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Off-Site Preparedness for Indian Point Energy Center
http://www.fema.gov/txt/indian_point_letter.txt
July 25, 2003
The Honorable George Pataki
State Capitol
Albany, New York 12224
Dear Governor Pataki:
I am writing to transmit the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's (FEMA) determination of reasonable
assurance that the off-site preparedness for the
Indian Point Energy Center (Indian Point) is adequate.
I also want to outline the additional actions FEMA
is prepared to take to help make the region a model of
preparedness for the nation.
Basis for Determination
After carefully considering all available information,
we have reasonable assurance that appropriate
protective measures to protect the health and safety
of surrounding communities can be taken and are
capable of being implemented in the event of a
radiological incident at the Indian Point facility.
Emergency planning for Indian Point is an on-going,
cyclical process. In early 2003, FEMA reviewed in
detail all of the State and local plans received since
the late summer of 2002 and notified the State and
local counties of additional improvements needed in
the plans. At present, three of the counties - Putnam,
Orange, and Rockland - have updated their plans and
provided an annotated list of their changes.
Westchester County has also updated its plans with the
assistance of outside contractors, but Westchester has
refused to provide FEMA with a copy of those detailed
plan updates. However, Westchester County has
demonstrated an adequate level of preparedness by
actively exercising their plans and participating in
other planning and training events. Our finding
is based on the following:
- Our February 21, 2003 letter transmitting the Indian
Point 2002 Exercise
Report to New York State reported that the September
2002 full-scale
exercise of local emergency response plans was
successful, with no
Deficiencies in the off-site emergency protective
measures used.
- In the most recent out-of-sequence demonstrations
and drills related to the
September 2002 exercise, the State and counties have
continued to
successfully demonstrate their ability to respond to
the scenarios presented.
- In our review, it is apparent that the plans from
Rockland, Orange and Putnam
counties have been further updated since the September
2002 exercise to
address: (1) the 2003 Evacuation Time Estimate Studies
(ETE), with shadow
evacuation estimates; (2) Letters of Agreement between
counties and resource
providers, such as bus companies; and (3) planning for
schoolchildren with
appropriate notification and protective action
decisions. These plans,
including Westchester County's plan, will be tested in
the scheduled exercise
in the middle of 2004.
- Although Westchester County has not permitted a
detailed review by FEMA
of its updated plans the County has worked with
Entergy to update its plans in
response to comments from FEMA, it continues to
participate in all drills, and
continues to demonstrate its involvement by leading
the Four County Nuclear
Safety Committee and by attending other training and
planning events.
The Future Security of Indian Point
In response to your previous letters concerning the
security of Indian Point, FEMA has
been working with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) to ensure that your issues
are addressed. To demonstrate our commitment to help
the State and affected counties
become a model of preparedness for the nation, FEMA
and the NRC will work with New
York to include a simulated terrorist scenario as part
of the next emergency planning
exercise for Indian Point currently planned for the
middle of 2004. In addition, our
regional office in New York will conduct additional
training and provide further technical
assistance on preparing for and responding to Weapons
of Mass Destruction attacks. To
fulfill your prior request that FEMA and the NRC
review the safety of the Indian Point
site, FEMA officials are available to meet with you to
discuss federal guidance for offsite
planning as they relate to potential terrorist
threats.
We look forward to close coordination with your office
to accomplish our mutual goal of
assuring that the emergency response plans and
preparedness not only continue to be
adequate to protect the public health and safety but
become a model for the nation. We
remain available to meet with your office to further
discuss our joint efforts and your
suggestions regarding an improved radiological
emergency planning process.
Sincerely,
R. David Paulison
Director, Preparedness Division
Federal Emergency Management Agency
cc: Chairman Diaz
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