ML19290E092

Discusses Emergency Planning & Preparedness Re Facility in Response to NRC 800214 Ltr.Nrc Recommendation for Licensing to Permit Low Power Testing Appears Reasonable Due to Potential for Accidents & Condition of Emergency Plans

ML19290E092
Person / Time
Site:	Sequoyah
Issue date:	02/14/1980
From:	Mcconnell J Federal Emergency Management Agency
To:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML19290E089	List: ML19290E092
References
NUDOCS 8003040223
Download: ML19290E092 (2)

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l' FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

\..y. Washington, D.C. 20472 FEB i M fir. Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation '

U.S. tiaclear Regulatory Commission l Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Denton:

Thank you for your letter of February 14, 1980, concerning emergency ,

planning and preparedness as it relates to the Sequoyah nuclear facility. l t

The Memorandum of Understanding between the NRC and FEMA of January 11, 1980, describes both FEMA's and GRC's responsibilities in this area. .

It describes FEMA's responsibilities for making findings and determina- .

tions as to whether State and local emergency plans are adequate and  !

are capable of being implemented, and NRC's responsibilities for the 11- i censee's emergency planning and preparedness. The NRC is responsible for I making decisions regarding the overall state o_f emergency preparedness and for issuance of operating licenses or shutdown of operating reactors.

I FEMA recognizes that the evaluation of the potential consequences of I accidents which could occur at a nuclear facility is an NRC responsi-bility. In this matter, FEMA will rely on NRC's capability to analyze and describe the potential consequences of accidents. I FEfM acknowledges the existing state of emergency planning and prepared-ness related to the Sequoyah nuclear facility. FEIM has initiated actions to assist the State of Tennessee and its local governments in the development of radiological emergency response plans consistent with the NRC/FEl% criteria. A commitment has been obtained from the Governor of the State of Tennessee to revise the current plan by June 1980 to reflect the NRC/ FEMA criteria.

FEMA recognizes that the Sequoyah/ Tennessee emergency planning and pre-  !

paredness situation is a special case caught in the transition between .

old and new emergency planning criteria for both nuclear facilities, l State and local governments, and additionally during the transition '

of the responsibilities between NRC and FEMA.  !

l Based upon your statement of the potential for and consequences of acci- i dents during low power testing and our knowledge of the present condition of Tennessee's State and local emergency plans, your staff's recommen-dation for licensing to permit low power testing appears to be reasonable. ;

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Ue agree that the NRC/ FEMA Steering Committee is the appropriate group to determine if specific emergency planning criteria should be developed or identified for low power testing of nuclear power facilities.

Sincerely yours,

~Jh/L.af John H. McConnell l

i Assistant Associate Director for Plans and Preparedness l l

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