ML14338A612

Request for Additional Environmental Information Regarding Request to Revise Ultimate Heat Sink Temperature Limits

ML14338A612
Person / Time
Site:	LaSalle
Issue date:	12/16/2014
From:	Blake Purnell Plant Licensing Branch III
To:	Pacilio M Exelon Generation Co
Blake Purnell, NRR/DORL
References
TAC ME9076, TAC ME9077
Download: ML14338A612 (4)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 December 16, 2014 Mr. Michael J. Pacilio Senior Vice President Exelon Generation Company, LLC President and Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO)

Exelon Nuclear 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555

SUBJECT:

LASALLE COUNTY STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2- REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING REQUEST TO REVISE ULTIMATE HEAT SINK TEMPERATURE LIMITS (TAC NOS. ME9076 AND ME9077)

Dear Mr. Pacilio:

By application dated July 12, 2012, as supplemented by letters dated September 17, 2012, January 18, February 11, and October 4, 2013, and February 20, 2014 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession Nos. ML12200A330, ML122690041, ML13022A476, ML13042A405, ML13282A339, and ML14066A250, respectively), Exelon Generation Company, LLC submitted a license amendment request to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2. The proposed amendment would modify Technical Specification 3.7.3, "Ultimate Heat Sink [UHS]," by changing the maximum allowable temperature of the UHS from a fixed limit of 101.25 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) to a variable limit between 101.25 and 104 oF depending on the time of day.

The NRC staff is reviewing the submittal and has determined that additional environmental information is needed to aid the staff in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. A response to the enclosed request for additional information should be provided by January 23, 2015. This request was discussed with Ms. Lisa Simpson of your staff on December 15, 2014.

M. Pacilio Should you have any questions, please contact me at 301-415-1380 or by email at blake. purnell@nrc.gov.

Sincerely, Blake Purnell, Project Manager Plant Licensing 111-2 and Planning and Analysis Branch Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-373 and 50-37 4

Enclosure:

Request for Additional Information cc w/encl: Listserv

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION LICENSE AMENDMENT REQUEST TO REVISE ULTIMATE HEAT SINK TEMPERATURE LIMITS LASALLE COUNTY STATION. UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-373 AND 50-374 By application dated July 12, 2012, as supplemented by letters dated September 17, 2012, January 18, February 11, and October4, 2013, and February 20,2014 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Nos. ML12200A330, ML122690041, ML13022A476, ML13042A405, ML13282A339, and ML14066A250, respectively), Exelon Generation Company, LLC (the licensee) submitted a license amendment request to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) for LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2. The proposed amendment would modify Technical Specification 3.7.3, "Ultimate Heat Sink [UHS]," by changing the maximum allowable temperature of the UHS from a fixed limit of 101.25 degrees Fahrenheit CF) to a variable limit between 101.25 and 104 oF depending on the time of day.

The NRC staff's development of an environmental assessment or a categorical exclusion for the proposed amendment is mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) because the decision of whether or not to approve the proposed amendment is a Federal action that could impact the human or natural environment. In accordance with paragraph 51.41, "Requirement to Submit Environmental Information," of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the staff requests that the additional information below be provided to aid the staff in complying with section 102(2) of NEPA for the proposed amendment.

Request for Additional Information

1. Describe the potential changes in effluent, such as temperature, to be discharged into the cooling lake, cooling pond, and the Illinois River if the amendment is approved.

2. Clarify whether a change to the current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit would be required if the amendment is approved. Provide any thermal studies or other documentation to support whether a change in the current NPDES permit would be required.

3. Describe the aquatic resources, including Federally-listed and State-listed species, within the cooling lake, cooling pond, and near the discharge structure in the Illinois River. Also describe migratory bird species that use the cooling pond during their migrations.

4. Describe whether the potential for fish kills in the cooling lake, cooling pond, or the Illinois River might increase if the amendment is approved. If the potential for fish kills might increase, provide an overview of any recent fish kills, including where and when the fish kills occurred and the approximate number and species of fish that were killed.

Enclosure

M. Pacilio Should you have any questions, please contact me at 301-415-1380 or by email at blake. purnell@nrc.gov.

Sincerely, IRA/

Blake Purnell, Project Manager Plant Licensing 111-2 and Planning and Analysis Branch Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-373 and 50-37 4

Enclosure:

Request for Additional Information cc w/encl: Listserv DISTRIBUTION:

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