§ 7320. Radiological emergency response preparedness, planning

and recovery program.

(a) Establishment of program.--In addition to the powers and duties of the agency set forth in section 7313 (relating to powers and duties), the agency shall develop, establish and maintain a radiological emergency response preparedness, planning and recovery program consistent with the Commonwealth's Emergency Management Plan and in accordance with other applicable Federal regulations and State laws for each nuclear generating facility that has received an operating license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(b) Agency functions.--The specific functions of the agency under the radiological emergency response preparedness, planning and recovery program shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Serving as the point of contact for interface between the affected facilities and other Commonwealth agencies and departments, counties, municipalities and school districts.

(2) Annual review and revision, as necessary, of the risk and support county radiological emergency response plans to ensure that they are consistent with the Commonwealth's Emergency Management Plan.

(3) Participation in required exercises, including emergency communication drills and tests, as based upon mutually agreed schedules and parameters.

(4) Participation in the Federal full participation exercises scheduled for nuclear generation stations.

(5) Review and revision, as necessary, of Annex E, "Radiological Emergency Response to Nuclear Power Plant Incidents," of the Commonwealth's Emergency Management Plan and annual review of the onsite emergency response plan of each utility to ensure that it is consistent with the annex.

(6) Seeking formal Federal review and approval of the Commonwealth's Annex E to its Emergency Management Plan and the county, municipal and other plans in accordance with 44 CFR Part 350 (relating to review and approval of state and local radiological emergency plans and preparedness). Once Federal approval is obtained for the plans, the agency shall seek to maintain that approval status.

(7) Annual review of municipal and school district radiological emergency response plans in conjunction with the respective county emergency management agencies to ensure that they are consistent with the applicable county radiological emergency response plans.

(8) Assisting in the update of lesson plans used by each utility for county, municipal, school and volunteer agency offsite training purposes and, to the extent necessary to obtain Federal approval, participation in this training effort.

(9) Annual review of the Alert Notification System Report for each nuclear generating station to ensure that current information from the State and county plans are included in the report and assist in the coordination of siren or other emergency communication tests with each utility, the appropriate counties and adjacent states.

(10) Coordinating the review and update of emergency information brochures with the respective counties and utilities.

(11) Participation with each utility in planning and program meetings scheduled with counties, municipalities and school districts.

(12) Developing planning and preparedness procedures for emergency response within the ingestion exposure pathway zone.

(13) Providing a qualified press secretary or designee to participate in the operation of a joint information center upon its activation by a utility.

(14) Performing actions necessary to satisfy the Commonwealth's responsibilities relative to Federal guidance memoranda.

(15) Providing reasonable assistance and support requested by a utility from time to time in connection with the utility obtaining or maintaining, or both, an emergency plan acceptable to Federal regulatory entities having jurisdiction over the utility.

(16) Providing other reasonable assistance and support requested by utilities from time to time.

(17) Providing guidance to State, county and municipal elected officials, departments and agencies and school districts in order to ensure compliance with this section and all other applicable Federal and State radiation protection safety laws.

(18) Providing redundant communications' capability between the agency's headquarters and each nuclear generating station in this Commonwealth sufficient to meet Federal and State regulatory requirements.

(c) Establishment of fund.--There is hereby created in the General Fund a nonlapsing restricted receipt account to be known as the Radiological Emergency Response Planning and Preparedness Program Fund. Fees received under subsection (d) shall be deposited in this fund. Moneys in the fund are hereby appropriated to the agency to carry out its responsibilities under subsections (a) and (b).

(d) Annual fees.--(Repealed). (Dec. 20, 1989, P.L.665, No.85, eff. imd.; July 13, 2007, P.L.95, No.31, eff. imd.)

2007 Repeal. Act 31 repealed subsec. (d).

1989 Amendment. Act 85 added section 7320.