PRINTER'S NO. 1052
No. 46 Session of 1979
INTRODUCED BY GEESEY, BRANDT AND REED, MARCH 28, 1979
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, MARCH 28, 1979
In the House of Representatives, March 28, 1979
1 On March 28, 1979, an equipment failure at about 4:00 A.M.
2 permitted some radioactive steam to escape from the Metropolitan
3 Power Company Nuclear Power Plant on Three Mile Island in the
4 Susquehanna River. At about 7:00 A.M., the company notified
5 others that the radioactive steam had escaped and had blown over
6 the Goldsboro Borough and Fairview and Newberry Townships in
7 York County.
8 There is concern that traces of radiation will show up later
9 in such things as milk from farms in the area. There is also the
10 question of three hours delay between the equipment failure and
11 public notice that radiation had escaped; therefore be it
12 RESOLVED, That the Speaker appoint a select committee of
13 seven members, four from the majority party and three from the
14 minority party, to investigate the equipment failure and the
15 escape of radioactive steam on March 28, 1979 from the
16 Metropolitan Power Company Nuclear Plant on Three Mile Island;
17 and be it further
18 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
1 testimony, and make its investigations at such places as it
2 deems necessary. It may issue subpoenas under the hand and seal
3 of its chairman commanding any person to appear before it and to
4 answer questions touching matters properly being inquired into
5 by the committee and to produce such books, papers, records and
6 documents as the committee deems necessary. Such subpoenas may
7 be served upon any person and shall have the force and effect of
8 subpoenas issued out of the courts of this Commonwealth. Any
9 person who willfully neglects or refuses to testify before the
10 committee or to produce any books, papers, records or documents,
11 shall be subject to the penalties provided by the laws of the
12 Commonwealth in such case. Each member of the committee shall
13 have power to administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses
14 appearing before the committee; and be it further
15 RESOLVED, That the committee report its findings to the House
16 of Representatives as soon as possible.
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