ML021060824

G20020174/LTR 02-0212 - 04/30/02 - Rep. Mcnulty Ltr Re Evacuation Plan for Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant

ML021060824
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	04/30/2002
From:	Travers W NRC/EDO
To:	Mcnulty M US HR (House of Representatives)
References
G20020174, LTR 02-0212
Download: ML021060824 (3)

Text

April 30, 2002 The Honorable Michael R. McNulty United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C. 20515

Dear Congressman McNulty:

I am responding to your letter dated March 1, 2002, in which you requested Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) assistance in responding to New York State (NYS) Assemblyman Richard L. Brodsky, regarding issues at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Station. Assemblyman Brodsky has requested that NRC and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials participate in discussions on the Evacuation Plan at Indian Point.

At the federal level, FEMA is responsible for the oversight of offsite emergency preparedness for nuclear power plants. NRC is broadly responsible for protection of public health and safety at and around nuclear facilities. This responsibility involves direct assessment of onsite emergency planning and preparedness of the licensees that we regulate, in addition to oversight of their plant operations and security. As you are aware, following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the NRC immediately advised all nuclear power plants to go to the highest level of security, which they promptly did. All plants have remained at this level. NRC also issued a number of threat advisories which outlined specific measures that we expected our licensees to promptly consider and incorporate, as appropriate, in their protective strategy.

On February 25, 2002, NRC issued Orders to all operating reactor licensees requiring that they implement interim compensatory measures in response to the continued, generalized high-level threat environment. These Orders mandated many of the security measures and features already implemented in response to the threat advisories. Part of our response to the September 11, 2001, attacks has been specifically aimed at assuring that emergency plans are compatible with the heightened security posture that currently exists at each plant.

We work closely with and support FEMA in their assessment of offsite emergency preparedness. NRC and FEMA routinely interact at both the headquarters and regional levels on issues affecting emergency preparedness. In the last two years, and particularly in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, FEMA, with support from NRC and other federal agencies, has given special attention to the annual reviews of offsite emergency planning conducted by responsible State and county organizations. FEMA and NRC have conducted numerous meetings and workshops with NYS and county officials to address issues which have arisen in these reviews. For example, members of my staff and FEMA recently attended meetings in Westchester County involving county emergency planning officials, as well as State, Congressional office, and Entergy representatives. Additionally, NRC played a lead role in coordinating and conducting a table-top exercise for the NYS nuclear utilities, county, state and federal response organizations. Later this year we will be involved with the state and counties as they conduct the next federally evaluated emergency exercise at the Indian Point facility, scheduled for September 24, 2002.

The Honorable Michael R. McNulty NRC and FEMA strive to conduct as much of our work as possible in an open arena. In particular, NRC and FEMA have sought to understand the concerns of the citizens and local officials regarding Indian Point. In the last two years, NRC has held more than a dozen significant meetings with Indian Point 2. These meetings have been open to public observation, and several of these meetings have involved ample opportunities for public questions and comments. Additionally, preceding several of these meetings, we met with local elected officials to brief them on the issues and answer their questions.

NRC intends to remain engaged with FEMA as they work with the State and counties to review the offsite emergency plans and address the issues and concerns raised in Assemblyman Brodskys recent report. We understand that FEMA plans to meet with Assemblyman Brodsky in the near future to discuss the issues raised in the report. We are confident that the current emergency plans are adequate, and that enhancements will continue to be made to those plans, as appropriate, to assure the protection of the health and safety of the public around Indian Point.

Sincerely,

/RA/

William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations

The Honorable Michael R. McNulty NRC and FEMA strive to conduct as much of our work as possible in an open arena. In particular, NRC and FEMA have sought to understand the concerns of the citizens and local officials regarding Indian Point. In the last two years, NRC has held more than a dozen significant meetings with Indian Point 2. These meetings have been open to public observation, and several of these meetings have involved ample opportunities for public questions and comments. Additionally, preceding several of these meetings, we met with local elected officials to brief them on the issues and answer their questions.

NRC intends to remain engaged with FEMA as they work with the State and counties to review the offsite emergency plans and address the issues and concerns raised in Assemblyman Brodskys recent report. We understand that FEMA plans to meet with Assemblyman Brodsky in the near future to discuss the issues raised in the report. We are confident that the current emergency plans are adequate, and that enhancements will continue to be made to those plans, as appropriate, to assure the protection of the health and safety of the public around Indian Point.

Sincerely,

/RA/

William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations DISTRIBUTION:

PUBLIC (w/incomings) K. Cyr/S. Burns J. Zwolinski/T. Marsh D. Rathbun EDO RF (G20020174) H. Miller, R-I S. Richards V. Ordaz (w/incs) A. Blough, R-I C. Schum, OEDO ERCT W. Travers B. Holian, R-I P. Milano OPA W. Kane P. Eselgroth, R-I M. Virgilio, NMSS OCA C. Paperiello S. Collins/J. Johnson J. Davis, NSIR OSP P. Norry B. Sheron R. Wessman, NSIR SECY (CRC 02-0212)

J. Craig W. Borchardt K. Gibson ACCESSION NO.: ML021060824 INCOMING: ML020880564 After declaring this document An Official Agency Record it will/will not be released to the Public.

• See previous concurrence OFFIC RI/DRP* RI/DRP* RI/RA* NRR OCA EDO E

NAME PEselgroth BHolian HMiller JClifford for DRathbun WTravers SRichards DATE 04/17/02 04/17/02 04/17/02 04/18/02 04/30/02 04/26/02 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY