“Ever since the Harrisburg region weathered the nation’s worst nuclear accident, activists including Eric Epstein have touted the need to prepare to evacuate people living outside the 10-mile zone surrounding Three Mile Island.

“This week, they received vindication in the form of a federal report which states the need to study the level of awareness beyond the 10-mile zone, and potentially improve emergency response procedures in the area beyond 10 miles. The report applies to all U.S. nuclear power plants, including four others in Pennsylvania.

“Steam billows out of the Reactor One cooling towers at the Three Mile Island nuclear power facility in Londonderry Twp.” CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE, The Patriot-News

“Epstein has been a harsh critic of federal regulations, which he says are supported by the nuclear power industry, and which focus planning efforts within the 10-mile zone. He argues planning must focus on a 50-mile zone.

“Epstein expects a serious nuclear accident would provoke a major outflow of people involving Harrisburg, York and Lancaster.

“‘It’s stupid and silly to think no one from Harrisburg, York and Lancaster will evacuate,’ he said. He also said that, depending on the wind, some people outside the 10-mile zone could be at greater risk of radiation exposure than some who are much closer to the plant.

“The report from the Government Accountability Office said people living in the 10-mile zone are ‘generally well informed’ about emergency preparedness procedures and are likely to follow directions from authorities in a nuclear plant-related emergency.

“But it points out that federal agencies don’t require similar information to be provided outside the 10-mile zone. Further, public awareness in areas outside the zone hasn’t been studied, and is therefore unknown, the GAO said.

“”Without better information on the public’s awareness and potential response in areas outside the 10-mile zone, (the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) may not be providing the best planning guidance to licensees and state and local authorities,’ the GAO said.”

To read this Harrisburg Patriot-News article in its entirety, click here.