ML23052A109
| ML23052A109 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 02/17/2023 |
| From: | Foreman B US Dept of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency |
| To: | Kathryn Brock NRC/NSIR/DPR |
| References | |
| Download: ML23052A109 (1) | |
Text
www.fema.gov U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20472 February 17, 2023 Kathryn Brock Director, Division of Preparedness and Response Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop T4D22A Washington, D.C. 20555
SUBJECT:
PROPOSED COMMISSION PAPER LANGUAGE FOR PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT EMERGENCY PLAN DECOMMISSIONING EXEMPTION REQUEST
Dear Ms. Brock:
This is in response to your email on December 13, 2022, notifying the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the transmittal of a copy of the draft SECY paper entitled Request by Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC for Exemptions from Certain Emergency Planning Requirements for Palisades Nuclear Plant (PNP), for FEMAs review and comment.
As nuclear power plants decommission and the nature of the risk changes, it may affect the capabilities that state and local governments need to maintain offsite to protect the health and safety of the public. Given the risk implications both onsite and offsite during decommissioning, it is imperative that FEMA and the NRC consult when determining levels of acceptable risk. FEMA acknowledges the NRCs role in analyzing incidents that could result in offsite dose impacts, but FEMA also recognizes the authority of state and local governments to determine their respective levels of acceptable risk and the associated capabilities needed to protect their communities from that risk. The exemption, if issued, will create a transitional environment for offsite emergency preparedness programs and associated planning for radiological hazards. FEMA will continue to support offsite organizations as they adjust their plans, capabilities, and resources to the changing radiological hazard. The resources available to support FEMA stakeholders include, but are not limited to, the National Preparedness System guidance materials, the Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee, and assistance from FEMA Headquarters and Regional Staff.
While previous exemption requests may not have required FEMA to provide the NRC a reasonable assurance finding related to offsite radiological emergency preparedness considerations mentioned above, there is nothing in existing NRC regulations or the December 7, 2015, Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of Homeland Security / Federal Emergency Management Agency and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regarding Radiological Response, Planning and Preparedness that would preclude the NRC
Page 2 of 2 from requesting FEMA to provide the NRC with findings concerning appropriate offsite radiological emergency preparedness considerations. FEMA stands ready, consistent with the MOU, to coordinate with NRC in this regard and to ensure that appropriate licensee funds are provided to FEMA to accomplish this effort.
Should you have any questions, please contact Craig Fiore, (Acting) REP Program Branch Chief, at 202-280-9303.
Sincerely, Bruce C Foreman Director (Acting),
Technological Hazards Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency BRUCE C FOREMAN Digitally signed by BRUCE C FOREMAN Date: 2023.02.17 13:10:54 -05'00'