Off-site consequence assessment following postulated severe accidents at Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station

Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station (PLNGS) has performed an off-site consequence assessment considering highly unlikely postulated severe accidents. The purpose was to (a) ensure the full range of accident scenarios was analyzed to support requesting an increase in the containment leak rate impairment limit to 75% of the analyzed limit in accordance with Canadian Standard CSA N287.7; (b) evaluate public health risks resulting from postulated severe accidents; (c) evaluate the effectiveness of off-site emergency response measures; and, (d) evaluate the effect of water scrubbing by venting containment through the spent fuel discharge bay if the emergency filtered containment venting system was unavailable to depressurize containment during a severe accident. This paper will present the overall approach and results of the off-site consequence assessment. (author)