Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges Lower Paxton to study evacuation feasibility if Three Mile Island Unit 1 reopens
Summary
Gene Stilp of No TMI Restart told supervisors evacuation of tens of thousands in the event of a radiological emergency would be impractical and urged the township to evaluate local evacuation plans with county and state partners; supervisors said they would consult Dauphin County.
Gene Stilp, director of No TMI Restart, used the public-comment period to urge the Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors to analyze evacuation feasibility in light of plans to reopen Three Mile Island Unit 1.
Stilp told the board that mass evacuation planning for a radiological emergency is ‘‘extremely complicated’’ and, in his view, ‘‘impossible to conduct in the amount of time that is needed.’’ He pointed to local concentrations of hospitals, schools and other facilities—citing the difficulty of evacuating 600-bed hospitals and specialized pediatric centers—and said the most risk-averse option would be to oppose the plant reopening.
Stilp said Constellation Energy has contracted major corporations and that local governments should assess what risks they would carry if the plant restarted. He urged the board to consult county emergency management, PEMA and public-safety directors and to consider a ‘‘red team’’ exercise—an external expert review of evacuation scenarios.
Board members asked Stilp what specific action he sought; he asked the township to analyze what evacuation options are possible and to coordinate with Dauphin County and school districts. Supervisors said they would look into their responsibilities and noted that evacuation planning typically involves county and state agencies; one supervisor said the board would discuss the matter with Dauphin County officials.
Stilp also said he has pursued legal action in Dauphin County over language he described as ‘‘mandatory compliance’’ in school-related communications and that the case is in settlement negotiations. The board did not adopt any formal policy or resolution regarding Three Mile Island at the meeting; supervisors said further investigation and coordination with county officials would follow if appropriate.
