Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: f0baf50b-5bb7-4783-b2f9-9586e09c97e1
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Stations + HISTORY - HISTORY 02/2017 – DG-4026 , Proposed Revision 3 09/2014 – Periodic Review of Revision 2 – Revise (Rev. 3)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1611/ML16116A068.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.2
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
utes to identify areas potentially suitable or unsuitable for siting a new nuclear power plant. The ER should present the determining characteristics of the identified areas and need not present other characteristics. For example, if an area has no suitable cooling-water source, then the area would be considered unsuitable and the other factors listed above need not be considered. DG-4026, Page 138 9.3.3 Potential Sites Once the candidate areas have been identified, the ER should describe how potential sites within those areas were identified. In selecting potential sites, applicants should use a logical process that treats all sites in the same way, and would reasonably be expected to produce sites that are among the best potential sites in the candidate areas. Applicants should not use a potential site-selection process that focuses on one group or class of sites to the exclusion of other groups of sites without a defensible technical basis. The process used to identify potential sites should typically consider attributes similar to those used in the process of identifying candidate areas. However, in general this step in the process involves a somewhat more detailed look at those criteria. In addition, in many cases, the applicant can use the inverse of the attributes listed above, looking for positive rather than negative attributes. So, for example, the applicant may identify locations in the candidate areas that have ample water, are close to transmission facilities, and load centers, have infrastructure in place, etc. However, negative attributes at a specific location (e.g., seismicity or threatened and endangered species), may also be used to de-select some sites. An applicant is not expected to conduct detailed environmental studies for potential sites; only preliminary investigations using reconnaissance-level information.21 A reconnaissance-level investigation should take account of information that is readily available over the Internet or from other