Protecting People and the EnvironmentUNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
GL80022
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
March 10, 1980
ALL POWER REACTOR LICENSEES AND APPLICANTS FOR A LICENSE TO OPERATE A
NUCLEAR POWER REACTOR (FSAR DOCKETED)
Gentlemen:
This letter is being sent to all licensees authorized to operate a nuclear
power reactor and to all applicants for a license to operate a nuclear power
reactor (FSAR docketed). As you know, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC), is proposing to amend its regulations to provide an interim upgrade
of NRC emergency planning regulations. In support of the proposed rule and
other ongoing emergency preparedness efforts, the NRC staff and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have developed interim guidance and
upgraded acceptance criteria that will be used to determine the adequacy of
emergency preparedness at each nuclear power plant as well as the State and
local governments involved. This document, entitled "Criteria for
Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response Plants (For
Interim Use and Comment)", NUREG-0654-REP-1 is enclosed.
This document should be used as interim guidance in assuring that the level
of emergency planning is promptly upgraded at and around each nuclear power
plant. NUREG-0654 will be used to evaluate emergency plans submitted in
accordance with D. Eisenhut's October 10, 1979, letter to all power reactor
licensees. These plans are currently under review by the joint NRC/FEMA
emergency preparedness evaluation teams. In addition, emergency plan
revisions submitted pursuant to the adoption of the final rule will also be
evaluated against NUREG-0654, incorporating any revisions to the criteria
resulting from the rulemaking and comment process.
The proposed rule (50.54(s)) would require that each licensee submit, within
60 days of the effective date of the amendment, the upgraded radiological
emergency response plans of State and local governments in the plume and
ingestion emergency planning zones. The proposed rule does not contain a
similar 60 day submittal requirement for facility emergency plans. However,
the proposed rule (50.54(v)) would require that each licensee have revised
emergency plans in place within 180 days after the effective date of the
.
final rule or by January 1, 1981, whichever is sooner. The staff is
considering recommending to the Commission that the final rule require that
each licensee submit the upgraded radiological emergency response plan of
the facility within the same time period required in the final rule for the
submission of State and local plans by the licensee.
For further information please contact Mr. Frank G. Pagano on 301-492-7846.
Brian K. Grimes, Director
Emergency Preparedness Task Group
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosure:
NUREG-0654
cc w/enclosure:
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