ML16020A048

Region I Reply to J. Sullivan E-mail Indian Point Energy Center Evacuation Issues

ML16020A048
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	01/14/2016
From:	Anne Defrancisco Reactor Projects Branch 2
To:	Sullivan J Entergy Nuclear Operations
DeFrancisco A
References
Download: ML16020A048 (1)

Text

ML16020A048 From: DeFrancisco, Anne Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2016 2:18 PM To: James Sullivan Cc: Hawkins, Sarenee <Sarenee.Hawkins@nrc.gov>

Subject:

Response to Dec 16 Email

Dear Mr. Sullivan,

Thank you for your email regarding the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. In the area of emergency preparedness and response, the NRC works in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for ensuring the onsite and offsite emergency plans are adequate. The regulation of onsite emergency response falls within the NRCs purview, while the offsite oversight responsibility rests with FEMA. The NRC relies on FEMA to provide a reasonable assurance finding on the adequacy of offsite emergency response programs, including the means for the timely evacuation of the public, for protecting the public health and safety.

As you may be aware, Westchester County has the overall authority for making protective action decisions (sheltering, evacuation, etc.) for ensuring the safety of their public during a radiological event. These actions are documented in a county emergency plan that is reviewed by both the State of New York and FEMA. The actions taken to implement the plan are evaluated by FEMA during exercises conducted on a biennial basis. To date, the NRC has not received any concerns from FEMA regarding the Countys capability for implementing their plan, including their capability for evacuating the general public in a timely and safe manner.

We spoke to the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services and they would be happy to speak with you on your specific concerns and special needs. You may contact their office at (914) 864-5450. Also, you may find helpful the information contained on the Westchester Emergency Services Departments website under the category of Information and Alerts that specifically addresses Indian Point safety. The hyperlink to the website is:

http://emergencyservices.westchestergov.com/.

Regarding your comment about Indian Points use of the Hudson River, the NRC is aware that the plant withdraws water from the Hudson River and discharges water back to the River on a continual basis. The plant has permits from the New York State Department of Conservation that allows those withdrawals and discharges. The impact on aquatic life was evaluated in the NRCs environmental impact statement for license renewal, which is posted at http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal/applications/indian-point.html.

Lastly, regarding requests to shut down the facility, the public is provided the opportunity to petition the NRC to take licensing action regarding facility operation. You can find more information about this at http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/rulemaking/public-involvement.html.

Thanks for expressing your interest in nuclear safety and please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Anne DeFrancisco Division of Reactor Projects Anne.defrancisco@nrc.gov 6103375078

ML16020A048 From: DeFrancisco, Anne Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2016 2:18 PM To: James Sullivan Cc: Hawkins, Sarenee <Sarenee.Hawkins@nrc.gov>

Subject:

Response to Dec 16 Email

Dear Mr. Sullivan,

Thank you for your email regarding the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. In the area of emergency preparedness and response, the NRC works in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for ensuring the onsite and offsite emergency plans are adequate. The regulation of onsite emergency response falls within the NRCs purview, while the offsite oversight responsibility rests with FEMA. The NRC relies on FEMA to provide a reasonable assurance finding on the adequacy of offsite emergency response programs, including the means for the timely evacuation of the public, for protecting the public health and safety.

As you may be aware, Westchester County has the overall authority for making protective action decisions (sheltering, evacuation, etc.) for ensuring the safety of their public during a radiological event. These actions are documented in a county emergency plan that is reviewed by both the State of New York and FEMA. The actions taken to implement the plan are evaluated by FEMA during exercises conducted on a biennial basis. To date, the NRC has not received any concerns from FEMA regarding the Countys capability for implementing their plan, including their capability for evacuating the general public in a timely and safe manner.

We spoke to the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services and they would be happy to speak with you on your specific concerns and special needs. You may contact their office at (914) 864-5450. Also, you may find helpful the information contained on the Westchester Emergency Services Departments website under the category of Information and Alerts that specifically addresses Indian Point safety. The hyperlink to the website is:

http://emergencyservices.westchestergov.com/.

Regarding your comment about Indian Points use of the Hudson River, the NRC is aware that the plant withdraws water from the Hudson River and discharges water back to the River on a continual basis. The plant has permits from the New York State Department of Conservation that allows those withdrawals and discharges. The impact on aquatic life was evaluated in the NRCs environmental impact statement for license renewal, which is posted at http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal/applications/indian-point.html.

Lastly, regarding requests to shut down the facility, the public is provided the opportunity to petition the NRC to take licensing action regarding facility operation. You can find more information about this at http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/rulemaking/public-involvement.html.

Thanks for expressing your interest in nuclear safety and please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Anne DeFrancisco Division of Reactor Projects Anne.defrancisco@nrc.gov 6103375078