Document ID: FEMA-2013-0040-0003
Agency: fema
Document Type: Notice
Title: Guide for the Evaluation of Alert and Notification Systems for Nuclear Power Plants
Posted Date: 2013-08-30T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 169 (Friday, August 30, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53774-53775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21265]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID FEMA-2013-0040]

Guide for the Evaluation of Alert and Notification Systems for 
Nuclear Power Plants, FEMA-REP-10, Rev. 1

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency; DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed policy; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requests public 
comments on the Guide for the Evaluation of Alert and Notification 
Systems for Nuclear Power Plants, FEMA-REP-10, Rev. 1.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 29, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket ID FEMA-2013-
0040, by one of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. Please note that this proposed 
policy is not a rulemaking and the Federal Rulemaking Portal is being 
utilized only as a mechanism for receiving comments.
    Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Regulatory Affairs Division, Office of 
Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Schafer, Engineer, Professional 
Services Branch, Technological Hazards Division, Protection and 
National Preparedness Directorate, John.Schafer@fema.dhs.gov. (202) 
341-4896.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation

    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket ID. Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or 
material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, and will 
include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting 
this information makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy Act 
notice, which can be viewed by clicking on the ``Privacy Notice'' link 
on the homepage of www.regulations.gov.
    You may submit your comments and material by methods specified in 
the ADDRESSES section. Please submit your comments and any supporting 
material by only one means to avoid the receipt and review of duplicate 
submissions.

[[Page 53775]]

    Docket: The proposed policy is available in docket ID FEMA-2013-
0040. For access to the docket to read background documents or comments 
received, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov and search for the docket ID. Submitted comments 
may also be inspected at FEMA, Office of Chief Counsel, 500 C Street 
SW., Washington, DC 20472.

II. Background

    In November 1980, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
issued FEMA-REP-10, Guide for the Evaluation of Alert and Notification 
Systems for Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). Since that time, there have 
been changes to FEMA and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) 
regulations, guidance, policies and advances in technology. Many of the 
Alert and Notification Systems (ANS) from the 1980s are undergoing 
replacement and upgrade cycles.
    The new guidance:
     Allows FEMA in its evaluations of alert and notification 
systems to take into account technology that was not available when 
FEMA REP-10 was first developed, such as smartphones and social media.
     Removes technical information from FEMA-REP-10.
     Introduces the Evaluation Report which replaces the 
previously used Design Report.
     Presents a new evaluation tenet: FEMA, the State, local 
entities and Tribes will work collaboratively to develop the Evaluation 
Report that addresses both technical aspects (previously covered in the 
Design Report) and planning aspects (ANS/Communication Plans) 
demonstrating the achievement of minimally acceptable design 
objectives.
     Refocuses REP-10 into an internal review guide for FEMA 
Evaluators aligning with other REP evaluation guides.
    This proposed policy is to be a companion document to NUREG-0654/
FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1 ``Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of 
Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power 
Plants'' and the FEMA Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program 
Manual. Both documents contribute to the achievement of reasonable 
assurance, which is a determination that State, local, Tribal, and 
utility offsite plans and preparedness are adequate to protect public 
health and safety in the emergency planning areas surrounding 
commercial nuclear power plants.
    The proposed policy does not have the force or effect of law.
    FEMA seeks comment on the proposed policy, which is available 
online at http://www.regulations.gov in docket ID FEMA-2013-0040. Based 
on the comments received, FEMA may make appropriate revisions to the 
proposed policy. Although FEMA will consider any comments received in 
the drafting of the final policy, FEMA will not provide a response to 
comments document. When FEMA issues a final policy, FEMA will publish a 
notice of availability in the Federal Register and make the final 
policy available at http://www.regulations.gov. The final policy will 
not have the force or effect of law.

    Authority: 6 U.S.C. 313-314a; Sec. 109, Pub. L. 96-295; E.O. 
12148; 44 CFR part 350.

W. Craig Fugate,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2013-21265 Filed 8-29-13; 8:45 am]
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