FEMA Approves Michigan Radiological Emergency Preparedness Plan

Regs.gov: Federal Emergency Management Agency

Published September 25th, 2025

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the radiological emergency response plans submitted by the State of Michigan. These plans are crucial for the Holtec International's Palisades Nuclear Generating Station and support public safety in the surrounding counties.

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What changed

FEMA has officially announced the approval of radiological emergency response plans for the State of Michigan, specifically in support of Holtec International's Palisades Nuclear Generating Station. This approval, dated September 25, 2025, signifies that Michigan's state and local government plans meet the federal requirements outlined in 44 CFR part 350, ensuring adequate public protection measures in the event of a radiological emergency.

While this is an approval of existing plans and not a new regulatory requirement for regulated entities, it confirms compliance for the relevant local governments (Allegan, Berrien, and Van Buren counties) with federal standards for nuclear power plant emergency preparedness. The approval is based on a review of the submitted state and local plans, a joint exercise conducted on July 29, 2025, and a public meeting held on August 5, 2025. No specific compliance actions are required from regulated entities as this is an announcement of an agency approval.

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Content

ACTION:

Notice of State plan approval.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is announcing the approval of radiological emergency response plans submitted
by the State of Michigan. The approved plans support Holtec International's Palisades Nuclear Generating Station located in
Van Buren County, Michigan.

DATES:

The radiological emergency response plans were approved on September 25, 2025.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Chesney, Acting Regional Administrator, FEMA Region 5, 536 S. Clark Street, 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 60605. Phone: 312-408-5501;
email: FEMA-publiccomment-Palisades@fema.dhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In support of the Federal requirement for radiological emergency response plans, FEMA's regulations at 44 CFR part 350 describe
the agency's procedures for review and approval of State and local governments' radiological emergency response plans. The
FEMA Region 5 office received an application from the State of Michigan on May 30, 2025. The application included a state
plan and plans for local governments which are wholly or partially within the plume exposure pathway emergency planning zones
of the nuclear plant. For the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station, plans are included for Allegan, Berrien, and Van Buren
counties.

The requirements of 44 CFR part 350 have been met for the State's application. A joint exercise was conducted on July 29,
2025. A public meeting was held on August 5, 2025. Following evaluation of the State plans by the Regional Administrator for
FEMA Region 5, the Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for the National Preparedness Directorate has determined that the
State plans and preparedness are adequate to protect the health and safety of the public living in the vicinity of the nuclear
power facility by providing reasonable assurance that appropriate protective measures can be taken offsite in the event of
a radiological emergency; and are capable of being implemented. Accordingly, the Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for
the National Preparedness Directorate has approved the State plans.

Authority: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.; 6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.; and 44 CFR part 350.

Joel A. Doolin Acting Assistant Administrator, National Preparedness Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency. [FR Doc. 2026-02667 Filed 2-10-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-LH-P