NRC Asked to Review Emergency Planning

September 12, 2007 Contact:Eric Epstein ericepstein@comcast.net (717)-541-1101 NRC Asked to Review Emergency Planning Prior to Relicensing Suspension of Licensing Proceedings Sought (Harrisburg, Pa.) Eric Epstein, Chairman of Three Mile Island Alert, Inc., filed a petition with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) asking for a new rule requiring a comprehensive review of emergency planning during the relicensing process. License renewals extend the operating life of a nuclear plant for an additional 2o years. The purpose of this rule is to have the NRC make an “affirmative finding” that “a reasonable assurance of adequate protection of the population” can be provided by emergency plans certified over 20 years ago. Eric Epstein Chairman of TMI-Alert said, “The world has changed in the last 2o years, and emergency plans around aging nuclear plants require rigorous site-specific reexaminations. The NRC reviews aging components of nuclear power plants, but it does not recertify the plant's initial emergency plans.” Epstein added, “The current process is insanity! How many people would ride in an car or get on an elevator with compliance certificates that are 20 years out of date?” Epstein stated, “Current and pending relicensing proceedings should be suspended until the NRC can validate and reestablish current emergency plans, and provide a ‘reasonable assurance of adequate protection.’” Three Mile Island Alert , Inc., tmia.com, a safe-energy organization based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and founded in 1977. TMIA monitors Peach Bottom, Susquehanna, and Three Mile Island nuclear generating stations. Petition For Rulemaking by Eric Epstein Stronger Support for State and Local Governments by The Honorable Gregory B. Jaczko, Commissioner U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission