Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: b647b09e-9948-474b-8b4a-d2e08837ffa5
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Guidance on Making Changes to Emergency Plans for Nuclear Power Reactors (Rev. 1)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1505/ML15054A370.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.219
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
nt an adequate response to the remaining transients, design-basis accidents, and severe accidents (e.g., spent fuel pool fire). b. The reduction in effectiveness evaluation is a comparison between the current NRC-approved emergency plan, and the emergency plan with the changes being considered. In other words, compare the licensee’s commitment in the current NRC-approved emergency plan with what would be the commitment after the plan is modified. Plant reconfigurations enabled by other change processes (e.g., 10 CFR 50.59, 10 CFR 50.48(f), 10 CFR 50.82, 10 CFR 52.110, etc.) do not factor into this comparison. This is a yes-no decision: the change would reduce the effectiveness of the emergency plan or it would not. There are no degrees of reduction (e.g., DG-1324, Page 14 “minor” reduction). It is inappropriate for a licensee to conclude that certain commitments made in the NRC-approved plan are no longer required and to then compare the emergency plan as modified to this conclusion, rather than the NRC-approved plan. 2. Emergency Plan Changes for Which a Prior NRC Conference Is Recommended a. The NRC encourages, but does not require, licensees to arrange a conference call with NRC headquarters staff if the licensees are considering the emergency plan changes listed below. The call is to exchange information on technical issues related to these emergency plan changes before completing a change evaluation that concludes that the changes will not reduce the plan’s effectiveness. NRC staff recommends this approach based on its experience in reviewing such changes. The purpose of this call is to clarify the 10 CFR 50.54(q) requirements and the guidance in this RG. The staff cannot comment on whether a proposed change constitutes a reduction in effectiveness or whether it will find the change acceptable if the licensee submits it for review. Licensees should arrange a conference call with NRC headquarters for the following types of changes to their emergency