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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process of rescinding or revising guidance and policies posted on this webpage in accordance with Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In the interim, any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

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Emergency Action Level Development

Each operating nuclear power plant must include a standard emergency classification and Emergency Action Level (EAL) scheme in its emergency plans. EALs are pre-determined, site-specific, observable triggers for placing the plant in a classification such as an Unusual Event, Alert, Site-Area Emergency, or General Emergency. Plants may use NRC’s regulatory guidance as they develop their EAL scheme.

Regulatory Guidance

The NRC has developed and/or endorsed numerous guidance documents to help licensees develop a site-specific emergency action level scheme. The NRC encourages licensees, or future license applicants, to use the most recent applicable guidance. This includes using the latest revision from the following documents:

  • NEI 99-01, Rev. 4, Rev. 5, & Rev. 6, "Methodology for Development of Emergency Action Levels, Nuclear Energy Institute document
  • NEI 07-01, "Methodology for Development of Emergency Action Levels, Advanced Passive Light Water Reactors", Nuclear Energy Institute document.
  • NUMARC/NESP-007, Rev. 2, “Methodology for Development of Emergency Action Levels"

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Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, February 10, 2022