DE 98-190
Nuclear Emergency Planning
Petition of the Office of Emergency Management that
the Chairman of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
Assess North Atlantic Energy Service Corporation for the
Estimated Costs to Maintain the New Hampshire Radiological
Emergency Response Plan
for Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant
Order Authorizing New Hampshire Office of Emergency Planning
to Assess North Atlantic Energy Service Corporation
the Amount of $1,283,232
O R D E R N O. 23,062
November 9, 1998
The New Hampshire Office of Emergency Management
(NHOEM) submitted a letter on October 22, 1998 requesting that
the Chairman of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
(Commission) assess North Atlantic Energy Service Corporation
(North Atlantic) for the estimated costs to maintain the New
Hampshire Radiological Emergency Response Plan (RERP) for
Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant. The request addresses the
estimated annual costs associated with personnel, training,
associated expenses and equipment expenses incurred by local
municipalities, state agencies and outside support agencies that
have responsibilities with respect to the Seabrook Station RERP.
The total requested assessment for the Fiscal Year 1999
consists of two parts: (1) $1,283,232 for State agency and
outside support agency costs; and (2) the direct provision of
certain equipment and/or services in support of the RERP.
The financial support consists of the following:
10 Personnel-Permanent $ 469,149
16 Non-Classified Employees $ 22,000
18 Duty Officer $ 2,700
20 Current Expenses $ 62,000
28 Rent $ 30,000
30 Equipment $ 31,000
40 Indirect Cost $ 20,142
46 Consultants $ 25,000
49 O H M $ 225,000
50 Personnel-Temporary/Overtime $ 69,900
60 Fringe Benefits $ 179,973
70 In State Travel $ 12,000
80 Out of State Travel $ 5,000
91 Rockingham County $ 32,538
92 Vehicle Lease $ 7,500
94 Local Support $ 62,257
96 State Agencies $ 23,070
97 Other Support Agencies $ 4,003
TOTAL ASSESSMENT $ 1,283,232
The NHOEM requests that payments of the above
assessment be made in response to monthly invoices prepared by
NHOEM and submitted to North Atlantic by NHOEM. North Atlantic
will prepare each check made payable to the State Treasurer and
send payment to the NHOEM within 30 days after the receipt of
each invoice. Failure to remit payment in a timely manner will
result in the assessment of a late penalty fee. The NHOEM also
requests that it be allowed to transfer funds between classes as
necessary in accordance with State of New Hampshire
Administrative Rules.
RSA 107-B sets forth the Commission's jurisdiction over
the assessment of these costs. It provides in pertinent part:
107-B:1 Nuclear Emergency Response Plan.
I. The director of emergency management shall, in
cooperation with affected local units of government,
initiate and carry out a nuclear emergency response
plan as specified in the licensing regulations of each
nuclear electrical generating plant. The chairman of
the public utilities commission shall assess a fee from
the utility, as necessary, to pay for the cost of
preparing the plan and providing the equipment and
materials to implement it.
107-B:3 Assessment.
I. The cost of preparing, maintaining, and operating
the nuclear planning and response program shall be
assessed against each utility which has applied for a
license to operate or is licensed to operate a nuclear
generating facility which affects municipalities under
RSA 107-B:1, II, in such proportions as the chairman of
the public utilities commission determines to be fair
and equitable.
The NHOEM submits, and the supporting schedules
support, that the above stated costs will provide the resources
and personnel required by the various State agencies and outside
agencies.
Pursuant to RSA 107-B:1, I have reviewed the NHOEM's
request and supporting data. I find that the budget costs
contained therein relate to preparing the plan and providing
equipment and materials necessary to implement it. I also find
that the direct assessment of equipment and/or services is
related to preparing the RERP and providing equipment and/or
services necessary to implement it. I, therefore, approve the
assessment of $1,283,232 for Fiscal Year 1999 and the direct
provision of equipment and/or services as specified above.
The NHOEM proposed billing mechanism is reasonable.
Accordingly, NHOEM is authorized to prepare monthly invoices and
submit them to North Atlantic. Within thirty (30) days of
receipt of each invoice, North Atlantic will prepare a check made
payable to: Treasurer, State of New Hampshire, and remit payment
to the New Hampshire Office of Emergency Management. The NHOEM
is also authorized to reserve the right to transfer funds between
classes as necessary in accordance with State of New Hampshire
Administrative Rules.
Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby
ORDERED, that $1,283,232 for Fiscal Year 1999 for
estimated annual costs associated with personnel, training,
current expenses and equipment incurred by State agencies and
outside support agencies plus the incorporation of local
administration and training costs be assessed against North
Atlantic pursuant to RSA 107-B; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that the NHOEM is authorized to
require North Atlantic to make payments against the total
financial assessment of $1,283,232 on a per invoice basis;
and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that these invoices be prepared and
submitted to North Atlantic by NHOEM (with an information copy to
be provided to the Chairman of the Commission); and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that North Atlantic make payment
within thirty (30) days of receipt of the invoice or be assessed
a late penalty fee; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that the NHOEM is authorized to
transfer funds between classes as necessary in accordance with
State of New Hampshire Administrative Rules.
By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New
Hampshire this ninth day of November, 1998.
Douglas L. Patch
Chairman
Attested by:
Thomas B. Getz
Executive Director and Secretary