Officials To Test Virginia Readiness For Nuclear Emergency
Exercise scheduled for North Anna Power Station emergency-planning zone

Release Date: July 19, 2004 Release number: R3-04-072

PHILADELPHIA, Pa -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise for the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County, Va., on Tuesday, July 20.

"These drills are held every other year to test government's ability to protect public health and safety," said Acting Regional Director Patricia G. Arcuri of FEMA Region III. "We will evaluate emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile emergency-planning zone of the nuclear facility."

Officials will present preliminary findings of the exercise at a public briefing at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 23, at the Holiday Inn Select, 2801 Plank St., Fredericksburg. The meeting will provide an overview of the exercise. Speakers will include representatives from FEMA, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Dominion Generation, operator of the power plant.

Within 90 days, FEMA will send the evaluation to the NRC for use in licensing decisions. The report will be made public.

The public can submit written questions and comments to Acting Regional Director Patricia G. Arcuri, FEMA Region III, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.