ML20062J325

Discusses Emergency Planning Regulations,In Response to Re L Boyd Concerns.Fema Is Responsible for Adequacy of Emergency Preparedness in States & Communities Around Nuclear Plants

ML20062J325
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim, 05000471, 05000472
Issue date:	09/30/1980
From:	Dircks W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Heckler M HOUSE OF REP.
Shared Package
ML20062J328	List: ML20062J325 ML20062J330
References
NUDOCS 8010100106
Download: ML20062J325 (2)

Text

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[_ e,( k UNITED STATES fg g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

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- m The Honorable Margaret M. Heckler United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C. 20515

Dear Congresswoman Heckler:

Your letter of April 18, 1980 brought .o my attention the concern of your constituent Ms. Lorraine Boyd concerning evacuation of people in Lakeville, Freetown, and Middleboro in the event of a serious accident at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. I apologize for the delay in our response.

Ms. Boyd's letter refers to nuclear power in the same reference to discussions on nuclear missiles and nuclear bombs. Please be aware that there is a basic difference between a bomb and a reactor, i.e., it is physically impossible for a reactor to explode like a nuclear weapon and consequently the kind of shelters designed to protect against nuclear weapon attacks are not necessary for protection from the effects of a reactor accident.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commissioners have recently endorsed a report by a joint NRC/ EPA Task Force which recommends that detailed emergency planning by State and local authorities around an operating nuclear power plant should extend to about 10 miles from the plant. The cormiunities of Lakeville, Freetown and Middleboro are more than 15 miles from the Pilgrim nuclear power plant, and therefore detailed planning for protective measures at these distances except with regard to ingested foods (especially' milk) and water supplies is not required under the NRC rule. The State of Massachusetts Civil Defense Agency and Office of Emergency Preparedness is a good source for the current state of emergency planning around the Pilgrim Station.

On August 19, 1980 the NRC published a revised regulation on emergency planning, three provisions of which are relevant to this response: (1) emergency planning exposure pathway, 2) (must extend tomust the emergency 10 miles from theand be classified plant for theon declared plume tne basis of observable indications in the control room, rather than on the basis of monitoring downwind radiological surveys, with the consequence that a potential emergency would be declared before there is a release of radio-activity from the plant, and (3) there must be an established method for alerting the public in the 10 mile emergency planning zone within 15 minutes.

The first instructions to the general public will be to go indoors, close doors and windows, and listen to the radio or TV for further instructions.

A copy of the rule is enclosed. As noted in the rule Supplementary Informa-tion the NRC now relies on the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assessments of the adequacy of emergency preparedness in the States and communities around nuclear plants. -

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