Nuclear Power Plant Safety Improvement Act of 1979

Nuclear Powerplant Safety Improvement Act of 1979 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to require that at least one Commission inspector be stationed on a 24 hour basis in the control room of any nuclear powerplant licensed under this Act. Sets forth the duties of such inspector.

Directs the Commission to establish a nuclear accident emergency planning assistance program to assist States in handling such emergencies.

Requires owners and operators of licensed nuclear powerplants to monitor radiation levels in the vicinity of such powerplants. Sets forth details of such monitoring requirement.

Requires such owners and operators to develop procedures for responding to nuclear emergencies, and requires that future applicants for nuclear powerplant operating licenses submit, as part of the application, an emergency plan for handling nuclear emergencies. Specifies the nature of such emergency plans.

Directs such owners and operators to distribute information in pamphlet form to nearby residences, businesses, schools and other institutions describing various matters related to radiation and nuclear emergencies.

Requires the Commission to conduct inspections of all operating nuclear powerplants within six months of the date of enactment of this Act.