FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of West Virginia

PHILADELPHIA - The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Beaver Valley Power Station. The exercise will occur during the week of June 8, 2026, to assess and improve the ability of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of West Virginia to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility. The exercise will include an evaluation of the updated Alert and Notification System (ANS).

"These drills are held every other year to evaluate government's ability to protect public health and safety," said Andre C. McCoy, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3. "We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of West Virginia."

Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.

FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise, including the ANS demonstration, during a public meeting at 5:30 pm on June 12, 2026. Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The meeting will take place in-person at:

Shippingport Community Building

163 PA-3016

Shippingport, PA 15077

At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing [email protected] or by mail to:

Andre C. McCoy, Regional Administrator

FEMA Region 3
615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106

FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.

Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program responsibilities cover only "offsite" activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Additional information on FEMA's Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program.

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at [email protected].

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