Coal Plant Emergency Preparedness and Response

Due to the importance of an effective response in the event of an emergency, we conducted an evaluation to determine if (1) emergency response plans at coal plants were up to date and (2) required systems were available and functional.We found the majority of emergency plans for active and retired coal plants were not reviewed on a timely basis or were not up to date. Specifically, we found (1) three of six emergency plans for active coal plants were not reviewed timely based on TVA’s requirement for an annual review, and all six contained inaccurate contact information; (2) two of four emergency plans for retired coal plants were not reviewed timely and plans were not executable because of changed plant conditions; and (3) 14 of 15 emergency action plans required for coal combustion residuals storage facilities were not reviewed on a timely basis. We also found some systems required in emergency response plans were not functional. Specifically, we observed functional issues with emergency alerting and notification systems at two of the three plants we visited.