The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be evaluating a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Limerick Generating Station in Pennsylvania on Sunday.
The exercise will assess Pennsylvania’s ability to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.
“These drills are held every other year to evaluate the government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” Lilian Hutchinson, FEMA Region 3 acting regional administrator, said. “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission within 90 days or use in licensing decisions, and a final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.
On Nov. 21, FEMA will present its preliminary findings at a public meeting in Reading. FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Comments also may be submitted after the meeting via email or mail.
FEMA’s Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program ensures the health and safety of people living near commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident. It also works to inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.