On December 30, 2014, NB Power reported that it met a commitment to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) by posting a summary of an updated evaluation of the seismic report on the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. That update re-confirmed the safety of Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. Based on the evolution of seismic methodology, additional work is on-going to further review seismic hazards and to assess potential consequences to the Station.

Over time seismic evaluation methodologies have evolved and NB Power is evolving with those methodologies. NB Power is meeting its commitment to the CNSC to make the results of the seismic hazard assessment public; to provide further details on the evolution of seismic evaluation methodologies; and, to provide an update on the progress that NB Power has been making. The report can be accessed here.

The seismic hazard assessment results provide a basis to re-evaluate the potential consequences of seismic events on Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. A full seismic probabilistic safety assessment following latest industry guidance is being performed to better understand any potential vulnerabilities and will be completed in the near future. Expert evaluation indicates that risk to public health from seismic events affecting the plant is expected to be low.

The industry’s highest priority is the safety of its workers and the public. It is operated daily to the highest nuclear safety standards and is held to rigorous requirements by the national nuclear regulator.

For more information contact Kathleen Duguay, Manager of Community Affairs and Nuclear Regulatory Protocol at (506) 659-6433 or by email at KDuguay@nbpower.com

NB Power met a commitment to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) by posting a summary of an updated evaluation of the seismic report on the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. The update re-confirms the safety of Point Lepreau.

Point Lepreau is an extremely safe facility. It is operated daily to the highest nuclear safety standards and is held to rigorous requirements by the national nuclear regulator. The updated evaluation confirms it meets international risk targets.

This report provides a summary of the work being performed to update the seismic hazards assessment and the associated potential impact. Advanced technologies are now available to better refine whether the statistical likelihood of an earthquake is consistent with original determinations, and to take into account improvements to the facility's structures and response capability.

Expert evaluation of the latest results of the site-specific seismic hazard assessment demonstrates the capability of the plant to withstand very rare, large earthquakes. The interim risk assessment conducted shows that the risk due to seismic events is acceptably low and well within international risk targets. The report can be accessed here.

Nuclear plants are designed and built with layer upon layer of protection against accidents, including earthquakes. In recent years as North America and regions abroad have experienced significant earthquakes, experience has confirmed the seismic robustness of nuclear plants. In addition to the inherent robustness of the original design, the enhancements made during the refurbishment project, combined with the incorporation of portable emergency mitigating equipment put in place in response to the CNSC action plan on Fukushima, ensures that the station will be safely shut down and maintained in a shutdown state for very rare large earthquakes, well above those considered in the original design basis.

For more information contact Kathleen Duguay, Manager of Community Affairs and Regulatory Protocol at (506) 659-6433 or by email at KDuguay@nbpower.com