This report suggests a planning basis for State and local government emergency organizations to determine the scope of planning efforts for nuclear power plants. The Task Force determined that a specific single accident could not be identified as the planning basis. Instead, the Task Force recommended establishing two generic Emergency Planning Zones (EPZs) around light water nuclear power plants. The inner zone of about 10 miles would be established for the plume exposure pathways and an outer zone of about 50 miles would be established for the ingestion exposure pathways. The precise size and shape of the EPZs would be based on the judgement of the emergency planner after considering local conditions. The Task Force concluded that planning for predetermined protective actions, such as sheltering in the plume exposure zone, is warranted within these zones in the event of a serious accident at a power plant. The Task Force also recommended time frames and radiological characteristics of the accidents for use in determining the appropriate emergency actions which could be taken to reduce the accident consequences. The Task Force concluded that if the basic planning elements in existing emergency planning guidance documents are already being considered, the establishment of EPZs should not result in large increases in State and local government emergency planning and preparedness costs.

"NUREG-0396." "EPA 520/1-78-016." Manuscript completed Nov. 1978, date published Dec. 1978. Includes bibliographical references.