ML033600134

E-mail from W. Beecher to Various Addressees, Re Press Release on Indian Point

ML033600134
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	07/25/2003
From:	Beecher W Office of Public Affairs
To:	Diaz N NRC/OCM
References
FOIA/PA-2003-0379, FOIA/PA-2003-0388
Download: ML033600134 (2)

Text

g .. f . . . .. . .... .. raye !1 From: W. Beecher //

To: field; Nils Diaz; OPA5 Date: 7/25/03 4:13PM

Subject:

Press release on Indian Point The press release Is now going out.

Some guidance:

Inthe letter to Gov. Pataki, FEMA says:.*To demonstrate our commitment to help the State and affected counties become a model of preparedness for the nation, FEMA and the NRC will work with New York to Include a simulated terrorist scenario as part of the next emergency planning exercise....etc" Q: Does that mean the NRC Is now committed to trying to make EP at Indian Point a model for the nation?

A: That Is FEMA's stated committment. As the NRC press statement makes clear, the NRC is committed to have reasonable assurance of adequate protection for the health and safety of the people living In the vicinity of the Indian Point facility in the event of an emergency.

Q: Why is the NRC putting out Its press statement at this time?

A: The NRC has been working, in coordination with FEMA, the state of New York, the affected counties and the licensee, to assure reasonable protection and It believes that in order for the people of New York to have a full picture of what Is transpiring. they should be made aware of the NRC's finding on the reasonable assurance question.

--Bill Beecher CC: Lawrence Chandler; Linda Portner; Patricia Norry

NRC FINDS INDIAN POINT MEETS REASONABLE ASSURANCE CRITERIA FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have distinct yet coordinated responsibilities for assessing emergency preparedness associated with commercial nuclear facilities. FEMA has responsibility for assessing off-site emergency preparedness, Including the coordination and implementation of radiological protection guidelines. NRC has responsibility for assessing on-site emergency planning and preparedness; the specific requirements and oversight are established for NRC licensees to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety. Ultimately, the NRC has the overall responsibility for determining that there Is reasonable assurance that adequate protective measures can and will be taken in the event of a radiological emergency at an NRC licensed facility.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commisslon has received the results of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's most recent review of-the adequacy of off-site emergency preparedness plans and procedures for the Indian Point nuclear power facility. FEMA has concluded: 'After carefully considering all available information, we have reasonable assurance that appropriate protective measures to protect the health and safety of surrounding communities can be taken and are capable of being Implemented In the event of a radiological Incident at the Indian Point facility."

The NRC has determined, from Its continuing evaluation of the licensee's on-site emergency planning and preparedness for radiological events, that Indian Point meets the requisite criteria for reasonable assurance of adequate protection. Considering both FEMA's off-site and NRC's on-site emergency preparedness assessments, the NRC's overall determination continues to be that Indian Point emergency preparedness Is satisfactory and provides reasonable assurance of adequate protection.

The NRC and FEMA recognize that planning for possible emergencies Is an ongoing process.

Efforts to improve emergency preparedness associated with the Indian Point facility continue to be made by the State of New York, Involved Counties, and the plant operator. The NRC will continue to work closely with FEMA, state and local officials as well as the plant operator to assure continued protection of the public health and safety. In that regard, plans will be developed by the NRC and FEMA, and in coordination with state and local governments, for the next emergency preparedness drill at Indian Point, which will Include a simulated terrorist scenario.