Protective Action Zone (PAZ) information

Review the Emergency Planning Zone Map to determine which Protective Action Zone you are in. If you have school-age children, ensure you know which Protective Action Zone their school is in.

Learn more about the geographical descriptions of each Protective Action Zone. Download the Protective Action Zone Descriptions (PDF, 167 KB).

Download Emergency planning zone map (PDF, 734 KB).

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have determined that an Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) should be an area that is roughly a 10-mile circle around a nuclear power plant. However, the EPZ around Diablo Canyon is actually larger.

While the Diablo Canyon EPZ extends to 10 miles over the ocean, it exceeds the federal requirement over land. The DCPP EPZ over land extends 18 miles to the north and 22 miles to the south. This was originally created in partnership with the State of California and San Luis Obispo County. The land based portions of the DCPP EPZ are divided into 12 Protective Action Zones (PAZs) defined by local geographic boundaries.

There are three additional zones, known as Public Education Zones (PEZs), surrounding the twelve PAZs. Residents in these areas are not likely to be affected by an emergency at the power plant. However, since residents in the PEZs (zones 13 through 15) are next to the Emergency Planning Zone, general information about Diablo Canyon is also provided to these residents.

Diablo Canyon has an emergency response plan that is tested regularly and evaluated by federal officials. It is unlikely that an emergency would affect the entire EPZ. That is why the EPZ is divided into twelve smaller PAZs to help organize emergency planning and response actions.

Two factors determine whether protective actions would be needed for any of the PAZs during an emergency at Diablo Canyon. The first is if there is a potential or actual release of radioactive material. The second is the speed and direction of the wind and other weather conditions. The public would be notified through Emergency Notification System messages sent over local radio and television stations, Reverse 911 and social media. Visit Emergency Notification System.

The evacuation routes you should use

U.S. Highway 101 and State Highway 1 are the primary evacuation routes out of the Emergency Planning Zone for Diablo Canyon. State highways and local roads can be used to reach U.S. Highway 101 and State Highway 1. The California Highway Patrol, police officers, and other officials will direct traffic along these routes. The Emergency Planning Zone Map shows the primary evacuation routes. Local radio and television stations will provide information about evacuation routes.