Agenda - 03-29-2007- - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. D. Baker -2- of about 10 miles in radius for planning to protect the public from airborne exposure (the plume exposure pathway) and an EPZ of about 50 miles in radius for planning for actions to prevent radioactive material from entering the food chain (the ingestion pathway). The size of the EPZs for nuclear power plants represents a judgment, based on consideration of the probabilities and consequences of a spectrum of postulated accidents, and on the extent of detailed planning required to ensure an adequate response to a radiological emergency. One of the principal bases for the 10 -mile EPZ is that detailed planning within 10 miles provides a substantial base for expansion of response efforts beyond 10 miles in the unlikely event that such response efforts prove necessary. The 10 -mile planning basis establishes an emergency response infrastructure that includes State and local government emergency management agencies, trained emergency response personnel, communication linkages, alert and warning capabilities, and response facilities and equipment that will be used to protect the public in the EPZ and beyond in the event of a radiological emergency. Instances where the EPZ is expanded or contracted are rare and are carefully evaluated by emergency preparedness experts at the NRC and DHS before they are approved. In general, however, it is not prudent or necessary to expand the 10 -mile EPZ. Such an expansion could add significant burden to affected parties with limited additional benefit. Furthermore, response resources would be spread over a larger area and may put people nearer to the site at greater risk by diverting those resources. In the absence of a technical rationale to the contrary, the NRC considers that the planning bases for the 10 and 50-mile EPZs are adequate. In April 1989, the emergency plans for the State of North Carolina and affected local jurisdictions were specifically reviewed and found to be adequate. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (now part'of DHS) determined there was reasonable assurance that the plans could be implemented. Additionally, based on the results of an exercise of the offsite radiological emergency response plans for the SHNP conducted on April 5, 2005, no Deficiencies or Areas Requiring Corrective Action were identified by DHS. Based on this information, the NRC continues to find that there is reasonable assurance that adequate protective measures can and will be taken in the event of a radiological emergency associated with the SHNP. Therefore, should the Orange County Board of Commissioners choose to formally pursue expansion of the 10 -mile EPZ, it would need to work through appropriate State and local agencies to develop proposed changes to the existing plans. Resolution Concerning Fire Protection Issues The resolution submitted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners supported the petition of the NC Waste Awareness and Reduction Network, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Nuclear Information and Research Service, the NC Fair Share and Students United for. a Responsible Global Environment (i.e., the petitioners) to the NRC asking that the NRC compel Progress Energy/Carolina Power & Light to immediately bring the SHNP into compliance with the existing fire safety standards and regulations applicable to nuclear power plants. The NRC plans to include you on distribution for related NRC correspondence with the petitioners concerning their request. The NRC received similar resolutions from the townships of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and plans to treat them similarly.