ML25037A060
| ML25037A060 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/11/2025 |
| From: | Terres A Policy and Oversight Branch |
| To: | Cindy Rosales-Cooper Policy and Oversight Branch |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25037A056 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML25037A060 (1) | |
Text
MEMORANDUM TO:
Cindy Rosales-Cooper, Acting Chief Policy and Oversight Branch Division of Preparedness and Response Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response FROM:
Alexandra R. Terres, General Engineer Emergency Preparedness Apprentice Division of Preparedness and Response Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF JANUARY 23, 2025, NRC/FEMA PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON THE INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM (IPAWS)
On January 23, 2025, a public workshop was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) virtually. The meeting consisted of a public session with presentations from FEMA and NRC staff, followed by an open discussion and Q&A.
Enclosures:
- 1) Summary of January 23, 2025, NRC/FEMA Public Workshop: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)
- 2) List of Attendees CONTACT: Alexandra R. Terres, NSIR/DPR/POB March 28, 2025 Signed by Terres, Alexa on 03/28/25
Package, ML25037A056 Meeting Notice, ML25008A257 Meeting Presentation, ML25024A129 Meeting Summary, ML25037A060 OFFICE NSIR/DPR/POB/PM NSIR/DPR/POB/PM NSIR/DPR/POB/PM NAME ATerres DJohnson DMyal DATE 02/10/2025 2/10/2025 03/27/2025 OFFICE NSIR/DPR/POB/BC NSIR/DPR/POB/PM NAME CRosales-Cooper ATerres DATE 03/28/25 03/28/25
SUMMARY
OF NRC/FEMA PUBLIC WORKSHOP: INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM (IPAWS)
DATE AND TIME:
January 23, 2025, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM LOCATION:
Virtual Webinar MEETING PARTICIPANTS: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), (see also Enclosure 2)
SUMMARY
The purpose of the meeting was to provide current information related to the requirements for changes to the design reports for alert and notification systems (ANS), especially for changes to the use of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), as well as other digitally based ANS.
The meeting notice and agenda are available in the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) at Accession No. ML25008A257. A list of attendees is provided in the enclosure. The presentation slides available at ADAMS Accession No. ML25024A129.
Since 2019, 11 NRC licensees have transitioned to the use of IPAWS as either a primary or backup ANS method. FEMA and the NRC expect approximately 15 additional sites plan to transition to IPAWS in the next 2 years. Transparency between both FEMA and NRC, as well as with licensees and other interested stakeholders, motivated the public workshop. Presentations were given by FEMA staff, followed by a presentation by NRC staff. Following the presentations was an open discussion with Q&As facilitated by NRC staff.
FEMA presented the legal authorities concerning ANS design objectives, including the history of the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) program, the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) requirements for FEMA to approve ANS designs, and the four ANS design objectives.
FEMA noted the any system or approach may be submitted for approval, provided it meets the minimum acceptable design objectives. FEMA also discussed the review and submission process concerning an ANS Significant Change and gave details on the steps of review to be taken by nuclear power plants (NPPs), offsite response organizations (OROs), and FEMA.
FEMA also discussed the implementation of IPAWS-WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts),
including considerations for individuals who are limited English proficient (LEP).
NRC staff presented updates regarding the review and acceptance process for ANS design reports and potential procedural changes that will help to make reviews more efficient and objective. NRC staff discussed the internal procedure for reviewing ANS Design Reports, as well as discussed measures being taken to ensure consistency and efficiency in its reviews. The NRC uses risk-informed assessments and thorough reviews for reasonable assurance determinations to ensure that the public will be alerted and notified in the event of an emergency.
Finally, NRC staff discussed its exploration of innovative ways to capture the salient points of ANS Design Report evaluations from a holistic perspective by using a quantitative approach to support reviews. Using this method provides a more consistent approach for determining reasonable assurance in ANS Design Report evaluations, while also maintaining an efficient and effective review process.
No regulatory decisions were made during the meeting. No public meeting feedback or feedback forms were received.
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), represented by David Young, commented that the quantitative approach being explored by the NRC was promising and encouraged staff to continue the development of the tool.
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), represented by Tanner Waide, asked a question regarding what constitutes a significant change to the ANS design that would require FEMA and NRC review. FEMA staff acknowledged this comment and responded that changes to or removal of particular ANS systems, of either the primary and backup ANS systems, is considered significant. There was discussion between FEMA and DEMA on next steps as DEMA makes changes to their ANS design.
There was discussion between Thomas Scardino, Technological Hazards Branch Chief of FEMA Region 3, and Don Johnson regarding the potential quantitative scoring method for ANS design reports. The NRC staff discussed the early stages of the quantitative method but reminded attendees that collaboration and approval from NRC and FEMA management would be needed before any tool or technique could be made publicly available.
ACTION ITEMS During the workshop, attendees requested access to FEMA and NRC presentation materials.
The slide deck has been uploaded and declared in ADAMS as publicly available, as well as published on the official meeting notice (ADAMS Accession No. ML25008A257).
PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTORS Don Johnson, Senior Emergency Preparedness Specialist, NRC/Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)/Division of Preparedness and Response (DPR)/ Policy and Oversight Branch (POB)
Dwayne Myal, Emergency Preparedness Specialist, NRC/NSIR/DPR/POB Alexandra Terres, Emergency Preparedness Apprentice, NRC/NSIR/DPR/POB Joshua Barnes, Emergency Management Specialist, Engineering and Technology Section, Technological Hazards Division (THD), FEMA George Odom, Section Chief, Engineering and Technology, FEMA/THD
January 23, 2025, NRC/FEMA Public Workshop: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)
List of Attendees Name Organization Alexandra Terres NRC Dwayne Myal NRC Don Johnson NRC Cindy Rosales NRC Kevin Robinson FEMA Joseph Suders FEMA Bryce David Wilkens Southern Nuclear Joshua Barnes FEMA David Young NEI Danilyn Bock SC EMD George Odom FEMA Jessica Shoup Talen Energy Eric White Duke Energy 18035210975 (Unverified)
Unverified Kevin Walden Southern Nuclear Adam Bastow Holtec James Christipher Jr Watson TVA Ted Amundson EC2 Jamie Yeo DTE Energy David Daigle Unverified Tarance M Simmons DTE Energy James Ways MD Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response Jana Bergman Curtiss-Wright Corporation Brianna Sims Southern Nuclear Patrick O'Connell DEMA Tanner Waide DEMA John Perkins Southern Nuclear R. Keith Brown Southern Nuclear Timothy Chase Luzerne County, PA Rebecca Martin Entergy Dave Linkimer Talen Energy Columbia County EMA Columbia County, PA Edith Williams FEMA Sara M Schmidt Constellation Nuclear Nadir Chaudhry NRC Matthew Welshans FEMA Alonzo McSwain FEMA LaShawn Halsey FEMA Daniel Rose FEMA
Bruce Foreman FEMA Susan ONeill FEMA Miriam Dale Evergy Janis McCarroll FEMA Allen Hale WA State Military Dept.
John Webb FEMA Chris Anderson Unverified Thomas Scardino FEMA James Purvis FEMA James McKenzie III FEMA Timothy Harris III FEMA Misty Chance FEMA Madeline Johnson SC EMD Andrew Warwick PG&E Jonathan Fiske NRC Farrah Stewart FEMA Tanya Hockett Cadmus Group Veronica Ann Rodriguez Southern Nuclear Kermit Matthew Smith Southern Nuclear Michael Howe FEMA Robert Phillips Southern Nuclear Nikesha Kersey FEMA Thomas Warnock FEMA Ronald Barker FEMA Miriam Weston FEMA Douglas Horton FEMA Renae Connell FEMA Michael Waters NRC Shelby Bergmann GA EMA Robert Fisher NRC Charles Murray NRC Alberto Sifuentes FEMA Eric Schrader NRC Steven Candurra FEMA Brian Hasemann FEMA Kimberly Tanner NPPD DeShun Lowery FEMA Jeffery Todd Southern Nuclear Taneeka Hollins FEMA Nicole Pilson-Macias STPEGS