ML021360027
| ML021360027 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Beaver Valley, Davis Besse, Perry |
| Issue date: | 01/11/2002 |
| From: | Shipley D State of OH |
| To: | Baird J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, State of OH, Dept of Health |
| References | |
| Download: ML021360027 (4) | |
Text
Bob Taft, Governor OHIO Lt. Governor Maureen O'Connor, Director PUBLIC SAFETY Dale W. Shipley EDUCATION - SERVICE
- PROTECTION
"* Administration Executive Director
"* Bureau of Motor Vehicles Emergency Management Agency
"* Emergency Management Agency 2855 West Dublin-Granville Road
"* Emergency Medical Services Columbus, Ohio 43235-2206
"* Investigative Unit (614) 889-7150
"* Ohio State Highway Patrol www.state.oh.us/odps/division/ema January 11, 2002 J. Nick Baird, MD, Director Ohio Department of Health 246 North High Street P.O. Box 118 Columbus, Ohio 43266-0588
Dear Dr. Baird:
A letter was recently received from the NRC offering Ohio the opportunity to stockpile potassium iodide for distribution to the general public around nuclear power plants.
The NRC requires that consideration be given to including potassium iodide as a
-protective measure to. the general public to supplement, evacuation and sheltering in the event of a severe nuclear power plant accident. The NRC continues to allow the states to make the decision as to whether to use potassium iodide in their emergency preparedness program for the general public; however, it will fund and provide the initial potassium iodide for those states that decide to provide it for the general public. The NRC is contracting to purchase the initial supplies of potassium iodide to supply two KI tablets for each person within 10 miles of each nuclear power plant for whom taking this medicine may be indicated.
The topic of potassium iodide generated a good deal of discussion at our January 7, 2002 Utility Radiological Safety Board of Ohio (URSB) meeting. Mr. Roger Suppes explained the benefits and the concerns of providing potassium iodide for the residents of Ohio around the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, and Columbiana County, which is a part of the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone.(EPZ) for the Beaver Valley Power Station.
Several of his concerns were effective, timely distribution,,continued funding, proper dosage and adequate federal guidance. Concerns from the, URSB included-consistency with the contiguous states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia that share the 1-0-mile EPZ with Ohio for the Beaver Valley Power Station.-. Mr. Suppes also presented information on the benefits of potassium iodide as a supplemental action to effective evacuation and/oir sheltering. He informed the URSB that he is prepared to conduct public meetings around the nuclear power plants to discuss potassium iodide and the Department of Health's policy. This will allow all concerned to discuss recent World Health Organization guidelines, the NRC offer, and the revised federal policy on the use of potassium iodide dated January 10, 2002.
Mission Statement "to save lives; reduce injuries and economic loss, to administer Ohio's motor vehicle laws and to preserve the safety and well being of all citizens with the most cost-effective and service-oriented methods available."
Dr. J. Nick Baird January 10, 2002 Page 2 The NRC has informed us that if a state decides to provide potassium iodide for the general public, the state must complete and submit to FEMA revised plans and procedures, public information materials and prescripted emergency instructions to the public by the end of the calendar year in which the state submits an application for the receipt of potassium iodide.
Further, that the state demonstrate the capability to provide potassium iodide to the general public in the radiological exercise following plan revision. My staff in their responsibility for revision of plans and the coordination of radiological exercises will work with the Department of Health in fulfilling the FEMA requirements.
The decision to provide potassium iodide is an important public health issue. Upon reaching a decision on the state's direction in this matter, we will respond to the NRC outlining Ohio's request for potassium iodide, if appropriate. We will assist the Ohio Department of Health in any way we can in reaching a final policy decision.
Sincerely, DALE W. SHIP; Y Executive Dire ory cc: */Paul H. Lohaus, NRC Headquarters Roland Lickus, NRC Region III Lt. Governor Maureen O'Connor, Director Edward I. Somppi, Ashtabula County Emergency Management Jay Carter, Director, Columbiana County Emergency Management Dale Wedge, Geauga County Department of Emergency Services Robert Archer, Lake County Emergency Management William S. Halsey, Director, Lucas County Emergency Management James Greer, Director, Ottawa County Emergency Management DWS/CAO/rlh Enclosure (1)
pEk RG UNITED STATES 0
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 0
,WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001
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December 20, 2001 Carol O'Claire, Supervisor Radiological Branch Ohio Emergency Management Agency 2855 West Dublin-Granville Road Columbus, OH 43235-2206
Dear Mr. O'Claire:
As you know, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has amended its emergency planning regulations to require that States consider including the prophylactic use of potassium iodide (KI) as a protective measure for the general public in the plume exposure pathway Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) (66 FR5427, January 19, 2001). The use of KI would serve as a supplement to sheltering and evacuation. Subject to available funding, the NRC will provide an initial supply of KI for States that choose to incorporate KI for the general public in their emergency plans. The term "States" includes local governments that have been designated by the State to request such funding.
The NRC, in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is developing the means to provide KI to States. Within approximately 30 days, the NRC should be able to supply KI to States upon written request.
If Ohio concludes that incorporating KI for use by the general public is appropriate, you may request the NRC to provide KI by writing to Kathy Halvey Gibson, Chief, Emergency Preparedness and Health Physics Section, U.S. NRC, Washington, D.C. 20555. Your letter must provide the following information: the nuclear power plant (NPP) site(s); the population in the NPPs' 10-mile EPZ for which you are responsible; the contact person authorized to receive the KI; and the "Ship to" address for KI delivery. Upon receipt of this information, the NRC will validate the data and make arrangements for NRC's contractor to ship KI directly to your designated contact/address. The NRC will supply two KI tablets for each person in the 10-mile EPZ(s). You may also fax your request to (301) 415-2968.
We request that one request for KI be submitted for each State or Native American government. If decisions about emergency planning and the use of KI are the responsibility of local, rather than State authorities, we request that the State consolidate the local requests and forward the consolidated request covering all NPPs within the State to the NRC.
The following information is enclosed to this letter for your consideration and use: FDA guidance on use of KI (Enclosure 1); FEMA guidelines for KI program implementation (Enclosure 2); NRC Statements of Consideration published in support of the final KI rule (Enclosure 3); and NRC Disclaimer (Enclosure 4). A revision to the KI Federal policy will be issued shortly and will be provided to you when it is available. States are encouraged to begin their process for considering the use of KI as early as possible, recognizing that the NRC's resources for this purpose will be limited. NRC will provide KI to requesting States on a first come, first serve basis.
-2 If you have questions or require assistance in this matter, please contact either Kathy Halvey Gibson, NRC, 301-415-1086 or Vanessa Quinn, FEMA, 202-646-3664.
Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.
Sji cerely, Paul H. Lohaus, Director Office of State and Tribal Programs
Enclosures:
As stated