NRC completes environmental review of Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry SLRs

The NRC is currently reviewing the subsequent license renewals of Constellation’s Peach Bottom plant (Units 2 and 3) near Delta, Pa., and the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Browns Ferry plant (Units 1, 2, and 3) near Athens, Ala. As part of its review of the SLR applications, the NRC has published in the August 29 Federal Register a final supplemental environmental impact statement for Peach Bottom and a final environmental impact statement for Browns Ferry.

NRC staff said its recommendation to allow the licenses to be renewed was based on information provided by Constellation and TVA, consultation with affected governmental agencies, an independent environmental review by NRC staff, and consideration of public comments on draft environmental impact statements.

Safety evaluation reports for both Peach Bottom and Browns Ferry were previously completed by NRC staff with the findings that Constellation and TVA have met the safety requirements for renewed licenses pending approval by the NRC commissioners.

Peach Bottom: Boiling water reactors Peach Bottom-2 (1,322 MWe) and Peach Bottom-3 (1,323 MWe) were first issued operating licenses in 1973 and 1974, respectively. The operating licenses were renewed for both units for an initial 20 years in 2003. If this SLR application is approved, the licenses will expire in August 2053 for Unit 2 and July 2054 for Unit 3.

Browns Ferry: Also BWRs, Browns Ferry-1, -2, and -3 (each 1,254.7 MWe) were first issued operating licenses in 1973, 1974, and 1976, respectively. The licenses for all three units were renewed for an initial 20 years in 2006. If this SLR application is approved, the licenses will expire in December 2053 for Unit 1, June 2054 for Unit 2, and July 2056 for Unit 3.