Resolution of Generic Safety Issues: Task III.A.2: Improving Licensee Emergency Preparedness - Long-Term ( NUREG-0933, Main Report with Supplements 1–35 )

The objective of this task was to upgrade the emergency preparedness of nuclear power plants. Specific criteria to meet this objective were delineated in NUREG-0654.²²⁴

ITEM III.A.2.1: AMEND 10 CFR 50 AND 10 CFR 50, APPENDIX E

The four parts of this item were evaluated separately below.

ITEM III.A.2.1(1): PUBLISH PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES

DESCRIPTION

This TMI Action Plan⁴⁸ called for the staff to revise 10 CFR 50 and 10 CFR 50, Appendix E to require licensees to: (1) revise their emergency plans to meet new requirements; and (2) conduct extensive coordination and planning with state and local officials. These rule changes were considered an upgrade of NRC emergency planning regulations that would provide prompt clarification and expansion in areas that were perceived to be deficient as a result of previous experiences.

CONCLUSION

In June 1979, the NRC began a formal reconsideration of the role of emergency planning in ensuring the continued protection of the public health and safety in the areas around nuclear power plants. Proposed amendments to the rules were published for public comment on December 19, 1979 (44 FR 75167). The Commission approved the rule changes that were recommended by the staff in SECY-80-275.¹⁵⁶⁶ Thus, this item was RESOLVED and requirements were issued.

ITEM III.A.2.1(2): CONDUCT PUBLIC REGIONAL MEETINGS

DESCRIPTION

This TMI Action Plan⁴⁸ item called for the staff to conduct regional public meetings with state and local authorities in the formulation of recommendations for the rules outlined in Item III.A.2.1(1).

CONCLUSION

The staff conducted four regional workshops in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Atlanta on January 15, 17, 22, and 24, 1980, respectively, to present proposed rule changes and solicit comments. In developing the final rule changes, the staff considered all information received at the workshops as well as all letters with public comments. The comments generated from these meetings were documented in NUREG/CP-0011.¹⁵⁶⁷ Thus, this issue was RESOLVED.

ITEM III.A.2.1(3): PREPARE FINAL COMMISSION PAPER RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF RULES

DESCRIPTION

This TMI Action Plan⁴⁸ item called for the staff to prepare a final Commission Paper recommending the adoption of effective rules. The final rule was to consider experience gained in Item III.A.1.1, comments on the proposed rule, input obtained at the regional meetings [Item III.A.2.1(2)], and recommendations of the President's Commission¹⁷⁵ and the NRC Special Inquiry Group.

CONCLUSION

The final Commission Paper recommending adoption of the rules was issued as SECY-80-275¹⁵⁶⁶ on June 3, 1980. Thus, this item was RESOLVED.

ITEM III.A.2.1(4): REVISE INSPECTION PROGRAM TO COVER UPGRADED REQUIREMENTS

DESCRIPTION

This TMI Action Plan⁴⁸ called for the staff to revise its inspection program to cover upgraded requirements mandated by the rule changes of Item III.A.2.1(1).

CONCLUSION

OIE revised its inspection program to cover upgraded requirements. The routine inspection program for emergency preparedness was suspended and procedures governing team reviews were issued to ensure compliance with the new requirements (Item III.A.1.1).²⁴⁸ This item was clarified in NUREG-0737,⁹⁸ requirements were issued, and MPA F-67 was established by NRR/DL for implementation purposes.

ITEM III.A.2.2: DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDANCE AND CRITERIA

DESCRIPTION

This TMI Action Plan⁴⁸ item called for the NRC and FEMA to use NUREG-0654²²⁴ as interim guidance and upgraded criteria in judging the adequacy of licensee, state, and local government emergency plans and preparedness until the final NRC requirements and guidance were promulgated.

CONCLUSION

This item was clarified in NUREG-0737,⁹⁸ requirements were issued, and MPA F-68 was established by NRR/DL for implementation purposes. Inspection programs¹⁵⁶⁵ were put in place to ensure the initial and continuing adequacy of emergency response facilities of all plants in meeting the requirements of Supplement 1 to NUREG-0737.⁹⁸

REFERENCES

0048. NUREG-0660, "NRC Action Plan Developed as a Result of the TMI-2 Accident," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, May 1980, (Rev. 1) August 1980. 0098. NUREG-0737, "Clarification of TMI Action Plan Requirements," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, November 1980, (Supplement 1) January 1983. 0175. ZAR-791030-01, "Report of the President's Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island," J. G. Kemeny et al., November 30, 1979. 0224. NUREG-0654, "Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, February 1980, (Rev. 1) November 1980. 0248. Memorandum for W. Dircks from R. DeYoung, "TMI Action Plan—Completed Items," December 28, 1981. [8205260197] 1565. Memorandum for T. Murley from W. Russell and J. Partlow, "Closeout of TMI Action Plan Items III.A.1.2 and III.A.2.2 (Multi-Plant Actions F-63, F-64, F-65, and F-68)," October 2, 1990. [9010160111] 1566. SECY-80-275, "Final Rulemaking on Emergency Preparedness," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, June 3, 1980. [8007090015] 1567. NUREG/CP-0011, "Proceedings to Workshops Held on Proposed Rulemaking on Emergency Planning for Nuclear Power Plants," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, April 1980.