Dates

• Existence: 1979 - 1980

biographical statement

In the early morning hours of March 28, 1979, the worst nuclear power accident in the United States occurred at the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant, located in Middletown, Pennsylvania. The accident originated with a mechanical malfunction in the plant and was worsened by a combination of human errors in responding to it. As a result, there was a partial meltdown of the nuclear core and a release of radioactive gases. Initially, the extent of the damage was unclear to everyone, including the managers of the plant, federal and state officials, and the general public. The accident resulted in widespread public debate over the safety of nuclear power, prompting the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to pass House Resolution 48 on April 24, 1979. This resolution provided for the formation of a Special Committee to investigate the Three Mile Island (TMI) incident, and in addition, to review the existing emergency preparedness and civil defense programs, which had not responded sufficiently to the accident. The Committee was also to determine methods for coordination between federal, state and local governments during nuclear accidents, to review the health hazards that might result from the accident, and to examine the role of nuclear power in the Commonwealth. House Resolution 48 stated that four members (two from each political party) from each of the following standing committees should be appointed to the Select Committee: the Agriculture Committee, the Business and Commerce Committee, the Consumer Affairs Committee, the Health and Welfare Committee, the Mines and Energy Management Committee, the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, and the State Government Committee. Representative James L. Wright was appointed as chairman of the Select Committee. A listing of the names of the members can be located in the Final Report.

With regard to the situation's serious nature, the Committee found that the response by local agencies, such as the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, was less than adequate. This was not only due to the fault of individuals, but also the fact that the guidelines in place were not sufficient enough to handle a mass evacuation, or even an emergency alert. Information was not relayed in a timely manner to local government officials or the public. Consequently, many business owners, school officials, and families were unsure of the extent of the damage and did not know what precautions were necessary to keep safe. There was insufficient cooperation between counties, partly because elected officials were unsure of proper procedures under such circumstances. The Special Committee held approximately twenty public hearings, during which local citizens expressed that they had very little knowledge of nuclear power or the effects of radiation.

Following intensive study, the Special Committee submitted its final report to the House of Representatives on January 18, 1980. Its members recommended that new guidelines be implemented for evacuation procedures in all sectors, and that a communication system be developed and initiated in the event of a future accident. In addition, the Special Committee recommended that the public, especially those living in the immediate vicinity of the TMI plant, obtain further information about nuclear power and radiation health issues. They also advised that radiation hazard information, as well as possible evacuation procedures, be printed in telephone directories.

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