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:
to prepare the safety analysis and environmental reports. The NRC discusses these topics in RG 1.70, NUREG-0800, RG 4.2, and NUREG-1555. Site Selection Applicants should examine in greater detail each site that appears to be compatible with the general criteria discussed in this guide before it can be considered a “candidate” site (i.e., one of the groups of sites to be considered further in selecting a “proposed” or “preferred” site). The “proposed” or “preferred” site submitted by an applicant for a construction permit, ESP, or COL is that site chosen from a number of “candidate” sites on which the applicant proposes to construct a commercial nuclear power station. DG-4034, Page 5 Selecting a suitable site for a commercial nuclear power station may require a significant commitment of time and resources. Site selection involves consideration of the human environment,3 public health and safety, engineering and design, economics, institutional requirements, environmental impacts, and other factors. The potential impacts of the construction and operation of commercial nuclear power stations on the human environment and on social, cultural, and economic features (including environmental justice) are usually similar to the potential impacts of any major industrial facility, but commercial nuclear power stations are unique in the degree to which the environment may affect their safety. Safety requirements are the primary determinants of site suitability, although environmental impacts are also important and need to be evaluated. In the site selection process, coordination between applicants for commercial nuclear power stations and various Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies will be useful in identifying potential problem areas. Information Limitations at Site Selection Stage The information needed to evaluate potential sites at the initial stage of site selection is assumed to be limited to that obtainable from published reports, public