THIS IS A PRACTICE EXERCISE. THIS IS NOT A REAL EMERGENCY

THIS IS A PRACTICE EXERCISE. THIS IS NOT A REAL EMERGENCY.

…Progress Energy declares “General Emergency” at Harris Nuclear Plant…

Raleigh, N.C., 10/17/11, 1:18 PM – Progress Energy Officials declared a “General Emergency” at 1:00 PM today due to changing conditions at the Harris Plant near Raleigh, N.C. A “General Emergency” is the highest emergency classification level at a nuclear power plant. Harris radiation monitoring teams have detected traces of radiation outside the containment building, but within the plant boundary. Plant employees are working to control the release. Plant employees, except those involved in emergency response duties, have been sent home from the plant site as a precautionary measure. Federal, State, and county officials have been advised.

Progress Energy will issue more information about conditions at the plant in the next “Plant Status Update” news release.

Progress Energy Officials are in close communications with nuclear experts, as well as emergency management officials from the State of North Carolina and Harnett, Lee, Wake, and Chatham counties about conditions at the plant.

Members of the public should monitor their local media outlets and the Emergency Alert System for more information. General safety information is also available on the Harris Plant website www.progress-energy.com/Harris. Under “Emergency Preparedness,” there are links to the safety brochure and a map of the 10-mile emergency planning zone. The safety brochures are mailed annually to residents within a ten-mile radius of the plant.

THIS IS A PRACTICE EXERCISE. THIS IS NOT A REAL EMERGENCY.