FEMA to evaluate emergency readiness of North Anna Power Station week of July 15

The US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that it will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise for communities around the North Anna Power Station. The exercise will occur during the week of July 15, 2024, to assess the ability of Virginia to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.

MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3, explained that “These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

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 during a public meeting at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024 at the Courtyard Marriott Fredericksburg Historic District, 620 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the NRC.

At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by mail to:

MaryAnn Tierney
Regional Administrator
FEMA Region 3
615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106

FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.

REP Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC, a news release said.

Additional information on FEMA’s REP Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program.