ML21288A484
| ML21288A484 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/15/2021 |
| From: | Kathryn Brock NRC/NSIR/DPR |
| To: | |
| Smith T, 301-287-3744 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML21288A484 (12) | |
Text
Hazard Assessment to Risk-Inform Emergency Preparedness IAEA Technical Meeting on Next Generation Reactors and Emergency Preparedness and Response October 18, 2021 Kathryn M. Brock Director, Division of Preparedness and Response Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NRC is Prepared to Support Safety Reviews of Advanced Reactors 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 and the common defense and security that is required for current generation light-water reactors (LWRs) the Commission expects 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. (emphasis added)
Policy Statement on the Regulation of Advanced Reactors (73 FR 60612; October 14, 2008)
Emergency Preparedness Provides Reasonable Assurance Compliance with NRC regulations provides reasonable assurance that adequate protective measures can and will be taken in the event of a radiological emergency Reasonable Assurance finding is made before a nuclear facility is licensed Inspected over the lifetime of that facility EP provides for dose savings for a spectrum of accidents that could produce doses in excess of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) protective action guides (PAG)
A Graded Approach is Risk-Informed A risk-informed process in which the safety requirements and criteria are set commensurate to the risk of the facility Existing NRC regulations employ a graded approach Power Reactors (low power testing and decommissioning)
Research and Test Reactors Fuel Fabrication Facilities Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations Monitored Retrievable Storage Same level of protection afforded to public health and safety.
NRC Applies a Graded Approach to Emergency Preparedness Rulemaking Final Rule for small modular reactors and other new technologies (SMR/ONT):
Performance-based Technology-inclusive Consequence-oriented and risk-informed Scalable emergency planning zone (EPZ) for prompt action Assessment of contiguous hazards Requirement to describe ingestion response capabilities Requirements for onsite and offsite response capabilities Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Small Modular Reactor and Other New Technologies. https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NRC-2015-0225/
Time-tested Planning Basis (NUREG-0396)
Hazard Assessment A spectrum of accidents should be considered to scope the planning efforts for:
The distance to which planning for predetermined protective actions is warranted The time dependent characteristics of a potential release The type of radioactive materials NUREG-0396 Planning Basis for the Development of State and Local Government Radiological Emergency Response Plans in Support of Light Water Nuclear Power Plants, December 1978 (ML051390356)
Hazard Assessment Supports Scalable EPZs Scalable plume exposure pathway EPZ The EPZ is based on an analysis of a spectrum of accidents describing an area within which:
Public dose is projected to exceed 10 mSv (1 rem)
TEDE over 96 hours0.00111 days <br />0.0267 hours <br />1.587302e-4 weeks <br />3.6528e-5 months <br /> from the release of radioactive materials from the facility considering accident likelihood and source term, timing of the accident sequence, and meteorology; and Predetermined, prompt protective measures are necessary
Safety of Design Certified Through NRC Rulemaking Process Milestone achieved in NuScale design certification Design review includes transient and accident analyses Design review examines PRA and severe accident evaluation NRC Final rule will certify safety of NuScale design NuScale Topical Report to determine EPZ size:
Internal/external hazards, multi-module events Dose criteria Accident likelihood and timing NRC evaluating methods to account for uncertainty and screening criteria Design Certification for the NuScale Small Modular Rector Design Certification.
https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NRC-2017-0029
Emergency Preparedness is more than the EPZ The EPZ guidance does not change the requirements for emergency planning, it only sets bounds on the planning problem. The Task Force does not recommend that massive emergency preparedness programs be established around all nuclear power stations.
An added element of confidence can be gained, however, if States and local governments assure that their plans for responding to radiological emergencies are coordinated with their plans forother disaster situations Harmonization is achieved with all-hazards planning by taking a modern capabilities-based approach.
Quotes from NUREG-0396 Planning Basis for the Development of State and Local Government Radiological Emergency Response Plans in Support of Light Water Nuclear Power Plants, December 1978 (ML051390356)
Hazard Assessment to Scope the Planning Capabilities for response based on analysis of design and site-specific considerations.
The NRC will require licensees to demonstrate performance and the capability to take appropriate action.
When the EPZ extends beyond the site boundary, FEMA and the NRC will ensure offsite radiological emergency preparedness is adequate.
State and local governments maintain emergency plans to respond to all-hazards, and the NRC has high confidence in the ability of offsite agencies to implement appropriate response actions when necessary.
Reactor technology is advancing, EP is evolving, but the NRCs mission to protect the health and safety of the public remains unchanged
Contact Information Kathryn Brock Director, Division of Preparedness and Response kathryn.brock.@nrc.gov Todd Smith, PhD Senior Level Advisor for Emergency Preparedness and Incident Response todd.smith@nrc.gov