Columbia Generating Station

Benton County Emergency Management, in coordination with Franklin and Grant Counties, the State of Washington and Energy Northwest, has developed plans to respond in the unlikely event of an accident at the Columbia Generating Station (CGS). CGS is the Northwest's only commercial nuclear power plant and is owned and operated by Energy Northwest. The plans are designed to help protect nearby residents, specifically those living within the Emergency Planning Zones (EPZ) around the nuclear plant.

Who's at risk?

An accident at the Columbia Generating Station involving the release of radioactive material into the surrounding community is very unlikely. However, plans are in place to protect nearby residents. Please refer to your calendar sent by Energy Northwest for a map showing the designated Emergency Planning Zones (EPZ) around the nuclear plant. The following EPZ are in Benton County:

SECTION 3B

The area south of SR 240, west of River Park Street and north of West Richland and east of SR 225. It includes the Horn Rapids Master Planned Community and those homes and businesses that are accessed from Harrington Road, Yakima River Drive, Snively Road, Twin Bridges Road and Weidle Road. This section also includes the Rattlesnake Mountain Shooting Facility and the Horn Rapids Park.

SECTION 3C

The area south of the Hanford site and north of Battelle Boulevard, between Stevens Drive and the Columbia River. It includes the area west of Stevens Drive between SR 240 and the Hanford site. It also includes the Horn Rapids Off-Road Vehicle Park and the Richland Landfill. It does not include businesses accessed from Logston Boulevard, Sullivan Boulevard and Robertson Drive.

SECTION 4

This area is located on the Hanford Site and is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Energy. There are no permanent residents in this area. Hanford workers would be notified if any protective actions were necessary.

In An Emergency...

How Will I Know?

If there is a radiological emergency at the Columbia Generating Station, nearby residents would be warned in a number of ways.

Sirens and Loudspeakers - People on or near the Columbia and Yakima Rivers and in the Emergency Planning Zones (EPZ) will hear sirens sound continuously for three minutes or longer, followed by an audible message. These sirens are a signal for people in these areas to evacuate and tune to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) Radio Station KONA 105.3 FM or AM 610, KORD 102.7, or KZHR 92.5 for more information.

People using the Richland Off-Road Vehicle Park, the Horn Rapids County Park and the Rattlesnake Mountain Shooting Facility would be notified by sirens sounding continuously for three minutes, followed by an audible message. They would be told to evacuate the area and tune their radios to KONA 105.3 FM or AM 610 for more information.

Warnings by Boat - Personnel and boats provided by the U.S. Coast Guard and County Sheriffs' Department may also warn people to evacuate the river.

          • If there has been no radiological release, boaters will be advised to return to their launch points.

          • If there has been a radiological release, boaters will be instructed to proceed to a monitoring station. Boaters would then receive further instructions from emergency officials.

Additional notification will be made by the Coast Guard broadcast of a "Notice to Mariners" over Marine Band Channel 16.

Tone Alert Radios - Residents within the EPZ in Benton County with special needs have Emergency Tone Alert Radios. These radios would be turned on automatically by a signal transmitted just before an EAS message is broadcast. If you have special needs and live within one of the Hanford EPZ and do not have a tone alert radio or have questions regarding their use, call us at 509-628-2600.

Broadcast Messages - People outside the EPZ would be notified by an EAS message on commercial broadcasting radio and TV stations. People outside the EPZ should monitor KONA 105.3 FM or AM 610.

What Do I Do?

Listen to emergency instructions carefully. Keep your radio tuned to radio station KONA 105.3 FM or AM 610. If you live within the Emergency Planning Zones, you may be asked to take action during an emergency.

If Asked to Take Shelter:

  • Remain in your home

  • Close and lock all doors and windows

  • Close anything that might bring air in from the outside, such as heating and cooling systems, fireplace dampers, range fans, bathroom vents or clothing dryers

  • Use phones only for personal emergency

  • Keep pets inside

  • If you must go outside, cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth

  • Listen to KONA 105.3 FM or AM 610 for further instructions

  • Start planning for a possible evacuation

If Asked to Evacuate:

  • Listen to the instructions carefully. Make sure your location is an area being evacuated before you follow the next steps

  • Keep phones free for emergency use. Talk to your neighbors to make sure they have heard the emergency notification instructions

  • Take emergency supplies with you. You should plan to be away from home for at least 72 hours

  • Turn off stoves, space heaters and heating and air conditioning

  • Leave food and water for pets you are not taking with you

  • Lock all doors and windows

  • Drive away from the nuclear facility

  • Stay tuned to your radio, drive carefully and remain calm

  • Register at the Assistance Center, so friends and relatives can locate you

What are your evacuation routes? We have your answers here.

STAY INFORMED!

Each year, local emergency officials provide a calendar with emergency instruction in both English and Spanish to all residents living within Columbia Generating Station's (CGS) Emergency Planning Zones (EPZ). The calendar contains important emergency information about what steps to take to protect yourself and your family if there is an accident at CGS. If you live in one of the CGS EPZ and haven't received the current years calendar, contact us at 509-628-2600.

You can also find the current year Hanford Site Neighbors calendar here.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT CGS AND NUCLEAR ENERGY? CHECK OUT THEIR WEBPAGE @ WWW.ENERGY-NORTHWEST.COM

Radiological Emergency Information for Farmers, Food Processors and Distributors

Green Book (English) Tri-fold (English)

Green Book (Spanish) Tri-fold (Spanish)


LEARN THE BASICS ABOUT RADIATION FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROPTECTION AGENCY (EPA) @ WWW.EPA.GOV/RADIATION