Alissa Tabirian
NS&D Monitor
12/4/2015
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) has identified deficiencies in the Pantex Plant’s emergency preparedness and response program, according to a Nov. 24 letter from DNFSB Chairwoman Joyce Connery to Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz.
The letter notes that certain accident scenarios – such as tornados, flooding, or earthquakes – could cause the dispersal of radioactive material into public lands, potentially threatening public health. The letter highlights three areas of concern in emergency preparedness and response at the Texas nuclear arms assembly and disassembly plant: weaknesses in the facility’s drill and exercise programs, the site’s ability to offer timely information to the public on radiological concerns, and its inadequate decision-making tools.
The letter recommends evaluating and strengthening the plant’s drill and exercise program, improving its delivery of radioactive material release notifications to state and local authorities, and incorporating new guidance on emergency action level decision-making tools into the drill program.
DNFSB group leads last week identified quality assurance reviews, emergency preparedness drills, criticality safety evaluations, and reviews of NNSA directives as priorities for the organization’s fiscal 2016 work plan.