What’s that sound? West Valley nuclear plant testing emergency sirens

The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station is conducting the required yearly test of its emergency notification system, which includes sirens and cellphone alerts, on Friday.

The testing for 2026 will take place at noon.

It will cover outdoor sirens within a 10-mile radius of the power plant at Baseline and Wintersburg roads in Tonopah, about 55 miles west of downtown Phoenix.

The sirens will go off twice at noon and again 12:30 p.m. for about three minutes each time, according to Maricopa County Emergency Management.

In addition to the sirens, a Wireless Emergency Alert will be sent at 12:15 p.m. to cellphones within the siren test area that are opted in for test alerts. The message will say: “This is a test of Maricopa County Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is required.”

In the unlikely event that an actual emergency occurs at the plant at the same time the tests are scheduled, alerts directing people to tune to their TVs or radios for more instructions would be sent.

Why do the Palo Verde plant emergency sirens need to be tested?

Palo Verde is the second largest nuclear plant in the United States, generating enough electricity to power more than 4 million homes and businesses.

Arizona Public Service operates the facility, which produces electricity for parts of Arizona and several other states.

The testing of the siren system is required the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In March, APS notified NRC about its intent to renew the operating licenses for the three units at the Palo Verde station.

More information about emergency preparedness in metro Phoenix can be found at the Maricopa County Emergency Management website.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Senior Editor Kevin Stone contributed to this report. 

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