ML15191A201
| ML15191A201 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Byron, Braidwood  |
| Issue date: | 07/10/2015 |
| From: | Office of Public Affairs |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Press Release No.15-045 | |
| Download: ML15191A201 (1) | |
Text
No: 15-045 July 10, 2015 CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200 NRC Issues Final Safety Evaluation Report for Byron and Braidwood License Renewal Application The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has issued its final safety evaluation report (SER) for the proposed renewal of operating licenses for the Byron and Braidwood nuclear power plants in Illinois. The report concluded there are no technical issues to preclude license renewal for an additional 20 years of operation.
Byrons two pressurized-water reactors are located approximately 17 miles southwest of Rockford, Ill. Braidwoods two pressurized-water reactors are located approximately 20 miles southwest of Joliet, Ill. Exelon Generation Co. submitted an application in May 2013 to renew all four reactors licenses for an additional 20 years. If approved, Byron Unit 1s renewed license would expire Oct. 31, 2044, and Byron Unit 2s renewed license would expire Nov. 6, 2046. If approved, Braidwood Unit 1s renewed license would expire Oct. 17, 2046, and Braidwood Unit 2s renewed license would expire Dec. 18, 2047.
The SER documents the results of the NRC staffs review of the license renewal application and site audit of Byrons and Braidwoods aging-management programs to address the safety of plant operations during the period of extended operation. Overall, the results show that Exelon has identified actions to manage the effects of aging in the appropriate systems, structures and components of the plant, and that their functions will be maintained during the period of extended operation.
Issuing the final SER is a significant milestone in the license renewal review process. This process proceeds along two tracks - one for review of safety issues and another for environmental issues. The staff published Byrons draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for public comment in December 2014. The staff published Braidwoods draft supplemental environmental impact statement for public comment in March 2015. The final SEIS for both plants are expected to be published later this year.
The SER and the license renewal application have been provided to the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, an independent body of experts that advises the Commission on reactor safety matters. The committee is scheduled to discuss the SER during its September meeting and then submit its recommendation on license renewal to the Commission.
Documents related to the Byron and Braidwood license renewal application, including the SER, as well as information about the license renewal process, are located on the NRCs website.