Nuclear plants directed to focus security on containment

Jan 30, 2007 3:42 PM

Making nuclear power plants crash-proof to an airliner attack by terrorists is unreasonable and it's up to the military to avert such an assault, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) says.

In a revised security policy, NRC has directed nuclear plant operators to focus on preventing radiation from escaping in case of such an attack and to improve evacuation plans to protect public health and safety.

"The active protection against airborne threats is addressed by other federal organizations, including the military," the NRC said in a statement.

The agency rejected calls by some nuclear watchdog groups that the government establish firm no-fly zones near reactors or that plant operators build "lattice-like" barriers to protect reactors, or be required to have anti-aircraft weapons on site to shoot down an incoming plane.

The NRC, in a summary of the mostly secret security plan, said such proposals were examined, but that it was concluded the "active protection" against an airborne threat rests with organizations such as the military or the Federal Aviation Administration, the Associated Press reports.

It said various mitigation strategies required of plant operators -- such as radiation protection measures and evacuation plans -- "are sufficient to ensure adequate protection of the public health and safety" in case of an airborne attack.

The commission unanimously approved the plan, which has been the subject of internal discussions for 15 months.

"Nuclear power plants are inherently robust structures that our studies show provide adequate protection in a hypothetical attack by an airplane," NRC Chairman Dale Klein said in a statement, adding that plant operators already must be able to manage large fires or explosions, no matter the cause.

Klein called the new rule "only one piece" of an effort to enhance reactor security and said the NRC will continue to examine and discuss the issue of airborne threats.

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