ML25169A053
| ML25169A053 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oconee  |
| Issue date: | 05/15/2025 |
| From: | Samaan R US Dept of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region IV |
| To: | Dobitsch S US Dept of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency |
| References | |
| Download: ML25169A053 (1) | |
Text
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20472 May 15, 2024 MEMORANDUM FOR:
Stephanie Dobitsch Assistant Administrator, National Preparedness Directorate, Resilience THROUGH:
David Gudinas Director, Office of National Exercises and Technological Hazards, Resilience FROM:
Robert D. Samaan Regional Administrator, FEMA Region 4
SUBJECT:
Oconee Nuclear Station Alert and Notification System Significant Change Recommendation The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 4 received an updated Oconee Nuclear Station Alert and Notification System Evaluation Report, Revision 1, dated August 18, 2023, from the state of South Carolina. I have determined that the Report represents a significant change to the state plan and therefore requires FEMA Headquarters (HQ) review and approval. In accordance with 44 C.F.R. Part 350.14, the FEMA Regional Administrator reviews significant changes to state plans and provides a recommendation to FEMA HQ. I have reviewed the proposed changes and recommend approval of the report and am forwarding to you for appropriate action.
The report includes the following changes: Implementation of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) utilizing the Integrated Public Alert System (IPAWS) as the primary alerting method for the public with fixed sirens and Emergency Alerting System (EAS) as the secondary method.
The proposed changes will meet the minimum acceptable design objectives for coverage and capability as described in the FEMA Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program Manual, December 2023 (Part V, Section C). Based upon thorough review of the Report, I find the proposed changes adequate to protect the health and safety of the public living in the vicinity of Oconee Nuclear Station, and reasonable assurance that appropriate protective measures can be taken and implemented offsite in the event of a radiological emergency. Due to the nature of the changes of utilizing IPAWS/WEA as the primary alerting system, and fixed sirens/EAS as the secondary alerting system, there are no conditional requirements recommended. Additionally, this change would remove the current backup process of route alerting as a requirement to a siren failure.
In accordance with 44 C.F.R. Part 350.14(c), I have determined that a public meeting is not necessary as the state of South Carolina and offsite response organizations have communicated this change with
Oconee Nuclear Station Alert and Notification System Significant Change Recommendation Page 2 all appropriate municipalities and have conducted a successful alert and notification exercise utilizing the new system.
Please contact Kevin Wells, Acting Director, National Preparedness Division, 202.702.7605, if you have any questions regarding this memorandum.
Enclosures:
All enclosed documents can be accessed here: HQ Submission Package o ONS IPAWS Submission Package, dated August 18, 2023 (includes Oconee Emergency Plan Alert and Notification Design Report, Revision 1) o 2022 SCORERP Base Plan Final, dated December 2022 o 23 REP R4 SC Oconee Request for Information, dated October 31, 2023 o ONS Annex Q 2024 IPAWS Draft, dated January 2024 o SC ONS IPAWS RFI Response, dated January 10, 2024 o PC Draft Annex Q Part 1 Radiological Emergency Response, received January 10, 2024 o PC Draft Annex Q Part 2 Radiological Emergency Response, received January 10, 2024 o Oconee Nuclear Station ANS Review Report v6, dated March 26, 2024 o 24 Oconee Nuclear Station Alert and Notification Drill After Action Report, dated April 1, 2024 cc:
Bruce Foreman, Director, Technological Hazards Division, Office of National Exercises and Technological Hazards Thomas Warnock, Chief, Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program Branch, Technological Hazards Division Edith Williams, Chief, Policy and Doctrine Branch, Technological Hazards Division George Odom, Chief, Engineering and Technology Section, Technological Hazards Division