CNSC Monitoring Path of Hurricane Irene
August 27, 2011
CNSC is working with its federal government partners to monitor the storm path of Hurricane Irene as it tracks up the northeastern United States.
CNSC has on-site staff at all Canadian nuclear power plants. The CNSC has verified that operators have taken precautions and are closely watching the storm.
Canadian nuclear power plants are designed to withstand external hazards such as hurricane force winds and associated flooding. Nuclear power plant operators have Severe Weather Emergency Procedures, which calls for plant shutdown if conditions warrant it.
On Canada’s east coast, New Brunswick Power’s Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station is following its Severe Weather Emergency Procedure. At this time the plant is not operating and has been shutdown for a period of time undergoing refurbishment.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the CNSC's nuclear regulatory counterpart, has also taken precautions. They have dispatched additional
personnel to those nuclear power plants that are likely to be in the storm’s path and have ensured appropriate equipment and emergency response procedures are in place.
The CNSC will monitor updates and performance of US nuclear power plants through the weekend.