Key Issues
Nuclear Power Plant Security
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Further Improvement Through Coordination
The nuclear energy industry recognizes that there is a theoretical possibility of an attack beyond the capabilities of plant security. In such cases, plant personnel would help respond in coordination with local, state and federal authorities. Nuclear plants are pursuing several different efforts to facilitate better coordination between the facilities and local, state and federal entities.
The nuclear energy industry is the first industrial sector to participate in the DHS Comprehensive Review Program. The comprehensive reviews examine every element of the critical infrastructure, including a thorough security assessment. DHS provides recommendations on additional measures that can be taken to protect against and mitigate possible terrorist attacks.
During these comprehensive reviews, a multidisciplinary team spends a week reviewing a site’s vulnerabilities and security plans and also spends three to five days at the site interacting with security personnel, emergency planning and response staff, and state and local law enforcement and emergency responders. All nuclear power plants completed comprehensive reviews in October 2007. The nuclear sector is the first sector to complete these reviews.
The industry is fully committed to working with all levels of government to provide the best security possible to deter an attack and to respond forcefully and swiftly should one occur. The industry always must satisfy the security requirements imposed by the NRC. It is working constantly to improve security at nuclear plants through training, drills and exercises; implementation of new technology; and cooperation with government entities such as DHS, the FBI and local law enforcement.
Further Improvement Through Coordination
The nuclear energy industry recognizes that there is a theoretical possibility of an attack beyond the capabilities of plant security. In such cases, plant personnel would help respond in coordination with local, state and federal authorities. Nuclear plants are pursuing several different efforts to facilitate better coordination between the facilities and local, state and federal entities.
The nuclear energy industry is the first industrial sector to participate in the DHS Comprehensive Review Program. The comprehensive reviews examine every element of the critical infrastructure, including a thorough security assessment. DHS provides recommendations on additional measures that can be taken to protect against and mitigate possible terrorist attacks.
During these comprehensive reviews, a multidisciplinary team spends a week reviewing a site’s vulnerabilities and security plans and also spends three to five days at the site interacting with security personnel, emergency planning and response staff, and state and local law enforcement and emergency responders. All nuclear power plants completed comprehensive reviews in October 2007. The nuclear sector is the first sector to complete these reviews.
The industry is fully committed to working with all levels of government to provide the best security possible to deter an attack and to respond forcefully and swiftly should one occur. The industry always must satisfy the security requirements imposed by the NRC. It is working constantly to improve security at nuclear plants through training, drills and exercises; implementation of new technology; and cooperation with government entities such as DHS, the FBI and local law enforcement.
