Tennessee Valley Authority
TVA, Other Agencies to Conduct Nuclear Drill
October 17, 2011
SPRING CITY, Tenn. – The Tennessee Valley Authority will conduct an emergency preparedness drill with other federal, state and local agencies on Wednesday, Oct. 19, for the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant.
The exercise will involve about 1,000 people, including TVA and state of Tennessee employees and emergency responders in McMinn, Meigs and Rhea counties. Residents of these counties may see radiological monitoring teams or other responders in action as part of the exercise. They also may hear sirens at the plant and in surrounding areas. In addition, the drill will include a Joint Information Center at the TVA offices in Chattanooga.
Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will evaluate responders on their actions to ensure the health and safety of the public.
Utilities that operate nuclear power plants are required by the NRC to conduct emergency exercises annually. Every two years, FEMA evaluates the readiness of state and local agencies.
FEMA will conduct a public meeting to discuss the exercise at 11 a.m. EDT, Friday, Oct. 21, at the Magnuson Hotel, 1421 Murray’s Chapel Road, Sweetwater.
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.
Media Contact
Myra Ireland, Chattanooga (423) 413-5971
Media Relations, Knoxville (865) 632-6000