ML18345A062
| ML18345A062 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/13/2018 |
| From: | Thomas K NRC/NSIR/DPR |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML18345A062 (12) | |
Text
1 Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board December 13, 2018 Offsite Emergency Preparedness And Graded Approach to Emergency Preparedness Kenneth Thomas, Emergency Preparedness Specialist US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
2 Emergency Planning Philosophy The overall objective of Emergency Preparedness (EP) is to provide dose savings for a spectrum of accidents that could produce offsite doses in excess of Environmental Protection Agencys Protective Action Guides resulting in an emergency classification of General Emergency EP Planning basis considers distance, timing, materials EP for a NPP is made up of two parts Onsite/licensee and Offsite/general public, if doses exceed dose criteria for general emergency of 1 rem Two Emergency Planning Zones around each NPP are areas where preplanned prompt protective actions are in place to avoid or reduce dose from potential exposure to radioactive materials
3
- EPZs are but one part of an offsite radiological emergency response plan
- EPZs are areas where predetermined protective actions are in place avoid or reduce dose from potential exposure of radioactive materials.
- The detailed planning for the EPZs enables emergency responders to extend actions beyond the EPZ if conditions warrant.
Emergency Planning Zones
4 EP Planning Basis for the Existing Fleet of Large Light-Water Reactors
- Basis for EPZs - NUREG-0396 Methodology
- More recent studies indicate that:
- Accident frequencies are much lower
- Accident progression times are slower
- Accident consequences are less severe
- Reaffirmed after TMI, Chernobyl, 9/11, and Fukushima Dai-ichi
5 Graded Approach to EP
- Existing regulations employ a graded approach to EP, onsite and off:
- Power reactors (low-power testing and at-power)
- Research and test reactors
- Fuel Fabrication Facilities
- Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations
- Monitored Retrievable Storage
- Graded approach to EP can be applied to
- Decommissioning plants
- Small Modular Reactors and Other New Technologies (Advanced Reactors)
6 Nuclear Plant Lifecycle
7 EP for Decommissioning Level 1 Post Shutdown Emergency Plan (PSEP) 10 months (BWR) 16 months (PWR)
Level 2 Permanently Defueled Emergency Plan (PDEP)
Level 3 ISFSI Only Emergency Plan (IOEP)
> 5 years Cessation of Power Operations and Defueled Power Operations Level 4 No Spent Fuel Onsite
8 Commission Policy Statement on Advanced Reactors
- The Commission expects:
- As a minimum, at least the same degree of protection of the environment and public health and safety.
- That advanced reactors will provide enhanced margins of safety and/or use simplified, inherent, passive, or other innovative means to accomplish their safety and security functions.
9 Small Modular Reactors
- Some SMRs have designs potentially include or feature:
- Smaller reactor core sizes
- Lower power densities
- Lower probability of severe accidents
- Slower accident progression rates
- Inherent passive safety characteristics
- Below-grade or in-ground construction
- Natural circulation decay heat removal
- Advanced fuel types
10 EP for SMRs and Other New Technologies
- Scalable approach for plume exposure pathway EPZ
- Same level of protection afforded to other facilities under existing rules
- Consistent with graded approach afforded to other facilities
- EPZ at the site boundary or scaled to a specific distance beyond the site.
- EP by Design
- Ingestion response planning
11 Conclusion
- Reactor technology is changing.
- EP is evolving.
- The NRCs mission to protect the health and safety of the public remains unchanged.
12 Contacts Kenneth Thomas Emergency Preparedness Specialist U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Kenneth.Thomas@nrc.gov Todd Smith, PhD Emergency Preparedness Specialist U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Todd.Smith@nrc.gov Robert Kahler, Chief Policy and Oversight Branch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Robert.Kahler@nrc.gov Clay Johnson, Deputy Director Division of Preparedness and Response U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Clay.Johnson@nrc.gov Patricia Milligan, CHP RPH Senior Level Advisor for Emergency Preparedness U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Patricia.Milligan@nrc.gov