News & Events

The Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary McQueary, all the NRC partners in securing our homeland, especially our guests from the States, representatives of DHS and our sister Federal Agencies, members of the NRC staff: it is my pleasure and privilege to address you at this first, but surely not the last, Joint NRC/DHS State Security Outreach Workshop.

On behalf of the Commission, I thank Under Secretary McQueary and DHS for jointly sponsoring this very important workshop. In many ways, this meeting highlights a very important transition: from a period of policy-making and preparation that is taking place for America’s homeland security to a more systematic, disciplined, coordinated implementation of security measures. This does not mean that, if called for, we all would not have jumped in and taken care of our people, with passion and thoughtfulness. We would not have worried about “who does it”. We would have focused on “what” needs doing. We are now ready for a more cohesive and comprehensive program to defend our homeland from attacks. Your participation in this workshop is a tribute to how far we have come and your commitment to developing an integrated Federal, State, and local response.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Agreement State licensees were better prepared to respond to the spectrum of credible threats before 9/11 than most other facilities that are part of the civilian infrastructure and, continue to be so. Of course, we can always make further enhancements. Security against threats of diversion at our nuclear fuel facilities or sabotage at nuclear power plants are a 25year old business for the NRC and for our licensees. The awareness, resources and vigilance were there, but all went to a higher level when 9/11 showed the determination of enemies of the United States to attack our people and our way of life.