Overview
Incidents at nuclear power plants are possible, but not likely. The construction and operation of power plant facilities is closely monitored and regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Preparation is still important, however, because an incident could result in dangerous levels of radiation that could affect the health and safety of people living nearby.
Pennsylvania's 4 Power Plants
Do you live near a nuclear power plant? Pennsylvania has four operating plants:
- Beaver Valley Power Station in Beaver County
- Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station in York County
- Susquehanna Steam Electric Station in Luzerne County
- Limerick Generating Station in Montgomery County
Generally, people who live within a 10-mile radius of the power plant are asked to stay informed and possibly take action during an incident.
Radioactive materials could contaminate water supplies, food crops, and livestock within up to a 50-mile radius of the plant.
Note: Three Mile Island in Dauphin County is no longer an active plant. It has been in the decommissioning process since September 2019.
Know the Terms
When there is an incident at a power plant, state and local officials will let you know about it using these terms:
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1
Notification of Unusual Event
The least serious of incidents, this means that a problem at the plant could lead to a decrease in safety. No release of radioactive material that requires offsite monitoring or response is expected.
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2
Alert
Triggered by any type of event that causes a reduction in plant safety. Radiation release is possible, but only in small amounts and contained to the plant. Not a threat to the public.
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3
Site Area Emergency
Triggered by events that cause a serious safety condition. Radiation release is possible, but it isn't expected to exceed guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency. You might hear area sirens. Now is the time to prepare for if the situation worsens. Get things ready in case you are asked to evacuate, and tune in to local TV/radio for updates from officials.
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4
General Emergency
The most serious of emergency classifications, a general emergency is triggered when the reactor core has become or is expected to become damaged. Radiation release is expected to be above Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. Safety actions will be taken.
What Happens If There's An Incident?
If an incident happens at a nearby power plant, try to stay calm. Emergency officials prepare for these possibilities with trainings, drills, and exercises, and will know what to do.
Alerts
Alerts would notify you about an incident. Warning sirens would be activated, and officials would keep you updated through the Emergency Alert System.
Get Inside
Get inside and await updates and further instruction from officials.
Check local TV/radio or trusted sources on social media, like the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's X or Facebook accounts.
Consult Public Safety Brochure
The power plant's public safety brochure is chock full of updated safety information, emergency phone numbers, and more.
What Will I Have To Do?
Usually, officials will instruct you to either:
- Shelter in place
- Evacuate using the evacuation map from the nearby power plant
They may instruct you to take potassium iodide (KI) tablets to protect your thyroid. Local officials and the Department of Health regularly provide these tablets for free to Pennsylvanians who live or work within 10 miles of operating power plants. Call the Department of Health at 877-724-3258 to obtain tablets outside of the annual summer distribution.
