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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any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

Home About NRC Emergency Preparedness & Response

Regulations, Guidance, and Generic Communications

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

On this page:

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)
  • 10 CFR 50.160, "Emergency Preparedness for small modular reactors, non-light-water reactors, and non-power production or utilization facilities," describes a licensee’s required emergency response capabilities.
  • 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

See also Rulemaking Activities for Emergency Preparedness and Response.

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

  • NSIR/DPR-ISG-02, "Interim Staff Guidance Emergency Planning Exemption Requests for Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants"
  • Regulatory Guide 1.101, Rev. 4 & Rev. 5, "Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Nuclear Power Reactors," describes acceptable methods for implementing the regulations
  • Regulatory Guide 1.101, Rev. 6, "Emergency Response Planning and Preparedness for Nuclear Power Reactors"
  • Regulatory Guide 1.219, Rev. 1, "Guidance on Making Changes to Emergency Plans for Nuclear Power Reactors"
  • Regulatory Guide 1.242, "Performance-Based Emergency Preparedness for Small Modular Reactors, Non-Light-Water Reactors, and Non-Power Production or Utilization Facilities"
  • 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 - Guidance for Protective Action Strategies"
  • NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1, Supp. 4, "Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants - Criteria for National Preparedness Initiative Integration, Exercise Enhancement, and Backup Alert and Notification Systems"
  • NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 2, "Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants - Final Report"
  • NUREG-0696, "Functional Criteria for Emergency Response Facilities"
  • NUREG-0737, Supp. 1, "Clarification of TMI Action Plan Requirements - Requirements for Emergency Response Capability"
  • NUREG-0814, "Methodology for Evaluation of Emergency Response Facilities"
  • 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. 1, "Review of NUREG-0654, Supplement 3, ‘Criteria for Protective Action Recommendations for Severe Accidents’"
  • NUREG/CR-6953, Vol. 2, "Review of NUREG-0654, Supplement 3, ‘Criteria for Protective Action Recommendations for Severe Accidents’ - Focus Groups and Telephone Survey"
  • NUREG/CR-6981, "Assessment of Emergency Response Planning and Implementation for Large Scale Evacuations"
  • NUREG/CR-7002, Revision 1, “Criteria for Development of Evacuation Time Estimate Studies”
  • NUREG/CR-7032, "Developing an Emergency Risk Communication (ERC)/Joint Information Center (JIC) Plan for a Radiological Emergency"
  • NUREG/CR-7033, "Guidance on Developing Effective Radiological Risk Communication Messages: Effective Message Mapping and Risk Communication with the Public in Nuclear Plant Emergency Planning Zones"
  • NSIR/DPR-ISG-01, "Interim Staff Guidance Emergency Planning for Nuclear Power Plants"

NRC-Endorsed Guidance Documents

  • NUMARC/NESP-007, "Methodology for Development of Emergency Action Levels"
  • NEI 99-01, Rev. 4, Rev. 5, & Rev. 6, "Methodology for Development of Emergency Action Levels"
  • NEI 06-04, Rev. 1, "Conducting a Hostile Action-based Emergency Response Drill"
  • NEI 06-04, Rev. 2, Appendix A, "Drill and Exercise Objectives"
  • NEI-06-04, Rev. 3, Appendix A, "Recommended Drill and Exercise Objectives"
  • NEI-07-01, Rev. 0, "Methodology for Development of Emergency Action Levels Advanced Passive Light Water Reactors"
  • NEI 10-05, Rev. 0, “Assessment of On-Shift Emergency Response Organization Staffing and Capabilities”
  • NEI 12-01, Rev. 0, "Guideline for Assessing Beyond Design Basis Accident Response Staffing and Communications Capabilities"
  • NEI 13-01, Rev. 0, "Reportable Action Levels for Loss of Emergency Preparedness Capabilities"
  • NEI white paper, "Implementing a 24-Month Frequency for Emergency Preparedness Program Reviews"

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 and Response.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Friday, April 19, 2024