[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61500-61506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16895]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-456 and 50-457; NRC-2024-0112]
Constellation Energy Generation, LLC; Braidwood Station, Units 1
and 2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice; issuance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering
amending Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-72 and NPF-77,
which authorize Constellation Energy Generation, LLC, (Constellation,
the licensee) to operate Braidwood Station
[[Page 61501]]
(Braidwood), Units 1 and 2. The proposed amendments would change
Technical Specification (TS) Surveillance Requirement (SR) 3.7.9.2 to
allow an ultimate heat sink (UHS) temperature of less than or equal to
102.8 degrees Fahrenheit ([deg]F) through September 30, 2024. The NRC
staff is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no
significant impact (FONSI) associated with the proposed amendments.
DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on
July 31. 2024.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2024-0112 when contacting the
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You
may obtain publicly available information related to this document
using any of the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2024-0112. Address
questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann;
telephone: 301-415-0624; 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 https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, 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, at 301-415-4737,
or by email to [email protected]. For the convenience of the reader,
instructions about obtaining materials referenced in this document are
provided in the ``Availability of Documents'' section.
NRC's PDR: The PDR, where you may examine and order copies
of publicly available documents, is open by appointment. To make an
appointment to visit the PDR, please send an email to
[email protected] or call 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, between 8
a.m. and 4 p.m. eastern time (ET), Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
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 amending Renewed Facility Operating License
Nos. NPF-72 and NPF-77, which authorize Constellation to operate
Braidwood, Units 1 and 2, located in Will County, Illinois.
Constellation submitted its license amendment request in accordance
with section 50.90 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulation (10
CFR), ``Application for amendment of license, construction permit, or
early site permit,'' by letter dated June 4, 2024. If approved, the
license amendments would revise TS SR 3.7.9.2 to allow a temporary
increase in the allowable UHS average temperature of less than or equal
to (<=) 102.8 [deg]F (39.3 degrees Celsius ([deg]C)) through September
30, 2024. In accordance with 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC has determined that
an EA is the appropriate form of environmental review for the requested
action. Based on the results of the EA that follows, the NRC has
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the
proposed amendments and is issuing a FONSI.
II. Environmental Assessment
Description of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would allow Constellation to operate Braidwood,
Units 1 and 2, at UHS temperatures up to 102.8 [deg]F (39.3 [deg]C)
until September 30, 2024. The proposed action is in response to the
licensee's license amendment request application dated June 4, 2024.
The proposed action would amend the Braidwood, Units 1 and 2, renewed
operating licenses TS to allow a temporary increase in the allowable
average temperature of water withdrawn from the UHS and supplied to the
plant for cooling from <=102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) to <=102.8 [deg]F
(39.3 [deg]C) through September 30, 2024. Specifically, the proposed
action would revise TS SR 3.7.9.2, which currently states, ``Verify
average water temperature of UHS is <=102.8 [deg]F until September 30,
2023. After September 30, 2023, verify average water temperature of UHS
is <=102 [deg]F'' to state ``Verify average water temperature of UHS is
<=102.8 [deg]F until September 30, 2024. After September 30, 2024,
verify average water temperature of UHS is <=102 [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
102 [deg]F (38.9 [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 12 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 average water
temperature exceeds 102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) but is less than or equal
to 102.8 [deg]F (39.3 [deg]C) through September 30, 2024. The current
TS's UHS average water temperature limit of 102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C)
would remain applicable to all other time periods beyond September 30,
2024. The proposed action is nearly identical to previously approved
license amendments that allowed for the average water temperature of
the UHS to be <=102.8 [deg]F until September 30, 2020, September 30,
2021, September 30, 2022, and September 30, 2023. The NRC issued EAs
for the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, UHS amendments in the Federal
Register on September 10, 2020 (85 FR 55863), July 7, 2021 (86 FR
35831), July 20, 2022 (87 FR 43301), and June 16, 2023 (88 FR 39487),
respectively. The NRC issued the license amendments on September 24,
2020, July 13, 2021, August 10, 2022, and July 13, 2023, respectively.
The only difference between the previously approved amendments to TS SR
3.7.9.2 and the proposed action is that the proposed action would
replace the year ``2023'' with ``2024.'' It should also be noted that
during the past 4 years the temperature of the UHS has not exceeded 102
[deg]F, so no cumulative effects need be considered.
Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action would allow Constellation to operate Braidwood,
Units 1 and 2, during the hot summer months by allowing an UHS
temperature of <=102.8 [deg]F (39.3 [deg]C) until September 30, 2024.
The licensee has requested the proposed amendments in connection with
historical meteorological and atmospheric conditions that have resulted
in the TS UHS temperature being challenged. These conditions included
elevated air temperatures, high humidity, and low wind speed.
Specifically, from July 4, 2020, through July 9, 2020, northern
Illinois experienced high air temperatures and drought conditions,
which caused sustained elevated UHS temperatures. In response to these
conditions in 2020, the licensee submitted license amendment requests
contained in letter dated July 15, 2020, as supplemented by letter
dated August 14, 2020. The NRC subsequently granted the licensee's
request by letter dated September 24, 2020. The NRC approved similar
requests for subsequent years by letters dated July 13, 2021, August
10, 2022, and July 13, 2023. Constellation projects that similar
conditions are likely this year. The proposed action
[[Page 61502]]
would provide the licensee with operational flexibility until September
30, 2024, so that the plant shutdown criteria specified in the TS are
not triggered unless UHS temperature exceeds 102.8 [deg]F (39.3
[deg]C).
Plant Site and Environs
Braidwood Station, in Will County, Illinois, is located
approximately 50 miles (mi) or 80 kilometers (km) southwest of the
Chicago Metropolitan Area and 20 mi (32 km) south-southwest of Joliet.
The Kankakee River is approximately five 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 principal 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 water for 30 days without additional makeup water. The term
``UHS'' in this EA refers to the 99-ac (40-ha) essential cooling pond,
and 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 also 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. Constellation 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 also 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. In addition, the cooling pond is a managed ecosystem
where IDNR fish stocking and other human activities primarily influence
species composition and population dynamics.
Since the beginning of the lease agreement, the IDNR has stocked
the cooling pond with a variety of game fish, 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 warm 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 bluegills, which can tolerate high temperatures
with relatively high survival rates, 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 (ESA) 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) or
``Braidwood FSEIS'' (Final Supplemental Environment Impact Statement).
Figure 3-5 on pages 3-7 in the Braidwood FSEIS depicts the Braidwood
Station layout, and Figure 3-4 on pages 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.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The proposed action consists of changing the year ``2023'' to
``2024'' in TS SR 3.7.9.2, allowing a temporary increase in the
allowable UHS average temperature of <=102.8 [deg]F (39.3 [deg]C) until
September 30, 2024.
The proposed changes would not increase the probability or
consequences of radiological accidents. There would be no change to the
types or amounts of radioactive effluents released into the environment
and, therefore, no change in occupational or public radiation exposure
from the proposed changes. Therefore, there would be no significant
radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
In addition, the proposed action would have no direct impacts on
land use or terrestrial biota, as the proposed action involves no new
construction or modification of plant operational systems. There would
be no changes to the quality or quantity of nonradiological effluents
and no changes to the plant's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System permits would be needed. Overall staffing levels would not
increase; therefore, worker vehicle air emissions are not expected to
increase. In addition, there would be no noticeable effect on
socioeconomic conditions in the region, no environment justice impacts,
and no impacts to historic and cultural resources from the proposed
action.
Temporarily raising the maximum allowable UHS temperature could
increase cooling pond water temperatures until September 30, 2024.
Because the proposed action would not affect Braidwood's licensed
thermal
[[Page 61503]]
power level, the temperature rise across the condensers as cooling
water travels through the cooling system would remain unchanged. Thus,
if water in the UHS were to rise to 102.8 [deg]F (39.3 [deg]C), heated
water returning to the cooling pond through the discharge canal, which
lies west of the river screen house, could also experience a
corresponding increase. The additional heat load is expected to
dissipate across some thermal gradient as discharged water travels down
the discharge canal and through the 99-ac (40-ha) UHS.
Fish kills often 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. During the July
2012 event, cooling pond temperatures exceeded 100 [deg]F (37.8
[deg]C), which 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). The IDNR
attributed this event, as well as four of the other fish kill events,
to Braidwood operation and high cooling pond temperatures. Appendix B,
section 4.1, of the Braidwood renewed facility operating licenses,
requires Constellation to report unusual or important environmental
events, including fish kills, related to plant operation to the NRC.
Since November 2015 (issuance of the Braidwood FSEIS), Constellation
has not reported any additional fish kill events to the NRC. Although
not related to plant operation, several fish kills have occurred since
this time, the most recent of which happened in August 2018 and July
2020.
In section 4.7.1.3 of the Braidwood FSEIS, NRC staff concluded that
thermal impacts associated with continued operation of Braidwood during
the license renewal term 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, NRC 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. At that time, the UHS TS limit
was <=100 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C).
In 2016, the NRC granted license amendments that increased the
allowable UHS average water temperature TS limit from <=100 [deg]F
(37.8 [deg]C) to <=102.0 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C). The NRC staff concluded
in its environmental review that increasing the TS limit to <=102.0
[deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) would have no significant environmental effect,
and the NRC issued a FONSI with the EA.
In 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 the NRC granted additional license
amendments that temporarily increased the allowable UHS average water
temperature TS limit from <=102.0 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) to <=102.8
[deg]F (39.3 [deg]C) until September 30, 2020, September 30, 2021,
September 30, 2022, and September 30, 2023, respectively. The NRC staff
concluded in their reviews that temporarily increasing the TS limit to
<=102.8 [deg]F (39.3 [deg]C) would have no significant environmental
effect, and the NRC issued FONSIs with the EAs.
The NRC staff has also determined that this proposed action would
result in no significant impact to aquatic resources in the cooling
pond for the same reasons reached in the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023,
license amendments. The NRC staff's justification for this conclusion
is as follows.
The proposed increase in the allowable UHS average water
temperature limit by 0.8 [deg]F (0.4 [deg]C) would not increase the
likelihood of a fish kill event because the current TS limit for the
UHS of 102.0 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) already allows cooling pond
temperatures above those at which fish species can be 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. Thus, an incremental increase in the allowable UHS water
temperature by 0.8 [deg]F (0.4 [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 in the cooling
pond. Additionally, the proposed action would only increase the
allowable UHS average water temperature until September 30, 2024. Thus,
any impacts to the aquatic communities in the managed cooling pond, if
experienced, would be temporary in nature, and fish populations could
recover quickly.
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 previously discussed, these fish could
have already experienced thermal stress and possibly died, and the
additional temperature increase would not measurably affect the
mortality rate. For fish with thermal tolerances above 95 [deg]F (35
[deg]C), such as bluegill, increased mortality is possible, as
previously explained.
In addition, scientific literature provides conflicting information
as to whether incremental temperature increases would cause a
subsequent increase in mortality rates of bluegill or other high-
temperature-tolerant fish when temperatures exceed 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 1 hour of
exposure to 102.0 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C) water, average survival was
relatively low 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 a 3.6 [deg]F (2.0 [deg]C) increase 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 present inconsistent information on thermal
tolerance limits, data from past fish kill events indicate that Cairns'
study results more closely describe the cooling pond's bluegill
population because the licensee has not reported bluegill as one of the
species having been affected by past high temperature events. Thus,
bluegills are likely acclimating to temperature rises at rates that
allow individuals to remain in high temperature areas until
temperatures
[[Page 61504]]
decrease or allow 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.
Under the proposed action, fish exposure to temperatures
approaching the proposed UHS TS average water temperature limit of
102.8 [deg]F (39.3 [deg]C) and those exposed to the associated
discharge for at least 1 hour could result in observable deaths.
However, as stated previously, the licensee 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 and short-term temperature
increase 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).
Nonetheless, the discharge canal, flow path between the discharge
canal and the UHS, and the UHS itself is a small portion of the cooling
pond. Thus, while the incremental increase would likely increase the
area over which cooling pond temperatures would rise, most of the
cooling pond would remain at tolerable temperatures, and fish 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 not result in a significant
difference in the number of fish killed per high temperature events 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, thus, 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 Constellation and IDNR. Continued stocking would mitigate any
minor effects resulting from the proposed action. As previously stated
in this notice, although authorized to operate up to 102.8 [deg]F (39.3
[deg]C), at no time in the past 3 years did the UHS temperature exceed
102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C).
Based on the foregoing analysis, 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 or otherwise
result in significant impacts on aquatic resources in the cooling pond.
With respect to water resources and ecological resources along and
within the Kankakee River, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
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. The
Braidwood NPDES permit contains special conditions that mirror these
temperature requirements and that stipulate more detailed temperature
requirements at the edge of the mixing zone. Under the proposed action,
Braidwood thermal effluent would 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 or
ecological resources along or within the Kankakee River. Occasionally,
the licensee has applied for a provisional variance to allow higher-
than-permitted temperatures at the edge of the discharge mixing zone.
For instance, Exelon, the license holder at the time, applied for and
the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) granted one
provisional variance in 2012 during a period of extremely warm weather
and little to no precipitation. Constellation reported no fish kills or
other events to the IEPA and 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, Constellation would remain subject to
the regulatory controls described in this notice. The NRC staff finds
it reasonable to assume that Constellation'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 and ecological resources are protected. Further, the proposed
action would not alter the types or amounts of effluents being
discharged to the river as blowdown. Therefore, the NRC staff does not
expect any significant impacts to water or ecological resources within
and along the Kankakee River from temporarily increasing the allowable
UHS average water temperature TS limit.
With respect to Federally listed species, the NRC staff consulted
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) pursuant to section 7 of
the ESA during its license renewal environmental review for Braidwood.
During that consultation, the NRC staff found that the sheepnose
(Plethobasus cyphyus) and snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra) mussels 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 the results of a mussel survey to
the NRC and the FWS. The survey documented the
[[Page 61505]]
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 license
renewal may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the sheepnose
mussel, and the NRC determined that license renewal would have no
effect on the snuffbox mussel. 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
Record of Decision for Braidwood license renewal.
As previously described, the impacts of the proposed action would
be confined to the UHS cooling pond and would not affect water or
ecological resources along and within the Kankakee River. The NRC's
previous ESA, section 7, consultation confirmed that no Federally
listed aquatic species occur within or near the cooling pond. The NRC
has not identified any information indicating the presence of Federally
listed species in the area since consultation was concluded, and the
FWS has not listed any new aquatic species that may occur in the area
since that time. The proposed action would not result in any
disturbance or other impacts to terrestrial habitats and, thus, no
Federally listed terrestrial species would be affected. Accordingly,
the NRC staff concludes that the proposed action would have no effect
on Federally listed species or designated critical habitat.
Consultation with the FWS regarding the proposed action is not
necessary because the NRC staff has determined that the proposed action
will have no effect on listed species or critical habitat.
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 changes would
occur beyond the site boundaries and any impacts would be limited to
the cooling pond.
Based on the discussion and findings previously described in this
EA, the NRC concludes that the proposed action would not significantly
affect plant safety and would not have a significant adverse effect on
the probability of an accident occurring. In addition, there would be
no significant nonradiological environmental impacts associated with
the proposed action. Accordingly, the NRC concludes that the proposed
action would have no significant environmental effect on the quality of
the human environment.
Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC staff considered
the denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action''
alternative). Denial of the proposed action would result in no changes
to the current TS. Therefore, the licensee would continue to be
required to place Braidwood in hot standby (Mode 3) if average UHS
water temperatures exceed 102 [deg]F (38.9 [deg]C). The no-action
alternative would result in no change in current environmental
conditions or impacts at Braidwood beyond those considered in the
Braidwood FSEIS.
Alternative Use of Resources
There are no unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of
available resources under the proposed action.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
No additional agencies or persons were consulted regarding the
environmental impact of the proposed action.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
Constellation submitted a license amendment request in accordance
with 10 CFR 50.90. The request seeks to amend Renewed Facility
Operating License Nos. NPF-72 and NPF-77, issued to Constellation for
operation of Braidwood. The amendments would revise TS SR in TS 3.7.9.2
to allow a temporary increase in the allowable UHS average temperature
of less than or equal to (<=) 102.8 [deg]F (39.3 degrees Celsius
([deg]C)) through September 30, 2024. The NRC is considering the
requested amendments.
In addition, the NRC staff conducted an environmental review of the
proposed action, and prepared an EA, which is provided in Section II of
this notice and is incorporated by reference in this FONSI. The NRC
determined the proposed action would not significantly affect plant
safety, would not have a significant adverse effect on the probability
of an accident occurring, and would not have any significant
radiological or nonradiological impacts. Based on the EA, the NRC staff
has concluded that the proposed action will not have a significant
impact on the quality of the human environment. Based on its finding,
the NRC has decided not to prepare an environmental impact statement
for the proposed action.
As required by 10 CFR 51.32(a)(5), the related environmental
document is the ``Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License
Renewal of Nuclear Plants: Regarding Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2,
Final Report,'' NUREG-1437, Supplement 55, which provides the latest
environmental review of current operations and description of
environmental conditions at Braidwood.
Section IV lists the environmental documents related to the
proposed action and includes information on the availability of these
documents.
This FONSI and other related environmental documents are available
for public inspection and are accessible online in the ADAMS Public
Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in
accessing the documents located in ADAMS should contact the NRC's PDR
reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, or by
email to [email protected].
IV. Availability of Documents
The documents identified in the following table are available to
interested persons through one or more of the following methods, as
indicated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document description ADAMS accession No.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment Request
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Constellation Energy Generation, LLC. License Amendment to ML24156A245.
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2, Technical Specification
3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat Sink,'' dated June 4, 2024.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 61506]]
Similar Amendments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2--Issuance of Amendments ML20245E419.
Nos. 218 and 218 Re: Revision of Technical Specifications
for the Ultimate Heat Sink (EPID L-2020-LLA-0159), dated
September 24, 2020.
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2--Issuance of Amendments ML21154A046.
Nos. 222 and 222 Re: Revision of Technical Specifications
for the Ultimate Heat Sink (EPID L-2020-LLA-0095), dated
July 13, 2021.
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2--Issuance of Amendments ML22173A214.
Nos. 228 and 228 Re: Revision of Technical Specifications
for the Ultimate Heat Sink (EPID L-2022-LLA-0082), dated
August 10, 2022.
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2--Issuance of Amendment ML23087A076.
Nos. 232 and 232 Re: Revision of Technical Specifications
for the Ultimate Heat Sink (EPID L-2022-LLA-0042), dated
July 13, 2023.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Referenced Documents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cairns J. 1956. Effects of heat on fish. Industrial Wastes, n/a.\1\
1:180-183.
Banner A, Van Arman JA. 1973. Thermal effects on eggs, n/a.\1\
larvae and juveniles of bluegill sunfish. Washington, DC:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA-R3-73-041.
Ecological Specialists, Inc. Final Report: Five Year Post- ML15274A093 (Package).
Construction Monitoring of the Unionid Community Near the
Braidwood Station Kankakee River Discharge, dated
September 29, 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC. Byron and Braidwood ML14339A044.
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,
as modified by letter dated October 8, 2014 (ML14281A019).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Concurrence Letter ML15299A013.
Concluding Informal Consultation with the NRC for
Braidwood License Renewal, dated October 20, 2015.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC. License Amendment to ML20197A434.
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2, Technical Specification
3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat Sink,'' dated July 15, 2020.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC Supplement to License ML20227A375.
Amendment to Braidwood Station, Unit 1 and 2, Technical
Specification 3.7.9, ``Ultimate Heat Sink,'' dated August
14, 2020.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Generic Environmental ML15314A814.
Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants:
Regarding Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2, Final Report
(NUREG-1437, Supplement 55), dated November 30, 2015.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Constellation Energy ML053040362.
Generation, LLC; Docket No. STN 50-456; Braidwood Station,
Unit 1 Renewed Facility Operating License, issued on
January 27, 2016, as amended through amendment number 234.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Constellation Energy ML053040366.
Generation, LLC; Docket No. STN 50-457; Braidwood Station,
Unit 2 Renewed Facility Operating License, issued on
January 27, 2016, as amended through amendment number 234.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Record of Decision; ML15322A317.
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.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Environmental ML16181A007.
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Related to
Ultimate Heat Sink Modification, dated July 18, 2016.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Braidwood Station, ML16133A438.
Units 1 and 2--Issuance of Amendments Re: Ultimate Heat
Sink Temperature Increase, dated July 26, 2016.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Environmental ML20231A469.
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Related to
Temporary Revision of Technical Specifications for the
Ultimate Heat Sink, dated September 3, 2020.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Environmental ML21165A041.
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Related to
Temporary Revision of Technical Specifications for the
Ultimate Heat Sink, dated June 30, 2021.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Federal Register ML22159A176.
Notice, Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact Related to Temporary Revision of
Technical Specifications for the Ultimate Heat Sink, dated
July 15, 2022.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Federal Register ML23110A122.
Notice, Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact Related to Temporary Revision of
Technical Specifications for the Ultimate Heat Sink, dated
June 12, 2023.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ These references are subject to copyright laws and are, therefore, not reproduced in ADAMS.
Dated: July 26, 2024.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Joel S. Wiebe,
Senior Project Manager, Licensing Projects Branch III, Division of
Operating Reactors, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2024-16895 Filed 7-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P