(File Photo of FEMA Logo, Photo Provided with Release)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Susquehanna, PA) FEMA will evaluate the readiness through a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station.

This exercise will occur during the week of October 19th, 2026, so it can assess and improve the ability of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to respond to an emergency at that nuclear facility. 

FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions within 90 days.

The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after this exercise. 

FEMA will present preliminary findings of this exercise during a public meeting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, October 23rd.

Planned speakers include representatives from both FEMA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This meeting will take place in-person at the location below:
  

Courtyard by Marriott Wilkes-Barre Arena
879 Schechter Drive
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
  

FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response at the public meeting. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail by sending 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 ensure that the residents that are living near commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident.

This program also assists in informing and educating the public about radiological emergency preparedness.