FEMA Observing Radiological Emergency Exercise in Delaware for New Jersey Nuclear Facility

PSE&G nuclear facility in southern New Jersey: the Hope Creek & Salem Nuclear Power Plant will be the reason for an upcoming drill. Image: PSEG

FEMA will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Salem & Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations in New Jersey . The exercise will occur during the week of Nov. 16, 2026, to assess and improve the ability of the state of Delaware to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.

FEMA coordinates the national effort to provide state, local and tribal governments with relevant and executable radiological emergency preparedness planning, training, and exercise guidance. FEMA also helps set policies necessary to ensure that adequate capabilities exist to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to and recover from incidents involving commercial nuclear power plants.

There are 54 operating commercial nuclear power facilities around the US that FEMA monitors, including the Hope Creek / Salem Station in New Jersey. Image: FEMA

“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said Andre C. McCoy, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3. “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone and the 50-mile Ingestion Pathway Zone in the state of Delaware.”

Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.

FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise during a public meeting at 12:30 pm EST on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026. Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. That meeting will be held at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Frederica in Delaware.

FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program to ensure that residents living near commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident. The program also helps inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.

Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities: state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The Hope Creek and Salem facility is a major nuclear power complex located on Artificial Island in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County, New Jersey. Operated by PSEG Nuclear LLC, the 740-acre site combines two separate power plants that together produce around 40% of New Jersey’s electricity and roughly 85% of the state’s carbon-free power. Hope Creek is a A single-unit General Electric boiling water reactor (BWR-4) that began commercial operation in 1986, featuring a prominent natural-draft cooling tower, and is licensed to operate until 2046. The Salem Nuclear Power plant is a a two-unit pressurized water reactor (PWR) facility co-located on the same site. Salem Unit 1 and Unit 2 are jointly owned by PSEG Nuclear (57%) and Constellation Energy (43%), while Hope Creek is 100% owned by PSEG.