Senators Tomlinson and Baker Chair Joint Hearing on Nuclear Energy and Emergency Preparedness at Pennsylvania's Five Nuclear Plants

HARRISBURG – Senator Tommy Tomlinson (R-6) and Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) held an informational hearing of the Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committees to hear testimony on nuclear energy and emergency management. The hearing was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in Hearing Room, G-1, of the North Office Building in Harrisburg.

The Committee's received testimony regarding Pennsylvania's current and future use of nuclear energy, emergency preparedness at Pennsylvania's five existing nuclear plants, and the role of federal and state entities in regulating the Commonwealth's nuclear industry. Nuclear energy currently accounts for 35% of all energy generation in Pennsylvania and 20% of the national energy generation.

Testimony was received from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Marsha Gamberoni, Director, Division of Reactor Safety, US NRC Region I; Marjorie McLaughlin, State Liaison Officer, US NRC Region I), Pennsylvania's Private Nuclear Providers (Exelon – James R. Meister, VP, Operations & Support; First Energy – Joseph Hagan, President & CNO; and PPL – Bryce Shriver, President), and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (Thomas K. Fidler, Deputy Secretary of Waste, Air, & Radiation Management) and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (General Robert P. French, Director.)

The meeting also addressed public concerns that have emerged in recent months following the publicized release of a videotape in late September showing contracted security staff sleeping in the watch room at Peach Bottom Nuclear facility.

"By their design, construction, and management, nuclear facilities are intended to prevent the radiological releases in the event of natural disasters, operational accidents, or terrorist acts," said Senator Baker, chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, nationally, the nuclear industry has spent a reported $1.5b on security and infrastructure enhancements to thwart outside intrusions. "However, when security breaches do occur at nuclear facilities, public confidence in nuclear energy, generally, and in the robustness of the safety protections, specifically, takes a hit. At these times, it is appropriate that we step back and take stock ensuring that these critical infrastructures are properly and appropriately secured."

Following intensive investigations by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the plant operator, Exelon, officials determined that watch room conditions were not conducive to officer attentiveness. Exelon has since terminated its contract with Wackenhut at the Peach Bottom facility and is evaluating their continued use at their other nuclear facilities.

"Clearly, any discussion of the Commonwealth's future energy picture must consider the role that nuclear will play given that it currently accounts for over one-third of all electrical generation." said Senator Tomlinson, chair of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. "That being said, Pennsylvania's existing nuclear facilities and any further expansion of nuclear must be scrutinized carefully to ensure that public safety, homeland security, and environmental concerns are the paramount concern."

Contact:

Brian Grove
(570) 675-3931

Fran Cleaver - Office of Senator Tomlinson
(717) 787-5072 – Harrisburg