Callaway Media Guide

Media Visits to Callaway Energy Center

Due to enhanced security regulations and changing operating conditions, access to Callaway Energy Center may be restricted for media and other visitors. When media visits are allowed, some areas will be off limits, and there will be restrictions on photos and videotaping in certain areas. Therefore, if you wish to visit the facility, please make arrangements with an Ameren Missouri media contact prior to your visit.

Access Requirements

Industrial Safety and Security Requirements (Applicable to All Visitors):

You must have a Government issued photo ID. Examples include a driver's license, non-driver's license, military ID, Passport, etc. If you're not a U.S. citizen, a passport for identification is required.
You may be subject to a hands-on “pat down” search by security personnel upon entering the energy center.
You must stay with your escort at all times.

What to Wear

Slacks or long pants and comfortable walking shoes.
High heels, sandals and shoes with open toes are not permitted.
Shirts must have sleeves.

Equipment Limitations
A considerable amount of walking and stair climbing may be necessary. Therefore, we suggest that you travel "light" and avoid bringing bulky equipment cases or heavy tripods into the energy center. Since everything you bring in must be inspected by security personnel, the more you bring, the more delay you may encounter in getting into the energy center to get your story.

Radiological Areas
Federal regulations strictly limit access to radiological areas for people who are not trained in radiation safety procedures. Therefore, visitors are generally not permitted in these areas.

Reporters who wish to enter a radiological area should be prepared to take considerable extra time to comply with special access requirements and record keeping.
Cameras, recorders and other equipment should not be brought into radiological areas.

Photos and Video
Lighting inside the energy center is generally adequate for today’s equipment, but a portable, battery-operated light is suggested for taping in some areas.

Ameren Missouri can provide high-quality video footage and digital photos of refuelings and other energy center activities.

Emergency Communications and the Media

If a radiological emergency occurs at the Callaway Energy Center, one of Ameren Missouri’s top priorities will be to provide timely, accurate information to the news media and allow media representatives to meet with and ask questions of Ameren Missouri personnel.

How Nuclear Energy Center Emergencies Are Classified

Emergency action levels established by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) come in four classes and are the same throughout the nuclear industry. They range from a minor energy center event involving no public danger to a more serious condition which might require protective actions for energy center employees and the general public. Each classification dictates a different response from county, state, and Ameren Missouri personnel.

Unusual Event (minor) - Indicates a situation that is out of the ordinary and that could cause a reduction of safety at the energy center. Appropriate public officials and agencies are notified. No action is necessary for general employees or the public.
Alert - Indicates events that most likely will affect the safety of the energy center to a minor degree. Public officials and agencies will be notified to go on standby. The energy center will mobilize its emergency response organization as a precautionary measure. There is no danger to the general public or energy center population and therefore no protective action is needed.
Site Area Emergency - Indicates an event where actual or potential major failures of the energy center’s safety related equipment could cause radioactive releases to the atmosphere above the protective guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for radioactive releases. Local and state agencies activate their emergency operations centers and the emergency alert system is activated (sirens, tone alert radios, and reverse 911 telephone calls) to alert the public of the situation. Emergency alert system radio messages will broadcast on KTXY 106.9.
General Emergency (major) - Indicates an event where safety conditions have deteriorated and significant releases of radioactive material beyond the energy center boundaries could occur. Local and state agencies begin necessary steps for public protection. Public alert systems are activated (sirens, tone alert radios, and reverse 911 automated call system). These messages provide the public with recommended protective actions.

How The Media Will Be Notified

Ameren Missouri will provide initial notification of the emergency by email to key media, including:

Mid-Missouri media
Associated Press
St. Louis media

We will also post media releases on AmerenMissouri.com.

A radiological emergency at the Callaway Energy Center would be expected to generate an enormous amount of media interest. Therefore, our first priority will be to set up news briefings so large numbers of reporters can be accommodated and their questions answered at one central location.

In the early stages of an emergency, we recommend that the media not call the energy center or Ameren Missouri Communications personnel. Doing so will only delay our efforts to gather information and arrange news briefings to provide you with the most timely and accurate information possible!

Media Briefings

Since an unusual event is the least significant of the four Emergency Action Levels for nuclear power plants, and presents no danger to the public, media inquiries for an unusual event will be handled through the normal communications channels.

If an alert, site emergency or general emergency is declared, a Joint Information Center (JIC) will be established at the State Emergency Management Agency Headquarters, 2302 Militia Drive, Jefferson City, Missouri.

Directions to the JIC
From downtown Jefferson City, take U.S. Highway 50/63 East approximately 8 miles to the Militia Drive exit, turn left, and follow Militia Drive to the Missouri National Guard's Ike Skelton Training Site - the large brick building on top of the hill. Ameren Missouri and government officials will conduct news conferences and background briefings at that location. You will be asked to present up-to-date media credentials when you arrive.

Nuclear Terms
Review Nuclear Terms for terms you may hear used in news briefings at the JIC.

Records and Documents

Copies of public records and documents related to the Callaway Energy Center and its construction are available on the U.S. NRC (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission) website and at the Ellis Library (Government Documents section) on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The NRC posts quarterly safety performance indicators on their website. A color coding system (green, white, yellow, red) is used to show how well each nuclear energy center’s performance met safety criteria during that period, with green indicating the highest level of safety performance and red the lowest. Find the latest data for the Callaway Energy Center.

Residential

Business

Our Company