The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a biennial emergency preparedness exercise at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. The exercise will occur during the week of April 16 to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Maryland to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.
“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region III. “We will assess state and local emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone as well as the adjacent support jurisdictions within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Maryland.”
Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.
FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise in a public meeting at 10 a.m. on April 20 at the Homewood Suites, 101 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601. Scheduled speakers include representatives from FEMA, NRC, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the State of Maryland.