelope or the 
Technical Support Center. The licensee evaluated the whole body and 
thyroid doses at the exclusion area boundary that might result from the 
postulated design basis loss-of-coolant accident and determined the 
doses remain below established regulatory limits.
Summary
    The proposed power uprate will not significantly increase the 
probability or consequences of accidents, will not involve any new 
radiological release pathways, will not result in a significant 
increase in occupational or public radiation exposure, and will not 
result in significant additional fuel cycle environmental impacts. 
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

[[Page 21492]]

Non-Radiological Environmental Assessment

    The licensee reviewed the non-radiological environmental impacts of 
power uprate based on information submitted in the Environmental 
Report--Operating License Stage to support original licensing of 
LaSalle, Units 1 and 2, the Final Environmental Protection Statement 
(NUREG-0486), the requirements of the Environmental Protection Plan and 
the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. The 
proposed power uprate will not affect compliance with NPDES 
requirements.
    As a result of power uprate to 105 percent of current licensed core 
power, normal heat loads to the cooling lake will increase primarily 
from an increase in heat load from the condenser and from other 
increased heat loads rejected by the plant service water system. An 
increase in steam and condensate flow will result in a corresponding 
increase in the net heat rejection to the cooling lake. Based on a 
condenser backpressure of 3.5 inches Hga, a 1 degree Fahrenheit rise in 
circulating water temperature is expected relative to the current 
temperature rise value of approximately 24 degrees Fahrenheit. This, in 
turn, will raise cooling lake temperature, thus, increasing circulating 
water inlet temperature to the condenser. The lake is expected to 
experience a 0.4 degree increase in temperature on a long-term basis. 
Based on this minimal temperature rise, thermal shock to the fish 
population of the lake is not expected. The effect on lake evaporation, 
makeup, and blowdown was evaluated and found to be acceptable. The 
effect on cooling lake total dissolved solids was determined to remain 
within the licensee's administrative limit of 750 ppm.
    The LaSalle cooling lake discharges into the Illinois River. ComEd 
evaluated the effects of power uprate on the temperature of the water 
in the river in the vicinity of the cooling lake blowdown and concluded 
that significant margin exists between the maximum expected edge of 
mixing zone temperature and imposed regulatory limits.
    ComEd also evaluated the noise effects due to operation at uprated 
power and determined that, because the turbine and reactor building 
supply and exhaust fans will continue to operate at current speeds and 
noise levels at uprated conditions, the overall noise level will not 
increase.
    With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed 
action does not change the method of generating electricity at LaSalle, 
Units 1 and 2, nor the methods of handling effluents from the 
environment or effluents to the environment. No changes to land use 
would result and the proposed action does not involve any historic 
sites. Therefore, no new or different types of non-radiological 
environmental impacts are expected. Accordingly, the Commission 
concludes that there are no significant non-radiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered 
denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative). 
Denial of the application would result in no significant change in 
current environmental impacts and would reduce the operational 
flexibility. The environmental impacts of the proposed action and the 
alternative action are similar.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for LaSalle 
County Station, Units 1 and 2.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on March 23, 2000, the staff 
consulted with the Illinois State official, Mr. Frank Nizeolik of the 
Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety, regarding the environmental 
impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes 
that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the 
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission has 
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the 
proposed action.
    For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the 
licensee's letter dated July 14, 1999, as supplemented on January 21, 
February 15, February 23, March 10, March 24, March 31, and April 7, 
2000, which are available for public inspection at the Commission's 
Public Document Room, The Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., 
Washington, DC, and accessible electronically through the ADAMS Public 
Electronic Reading Room link at the NRC Web site ((http://www.nrc.gov)

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 12th day of April 2000.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Anthony J. Mendiola,
Chief, Section 2, Project Directorate III, Division of Licensing 
Project Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 00-9961 Filed 4-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P