PA Environment Digest

The House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee this week held an informational meeting on nuclear power plant emergency preparedness and response capabilities

"After seeing what occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, it is only natural to want to scrutinize our own nuclear power facilities and systems," said Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-Chester), Majority Chair of the Committee. "I was extremely impressed by the industry's training, cooperation and preparedness. The facilities frequently run drills to prepare for all types of scenarios, and they are constantly working with emergency responders in the community."

Here's a quick summary of the testimony heard by the Committee.

Alex Marion, with the Nuclear Energy Institute, provided an overview of the situation with the Fukushima Daiichi power plants in Japan and the steps taken so far by the utility to deal with the conditions created by the earthquake and tsunami.

Joe Grimes, with Exelon Nuclear which has three nuclear facilities in Pennsylvania, outlined emergency planning requirements established by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the safety standards established by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.

James Lash, with FirstEnergy Generation which operates the Beaver Valley power station, said his organization has 20 employees dedicated to emergency response planning and related exercises. He said full-scale exercises are conducted annually and evaluated by the NRC every two years.

Tim Rausch, with PPL's Susquehanna Station, said safety was the ultimate requirement for operation and emphasized the importance of open communications with emergency response organizations, the state and local governments, the public and all stakeholders.

Henry Tamanini, Chief, PEMA Technological Hazards Division, said as a result of the 1979 accident at Three Mile Island emergency planning in Pennsylvania has undergone a higher level of scrutiny than elsewhere. The accident resulted in a significant upgrade in the capacity of state and local governments to handle emergencies of this type.

David Allard, Director of DEP's Bureau of Radiation Protection, said DEP works to ensure the public's safety around each of the state's nuclear power plants, the nuclear research lab at Penn State University and at the nuclear facility at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Allard provided an overview of DEP's role in emergency planning, maintaining independent oversight at each power plant and maintaining an environmental monitoring program.

Randy Glockley, Director, Lancaster County Emergency Management Agency, said there were many lessons learned in the 1979 accident at TMI about communication, warning the public and emergency planning.

"Pennsylvania's nuclear facilities are very well equipped to manage an emergency, including a possible off-site power outage," said Rep. Barrar. "Pennsylvania residents should feel confident in the safety of these facilities, the oversight provided by the federal government regarding facility operations and the emergency response capabilities of our first responders.

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