Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 239cc7c1-f2cb-46cc-945d-8009db28aa6c
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: General Site Suitability Criteria for Nuclear Power Stations + HISTORY - HISTORY 12/2023 – DG-4034 , Proposed Revision 4 12/2011 – DG-4021 , Proposed Revision 3 02/1995 – DG-4004, Second Proposed Revision 2 11/1992 – DG-4003, Proposed Revision 2 (Rev. 4)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2312/ML23123A090.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-10
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.7
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
of Nuclear Power Plants: Design” (Rev. 1), issued 2016 (Ref. 26) • IAEA Safety Standards, Specific Safety Guide No. SSG18, “Meteorological and Hydrological Hazards in Site Evaluation for Nuclear Installations,” issued 2011 (Ref. 27) • IAEA, Safety Standards, Specific Safety Guide No. SSG21, “Volcanic Hazards in Site Evaluation for Nuclear Installations,” issued 2012 (Ref. 28) DG-4034, Page 11 C. STAFF REGULATORY GUIDANCE Site selection can be facilitated by establishing limits for various parameters based on the best judgment of specialists knowledgeable about the region under consideration. For example, limits can be chosen for the fraction of water that can be diverted in certain situations without adversely affecting the local populations of important species. Although simplistic (because they do not account for factors such as the distribution of important species in the water body), such limits can be useful in a screening process for site selection. 1. Safety Considerations for Assessing Site Suitability for Commercial Nuclear Power Stations 1.1 Geology and Seismology Information on the geologic structures and features underlying the site location and in the region surrounding the facility site should be evaluated. This evaluation should include the potential for surface deformation, and the history and potential for damaging seismic ground motions that could impact reactor safety. 1.1.1 Relevant Regulations • 10 CFR 50, Appendix A, Criterion 2, “Design bases for protection against natural phenomena;” • 10 CFR 52.17 “Contents of applications: technical information;” o 10 CFR 52.17(a)(1)(vi); • 10 CFR 100.20, “Factors to be considered when evaluating sites;” • 10 CFR 100.21, “Non-seismic site criteria;” • 10 CFR 100.23, “Geologic and seismic siting criteria;” 1.1.2 Related Guidance • RG 1.29, “Seismic Design Classification for Nuclear Power Plants” (Ref. 29); • RG 1.132, “Geologic and Geotechnical Site