[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48851-48857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17688]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-456 and 50-457; NRC-2016-0147]
Exelon Generation Company, LLC; Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact;
issuance.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering
issuance of amendments to Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-
72 and NPF-77 issued to Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Exelon, the
licensee) for operation of Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2
(Braidwood), located in Will County, Illinois. The proposed amendments
would revise the maximum allowable technical specification (TS)
temperature of the ultimate heat sink (UHS) for the plant. The NRC
staff is issuing a final environmental assessment (EA) and finding of
no significant impact (FONSI) associated with the proposed license
amendments.
DATES: The environmental assessment and finding of no significant
impact referenced in this document is available on July 26, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2016-0147 when contacting the
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You
may obtain publically-available information related to this document
using any of the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2016-0147. Address
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-
3463; email: [email protected]. For technical questions, contact
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this document.
NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly available documents online in the
ADAMS Public Documents collection at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ``ADAMS Public Documents'' and
then select ``Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS,
please contact the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at
1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by email to [email protected]. The
ADAMS accession number for each document referenced (if that document
is available in ADAMS) is provided in a table in the ``Availability of
Documents'' section of this document.
NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel S. Wiebe, Office of Nuclear
Reactor Regulation; U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC
20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-6606; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The NRC is considering issuance of amendments to Renewed Facility
Operating License Nos. NPF-72 and NPF-77 issued to Exelon for operation
of Braidwood located in Will County, Illinois. Exelon submitted its
license amendment request in accordance with section 50.90 of title 10
of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), by letter dated August 19,
2014 (ADAMS Accession No. ML14231A902). Exelon subsequently
supplemented its request as described under ``Description of the
Proposed Action'' in Section II of this document. If approved, the
license amendments would increase the allowable TS temperature limit of
the cooling water supplied to the plant from the UHS from less than or
equal to (<=) 100 degrees Fahrenheit ([deg]F) (37.8 degrees Celsius
[[deg]C]) to <=102[emsp14][deg]F (38.9 [deg]C). The NRC staff prepared
an EA to document its findings related to the proposed license
amendments in accordance with 10 CFR 51.21. Based on results of the EA
documented herein, the NRC did not identify any significant
environmental impacts associated with the proposed amendments and is,
therefore, issuing a FONSI in accordance with 10 CFR 51.32.
II. Environmental Assessment
Plant Site and Environs
Braidwood is located in Will County, Illinois, approximately 50
miles (mi; 80 kilometers [km]) southwest of the
[[Page 48852]]
Chicago Metropolitan Area and 20 mi (32 km) south-southwest of Joliet.
The Kankakee River is approximately 5 mi (8 km) east of the eastern
site boundary. An onsite 2,540-acre (ac; 1,030-hectare [ha]) cooling
pond provides condenser cooling. Cooling water is withdrawn from the
pond through the lake screen house, which is located at the north end
of the pond. Heated water returns to the cooling pond through a
discharge canal west of the lake screen house intake that is separated
from the intake by a dike. The pond typically holds 22,300 acre-feet
(27.5 million cubic meters) of water at any given time. The cooling
pond includes both ``essential'' and ``non-essential'' areas. The
essential cooling pond is the portion of the cooling pond that serves
as the UHS for emergency core cooling, and it consists of a 99-ac (40-
ha) excavated area of the pond directly in front of the lake screen
house. The essential cooling pond's principle functions are to
dissipate residual heat after reactor shutdown and to dissipate heat
after an accident. It is capable of supplying Braidwood's cooling
system with 30 days of station operation without additional makeup
water. For clarity, use of the term ``UHS'' in this document refers to
the 99-ac (40-ha) essential cooling pond, and use of the term ``cooling
pond'' or ``pond'' describes the entire 2,540-ac (1,030-ha) area, which
includes both the essential and non-essential areas.
The cooling pond is part of the Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and
Wildlife Area, which encompasses the majority of the non-UHS area of
the cooling pond as well as Illinois Department of Natural Resources
(IDNR)-owned lands adjacent to the Braidwood site to the south and
southwest of the cooling pond. Exelon and the IDNR have jointly managed
the cooling pond as part of the Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and
Wildlife Area since 1991 pursuant to a long-term lease agreement. Under
the terms of the agreement, the public has access to the pond for
fishing, waterfowl hunting, fossil collecting, and other recreational
activities.
The cooling pond is a wastewater treatment works as defined by
Section 301.415 of Title 35 of the Illinois Administrative Code (35 IAC
301.415). Under this definition, the cooling pond is not considered
waters of the State under Illinois Administrative Code (35 IAC 301.440)
or waters of the United States under the Federal Clean Water Act (40
CFR 230.3(s)), and so the cooling pond is not subject to State water
quality standards. The cooling pond can be characterized as a managed
ecosystem where IDNR fish stocking and other human activities primarily
influence the species composition and population dynamics.
Since the beginning of the lease agreement between Exelon and IDNR,
the IDNR has stocked the cooling pond with a variety of game species,
including largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), smallmouth bass (M.
dolomieu), blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), striped bass (Morone
saxatilis), crappie (Pomoxis spp.), walleye (Sander vitreum), and tiger
muskellunge (Esox masquinongy x lucius). IDNR performs annual surveys
to determine which fish to stock based on fishermen preferences, fish
abundance, different species' tolerance to warm waters, predator and
prey dynamics, and other factors. Because of the high water
temperatures experienced in the summer months, introductions of warm-
water species, such as largemouth bass and blue catfish, have been more
successful than introductions of cool-water species, such as walleye
and tiger muskellunge. Since annual surveys began in 1980, IDNR has
collected 47 species in the cooling pond. In recent years, bluegill
(Lepomis macrochirus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), threadfin
shad (Dorosoma petenense), and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) have been
among the most abundant species in the cooling pond. Gizzard shad
(Dorosoma cepedianum), one of the most frequently affected species
during periods of elevated pond temperatures, have decreased in
abundance dramatically in recent years, while bluegill, which can
tolerate high temperatures with relatively high survival, have
noticeably increased in relative abundance. IDNR-stocked warm water
game species, such as largemouth bass and blue catfish, continue to
persist in small numbers, while cooler water stocked species, such as
walleye and tiger muskellunge, no longer appear in IDNR survey
collections. No Federally-listed species or designated critical
habitats protected under the Endangered Species Act occur within or
near the cooling pond.
The Kankakee River serves as the source of makeup water for the
cooling pond. The river also receives continuous blowdown from the
cooling pond. Water is withdrawn from a small river screen house
located on the Kankakee River, and liquid effluents from Braidwood are
discharged into the cooling pond blowdown line, which subsequently
discharges into the Kankakee River.
The plant site and environs are described in greater detail in
Chapter 3 of the NRC's November 2015, Generic Environmental Impact
Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants: Regarding Braidwood
Station, Units 1 and 2--Final Report (NUREG-1437, Supplement 55)
(herein referred to as ``Braidwood FSEIS'' [Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement]). Figure 3-5 on page 3-7 of the
Braidwood FSEIS depicts the Braidwood plant layout, and Figure 3-4 on
page 3-6 depicts the cooling pond, including the portion of the pond
that constitutes the essential cooling pond (or UHS) and the blowdown
line to the Kankakee River.
Description of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would increase the allowable TS temperature
limit of the cooling water supplied to the plant from the UHS from
<=100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C) to <=102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C). Specifically,
the proposed action would amend TS 3.7.9.2, which currently states,
``Verify average water temperature of UHS is <=100 [deg]F.'' Under the
current TS, if the average UHS temperature as measured at the discharge
of the operating Essential Service Water system pumps is greater than
100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C), TS 3.7.9 Required Actions A.1 and A.2 would
be entered concurrently and would require the licensee to place
Braidwood in hot standby (Mode 3) within 6 hours and cold shutdown
(Mode 5) within 36 hours. The proposed action would allow Braidwood to
continue to operate during times when the UHS indicated temperature
exceeds 100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C) but is less than or equal to 102
[deg]F (38.9 [deg]C). The proposed action would not modify the TS
Required Actions, Completion Times, Frequency of Surveillance
Requirement performance, or any other portion of TS 3.7.9. Therefore,
the proposed amendments would require the licensee to place Braidwood
in Mode 3 within 6 hours and Mode 5 within 36 hours if the UHS
indicated temperature is greater than 102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C).
The proposed action to amend TS 3.7.9.2 is in accordance with the
licensee's application dated August 19, 2014, as supplemented by
letters dated January 20, 2015, March 31, 2015, April 30, 2015, August
24, 2015, October 9, 2015, October 30, 2015, November 9, 2015, December
16, 2015, February 12, 2016, April 29, 2016, and June 16, 2016.
Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed to provide the licensee with
operational flexibility during periods of high UHS temperatures in
order to avoid plant shutdown. These conditions include elevated air
temperatures, high humidity, and low wind speed. For instance, in July
2012, Exelon requested,
[[Page 48853]]
and the NRC approved, Enforcement Discretion to avoid plant shutdown
and associated transient following unprecedented hot weather and
drought conditions in northern Illinois that resulted in the Braidwood
average discharge temperature of the essential service water pumps used
to monitor compliance with TS 3.7.9.2 to exceed the limit of <=100
[deg]F (37.8 [deg]C). The NRC's Enforcement Discretion allowed Exelon
to continue to operate Braidwood with an average UHS water temperature
of up to <=102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) for a period of 24 hours before
Exelon would be required to place Braidwood in hot standby (Mode 3) in
accordance with TS 3.7.9 Required Action A.1. The Enforcement
Discretion period extended from July 7, 2012, at 3:56 p.m. until July
8, 2012, 3:56 p.m. During that time, the average UHS water temperature
exceeded 100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C). Although Exelon did not anticipate
making a license amendment request at the time of the NRC's Enforcement
Discretion, Exelon is seeking the current license amendments in
anticipation of future meteorological conditions that may continue to
challenge the current UHS TS temperature limit of <=100 [deg]F (37.8
[deg]C).
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
With regard to radiological impacts, the proposed action would not
result in any changes in the types of radioactive effluents that may be
released from the plant offsite. No significant increase in the amount
of any radioactive effluent released offsite or significant increase in
occupational or public radiation exposure is expected from the proposed
action. Separate from this EA, the NRC staff is evaluating the
licensee's safety analyses of the potential radiological consequences
of an accident that may result from the proposed action. The results of
the NRC staff's safety analysis will be documented in a safety
evaluation (SE). If the NRC staff concludes in the SE that all
pertinent regulatory requirements related to radiological effluents are
met by the proposed UHS temperature limit increase, then the proposed
action would result in no significant radiological impact to the
environment. The NRC staff's SE will be issued with the license
amendments, if approved by the NRC.
With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, raising the
maximum allowable UHS temperature from <=100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C) to
<=102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) could result in periods of increased cooling
pond water temperatures, especially during periods of extreme high air
temperatures, high humidity, and low wind. Because the proposed action
would not affect Braidwood's licensed thermal power level, the
temperature rise across the condensers as cooling water travels through
the cooling system would remain constant. Therefore, if water in the
UHS were to rise to 102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C), heated water returning to
the cooling pond through the discharge canal, which lies west of the
river screen house, would also experience a corresponding 2 [deg]F (1.1
[deg]C) increase. That additional heat load would dissipate across some
thermal gradient as discharged water would travel down the discharge
canal and through the 99-ac (40-ha) UHS.
Fish kills are likely to occur when cooling pond temperatures rise
above 95 [deg]F (35 [deg]C), the temperature at which most fish in the
cooling pond are thermally stressed. For example, Section 3.7.4 of the
Braidwood FSEIS describes six fish kill events for the period of 2001
through 2015. The fish kill events, which occurred in July 2001, August
2001, June 2005, August 2007, June 2009, and July 2012, primarily
affected threadfin shad and gizzard shad, although bass, catfish, carp,
and other game fish were also affected. Reported peak temperatures in
the cooling pond during these events ranged from 98.4 [deg]F (36.9
[deg]C) to over 100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C), and each event resulted in
the death of between 700 to as many as 10,000 fish. The event
identified in Exelon letter dated April 30, 2014, in which cooling pond
temperatures exceeded 100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C) occurred on July 7 and
8, 2012, and resulted in the death of approximately 3,000 gizzard shad
and 100 bass, catfish, and carp. This event coincided with the NRC's
granting of Enforcement Discretion to allow Braidwood to continue to
operate above the TS limit of <=100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C) as previously
described in the ``Need for the Proposed Action'' section of this
document. The IDNR attributed this event, as well as four of the other
fish kill events, to high cooling pond temperatures resulting from
Braidwood operation. Appendix B, Section 4.1 of the Braidwood renewed
facility operating licenses, requires Exelon to report to the NRC the
occurrence of unusual or important environmental events, including fish
kills. Since the issuance of the Braidwood FSEIS in November 2015,
Exelon has not reported any additional fish kill events to the NRC.
In Section 4.7.1.3 of the Braidwood FSEIS, the NRC staff concluded
that thermal impacts associated with continued operation of Braidwood
during the license renewal term (i.e., with a UHS TS limit of <=100
[deg]F) would result in SMALL to MODERATE impacts to aquatic resources
in the cooling pond. MODERATE impacts would primarily be experienced by
gizzard shad and other non-stocked and low-heat tolerant species. As
part of its conclusion, the staff also noted that because the cooling
pond is a highly managed system, any cascading effects that result from
the loss of gizzard shad (such as reduction in prey for stocked
species, which in turn could affect those stocked species' populations)
could be mitigated through IDNR's annual stocking and continual
management of the pond.
Regarding the proposed action, the proposed increase in the
allowable UHS temperature limit would not increase the likelihood of a
fish kill event attributable to high cooling pond temperatures because
the current TS limit for the UHS of <=100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C) already
results in cooling pond temperatures above those at which most fish
species are thermally stressed (95 [deg]F (35 [deg]C). In effect, if
the UHS temperature rises to the current TS limit, fish within or near
the discharge canal, within the flow path between the discharge canal
and UHS, or within the UHS itself would have already experienced
thermal stress and possibly died. Therefore, an incremental increase in
the allowable UHS water temperature by 2 [deg]F (1.1 [deg]C) and the
corresponding temperature increases within and near the discharge canal
and within the flow path between the discharge canal and UHS would not
significantly affect the number of fish kill events experienced in the
cooling pond.
While the proposed action would not affect the likelihood of a fish
kill event occurring during periods when the average UHS water
temperature approaches the TS limit, the proposed action could increase
the number of fish killed per high temperature event. For fish with
thermal tolerances at or near 95 [deg]F (35 [deg]C), there would likely
be no significant difference in the number of affected fish per high
temperature event because, as already stated, these fish would have
already experienced thermal stress and possibly died and the additional
temperature increase would not measurably affect the mortality rate of
these individuals. For fish with thermal tolerances above 95 [deg]F (35
[deg]C), such as bluegill, increased mortality is possible, as
described below.
The available scientific literature provides conflicting
information to support a clear determination of whether the incremental
increase of 2 [deg]F (1.1 [deg]C) would result in a subsequent increase
in the mortality rate of bluegill or other high-temperature-tolerant
fish
[[Page 48854]]
at temperatures exceeding 100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C). For instance, in
laboratory studies, Banner and Van Arman (1973) demonstrated 85 percent
survival of juvenile bluegill after 24 hours of exposure to 98.6 [deg]F
(37.0 [deg]C) water for stock acclimated to 91.2 [deg]F (32.9 [deg]C).
At 100.0 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C), survival decreased to 25 percent, and at
100.4 [deg]F (38.0 [deg]C) and 102.0 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C), no
individuals survived. Even at one hour of exposure to 102.0 [deg]F
(38.9 [deg]C) water, average survival was relatively low at between 40
to 67.5 percent per replicate. However, in another laboratory study,
Cairns (1956 in Banner and Van Arman 1973) demonstrated that if
juvenile bluegill were acclimated to higher temperatures at 3.6 [deg]F
(2.0 [deg]C) per day, individuals could tolerate water temperatures up
to 102.6 [deg]F (39.2 [deg]C) with 80 percent survival after 24 hours
of exposure.
Although these studies provide inconsistent thermal tolerance
limits, information from past fish kill events indicates that Cairns'
results better describe the cooling pond's bluegill population because
Exelon has not reported bluegill as one of the species that has been
affected by past high temperature events, including the July 2012 event
during which the cooling pond exceeded 100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C).
Therefore, bluegill are likely acclimating to temperature rises at a
rate that allows those individuals to remain in high temperature areas
until temperatures decrease or that allows individuals time to seek
refuge in cooler areas of the pond. Alternately, if Banner and Van
Arman's results were more predictive, 75 percent or more of bluegill
individuals in high temperature areas of the cooling pond could be
expected to die at temperatures approaching or exceeding 100 [deg]F
(37.8 [deg]C) for 24 hours, and shorter exposure time would likely
result in the death of some reduced percentage of bluegill individuals.
Exposure to temperatures approaching 102.0 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) for at
least one hour would also result in observable deaths. However, as
stated previously, Exelon has not reported bluegill as one of the
species that has been affected during past fish kills. Consequently,
the NRC staff assumes that bluegill and other high-temperature-tolerant
species in the cooling pond would experience effects similar to those
observed in Cairn's study.
Based on Cairn's results, the proposed action's incremental
increase of 2 [deg]F (1.1 [deg]C) could result in the death of some
additional high-temperature-tolerant individuals, especially in cases
where cooling pond temperatures rise dramatically over a short period
of time (more than 3.6 [deg]F (2.0 [deg]C) in a 24-hour period). These
additional deaths would likely occur in the region of the UHS nearest
to the intake because this water, which is likely near or slightly
above 100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C) under current operations, could rise by
an average of an additional 2 [deg]F (1.1 [deg]C). This scenario could
create conditions just above those individuals' thermal tolerances.
Effectively, this area of the UHS, which would have been within the
upper thermal limit of habitable conditions for high-temperature-
tolerant individuals under the current TS limit, would likely become
uninhabitable under the proposed action's TS limit of <=102 [deg]F
(38.9 [deg]C). Therefore, high-temperature-tolerant individuals in this
area that would survive under current conditions could experience
thermal stress and possibly die under the proposed action.
Nonetheless, for all fish species (those with thermal tolerances
above and below 95 [deg]F [35 [deg]C]), the discharge canal, flow path
between the discharge canal and the UHS, and the UHS itself is a small
portion of the cooling pond. Therefore, while an incremental increase
of the UHS to <=102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) would likely increase the area
over which cooling pond temperatures would rise, the majority of the
cooling pond would remain at tolerable temperatures, and individuals
would be able to seek refuge in those cooler areas. Therefore, only
fish within or near the discharge canal, within the flow path between
the discharge canal and UHS, or within the UHS itself at the time of
elevated temperatures, would likely be affected, and fish would
experience such effects to lessening degrees over the thermal gradient
that extends from the discharge canal. This would result in no
significant difference in the number of fish killed per high
temperature event resulting from the proposed action when compared to
current operations for those species with thermal tolerances at or near
95 [deg]F (35 [deg]C) and an insignificant increase in the number of
individuals affected for species with thermal tolerances above 95
[deg]F (35 [deg]C), such as bluegill. Additionally, the cooling pond is
a managed ecosystem in which fish stocking, fishing pressure, and
predator-prey relationships constitute the primary population
pressures. Fish populations affected by fish kills generally recover
quickly, and therefore, fish kills do not appear to significantly
influence the fish community structure. This is demonstrated by the
fact that the species that are most often affected by high temperature
events (threadfin shad and gizzard shad) are also among the most
abundant species in the cooling pond. Managed species would continue to
be assessed and stocked by the IDNR on an annual basis in accordance
with the lease agreement between Exelon and IDNR. Continued stocking
would mitigate any minor effects resulting from the proposed action.
Accordingly, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed action would not
result in significant impacts to aquatic resources in the cooling pond.
Some terrestrial species, such as birds or other wildlife, rely on
fish or other aquatic resources from the cooling pond as a source of
food. The NRC staff does not expect any significant impacts to birds or
other wildlife because, if a fish kill occurs, the number of dead fish
would be a small proportion of the total population of fish in the
cooling pond. Furthermore, during fish kills, birds and other wildlife
could consume many of the floating, dead fish. Additionally and as
described previously, the NRC staff does not expect that the proposed
action would result in a significant difference in the number or
intensity of fish kill events.
With regard to water resources and ecological resources along and
within the Kankakee River, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
(IEPA) imposes regulatory controls on Braidwood's thermal effluent
through Title 35, Environmental Protection, Section 302, ``Water
Quality Standards,'' of the Illinois Administrative Code (35 IAC 302)
and through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permitting process pursuant to the Clean Water Act. Section 302 of the
Illinois Administrative Code stipulates that ``[t]he maximum
temperature rise shall not exceed 2.8 [deg]C (5 [deg]F) above natural
receiving water body temperatures,'' (35 IAC 302.211(d)) and that
``[w]ater temperature at representative locations in the main river
shall at no time exceed 33.7 [deg]C (93 [deg]F) from April through
November and 17.7 [deg]C (63 [deg]F) in other months'' (35 IAC
302.211(e)). Additional stipulations pertaining to the mixing zone
further protect water resources and biota from thermal effluents.
Special Condition 4 of Braidwood NPDES permit no. IL0048321 mirrors
these temperature requirements and also requires that water temperature
at the edge of the mixing zone not exceed 60 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C) from
December through March during more than 1 percent of the hours in a 12-
month period and that at no time shall the water temperature at such
locations exceed the maximum limits by more than 3 [deg]F (1.6 [deg]C)
(i.e., 63 [deg]F [17.2 [deg]C]). Under the proposed action, Braidwood
thermal effluent would
[[Page 48855]]
continue to be limited by the Illinois Administrative Code and the
Braidwood NPDES permit to ensure that Braidwood operations do not
create adverse effects on water resources or ecological resources along
or within the Kankakee River. In the past 5 years, Exelon applied for
and the IEPA granted one provisional variance to allow higher-than-
permitted temperatures at the edge of the discharge mixing zone caused
by a period of extremely warm weather and little to no precipitation.
Exelon reported no fish kills or other events to the IEPA or the NRC
that would indicate adverse environmental effects resulting from the
provisional variance. The details of this provisional variance are
described in Section 4.7.1.3 of the Braidwood FSEIS. Under the proposed
action, Exelon would remain subject to these Federal and State
regulatory controls. The NRC staff finds it reasonable to assume that
Exelon's continued compliance with, and the State's continued
enforcement of, the Illinois Administrative Code and the Braidwood
NPDES permit would ensure that Kankakee River water resources and
ecological resources are protected. Further, the proposed action would
not alter the types or amount of effluents being discharged to the
river as blowdown. Therefore, the NRC staff does not expect any
significant impacts to water resources or ecological resources within
and along the Kankakee River as a result of raising the maximum
allowable UHS temperature limit.
During its license renewal environmental review, the NRC staff
consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) pursuant to
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act concerning Federally-listed
species. During that consultation, the NRC found that the sheepnose
(Plethobasus cyphyus) and snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra) mussels,
northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and eastern
massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) had the potential to occur in the
areas that would be directly or indirectly affected by license renewal
(i.e., the action area). In September 2015, Exelon transmitted to the
NRC and the FWS the results of a mussel survey, which documented the
absence of Federally-listed mussels near the Braidwood discharge site
in the Kankakee River. Based on this survey and other information
described in the Braidwood FSEIS, the NRC concluded that the license
renewal may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the sheepnose
mussel. For the remaining species, the NRC determined that license
renewal would have no effect on the snuffbox, northern long-eared bat,
and eastern massasauga. The FWS concurred with the NRC's ``not likely
to adversely affect'' determination in a letter dated October 20, 2015.
The results of the consultation are further summarized in the January
27, 2016, Record of Decision for Braidwood license renewal. As
previously described, the proposed increase in the allowable UHS
temperature limit would not affect water resources or ecological
resources along and within the Kankakee River. The proposed action
would also not result in any disturbance or other impacts to
terrestrial habitats. Because impacts would be confined to the cooling
pond and no Federally-listed species or designated critical habitats
have been identified within or near the cooling pond, the NRC staff
concludes that the proposed action would have no effect on Federally-
listed species or critical habitat. Accordingly, consultation with the
FWS for the proposed action is not necessary because Federal agencies
are not required to consult with the FWS if the agency determines that
an action will have no effect on listed species or critical habitat as
stated in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species
Consultations: Frequently Asked Questions, dated July 15, 2013.
The NRC staff has identified no foreseeable land use, visual
resource, noise, or waste management impacts given that the proposed
action would not result in any physical changes to Braidwood facilities
or equipment or changes any land uses on or off site. The NRC staff has
identified no air quality impacts given that the proposed action would
not result in air emissions beyond what would be experienced during
current operations. Additionally, there would be no socioeconomic,
environmental justice, or historic and cultural resource impacts
associated with the proposed action since no physical change would
occur beyond the site boundaries and any impacts would be limited to
the cooling pond.
Based on the foregoing analysis, the NRC staff concludes that the
proposed action would have no significant environmental impacts.
Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC considered denial
of the proposed amendments (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative).
Denial of the proposed amendments would result in no change in current
environmental conditions and impacts at Braidwood.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in NUREG-1437, Supplement 55, Generic
Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants:
Regarding Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2--Final Report.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
The staff did not enter into consultation with any other Federal
agency or with the State of Illinois regarding the environmental impact
of the proposed action. However, on May 11, 2016, the NRC notified the
Illinois State official, Mr. Alwyn C. Settles, Nuclear Facility Section
Head, of the Bureau of Nuclear Facility Safety of the proposed
amendments. The State official had no comments.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
The NRC is considering issuing amendments for Renewed Facility
Operating License Nos. NPF-72 and NPF-77, issued to Exelon for
operation of Braidwood to increase the allowable TS 3.7.9.2 temperature
limit of the cooling water supplied to the plant from the UHS from
<=100[emsp14][deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) to <=102[emsp14][deg]F (38.9 [deg]C).
On the basis of the EA included in Section II above and
incorporated by reference in this finding, the NRC concludes that the
proposed action would not have significant effects on the quality of
the human environment. The NRC's evaluation considered information
provided in the licensee's application and associated supplements as
well as the NRC's independent review of other relevant environmental
documents. Section IV below lists the environmental documents related
to the proposed action and includes information on the availability of
these documents. Based on its findings, the NRC has decided not to
prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed action.
IV. Availability of Documents
The following table identifies the documents cited in this document
and related to the NRC's FONSI. These documents are available for
public inspection online through ADAMS at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html or in person at the NRC's PDR as previously described.
[[Page 48856]]
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Document ADAMS Accession No.
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License Amendment Request and Associated Supplements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML14231A902
Request for a License Amendment to
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2,
Technical Specification 3.7.9, ``Ultimate
Heat Sink.'' Dated August 19, 2014.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML15020A246
Supplemental Information in Support of
Request for a License Amendment to
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2,
Technical Specification 3.7.9, ``Ultimate
Heat Sink.'' Dated January 20, 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML15090A604
Response to Request for Additional
Information Regarding Request for a
License Amendment to Braidwood Station,
Units 1 and 2, Technical Specification
3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat Sink.'' Dated
March 31, 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML15120A396
Response to Request for Additional
Information Regarding Request for a
License Amendment to Braidwood Station,
Units 1 and 2, Technical Specification
3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat Sink.'' Dated
April 30, 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML15236A144
Supplemental Information in Support of
Request for a License Amendment to
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2,
Technical Specification 3.7.9, ``Ultimate
Heat Sink.'' Dated August 24, 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML15282A345
Response to Request for Additional
Information Regarding Request for a
License Amendment to Braidwood Station,
Units 1 and 2, Technical Specification
3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat Sink.'' Dated
October 9, 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML15303A326
Response to Request for Additional
Information Regarding Request for a
License Amendment to Braidwood Station,
Units 1 and 2, Technical Specification
3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat Sink.'' Dated
October 30, 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML15313A254
Response to Request for Additional
Information Regarding Request for a
License Amendment to Braidwood Station,
Units 1 and 2, Technical Specification
3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat Sink.'' Dated
November 9, 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML15364A369
Response to Request for Additional
Information Regarding Request for a
License Amendment to Braidwood Station,
Units 1 and 2, Technical Specification
3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat Sink.'' Dated
December 16, 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML16043A496
Supplemental Information in Support of
Request for a License Amendment to
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2,
Technical Specification 3.7.9, ``Ultimate
Heat Sink.'' Dated February 12, 2016.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML16123A014
Response to Request for Additional
Information Regarding Request for a
License Amendment to Braidwood Station,
Units 1 and 2, Technical Specification
3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat Sink.'' Dated
April 29, 2016.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML16169A139
Supplemental Information Regarding Request
for a License Amendment to Braidwood
Station, Units 1 and 2, Technical
Specification 3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat
Sink.'' Dated June 17, 2016.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Referenced Documents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cairns J. 1956. Effects of heat on fish. n/a \(1)\
Industrial Wastes, 1:180-183.
Banner A, Van Arman JA. 1973. Thermal n/a \(1)\
effects on eggs, larvae and juveniles of
bluegill sunfish. Washington, DC: U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. EPA-R3-
73-041.
Ecological Specialists, Inc............... ML15274A087
Final Report: Five Year Post-Construction
Monitoring of the Unionid Community Near
the Braidwood Station Kankakee River
Discharge. Dated September 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML12192A637
Request for Enforcement Discretion for
Technical Specification 3.7.9, ``Ultimate
Heat Sink.'' Dated July 10, 2012.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML12249A256
Licensee Event Report 2012-004-01--Notice
of Enforcement Discretion Received for
Ultimate Heat Sink Temperature Exceeding
Technical Specifications Requirements Due
to Prolonged Hot Weather. Dated September
5, 2012.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML12349A174
Licensee Event Report 2012-004-01--Notice
of Enforcement Discretion Received for
Ultimate Heat Sink Temperature Exceeding
Technical Specifications Requirements Due
to Prolonged Hot Weather. Dated December
13, 2012.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML14339A044
Byron and Braidwood Stations, Units 1 and
2, License Renewal Application, Braidwood
Station Applicant's Environmental Report,
Responses to Requests for Additional
Information, Environmental RAIs AQ-11 to
AQ-15. Dated April 30, 2014.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC............ ML15274A093
Braidwood, Units 1 and 2--Transmittal of
Report Titled ``Five Year Post-
Construction Monitoring of the Unionid
Community Near the Braidwood Station
Kankakee River Discharge Location.''
Dated September 2015.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.. ML14227A712
Exelon Generation Company, LLC--Braidwood
Station, Units 1 and 2, National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Permit No. IL0048321. Issued on
July 31, 2014
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service............ ML16120A505
Endangered Species Consultations:
Frequently Asked Questions. Dated July
15, 2013.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service............ ML15299A013
Concurrence Letter Concluding Informal
Consultation with the NRC for Braidwood
License Renewal. Dated October 20, 2015.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission........ ML12194A681
Notice of Enforcement Discretion for
Exelon Generation Company, LLC, Regarding
Braidwood Station. Dated July 12, 2012.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission........ ML15314A814
Generic Environmental Impact Statement for
License Renewal of Nuclear Plants:
Regarding Braidwood Plant, Units 1 and 2--
Final Report (NUREG-1437, Supplement 55).
Dated November 30, 2015.
[[Page 48857]]
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission........ ML053040362
Exelon Generation Company, LLC; Docket No.
STN 50-456; Braidwood Station, Unit 1
Renewed Facility Operating License.
Issued on January 27, 2016
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission........ ML053040366
Exelon Generation Company, LLC; Docket No.
STN 50-457; Braidwood Station, Unit 2
Renewed Facility Operating License.
Issued on January 27, 2016.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission........ ML15322A317
Record of Decision; U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission; Docket Nos. 50-456
and 560-457; License Renewal Application
for Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2.
Dated January 27, 2016.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ These references are subject to copyright laws and are, therefore,
not reproduced in ADAMS.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 18th day of July 2016.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Joel S. Wiebe,
Senior Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch III-2, Division of
Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2016-17688 Filed 7-25-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P