To prepare for a radiological emergency, NRC developed regulations, guidance, and communications related to emergency preparedness for nuclear power plants.

On this page:

Regulations
Guidance
Generic Communications

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Regulations

NRC's regulations are found in Chapter I, “Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” of Title 10, "Energy," of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Chapter I is divided into Parts 1 through 199. The following are the principal parts governing emergency preparedness for nuclear power plants:

10 CFR 50.47, "Emergency Plans," includes the 16 planning standards of 50.47(b) and the "Realism Rule" recognizing that State and local government officials do their best to protect the public health and safety in 50.47(c)
Appendix E to 10 CFR Part 50, "Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Production and Utilization Facilities," describes information needed to demonstrate compliance with emergency preparedness requirements in Section IV, “Content of Emergency Plans”
10 CFR 50.54(q), requirements for following and maintaining in effect emergency plans

Guidance

NRC provides guidance to nuclear power plant operators on acceptable methods for implementing emergency preparedness regulations in NRC-generated documents and endorses additional implementation methods in the non-NRC-generated documents listed below:

NRC-Generated Guidance Documents

Regulatory Guide 1.101, Rev. 4 & Rev. 5, "Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Nuclear Power Reactors," describes acceptable methods for implementing the regulations
NUREG-0396, EPA 520/1-78-016, “Planning Basis for the Development of State and Local Government Radiological Emergency Response Plans in Support of Light Water Nuclear Power Plants”
NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1, "Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants"
NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1, Supp. 1, "Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants - Criteria for Utility Offsite Planning and Preparedness"
NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1, Supp. 2 , "Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants - Criteria for Emergency Planning in an Early Site Permit Application"
NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1, Supp. 3 , "Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants - Criteria for Protective Action Recommendations for Severe Accidents"
NUREG-0696, "Functional Criteria for Emergency Response Facilities"
NUREG-0737, Supp. 1, "Clarification of TMI Action Plan Requirements - Requirements for Emergency Response Capability"
NUREG-1791, "Guidance for Assessing Exemption Requests from the Nuclear Power Plant Licensed Operator Staffing Requirements Specified in 10 CFR 50.54(m)"
NUREG/CR-4831, “State of the Art in Evacuation Time Estimate Studies for Nuclear Power Plants”
NUREG/CR-6863, “Development of Evacuation Time Estimate Studies for Nuclear Power Plants”
NUREG/CR-6864, “Identification and Analysis of Factors Affecting Emergency Evacuations”
NUREG/CR-6953, Vol. 2, “Review of NUREG-0654, Supplement 3, ‘Criteria for Protective Action Recommendations for Severe Accidents’ - Focus Groups and Telephone Survey”

NRC-Endorsed Guidance Documents

NUMARC/NESP-007, "Methodology for Development of Emergency Action Levels"
NEI 99-01, Rev. 4 & Rev. 5, "Methodology for Development of Emergency Action Levels"
NEI 06-04, Rev. 1, “Conducting a Hostile Action-based Emergency Response Drill”

Generic Communications

The NRC uses various methods to conduct open and effective communications with nuclear power plant operators. The type of written generic communication used is based on the message's urgency, objective, and safety or environmental significance.

For more detailed information, see Generic Communications for Emergency Preparedness.