<!DOCTYPE html>
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" >
<head id="head"><title>
	Emergency Preparedness at Nuclear Energy Facilities - Nuclear Energy Institute
</title><meta name="description" content="This fact sheet explains how energy companies develop and exercise emergency response plans to protect public health and safety near nuclear power plants. " /> 
<meta charset="UTF-8" /> 
<meta name="keywords" content="emergency preparedness at nuclear energy facilities, emergency preparedness, emergency planning, EPZ, 10-mile, evacuation" /> 
<link href="/CMSPages/GetResource.ashx?stylesheetname=neiste" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet"/> 
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=9" />

<!-- Google Tag Manager -->
<!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-2264848-1"></script>
<script>
  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-2264848-1');
</script>

<!-- End Google Tag Manager -->

<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/App_Themes/NEIsite/Scripts/less.css?v=22"/>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/App_Themes/NEIsite/Scripts/home.css?v=23"/>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/App_Themes/NEIsite/Scripts/font-awesome.min.css" />
<!--[if IE]>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/CMSPages/GetResource.ashx?stylesheetname=NEI_IE_Fixes"/>
<![endif]-->
<!--[if lt IE 9]>
<script src="http://html5shim.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/html5.js"></script>
<![endif]-->
<script src="/App_Themes/NEISite/Scripts/jquery-1.8.3.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/App_Themes/NEISite/Scripts/jquery.fitvids.js"></script>
<script src="/App_Themes/NEISite/Scripts/scripts.js?v=2" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!--<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/>-->
<!-- Adding "maximum-scale=1" fixes the Mobile Safari auto-zoom bug: http://filamentgroup.com/examples/iosScaleBug/ -->

<!-- Google Translate -->
<meta name="google-translate-customization" content="46382c189155e976-223b43fb5533d231-g29eee68e9b368d74-b"></meta> 
<link href="/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" rel="shortcut icon"/> 
<link href="/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" rel="icon"/> 
<meta name="og:image" content="/App_Themes/NEIsite/Images/logo.png" /><link href="/CMSPages/GetResource.ashx?_transformations=2940" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet"/> 
</head>
<body class="LTR ENUS ContentBody"  ><!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) --> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PW8WPN" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
    <form method="post" action="/Master-Document-Folder/Backgrounders/Fact-Sheets/Emergency-Planning-Emergency-Preparedness-at-Nucle.aspx" id="form">
<div class="aspNetHidden">
<input type="hidden" name="manScript_HiddenField" id="manScript_HiddenField" value="" />
<input type="hidden" name="__VIEWSTATE" id="__VIEWSTATE" value="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" />
</div>

<input type="hidden" name="lng" id="lng" value="en-US" />
<script type="text/javascript">
	//<![CDATA[

function PM_Postback(param) { if (window.top.HideScreenLockWarningAndSync) { window.top.HideScreenLockWarningAndSync(1080); } if(window.CMSContentManager) { CMSContentManager.allowSubmit = true; }; __doPostBack('m$am',param); }
function PM_Callback(param, callback, ctx) { if (window.top.HideScreenLockWarningAndSync) { window.top.HideScreenLockWarningAndSync(1080); }if (window.CMSContentManager) { CMSContentManager.storeContentChangedStatus(); };WebForm_DoCallback('m$am',param,callback,ctx,null,true); }
//]]>
</script>
<script src="/ScriptResource.axd?d=99My-LjJ8ToN1IvkhYPWL6D8t4MWt6Ps3UYSXo_LMspO_ETBszBkyJLAIntVw40LnoWJMv9HOi40O1dt1-9eZvlSDEYmFpcWvZV84QhylyNVpaD10&amp;t=7c776dc1" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
	//<![CDATA[

var CMS = CMS || {};
CMS.Application = {
  "isRTL": "false",
  "applicationUrl": "/",
  "imagesUrl": "/CMSPages/GetResource.ashx?image=%5bImages.zip%5d%2f",
  "isDialog": false
};

//]]>
</script>
<div class="aspNetHidden">

	<input type="hidden" name="__VIEWSTATEGENERATOR" id="__VIEWSTATEGENERATOR" value="A5343185" />
</div>
    
    <div id="ctxM">

</div>
    


<div id="fb-root"></div>
<script>(function (d, s, id) {
    var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
    if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
    js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
    js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1&status=0";
    fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>

<div id="Page">
  <a class="toggle-overlay" href="#"><i class="fa fa-close hide-for-large"></i></a>
    <div id="Header">
      <div class="header-left">
            <div id="logo"><a href="/">&nbsp;</a></div>
            <a href="#" class="toggle-nav js-open-overlay">
              <i class="fa fa-bars"></i>
            </a>
        <a href="#" class="toggle-profile hide-for-large js-open-overlay">
              <i class="fa fa-user"></i>
            </a>
        <a href="#" class="toggle-search hide-for-large js-open-overlay">
                  <i class="fa fa-search"></i>
                </a>
        </div>
      <div class="header-right">
          <div class="header-links">
                <div id="p_lt_LoginPopup" class="header-link-item" style="border-top: 0;">
                    

<div id="loginlinkform">
    <a class="loginlink" href="#" onclick="loginPanelClick(); return false;">Log In</a>
    <div class="loginform">
        <table id="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse;">
	<tr>
		<td>
                <div id="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_pnlLogonMiniForm" style="display: inline;">
			
                    <div>
                        <label for="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_UserName" id="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_lblUserName" style="display: none;">User name</label>
                        <input name="p$lt$logonminiform1$loginElem$UserName" type="text" id="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_UserName" class="LogonField form-control" placeholder="Username" />
                        
                        <label for="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_Password" id="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_lblPassword" style="display: none;">Password</label>
                        <input name="p$lt$logonminiform1$loginElem$Password" type="password" id="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_Password" class="LogonField form-control" placeholder="Password" />
                    </div>
                    <div style="float:left;">
                        <div>
                            <input id="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_RememberMe" type="checkbox" name="p$lt$logonminiform1$loginElem$RememberMe" checked="checked" /><label for="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_RememberMe">Remember Me</label>
                        </div>
                        <div class="loginLinksAlign">
                            <a href="/Accounts/Retrievepassword">Forgot Password</a><br />
                            Are you a new user? <a href="/Accounts/New-Account">Sign Up</a>
                        </div>
                        <div class="loginLinksAlign">
                            <span id="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_FailureText" class="ErrorLabel"></span>
                        </div>
                    </div>
                    <div style="float:right;">
                        <input type="submit" name="p$lt$logonminiform1$loginElem$btnLogon" value="Login" onclick="javascript:WebForm_DoPostBackWithOptions(new WebForm_PostBackOptions(&quot;p$lt$logonminiform1$loginElem$btnLogon&quot;, &quot;&quot;, true, &quot;p_lt_logonminiform1_MiniLogon&quot;, &quot;&quot;, false, false))" id="p_lt_logonminiform1_loginElem_btnLogon" class="loginButton btn btn-primary" />
                        
                    </div>
                    <div style="clear:both;"></div>
                
		</div>
            </td>
	</tr>
</table>
    </div>
</div>
                    
                    
                </div>    
                    
            </div>
            <div class="header-links delimit hide-for-small">
               <div class="header-link-item">
                    <span><a href="/About-NEI/Membership/Join-Us!" style="color:#004964;font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;">Join NEI</a></span>
                </div>
                <div class="header-link-item">
                    <span><a href="/About-NEI">About NEI</a></span>
                </div>
                <div class="header-link-item">
                    <span><a href="/Contact-Us">Contact Us</a></span>
                </div>
                <div class="header-link-item">
                    <span><a href="/NEI-Store">NEI Store</a></span>
                </div>
                <div class="clear"></div>
            </div>
            
            <div class="clear hide-for-small"></div>
              <div id="headerUtil">
                
<div class="socialMedia">
    <a href="https://twitter.com/NEI" target="_blank"><div class="twitterButton socialButton"></div></a>
    <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NuclearEnergyInstitute" target="_blank"><div class="facebookButton socialButton"></div></a>
    <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuclear-energy-institute" target="_blank"><div class="linkedinButton socialButton"></div></a>
    <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/103480861985364270624/103480861985364270624/posts" target="_blank"><div class="googleplusButton socialButton"></div></a> 
    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/NEINetwork/" target="_blank"><div class="youtubeButton socialButton"></div></a>
    <a href="http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><div class="blogspotButton socialButton"></div></a>
    <a href="http://pinterest.com/nuclearenergyi/" target="_blank"><div class="pintrestButton socialButton"></div></a>
    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/_nei/" target="_blank"><div class="flickrButton socialButton"></div></a>
    <a href="/rss-feeds" target="_blank"><div class="rssfeedButton socialButton"></div></a>

    <div class="clear"></div>
</div><div id="p_lt_zUtil_sb1_pnlSearch" class="searchBox">
	
    <input name="p$lt$zUtil$sb1$txtWord" type="text" maxlength="1000" id="p_lt_zUtil_sb1_txtWord" class="searchText form-control" placeholder="Search" />
    <input type="submit" name="p$lt$zUtil$sb1$btnSearch" value="" id="p_lt_zUtil_sb1_btnSearch" class="searchButton btn btn-primary" />
    

</div>

                  <i class="fa fa-search hide-for-large"></i>
            </div>
            <div class="clear"></div>
        </div>
  
        
        <div class="clear"></div>
        <div>
            <ul id="topnav">
<li class='first'>
    <a href="/Why-Nuclear-Energy" class="navbutton">Why Nuclear Energy</a>
    <ul><div>
    <li>
    <a href="/Why-Nuclear-Energy/Reliable-Affordable-Energy">
        Reliable & Affordable Energy
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Why-Nuclear-Energy/Economic-Growth-Job-Creation">
        Economic Growth & Job Creation
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Why-Nuclear-Energy/Value-of-Electricity-Diversity">
        Value of Electricity Diversity
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Why-Nuclear-Energy/Clean-Air-Energy">
        Clean Air Energy
    </a>
</li>
    </div></ul>
</li>

<li class=''>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy" class="navbutton">Issues & Policy</a>
    <ul><div>
    <li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Delivering-the-Nuclear-Promise">
        Delivering the Nuclear Promise
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Congressional-Resource-Guide">
        Congressional Resource Guide
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/State-Local-Policies">
        State & Local Policies
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/New-Nuclear-Energy-Facilities">
        New Nuclear Energy Facilities
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Second-License-Renewal-for-Nuclear-Plants">
        Second License Renewal for Nuclear Plants
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Exports-Trade">
        Exports & Trade
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Protecting-the-Environment">
        Protecting the Environment
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Safety-and-Security">
        Safety and Security
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Used-Nuclear-Fuel-Management">
        Used Nuclear Fuel Management
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Decommissioning-Nuclear-Power-Plants">
        Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Economics">
        Economics
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Nuclear-Fuel-Supply">
        Nuclear Fuel Supply
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Issues-Policy/Policy-Resources">
        Policy Resources
    </a>
</li>
    </div></ul>
</li>

<li class=''>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center" class="navbutton">Knowledge Center</a>
    <ul><div>
    <li>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center/FAQ-About-Nuclear-Energy">
        FAQ About Nuclear Energy
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center/Powered-by-Our-People">
        Powered by Our People
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center/Map-of-US-Nuclear-Plants">
        Map of US Nuclear Plants
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center/How-Nuclear-Reactors-Work">
        How Nuclear Reactors Work
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center/Nuclear-Statistics">
        Nuclear Statistics
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center/Nuclear-Fuel-Processes">
        Nuclear Fuel Processes
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center/Industry-Innovation">
        Industry Innovation
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center/Other-Nuclear-Energy-Applications">
        Other Nuclear Energy Applications
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center/Backgrounders">
        Backgrounders
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Knowledge-Center/Public-Opinion">
        Public Opinion
    </a>
</li>
    </div></ul>
</li>

<li class=''>
    <a href="/Careers-Education" class="navbutton">Careers & Education</a>
    <ul><div>
    <li>
    <a href="/Careers-Education/Careers-in-the-Nuclear-Industry">
        Careers in the Nuclear Industry
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Careers-Education/Education-Resources">
        Education & Resources
    </a>
</li>
    </div></ul>
</li>

<li class=''>
    <a href="/Conferences" class="navbutton">Conferences</a>
    <ul><div>
    <li>
    <a href="/Conferences/Nuclear-Energy-Assembly">
        Nuclear Energy Assembly
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/Conferences/Conference-Archives">
        Conference Archives
    </a>
</li>
    </div></ul>
</li>

<li class=''>
    <a href="/News-Media" class="navbutton">News & Media</a>
    <ul><div>
    <li>
    <a href="/News-Media/News">
        News
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/News-Media/Media-Room">
        Media Room
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/News-Media/Digital-Library">
        Digital Library
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/News-Media/Publications">
        Publications
    </a>
</li><li>
    <a href="/News-Media/Speeches">
        Speeches
    </a>
</li>
    </div></ul>
</li>


<li><a href="/About-NEI" class="navbutton hide-for-large">About NEI</a></li>
<li><a href="/NEI-Store" class="navbutton hide-for-large">NEI Store</a></li>
</ul>
        </div>
    </div>
    <div id="Body">
        


<div id="mainpageimage">
    <div class="breadcrumbs" style="padding:0 40px;"><a href="/">Home</a> &gt; <a href="#" onclick="return false;" class="CMSBreadCrumbsLink">Documents</a> &gt; <a href="/Knowledge-Center/Backgrounders" class="CMSBreadCrumbsLink">Backgrounders</a> &gt; <a href="/Knowledge-Center/Backgrounders/Fact-Sheets" class="CMSBreadCrumbsLink">Fact Sheets</a> &gt; <span  class="CMSBreadCrumbsCurrentItem">Emergency Preparedness at Nuclear Energy Facilities</span>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Content" class="fullPage">
    <div id="ContentSpacer">
        <div class="article">
            <div style="padding: 0 40px;" class="mobile-no-padding">


<div class="article">
    <div class="PrintLink">
 <br />
  
 <a href="/Prints.aspx?printpath=/Master-Document-Folder/Backgrounders/Fact-Sheets/Emergency-Planning-Emergency-Preparedness-at-Nucle&classname=custom.document&pNm=FactSheets" target="_blank" >
         <img class="PrintImage hide-for-small" src="/App_Themes/CorporateSite/Images/Print.gif" alt="Print" />
   <i class="fa fa-print hide-for-large"></i>
         Print Version
 </a>

</div><h1>
	Fact Sheets</h1>


<div class="colGroup">
        <div class="rightColInner">  
            <div class="shaded">
                <div class="leftColInner">
                    <p>
                        <strong>
                        <h5 style="color: #00668C;">Emergency Preparedness at Nuclear Energy Facilities</h5>
                            <!--<a href=''>
                                Emergency Preparedness at Nuclear Energy Facilities
                            </a>-->
                        </strong>
                    </p>
                    <p>This fact sheet explains how energy companies develop, maintain and exercise emergency preparedness plans to protect the health and safety of the public living near nuclear power plants.</p>

                </div>
            </div>           
    </div>    
    <div class="clear"></div>
    <br />
    
        <p><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">August 2016</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h4><strong>Key Facts</strong></h4>

<ul style="margin-left:40px;">
	<li>America&rsquo;s nuclear energy facilities are designed and built to safely withstand a wide variety of natural and other severe events and staffed by highly trained, federally licensed operators with a five-decade history of safe operations in the United States. The operators who staff these facilities are capable of taking the actions necessary to control and minimize abnormal events.</li>
	<li>Federal law requires nuclear operating companies to develop and maintain emergency preparedness plans for their nuclear power facilities to protect the public. An emergency plan provides an additional layer of protection by specifying response actions that may be taken in the event of a serious accident or event. The independent U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approves each facility&rsquo;s plan, while approval of companion state and local plans is coordinated between the NRC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).</li>
	<li>An effective emergency response results from mutually supportive planning and preparedness among several parties: companies that operate the facilities; local, state and federal agencies; and private and nonprofit groups that provide emergency services. The plans can be implemented during a wide range of severe natural events or security-related events. The companies that operate nuclear power plants pay substantial fees to state and local entities to support emergency preparedness. For 2016, the industry is paying more than $78 million in state fees and more than $14 million in local fees.</li>
	<li>Emergency plans continually evolve. For example, changes have included incorporating lessons learned from significant events such as the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and improvements identified during the conduct of emergency response drills and exercises.</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h4>Emergency Planning Zones</h4>

<p>The NRC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency jointly published a report (NUREG-0396/EPA 520/1-78-016) detailing the planning basis for emergency response plans developed by state and local governments. The report determined that the most significant impacts of a nuclear plant accident would be experienced in the area located within an approximately 10-mile radius of the facility. At greater distances from the facility&mdash;beyond a 10-mile radius&mdash;the principal health concern in the event of an accident would be consumption of contaminated water, milk or food.</p>

<p>There are two planning zones:</p>

<ul style="margin-left:40px;">
	<li>a 10-mile emergency planning zone (EPZ) to protect communities near the facility from radiation exposure in the event of an accident</li>
	<li>a 50-mile zone within which food products, livestock and water would be monitored to protect the public from radiological exposure through consumption of contaminated foodstuffs.</li>
</ul>

<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Within the 10-mile EPZ, the immediate protective actions for the public would include instructions for sheltering in place or evacuation. The pace at which an event may unfold&mdash;over several hours or days&mdash;would provide sufficient time for sheltering or evacuation, if necessary. A study conducted several years ago by the NRC found that, even if operator actions were unsuccessful in stopping an accident, it would &ldquo;progress more slowly and release much smaller amounts of radioactive material than calculated in earlier studies. &hellip; The delayed releases calculated provide more time for emergency response actions such as evacuating or sheltering for affected populations.&rdquo; </span><a href="http://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1234/ML12347A049.pdf" target="_blank">The NRC explains the reactor safety study in a brochure for general audiences, NUREG/BR-0359, Rev. 1, published in 2012.</a></p>

<p>Supplemental protective actions within the 10-mile EPZ might include the distribution of potassium iodide tablets to protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine. Within the 50-mile zone, the federal and state governments may monitor and test food and water supplies that potentially could become contaminated and, if necessary, remove any that are found to be unsafe from public consumption.</p>

<p>While both zones were established for planning and preparedness purposes, state government response directors have the authority to expand specific protective actions beyond these zones.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h4><strong>Four Emergency Classification Levels</strong></h4>

<p>An emergency at a nuclear energy facility is classified at one of four levels as defined by NRC regulations. These four levels are, from least to most serious: unusual event, alert, site area emergency and general emergency.</p>

<ul style="margin-left:40px;">
	<li>An unusual event is an occurrence that has the potential to impact plant safety. No releases of radioactive material requiring off-site response or monitoring are expected unless further degradation of safety systems occurs. Nuclear energy facilities declared 19 unusual events in 2015.</li>
	<li>An alert indicates that there has been a substantial decrease in the level of plant safety. If there is any release of radioactive material, the off-site doses would be limited to small fractions of the EPA public exposure levels. Five alerts were declared in 2015.</li>
	<li>During a site area emergency, major failures of plant functions needed for protection of the public have occurred or are likely to occur. Should there be a radiological release, the off-site doses are not expected to exceed EPA protective action guideline exposure levels except near the site boundary. In the past three decades, there have been only two site area emergencies (in 1982 and 2006).</li>
	<li>In a general emergency, there is substantial damage to the nuclear fuel, with a potential for loss of containment integrity and a radiation release. Any radiological release could exceed EPA public exposure levels off-site for more than the immediate plant area. There have been no general emergencies since the criteria were established after the accident at Three Mile Island in 1979.</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h4><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">Coordinated Emergency Planning and Response</strong></h4>

<p>Emergency preparedness programs for nuclear energy facilities are highly coordinated and rigorously tested, involving the operating companies and local, state and federal agencies. Each entity has specific responsibilities.</p>

<ul style="margin-left:40px;">
	<li>Companies that operate the reactors are committed to operating the facility safely and having an on-site emergency plan and trained personnel capable of implementing diverse and redundant methods to keep the reactor and used fuel in a safe condition. During an event, the company&rsquo;s trained personnel will immediately implement procedures to respond, classify the emergency, activate the nuclear energy facility&rsquo;s emergency response organization, and notify state, local and federal authorities. The state and local authorities will make the determination of what actions, if any, should be directed to the public. The company also continuously monitors radiation levels and provides this and updated technical information to off-site authorities throughout the event.</li>
	<li>The NRC is responsible for ensuring that the commercial use of nuclear materials is conducted safely. As part of the regulatory process, four regional offices conduct inspections, provide enforcement and review emergency response programs. NRC resident inspectors are on duty at each nuclear facility and have unfettered access to the facility. The NRC is the lead agency for coordinating federal actions in response to an accident at a commercial nuclear energy facility. The agency maintains a headquarters incident response center, where operations officers are on duty around the clock.</li>
	<li>FEMA is responsible for setting standards for off-site emergency preparedness programs and assessing their effectiveness. <a href="https://www.fema.gov/technological-hazards-division/radiological-emergency-preparedness-program" target="_blank">FEMA&rsquo;s Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program</a> provides assistance to state and local governments in developing emergency plans for nuclear energy facilities and coordinating with other federal agencies to carry out federal planning and response functions.</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h4><strong>Evacuation</strong></h4>

<p>As part of emergency preparedness planning for nuclear energy facilities, state and local agencies develop detailed evacuation plans for populations within the 10-mile EPZ. These plans typically include several scenarios to reflect such variables as time of day, season, weather conditions and population group (general, transient and special facilities, such as schools and hospitals). The EPZ is subdivided into emergency response planning areas, and population estimates are provided for each area. These plans and evacuation time estimates are updated periodically to reflect population shifts and changes in the transportation network.</p>

<p>Should officials decide to evacuate some areas near the facility, they will map the evacuation areas based on weather conditions and wind direction.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Evacuation does not always call for completely emptying the 10-mile zone around a nuclear power plant. In most cases, the release of radioactive material from a plant during a major incident would move with the wind, not in all directions surrounding the plant,&rdquo; according to the NRC. &ldquo;The release also would &hellip; become less concentrated as it travels away from a plant.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h4><strong>Responder Training, Practice and Evaluation</strong></h4>

<p>Plant personnel assigned to the facility&rsquo;s emergency response team must participate in initial and periodic requalification training. Energy companies also offer specialized training to off-site personnel who may be first-responders to a plant emergency (for example, local ambulance or firefighting crews). Off-site agencies also conduct training.</p>

<p>All nuclear energy facilities must participate in federally evaluated, full-scale emergency response exercises every two years. The NRC also requires nuclear plants to conduct training drills in alternate years to test and maintain their emergency response capabilities. State and local emergency management officials participate in these drills.</p>

<p>Following each drill and exercise, the company and participating federal, state and local emergency response personnel conduct an in-depth critique of their performance to identify areas needing improvements. Significant issues are placed in the company&rsquo;s corrective action tracking system to ensure proper evaluation and resolution, which is subject to inspection by the NRC.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h4><strong>Experience With Emergency Plans</strong></h4>

<p>Emergency plans for U.S. nuclear energy facilities have been activated in response to relatively minor events. More frequently, however, local officials have used emergency response plans developed in conjunction with the nuclear industry to respond effectively to hazards that have no connection to the nuclear plant. For example, hurricane readiness in the Southeast benefits from detailed nuclear plant emergency planning.</p>

<p>Nuclear plant emergency preparedness also helped one community deal with a very different and unexpected type of emergency. When a shooter attacked two military installations in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in July 2015, local emergency management authorities drew on the relationships and communications links established through their experience with nuclear power plant emergency preparedness during routine drills and exercises. The local officials approached the Tennessee Valley Authority for assistance with the hundreds of news media expected to cover the incident. In response, TVA activated its Joint Information Center in record time. The facility was used for about a week.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h4><strong>Industry Committed to Preparedness</strong></h4>

<p>Emergency preparedness at U.S. nuclear energy facilities is an integral part of daily operations. The industry demonstrates its continuing commitment to emergency preparedness by constantly exercising emergency plans and procedures, upgrading emergency response facilities and equipment, and conducting responder training and drill programs to maintain proficiency. Each company works with its state and local public safety partners to ensure that the response capability is comprehensive and well-integrated to ensure public health and safety.</p>

    
    </div>
	

</div></div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>
<div class="clear"></div>
    </div>
    <div id="Footer">
      <!-- changing background, text color and size, spacing between sections, fonts(?), make utility-type footer different color -->
        <div><div style="float: left;width: 24%;" class="small-full-width"><div class="hide-for-small">
	<ul id="foot1">
		<li class="first">
			<a href="/Why-Nuclear-Energy">Why Nuclear Energy</a>
			<ul>
				<li>
					<a href="/Why-Nuclear-Energy/Reliable-Affordable-Energy">Reliable &amp; Affordable Energy</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Why-Nuclear-Energy/Economic-Growth-Job-Creation">Economic Growth &amp; Job Creation</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Why-Nuclear-Energy/Value-of-Electricity-Diversity">Value of Electricity Diversity</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Why-Nuclear-Energy/Clean-Air-Energy">Clean Air Energy</a>
				</li>

			</ul>
		</li>

	</ul>


</div><div class="hide-for-small">
	<ul id="foot2">
		<li>
			<a href="/Issues-Policy">Issues &amp; Policy</a>
			<ul>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Delivering-the-Nuclear-Promise">Delivering the Nuclear Promise</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Congressional-Resource-Guide">Congressional Resource Guide</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/State-Local-Policies">State &amp; Local Policies</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/New-Nuclear-Energy-Facilities">New Nuclear Energy Facilities</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Second-License-Renewal-for-Nuclear-Plants">Second License Renewal for Nuclear Plants</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Exports-Trade">Exports &amp; Trade</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Protecting-the-Environment">Protecting the Environment</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Safety-and-Security">Safety and Security</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Used-Nuclear-Fuel-Management">Used Nuclear Fuel Management</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Decommissioning-Nuclear-Power-Plants">Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Economics">Economics</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Nuclear-Fuel-Supply">Nuclear Fuel Supply</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Issues-Policy/Policy-Resources">Policy Resources</a>
				</li>

			</ul>
		</li>

	</ul>


</div><img src="/App_Themes/NEIsite/Images/logo.png" alt="NEI Logo"/></div><div style="float: left;width: 24%;" class="small-full-width"><div class="hide-for-small">
	<ul id="foot3">
		<li>
			<a href="/News-Media">News &amp; Media</a>
			<ul>
				<li>
					<a href="/News-Media/News">News</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/News-Media/Media-Room">Media Room</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/News-Media/Digital-Library">Digital Library</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/News-Media/Publications">Publications</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/News-Media/Speeches">Speeches</a>
				</li>

			</ul>
		</li>

	</ul>


</div><div class="hide-for-small">
	<ul id="foot4">
		<li>
			<a href="/Knowledge-Center">Knowledge Center</a>
			<ul>
				<li>
					<a href="/Knowledge-Center/FAQ-About-Nuclear-Energy">FAQ About Nuclear Energy</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Knowledge-Center/Powered-by-Our-People">Powered by Our People</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Knowledge-Center/Map-of-US-Nuclear-Plants">Map of US Nuclear Plants</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Knowledge-Center/How-Nuclear-Reactors-Work">How Nuclear Reactors Work</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Knowledge-Center/Nuclear-Statistics">Nuclear Statistics</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Knowledge-Center/Nuclear-Fuel-Processes">Nuclear Fuel Processes</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Knowledge-Center/Industry-Innovation">Industry Innovation</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Knowledge-Center/Other-Nuclear-Energy-Applications">Other Nuclear Energy Applications</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Knowledge-Center/Backgrounders">Backgrounders</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Knowledge-Center/Public-Opinion">Public Opinion</a>
				</li>

			</ul>
		</li>

	</ul>


</div></div><div style="float: right;width: 24%;" class="small-full-width"><div class="hide-for-small">
	<ul id="foot8">
		<li>
			<a href="/contactus">Contact Us</a>
		</li>

	</ul>


</div><div class="main-footer">
<div class="mobile-social-links hide-for-large">
<div class="footer-title">Connect With Us</div>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NuclearEnergyInstitute"><img src="/CorporateSite/media/Images/Home/mobile-images/icons/facebook.png" /></a></li>
	<li><a href="https://twitter.com/NEI"><img src="/CorporateSite/media/Images/Home/mobile-images/icons/twitter.png" /></a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuclear-energy-institute"><img alt="" src="/CorporateSite/media/Images/Home/mobile-images/icons/linkedin-icon.png" /></a></li>
	<li><a href="https://plus.google.com/+nuclearenergyinstitute/posts"><img src="/CorporateSite/media/Images/Home/mobile-images/icons/google-plus.png" /></a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/NEINetwork"><img src="/CorporateSite/media/Images/Home/mobile-images/icons/youtube.png" /></a></li>
	<li><a href="http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/"><img src="/CorporateSite/media/Images/Home/mobile-images/icons/blogspot.png" /></a></li>
</ul>
</div>

<div class="footer-title">Contact Us</div>

<p>Nuclear Energy Institute<br />
1201 F St., NW, Suite 1100,<br />
Washington, DC 20004-1218</p>

<p>P: 202.739.8000<br />
F: 202.785.4019</p>

<p><a href="mailto:webmaster@nei.org">webmaster@nei.org</a></p>
</div>

<div class="utility-footer">
<p><a href="/Privacy-Policy">Privacy Policy</a></p>
<p><a href="/Terms-and-Conditions">Terms and Conditions</a></p>
</div>
© 2018 Nuclear Energy Institute<div class="hide-for-small"><div id="google_translate_element">&nbsp;</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
function googleTranslateElementInit() {
  new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.SIMPLE, gaTrack: true, gaId: 'UA-2264848-1'}, 'google_translate_element');
}
</script><script type="text/javascript" src="//translate.google.com/translate_a/element.js?cb=googleTranslateElementInit"></script></div>
</div><div style="float: right;width: 24%;" class="small-full-width"><div class="hide-for-small">
	<ul id="foot5">
		<li>
			<a href="/Careers-Education">Careers &amp; Education</a>
			<ul>
				<li>
					<a href="/Careers-Education/Careers-in-the-Nuclear-Industry">Careers in the Nuclear Industry</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Careers-Education/Education-Resources">Education &amp; Resources</a>
				</li>

			</ul>
		</li>

	</ul>


</div><div class="hide-for-small">
	<ul id="foot6">
		<li>
			<a href="/Conferences">Conferences</a>
			<ul>
				<li>
					<a href="/Conferences/Nuclear-Energy-Assembly">Nuclear Energy Assembly</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/Conferences/Conference-Archives">Conference Archives</a>
				</li>

			</ul>
		</li>

	</ul>


</div><div class="hide-for-small">
	<ul id="foot7">
		<li>
			<a href="/About-NEI">About NEI</a>
			<ul>
				<li>
					<a href="/About-NEI/Mission-Activities">Mission &amp; Activities</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/About-NEI/Governance-Leadership">Governance &amp; Leadership</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/About-NEI/History">History</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/About-NEI/Membership">Membership</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/About-NEI/Visiting-NEI">Visiting NEI</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/About-NEI/Employment-at-NEI">Employment at NEI</a>
				</li>
				<li>
					<a href="/About-NEI/Volunteer-Service">Volunteer Service</a>
				</li>

			</ul>
		</li>

	</ul>


</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div>
    </div>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-586e69dc3787c93c"></script> 
    
    

<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
(function() {var fn = function() {$get("manScript_HiddenField").value = '';Sys.Application.remove_init(fn);};Sys.Application.add_init(fn);})();//]]>
</script>
</form>
</body>
</html>
