RS-21-096, Withdrawal of Certification of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2, and Previously Submitted Licensing Actions in Support of Decommissioning

Withdrawal of Certification of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2, and Previously Submitted Licensing Actions in Support of Decommissioning

ML21258A276
Person / Time
Site:	Byron
Issue date:	09/15/2021
From:	Fewell J Exelon Generation Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
RS-21-096
Download: ML21258A276 (3)

Text

J. Bradley Fewell Senior Vice President, Nuclear Security &

Regulatory Affairs 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 630.657.3752 Office 630.657.4335 Fax www.exeloncorp.com bradley.fewell@exeloncorp.com RS-21-096 10 CFR 50.90 10 CFR 50.54(q) 10 CFR 50.82 September 15, 2021 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 Byron Station, Units 1 and 2 Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-37 and NPF-66 NRC Docket Nos. STN 50-454, STN 50-455 and 72-068

Subject:

Withdrawal of Certification of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2, and Previously Submitted Licensing Actions in Support of Decommissioning

References:

1. Letter from J. Bradley Fewell (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "Certification of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2," dated September 2, 2020 (NRC Accession No. ML20246G613)

2. Letter from Patrick R. Simpson (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "License Amendment Request -

Proposed Changes to Technical Specifications Sections 1.1, 'Definitions,'

and 5.0, 'Administrative Controls,' for Permanently Defueled Condition," for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2, dated September 24, 2020 (NRC Accession No. ML20269A401)

3. Letter from Patrick R. Simpson (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "Request for Exemption from Certain Record Retention Requirements," for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2, and Dresden Nuclear Power Station, Units 1, 2 and 3, dated September 30, 2020 (NRC Accession No. ML20274A347)

September 15, 2021 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 2

4. Letter from Patrick R. Simpson (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "License Amendment Request -

Proposed Defueled Technical Specifications and Revised License Conditions for Permanently Defueled Condition," for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2, dated October 29, 2020 (NRC Accession No. ML20304A147)

5. Letter from Patrick R. Simpson (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "License Amendment Request -

Proposed Changes to Byron Emergency Plan for Post-Shutdown and Permanently Defueled Condition," for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2, dated November 2, 2020 (NRC Accession No. ML20307A333)

6. Letter from Patrick R. Simpson (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "Request for Rescission of NRC Orders EA-12-049, EA-12-051, and EA-13-109," for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2, and Dresden Nuclear Power Station, Units 2 and 3, dated February 23, 2021 (NRC Accession No. ML21054A218)

7. Letter from Patrick R. Simpson (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "Byron Station, Units 1 and 2 -

Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report," dated July 28, 2021 (NRC Accession No. ML21209A031)

On August 27, 2020, Exelon Generation Company, LLC (EGC) announced its intention to prematurely retire Byron Station, Units 1 and 2 (Byron), due to severe economic challenges.

In a letter dated September 2, 2020 (Reference 1) and pursuant to 10 CFR 50.82(a)(1)(i) and 10 CFR 50.4(b)(8), EGC certified to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) the decision to permanently cease operations at Byron on or before September 30, 2021.

On September 13, 2021, the Illinois General Assembly passed energy legislation that provides economic support for the continued operation of Byron, and the Illinois Governor signed the legislation on September 15, 2021. Because of this, EGC is reversing its decision to permanently cease operations at Byron, Units 1 and 2. Therefore, EGC formally withdraws its "Certification of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2" (Reference 1).

In light of the reversal decision, EGC formally withdraws References 2 through 7 from further NRC review.

There are no regulatory commitments contained in this submittal.

September 15, 2021 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 3 If you have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact Ms. Lisa. A. Simpson at (630) 657-2815.

Respectfully, J. Bradley Fewell Senior Vice President, Nuclear Security and Regulatory Affairs Exelon Generation Company, LLC cc: NRC Regional Administrator, Region III NRC Senior Resident Inspector - Byron Station NRC Project Manager, NRR - Byron Station Illinois Emergency Management Agency - Division of Nuclear Safety