NRC SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT AT BEGINNING OF PROCESS

TO REVISE ONSITE EMERGENCY RESPONSE REGULATIONS

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment as the agency begins 

considering changes to U.S. reactors’ onsite emergency response requirements. The NRC intends 

to strengthen and integrate accident response procedures and their associated training and 

exercises. This proposed rulemaking comes in response to a recommendation for enhancing

safety at U.S. reactors based on lessons learned from the accident at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi 

nuclear power plant.

Over time, U.S. nuclear power plants have put in place three onsite emergency response 

categories: Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs), Severe Accident Management Guidelines 

(SAMGs) and Extensive Damage Mitigation Guidelines (EDMGs). The NRC’s Advanced 

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published today in the Federal Register asks for comment on 

strengthening and integrating these procedures. The notice’s questions include:

Should the NRC develop a new rule, or could the requirements for a stronger, more 

integrated response be accomplished by a different method?

If a new rule is developed, what would be most effective way of providing guidance on 

the new requirements?

Should SAMGs be standardized throughout the industry?

What is the most effective strategy for linking EOPs with SAMGs and EDMGs?

What additional accident scenarios should be considered for expanding SAMG technical 

guidelines as a result of the lessons learned in Japan?

Should separate procedures be developed that clearly establish the command and control 

structures for large-scale events?

Public comments should be submitted by June 18; comments received after the deadline 

will be considered if possible, but the NRC is only able to ensure consideration of comments 

received by the deadline. All comments should reference Docket ID NRC-2012-0031. 

Comments can be submitted through the regulations.gov website by searching for files under the 

Docket ID. Comments can also be e-mailed to Rulemaking.Comments@nrc.gov; mailed to 

Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, 

Washington, DC 20555-0001; or faxed to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission at 

301-415-1101.

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200

Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov Site: www.nrc.gov

Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov

No. 12-039 April 18, 2012
This rulemaking process addresses one of the recommendations from the NRC’s Japan 

Near-Term Task Force, which issued its report in July 2011. The NRC staff continues to 

examine how to best address the remaining Task Force recommendations, as well as additional 

topics raised during the early implementation effort. The agency has also established the Japan 

Lessons-Learned Project Directorate, a group of more than 20 full-time employees focused 

exclusively on implementing Task Force recommendations and related activities.

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