State and Local Agencies, Dominion Energy, Will Hold May 4 Radiological Exercise

Published: May 3, 2021

RICHMOND— Emergency response personnel from several Virginia agencies, local governments, and Dominion Energy will hold a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise on May 4 and 5, 2021, with the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County.

The Virginia Operations Plan Exercise (VOPEX) will involve the following localities: Caroline County, Hanover County, Louisa County, Orange County, and Spotsylvania County. The Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) will participate which includes the state departments of Emergency Management, Health, State Police, Transportation, Social Services, Military Affairs, and Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The full-scale exercise will test and assess emergency operations functions, and emergency response capabilities, at the local and state level. The exercise will be evaluated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 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 during a public meeting at 9:00 a.m. on May 7, 2021. Due to the Public Health Emergency the meeting will be conducted in a virtual format via Zoom. Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA. Access to the public meeting is provided below:

https://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1618697623
Meeting ID: 161 869 7623
Passcode: 05973

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 by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:

Janice P. Barlow
Acting Regional Administrator
FEMA Region III
615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106

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Agency Contact

Lauren Opett

Director of Communications and Chief Agency Spokesperson

lauren.opett@vdem.virginia.gov