ML24354A228

Ltr from FEMA for Review of Palisades Nuclear Plant Restart

ML24354A228
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	12/19/2024
From:	Warnock T US Dept of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency
To:	Jessie Quichocho NRC/NSIR/DPR/RLB
References
Download: ML24354A228 (1)

Text

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20472 www.fema.gov December 19, 2024 Mr. Jesse Quichocho Reactor Licensing Branch Division of Preparedness and Response Office of the Nuclear Security and Incident Response U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

SUBJECT:

FEMA RESPONSE: REQUEST FOR FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY CONSULTATION ON THE HOLTEC DECOMMISSIONING INTERNATIONAL, LLC PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT SITE EMERGENCY PLAN TO SUPPORT RESUMPTION OF POWER OPERATIONS

Dear Mr. Quichocho:

The FEMA Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program received your letter, dated June 25, 2024, requesting FEMAs concurrence that the proposed Palisades Nuclear Plant (PNP) Site Emergency Plan does not have an unintended impact on offsite radiological emergency preparedness plans.

On January 4, 2024, PNP implemented specific exemptions from emergency planning and preparedness (EP) requirements in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.47, Emergency plans, and Appendix E, Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Production and Utilization Facilities, to 10 CFR Part 50, Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities, as authorized by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on December 22, 2023. Pursuant to the exemptions, FEMA notified the State of Michigan and local governments within the designated plume exposure pathway and ingestion pathway emergency planning (EP) zones that FEMA-supported off-site radiological emergency plans and preparedness were no longer required for the PNP site. FEMA review and validation of off-site plans ceased at that point. Therefore, FEMA currently has no validated off-site plans to assess impact against.

Given the licensees actions toward their proposed restart of the facility and resultant discussions between FEMA, NRC, the licensee, the State of Michigan, and local governments within the proposed plume exposure pathway and ingestion pathway EP zones, it is FEMAs understanding that offsite response organizations (ORO) intend to submit plans to FEMA for review and approval in early 2025 in and, in conjunction with the licensee, are planning for a full participation exercise to test and validate the plans thereafter. The process to be followed is outlined in Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 350.

Page 2 December 19, 2024 FEMA is committed to supporting the communitys efforts and will review ORO plans promptly upon receipt. Once we have reviewed ORO plans, we will be able to determine consistency with the on-site plans on an interim basis pending the outcome of the full participation exercise. If ORO require technical assistance in the development of plans at any point in the process, Federal agencies, including FEMA Regional staff, will be made available upon request to assist States and localities.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 202-657-2301 or Craig Fiore at 202-280-9303.

Sincerely, Thomas K. Warnock Chief Radiological Emergency Preparedness Branch Technological Hazards Division Digitally signed by THOMAS K WARNOCK Date: 2024.12.19 13:36:55 -05'00'