EDMUND G. BROWN 12:. MARK. S. GHILARDUCCI GOVERNOR DIRECTOR Cal 0E5 COPY mama's OFFICE or exec-titer stances Junell,20]5 Karen Armes Acting Regional Administrator Federal Emergency Management Agency. Region IX Broadway. Suite 1200 Oakland, CA 94607-4052 Subject: Decommissioning of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Dear Ms. Armes: The California Govern ar?s Of?ce of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has received information that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted a Request for Exemption to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). As the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is aware, SONGS and its governing utility, Southern California Edison. have been in the process of decommissioning since 20} 3. We understand that per the NRC, upon granting the utilities? Request for Exemption, responsibilities for preparing, reviewing. and testing emergency plans and readiness under federal regulations will no longer apply to the entities-~federal, state and local?that handle SONGS offsite radiological emergency preparedness. While Cal OBS understands this process is triggered by the NRC nou?cation, its timing simply has not allowed adequate time for a thorough evaluation of safety and preparedness at this site= as well as a process to phase down related activities. The public also needs as much reassurance as possible that necessary safety measures are continuing in a unified effort by all parties Rather than abruptly end this program, we urge FEMA to continue working with Cal OES, the NRC and affected jurisdictions to determine a plan and acceptable timeframe to phase down offsite emergency preparedness activities related to SON Thank you for your consideration in this matter. I you have any quesu?ons please contact me, or your staff may contact Deputy Director Tina Curry at (9 l6) 845-8533. incerely, MARK S. GHILARDUCCI Director Cc: Tom Palmisano, Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Donna Bosmn, Director of Emergency Management, Orange County Sheriff?s Department Holly Crawford, Director, San Diego County Office of Emergency Services Mike Rose, D"?ctor of Disaster Preparedness and Facilities, City of Dana Point Torn Bokoslty, Human Resourcz-s Manager, City of San Juan Capistrano James Makshano?'. City Manager, City of San Clemente 3050 AVEN HER, CA 95655 rozm Man-1M Tel Cbunx {mm as 2R1 I Fay US. Department of Homeland Security Region IX 1111 Broadway. Suite 1200 Oakland, CA 94607-4052 FEMA JUN 30 2015 Mark Ghilarducci Director Califomia Govemor?s Of?ce of Emergency Services 3650 Schriever Avenue Mather, CA 95655 Dear Mr. Ghilarducci: The US. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), on June 4, 2015, granted an exemption to Southern California Edison (SCE) for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) from certain provisions within 10 CF 50.47 and Appendix related to off-site radiological emergency response planning. Speci?cally, this exemption allows SCE to discontinue its off-site radiological emergency planning activities. The NRC also officially notified the US. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (F EMA), on June 5, 2015, that FEMA is no longer required to review, monitor, and report activities associated with off-site radiological emergency planning and preparedness as they relate to SONGS under the provisions of 44 CF 350. The NRC further requested that FEMA notify the appropriate state and local governments that off- site radiological emergency plans and preparedness, as described in 44 CFR 350, are no longer required as they relate to SONGS. The Memorandum, dated June 18, 2015, from Kathleen Fox, Acting Assistant Administrator, National Preparedness Directorate to Karen Armes, Acting Regional Administrator EMA RIX is enclosed. Additionally, I have enclosed the Deputy Administrator?s letter to the Governor of California, as referenced in the memo From Kathleen Fox. Based upon this exemption and in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the NRC and FEMA contained in 44 CFR 353, Appendix A, effective June 4, 2015, please consider this formal notification that FEMA will no longer review, approve and evaluate state and local jurisdictions? radiological emergency planning and preparedness activities as they relate to SONGS. Mr. Mark Ghilarducci Page 2 The NRC regulations govern whether there should be Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) programs both onsite and offsite. Based upon the noti?cation of the exemption, EMA has no authority to prolong or ramp down the offsite REP requirements or to fund REP Program as it relates to SONGS. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact me or Richard Chair, Regional Assistance Committee at (510) 627-7240 or email Sincerely, WW Karen E. Armes Acting Regional Administrator FEMA Region IX Enclosures cc: Farley Howell, Federal Preparedness Coordinator, FEMA Region IX Christina Curry, Deputy Director, California Govemor?s Of?ce of Emergency Services Moustafa Abou-Taleb, Chief, Hazardous Materials Section Jennifer Chappelle, Manager, Radiological Preparedness Unit Richard Chair, Regional Assistance Committee Sara Kaminske, Chair, Interjurisdictional Planning Committee