Exelon Generation Company, LLC; Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2, 48851-48857 [2016-17688]

Agencies

• NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[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 https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2016-0147. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-
3463; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. 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 ``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 pdr.resource@nrc.gov. 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: Joel.Wiebe@nrc.gov.

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 https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html or in person at the NRC's PDR as previously described.

[[Page 48856]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Document                        ADAMS Accession No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          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