September 2014 – The West Michigan Airport Authority (WMAA) approved an agreement with the Palisades Power Plant to act as a second staging site in the event of a major emergency.
New federal regulations require nuclear power plants in the U.S. to have one staging area on-site and two off-site. Palisades first off-site staging area is Andrews University in Berrien Springs.
Diana Fried, Logistics Lead for the power plant stated, “The agreement is for a worst case scenario situation that would close the power plant for days, not a few hours. The system will be tested within the year. If ever there is an emergency and the airport is needed, any costs incurred would be covered by Palisades.”
Airport Authority Manager Greg Robinson said, “This agreement shows our ability to serve the greater region.”
