Tennessee Valley Authority
TVA, Other Agencies to Conduct Nuclear Drill
Nov. 7, 2011
ATHENS, Ala. – The Tennessee Valley Authority and other federal, state and local agencies will conduct a scheduled emergency preparedness drill for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The drill will involve about 1,000 TVA and state of Alabama employees and emergency responders in Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties. Residents of these counties may see radiological monitoring teams or other emergency responders in action as part of the drill and may hear on-site and off-site sirens. The drill will also include a Joint Information Center at Calhoun Community College’s Fine Arts building.
The drill is preparation for another exercise in December, when representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will evaluate responders’ actions to ensure public health and safety in a simulated emergency.
The activity is part of a long-term drill and exercise program. Utilities with nuclear power plants are required by the NRC to conduct emergency drills and exercises annually.
Every two years, FEMA evaluates the readiness of state and local agencies. Following the graded exercise in December, FEMA and the NRC will conduct a public meeting to discuss the results.
The Tennessee Valley Authority, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, provides electricity for 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states at prices below the national average. TVA, which receives no taxpayer money and makes no profits, also provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists utilities and state and local governments with economic development.
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