ML20147A653
| ML20147A653 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 06/05/2020 |
| From: | Kathryn Brock Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response |
| To: | Hampton H US Federal Emergency Management Agency, Technological Hazards Division |
| Rosales-Cooper C | |
| References | |
| Download: ML20147A653 (3) | |
Text
June 5, 2020 Hampton H. Hart Jr., Acting Director Technological Hazards Division Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 400 C Street, South West Washington, DC 20024
SUBJECT:
SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT ELECTRIC GENERATING STATION, THE STATE OF TEXAS AND MATAGORDA COUNTY ALERT AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM EVALUATION REPORT
Dear Mr. Hart:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your May 8, 20201, letter, which forwarded the April 7, 20202, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Evaluation Report of the updated South Texas Project Electric Generating Station (STP), the State of Texas and Matagorda County Alert and Notification System (ANS)
Evaluation Report (ANS Plan and Design Report).
As noted in the updated Design Report, STP and Matagorda County incorporated the Integrated Public Alert Warning System Wireless Emergency Alert (IPAWS-WEA) as the primary ANS for residents and transients within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone. Additionally, STP and Matagorda County proposed the use of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) subsystem and the National Weather Service (NWS) All-Hazards-Radios subsystem, along with the Autodial Telephone subsystem and Route Alerting, as independent backup alerting methods.
Per Section III, Paragraph 2 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regarding Radiological Emergencies, Planning, and Preparedness, which was signed on November 19, 20153:
FEMA coordinates all Federal planning for offsite impact of radiological emergencies and takes the lead for assessing offsite radiological emergency response plans and preparedness, makes findings and determinations as to the adequacy and capability of implementing offsite plans, and communicates those findings and determinations to the NRC. The NRC reviews FEMA's findings and determinations in conjunction with the NRC onsite findings for the purpose of making determinations on the overall state of emergency preparedness. These overall findings and determinations are used by the NRC to make radiological health and safety decisions in the issuance of licenses and the 1 Agencywide Documents Access and Management System [ADAMS] Accession No. ML20139A134 2 ADAMS Accession No. ML20139A136 3 ADAMS Accession No. ML15344A371
continued operation of licensed utilization facility to include taking enforcement actions such as notices of violations, civil penalties, orders, or shutdown of operating reactors.
This delineation of responsibilities avoids duplicative efforts by the NRC in preparedness matters.
Consistent with the roles of each respective agency as set forth in the aforementioned MOU, the NRC conducted a review of the FEMA findings. To aid its review, the NRC utilized the FEMA evaluation criteria and sample template for ANS changes and use of IPAWS4. The NRC review focused on the applicable requirements in 10 CFR 50, Appendix E, Section IV.D.3.
Additionally, the NRC evaluated the updated STP and Matagorda County ANS Plan and Design Report and found that it contained sufficient information to be considered an adequate submittal for NRC to conduct its review. At this time, the NRC did not identify any licensing basis issues.
In conclusion, the NRC accepts the findings of FEMA that the updated STP and Matagorda County ANS Plan and Design Report meets the applicable requirements in 10 CFR 50, Appendix E, Section IV.D.3, and, enables the NRC to make a finding of reasonable assurance for public health and safety.
Please feel free to contact my staff, Robert Kahler, Chief, Policy and Oversight Branch at (301) 287-3756 or at Robert.Kahler@nrc.gov, if you have questions.
Sincerely,
/RA R.Johnson for/
Kathryn M. Brock, Director Division of Preparedness and Response Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 4 ADAMS Accession No. ML19339G862 Robert C.
Johnson Digitally signed by Robert C. Johnson Date: 2020.06.05 07:40:42 -04'00'
- via email OFFICE NSIR/DPR/POB*
NSIR/DPR/POB*
NSIR/DPR/D*
NAME CRosales-Cooper RKahler KBrock (RJohnson for)
DATE 05/21/2020 05/26/2020 06/05/2020