TVA, Other Agencies To Conduct Nuclear Exercise

November 6, 2007

SPRING CITY, Tenn. – TVA and other federal, state and local agencies will conduct a regularly scheduled emergency preparedness exercise for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

The exercise will involve about 1,000 TVA and state of Tennessee employees and emergency responders in McMinn, Meigs, Rhea and Roane counties. Residents of these counties may see radiological monitoring teams or other responders in action as part of the exercise and may hear on-site and off-site sirens sound.

Representatives of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will evaluate responders on the appropriateness of their actions to ensure the health and safety of the public.

This emergency exercise is part of a long-term drill and exercise program.

Utilities operating nuclear power plants are required by the NRC to conduct emergency exercises annually. Every two years, the Department of Homeland Security evaluates the readiness of state and local agencies to protect public health and safety.

A public meeting will be conducted by the Department of Homeland Security to discuss response to the exercise. The public meeting is scheduled at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at the Best Western Hotel, 1421 Murray’s Chapel Road in Sweetwater.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.7 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

Myra Ireland, (423) 751-7153
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

TVA Newsroom