ML15195A354

Response to NRC Request for Additional Information, Dated May 22, 2015 Regarding License Renewal Application, Environmental Review, MA-10 on Meteorology, Air Quality & Noise

ML15195A354
Person / Time
Site:	LaSalle
Issue date:	07/02/2015
From:	Exelon Generation Co
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
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References
RS-15-179, TAC MF5567, TAC MF5568
Download: ML15195A354 (18)

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LaSalle Environmental Audit Response to Request for Additional Information Index #: 010 RAI #: MA-10 Category:

Meteorology, Air Quality & Noise Statement of Question: The ER states that Illinois does not have regulations or guidelines for environmental noise.However, Illinois has a noise regulation with allowable octave band sound levels according to emitting and receiving land-use classification and time of day (IAC, Title 35: Environmental Protection, Subtitle H: Noise). Please clarify if LSCS is subject to Illinois' noise regulation and if LSCS is in compliance with these regulations.

Response: Section 5.6 in the 1977 LSCS operating license stage ER confirms the applicability of Illinois Noise Pollution Control Regulations (Title 35, Subtitle H, of the Illinois Code) to LSCS and discusses compliance.

It concludes as follows: Although predictions indicate that existing ambient noise levels near the [LSCS] plant boundary will be increased because of plant operation, the predicted levels are well within the federal guidelines and the applicable environmental regulations of the State of Illinois.Since 1977, no equipment changes have occurred at LSCS that would change this conclusion.

An excerpt of Section 5.6 in the 1977 LSCS operating license stage ER is attached.List of Attachments

1. Excerpt of Section 5.6, Other Effects, from Commonwealth Edison Company (1977).LaSalle County Station Environmental Report -Operating License Stage. Volume 2.May 10, 1977.

RAI # MA-10 ATTACHMENT 1

LSCS-ER(OLB)

5.6 Other

Effects 5.6. 1 Introduction This section describes the predicted noise effects of the La Salle County Station -Units 1 & 2 (LSCS) during operation.

All other effects of operation have been considered in other sections of Chapter 5.5.6.2 Noise Effects The impact of noise due to the operation of the LSCS has been predicted at six locations, identified in Figure 5.6-1 as Points A, B, C, D, E, and F. The first fiv? locations were selected because the noise levels they will experience due to plant operations will be relative maximums for offsite areas: Point A is the nearest property line point to the east; Point B is the nearest property line point to the south and is within 100 feet of the nearest residence in this direction; Point C is the nearest property line point to the west; Point D is adjacent to the nearest residence (4500 feet west of the center of Unit 1 reactor and 2500 feet west of the property line); and Point E nearest property line point to the north. Point F, located at the recreational area boundary, was selected to predict noise levels for the recreational area. The remainder of the site boundary is sufficiently far from noise-producing plant equipment that the impact of plant noise emissions will be negligible.

The noise sources (equipment.)

that were considered in these calculations were the main transformers, system auxiliary transformers, unit auxiliary transformers, turbine building supply and exhaust fans, and reactor building supply and exhaust fans. Experience has shown that these are the major noise sources for this type of plant.The source of the noise level data for transformers was the NE4A Standards for Transformers, TRI-1972, Section 0.06, of the National Electrical Manufacturing Association located in New York City. For the turbine and reactor building supply and exhaust fans, the highest levels submitted by the manufacturers (worst case conditions) were used.5.6.2.1 Procedures The noise levels for each source were extrapolated to the various prediction points using standard techniques that accounted for any directivity, atmospheric attenuation, wave divergence, and shielding.

The resulting octave band sound pressure levels from each scurce were then combined to give the resultant plant noise impact at each location.

Table 5.6-1 summarizes the predicted noise levels at the various locations.

5.6-1 LSCS-ER (OLS)A comparison was then made of the predicted noise lev(els to the applicable State of Illinois Noise Pollution Control Requhcttions.

Points A, C, and F represent class C land (aqricultural) located at the plant prv'perty line and are therefore requlated by Rule 205. Points B and D represent Class A land (residential) and are therefore regulated by Rule 203. Point F Lepresents class B land (recreational) and is requlated by Rile 204. This comparison is shown in Figures 5.6-2 through 5.6-7.In order to compare the predicted noise levels with existinq conditions, continuous 20-minute samples of ambient (preoperational) noise were tape recorded during thf. day and night at each location except at Point F where levels were only predicted at the NRC request (see NRC Question 350.08). The sound level measurements were made in accordance with the standards and recommended practices established by the Americdit National Standards Institute, Inc. (1971). Care was taken during the recording period to enisure that the recorded sample would be repr'esentative of the existing ambient noise levels at the sitp.It should be noted that since construction at the LSCS site was in progress at the time of the measurements, they were taken during periods of no construction activity in order to be representative of preconstruction ambient noise levels.The tape-recorded data were then analyzed by Kauperman Associates, Inc., in their laboratory to yield both the complete cumulative distribution of A-weighted ambient noise levels (see Figures 5,6-8 and 5.6-S) and the "Leq," which is the A-weiqhte.d Equivalent Round Level over a 24-hour period as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (1974). The day-night sound level (Gdn) represents the Leq with a 10-dB niqhttime penalty and may be calculatecO from daytime and nighttime Leq levels using the relationship Thown below: dn -1OLog- (15) 1010 + (9) 10 I ] [dBj where: Ld =Leq for daytime and Ln= Leg for nighttime.

5.6.2.2 Applicable Guidelines The U.S. EPA has identified a 24-hour Leq _ 70 dB as the level of environmental noise that will prevent any measurable hearinq loss over a lifetime for all areas. Similarly, undue interference with activity arid annoyance will not occur if outdoor levels in residential areas are maintained at Ldn S- 55 dB. Points A, C, F, and F are therefore compared to the guideline of Leq S 70 dB, while Points B and D are compared to the guideline of Ldn 5 55 dB. A comparison of the predicted levels, measured ambient levels, and EPA's quidelines is shown in Table 5.6-2.5.6-2 LSCS- ER (ol1S)On August 4, 197Q, tUie United States Department ct Housinq and Urban Development (HUD) published "Noise Abatement and Control Standards" (1971) to encourage land utilization patterns for housinq and other municipal needs. HUD criteria state that noise levels for residential developments are normally acceptable if they do not exceed 65 dBA more than 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> per 2Q hours; i.e., L33.3 _ 65 is normally acceptable.

Cumulative distributions of measured A-weiqhted ambient noise levels are shown in Figures 5.6-8 and 5.6-9. L 3 3.3 values may be obtained from these fiqu-es. A comparison of the predicted levels, measured ambiesit levels, and HUD's recommendations are shown in Table 5.6-3.5.6.3 Conclusion Although predictions indicate that existing ambient noise levels near the plant boundary will be increased because of plant operation, the predicted levels are well within the federal guidelines and the applicable environmental regulations of the State of Illinois.

Predicted noise levels at the recreational area are also well within the federal guidelines and the applicable environmental regulations of the State of Illinois.Considering the levels of the predicted noise levels around the plant site and the recreational area, the noise impact is expected to be negligible.

5.6-3 LSCS-ER(OLS)

TABLE 5.6-1 PREDICTED NOISE LEVELS LOCATION A B C D E F OCTAVE BAND CENTER FREQUENCY

-liz dBA 63 125 250 500 IK 2K 4K SK 49 50 55 52 48 42 34 17 -48 50 55 52 47 38 30 15 48 52 51 48 42 31 40 45 42 34 26 -45 47 52 50 44 35 26 5 -49 52 57 53 48 41 32 16 -5.6-4 LSCS..ER(OLS)

TABLE 5.6-2 COMPARISON OF PREDICTED AND MEASURED NOISE LEVELS WITH THE U.S.EPA GUIDELINES LOCATION A B C D E r Predic:..ed Level Leq=49 Ldn=5 4 Leq=52 Ldn=4 8 Leq=45 Leg=49 Measured Level Leq=44 Ldn=4 4 Leq=39 Ldn=4 0 Leq=39 U.S.EPA Guideline Leqj70 Ldn-<55 LeqJ70 Ldn<55 Leq<70 Leq<70 5.6-5 LSCS-ER(OLS)

TABLE 5.6-3 COMPARISON OF PREDICTED AND MEASURED NOISE LEVELS WITH THE HUD GUIDELINES A 11 49 48 LOCATION C D 52 42 Predicted Noise Level (dBA)E 45 41 31 F 49 Measured Ambient r,33.3 Level HUD Guideline (Maximum dBA)Day Night 39 38 44 29 33 41 30 31 mm65 65 65 65 65 65 I 5.6-6

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VI aI left LA SALLE COUNTY 'STATION OPIRAIING MINSH StAGE[MlIktONAMTAt MttOATl,, FIGURE 5.6-.9 CUM4ULATIVE A-WEIGHTED NIGHTTIIIE AMBIENT NOISE LEVEtS