ML021360186

G20020271/LTR-02-0324 - Response to John Skolds Ltr - RAI Regarding the Impact of the Construction of the Linfield Energy Center Power Plant on the Safe Operation of the Limerick Generating Station. (MB4990 and MB4991)

ML021360186
Person / Time
Site:	Limerick
Issue date:	05/24/2002
From:	Gratton C NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD1
To:	Skolds J Exelon Generation Co, Exelon Nuclear
Gratton C, NRR/DLPM 415-1055
Shared Package
ML021360225	List: ML021360186
References
G20020271, LTR-02-0324, TAC MB4990, TAC MB4991
Download: ML021360186 (7)

Text

May 24, 2002 Mr. John L. Skolds, President and Chief Nuclear Officer Exelon Nuclear Exelon Generation Company, LLC 200 Exelon Way, KSA 3-E Kennett Square, PA 19348

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE IMPACT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LINFIELD ENERGY CENTER POWER PLANT ON THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE LIMERICK GENERATING STATION (MB4990 AND MB4991)

Dear Mr. Skolds:

You may be aware that FPL Energy (FPLE) is planning to construct a 550-megawatt, gas-fired power plant, the Linfield Energy Center, at a location adjacent to Exelon Generation Companys (Exelon) Limerick Generating Station (LGS), Units 1 and 2. The staff has been monitoring the potential construction of the Linfield Energy Center for some time. While the Linfield Energy Center is not within the regulatory authority of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the construction and operation of the facility may have potential safety implications for LGS. It appears that the original design of LGS Units 1 and 2 did not consider a facility like the Linfield Energy Center within close proximity to LGS.

In Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 100.10, the Commission specifies factors to be considered when evaluating sites for nuclear facilities. It states that reactors are expected to have an extremely low probability for accidents that could result in the release of significant quantities of radioactive fission products, and that, should an accident occur, the reactor facility should ensure a low risk of public exposure. NRC staff guidance on the identification of potential hazards in the vicinity of the site is described in NUREG-800, Standard Review Plan [SRP] for the Review of Safety Analysis Reports for Nuclear Power Plants, SRP No. 2.2.1 - 2.2.2. NRC staff guidance on the evaluation of potential hazards is described in SRP No. 2.2.3 of NUREG-0800. Section 2.2.3 of the LGS Units 1 and 2 Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR) describes Exelons evaluation of potential accidents in nearby transportation and industrial facilities, some of which were used to determine the design of LGS Units 1 and 2. The previous licensee, PECO Energy Company, completed this evaluation during initial plant licensing and did not consider an industrial facility the size or in the location of what is being planned by FPLE.

The construction and operation of a gas-fired power plant within close proximity to LGS has the potential to adversely affect the analyses described in Section 2.2.3 of the LGS Units 1 and 2 UFSAR. As a result, the NRC requests that you assess the impact of construction and operation of the proposed power plant on LGS Units 1 and 2. If your assessment determines that the impact adversely affects the analyses currently described in the UFSAR, please update the LGS Units 1 and 2 UFSAR and other related documents. As part of your assessment and response, the NRC staff specifically requests that you address those issues identified by Mr. Thomas DiBello, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Limerick Township, that are documented

J. Skolds in the attachment to the enclosed letter to Chairman Meserve from Senator Specter dated May 2, 2002, as they relate to the proposed Linfield Energy Center project and its impact on the safe operation of LGS.

Several issues identified by the Limerick Township regarding the proposed power plant need not be addressed in your response to us. These issues are: violation of Township ordinances; unspecified concerns by the Montgomery County Planning Commission; deficiencies in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection air quality permit review process; conflicts with certain qualifying criteria, such as noise levels and local growth management policies; and, Township concerns about the construction of the Linfield Energy Center creating a potential threat to homeland security.

As we discussed with your staff by telephone on May 14, 2002, we understand that you will be able to provide your response to this request within 30 days of the receipt of this letter. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact me at 301-415-1055.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Gratton, Senior Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353

Enclosure:

Ltr to Chairman Meserve from Senator Specter dated May 2, 2002, with attached letter to Senator Specter from T. DiBello dated April 30, 2002 cc w/encl: See next page

J. Skolds in the attachment to the enclosed letter to Chairman Meserve from Senator Specter dated May 2, 2002, as they relate to the proposed Linfield Energy Center project and its impact on the safe operation of LGS.

Several issues identified by the Limerick Township regarding the proposed power plant need not be addressed in your response to us. These issues are: violation of Township ordinances; unspecified concerns by the Montgomery County Planning Commission; deficiencies in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection air quality permit review process; conflicts with certain qualifying criteria, such as noise levels and local growth management policies; and, Township concerns about the construction of the Linfield Energy Center creating a potential threat to homeland security.

As we discussed with your staff by telephone on May 14, 2002, we understand that you will be able to provide your response to this request within 30 days of the receipt of this letter. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact me at 301-415-1055.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Gratton, Senior Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353

Enclosure:

Ltr to Chairman Meserve from Senator Specter dated May 2, 2002, with attached letter to Senator Specter from T. DiBello dated April 30, 2002 cc w/encl: See next page DISTRIBUTION:

PUBLIC OGC PDI-2 R/F OCA OPA W Travers J Craig C Paperiello P Norry J Zwolinski W Borchardt W Kane S Collins/J Johnson B Sheron/K Johnson C. Gratton S. Richards J. Clifford B. Platchek, RI M. OBrien G Imbro M Shanbaky L Cox J Davis, NSIR R Zimmerman, NSIR H Miller, RI Burns/Cyr T. Gorham (EDO #G20020271)

SECY (SECY # LTR-02-0324) *See previous concurrence Accession Number: ML021360186 Package Number: ML021360225 Incoming Number: ML021260429 OFFICE PM:PDI-2 LA:PDI-1 BC:EMEB

• BC: R1 B4 OGC SC:PDI-1 D: PD1 NAME CGratton MOBrien G Imbro M Shanbaky RHoefling J Clifford S Richards DATE 5/21/02 5/21/02 5/21/02 5/21/02 5/23/02 5/23/02 5/24/02 Official Record Copy

Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 & 2 cc:

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Library Exelon Generation Company, LLC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 300 Exelon Way Region I Kennett Square, PA 19348 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Manager Licensing-Limerick and Peach Bottom Exelon Generation Company, LLC Dr. Judith Johnsrud Nuclear Group Headquarters National Energy Committee Correspondence Control Sierra Club P.O. Box 160 433 Orlando Avenue Kennett Square, PA 19348 State College, PA 16803 Site Vice President Vice President, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Limerick Generating Station Exelon Generation Company, LLC Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road P.O. Box 2300 Warrenville, IL 60555 Sanatoga, PA 19464 Director-Licensing Plant Manager Mid-Atlantic Regional Operating Group Limerick Generating Station Exelon Generation Company, LLC Exelon Generation Company, LLC Nuclear Group Headquarters P.O. Box 2300 Correspondence Control Sanatoga, PA 19464 P. O. Box 160 Kennett Square, PA 19348 Regional Administrator, Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Correspondence Control Desk 475 Allendale Road Exelon Generation Company, LLC King of Prussia, PA 19406 200 Exelon Way, KSA 1-N-1 Kennett Square, PA 19348 Senior Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chief Operating Officer Limerick Generating Station Exelon Generation Company, LLC P.O. Box 596 4300 Winfield Road Pottstown, PA 19464 Warrenville, IL 60555 Chairman Senior Vice President, Nuclear Services Board of Supervisors Exelon Generation Company, LLC of Limerick Township 4300 Winfield Road 646 West Ridge Pike Warrenville, IL 60555 Linfield, PA 19468 Chief-Division of Nuclear Safety PA Dept. of Environmental Resources P.O. Box 8469 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8469

Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 & 2 cc:

Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Operations Support Exelon Generation Company, LLC 200 Exelon Way, KSA 3-N Kennett Square, PA 19348 Senior Vice President Mid-Atlantic Regional Operating Group Exelon Generation Company, LLC 200 Exelon Way, KSA 3-N Kennett Square, PA 19348 Regulatory Assurance Manager Limerick Generating Station Exelon Generation Company, LLC P.O. Box 2300 Sanatoga, PA 19464 The Honorable Arlen Specter ATTN: Mr. Tom Dower United States Senate Washington, DC 20510-3802