Macon County receives grant for emergency nuclear planning

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that Macon County will receive a grant totaling $3,910 from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to help defray emergency response preparedness expenses related to the Clinton Nuclear Power Station.

 

"I am committed to ensuring that every part of our state is prepared for any sort of emergency," Blagojevich said.  "These funds will help to not only keep safe the Clinton Nuclear Power Station but those residents living in the surrounding areas as well." 

 

Macon County submitted a grant request for reimbursement of expenses related to response planning and training, along with participation in exercises of the emergency response plan for the Clinton plant.  The grant will also help the county with other activities that support emergency preparedness, including radio maintenance for the county Emergency Operations Center.

 

"Communities near nuclear power plants have to be prepared to respond to a potential accident at the plant," said William C. Burke, IEMA director.  "These local government grants help reimburse them for some of the expenses related to planning and preparedness efforts."

 

Funding for the grant is provided through the state's Nuclear Safety Emergency Preparedness Fund, which is supported by fees on the nuclear power reactors in Illinois.