 |
NRC NEWS
U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION |
| Office of Public Affairs |
Telephone: 301/415-8200 |
| Washington, DC 20555-001 |
E-mail: opa@nrc.gov |
No. 96-115 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Tuesday, August 27, 1996)
NRC ISSUES GUIDANCE FOR COMMENT ON PROTECTIVE ACTIONS DURING
SEVERE ACCIDENTS AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) have published for interim use and comment a draft document calling for
prompt evacuation, rather than sheltering, in the event of a severe accident at a nuclear power
plant.
The guidance intended for nuclear utilities and state and local government agencies
applies only to situations in which a severe reactor accident has occurred, that is, one
involving actual or potential core damage and the release of radionuclides into the
atmosphere. The document, Draft Supplement 3 to NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev.1,
Criteria for Protective Actions for Severe Accidents, is available for interim use, review, and
comment for 90 days.
During the first few hours of a severe accident at a nuclear power plant, critical
decisions must be made concerning actions to best protect the public. Earlier NRC/FEMA
guidance, issued in 1980, recommended sheltering the population closest to the plant, while
authorities considered advising evacuation.
Since then, subsequent studies have indicated that prompt evacuation of the area near
the plant is much more effective in reducing the risk of adverse health effects. Sheltering is
still considered a suitable protective action for certain limited situations, such as hazardous
travel conditions or controlled, short term releases of radioactivity.
A description of the draft report was published in the August 26 edition of the Federal
Register. Comments should be submitted to: Chief, Rules Review and Directives Branch,
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop T-6D59, Washington, DC, 20555-0001.
Comments may also be delivered to 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, between the
hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on federal workdays.
Copies of the document may be obtained by writing to: Distribution Services, Printing
and Mail Services Branch, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001.
#
|
