ML22293B739
| ML22293B739 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/10/2023 |
| From: | Mirela Gavrilas Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response |
| To: | Amparo A US Environmental Protection Agency, National Preparedness Directorate |
| Rosales-Cooper C | |
| References | |
| Download: ML22293B739 (3) | |
Text
Alex Amparo, Assistant Administrator National Preparedness Directorate Federal Emergency Management Agency 400 C Street, SW Washington, DC 20024
SUBJECT:
FEMA APPROVAL OF ALERT AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM DESIGN REPORT FOR CONSTELLATION MIDWEST OFFSITE RESPONSE ORGANIZATIONS
Dear Mr. Amparo:
On August 23, 2022, my staff became aware that since 2018, six U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees - the Constellation Midwest sites: Clinton, Braidwood, Dresden, Quad Cities, Lasalle, and Byron are using emergency plans (E-Plans) with back-up alert and notification system (ANS), route alerting, that may not be consistent with the back-up ANS used by the State of Illinois and the county level offsite response organizations (OROs). The OROs added the use of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to their back-up ANS mix based on State plan approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Region Vs Deputy Administrator and the Regional Assistance Committee Chair. It is not clear if the OROs continue to maintain route alerting, which NRC licensees have in their E-plans, now that IPAWS has been added to their back-up ANS mix.
While the NRC fully supports implementing new technologies to better serve the public, NRC licensees are not able to make changes to their E-Plan without written approval of the ANS design report change for a new system. As a result, these six licensees may not be in compliance with the following regulations and may be issued a finding from the NRC.
10 CFR 50.54(q) requires a licensee under part 50 or licensee holding a combined operating license under part 52 to follow and maintain in effect emergency plans which meet the standards in 10 CFR 50.47(b).
10 CFR 50.47(b)(5) requires in part, that means to provide early notification and clear instruction to the populace within the plume exposure pathway emergency planning zone (EPZ) have been established.
10 CFR 50 Appendix E.IV.D.3 requires, in part, that the alerting and notification capability shall additionally include administrative and physical means for a back-up method of public alerting and notification capable of being used in the event the primary method of alerting and notification is unavailable during an emergency to alert or notify all or portions of the plume exposure pathway emergency planning zone population.
January 10, 2023
A. Amparo 2
To assist in identifying the extent of the issue and correct it, if necessary, we would appreciate receiving the approved ANS design reports for our review, in accordance with the process agreed upon in the 2015 FEMA-NRC memorandum of understanding.
Any questions concerning this matter can be directed to Kathryn Brock, the Director of the Division of Preparedness and Response within my office: Kathryn.Brock@nrc.gov and (301) 287-3735.
Sincerely, Mirela Gavrilas, PhD Director, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response Signed by Gavrilas, Mirela on 01/10/23
Ltr ML22293B739 OFFICE NSIR/DPR/POB NSIR/DPR/POB NSIR/DPR NSIR NAME CRosales-Cooper MMcCoppin KBrock MGavrilas DATE Oct 20, 2022 Oct 20, 2022 Nov 30, 2022 Jan 10, 2023